The Shillong Times

More people are relying on social media such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Reddit- to learn about mental health conditions and to interact with people who have shared experiences. These arent only long-familiar disorders such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. They also include conditions often placed under the neurodivergent umbrella such as autism, ADHD []

Herbal cigarettes, widely sold in India and abroad as natural, tobacco-free, and therapeutic alternatives to conventional cigarettes, are not safer than regular tobacco cigarettes- they produce emissions that can be comparably or even more damaging than tobacco smoke, according to a study. Findings published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials present a comprehensive comparison of []

Artistes perform during the celebration of the birth anniversary of Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul lslam at Bongiya Sahitya Parishad on Sunday.

From Our Correspondent AMPATI, June 1: The District Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) and National Oral Health Programme (NOHP), South West Garo Hills, observed World No Tobacco Day 2026 at Bidamong Educational Foundation School, Dengasi, on Monday. The event aimed to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and protect the youth from addiction. Delivering []

From Our Correspondent MAWKYRWAT, June 1: Local MLA Renikton L Tongkhar on Monday inaugurated a new Dorbar Hall at Domjyrti village in South West Khasi Hills, constructed at a cost of Rs 15 lakh under the Chief Ministers Special Development Fund (CMSDF) 2023-24. Addressing the gathering, Tongkhar commended the contractor for the timely completion and []

Aizawl, June 1: Mizoram Governor General (Dr) V.K. Singh (Retd) on Monday launched the Khet Bachao Abhiyan, a nationwide initiative of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare aimed at preventing soil degradation through balanced fertiliser use based on soil testing and the promotion of natural farming practices. The campaign seeks to enhance soil []

Guwahati, June 1: Assam Congress MLA Jakir Hussain Sikdar on Monday said the party has initiated an internal review process to analyse the reasons behind its defeat in the recent elections, adding that observers appointed by the party are collecting detailed feedback from leaders and workers at the constituency level. Speaking to reporters here, Sikdar []

Guwahati, June 1: The Assam Royal Global University (RGU), the premiere higher education institution in the North-east India is all set for full implementation of the NEP 2020 with students joining the final year programme under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP). Elaborating the preparedness for effective implementation of this important aspect of NEP 2020, the []

Ri-Bhoi (Meghalaya), June 1 : The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) has added another feather to its cap as Dr Nibedita Paul, NSS Programme Coordinator, USTM, was conferred a prestigious National-Level Award under the National Service Scheme (NSS) during the Chintan Shivir organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports at the []

Ahmedabad, May 31: It was a night dotted with chilling certainty. Royal Challengers Bengaluru translated their domination from Day 1 of this IPL into a second successive title, and Virat Kohli anchored that five-wicket romp over Gujarat Titans with a patented chase masterclass of unbeaten 75 here on Sunday. If the Titans innings of 155 []

Margao, May 31: Meghalaya midfielder Sanfida Nongrum delivered an impressive performance to earn the Player of the Match award as India defeated Bangladesh 3-0 to finish atop Group B in the SAFF Womens Championship 2026 on Sunday. India registered their second consecutive win of the tournament, having earlier thrashed Maldives 11-0, and ended the group []

New Delhi, May 31: Indias legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has heaped praise on 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, describing him as a truly special talent while also lauding the ability of the teenage batting prodigy to pick the correct line and length and smash the ball where he likes. Sooryavanshi finished the IPL 2026, scoring 776 []

Jaipur, May 31: Rajasthan Royals entered IPL 2026 with one of the most exciting squads in the tournament. Blessed with explosive batters, versatile all-rounders and a bowling attack capable of troubling any opposition, the franchise appeared well-equipped to mount a serious title challenge. Yet, despite possessing the talent to go deep into the competition, the []

Dubai, May 31: International cricket is set for another action-packed year, with the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2026-27 featuring a packed schedule of bilateral series and major tournaments across the globe. The calendar will see several of the games leading nations travel extensively, while fans can look forward to high-profile contests involving India, Australia, []

TEHRAN, May 31: Iran has said that restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz remain in force despite US President Donald Trumps recent claim that a naval blockade on the country would be lifted. According to Irans semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iranian sailors reported that vessels are still being prevented from freely passing through the strategic []

MOSCOW, May 31: Ukraine launched fresh overnight drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, Russian officials reported on Sunday, while Kyiv denied Moscows allegations that a Ukrainian drone had struck the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. In Russias southwestern Rostov region, drone debris sparked a fire at a fuel storage facility, prompting the evacuation of residents []

