Updates on 25 April 2026
All of April 2026 →WHO Approves First Malaria Drug Specifically for Newborns and Infants
In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) granted prequalification approval to artemether-lumefantrine, the first antimalarial medicine formulated specifically for newborns and infants. This marks a significant advancement in combating malaria-related deaths among the most vulnerable population, especially children under five in Africa. Artemether-lumefantrine is designed to improve treatment accuracy and safety compared to previous medicines intended for older children. With an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths worldwide in 2024—95% in Africa and nearly 75% of deaths among children under five—this approval aids governments and agencies in procuring quality-assured medicine to reduce infant mortality due to malaria.
Rajnath Singh to Attend SCO Defence Ministers Meeting in Bishkek
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the Defence Ministers’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held on April 27-28, 2024, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The meeting focused on addressing regional security challenges including terrorism, extremism, and geopolitical shifts across Eurasia. As head of the Indian delegation, Singh emphasized India’s commitment to regional peace, stability and collective security, while advocating for enhanced cooperation in intelligence sharing and joint counter-terrorism efforts among SCO member states, which include China, Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations. The meeting was significant given the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region and global uncertainties.
Digital Panels Add 33,000 Missing Indian WWI Soldiers to Basra Memorial in Iraq
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has digitally added the names of approximately 33,000 Indian Army soldiers who died during World War I but were previously missing from the Basra Memorial in Iraq. These soldiers served in the Mesopotamia Campaign (1914-1918), a significant theatre of World War I. Historically, their individual names were omitted and only recorded numerically or in registers, reflecting a colonial-era omission. The new digital panels display their names, ranks, and regiments, thereby correcting this long-standing historical inequality and restoring rightful recognition.
Noida International Airport appoints Nitu Sarma as interim CEO amid BCAS nationality rule enforcement
Noida International Airport appointed Nitu Sarma as interim CEO following the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) directive that airport CEOs in India must be Indian nationals. This change was necessitated after BCAS denied security approval to Christoph Schnellmann, a Swiss national who had served as CEO since 2020. Nitu Sarma, previously Chief Financial Officer since October 2021, now leads the airport until a permanent Indian CEO is appointed. Schnellmann has transitioned to Executive Vice Chairman on the Board to continue supporting the airport’s strategic development. This leadership transition ensures compliance with BCAS security regulations and paves the way for commencement of commercial operations at the airport located in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, which is strategically important for North India’s connectivity and economic growth.
India’s Forex Reserves Rise to $703.31 Billion as of April 17, 2026
India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $2.36 billion to $703.31 billion for the week ending April 17, 2026, reflecting strengthening foreign currency assets amid easing external pressures. This follows consecutive weekly rises after earlier declines due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The largest component, Foreign Currency Assets, rose by $1.48 billion to $557.46 billion. Gold, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and India’s IMF reserve position also increased, supporting economic stability. India’s reserves remain below the record high of $728.494 billion seen in February 2026 but continue to serve as a crucial buffer against global volatility and rupee fluctuations.