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Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

The News Quiz: Ep 3. Power Outrage

May 9, 2025
In this installment, comedian Ed Byrne, known for his sharp wit and appearances on Mock the Week, joins a spirited panel to dissect the week's news. They hilariously navigate the chaos of power outages across Spain and France, poking fun at human behavior during crises. The conversation dives into a quirky mineral deal involving the U.S. and Ukraine, mixed with political satire. Lively banter ensues over a study linking champagne to heart health, as they explore the absurdities of modern life and the oddities of food regulations.
28:37

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The significant power outages in Spain and Portugal sparked discussions on societal resilience and infrastructure reliability during emergencies.
  • Canada's election of a new leader without prior political experience reflects a global shift away from right-wing populism and its implications for governance.

Deep dives

Power Outages in Spain and Portugal

Spain and Portugal experienced significant power outages that left many people in darkness and unable to carry out daily activities. The power failure caused disruptions in various sectors, including transportation, with trains halted and flights affected. While investigators initially ruled out a cyber attack as the cause, the events prompted reflection on how modern society would cope without electricity or internet access for extended periods. This situation raised questions about the resilience of nations in the face of such emergencies, contrasting responses between countries, and public expectations during infrastructural failures.

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