Japanese Prime Minister TAKAICHI said long-term interest rates are gradually rising, including in Japan.

UK preliminary services PMI for August rose to 52.8 from July's 52.1, a six‑month high and above a REUTERS SURVEY forecast of 51.8. The reading, recorded despite ongoing Middle East tensions, adds to signs of an unexpectedly firmer economy and will be welcome for Starmer's successor Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey. S&P Global Market Intelligence chief business economist Chris Williamson said fine weather and tech investment supported expansion, while manufacturing growth eased as precautionary precautionary stockpiling unwound.

Aug 21 — The NPC Standing Committee’s Legislative Affairs Commission said the draft amendment to China’s Enterprise Bankruptcy Law, due for a second review, aims to strengthen restructuring procedures and cross‑border insolvency rules. Key provisions: clarify a temporary‑protection mechanism to safeguard continuity of bankruptcy proceedings including reorganizations; broaden reorganization filing rights so creditors, debtors and other parties may file directly and may file before a bankruptcy declaration; require courts to hold hearings when reviewing reorganization petitions; and tighten disclosure duties, obliging debtors or administrators to provide timely, accurate and complete information to relevant parties.