This podcast discusses Taiwan's election of a pro-independence leader, the post-office scandal in Britain and its exposure through a TV series, and the impacts of climate change on health and work.
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Quick takeaways
Taiwan's election of William Lai Ching-te signifies its choice to stand for democracy, further straining relations with China.
'Mr. Bates versus the Post Office' TV drama exposes a major miscarriage of justice within the UK postal service due to faulty accounting software called 'Horizon'.
Deep dives
Taiwan Elects New President Challenging China's Authority
Taiwan has elected William Lai Qingdae of the Democratic Progressive Party as its new president. Lai's victory signifies the country's choice to stand for democracy, which has further strained relations with mainland China. However, there are concerns about Lai's ability to govern and how China will react to his presidency.
UK Postal Service Scandal Exposed by TV Drama
A new TV drama, 'Mr. Bates versus the Post Office,' has shed light on a major miscarriage of justice within the UK postal service. The drama has sparked public outrage and calls for justice for hundreds of falsely accused postmasters. The scandal revolves around a faulty accounting software called 'Horizon' that generated errors, resulting in false accusations of stealing money.
The Economic Cost of Heat Waves and Lost Labor
Heat waves caused by climate change have significant economic costs. According to The Lancet, high temperatures resulted in approximately $863 billion in lost GDP and 490 billion lost hours of labor globally in 2022. Agriculture, particularly in poorer countries near the equator, bears the brunt of the impact. The consequences of heat-related labor loss are predicted to increase as temperatures continue to rise.
Taiwan’s election of William Lai Ching-te of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party is sure to annoy leaders in Beijing; we ask what to expect next. Britain’s Post Office scandal simmered for two decades before a television series made it boil over (10:14). And what happens when climate change makes it too hot to work (17:44).
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