The Shillong Times

TURA, Jan 9: The Voice of the Peoples Party (VPP) on Thursday said it will not field any candidates in the upcoming GHADC elections, opting instead to focus on strengthening its organisational base in the region. VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said the party believes it is too early to contest elections in the Garo []

SHILLONG, Jan 9: The Dorbar ki Waheh Kur Ri Jaitia (DWKRJ) on Friday reminded the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), Thmor Shiwat, of his earlier assurance to legally recognise clans that trace lineage through the mother, including clan heads, organisations and clan dorbars. In a letter addressed to []

Conrad distributes appointment letters to newly recruited Sub-Inspectors in WGH TURA, Jan 9: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday described the Sub-Inspectors of the Meghalaya Police as the ears and eyes of the state government at the grassroots level, as he formally distributed appointment letters to newly recruited Unarmed Branch (UB) Sub-Inspectors at a []

SHILLONG, Jan 9: In a significant boost to development initiatives in Meghalaya, the North Eastern Council (NEC) has sanctioned and released Rs 13.45 crore for a range of projects aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure, preserving cultural heritage, improving connectivity and enhancing educational facilities across the state. The funding covers multiple sectors and is expected to []

SHILLONG, Jan 9: Indias celebrated Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, Anshul Jubli, is set to visit Shillong for a special two-day event organised by IDM Fitness & Fight Club, marking a significant moment for the regions growing combat sports and fitness community. The event will begin on January 16 with an exclusive MMA seminar at []

SHILLONG, Jan 9: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said that while the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has been implemented across India, including Meghalaya, its execution remains a complex and ongoing process. Responding to criticism from political parties and academic circles, Rymbui said implementation of such a wide-ranging reform is never simple, as every decision has []

SHILLONG, Jan 9: East Jaitia Hills Police have arrested a 23-year-old man and seized suspected heroin along with drug-related items during a naka checking operation, conducted by the Khliehriat Police Station. According to East Jaitia Hills Superintendent of Police, Vikash Kumar, a police team, acting on credible information, had intercepted a suspect identified as Kheinkor []

SHILLONG, Jan 9: Chaltbha Muksor of Lad Rymbai (Dong Pohktieh) in East Jaintia Hills district, who had gone missing while travelling to Bengaluru in search of employment, has been traced and found hospitalised at Government Medical College and Hospital in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. The KSU Bengaluru Unit received information from the police on Thursday at []

NONGPOH, Jan 9: The Umsning Community and Rural Development Block has launched an extensive awareness campaign on the newly enacted Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, a landmark legislation aimed at strengthening livelihood security for rural households. The campaign began on Friday, with all field staff of the []

SHILLONG, Jan 9: The ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, celebrated its 51st Foundation Day on Friday, bringing together over 200 farmers, scientists and officials at the MS Swaminathan Hall. The event featured exhibition stalls displaying innovative technologies and farmer-centric initiatives. During the programme, Director of ICARRC NEH, Dr. S Hazarika, highlighted []

Four Indian films, including the Kannada blockbuster Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 and Anupam Khers directorial Tanvi The Great, are among 201 feature films eligible for the Best Picture category at the 98th Academy Awards in 2026, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced. The list, called the Reminder List of Productions []

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt performed a special puja at Kathmandus Pashupatinath Temple on Friday, coinciding with the release of his latest film, The Raja Saab. Dutt arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday evening for a casino inauguration, drawing massive crowds and widespread public excitement, reflecting his enduring popularity in Nepal. Photographs from the visit showed him []

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence said she prefers filming intimate scenes with strangers rather than friends or long-time colleagues, calling it easier. Speaking at 92NY about her role in Die My Love with Robert Pattinson, she explained that not knowing her co-star reduced awkwardness, unlike past experiences with familiar actors, such as kissing Josh Hutcherson in []

SHILLONG: Meghalaya adokko manchape, Indiani pilak adokrangon National Education Policy (NEP) 2020-ko ragattokaha indake onggenchimoba iako ragatanio aditan rabiani gnanggipa kamrangko chagrongengkua ine Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui aganaha. Political party-rangni aroba academic-rangni matnanganirangna aganchakengon, iandakgipa apalgipa abakurangko ragatengon, ia altugipa kamde ongja maina iano banga stakeholder-rangni chanchianirangkon chaprinaha ine aganaha. Mamong aro adok sorkarirang ia

