Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Lebanon is reeling from deadly attacks that saw handheld communication devices detonate on Wednesday and thousands of pagers simultaneously explode to kill 12 people, including two children, and injure nearly 3,000 the day before.
Afterwards, concern grows over whether consumer electronics can be used to inflict physical harm on unsuspecting people. The short answer is, yes, it can be done – but the methods to actually do this are complex.
Without physical contact with the device, it is difficult to access the firmware – the software that manages the hardware – needed to manipulate physical parts such as a battery to make it overheat and possibly ignite.
Pagers, devices that can receive alphanumeric messages, were popular in the 1990s. While official verification of whether Israeli officials accessed Hezbollah pagers physically or accessed them en masse remotely is yet to be confirmed, Tuesday's attack shows that perpetrators are skilled enough to tap into older technology. This also raises questions about how much more damage can be done, particularly with higher-powered modern equipment.
Today, devices ranging from laptops to thermostats can be hacked remotely. Printers, for example, can have their ink heated enough to burn the paper inside them, or vehicle systems could be compromised to disable parts such as brakes. US consultancy Gartner in 2021 warned that cyber criminals would use operational technology environments to harm or kill humans in the next four years.
“In all these devices, there's a tiny, little computer there … [pagers] are kind of slow, but they're still computers,” Robert Graham, chief executive of Atlanta-based cyber security company Errata Security, told The National. “So whoever intercepted these would likely write their own software, change the software and put that on the devices, so that they would operate the same."
It is very difficult to remotely reprogramme the physical hardware of a battery to overheat to cause an explosion, Mr Graham said, and a phone battery would need to be fully charged to cause damage if triggered.
Picking targets
Smartphones, the most popular consumer electronic devices, are obvious candidates for an attack, but they are a costly option for potential attackers due to stringent measures taken by their makers.
Advanced technology has also contributed to preventing remote access, particularly within the top tier of smartphones from Apple and Google. Apps on devices from Samsung Electronics and Huawei Technologies “are known to often have a lot more bugs” than those from Apple and Google, Mr Graham said.
Mohamed Belarbi, chief executive of Abu Dhabi-based cyber security firm Cypherleak, agrees: the cost of hacking a well-made and secured device could be astronomical.
“When it comes to firmware, you need a lot of technical background and skills,” he told The National. You would have to be “able to bypass the security safeguards that are built in by the manufacturers.
"We've seen this before where the cost of hacking into an Apple iPhone could cost millions of dollars – now imagine multiplying that to access something as critical and as dangerous as blowing up a pager or blowing up a turbine.”
Yet for less protected or more flawed systems, everyday items can be used to hack into your devices. There is the humble data and power cable that can be bought on any e-commerce site such as Amazon, the most popular of which today is the USB-C. This simple connection has the ability to severely compromise a device.
“These things are becoming so sophisticated that today you can buy on the internet a USB-C cable that has a little computer embedded in the head of the cable,” Mr Belarbi said. This device can manipulate the physical components of technology to a desired, and in many cases malicious, effect.
Taking precautions
In the US, the FBI last year warned against using public charging points for electronic devices, saying they can be a gateway for cyber criminals. Charging stations in public spaces, including malls, hotels, restaurants and parks, have paved the way for “juice jacking”, which simply means using a USB connection to compromise a device.
“The moment you start using it to charge, the hacker is able to access your phone and to gather data. And this is quite common,” Mr Belarbi added.
Where technology is manufactured and who is involved in the supply chain can be risk factors, particularly in today's more globalised environment. For example, a lot of devices and their parts are sourced from China, which means there is a chance that the state or its actors might intervene, similar to the US government's backdoor access to online platforms, he said.
“I think it's just an inherent risk that we have to live with and [have to] determine what are we comfortable with and what are we not comfortable with.”
Another question that has been asked is why attacks using technology have not been seen in Gaza. One answer is that because a lot of the technology in Gaza is locally made, it is less accessible.
“They're able to communicate without interference from outside operators or actors,” Mr Belarbi said, unlike in the case of Israel's attack on Hezbollah, where radio waves could have been used to cause temporary interference.
