The Shillong Times

KABUL, March 26: A second mass funeral was held in Kabul on Thursday for victims of a Pakistani airstrike that struck the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital on March 16. Bulldozers dug a large pit for 60 coffins, and Afghan officials now report 411 dead and 263 wounded, though the UN is still verifying the toll. []

Nagaland-born Trance Effect opens the evening with a thrilling performance By Our Reporter Shillong witnessed a landmark night for rock music as legendary British band Def Leppard took the stage for their much-awaited performance in the city. Produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow, the bands first show of []

Filmmaker Aditya Dhar dismissed circulating images of Ranveer Singh smoking while wearing a turban in Dhurandhar 2 as fabricated and created with AI. He stressed the film treats the Sikh community with respect and urged audiences to rely on official material. The clarification follows objections from a Sikh organisation. Released on March 19, the film []

Celine Dion is set to make a highly anticipated return to Paris for autumn concerts at the 40,000-capacity La Dfense Arena, two years after her show-stopping performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. During the ceremony, Dion delivered a heartfelt rendition of Edith Piafs Hymne LAmour from the Eiffel Tower, impressing audiences []

Work ethic, not talent, defines me, says Anne Hathaway Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway says she feels defined by her work ethic rather than talent. The 43-year-old told Harpers Bazaar that while she grew up with certain privileges, her career success wouldnt be handed to her, so she has always focused on giving her maximum effort []

New Delhi, March 26: India came out strongly on Thursday for WTO reforms to be carried out through a transparent, inclusive and member-driven process that keeps the special rights of developing countries at its core in accordance with the foundational principles and objectives of the multilateral organisation. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, in his address at []

Kolkata, March 26: The West Asia crisis has pushed freight costs for Europe-bound cargo up by 60-80 per cent, with exports falling by as much as 50 per cent for some exporters while hundreds of containers got stranded at Kolkata port, industry representatives said on Thursday. Calcutta Customs House Agents Association (CCHAA) president Mannu Choudhary []

BANGKOK, March 26: There was no stopping the dominant run of Indias compound archers as the top-seeded mixed team pair of Rajat Chauhan and Chikitha Taniparthi stormed into the final but the recurve contingent endured disappointment in the Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament Stage 1, here on Thursday. For India, two bronze medals are already []

TANGIER (Morocco), March 26: Indias skeet shooters will have their task cut out as they face a strong line-up of participants on the first day of the season-opening ISSF Shotgun World Cup here on Friday. The event will feature some of the worlds most accomplished athletes competing in a strong field at the Club Tangerois []

RAIPUR, March 26: Medalling at the Asian Games remains the one milestone Mirabai Chanu is desperate to achieve this year, with the Tokyo Olympics silver-winning weightlifter terming it unfinished business in an otherwise illustrious career. For more than a decade, Chanu has been the face of Indian weightlifting. An Asian Games medal is the only []

An elderly person carries an LPG cylinder amid the West Asia crisis in Guwahati on Thursday. (UB)

Our Bureau SHILLONG, March 26: Meghalayas fuel security is walking a tightrope as the state government admitted on Thursday that the surplus buffer for domestic LPG has evaporated, while a central supply cap has slashed commercial gas availability by 20% across the state. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Methodius Dkhar told reporters that while there []

