The Shillong Times News

PREMIER LEAGUE London, Dec 28: A dramatic day in the Premier League saw contrasting fortunes at opposite ends of the table, with Leeds United salvaging a hard-earned draw at Sunderland while Aston Villa continued their relentless march near the summit with a stirring comeback victory over Chelsea. Calvert-Lewin extends hot streak as Leeds hold Sunderland []

London, Dec 28: Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has acknowledged that his sides ongoing struggles defending set-pieces are proving costly, describing the problem as something that hurts and labelling the second phase of dead-ball situations as a killer for the team. Despite Liverpool securing a 2-1 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on []

New Delhi, Dec 28: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is waiting for a response from the continental body regarding whether Indian Super League (ISL) clubs will get AFC slots even if they play fewer than the mandatory number of matches this season, according to sources. India has two spots in the AFC Champions League []

Rabat, Dec 28: Victor Osimhen scored a rare Africa Cup of Nations goal and Nigeria booked its place in the knockout stage with an ultimately nervy 3-2 win over Tunisia. The Super Eagles almost squandered a three-goal lead as Montassar Talbi pulled a goal back in the 74th minute and Ali Abdi converted a penalty []

SERIE A Rome, Dec 28: Christian Pulisic is on pace for the best season of his career in a season that will conclude with a home World Cup for the United States. The American standout scored the opening goal for AC Milan in a 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona in Serie A on Sunday []

Rome, Dec 28: Late goals from Pierre Kalulu and Kenan Yildiz earned Juventus a 2-0 win at promoted Pisa as the Bianconeri won their third straight in Serie A. It was a challenge for Luciano Spallettis side, though, as Pisa threatened by twice hitting the woodwork. Following morale-boosting victories over Bologna and Roma, Juventus moved []

Casablanca, Dec 28: When Sudan player Ammar Taifour first heard gunfire outside his hotel room, he shrugged it off and went back to sleep. He had a soccer match to play. But hours later, gunfire erupted again and gunmen surrounded the hotel in Omdurman, central Sudan, trying to seize control of the area. Taifour, a []

Dhaka, Dec 28: Dhaka on Sunday rejected concerns raised by India over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, calling it an inaccurate, exaggerated, or motivated narrative that does not reflect the facts. Indias Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said the unremitting hostilities against minorities in Bangladesh are a matter of grave concern. It demanded []

Lahore, Dec 28: Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has admitted that India attacked its Nur Khan airbase in the early hours of May 10, in possibly a first-time admission eight months after the four-day armed conflict between the two countries. Dar also said that Islamabad did not request mediation between Pakistan and India during []

Kathmandu, Dec 28: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), the fourth-largest political party in Nepals dissolved House of Representatives, will head into the upcoming parliamentary elections by presenting Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah as its candidate for the countrys next Prime Minister. RSP President Rabi Lamichhane and Shah, both widely regarded as popular political figures, []

Yangon, Dec 28: Voters went to the polls Sunday for the initial phase of Myanmars first general election in five years, held under the supervision of its military government while a civil war rages throughout much of the country. Final results will not be known until after two more rounds of voting are completed later []

New Delhi, Dec 28: The International Monetary Funds Executive Board has paradoxically approved another $1.29 billion as financial support for Pakistan despite the multilateral institutions own report highlighting the corruption in the debt-ridden country, which is coming in the way of repaying these loans. The IMF has just released a 186-page Governance and Corruption Diagnostic []

Refugee health is often discussed in terms of crises such as disease outbreaks, malnutrition and psychological distress. But some of the most serious effects of displacement are harder to see. One example is how forced migration can change the bacteria in the gut that support immunity and long-term health. The human gut contains trillions of []

By Erik de Maaker I first came to Garo Hills some twenty-five years ago, when I was a PhD student. I lived for two years in a village in West Garo Hills, witnessing the intricate knowledge which farmers have of the natural environment they depend on. It made me aware of the tactility required to []

By Joseph Bosco Syiem I felt that jolt while reading The Governor House of Meghalaya: Platos Cave in Constitutional Clothing (Parts One and Two) by Napoleon Mawphniang. I bought both the Kindle edition and a hard copy from Amazon assuming it would be another dense political critiqueuseful, perhaps, but safely academic. Instead, it read like []

SHILLONG, Dec 28: Security agencies in Meghalaya on Sunday dismissed claims by the Bangladesh Police that the killers of Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi had entered the state. The claims are unfounded and misleading, BSF chief in Meghalaya, Inspector General OP Upadhyay said. A top Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer earlier in the day said []

2025 IN REVIEW By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 28: As 2025 comes to a close, Meghalaya has seen a troubling surge in serious crimes, from brutal murders and offences against minors to insurgency-related IED blasts and a sharp rise in thefts and burglaries in Shillong. These incidents have raised widespread concern about public safety and []

