Smoke is rising above an oil refinery in the United States, and locals are being told to shelter in place after an explosion rocked the facility.

The incident happened at a refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, owned by the fuel company Valero. It employs about 770 workers, according to its website, and produces 435,000 barrels per day, processing it into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

The city, with a population of about 56,000, is located in the southeast corner of the state. Its police and fire departments have told residents on the west side of the city to take shelter, and the Texas Department of Transportation has told drivers to avoid the area, but there are no evacuation orders at this time.

“To ensure the safety of all residents in the vicinity in light of the recent explosion at the Valero Refinery, an immediate shelter-in-place is ordered,” said the fire department.

“For your safety, please remain in place until the all clear is given by emergency personnel.”

Police have told local media they believe an industrial heater caused the blaze, and there are no reports of injuries.  (News Com)

Videos show flames and a plume of thick smoke following an explosion at a Valero oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas.

Police have told local media they believe an industrial heater caused the blaze and there are no reports of injuries. pic.twitter.com/YIddsxmceo

— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 24, 2026

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Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed his condolences to the victims of a car explosion that ripped through a popular Delhi neighbourhood in India on Monday.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. 

“Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected,” President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, in a post on ‘X’. 

The blast took place near the city’s iconic Red Fort, a 17th-century monument and a symbol of India’s independence.  

Delhi police are investigating the case under various sections of India’s anti-terror law. 

At least 10 people were killed, and more than 30 other people are reported to have been “badly injured” in the blast. (Newswire)

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At least three children were injured in a grenade attack on the election office of a Pakistan People’s Party candidate in the industrial town of Hub, media reports said.

Police told Dawn News that unknown motorcyclists attacked the election office of PPP’s Balochistan Assembly candidate Mir Ali Hassan Zehri near Jumma Khan Hotel.

Zehri was not present in the office when the blast occurred.

The grenade attack took place at a time when Pakistan is gearing up to vote in the general polls on February 8. (Just Earth News)

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The death toll from a suspected suicide bomb blast at a procession to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad in Pakistan’s Balochistan province has climbed to over 50, officials and media reports say.

The powerful bomb exploded on Friday at a rally in Mastung district of Balochistan, wounding at least 100 others, including dozens in critical condition, media reports said.

“It seems a suicide attack” senior local police officer Javed Lehri, adding that the bomber blew himself up near the vehicle of Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaz Gishkori.

Balochistan’s government administrator Atta Ullah said a senior police officer, Mohammad Nawaz, was among the dead. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, he said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The country’s interior ministry confirmed a blast carried out by “terrorist elements” in Balochistan.

“The attack on innocent people who came to participate in the procession of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi is a very heinous act,” it said in a statement, referring to the prophet’s birthday.

Friday’s bombing came days after authorities asked police to remain on maximum alert as armed groups could target rallies making the occasion.

Muslims in Pakistan and around the world celebrate the birthday of Islam’s prophet by holding public gatherings.

While the celebration is accepted by a majority of Islamic sects, certain denominations view it as an unwarranted innovation.

Balochistan has in the past been the site of attacks by armed groups.

Earlier this month, at least 11 people, including a prominent religious leader, were injured in a blast in the same district, the Dawn newspaper said.

The gas-rich Balochistan province at the border of Afghanistan and Iran has been the site of a low-intensity rebellion by Baloch separatists for more than two decades.

The separatists initially wanted a share of the provincial resources, but later launched a movement calling for independence. (AL Jazeera)

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