NoneAP Sports SummaryBrief at 3:09 p.m. ESTLatest News | .KISHTWAR/JAMMU NRG13 JK-INFRA PROJECTS-SINGH Union Minister Singh Urges Speeding Up Infrastructure Projects in Kishtwar
The Bachelor lovebirds Laura Byrne and Matty 'J' Johnson hit huge roadblock in major renovation of 'rundown' $2.2million coastal home READ MORE: Laura Byrne says she wants to 'move to Noosa' By A. JAMES FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 23:24, 13 December 2024 | Updated: 23:58, 13 December 2024 e-mail 42 shares View comments The Bachelor 's Matty J and Laura Byrne have hit a huge roadblock in their extension renovation of their $2.2million beach house. The former reality TV stars snapped up the 'rundown' coastal property back in August, but their renovation journey has been anything but smooth-sailing so far. Podcaster Laura took to Instagram this week to detail the many issues they have faced since they started overhauling the home from termites to wood rot and mould. She posted a behind-the-scenes video showing how they had stripped the rundown property to its bare bones and revealed the shocking discoveries they found. 'There was no way of really knowing what this Reno had in store for us, or how comprehensive the rebuild was going to have to be until we started pulling off walls and pulling up the carpet,' she shared. 'We've been met with termites, white ants, wood rot, mould and more than a couple of snakes along the way - but finally she is taking shape and we are slowly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.' The Bachelor's Matty J and Laura Byrne (both pictured) have hit a huge roadblock in their extension renovation of their $2.2million beach house The former reality TV stars snapped up the 'rundown' coastal property back in August, but Laura took to Instagram this week to detail the many renovation issues they have faced so far Dubbing the house the Chante-Mer - which means 'Sing the Sea' in French - Laura also told how construction had to stop for a week so exterminators could rid the site of pests. 'We had to replace all of the walls and internal structures throughout the kitchen,' she continued. Despite the challenges, Laura remained positive and told how they plan to transform the neglected beach house into a luxury three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. Located on a clifftop in Ulladulla on the far south coast of NSW 226kms from Sydney , the old two-storey dwelling offers amazing water views. The home last changed hands in 1984 for a mere $62,500 and Laura and Matty splashed out $2.19million on buying it in August. The location holds special meaning for the happy couple, who tied the knot in 2022 at Cupitts Estate Winery, just down the road from their new holiday home. The home is set on 746 sqm overlooking Racecourse Beach and previously belonged to United Nations simultaneous conference translator Valerie Barnes, who died in 2021 aged 94. Last month, the couple caused quite a stir on social media after revealing a controversial design choice for their renovation. She posted a behind-the-scenes video showing how they had stripped the rundown property to its bare bones and revealed the shocking discoveries they found - from termites to mould The home is set on 746 sqm overlooking Racecourse Beach and previously belonged to United Nations simultaneous conference translator Valerie Barnes, who died in 2021 aged 94 The pair announced their bold decision to make their coastal retreat a 'bath-less' zone, igniting a heated debate among followers. Matty took to Instagram to unveil the news, captioning a video of the ongoing bathroom work with, 'Don't come for us, but this will be a bath-less house.' The short clip showcased the partially renovated bathroom, where walls were lined with a unique blend of beige and cream vertical striped tiles, adding an earthy feel to the space. Despite the couple's excitement, their unique choice of tile and lack of a bathtub didn't sit well with everyone. 'Damn that's the most awful tile combination I've ever seen,' one user remarked bluntly, adding, 'but not my bathroom so good luck to you as long as you love it.' Others voiced concerns over the practicality of going bath-less, especially with young children. One parent commented, 'Kids can just sit in the shower. Mine do that most nights.' However, one admitted they regretted installing a bathtub in their own home, saying it's now used more as a storage space than anything else. Last month, the couple caused a stir on when they controversially revealed they had decided to make their bathroom 'bath-less' while they also divided fans with their choice of tiles And another approvingly said of their bold tile choice: 'Arrrr the stripes are looking so good.' Laura and Matt are understood to be working with several brands to 'sponsor' the major renovations of the property. The couple plan to completely overhaul the 'old beauty' to its previous standard but, per the house's Instagram bio, will be 'resisting the millennial urge to paint everything white'. Laura and Matt have already shared photos of their daughters Marlie-Mae, five, and Lola, three, visiting their future 'dream home'. The reality television stars currently live in a four-bedroom semi in North Bondi, which they purchased for $5.2million in 2023. They also boast a stunning $1.8million holiday home in Bangalow, near Byron Bay. After getting engaged in Fiji in April 2018, Laura and Matty finally tied the knot on the south coast in November 2022, five years after meeting on The Bachelor. They are one of the most successful couples to come out of the show and welcomed their daughter Marlie-Mae in 2019, followed by Lola in February 2021. 