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Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'He's very private and mysterious': AJ Hawk says as Aaron Rodgers sparks marriage rumors after wearing ring at Kentucky gala
Aaron Rodgers (via Getty Images) NFL veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers perplexed fans and friends when he attended the 2025 Barnstable Brown Gala with what appeared to be a wedding band on his left ring finger. Aaron Rodgers, 41, was joined by close friend and former teammate AJ Hawk, who afterward confessed he had no clue why the Super Bowl-winning quarterback wore the ring — and that Aaron Rodgers wouldn't tell him either. Aaron Rodgers keeps wedding rumors under wraps, even with close friends When Aaron Rodgers made an appearance at the exclusive Kentucky Derby-eve gala on May 2, the chatter was not solely about the who's who of celebrities and athletes there. It was Aaron Rodgers' left hand — more particularly, the ring on his left hand — that caused immense rumor-mongering. Had the ex-Green Bay Packers quarterback secretly gotten married? AJ Hawk, who spent close to a decade playing with Aaron Rodgers and was also at the gala with him, told The Pat McAfee Show that even he was taken aback. 'No update from this situation,' AJ Hawk spoke on May 6. While Pat McAfee humorously asked if the gala was a wedding reception, AJ Hawk set the record straight, 'It was not a wedding party from what we knew. To tell you the truth, I don't know if I have any answers on that situation.' Even so, he did confess that Aaron Rodgers' refusal to speak about the situation only served to fuel the mystery. 'He's very private and mysterious when it comes to things like that, and this is definitely one of those, for sure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo ' The quiet has left his fans searching for clues. The quarterback has publicly admitted to his serious romance with Brittani—a woman he went public with in December 2024 but has kept mostly under wraps. Brittani is said not to use social media and likes to keep the relationship private. During an April appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers stated, 'I'm in a different phase of my life. I'm 41 years old, and I'm in a serious relationship. I have off-the-field stuff going on that requires my attention. I have personal commitments I made, not knowing what my future was going to look like after last year that are important to me.' Though his NFL future remains uncertain, AJ Hawk said Rodgers 'seems very happy' and praised his friend's physical and mental condition. 'But not a lot of clarity on this situation, I'm not going to lie,' Hawk concluded. Also read: Behind the charm: Aaron Rodgers accused of being emotionally abusive and psychologically damaging As Aaron Rodgers lives life on his own terms, the sighting of a ring has raised more questions than answers. Whether or not the NFL icon is married is still an enigma — one he appears not to be eager to fix for the masses. For the time being, his fans, friends, and former colleagues will simply have to wait and speculate about what the future holds for Rodgers' life both on and off the field. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
ABC News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Independent raises stakes in 2025 federal election battle for Forrest
The federal seat of Forrest has been blue for more than half a century, but the retirement of its stalwart local member, Nola Marino, has left a power vacuum that is now the target of a well-resourced "teal" independent campaign. Independent candidate Sue Chapman has entered Forrest's political fray this election, shaking up the status quo in a historically unremarkable seat when it comes to political contests. Stay updated: Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on "I genuinely think this beautiful part of the world has been ignored for way too long … [and] the community sentiment is very strongly that the two-party system is no longer working," Dr Chapman said. The contest has not gone unnoticed by the Liberal Party, which has sent a series of frontbenchers down the Forrest Highway from Perth to campaign alongside new Liberal candidate and former West Australian senator Ben Small. Peter Dutton (left) is among high-profile visitors joining Ben Small in Forrest. ( ABC South West: Andrew Williams ) It began with a visit by Coalition leader Peter Dutton, followed by Liberal Indigenous Affairs spokesperson "I want to