Stock Picks Today: L&T, Sun Pharma, SBI Life, Eicher Motors, And More On Brokerages' Radar

Brokerages have spotlighted opportunities across capital goods, insurance, mining, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, with fresh calls on L&T, Sun Pharma, SBI Life Insurance, Eicher Motors, and Samvardhana Motherson, alongside their views on the cement and steel sectors and auto sales trends.

GS on SBI Life

• Maintain Buy with TP of Rs 2235
• Regulatory overhang on commissions remains, but SBI Life appears relatively insulated
• Management does not expect material disruption to the bancassurance model
• Growth guidance remains around 14%–15% on Individual APE
• Protection growth is not viewed as merely GST-led
• Margin outlook should be supported by mix shift and operating leverage, despite GST pressure
• Agency remains a medium-term growth lever, but execution is key
• Credit life bundling concerns appear limited for SBI Life

Citi on L&T

• Maintain Buy with TP of Rs 4650
• Robust Order Inflow Momentum Strengthens Medium Term Visibility
• Order wins strengthen visibility further
• Remains positioned for an execution recovery
• Reasonable valuations.

HSBC on Coal India

• Maintain Hold with TP of Rs 440
• Volume growth finally picks up
• Strong volume growth in August, dispatch growth picks up after 2 years of weak growth
• Strong power demand, and weak hydro generation creates strong thermal and hence coal demand
• Coal Inventories are at 3-year lows and regional coal price surge should drive E auction prices higher

UBS on Coal India

• Maintain Buy with TP of Rs 550
• Higher offtake and e-auction premium in August 2026
• Coal offtake up 6% YoY, though lags 13% YoY growth in power demand
• E-auction premium increased amid strong demand.

ALSO READ: Trade Setup For Sept 2: Nifty Support Stays At 24,000 In Range-Bound Market | Check Key Levels

GS on Eicher Motors

• Maintain Buy with TP of Rs 9400
• Demand visibility supporting steady capacity addition
• International business becoming margin neutral
• Eicher indicating broadening of customer base from formal workforce to informal & rural demand
• Management believes commodity may normalize and can raise prices later if it doesn't

HSBC on Sun Pharma

• Maintain Buy with TP of Rs 2120
• MFN deal removes tariff overhang for two years for Sun
• See limited impact of 2% on FY29 EPS estimate, and we wait for further clarity
• Tariff concerns eases

MS on Sun Pharma

• Uncertainty around tariffs has been an overhang, which is reduced
• Agreement delays Section 232 tariffs on Sun's innovative pharma products for over two years
• MFN related pricing adjustments could have some impact, which needs monitoring
• Medicaid is a small part of SUN's U.S. innovative sales, so earnings impact will be limited

Bernstein on Sun Pharma

• Maintain Outperform with TP of Rs 2235
• Agreement is strategically important because it both protects and expands Sun's $1.2-1.3bn innovative-medicines franchise
• Timing is particularly important for Ilumya ahead of its October 29 PDUFA date, but the agreement extends well beyond a single product
• More than two years of Section 232 tariff protection also safeguards margins across Gx portfolio and future Organon driven rollouts.

Jefferies on Cement Sector

• Cement: Pricing Softens, Volume Momentum Intact
• Cement prices were down 1% MoM in Aug amid monsoon-led weakness
• However, demand remains healthy, sustaining the 7-8% YoY industry growth
• East region saw the highest correction after outperforming other regions last quarter
• Currently factor in a 1% QoQ Industry price decline in Q2 & recovery in Q3
• Any deeper correction from current levels could pressure profit estimates
• East - price hike attempts rolled back, with another hike attempt likely in September
• West - Rs20/bag hikes were attempted in Aug but did not sustain; a further Rs20/bag is planned from 10th Sept but unlikely to sustain
• North - price increased by ~Rs10-20/bag in the middle of the month but reverted later on
• Central - Dealers in the region were optimistic on price increases in Sept, with a few stating Rs20/bag kind of hike announcements.
• South - Volume growth in the region has been strong, but Cement pricing has failed to see an uptick; companies continue to attempt new rounds of hikes in September.

