Final

• Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir entered the final phase of its assembly elections on Monday amid heightened security measures. • The voting process is taking place following weeks of violent protests and reports of a crackdown by Islamabad-backed forces in the region. • The elections are facing significant opposition, with calls for a boycott from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

• Thailand and Malaysia have qualified for the ASEAN Championship 2026 semifinals, where they will face Singapore and Vietnam respectively in two-legged ties. • Malaysia will play defending champions Vietnam, with the first leg in Kuala Lumpur on August 16 and the second in Hanoi on August 19. • Seven-time winners Thailand will travel to face Gavin Lee’s Singapore side on August 15 before returning to Bangkok for the second leg on August 18.

• Singapore advanced to the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026 semi-finals following a resilient 1-1 draw against Indonesia, earning praise from coach Gavin Lee. • In other group stage action, Malaysia secured a 1-0 victory over the Philippines via a Pavithran Gunalan header, setting up a semi-final clash with defending champions Vietnam. • Thailand finished first in Group B after a 2-0 win over Myanmar, driven by penalties from Worachit Kanitsribumphen and Jehhanafee Mamah to mark their fourth consecutive victory.

• Park Chan-wook's film *No Other Choice* was notably absent from the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards. • Despite being considered one of the biggest snubs of the 2025 awards season, the film is now finding a new audience via streaming platforms. • The lack of Oscar recognition highlights the ongoing tension and competition between traditional cinema and streaming hits during awards cycles.

• The U.S. Senate concluded its final session on Friday, rushing through a series of critical votes before beginning a weeks-long late-summer recess. • A key achievement of the session was the approval of a stopgap funding measure designed to prevent a government shutdown past the upcoming November elections. • This legislative push is strategically significant as both political parties seek to solidify their records and make their cases to voters ahead of the midterm elections.

• Singapore will face Indonesia tomorrow in their final ASEAN Hyundai Cup group stage match. • The Lions enter the game unbeaten with two wins and one draw, needing only a draw to secure a spot in the semi-finals. • Singapore will be missing midfielder Kyoga Nakamura, who is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards.

• Singapore advanced to the ASEAN football championship semi-finals after securing a draw against Indonesia on August 7, 2026. • Ilhan Fandi scored the equalizing goal, ensuring the Lions finished the group stage unbeaten with eight points from four games. • Singapore finished second in Group A behind Vietnam, maintaining a strong defensive record heading into the knockout rounds.