Reality TV personalities and tourist photoshoots: Outside Mar-a-Lago with Trump’s new fan clubOn pardons, Biden weighs whether to flex presidential powers in broad new ways
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Nutrien Ltd. stock rises Friday, outperforms marketNASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler birdied every hole but the par 3s on the front nine at Albany Golf Club on Friday and finished his bogey-free round with an 8-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge. Two months off did nothing to slow the world's No. 1 player. Scheffler already has eight victories this year and is in position to get another before the end of the year. Scheffler was at 13-under 131, two ahead of Akshay Bhatia (66) and Justin Thomas (67), both of whom had to save par on the 18th hole to stay in range going into the weekend. Scheffler started with a lob wedge to 2 feet for birdie and never slowed until after he went out in 29 to seize control of the holiday tournament against a 20-man field. Scheffler cooled slightly on the back nine, except it didn't feel that way to him. “Front nine, just things were going my way. Back nine, maybe not as much,” Scheffler said. “A couple shots could end up closer to the hole, a couple putts go in, just little things.” Asked if he felt any frustration he didn't take it lower — he once shot 59 at the TPC Boston during the FedEx Cup playoffs — Scheffler sounded bemused. “I think in this game I think a lot of all y’all are looking for perfection out of us,” he said. “Today I shot 8 under on the golf course, not something I hang my head about. A lot of good things out there — clean card, bogey-free, eight birdies. Overall, I think I'm pretty pleased.” Thomas felt his 67 was stress-free, particularly the way he was driving the ball. The wind laid down again, rare for the Bahamas, though it is expected to pick up on the weekend. Thomas wasn't concerned to see Scheffler get off to a hot start, especially with three par 5s on the front nine and a short par 4 that at worst leaves a flip wedge to the green. “You literally can birdie every hole as soft as the greens are,” Thomas said. “He's a great player, a great wedge player, and you have a lot of birdie holes to start. I'm honestly surprised he only shot 8 under. It's a sneaky course because if you fall asleep on some shots, you can get out of position. But if you're on and focused and really in control of everything — like these last two days with no wind — you can just make so many birdies.” Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley had a 67 and was four shots behind. No matter how benign the conditions, it wasn't always easy. Cameron Young, who opened with a 64 for a two-shot lead, followed with a 75 despite making five birdies. That included a double bogey on the final hole when his approach tumbled down the bank into the rocks framing the lake that goes all the way down the 18th hole. Patrick Cantlay was trying to keep pace playing alongside Scheffler, but he had three bogeys over the final seven holes and fell seven shots behind with a 71. The tournament, hosted by Tiger Woods, is unofficial but offers world ranking points to all but the bottom three players because of the small field. It's the weakest field in 25 years, but Scheffler at No. 1 gives it enough cachet. He is the first player since Woods in 2009 to start and finish a year at No. 1 in the world. And even after a layoff — giving him time to tinker with a new putting stroke — it looks like it might be a while before anyone changes that. AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
On pardons, Biden weighs whether to flex presidential powers in broad new waysDibrugarh: A man was detained with a rhinoceros horn, weighing 1.3 kg, from the Dholpur area of Lakhimpur district on Thursday. A police team, led by Narayanpur OC Nipon Gogoi, recovered the horn from the residence of a local man Neela Gogoi. The raid was conducted following reliable intelligence regarding illegal wildlife trade activities in the area. Neela was taken into custody and subsequently handed over to the forest department, along with the confiscated horn. He has been charged under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which strictly prohibits poaching, trafficking and trading of rhino products. During interrogation, Neela revealed that three unknown individuals had approached him on Dec 3 with the rhino horn, offering to sell it for a hefty sum of Rs 5 lakh. “When I told them I didn’t have the money, they suggested I keep the horn and find a potential buyer in exchange for a handsome commission. They then left promising to return in a week to check on the progress,” Gogoi told police. Authorities are now investigating the identities of the individuals who tried to sell the horn to Gogoi. We also published the following articles recently 1 