One of the side effects of the hostilities between Israel and Iran has been the increased inaccuracies of navigation systems relied on by ships and, to a lesser extent, smartphone users in the Middle East.
Most experts say those inaccuracies are probably the result of Global Positioning Satellite spoofing, known as GPS jamming.
Israel, Iran, proxy groups, or all of the above might be to blame.
Companies trying to protect their own interests might also be a contributing factor.
Regardless, GPS jamming can be used offensively or defensively, and is often implemented by militaries to disrupt signals sent by navigation and location-based systems to gain a strategic advantage, avoid missiles or confuse the enemy.
According to Jack Hidary, chief executive at SandboxAQ, a developer of products involving quantum technology and artificial intelligence, the very things that make GPS so accessible are the same things that make it so vulnerable.
"It’s a publicly registered and publicly available frequency that is widely accessible," he said, explaining that those attributes make GPS easily adaptable to various devices, operating systems and vast technology standards. "That also means that it's brittle by design," Mr Hidary added.
A quick internet search shows how vulnerable GPS can be, with a plethora of devices available to just about anyone who wants them ranging from $130 to $2,000.
That sort of easy access, combined with hostilities and geopolitical tension, have caused GPS headaches for shipping and even air.
Amid the conflict between Israel and Iran, according to maritime insights and data provider Windward, about "970 ships per day" experienced GPS jamming in the Arabian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
All that jamming can cause delays and be costly and, in turn, many companies are now looking into alternatives to GPS, with technology firms actively researching what works best.
GPS alternatives?
Over at SandboxAQ, Mr Hidary said the company is attracting a lot of interest in its proprietary AQNav technology from companies looking for reliable alternatives to GPS.
He described AQNav as having three main components, a quantum sensor that picks up the magnetic field of the Earth, a graphics processing unit (GPU) and special AI software.
Though it might seem complex at first, he said AQNav is rooted in and inspired by nature. “Birds use it, literally," he explained, referring to the Earth's magnetic field and how its used by animals.
"Billions of birds use it every day to go and do their business of migrating up and down this planet, and whales are using it too."
Each square metre of Earth, Mr Hidary said, has a unique fingerprint that corresponds with Earth's magnetic field, and he said SandboxAQ's technology is able to make the most of that existing data.
Perhaps most importantly is that it depends on far fewer elements, unlike GPS, Mr Hidary said. "It does not connect to a satellite, it does not connect to the cloud, it does not connect to the internet," he said. "Therefore there’s no way to hack it."
A number of companies are working on GPS alternatives. Some are experimenting with the use of low-Earth-orbit satellites, while others have pursued something called cellular network positioning, with mixed results.
Nonetheless, the pursuit of more secure and therefore less fragile navigation systems is likely to continue, with interest at an all-time high due to geopolitical tension and GPS spoofing.
In June, The European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the International Air Transport Association tentatively agreed to a comprehensive plan that would address GPS jamming.
Some parts of the plan involve tightening export controls on GPS jamming devices, as well as maintaining back-up systems to create a "minimum operational network of traditional navigation aids".
Tech experts and entrepreneurs like Mr Hidary say the pursuit of more navigation options and the improvement of GPS could pay big dividends for everyone.
"We all depend on reliable transport, either for ourselves travelling and/or for cargo to come in, and inherently we're all dependent on a strong navigation system to make that happen," he said.
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
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
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More coverage from the Future Forum
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Scoreline
Man Utd 2 Pogba 27', Martial 49'
Everton 1 Sigurdsson 77'
Abu Dhabi Card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m
National selection: AF Mohanak
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 1,400m
National selection: Jayide Al Boraq
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m
National selection: Rocket Power
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m
National selection: Ihtesham
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m
National selection: Noof KB
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m
National selection: EL Faust
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EKelsey%20Mann%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Amy%20Poehler%2C%20Maya%20Hawke%2C%20Ayo%20Edebiri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
