Feb 27 News Live | Go for ceasefire, China urges Pak, Afghanistan

Rupee falls 4 paise to 90.95 against US dollar in early trade

The rupee fell 4 paise to 90.95 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday, weighed down by FII outflows and a fall in the domestic equity markets in the morning session.

However, a weaker greenback and a dip in global crude oil prices prevented sharper decline in the local unit, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 90.91 against the US dollar before slipping to 90.95, down 4 paise from its previous close.

The rupee settled on a flat note at 90.91 against the US dollar on Thursday.

Pakistan's defence minister says that there is now 'open war' with Afghanistan after latest strikes

Pakistan's defence minister said that his country ran out of “patience” and considers that there is now an “open war” with Afghanistan, after both countries launched strikes following an Afghan cross-border attack.

In a post on X, Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said Pakistan had hoped for peace in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO forces and expected the Taliban to focus on the welfare of the Afghan people and regional stability...,” gathered militants from around the world and begun “exporting terrorism.” “Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us,” he said.

The latest escalation of violence between the neighbouring countries makes a Qatar-mediated ceasefire appear increasingly shaky. The Pakistani defense minister didn't mention the ceasefire.

Indian-origin Malaysian man jailed, caned for rape in Singapore

An Indian-origin Malaysian man has been sentenced in Singapore to 12 years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane for raping a domestic worker after posing as a police officer.

Sharveen Chetty, 48, pleaded guilty on February 4 to raping a 35-year-old Indonesian woman near Exit F of the Little India Mass Rapid Transit station at about 8 p.m. on July 11, 2022. The Straits Times reported Thursday that the victim had been with friends when Chetty lured her away before assaulting her.

Two additional charges, a second rape count and impersonating a police officer, were considered during sentencing. Witnesses included a doctor from Women’s and Children’s Hospital and forensic experts from the Health Sciences Authority.

Justice Dedar Singh Gill cited as aggravating that Chetty targeted a foreigner unfamiliar with local authorities and rejected the defence’s claim the offence was not premeditated. Chetty admitted that he became sexually attracted to the victim.

Man killed in wild elephant attack in Aralam

A 44-year-old man was killed in a wild elephant attack at Aralam in this northern district on Friday, police said.

The victim was identified as Aneesh AS of Block 10, Aralam Farm.

Police said the incident took place around 4 a.m. when Aneesh stepped outside his house to use the toilet. A wild elephant standing near the residence attacked him, inflicting serious injuries.

He was taken to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival, police said.

Aralam police have registered a case of unnatural death and launched a probe.

Officials from the Aralam police station said incidents of human-wildlife conflict are frequent in the area, with similar fatal attacks reported in the past.

The body will be released to family members after the postmortem, police added

UP signs Rs 200 crore rail infra pact with German firm

The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a Rs 200-crore investment agreement with Germany-based railway infrastructure firm RAILONE GmbH to upgrade rail infrastructure in the state.

According to a statement issued Thursday evening, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya formalized the memorandum of understanding (MoU) during a visit to the company’s manufacturing facility in Germany. The agreement supports Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s focus on expanding modern infrastructure and strengthening global partnerships.

During the visit, the delegation led by Maurya reviewed advanced railway track systems and modern concrete sleeper manufacturing technology. Officials also held detailed discussions with company representatives on production techniques, quality standards and international best practices.

The state government expects the partnership to bring advanced technology, improved quality benchmarks and global expertise to Uttar Pradesh’s rail sector. The initiative aims to enhance connectivity, create a stronger transport network and boost industrial growth.

Maurya said Uttar Pradesh is fully prepared to welcome global investment and technological collaboration, the statement said.

Amit Shah to chair meet on India-Nepal border in Bihar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on a three-day visit to Bihar’s Seemanchal region, is set to chair a high-level meeting on India-Nepal border issues in Purnea district on Friday. Senior officials from the Bihar Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs are expected to attend, sources said.

Shah arrived in the state on Wednesday. During a meeting at the Araria collectorate on Thursday, he called for a comprehensive action plan to remove encroachments near the Nepal border, stressing the region’s vulnerability to infiltration. Administrative and police officials from West Champaran, East Champaran, Supaul, Sitamarhi, Kishanganj and Madhubani participated.