ALSO READ: Metals Lose Glitter: Gold Falls 2%, MCX Silver Slumps Rs 4,000 — More Correction Ahead?

JPMorgan on Steel

• Cost pressures persist; reiterate being selective
• Domestic HRC prices have started increasing now, spreads are largely flattish
• Surprised by the sharp rally in SAIL
• Recent cost escalation is likely to weigh on its profitability, given its higher coke rate vs. peers
• Expect steel prices to be range-bound for now and anticipate a gradual recovery in spreads after the festive season
• JSW Steel remains preferred pick

GS on Samvardhana Motherson

• Maintain Neutral with TP of Rs 158
• Steady momentum in consumer
• Aerospace order backlog has expanded from $1.2bn in FY24 to $1.9bn as of date
• 3 recent acquisitions to contribute Rs 20000 cr
• Targeting standalone listing for 1-2 mature verticals over the next 3-4 years

Citi on Auto Sales

• Aug'26 Sales: YoY Trends Supported by Weak Base
• Channel Stocking Delayed Due to Shift in Festive Season
• Maruti: YoY volume growth healthy but not commensurate with the capacity
• Hyundai: Steady volume growth
• M&M: Strong UV volumes; modest growth in tractors
• Tata Motors PV: Another month of strong volume growth
• Tata Motors CV: Strong growth trends
• Ashok Leyland: Healthy volume growth
• Eicher Motors (Royal Enfield): Healthy RE volume growth

Jefferies on Auto Sales

• Demand Momentum Continues in August
• Auto demand momentum remained strong in August for 2Ws, PVs & trucks with registration up 24-29% YoY
• However, tractors grew just 3% YoY
• Estimate that domestic wholesales grew ~36-43% YoY for PVs & trucks, and ~10% for 2Ws & tractors
• August wholesales were in-line for Maruti, Hero Moto & HYUNDAI, and ahead for the rest.

CLSA Price Action – Laurence Balanco

• Outlook for the Nifty remains largely unchanged
• Price action continuing to consolidate beneath both the 200DMA and the June-July highs at 24,515-24,801
• Prolonged period of indecision reflects the lack of clear directional leadership within the large-cap universe
• Leaves the index trapped within the broader trading range that has been in place since the October 2024 peak
• Longer-term range is defined by support at 21,700-22,182 and resistance at 26,000-26,300
• Until either boundary is decisively breached, the path of least resistance is likely to remain sideways
• Beneath the surface, however, market breadth remains considerably more constructive
• NSE Midcap and NSE Smallcap indices continue to display significantly stronger technical profiles than their large-cap counterparts
• NSE Midcap Index remains in a well-defined uptrend following its breakout from the 2024-2026 trading range
• A development that continues to support an upside objective of 77,700-78,000
• NSE Smallcap Index breakout remains intact and continues to support an upside target of 25,000.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the investment advisers on NDTV Profit are of their own and not of NDTV Profit. NDTV Profit advises users to consult with their own financial or investment adviser before taking any investment decision.

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iPhone 18 Pro Launch: 10 Biggest Upgrades Expected Ahead Of Apple's Sept 9 Event

Apple is preparing for one of its biggest product events of the year, with the company scheduled to host its launch event on Sept. 9. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are widely expected to be among the new devices unveiled at the event.

Apple has not yet confirmed the specifications of its upcoming iPhones. However, leaks and reports from publications including MacRumors, Macworld and Tom's Guide have pointed to several possible changes.

A20 Pro Chip

The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip. According to MacRumors, the chip could be manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process, moving beyond the 3nm technology used for the current A19 Pro.

ALSO READ | iPhone 18 Pro Max: Five Upgrades That Could Make iPhone 17 Pro Max Users Switch

Bigger Battery

Battery life could be one of the more noticeable improvements in the iPhone 18 Pro series. MacRumors has reported that leaked information points to a battery capacity of 5,391mAh for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

For comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to have a battery capacity of around 4,200mAh to 4,300mAh, according to leaked specifications compiled by 91mobiles. None of these figures has been officially confirmed.

