The Shillong Times

Colombo, Feb 7: All-rounder Faheem Ashraf emerged as the hero for Pakistan, hammering 29 off 11 balls in a stunning late assault to snatch a dramatic three-wicket win over the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup opener here on Saturday. Chasing 148 for a win, Pakistan were 90 for 2 at the halfway stage but []

Kolkata, Feb 7: Shimron Hetmyer struck a counter-attacking fifty before Romario Shepherd unleashed a stunning five-wicket burst including a hat-trick as two-time champions West Indies began their T20 World Cup campaign with a comfortable 35-run win over Scotland in their group C fixture here on Saturday. Back at the venue where they had lifted their []

New Delhi, Feb 7: The ICC has sought an explanation from Pakistan on how the Force Majeure clause can be invoked to justify the teams refusal to play the T20 World Cup match against India after the PCB tried to wriggle out of the situation by putting the onus on its government. The ICC has []

Match starts at 11 am Chennai, Feb 7: An underwhelming New Zealand will be hoping to rediscover their explosive game against a dangerous Afghanistan in the opening Group D match of the ICC T20 World Cup here on Sunday. The Kiwis went through a rather unstable preparatory phase ahead of the ICC showpiece, going 1-4 []

Match starts at 3:00 pm Mumbai, Feb 7: An embattled Harry Brook will hope England hit the top gear and the focus shifts from the incident at a Wellington club to cricket when the two-time champions take on Nepal in their T20 World Cup opener, here on Sunday. Brook is at the helm of a []

Match starts at 7 pm Colombo, Feb 7: An undercooked Sri Lanka would look to put behind a disappointing preparation and dish out a solid effort when they take on an unpredictable Ireland in their opening Group B match of the T20 World Cup in front of home fans here on Sunday. Sri Lanka didnt []

Bengaluru, Feb 7: Fast emerging as a vital cog in Indias Davis Cup plans, Dhakshineswar Suresh once again rose to the occasion, outgunning Dutch number one Jesper de Jong in a battle of big servers to level the Qualifiers Round 1 tie 1-1 against the Netherlands here on Saturday. Ranked as low as 465, Dhakshineswar []

Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi and singer Badshah performs before the start of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between India and USA, at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, on Saturday. (PTI)

Singer Armaan Malik has shared his thoughts on Indias evolving music landscape, highlighting the growing significance of independent music alongside Bollywood. Speaking to ANI, Malik explained that while Bollywood playback singing brought him widespread recognition, independent music is becoming increasingly exciting and financially rewarding for artists. He noted that musicians today are no longer solely []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Feb 7: Mynjurlang Jyrwa, the Acting Chief of Hima Sohra, on Saturday said that all efforts would be made to expedite the appointment of a full-fledged Syiem through close coordination with the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), stressing that the absence of a traditional head continues to hamper effective governance []

From Our Correspondent Ampati, Feb 7: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma laid the base for the 10-bed Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Meringipara in South West Garo Hills in the presence of Mahendraganj MLA Sanjay A Sangma and Salmanpara MLA Ian Botham K Sangma, on Friday. The hospital constructed under the National Ayush Mission, Meghalaya, will []

Visitors at the Shillong Book Festival at All Saints Hall, in the city on Saturday. (ST)

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 7: What began as a simple gathering at the auditorium Hall of Garo Union Morning Secondary School, turned into a heart-warming moment for 50 underprivileged students who received school uniform jerseys in a gesture of care and solidarity, on Friday. The vice president of the Meghalaya Manipuri Welfare Society formally []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Feb 7: The seven-day training programme on Beauty, Wellness and Hair Styling for young women from Jaintia Hills organised by the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Community College (DDUCC) and Skill Development Centre, Wahiajer, a constituent college of NEHU concluded recently. The programme witnessed active participation from 55 young women, who showed keen []

From Our Correspondent Mawkyrwat, Feb 7: A 14-year-old boy, Vipin Donald Iawphniaw from Diwian village, near Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills district, reportedly went missing from his residence for more than two weeks. According to his mother, Basuklang Iawphniaw, the minor boy has been missing since January 23. At first, I thought that he visited []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 7: NPP national president and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the party continues to grow stronger as it welcomed over 300 members from various political parties at a joining ceremony in Garobadha, on Saturday. Stating that the induction reflects the expanding support base of the party, Sangma said the []

