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Watch: Fire erupts after explosion at Texas refinery; residents told to stay indoors



A large explosion at the Valero Refinery on Monday prompted authorities in Port Arthur to issue an emergency shelter-in-place order for nearby residents.City officials said the alert was issued “to ensure the safety of all residents” in affected areas, including Sabine Pass, Pleasure Island, and south of Highway 73 stretching west from Stirlwell Boulevard.According to Reuters, the incident occurred late on Monday at the refinery, which has a capacity of about 380,000 barrels per day. Local reports cited by the agency said the blast was followed by a fire at the site.Zena Stephens told CBS affiliate KFDM that no injuries had been reported. She added that the explosion was likely caused by an industrial heater.Emergency services remain on alert as authorities monitor the situation. The cause of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed, and investigations are expected to follow.



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Bengal Polls 2026: EC waits till midnight to release first supplementary list of 29 lakh Bengal voters | Kolkata News


EC waits till midnight to release first supplementary list of 29 lakh Bengal voters

KOLKATA: Bengal voters under adjudication waited through Monday for the promised first supplementary electoral roll as Election Commission kept revising the deadline before finally pushing it to midnight. The list with around 29 lakh names was finally uploaded at 11.45pm.Supreme Court, which had on March 10 ordered the publication of supplementary voters’ lists, will take up the case related to the SIR of the Bengal electoral roll for hearing again on Tuesday.The release of the list was preceded by day-long confusion among voters under adjudication.

first supplementary electoral roll

Speaking to reporters in the evening, Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal said, “I don’t know how many names have been approved or rejected at this moment.” Around 60 lakh names on Bengal’s final vot-ers’ list were placed under adjudication.In all, 705 judges were drafted to scrutinise documents and decide whether they are genuine electors or not. “Till today, about 29 lakh pending cases have been disposed of. Whatever names have come through the e-sign of the judicial officer up to 4-5 pm today will be published. EC headquarters in Delhi is processing the exercise on the central server, and we hope the supplementary list will be published by 9-9.30 pm today. It takes 4-6 hours to prepare the list,” Agarwal said at a press briefing around 7.30pm.The names approved by judicial officers will be marked as “Name Addition,” and those rejected will be marked as “Name Deletion” on the supplementary list.The list can be accessed online at the EC website (https://voters.eci.gov.in/), CEO website (https://ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in/) and the ECINET app. Hard copies of the list will be available with DEOs, DMs, SDOs and BDOs. The list will also be displayed at polling stations on Tuesday, Agarwal said.The CEO said that following a meeting at Calcutta High Court a few days ago, scrutiny of documents was over in Kalimpong, Jhargram, Purulia and Bankura.EC has constituted 19 appellate tribunals headed by former high court judges to hear appeals from across Bengal on inclusion or exclusion of names following the publication of the supplementary lists. The poll panel had announced that the second list would be out on Friday and the third on April 3.When asked when appeals can be filed, Agarwal said, “They can’t apply from tomorrow. Calcutta High Court will issue a notification. Following that, appeals can be made to the tribunals.”He also said the tribunals will take time to become functional. “Tribunals need office space and allied infrastructure. We have sought space from the state govt and have discussed the issue with the chief secretary. Once the state govt provides the space, we will inform the high court. The court will then inspect and determine eligibility. If the space is deemed suitable, the court will allow us to proceed. Otherwise, we will have to scout for alternative spaces. But we are trying to set up tribunal offices as fast as we can,” Agarwal said.Regarding the law and order situation in Bengal, he replied, “Law and order is a state subject. The chief secretary, home secretary, DGP and commissioner of Kolkata Police are looking into this. The DMs and SPs are also alert.”Replying to a query on the role of police, he said, “The role of police is good. They have taken prompt action in places where trouble erupted.”



