Business
Instagram Down? Users Report Access Issues As Meta Platform Sees Uptick In Complaints Friday Nationwide
Instagram users began flagging access problems Friday, with outage-tracking services logging a rise in user-submitted reports, though the overall volume of complaints remained within a range trackers consider typical rather than indicative of a major platform-wide outage.
According to Entireweb Status, which monitors the platform’s availability, Instagram received 181 user reports over the preceding 24 hours as of Friday, with 10 of those reports arriving within the most recent hour. The tracking service described the platform as “operating normally” overall, noting no ongoing major outages or confirmed service disruptions at the time of its assessment. Separately, StatusGator reported 38 user-submitted outage reports over the same 24-hour window, similarly characterizing Instagram as currently operational.
Instagram, owned by Meta Platforms, is a widely used social media application that allows users to share photos and videos through its mobile app and website, featuring tools including Reels, Stories, direct messaging, live streaming, shopping features and a range of business tools aimed at creators, brands and e-commerce sellers.
Even relatively modest spikes in user reports tend to draw significant public attention given Instagram’s massive global user base, which numbers in the billions of monthly active users worldwide. Outage-tracking platforms like Downdetector and its competitors compile crowdsourced reports from affected users and compare that volume against typical background activity levels to help determine whether a genuine, widespread service disruption is underway, as opposed to isolated issues affecting individual users’ devices or local internet connections.
Instagram has a well-documented history of periodic outages, some brief and localized, others significant and widespread. According to outage-tracking service NordVPN, one notable disruption in March 2026 affected the platform globally, preventing users from posting new content, refreshing their feeds, or using direct messaging, while other Meta-owned apps including Facebook and WhatsApp continued operating normally during that incident, pointing to a service-specific rather than company-wide root cause.
A separate major disruption in October 2025 was traced to an outage affecting Amazon Web Services, the cloud computing infrastructure provider that Instagram relies on for portions of its backend operations. That outage, which lasted approximately three hours, prevented users from loading their feeds, sharing new posts, or refreshing the app entirely, illustrating how Instagram’s reliability can be affected by disruptions originating well outside Meta’s own direct infrastructure.
Other notable incidents recorded by outage trackers include a March 2025 disruption specifically affecting the ability to post or view comments, and a more significant five-hour outage later that same month that generated more than 19,000 outage reports from users in the United States alone, according to NordVPN’s tracking data.
Instagram’s outage history also includes disruptions specific to its desktop website rather than its mobile application. One incident in November 2025, tracked live by Tom’s Guide, saw more than 2,600 users report problems accessing the platform, with testing at the time indicating the issue was largely confined to Instagram’s desktop version rather than affecting the mobile app, which continued functioning normally for most users throughout the disruption. That particular outage resolved relatively quickly, with reports tapering off within roughly an hour of first being detected.
The scale of user reaction to Instagram outages, even relatively brief ones, often plays out prominently on other social media platforms, with users frequently turning to X to check whether an outage they are experiencing is affecting others as well, or is instead isolated to their own device or connection. That pattern was evident during the November 2025 desktop outage, when social media commentary about the disruption spread quickly even as the underlying technical issue proved to be relatively short-lived and limited in scope.
Instagram’s parent company, Meta Platforms, has historically provided limited real-time technical detail during active outages, typically acknowledging disruptions through brief statements on its own social media accounts before providing more substantive explanations, if any, once an incident has been fully resolved. That pattern has held across multiple significant outages over the years, including incidents dating back more than a decade, when the company’s official Instagram account confirmed and later removed acknowledgments of earlier disruptions as service was restored.
For users experiencing access problems with Instagram, common troubleshooting steps recommended by technology support resources typically include verifying an active and stable internet connection, restarting the Instagram application, checking for and installing any pending app updates through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and clearing the app’s cache if persistent loading or crashing issues continue. Users are also generally advised to check independent, real-time outage-tracking services before assuming a widespread platform issue is responsible for problems they may be experiencing, since many reported issues ultimately trace back to individual device, network or account-specific causes rather than a broader service outage.
As of Friday, neither Instagram nor Meta Platforms had issued a public statement specifically addressing the reports logged over the preceding 24 hours, consistent with the company’s typical approach of only formally acknowledging outages once report volumes climb well beyond routine background levels. Given that current tracking data shows report volumes remaining within a range multiple monitoring services characterize as normal operating conditions, it remains unclear whether Friday’s uptick in complaints represents the early stages of a more significant emerging disruption or simply reflects the kind of routine, low-level user reports the platform typically receives on any given day.
