The FBI announced it disrupted a planned New Year’s Eve attack in Mint Hill, North Carolina, arresting 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant, who officials say was inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS) and pledged loyalty to the extremist group. Sturdivant was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization after allegedly communicating his plans to undercover agents posing as ISIS associates. Authorities found a handwritten “New Years Attack 2026” plan and weapons at his home. The suspected target locations included a grocery store and fast-food restaurant, and the plot was prevented before any violence occurred. (PC: AP)

India’s ODI squad for the three-match home series against New Zealand is set to be announced by the BCCI today, with major selection drama brewing around key names. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant looks likely to be dropped, sparking debate after his inconsistent domestic form and lack of ODI chances in 18 months. Meanwhile, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is in contention for a return, backed by strong domestic performances, though fitness remains a question. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya may be rested to manage workloads, and other senior players like Shreyas Iyer are racing against time to prove fitness ahead of the series starting January 11. (PC: AP)

At least 20 fighters from the Southern Transitional Council were killed in Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen on Friday, group officials said. The attacks hit military camps in Al-Khasha and Seiyun in Hadramout province. Witnesses said the strikes also hit Seiyun airport, halting flights for more than a day. The raids came after pro-Saudi forces moved to take control of military sites in the area. The UAE said its last troops had left Yemen and called for calm. The STC accused Saudi Arabia of launching airstrikes despite claims of a peaceful operation. Saudi sources said the strikes would continue unless STC forces withdraw from the two provinces. (PC: HT)

Families are waiting for news after a deadly fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, early on New Year’s Day. Sixteen-year-old Achille Barosi is still missing. His aunt said the family only wants to find him. Arthur Brodard’s parents are also searching. His mother said she fears he may be in critical care or among the dead. Officials said 40 people were killed and 119 injured. Of the injured, 113 have been identified, including Swiss, French and Italian citizens. Local leaders said the wait for answers is very hard. Investigators believe sparklers near the ceiling may have caused the blaze. (PC: BBC)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has written a letter to jailed activist Umar Khalid, expressing support, Khalid’s family said. The undated note was shared by Khalid’s partner, Banojyotsna Lahiri, after Mamdani took office this week. In the letter, Mamdani said he often thinks about Khalid’s words on not letting bitterness take over and added that he met Khalid’s parents. Khalid has been in Delhi’s Tihar jail since September 2020 under the UAPA in the Delhi riots case. A court recently granted him provisional bail to attend his sister’s wedding. He surrendered on December 29. (PC: NDTV)

A six-month-old boy died in Indore after drinking formula prepared with municipal tap water amid a contamination outbreak in Bhagirathpura, officials said. The child, Avyan, was born after his family waited ten years. His grandmother Krishna Sahu told PTI they have not accepted state compensation. She said the baby developed diarrhoea, was treated at home on medical advice, but his condition worsened and he died in hospital on December 29. Residents allege contaminated water has caused several deaths, though the health department has confirmed four so far. More than 1,400 people have reported vomiting and diarrhoea in the area. (PC: HT)

Saudi Arabia carried out air strikes on UAE-backed separatist forces in southern Yemen on Friday, killing at least seven people, according to local officials. The raids hit a camp used by the Southern Transitional Council in Hadramawt. The attack followed a 24-hour deadline by the Yemeni government asking the UAE to leave the country. Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s recognised government, while the UAE backs the STC, which seeks control of parts of the south. The STC had recently taken several military sites in the region. Riyadh said its forces would continue operations until the separatists withdraw from Hadramawt and Mahra. The UAE has rejected claims that it is sending weapons to the group. (PC: India Today)

A Buddha Air turboprop aircraft veered off the runway while landing at Bhadrapur airport in Nepal on Friday, the airline said. The ATR 72-500 was flying from Kathmandu with 51 passengers and four crew members. No one was injured in the incident. The plane overshot the runway by around 200 metres and came to a stop near a small stream, suffering minor damage. The airline said technical and relief teams were sent from Kathmandu to inspect the aircraft and assist passengers. Authorities are reviewing the incident to understand what led to the runway overrun. Flights at the airport were briefly disrupted after the landing. (PC: NDTV)

The FBI said it stopped a New Year’s Eve attack plan in North Carolina and charged 18-year-old Christan Sturdivant in the case. Officials said the Mint Hill resident was inspired by ISIS and planned knife and hammer attacks on civilians and police. Agents searched his home and found a handwritten note titled “New Year Attack 2026,” which listed plans to stab several people at a local grocery store. Sturdivant was taken into custody on Wednesday and ordered to remain in jail after a court hearing on Friday. He is charged with trying to provide material support to a foreign terrorist group. Investigators said the probe began after posts praising ISIS appeared on social media. (PC:HT)

The Centre has asked X to remove sexually explicit content made using its AI chatbot Grok within 72 hours and submit a report on action taken. The notice was issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology after it found wide misuse of the tool to create and share obscene images and videos, mainly targeting women and children. The ministry said X failed to follow due diligence rules under the IT Act and related guidelines. It ordered the platform to review Grok’s systems and take strict action against users who abuse it. The Centre warned that failure to comply could lead to loss of legal protection and further action under criminal and child protection laws. (PC: IndiaToday)