SpaceX is on track to resume Falcon 9 booster landings in Bahamian waters before the end of the year, with plans for up to 20 additional recoveries at the Exuma Sound site pending government approval. The announcement was made during the Ministry of Education’s Starlink rollout event at CH Reeves Junior High School. Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX engineer, revealed that the company is nearing completion of regulatory requirements for a second landing at the same deep-water site used for the historic recovery on February 18. ‘We are currently finalizing the regulatory process to ensure the environmental review is complete and that all monitoring and upkeep requirements are met,’ Gillis stated. ‘We are close to achieving a second landing in Exuma and are collaborating with regulatory authorities to expedite the process.’ Gillis added that SpaceX aims to complete another landing by the end of 2025, with a target set for this year. ‘We don’t have much time left this year, so it should happen soon,’ she noted. Future landings will exclusively use the Exuma Sound site, with SpaceX planning up to 20 additional recoveries once approvals are secured. Environmental concerns arose following February’s landing, particularly regarding marine impacts and sonic booms. Gillis emphasized that the ongoing review includes comprehensive assessments. ‘We’ve conducted extensive modeling and predictions to ensure safety,’ she explained. ‘The site is sufficiently distant from sensitive areas, minimizing risks. We will also implement rigorous monitoring before, during, and after the landing to track any environmental impact. All predictions indicate minimal impact, aside from the instantaneous sound of the sonic boom.’ Discussions with Bahamian regulators have been positive, according to Gillis. Falcon 9 landings are a key component of SpaceX’s reusability program, which reduces launch costs by enabling boosters to return to Earth for multiple uses. An Environmental Impact Assessment released in September found the first landing had ‘minimal’ environmental effects but identified gaps in underwater noise measurements, recommending enhanced monitoring for future missions.
分类： technology
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Cloudflare outage disrupts major websites and internet services
Early Tuesday morning, a substantial portion of the internet faced significant disruptions, impacting a range of popular websites and online platforms. The root cause of the outage was traced back to a malfunction within Cloudflare, a leading provider of internet infrastructure services, as reported by The Independent. The incident left users unable to access several high-profile sites, including Twitter/X, ChatGPT/OpenAI, and local outlets like Dominica News Online. The disruption lasted for several hours before Cloudflare managed to identify and resolve the issue. During the outage, users attempting to visit platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), ChatGPT, and Letterboxd, a film review site, encountered error messages indicating that Cloudflare’s technical difficulties were preventing pages from loading properly. Cloudflare is a critical player in the modern internet ecosystem, offering essential services that ensure website availability and security, including tools to defend against cyber threats and maintain online presence during high traffic periods. Interestingly, the outage also impacted Down Detector, a website that tracks internet service interruptions, which itself experienced issues due to the glitch. As of now, the issues appear to have been resolved.
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Bridging the Banking Divide Through Blockchain Solutions in Caribbean Nations
The Caribbean region is grappling with a profound financial inclusion crisis, with nearly two-thirds of its 45 million residents lacking access to formal banking services. This issue is exacerbated by infrastructural limitations and the geographical isolation of island nations, posing a significant threat to economic growth. However, energy-efficient blockchain systems, particularly those employing proof-of-stake consensus mechanisms like Cardano, offer a promising solution to bridge this gap while supporting climate resilience goals.
Financial exclusion remains a pressing concern across the Caribbean. While 70% of adults in Latin America and the Caribbean had financial accounts in 2024, this figure still trails the global average for low- and middle-income countries by five percentage points. Disparities are stark: Jamaica reports 22% of its population as unbanked, while Trinidad and Tobago recorded 19% in 2022. Rural communities and women are disproportionately affected, facing barriers such as mistrust in banking systems, limited financial literacy, and high costs.
Blockchain technology emerges as a transformative tool to address these challenges. Unlike traditional banking, which relies on extensive physical infrastructure, blockchain systems operate through mobile devices and internet connectivity, making them ideal for remote areas. Proof-of-stake protocols, such as those used by Cardano, are highly energy-efficient, consuming minimal power per transaction and aligning with the Caribbean’s sustainability objectives.
The modular architecture of blockchain platforms allows for seamless updates without compromising security, a critical feature for resource-constrained economies. With mobile penetration rates exceeding 100% in many Caribbean territories, blockchain-based financial services can leverage existing networks to reach underserved populations. Digital wallets and tokenized infrastructure projects further reduce costs and enhance accessibility for micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Caribbean governments are increasingly embracing digital transformation. Jamaica’s National Identification System and Barbados’s focus on broadband connectivity and e-commerce exemplify efforts to modernize economies. Financial technology startups in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica are also expanding access through mobile wallets and online lending solutions. In 2024, 37% of adults in the region reported having mobile money accounts, marking a 15-percentage-point increase from 2021.
Blockchain’s energy efficiency aligns with the Caribbean’s climate resilience strategies. Nations like Barbados are integrating digital tools for climate risk identification and resilience planning. Proof-of-stake protocols, which consume significantly less energy than traditional cryptocurrencies, support both environmental sustainability and economic growth.
