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AWS Says Services Disrupted After Drone Strikes In Middle East

Strategic Challenges In A Conflict Zone

Amazon Web Services reported disruptions to services following drone strikes affecting infrastructure in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Matt Garman, CEO of AWS, said at the HumanX conference in San Francisco that teams are operating 24/7 to maintain service continuity in the region.

Impact On Infrastructure And Global Supply Chains

The strikes affected multiple AWS services, including infrastructure supporting generative AI workloads. These systems require high energy consumption, increasing exposure to supply and cost disruptions. Rising energy prices and broader market volatility linked to regional tensions have added pressure on operating costs.

Broader Economic Implications

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to higher helium prices, a key input in semiconductor production. The data show how supply constraints in one region can affect manufacturing and technology sectors globally.

Long-Term Investment Amid Uncertainty

Matt Garman, CEO of AWS, said the company continues to invest in the region despite current disruptions. He cited strong demand and ongoing expansion by cloud providers. Competition remains high among Google, Microsoft, and Oracle, which are increasing data center capacity to meet global demand.

Market Reaction And Future Outlook

Recent movements in commodity prices and ongoing geopolitical risks are affecting infrastructure costs and investment decisions across the cloud sector. Data center operators are adjusting strategies to manage energy consumption and supply chain exposure. AWS and other providers are focusing on energy efficiency and system resilience as they expand capacity in multiple regions. Industry participants are monitoring cost volatility and regional risks as part of long-term infrastructure planning.

Eurobank Approves €258.7M Dividend And €288M Share Buyback

Robust Dividend And Share Repurchase Initiatives

Eurobank S.A. shareholders approved a dividend distribution of €258.7 million at the annual general meeting held on April 28. The resolution was supported by approximately 77% of paid-up capital, representing more than 2.77 billion voting shares. The dividend will be paid from special reserves and remains subject to approval by the European Central Bank.

Strategic Share Buyback And Capital Optimization

In addition, shareholders approved a share buyback programme of up to €288 million over the next 12 months, pending regulatory clearance. The programme includes the cancellation of 28,097,019 own shares, which will reduce share capital by approximately €6.18 million. Following this adjustment, total share capital is set at €792,751,032.04, divided into around 3.6 billion ordinary voting shares with a nominal value of €0.22 each.

Enhanced Executive And Employee Incentives

Alongside capital measures, the meeting addressed remuneration. Shareholders approved an allocation of €35.2 million from special reserves for employee compensation. A five-year programme was also introduced to distribute shares to eligible executives and employees of Eurobank and affiliated entities. In parallel, a revised variable remuneration framework allows selected senior executives to receive up to 200% of fixed pay.

Governance And Audit Oversight Reforms

Changes were also made at the board level. Alexandra Reich was appointed as an independent non-executive director, replacing Jawaid Mirza. Following this appointment, eight of the thirteen board members are classified as independent. Amendments to the articles of association introduce flexibility in board terms and allow partial renewals.

Strengthening Audit And Sustainability Commitments

On the audit side, KPMG Certified Auditors S.A. was appointed as the statutory auditor for 2026. The fee is set at €1.8 million for statutory audits of separate and consolidated financial statements, with an additional €0.3 million allocated for assurance of the sustainability statement. The meeting also approved the 2025 remuneration report and confirmed committee fee arrangements, alongside updates on audit committee activity and independent director reporting.

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