Union Minister Nityanand Rai, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and officials from the ministries of home affairs and cooperation were present. Shah also launched Sashastra Seema Bal projects worth over Rs 175 crore in Araria’s Sikti block, raising concerns over infiltration, demographic changes and border encroachments. He will conclude his tour on Friday.

PM Modi pays tribute to Chandra Shekhar Azad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday honoured freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad on his death anniversary, saying his devotion to the nation would remain a source of inspiration for generations.

Born on July 23, 1906, Azad laid down his life for the country on February 27, 1931.

"My respectful homage to the brave son of Mother India, Chandra Shekhar Azad, on his martyrdom day. He sacrificed his everything to liberate Mother India from the shackles of slavery, for which he will be remembered forever." He added that the revolutionary’s life demonstrates that steadfastly standing up to injustice is the essence of true courage," stated PM Modi in a post on X.

"The saga of his sacrifice for the motherland will continue to inspire every generation of the country," he added.

SKM to meet CMs, LoPs over US trade deal; seeks commerce minister's dismissal

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday announced two nationwide campaigns to press state governments to oppose the proposed India-US trade deal, seek the dismissal of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and push for amendments to the GST law to "restore fiscal autonomy" of states.

In a press release, the SKM said delegations comprising members of its state and national committees will meet chief ministers and leaders of the opposition in all the states and seek special Assembly sessions to adopt resolutions on the issues raised by the farmers' body.

The SKM, in a memorandum, urged the state governments to ask the Centre not to sign what it termed an "anti-national" trade deal with the US, dismiss Goyal for "betraying the interests of farmers", and withdraw a Union finance ministry letter asking the states to end bonus payments on wheat and paddy.

India and the US, earlier this month, agreed on a framework to finalise an interim trade deal, under which Washington will cut down tariffs to 18 per cent. To sign and implement the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement, the framework has to be converted into a legal document.

The SKM also demanded repeal of the four labour codes and the VB G RAM G Act, and restoration of the rural employment guarantee law under the now-scrapped Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREG Act).

NYC mayor says Trump agreed to immediately release Columbia student detained by ICE

A Columbia University student was arrested Thursday by federal immigration agents who claimed to be searching for a “missing person” in order to gain access to a campus apartment, according to her attorneys and the school's president.

Hours after she was taken into custody, though, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a social media post that he had discussed the arrest during an unrelated meeting with President Donald Trump, who agreed to release the student “immediately." The student, Ellie Aghayeva, is a senior from Azerbaijan studying neuroscience and political science. A self-described content creator, she has amassed a large social media following by sharing day-in-the-life videos and tips for navigating college as an immigrant.

At around 7 am, Aghayeva posted a message to her more than 100,000 followers on Instagram: “DHS illegally arrested me. Please help." A photo accompanying the post appeared to show the backseat of a vehicle.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed Aghayeva's arrest and said her student visa had been terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes. The spokesperson didn't respond to questions about when or if she would be released.

In an emergency petition, attorneys for Aghayeva said she had entered the country on a visa in or around 2016. They said she was taken into custody early Thursday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who didn't have a warrant but “represented they were searching for a missing person to gain entry" to the university-owned apartment.

She was being held at the federal detention center in Lower Manhattan, the lawyers wrote. They declined to provide additional comment, including details about her immigration status. AP

Pakistan says it has killed over 130 Afghan Taliban fighters in response to border attacks

Pakistan launched a retaliatory operation in response to the alleged border attacks by the Afghan Taliban, saying it has killed over 130 Taliban fighters.

Operation Ghazab lil Haq commenced late Thursday night after the Afghan Taliban allegedly launched attacks on several border posts.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that the operation was underway, saying that the armed forces are currently delivering a strong response to aggression from the Afghan Taliban.

Providing an update on the operation, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that at least 133 Afghan Taliban operatives were killed and more than 200 were injured.

"Afghan Taliban defence targets in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar were targeted, with the possibility of further casualties," he said, adding that at least 27 posts of the Afghan Taliban regime were destroyed, and nine other posts were captured.

The minister further informed that two corps headquarters, three brigade headquarters, two ammunition depots, one logistics base, three battalion headquarters, two sector headquarters, and more than 80 tanks, artillery guns and armoured personnel vehicles had been destroyed.