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There wasn't much Christmas cheer in NRG Stadium as the home fans watched the Houston Texans get flattened by the Baltimore Ravens 31-2 on Wednesday. Fans expressed discontent with their playoff-bound team's performance by booing as the Texans trailed 10-0 heading into the second quarter and 17-2 ahead of halftime. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled mightily in moving the chains. He threw for a total of 185 yards and 0 touchdowns with one interception in the loss. "People are entitled to their opinions and they care about the game. Their emotions matter, so I understand," Stroud said, per NBC Sports' Michael David Smith . "This is not my first time and it probably won't be my last. Texans fans are not pleased with that series and punt pic.twitter.com/GuDygNnIuT Things didn't look brighter when the game resumed in the second half; Stroud's interception came on the first drive after that, causing the cacophony of boos to echo stronger throughout the stadium. The young pocket passer took accountability for the display against the Ravens, dropping the Texans to 9-7. "I just kept missing. I wasn't making throws," Stroud said. Stroud, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, is amidst a sophomore slump despite leading the Texans to another clinching of the AFC South. Stroud's completion percentage has dropped along with his yardage per pass and his passer rating. Stroud's sensational rookie campaign featured 23 touchdown scores with five picks; this season, he has slung only 19 with 12 interceptions in 16 games so far. "This is not my first time and it probably won't be my last. This is not something to internalize and point the finger at yourself but it is something that you can use to motivate you, to not want those moments anymore," said Stroud. Houston had an opportunity to move up the AFC leaderboard and tie the Ravens for the No. 3 overall seed, but instead, have now locked themselves into the No. 4 position. "I got plenty of football left in my career hopefully, God willing, and I know this is going to be a story I'll tell one day that helps me in the long run. It's part of life. You hit a lot of valleys and you have a lot of mountaintops. It's a cliché, but there's not sunny days if there aren't days with rain. So, this is a rainy day, but at the end of the day, the sun will rise up tomorrow and we have another crack at this thing next week and keep rolling." For more on the Texans, head to Newsweek Sports .Bengals' Joe Burrow addresses privacy concerns after burglary
NEW YORK (AP) — No ex-president had a more prolific and diverse publishing career than Jimmy Carter . His more than two dozen books included nonfiction, poetry, fiction, religious meditations and a children’s story. His memoir “An Hour Before Daylight” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2002, while his 2006 best-seller “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” stirred a fierce debate by likening Israel’s policies in the West Bank to the brutal South African system of racial segregation. And just before his 100th birthday, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation honored him with a lifetime achievement award for how he wielded “the power of the written word to foster peace, social justice, and global understanding.” In one recent work, “A Full Life,” Carter observed that he “enjoyed writing” and that his books “provided a much-needed source of income.” But some projects were easier than others. “Everything to Gain,” a 1987 collaboration with his wife, Rosalynn, turned into the “worst threat we ever experienced in our marriage,” an intractable standoff for the facilitator of the Camp David accords and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. According to Carter, Rosalynn was a meticulous author who considered “the resulting sentences as though they have come down from Mount Sinai, carved into stone.” Their memories differed on various events and they fell into “constant arguments.” They were ready to abandon the book and return the advance, until their editor persuaded them to simply divide any disputed passages between them. “In the book, each of these paragraphs is identified by a ‘J’ or an ‘R,’ and our marriage survived,” he wrote. Here is a partial list of books by Carter: “Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President” “The Blood of Abraham: Insights into the Middle East” (With Rosalynn Carter) “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life” “An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections” “Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age” “Always a Reckoning, and Other Poems” (With daughter Amy Carter) “The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer” “Living Faith” “The Virtues of Aging” “An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood” “Christmas in Plains: Memories” “The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War” “Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis” “Faith & Freedom: The Christian Challenge for the World” “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” “A Remarkable Mother” “Beyond the White House” “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work” “White