1.Shaheen Afridi has made history by becoming the first Pakistani bowler to take 100 wickets in each format of international cricket. He achieved this milestone during the first T20I against South Africa in Durban, taking three wickets to reach 100 T20I wickets in 74 matches. Afridi is now the youngest player to achieve this feat and joins an elite club with New Zealand's Tim Southee, Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, and Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga. Despite his heroics, Pakistan lost the match by 11 runs.
2.In-Solutions Global (ISG), backed by JP-Morgan, has received full authorization as a payment aggregator under the Reserve Bank of India's framework. This approval enhances ISG's ability to offer streamlined, secure, and reliable digital payment solutions to merchants across various sectors. ISG processes over 28 billion transactions annually, serving more than 70% of Indian banks. With this license, ISG can now provide a comprehensive suite of payment solutions, including prepaid payment instruments (PPIs), payment aggregation, transit payments, and more. This move supports financial inclusion and the advancement of digital payment systems in India.
3.State Bank of India, the country's largest lender, is seeking a ¥30 billion ($197 million) facility, according to people familiar with the matter, adding to a record volume of yen loans raised by borrowers in Asia excluding Japan this year. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. is the lead bank of the deal, which will be raised in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, India's newest financial hub, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing a private matter. The facility carries a five-year tenor, the people added. It will pay an interest margin of 60 basis points over the Tokyo overnight average rate, or TONA, a global benchmark gage for yen-denominated deals, according to one of the people. The loan would add to a tide of Samurai loans, where foreign companies raise yen debt, in Asia recently as they seek to lower funding costs and diversify away from the relatively-expensive dollar space.
4.Uber launches women-only bike taxi service 'Moto Women' in Bengaluru. Ride-hailing firm Uber rolled out Uber Moto Women in Bengaluru, a first-of-its-kind service that offers women-only bike rides. The company plans to scale it up in other top cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad. The on-demand two-wheeler ride service connects women riders with women drivers and is designed, to address women’s safety and mobility needs. Developed after receiving feedback from women riders and drivers, Uber Moto Women offers a safe, affordable and convenient commute option for women who would prefer to ride with women drivers or riders for their trips. Bike taxis have rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing transport options in urban India.