Shubman Gill (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Shubman Gill’s exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup squad continues to spark debate across cricketing circles. The decision surprised many, particularly given Gill’s recent role as vice-captain in India’s T20I series against South Africa. While some may justify the move on the grounds of team balance and strategy, dropping him at the last minute after entrusting him with a leadership position has raised questions about the selectors’ planning and communication. Gill had been reintegrated into India’s T20I setup earlier this year during the Asia Cup and was once again handed the vice-captaincy. Despite this, he struggled to secure a consistent spot at the top of the order, scoring 291 runs across 15 matches at a strike rate of 137.26, without registering a half-century.

Former India cricketer Yograj Singh criticised the decision, expressing disbelief at Gill’s omission. “Shubman Gill is a vice-captain. What is the reason behind dropping him? Just because he failed in 4-5 innings? Indian cricketers have had so many players who have barely managed to perform in 10 matches out of 100 opportunities,” Yograj told Ravish Bisht on a YouTube show. Singh also highlighted the impact of such decisions on younger players, using Abhishek Sharma as an example. “They still played; you already know the reason why. Young Abhishek Sharma arrived a couple of years ago. If he fails four innings, will you drop him as well?” he questioned, cautioning against inconsistent, knee-jerk reactions by the selection panel. Recounting past instances of backing senior players despite temporary struggles, Yograj referenced Kapil Dev’s treatment under Bishan Singh Bedi during the England tour. “Let me give you an example of the ‘great’ Kapil Dev. When we toured Pakistan with Bishan Singh Bedi as captain, Kapil Dev continued to play matches despite failing with bat and ball. But Bishan Singh Bedi still took him on the subsequent tour of England,” he said, emphasising the importance of trusting a player’s overall value to the team rather than reacting solely to recent form. Gill’s absence has reignited conversations about selection philosophy and the balance between short-term results and long-term team planning.

Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, has formally written to the UN Security Council and UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemning the “reckless and inflammatory threats” made by US President Donald Trump. Tehran also warned that the United States would bear full responsibility for any consequences or escalation that might arise from such statements.In the letter dated January 2, Iran accused the US president of openly threatening the use of force against a sovereign UN member state, asserting that such remarks amounted to a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter.Drawing attention to Trump’s recent comments, the Iranian envoy said the US president had gone beyond rhetoric by publicly declaring: “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” Iravani said the statement amounted to “the incitement of violence, unrest, and terrorist acts within Iran” and constituted “a clear, explicit, and unlawful threat of the use of force against a sovereign State.”Trump’s remarks came amid widening protests in Iran over economic hardship, soaring inflation and a sharp fall in the national currency. In a post on Truth Social, the US president warned Iranian authorities against killing protesters, saying the United States would “come to their rescue” if peaceful demonstrators were harmed, before adding that Washington was “locked and loaded.”“Only days earlier, the President of the United States publicly threatened the Islamic Republic of Iran with the use of force, including renewed military attacks against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities and its defensive capabilities. These repeated and deliberate statements demonstrate a consistent pattern of unlawful conduct by the United States and constitute a clear, explicit, and unlawful threat of the use of force against a sovereign State, as well as interference in its internal affairs,” the letter read. Iravani stressed that international law strictly prohibits such threats, regardless of political justification. “Such threats, irrespective of political pretexts or rhetorical framing, are strictly prohibited under international law,” the letter said, citing Articles 2(1), 2(4) and 2(7) of the UN Charter.The letter also accused Washington of encouraging unrest as a pretext for pressure or intervention, calling it “a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity.” It added that the encouragement or facilitation of violent activity within another state constituted “an internationally wrongful act.”Placing the current tensions in historical context, the Iranian envoy pointed to what he described as a long record of US intervention, including the 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, support for Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war, the 1988 shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655, the killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani and the imposition of decades-long sanctions.He also referred to joint US-Israeli attacks in June 2025, which he said targeted civilians, infrastructure, and peaceful nuclear facilities.Calling on the UN to act, Iran urged the Security Council “to unequivocally and strongly condemn these reckless and provocative statements” and to demand that the United States “cease all threats or uses of force” and comply with its obligations under international law.The letter concluded with a direct warning, stating: “The Islamic Republic of Iran unequivocally rejects and strongly condemns these reckless, interventionist, and inflammatory statements, and reaffirms its inherent right to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security.” Iranian officials have strongly rejected the warning. Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi described Trump’s comments as “reckless and dangerous”. Araghchi said that the protests were largely peaceful and driven by economic pressure and warned that any interference in Iran’s internal affairs would be firmly rejected. Other senior figures have also cautioned that foreign intervention would cross Iran’s security “red lines” and risk wider regional instability.The current protests are the most widespread since the 2022 unrest that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Amini, a young woman, had been accused by Iran’s morality police of not wearing her veil properly.

