AI In-brief 14 Sept 06:59

'Once-in-a-lifetime' blizzard kills at least 27 in western New York

An "epic, once-in-a-lifetime" blizzard paralyzed western New York over Christmas weekend, resulting in at least 27 confirmed deaths in Buffalo and Erie County due to exposure, cardiac stress, and other storm-related incidents.
The severe storm, characterized by over 4 feet of snow, white-out conditions, and "lake-effect" snow, caused widespread travel chaos, stranded thousands, and left many without power statewide.
Rescue efforts persist amid buried vehicles and impassable roads, with National Guard troops assisting emergency personnel to reach stranded residents, perform wellness checks, and deliver essential supplies.
President Biden issued a federal emergency declaration for New York, authorizing government assistance to support recovery efforts in the hardest-hit Buffalo region, which experienced its worst snowstorm since 1977.

AI In-brief Yesterday 13:40

Supermarket freezers in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks

Supermarkets across Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Estonia reported widespread freezer and fridge malfunctions due to apparent cyberattacks.
The attacks caused refrigeration systems to overheat, with temperatures soaring to 50 degrees Celsius (122 F), forcing stores to discard spoiled food and limit fresh/frozen product availability.
Major chains like ICA Group, Coop, Delhaize, Carrefour, and SuperValu confirmed impacts, with some incidents quickly resolved, while others experienced temporary disruptions.
These incidents follow a similar pattern to a cyberattack last month in France that targeted older refrigeration systems in hundreds of stores, suggesting a coordinated effort.