Bank of Korea Governor: Inflation may return to 3% in August and September.

Brent crude oil fell back below $84/barrel, down 0.28% on the day.

WTI crude oil hit $80/barrel down, down 0.21% on the day.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida: I believe that the international community has an accurate understanding of sewage discharge and has received support from some countries.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said: Tokyo Electric Power will be asked to quickly prepare for the release of wastewater and start discharging as soon as possible.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida: The discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant will begin on August 24.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida: Fukushima wastewater problem needs to be resolved as soon as possible.

[Korean salt stocks soar Japan will make final judgment on when Fukushima nuclear polluted water will be discharged into the sea] Salt-related stocks such as Daesang Holdings surged in South Korea on expectations that consumers will dump treated wastewater from Fukushima in Japan The island nuclear power plant seeks to store sea salt before discharging it. Japan will launch final coordination on launching the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the sea as soon as 24th, and a decision will be made today. Insan rose as high as 30%, the largest increase since June 12; Daesang Holdings rose 9%, the largest increase since June 16; Boratr rose 24%, Pulmuone rose 4.4%, and Sempio rose 12%.

The Russian military said it shot down two Ukrainian drones in the Bryansk region on the border with Ukraine.

Reuters poll: 43 economists surveyed agreed that the Bank of Korea will keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50% on August 24.

Reuters poll: Bank of Korea is expected to keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50% for the rest of 2023 and cut it to 3.25% in the first quarter of 2024 (consistent with the July poll).

Boeing (BA.N): Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase up to 24 F-15EX advanced fighter jets.

The Nikkei 225 gained 1.00% on the day.

U.S. Homeland Security Advisor: About 90% of the search and rescue work in Hawaii is complete.

National Hurricane Center: A tropical depression is expected to bring high winds and heavy rain to southern Texas overnight.

Market news: A group of 32 investors called on G20 finance ministers to link agricultural subsidies with nature and climate goals.

[Syrian military: Israeli missiles attack areas around the Syrian capital] The Syrian military issued a statement on the 21st, saying that the area around the Syrian capital Damascus was attacked by Israeli missiles that night, injuring a Syrian military personnel. The statement said that at about 23:05 local time, Israel launched a missile attack from the occupied Golan Heights on some locations near Damascus, causing one Syrian military personnel to be injured and some facilities damaged. The statement did not specify where the attack occurred. Huge explosions were heard in downtown Damascus.

Market news: US President Biden visited the area hit by the wildfire in Lahaina, Maui.

Faraday Future (FFIE.O ) rose as much as 5 percent after hours as its second-quarter loss narrowed.