House Diary” “NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter” “A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power” “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety”Share Tweet Share Share Email Cryptocurrencies have proven to be more than just a trend—they’re reshaping the financial world as we know it. With every passing year, new projects emerge, promising groundbreaking solutions and innovative ways to use blockchain technology. If 2024 taught us anything, it’s that the crypto market rewards those who get in early on high-potential projects. From presales to established coins with fresh upgrades, the opportunities are endless. As we step into the new year, one crypto project that’s generating a lot of buzz is Qubetics ($TICS) . Unlike older projects that have struggled with usability and accessibility, Qubetics is addressing these issues head-on. Its focus on real-world applications and user-friendly solutions makes it one of the best crypto presales of 2024, and a must-watch as the new year begins. 1. Qubetics ($TICS): A Revolutionary Approach to Everyday Crypto Use Qubetics isn’t your run-of-the-mill crypto project—it’s a game-changer. At its core is a multi-chain wallet that makes managing, spending, and investing in cryptocurrencies as simple as using your smartphone. Whether you’re a business owner looking to accept crypto payments, a freelancer dealing with international clients, or an investor managing multiple assets, Qubetics offers solutions tailored to your needs. Imagine this: You run a small online shop and want to accept payments in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies. With Qubetics’ smart contract conversion mechanism, payments are automatically converted into fiat currency at the point of sale. No need to stress about volatility or complicated setups—it’s as smooth as accepting a credit card. For individuals, Qubetics makes crypto transactions feel effortless. Its integration with Apple Pay and Google Pay brings crypto into everyday life. Want to grab coffee and pay with your crypto? With Qubetics, it’s as easy as a tap on your phone. The numbers don’t lie—Qubetics’ presale is in its 14th stage, with over 376 million tokens sold to 11,800+ holders, raising more than $7.8 million. Currently priced at $0.0377, this is hands-down the best crypto presale to buy this week. But don’t wait too long—prices will rise by 10% in the 15th stage starting this weekend. 2. Polygon (MATIC): Scaling the Crypto Ecosystem When it comes to solving Ethereum’s scalability issues, Polygon (MATIC) is leading the charge. As a Layer-2 scaling solution, Polygon provides faster and cheaper transactions while maintaining Ethereum’s security. This makes it a go-to choice for developers building decentralised applications (dApps), NFTs, and DeFi projects. Think of Polygon as Ethereum’s turbo booster—it speeds things up without compromising the system’s integrity. This is especially important as more industries adopt blockchain technology. Gaming, virtual real estate, and financial services are just a few areas where Polygon is already making waves. 2025 is expected to be the year of Layer-2 solutions, and Polygon is well-positioned to ride that wave. Its partnerships with major brands and continuous updates to its ecosystem make it a solid investment. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or a crypto newbie, MATIC is a coin that belongs in your portfolio. 3. Filecoin (FIL): Decentralised Storage for the Web3 Era As the digital world grows, so does the demand for secure and scalable storage solutions. Enter Filecoin (FIL), a blockchain-based decentralised storage network that’s transforming how data is stored and accessed. Unlike traditional cloud providers like Amazon or Google, Filecoin uses blockchain technology to create a more secure, efficient, and cost-effective storage marketplace. Here’s how it works: Filecoin users can rent out their unused storage space, earning FIL tokens in return. This creates a decentralised network of storage providers, reducing costs and increasing security. It’s not just for data hoarders, though—developers can use Filecoin to build dApps with integrated storage solutions, setting the stage for a Web3 future. With Web3 technologies gaining momentum, Filecoin’s relevance is only going to grow. It’s already a favourite among developers and enterprises looking for a decentralised alternative to traditional cloud storage. For investors eyeing long-term potential, FIL is a no-brainer. Start the Year Strong with Smart Investments The new year brings new opportunities, and the crypto market is teeming with projects that promise big gains. Qubetics ($TICS) stands out for its innovation and practical solutions, making it the best crypto presale of 2024 and a must-buy as the year kicks off. Meanwhile, Polygon (MATIC) and Filecoin (FIL) bring scalability and decentralised storage to the table, offering both stability and growth potential. Ready to build a portfolio that sets you up for 2025 success? Based on the latest research, we recommend Qubetics ($TICS), Polygon (MATIC), and Filecoin (FIL) as the top picks to buy now. Don’t wait—opportunities like this don’t last forever. For More Information: Qubetics: https://qubetics.com/ Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://twitter.com/qubetics Related Items: Blockchain , Qubetic Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Plus Wallet Leads with Unified Balances & Rapid Token Listings While Coinomi Celebrates 10 Years & OKX Adds DEX Feature Stop Limiting Your Crypto Earnings! Switch to PlusWallet Now – MetaMask & Bybit Enhance Platforms XYZVerse Presale Captures Attention of Kaspa and Polkadot Investors With $10 Aim Comments
