Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout
Oklahoma State's 3-point accuracy sends Miami to defeatBy LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump attorney Alina Habba, a Lehigh University grad, to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
Savara Announces New Employment Inducement GrantThe president of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society won’t seek re-election following a first term marked by infighting and low morale across the union’s operational ranks. Shortly after the final bell rang for winter break, Nathan Martindale took to social media to announce he will carry out his two-year appointment that ends in the spring and step away from labour relations after that. “After many conversations with my family and deep reflection on their needs, I have made the decision to not run for a second term as MTS president,” he wrote in a post uploaded to Facebook Friday. Martindale, a special education resource teacher in Winnipeg, has spent the last 12 years in full-time union roles. Since the turn of the century, all of his predecessors — including former presidents James Bedford, Norm Gould, Paul Olsen, Pat Isaak, Brian Ardern and Jan Speelman — have served two consecutive terms. Bedford told the Free Press he does not know details, aside from surface-level ones, but his friend and former colleague’s departure, as well as other recent high-profile exits from MTS, suggests “something’s gone badly off the rails.” Between 2011 and 2017, Martindale represented colleagues in the Winnipeg Teachers’ Association. He later joined the union’s governing board better known as “PX” — internal shorthand for the MTS provincial executive. “I have often been required to be out of town, as well as attend numerous evening and weekend obligations, all of which have taken me away from my family,” he wrote on his personal social media page. “With the ongoing needs of my family, including supporting my child with Type 1 diabetes, I know it is now time to prioritize being present for them.” Martindale first assumed an interim president role on Feb. 24, 2023 — the day of Bedford’s mid-term retirement — before he won an internal election that spring. Per union bylaws, PX members are each elected to serve a two-year appointment. The president and vice-president are eligible for re-election for one additional term. Other members can serve up to three consecutive terms. Martindale was not made available for an interview on the subject. His office indicated the union leader is not taking any reporter calls over the holidays. Among many congratulatory comments and messages of thanks that users made on his post, Bedford wrote that it was an honour to work alongside Martindale. His original comment — which has since been edited — also stated, “It is unfortunate that you will likely be replaced by someone less caring, less experienced, and less dedicated to representing all members.” It was liked by a number of union representatives, including Jonathan Waite from the Seine River Teachers’ Association, PX member Sean Giesbrecht and Chris Darazsi, president of the local in the River East Transcona School Division. Lise Legal, president of the Pembina Trails Teachers’ Association, replied with a demand for Bedford’s “beyond disrespectful” sentence be deleted. The public exchange was made against the backdrop of a third-party probe into the union’s embattled headquarters on Portage Avenue. Bedford said he made the comment out of frustration that his “extraordinarily dedicated” successor is leaving and “a great team” is falling part. The union’s work environment became “highly political” during his tenure from 2019 to 2023, he added. MTS hired a consulting firm at the start of the school year to investigate workplace culture, harassment and morale concerns raised by staff members who are in charge of servicing more than 16,600 public school teachers. Three different people have assumed the executive director role — the non-partisan counterpart to Martindale, and senior leader in charge of managing members of Teamsters Local Union 979 — over the last 13 months. Teamsters Canada spokesman Christopher Monette, who has been critical of MTS leaders for failing to provide a harassment-free work environment and viewing staff as “adversaries,” declined to weigh in on internal politics Monday. “MTS has made efforts over the past months to address workplace concerns. While encouraging, we believe it is too early to provide a final assessment and will reserve further comments for now,” Monette said in an email. He noted that Teamsters continues to pursue outstanding grievances related to workplace issues that will be brought to an arbitrator in the new year. Martindale’s lengthy social media post touted negotiating the first provincewide collective agreement for teachers, navigating the classroom complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic and joining the Manitoba Federation of Labour as highlights during his time at MTS. He also acknowledged the union’s success in “slamming the door” on Bill 64, controversial Progressive Conservative proposed legislation that sought to eliminate Manitoba’s elected school boards in 2021.