Users concerned about ongoing access issues are advised to continue monitoring independent outage trackers, including Downdetector, Entireweb Status and StatusGator, for updates on Instagram’s service status, as these platforms typically provide the most current, crowdsourced picture of the app’s real-time availability across different regions and device types.
Business
Horse smuggling exposes cracks in US defenses against screwworm

Horse smuggling exposes cracks in US defenses against screwworm
Business
Semis Survived Hawkish August Jobs Data: CPI’s Next (SP500)
Thematic. Top down. I often find the theme before I find the stock. My philosophy is that themes are often born quiet and die loud. I try to catch them while they’re still finding their voice. When the music plays, I mainly chase pockets that rhyme with growth, momentum, perception shifts, and sometimes even the most absurd narratives (mostly AI-related). When the music slows and the tape deteriorates, I don’t wait around. I raise cash/rotate out, and watch for the next setup. A parabolic run may trigger a similar move. During a bull run, you won’t find much common ground between the deep value crowd and me. I liked the core ideas of deep value investors, and I briefly followed that philosophy. However, it demands patience, and the AI supercycle broke whatever patience I had left. The market changed, and so did I. My style is not set in stone. I’m mostly long when the music is playing. When it stops/slows down, I may dabble with shorts via put options, although it’s not my forte. My style is highly speculative. I have a high risk tolerance that most rational investors would find alarming. I don’t have a favorite timeframe. That said, I trade mostly the mid-term and the short-term. I have a pathetic low six-digit portfolio, and I consider myself part of the mid to low end of the K-shaped economy. It sometimes drops to the five-digit range when life has other plans. I’ve been in the game since mid 2024, although my first dabbles with stocks (i.e., burning $100 trading accounts in a matter of days) go back to the early/mid 2010s. I have a B.Sc. in aeronautical engineering and experience as a consultant in the aerospace sector. The latter statement is not relevant to my investment style, but I thought to add it for self-indulgent purposes. I live on the wrong side of the Atlantic. The opening bell is my lunch bell. I like astrology, so I’m a follower of technical analysis (mainly trends and support/resistance/psychological levels). I also look at the fundamentals of individual names, although the theme and the macro often prevail in my decision-making. I dislike empty suits, high-level BS, deep-level BS (especially), unnecessary jargon, and self-indulgent, third-person written introductions with an air of superiority.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of IWM either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
I have long positions in Leverage Shares 4x Long Semiconductors ETP Securities, Leverage Shares 3x Long Memory (DRAM) ETP, and Leverage Shares 3x Long ARM ETP Securities. I am not a registered investment adviser, broker, dealer, or tax professional. This article, including any comments or replies I post, reflects my personal opinions only and is provided for informational and educational purposes. Nothing I write is investment, legal, tax, or financial advice, or a personalized recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or short any security. My views may change without notice. Nothing I write is tailored to any reader’s objectives, financial situation, risk tolerance, or portfolio. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Business
Meghan Markle Pays Emotional Tribute To Late Friend, Mentor Gloria Steinem In First UK Post After Returning
LONDON — Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has paid an emotional and deeply personal tribute to Gloria Steinem, the trailblazing feminist journalist and activist who died Sept. 2 at age 92, marking the first Instagram post Markle has shared since returning to the United Kingdom with her family.
Markle shared a three-photo carousel on Instagram Thursday, featuring images of herself and Steinem sitting together beneath a tree, a photograph of Steinem embracing a young boy believed to be Prince Archie, and a black-and-white photo of the two women together on a couch. The post was set to Dolly Parton’s song “Just Because I’m a Woman,” a choice that appeared to honor both Steinem and Parton, the country music icon who died Aug. 25, within the same tribute.
Markle opened her tribute by describing the personal, private side of her relationship with Steinem, distinguishing it from the public advocacy work the two women had shared over the years.
“Privately, she was even better than you would imagine — spending Thanksgiving with our family, introducing me to one of my best friends (forever the champion of female friendship), loving our children with her whole heart, counselling me during hard times, and giving extraordinary advice and perspective with a cup of tea and an unrivalled cheekiness and wit,” Markle wrote.
Markle went on to share a specific anecdote she described as her favorite memory involving Steinem, recounting an encounter the activist once had with a stranger in New York City.