NEW YORK (AP) — A Brooklyn real estate magnate accused of working with a Turkish government official to funnel illegal campaign contributions to New York City Mayor Eric Adams plans to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge tied to the scheme, federal prosecutors said Monday. Erden Arkan, the owner of a real estate construction firm, was one of several individuals implicated in the sprawling corruption indictment brought against Adams in October. He would be the first to plead guilty in a public proceeding. In court papers, prosecutors said Arkan planned to plead guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud by collecting campaign contributions for Adams that were made under the name of someone other than the true contributor. Adams then used those funds to fraudulently obtain public funding under the city’s matching funds program, which provides a generous match for small-dollar donations, prosecutors allege. A lawyer for Arkan did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An attorney for Adams, Alex Spiro, said in an emailed statement that the decision would have "no bearing on the Mayor’s case whatsoever.” “We know from the government’s own interviews that Mr. Arkan repeatedly said that Mayor Adams had no knowledge of his actions," Spiro said. A well-known member of New York’s Turkish community, Arkan is a co-owner of KSK, a Brooklyn-based construction firm specializing in luxury condominiums. His firm’s ties to Adams emerged in November 2023, as investigators searched his residence, along with the home of Adams’ chief fundraiser and his liaison to the Turkish community. Adams was subsequently charged with accepting bribes in the form of luxury travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals hoping to buy his influence for their benefit. He has pleaded not guilty and vowed to remain in office as he fights the charges. The indictment details an April 2021 dinner organized by the Turkish official in which Adams personally solicited illegal campaign contributions from Arkan — identified in court papers only as “Businessman-5.” The following month, Arkan hosted a fundraiser at KSK’s headquarters for Adams in which 11 of his employees donated between $1,200 and $1,500 to the campaign. Each was reimbursed by the construction firm, prosecutors allege, making the contributions illegal straw donations. Arkan later confirmed to the FBI that he had spoken to the Turkish official about the fundraiser. He initially denied reimbursing his employees, prosecutors said. As he sought to recruit others to raise money for Adams, Arkan appeared to acknowledge misgivings about the fundraising scheme, telling prospective donors in New York's Turkish community that it “may feel like swimming against the current but unfortunately this is how things work in this country,” according to the indictment. As Adams gears up for an April trial, he has pledged to fight the case “with every ounce of my strength and my spirit." But his administration has faced overlapping scandals and investigations, leading to the resignations of his police commissioner , schools chancellor , multiple deputy mayors and his director of Asian affairs . His former buildings commissioner was also charged in a separate bribery conspiracy case involving real estate officials last year. Last week, Adams' former top advisor and close confidante, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, was charged by state prosecutors for allegedly accepting bribes from two real estate developers seeking to speed the process of construction approvals. She has pleaded not guilty. Jake Offenhartz And Larry Neumeister, The Associated Presswithout a care in the world is the best way to ring in 2025. or signup to continue reading But if you need something, . Here are the opening hours for major stores, supermarkets and bottleshops in each Australian state and territory so you're well-stocked to greet the new year. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24-hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24-hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Stores in Firle, Tea Tree, Munno Para, Ingle Farm, Kurralta Park, West Lakes, Port Noarlunga, Marion and Churchill are closed on New Year's Day. Adelaide metro stores are open on New Year's Eve but close on New Year's Day. Adelaide's Rundle Place supermarket is the exception, opening from 11am to 5pm. Supermarkets in Berri, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge Green, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Victor Harbor and Whyalla are open from 8am to 8pm on New Year's Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All regional Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. However the Millicent store and metropolitan stores are closed on January 1. