The Shillong Times News

United Nations, Dec 31: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Tuesday launched a $1.71 billion humanitarian needs and response plan for Afghanistan in 2026, which is expected to remain one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises next year. In 2026, an estimated 21.9 million people will require humanitarian assistance, a []

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 30: Bowlers produced a spotless effort after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led the way with a doughty 68 as dominant India defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs in the fifth T20I to complete a 5-0 whitewash, here on Tuesday. Harmanpreets first fifty of the series came at an important juncture in the game when []

World Chess Blitz Doha, Dec 30: Top Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi demonstrated strong endgame technique and quick calculation to stun Magnus Carlsen and emerge joint leader, with the Norwegian world No.1 slamming the table in frustration, on day one of the World Blitz Championships here. Erigaisi then went on to defeat another top GM Nodirbek []

Ranchi Royals players celebrate a goal against Shrachi Bengal Tigers during Womens Hockey India League match, in Ranchi, on Tuesday. Royals won 5-0. (PTI)

New Delhi, Dec 30: An Abhinav Bindra-led Task Force set up by the Sports Ministry has pointed out systemic deficits in Indias sports administration, including inadequate and ill-equipped athletes for governance roles, and recommended the setting up of an autonomous statutory body to train a specialised cadre that would also feature IAS officers. The 170-page []

Ebenesar Khongsit of Meghalaya won gold in the 70kg bodybuilding category and was crowned Overall Open Bodybuilding champion at the Mr & Ms Northeast 2025, becoming the first athlete from the state to achieve the feat.

Islamabad, Dec 30: A knee injury has forced fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi to return home after playing four games for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. Due to an unexpected injury; I have been called back by the PCB and will have to take a rehab. Hopefully, I will be back in the []

London, Dec 30: The opening stretch of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership has delivered a rare and compelling narrative, one that threatens to disrupt a hierarchy dominated for decades by Glasgows twin giants. Nine matches into the new campaign, it is Heart of Midlothiannot Celtic or Rangerswho find themselves setting the pace at the summit of []

The year 2026 is set to be a major year for Hindi cinema, with several big-budget and star-driven films lined up for release. From large-scale mythological dramas to high-octane action thrillers, filmmakers are bringing strong stories, popular stars and grand visuals to draw audiences to theatres. Let us look at the most anticipated films of []

Actors Tabu, Ameesha Patel and Rekha during the special screening of Ikkis in Mumbai, on Monday night. (PTI)

Indian govt sources say cinemas artistic expression Cinemas are an artistic expression and India does not restrict it, government sources said on Tuesday as Salman Khans Battle of Galwan, based on the 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley, found itself in the news after its 1.12 minute teaser. The big []

People gather outside the hospital where former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia died, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Tuesday, (PTI)

Palestinians stand next to a tent set up on the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israeli air and ground operations in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, in Gaza City, on Tuesday. (PTI)

BANGKOK, Dec 30: Myanmars military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claimed a strong lead in the first phase of the countrys first general election in five years, though the election commission has not confirmed results. Voting took place Sunday in 102 of 330 townships, with the remaining phases set for January 11 and 25; []

MUMBAI, Dec 30: Gold and silver prices showed signs of correction in the domestic market on Tuesday after sharp gains earlier. MCX gold February futures rose 0.59% to Rs 1,35,744 per 10 grams, while MCX silver March futures jumped 4.08% to Rs 2,33,700 per kg. Globally, spot gold fell 4.5% to $4,330.79 an ounce, and []

Mumbai, Dec 30: The rupee rose 23 paise to close at 89.75 against the greenback on Tuesday primarily on account of dollar selling by the Reserve Bank. Strong industrial output numbers supported the local unit, but a stronger greenback, higher global crude oil prices, and foreign fund outflows prevented sharper gains, forex traders said. At []

NEW DELHI, Dec 30: Indias GDP is forecast to grow 7.4% in FY2026, up from an estimated 6.5% in FY2025, according to ICRA. Growth is expected to be strong in the first half, around 8%, before easing below 7% in the second half due to fading base effects and weak exports. Economic activity remained healthy []

In artificial intelligence, 2025 marked a decisive shift. Systems once confined to research labs and prototypes began to appear as everyday tools. At the center of this transition was the rise of AI agents AI systems that can use other software tools and act on their own. While researchers have studied AI for more []

SHILLONG: Meghalaya adokni State Reservation Policy (SRP)-ni bidingo Expert Committee-ni ongipa report-ko adok sorkari nipilmanahaode, jinmana parakanio maming nengnikanirang dongna nangja maina ia report-ko jinmana mesokachi parak ongani dongbatgen aro jinmaba iani bidingo nambate chanchirimna cholrangko mankugen ine adokni BJP parakataha. Iani bidingo kobor ratimgipa manderang baksa agangrikengon, Reservation Policy-ni bidingo Expert Committee-ni ongipa report-ko []

