The Shillong Times

DHAKA, Jan 21: As Bangladesh approaches the February 12 general elections, political tensions have intensified, with clashes between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist Party Jamaat-e-Islami leaving several injured, local media reported. The latest confrontation occurred in Dhakas Mirpur area on Tuesday, involving BNP and Jamaat workers during election campaigning. Witnesses told The []

DHAKA, Jan 21: A Bangladesh court on Wednesday scheduled February 9 for the next hearing on charge framing in a sedition case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others. The case arises from allegations that Hasina and hundreds of Awami League members participated in a virtual meeting of the Joy Bangla Brigade on []

KATHMANDU, Jan 21: Months after the youth-led Gen Z protests in Nepal, four former prime ministers have filed nominations for the March 5 general elections. Ex-PM K P Sharma Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) is contesting from Jhapa-5, while Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda of the Maoist Centre is running from Rukum East. Madhav []

DUBAI, Jan 21: Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued the most direct warning yet to the United States on Wednesday, following Tehrans violent crackdown on domestic protests. Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Araghchi stated that Iran would fire back with everything we have if it comes under renewed attack, signaling the potential use of []

MELBOURNE, Jan 21: Another day, another record crowd. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz advanced in straight sets Wednesday and the No. 3 seeds Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev also progressed to the third round of the Australian Open. The combined numbers for day and night sessions, 103,720 fans, set a full-day record []

PUNE, Jan 21: Luke Mudgway of Chinas Li Ning Star clinched the Maratha Heritage Circuit, the stage two race of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 cycling event, and retained the Yellow Jersey here on Wednesday. New Zealander Mudgway clocked 02:31:49 to win, taking the 105.3 km race deep into a landscape shaped by forts, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 21: A five-day Management Development Programme (MDP) for elected members and officials of the Rural Development (Panchayat) Department, Government of Tripura, was inaugurated on Tuesday at Indian Institute of Management Shillong (IIM Shillong) to strengthen grassroots governance and enhance administrative efficiency in rural local bodies. The programme is being organised []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 21: The Court of Special Judge (POCSO), East Jaintia Hills, has sentenced Kmenlang Sana, alias Lang Sana, to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexual assault of a minor. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 on the convict. According to a statement here, the case originated in []

MEGHALAYA marks 54 years of autonomy Our Bureau NEW DELHI/SHILLONG, Jan 21: As Meghalaya marked 54 years of its hard-won autonomy from Assam, the states political and bureaucratic elite gathered in the National Capital to showcase its cultural soft power to New Delhis policy-shapers, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the states growing role []

From Our Correspondent BAGHMARA, Jan 21: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma led the 54th Meghalaya Day celebrations (See P-3) in Baghmara on Wednesday, paying tribute to the leaders of the statehood movement and outlining a vision for decentralised growth. The state-level function, held in the headquarters of South Garo Hills, was attended by Deputy Chief []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 21: The Secretariat wore a largely deserted look on Wednesday as most of the states political leadership and senior bureaucracy were in Baghmara to attend the 54th Meghalaya Day celebrations. With the entire state machinery camping in South Garo Hills for the state-level function, the Secretariatoften described as the power []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 21: Recurrence of tensions at Maikhuli village along the Meghalaya-Assam interstate border, despite the area being included in the first phase of the boundary resolution process, has evoked the concern of UDP leader and Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem on Wednesday. Syiem, who is a member of the regional committee on []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 21: A woman from Meghalaya, trafficked to New Delhi on the pretext of a job but pressured into the flesh trade, was rescued by the Khasi Students Union (KSU) Delhi Unit with the help of Delhi Police on Wednesday morning. The KSUs Delhi Unit launched the rescue operation after receiving []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 21: A BJP delegation led by cabinet minister Sanbor Shullai and state party president Rikman G Momin met Union defence minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi seeking an early resolution of the long-pending relocation of the Dalit Sikh community from Them Iew Mawlong to the Cantonment area. Shullai, who represents []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 21: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) on Wednesday relocated hawkers operating in the Civil Hospital area to the Public Works Department (PWD) premises at Barik, triggering mixed reactions among them. While a section of them was worried that the relocation could affect their business initially, many others said they were []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 21: Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar on Wednesday recalled the inspiring Hill State Movement and paid rich tribute to the freedom fighters of Meghalaya who fought for justice, self-respect and democratic rights. Addressing the gathering at the Durbar Hall of Lok Bhavan to mark the Foundation Day of Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, []

PREMIER LEAGUE London, Jan 20: Brighton & Hove Albion salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium as teenage substitute Charalampos Kostoulas produced a moment of sheer brilliance deep into stoppage time, rescuing a point with a stunning overhead kick that left players, managers and supporters alike in disbelief. With the clock []