detained with 1.3kg rhino horn in Lakhimpur Police in Assam's Lakhimpur district detained Neela Gogoi after discovering a 1.3 kg rhino horn at his residence. Gogoi claimed three unidentified men left the horn with him, proposing he find a buyer for a commission. They offered the horn for Rs 5 lakh, promising to return later. Two nabbed for bid to sell whale ambergris & blackbuck horns Two men, Hemrao Mehta and Hrithik Lekurwale, were arrested in Pune for possessing and attempting to sell whale ambergris and blackbuck horns, valued at 1 lakh. Forest officials, acting on a tip-off, conducted an undercover operation, posing as buyers. In city of tehzeeb, no horn zones stop none from honking A Times of India investigation revealed alarming noise pollution levels outside Lucknow hospitals, exceeding permissible limits by over 33%. Readings ranged from 79-90 decibels, significantly higher than the recommended 50dB. Experts warn this excessive noise disrupts patient recovery and increases stress. Hospital officials urge stricter enforcement and public awareness campaigns to curb honking and promote quieter healing environments. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Stay Warm with These Must-Have Winter Socks
Jimmy Carter had the longest post-presidency of anyone to hold the office, and one of the most active. Here is a look back at his life. 1924 — Jimmy Carter was born on Oct. 1 to Earl and Lillian Carter in the small town of Plains, Georgia. 1928 — Earl Carter bought a 350-acre farm 3 miles from Plains in the tiny community of Archery. The Carter family lived in a house on the farm without running water or electricity. 1941 — He graduated from Plains High School and enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus. 1942 — He transferred to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. 1943 — Carter’s boyhood dream of being in the Navy becomes a reality as he is appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 1946 — He received his naval commission and on July 7 married Rosalynn Smith of Plains. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia. 1946-1952 — Carter’s three sons are born, Jack in 1947, Chip in 1950 and Jeff in 1952. 1962-66 — Carter is elected to the Georgia State Senate and serves two terms. 1953 — Carter’s father died and he cut his naval career short to save the family farm. Due to a limited income, Jimmy, Rosalynn and their three sons moved into Public Housing Apartment 9A in Plains. 1966 — He ran for governor, but lost. 1967 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s fourth child, Amy, is born. 1971 — He ran for governor again and won the election, becoming Georgia’s 76th governor on Jan. 12. 1974 — Carter announced his candidacy for president. 1976 — Carter was elected 39th president on Nov. 2, narrowly defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. 1978 — U.S. and the Peoples’ Republic of China establish full diplomatic relations. President Carter negotiates and mediates an accord between Egypt and Israel at Camp David. 1979 — The Department of Education is formed. Iranian radicals overrun the U.S. Embassy and seize American hostages. The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty is signed. 1980 — On March 21, Carter announces that the U.S. will boycott the Olympic Games scheduled in Moscow. A rescue attempt to get American hostages out of Iran is unsuccessful. Carter was defeated in his bid for a second term as president by Ronald Reagan in November. 1981 — President Carter continues to negotiate the release of the American hostages in Iran. Minutes before his term as president is over, the hostages are released. 1982 — Carter became a distinguished professor at Emory University in Atlanta, and founded The Carter Center. The nonpartisan and nonprofit center addresses national and international issues of public policy. 1984 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter volunteer one week a year for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps needy people in the United States and in other countries renovate and build homes, until 2020. He also taught Sunday school in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains from the mid-’80s until 2020. 2002 — Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 2015 — Carter announced in August he had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his brain. 2016 — He said in March that he no longer needed cancer treatment. 2024 — Carter dies at 100 years old. Sources: Cartercenter.org, Plains Historical Preservation Trust, The Associated Press; The Brookings Institution; U.S. Navy; WhiteHouse.gov, Gallup