TURA: Dehradun-o MBA-ko poraienggipa Tripura adokni chatro saksako, kragija dake chonnikenba soote galanina jegale North East Students Organisation (NESO), Uttarakhand adokni Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-na sedoataha. Ia aselko jegalatengon, dos dakgipa manderangni kosako rakbatsranggipa sastiko onchina gitaba NESO didiataha. Ia NESO-o salgro salaram jolni mongsonggipa chatro chatrirangni dolrang, chongmotanKhasi Students Union (KSU), All Assam []

SHILLONG: Meghalaya adoko niam gri napsrukanirangko champengna gita adita salrangna skang ragatgipa Immigration & Foreigners Act 2025-o Inner Line Permit (ILP) gita dakgipa niamrangko ondapna mamong sorkari kurachakaniko onaha. Iako adokni Deputy Chief Minister aro Home (Police) Minister Prestone Tynsong, Mongolbar salo parakataha. Tynsong-ni parakatani gitade, adita salrangna skang, New Delhi-o Union Home Minister Amit []

TURA: South Garo Hills ajao Central Agriculture University (CAU)-ni Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Swachhta Pakhwada Campaign 2025-ni bak gita reanggipa December 16 tarikoni 31 tarikona dingtang dingtang program-rangko ongatangaha. Ia Swachhta Pakhwada Campaign-ara, rongtal antale janggi tangani aro samtangtango ongtelaigiparangko ripinge rakkiani bidingo game gee chagiparangna aro songni manderangna uiatani program onga aro ia campaign-ni []

Editor, The special article Who is a Khasi? Tradition, Genetics and the politics of identity by Bhogtoram Mawroh (ST December 30, 2025) made interesting reading. According to Hamlet Bareh the author of The History and Culture of the Khasi People Kha means born of a mother and si means ancient mother. The Khasi have a []

Students and young professionals from the north-eastern states who are forced to move out of their hearths and homes to study or work outside the region have long felt slighted and in many cases have been subjected to racial abuse. The word Chinki to define all North-easterners because of their Tibeto-Burman or Austro-Asiatic features is []

By Dominick Dauni Roising Rymbai Hail, Mary, full of grace/The Lord is with thee/Blessed art thou amongst women/ And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. So greeted the angel Gabriel to Mother Mary in the Gospel according to Luke 1:26-28. Being a virgin, with no relations to a man, Mother Mary had doubts. []

By Neha Desai In a heartbreaking incident that has reignited national conversations on racial prejudice, Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, was fatally stabbed in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, after confronting a group of men who hurled racial slurs at him and his younger brother. The attack, which occurred on December 26, 2025, stemmed from []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 30: The Union government has responded favourably to Meghalayas proposal to introduce an Inner Line Permit-style protection for the state by leveraging provisions of the newly enacted Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed on Tuesday. Tynsong said the issue was taken up during a recent []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 30: The National Peoples Party (NPP) on Tuesday said the recent threats by certain elements in Bangladesh to seize and merge the states of the Northeast with Bangladesh should be taken seriously by the Government of India and not dismissed lightly. Speaking to reporters, NPP state working president Hamletson Dohling []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Dec 30: The Khasi Students Union (KSU) has raised alarms that Meghalaya risks becoming a haven for illegal entrants and refugees due to the continuing political instability in Bangladesh, highlighting the states lack of robust mechanisms to regulate outsider entry. The concerns arise amid recent violence and anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 30: The Meghalaya BJP on Monday said there should be no difficulty for the state government in making the Expert Committees report on the state reservation policy public, if it is ready, as doing so would promote transparency and allow informed public debate. Speaking to reporters, BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang []

2025 IN REVIEW By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 30: The political landscape of Meghalaya witnessed significant changes in 2025, marked by a major Cabinet reshuffle in September where as many as eight senior ministers were dropped, even as the year also saw the rise of the Voice of the Peoples Party (VPP) as a strong []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 30: Amid rising concerns over the recent resurgence of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), Meghalaya BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang stated on Tuesday that peace negotiations with militant groups can only succeed through mutual understanding and compromise. Speaking to reporters, Kharkranga former IPS officer who played a pivotal role []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 30: Shillong experienced one of the coldest days of the season on Tuesday, with the minimum temperature dropping to 5.5C, ushering in a sharp cold wave across the city. The biting chill was compounded by dense fog and intermittent drizzle, prompting residents to rely on heaters, warm clothing, and traditional []

Dhaka, Dec 30: Bangladeshs first woman prime minister Khaleda Zia, who played a major role in restoring democracy after a period of tumultuous military rule and dominated the countrys politics for decades, died on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. She was 80. My mother is no more, Zias elder son and Bangladesh Nationalist Partys (BNP) []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 30: Terming the killing of a Tripura student in Dehradun as an extreme manifestation of racial hatred against people from the Northeast, the North East Students Organisation (NESO) has urged the Uttarakhand government to ensure capital punishment for those responsible and to put stronger institutional safeguards in place. In a []