6.3-Inch Display

The iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to get a major increase in screen size. MacRumors reports that the Pro model could retain a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max is expected to continue with a 6.9-inch panel.

LTPO+ Display

According to MacRumors, Apple could introduce upgraded LTPO+ display technology with the iPhone 18 Pro models. The newer technology could help reduce power consumption.

Variable Aperture Camera

The camera could receive one of the biggest upgrades. MacRumors reports that the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to feature a 48-megapixel main camera with a variable aperture.

A variable-aperture system can adjust the amount of light entering the camera, potentially giving the iPhone more flexibility when taking photographs in different lighting conditions.

Smaller Dynamic Island

Apple could also make the Dynamic Island smaller. MacRumors and Macworld have both reported on changes to the front-facing hardware that could allow Apple to reduce the space occupied by the Dynamic Island, giving users slightly more uninterrupted screen space.

Under-Display Face ID

The smaller Dynamic Island is also linked to possible changes in Face ID technology. Macworld has reported that Apple could move some Face ID components underneath the display.

Apple's New C2 Modem

The iPhone 18 Pro series is also expected to get Apple's next-generation C2 modem. MacRumors has reported that the C2 could bring improvements in cellular connectivity and power efficiency.

This would further Apple's move towards developing more of its own connectivity hardware rather than relying entirely on third-party modem technology.

ALSO READ | iPhone 18 Pro Vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: Display, Battery, Camera Differences To Know

New Connectivity Hardware

The iPhone 18 Pro could also receive an updated wireless connectivity chip. MacRumors reports that Apple is expected to introduce an N2 chip, following the N1 chip used in the current generation, which supports technologies including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread.

Colours And Design

Apple could also introduce new colour options for the Pro models. Recent reports have pointed to shades such as Dark Cherry, although the final names and availability remain unconfirmed.

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Vishwanath & Sons BO Collection Day 18: Suriya Starrer Keeps The Momentum Going

Suriya starrer Vishwanath & Sons is continuing its box office journey as the film enters another day of its theatrical run. The Tamil drama has stayed in cinemas into its third week, with audiences still turning up for the film.

Box Office Collection Day 18

The Tamil film has collected Rs 55 lakh net Live on Day 18 from 1,264 shows, with an occupancy of 18.5%. Its India net collection has reached Rs 116.55 crore, while the India gross collection stands at Rs 134.95 crore, according to the latest figures from trade tracker Sacnilk. Final Day 18 figures are awaited.

The Tamil version earned Rs 28 lakh Live from 585 shows, recording 19% occupancy. The Telugu version collected Rs 27 lakh live across 679 shows, with an occupancy of 18%.

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Box Office Collection So Far

Vishwanath and Sons opened with Rs 15.35 crore on Day 1 and saw its biggest single-day collection on Day 2, when it earned Rs 22.25 crore. Day 3 added Rs 20.55 crore, while Day 4 recorded Rs 7.80 crore. The film collected Rs 6.35 crore on Day 5, Rs 5.10 crore on Day 6 and Rs 4.20 crore on Day 7, taking its first-week total to Rs 81.60 crore.

In the second week, the film earned Rs 4.50 crore on Day 8, followed by Rs 7.25 crore on Day 9 and Rs 7.30 crore on Day 10. It then collected Rs 2.05 crore, Rs 2.80 crore, Rs 2.35 crore and Rs 1.30 crore from Day 11 to Day 14, taking the second-week total to Rs 27.55 crore, as per Sacnilk.

About Vishwanath & Sons

Vishwanath & Sons follows Sanjay Vishwanath, an international shooter whose life changes as he faces ageing, family responsibilities and an unexpected romance.

Directed by Venky Atluri, the film stars Suriya, Mamitha Baiju, Raveena Tandon and Radhika Sarathkumar. G. V. Prakash Kumar has composed the music, while Nimish Ravi handled the cinematography and Navin Nooli edited the film.

