For internet users, often there is no greater inconvenience than the Wi-Fi acting up. An interruption in internet services, as experienced briefly on Saturday by many in several parts of the Middle East, as well as in India and Pakistan – is a reminder of the 21st century dependency on speedy and stable broadband.
We tend to not dwell on the technologically complex systems at work that allow members of a household on multiple devices to simultaneously buffer videos on YouTube, do a live stream, and be on a Zoom call, without a hiccup. But when underwater internet cables are cut, all those pursuits effectively come to a standstill. This is down to the impressive fact that the total data-carrying capacity of these cables, also called power cables or submarine cables, is in the range of terabits a second.
Faults in undersea cables have caused disruptions in the past in many areas of international waters, more often by accident. Indeed, according to the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, more than 70 per cent of cable faults are not intentional. Damage can be caused by fishing nets, anchors, weather, even sharks nibbling on the cables, and, as was reported last year, sinking cargo ships.
However, it’s often difficult to distinguish between whether a disruption is accidental or intentional. This adds a layer of complication that malign actors can conceivably use to their advantage.
It's often difficult to distinguish between whether a disruption is accidental or intentional
There is no clear understanding so far as to what caused Saturday’s problem. The Houthi rebels, who are in control of large parts of Yemen, have not claimed responsibility, nor has the finger of blame been pointed at them. Yet repair work on the undersea cables can be risky in this part of the world – a prime telecommunications route that links Europe to Africa and Asia through Egypt – as the Houthis are routinely given to attacking ships in these waters.
Preventing disruptions is essential for a smooth flow of data and the running of everyday business. Tightening security and boosting undersea infrastructure, then, is necessary, albeit expensive, in national and strategic interests.
In many parts of the world, and in the region – with the UAE among the highest ranking – breezy 5G internet is a given. Fortunately, Saturday’s internet lag didn’t last very long either. The extent of the lag was limited, and it seemed to not have critically affected hospitals and other emergency services. But incidents that involve these critical power cables, often buried deep in the seabed, raise questions of preparedness and systems resilience.
With several countries in the region veering towards the digital realm and increasingly incorporating data-intensive AI, even a minor event calls into focus the increasing need to bolster infrastructure out at sea. As a CSIS report emphasised, “ensuring systems are hardened, fail-safe, have sufficient redundancy and are quickly recoverable” becomes essential.
Ever greater levels of investment towards strengthening these frameworks will continue to make countries digitally sound and able to meet the data demands of their populations. Very simply, it will ensure that economies continue to function.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
ALL THE RESULTS
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmomdov (TJK) bt Rey Nacionales (PHI) by decision.
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) bt Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR) by submission.
Catch 74kg
Omar Hussein (JOR) bt Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) by decision.
Strawweight (Female)
Seo Ye-dam (KOR) bt Weronika Zygmunt (POL) by decision.
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) bt Walid Laidi (ALG) by TKO.
Lightweight
Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) bt Leandro Martins (BRA) by TKO.
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) bt Sofiane Benchohra (ALG) by TKO.
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR) no contest.
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) bt Glen Ranillo (PHI) by TKO round 1.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) bt Aidan Aguilera (AUS) by TKO round 1.
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) bt Sasha Palatkinov (HKG) by TKO round 1.
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) by KO round 1.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Company%20profile
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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
RESULT
Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay: Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')
Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)