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‘Unlike Dhoni or Kohli’: Gambhir’s presence diluted Iyer’s KKR title credit, says ex-player | Cricket News


'Unlike Dhoni or Kohli': Gambhir's presence diluted Iyer's KKR title credit, says ex-player
Shreyas Iyer after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad at MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai. KKR won by 8 wickets. (PTI Photo)

Shreyas Iyer is the only Indian captain to reach the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with three different teams — Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024, and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2025.Despite leading KKR to the title in 2024, Iyer did not receive much credit for the win and was released by the franchise the following season.Speaking on JioStar, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra explained why Iyer’s role as captain has often not been fully recognised and what could change that perception.“I think his contribution as a leader got diluted a bit in the narrative that’s often set by people who are not a part of the team. Two things happened at KKR with Shreyas Iyer. He was in a setup where the coach was also a very strong and popular personality. That wasn’t the case with MS Dhoni or Rohit Sharma, or even Virat Kohli at RCB, where there wasn’t such a dominant figure outside calling the shots,” Chopra said.“Here, you had Gautam Gambhir, a very successful player and a very good mentor. The others, MS, Rohit and Kohli, have been India Captains for a significant period and very successful ones. Credit is already given to them on a platter. In Shreyas’ case, he is not an India Captain. But he is now getting his due, because he is doing so well,” the former KKR player added.Iyer will lead Punjab Kings in the upcoming IPL season after taking them to the final last year. In his first season with the franchise, he scored 604 runs at an average of over 50 and a strike rate of 175.07.Chopra also spoke about what could lead to wider recognition for Iyer as a captain.“If you think that if he wins one more trophy, everything will suddenly change and everyone will stand up and applaud, that may not happen. The appreciation may get louder, but his aura will not change overnight. Something like that can happen only in one scenario. The next T20 World Cup is in 2028. I am not saying that India’s T20 leadership will change immediately, but there is a possibility a couple of years down the line,” he said.“If he stakes a claim to that spot, scores run, which is the first criterion, takes his team to the playoffs, the final, or wins the trophy, and somehow becomes India’s T20I Captain in the near future, whether in 12 months or by the next World Cup, then everything will change. He could even become a World Cup-winning captain for India, and that aura is different. Then he would not need any endorsement from anyone,” he concluded.

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No suitable Indian option? Why KKR are yet to replace injured Harshit Rana | Cricket News


No suitable Indian option? Why KKR are yet to replace injured Harshit Rana

Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) roped in Saurabh Dubey for IPL 2026. The 28-year-old left-arm Vidarbha pacer replaces Akash Deep, who has been ruled out of the season. Dubey was signed by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for IPL 2022 but his stint was cut short due to a back injury.Earlier, KKR had also roped in Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani in place of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman. KKR had initially signed Mustafizur for Rs 9.2 crore as a backup overseas pacer to Rs 18 crore recruit Matheesha Pathirana, but the Bangladesh left-armer was released following BCCI directives earlier this year amid heightened India-Bangladesh tensions.

Watch

Spectators are priority! Here’s what IPL must learn from the SA20 experience

India pacer Harshit Rana was also ruled out last week of the entire IPL 2026 owing to the ligament injury that he sustained during a warm-up match ahead of the recent T20 World Cup.

Why haven’t KKR asked for Rana’s replacement?

While KKR got the replacement of both Mustafizur and Akash Deep, they haven’t take a call yet on a replacement for India’s seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana. The impression within the franchise is that there is no suitable Indian replacement for Rana, who has played for India in all formats, Cricbuzz reported on Monday.Since Wednesday, KKR had been organising trials to select replacements of Rana and Akash Deep, as per a report by news agency IANS.KKR are set to kick their IPL 2026 campaign off against the Mumbai Indians on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The three-time champions will then face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 2 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, before facing off against last year’s finalists, Punjab Kings, on April 6, also at Eden Gardens.In their fourth IPL match, KKR will face Lucknow Super Giants on April 9 at Eden Gardens.

