Current Affairs Based on The Assam Tribune
1. Who is seen as the frontrunner in the race to replace Keir Starmer as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?
A) Rishi Sunak
B) Andy Burnham
C) Liz Truss
D) Keir Starmer
See: Daily Current Affairs 22 June 2026
Answer: B
Explanation:
Andy Burnham, who returned to the House of Commons after winning a crucial by-election last week, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. Starmer announced his resignation as both Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party on June 22, 2026, while pledging full and unequivocal support for an orderly handover of power to his successor, who is expected to be elected by September. Burnham has stated that he will put himself forward as part of the leadership process and questioned whether he is best placed to lead the party into the next general election.
Related Information:
The United Kingdom follows a parliamentary democracy in which the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons becomes Prime Minister. Internal party leadership transitions can influence both domestic governance and foreign policy directions. Starmer’s resignation comes after he had led the Labour Party to form the government in the previous general election.
2. As of June 2026, approximately how many girls aged 14-15 years have been vaccinated under Assam’s HPV vaccination campaign?
A) 1.5 lakh
B) 2.25 lakh
C) 3 lakh
D) 4 lakh
Answer: B
Explanation:
The accelerated Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in Assam has reached a significant milestone with 2,25,936 girls aged 14-15 years vaccinated as of June 21, 2026. This figure represents nearly 70 percent of the state’s target of 3.27 lakh beneficiaries. The campaign, launched to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer, is being implemented by district health functionaries with support from the National Health Mission and the School Education Department, with the aim of achieving full coverage by mid-July 2026.
Related Information:
Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India, and persistent HPV infection is responsible for nearly all cases. Vaccinating girls before exposure to the virus is considered one of the most effective preventive strategies. The rollout began on March 17, 2026 across all 34 districts and has now scaled up to more than 400 health facilities statewide.
3. Which short film by Guwahati-based filmmaker Kaushik Sharma won the Best Essay Film award at FICIMAD 2026 in Spain?
A) Chyimi
B) The Scroll That Stole Time
C) Little Lost Firefly
D) Golu’s Epic School Disaster
Answer: B
Explanation:
The independently produced short film “The Scroll That Stole Time”, written, directed, shot and edited by Kaushik Sharma, has been awarded the Best Essay Film (Short Movies) at FICIMAD 2026 – Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente de Madrid. The film features performances by local Assamese talent including Phillips Neog, Arundhuti Bora, Arundhati Sharma, Shindhu Kashyap Barpuzari and Ronil Kataki. Kaushik Sharma is an alumnus of Waikato Institute of Technology, New Zealand and Whistling Woods International, Mumbai.
Related Information:
FICIMAD is an international platform that showcases independent cinema from around the world. The recognition of an Assamese filmmaker’s debut short film at a prestigious Spanish festival highlights the growing global visibility of creative works from the Northeast region.
4. Which animated short film directed by Dr Parthasarathi Mahanta recently received the Honourable Mention in the Best Short Film category at the Athens Marathon Film Awards?
A) The Scroll That Stole Time
B) Chyimi
C) Little Lost Firefly
D) The Lost Scroll
Answer: B
Explanation:
“Chyimi”, the acclaimed animated short film written and directed by Dr Parthasarathi Mahanta, has received the Honourable Mention in the Best Short Film category at the Athens Marathon Film Awards. The film had earlier won Best Short Film at the Jaipur International Film Festival and Best Short Animation at the New York Short Animation Festival. It presents a compelling blend of storytelling, emotion and artistic imagination that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
Related Information:
The film has been produced by Mina Mahanta and Indrani Baruah. Such international accolades reflect the increasing global appreciation for meaningful stories emerging from the Northeast region through the medium of animation.
5. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently visited which country to review bilateral cooperation in development projects, capacity building and security?
A) South Korea
B) Mongolia
C) Japan
D) China
Answer: B
Explanation:
During his visit to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, S Jaishankar met his counterpart Battsetseg Batmunkh and reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation in areas including mining, clean energy, agri-processing, capacity building, security and multilateral forums. He also called on President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and met the Chief Abbot of the historic Gandan Monastery. India has described Mongolia as its “third neighbour” and stands ready to advance close and cordial ties.
Related Information:
India and Mongolia share deep spiritual, cultural and people-to-people connections. Jaishankar’s visit formed part of a two-nation tour; he was scheduled to proceed to the Republic of Korea to deliver the keynote address at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity.
6. At least how many elephant deaths have been reported in Assam over the last decade due to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV)?
A) 10
B) 15
C) 20
D) 25
Answer: C
Explanation:
Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) has emerged as a significant threat to both captive and wild elephants in Assam, with at least 20 pachyderm deaths reported in the state during the last decade. The virus primarily affects calves between 1 and 8 years of age, with a fatality rate of around 90 percent, mostly in the 2-4 years age group. It causes rapid onset of symptoms including generalized edema of the head and limbs, swelling of the tongue and bluish discoloration, often leading to death within hours.
Related Information:
EEHV damages the endothelial layer of blood vessels and is particularly dangerous for young elephants. Conservationists note that the actual number of cases could be higher as many incidents in the wild may go undetected. Assam’s elephant population makes effective management of this disease critical for long-term conservation efforts.
Daily Current Affairs 23 June 2026 | Based on The Assam Tribune