A Warning to Canadians
Where news meets rational thinking
Good morning, It’s Wednesday, August 7th. In today’s news, China’s AI weapon development sparks global security concerns, UK Facebook comments arrest is a warning to Canadians, WHO Director considers declaring public health emergency over Monkeypox outbreak, Canadians warned to avoid travel to Israel as Iran conflict escalates, and much more.
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China's AI Weapon Development Sparks Global Security Concerns
Experts warn that AI-powered weapons are becoming a global security threat, particularly in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP's ambition to surpass the United States militarily makes it unlikely they'll adhere to any safeguards for these technologies, which could rival the impact of nuclear weapons.
China is actively advancing AI-powered autonomous weapons, including drones, tanks, ships, submarines, and robot dogs equipped with machine guns. These sophisticated machines have been deployed in military drills, showcasing their rapidly increasing effectiveness. Alexander De Ridder, an AI developer, notes that while these weapons aren't yet replacing humans, China’s manufacturing capabilities could soon flood the market with such machines.
AI systems are also being developed to act as electronic generals, coordinating battlefield decisions. Jason Ma, a data research lead, explains that these systems can process vast amounts of data quickly, a task humans struggle with. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has already conducted exercises with AI systems in command roles, marking a significant shift in military strategy.
The proliferation of AI weapons is hard to control, as AI is software that can be easily shared. The CCP could supply these technologies to terrorist groups, further complicating global security. For example, China could distribute parts for autonomous weapons, allowing proxies to assemble and deploy them, much like their current practice with fentanyl precursors to Mexican cartels.
Despite the general consensus that AI weapons should not operate without human oversight, practical combat situations are already eroding this principle. In Ukraine, drones have been equipped with some autonomy due to communication jamming by Russia. This trend indicates a move towards more autonomous AI weapon systems on the battlefield.
Public pressure might constrain AI weapon development in the US, but similar constraints are improbable in China, where the CCP can leverage any resource, including private companies.
Possible solutions include developing electromagnetic weapons to disable AI systems or creating a deterrent AI superweapon. However, these measures might lead to a Cold War-like standoff. Experts suggest that only a profound shock, like a world war, might halt the AI arms race. More
UK Facebook Comments Arrest is a Warning to Canadians
A video showing UK police arresting a man for social media comments has sparked concerns in Canada that similar legislation could be used in the same "draconian" manner.
In the video, the police inform an unidentified man at his home that he is being arrested for allegedly making "offensive comments" online, citing the UK's Communications Act, which criminalizes sending grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing messages via a public electronic communications network.
The video was widely shared on X and drew reactions from Canadian psychologist and author Dr. Jordan Peterson, X CEO Elon Musk, and Canadian veteran and former Freedom Convoy spokesperson Tom Marazzo. Peterson condemned the incident as the "disappearance of everything folks in the UK hold dear," while Musk criticized the arrest as absurd.
Peter Menzies, a senior fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute, emphasized the importance of monitoring similar events in other countries, noting previous arrests in the UK for private WhatsApp messages. He highlighted that aspects of Canada’s proposed Online Harms Act, Bill C-63, will similarly crush free speech.
Menzies warned that the Online Harms Act could lead to authoritarianism, allowing Canadians to file complaints with the Human Rights Commission about harmful online speech. He predicted a surge in complaints aimed at silencing ideological, social, and political opponents and criticized the Human Rights Commission's lack of due process compared to a court of law.
The proposed law could also impose life imprisonment for breaches and enable house arrest if courts "reasonably believe" an accused might commit a hate speech crime online in the future. More
WHO Director Considers Declaring Public Health Emergency Over Monkeypox Outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering declaring a monkeypox (mpox) emergency amid an outbreak in Africa, but this move seems more about drumming up money and power than actual public health needs. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called for increased funding and a full-scale response, including more public health measures, surveillance, community engagement, and vaccine deployment.
As of now, no formal emergency declaration has been made. Tedros hinted at possibly convening an emergency committee to review the situation. Key data from the Africa CDC reveals:
Mpox is present in 10 African countries, with Congo bearing the brunt—over 96% of cases and deaths.
