Supermarket fridge hacks hit Belgium’s Delhaize, with Russia the main suspect
Two major cyberattacks on European supermarkets in a matter of weeks have disabled refrigeration systems. Empty fridges were photographed at a Delhaize store in Boortmeerbeek, Belgium, on 2 November (Politico). Experts quoted by Politico say the attacks may belong to Russia’s hybrid warfare against Europe. Nobody has been formally identified as responsible.
The costs fall first on retailers, who lose stock. Insurers and cybersecurity vendors stand to gain, because food chains are now treated as critical infrastructure. Their refrigeration controls were not built to that standard, and upgrading them will move spending toward industrial-security suppliers.
Democrats win the US House, and the Senate looks likely
Democrats took the House in the 3 November midterms, and a Senate win is probable (Politico). Trump has reacted angrily, according to Politico. A Democratic House can block spending bills and open investigations. That raises the odds of budget standoffs and gives European governments a counterpart to lobby on tariffs and Ukraine funding. Expect companies exposed to US trade policy to hedge against delays.
Spain’s transport minister quits after the Urda crash killed 69
Óscar Puente resigned almost a week after two high-speed trains collided in Castilla-La Mancha, which killed 69 people (ZDF, Il Sole 24 Ore). He also gave up his place as Socialist list leader for Valladolid in the 29 November general election. This is Spain’s second rail disaster this year (ZDF). The campaign will now centre on rail maintenance and safety spending.
Non-obvious angle: Europe funds research that US start-ups monetise
The ifo economic institute’s president, Clemens Fuest, and more than 50 scientists argue in Science that publicly funded European research often feeds US start-up patents (ifo). They want grants steered toward work with a clear path to market. The gain would go to European firms. At present, the returns go to American investors.
Catch the next Gist for the continent’s moving pieces.
