Cargo Ship Fire Forces Crew to Abandon Ship Near Alaska

Researchers at the University of Hawai’i’s Institute for Astronomy have identified a new classification of cosmic events, termed extreme nuclear transients (ENTs). As detailed in a study published on June 4 in *Science Advances*, ENTs occur when stars, at least three times the mass of the sun, approach supermassive black holes, leading to their obliteration and the release of vast amounts of energy. Lead author Jason Hinkle noted that ENTs differ markedly from previously documented tidal disruption events. "ENTs are far brighter than normal tidal disruption events and remain luminous for years," Hinkle stated, emphasizing that one documented ENT, Gaia18cdj, emitted 25 times more energy than the most powerful known supernova. Astronomers believe these powerful events not only signify the death of massive stars but also shed light on the processes that contribute to the formation of the universe's largest black holes. Co-author Benjamin Shappee emphasized the importance of monitoring these phenomena for gaining insights into black hole growth in the early universe, underlining that ENTs occur much less frequently than supernovae, necessitating global collaborative efforts for further study.

A recent investigation by WIRED has revealed that the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA), a key trade group for the U.S. agricultural sector, has conducted extensive surveillance on animal rights activists, working with the FBI to portray them as a “bioterrorism” threat. According to records obtained by the nonprofit Property of the People, the AAA has been providing intelligence to federal agents about organizations like Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) since at least 2018. This collaboration reportedly involves infiltrating activist meetings and gathering evidence to label their actions as extremist and dangerous. Zoe Rosenberg, an animal rights investigator with DxE, highlighted the troubling relationship between law enforcement and private industry, emphasizing that investigators focused on animal cruelty should have priority in discussions with authorities. The FBI's involvement has included issuing intelligence memos about activists, but several law enforcement agencies, such as the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center, have disputed claims that activists pose significant biosecurity risks. The AAA has denied having a formal relationship with the FBI, stating that their communications are purely for maintaining a secure food system. Critics assert that this partnership risks civil liberties and public health by prioritizing industry interests over transparency and accountability in animal welfare.

A newly detected COVID variant, known as NB.1.8.1, has reached the United States, accounting for approximately 10% of global SARS-CoV-2 sequences, according to recent surveillance data. The variant, first identified in China in January 2025, significantly increased from 2.5% just a month prior. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported identifying only 20 cases of NB.1.8.1 in the U.S. so far, which is below the threshold for official reporting on the agency's dashboard. Despite concerns regarding the variant's transmissibility due to new mutations on its spike protein, infectious disease specialists, including Dr. Zachary Hoy, emphasize that symptoms remain similar to those of previous COVID variants, which include a dry cough, nasal congestion, and fatigue. Experts believe vaccines may still provide protection against severe illness caused by NB.1.8.1, as it is derived from the Omicron lineage targeted by current vaccinations. The World Health Organization has stated there is no evidence of increased severity or higher hospitalization rates associated with the variant.