गाजियाबाद के पटेल नगर इलाके में शनिवार तड़के एक एसी सर्विस सेंटर में भीषण आग लग गई, जिससे पूरे इलाके में अफरा-तफरी मच गई. आग इतनी तेजी से फैली कि कुछ ही देर में तीन मंजिला इमारत धुएं और आग की लपटों से घिर गई। हादसे में 80 वर्षीय त्रिलोकी नाथ की दर्दनाक मौत हो गई, जबकि कई गाड़ियां भी जलकर राख हो गईं. घटना के बाद इलाके में दहशत का माहौल बन गया. सूचना मिलते ही फायर ब्रिगेड की कई गाड़ियां मौके पर पहुंचीं और घंटों की मशक्कत के बाद आग पर काबू पाया गया. फिलहाल पुलिस और दमकल विभाग आग लगने के कारणों की जांच कर रहे हैं.

पटेल नगर में तीन मंजिला इमारत में लगी आग
जानकारी के मुताबिक, यह हादसा गाजियाबाद के पटेल नगर स्थित प्लॉट नंबर एफ-87 में हुआ. यहां एसी मरम्मत एवं सर्विस सेंटर संचालित था। शनिवार सुबह करीब 3:05 बजे अचानक बिल्डिंग में आग लग गई। शुरुआती आग लगने के बाद अंदर रखे एसी गैस सिलेंडर और कंप्रेशर में धमाके होने लगे। तेज धमाकों की आवाज सुनकर आसपास के लोग अपने घरों से बाहर निकल आए। स्थानीय लोगों ने तुरंत इसकी सूचना फायर ब्रिगेड और पुलिस को दी. चूंकि यह इलाका घनी आबादी वाला है, इसलिए आसपास की इमारतों में आग फैलने का खतरा भी बढ़ गया था.

घंटों की मशक्कत के बाद काबू पाया गया
घटना की जानकारी मिलते ही गाजियाबाद फायर सर्विस की कई गाड़ियां मौके पर पहुंच गईं। आग की गंभीरता को देखते हुए राहत और बचाव कार्य के लिए करीब 8 दमकल गाड़ियों को तैनात किया गया. दमकल कर्मियों ने कई घंटों तक लगातार प्रयास कर आग पर काबू पाया. राहत कार्य के दौरान पूरी बिल्डिंग की तलाशी ली गई. इसी दौरान 80 वर्षीय त्रिलोकी नाथ ग्राउंड फ्लोर पर मृत पाए गए। आशंका जताई जा रही है कि धुएं और आग के कारण उनकी मौत हो गई.

कई गाड़ियां भी जलकर राख हो गईं
इस भीषण आग में दो कारें और करीब 10 मोटरसाइकिलें पूरी तरह जलकर राख हो गईं. आग लगने से आसपास के लोगों में डर का माहौल हो गया. लोगों का कहना है कि यदि समय रहते अग्निशमन विभाग मौके पर नहीं पहुंचता तो बड़ा हादसा हो सकता था।

आग लगने के कारणों की जांच जारी है
बताया जा रहा है कि एसी सर्विस सेंटर का संचालन ओमकार तोमर नाम का व्यक्ति करता था। फिलहाल पुलिस और दमकल विभाग की टीम आग लगने के कारणों की जांच कर रही है. शुरुआती जांच में शॉर्ट सर्किट या गैस सिलेंडर से जुड़ी तकनीकी खराबी की आशंका जताई जा रही है. हालांकि असली वजह जांच पूरी होने के बाद ही स्पष्ट हो सकेगी.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for a change of direction for Labor after the party suffered a huge setback in London local elections, saying the results reflect “far-reaching disillusionment” among voters and an “existential” threat if it fails to change course.In a strongly worded statement after the results, Khan described the results as “extremely disappointing for Labor in London” and acknowledged that many traditional supporters had turned away from the party.“Many people who voted for Labor in the last general election are clearly feeling angry, disillusioned and disappointed,” the Mayor of London said. He said voters were disappointed with the “slow pace of change” under the current leadership.

‘Without a change of course, the threat is existential’

Khan stopped short of explicitly endorsing Labor leader Keir Starmer, instead calling for a major rethink in both political strategy and delivery.“Without a change in course and an acceleration in delivery, the threat to labor is existential,” Khan warned. “We risk repeating what happened in Scotland in London, Wales and across England, from which we have still not recovered.”The comments are being seen as one of the sharpest public interventions yet by a senior Labor leader following the party’s poor performance in local elections.

