Joe Root and Grace Hayden

BRISBANE: Joe Root finally broke his long-awaited century jinx in Australia on Thursday, but the loudest sigh of relief didn’t come from England’s dressing room — it came from Matthew Hayden’s house. And more specifically, from his daughter, Grace.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Root’s fluent 135 on Day 1 of the pink-ball Ashes Test at the Gabba not only ended 10 years of Australian heartbreak but also saved Hayden from fulfilling a bizarre promise. The former Australia opener had jokingly vowed to “walk naked around the MCG” if Root failed to score a hundred this series.

The moment Root reached three figures off Scott Boland, social media exploded — and Hayden’s daughter stole the spotlight with a cheeky Instagram story. Posting a selfie, Grace wrote: “Root, thank you, you’ve saved all our eyes.” The hilarious post instantly went viral, turning Root’s milestone into an internet spectacle.

Hayden himself quickly posted a congratulatory video shared by England Cricket on X, laughing at his own wager while praising Root’s perseverance.“Congratulations mate on a hundred here in Australia. Took you a while and there was no one that had more skin in the game than me, literally. I was backing you for a hundred in a good way. So congratulations, ten fifties and finally a hundred. You little ripper mate. Have a beauty and bloody enjoy it,” Hayden joked.A decade-long wait endsRoot’s ton was his first in Australia after 16 matches, 30 innings, and four Ashes tours. He brought calm to a tense English innings and climbed to 40 Test hundreds — just one behind Ricky Ponting (41) and trailing only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45).At stumps, England were 325/9, with Root unbeaten on 135 and Jofra Archer on 32.While Australia dropped regular captain Pat Cummins again and shockingly benched Nathan Lyon for Michael Neser, it was Root’s history-making innings — and Grace Hayden’s viral punchline — that ruled the day.For Root, it was a career milestone. For the Hayden household? It was a national emergency narrowly avoided.

Top 5 richest NFL players of all-time

The NFL has grown into a financial powerhouse where players turn their on-field success into long-term business wins. Many stars earn far beyond their salaries through smart investments, brand deals, and ventures that keep paying even after retirement. Their financial journeys show how discipline, strategy, and timing can redefine an athlete’s legacy.This list dives straight into the league’s wealthiest names and how they built their fortunes. From record-setting quarterbacks to players who mastered the business world early, each story proves that money in football comes from far more than trophies. These athletes combined talent with opportunity and turned their careers into thriving financial empires.

Richest NFL players of all-time

Tom Brady – 300 million dollarsTom Brady may have retired in 2023, but his financial reach continues to grow. Celebrity Net Worth places him at 300 million dollars, a figure built on decades of elite play and smart business decisions. In 2022 alone, he earned 75 million dollars from salary and endorsements with Aston Martin, Under Armour, and TAG Heuer. After leading the New England Patriots for 19 seasons and winning a seventh Super Bowl with Tampa Bay, he expanded his empire through a deal with Fox Sports and his wellness company TB12. Brady’s choices show how a player can turn fame into a long-term business platform.

Aaron Rodgers – 200 million dollarsAaron Rodgers remains one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in the NFL and one of its sharpest earners. Celebrity Net Worth estimates his wealth at 200 million dollars. His three-year, 150 million dollar extension with the Green Bay Packers in 2022 made him the highest-paid quarterback at that time. He later signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 worth an estimated 10 million dollars. Rodgers boosts his income with partnerships that include State Farm, Adidas, Pizza Hut, and Bose. He also invests in tech startups and real estate and is a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.Kirk Cousins – about 180 million dollarsMinnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins built his fortune through consistent play and a focus on guaranteed money. Celebrity Net Worth places him near 180 million dollars. His steady rise comes from major contracts, brand deals like Tostitos, and smart investments. One source noted, “Cousins has had large guaranteed contracts, and endorsement deals.” His approach matches his own words: “I’m going to keep my head down and just keep working — that’s how I control my outcome.” Cousins may not generate as many headlines as others, but his financial discipline makes him one of the league’s strongest earners.Russell Wilson – 165 million dollarsRussell Wilson signed a one-year, 10.5 million dollar deal with the New York Giants in 2025, but his largest payday came from a five-year, 245 million dollar contract with the Denver Broncos in 2022. Celebrity Net Worth estimates him at 165 million dollars. His endorsements include Nike, Bose, Amazon, and Mercedes-Benz. Wilson also invests actively, holding stakes in Seattle Sounders FC and his own clothing brand, Good Man Brand. Alongside his wife Ciara, he supports education and health initiatives through the Why Not You Foundation.Matthew Stafford – 150 million dollarsMatthew Stafford helped deliver a Super Bowl win for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 and strengthened his financial standing with a 160 million dollar contract extension the same year. The team restructured his deal in 2025 to guarantee more money for the upcoming seasons. With a net worth of 150 million dollars, he also profits from endorsements with Nike, Pepsi, and Ford. Stafford invests heavily in real estate, including a nearly 20 million dollar home in Los Angeles. His charitable work supports Detroit communities by providing medical care, food, and housing to families in need.Also Read: Jason Kelce Shares Raw Truth About the Heartbreaking Pregnancy Loss He and Kylie Suffered in 2018

