Researchers: Some Bird Flu Strains Only Three Mutations Away From A Pandemic

By Alex Crees, FoxNews.com – “A new study raises concerns that it may be possible for airborne transmissible, human-to-human avian H5N1 flu viruses to evolve in nature.

The study looked at five mutations identified previously in the controversial bird flu studies published in the journals Nature and Science—led by Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin and Ron Fouchier of Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, respectively—which would make it possible for bird flu to spread from human to human.

In those studies, the researchers experimented with bird flu strains to show which mutations would be necessary for the virus to evolve to become transmissible between mammals.

The papers revealed with only five mutations (amino acid substitutions), or four mutations plus reassortment, bird flu can become transmissible between mammals – and potentially humans. Currently, bird flu can be transmitted from birds to humans, but not from humans to humans.

U.S. federal officials initially asked the journals to withhold publishing the papers, based on bioterrorism fears, but relented after an independent panel of experts determined there was no threat to public health.

Now, in an accompanying study, led by Professor Derek Smith and Dr. Colin Russell at the University of Cambridge, researchers analyzed all the surveillance data available on avian H5N1 flu viruses in the past 15 years and discovered two of the five mutations needed to make bird flu transmissible between mammals had already occurred in numerous avian flu strains that exist in nature.

Not only that, but a number of the virus strains had both of the mutations, the researchers added.” Read more.

Flashback: Bioterror Chief: There’s No Way to Stop Leak of Deadly New H5N1 Flu Strain, It’s ‘Going to Get Out’ Eventually – “The bioterrorism expert responsible for censoring scientific research which could lead to the creation of a devastating pandemic has admitted the information ‘is going to get out’ eventually. Professor Paul Keim, chairman of the US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, controversially recommended that researchers be stopped from publishing the precise mutations needed to transform the H5N1 strain of birdflu virus into a human-transmissible version.” Read more.

Nigeria: Over 6000 Islamists Dispatched To Kill As Many Christians As Possible In Southern Nigeria

John 16:2b, “… the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.”

Matthew 10:22, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

By Stoyan Zaimov, The Christian Post – “The Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram is allegedly planning to declare holy war on Southern Nigeria, where most Christians are concentrated, and might use food poisoning tactics to kill as many as possible, according to the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

‘We have information and documents to show that this is a Jihad being sponsored and we have our documents to show where they have dispatched 2,000 people to prepare for Jihad to South East, 2,500 to South-South and about 2,000 to South West,’ said Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, CAN Chairman and Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese.

The organization also warned that Boko Haram, responsible for killing hundreds of Christians since 2011 with church bombings and shootings, is planning to lace meat in these southern areas with poisonous powder. CAN specifically warned residents to be careful about eating suya, which is a shish kebab-type food that can be made with various types of meats.

According to a report from Vangard, Bishop Chukwuma said: ‘We are warning our people to be careful of suya because we have now heard that they will start poisoning people through suya. They know the suya they give themselves in the North and suya they give to the people in the South. So people should be careful of suya.

‘That is part of the information available to us now. There is a powder that is now being imported which they will spread on suya and after two weeks it will start eating your liver and other organs. We have gotten that information also.’

Boko Haram directly admitted in a recent statement to wanting to wipe out Christians from Nigeria and establish Islamist rule.” Read more.

Flashback: Nigeria: ‘Proud Soldiers Of Allah’ Vows To Take Down Government And Destroy Christianity, ‘We Will Devour You … Our Joy Is To Die In Jihad’ – “Islamist sect, Boko Haram, has threatened to bring down the Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan within three months. Purported leader of the sect said this in his second video posted on the Internet yesterday… ‘You, Jonathan, cannot stop us; instead we will devour you in the three months like you are boasting … We are proud soldiers of Allah; we will never give up as we fight the infidels. We will emerge as winners … we will finish you and end your government … for us, [death] is eternal victory to die working for Allah. Our joy is to die in Jihad for Allah … We are not doing physical human service, but Allah’s work … We are not afraid because we are not doing man’s work but Allah’s work…” Read more.

Islamists In Nigeria Promise Christians This Month Will Be ‘Bloodiest Yet’, 300 Suicide Bombers Ready To Attack Churches

Revelation 13:15, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”

Acts 14:22b, “… ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’”

ICC – “International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that members of the Nigerian Islamic group, Boko Haram, plan to make the month of June ‘the bloodiest month yet’ in terms of attacks on Christians and promise more bloody attacks on Christians in the coming days.

The Islamists revealed their plan in their statement to Sahara Reporters, a New York based online news agency yesterday. In the past three weeks alone, more than 100 people have been killed in suicide bomb attacks by Boko Haram and the ensuing clashes between Christians and Muslims.

‘I can’t dismiss the rumor and I can’t 100 percent accept that it will happen. But because of the trend of events, there is every possibility that something like that will happen,’ said Rev. Lawi P. Pokti in an interview with ICC. Rev. Pokti is the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Bauchi state.

‘We should pray and watch. We should also remember that Jesus said in the world there is tribulation but with Him there is peace,’ said Rev. Pokti in his message to Christians in Nigeria.

