Author: Aneek Chatterjee

First there were 20, then there were the Super 8. Now remain only the final four. Afghanistan take on South Africa. India face England. The semifinals are here. The showpiece showdown awaits. Semifinal 1: Afghanistan vs South Africa Heavyweights South Africa take on underdogs Afghanistan in a historic Semifinal 1 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, June 26th. South Africa South Africa enters the contest with a perfect record, having won all seven of their matches. Their powerful batting lineup and versatile bowling attack make them formidable opponents. For the Proteas, it’s a…

A contest of Khamenei’s chosen few Iran prepares to elect a new President on Friday in a tightly controlled election following Ebrahim Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash last month. With Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei now 85 years old, the next president is expected to play a crucial role in the Supreme Leader’s eventual succession process. The field of candidates reflects Khamenei’s tight control over the process. This careful selection ensures that the next president will share his anti-Western views and hardline stance on key issues.  Tight contest among conservatives The Guardian Council, Khamenei’s hardline vetting body, has approved…

The potential election of the far-right National Rally (RN) party in France’s upcoming parliamentary elections could significantly alter the country’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Party chief Jordan Bardella has pledged ongoing support for Ukraine, but has also outlined clear limitations to that backing. Unlike incumbent President Emmanuel Macron’s more ambiguous approach, Bardella has drawn a firm “red line” against providing long-range missiles or any military equipment that could lead to escalation by directly hitting Russian cities. Problematic pro-Russian history As the National Rally party stands poised to potentially form France’s next government, its stance on Russia has come under intense…

Aviation giant Boeing is in hot water again soon after the Starliner debacle. The US Department of Justice is reportedly contemplating bringing criminal charges against the company for allegedly violating a 2021 settlement agreement. The settlement in question, which was intended to resolve issues related to the company’s 737 MAX crashes, now appears to be at the centre of a fresh controversy. Boeing’s 2021 Settlement In late 2018 and early 2019, Boeing 737 Max aircraft operated by Indonesia’s Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashed, resulting in the deaths of 346 passengers. Boeing was plunged into its most severe crisis to…

Japan and the European Union are set to embark on a series of strategic defence industry partnerships. The move, which has sent ripples through diplomatic circles from Tokyo to Brussels, is set to unlock new avenues for joint research, development and production of cutting-edge defence technologies, potentially revolutionizing everything from cyber warfare systems to next-generation combat aircraft. This unexpected alliance signals a seismic shift in global security dynamics, technological innovation, military capabilities, and geopolitical balance. Rising regional tensions With increasing volatility around China and North Korea, the Asia-Pacific region finds itself grappling with greater security concerns. This uncertain landscape has…

Kuldeep Yadav is back with a bang. After being relegated to the role of 12th man during the group stages of the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA, the wily wrist-spinner’s resurgence has been nothing short of remarkable. The left-armer has taken 5 wickets in just two matches, including a match-winning 3fer against Bangladesh in Antigua. Think Tank Call Kuldeep’s journey in this World Cup has been a tale of patience and tactical acumen. The Indian team management made the calculated decision to exclude the left-arm wrist spinner from the playing XI during the group-stage matches in the USA,…

The AIFF has terminated Igor Stimac’s contract as head coach of the Indian men’s football team following poor performances in the AFC Asian Cup and early elimination from FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. Stimac’s contract extension was contingent on India reaching the third round of Asian qualifiers, which would have made him the longest-serving foreign manager in Indian football. However, India’s World Cup hopes ended with a loss to Qatar, and now the hunt is on for his replacement. Time for a New Era For nearly two decades, the AIFF has favoured foreign coaches, with only two Indian coaches, Armando…

The entertainment world today mourns the loss of legendary actor Donald Sutherland, who passed away aged 88 after a prolonged illness. His son Kiefer announced the news on social media, sparking an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans alike. Sutherland’s illustrious career spanned decades, with memorable roles in films such as The Dirty Dozen, M*A*S*H and more recently, The Hunger Games franchise. Known for his versatility, Sutherland portrayed a wide range of characters, from charming leads to menacing villains, earning him critical acclaim and an honourary Oscar in 2017. As tributes pour in from Hollywood stars and world leaders,…

Nvidia is now the most valuable company in the world. The chip manufacturer, previously third behind Apple and Microsoft, achieved a market capitalization of $3.34 trillion on Tuesday to surpass the tech giants. Nvidia: From Gaming Chips to AI Dominance Nvidia’s rise is a remarkable story of technological innovation and market foresight. The company was founded in 1993 by AMD microprocessor designer Jensen Huang and Sun Microsystems staff engineers Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Prime. Their mission to boost the processing capabilities of graphics-intensive computer applications saw it revolutionize the gaming industry with its powerful graphics processing units (GPUs). Their journey…

The 2024 Copa América promises an electrifying spectacle as the finest football nations across the Americas collide. As the premier international tournament for the nations of South America, the tournament stands as a celebration of the beautiful game that was first contested in 1916 and has since borne witness to some of football’s most iconic moments, from Brazil’s record nine titles to Uruguay’s shock triumph on home soil in 1916 that catalyzed a golden era for La Celeste, and most recently, a first international trophy for a certain Lionel Messi. With the 2024 edition starting today, the rallying cries of…