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan HC has held that two consenting adults have the right to be in a live-in relationship even if they have not attained legal age for marriage. The legal marriageable age for women in India is 18 years, and for men, 21. At 18, men and women are considered adults.. Justice Anoop Dhand delivered the judgment on Monday while hearing a protection petition filed by an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old youth from Kota. A copy of the order was uploaded Thursday. Both had approached the HC seeking police protection, stating they had entered a live-in relationship by mutual consent.‘Not of right age doesn’t mean one can be deprived of rights’Both had approached the high court seeking police protection, stating they had entered a live-in relationship by mutual consent. The couple executed a live-in agreement on Oct 27, 2025. However, the girl’s family opposed it and allegedly threatened to kill them. The petitioners told the court that despite submitting a written request to the police in Kota, no action was taken.Appearing for the state, Vivek Choudhary, the public prosecutor argued that since the boy had not completed 21 years of age, he could not legally marry, and, therefore, should not be allowed to be in a live-in partnership.However, the HC rejected this reasoning, observing that the “right to life and personal liberty” is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, and any threat to it amounts to a constitutional violation.Justice Dhand emphasised that the constitutional duty of the State is to protect the life and liberty of every citizen. “Only because the petitioners are not marriageable by law, they cannot be deprived of their fundamental rights,” the court observed.The court also said live-in relationships are neither illegal, nor an offence under Indian law, directing Bhilwara and Jodhpur (Rural) SPs to verify the facts mentioned in the petition, particularly the threat perception, and provide protection to the couple, if needed.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday formally appointed Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for a period of five years.The move follows the recent passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment on November 12, which created the post of CDF to unify command across the armed forces and streamline decision-making during critical situations.The newly created CDF replaces the abolished office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which formally ended on November 27 following the retirement of General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.President Zardari approved the recommendation submitted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Munir’s appointment. A press release from the President’s office extended best wishes to Munir in his new role. The same release also announced a two-year extension in the service of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff, effective from the completion of his current tenure in March 2026. Law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the reforms “bring constitutional oversight to defence appointments while maintaining military honour and tradition” and confirmed there were no legal or political obstacles to Munir’s appointment. He also stated that the Defence Ministry was preparing a new organogram for the CDF to reflect the changes.Field Marshal Munir, who was initially appointed as COAS in November 2022 for three years, had his tenure extended to five years in 2024. With this appointment, he assumes a historic dual role, serving simultaneously as Chief of Army Staff and the first Chief of Defence Forces, marking a significant shift in Pakistan’s military hierarchy and institutional structure.The 27th Constitutional Amendment elevates the army chief to the role of CDF with constitutional authority over all three branches of the military: army, navy and air force. It also introduces judicial reforms, including the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) to handle constitutional matters, allowing the Supreme Court to focus on civil and criminal cases.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the amendment as a demonstration of national unity, highlighting the role of law enforcement in recent counterterrorism efforts. While the ruling coalition including PPP, PML-N, and MQM-P, supported the amendment, opposition parties criticized it as unconstitutional, warning it could concentrate excessive power in the military.PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan described it as the “Baku Amendments,” accusing the government of undermining democracy. PPP Senator Raza Rabbani warned the changes could damage provincial autonomy and roll back powers devolved under the 18th Amendment, according to Dawn. Following Munir’s appointment, the next key step will be appointing the commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC), a four-star position previously under the CJCSC. The NSC commander will be appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the CDF.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh with Russian defence minister Andrei Belousov (Image credits: ANI)

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday sent out a strong signal about the continuity of its partnership with Russia, with defence minister Rajnath Singh emphasising that bilateral defence cooperation remains steady “despite the geopolitical uncertainty.” His remarks came at the 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) meeting in New Delhi, held just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives for the 23rd Annual Summit.Singh described Russia as a “time-tested, special privileged, and strategic partner” and noted that defence ties have grown consistently since the signing of the 2000 Declaration of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership. “I thank you very much for coming all the way to India to discuss and promote bilateral defence cooperation between our countries… It is good that despite the geopolitical uncertainty, our India-Russia defence cooperation is moving at a healthy pace,” he said, as quoted by ANI.He highlighted “outcome-oriented exchanges” between military personnel and experts and also pointed to wider economic engagement.“We welcome the successful holding of the 26th meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Moscow last month, and the commencement of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union,” Singh said. He added, “We were also eagerly awaiting the visit of His Excellency, Vladimir Putin… which has been fulfilled today.”