From Our Correspondent Nongpoh, Feb 7: Shyntorbulia village in Ri-Bhoi district witnessed its first-ever free community health check-up camp bringing essential medical services to one of the most geographically isolated settlements in the region, on Saturday. The village is cut off from the main road by two rivers on either side and hills on the []

Participants take part in a competion during the Yummy Talent Fest 2.0 at the State Central Library premises in the city on Saturday. (ST)

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 7: The energy of street culture took over Polo Ground on Saturday evening as Royal Enfields HunterHood arrived in the city, celebrating a fusion of music, art and urban expression. Organised as part of Royal Enfields HunterHood movement, the event brought together creators, performers and motorcycle enthusiasts for an evening []

A most distressing and tragic incident resulting in the untimely loss of several innocent lives, reportedly numbering not less than thirty, occurred on the 5th of February, 2026, at Tongsko village under the Sutnga area of East Jaintia Hills District. In various departments of the government, there are RTI activists who routinely seek information []

Dhaka, Feb 6: At least 50 activists of the ultra-right Inqilab Mancha were injured on Friday in a clash with police in Bangladesh when they tried to defy a ban during a protest demanding immediate justice over the killing of their leader Sharif Osman Hadi last year. Dhaka police used batons, sound grenades and water []

Dhaka, Feb 6: Five people, including a child, were injured after unidentified assailants opened fire during an election campaign in the Ali Khali Rohingya camp area of Teknaf upazila in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar, local media reported on Friday. The incident took place in Block A/04 of Camp-25 at the Ali Khali Rohingya camp on Thursday []

Washington, Feb 6: With Bangladesh heading for elections next week, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government which came to power in 2024 following the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government, failed to maintain law and order and deliver on promised human rights reforms, a leading US-based rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in []

London, Feb 6: Keir Starmer never met Jeffrey Epstein. But the British prime ministers job is under threat because of the fallout from the late sex offenders global web of relationships. Friendship with Epstein has already brought down a British royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew and UK ambassador to Washington []

Harare, Feb 6: Crickets latest wunderkind Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played arguably the most breathtaking knock in the history of U-19 World Cup to fire India to a record-extending sixth title with a 100-run drubbing of England in the summit clash here Friday. Sooryavanshis 80-ball 175, which comprised a record 15 sixes and as many fours, propelled []

New Delhi, Feb 6: Several Ranji Trophy quarterfinals sprang into life on Friday with bowlers calling the shots across venues, as Bengal clawed their way back late against Andhra, Madhya Pradesh surged ahead through Kuldeep Sens five-for, Karnataka seized firm control against Mumbai, and Uttarakhand kept Jharkhand in check despite a lone resistance. At Kalyani, []

Shillong, Feb 6: Some 340 young boys appeared for selection trials for the first induction into the new Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) Academy in Shillong on Friday. The trials were open to boys born between 2013 and 2016. They were put through their paces overseen by senior members of the MFA and experienced youth coaches. []

The All Meghalaya Kick-Boxing Association (AMKA) announces its selected players for upcoming competitions, under the guidance of chief coach Samuel Hashah. (ST)

New Delhi, Feb 6: The T20 World Cup, the biggest edition in the tournaments history, begins on Saturday across venues in India and Sri Lanka, but not without an unusually turbulent and politically charged build-up that has pushed cricket to the margins. Expanded from 16 to 20 teams, the global event was meant to celebrate []

Stakeholders conglomerate for pre-Budget consultation meeting in city By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday attributed Meghalayas economic progress to sustained capital expenditure and a steady rise in private investment, while noting that Meghalaya has emerged as the second fastest-growing state in the country in terms of real Gross State []

From Our Correspondent TURA, Feb 6: West Garo Hills (WGH) Police on Friday arrested another accused in the murder of ACHIK member Dilseng M Sangma in the village of Goalgaon under Rajabala Police Station limits, taking the total number of arrests to 10. Dilseng was killed after being attacked by miscreants near the village of []

