Worldline, a French digital payments company, is experiencing significant service disruptions in Italy due to damaged network cables, affecting transactions during the Black Friday shopping period.
Worldline, a leading French digital payments company, is grappling with significant service disruptions in Italy, a situation that has persisted since Thursday morning. The disruptions, which coincide with the busy Black Friday shopping season, were caused by accidental damage to network cables during gas pipe installation works by local authorities. This has led to widespread issues with payment services, particularly affecting ATM and POS transactions across Italy.
The company has identified the cause of the interruption and is working with its supplier to restore services. However, as of now, the problem remains unresolved, impacting consumers and businesses during a critical shopping period. Worldline has expressed its commitment to reactivating services as soon as possible, even before the physical infrastructure is fully repaired.
Italian payments group Nexi has confirmed the ongoing issues and has launched an investigation into the matter. Nexi is also considering protective measures for its customers and has increased support for partners and end-users. Meanwhile, the Bank of Italy is closely monitoring the situation, noting that some payment services have been partially restored, though issues persist with certain credit and debit card circuits.
The disruptions have highlighted vulnerabilities in the intersection of physical and digital infrastructures, prompting discussions on the need for robust contingency plans to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the situation unfolds, retailers and investors are concerned about the potential impact on holiday sales and market dynamics, with prolonged outages possibly affecting consumer behavior and revenue streams.
Super Micro Computer is set to hire a new CFO following an independent review that found no evidence of fraud, boosting investor confidence and stock prices.
Brazil's efforts to combat illegal gold mining in the Amazon are complicated by Indigenous involvement, economic hardships, and organized crime. Sustainable alternatives like carbon credits are being explored, but skepticism and legal hurdles persist.
Intel's stock rose sharply following the announcement of CEO Pat Gelsinger's retirement, marking the end of a challenging tenure. The company is now led by interim co-CEOs David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus as it searches for a permanent successor.
Uber has launched its first water transport service in India, offering shikara rides on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir. This initiative aims to blend technology with tradition, enhancing tourism and providing economic opportunities for local shikara operators.
Amazon and Orbital Materials have announced a strategic partnership to pilot AI-designed carbon removal materials in data centers, aiming to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability.
QatarEnergy has signed a significant long-term LNG supply agreement with Shell to deliver three million metric tons per annum to China starting in January 2025.
Saudi Arabia is considering reducing its crude oil prices for Asian markets in January, reflecting weak demand and market dynamics.
Naspers reports a significant increase in half-year profits, driven by strong performance in e-commerce and contributions from Tencent.
Prosus NV reported an 89.5% increase in core headline earnings for the first half of the year, driven by strong e-commerce growth and contributions from Tencent.
US shoppers spent a record $10.8 billion online during Black Friday, marking a significant shift from traditional in-store shopping. E-commerce giants like Amazon and Walmart benefited from the surge, while brick-and-mortar stores saw muted growth.