The Shillong Times News

AHMEDABAD, Dec 18: Ahmedabads Narendra Modi Stadium is no stranger to the Indian team, with the Men in Blue having played multiple matches at the venue over the years. The ground, which also serves as the home base of Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, has ensured that most players are well acquainted with []

New Delhi, Dec 18: The ongoing India-South Africa series remains fiercely contested, with two possible outcomes before the final game: South Africa drawing level at 2-2 or India winning it 3-1, and former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn opined that India have been the better team so far in the three games played. The fourth []

London, Dec 18: Former England captain Michael Vaughan has advised against sweeping changes to Englands playing group, even if their Ashes campaign in Australia ends in another defeat. Ben Stokes side are staring at an early series loss after sliding to 213 for eight on the second day of the third Test in Adelaide, trailing []

Lyon moves to second on Australias all-time bowling list Adelaide, Dec 18: Nathan Lyon took two wickets to move past Glenn McGrath for second place on Australias all-time bowling list, and returning skipper Pat Cummins took his first wickets of the series as a relentless bowling attack kept England in trouble in the third Ashes []

New Delhi, Dec 18: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to review the scheduling of matches in North India between December 15 and January 15 following the abandonment of the fourth T20I between India and South Africa due to dense fog in Lucknow. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla confirmed that []

Dhaka, Dec 18: Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Thursday. Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, chairman of the BCB Cricket Operations Committee, clarified that Mustafizur will return to Bangladesh for just eight []

NEW DELHI, Dec 18: Haryanas Ketan Malik overcame a strong field which consisted of Paris Olympic double medallist Manu Bhaker and Asian Games champion Palak Gulia to be crowned as the winner in the Womens 10m Air Pistol (APW) event at the 68th National Shooting Championship Competitions currently underway at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting []

Guwahati, Dec 18: Star Cement has announced the winners of its recently concluded Consumer Premium Scheme, under which consumers across the Northeast won 2 brand-new car, along with 6 Motorcycles of 125 cc, 95 LED televisions and 86 Smartphones through weekly, monthly and mega lucky draws, apart from assured gifts offered during the campaign period. []

NEW DELHI, Dec 18: Indian pistol shooter Samrat Ranas showing at the World Championships in Cairo last month has been rated among the top five performances of the year by the International Shooting Sport Federation. The 20-year-old marksman from Karnal in Haryana made history by winning the mens 10m air pistol gold at the Worlds, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 18: The second edition of the International Conference on Leveraging Emerging Technologies and Analytics for Development (LEAD-2025), hosted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong from December 10 to 12, 2025, received 162 research submissions, of which 87 papers and abstracts were accepted following a rigorous peer-review process. The []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 18: The Seng Samla Mawlai Pyllun (SSMP) on Thursday launched its 20th-anniversary celebrations with a series of sports events scheduled to continue until January 23, 2026. The inaugural programme was opened by Noverius Lyngdoh, Assistant Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), in the presence of SSMP office-bearers, community []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 18: Meghalaya witnessed a significant gathering centred on education, character building and youth empowerment, as a major Islamic conference was held at Jamiul Uloom Rahmania Madrassa in Chibinang under the Phulbari constituency. The conference drew a large public turnout from across the state, with renowned international motivational speaker Munawar Zama []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 18: Two overground workers of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) were arrested by East Jaintia Hills police on Thursday in connection with an IED explosion at the Dhar Company premises in Shymplong under Elaka Narpuh in East Jaintia Hills shortly after midnight on December 15. Police sources said []

KATHMANDU, Dec 17: Nepals CPN-UML on Wednesday voted to elect its leader with deposed prime minister K P Sharma Oli facing a tough challenge from senior leader Ishwor Pokharel to retain the position he has held for over 10 years. Oli, who is seeking a third consecutive term, and Pokharel are the only two candidates []

DHAKA, Dec 17:Under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, Bangladesh is witnessing a severe deterioration in law and order, highlighted by the recent brutal killing of Awami League worker Riyad Hossain. According to the party, Hossain was stabbed to death on Wednesday in a coordinated mob attack allegedly carried out by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and []

BRUSSSELS, Dec 17: European Union leaders are preparing to attempt an unprecedented financial operation to support Ukraine, but the plan carries significant risks and could set long-term precedents affecting trust among the blocs 27 members. At a summit beginning Thursday, EU leaders are expected to discuss using tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian []

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, Dec 17: The Trump administration expanded its travel ban to 20 more countries and the Palestinian Authority, citing national security and public safety concerns. Partial restrictions apply to 15 nations, including Angola, Nigeria, and Zambia, while full restrictions target Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Laos, Sierra Leone, and PA-issued travel documents. []