Russia’s message at the defence commission meeting

Russian defence minister Andrei Belousov, co-chairing the meeting with Singh, echoed the sentiment of long-standing partnership.Belousov also noted the extent of military cooperation. “Russia actively cooperates in full scale with India in formation of the new outlook of the Army, Air Force, and the Navy. And using this opportunity, let me congratulate you, the command, and all Indian sailors with the National Navy Day,” he said.On the work of the joint commission, he added, “Distinguished Minister, the intergovernmental commission on military and military-technical cooperation brings the huge dedication in taking part in taking effective and mutually beneficial decisions in the military domain.”

Setting the stage for PM Modi–Putin summit

Earlier in the day, Singh and Belousov laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, and the Russian minister inspected the Tri-Service Guard of Honour. Belousov was received at Air Force Station Palam by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan also present.Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in India on Thursday evening for his first visit in four years, beginning the trip with a private dinner hosted by PM Modi. The two leaders have spoken by phone five times in 2024 and last met in person on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin.Putin’s arrival marks his first trip to India since 2021 and his first since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022.His return to New Delhi comes as the India–Russia partnership continues to adjust to shifting global dynamics, balancing long-standing defence ties with cooperation in technology, energy transition, education, and workforce mobility.

No proposal to create an Indian Education Service, says CentreThe Centre has ruled out any proposal to create an Indian Education Service (IES) for appointments to key leadership positions in higher education institutions, including chancellors, vice-chancellors, pro-chancellors and registrars.Responding to a written question in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, MoS for education Sukanta Majumdar said there is “no such proposal under consideration” to set up a dedicated service for these appointments. He underlined that higher education institutions (HEIs) function as statutory autonomous bodies established under their respective central Acts of Parliament and are governed by existing legal provisions.Majumdar said the govt has taken several technology- driven steps to strengthen transparency in the recruitment process. Among these is the CU-Chayan portal “which connects employers with potential job candidates, simplifying the recruitment process and making it more efficient”. He also said a separate online portal for recruitment of vice-chancellors to central universities has been launched to further improve transparency and efficiency in top-level academic appointments. Rajya Sabha sees heated exchanges over new ‘Lok Bhavans’RS on Wednesday witnessed heated exchanges after TMC MP Dola Sena, while slamming the renaming of Raj Bhavans as Lok Bhavans “without keeping state govts or assemblies in the loop”, sought to ridicule the govt for talking about people while depriving them of their rights.Objecting to Sen bringing in reference to “MGNREGS and other issues”, House leader JP Nadda requested the Chair to expunge remarks not related to the subject. The Chairman concurred.This was contested by LoP Kharge who said Sen had not said anything unparliamentary. He accused Nadda of “bulldozing” by asking for the remarks to be deleted. Nadda replied: “I never bulldozed.”15.6L vehicles recalled over safety defects: Govt Vehicle manufacturers have recalled around 15.6 lakh vehicles due to safety defects since 2022, heavy industries ministry informed Lok Sabha Tuesday. As per the reply, while around 11.9 lakh two-wheelers have been recalled till Nov 26, the number of cars recalled stood at nearly 3.7 lakh. The ministry quoted data maintained by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) under the voluntary recall provision.In another reply, the ministry told Lok Sabha that so far, Rs 1,635 crore subsidy has been disbursed under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. An allocation of Rs 500 crore has also been made under the scheme towards e-ambulances, it said.To track side effects of drugs, govt mandates QR codes at pharmaciesThe next time you step into a chemist shop, you may find a new addition near the counter — a black-and-white QR code that could quietly transform India’s drug safety system. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has directed every retail and wholesale pharmacy in the country to display the official Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) QR code along with its toll-free number, 1800-180-3024, enabling people to report medicine side effects instantly.The order, issued after the 16th Working Group Meeting of PvPI held on June 18, instructs drug regulators to ensure the QR code is placed prominently in pharmacy premises. By simply scanning it, customers and healthcare professionals can report any adverse drug reaction — from rashes and dizziness to swelling, nausea or more serious complications — straight into ADRMS (Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System). Officials say the move could mark a major shift in how India tracks harmful drug events, which often go unreported.

