Exclusive

Publication

Byline

India puts excise duty on tobacco products, including cigarettes, from February 1

India, Jan. 1 -- The government has imposed additional excise duty on tobacco products from 1 February 2026, making cigarettes costlier for an estimated 10 crore smokers in the world's most populous c... Read More


Insecurity, police abuses, press attacks shaped Nigeria's human rights profile in 2025

Nigeria, Jan. 1 -- Nigeria's commitment to human rights continued to face tests in 2025. Data from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) revealed a plunge in human rights complaints at the begi... Read More


Kharge, Rahul extend new year greetings, emphasise unity and progress

New Delhi, Jan. 1 -- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi Thursday extended their warm New Year greetings to the nation, emphasising the importance of unity and collecti... Read More


The Year Ahead: Can regional parties stay the course?

India, Jan. 1 -- In India, regional parties are not mere footnotes to national politics; they lie at the heart of its bewildering but pivotal political diversity. Outside the sphere of the two nation... Read More


The Year That Was: Can regional parties stay the course?

India, Jan. 1 -- In India, regional parties are not mere footnotes to national politics; they lie at the heart of its bewildering but pivotal political diversity. Outside the sphere of the two nation... Read More


Pakistan Speaker meets Prof Yunus, expresses sorrow over Khaleda Zia's demise

Dhaka, Jan. 1 -- Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday evening and conveyed heartfelt con... Read More


'Rare resolve, conviction': What PM Modi said on Khaleda Zia in letter handed over to her son Tarique Rahman

India, Jan. 1 -- As Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia, 80, passed away in Dhaka on December 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his heartfelt condolences to Zia's son and Banglades... Read More


What PM Modi said in letter handed over to Khaleda Zia's son Tarique before her funeral

India, Jan. 1 -- As Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia, 80, passed away in Dhaka on December 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his heartfelt condolences to Zia's son and Banglades... Read More


Wired Wisdom: Instamart 'trends', assessing the Xiaomi Redmi 15C, and gazing into 2026

India, Jan. 1 -- Good morning, and a Happy New Year! Opening thoughts. A few days ago, some interesting data was shared by Swiggy, regarding how India 'Swiggy'd' in 2025, and Instamart gadget shoppin... Read More


An Umno-PAS alliance anytime soon? Highly unlikely, say analysts

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 1 -- There is speculation once again about whether Muafakat Nasional, the stillborn co-operation between PAS and Umno after GE 14, will be revived now that PAS and Bersatu's Perikat... Read More