The Shillong Times News

Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has opened up about her latest photoshoot, describing it as a transformative experience that encouraged her to embrace vulnerability. In her post on Instagram, she revealed how the creative vision of the team helped her step out of her comfort zone. On Monday, Zeenat Aman shared a few stunning photos from []

Miss International India 2025 Roosh Sindhu poses while interacting with and inspiring students during a session at Lakme Academy, in Hazratganj, Lucknow, on Monday. (PTI)

Singer-actress Lady Gaga is busy creating new music while on her Mayhem Ball Tour. Following the release of Harlequin (Sept 2024) and Mayhem (March 2025), Gaga told Apple Music 1s Zane Lowe that performing live inspires her songwriting, saying its the best making music when she can feed off the energy of her fans. Recently, []

James Ransone, the actor who played Ziggy Sobotka in the HBO series The Wire and appeared in many other TV shows and movies, has died. He was 46. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiners office said in online records that Ransone died by suicide on Friday. Ransones film credits include It: Chapter Two, The Black []

British singer-songwriter Elton John and his partner David Furnish celebrating a landmark moment in their marital bliss. The couple marked their 20th wedding anniversary with sweet Instagram homages on Sunday, December 21, 2025, reports People magazine. John shared a throwback photo of the couple. He wrote in the caption, Happy anniversary to my incredible husband, []

Dhaka, Dec 22: Amid widespread unrest and violence in Bangladesh over the killing of student leader Osman Hadi, another student leader was shot in the head, local media reported. The victim was identified as Muhammad Motaleb Shikder, a student leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), the same party to which Osman Hadi belonged. He []

Ottawa, Dec 22: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, currently serving as the Chief Advisor of the Bangladesh interim government, remains silent instead of standing for justice while the South Asian nation continues to grapple with violence and human rights abuses, several human rights bodies said in a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. In the letter, []

Kyiv, Dec 22: Ukrainian forces hit an oil terminal, a pipeline, two parked jet fighters and two ships in a series of strikes on Russian soil, officials said on Monday. The attacks are part of an ongoing campaign to disrupt the Russian war effort and sow fear behind the front line, where outnumbered Ukrainian troops []

Islamabad, Dec 22: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers are holding rallies in various parts of the country, in protest against the courts verdict sentencing PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi for 17 years imprisonment in the Toshakhana-II case, the local media reported on Monday. On Sunday, the protesters gathered on the main GT []

Kabul, Dec 22: Nearly 4,000 Afghan refugees were repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in a single day, Taliban official stated on Monday. Sharing the High Commission for Migrants Issues report on X, Taliban Deputy Spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat stated that 713 families, comprising 3,926 people, returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan on Sunday, Pajhwok Afghan []

Washington, Dec 22: CBS News 60 Minutes on Sunday didnt air a planned story on Trump administration deportations of immigrants to El Salvador, pulling it only hours before airtime at the direction of new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. The story, where correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi spoke to deportees who had been sent to El Salvadors notorious CECOT []

Lahore, Dec 22: A woman strangled her teenage daughter to death after an argument over the smoking issue in Pakistans Punjab province, police said on Monday. The incident took place in Basti Sokar, Bahawalpur district of Punjab, some 400kms from Lahore, on Saturday night. Police said that Nabila Ahmad, 45, and her daughter Ayesha, 16, []

London, Dec 22: Englands Ashes nightmare has left managing director Rob Key cornered, with the bold McCullumStokes project he once championed now threatening to unravel his own tenure. Four years after he delivered a scathing verdict as a television pundit during Englands 202122 collapse in Australia, Key finds himself confronting an eerily similar reckoning []

London, Dec 22: England head coach Brendon McCullum has made it clear he would like to continue in the role, while conceding that his future will ultimately be decided by others in the wake of another chastening Ashes campaign. McCullum is under contract until the end of the 2027 50-over World Cup, a tenure that []

PHED delays shifting of pipelines in 101 Area By Our Reporter Shillong, Dec 22: The four-lane road project from Rilbong to Upper Shillong, originally scheduled for completion by December 2025, is now facing significant delays primarily due to ongoing shifting of Public Health Engineering (PHE) pipelines in the 101 Area. Sources indicate that the National []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Dec 22: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has appealed to the Meghalaya government to make sincere efforts to bring the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) back to the negotiation table, emphasising the importance of peace and security in the state. The appeal follows a recent IED explosion on December 15 []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 22: After a noticeable delay, the Christmas spirit has at last descended on Shillong, transforming the city with glowing decorative lights and filling the streets with seasonal joy. At the bustling heart of the city, Police Bazar, familiesyoung and oldare fully embracing the festive atmosphere. Residents and tourists alike pause []