However, successful blockchain adoption requires addressing barriers such as funding limitations, talent shortages, and regulatory inconsistencies. Microfinance institutions in Central America and the Caribbean have demonstrated the viability of digital solutions through inclusive financial products. Regional cooperation through organizations like CARICOM can harmonize regulations and foster innovation.
In conclusion, blockchain technology offers the Caribbean a unique opportunity to overcome traditional banking constraints and achieve financial inclusion. By leveraging energy-efficient systems and existing mobile networks, the region can drive inclusive economic development while advancing its climate resilience goals.
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Cloudflare Says It Has Fixed Problem After Global Website Outage
Cloudflare, a leading internet infrastructure provider, faced a significant service disruption on Tuesday, impacting multiple services across its global network. The incident began at 11:48 UTC when the company detected an internal service degradation affecting application services, dashboard access, and WARP connectivity. Customers reported elevated error rates and intermittent failures as Cloudflare engineers worked to diagnose and address the issue. Throughout the afternoon, the company provided frequent updates on its progress. At one point, engineers temporarily disabled WARP access in London, advising users in the region to expect connectivity issues while fixes were being implemented. By 13:09 UTC, Cloudflare identified the root cause and began deploying a solution. Services gradually recovered, with error rates normalizing shortly thereafter. Dashboard access was fully restored at 14:34 UTC, and by 14:42 UTC, the company confirmed that a complete fix had been applied. Cloudflare assured users that the incident had been resolved and that ongoing monitoring would ensure system stability. Earlier in the day, the company also addressed a separate issue with its support portal, caused by problems with a third-party provider. While customers may have experienced errors when viewing cases, the company confirmed that responses to inquiries were unaffected. Cloudflare has yet to disclose the specific cause of the outage.
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Presidency clarifies digital service disruptions were caused by external providers
The Dominican Republic’s Presidency has officially addressed the temporary disruptions experienced by users on various digital platforms earlier in the day, attributing the issue to a global technical incident involving Cloudflare, a leading international company that supports numerous websites and online services worldwide. The government clarified that the outages were not caused by failures within its own systems, emphasizing the robustness of its digital infrastructure. Cloudflare confirmed the incident, citing network degradation that temporarily affected platform performance and stability across the region and other parts of the globe. Despite the external outage, the Dominican government’s critical systems, including institutional websites, administrative platforms, service channels, and internal networks, remained fully operational. This resilience was credited to the State’s redundancy mechanisms, backup systems, and continuous monitoring protocols. The Directorate of Strategy and Government Communication (DIECOM) reported that its technical team has been actively monitoring the situation since the incident began, coordinating with local providers to ensure overall connectivity. Government officials reiterated that the disruptions did not originate from State platforms and reaffirmed their commitment to modernization, cybersecurity, and enhancing the country’s digital resilience to provide reliable and accessible services for all citizens.
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X platform suffers major worldwide shutdown
A significant disruption originating from Cloudflare’s global network infrastructure triggered a widespread internet outage on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, severely impacting millions of users across a multitude of digital platforms. The incident, characterized by a cascade of system failures, rendered core services inaccessible for an extended period, highlighting the internet’s critical dependency on centralized content delivery networks.
The outage manifested for end-users as an inability to load content, engage with posts, or log into accounts, with platforms displaying persistent ‘500 Internal Server Error’ messages. Cloudflare’s official status page confirmed the severity of the incident, reporting a major global network issue that precipitated widespread ‘500 errors’ and concurrent failures in its administrative dashboard and API endpoints. Engineering teams were immediately mobilized to diagnose the root cause and implement mitigation protocols.
The scope of the disruption extended far beyond a single service, creating a domino effect that incapacitated a diverse portfolio of high-traffic websites and applications. Notably affected were the social media platform X, the AI-powered chatbot service ChatGPT, and the design tool Canva. The outage also impinged on the digital entertainment sector, hindering access to popular gaming services such as League of Legends, and caused significant downtime for various cryptocurrency exchange front-ends. In a notable irony, Downdetector, a leading service for tracking online outages which itself relies on Cloudflare, was also rendered partially unavailable, complicating real-time reporting of the event’s scale.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the interconnected nature of the modern web and the systemic risks associated with concentrated infrastructure, prompting renewed discussions on digital resilience and redundancy.
