Rising: June 12, 2025
Report: Israel prepared to strike Iran; US personnel evacuating Middle East | RISING
Niall Stanage and Amber Duke discuss reports suggesting Israel is ready to strike Iran, possibly within days. #Iran #Israel #Trump
David Hogg ousted from DNC vice chair spot, exits org entirely | RISING
Niall Stanage and Amber Duke weigh in on David Hogg getting ousted as the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. #DNC #DavidHogg #Ousted
Fmr Biden aides testifying to House Oversight in cognitive decline 'cover-up' investigation | RISING
Niall Stanage and Amber Duke discuss four former Biden aides agreeing to testify to the house oversight committee about the former President's health and mental acuity. #Biden #MentalHealth #Trump
US allowing Chinese students in new trade deal, receiving rare earth minerals | RISING
Niall Stanage and Amber Duke discuss President Trump announcing a new framework for the U.S.-China trade deal. #China #TradeDeal #Tariffs
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kissler: Will Tariffs Continue to Drive Energy Markets?
In the past, the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects were a major driver influencing global energy markets. However, this year, the tariffs implemented by the U.S. to try to balance global trade supplanted the post-COVID environment as a major influencer. That said, just how much tariffs will continue to impact energy markets depends on a number of variables, such as the tariffs' eventual size and scope. Moreover, in the case of natural gas, other factors—such as weather, travel and the immense power needs of artificial intelligence (AI)—may prove to be larger influencers. In fact, to some extent, the tariffs' impact on energy markets already seems to be dissipating. While sending energy and equity prices reeling the first month of implementation, the tariffs have had seemingly less of an effect on U.S. demand as we have entered middle of the year. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported a record number of travelers in the U.S. going into Memorial Day weekend. However, at the same time, these tariffs have been detrimental to oil demand in Asia, particularly in China, as that region bears most of the tariff burdens. The numbers say it all: Chinese refinery run rates moved well below their five-year averages as crude imports dropped substantially. Crude futures also touched the lowest levels since 2021. Another big factor has been anticipated production increases. OPEC+ has pledged to increase production over the next several months and is estimated to bring back most of the 2 MMbbl/d cuts from the previous years. At the same time, the Trump administration has promised to lower oil prices. Between the Saudi/OPEC production increases and the tariffs' impact on oil markets, that goal may be achieved. On the flip side, the only factors supporting higher oil prices have mostly been geopolitical in nature. These include: the harsh sanctions expected against Iran; the Russia/Ukraine peace talks stalling, which could lead to more sanctions on Russia; and the Israel/Hamas tensions maintaining unrest in the Middle East. Altogether, the real question going forward will be if the seasonal summer travel demand can take up the slack caused by tariffs and OPEC+. The current consensus is that it's not likely, and WTI prices are expected to remain in the $58-$65/bbl area. Of course, many 'what ifs' remain. Partly because of the shift in U.S. presidential administration, green energy is losing its luster. Wind and solar still will be contributing factors, but just not at the subsidized pace seen in the past. That said, there will likely be more solar power sources in the Sunbelt states, and more areas driven by wind-generated power, but now these power sources must be able to stand on their own economically, which should send more demand to the oil and gas sector in the longer term. Shifting focus to natural gas, the expansion of AI and greater demand for LNG will be the major drivers supporting prices. That's as AI expansion is set to double in the next three to five years. It currently pulls 4% of the U.S. power grid, but that figure could move to over 9%. If you add in the expansion of LNG from 11 Bcf/d to 12 Bcf/d of natural gas in the next four to five years, one must wonder where the supply will come from. However, in the near term, weather has been relatively mild so far in 2025, which is pulling less natural gas supplies. That's as current production is in the range of 105.2 to 106 Bcf/d, whereas in 2024, the midyear average production was near the 101 BCF/day. And so, we will need to see some above-average temperatures this summer if we are to see prices comfortably over the $4/MMBtu. While the distant horizon looks bright for natural gas—and likely will be—there is still a lot of time in between. Weather demand will still be a price-driver going forward. As of early June, 2025 has been a bit mild, but weather may change things very quickly.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Israel's drone strikes in Iran show why US must halt China's land grab here: experts
