Utah Couple Arrested for Alleged $300 Million Oil Smuggling Operation

Astronomers have identified a new phenomenon dubbed "extreme nuclear transients" (ENTs), marking the most powerful cosmic explosions discovered since the Big Bang. These extraordinary events occur when stars over three times the mass of the Sun are consumed by supermassive black holes. Jason Hinkle, a researcher at the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating that some recent explosions are nearly ten times more luminous than previously observed stellar events. The ENTs were spotted through data from the European Space Agency's Gaia spacecraft, recorded in 2016 and 2018, along with a third explosion identified in 2020 by the Zwicky Transient Facility. The intensity of these bursts is remarkable, with one, designated Gaia18cdj, releasing 25 times more energy than the brightest known supernova. This exceptional brightness allows researchers to study black hole growth within ancient galaxies, providing insights into cosmic evolution during the universe's earlier stages, according to co-author Benjamin Shappee. A study detailing these findings was published in the journal Science Advances on June 4.

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.