On the evening of the 20th (local time) President Vucic told Serbian Radio Television (RTS) that Serbia's parliamentary election will be held on Oct. 18 or Oct. 25; the final date will be confirmed in coming days.

Japan private sector remained robust in August, with output growth at its fastest since February and manufacturing and services both gaining momentum. Manufacturing new export orders rose at the quickest pace in about eight-and-a-half years, supported by sizable backlogs in semiconductors and AI-related industries. Input costs still climbed sharply amid Middle East conflict-driven supply and energy shocks and a weak yen, but cost inflation eased to a five-month low. Output price growth remains near historical highs, and firms may need to see sustained disinflation before cutting selling prices. Business confidence, sales and employment improved month-on-month; the private sector is expected to stay resilient unless new price or demand shocks emerge.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index closed down 200.43 points, or 0.30%, at 66,016.36 on Friday, Aug. 21.