New Giant Sea Bug Named After Darth Vader Discovered Off Vietnam

A 46-year-old bartender, Le Tan Gia, was arrested in Vietnam for allegedly producing a lethal homemade limoncello that caused the deaths of a British couple in December. According to local police, Gia used 70% medical-grade alcohol, which is hazardous for consumption, to create the drink, which he sold to the couple on December 24. Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and Arno Quinto Els, 36, were found dead in separate rooms at the Hoi An Silverbell Villa shortly after consuming the beverage and reportedly suffered from severe methanol poisoning. Police confirmed that the couple's cause of death was indeed methanol poisoning, as verified by autopsy results. The couple had contacted family members on Christmas Day, expressing concern over their health, with Otteson mentioning visual disturbances. This incident has heightened concerns over food safety regulations in Vietnam, prompting local authorities to investigate unwanted practices in the bar industry. Meanwhile, Canadian officials recently issued travel advisories following similar incidents linked to tainted alcohol in nearby Laos.

A bartender in Vietnam was arrested on February 7 after allegedly causing the deaths of a British couple due to methanol poisoning from homemade limoncello. The bartender, identified as 46-year-old Le Tan Gia, faces charges for violating food safety regulations, according to local police. On December 24, Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her fiancé, Arno Quinton Els, 36, consumed the homemade limoncello, which was reportedly made with 70% medical-grade alcohol, not intended for consumption. Authorities stated that after drinking the concoction, the couple suffered serious methanol poisoning, leading to their deaths just days later, with their bodies discovered on December 26. Both victims were experienced travelers and had been living in Vietnam. According to Otteson’s family, they were planning a future together and were well-regarded in their community. Following the incident, officials are investigating the broader implications of contaminated alcohol in Vietnam, drawing attention to risks consumers face when purchasing homemade beverages.

Scientists have identified a new species of isopod in the deep waters of the South China Sea, naming it Bathynomus vaderi in homage to Star Wars character Darth Vader due to the creature's helmet-like appearance. This new species can grow over 30 centimeters in length and weigh more than a kilogram, according to experts from the National University of Singapore. The discovery emphasizes the still largely uncharted biodiversity of deep-sea environments, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reporting that roughly 91% of ocean species remain undiscovered. The deep-sea conditions, characterized by extreme pressure and limited light, contribute to the difficulty of exploring these habitats. As noted by researchers involved in the discovery, Bathynomus vaderi serves as a reminder of the unknowns in deep-sea ecology, highlighting the urgent need for better understanding as human activities, including deep-sea mining and fishing, threaten these ecosystems. Bathynomus species are consumed as a delicacy in Vietnam and have been favorably compared to lobsters for their quality of flesh.