A train carrying hazardous items derailed and caught fire Saturday in a village in the northern US state of Maine, officials said adding it may have been caused due to track washout.&nbsp;

The train derailed north of Rockwood, a community in Somerset County that borders Moosehead Lake, the biggest freshwater lake in the state, according to the Rockwood Fire and Rescue Department. This rural forested region is about 15 miles east of the town of Jackman.

According to a statement from a representative for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CPKC), the train derailed at around 8:30 am Eastern time of "track washout" as reports suggest this is a common phenomenon after a very strong downpour, which washes away the ballast and road beneath the track.&nbsp;

Maine Forest Service (MFS) said a "build-up of melting ice and debris" may have been the cause of the washout.

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Three train workers were brought to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the derailment caused a small forest fire that was "contained," according to MFS.

On its Facebook page, Rockwood Fire &amp; Rescue published a picture of the derailment on Saturday and cautioned locals to "stay clear!" There were "no evacuations and no threats to the public safety," according to the CPKC spokesperson.&nbsp;

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Maine Governor Janet Mills tweeted that "officials on site indicate that there is no threat to public health or safety."

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I have been briefed on the train derailment that occurred earlier today in Somerset County. The Maine Forest Service &amp; Maine DEP, along with local emergency personnel, have responded. Officials on site indicate that there is no threat to public health or safety.
— Governor Janet Mills (@GovJanetMills) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovJanetMills/status/1647360406996885505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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According to representatives from CPKC and MFS, no trains carrying hazardous items derailed, but three engines and six rail carriages carrying electrical wiring and lumber did.&nbsp;

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The information on the type of hazardous materials being carried by train is not yet ascertained.&nbsp;

"We are coordinating with local first responders who are on scene," CPKC said. "Our emergency response teams and hazardous materials experts have responded and continue to conduct a full assessment of the situation."

Earlier, before the statement by MFS, Director of Somerset County Emergency Management Agency Michael Smith said that several state and local responders were "on scene" when a train derailed on Saturday in Northern Somerset County. 
 
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A train carrying hazardous items derailed and caught fire Saturday in a village in the northern US state of Maine, officials said adding it may have been caused due to track washout.

A train carrying hazardous items derailed and caught fire Saturday in a village in the northern US state of Maine, officials said adding it may have been caused due to track washout. The train derailed north of Rockwood, a community in Somerset County that borders Moosehead Lake, the biggest freshwater lake in the state, according to the Rockwood Fire and Rescue Department. This rural forested region is about 15 miles east of the town of Jackman. According to a statement from a representative for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CPKC), the train derailed at around 8:30 am Eastern time of "track washout" as reports suggest this is a common phenomenon after a very strong downpour, which washes away the ballast and road beneath the track. Maine Forest Service (MFS) said a "build-up of melting ice and debris" may have been the cause of the washout. Also Read | At least 12 inmates were killed after gang clashes in Ecuador prison Three train workers were brought to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the derailment caused a small forest fire that was "contained," according to MFS. On its Facebook page, Rockwood Fire & Rescue published a picture of the derailment on Saturday and cautioned locals to "stay clear!" There were "no evacuations and no threats to the public safety," according to the CPKC spokesperson. Also Read | Poland bans food imports from Ukraine to ease farmers Maine Governor Janet Mills tweeted that "officials on site indicate that there is no threat to public health or safety." I have been briefed on the train derailment that occurred earlier today in Somerset County. The Maine Forest Service & Maine DEP, along with local emergency personnel, have responded. Officials on site indicate that there is no threat to public health or safety. — Governor Janet Mills (@GovJanetMills) April 15, 2023 × According to representatives from CPKC and MFS, no trains carrying hazardous items derailed, but three engines and six rail carriages carrying electrical wiring and lumber did. Watch | What is next in Syrian Civil War?; The rapid development of AI | This World × The information on the type of hazardous materials being carried by train is not yet ascertained. "We are coordinating with local first responders who are on scene," CPKC said. "Our emergency response teams and hazardous materials experts have responded and continue to conduct a full assessment of the situation." Earlier, before the statement by MFS, Director of Somerset County Emergency Management Agency Michael Smith said that several state and local responders were "on scene" when a train derailed on Saturday in Northern Somerset County. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Train carrying hazardous material derails in Maine due to track washout, sparks concerns

After various revelations pertaining to Russia and Ukraine surfaced in the US intelligence leaks, there is one reference that moves the spotlight to China and its purported spy balloons.&nbsp;The latest from a trail of Pentagon leaks reveals&nbsp;that US authorities were aware of up to four Chinese surveillance balloons beyond the one they shot down in February.&nbsp;

According to a document allegedly leaked on a Discord chatroom by Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, the Chinese spy balloon that flew over the United States this year, known as Killeen-23, carried a variety of sensors and antennas the US government still had not identified more than a week after shooting it down.&nbsp; 
 
The 21-year-old Teixeira was detained on Thursday and charged with espionage on suspicion of leaking multiple top-secret papers.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-train-carrying-hazardous-material-derails-in-maine-due-to-track-washout-582858">US: Train carrying hazardous material derails in Maine due to track washout</a>

According to Washington Post, the reports into the Chinese spy balloon did not go into detail regarding the exact time the balloons were released.

Other balloons that were mentioned in the documents include "Bulger-21" and "Accardo-21."

The balloon which was first hit by US in February is designated as "Killeen-23" in the leaked documents. It is unknown if the "Bulger-21" and "Accardo-21" balloons mentioned in the records were the same ones that sailed over the US carrier group or fell into the South China Sea.

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The surveillance balloons were named alphabetically, from A to Z, and after notorious criminals such as mobsters Tony Accardo and Donald Killeen.

Earlier, annotated images of Killeen-23 in a National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) document unearthed the most crucial details of the Chinese spy balloon.

Post citing, US officials said the balloon could produce enough power to run "any" surveillance system, including a radar that could see through clouds and thin material.&nbsp;Bulger-21 was equipped with cutting-edge surveillance technology and travelled the world from December 2021 to May 2022, according to officials.

