The Queensland government announced on Monday that hundreds of vials containing live viruses went missing from a laboratory in Australia. “We’ve launched an investigation into the virology lab breach. There is no evidence of risk to the community from the 2021 breach, and our Government is working to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls said. WATCH: We’ve launched an investigation into the virology lab breach. There is no evidence of risk to the community from the 2021 breach, and our Government is working to make sure it doesn’t happen again. #qldpol pic.twitter.com/290tpod25g — Tim Nicholls MP (@TimNichollsMP) December 9, 2024 “323 vials of live viruses are now unaccounted for,” Daily Mail noted. Per Newsweek: The breach was discovered in August 2023, with nearly 100 of the missing vials containing Hendra virus, which is deadly. Two of the vials contained hantavirus, while 223 vials contained samples of lyssavirus. Hendra virus was first discovered in the mid-1990s after infecting and killing several horses in Australia. Only a handful of humans have caught the disease after being infected by horses, but a large proportion of infected people died. “Hendra virus has a 57 percent fatality rate in humans and has had a devastating impact on those who have been infected, their families and on the veterinary and equine industries in areas where the virus spills over,” Raina Plowright, a professor at the department of public and ecosystem health at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, previously told Newsweek. Hantavirus is carried by rodents and can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which has a mortality rate of around 38 percent, while lyssavirus is similar to rabies and also has a very high mortality rate. "Hundreds of vials containing live viruses have gone missing from a laboratory in Australia, sparking an investigation. Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced today that 323 samples of live viruses — including Hendra virus, Lyssavirus and Hantavirus — went missing in… pic.twitter.com/ByCNpmNmov — Children’s Health Defense (@ChildrensHD) December 10, 2024 “Hundreds of deadly virus samples have vanished from an Australian lab in a 'major breach' of biosecurity. Yesterday, Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls has announced that 323 vials of live viruses are now unaccounted for. These include nearly 100 vials of hendra virus,… pic.twitter.com/LwTY3IHZzi — Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) December 10, 2024 Daily Mail reports: Queensland authorities insist that while the samples could be weaponised, this is ‘not something an amateur does’. The samples went missing in 2021 but investigators only confirmed the breach in August 2023. It is believed that the vials of deadly viruses were lost by Queensland’s Public Health Virology Laboratory when the freezer they were being stored in broke down. Speaking at a press conference, Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said: ‘It’s this part of the transfer of those materials that is causing concern. ‘They were transferred to a functioning freezer without the appropriate paperwork being completed. The materials may have been removed from that secure storage and lost, or otherwise unaccounted-for.’ The three strains of virus leaked from the lab all have the potential to be deadly for humans.

Still comes from Those Damn Crows' upcoming album God-Shaped Hole

President-elect Donald Trump shared a photograph of himself and First Lady Jill Biden in a humorous advertisement for his new fragrance, describing it as “a fragrance your enemies can't resist.”

On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury Department said it transferred the $20 billion U.S. portion of a $50 billion G7 loan for Ukraine to a World Bank intermediary fund for economic and financial aid to the country. The money forms a significant chunk of the $50 billion in new loans finalized by the Group of Seven […] The post US Rushes $20 Billion “Loan” to Ukraine appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

President Joe Biden is reportedly looking to remove one of the Islamic terrorist groups that overthrew the Syrian government last week from the U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list. Biden is looking at removing Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which came from Al-Qaeda and is still close to the terror group, from the list after they overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Multiple current and former Biden administration officials told NBC News that Biden was looking to help the terrorist group “soon” by removing the designation, which would allow the group a way to get help from foreign governments. Biden would also remove the $10 million bounty off the head of the terrorist group’s leader, Abu Muhammad Jawlani. Former CENTCOM commander retired General Frank McKenzie said during an interview over the weekend that Jawlani “has a significant track record” of terrorism, and the notion that terrorists can change was ridiculous. “Certainly he could advance new ideas coming in,” he said. “It’s been my experience, though, that typically they don’t.” CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE McKenzie warned that the collapse of the Syrian government — while bad news for Assad, Russia, Iran, and Lebanese Hezbollah — did not signal good news for the Syrian people. “I’m not sure it’s ultimately going to be good news for the people of Syria,” he said. “You know, we could have an Islamic State arise there, which will have profound negative implications across the region. That is possible. There are other possibilities as well, and I think in the next 48, 72, 96 hours, this will begin to become clearer to us.” The last time that the Biden administration removed an Islamic terrorist group from the terrorist list was during the initial days of his now-failed presidency when he removed the Houthis in Yemen from the list. Just a couple of years later, the Houthis have engaged in widespread terrorism in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula, attacking merchant and naval vessels with missiles and drones.

