AM 1575 News — Francia24: Police denounce the French state, launch a tax on sweets and drinks – Cyberattack on supermarket refrigerators, “admin/admin” was the username and password of the control systems – Arielle Dombasle cannot vote in France – Weather | October 15, 2026
Welcome to am1575news, the news bulletin of France24 and Radio Centrale Milano for Thursday October 15, 2026 in podcasting, on the medium waves and on franceoggi.com. In the editorial office in Nice Marco Hugo Barsotti, from Paris Rachel Costa.
News from France
The police union Alliance denounces the State for endangering lives during high‑school protests
The police union Alliance filed, on Wednesday October 14, a complaint against the State for “endangering the life of others” following the high‑school demonstrations. The organisation, made up predominantly of peace officers and contract police, accuses the authorities of having provided “contradictory instructions”, leaving officers exposed to violence and without protection.
The union points out the discrepancy between the public statements of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and the verbal orders transmitted by the hierarchy, calling it “unbearable”. In a statement, the union interrogates the government asking who actually gave the orders, who transmitted them and who will take responsibility for the contradictions, fearing that a possible tragedy could affect their ranks.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, during parliamentary questioning in the Senate, confirmed that 937 police officers and gendarmes were injured in the context of the high‑school movement, with 40 injuries recorded on Tuesday alone.
Alliance demands a restructuring of the chain of command, the identification of the authors of the instructions deemed illegitimate and the attribution of responsibility at all levels of the State, warning that police officers will no longer be able to act as shields for political communication nor as “fuses” of an administration that refuses to take responsibility for its decisions.
The handling of the high‑school protests, which began in mid‑September, has been the subject of numerous criticisms; so far 36 investigations have been entrusted to the Inspection générale de la police (IGPN) for interventions during which young people were injured, sometimes seriously. Source: franceinfo, October 14, 2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Cyber‑attack on freezers: damage to over 300 stores
What happened
During the night of October 11‑12, a group of hackers took remote control of the refrigeration systems of hundreds of French supermarkets. By manipulating the automatic defrost function, they set continuous cycles at about fifty degrees Celsius, raising freezer temperatures from –18 °C to above zero. In some places the overheating caused ice to melt and even equipment fires. The stores had to completely discard fresh and frozen product stocks, with immediate effects on the food supply chain.
Who managed the remote system
Contrary to early rumors, no external cloud operator figure emerged. The common point is the refrigeration supervision system produced by the Danish group Danfoss, which counts more than fifty thousand installations in the large‑distribution sector. The devices involved are the AK‑SM 800 and AK‑SC 355 models, now obsolete and without security updates; the AK‑SC 355 was discontinued in 2016, while the AK‑SM 800A remains vulnerable. Danfoss confirmed that most of the affected units were outdated and no longer supported.
Admin/Admin
The management interfaces of these controllers were connected directly to the Internet to allow technicians and maintenance staff to monitor temperatures, alarms and settings without moving physically. Too many devices were left publicly accessible without the use of VPNs or firewalls, a practice labelled “against good practice” by the French CERT‑FR agency. Experts reported nearly three thousand controllers visible online.
The flaw, catalogued as CVE‑2025‑41450, has been known since 2025: it was enough to enter “admin” as username and the current date as password to obtain administrative access.
Danfoss had released a fix in August 2025, but it was not applied universally, and the older models can no longer be updated.
Editorial
We underline this point. We wrote in the title “admin admin”, as in username admin and password admin: it is a simplification, to make access harder they had chosen admin as username and today’s date as password. A thing that not even the most careless Gmail user does anymore. You might think this is click‑bait news: here is the full list of sources we consulted, a consultation anyone can do if they wish. No words:
franceinfo Next Futura-Sciences Journal de l’économie FrenchBreaches BleepingComputer The Hacker News
Economic damage
The attack affected more than three hundred Intermarché and Netto outlets, about a hundred Coopérative U stores, eighty Carrefour hypermarkets, thirty‑three Monoprix and several E.Leclerc branches. Individual losses range from fifty thousand to two hundred seventy thousand euros; two Intermarché stores in Haguenau recorded a total loss of two hundred seventy thousand euros, while a store in Wasselonne suffered about two hundred twenty thousand euros in damages. The overall estimate runs into tens of millions of euros, with the prospect of further costs for replacement and securing of the equipment.
