As the end of the last century approached, there were concerns that the so-called Millennium Bug, or Y2K, would wreak havoc on computer systems. Technology consultants made short-lived careers by warning of doom and gloom. But when 1999 turned to 2000, the fearsome bug turned out to be nothing more than a mild irritant.
Humans may indeed have become masters of the digital world, but we still have the power to surprise ourselves. Last week, a 75-year-old Georgian woman caused a major internet disruption in her country and cut all service to Armenia by severing a fibreoptics cable while scavenging for copper. Due to her age, Aishtan Shakarian is unlikely to serve the three-year maximum sentence for property destruction.
In the space of just a few years, the internet has become ubiquitous in modern life. The prospects of a bug in computer systems in 2000 raised fears for international banking and public safety systems like air traffic control. These days, everything from government services to iTunes could come crashing down.
Armenia is not alone in its temporary isolation. Only last month, internet users in the UAE suffered after an underseas cable was damaged, although service was rerouted. Just because we have become dependent on the internet, it does not mean it will always be there . A grandmother with a shovel could be a reality check.
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
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Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
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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)
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Day 3 stumps
New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)
Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5