French Supermarket Freezers Turned Into 50°C Ovens By Hackers, Millions In Food Losses Feared

Kimberly Guilfoyle Resigns As US Ambassador To Greece Amid Allegations

Deutsche Welle — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 23:54:39 +0530

Edited by: Wesley Dockery

Kimberly Guilfoyle has stepped down as US ambassador to Greece.

White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia earlier told reporters that Guilfoyle had been asked to resign, calling her "an incredible asset to the team."

Zacharia, continued by adding, "we wish her well," though did not say whether she had already stepped down.

Guilfoyle's position became untenable after the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on her supposed threats against Greece and her acceptance of improper gifts. Most recently, WSJ published an article with screenshots of text messages documenting her attempts to receive cash from a Republican donor in exchange for influence in the Trump administration.

Trump before firing: 'We're not happy'

The past week has seen much speculation as to whether Guilfolyle would have to go, with the Associated Press (AP) revealing that President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were "extremely pissed off" over the former Fox News host's conduct.

On Monday, Trump said "we're looking at it" when asked if Guilfoyle could be fired, adding, "we're not happy."

Rubio initially defended Guilfoyle and continued to do so in Greece last week, saying, "Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here."

Ultimately, however, he lashed out at journalists for asking about the allegations against Guilfoyle, accusing them of seeing their own reporting as "gospel" and insisting that he would not comment until he knew the whole story.

There have been mixed reports suggesting that the State Department's investigator general might look into the matter, though this has not yet been confirmed.

Top Democrats in the House of Representatives and the Senate have called for investigations.

Guilfoyle calls posting 'honor of a lifetime,' vows to 'defend reputation'

After news broke of Guilfoyle's fall from grace within the White House, she released a lengthy post on X, lauding her own performance and calling her posting to Athens "the honor of a lifetime" as well as thanking Trump and Rubio for putting their trust in her.

Guilfoyle also said she wanted to, "address the recent allegations against me," writing: "These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity. I have dedicated my professional life to fighting for justice, standing up for what is right, and defending the values that make America exceptional. I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service."

Her most vocal accuser, Eric Deters, has vowed to sue Guilfoyle and her attorneys for defamation over her denials of wrongdoing in dealings with him.

What exactly is Guilfoyle accused of?

Guilfoyle, a TV personality who was formerly married to California Governor Gavin Newsom and later engaged to Trump's eldest son Don Jr., has been accused of numerous improprieties during her tenure in Greece.

Greece is an important NATO ally for the US, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean and in terms of Red Sea shipping security.

Among other things, she is said to have bragged about luxury travel and the perks of chumming with energy company executives before threatening that the US could easily undermine Greek democracy if it did not get what it wanted from the host country.

She also appeared to favor shady deals with individual Greek construction and energy company execs, going so far as to bring their lobbyists to top-level diplomatic meetings.

Guilfoyle was further reported to have alienated embassy staffers with her behavior and reportedly exploded after not being invited to a Greek-themed event at this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, demanding she be allowed to attend.

The straw that broke the camel's back, however, was a media offensive started by GOP donor Eric Deters, who grew weary of Guilfoyle's insistence that he pay off her credit card in exchange for influence that she had been unable to deliver.

Deters began doing media interviews with any outlet that would listen after the WSJ story broke, publishing embarrassing text chains in which Guilfoyle implored him to transfer $100,000 (€89, 400) to her American Express account, writing, "Honey please, I need you to get this done for me today."

Deters, who said he had already paid her $300,000 and gotten nothing in return, told numerous US media outlets the deal was "absolutely a quid pro quo" and that he had warned Guilfoyle that he would go public about their dealings if she could not rectify the situation.

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(Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.)

Saudi-Led Coalition Launches Airstrikes Near Yemen’s Capital Sanaa: Reports

Sneha — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:39:47 +0530

Houthi-linked media outlet Al-Masirah reported on Tuesday that the Saudi-led coalition had carried out airstrikes targeting oil facilities west of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.

The report came shortly after a warning from the coalition’s spokesperson urging residents to evacuate the area for their safety. Witnesses in Sanaa said they heard explosions in the city.