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! fans claimed they found the moment that 'proved' Dean McCullough was 'faking his tears'. The radio presenter was chosen for the majority of the trials, much to the dismay of many angered fans who thought other stars should have the opportunity to take part in the trials. Dean recently got his personal best when he collected 10 out of 12 stars in a Jack and the Screamstalk trial. On Tuesday night's episode of the show, the stars boarded the Fright Bus and were covered with gross critters. The likes of N-Dubz star Tulisa and Love Island's Maura Higgins were screaming in fear as they were showered with critters, viewers took to social media to claim Dean looked very calm. "Was it only me but was Dean NOT screaming in the bus trial and just getting on with it?" one user said. "He forgot his act for a moment, which means he was playing for screen time." Another viewer said: "Strange that Dean was hardly screaming on the fright bus." "Dean is extremely calm for someone who has spent the past week screaming during trials," one user commented and another said: "Funny how Dean wasn’t screaming on the bus?" Dean has been dividing opinions since joining the ITV show, but one of his radio co-stars jumped to his defence. The early morning presenter for Radio 1 has faced countless trials in his stay so far Down Under, screaming the phrase ' I'm a celebrity , get me out of here' on two occasions. And as tension started to rise in camp, he also clashed with Coronation Street star Alan Halsall , who tried to wake him to do his chores. However, his radio co-star Danni Diston has defended him and joked: "I did think in my head he's probably having a bit of a lie in out there," before saying he'll be enjoying getting more rest in camp. Dean is usually on air from 5am to entertain the early risers. And Danni continued to tell the Sun , he's usually very cheerful. "I have never really experienced a grumpy Dean so I'm lucky in that sense. I don't think he's a very grumpy man. He does early breakfast and you have to be quite up and on it to do earlies." Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .Tulane QB Mensah transfers to Duke
They were two New York City star high school basketball players in the early 1980s who could have gone to plenty of different nationally-ranked college programs. But Chris Mullin and Mark Jackson had one goal in common: They wanted to play for St. John’s and head coach Lou Carnesecca. Asked about the first time he met Carnesecca, Jackson recalled a game he was playing for Bishop Loughlin in Brooklyn. “I remember Coach sitting there and his presence in the gym,” Jackson said. “It was almost like a spotlight just on him. Any room or gym he walked into, any sideline he captained, there was a bright light. He had something special about him and from that moment on, I wanted to be a member of the St. John’s basketball team.” Mullin’s history with Carnesecca went back even further, having attended one of Carnesecca’s camps when he was around 10 years old and noted the different sides to his personality. “I met Coach at his camp and he was more reserved, doing lectures, teaching basketball and telling stories,” said Mullin, who began his high school career at Power Memorial in Manhattan and graduated from Xaverian in Brooklyn. “When he recruited me, again, he was very reserved. My first day of practice, I couldn’t stop laughing. This guy’s running around [and] jumping. [I said] ‘Who is this guy? I didn’t meet this guy.’ He had a unique ability in practice or a game, he got into that mode. Once it was over, he was just a regular guy.” It was the connection they had with Carnesecca that brought them to St. John’s to play and again Friday, to honor their former coach at St. Thomas More Church after Carnesecca passed away Saturday at 99. Walter Berry, recruited out of what was then Benjamin Franklin HS in Manhattan and Bill Wennington- who finished his high school career at nearby Long Island Lutheran- were all on hand from the 1985 Final Four team. The bond lasted the rest of Carnesecca’s life, including during Mullin’s struggles with alcohol early in his NBA career. “I had my share of challenges and he was always there for me,’’ Mullin said. “When he talked, he was honest and direct, but also with care and love. It’s a unique way to live your life for almost 100 years. He never changed.” And it was that consistency that led Carnesecca to such great heights at St. John’s according to Mullin. “Even when he had to be disciplined and serious, he always let you know it was gonna be OK,’’ Mullin said. “As coaches, you always talk about speeches and Xs and Os, but Coach went beyond that because he lived it. “All you had to do was watch him every day,’’ Mullin said. “He was very fundamental in his coaching and his teachings and very fundamental with the way he lived, but when you do that every day, consistently that’s extraordinary.” Mullin said Carnesecca always preached the importance of practice. “When you stick to the fundamentals, you win,’’ Mullin said. “And that’s why he was the ultimate winner.”
