Todays Top 15 News Across the World – 4 January 2026
🇮🇳 Election Commission Seeks Public Suggestions on ECINet Unified Election App
Leverage Edu’s national bulletin reports that the Election Commission of India has invited citizens to send suggestions on improving its ECINet app, a unified digital platform that combines around 40 different election‑related services for officials and stakeholders. Suggestions can be submitted until 10 January, and the Commission says feedback will help enhance features such as polling‑station management, voter‑roll access, training modules and grievance tracking, ultimately making election administration more transparent and efficient across the country. [web:428]
Source:
Leverage Edu – National News #1: ECINet App Suggestions Drive
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🇮🇳 PM Modi to Inaugurate 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi
The same bulletin highlights that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament via video link at Dr Sampoornanand Sports Stadium in Varanasi, where nearly 1,000 players from 58 men’s and women’s teams are set to compete. Organisers say the championship will promote volleyball in smaller towns, provide a platform for spotting young talent and support the government’s wider Fit India and Khelo India campaigns that encourage sports participation among youth. [web:428][web:429]
Sources:
Leverage Edu – National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi;
CareerIndia – School Assembly News Headlines January 4, 2026
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🇮🇳 Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool on 5‑Day Andhra Pradesh Visit for World Telugu Conference
Leverage Edu notes that Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool has begun a five‑day visit to Andhra Pradesh to attend the 3rd World Telugu Conference being held in Guntur, where he will participate in cultural programmes celebrating Telugu language and diaspora contributions. The visit underscores long‑standing cultural ties between India and Mauritius, where Telugu‑speaking communities form an important part of the Indian‑origin population, and is also expected to feature meetings on education, culture and tourism cooperation with state leaders. [web:428]
Source:
Leverage Edu – State News: Mauritius President’s Andhra Tour & World Telugu Conference
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🇮🇳 Delhi Shabdotsav Literary‑Cultural Festival Begins at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium
State‑news coverage mentions that the Delhi Shabdotsav literary and cultural festival has opened at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, organised jointly by the Delhi government and Suruchi Prakashan with participation from nearly 100 speakers and students from 40 universities. Over three days, the festival will host discussions, book readings, music and theatre performances centred on Indian languages and literature, providing a platform for young writers and artists to interact with established authors and cultural icons. [web:428][web:429]
Sources:
Leverage Edu – State News: Delhi Shabdotsav Festival;
CareerIndia – State Headlines for 4 January 2026
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🇮🇳 Vice‑President to Inaugurate 9th Siddha Day Celebrations in Chennai
Leverage Edu’s state round‑up says Vice‑President C. P. Radhakrishnan will inaugurate the 9th Siddha Day celebrations in Chennai, an event organised by the National Institute of Siddha and the Central Council for Research in Siddha under the Ministry of Ayush. The programme aims to showcase clinical research, medicinal plants and traditional treatment methods of the Siddha system, while promoting integration of evidence‑based traditional medicine with mainstream healthcare and encouraging more students to take up Ayush disciplines. [web:428]
Source:
Leverage Edu – State News: 9th Siddha Day in Chennai
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🇮🇳 IIMC Launches First PhD Programme; Jamia Schools Issue 2026–27 Admission Notice
Education‑news headlines point out that the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) has launched its first‑ever PhD programme in media and communication after nearly 60 years of existence, with online applications open for both full‑time and part‑time scholars till 30 January. Meanwhile, Jamia Millia Islamia has issued its admission notice for Jamia Schools for the 2026–27 academic year, announcing that online applications from Nursery to Class I will be accepted from 7 to 27 January on the admission portal, with a fee of ₹500, giving parents clarity on schedules early in the year. [web:428][web:414]
Sources:
Leverage Edu – Education News Today for 4 January 2026;
India Today – Jamia Schools Admission Schedule 2026–27
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🇮🇳 Parents Protest After CBSE Cancels Neerja Modi School Affiliation Mid‑Session
Leverage Edu reports that parents and students mounted a sit‑in protest after CBSE cancelled the affiliation of Neerja Modi School mid‑session, a move that has impacted nearly 5,500 students who now worry about board‑exam centres and continuity of studies. Protesters argue that although schools must follow board norms, students should not be penalised for administrative lapses, and they have demanded either immediate restoration of affiliation or special arrangements so that academic and mental well‑being of affected children is not compromised. [web:428]
Source:
Leverage Edu – Education News: Neerja Modi School Affiliation Protest
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🇮🇳 Indian Government Welfare Review Looks at Minimum‑Work Criteria and Scheme Overlap
