Very hot and of current interest (about right) (8)
I believe the answer is:
tropical
'very hot' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'of current interest about right' is the wordplay.
'of current interest' becomes 'topical' (I've seen this before).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'topical' enclosing 'r' is 'TROPICAL'.
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for tropical that I've seen before include "Hot and humid, as north and south of the equator" , "rainforest areas" , "Middle-earth" , "Originating from hotter parts of the earth" , "Hot and humid, near the equator" .)