Israel Defense Forces said it struck a building in the Balashit area inside the security zone in southern Lebanon earlier today.

On Aug. 21 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said Moscow is open to dialogue with the US on Ukraine but will not sacrifice its principled positions. He said Washington has shown a willingness to engage constructively and to understand Russia’s stance, but the key issue is whether Washington can influence Kyiv and its European backers, who still “fantasize about forcing a strategic defeat on Russia.” Ryabkov added US Secretary of State Rubio has called for new proposals; Russia is willing to hear them, though openness to talks does not imply yielding on core principles.

China's Ministry of Finance Deputy Minister Liao Min said at a State Council Information Office briefing on Aug. 21 that, under the 'Expand Consumption' 15th Five-Year Plan, the near-term priority is fully implementing existing policies to speed their impact, with emphasis on employment and income growth. Over the medium-to-long term the ministry plans to raise household consumption capacity by strengthening social security, deepening income-distribution reforms and enhancing tax-transfer redistribution.