There aren’t many actresses more associated with the glitz and glam of Golden Age Hollywood than Elizabeth Taylor. Thanks to her roles in big-budget features like Cleopatra‚ the British-born star was one of the most famous actresses of her time. Taylor’s private life also came under intense scrutiny‚ including her highly-publicized marriages to Richard Burton. No matter what was going on or who... Source

Our nation’s capital is a model of dysfunctional‚ clueless blue city governance. Nothing highlights that better than the explosion of crime—and especially carjackings—since 2020. The official 2023 year-end tally of carjackings in Washington‚ D.C.‚ ended up being a staggering 959‚ twice the number of the previous year. There were 152 carjackings in 2019. That number more than doubled in 2020‚ and it has been soaring ever since. What’s particularly hard to believe is that 65% of the carjackings last year were committed by perpetrators under the age of 18. And it isn’t just carjackings that are on the rise. In 2023‚ 274 people were killed in homicides‚ a 36% increase from the year before‚ according to WUSA-TV‚ Washington’s CBS affiliate. That’s the highest homicide rate in two decades. More from WUSA: Robberies were up 67% last year—with 3‚470 people reporting having been robbed in 2023. Vehicle thefts were up a whopping 82% with 6‚829 people reporting a stolen vehicle. Arsons‚ which are generally uncommon‚ were up 175%‚ with 11 reported cases in 2023‚ up from only four in 2022. It’s amazing there are any non-stolen vehicles left in the District at this point. You’d think this calamity would provoke a huge response from local authorities. Nope. City leaders‚ despite all that’s happened‚ refuse to do anything serious to stem the crime spree. Instead‚ they prefer to rely on gimmicks to give the impression that they have things under control. One such program launched by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was to give D.C. residents free Apple AirTags so that their cars could be found after it’s been stolen. They’re essentially tracking devices. Sky News Australia‚ of all media outlets‚ did an investigation of the program‚ which launched on Nov. 1. The D.C. government has held three events handing out the AirTags. The government didn’t announce the total number of devices handed out‚ but if it was in large numbers‚ the total price tag couldn’t have been cheap. AirTags sell for $99. Guess how many cars have been retrieved via the tracking devices since then? Zero. Not a single car has been found. Great work. All they’ve accomplished is to waste more taxpayer money. Even if they did manage to find a few cars‚ why is the government prioritizing finding stolen vehicles instead of preventing their theft? That mentality is how the city got into this predicament in the first place. The only thing that will fix the situation in the District is to do the one thing the left-wing ideologues on the D.C. Council won’t do; namely‚ increase deterrence. The carjacking numbers will start coming down only when the perpetrators are arrested‚ prosecuted and given harsh sentences. The problem isn’t just that people aren’t arrested‚ it’s that the legal system has frequently let criminals right back out on the streets. A case from November highlights that. In October‚ a 15-year-old carjacking suspect was sent home by a Superior Court judge instead of to a detention facility. The suspect clearly didn’t take the arrest seriously. “According to court testimony‚ days after being sent home‚ that girl and her half-sister were part of a group that allegedly called and then carjacked a rideshare driver‚” WRC-TV‚ an NBC affiliate‚ reported in October. “Her half-sister died in a crash Thursday in D.C.’s Brentwood neighborhood shortly after the alleged carjacking.” While records for juveniles are sealed‚ Bowser said at a press conference‚ “in my opinion‚ you’ve been arrested for the seventh time for carjacking‚ [secure detention] is where you belong.” There shouldn’t be a “seventh” time. There shouldn’t be a second time. From the moment the city sided with the mob and defunded the police‚ it’s been caught in a spiral of crime and dysfunction that it can’t escape. In just the first five days of 2024‚ the District had 53 cars reported stolen. So‚ the trend continues into the new year. The fundamental problem with the District and other cities is not simply that they have a lot of crime.  The problem is that the people in power and in the courts have an inverted view of justice. They have created the conditions whereby criminals are empowered‚ and decent‚ upstanding citizens are made to live in fear.  On top of that‚ they’ve allowed criminals to create a pipeline for more criminals. Crime pays‚ and now a generation of young car thieves and carjackers will know that the city is unwilling and unable to stop them. That’s how you create the conditions for a “doom loop” in a city or society. Congress has already had to intervene in the city’s affairs recently to prevent officials from going even softer on crime. You know you have problems when Congress is your only hope of salvation‚ but given the current circumstances‚ it might be the District’s only hope. The intervention makes sense‚ given that even some legislators have been victimized in the District. Even Democrats know this has become a national embarrassment.  The framers of the Constitution created the federal district in part to keep nationally elected officials safe from potentially predatory locals. Is the District’s government fulfilling it’s job under home rule‚ which Congress granted the city in 1973? Not at all. Given the obtuse mentality of the members of the D.C. Council‚ it seems unlikely that even being mugged by reality will get them to change course. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Carjackings in DC Doubled to a Staggering 959 in 2023 appeared first on The Daily Signal.

