Podcast Summary
IT outage disruption: A faulty software update from CrowdStrike caused a global IT outage affecting various sectors, leading to flight cancellations, delays, and breakdowns in card payments, emphasizing the importance of robust IT systems and contingency plans.
This week's episode of "Your History from The Times and Sunday Times" featured the remarkable stories of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor who became a pioneering sex therapist in the 1980s, and Eddie Spence, a renowned cake decorator for the British royal family. However, the episode was released amidst widespread disruption caused by a significant IT outage that affected global computer systems, including businesses, banks, hospitals, and airlines. The outage, caused by a faulty software update from CrowdStrike, led to flight cancellations and delays, crews in the wrong places, bags caught up at the wrong airports, and breakdowns in card payments at retailers. Paul Charles, a former communications director for Virgin Atlantic and Eurostar, described the situation as emotional and stressful. The outage also highlighted the downside of a move towards a cashless society, as independent pay review bodies recommended above inflation pay increases for 514,000 teachers and 1.36 million NHS workers.
Political Leadership Challenges: Senior Democrats express concerns over Joe Biden's age and cognitive ability, looking for a new leader with vigor and next-generation potential. In the UK, Labour Party selects a new leader amid scandals and economic instability, while Bangladesh imposes curfew and military deployment due to rioting and high unemployment.
Opposition to Joe Biden's presidential candidacy from Democrat politicians continues to grow, with concerns over his age and cognitive ability. Senior Democrats, including Barack Obama, are looking for a new leader with vigor and perceived next-generation potential. In the UK, Labour Party is set to select a new leader as Keir Starmer steps down, following scandals over campaign donations and minister sackings. Elsewhere, Bangladesh imposes a nationwide curfew and military deployment due to deadly rioting over government jobs and high unemployment levels. The number of deaths is unclear but reportedly over 100. These events underscore the challenges faced by political leaders in addressing public discontent and economic instability.