School Assembly News Headlines: 8 January 2026

National News

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Discuss Strategic Partnership, Terrorism and Gaza Peace Plan.

2. NHAI Creates Two Guinness World Records for Bituminous Concrete Laying on Bengaluru Kadapa Vijayawada Economic Corridor.

3. Department of Economic Affairs Creates Three Year PPP Project Pipeline to Strengthen Infrastructure Development Nationwide.

4. India’s Economy Projected to Grow 7.4 Percent in FY26 as NSO Advance Estimates Exceed Government Forecasts.

International News

1. US O-1 Genius Visa Records Broader Participation as Digital Creators Qualify, Financial Times Highlights Changing Eligibility Trends.

2. China Launches Investigation into Dichlorosilane Imports from Japan Amid Semiconductor Supply and Trade Developments.

Sports News 

1. New Zealand Cricket Appoints Mitchell Santner as Captain for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad.

2. Dialog Television Partners TV Supreme to Provide Free to Air Broadcast of ICC Tournaments Across Sri Lanka.

Business News

1. India Plans Budget Strategy to Reduce Import Dependence and Strengthen Domestic Manufacturing and Strategic Supply Chains.

2. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Says India New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Will Boost Exports and Investment.

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Discuss Strategic Partnership, Terrorism and Gaza Peace Plan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. They exchanged New Year greetings, discussed strengthening India–Israel partnership, reiterated zero tolerance to terrorism, and reviewed Gaza peace plan implementation.

2. NHAI Creates Two Guinness World Records for Bituminous Concrete Laying on Bengaluru Kadapa Vijayawada Economic Corridor.
National Highways Authority of India set two Guinness World Records by laying 29 lane kilometres and over 10,000 metric tonnes of bituminous concrete within 24 hours on Bengaluru Kadapa Vijayawada corridor, boosting interstate connectivity and economic growth.

3. Department of Economic Affairs Creates Three Year PPP Project Pipeline to Strengthen Infrastructure Development Nationwide.
Department of Economic Affairs formed a three year PPP pipeline after Union Budget 2025-26. Ministry of Finance said it includes 852 projects worth over 17 lakh crore rupees, improving investor planning and infrastructure growth.

4. India Certifies Over Fifty Thousand Public Health Institutions Under National Quality Assurance Standards Strengthening Healthcare Quality Nationwide.
Health and Family Welfare Ministry said 50,373 public health institutions were NQAS certified by December 31 2025. Launched in 2015, standards now cover Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and secondary hospitals, driven by digital assessments and quality reforms.

6. India’s Economy Projected to Grow 7.4 Percent in FY26, NSO Advance Estimates Exceed Government Forecasts.
National Statistics Office estimated India’s GDP growth at 7.4 percent for FY26, above government projections. Released Wednesday, estimates will guide Union Budget on February 1. Economy grew 6.5 percent in FY25.

7. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Says India Views Luxembourg as Important Partner Amid Growing Engagement with European Union.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India considers Luxembourg an important partner. Speaking with Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, he highlighted India’s crucial phase of engagement with the European Union.

1. 69th National School Games Begin in Punjab with Young Athletes Competing Across Martial Arts Disciplines.
The 69th National School Games started yesterday at Guru Nanak Stadium Ludhiana. Around one thousand athletes from states and union territories compete in judo, taekwondo and gatka events till January 11.

2. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Highlights Asom Mala Programme Transforming State Road Connectivity and Transport Infrastructure.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Assam’s Asom Mala road programme upgraded highways and transport corridors. The initiative improved travel speed, logistics efficiency, and inter-district and inter-state connectivity, supporting economic growth and development.

3. Justice Sangam Kumar Sahu Takes Oath as Chief Justice of Patna High Court in Presence of Bihar Leadership.
Justice Sangam Kumar Sahu was sworn in as Chief Justice of Patna High Court on Wednesday. Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan administered oath. Appointment followed Supreme Court Collegium recommendation and presidential approval.

4. Panchayati Raj Ministry to Hold National Workshop on Model Women Friendly Gram Panchayats in Pune.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj will organise a two-day national workshop at YASHADA Pune on January 8 and 9. The event aims to promote women empowerment and gender equality through best practices in Gram Panchayats.

1. US O-1 Genius Visa Sees Broader Use as Digital Creators and Adult Film Performers Qualify, Reports Financial Times.
Financial Times reported rising O-1 visa approvals for digital creators and adult film performers. Immigration lawyers say filings indicate shifting interpretations of extraordinary ability, sparking debate within immigration and policy circles.