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Last week featured only two White House press briefings (Wednesday and Thursday)‚ but it brought about more of the same as the National Security Council’s John Kirby helmed much of both installments when taking questions about foreign policy and the ever-inept Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre began 2024 with nothing but venom for Biden’s opponents on domestic issues. Not so coincidentally‚ the two briefings came prior to a hilarious Axios item on Friday that revealed Kirby and Jean-Pierre reportedly have an icy relationship. Below are the best and worst questions from the week with some including full or partial answers from Kirby or Jean-Pierre. We’ll lead off with the absolute worst exchange‚ which featured Al Jazeera’s White House reporter accusing the U.S. — not Iran-backed Houthis firing on civilian commercial ships — as escalating tensions in the Red Sea Absolute Worst: Al Jazeera Shill Shills for Iran-Backed Terrorists Click “expand” to see the full back and forth featuring Kirby and Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett: WATCH: Leave it to the Al Jazeera reporter to claim w/o evidence it's the U.S. -- not Iran or Houthis -- who's esclating matters toward a Middle East war in the Red Sea b/c commercial vessels can't travel safely. John Kirby was NOT having any of this pro-terrorist propaganda. pic.twitter.com/dD0M6xvlt9 — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 3‚ 2024 Halkett: “Admiral‚ you said the United States doesn’t want a second front. And you also said that Israel has a right and responsibility to go after Hamas leadership. But isn’t the United States and the President — aren’t they exactly widening and escalating this‚ given the fact that the U.S. is supporting chasing Hamas leadership outside of Gaza? I mean‚ the fact that it’s going into Lebanon‚ a sovereign nation.” Kirby: “Again‚ your question is presuming an awful lot and is presuming that I said things I didn’t say. I — I’m not —” Halkett: “I have it right here‚ in Otter.” Kirby: “— I’m not confirming that the — that the Israelis took this airstrike. I would refer you to them to speak to their military operations.” Halkett: “They haven’t denied it.” Kirby: “Nevertheless‚ I’m not confirming that they — that they — that they took this strike. They have a right and a responsibility to go after Hamas leadership‚ and we expect that they’ll do that in accordance with international law. Nothing has changed about the fact that we don’t want the conflict to widen. I mean‚ heck‚ my opening statement was four or five pages’ worth of talking about all the kind of capabilities that the President is putting in the region to prevent that very outcome.” Halkett: “Okay. So‚ let me follow up on that then. Given the Red Sea patrols‚ we knew in advance of those being set up that the Iranian defense minister said very clearly‚ “Nobody can make a move in a region where we have predominance.” The United States knew that‚ set it up anyway. Is that not being seen as a provocation? If you know that Iran sees that as a provocation‚ you take the action anyway.” Kirby: “Wow. Well‚ that’s certainly turning things on their — upside down‚ isn’t it? Wouldn’t — wouldn’t you consider a provocation the launching of ballistic missiles and drones at commercial —” Halkett: “Well‚ the United States —” Kirby: “— wait‚ wait‚ wait. Let me —” Halkett: “— doesn’t have soil there.” Kirby: “— let me finish. Wouldn’t that be considered a provocation‚ taking — targeting innocent merchant shipping —” Halkett: “I’m asking you the question.” Kirby: “— and innocent merchant sailors? That’s a provocation. What we’re doing‚ what Prosperity Guardian is all about –and go on the web and you can look at it — it’s a defensive posture. It’s a coalition of the willing of maritime nations coming together to try to protect international shipping‚ shipping that affects the global economy.” Halkett: “But it’s led to an escalation‚ because‚ in turn‚ what has happened is —” Kirby: “No ma’am. No ma’am.” Halkett: “— so‚ you’re denying‚ then‚ that there has been an escalation since the Red Sea patrol?” Kirby: “I totally disagree with the premise of your question.” Halkett: “Okay‚ but since the —” Kirby: “It