London, Jan 20: Bournemouth have completed the signing of Hungary international midfielder Alex Toth from Ferencvaros in a deal worth 10.4 million. The 20-year-old has agreed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Cherries, with the transfer also including potential add-ons of up to 2.6m, while Ferencvaros will retain a 10 per cent sell-on clause. Toth attracted []

Rome, Jan 20: Nico Paz scored a brace but missed a penalty as Como comfortably beat Lazio 3-0 in Serie A to record a third consecutive away win by the same scoreline. The win also puts Como just two points behind fifth-place Juventus, while Lazio is in ninth, with only one win in its last []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Jan 20: A major landmark for football in the North East was reached on Tuesday with the signing of a Deed of Contract between the State Football Associations of the region and Japan-based company Bestserv Inc. for the launch of the Northeast Football League. The agreement was formalised at a signing []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Jan 20: The Meghalaya Athletics Association (MAA) has announced a 12-member contingent to represent the state at the 60th National Cross Country Athletics Championship, scheduled to be held in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on January 24, 2026. The squad comprises six men and six women athletes, most of whom are currently part of []

New Delhi, Jan 20: The 79th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy is all set for kick off from Wednesday with Assam hosting it for the seventh time in its chequered history. The land of the Brahmaputra and the white rhinos is leading the path in spreading the game to even the remotest areas. It []

New Delhi, Jan 20: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday announced the appointment of Costa Ricas Amelia Valverde as the head coach of the Indian senior womens team. Valverde, 39, has joined the Indian camp in Antalya where the Blue Tigresses are preparing for the AFC Womens Asian Cup Australia 2026, scheduled for []

Windhoek, Jan 20: Australias left-handed batter Will Malajczuk smashed the fastest century in the history of the ICC U19 World Cup, off just 51 balls, to steer Australia to a convincing eight-wicket victory over Japan here on Tuesday. Chasing 202, the opener scored half of his teams runs with a stunning 102 from 55 balls []

The average American checks their phone over 140 times a day, clocking an average of 4.5 hours of daily use, with 57% of people admitting theyre addicted to their phone. Tech companies, influencers and other content creators compete for all that attention, which has incentivised the rise of misinformation. Considering this challenging information landscape, strong []

From ancient times until today, an enormous population has been a foundational way for China to project its strength. But anxiety about managing so many mouths has always loomed. China has a population of 600 million people, and we must never forget this fact, Mao Zedong said in 1957, shortly before setting off a calamitous []

Mumbai, Jan 20: Equity benchmark index Sensex on Tuesday plunged over 1,000 points to sink below the 83,000 level due to widespread selloff tracking sluggish global markets amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Besides, continued weakness in the rupee and persistent foreign fund outflows dented investors sentiment, traders said. Extending its previous days decline, the 30-share BSE []

MUMBAI, Jan 20: The rupee depreciated 7 paise to settle at a record low of 90.97 against the US dollar on Tuesday, pressured by strong dollar demand from metal importers, persistent foreign fund outflows and rising geopolitical uncertainties. Weak domestic equities further weighed on the local currency. Forex traders said risk aversion in global markets []

NEW DELHI, Jan 20: Gold prices rallied sharply on Tuesday, breaching the crucial Rs 1.5 lakh-per-10-gram level in the national capital, driven by strong demand in both domestic and international markets, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Gold of 99.9% purity surged by Rs 5,100 to trade at Rs 1,53,200 per 10 grams, inclusive []

SHILLONG: Skulrango class VI-oni class X-ona Meghalaya Cabinet-ni ragatgipa Community Integrated Skill Learning-ko Mongolbar salo, adokni Congress dolba rachakangaha indiba lekka poraniko pilakni gitan namdapatchina sorkariko didiangskaaha. Iani bidingo kobor ratimgipa manderang baksa agangrikengon, poraia dontonggimin pilak chatro chatrirangkon, matric sepiltaina cholko onna gita sorkarini chol onaniko Congress dolni dilgipa Manuel Badwar-ba rachakangaha aro lekka []

TURA: Tura-o donggipa Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC)-ni Members Hostel-o GHADC-o kam kaenggipa mitam manderang aro niamo onggijagipa gipin manderangba, antangtangni nokdangrang baksa dongchakenga ine Tura-ni saksa SB Sangma, GHADC-ni Secretary-na badi kadoangaha. GHADC-ni Secretary-na badi kae sedoatani gitade, mitam manderang, GHADC-ni Members Hostel-o, sakchet ba sak 10-rang ongpile, biap damsaon dongchaktokenga aro ian []

World Cup Beckons But Captain Has Questions to Answer Match starts 7 pm IST Nagpur, Jan 20: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav would want the attacking batter in him to front up and bolster his leadership against New Zealand when the five-match T20I series gets underway here on Wednesday, serving as a final dress rehearsal for Indias []

