The Indian Supreme Court has issued a strong warning to comedian Samay Raina, urging YouTubers to act responsibly. The court stated that if vloggers do not correct their behavior, it knows how to deal with them.
The warning came in response to Raina’s controversial remarks made in Canada during his show India Got Latent. The issue was raised while the court was hearing a petition related to podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, whose remarks on Raina’s show sparked a major controversy.
During the hearing, Justice Surya Kant criticized young content creators, saying, “These youngsters think they are too clever and know everything. One of them went to Canada and started discussing these matters there.”
He further remarked, “They have no understanding of the court’s boundaries, and perhaps they do not realize the extent of this court’s jurisdiction.”
Samay Raina, who was in Canada last month for his Samay Raina Unfiltered tour, addressed the controversy in a humorous way. At the beginning of his show, he joked, “Thank you! You guys have paid for my lawyer’s fees.”
The controversy started when YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia talked about parents and relationships during an episode of India Got Latent.
After controversy Saimy Rana wrote on his instgarm story, “Everything that is happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all Indias Got Latent videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly.
His comments led to widespread backlash, with the issue even being discussed in Parliament. Several complaints were filed against him, escalating the matter further.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has spoken out against Shoaib Akhtar’s harsh criticism of Babar Azam after his poor performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Akhtar had earlier called Babar a “fraud” after the batsman went through a dip in form, blaming him for not leading the team properly.
Shoaib Akhtar, known for being blunt, suggested that Babar’s struggles were not just temporary but a result of deeper flaws in his technique. He also compared Babar to Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli, pointing out that Kohli’s inspiration is Sachin Tendulkar, who has 100 international centuries. “Who is Babar Azam’s role model? Let’s not name any cricketer, but you’ve chosen the wrong role models. Your thought process is wrong. You were a fraud from the beginning,” Akhtar had said.
Salman Butt, who played alongside Shoaib Akhtar in the past, strongly disagreed with the speedster. Butt defended Babar, saying that every player goes through tough phases, and it is unfair to judge him based on a temporary slump.
Speaking on a private TV channel, Butt said, “Shoaib is one of the best talents Pakistan ever produced, and if he reconsidered what he said, he would call it the heat of the moment. But he shouldn’t have said that.”
Salman vociferously defended the beleaguered batsman. “Babar is struggling with form, and more than his technical issues, we have gotten into his head. His talent is superior to that of every other batter we have, and we have even wasted it because of all this criticism. He is not Kohli, he is not Root, and he is not Williamson, but he is the best we have.”
Babar has often been the main target of criticism whenever the Pakistan team underperforms, even though the entire squad struggles.
Interestingly, while Pakistani experts continue to criticize him, cricketing legends from other countries have defended him.
Former Indian cricketing stars rush to Babar Azam’s support amid widespread bashing
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been facing intense criticism for his performances in recent years. His latest outing in the highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 match against India saw him score just 23 runs, contributing to Pakistan’s defeat.
Amid the backlash, former Indian cricketers Navjot Singh Sidhu, Harbhajan Singh, and Sunil Gavaskar have stepped forward to support Babar. They urged Pakistani fans to show respect and stand by their star player during tough times.
Sidhu emphasized Babar’s contributions to Pakistan cricket over the years and expressed confidence in his ability to perform in the future. He urged fans to support him rather than criticize him.
“Babar has scored runs for you, and he will continue to play for your team for a long time. Learn to respect him; don’t throw stones from afar. A player like Babar doesn’t come around often, and instead of lifting him up during difficult times, you are pushing him down. That is not how you treat your heroes,” Sidhu said.
While backing Babar, Sidhu also pointed out some technical flaws in his batting and offered suggestions for improvement. “Babar needs to work on his foot positioning to better handle the bounce and movement of the ball. If he refines his stance and improves his technique against swing bowling, he will be an even greater force in international cricket,” he added.
Despite the recent criticism, Sidhu believes Babar is a highly talented player who can regain his form with proper guidance and support. “Every cricketer goes through ups and downs. With the right mentorship and encouragement, Babar can rise back to his peak form and silence his critics,” he remarked.
