New Study Proposes Storing Carbon in Building Materials to Combat Climate Change

Two Chinese scientists, Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, were charged with conspiracy and smuggling after allegedly bringing a toxic fungus, Fusarium graminearum, into the United States. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the charges, citing the fungus's potential to cause severe illness and up to billions of dollars in agricultural losses each year. The FBI labeled the fungus a "potential agroterrorism weapon," capable of affecting crops like wheat and maize, and causing health issues in humans and livestock. Jian, who appeared in court and was placed back in jail pending a bond hearing, allegedly conducted preliminary research on the fungus at a University of Michigan lab. Liu faced interrogation at Detroit airport, where he initially denied knowledge of the red plant material in his backpack before claiming it was for research purposes. U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. emphasized the national security implications and noted Jian's ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with China, complicating Liu's potential arrest.

Three transgender cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy graduated on Thursday but were barred from commissioning as second lieutenants due to a reinstated ban by the Trump administration on transgender individuals serving in the military, as indicated by multiple reports including The Colorado Springs Gazette. The graduates, who met all mandatory standards for physical fitness and academic performance, include Hunter Marquez. Marquez, who transitioned during his time at the Academy and earned dual degrees, has expressed a desire to contest the decision, stating, “I really want to stay in for as long as possible, fight this out.” The policy was reinstated after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the enforcement of Executive Order 14183, which previously blocked transgender individuals from military service. As per the order, the cadets were placed in administrative absence and warned of potential repercussions concerning their educational funding, reportedly valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Nearly 1,000 Academy alumni have shown support for the cadets, emphasizing that being transgender does not contradict the values upheld by the military, according to Military.com.

Elijah Heacock, a 16-year-old from the United States, tragically died by suicide after being a victim of an AI-generated sextortion scam. His family revealed that he received a threatening message demanding ₹250,000 (approximately $3,000) in exchange for not sharing a fake explicit image of him. According to police, Elijah died from a gunshot wound on February 28, prompting his parents to investigate further into his case. Elijah's mother, Shannon Heacock, discovered the alarming messages on her son’s phone, leading her to learn about the growing and dangerous trend of sextortion, which involves online predators blackmailing victims with fabricated sexual content. "The people that are after our children are well organized, well financed, and relentless," his father, John Burnett, stated in an interview. In response to their loss, the Heacock family is campaigning for justice and increased awareness about sextortion, even launching a GoFundMe campaign to alleviate financial difficulties stemming from Elijah's death. They are calling out politicians to take action against such crimes, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness to protect vulnerable youth.