The first quarter of the 21st century marked a pivotal transformation in Bollywood, bringing fresh narratives, innovative concepts, and new talent while exploring modern portrayals of love, friendship, and societal themes. Between 2000 and 2025, Hindi cinema evolved to combine mass appeal with meaningful storytelling, addressing mental health, social issues, and layered human relationships. This []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 28: The state government has assured a strong and comprehensive security cover to Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar in the wake of threats issued by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC). Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also holds the Home (Police) portfolio, said the state government is committed []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 28: Shillong MP Ricky A.J. Syngkon has voiced serious concerns over the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, highlighting its direct implications for Meghalaya due to the states 443-km mostly-porous international border with the neighbouring country. He described recurring incidents of illegal infiltration as a wake-up call for both the government and []

Veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan gives away hampers to fans at his residence Jalsa, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on Sunday. (PTI)

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 28: At least three vehicles were completely destroyed in a suspected arson attack in Umkor locality, Pynursla, in the early hours of Sunday. The incident prompted a police investigation after multiple FIRs were filed at Pynursla Police Station. The vehicles damaged included a Maruti Swift (ML05 AE 2904), a Mahindra []

Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak has issued a legal notice to Akshaye Khanna for reportedly exiting Drishyam 3 after accepting the signing amount and committing dates, citing conflicts over wearing a wig that disrupted the films continuity. Pathak seeks compensation for financial losses, including set costs. Jaideep Ahlawat has been added to the cast in Khannas []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 28: North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum on Sunday said he would continue to pursue the issue of alleged misuse of land at New Shillong Township, Mawdiangdiang, commonly known as the IAS Colony, and warned of taking the matter to the court if corrective measures are not taken. Nongrum said he []

Actress Alia Bhatt recently shared her new style obsession with bows on social media, showcasing her love for the accessory in a series of glamorous Instagram photos. In the posts, Alia is seen wearing bows in her hair in a variety of chic, fashionable looks, striking different poses for the camera. Captioning the images, she []

SHILLONG: Adita salrangna skang, Assam aro Rajpur jolrango, Kristianrangni Krismasko maniengmiting somoio Bajrang Dal-ni golmal kana jotton kaani gimin Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC) aro toromko dilenggipa dingtang dingtang dolrangba raken jegalattokaha. Kristianrangni Krismasko maniengmiting somoio champengna jotton kaahani gimin Shillong Archdiocese-ni Vicar General Fr Richard Majaw-ba antangni suk onggijaniko parakatengon, iandake Kristianrangni manianiko golmal []

Melbourne, Dec 27: England ended an 18-match winless streak in Australia and beat the home side by four wickets in the fourth Ashes test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. England lost each of the first three tests to allow Australia to retain the Ashes in just 11 days of on-field action at Perth, []

SHILLONG: Voice of the Peoples Party (VPP)-ni president aro Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit-ko manchape VPP-ni dilgiparangna kamikkenataniko onanina VPP Nongkrem constituency, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) bobil dolko jegalataha. HNLC bobil dolni kamikkenataniko jegalatengon, manderangni seokgipa dilgiparangko kamikkenataniara, asongni niam bidiko ongimin bilrangko peani aro chonnikani gita onga ine VPP Nongkrem constituency-ni secretary H []

Melbourne, Dec 27: England captain Ben Stokes on Saturday came down heavily on the overwhelmingly bowler-friendly Melbourne pitch on which 20 wickets fell on Day 1 of the just-concluded Boxing Day Test, saying such a track elsewhere in the world would have invoked a barrage of criticism. Stokes one-time team-mate Kevin Pietersen and former India []

SHILLONG: Batanggimin sal somoirango, Krismasko manienggipa manderangni kosako kragija dake champengna jotton kagipa dolni manderangko Shillong-ni MP Ricky AJ Syngkon-ba raken jegalataha aro asongni pilak manderangnan naljokaniko onchina gita mamong sorkariko didiataha. Assam adokni Nalbari-ko manchape asongni dingtang dingtang biaprango Krismas manienggipa manderangko golmal kaani bidingo janapatengon, Krismasko manianiara tomtomani aro toromni gita manianisa onggenchimoba, []

Melbourne, Dec 27: Batting great Alastair Cook said Englands 2-2 home series draw against Shubman Gill-led India was against not a great Indian side, flagging concerns over the teams preparation for the Ashes, in which they are currently trailing 1-3. The five-match series against India ended in a 2-2 draw earlier this year. It was []

Niam gri koela salani, napsrukanirang dongkuja ine akanga MENDIPATHAR: West Khasi Hills ajani koelarangko, asongni dingtang dingtang biaprangona raangna gita niam gri Mendipathar Railway Station-ona salbaenga ine social media-rango matnange seanirangko nikani jaman Sonibar salo, North Garo Hills Youth Federation (NGHYF)-ni membor-rang, antangtangan kakketko nie rana gita miksonganio, Mendipathar Railway Station-ona reange nieaha. Koborko onani []

Melbourne, Dec 27: Steve Smith etched his name deeper into Ashes history on Friday, overtaking Allan Border to become Australias second-highest run-scorer against England in Test cricket. The landmark came during the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Smith, despite modest returns with the bat, crossed the coveted mark to move ahead []

