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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


US President Donald Trump says his New Year wish is to see "Peace on Earth"

Washington DC, Jan. 1 -- US President Donald Trump held a New Year bash at his Florida resort on Thursday and when he was quizzed about his wish for the New Year he said he wanted peace on Earth, repo... Read More


ITC, Godfrey Phillips shares tank up to 19% as govt announces excise duty on cigarettes effective February 1

New Delhi, Jan. 1 -- Shares of cigarette companies ITC and Godfrey Phillips slumped by up to 19% in Thursday's trade (January 1), after the government imposed an excise duty on cigarettes, effective n... 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


Fully prepared to hold 'free, fair, peaceful' elections: Prof Yunus tells S Asian dignitaries

Dhaka, Jan. 1 -- Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said Bangladesh is fully prepared to hold 'free, fair, and peaceful' elections on February 12 next year. Prof Yunus said that around 700,000 Ban... Read More


"Mamata will win by huge margin in West Bengal, BJP's conspiracy won't work": Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow, Jan. 1 -- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday backed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, stating that the BJP's "conspiracy" wo... Read More


Harish Rao slams Telangana govt over pending 'Mana Ooru Mana Badi' bills

Hyderabad, Jan. 1 -- Senior BRS leader and former minister T Harish Rao has sharply criticized the Telangana government for failing to clear pending bills of contractors working under the 'Mana Ooru -... Read More


"We are talking about really establishing a normal political dialogue": Former diplomat Suresh K Goel on India-Bangladesh ties

New Delhi, Jan. 1 -- Former diplomat Suresh K Goel on Thursday noted that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia... Read More


"Award-winning Indore, but people died after drinking water": Akhilesh Yadav targets BJP over contaminated water tragedy

Lucknow, Jan. 1 -- Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government over the deaths and illnesses caused by contaminated drinking w... Read More


Congress filed affidavit that "Lord Ram was imaginary": Union Minister slams Nana Patole's remarks

Mumbai, Jan. 1 -- Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched a scathing attack on Congress over its leader Nana Patole's remarks allegedly comparing Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram,... Read More