World Health Day 2025 observed on April 7

• World Health Day is observed globally on April 7 to raise awareness about pressing global health challenges.

• This date marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.

• The theme for World Health Day 2025 is “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”

• This year, the celebration will launch a year-long campaign focused on improving maternal and newborn health.

• The campaign aims to reduce preventable deaths and enhance health outcomes for women and infants.

• Each year, 300,000 women die from pregnancy-related complications, and 4 million babies either die or are stillborn—many of these deaths are preventable.

• Alarmingly, current trends suggest that 80% of countries will not meet the 2030 targets for reducing maternal and newborn mortality.

U.S.-Iran Direct Nuclear Talks Begin: Key Developments

• On April 7, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that direct nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran had officially commenced.

• Trump announced that the talks would begin on April 12, 2025, emphasizing their importance in addressing Iran's nuclear program.

• The U.S. president made it clear that Iran must not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons.

• Trump also warned that Iran would face "great danger" if diplomatic efforts to limit its nuclear ambitions were unsuccessful.

• During his first term (2017-2021), Trump had withdrawn the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, a deal negotiated during the Obama administration.

• The Trump administration had imposed stringent sanctions on Iran, escalating tensions between the two countries.

• Since 1980, the U.S. and Iran have had no direct diplomatic relations, following the severing of ties after Iranian revolutionaries took over the U.S. embassy in Tehran and held 53 diplomats hostage for 444 days.

President Droupadi Murmu Conferred with Lisbon's ‘City Key of Honour’

• On April 7, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu was awarded the prestigious ‘City Key of Honour’ by the Mayor of Lisbon during a formal ceremony at Lisbon's historic City Hall.

• The "Key to the City" is Lisbon's highest honor, recognizing significant contributions to the city or fostering ties with it.

• This marks the first visit by an Indian President to Portugal in 27 years, with the last being President K. R. Narayanan's visit in 1998.

• President Murmu is on a historic four-day state visit to Portugal and Slovakia from April 7 to 10, 2025.

• The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between India and Portugal, which are evolving into a dynamic, multifaceted partnership.

• To commemorate this milestone, President Murmu released a special stamp celebrating the shared artistic and cultural heritage of both nations.

• She praised Portugal’s efforts in strengthening India-EU relations, emphasizing Portugal’s key role in the first India-EU Summit in 2000, held during its EU Presidency.

• Furthermore, President Murmu highlighted the historic “India-EU Plus 27” Leadership Summit in May 2021, also held in Portugal under its EU Presidency.

Hitesh Gulia Wins Gold at World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025

• Hitesh Gulia claimed the Gold Medal in the men's 70 kg category at the World Boxing Cup 2025 in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, after his opponent, Odel Kamara from England, was forced to withdraw due to injury.

• Indian boxer Abhinash Jamwal secured the Silver Medal in the men’s 65 kg category, despite losing 0-5 in the finals to Yuri Reis of Brazil.

• Other Indian boxers who won medals include Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (50 kg), Manish Rathore (55 kg), Sachin (60 kg), and Vishal (90 kg), all of whom earned Bronze.

• In total, the Indian contingent won six medals at the event: one gold, one silver, and four bronze.

• The 2025 World Boxing Cup consists of three editions, with Brazil hosting one, and Kazakhstan and India set to host the remaining two in June-July and November.

President Droupadi Murmu’s Historic Visit to Portugal and Slovakia (April 7-10, 2025)

• President Droupadi Murmu will visit Portugal and Slovakia from April 7-10, 2025, marking a significant diplomatic milestone.

• During her visit to Portugal, she will meet with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

• She is also scheduled to meet Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and the President of the National Assembly, Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco.

• In Slovakia, President Murmu will hold discussions with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

• This visit is notable as it marks the first trip by an Indian President to Portugal in 27 years, with the last visit occurring in 1998.

• The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of India-Portugal diplomatic relations.

• Additionally, it will be the first Indian Presidential visit to Slovakia in 29 years.

• Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, uses the Euro as its currency, and Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, also uses the Euro.

• India-Portugal Relations:

• Diplomatic ties between India and Portugal were established in 1947.

• In January 2017, India and Portugal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation.

• Portugal currently ranks 51st in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India.

• India-Slovakia Relations:

• India and Slovakia have had diplomatic relations since 1921.

• The two countries signed a defense cooperation MoU in 1995.

• India and Slovakia maintain strong cooperation in the space sector, with Slovakia's first satellite, SKcube, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in June 2017.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Visit to Sri Lanka: Key Highlights

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka is the first by a foreign head of government since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office in September 2024.

• The visit emphasizes the shared commitment between India and Sri Lanka to strengthen their partnership for a "Shared Future."

• Modi and Dissanayake discussed topics like regional stability, energy cooperation, and various development projects.

• President Dissanayake honored PM Modi with the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan, one of Sri Lanka’s highest civilian awards.

• The leaders jointly launched the Sampur Power Project virtually, an initiative aimed at enhancing Sri Lanka’s energy security.

• India’s support also contributed to the completion of a temperature-controlled warehouse in Dambulla and the installation of solar panels on 5,000 religious buildings in Sri Lanka.

• PM Modi met Tamil political leaders and paid tribute by laying a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force Memorial in Colombo.

• Key Announcements:

• India expressed support for Sri Lanka’s Unique Digital Identity initiative.

• India agreed to convert 100 million USD in loans to grants to assist Sri Lanka’s development.

• A 2.4 billion Lankan rupee development package for Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province was announced.

• The Maho-Omanthai railway line was inaugurated, boosting infrastructure.

• PM Modi emphasized the importance of implementing the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution and holding provincial elections.

• India-Sri Lanka Relations:

• India and Sri Lanka share over 2,500 years of diplomatic ties.

• India is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, and Sri Lanka holds a key position in India’s South Asian trade.

• While India exports machinery, textiles, and agricultural products to Sri Lanka, it imports tea, spices, and garments.

• A long-standing fisheries dispute remains a challenge in India-Sri Lanka relations.

Madhavpur Ghed Fair Celebrated in Gujarat

• The annual five-day Madhavpur Ghed Fair is being held in Madhavpur, Porbandar district, Gujarat.

• The fair celebrates the union of Lord Krishna and Rukmini, symbolizing the cultural fusion of Western and Northeastern India.

• This event aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" (One India, Great India).

• Gujarat Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities, is organizing the fair.

• As part of the celebrations, cultural programs are also taking place in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Dwarka, and Somnath.

• Other prominent fairs and festivals in Gujarat include the Rann Utsav, International Kite Festival, Modhera Dance Festival, and Bhavnath Fair.