Progressive vote shift reshapes London’s map

The elections saw Labor lose control of several councils across the capital, while rival progressive parties made large gains in areas traditionally considered Labor strongholds.For the first time, the Green Party won control of London councils and also took over mayoral posts in several boroughs, highlighting a major shift among young and urban voters. Labor also suffered a setback in areas of North London, long considered a safe area.In parts of Tottenham and Haringey, Green candidates made significant gains, while in Camden, the Prime Minister’s own constituency, Labor retained control but lost a large number of seats to opposition parties.Meanwhile, Nigel Farage celebrated Reform UK gaining control in Havering, marking the party’s first council success in the capital. The Conservative Party also regained control of Westminster City Council.

Khan says labor achievements eclipsed

Khan argued that Labour’s achievements in government were overshadowed by “fundamental mistakes” and a failure to clearly communicate its progressive values.“Many of the government’s achievements have been overshadowed by fundamental mistakes and a failure to boldly assert our progressive values,” he said.Acknowledging that midterm elections can often prove difficult for ruling parties, Khan stressed that the scale of the losses could not be dismissed as simply routine voter frustration.

Pressure has increased on Starmer

The fallout from the results has increased pressure on Starmer within Labor ranks. Deputy Labor leader Lucy Powell acknowledged that the party “has to do much better”, although she insisted that Starmer would remain leader.“The prime minister is accepting responsibility,” Powell told the BBC. “He listens to what people are saying.”Simon Ofer became one of the first Labor MPs to publicly call on Starmer to step down, and warned that the party risked being “killed” at the next general election if there was not a leadership change.Also, all 11 unions affiliated with Labor have demanded an urgent meeting with the party leadership, calling for a “fundamental change of direction” on economic policy and political strategy.In a joint statement, the unions said voters had given a “clear message” that the government had failed to bring about the change expected by the people.

New Delhi: Just days after refusing to step down Trinamool Congress‘A crushing defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections’ Mamata Banerjee He appears to have quietly accepted the end of his government.The West Bengal Chief Minister’s bio now describes her as “Founding President of All India Trinamool Congress. Chief Minister of West Bengal (15th, 16th and 17th Assembly)”. An earlier version of the biography read: “Founder President All India Trinamool Congress. Honorable Chief Minister, West Bengal.”This comes less than a week after Mamata had insisted that she would not resign despite the BJP’s landslide victory in the state.Banerjee urged party workers to observe a “black day” during the first meeting of the new assembly, saying, “I will not resign. Let them dismiss me.” He also asked TMC MLAs to wear black clothes inside the House in protest.Banerjee had alleged massive electoral malpractices and accused the BJP, the Election Commission, the CRPF and certain sections of the police administration of targeting her party during the elections. He had said, “This was not an election but a tyranny.” He had also claimed that more than 1,500 TMC offices have been “captured”.TMC later said that the aim of the Kalighat meeting was to prepare the party for its role in the opposition benches and affirmed that it would continue to fight “the tyranny and oppression of the BJP”.On Saturday, Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of the state after independence. Governor RN Ravi administered the oath at a grand ceremony in Kolkata, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders.Adhikari’s rise marks a symbolic reversal in Bengal politics. Once one of Banerjee’s closest aides and a key architect of the 2007 Nandigram movement that helped end Left Front rule, he later joined the BJP in 2020 amid rising tensions with the TMC leadership. In the 2026 assembly elections, he defeated TMC in both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, while BJP secured 207 seats to end the party’s 15-year rule in the state.

साइबर अपराधों, विशेषकर महिलाओं और बच्चों से संबंधित शिकायतों को पोर्टल पर बिना पहचान बताए दर्ज कराया जा सकता है। इसके लिए पीड़िता को सबसे पहले वेबसाइट पर जाकर महिला/बाल संबंधी अपराध सेक्शन को खोलना होगा। इसके बाद रजिस्टर एनोनिमसली विकल्प चुनकर शिकायत प्रक्रिया शुरू की जा सकती है।

शिकायत दर्ज करते समय घटना का प्रकार, तारीख, समय और संबंधित प्लेटफॉर्म जैसी जानकारी भरनी होगी। साथ ही राज्य और जिले का चयन करने के बाद आरोपी की आईडी, प्रोफाइल लिंक या यूआरएल जैसी जानकारी भी अपलोड की जा सकती है। पीड़ित पोर्टल पर स्क्रीनशॉट, चैट रिकॉर्ड या अन्य डिजिटल साक्ष्य भी अपलोड कर सकते हैं। सभी विवरणों को सत्यापित करने के बाद कन्फर्म एंड सबमिट पर क्लिक करने पर शिकायत दर्ज हो जाती है।

The biggest Cannes ever for Arab cinema? Regional filmmakers shine in major festival sections / Image: File

