The Shillong Times

WASHINGTON, Jan 8: The US Senate is set to vote on a resolution Thursday aimed at limiting President Donald Trumps authority to conduct further military operations against Venezuela, highlighting a growing clash between congressional oversight and presidential power. The war powers resolution, if passed, would require Trump to secure congressional approval before launching additional strikes []

Caracas, Jan 8: Venezuelas military held a funeral in Caracas on Wednesday for soldiers killed during a US operation that captured former President Nicols Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Flag-draped wooden caskets were carried past rows of uniformed officers as military music played, followed by a gun salute. Family members mourned while National Guard []

Copenhagen, Jan 8: Denmark has welcomed a US meeting next week to discuss President Donald Trumps renewed interest in Greenland, emphasizing the importance of dialogue that includes both Denmark and Greenland. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the talks were requested by both governments, and Greenlands Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt confirmed the island would []

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS, Jan 8: President Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations, including 31 United Nations bodies and 35 non-UN institutions, saying they are redundant, mismanaged and contrary to American interests. Trump signed a memorandum directing all federal departments and agencies to immediately end US participation in or []

Dhaka, Jan 8: In a chilling incident that underscores the escalating law and order crisis in Bangladesh, a prominent political leader was shot dead in Dhaka on Wednesday night, police officials confirmed on Thursday. Azizur Rahman Mosabbir, Joint Convener of the Jatiyatabadi Swechasebak Dals Dhaka North unit, was reportedly having tea with a party colleague []

MENS HIL CHENNAI, Jan 8: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers registered their second win on the trot, clinching a narrow 2-1 victory against Shrachi Bengal Tigers in the Mens Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, in Chennai on Thursday. Alexander Hendrickx (52) and Boby Singh Dhami (57) scored for the winners, while []

WOMENS HIL RANCHI, Jan 8: Lucina von der Heyde and Hannah Cotter netted a brace each as Ranchi Royals outclassed SG Pipers 5-2 in their last match to sign off at the third place, in the Womens Hockey India League. Lucina (2nd, 47th), Hannah (55th, 60th) and Sangita Kumari (24th) scored goals for the Royals, []

GREATER NOIDA, Jan 8: Former Youth World Championships gold medallist Poonam Poonia produced a fearless display to hand defending 54kg champion Sakshi Chaudhary a shock defeat, causing the first major upset of the National Boxing Championships here on Thursday. The 23-year-old Railways boxer, also an U22 Asian champion, controlled proceedings with smart footwork and sustained []

NEW DELHI, Jan 8: A prominent member of Indias shooting coaching staff, Ankush Bhardwaj, has been suspended by the national federation after a minor shooter accused him of sexually assaulting her during the National Championships last month. NRAI (National Rifles Association of India) confirmed that an FIR has been filed against Bhardwaj in Faridabad. Bhardwaj, []

NEW DELHI, Jan 8: The SWAMIH Fund, a government-backed stress fund for affordable and mid-income housing, has successfully completed over 61,000 homes in stalled projects as of December 15, 2025. Managed by SBI Ventures Limited, the fund aims to deliver more than 1 lakh homes, benefiting over 4 lakh people, and is currently the largest []

Mumbai, Jan 8: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty fell sharply by nearly 1 per cent on Thursday, continuing their weak momentum for the fourth straight session, due to renewed concerns over potential US tariff hikes amid widespread selling pressure in global markets. Deep losses in metal, oil & gas, and commodity stocks amid unabated []

Mumbai, Jan 8: The rupee settled 3 paise lower at 89.90 against the US dollar on Thursday, amid sustained outflow of foreign funds and a stronger greenback. The apprehension of further tariffs by the US and weak sentiments at the domestic equity markets fuelled selling of equities by foreign investors, putting more pressure on the []

NEW DELHI, Jan 8: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has overhauled its stockbroker regulations for the first time since 1992, introducing the SEBI (Stock Brokers) Regulations, 2026 to simplify compliance and make it easier for brokers to operate. The updated framework allows stockbrokers to engage in activities regulated by other financial authorities, []

MUMBAI, Jan 8: Silver prices tumbled sharply on Thursday, dropping nearly 3.5% to trade below Rs 2,42,000 per kg on the MCX amid heavy selling pressure ahead of the annual rebalancing of global commodity indexes and the release of key US economic data. Passive investment funds were expected to reduce their holdings in precious metals []

Marine mammals are sentinels of the sea. When dolphins and whales show signs of stress or illness, it often signals deeper problems in the ocean ecosystems we all depend on. But assessing the health of dolphins and whales is notoriously difficult. Thats because they spend most of their lives underwater, move over vast areas, and []

Scientists have moved a step closer to solving one of the universes biggest mysteries, with new research suggesting that dark matter and neutrinos- two of its least understood components- may interact with each other, offering a rare window into the darkest recesses of the cosmos. The findings from the University of Sheffield relate to the []

