Heavy rainfall lashed Delhi on Friday, leaving several parts of the national capital waterlogged and causing massive traffic congestion across key roads. The downpour disrupted normal life, with flooded streets, stranded vehicles and long traffic queues reported from multiple locations in Delhi as well as adjoining Noida and Gurugram.
Can the Government Levy Charges on UPI Payments? What the Proposed Law Means for Merchants and Customers
The passage of the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha has triggered a nationwide debate over the future of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions. The discussion centres on whether the government can now allow banks and payment service providers to levy charges on UPI payments through a revised legal framework.
State Bank of India Reports Lowest NPA Ratio in Over Two Decades in Q1 FY27 as Slippages Improve
State Bank of India (SBI) reported a strong improvement in its asset quality for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, with the country’s largest lender recording its lowest non-performing asset (NPA) ratio in more than two decades. The bank also posted lower slippages and improved profitability during the April-June quarter, reflecting healthier loan performance and stronger balance sheet fundamentals.
Houthi Attacks on Yemeni Government Forces Raise Fears of Wider Conflict
Missile and drone attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement against government military positions have significantly escalated tensions in the country, raising concerns that the years-long conflict could enter a new and more violent phase. The strikes, which targeted military camps in Hadramout and Marib on Thursday, left at least 30 government soldiers dead and 15 others injured, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera.
Russia Drops Record Number of Glide Bombs on Ukraine as Casualties Mount, Kyiv Claims
Russia intensified its aerial campaign against Ukraine in July by launching a record number of glide bombs while also increasing ballistic missile attacks, according to Ukrainian officials. The escalation came as Kyiv claimed Russian forces suffered their highest monthly casualty figures of the year, even as Moscow continued to rely on long-range strikes to maintain pressure on Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye Sign Mecca Joint Defence Agreement Amid Regional Security Challenges
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye have signed a new trilateral defence pact, named the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, aimed at strengthening collective security cooperation as military tensions continue to rise across the Middle East. According to Al Jazeera, the agreement states that an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all of them.




