ABB India Ltd. has declared a bumper special dividend of Rs 90 per share with face value of Rs 2 each, after posting a modest uptick in its net profit for the second quarter of the calendar year 2026.
"This is to inform you that the Board of Directors of the Company at its Meeting held on July 31, 2026, declared a special dividend of Rs.90/- per share (Rupees Ninety only) i.e.(4500%) on 21,19,08,375 equity shares of face value of Rs.2/- each fully paid up for the financial year 2026," the company stated in an exchange filing.
Further, ABB India has set Friday, August 7, 2026 as the record date to determine the eligible shareholders for the dividend payout. The dividend will be paid to the eligible shareholders on or before August 29, 2026, the company informed.
ABB India reported a 3% year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 362 crore from Rs 352 crore for the second quarter of calendar year 2026.
Revenue increased 21% to Rs 3,559 crore from Rs 2,940 crore, while Ebitda rose 11.4% to Rs 447 crore from Rs 401 crore. The company's Ebitda margin narrowed to 12.6% from 13.6% a year earlier.
Net profit up 3% to Rs 362 crore from Rs 352 crore
Revenue up 21% to Rs 3,559 crore from Rs 2,940 crore
Ebitda up 11.4% to Rs 447 crore from Rs 401 crore
Margin down 100 basis points to 12.6% from 13.6%
ABB India Share Price
ABB India's stock settled 0.10% lower at Rs 7,284.50 apiece on the NSE on Friday. This compared to a 0.27% advance in the benchmark Nifty index on the last trading day of July.
The stock has surged 40.9% year-to-date and 32.21% in the last 12 months.
The Bombay High Court canteen has been temporarily shut down following an inspection by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 30, NDTV reported. All food and beverage operations on the premises have been suspended until further notice.
In a formal communication, the Bombay Bar Association (BBA) stated that dining services provided through its primary canteen and independent coffee vendor will remain closed to lawyers, litigants, and court visitors for the time being.
However, the Association clarified that the decision to halt operations was taken voluntarily as a precautionary measure. The BBA emphasized that it has not received any adverse communication, show-cause notice, or formal order from the state food regulator following the inspection.
The Bombay Bar Association, according to the Indian Express, published a notice earlier in the day that stated: "Members are hereby informed that service of food and/or beverages in the BBA premises (through the canteen and coffee vendor) is temporarily discontinued until further intimation."
“We voluntarily shut it down,” Nitin Thakker, senior advocate and president of the Bombay Bar Association, told the publication.
The FDA was ordered to inspect all government and semi-government eating establishments, including canteens at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, and the High Court, and to submit the status of the inspections along with video recordings after the High Court questioned the agency on Wednesday regarding what it described as selective food-safety inspections of restaurants and hotels.
Indian cricket team young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named vice-captain of East Zone for the 2026 Duleep Trophy. Wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan was appointed captain with the squad comprising of seasoned veterans like Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Shahbaz Ahmed. Sooryavanshi made his senior team debut during the series against England and although he did not have a good outing, he made up for it in the series against Zimbabwe where he slammed two half-centuries. India went on to win all three matches in the series.
Kishan enters the tournament after a strong performance in India's recent white-ball series against Zimbabwe. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter delivered several aggressive innings at the top of the order, giving India quick starts. His recent form and leadership experience made him the top choice to lead the East Zone side.
All eyes will be on 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is rising quickly in Indian cricket after a breakthrough season. The young player recently stood out during India's series against Zimbabwe, showing impressive calm against international bowling while maintaining the strong form he has shown over the past year.
The batting unit also includes Sudip Kumar Gharami, Virat Singh, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Subhranshu Senapati, Denish Das, and Shikhar Mohan. Kumar Kushagra will serve as another wicketkeeping option.
Shami brings valuable experience to the bowling attack as he returns to domestic cricket. He will be backed by Mukesh Kumar and Abhijit Sarkar, with Shahbaz Ahmed and Anukul Roy likely to play important all-round roles.
East Zone squad: Ishan Kishan (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (vice-captain), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Shahbaz Ahmed, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Kumar Kushagra, Shikhar Mohan, Anukul Roy, Virat Singh, Subhranshu Senapati, Denish Das and Abhijit Sarkar.
Stand-by: Ayush Loharuka, Sridam Paul, Sambit S. Baral, Sharandeep Singh, Swastik Samal
Winds of change are sweeping through Indian cricket. After the tours of Ireland and England, where India lost two T20I series and an ODI series, the BCCI was expected to conduct a review. It has now been confirmed that the BCCI will not renew the contracts of assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and fielding coach T Dilip. The development was shared by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. "Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeshchate's two-year contract with Indian men's team ended on June 10. Fielding coach T Dilip, who was given a one-year extension after his original term ended, also had his contract ending on June 8," BCCI secretary Saikia told PTI in an exclusive interaction.
"The BCCI continued with the duo till the end of India's tour of United Kingdom. However, the BCCI is not giving them any extension. There is no question of accepting resignation as the contract has ended," the secretary cleared the air.
A few reports have claimed that Subhodeep Ghosh will be the new Indian fielding coach. However, Saikia said: "BCCI is in talks with two or three candidates to finalise the new fielding coach for the Indian men's team."
Assam's Ghosh, who has been in the system for last six to seven years since the time of Rahul Dravid at the NCA, is the favourite right now.
It must be mentioned that Ten Doeschate intended to leave as when he was brought on board on Gautam Gambhir's insistence, he was promised fielding coach's job but was given no specific role in last two years.
In case of Dilip, his extension for one year before the 2025 Test series in England was on insistence of a senior superstar but no one was happy with his performance. It would have been a miracle had he been given any further extension after poor show during the recent white ball tour of UK.
Gujarat has scripted a new chapter in Indian sports, with a record nine athletes and one reserve player earning selection to represent India at the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. The achievement marks a remarkable rise for the state, which had only three representatives at the 2014 Asian Games. Twelve years later, Gujarat has tripled that number, underlining its emergence as one of India's fastest-growing sporting hubs Calling it a proud moment for the state, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the achievement reflects the long-term investments made in sports development.
"Former Chief Minister and now Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid a strong foundation for sports in Gujarat through initiatives such as Khel Mahakumbh and the Shaktidoot Yojana. The results of those efforts are now visible. Gujarat is steadily emerging as a global sports powerhouse," Sanghavi said.
The state's sporting success is being credited to sustained investments in grassroots development and athlete support over the past decade. Initiatives introduced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, including the Shaktidoot Yojana and Khel Mahakumbh, created pathways for identifying and nurturing sporting talent across the state.