Analysts noticed that Accardo-21 featured identical hardware as well as a "foil-lined gimbaled" sensor. In response to the Post's revelation, the Pentagon and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment.

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The Chinese spy balloon saga also carries a domestic political weightage. Republicans had harshly criticised the US President Joe Biden's administration in February for failing to deflate the Chinese spy balloon in a timely manner. They claimed that this gave the Chinese government more time to snoop. 
 
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After various revelations pertaining to Russia and Ukraine surfaced in the US intelligence leaks, there is one reference that moves the spotlight to China and its purported spy balloons.

After various revelations pertaining to Russia and Ukraine surfaced in the US intelligence leaks, there is one reference that moves the spotlight to China and its purported spy balloons. The latest from a trail of Pentagon leaks reveals that US authorities were aware of up to four Chinese surveillance balloons beyond the one they shot down in February. According to a document allegedly leaked on a Discord chatroom by Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, the Chinese spy balloon that flew over the United States this year, known as Killeen-23, carried a variety of sensors and antennas the US government still had not identified more than a week after shooting it down. The 21-year-old Teixeira was detained on Thursday and charged with espionage on suspicion of leaking multiple top-secret papers. Also Read | US: Train carrying hazardous material derails in Maine due to track washout According to Washington Post, the reports into the Chinese spy balloon did not go into detail regarding the exact time the balloons were released. Other balloons that were mentioned in the documents include "Bulger-21" and "Accardo-21." The balloon which was first hit by US in February is designated as "Killeen-23" in the leaked documents. It is unknown if the "Bulger-21" and "Accardo-21" balloons mentioned in the records were the same ones that sailed over the US carrier group or fell into the South China Sea. Also Read | Sudan: Army and RSF clashes leave 56 civilians, dozens of fighters dead The surveillance balloons were named alphabetically, from A to Z, and after notorious criminals such as mobsters Tony Accardo and Donald Killeen. Earlier, annotated images of Killeen-23 in a National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) document unearthed the most crucial details of the Chinese spy balloon. Post citing, US officials said the balloon could produce enough power to run "any" surveillance system, including a radar that could see through clouds and thin material. Bulger-21 was equipped with cutting-edge surveillance technology and travelled the world from December 2021 to May 2022, according to officials. Analysts noticed that Accardo-21 featured identical hardware as well as a "foil-lined gimbaled" sensor. In response to the Post's revelation, the Pentagon and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment. Watch | What is next in Syrian Civil War?; The rapid development of AI | This World × The Chinese spy balloon saga also carries a domestic political weightage. Republicans had harshly criticised the US President Joe Biden's administration in February for failing to deflate the Chinese spy balloon in a timely manner. They claimed that this gave the Chinese government more time to snoop. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US intel leaks raise concerns over true capabilities of Chinese spy balloons

A man was "eaten alive by insects and bed bugs" in an Atlanta detention cell, according to his family's attorney.&nbsp;Lashawn Thompson was determined to be suffering from a mental illness, thus he was detained for&nbsp;misdemeanour and put in the psychiatric wing of the Fulton County Jail.

Michael D. Harper, the family's attorney, released photos showing&nbsp;Thompson's body covered with insects after his death.

He told reporters that a lawsuit is ongoing and is pushing for a criminal inquiry, reported the BBC.&nbsp;

"Mr Thompson was found dead in a filthy jail cell after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs," Harper said in a statement. "The jail cell Mr Thompson was housed in was not fit for a diseased animal. He did not deserve this," he added.&nbsp;

Three months after his arrest, Thompson was discovered unconscious in his jail cell on September 19. Despite efforts by&nbsp;medical officials, he could not be revived and was&nbsp;pronounced dead, according to a Fulton County Medical Examiner's report.

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As stated by Harper, jail records reveal guards and medical personnel observed Thompson's condition was getting worse but did nothing to provide aid or assist him, reported CBS News.&nbsp;

Despite a "severe bed bug infestation" in his psychiatric unit cell, the medical examiner's report stated that Thompson's body showed no obvious evidence of trauma.

The reason of death was mentioned in the report as undetermined.

"It's no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility make it incredibly difficult to meet the goal of providing a clean, well-maintained and healthy environment for all inmates and staff," the Fulton County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

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The Office, which supervises the jail, has said that a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Thompson's death will be undertaken. The statement added that it has spent an additional $500,000 immediately "to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice, and other vermin within the Fulton County Jail."

The jail has also updated "protocols for security rounds to include addressing sanitary conditions," according to the statement.

Bed bug bites are not usually deadly, but in some rare circumstances, prolonged exposure to a massive bed bug infestation can cause severe anaemia, which can be lethal if left untreated,&nbsp;said&nbsp;Michael Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky and a&nbsp;specialist&nbsp;in bed bugs, who spoke to the BBC.&nbsp;

"Bed bugs feed on blood and very large numbers of bed bugs feed on very large amounts of blood," Potter said.

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A man was "eaten alive by insects and bed bugs" in an Atlanta detention cell, according to his family's attorney. Lashawn Thompson was determined to be suffering from a mental illness, thus he was detained for misdemeanour and put in the psychiatric wing of the Fulton County Jail.