wasn’t the United States who decided to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis did that. And who are the Houthis backed by? Iran. As I’ve said before‚ Iran provided the missiles that the Houthis are using. We are simply in a defensive posture to try to protect that commercial shipping‚ and we have in the last 48 hours.” Halkett: “And since then‚ there’s been an escalation. Now‚ Iran has launched a frigate into that. So‚ there has been escalation.” Kirby: “Okay‚ again‚ let me stop you. The fact that they —” Halkett: “So‚ has the United — I ask you again: Has the United States’ actions supported an escalation as a result?” Kirby: “— no.” Halkett: “You said that the Pres- — your words said —” Kirby: “You asked me a question‚ ma’am. I answered it. No.” Jean-Pierre: “We got to move on.” Halkett: “You said nothing the President has ordered has been designed to widen or deepen this conflict.” Kirby: “I stand by my answer. No.” Jean-Pierre: “Okay‚ we’ve got to move on.” — Exchange during the January 3 briefing‚ 2:37 p.m. Eastern.   Best: Is Biden Every Going to Go to East Palestine? Daily Mail’s Rob Crilly: “Does the President still have plans to visit the disaster site in East Palestine‚ Ohio? Jean-Pierre: “So‚ I don’t have any — anything — any schedule of the President...I will say this: The President continues to oversee...a robu — robust recovery effort to support the people of East Palest — Palestine and we will visit when it is most helpful. The President will visit when it’s almost helpful to the community and so‚ we’re going to continue to stay on the ground...while ensuring that Norfolk Southern is held accountable...[T]his is another thing that we want Congress to act on. It is important that they do their part to enhance rail safety...[T]he President is going to continue to be there for the community‚ as he has been[.]” — Exchange on January 3‚ 3:03 p.m. Eastern.   Best: You Going to Do Anything to Hold the Pro-Palestinian U.N. to Account? Ami magazine’s Jake Turx: “What’s your reaction to U.S.-funded agencies like UNRWA that have had a presence in these hospitals‚ that have had schools that is being alleged to have been used as stockpiles for weapons? Is this — does this make them complicit in any way? How does the administration view this? And is there any way that you plan on adjusting your strategy moving forward as far as dealing with UNRWA and other such agencies?” Kirby: “UNRWA...does important work. In fact‚ they’re doing a lot of heavy lifting right now in terms of trying to get food‚ water‚ medicine to the people of Gaza...They’re doing a lot of work‚ and they’re doing it in harm’s way..[Y]ou can’t hold them accountable for...the way Hamas uses civilian infrastructure‚ including hospitals‚ to — for command and control‚ for storage of weapons‚ for the holding of hostages. Turx: “Shouldn’t that‚ at the very least‚ raise the alarm if their own facilities are being used in the military —” Kirby: “Well‚ look‚ I’ll — I’ll let the U.N. speak to their agency and what — and what alarms they want to raise or not. We —” Turx: “We’re — we gave them a billion dollars.” Kirby: “They do good work in Gaza...I will let them speak to whatever concerns they have over Hamas’s activities and the degree to which that they feel obligated to speak out or not...[I]t’s not some state secret here that Hamas hides itself in hospitals and schools and digs tunnels under residential complexes and neighborhoods.” — Exchange on January 4‚ 1:47 p.m. Eastern.   Dumbest: Isn’t Joe Jazzed About Wind Turbines? Associated Press’s Darlene Superville: “For the first time in the U.S.‚ there are wind turbines that have sent electricity to the grid — that there’s a wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts. It delivered some power just before midnight on Wednesday. It’s a project the Biden administration had signed off on. I was just wondering if‚ you know‚ the President supports this kind of energy. Is he aware? Any reaction that you can share?” — January 3 briefing‚ 2:44 p.m. Eastern.   