Nearly 70% of cases in Congo affect children under 15.
Compared to the first seven months of 2023, the Africa CDC said cases are up 160 percent and deaths are up 19 percent, to 456. While the number of deaths is higher, the mortality rate is dropping.
In Uganda, mpox symptoms have been confirmed, while Kenya and South Africa are managing outbreaks. The WHO has previously declared similar emergencies for mpox and COVID-19, emphasizing that containment is achievable with the right measures and funding. This push for a new emergency declaration might be more about securing resources and influence than addressing an immediate crisis. More
Canadians Warned to Avoid Travel to Israel as Iran Conflict Escalates
Global Affairs Canada has updated its travel advisory, urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Israel due to escalating Middle Eastern conflict and unpredictable security. This follows the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, heightening tensions between Israel and Iran. The advisory warns of travel disruptions, including airspace closures, and advises Canadians not to rely on government-assisted evacuation. More
In related news, about a dozen F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier have flown to a military base in the Middle East, as part of the Pentagon’s effort to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies and to safeguard US troops, according to a U.S. official.
Pakistani Suspect in US Political Assassination Plot Linked to Iran
A Pakistani man, Asif Merchant, with alleged Iranian connections, has been charged in the US for plotting political assassinations. Merchant was arrested after paying $5,000 to undercover officers posing as hitmen. The plot, aimed at high-profile targets, was revealed when an associate alerted law enforcement. Merchant, who frequently travels to Iran and has family there, faces serious charges amid heightened security concerns related to Iranian threats against US officials. More
Kamala Harris Selects Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as Running Mate
Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz, known for his appeal to rural and Midwestern voters, was selected to strengthen the Democratic ticket. While some Republicans criticized the choice for his divisive tactics through the pandemic, and for allowing Minnesota communities to be destroyed during the BLM riots, prominent Democrats like President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama supported the decision. More
'Bag of money': Rural Communities Offer Large Bonuses to Attract Medical Staff
As small communities across Ontario struggle to recruit doctors and nurses, Huntsville, Ontario, has found a promising strategy: offering an $80,000 signing bonus to any family physician who commits to working in the town for at least five years. This initiative aims to attract 10 physicians, and so far, seven doctors have expressed interest, with several close to signing contracts. Other communities are employing similar tactics, such as Kirkland Lake offering $2,000 for successful doctor or nurse referrals and Dryden providing up to $155,000 in relocation and provincial grants for a four-year commitment. More
Hamas Chooses Mastermind of the Oct 7th Attacks, Yahya Sinwar, as its New Leader
Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar, its top official in Gaza, as its new leader following the death of his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, in an Israeli strike. Sinwar's selection signals a shift towards a more hardline stance and a continued commitment to conflict with Israel amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations. More
Elon Musk’s X Sues Advertising Coalition Over ‘Massive’ Boycott
Elon Musk’s social media company X has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against an advertising coalition, accusing them of illegally boycotting the platform. X alleges that companies like CVS Health, Mars Inc., and Unilever coordinated withholding billions in ads to pressure X into maintaining certain censorship standards. The boycott began after Musk acquired Twitter in November 2022, and X claims it violates antitrust laws by stifling competition and damaging the platform's revenue. The lawsuit reflects ongoing tensions between X and major advertisers over content policies and free speech. More
Consumers Will Shoulder the Cost of Canada’s New Digital Services Act
Canada’s new Digital Services Tax, effective June 2024, imposes a 3% tax on certain digital services revenue from January 2022. The tax affects online marketplaces, advertising services, and social media, impacting both domestic and foreign businesses. Critics, including the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and tech industry groups, argue it will increase costs for consumers and may harm economic growth and international trade relations. The tax is retroactive and applies to companies with significant global and Canadian revenues. This move has sparked concern over potential price hikes and investment impacts. More
