The 2024 Annual Report of the Suez Canal Authority has a startling statistic: 13,213 ships passed through the canal – half of its 2023 peak and the lowest since 1975, when the canal reopened for traffic after an eight-year hiatus due to the Arab-Israel wars. The drop in traffic was due to attacks by the Houthis, one of the warring factions of Yemen in the Israel-Gaza war, against commercial shipping. The drop in Suez traffic highlights the vulnerability of the read more

To an average well-informed Indian citizen, the G7 summit to be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, in Canada on June 15-17, has signified two things so far: Concern that Canada, the chair and host, created unnecessary suspense and delay about inviting the Indian PM to the summit’s outreach session, and relief over the eventual issuing of the invitation through a personal telephone call by Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney to Narendra Modi on 6 June. Despite the short notice, PM read more

The formation of a new coalition government between the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) (centre right) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) (centre left) on 9 April, 2025 marks a significant turning point in German politics. Friedrich Merz, the new chancellor, announced the alliance with bold optimism, declaring, “Germany is back on track.” After years of governmental instability, the coalition seeks to project unity and renewal, both at home and on the international stage. Despite early challenges in the read more

The Mumbai Cricket Association’s Wankhede Stadium celebrates its golden anniversary this year. On 23 January 1975, the new stadium hosted its first Test Match – India versus the West Indies. Ever since, Wankhede has had an impressive run rate in hosting first-class test matches and its shorter 20-over variants. Long forgotten, but worth recalling, are the struggles to build the stadium - the result of an ego clash between two Mumbai titans, a legendary cricketer and a state minister. read more