Who could be behind it
As of October 15 no group had claimed the attack and so far no ransom demands or data thefts have emerged. Hypotheses range from opportunistic hackers or “kids messing around”, according to Pen Test Partners consultant Ken Munro, to state‑level operations hidden behind a hacktivist façade. Some analysts suspect involvement of pro‑Russian groups that in the past declared they had breached French store cameras, but for now these are only conjectures.
The investigations
The Paris public prosecutor has opened a criminal proceeding, handing it over to the anti‑cybercrime office OFAC. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu asked the national cybersecurity agency ANSSI to coordinate the response with European partners, and director Vincent Strubel ordered the immediate disconnection of all Danfoss controllers from the network. The same vulnerability was found in supermarkets in Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland and Spain. European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen stressed the importance of strengthening food safety at all levels, while Coopérative U head Dominique Schelcher called the attack “unprecedented” and “extremely serious” for the national supply chain.
Approval of the extension of the sugary‑drink tax to packaged sweet products
Last Wednesday the National Assembly approved, in the social affairs committee dedicated to the 2027 social‑security budget, the widening of the so‑called “soda tax” introduced in 2012. The government bill proposes extending the tax to pre‑packaged products richer in sugar, including viennoiseries, pastries, biscuits and industrial cakes, breakfast cereals, cereal bars, confectionery and chocolate products. The declared goal is to push industries to modify formulas to reduce the spread of chronic diet‑related diseases. The sector’s companies, alarmed in September, had warned of a cost increase for consumers.
Groups from the Rassemblement National, the Union of Democrats and Conservative deputies proposed amendments to eliminate the article, fearing price rises on shelves and an extra tax burden with no clear public‑health benefit; those proposals were rejected. Instead the amendment of MoDem deputy Cyrille Isaac‑Sibille, which widens the tax to all ultra‑processed products containing sugars, was accepted. An amendment by RN deputy Stéphanie Galzy, supported by LR rapporteur Thibault Bazin, excludes artisans and small food‑sector businesses from the measure.
In the evening, parliamentarians approved, against the rapporteur’s opinion, the mandatory Nutri‑Score label on all packaging and advertising of food products, except for those protected by a designation of origin or geographical indication. They also adopted, again contrary to the rapporteur, an ecological amendment that bans the sale and free offering of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1 2009, effective the following January 1.
These debates constitute a first “tour de chauffe”: deputies will later return to examine the original version of the text. Source: Franceinfo, October 13, 2026 Fact Check by Gemma4.
Editorial by Rachel – The sweet revolution that costs more than coffee
French deputies have decided to turn pastry shops into mini‑service stations, making you pay for your croissant as if it were gasoline. But do they really think that raising the price of a brioche can save the planet or, better yet, our health? It’s curious how the government found the quickest solution: taxing sweetness, as if diabetes were just a line item to balance in the budget. Meanwhile the biggest producers are shouting at the sky, fearing consumers can no longer afford a snack without monthly installments.
The right‑wing party, with its usual fiscal amnesia, tried to save citizens’ wallets, fearing a “price rise on shelves”. But who should worry more? Families running low on grain or the huge groups that make billions selling sugar? It almost seems public health is an optional checkbox, only ticked when it benefits the election campaign. Their “wisdom” was so brilliant that it excluded artisans, leaving small pâtisseries free to keep injecting sugar as if nothing were happening.
Then, to put the cherry on the cake, we have mandatory Nutri‑Score on every package, but with an exception for products with protected designation of origin. Is that really the perfect line of defence? Or just another way to label “healthy” on pricey cheeses while industrial chocolate stays on the counter with a smile from those who still believe an “A‑plus” guarantees wellbeing? Let’s not forget the ambitious proposal for a generation without tobacco, which feels more like a marketing move for politicians than a real solution.
In short, this “tour de chauffe” looks more like a contest of who can add the most clauses to a tax without understanding the real impact on daily life. This is not a serious health debate, but a game of who can anger the sweet lobby the most. And we, as exasperated observers, wonder: will they also turn off the lights of the cereal next time, to save energy and sugar at the same time?
Koan of the day
A monk asked the Master: “If a croissant becomes more expensive because of the tax, will the sweet lose its sweetness or will the wallet lose its contents?” The Master replied: “The sweetness remains in the taste, but the wallet feels more on a diet than life can allow.”
The monk persisted: “And if, instead, Nutri‑Score becomes mandatory on everything, can the label colour really change our decision to eat?” The Master smiled and said: “The label is only a costume; whoever wears it still chooses whether to dance to the rhythm of hunger or to the sound of the label.”
But let’s get back to the news.
