A faulty software update causes havoc worldwide for airlines, hospitals, and governments
NEW YORK (AP) — A global technology outage grounded flights, knocked banks offline, and media outlets off air after a faulty software update disrupted companies and services around the world and highlighted their dependence on just a handful of providers. Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said the trouble with the update it issued that was affecting computers running Microsoft Windows was not a security incident or cyberattack. It said a fix was on the way. But hours later, the disruptions continued. Long lines formed at airports in the U.S., Europe, and Asia as airlines lost access to check-in and booking services at a time when many travelers are heading away on summer vacations. Hospitals and doctors’ offices had problems with their appointment systems and canceled surgeries.
Tech disruptions sparked by software update highlight the fragility of globally connected technology
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Airlines, banks, hospitals, and other risk-averse organizations around the world chose cybersecurity company CrowdStrike to protect their computer systems from hackers and data breaches. But all it took was one faulty CrowdStrike software update to cause global disruptions Friday that grounded flights, knocked banks and media outlets offline, and disrupted hospitals, retailers, and other services. Some experts say it shows the dangers of organizations around the world relying too heavily on a small number of technology providers.
A massive tech outage is causing worldwide disruptions. Here’s what we know
NEW YORK (AP) — Much of the world has faced online disarray as a widespread technology outage affected companies and services across industries — grounding flights, knocking banks and hospital systems offline, and media outlets off-air. At the heart of Friday’s massive disruption is CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm that says the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows — with the company noting that the issue was not a security incident or cyberattack. Scores of companies rely on CrowdStrike for their security needs. That makes the consequences of a faulty update, like the one CrowdStrike cited, all the more far-reaching.
Stock market today: Wall Street finishes worst week since April with more losses
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks slumped following another washout. The S&P 500 fell 0.7% Friday to close its first losing week in the last three and its worst since April. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 377 points, or 0.9%, while the Nasdaq composite sank 0.8%. Losses were widespread, and three out of every four stocks in the S&P 500 fell. The smaller stocks in the Russell 2000 index also sank 0.6% for their third straight drop. It’s a sharp turnaround following a huge five-day run for the index that raised hopes that gains for the stock market were beginning to broaden beyond Big Tech.
Yoga, meditation, and prayer: Urban transit workers cope with violence and fear on the job
NEW YORK (AP) — Transit workers around the country are managing their fear and anxiety over a rise in violent crime on subways and buses. Concern has grown after a series of brutal attacks in recent months against bus drivers, subway operators, and station agents. The level of crime is striking because it coincides with a steady decline over the past three years in overall violent crime in the United States. Some unions and transit agencies are addressing the crisis by offering yoga and relaxation classes. They’re also teaching de-escalation techniques to workers and taking steps to better protect the safety of transit employees.
Your flight was canceled by the technology outage. What do you do next?
Thousands of flights have been canceled after a worldwide internet outage hit many leading airlines, forcing passengers to scramble to save their vacations and other trips. In the United States, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Allegiant Air had their flights grounded for varying amounts of time on Friday. Some airlines are issuing waivers to let customers change travel plans. Travel experts say the outage is going to have ripple effects for a few days. Because flights are already packed for the busy summer vacation season, there are a relatively small number of empty seats that airlines can use to rebook passengers stranded from all the canceled flights.
Internet outage latest | Airlines, businesses, border crossings hit by global tech disruption
Businesses and governments worldwide experienced hours-long disruptions as a widespread technology outage affected services across industries. Flights were grounded, and numerous hospitals, small businesses, and government offices were disrupted. At the heart of the massive disruption is CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm that provides software to scores of companies worldwide. The company says the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows, noting that the issue behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack. Retail outlets, banks, and railway companies in several parts of the world were also affected in what appeared to be an unprecedented internet disruption.
Two deaths linked to listeria food poisoning from meat sliced at deli counters
At least two people have died and more than two dozen were hospitalized in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to meat sliced at grocery store deli counters. Twenty-eight people in a dozen states have gotten sick, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. Cases were detected between May 29 and July 5. Many of those sickened reported eating meats that were sliced at deli counters. So far, there’s no information showing that prepackaged deli meats are involved. Listeria infections can be dangerous for people older than 65, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant people.
Trump uses false claim about Chinese auto plants in Mexico to call for UAW president to be fired
DETROIT (AP) — Donald Trump made a pitch for votes from autoworkers in key swing states during his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination. The former president called on them to fire their union president and used false claims on Thursday night to bolster his argument. Trump said the United Auto Workers union should be ashamed for allowing Chinese automakers to start building large factories in Mexico. He said the factories would be used to ship cars to the U.S. without any taxes. But industry experts say they know of no such plants under construction, and there’s only one small Chinese auto assembly factory operating in Mexico. The UAW endorsed President Joe Biden’s reelection bid in January.
Treasury warns that anti-woke banking laws like Florida’s are a national security risk
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department is warning that state laws that restrict banks from considering environmental, social, and governance factors could harm efforts to address money laundering and terrorism financing. The Associated Press obtained a copy of a letter sent Thursday to lawmakers. The letter singles out a law signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that says it would be an “unsound practice” for banks to consider non-financial factors when doing business. Tennessee has a similar law, not mentioned in the Treasury letter. Conservative Republicans, including DeSantis, have sought to block environmental and socially conscious standards for investing. The Republicans say such initiatives can lead to unfair discrimination based on political beliefs and harm legitimate businesses.