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Strait Of Hormuz: 2 India-flagged tankers clear Hormuz; Iran denies taking ransom | India News


2 India-flagged tankers clear Hormuz; Iran denies taking ransom

NEW DELHI: Two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, carrying around 92,600 tonne of cooking gas, crossed the war-hit Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening. The ships – Jag Vasant and Pine Gas – are likely to reach ports between Thursday and Saturday, the shipping ministry said.With this, four Indian-flagged vessels have sailed through the conflict-hit choke point since the US-Israel-Iran war began on Feb 28. Last week, LPG tankers Shivalik and Nanda Devi docked at Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat. Officials said the govt’s focus is to ensure safe passage of 20 remaining Indian-flagged ships and Indian crews west of the Strait.Earlier, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the shipping ministry, said the two ships had started moving but did not disclose the destination. Ship tracking data showed both tankers sailed between Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands, possibly to signal identity to Iranian authorities before crossing.Sinha said one LNG ship is chartered by Petronet Ltd, while seven LPG carriers have been hired by BPCL & HPCL. Crude tankers have been chartered by IOC, Reliance Industries and BGN International.Besides the four Indian ships, LPG tanker Pyxis Pioneer from the US docked at an Indian port on Sunday. Arrival of Jag Vasant and Pine Gas will take total imported LNG to over 2.9 lakh tonnes.Responding to concerns, Sinha said Indian crew onboard vessels were not facing food or water shortages.Overall, close to 500 tanker vessels remain confined within the Persian Gulf. Reports claimed Iran was selectively allowing ships to cross, though the Iranian embassy in India dismissed claims of payments as “unfounded”.India imports about 88% of crude oil, 50% of natural gas and 60% of LPG, much of it routed through the Strait.



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PM Modi: India has strategic petro reserves of over 53 lakh tonne | India News


PM Modi: India has strategic petro reserves of over 53 lakh tonne

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Monday said govt was making all efforts to ensure uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel, gas and fertilisers, and protect people from hardships amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.Addressing LS, Modi said steps over the past decade to diversify energy sources, along with 20% ethanol blending, near-100% railway electrification and Metro expansion, have helped save volumes of petrol and diesel.Modi said India has expanded its energy import base from 27 to 41 countries, reducing dependence on any region. He added that, besides stocks, India has a strategic petroleum reserve of over 53 lakh tonnes, with another 65 lakh tonnes under development.“Our govt’s effort has been to ensure that supply is not severely affected,” the PM said, adding an inter-ministerial group meets daily to address import-export issues.He said ethanol blending saves about 4.5 crore barrels annually, while railway electrification has reduced diesel use by 180 crore litres a year. Metro expansion and plans for 15,000 electric buses have also cut fossil fuel dependence.Comparing the situation with Covid-19, Modi said India has adequate foodgrain stocks and strong emergency plans. With power demand set to rise, the PM said coal stocks are adequate. Renewable capacity has crossed 250 GW, alongside solar, biogas and hydro.



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Luka Doncic Injury Update: Is Luka Doncic playing tonight vs the Detroit Pistons? Latest update on the Los Angeles Lakers star’s injury report (March 23, 2026) | NBA News


Is Luka Doncic playing tonight vs the Detroit Pistons? Latest update on the Los Angeles Lakers star's injury report (March 23, 2026)
Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic vs Miami Heat (Image via Getty)

The Los Angeles Lakers will have Luka Doncic when they play the Detroit Pistons on March 23, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena. His was recently given a one-game suspension listing that was rescinded by the NBA, thus, removing his 16th technical foul from Saturday’s win over the Orlando Magic.There was a mismatch between the league’s decision and the official game report. The technical foul was rescinded on Sunday, which should have cleared him. However, he was still listed as out due to suspension. The listing appears to have solved that issue and Doncic is expected to be available for this game.

Los Angeles Lakers carry momentum, Detroit Pistons lead the East

The Lakers enter the game with a 46-25 record and are third in the Western Conference. They are on a nine-game winning streak. The Pistons lead the Eastern Conference at 51-19 and have been strong at home with a 26-8 record.Doncic has played a major role since joining from Dallas in February 2025. He is averaging 33.4 points this season and scored 33 points in his last game. Without him, the Lakers lose a key scorer from a team that averages 116.5 points. Detroit allows 109.5 points per game, which makes this matchup more difficult for Los Angeles.

