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Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has dubbed the proposal to introduce 35 per cent GST on «sin goods» like aerated beverages and tobacco products as a «bad idea» as it would lead to smuggling and loss of revenue for the country. Besides, other bodies like All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) and Indian Sellers Collective — an umbrella body of trade associations and sellers across the country — have raised concerns on the recommendations of the GoM on GST rate rationalisation. Earlier this month, the Group of Ministers (GoM) recommended a special rate of 35 per cent on sin goods like aerated beverages, cigarettes, tobacco and related products. The GoM headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary also suggested rationalisation of tax rates on apparel. «Another slab in GST, in the name of luxury and sin goods is primarily a bad idea, which will defeat the very efficiency principle of taxation. Already, a need is being felt among economists that the present number of slabs should be reduced, and the highest 28 per cent slab be abolished,» SJM national co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan said.

Canada under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took significant steps to limit immigration in 2024. Faced with domestic challenges including an acute housing crisis and growing public dissatisfaction over strained infrastructure, the Canadian government moved to curtail immigration and foreign student intake. These measures represented a stark departure from Canada’s historically open-door policies, sparking widespread debate both within and outside the country.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Since the Soviet Union collapsed, a good quarter of Moldovans—no one knows the figure for sure—have chosen to build new lives abroad. Two decades ago roughly half of such emigrants used to headfor jobs in Russia, whichhad ruled them from 1944 to 1991; the other half tried their luck in western Europe.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Corporate action usually brings some good news for investors, particularly in the case of amalgamation and mergers. In many cases, corporate actions do not involve any potential future benefits to the company, as with bonus issues and stock splits.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. TEL AVIV—Israel’s defense minister signaled the country is planning to keep tighter and longer-term security control over territory just across its border in Syria and in Gaza, taking advantage of its weakened neighbors to better insulate itself from possible threats. Israel seized control of the 155-square-mile buffer zone separating it from Syria after the Assad regime that had ruled the country for more than half a century collapsed just over a week ago.

Kuwait is also home to a large Indian diaspora and was a key supplier of liquid medical oxygen to India during the deadly Delta wave of Covid in 2021. There are plans to put in place a maritime component to the partnership. Regional developments including the situation in Gaza and Syria are expected to figure in the discussion agenda during the PM’s visit.

The NSE Nifty fell 332.25 points, or 1.35%, to close at 24,336. The BSE Sensex declined 1,064.12 points, or 1.3%, to end at 80,684.45.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said his government is not concerned with Adani Group's dealings with other countries, but is instead focused only on what the conglomerate does in Sri Lanka. He said his «stable government» intends to «pave the way» for more Indian investments. «We don't have any concerns over how they (Adani) work with other countries. What is important for us is how they work with us,» Dissanayake told ET in an exclusive interview on Tuesday. «We are basically concerned about our investments, our development. We will be looking at how they have worked in our country. If they have worked in a manner that suits us, fits our initiatives, we don't mind working with Adani Group.» Also Read: No compromise on India's security, seeks stronger ties, says Sri Lanka's President

IPO price: Rs 269-283 IPO size: Upto Rs 840 crore

IEEMA and Chairman of ELECRAMA 2025, said. “Presently, the industry size is USD 70 billion in India, with USD 12 billion in exports. We are poised to grow to a USD 130 billion industry with exports of USD 25 billion by 2030,” Vikram Gandotra told ET. ELECRAMA 2025, the world's largest electrical show, will take place from February 22 to 26, 2025, in Greater Noida. A flagship showcase of the Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers' Association (IEEMA), in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries, it will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers from around the world. The event will feature exhibitions, technology showcases, networking opportunities, and events that will serve as a springboard for the Indian electrical industry.

«The research on quantum computing has been ongoing for several years by various institutions, including us. The Quantum Reference Facility is coming up at the C-DAC facility in Bangalore,» said A S Murty, senior scientist and Kolkata head of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The scientist was speaking on the sidelines of the International Symposium on Quantum Computing (ISQCI 2024) held in Kolkata.

US Presidential elections 2024. However, as he has finally come to power, his plans of implementing mass deportations is instilling fear in the minds of economists, who are even claiming that there could be some massive trouble for the US economy if Trump decides to go ahead with this plan.

Narendra Modi ripped into Congress in Lok Sabha last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the party, accusing it of treating the Constitution as the «private property» of one family and amending it to remain in power. Shah's comments came during a discussion on the «Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India» in the Parliament. The senior BJP leader alleged that the Congress brought various amendments to the Constitution for its own benefit.

The data regarding drugs recalled after failing quality tests is not maintained centrally by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). During the year 2023-24 (April to March), 2,988 drug samples were declared not of standard quality while 282 drug samples were found to be spurious or adulterated, she said.

NITI Aayog has invited expression of interest for undertaking research on 'Cost of Doing Business in India' (CoDB), as India faces strong competition from countries like Vietnam, China, and Indonesia, which offer lower operational costs in key sectors. In a notice, Niti Aayog said the cost of doing business is a pivotal factor influencing the competitiveness of an economy, encompassing the expenses businesses incur to establish, operate and expand. «For a rapidly growing economy like India understanding these costs is essential to fostering a conducive business environment and attracting investment. »Despite India's significant reforms to improve its business climate, it faces strong competition from countries like Vietnam, China, and Indonesia, which offer lower operational costs in key sectors," it said.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes for 14 key sectors have been announced with an outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore to enhance manufacturing capabilities and exports. «As on August 2024, across 14 sectors, investment of Rs 1.46 lakh crore have been realised, which has resulted in incremental production/sales of over Rs 12.50 lakh crore, employment generation of over 9.5 lakhs, and exports surpassing Rs 4 lakh crore,» he added. Incentives of Rs 2,968 crore in eight sectors and Rs 6,753 crore in nine sectors during 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively, have been disbursed.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) says the number of homes sold in November rose 26 per cent compared with a year ago, marking the second straight month of large year-over-year gains.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. LONDON : On Saturday night at the Old Ivy House pub, drinkers looking for a Guinness were greeted with an overturned glass dangling over a tap handle. The Old Ivy ran out of the iconic Irish stout on Friday night.

President-elect Donald Trump told reporters that he would consider pardoning embattled New York Mayor Eric Adams, said the country was “not going to lose” the polio vaccine and weighed in on the flurry of drone sightings over New Jersey during a freewh...

Should underage gambling no longer be a crime

The U.S. Census Bureau is changing how it counts international migration in its annual population estimates