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Peering Into Bitdeer Technologies's Recent Short InterestNone
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — As reached historic highs, e, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele was triumphant on Thursday about his big bet on the cryptocurrency. The adoption of bitcoin — which has been — never quite matched the president’s enthusiasm, but the value of the government’s reported investment now stands at more than $600 million. Bitcoin has last month, exceeding the $100,000 mark on Wednesday night, just hours after the president-elect said he intends to nominate of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Just two years ago, bitcoin’s volatile value fell below $17,000. Bitcoin fell back below the $100,000 by Thursday afternoon, sitting just above $99,000 by 3 p.m. E.T. Bukele on Thursday blamed his beleaguered political opposition for causing many Salvadorans to miss out on the bonanza. There were in June 2021, though that move was not the only motivation for the protesters. The tiny Central American country has long used the dollar as currency, but Bukele promised bitcoin would provide new opportunities for El Salvador’s unbanked and cut out money transfer services from the remittances Salvadorans abroad send home. The government offered $30 in bitcoin to those who signed up for digital wallets. Many did so, but quickly cashed out the cryptocurrency. “It’s important to emphasize that not only did the opposition err resoundingly with bitcoin, but rather, differently from other issues (where they have also been wrong), this time their opposition affected many,” Bukele wrote on Facebook. Bukele drew an “impressive” comment from Elon Musk on the social media platform X Thursday. El Salvador’s former Central Bank President Carlos Acevedo pointed out on Thursday that while there has been a gain, it remains an unrealized one until the government’s bitcoin is sold. That said, he credited Bukele’s administration with doing well on the bitcoin move, especially in light of Trump’s election. Acevedo said “the markets’ optimism that a Trump administration will be friendly with the markets and particularly with bitcoin” explained its sustained rally over the past month. But the cryptocurrency’s volatility was a persistent risk, he said. “The average Salvadoran doesn’t use bitcoin, but obviously there are Salvadorans with economic resources who even before had already invested in bitcoin, but it is a small group,” Acevedo said. Esteban Escamilla, a worker in a clothing store in Santa Tecla, outside the capital San Salvador, said he had cashed out the original $30 of bitcoin offered in 2021. “I don’t use bitcoin because I don’t have (money) to invest and speculate with, but I know it has gone up a lot,” he said, recognizing that he would have more money now if he had kept it in bitcoin. Josefa Torres, 45, said as she was doing her grocery shopping that she didn’t have any bitcoin either. “I took out the money and used it for household expenses,” she said. At the conclusion of meetings between the International Monetary Fund and El Salvador’s government in August, the IMF issued a statement that mentioned the country’s bitcoin holdings. “While many of the risks have not yet materialized, there is joint recognition that further efforts are needed to enhance transparency and mitigate potential fiscal and financial stability risks from the Bitcoin project,” the IMf said. Marcos Alemán, The Associated PressGENE MONIN: Sins of indifference, commission and omissionAmber Heard has claimed social media spreads lies more quickly than it does the truth, in the wake of Blake Lively’s complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. US actress Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, hostile work environment and embarking on a “multi-tiered plan” to damage her reputation with claims of a targeted social media campaign. The legal complaint states that Baldoni, 40, hired crisis communications specialist Melissa Nathan, the same publicist who actor Johnny Depp is said to have hired during his high-profile defamation trial against Heard in 2022. In a statement given to NBC News, Aquaman star Heard said: “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying, a lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on. “I saw this first-hand and up close. “It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.” Depp successfully sued ex-wife Heard over a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser. At the time, Heard said the jury’s verdict “sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated”. Bryan Freedman, a lawyer representing Baldoni and the other named defendants, said Lively’s claims were “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious”, adding that the studio “made the decision to proactively hire a crisis manager prior to the marketing campaign of the film”. It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name, is about a woman’s pursuit of a loving and healthy relationship, with Lively playing lead character Lily Bloom and Baldoni as her love interest Ryle Kincaid amid a backdrop of domestic violence. After the legal action was filed, Hoover appeared to voice support for 37-year-old Lively, writing on her Instagram stories: “@blakelively you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. “Never change. Never wilt.” Hoover posted a link to a New York Times article titled We Can Bury Anyone: Inside A Hollywood Smear Machine. Lively’s former cast members from the 2005 film The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants, America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, also released a joint social media statement to defend their long-time friend. “As Blake’s friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” the statement said. “Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.” They added: “We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment,” the statement continues. “We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others.”