A man was "eaten alive by insects and bed bugs" in an Atlanta detention cell, according to his family's attorney. Lashawn Thompson was determined to be suffering from a mental illness, thus he was detained for misdemeanour and put in the psychiatric wing of the Fulton County Jail. Michael D. Harper, the family's attorney, released photos showing Thompson's body covered with insects after his death. He told reporters that a lawsuit is ongoing and is pushing for a criminal inquiry, reported the BBC. "Mr Thompson was found dead in a filthy jail cell after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs," Harper said in a statement. "The jail cell Mr Thompson was housed in was not fit for a diseased animal. He did not deserve this," he added. Three months after his arrest, Thompson was discovered unconscious in his jail cell on September 19. Despite efforts by medical officials, he could not be revived and was pronounced dead, according to a Fulton County Medical Examiner's report. ALSO READ | Strange leak spotted in Pacific Ocean floor, scientists say it could cause massive earthquake As stated by Harper, jail records reveal guards and medical personnel observed Thompson's condition was getting worse but did nothing to provide aid or assist him, reported CBS News. Despite a "severe bed bug infestation" in his psychiatric unit cell, the medical examiner's report stated that Thompson's body showed no obvious evidence of trauma. The reason of death was mentioned in the report as undetermined. "It's no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility make it incredibly difficult to meet the goal of providing a clean, well-maintained and healthy environment for all inmates and staff," the Fulton County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. ALSO WATCH | Australian working in China arrested for selling information The Office, which supervises the jail, has said that a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Thompson's death will be undertaken. The statement added that it has spent an additional $500,000 immediately "to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice, and other vermin within the Fulton County Jail." The jail has also updated "protocols for security rounds to include addressing sanitary conditions," according to the statement. Bed bug bites are not usually deadly, but in some rare circumstances, prolonged exposure to a massive bed bug infestation can cause severe anaemia, which can be lethal if left untreated, said Michael Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky and a specialist in bed bugs, who spoke to the BBC. "Bed bugs feed on blood and very large numbers of bed bugs feed on very large amounts of blood," Potter said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘Killed by insects’: Atlanta man found dead inside jail cell infested with bed bugs

As the first major American city to permit the announcement, or "adhan," to be heard over speakers five times a day, year-round, Minneapolis will permit the&nbsp;broadcast&nbsp;of the Muslim call to prayer at all hours.

The Minneapolis City Council overwhelmingly decided on&nbsp;Thursday to change the city's noise ordinance, which had barred morning and late-evening calls at specific times of the year owing to noise limits, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The decision took place during the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims.

“The Constitution doesn’t sleep at night,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, after the vote. He said the action in Minneapolis shows the world that a “nation founded on freedom of religion makes good on its promise.”

Since at least the 1990s, a significant portion of East African immigrants have lived in Minneapolis, where mosques are now commonplace.&nbsp;No organised community resistance was raised to the decision. Next week, it is anticipated that Mayor Jacob Frey will sign the bill.

“Minneapolis has become a city for all religions,” Imam Mohammed Dukuly of Masjid An-Nur mosque in Minneapolis told the Associated press,&nbsp;who was among several Muslim leaders who witnessed the vote.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;US court confined Mifepristone use to seven weeks of pregnancy

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In order to allow the adhan to be broadcast outdoors five times per day during Ramadan, city officials collaborated with the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque three years ago. When light first comes in the morning, at midday, in the middle to late afternoon, at sunset, and when the night sky appears, prayers are performed. Summertime sunrise in Minnesota can come as early as 5:30 a.m., and the solstice sunset occurs after 9 p.m.

Last year, the city permitted broadcasts all year long, but only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., eliminating early morning and occasionally late night prayer.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-leak-us-president-biden-says-probe-will-examine-why-leaker-had-classified-access-582597">Pentagon leak: US President Biden says investigation will examine why leaker had classified access</a>

Jewish and Christian leaders who recently attended a public meeting supported extending the adhan's hours.

Councilwoman Lisa Goodman, who on Thursday was observing the last day of Passover, stated that there are no legal limitations on the Jewish call to prayer, which is typically spoken rather than broadcast.

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As the first major American city to permit the announcement, or "adhan," to be heard over speakers five times a day, year-round, Minneapolis will permit the broadcast of the Muslim call to prayer at all hours.

As the first major American city to permit the announcement, or "adhan," to be heard over speakers five times a day, year-round, Minneapolis will permit the broadcast of the Muslim call to prayer at all hours. The Minneapolis City Council overwhelmingly decided on Thursday to change the city's noise ordinance, which had barred morning and late-evening calls at specific times of the year owing to noise limits, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The decision took place during the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims. “The Constitution doesn’t sleep at night,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, after the vote. He said the action in Minneapolis shows the world that a “nation founded on freedom of religion makes good on its promise.” Since at least the 1990s, a significant portion of East African immigrants have lived in Minneapolis, where mosques are now commonplace. No organised community resistance was raised to the decision. Next week, it is anticipated that Mayor Jacob Frey will sign the bill. “Minneapolis has become a city for all religions,” Imam Mohammed Dukuly of Masjid An-Nur mosque in Minneapolis told the Associated press, who was among several Muslim leaders who witnessed the vote. ALSO WATCH | US court confined Mifepristone use to seven weeks of pregnancy In order to allow the adhan to be broadcast outdoors five times per day during Ramadan, city officials collaborated with the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque three years ago. When light first comes in the morning, at midday, in the middle to late afternoon, at sunset, and when the night sky appears, prayers are performed. Summertime sunrise in Minnesota can come as early as 5:30 a.m., and the solstice sunset occurs after 9 p.m. Last year, the city permitted broadcasts all year long, but only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., eliminating early morning and occasionally late night prayer. ALSO READ | Pentagon leak: US President Biden says investigation will examine why leaker had classified access Jewish and Christian leaders who recently attended a public meeting supported extending the adhan's hours. Councilwoman Lisa Goodman, who on Thursday was observing the last day of Passover, stated that there are no legal limitations on the Jewish call to prayer, which is typically spoken rather than broadcast. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Minneapolis becomes first US city to allow broadcast of Islamic call to prayer at all hours

In the latest bid to build relations with a growing partner, Blinken is on a visit to Vietnam. He is meeting top Vietnamese leaders to pave the way for a potential diplomatic upgrade with the country. US and Vietnam have largely reconciled, despite bitter war memories.

China claims almost all of South China Sea; U.S. seeking to upgrade Vietnam ties | Details

The United States Justice Department, on Friday (April 14), charged 28 members of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel, which includes sons of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, with running a fentanyl trafficking operation, said Attorney General Merrick Garland. The indictments have also charged Chinese and Guatemalan citizens in response to what the officials have called one of the most ambitious crackdowns on the drug epidemic plaguing the US.&nbsp;

Who has been charged, sanctioned or arrested, so far?

