The Shillong Times

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 18: Senior BJP leader and MLA AL Hek on Monday said the Assam-Meghalaya interstate boundary dispute is being addressed through sustained negotiations between the two state governments, even as he said that the India-Bangladesh border fencing is the need of the hour considering growing security concerns. At a time when []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 18: Senior BJP leader and MLA AL Hek on Monday said that local technical expertise and a traditional understanding of river systems are essential for protecting the Wah Umkhrah and its tributaries. Speaking on the rivers condition, Hek argued that local knowledge is more effective than relying solely on external []

From Our Correspondent BAGHMARA, May 18: A resident of South Garo Hills, Jhonprizebirth Sangma, has petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging gross irregularities and nepotism in the recruitment process conducted by the District Selection Committee (DSC). The complaint specifically names South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner and DSC Chairman, Sumit Kumar Singh, for allegedly overseeing the []

By Our Special Correspondent SHILLONG, May 18: Samanong village, located hardly 18 kilometres from the West Jaintia Hills district headquarter of Jowai, is home to Samanong Non-Government Lower Primary School, established in 1971. The old school building adjacent to the new one is a dilapidated wreck. The Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council built a new []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 18: Amid a spike in motorcycle thefts in East Khasi Hills, Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem has urged two-wheeler owners to install GPS trackers and avoid parking in unsecured public spaces. Syiem noted that thefts are being reported almost every week, prompting the district police to intensify surveillance and checkpoints, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 18: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Monday petitioned the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education, alleging a violation of the Meghalaya State Reservation Policy in the recruitment for government-sanctioned posts at Womens College Shillong. HYC education secretary Enlang Sawian told reporters that data obtained through the Right to Information []

Shillong, May 18: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, on Monday announced the postponement of the Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET), which was earlier scheduled to be held on May 29, following appeals from teachers engaged in multiple national duties, including Census and SIR-related assignments. Addressing a public programme in Damas in North Garo Hills []

Biplab Kr Dey Baghmara, May 18: A resident of South Garo Hills, Jhonprizebirth Sangma has written to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi alleging gross violation of DSC rules as well as arbitrary appointment of job aspirants affiliated to a particular political party by the deputy commissioner of the district, Sumit Singh, despite these candidates not passing []

Guwahati, May 18: Amid concerns over rising prices of essential commodities in the state, the Assam government on Monday reviewed the price monitoring mechanism and announced stringent measures aimed at maintaining market stability. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed the price monitoring mechanism for essential commodities and directed officials to take strict steps to []

Journalist-turned-actor Saurabh Dwivedi is faced with significant social media criticism following his acting debut in the recently released Saif Ali Khan-starrer Kartavya. Whilst the crime drama has garnered positive reviews for its gritty storytelling, Dwivedis performance has drawn heavy fire from viewers. Social media users on X mocked Dwivedis dialogue delivery and expressions, with some []

The restored 4K restoration of late filmmaker John Abrahams cult Malayalam film Amma Ariyan was screened at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday. It was attended by the films lead actor, Joy Mathew, and editor Bina Paul, along with others. The Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), which played a major role in the restoration of this []

Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Pati Patni Aur Woh Do has earned over Rs 10 crore at the domestic box office. The film is directed by Mudassar Aziz and released in theatres on Friday. It also features Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, and Wamiqa Gabbi, and is produced by T-Series. The makers shared the box office numbers []

Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, who is gearing up for the release of her streaming movie System, does not agree with the opinion that cinema should be used solely as a medium for bringing about social change. The actress spoke to IANS, along with veteran actress Jyothika, during the promotions of the film in Mumbai. When []

Kathmandu, May 17: Thousands of landless squatters on Sunday organised a massive rally in Lumbini province in southern Nepal to protest the governments ongoing eviction drive that they claim has displaced millions of people across the country, including in Kathmandu. Nepal, especially the capital, has witnessed a series of protests by the people displaced during []

Islamabad, May 17: The Pakistan Army on Sunday criticised Indian Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedis recent remarks, while urging New Delhi to learn to co-exist peacefully. Gen Dwivedi on Saturday said that if Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists and operate against India, then they have to decide whether they want to be part of geography []

Jerusalem, May 17: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday claimed that it has eliminated the Hamas operations headquarters Commander who advanced terror plots against Israeli forces. IDF forces in the Southern Command eliminated Bahaa Baroud yesterday, a commander in the operations headquarters of the Hamas terror organisation, the IDF said on social media platform []

Washington, May 17: Concerns are growing in Taiwan after President Donald Trump indicated that future US arms sales to Taipei could become part of broader negotiations with China following his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Taiwans representative to the US, Alexander Yui, warned on Sunday on CBS News that Taiwan needed continued []