2. China Initiates Investigation into Imported Dichlorosilane from Japan Amid Ongoing Trade and Semiconductor Supply Developments.
Chinese Commerce Ministry announced an investigation into dichlorosilane imports from Japan on Wednesday. The probe follows domestic industry claims that import prices fell 31 percent between 2022 and 2024.


3. Human Rights Group Paank Reports Civilian Killings and Enforced Disappearances by Security Forces in Balochistan Region.
Human rights organisation Paank reported killing of teacher Ayaz Baloch and disappearance of Dr Shabir Ahmed in Balochistan. It alleged Pakistani security forces’ involvement, calling the incidents serious violations of international law.

4. 6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Davao Oriental Province in Southern Philippines, Tremors Felt Across Island.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Davao Oriental at 42 kilometre depth. Epicentre was near Manay town. Authorities reported no immediate damage or injuries.

5. Venezuela Announces Seven Day National Mourning and Reaffirms Sovereignty Following Recent Developments, Says Acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez announced a seven-day national mourning period and reiterated the country’s commitment to peace and sovereignty. Cuba also observed mourning in solidarity with its personnel.

6. US President Donald Trump Says Venezuela Will Transfer Thirty to Fifty Million Barrels of Oil to United States.
US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela’s interim authorities will transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States at market prices, with proceeds benefiting both countries.

1. New Zealand Cricket Names Mitchell Santner Captain for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad.
New Zealand Cricket announced 15-member T20 World Cup 2026 squad on Tuesday. Mitchell Santner will lead after playing 122 T20Is. Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry may miss matches due to paternity leave.

2. Dialog Television Partners TV Supreme to Broadcast ICC Events Free to Air Across Sri Lanka Till 2028.
Dialog Television announced partnership with free-to-air broadcaster TV Supreme to telecast ICC events nationwide. The deal begins with ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and continues through all ICC tournaments until 2028.

3. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Displayed Across Nepal, Showcased at UNESCO Heritage Sites in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
T20 World Cup trophy tour reached Nepal, with displays at Boudha Stupa and Pokhara. It will visit Basantapur Durbar Square on January 7. President Ramchandra Paudel called it a proud moment, thanking ICC.

4. PV Sindhu Advances to Second Round of Malaysia Open Super 1000 with Straight Games Win.
Indian badminton player PV Sindhu defeated Chinese Taipei’s Sung Shuo Yun 21-13, 22-20 in Malaysia Open opening round. Eighth seed will face Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki next.

1. Indian Rupee Gains for Second Straight Session as Dollar Sales Lift Currency Past 90 Per Dollar Mark.
The Indian rupee rose 0.3 percent to 89.88 on Wednesday, its strongest close in a week. Traders said state-run bank dollar sales, likely on behalf of RBI, supported the currency despite weak Asian cues.

2. India Plans Budget Push to Reduce Import Dependence, Strengthen Domestic Manufacturing and Build Resilient Strategic Supply Chains.
Ahead of the budget, policymakers aim to cut reliance on imported energy, electronics and defence goods. Focus shifts to funding domestic manufacturing, securing supply chains, and improving resilience amid geopolitical and market disruptions.

3. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Says India New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to Boost Exports and Investment.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the India New Zealand FTA will expand exports and benefit farmers and businesses. Finalised recently, the agreement will take effect in seven to eight months with USD 20 billion FDI commitment.

4. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Says Reducing Imports and Boosting Exports Key to India Becoming Third Largest Economy.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said India must cut imports and raise exports to become the third largest economy. Speaking at CSIR event, he highlighted using agricultural waste to reduce crude oil imports.

1. IMD Forecasts Cold Wave and Dense Fog Across Several States as Low Temperatures Disrupt Transport Services Nationwide.
India Meteorological Department warned of cold wave in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and others. Dense fog predicted across northern and eastern regions. Northern Railways said over 50 Delhi-bound trains were delayed due to low visibility.

2. Cold Wave Persists in West Bengal as Kolkata Records Lowest January Temperature in Thirteen Years Says RMC Alipore.
Regional Meteorological Centre said cold conditions will continue in south Bengal until Saturday. Kolkata recorded 10.2 degrees Celsius Tuesday, coldest in 13 years. Fog and cold wave conditions expected, rise.

3. Minimum Temperatures Improve Slightly Across Jammu and Kashmir as Srinagar Records Minus 1.6 Degrees Celsius.
Temperatures rose marginally across Jammu and Kashmir due to partial cloud cover. Srinagar recorded minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam saw lows below minus seven. Jammu region temperatures remained above freezing.