The World Tonight

The vulnerabilities were found within the PHP programming language by AI systems run by OpenAI. But could they just have easily been found by hackers? We ask the former head of the UK Government’s Office for Artificial Intelligence, Sana Khareghani.
Also in the programme: We explore the difficulties of accurately diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) after actress Christina Applegate says she was wrongly told she had the condition. And the new film by The Banshees of Inisherin director Martin McDonagh - Wild Horse Nine - stars John Malkovich as a 1970s CIA agent. But is it any good?

Governments and cyber-security agencies around the world are urging online companies to fix flaws in their programming language, or take down their websites. We speak to a technology expert who explains how worried we should be.
Also in the programme, a 74-year-old American man is released from a Russian penal colony. We hear from the lawyer for Stephen Hubbard.
And we take you to the rainforests of Cameroon, where a British music group have been recording the voices and instruments of the people who live in Baka.
(Photo: Hard disk drives at the computer server, as cyber agencies warn that websites may be taken offline while PHP prepares a critical fix, in Berlin, Germany, October 21, 2026. Credit: REUTERS)

With Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities intensifying, we examine Ukraine's resistance to making a deal to end the war.
Also on the programme: The UK is to help defend Saudi Arabia by intercepting drones and missiles from Yemen's Houthi rebels. Why does such a wealthy country need British fire power; and can we avoid mission creep? Is the Government about to give the go-ahead to fresh extraction in the Jackdaw gas field, east of Aberdeen? We'll hear a supporter and an opponent. And what's the appeal of micro dramas?

French cities including Paris, Nice and Lyon have imposed overnight curfews after protests about the cost of living turned violent over the weekend. We hear from the left-wing La France Insoumise party, which has been accused by the Prime Minister of encouraging the violence.
Also on the programme: we hear from a friend of an Australian MP who was the victim of an alleged attack; and the controversial Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is back, this time voiced by an Indian-born actor.

US President Trump is in campaigning mode as the mid-term elections take place in two weeks, but he's simultaneously embroiled in a geopolitical spat with the leader of Ukraine after agreeing to buy millions of barrels of Russian diesel. We look at what impact Trump's foreign policy is having on the mid-term race.
Also on the programme: as Prime Minister Andy Burnham says more power should be devolved from Holyrood to the Scottish regions, we hear from the SNP.
And we hear from the powerchair footballers preparing to take part in the World Cup for electric wheelchair users in Argentina.