Current Affairs - July 9, 2026 Current Affairs

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 6% in 2025, reaching a total of $1.6 trillion. This marked the end of a two-year decline in global investment flows. Developed economies recorded stronger growth in FDI inflows than developing economies, while a significant share of global investments remained concentrated in the top recipient countries. The report also highlighted increasing investment in strategic greenfield projects, reflecting growing interest in sectors that support long-term economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.

Kochi, Kerala, hosted the BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting on 8–9 July 2026 under India’s BRICS Chairship. The meeting focused on the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," reflecting the four pillars of India's chairship. Discussions covered women's leadership, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, digital empowerment, climate action, food security, and nutrition. The programme also featured plenary sessions, thematic panel discussions, and exhibitions highlighting women-led initiatives in STEM, education, and rural development, reinforcing collaboration among BRICS member countries on gender-inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Bajaj Finance Limited partnered with Spydra to launch InsureChain, a blockchain-based insurance platform aimed at modernising India's insurance ecosystem. Built on the Hyperledger Fabric framework using Spydra’s low-code blockchain technology, the platform replaces fragmented systems and manual processes with a shared, real-time digital framework. It enables lenders, insurers, and service teams to coordinate efficiently during policy issuance while improving transparency and reducing processing delays. As a leading NBFC and insurance distributor, Bajaj Finance is expected to benefit from enhanced data accuracy, faster operations, and better collaboration across the insurance and lending ecosystem.

The discovery of the potentially habitable Super-Earth GJ 3378b was announced by a team of astronomers led by the University of California, Irvine. Located about 25 light-years from Earth, the rocky exoplanet orbits a red dwarf star within the habitable "Goldilocks" zone, where conditions may allow liquid water to exist. The planet has an estimated mass of 2.3 times that of Earth and was identified using advanced instruments, including the Habitable-zone Planet Finder and the NEID spectrometer. Future NASA missions are expected to study its atmosphere for possible biosignatures and signs of habitability.

According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), electric passenger vehicle retail sales recorded an approximate year-on-year growth of 108% in June 2026, increasing from 15,318 units in June 2025 to 31,823 units in June 2026. This remarkable rise also boosted the segment's market share to 7.7% of total passenger vehicle sales. The strong performance reflects the increasing adoption of electric mobility in India, supported by growing consumer demand, improved charging infrastructure, wider model availability, and continued emphasis on clean and sustainable transportation solutions.

The United States officially terminated the interim peace agreement with Iran and revoked the general license that had allowed Iran to sell crude oil and petrochemical products. The decision followed military escalations, including attacks on U.S. military bases in the Gulf and retaliatory operations by U.S. Central Command. The move also imposed a deadline for winding down existing oil transactions, leading to increased geopolitical tensions. Following the announcement, global oil prices rose sharply, and shipping activity around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz was significantly affected due to heightened security concerns.

IIM Bangalore announced the establishment of its first overseas campus in Malang, Indonesia, marking a significant milestone in the international expansion of Indian higher education. The campus will be set up in the Singhasari Special Economic Zone through a Memorandum of Understanding with PT Intelegensia Grahatama (PT IGT). The project will begin with executive education programmes for senior professionals before expanding to full-fledged degree courses. The curriculum will emphasise areas such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, global supply chains, healthcare management, climate, and sustainability, in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The foundation stone for the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Smart Industrial Park was laid in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav. Spread across approximately 173 acres, the industrial park is designed to promote advanced manufacturing through modern IT and AI-based infrastructure. Developed under the ‘work-live-grow’ model, it will support sectors such as garments, toys, information technology, and artificial intelligence. The project is expected to generate more than 15,000 direct and indirect jobs and includes a large convention centre to host investor summits and industrial exhibitions, strengthening Bhopal's industrial ecosystem.

Saudi Arabia launched the pilot phase of its Tourist Package Visa service to simplify international travel by integrating return airfare, accommodation at licensed hotels, and electronic tourist visa processing into a single transaction. The package also provides access to cultural experiences, entertainment events, and local attractions, making travel planning more convenient. In the initial phase, the service is available to travellers from several countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, and Mexico. The initiative supports Saudi Arabia's efforts to promote tourism and enhance the overall visitor experience.

Bisleri International signed a Letter of Association with the Indian Coast Guard (Kerala & Mahe) to strengthen plastic waste management and promote coastal sustainability. The collaboration is being carried out under Bisleri’s flagship sustainability initiative, Bottles for Change (BFC). It focuses on the efficient collection, segregation, and recycling of post-consumer plastic waste while preventing plastic from entering marine ecosystems. Working alongside Green Worms, the initiative aims to improve waste management systems across the coastal regions of Kerala and Mahe, contributing to cleaner coastlines and enhanced environmental conservation.