FIFA World Cup : Khazri strike ends Tunisia's 40-year World Cup match victory drought
Saransk (Russia), June 29 : Wahbi Khazri struck a second-half winner as Tunisia secured their first win in FIFA World Cup after 40 years by overcoming debutants Panama 2-1 in a Group G clash here on Thursday.
Yassine Meriah gifted Panama the lead by turning the ball into his own net before Fakhreddine Ben Youssef equalized just after halftime. Khazri completed the turnaround just after the hour mark with his second goal of the tournament, reports Xinhua news agency.
The North African side's last victory in football's flagship event was a 3-1 defeat of Mexico in Argentina in 1978.
The result had no bearing on the final Group G standings as both teams were already eliminated from the competition. Belgium topped the group with nine points after their 1-0 win over England, who finished second with six points. Tunisia go home with three points while Panama were last in the group with three straight losses.
Tunisia looked the better team early here but Naim Sliti and Ben Youssef both spurned chances to put their team ahead.
Panama scored against the run of play just after the half-hour mark when Jose Luis Rodriguez's long-range shot deflected off Meriah, giving goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi no chance.
Tunisia continued to surge forward in numbers and Panama had captain Roman Torres to thank when he booted clear Khazri's second effort after his initial attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.
Tunisia equalised six minutes after the restart when Sliti set up Khazri on the right before the Rennes forward pulled the ball back to Ben Youssef, who stabbed a shot into the left corner.
Ben Youssef should have scored again two minutes later but sent a shot straight at Penedo when he had only the goalkeeper to beat. Panama were under sustained attack and there was a sense of inevitability about the goal that put them behind in the 66th minute.
Oussama Haddadi began the move with a slide-rule pass from the left and Khazri was perfectly positioned at the far post to fire in his 14th international goal.
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GST Council clarifies on popcorn taxation
Jaisalmer, Dec 21: The GST Council on Saturday agreed to issue a clarification on the taxation of popcorn, stating that pre-packed and labelled ready-to-eat snacks will attract a 12% tax, while an 18% GST will be levied if the popcorn is caramelised.
There is no change in the tax rate for popcorn, and the GST Council has decided that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will issue a circular clarifying the current taxation regime for popcorn.
"Ready-to-eat popcorn," which is mixed with salt and spices and has the essential character of namkeens, currently attracts a 5% GST if it is not pre-packaged and labelled.
If it is supplied as pre-packaged and labelled, a 12% GST is levied.
However, when popcorn is mixed with sugar (caramel popcorn), its essential character changes to that of a sugar confectionery, and it would therefore be classified under HS 1704 90 90, attracting an 18% GST, as per the clarification.