SHILLONG: Voice of the Peoples Party (VPP)-ko dilenggipa manderangna Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) bobil dolni kamikkenatanina maming aganchakanirangko onjaengani gimin adok sorkariko singdoataha. VPP-ni dilgiparangna HNLC bobil dolni kamikkenatanirangko onani bidingo maming aganchakaniko onjaengani gimin adok sorkariko singdoatengon, Sorkari aro bobil dolni gisepo mai bak donga anga antangde mamingkoba masija, ine VPP-na kuwattimgipa Batskhem []

SHILLONG: Electoral roll-rangko gital dake taripiltaikuja dipetde Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election-o Tribal onggijagipa manderangni bak raaniko champengna mankujawa ine Bristibar salo, National Peoples Party (NPP) talataniko onangaha. Adokni Cabinet Minister aro NPP MLA Timothy D Shira-ni parakatani gitade, Autonomous District Council (ADC)-rangara, Tribal jatrangni namroro silroroanina aro Tribal-rangni daka rikanirangko chelchakna ongimin []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 8: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president, Vincent Pala, has said that the NPP has failed on all fronts, including in running the GHADC. The Congress chief on Thursday said that the NPP has been trying to reduce the powers of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and is also attempting []

From Our Correspondent PHULBARI, Jan 8: A West Garo Hills-based group has expressed frustration over administrative inaction regarding the illegal encroachment of a PWD-sanctioned road between Gomaijhora and Garobasti. The group, called FAC, filed a formal complaint with the Deputy Commissioner on November 12. However, nearly two months later, they report that no action has []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 8: The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has sanctioned Rs 70.14 crore for the project Construction of road from Shkentalang (NH-206) to Lumshyrmit, including a major bridge over the Myntdu River for connectivity to NH-6 at Kongong (Length: 18.64 km) under the NESIDS (Roads) scheme. Informing this, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 8: In an intensified crackdown, more than 300 vehicles have penalised in recent months for violating the ban on tinted or black glass in East Khasi Hills, with Rs 2.64 lakh realised in fines. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, on Thursday, said that special enforcement drives are []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 8: The Mining and Geology Department has directed the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the reported death of two persons in a dynamite blast recently. The blast was triggered to break rocks for coal extraction at an illegal mine at Thangsko village in the district. []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 8: Centre Point Group Enterprise Managing Director Larsing M. Sawyan has stressed that the Meghalaya government should urgently introduce a separate and comprehensive set of rural building bye-laws to protect the states natural landscapes for sustainable tourism growth. Speaking on the future of tourism in Meghalaya, Sawyan said unregulated construction []

From Our Correspondent TURA, Jan 8: Combined groups from Phulbari in West Garo Hills have filed a complaint to the Superintendent of Police against the mushrooming of alleged illegal teer counters in the area. According to the complaint, several illegal teer counters have come up at Phulbari market, on highway stretches and near residential areas, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 8: State Bank of India (SBI) Shillong Branch will be celebrating 100 years of continuous banking service, marking a significant milestone in its contribution to the economic and social development of the region. As part of the centenary celebration, the branch will organise a special programme at the Soso Tham []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Jan 8: The state Health Department has invited the Meghalaya ASHA Workers Union (MAWU) for talks following the suspension of services by ASHA workers across the state over prolonged delays in the payment of incentives which started from Thursday. Adviser to the ASHA Workers Union, Soni Kharjana, told The Shillong Times []

NEW YEAR/WASHINGTON, Jan 8: US President Donald Trump has greenlit a sanctions bill that could impose 500 per cent tariffs on countries like India buying Russian oil, giving him tremendous leverage against countries like China and India to stop them from purchasing cheap oil from Moscow. Senator Lindsey Graham said he had a very productive []

Mumbai, Jan 7: The rupee rose 31 paise to close at 89.87 against the US dollar on Wednesday on possible intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and a fall in global crude oil prices. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 90.20 against the US dollar and traded in the range []

Mumbai, Jan 7: Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty drifted lower for the third day in a row on Wednesday as geopolitical tensions and renewed concerns about potential US tariff hikes weighed on investor sentiment. Sustained foreign fund outflows also dragged the markets lower, traders said. However, buying on select blue-chip counters and lower []

New Delhi, Jan 7: The Indian economy is expected to grow by 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal, maintaining its status as the worlds fastest-growing major economy despite punitive US tariffs and geopolitical tensions. The First Advance Estimates released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on Wednesday put GDP growth in []

New Delhi, Jan 7: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and the Department of Posts on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a nationwide system for transporting pesticide, seed and fertiliser samples to testing laboratories across India. The agreement aims to ensure faster, safer and more reliable testing of agricultural inputs, helping []

Youve just cleaned your teeth, youre feeling minty fresh and ready to climb into bed. You take a sip of water, but the water is icy cold, and your next breath feels cool and crisp. What has the toothpaste done to your mouth? And could this be a hack to help you feel cooler when []