ALSO READ | Vishwanath & Sons Box Office Collection Day 17: Suriya Film Sees Slight Dip, Check Sunday Earnings

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8-Year-Old Boy Run Over In Bandra; Woman Driver Arrested For Rash Driving

An eight-year-old boy was killed after he was knocked down and run over by an SUV driven by a woman who was distracted while speaking on her mobile phone at the time of incident, according to reports. 

Police have identified the deceased boy as as Ansh Ravindra Gupta, 8, while the accused woman has been identified as Megha Rawal, 45, news agency PTI reported.

Police arrested the driver of the SUV and further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash is underway. 

According to police, the incident took place in the afternoon on John Baptist Road, opposite Jijamata Garden, when the boy, Ansh Ravindra Gupta, was crossing the road.

“Rawal drove the vehicle recklessly at an excessive speed and, while distracted on a phone call, forcefully knocked Gupta down and ran the vehicle over him,” a police official said, according to PTI.

The child suffered severe injuries in the accident and was rushed to Holy Family Hospital. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival, police said.

ALSO READ : Andhra Pradesh Accident: Seven People Including Three Women Killed In Palnadu

Rawal, a resident of Bandra, has been booked under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. 

Police have also invoked Sections 281 and 125 of the BNS, relating to rash driving and acts endangering life or personal safety.

In addition, she has been booked under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act for dangerous driving, police said.

(With PTI inputs)

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Sooryavanshi's Cheeky Reply Amid Doubts Over His Bowling: "I'm A Wicket-Taker"

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showed his wicket-taking prowess in East Zone's Duleep Trophy victory over North East Zone, striking twice in the latter's second innings. The 15-year-old, who had earlier shown glimpses of his left-arm off-spin during the U19 World Cup, used his bowling skills to good effect with the red ball too. After the match, Sooryavanshi confessed that East Zone captain Ishan Kishan thought it would be a risk to give him the ball. The 15-year-old cheekily said that Kishan wasn't aware of his wicket-taking skills.

"Ishan bhaiya felt like he was taking a risk by giving me the ball. But he doesn't know that I am a wicket-taker," Sooryavanshi said, in a video shared by BCCI.

"If you ask batters, they always enjoy bowling. A batter bowling or a bowler batting is enjoyable for the player. Wickets weren't falling for the opposing team.I was asked to bowl two or three overs," he shared.

Sooryavanshi revealed that he knew he would get only a handful of overs to bowl, and therefore, he tried to keep things simple and get the basics right.

Meet the secret wicket-taker who enjoys bowling and answered his captain's 'risky' call - By @jigsactin#DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/ZhZ0QkeyZm

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) August 29, 2026

"In my mind, I knew that even if I take five wickets, I am only going to get three overs to bowl. I tried to bowl as best as I could, in one spot, and to finish my spell. It was a lot of fun because batting didn't go so well in the last match, so contributing to the team with the ball was fun. When a batter takes a wicket, there is no greater enjoyment than that," Sooryavanshi said.

Making his Duleep Trophy debut, Sooryavanshi had a disappointing outing with the bat, scoring just 8 runs. However, his two late wickets ensured that he had a meaningful contribution to the team's victory.

East Zone ultimately won by an innings and 210 runs.

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Afghanistan Premier League T20 Reveals 3 Teams And New 'Koh-E-Zafar' Trophy

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), along with team owners and league partners, hosted a launch ceremony in Dubai to announce the debut of the Afghanistan Premier League T20 (APL T20). During the event, officials revealed the league's first three teams, their official identities, and the main championship trophy. The three founding franchises taking part in the inaugural season are Axcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan, and Kandahar Warriors. Each team aims to represent the passion of local cricket fans across different regions of Afghanistan. Team owners shared their vision for the league, focusing on building professional organizations, developing young local talent, and delivering an exciting, competitive style of play.

