New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 5.30 pm: NATION DEL175 IDAY-PM-LDALL OPSINDOOR

Terrorists and those providing them safe haven will be treated alike: PM Modi on Op Sindoor; sends stern warning to Pakistan New Delhi: In a clear and stern warning to Pakistan from the ramparts of Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said terrorists and those providing them safe haven will be treated alike and that Indian armed forces will deliver a "crushing" response to the enemy in case of any future misadventure.

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Economic selfishness rising globally, self-reliance must for 'Samriddh Bharat'; GST rate cut by Diwali: PM Modi on I-Day New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday gave a clarion call for making a "Samriddh Bharat" by becoming self reliant in fields ranging from fighter jet engines to energy and Artificial Intelligence, as he announced a task force for next generation reforms, GST changes as big gift for Diwali, and a state-of-the art defence shield dubbed "sudarshan chakra."

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J&K cloudburst: 60 dead, 69 missing, over 100 hurt; PM Modi promises all assistance New Delhi/Kishtwar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday and assured them of all help in the wake of a cloudburst in Kishtwar district that has killed at least 60 people and injured more than 100, officials said.

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PM Modi announces 'Sudarshan Chakra' defence project to shield India from security threats New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced a 10-year project to develop an indigenous defence shield to protect India's vital military and civilian installations and deliver a decisive response in case of any enemy threat, a move that came amid concerns over twin security challenges from Pakistan and China.

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India targeting tenfold rise in nuclear energy by 2047: PM Modi New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India is rapidly building 10 new nuclear reactors and plans to increase its nuclear energy capacity tenfold by 2047.

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India to become self-reliant in space; will launch Gaganyaan, space station: PM Modi New Delhi: India is working towards becoming self-reliant in the space sector and preparing for the launch of Gaganyaan, its indigenous human space flight mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.

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PM Modi announces National Deep Water Exploration Mission to find oil under seabed New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced a National Deep Water Exploration Mission aimed at discovering oil and gas reserves beneath the seabed, as part of efforts to boost domestic production and reduce the country's multi-billion-dollar import bill.

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Obesity emerging as major challenge for India: PM Modi New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said obesity is emerging as a major challenge for the country, and everyone must contribute to this fight against the challenge.

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PM calls for research to achieve self-reliance in medicines New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the nation on Friday to achieve self-reliance in medicines and innovation, highlighting India's strength as the "pharmacy of the world".

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PM Modi announces demography mission to tackle illegal infiltration New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warned people of a pre-meditated conspiracy to change the country's demography through illegal infiltration and said no nation can tolerate intruders, as he announced a high-powered demography mission to tackle the problem.

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BJP will go to any extent of immorality to remain in power: Kharge New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday alleged that the ruling BJP is ready to go to any extent of immorality to remain in power and reiterated that several "irregularities" in elections are emerging across the country.

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PM has dishonoured memory of martyrs by praising RSS in I-Day speech: CPI(M) New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday said it is "deeply regrettable" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to praise the RSS in his Independence Day speech and called it an organisation with a "dubious historical record".

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Will Pahalgam killers decide whether JK will be a state, asks CM Omar Abdullah Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday delivered a forceful Independence Day speech, criticising the practice of linking terror attacks to Jammu and Kashmir's political future and asserting that Pakistan should not be allowed to influence it through terrorism.

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Govt on way to eradicate child marriage from Assam by 2026: Himanta Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the government is on the way to eradicate child marriage from the state by 2026.

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People of Bihar fighting for right to vote while nation celebrates Independence Day: Tejashwi Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Friday said it was "ironical" that the people of Bihar were fighting to "protect" their right to vote when the country was celebrating Independence Day.

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Will continue to fight to uphold honour of every Indian: Mamata Kolkata: Asserting that she will continue her battle to uphold the honour of every Indian, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said Bengal once rose against the atrocities of foreign rulers and will keep fighting against any injustice.

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Karnataka faces discrimination in distribution of resources from Centre: Siddaramaiah Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday alleged that the state is facing discrimination in the distribution of resources from the Centre.

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SC not superior or inferior to HC: CJI Gavai; says no cause too small to merit attention of lawyers, judges New Delhi: Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said on Saturday that the Supreme Court collegium cannot dictate a high court collegium to recommend a particular name for judgeship, emphasising both are constitutional courts and neither is superior to the other.

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RG Kar rape-murder victim's father moves HC seeking nod for lawyers to visit crime scene Kolkata: The father of the R G Kar hospital rape-murder victim has moved the Calcutta High Court praying for setting aside a lower court order that refused permission to his lawyers to visit the crime scene at the state-run medical institution.

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Putin praises India's 'authority' in international affairs as global leaders greet country on 79th Independence Day Washington/Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin praised India's "well-deserved authority" in international affairs as global leaders and neighbours extended greetings to India on the 79th Independence Day on Friday.

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Indian missions celebrate 79th Independence Day Tel Aviv/Singapore: Indian missions on Friday celebrated the country’s 79th Independence Day with the same enthusiasm and spirit as their compatriots back home.

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