The Shillong Times

In a state ruled by football, a quiet generation of hyper-intuitive players is drawing against international Grandmastersand fighting an uphill battle to put the Northeast on the global chess map. By Monojit Mandal In the misty, windswept hills of Shillong and the sun-dappled stretches of the Garo Hills, the dominant sound of sports has always []

NEW DELHI, July 25: As the Indian Mens Team gets ready for the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands 2026, their 20-player squad combines seasoned players with up-and-coming talent. Notable young players aiming to stand out include goalkeeper Mohith HS, defender Yashdeep Siwach, and midfielders Rajinder Singh and Aditya Arjun Lalage, all []

HANGZHOU (China), July 25: Indias Sonam Uttam Maskar and Olympian Elavenil Valarivan produced strong performances to reach the womens 10m air rifle final but fell short of the medals, finishing fifth and sixth respectively at the ISSF World Cup (rifle/pistol/shotgun) here on Saturday. With no medal from the event, India continue to have just one []

MONTREAL, July 25: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic have withdrawn from the National Bank Open. Tennis Canada announced Friday that neither will compete in Montreal after both players were included on the entry list for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament beginning Aug. 1. Seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos []

NIGARA-ON-THE-LAKE(Canada), July 25: Indias Anahat Singh moved within one victory of creating history after becoming the first Indian in 21 years to reach the final of the World Squash Junior Championships, defeating Egypts Barb Sameh in four games on Friday. The top seed, aiming for her first World Junior title, became the first Indian finalist []

DHAKA, July 25: Bangladesh have been dealt a major setback ahead of their two-match Test series against Australia after fast bowler Nahid Rana was ruled out with a side strain, BCB announced on Saturday. The 23-year-old sustained a Grade 2 strain on his left side during the second T20I against Zimbabwe on July 17. Medical []

MUSCAT (Oman), July 25: The Indian sub-junior mens team enjoyed a triumphant Friday at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan 7-3 after thrashing host nation Oman 10-1 earlier in the day. Meanwhile, the Indian sub-junior womens team put up a hard fight before going down 3-6 against China in []

Harare, July 25: Power-packed fifties by Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma worked well with bowlers diligence as India trumped Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the second T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Saturday. Chasing 220 was never going to be easy for the Africans and the fate of []

Bengaluru, July 25: Pace leader Jasprit Bumrahs fitness will be keenly discussed as Indias squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka is set to be announced next week. India will open the tour with the first Test at Galle on August 15 before travelling to Colombo for the second Test on August []

Shillong, July 25: Meghalaya footballer Emboklang Nongkhlaw has taken a significant step in his career after signing with UAE Second Division side Al Rams Club, becoming one of the few footballers from the state to secure a professional contract overseas. The 21-year-old attacker joins the Emirati club from Sreenidi Deccan FC, where he featured in []

MUMBAI, July 25: The Indian equity benchmarks posted strong weekly loss, over global inflation fears and higher crude prices. Nifty lost 2.33 per cent during the week and dipped 0.43 per cent on the last trading day to reach 23,767. At close, Sensex was down 331 points, or 0.43 per cent, at 76,059. It lost []

MUMBAI, July 25: Gold prices surged 1.31 per cent on a weekly basis as escalating conflict between the US and Iran, along with a surge in crude oil prices, prompted a flight to safe-haven assets. On Friday, MCX gold August futures gained 0.17 per cent while MCX silver September futures advanced 1.33 per cent. Gold []

MUMBAI, July 25: Indias first hydrogen train an indigenous 10coach model that emits only water vapour successfully travelled over 1,200 kilometres while saving over 3,200 litres of diesel consumption, an official statement said on Saturday. The hydrogen train generates electricity onboard through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen and emits only water []

NEW DELHI, July 25: Union MoS for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday said the governments focus on transparency, accountability and employee welfare resolved several legacy servicerelated grievances that had remained pending for nearly 25 to 30 years. Government remains committed to engaging with employee organisations through regular dialogue and constructive []

NEW DELHI, July 25: The government on Saturday said the US has placed India in the lower 10 per cent tariff bracket under its Section 301 measures on alleged forced labour concerns and reiterated its commitment to working with Washington for the early conclusion of the bilateral trade agreement. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) []

NEW DELHI, July 25: IDFC First Bank on Saturday reported its highest-ever quarterly profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 1,075 crore in April-June period of the current fiscal year, up 132.4 per cent from Rs 463 crore in the year-ago period. Total customer business increased to Rs 6,04,776 crore as of June 30, 2026 from []