Meher Castelino, the first Miss India and a celebrated fashion journalist, passed away on Wednesday. She was 81 years old, and is survived by her son, Karl, daughter-in-law, Nisha, and her daughter, Christina. Meher Castelino was born in Mumbai, and first caught the public eye by winning the Femina Miss India title in 1964, becoming []

SS Rajamouli was happy to be the first person in India to watch Avatar: Fire and Ash as he sat down to discuss the movie with director James Cameron who hopes to visit the Indian directors set when he is filming something fun. The two directors, united in their love for creating big theatrical spectacles, []

MUMBAI, Dec 17: The Indian rupee rebounded 55 paise on Wednesday to close at 90.38 against the US dollar, recovering from an all-time low of 90.93 in a volatile session, aided by suspected aggressive intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Analysts said the rupees weakness in recent weeks was driven largely by external []

MUMBAI, Dec 17: Indian stock markets fell for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, as sustained foreign fund outflows weighed on investor sentiment. The BSE Sensex closed 120.21 points lower at 84,559.65, while the NSE Nifty fell 41.55 points to 25,818.55, both marking a weeks low. During the day, the Sensex dropped as much as []

SHILLONG: Gipin adokrangoni Meghalaya adokona manderangko salbaenggipa tourist taxi-rangko champengsona niam dongja ine adokni Deputy Chief Minister aro Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, talataniko onangaha. Mongolbar salo, All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA)-ni dilgiparang baksa tome chanchirimangani jaman iako Dhar aganaha. AKMTTA-ni dabienga gita gipin adokrangoni tourist taxi-rangko champengsona niam dongja ine talataniko onangengon, gipin []

RONGJENG: National Highway (NH)-217 ramako apalbatate tarianio, East Garo Hills ajani dingtang dingtang songrangna nangchongmotgipa uiatanirangko somoi gita onjahani asel, district administration-ni kamrango olgrokaniko nikna manaha ine ia ramako tarianio nangchakeaniko manenggipa songni manderang matnangtokaha. Jolo songdongenggipa manderangni parakatani gitade, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue)-ni November 17 tariko uiataniko aro uamangni gisepo kubalitimgipako songani bidingo uiataniko baditaba [

Editor, Apropos the article When Policy Forgets the Teacher: Reflections on NEP and Academic Life authored by Bhogtoram Mawroh and published in The Shillong Times, it deserves sincere appreciation for bringing into the open a side of educational reform that is too often ignored the side lived daily by teachers. Much is written and []

The water crisis in large parts of Shillong city caused by a major leakage of a water pipe at 101 area where a major road construction project is underway has exposed a weak flank in administration namely the absence of an emergency response system. The destruction of a water pipeline that supplies water to []

By Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh December 18, 2025, marks the 85th Death Anniversary of Babu Soso Tham and to pay homage to the bard of Hynniewtrep land and poet laureate, I wish to pen down on the subject above. Babu Soso Tham and his Students: Babu Soso Tham began his writing career together with his students of []

A Nail Without a Hammer By Roy Kupar Synrem A nail is useless unless driven by the hammer. In the same way, talents are useless unless driven by people in power. This is the quote I came across in a Book titled Grains of Thoughts by Dr. B.Ps. Toi. The book is a collection of []

3rd Ashes Test Adelaide, Dec 17: Alex Carey posted a hometown hundred and Usman Khawaja scored 82 after a dramatic, last-minute recall to help Australia reach 326 for eight at stumps on a hot opening day of the third Ashes test. Paceman Joffra Archer (3-29) took three big wickets, including two in three balls immediately []

Lucknow, Dec 17: The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was called off on Wednesday owing to poor visibility after a dense layer of smog engulfed the Ekana Stadium raising serious questions about BCCIs scheduling of matches in northern part of India during peak winter month. The venues allotted for the full series against []

Rome, Dec 17: Former Australia batter Joe Burns, who led Italy to its first-ever T20 World Cup qualification, will be omitted from the European nations squad for the showpiece in India due to availability issues that came in the way of a contract between him and the Italian Cricket Federation. The Federation on Tuesday named []

Kolkata, Dec 17: The Cricket Association of Bengal on Wednesday announced the ticket prices for matches to be held at the Eden Gardens during the ICC Mens T20 World Cup, with rates varying across group-stage fixtures and knockout matches. The 10th edition of showpiece will start on February 7. For group matches featuring Bangladesh vs []