From Our Correspondent BAGHMARA, Feb 6: A resident of Mankachar in Assam was killed on Friday morning after encountering a herd of wild elephants near Gasuapara in South Garo Hills. The victim, identified as Abdul Mannan, was traveling from Mankachar to Baghmara for business on a motorcycle with a friend. Around 9:30 am, the duo []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: The Khasi Students Union (KSU) Laban Circle on Friday urged the Shillong Civil Hospital authorities to act against the presence of certain individuals and groups loitering in and around the Civil Hospital area, particularly near the Civil Hospital junction. The appeal was made during a meeting with the Joint []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday said that a major road corridor, linking Umshyrpi Bridge at Rilbong, Rhino Museum Point, Shillong Civil Hospital and extending up to Barik, is at an advanced planning stage as part of a long-term strategy to ease traffic congestion in Shillong. Addressing a []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: A multi-state mock exercise on earthquake disaster preparedness was conducted in Shillong on Friday to strengthen coordination and response mechanisms among disaster management agencies. As part of the initiative, a tabletop exercise was held at Taraghar, the State Guest House, led by Major General (Retd) Sudhir Bahl. The session []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: Padma Shri Hally War has shed light on the unique process of formation of living root bridges, revealing that when the roots of trees protrude, they are slowly guided and pulled through hollowed bamboo or tree trunks, thereby allowing the roots to merge naturally over time. This patient and []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: The state government has announced the names of the vice chairperson and members of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) following a Cabinet decision taken on Thursday. Hemaritha Ch. Sangma has been appointed as the Vice Chairperson of the Commission, whilst the members appointed to the Meghalaya State []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 6: The East Khasi Hills district administration has reconstituted the Local Complaints Committee in accordance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. According to a notification in this regard, Additional Deputy Commissioner D Kharshiing has been appointed as the Chairperson of the committee. []

Mumbai, Feb 5: Jon-Jon Smuts will feature at the T20 World Cup on February 9 in the colours of a country he has never visited. The South Africa-born all-rounder, a former Proteas international, is part of Italys squad for the tournament after becoming eligible through marriage. Speaking from Dubai, where Italy recently trained and played []

Colombo, Feb 5: Though his team is facing a severe backlash from the fans over their recent poor performances, including a series defeat to England at home, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka on Thursday urged his players to focus on a step-by-step approach as they enter the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 to be []

Colombo, Feb 5: Maintaining his cricket boards stance, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha on Thursday stressed that the decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India was taken by their government and was not in our control. Pakistan on Sunday announced a boycott of its high-profile mens T20 World Cup group league fixture []

WPL 2026 Delhi Capitals suffer another heartbreak Vadodara, Feb 5: Displaying absolute dominance, a Smrit Mandhana-inspired Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their second Womens Premier League trophy with a six-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals, who failed to seize the moment on the biggest stage despite playing in their fourth final here on Thursday. RCB captain Mandhana []

Badminton Asia Team Cships Qingdao (China), Feb 5: Young Tanvi Sharma produced a stunning win, but defending champions India suffered a narrow 2-3 loss to Thailand in their second Group Y match of the Badminton Asia Team Championships here on Thursday. However, despite the defeat, India qualified for the quarterfinals. India, who had beaten Myanmar []

Chennai, Feb 5: Indias Sasikumar Mukund, Manish Suresh Kumar and Manas Dhamne were on Thursday given wildcards for the main draw of the Chennai Open tennis tournament. The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association will host the ATP Challenger 50 event, which will see participants from 14 countries, from February 9 to 15. Jay Clarke, a world []

New Delhi, Feb 5: Hockey India on Thursday announced a 24-member Indian mens team for the opening leg of the FIH Pro League to be held from February 10 to 15 at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. Hockey India had announced a list of 33 probables last month for the coaching []

Modinagar (Uttar Pradesh), Feb 5: Two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Gururaja Poojari showcased his experience and class with a clinical performance to win the senior mens 60kg gold medal on the second day of the IWLF National Youth, Junior and Senior Weightlifting Championships here on Thursday. The Karnataka lifter, who had claimed silver in the 56kg []

Indias Sumit Nagal ahead of the 2026 Davis Cup tie against Netherlands, in Bengaluru, on Thursday. (PTI)

Instagram is one of Australias most popular social media platforms. Almost two in three Aussies have an account. Ushering in 2026 and what he calls synthetic everything on our feeds, Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri has signalled the platform will likely adjust its algorithms to surface more original content instead of AI slop. Finding ways []

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemption of lifesaving cancer drugs and higher taxation on tobacco products are the steps aimed at strengthening public health in the country, according to a new study led by oncologists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The GST council, in its 56th meeting in September last year, []