The Shillong Times

GUWAHATI, June 9: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the state government was taking robust steps to reclaim lands encroached by illegal settlers in the state. Freeing up our lands from encroachers remains our top priority. Over the last five years we have reclaimed over 200 square kilometres of land from encroachers. We []

TURA, June 9: Cracking down on illegal trade operations, the GHADC on Tuesday shut down several business establishments in Tura for operating without valid Trading Licenses and not paying the required taxes. The drive was led by GHADC Deputy Chief Executive Member (CEM), Shri Stevie Marak, who supervised the spot inspections to ensure strict adherence []

GUWAHATI, June 9: A four-day residential Master Trainers Training Programme of Assam for the first phase of Census 2027, namely the House Listing and Housing Census (HLO), commenced at the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship at Lalmati here from Tuesday. The training programme has brought together 59 master trainers, comprising 44 officials from various districts of []

Legendary American rock band Guns N Roses is set to return to India later this year for two major performances as part of the Asia leg of its ongoing world tour, with concerts scheduled in Bengaluru and Guwahati. The band will perform at Nice Grounds in Bengaluru on November 14 before travelling to Guwahati for []

Varun Dhawan has revealed that his father, filmmaker David Dhawan, once wanted to include a joke about his smile in his latest film, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. Speaking on comedian Tanmay Bhats show, Varun recalled how he never expected his smile to become a subject of online jokes. The actor said he initially []

Obsession, directed by Curry Barker, has become the highest-grossing film in the history of Focus Features, earning USD 224.7 million worldwide. The horror-romance surpassed the studios previous record-holder, Downton Abbey, which grossed USD 194.6 million globally. Made on a reported budget of just USD 750,000, the film was acquired by Focus Features for more than []

KYIV, June 8: Ukraine and Russia intensified their drone war on Monday, with Ukrainian forces targeting major Russian energy infrastructure while Moscow launched hundreds of drones at Ukrainian territory. Ukraines General Staff said its forces struck the Grushovaya oil transshipment base near Novorossiysk in Russias Krasnodar region, one of southern Russias largest oil and petroleum []

Ahmedabad, June 8: When Kemi Blake first took up yoga nearly a decade ago, she was not looking for medals. She wanted to become a contortionist. On Saturday, that journey came full circle when Kemi won gold for the United States in the Back Bend Senior B category at the inaugural World Yogasana Championships at []

BEIJING, June 8: China on Monday urged India to maintain what it called the right strategic perception of bilateral relations, stressing that the two countries should regard each other as cooperative partners rather than rivals, and as opportunities rather than threats to each others development. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks while []

Shillong has no traffic lights. At the busiest intersections in the city, where roads converge from impossible angles and traffic seems to be on the verge of collapsing into chaos, a single traffic policeman or woman stands in the middle of it all. Sometimes small in stature, armed with a whistle and an outstretched hand, []

ISLAMABAD, June 8: Pakistan-occupied Kashmirs Gilgit-Baltistan region appears headed for a coalition government after no party secured a majority in the elections to the so-called legislative assembly. According to unofficial results reported by Pakistani media, President Asif Ali Zardaris Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerged as the largest party with nine seats, while the Pakistan Muslim []

SHILLONG: Adita sal skang Shillong-ni dingtang dingtang bakrango bolbri garirangko sochipe galanina bidingo sorkari nirokanggen ine Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma aganaha. Obosta ongani bidingo daodipetde chugimik report-ko mansokujaenga, minggipin meja antio gipin dingtang dingtang kamrangko jakchakgija ongaha ine Sangma aganaha. Asel ongani chugimik report-ko mankujaenga. Maimancha obosta ongenga iako name dake nichenggen uni jamansa []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, June 8: Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) nominee James P.K. Sangma is set to be elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Meghalaya on June 11 after emerging as the sole candidate to file nomination papers before the deadline ended on Monday. Returning Officer and Assembly Secretary Malthus A. Sangma confirmed that []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, June 8: MDAs Rajya Sabha nominee James P.K. Sangma on Monday asserted that his election to the Upper House of Parliament would not prevent him from continuing as president of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA). Responding to queries after filing his nomination papers, Sangma said existing legal provisions permit elected representatives []

MANILA, June 8: An offshore magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 35 people, injuring more than 200 others mostly in damaged buildings and sending a 1-metre (3-foot) tsunami into nearby coasts. A few buildings collapsed and key infrastructure sustained quake damage in the city of General Santos, and tsunami []

