The Shillong Times

Vincius Jnior says he was racially insulted Madrid, Feb 18: The Champions League playoffs were overshadowed by claims of racism towards Real Madrid player Vincius Jnior in angry scenes after the Brazilian scored a brilliant winning goal against Benfica on Tuesday. Play was halted when Vincius claimed he had been racially insulted by an opponent []

Kalyani (West Bengal), Feb 18: Sixty seven years after their maiden appearance, Jammu and Kashmir stormed into the Ranji Trophy finals for the first time on Wednesday, upstaging two-time former champions Bengal by six wickets in the semifinals here to add another historic chapter to a fairytale season so far. Auqib Nabis stunning nine-wicket match []

Lucknow, Feb 18: Ravichandran Smaran scored his second successive hundred as Karnataka continued to grind down Uttarakhand to reach 299 for six in their second innings for a whopping overall lead of 802 runs on the fourth day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal here on Wednesday. Karnataka assured a berth in the title clash against []

Bengaluru, Feb 18: The upcoming Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir is set to be played at the KSCA Stadium in Rajnagar, Hubballi, from February 24. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has received conditional nod from the Karnataka state cabinet to host domestic, IPL and international matches after being on the sidelines since []

Salmans father suffering from minimal brain hemorrhage Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan suffered a brain haemorrhage which has been tackled, is on ventilator support as a safeguard and stable, doctors treating him said on Wednesday, a day after he was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital here. The 90-year-old, one half of the celebrated Salim-Javed duo which []

CANBERRA, Feb 18: Aiming to establish an unassailable lead over Australia, Harmanpreet Kaurs India would draw confidence from a strong bowling performance in the rain-hit opening win when the two sides square off in the second and penultimate T20 International here on Thursday. It was a commanding display from seamer Arundhati Reddy, whose four-wicket haul []

Slovakian players celebrate their third goal against Germany during the Ice Hockey quarter-finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan on Tuesday. (PTI)

KARACHI, Feb 18: Pakistan hockey captain Shakeel Ammad Butt has lashed out the national federation after returning from a tumultuous tour of Australia during which his side didnt just have to roam the streets for lack of accommodation but also wash dishes before going to play a match. Butt told the media at the Lahore []

CORTINA D AMPEZZO, Feb 18: Ami Nakai and Japanese teammate Kaori Sakamoto upstaged Alysa Liu and the rest of the Blade Angels from the U.S. to take the lead after the short program in the womens figure skating competition at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Tuesday. Nakai rode her opening triple axel to a career-best []

New Delhi, Feb 17: A heated dispute emerged in Bangladesh on Tuesday over the proposed Constitutional Reform Council, highlighting legal and political challenges facing the newly elected cabinet even before assuming office. Members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), sworn in as parliamentarians, refused to take an oath for the Council, citing the lack of []

Dhaka, Feb 18: Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, on Tuesday, met with Shafiqur Rahman, chief of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Leader of the Opposition, on the sidelines of Bangladeshs new government swearing-in ceremony. Misri conveyed Indias greetings to Rahman on his new role and reaffirmed New Delhis enduring support for Bangladesh, emphasizing the people-centric nature []

GENEVA, Feb 18: The latest US-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva ended Wednesday without a breakthrough, as the war approaches its fourth anniversary. This was the third round of direct negotiations organized by the US, following earlier meetings in Abu Dhabi that also made little progress. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the talks []

MUMBAI, Feb 18: Gold and silver prices rose Wednesday after two days of decline, supported by global macro-economic factors, easing US-Iran tensions, resilient physical demand, and renewed buying, despite a stronger US dollar. (IANS)

MUMBAI, Feb 18: Indian equity markets extended gains for the third consecutive session on Wednesday, driven by last-hour buying in bank, metal, and FMCG shares. The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 283.29 points, or 0.34%, to close at 83,734.25, touching an intraday high of 83,770.05. The 50-share NSE Nifty gained 93.95 points, or 0.37%, ending at []

Editor, The news item, Shillong at Standstill etc. (ST, Feb 12, 2026), once again underscores the hardships citizens endure due to frequent traffic congestion in Shillong, with no clear solutions in sight. However, the relative ease of driving on most Shillong roads during the schools winter break, when congestion was markedly reduced, offered a revealing []

The Assembly is a place for reasoned debates, not a platform for shouting matches. Elected members sitting in the Opposition may be agitated on several matters including long pending projects including the demand for the Inner Line Permit (ILP) which does not appear to be a priority for the NDA Government.The State Legislature is meant []

By Bhogtoram Mawroh Last week, I was pleasantly surprised to be invited to a play titled After Ayodhya: Its Conscience and Man, performed by Pearly Dew Higher Secondary School in collaboration with Forever Young and the Maitshaphrang at the Meghalaya Bharat Scouts and Guides Hall, Shillong. Maitshaphrang is an organization founded by Michael Syiem, former []

