Need Know

• The Emmy Awards continue to distinguish themselves from other global award events by recognizing content from OTT, or over-the-top streaming services. • The Primetime Emmy Awards require shows to meet specific rules regarding their premiere date, release location, and a verified connection to the United States. • This inclusive approach allows digital-first creators and streaming platforms to compete for prestige and visibility alongside traditional television networks.

• India will face Sri Lanka in the Women's Asia Cup final after both teams advanced through the group and semi-final stages. • India enters the match seeking a record-extending eighth title, having already won the tournament seven times. • The outcome determines whether Sri Lanka can successfully defend their championship title against the most successful team in the tournament's history.

• Nearly 2.4 million voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will participate in the region's first parliamentary election to choose lawmakers and parties. • Thirteen political parties are competing for power in a process designed to transition the region toward a parliamentary system. • This shift aims to create a reform movement that discourages one-man rule by institutionalizing a parliament and introducing new political leadership.

• The 2026 Emmy Awards will take place on Monday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. • The ceremony broadcasts live on NBC and streams on Peacock starting at 8 p.m., with E! red carpet coverage beginning at 5 p.m. • Viewers can watch the event live to see the winners and performances of the year's top television achievements.

• Global markets remained muted on Tuesday following attacks on energy facilities in the Persian Gulf and the implementation of Canadian countertariffs. • Oil prices rose to nearly US$100 a barrel, while Canada applied tariffs to US$28 billion worth of American goods. • These geopolitical tensions and trade disputes create price volatility for energy investors and businesses importing goods between Canada and the U.S.

• U.S. voters will cast ballots for federal, state, and local offices during the midterm elections on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. • Florida voters will specifically decide on a constitutional amendment regarding property taxes alongside major races and runoff elections. • Florida residents must maintain a residential address within the state to be eligible to vote in these contests.

• Prevalent AI raised $22 million in a growth investment from Los Angeles-based Integrity Growth Partners on September 2, 2026. • The company uses a platform originally built for cybersecurity to help teams find operational gaps using trusted enterprise data. • This funding contributes to a broader trend of over $1.1 billion invested across European Enterprise AI, WealthTech, SpaceTech, Dual-Use Defense, and Cybersecurity.

• A Stockholm-based AI software company raised $400 million in Series C funding in August 2026 to expand its team and customer base. • The company uses multiple AI models to help non-technical users and businesses create software that currently receives hundreds of millions of monthly visits. • This investment allows the firm to grow its operations across Sweden and the US while moving the platform beyond simple prompt-based interactions.

• Global market traders are monitoring upcoming U.S. payrolls data to predict the Federal Reserve's next move on interest rates. • Market participants currently estimate a nearly 50-per-cent chance of a rate change following comments from Fed governor Christopher Waller. • These employment figures will directly influence borrowing costs and investment returns for Canadian investors.

• North American markets rallied and Wall Street futures trended positive as a global bond selloff eased. • Major markets closed up yesterday as investors shifted focus toward upcoming U.S. economic data. • Market volatility depends on these economic indicators, which will signal the Federal Reserve's next policy moves regarding interest rates.

• India's men's and women's cricket teams will compete to defend their gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games. • The men's tournament consists of 10 teams, with Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal, Hong Kong China, Malaysia, and Oman competing in initial group stages. • Powerhouses India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have been seeded directly into the knockout stage of the competition.

• The 83rd Venice Film Festival begins this Wednesday, bringing major Hollywood stars to Italy for the prestigious cinematic event. • Controversy has erupted over the inclusion of Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s film “DAU,” which depicts Soviet physicists working on the atomic bomb. • Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, and the Embassy of Ukraine in Italy have condemned the film's presence in competition, labeling it a project linked to Russian state influence.

• India is set to compete in Group A of the ACC Women's Asia Cup 2026, facing opponents Thailand, Hong Kong, and Pakistan. • The tournament serves as a critical juncture for the team and its captain, who is currently facing ongoing questions regarding her future in T20 cricket. • This competition is a vital preparation phase before the squad travels to Japan to compete for a gold medal at the Asian Games.

• The Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on August 28, featuring eight teams competing in the T20I format. • Participating nations are split into two groups: Group A includes India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, China, while Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE, and Indonesia. • Defending champions Sri Lanka seek to retain their title, while India aims for redemption following a poor performance in the T20 World Cup.

