January 1, 2026 08:06 AM IST First published on: Jan 1, 2026 at 07:57 AM ISTNew Year may not be all that happy for those who will indulge in extravagant festivities to show off their ill-gotten wealth. Sources said intelligence officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence have been making discreet inquiries about the bookings made in posh city hotels to herald the new year.TULF formulaIndia has urged Sri Lanka to give “early consideration” to the Tamil United Liberation Front’s proposals to resolve the island’s ethnic problem and offer a meaningful compromise, responsive to Tamil aspirations. India has, at the same time, reassured Sri Lanka that it remains committed to cooperating with it to find a political solution.Ershad to lift open politics banAdvertisementBangladesh President H M Ershad will lift the 10-month-old ban on open politics and withdraw trade restrictions on New Year’s Day after almost four years of martial law, officials said. This will coincide with Ershad launching a new party to fight in April’s elections.IDF blows up Lebanese homesIsraeli army demolition units blew up dozens of homes in the Lebanese village of Kounin after expelling its 2,000 inhabitants, a police report said. This coincided with gun battles between the Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army and Muslim militiamen in the hills overlooking the city of Sidon, police said