The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest years ever for Arab and Middle Eastern cinema. From Palestinian and Moroccan stories to Egyptian industry collaborations and Iranian writers competing for the Palme d’Or, this year’s Cannes is sending a clear message: regional cinema is no longer on the sidelines, it is now the center of global filmmaking conversations.The festival, which runs from May 12 to May 23 on the French Riviera, leans heavily on international auteur-driven cinema rather than Hollywood spectacle. Critics and industry observers say the 2026 lineup reflects a broader global shift toward emotionally layered, politically aware and culturally rooted storytelling.Arab cinema is directly benefiting from that change.This year’s official selections include films from Morocco, Palestine, Egypt and Iran in key festival sections including Competition and Un Certain Regard. Industry insiders believe the presence of these films is another major step towards breaking down long-standing barriers for filmmakers from the Middle East and North Africa.The increasing momentum is visible beyond screening. Producers, distributors, investors and talent agencies are increasingly looking to Arab creators as audiences around the world demand more authentic and regionally based stories.

Cannes 2026 focuses on auteur cinema

Unlike recent editions filled with major studio premieres and blockbuster campaigns, Cannes 2026 is being described as a return to pure cinema.Festival organizers unveiled a lineup filled with acclaimed global filmmakers, including Pedro Almodovar. Asghar FarhadiHirokazu Kore-eda and Ryusuke Hamaguchi.Iranian director Farhadi’s new film Parallel Tales is one of this year’s most anticipated competition entries, especially given the ongoing tensions in West Asia. Observers say its inclusion highlights Cannes’ continued desire to stage politically and emotionally resonant cinema from the region.Meanwhile, Moroccan filmmaker Laila Marakchi earned a place in the Un Certain Regard section with La Mas Dulce, reinforcing North Africa’s growing influence at major international festivals. Palestinian filmmaker Rakan Mayassi also achieved selection in the same section with Yesterday I Didn’t Sleep.Industry watchers on Reddit and film forums have praised the lineup for prioritizing “arthouse cinema” and giving greater visibility to international voices over commercial studio franchises.The festival’s jury reflects the global direction of Cannes. The 2026 contest jury is led by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook and includes members such as Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao and others. Ruth Negga.

Arab cinema expands presence at Cannes

The biggest sign of the growing influence of Arab cinema is the growing role of the Arab Cinema Center in Cannes.The organization returns to the festival with a four-day program created in collaboration with the Marché du Film, Cannes’s giant international film market. The initiative will bring together filmmakers, producers, distributors, talent agents and executives from the Arab world and beyond.This year the panels and discussions will focus on leadership, innovation, talent development, streaming opportunities and cross-border partnerships. Organizers say the event comes during a period of “rapid change” for the global entertainment business.Additionally, Egypt is strengthening its visibility at Cannes through the return of the Egyptian pavilion at the Marché du Film. Supported by the Cairo International Film Festival, the Egyptian Film Commission and El Gouna Film Festival, the pavilion is expected to serve as a networking and business hub for regional filmmakers.The pavilion won the Best Pavilion Design Award last year and returns with expanded partnerships involving production companies, film foundations and regional studios.

Indian cinema in Cannes 2026

India is also maintaining a visible presence at Cannes this year, albeit in a more organized and artistic form.A restored 4K version of the Malayalam classic Amma Ariyan has been selected for the Cannes Classics, marking the fifth consecutive year that an Indian restored film has entered the prestigious section. The restoration work was done by the Film Heritage Foundation.Emerging Indian talents are also gaining popularity. A student film from the Film and Television Institute of India was selected for La Cinéf, Cannes’ student-focused section dedicated to emerging filmmakers from around the world.Bollywood actress Tara Sutaria is also expected to make her Cannes debut this year amid international buzz about her upcoming project Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups.Overall, Cannes 2026 is committed to celebrating cinema that is intimate, artistic and globally diverse. And with Arab filmmakers commanding some of the festival’s most powerful conversations, this year could prove to be a defining moment for regional storytelling on the world stage.

On the flight from Shanghai to the resort city of Sanya, I found myself wrestling with a bit of an internal debate. Was I really looking forward to the postcard-perfect sun, surf and sand of Hainan Island, or was I really prepared for the intensity of the first Asian Beach Games I ever covered?

As the plane banked across the bay to its landing path, the view below was, frankly, confusing. Clusters of private yachts lined up on the wharves like expensive toys, evoking the polished, untouched aura of a rich man’s playground. But that illusion of a comfortable holiday did not last for the first hour. Once I was actually on the ground, the sand slipped from beneath my feet, revealing a much harsher, more honest reality.

Sanya is often called the “Hawaii of the East”, a place where you go to relax. However, for the 31-member Indian contingent and their continental teammates at the 2026 Asian Beach Games (April 22-30), the white sands of the Phoenix Islands were no place for a holiday. If you had to sum up the entire essence of sports in one word, it would be difficult.

