China one-year loan prime rate (LPR) 3.00% on Sept. 21; expected 3.00%; prior 3.00%.

Since the Houthi declaration of a July blockade on Saudi shipping and an escalation of fighting in Yemen, Saudi civil defense has issued repeated danger alerts covering at least 11 cities and provinces: Riyadh, Ha'il, Mecca, Jeddah, Taif, Khamis Mushait, Abha, Jizan, Al-Ula, Yanbu and Sharurah. At least eight locations have received multiple warnings; since Sept. 9 authorities have issued at least 24 location-specific alerts. Abha and Khamis Mushait have each been warned at least four times; Taif at least three; Jeddah, Al-Ula, Yanbu, Riyadh and Ha'il at least twice. A Houthi military spokesman said the group will continue strikes in response to Saudi air raids and denied targeting civilians or attacking Mecca. Houthi strikes have hit cities, military bases and energy infrastructure across Saudi Arabia. This month’s first large wave of attacks injured 73 civilians; subsequent strikes on Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif injured a further 13. Debris from an intercepted drone in Taif killed one Yemeni resident. The Saudi-led coalition said it will respond firmly to missile and drone attacks and act to protect Saudi sovereignty.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency reported a magnitude-5.8 earthquake at 11:18 local time on Sep 19, located about 75 km northeast of Sarmi Regency, Papua province; depth 10 km.