Jul

• The Indian Health Ministry has approved Qdenga, a new dengue vaccine, following a comprehensive evaluation of its safety, quality, and efficacy. • The approval is based on a pivotal Phase III clinical trial conducted within India, as well as supporting studies from various dengue-endemic nations. • Qdenga is already approved in 42 countries, including the UK, Thailand, and Indonesia, and has received official WHO prequalification.

• A youth-led uprising known as the Cockroach Janta Party has emerged as the most significant protest movement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12-year tenure. • The movement was initiated by a student leader who is rapidly gaining influence and challenging the established political order in India. • This uprising represents a critical shift in youth sentiment, signaling growing dissatisfaction with the current administration's policies and governance.

• Defense Secretary Hegseth testified that the U.S. war on Iran has reached a total cost of $37.5 billion. • In the Middle East, Houthi rebels warned shipping companies against using Saudi ports, while the Israeli military constructed a giant barrier to separate controlled portions of the Gaza Strip. • The Trump administration reported a record number of immigrant arrests for June, though a federal judge blocked the DHS from deporting a key witness in the Lorenzo Salgado Araujo fatal shooting case.

• The Nasdaq and S&P 500 rose on July 21, 2026, driven by strong corporate earnings reports that lifted overall market sentiment. • Key corporate drivers included General Motors beating second-quarter expectations and Nvidia disclosing a strategic stake in Nebius. • Investors are balancing these gains against geopolitical instability as traders monitor new U.S. military strikes against Iran.

• Indicators suggest a summer COVID-19 wave is currently underway across the United States. • The South and West regions are showing the most definitive signals of increasing cases, though potential outbreaks are appearing nationwide. • Despite the rise, current infection levels remain very low compared to previous summers due to a lower-than-average lull during the spring.

• The Bangkok Post has released a curated list of streaming recommendations for the week of July 22-28. • A primary highlight is a localized, unscripted version of a popular UK dining reality series featuring 20 Filipino celebrities. • These suggestions aim to help viewers find new content to binge-watch over the weekend.

• Actor Naseeruddin Shah condemned the "zulm" (oppression) directed toward students during a protest at Jantar Mantar on July 22, 2026. • During his critique, Shah compared the actions and tactics of the Delhi Police to those of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). • The incident highlights growing tensions between activists and law enforcement, with a prominent public figure drawing international parallels to criticize police conduct.