By Sumendra Yadav Walk into a store to buy a laptop in 2026, and it can feel less like shopping for a computer and more like picking out a robot assistant. Bright stickers labeled AI inside and Copilot+ ready dominate the marketing landscape, while traditional specifications have quietly receded into the background. This article examines []

New Delhi, Feb 18: Pakistans economic situation is likely to start unfolding negatively in 2026, as geopolitical headwinds appear to be re-emerging, according to media reports. There is visible friction in Pakistan-UAE ties, evident from the monthly rollover of UAE deposits at a higher rate of 6.5 per cent, when the government had previously been []

Bon appetit: French president connects with Bollywood over desi ratatouille and paneer French President Emmanuel Macron added a touch of cinematic glamour to his diplomatic visit to Mumbai, holding a special interaction with Bollywood celebrities on Tuesday. The French leader and First Lady Brigitte Macron met prominent figures of Indian cinema including actors like Anil []

Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan is currently stable and remains under close observation after being admitted to the ICU at Mumbais Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday. Salim Khan was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital under Dr Jalil Parkar in the ICU at 8.30 am on Tuesday morning. He was brought into the emergency by their family doctor, []

After proving her mettle in Bollywood, actress Alia Bhatt is also constantly making a mark for herself on the international platform. Adding another feather to her cap, Alia has joined the list of the BAFTA presenters for 2026 alongside some prominent personalities such as Cillian Murphy, Kate Hudson, and Sadie Sink. The British Academy recently []

Frederick Wiseman, the celebrated director of Titicut Follies and dozens of other documentaries whose in-depth, unadorned movies comprised a unique and revelatory history of American institutions, died at 96. The death was announced in a joint statement from his family and from his production company, Zipporah Films. Additional details were not immediately available. He died []

GENEVA, Feb 17: Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Geneva for a new round of US-brokered peace talks, just a week before the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Despite the renewed diplomatic push, expectations for a breakthrough remain low, with both sides entrenched on key issues such as territorial control []

KATHMANDU, Feb 17: Nepals electoral body on Tuesday urged media not to disclose results of opinion polls before the general elections as it may damage a healthy competitive environment. Nepal is set to hold the House of Representatives elections on March 5, the first since last years deadly Gen-Z protests that toppled the K P []

Johannesburg, Feb 17: Hindu and Muslim communities in South Africa have opposed a proposed law mandating electronic death certificates before cremations or burials, fearing delays to sacred rituals. The Hindu Coordinating Council and Sunni Ulema Council cited constitutional protections for religious and cultural practices, challenges for rural communities with limited digital access, and distress for []

GENEVA, Feb 17: The United States and Iran held their second round of indirect talks in Geneva on Tuesday over Tehrans nuclear programme, even as tensions rose sharply in the Gulf. Iran temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz for live-fire military drills, citing safety concerns, and confirmed it had launched missiles toward targets []

Peshawar, Feb 17: Militants from the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan carried out a deadly suicide attack on a Frontier Corps (FC) check post in the Bajaur district of northwest Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on February 16, killing 11 security personnel and a child, the military said. The attack involved an explosive-laden vehicle ramming the check post, []

Across the tropics, each square metre of a forest could be contributing about 240 litres of rainfall yearly, underscoring why tropical forests need to be protected amidst increasing water and climate pressures, a new study has estimated. Tropical forests help sustain a regions and continents rainfall system through a process called evapotranspiration, where solar energy []

As the first solar eclipse of 2026 unfolded on Tuesday, Google has introduced a special interactive animation on its Search page to mark the annular Ring of Fire event, allowing users worldwide to experience the celestial phenomenon virtually. The tech giant has rolled out a dynamic visual feature that appears directly on the Search results []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Karachi, Feb 16: Pakistan are set to ring in sweeping changes for their must-win T20 World Cup clash against Namibia, with senior stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi likely to be dropped following the humiliating 61-run defeat to India in Colombo. A reliable source within the team management confirmed []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Colombo, Feb 16: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said fearless Ishan Kishans marauding fifty was the difference between his side and India, and urged his players to rally after the heavy defeat in the marquee clash of the T20 World Cup here. Led by Kishans aggressive 77 off 40 balls, []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Karachi, Feb 16: With every one-sided India-Pakistan clash invariably dominated by India, the commercial value of this once marquee showdown is going down at least on this side of the border, according to former players and observers of the game. Indias victory on Sunday has hit Pakistan harder than before []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Match starts 11 am Chennai, Feb 16: New Zealand will look to address the frailties exposed by South Africa and reaffirm their status as title contenders by sealing a Super Eight berth when they face bottom-placed Canada in their final Group D fixture of the T20 World Cup here on []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Match starts 7 Pm Mumbai, Feb 16: Scotlands fate hinges on the outcome of another Group C clash but the Richie Berrington-led side would nevertheless look to make the most the opportunity of taking on a struggling Nepal team in the T20 World Cup here on Tuesday. A victory for []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Feb 16: The Meghalaya State Kickboxing Association (MSKA) delivered an impressive performance at the 5th India Open International Kickboxing Tournament, clinching a rich haul of 23 medals at the prestigious event held from February 4 to 8 at the Indira Gandhi National Stadium Complex. The tournament, organised by the WAKO India []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Feb 16: Meghalayas rising combat sports talents Rishanskhem P Lipon and Damangpura L Mawlong brought laurels to the country after securing bronze medals at the 6th Kun Khmer World Championship held in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, from February 10 to 13. The two fighters represented India under the banner of the KIF Kun []