Dumbest: Should Americans Be Masking Up to Fight COVID? ABC’s Karen Travers: “Some hospitals in at least eight states have brought back some form of masking now due to rising cases of respiratory viruses‚ including the flu and COVID. Does the White House think more hospitals across the country should be considering that right now?” Jean-Pierre: “The masking piece?” Travers: “Mm-hmm.” Jean-Pierre: “That is — and we’ve been — always been very consistent on this. That is something that is localized...hospitals‚ communities‚ cities‚ states‚ they have to make their own decisions. That’s not something that we get involved in.” Travers: “And what about Americans broadly now? There’s 31 states in the latest data that have high or very high levels of respiratory illness: RSV‚ flu‚ and COVID. What should Americans be doing? What’s the recommendation? Jean-Pierre: “So‚ look‚ it is up to each and — each and every American to make their decision...to protect themselves from the impact of COVID — whether it’s a vaccine‚ whether it’s at-home testing...and treatment...[T]here are tools available...It is up to them...That is not something that we’re going to regulate.” — January 4 briefing‚ 2:14 p.m. Eastern.   Dumbest: Reuters Questions Whether U.S. Can Even Have “Free &; Fair Elections” Reuters’s Trevor Hunnicutt: “[D]oes he think the United States is ready to have free and fair elections in November?” Jean-Pierre: “Well‚ it’s — we have to. I mean‚ that is what we need — we have to. That’s what the President believes in‚ right? He believes in having a democracy that works‚ on having a free and fair election. That’s something that he has spoken to...[T]hat is something that the different agencies who are involved are certainly making sure...Americans are able to — to vote freely on — in November.” — January 3 briefing‚ 2:47 p.m. Eastern.   Best: Does the Biden White House Regret Letting Iran Have Frozen Money Back? Fox’s Jacqui Heinrich: “John‚ Iran made two transactions withdrawing from the previously frozen funds in Oman. What were those transactions for?” Kirby: “I don’t have the details on that‚ Jacqui. You’re going to have to let me get back to you on that.” (....) Heinrich: “More broadly...is the administration at all reconsidering its decisions to finance Iran indirectly by allowing these sanctions waivers to go forward given the pro — the level of proxy attacks that we have seen?...[T]he Assistant Treasury Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes...said that any details‚ you know‚ about those transactions would have to be provided in a classified setting. You know‚ why would we need to have that information be behind closed doors when that money is supposed to only be for humanitarian purposes? It should be‚ you know‚ transparent...I know the administration also‚ sort of‚ quietly reversed its decision to allow‚ you know‚ withdrawals from the $6 billion that was freed up from the prisoner swap. But after that decision‚ the $10 billion — the waiver was extended for the $10 billion. This was money that was payments for electricity in Iraq. So‚ anyway‚ given the level of proxy attacks and the availability of these funds‚ is the U.S. reconsidering these sanctions waivers?” Kirby: “With the caveat that I am going to have to get back to you on whether or not there’s actually been some sort of procurement request by the Iranians for the humanitarian assistance...none of that money goes to the Iranian regime...[I]t would go to approved vendors that would purchase food‚ water‚ medicine‚ agricultural products‚ and then ship that directly into Iran for the benefit of the Iranian people[.]” — Exchanges during the January 4 briefing‚ 1:33 p.m. Eastern.   Best: Will Biden Actually Cut Spending After Adding Billions to National Debt? Fox Business’s Edward Lawrence: “[O]n the federal debt. I want to ask you about it. So‚ I heard you blame the Republicans for the federal debt‚ but President Biden has been in office for 35 months and over the past three months‚ the U.S. has added $10 billion per day to the federal debt. So — and that’s not turning around. So‚ is there a discussion here about cutting spending then?” Jean-Pierre: “Republican tax cuts are — are responsible for 90 percent — 90 percent of the increase in the debt. Ninety percent. That is something that Republicans are responsible for....[The President’s] put forth legislation‚ like lowering the deficit by $1 trillion. And that’s part of the lowering prescription drug costs and cracking down on — on the wealthy tax cheats. That’s what he’s done...The President beat Big Pharma....