Federal Government, on Monday, unfolded the blueprint for agricultural development in 2025, with four cash crops- cocoa, sesame, and ginger a focal point of export. In the coming year, the government will enhance food security with hybrid seed production, technology adoption, and climate-smart practices in addition to, enhancing rural infrastructure through cold chain facilities, feeder roads, and electrification. The Economic Management Team (EMT), led by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr Wale Edun revealed the federal government’s agenda with regard to the economic direction in 2025 on Monday in Abuja at a meeting convened to review critical economic policies and progress in key sectors. A statement issued by the Director of Information in the Ministry, Mohammed Manga said the meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economic resilience. It said there were presentations from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Agriculture addressing foreign exchange (FX) market reforms and agricultural performance. It added that the CBN presentation focused on enhanced forex market efficiency, the launch of electronic foreign exchange matching systems, to improve transparency and market operations, Phased out of high-interest FX swaps to stabilize financial markets. Other areas of the CBN presentation highlighted the settlement of 80% of FX forward obligations, boosting liquidity and market confidence maintaining robust external reserves and supporting exchange rate appreciation. In the presentation by the Ministry of agriculture, it focused on the 2024 wet season performance. In 2024, the country recorded a 4.5% increase in overall crop production, though millet declined by 0.2% just as Maize production costs surged by 69.7%, with significant food price increases (cowpea prices up 300%). Food crises were reported in 31 states, severely affecting the North East. Mechanization and farmland expansion improved slightly, with 2% growth in tractor use and a 2.3% increase in cultivated farmland. The report quoted Edun lauding progress made in both sectors, urging all stakeholders to accelerate efforts toward economic stability, food security, and sustainable growth. He emphasized the need for coordinated implementation of policies to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ensure affordable food and improved living conditions for Nigerians. “As Nigeria looks to the future, the EMT’s focus on FX market stability and food security strategies paves the way for sustainable growth and prosperity. With continued collaboration and commitment, the country can overcome current challenges and achieve its economic goals”, Minister said.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers arguably had one of the toughest second half schedules in the NFL and an even tougher gauntlet with three games in an 11-day span coming into this season. Since Week 10 after the Steelers' bye week, they've gone 3-3 and are currently on a two-game losing streak. Pittsburgh has shown flashes of being a top contender in the AFC, but have stumbled recently on both sides of the ball. Injuries have been an issue and at a bad time as these players don't have the full week to heal before going into another game. Pittsburgh's defense has taken the worst of the injuries and it has shown in the past two games. DeShon Elliott and Larry Ogunjobi have missed multiple games. Elliott has been a force on Pittsburgh's defense this season and his presence is definitely missed. The safety has been a top run defender during his first season in Pittsburgh and the defense has lacked in the run game the past two contests. Against the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers' defense has given up 351 rushing yards and 819 total yards. On top of that, 61 points have been scored on Pittsburgh's defense in that same timeframe. There's definitely concerns and questions about the defensive performance. Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan spoke on ESPN's Get Up Monday morning and raised some questions about this defensive unit. "Well, these last two weeks, I've got concerns with their defense," Ryan said. "Their defense, is it really as good as we think? Last two weeks, they’ve given up 61 points, 819 yards. Are we sure this defense is great? I’m not so sure." Pittsburgh's defense is the most expensive defense in the NFL and in the past few years, this team has prided themselves on this unit. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is also a defensive minded coach as his philosophy is usually to keep games close and win it in the end. For the past two games, this hasn't been the case and although the defense has let up a good amount of yards and points, the offense has made their own mistakes as well. A constant bright spot on the defense has been Cameron Heyward . Even at 35-years-old, he's having one of his best seasons in recent years. He has eight sacks and eight pass deflections through 16 weeks of the season. However, he can't do everything himself and when the defense is on the field constantly, it takes a lot out of defenders. Donte Jackson also missed the Ravens game on Saturday. He currently leads the team with five interceptions . Having any starter out on defense can hurt, but the Steelers always preach next man up and being this close to the postseason, players need to fill important shoes when their teammates go down with an injury. The defense will need to figure it out quickly. Even though the team has already clinched a playoff spot, they still have a chance to win the AFC North and secure home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Patrick Queen called out his defense after the Ravens game Saturday, so hopefully that was a wake up call for everyone. Steelers Could Be Without Their Top Corner Wednesday On Saturday, Joey Porter Jr went down with an apparent leg injury. He ultimately came back in for a few plays to try and play through it, but was ruled out. Tomlin gave an uncertain update about Porter's injury during his press conference on Sunday. Tomlin revealed there wasn't any news about his injury, but it would be tough for him to play on a four-day turnaround. Pittsburgh's defense did get some other good news as Jackson, Elliott and Ogunjobi are all questionable for Wednesday's Christmas Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs and have a real chance to play. They were reported as limited participants on Sunday if the Steelers were to hold a practice. If Porter ultimately can't go, the Steelers will hopefully get much needed reinforcements back from injury. This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.2025 calendar detail is freaking everyone outPandas An An and Ke Ke celebrate their 1st Christmas in Hong Kong HONG KONG (AP) — A pair of five-year-old pandas, named An An and Ke Ke, celebrated their first Christmas early in a Hong Kong park, munching on special treats and looking cute for the cameras. An An, the male panda, was presented with an ice slab that had “Merry Christmas” written on it with sweet potato and carrots while Ke Ke, his female companion, got a snowman garnished with slices of carrot and apple in a special press event Monday before visitors streamed to the park. China sent the pair to Hong Kong in late September in a bid to boost tourism in the city. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby: Spurs-Knicks Christmas game is also an animated one at Disney World NEW YORK (AP) — There’s a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. While Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are facing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, an alternate animated telecast will have the teams playing in the Magic Kingdom, with some Disney characters participating. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. 'Squid Game' returns looking for win with season 2 The first season of “Squid Game” was Netflix's most-watched series and went on to win a variety of accolades including the Emmy Award for lead actor in a drama series for Lee Jung-jae and a directing award for Hwang Dong-hyuk. The show returns for its second season on Dec. 26 and is already nominated for a Golden Globe for best drama. It's rare for TV shows made in Korea to have more than one season but Lee describes Hwang as “a genius.” A third and final season has already filmed. Netflix is also invested in expanding its “Squid Game” universe with a reality competition series and an English-language version in development. In the ruins of a bombed-out church in Lebanon, there's now a tiny Christmas tree DARDGHAYA, Lebanon (AP) — A Christmas tree stands among the fallen stones in the ruins of a Catholic church in southern Lebanon that was hit by an Israeli airstrike during the war with Hezbollah. It's a small and modest tree. There are no lights because the war destroyed power lines. The ground is too uneven to set up the Nativity scene. The priest says his blood pressure went up and he lost his balance when he saw the church's destruction. Now he leads Mass in an underground room that serves as a temporary worship space. He tells the community it “is more like the cave where Jesus was born.” Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90 The Crocosaurus Cove reptile aquarium in Darwin, Australia, says the huge crocodile that rose to fame with a cameo in the movie “Crocodile Dundee” has died. The aquarium says Burt died over the weekend and was at least 90 years old. A saltwater crocodile, Burt was estimated to be more than 5 meters long. The 1986 movie stars Paul Hogan as the rugged crocodile hunter Mick Dundee. In the movie, American Sue Charlton, played by actress Linda Kozlowski, goes to fill her canteen in a watering hole when she is attacked by a crocodile, before being saved by Dundee. Elaborate holiday light displays are making spirits bright in a big way CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow might be enough to brighten some homes this holiday season. But others are adorned with thousands of blinking lights synched to blasting music. In Mesa, Arizona, 14 homeowners have been going all-out on holiday lights for 30 years, and those buying homes in the neighborhood often find the attics full of décor left behind by previous owners. In Santa Clarita, California, residents began coordinating their holiday lights to bring some joy to their community after an earthquake. And in Edmond, Oklahoma, those looking to the western sky will easily spot the Miranda family’s elaborate display featuring images and music from the movie “Wicked.” Santa braves the sticky heat of the Amazon jungle to bring gifts to children in Brazilian village CATALAO, Brazil (AP) — Santa Claus has braved the sticky heat of the Amazon rainforest this weekend, taking two boats to bring gifts to the children of a small village near the Brazilian city of Manaus. The visit was arranged by Amigos do Papai Noel, a Brazilian charity that has been taking gifts to children in the Amazon rainforest for the past 26 years. More than 600 children from different villages gathered in Catalao to receive presents from Santa, who dressed in his traditional nightcap, white gloves and red suit, while enduring the stifling jungle heat. NASA's Parker Solar Probe aims to fly closer to the sun like never before NEW YORK (AP) — A NASA spacecraft is about to make the closest approach to the sun. The Parker Solar Probe was launched in 2018 to get a close-up look at the sun. On Tuesday, Parker will pass within a record-breaking 3.8 million miles of the sun’s surface. That's nearly seven times closer to the sun than previous spacecraft. Scientists won’t hear from Parker until a few days after the flyby. It’ll continue circling the sun at this distance until at least September. Scientists hope to better understand what drives the solar wind and why the corona is so much hotter than the sun's surface. 174 Colorado skiers and snowboarders rescued after a lift cracks WINTER PARK, Colo. (AP) — Officials are investigating what caused a crack in a Colorado ski lift that forced the evacuation of over 170 stranded skiers and snowboarders. The evacuation happened Saturday on a gondola lift at Winter Park Resort. A spokesperson says the lift stopped automatically when a crack was detected in a structural piece of the lift. Passengers were lowered down by ropes over the course of about five hours. No injuries were reported during the rescues, which came at the start of the busy holiday season. 'Sonic 3' bests 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the box office NEW YORK (AP) — In the holiday season battle of big-budget family movies, Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” sped past the Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” to take the top spot at the box office. The results came just ahead of the lucrative Christmas corridor in theaters. According to studio estimates, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” debuted with $62 million in ticket sales over the weekend. “Mufasa,” however, was humbled in its opening weekend, coming in notably shy of expectations. It returned just $35 million in domestic ticket sales.
