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European Edition
22nd October 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Websites taken down worldwide

The identification of two critical vulnerabilities in PHP, a programming language which underpins around 70% of the world’s websites, has led to government agencies and businesses worldwide taking their websites offline. In the US, Utah-based HR software company BambooHR took its platform offline, Human Resources Director reports. The flaws could allow hackers to take control of web servers without a password. The organisation behind the language issued a patch on Wednesday after researchers testing cyberdefences discovered the flaws. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre told organisations to check for “backdoors installed by an attacker.” Prof Alan Woodward, a cybersecurity expert at Surrey University in the UK, said: “The big thing is for everyone using [the patch] to get that in to make sure their systems are safe. The troubling part is there is going to be a long tail of websites who may not be maintained as well and they are going to remain vulnerable, which means we may see weeks and months of ongoing attacks.”
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WORKFORCE

Truck drivers’ protests disrupt food and fuel supplies across southern Italy

Southern Italy has seen widespread food and fuel shortages as truck drivers protest against soaring diesel prices linked to the Iran war. Demonstrations have disrupted supermarket deliveries in Naples, Sicily, Calabria, and Puglia, leaving shelves and gas station pumps empty. Diesel prices have risen approximately 33% since the conflict began, increasing pressure on transport operators. Italian Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has pledged tax credits and additional financial support to offset rising costs. Payments were expected to begin on October 21st and further negotiations are scheduled for next week.

Regional transport strike in the Netherlands is called off

Today's planned regional public transport strike in the Netherlands has been cancelled after unions and employers resumed negotiations for a new collective labour agreement. The FNV trade union said it would suspend further action for two weeks, hoping that the discussions will lead to a satisfactory agreement. "We are optimistic about reaching a resolution," a union representative said.

Unemployment climbs in Finland

Finland's unemployment rate rose to 10.5% in September, up from 10.1% in August. There were a total of 298,000 unemployed people in Finland last month, an increase of more than 10% on the same period last year, according to the latest Labour Force Survey by Statistics Finland. The report highlighted a significant decline in employment among men, with 59,000 fewer employed compared to September 2022. Long-term unemployment is also rising, with 143,000 individuals registered as job seekers for over a year. Petri Malinen, Chief Economist of the Finnish Federation of Entrepreneurs, observed that geopolitical uncertainties are causing firms to delay hiring.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

UK government sets out plans for work placements

The UK government has set out plans for work placements in the professional services and construction sectors. Under-25s will be able to access 22,400 new apprenticeships each year in fields from law to AI under plans by the professional services industry, and building firms have said they will offer an initial 40,000 placements, the Department for Business and Trade said. “From accountancy and law to bricklaying, engineering and defence, the plans will create clearer routes into skilled careers while helping businesses recruit the workforce they need to grow,” Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said. “Too many young people have been locked out of opportunities for too long. These commitments will help change that by creating clear pathways into apprenticeships, training and good jobs,” he added.
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CORPORATE

Carrefour blames French riots as it cuts profit forecast

Carrefour has lowered its full-year profit guidance following widespread protests, rioting and looting across France which have disrupted trading and weakened consumer confidence. The supermarket group now expects adjusted earnings per share to remain stable or grow slightly, compared with its previous forecast of high single-digit growth. Approximately 50 Carrefour stores were affected on the first day of unrest, with damage, reduced opening hours and higher security costs contributing to a potential €200m impact on profitability. The company has also reduced its profitability and capital expenditure targets.
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STRATEGY

BBC cuts 100 jobs

The BBC has announced over 100 job cuts and the closure of two channels as part of a strategy to save £500m over the next two years. Director Rachel Jupp said the cuts are part of a larger plan to reduce 2,000 roles across the organisation. The closures include BBC Scotland and BBC Three, which will transition to online platforms. BBC Director General Matt Brittin said: "We need to make every pound work harder for audiences." The BBC faces significant financial pressures; income from the licence fee has declined by about 25% since 2017.
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INTERNATIONAL

Australian mining giant fires top executive after sexual misconduct probe

Fortescue Metals Group, one of Australia's largest mining companies, has terminated a senior executive following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and bullying. The independent inquiry, conducted by law firm MinterEllison, confirmed the claims, precipitating the immediate dismissal of the unnamed executive. A company spokesperson said: “The investigation found conduct that breached Fortescue's policies, as well as our values.” Fortescue, which said it is committed to a safe and respectful workplace, is also facing a class-action lawsuit in the Federal Court, alleging widespread sexual harassment and discrimination against women at its iron ore mines. The lawsuit includes 45 testimonials detailing serious incidents of misconduct. Andrew Forrest, Fortescue's chairman, has previously described the allegations as “serious” and “disturbing,” and said such behaviour is unacceptable.

Instacart agrees $5m settlement over alleged hiring discrimination

Instacart has agreed to pay up to $5m to settle US federal allegations that it discriminated against American-born job applicants in favour of foreign workers holding temporary visas. The settlement includes a compensation fund of up to $4m for affected applicants and $1m in civil penalties. The grocery technology company must also change its recruitment practices, including publicly advertising jobs linked to the PERM programme, the mandatory first step for employers sponsoring foreign workers for an employment-based green card, and accepting electronic applications. Instacart maintains that its hiring practices complied with US law but agreed to settle to focus on its business operations.

Saudi Arabia postpones ‘Davos in the desert’

Saudi Arabia has postponed until next year the Future Investment Initiative, the kingdom's big investor conference that was originally scheduled to take place in Riyadh from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29. The decision comes after Houthi militants attacked the international airport in the Saudi capital, leaving at least 12 people dead and hundreds injured. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund launched the so-called 'Davos in the desert' in 2017. The conference has played a key role in the kingdom's plans to diversify its oil-dependent economy. Expected speakers for this year's event included Goldman Sachs CEO ​and Chairman David Solomon, Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters and Citi's CEO Jane Fraser.

Rokid opens first fully automated smart glasses store in Hong Kong

Chinese augmented reality (AR) specialist Rokid has opened a fully automated flagship store in Hong Kong’s Harbour City, introducing what it describes as the world’s first unstaffed retail experience in the smart-glasses sector. The store allows customers to test artificial intelligence (AI)-powered glasses, complete purchases and collect products without staff assistance. Trial sales have reached five to six devices daily at HK$4,688 ($599) each, exceeding internal expectations. Rokid claims a 41% share of the global AR glasses market with displays and is using Hong Kong as a testing ground for new retail formats ahead of planned expansion into Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the US next year.
 
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