continue that legacy of being a very present local member," Mr Small said. " I'm not taking a single vote for granted this election. " Forrest stretches across WA's idyllic South West region, encompassing Bunbury and Margaret River. It was safe ground for the Liberals until the last election when a 10 per cent swing to Labor turned Dr Chapman 'not teal' Dr Chapman is one of many independent candidates across the country who have received funding support from political action group Climate 200. Sue Chapman says she is hopeful of winning the seat. ( ABC South West: Jacqueline Lynch ) As a result, Dr Chapman has been subject to Liberal Party political "attacks", despite her rejecting the idea she is a '"teal" candidate. Flyers have been posted around the electorate warning people not to take the "risk" of voting for the independent. Dr Chapman has also been singled out in "Teals Revealed" Facebook ads, which the Liberals have spent more than $250,000 on nationwide. The Liberals are funding flyers labelling Dr Chapman a teal and ex-Green. ( ABC South West: Jacqueline Lynch ) Dr Chapman said she was disappointed by the "attack ads" being circulated. "I have been labelled a Labor stooge, a Liberal plant, an extreme Green and part of a teal party and all of that is incorrect," she said. "I am genuinely independent of any party." Dr Chapman's well-resourced campaign is backed by Climate 200. ( ABC South West: Jacqueline Lynch ) Dr Chapman was previously a member of the Greens and campaigned to Dr Chapman previously campaigned for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road. ( ABC South West: Jacqueline Lynch ) Mr Small defended the resources put towards ads targeting Dr Chapman, but would not be drawn on whether he was worried about losing the seat. "Where you do have that history of activism, including getting [former Greens leader] Bob Brown over to attend protest rallies … you need to be clear with people," Mr Small said. "That does look and sound radical to me." Ben Small has been campaigning hard to keep the seat of Forrest. ( ABC South West: Jacqueline Lynch ) The moment for change? Labor is also vying to fill the power vacuum left by departing incumbent Nola Marino. Labor's candidate Tabitha Dowding is the granddaughter of controversial former WA premier Peter Dowding and was just nine years old when Ms Marino was elected into parliament in 2007. Tabitha Dowding says now is the time for change. ( ABC South West: Andrew Williams ) With Ms Marino stepping back, Ms Dowding said it was the "best opportunity" for change. "It has been 17 years with Nola Marino," she said. "I really respect her and what she's done for the community but I think this is the moment to have that change. Photo shows The Words ABC News Daily with the ABC Listen logo beside it. Blue and pale green striped background. Submit your election questions and tune in for a weekly explainer of the latest election news. Listen to ABC News Daily on ABC listen. "I think that having [candidates for the] teals, Greens, Liberal, Labor — that is healthy democracy." Both major parties have made significant funding promises for the region, including the Liberal Party's $16 million dollar plan for a new terminal at the Busselton Margaret River Airport and Labor's promise for a new Medicare mental health centre. What are the chances? More than 100 independents are While it would be a "big ask" to expect a seat like Forrest to change hands, James Cook University adjunct associate professor Maxine Newlands said the electorate was vulnerable. "I think it will be competitive but the fact that [the margin] has reduced down over a fairly short period of time makes that seat vulnerable," she said. There was a big swing against Nola Marino and the Liberal party at the last federal election. While critics of independents and minor parties warn about the danger of a minority government, Dr Newlands said that was only one way of looking at it. Read more about the federal election: Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 "From a position of traditional democracy, it's a good thing because the more voices, the more ideas," she said. "But it can slow things down, it can cause tension and it can even cause alliances and vote blocking and things like that. Maxine Newlands says seats like Forrest are "vulnerable" because of the tight margin. ( ABC News: David Sciasci ) "It can mean that the system struggles to get policy through." Candidates from the Nationals, the Greens, One Nation, the Legalise Cannabis Party and Trumpet of Patriots are also contesting the seat of Forrest. A range of candidates are contesting the historically safe seat of Forrest. ( ABC South West: Jacqueline Lynch ) Having trouble seeing this form? Try