Over two dozen members of the Sinaloa Cartel’s Chapitos network were charged out of which eight were arrested in Colombia, Greece, Guatemala and the US who were involved in trafficking what the country’s Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram called the “greatest threat to Americans today.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeking-indias-help-in-fentanyl-epidemic-580098">US seeks India’s assistance in tackling fentanyl menace with multi-pronged strategy</a>

Additionally, the Chinese and Guatemalan citizens were charged with supplying precursor chemicals required to make fentanyl. Three of Guzman’s sons also known as the Chapitos, or little Chapos, Ovidio Guzmán López, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar and Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Sálazar were charged out of whom only Guzmán López is in the custody of Mexican officials.&nbsp;

US prosecutors have also charged four owners of Chinese chemical and pharmaceutical companies for allegedly providing the precursor chemicals to the cartel to create the illicit drug. This also comes after the US Treasury Department, on Friday, sanctioned China-based chemical companies Wuhan Shuokang Biological Technology Co Ltd and Suzhou Xiaoli Pharmatech Co Ltd.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mexican-president-cites-lack-of-hugs-for-drug-abuse-in-us-573401">Mexican President cites 'lack of hugs' for drug abuse in U.S.</a> 
 
“The PRC (People’s Republic of China) government must stop the unchecked flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals that are coming out of China,” said Garland.&nbsp;

What have the US officials said about the crackdown?

Garland alongside Milgram and other top federal prosecutors, in a press conference, unveiled three indictments aimed at hitting the cartel’s global network. During the announcement, the attorney general outlined some of the heinous violent crimes allegedly committed by the Sinaloa cartel like the torture of perceived enemies including Mexican law enforcement officials.&nbsp;

According to Garland, rival drug traffickers were fed to the Chapitos’ tigers dead or alive, one woman was injected repeatedly with fentanyl until she died, and other victims were tortured via electrocution and waterboarding. “The cases we are announcing today exemplify the comprehensive approach the Justice Department is taking to disrupt and hold accountable those who bear significant responsibility for this fentanyl epidemic,” said the attorney general.&nbsp;

Impact of Fentanyl on the US

“They know that they're poisoning and killing Americans. They just don't care because they make billions of dollars doing it,” said Milgram. She added, “Their greed is shocking and without bounds.” In 2021, a record number of nearly 107,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in the US.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-fentanyl-seized-in-2022-enough-to-kill-every-american-says-us-federal-drug-agency-545087">Explained: Fentanyl seized in 2022 enough to kill every American, says US federal drug agency</a>

The DEA, in 2022 said that they seized enough fentanyl to kill every American. Last year, more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl which included more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and more than 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, were seized by the country’s drug agency. They also said that most of the fentanyl trafficked in the US comes from the Sinaloa cartel.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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The United States Justice Department, on Friday (April 14), charged 28 members of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel, which includes sons of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, with running a fentanyl trafficking operation, said Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The United States Justice Department, on Friday (April 14), charged 28 members of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel, which includes sons of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, with running a fentanyl trafficking operation, said Attorney General Merrick Garland. The indictments have also charged Chinese and Guatemalan citizens in response to what the officials have called one of the most ambitious crackdowns on the drug epidemic plaguing the US. Who has been charged, sanctioned or arrested, so far? Over two dozen members of the Sinaloa Cartel’s Chapitos network were charged out of which eight were arrested in Colombia, Greece, Guatemala and the US who were involved in trafficking what the country’s Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram called the “greatest threat to Americans today.” ALSO READ | US seeks India’s assistance in tackling fentanyl menace with multi-pronged strategy Additionally, the Chinese and Guatemalan citizens were charged with supplying precursor chemicals required to make fentanyl. Three of Guzman’s sons also known as the Chapitos, or little Chapos, Ovidio Guzmán López, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar and Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Sálazar were charged out of whom only Guzmán López is in the custody of Mexican officials. US prosecutors have also charged four owners of Chinese chemical and pharmaceutical companies for allegedly providing the precursor chemicals to the cartel to create the illicit drug. This also comes after the US Treasury Department, on Friday, sanctioned China-based chemical companies Wuhan Shuokang Biological Technology Co Ltd and Suzhou Xiaoli Pharmatech Co Ltd. ALSO WATCH | Mexican President cites 'lack of hugs' for drug abuse in U.S. “The PRC (People’s Republic of China) government must stop the unchecked flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals that are coming out of China,” said Garland. What have the US officials said about the crackdown? Garland alongside Milgram and other top federal prosecutors, in a press conference, unveiled three indictments aimed at hitting the cartel’s global network. During the announcement, the attorney general outlined some of the heinous violent crimes allegedly committed by the Sinaloa cartel like the torture of perceived enemies including Mexican law enforcement officials. According to Garland, rival drug traffickers were fed to the Chapitos’ tigers dead or alive, one woman was injected repeatedly with fentanyl until she died, and other victims were tortured via electrocution and waterboarding. “The cases we are announcing today exemplify the comprehensive approach the Justice Department is taking to disrupt and hold accountable those who bear significant responsibility for this fentanyl epidemic,” said the attorney general. Impact of Fentanyl on the US “They know that they're poisoning and killing Americans. They just don't care because they make billions of dollars doing it,” said Milgram. She added, “Their greed is shocking and without bounds.” In 2021, a record number of nearly 107,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in the US. ALSO READ | Explained: Fentanyl seized in 2022 enough to kill every American, says US federal drug agency The DEA, in 2022 said that they seized enough fentanyl to kill every American. Last year, more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl which included more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and more than 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, were seized by the country’s drug agency. They also said that most of the fentanyl trafficked in the US comes from the Sinaloa cartel. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US charges El Chapo sons, Chinese businessmen amid crackdown on fentanyl network

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily protected the availability of the common abortion drug Mifepristone. In order to give judges more time to evaluate whether lower court orders barring approval of the medicine should be permitted to take effect, the course has issued an administrative stay that will keep the lower coach limits in place for five days until Wednesday.

