Hackers reset French blood bank freezers to 110C in overnight attack

The daily briefing

Thursday 5 November 2026

INTERNATIONAL

A technician spotted the rise in time, France says, as a wave of attacks on refrigeration systems spreads across Europe

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Top stories

INTERNATIONAL

NASA’s Swift telescope falls back to Earth over Indonesia after 22 years

The observatory re-entered the atmosphere over North Sumatra. NASA expected most of it to burn up, though some parts may have survived

INTERNATIONAL

US sanctions Indian couple’s ‘criminal network’ over fake ship flags for Iran

The Treasury says a Chandigarh-based operation posed as flag authorities for countries from Guyana to Laos, helping Iran’s shadow fleet carry oil

ECONOMY

Petrol cut by Rs7.06 a litre to Rs362, diesel down Rs3.71 to Rs387.81

It is the third cut in three days under the daily formula, taking almost Rs16 off petrol and just over Rs15 off diesel

ECONOMY

PIA to fly direct between Islamabad and Birmingham from December 1

Three flights a week on a Boeing 777, with tickets on sale now, as the airline aims for 23 weekly flights between Pakistan and Britain

NATIONAL

Pakistan to curb imports of camera smart glasses, ECC decides

The committee also wants workplace rules from the provinces. No start date or details yet, and Punjab already has its own 30-day ban in force

INTERNATIONAL

Ozone hole is seventh largest on record, but still healing, NASA says

An unusually strong polar vortex enlarged this year’s Antarctic hole, scientists say, but the layer is on track to recover by the 2070s

The argument

ANALYSIS

Why Congress changing hands won’t rewrite US-Pakistan ties

A Republican still walks the White House corridors and America’s shared interests with Pakistan have not moved. Any promise of relief for Imran Khan from a Democratic majorit…

EDITORIAL

Ten years on, Modi’s note ban has little to show for the pain

A decade after 86% of India’s cash was cancelled overnight, its own figures show cash, corruption and election money are all still there