The Times of India

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken action against 27 restaurants nationwide for mandatorily levying service charges, deeming it a violation of consumer law. Fines up to Rs 50,000 were imposed, with directions to refund collected charges and modify billing systems to prevent default additions.

This collapse is central to the scepticism voiced by oil companies. Restoring production on a meaningful scale is not a matter of restarting wells. It would require rebuilding pipelines, upgraders, refineries, power supply and skilled manpower, all of which demand long-term capital commitments.

Andhra Pradesh's Cabinet has greenlit the Dagadarthi greenfield airport in Nellore, boosting the state's aviation and industrial infrastructure. This eighth airport will enhance connectivity to major ports and highways, fostering growth in manufacturing, exports, and agri-logistics.

PhonePe Payment Gateway has launched 'PhonePe PG Bolt' for Visa and Mastercard transactions, enabling a faster and more secure in-app checkout experience. The solution utilizes device tokenization to allow users to save cards once and use them across integrated merchants.

India and the European Union are pushing to finalize their free trade agreement. Officials met in Brussels to review progress and resolve outstanding issues. Both sides have expressed strong political will to conclude the negotiations soon.

India and the European Union advanced their Free Trade Agreement discussions during Minister Piyush Goyal's Brussels visit. Both sides committed to resolving outstanding issues to expedite a balanced agreement protecting farmers and MSMEs while integrating Indian industries into global supply chains. Goyal also visited Liechtenstein to discuss the India-EFTA TEPA, encouraging investment and collaboration.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted that the government's long-term energy planning is translating into tangible benefits for citizens, stating that the real test of policy lies in how seamlessly it supports daily life rather than in announcements alone.

Amidst Trump's 500% tariff threat, it's important to note that despite heavy import dependence, Indias energy security has strengthened through diversified crude sourcing and greater refining flexibility, improving resilience to external supply shocks.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the department has ample funds for tariff refunds if the Supreme Court rules against President Trump's emergency tariffs, though payments could take over a year. He expressed doubt about such a ruling, calling potential refunds a corporate boondoggle if companies passed costs to consumers.

Indian garment makers face a potential 500% US tariff threat, jeopardizing export prospects for the fall-winter cycle. Buyers are hesitant, and the industry is still recovering from previous 50% duties. Manufacturers are proceeding with production despite uncertainty, fearing a 500% tariff would effectively halt exports to the US.

President Trump met with oil executives to discuss investments in Venezuela's oil sector following President Maduro's capture, presenting the country as secure for business. Industry leaders expressed caution, with one stating Venezuela is currently uninvestable without significant reforms. The US administration plans to manage company access to Venezuela's oil resources, sidelining Caracas from negotiations.

President Donald Trump announced plans to cap credit card interest rates, aiming to alleviate consumer affordability issues. He stated that credit card companies will be prohibited from charging interest rates of 20% to 30% or higher, criticizing the previous administration for allowing these rates to persist.

India is poised for significant economic growth, with government policies providing momentum amidst global trade uncertainties. Principal Secretary Shaktikanta Das highlighted Atmanirbharta as a strategy for resilience, not isolation, enabling India to navigate a fragmented world and pursue sustained development.

A report by GTRI refutes US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's claim that a missed phone call from PM Modi stalled the India-US trade deal. The GTRI argues that substantive policy differences, not a lack of personal diplomacy, are the real reasons for the prolonged delay.

Indian markets are on edge ahead of a crucial US Supreme Court ruling on Trump-era tariffs, which could either spark a sharp rally or intensify volatility depending on the scope of the decision.

Industry body PHDCCI has urged the government to establish a dedicated Green Bank in the upcoming Union Budget. This facility aims to attract private investment into green technologies like renewable energy and electric vehicles.

Decide your risk level on a calm day based on your life, not on the market. Write it down, turn it into an asset allocation (how much in equity, how much in debt), and then let that guide your choices.

India is closely monitoring a proposed US bill that could impose steep tariffs on countries buying Russian crude oil. New Delhi maintains its energy sourcing is driven by market conditions and national security needs for its large population.

US stocks edged higher Friday as a mixed jobs report tempered expectations for an early Federal Reserve rate cut, though easing later this year remains likely. Treasury yields saw varied movement, while Vistra and Oklo surged on energy deals, contrasting with General Motors' decline due to EV pullback.

US hiring remained subdued in December, with employers adding only 50,000 jobs, capping a year of weak employment gains. The unemployment rate edged down to 4.4%, but businesses show caution due to economic uncertainty, inflation, and AI's impact. This subdued hiring contrasts with healthy economic growth.

India's expanding network of free trade agreements is opening up global markets for its agriculture and food processing sectors, according to Minister of State Jitin Prasada. He highlighted recent pacts with countries like Australia and the UK, emphasizing the government's commitment to easing business regulations to attract investment.

The Indian rupee crossed Rs 90 to the dollar in early December 2025, marking its weakest level on record. Why did the RBI allow the currency to slide instead of stepping in to defend it, and why are policymakers insisting they are not worried? The answers lie in a hard economic constraint that leaves central banks with fewer choices than they appear to have.

India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant dip of $9.809 billion, settling at $686.801 billion in the week ending January 2. This decline follows a previous rise, with foreign currency assets and gold reserves both contributing to the decrease. Special Drawing Rights and the country's IMF position also experienced minor reductions.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) secured a significant reprieve from the government, freezing its Rs 87,695 crore adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. The company will now pay Rs 1,144 crore annually for six years, followed by staggered payments until 2041, offering a crucial lifeline to the debt-laden operator.

EY India suggests expanding Production-Linked Incentives to AI, space, and robotics, urging the FY27 Budget to prioritize growth and tax certainty. A dedicated Customs dispute resolution mechanism and simplified tariff structures are also proposed. The firm emphasizes clear guidelines for the new Income Tax Act to ensure a smooth transition and boost investor confidence.

PwC's Ranen Banerjee advises against an interest rate cut by the RBI in February 2026, stating it would be wasting a bullet given robust economic growth and benign inflation. He believes private capital expenditure is driven by demand visibility and capacity utilization, not interest rates, suggesting a prolonged pause is more appropriate.