Chinese nationals accused of smuggling 'agroterrorism weapon' fungus into US
Washington: Two Chinese nationals have been charged in the United States for allegedly smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen, Fusarium graminearum, into the country — a move authorities say poses a serious threat to national security, food safety, and public health.
According to a statement from the US Department of Justice, 34-year-old researcher Zunyong Liu and 33-year-old Yunqing Jian are accused of conspiring to smuggle the fungus into the US in July 2024. The fungus, which causes "head blight" in crops, is known to result in billions of dollars in agricultural losses annually and produces toxins harmful to humans and livestock.
Liu reportedly brought the pathogen during a visit to Jian, who was working at a University of Michigan laboratory. The FBI says Liu intended to conduct further research on the fungus at the university, and that both individuals had prior involvement in similar work in China.
The FBI's criminal complaint reveals the pair exchanged electronic communications that confirmed their intent, resulting in charges including conspiracy, smuggling, visa fraud, and making false statements.
Authorities also claim that Jian received Chinese government funding for her work on the fungus and that her electronic devices contained evidence of her affiliation with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, called the case “an imminent threat to public safety.” US Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr added, “These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a potential agroterrorism weapon into the heartland of America.”
FBI Director Kash Patel, in a post on X, said the case highlighted broader concerns regarding Chinese state-sponsored infiltration of American research institutions. He warned that the CCP is “deploying operatives and researchers to target our food supply,” calling it a grave threat to lives and the economy.
The case surfaces amid heightened US-China tensions and follows the Trump administration’s recent announcement to revoke visas of Chinese students and researchers with alleged ties to the CCP. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that future visa scrutiny would increase, especially for those in sensitive fields or from Hong Kong.
The investigation was jointly conducted by the FBI and US Customs and Border Protection.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
