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18 August 2026 · exam-relevant news
Latest digest · 18 August 2026
AI summaries of PIB, RBI, All India Radio and national newspaper reports, organised for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway and State-PSC revision. Every story links to its source.
24 current-affairs updates for major exams.
Iran today said that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to maritime traffic until all Iranian conditions under the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the US are fully met. Tehran has tied the re…
Read full storyUS Special Envoy Jared Kushner says significant progress was made during his nearly four-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the proposed Gaza ceasefire plan. Mr. Kushner said the discussions…
Read full storyBRICS nations collectively condemned the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), calling it discriminatory and protectionist. The bloc demanded a substantial increase in international climate finance…
Read full storyUS President Donald Trump today warned Oman against getting involved in a deal with Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to bomb it if Muscat interferes with Washington’s position on the strategic wate…
Read full storyIran has announced a $30,000 bounty for killing or capturing U.S. soldiers, escalating tensions in West Asia. Simultaneously, Israel vowed to pursue Hezbollah after confirming the killing of another senior commander. Sa…
Read full storyPrime Minister Narendra Modi has announced to provide free online coaching for students belonging to poor and middle class families. In his address to the nation, Mr Modi said, the move is aimed at easing the financial…
Read full storyThe Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers – Disclosure Scheme (FAST-DS) Rules, 2026. The Scheme will come into force today. The last date for filing a declaration under…
Read full storyIran rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that the Strait of Hormuz is under American control, calling it a violation of international law. Tehran had effectively closed the strait in late February 2025 amid esc…
Read full storyPrime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shared glimpses of his address from the ramparts of Red Fort during the 80th Independence Day celebrations, highlighting India's journey toward becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Read full storyPM Modi, in his Independence Day 2026 address, urged the Opposition to support the implementation of the women's reservation quota, stating they could claim credit for it. He also warned against individuals with a 'Maoi…
Read full storyPrime Minister Modi said since 2014, India has entered into Free Trade Agreements with nearly 40 countries, creating enormous opportunities for Indian businesses and exporters.
Read full storyThe government has launched a foreign asset disclosure scheme targeting small taxpayers, imposing a 30% tax on undisclosed foreign assets or income plus an equal penalty, resulting in an effective 60% levy. This measure…
Read full storyThe White House released a report identifying over 40 countries, including India, associated with elevated illegal transshipment risk enabling China's tariff evasion. Specifically, the Pune-Gujarat-Chennai industrial be…
Read full storyA UN Security Council monitoring team has attributed the deadly Red Fort suicide car bombing in Delhi, which killed 11 people, to Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitori…
Read full storyIranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi today rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. In a social media post, Mr. Araghchi accused the US of repeated…
Read full storyMinistry of Ayush is implementing a Central Sector Scheme namely Ayurgyan Scheme from FY 2021-22.
Read full storyThe Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that peace in border areas is of 'utmost importance' following reports of Chinese incursions. India rejected China's criticism over New Delhi's move to identify 27 place…
Read full storyWhite House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro stated that U.S. President Trump and Indian PM Modi will resolve issues related to Russia sanctions. This follows the U.S. Senate passing a bill authorizing the President to impos…
Read full storyFormer US President Donald Trump declared he would demand conflict compensation from Iran, responding to Tehran's insistence that US war reparations are a precondition for resolving ongoing hostilities in West Asia. Thi…
Read full storyIran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Tehran will not engage in direct talks with the U.S. as long as Washington violates the June 2024 interim nuclear deal. Iran links reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to U.S.…
Read full storyIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza. Speaking at a cabinet meeting today, Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted that Israel will not withdraw its forces…
Read full storyIndia has successfully developed its first privately built Full Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) rocket engine, joining an elite group of only three commercial entities globally — SpaceX and Stoke Space from the USA, and L…
Read full storyRussia has proposed exploring a railway route to the Indian Ocean and India to reduce dependence on strategically important maritime routes. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said alternative routes could h…
Read full storyDefence Minister Rajnath Singh today said that Operation Sindoor sent a global message that India will go to any extent to ensure the safety of its citizens while protecting the sindoor worn by the women of this country.
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Exam-relevant stories with MCQ-ready key points, summarised by AI from PIB, RBI, All India Radio and national newspapers. Edition: 18 August 2026. Hindi appears where a translation is ready.
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The 18 August 2026 digest is free to read here. Monthly editions (English and Hindi) are listed only after both files pass source review.