[W]hat [Republicans have] proposed will add $3 trillion to the debt...You’re a data guy. That’s the numbers. That’s what we have seen.” — Exchange during the January 3 briefing‚ 3:05 p.m. Eastern.   Dumbest: Biden Apple Polisher Bruce Frets Impeaching Mayorkas Would Make Border Worse ABC’s Mary Bruce: “Secretary Mayorkas has obviously been up on the Hill negotiating this deal trying to hammer out something on the border. But at the same time‚ the House is formally beginning impeachment proceedings against him. Do you have any concern that this will complicate a deal‚ it could hurt negotiations‚ especially as we’re up against a clock here?” Jean-Pierre: “So...I kind of addressed this at the top‚ how baseless it is and how they’re wasting their time on — on impeachment proceedings that make no sense...They’re focusing on something that Americans do not want to see. They want us to deliver on things that matter to them.” Bruce: “Well‚ regardless of that‚ are you concerned that the fact that they are taking this action — even if you disagree with it — that it’s going to make this more difficult that it’s going to complicate all of this?” — Exchange during the January 3 briefing‚ 2:52 p.m. Eastern.   Best: Why Force EVs on Americans When There’s No Actual Demand? Lawrence: “So‚ Ford today says that in 2023‚ last year‚ their EV sales accounted for 3.6 percent of their overall sales. GM sought — says that it only sold half of what their target was for EV sales. Any consideration to moving some of those EV — EV mandates back and let the technology and market preference catch up? Jean-Pierre: “So...we have seen 51 percent of an increase in EV sales — 51 percent. That’s the numbers...[T]hat’s pretty important. As we talk about climate change‚ clean energy‚ that’s important that we’re seeing such a boost in electric vehicles. Lawrence: “But when you look at the actual numbers‚ like GM sold 2.6 million cars and trucks in 2023; 76‚000 of those were EVs. Ford sold 2 million cars and trucks; 73‚000 were EVs. So‚ clearly about 96 percent of the consumer is saying that they don’t want electric vehicles. So‚ why not —” Jean-Pierre: “We saw — we saw a 51 percent increase in electric vehicles. That’s what we’ve seen‚ Ed. And that’s important to note.” — January 4 briefing at 2:10 p.m. Eastern.   Best: Jacqui Time Brings the Heat on the Biden Border Crisis  Heinrich: “A couple of weeks ago‚ you had said what we’re seeing at the border isn’t unusual. But in the month of December‚ there were more than 302‚000 migrant encounters — the highest total for a single month ever recorded. So‚ does the administration concede that what we’re seeing now is unusual?” Jean-Pierre: “What I said was...what we’re seeing at the U.S. is — ebbs and flows in how many migrants arrive at the border. It’s something that happens every year...[A]nd that’s what we’re seeing at this time — and which is caused by misinformation from — and disinformation from smugglers.” Heinrich: “Well‚ ICE reported that they only deported 142‚000 in all of fiscal year 2023. December had more than double that cross in just a single month. So‚ how is — how is that really a measurable consequence?” Jean-Pierre: “Since May 12‚ DHS has been able to remove and return over 460‚000 individuals who — who did not have a legal basis to be here....[W]e believe that the president of Mexico has taken significant enforcement actions‚ and we are starting to see the results...A lot of it is having diplomacy. A lot of it is enforcement...[Y]ou had House Republicans voting to get rid of 2‚000...Border Patrol agents....[W]e’re trying to deal with the issue...[T]here’s negotiations happening on the Senate side‚ with Republicans and Democrats‚ to deal with this issue. — January 3 briefing‚ 3:08 p.m. Eastern.   Dumbest: Does Biden Have Any New Year’s Resolutions? CBS’s Weijia Jiang: “[D]oes he have any New Year’s resolutions?” Jean-Pierre: “I don’t have the President’s New Year’s resolution. I think — what I will say is that the President wants to continue doing the job that he — that he has said that he’s going to do on behalf of the American people.” — Question during the January 3 briefing‚ 2:55 p.m. Eastern.