Georgia Love ditches her wedding ring again after pointed post about her marriage to Lee Elliott READ MORE: Is everything okay? Speculation mounts Georgia Love has split from husband as he vanishes from her social media and she ditches ring By MIKAELA WILKES FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 23:39 GMT, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 23:50 GMT, 9 December 2024 e-mail View comments The Bachelorette star Georgia Love has resumed regular influencing activities, but she bizarrely appears to be taking her wedding rings on and off for the cameras. The 36-year-old reality star was recently seen without her wedding ring , prompting concern among fans for her marriage to Lee Elliott. Dedicated followers among the 212,000 on Georgia's page have taken to social media in recent weeks to speculate The Bachelorette lovebirds may have broken up. Amid the speculation, Georgia posted to Instagram very conspicuously wearing her ring on Friday. But on Sunday, Georgia took to her Instagram Stories to demonstrate how she makes a summer afternoon cocktail, sans wedding ring again. Standing on the sunny deck of the $1.3million townhouse in the upmarket Melbourne suburb of Hampton East - which she shares with husband Lee and Pawdry the cat - only the latter was present to film the sponsored content. The Bachelorette star Georgia Love has resumed regular influencing activities, but bizarrely she appears to be taking her wedding rings on and off for the cameras On Sunday, Georgia took to her Instagram Stories to demonstrate how she makes a summer afternoon cocktail, sans wedding ring again As she tapped her perfectly manicured nails against the gin bottle, Georgia's left hand was noticeably bare. However, in another video filmed the same afternoon, Georgia pointedly held up her left hand to her face and laughed, ensuring the diamond band was once more on full display. This second video, which featured a staged picnic, was posted to her grid. Whereas the others will no longer be visible after 24 hours. In it, Georgia held up her left hand to the camera and tipped her head back in a laugh, clearly displaying her diamond wedding ring. 'Half of Aussies say they’re making more time to reconnect with friends this summer and I’m one of them, embracing those extra hours of sun,' she wrote in her caption. The wedding ring might be making cameo appearances on the influencer's social media, but her husband is not. The former Bachelorette's recent posts to Instagram show her having fun with her friends or decorating her Christmas tree at home alone, with no diamonds on her left ring finger. Another photo showed her having a drink at an outdoor café with an attractive male friend, and she was also not wearing her ring. However, in another video filmed the same afternoon, Georgia pointedly held up her left hand to her face and laughed, ensuring the diamond band was on full display Georgia, 36, recently posted to Instagram some photos of her having fun with her friends - and followers immediately noticed she was not wearing her sparkling diamond wedding ring Read More Georgia Love makes very pointed statement about her marriage to Lee Elliott amid new split rumours Fans took to the comment section on the photos to ask if she and Lee had called time on their relationship. 'Thinking [they] have broken up,' one fan speculated and another asked if Lee would be accompanying Georgia on her upcoming trip to New York City . So why take it off on Sunday afternoon, do some filming, change outfits and then put them back on to do some more filming? 'Haven’t seen post of them together for a long time,' a third person wrote and another speculated if they would be 'the first Bachelor divorce'. Elsewhere, another person asked 'Where is Lee?' in the clip Georgia posted about her upcoming New York holiday, and the reality TV star responded: 'He's literally in the video.' However, another fan pointed out that Georgia had simply shared an old photo: 'Haha, they are all old pics of them together.' Georgia last posted an image of her and Lee together in September, while Lee last did so in August. Neither Georgia or Lee denied a break-up when approached by Daily Mail Australia for comment. The couple's relationship has long been subjected to break-up rumours , and in 2021 it was also speculated they had secretly called it quits. However, Georgia later confirmed they were still going as strong as ever. The pair met and fell in love in front of the cameras, as Georgia chose Lee as her winning suitor on the 2016 season of Channel Ten's The Bachelorette. In 2021, Georgia and Lee married at the Frogmore Creek Winery outside Hobart, followed by an outdoor reception at the Shene Distillery. The sparkler is from Saphira Diamonds, based in Melbourne, who are known for unique, custom-designed pieces, hand-forged by expert craftsmen. In previous videos, Georgia has showed off the design of her custom rings from various angles and told fans that she's 'utterly obsessed' with her diamond wedding band and her round brilliant cut diamond solitaire engagement ring. She said yes! The Bachelorette's Georgia Love (right) and boyfriend Lee Elliott (left) announced they're engaged in an Instagram post on Sunday Melbourne Share or comment on this article: Georgia Love ditches her wedding ring again after pointed post about her marriage to Lee Elliott e-mail Add commentGDIN Successfully Supports Establishment of 10 New Joint Ventures in 2024 Alone