1) World Malaria Day: 25 April
•World Malaria Day is observed globally on 25th of April every year. It is organized by World Health Organization (WHO).
•It is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. This year’s global theme for World Malaria Day is 'End Malaria for Good'.
2) India becomes world's fifth largest military spender
•India's military expenditure grew around 8.5 percent in 2016, making it the world's fifth largest spender at $55.9 billion, figures released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
•As per the figures, the US remains the world's largest military spender registering a growth of 1.7 per cent between 2015 and 2016 to $611 billion. China is second on the list spending $215 billion, an increase of 5.4 percent. Russia increased its spending by 5.9 percent to $69.2 billion, making it the third largest spender.
3) China, Iran sign first agreement on reconfiguration of Arak reactor
•China and Iran have signed the first agreement on the reconfiguration of Iran's Arak reactor. The deal was concluded between the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and a Chinese company at the official ceremony in the Austrian capital Vienna.
•The reconstruction of the Arak heavy-water reactor is a part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) deal, which Tehran signed with international mediators in July 2015 in return for sanctions easing.
4) Veteran actor Kasinathuni Viswanath wins Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2016
•Renowned Director and actor Kasinathuni Viswanath has won the Dadasaheb Phalke award for the year 2016 for his outstanding contribution to the film industry. He will be the 48th recipient of the award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, which consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize of Rs10 lakh and a shawl.
•President Pranab Mukherjee will confer the award on him at a ceremony on May 3, 2017, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke award committee to recognize the 87-year-old film industry icon was approved by Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.
5) Top environmental activist Prafulla Samantara selected for Goldman Environmental Prize from Asia region
•Renowned Director and actor Kasinathuni Viswanath has won the Dadasaheb Phalke award for the year 2016 for his outstanding contribution to the film industry. He will be the 48th recipient of the award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, which consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize of Rs10 lakh and a shawl.
•President Pranab Mukherjee will confer the award on him at a ceremony on May 3, 2017, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke award committee to recognize the 87-year-old film industry icon was approved by Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.
6) Indian shot putter Manpreet Kaur bags Gold at Asian Grand Prix Meet in China
•Indian shot putter Manpreet Kaur has clinched a gold in the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix Athletics Meet in Jinhua, China.
•Manpreet came up with the best throw of 18.86 meter, which was nearly one meter more than her earlier national record of 17.96 meters that she had set in 2015. With the performance, Manpreet also qualified for the IAAF World Championships to be held in August 2017 in London. India ended the one-day event with seven medals - 1 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze.