SHILLONG: Bangladesh asongo sosojengjeng onganiko namatchipna manjaengani gimin, mongsongbate dao February jaon election-ko ongatna siengani gimin Meghalaya adokna nangchakeanirangko rabanaba gnang ine Sukrobar salo, adokni Cabinet Minister aro United Democratic Party (UDP)-ni dilgipa Lahkmen Rymbui parakataha. Bangladesh asongo tomtomani sokbapilchina chinga nangnikenga. Chinga kadonga Bangladesh asongni gital sorkari, asong damgnini simarango tomtomaniko rabana kam kagen, []

TURA: Sukrobar attamni 3:00 bajimango, West Garo Hills ajani Rajabala jolo, dolgni manderang dinggrikanichi, mande saksa sootako aro sakgipin bilongbee saknaaniko manaha ine kobor onaha. Koborko onani gitade, dolgni dinggrikanio, mande sakgni bilongbee saknaaniko manahani gimin uamang sakgnikon sanna gita Tura Civil Hospital-ona rabaahachim indiba sakgnioni saksakode doctor-rang jokatna gita manjaha. Police-rangni kobor onani gitade, []

TURA: Ia 2026 bilsio ongatna sienggipa Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election-na National Peoples Party (NPP) kamrangko chugimik kachakatna abachengaha ine NPP-ni national president aro adokni Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma parakatenba, adoko dalroroaniko aro namroro silroroaniko rabana gita party-ni dilgiparangko aro party-na kam kaenggiparangko kumong nangrime kam kachina didiangaha. Reanggipa Bristibar salo, NPP-ni []

TURA: Meghalaya Police-o gital seoka mangipa Sub-Inspector (SI)-rangna appointment letter-rangko sualatna gita Sukrobar salo, dingtangmancha program-ko Goeragre-o donggipa 2ndMLP Battalion headquarter-o ongatangaha aro ia program-ko ongatanio adokni Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, mongsonggipa sokgipa onge bakko raangenba, gital SI-rangna appointment letter-rangko sualataha. Ia salni bako, Meghalaya Police-o seoka mangipa sak 76 gital SI-rangna appointment letter-rangko []

TURA: Ia bilsini gisepo ongatna sienggipa Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election-o Voice of the Peoples Party (VPP) susajawa indiba Garo Hills-o party-ko rikna kam kaskagen ine uiataha. VPP-ni president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit-ni parakatani gitade, GHADC election-rango susana gita dao dipet VPP-na agre senggnangdugakuenga aro ua, VPP-ko Garo Hills-o rikna gisik nangbatkuenga. Chinga batanggimin []

Editor, I write this letter not to offend anyone but to express my deep outrage at the duplicity of the Government of Meghalaya in its selective use of public funds for religious celebrations. As a devout Christian I should be happy at it, but as a responsible citizen who believes in the spirit of secularism []

The Voice of Peoples Party (VPP) has rightly questioned the silence of the MDA Government on the recent threat to their President Ardent Basaiawmoit on the imbroglio arising out of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Councils appointment of a myntri of the Hima Sohra, Mynjurlang Majaw as the Acting Syiem following the demise of Late []

By Anna Notsu January arrived. The world still carried the lingering weight of December festivities, along with unfinished tasks and duties from the year before. Yet the feeling of a new beginning, though somewhat slowly, nudges all of us to look ahead, to consider how our future might unfold. In Meghalaya, January is also a []

By Divesh Ranjan The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election is likely to be scheduled in AprilMay 2026. The upcoming GHADC contest is shaping up as a largely triangular fight between the NPP, INC, and TMC, with the BJP, VPP, and UDP also emerging as significant players. The council comprises 29 elected members and []

Tura, Jan 9: At least one person was killed while another remains in critical condition following a clash between two groups of people near the village of Rajabala in West Garo Hills (WGH) this afternoon at about 3 PM on Friday. As per police sources, a group had proceeded this afternoon to inspect an illegal []