Every year‚ millions of Americans visit the Bass Pro Shops‚ a giant retail chain dedicated to outdoor sports and camping enthusiasts‚ and few ever leave without first spending at least a few moments gazing in awe and wonder at the indoor aquariums and the beautiful aquatic life inside. However‚ one Alabama man may have taken his fascination a bit too far when he reportedly stripped naked and jumped into the aquarium for a quick dip with the fishes.Just before closing on Thursday evening‚ witnesses reported that the suspect‚ later identified as 42-year-old George Owens‚ was behaving erratically at the Bass Pro Shops in Leeds‚ Alabama‚ a city of about 12‚000 residents located 20 miles east of Birmingham. Reports claim that Owens first slammed his car into a pole in the parking lot. He then went inside the building‚ where his strange behavior continued.Once inside‚ Owens reportedly stripped down to his birthday suit before taking a massive leap‚ cannonball-style‚ into the aquarium. He then allegedly swam about for five minutes before police came.After officers arrived on the scene‚ Owens allegedly scampered out of the tank and stood under a waterfall‚ where he proceeded to shout at them. He then dove back into the water before resurfacing once again‚ police said. Finally‚ he hoisted himself out of the tank and collapsed on the nearby concrete‚ perhaps losing consciousness‚ AL.com reported.As the officers attempted to arrest him‚ the suspect apparently revived and began resisting their efforts. Someone then tossed a blanket over him while officers managed to subdue him before placing him in the back of a patrol vehicle. En route to St. Clair County Jail‚ Owens inflicted some damage to the back of the cruiser‚ WBRC-TV reported.Owens is no longer listed among the inmates at the jail‚ but reports indicate he has been charged with a bevy of counts‚ including public lewdness‚ disorderly conduct‚ resisting arrest‚ assault on a police officer‚ and criminal mischief.Owens was also taken to a nearby hospital for a mental-health evaluation‚ AL.com reported. The results of that evaluation and whether he has been released from the medical facility remain unclear. Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin told WBRC-TV that Owens does suffer from mental illness‚ but if he gave the outlet a specific diagnosis‚ the outlet did not share it with viewers. Irwin also reiterated that manifestations of mental illness‚ such as those allegedly displayed by Owens‚ can place officers in significant danger.It is unclear when Owens is next expected to appear in court. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Elements of the U.S. government remain reluctant to conclude whether the unhygienic Chinese communist-run lab at the center of the pandemic — where patients zero conducted radical experiments on coronaviruses — was indeed the origin of the virus. Time and federal lawsuits may yet reveal whether alleged bribes helped muddy waters stateside. A fact that does not depend upon the consensus of government agencies possibly affected by Anthony Fauci's apparent cover-up and the communist regime's denial is that lab leaks happen. Not only do they happen‚ they recur frequently‚ both in countries like China‚ where biosafety is notoriously second-rate‚ as well as in Western nations. This is especially true in Britain‚ where the Telegraph recently highlighted a 50% rise in lab leaks and accidents since the emergence of COVID. This massive increase in leaks is all the more alarming granted freedom of information requests to the British government‚ to universities in the U.K.