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Some stores in SA will close on 1 January 2025. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. However the Northam store is closed on January 1. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Most Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Stores in Byford, Belmont, Trinity, Raine Square, Erskine, Altone Park, Bunbury, Gosnells and Geraldton Bluff Point are closed on New Year's Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and from 8am to 8pm on New Year's Day. However the Gove store opens at 9am and closes at 5pm on January 1. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles in Goondiwindi, Mt Isa and Ayr are closed on December 29, the supermarket said. Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Stores in Milton Village and Red Hill are closed on New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Most Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. The Red Hill and Milton Village shops are closed on New Year's Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. 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Toronto Sceptres open PWHL season with 3-1 comeback win over Boston FleetVanuatu's teen swimmers make a splash with personal bests at World ChampionshipsThree decades ago, Andrew Luger’s biggest worry when he left his federal prosecutor job in Brooklyn to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office in his wife’s native Minneapolis was that he’d be bored here. Yet during two stints as the state’s top federal prosecutor — first from 2014-17 and now since 2022 — some of the state’s most profound criminal cases have unfolded under his watch. His first term was marked by international terrorism recruitment investigations and the prosecution of Jacob Wetterling’s killer. Luger’s second will be defined by a novel approach in going after street gangs and a still-swelling array of pandemic and health care fraud cases. “I wanted to take the impact that this office can have with significant cases and bring it to address what was happening in Minnesota, and in Minneapolis in particular, to make a difference,” Luger said in a recent interview in his office. “The idea that we could actually make a difference in a relatively new phenomenon, which is high violent crime in a city that just wasn’t known for that before.” Luger said he will step down before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in Jan. 20, and he expects many of his Biden-appointed peers to do the same. His resignation will avoid a repeat of 2017 when Luger was stunned via a wave of Friday firings early in Trump’s first term. Presidential appointees must clear the U.S. Senate. Under Biden, Minnesota’s two Democratic senators organized efforts to recommend U.S. Attorney, U.S. marshal and federal judicial candidates. But with a Republican returning to the White House, that task now shifts to Minnesota’s GOP congressional delegation. Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice G. Barry Anderson is leading a committee to find candidates, and a deadline to apply passed on Friday. Other search committee members included attorney David Asp; John Hinderaker, president of the Center of the American Experiment; Allie Howell, trial and appellate counsel at the Upper Midwest Law Center; Tad Jude, a former state court judge who twice ran for office as a Republican in recent cycles; and Ilan Wurman, a University of Minnesota law professor. Multiple sources told the Minnesota Star Tribune that those being considered to succeed Luger include Erica MacDonald, whom Trump first appointed as U.S. attorney in 2018. Joe Teirab, an ex-federal prosecutor and Republican defeated by Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., in November is also in the mix, as are Minneapolis attorney Ronald Schutz and Maple Grove attorney Ryan Wilson, who narrowly lost his 2022 race for state auditor as a Republican. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson, who has led the office’s Feeding Our Future prosecution and its ongoing probe into fraud suspicions at some Minnesota autism centers, is also said to have applied ahead of last week’s deadline. Sources did not identify a front-runner as the application window closed Friday. Luger’s focus on violent crime, drug trafficking and fraud is not a radical departure from what might be expected from his Trump-appointed successor. “Every U.S. Attorney comes in with their own ideas about how to improve service to the community, to the state. I did, and my successor will, and I’ll support those,” Luger said. “But I don’t expect a major shift fighting fentanyl trafficking, child exploitation, gangs, the Feeding Our Future-type frauds. That’s bipartisan.