Latest Current Affairs & Top News Stories of the Day

National & Governance (India) India Approves First Dengue Vaccine The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has officially approved the market authorization of QDENGA (TAK-003). This marks a significant healthcare milestone as the country's first approved vaccine to combat dengue. New Bill Seeks to Modify Supreme Court Judge Strength The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 has been formally tabled in the Lok Sabha. Introduced during the current Monsoon Session, the bill proposes adjustments to the total number of judges serving on the nation's highest court. Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code Draft The state cabinet of Madhya Pradesh has cleared the draft for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill. The legislation is now set to be introduced in the state assembly for further debate and voting. AI-Powered Multilingual Banking Launched Punjab National Bank (PNB) has teamed up with the government's BHASHINI AI division. This collaboration integrates advanced translation tools into PNB's systems, enabling customers to access essential banking services in multiple local Indian languages. International & Economy China Halts Key Rare Earth Exports to Japan In a move impacting global supply chains, China has suspended the export of several critical rare earth minerals and metals destined for Japan. These materials are vital components in the defense, automotive, and electronics industries. Raghuram Rajan to Lead US Federal Reserve Task Force Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan has been selected by Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh to head a new specialized task force. The group will analyze and evaluate the U.S. monetary policy framework and the Federal Reserve’s current balance sheet. India and Spain Explore UPI Integration Discussions are underway between Indian and Spanish officials to link India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Spain's Bizum payment network, paving the way for easier cross-border digital transactions. Defense & Science Multinational Maritime Exercise Begins in Kochi The Indian Navy is currently hosting the "Operation Southern Readiness 26-2" maritime exercise in Kochi. Conducted alongside the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the joint training involves personnel from over 40 countries focusing on maritime law enforcement and counter-narcotics operations. US-Bangladesh Bilateral Military Drills Kick Off The annual Tiger Lightning 2026 military exercise between the United States and Bangladesh has officially commenced. The joint drills focus on strengthening regional security ties and boosting tactical interoperability. Awards & Sports Indian Student Wins Gold at Chemistry Olympiad Debadatta Priyadarshi from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, won a Gold Medal representing India at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Delivery Rider Wins Top Chinese Literary Award Wang Jibing, a food delivery worker and poet from Jiangsu, China, has won the prestigious poetry category at the Lu Xun Literary Prizes, gaining widespread recognition for his celebrated written work.