The Shillong Times

Last year, Norwegian-US tech company 1X announced a strange new product: the worlds first consumer-ready humanoid robot designed to transform life at home. Standing 168 centimetres tall and weighing in at 30 kilograms, the US$20,000 Neo bot promises to automate common household chores such as folding laundry and loading the dishwasher. Neo has a built-in []

In a significant development, organ transplants have seen a 4-fold increase in the country from less than 5,000 in 2013 to nearly 20,000 in 2025, according to the government. Moreover, nearly 18 per cent of transplants are currently being performed with organs donated from deceased donors. Notably, more than 4.8 lakh citizens have registered []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 23: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday presented a Rs 2,672-crore deficit budget for 2026-27, pegged at approximately 3.5% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), estimated at Rs 76,320 crore for the yeara 13.1% rise from 2025-26 levels. Compared to the 2025-26 budget estimates, the fiscal deficit has []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 23: Opposition leader Mukul M. Sangma on Monday rapped the Meghalaya government for its inability to fill vacant posts and warned that frustrated youths have been seen moving around with arms in parts of Khasi Hills and Garo Hills. Participating in the debate on the Governors address, he said that []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 23: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had to rescue two of his cabinet colleagues during the Question Hour on Monday when they were subjected to a volley of queries raised by members of the House. The intervention came after legislators sought clarifications on the implementation of government schemes, prompting the []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 23: Members of the Assembly, cutting across Treasury and Opposition benches, on Monday expressed serious concerns during the Question Hour over the implementation of the Centres Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) Phase-II. Legislators sought detailed information on village selection criteria, fund allocation for the state, and the implications of the discontinuation []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 23: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday informed the state Assembly that the New Shillong City will become operational in 2026-27. Sangma in his Budget speech said that this includes the historic shift of the Assembly, opening of the Unity Mall, IT Park Phase II, Umsawli Sports Complex, Mawkhanu []

Our Bureau SHILLONG, Feb 23: Meghalayas Rs 32,023-crore budget for 2026-27, presented by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, prioritises key sectors like education, health, tourism (including arts and culture), and power to drive sustainable development, improve human capital, enhance livelihoods, and ensure reliable infrastructure. These sectors align with the states Vision 2032 and Mission 10 []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 23: VPP legislator from Mawlai, Brightstarwell Marbaniang on Monday expressed deep concern over alleged abnormal rise in electricity tariffs and irregular power supply, affecting consumers across the state. Participating in the general discussion on the Governors address in the Assembly, he said several residents from his Mawlai constituency approached him []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 23: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday strongly condemned the recent incident of racist slurs directed at three women from Arunachal Pradesh in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, terming the episode truly unfortunate and completely unacceptable in todays world. Reacting to the incident that has triggered outrage across the Northeast, []

Williamnagar, Feb 23: Residents and members of various CSOs of the Garo Hills region, on Feb 21, held a meeting with representatives of the district administration to object the permission given by the state for the setting up of a stone quarry in Koksi Songma area near Songsak in the district of East Garo Hills. []

Hobart, Feb 22: The Indian mens hockey team dished out a much improved show but still went down to formidable Australia in the penalty shootout in their FIH Pro League match here on Sunday. The two sides were tied at 2-2 after full time with Amit Rohidas (15th) and Jugraj Singh (43rd) putting India in []

New Delhi, Feb 22: Four Indian athletes have received reduced bans from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after early admission of their offence and acceptance of the sanction. Himanshu Rathi, Basanti Kumari and Shashi Bhushan Singh were handed three-year bans a reduction of one year after they accepted their offence within 20 days []

New Delhi, Feb 22: Greek player Stefanos Sakellaridis claimed his maiden singles title on the ATP Challenger circuit with a gruelling three-set win over fifth seed Briton Oliver Crawford at the Delhi Open here Sunday. The 21-year-old secured a hard-fought 7-5, 5-6, 7-6(6) victory in the final that lasted three hours and nine minutes. There []

Bengaluru, Feb 22: Wildcard Vaishnavi Adkars tremendous run ended with a runner-up finish at the ITF Womens Open after losing a lop-sided singles final to world number 124 Hanne Vandewinkel here Sunday. The Belgian capped a dominant week with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Adkar, the 21-year-old from Pune, ranked world No. 690. For her []

Winter Olympics Milan, Feb 22: No miracle needed. The United States is on top of the hockey world for the first time in nearly a half-century. Jack Hughes scored 1:41 into overtime and the US defeated Canada 2-1 in the gold medal final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday, claiming the nations third mens []

Indian Open Race Walk Competition Chandigarh, Feb 22: Punjab athlete Sahil upset his more fancied rivals to clinch the gold in the mens half marathon on the final day of the Indian Open Race Walk Competition here on Sunday. In a thrilling finish at the picturesque Sukha Lake course, the 24-year-old Sahil had enough in []

Diversity programs are a favourite target of right-wing populists who claim they represent a radical left agenda that is politicising workplaces. Our research shows something quite different. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) isnt failing because its too political. Its failing because it refuses to be political at all. In a study just published in the []

