Business

RBI Maintains Repo Rate at 5.5%, Revises Growth and Inflation Estimates

RBI Maintains Repo Rate at 5.5%, Revises Growth and Inflation Estimates

NEW DELHI (RAJEEV SHARMA): The Reserve Bank of India announced on Wednesday that it will keep the repo rate steady at 5.5 percent, reflecting a balanced view of current economic conditions both within the country and globally. The decision came after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) convened for its three-day meeting. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra confirmed that the MPC members were unanimous in their choice to hold the key policy rate unchanged. The central bank’s stance remains neutral, indicating flexibility to adjust interest rates if economic developments warrant it. The repo rate serves as the benchmark rate for lending by…
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Zomato Introduces ‘Healthy Mode’ to Help Users Choose Nutritious Meals

Zomato Introduces ‘Healthy Mode’ to Help Users Choose Nutritious Meals

Gurugram, September 29, 2025 – Food delivery platform Zomato on Monday unveiled a new feature, Healthy Mode, aimed at helping users discover and order healthier meal options through its app. The feature is currently available in Gurugram, with plans for a phased rollout across other cities in India.The company stated that the launch responds to growing consumer interest in nutritious food, particularly among urban users aged 18 to 45. To assist restaurant partners, Zomato has employed advanced AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) to develop comprehensive macronutrient profiles for menu items. Each dish is assigned a Healthy Score, ranging from…
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Starbucks to Cut 900 Jobs, Close Underperforming Stores in North America

Starbucks to Cut 900 Jobs, Close Underperforming Stores in North America

Seattle, September 25, 2025: Starbucks will lay off nearly 900 non-retail employees and shut a number of underperforming stores in the United States and Canada as part of a wider restructuring drive. Employees whose positions are being eliminated will be informed on Friday, the company said.The coffee chain noted that a review of its operations showed several locations were missing financial targets or failing to deliver the customer experience associated with the brand. “This is a more significant action that we understand will impact partners and customers. Our coffeehouses are centres of the community, and closing any location is difficult,”…
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Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Ties Highlight Complex U.S. Foreign Policy, Says Rubio

Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Ties Highlight Complex U.S. Foreign Policy, Says Rubio

Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that the Trump administration imposed trade penalties on India due to its ongoing energy dealings with Russia, despite New Delhi being one of Washington’s key allies in the region. Rubio’s comments came during an interview with Good Morning America, where he was pressed on the former president's approach to Russian aggression in Ukraine and the claim that Donald Trump often avoided following through on threats directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response, Rubio defended the administration’s record, pointing to specific economic decisions. “India is one of our…
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Indian Rupee Hits Record Low of 88.67 Amid U.S. Tariff Concerns; Gold Surges Past USD 3,700

Indian Rupee Hits Record Low of 88.67 Amid U.S. Tariff Concerns; Gold Surges Past USD 3,700

New Delhi, September 23, 2025 — The Indian rupee slipped to a fresh all-time low of 88.67 against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, surpassing its previous record of 88.47 recorded on September 11. Analysts attribute the decline to concerns over U.S. tariff policies, uncertainty surrounding H1B visa rules, and month-end as well as half-year-end outflows by importers.Currency expert K. N. Dey noted that while there were some foreign institutional investor inflows yesterday, outflows from importers added pressure on the rupee. “Volatility may continue for another two to three days, though the downside appears limited. Levels of 88.47–88.50 could provide good…
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National Times Bureau :- The Supreme Court on Monday criticised the way pilots were blamed in the preliminary report on the Air India plane crash. The court said it was “irresponsible” to point fingers at pilots before the final investigation report is ready. Hearing a PIL that sought an independent, court-monitored probe, the bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh issued notices to the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The court stressed that confidentiality must be maintained until the inquiry is complete. The judges observed that blaming pilots too early can cause unnecessary suffering…
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GST 2.0 Rollout: Simpler Tax Regime Promises Savings for Households, Hits Luxury Goods

GST 2.0 Rollout: Simpler Tax Regime Promises Savings for Households, Hits Luxury Goods

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India has entered a new phase of indirect taxation with the launch of GST 2.0, which takes effect nationwide from today. The overhaul replaces the earlier four-rate structure with a streamlined system that has just two regular slabs – 5% for essentials and 18% for most goods and services – along with a steep 40% levy on luxury and sin products. The government has pitched the reform as a consumer-friendly move that will ease compliance, reduce disputes, and ultimately bring down the cost of living. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailing the transition as the start of…
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Punjab Taps Market for Rs 1,000 Crore Loan Amid Ongoing Borrowing Trend

Punjab Taps Market for Rs 1,000 Crore Loan Amid Ongoing Borrowing Trend

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Punjab government has raised eyebrows yet again by borrowing Rs 1,000 crore through the issuance of State Development Loans (SDLs), despite consistent public assurances that the state's treasury remains in stable condition. The loan was raised on September 18 at an interest rate of 6.98%, according to official data. This marks the sixth straight month the state has sought funds from the open market, further intensifying concerns about its long-term fiscal roadmap. Repayment Due by 2033 As per the official notification, the borrowed amount will be paid back over a period of eight years, with the…
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SBI General Insurance Launches Unique Health Scanning Feature on Its Mobile App

SBI General Insurance Launches Unique Health Scanning Feature on Its Mobile App

SBI General Insurance, one of India's leading general insurance companies, has launched an innovative, unique health tracking feature on its mobile app, marking a significant advancement in health and wellness promotion. This new feature leverages advanced biometric technology to provide users with easy access to important health metrics through simple face and finger scans. The initiative offers a seamless, contactless, and tech-enabled approach to proactive wellness, designed to support users in taking charge of their health and well-being in real time. SBI General Insurance mobile app now offers face & finger-scan based health tracking, fostering proactive wellness and digital empowerment…
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India’s Sovereign AI BharatGen Secures Rs. 988.6 Crore Under IndiaAI Mission; Receives Largest Share of MeitY’s Rs. 1,500 Crore Allocation

India’s Sovereign AI BharatGen Secures Rs. 988.6 Crore Under IndiaAI Mission; Receives Largest Share of MeitY’s Rs. 1,500 Crore Allocation

BharatGen, India's first government-backed multimodal Sovereign AI flagship initiative, has been awarded funding of Rs. 988.6 crore by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The formal announcement was made by Hon'ble Union Minister of Electronics G IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, during an event at Hotel The Ashok, New Delhi. Hon'ble Union Minister of Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, made the formal announcement at an event held in Delhi The allocation positions BharatGen as the foremost beneficiary of the Rs. 1,500 crore IndiaAI Mission 2025, highlighting its central role in building India's sovereign AI ecosystem. The funding will help…
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