Over half of worlds migratory bird species declining, warns study Every year, billions of migratory birds connect the worlds continents, oceans and ecosystems as they undertake epic journeys between their foraging habitats and their breeding grounds. A bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) leaves its breeding grasslands of North America for the Pampas of South America. A Newells []

SHILLONG, July 24: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) on Friday reiterated its unwavering support for the affected villagers, farmers, and landowners of Daistong Elaka Nongkhlieh in East Jaintia Hills ahead of the public hearing scheduled for July 31 on Shree Cement Limiteds proposed limestone mining and cement project. Addressing the media after a []

SHILLONG, July 24: United Democratic Party general secretary, Titosstarwell Chyne on Friday urged the state government to immediately operationalise the Meghalaya State Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, stating that its effective implementation could provide a long-term solution to recurring market failures, as farmers across Meghalaya are grappling with a steep []

Shillong, July 24: Voice of the People Party MLA, Heavingstone Kharpran, on Friday urged the Meghalaya government to formulate a comprehensive agricultural price protection policy and provide additional financial assistance of Rs 4,000 to farmers over and above the Rs 6,000 they receive annually under the Centres PM-KISAN scheme to cushion them against recurring market []

SHILLONG, July 24: North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum has congratulated Meghalayas young performer Kitkupar Nongsiej for his success at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 2026 in Las Vegas, calling it a proud moment for the state and the country. In a congratulatory message, Nongrum praised Nongsiej for winning three gold medals, two bronze []

SHILLONG, July 24: Aspiring advocates should resist the urge to begin their careers in constitutional courts and instead gain experience where litigation truly beginsthe trial courts, former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay Shrinivas Oka said on Friday while interacting with students at the National Law University (NLU) Meghalaya. Delivering a special lecture at the university, []

SHILLONG, July 24: The High Court of Meghalaya on Friday inaugurated a Continuous Legal Education Programme, with members of the judiciary stressing the need for constant learning and improved advocacy skills among young lawyers. The event, held at the High Court auditorium, was inaugurated by Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere in the presence of Justice []

SHILLONG, July 24: The Desert Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Jodhpur, organised an awareness programme on the conservation of Himalayan wild pollinators at Shillong Jail Road Boys Higher Secondary School and Government Girls Higher Secondary School here. According to a statement here, the initiative focused on the essential role of bumblebees []

SHILLONG, July 24: A distinguished gathering of academics, artists, writers, students and government officials came together at the St. Edmunds College Auditorium on Friday for the screening of Bhupen Da Uncut, a documentary paying tribute to legendary singer, composer and Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika. The screening was organised by the Centre for North East []

TURA: Garo Hills-ni bangbata biaprangon sports officer-rangko in-charge dake rakkiengani asel kalsusaanirango tangdona gita manjaenga aro kalsusaani kamrango nengnikanirangko chagrongna nangenga ine Tura Garo Senior Citizens Forum (TGSCF) parakatenba, Tura-o jadelbatsranggipa officer-ko District Sports Officer dake rakkienba, pilak ajarangnan permanent onggipa sports officer-rangko onchina adok sorkariko didiataha. Iani bidingo Sports & Youth Affairs Department-ni Commissioner []

RESUBELPARA: Porikkana skangan NEET porikkani paper-ko jokatani gimin porikkako ragalatani asel asongo sak 10-na batpile chadamberang antangtangko soote siaha aroba aro changgnini dake apsan porikkarangko seattaianiara poraienggipa chadamberangna aro magiparangna bangnikanirangko rabaa. Meghalaya-oniba chadamberang ia porikkako bangen seaha. Indake paper leak onganina antangan daito rae Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan-ko kam watchina aro Education system-ko []

TURA: Bristibar salo, West Garo Hills ajani Rajabala Bazar-o donggipa nok tesa aro nok baksa nangchapgipa dokkanrangkoba waal kamaha aro ia nokrangko waal kamanio, mande sakgni sina nangaha aro gipin sakgni manderang saknaaniko manaha. Koborko onani gitade, ia nokko waal kamanio nokni nokgipa Rajnikant Bhowmik aro uni jikgipa Kamala Kanta Bhowmik sina nangaha. Waal kamanio, []

SHILLONG: Chief Ministers Special Development Fund (CMSDF)-ni ningo dingtang dingtang dolrangna aro gittimrangna Bristibar salo, adokni Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Shillong songjinmao antangni dongchakenggipa noko dingtangmancha program-ko ongatangenba, sanction letter-rangko suale onangaha. Ia CMSDF-ni ningo adokni Chief Minister, dingtang dingtang dolrangna aro gittimrangna, dingtang dingtang kamrango dakchakaniko onenga aro ia dakchakaniko manenggipa dolrangoni mitamrangara, []