• The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines designed to protect against the latest circulating strains of the virus. • Health officials emphasize that these vaccines are most effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions. • High-risk groups, including pregnant women and individuals with diabetes, asthma, cancer, or heart and mental health conditions, are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.

• Global markets showed mixed results on Thursday morning as strong sales growth forecasts from Nvidia drove technology shares higher. • While the tech-heavy Nasdaq surged, other trading sectors were dampened by geopolitical uncertainty and stubbornly high U.S. inflation data. • This volatility highlights the ongoing tension between AI-driven growth and macroeconomic pressures affecting broader investor sentiment.

• Singapore will officially lift the cap on dialect film screenings starting in September 2026. • The policy change removes previous restrictions on the number of films featuring dialects that can be screened in cinemas. • This move is significant as it allows for greater cultural expression and provides moviegoers with more diverse linguistic options in local cinema.

• A partial lunar eclipse will occur on August 27-28, marking the most significant lunar event until December 2028. • Live coverage is currently providing a countdown to the event, offering viewers essential viewing tips and real-time updates. • This event is notable for its rarity and quality, serving as the premier lunar eclipse for the next several years.

• Global stock markets remained muted as investors weighed the potential for impending U.S. sanctions on Iran, which has dampened overall risk appetite. • Wall Street futures are pointing lower following a Friday close where major North American markets had previously ended the session in positive territory. • Market participants are shifting their focus toward a heavy slate of corporate earnings reports scheduled for release throughout the week.

• A 96% partial lunar eclipse will occur overnight on August 27-28, as Earth's curved inner shadow passes across the moon's disk. • This celestial event will significantly darken the moon, with nearly the entire surface obscured by Earth's shadow. • The event is significant for stargazers and astronomers due to the high percentage of coverage, making it a highly visible partial eclipse.

• The Retail Technology Innovation Hub has highlighted 20 retail tech ventures that recently secured significant investments across sectors like AI shopping, live commerce, and warehouse robotics. • Among these, EAIGLE, a specialist in AI-powered gate and yard automation, secured an undisclosed funding round led by Noro-Moseley Partners with support from In Revenue Capital and Boreal Ventures. • EAIGLE intends to use the new capital to accelerate its go-to-market expansion and further develop its proprietary automated logistics technology.

• Global markets remained muted as prospects for a deal to end the conflict in the Middle East continued to recede. • TSX futures trended positive following an announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a trade agreement with Canada. • As part of this development, Trump has agreed to postpone his latest round of threatened tariffs for a period of three days.

• Global markets remained muted as efforts to resolve the U.S.-Iran conflict reached an impasse, discouraging investors from taking high-risk positions. • Market volatility was further compounded by an uncertain inflation outlook, contributing to a general sense of caution among traders. • While U.S. markets closed lower on Monday, Wall Street futures turned higher on Tuesday morning, signaling a potential shift in momentum.

• The 18th edition of the Korea Masters badminton tournament, a BWF World Tour Super 300 event, is scheduled to take place from August 4 to 9, 2026. • The event will feature a competitive field including registered Indian players vying for the tournament's prize money. • As a Super 300 event, the tournament provides critical ranking points for athletes aiming to climb the BWF world standings.

• SAMHI Hotels' board approved fundraising of up to Rs 750 crore and the acquisition of a 100% stake in Itmenaan Lodges for Rs 12 crore. • Power Grid acquired Krishnagiri REZ Transmission for approximately Rs 19.82 crore to develop transmission systems and substations across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. • UNO Minda Limited is currently reviewing and approving a merger scheme involving Minda Onkyo India Private.

• The Korea Masters 2026, a BWF Super 300 badminton tournament, is scheduled to begin on August 4. • The event will feature a competitive field including several Indian players vying for a share of the tournament's prize money. • This competition is significant as it allows shuttlers to earn critical ranking points and provides a platform for emerging players to challenge top seeds.

• Deadly protests have erupted in Pakistan-administered Kashmir over the allocation of 12 refugee seats, leading to calls for election boycotts and staggered voting. • The Jammu and Kashmir Awareness Campaign (JAAC) claims these seats allow external political parties to influence the local government and divert essential development funds. • On June 5, authorities designated the JAAC as a "proscribed organisation" and implemented a region-wide internet and mobile service blackout lasting until June 20.