The Shillong Times

Dhaka, Feb 6: At least 50 activists of the ultra-right Inqilab Mancha were injured on Friday in a clash with police in Bangladesh when they tried to defy a ban during a protest demanding immediate justice over the killing of their leader Sharif Osman Hadi last year. Dhaka police used batons, sound grenades and water []

Dhaka, Feb 6: Five people, including a child, were injured after unidentified assailants opened fire during an election campaign in the Ali Khali Rohingya camp area of Teknaf upazila in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar, local media reported on Friday. The incident took place in Block A/04 of Camp-25 at the Ali Khali Rohingya camp on Thursday []

Washington, Feb 6: With Bangladesh heading for elections next week, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government which came to power in 2024 following the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government, failed to maintain law and order and deliver on promised human rights reforms, a leading US-based rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in []

London, Feb 6: Keir Starmer never met Jeffrey Epstein. But the British prime ministers job is under threat because of the fallout from the late sex offenders global web of relationships. Friendship with Epstein has already brought down a British royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew and UK ambassador to Washington []

Harare, Feb 6: Crickets latest wunderkind Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played arguably the most breathtaking knock in the history of U-19 World Cup to fire India to a record-extending sixth title with a 100-run drubbing of England in the summit clash here Friday. Sooryavanshis 80-ball 175, which comprised a record 15 sixes and as many fours, propelled []

New Delhi, Feb 6: Several Ranji Trophy quarterfinals sprang into life on Friday with bowlers calling the shots across venues, as Bengal clawed their way back late against Andhra, Madhya Pradesh surged ahead through Kuldeep Sens five-for, Karnataka seized firm control against Mumbai, and Uttarakhand kept Jharkhand in check despite a lone resistance. At Kalyani, []

Shillong, Feb 6: Some 340 young boys appeared for selection trials for the first induction into the new Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) Academy in Shillong on Friday. The trials were open to boys born between 2013 and 2016. They were put through their paces overseen by senior members of the MFA and experienced youth coaches. []

The All Meghalaya Kick-Boxing Association (AMKA) announces its selected players for upcoming competitions, under the guidance of chief coach Samuel Hashah. (ST)

New Delhi, Feb 6: The T20 World Cup, the biggest edition in the tournaments history, begins on Saturday across venues in India and Sri Lanka, but not without an unusually turbulent and politically charged build-up that has pushed cricket to the margins. Expanded from 16 to 20 teams, the global event was meant to celebrate []

Stakeholders conglomerate for pre-Budget consultation meeting in city By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday attributed Meghalayas economic progress to sustained capital expenditure and a steady rise in private investment, while noting that Meghalaya has emerged as the second fastest-growing state in the country in terms of real Gross State []

From Our Correspondent TURA, Feb 6: West Garo Hills (WGH) Police on Friday arrested another accused in the murder of ACHIK member Dilseng M Sangma in the village of Goalgaon under Rajabala Police Station limits, taking the total number of arrests to 10. Dilseng was killed after being attacked by miscreants near the village of []

From Our Correspondent BAGHMARA, Feb 6: A resident of Mankachar in Assam was killed on Friday morning after encountering a herd of wild elephants near Gasuapara in South Garo Hills. The victim, identified as Abdul Mannan, was traveling from Mankachar to Baghmara for business on a motorcycle with a friend. Around 9:30 am, the duo []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: The Khasi Students Union (KSU) Laban Circle on Friday urged the Shillong Civil Hospital authorities to act against the presence of certain individuals and groups loitering in and around the Civil Hospital area, particularly near the Civil Hospital junction. The appeal was made during a meeting with the Joint []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday said that a major road corridor, linking Umshyrpi Bridge at Rilbong, Rhino Museum Point, Shillong Civil Hospital and extending up to Barik, is at an advanced planning stage as part of a long-term strategy to ease traffic congestion in Shillong. Addressing a []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: A multi-state mock exercise on earthquake disaster preparedness was conducted in Shillong on Friday to strengthen coordination and response mechanisms among disaster management agencies. As part of the initiative, a tabletop exercise was held at Taraghar, the State Guest House, led by Major General (Retd) Sudhir Bahl. The session []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: Padma Shri Hally War has shed light on the unique process of formation of living root bridges, revealing that when the roots of trees protrude, they are slowly guided and pulled through hollowed bamboo or tree trunks, thereby allowing the roots to merge naturally over time. This patient and []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: The state government has announced the names of the vice chairperson and members of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) following a Cabinet decision taken on Thursday. Hemaritha Ch. Sangma has been appointed as the Vice Chairperson of the Commission, whilst the members appointed to the Meghalaya State []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: The East Khasi Hills district administration has reconstituted the Local Complaints Committee in accordance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. According to a notification in this regard, Additional Deputy Commissioner D Kharshiing has been appointed as the Chairperson of the committee. []