‚ and to government research bodies have revealed that lethal viruses and bacteria ranging from anthrax and rabies to Middle East respiratory syndrome are being stored nearby in large populations. As demonstrated early in the COVID pandemic — where the Chinese regime wittingly permitted hundreds of thousands of possibly infected travelers to travel internationally whilst limits were otherwise placed on domestic travel — a problem abroad can fast become a problem for America. The Health and Safety Executive‚ a British government agency responsible for workplace health and safety‚ reportedly recorded 286 lab incidents or near misses between January 2010 and December 2019. That averages out to roughly 28 a year. The COVID pandemic evidently did not chasten Britons sporting lab coats. Since January 2020‚ the HSE has recorded 156 incidents‚ or 42 lab incidents a year. The HSE‚ which divulged this startling number only because it had been threatened with contempt of court by the Information Commissioner's Office‚ refused to provide full details about some of the incidents because they involved viruses and bacteria listed in the Terrorism Act‚ reported the Telegraph. Col. Hamish Stephen de Bretton-Gordon‚ a chemical weapons expert and former commander of NATO's Chemical‚ Biological‚ Radiological and Nuclear Defense Forces‚ said‚ "The apparent lab leaks in this country alone show we are all sitting on a ticking time bomb." "It seems highly likely that (Covid-19) was man-made‚ though also likely an accident at a lab‚ rather than deliberate‚" Bretton-Gordon told the Telegraph. "The next pandemic is highly likely to be man-made‚ given the ease and unregulation of synthetic biology‚ and could kill millions of people." Even when regulations are in place‚ dangerous experiments continue behind closed doors. While‚ for instance‚ the Obama administration announced a pause on the funding of any new studies involving gain-of-function experiments with influenza‚ SARS‚ and MERS viruses in 2014‚ the National Institutes of Health nevertheless approved continued GOF research on coronaviruses with funding from Peter Daszak's scandal-plagued EcoHealth Alliance‚ which was in turn partly funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The Telegraph noted that among the lab accidents revealed by freedom of information requests were: a bird flu leak from a cracked test tube at a Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency lab in Hertfordshire‚ England; an accident involving Neisseria meningitidis‚ a bacteria linked to life-threatening sepsis‚ which prompted an evacuation at the Manchester Royal Infirmary; COVID breaches at an uncommissioned lab at the University of Liverpool; the escape of a mutant mouse; and an accidental injection of a lab worker with a modified form of Trypanosoma cruzi‚ the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Just as concerning as Britain's inability to keep its viruses locked up is the 2023 Global Biolabs Report suggesting that the U.K. actually has a relatively high biosafety score — 18 out of a possible 20. Australia and Canada rank highest‚ as both have a score of 20. India‚ the Ivory Coast‚ Gabon‚ and Saudi Arabia rank lowest‚ scoring 5‚ 3‚ 3‚ and 1‚ respectively. The Global Biolabs Report noted that out of a possible biosecurity score of 18‚ Britain scores 17. The U.S.‚ by way of comparison‚ has a perfect score. Again‚ India‚ the Ivory Coast‚ Gabon‚ and Saudi Arabia score poorly‚ 5‚ 1‚ 1‚ and 2‚ respectively. A Chatham House report revealed there were lab-acquired infections in 309 individuals from 51 pathogens around the world between 2000 and 2021. In 16 incidents‚ pathogens reportedly escaped biocontainment facilities‚ reported the Telegraph. Dr. David Harper‚ former chief scientist and director general for health improvement and protection in the British Department of Health‚ was greatly disturbed by the Telegraph's findings‚ stating‚ "Accidental breaches in laboratory biocontainment can have potentially catastrophic consequences." "The accidents that are reported today without doubt provide an underestimate of the true scale of the problem‚" continued Harper. "Greater transparency‚ with better reporting‚ documentation and analysis‚ is urgently required together with improved governance and oversight." The HSE recorded 376 incidents of release or escape of biological agents outside of labs. Bretton-Gordon wrote‚ "There are around 4‚000 laboratories and one million scientists who have the ability to manipulate the genome to create a devastating pathogen and at the moment nobody is looking too closely at them."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!