Former Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar also defended Babar, praising his elegant stroke play. “He gives a lot of joy with his cover drive. Even against India, look at the flick shot he hit for a boundary through mid-wicket—what a shot that was! The entire world wants to watch such shots,” Gavaskar said.
Echoing similar sentiments, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh criticized the excessive scrutiny Babar faces. “Babar Azam faces constant criticism while the real issues are ignored. Pakistan conceded 320 runs, yet only his strike rate was questioned. Babar lacks support. Cricket is a team game—one player alone cannot win every match. Pakistan needs a collective effort, they can not just blame one player,” Harbhajan asserted.
Meanwhile, cricket fans on social media have voiced their concerns, arguing that Babar rarely plays match-winning innings and focuses more on personal records. Many believe he needs to step up in crucial games and prove his worth as a leader and a match-winner.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan’s consecutive defeats to New Zealand and arch-rivals India led to their elimination from the Champions Trophy 2025.
Inflation continues its free fall in Pakistan as annual inflation reportedly fell to just 1.5 percent — its lowest level in almost a decade. According to reports, the decline in inflation can be attributed to the drop in the prices of wheat flour and other perishable food products.
Initially, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) projected inflation to sit within the ballpark of two to three percent. Contrary to their calculations, inflation fell short of their earlier projections by approximately 66 percent.
Moreover, the MoF expected March 2025’s inflation rate to grow to three to four percent. However, with their calculations for the current period being so far off, many are unsure if the estimates for March are accurate or need to be revised.
As per reports, the prices of foodstuffs such as pulses, wheat and onions have been the key driving force behind the fall in inflation rates. Electricity prices have seen conservative cuts, too, easing inflationary pressures.
Credible reports reveal that the aforementioned goods hold sizable weights during inflation rate calculations, which can help explain why inflation levels are dropping while the prices of some goods and services rise. Edible oil and sugar are notable examples of products whose prices are witnessing a hike across Pakistan.
Sugar prices might continue to rise, nonetheless, as the government has now allowed sugar to be exported. Analysts believe that there is a surplus of the commodity in the domestic economy. Recent reports revealed that sugar prices could creep up to 200 rupees per kilogram during Ramzan if government officials turn a blind eye to the issue.
Data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed that the country’s month-on-month (MoM) Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell by approximately one percent in February.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) was able to reduce inflation rates by raising interest rates to approximately 22 percent when inflation rose uncontrollably in 2023. This measure curbed demand for consumer and business loans.
According to reports, CPI inflation stayed in double digits for a staggering 33 months (November 2021 to July 2024). Sky-high interest rates coupled with inflation were detrimentally affecting commercial activity.
In the past seven months, however, interest rates have plummeted by a staggering 1,000 basis points as the SBP has succeeded in its battle against inflation. Businesses, previously reeling from the inflation-based instability, have been able to recover and resume operations.
One of the country’s leading news channels, ARY News, has issued an apology over the January 21 episode of its flagship show “OFF THE RECORD”, saying that the opinion of host Kashif Abbasi had nothing to do with organisation’s policies.
As per the details, journalist and TV host Ashfaq Ishaq Satii, who is currently hosting the programme, concluded Monday’s episode with the clarification that Abbasi had on the Jan 21 episode shared his personal opinion that the channel does not endorse.
“If anyone’s feelings were hurt, the organisation apologises for it,” he added.
The apology comes a little over a week after Abbasi was allegedly taken off-air for criticising the government. During his Jan 21 show, Abbasi had mocked the ruling coalition and opined that the constitution, which politicians often took pride in, had been “murdered”. He had gone on to paint Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership as the culprits.
“In this country, the constitution has been murdered and buried, and everyone has a hand in its demise,” Abbasi had said, adding that politics of power had caused the most harm to the country.
“We are an unfortunate nation where, for political gains, even the sanctity of privacy and honour was trampled upon,” he had said, alleging that it had become routine to abduct women and daughters from their homes, all for political motives.
He had questioned how anyone could talk about the constitution and human rights in an environment where elections could not take place, given that it was not suited to the political situation in the country.