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Kirkpatrick, as Luger’s first assistant, will take the reins of the office as Acting U.S. Attorney until the Senate approves Trump’s pick. She could be in that position for a while: Greg Brooker served as an interim U.S. Attorney for 15 months before MacDonald’s 2018 confirmation. When MacDonald left in February 2021, the office was again led on an acting basis for more than a year before Luger’s second confirmation in 2022. Kirkpatrick will oversee an office that in 2025 will be dominated by lengthy, complex trials. As a continuation of Luger’s violent crime focus, 19 alleged members of the Highs gang are scheduled for a series of trials between March and July on charges that include racketeering. More than a half-dozen, multi-defendant trials in the massive Feeding Our Future fraud case are scheduled for between February and December of next year, including a Feb. 3 trial involving Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock. All of that is on top of potential new charges that could stem from an ongoing related FBI investigation into possible Medicaid fraud perpetrated by autism centers in Minnesota. MacDonald, whom Trump picked to succeed Luger in 2018, emphasized that only the presidentially appointed leader of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be departing and that “the bread and butter of the work of the office remains the same.” MacDonald declined to comment when asked about her interest in succeeding Luger. Speaking generally, she anticipated that violent crime would remain a focus of the next administration. She praised Luger’s effectiveness at “communicating with the public on a regular basis about what is going on.” “Just knowing that the federal authorities are watching can be enough to have a deterrent effect,” MacDonald said. Though the U.S. Attorney is appointed by the president, MacDonald said that “if done right, it is not a political job.” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a longtime friend and an influential figure in advancing Minnesota federal nominees, applauded Luger for laying out a vision at his swearing-in ceremony in 2022. “A lot of his legacy will be the big cases he handled ... but also it’s going to be accountability and trust when we really needed it,” Klobuchar said. Luger said he began his second term with a much clearer focus due to the sustained spike in violent crime that began in 2020. He knew right away that the office needed a strategy. “That doesn’t compare to anything we did last time because it was clear the day I started it, and it’s been clear every day I’ve been here that we needed to do this,” Luger said. Luger prefers to do much of his strategizing over shared meals. During one such occasion with Attorney General Merrick Garland, Luger outlined the rise in shootings and carjackings in Minneapolis. Garland, Luger recalls, responded by asking if Luger considered pursuing racketeering conspiracy cases to tie together a history of shootings and other crimes as part of one big conspiracy case. The strategy had scarcely been deployed against Minneapolis gangs before and was instead long associated with organized crime. That work led Luger to a fast friendship with Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, a fellow East Coaster who took over the department in 2022 after moving from Newark, N.J. The two led a panel on their work together earlier this month at a federal law enforcement conference that brought together more than 600 personnel from across the country. In remarks kicking off the conference — which also included joining Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in presenting Luger with a plaque for his service — O’Hara called Luger “a crucial partner” and “a mentor and close friend.” “People here should know that we here in the state of Minnesota have been fortunate to have a U.S. Attorney that is truly a national treasure,” O’Hara said. The occasion had a funereal tone, as O’Hara acknowledged Luger’s imminent departure. “It’s been really an incredible privilege to work with him and to see him be a leader that is astute enough to recognize what the major problem is and pivot quickly to bring federal resources to bear on it,” said Steven Dettelbach, ATF director, in an interview at the conference. Dettelbach has since said he too will resign before an expected Trump firing. Retirement is off the table, Luger said, though he declined to disclose what might come next. Luger returned to private practice after his 2017 dismissal, joining Jones Day. In mid-March 2020, he’d returned from an international work trip when he fell sick upon reaching home. His doctor confirmed Luger had COVID-19, which rapidly worsened and required three weeks in intensive care, two of them in a coma. “I came as close to death as I think was possible,” Luger said. “I’m not an epiphany person, but you come out of a coma that not everybody was convinced you’d come out of, you have to reflect on what it means. I did not immediately say, ‘Boy, I want to be U.S. Attorney again,’ but I knew I wanted to serve, and I knew that I wanted as much meaning in my life going forward.” --------- ©2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at startribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan to enter 2025 NFL DraftPrime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka [File Photo] Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is calling Fijians to take a stand against gender-based violence as tomorrow marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism campaign. Rabuka who is also Acting Minister for Women, and Children emphasized the urgency of tackling one of Fiji’s most pressing social issues. Rabuka says gender-based violence affects every community and it is an issue that demands collective action not just during these 16 days, but every day of the year. He says this year’s campaign theme, “From Prevention to Justice: Ending Violence and Impunity against Women and Girls in All Spaces,” highlights the need for both proactive measures and accountability. Rabuka also stresses on the importance of prevention, justice, and societal change in creating a safer Fiji. Rabuka says that preventing violence requires more than policies and programs. