The threat of artificial intelligence to the human race

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 24, 2021: The issue of Australia's nuclear submarines has stormed the world. It resulted in the formation of the AUKUS military alliance between the United States, UK, and Australia and the division of NATO since it was formed to tame France.

Both the French President Emmanuel Macron  the Chinese President Xi Jinping opposed AUKUS especially the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that the objective of AUKUS  was to share advanced technology among the member-states of AUKUS.

He was hinting at the use of Artificial Intelligence A. I to monitor the Chinese submarines in the Indian and Pacific oceans. This is a very dangerous policy since using A. I could risk a devastating nuclear war that could lead to the annihilation of the human race.

Boris Johnson is not playing with fire, he is playing with the nuke and the future of mankind.

One can understand the game of Johnson since he wants to make the UK relevant in the world after it was expelled from the European Union. But, one cannot understand the stances of the US and Australian governments.

In fact, all member states of AUKUS pose a threat to mankind by risking a possible nuclear war that would end the human race.

In these circumstances, one would appeal to the UNSG His Excellency Antonio Guterres to call a special session of the UNSC to discuss the AUKUS and A.I.  

 U.S. GOVERNMENT AND PAKISTAN HEALTH OFFICIALS OBSERVE DONATED PFIZER VACCINATIONS

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 23, 2021:  

U.S. GOVERNMENT AND PAKISTAN HEALTH OFFICIALS OBSERVE DONATED PFIZER VACCINATIONS

Islamabad, September 22, 2021: Today, representatives from the U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, along with Government of Pakistan Health officials, visited a Pakistani vaccination center to witness firsthand the utilization of some of the recently-arrived 10.3 million life-saving Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses donated by the United States.  As of today, the United States has donated almost 15.8 million COVID-19 vaccinations to the Pakistani people.

The U.S. Embassy representatives, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Snelsire and Acting Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development Michael Nehrbass, spoke with Pakistani healthcare workers and several Pakistani citizens at the Mass Vaccination Center in Islamabad about their experiences with the vaccination process and the importance of immunizations.

“The U.S. government is delivering on our promise to stand with the people of Pakistan as they continue the fight against COVID-19,” said U.S. Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Snelsire.  “These vaccines, delivered straight from the best pharmaceutical facilities in the United States, are a crucial step toward us all regaining our normal lives and moving beyond the pandemic.  The United States is proud to partner with the Pakistani government and health care professionals to get these jabs straight into the arms of the neediest Pakistani people.”

The recent donation of over 10.3 million vaccines is part of the 500 million Pfizer doses the United States purchased this summer to deliver to 92 countries worldwide, including Pakistan, to fulfill President Joe Biden’s commitment to provide safe and effective vaccines around the world and supercharge the global fight against the pandemic.

 

 Mossad assassinated Iran's top nuclear scientist

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 22, 2021: The "father" of Iran's nuclear weapons program was at the top of Israel's hit list for 14 years. On November 27, 2020, after a failed attempt to kill him a decade earlier, the Mossad finally managed to assassinate Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

Their weapon of choice? A remote-controlled machine gun that required no on-site operatives and utilized advanced artificial intelligence technology, according to a report by The New York Times.

The deadly weapon was a special model of a Belgian-made FN MAG machine gun, which was attached to an advanced robotic apparatus.

It weighed about a ton and was controlled by Mossad operatives outside of Iran, thus ensuring the safety of Israeli agents.

To get the weapon into the country,  it was smuggled into Iran piece by piece and was secretly assembled in time for the hit.

Israel used a special model of a Belgian-made FN MAG machine.

The Mossad had been following Fakhrizadeh since 2007,  and the Israeli national intelligence agency reportedly set in motion plans to assassinate him in late 2019 after discussions with former President Donald Trump and high-ranking US officials.

 

 

CPEC projects expedited

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 21, 2021: The government on Monday approved the New Gwadar International Airport project at an upward revised cost of Rs51.3 billion, showing an increase of 138% in its construction price within five years amid slow pace progress on an important CPEC scheme.

 

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) decided to revise upward the project cost. Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Jehanzeb Khan chaired the CDWP meeting. The body has the mandate to scrutinize and approve development schemes and refer the mega projects for the final ratification of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).

 

“New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) second revision worth Rs51.3 billion referred to the Ecnec for further consideration,” according to the Ministry of Planning handout. The second revised PC-1 of the project had been submitted by the Aviation Division to revise the scope and cost of ASF camp, CAA residential building to be funded and executed by the Pakistan side, it added.

 

The CDWP accorded go-ahead to the Gwadar airport being an ongoing project with the directions to “review PSDP requirements keeping in view limited development portfolio and future revenues to the country”.

 

Out of Rs51.3 billion, an amount of Rs18.1 billion is planned to be spent from the Public Sector Development Programme while the remaining Rs33.8 billion will be provided by China. China is providing a grant of 1.52 billion yuan or Rs34 billion for the project. Oman had also given a $17.5 million grant for the project.

