The Shillong Times

Mumbai, Jan 11: Hardik Pandyas absence from Indias ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand series has raised eyebrows, especially after his busy return to domestic cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), however, insists the decision is part of a broader plan to protect the all-rounder ahead of a packed international []

Vadodara, Jan 11: Virat Kohli etched another historic chapter into his glittering career on Sunday, becoming the fastest player to breach 28,000 international runs and simultaneously overtaking Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara to rise to No. 2 on the list of all-time run-scorers. The 35-year-old achieved the twin milestones during Indias opening ODI against New []

Paarl, Jan 11: Two of South Africas modern greats Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher have thrown their weight behind Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, backing the veteran duo to feature at the 2027 ODI World Cup despite advancing age and mounting scrutiny over longevity. In recent weeks, debate has intensified over []

Vadodara, Jan 11: Dhruv Jurel on Sunday replaced an injured Rishabh Pant in Indias ODI squad for the three-match series against New Zealand. Jurel, who has been in stellar form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, has joined the squad for the series beginning here on Sunday. Pant suffered a side strain while batting in []

Dhaka, Jan 11: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally offered to host Bangladeshs fixtures in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026, stepping in as a potential alternate venue as Bangladesh continues to oppose playing its scheduled matches in India over security concerns. The proposal, confirmed by PCB officials to Geo News, has already []

Vadodara, Jan 11: Indias charismatic batter Rohit Sharma created history on Sunday, becoming the opener with the most sixes in ODI cricket as he achieved the landmark during the first match of the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium. Chasing a target of 301 runs, Rohit opened the innings []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 11: In the wake of the murder of an activist during an inspection of an illegal stone quarry site in West Garo Hills, the State BJP has called for permanent closure of all unlawful mining activities, stressing that decisive action is needed to prevent further human tragedies, while also seeking []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 11: The Meghalaya Transport Corporations (MTC) sudden decision to discontinue its school bus services from April 1 has sparked resentment among parents in Shillong and its adjoining areas who have long relied on the service to send their children to school. They described the move as shocking and insensitive, stating []

WPL 2026 Navi Mumbai, Jan 11: Nandini Sharmas maiden hat-trick went in vain as Sophie Devine starred with a breathtaking 95 and a superb final over under pressure to steer Gujarat Giants to a thrilling four-run win off the last ball over Delhi Capitals in a Womens Premier League match here on Sunday. This was []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 11: While the Meghalaya government claims it is lost in the punctuation of a 200-kilogram report, the state is rapidly losing its patience, as the six-month delay in reviewing the State Reservation Policy threatens to reignite street agitations and fracture the ruling alliance. The demand for disclosure of the report []

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 []