The current government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has continued to strengthen that ecosystem through enhanced infrastructure, athlete support programmes and high-performance training.
Highlighting the state's sporting ambitions, Harsh Sanghavi said Gujarat is focused on building a world-class sporting culture.
"Our goal is not just to train athletes but to build an entire ecosystem that enables them to excel on the international stage and bring glory to the nation," he said.
He also noted that Gujarat is preparing on a war footing to develop world-class sports infrastructure ahead of hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Over the past decade, Gujarat has consistently increased its representation at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, reflecting the state's steady transformation into a multi-sport powerhouse.
With a record-breaking contingent set to compete in Japan, all eyes will now be on Gujarat's athletes as they look to make their mark on one of Asia's biggest sporting stages. The nine selected athletes represent a wide range of disciplines, highlighting Gujarat's growing contribution to Indian sport beyond its traditional cricketing identity. The contingent comprises a blend of experienced international performers and promising young talent.
The selected athletes are:
Elavenil Valarivan - Shooting
Harmeet Desai - Table Tennis
Manav Thakkar - Table Tennis
Manush Shah - Table Tennis
Aniket Patel - Soft Tennis
Aryan Nehra - Swimming
Ankita Raina - Tennis
Vaidehi Chaudhari - Tennis
Devyani Zala - Athletics (Sprint)
Meanwhile, Jil Desai has been named as a reserve player in tennis.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian judoka Harsh Tokas is aiming to script history at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, with the 81kg competitor setting his sights on becoming the first Indian to win a judo gold at the Games. The 23-year-old, who will be making his Commonwealth Games debut, said he has left no stone unturned in his preparations and is looking forward to competing on one of the biggest stages of his career. "The preparation is going really well. It has been at a next-level intensity for the past 2-3 months. I have given it my absolute 100% effort. This is the first time I've played at this level; it's going to be a unique experience. I am competing in the 81kg category. As for the challenges, I'll only find out the specifics once I'm there, but the plan is to play freely. The goal is definitely gold. No one from our country has ever won gold in this event at the Commonwealth Games, so bringing back gold would create history and be a wonderful achievement for the nation," Tokas told ANI.
Tokas has risen through India's age-group judo system after making his mark on the Asian circuit. He won a bronze medal at the 2018 Macau Cadets Asian Cup before recording a top-eight finish at the Asian Cadet Championships later that year. He also finished among the top five at the 2019 Asia-Oceania Cadet Championships.
Having progressed into the senior 81kg category, Tokas secured his place in India's Commonwealth Games squad through the national selection process and will be part of a six-member men's judo team competing in Glasgow.
India heads into the Games looking to secure its first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in judo. The country's best performance in the sport came at the 2014 Glasgow Games, where Indian judokas claimed four medals, including two silver and two bronze.
The Indian judo team will depart for Glasgow on July 27, with competition beginning on July 31 at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
India's original 14-member judo contingent has been reduced to 12 athletes following the withdrawal of men's 73kg judoka Arun Kumar after a positive out-of-competition anti-doping test and Birmingham 2022 silver medallist Tulika Maan due to a provisional suspension over whereabouts failures.
Despite the setbacks, Tokas remains one of India's promising medal hopefuls as he prepares for his maiden Commonwealth Games appearance with the ambition of creating history.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Indian fencing achieved its best-ever performance on the global stage as Epee fencers Taniksha Khatri and Prachi Lohan concluded their individual campaigns at the Senior World Fencing Championships 2026 in Hong Kong. Both athletes became the first Indian women's Epee fencers to qualify for the Main Table of 64 (Direct Elimination Round) at a Senior World Championships, competing in a field of over 180 athletes at the Asia World Expo. In the final standings for Women's Individual Epee, Taniksha Khatri placed 43rd overall, registering India's highest-ever individual rank in the event at a Senior World Championships.
Her teammate Prachi Lohan finished 58th, giving India two fencers in the top 60. Rounding out the Indian squad in the same event, Yashkeerat Kaur Hayer ranked 143rd, and Mitva Jesangbhai Chaudhari ranked 150th.
Expressing his support for the athletes, Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia and the Fencing Association of India, said: "I am immensely proud and delighted to witness this historic achievement by Taniksha Khatri and Prachi Lohan.
Their qualification for the Main Table of 64 at the Senior World Fencing Championships is a landmark moment for Indian fencing and reflects their exceptional talent, dedication, and perseverance. This remarkable feat is a testament to the growing standard of Indian fencing and will inspire many young athletes to excel on the international stage. I congratulate both fencers, their coaches, and the entire support team on this memorable success."
In the Men's Individual Foil event, Sachin finished as the top Indian fencer in 107th place, followed by Aditya at 137th, Sanasam Hemash Singh at 143rd, and Tejas Manoj Patil at 149th.
The tournament continues on Sunday, with the final stages of the Women's Individual Epee and Men's Individual Foil events, before transitioning into the team competitions.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
DCB Bank Ltd. reported a 35.5% year-on-year rise in first-quarter net profit as lower provisions and improving asset quality offset pressure on margins.
The private lender posted a net profit of Rs 213 crore for the quarter ended June 30, compared with Rs 157 crore a year earlier, according to an exchange filing on Friday.
Net interest income rose 17.7% to Rs 684 crore from Rs 581 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Asset quality improved sequentially, with the gross non-performing asset ratio easing to 2.43% from 2.45% at the end of March, while the net NPA ratio declined to 0.84% from 0.89%.
Provisions more than halved to Rs 57 crore from Rs 115 crore a year ago and fell from Rs 69 crore in the preceding quarter, supporting earnings growth.
The bank said advances grew 17% year-on-year, while deposits increased 20%, reflecting continued business momentum. Capital adequacy remained healthy at 17.03% under Basel III norms as of June 30.
"The growth momentum over the year on both deposits and advances continue to be strong. There has been marked improvement on most levers of profitability, resulting in 36% increase in profit after tax, compared to previous year," Managing Director and CEO Praveen Kutty said in the company's press release.
Kutty added that lower credit costs and improving portfolio quality helped the bank deliver its highest-ever quarterly profit for the fourth consecutive quarter, alongside an improvement in return on equity.
