FBI says it foiled an ISIS-inspired New Year's Eve terror attack in North Carolina

The DOJ and FBI said they foiled an alleged plot to attack a grocery store and fast food restaurant on New Year's Eve in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, arresting 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant.

Sturdivant allegedly planned to use knives and hammers in a deadly, ISIS-inspired attack at a fast food restaurant and grocery store. Officials said Sturdivant is a resident of Mint Hill, North Carolina.

FBI and DOJ officials claim that Sturdivant began consuming ISIS propaganda videos on social media and pledged his allegiance to ISIS, detailing his plans to undercover officers.

Officials said that he planned the attack for about a year in support of ISIS. He has been charged with producing material support to a terrorist organization.

byAlex Forten

in

January 02, 2026

FBI says it foiled an ISIS-inspired New Year's Eve terror attack in North Carolina

The DOJ and FBI said they foiled an alleged plot to attack a grocery store and fast food restaurant on New Year's ...

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Saudi warplanes strike UAE-backed separatists in southern Yemen

ADEN, Yemen (AP) — Saudi warplanes have reportedly struck on Fridayforces in southern Yemenbacked by the United Arab Emirates, a separatist leader says.

This comes as a Saudi-led operation attempts to take over camps of the Southern Transitional Council, or STC, in the governorate of Haramout that borders Saudi Arabia.

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAErose after the STC moved last month into Yemen's governorates of Hadramout and Mahra and seized an oil-rich region. The move pushed out forces affiliated with the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces, a group aligned with the coalition in fighting the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

Meanwhile, the Saudi ambassador to Yemen accused the head of the STC of blocking a Saudi mediation delegation from landing in the southern city of Aden.

Strikes on Hamdrmout

The STC deputy and former Hamdrmout governor, Ahmed bin Breik, said in a statement that the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces advanced toward the camps, but the separatists refused to withdraw, apparently leading to the airstrikes.

Mohamed al-Nakib, spokesperson for the STC-backed Southern Shield Forces, also known as Dera Al-Janoub, said Saudi airstrikes caused fatalities, without providing details. The Associated Press couldn't independently verify that claim.

Al-Nakib also accused Saudi Arabia in a video on X of using "Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaeda militias" in a "large-scale attack " early Friday that he claimed sepratists were able to repel.

He likened the latest developments toYemen's 1994 civil war,"except that this time it is under the cover of Saudi aviation operations."

Salem al-Khanbashi, the governor of Hadramout who was chosen Friday by Yemen's internationally recognized government to command the Saudi-led forces in the governorate, refuted STC claims, calling them "ridiculous" and showing intentions of escalation instead of a peaceful handover, according Okaz newspaper, which is aligned with the Saudi government.

Earlier on Friday, al-khanbashi called the current operation of retrieving seized areas "peaceful."

"This operation is not a declaration of war and does not seek escalation," al-Khanbashi said in a speech aired on state media. "This is a responsible pre-emptive measure to remove weapons and prevent chaos and the camps from being used to undermine the security in Hadramout," he added.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen demands the withdrawal of STC forces from the two governorates as part of de-escalation efforts. The STC has so far refused to hand over its weapons and camps.

The coalition'sspokesperson Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malikisaid Friday on X that Saudi naval forces were deployed across the Arabian Sea to carry out inspections and combat smuggling.

Escalating tensions

In his post on X, the Saudi ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed al-Jaber, said the kingdom had tried "all efforts with STC" for weeks "to stop the escalation" and to urge the separatists to leaveHadramout and Mahra,only to be faced with "continued intransigence and rejection from Aidarous al-Zubaidi," the STC head.

Al-Jaber said the latest development was not permitting the Saudi delegation's jet to land in Aden, despite having agreed on its arrival with some STC leaders to find a solution that serves "everyone and the public interest."

Yemen's transport ministry, aligned with STC, said Saudi Arabia imposed on Thursdayrequirements mandatingthat flights to and from Aden International Airport undergo inspection in Jeddah. The ministry expressed "shock" and denounced the decision. There was no confirmation from Saudi authorities.

ِA spokesperson with the transport ministry told the AP late Thursday that all flights from and to the UAE were suspended until Saudi Arabia reverses these reported measures.