Change of MGNREGAs name doesnt matter if people approve: Hek By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 22: Meghalaya BJP on Thursday welcomed the 90:10 funding pattern for the implementation of the 125-day wage employment scheme under e Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, stating that it will strengthen the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 22: Ahead of Christmas, Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai has stressed the importance of harmony among one and all, appealing to people to pray for one another and maintain unity irrespective of whether one is Khasi or non-Khasi, particularly in areas like Laban and its surrounding localities. This message of inclusion []

Children perform during a programme organised by the Assam Club to celebrate 130 years of its existence, in the city on Monday. Speakers on the occasion fondly recalled the clubs long journey, highlighting its achievements as well as the challenges faced over the years. They also appealed to members and well-wishers to extend their continued []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 22: A tense confrontation erupted in Mawlai Nongpdeng on Monday during a road inspection when Voice of the People Party (VPP) MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang was publicly challenged by local Dorbar Shnong leaders over claims that he had taken sole credit for securing a road project. Members of the Mawlai Nongpdeng []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Dec 22: A 42-year-old man, Shempang Mangu, succumbed to injuries after being brutally assaulted by unidentified assailants near the toll gate on the new road in Mawkhanu village, East Khasi Hills district, on the night of December 20. According to family members, the incident took place around 11 pm. Mangu, who []

Mumbai, Dec 22: Actress Hina Khan has been extremely vocal about her cancer journey. During her recent interaction with actress Soha Ali Khan, during her podcast All About Her, the Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actress opened up about her challenging journey with cancer treatment. Hina revealed that there were both good and bad days []

PREMIER LEAGUE London, Dec 21: Liverpool strengthened their push at the top with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in north London, a match shaped by red cards and decisive moments in the second half. Spurs were reduced to 10 men shortly after the half-hour mark when Xavi Simons yellow card for a challenge []

London, Dec 21: Liverpool are bracing themselves for the possibility of a serious lower-leg injury to Alexander Isak after the striker was forced off during Saturdays 2-1 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Isak had made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, firing Liverpool into the lead, but his involvement was cut short []

DHAKA, Dec 21: India on Sunday suspended visa operations at its mission in Bangladeshi port city of Chattogram until further notice, according to media reports. The move comes in the wake of a fresh wave of unrest witnessed in the country following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. His death triggered attacks []

Police clash with protesters during the Aska is not closing rally against the eviction of the Askatasuna social centre in Turin, Italy, on Saturday. (PTI)

Miami, Dec 21: A Kremlin envoy said peace talks on a US-proposed plan to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine were pressing on constructively in Florida, while the Ukrainian president said they were moving quickly. The talks are part of the Trump administrations monthslong push for peace that also included meetings with Ukrainian and []

Islamabad, Dec 21: Pakistans former Prime Minister Imran Khan urged his supporters to gear up for countrywide protests following a 17-year jail term handed to him and wife Bushra Bibi in a corruption case. Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years in jail each by a court on Saturday in the []

Melbourne, Dec 21: Thousands of mourners gathered under tight police security at Sydneys iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday evening to mark a week since two gunmen targeting a Jewish festival killed 15 people. Since then, Australian governments have been galvanised into action on countering antisemitism and tightening already strict national gun controls. Prime Minister Anthony []

Kabul, Dec 21: Over 5,400 Afghan migrants have been repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in a single day. Sharing the High Commission for Migrants Issues report on X on Sunday, Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat stated that 981 families, comprising 5,412 people, returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan on Saturday, Pajhwok Afghan News reported. []

New York, Dec 21: At least 16 files disappeared from the Justice Departments public webpage for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein including a photograph showing President Donald Trump less than a day after they were posted, with no explanation from the government and no notice to the public. The missing files, which were []

Actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday are currently busy promoting their forthcoming romantic entertainer, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, which is scheduled to reach the cinema halls on December 25 during Christmas. Kartik and Ananya even graced the famous hot seat on the reality game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati. Giving the netizens []

New Delhi/Kolkata, Dec 21: Asserting that 90 per cent of the Aravalli region will remain protected, the Centre on Sunday rejected claims that the new definition of the Aravalli range will allow large-scale mining and cited a Supreme Court-ordered freeze on new mining leases in the region. It said a Supreme Court-approved framework provides for []