Addressing the Nigerian security officials, Rev. Pokti said, ‘My message for Nigerian security is that they are called to serve the Nigerian nation so they should do it without religious bias. They should defend the nation irrespective of one’s religion so that peace will prevail in the nation.’

ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, Jonathan Racho, said, ‘This latest threat by Boko Haram to mass murder Christians is extremely alarming. The Nigerian government has utterly failed to protect its citizens from attacks by Boko Haram. It has been years since Boko Haram declared war against unarmed Christians. Where is the Nigerian government when the country is descending into a devastating civil war? It is high time for Nigeria to deploy all its military forces to crush Boko Haram. Boko Haram must be destroyed before it is allowed to destroy Nigeria. We also call upon our supporters to call Nigerian government officials and strongly urge them to prevent the attacks by Boko Haram.'” Source – ICC.

Allah Has Spoken: Islamists In Nigeria Tell Christians To Follow Islam ‘Or There Will Be No Peace’ – “A militant Islamist group claimed responsibility Monday for bombings the day before that the Nigerian Red Cross said left 50 people dead at three Christian churches in Nigeria… ‘Let them know that now it’s the time for revenge God willing,’ the group said in a statement. ‘From now on, they either follow the right religion or there will be no peace for them.’” Read more.

Nigerian Military Warns Christians: More Islamist Suicide Bombings Are Coming

By Emmanuel Oladesu and Joseph Abiodun, The Nation – “Maiduguri residents were told yesterday to prepare for more suicide bombings.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) – Operation Restore Order (ORO) – in a statement by its spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, warned of plans by terrorists to carry Impoverished Explosive Devices (IEDs) in stolen vehicles. It warned the public to report to the appropriate bodies immediately a vehicle is stolen.

The statement reads: ‘Information recently available to the JTF ORO in Maiduguri indicated that there have been desperate moves by Boko Haram terrorists to steal/snatch vehicles to be used for terrorists’ activities by implanting Improvised Explosive Devices in vehicles and or through suicide bombing.

‘The Task Force wishes to alert members of the public, particularly those whose vehicles have been stolen, to immediately report such incident to the nearest police station or to the JTF as such vehicles if used for terrorism acts would lead to owners of such vehicles being treated as collaborators and accomplices.’

The JTF spokesman said the task force’s troops and Department of State Services personnel have arrested six suspected Boko Haram members involved in the attack on EYN Church in Biu, Borno State, on June 17. Some worshippers were killed.

Those arrested are in JTF custody and are being interrogated.

Also yesterday, Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde warned that ‘if something serious, strategic and meaningful is not done, we may just be working our way towards another avoidable civil war.’

Speaking in Lagos against the backdrop of the recent coordinated bombings in Kaduna and Zaria, the Prelate said:

‘For how long are we going to remain silent? Here we are begging the issue while innocent people are dying and their loved ones are yet to get justice. Is it a crime to be a Christian in any part of Nigeria? Every time we raise the alarm and call for action, they will say it has no religious colouration which saddens my heart the more whenever I hear that.

‘Before Sunday’s bombings, no fewer than 200 people have been killed in 12 separate attacks on churches or places of Christian worship in the North so far this year and al-Qaeda-linked Islamist terror group Boko Haram has explicitly claimed that it carried out at least 10 of them. Yet we are scratching the matter on the surface rather than intensify efforts and expose those behind these attacks. No fewer than 40 persons were feared killed on Sunday in Kaduna and Zaria as suicide bombers attacked three churches.

‘And in all of these bombings and attacks on Christians and Churches, no person has been arrested or brought to book. Where are we going? Where is justice? This is what is encouraging this culture of impunity, which makes it difficult for one to ascertain if the Government has the political will needed in tackling this menace headlong.” Read more.

Iranian Navy Chief: We Are Building Ten New Frigates And Destroyers

No need to worry, however. I am convinced that these are all intended for peaceful purposes as well …

RIA Novosti – “Iran will build 10 new frigates and destroyers, Navy deputy chief Rear Adm. Abbas Zamini said on Wednesday.

These include a Mowj-1 class destroyer, launched in 2010, and Velayat, a Mowj-2 class destroyer, whose construction is 70 percent complete and will finish by the end of the current year, he said, according to Press TV.

The new projects also include Mowj and Sina-class destroyers and guided missile frigates, Zamini said.

The Iranian Navy floated out its first domestically built destroyer, Jamaran, in February 2010.

The 1,420-ton destroyer is equipped with modern radar systems and other electronic warfare capabilities. It has a top speed of up to 30 knots and a helipad. It also features highly advanced anti-aircraft, anti-surface and anti-subsurface systems.” Source – RIA Novosti.

Report: Iran Designing ‘Peaceful’ Nuclear Submarine – “Iran has begun to design its first nuclear submarine, the Islamic Republic’s semiofficial news agency Fars reported on Tuesday. The Fars report quotes deputy navy chief in charge of technical affairs, Rear Admiral Abbas Zamini, as saying that Iran has begun ‘initial stages’ of designing the nuclear-powered craft. Zamini added that Iran has developed ‘peaceful nuclear technology’ and has both the capability and the right to build a submarine.” Read more.