Most Recent

Lionel Messi shares heartfelt message touches hearts across the world (Image via Getty)

Lionel Messi went on his social handles on June 25, 2025 and posted an emotional message that, somehow, went viral. It was related to nothing soccer or game related, just something incredibly personal to him. In fact, fans from around the world had filled his pages with birthday wishes on June 24, but Lionel Messi decided to be silent on that day. A day later, Lionel Messi made a post that certainly was a pause for everyone. What did Lionel Messi post? What was the reason for the delay, if any? The message was straightforward, yet it reached millions of fan-messages demonstrating the special kinship Messi has with his connecting fan base across the world.

Lionel Messi mentions thanking fans from around the world for birthday messages on June 25, 2025

On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Lionel Andres Messi—football legend and Inter Miami CF star— posted a warm thank you on his official X (formerly Twitter) account for birthday messages he received from around the world. The post appeared sometime past 5:09 PM local time in Argentina. It said,“¡¡Muchas gracias por todos los saludos y las felicitaciones!! ¡Les mando un abrazo grande!” which translates to “Thank you so much for all the greetings and birthday wishes!! Sending you all a big hug!”The message arrived with a smiling photo of Lionel Messi, looking cool and joyful. Fans had bombarded his social media pages on June 24, for his 38th birthday, but he decided to respond a day later. The tweet was rapidly picking up thousands of likes and comments in minutes. Many users wrote things like,“You deserve all the love, Leo,” and “Happy Birthday, GOAT!”Lionel Messi’s message felt simple, but to fans it meant a lot. It showed he took time to read the messages and truly appreciated them.

On June 24, 2025, Lionel Messi’s ex club FC Barcelona also posted sentimental content on their official Instagram and X channel. They shared old images of Lionel Messi wearing the club’s famous shirt and an even more sentimental description:“You gave us your heart, and you’ll always have ours. Felic aniversari, Lionel Messi.”The position has revived memories of his time at the club from 13 to 2021. Former teammates and thousands of fans responded with messages of love, like“We miss you, Leo” and “Forever a Barça legend.”After all these years, we still feel the effects of Kionel Messi across the globe.

Also Read:

“Will you marry me?”: Lionel Messi receives unexpected love note from elderly fan during Argentina match

(Photo credit: Metropolitan Police)

LONDON: A South Asian-origin British national called Jacky Jhaj has been named by UK media as the man arrested in Disneyland Paris last weekend for organising a mock wedding to a 9-year-old Ukrainian girl.Jaskarn, or Jacky Jhaj (39), was arrested last Saturday at the theme park when a 55-year-old actor who had been paid €12,000 to play the role of the father of the bride contacted police when he realised the bride was a child and she turned up looking “scared and confused”.Jhaj is a convicted paedophile in Britain. He was jailed in 2016 for sexual activity with two 15-year-old girls and placed on the UK sex offenders register.Around 100 children and 200 adults had been paid to take part in the fake ceremony at the Sleeping Beauty castle. The mock wedding was to feature violinists, a cake, and chairs were laid out. TOI understands the plan was to create a video for social media.Jhaj had hired Disneyland Paris for several hours before it opened for the stunt, costing £110,000, allegedly using fake Latvian ID. He was going to play the role of groom to the child bride who could not walk in her bridal dress and heels and had to be carried.The 41-year-old Ukrainian mother of the girl, a 24-year-old Latvian woman who was to play the bride’s sister, and the 55-year-old Latvian man acting as the groom were also arrested and have since been released.Jhaj appeared in front of a judge in Meaux, north-east Paris, on June 23 and was charged with fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, and identity theft. He remains in custody.He is a serial prankster behind scores of similar weird stunts. He hired hundreds of teenagers and children, some as young as six, to act as his fawning fans at a fake red carpet film premiere in Leicester Square in 2023 at which he pretended to be a film star, and last year he organised a fake funeral at London Oratory with a horse-drawn carriage and empty coffin, hiring extras as mourners.A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “A 39-year-old man is wanted by the Met Police for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a breach of a Sex Offenders’ Register notification requirement. We are aware the man has been arrested in France for other matters and officers are in contact with the French authorities.”

