Rapper Nicki Minaj took up President Donald Trumps allegations that Christians are persecuted in Nigeria, saying Tuesday at a United Nations event organised by the US that she wants to shine a spotlight on the deadly threat. Trump has said Christianity faces an existential threat in Nigeria and has told the Pentagon to begin preparing []

Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan greets Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the birth centenary celebrations of late spiritual guru Sri Satya Sai Baba, in Puttaparthi. Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday. (PTI)

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday gave its green signal to the release of Farhan Akhtar starrer movie 120 Bahadur on November 21, disposing of a plea challenging its CBFC certification on the ground that it distorts historical facts. The high court passed the order after noting that it is too late to change the []

Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit will soon be seen in an interesting avatar for a new show titled Mrs. Deshpande. On Wednesday, Madhuris first look from the show was unveiled, and its quite captivating. The first glimpse shows Madhuri removing her makeup and jewellery, revealing a raw, unfiltered version of herself in the very next frame. []

MUMBAI, Nov 19: Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty bounced back sharply on Wednesday, driven by a rally in IT and financial shares and sustained buying by domestic institutional investors amid growing hopes for an India-US trade deal. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 513.45 points, or 0.61 per cent, to settle at 85,186.47. During the day, []

MUMBAI, Nov 19: The rupee gained 12 paise to 88.48/USD, boosted by equity gains and lower crude, but limited by a strong dollar. Sensex rose 513 points, Nifty 143 points, supported by FII inflows of 1,580 crore. Analysts expect moderate gains amid trade deal optimism, tempered by import demand and dollar strength. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, Nov 19: Gold prices in Delhi surged 1,500 to 1,27,300 per 10 grams on Wednesday, driven by a strong rally in international markets and renewed safe-haven buying, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Gold of 99.5% purity rose to 1,26,700 per 10 grams (inclusive of taxes). Silver also rebounded, climbing 4,000 to []

World Boxing Cup Finals GREATER NOIDA, Nov 19: World Champion Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) delivered a commanding performance to storm into the final of the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025, outclassing Kazakhstans Ulzhan Sarsenbek, the former Asian Youth Championships gold medallist, with a flawless 5:0 win at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater []

SYNEY, Nov 19: Five Indian shuttlers, including Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy, dished out impressive performances to reach the mens singles second round at the USD 475,000 Australian Open Super 500 event here on Wednesday. Lakshya, a 2021 World Championships bronze-medallist, outplayed Chinese Taipeis Su Li Yang 21-17 21-13. While Prannoy, a runner-up here in []

HYDERABAD, Nov 19: Himanshu Nandal won three gold medals in the S11 category and also claimed the best swimmer award at the National Swimming Championships held here. Nandal showcased speed, discipline and control to win three gold medals in the S11 category, which indicates 100 per cent visual impairment. He emerged winner in the 50m []

PANAJI, Nov 19: Indias challenge in the FIDE World Cup 2025 came to an end on Wednesday after GM Arjun Erigaisi went down against Chinas GM Wei Yi in the quarterfinal tiebreak here. Arjun was the only Indian left in the fray at the quarterfinal stage, and after drawing both the classical games, the tiebreak []

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov 19: Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindras early attack helped New Zealand beat West Indies by five wickets with three balls to spare in a rain-curtailed second one-day international in Napier to seal the three-game series 2-0 on Wednesday. Chasing 248 for victory in a 34-overs-a-side contest, Conway and Ravindra powered the Black Caps []

Well, this will come as no surprise to anyone whos paid any attention over the past quarter-century: Roger Federer was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, the Rhode Island-based Hall announced on Wednesday. The first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, and part of an []

KARACHI, Nov 19: Pakistans cybercrime agency has launched a probe against former captain Rashid Latif for comments on the Pakistan Cricket Board and its chief Mohsin Naqvi over the matter of changing national teams captains frequently. Former wicket keeper Rashid Latif has recorded his statement in two inquiries against him in Islamabad and Lahore, National []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 19: A day after VPP supremo Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit called for an independent audit of MLA funds utilisation, the first reaction has come not from the government but opposition TMC President Charles Pyngrope who defended the prevailing system. On Wednesday he said the scope for deviation was minimal since there []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 19: After more than 17 years of wait, the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) Phase III has finally reached the commissioning and testing stage, marking a major milestone for the long-delayed project that was sanctioned in 2008. On Wednesday, PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak announced that the government has []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 19: In yet another massive boost for the Congress in Garo Hills, former South Tura MLA John Leslee K. Sangma returned to the party on Wednesday. He was welcomed by MPCC president Vincent H. Pala in the presence of working president Deborah C. Marak and others. The Congress leadership had []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 19: The Meghalaya government on Wednesday announced that it will cover the medical expenses of the two NEHU students undergoing treatment at Nazareth Hospital following a severe road accident. Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who visited the hospital, told reporters that the government will also bear the cost if the []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Nov 19: The North East Students Organisation (NESO) has raised fresh alarm over what it describes as a growing demographic threat in the region, urging the Government of India to adopt immediate and stringent measures to curb illegal migration. In a memorandum submitted to Governor C.H. Vijayashankar, NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa []

