An 18-year-old was arrested in Mint Hill, North Carolina, accused of plotting an ISIL-inspired terrorist attack. Christian Sturdivant, a US citizen and resident of Mint Hill, was identified as the suspect by the US Attorney's Office and the FBI on Friday. The alleged targets were a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant in the suburban town outside Charlotte. The attack was planned for New Year's Eve.
US Attorney Russ Ferguson stated that countless lives were saved due to the arrest. The FBI was involved in the investigation. The suspect's motives are still under investigation.
The arrest comes amid heightened security concerns following recent attacks in other US cities. Law enforcement agencies are increasing vigilance during the holiday season.
ISIL's online propaganda continues to inspire individuals to commit acts of violence. Authorities are working to counter extremist ideologies.
Sturdivant is expected to appear in court next week. Further details will be released following the court appearance.
Multi-Source Journalism
This article synthesizes reporting from multiple credible news sources to provide comprehensive, balanced coverage.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
Vox's Future Perfect team has released its annual predictions for 2026, focusing on significant global events and trends. The forecasts, presented with attached probabilities to reflect confidence levels, cover a range of critical issues, from the stability of US democracy to potential economic downturns and international conflicts.
A renewed focus on reducing meat consumption is crucial in 2026, despite recent declines in plant-based meat sales and a shift in public perception. The environmental impact of animal agriculture, coupled with health concerns and ethical considerations, necessitates a return to the aspirational goals of the 2010s, where reducing meat intake was seen as a positive step.
Bogotá is pioneering a radical caregiving initiative, "manzana del cuidado," recognizing and addressing women's unpaid labor through accessible services like childcare and skills training. This innovative approach, which reimagines urban spaces to support caregivers, is gaining global attention as a potential model for equitable social policy.
Since Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, now X, the platform has shifted to favor right-leaning perspectives, leading to a perceived conservative advantage in the culture war. However, this shift has also fostered internal divisions within the right, as disagreements and controversies arise from the prevalence of extreme viewpoints on the platform. Some conservatives are now expressing concern over the prominence of bigotry and conspiracy theories on X.
As AI capabilities advance, experts are considering extreme measures to control potentially dangerous rogue systems, including deploying counter-AI, targeted internet shutdowns, or even nuclear EMPs. However, these drastic options carry significant risks and highlight the urgent need for robust AI safety protocols and ethical guidelines to prevent such scenarios.
A new TLC docuseries, "The Cult of the Real Housewife," explores the controversial life of "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Mary Cosby, focusing on her marriage and religious practices. The three-part series premiered January 1st and is available to watch on TLC, DirecTV (with a free trial), HBO Max, and Discovery+.
Prince's music experienced a massive surge in Spotify streams, particularly among Gen Z listeners, following the use of "When Doves Cry" and "Purple Rain" in the *Stranger Things* series finale. This highlights the power of AI-driven music placement in film and television to revitalize classic catalogs and introduce them to new audiences, demonstrating the potential for significant revenue generation and cultural impact.
Victoria Jones, daughter of actor Tommy Lee Jones, has passed away at age 34 in a San Francisco hotel, prompting an investigation into the cause of death. The incident highlights the intersection of celebrity and personal tragedy, raising questions about media ethics and privacy in the digital age, especially concerning the rapid dissemination of information.
Hollywood's top directors, from Paul Thomas Anderson to Barry Jenkins, are spilling their cinematic crushes of 2025, revealing the films that sparked their creativity and maybe a little envy! Michael Mann, for one, is bowing down to James Cameron's "Avatar: Fire and Ash," praising its immersive world-building and the introduction of a fierce new Navi clan, proving that even the biggest names in the biz get starstruck by groundbreaking filmmaking.
Researchers have developed random heteropolymers (RHPs) that mimic enzyme functions by strategically arranging monomers to create protein-like microenvironments. This innovative approach, inspired by metalloprotein active sites, allows for catalysis of reactions under non-biological conditions, demonstrating a new path for designing robust, enzyme-like materials with potential applications in various fields.
Researchers have created a novel "chiral fermionic valve" that separates electrons based on their chirality using the quantum geometry of topological bands, achieving this without magnetic fields. This innovative device, made from single-crystal PdGa, spatially separates currents with opposite chiralities, demonstrating quantum interference and opening new possibilities for advanced electronic devices.
In 2026, expect to see the rise of efficient, small-scale AI models challenging current large language models, alongside advancements in gene editing therapies for rare diseases. A mission to collect samples from Phobos will also be a key event, while changes to US science policy under the Trump administration are expected to have a significant impact on the scientific landscape.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment