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Recent major tech failures
Amazon's cloud service unit AWS suffered a major outage Monday, affecting major websites and applications globally. This was the first major internet interruption since CrowdStrike's malfunction last year. In chronological order, here are the most recent tech outages. BRITISH AERIALWAYS IAG's British Airways suffered a major computer failure in May 2017, which left 75,000 passengers stranded over a long holiday weekend. The incident caused a PR disaster, and the airline promised to do better going forward. Media reports claim that a maintenance worker accidentally turned off the power. A Google outage that occurred on December 14, 2020, affected some of Google's most popular products including YouTube, Gmail, and Google Drive for one hour. According to the outage monitoring site DownDetector more than 12,000 YouTube customers were affected around the world including in the United States of America, Britain, and India. FASTLY On June 20, 2021, the cloud-based company Fastly in the United States was responsible for a global outage lasting an hour. This issue affected many high-traffic sites, including Reddit.com, Amazon.com, CNN, PayPal.com, Spotify, Al Jazeera Media Network, and The New York Times. Outages ranged from a few moments to an hour. AKAMAI Websites for dozens of Australian financial institutions and US airlines were temporarily down on 17 June 2021 due to server-related glitches. The firm said that the bug was the cause of the problem. META Meta's social media platforms Facebook WhatsApp and Instagram were down for six hours in October 2021. 10.6 Million users reported problems around the world. The company claimed that the outage was due to a configuration error. X Corp's social media platform Twitter was affected by a major outage in December 2022. For several hours, users were unable to use the platform or access its features. At the height of the disruption, Downdetector identified more than 10,000 users affected from the United States. About 2,500 users were from Japan and approximately 2,500 people from the UK. CROWDSTRIKE On July 19, 2024, a software update from global cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused global computer system outages lasting several hours for Microsoft customers. Globally, services from healthcare to shipping and finance have been affected. After the outage, businesses were left with a backlog of delayed or canceled flights, medical appointments, missed order and other issues. Amazon's cloud service unit will be affected by an outage in October 2025. This will disrupt operations around the globe and take down popular apps such as Fortnite and Snapchat. AWS stated in an update posted on its website at 0711 GMT that it had noticed increased "error rates" and "latency" for several services. It said in a later post that the issue had been fully resolved and most operations were running normally. Reporting by Philippe Leroy Beaulieu in Gdansk and Eva Orsolya Papp; Editing by Mark Potter, Milla Nissi and Prussak
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Poland seeks offers for expanding floating LNG terminal
Gaz-System, Poland's gas pipeline operator, said that the country will be seeking binding offers from shippers for the capacity available at the expanded floating LNG terminal near Gdansk after receiving a lot of interest. Gaz-System plans to build a terminal that can regasify up to 6.1 billion cubic metres (bcms) of gas annually. It is also considering the addition of a second unit, which could regasify as much as 4.5 bcms per year. The operator commented on the interest of shippers in expanding the floating facility, saying that "nearly half of regasified LNG will be exported to Ukraine," Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Lithuania. The estimated export volume ranges between 6.9 and 8 bcm a year and could decline to around 2.6 bcm a year in the next decades. The company reported that 14 companies, both domestic and international, expressed interest in this facility. Demand forecasts for 2031-2032 are expected to exceed its capacity by almost four times. In the first quarter 2026, binding offers will be requested. Gaz-System reported last month that the European market is more interested in LNG via Poland than before, due to a ban on Russian gas imports proposed in June by the European Commission. This year, Ukraine has received several LNG shipments through Poland.
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Sources say that the attack by a Ukrainian drone on a Russian gas plant has affected Kazakh production
Two industry sources said on Monday that a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Orenburg Gas Plant has forced Kazakhstan to reduce its production at Karachaganak Oil and Gas Condensate Field by 25 to 30%. Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry said that Orenburg, one of the largest gas processing facilities in the world, was forced to stop importing gas from Kazakhstan following the attack. Ukraine confirmed that it had hit a gas station in the Orenburg area, located 1,700 km (1,060 mi) east of Russia's border with Ukraine. It also confirmed hitting an oil refinery, in the Samara Region. Since August, Kyiv's attacks on Russian refineries have increased in an effort to disrupt fuel supply and to deprive Moscow funding. According to two anonymous sources, the output at Karachaganak was between 25,000-28,500 metric tons on Monday, down from its usual 35,000-35,000 metric tons. Orenburg, controlled by Gazprom, could resume gas imports from Karachaganak as early as Monday. However, they refused to specify when normal supply levels would be restored. Karachaganak will produce around 263,000 barrels per day by 2024. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium exports it via a Russian Black Sea Terminal, and also through the Druzhba Pipeline in Russia to Germany. The field is operated in a consortium that includes U.S. energy giant Chevron (18%), and European energy companies Shell (29.25%). Lukoil, a Russian company, and KazMunayGaz, a local firm, both hold 10%. The Kazakh energy ministry, Gazprom and the consortium did not respond to our requests for comments. (Reporting and editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Jason Neely).
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Australia warns China against 'unsafe flare drops' in an aerial encounter
The Australian Defence Department said Monday that it had raised concerns with Beijing following an incident in which a Chinese fighter plane dropped flares near a maritime patrol aircraft of Australia. It called the incident "unsafe" and "unprofessional". In a press release, the Australian defence department stated that the Chinese jet had released flares close to a maritime patrol aircraft from Australia, which was conducting surveillance in the South China Sea. This posed a danger to this plane and its crew. It added, "This was a dangerous and unprofessional maneuver." "Australia expects that all countries, including China to operate their military in a professional and safe manner." The Australian Air Force reported that no injuries were reported during the collision between the P-8A patrol aircraft and the People's Liberation Army Jet. Richard Marles, the Australian Defence Minister, said that a Chinese jet had fired flares twice. He said that on two occasions the flares were released very close to P-8. "It's the proximity of the flares that has caused us to consider this unprofessional and unsafe." Marles stated that the Australian government has raised concerns about the Chinese Embassy in Canberra as well as the Australian embassy Beijing. An email request for comment was not immediately responded to by the Chinese Embassy. This is just the latest in a long line of incidents involving China, which Australia has publicly condemned. It also criticised in February as "unsafe" and "unprofessional" the actions taken by a Chinese fighter plane that dropped flares less than 30 m (100 feet) from a maritime surveillance plane. (Reporting and editing by Clarence Fernandez in Sydney)
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Takaichi is on the verge of becoming Japan's 1st female PM after a coalition deal? ?
Sanae Takaichi, a conservative hardliner, is likely to become Japan's 1st female Prime Minister on Tuesday after the opposition Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), a right-wing party, announced that it would support her. Hirofumi Yushimura, Osaka Governor and Ishin leader Hirofumi's representative in western Japan, told reporters that he had told Takaichi we should work together. He said he will meet Takaichi to finalize the alliance at 6 pm (0900 GMT). Fumitake Fumita, Ishin’s other boss said that the coalition deal contained deadlines, specific plans for implementation of policy, and a 10% reduction of lawmaker numbers. This was after he met with Yoshimura and party legislators to discuss the coalition agreement. Investors' expectation of a deal which could lead to increased government spending has weakened the yen. The blue-chip Nikkei index closed 3.4% higher. The agreement would result in a total of 231 seats for the dominant lower house. Takaichi would still fall two seats short of a