PHP flaw hits websites, Aramco evacuates HQ, Nasdaq slides on Meta, French virus case, World Series
A flaw in PHP that could affect about 70% of websites, Saudi Aramco's headquarters evacuation after Houthi attacks, a tech selloff led by Meta, France's first human Shamonda virus case, and a first-time World Series champion on the way.
Two critical flaws were found in PHP, a programming language AP says is vital to 70% of websites globally, through AI-assisted discovery; OpenAI says it led a coalition that worked on them over the past two months, and CNN reports teams at OpenAI, Wiz and Calif uncovered them. The PHP Foundation released fixes late Wednesday. The FBI recommended taking websites offline if they can't be updated immediately, and some government websites in Europe and other services went offline while operators patched.
Saudi Aramco told staff to leave its Dhahran headquarters and work remotely, according to sources cited by Reuters and AFP. Reuters says it is the first such evacuation since the start of the Iran war. Yemen's Houthis struck the headquarters earlier in October, causing extensive damage. Houthi strikes on Saudi targets helped push oil to its highest level since May. Saudi Arabia says it has struck missile launcher sites and intercepted many missiles fired by the group.
The Nasdaq fell more than 2% Thursday and the S&P 500 fell more than 1%, as worries about AI spending hit tech and chip stocks. Meta shares fell about 7% even though it beat revenue forecasts with a record $64 billion and announced what amounts to a two-for-one stock split. Rising oil prices added to the pressure.
French health authorities reported the first known human case of Shamonda virus, previously found only in animals and spread by biting midges. The patient, severely immunocompromised and treated for a serious illness in Lyon, died in early October; investigators are still determining the virus's role in the death. The health ministry called it an exceptional case and says no risk to the general population has been identified. The WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control were informed.
The Milwaukee Brewers host the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) on FOX. Neither team has ever won the World Series, so baseball will have a first-time champion. It is the first World Series game at Milwaukee's American Family Field; the Series last came to Milwaukee in 1982.
