A massive fire broke out at a hotel on Kolkata’s Free School Street early Wednesday, leaving at least nine people dead, including a child. All victims were reportedly Bangladeshi nationals visiting the city for medical treatment. Initial reports suggest an air conditioner explosion may have triggered the blaze, though the exact cause remains unconfirmed.

Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday is reportedly heading towards a massive $1 billion global opening, with early presales already surpassing Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The strong advance sales have sparked huge expectations for the December release, which is set for a major holiday box office clash with Dune: Part Three.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced that women government employees will receive 365 days of maternity leave for their third child, up from the existing 12 weeks or 3 months. The move brings the benefit on par with leave available for the first two children and aims to support women’s welfare and empowerment.

The timeless classic Nagarjuna and Maniratnam's Geethanjali is all set to return to cinemas on August 28 worldwide. The beloved romantic drama will be screened in both Telugu and Tamil, giving audiences another opportunity to experience the magic of the classic on the big screen after decades.

Colgate has warned that inflation could become a major challenge and hinted at possible price hikes for its products. The company is facing rising input costs and broader economic pressures. While no immediate increase was confirmed, consumers could see higher prices if inflationary pressures continue to impact the business.

The team of Toxic is reportedly planning to seek a ticket price hike in Andhra Pradesh. As per the current plans, 6 AM special shows may be priced at ₹500–₹600, while regular shows could see a ₹50–₹100 hike for the first five days. No government approval has been issued yet.

Director Shiva Nirvana has revealed that there will be no paid premieres for Irumudi as it is a thriller. He believes revealing the film’s twist or key thrills beforehand could affect the audience’s experience. The director wants viewers to discover the suspense naturally and experience the film’s full impact.

Reports suggest Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit the U.S. in September for a meeting with President Donald Trump. It would mark China’s first state visit to the U.S. in 11 years. Trade, Taiwan and AI are expected to dominate discussions, with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz also on the agenda.

The Joseph Ravan case has been transferred from the Gannavaram 12th Additional District and Sessions Court to the NIA Special 2nd Additional District Judge Court in Vijayawada. With the case now under the NIA court’s jurisdiction, both sides will have to present their arguments afresh, including on the custody petition.

Uttar Pradesh Additional District and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar has reportedly awarded death sentences to 22 people in 10 cases between April and August this year. He previously handed death sentences to 13 others while posted in Bareilly. With 35 such verdicts, his record has sparked widespread discussion.

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay apologised to the Opposition in the Assembly after Forest Minister Ranjith Kumar referred to former CM Karunanidhi directly without using the customary respectful reference. The remarks drew strong objections from DMK members, following which Vijay admitted the minister was wrong and apologised on his behalf.

Thaggede Le actress Ananya Raj has passed away at the age of 27. Known for films including Ghost, 7 Hours to Go and Thaggede Le, she reportedly died peacefully in her sleep on July 15. Her family confirmed the tragic news nearly a month later, leaving fans and the film industry shocked.

Spider Man: Brand New Day has officially crossed the massive $2 billion mark worldwide, becoming only the eighth film in history to achieve the milestone. The Tom Holland starrer has reached the landmark in just three weekends, making it the second fastest film ever to cross $2 billion, behind Avengers: Endgame.

Following the NALSAR controversy in Hyderabad, students and alumni of Bengaluru’s National Law School of India University have opposed the proposed presence of Chief Justice Surya Kant and BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at their convocation. Over 700 students and alumni reportedly backed the objection, expressing solidarity with NALSAR students.

Lokesh Kanagaraj has responded to the trolling surrounding his recent films, saying he does not take it too seriously. He admitted that his previous two films invited criticism but expressed confidence in his upcoming project with Allu Arjun. Lokesh believes that if the film delivers, the trolling will automatically stop after its release.

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai revealed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked him to move to Delhi and take up a responsibility for over three years. Annamalai said he declined, choosing instead to remain in Tamil Nadu and continue working for the people and social change.

The Andhra Pradesh government has reportedly finalised Varla Ramaiah and Dalavayi Ramadevi for the two vacant Governor quota MLC posts. The nominations are said to represent SC and BC communities. Meanwhile, the PDF has announced M. Hanumantharao as its candidate for the Guntur Krishna teachers’ MLC constituency.

A firing incident at Varanasi Airport left two AAICLAS screeners injured during passenger weapons screening on Sunday morning. The incident reportedly occurred around 9:30 AM when a passenger travelling to Mumbai fired rounds. The injured staff were rushed to a trauma centre. Further details are awaited as officials investigate the incident.

An Indian Navy sailor, his wife and their two children were found dead at their residence in Navy Nagar, Colaba, on August 15. The Indian Navy confirmed the incident, stating that a police investigation is underway and that it is extending all possible assistance.

Ranbir Kapoor’s much awaited Ramayana will reportedly have different versions for India and China as per Hindi media reports. The Chinese version is said to be 33 minutes shorter and will be released as Ramayana: The Legend of the Prince, reportedly due to China’s strict content regulations.