On the Army Day, during a Gan‑Super League football match between Jiujiang and Nanchang, a cloud shaped like a charging soldier appeared in the night sky above the stadium. The rare sight felt like a tribute to heroes. This accidental, touching scene has touched countless people. Source: Zicaibaofan(Douyin)

#NanchangMorningNews# This year marks the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the Nanchang August 1st Uprising. As the Army Day approaches, red tourism sites across Nanchang have seen a surge in visitors. Reservations for the Nanchang August 1st Uprising Memorial Hall are fully booked every day. Tourists from all over the country come here to reflect on revolutionary history and carry forward the red spirit. 今年是中国人民解放军建军暨八一南昌起义99周年，随着“八一”建军节的临近，南昌多处红色景点游客激增，南昌八一起义纪念馆预约参观持续爆满，各地游客前来感悟红色历史、传承红色精神。

HONOURING THE BRAVEHEARTS Certain reports circulating in sections of the media and on social media platforms have incorrectly suggested that the supreme sacrifice of six bravehearts during Operation Sindoor have been acknowledged or brought to public notice for the first time only recently. It is clarified that the nation paid homage to these fallen heroes at the earliest opportunity, well before the reports in question. During the official Press Conference held on 11 May 2025, then Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), paid solemn tribute to these brave soldiers and specifically acknowledged their sacrifice in the line of duty during Operation SINDOOR. These bravehearts were conferred with gallantry awards and this was published in the Press Release of 14 Aug 2025. This constituted a formal and National recognition of their valour and supreme sacrifice in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Defence Forces. Simultaneously, the Indian Army’s official social media platforms carried tributes to these bravehearts without delay. The nation’s recognition of these heroes has continued thereafter. During the Army Day Parade held at Jaipur on 15 January 2026, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) presented the Sena Medal (Gallantry) to the families of three of these gallant soldiers, while the Chief of Air Staff did the same on 08 Oct 2025 in a solemn ceremony, reaffirming the Defence Forces enduring commitment to honouring those who have laid down their lives in the service of the nation. With regard to the engraving of the names of fallen soldiers on the National War Memorial, it is emphasised that this sacred process is governed by an established and well-defined protocol. The Defence Forces follow these laid-down procedures with due diligence, care and reverence, commensurate with the solemnity of the honour being conferred. Any suggestion that due process was not followed is factually incorrect. It is regrettable that an avoidable and unfounded controversy has arisen around this issue. Such narratives not only misrepresent facts but also risk causing unnecessary anguish to bereaved families and detracting from the dignity owed to those who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation. All stakeholders are urged to exercise responsibility and restraint while reporting on matters relating to fallen soldiers and to refrain from disseminating unverified information. The Indian Defence Forces remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring every soldier who has offered supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation. The six bravehearts of Operation Sindoor are national heroes whose courage, devotion to duty and sacrifice will continue to inspire generations of Indians. Their memory shall always be honoured with the dignity, gratitude and reverence it deserves. @DefenceMinIndia @SethSanjayMP @SpokespersonMoD @MIB_India @adgpi @IAF_MCC @indiannavy @PIB_India @PTI_News @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts @ani_digital @ians_india

