Business

The Wall Street Journal reports that a storied Indian business empire is being torn apart by infighting, with internal disputes fracturing one of the country's most prominent family-run conglomerates. The feud threatens the group's stability and future direction, drawing attention to the fragility of India's large family-controlled business houses, which dominate key sectors of the economy.

JioHotstar, the streaming service formed by the merger of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, is drawing attention in India this week. Entertainment coverage, including listings of what to watch on OTT platforms, is driving searches around the service as audiences look for new films and series available to stream.

A question is being raised across Europe about whether minimum wages have kept pace with rising food prices. With food inflation having surged in recent years, the debate focuses on whether statutory wage increases have preserved workers' purchasing power, and how the gap varies between countries with higher and lower minimum wage levels.

American companies are beginning to receive refunds on tariffs, and many are finding unconventional ways to use the incoming money. The refunds follow legal and policy changes that required duties collected by the US government to be returned to importers. Businesses are reportedly allocating the funds in creative ways rather than straightforward reinvestment, drawing attention to how trade policy shifts are affecting corporate balance sheets.

A study of 4,688 small-business websites found that 49.7% met none of seven basic security header criteria, highlighting widespread gaps in everyday web hygiene among smaller firms. The findings suggest many small businesses lack the technical resources or awareness to implement standard protections, leaving sites more exposed to common attacks like script injection and clickjacking.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a former business litigator has become the Justice Department's lead official directing legal action against gender-affirming care for transgender people. The profile highlights how a career focused on commercial disputes placed him at the center of one of the most contested policy battles in the US, drawing attention to the department's strategy and the official's personal and professional background.

A psychologist says business leaders are suffering under the pressures created by artificial intelligence, according to a Forbes report. Leaders face constant pressure to adopt AI tools, keep pace with rapid change, and answer to boards and employees expecting an AI strategy. The piece suggests this sustained demand is taking a measurable toll on executives' mental wellbeing.

A reporter has tested the player-protection measures that DraftKings, one of the largest US sports betting operators, says it has in place to guard against problem gambling. The findings are prompting discussion about how effective self-exclusion tools, deposit limits and identity checks really are, and whether regulators should tighten requirements on the fast-growing online betting industry.

Major US airlines are waiving change fees for travellers across the Northeast as a nor'easter brings disruptive winter weather to the region. The waivers let passengers rebook flights without paying the usual change charges, a standard move ahead of storms expected to cause cancellations and delays. Travellers in affected airports are being urged to check their flight status and take advantage of the flexibility while it lasts.

Taiwan's foreign minister has departed for Belize and Guatemala, accompanied by a business delegation. The visit underscores Taipei's efforts to maintain ties with two of its remaining diplomatic allies in Central America and to promote trade and investment opportunities. Details about the delegation's agenda or the officials involved were not immediately available.

Saturday Night Live aired a sketch mocking the relationship between Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani, the New York politician frequently at odds with the president. The bit played on their public sparring and unlikely dynamic, drawing attention across entertainment and political media. CNN Business covered the sketch, reflecting continued interest in how late-night comedy frames the Trump-Mamdani rivalry as Mamdani's national profile rises.

JioHotstar is trending in India as the streaming platform's weekly lineup draws attention, including the Aneet Padda-led series Hunkkaar and Don't Be Shy, produced by Alia Bhatt. Indian Express's weekly OTT watchlist feature is driving viewers to check what is new across streaming services, with JioHotstar among the most searched names.

MacKenzie Scott, the novelist and philanthropist who divorced Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2019, has released her first novel since the split. Early coverage of the book says it leaves readers with more questions than answers, with reviewers puzzling over its themes and what, if anything, it reveals about her life and marriage.

Meta says it will now accept advertisements for a documentary about Elon Musk, reversing an earlier refusal. The decision, reported by TechCrunch, matters because ad rejections involving Musk draw scrutiny of Meta's content moderation and platform policies. Critics and supporters of the company are weighing in on whether the reversal reflects public pressure or an internal policy correction.

Nearly 333 pounds of tuna sold under the Buckhead brand is being recalled across five states after testing found elevated levels of scombrotoxin, a compound that can cause scombroid food poisoning with symptoms like flushing, headache and rapid heartbeat. The recall covers a small quantity of product, and consumers are advised to check their purchases and discard affected tuna.

Hong Kong is stepping up efforts to strengthen economic and professional links with Central Asia. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, together with the city's Department of Justice, led the Collaborate2Win campaign across Xinjiang, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, promoting Hong Kong's financial, legal and professional services as it seeks new markets and partners in the region.

Jim Ukrop, the former CEO of Richmond-area grocery chain Ukrop's Markets, has died at the age of 89. He is being remembered as 'a true business and civic leader,' reflecting a career that combined running the family supermarket business with extensive community involvement in the Richmond, Virginia region.

ATC Manufacturing is expanding its facility in Post Falls, Idaho. The announcement was reported by the Coeur d'Alene Press as a regional business story. Details on the scale of the expansion, investment amount, or expected job creation were not included in the initial report, and reactions from local officials or residents have not yet been recorded.

A Spokane man has been arrested on allegations that he ran a cocaine distribution operation out of local homes, selling what investigators describe as thousands of packages. Authorities say the case highlights how drug operations can be concealed inside ordinary residential properties. The arrest is drawing local attention in Washington state.

Small businesses on Kauai are asking visitors to come back following Hurricane Lowell, saying the island is ready to welcome them with aloha and some patience as recovery continues. The appeal reflects concern that travelers may cancel trips even where damage was limited, hurting shops and restaurants that depend on tourism.

Police in Richmond, Virginia are investigating after a man was found dead inside a business in the city's North Side. Details about the man's identity, cause of death, and whether foul play was involved have not been released, and the investigation remains ongoing as authorities gather information.

A St. Louis area business bulletin reports three developments: Bridges has been acquired, IMPACT has received an award, and Dot Foods has made a donation. The brief items point to ongoing dealmaking and corporate giving activity in the region. Readers following local business news are discussing the roundup of acquisitions, honors and philanthropy.