US and European websites go offline over security concerns

Loading player...
A cyber security flaw has prompted governments in Finland and the Netherlands and websites such as Wikipedia and the BBC to go completely dark temporarily. The flaws in a programming language were discovered by AI. PHP is a scripting language that powers 70 per cent of all websites in the world.

Also: Three-way talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States are scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi next month to try to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. We hear about an Iranian prisoner who went to extraordinary lengths to chronicle the brutal reality of life Inside one of the country's notorious jail's. Our correspondent details the rise in the number of wild elephants dying in Sri Lanka. The new rules that mean you won't have to clean up before you leave an Airbnb. And why John Malkovich is tipped for an Oscar for his performance in Wild Horse Nine.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Photo: The website of the Computer Emergency Response Team for the EU Institutions, Bodies and Agencies displays a warning message after critical vulnerabilities were detected in the PHP programming language
Credit: Rob Engelaar - EPA/Shutterstock
22 Oct 12AM English United Kingdom News

Other recent episodes

Witkoff praises Putin as 'a humanitarian'

Russia has released a retired American teacher who was jailed for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine, as President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff. Mr Witkoff praised the decision, calling Mr Putin "a humanitarian", while also thanking him for a diesel deal that has angered Kyiv's allies. The…
21 Oct 12PM 33 min

Zelensky says US intelligence sharing is back on

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says intelligence on early warning systems for Russian strikes "works now", and that he is thankful to the US. After meeting President Zelensky, Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is now in Russia to share peace proposals with President Putin. Also: We report from Kansas ahead of…
21 Oct 12AM 29 min

Alberta rejects move towards Canada independence

Canada’s most oil and gas rich province, Alberta, has voted to reject a move towards holding a referendum on independence from Canada. The Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney said they were pleased with the result. More than three quarters of voters said they were against holding…
20 Oct 11AM 28 min

France halts protests with curfew crackdown

Overnight curfews are in place in parts of Paris, Lyon, Lille and Nice as the French authorities try to crack down on violence and looting which has scarred the country since Saturday. Demonstrations have been banned in the French capital, which experienced some of the worst unrest that spilled over…
20 Oct 1AM 29 min

World Food Programme to cut aid to Gaza

Residents of Gaza have described the World Food Programme's decision to drastically reduce lifesaving assistance as "disastrous". The number of people helped by the UN agency will be reduced by around a third to one-point-one million people, as it grapples with a funding shortfall. Also: An Australian lawmaker is in…
19 Oct 11AM 31 min