US wireless carrier AT&T has vowed to scrap diversity policies. In a letter to the US telecoms regulator, AT&T said that it has committed to ending diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The Dallas-based telecom giant told FCC Chairman Brendan Carr in that the “legal landscape governing diversity, equity and inclusion (‘DEI’) policies and programs has changed.” The letter comes as the company seeks approval from the Trump administration to buy wireless spectrum assets. AT&T said in its letter it “does not and will not have any roles focused on DEI.” In January, President Donald Trump had issued sweeping executive orders to dismantle US government DEI programs, and asked the private sector to join the initiative.In November 2024, AT&T agreed to buy some wireless spectrum licenses from US Cellular in a $1.02 billion deal that requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC under President Donald Trump has required telecom companies to end DEI programs as a condition of approving transactions.In July this year, AT&T rival T-Mobile US said that it was ending its DEI programs as it sought regulatory approval for two major deals including buying almost all of regional carrier United States Cellular’s wireless operations including customers, stores and 30% of its spectrum assets in a deal valued at $4.4 billion. In May, FCC approved Verizon Communications’ $20 billion deal to acquire fiber-optic internet provider Frontier Communications after Verizon agreed to end its DEI program. Here’s the letter sent by AT&T to FCC chairman Brendan Carr: Dear Chairman Carr,At AT&T, we are committed to serving customers across the country and ensuring that all Americans can connect to the Internet. For the last five years, we have sharpened our focus on a single, overarching objective: to be the best connectivity company in America. As a nation, we must close the digital divide so that all Americans can enjoy all that the Internet has to offer.To bring 5G and fiber to more customers than anyone else, we have realigned our priorities, our budgets, and our personnel, and we are positioning our workforce to meet the connectivity needs of all Americans. As part of this operational focus, we have reviewed our policies and relationships with external groups to ensure that they are aligned with our business priorities. The legal landscape governing diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) policies and programs has changed. We have closely followed the recent Executive Orders, Supreme Court rulings, and guidance issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission1 and have adjusted our employment and business practices to ensure that they comply with all applicable laws and related requirements, including ending DEI-related policies as described below, not just in name but in substance. AT&T has always stood for merit-based opportunity, and we are pleased to reaffirm our commitment to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination today. Consistent with applicable law, our multi-pronged approach allows employees to thrive in an environment free from invidious discrimination:* Culture: Our workplace fosters an environment where everyone is entrusted to contribute their best, reinforcing our commitment to a workplace where all employees perform their best, are challenged in their work, and feel a sense of community. Our culture team, part of our Human Resources department, focuses on helping our workforce achieve our business priorities and drives employee engagement, aligning with our key pillars: serve customers first, move faster, act boldly, and win as one. AT&T does not and will not have any roles focused on DEI.* Career development, hiring, and mentorship: It is AT&T’s longstanding practice to pay and advance individuals based on merit and qualification. We place individuals in roles where they are best positioned to succeed based on these factors, along with capability and experience. We support career growth through mentorship, training courses, tuition reimbursement, nanodegrees, and partner degree programs, as well as leadership development programs. These tools and programs are and will continue to be open to all, consistent with Title VII, and based on achievement and contribution to our purpose and business objectives. Our hiring, training, and career development opportunities are not and will not be based on or limited by race, gender, or other protected characteristics. We do not and will not use hiring quotas based on race, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Further, consistent with the current law, we removed training related to “diversity, equity and inclusion” as well as any references to it from our internal and external messaging and will ensure that future training is consistent with guidance released by the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission addressing training that could facilitate discrimination in the workplace. * Employee Groups: We recognize the rich history of our employee groups, dating back more than 50 years. Any AT&T employee can exercise their right to free association in joining any employee group and experience networking, leadership, professional development, and volunteerism opportunities. We ensure that these groups are driving business outcomes in support of the company’s purpose and strategy and that their work in the community supports our efforts to deliver broadband to all. We maintain corporate oversight of our employee groups. To the extent that an employee group is focused on a demographic or protected characteristic, we do not and will not draw distinctions based on any of those characteristics in granting permission to establish groups or conduct events. We will continue to ensure that their policies support equal employment opportunity, and that employee group membership is not a factor in employment or advancement decisions.* Suppliers: We award contracts to suppliers based on value, quality, function, and ability to serve our business objectives. Our supplier program has increased its focus on local and small businesses and drives economic empowerment across the country. Our procurement practices – including the awarding of contracts and supplier spending – are not based on any demographic-based goals, and we do not require our suppliers to meet any demographic-based goals. Any tracking and reporting of our supplier spending is done to comply with state laws, government contracting requirements, and similar reporting commitments.* External, sector-specific surveys: We have narrowed our participation in external surveys only to measure employee engagement and our progress achieving the culture tenets discussed above. We will no longer participate in recognition surveys focused on protected characteristics.* Sponsorships: We enter into sponsorships that help us reach multiple and varied audiences with messages about our superior products and services. We are always reviewing and optimizing how we budget in pursuit of our business priorities and have discontinued sponsorships that are not aligned to our current business strategy. Our sponsorship decisions will continue to be evaluated to align with increasing shareholder value and advancing our core business objectives of being the nation’s best connectivity provider through 5G and fiber. We appreciate the opportunity to share this information with you. Our workplace and culture are important factors in building our nation’s infrastructure and creating long-term shareholder value. With over 110,000 employees in the U.S. committed to millions of customers, we believe that all Americans benefit from our products, and we have focused our operations to connect all Americans to greaterpossibility with expertise, simplicity, and inspiration.Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.Respectfully submitted,David McAtee IISenior Executive Vice President and General CounselAT&T Inc