“So you always see … the benefit, pros and cons of having your own technology. Yes, in terms of maturity and advancement, it might not catch up with whatever is out there commercially, but it definitely allows you to avoid a lot of the issues associated with technology tampering,” he added.
Manufacturers must adapt
“There's nothing you can do if a phone or device has been tampered with at the manufacturer or supply chain level before it reaches you,” Mr Belarbi said. “Because even if you open an iPhone or a Samsung, you wouldn't be able to tell.”
Manufacturers, especially the biggest ones, ensure a strict ecosystem in the components of their devices – but not all firms are built equally.
“We have companies that are ahead of the curve – Apple and Google ,” Mr Graham said. “Most electronic devices are behind the curve, and we can probably find the bug pretty easily, whereas Apple and Android are very, very tough.”
But the Lebanon incident also goes beyond being a wake-up call – it's a “stark reminder that our approach to supply-chain security needs a complete overhaul”, Andreas Hassellof, chief executive of Dubai-based technology company Ombori, told The National.
“We're facing a new breed of threats that blur the lines between digital and physical vulnerabilities,” he said, noting the previous advanced supply chain attacks on SolarWinds, NotPetya and SuperMicro. “The message is clear: adapt or become a target. Organisations clinging to outdated security models aren't just falling behind – they're inviting disaster.”
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The years Ramadan fell in May
Opening weekend Premier League fixtures
Weekend of August 10-13
Arsenal v Manchester City
Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Burnley
Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Read more about the coronavirus
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
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The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E77kWh%202%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E178bhp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E410Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E402km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh%2C150%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETBC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Dubai World Cup nominations
UAE: Thunder Snow/Saeed bin Suroor (trainer), North America/Satish Seemar, Drafted/Doug Watson, New Trails/Ahmad bin Harmash, Capezzano, Gronkowski, Axelrod, all trained by Salem bin Ghadayer
USA: Seeking The Soul/Dallas Stewart, Imperial Hunt/Luis Carvajal Jr, Audible/Todd Pletcher, Roy H/Peter Miller, Yoshida/William Mott, Promises Fulfilled/Dale Romans, Gunnevera/Antonio Sano, XY Jet/Jorge Navarro, Pavel/Doug O’Neill, Switzerland/Steve Asmussen.
Japan: Matera Sky/Hideyuki Mori, KT Brace/Haruki Sugiyama. Bahrain: Nine Below Zero/Fawzi Nass. Ireland: Tato Key/David Marnane. Hong Kong: Fight Hero/Me Tsui. South Korea: Dolkong/Simon Foster.
Fixtures
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Results:
2.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: AZ Dhabyan, Adam McLean (jockey), Saleha Al Ghurair (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
3.15pm: Conditions (PA) Dh60,000 2,000m.
Winner: Hareer Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
3.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,700m.
Winner: Kenz Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh 200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
4.45pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m.
Winner: ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
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Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
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What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
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Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Landfill in numbers
• Landfill gas is composed of 50 per cent methane
• Methane is 28 times more harmful than Co2 in terms of global warming
• 11 million total tonnes of waste are being generated annually in Abu Dhabi
• 18,000 tonnes per year of hazardous and medical waste is produced in Abu Dhabi emirate per year
• 20,000 litres of cooking oil produced in Abu Dhabi’s cafeterias and restaurants every day is thrown away
• 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste is from construction and demolition
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
Zayed Sustainability Prize
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The five pillars of Islam
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m; Winner: AF Al Baher, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Talento Puma, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,950m; Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Stakes Listed (TB) Dh500,000 1,950m; Winner: Mark Of Approval, Patrick Cosgrave, Mahmood Hussain.
4pm: Conditions (TB) Dh125,000 1,400m; Winner: Dead-heat Raakez, Jim Crowley, Nicholas Bachalard/Attribution, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.30pm: Jebel Ali Sprint (TB) Dh500,000 1,000m; Winner: AlKaraama, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m; Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
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Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