Tura, January 9: Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, on Friday formally distributed appointment letters to newly recruited Unarmed Branch (UB) Sub-Inspectors of the Meghalaya Police at a ceremonial programme held at the headquarters of the 2nd Meghalaya Police Battalion, Goeragre. With this, 76 new Sub-Inspectors were officially inducted into the State Police force. []

Guwahati, Jan 9: A delegation of Assam Opposition parties on Friday lodged a first information report (FIR) at Dispur police station here, accusing the ruling BJP of conspiring to delete names of genuine voters from the electoral rolls ahead of the Assembly elections in the state. The Opposition party leaders alleged in the police complaint []

Guwahati, Jan 9: Premier biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org), with the support of the SBI Foundation (SBIF), promotes community-focused solutions that strengthen livelihoods while encouraging peaceful coexistence between people and elephants in human-elephant conflict (HEC) affected landscapes of Assam. As part of this initiative, we have promoted the use of bee hive fencing by distributing []

Washington, Jan 9: President Donald Trump is framing the US intervention in Venezuela not as a short-term military action but as a long-range economic and geopolitical resetone that he says reclaims control of oil assets, deters rivals, curbs drug trafficking and sends a signal well beyond Latin America. In a sit-down interview on Fox News []

WASHINGTON, Jan 8: The US Senate is set to vote on a resolution Thursday aimed at limiting President Donald Trumps authority to conduct further military operations against Venezuela, highlighting a growing clash between congressional oversight and presidential power. The war powers resolution, if passed, would require Trump to secure congressional approval before launching additional strikes []

Caracas, Jan 8: Venezuelas military held a funeral in Caracas on Wednesday for soldiers killed during a US operation that captured former President Nicols Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Flag-draped wooden caskets were carried past rows of uniformed officers as military music played, followed by a gun salute. Family members mourned while National Guard []

Copenhagen, Jan 8: Denmark has welcomed a US meeting next week to discuss President Donald Trumps renewed interest in Greenland, emphasizing the importance of dialogue that includes both Denmark and Greenland. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the talks were requested by both governments, and Greenlands Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt confirmed the island would []

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS, Jan 8: President Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations, including 31 United Nations bodies and 35 non-UN institutions, saying they are redundant, mismanaged and contrary to American interests. Trump signed a memorandum directing all federal departments and agencies to immediately end US participation in or []

Dhaka, Jan 8: In a chilling incident that underscores the escalating law and order crisis in Bangladesh, a prominent political leader was shot dead in Dhaka on Wednesday night, police officials confirmed on Thursday. Azizur Rahman Mosabbir, Joint Convener of the Jatiyatabadi Swechasebak Dals Dhaka North unit, was reportedly having tea with a party colleague []

MENS HIL CHENNAI, Jan 8: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers registered their second win on the trot, clinching a narrow 2-1 victory against Shrachi Bengal Tigers in the Mens Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, in Chennai on Thursday. Alexander Hendrickx (52) and Boby Singh Dhami (57) scored for the winners, while []

WOMENS HIL RANCHI, Jan 8: Lucina von der Heyde and Hannah Cotter netted a brace each as Ranchi Royals outclassed SG Pipers 5-2 in their last match to sign off at the third place, in the Womens Hockey India League. Lucina (2nd, 47th), Hannah (55th, 60th) and Sangita Kumari (24th) scored goals for the Royals, []

GREATER NOIDA, Jan 8: Former Youth World Championships gold medallist Poonam Poonia produced a fearless display to hand defending 54kg champion Sakshi Chaudhary a shock defeat, causing the first major upset of the National Boxing Championships here on Thursday. The 23-year-old Railways boxer, also an U22 Asian champion, controlled proceedings with smart footwork and sustained []

NEW DELHI, Jan 8: A prominent member of Indias shooting coaching staff, Ankush Bhardwaj, has been suspended by the national federation after a minor shooter accused him of sexually assaulting her during the National Championships last month. NRAI (National Rifles Association of India) confirmed that an FIR has been filed against Bhardwaj in Faridabad. Bhardwaj, []