CareerIndia and Leverage Edu note that ongoing labour and social‑security discussions include a proposal that workers may need to complete at least 90 working days in a year to qualify for certain benefits, part of a wider Indian government welfare review aimed at making schemes financially sustainable. Experts caution that while such a criterion could help target regular workers, it might leave out seasonal labourers and gig‑economy earners, so policymakers are examining how to design flexible norms, reduce overlap between different schemes and ensure grievance channels for those wrongly excluded. [web:428][web:429]
Sources:
Leverage Edu – Labour & Social Security Discussion Note;
CareerIndia – Policy and Welfare Highlights for January 4, 2026
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🏏 Damien Martyn Wakes from Induced Coma; Doctors Hopeful of ICU Discharge
In sports news, Leverage Edu cites Adam Gilchrist confirming that former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn has regained consciousness after being kept in an induced coma, and has been able to speak briefly with his family. Doctors reportedly observed rapid improvement within 48 hours and are optimistic that Martyn will soon be shifted out of the intensive‑care unit if his recovery continues, bringing relief to the cricketing community that had been anxiously following his health updates. [web:428]
Source:
Leverage Edu – Sports News: Damien Martyn’s Recovery Update
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🏏 Bangladesh Names Litton Das Captain for 2026 T20 World Cup, Recalls Taskin Ahmed
Leverage Edu’s sports section notes that Bangladesh has announced its squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, naming Litton Das as captain, recalling fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and omitting wicket‑keeper Jaker Ali, while Mustafizur Rahman retains his place as a key left‑arm seamer. The board has set an ambitious target of reaching its first‑ever T20 World Cup semifinal, banking on a blend of experienced campaigners and young hitters to change the team’s reputation for inconsistent performances at global ICC events. [web:428]
Source:
Leverage Edu – Sports News: Bangladesh 2026 T20 World Cup Squad
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🏏 Hardik Pandya Hits 5 Sixes in an Over in Domestic One‑Day Match
NDTV’s assembly bulletin for January 4 highlights that India all‑rounder Hardik Pandya hammered five consecutive sixes in a single over during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match, reigniting debates about his finishing power and readiness for upcoming international white‑ball series. The explosive cameo has boosted calls from fans for Pandya to maintain fitness and workload carefully so that his big‑hitting abilities can be fully utilised in crunch games, especially at home tournaments and global events. [web:432]
Source:
NDTV – School Assembly News Headlines (January 4): Hardik Pandya 5 Sixes
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🏏 India’s ODI Squad for New Zealand: Fitness Condition Set for Shreyas Iyer’s Return
The same NDTV bulletin mentions that the BCCI has announced India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series, keeping Shreyas Iyer out for now but reportedly setting fitness benchmarks for his potential comeback once doctors resolve concerns about recent sudden weight loss. Senior pacer Mohammed Shami remains sidelined as he continues rehabilitation, while Rishabh Pant returns as wicket‑keeper, reflecting selectors’ focus on balancing player workloads with the need to field a competitive XI. [web:432]
Source:
NDTV – India ODI Squad for New Zealand & Shreyas Iyer Fitness Condition
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🛢️ US‑Led Venezuela Oil Overhaul May Help India Recover $1 Billion in Dues
CareerIndia’s international business section notes that a US‑backed overhaul of Venezuela’s oil sector, which includes restructuring production and export arrangements, could enable India’s ONGC Videsh to recover about $1 billion in pending dues from old joint‑venture operations. Analysts say revival of those fields and more predictable export mechanisms would not only help Indian companies recoup long‑blocked payments but also diversify India’s crude‑import basket at a time of continuing volatility in global energy markets. [web:429]
Source:
CareerIndia – International Business News: Venezuela Oil Dues
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📈 ICRA Projects 5–9% Toll Revenue Growth in FY26
CareerIndia also cites a new report by rating agency ICRA projecting that toll collections on Indian highways are likely to grow by 5–9% in FY26, supported by steady traffic growth, periodic rate revisions and addition of new tollable stretches. The outlook suggests stable cash flows for highway operators and infrastructure trusts, which is seen as positive for financing future road projects under the National Highways Authority of India’s monetisation plans and for investors looking at long‑term infrastructure assets. [web:429]
Source:
CareerIndia – Business News: ICRA Toll‑Collection Outlook for FY26
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🧠 Thought of the Day “Steadfast”, Word Meaning & GK for School Assembly
Leverage Edu suggests using “Steadfast” as the word of the day for 4 January, explaining it as “firmly loyal, committed and not easily shaken by challenges,” and pairing it with a Thought of the Day on staying committed to goals even when progress seems slow. The assembly resource pack includes simple GK questions based on today’s news—such as asking which app the Election Commission is seeking feedback on or who will captain Bangladesh at the 2026 T20 World Cup—so that students reinforce both vocabulary and current‑affairs knowledge during the morning assembly. [web:428][web:429]
Sources:
Leverage Edu – Word & Thought of the Day, 4 January 2026;
CareerIndia – School Assembly GK Questions January 4
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