Six members of the U-23 Meghalaya Womens Cricket Team had alleged sexual harassment by the duo By Our Reporter SHILLONG, June 8: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) has directed the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) to initiate disciplinary proceedings against head coach Hemant Roy and assistant manager Sanjay Mondal after finding allegations of sexual []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, June 8: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the torching of four vehicles in different parts of Shillong on Saturday were isolated incidents and assured that the government would look into them. Responding to queries from reporters on Monday, Sangma said he had not yet received a detailed report on the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, June 8: The counsel for Sonam Raghuvanshi has concluded his arguments in the case pertaining to the writ petition filed by the state government challenging the bail granted to her by a lower court in connection with the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, in Sohra last year. On Monday, the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, June 8: A shocking pattern of police extortion has emerged along National Highway-6, where truck drivers from outside Meghalaya claim they are being systematically tortured by police personnel manning checkpointsallegedly forced to pay thousands of rupees in illegal taxes during a single trip through the state. When a section of reporters []

Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress members take out a rally protesting against rising fuel prices and NEET paper leak issue at Mendipathar, North Garo Hills, on Saturday. (UB)

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, June 8: Former Cabinet Minister Kyrmen Shylla on Monday said open-cast coal mining is not a viable option for East Jaintia Hills, citing the regions unique geographical and mining conditions. Speaking to reporters, Shylla stated that while open-cast techniques may work in other parts of Meghalaya, they are impractical for the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, June 8: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday refused to comment on the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which launched a movement demanding reforms in the education sector, stating that it is too early to assess an outfit that is yet to establish its organisational base. According to him, the strength []

Guwahati, June 8: Two community-managed stretches of low-cost solar-powered fence supported by Goalpara Forest Division of Assam Forest Department, were inaugurated and handed over to the community in a programme organised at the community hall of Amguri village in Goalpara district of Assam on June 4 last. The single-strand circular solar fences were installed []

Mullanpur, June 7: For the first time in 15 years, India fielded a home Test XI without either Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja, leaving a sizeable void in the spin department. However, debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar ensured there was little reason for concern with an impressive display against Afghanistan on the second day of []

Dhaka, June 7: Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has taken charge of the countrys cricket administration after being elected the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), marking a significant new chapter in his association with the sport. Tamims elevation to the top administrative position comes after a successful showing in the BCB elections, []

Paris, June 7: Alexander Zverev finally fulfilled his long-held ambition of becoming a Grand Slam champion after overcoming Italys Flavio Cobolli in a dramatic five-set battle to capture the French Open mens singles title at Roland-Garros on Sunday. The German second seed prevailed 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 in a gruelling contest lasting more than []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, June 7: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma congratulated the Indian womens football team for clinching the SAFF Womens Championship title and hailed Meghalaya footballer Sanfida Nongrum for her outstanding contribution to the triumph. India defeated Bangladesh in the final to reclaim the championship after a gap of seven years, with Nongrum []

Houston, June 7: For most members of the Curaao squad, stepping onto the field for their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Germany on June 14 will be a landmark moment. For winger Tahith Chong, however, the occasion will carry even deeper significance. The 26-year-old is the only player in Curaaos World Cup squad []

New Delhi, June 7: Brazil forward Neymar has indicated the FIFA World Cup 202, starting Thursday, will be the last of his career. Brazil will be competing at the FIFA World Cup for a record-extending 23rd time next year. Indeed, the Selecao are the only side to have featured in every edition of the global []

New Delhi, June 7: Bruno Guimaraes and Endrick scored in each half as Brazil stepped up its World Cup preparations with a 2-1 win over Egypt. Newcastle United captain Guimaraes opened the scoring by dispossessing Mohanad Lasheen on the edge of the 18-yard box and calmly slotting his shot into the far corner. The African []

PARIS, June 7: Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup may not qualify as a traditional group of death, but it promises one of the tournaments most anticipated contests as Frances Kylian Mbappe and Norways Erling Haaland prepare to face each other on footballs biggest stage. France Among the favourites to lift the trophy, []

BEIJING, June 7: Defending champions Argentina will begin their FIFA World Cup title defence in Group J, where they are joined by Algeria, Austria and tournament debutants Jordan. Lionel Scalonis side will be aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully retain the World Cup. Argentina World and continental champions Argentina []

Actor and politician Kangana Ranaut has spoken out against what she described as societys unfair treatment of nurses, saying the profession is often stereotyped and sexualised despite the critical role nurses play in healthcare. Speaking about her upcoming film Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, Kangana said the project aims to change public perceptions and encourage greater respect []

