The US tariff hike of 50 per cent would hit Indian corporates unevenly, with the labour-intensive textiles and gems and jewellery segment expected to see only a moderate impact while pharmaceuticals, smartphones and steel are currently relatively insulated because of exemptions, existing tariffs and strong domestic demand, according to a report on Friday.

However, capital goods, chemicals, automobiles, and food and beverage exports would face the toughest adjustment, the S&P Global report states.

The fallout from a US move to double tariffs on Indian goods -- from 25 per cent to 50 per cent from August 27 -- in retaliation for New Delhi's oil trade with Moscow will not be uniform, in S&P Global Ratings' view. This will be the highest tariff in the region and will affect 50 per cent-60 per cent of India's total exports to the US.

Hyundai Motor and Kia have partnered with South Korea's leading battery producers -- LG Energy Solution Ltd., Samsung SDI Co. and SK On Co. -- to advance electric vehicle (EV) safety technologies, the companies said on Friday.

At Hyundai and Kia's Namyang research and development (R&D) centre in Hwaseong, south of Seoul, the companies unveiled the results of a yearlong collaboration with the battery makers on EV battery safety and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand their cooperation going forward, reports news agency.

The ceremony was attended by Hyundai-Kia R&D chief Yang Hee-won, LG Energy Solution chief executive officer (CEO) Kim Dong-myung, Samsung SDI CEO Choi Joo-seon and SK On CEO Lee Seok-hee, as well as officials from the transport and industry ministries.

Heavy rain lashed Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur, affecting train services and normal life.

The downpour, which began late Thursday night, continued through Friday afternoon, severely affecting normal life across the region.

Schools were closed on Friday as a precaution due to the incessant rainfall.

Several areas, including Bajaria, Nagar Parishad, and old city localities around the railway station, are facing severe waterlogging.

The Bodal culvert on National Highway 552 has collapsed for the second time this season, disrupting road connectivity between Sawai Madhopur, Khandar, and Sheopur.

Railway tracks have been submerged. At Sawai Madhopur railway station, water has submerged the tracks and disabled the signal system. This has led to delays and disruptions on key train routes to Jaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai. Nimod-Tigaria culvert has also been breached.

India’s private sector economy expanded at its fastest pace on record in August, supported by a surge in new orders and resilient demand, according to a report.

The India Composite Output Index jumped to 65.2 in August, up from 61.1 in July, HSBC said in its report.

The HSBC Flash India Composite Output Index measures combined activity in manufacturing and services.

August data marked the steepest pace of growth since the survey began in December 2005, according to the report.

According to the report, India’s private sector economy posted its sharpest expansion since survey data were first collected in December 2005 during August.

Heavy rainfall continued across Gujarat over the past 24 hours, with showers reported in 212 talukas across 33 districts.

Valsad's Pardi taluka recorded the highest rainfall at 4 inches, followed by Dharampur with 3 inches, while Khervagam (Navsari), Kaprada (Valsad) and Talod (Sabarkantha) received more than 2 inches, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning to fishermen, advising them not to venture into the sea along Gujarat's coastal belt from August 22 to 25 due to rough weather conditions.

As of now, the state has received an average of 681.14 mm rainfall, accounting for 77.24 per cent of the season's quota.

South Gujarat leads with 80.51 per cent of seasonal rainfall, followed by Kutch (80.26 per cent), Saurashtra (77.39 per cent), North Gujarat (75.87 per cent), and East-Central Gujarat (73.40 per cent).

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for multiple positions for its senior men’s, women’s and junior men’s selection committees.

As per the BCCI notification, it invited applications for two national selector positions for the senior men’s selection committee, who will be responsible for selecting Team India (Senior Men) across formats - Tests, ODIs, T20Is and any other formats as determined by the BCCI.

"The Application deadline is set for 5:00 PM IST on September 10. After the screening and shortlisting process, candidates may be called for personal interviews for further evaluation. All roles require adherence to BCCI’s rules, regulations, and highest standards of integrity," the BCCI said in a release.

A widespread monsoon surge has gripped Madhya Pradesh, bringing intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning across nearly every corner of the state. The Bhopal Centre of the India Meteorological Department has flagged several districts for very heavy rainfall, with Dhar, Ujjain, and Sheopur expected to bear the brunt.

These regions are likely to see torrential downpours accompanied by frequent lightning strikes and gusty winds, posing risks of waterlogging and localised flooding.

Heavy rainfall is also forecast for Rajgarh, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Indore, Ratlam, Dewas, Shajapur, Agar, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Singrauli, Anuppur, Dindori, Mandla, and Balaghat. These districts may experience intense spells of rain interspersed with thunder and lightning, especially during the afternoon and evening hours.

A gas leak from an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s pipeline in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada district triggered panic among people in a nearby village in the early hours of Friday, which was later brought under control.

The gas leak occurred around 1.30 a.m., triggering a fire.

Huge flames were billowing from the gas pipeline in the sea near Daryalatippa in Tallarevu mandal of Kakinada district.

Police and fire service personnel rushed to the spot after being alerted by villagers of Dariyalatippa. ONGC authorities stopped gas supply from the Krishna Godavari (KG) Basin rig around 3.30 a.m., following which the fire was extinguished.

The leak occurred in the pipeline, which passes through the sea via Yanam, an enclave of the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The Japanese government plans to double the target for private-sector investment in India to 10 trillion yen ($68 billion) over the next 10 years, according to a media report from Tokyo.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to confirm the new target during their meeting in Tokyo on August 29, according to a report.

This plan will expand upon Japan's current goal of investing 5 trillion yen over five years, which was announced in March 2022 by then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to India

With just 10 days left for the window on claims and objections to close, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday said that while 84,305 applications have been received from voters in Bihar for inclusion or deletion of names in the draft rolls, only two objections have come from political parties.

Of the total applications, 6,092 have already been disposed of by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). The claims and objections window, opened on August 1, will remain active till September 1.

The ECI said that the CPI(ML) Liberation is the only party to have filed objections so far, with two complaints with regard to draft rolls. It emphasised that despite repeated appeals, political parties have not actively engaged in the revision exercise.

Since August 1, as many as 2,63,257 new electors, who turned 18 after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), have applied for inclusion in the rolls.