2 Chinese researchers accused of smuggling 'potential agroterrorism weapon' to US
The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday identified the pathogen as Fusarium graminearum, a fungus it said was classified in scientific literature as a potential agroterrorism weapon. In a statement it said that the fungus causes "head blight" in some crops and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses globally each year.
According to an FBI criminal complaint, Zunyong Liu, 34, a researcher currently in China, brought the fungus into the United States while visiting his girlfriend, Yunqing Jian, 33, in July 2024.
He admitted to smuggling in the fungus so he could conduct research on it at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend worked, according to the complaint.
The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the complaint, an examination of electronic communications between the two indicated that they discussed shipping biological materials and research being done in the laboratory prior to Liu's arrival.
Jian and Liu were accused in the complaint of conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, false statements and visa fraud.
Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, said the pair's actions "posed an imminent threat to public safety."
Jian was expected to appear in court in Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday. A judge appointed a public defender, who could not be immediately reached for comment, to represent Jian. —Reuters
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GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
Online gambling boom sparks calls for ban in Philippines
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If there are new standards to meet, or better ways to protect players, we will act swiftly and responsibly," DigiPlus Chair Eusebio Tanco said in a statement. Recovery The church has decried online gambling as a "moral and social crisis" and called for a ban. "It is now a public health crisis in our society, just like drug addiction, alcoholism and other types of addiction. It destroys not only the person but also their families," Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said in a pastoral letter. He said online gambling hurts poor Filipinos who have almost no salary or savings and young people who are already struggling with the cost of education as well as other vulnerable people. In one Facebook recovery group with more than 25,000 members, one user said he tried to stop by installing an online gambling blocking app called Gamban but failed to curb his addiction. 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GMA Network
3 days ago
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China's Premier Li proposes global AI cooperation organization
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GMA Network
5 days ago
- GMA Network
PH, China tackle consular issues, safety of nationals in Beijing meeting
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