New York, May 17: Recent outbreaks of hantavirus and norovirus on cruise ships are making headlines, but theyre unlikely to dim the growing popularity of vacation cruises, according to industry representatives and travel experts. In fact, many within the industry still expect a record number of people worldwide to take cruises this year despite three []

Colombo, May 17: SriLankan Airlines has accused several Indian employees based in its Chennai office of misappropriating funds worth Rs 22 million. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Sri Lankan flag carrier said that the fraud was carried out by altering invoices, payment details and signatures. With regard to the misappropriation of funds at []

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE | GUJARAT TITANS SAI SUDHARSAN FASTEST TO 3,000 IPL RUNS MATCH TODAY CHENNAI SUPER KINGS VS SUNRISERS HYDERABAD AT 7:30 PM Dharamsala, May 17: Royal Challengers Bengaluru held their nerve and survived a late onslaught to edge out Punjab Kings by 23 runs to become the first team to secure an []

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE | GUJARAT TITANS SAI SUDHARSAN FASTEST TO 3,000 IPL RUNS MATCH TODAY CHENNAI SUPER KINGS VS SUNRISERS HYDERABAD AT 7:30 PM New Delhi, May 17: Mitchell Starc produced a game-changing four-wicket haul to halt Rajasthan Royals charge before Delhi Capitals completed a crucial five-wicket win to keep their IPL play-offs hopes []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 17: Meghalaya may not rank among states with high crime rates, but NCRB data for 2024 has revealed concerns over the states low charge-sheeting and conviction rates despite thousands of cases being registered during the year. According to reports the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Meghalaya registered 3,986 IPC/BNS cases []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 17: Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Sunday expressed concern over the states failure to achieve full registration under the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) despite the expanded benefits now available through its convergence with the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Speaking on the sidelines of a programme here, Shylla said it was []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 17: Meghalaya is attempting to dismantle the culture of classroom silence in rural schools as the state-backed SPARK initiativenow expanded to 10 districtsreplaces rigid school rules with student-led promises to boost employability and confidence for over 6,500 students. For Havilah Challam, a Class 10 student of Jowai Public School in []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 17: Thousands gathered in Sohra on Saturday to witness the traditional cremation of the preserved remains of Iartimai Syiem, the former Syiemsad of Hima Sohra, nearly 32 years after her passing. The ceremony was organised by the Syiem family, led by the current Syiemsad, Costlymai Syiem, and former Deputy Syiem []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 17: Four major Baptist organisations, including the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation (APBF), have jointly appealed to the United Naga Council (UNC) and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages in Manipur. In a statement issued Sunday, the organisationswhich also []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 17: The eight-day Aqua Adventure Regatta 2026, organised by the 12 Assam NCC Battalion, concluded at Umiam Lake on Saturday. The camp, which began on May 9, brought together 100 NCC cadets from various institutes. During the event, participants trained in sailing, boat pulling and watermanship, alongside team-building and leadership []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 17: Tura MDC and state BJP vice-president Bernard N Marak on Sunday alleged duplication and irregularities in several projects funded under the Agreed Text for Settlement (ATS). The claims follow inspections conducted by the Centre Level Monitoring Committee in Garo Hills this week. Marak noted discrepancies in the museum project []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 17: Beyond the vintage suits and polished engines, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla and medical experts issued a grim warning in Shillong this Sunday: Meghalayas culture of silence around mens mental health and rising HIV rates is a public health emergency that cannot be masked by pageantry. Speaking at the Distinguished []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 17: A World Bank delegation visited Sohra on Saturday to review the progress of key healthcare and adolescent welfare initiatives under the Meghalaya Health Project and the Meghalaya Multisectoral Project for Adolescent Wellbeing, Empowerment and Resilience (MPOWER). The team visited the Sohra Community Health Centre (CHC) to assess its transition []

Washington, May 16: Recent comments by US President Donald Trump that arms sales to Taiwan are a very good negotiating chip in the United States dealings with China are heightening anxieties on the island democracy that Beijing claims as its own. Trump made the comment in a Fox News interview with Bret Baier that aired []

Washington, May 16: US President Donald Trump returned from a visit to China, describing his discussions with President Xi Jinping as a meeting of leaders of two great countries. Trump landed at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on the outskirts of the US capital on Friday evening, claiming to have struck important trade deals, []

Moscow, May 16: Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a two-day trip to Beijing next week, the Kremlin said Saturday. The announcement comes less than 24 hours after US President Donald Trump finished his own state visit to China, where he also met Xi to discuss trade and the []

Tel Aviv, May 16: An Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed the leader of Hamas military wing, one of the last surviving architects of the October 7, 2023 attacks that triggered the war in Gaza, the Israeli military said Saturday. Izz al-Din al-Haddad was killed on Friday, Israels army said. Al-Haddads killing comes as the ceasefire []