Vatulele 7s gets $$$ boostDonald Trump’s decision to appoint former US Senator David Perdue as ambassador to Beijing signals a pragmatic approach to US-China relations that’s likely to be welcomed by international investors. As a former CEO with a wealth of experience in Asia, Perdue brings a business-savvy perspective to the diplomatic arena at a time when US-China relations are increasingly influential in global markets. With tensions between the two economic superpowers at a peak, Perdue’s appointment could help steer diplomatic conversations toward more economically advantageous outcomes, benefiting global investors. The US-China economic relationship has been a central focus of international investment strategies, and Perdue’s experience gives him a unique insight into this critical area. As a former Fortune 500 chief executive and a US senator who has lived in Hong Kong and Singapore, Perdue possesses deep connections and an understanding of the commercial and political nuances of the Asian market. For investors, this connection could be seen as a positive development in terms of shaping a more stable and productive relationship between the US and China, offering new investment opportunities and strategies in Asia. What sets Perdue apart from other diplomatic appointments is his focus on business and economic negotiations. Unlike the more hard-line foreign policy approach seen in other senior appointments, such as Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and Mike Waltz for National Security Advisor, Perdue’s background as a corporate leader suggests a more economically focused strategy. This could be of particular interest to investors, as business-driven diplomacy offers more predictability and less volatility, especially when it comes to trade agreements and economic partnerships. For investors in sectors that are heavily intertwined with US-China trade, Perdue’s appointment offers potential stability. The former senator’s expertise could help facilitate trade negotiations, ensuring a more predictable environment for companies with business interests in China. His strategic leadership may be crucial in navigating the delicate trade relationships between the US and China, as businesses continue to seek clarity on tariffs, trade barriers, and the future of the global supply chain. While Trump’s administration has been marked by a strong stance against Chinese trade practices in the past, Perdue’s appointment could suggest a shift toward maintaining the US’s economic interests while continuing engagement with China. This approach is likely to lead to a more balanced negotiation strategy that offers benefits for both economies. For international investors, this means a reduction in geopolitical uncertainty and potential pathways for the US and China to work collaboratively rather than competitively. Perdue’s appointment also aligns with the growing trend of leveraging corporate experience in high-level diplomatic roles. As global trade expands, and cross-border economic relationships become more complex, traditional diplomacy may no longer be enough to address the needs of modern economies. His background in business provides him with the tools to engage China on an economic level that is less concerned with ideological divides and more focused on pragmatic solutions for trade and investment. The shift toward a more business-focused diplomatic approach is likely to be reassuring for investors who have faced a challenging environment in the wake of tariffs and trade restrictions. Perdue’s track record in navigating complex international markets suggests that he can foster stronger business ties, reduce the risk of sudden policy shifts and create a more conducive environment for investment. With China being the world’s second largest economy, strengthening ties with Washington will be crucial for sustaining global market growth. Moreover, Perdue’s deep understanding of the Chinese market and business culture offers investors a unique advantage. Companies and financial institutions that are actively engaged in Asia will benefit from having someone in a key diplomatic position who knows how to drive economic deals forward. Investors in sectors such as technology, finance, and manufacturing — industries that rely heavily on US-China relations — are likely to view this appointment as a positive development for long-term stability. While Perdue’s appointment represents a more pragmatic approach to US-China relations, it also highlights a broader trend of economic diplomacy that could shape future global investment strategies. As geopolitical tensions continue to rise, investors will look for signs that global economic relations are moving towards cooperative, rather than confrontational, solutions. Perdue’s appointment, therefore, offers hope that the US can maintain a productive working relationship with China, keeping markets stable and ensuring that international trade continues to flourish. For international investors, particularly those with exposure to the US and Chinese markets, Perdue’s appointment as ambassador to Beijing is seen as a potentially pivotal moment. By aligning economic and diplomatic interests, Perdue has the opportunity to shape US-China relations in ways that benefit investors and ensure continued growth in the global economy.