Traffic police personnel penalise a private vehicle parked on the zebra crossing in front of St. Edmunds Schools gate during school hours on Tuesday. (ST)

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 19: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has claimed that Meghalaya has recorded one of the fastest reductions in maternal mortality in the country. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating an Operation Theatre complex at Sohra CHC on Wednesday, Sangma said Meghalaya is now close to the national average in terms of maternal []

Awami League shutdown protests politically motivated death sentence for ex-PM NEW DELHI/DHAKA, Nov 18: Bangladesh remained calm but tense on Tuesday as security forces maintained tight control across major cities following the Awami Leagues call for a nationwide total shutdown to protest the death sentence of its chief and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Traffic []

NEW DELHI/DHAKA, Nov 18: International rights organizations and think tanks have expressed serious concerns about the fairness of the trial that resulted in the death sentence for Sheikh Hasina, the deposed Prime Minister of Bangladesh. On Monday, Hasina, aged 78, was sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) for crimes against []

JERUSALEM, Nov 18: An Israeli was killed and three others were wounded in a ramming and stabbing attack at the Gush Etzion junction in the West Bank on Tuesday, an incident that occurred amid a recent increase in settler violence against Palestinians. The violence followed a major diplomatic development: the UN Security Councils 13-0 approval []

KYIV, Nov 18: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that he will travel to Turkiye this week in an attempt to jump-start negotiations on ending Russias invasion, which began nearly four years ago. US special envoy Steve Witkoff will join Zelenskyy in Turkiye, a senior Turkish official told The Associated Press, but the Kremlin []

DUBAI, Nov 18: The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has set up a camp office in Madina to assist the families of 44 Indian Umrah pilgrims, including 42 from Telangana, who were killed in a bus collision with a fuel tanker near Madina early Monday. The camp office has been established at the Indian Haj Pilgrims []

Jonathan Bailey opened up about his experience growing up gay and how it affected his school life. I felt scared and I felt alone and I felt entirely limited at various points in my life, he said in an interview, according to People. Bailey is an ambassador for the UK-based nonprofit Just Like Us, which []

The Vanara Sena organisation has lodged a complaint accusing ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli of allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments with his remarks against Lord Hanuman during a recent promotional event in Hyderabad for his upcoming film Varanasi, police said on Tuesday. The filmmaker had participated on November 15 at the Globe Trotter event to promote his []

As movie buffs await the release of Varanasi, Global sensation Priyanka Chopra called working with Tollywood heartthrobs Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran, and acclaimed director SS Rajamouli a privilege. Sharing a string of photos with Mahesh Babu, Rajamouli, and Prithviraj on her Instagram handle, PeeCee wrote, Working with these two legends of the Telugu and []

World Cup Qualifiers Berlin, Nov 18: So much for Germany being at risk of missing the World Cup. A 6-0 thrashing of Slovakia on Monday completed Germanys recovery from a shocking start to group play as the four-time champion maintained its proud record of always qualifying for the World Cup. The Germans will be competing []

Ranji Trophy By Our Reporter Shillong, Nov 18: Meghalayas match against Manipur in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 plate group looks like it is heading for a draw, with only a terrific bowling effort capable of snatching victory for either team on the final day on Wednesday. On Tuesday Manipur, resuming on 180/4, were all out []

State A Trophy By Our Reporter Shillong, Nov 18: After a tremendous run of five wins on the trot, Meghalaya will face Mizoram in the final of the U-23 mens State A Trophy 2025-26 plate group in Mohali on Wednesday. Across the various categories this season, this team is the first to have made it []

Cooch Behar Trophy By Our Reporter Shillong, Nov 18: Led by a century from Gaurav Narleng (128) and an impenetrable knock by Angkit The Rock Tamang (35 not out), Meghalaya defeated Sikkim by two wickets on a thrilling third day to win their Cooch Behar Trophy 2025-26 plate group match at the MCA Ground here []