Emphasising that parliament was supposed to be the protector of human rights and the constitution, he had said that laws in the country were being made at will. “Parliament is a rubber stamp. Lawmakers blindly pass legislation.”
“An inauguration plaque should be placed on the joy of hybrid system that was started in 2018, and now the incumbent government facilitated it by offering their shoulders,” he said, alleging that politicians don’t care about the parliamentary system anymore.
“Democracy is losing its case; politicians’ sacrifices are for power, not for the people,” he had added.
It merits a mention that earlier reports had claimed Abbasi’s show was taken off the air for reporting on a development organisation’s report describing the 2024 election as “unprecedentedly rigged” with “vote-rigging, fraud and manipulation”.
Abbasi, on the other hand, released a statement claiming that he had taken a personal leave.
With the channel now issuing an apology, it may be noted that it is not the first time that Abbasi has been taken off the air.
In January 2020, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had banned the broadcast of Abbasi’s programme for 60 days following then Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) minister Faisal Vawda’s action of putting a military boot on the table.
Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr, did not travel to Iran with his team for the AFC Champions League pre-quarterfinal match.
Some media reports suggested that the shocking reason behind his absence could be the fear of facing 99 lashes as punishment in Iran.
The reports said that Ronaldo’s alleged reluctance stems from an incident in 2023 when Iranian artist Fatemeh Hamami, who paints using her feet, gifted Ronaldo a portrait she created. In response, the footballer warmly kissed her forehead, an act that allegedly violates Iranian laws and could result in a severe penalty (99 lashes as punishment).
However, a spokesperson at the Iranian embassy has dismissed the claims that Ronaldo, who also missed his side’s trip to Persepolis in February, would have faced whippings in Iran.
“We strongly deny the issuance of any court ruling against any international athlete in Iran,” a spokesperson firmly told talkSPORT.
“His sincere and humane meeting with Fatemeh Hamami was also praised and admired by both the people and the country’s sports authorities,” the Iranian embassy added.
The Saudi Gazette has reported that Ronaldo actually missed out on the trip due to muscle fatigue.
Ronaldo, 40, has played 30 matches in all competitions this season, scoring 25 goals and setting up a further four. Al-Nassr drew 0-0 without him on Monday night.
In 2023, Iranian network Sharq Emroz, as per Mundo Deportivo, claimed that a large number of lawyers in Iran filed complaints over Ronaldo’s interaction with painter Hamima.
At that time, it was reported that Ronaldo would be arrested if he entered Iran again.
But in 2023, Hamima said, “Unemployed lawyers made accusations against him without my or my family’s permission.”
“In Iran, he has committed a crime for hugging me, while we have never had any complaints… I am very grateful to Ronaldo for his love and love towards me. I hope the best happens to him in life and football,” she said.
Hamima added, “No one told him anything about the laws of Iran, and he didn’t know it either, but Ronaldo’s hug was for his love and brotherhood, and he had no bad intentions.”
“My family and I have no complaints about this issue; we just want to deny these accusations against Cristiano,” she added.
India’s victory against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is being widely discussed online. However, renowned actress Rabya Kulsoom has expressed her disappointment over Pakistan’s loss and strongly criticised brands for featuring cricketers in advertisements.
Taking to Instagram, Rabya urged brands to stop hiring cricketers as brand ambassadors. She wrote, “I would like to request all brands to stop taking these cricketers as their brand faces and let them focus on what they are supposed to do—play cricket.”
She further added, “Let actors do their job, but if cricketers want to act, then let actors be part of the team too.”
Sarcastically commenting on Pakistan’s performance, Rabya suggested that actors Fahad Mustafa and Faizan Sheikh should be made team captains for better results. She wrote, “Maybe @mustafafahad26 or @mfaizansk should be made captain! Maybe we’ll get better results.”
Her remarks quickly went viral, sparking mixed reactions from Pakistani cricket fans.
Renowned Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta recently visited Pakistan and shared his surprise at the immense love Pakistanis have for Indian cricketers, especially Virat Kohli.
Visiting to assess preparations for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, he experienced Pakistan’s cricket culture firsthand and was deeply moved by the warm hospitality during his trip.