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As President-elect Donald Trump shapes his second administration, the country is getting a preview of what the next four years may look like. Early in December Trump filled the last slot of his core cabinet with Brooke Rollin's Secretary of Agriculture nomination. Now he has started to flesh out different departments and name additional leaders for his upcoming term. Among those named are several celebrity figures like TV show host Mehmet Oz , better known as Dr. Oz, who Trump tapped for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator. There's also former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon who was picked to lead the Department of Education and former NFL player Scott Turner named to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Trump has brought some newer faces to America's top politics with investment company executive and art collector John Phelan and media host Sebastian Gorka. The two have been named as Secretary of the Navy and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, respectively. Other notable names include disbarred attorney Charles Kushner as Trump's pick for Ambassador to France. Kushner is Trump's son-in-law's father and was pardoned by Trump in 2020 after pleading guilty in 2003 to having made false statements to the Federal Election Commission, among other subsequent charges. Trump has announced new roles will be coming in his administration, most notably the Department of Government Efficiency that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been appointed to lead. The group, coined "DOGE," has been tasked with eliminating excess government waste and spending. Trump has also asked technology investor David Sacks to act as his new AI and crypto czar , and has named former acting ICE director Tom Homan as the country's border czar. While nearly 100 positions have been named, many still face what may be a long and arduous Senate confirmation process ahead — one that some may not make it through. Already, some of the picks have caused controversy. Facing opposition over alleged sex trafficking , Trump's initial pick for attorney general, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from the nomination. Trump has now called former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi up to fill the role. Questions have also circled around Trump's selection of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. The Fox News political commentator has come under scrutiny for a sexual assault allegation , which he has denied, and has been meeting with senators to salvage the nomination.
Dallas Cowboys star guard Zack Martin is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Martin didn't practice at all this week. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texas. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) and safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) have been ruled out. Neither player practiced this week after being hurt against the Texans. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) practiced in full this week and will make his season debut. He was injured in August. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was a full practice participant on Friday and is good to go. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) and receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) are among six players listed as questionable. The others are offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe), guard Tyler Smith (ankle/knee), defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) and linebacker Nick Vigil (foot). --Field Level MediaJames Carville Calls for Complete Audit of Kamala Campaign After 'Almost Unfathomable' Damage Done to DemsWASHINGTON — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people, setting up potential passage in the final days of the lame-duck Congress. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Thursday he would begin the process for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act, which would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. Schumer said the bill would “ensure Americans are not erroneously denied their well-earned Social Security benefits simply because they chose at some point to work in their careers in public service.” The legislation passed the House on a bipartisan vote, and a Senate version of the bill introduced last year gained 62 cosponsors. But the bill still needs support from at least 60 senators to pass Congress. It would then head to President Biden. Decades in the making, the bill would repeal two federal policies — the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset — that broadly reduce payments to two groups of Social Security recipients: people who also receive a pension from a job that is not covered by Social Security and surviving spouses of Social Security recipients who receive a government pension of their own. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which were already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. It would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Conservatives have opposed the bill, decrying its cost. But at the same time, some Republicans have pushed Schumer to bring it up for a vote. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said last month that the current federal limitations “penalize families across the country who worked a public service job for part of their career with a separate pension. We’re talking about police officers, firefighters, teachers, and other public employees who are punished for serving their communities.” He predicted the bill would pass.