NEW DELHI, Jan 8: The SWAMIH Fund, a government-backed stress fund for affordable and mid-income housing, has successfully completed over 61,000 homes in stalled projects as of December 15, 2025. Managed by SBI Ventures Limited, the fund aims to deliver more than 1 lakh homes, benefiting over 4 lakh people, and is currently the largest []

Mumbai, Jan 8: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty fell sharply by nearly 1 per cent on Thursday, continuing their weak momentum for the fourth straight session, due to renewed concerns over potential US tariff hikes amid widespread selling pressure in global markets. Deep losses in metal, oil & gas, and commodity stocks amid unabated []

Mumbai, Jan 8: The rupee settled 3 paise lower at 89.90 against the US dollar on Thursday, amid sustained outflow of foreign funds and a stronger greenback. The apprehension of further tariffs by the US and weak sentiments at the domestic equity markets fuelled selling of equities by foreign investors, putting more pressure on the []

NEW DELHI, Jan 8: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has overhauled its stockbroker regulations for the first time since 1992, introducing the SEBI (Stock Brokers) Regulations, 2026 to simplify compliance and make it easier for brokers to operate. The updated framework allows stockbrokers to engage in activities regulated by other financial authorities, []

MUMBAI, Jan 8: Silver prices tumbled sharply on Thursday, dropping nearly 3.5% to trade below Rs 2,42,000 per kg on the MCX amid heavy selling pressure ahead of the annual rebalancing of global commodity indexes and the release of key US economic data. Passive investment funds were expected to reduce their holdings in precious metals []

Marine mammals are sentinels of the sea. When dolphins and whales show signs of stress or illness, it often signals deeper problems in the ocean ecosystems we all depend on. But assessing the health of dolphins and whales is notoriously difficult. Thats because they spend most of their lives underwater, move over vast areas, and []

Scientists have moved a step closer to solving one of the universes biggest mysteries, with new research suggesting that dark matter and neutrinos- two of its least understood components- may interact with each other, offering a rare window into the darkest recesses of the cosmos. The findings from the University of Sheffield relate to the []

SHILLONG: Voice of the Peoples Party (VPP)-ko dilenggipa manderangna Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) bobil dolni kamikkenatanina maming aganchakanirangko onjaengani gimin adok sorkariko singdoataha. VPP-ni dilgiparangna HNLC bobil dolni kamikkenatanirangko onani bidingo maming aganchakaniko onjaengani gimin adok sorkariko singdoatengon, Sorkari aro bobil dolni gisepo mai bak donga anga antangde mamingkoba masija, ine VPP-na kuwattimgipa Batskhem []

SHILLONG: Electoral roll-rangko gital dake taripiltaikuja dipetde Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election-o Tribal onggijagipa manderangni bak raaniko champengna mankujawa ine Bristibar salo, National Peoples Party (NPP) talataniko onangaha. Adokni Cabinet Minister aro NPP MLA Timothy D Shira-ni parakatani gitade, Autonomous District Council (ADC)-rangara, Tribal jatrangni namroro silroroanina aro Tribal-rangni daka rikanirangko chelchakna ongimin []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 8: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president, Vincent Pala, has said that the NPP has failed on all fronts, including in running the GHADC. The Congress chief on Thursday said that the NPP has been trying to reduce the powers of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and is also attempting []

From Our Correspondent PHULBARI, Jan 8: A West Garo Hills-based group has expressed frustration over administrative inaction regarding the illegal encroachment of a PWD-sanctioned road between Gomaijhora and Garobasti. The group, called FAC, filed a formal complaint with the Deputy Commissioner on November 12. However, nearly two months later, they report that no action has []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 8: The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has sanctioned Rs 70.14 crore for the project Construction of road from Shkentalang (NH-206) to Lumshyrmit, including a major bridge over the Myntdu River for connectivity to NH-6 at Kongong (Length: 18.64 km) under the NESIDS (Roads) scheme. Informing this, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 8: In an intensified crackdown, more than 300 vehicles have penalised in recent months for violating the ban on tinted or black glass in East Khasi Hills, with Rs 2.64 lakh realised in fines. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, on Thursday, said that special enforcement drives are []