
Income Tax Return Deadline Today: Over 1 Crore Filings Expected Amid Portal Challenges
Pointers by Naima Syed 15-Sep-2025
- The extended deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for AY 2025-26 is September 15, 2025, with no further extension granted.
- Over 6.29 crore ITRs have already been filed till September 13, 2025; an additional 1 crore filings are anticipated on the last day.
- The deadline aligns with the second installment payment of advance tax, creating pressure on taxpayers and professionals.
- Despite high traffic and some complaints about portal glitches, the Income Tax Department maintains the portal is operational and attributes issues mainly to user-side browser problems.
- Chartered accountants and tax lawyers note that even with a fully functional portal, the clustering of deadlines causes a significant strain on filers.

Arab-Islamic Summit Unites After Israeli Strike in Qatar
Pointers by Naima Syed 15-Sep-2025
- Leaders from Arab and Islamic countries are meeting in Doha after Israeli airstrikes killed Hamas members and a Qatari officer.
- Iran has called on Muslim nations to cut all diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.
- The summit aims for strong action against Israel, focusing on accountability and safeguarding Qatar’s sovereignty.
- Regional security partnerships are under review, with Gulf states reconsidering relations with the US and exploring new alliances.
- Israel’s attacks threaten peace talks and normalization, prompting calls for united, enforceable action by Muslim countries.

Trump Ultimatum: NATO Must Halt Russian Oil Buys for Sanctions
Pointers by Naima Syed 15-Sep-2025
- Trump criticized NATO members for buying Russian oil, calling the practice “shocking” and claiming it undermines the alliance’s negotiating position against Russia.
- He stated the US will only impose tougher sanctions if all NATO countries agree and take similar steps, insisting on complete unity before acting.
- Trump proposed 50–100% tariffs on Chinese goods as a strategy to curb China’s economic support for Russia, with the promise to lift those tariffs once the Russia–Ukraine conflict ends.
- Despite Europe reducing Russian energy imports since the war began, Trump believes the action is insufficient, highlighting ongoing purchases by Hungary, Slovakia, and Turkey.
- Trump’s demands have sparked tension within NATO, as some members are reluctant or unable to fully sever energy ties with Moscow, raising questions about collective willingness to take such strong action.

Mirai Smashes Past Kingdom: Teja Sajja’s Superhero Flick Rakes in ₹83 Cr Worldwide on Opening Weekend
Pointers by Naima Syed 15-Sep-2025
- Mirai starring Teja Sajja collected ₹83 crore worldwide in its opening weekend, surpassing the lifetime collection of Kingdom (₹82.05 crore).
- It earned ₹44.50 crore net in India within three days, with the Telugu version leading domestically.
- Overseas collections are strong, especially in North America, contributing over ₹15 crore in two days.
- The film is produced by People Media Factory and directed by Karthik Ghattamaneni, gaining momentum with positive word of mouth.
- Mirai is expected to cross the ₹100 crore worldwide mark early in the week, becoming one of the biggest hits of 2025.

Owen Cooper Makes History as Youngest Male Emmy Winner for Netflix’s “Adolescence”
Pointers by Naima Syed 15-Sep-2025
- Owen Cooper, 15, became the youngest male actor to win an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for Netflix’s “Adolescence.”
- “Adolescence” is a popular crime drama about a 13-year-old boy accused of murder and was Netflix’s most-watched show for the first half of 2025.
- Owen had no professional acting experience before the show, having only taken drama classes for a few years.
- In his speech, he encouraged stepping out of comfort zones to achieve success, sharing how just three years ago he had no recognition.
- “Adolescence” won multiple Emmys, and Owen has upcoming roles including in “Wuthering Heights” and the BBC series “Film Club.”

Sunil Gavaskar mercilessly trolls Salman Agha’s Pakistan as a “Popatwadi team” after Asia Cup thrashing by India
Pointers by Naima Syed 15-Sep-2025
- Sunil Gavaskar called Pakistan’s cricket team a “Popatwadi team,” meaning weak or poor, after India’s easy win in the Asia Cup 2025.
- He said this was the weakest Pakistan side he has seen in decades of watching cricket since the 1960s.
- Pakistan struggled against India’s effective spin bowling, managing only 127/9.
- India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav led the chase with an unbeaten 47, sealing a seven-wicket victory.
- Gavaskar suggested India should be more wary of Sri Lanka and Afghanistan than Pakistan going forward.