The 2018 amendment was designed to overhaul the entire Assam & Meghalaya (Constitution of District Councils) Rules framework By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 26: KHADC Opposition Leader Titosstarwell Chyne has challenged the Executive Committee (EC) to stop cherry-picking amendments and instead resurrect the comprehensive 2018 reform bill currently gathering dust in the state governments Expert []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 26: The High Court of Meghalaya has quashed the state governments attempt to squeeze liquor retailers, ruling that the state cannot fund its new digital tracking system by unfairly slashing the profit margins of local wine dealers from 20% to 15%. The ruling, delivered by a division bench of Justice []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 26: The State BJP on Thursday demanded that the state government cut short the six-month extension of the GHADC and hold elections within two months. BJP spokesperson and former IPS officer M Kharkrang stated that the root cause of the violence was the attempt by a non-tribal aspirant to file []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 26: In a shift in tactics, individuals involved in the illegal transportation of coal are increasingly using smaller vehicles to evade detection by law enforcement agencies. East Jaintia Hills Police recently intercepted an Alto car carrying nine gunny bags of illegal coal at Damcherra in Kuliang on March 23. Police []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 26: At least four to five BJP leaders in Meghalaya have submitted applications to contest the upcoming Shillong Parliamentary bye-election, necessitated by the recent death of MP Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon. Party sources confirmed that spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang and former president Ernest Mawrie are among those seeking the ticket, alongside []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 26: Shillong witnessed a landmark night for rock music as legendary British band Def Leppard took the stage for their much-awaited performance in the state. Produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live, the bands first show of the India tour unfolded as an electrifying evening that brought together legacy, nostalgia and []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 26: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Thursday launched the Save Khyndailad, Save Our Identity campaign by distributing pamphlets at Khyndai Lad, highlighting concerns over the erosion of the areas cultural and historical significance. In the pamphlets, the HYC described Khyndai Lad as not just a commercial hub but the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 26: The Khasi Students Union (KSU) on Thursday met Chief Secretary Shakil P. Ahammed to seek intervention on five critical issues, including a strong objection to a recent circular that required school students to sing and record Vande Mataram. A KSU delegation, led by assistant general secretary Reuben Najiar, submitted []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 26: Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) chairman Roy Kupar Synrem on Thursday reiterated that he had not made any remarks against any particular religion, even as he asserted that he stood by his statement that the Hynniewtrep people would stand by the Achik community in Garo Hills. Synrem clarified []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 26: Private coaching centres across Meghalaya will now have to mandatorily register with the Education department, following the state governments rollout of a new regulatory framework aimed at tightening oversight of the sector. The requirement comes under the Meghalaya Registration of Private Coaching Centre Rules, 2026, recently notified to bring []

NICOSIA (Cyprus), March 25: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) on Wednesday sought to downplay security concerns surrounding the upcoming Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, insisting that safety measures and contingency plans are in place to deal with extreme scenarios.Cyprus is geographically close to West Asia, which is currently in the middle of a military conflict that []

Tiger Woods of the Jupiter Links Golf Club plays a shot from a bunker on the eighth hole, during final day of TGL golf tournament in Palm Beach Gardens. (PTI)

Bergamo (Italy), March 25: When Fabio Cannavaro raised aloft the golden World Cup trophy inside Berlins Olympic Stadium in 2006, few could have imagined the pain footballs biggest event would inflict on Italy over the next two decades. In 2010, the Azzurri put up a woeful title defence, not even winning a game in an []

New Delhi, March 25: Nepal-born defender Abneet Bharti has joined the Indian senior mens team camp in Kochi ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong, the AIFF said on Wednesday. The development comes a day after Ryan Williams was named in the squad for the same fixture. As things stand, India now []

Kuala Lumpur, March 25: Iranian club Tractor FC is set to travel to Saudi Arabia for a playoff against Shabab Al Ahli of Dubai for a place in the Asian Champions League Elite quarterfinals against Buriram United of Thailand. The Asian Football Confederation held the draw Wednesday to determine the quarterfinal pairings, a day after []

Liverpool, March 25: Liverpool star Mohamed Salah announced that he will leave the English club at the end of the season, marking an earlier-than-planned departure for one of the clubs greatest-ever scorers and footballs biggest names. The 33-year-old Egypt forward, who has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances for Liverpool, reached an agreement to quit []

Mal (Maldives), March 25: The India U-20 mens team will begin their SAFF U20 Championship campaign with a high-octane clash against Pakistan at the National Football Stadium in Mal on Thursday. An India-Pakistan encounter always carries added intensity, and with crucial group-stage stakes on the line, the opening fixture promises both drama and significance. Understandably, []

By Our Reporter Shillong, March 25: In a remarkable achievement for the state, young athlete Anrisha Klein clinched the bronze medal in the Under-20 high jump event of the inaugural National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant milestone in her budding career. What makes the feat even more noteworthy is the fact that []

From Our Correspondent JOWAI, March 25: The West Jaintia District Wrestling Association (WJDWA) conducted a selection trial for wrestlers across various weight categories on Wednesday. The trials included both male and female participants and were held as part of preparations for the National Games to be hosted in Meghalaya in 2027. The selection trials took []

MUMBAI, March 25: Indian stock markets rallied for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, driven by a drop in crude oil prices and hopes of de-escalation in the West Asia conflict. The BSE Sensex surged 1,205 points (1.63%) to close at 75,273.45, while the NSE Nifty gained 394.05 points (1.72%) to end at 23,306.45. UltraTech []

DUBAI, March 25: Iran on Wednesday dismissed an American plan to pause the war in the Middle East and launched more attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab countries, including an assault that sparked a huge fire at Kuwait International Airport. Irans defiance came as Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran and Washington deployed paratroopers and more []

