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The election of February 8, with approximately 105 million registered voters and 4.5 million already casting their ballots in early voting, has produced a decisive mandate in favour of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The key issues of the election included rising living costs, increasing consumer prices—particularly for rice as a staple food—sluggish economic growth and low wages, and the soaring prices of property in major Japanese cities. According to the IMF, the Japanese economy is forecast to grow just 0.7 per cent in 2026, down from 1.1 per cent in 2025, well below the ‘goldilocks’ growth rate of 2-3 per…

Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee acknowledges cricket fans after his team won against Scotland during the T20 World Cup cricket match in Mumbai on February 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP For the fourth time in less than two weeks, a sea of red and blue descended on the Wankhede Stadium. And it turned out to be a case of fourth-time lucky for Nepal as it ended its T20 World Cup sojourn by gifting the 19,000-odd fans a much-anticipated win against Scotland.The two Michaels — Jones and Leask — excelled with the willow and the orb, respectively, to put Scotland in…

While the Kochi Muziris Biennale celebrates art and historic venues, take some time to explore the city. We take you through its history, waterways, spice-laden streets and quiet green pockets. As your plan your trip, make time to kayak through mangroves, take a slow boat through island clusters or follow a storyteller through narrow lanes. Walking trails: The city on foot Just 17 kilometres from Fort Kochi is the ‘royal’ town of Tripunithura, once the seat of the Cochin Royal Family. A heritage walk here winds through the quaint town, offering history in every nook and corner. Visit Hill Palace…

The political earthquake that just rattled Tokyo wasn’t supposed to happen this way. For decades, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been a fortress of backroom deals, where “grey/blue eminences” in smoke-filled rooms decided the next prime minister long before a single ballot was cast. In a stunning defiance of the old guard, Sanae Takaichi has secured a landslide majority to become Japan’s first female prime minister, riding a wave of populist energy that the traditional factions simply could not contain.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThe Takaichi SurgeTakaichi’s victory wasn’t won in the Diet; it was won on the streets and…

Samra’s 65-ball 110 included half-a-dozen sixes and 11 fours. | Photo Credit: S.R. RAGHUNATHAN Canada’s teen opener Yuvraj Samra announced himself on the world stage with a record-breaking hundred against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup here on Tuesday.Samra, named after former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, smashed a 65-ball 110 which included half-a-dozen huge sixes and 11 fours. Though the knock went in vain as the Kiwis romped home in 15.1 overs, Yuvraj showcased champion stuff against a quality attack.In smashing the century, he became the first from an Associate nation to breach the three-figure mark in the T20 showpiece…

As I stepped off the plane, I realised how little I actually knew about Australia’s capital. People often write off Canberra as a place of politics, not holidays. But within a few hours, it was clear Canberra had more going on than it is given credit for.Here is what three days in Canberra can feel like.Day 1: From lake to latteWe begin at dawn with a slow glide across Lake Burley Griffin. The Love Boat — a self-driven cruiser you can hire for up to two hours — may sound cheeky at first, but as we move along watching the city…

The year 2026 opened with an unmistakable signal: politics across the world is entering a decisive phase. January alone saw three major elections across Africa, Asia and Europe, setting the tone for what is set to be one of the most electorally dense years in recent history. By the end of the year, more than 40 countries—home to nearly one-fifth of the global population—will have gone to the polls, with outcomes likely to reshape domestic politics, economic strategies and global alignments.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADJanuary: Authoritarian Endurance, Democratic TestsIn Africa, Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni extended his grip on power…

India’s Abhishek Sharma during the practice session ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Cricket Match between India and Netherland at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak threw his weight behind swashbuckling opener Abhishek Sharma, who finds himself under the cosh after failing to open his account in his first two outings in the ongoing T20 World Cup.While there are claims about Abhishek’s vulnerability on the off-side, Kotak said that getting into the minutiae with the 25-year-old would be counterproductive.“We don’t overanalyse unnecessarily. Sometimes, you only…

On a nippy November evening, the large murals and sculptures on the lit-up façade of the eighth-century Kailasa temple in Ellora, the world’s largest human-made monolithic rock structure, come alive. Each mural narrates a story of the ancient Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions. Much as Delhi-based Scottish author-historian William Dalrymple does on the stage, set against the backdrop of these rock-cut figures.He brings to life the entire era, connecting India to Java, with a side of the Southeast Asian historical perspective. It is followed by a musical recreation of the landmark 1967 UN General Assembly concert of Pandit Ravi Shankar…

On February 7, 2026, India and the United States reached a landmark interim trade agreement framework, signalling a major de-escalation of trade tensions. This interim deal serves as a bridge towards a more comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), which is expected to be signed in mid-March 2026. After the interim agreement was signed, President Donald Trump issued an executive order rescinding a punitive 25 per cent duty on all imports from India over its purchases of Russian oil, the White House said.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThe key highlights of the interim agreement are significant. The US has reduced import duties…