US court confined Mifepristone use to seven weeks of pregnancy

US Supreme Court temporarily pauses abortion pill restrictions

Experts are on high alert after discovering a crack at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean that could trigger a magnitude 9 earthquake. The hole in the bottom of the ocean is spewing a liquid that keeps the tectonic plates lubricated.

A hole in the bottom of the ocean!

United States and Philippines anti-tank missile exercises are presently underway in the South China Sea. The operation which is part of a two-week annual bilateral war games follows China's three-days of drills around Taiwan.

US-Philippines exercise in South China sea; China irked by America's growing presence in sea

110 Americans die every day from gun violence. Did you know that there are more guns than people in the U.S.? There have been at least 146 mass shooting incidents so far this year. Why is gun violence escalating?

US gun violence crisis: How easy is it to buy guns? | WION Wideangle

In pics: Bostonians recall horrific marathon bombing, 10 years on

The FBI's probe into the crashed alleged Chinese spy balloon has raised worries in China and because of this it is refusing to let US secretary of state Antony Blinken visit Beijing, reported Financial Times citing sources familiar with the discussions.&nbsp;

Four persons involved with the discussions claimed that China had informed the US that it was unwilling to reschedule a trip that Blinken had postponed in February, reported Financial Times.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-approves-electronic-enlistment-bill-clamps-down-on-russians-who-dodge-military-service-582599">Putin approves electronic call-up bill, clamps down on Russians who dodge military service</a>

In February, Blinken was scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping in China but unexpectedly postponed his trip because of the balloon saga.&nbsp;FBI has been examining the debris that was recovered from it. There are conflicting stances from both sides. China claims it was a weather balloon that went off track, contrary to the US's claim that the device was eavesdropping on secret military facilities.

Chinese authorities are worried that the FBI investigation and tangible evidence from the balloon would be released by the Biden administration, and that the study's conclusions might be made known during Blinken's visit to China.

According to three persons with knowledge of the discussion, Qin Gang, China's foreign minister, brought up the subject with Americans attending the China Development Forum in Beijing last month. One source said Qin cited the FBI probe as another problem that made it challenging to normalise US-China relations.

US authorities emphasise that China's balloon flight across its airspace is what started the situation. Inquiries about whether the probe will be made public were refused by the FBI and National Security Council.

The matter has also prompted disagreements inside the Biden administration, with some officials wishing to declassify the information to demonstrate that the balloon was spying. Additionally, the FBI's findings are likely to be released under pressure from Congress.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-leak-us-president-biden-says-probe-will-examine-why-leaker-had-classified-access-582597">Pentagon leak: US President Biden says investigation will examine why leaker had classified access</a>

Others, however, contend that revealing the material would thwart efforts to relaunch the countries' much-needed high-level interaction. Beijing's approach, according to Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund, indicated its worries about how the US might utilise the incident going forward.

“Beijing is distrustful of US intent and worries the US will use the information gleaned from the balloon investigation in ways harmful to Chinese interests,” Glaser said.

Watch | Macron's pension reform gets constitutional green light despite raging protests

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On visit plans to China, Blinken told FT that&nbsp;it is “important to maintain channels of communication” with China to make sure both sides were “speaking to each other clearly”.

“When it comes to my own visit to China, when the conditions are right I’ll certainly look forward to pursuing that."&nbsp; 
 
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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The FBI's probe into the crashed alleged Chinese spy balloon has raised worries in China and because of this it is refusing to let US secretary of state Antony Blinken visit Beijing, reported Financial Times citing sources familiar with the discussions.

The FBI's probe into the crashed alleged Chinese spy balloon has raised worries in China and because of this it is refusing to let US secretary of state Antony Blinken visit Beijing, reported Financial Times citing sources familiar with the discussions. Four persons involved with the discussions claimed that China had informed the US that it was unwilling to reschedule a trip that Blinken had postponed in February, reported Financial Times. Also Read | Putin approves electronic call-up bill, clamps down on Russians who dodge military service In February, Blinken was scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping in China but unexpectedly postponed his trip because of the balloon saga. FBI has been examining the debris that was recovered from it. There are conflicting stances from both sides. China claims it was a weather balloon that went off track, contrary to the US's claim that the device was eavesdropping on secret military facilities. Chinese authorities are worried that the FBI investigation and tangible evidence from the balloon would be released by the Biden administration, and that the study's conclusions might be made known during Blinken's visit to China. According to three persons with knowledge of the discussion, Qin Gang, China's foreign minister, brought up the subject with Americans attending the China Development Forum in Beijing last month. One source said Qin cited the FBI probe as another problem that made it challenging to normalise US-China relations. US authorities emphasise that China's balloon flight across its airspace is what started the situation. Inquiries about whether the probe will be made public were refused by the FBI and National Security Council. The matter has also prompted disagreements inside the Biden administration, with some officials wishing to declassify the information to demonstrate that the balloon was spying. Additionally, the FBI's findings are likely to be released under pressure from Congress. Also Read | Pentagon leak: US President Biden says investigation will examine why leaker had classified access Others, however, contend that revealing the material would thwart efforts to relaunch the countries' much-needed high-level interaction. Beijing's approach, according to Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund, indicated its worries about how the US might utilise the incident going forward. “Beijing is distrustful of US intent and worries the US will use the information gleaned from the balloon investigation in ways harmful to Chinese interests,” Glaser said. Watch | Macron's pension reform gets constitutional green light despite raging protests × On visit plans to China, Blinken told FT that it is “important to maintain channels of communication” with China to make sure both sides were “speaking to each other clearly”. “When it comes to my own visit to China, when the conditions are right I’ll certainly look forward to pursuing that." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China unwilling to reschedule Blinken’s Beijing visit, concerned about investigation into spy balloon

A Washington Post report now says that the papers detail up to four additional Chinese balloons. The United States claims were used for surveillance tensions between the United States and China have spiralled over espionage claims.

Pentagon Leaks reveal details on spy balloons, emerge on 4 Chinese spy balloons | WION

After a successful NASA study examining the possibility of providing fresh food for future astronauts, tomatoes grown on the International Space Station (ISS) will return to Earth over the weekend.

