Astronomers Uncover New Class of Cosmic Explosions: Extreme Nuclear Transients

Two Chinese nationals have been arrested in the United States for allegedly smuggling a hazardous biological pathogen that could be used in agricultural terrorism, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. The individuals, Zunyong Liu and Yunqing Jian, face serious charges after Liu, a researcher visiting from China, brought the fungus into the U.S. during a trip to see Jian in July 2024. An FBI criminal complaint revealed that Liu admitted to smuggling the pathogen for research purposes at the University of Michigan, where Jian is employed. Jian has purported ties to the Chinese government, receiving funding for her research on the pathogen. The complaint noted that her electronic devices contained information linked to the Chinese Communist Party, including a scientific article titled “Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions,” raising concerns about the couple’s actions posing an imminent threat to public safety. The revelations come five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, which the FBI suggests may have originated from a similar situation in Wuhan, China, where the virus is believed to have leaked from a lab, resulting in over 7 million deaths worldwide.

A new study published in the *Communications Earth & Environment* journal highlights an alarming acceleration in sea level rise, potentially forcing millions to relocate due to catastrophic flooding. Lead author Professor Chris Stokes warns that, even if climate change is kept below 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius), sea levels could rise by one centimeter per year by 2100, outpacing most nations' coastal defenses. Currently, 230 million people live just three feet above sea level, and an estimated one billion are within 30 feet, making them especially vulnerable. The report forecasts that an increase of eight inches in sea levels by 2050 could lead to annual flood damages exceeding $1 trillion across 136 major cities. The implications extend beyond coastal zones, threatening food security, clean water access, and livelihoods as saltwater encroaches on farmland. To mitigate these effects, experts recommend reductions in pollution from fossil fuels and investments in innovative coastal defenses, such as floating cities and "smart reefs." Individual actions, like installing solar panels, are also encouraged as steps toward resilience.

Latawyne Osborne, 40, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of 22-year-old Danishka Sibaja Mejia, who he killed just one day after she reported him for raping her. Mejia, originally from Costa Rica, was attacked during a home invasion in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 5, 2024, following her accusation against Osborne, according to multiple reports. During a court hearing, Mejia's mother, Melba Mejia, recalled her daughter's bravery in pursuing justice, stating, "She wanted to follow up with this report so that he would not hurt any other women." After pleading guilty to first-degree murder and other charges, Osborne's defense attorney claimed the plea agreement brought finality to the case. Prosecutors noted that Mejia provided crucial evidence, including a hospital examination that confirmed the assault. According to police reports, Osborne, along with two accomplices, forced Mejia and two others into a basement, where he drugged her at gunpoint before ultimately killing her. Mejia's father expressed that her legacy would continue as a symbol of courage in the fight against sexual violence.