The United States, the United Kingdom, and 12 other partner nations have reaffirmed that China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis under international law, marking the ninth anniversary of the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the 14 countries rejected what they described as “dangerous and destabilising” actions in the disputed waters, warning that such activities threaten regional peace, security, and the rules-based international order. The signatories reiterated that the July 12, 2016, ruling by an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the…
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.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Dheeraj Seth, felicitated Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Khour, Satish Sharma, at the Sundarbani Brigade in recognition of his exceptional administrative leadership and contribution to civilian safety during Operation Sindoor. The Army honoured Sharma for his role in coordinating one of the largest civilian evacuation efforts in the border region during the operation. Working in close coordination with the Army, police, and civil administration, he led the evacuation of residents from 53 villages located within an 8-kilometre radius of the International Border, ensuring the timely movement of civilians to safer locations amid challenging security…
The Indian Army and Assam Rifles continue to reinforce peace, security and public welfare across the Northeast through a combination of operational commitment, humanitarian assistance and community engagement. At Keithalmanbi Garrison in Manipur’s Imphal West district, Assam Rifles paid homage to two gallant soldiers during separate wreath-laying ceremonies. Rifleman (GD) Bhim Sain, Sena Medal (Posthumous), was remembered on the 24th anniversary of his supreme sacrifice after saving fellow soldiers during a counter-insurgency operation in 2002. Subedar Kehar Singh, Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous), was also honoured for laying down his life while leading troops during an anti-insurgency operation in Chandel district in…
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has struck an optimistic tone despite confirmation that the Indian men’s football team will not participate in the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the team’s absence but stressed that the federation remains committed to rebuilding Indian football through sustained investment in infrastructure, grassroots development and international exposure. “We are disappointed that we are not there at the Asian Games. But we also have to recognise the reality that several Asian nations are ahead of us because they have better infrastructure, stronger development systems…
The Indian Army has launched an introductory tennis training programme for students in Aalo town in Arunachal Pradesh, aimed at promoting sporting talent, fitness and healthy lifestyles among youth in the remote frontier region. The initiative was conducted by the Spearhead Division under the aegis of Spear Corps at Aalo Military Station, with 50 students and two teachers participating in the orientation programme. The students were introduced to the fundamentals of tennis, including the history of the sport, rules, scoring system, court etiquette and basic playing techniques. The programme featured interactive demonstrations, motivational videos and practical sessions on the court,…
Meghalaya welcomed the 135th Durand Cup Trophy Tour today, with State Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shri Wailadmiki Shylla flagging off the Shillong leg of the tour in the presence of senior civil and military officials, football administrators and members of the sporting community. The three iconic Durand Cup trophies — the Durand Cup, President’s Cup and Simla Trophy — arrived in Shillong as part of the nationwide trophy tour, which was formally inaugurated earlier this month by the President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi. The ceremony at the State Convention…
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh: In the windswept alpine meadows of Arunachal Pradesh’s remote Chuna Valley, a tiny purple-blue flower has achieved what few species ever do—it has returned from history. After remaining absent from India’s botanical records for 158 years, the rare Himalayan plant Cyananthus hookeri has been rediscovered in the high-altitude grasslands near Mago village in Tawang district, marking the species’ first confirmed sighting in Arunachal Pradesh and one of the most significant botanical discoveries in recent years. The last known Indian record of the species dates back to 1867, when legendary British botanist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker documented it…
In a significant recognition of India’s evolving air combat capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been ranked ahead of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) Global Air Powers Rankings 2026, underscoring the importance of capability, readiness and force quality over sheer numerical strength. According to the latest WDMMA assessment, the IAF has secured the sixth position globally, while China’s PLAAF has been placed seventh despite operating more than twice the number of military aircraft.The rankings are based on WDMMA’s TrueValue Rating (TvR) methodology, an analytical framework that evaluates the…
The Indian Navy has assumed a significant leadership position in the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC 2026, by taking charge of a key role in theatre-level Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations. For the first time, the Indian Navy is serving as the Deputy Commander Task Force for Anti-Submarine Warfare during the multinational exercise, marking an important milestone in India’s growing contribution to global maritime security initiatives. The Indian Navy’s P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft is playing a crucial operational role in the exercise, supporting mission planning, operational briefings, and professional interactions with participating navies. The aircraft’s deployment reflects India’s advanced…
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Super League (ISL) Managing Committee today announced a shift to a club-led commercial model for the league, with clubs taking over commercial rights while the AIFF retains administrative control and oversight of key operational aspects. The announcement was made at a joint press conference in New Delhi attended by AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan, AIFF Head of Competitions Akshay Rohatgi, FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur, NorthEast United FC CEO Mandar Tamhane and Sporting Club Delhi CEO Dhruv Sood. Under the new structure, the clubs will manage the commercial rights of…