Gulf Today
31-01-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Starmer accused of having head in sand over cost of Brexit
Kate Devlin and David Maddox, The Independent Keir Starmer has been accused of having his 'head in the sand' over Brexit as figures show the UK is conclusively worse off five years after leaving the EU. The prime minister has been urged for a radical rethink of the Brexit reset to drive economic growth as he prepares to open his negotiations at a dinner with EU leaders on Monday. Writing in the The Independent, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey today called for the government to drop its red line on an EU customs union — to strengthen our hand with Donald Trump. Following the inauguration he said the PM had to 'acknowledge that the circumstances have changed' as he also accused Labour and the Tories of a 'conspiracy of silence' over our relationship with Europe. Already, Sir Keir has been criticised for a lack of ambition with his negotiations, apparently ruling out simple measures like creating a youth mobility scheme and setting up red lines of not rejoining the EU or its single market. And serious concerns have been raised that the Labour government has failed to properly acknowledge the impact of Brexit after a written parliamentary answer revealed Sir Keir has refused to carry out an audit on the economic damage of the withdrawal so far. Also writing in The Independent today, former Tory minister Dominic Grieve and ex-Green leader Caroline Lucas, the joint chairs of the European Movement UK, called on the prime minister to seek 'associate membership' for the UK in a bid to 'redefine its place within the continent'. Grieve and Lucas warned: 'The European Union is evolving, and with the risks presented by Donald Trump - from an emboldened far right and trade wars to rolling back on climate commitments and undermining multilateralism - the urgency to accelerate this transformation has never been greater. Franco-German proposals to reform and expand the EU outline a flexible, multi-tiered structure, with 'concentric circles of integration' at its core. 'It envisions additional tiers for candidate countries, such as Ukraine and the Western Balkans, and offering 'associate membership' for partners, including, for now, the UK. This presents an opportunity for Britain to rebuild trust, foster closer cooperation, and redefine its place within the continent.' The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has also called on the government to use the planned EU reset to help drive economic growth, warning there is 'no time to lose'. William Bain, head of trade policy at the BCC, said: 'Firms are being held back by a complex web of red tape and regulatory burdens. This is ramping up costs, so improving our trading relationship with the EU could provide the impetus to growth needed to transform the dour outlook many are facing.' Meanwhile, Sir Keir's government has been accused of 'negligence' after it refused to estimate the official cost of Brexit to the UK economy. Nearly five years after Britain's exit from the European Union, critics said ministers were putting their 'head in the sand' over the damaged caused by the loss of the UK's biggest market. And they accused Sir Keir of lacking confidence in his flagship Brexit reset with other EU countries, following claims it has so far achieved little. There have been suggestions that Brexit could be costing the British economy an astonishing £100 billion a year. But the Treasury has refused to audit the overall cost. Asked if the government would estimate the impact of the UK's exit from the EU, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said: 'No. The Government is focussed on resetting the relationship with the EU, which will support economic growth, the central mission of the government.' Former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine said: 'The government may be reluctant to do an assessment because it would force them to reappraise our position and to hasten our return to membership of the European community.' Stephen Gethins, the SNP MP who asked the question, said Brexit was 'one of the biggest shocks to have hit the UK economy... it is extraordinarily negligent not to understand how those changes are affecting our economy.'