France blocks Russian diplomatic visa requests to contain espionage risk
Since February 2022 Paris has been rejecting on average one‑third of diplomatic accreditation applications coming from Moscow, aiming to prevent Moscow from rebuilding a spying network on French territory. The control, carried out in total secrecy by the Direction générale de la sécurité intérieure (DGSI), analyses every candidate parameter: résumé, possible shadow zones, family ties and professional background. At the end of the verification the result is expressed with a green signal (approval) or red (rejection).
The rejection rate of Russian dossiers is now about one in three, with a number of refusals that, according to an anonymous source, is “unprecedented since the end of the Cold War”. The decision to block the applications applies not only to high‑level diplomats but also to support staff such as drivers and cooks, considered potential covers for intelligence activities.
French authorities, who in 2022 had already expelled forty Russian agents under diplomatic cover, do not provide detailed reasons to Moscow, although the recurring reason is “security”. The French Foreign Ministry, according to a source close to the process, refuses to explain the rejections so as not to reveal its assessment method.
The phenomenon also extends to missions at UNESCO, where the Russian delegation is particularly large. Some officials identified as “double‑role spies” would be employed in cultural or economic activities while simultaneously gathering information for the GRU. Witnesses have reported cases of Russian diplomats dubbed “Poutine Girl” for their involvement in extra‑diplomatic activities.
Rejected visa requests often continue in a “diplomatic waiting game”: Russia puts forward long lists of names hoping some will be approved, while France balances rejections so as not to breach the principle of reciprocity, which would require Moscow to respond in kind. In practice, France grants only a few accreditations, mainly for low‑profile events, and maintains a strict selection to preserve national security.
Source: franceinfo, September 18, 2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Arielle Dombasle cannot vote in France due to American citizenship
The 73‑year‑old singer and actress, born in the United States, is excluded from voting rights in French elections. During the 2027 presidential campaign, her inability to cast a ballot was reiterated several times in television and written interviews. In 2021, speaking on the radio program “Grosses Têtes” on RTL, Dombasle said: “I am American, I do not have the right to vote in France.” The same issue resurfaced in 2017 in an interview with a fashion magazine, where the woman explained that her dual citizenship would prevent her from retaining U.S. nationality if she voted in French elections. Dombasle also confirmed she did not support Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Her husband, intellectual Bernard‑Henri Lévy, publicly expressed his electoral preferences, stating he does not vote for Mélenchon nor for Le Pen and supports anyone who can block both, but his wife’s position remains bound by the lack of a recognized voting right in France.Source: 6Medias
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Welcome to the international bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Centrale Milano for Thursday October 15, 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on the Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris, Rachel Costa.
Starlink signal cut: Ukraine under U.S. pressure
The satellite communication service, crucial for Ukrainian force operations, has been limited again. According to military sources, the restriction stems from decisions made in Washington that imposed new speed and bandwidth consumption limits. The interruption has slowed data and video transmission, hindering commanders’ ability to coordinate actions on the ground.
International analysts warn that this move could weaken Western support for Ukraine, increasing reliance on more vulnerable terrestrial infrastructure. The Ukrainian government has already begun talks with other providers to diversify its communication lines, but time is limited.
Elon Musk accuses the U.S. government of slowing satellite communications for Ukraine
SpaceX founder posted on a micro‑blogging platform a message stating that U.S. authorities are deliberately limiting the performance of satellites intended for the Ukrainian conflict. Musk claims the restrictions were imposed by the Pentagon for security reasons but have a negative impact on Kyiv’s defence operations.
The debate has reignited tensions between the private sector and government institutions, with many experts calling for greater transparency on decisions concerning the use of critical technologies in war contexts. The issue fits into the broader discussion on managing digital infrastructure during conflict.
France contributes €30.9 billion to the European Union budget
During the evening of October 15, parliamentarians approved France’s participation share in the EU fund for the coming year. The contribution, amounting to nearly thirty‑one billion euros, was hotly debated between parties, with left‑wing representatives calling for a reduction and centre‑right forces defending the need to support common programmes.
The new amount represents an increase over the government’s initial proposal and will be allocated to fund cohesion policies, the green transition and common defence. International observers view the decision as a signal of French commitment to building a stronger Union, despite internal tensions.
Cyber‑attack: hackers breach French supermarket refrigerators in 28 minutes
A university research team demonstrated how it is possible to compromise the refrigeration systems of large distributors in a few minutes, exploiting a vulnerability present in numerous connected devices. The simulated attack in a laboratory allowed access to machine controls, posing potential risks to food preservation.