Yemen has been engulfed in a civil war for more than a decade, with the Houthis controlling much of the northern regions, while a Saudi-UAE-backed coalition supports the internationally recognized government in the south. However, the UAE also helps the southern separatists who call for South Yemen to secede once again from Yemen. Those aligned with the council have increasingly flown the flag of South Yemen, which was a separate country from 1967-1990.

Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Fatma Khaled in Cairo contributed to this report.

byAlex Forten

in

January 02, 2026

Saudi warplanes strike UAE-backed separatists in southern Yemen

ADEN, Yemen (AP) — Saudi warplanes have reportedly struck on Fridayforces in southern Yemenbacked by the United Arab Emir...

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Lions and tigers wounded after Russia bombs Ukrainian zoo

Lions were wounded and tigers were buried under rubble after Russia bombed a zoo in Ukraine's second-largest city.

Moscow's attack on Thursday turned animal enclosures into heaps of ash, killing most of the rare birds at the Feldman EcoPark inKharkiv, according to staff.

Oleksandr Feldman, the founder of the zoo and a Ukrainian parliamentarian, told local media: "The birds have died – if not all of them, then the majority. A shell hit the aviary. All the parrots, pheasants and rare birds that needed warm conditions were in that building."

A volunteer, a 40-year-old woman, was also admitted to hospital with head injuries.

The tigers were left stranded for hours in half-destroyed buildings as staff waited for a tranquilliser rifle to arrive in order to rescue them.

Ivan Dostov, the head of the zoo's veterinary department, said that vets were examining the "traumatised" tigers and lions, but that they would probably recover. "It seems to me that their lives are not in danger," he told local media.

"Is there any logic to this war anymore? When places like an eco-park are being hit, I see no logic at all. If anyone tries to claim there are safe places in Ukraine, name them for me," Mr Dostov added.

Credit: Instagram / @feldman_ecopark

Footage shows the aftermath of the guided bomb strike, leaving the zoo grounds pockmarked with huge craters, while buildings, enclosures and cages have been shredded into sooty debris.

Lions, which had to be moved, were seen lying in the snow-covered enclosures outside despite the freezing temperatures.

Located just 20kmfrom the front line, the Feldman EcoPark, which houses pelicans, leopards, zebras, lynxes and camels among others, has been hit repeatedly by Russia since war broke out.

Before the full-scale invasion, it was one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kharkiv for tourists from Russia and Ukraine alike, holding at least 6,000 animals of 300 species. As Russian troops advanced, the park became caught in the crossfire and was partially destroyed, leading to the evacuation of the most of the animals.

Some animals were later returned in November 2022 and the zoo partly reopened in the summer of 2023 before being declared fully operational a few months later.

The park's staff became famous for their daring escapades by feeding, tending to and evacuating the animals during bombardment from Moscow.

Six employees and volunteers were killed and 100 animals died inRussian attackson the park in 2022.

After the initial evacuation, two volunteers who stayed behind to feed the animals were later found to have been shot dead by Russian soldiers and barricaded into a back room, the park said.

Denis Selevin, 15, who had risked his life to return to the zoo to tend to the animals alongside his parents, was also killed in Russian shelling in May 2022.

The zoo recently became home to two tiger cubs named Dexter and Dakota, as well as lemur pups and baboon infants, which staff described days ago as "a true symbol of hope" for the new year.

"Once again – far from the first or even the second time – bombs are falling on our EcoPark, which has always been a beacon of the ideas of peace, mutual understanding, and tolerance," Mr Feldman wrote on Facebook. "What we had only just managed to restore with such great effort has been destroyed."

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byAlex Forten

in

January 02, 2026

Lions and tigers wounded after Russia bombs Ukrainian zoo

Lions were wounded and tigers were buried under rubble after Russia bombed a zoo in Ukraine's second-largest city. Moscow's attack...

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26 New York Yankees predictions for 2026: Bellinger coming back?

In just six weeks, Yankees pitchers and catchers will report to spring training.

Up to now, it's been a ho-hum winter in the Bronx, without a notable trade or free-agent signing (while the rest of the AL East has been active).

Will the Yanks make any significant upgrades to a club that bowed out in the 2025 Division Series?

Does that include a Cody Bellinger reunion?