NEW DELHI: Bike-borne shooters unleashed a hail of gunfire on a businessman’s car and house in Rohini in a brazen extortion attempt on Friday evening. The men fired over two dozen rounds, leaving the vehicle riddled with bullets.The shooting occurred days after the businessman of cardboard and real estate got an extortion call that demanded Rs 3 crore.Investigators believe the daring strike marks the resurgence of gangster Himanshu Bhau, signalling that his syndicate had returned to business following a brief hiatus. Bhau is believed to be in the US.Police are also probing if a local gang was trying to misuse Bhau’s name to extract money from the businessman. Sources, however, said that the modus operandi, marked by excessive use of bullets, was indicative of Bhau’s involvement.The incident – reported to police in a PCR call at 5.23 pm – left the blue Toyota Innova with a shattered front windscreen. The businessman escaped without any injury. Around 25 bullet marks were found at the spot.The groundwork for the attack seems to have been laid between Dec 26 and 29 last year when the complainant received multiple WhatsApp calls and voice messages from an international number. “A caller, identifying as a major gangster, demanded a substantial sum of money and issued threats,” a senior police officer said. The victim initially did not report the threats to the authorities, mistaking it for a prank.In the wake of the incident, the cops at the local Begumpur police station registered an FIR on charges of extortion and attempted murder. “Crime and forensic science laboratory (FSL) teams were dispatched to the scene to collect the empty cartridges and other evidence to identify the calibre of the weapons that were used,” a cop added.Bhau and his close aide, Sahil Ritolia, were declared absconders by a court, and a red notice was issued by Interpol against them. A request for their trial in absentia was also moved before the court, allowing the trial to proceed even in the absence of the accused.The cops tried to bring back Bhau and Ritolia for over two years. Bhau was briefly held in the US last year on a request by Indian agencies but was let off for lack of proven charges, sources said.Last Oct, 10 members of this gang were booked under MCOCA by the crime branch. Originally from Haryana’s Rohtak, Bhau was active in Delhi since 2022. He got a passport made on forged documents in 2022 and fled to Dubai, then to Portugal and now to the US.

Shubman Gill (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary

Just like Virat Kohli’s recent domestic matches, Indian ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill’s upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy game will also be played without fans in the stands. It will be Gill’s first domestic game since being dropped from India’s T20 World Cup squad.Gill will turn out for Punjab against Sikkim on Saturday at the Jaipuria College ground, but no general public will be allowed to watch the match from inside the venue.

The decision has been taken following BCCI guidelines. According to the board’s instructions, both Shubman Gill and India pacer Arshdeep Singh will feature in Punjab’s next two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches. Punjab will face Sikkim on January 3 and Goa on January 6. While the match against Goa will be played at the KL Saini Stadium, the Sikkim game has been scheduled at the Jaipuria College ground. Due to security concerns and the absence of proper seating arrangements for spectators, the match will be held behind closed doors. A BCCI source explained that only people associated with the college will be allowed entry. “The students and staff are allowed inside the premises but there will be enough security arrangements including private bouncers being deployed. In any case, no outsiders will be allowed inside the college premises,” the source told PTI.“The scheduling was done much earlier. Only because of Rohit Sharma and anticipating the response, Mumbai’s match had to be shifted to Sawai Man Singh Stadium from Anantam,” the source added. Like the Vijay Hazare Trophy games featuring Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Gill’s match will also not be available for fans to watch on television or online. There will be no live broadcast or live streaming of the game. Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh are expected to reach the venue late on Friday night. Their travel plans were affected due to poor weather conditions in north India. “Both Gill and Arshdeep were supposed to arrive by evening but prevailing weather condition in North India has led to delay of their flights. Weather permitting, they will arrive by late night,” the source said. With fans unable to attend or watch the match live, Gill’s appearance for Punjab will remain a low-key affair. However, the game will still be important for Punjab as they continue their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign with two key international players returning to domestic cricket.

The irreverent country star Zach Bryan has tied the knot. The 29-year-old singer confirmed his marriage to Samantha Leonard, 28, with a low-key Instagram post that stayed true to his stripped-down public persona.Bryan shared the news on Thursday, posting a photo of himself holding Leonard close. The caption read simply, “tougher than the rest,” a nod to Bruce Springsteen’s song of the same name. In the second slide of the carousel, Bryan shared a short clip of himself covering the track, letting the music do the talking.A representative for Bryan later confirmed the marriage, without offering further details.

A relationship that stayed mostly off the grid

The couple has largely kept their relationship private. It remains unclear when they began dating or got engaged. Speculation first surfaced in August, when Leonard shared a picture of the two embracing on a boat on her Instagram account, prompting fans to connect the dots.In October, Bryan publicly acknowledged Leonard with a birthday tribute that offered a rare glimpse into their bond. “Today is your birthday and I love you, Samantha Marie,” he wrote. “To the only woman who can hike six miles in Chanel flats, skydive over the alps and catch a bigger fish than me all in the same day. Hope your day was as graceful as you are.”