Mumbai, Feb 5: Jon-Jon Smuts will feature at the T20 World Cup on February 9 in the colours of a country he has never visited. The South Africa-born all-rounder, a former Proteas international, is part of Italys squad for the tournament after becoming eligible through marriage. Speaking from Dubai, where Italy recently trained and played []

Colombo, Feb 5: Though his team is facing a severe backlash from the fans over their recent poor performances, including a series defeat to England at home, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka on Thursday urged his players to focus on a step-by-step approach as they enter the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 to be []

Colombo, Feb 5: Maintaining his cricket boards stance, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha on Thursday stressed that the decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India was taken by their government and was not in our control. Pakistan on Sunday announced a boycott of its high-profile mens T20 World Cup group league fixture []

WPL 2026 Delhi Capitals suffer another heartbreak Vadodara, Feb 5: Displaying absolute dominance, a Smrit Mandhana-inspired Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their second Womens Premier League trophy with a six-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals, who failed to seize the moment on the biggest stage despite playing in their fourth final here on Thursday. RCB captain Mandhana []

Badminton Asia Team Cships Qingdao (China), Feb 5: Young Tanvi Sharma produced a stunning win, but defending champions India suffered a narrow 2-3 loss to Thailand in their second Group Y match of the Badminton Asia Team Championships here on Thursday. However, despite the defeat, India qualified for the quarterfinals. India, who had beaten Myanmar []

Chennai, Feb 5: Indias Sasikumar Mukund, Manish Suresh Kumar and Manas Dhamne were on Thursday given wildcards for the main draw of the Chennai Open tennis tournament. The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association will host the ATP Challenger 50 event, which will see participants from 14 countries, from February 9 to 15. Jay Clarke, a world []

New Delhi, Feb 5: Hockey India on Thursday announced a 24-member Indian mens team for the opening leg of the FIH Pro League to be held from February 10 to 15 at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. Hockey India had announced a list of 33 probables last month for the coaching []

Modinagar (Uttar Pradesh), Feb 5: Two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Gururaja Poojari showcased his experience and class with a clinical performance to win the senior mens 60kg gold medal on the second day of the IWLF National Youth, Junior and Senior Weightlifting Championships here on Thursday. The Karnataka lifter, who had claimed silver in the 56kg []

Indias Sumit Nagal ahead of the 2026 Davis Cup tie against Netherlands, in Bengaluru, on Thursday. (PTI)

Instagram is one of Australias most popular social media platforms. Almost two in three Aussies have an account. Ushering in 2026 and what he calls synthetic everything on our feeds, Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri has signalled the platform will likely adjust its algorithms to surface more original content instead of AI slop. Finding ways []

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemption of lifesaving cancer drugs and higher taxation on tobacco products are the steps aimed at strengthening public health in the country, according to a new study led by oncologists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The GST council, in its 56th meeting in September last year, []

New Delhi, Feb 5: Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched Bharat Taxi, the countrys first co-operative-run ride-hailing platform, which will start services in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat initially and pan-India in the next three years. Bharat Taxi platform, which has been established by Indias top eight co-operative organistions including dairy major Amul, will enhance []

Sianggipa mande sakprakni nokdangna lak 3 kae ongen: CM SHILLONG: Bristibar pringo, East Jaintia Hills ajani Thangsko jolo donggipa Mynsyngat songni koela adamo rangsan gopretanichi, koela adamo kam kaenggipa manderangoni komibeoba sak 18 manderang sina nangaha ine kobor onaha. Ia aselni bidingo uiataniko onatengon, asel onggipa biaponiko dao dipet sak 18 manderangni manggisiko manaha aro []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 5: In one of the deadliest reminders of the risks associated with illegal rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya, at least 18 miners were killed in a suspected dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills on Thursday morning. The incident occurred at Mynsyngat in Thangsko area, under []

SHILLONG, Feb 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief over the coal mine explosion in East Jaintia Hills that left at least 18 labourers dead, and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the family of the deceased people. Pained by the mishap in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Condolences to those []

May 2021: Five miners were trapped in a flooded coal mine in the Umpleng area of East Jaintia Hills. Despite prolonged search efforts, no survivors were found. January 2021: Six miners died when a crane used to lower them into a 500-foot-deep shaft at an abandoned mine in the Sorkari area (East Jaintia Hills) snapped, []