New Delhi, Jan 20: New Zealand coach Rob Walter said all-rounder Michael Bracewells participation in the five-match T20I series against India is dependent on his recovery from a minor left-calf strain that he sustained during the recent third ODI at Indore. New Zealand defeated India by 41 runs to seal a historic 2-1 ODI series []

Christchurch, Jan 20: New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson said the five-match T20I series against India, beginning on Wednesday, offers a perfect preparation opportunity for his side ahead of next months T20 World Cup. Buoyed with their recent 2-1 ODI series win against India, New Zealand will take on the World Cup co-hosts in the first []

Nagpur, Jan 20: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said he expects Daryl Mitchell to carry his dominant ODI form into the shortest format when the Black Caps take on reigning world champions India in a five-match T20I series starting here on Wednesday. Mitchell was in imperious form during the recent ODIs against India, logging scores []

Dhaka, Jan 20: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has categorically rejected claims that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has set January 21 as a final deadline for Bangladesh to confirm its participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, reiterating that no such timeline has been formally communicated by the global governing body. Reports earlier suggested []

New Delhi, Jan 20: The BCCI is set to streamline the players central contracts by doing away with the A+ category introduced back in 2018. As per the existing policy, a cricketer in A+ category is paid Rs 7 crore annually, Rs 5 crore in A, Rs 3 crore in B and Rs 1 crore []

Johannesburg, Jan 20: Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday announced that they will host India in a five-match T20 International series, beginning at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on April 17 and running until April 27 across Durban, Johannesburg and Benoni. The series will open with two matches at Durbans Kingsmead on April 17 and 19 []

New Delhi, Jan 20: The BCCI has secured a lucrative Rs 270 crore sponsorship deal from Googles AI platform Gemini ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). Geminis rival ChatGPT is one of the sponsors of ongoing Womens Premier League. The deal is for three years and reinforces IPLs global appeal, a BCCI official []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 20: VPP Supremo Ardent M Basaiawmoit on Tuesday said the people have been misled through what he described as a modified version of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), followed by the introduction of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), and now the implementation of the Immigrants & Foreigners []

Our Bureau SHILLONG/JOWAI, Jan 20: An intensifying police crackdown in Jowai forced 18 Bangladeshi nationals out of hiding in the early hours of Tuesday, triggering a chain of vehicle interceptions that exposed a local facilitation network operating along the Dawki route. The arrests have raised unsettling questions about how long the foreigners had been living []

Guwahati, Jan 20: The Dr Bhupen Hazarika Centre for Creativity at The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) today celebrated Silpi Diwas with great enthusiasm through a special programme titled Tore More Alokore Jatra, commemorating the legacy of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala. The event was held at the Jyoti Mancha auditorium on the occasion of Agarwalas death []

PREMIER LEAGUE London, Jan 19: Aston Villas push to stay in the Premier League title conversation faltered on Sunday evening, as Unai Emerys in-form side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to a revitalised Everton at Villa Park a result that not only halted an astonishing run of victories at home, but also damaged their []

From Our Correspondent Khliehriat, Jan 19: A new futsal ground aimed at fostering sports engagement across age groups in East Jaintia Hills was inaugurated on Monday at Dkhiah East village. The facility, funded under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) scheme for 202526, was officially opened by Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla. Delivering his address as Chief []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Jan 19: Newly elected Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) president James PK Sangma has declared that building a dedicated cricket stadium in the State will be his administrations top priority, arguing that world-class facilities are essential if Meghalaya is to elevate its standing in Indian cricket and host major matches in the []

From Our Correspondent Jowai, Jan 19: The 2026 edition of the Basketball Tournament, hosted in memory of the late Lily Mary Laloo, was formally inaugurated on Monday by Health & Family Welfare and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla. Organised jointly by Seng Samla CMC IawmusiangKhimusniang and the SYM, the event is being held []

London, Jan 19: The Premier League weekend draws to a close on Monday night with an all-south-coast meeting that could carry weight in the race for European football. Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Bournemouth to the Amex Stadium, with both sides eager to build momentum though the visitors arrive severely depleted. Brighton step into []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Jan 19: A 15-member squad was named on Monday by the Meghalaya Cricket Associations senior womens selection committee for the BCCIs Senior Women One Day Trophy 2025-26 plate group, which will be held next month. The team will be captained by stalwart Debasmita Dutta, with Monica Lyngdoh Phawa as the vice-captain. []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Jan 19: Sohra is set to host one of the regions most eagerly awaited grassroots cricket competitions, as the East Khasi Hills Cricket Association announced the return of the 5th District League T20 Cricket Tournament. The annual event, which showcases emerging cricket talent from across the district, will begin in the []

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is sure Aditya Dhars directorial Dhurandhar 2, scheduled for release in March, will become the largest multi-starrer in the history of cinema. Released in December 2025, Dhurandhar featured Ranveer Singh in the lead role and revolved around covert intelligence operations set against a backdrop of geopolitical and terror events like Kandahar []