Luka Doncic injury status and expected return vs Detroit Pistons (March 23, 2026)

Luka Doncic is officially listed Available for this game. There are no new injuries linked to his absence. He was cleared from a hip issue earlier, and LeBron James and Austin Reaves are also available after recent concerns.He is expected to return on March 23 for the next game.

Lakers injury report

Player Status Injury Est. Return
Maxi Kleber GTD Back Mar 23

Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, and Nick Smith Jr. are listed as game-time decisions. LeBron James, DeAndre Ayton, and Austin Reaves are available.

What to watch in tonight’s Lakers vs Pistons game (March 23, 2026)

The Lakers will depend on players like Luka Doncic, Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Bronny James to handle the extra workload and keep the winning streak going.Also read: Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons injury report: Who’s playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (March 23, 2026)Detroit will look to push the pace through Jaden Ivey and Ron Holland. Their home record and defense make this a balanced matchup where both teams will need contributions across the roster.

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From piggy banks to gold, Kashmir rallies for Iran | India News


From piggy banks to gold, Kashmir rallies for Iran

BUDGAM: Donations piled high. Emotions ran higher. At an Imambara in Budgam — a town about 15km southwest of Srinagar — cash, gold and heirlooms spilled across a table Monday, as residents turned up in a steady stream to give for Iran.Money in thick stacks lay beside gold earrings, bangles, rings and a gold biscuit. Copper samovars and shawls — items usually stashed away for weddings — added weight to the collection.A youth parted with his motorbike. Another donor handed over a truck. In several Shia-majority pockets across Kashmir valley, children broke open piggy banks on the spot — scenes that moved onlookers. At one donation centre, a girl unable to walk gave her gold earrings.Grief, faith and geopolitics dovetailed in Budgam, central to Kashmir’s Shia population, where support for Iran found resonance after the killing of the Ayatollah in a US-Israel strike —turning donation centres into sites of inspired resolve.Volunteers struggled to keep pace as contributions kept coming through the day. Some donors came quietly, placed what they had, and left. First-year college student Arifa handed over her savings. “I had some cash. I donated it. My friend had gold and she gave it,” she said, rousted by the collective support for Iran. Nearby, a woman arrived with her three-year-old son, donated a gold ring, and slipped away without a word.Volunteer Illyas Hussain said proceeds would be routed to the Iranian embassy in New Delhi after converting jewellery and metal items into cash. Direct bank transfers were also underway, he said, while those unable to do so brought valuables to collection points. “This centre is centrally located. People come and drop their donations,” he said.Iran’s embassy acknowledged the response on X, calling it a gesture blessed with goodwill.National Conference functionary Tanvir Sadiq described the donations as a cross-section of society rising in solidarity. “The response reflected a collective conscience that cut across villages and towns,” he said.Peoples Conference functionary and Shia cleric Imran Reza Ansari said the drive across Kashmir followed an appeal from Iran’s embassy and drew strength from religious duty, stressing the nation’s hardships under sanctions and war. “Humanity must come before everything,” said Budgam legislator Muntazir Mehdi of PDP, who pledged a month’s salary.Yet, a note of caution crept in. Some organisers reported calls from authorities seeking details on funds and contributors, raising questions over oversight as collections swelled. But the flow showed no sign of a fall-off.