In an exclusive interview with a Pakistani cricket website, Gupta shared his experiences and expressed his surprise at the immense love Pakistanis have for Indian cricketers, particularly Virat Kohli.
“The most surprising thing for me was the admiration Pakistani fans have for Indian cricketers, especially Virat Kohli. I saw young people in the streets of Lahore wearing jerseys with Kohli’s number 18, which shows that cricket goes beyond political tensions or borders,” he said.
Expressing hope for better relations between India and Pakistan through sports, he said, “I hope that in the future, sports will help improve relations between India and Pakistan, and such tours will play a crucial role in bringing the people of both nations closer.”
Commenting on India’s decision not to tour Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup and the upcoming Champions Trophy, Gupta said, “If citizens and journalists can visit each other’s countries, then players should also be given the opportunity.”
Gupta added that Pakistani fans not only appreciate Indian players’ skills but also admire their consistency and dedication to the game. “While walking around Lahore, many people asked me about the secret behind Virat Kohli’s fitness and Rohit Sharma’s timing. These questions prove how closely Pakistani fans follow Indian cricketers,” he added.
Speaking about Pakistan’s cricket craze, Gupta said, “Pakistanis still love cricket, but the enthusiasm is not the same as before. There is no shortage of talent, but infrastructure and work at the grassroots level need improvement.”
Gupta also pointed out, “In the past, information was shared only through mainstream media, but now social media provides a direct platform for people to express their emotions and thoughts.”
Reflecting on his trip, Vikrant Gupta called it an unforgettable experience. “I will never forget the love and respect I received from the Pakistani people. There is love in the hearts of both nations’ people for each other, but political tensions have kept them apart,” he said.
He urged the people of both countries to try to understand each other and promote positive engagement.
“There is love between the people of both nations, but politics has divided them. During my stay in Pakistan, I never felt unsafe. People met me with great warmth, and most conversations were just about cricket,” Gupta said.
He concluded by expressing his belief that if both governments address each other’s concerns, a bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan could be revived in the future.
During his visit, Gupta faced criticism from certain quarters in India. However, he firmly defended his stance, stating, “A journalist’s job is to highlight the truth and the positive aspects.”
YouTuber Rajab Butt has strongly criticised actor Fahad Mustafa for opposing family vlogging.
In a recent interview, he dismissed Fahad Mustafa when asked about him, saying, “A senior earns his own respect.”
He claimed that the actor once sat with one of his seniors and said, “I cannot sell my family through a video.” In response, Rajab Butt remarked that everyone knows how people get work in dramas.
“A true senior is someone who earns their own respect. Thank God, I am earning and living on my own, and I have never accepted a role in any drama,” the YouTuber said.
Taking a direct jab at Fahad Mustafa, Rajab Butt said, “He talks about not selling his family, but he is selling other people’s families. So, it’s better for him to keep his mouth shut.”
He also criticised Fahad Mustafa’s game show antics, questioning, “Aren’t you influencing households by shouting ‘I want girls’ on the show,” adding that “Meanwhile, we’re just sitting in our homes and working.”
Indian YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as Beer Biceps, has been allowed by the Supreme Court to resume his show, The Ranveer Show. This comes after a temporary suspension following a controversy over remarks he made on another program.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court clarified that Ranveer Allahbadia’s freedom to create content is not absolute and must align with legal and ethical standards.
The judge emphasised that while young influencers might see the legal system as rigid, the court has the authority to regulate their actions if necessary.
The court stated that Ranveer Allahbadia can resume his podcast if he submits a written commitment, ensuring that all future episodes meet the required standards of decency and morality.
Ranveer’s legal representative argued that the show is his client’s primary source of income and supports a team of 280 employees.
He also mentioned that he interviews a wide range of personalities, including politicians, athletes, and spiritual leaders, making his content valuable to a broad audience.
The Supreme Court, nonetheless, imposed additional restrictions, preventing Ranveer Allahbadia from discussing the ‘India’s Got Latent’ case on his show.
The Youtuber is also barred from travelling abroad until he fully cooperates with the ongoing investigation.
With these conditions in place, Ranveer Allahbadia now faces the challenge of reshaping his content while ensuring compliance with the court’s directives.
