The Indian team produced a stunning performance to come back from a goal down to beat Malaysia 4-1 and take a big step towards qualifying for the Asia Cup 2025 final. But familiar foes in the form of China awaits Harmanpreet Singh and his side with all four teams retaining a chance to make it to the summit clash. Alan John joins hands with veteran sports journalist Sundeep Misra for the analysis of the second round of the Super 4s and the final set of matches of the phase on September 6.
India Today special report 'New Year Old Wounds' covers multiple geopolitical conflicts at the start of 2026. In Venezuela, following the capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces, President Donald Trump stated, 'We're in charge'. The focus then shifts to rising tensions over Greenland, which President Trump says the US must have for strategic reasons.
The controversy over actor Vijay's film 'Jananayagan' has escalated, with the makers now approaching the Supreme Court. This move follows a decision by a two-judge bench of the Madras High Court to stay its own single-judge order that had granted the film a U/A certificate. According to India Today's Anagha, the filmmakers are pushing for an urgent hearing to secure an early release, citing massive financial stakes. The reporter notes the filmmakers' plea that 'they have spent close to 500 crores, they have invested a huge sum of money on the making of this film, and therefore, the film has to find its release ASAP'. The challenge from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had led to the High Court's reversal, putting the film's planned Pongal release in jeopardy and prompting the appeal to the nation's apex court.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addresses the controversy surrounding the Malayalam language bill, responding to concerns raised by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Vijayan asserts that the bill is inclusive and its 'key provisions... ensures that no language is imposed and linguistic freedom is fully protected'. He highlighted that Clause 7 of the bill specifically safeguards the rights of linguistic minorities, particularly the prominent Kannada-speaking population in Kasaragod and the Tamil-speaking community in Idukki. Vijayan clarified that students with a mother tongue other than Malayalam are not compelled to take Malayalam exams and can choose other languages. The Kerala Congress leadership has also weighed in, suggesting the issue is a misunderstanding rather than a point of political contention, as exemptions for linguistic minorities are already built into the legislation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is on a 'warpath' against the Election Commission, according to this report. The Trinamool Congress supremo has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the poll panel is harassing ordinary citizens through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The Chief Minister's letter states that 'the ordinary people are suffering' due to the revision drive. The opposition has reportedly been raising this issue for some time, claiming that the extensive process is causing trouble for the general public. The report highlights the ongoing tussle between the state government and the Chief Election Commission over the implementation and impact of the voter roll revision process in West Bengal.