DCB Bank Q1 FY27
Net profit up 35.5% to Rs 213 crore from Rs 157 crore YoY
Net interest income (NII) up 17.7% to Rs 684 crore from Rs 581 crore YoY
Gross NPA improved to 2.43% from 2.45% QoQ
Net NPA improved to 0.84% from 0.89% QoQ
Provisions down to Rs 57 crore from Rs 115 crore YoY
Provisions down to Rs 57 crore from Rs 69 crore QoQ
Actor Saanvi Talwar has spoken about one of the most controversial incidents from her television career, revisiting her experience of working with Karan Kundra and sharing her version of events years after the controversy made headlines.
In an interview with Telly Masala, the actress alleged that Karan Kundra had shown interest in her and also recalled an on-set incident that, according to her, left her deeply shaken.
"He Was Interested In Me, Not Me In Him"
Addressing long-standing speculation about their equation, Saanvi claimed that it was Karan Kundra who was interested in her.
"He was interested in me, not me in him," Saanvi said.
She also revealed that certain scenes during the shoot made her uncomfortable. According to the actress, a bathroom scene was particularly difficult for her, prompting her to seek help instead of staying silent.
Saanvi said she approached Karan Kundra's then-girlfriend, Anusha Dandekar, and spoke to her about how she was feeling.
"After this, Anusha started coming to the set and keeping an eye on things herself."
Saanvi Opens Up About The Alleged Slap Incident
Saanvi also revisited the alleged slap incident, which became a major talking point at the time.
Recalling the sequence of events, she said a kissing scene between her and Karan Kundra was being filmed when he allegedly kissed her before the director had called for the shot.
She said, "I was very depressed. Then one day we had a kissing scene between Karan and me, and Karan kissed me before the director's cue. So, that was a wrong move, wasn't it? When the director didn't say anything like 'we have to do it now,' how did you do that? So, I slapped him (Karan)."
The actress further alleged that Karan later returned and slapped her in front of the crew.
"After that, he left. Then he came back 10-15 minutes later and slapped me so hard in front of everyone. A girl's hand... a boy's hand is much heavier than a girl's hand. And he slapped me so hard that I fell to the ground, and there wasn't a single person there... not from the crew, not from the direction team, not a single person supported me in any way."
"I Thought I Don't Want To Work Anymore"
Speaking about the aftermath of the incident, Saanvi said she felt devastated and decided to leave the set.
She shared, "At that time, he abused me; he abused my parents, and at that time I took my car and went to my home, and I thought I don't want to work anymore."
The actress also claimed that producer Ekta Kapoor later reached out to her and apologised on Karan Kundra's behalf.
She added, "After that, Ekta Ma'am apologised to me on Karan's behalf; I received a message from her. She then personally called me to her office, where we had a one-on-one conversation, and I respect Ekta Ma'am a lot. She told me that whatever you want will happen, but the show must go on."
Saanvi further claimed that the director of the show was replaced following the incident.
Karan Kundra has not publicly responded to Saanvi Talwar's latest claims yet.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra was launched with an 8-inch AMOLED inner display and a 6.5-inch cover screen. It runs on a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset and packs a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging. Here is a detailed comparison of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra against the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 to understand the similarities and differences between the three foldable phones.
SBI Funds Management's stock market debut has turned years of employee stock ownership into substantial wealth, with 13 employees holding vested equity worth more than Rs 1 crore each at the IPO price of Rs 574 per share, according to the company's prospectus.
The country's largest asset manager made a strong debut on Dalal Street on Tuesday. The stock listed at Rs 610 on the BSE, a premium of 6.27% over its issue price, while it opened at Rs 613.30 on the NSE, delivering a listing gain of about 7%.
The biggest beneficiary of the company's employee stock ownership programme is Deputy Managing Director Devinder Pal Singh, whose 21.14 lakh vested shares are valued at around Rs 121 crore at the IPO price, the prospectus showed. Singh also holds unvested stock options that could be worth nearly Rs 30 crore if exercised in the future.
Chief Investment Officer Srinivasan Rama Iyer follows closely with vested shares worth about Rs 105 crore. His remaining unvested options have an indicative value of nearly Rs 51 crore based on the IPO price, according to the prospectus.
Several other senior executives are also sitting on sizeable gains. Chief of Strategy, Digital & Technology and Head of Investor Relations Srinivas Jain holds vested shares worth nearly Rs 59 crore, while Chief Investment Officer- Fixed Income Rajeev Radhakrishnan has holdings valued at around Rs 36 crore.
Chief Risk Officer Aparna Nirgude owns vested shares worth about Rs 31 crore, and Chief Compliance Officer, Company Secretary and Head of Legal Vinaya Datar holds stock valued at approximately Rs 21 crore.
The list of employee crorepatis also includes Chief Financial Officer Inderjeet Ghuliani, Chief Human Resources Officer Rajat Grover, Chief Information Security Officer Sanjay Pugaonkar, and fund managers Mohan Lal and Mahesh Chhabria, each with vested equity worth more than Rs 1 crore at the offer price.
The wealth creation reflects the success of SBI Funds' long-term ESOP programme, first introduced in 2018 and subsequently amended. The scheme granted stock options at exercise prices ranging from about Rs 39 to Rs 455 per share. With the IPO priced at Rs 574, employees who stayed with the company through its growth phase have unlocked significant gains.
The listing follows strong investor interest in the public issue. Ahead of the IPO, SBI Funds raised nearly Rs 2,663 crore from 129 anchor investors, including BlackRock and Goldman Sachs. The company had also completed a pre-IPO placement worth around Rs 1,880 crore.
The IPO was subscribed nearly 42 times during the July 14-16 bidding period. Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) led demand with subscriptions of about 140 times, while the non-institutional investor portion was subscribed 22.51 times. The retail investor category saw subscriptions of 3.6 times.
That veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah is a masterclass of acting need not be said. It certainly need not be reiterated as the ace actor turns 76 and is better at his craft than ever.
What's interesting recently is how incredible talents from the '80s and '90s have found their second innings in the cinematic landscape extremely rewarding. Old gen, new crowds - they are all there to praise stellar performances. And Naseeruddin Shah has had a swell 2026 so far.
He is being applauded for his performances in Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga and Made In India: A Titan Story on OTT, both of which have highlighted that he's owning the year with less showsha and more work.
This invariably reminds us of another actor who had an equally fruitful 2025, all while remaining in the shadows of overflowing fan love.
Akshaye Khanna.
Not that we are comparing the two actors - they weren't of the same generation to begin with. While Naseeruddin Shah rose up the ladder in the '70s and '80s, Akshaye Khanna began his journey in the '90s.
But the common thread between the two vastly different and availed actors is the renewed recognition they have received within a year. And it indeed is commendable.