Uber Offers Drivers Discounted Electric Vehicles From Japan
Uber has partnered with Car Empire to offer discounted secondhand electric vehicles (EVs) from Japan to its rideshare and delivery drivers. This initiative aims to increase EV adoption and reduce emissions, with used Nissan Leafs available at $124 per week. Uber's goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. The deal also includes discounts on EV charging and savings on petrol. The move is part of Uber's broader effort to lower barriers to EV ownership and contribute to decarbonization goals. More
Tiny Arm Bone Unlocks Mystery of Indonesia’s Extinct ‘Hobbit’ People
Researchers excavated a small humerus bone and teeth on Flores island, Indonesia, dating back about 700,000 years. This humerus, the smallest known limb bone of any human lineage, belongs to Homo floresiensis, or "The Hobbit," an extinct species of small humans, which stood about 3 feet 3 inches or 1 meter tall. The discovery suggests that Homo floresiensis likely descended from Homo erectus, which shrank in size due to "island dwarfism" after migrating from mainland Asia. This process of size reduction on isolated islands, driven by factors like food scarcity, led to the unique smaller stature of Homo floresiensis. More
Ultrafine Particles Linked to Over 1,100 Deaths Per Year in Canada's Two Largest Cities
A McGill-led study has found that about 1,100 premature deaths annually in Montreal and Toronto are linked to ultrafine particles (UFPs), a pollutant primarily from vehicle emissions and industrial activities. Unlike PM2.5, Canada's regulations don’t cover UFPs. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, revealed that long-term exposure to UFPs increases the risk of non-accidental death by 7.3%, with the highest rise in respiratory deaths (17.4%) and coronary artery disease (9.4%). The researchers call for regulatory measures to address UFPs, highlighting their severe health risks. More
Imane Khelif Advances to Finals, Sparking Controversy Over Gender and Women’s Gold Medal
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is one win away from Olympic gold in the women's 66 kg division after a unanimous decision win over Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng. Khelif will face China's Yang Liu in the final.
Both Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting (who already won gold) have faced accusations about their gender, after being banned by the International Boxing Association for failing gender eligibility tests. The IOC President Thomas Bach has condemned the hate speech and supported the boxers' right to compete. More
Tiny Thought: Dr. Ioannis Filippatos, former Chair of the IBA Medical Committee and an OB/GYN with 30 years of experience, has weighed in on the controversy. He has confirmed that neither Lin nor Khelif are biological females and criticized the IOC for relying on passports to determine gender. They were both tested multiple times, and both declined to appeal the results.
"Medicine is based on knowledge, not opinion. A passport can grant someone the label of ‘man,’ and tomorrow, if I change my name from Ioannis to Lonnia, does that make me a woman? Absolutely not. Nature and biology don't change."
So, it seems two men could win women’s gold medals at this year’s Olympics - what a mess.
Disney+ Gets Another Price Increase, Will Cost Twice As Much As It Did In 2019
Disney’s popular streaming service is set to receive yet another price hike, marking the fourth increase for the streamer since it launched in 2019. The new ad-free tier of Disney+ will soon cost $16 a month. It comes as Disney and other companies continue to try and squeeze more profit out of expensive-to-run streaming services. More
Canada Falls Apart Against France in Olympic Basketball
Canadian basketball coach Jordi Fernandez anticipated a tough match against France, with a boisterous crowd and possible biased officiating. Despite these challenges, Canada lost 82-73, struggling with poor shooting, ineffective offence, and physical play. Fernandez criticized the officiating but acknowledged that Canada's own performance was also to blame. He hopes the team will learn from this experience and improve for future Olympics. More
Company Criticized for Excluding Job Candidates Based on Their Zodiac Signs - A Chinese company has come under fire for posting a job ad and asking potential candidates born in the year of the dog not to bother applying because they would automatically be rejected.
Toco the Human Collie has a ‘Dog’ Best Friend: an Alaskan Malamute - There really is someone for everyone: A Japanese man who lives his life as a human collie was spotted frolicking with a fellow canine cosplayer in a husky suit, as seen in videos blowing up on his YouTube channel. This is super weird.