On Friday's Backchat, Global Focus talks about the mass electronic device attacks targeting Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Two simultaneous detonations of electronic devices used by members of the Iran-backed militia left at least 32 people dead -- including 2 children -- and thousands injured, in an sophisticated attack Lebanese security forces blamed on Israel's intelligence agency Mossad.


The first wave of spy novel-like attacks began on Wednesday, when up to 5,000 pagers exploded all at once whilst the second wave followed 24 hours later, this time targeting walkie-talkies.


Mystery remains as to when and how the devices were tampered with, although security experts believe that the items could have been intercepted whilst on their way to Lebanon.


These developments have re-ignited worries that the Gaza war could expand into the multi-religious country, which is no foreign to armed conflicts.


After 9:45, we learn more about a social start-up behind an inclusive online business directory.



9:05am-9:45am: Mass electronic device attacks in Lebanon


9:05am-9:45am: James Dorsey,  Adjunct Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and author of The Turbulent World

9:05am-9:30am: Steve Vickers, CEO of Political and Corporate Risk Consultancy SVA; former Head of the Criminal Intelligence Bureau, Royal Hong Kong Police

9:30am-9:45am: Daniel Marwecki, Honorary Lecturer at the Department of Politics and Public Administration, The University of Hong Kong


9:45am-10:00am: Social start-up initiative



9:45am-10:00am: Vivian Seo and Riaz Adnan from Foundation for Shared Impact