GERALD & THE FEATHERED BANDITS — PART II: THE PRICE OF TREASON Are you little creatures on the edge of your seats? Are you prepared for the rollercoaster of events your about to be forced into enduring? If you are, good...hold on tight. If you're not, well, darlings, you might want to invest in some reinforcements because Gerald is not going to hold back. So. Kitten and I are currently in Gerald's dungeon of deception. Gerald has apparently framed me for something. Only God knows what that's about. My crow Malaita has staged what feels dangerously like a coup. And my best friend has been kidnapped because she committed the unforgivable crime of... being correct about Gerald and his nefarious plans. Kitten paced behind the bars. "I told you." "I know." "I TOLD YOU!" "Kitten..." "FOR DAYS NOW!" "I KNOW!" "But nooooo!! Gerald's your "little General." "Gerald brings you shiny things." "Gerald gave you a fucking stick crown."" "It was a SYMBOL OF OFFICE!" "IT HAD A DEAD LEAF IN IT!" Before I could defend the artistry of my royal regalia... Gerald entered. Alone. Slowly. He moves with absolute silence, like a lion on the hunt stalking its prey. He flows into the dungeon like spilled ink. His glides through the corridors like a drifting piece of midnight. He watches us from the darkness, completely still, enjoying the quiet terror of his surprise visit. He hops onto the table. Kitten and I only know he is there because the room becomes increasingly cold. His sharp talons click softly, sounding exactly like dripping water. Kitten immediately pointed at him. "FUCK YOU." Gerald blinks. Hmmm. "DON'T YOU HMMM ME." I step between them. Because diplomacy of course. This is why I was named King. "Gerald. Explain yourself." He stares at me. I stared back. Hmmm. "Use your words." ... HMMMMMM. "Those are not fucking words." Gerald hops closer toward the iron-clad bars. Then in a devilishly lowered voice. "Hmmm." I froze. Kitten froze. Because somehow... we both understood. This in its entirety was not what it looked like from the outside in. Gerald had a plan. A plan bigger than all of us. Whatever he has me taking the fall for... whatever the crows had been scouting... whatever Gerald had been priming for... us...being here...in this moment...was all part of it. We needed to wait. We needed to trust him. We needed to be patient. I slowly nodded. Gerald nodded. Kitten looked between us. "Are you two seriously fucking communicating right now?" "Yes." "HE HUMMED." "It's complicated." "YOU BOTH NEED THERAPY!" Gerald's head snapped toward her. Oh. Oh no. I'd almost forgotten. Gerald holds grudges. And Kitten has spent DAYS publicly accusing this bird of conspiracy of treason. Gerald knew. Gerald remembered. Gerald had apparently has been keeping fucking receipts. He hopped toward Kitten. He then looked at me. And then at Kitten. Then... at Kitten's feet. No. "Gerald." Hmmm. "Gerald, please don't." He tapped his beak against a tiny wooden plaque that had somehow been planted carefully inside our cell. I wont be asking how Gerald managed to best us on that account. Anyway... Two options had been carved into it. THE TOE. or THE TRAITOR. I stared at him. "You're going to make me choose?" Gerald nodded. Kitten looked down. Then back at me. "What the fuck does 'the traitor' mean?" "I don't think you want to know." Gerald tapped the second option. Then dramatically dragged one feathered wing across his throat. ... "OH COME ON, GERALD!" He shrugged. THE CROW FUCKING SHRUGGED AT ME! I turned towards Kitten. "I'm so sorry." Her eyes widened in horror. "Bexxy." "You have nine others." "BEXX!." *"And quite honestly **when you think about it...*the big toe is kind of arrogant." "DON'T YOU DARE START GASLIGHTING ME ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF A TOE!" "I'm saving your LIFE, you should be thanking me." "SAVE ALL OF ME!" Gerald tapped on the plaque impatiently. Fine. I chose. THE TOE. Gerald squawked. The dungeon erupted. Crows poured in from every direction. Kitten backed against the wall. "WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT—" Suddenly... Gerald stopped them. Because apparently taking the toe wasn't satisfactory enough. No. Not in the slightest. Kitten had spent too long watching. Too long questioning. Too long publicly challenging General Gerald and his motions. If she wanted to survive inside his organization... she would have to prove herself useful to the caws. (see what I did there?) Gerald dropped something at her feet. A walnut. Kitten stared at it. Then Gerald. Then me. "What am I supposed to fucking do with this?" I shrugged. "Welcome to the organization." Gerald: Hmmm. Kitten: "I hate the pair of you." Me: "You'll learn...eventually" Gerald unlocked the cell. Then disappeared back into the darkness. No further explanations. The other crows followed. Kitten and I stood there for a moment longer. Liberated. Confused. Still technically in possession of all twenty combined toes... for now. Because I don't think Gerald wanted the toe today. The toe was collateral. A promise. Kitten had been given a chance. One opportunity to prove that she belonged. And whatever Gerald had framed me for? Whatever required him to kidnap my best friend? Whatever the crow army had spent days scouting? We were about to find out. How do I know without a doubt? Because just before Gerald disappeared up the stairs... He stopped. He turned. He looked directly at us. And he hummed. Not his normal hum. No. Not in the slightest. This one was different. This hum was... Low. It was... Dark. Almost excited even. I looked toward Kitten. Kitten looked toward me. "What is he saying?" I swallowed. "We ride at midnight." ... Kitten sighed. "I fucking hate your bird." From somewhere upstairs: HMMMMMM. "HE FUCKING HEARD ME, DIDN'T HE?" That he did. Gerald always hears. And Gerald... never forgets.

INDIAN ARMY MARCHING CONTINGENT TO PARTICIPATE IN SEYCHELLES’ 50TH NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS The Indian Army marching contingent is set to participate in the 50th National Day celebrations of Seychelles on 29 June 2026, commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Seychelles’ Independence. The celebrations will be attended by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as the Guest of Honour. India and Seychelles share longstanding historical ties. Over the years, the relationship has evolved into a strong strategic partnership encompassing defence cooperation, development, culture and trade. The Indian Army contingent comprises 32 personnel from the Assam Regiment and is led by Captain Aryan H. Deolekar. An Indian Navy marching contingent accompanied by a military band is also participating in the celebrations, reflecting the close and enduring defence partnership between the two countries. Participation of Indian Armed Forces contingents in national celebrations of friendly foreign countries serves as a symbol of mutual trust, military camaraderie and shared commitment towards strengthening bilateral relations. Such engagements reinforce defence cooperation and underscore India’s role as a reliable partner in promoting peace, stability and security in the Indian Ocean Region. Indian Armed Forces contingents have previously represented the nation at prominent international ceremonial events, including the 237th Bastille Day Parade in France in 2023, the Victory Day Parade in Bangladesh in 2021, and the Victory Day Parade in Russia in 2015 and 2020. India’s participation in Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee celebrations reaffirms the special partnership between the two countries and highlights the growing depth of bilateral engagement across diverse sectors.