National security and China experts are warning that Israel's attack on Iran is an example of why Beijing's efforts to purchase land and other assets within the United States need to be stopped immediately. After the initial attacks began on Friday, news reports began surfacing indicating that Israel had secretly built a drone base on Iranian soil that it used to launch its attacks. The operation was years in the making, one Israeli security official told the Jewish Chronicle, adding that weapons systems and soldiers had been smuggled into the country ahead of time. "Look at the ways Israel penetrated Iran for sabotage operations. Now look at the Chinese companies and assets permeating the US power grid (solar converters), local law enforcement (DJI drones), and social media (TikTok)," China policy expert Michael Sobolik wrote in a post on X. "The CCP is preparing to paralyze us in a crisis." The Real Implications Of The Chinese Fungus Smuggling Gabriel Noronha, president of Polaris National Security, also drew parallels between the China land grab in the United States and the recent Ukrainian drone strike that decimated a significant portion of Russia's air fleet. The attack reportedly involved drones smuggled into Russia and released near airfields. "After Ukraine's drone operation in Russia and Israel's operation in Iran, it is obvious that America's enemies will try to replicate that playbook on our soil," Noronha said. "It is increasingly dangerous to allow Chinese companies and individuals to own land - especially near our military bases and critical infrastructure. Left unchecked, we are opening our land to host clandestine Chinese military bases to launch all sorts of attacks and cripple our nation in wartime." Read On The Fox News App After Ukraine's Surprise Drone Assault On Russia, New Attention Drawn To Sensitive Sites Stateside Officials in the United States have been sounding the alarm for years now about China's efforts to purchase land near military bases, and other strategic assets that could help them sabotage the country. Just recently, the Arizona legislature passed a bill meant to block Chinese entities from obtaining more than a 30% stake in Arizona real estate, but it was vetoed by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. According to the bill's sponsor, China had recently been trying to lease property near a major Air Force base in the state. Michael Lucci, the CEO and founder of State Armor Action, a conservative group with a mission to develop and enact state-level solutions to global security threats, warned Friday that if the United States does not get serious about interrupting China's asset grab, it risks losing a war with them. He said land grabs are just the "tip of the iceberg." "CCP land ownership is bad but it's tip of the iceberg," Lucci said. "Their industrial property holdings are worse, as is their port access. Perhaps worst of all is their deep penetration of critical infrastructure and govt systems." "I now understand the potential problem of the Chinese government owning land in America," added writer and podcast host Jamie article source: Israel's drone strikes in Iran show why US must halt China's land grab here: experts
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chinese bio-smuggling suspect cries in court over federal detention
Two Chinese nationals accused of smuggling biological materials into the United States appeared in court Friday as federal authorities fight to keep them detained in cases they say concern "national security." University of Michigan post-doctoral research fellow Yunqing Jian and Huazhong University of Science and Technology student Chengxuan Han were ordered to remain in federal custody as their separate cases remain ongoing. During the hearing, Han, who is accused of mailing packages containing biological materials to the University of Michigan's laboratory, became visibly emotional and was seen choking back tears when she learned her preliminary hearing had been pushed to a later date. In her brief detention hearing Friday, Han's attorney said her client is consenting to detention without prejudice and will remain in federal custody. Ccp Loyalist Should Be Sent To Gitmo After Arrest For Alleged Pathogen Smuggling, Says China Expert "Ms. Han is presumed innocent, and we will await further proceedings to comment any further," her attorney previously said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Read On The Fox News App Han's preliminary hearing was initially set for June 23, but was subsequently rescheduled for June 30. Both Han and Jian will remain in federal custody until their next hearings. Jian and her boyfriend, Chinese researcher Zunyong Liu, were charged this month after they first attempted to transport Fusarium graminearum, a "potential agroterrorism weapon" that can inflict dangerous health effects on humans, into the country in August 2022, prosecutors said. "The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns," interm U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Jerome Gorgon said in a statement. "These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a 'potential agroterrorism weapon' into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme." Han was also arrested in June after allegedly mailing four packages containing undeclared biological material to individuals working in the University of Michigan's laboratory from September 2024 to March 2025, according to the criminal complaint. In the case of Jian and Liu, a WeChat conversation allegedly revealed the couple brainstorming ways to transport the substance, with Jian ultimately deciding to stash the bags in her shoes. The fungus causes a "head blight," described as a disease of wheat, maize, rice and barley, and is responsible for billions of dollars of economic losses throughout the world each year, according to the Department of Justice. If ingested by humans, the substance can cause vomiting, liver damage and "reproductive defects in humans and livestock." Friday's detention hearing lasted approximately two minutes, with Jian appearing in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffed around the waist. A federal