BANGKOK, May 31: A powerful explosion at a building reportedly storing mining explosives in northeastern Myanmar killed more than 45 people and injured around 70 others on Sunday, according to rescue workers and local media reports. The blast occurred around midday in Kaungtup village in Namhkam township, an area located near the Chinese border and []

NEW DELHI, May 31: Developments surrounding the US-Iran situation, crude oil prices, and the RBIs interest rate decision will determine the trend in the equity market in an event-heavy week ahead, analysts said. Besides, macroeconomic data announcements, trading activity of foreign investors, and the rupee-dollar trend will act as key drivers for equities, they noted. []

New Delhi, May 31: India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) offering zero duty access to a range of Indian labour-intensive exports, will kick in from Monday. The Finance Ministry on Sunday issued notification on duty concessions on Omani goods under trade pact with India, which will come into effect from June 1. India and Oman []

New Delhi, May 31: The government has halved windfall gains tax on export of petrol to Rs 1.5 litre, while reducing the levy on diesel to Rs 13.5/litre and aviation turbine fuel to Rs 9.5/litre effective June 1. The finance ministry in a notification said road and infrastructure cess will be nil on export of []

New Delhi, May 31: Billionaire Gautam Adani said the Adani Group has moved beyond its US legal challenges and is accelerating investments across energy, transport, logistics and digital infrastructure, positioning itself to benefit from rising demand for artificial intelligence-led growth. In his annual letter to shareholders, Adani said the conglomerate remained committed to expansion despite []

Kakamigahara (Japan), May 31: The Indian womens hockey team registered a convincing 3-1 victory over Korea in their second Pool A match of the U-18 Asia Cup here on Sunday. Riding on goals from Nousheen Naz, Shruti Kumari and Kiran Ekka, India maintained their winning momentum in the tournament following their opening-day triumph over Malaysia. []

Lucknow, May 31: Indias new mens freestyle wrestling coach Shako Bentinidis believes reigning U23 world champion Sujeet Kalkal has the potential to become an Olympic medallist but must further sharpen his technical skills to dominate the highly competitive 65kg category. He also urged Indian coaches to continuously upgrade themselves through greater exposure to international training []

CHAMPIONS YET AGAIN: Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Gujarat Titans in the IPL final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. (PTI)

Push for Garo representative bolsters James Sangmas prospect By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 31: Ahead of the Rajya Sabha election for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Meghalaya, scheduled on June 18, the BJP has decided to support a common candidate of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA). Traditionally, the Rajya Sabha seat from Meghalaya []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 31: Meghalaya Trinamool Congress (TMC) president and Opposition MLA Charles Pyngrope on Sunday dismissed speculation that party leaders in the state were preparing to switch allegiance ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections, asserting that the party remains active and functional. Responding to reports and rumours suggesting that TMC leaders were []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 31: A series of developments over the past year from a contentious cabinet reshuffle and public disagreements among senior leaders to complaints from party units and the resignation of a veteran leader have fuelled questions about whether Meghalayas second-largest political party is confronting one of its most challenging internal phases []

During an evening test fire on May 28, 2026, a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded, engulfing the launchpad in a massive fireball. The spectacular fire, caught on video, not only destroyed the rocket but also appears to have significantly damaged Blue Origins only launchpad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Fortunately, []

India and Pakistan are no strangers to heat. This time of year is the worst, as heat peaks before the monsoon brings cooler conditions from June. But this years heat is something else. Intense, sustained heat began in mid-April. Daily maximum temperatures have topped 46C in many locations, with some areas running around 58C above []

Washington, May 30: US President Donald Trump held a White House Situation Room meeting with his advisers on Friday but has not yet made a decision on whether to move forward with a deal to extend the Iran ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the agreement has not been finalised. Ahead of []

Washington, May 30: The Trump administration has revoked the visa of a Chinese national working for the state news agency Xinhua in the United States, in an apparent reciprocal act to Beijings decision to expel a New York Times reporter. A person familiar with the matter confirmed the visa had been revoked. The person spoke []

WASHINGTON, May 30: A federal judge ruled Friday that President Donald Trumps name was illegally added to the Kennedy Centre and blocked the administration from closing the cultural and arts venue for major renovations the latest legal setback for Trumps efforts to leave his personal mark on the landscape of the nations capital. Trump []

Stafford (US), May 30: A bus crashed into vehicles slowing for a work zone on Interstate 95 in Virginia early on Friday, killing five people and injuring dozens, including the driver, authorities said. The crash happened at about 2:35 am on southbound I-95 in Stafford County, near Quantico. All five of the people who died []

