Ghaziabad : A massive fire broke out at a shop near Dasna Gate in Ghaziabad late Monday night, triggering panic in the area. The fire, which erupted near Chaupala Temple, quickly spread to the goods stored inside the shop. The prompt response of the fire brigade prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby commercial establishments and averted a potential major tragedy. The shop reportedly contained a large quantity of plates, bowls and other items. Several gas cylinders were also stored inside the premises, raising concerns about a possible explosion. The presence of several other commercial establishments, including sweet shops, in the vicinity further heightened the risk of the fire spreading. According to information received, at around 12:08 a.m. on Tuesday, the Fire Station Kotwali under the Ghaziabad Commissionerate received information about a fire at a shop near Chaupala Temple in the Dasna Gate area.

Acting swiftly, the fire officer immediately rushed to the spot with two fire tenders. Upon reaching the location, firefighters found that the shop was locked and flames had engulfed a substantial portion of the goods stored inside. Assessing the seriousness of the situation, the firefighting personnel broke open the shop’s lock to gain access. Their priority was to remove the gas cylinders stored inside to prevent a possible explosion and avert a major accident. After safely taking out the cylinders, the firefighters launched an intensive operation, spraying water through hose pipes to extinguish the flames. The team carried out coordinated firefighting operations to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjoining shops. Given the presence of several commercial establishments, including a sweet shop, in the immediate vicinity, the firefighters took extra precautions while carrying out the operation.

Their timely intervention ensured that the flames did not reach the neighbouring properties. Within a short time, the fire brigade personnel brought the blaze completely under control, preventing further damage and saving the surrounding shops from being affected. Local police personnel and a large number of residents were also present at the scene during the operation. The prompt action by the fire department not only helped protect the property of neighbouring shopkeepers but also prevented a potentially serious incident by ensuring the safe removal of the gas cylinders before they could explode. Following the successful firefighting operation, the situation in the area returned to normal.

No further spread of the fire to nearby establishments was reported.

Washington : US President Donald Trump said that renewed military strikes on Iran were “highly unlikely” as long as negotiations made progress, but did not rule out further military actions. In a phone interview with CNN, Trump claimed on Sunday that the United States had already dealt a severe blow to Iran and that further military action was “highly unlikely” to be necessary. “It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement,” Trump noted, referring to Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The president also claimed that the United States had identified potential infrastructure targets in Iran, including power plants and bridges, and could destroy 38 bridges in an hour, Xinhua news agency reported. “Most likely it will not be necessary,” Trump reiterated. “They want to make a deal so badly.” Earlier Trump said that Washington was talking to Iran, as his administration imposed sanctions on eight Canadian businesses accused of helping Tehran move money through cryptocurrency networks. “We’re talking to Iran. We have been,” Trump told reporters before departing the White House. The president portrayed the military situation as favourable to the United States and said the Strait of Hormuz was opening. “We’ve beaten Iran. We are doing very well with Iran,” he said.

Asked for his message to Iran, Trump combined his claim of military success with an indication that diplomatic contacts were continuing. His comments came on the same day that the Treasury Department announced sanctions against eight Canada-based money services businesses under Operation Economic Outcast. Treasury accused the companies of exchanging Iranian rials and other currencies for digital assets to facilitate international transactions involving Iran. It said many had dealt with sanctioned Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges or addresses associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. More than eight months after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, Trump has repeatedly sent mixed signals about his willingness to end the conflict. Washington and Tehran remain at a stalemate, with little significant progress in diplomatic efforts.

MUMBAI — In a decisive move to curb air pollution and prevent fire hazards, civic authorities and district administrations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and neighboring cities have rolled out strict restrictions on the use of firecrackers. Taking serious note of a recent surge in fire emergencies, the Thane district administration has imposed a blanket ban on sky rockets and similar aerial firecrackers. The prohibitory order comes into immediate effect and will remain in force for an extended period. This emergency measure was prompted by a series of fire incidents reported across the district during recent celebrations, where burning residues from aerial fireworks fell onto residential buildings and flammable materials, damaging property and endangering lives.
In tandem with the district’s orders, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has issued its own stringent guidelines. Authorities have mandated that only environmentally friendly “green crackers” are permitted. The bursting of any fireworks is now strictly prohibited in public spaces, including main roads, alleys, footpaths, and public grounds, as well as in designated “silence zones” such as hospitals, courts, and educational institutions.

Furthermore, a strict nighttime curfew has been implemented; bursting crackers is completely banned between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. The new regulations also prohibit the use of laser lights and mandate strict authorization and safety protocols for all firecracker vendors. Similar preventive measures are being echoed by surrounding civic bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). These authorities have restricted the bursting of firecrackers in public spaces and set up dedicated helplines to report noise and air pollution violations.
This sweeping crackdown comes amid escalating health concerns. Officials highlighted that high noise levels and toxic smoke pose severe health risks to young children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
Authorities have appealed to all citizens to cooperate with the regulations and prioritize public safety. Residents wishing to report any violations, illegal vendor stalls, or excessive noise can log complaints directly via the pollution control board helplines or through the respective municipal grievance portals and toll-free numbers.