Ryan Nembhard sparks wild NBA Draft rumors after viral Indiana Pacers reunion speculation (Image Source: Getty Images)

All eyes are on the NBA Draft this week, and one familiar name is such that includes some buzz: Ryan Nembhard. The Gonzaga guard, listed at 5-foot-11, is projected to be selected in the second round. His brother, Andrew Nembhard, is currently on the Indiana Pacers. Ryan’s passing and assist totals have made his way onto several mock draft boards, and the family reunion speculation in the Indiana Pacers has begun.

Ryan Nembhard draws interest ahead of NBA Draft

On June 25, NBA draft coverage highlighted Ryan Nembhard as a top second-round prospect. He ranked between picks 51 and 58 in mock drafts, depending on the outlet. According to USA Today’s For The Win, Ryan Nembhard is projected to be picked by the Indiana Pacers in the second round, reuniting him with his brother, Andrew Nembhard. Sports Illustrated has him going to the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 51. Meanwhile, ESPN projects him to the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 58.These projections show NBA teams value Ryan Nembhard’s leadership and playmaking.

Gonzaga’s point guard boasts eye-popping assists and sharp comparisons

Ryan Nembhard lit up Gonzaga University during the 2024–25 season, averaging 9.8 assists per game. That number led the nation and broke school and conference records. His skill set is often compared to NBA guards TJ McConnell and Tyus Jones – slim, smart, and effective despite their size.Teammates and co-workers praise his court IQ. As one analyst put it: “He’s a dream point guard for teammates”. At 22 years old and standing 5’11”, he brings high energy and low turnovers. This makes him a strong candidate for a two-way contract or second-round pick.His brother Andrew Nembhard, now with the Indiana Pacers, has been a key contributor since being drafted in 2022. If Ryan Nembhard lands in Indiana Pacers at No. 54, the family would be reunited, on court and at home. Fans and analysts are buzzing: How appropriate would it be for NBA veteran TJ McConnell to mentor a player with a similar style?Ryan Nembhard’s journey from Gonzaga to a possible NBA draft pick is one to watch. With big-game vision, leadership, and a brother already in the league, he could be one of this year’s most inspiring second-round success stories.Also Read: NBA prospect Dylan Harper comes from a championship family—but his 13-year-old sister might be the real sister in the making

The UAE Central Bank fined a bank Dh3.5 million and banned new customers for six months due to violations of Sharia governance and anti-money laundering regulations/(File)

A UAE-based bank has been penalised by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) for failing to comply with Sharia governance requirements. The disciplinary action includes a six-month ban on accepting new customers and a financial penalty of Dh3,502,214.According to a statement from the CBUAE, the sanctions stem from supervisory examinations that uncovered the bank’s non-compliance with the Sharia Governance Framework governing Islamic banking services. These examinations also found violations of other legal provisions applicable to financial institutions in the country.

Legal Basis and Regulatory Context

The penalties were imposed under Article 137 of Decretal Federal Law No. (14) of 2018, which outlines the role of the Central Bank in the regulation and oversight of financial institutions within the UAE. This law also covers the organisation and supervision of financial activities, including Islamic banking, and allows the CBUAE to take necessary action in cases of misconduct or non-compliance.The CBUAE has not disclosed the name of the bank involved but made clear that the violations relate specifically to Sharia compliance, a core requirement for institutions offering Islamic financial services in the country.