Jaipur, Dec 27: Gautam Gambhirs record as Indias white ball coach has been pretty impressive with an ICC and ACC trophy in each of the two formats but with 10 Test defeats against SENA countries, the same cannot be said when it comes to Test cricket. It is understood that right after Indias abject surrender []

SHILLONG: Jowai-oni Malidor-ona dakanggipa National Highway (NH) ramani obosta namroroangjaengaha ine badi kaanirangko manahani gimin Sonibar salo, Shillong-ni MP Ricky J Syngkon, ia ramako antangan reange niangaha. Ia ramako niangani jaman kobor ratimgipa manderang baksa agangrikengon, ia ramani mitam bakrango gari gorarangni reruraanirangko nikna manengoba, bangbata bakrangan obosta namangjaengaha ine parakataha. Ramani mitam bakrango namdapatanirangko []

2025 IN REVIEW By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 27: The year 2025 is set to bid goodbye in a few days, but issues continue to linger, with solutions to some of them nowhere in sight. The issue of the Inner Line Permit continues to linger, as both the state and the central governments maintain the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 27: Government employees in Meghalaya are enjoying an extended winter vacation as all state government offices remain closed for the festive season. The last working day for government offices was December 19, after which they entered a recess that will last until January 5, 2026. With the state immersed in []

KATHMANDU, Dec 27: Nepal witnessed a significant political turmoil in 2025 as massive street protests led by Gen Z against corruption, nepotism, and a social media ban escalated into violence, ultimately leading to the ouster of Prime Minister KP Sharma Olis coalition government. The political turbulence in September led to former Chief Justice Sushila Karki []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 27: A BSF jawan from Punjab, posted in Meghalaya, died after sustaining a gunshot injury while on duty. Reports said that Rajinder Singh, hailing from Fazilka district in Punjab, allegedly shot himself with his service rifle. Despite attempts, the BSF could not be reached for details of the incident. Punjab []

Group members pay visit to the site, dismiss influx fears From Our Correspondent MENDIPATHAR, Dec 27: With the prospect of rake loading and transportation of coal from Meghalayas lone railway station at Mendipathar, a group of leaders from the North Garo Hills Youth Federation (NGHYF) on Friday visited the site to verify firsthand the legality []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 27: Strongly condemning incidents of vandalism and intimidation targeting Christian minorities during the Christmas season, Shillong MP Ricky AJ Syngkon has called on the Centre to ensure the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of all citizens. Referring to reports of attacks from different parts of the country, including Nalbari in []

Caught between cars and the curb, a pedestrian negotiates both space and choice at Khyndai Lad junction in the city on Saturday. (ST)

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 27: Amid persistent complaints over deteriorating road conditions, Shillong MP Ricky J Syngkon is set to inspect the National Highway stretch from Jowai to Malidor, an arterial route crucial for regional connectivity. The MP said the highway remains in poor condition across several sections, despite visible movement in certain areas. []

New Delhi, Dec 27: State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmads warning that Pakistans growth model is unsustainable for a population of 250 million comes at a time when business cycles in the country shorten, and each recovery is weaker than the one before, a report said on Saturday. The report from European Times said []

Biplab Kr Dey Mendipathar, Dec 27: With the dream of rake load and transport of coal from the lone railway station in the state of Meghalaya, at Mendipathar, a group of leaders of the North Garo Hills Youth Federation (NGHYF) today, paid a visit to the place to check firsthand the legality of the entire []

United Nations, Dec 27: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres unequivocally condemned the deadly terrorist attack on a mosque in Homs, Syria, his spokesperson said in a statement. The attack occurred during Friday prayers at the Ali Bin Abi Talib mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood of Homs, according to the statement issued by spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, []

Washington, Dec 27: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky doesnt have anything until I approve it, US President Donald Trump said in an exclusive interview with Politico, two days ahead of his meeting with Zelensky in Florida over a peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict lasting nearly four years. The two leaders are expected to discuss []

Alleged acts of violence, intimidation meted out to the community during Christmas celebrations in parts of Assam and Rajpur SHILLONG, Dec 26: Religious leaders, supported by the Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC), have strongly condemned the alleged acts of violence and intimidation carried out by the Bajrang Dal against the Christian community during Christmas celebrations []

Editor, The Government of Meghalaya loudly promotes Responsible Tourism a fancy slogan wrapped around eco-tours, homestays, and big music festivals meant to turn Shillong into a global hotspot. But beneath this polished image lies a harsh reality: while pouring crores into attracting stars like Ed Sheeran and building luxury hotels like Vivanta and Marriott, the []

The arrival of Tarique Rahman, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and ex-President Ziaur Rahman, from exile on Thursday is significant. Arriving from London after 17 years in self-imposed exile, the surge of his Bangladesh Nationalist Party supporters to welcome their acting chairman reflected the public mood in Bangladesh thats set for parliament polls []