The developments mark a fresh escalation in the widening Middle East crisis, with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition threatening new strikes against each other.

Saudi-Led Coalition Warns Residents To Evacuate

In a rare statement, the Saudi-led coalition called on civilians in Houthi-controlled Sanaa to evacuate the site of the Yemeni Oil Company and nearby storage facilities ahead of a possible strike.

The area identified for evacuation, al-Subaha in western Sanaa, lies on a hill overlooking the capital. While it is not a populated area, a nearby fuel station is used by the public.

Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree warned on Telegram that any Saudi attack on Sanaa would be met with a “firm and painful” response in Riyadh.

Earlier on Tuesday, Houthi-controlled media reported that the rebels had renewed their warning against the use of Saudi airspace. Several airlines have suspended services to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks on airports.

Houthis Threaten Saudi Arabia After Deadly Attacks

The exchange of threats comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to determine how its air defences failed to intercept a barrage of missiles and drones launched by the Houthis. The attacks included a strike on Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday that killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 300, according to the supplied report.

The latest phase of the conflict began last month after the Houthis seized key areas along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway at the southern end of the Red Sea that carries Gulf oil and other goods.

The Saudi-led coalition, which backs forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, has been trying to retake the areas.

In a statement carried by the Houthi-controlled SABA news agency, the Houthi-run foreign ministry referred to Saudi Arabia as the “Kingdom of the Horn of Satan” and said the kingdom must recognise that security, stability and sovereignty must be shared, warning that otherwise no one would enjoy them.

Egypt Calls For Halt To Houthi Attacks

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Tuesday called on the Houthis to immediately halt attacks on Saudi Arabia.

“There is no justification for these attacks, and they cannot be accepted,” Abdelatty told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a phone call, according to an Egyptian readout.

Abdelatty also called for diplomacy and a political solution to the conflict between Iran and the United States to be prioritised to prevent further escalation and instability in the region.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted three drones north of Riyadh earlier on Tuesday. The Associated Press said it could not independently verify the claim.

Saudi Arabia Seeks Greater US Support

Saudi Arabia has been pushing for the US military to provide more direct support in its campaign against the Houthis.

Washington has provided intelligence sharing, target identification and planning assistance for the Saudi-led offensive but has so far refrained from carrying out strikes against the rebels.

A direct US intervention could prompt the Houthis to target shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, potentially disrupting oil flows from the Persian Gulf.

US President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington on Monday that the Houthis were “misbehaving very badly”, but did not say whether Washington would respond to the rebels’ actions.

Muhammad Yunus Heckled By Awami League Supporters In New York, Bangladesh Warns Of Legal Action

PTI — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:23:07 +0530

Dhaka: An adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday warned of “legal action” after former interim government chief Muhammad Yunus was heckled by purported supporters of the disbanded Awami League at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport.

“It will not go unchallenged,” Zahed Ur Rahman told a media briefing, hours after Yunus faced the hecklers shouting aggressive slogans, which went viral on social media.

The Bangladesh PM’s information and broadcasting adviser said the government viewed the incidents as “Awami League terror” and “definitely legal proceedings will be initiated against those committing this offence”.

“I want to tell the Awami League members living in different countries that if they attempt such actions, they will not go unchallenged. There is no question of that,” Zahed said, referring to the case of actress and activist Ajmeria Haque Badhon who was harassed in Italy.

A key aide in the past interim regime, Lamiya Morshed, was seen walking alongside Yunus carrying his luggage, while another man was driving him in a wheelchair as he was coming out of the airport.

The protestors emerged at the scene and shouted, "You are a terrorist, murderer!" "Why you come here?", and "You killed thousands of police officers in my country”, when Yunus looked bewildered and remained silent.

The situation prompted the escort to hurriedly turn the wheelchair around inside the terminal to protect him from the verbal abuse.

According to media reports, Yunus went to US on a private visit a month after he cancelled on “health grounds” his scheduled attendance at a key World Health Organisation (WHO) conference in Berlin amid heavy pushback and petitions from several Europe-based organisations and expatriate Awami League supporters.

Yunus and his former interim government are also facing intense public, legal, and political castigation in handling Bangladesh’s catastrophic measles outbreak, which has officially claimed 1,170 children’s lives so far.