For beginners, beach games are often dismissed with little laughter. We associate the word “beach” with holidays, long breaks and putting our feet up. But after spending a few days watching everything from handball and water polo to beach athletics in a relentless, merciless sun, the perspective changes rapidly. It quickly became clear that sand is not just a surface; This is a test of the human spirit.

In tennis, we pay attention to the nuances of clay versus grass. Why should sand be treated differently? Scientifically speaking, running on sand requires almost twice as much energy as running on stable ground. Every step you take is met with resistance, and every step toward a longer jump or a higher jump is like playing poker against the instability of the sand.

Take aquathlon, which forces athletes to move from the fast, rhythmic pace of road running to the surging waves of the ocean. Or look at beach athletics, where Thailand’s sprint sensation Puripol Boonson, the only Southeast Asian to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m (a time of 9.94 at the 2025 SEA Games) was an absolute marvel to watch.

Even on rolled and flattened sand, his movements required a kind of cat-like precision. On synthetic tracks, you can trust the surface to give you something back, a bit of bounce to help your next move. On sand, if you dig your heels in too deep, the beach just eats up your momentum.

While scoreboards are meant to decide history, it was the raw human emotion that really defined the atmosphere in Sanya. I watched Iranian shot-put gold medalist Hassan Ajmibakhtiyarvand completely collapse. Here was a man built like a mountain, yet he collapsed on the sand after his winning throw of 20.17 metres.

Her tears weren’t actually celebratory; They were the tears of a man representing a nation in deep turmoil. I remembered the lines of the Iranian poet Ahmed Shamloo: “The mountain is not separate from the earth.” On that beach, there was Mount Ajamibakhtiyarvand, and it was carrying the emotional weight of Iran’s conflict.

In stark contrast was the pure joy of Sri Lanka’s expert Hewa Pedige. After winning the gold medal in 50kg beach wrestling, the Air Force athlete didn’t just celebrate; He put his medal around his coach’s neck and touched his feet in deep respect. In that fleeting moment, even the waves seemed to calm down. That chant of gratitude felt as grand and important as any Olympic stadium in Paris or Los Angeles.

For the Indian contingent, the sand taught us, providing lessons outside the world in which we train and compete. Under the leadership of Ritu, the women’s Kabaddi team showed everyone why they are the best. In a thrilling final against a strong Sri Lankan team, they overcame a slight half-time deficit to win 47–31 and clinch their sixth consecutive title.

“We never play on sand, so this win is really satisfying,” Ritu said after the final.

However, the story took a different turn for Brijendra Singh Chaudhary’s men’s team. Despite an impressive performance in the final, which included a crushing 50–27 win over rivals Pakistan, they came up against a strong Iranian side and ultimately lost 44–31. Brijendra’s thoughts after the match were honest and telling,

“Sometimes we take the surface for granted.”

It was a clear admission that perhaps, somewhere in his mind, he did not tolerate sand, or the Iranians’ incredible adaptability to it.

The sand pits also produced some of India’s most “dogged” individual performances. Priya (over 70kg) registered a convincing 3-2 win over Mongolia’s Zorigat, with the kind of fatigue that only sand can create on her face. Meanwhile, Pushpa Yadav (60kg) put up a strong performance against local Chinese favorite Mengyu Xie and showed determination to defeat her 3-0, leaving the home crowd speechless.

However, the most practical lesson from Sanya was much more than the final medal tally in which, for the record, hosts China topped the table with 55 medals (24 gold, 18 silver, 13 bronze), while India finished sixth with 6 medals (3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze).

Watching athletes from Palestine, Iran and Lebanon compete while their home countries were literally burning was a life-booklet in resilience. Most of us feel a real increase in anxiety if our flight is delayed by an hour; These competitors live in a reality where every single ring of their phone can bring devastating, life-changing news.

On sand, winning and losing take on a completely different dimension. It works like a balm, where after the fight is over you can hug your opponent and walk away with your head held high. Isn’t it always about shared dignity, especially for people coming from fragmented lands?

Sand is our most natural, least expensive resource, and given the success we have seen in Sanya, more needs to be done with it. Imagine the Asian Beach Athletics Championships, or dedicated beach events for wrestling and boxing, becoming standalone fixtures under different national federations. The infrastructure is provided by nature.

These games proved that sports is not an escape from the difficulties of life; This is a place where you actually face them and overcome them. Be it the Qatari pair of world stars Samba Sherif and Janko Ahmed, the Asian Games champions and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists turning beach volleyball into a rock-and-roll spectacle, or an Indian wrestler digging his toes in for a final takedown, the message was clear. Sand is not any other surface. This is your ally. And it highlights your patience.

– ends