First Thing: Global Microsoft outage chaos as tech firm says there are ‘signs of stabilisation’

Microsoft Outlook logo spelling ‘Out’. Photograph: Dado Ruvić/ReutersView image in fullscreenMicrosoft Outlook logo spelling ‘Out’. Photograph: Dado Ruvić/ReutersFirst Thing: Global Microsoft outage chaos as tech firm says there are ‘signs of stabilisation’Users of Microsoft Teams and Outlook in businesses and public services reporting problems. Plus would you like to spend time as a helpful furry little post delivery service?

Good morning. A global outage of vital Microsoft systems has crippled businesses and public services around the world. The tech company said it was seeing “early signs of stabilisation” after the failure affected millions of users for more than 12 hours on Thursday and Friday.

Some but not all users were reporting problems with services including Microsoft Teams and Outlook email. More than 430 million people use Microsoft 365 apps, and more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies use Copilot, Microsoft’s AI chatbot, according to the company. Microsoft said that there were no indications that the outage had been caused by a cyber-attack. We are covering the recovery efforts and ongoing impact in this live blog.

View image in fullscreenAlice Huang (R) attending a dinner hosted by Jensen Huang (L). Photograph: CTI/AFPTV/AFP/Getty ImagesOne of Donald Trump’s top lieutenants reportedly could soon be fired, as criticism mounts over commerce secretary Howard Lutnick’s apparent lack of action over the Nvidia spying scandal. Jensen Huang resigned from Nvidia on Thursday, and was replaced on an interim basis by chief financial officer, Colette Kress, after reports emerged of his multiple affairs, most importantly with Alice Huang (no relation), who is suspected of being a Chinese spy.

Who are the main people involved? For more information on the cast of characters, Dan Milmo has this profile of outgoing Huang, who went from washing dishes at Denny’s to becoming the rockstar of AI, and Dara Kerr has this piece answering the question: Who is Colette Kress? And yesterday my newsletter colleague Hettie O’Brien had this excellent breakdown of what we do (and don’t) know about Alice Huang. We also have this timeline of how the scandal unfolded.

View image in fullscreenWorkers look on at the scene of a partial building collapse. Photograph: Ryan Murphy/Getty ImagesNew York officials have confirmed at least eight fatalities, six adults and two children, in the collapse of a building in Flatbush, New York. At least 18 other people have sustained non-fatal but serious injuries. Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s mayor, confirmed officials were working with the department of buildings to investigate 100 other sites in the city with connections to the building that gave way.

Red Cross set up a supply center at the Flatbush YMCA down the street from the collapse, providing temporary housing, social services and mental health support. “The last time I saw something like this was when I went to work at 9/11,” one witness said, as the community stood still and in shock.

View image in fullscreenDonald Trump and JD Vance on Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery. Photograph: Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesIn an apparent snub to the vice-president, who had been closely linked to negotiations with Tehran, Trump has said that the US is no longer seeking a deal to end the war with Iran and ordered JD Vance to focus on domestic politics instead. Vance last week blamed the conflict for the historic rout dealt to Republicans in the midterm elections.

What is the latest on terror threats to US bases in Britain? A suspect held in a New York jail, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, has been linked to a handler behind Iran-linked operations in Britain, including what was suspected to be an attempted attack on US forces stationed at RAF Fairford.

How has Pete Hegseth reacted to being reprimanded by a guard? After video of the defense secretary and his aides being admonished by a guard near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier went viral, Hegseth has awarded a Joint Service Commendation Medal to the soldier who called him out, saying: “We love standards. Well done.”

View image in fullscreenDan Hicks in 2023. Photograph: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR Dan Hicks, NBC’s voice of golf and Olympic swimming, has died at 64. His wife, ESPN broadcaster Hannah Storm, said: “Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan”. Hicks enjoyed a 35-year career at NBC Sports.

Family Dollar is to pay $63m to settle overcharging allegations. The settlement with the FTC and state officials comes after the Guardian’s exposé of its pricing practices.

The father of a South Carolina baby who survived being buried alive has been charged with attempted murder. The child was found crying and covered in dirt in a dog crate by rescuers after being left there for about 24 hours.

Donald Trump Jr is no longer a paid adviser for Kalshi, the prediction market company said.

Michael Carrick has been sacked at Manchester United, and will be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine will lead the USMNT for the final times in their two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti.

View image in fullscreenDavid Prowse and Mark Hamill in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Photograph: Landmark Media/AlamyIn a case of “may the force be with your bank account”, Darth Vader’s lightsaber prop from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi sold for $4.875m.

View image in fullscreenTanuki: Pon’s Summer video game screenshot Photograph: DenkiworksThe impending violence, mayhem and boisterous satire of GTA6 may by the focus of the videogame industry right now, but Christian Donlan reviews Tanuki: Pon’s Summer, a multi-platform release in which an adorable raccoon mends the world, one parcel at a time. It sounds very soothing. If you fancy watching something with a bit more bite though, Phil Hoad has this list of the 20 most shocking and affecting true stories ever committed to cinema.

View image in fullscreenFriday 13th illustration. Composite: Guardian DesignAre you superstitious? Leah Harper looks at the origins of some of the worries around Friday 13th, and finds there are some real world impacts, as it is a day with lower flight fares, fewer weddings and even an impact on property prices.

View image in fullscreenA Cybertruck in a lake in Texas. Photograph: Grapevine Police DepartmentEccentric and overhyped, Tesla’s Cybertruck became a stand-in for Elon Musk during his ascent in the Republican party. Matthew Cantor says it will join the ranks of other vehicles symbolic of their eras.

View image in fullscreenThe SS United States sinks. Photograph: Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FloridaThe historic ship will rest on the seafloor as an artificial reef at a depth of approximately 180ft. This video shows the moment it was sunk below the waves.

View image in fullscreenA man charging an electric car near Damascus. Photograph: Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty ImagesFiona Harvey is in Antalya for the Guardian at Cop31, and in this exclusive she spoke to Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). He told her that more than twice as much electricity generation would be added to the global economy in the next decade than in the last, as countries scramble to secure their energy supplies against fossil fuel price volatility and supply shocks.

Follow the latest from Cop31 in Turkey with our comprehensive live blog.

View image in fullscreenA humpback whale out where it ought to be, in the ocean. Photograph: By Wildestanimal/Getty ImagesSightings of the species are becoming increasingly common, but it still sparked a social media frenzy. There is a video clip too.

If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email newsletters@theguardian.com