UNICEF said in May this year that it had warned the interim government at least “10 times” about the impending outbreak following procedural delays in vaccine procurement.

The worsening measles epidemic followed the interim government’s decision to halt vaccine procurement through UNICEF and switch to an open tender system. However, the vaccine supplies ran out as bureaucratic entanglement in adopting the new system eventually caused the crisis.

After Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government was toppled, an interim administration led by Yunus assumed office on August 8, 2024, and governed Bangladesh for the next one and a half years.

In 2025, Hasina was tried in absentia by a special tribunal and sentenced to death.

The interim government also disbanded her Awami League party and sought her extradition from India.

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

Houthis And Saudis Show No Sign Of Ending Fighting As Attacks Threaten Oil Exports

Deutsche Welle — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 18:47:48 +0530

Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez

Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Tuesday said that Saudi Arabia had carried out overnight airstrikes targeting border regions in Yemen.

Rebel-run satellite television said two strikes had hit the Red Sea island of Kamaran and a third targeted Qanawis, north of Hodeida port.

Further strikes were reported in Jawf and rebels said their forces had downed a Saudi drone over Saada, a Houthi stronghold.

The strikes came just hours after air-raid sirens blared and loud explosions were heard in the Saudi capital Riyadh, which has come under intense fire for the past several days as fighting between the two belligerents intensifies.

The Houthis have clashed with Saudi Arabia since the kingdom stepped into Yemen's civil war to lead a military coalition against the Iran-backed fighters in 2015.

The rebels have pounded Saudi Arabia in recent days, repeatedly attacking the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. On Saturday, one of those attacks killed 13 people in what was the deadliest in the country in over a decade.

On Tuesday, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for an immediate end to Houthi attacks on the kingdom, telling Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that there is "no justification for these attacks and they cannot be accepted."

Houthi attacks' economic impact on Saudi Arabia

Beyond reigniting fighting tied to Yemen's civil war, increased Houthi activity has come as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran, launched on February 28.

A regional proxy, the Houthis have helped Iran further destabilize the region by striking largely at the oil and transport infrastructure that brings oil and gas from US allies in the gulf to market.

Saudi Arabia is the world's top oil exporter and Houthi attacks have not only raised security issues, they have greatly hampered the kingdom's ability to get its product to market.

In its latest annual World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates Saudi GDP will contract by 3.3% on the year as a result, with Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz compounded by Houthi maneuvering in the Red Sea and attacks on Saudi oil refineries and tankers.

Saudi Arabia quickly diverted oil exports away from Hormuz as Iran's blockade dragged on, making use instead, of its overland pipelines and Red Sea access. Houthi attacks, however, have also dramatically impacted these.

Saudi Arabia stops issuing air raids

The devastation of the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have prompted the kingdom to seek help from Washington and US President Donald Trump.

Although he previously ignored Saudi requests for assistance, on Saturday Trump mused about joining the fight against the rebels.

News of this consideration drew a quick response from the Houthis, with a representative saying US interests in the region would be targeted should DC enter the fray.

Despite at least 18 people being killed and more than 300 injured in recent days, Saudi Arabia has stopped issuing air raid alerts in the kingdom.

The government has not spoken of the policy change but observers suggest it may be an effort to avoid stirring public panic as the country's security vulnerabilities come into focus.

Still, analysts warn that the change could have the opposite effect by amplifying uncertainty over the current situation.

Last week, prior to a string of airport attacks, government officials said the alerts had been halted due to citizens' complaints about being woken by them.

Further, Saudi government officials on Monday reminded residents of regulations issued in March that forbid sharing any images related to Houthi air attacks, including missile interceptions or impact craters.

Former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney told Reuters news agency that Riyadh — which initiated public warnings in May before halting them on September 29 — was trying to balance public messaging with efforts to prevent disruption in the kingdom but that in his opinion leaders had ended up adding to a sense of unease about Houthi airstrikes.

Flydubai Mid-Air Attack: Two Maldivian Pilots Detained In UAE As Probe Widens

Sagarika Chakraborty — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 18:28:35 +0530

Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai have been arrested by UAE police in connection with the alleged attempt by an Omani co-pilot to hijack and crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, in which Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was injured while resisting the suspected attack, according to media reports.