On April 15, samples from a NASA mission using SpaceX's commercial resupply services will return from the International Space Station, as reported by Metro News.&nbsp;

The scientific samples will be transported to NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida after splashdown so that researchers can undertake additional analyses there before the full effects of gravity begin to manifest.

In addition to the pre-packaged crew meals, future crewed exploration missions, like those to Mars, might need a fresh food supply.

In order to investigate the effects of light quality and fertiliser on fruit production, microbiological safety, and nutritional value, the Veg-05 experiment produced dwarf tomatoes in the station's ‘Veggie’&nbsp;facility.

The ‘Veggie’&nbsp;vegetable-production system on the ISS gives&nbsp;an opportunity to develop a ‘pick-and-eat’ fresh vegetable component to food on the space station.

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Space tomatoes, heart studies, and other <a href="https://twitter.com/ISS_Research?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ISS_Research</a> experiments are heading back to Earth this weekend on <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CRS27?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CRS27</a>, the latest cargo return from the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a>. 
 
Undocking coverage begins Saturday, April 15, at 10:45am ET (1445 UTC): <a href="https://t.co/nHhw9JyUQB">https://t.co/nHhw9JyUQB</a> <a href="https://t.co/vSDfn6MsB5">pic.twitter.com/vSDfn6MsB5</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1646218074880634880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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This particular investigation&nbsp;is anticipated to contribute to the establishment of horticulture standards to obtain high yields of secure, nutritious dwarf tomato fruit to augment a space diet of pre-packaged food.

It was also performed&nbsp;to evaluate any potential psychological effects that astronauts might experience from growing plants.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-get-the-dope-on-juice-europes-mission-to-find-aliens-582516">Explained | Get the dope on JUICE, Europe’s mission to find aliens</a>

For this study, salad plants&nbsp;and dwarf tomatoes were grown in the ‘Veggie’ units while in space, with a focus on the effects of light quality and fertiliser formulation on the crops.

To assess the impacts of spaceflight, a duplicate ground study provided a comparison to the plants cultivated on the ISS.

Each crop was cultivated under two distinct LED lighting setups in two different ‘Veggie’ chambers. Plant "pillows," which are sacks with a wicking surface filled with soilless substrate and fertiliser, were used to grow six plants.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-re-release-first-image-of-black-hole-with-ai-makeover-watch-582501">Scientists re-release first image of black hole with AI makeover</a>

The plants were nurtured for 104 days by the crew, who opened wicks to assist seedlings sprout, provided water, thinned the seedlings, pollinated them, and kept an eye on their health and development.

Additionally, crew members filled out a number of surveys to gauge how their mood changed as the plants grew. 
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After a successful NASA study examining the possibility of providing fresh food for future astronauts, tomatoes grown on the International Space Station (ISS) will return to Earth over the weekend.

After a successful NASA study examining the possibility of providing fresh food for future astronauts, tomatoes grown on the International Space Station (ISS) will return to Earth over the weekend. On April 15, samples from a NASA mission using SpaceX's commercial resupply services will return from the International Space Station, as reported by Metro News. The scientific samples will be transported to NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida after splashdown so that researchers can undertake additional analyses there before the full effects of gravity begin to manifest. In addition to the pre-packaged crew meals, future crewed exploration missions, like those to Mars, might need a fresh food supply. In order to investigate the effects of light quality and fertiliser on fruit production, microbiological safety, and nutritional value, the Veg-05 experiment produced dwarf tomatoes in the station's ‘Veggie’ facility. The ‘Veggie’ vegetable-production system on the ISS gives an opportunity to develop a ‘pick-and-eat’ fresh vegetable component to food on the space station. Space tomatoes, heart studies, and other @ISS_Research experiments are heading back to Earth this weekend on @SpaceX's #CRS27, the latest cargo return from the @Space_Station. Undocking coverage begins Saturday, April 15, at 10:45am ET (1445 UTC): https://t.co/nHhw9JyUQB pic.twitter.com/vSDfn6MsB5 — NASA (@NASA) April 12, 2023 × This particular investigation is anticipated to contribute to the establishment of horticulture standards to obtain high yields of secure, nutritious dwarf tomato fruit to augment a space diet of pre-packaged food. It was also performed to evaluate any potential psychological effects that astronauts might experience from growing plants. ALSO READ | Explained | Get the dope on JUICE, Europe’s mission to find aliens For this study, salad plants and dwarf tomatoes were grown in the ‘Veggie’ units while in space, with a focus on the effects of light quality and fertiliser formulation on the crops. To assess the impacts of spaceflight, a duplicate ground study provided a comparison to the plants cultivated on the ISS. Each crop was cultivated under two distinct LED lighting setups in two different ‘Veggie’ chambers. Plant "pillows," which are sacks with a wicking surface filled with soilless substrate and fertiliser, were used to grow six plants. ALSO READ | Scientists re-release first image of black hole with AI makeover The plants were nurtured for 104 days by the crew, who opened wicks to assist seedlings sprout, provided water, thinned the seedlings, pollinated them, and kept an eye on their health and development. Additionally, crew members filled out a number of surveys to gauge how their mood changed as the plants grew. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Tomatoes grown, harvested in space to return to Earth

Jack&nbsp;Teixeira—the man previously suspected of leaking highly-classified US documents online,&nbsp;has been&nbsp;charged with the "unauthorised retention and transmission" of a trove of classified United States government documents on Friday (April 14) during a short hearing.

Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the National Guard from a small town in Massachusetts, is held accountable for allegedly leaking classified information regarding the conflict in the Ukraine and other subjects of national security.

At the time of his arrest, he was wearing shorts and a T-shirt, as seen on surveillance footage&nbsp;taken at his Dighton house by the FBI.

Teixeira was in charge of a group of about 20 to 30 young men who participated in a chat group.&nbsp;

He was initially&nbsp;suspected of posting images of top-secret and secret documents into the group between late 2016 and March 2017.

