The Shillong Times

Our Bureau SHILLONG/TURA, Feb 26: Are we back to square one on the contentious issue of the reservation policy? So it seems, if we go by the response of the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos on the reservation system. The Expert Committees recommendation to maintain status quo on Meghalayas 1972 Job Reservation Policy has sparked widespread []

Our Bureau SHILLONG, Feb 26: If the allocation has increased by 26 per cent, has governance also improved by 26 per cent? Voice of the People Party (VPP) chief and Nongkrem MLA Ardent M. Basaiawmoit raised this incisive query during the cut motion discussion on the budget hike for the Chief Ministers Secretariat, setting off []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 26: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma defended the Meghalaya governments decision to borrow Rs 9,126 crore from External Funded Agencies (EFAs), including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), KfW Bank (Germany), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and New Development Bank (NDB). Replying to the Budget discussion in the Assembly, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 26: The High Court of Meghalaya, examining the status report filed by the government and other respondents in connection with the dynamite blast at Mynsngat-Thangsko that left 34 workers dead and five grievously injured, has found that the compensation measures and other post-investigation actions are not adequate to address the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 26: Many MLAs on Thursday urged the government to take steps to address the manpower shortage in the states police department and the alleged deployment of personnel for non-policing duties, forcing the government to assure the House that police personnel would be kept off non-policing duties. Raising the issue during []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 26: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has informed the House that the state government is planning to shift the Meghalaya Secretariat to its new complex at Mawkhanu in New Shillong by the end of the next financial year (March 2027). Replying to the general discussion on the Budget in the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 26: A moving Bolero vehicle was partially gutted after it suddenly caught fire near Shillong Civil Hospital at around 12.30 pm on Thursday. The vehicle (ML05 Z 0515) was on its way through the area when smoke reportedly started emanating from the engine section. According to the driver, flames suddenly []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Windies Left Reeling Ahmedabad, Feb 26: A clinical South Africa outclassed West Indies by nine wickets in their Super 8 clash to stretch their unbeaten run and all but seal a place in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup here on Thursday. A dominating show by the Proteas pacer []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Ahmedabad, Feb 26: It doesnt feel easy, South Africa captain Aiden Markram insisted on Thursday, even as his team brushed aside another heavyweight opponent in West Indies for a sixth consecutive win in the T20 World Cup and put one foot in the semifinals. The Proteas latest triumph a []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Ahmedabad, Feb 26: West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted that failure to quickly assess conditions and execute plans cost his side dearly as they slumped to their first defeat of the T20 World Cup against South Africa in the Super 8 stage here on Thursday. Hope said the result was []

Mumbai, Feb 25: Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty pared early sharp gains to close marginally higher in a volatile session on Wednesday as the US imposing 126 per cent import duties on Indian solar goods dampened investor sentiment and triggered profit-taking. Retreating around 674 points from the days high, the 30-share BSE Sensex finally []

New Delhi, Feb 25: Precious metal prices increased up to 2 per cent in the national capital on Wednesday, with silver rising to Rs 2.77 lakh per kilogram, and gold advancing to Rs 1.64 lakh per 10 grams, tracking strong global trends and sustained safe-haven buying. According to the All India Sarafa Association, the white []

HOBART, Feb 25: The Indian mens hockey team ended a prolonged losing streak in the FIH Pro League, upstaging world No. 3 Australia 3-1 in a shoot-out after both sides were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time, here on Wednesday. It was a close battle between the two teams in the first three []

NEW DELHI, Feb 25: Cheating in chess is being portrayed as a bigger problem than what it actually is, says world champion D Gukesh, who does not support Russian Grandmaster Vladimir Kramniks controversial crusade against the menace that affects the online game. Kramnik, a former world champion, has sued the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for []

ACAPULCO, Feb 25: In his first competitive action since his defeat in an epic Australian Open semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz, world no. 4 Alexander Zverev advanced to the second round of the Mexcian Open with a 6-2,6-4 win against Frenchman Corentin Moutet. With his 15th win in Acapulco, Zverev (15-5) moved level with Rafael Nadal []

NEW DELHI, Feb 25: Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu recorded big wins on the second day of the Senior National Mens Kabaddi Championship here on Wednesday. In Pool A, Haryana hammered Telangana 49-18 with Neeraj Narwal leading the team with 11 points. He was assisted by Nitin Kumar, who amassed nine points, along []

Croatias Duje Ajdukovic during the Maha Open ATP Challenger Tennis Cship, in Pune on Wednesday. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, Feb 25: Rising star Vaishnavi Adkar will be among a host of Indian players to feature in the ITF W35 Kalaburagi, the biggest international womens tennis tournament to be held here, from March 1 to 8.The USD 30,000 tournament, part of the ITF Womens World Tennis Tour, marks the citys first-ever ITF W35-level []