Bunia, May 30: The head of the World Health Organisation on Saturday visited eastern Congos Bunia, a city at the heart of an outbreak of a rare type of Ebola, where the virus is spreading faster than the response despite better-organised health facilities and new aid arrivals. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is expected to visit a []

Singapore, May 30: US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Saturday credited President Donald Trump with helping broker peace between India and Pakistan, while describing India as a key partner in Washingtons Indo-Pacific strategy and highlighting growing defence cooperation between the two countries. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth referred to the understanding []

Bangkok, May 30: Rescue workers in Laos said Saturday they have safely evacuated four villagers trapped in a flooded cave for 10 days, the day after another one was successfully extracted. Two men remain missing. Lao and Thai rescue groups posted about the successful operation on social media, along with photos of the men lying []

Kabul, May 30: A truck carrying Afghan refugees returning from neighbouring Pakistan overturned on a highway in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, killing at least 22 people and injuring about 36 others, most of them women and children, officials said. The accident occurred in Laghman province on the main highway linking Kabul, the Afghan capital, with []

Meghalaya-o kror 150-ni High-Altitute Training Centre-ko songgen SHILLONG: Meghalaya, chang 39-gipa National Games-ko sokchakna tarisoengon mamong minister Dr. Mandaviya, tarisoanirangko nipilangaon daldalgipa ba mongsonggipa infrastructure-ko songna parakatjolaha. Sonibar salo tomaniko Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma dilangaha, jeon Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Khadse, IOA President P.T Usha, Meghalaya Sports Minister Wailadmiki []

Actor Manoj Bajpayee says the huge controversy over the title of his upcoming film Ghooskhor Pandat affected the entire team for some time, while he himself faced a lot of threats. The 57-year-old actor said the team promptly responded to the uproar over the title, which was dubbed casteist by many on social media. A []

Ranveer Singh, on Friday night was photographed with Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice ahead of a major football fixture. Ranveer shared the picture on his social media account and wrote, All about last night. The actor used the song, Tere Jaisa Yaar Kahan from the hit movie Yaarana featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Amjad Khan. []

After making her Telugu debut with Devara: Part 1 in 2024 and trying her hand at Malayalam for the 2025 film Param Sundari, actress Janhvi Kapoor, who is predominantly a Bollywood star, has confessed that Malayalam was no easy feat. Speaking about how she can now call herself a multilingual actress, considering she knows many []

Marcia Lucas, who won an Oscar as editor of the original 1977 Star Wars and was part of a group of women whose editing was essential to films New Hollywood era, has died, a lawyer for her family said Friday. She was 80. Lucas, who was married to Star Wars creator George Lucas from 1969 []

Actress Emilia Clarke has set the record straight on long-standing rumours surrounding the salaries earned by the cast of the hit fantasy series Game of Thrones, calling the reported figures wildly exaggerated, according to Page Six. In a recent interview with Variety, Clarke refuted claims that she and several of her co-stars earned as much []

The trailer of Brown series, starring Karisma Kapoor, was unveiled on Saturday afternoon. Headlined by Karisma Kapoor in the role of a cop, the series also features Surya Sharma, Jisshu Sengupta, and Soni Razdan in pivotal roles. As per the makers, Brown is a neo-noir psychological crime thriller set against the haunting beauty and moral []

Sukrobar salo, adokni Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, adokni Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar baksa Assam-ni Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-ko uni office chamber-o grongenba, Lapangap jolrango ongenggipa obostarangko namatani bidingo chanchirimenga.

SHILLONG: Assam sorkarini gital Cabinet minister-rang, kumikchetaniko dakahaon, Meghalaya aro Assam adokni gisepo, simani bidingo agangrikaniko abachengpiltaina mangen ine Sukrobar salo, adokni Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, antangni kadongchakenganiko parakataha. Sukrobar salo, adokni Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, adokni Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar baksa Assam-ni Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-ko uni office chamber-o grongenba, []

From Our Correspondent MAWKYRWAT, May 30: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Saturday inaugurated the Rilang College at Mawsaw village in South West Khasi Hills and announced that a new C&RD Block will be established in the Shiliang Um Rilang area by early next year. The college is an initiative of the Rilang Education Society []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 30: The National Peoples Party (NPP) has not yet finalised its candidate for the upcoming election to Meghalayas lone Rajya Sabha seat, with party leaders expected to hold high-level discussions in the coming days before announcing the official nominee. Cabinet Minister and senior NPP leader Wailadmiki Shylla confirmed on Saturday []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 30: The state government on Saturday said it has taken serious note of alleged sexual harassment of women cricketers and assured zero tolerance for any form of misconduct involving women athletes. Reacting to reports of alleged sexual assault and claims that former Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) officials failed to act []