Authorities issued an urgent alert to all retailers, urging them to check security settings and patch device firmware. The incident highlights the growing exposure of consumer infrastructure to cyber threats and the need for stricter standards for the Internet of Things.
Asian stocks crash: Korean market loses 7 %
East Asian markets closed in the red after data showed a slowdown in the region’s economic growth. South Korea’s main index, the Kospi, recorded a weekly loss of seven percent, driven by concerns over inflation and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy decisions.
Investors fear that a tightening of monetary policy in the United States could reduce demand for Korean exports, especially in the technology and automotive sectors. Analysts advise caution and a re‑balancing of positions ahead of possible further rate adjustments.
Anthropic reports $16.8 billion revenue and plans an initial public offering
The artificial‑intelligence specialised company announced it had reached almost seventeen billion dollars in revenue in the third quarter, a 45 % increase over the previous period. The result reflects growing demand for computing‑capacity services from large firms in the financial and healthcare sectors.
Against this backdrop, management confirmed its intention to launch an initial public offering by year‑end, aiming for a high market valuation. Market observers, however, stressed the need to maintain sustainable growth given the fierce competition in the AI landscape.
OpenAI evaluates the acquisition of a cybersecurity startup
According to internal sources at the AI firm, management is negotiating the purchase of an emerging company specialising in cloud‑system protection. The goal is to strengthen defenses against vulnerabilities that have hit several platforms in recent months, while also reducing reliance on third‑party suppliers.
If confirmed, the transaction should occur within the next quarter and could lead to a rapid integration of security technologies into OpenAI’s product suite. Industry experts say this step signals a growing trend of AI companies consolidating their cyber‑defence capabilities.
Anduril in talks for a $90 billion share offer
A group of employees at the autonomous defence company is evaluating the possibility of selling a stake in their shares worth a total of ninety billion dollars, according to a Bloomberg note. The offer, still unconfirmed, aims to allow collaborators to share in the company’s growth, active in surveillance systems and military drones.
If the deal goes through, it would represent one of the highest valuations ever assigned to a defence‑technology firm, reflecting the increasing importance of autonomous solutions in modern conflicts. The market watches closely the implications for institutional investors and for the defence‑spending policies of world powers.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Thursday October 15, 2026
Paris – variable sky but improving
In the morning the capital wakes under a veil of light clouds, with temperatures around 13 °C and a gentle breeze of 15 km/h; the sky is still variable but tends to clear. Late morning clouds thicken, the thermometer reads 16 °C and the wind remains calm, with no sign of rain. The afternoon brings brighter weather, temperatures rising to 24 °C, a light wind of 10 km/h and total absence of precipitation, ideal for walks along the Seine. At dusk temperatures drop to 19 °C, the sky remains mostly clear and the wind stays light, with occasional gusts up to 20 km/h. Night brings a slight chill, with lows around 11 °C, clear sky and very weak east‑origin wind. expert Régis Crêpet confirms the situation will stay stable through the weekend.
Monaco Monte Carlo – sunny and mild temperatures
At sunrise the Mediterranean princess enjoys bright sunshine, with temperatures of 17 °C and a light breeze of 10 km/h, perfect for an outdoor breakfast. Around noon the thermometer climbs to 22 °C, the sky remains mainly clear with occasional light cloudiness, but no rain is expected. The afternoon features warm air, moderate winds of 15 km/h and a high UV index, recommending sunscreen use. At sunset temperatures gently fall to 19 °C, the sky stays clear and the wind eases further, staying within 10 km/h. During the night the low reaches 17 °C, with clear sky and virtually no wind, providing ideal conditions for walks along the harbour. No rain warning has been issued for the day.
Milan – stability and intense sun
Morning in Milan is clear, with a temperature of 14 °C, a sky almost free of clouds and practically no wind; an ideal climate to start the day in the city. Around 10 a.m. the sun strengthens, temperature reaches 16 °C and the sky stays clear, with light south‑east breezes up to 2 km/h. The afternoon brings the day’s thermal maximum, 22 °C, completely clear sky and still very weak winds, not exceeding 3 km/h, with no trace of rain. At sunset temperatures drop to 20 °C, with a slight increase in evening cloudiness, but overall stability remains. Night records a low of 14 °C, cloudy sky but no precipitation, and a wind of just 1‑2 km/h. expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo confirms the period will be characterized by stable, sunny weather, without meteorological alerts.
Sign-off.
Online, on X and Mastodon, on all smart speakers and on medium wave, this is FranciaOggi with Centrale Milano 1575 kilohertz.
By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