The two pilots were taken into custody on October 3, three days after the September 30 incident involving flydubai co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami. Their families have been formally informed of their detention by the Maldivian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, Maldivian news portal Adhadhu reported, according to PTI.

The identities of the detained pilots have not been made public. UAE authorities have not officially confirmed the arrests or released details of the allegations against them. Maldivian authorities have also declined to comment on the matter, Adhadhu reported.

Detained Pilots Suspected Of Links To Accused Co-Pilot

The arrests come as investigators widen their probe into the alleged attack and examine whether al-Hammami had links with other individuals.

According to Male-based newspaper Mihaaru, the two Maldivian pilots are believed to have interacted with al-Hammami at their workplace and lived in the same building as him. However, authorities have not officially disclosed the nature of their alleged links to the incident or the evidence against them.

The two pilots are reportedly among six Maldivian nationals employed as pilots by flydubai and are believed to be the airline's most recent recruits from the Maldives, news portal edition.mv reported.

What Happened On Flydubai Flight FZ1073?

The incident took place on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers and crew members on board.

According to reports, al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national, allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe in an attempt to take control of the aircraft and carry out a terrorist attack.

Machchhar was seriously injured but resisted the assault and unlocked the cockpit door. This enabled other crew members and passengers to enter, overpower the co-pilot and help stabilise the aircraft.

The plane subsequently made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.

UAE Probes Recruitment And Alleged Extremist Links

The UAE has described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack and identified al-Hammami as the accused co-pilot.

UAE authorities have said he was suspected of supporting extremist ideologies and that Omani authorities had previously barred him from obtaining a pilot's licence.

Investigators are examining how al-Hammami was recruited by flydubai despite the reported restriction, as well as the motive behind the alleged plot.

The UAE Attorney General has said a comprehensive investigation is being conducted in coordination with regional security agencies to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine whether the accused had links with other individuals or groups.

ALSO READ: ‘That Is A Surprise’: Rahul Gandhi Keeps Opposition’s Next Course Of Action Under Wraps After High-Tea Meeting

NIA Registers Case Under Anti-Hijacking Act, UAPA

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case last week to investigate the wider conspiracy behind the mid-air attack on Machchhar.

The case was registered under the Anti-Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier said Machchhar was responding well to treatment after undergoing an operation at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.

The Indian Embassy in the UAE is in regular contact with Machchhar's family, doctors, hospital officials and local authorities to monitor his condition.

ALSO READ: Riyadh Airport Attack: Indian Embassy Issues Advisory, Urges Umrah Pilgrims To Contact Airlines

Air India Cancels Flights To Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah Until October 17 Amid Saudi Arabia Tensions

Bharathi SP — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:02:23 +0530

Air India has cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia until October 17, 2026, citing the evolving situation in the region. In a statement posted on X, the airline said it was closely monitoring developments and assessing the situation before resuming operations. The decision affects services connecting India with the three Saudi Arabian cities.

The airline also announced that passengers affected by the cancellations would be offered a full refund. It reiterated that the safety and security of passengers and crew remained its highest priority.

Air India Monitors Regional Situation

Announcing the cancellations, Air India's official newsroom account on X said all flights operating to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah would remain suspended until October 17.

The airline said it was monitoring developments in the region and assessing the situation to determine when services could safely resume. The announcement comes amid an evolving regional situation that has prompted the airline to review its operations.

In view of the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, all Air India flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah stand cancelled until 17 October 2026. We are closely monitoring and assessing the developments in the region to resume safe operations. Affected guests are being offered a full refund on cancellation. At Air India, the safety and security of our passengers and crew remain the highest priority. #TravelAdvisory
— Air India Newsroom (@AirIndia_News) October 13, 2026

Full Refunds For Affected Passengers

Air India said passengers affected by the cancellations would be offered a full refund on cancellation. The airline has not specified in the statement whether additional rebooking options or other assistance would be available to affected travellers.