The Independent
31-01-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Starmer accused of having head in the sand over cost of Brexit
Keir Starmer has been accused of having his "head in the sand" over Brexit as figures show the UK is conclusively worse off five years after leaving the EU. The prime minister has been urged for a radical rethink of the Brexit reset to drive economic growth as he prepares to open his negotiations at a dinner with EU leaders on Monday. Writing in the The Independent, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey today called for the government to drop its red line on an EU customs union - to strengthen our hand with Donald Trump. Following the inauguration he said the PM had to 'acknowledge that the circumstances have changed' as he also accused Labour and the Tories of a 'conspiracy of silence' over our relationship with Europe. Already, Sir Keir has been criticised for a lack of ambition with his negotiations, apparently ruling out simple measures like creating a youth mobility scheme and setting up red lines of not rejoining the EU or its single market. And serious concerns have been raised that the Labour government has failed to properly acknowledge the impact of Brexit after a written parliamentary answer revealed Sir Keir has refused to carry out an audit on the economic damage of the withdrawal so far. Also writing in The Independent today, former Tory minister Dominic Grieve and ex-Green leader Caroline Lucas, the joint chairs of the European Movement UK, called on the prime minister to seek 'associate membership' for the UK in a bid to 'redefine its place within the continent'. Grieve and Lucas warned: 'The European Union is evolving, and with the risks presented by Donald Trump - from an emboldened far right and trade wars to rolling back on climate commitments and undermining multilateralism - the urgency to accelerate this transformation has never been greater. Franco-German proposals to reform and expand the EU outline a flexible, multi-tiered structure, with 'concentric circles of integration' at its core. 'It envisions additional tiers for candidate countries, such as Ukraine and the Western Balkans, and offering 'associate membership' for partners, including, for now, the UK. This presents an opportunity for Britain to rebuild trust, foster closer cooperation, and redefine its place within the continent.' The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has also called on the government to use the planned EU reset to help drive economic growth, warning there is 'no time to lose'. William Bain, head of trade policy at the BCC, said: 'Firms are being held back by a complex web of red tape and regulatory burdens. This is ramping up costs, so improving our trading relationship with the EU could provide the impetus to growth needed to transform the dour outlook many are facing.' Meanwhile, Sir Keir 's government has been accused of 'negligence' after it refused to estimate the official cost of Brexit to the UK economy. Nearly five years after Britain's exit from the European Union, critics said ministers were putting their 'head in the sand' over the damaged caused by the loss of the UK's biggest market. And they accused Sir Keir of lacking confidence in his flagship Brexit reset with other EU countries, following claims it has so far achieved little. There have been suggestions that Brexit could be costing the British economy an astonishing £100 billion a year. But the Treasury has refused to audit the overall cost. Asked if the government would estimate the impact of the UK's exit from the EU, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said: 'No. The Government is focussed on resetting the relationship with the EU, which will support economic growth, the central mission of the government.' Former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine said: 'The government may be reluctant to do an assessment because it would force them to reappraise our position and to hasten our return to membership of the European community.' Stephen Gethins, the SNP MP who asked the question, said Brexit was 'one of the biggest shocks to have hit the UK economy… it is extraordinarily negligent not to understand how those changes are affecting our economy.' He said the UK's exit 'continues to impact on every sector of the economy' calling it a 'hard Tory Brexit was a folly that had been bad news for us all. That Labour has continued that damage defies belief. To refuse to carry out an economic analysis underlines the lack of confidence that the government has in its own policy.' Naomi Smith, chief executive of pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain said: 'It is likely we will never know the full extent of the damage not just to our economy, but to opportunities for young people, relationships, life plans and cultural exchange. 'This government can begin to undo this damage by working towards beneficial regulatory alignment and a Youth Mobility Scheme with the EU and our polling shows that's what the British people want as well.' Emma Knaggs, deputy chief executive of European Movement UK said: "It's time for ministers to stop sticking their heads in the sand over the damage Brexit continues to wreak on the UK economy.' The Independent recently revealed that government estimates show Brexit is on course to cut UK trade by 15 per cent in the long run. In terms of the 'divorce' costs alone, before any hit to the economy is taken into account, in October a Treasury minister confirmed Britain has spent £24bn withdrawing from the EU – with a further £6.4bn still to pay. A Treasury spokesperson said that the Chancellor had been in Brussels recently 'as part of the government's commitment to resetting our relationship with the European Union'. 'A more business-like relationship with the EU going forwards will benefit working people and put more money in their pockets by breaking down barriers to trade, creating opportunities to invest and help UK businesses sell in European markets,' they added.