Wisconsin faces its first losing season in 23 years and the end of a bowl streak when the Badgers host arch-rival Minnesota on Friday in the annual Big Ten battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) lost to No. 4 Penn State 26-25. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its fourth straight, 44-25, at Nebraska in a game that was not as close as the score. "Well 1890 is the first time we played this football team coming up and this is what it's all about," Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said of the rivalry. "And you wouldn't want to have it any other way, being able to end the season with one of your biggest rivals. I know our guys will be ready to go, ready to play." Wisconsin has 22 consecutive winning seasons since going 5-7 under Barry Alvarez in 2001, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Badgers also have played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest in FBS. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is more concerned with the rivalry game than the winning season and bowl streaks. "I'm not downplaying it, I'm not saying it's not important, I'm not saying it's another thing that's on our plate," Fickell said Monday. "But when it gets down to this last week, it's about one thing, it's about the rivalry. It's about preparing to play in the most important game of the year." The Gophers have dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. Minnesota averages 26.6 points per game, while allowing 18.5, 15th-best in the country. Max Brosmer has completed 67 percent of his passes for 221 per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniel Jackson is the top target with 69 catches for 802 yards and three scores, and Darius Taylor is the top rusher with 730 yards at 4.8 per carry with nine touchdowns. One week after leading Oregon after three quarters, the Wisconsin defense was shredded for 473 yards and five touchdowns by Nebraska. Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered an early season-ending knee injury, has thrown at least one interception in eight consecutive games. Locke has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 180.6 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns and 10 picks. Tawee Walker is the leading rusher with 828 yards at 4.7 per carry with 10 touchdowns. He has failed to reach 60 yards in three of the last four games. Former Wisconsin and NFL standout JJ Watt posted on social media his assessment - and frustration - with the Badgers after the Nebraska game. "Losing happens, it's part of the game. Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out ... that's the issue," Watt wrote on X. "We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity." Wisconsin defeated the Gophers 28-14 last after Minnesota had won the previous two meetings. The Badgers have won 7 of the last 10 and lead the storied series 63-62-8. --Field Level Media
After Scottie Scheffler roared out of the gates with three straight birdies, you had a feeling that his name would sit atop the leaderboard by day’s end. That indeed proved to be the case. Scheffler went on a heater on the front nine, draining seven birdies to make the turn with a 7-under 29. But he cooled off a little on the back side, making only one birdie on the 14th to ultimately sign for an 8-under 64. Despite that, Scheffler leads the Hero World Challenge by two at the midway point—a pretty impressive accomplishment, considering he made a significant change this week. Scheffler has a new putting grip , opting to use the claw from inside 15 feet. He believes it has worked well so far, noting to Rex Hoggard of the Golf Channel that he feels “comfortable” with it through 36 holes. Scheffler added that he has started each putt on his intended line, and for anyone who plays, that is pretty much all you can ask for. Regarding the rest of his game, Scheffler continues to decimate every course he plays from tee to green. He ranked first among the 20-man field in strokes gained approach, which explains why he went so low right from the get-go. His wedge play is simply otherworldly , and he can hit any shot required. -6 thru 7 Defending champ Scottie Scheffler leads by two at Hero World Challenge. GOLF Channel pic.twitter.com/RwHVe4grl4 “I was hitting it close to the hole and I was knocking in the putts, so I’m not going to really think too much about what I’m doing out there,” Scheffler assessed. “I’m just going to try to continue to do it as best as I can.” He’s already the best player in the world, so when he plays like he did on Friday, he is unstoppable—like Tiger Woods in the early 2000s . But Scheffler does not make any egregious errors either. Sure, everyone has their mishits, pushes, or pulls—Scheffler does too. But the reigning Masters champion never seems to veer too wayward off the tee or well away from the greens. When he does not make birdies, he is usually tapping in for par, something any golfer will take. This mistake-free mantra is a massive reason why Scheffler has had so much success. This past season, he ranked second on the PGA Tour in bogey avoidance, trailing only Xander Schauffele. No wonder why these two stars racked up so many wins. Scheffler is also the defending champion at this week’s Hero World Challenge, and his approach to this golf course emphasizes the importance of limiting mistakes. “I think a lot of it’s keeping the ball in play. Around the greens, it can get really challenging,” Scheffler said. “Over the years here, I’ve done a good job of staying patient, waiting to get hot. There are some opportunities out here on this golf course, but there’s also some severe punishment. For instance, the front nine today was when I got hot and could take advantage of it.” Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