US President Donald Trump

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump held nothing back in a xenophobic tirade against Somali immigrants during a White House Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, calling them “garbage” and vowing mass deportations.The remarks, aimed squarely at a large Somali community in Minnesota and Somali-American Democratic lawmaker Ilhan Omar, came amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment following last week’s fatal shooting of a National Guard soldier by an Afghan national, with racist outbursts proliferating online against Indians too for unrelated job losses. With ICE preparing targeted raids in in Minnesota, Trump’s comments have intensified fear among the roughly 80,000 Somali Americans—the largest Somali diaspora in the United States—who call the state home.“They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country,” Trump raged near the end of the two-hour meeting, pivoting abruptly from routine updates to a sweeping denunciation of Somalia as a nation that “stinks” and is “no good for a reason.” He described it as a lawless place where people “run around killing each other,” dismissing its decades-long civil war and US-backed stabiliSation efforts going back to the Bush Sr era when Washington launched Operation Restore Hope to prevent a humanitarian crisis after famine and civil war.Such benevolence is now a distant memory in MAGA- infused America with the US President disparaging Congresswoman Ilhan Omar – who came to the US as a refugee when she was eight – as “garbage” who complained too much about America, and suggesting she should go back and rebuild Somalia. He has also frequently aired long- discredited conspiracy theories accusing Omar of immigration fraud—allegations she has denied and courts have dismissed as baseless – and invoked racist tropes about Minnesota Somalis, including false claims that they are “taking over” the state.Tensions against immigrants have been heightened by the November 26 shooting in Washington, DC, in which Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the US through the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome, killed National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounded Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. Lakanwal, a former CIA interpreter granted asylum in April 2025, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Investigators cite mental-health struggles and isolation, not terrorism, as contributing factors.Nevertheless, the incident has fueled a wave of xenophobia. Trump halted all Afghan asylum and visa processing and blamed “third-world” immigration for the attack. Afghan families in Oregon and Texas report being called to ICE offices for “routine checks,” heightening panic. Polls show a 15-point rise in support for stricter refugee vetting, as Republicans echo MAGA demands to “pause migration from all third-world countries.” Trump’s broadside also ignores the contributions of Somali Americans – like that of other immigrant communities – not to speak of Washington’s intervention in distant lands like Afghanistan that resulted in refugees and asylum seekers coming to the U.S. Minnesota’s Somali community took shape in the 1990s as refugees fleeing the civil war arrived and built thriving neighborhoods like Cedar-Riverside, home to mosques, halal markets, and a growing entrepreneurial class. A 2024 University of Minnesota study found the community contributes $1.5 billion annually to the state economy and has a homeownership rate of 60 per cent.Politically, Somali Americans have become a force in the state. Omar made history in 2018 as the first Somali American and one of the first Muslim women in Congress. Minnesota also has state-level Somali-origin legislators and representatives, bolstered by voter turnout that reached 75 per cent in 2024. Such civic engagement, inspired by democratic ideals, also extends to Somalia where expats like former Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galaydh have returned home to seek office or support democratic reforms. In 2024, Minnesota-raised environmental advocate Fatima Jibrell ran for parliament in Jubaland, in Southern Somalia, citing her American education as inspiration for sustainable development. Abdullahi Ali, a Somali immigrant who built a career in Maine, relocated to Nairobi in 2024 to run for president of Jubaland, driven by a sense of duty to improve governance. These stories counter Trump’s narrative of unassimilated “complainers” and disparage America’s own contribution to improving lives abroad.