“But my very favourite story about GLO is when she was out one day in NY, and a woman approached her in absolute awe and said she wanted to introduce her young daughter to her (though she was embarrassed to say the young girl may not know who she was),” Markle wrote.
According to Markle’s account, Steinem responded to the woman with characteristic wisdom.
“Gloria replied: ‘It doesn’t matter if she knows who I am. What matters is that she knows who SHE is,’” Markle wrote.
Markle closed her tribute with a heartfelt farewell to her longtime friend and mentor.
“Rest in peace, and rest in pride. Look at what you’ve done for all of us. Thank you,” Markle wrote.
Elsewhere in the tribute, Markle reflected on Steinem’s well-known philosophy that “we are linked, not ranked,” a phrase Markle noted had also been inscribed on a bracelet Steinem once gave her, one she said she continues to wear proudly. Markle also expressed gratitude that Steinem had known, in her final weeks, precisely how loved and admired she was by those around her.
Markle and Steinem’s friendship dated back several years and included both public advocacy work and more private moments of mentorship. The two previously appeared together in a widely shared 2020 video discussing the importance of women’s voting participation, during which Steinem, then 86, welcomed Markle back to the United States following her and Prince Harry’s move to California after stepping back from senior royal duties. During that same period, the two were also photographed together cold-calling voters from Markle’s dining room table, an image that circulated widely at the time as an example of the pair’s shared commitment to civic engagement.
Steinem’s foundation confirmed her death in a statement shared through her official Instagram account, indicating she died peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by loved ones. Steinem, born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1934, became one of the most influential figures in the American feminist movement over the course of more than five decades of activism, co-founding Ms. magazine in 1972 and advocating throughout her career for reproductive rights and the Equal Rights Amendment.
Markle’s tribute arrives during a notable period of transition for the Duchess and her family, who recently relocated back to the United Kingdom alongside Prince Harry and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The timing of Markle’s first public post since the move, dedicated entirely to mourning Steinem rather than addressing the family’s return itself, drew attention from royal commentators and fans following the family’s transition back to British life.
Separately, Smart Works, a charitable organization for which Markle has previously served as a patron, welcomed the Duchess and her family back to the country with a statement expressing enthusiasm about her return. The organization said it was “very excited to welcome the Duchess and her family back to the UK.” Markle has also served as patron of Mayhew, an animal welfare charity focused on improving conditions for dogs, cats and the broader community it serves both in London and internationally.
Tributes to Steinem have continued pouring in from across entertainment, activism and political circles in the days since her death, reflecting the breadth of her influence across generations of feminist activists, journalists and public figures. Markle’s tribute stands out among those public remembrances for its emphasis on the private, personal side of Steinem’s relationships, offering fans and followers a more intimate glimpse into the mentorship and friendship the two women shared away from their more public collaborative work on issues including voter engagement and gender equality.
Markle has not yet publicly addressed her family’s broader transition back to the United Kingdom beyond the tribute to Steinem, leaving open questions about how and when she might more directly discuss the family’s relocation, their settling-in process, and their approach to navigating British public life following years spent primarily in California since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. For now, her first public post since returning has centered entirely on honoring the memory of a woman she has described as both a trusted mentor and one of her closest personal friends.
Business
Former Tata Technologies CEO McGoldrick sells shares worth Rs 165 crore
McGoldrick offloaded 21 lakh shares in four tranches on Friday, representing a 0.51 per cent stake in the Pune-based global product engineering and digital services firm.
The shares were sold at an average price of Rs 785 apiece, taking the aggregate value of the transaction to Rs 164.85 crore.
Following the sale, McGoldrick’s shareholding in Tata Technologies declined to 0.62 per cent from 1.13 per cent.
McGoldrick retired as CEO and MD of Tata Technologies in September 2014 after serving 20 years with the company.
According to Patrick McGoldrick’s LinkedIn profile, he is currently an Executive Director at RNT Associates International Pte Ltd, a Ratan Tata company that provides advisory services and invests in companies with breakthrough technologies and business models.
McGoldrick, who propelled the Tata Group to establish the engineering services company, was succeeded by Warren Harris in November 2017.The shares were acquired by ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund (MF), Kotak Mahindra MF, 360 One Asset Management, and Carnelian Asset Management & Advisors, with the buyers collectively picking up an equal number of shares at the same price.
Shares of Tata Technologies settled 0.59 per cent lower on Friday at Rs 799.85 apiece on the BSE.