judge adjourned the hearing until next Friday due to Jian's request to seek private counsel. According to the criminal complaint, Jian initially received Chinese government funding for her work on the pathogen while studying at the University of Michigan and allegedly lied on her student visa application regarding her education plans in the U.S. Prosecutors allege Jian first attempted to smuggle the fungus into the U.S. in 2022, with one instance of her asking a third party to send her Fusarium graminearum in January 2024. Jian's attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Chinese Official Claims No Knowledge Of Fungus Situation, Says China Requires Citizens 'Abide By Local Laws' "There are usually no problems," Jian said in a message to the third person. "Rest assured. I have mailed these before." The most recent smuggling attempt allegedly occurred in July 2024, when Liu arrived at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport to visit Jian, according to authorities. Upon landing, Liu was flagged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and subsequently searched. Authorities allegedly discovered "a wad of tissues crumpled up in a small pocket in Liu's backpack," according to the affidavit. Suspected Chinese Bioterrorists Smuggled Killer Agent Into Us In Boots, Officials Say "The tissues concealed a note in Chinese, a round piece of filter paper with a series of circles drawn on it, and four clear plastic baggies with small clumps of reddish plant material inside," the affidavit said. The filter paper was sent for testing by the FBI, which revealed it contained Fusarium graminearum, according to authorities. The plastic baggies also allegedly carried material that was contaminated by the fungus, authorities said. "In addition, the laboratory identified 10 separate samples from the filter paper," the affidavit said. "Each sample had a hand drawn circle around it, and each circle was labeled with a code containing letters and/or numbers. The sample labeled '06172' was identified by the FBI laboratory to contain the DNA sequence for Fusarium graminearum." Liu allegedly denied carrying the pathogen, but later admitted to bringing it to the U.S. intentionally, officials said. He allegedly told authorities the pair planned to use the university's laboratory to conduct research. Patel: Chinese Nationals Charged With Smuggling 'Known Agroterrorism Agent' Into Us Is A 'Direct Threat' "These individuals exploited their access to laboratory facilities at a local university to engage in the smuggling of biological pathogens, an act that posed an imminent threat to public safety," Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, said in a statement. Both Jian and Liu are charged with conspiracy, making false statements, visa fraud and smuggling goods into the U.S. Chinese Student Arrested For Allegedly Smuggling Undeclared Biological Materials Seen In New Mugshot "As one of the world's leading public research institutions, the University of Michigan is dedicated to advancing knowledge, solving challenging problems and improving nearly every facet of the human experience," the university previously said in a statement. "We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university's critical public mission. It is important to note that the university has received no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals. We have and will continue to cooperate with federal law enforcement in its ongoing investigation and prosecution." Han also made an appearance in federal court Friday. She is charged with smuggling goods into the U.S. and making false statements, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. Chinese Phd Student From Wuhan Arrested Smuggling Biological Materials After Deleting Electronic Evidence: Doj Authorities allege Han, a Ph.D. student at Wuhan's College of Life Science and Technology in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, mailed four packages containing undeclared biological materials to staff members at the University of Michigan's laboratory. Han was arrested on Sunday while traveling to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport from Shanghai on a J1 visa. Upon her arrival, Han was searched by CBP officers, and subsequently confronted about the packages. According to the criminal complaint, Han allegedly denied mailing the packages, but later admitted she had sent them after being pressed by authorities. Han initially told CBP officers the packages only contained plastic cups – not petri dishes – and a book, according to court documents. Foreign Nationals Charged Amid Trump Visa Crackdown For Scheme To Smuggle Us Military Equipment Into China Han allegedly confessed to sending the packages, which contained roundworm-related biomaterials, telling FBI and Homeland Security officials that she had initially lied to CBP agents. Officers also discovered Han's electronic devices had been wiped of their content three days before her arrival in the U.S. Former Us Army Intelligence Analyst Sentenced For Selling Sensitive Documents To Chinese National "The alleged smuggling of biological materials by this alien from a science and technology university in Wuhan, China – to be used at a University of Michigan laboratory – is part of an alarming pattern that threatens our security," Gorgon said in a statement. "The American taxpayer should not be underwriting a PRC-based smuggling operation at one of our crucial public institutions." Fox News' Olivianna Calmes and Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this report. Original article source: Chinese bio-smuggling suspect cries in court over federal detention
