Internet Security Flaws, Senator Indicted, & Rat City

News without the noise

Adam Rogers
October 23, 2026

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Cybersecurity agencies warned website operators worldwide about two critical flaws in PHP, a programming language used by roughly 70% of the world’s websites.
The flaws could let attackers control servers and steal sensitive information without logging in. Cybersecurity company Wiz said AI helped one researcher build working attacks in about a week instead of the months a specialist team might otherwise need. Government agencies and hospitals, alongside banks and transport companies, suspended online services across Europe and Asia while security updates were installed.
Researchers reported the flaws in August and worked privately with PHP developers and technology companies on fixes released Wednesday. Amazon detected attempted attacks beginning Saturday before the fixes were available. The updates close the security gaps but cannot undo any earlier breaches. The extent of successful attacks remains unclear.

Federal prosecutors charged Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas Thursday with leading an illegal marijuana operation and using her office to protect it. The indictment also names six relatives and associates of the Democratic Senate leader.
Prosecutors allege the group distributed marijuana and laundered proceeds through a five-year operation worth about $4.5 million. They say Lucas used her position as Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee chair to shield the business from scrutiny and influence legislation for its benefit. Investigators made controlled purchases from her shop in 2024 and 2025.
Lucas was released after appearing in federal court Thursday and has an arraignment scheduled next month. Counsel for her legal defense fund called the case a “circus” and said a detailed response would follow. Her public statement criticized the prosecution without directly addressing the allegations.

China won its first women’s world gymnastics team title in 20 years Wednesday in Rotterdam. Its 165.764 points edged the United States by 0.233 and ended the Americans’ run of seven consecutive team titles.
China overcame an early U.S. lead through strong balance-beam routines and entered the final rotation two points ahead. The Americans narrowed the gap on floor exercise but Qiu Qiyuan scored enough on China’s final routine to secure gold.
Japan took bronze for its first women’s team world championship medal since 1966. All three medal-winning teams qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Nine more Olympic team places will be awarded at next year’s world championships.

Early voting has increased sharply in several states central to Senate control, according to an AP analysis. (More)

A federal judge ordered President Trump to testify under oath by December 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC over edits to his January 6 speech. (More)

The Supreme Court refused to let the administration immediately enforce restrictions on medical care for transgender federal prisoners Wednesday. A lower-court block stays in place while litigation continues. (More)

Iran said seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz overnight after attacks or encounters with naval mines; the claim has not been independently verified. (More)

A magnitude-7 earthquake struck Tibet Thursday night and killed at least 16 people while injuring 32 others. (More)

Staff shortages threaten maternity services at as many as 20 units in England. Some services have already been suspended as hospitals struggle to maintain safe staffing. (More)

U.S. stock markets closed mixed on Thursday (S&P -1.21%, Nasdaq -2.60%, Dow +0.02%). The Nasdaq had its worst day since June over rising fears of AI overspending in the tech sector. (More)

Airbnb will prohibit hosts from assigning checkout chores such as stripping beds or washing dishes for reservations booked from November 20. (More)

Spotify forecast about 316 million paying subscribers by year-end Thursday compared with 306 million in the third quarter. The company also projected fourth-quarter operating profit above analysts’ expectations. (More)

The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays begin the World Series today. Milwaukee is making its first appearance since 1982 as it seeks the franchise’s first championship. (More)

Actor Tom Skerritt died Wednesday at 93 of natural causes; he was known for “Top Gun” and “Alien,” plus his Emmy-winning role in “Picket Fences.” (More)

Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk revealed he has Parkinson’s disease and said medication has helped manage his symptoms while he coaches Southern University. (More)

Fish oil supplements did not improve memory or slow shrinkage of the brain’s memory-related hippocampus in a two-year randomized trial of 365 older adults at elevated Alzheimer’s risk. (More)

Uranus and Neptune may have formed in different parts of the early solar system according to atmospheric observations and computer models. (More)

Archaeologists studying a 13,800-year-old Alaska camp found evidence of a possible dwelling alongside bone needles and stone tools. (More)

Los Angeles retains the crown of America’s rattiest city.

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