The Shillong Times

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 []

BNP calls for fresh start with India after landslide win, urges Delhi to acknowledge new political reality and ensure non-interference Dhaka, Feb 15: Bangladeshs new political leadership has called for a reset in relations with India following the Bangladesh Nationalist Partys (BNP) sweeping victory in the parliamentary elections. Humayun Kabir, adviser to BNP Chairman Tarique []

Islamabad, Feb 15: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has raised serious concerns over reports that its founder and former prime minister Imran Khan is being covertly moved from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to a hospital for medical treatment without the knowledge or consent of his family. PTI described the alleged transfer as a grave violation of []

DHAKA, Feb 15: Bangladeshs 13th Parliamentary Election marks a return to what observers describe as genuine multiparty politics after years of controversial or one-sided polls, according to a report by the International Centre for Peace Studies. The vote, along with a referendum endorsing major constitutional reforms known as the July Charter, is seen as a []

KYIV, Feb 15: A Ukrainian drone strike on Sunday ignited fires at the Russian Black Sea port of Taman in the Krasnodar region, damaging an oil storage tank, warehouse, and terminals, and wounding two people, according to regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev. The attack comes ahead of US-brokered peace talks scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in []

MUNICH, Feb 15: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the Munich Security Conference that India has committed to stop buying additional Russian oil, following ongoing US concerns over Moscows actions in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on Russia. Rubios comments came days after US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with India []

CAIRO, Feb 15: Gazas Nasser Hospital has condemned Doctors Without Borders (MSF) for suspending most noncritical services, stating that civilian police were deployed to ensure staff and patient safety. MSF cited the presence of armed men as a serious threat, prompting the suspension, which occurred in January but was only recently announced. Nasser Hospital, one []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 15: Education Minister and Amlarem MLA Lahkmen Rymbui on Saturday distributed work orders for infrastructure projects and handed over vehicles for student transport and waste management during a visit to Kyrweng, Sankhat, and Khonglah villages in West Jaintia Hills. At Kyrweng village, the minister handed over a vehicle dedicated to []

From Our Correspondent TURA, Feb 15: An employee of Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has raised the issue of the prolonged delay in salary disbursement faced by them all across the state. It is a matter of concern that ATMA staff have not received their salaries since November, despite continuing to discharge their official duties []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup India qualify for Super Eights Colombo, Feb 15: Ishan Kishan merged power with finesse for a fifty before Jasprit Bumrah destroyed Pakistan top-order with his malevolently talented right-arm, powering India to a T20 World Cup Super Eight berth clinching one-sided 61-run win here on Sunday. Kishans supersonic 77 (40b) on []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Match starts at 7 pm Pallekele, Feb 15: Injury-hit Australia could consider bringing in veteran Steve Smith to bolster their stuttering batting as the former champions aim to keep their fate in their own hands when they face Sri Lanka in a crucial T20 World Cup Group B clash here []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 15: In a major escalation of enforcement against banned illegal coal mining, the East Jaintia Hills police have arrested 14 individuals, including seven directly linked to the tragic February 5 explosion at an illegal coal mine in Mynsngat-Thangsko that claimed 31 lives. The arrests form part of an intensified 45-day []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Match starts at 11 Am New Delhi, Feb 15: UAE will look to plug their middle-order frailties, particularly against spin, when they take on a hurting Afghanistan in a must-win Group D clash of the T20 World Cup here on Monday. The two sides head into the contest after contrasting []

Indian players celebrate after winning the ICC Mens T20 World Cup match against Pakistan at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. (PTI)

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Match starts at 3:00 pm Kolkata, Feb 15: Two-time champions England will look to seal their Super Eights berth when they take on T20 World Cup debutants and fierce football rivals Italy in their final Group C match here on Monday. England and Italy share a fierce sporting rivalry on []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 15: The recent prohibitory order issued by the East Jaintia Hills district administration banning illegal coal mining in the Thangsko area has drawn sharp criticism from legal expert Vivian G. Kynta. He termed the move cosmetic and belated, arguing that existing directives of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) were already []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 15: The Jaintia Students Movement (JSM) has issued a firm ultimatum to the NPP-led MDA Government, setting March 31 as the deadline to amend the existing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for coal mining leases and provide financial assistance to small-scale mine owners. Failure to comply, the organisation warned, will trigger []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Match STARTS AT 11 AM Mumbai, Feb 14: A confident West Indies will aim to maintain their winning run and cement their position at the top of Group C when they face a struggling Nepal in a T20 World Cup clash at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The Caribbean side []

ICC Mens T20 World Cup Match STARTS AT 3 PM Chennai, Feb 14: Revitalised by a commanding win over the Netherlands, the United States will look to keep their slim Super Eight hopes alive when they face Namibia in a must-win Group A clash here on Sunday. With two wins from as many matches, India []