Two doctoral students from the University of South Florida have been missing for almost a week, leading local authorities to seek assistance from the public in their search efforts.

Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both aged 27, were last seen separately on April 16 in Tampa, Florida, as reported by the University of South Florida Police Department (USFPD).

Limon, who is working towards a doctorate in geography and environmental science and policy at USF, was last observed at his residence around 9 a.m.

Meanwhile, Bristy, also a doctoral student at USF, is studying chemical engineering. She was last spotted approximately an hour later, around 10 a.m., on the USF Tampa campus, specifically at the NES Building.

The University of South Florida Police Department is spearheading the investigation, and they are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of Limon and Bristy to come forward.

A family friend notified police April 17 at approximately 4:50 p.m. after concern grew over being unable to contact Limon and Bristy.

Both have since been added to the state and national missing persons databases, police said.

Zamil Limon, a USF doctoral student pursuing a degree in geography and environmental science and policy, was last seen at his home around 9 a.m. on April 16. (University of South Florida Police Department)

Limon’s brother told FOX 13 the situation is highly unusual, calling the doctoral students “responsible and punctual.”

“He is a very responsible and punctual person, and that’s why the situation is so unpredictable and unusual to us … like, and very suspicious,” Zubaer Ahmed, Limon’s younger brother in Bangladesh, told the outlet.

“We’re in deep pain, and [it’s a] devastating situation.”

Ahmed spoke to his brother just last Monday and said he shared that he would be busy working on his thesis. Limon’s research, his brother said, focuses on using generative AI to study Florida’s shrinking wetlands.

Ahmed said Limon and Bristy were discussing potentially getting married in the future but were focused on their education.

“Another important point that is they talked about having a future together, but they are not that serious about it. Both of them are thinking about whether we can marry together, and they are discussing that,” he said.

University of South Florida Police Department Public Information Officer Larry McKinnon told FOX 13 that foul play is not suspected at this point of the investigation for the missing college students. (FOX 13)

USF Public Information Officer Larry McKinnon told FOX 13 that “no stone would be left unturned” in the search for Limon and Bristy, though authorities see no signs of foul play.

“Everybody internally is obviously very concerned, as we are concerned. It’s not typical of their behavior. They’re graduate students,” McKinnon said. “We don’t have information that there is foul play or suspicious nature at this point.

“When we get to this point where we aren’t having success in locating them, then our next best source is the public. That’s where we are at,” he said. “Everybody’s hoping for a positive outcome on this. And that’s why we’re taking it very seriously and making sure we leave no stones unturned to try to find them.”

Detectives with the USFPD and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call USFPD at 813-974-2628.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and USFPD for additional information.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation initiated a probe into a New York Times journalist, Elizabeth Williamson, after she published an article scrutinizing FBI Director Kash Patel. The piece alleged that Patel had misused government resources to provide protection and travel benefits for his girlfriend, a country singer.

On Wednesday, the New York Times revealed this development, highlighting that some Justice Department officials were unsettled by the FBI’s actions. These officials perceived the investigation as potentially retaliatory and lacking sufficient legal justification.

Williamson’s article, dated February 28, was provocatively titled, “Kash Patel’s Girlfriend Seeks Fame and Fortune, Escorted by an F.B.I. SWAT Team.” In her report, she examined the alleged preferential treatment received by Patel’s girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins. To gather information, Williamson contacted Wilkins for an off-the-record discussion over the phone and exchanged emails, according to the Times.

Importantly, the Times noted that Williamson never met Wilkins in person during her reporting process.

Never was Williamson in Wilkins’ presence. 

Yet after Wilkins received a death threat from an individual based in Boston, who sent it after reading Williamson’s article, FBI officials went through the bureau’s databases to see if the federal government had any information on the journalist that would suggest she needed further scrutiny, a source told the Times. 

FBI officials looked into stalking statutes as part of that effort, the source said. 

An FBI spokesperson verified that account, but said the matter into Williamson was quickly dropped. 

The New York Times reported Wednesday that the paper’s reporter Elizabeth Williamson (left) was scrutinized by the FBI after she wrote an unflattering story about FBI Director Kash Patel (right) and his country singer girlfriend Alexis Wilkins (center right) 

‘Ms. Wilkins was interviewed by FBI agents in relation to a death threat in Boston, which specifically referenced an article published by Williamson the previous day,’ the spokesperson told the Times. ‘During this questioning, the agents inquired about the related reporting. While investigators were concerned about how the aggressive reporting techniques crossed lines of stalking, no further action regarding Williamson or the reporting was ever pursued by the FBI.’ 