Naseeruddin Shah - The Moment
Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga has been a classic example of how you flip the table, becoming a sleeper hit.
Sharvari and Vedang Raina were impressive, but Naseeruddin Shah (Ishwar Grewal), who plays the older version of Vedang Raina's character - Keenu - stole hearts and triggered a meltdown of sorts. He delivered a convincing portrayal of a 95-year-old partition survivor losing his memory as he is haunted by hallucinations due to Alzheimer's and dementia.
All he wishes is to keep his promises: to return to his ancestral home and his lost love in Pakistan, from whom he was estranged when communal violence gripped the nation on the brink of independence.
The heart-wrenching pain and emotional depth that an actor of Naseeruddin Shah's calibre captured have received thunderous applause from far and wide, across age groups. At one point he was so immersive that he embodied the lingering longing of Ishar Grewal, his onscreen soul, completely.
Main Vaapas Aaunga came right after his massively acclaimed OTT series, released just a week after Made in India: A Titan Story. He played legendary Tata Group leader JRD Tata in the latter, the tale of how the visionary established Titan Watches.
Naseeruddin Shah's grace and strong screen presence blended effortlessly with the dignity and gentle manner expected of someone playing a character as formidable as JRD Tata. That left critics impressed, and they duly expressed it.
Naseeruddin Shah was the sun, and June its brimming rays. With the first half of 2026 behind us, it's safe to say the veteran actor led with true-blue main-character energy.
And this makes us want to revisit a similar success story from 2025, when Akshaye Khanna was critics' and audiences' favourite.
Akshaye Khanna - The Moment That Was
Akshaye Khanna had his OTT film Ikka released earlier this month, headlining with Sunny Deol and directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra. While fans were excited to see him again after the Dhurandhar craze he unleashed as the menacing crime lord Rehman Dakait, it still doesn't match the frenzy that enveloped him in 2025.
Akshaye Khanna literally started and ended 2025 with a bang. He began with Laxman Utekar's Chhava and ended with Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar; what's more, he played villains in both.
In Chhaava he was the ruthless Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who challenged Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and led to his merciless death. Rather than adopting a loud approach to antagonism, Akshaye Khanna brought a chilling restraint. He was cold, heartless, and could compel anyone to hate him - and he did. That's just an example of how terrific he was.
He underwent an intense transformation that impressed the masses: long grey hair, a heavy beard, kohl-rimmed eyes and hours of prosthetics were all part of the process.
And he carried the same determination into Dhurandhar.
Aditya Dhar's spy film had an ensemble cast, with Ranveer Singh headlining alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan and Rakesh Bedi as irreplaceable additions. But Akshaye Khanna, as the powerful crime kingpin, stole the limelight - and how!
From his dance moves to his flip-and-flaunt flair, to his cold stare, to a brawl with Ranveer Singh and a climatic fall at the end of Dhurandhar Part 1, Akshaye Khanna became the internet's sweetheart.
The internet was in love with Akshaye Khanna, and while he remained as reclusive as ever, far from the uproar of fan frenzy, 2025 ended on the note that Akshaye Khanna had nailed it.
If we compare, Naseeruddin Shah and Akshaye Khanna's journeys in 2026 and 2025 respectively, they do have dissimilarities. Akshaye Khanna's soaring success and recognition were visible in roaring box-office numbers; Naseeruddin Shah's time in the sun came as critical acclaim, rampant social-media appreciation and glowing reviews.
Both are killing it in their own styles, just like their diverse filmographies.
Either way, it's an excellent time to enjoy cinema, with actors from different generations and with distinct skill sets giving viewers performances worth watching.
The relaxation, issued by the Maharashtra Home Department under Section 33 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, follows a request from the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Mumbai, seeking permission for hospitality establishments to remain open for live screenings of the tournament finale.
The order applies to licensed eateries, hotels and restaurants across the state and is valid only for the FIFA World Cup final.
According to the government order, establishments must deploy adequate private security personnel inside and outside their premises and ensure that the extended operating hours do not lead to any law-and-order issues or public nuisance.
The order also bars illegal activities, obscene acts, loud music or any behaviour that could inconvenience the public. Restaurant managements will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and conditions.
The Maharashtra government said all existing rules governing licensed establishments will continue to remain in force. Any violation of the law or breach of public peace could invite legal action, including withdrawal of the relaxation.
The order further authorises District Magistrates and Police Commissioners to impose additional restrictions or revoke the extended timings depending on local law-and-order requirements and prevailing conditions.
The decision comes after the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Mumbai, in a letter dated July 19, requested permission for restaurants, hotels and eateries to remain open beyond their usual closing hours so fans could watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
PTI reported that Kerala has declared a holiday on Monday for all schools, colleges and higher educational institutions to allow students to watch the FIFA World Cup final. The decision was taken after the state government received requests from students, many of whom wanted to stay up to watch Sunday's late-night final between Argentina and Spain.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing Lionel Messi lead his team out in another World Cup final at the age of 39 as the holders aim to retain the trophy when they take on Spain this weekend. "He has made history. He is a legend," Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who has already helped Argentina win a World Cup and back-to-back Copa America titles in the last five years. Messi's international career has enjoyed a remarkable late renaissance -- a decade ago he briefly retired from the Argentina team at the age of 29 after a Copa America final loss to Chile, his fourth defeat in a final for his country.
Messi and Scaloni hugged on the pitch at full-time after Wednesday's 2-1 semi-final win over England, with the Argentine captain calling that victory "pure history".
"It fills me with pride because he is the best player in the history of football," Scaloni said of Messi, who has scored eight goals at this World Cup, which is his sixth, and is the tournament's all-time top scorer with 21.
"To have been able to get to a final in the way that he has in this moment, at the age of 39, I think it is incredible.
"That is why I said we should enjoy having him, because look at what happened with Diego (Maradona) and how we ended up missing him.
"We still have Leo and we should appreciate that. He is the historic figure and the legend, as are all these players who have given us these marvellous years."
Argentina had gone 28 years without winning a major international title before lifting the Copa America in 2021 to spark this current golden era.
"They have done things that a few years ago were unthinkable. It was not easy to get here and to compete at this level over so many years," he said ahead of Sunday's final at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York City.
"We might win and I hope we do but in any case the journey to get this far has been incredible."
Scaloni said he could not answer whether the game would definitely be Messi's last at a World Cup, but it seems highly unlikely he will continue until the next one in 2030.
Argentina will have to beat the reigning European champions if they are to become the first nation in 64 years to win back-to-back World Cups.