The league also unveiled its championship trophy, named 'Koh-E-Zafar'. The design is inspired by Afghanistan's famous mountain ranges, symbolizing strength, endurance, and top-level sporting achievement. ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf noted that the name reflects the ongoing journey of building a strong cricketing tradition for future generations.

In addition to the team and trophy reveals, officials announced key dates for the upcoming season. Player registration for the APL T20 Draft opens on August 30, 2026, on the official website (www.apl-t20.com), followed by the official Player Draft on September 27, 2026. The tournament is scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026, with further details regarding host venues and full match schedules to be released in the coming weeks.

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India Vs Panama Friendly Announced As Blue Tigers Prepare For Brazil Test

The Indian senior men's football team is set for another major international test before its much-awaited showdown against five-time world champions Brazil, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announcing a friendly against Panama on Tuesday.

India will host Panama on Sept. 26 during the FIFA Men's International Match Window. The venue for the match has not yet been finalised and will be announced by the AIFF at a later date.

The fixture will mark the first-ever meeting between India and Panama in senior men's international football and give Khalid Jamil's side a valuable opportunity to test themselves against a team that featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

ALSO READ | Here We Go! India To Take On Five-Time World Champions Brazil In Historic Friendly — Check Date, Venue

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A post shared by Indian Football (@indianfootball)

Panama are currently ranked 44th in the FIFA World Rankings and will become only the ninth different CONCACAF opponent India have faced in their senior men's international history.

AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan believes the Panama fixture will give India's players the kind of exposure they rarely get against high-quality opposition.

"Playing against Panama will be a tough battle ahead of the Brazil game. Panama is a top-50 team in the world, and it will be a good test for Khalid Jamil's boys," he added, as per ANI.

"We are looking forward to our players getting the right exposure, and we normally don't get to play such World Cup teams. So it's a good FIFA window for us, where we are playing such tough teams."

The match also begins a demanding run of fixtures for the Blue Tigers against teams that featured at the 2026 World Cup. India are scheduled to play four such matches across the upcoming FIFA international windows, with the biggest attraction being the clash against Brazil in Kolkata.

AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan said the Panama fixture would provide Indian players with valuable exposure against high-quality international opposition.

Brazil Blockbuster Awaits In Kolkata

India's next major challenge will come against Brazil on Oct. 3 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

The match will be another historic first, marking the first-ever meeting between India and Brazil in senior men's international football.

Brazil are currently ranked fifth in the FIFA World Rankings, making them the highest-ranked opponent India have faced since the FIFA World Rankings system was introduced in 1992.

For Jamil and his players, the Panama friendly could therefore serve as an important competitive outing before facing one of the biggest names in world football.

New Zealand Matches Complete India's World Cup Challenge

India's demanding international schedule will continue in November, when the Blue Tigers are set to face New Zealand twice, on Nov. 12 and Nov. 15.

ALSO READ | Harry Kane Says He Is A Big IPL Fan As He Thanks Indian Fans For Their Support

India will play four games against the teams that played in this year's World Cup during the next FIFA windows, with Panama, Brazil, and New Zealand all having participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As it continues its preparations under head coach Khalid Jamil, the sequence will enable the Indian squad to assess its development against more experienced and highly ranked international teams.

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"Canada Ripping Off US": Trump Escalates Trade War With 50% Tariffs From 2027

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would raise tariffs up to 50 per cent on a range of Canadian products in the auto sector from 2027 after trade talks between the neighbouring countries collapsed. Trump threatened Canada and said that it will no longer be treated like a US "state".

"On January first, 2027, tariffs on all cars, trucks, both large and small, automotive parts, and steel, will be increased to 50%. Build in the U.S. And there are zero tariffs," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The current US tariff on autos stands at 25 per cent for non-US content, while imported steel to the United States generally faces a 50-per cent duty.

The White House had alleged "discriminatory treatment" by Canada against US alcohol, automobile and dairy products in rolling out the duties.

Last week, Trump delayed the implementation of the tariffs by three days last week after the two countries had stepped up talks towards a trade deal.