Ranji Trophy 2025/26 Kalyani, Feb 16: Mohammed Shami produced two sharp spells to claim three wickets, yet Jammu and Kashmir recovered strongly to post 198 for 5 against Bengal on Day Two of the Ranji Trophy semi-final, keeping the contest finely balanced. Resuming at 249 for 5, Bengal were bowled out for 328, with Auqib []

Ben Shelton beats Taylor Fritz in meeting of worlds highest-ranked American men FRISCO (USA), Feb 16: Ben Shelton saved three match points before finishing another rally at the Dallas Open, beating top-seeded Taylor Fritz in three sets for the title Sunday in a matchup of the worlds highest-ranked American men. The No. 2 seed and []

DOHA, Feb 16: World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz said he is still ironing out weaknesses in his game even after capturing all four Grand Slam titles by the age of 22, as he returns to action at the Qatar Open this week. The Spaniard became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam when []

PUNE, Feb 16: The largest field in the Hero Womens Pro Golf Tour will gather this week for the fourth leg of the Tour at Poona Club Golf Course here.Despite a couple of late withdrawals, the field will be just one shot of 50 and includes 43 professionals and six amateurs. The prize money is []

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 16: Top seed and local favorite Francisco Cerundolo secured his fourth ATP title with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Italys Luciano Darderi in the Argentina Open final. A defeated finalist in 2021 and 2025, hometown favourite Cerundolo held his nerve in a see-saw final set, in which all but two games featured []

Tyler Reddick, celebrates a win during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race on Sunday. (PTI)

SARNO (Italy), Feb 16: Having made a voluntary switch from the mini to a much more demanding junior category, 11-year-old Indian racing prodigy Atiqa has shown the skill and maturity beyond her years to produce standout performances in the early part of her 2026 international karting season. In sub zero temperatures in Europe and on []

TAWANG, Feb 16: A six-day kayaking tournament concluded on the fast-flowing Tawangchu River near the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh, where two tributaries from Tibet join and flow through Bhutan before reaching the Brahmaputra. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju displayed his paddling skills at the closing of the Tawangchu Tides International Kayaking Championship (TTIKC) II on []

KARACHI, Feb 16: Under-fire Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has found itself in hot waters after the state-run PSB has confirmed that it had given the sports body more than 10 million rupees to arrange for hotel accommodation of the national team in Australia. The PHF and PSB have been under fire after it came to []

SHILLONG: Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC)-ni election-o susana gita National Peoples Party (NPP), dao ongenggipa Chief Executive Member (CEM) Albinush R Marak-na party ticket-ko onjana tik kaaha. Albinush Marak-na party ticket-ko onjani gimin talataniko ongengon party, adita chanchirima aro sandianirang jaman dao ongenggipa CEM-ko election-o susaatnio chena kadongani komia donga ine nikna manenga ine []

New Delhi, Feb 16: Former India cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri has urged Abhishek Sharma to be a little bit more patient early in his innings during the remainder of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup after the opener suffered his second consecutive failure with the bat when he was dismissed for a duck in []

Frisco (USA), Feb 15: Top-seeded Taylor Fritz beat Marin Cilic in straight sets and No. 2 Ben Shelton rallied past defending champion Denis Shapovalov, setting up a Dallas Open final between the worlds highest-ranked Americans. Fritz had 22 aces in his 7-6(5), 7-6(3) victory Saturday night, while Shelton sparked his game with a scintillating crosscourt []

Rourkela, Feb 15: India endured a 2-4 defeat against Argentina in the last match of Rourkela leg of the FIH Mens Pro League 202526 on Sunday at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. Tadeo Marcucci (28, 49) led the Argentinian attack with a brace, while Tomas Domene (18) and Lucio Mendez (43) made vital contributions as []