Federal authorities announced Monday that they thwarted a New Year's Eve bombing plot in Southern California targeting multiple sites of two U.S. companies, arresting members of an extremist anti-capitalist and anti-government group. The four suspects—Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41, all from the Los Angeles area—were arrested Friday in the Mojave Desert east of Los Angeles while rehearsing the attack, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. Officials showed aerial surveillance footage of the suspects moving a large black object to a table in the desert and noted they were apprehended before assembling a functional explosive device.
The suspects are affiliated with an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which advocates for working-class uprisings against capitalism, according to the criminal complaint. Charges include conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, with additional charges expected.
Authorities said Carroll had created a detailed plan last month to bomb five or more business locations, described as Amazon-style logistical centers, on New Year's Eve. The handwritten eight-page plan, titled OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN, outlined step-by-step instructions for building pipe bombs and listed multiple targets across Orange County and Los Angeles. The plan aimed to detonate the bombs simultaneously at midnight, coinciding with fireworks to avoid detection. It also allowed for adding more locations and mentioned future attacks on ICE agents and vehicles in 2026.
The plot was coordinated both in person in Los Angeles and via encrypted messaging. Court documents included photos of a desert campsite with bomb-making materials—PVC pipes, suspected potassium nitrate, charcoal, sulfur, fuses, and other components—brought by all four suspects. Instructions included manufacturing the devices and avoiding leaving evidence, with some materials recently purchased online.
The FBI intervened as the suspects rehearsed the attack near Twentynine Palms, California. Search warrants executed at Carroll’s and Page’s homes uncovered related materials, including posters advocating “Death to America” and “Death to ICE” and a copy of the detailed bomb plan. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell highlighted that despite differing views on immigration enforcement, federal and local authorities work together to protect residents. The suspects were arrested without incident and were scheduled to appear in court in Los Angeles Monday afternoon.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
The Lok Sabha saw the introduction of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025—commonly called the VB-G RAM-G Bill—which is intended to replace the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly criticized the bill, claiming it would weaken MGNREGA and undermine its guarantee of 100 days of employment. During the Lok Sabha debate, the Wayanad MP argued that no legislation should be rushed through Parliament without proper consultation or discussion and accused the government of pushing the bill due to "personal obsession" or "bias."
Addressing the House, she said, "The bill should not be rushed through without proper consultation or discussion. It ought to be withdrawn, and a new bill should be introduced. Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy is an emotion shared by the nation, and this bill should be referred to the Standing Committee for detailed examination. No legislation should be pushed through merely due to personal obsession or bias." She also highlighted delays in MNREGA wage payments, stating, "This new bill will weaken the right to income for at least 100 days. Wherever you go, MNREGA employees will tell you they have not received their wages."
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sought the Lok Sabha’s approval to introduce the bill. The legislation proposes to increase wage employment to 125 days per rural household, up from 100, for adults willing to perform unskilled manual work. It also aims to ensure income security while creating durable, productivity-enhancing rural assets through a coordinated national development strategy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Business leaders in Karachi have warned that economic activity in the port city and the wider province could grind to a halt as a cargo transporters' strike enters its ninth day. Reports from Dawn indicate that the strike has significantly disrupted the flow of goods and threatens to halt local production.
Representatives from various business organizations have appealed to the Sindh government to intervene, highlighting the severe impact on industrial output and supply chains. In a letter to the Sindh chief minister, Abdul Aleem, Secretary General of the Overseas Investors Chambers of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), described the situation as critically concerning for trade and industry nationwide. Likewise, Sheikh Umer Rehan, Chairman of the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association, noted that supplies of edible oil, ghee, and other essential consumer goods have been interrupted, and the transport of industrial raw materials has come to a standstill.
Wajid Bukhari, General Secretary of the Pakistan Association of Large Steel Producers, told Dawn that the strike has severely damaged industrial production and logistics networks. He warned that if it continues, it could result in job losses, reduced wages, and long-term damage to Pakistan’s industrial reputation.
The protests began following the enactment of the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 2025 on December 8, which introduced higher fines, stricter penalties, vehicle seizures, and the registration of FIRs against drivers and transport operators. Transport unions argue that these measures were implemented without proper consultation, making day-to-day operations financially unviable.
Major transport groups, including the All Pakistan Transport Federation and affiliated goods transport associations, have announced a nationwide wheel-jam strike for December 19, citing dissatisfaction with government commitments. Transport leaders have warned that unless the contested provisions of the ordinance are withdrawn or significantly amended, goods and passenger transport across the country could remain suspended.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
A day after it was announced that Japan’s last two giant pandas would be returning to China, thousands of fans visited Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo on Tuesday (Dec 16) for a final look, many saying tearful goodbyes to the twins. Four-year-old Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are scheduled to move to China at the end of January, ahead of a Feb 20 deadline — news that broke on Monday and disappointed a nation long enamored with pandas. While their relocation had been planned for some time, the departure carries symbolic weight amid recently strained China-Japan relations. Tensions rose last month after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested a military response if China attacked Taiwan.
On Tuesday, the pandas again made headlines as crowds wearing panda-themed hats, bags, and merchandise lined up early to see them. “I want these pandas to stay in Japan forever,” said 60-year-old hospitality worker Hiroyo Kashio. “I know they belong to China, but since they were born in Japan, I really want them to remain at Ueno Zoo.”
Born in June 2021, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei have been major attractions since their parents left last year. Their departure will leave Japan without pandas for the first time since 1972, when the country normalized diplomatic relations with China. “The birth of these twins gave us so much, both in experience and emotional impact,” said Hitoshi Suzuki, head of animal care and exhibition at Ueno Zoo. “I’m deeply grateful for that.” China, which practices “panda diplomacy,” often loans pandas to reward allies but sometimes recalls them to express displeasure. Pandas, native to China, usually return once their loan agreements end, including cubs born overseas.
Expecting large crowds until Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei’s last viewing day on Jan 25, Ueno Zoo has limited visits at the panda pavilion to roughly a minute per person since Tuesday and will require online reservations starting next week. For the final 12 days, a lottery system will select viewers. “Maybe our prime minister’s comments influenced this,” said Kashio. “But pandas shouldn’t be political. They are symbols of friendship between Japan and China, so I really hope they can stay here.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
People gathered at Bondi Pavilion in Sydney, Australia, to pay their respects to the victims of a shooting that occurred during a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, honoring those affected and expressing solidarity with the community in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Karate standout Marissa Hafezan clinched Singapore's first gold in the sport at the SEA Games in 32 years. She defeated Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly 5-3 in the women's kumite under-55kg final to secure the historic victory. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman sit down with Marissa to learn more about her remarkable achievement. They also get an update on Team Singapore’s overall performance at the midpoint of the Games, featuring insights from Marissa Hafezan, SEA Games gold medallist and Singapore karate exponent, and Phil Goh, independent sports journalist.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
The United States’ confiscation of a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker represents a significant escalation, denounced by Caracas as “international piracy.” Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the underlying strategic signal the Trump administration is sending to Latin America in the context of China’s expanding influence, alongside Ross Feingold, Head of Research at Caerus Consulting. They assess whether this aggressive move qualifies as a justified national security action, whether it accomplished its intended objectives, and how neighbouring countries have responded in the immediate aftermath.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Starting 6 pm tomorrow (13 Dec 2025), train commuters can check a single webpage for updates on trip delays. Daniel Martin talks with Professor Raymond Ong, Transport Analyst and Deputy Head (Research) at NUS’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the impact of the US reviewing visa applicants’ social media histories, especially as tourist numbers are expected to rise for the football World Cup, with insights from Steven Okun, CEO of APAC Advisors.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
