The Shillong Times

Dhaka, Jan 10: Bangladesh Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto says the uncertainty surrounding his teams participation in next months T20 World Cup in India is affecting the players psychological well-being but they are acting as if everything is ok. Shanto also lambasted Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director M Najmul Islam for calling former captain Tamim []

London, Jan 10: Englands 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia has triggered deep scrutiny into a cocktail of poor decision-making, lax discipline and fading standardsissues many believe undermined the Test team long before the final result was sealed. The now-infamous mid-tour break in Noosa has become the convenient shorthand for what critics describe as a []

Dhaka, Jan 10: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul on Friday said the board is still awaiting a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its concerns over playing matches in India during the upcoming T20 World Cup, reaffirming that Bangladeshs position remains unchanged. Bangladesh have expressed reluctance to play in India []

WPL 2026 Navi Mumbai, Jan 10: Australian batter Phoebe Litchfields commanding knock of 78 off just 40 balls went in vain as Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz by 10 runs in a high-scoring Womens Premier League match here on Saturday. Sent in to bat, captain Ashleigh Gardner struck a scintillating 65 before Georgia Wareham played []

Navi Mumbai, Jan 10: Amelia Kerr and Nicola Carey picked three wickets each as Mumbai Indians (MI) registered a 50-run win over Delhi Capitals (DC) at the DY Patil Stadium on Saturday. Nat SciverBrunt and captain Harmanpreet Kaur set the tone with authoritative knocks of 70 and 74 not out to guide MI to 195/4. []

National Boxing Championships Greater Noida, Jan 10: World Championships bronze medallist Mohammed Hussamuddin marked an emphatic return from a prolonged injury layoff with a gold medal in the 60kg category, while established stars Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain also claimed titles at the National Boxing Championships here on Saturday. The Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) []

Malaysia Open Kuala Lumpur, Jan 10: Ace Indian shuttler P V Sindhus impressive run came to an end after a straight-game defeat to Chinas Wang Zhiyi in the womens singles semifinals of the season-opening Malaysia Open Super 1000 here on Saturday. The two-time Olympic medallist could not sustain the pressure against the world number two, []

Kolkata, Jan 10: American Grandmaster Wesley So emerged sole leader with seven points while star Indian player Arjun Erigaisi was just half a point behind in the Open category of the Tata Steel Chess India Blitz tournament here on Saturday. On the opening day of the Blitz contest, which provided lots of chaos, creativity, and []

Players of SG Pipers and Shrachi Bengal Tigers in action during the Womens Hockey India League final match, at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium, in Ranchi, on Saturday. SG Pipers were crowned champions after winning the contest 3-2 in shootout after the regulation time ended in 1-1 stalemate. (PTI)

FA CUP Wrexham, Jan 10: The big guns entered the FA Cup and one of them was shot down immediately. Championship club Wrexham knocked out Premier League side Nottingham Forest 4-3 on penalties after a thrilling match ended 3-3 after 90 minutes and extra time. Wrexham keeper Arthur Okonkwo was the hero, saving twice to []

Munich, Jan 10: England international Georgia Stanway has confirmed she will part ways with German giants Bayern Munich at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, bringing an end to a four-year spell that has seen her establish herself as one of the standout midfielders in European womens football. The 27-year-old, who joined Bayern in 2022 []

Macclesfield, Jan 10: Sixth-tier underdogs Macclesfield pulled off one of the most astonishing results in FA Cup history on Saturday, defeating defending champions Crystal Palace 2-1 to reach the fourth round. Playing five levels below their Premier League opponents, Macclesfield took the lead in the 43rd minute when captain Paul Dawson powered a header from []

New Delhi, Jan 10: Pacer Umran Malik has been left out of Jammu and Kashmirs squad for the Ranji Trophy preparatory camp, set to happen in Pondicherry. Malik, who has played ten ODIs and eight T20Is for India, was in the squad for the first half of the Ranji Trophy, but played only one game []

DUBLIN, Jan 10: Ireland on Friday unveiled their 15-member squad for the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, with seasoned opener Paul Stirling once again entrusted with the captaincy. Wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker has been named vice-captain. Twelve of the selected players were part of the previous edition, while Tim []

New Delhi, Jan 10: All India Football Federation (AIFF) has asked Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to send the details of the venues where they plan to play their home matches by Monday noon so that it can start working on the schedule of the delayed season which is set to start on February 14. []

Frankfurt, Jan 10: Second-placed Borussia Dortmund twice surrendered a lead and looked like losing to a stoppage-time winner but it came back to score in the last minute and draw at Eintracht Frankfurt 3-3 in a thrilling Bundesliga clash. The first league match of 2026 was a riveting advert for German football but both sides []

Madrid, Jan 10: Brais Mendez scored a goal-of-the-season contender as Real Sociedad won at Getafe 2-1 and gave American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo his first win in charge of the Basque club. The ball fell kindly for the big midfielder right on the 18-yard line and he struck the sweetest of volleys past a despairing goalkeeper []

Rabat, Jan 10: Brahim Daz scored again and host Morocco joined Senegal in the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Cameroon. Daz extended his Moroccan record by scoring in a fifth straight game at the tournament when he ushered in with his groin Ayoub El Kaabis header from a []

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Saturday called for a revamp of the countrys film certification system, citing the need for greater transparency and accountability. His remarks come at a critical moment for the Tamil film industry, following the stalled release of actor Vijays upcoming film Jana Nayagan. In a statement, Haasan said, Indias Constitution guarantees freedom []

NEW DELHI, Jan 10: India and Chile are close to finalising a social security agreement that is expected to make it easier for professionals to work across borders and encourage greater investments between the two countries, Chiles Ambassador to India Juan Angulo has said. Formal CEPA negotiations between India and Chile began in May 2025, []

MUMBAI, Jan 10: The Nifty delivered a strong annual return of 10.51 per cent, even as broader markets remained largely flat in December, a new report said on Saturday. The data compiled by latest Global Market Snapshot report by Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund showed that while short-term market movement was mixed, select sectors such as []

NEW DELHI, Jan 10: Indias Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) market is poised for significant growth due to under penetration as REITs currently cover only 19 per cent of the countrys listed real estate value, a report said on Saturday. The report from real estate services firm Vestian said market capitalisation is projected to almost []

NEW DELHI, Jan 10: Gold and silver continued their structural bull run into the start of 2026 on the back of enhanced safe haven demand and industrial demand, analysts said on Saturday. Gold futures with February expiry gained significantly during the week touching Rs 1,38,875 per 10 grams, up from Rs 1,35,752 at last weeks []

Labourers load sacks of harvested cauliflower onto a truck (unseen) at a farm, in Chikkamagaluru on Saturday. (PTI)

Running counts among todays most popular sports. Sometimes the race is on even before the competition itself has started, as tickets for events sell out within hours. In France, this has got people talking about a race for the runners bib. So, while running enjoys the reputation of a wholesome sport, the reality is that []

Every January, offices quietly reset. New planners appear on desks. Fresh notebooks open in meetings. To-do lists look neater, ambitions clearer. There is a shared sense that this year, things will be different. And yet, by February, many of those planners sit half-used. The motivation that felt so real just weeks earlier fades. This pattern []

Tura, Jan 10: The West Garo Hills (WGH) district Police have arrested three persons in connection with the brutal assault on members of ACHIK which led to the tragic death of one near the village of Goalgaon under Rajabala Police Station. However, the owner of the illegal stone quarry managed to abscond defying efforts to []

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 []