Doha, Dec 17: Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati were named the best players of 2025 at the FIFA awards on Tuesday, adding to their prize collection after also winning the mens and womens Ballon dOr this year. Dembele starred for Paris Saint-Germain in its first Champions League title win and Bonmati was a standout for []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 17: Meghalayas Edmund Arnold Myrthong secured the prestigious overall Mr. India 2025 title in the Denims category during the World Fitness Federation (WFF) competition held in Chandigarh on December 14 and 15. The event, which saw a total of 195 participants, featured a strong delegation from Meghalaya, accompanied by the []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Dec 17: The Meghalaya Football Association announced its squad today for the upcoming Senior Mens National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2025-26 preliminary round. The state team will be captained by the experienced Hardy Cliff Nongbri and coached by the reputed Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh. Shillong will host three matches of []

Geneva, Dec 17: FIFA slashed the price of some World Cup tickets for teams most loyal fans following a global backlash and some will get $60 seats for the final instead of being asked to pay $4,185. It was a rare climbdown by the soccer body and its president Gianni Infantino after soaking up waves []

Doha, Dec 17: After finally ending its wait for a Champions League title, Paris Saint-Germain can finish the year by adding a first Intercontinental Cup trophy as well. PSG takes on Brazilian club Flamengo, the South American champion, in the final of the year-end international tournament on Wednesday. No French team has won the Intercontinental []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Dec 17: Meghalaya have set Mizoram 248 to win in their U-19 mens Cooch Behar Trophy 2025-26 plate group match at the end of the second day in Anand, Gujarat, on Wednesday. Resuming their first innings in the morning on 129/5, in response to Meghalayas 219 all out, Mizoram were dismissed []

From Our Correspondent DADENGGRE, Dec 17: The Office of the Block Development Officer, Dadenggre C&RD Block, in collaboration with the Office of the District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO), West Garo Hills District Tura, on Tuesday organised a comprehensive training programme on disaster preparedness, focusing particularly on flood response and other natural calamities. The programme began []

From Our Correspondent TURA, Dec 17: The Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) has demanded immediate recruitment and strict adherence to policy by the Captain Williamson Sangma State University (CWSSU). In a statement, which was issued on Tuesday, the ACHIK, while accusing the senior administration of the university of arbitrary appointments, asserted that such practices []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 17: The youth wing of Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP), West Khasi Hills, on Wednesday urged Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai to upgrade the existing district library in Nongstoin into a District Multi-Convention Centre to cater to the growing social, cultural and educational needs of the district. In []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 17: Expressing concern over the growing drug menace in the state, Governor CH Vijayashankar convened a meeting of key stakeholders, including heads of educational institutions, as part of the flagship national programme, Nasha-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. Addressing the gathering, the Governor said he would personally visit any village or locality that []

Beautification drive launched at Mawlai Mawroh By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 17: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday said that meaningful governance and sustainable urban transformation can only be achieved through strong interaction and collaboration between the government and citizens, asserting that real change begins at the grassroots level when public concerns are heard []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 17: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Wednesday held a protest meeting at the Congress Bhavan here, condemning what it described as the misuse of central investigative agencies by the BJP-led government to target political opponents, including the Gandhi family. The protest followed an order passed on December 16, []

Over two lakh tonnes of legacy waste recycled By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 17: More than two lakh tonnes of legacy waste have been recycled from the Marten landfill site at Mawlai, which was overflowing at one point in time. Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar stated on Wednesday that the landfill is now almost empty, []

From Our Correspondent NONGPOH, Dec 17: In view of a series of developments that adversely affected the functioning of the Nongpoh Sirdarship Elaka, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has appointed Luistar Lyngdoh as the Acting Sirdar to oversee the administration of the Elaka. Lyngdoh was formally sworn in by Denzil Raynard Chen, Executive []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 17: Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise Marak on Wednesday said that the Centre is expected to release the pending Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) funds by January 2026. Addressing media persons, Marak explained that the Centre has not yet released the funds due to implementation-related issues faced by some states []

EGH road-widening project From Our Correspondent RONGJENG, Dec 17: Villagers affected by the NH-217 road-widening project in East Garo Hills have alleged that crucial government notices were not communicated to them in time, exposing serious lapses on the part of the local administration. Residents said they came to know about the November 17 public notice []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 17: Meghalaya, which has one of the lowest LPG penetration rates in the country and remains below the national average, is aiming to significantly improve household coverage through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) 3.0. The state government has set a goal to cover around one lakh households, which are []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 17: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the state government to file a progress report on complaints regarding the poor and dilapidated condition of roads in Nongrimmaw and Laitumkhrah. The petitioner had complained about the poor and deteriorated condition of roads in Nongrimmaw and Laitumkhrah, Shillong, and had disclosed []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 17: Amid claims by rival parties that the United Democratic Party (UDP) is sinking, party leader Kyrmen Shylla on Wednesday said that only elections would reveal whether the party is sinking or growing. But as far as our preparation is concerned, we feel we will grow, he said. He also []