Semafor reports Nigeria will provide exploration-cost subsidies to mining companies.

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.

Shanghai municipal government held a press briefing on Aug. 21 to outline the China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone Lingang New Area 15th Five‑Year Plan. Targets include 100 billion yuan in bonded repair import‑export and US$50 billion in offshore resale trading turnover by the end of the plan. The area will pilot offshore finance measures, iterate and expand the negative list and operational guidance for cross‑border data flows, develop a global shipping hub and build an international green‑energy bunkering center.