The tariffs came into effect on Saturday after the negotiations collapsed, and it hits about 5.5 per cent of Canadian goods entering the US. The tariffs will affect about $20 billion worth of products ranging from hockey sticks to cement.

In a long post, he accused Canada of "ripping off" the United States for years and claimed that the country's "ridiculously high tariffs" on US farmers and their farm products have made life difficult for them. The US leader alleged that such tariffs have created a "60 billion dollar deficit" between the two countries.

Trump said that Canada is among the "worst" countries in the world to deal with. 

"They feel entitled, and yet, we don't need Canada, they need us! They do 95% of their business with the U.S., with us, the exact opposite!" Trump wrote.

Canada's Carney Says US Launched 'Trade War'

After the negotiations between Washington and Ottawa broke down on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he walked away because of a 'bad trade deal' and vowed to slap retaliatory tariffs on the US on Saturday.

Carney claimed that the US proposed new terms that were "uneconomic" and "unfair" and said that they undermined the net benefits for Canada.

He accused Trump of launching a trade "war" and said, "You're at war when you get attacked. We got attacked."

"We cannot accept what they've offered, and we will not give what they've asked," Carney said.

New Canadian tariffs will notably target the US steel and dairy industries and take effect on September 8. Carney said further details would come next week.
 

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India Must Beat Argentina With Semis Hopes Hanging By A Thread In Hockey WC

India's hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 are hanging by a thread, with the Harmanpreet Singh-led side needing a big win against Argentina and favourable results in the other Pool E match to stay alive in the tournament. India suffered a 1-3 defeat against defending champions and hosts the Netherlands in their opening match of the second stage, leaving them without a point and at the bottom of Pool E with a goal difference of -4. The final round of Pool E matches on Monday will see India take on Argentina at the Wagener Stadium, while England face the Netherlands. The Netherlands currently lead the pool with six points, while England and Argentina have three points each.

India therefore need to beat Argentina convincingly and hope England lose to the Netherlands to have any chance of finishing among the top two and progressing to the semifinals.

A three-goal victory would take India to three points and improve their goal difference to -1, while Argentina's would fall to -3. In that scenario, England would also need to lose by at least two goals to the Netherlands, taking their goal difference to -2 and allowing India to move ahead of both Argentina and England.

India have another possible route if they can produce an even bigger victory. A four-goal win over Argentina would mean any defeat for England against the Netherlands would be enough to take India through. However, England cannot draw, as a point would take them to four points and put them beyond India's reach.

The permutations underline the difficult task facing India, but the team will need to concentrate on controlling what is within its hands, starting with finding greater consistency in attack.

Captain Harmanpreet has been among India's leading performers, scoring six goals and sharing the tournament's top-scorer spot with Argentina's Tomas Domene. However, India have struggled to find the target consistently from open play, increasing their dependence on penalty corners.

Among the forwards, Abhishek has scored twice and Dilpreet Singh once, making them the only Indian forwards to have scored in the team's four matches so far.

India head coach Craig Fulton acknowledged the situation but insisted his team still has a chance to remain in the semifinal race.

“We have a lifeline to stay in the fight to reach the semifinals. It is quite clear what we have to do. We need the goals, but at the same time we still need to manage our own game and maintain our structure,” Fulton said.

Against Argentina, India will need greater movement in the final third, improved finishing and a more clinical approach in front of goal. With their World Cup campaign at stake, the Indian side will have little choice but to attack with intent while maintaining the defensive structure required to keep their slim hopes alive.

--IANS

sds/bsk/

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Treesa-Gayatri Lose Semi-Final, Clinch Maiden BWF World Championships Bronze

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand's extraordinary run ended with a fighting three-game loss to world No. 1 and defending champions Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in the women's doubles semifinals at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi on Saturday, as the Indian pair signed off with a maiden bronze medal. The unseeded Indians produced a sensational start to pocket the opening game but could not sustain the pressure against the mighty Chinese pair, going down 21-18, 13-21, 8-21 in an hour and 11 minutes. India last won a BWF World Championships medal in women's doubles in 2011, when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa claimed bronze in London.

