1. PM Modi celebrates his 72nd birthday: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was amid a gathering of self-help groups in Madhya Pradesh celebrating his 72nd birthday. Earlier in the day, he released a batch of eight Cheetahs from Namibia into Kuno national park’s special enclosure for the mighty cats.
2. Rain fury kills 25 in Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow witnessed 160mm of rainfall in a quick span of 24 hours. The state, in total, suffered a loss of 25 lives due to flooding and rain-related incidents.
3. IAF to induct made-in-India Attack helicopter: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct the country’s first indigenously made Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The 5.8 tonnes LCH is the only attack helicopter in the weight category around the world.
4. Maharashtra cancels license for Johnson’s Baby powder: The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration has revoked the license given to Johnson’s & Johnson’s Pvt Ltd to manufacture Johnson’s Baby powder.
5. FM wants bank staff to speak local language: Speaking at the 75th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Banks’s Association in Mumbai, FM Nirmala Sitharaman said, “banks should appoint staff who can speak the local language.”
6. Schools in Puducherry shut as flu spreads: Following a spurt in influenza-like illnesses among children in Puducherry, the UT government has announced a week’s holiday for state-run and private schools.
7. Capt. Amarinder Singh to join BJP: Former Chief minister of Punjab, and chief of Lok Congress (PLC) party, Capt. Amarinder Singh is all set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) next week. Along with Singh, PLC will also merge with BJP.
8. Modi and Putin speak on Ukraine war: Addressing President Vladimir Putin, PM Modi said, “this era is not for war.” The Russian premier replied positively; said, “he understands India’s concerns and would do his best to end this as soon as possible.”
9. Bilawal Bhutto says Masood Azhar was in Afghanistan: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, while speaking to journalists at the SCO summit in Samarkand, said that Jaiesh-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar was in Afghanistan.
10. Miles of line to see the Queen one last time: Thousands of people have qued up in London to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II. The queue, which now stands at Southwark Park, has a waiting time of up to 14 hours.
Image: Via PM’s office