On April 7, the world observes World Health Day as a way to raise awareness of important health challenges and motivate group efforts to address them. To increase awareness and drive worldwide action, the day is dedicated to a certain health issue each year. It highlights the necessity of international collaboration in addressing health issues and acts as a reminder of the significance of good health for general well-being.

Every year, the day centers on a different theme in an effort to increase awareness and inspire global action. It highlights the need for international cooperation in addressing health issues and serves as a reminder that overall well-being depends on good health.

Renowned Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has become the first Indian to receive the prestigious Fred Darrington Sand Master Award for his outstanding contributions to sand art. The award was presented during the Sandworld 2025 International Sand Art Festival in Dorset, England.

To mark the occasion, Pattnaik created a 10-foot-high sculpture of Lord Ganesha carrying the message of “World Peace”. The award holds special significance this year as it commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of legendary British sculptor Fred Darrington. Sudarshan Pattnaik, a Padma Shri awardee from Odisha, has participated in over 65 international sand art festivals and championships. His work, often blending spiritual themes with social messages, has earned him widespread recognition – but the Weymouth award marks a new high.

The Sandworld exhibition at Lodmoor Park, known for its massive, detailed sand sculptures created using just sand and water, features works from artists across the world. But this year, it’s a message from India – carved in sand and rooted in peace – that’s leaving the deepest impression.

Brazil has proposed the creation of a new international body to accelerate global climate action. The plan is shared ahead of this year’s UN climate conference (Conference of the Parties – COP30) in Belem, a city in northern Brazil, in November 2025. The plan suggests forming a “Climate Change Council” under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The council would aim to fast-track decisions made at COP meetings, better coordinate international efforts, and make climate action more effective. Brazil says the current process is too slow and complex.

While the idea has sparked interest, key developed countries – including Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden – have responded with caution. They support the need for reform but warn that any changes must not weaken the core UNFCCC process that guides international climate negotiations. The proposal remains informal for now, but it is expected to be a major talking point at COP30 later this year.

Former world champion Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil won the gold medal in the men’s 10m air rifle shooting event at the ISSF World Cup 2025 Buenos Aires yesterday. Local hero Marcelo Julian Gutierrez took bronze with 230.1. This was Rudrankksh Patil’s second individual gold medal at an ISSF World Cup. He also clinched the 10-meter air rifle title at the 2023 Cairo edition. With this, India now jointly leads the medal standings along with China, both nations picking up identical two gold, one silver, one bronze tallies till now. Eight more finals are yet to be played. The USA also won two golds and came third while Hungary won the other gold.

Meanwhile, Arjun Babuta, who finished fourth at the Paris 2024 Olympics, missed out on a podium spot in Buenos Aires again despite making the final. Babuta shot 144.9 for a seventh-placed finish. India’s Kiran Ankush Jadhav finished sixth with 631.5 but didn’t compete in the final as he was competing for Ranking Points Only (RPO). Patil’s triumph was India’s fourth medal at the first ISSF World Cup of the season.

Indian shooter Sift Kaur Samra produced a sensational come-from-behind performance to win her first individual ISSF World Cup gold medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) final in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (More Sports News)

The 23-year-old from Faridkot thus earned India its first gold of the season-opening World Cup stage event at the Tiro Federal Argentino de Buenos Aires shooting range late on Friday.

The world record holder was a huge 7.2 points behind Anita Mangold of Germany after 15-shots in the first Kneeling position. However she staged a dream comeback in the second Prone and final Standing positions to win by a canter in the end.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Sunday announced a 10 per cent hike in reservation for Agniveers in state police jobs, taking the total reservation for Agniveers to 20 per cent.

Making the announcement, Saini said Haryana has become the first state in the country to secure the future of Agniveers by reserving jobs for them after their service period in the Army.

Chairing a review meeting on providing reservations in jobs to Agniveers, the chief minister also said that a separate portal would be created for Agniveers to register themselves.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo today, aimed at bolstering the strategic and developmental partnership between the two neighbours. Several agreements in various sectors, including defence and energy, have been signed in the presence of the two leaders.

Addressing the joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that President Dissanayake had chosen India for his first foreign visit, calling it a reflection of the deep and special ties between the two nations. He said Sri Lanka holds a significant place in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Mission Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). The leaders also discussed the long-standing fishermen issue and agreed to adopt a humanitarian approach. Mr Modi stressed the need for the quick release of detained fishermen and the return of their boats. They also touched upon the importance of reconciliation.

The five-day Madhavpur Ghed fair will begin today at Madhavpur in the Porbandar district of Gujarat.

The festival is organized every year to celebrate the divine Union of Dwarikadhish Shri Krishna and Rukshmani ji, uniting the Cultures of Western and Northeastern India and realize the PM’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will inaugurate the fair in the presence of Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Akashvani correspondent reports, Madhavpur Ghed fair is a spectacular theatrical reenactment of Shri Krishna and Rukshmani ji’s divine wedding, brought to life by skilled artists through mesmerizing performances.

This year, the fair will witness the cultural performances of over 1600 artists from the Northeast states and Gujarat. The festival is being organised under the joint initiative of Gujarat Tourism and the Department of Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities.

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed by Parliament earlier this week.

Murmu also gave her assent to the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025.

“The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the president on April 5, 2025, and is hereby published for general information: The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025,” the government said in a notification.

The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Arun Palli, a judge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as the Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh HC.

The decision comes in view of current Chief Justice Tashi Rabtan’s retirement on April 9.

Born on September 18, 1964, Justice Palli completed his LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws) from Panjab University, Chandigarh in 1988, and commenced legal practice at the Punjab and Haryana HC. During his tenure there, he dealt with cases across civil, criminal, constitutional, industrial and labour laws.