News highlights: Centre proposes 5% and 18% rates under revamped GST regime, say sources

Catch all the new developments here as India celebrates its 79th Independence Day

11:21 PM

J&K cloudburst: Victims cremated, NDREF deploys sniffer dogs for rescue

Most of the 34 cloudburst victims, identified and handed to families, were cremated across Jammu division on Friday, officials said. Thursday’s massive cloudburst in Chasoti, the last motorable village to Machail Mata temple in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed 60 lives and left 76 missing.

10:53 PM

Himachal monsoon: Death toll rises to 257 as rain disrupts roads and power

Persistent rains in Himachal Pradesh have disrupted utilities and severed links in multiple districts, the state disaster authority said. By 5 pm, 406 roads including two national highways were blocked, 457 power transformers shut, and 222 water supply schemes stalled. The monsoon toll has climbed to 257, with 133 deaths from landslides, flash floods, and house collapses, and 124 from road accidents.

 

10:14 PM

Indian naval ships dock in Colombo to participate in bilateral naval drill

Indian naval ships INS Rana and INS Jyoti reached Colombo on Friday to take part in the 12th edition of a bilateral exercise with the Sri Lankan Navy, aimed at boosting interoperability and maritime cooperation, officials said. The exercise, scheduled from August 14 to 18, involves INS Rana, a guided missile destroyer, and INS Jyoti, a fleet tanker, a Navy spokesperson added.

 

 

8:45 PM

Congress urges public to use 'vote chori se azadi' display pic on social media handles

Rahul Gandhi's fight is to protect people's mandate, expose the EC-BJP "conspiracy of vote chori" and to save democracy, the Congress said on Friday as it urged people to put up a display picture on their social media handles to show support for its campaign against the alleged poll irregularities.

 

7:44 PM

Uddhav and Raj will contest civic elections together, says Sanjay Raut

Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will contest the upcoming civic elections in Mumbai and elsewhere together, said Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena (UBT) MP. "The Thackeray brothers (Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray) will contest the municipal corporation elections in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Kalyan-Dombivali together and win. The strength of Raj and Uddhav Thackeray is the strength of the unity of the Marathi-speakers. No power cannot break the iron fist of 'Marathi manus' now," Raut told reporters here.

6:40 PM

JK cloudburst: Air Force ready to undertake relief, rescue operations

The Indian Air Force is ready to undertake relief and rescue operations in the aftermath of the deadly cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, with two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur, sources told PTI.

6:21 PM

Spain, Portugal, Greece battle wildfires as heatwave expected to last for days

On Friday, firefighters in Spain, Portugal, and Greece continued battling wildfires despite it being a public holiday in all three nations, as relentless heat and dry weather hampered containment efforts. Spain faced 14 major blazes, with temperatures forecast to rise over the weekend. “Today will once again be a very tough day, with an extreme risk of new fires,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X.

5:44 PM

GST overhaul: Around 99% of items in current 12% tax slab to move to 5% bracket, say govt sources

Around 99 per cent of items in current 12 per cent GST tax slab to move to 5 per cent bracket in revamped GST regime, sources told news agency PTI.

5:42 PM

Revamped GST: About 90% of taxable items in 28% bracket to shift to 18% slab in, say govt sources

About 90 per cent of taxable items in 28 per cent bracket to shift to 18 per cent slab in revamped GST regime, sources told news agency PTI.

 

5:40 PM

Govt expects GST revamp to give consumption a big boost: Sources

Govt expects Goods and Services Tax revamp to give consumption a big boost, which will offset revenue loss due to rate rationalisation, sources told news agency PTI.

5:36 PM

Centre proposes 5% and 18% rates under revamped GST regime: Sources

Centre has proposed 5 per cent and 18 per cent rates under revamped GST regime; special 40 per cent rate on luxury, sin goods, sources told news agency PTI.

 

5:24 PM

Macron speaks to Zelenskyy, calls for further meeting after Alaska summit

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday, with both leaders agreeing to meet again following the Alaska summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Elysee said.

5:13 PM

J&K CM Abdullah to visit cloudburst-hit Chositi village

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will visit Chositi village in Kishtwar district on Saturday to review the devastation caused by recent natural calamity. The remote mountain village was hit by a massive cloudburst on Thursday, triggering flash floods that claimed at least 60 lives, including two CISF personnel, and left many others trapped.

4:43 PM

Israeli PM Netanyahu conveys best wishes on India's 79th Independence Day

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday extended warm greetings to India on the occasion of its 79th Independence Day. In a series of posts on X shared on the Israeli Prime Minister's account, Netanyahu said, "Congratulations to my dear friend @PMOIndia @narendramodi and the people of India on your Independence Day."

 

4:34 PM

We are actively driving nationwide campaigns on PMJDY: PNB CEO on I-day

On the ocassion of 79th Independence Day, Ashok Chandra, MD and CEO, Pubjab National Bank, said, "We take pride in PNB’s 131-year rich legacy, founded by the great freedom fighter Shri Lala Lajpat Rai. As India advances towards becoming a developed economy by 2047, PNB is committed to inclusive and sustainable development through financial inclusion, infrastructure financing, renewable energy investments, and robust banking services. We are actively driving nationwide campaigns on PMJDY, social security schemes, re-KYC, and digital literacy."