"They are a great team. Everything worries me about them," Scaloni said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The BCCI on Friday rubbished speculation about Rohit Sharma's future, stating he will continue to play for India after the series-deciding third and final ODI against England at Lord's on Sunday.
Speculation has been rife that the Lord's ODI on Sunday could be Rohit's last international match, but BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed any such suggestion.
"There are lot of speculations going on in media about Rohit Sharma's future. I want to firmly assert that there has been no such discussion that Rohit will be playing his last match at Lord's on Sunday," Saikia told PTI in an exclusive interaction.
"Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team and he will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things. In other words, Lord's ODI wont be his last match."
Despite Rohit's publicly stated desire to play until the 2027 ODI World Cup, his modest returns in the first two matches of the series -- scores of 11 and 26 -- have fuelled the debate.
Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham were the two central characters in the England vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final clash. Much of their teams' chances depended on the duo. It was no surprise when the two had a brief argument over a contentious decision by the referee. Shortly after the match started, LeandroParedes went in late on Jude Bellingham, and Enzo Fernandez did likewise to Elliot Anderson soon after. The England camp felt it warranted a card, but the referee disagreed. It was at this point that Messi argued with Bellingham. Argentina ultimately won the match 2-1 and entered the final.
— All About Argentina (@AlbicelesteTalk) July 15, 2026
Lionel Messi sent in the cross that sent Argentina to the World Cup final after another improbable comeback.
Trailing 1-0 going into the final five minutes of regulation time, Messi delivered a pinpoint ball to substitute Lautaro Martinez in the second minute of injury time to give the defending champions a 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday.
Messi also provided the assist for Enzo Fernandez's equalising goal in the 85th minute.
At the end of another exhausting match - another match in which Argentina were stretched to the final minutes - Messi dropped to his knees in celebration.
Argentina, who will play Spain in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, are now one game away from becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the 55th minute, but the team's other chances failed to find the back of the net.
Fernandez scored the equaliser with a long-range effort as Argentina pressed desperately for a goal, and Martinez headed in the winner with time running out.
Argentina had to come through yet another tough match at this year's expanded 48-team tournament after surviving scares against Cape Verde and Egypt.
England vs Argentina Free Live Telecast, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Live Streaming | When And Where To Watch: England and Argentina made key changes for their World Cup semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday. England coach Thomas Tuchel called in Morgan Rogers in place of Noni Madueke on the right wing and also handed starts to Reece James and Djed Spence in defense. Ezri Konsa and NicoO'Reilly were benched. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made just one change, picking Gio Simeone in midfield ahead of Rodrigo De Paul. (England vs Argentina Live Updates, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Live)
When will the England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final be played?
The England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final will be played on Wednesday (Thursday IST, July 16).
Where will the England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final match be played?
The England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final match will be played in Atlanta.
What time will the England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final match start?
The England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final will start at 12:30 AM IST (Thursday).
Which TV channels will telecast the England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final for free?
The England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final match will be telecast live on the Unite8 SPorts. Free telecast will also be there on DD Sports (DD Free Dish)
Stakes are high
Defending champions Argentina are all set to take on England for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final.
In a major push towards futuristic transportation, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said India is planning to introduce a "flying bus" to transform urban mobility.
Speaking at an event in Lucknow, Gadkari said the proposed flying bus is part of the government's broader vision to modernise India's transport ecosystem by embracing cutting-edge technologies.
"Now I am going to bring a bus that flies in the air," the minister said, signalling the Centre's push towards futuristic modes of public transport.
While Gadkari did not disclose a timeline or technical details of the project, the announcement aligns with the government's growing focus on sustainable and innovative mobility solutions.
India has been encouraging the development of electric vehicles, alternative fuels, ropeways, cable cars and urban air mobility to improve connectivity while reducing pollution and traffic congestion.
The minister has previously advocated the adoption of emerging transport technologies, including electric aircraft, drones and other low-emission mobility solutions, as part of India's long-term infrastructure strategy.
If implemented, flying buses could represent a significant shift in urban transportation, particularly in densely populated cities where road congestion remains a major challenge.
However, such projects would require advances in aircraft technology, safety regulations, air traffic management and supporting infrastructure before commercial deployment.
Gadkari's remarks add to the government's ambitious transport agenda, which seeks to combine infrastructure expansion with technological innovation to create faster, cleaner and more efficient mobility options for India's rapidly growing urban population.
Soon after Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan underwent surgery on his right shoulder at Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, his wife, Anna Konidela, shared an emotional update, saying her priority is to take care of him and support his recovery.
Details
Sharing a picture of Pawan Kalyan from the hospital, Anna shed light on the challenges he has faced over the years and described him as someone who rarely speaks about his pain. In the picture, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was also seen.
In her post, Anna wrote that the actor-politician has carried responsibilities and struggles much heavier than any physical discomfort. She said he usually keeps his suffering to himself and only acknowledges it when it becomes extremely difficult to bear.
"His burden in life has always been far heavier than his physical pain. He rarely complains. Only when the pain becomes too much, even for him," wrote Anna.
Anna added that her current focus is to ensure he gets the care and rest he needs as he recovers from the procedure.
"For now, my only job is to take good care of him and make sure he knows he's in safe hands. One day at a time. We'll get there."
After meeting Pawan Kalyan, N. Chandrababu Naidu took to social media to wish him a speedy recovery. "I visited Deputy Chief Minister Shri Pawan Kalyan, who is undergoing treatment in Mumbai today. I wish him a speedy recovery. @PawanKalyan."
On the acting front, Pawan Kalyan was last seen in the Telugu action-comedy Ustaad Bhagat Singh. Directed by Harish Shankar, the film was released in March this year.
Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's before India's bowlers tightened their grip on the historic one-off Women's Test against England on Sunday. Resuming the penultimate day with an overall lead of 269, India declared their second innings at 341/7 at the stroke of tea, setting England an improbable target of 457 in four sessions. In reply, England slumped to 130/6 at stumps with Amy Jones unbeaten on 52, leaving India just four wickets away from a memorable victory in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's.
Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud claimed two wickets apiece to put the visitors in complete control.
Brief Scores India 285 and 341/7 declared; 86.3 overs (Yastika Bhatia 113, Smriti Mandhana 70, Richa Ghosh 50 not out; Sophie Ecclestone 5/118, Lauren Bell 2/27). England 170 and 130/6 in 40 overs (Amy Jones 52 batting; Sayali Satghare 2/19, Kranti Gaud 2/40).