Central Bank’s Commitment to Integrity and Transparency

In its official statement, the Central Bank reaffirmed its commitment to upholding transparency, integrity, and regulatory compliance in the UAE’s financial system. It emphasised that all licensed financial institutions are expected to meet the legal standards, particularly those that apply to Sharia-compliant banking.“The CBUAE remains committed to ensuring that all licensed financial institutions operating in the UAE adhere to the legal and regulatory standards established to uphold transparency and integrity in the banking sector,” the statement said.This enforcement action is part of the CBUAE’s ongoing efforts to maintain financial stability and public trust in the banking sector. By applying such regulatory measures, the Central Bank aims to preserve the soundness of the country’s financial institutions and reinforce the credibility of Islamic banking in the UAE.

Hollywood star George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney had a royal company. The couple were seen with King Charles at his latest palace celebration. The couple were guests at Buckingham Palace on June 25 to celebrate the winners of The King’s Trust Awards 2025, young people who have overcome challenges to improve their lives and have a positive impact on their communities, reports ‘People’ magazine.King Charles, 76, was photographed sharing a friendly laugh with the couple during the reception, and they also joined the sovereign for a group photo with the winners and other supporters.As per ‘People’, George, 64, sported a grey suit sans tie while Amal, 47, looked elegant in a black dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline.It wasn’t the Clooneys’ first time meeting with Charles at the royal residence. George and Amal previously attended a March 2019 dinner at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the same charity, back when it was known as The Prince’s Trust, before Charles became monarch.There, they were also spotted chatting and smiling in formal evening attire, with both Charles and George sporting black bow ties while Amal rocked a white gown. George and Amal, who have a home in the U.K., also visited Windsor Castle when they were guests at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.

There, the Casamigos co-founder even showed off his bartending skills at the reception. A source told ‘People’, “George Clooney hopped behind the bar and was mixing drinks for guests”.A source said at the time that Meghan and Amal “have known each other for a while”. Amal has been helping Meghan settle into London life”, the source added. “It was a very natural friendship from day one”.The summer after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding, they reportedly visited the Clooneys’ Lake Como villa. ABC News reported at the time that Prince Harry and the actor played basketball while Meghan lounged by the pool with Amal and helped look after the Clooneys’ twins, Ella and Alexander. The Clooneys also reportedly held a dinner party to celebrate their guests.

Elnaaz Norouzi, an Iranian-German actress known for ‘Sacred Games’ and ‘The Traitor’, revealed Salman Khan as her reliable “3am friend.” Starting as a model at 14, she debuted in Bollywood with ‘Hello Charlie’. During #MeToo, she accused filmmaker Vipul Shah of misconduct but avoided legal action due to visa concerns.

Elnaaz Norouzi, who is currently in the news for her appearance in ‘The Traitor’, is an Iranian-German actress and model known for her work in web series. She gained recognition for her role in the popular Netflix series ‘Sacred Games’ and has appeared in several Bollywood films. Fluent in multiple languages, she has successfully bridged cultures through her work.Revealed 3am Bollywood FriendRecently, in an interview with Instant Bollywood, Elnaaz was asked about her “3am best friends” in the Bollywood industry. She replied, “Agar 3am mei mujhe kuch chaheye aur woh ho jana chaheye toh i’ll call Salman Khan because he is up at night. Toh agar 3am mei unko call karungi toh he will pick up.”Early Life and Career BeginningsElnaaz belongs to Iran, and later shifted to Germany with her family. At the age of 14, she started her career as a model. For the unversed, she is popularly known for the Netflix series ‘Sacred Games’, where she played Zoya, which was loved by fans. Apart from this, she has done many OTT shows like ‘Chutzpah’, ‘Made in Heaven’, ‘Ranneeti’, and others. She made her Bollywood debut with the movie ‘Hello Charlie’, which is available on Amazon Prime Video. #MeToo Allegations and ChallengesIn 2018, amid the #MeToo movement, Elnaaz Norouzi brought attention to allegations against filmmaker Vipul Shah, accusing him of inappropriate behavior during multiple auditions, including unwanted physical contact and a kiss. She chose not to pursue legal action, concerned that filing a complaint might threaten her visa status as a non-resident of India.