Washington, March 25: The Pentagon declared cybersecurity and digital networks as central to modern warfare, telling lawmakers that its digital backbone is now a weapon system critical to how US forces fight, decide, and win future conflicts. At a Senate Armed Services cyber subcommittee hearing, Department of Defence Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies said the []

TEHRAN, March 25: Irans Naval Commander Alireza Tangsiri has informed that a merchant vessel, SELEN, bound for Karachi with food was turned back from the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Naval Commander, The container ship SELEN was turned back by the IRGC Navy due to failure to comply with legal protocols and lack of []

War against Iran has been won, asserts US President WASHINGTON, March 25: US President Donald Trump said Iran agreed never to have a nuclear weapon and sent a significant prize related to the Strait of Hormuz even as he declared victory in the three-week war. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump []

Budapest, March 25: Hungary will gradually cut off gas supplies to Ukraine until Russian oil deliveries resume through the Druzhba pipeline, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday. Hungarian natural gas exports play a key role in fulfilling the energy needs of Ukraine, now in its fourth year of war with Russia. Russian oil supplies []

KABUL, March 25: Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, on Wednesday stated that UN experts have called for prompt, independent and transparent investigations into the Pakistani airstrikes on the Kabul rehabilitation centre. On March 16, Pakistan launched airstrikes on Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul that killed []

New Delhi, March 25: For Pakistans Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, countering the pro-Iran Shia mobilisation in the country is increasingly becoming a headache. For Pakistan, countering this mobilisation is important as it is threatening to become bigger. However, the dilemma the establishment faces is that it cannot use its official machinery to take []

Dhaka, March 25: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has termed the genocide of March 25, 1971 as a pre-planned massacre and appealed to build a state and society of equality, human dignity and social justice, in the spirit of the Liberation War. Calling it as one of the most disgraceful and brutal days in the []

Maiden Shillong Intl Film Festival has 18 curated films from NE, Bhutan and Vietnam By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 25: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma outlined the vast opportunities that the film industry offers for the youth of the state, who possess immense talent but lack the platform and ecosystem to showcase it. He was []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 25: Peeved with the prolonged inaction over the Meghalaya-Assam border issue, residents in the disputed areas have refused to participate in elections conducted in Assam for years now, maintaining that voting would create the impression of accepting Assams jurisdiction even as their demand for the re-transfer of Block I to []

Truck drivers association demands licence freeze From Our Correspondent JOWAI, March 25: The Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Drivers Association (MCTODA), Jaintia Unit, has expressed concern over an RTI reply from the JHADC revealing that 43 non-local transporters are currently operating in the region. Speaking after a meeting at Mihmyntdu on Wednesday, MCTODA spokesperson Wanchwa []

LPG crunch amid West Asia War hits Shillongs most vulnerable By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 25: For the first time in years, the hearth at Aahar has gone coldits silence carrying the weight of a crisis that stretches far beyond Shillong. After 3,858 days of uninterrupted service, the community kitchen was forced to suspend operations []

From Our Correspondent TURA, March 25: The Bolwarigisim Clan of Bolwarigre Aking has alleged illegal land encroachment and unauthorised development on disputed land in Tura, citing a legal battle that has been pending since 1987. The clan claims that large portions of their land have been encroached upon and developed by government departments and private []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 25: In a push to support community-driven initiatives, Governor CH Vijayashankar on Wednesday distributed financial aid to 23 institutions and organisations across Meghalaya under his Discretionary Grant. The total assistance amounted to Rs 99.70 lakh benefiting a wide spectrum of recipients including cultural groups, academic institutions, social organisations, community bodies []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 25: Family members of candidates who faced rejection during the recent police recruitment by the Central Recruitment Board (CRB) have demanded a fresh medical examination, alleging unfair disqualification during the selection process. A group of family members on Wednesday visited the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) and []

State of Indias Bats 2024-25 report released By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 25: The Shillong-based North Eastern Regional Centre (NERC) of the Zoological Society of India (ZSI) released the State of Indias Bats 2024-25 on Wednesday in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Bat Conservation International (BCI). The thrust of the report, a []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, March 25: Following a controversy over the inclusion of Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) Chairperson Agatha K. Sangmas name in the list of star campaigners for the National Peoples Party (NPP) for the Assam Legislative Assembly elections and a by-election in Nagaland, the party has now written []

From Our Correspondent JOWAI, March 25: The District Tuberculosis Office, West Jaintia Hills, observed World Tuberculosis Day on Wednesday by declaring 12 villages TB-free and launching a new state-wide awareness campaign. The event, held under the theme Yes! We Can End TB, featured a rally from Tpep Pale to the District Library Auditorium in Mynthong. []