TopNews

Tobacco companies around the globe are now particularly targeting youth. World Health Organization (WHO) is putting its observation on this type of target marketing. Figures have shown that 40% of men smoke whereas only 9% of women do so but this figure is likely to change very soon, which has become a matter of concern for WHO.

The WHO has announced “World No-Tobacco Day” on 31st of May. This comes under its Tobacco-Free Initiative. Douglas Batcher, the director of the WHO's Tobacco-Free Initiative has shared WHO’s worry on changing marketing tactics.

The consumer watchdog in Australia has given its acceptance for the proposed hike in postage prices, second price rise in two years, by the Australian Post. The cost of a basic stamp will increase to 60 cents from current price of 55 cents.

The proposed increase in postage prices will be implemented from June 28 this year. However, the consumer watchdog also said that it will not entertain any application for price rise for two years.

James Hardie Industries SE, a building materials supplier, confirmed today that it is not planning to move its base to US. The company reaffirmed that its proposed plan to make its base at Ireland is completely unchanged.

There were speculations in the market that James Hardie is planning to move to US as its 80% revenue comes from US. Currently, the headquarters of the company are situated in the Netherlands.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to take away the one-year ban on former skipper Shoaib Malik.

The board imposed the suspension and a fine of Rs 2 million for bad behavior in the national team's unsuccessful tour of Australia earlier this year.

But, the board yesterday asked arbitrator Irfan Qadir to lift the ban.

Qadir also decided to halve the fine on Malik.

PCB advocate Talib Rizvi said, "We (PCB) had watched Malik's attitude and conduct over the last three months and proposed that ban should be lifted."

Scientists have isolated and detailed the task of a unique protein named as Preimplantation Factor (PF) created by healthy embryos that guarantees a successful pregnancy.

The study showed that Preimplantation Factor transforms maternal immunity, supports attachment of the early embryo, and manipulates remodeling of intrauterine cells.

Today, Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA) declared to go on an indefinite strike from June 14 if Delhi administration fails to bring equality in VAT rate with the neighboring states.

DPDA president Atul Peshawaria stated, "If the government does not reduce the VAT and bring it to parity with that of Haryana, we will be left with no other option but to close down our petrol pumps and observe a strike."

The increase in value added tax has seen 35 to 95% drop in the sale of diesel since 2008.