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How to tax popcorn? India’s formula sparks outrage against GST system

NEW DELHI, Dec 23 (Reuters) – India’s move to tax popcorn differently based on its sugar or spice content has drawn criticism from the opposition and sparked social media outrage, with two former government economic advisers questioning the tax system introduced in 2017. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, chaired by the finance minister and including state representatives, announced on Saturday that non-branded popcorn mixed with salt and spices would attract a 5% GST, pre-packaged and branded popcorn 12%, and caramel popcorn, categorised as a sugar confectionery, 18%. The differential rates come into effect immediately, ending confusion over rates

Inflation, elections and war dominated 2024

Dec 23 (Reuters) – Inflation dropped in most economies around the world in 2024, but voters didn’t care. Angered by the hefty ramp-up in prices for everything from eggs to energy over the past few years, they punished incumbent parties at almost every opportunity. The pain of inflation lingers, and ruling parties took the blame in election after election. In the United States, higher costs helped Donald Trump win a second term as president four years after he was voted out of the White House and then falsely claimed election fraud. His supporters failed in their bid to overturn Trump’s

The scars of a 9.1 earthquake and tsunami continue to haunt Indians for decades

NAGAPATTINAM, India, December 23, 2024 (AP) — He was a young boy playing cricket with friends on a beach around 9:30 in the morning when a 9.1 magnitude earthquake violently shook the earth, and a tsunami struck from Indonesia to India two decades ago. Life changed for Yusuf Ansari, now a 32-year-old motor rickshaw driver. “Out of nowhere, we saw a boat tossed by the waves, followed by a massive rush of dark water and a big wave of water. It all happened so fast. Everyone around panicked. They didn’t even think about their boats or homes,” Ansari said, adding

Tens of thousands displaced by ethnic violence in Manipur suffer squalid conditions in camps

KANGPOKPI, India, December 23, 2024 (AP) — Phalneivah Khonsai ran for her life when violence struck her neighborhood in restive Manipur, carrying just the bare essentials in the hope that she and her family could return soon. Khonsai, her husband and three children left behind their house, which was torched by a mob, and made for the hills, where thousands of people from their community headed for safety. That was in May last year. Almost 19 months later, Khonsai, 35, is still away from home, living in a government building that was turned into a relief center with squalid conditions

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