The spokesperson wouldn’t say whether Patel was aware of the inquiry into the journalist or whether he condoned the use of government resources to probe standard newsgathering activities by a reporter. 

The Times’ executive editor, Joseph Kahn, blasted the FBI in a statement. 

‘The FBI’s attempt to criminalize routine reporting is a blatant violation of Elizabeth’s First Amendment rights and another attempt by this administration to prevent journalists from scrutinizing its actions,’ Kahn said. ‘It’s alarming. It’s unconstitutional. And it’s wrong.’ 

The February Times article highlighted Patel’s use of taxpayer-funded perks on the heels of his highly scrutinized trip to Milan for the Olympics, where he was seen partying with the US men’s hockey team after they won gold. 

On Friday, the Atlantic released a report where sources outed Patel for excessive drinking. 

The FBI director responded by filing a $250 million lawsuit against the magazine. 

The Atlantic has stood by its reporting. 

FBI Director Kash Patel (left) poses with his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins (right), who was never in the same room as the New York Times reporter the FBI was looking into for ‘stalking’ 

‘We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit,’ a spokesperson said. 

After a tumultuous first term, filled with firings and hirings, President Donald Trump appeared not to want to rock the boat in his second term – until recently. 

Starting last month, Trump has engaged in several high-profile firings, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned this week. 

Sources told The Atlantic that Patel has become increasingly concerned about his job security, especially after the ouster of Bondi.  

After a dry spell that lasted 15 days, Mets broadcasters were thrilled to finally call a victory. Gary Cohen from SNY and radio announcer Howie Rose celebrated as the Mets ended their 12-game losing streak with a win.

The veteran commentators captured the relief and excitement of Mets fans on Wednesday night. This emotional moment came when Luke Weaver struck out the Twins’ Byron Buxton, securing a 3-2 triumph at Citi Field.

This victory was notably the Mets’ first since April 7, marking only their eighth win of the season so far.

Gary Cohen’s jubilant announcement on SNY echoed the sentiments of many: “He struck him out and the ball game is over! And for the first time in more than two weeks, the Mets can shake hands. That insidious 12-game losing streak has finally come to an end. Mets win it 3-2.”

Howie Rose’s sense of relief was equally evident, capturing the essence of a long-awaited victory.

Rose broke out his signature phrase after Weaver ended the ballgame. 

“Swung on and missed, strike three! Put it in the books!” he said. “For the first time in 15 days, the New York Mets have won a baseball game. They have ended their 12-game losing streak, and if this crowd is not exactly jubilant, they are more than simply relieved.”

Wednesday’s win was not without drama for the Metropolitans.

The Mets lost shortstop Francisco Lindor in the middle of the game due to left calf tightness on the same day they got Juan Soto back from a strained right calf. 

The Amazin’s let one-run leads slip away in the fourth and sixth innings before driving home the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth. 

Mark Vientos blooped a single to right field that scored Brett Baty to put the Mets up 3-2.

With the Phillies’ eighth straight loss on Wednesday, the two 8-16 teams share the National League East basement.

The family of a young man who lost his life in a police-involved shooting last December has initiated legal proceedings against the city of Chicago, their attorneys revealed on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, authorities made public the body camera footage that captured the fatal incident.

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The tragic event unfolded on December 9.

The released video depicts Chicago police officers responding to a call on the 5700 block of North Washtenaw in the West Ridge neighborhood, following reports of a stolen car.

According to investigators, when the officers arrived, they encountered two individuals attempting to access the vehicle. The footage shows that as the officers instructed them to halt, one individual fled the scene while the other attempted to enter the vehicle.

A struggle then took place. That’s when one shot was fired before the officer was briefly dragged by the car, which then crashed.

Roberto Calvario Jr., 20, of Albany Park died at the scene, officials said.

Lawyers for his family said Wednesday that officers were responding to a call that had nothing to do with Calvario, but he was in a vehicle nearby. They say the officer attacked Calvario and shot him.

On Wednesday, the Chicago Police Department said it had not received the lawsuit and does not comment on pending litigation.

The officer involved in the incident has recovered from his injuries.

Two weapons were found at the scene, police said at the time.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is still investigating the police-involved shooting.