The Indian pair didn't have a favourable head-to-head record against the Chinese, having lost six times with just one to show in seven meetings so far.

However, Treesa and Gayatri raced to a 7-2 lead to put the Chinese pair under early pressure. Liu and Tan quickly fought their way back with a series of sharp rallies. Six straight points from the Chinese pair turned the match around as they moved ahead.

The Chinese made effective use of angled returns, forcing the Indians into errors, with several shots finding the net. A nine-point run took Liu and Tan to an 11-7 lead at the interval.

The rallies were generally short, averaging around 15 shots, but the Indians began to regain their rhythm after the resumption. Treesa ended the Chinese run with a well-executed point.

Another attack at the front court forced the Chinese long, before a 31-shot rally brought the Indians level at 12-12. A fabulous exchange followed, ending with a cross-court winner from Treesa as India moved ahead.

The Indians' attack was becoming sharper. Gayatri, however, was punished for a short lift as the Chinese regained the advantage at 15-13. Treesa then produced a superb return of serve to leave the Chinese pair stretched, cutting the deficit to 14-16. A fired-up Treesa followed it with a jump smash and another aggressive play at the front court as India drew level again.

The Chinese responded with relentless attacking play and moved to 18-16, but the Indians won a video referral to make it 17-18. Treesa then produced a crouching defensive return during a flat exchange to level the scores at 18-18.

Another superb rally ended with a scathing cross-court winner from Treesa as India moved to 19-18. The unseeded pair then earned two game points after Tan found the net. They converted on their first opportunity when the Chinese pair sent a shot long, sending the home crowd into raptures.

The ecstatic home crowd roared Treesa and Gayatri on.

After the change of ends, the Chinese opened up a 3-0 lead. A short serve gave India its first point, while a lucky net cord made it 4-1 before Liu found the net. The Indians responded with a cross-court, cross-body combination and excellent follow-up play. An effective flick serve and counter-attack helped them close the gap to 4-5.

Gayatri then went long to make it 6-4. The Indians tried to put pressure on the Chinese with pushes towards the backline, but a few errors crept in, with Treesa sending one long to make it 7-4. Gayatri's attacking shots from the back court began forcing the Chinese wide.

Treesa's cross-court drop made it 6-8, before a Chinese smash into the net reduced the deficit further to 7-8. Treesa found the net, but followed it with another tricky cross-net shot to make it 9-10. India drew level at 10-10 before taking the lead when the Chinese defence produced two errors.

However, Liu and Tan wrested the lead back at 12-11.

A 49-shot rally followed, but Treesa eventually found the net. A tumble serve set up the next point for the Chinese, who opened a 14-12 lead. The Indians then sent another shot wide, followed by two net errors from Gayatri, allowing China to move to 17-12.

Another precise shot onto the backline made it 18-12, before Gayatri's long lift gave the Chinese a 19-12 advantage. Treesa then found the net as the Chinese earned eight game points. Liu and Tan converted their second opportunity to take the match into a decider.

The third game began with intense rallies, with India winning a 56-shot exchange to make it 2-2. The Chinese then changed the pace effectively to move 4-2 ahead. The Indians appeared slightly passive in defence, and Liu targeted Treesa with a body return to make it 6-2.

The Indians continued to fight, but errors began to hurt them. A net shot stayed inside, leaving Treesa disappointed, before another Indian error and a shot wide allowed China to take an 11-5 lead at the interval.

Treesa and Gayatri didn't dial up the same intensity as the first game as the Chinese moved to 12-5 before a flick serve took them to 14-5. It was a one-way traffic as the Chinese moved to 17-7. Eventually a perfect cross-court winner gave Liu and Tan 12 match points, and they sealed the contest with a cross-court shot.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India Has Political Stability, World Sees It As Bright Spot Of Growth: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Friday that reforms in all spheres are his government's commitment and that India continues to take several steps to ensure continued growth momentum.

Addressing the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, PM Modi also said India has political stability and continuity in its policies, and the world sees the country as a bright spot of growth and hope.