ALSO READ: BJP Alleges 'Rahul Gandhi Shoved Pregnant Journalist' At SIR Protest, Leading To Her Hospitalisation

Passengers scheduled to travel to or from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah during the suspension period should contact the airline for information about their bookings and refunds.

Pope Leo To Undergo Surgery To Remove Lung Nodule In Rome

Deutsche Welle — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 14:15:57 +0530

Reported by: Elizabeth Schumacher with AP, AFP | Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez

Pope Leo XIV is to undergo surgery on Tuesday to remove a nodule from his lung, the Vatican has confirmed, and determine if it is cancerous.

He is being seen at Rome's prestigious Gemelli hospital, which has been the main site of treatment for popes for decades.

Shift in transparency

Leo, 71, disclosed the issue to thousands of worshippers at a prayer service on Sunday, making a marked shift in the level of transparency about his health compared to his predecessors.

In the past, the Vatican has often been accused of making confusing or extremely vague statements about popes' health, if revealing at information at all.

The pontiff will be put under general anesthesia and require a weeklong hospital stay. All of his engagements have been cancelled through October 20. He is still likely to take a planned trip to South America in November.

According to oncologists, this type of surgery is usually necessary to determine if a lump is malignant. However, if it is, Leo has an excellent prognosis since it was caught so early.

UK Accuses Iran Of Plotting Attack Near US Airbase, Summons Ambassador And Imposes Sanctions

Deutsche Welle — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:56:46 +0530

Edited by: Wesley Rahn

The British government has accused Iran of involvement in a security alert outside a UK/US airbase in southern England last month, summoning the ambassador and announcing sanctions against two individuals.

Five British nationals were arrested in the vicinity of the RAF Fairford airbase on September 27 on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses. They were later released on bail under strict conditions, and another arrest followed days later.

Police had already said they were considering the possibility of a foreign state actor's involvement, not least given RAF Fairford's importance to the US Air Force as one of the European bases that handles heavy bombers like B-1's and B-52's, with ample range to reach Iran.

What did Prime Minister Andy Burnham tell parliament?

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told lawmakers in the House of Commons on Monday that the UK might yet put further sanctions on Iran in response.

He said there were indications of Iran coordinating the potential plot.

"I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC)," he said. "We will not tolerate these threats on our soil."

The degree of competence exhibited and the threat posed by the group of young British nationals from London is not entirely clear but seems potentially limited.

Preliminary reports suggest that despite a widespread security alert and bomb squad deployment, investigators ultimately did not find viable explosives in the vans. They did, however, find accelerants like petroleum.

"We will crack down on Iran's use of criminal networks, using our full range of powers to target them and their funding streams, and we will bring further sanctions to restrict the capacity of Iran and the IRGC to do us harm," Burnham said.

Foreign Secretary Miliband says Iranian ambassador summoned

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said on Monday that his department had summoned Iran's ambassador to "reiterate" the message that Britain "will not tolerate attacks on our soil."

Iran's state news agency IRNA reported Ambassador Ali Moussavi as "categorically rejecting the accusations" and calling on the British government "to present evidence supporting its allegations if it possesses any."

Miliband said that two individuals would be subject to an immediate asset freeze, travel ban and director disqualification.

He named Ruhollah Bazghandi, head of counterespionage operations in the IRGC and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, an alleged facilitator for the Zindashti criminal network.

Miliband said they were being sanctioned for "their role in facilitating or engaging in hostile activity on behalf of the Iranian regime, with the clear intent of threatening, planning or conducting attacks overseas."

Joint statement from 29 countries condemns 'Iran's use of violent attacks'

Shortly afterwards, a total of 29 countries issued a joint statement denouncing "in the strongest terms Iran's use of violent attacks."

It said these included "the acts of lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and other hybrid activities against us and our partners."

All of the so-called "Five Eyes" alliance and most European NATO members were listed among the signatories, including but not limited to the US, Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and Ireland.

In the aftermath of the September 27 incident at Fairford, the high-tech US B-1 bombers left the airbase. The older and larger contingent of B-52's remained there.

RAF Fairford is one of several airbases in southern England with a large US usage footprint. It's located around two hours' drive west of London, in a rural area north of Swindon.

