🎬 Awarapan 2 pulls ahead of Batwara 1947 in bookings

The much-awaited film Awarapan 2 has shown strong advance sales, beating the Sunny Deol-starrer Batwara 1947 significantly. As of 9:00 pm on August 11, Awarapan 2 had sold 68,000 tickets, compared to Batwara 1947's 37,600 tickets. This sales momentum suggests high audience interest in Emraan Hashmi's sequel despite its predecessor's mixed run. Both films face challenges due to ongoing show-sharing issues impacting total ticket availability. The race will heavily depend on spot bookings and word-of-mouth for the upcoming releases.

🏛️ TN govt opposes delimitation push in Assembly

The Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government introduced a resolution against delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies on Wednesday. Chief Minister Vijay brought this resolution to the Assembly, even while supporting women's reservation. He warned that population-based delimitation could hurt the representation of southern states like Tamil Nadu. This move happens as the Centre pushes for support for the delimitation bill. The constitutional amendment bill might be tabled during the Monsoon session's final two days.

🕉️ Hundreds perform Bali Tharpanam at Aluva Temple

Hundreds of devotees offered 'bali tharpanam' at the Aluva Mahadeva Temple on Wednesday for Karkidaka Vavu. These people gathered at the Aluva manappuram in Ernakulam, Kerala, for the ritual. Over 40 balitharas were set up, and the event took place on August 12, 2026. Authorities made elaborate arrangements, including clearing mud and deploying 500 police personnel. Special transport services were also provided by KSRTC and Kochi Metro for attendees. 🙏

🤝 Trump and Modi to sort out Russian oil tariff issue

A senior White House advisor stated that President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the tariff issue concerning India's Russian oil purchases. The discussion followed the US Senate passing a bill allowing 100% tariffs on top Russian oil buyers. Navarro noted that India became heavily involved in the trade after the Ukraine war started in 2022. He claimed that his op-ed may have contributed to India reducing its oil trade with Russia. The two leaders are expected to sort out the matter directly between themselves.

🤔 Sarfaraz vs Jurel: India's No. 6 showdown heats up

Team India is facing a major selection dilemma before the Sri Lanka Test starts at Galle International Stadium. The key debate revolves around choosing between Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel for the crucial number six batting slot. With World Test Championship hopes on the line, management must decide this crucial middle-order choice. Kiran More favors Jurel due to his Test experience, while Mohammad Kaif prefers Sarfaraz for his proven spin-resistance. The team must also decide between adding another seamer or bolstering their spin department. 🏏

📉 Oracle planning another wave of layoffs despite AI push

Oracle is reportedly gearing up for another round of job cuts this month as it invests heavily in AI and cloud infrastructure. This follows a major workforce reduction last year, where the company cut about 21,000 jobs globally. The cuts are happening as Oracle balances massive cloud expansion costs against operating expense control. The company is committing tens of billions to data centres, supporting major AI customers like OpenAI. This restructuring reflects a wider industry shift towards leaner teams amid huge AI spending.

🔥 Bali ferry catches fire, 25 still trapped

A passenger ferry, the Putri Yasmin, caught fire while sailing between Bali and Lombok on Wednesday. The incident occurred near Bali as it traveled from Padang Bai port to Lembar port. Initially carrying 114 passengers and 17 crew, 106 people were successfully rescued by crews. Authorities noted that 25 individuals were still trapped as Indonesian navy ships battled the blaze. The search and rescue operation continues amid rough seas with waves up to 4 meters. 🌊

🚚 Scorpio-N Pickup Spotted in Production

A Mahindra Scorpio-N pickup variant has recently been spotted in a production setting. This sighting occurred at an undisclosed manufacturing facility. The vehicle was seen undergoing assembly processes, suggesting imminent market availability. This addition to the Scorpio-N lineup caters to a more rugged and utility-focused segment. Further details about its launch date and features are anticipated soon. 🚚

📈 Alumina Price Hike Pushes Aluminium Stocks Up

Shares of NALCO, Hindalco, and Vedanta Aluminium rose up to 8% on Wednesday, August 12th. This surge happened after Norsk Hydro's Alunorte refinery reduced its Alumina output due to a gas shortage. Global Alumina market surplus is projected at 1.6 MT in 2026 and 0.5 MT in 2027. Higher Alumina prices significantly benefit companies like NALCO, which saw this factor contribute 27% to its FY2026 EBIT. Antique maintains a 'buy' recommendation for NALCO, expecting further growth from aluminium prices. 📈

🌒 Eclipse weirdness: more than just the sky

A total solar eclipse is hitting Iceland, Greenland, and northern Spain on August 12th, marking the first time mainland Europe has seen totality since 1999. Observers might notice several strange ground-level phenomena during the event, including temperature drops and confused animal behavior. Specifically, temperatures can fall noticeably, while birds might suddenly start singing as if it were dawn. Furthermore, light passing through small gaps creates tiny crescent shadows on the ground. Subtle shadow bands and shifts in local wind patterns can also be spotted before and after totality. 🌒

🩺 NEET PG 2026: Fix images by Aug 15 or risk rejection ⚠️

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences opened a final correction window for NEET PG 2026 candidates. This window allows fixes for photos, signatures, or thumb impressions at the NBEMS. The final Selective Edit Window runs from August 12 at 1 PM to August 15 at 11:55 PM. Candidates who miss this chance risk having their applications rejected permanently. Candidates must check guidelines on pages 110 to 127 of the Information Bulletin.