Career highs continue for the singer-songwriter

Bryan’s personal milestone comes amid a strong professional run. His self-titled album Zach Bryan debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 in 2023, moving over 200,000 units in its first week. The album’s duet with Kacey Musgraves, I Remember Everything, became his first and only No. 1 single, and was named one of the year’s best songs. His 2024 release, The Great American Bar Scene, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard charts.Bryan is set to release his sixth studio album, With Heaven On Top, next Friday.

In a shocking turn of events, North Carolina’s own 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant was apprehended just before the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve. Investigators are alleging that he orchestrated a chilling plot, inspired by ISIS, targeting a local grocery store.

Federal authorities say an 18-year-old man from Mint Hill, North Carolina, was stopped just days before New Year’s Eve after allegedly planning a mass-casualty terrorist attack inspired by ISIS. Christian Sturdivant is accused of preparing to attack a grocery store and a fast food restaurant, with the intention of killing civilians and dying as a so-called martyr.Sturdivant was arrested on December 31, 2025, and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.

Extremist social media posts

The FBI said Sturdivant’s digital footprint showed a lot of extremist ideology linked to ISIS. In early December 2025, he allegedly posted an image of two miniature figurines of Jesus alongside the words, “May Allah curse the cross worshipers.”Authorities said the post was consistent with ISIS rhetoric calling for violence against non-believers, including Christians, Jews and Muslims who reject the group’s ideology.

Undercover op by the FBI

The FBI first became aware of Sturdivant on December 18, 2025, after receiving information that he was posting pro-ISIS content online. Investigators say he later began communicating with an undercover FBI employee posing as an ISIS supporter.During those conversations, Sturdivant allegedly said, “I will do jihad soon,” and described himself as “a soldier of the state,” referring to ISIS. Authorities say the undercover operation allowed law enforcement to track his intentions, targets and preparations in real time in order to capture him.

Hammers, knives and the place of attack

The criminal complaint alleges that on December 14, 2025, Sturdivant sent the undercover agent an image showing two hammers and a knife. Prosecutors said that ISIS propaganda has previously encouraged attacks using knives in Western countries.Sturdivant later told the undercover employee that he intended to attack a specific grocery store in North Carolina. He also discussed plans to purchase a firearm to use alongside knives during the attack, according to the arrest affidavit.FBI said they found two butcher knives and two hammers hidden under Sturdivant’s bed. The items appeared to match those shown in the image he sent to the undercover contact.Law enforcement also seized tactical gloves, a vest and a list of targets from his bedroom, all allegedly collected for the planned attack.

‘Martyrdom op’ and intent to die

On December 19, 2025, Sturdivant allegedly sent a voice recording pledging “Bayat”, a loyalty oath to ISIS.A search of his home on 29 December revealed handwritten notes, including one titled “New Years Attack 2026”. Prosecutors say the document was about a plan to stab as many civilians as possible, with a defined goal of killing up to 20 or 21 people.The note also included a section titled “martyrdom op”, which described plans to attack police responding to the scene so Sturdivant would be killed in the action. “As alleged, Sturdivant aspired to become a ‘martyr’ for ISIS and was in the final stages of planning a mass-casualty attack on New Year’s Eve,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Image via: Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks face the Charlotte Hornets on January 2 with most of the attention on whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will be on the floor. He is listed as probable on the NBA’s official injury report because of right calf injury management, a familiar listing that has followed him in recent weeks.The game tips off at 8:00 PM ET. Milwaukee enters in a strong position, while Charlotte continues to deal with roster limitations. If Giannis plays, the matchup shifts heavily toward the Bucks, especially given the Hornets’ issues in the frontcourt.

Giannis Antetokounmpo injury status vs Charlotte Hornets (January 2, 2026)

The latest injury report, released at 1:30 PM ET on January 2, lists Giannis Antetokounmpo as probable. The calf issue dates back to December, when he was managing a strain. Since then, updates have been steady, and there have been no signs of restrictions on his minutes.Some previews have not listed him as injured at all, pointing to growing confidence in his availability. As usual, final confirmation will come after warm-ups, but there is no indication that Milwaukee expects him to sit. The team has continued to manage his workload carefully to avoid setbacks.

Milwaukee Bucks injury report vs Charlotte Hornets (January 2, 2026)

Outside of Giannis, Milwaukee’s report is light. None of the team’s main rotation players are dealing with injuries.

Damian Lillard and the rest of the core are available, giving the Bucks close to a full lineup if Giannis plays.

Charlotte Hornets injury report vs Bucks (January 2, 2026)

Charlotte enters the game short-handed, particularly among big men, which limits their options on both ends of the floor.

