Child Pneumonia Spikes in Pakistan's Smoggy Winter: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, February 2, 2024

In a Pakistan paediatric ward, a chorus of infant coughs and straining lungs is the toll of a frigid winter, compounded by choking smog and lagging vaccination rates. “Please pray for him,” the mother of four-month-old pneumonia patient Ibrahim begs a nurse in Lahore, delicately arranging a blanket around ventilator tubes piping air in and out of his heaving chest. The eastern megacity is blanched every winter by smog levels rated among the worst in the world.

Gunmen killed a Nigerian traditional monarch and kidnapped his wife after raiding his palace, police said, as outrage grows over a spate of abductions nationwide. The attackers stormed the palace of Oba Aremu Olusegun Cole in southwestern Kwara state, shot him dead and abducted his wife and another person on Thursday, according to police. State police said they had launched an investigation and beefed up security.

Russia has created more than half a million new jobs in its defence sector to meet soaring demand on the battlefield, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday. The Kremlin has thrown massive resources at its full-scale assault on Ukraine, with the defence sector accounting for much of the sanction-hit economy’s growth.

A team of Delhi Police's Crime Branch unit landed at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s home on Friday evening to hand over a notice in connection with his allegations that the BJP was trying to poach Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs. However, the Chief Minister's Office said the crime branch sleuths returned without handing over the notice.

The Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra has entered in Jharkhand’s Pakur region on Friday, February 2, 2024. While addressing a rally in Pakur, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said, “Wherever they open a market of hatred, Congress and our alliance partners open a shop of love.”

Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra Enters in Jharkhand

FV Omaril, an Iranian-flagged vessel, had been boarded by seven pirates who had taken the crew as hostages. INS Sharada intercepted the vessel today and used her integral helo and boats to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the vessel. The ship has ensured the successful release of the crew (11 Iranian and 08 Pakistani nationals) members along with the boat. The ship also undertook confirmatory boarding on FV Omari to sanitise and check on the well-being of the crew who had been held captive by the Somali pirates.

Indian Navy Safely Rescues Iran Fishing Vessel FV Omari

According to the Jharkhand Government, the State Assembly session will be held on February 5 and February 6. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting held on Friday, February 2, 2024.

Jharkhand Assembly Session to be Held on February 5-6

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended India’s largest and first-of-its-kind mobility exhibition - Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Friday, February 2, 2024.

PM Modi Attends Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress MLAs have arrived at the Hyderabad Airport in Telangana from Ranchi on Friday, February 2, 2024. JMM's Champai Soren took oath as Jharkhand CM earlier today.

Jharkhand JMM and Congress MLAs Arrive at Hyderabad Airport

A fire broke out in Solan's Jhar Majri Industrial Area in Himachal Pradesh on Friday, February 2, 2024. The fire tenders have reportedly arrived at the spot, and efforts are being made to douse the fire. Further details are awaited.

Fire Erupts at Factory in Himachal Pradesh

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers hold protest against the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in Delhi on Friday, February 2, 2024. AAP is protesting over the allegations of rigging in Chandigarh mayor election.

AAP Leaders, Workers Protest Against BJP

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently conducting raids at the residence and office of Harsh Mander, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer turned social activist. The raids are in connection with a case involving alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

FCRA Violation Case 

Hemant Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and Executive President of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has been remanded to a 5-day custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Soren was arrested on January 31st in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. The ED will continue its investigation during this period.

Hemant Soren in ED Custody 

Champai Soren, the Vice President of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi.

New Jharkhand CM 

Champai Soren, the Chief Minister-designate of Jharkhand, has left from the Circuit House for the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. He is scheduled to take the oath of office as the Chief Minister today.

Champai Soren to Take Oath  

In a significant development, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Committee Chairperson, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, along with other members of the drafting committee, handed over the UCC draft report to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The presentation took place at a program organized at Mukhya Sevak Sadan.

Uttarakhand UCC

The Supreme Court has refused to hear the plea of Hemant Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The apex court has instead directed him to approach the Jharkhand High Court.

Hemant Soren Arrest 

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, will not be appearing before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today. The party has labeled the summon as “unlawful” and stated that they will comply only with a lawful summon. The AAP has alleged that Prime Minister Modi’s objective is to arrest Arvind Kejriwal and destabilise the Delhi Government. “We will not allow this to happen,” the party declared.

ED Summon to Arvind Kejriwal

A fire broke out in a house in Siddharth Colony, located in the Chembur area of Mumbai, last night. The incident, triggered by a cylinder blast, resulted in injuries to nine people, all of whom have been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Chembur Fire

In a tragic incident, a massive gas explosion has rocked Nairobi, Kenya. The blast occurred near Skyline Estate, causing widespread panic and destruction. As per the latest reports, at least 2 people have lost their lives in the incident, while 167 others have sustained injuries.

Nairobi Gas Explosion