"India continues to take several steps to ensure continued growth momentum. India is pushing ahead with reforms across sectors and reforms are our commitment," he said.

The prime minister said the world has many concerns regarding growth as resources are getting weaponised, but India is being seen as a bright spot of growth.

He said the NDA government has a clear roadmap for reforms, with a strong focus on governance.

"Our government is rewarding higher production with incentives," he said.

PM Modi alleged that it was the policy of the previous regimes to keep people in scarcity, so that they beg before the government for even basic needs.

He said the licence raj of the previous governments used to add to the burden of unemployment, whereas his government's production-linked incentive model is creating opportunities.

"We are not just changing regulations, we are changing the entire policy of regulations. Our government believes that there should be no regulation for doing something that has not been explicitly prohibited under law," he said.

The prime minister said his government is bringing next-generation reforms at the policy level and implementing reforms at the governance level and for ease of living.

"We are moving from the 'prohibited-unless-permitted' approach to the 'permitted-unless-prohibited' model," he said.

PM Modi said India has moved away from the PLP (Production Linked Punishment) model of the previous governments to PLIs (Production Linked Incentives) now.

He said even small reforms in the Indian Railways, the Delhi Metro and the Namo Rapid Rail show that the country is changing with times.

The prime minister said earlier, no one could make India's map without permission even though foreign satellites could map India, but his government has changed this system.

He also said the government has decided that border infrastructure is India's strength and not weakness. "We have changed the picture of our border infrastructure," he said.

Modi said the world's cheapest data is available in India and the country is making the cheapest and best mobile phones. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Preparations Complete For Imran Khan's Transfer From Jail To Islamabad Hospital

Preparations have been completed for the possible transfer of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, with security tightened around the facility, according to local Pakistani media reports.

A heavy deployment of police and Rangers was reported outside the hospital as authorities finalised arrangements for Khan's possible transfer. Senior police officials also visited the facility to review the security plan.

Khan is expected to enter the hospital through Gate No. 1, according to the reports. Multiple media reports said that security was stepped up on Thursday night as the deadline approached for the transfer of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder for medical treatment under a Supreme Court order.

ALSO READ: Pakistan Government To Challenge SC Order To Move Imran Khan To Private Hospital

Roads around the hospital were cleared of vehicles, while senior Islamabad police officials inspected the arrangements. Pakistani media reported that Khan's sister, Aleema Khanum, also reached Adiala Jail.

The Supreme Court had ordered Khan's transfer to a hospital for treatment for several days and directed the government to arrange weekly meetings between him and his family.

The government subsequently approached the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the scope of the order, arguing that some aspects could have wider implications for the prison healthcare system.

Pakistan Today reported that Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government had until midnight to implement the transfer order and that the Islamabad administration was working on the arrangements.

In the Senate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government would ensure that Khan received the treatment required under the court's directive. He said that if the necessary facilities were unavailable at a government hospital, treatment could be arranged at Shifa International Hospital or another better-equipped facility.

ALSO READ: Pakistan Arrests Over 100 Imran Khan Supporters During Nationwide PTI Protests

“There is no intention to oppose or create hurdles in the provision of necessary medical treatment,” the minister said.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed the government had withdrawn its review petition after objections from the court's filing branch and demanded immediate implementation of the order.

PTI Central Information Secretary Waqas Akram, meanwhile, urged supporters not to create obstacles to Khan's treatment, saying his health should take priority over political activity or public gatherings.

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Badminton WC: Sindhu And Ayush Enter Rd Of 16, Lakshya Sen Knocked Out

Badminton World Championships 2026 Highlights: PV Sindhu is in Round of 16, so is Ayush Shetty. However, India had a mixed day at the Badminton World Championships on Wednesday. While Sindhu and Ayush Shetty entered the next round it was curtains for Lakshya Sen. Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the pre-quarterfinals after receiving a walkover in their opening match. Lakshya Sen suffered a shock second-round exit, going down to USA's 18-year-old Garret Tan in a three-game thriller.

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