A man who was dubbed the ‘living Nostradamus’ predicted the Microsoft outage in April – and now he claims it may lead to an ‘escalation of confrontation’ and eventually cyber war.

Athos Salomé, 36, from Brazil, is often referred to as a psychic due to the accuracy of his insights and predictions, after previously foreseeing the coronavirus pandemic, Elon Musk buying Twitter and even Queen Elizabeth’s death.’

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL in April, he warned the world would see technology blackouts this year which would throw the world into chaos.

The world has seen a day of chaos which saw departure boards immediately turn off at airports on the busiest day for British air travel since before the Covid pandemic.

In a sign of the global impact of the IT failure, shops in Australia shut down or went cashless after digital checkouts stopped working, while in the US emergency services lines went down.

Meanwhile British train passengers have been warned to expect delays due to ‘widespread IT issues across the entire network’, meanwhile Sky News went off air and NHS England said patients should not attend GP appointments unless told otherwise due to problems with the appointment and patient record system. 

Indian workers try to repair a malfunctioning information screen at the Delhi International Airport in New Delhi, India,

Microsoft confirmed it was investigating an ‘issue’ with its 365 apps and operating systems and said a resolution was ‘forthcoming’.

US cyber security company CrowdStrike has admitted to being responsible for the error and said ‘fix has been deployed’. The firm said it was caused by a ‘defect found in a single content update’ and insisted the issue ‘was not a security incident or cyberattack’.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Athos said: ‘Microsoft’s global shutdown, according to the analysed outcome, may affect essential infrastructure with the escalation of inter-state confrontation and lead to Cyber War. 

‘For the short term there will be inquiries and remedial action to get services back on line and to plan against future attack. 

‘Businesses will have to improve the protection of cyberspace, and society might gain concerns over the use of internet services, led to discourses regarding intensive regulation. This event may result in shifts in political actions and military tactics on an international level, and the threat of an international war is real.’

Salomé, who predicted ‘three days of darkness’ in 2024, said his forecast was ‘misunderstood’ when it was previously linked to a coronal mass ejection (large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona).

He explained that this blackout alluded to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran potentially paving the way for large scale conflict akin, to a Third World War.   

An item of checked luggage is seen near a monitor displaying a blue error screen at a baggage claim area inside Newark International Airport

The ‘blue screen of death’ is seen at a supermarket in Brisbane after the outage 

NHS England told patients not to attend GP appointments unless told otherwise due to problems with the appointment and patient record system

Sky News went off air following the technical issue with the Microsoft operating system

EMP, a specialised tool designed to destroy information systems, is a weapon that can render electronic devices useless, without harming people or buildings. 

Typically triggered by explosions at altitudes EMP interacts with the Earth’s magnetic fields to create pulses that can disrupt and damage electronic equipment and infrastructures.

During the Cold War both the USA and the Soviet Union viewed EMP as a tool for disabling enemy infrastructure without causing harm directly.

In 1962, the US detonated a 1.4 megaton nuclear warhead, in an experiment known as Starfish Prime, high in the atmosphere 400 kilometres (250 miles) above the Pacific Ocean. 

The explosion – the world’s most powerful high altitude nuclear test – created an EMP strong enough to disrupt global radio communications, which led to the failure of the UK’s first satellite, Ariel-1, and it even blow out streetlights on the ground in Hawaii.

In today’s world, devices exist that are capable of replicating EMP effects, increasing the threat in modern technological dependent scenarios. 

Non-nuclear localised EMP devices do exist, and work by releasing a burst of energy in the radiofrequency or microwave spectrum, which can overload and damage electronic components and systems. But these are only effective on a small scale, disrupting a small city. 

However the significance of EMP remains substantial as it has the potential to destabilise defense and communication systems. 

Salomé shared his perspective on the role of artificial intelligence in conflicts, such as the one between Israel and Iran, highlighting its potential to revolutionise strategies and warfare tactics. 

The parapsychologist foresees a moment in 2024 when both countries may adopt AI technologies for defense and offensive purposes.

He said: ‘AI again emerges as a factor possibly serving as both a peacekeeping tool and an instigator of fresh confrontations.

‘Advanced nations, including the United States have been quietly advancing EMP technologies for security purposes. 

‘The US has been exploring EMP capabilities since Operation Prime tests in the 1960s aiming to use this technology to neutralize threats with minimal physical damage. Similarly Russia and China are investing in EMP technologies as tools to disrupt infrastructures of potential foes.

‘Even North Korea despite its limitations is showing interest, in EMP technology as part of their preemptive strike tactics.

‘This shift, in adoption signifies a growing trend where EMP is not merely viewed as a weapon. As an essential element of upcoming military endeavors having the potential to disrupt critical systems significantly and swiftly.’

With the help of military history and technology expert Dr William Forstchen, MailOnline previously delved into the chilling potential of such a strike, exploring the unprecedented havoc it could wreak in Britain.