majority but it will ensure that he is likely to win a vote on Tuesday in the parliament for Japan's new prime minister. In a runoff, she will need only a majority rather than all votes cast. She will need the support of all other opposition groups to govern. This includes a supplementary budget that is coming up. The deal expected with Ishin comes after the LDP's 26 year coalition with Komeito ended when the ruling party chose Takaichi to be its new leader. The sudden withdrawal of Komeito sparked talks between opposition parties including Ishin (the second largest), which could have undermined her ambitions to become premier and forced her party from power for the very first time in over a decade. Ishin's choice to join the LDP has ended that possibility. FISCAL DOVE, SECURITY HAWK Takaichi is a fiscal dove who has called for increased spending and tax reductions to cushion the consumer from rising inflation. He has also criticised Bank of Japan’s decision to increase interest rates. Fumika Shimizu, Nomura Securities' strategist, said that expectations for Takaichi’s economic policies, including fiscal expansion and monetary ease, have led to a rise in share prices and a weaker Japanese yen. Analysts say that Takaichi could be restrained from spending if Ishin, a small-government and spending-cutting movement, is implemented. Takaichi is calling for a revision of Japan's postwar constitution, which was pacifist and ignored the military. She is a frequent visitor to the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo. This shrine, which some Asian neighbors view as a symbol for wartime aggression by Japan, wants to increase defence spending to deter China. She also calls for stricter immigration laws and opposes policies such as allowing married women to keep their surnames, which, she claims, undermine traditional values. Yoshimura, in an interview with television, said that for the time being, Ishin won't take up a position in Takaichi’s government until it becomes clear whether the partnership between the LDP and Takaichi is working. "Right away, we are still a group consisting of legislators with no government experience. He said that rather than ask for a ministerial position, they wanted to focus first on implementing their policies as a part of the ruling alliance. ? (Reporting from Tim Kelly, Rocky Swift and Makiko Yazaki)
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As of October 19, the arrivals of cocoa from Ivory Coast in 2025/26 are down by 31.6%.
Exporters estimate that cocoa arrivals in ports of Ivory Coast, the top producer, reached 132,000 tons by October 19, since the start the season on 1 October. This is down 31.6% compared to the same period last year. Between October 13 and 19, approximately 41,000 tons of bean were delivered to Abidjan and 43,000 to San Pedro, for a total 84,000 tons. This is down from the 93,000 tons that was delivered in the same period of the previous year. Cocoa sales in Ivory Coast are at a standstill since the beginning of the 2025/26 harvest season. A record farmgate price, coupled with poor quality stocks, has deterred both buyers and exporters. Seven exporters, four pod counters and one cocoa bean buyer told us that the arrivals of cocoa beans at Ivorian port would be between 850,000 to 900,000. This is 12% less than last year. They said that if the weather continues to improve in November and December, it should be possible to cover up the deficit expected between January and March of 2026. (Reporting and editing by Anait Miridzhanian, Louise Heavens and Ange Aboa)
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Sources say that Vietjet, Vietnam's budget airline, has stopped operating COMAC aircraft made in China.
Two sources familiar with this matter have confirmed that Vietjet, a Vietnamese low-cost airline, stopped operating its two COMAC C909 planes made in China on October 18, after the six-month contract to lease the planes had expired. The C909s arrived in Vietnam less that a week after Chinese president Xi Jinping's visit to Hanoi, in April. This launch was seen as a sign of the deepening of strategic and economic ties. The two sources confirmed that Vietjet had decided not to renew the lease, and did not have any immediate plans to buy aircraft from China’s state-owned planemaker COMAC. Vietjet declined comment while COMAC didn't respond to a comment request. COMAC HAD MAJORLY BREAKTHROUGH CONTRACT This lease marked the first time that Chinese aircraft were used on domestic routes within Vietnam, including Hanoi-Con Dao or Ho Chi Minh City - Con Dao. It was also a significant breakthrough for COMAC which had struggled to get its planes used overseas. According to one source, the termination was due high operating costs associated with foreign crew and maintenance service and regulations under Vietnam's