Since it's never too early for bold, reckless prognosticating, let's take a few big swings – 26 Yankees predictions for 2026:

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement

1. Jazz Chisholm Jr. stays

All that Jazz about a potential trade is just talk. Chisholm is the Yanks' Opening Day second baseman, playing his free-agent walk year without an extension.

2. Cody Bellinger decides

Three weeks before camps open, Cody Bellinger shuns the New York teams and signs a five-year, $160 million contract with the world champion Dodgers.

3. February trade

GM Brian Cashman sends two mid-level prospects and one lottery ticket prospect to St. Louis in exchange for Cardinals lefty reliever JoJo Romero.

4. Third-base swap

On consecutive late January days, Alex Bregman (Blue Jays) and Bo Bichette (Red Sox) sign, while the Yanks invite Alex Rodriguez to camp as an instructor.

5. Martian's new look

Determined to improve on his .569 OPS vs. lefties, Jasson Dominguez arrives in camp with a new right-handed batting stance eerily similar to Aaron Judge.

6. Spring training buzz

Cam Schlittler's new changeup has everyone buzzing in camp. "Not fair!'' says an impressed Aaron Judge, after facing the right-hander during live BP.

7. Familiar face on the mound

A month before his 41stbirthday, David Robertson – the last active link to the Yanks' last world championship – gets a non-roster invite to camp.

8. The outfield winner is…

Capping a solid spring, Jasson Dominguez is named the Opening Day left fielder, and Spencer Jones opens the season at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

9. Yankees' Opening Day lineup

1. Trent Grisham, CF; 2. Aaron Judge, RF; 3. Ben Rice, 1B; 4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH; 5. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B; 6. Jasson Dominguez, LF; 7. Austin Wells, C; 8. Jose Caballero, SS; 9. Ryan McMahon, 3B.

10. Opening Day vs. Giants

At San Francisco, Max Fried tosses a one-hitter across six innings and the Yankees score a 2-1, 10-inning win over the Giants on Opening Day.

11. Welcome back, Carlos Rodon

Having rehabbed from an offseason elbow procedure, Carlos Rodon returns to the rotation May 5 at Yankee Stadium, in a no-decision vs. theTexas Rangers.

12. Welcome back, Part 2: Anthony Volpe

On May 15, Anthony Volpe (offseason shoulder surgery) makes his 2026 debut, going 0-for-3 against the Mets at Citi Field.

13. The cycle and Subway sweep

On May 17, Volpe becomes the first Yankee since 2009 (Melky Cabrera) to hit for the cycle as the Yankees sweep the Mets in the initial Subway Series of '26.

14. CC Sabathia's night at Yankee Stadium

Before the June 3 game against the Cleveland Guardians, Hall of Fame lefty CC Sabathia has his No. 52 officially retired in a ceremony at Yankee Stadium.

15. Welcome back, Part 3: Gerrit Cole

On June 16, ace Gerrit Cole goes five innings in his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery, getting a victory vs. theChicago White Soxat the Stadium.

16. Yankees hit low point of the season

Losing six out of seven at Detroit and Boston in late June, the Yankees plunge into fourth place, forcing the front office to initiate a critical midseason strategy.

17. Big promotions in Spencer Jones and Elmer Rodriguez

Promoting two top prospects on June 29, slugger Spencer Jones is installed in left field and righty Elmer Rodriguez is plugged into the rotation.

18. Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. are All-Stars

Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. are the Yankees' only All-Star representatives at Philadelphia, where the National League All-Stars triumph, 7-6.

19. Cody Bellinger returns with Dodgers

Making his Bronx return on July 17, Cody Bellinger clubs three home runs, Shohei Ohtani hits two, and the Dodgers go on to take two of three games at Yankee Stadium.

20. Major trade with Marlins

Will Warren and pitching prospect Bryce Cunningham are part of a late July trade package to Miami in exchange for Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara.

21. Major trade, Part 2: Subway swap

At the MLB trade deadline, the Yankees and Mets make a rare blockbuster deal, swapping Yanks starter Luis Gil for third baseman Mark Vientos.

22. Hot August stretch

Spencer Jones and Cam Schlittler are named player and pitcher of the month, and the Yankees' 19-8 August mark moves them within two games of AL East-leading Toronto.

23. Unlikely heroes win September awards

Elmer "E-Rod'' Rodriguez wins September's AL Rookie of the Month award, while fill-in closer Cade Winquest earns Reliever of the Month honors for the surging Yanks.

24. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton's home run total

On the final day of the regular season, Aaron Judge hits his 51sthomer of the year, Giancarlo Stanton hits No. 44, and the Yanks enter postseason as the second wild-card seed.

25. Royal flush in playoffs

At Kansas City, the Royals eliminate the Yankees in a four-game AL Division Series, sending K.C. to the AL Championship Series against the Blue Jays.

26. Consolation prize for Steinbrenner

After the Dodgers win a third straight World Series, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is cited by Forbes for his fiscal responsibility in keeping the team's payroll at $299 million.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com:New York Yankees predictions for 2026: Free agency news and updates

byAlex Forten

in

January 02, 2026

26 New York Yankees predictions for 2026: Bellinger coming back?

In just six weeks, Yankees pitchers and catchers will report to spring training. Up to now, it's been a ho-h...

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Will Ferrell dresses up in full NHL referee uniform for Kings game

Will Ferrell was ready to dish out some penalties during an NHL game on Thursday.

The famed actor was spotted in the stands at Crypto.com Arena decked out in full NHL referee gear midway through the Kings' matchup against the Lightning.

The video board panned to Ferrell — who was wearing the officials' signature black and white striped shirt and a black helmet — as he was calling penalties from outside the glass.

After being shown on the big screen, the FanDuel Sports Network broadcast came down to Ferrell's seats, and asked him what he was doing in a ref's uniform.

"I've always been in support of the NHL referees,"Ferrell answered.

Will Ferrell is at the Kings game tonight in full referee gear making calls from behind the glass

pic.twitter.com/jfw2hVky33

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_)January 2, 2026

Ferrell then seemingly joked about the two referees on the ice, Brandon Schrader and Francis Charron, claiming that he helped teach them.

"In fact, I trained two of the guys out here — they are two of my prized students, Brandon and Francis. They are calling a heck of a game."

Ferrell, who is known to be a diehard Kings fan and has season tickets, has been spotted in the standswearing costumes before, as he was seen dressed as his character, Buddy, from the 2003 comedy movie "Elf" during a 2024 game against the Flyers.

During that game, Ferrell was spotted pouting in the stands with a cigarette in his mouth and a beer in his hand. He explained his choices behind wearing the outfit during an episode ofTravis and Jason Kelce's"New Heights" podcast in January 2025.

"Buddy the Elf got laid off, I think, from the North Pole,"Ferrell joked on the podcast then. "He's having a pull from his beer, smoking a cig. That was just…I get these weird ideas every now and then."

"We're season ticket holders for the L.A. Kings. We have seats right on the glass," Ferrell added. "I told my wife, 'Over the break, it would be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and didn't shave for a week, and I'm just sitting there with a candy cigarette and I'm just gonna sit there for a period and see how people react.'"

byAlex Forten

in

January 02, 2026

Will Ferrell dresses up in full NHL referee uniform for Kings game

Will Ferrell was ready to dish out some penalties during an NHL game on Thursday. The famed actor was spotted in the stands at Crypto.com ...

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named SI’s 2025 Sportsperson of the Year

Oklahoma City Thunderguard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player and led the franchise to its first NBA championship, was named the2025 Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year.

Gilgeous-Alexander is the first NBA player to win the award since Warriors guard Stephen Curry in 2022, when he led Golden State to their fourth championship in eight years. He is also the first Canadian to win the award outright since 1982, when Wayne Gretzky took home the honors.

The 27-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander capped off a remarkable year by becoming the third Thunder player to win the regular-season MVP.

Led by Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder won 68 regular-season games. He also won his first scoring title, averaging 32.1 points per game, along with five rebounds and a career-high 6.4 assists, helping Oklahoma City finish first in defensive rating and third in offensive rating.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is SI's 2025 Sportsperson of the Year 👏pic.twitter.com/aC8JELvTfO

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow)January 2, 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander, a three-time All-NBA First Team selection, then took the Thunder to the mountaintop with a seven-game NBA Finals victory over the Indiana Pacers. He averaged 30.3 points a game in the series and was named the Finals MVP.

The team rewarded that faith by giving him a four-year, $285 million supermax contract extension, keeping him with Oklahoma City through the 2030-31 season.

SGA told the magazine he realizes how lucky he is to win a title, considering the Thunder once had future MVPs Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden on the roster at the same time and each departed without a championship.

