Modicum of news ultimately of importance (10)
I believe the answer is:
smattering
'modicum' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for smattering that I've seen before include "superficial knowledge" , "Little bit" , "Tiny amount (of knowledge)" , "Dash" , "Taste" .)