Locally led and agency-driven efforts through farmer- producer organisations have led to a systemic change in climate policy through improved farmer incomes, increased crop yield and farming system resilience in Indias Himalayan region, a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow has found. The findings of the study have been published in []

Mumbai, Feb 22: Indias next agricultural revolution will be driven by artificial intelligence, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said on Sunday, positioning it as the central pillar of farm policy, research, and investment architecture. Addressing the inaugural session of the Global Conference on AI in Agriculture and []

New Delhi, Feb 22: Domestic macroeconomic data, monthly F&O expiry and global developments following US President Donald Trumps tariff hike after the Supreme Court verdict are likely to keep equity markets volatile next week, analysts said. Besides, the trading activity of foreign investors, developments between the US and Iran, movements in crude oil prices and []

New Delhi, Feb 22: Indias crude import strategy is entering a phase of calibrated rebalancing rather than abrupt realignment, with Middle Eastern suppliers led by Saudi Arabia regaining market share even as Russian volumes remain significant but increasingly shaped by geopolitics and compliance constraints, according to shipping data and analysts. During February 1-18, Indias total []

New Delhi, Feb 22: The countrys coal demand, which had remained weak earlier in the current financial year, is poised for a boost in the coming days on the back of a sharp turnaround in electricity consumption, an industry expert said on Sunday. Vinaya Varma, Managing Director of mjunction services ltd a B2B e-commerce []

New Delhi, Feb 22: The Supreme Court is set to hear on Monday the pleas filed by Meta Platforms and WhatsApp challenging a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore imposed on them by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) over their privacy policy. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices []

New Delhi, Feb 22: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said on Sunday that the upcoming Holi festival is expected to generate business exceeding Rs 80,000 crore across India this year, reflecting a growth of nearly 25 per cent compared to last years estimated Rs 60,000 crore. He noted that []

A shopkeeper arranges water guns for sale ahead of the Holi festival, in Jammu, on Sunday. (PTI)

SHILLONG: Reanggipa Bristibar attamo, Shillong-ni MP Ricky AJ Syngkon-ni gaakgropani somoio, Mawlai Mawiong Community Health Centre (PHC)-o doctor dongjachim ine matnangenggipani bidingo inquiry dakani report-ko adok sorkarina onangaha aro ia report-ko dao sorkari niengkua. Health official-ni uiatani gitade, ua somoio Mawlai Mawiong PHC-o doctor dongja ine matnanganiko sandirokna gita District Medical & Health Officer (DMHO)-na []

TURA: Reanggipa Sonibar salo, Tura-ni Achik Literature Society (ALS), North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Tura Campus-ni Garo Department, Shillong College-ni Garo Department aro Tura-ni Don Bosco College baksa nangrime, International Mother Language Day-ko Tura-ni Christian Girls Higher Secondary School-o maniangaha aro ia program-ko ongatanio NEHU Tura Campus, ICFAI University, Captain Williamson Sangma State University, Shillong []

Editor, The recent tragic passing of our beloved Dr. Ricky A. J. Syngkon, Member of Parliament from our State, reportedly due to cardiac arrest, has left the people of Meghalaya in shock and deep sorrow. Beyond the grief and condolences, however, this incident compels us to reflect on a pressing question: Could timely intervention by []

The high-profile India AI Impact Summit in the national capital hosted by entities of the central government was a step in the right direction. Yet, bad blood crept in, shaming the nation, its sense of integrity questioned at the most inopportune moment. Notably, this being the second such summit, world technology giants attention was majorly []

By H.H. Mohrmen Over the years, coal mining in Meghalaya, which is also known as rat-hole mining, has been in the news but for all the wrong reason. Acid mine drainage from these mines has polluted rivers, forests have been degraded, and tragic accidents have claimed workers lives. This particular system of mining has been []

Remembering Dr. Ricky Syngkon By Divesh Ranjan There are moments in a states political journey when the passing of a leader becomes more than a personal loss and evolves into a collective moment of reflection. The sudden demise of Shillong Member of Parliament Dr. Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon has brought Meghalaya to such a pause. []

New Delhi, Feb 21: The International Cricket Councils existing commercial model that distributes majority of the revenue to the Test playing nations is counter-productive for associate members like the Netherlands, its board member Rashid Shah told PTI. Roughly 40 per cent of ICCs revenue, an estimated USD 231 million per year, will go to India []

Jamshedpur, Feb 21: A late strike from super-sub Vincy Barretto helped Jamshedpur FC edge past Punjab FC 1-0 in the Indian Super League at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday, giving the Men of Steel their second consecutive home win of the season. In front of a vibrant crowd at the Furnace, Jamshedpur FC []

By Our Reporter Shillong, Feb 21: Meghalayas Sanfida Nongrum has been named in Indias 26-member squad that will take part in AFC Womens Asian Cup 2026 in Australia next month. Sanfida was part of the Indian team that travelled to Turkey in January for several closed-door friendlies against club sides and before heading to Australia []