Singer and musician AR Rahman and others perform Jai Ho, a tribute to the bravehearts event, during the beating the retreat ceremony at JCP Stadium, Attari Border Post, in Amritsar, Punjab, on Sunday. (PTI)

A soulful musical evening was held in the national capital to offer tributes to timeless legends of Indian cinema and music Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, and Dharmendra. Hosted by Manndakini Productions, the Mausiqui Edition 4, was held at the Shri Sathya Sai Auditorium here last week where eminent personalities from the fields of entertainment, []

CAIRO, June 7: Pakistan intensified efforts to revive stalled negotiations between Iran and the United States as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran on Sunday. His trip came amid renewed tensions in the Gulf after the US military said it had shot down two more Iranian drones over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping []

People walk under a banner showing portraits of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, left, and the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US and Israeli strikes on February in Tehran, on Saturday. (AP)

TEL AVIV, June 7: A Palestinian man holding Israeli citizenship carried out a shooting attack across several towns in central Israel on Sunday, killing one person and injuring five others before being shot dead by police. Authorities initially feared that multiple attackers had crossed into Israel from the West Bank, sparking concerns of a coordinated []

ISLAMABAD, June 7: Voting for elections to the so-called legislative assembly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmirs Gilgit-Baltistan concluded peacefully on Sunday, with vote counting underway. Polling was held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and officials reported no major incidents of violence. A total of 1,391 polling stations were established across the region, including 551 classified as []

DHAKA, June 7: A court in Bangladesh on Sunday sentenced a husband and wife to death for the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in a case that prosecutors described as the fastest murder trial in the countrys history. The verdict was delivered by the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Repression Prevention Tribunal just 19 days []

TOLEDO, June 7: At least 12 people were injured, including two who remain in critical condition, in a shooting near the annual Old West End Festival in Toledo, authorities said. The incident occurred near the popular community event, which draws large crowds with live music, food vendors, shopping and tours of historic homes. Toledo Deputy []

DHAKA, June 7: Bangladesh and Turkey have agreed to establish a joint ministerial-level committee on defence and foreign affairs to strengthen bilateral political and strategic cooperation. The decision was announced after talks between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Dhaka during Fidans three-day visit. According to Bangladeshs state-run news agency, []

WASHINGTON, June 7: Chennai-born technology executive Sriram Krishnan has announced that he will step down as Senior Policy Adviser for Artificial Intelligence at the White House at the end of June. Krishnan, a key architect of US President Donald Trumps AI agenda, played a major role in shaping the administrations AI Action Plan and National []

London, June 7: England wrapped up a 115-run victory over New Zealand before lunch on Day 4 of the first cricket Test at Lords on Sunday, marking a positive start to its Bazball reset after the Ashes humiliation Down Under. Resuming on 55-5 and requiring 254 for an unlikely win, New Zealand lost its remaining []

New Delhi, June 7: The Centre has assured the state governments of unlocking the full potential of the fisheries sector through a whole-of-government approach to achieve the Rs 1 lakh crore target for seafood exports, according to a statement issued on Sunday. The National Workshop on Seafood Exports, which concluded at Visakhapatnam this weekend, highlighted []

New Delhi, June 7: India is eyeing easier compliance with SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary measures) and TBT (technical barriers to trade) requirements under the proposed free trade agreement with the Russia-led EAEU group, an official said. Complex testing, certification and regulatory procedures under these often act as non-tariff barriers, which increase costs for exporters and []

New Delhi, June 7: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adanis net worth rose to $89.2 billion, ranking him ahead of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani ($88 billion) and SoftBanks Masayoshi Son ($87 billion), who held the title of Asias richest before shares of the Japanese investment firm fell on Thursday, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires list. Gautam []

SHILLONG: Political-ni abaode sakantini chanchianirang apsan ongja aro party-oni ongkate katanide ramram ongaia ine aganenba saksani ongkatachide party-o bak ongtokengjok indake ongja ine party-ni gitcham vice-president Robertjune Kharjahrin-ni kam watani bidingo United Democratic Party (UDP) dilgipa aro Mawsynram MLA Olan Sing Suin Robibaro aganaha. Party-ni gitcham dilgipa Kharjahrin-ni party-oni ongkatna miksonggipani bidingo aganengon, UDP-o maming []

ChattyBear, a soft, brown-furred teddy bear, begins every conversation with a jubilant, Hello, my buddy! No longer the province of the imagination, ChattyBear is part of a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) toys. It can tell stories, chat about a childs interests, play games or even discuss whats happening in the world today. These []