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is all set to be launched in India and the global markets soon. Samsung’s bi-annual hardware launch event, dubbed Galaxy Unpacked, is scheduled to take place later this month, and the Fold 8 is expected to arrive as the company’s long-rumoured wide-foldable book-style foldable. As we wait for the official debut, here is everything we know about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, including its launch date, expected price in India, features, specifications, and more.
BTS' agency, Big Hit Music, has responded to allegations that Swim, the lead single from the group's fifth studio album, Arirang, infringes on the copyright of a song written by three American songwriters.
On July 10, Big Hit Music addressed the lawsuit, maintaining that the allegations are based solely on the plaintiffs' claims and asserting that "Swim" was independently created.
The agency has rejected the claims and said it will defend itself through legal channels.
The Controversy
According to Billboard, songwriters Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Graylyn Johnson recently filed a lawsuit, alleging that BTS' Swim closely resembles a demo they had previously written under the same title.
The lawsuit names HYBE, HYBE America and Big Hit Music as defendants.
It also includes several songwriters credited on Swim, including OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder.
However, Billboard reported that BTS members have not been named in the lawsuit, despite RM being credited as one of the song's co-writers.
As part of their complaint, the plaintiffs argued that their demo had been circulated within the music industry beginning in March of the previous year. They claimed it was shared with multiple industry professionals, including staff at Artist Publishing Group, and eventually reached some of the writers involved in creating Swim.
To support their allegations, the songwriters enlisted musicologist Alexander Stewart to compare the two tracks. According to the report, Stewart identified similarities in the chorus hook, including the repeated use of the title, as well as overlapping elements in harmony, texture, rhythm and lyrical content.
Based on his analysis, he concluded that the similarities were significant enough to suggest that Swim was derivative rather than an original composition.
Stewart has previously served as an expert witness in several high-profile copyright disputes, including cases involving Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud and Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. Both cases were ultimately dismissed by the courts.
The Nifty 50 started Thursday's session on a positive note and touched an intraday high of 24,134.70 in early trade. This level marked nearly a 61.8% retracement of the previous day's decline. However, the index failed to sustain at higher levels and gave up more than 150 points from the day's high in the second half of the session. Despite this late weakness, the index ended higher by 80.75 points, or 0.34%, and snapped its two-day losing streak. However, the close below the psychological 24,000 mark kept the recovery muted.
Nifty Forms Inside Candle
Thursday's price action resulted in the formation of an inside candle. This came after the previous session recorded the widest single-day range in over one month. The latest candle had a small green body and a long upper shadow, which indicates hesitation at higher levels. This suggests that while buying interest emerged after the recent decline, traders were not confident enough to carry positions aggressively.
Broader Markets Outperform
Although the Nifty moved above its 8-EMA and 20-DMA during the session, it slipped below both these averages by the close. The index also continues to trade below its 100-DMA, which remains an important hurdle. However, market breadth stayed strong, supported by clear outperformance in the broader market. The Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices gained over 1% each, showing that stock-specific participation remained healthy. Meanwhile, India VIX declined nearly 9% to 13.36, indicating some cooling in volatility after the recent spike.
On the daily chart, the MACD is close to generating a fresh bearish signal, which needs to be watched closely. The 14-period RSI has moved back above the 50 mark, suggesting some recovery in momentum. However, the weekly RSI continues to remain below 50, reflecting that the larger trend has not yet regained strong momentum. Positively, the index is still trading above its 10-week and 20-week moving averages, which prevents the broader structure from turning sharply negative.
Key Levels to Watch on Friday
Going ahead, immediate support for the Nifty is placed near the 50-DMA at 23,825, followed by the lower end of the four-week range at 23,784. On the upside, the 100-DMA at 24,036 will act as the first resistance, followed by the 24,200 to 24,300 zone. As long as the index remains within the 23,784 to 24,300 range, traders may not get a clear directional bias. A decisive breakout on either side of this range would be important to determine the next meaningful move.
TCS Q1FY27 Results
Apart from technical levels, the market will also take cues from the start of the earnings season. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) reported a net profit of Rs 13,349 crore for Q1FY27, up 4.6% from Rs 12,760 crore in Q1FY26. Revenue grew 13.9% on a reported basis to Rs 72,275 crore as against Rs 63,437 crore in the same quarter last year. Since TCS is one of the first major index heavyweights to announce results, the market reaction to its numbers could influence sentiment towards the IT pack and set the tone for early earnings season expectations.
IIFL Finance gained over 5% on Thursday, taking the stock close to a two-week high. With this move, the stock is now on the verge of breaking out from a two-week consolidation phase. The upmove was supported by strong volumes, which were higher than its 10-day and 30-day average volumes, indicating healthy participation in the direction of the trend.
Thierry Henry said his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi reminded everyone that he is "not human" after the Argentina captain inspired a dramatic comeback against Egypt, saying the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has a unique ability to raise his game when his team needs him the most. Reacting to Argentina's 3-2 victory over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, Henry, while speaking on Fox Sports, reflected on his years as Messi's teammate at Barcelona and said the Argentine's competitive fire is unlike anything he has witnessed.
"First and foremost, look at him crying, and how much that means to him and to the team," Henry said, as quoted by Fox Sports.
"It first reminded us that he's human; he's human because he missed some penalty kicks, four out of eight. Then it reminds us again that he's not human!"
Henry and Messi played together at FC Barcelona for three seasons, from 2007 to 2010. During their time together, they helped the club win seven major trophies, including the historic 2009 treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League).
Henry then recalled a training-ground incident during their time together to explain what motivates Messi.
"I played with him as you just mentioned, and what happens with Leo--don't wake the sleeping beast inside him! That's exactly what's happening, and I've seen it up close in training," he said, according to Fox Sports.
He added, "You know how it can be in training sometimes; when one of the coaches doesn't want to call a foul, or when the ball goes out, and play continues, and then a goal is scored from it, and Leo wanted that ball called out or as a foul. And when the coach said, 'The ball didn't go out, stop complaining, this could happen in a match.' In the next moment, you look into his eyes and find that he's completely transformed!"
"He goes and takes the ball, and I was there and witnessed it myself, then he scores three goals in a row; he takes the ball from you and scores straight away, then he snatches it again and scores, then he snatches it and scores again, then he turns around and says: 'Next time, call the foul.' And we were all saying: 'Yeah, yeah, next time we'll call the foul!' Because you simply can't stop him. When he gets into that mood, it's very hard to contain him," Henry further added.