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Fernandes Driver beloont topgamers met SRD 10.000 bij vierde prijzenronde
Paramaribo – Fernandes Driver, Suriname’s first and only locally developed smartphone game, continues to surge in popularity. Since its launch in January, the game has attracted thousands of players. Unlike most mobile games, Fernandes Driver offers more than virtual victories; top racers also earn tangible rewards. The fourth prize ceremony took place recently, where the two main winners received Fernandes products alongside vouchers worth SRD 10,000. The game allows players to race through a digitally recreated Paramaribo, using virtual versions of cars sold by Fernandes Autohandel, the official dealer. Recent updates have expanded the gameplay to include Suriname’s rural areas, introducing challenges like unpaved roads. Players can now further customize their vehicles and avatars, enhancing the competitive aspect. The game features two categories: Single Run, where players aim for the longest distance in one session, and All Time, where the player with the most kilometers over a two-month period wins. This season’s All Time title went to Kevin, an entrepreneur, bodybuilder, and avid gamer who has played since the game’s launch. Reflecting on his win, Kevin said, ‘Finally, I’ve won the All Time title. It’s a unique experience compared to other games. Here, you get real prizes you can use.’ He also suggested improvements, such as adding multiplayer and chat features. Previous prize packages included Yadea e-bikes, smartwatches, juice boxes, and other Fernandes products. The latest ceremony featured additional perks, with winners receiving SRD 10,000 vouchers alongside traditional prizes. Yume Zalman, communications officer at Fernandes Autohandel, hinted at upcoming updates, including seasonal changes with a Christmas theme. With its growing player base, attractive rewards, and continuous updates, Fernandes Driver is solidifying its position as Suriname’s most popular game and an innovative blend of gaming and real-world incentives.
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Hoe Meituan de stadsstraten tot leven brengt
In the bustling streets of China, Meituan has transformed urban logistics with its innovative use of drones and e-scooters. The company, which began as a group discount platform, has evolved into a comprehensive service provider, catering to millions of users. Over the past year, Meituan reported 770 million users and 14.5 million active merchants, with an average of 3.36 million delivery personnel active monthly. On July 12, 2025, the company achieved a record-breaking 150 million daily orders for online shopping, and the average monthly income of frequent delivery personnel increased by 12% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the end of 2024, reaching 7,230-10,100 RMB (US$ 1,018-1,422).
Meituan’s growth is closely tied to China’s economic development and technological advancements. The company integrates technology into daily life, aiming to ‘help people eat better and live better.’ Beyond food delivery, Meituan offers services such as hotel and flight bookings, tourist trips, fresh produce delivery, and daily necessities. Users can also arrange cleaning services, bike and car rentals, movie tickets, and more through the platform.
While Meituan dominates the Chinese market, it is also expanding internationally. In May 2023, it launched the meal delivery brand Keeta in Hong Kong as a test site for global expansion. By August 2024, Meituan decided to continue its food delivery operations under the Keeta brand, which is now active in markets like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Brazil, officially starting in Santos and São Vicente in October 2025.
Drone deliveries have become a staple of Meituan’s logistics operations. High above the city, small drones swiftly and silently navigate to their destinations, sometimes bypassing heavy traffic and narrow streets. This adds a futuristic element to the already dynamic urban landscape, highlighting the fusion of technology and city life.
Despite its success, Meituan faces challenges, including concerns over delivery personnel’s working conditions and increasing regulations in China to better govern the sector. For many in China, Meituan’s yellow color has become a familiar and recognizable symbol, deeply intertwined with daily life.
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EV Lucian Car Expo Charges Up Sustainable Driving
The EV Lucian Car Show and Trade Expo 2025 kicked off with a powerful message: electric vehicles (EVs) are not just a mode of transport but a cornerstone of sustainable living. Organized by Accela Marketing in collaboration with the Government of Saint Lucia, the event united automotive dealers, industry experts, and the public in a shared mission to explore cleaner and more resilient transportation alternatives. Held on November 15 at the Caribbean Cinemas Car Park, the expo showcased a diverse array of electric and hybrid vehicles, both new and used, alongside home charging systems, solar energy solutions, and financing options. Attendees had the unique opportunity to test drive vehicles, gaining firsthand experience of EV performance. Agnes Francis, Managing Director of Accela, emphasized the broader vision, stating, ‘EV Lucian is about change—how we move, how we power our lives, and how we protect our island home.’ A highlight of the event was the workshop series, which included sessions like Electric Vehicles 101 by Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, EV Battery Technology & Recycling by GIZ, and Renewable Energy & EV Charging by Eco Carib. These workshops aimed to educate the public on EV technology, responsible battery disposal, and the integration of solar power into the EV ecosystem. LUCELEC also provided practical guidance on accessing the national charging network. The expo garnered enthusiastic feedback, with one attendee remarking, ‘It’s incredible to see the variety of electric vehicles available here. We need more events like this.’ Supported by sponsors including the Government of Saint Lucia, Republic Bank (EC) Limited, and LUCELEC, the expo underscored the island’s commitment to a greener future.
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This Christmas, Flow Unwraps Its Most Exciting Plans — Built to Elevate Everyday Life
This holiday season, Flow is set to revolutionize everyday experiences with its latest suite of cutting-edge innovations. Designed to seamlessly integrate into daily routines, these advancements promise to enhance convenience, efficiency, and overall quality of life. From smart home solutions to AI-driven personal assistants, Flow’s new offerings aim to redefine how individuals interact with technology in their homes and beyond. The company’s focus on user-centric design ensures that these products are not only functional but also intuitive and accessible. As the festive season approaches, Flow’s unveiling marks a significant leap forward in the tech industry, setting a new standard for innovation and practicality. With these developments, Flow continues to solidify its position as a leader in the realm of transformative technology.