4:07 PM

Russian Embassy offers condolences over Kishtwar cloudburst tragedy in J&K

The Russian Embassy in India on Friday expressed its deep sorrow and condolences following the disastrous cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 45 lives, leaving over 100 injured. the Russian Embassy conveyed their heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased and wished for a swift recovery for those injured in the tragic incident, in a statement.

 

3:39 PM

J&K L-G Sinha pays tribute to freedom fighters on Independence Day

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hoisted the national flag at Raj Bhavan here on the 79th Independence Day. The L-G Sinha paid tributes to freedom fighters and bravehearts of army, police and Central Armed Police Forces. He also paid homage to the citizens who lost their lives in the cloudburst in Chashoti, Kishtwar, a day ago.

 

3:00 PM

BSNL launches 4G services in Delhi via partner network access arrangement

State-owned telecom operator BSNL on Friday announced the soft launch of its 4G network in the national capital. The 4G services will be available to users via a partner network access arrangement, the company said. “The Delhi soft launch is being offered as 4G-as-a-service through a partner’s network access, providing last-mile radio coverage for compatible 4G devices using BSNL SIMs. This initiative complements BSNL’s broader nationwide 4G rollout under its indigenous network programme,” the company added.

2:41 PM

Karnataka CM announces ₹5 lakh ex-gratia for kin of victim in Wilson Garden blast

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh for the family of a man who died in a suspected cylinder blast in Bengaluru's Wilson Garden. The victim succumbed after the explosion injured nine others and damaged six houses. "A compensation of ₹5 lakh will be provided to Mubarak's family, and the government will cover the medical expenses of the injured," the CM said.

2:28 PM

1 killed, 9 injured after suspected cylinder blast in Bengaluru's Wilson Garden

One person was killed and nine others were injured following a suspected cylinder blast in Bengaluru's Wilson garden. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the site of the incident.

2:15 PM

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren hoists the national flag on Independence Day

2:01 PM

I-Day updates: Meghalaya CM eyes $16 bn economy by 2032, unveils roadmap for 2047

Meghalaya is steadily progressing towards its target of becoming a $16 billion economy by 2032, the year it celebrates its 60th anniversary, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said. Speaking at the Independence Day event, he added that by 2047, the state aims to emerge as a $100 billion economy and rank among the top 10 states in per capita income and Sustainable Development Goals. The CM also highlighted advancements in law and order, including progress on the Assam-Meghalaya border settlement, the rollout of e-Sakshya and e-FIR systems, and the expansion of forensic capabilities.

 

1:50 PM

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu hoists national flag on 79th Independence Day

1:33 PM

PM Modi hails linguistic diversity, says Gyan Bharatam scheme to digitise old manuscripts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the Red Fort on India’s 79th Independence Day, highlighted the country’s rich linguistic diversity and the importance of preserving knowledge. He said, “India’s linguistic heritage is immense and invaluable. We have recognised Marathi, Assamese, Bengali, Pali, and Prakrit as classical languages. The richer our languages, the stronger our knowledge systems. In today’s data-driven era, this diversity is a global asset. We must take pride in it and work for its development.”

1:15 PM

Indians need to make sacrifices to keep independence alive, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday urged Indians not to take independence for granted. Speaking at the RSS office in Bhubaneswar on Independence Day, he said citizens must work hard and make sacrifices to keep freedom alive. He also emphasised that an independent India has a responsibility to contribute to global peace and prosperity.

1:04 PM

In maiden I-Day speech, Delhi CM vows to rejuvenate Yamuna, provide world-class infra

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in her first Independence Day address, promised to rejuvenate the Yamuna and develop world-class infrastructure across the city. Speaking at Chhatrasal Stadium, she announced plans to set up a welfare board for gig workers to safeguard their rights and wellbeing. She also highlighted her government’s focus on tackling waterlogging and improving roads, assuring residents that Delhi would soon become a city of dreams with infrastructure among the best in India.

12:45 PM

I-Day speech: Red corridors of Naxalism transformed into green corridors of development, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the once-troubled “red corridors” of Naxalism have been transformed into “green corridors” of development during his 11 years in office. Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on India’s 79th Independence Day, PM Modi highlighted that regions previously plagued by violence now uphold the tricolour and the rule of law. PM emphasised that his government has worked to serve tribal communities meaningfully, ensuring development and safety across former Naxal-affected areas.

12:41 PM

UP CM Yogi Adityanath greets citizens on 79th Independence Day

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday greeted citizens on the 79th Independence Day and hoisted the national flag at the UP Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow. Addressing a gathering outside the state legislature, Adityanath praised the success of Operation Sindoor, saying, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, through Operation Sindoor, the country has witnessed the successful display of Bharat's ‘saamarth’ (strength) and ‘shakti’ (power).”

12:37 PM

Economic selfishness rising globally, self-reliance must for 'Samriddh Bharat', says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday delivered a powerful call for a “Samriddh Bharat”, urging India to become aatmanirbhar across sectors ranging from fighter jet engines to electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, stressing the need to counter rising global economic selfishness.

12:20 PM

Amit Shah hails PM Modi's I-Day address as 'roadmap' for India's progress

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 79th Independence Day address as a “roadmap” for India’s growth, celebrating achievements of the past 11 years while laying out plans for a prosperous future. In a post on X, Shah highlighted the Modi government’s commitment to national security, citing initiatives like Operation Sindoor for eliminating terrorists, Mission Sudarshan Chakra to safeguard critical infrastructure, and the High-Powered Demography Mission aimed at ensuring an infiltrator-free India.