Herald section
The latest business reporting from The Belfast Herald.
Southwest Airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights and delayed hundreds during the Columbus Day weekend, citing weather challenges and unexpected air traffic control issues in Florida. The disruptions originated on Friday and affected operations through Sunday, with ripple effects across the network.
China's large-scale coal procurement is worsening energy shortages in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, causing weekly power cuts and factory shutdowns. The demand is disrupting global coal markets, affecting suppliers in Ukraine and beyond.
The government's furlough scheme ends in the United Kingdom after 18 months. Almost a million people are reported to still be on furlough from their employer.
The Department for Transport has taken over the Southeastern rail franchise due to a serious breach involving unaccounted taxpayer funds. The move follows an investigation into financial conduct dating back to 2014.
Long queues at UK petrol stations are reported due to panic buying, with a £30 fuel purchase limit introduced at many sites. The shortage is attributed to stockpiling rather than supply chain failure, according to the AA head.
India's economy expanded by 20.1% in the April to June quarter of 2021, recording a record rebound during a severe second wave of COVID-19, according to official data.
Toyota reduces global production quota by 40% due to renewed COVID-19 outbreaks in Asia disrupting semiconductor supply chains, particularly affecting chip manufacturing. The company had previously avoided production cuts during the pandemic.
President Joe Biden signed an executive order introducing tighter regulations on major corporations across multiple sectors, including Big Tech, to promote competition and consumer rights.