Author: xorance@gmail.com

Walking through the art venues at the Kochi Muziris Biennale 2025 at Fort Kochi can be tiring, especially in humid weather. Here’s a guide to cafes and eateries around the galleries where you can grab a glass of something cold and comforting to quench your thirst and find a nice dish to go with it. From sandwiches and pastas to traditional Kerala flavours, there is a selection to choose from. Toast and omelette at Qissa Cafe | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Qissa CafeIf you are not in the mood for a full meal, try the sandwiches here. These tuna, cheese,…

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Recently, a friend of mine sent me his view, which he called an uncomfortable truth: in tomorrow’s world, AI (artificial intelligence) will be supreme. He first noted: “AI will affect most the ‘thinking-heavy’ professions, not the mechanical ones.”For decades, the worth of military analysts, strategic thinkers or geopolitical commentators came from three advantages: access to information, ability to process large quantities of documents and recognition of past patterns across history, doctrine and behaviour.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADToday AI does all three faster, deeper, broader and with no effort.AI can read every paper published in the world in the last 20…

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UAE’s Muhammad Farooq, right, reacts after the wicket of South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between South Africa and UAE, at Arun Jaitley Stadium, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI South Africa, riding on Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis’ fiery knocks, beat UAE by six wickets in a low-scoring Group D match here on Wednesday (February 18, 2026).Chasing UAE’s 122 for 6, built largely on young top-order batter Alishan Sharafu’s gritty 45, the Proteas overhauled the target in 13.2 overs.Rickelton smashed a 16-ball 30 while Brewis scored…

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Walking into Joe’s Pub in Galle, Sri Lanka, feels like travelling back in time. The glass tables, covered with chequered bright-green tablecloths, must have seen many pints of beer, shots of arrack, and rounds of steaming hot plates of kothu over the years. It is the promise of a local bar experience that takes us outside the walls of Galle Fort to Sydney Hotel, where Joe’s Pub is. The hotel building stands tall right outside the fort, and is a slice of formidable history, located right next to the Galle bus stop, surrounded by fruit shops, lottery ticket stalls, snack vendors…

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The annual Munich Security Conference is the world’s leading forum for serious political and military leaders. Last year, United States Vice President JD Vance shocked Europe’s geopolitical elite by warning it of the Islamisation of European cities if illegal immigration wasn’t checked.At last week’s Munich Security Conference, America’s official tone changed. Vance was kept away. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who doubles up as national security advisor, delivered the keynote address. In attendance were military and political leaders from across the world. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, unrecognised by German security officers, was briefly asked for his identity card at…

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A young boy with a pet crocodile at an Egyptian Nubian village | Photo Credit: Srinivasa Ramanujam A crocodile hatchling is crawling on my shirt making its way to my head. I scream. Seven-year-old Ali Mustafa nimbly picks up the reptile. He grins, rather mischievously.We are inside a colourful Nubian village in interior Egypt, located on the West bank of the Nile. To get here, we have to come to Aswan, a city much calmer than the bustling Egyptian capital Cairo. Aswan is a place where you can immerse in history and heritage, much like the rest of Egypt. Apart…

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Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture. As the country goes to the elections today, the real question is no longer whether Jamaat-e-Islami can return to politics — it already has. The question is what its return signifies.Is Jamaat simply a political party engaged in democratic competition, or does it remain an ideological movement with global ties, a complex and debated historical background, and notable flexibility?After the 2024 student-led ‘uprising’ that removed Sheikh Hasina from power, the interim government lifted the longstanding ban on the outfit in August 2024. The Supreme Court of Bangladesh officially reinstated its registration in June 2025.…

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Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel celebrates the wicket of Scotland’s George Munsey during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Nepal and Scotland in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP For Rohit Paudel, the Nepal captain, Tuesday (February 17, 2026) night’s win over Scotland at the Wankhede Stadium was more than just two points. It was validation.“I will place it on high only because it took 12 years to win a World Cup game. And as a team, in the last World Cup, we didn’t win any game, so I think this win was very important because…

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A view of the Hyderabad city from Golconda Fort | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G To experience the true pulse of Hyderabad, immerse yourself in activities that reflect its spirit. The city’s dynamic food culture blends tradition and modernity with ease, honouring regional flavours, rural vibrancy, layered histories, and its iconic rocky landscape.Try teneera (neera) Canned Neera Sample canned fresh neera — the natural nectar tapped from palm trees. A cloudy drink that vaguely resembles Limca, it is mildly sweet with a gentle aroma of ripe palm fruit. Unfermented and non-alcoholic, neera is suitable for everyone, from young children to the…

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