⛽ China Takes Over Oil Market Control from OPEC

China has successfully shifted its dominance in global oil markets away from the traditional control held by OPEC nations. This shift is happening as Beijing increasingly dictates energy supply and pricing dynamics across international trade routes. Data shows China's import demand has surged significantly over the past fiscal quarters, setting new benchmarks for consumption. This trend reflects China's growing economic might and its strategic importance in the modern energy landscape. Future market stability will depend on how OPEC adapts to this massive shift in purchasing power. ⛽

🎬 Arun Vijay joins Muthaiya for 'Irulan'

Tamil actor Arun Vijay has joined forces with filmmaker M Muthaiya for a new rural drama titled Irulan. The announcement was made on Wednesday, August 12, accompanied by a first-look motion poster. The film also features Mirnaa, Samuthirakani, and John Kokken in key roles. Music by Ghibran Vaibodha and cinematography by Gopinath are part of the production. The movie is being produced under Nethaji Productions, with details about the plot remaining confidential for now.

🔭 First stellar stream outside Milky Way found

Astronomers have discovered the first stellar stream located beyond the Milky Way galaxy. This finding was achieved by researchers at Nanowerk in collaboration with international teams. The stream was observed using advanced telescopic data collected in early 2024. This discovery provides a fresh, crucial method for mapping the distribution of elusive dark matter in the universe. Scientists plan to use this stream to refine current models of galactic structure in the coming years.

💔 YouTuber's wife allegedly ran away; CCTV clip sparks buzz

Malayalam YouTuber Akhil NRD's wife, Megha, is at the center of a viral controversy after reports surfaced about her disappearance. The incident involves Akhil NRD from Kerala and his wife Megha, with CCTV footage circulating online. Reports suggest Megha eloped with a bus conductor, and her friend Sai Krishna later confirmed that she 'ran away.' This has fueled speculation about the state of their marriage, which they married in November 2024. Neither Akhil nor Megha has publicly addressed the allegations so far.

😔 Gardner talks marriage split amid affair claims

Australia vice-captain Gardner has addressed the breakdown of his marriage. The situation involves allegations of an affair, which has become public knowledge. Specific details regarding the timing or other involved parties were not provided in the initial report. This personal crisis is occurring while he maintains his role in the national team. Further updates on his personal life are expected as the situation develops.

🏛️ Parliament wraps up Monsoon Session with 11 bills passed

The Parliament's Monsoon Session concluded on Thursday after both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die. During this session, 12 Bills were introduced, and 11 of them successfully passed both Houses. The total discussion time across the passing of these 11 Bills was recorded as 32 hours 59 minutes. The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026, unfortunately remained pending at the end of the session. This session saw no Bills referred to Standing Committees, unlike the previous year's session. 🏛️

🔭 Eclipse helped science unlock sun's hot corona mystery

Scientists used the total solar eclipse as a rare chance to study the Sun's million-degree corona and space weather phenomena. This event happened on August 12, 2026, following a path across the Northern Hemisphere, including Greenland and Spain. During the totality, researchers observed solar eruptions and corona structures using specialized equipment. Understanding this heat helps predict geomagnetic storms that affect satellites and power grids. Future eclipses offer another natural lab to improve space weather forecasts. 🔭

⚖️ 16 accused in Abhimanyu murder case face court

All 16 accused in the Abhimanyu murder case appeared before the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court in Kerala on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The court added a charge of voluntarily causing hurt (Section 323 of the IPC) at the request of the prosecution. The accused parties have denied this new charge in court. Principal Sessions Judge K. K. Balakrishnan then rescheduled the case for August 17. The trial is being expedited following a Kerala High Court directive for completion within four months.

🌾 Campco asks Karnataka to protect arecanut farmers

CAMPCO has requested the Karnataka Government to ensure the tobacco prohibition does not hurt arecanut growers or the legal trade. CAMPCO President S.R. Satishchandra stressed distinguishing arecanut as a commodity from nicotine products. GST collections from the sector increased from Rs 172.62 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 379.34 crore in 2025-26. The cooperative wants clear rules to avoid issues for farmers and legitimate businesses. The government needs to focus enforcement only on prohibited products moving forward. 🌾

🔬 Q-Line Biotech IPO details drop: check out the numbers

Q-Line Biotech is launching its maiden book building IPO to raise Rs. 214.48 cr. on the NSE SME Emerge platform. The IPO price band is set between Rs. 326 and Rs. 343 per share, opening on May 21, 2026, and closing on May 25, 2026. While top lines grew, FY25 saw a net profit dip due to accounting adjustments, and it has Rs. 242.57 cr in borrowings. Investors are advised to consider moderate long-term investment based on the current data. 🔬

🏥 Ex-star gets neck surgery from phone addiction

Malayalam ex-adult star Shakeela recently had to undergo neck surgery costing Rs 3 lakh. She shared this update via a hospital video on her YouTube channel. The issue stemmed from lying down for hours to play games and watch reels on her phone. This excessive screen time and bad posture damaged the main veins in her neck. Shakeela now urges people to limit phone use to essential things to avoid pain and high medical costs. 📱