The information appeared to have been shared in an effort to impress the other members of the organisation, known as Thug Shaker Central, according to former members who spoke with media sources like the New York Times and Washington Post.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Pentagon leaks: Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder flags 'criminal act'&nbsp;

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The information was then made public after being uploaded outside of the chat room group, which disgraced the Biden administration and led to a large search for the culprit.&nbsp;

According to sources, Teixeira joined the National Guard in 2019 and was a "cyber transport systems specialist," which was a rather junior position.

Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said: “We do have strict protocols in place, so any time there is an incident there’s an opportunity to review that and refine it.”

Defence officials have expressed concern over the leak, but the Biden administration has also been working aggressively to prevent any potential diplomatic ramifications.&nbsp;

The long-term effects of the leaks have been downplayed by &nbsp;Biden, who earlier on Thursday in Ireland told reporters that "there's nothing contemporaneous that I'm aware of that is of great consequence."

The head of the British Commons military select committee, however, has expressed concern that the leak, which contains details on the UK special forces, could "endanger lives."

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Jack Teixeira—the man previously suspected of leaking highly-classified US documents online, has been charged with the "unauthorised retention and transmission" of a trove of classified United States government documents on Friday (April 14) during a short hearing.

Jack Teixeira—the man previously suspected of leaking highly-classified US documents online, has been charged with the "unauthorised retention and transmission" of a trove of classified United States government documents on Friday (April 14) during a short hearing. Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the National Guard from a small town in Massachusetts, is held accountable for allegedly leaking classified information regarding the conflict in the Ukraine and other subjects of national security. At the time of his arrest, he was wearing shorts and a T-shirt, as seen on surveillance footage taken at his Dighton house by the FBI. Teixeira was in charge of a group of about 20 to 30 young men who participated in a chat group. He was initially suspected of posting images of top-secret and secret documents into the group between late 2016 and March 2017. The information appeared to have been shared in an effort to impress the other members of the organisation, known as Thug Shaker Central, according to former members who spoke with media sources like the New York Times and Washington Post. ALSO WATCH | Pentagon leaks: Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder flags 'criminal act' The information was then made public after being uploaded outside of the chat room group, which disgraced the Biden administration and led to a large search for the culprit. According to sources, Teixeira joined the National Guard in 2019 and was a "cyber transport systems specialist," which was a rather junior position. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said: “We do have strict protocols in place, so any time there is an incident there’s an opportunity to review that and refine it.” Defence officials have expressed concern over the leak, but the Biden administration has also been working aggressively to prevent any potential diplomatic ramifications. The long-term effects of the leaks have been downplayed by Biden, who earlier on Thursday in Ireland told reporters that "there's nothing contemporaneous that I'm aware of that is of great consequence." The head of the British Commons military select committee, however, has expressed concern that the leak, which contains details on the UK special forces, could "endanger lives." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Jack Teixeira, the US airman behind intelligence leak charged by court

After lightning struck a tree in a New Port Richey area, a University of South Florida scientist discovered the strike led to the formation of a new phosphorus material. It was identified in a rock – the first time in solid form on Earth – and could represent a member of a new mineral group.&nbsp;

“We have never seen this material occur naturally on Earth – minerals similar to it can be found in meteorites and space, but we've never seen this exact material anywhere,” said geoscientist Matthew Pasek.&nbsp;

Pasek recently looked at how high-energy incidents, like lightning, can trigger unusual chemical reactions, and in this case, result in a novel substance that is transitional between space minerals and the earth's crust, as per the University of South Florida.&nbsp;

“When lightning strikes a tree, the ground typically explodes out and the surrounding grass dies, forming a scar and sending electric discharge through nearby rock, soil and sand, forming fulgurites, also known as ‘fossilized lightning’,” Pasek said.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-drone-footage-shows-dramatic-aerial-view-of-record-flooding-in-florida-582245">Drone footage shows dramatic&nbsp;aerial view of record flooding in Florida</a>

When the New Port Richey homeowners discovered the ‘lightning scar’, they found a fulgurite and decided to sell it, determining it had value. &nbsp;

Pasek purchased it, and then began an association with Luca Bindi, a professor of mineralogy and crystallography at the University of Florence in Italy.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;US leak could be fake, meant to mislead Moscow; China preparing for a war

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In order to better comprehend high-energy phenomena, the team decided to look into unusual phosphorus-bearing minerals, particularly those created by lightning.

“It’s important to understand how much energy lightning has because then we know how much damage a lightning strike can cause on average and how dangerous it is,” Pasek said. “Florida is the lightning capital of the world and lightning safety is important – if lightning is strong enough to melt rock, it can certainly melt people too.”

Pasek claims that iron will often collect and encrust tree roots in moist regions, such as Florida. In this instance, the lightning strike ignited both the naturally occurring carbon in the tree and the iron on the tree roots, causing both to catch fire. The interaction of the two substances resulted in the formation of fulgurite, which had the resemblance of a metal "glob."&nbsp;

The material was attempted to be recreated in a lab by co-principal investigator Tian Feng, a USF geology graduate. As a result of the experiment's failure, it can be concluded that the substance forms swiftly under specific circumstances and that, if heated for an extended period of time, it will transform into the mineral found in meteorites.&nbsp;

Given the rarity of it present naturally, Pasek claims that it is uncertain that this material could be mined for uses similar to those of other phosphates, such as fertiliser. Pasek and Bindi, however, intend to carry out more research on the substance to see if it can be formally classified as a mineral and raise more awareness among scientists, as per the&nbsp;University of South Florida. 
 
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After lightning struck a tree in a New Port Richey area, a University of South Florida scientist discovered the strike led to the formation of a new phosphorus material.