The transaction comes months after Tata Technologies reported an 8 per cent rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 204.17 crore for the March quarter, compared with Rs 188.87 crore in the year-ago period.
Its consolidated revenue from operations rose to Rs 1,572.22 crore during the fourth quarter from Rs 1,285.65 crore a year earlier, according to a regulatory filing.
For FY26, the company’s consolidated net profit was at Rs 546.59 crore as compared to Rs 676.95 crore in FY25.
Its consolidated revenue from operations in FY26 stood at Rs 5,505.57 crore as against Rs 5,168.45 crore in FY25, the company said.
Tata Technologies, which made a blockbuster stock market debut in November 2023, making it Tata Group’s first public offering in nearly two decades, had listed at a massive premium and ended its maiden trading session with gains of nearly 163 per cent over its issue price.
Incorporated in 1994, the Tata Motors entity offers turnkey solutions to global original equipment manufacturers and their tier-I suppliers across the globe.
Business
Netflix: Advertising Alone Won’t Justify A Higher Multiple (NASDAQ:NFLX)
I am an experienced Risk Management Business Analyst at a Systemic Greek Bank, with a strong background in finance and risk analysis. I hold an MSc in Applied Risk Management from the University of Athens and have completed the ACA Certificate Level. My expertise lies in financial analysis, risk management, data analysis using SQL, Python, and machine learning tools. I have worked in diverse roles, from assurance to financial analysis and trade operations, across leading firms like EY, PwC, Alpha Bank, and the National Bank of Greece. My primary areas of interest include risk management, financial analysis, data science, and the impact of economic factors on the financial markets. I aim to write on topics related to risk assessment, financial modeling, and stock analysis. With my solid technical background, I approach investing with a focus on data-driven analysis and long-term value creation. My motivation for writing on Seeking Alpha stems from my passion for translating complex financial data into actionable insights for investors. I aim to provide informed analysis on market trends, risk management practices, and investment strategies to support informed decision-making.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in NFLX over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Business
Broadcom: The $350 Billion AI Signal Has A $29 Billion Footnote
Broadcom: The $350 Billion AI Signal Has A $29 Billion Footnote
Business
Nebius: Too Much Worry Is Not Good For Bulls' Wealth
Nebius: Too Much Worry Is Not Good For Bulls' Wealth
Business
Vistance Networks director L. William Krause sells $149,555 shares

Vistance Networks director L. William Krause sells $149,555 shares
Business
FII money trail: Where did overseas investors put money in second half of August after $3 billion inflow?
Overseas investors remained net buyers across sectors in the second half of August, marking a second consecutive fortnight of inflows. Ten sectors recorded FPI inflows between August 16 and August 31, according to data from the National Securities Depository (NSDL).
Consumer Services: Foreign buying stays strong
Consumer Services attracted the highest inflows during the fortnight, with Rs 5,019 crore flowing into the sector. This took the sector’s total inflows for August to Rs 8,417 crore. The buying follows a strong July, when the sector recorded inflows of Rs 10,191 crore. Cumulative inflows over the last three months have now reached Rs 19,787 crore.
SBI Securities attributed the sustained interest to changing consumer spending patterns. “Higher disposable income is driving a major shift toward aspirational spending, boosting high-end fashion, luxury cosmetics, and premium organized retail,” the brokerage said in a report.
It added that consumer preference has shifted strongly toward leisure travel, upscale dining and hospitality, helping sustain sector growth despite broader economic cycles.
Financial Services: FIIs rebuild exposure
Financial Services followed closely, attracting over Rs 4,000 crore from FIIs during the fortnight. In the rolling two-month period from June to August, the sector received total inflows of Rs 16,570 crore.
SBI Securities said the return of foreign buying suggests that selling pressure on the sector has eased, with investors gradually rebuilding their exposure. The brokerage noted that Financial Services had recorded Rs 12,303 crore of outflows between March and May.The Financials index has been consolidating within the 25,671–27,127 range for the past two and a half months. A decisive breakout on either side of this range could provide the next directional cue for the index.
September has historically been a strong month for Financial Services, with the index ending higher in 12 of the last 20 years and delivering an average gain of 3.03%. Kotak Bank is the stock exhibiting a positive price action structure, says SBI Securities.
Healthcare: Inflows remain firm
Healthcare attracted Rs 3,021 crore during the second half of August. Over the rolling two-month period, the sector received Rs 12,076 crore of inflows. According to SBI Securities, stocks exhibiting a positive price action structure include Divis Lab, Glenmark, Ipca Lab, Laurus Lab, PPL Pharma and Zydus Life.