These absences reduce Charlotte’s size and flexibility in the paint.

Why Giannis matters in this matchup

Milwaukee’s offense and defense still run through Giannis. Even while managing the calf issue, he has continued to produce at a high level and control games with his physical presence.Also read: Charlotte Hornets vs Milwaukee Bucks regular season game: Full injury report, who’s out, where to watch, and more (January 2, 2026)Against a Hornets team missing several frontcourt players, his availability could decide the game early. If he plays without limitation, Milwaukee is positioned to control the paint, set the pace, and avoid unnecessary pressure late.

Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, opens up about her pain.(Image via Araya Doheny/Getty, Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty)

Kobe Bryant and his teenage daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant’s deaths in the horrific helicopter crash shocked the world in January 2020.It is soon going to be six years since the fateful day but fans are still mourning the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his daughter. Amid the mess, Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, opened up about the heartbreaking details of what happened immediately after the crash.

Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, opens up about the pain she felt after the tragic passing

In 2021, Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after she accused them of taking pictures of the horrific crash.At the deposition, Vanessa Bryant opened up about the pain that followed immediately after.As per The New York Times, Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, said, “I was holding onto my phone, because obviously I was trying to call my husband back, and all these notifications started popping up on my phone, saying ‘RIP Kobe. RIP Kobe. RIP Kobe…’”The popular philanthropist added, “My life will never be the same without my husband and daughter…”Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, also opened up about how she had initially thought that the NBA legend and their daughter, Gianna Bryant, had survived the crash, when she heard of the accident.However, as luck would have it, as per reports, Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant tragically passed away as soon as the crash happened.In February 2023, Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, won the lawsuit she filed against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and was paid a whopping $29 million in settlement.

Vanessa Bryant is focused on her family and carrying forward the legacy of Kobe Bryant

Ever since the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant, Vanessa Bryant has turned her focus towards philanthropic activities and raising their three daughters.Despite the circumstances, Vanessa Bryant has worked on taking forward the legacy of Kobe Bryant as she continues to honor Gianna Bryant.While Vanessa Bryant has been dealing with one of the toughest losses in her life, there have been many rumors of her getting pregnant or dating someone new.However, Vanessa Bryant has been quick to deny such rumors as she continues to focus on her daughters.Also Read: Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant faces a tragic new concern tied to the NBA legend’s legacy as she amps up security

An 18-year-old from Mint Hill, North Carolina, is accused of plotting a deadly New Year’s Eve attack in support of the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham, before FBI agents moved in to stop him. The suspect was identified as Christian Sturdivant, who planned to stab civilians at public locations using knives, firearms and hammers, with the aim of killing as many people as possible.Sturdivant was arrested on December 31, 2025, and has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation. The criminal complaint was unsealed after he appeared in federal court in Charlotte. He remains in custody.Officials said the alleged plot targeted a grocery store and a fast food restaurant and was in its final stages. Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “This successful collaboration between federal and local law enforcement saved American lives from a horrific terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve.”According to court documents, the FBI became aware of Sturdivant on December 18, 2025, after receiving information about social media posts in which he praised ISIS, a designated terrorist organisation by many countries. Earlier that month, he allegedly shared an image mocking Christianity, accompanied by hateful language similar to ISIS propaganda calling for violence against non-believers.According to the FBI, Sturdivant began communicating online with an undercover federal agent posing as an ISIS supporter. During those conversations, Sturdivant allegedly said, “I will do jihad soon,” and referred to himself as “a soldier of the state,” a phrase linked to ISIS. On December 14, he sent the federal agent an image showing two hammers and a knife. Prosecutors say the image was similar to ISIS propaganda encouraging knife attacks in Western countries. On December 19, he allegedly sent a voice recording pledging loyalty to ISIS.FBI Director Kash Patel said, “The accused allegedly wanted to be a soldier for ISIS and made plans to commit a violent attack on New Year’s Eve in support of that terrorist group, but the FBI and our partners put a stop to that.”A search of Sturdivant’s home on December 29 uncovered handwritten notes, including one titled “New Years Attack 2026”. Prosecutors say the document listed equipment such as a vest, mask, tactical gloves and knives, and described a plan to stab up to 20 or 21 civilians. The note also includes a so-called “martyrdom op” in which Sturdivant intended to attack police responding to the scene so he would die as a martyr.John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, said, “As alleged, Sturdivant aspired to become a ‘martyr’ for ISIS and was in the final stages of planning a mass-casualty attack on New Year’s Eve.”The FBI said they found two butcher knives and two hammers hidden under Sturdivant’s bed, along with a list of targets and tactical gear. Investigators believe these items matched those shown in messages sent to the undercover contact.If convicted, Sturdivant faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Prosecutors said that the charges remain allegations and that he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.