News headlines for school morning assembly | News in english for school morning assembly. 16-08-25. National News. 1. PM Modi Announces GST Reductions & Pushes Self-Reliance. - Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at India’s 79th Independence Day celebration from the Red Fort on 15 August 2025, called on the nation to strengthen self-reliance—especially in sectors like fertilizers, EV batteries, and defense equipment. He announced lower GST rates effective from October to boost consumption and also unveiled the new "Sudarshan Chakra" defense system while pledging to protect farmers amid rising U.S. tariff pressures. 2. Bastar Celebrates Independence Day After Years of Conflict - For the first time ever, 14 tribal villages in Maoist-affected Bastar (Chhattisgarh) will hoist the national flag this Independence Day. These areas had previously been denied these celebrations due to insurgent threats. Enhanced security and development programs have now enabled these communiti...