"That team had three MVP talents and anybody would have bet the house that they were going to eventually figure it out and win," he said. "But you just never know with life and how things work out."

This season, Oklahoma City has gotten off to a 29-5 start, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 32.1 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds a game

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:SGA named Sports Illustrated's 2025 Sportsperson of the Year

byAlex Forten

in

January 02, 2026

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named SI’s 2025 Sportsperson of the Year

Oklahoma City Thunderguard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player and led the franchise to...

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Jessica Alba Honors Son Hayes on His 8th Birthday, Celebrating His 'Bravery' amid a Year with 'So Many New Changes'

Jessica Alba/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

• Jessica Alba's son is another year older!

• On Thursday, Jan. 1, the actress and mom of three, 44, shared a sweet tribute video on Instagram for her son Hayes to commemorate his 8th birthday

• The proud mom captioned her post with a sweet message for her "sweet, bright, fun, [and] hilarious" son

Jessica Alba's son is another year older!

On Thursday, Jan. 1, the actress and mom of three, 44, shared a sweet tribute video onInstagram— set to Gorillaz's "Feel Good Inc." — in honor of her son Hayes's 8th birthday. In the clip, Alba included several pictures and videos of her son throughout his first eight years. The proud mom captioned her post with a sweet message for her "sweet, bright, fun, [and] hilarious" son.

"My Hayesie, My sweet, bright, fun, hilarious Hayes. Wow—8 years ago, early in the morning on NYE, you arrived. Time has flown by, yet it has paused on so many beautiful moments with you," she began in her tribute. "Watching you grow into the coolest lil dude ever has been one of the greatest experiences of my life."

"Your skills on the tennis court, golf course, soccer field, and handball court—which you improvise on every wall or back of a couch, indoors or out—are impressive to say the least," Alba continued. "You take pride in being kind and doing well, which makes my heart swell. I love your quick wit with your sisters, your competitive nature—kicking my butt in UNO on the regular—and your desire to always play and have fun."

View this post on Instagram

The doting mom continued her heartfelt message sharing her "absolute favorite moments" with the newly minted 8 year old.

"My absolute favorite moments have been our sleepovers and nighttime cuddles, filled with your musings of the day and questions about life. Also, our lazy morning cuddles with hot chocolate for you and coffee for me, watching a movie we didn't finish the night before," she said.

"I love that you are bilingual and have such compassion and empathy for anyone who might feel different in any way or circumstance," the mom of three added. "I've admired how you have stepped into this year with so much bravery, never allowing the unknown to swallow or paralyze you, but being courageous in the face of so many new changes."

TheTrigger Warningstar concluded her post with how "tremendously proud" she is of her son and sharing her love for him.

"I am tremendously proud of you and love you in this lifetime and all lifetimes forevermore," she said. "Happy Birthday, my baby boy! Mama."

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In addition to Hayes, Alba shares two daughters —Haven, 14, and Honor, 17,— with estranged husbandCash Warren. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, the actress shared a social media post of her loved ones, featuringher three kids, recapping a few December memories from her first holiday season since her divorce.

Alba began with a photo of herself smiling at the camera while wearing pajamas and holding presents. A lit Christmas tree was positioned behind her. She also shared a video of Hayes excited for a Pokémon gift, sharing that he hoped it was a Charizard after he'd previously seen YouTubers with "crazy luck" get the character.

The next slide showed him also smiling as he wore a Pikachu camo hoodie. Her parents, Mark and Catherine Alba, joined the family to open presents in their pajamas. On the photos the actress shared of Honor and Haven, she added the nicknames "Honorcita" and "Havie" to their posts.

Alba's brother and his wife were also included in a family photo of the gang hanging together for a festive evening out. Other images included time spent with friends, gym sessions, good eats and inspirational posts about being "thankful for what matters most."

"December moments - the last chapter of 2025…!" she captioned theInstagram carousel.

Read the original article onPeople

byAlex Forten

in

January 02, 2026

Jessica Alba Honors Son Hayes on His 8th Birthday, Celebrating His 'Bravery' amid a Year with 'So Many New Changes'

Jessica Alba/Instagram NEED TO KNOW Jessica Alba's son is another year older! On Thursday, Jan. 1, the actress and mom of three, 44, ...

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