Vadodara, Jan 7: Indian ODI captain Shubman Gill landed at Vadodara Airport on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on January 11. The arrival created a buzz in the city as along with the Indian skipper, the New Zealand team also reached the town on the same day. []

WELLINGTON, Jan 7: Pacer Jacob Duffy was named in New Zealands squad for the Twenty20 World Cup on Wednesday after an outstanding 2025 in which he captured 81 international wickets. The 31-year-old Duffy broke Richard Hadlees 40-year-old record of 79 wickets in a year and rose to second place on world T20 bowling rankings. He []

Hockey India League Ranchi, Jan 7: Soorma Hockey Club concluded their Womens Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 campaign with an energetic 32 win against finalists Bengal Tigers here at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium. Although the match was essentially a dead rubber, with Soorma eliminated and the Tigers already qualified for []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 7: The Meghalaya BJP on Wednesday stressed the need for railway connectivity in the state, saying rail transport is a more effective mechanism than roadways to regulate migration and is a key driver of long-term economic growth. Warning of the long-term costs of remaining without rail infrastructure, Meghalaya BJP spokesperson []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 7: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Wednesday said Meghalaya is facing an increasingly complex policy dilemma over railway expansion, with contradictory positions emerging between different regions of the state and no clear framework to address associated concerns. VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh said the debate has exposed a []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 7: The Public Health Engineering Department on Wednesday asserted that it can complete the shifting of pipelines along the under-construction Rilbong-Upper Shillong road within one week provided there is no delay on the part of the National Highways Infrastructure & Development Corporation Limited. PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak said the []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Jan 7: All seven accused in the alleged brutal assault that resulted in the death of 41-year-old Milas Khaiia father of 11have been granted interim bail. The accused include Pius Khaii, the Rangbah Shnong of Wahsarang village in East Jaintia Hills district. The incident occurred on the night of December 25, []

Tata Steel Chess Kolkata, Jan 7: Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand showed he remains a force to reckon with in a field increasingly dominated by youngsters, notching up two wins to emerge joint leader with 2.5 points after three rounds of the Rapid games on the opening day of the Tata Steel Chess India here []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 7: Meghalayas tourism sector has recorded encouraging growth in recent years, positioning the state as a promising nature-based destination in India. However, multiple disruptions in 2025 tempered this progress, even as flagship spots like Sohra continued to draw large crowds. Centre Point Group Enterprise Managing Director Larsing M. Sawyan described []

New Delhi, Jan 7: Deposed Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in an exclusive interaction with IANS, did not completely rule out the possibility of a foreign hand being involved in the fall of her government in August 2024, apprehending role of mercenaries in stirring violence during the student-led agitation. I dont know whether foreign powers []

THE HAGUE, Jan 6: UN Undersecretary-General Rosemary A. DiCarlo emphasized to the Security Council that global peace depends on all member states adhering to the UN Charter. The Trump administration maintains that the capture of Venezuelas President Nicols Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, was legal, classifying Venezuelan drug cartels as unlawful combatants and framing []

EU leaders push back on Trumps Greenland takeover remarks, affirming the island belongs to Denmark and its people BERLIN, Jan 6: Several European leaders pushed back Tuesday on US President Donald Trumps comments seeking an American takeover of Greenland. The leaders issued a statement reaffirming the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island belongs to its people. The []

DHAKA, Jan 6: In recent weeks, Bangladesh has seen a wave of violence targeting members of its minority Hindu community, resulting in multiple deaths. The unrest followed the killing of radical youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi in early December and coincides with ongoing tensions affecting minorities after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina []

DHAKA, Jan 6: Bangladesh police have said that student leader Sharif Osman Hadi was killed due to political vengeance orchestrated by the Awami League and its student wing, the Chhatra League. Hadi, 32, had gained national attention during the 2024 mass protests that led to the fall of the Hasina government and had publicly criticized []

DUBAI, Jan 6: In Tehran, Iran, widespread protests over the countrys economic collapse escalated on Tuesday as demonstrators staged a sit-in at the Grand Bazaar, the historic hub of Irans trade and politics. Security forces responded with tear gas to disperse the protesters, while many shops closed in solidarity or fear. The unrest comes amid []

SIDON, Jan 6: Israel carried out airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday and early Tuesday, including in the coastal city of Sidon, leveling a three-story commercial building. The strikes came days before Lebanons army commander is scheduled to brief the government on disarming Hezbollah along the Israeli border. Israeli officials said the targets []

PARIS, Jan 6: Ukraines allies met in Paris to discuss security guarantees and post-ceasefire plans with Russia, but progress remained uncertain as the US shifted focus to Venezuela and tensions rose over Trumps Greenland comments. French President Macron aimed for concrete commitments on ceasefire monitoring, military support, multinational deployments, and long-term defence cooperation, with 35 []