Islamabad, May 16: Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday held talks with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran on bilateral ties and regional developments amidst Islamabads mediation efforts to end the US-Iran conflict, according to a media report. Pakistan hosted the talks between the US and Iran last month but they failed to bridge the []

Prime Minister Narendra Modi observes a performance during a community programme, in The Hague, Netherlands. (PTI)

Dhaka, May 16: Bangladeshs ruling BNP on Saturday said the countrys relations with India will depend on a new Ganges Water Sharing Treaty as it sought immediate talks with New Delhi for an agreement in line with Dhakas expectations and needs. The Indo-Bangladesh Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed in 1996, is due to expire in []

Washington, May 16: US and Nigerian forces killed a leader of the Islamic State group in Nigeria in a mission carried out Friday, US President Donald Trump said. Trump announced the joint operation in Africas most populous country in a late-night social media post. He said Abu Bakr al-Mainuki was second-in-command of the Islamic State []

DENVER, May 16: Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Friday commuted the sentence of election conspiracy theorist Tina Peters following pressure from President Donald Trump, the latest instance of the president using his powers to reward those who echoed his baseless claims of mass fraud as the cause of his 2020 loss. Trump has championed the []

Netherlands hands back Chola dynasty copper plates to India The Hague, May 16: The Netherlands on Saturday handed back 11th-century Chola dynasty copper plates to India, in an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten, signifying the strengthening of ties between the two countries. PM Modi, who arrived in []

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE | CONNOLLY BECAME YOUNGEST OVERSEAS IPL CENTURION WITH 107* VS SRH MATCH TODAY RCB VS PBKS AT 3:30 PM | DC VS RR AT 7:30 PM Punjab Kings Shashank Singh fields the ball during a practice session in Dharamshala, on Saturday. (PTI)

Huma Qureshi made a striking appearance at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival, turning heads in a traditional Banarasi saree that celebrated Indian craftsmanship on a global stage. The 39-year-old actor shared a series of photographs on Instagram, showcasing herself in a muted plum-hued saree featuring intricate gold zari work. She completed the look with gold []

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE | CONNOLLY BECAME YOUNGEST OVERSEAS IPL CENTURION WITH 107* VS SRH MATCH TODAY RCB VS PBKS AT 3:30 PM | DC VS RR AT 7:30 PM Royal Challengers Bengaluru would look to exploit vulnerabilities of a profligate Punjab Kings bowling line up to seal a play-off berth in the Indian Premier []

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE | CONNOLLY BECAME YOUNGEST OVERSEAS IPL CENTURION WITH 107* VS SRH MATCH TODAY RCB VS PBKS AT 3:30 PM | DC VS RR AT 7:30 PM Lucknow, May 16: Cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri reckons Chennai Super Kings would have learnt some hard lessons from their seven-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants but []

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE | CONNOLLY BECAME YOUNGEST OVERSEAS IPL CENTURION WITH 107* VS SRH MATCH TODAY RCB VS PBKS AT 3:30 PM | DC VS RR AT 7:30 PM New Delhi, May 16: Delhi Capitals assistant coach Ian Bell on Saturday admitted that batting inconsistency has thwarted his sides campaign in IPL 2026, and []

Early this week, Iranian state-linked media floated a plan to charge the operators of undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz for access to what they say is Irans offshore territory. The suggestion comes after Iranian warnings that several important cables in the strait were a vulnerable point for economies in the Middle East. []

The Tatmawdaw the military government in Myanmar has reportedly expanded a ban on menstrual products from being transported in the country across key routes, as part of the ongoing civil war in the country. This targeting of sanitary pads appears to be an extension of the militarys so-called Four Cuts strategy, which seeks []

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE | CONNOLLY BECAME YOUNGEST OVERSEAS IPL CENTURION WITH 107* VS SRH MATCH TODAY RCB VS PBKS AT 3:30 PM | DC VS RR AT 7:30 PM New Delhi, May 16: Vaibhav Sooryavanshis audacious strokeplay will come up against seam-and-swing master Mitchell Starc as Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals lock horns in []

Back in 2005, US economist Fred Bergsten coined the term Group of 2 or G2, proposing a stronger partnership between what are now the worlds two largest economies the United States and China. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis a few years later, economic cooperation between these two countries briefly seemed to []

Dhaka, May 16: Bangladeshs ruling BNP on Saturday said the countrys relations with India will depend on a new Ganges Water Sharing Treaty as it sought talks for an agreement in line with Dhakas expectations and needs. The Indo-Bangladesh Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed in 1996, is due to expire in December. We want to []