A wave of arson attacks has engulfed Catholic churches across Canada, igniting a discussion on anti-Christian bigotry. U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance and Canadian Conservative MP Jamil Jivani are speaking out and calling for actions to shield Christians from harm. The attacks are linked by some to historical allegations involving the Catholic Church and indigenous residential schools. However, the foundations of these claims are under scrutiny. Growing Concern over Church Attacks JD Vance labeled recent arson and vandalism incidents against Canadian Catholic churches as acts of “anti-Christian bigotry.” His remarks place these occurrences within a larger context of Christian persecution, highlighting a disturbing global trend. Reports indicate that since spring 2021, 112 churches have been attacked, sparking alarm among Christian communities. These incidents are often connected to narratives about the mistreatment of indigenous children in church-operated residential schools. Vance, a vocal critic of biased portrayals, claims that media and government narratives unfairly accuse the Catholic Church of complicity in these tragic events. Retired judge Brian Giesbrecht echoes this view, pointing out that historical records reveal that children who died received proper burials. These attacks are seen as part of a broader socio-political issue intertwining religion, history, and current political narratives. Canada has seen a number of church burnings in recent years thanks to anti-Christian bigotry. All over the world, Christians are the most persecuted religious group. Jamil is speaking the truth. Shame on journalists who refuse to see what's obvious. https://t.co/LKq146gTGc — JD Vance (@JDVance) December 6, 2024 Efforts to Protect Christian Communities Conservative MP Jamil Jivani has taken significant steps to safeguard Christian communities in Canada. Reacting to the church attacks, Jivani initiated the “Protect Christians in Canada” campaign. He highlights the need to enhance legal penalties for arsonists targeting religious institutions and amplify public awareness against anti-Christian hostility. Elected as a Conservative MP in Ontario’s Durham riding, Jivani has a robust history of speaking up for Christian rights. His legislative efforts align closely with Vance’s assertions of safeguarding Christian values in societies facing increasing hostility. Jivani emphasizes the necessity for action over mere words, urging the Canadian government to undertake decisive measures. Reports indicate government data showing a noticeable increase in religious institution arson incidents from 2020 to 2021, underscoring an urgent need for intervention. JD Vance backs Conservative MP Jamil Jivani’s campaign for protection of Canadian Christians https://t.co/u7ti21L2fw pic.twitter.com/ko93xKXtkL — National Post (@nationalpost) December 7, 2024 Broader Implications and Controversies The blame placed on the Catholic Church stems in part from the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites. This led to a surge in church fires, including the destruction of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Allégresses in Quebec and St. George’s Church in Saskatchewan. Observers argue that these allegations, though widely circulated, lack firm evidential basis, with opposition figures pointing to media-fueled bias. Jivani’s challenge against the mainstream narrative and his call for protection transcend beyond just safeguarding religious centers. They emphasize the importance of protecting Christian heritage under perceived threats. While some journalists criticize conservatives for fostering a victimhood ideology, Vance and Jivani stand united in defending what they see as a besieged religious identity in Canada. Sources: JD Vance sounds alarm over slew of Canadian church burnings: ‘Anti-Christian bigotry’ Incoming US Vice President Raises Issue of Church Burnings in Canada JD Vance backs Conservative MP Jamil Jivani’s campaign for protection of Canadian Christians The post Mysterious Fires in Canada: Churches Targeted Amid Rising Tensions appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

The FBI has recently raised an alarm for Android and iPhone users, identifying critical vulnerabilities in text messaging systems that pose a threat from cybercriminal activities. This advisory highlights grave security concerns amidst a larger telecommunications breach in the U.S. The unveiling of these vulnerabilities calls for heightened user awareness and adherence to security protocols to protect personal devices from breach. FBI Issues Urgent Warning Android and iPhone users have been advised to cease text messaging due to a severe telecommunications breach within the U.S. According to the FBI, the breach is linked to Chinese hackers and is considered unprecedented in its scope and impact, dubbed the “Salt Typhoon” hack. This infiltration targets existing vulnerabilities in messaging systems, leaving mobile devices at risk. Users are urged to suspend text communication and consider alternative, secure messaging applications. The breach has been attributed to the Chinese Communist Party, raising serious concerns about national security and privacy violations. The FBI’s stern warning brings attention to the sophistication and reach of global cyber threats. Protecting personal data and communications requires users to stay vigilant and informed through reliable sources as cyber adversaries continually evolve their methods. FBI Issues Urgent Alert: Stop Texting from iPhones and Androids – Millions at Risk! The FBI has issued a critical warning to all smartphone users, urging them to immediately cease sending text messages from iPhones and Android devices. This advisory follows the discovery of a… pic.twitter.com/GysPxLboma — Tech News (@TechnicalNewsHQ) December 6, 2024 Salt Typhoon: America’s Worst Telecommunication Hack The “Salt Typhoon” hack represents a severe violation of privacy and a breach of trust within the telecommunications sector in America. This attack highlights vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit, often targeting unsuspecting individuals and organizations. Understanding the extent and method of this breach is crucial to prevent future occurrences and mitigate existing risks. Cybersecurity experts recommend that users adopt stringent security measures, such as updating their devices regularly, employing strong authentication methods, and being cautious with messages and links from unknown sources. Users are also advised to check for any official updates and advisories regularly. HUGE CHINESE HACK ONGOING FBI Warns of Cybersecurity Risks in Unencrypted Text Messaging The FBI urges iPhone and Android users to avoid sending unencrypted texts between devices, citing vulnerabilities to foreign hackers. This warning follows a global cyber espionage… pic.twitter.com/IEMGeQYVLs — Kristy Tallman (@KristyTallman) December 7, 2024 User Precautions and Measures Given the escalating nature of cyber threats, both individuals and organizations must adopt a proactive stance in safeguarding their digital interactions. Awareness and education about potential threats should be a priority, with emphasis on identifying suspicious activities and reporting them promptly. In addition to heeding FBI warnings, users are encouraged to leverage secure communication platforms and enhance device security settings. Staying informed through credible news outlets and government advisories can empower users to act swiftly in the face of emerging threats, ensuring the protection of their personal and professional digital environments. Sources: FBI is now warning Android and iPhone users to stop sending text messages to each other – Gateway Hispanic FBI issues warning about sending text messages with iPhone, Android phones – syracuse.com FBI issues alarming warning about your text message data following cybersecurity hack – mlive.com The post Alert: New Smartphone Cyber Threats You Need to Know About appeared first on The Conservative Brief.