2025 IN REVIEW Indian cinema has once again proven its box-office might in 2025, delivering a string of massive blockbusters that continued the trend set in previous years by Jawaan, Pathaan, Animal and others. From grand period dramas such as Chhaava to the latest crowd-puller Dhurandhar, filmmakers and actors across industries have offered audiences a []

The makers of Prabhas starrer The Raja Saab have released a second trailer of the movie on Monday, offering a stronger glimpse of the films story and Sanjay Dutts character in the story. Led by Rebel Star Prabhas, the trailer builds toward a gripping confrontation with Superstar Sanjay Dutt, whose character appears to control fear []

The makers of Netflixs popular sci-fi show Stranger Things have opened up about what fans can expect from the finale episode of the series. Creators Matt and Ross Duffer, aka the Duffer Brothers, told The Hollywood Reporter that after working for a long time on Stranger Things 5, they are now ready to bring the []

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 29: India will look to continue their aggressive intent and complete a 5-0 series whitewash against a vanquished Sri Lanka in the fifth and final womens T20 International here on Tuesday. The five-match series has formed a significant part of Indias preparation for the T20 World Cup in England in June-July next year. []

Doha, Dec 29: Indian chess stalwart Koneru Humpy suffered a massive heartbreak in her bid for a third world rapid title, finishing with a bronze in the womens section of the FIDE World Rapid Championships after being cruelly done in by the tie-break rule, here on Sunday. Humpy, the winner of the world rapid title []

New Delhi, Dec 29: The BWF India Open Super 750 badminton tournament will be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium instead of the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall from January 13 to 18, marking a significant step up in scale and fan experience. With India set to host the prestigious World Championships in August next []

Dubai, Dec 29: Nick Kyrgios won the latest version of the Battle of the Sexes in tennis, beating top-ranked womens player Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match that represented light entertainment rather than another landmark moment for gender equality. There was laughing and joking between the players, some under-arm serves, over-the-top grunting on []

Lahore, Dec 29: Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the governing body will manage the Multan Sultans franchise in the next edition of the Pakistan Super League. Naqvi said due to time constraints the board would appoint a team headed by a former cricketer to run the Multan franchise during PSL 11. []

Mumbai, Dec 29: The rupee depreciated eight paise to close at 89.98 against the US dollar on Monday, weighed down by foreign fund outflows and a negative trend in domestic equities. Forex traders said persistent capital withdrawals from foreign investors, alongside heightened dollar demand from importers, dented investor sentiments. At the interbank foreign exchange, the []

Mumbai, Dec 29: Commercial banks maintained robust performance in 2024-25, with the gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio declining to a multi-decadal low of 2.2 per cent at March-end, according to a RBI report released on Monday. The banking sector remained resilient during 2024-25, supported by a strong balance sheet, sustained profitability and improved asset quality, []

The millions of species humans share the world with are valuable in their own right. When one species is lost, it has a ripple effect throughout the ecosystems it existed within. But theres a hidden toll. Each loss takes something from humanity too. Extinction silences scientific insights, ends cultural traditions and snuffs out spiritual connections []

Artificial Intelligence (AI) may not replace professional care, chatbots like ChatGPT may help reduce mental health stigma, particularly for people hesitant to seek traditional face-to-face support, according to a study. The team from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia surveyed 73 people who had used ChatGPT for personal mental health support, investigating ChatGPT use and []

SHILLONG: Adita salrangna skang, Uttarakhand adoko Tripura adokni bilsi 24 onggipa MBA chatro Anjel Chakma-ko kragija dake chadrapenba siatahani gimin Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO), kalimpaaniko, kaa dingchaoaniko aro ia aseko raken jegalataha. Ia chatro, Uttarakhand adoko, kalstekako aro doke roako manenba December-ni 26 tariko siangna gita nangahachim. Salgro salaram jolni manderangko iandake asongni []

TURA: Garo Hills-o, mongsongbate West Garo Hills ajani akawe jolrango, bijolini kajinarangko bariata ine matnanganiko Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) jegalataha. West Garo Hills ajani akawe jolrang, chongmotan Rajabala, Phulbari, Bhaitbari, Tikrikilla aro uandakgipa biaprango bijolini kajinako bariate raenga aro bijoliko name onna manjaenga ine matnangenba, adita salrangna skang jinma tombimonganiko ongatangani jaman, iako []

MENDIPATHAR: Robibar salo, skanggipa changna North Garo Hills ajao donggipa Mendipathar Railway Station-oni koelarangko rel gario watataha aro ian Meghalaya adokna gisik raani salba ongaha. Ia koelarangko, West Khasi Hills ajani Shallang-o donggipa koela adamoniko, Rongjeng, Songsak, Soksan rama gita Mendipathar Railway Station-ona rabaaha aro ia koelarangko skanggipa changna rel gario, asongni gipin biaprangona watataha. []