As with most such bases, it can trace its roots back to the second World War when Nazi Germany occupied most of mainland Europe and Allied powers were operating air raids and preparing for the D-Day landings out of Britain.

Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

Saudi Alert: Houthis Claim Third Missile Attack In Three Days

ABP News Bureau — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 09:48:38 +0530

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have reportedly claimed another missile attack targeting Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, marking the third claimed attack in three days. According to the report, the King Khalid International Airport was targeted with a ballistic missile, with the Houthis claiming that their missile accurately struck its intended target. The group has also claimed an attack on Khamis Mushait Air Base using drones. Saudi Arabia, however, has said that the attempted attack on the air base was successfully intercepted. The latest claims follow another reported attack on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday. The report states that the earlier incident resulted in 13 deaths and more than 300 injuries. These casualty figures and the latest Houthi claims have not been independently verified in the provided account. Alongside their claims, the Houthis have reportedly issued warnings to international airlines and passengers about operating flights to Saudi Arabian airports, raising concerns about aviation safety and possible disruptions to regional air travel. The repeated claims of attacks have heightened tensions in the region, with Saudi Arabia maintaining that its defence systems have thwarted at least some of the reported threats.

French Supermarket Freezers Turned Into 50°C Ovens By Hackers, Millions In Food Losses Feared

Deepika Bhatt — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 09:22:11 +0530

A major cyberattack targeting supermarket refrigeration systems across France has caused temperatures in fridges and freezers to soar to 50°C, destroying stocks of perishable food and triggering fires at some stores. Several leading retail chains confirmed the incident on Monday, describing it as an unprecedented attack.

At least 300 Intermarche and Netto stores, along with more than 100 Cooperative U outlets, were affected, Aljazeera reported quoting retailers. Carrefour reported disruptions at 80 supermarkets, while Monoprix said around five per cent of its nearly 490 stores had been hit. E Leclerc also confirmed that several of its outlets were targeted.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said the large-scale cyberattack had compromised connected refrigeration systems at several major food retailers across the country. The incident resulted in substantial food wastage and fires at some locations.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has directed France’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) to investigate the attack, according to a source in his office cited by Reuters. French authorities are also coordinating with their European counterparts to determine whether the incident has affected other countries and assess potential risks to additional French businesses.

Hackers Allegedly Triggered Remote Defrosting

The attack reportedly involved hackers remotely activating the forced-defrost function in refrigeration systems at numerous supermarkets. According to French broadcaster BFM TV, this caused fresh and frozen food stocks to be destroyed.

Intermarche said stores affected by the incident would have to discard all fresh and frozen products. The financial impact could run into tens of millions of euros nationwide in a single day, Intermarche CEO Thierry Cotillard told BFM TV, although an industry-wide loss estimate was not immediately available.

Dominique Schelcher, chief executive of Cooperative U, said the disruption to refrigeration systems began on Sunday night. In a post on X, he described the targeting of equipment crucial to preserving fresh food and maintaining the country's food supply as serious, unprecedented and unacceptable.

He added that the company's teams were working to restore normal operations and that a thorough investigation was necessary to establish the full circumstances of the attack.

Outdated Software Under Scrutiny

The incident has raised concerns about the security of connected refrigeration systems, which are commonly managed through control panels that regulate fridges and freezers across entire supermarkets. Internet connectivity allows maintenance providers to monitor and adjust these systems remotely, but can also expose them to cyber risks.

According to the source close to Lecornu, ANSSI identified a vulnerability in software supplied by Danish company Danfoss.

Danfoss said it was aware of incidents in France involving a limited number of refrigeration management systems. The affected units were running outdated firmware, the company said, adding that it had long advised customers to install updates and replace older equipment.

The attack followed research published by cybersecurity firm Claroty on August 9, which highlighted vulnerabilities in Danfoss systems that could potentially allow attackers to bypass authentication.

France's retail federation, the FCD, has called on Danfoss to provide full transparency over the incident. It also said some affected supermarkets had resumed operations.

Felix Aime, a senior cyberthreat intelligence analyst at Sekoia Threat Detection and Research, told Reuters that Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany and Belgium had also been affected.

The incident bears similarities to disruptions reported in late August at around a dozen US military commissaries, where refrigeration problems resulted in food losses.