Islamabad, Feb 25: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Wednesday filed a petition in the countrys Supreme Court requesting the medical treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan at a hospital of his choice and permission for consulting his personal physicians, local media reported. PTI lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa filed the application in Supreme Court []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Chennai, Feb 24: Indias march towards the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup now hangs by a thread. One crushing defeat. Seventy-six runs. And suddenly, what once looked like a comfortable campaign has turned into a mathematical maze. The heavy loss to South Africa did more than dent confidence []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Chennai, Feb 24: Indias preparations for their crucial Super Eight encounter against Zimbabwe have been dealt an unexpected setback, with Rinku Singh leaving the squad just two days before the high-pressure clash in Chennai. The must-win fixture is scheduled for Thursday (February 26) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, where []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Match starts at 7 pm Colombo, Feb 24: Sri Lanka will need to improve their batting against slower bowlers when they take on New Zealand in a must-win Super Eight game of the T20 World Cup here on Wednesday. The home team batters failed to chase a below par 147 []

Pallekele, Feb 24: Skipper Harry Brook played the most defining innings of his T20 career, smashing a 51-ball 100 to propel England into the semifinals of the T20 World Cup with a narrow two-wicket victory over Pakistan. Chasing a target of 165 on a slightly difficult surface, England were 35 for 3 and then 58 []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Chennai, Feb 24: After battling sluggish, spin-friendly tracks through much of the T20 World Cup 2026, Team India may find conditions more to their liking when they take on Zimbabwe in a high-stakes Super Eight encounter on Thursday (February 26) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Indias campaign has reached a []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Playing him like an off-spinner New Delhi, Feb 24: Does a mystery spinner retain the element of mystery if he is over-exposed at the international level? Well, it is a matter of debate, but it is clear that leading batters are now not just reading him from the hand, but []

PREMIER LEAGUE London, Feb 24: Benjamin Sesko once again emerged as Manchester Uniteds decisive figure, climbing off the bench to fire home a priceless winner in a hard-fought victory over Everton and propel his side firmly into the Premier Leagues top four. On a night when clear-cut chances were scarce at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, []

Ranji Trophy final Hubballi, Feb 24: A masterful unbeaten century from Shubham Pundir and a tenacious 88 from young Yawer Hassan saw Jammu & Kashmir seize control of the Ranji Trophy final, ending the opening day at a solid 284 for two and leaving Karnatakas bowlers searching for answers here on Tuesday. Pundir, the 27-year-old []

Kabul, Feb 24: England-born Richard Pybus has been appointed as the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team, replacing Jonathan Trott following the teams exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup. Pybus, who has enjoyed a distinguished international coaching career, will take charge ahead of next months white-ball series against Sri Lanka in the UAE. []

Living at high altitude appears to protect against diabetes, and scientists have finally discovered the reason. When oxygen levels drop, red blood cells switch into a new metabolic mode and absorb large amounts of glucose from the blood. This helps the body cope with thin air while also reducing blood sugar levels. A drug that []

New Delhi, Feb 24: The government on Tuesday permitted exports of 25 lakh tonnes of wheat, according to a commerce ministry notification. The decision was taken earlier this month, but the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) notified it on Tuesday. The export policy of Wheat continues to remain prohibited. However, export of 25 Lakh []

Mumbai, Feb 24: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty tumbled more than 1 per cent on Tuesday, dragged down by heavy losses in IT stocks amid concerns over artificial intelligence-led disruption and renewed trade-related uncertainties. Rising global crude prices amid escalating US-Iran tensions and sluggish global cues also hit investor sentiment, traders said. Snapping its []

New Delhi, Feb 24: India and the six-nation bloc of Middle Eastern nations, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), started negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA), an official statement said on Tuesday. In this regard, a joint statement was signed between the visiting Secretary General of the council, Jasem Mohammad Al Budaiwi, and Commerce []

FIH Pro League Hobart, Feb 24: Indias dismal run in the FIH Mens Pro League saw them go down 3-4 in a shootout against Spain after a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time here on Tuesday. Despite holding a 1-0 advantage until the 59th minute, courtesy a brilliant strike from Maninder Singh, India conceded a []

Brisbane, Feb 24: Australia outplayed reigning world champions India in all departments to pick up a comfortable six-wicket win in the first Womens ODI here on Tuesday. India put up an ordinary performance with the bat to be bowled out for 214 despite solid fifties from Smriti Mandhana (58 off 68) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur []

New Delhi, Feb 24: The Sports Ministry has asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form ad-hoc committees to manage Karate and Handball in the country as factionalism and governance vacuum in the administration of both these disciplines is hurting athletes ahead of the Asian Games this year. In letters addressed to IOA President P []

Prague Chess Festival Prague, Feb 24: After an early exit from the World Cup and an underwhelming performance at the Tata Steel Masters, world champion D Gukesh would be eyeing a turnaround when he spearheads Indias challenge in the Prague International Chess festival starting here on Wednesday. Seeded second in a young elite field, Gukesh []

Nuh (Haryana), Feb 24: Kartik Singh provided a stunning start to the 72 The League when the Mumbai Aces teenager took the in-form American Jhared Hack of Nava Raipur to the 18th hole of a fascinating singles match before halving his contest at the Classic Golf & Country Club here on Tuesday. The league is []

DADENGGRE: Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign ba bilsi sokkugijagipa bisarangko bia kaataniko champengna jaku deani bak gita West Garo Hills ajani District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) baksa nangrime, National Legal Services Authority-ni dakchakanichi, Mongolbar salo, jinma rejomaniko Selsella C&RD Block-o ongatangaha. Ia rejomaniko Selsella Government Upper Primary School-oni abachenge, []

SHILLONG: Umroi-o donggipa Shillong Airport-o dalkalgipa sildorengrangko onchongatna manna gita airport-ko dalbatate tarina aarangko breani kamrang matchotmanaha ine Mongolbar salo, adokni Deputy Chief Minister aro Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Assembly-o parakataha. Assembly-o singanirangna aganchakaniko onangengon, dao dipet Shillong airport-ni runway, metre 1829-san ongaiani gimin ia airport-o ATR-72 aircraft-rangkosan jakkalkuenga indiba ia airport-ni runway-ko bakrodapatahaode, iana

AMPATI: Rebaenggipa April 10 tariko Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election-ko ongatna siengani gimin South West Garo Hills ajao licence gnang silchidare jakkalenggipa pilak manderangkon, election-na skang antangtangni silchidarerangko sorkarina pakwatchina, South West Garo Hills ajani District Administration uiataha. Arms Act 1959-ni Section 17 ningo ia uiataniko onangengon, South West Garo Hills ajao licence []

TURA: Rebaenggipa April jani 10 tariko ongatna tik kaenggipa Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election-o susana gita Achik onggijagipa candidate-rangnaba dingtang dingtang political party-rang, tikitrangko onahani gimin Achik State Peoples Front (ASPF) suk onggijaniko parakatenba, gipin jat candidate-rangna ongipa tikitrangko rapilchina dingtang dingtang party-rangko didiataha. Iani bidingo ASPF, National Peoples Party (NPP), Indian National []

Editor, How many more videos must go viral before this country admits it has a racism problem? The recent racist attack on young women from Arunachal Pradesh in Malviya Nagar is not an isolated incident. It is a mirror and the reflection is ugly. Following a minor residential dispute, three women were allegedly subjected to []

Before the turn of the century, Henry Kissinger visualized that the 21st Century would be Asias Century just as the 20th was dominated by America and the 19th by Europe following the Industrial Revolution and arrival of machines. Situations conspired to make Asia big, a geographic sphere of high activity and nations of thriving []

By Bhogtoram Mawroh A few days ago, my friend and I were getting ready for dinner while discussing how the expert committees report on reservation might play out, especially now that it has been clarified that population cannot be used as a criterion for granting reservation. We were curious as to how the VPP, which []

A Tribute from the Hills of Shillong By Danny K Rajee The passing of Dr. Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon in 2026 marks a profound moment in Meghalayas political and social history. His journey from regional leadership to national representation symbolized a generational shift in the Northeasts political imagination. As Member of Parliament from Shillong, he []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 24: Leader of the Opposition, Mukul Sangma on Tuesday demanded accountability from the government regarding financial support extended to the power sector, specifically under the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY). Moving a cut motion during the Budget discussion in the Assembly, Sangma noted that substantial public funds have been infused []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 24: Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma has lambasted the MDA government for allegedly weakening the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) and cautioned that the state is not in safe hands under the present dispensation. Condemning the present government for being insensitive to such an extent that it has reportedly []

From Our Correspondent NONGPOH, Feb 24: Fishermen at the Umran River on Tuesday recovered human skeletal remains that were found lodged between rocks, raising strong suspicion that they may belong to a man who went missing eight months ago after falling into the river from the Iewsier bridge. According to sources, the fishermen from Umtasor []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 24: Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma on Tuesday sought detailed clarification in the Assembly regarding the states HUDCO loan liabilities, consultancy spending in the Transport department, and the ongoing land acquisition for Shillong Airport at Umroi. Raising the issue of Housing & Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) Ltd borrowings, Sangma []