China STAR 50 index widens losses to 3%.

As of Aug 21, margin financing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange was 1,348.816 bln yuan, down 3.619 bln from the prior session; Shenzhen was 1,276.184 bln, down 2.539 bln. Combined balance was 2,625.000 bln yuan, down 6.158 bln vs the previous session.

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said Ukraine did not participate in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Russia and Europe and had not even contemplated it, and offered Kyiv’s cooperation in the investigation. A Ukrainian suspect wanted by German authorities was arrested in Croatia earlier — the second Ukrainian detained in the case. Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s prosecutor’s office and foreign ministry are investigating.