Previously, Ranveer Allahbadia revealed that he was getting death threats after his controversial comments on Samay Raina’s ‘India’s Got Latent’.
Mumbai police reported that they had failed to trace Ranveer Allahbadia for the probe, as his phone remained switched off. The YouTuber turned to his Instagram handle with another note on Sunday, revealing he has been receiving several death threats due to his inappropriate comments during the ‘India’s Got Latent’ appearance.
“My team and I are cooperating with the police and all other authorities. I will follow due process and be available to all agencies,” he wrote. “My remark about parents was insensitive and disrespectful. It is my moral responsibility to do better and I am genuinely sorry.”
US President Donald Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine on Monday, a White House official said, sharply escalating pressure on Kyiv to agree to peace negotiations with Russia.
The move comes just days after a stunning public clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump, who is seeking a rapid end to the war.
Trump earlier on Monday had declined to rule out a pause when quizzed by reporters, but any disruption in the flow of US arms to the front line would rapidly weaken Ukraine’s chance of beating back Russia’s invasion.
“The President has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well,” a White House official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” the official added.
Congressional Democrats immediately condemned the pause as dangerous and illegal.
“My Republican colleagues who have called Putin a war criminal and promised their continued support to Ukraine must join me in demanding President Trump immediately lift this disastrous and unlawful freeze,” said Gregory Meeks, top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Trump also warned he would “not put up” much longer with Zelensky’s defiance, and said Ukraine’s leader should be “more appreciative” of US support.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said Zelensky “won’t be around very long” without a ceasefire deal with Moscow.
The pause has gone into effect immediately and impacts hundreds of millions of dollars of weaponry in the process of being sent to Ukraine, The New York Times reported.
Zelensky for his part said Monday he was seeking for the war to end “as soon as possible.”
The comment came after Zelensky accused Russia — which invaded Ukraine in 2014 and greatly expanded the conflict in 2022 — of not being serious about peace.
He insisted tough security guarantees were the only way to end the war.
But Trump’s stance has upended US support for Ukraine, and Washington’s allies more broadly, and stoked concern about Washington pivoting to Russia.
European support
After weekend crisis talks in London, Britain and France are investigating how to propose a one-month Ukraine-Russia truce “in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure” — potentially backstopped by troops on the ground.
Zelensky said discussions were still focusing on the “first steps,” adding: “An agreement on ending the war is very, very far away” — a comment that angered Trump.
Zelensky added in a video statement that “real, honest peace” would only come with security guarantees for Ukraine, which agreed to denuclearize in 1994 only in exchange for protection provided by the United States and Britain.
“It was the lack of security guarantees for Ukraine 11 years ago that allowed Russia to start with the occupation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, then the lack of security guarantees allowed Russia to launch a full-scale invasion,” Zelensky said.
Russia dismissed the comments, accusing him of not wanting peace — echoing US criticism after he was shouted down Friday in the Oval Office.
On the ground, Ukrainian officials reported fatalities from a Russian missile strike on a military training facility some 130 kilometers (80 miles) from the front line.
A respected military blogger said between 30 and 40 soldiers were killed and 90 more wounded in the attack near Dnipro on Saturday.
‘Deliberate’ escalation?
Trump has previously called Zelensky, president since 2019, a “dictator” for not holding elections, even though martial law precludes any vote because of the war.
Zelensky dismissed calls for him to resign, repeating his pledge to do so only if Ukraine were given NATO membership, which Russia — and now the United States under Trump — opposes.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed Zelensky for Friday’s blow-up with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, saying he “demonstrated a complete lack of diplomatic abilities.”
“He doesn’t want peace,” Peskov told reporters.
On Monday Vance told broadcaster Fox News he was confident Zelensky would “eventually” agree to peace talks with Moscow.
“I think Zelensky wasn’t yet there, and I think, frankly, now still isn’t there,” Vance said. “But I think he’ll get there eventually. He has to.”
But Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said the astonishing White House clash was a “deliberate escalation” by Trump.
US and Russian officials have held talks on ending the war, enraging Kyiv and Europe for being sidelined, and prompting fears that any deal could threaten Ukraine’s future.