Dubai, Dec 21: India faltered against the big-hitting Sameer Minhas and the extra zip of pacers, suffering a massive 191-run defeat against Pakistan in a one-sided 50-over Under-19 Asia Cup final, here Sunday. Pakistan lifted their second U19 Asia Cup, and as it is the norm now, there was no formal greetings between the players []

Mount Maunganui, Dec 21: Devon Conway and Tom Latham shone bright once again, thanks to their 192-run partnership, as New Zealand posted a mammoth 462-run target for the West Indies to chase. With just three sessions in hand, the visitors will walk into Day 5 with a mammoth task ahead. West Indies start to Day []

Mount Maunganui, Dec 21: Devon Conway etched his name into New Zealand cricket history with a rare and outstanding feat during the third and final Test against the West Indies at Bay Oval as the left-handed opener became the first New Zealander to score both a double-century and a century in the same Test match. []

Jaswant Singh of Rajasthan, a differently-abled player, bowls with a stick during a cricket match of the BCCI-sponsored Divya Shakti Sugamya Bharat Trophy at the MP Theatre ground of Banaras Hindu University on Sunday. (PTI)

New Delhi, Dec 21: Indian cricketer Pratika Rawal shared an update on her injury, saying that she had been recovering well and was grateful for the messages she had received from her well-wishers. Rawal sustained injuries to her right ankle and knee during the washed-out Womens World Cup league stage match against Bangladesh at the []

Kolkata, Dec 21: Ugandas Joshua Cheptegei underlined his mastery of the distance to win the 10th Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata mens race while Indias Gulveer Singh and Seema rewrote the course records in their respective elite categories here on Sunday. Ethiopias Degitu Azimeraw produced a clinical performance to dethrone defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede []

Kolkata, Dec 21: Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Sunday termed the chaos during Lionel Messis public event at the Salt Lake Stadium here as undesirable and said sports events must be given priority over political and bureaucratic formalities. Speaking after a running event in Kolkata, Bhutia said fans turn up to watch sport []

Karachi, Dec 21: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again extended the deadline for investors to submit bids for the two new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, pushing it back by another two days. While the PCB is yet to make an official announcement, a reliable source confirmed that the revised deadline for submitting []

Editor, The war of narratives has begun as tension between India and Bangladesh rises even as relations are at their lowest ebb. Sharing a 4,096 kilometre border with North East India it has always remained a porous one. On this side of the fence, we troubleshoot the problems of illegality in entering a foreign space []

By Avner Pariat Meghalaya has been a recipient of substantial Externally Aided Projects (EAPs). A Google Search defines them as Funds provided by international financial institutions (like the World Bank, ADB) or foreign governments to developing countries for large-scale infrastructure, social, or environmental projects, acting as crucial additional development finance where domestic resources fall short, []

By Ubahunlang Dkhar Tmar In the book of John Chapter1:1, it is written In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. The same voice resonates through the devout man of God, the prophet Isaiah who prophesied the birth of Jesus Christ about 750 years (7th centuries []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 21: The cancellation of the iconic Christmas Extravaganza at Moolamylliang village in East Jaintia Hills has challenged the Meghalaya governments claims of promoting the state as a premier tourist destination. For the first time since the events inception, the village has been forced to call off its famous Christmas light []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 21: Mounting anger over a steep power tariff hike and the lack of visible improvement in electricity supply, particularly across the plain belt areas of Garo Hills has prompted plans for a high-level political meeting in Phulbari on December 22 to chart the next course of action. Raising concern over []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 21: The Operation Clean-Up (OCU) team, comprising several groups and concerned individuals who have been cleaning the Umkaliar River since 2019, has now decided to spread its wings to rural Meghalaya and work with villages to conserve the springs and aquifers there. On Saturday, Team OCU went to Mawrah village, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 21: The decision of the Executive Committee (EC) of the KHADC to appoint an Acting Chief instead of recognising Maremdor Syiem as the new Syiem of Hima Sohra has triggered strong resentment among traditional heads of villages under the Hima. In a notification issued on December 19, the KHADC Deputy []

From Our Special Correspondent NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo, the founder of the popular Northeast India Cherry Blossom Festival, received the Nature Care Award for 2025 on Sunday. He was recognised for his outstanding contributions in providing nature-based solutions to current environmental problems. The award was presented by the Nature Care Initiative, a []