Henry said Messi displayed the same mentality against Egypt, refusing to let an earlier penalty miss define his performance.
"And as you know, Zlatan, you've been in this situation; this guy, and let's be honest, it doesn't always work out--but when his team needs it, he completely elevates his game. We're talking about a player who played 120 minutes in the last match, and yet he elevated his level, started taking the ball and dribbling past almost everyone to try to change the course of the game... wow," he said, as per Fox Sports.
The French great admitted that even after sharing the pitch with some of football's biggest names, Messi continued to leave him in awe.
"In truth, looking at him, I was just remembering the days of playing with him. I played with Zizou and with a lot of great players like Ronaldinho and others, and it's no shame to say this, but sometimes when he scored some goals and I was on the field with him, I'd take a second or two to process and say to myself: 'Wow!' Then I'd remember: 'Oh, you're playing now, get back into the match!' That doesn't happen to me much, but he's a unique version of it," he added.
"Look, we're here in the Los Angeles area, Culver City or whatever it is, and this scenario is like a Hollywood movie! There are things that feel almost scripted, like a film plot that couldn't happen in real life, to the point where you'd say the director overdid this storyline! But this guy writes history with his feet," he concluded.
Messi recovered from his first-half penalty miss to play a decisive role as Argentina overturned a 2-0 deficit. After Yasser Ibrahim's opener and Mostafa Ziko's second-half strike put Egypt in control, Cristian Romero sparked the comeback with a header before Messi equalised in the 83rd minute.
Enzo Fernandez then scored the stoppage-time winner to send the defending champions into the quarter-finals against Switzerland.
Messi's equaliser also extended his remarkable World Cup legacy. The 39-year-old became the first player in history to score in nine consecutive FIFA World Cup matches and took his tally in the ongoing tournament to eight goals, matching Guillermo Stabile's Argentina record for the most goals in a single World Cup edition, set in 1930.
According to Opta, he also became the first player to score in six successive knockout-stage matches and increased his all-time World Cup record to 21 goals. Despite those achievements, his earlier spot-kick miss made him the first player to miss two penalties in a single World Cup edition (excluding shootouts) and took his career tally of missed World Cup penalties to four, the most by any player.
The Palghar district administration has declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Wednesday, July 8, as heavy rainfall continues to batter the district, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is yet to announce whether schools in Mumbai will remain closed.
In an order issued on Tuesday, District Collector and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Dr. Indu Rani Jakhad, directed that all Anganwadis, government and private primary and secondary schools, Zilla Parishad schools, municipal schools, aided and unaided schools, Ashram schools, colleges, educational institutions and coaching centres across Palghar district will remain shut on July 8.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the Maharashtra government's school education guidelines, said the decision was taken after reviewing the prevailing weather conditions and the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department.
"As per the advance warning given by the India Meteorological Department, Palghar district is currently receiving heavy rainfall," the order said.
It further noted that authorities had taken into account "the heavy rainfall in the district... the time taken for the water standing on the roads to drain, and the time taken for the situation to return to normal" before deciding to suspend classes.
"I am of the opinion that it is necessary to declare a holiday on Wednesday, 08.07.2026," the order stated, citing student safety and precautionary measures.
The district administration said the order comes into immediate effect.
As of now, the BMC has not issued any notification on whether schools in Mumbai will remain closed on Wednesday. The latest weather update also points to a rainy night ahead. Weather observers have warned that large rainbands moving in from the Arabian Sea are expected to bring heavy rainfall across Mumbai from around 6:45 p.m., with the north-western suburbs likely to be hit first before the rain spreads across the rest of the city.
The fresh alert comes after widespread disruption caused by heavy rain over the past few days. Several parts of Mumbai and its suburbs witnessed severe waterlogging, traffic snarls and delays to suburban train and road transport services.
Residents, parents and students are advised to keep a close watch on official announcements from their respective civic bodies, as any decision on school and college closures is expected to be communicated through official circulars if weather conditions deteriorate further.
Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj, which had been fighting a prolonged battle over censor approval, was pulled from streaming giant ZEE5 two days after its release in India. Diljit shared his first reaction on Sunday night, hours after the streamer issued a statement about its decision. Early Monday, Diljit hosted an Instagram Live thanking fans for their constant support. He reiterated one point throughout the live session: once something is online, it can't be erased.
Diljit asked fans who have watched and downloaded the film to show it to others who haven't seen it yet.
"I came live on Instagram to thank people for watching Satluj.
"What I had feared actually happened. I thought the film would be taken down by Monday, but it happened sooner than expected. That's why we didn't promote the film. It was best to release the film (online) without any promotion. Today's youth is talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra. Every home is talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra," Diljit said in the Instagram Live.
"You can trouble me as much as you want. I am with Punjab till the day I die," Diljit affirmed.
"But I'm happy and relieved that the film finally reached the audience. Many people have already downloaded it. Once anything lands online, it never gets deleted. I saw a video from Rajasthan where people are watching the film; I felt very happy. Please show it to your friends and everyone around you," he added.
Satluj is based on one of Punjab's darkest chapters in the 1990s, when civilians allegedly disappeared and were cremated without informing their families.
"The incident took place in 1995 and they didn't let people talk about it then. It is happening even today. Hadd ho gayi! I'm a little sad. We're still standing there, this is 2026," Diljit said.
Talking about the film's hurdles since the beginning, Diljit said, "Our shooting was stopped for 10–15 years. It took us 1.5 years to start the film. After the edit, the film was stuck for four years. I was with the film for two years; Honey paaji gave the film six years."
About the Satluj controversy
Satluj, originally titled Punjab 95, was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 but had not received a clearance certificate to date.
The filmmakers had previously alleged that the CBFC sought 127 cuts for the film. It was also scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023, but the screening was cancelled after objections were reportedly raised by Indian authorities.
On Friday (July 3), the film released on ZEE5 without promotions. As critics and audiences praised the film, it was suddenly removed from the streamer without prior notice.
The streamer issued a statement, adding that it stands by the film. Without sharing the exact reason for removing it, ZEE5 said that "in light of current developments" the film is unavailable for streaming.
Should you add shares of Anant Raj Ltd.? Should you hold shares of Canara Bank Ltd.at the current market price? Have you lost the chance to buy PC Jewellers Ltd.'s stock at an attractive price? Should you sell shares of Eternal Ltd.?
Ruchit Jain, Vice President of Equity Technical Research at Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, and Rajesh Agarwal, head of research, AUM Capital provided insights on these investor queries and more on NDTV Profit's Ask Profit show.