Dhaka, Nov 18: Already out of contention for a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup, India suffered another embarrassing defeat, losing 0-1 to Bangladesh in their penultimate Group C match of qualifying round here on Tuesday. Sheikh Morsalin scored the all-important goal for Bangladesh in the 11th minute to the wild cheer of the capacity []

NEW DELHI, Nov 18: Indias GDP growth for Q2FY26 is expected to surpass 7.5%, driven by strong festive sales following the late-September GST rate cut, according to an SBI research report. Growth is supported by rising investment, rural consumption recovery, and buoyant services and manufacturing sectors, aided by GST rationalisation. Leading indicators of consumption and []

MUMBAI, Nov 18: Snapping the six-day winning streak, benchmark Sensex dropped by nearly 278 points and the Nifty closed below the 26,000-mark due to profit-taking in IT, metal and capital goods shares amid a weak trend in global markets. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined by 277.93 points or 0.33 per cent to settle at 84,673.02. []

NEW DELHI, Nov 18: Gold prices in the national capital plunged by Rs 3,900 to Rs 1,25,800 per 10 grams on Tuesday, tracking a decline in global rates amid fading expectations of a US Federal Reserve interest rate cut next month. The precious metal of 99.5% purity fell to Rs 1,25,200 per 10 grams, inclusive []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 18: Can two political rivals co-exist in a single party? This is the question playing out in the Congress with regard to speculations about Mukul M. Sangmas possible return to the grand old party, especially since his bitter rival Saleng A. Sangma is now a Lok Sabha member from Tura. []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 18: Two female students of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) sustained grievous injuries after being hit by a speeding Maruti car near the universitys Gate-II on Monday evening, around 7:30 pm. Police said the vehicle (ML-05 J 4916), driven by Parmen M. Sangma, a security guard at NEIGRIHMS, allegedly lost control []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Nov 18: NEHU on Tuesday strongly condemned the reckless driving by a drunken security guard that resulted in a tragic accident in which two female students of the University suffered critical injuries. In a statement, NEHU Registrar in-charge Saurabh Kumar Dixit said an FIR has been filed, and the concerned section []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 18: Voice of the People Party (VPP) president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has urged Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to back his words with action by ordering an independent inquiry into the utilisation of the funds. In a November 15 letter to the CM, Basaiawmoit referred to Sangmas recent show of []

Our Bureau SHILLONG/TURA, Nov 18: The recently concluded Cherry Blossom Festival has sparked fresh controversy, with BJPs Meghalaya general secretary Wankitbok Pohshna questioning whether the event flouted court-mandated noise regulations. The two-day festival was held at JN Stadium in Polo on November 14 and 15. There is growing public disquiet over the late-night music that []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 18: Calling for renewed commitment to national cohesion, Governor CH Vijayashankar on Tuesday led the observance of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at the Raj Bhavan, marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, widely hailed as the Iron Man of India. The event, held at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 18: Eastern Panorama Offset, a Meghalaya-based prominent publishing and printing house, has been conferred the prestigious Platinum Award for Quality Management System in the Printing and Publishing Division by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The award was presented at a ceremony held at The Park Hotel, Kolkata, where Monica []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 18: NPPs Rongjeng MLA Jim M. Sangma on Tuesday asserted that the Congress partys attempt to revive its organisation in Garo Hills ahead of the upcoming GHADC polls will have little to no impact on his partys electoral prospects. Sangma said the Congress, often referred to as the grand old []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Nov 18: The Meghalaya High Court has ordered the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to compile a detailed list of all sanctioned posts and employees including casual workers serving in various categories within one week. The directive was issued by a bench led by Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew, during the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 18: The state government has effected a bureaucratic reshuffle, transferring officers across several key departments. As per a notification issued in this regard, M.B.K. Reddy, Principal Secretary to Mining & Geology Department will also function as Principal Secretary, Forest & Environment Department with effect from the date of taking over []

Washington, Nov 17: President Donald Trump said House Republicans should vote to release the files in the Jeffrey Epstein case, a startling reversal after previously fighting the proposal as a growing number of those in his own party supported it. We have nothing to hide, and its time to move on from this Democrat Hoax []

New Delhi, Nov 17: The World Bank has issued an advisory to Pakistan, warning that the countrys export crisis is no longer a temporary problem but a result of deep, long-standing structural flaws. In its latest assessment, the Bank says Pakistans weak exports are caused by inconsistent policies, distorted markets and a constant failure to []

Mumbai, Nov 17: The rupee appreciated 7 paise to settle at 88.59 against the US dollar on Monday, tracking firm domestic equity markets and lower global crude oil prices. However, a strong greenback against major currencies overseas weighed on the domestic unit, according to forex traders. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened []