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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stand-alone visit to Malaysia in February 2026, his first overseas visit of the year and his third to the country, carried symbolism well beyond protocol. It came after a seven-year gap and was framed as a fulfilment of a promise made when Modi could not attend the India-Asean and East Asia Summits during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship in 2025. In Kuala Lumpur, this punctuality mattered. It signalled trustworthiness and respect for Malaysia’s regional role. Yet the visit also exposed the limits of India-Malaysia convergence in a region increasingly shaped by China, competing trade blocs, and fractured Asean…

New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips plays a shot during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between New Zealand and Canada at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai on February 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI He was named after former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh. Like his illustrious namesake, Canada’s Yuvraj Samra has roots in Punjab and bats left-handed.On Tuesday, the 19-year-old took those comparisons to the next level against New Zealand through some exquisite strokeplay, scoring a scintillating 110 (65b, 11×4, 6×6). His efforts powered Canada to 173 for four after opting to bat first.And when the North…

Ras Al Khaimah, which translates to head of the tent, is a lesser-known adventure-leisure destination in the United Arab Emirates, steeped in heritage. RAK, as the locals call it, is where the desert, mountains and sea offer visitors adventure and slow tourism experiences. About 100 kilometres from Dubai international airport, RAK is the northernmost Emirate among the seven Emirates that form the UAE.RAK, with its rustic setting and a population of around 4,00,000, makes for a quiet weekend getaway for residents of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Efforts are on, by the RAK Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), to step up…

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…