India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 hang by a thread as they prepare for a must-win Pool E encounter against Argentina at the Wagener Stadium on Monday. India’s 1-3 defeat to defending champions and hosts Netherlands in their opening second-stage match left them without a point and at the bottom of Pool E with a goal difference of -4. With England taking on the Netherlands in the other Pool E match on Monday, India’s qualification hopes now depend on both a big win against Argentina and a favourable result in the other fixture.…
Author: Pratyusha Mukherjee
Pratyusha Mukherjee
Ms Pratyusha Mukherjee, an Independent Sr. Broadcast Journalist working for British media with 25 years of experience in covering the east and northeast, with specialisation in Defence, Sports & Current Affairs. In her illustrated career she has covered many major events and achieved International and National media awards for Journalism.
India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 will come down to a must-win Pool E clash against Australia on Sunday, with the result of the Netherlands-China match earlier in the day also playing a crucial role. India and Australia are both on one point, while the Netherlands have already secured their place in the last four after defeating India 2-0 on Friday. The Dutch, who carried three points from the opening stage, now have six points after their victory over India. China are currently on two points after drawing with Australia and carrying one…
The Indian men’s hockey team suffered a 1-3 defeat to co-hosts the Netherlands in their opening Pool E match of Stage 2 at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, leaving their hopes of reaching the semi-finals hanging by a thread. The Netherlands moved to the top of Pool E with six points, having carried three points forward from the first stage. India, meanwhile, remain without a point and now face a must-win clash against Argentina in their next match. India’s hopes could also depend on the result of England’s match against Argentina. A win for England would mathematically eliminate India…
The stage is set for another Kolkata Derby, this time with the 135th Durand Cup title at stake. East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant will meet at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Sunday, August 23, with kick-off scheduled for 5 pm IST. The two Kolkata giants have taken contrasting routes to the summit, but both will arrive in Salt Lake with a clear objective. Mohun Bagan are the only unbeaten team remaining in the competition, while East Bengal will be determined to avenge their 1-0 defeat to the Mariners in the opening game of the tournament. Mohun…
The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Visakhapatnam on Saturday with member countries adopting a Joint Statement aimed at strengthening youth cooperation and promoting greater participation of young people in development processes. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse and Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Sunil Paliwal. The ministerial meeting built on the outcomes of the BRICS Youth Summit and BRICS Youth Council Meeting held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on August 19 and 20. Addressing the delegates, Mandaviya highlighted India’s…
The Royal Thai Army and the Indian Army commenced the 2026 edition of their annual bilateral exercise, MAITREE 2026, with the opening ceremony held at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani province. Lieutenant General Narathip Poinok, Commander of the 4th Army Region, presided over the ceremony, which was attended by senior commanders, troops and participating personnel from both countries. The joint training is being conducted from August 18 to September 1 across Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Mueang District, Surat Thani, and the 4th Special Warfare Battalion in Sichon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat. MAITREE is an annual bilateral exercise involving infantry…
Balochistan has called on the United Nations and the international community to begin a formal diplomatic and legal consideration of its request for Non-Member Observer State status at the United Nations, framing the initiative as a peaceful effort to secure international representation and recognition of its political and national claims. In a diplomatic communiqué issued on 21 August, Balochistan said the international recognition of a nation is rarely achieved through a single step and pointed to historical examples in which political entities developed international relations gradually before obtaining broader recognition or full membership in international organisations. The communiqué cited Switzerland…
India needs to integrate its rapidly expanding renewable energy sector with its coal-based power fleet to ensure a smooth and cost-effective energy transition, according to a new study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The study, Flex to Fix: Deciphering India’s Coal Flexibilisation Challenge for RE Integration, estimates that coal power flexibilisation could create an additional 18-34 GW of space for renewable energy and potentially reduce power-sector emissions by 7.66-8.37 per cent, equivalent to 92-101 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. CSE released the study along with another report, Beyond Baseload: Reforming Thermal PPAs for India’s Energy Transition, at…
India will host the BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting and the BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on August 22 and 23 as part of its BRICS Chairship 2026. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will chair the ministerial meetings, with Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Smt. Raksha Khadse also participating. Ministers and heads of delegation from all 11 BRICS member countries are expected to attend the engagements. India’s BRICS Chairship is being conducted under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with a focus on people-centric development and stronger…
India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 suffered a blow after the women’s team went down 0-2 to defending champions Netherlands in their opening second-stage match at the Wagener Stadium on Friday. Yibbi Jansen and Frederique Matla scored for the Netherlands, who secured their place in the semi-finals with the victory. The Dutch made a fast start and opened the scoring just 81 seconds into the match. A sustained early press earned them a penalty corner, with Jansen firing the ball past Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi. The Netherlands continued to put India under pressure,…