 

Language and linguistics

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 21, 2021: In 1982-1988, I drifted from science to Linguistics. I registered my synopsis titled “The Linguistic theory of English-Arabic translation” in the Punjab University despite strong reservation by my supervisor who thought that I wouldn’t be able to succeed in my research for lack of references and studies bilingually in the afore-mentioned discipline.

However, I insisted on the topic even if I failed in my research. Ultimately, and after one and a half years, I appeared before the Higher Studies Committee of the University of Punjab, Lahore, and successfully defended my synopsis.

I planned to study the Transformational Theory or TG theory of Noam Chomsky and to apply it to English-Arabic Translation using Applied and Psycholinguistics.

Following 6 long years of research, my thesis was submitted by my supervisor to Professor Salam who did his Ph.D. from Harvard University. My professor was certain that Harvard University will not pass my thesis. I, however, was confident in my research and findings.

After a long wait of over 9 months, I got my Ph.D. with distinction.

 

UNITED STATES AND PAKISTAN HOLD INAUGURAL MEETING OF CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT WORKING GROUP

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 21, 2021: The United States and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to work together to address climate change through the creation of the U.S.-Pakistan Climate and Environment Working Group.  Addressing the Working Group on September 20, U.S. Chargé d’affaires Angela P. Aggeler hailed over 50 years of U.S.-Pakistan partnership and cooperation on energy and the environment, which has facilitated more than $900 million in new investments in renewable energy, supported programs in water and climate-smart agriculture, and spurred the installation of air quality monitors across the country.

Chargé d’affaires Aggeler lauded the efforts Pakistan has made in climate adaptation and land use through initiatives such as the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami and Clean Green Pakistan, stating “those initiatives raise public awareness and show Pakistan is an active player in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.”

Noting that Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to the destructive effects of climate change, she emphasized that greater action for climate change mitigation and adaptation is important for Pakistan’s large and growing population. 

Chargé d’affaires Aggeler also highlighted that President Biden has placed climate change at the center of U.S. foreign and domestic policy.  “By 2030, the United States plans to reduce emissions by 50 to 52 percent compared to 2005 levels, to achieve climate-neutral by 2050 at the latest,” the Chargé d’affaires said.

Speaking during the Working Group, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change (SAPM) Malik Amin Aslam welcomed cooperation on climate change between the United States and Pakistan, stating this re-affirms and cements the green development vision shared by both countries and championed by the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Joe Biden.

 

 A welcome Saudi mediation mission

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 21, 2021: Saudi Arabia has offered to mediate between Pakistan and India in an attempt to reduce long-running tensions between the two nuclear neighbors.

Talking to the Indian media, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said that we desire that Pakistan and India should resolve all their disputes including the Kashmir issue through dialogue.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan offered Saudi Arabia’s “good offices” for any talks between Pakistan and India.

Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud said that there should be a focus on the path of dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve issues in a way that can settle concerns permanently.

He said that Kashmir is an issue that continues to be a dispute between two countries and therefore what we would encourage is that there should be a focus on a path of dialogue and discussion among Pakistan and India to resolve these issues in a way that can settle these concerns permanently.

The fact that Al-Saud was talking from India indicates that New Delhi was fully aware of the mediation or even behind it in a bid to divert the world public opinion from human rights abuse in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

One basic hurdle in this regard is the systematic Indian moves to change the demography of Kashmir that is aimed at changing the majority Muslims in the disputed state into a minority. Once this is achieved the Indians would hold an election that would produce a Hindu Prime minister in occupied Kashmir.
 

 

 

International Day of Peace

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 20, 2021: The following is the message of UNSG His Excellency Antonio Guterres on International Day of Peace: This year’s International Day of Peace comes at a crisis point for humanity. 

 COVID-19 has turned our world upside-down.

Conflicts are spinning out of control. 

The climate emergency is worsening.

Inequality and poverty are deepening.

 And mistrust and division are driving people apart at a time when solidarity and collaboration are needed more than ever.

 As a human family, we face a stark choice —

 Peace or perpetual peril.

 We must choose peace.

 That is why I call for a 24-hour ceasefire today.

 And by working in solidarity for a lasting, sustainable peace every day, we can tackle the issues facing us.

 We need peace to urgently deliver lifesaving vaccines and treatment for COVID-19.

 We need peace to recover from the pandemic and rebuild shattered systems and shattered lives.

 We need peace to level the playing field and reduce inequalities.

 We need peace to renew trust in one another — and faith in facts and science.

 And we need to make peace with nature — to heal our planet, build a green economy, and achieve our net-zero targets.

Peace is not a naïve dream.

 It’s a light in the darkness.

 Guiding us to the only pathway to a better future for humanity.