Telecom: FPI selling continues
Telecom remained under pressure, with FPIs pulling out Rs 4,983 crore from the sector in August 2026. The selling trend has persisted since January, with FPIs offloading Rs 29,513 crore from the sector so far this year.
The sector continues to face pressure from the heavy investments required for pan-India 5G infrastructure and spectrum renewals, which are weighing on near-term free cash flows. At the same time, actual 5G revenue generation through ARPU growth is scaling much slower than projected.
Unresolved legacy issues, particularly ongoing disputes over Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues and statutory payout timelines, also remain an overhang because of the potential for sudden legal and financial liabilities for telecom operators.
Telecom’s domestic-revenue-heavy business model also leaves the sector exposed to dollar-denominated import costs, including equipment, putting pressure on net profit margins compared with export-driven sectors such as IT and Pharma.
Stocks exhibiting a weak price action structure include Bharti Airtel, Bharti Hexacom, ITI, Indus Tower, Railtel and Route Mobile.
Power: FPI interest remains weak
Power continued to see consistent FPI outflows, with investors pulling out Rs 2,641 crore from the sector in August 2026. This follows significant outflows of Rs 9,956 crore over the previous three months.
State Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) are facing intense cash flow constraints and rising debt. Failure in tariff realisation and delays in subsidy payouts are directly limiting the capital expenditure needed for essential grid maintenance and modernisation.
The sector is also facing higher costs, with high import duties and global supply chain disruptions increasing the cost of critical components such as solar modules, wind turbines and high-voltage transmission lines.
Unpredictable weather shifts, including prolonged dry spells and irregular monsoons, have added another layer of volatility. These conditions have created spikes in peak power demand while simultaneously disrupting hydro and wind generation, forcing utilities to purchase high-priced emergency power from the short-term spot market.
Stocks exhibiting a weak price action structure include Adani Ensol, CESC, KPI Green, NTPC Green, NTPC, PTC India, Powergrid, Tata Power and Torrent Power.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Business
Valero Energy: Diesel Scarcity Lifted Q2, But The Rally Leaves Little Room For Error
Valero Energy: Diesel Scarcity Lifted Q2, But The Rally Leaves Little Room For Error
-
Crypto World21 hours agoBitcoin price stalls near $82K as key resistance holds
-
Politics21 hours agoBest Gaming Laptops, CPUs, TVs, And Keyboards To Upgrade Your Set Up For GTA VI
-
Tech22 hours agoThe Birds Outside, Drawn For You Automatically
-
Crypto World1 day agoIMF Says El Salvador’s Post-Review Bitcoin Purchases Used No Public Funds
-
Crypto World21 hours agoU.S. added stronger than expected 162,000 jobs in August as labor market bounced back
-
Sports1 day agoAlexandre Pato consortium’s Northampton Town investment approved
-
Sports20 hours agoGolden Eaglets Drawn in Group B for 2026 WAFU B U17 Championship
-
Sports1 day agoCommanders’ Chig Okonkwo is a top breakout fantasy football candidate
-
Crypto World20 hours agoXRP price breaks falling channel as bulls target $1.53
-
Politics1 day agoA new European chapter for Gibraltar
-
Politics23 hours agoThe House | Bin the lectures, bring gossip and be ready to banter: how the new PM should prepare for his Trump encounter
-
Politics20 hours agoHow To Avoid Winter Colds: 4 Everyday Habits That Spread Germs, Says Pharmacist
-
Crypto World20 hours agoFrom warning to listing: UK’s largest retail investment platform opens access to crypto ETNs
-
Tech22 hours agoA Worthy Android Ereader, With Some Tradeoffs
-
Crypto World21 hours agoFinCEN flags $12.7B tied to Southeast Asia crypto investment scams
-
Crypto World20 hours agoTrezor Data Breach Impacts 67,000 More US Customers
-
Politics1 day ago33 Cosy Autumn Home Decor Ideas: Blankets, Pumpkin Decorations, And Candles
-
Sports1 day agoSeven wickets in 21 balls: Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu scripts history with record-breaking spell
-
Tech21 hours agoHow To Edit Claude’s Memory
-
Tech20 hours agobeyerdynamic AVENTHO Y Debuts at IFA 2026 and Makes Wireless Headphones Less Disposable

You must be logged in to post a comment Login