From CK Nayak NEW DELHI, Feb 5: VPP MP from Shillong, Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon, on Thursday sharply criticised the Meghalaya government and the Union Coal Ministry for the tragic deaths of 18 miners in a blast at an illegal coal mine, despite the NGT ban on such activities since 2014. He demanded that the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 5: Taking suo motu cognisance of the latest mining tragedy in East Jaintia Hills, the High Court of Meghalaya on Thursday summoned East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, Shivansh Awasthi and Superintendent of Police, Vikash Kumar in connection with the death of at least 18 miners in a suspected dynamite explosion []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 5: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday said the issue revolving around participation of non-tribals in the GHADC election requires large-scale discussion. He said that a consensus is required to be reached on this matter since non-tribal voters have been included in the GHADC electoral rolls since 1952. He []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 5: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Meghalaya government, accusing it of making arbitrary and non-transparent appointments of Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. In a strongly worded statement, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem condemned the appointments as []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 5: The State Cabinet on Thursday approved a series of policy, legislative, and administrative measures, including amendments to the Meghalaya Outstanding Sportsperson Direct Appointment Policy, clearance of new service rules for sportspersons, and the approval of several Bills and statutory matters to be tabled before the Assembly. Briefing the media, []

Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Womens Premier League 2026 final against Delhi Capitals, at Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara on Thursday. (PTI)

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 5: The State Cabinet has approved the introduction of a structured pay framework for teachers engaged on fixed pay under the Education Department, a move that will benefit about 23,000 teachers, including ad hoc and SSA teachers, who were earlier receiving grant-in-aid or were governed by varying pay structures under []

Editor, This refers to the news item published on 4 February, 2026 regarding the uncertainty faced by thousands of in-service teachers in Meghalaya and other states following the September 1 order of the making the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) compulsory for all teachers. No teacher is opposed to improving educational standards. What is deeply troubling []

MUMBAI, Feb 4: Indian stock markets on Wednesday, ended marginally higher as gains in heavyweight stocks were offset by a sharp correction in IT shares. The BSE Sensex rose 78.56 points, or 0.09%, to close at 83,817.69, after swinging 827.58 points during the session. The NSE Nifty gained 48.45 points, or 0.19%, to settle at []

MUMBAI, Feb 4: The Indian rupee fell 15 paise to 90.47 against the US dollar on Wednesday, after Tuesdays sharp 117-paise rally following the India-US trade deal announcement. Traders cited corporate dollar buying, uncertainty over the final agreement, and weak US services PMI data as key factors. The rupee traded between 90.26 and 90.54 before []

MUMBAI, Feb 4: koda Auto India marks the first anniversary of the Kylaq, crossing 50,000 sales since its launch. The sub-4m SUVs lineup expands to six variants and 11 price points, introducing features like automatic transmissions, electric sunroof, LED lights, and advanced safety with up to 40 standard features. Popular trims receive upgrades, while the []

SHILLONG: Meghalaya adoko drugs ba pekatgipa samrangko jakkalani aro badingsrukaniko champengna adok sorkari, vehicle scanner-rangko dingtang dingtang biaprango donna tik kaaha aro ia vehicle scanner-rangko jakkalanichi, gipin biaprangoni ranapbaenggipa drugs-rangko champengna mangen ine kadongenga. Iani bidingo talataniko onangengon, vehicle scanner-ko donna gita sorkari, biapko sandimanaha ine Budbar salo, Social Welfare department-ni Advisor Paul Lyngdoh parakataha. []

No one can blame the MDA-2 Government for not trying hard enough to promote small and large scale businesses in Meghalaya. The state took a long time to transition from a pure agrarian economy to a food processing hub beginning with the Lakadong turmeric to ginger and black pepper powder, cinnamon bark etc., nicely packaged []

By Bhogtoram Mawroh Finally, after a long wait, the Government of Meghalaya has announced that it will release the Reservation Policy Report in the month of February. The report has been highly anticipated by many in the state, including pressure groups, political parties, and ordinary citizens who would like to see an end to this []

By Indira Hirway An important observation about the presentation of the budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is that the speech was just too long and unilluminating, making it come across as a rather tired effort. The speech, despite its length, did not dive into the broad strategy or the overall approach underlying the myriad []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 4: The Meghalaya High Court on Tuesday granted permission to residents affected by a devastating fire at 29 Cantonment, Shillong, to construct temporary shelters on the disputed land. The court, however, made it explicitly clear that no permanent structures would be allowed. The directive followed a writ petition filed by []