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Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for March 24, 2026


Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for March 24, 2026

Horoscope Today: Read daily horoscope predictions for March 24, 2026. Know all about the astrological events and influences that will be affecting each of the 12 zodiac signs. Our astrologer has analyzed the movements of the planets and the alignment of the stars to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date horoscope predictions for the day ahead. Get ready to discover what the stars have in store for you today.Aries:Today, you may feel impatient, which could reflect in your work. There may be some minor mistakes that could leave tasks incomplete. It is advised to postpone investments in fixed assets for a few days. However, with the blessings of your elders, you may overcome difficult situations. By evening, you will regain focus on your work.Taurus:Today, you are blessed by the Moon, and your destiny is likely to support you. You may feel energetic and focused on your work. Your hard work may bring success, and your subordinates will support you. You may go on a short work-related trip. Some good news may come from your siblings. You may also plan to renovate your home or office, where your creativity will shine.Gemini:Today, you may be able to control your expenditure on unnecessary items, which will help increase your savings. You may feel more creative and use this creativity at work or home, enhancing your social status. Love birds may receive support from family and friends regarding marriage.Cancer:Today, previously messy situations are now under control, bringing peace of mind. You may be able to maintain a good balance between income and expenses, leading to better savings. Avoid excessive travel or overworking, as it may affect your health. Students can start planning for higher studies. Love birds may enjoy happy moments.Leo:Today, you may face some health issues, which could make you impatient. You are advised to control your short temper. Avoid spending your hard-earned money on unnecessary items, as it may affect your savings. Love birds should avoid arguments on trivial matters, as they may lead to misunderstandings.Virgo:Today, you may meet an influential person who could help in your professional growth. Your network will strengthen with their support. You may prepare to implement new ideas in your work or business. You may plan to invest more capital into your business, which could bring financial gains in the near future. In domestic life, you may be busy with family gatherings and social events.Libra:Today, your mother’s health is likely to improve. You may enjoy your work and receive rewards for your efforts. Your social reputation may increase. However, mental overwork may make you feel tired, and due to workload, you may miss a family event.Scorpio:Today, you may feel satisfied with your work. You may plan a short work-related trip. You may also visit a religious place to maintain inner peace. Your mentors or gurus may guide you in the right direction, helping you gain clarity about your goals.Sagittarius:Today, you may feel low, so it is advised to stay calm and think twice before taking any action. You may need to travel to recover your money; otherwise, there could be losses. Avoid adventurous activities. Students are advised to focus on in-depth studies to achieve success.Capricorn:Today, you may plan to renovate your home. You may buy artefacts or creative items that enhance your social status. You may also invest in property or other assets. You are likely to enjoy romantic moments with your spouse, strengthening your emotional bond. Singles may find a soulmate, and love birds may take important decisions regarding marriage.Aquarius:Today, you may feel happy. Chronic health issues of family members may start to improve. Stuck money may be recovered, improving business liquidity. Job holders may receive incentives, boosting their financial health. Job seekers may find opportunities through references from relatives or friends. Students may take help from friends in academics.Pisces:Today is important for your domestic life. You may be busy with your children and may receive good news regarding their education. You may buy creative items for your home or office to enhance your social status. You are advised to use wisdom while purchasing household items or jewelry.



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Colombian Plane Crash: Colombian military Hercules plane with 110 soldiers on board erupts in flames after crash — watch


Colombian military Hercules plane with 110 soldiers on board erupts in flames after crash — watch

A Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) Hercules C-130 military aircraft carrying about 110 soldiers crashed in southern Colombia on Monday, according to the country’s defence ministry, with local media reporting that the plane went down shortly after take-off.Video footage circulating online showed the aircraft engulfed in flames.The country’s defence minister Pedro Sanchez said the accident occurred as the aircraft was taking off from Puerto Leguizamo in Colombia’s southern Amazon region near the border with Peru. The plane was transporting troops from the armed forces at the time.“The exact number of victims and the causes of the crash have not yet been determined,” he said, as cited by Reuters. BluRadio, citing authorities, reported that about 110 soldiers were on board the aircraft and that the crash occurred just 3 km (2 miles) from an urban centre.In a separate incident at the end of February, another Hercules C-130 aircraft belonging to the Bolivian Air Force crashed in the densely populated city of El Alto, narrowly missing a residential block. More than 20 people were killed and around 30 others were injured, while banknotes from the plane’s cargo were scattered across the city.



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