Lekka porani kamrangko namdapatna chatro chatrirang baksa agangrikchina PM-ko didia TURA: NEET porikkao paper leak onganiko jegale, New Delhi songjinmani Jantar Mantar-o tomtome jingjengatenggipa chatro chatrirangni kosako bil jakkale, doka satanina Tura Based Church Leaders Forum (TBCLF), sorkari aro police-ni kamko jegalatenba, chatro chatrirangni namgnina lekka porani kamrangko namdapatchina mamong sorkariko didiataha. Ia bilsini NEET-UG []

Glasgow, July 23: India have opened their medal tally at the Commonwealth Games 2026 (CWG) before the opening ceremony as the Olympic medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain moved straight into the semifinals after receiving a bye. The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain moved straight into the womens 75kg semifinals after a bye. With only five []

Bowls Womens pairs event Glasgow, July 23: India beat Malta in a tense tie-break in Bowls Womens Pairs event to begin their Glasgow Commonwealth Games campaign on a winning note here on Thursday. The Indian pair of Rupa Rani Tirkey (lead) and Pinki Singh (skip) dished out a dominant show in the first set, winning []

Frankfurt, July 23: Before the war in Iran, roughly 15 million barrels of Persian Gulf oil were shipped each day through the Strait of Hormuz. Within a few years, much of that oil could bypass the strait. As Irans chokehold over the strait drags on, oil prices surge, so countries across the Gulf are planning []

Cairo, July 23: Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on Thursday, potentially opening a new front as the US military conducted its 12th night of strikes against Iran. The Houthis have threatened to shut down another key trade route. Iran and the US have meanwhile stepped []

United Nations, July 23: India has made clear to Pakistan that the Indus Water Treaty will remain suspended as long as Islamabad is committed to cross-border terrorism as state policy. Our position on the Indus Water Treaty remains clear and consistent, Indias Permanent Representative P. Harish told Pakistan at the Security Council on Wednesday. Cooperation []

Manila, July 23: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday described attacks on merchant shipping and civilian infrastructure as unacceptable, stressing that commerce through international waterways must remain safe and free from disruptions. Addressing the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila, he underscored the forums importance for discussing political and security []

Kathmandu, July 23: Nepals earnings from electricity exports surged in the fiscal year 2025-26 ending in mid-July, as the country exported growing volumes of surplus hydropower to India and Bangladesh during the wet season. India remains the primary destination for Nepals electricity exports, while a portion of the power is also exported to Bangladesh through []

Dhaka, July 23: Bangladeshs President Mohammad Shahabuddin is likely to resign soon, nearly two years ahead of his tenure, political sources and media reports said on Thursday. Shahabuddin was elected to the highest office by the past parliament and is the only person still holding his constitutional position long after the violent July-August 2024 student-led []

LONDON, July 23: Indian-origin politician Kanishka Narayan has retained his position as the United Kingdoms Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence in Andy Burnhams newly announced cabinet, according to a report by The Indian Express. Citing BBC News, the report said Narayan, who made history as Wales first ethnic minority Member of Parliament, continues in []

Colombo, July 23: At least nine Indian fishermen were arrested, and their trawler seized for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters, the island nations Navy has said. The fishermen were fishing in the island nations waters north of Talaimannar after crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line, the Navy said. The arrests come amid continuing tensions []

Madhevere, Nyamhuri return as Zimbabwe name squad for T20Is against India INDia V ZIMbabwe t20 Harare, July 22: Shreyas Iyer would be eager for his first win as India captain while his young team eyes course correction against a spunky Zimbabwe that is expected to fight hard during the short three-match T20I series starting here []

New Delhi, July 22: Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi on Wednesday said he plans to visit India later this year or early next year after receiving major legal relief from the Appellate Tribunal in the long-running 2009 IPL South Africa foreign exchange case, describing the ruling as the vindication of a 16-year battle. In a []

Kohli, Rohit among top four Dubai, July 22: Shubman Gill has moved to within touching distance of the top spot in the ICC Mens ODI batter rankings after his prolific run against England, while Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have also strengthened Indias presence at the top of the charts in the latest update. New []

Lausanne, July 22: Gianni Infantino should resign as head of FIFA for destroying the football industry by expanding international competitions, La Liga president Javier Tebas said Tuesday. It is not the first time he has lashed out at Infantino over fixture congestion and for considering a proposal to expand the 2030 mens World Cup from []