Anant Raj (CMP: Rs 554.70)
Agarwal: Hold
Prices are rangebound.
Next resistance at Rs 590-Rs 600.
Hold the stock.
Canara Bank (CMP: Rs 127.19)
Jain: Hold
Leadership has come more from private sector banks than PSU for upmove.
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.
Laser Power & Infra Ltd., an integrated manufacturer of power cables, conductors and specialised products for the power transmission and distribution industry, will launch its Rs 742-crore initial public offering on July 9.
The issue will close on July 13, according to its red herring prospectus. The IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 542 crore and an offer for sale of shares aggregating up to Rs 200 crore by promoter selling shareholders. Net proceeds from the fresh issue will be used towards repayment or prepayment of borrowings amounting to Rs 490 crore, and for general corporate purposes.
The company operates three manufacturing units in West Bengal and reported revenue of Rs 2,326 crore and net profit of Rs 151 crore in FY26. Its order book stood at Rs 3,243 crore as of March 31, 2026.
Laser Power, which also has an engineering, procurement and construction division, is a licenced stranding partner of US-based TS Conductor, allowing it to locally manufacture advanced high-capacity conductors that are lighter, stronger and more energy-efficient than conventional ACSR or CFCC conductors.
Its clients include Indian Railways, several Odisha distribution companies and private EPC players such as Montecarlo Ltd. and KRYFS Power Components Ltd.
According to Crisil, the domestic cables and wires market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 13%, driven by infrastructure projects, railway electrification, smart grid investments and export demand.
Argentina have a relatively easier road to the latter stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026 compared to some of the other favourites in the tournament. Argentina face the tournament's surprise package Cape Verde in the Round of 32, Australia or Egypt await in the Round of 16, and one of Switzerland, Colombia or Ghana could be the potential quarter-final opponent. Against all these teams, Argentina will be overwhelming favourites to win. Therefore, it won't be a surprise if the reigning champions make it all the way to the semis at the very least.
Argentina's easier route has led to certain sections of social media users conspiring whether FIFA themselves want Argentina to win the World Cup again. However, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni rubbished such suggestion when asked on the matter ahead of their Round of 32 match.
"I don't read social media, but today every opinion can become popular no matter its content. We must ignore such unrealistic opinions and focus on what's important and the pitch." Scaloni responded, as quoted by Saudi Arabia-based outlet Ariyadhiah.
Scaloni also reserved praise for Cape Verde, who have been the underdog story of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
"This is a team that hasn't lost. They aren't here by accident. We have to respect them, and that is what we will do," he said.
A classic David versus Goliath encounter will take centre stage at the World Cup on Friday as tiny Cape Verde face Lionel Messi and Argentina with a place in the last 16 at stake.
Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds, face the defending champions in Miami dreaming of pulling off what would be the greatest upset in World Cup history.
The Atlantic archipelago have become one of the fairytale stories of this year's expanded 48-team tournament, confounding expectations by earning a draw with Spain before squeezing into the last 32 ahead of Group H rivals Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Argentina, who breezed into the knockout rounds with the help of six goals from captain Messi, will be expected to swat aside the African qualifiers to move one step closer to their dream of back-to-back World Cup titles.
Filmmaker Kunal Kohli is back with another review and this time it is for Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga, which had a surprising change at the box office and qualified as a sleeper hit. From audiences to the fraternity, everyone has been raving about all the performances and how well made the film is. Kunal Kohli too applauded it, calling Main Vaapas Aaunga Imtiaz Ali's finest work.
What's Happening
Kunal Kohli shared a video on Instagram and said, "I just saw Main Vaapas Aaunga and the film has left a huge impact on me. My bua and dad used to often speak about Partition and a lot of it was in this film. They would talk about the horrors and after-effects of it. And of course, there were relatives who never spoke about it, which is also shown in the film. The love story is truly so innocent, pure and beautiful. This is Imtiaz's finest work. So beautifully he has shown the love, the news back then - the news was so slow, things travelled so slowly. Whereas today, news and information travel so fast. In that time, they had to go through this huge process of Partition, finding out what happened to people, making decisions, never forgiving yourself or rather people never forgiving you for."
He continued, "The nuances and layers that Imtiaz has brought into the film with his writing. The performance of every single person - how do you single out any one actor? Naseer, who has given some of Indian cinema's finest performances, has again done so. It would rank as one of Naseer's finest performances of his career; he was that good. Rajat Kapoor - what a brilliant performance, and so wonderfully he has spoken about the differences in the family. Not all of us were Sooraj Barjatya-type families. We all have problems in our families, things you don't forgive or understand your parents for. And that is what has been brought out so beautifully by Imtiaz and all the actors in the family."
Speaking of the cast, Kunal Kohli added, "Rajat Kapoor especially brought out the angst against his father and slowly he changed and tried to understand him. Also Diljit - what a performer; the layers he brings to his performance. Sharvari, Vedan - beautiful. Everybody has done a great job."
Main Vaapas Aaunga Scenes That Hit Kunal Kohli The Most
Without giving too many spoilers, Kunal Kohli highlighted two particular scenes from the film that shook him to the core.
He said, "One of the scenes that hit me the most - without a spoiler - I had heard another version of it which my bua and grandparents had told me. The women in the train used to take poison; when people came to attack, they would take the poison and kill themselves. But in this film, the way the scene has been portrayed by the grandmother, it shakes you to the core. It's going to give me nightmares; it hits hard."
He continued, "Another was when Diljit keeps asking his father, 'Tell us what happened to the women.' And he says, 'All you are going to take out of it is hatred between two religions and two communities,' and I don't think that it was about that. And there are so many more dialogues that were casually thrown in but meant a lot. Definitely the film deserves a second and third watch. I am going to take my daughter - she's just 15, but I want her to see the film and understand what happened. It still gave me the truth despite having heard these stories from my grandparents."
"It's important for everyone to watch this film, to understand the romance and the news of that time. Imtiaz, hats off - love you, what a film you have made. This is your best film," concluded Kunal Kohli.
About The Film
Main Vaapas Aaunga follows the journey of a 95-year-old man who suffers a stroke while attempting to travel to Pakistan. As fragments of his memory begin returning, his grandson slowly uncovers the story of a life that existed before Partition, revealing long-buried relationships, heartbreak and the lasting impact of history.
Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the film also reunites the filmmaker with composer AR Rahman for the fifth time after Rockstar, Highway, Tamasha and Amar Singh Chamkila.