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, observed globally, will serve as a platform to amplify efforts and raise awareness.
‘Nearly 40% of cricketers at U12 level in Australia are of South Asian heritage’ ABC writer on why Indian migrants might be answer to future of cricket in Australia MELBOURNE: Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s sports presenter Paul Kennedy, a former Footie player and current journalist, was asked on the Grade Cricketer vlog, if he worried about the “influence of India’s vision of cricket in Australia.” He instead suggested that “Indian or South Asian heritage cricketers might actually be the answer for future of cricket in Australia. Quoting some eye-popping figures, Kennedy explained that South Asian heritage cricketers were pivotal to increase participation figures in Australian cricket. “If you look at all sports, which I do, participation levels is a big thing. You need people playing a game if you want to keep operating as a sport, particularly big sport like cricket. If you look at migration to Australia, India is a huge part of Australia life now. And what do they do? They play cricket. The stats are that at the U12 level it’s up near 40% of the kids are from South Asian heritage. We went to Truganina which is west of Melbourne. In that area along eight years ago, they had 160 teams., now they have 420 teams. And some sports haven’t got the diversity to to have that future safeguard of just full participation in growing a game. So it’s like a gift for cricket,’ he told the Grade Cricketer. Earlier last month, writing on abc.net.au , Kennedy had stressed that the current participation boom was unlike any other trend in Australian sport: “Five years ago, 10 per cent of cricket players registered at all levels in Australia had South Asian heritage; Cricket Australia Chief of Cricket James Allsop says that figure is 20 per cent and rising.” The writeup noted other growing numbers. “Registrations for ‘Cricket Blast’, a backyard cricket-style introductory program for kids under 10, saw children of parents from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan go up by 26 per cent for boys and 29 per cent for girls over the past year. Representative programs run by local, state, and national organisations have noted 17 per cent of their players are now of South Asian heritage. In the Under 12 age group that number is an amazing 40 per cent in boys and 25 per cent in girls.” However a sobering stat presented itself in Kennedy’s findings, as he said the revolution is yet to reach the professional ranks, where contracted state players from South Asian families make up fewer than five per cent of 166 elite men and 122 women and at the highest level, only Usman Khawaja and Alana King had national contracts. A Cricket Australia multicultural plan aimed to double the number of South Asian players at state level by 2027. Alsopp was quoted as saying by ABC.net.au , “We’re making inroads. But we’ve still got a lot of work to do and we’re not shy about that. We want to make sure that all clubs are accommodating for people from all cultural backgrounds, which has been a big focus for the last five years.” AgenciesTetairoa McMillan, one of the best wide receivers in Arizona history, will skip his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on social media on Thursday. Projected as a top-10 draft pick, the 6-foot-5, 212-pound McMillan finished his illustrious career at Arizona with 3,423 receiving yards, breaking the mark set by Bobby Wade (3,351). In three seasons, the Hawaii native also posted the fourth-most catches (213) and third-most touchdowns (26) in school history. "Wildcat Nation, this journey has been everything I dreamed of and more," McMillan wrote on Instagram. "From the moment I committed to the University of Arizona, to every second spent wearing that Arizona jersey ... it's been an absolute honor. "The University of Arizona has provided me with the platform to grow and chase my dreams. ... Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the best fans in the country, I appreciate you for all of the love and support you have given me these last 3 years. I will always be a Wildcat." In 2024, McMillan totaled 84 grabs (ninth in Division I) for 1,319 yards (third in Division I) and eight touchdowns for the 4-8 Wildcats. He also ranked third in Division I with 109.9 receiving yards per game. McMillan is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the most outstanding receiver in college football. --Field Level Media