Brest, Feb 21: Habib Beyes reign as Marseille coach got off to a losing start as Ligue 1s top goal-scorer Mason Greenwood missed a penalty in Brests 2-0 win. Beye replaced Roberto De Zerbi last week after a miserable run that saw Marseille exit the Champions League and lose to archrival Paris Saint-Germain 5-0. But []

Bengaluru, Feb 21: In another double-header early in the season, Bengaluru FC will host NorthEast United FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, while Kerala Blasters FC welcome Mumbai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 on Sunday. Bengaluru FC head into the fixture on []

Miami, Feb 21: Less than three months removed from its first MLS Cup championship, Lionel Messis Inter Miami shows no signs of a letdown. The Herons have assembled one of the strongest rosters in Major League Soccer history heading into a season that begins this weekend and bookends around the biggest event of them all, []

Entrepreneur and filmmaker Aryan Khan, actor Mrunal Thakur and Ishaan Khatter during the 75th Navbharat Times Utsav Awards, in Mumbai, on Friday. (PTI)

A special South Asian celebration in London highlighted Indian and South Asian films ahead of the 2026 BAFTA Awards. The Manipuri comedy-drama Boong, produced by Farhan Akhtars Excel Entertainment and directed by debutant Lakshmipriya Devi, is nominated for Best Childrens & Family Film. Indian-American director Geeta Gandbhirs true-crime documentary The Perfect Neighbour is shortlisted for []

The Mumbai Crime Branch has issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang for reportedly threatening Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh and demanding Rs 20 crore. Security around the actor has been tightened as the Anti-Extortion Cell probes the case. An FIR was registered after police verified a voice note []

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Police-ni Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), February 20 tariko Shillong Bypass, ISBT Shillong sepangoniko gram 22.14-ni herion-ko manaha. ANTF-ni team Wanbor Kharpran minggipa mande Shillong bypass gita heroin-ko rabaenga ine srik kobor mansoe, amsandianiko dakangahaon Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) Shillong sepango drug badingsrukgipako rimna manaha. Amsandiako dakangaon Maruti 800 gari registration numer ML-05-K-7414-ko []

TURA: West Garo Hills ajani Tura, Nokma Council-o, Grassroot Organization H.Q. Shillong-ni gita skanggipa changna Indigenous Peoples Rights-ni bidingo Sonibar salo salsana workshop-ko ongataha. Program-o, Meghalaya Arts and Cultural-ni gitcham Director C.T. Sangma (Meghalaya Civil Service Officer) mongsonggipa sokgipa onge bakko raangan baksana Grassroot Organisation, Shillong-ni Kennyson Lyngdoh, Tura-ni Advocate Disem D. Shira, Monitoring Committee []

TURA: West Garo Hills, District Administration Tura jillani ningo donggipa Local Development Committee (LADC)-rangna apalchini rebae rika choani kamrangko kaenggiparangna dongimin niamrangko name dake jarikchina agan-skie onchina geetaniko onaha. Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal, LADC-rangko gittimtangtango tomaniko ongate awareness program-rangko ongate daororo ongenggipa obostarangni bidingo chadamberangna uiate onchina geetangaha. Iandake private ba sorkarini kamrang- jedake nok []

TURA: Sonibar salo Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal, Amravati, Tura-oni HVPM-o chusokbae Garo Hills ni dingtang dingtang bakrango kalsusaani bidingo dangdike onenggiparang Government Girls Higher Secondary School Tura-o Physical Education ba been bimangni anseng-baljokanina, namgipa bewalrangko bangbea kalsusaanirango changa-sapaniko skie rae kalsusaani abao Physical Education Teacher, Sports coach, Fitness Trainer, Gym Instructor, Physiotherapist, Yoga Instructor, Sports []

Nongjrong Viewpoint to be closed to visitors on Sundays; Saturday night stays to be prohibited, reiterates Dorbar By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 21: The Dorbar Shnong of Nongjrong on Saturday reiterated that the Nongjrong Viewpoint will remain closed to visitors every Sunday, while prohibition on Saturday night stays in the village will be enforced. The []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 21: Former Tura MP Agatha K Sangma was conferred the Distinguished Public Leadership Award Governance & Inclusive National Development at the TOI National CSR Summit 2026, organised by the Times Foundation at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The honour was formally presented by Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, who presided over []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 21: NEHU Vice Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla was felicitated at the 48th Annual International Conference on Astrology and Oriental Heritage for his notable academic contributions and commitment to advancing traditional knowledge systems. According to a statement here, the recognition drew applause from a distinguished audience at Kolkatas Mahajati Sadan []

From Our Correspondent JOWAI, Feb 21: The United Hyniewtrep Movement (UHM), West Jaitia Hills, on Thursday submitted a written complaint to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner regarding the alleged illegal trade of cows and buffaloes originating from Assam and passing through Muktor, Barato, Raliang, Phramer, Khanduli, Namdong and Nartiang to Bangladesh. The organisation expressed []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Feb 21: The state government has nominated Octomewot Lamin as a member of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC). The nomination was made on the advice of the JHADC, in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 6 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, []