World Business Report

A New Mexico judge has fined Meta for its handling of user data. It's the latest large legal payout for the tech firm, following an $18 billion settlement reached with California over child safety, and comes as it releases its latest financial results.
Vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language have led to websites being down in several countries, including Japan, Finland and the UK. Around seven in 10 of the world's websites use PHP. Is this a new era of cyber insecurity and instability? ​
And a BBC investigation finds that employees from Google have resigned due to the use of AI for military technologies. We hear from one former employee.
Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producers: Neil Morrow & Neggeen Sadid
(Photo: Meta logo and a keyboard in this illustration taken October 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS / Dado Ruvic)

For the second day, many websites around the world — including those of government agencies and banks — are down. These are due to vulnerabilities in PHP — a programming language that much of the internet relies on. One government cyber security official in Finland tells us how his government is preparing for cyber-attacks.
We go to Virginia to speak to a housing realtor about the housing market. Have interest rates made home ownership unaffordable?
And we ask the co-founder of France's first literary AI prize if it sets a dangerous precedent for authors.
Presenter: Leanne Byrne
Producers: Neil Morrow & Neggeen Sadid
(Photo: "Cyber Attack" phrase and PHP code appears in this illustration taken October 22, 2026. Credit: REUTERS / Dado Ruvic / Illustration)

Millions of hacking attempts have been detected after a major security flaw was discovered in PHP. We hear from the cybersecurity firm behind the discovery and a business whose website remains offline.
Also, Electronic Arts shuts down BioWare after 31 years, cutting 400 jobs.
And Airbnb is banning lengthy checkout chores for guests.
Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producer: Bisi Adebayo

A New Mexico judge has fined Meta for its handling of user data. It's the latest large legal payout for the tech firm, following an $18 billion settlement reached with California over child safety, and comes as it releases its latest financial results.
Vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language have led to websites being down in several countries, including Japan, Finland and the UK. Around seven in 10 of the world's websites use PHP. Is this a new era of cyber insecurity and instability? ​
And a BBC investigation finds that employees from Google have resigned due to the use of AI for military technologies. We hear from one former employee.
Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producers: Neil Morrow & Neggeen Sadid
(Photo: Meta logo and a keyboard in this illustration taken October 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS / Dado Ruvic)

India telecoms company Jio Platforms has launched what is expected to be the country’s biggest ever share sale. The company, which is part of Reliance Industries and backed by India’s second richest man, Mukesh Ambani, aims to raise around $3.2bn in its initial public offering (IPO).
Also, protests in Portugal over housing affordability spill on to the streets. And why Starbucks China has run out of patience with customers who take a seat…but not a coffee.
Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Naomi Rainey