Aviation Law. Vietjet has reported that it had an agreement with Chengdu Airlines to operate the jets using crew from China. Sources said that the airline could switch to another leasing model in future. Chengdu Airlines did not reply to an inquiry for comment either. Both sources confirmed that the COMAC aircraft were in perfect operational condition during their time in Vietnam. FlightRadar24, a flight tracking website, reports that the aircraft flew their last flights from Con Dao, Vietnam to Hanoi on Friday. C909 IS CHINA’S FIRST COMMERCIALLY MANUFACTURED JET The C909 is China's very first jet powered plane, and will enter service in 2016, seating up to 90 people. COMAC is positioning its C909 Regional Jets in Southeast Asia to gain a foothold on foreign markets. The aircraft have been placed in Indonesia, Vietnam and Laos as well as receiving orders from Air Cambodia, a Brunei airline, and other airlines. Vietjet has placed large orders for Boeing 737 MAX jets. The company operates a fleet over 100 aircraft, primarily Airbus. (Reporting and editing by Jan Harvey; Additional reporting in Beijing by Sophie Yu; Reporting by Phuong nguyen)
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A basketball-driver is killed after a stone attack on a bus carrying fans in Italy
Local media reported that a bus driver died after stones were thrown against a vehicle transporting fans from a basketball match in central Italy. This shocked the country, where violence between fans is usually associated with soccer. The Italian newspaper La Nazione reported that after a match between SRS Sebastiani Rieti vs Pistoia Basket 2000 on Sunday in Serie A2, or the second tier, a Pistoia fan bus was attacked with stones and bricks outside of Rieti. It was reported that a stone had smashed the windscreen of one of the two drivers aboard, who later died despite efforts to revive him. Italian media reported that it was not immediately apparent if those who hurled rocks at the bus were rival supporters. The death of Giorgia Mello was described as "terrible" news by Prime Minister Giorgia. She wrote, "The attack was an unacceptable and senseless crime of violence," on X. Gianni Petrucci said that he would be working with the legal authorities to develop a response. This is not basketball. "These are criminals and murderers. People with no future or present," he said to RAI, the Italian national broadcaster. Violence between soccer fans has been a problem in Italy for many years. In April, 13 officers were injured in skirmishes that broke out between AS Roma and Lazio supporters ahead of the Rome Derby. In May, an Atalanta supporter aged 26 was fatally stabbed during clashes involving Atalanta supporters and Inter Milan fans. (Reporting and editing by Keith Weir, Gianluca Smeraro)
US investigates Waymo Robotaxis for safety around school bus
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it had opened a preliminary investigation into approximately 2,000 Waymo autonomous vehicles following reports that the robotaxis of the company may not have followed traffic safety laws near stopped school buses.
This is the latest federal investigation of self-driving technologies as regulators examine how driverless technology interacts with pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users.
NHTSA stated that the Office of Defects Investigation initiated the review following a media report about an incident where a Waymo self-driving vehicle failed to remain stationary as it approached a school bus while its red lights were flashing, the stop arm was deployed and the crossing control arm was extended.
According to the report, the Waymo driver initially stopped next to the bus and then maneuvered it around the front of the vehicle, crossing the control arm as students disembarked.
Waymo's spokesperson stated that the company "has already developed and implemented improvements in relation to stopping for school busses and will land further software updates in our next release."
"Driving safely near children has always been a top priority for Waymo," the company said. The vehicle in the incident was approached from an angle that did not allow the flashing stop signs and lights to be visible. It then drove around the front of bus and past it slowly, maintaining a safe distance away from the children.
NHTSA stated that the vehicle was equipped with Waymo’s fifth generation Automated Driving System. (ADS). It was also operating without a safety driver.
Waymo's robotaxi fleet is said to number more than 1,500 vehicles, and it operates in major U.S. Cities, such as Phoenix, Los Angeles San Francisco, and Austin.
Alphabet plans to launch in Tokyo and London, among other cities in the coming years. (Reporting from Akash Sriram, Bengaluru; David Shepardson, Washington; editing by Tasim Zaid)
(source: Reuters)