 Let’s walk the pathway of peace as if our lives depended on it.

 Because they do.

 

Thank you.

 

 

Interpreting Einstein Equation

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Almost everyone knows the Einstein equation put simply in its final form in simple mathematics:

E = mc²

You can deduct so much information from this equation. First, energy (E) and mass(m) are interchangeable i.e. you can convert matter into energy and convert energy into matter. The latter is difficult to visualize since it is impossible in practice. You can burn a piece of wood and change it into energy but it is impossible to reverse the process by collecting energy and other outputs of the burning and create that piece of wood as the equation suggests.

 The square of the speed of light c is huge since c is 299,793,458 meters per second suggests that we can obtain huge energy if we bombard the atom with a neutron and deaccelerate its speed using heavy water in such a way that it resides into the atom. In such an eventuality the atom would disintegrate leaving huge energy, which is the concept of the atom bomb.

Thus the equation suggests a way of making an atom bomb.

However, Einstein faced a problem while trying to find the probability of finding the electron. The calculation ended with 0 divided by 0, which is infinity, which is outside the realm of applied mathematics. Einstein overcame the problem by postulating that no moving particle can speed greater than the speed of light i.e. the speed of light is constant.

With this postulate, Einstein was able to calculate the probability of finding the electron and established firmly his theory of relativity that produced Quantum Mechanics.  

PS: the writer holds a BS from Basra University with a double major in Physics and Mathematics and MS from Quaid-i- Azam University in  Physical chemistry.

  

Schoolchildren worldwide have lost 1.8 trillion hours

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 18, 2021: Schoolchildren around the world have lost an estimated 1.8 trillion hours – and counting – of in-person learning since the the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. As a result, young learners have been cut off from their education and the other vital benefits schools provide.

 

To call attention to this education crisis, UNICEF today unveiled ‘No Time to Lose' at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The centerpiece of the installation is a clock, modeled to look like the blackboard of an empty classroom, situated at the UN Visitors’ Plaza in front of the General Assembly Building. The clock is a real-time counter, displaying the growing cumulative number of in-person learning hours every schoolchild in the world has lost and continues to lose since the pandemic's onset. The empty classroom consists of 18 desks, one for every month of the pandemic-caused education disruptions.

 

The installation is being created ahead of the opening of the General Debate of the 76^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a period when some leaders will take the opportunity to return to United Nations headquarters in person for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.

 

This year, the General Debate and associated annual meetings will take place in a hybrid format, with many events taking place virtually. The installation, open to delegations that will have elected to attend General Assembly meetings in person, is a stark reminder that millions of schoolchildren remain locked out of their schools and a call for leaders to act urgently on this education crisis.

 

 

UNICEF urges governments, local authorities, and school administrations to reopen schools as soon as possible and take all possible steps to mitigate against transmission of the virus in schools, such as:  

·        Implementing mask policies for students and staff that are by national and local guidelines;

·        Providing handwashing facilities and/or hand sanitizer;

·        Frequently cleaning surfaces and shared objects;

·        Ensuring adequate and appropriate ventilation;

·        Cohorting (keeping students and teachers in small groups that do not mix); staggering start, break, bathroom, meals and end time; and alternating physical presence;

·        Establishing information sharing mechanisms with parents, students, and teachers;

·        While not a prerequisite to reopening schools, teachers should be prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, after frontline health workers and those most at risk, to protect them from community transmission.

  

INTERNATIONAL EQUAL PAYDAY

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 18, 2021: The UNSG Mr. Antonio Guterres sent a message on the occasion of International Equal Pay Day: COVID-19 pulled back the curtain on a gross injustice: the lack of compensation for the work of raising children and caring for people who cannot look after themselves, which is largely done by women.

 By pushing care work out of the formal economy and into the home, the pandemic has exacerbated the gender pay gap. Many women are struggling to hold down paid jobs while raising children, dealing with online school, and caring for sick or vulnerable family members without material compensation. Investing in the care economy helps bridge the pay gap by creating new, sustainable jobs while freeing women up to participate in the paid workforce.

 At the same time, most frontline health workers battling the virus are women. They often earn less than men, lack decision-making power, and suffer greater exposure to violence and harassment.

 I was vividly reminded of women’s dual roles when I spoke with a health worker in Ghana, Scholastica Dery. “As frontline workers, we are the majority,” she said. “Combining this with our household duties is not easy, but we are determined to do it.”

 Despite equal pay laws, women earn an average of just 80 cents for every dollar men earn for work of equal value. That figure is even less for women of color and those with children.

 Addressing the COVID-19 pandemic offers a generational opportunity to write a new social contract that upholds women’s human rights, including the right to equal pay.  This is a matter of justice and a responsibility for us all.

 On International Equal Pay Day, let’s resolve to dismantle the discrimination and harmful gender stereotypes that contribute to the gender pay gap.