After lightning struck a tree in a New Port Richey area, a University of South Florida scientist discovered the strike led to the formation of a new phosphorus material. It was identified in a rock – the first time in solid form on Earth – and could represent a member of a new mineral group. “We have never seen this material occur naturally on Earth – minerals similar to it can be found in meteorites and space, but we've never seen this exact material anywhere,” said geoscientist Matthew Pasek. Pasek recently looked at how high-energy incidents, like lightning, can trigger unusual chemical reactions, and in this case, result in a novel substance that is transitional between space minerals and the earth's crust, as per the University of South Florida. “When lightning strikes a tree, the ground typically explodes out and the surrounding grass dies, forming a scar and sending electric discharge through nearby rock, soil and sand, forming fulgurites, also known as ‘fossilized lightning’,” Pasek said. ALSO WATCH | Drone footage shows dramatic aerial view of record flooding in Florida When the New Port Richey homeowners discovered the ‘lightning scar’, they found a fulgurite and decided to sell it, determining it had value. Pasek purchased it, and then began an association with Luca Bindi, a professor of mineralogy and crystallography at the University of Florence in Italy. ALSO WATCH | US leak could be fake, meant to mislead Moscow; China preparing for a war In order to better comprehend high-energy phenomena, the team decided to look into unusual phosphorus-bearing minerals, particularly those created by lightning. “It’s important to understand how much energy lightning has because then we know how much damage a lightning strike can cause on average and how dangerous it is,” Pasek said. “Florida is the lightning capital of the world and lightning safety is important – if lightning is strong enough to melt rock, it can certainly melt people too.” Pasek claims that iron will often collect and encrust tree roots in moist regions, such as Florida. In this instance, the lightning strike ignited both the naturally occurring carbon in the tree and the iron on the tree roots, causing both to catch fire. The interaction of the two substances resulted in the formation of fulgurite, which had the resemblance of a metal "glob." The material was attempted to be recreated in a lab by co-principal investigator Tian Feng, a USF geology graduate. As a result of the experiment's failure, it can be concluded that the substance forms swiftly under specific circumstances and that, if heated for an extended period of time, it will transform into the mineral found in meteorites. Given the rarity of it present naturally, Pasek claims that it is uncertain that this material could be mined for uses similar to those of other phosphates, such as fertiliser. Pasek and Bindi, however, intend to carry out more research on the substance to see if it can be formally classified as a mineral and raise more awareness among scientists, as per the University of South Florida. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US: Lightning strike leads to discovery! New phosphorus material found in Florida

French President Emmanuel Macron's 'allies not vassals' remark has split the west. It triggered strong reactions from European politicians. Macron has never been shy making controversial statements and while the idea that Europe should stand on its own feet has been widely endorsed before, suggestions that they should distance themselves from the US, has bee termed by some as impractical and unrealistic.

French President Emmanuel Macron's 'vassal' comment rile EU partners

FBI agents have arrested a national guardsman suspected of being behind a major leak of sensitive US Government secrets, including about the Ukraine war. Investigators are probing one of the most damaging leaks of classified information since the 2013 dump of national security agency documents by Edward Snowden.

U.S Air Force National Guard employee arrested | Embarrassing breach includes top secret documents

Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Seymour Hersh has made another sensation claim. He has accused Ukraine of embezzling war aid from US. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Seymour Hersh makes another sensational claim

The state of Montana in the western US moved closer to a complete ban on TikTok as the proposal passed a key hurdle in legislature. If the proposal is enacted, the law would be an unprecedented step towards national ban on TikTok. It would test the legal waters. Washington is increasingly calling for such a ban on the Chinese-owned social media app over security concerns.

Montana's Republican-dominated lower house overwhelmingly voted for a complete ban, with a final vote set for Friday before it goes to the state's governor to become law.

It passed by 60 votes for and 39 against.

TikTok said US courts would likely have the final word.

"The bill's champions have admitted that they have no feasible plan for operationalising this attempt to censor American voices and that the bill's constitutionality will be decided by the courts," TikTok spokeswoman Brooke Oberwetter said in response to an AFP inquiry.

"We will continue to fight for TikTok users and creators in Montana whose livelihoods and First Amendment rights are threatened by this egregious government overreach."

TikTok is facing ultimatum from White House that it split from its Chinese owners or stop operating in the US.

"We are facing a threat unlike any other from the Chinese Communist Party hiding behind TikTok where they can spy on Americans by collecting personal information by keystrokes and even user locations," said Representative Brandon Ler, defending the Montana bill.

Under the proposed law, Apple and Google would have to remove TikTok from their app stores and companies will face daily fines of $10,000 if found in violation.

The proposed ban would take effect in 2024, but faces almost certain legal challenges, given its unprecedented nature in the United States, possibly going all the way to the Supreme Court in Washington.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The state of Montana in the western US moved closer to a complete ban on TikTok as the proposal passed a key hurdle in legislature. If the proposal is enacted, the law would be an unprecedented step towards national ban on TikTok.

The state of Montana in the western US moved closer to a complete ban on TikTok as the proposal passed a key hurdle in legislature. If the proposal is enacted, the law would be an unprecedented step towards national ban on TikTok. It would test the legal waters. Washington is increasingly calling for such a ban on the Chinese-owned social media app over security concerns. Montana's Republican-dominated lower house overwhelmingly voted for a complete ban, with a final vote set for Friday before it goes to the state's governor to become law. It passed by 60 votes for and 39 against. TikTok said US courts would likely have the final word. "The bill's champions have admitted that they have no feasible plan for operationalising this attempt to censor American voices and that the bill's constitutionality will be decided by the courts," TikTok spokeswoman Brooke Oberwetter said in response to an AFP inquiry. "We will continue to fight for TikTok users and creators in Montana whose livelihoods and First Amendment rights are threatened by this egregious government overreach." TikTok is facing ultimatum from White House that it split from its Chinese owners or stop operating in the US. "We are facing a threat unlike any other from the Chinese Communist Party hiding behind TikTok where they can spy on Americans by collecting personal information by keystrokes and even user locations," said Representative Brandon Ler, defending the Montana bill. Under the proposed law, Apple and Google would have to remove TikTok from their app stores and companies will face daily fines of $10,000 if found in violation. The proposed ban would take effect in 2024, but faces almost certain legal challenges, given its unprecedented nature in the United States, possibly going all the way to the Supreme Court in Washington. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US: Montana moves closer to total ban on TikTok with 60-39 vote

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