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October 22: Saudi Airport Attack and Russia’s Release of Stephen Hubbard
At the Pentagon
The Pentagon is seeking to expand a deep-cover spying program aimed at economic warfare against China and other U.S. competitors, according to the Washington Post. Operatives would pose as businesspeople or other private-sector workers without an overt government affiliation. The Post describes the program as a covert arm of the Pentagon’s broader economic warfare campaign.
In cybersecurity
PHP released emergency patches Wednesday for two critical flaws that can allow attackers to run code on servers without logging in. Wiz researchers say every PHP version released in the past decade is affected by at least one flaw and urge immediate patching. PHP maintainers accuse security company Chainguard of publishing fixes more than six hours before the coordinated release, potentially giving attackers a head start. Chainguard CEO Dan Lorenc denies leaking the flaws and says he shipped fixes after reports of active attacks.
In Pennsylvania
State officials have warned doctors about the risk of congenital measles as Pennsylvania faces its worst measles outbreak in decades.
Lawmakers also passed a bipartisan bill requiring public-school students to keep cellphones put away for the entire school day, beginning in the 2027–28 school year. Governor Josh Shapiro says he will sign it. Exceptions include medical needs and education plans requiring phone access. Districts and school boards will develop implementation plans.
In Britain’s Royal Navy
Britain’s defense select committee warns that shortages of available warships and submarines risk weakening deterrence against Russia in the high north. Lawmakers cite declining frigate numbers, the slow deployment of HMS Dragon to Cyprus this spring, and reports that all five Astute-class attack submarines were in dock this summer. They say dramatic progress is needed by the decade’s end.
In Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority says an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed one resident and injured eight others. The U.S. State Department has ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave the country, citing escalating Houthi attacks on civilian targets. Four U.S. officials told Reuters that missions elsewhere in the Gulf would also order family members to leave. The department’s spokesman did not confirm that.
On Russia and Ukraine
Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American retired teacher imprisoned for four years after being captured in eastern Ukraine and convicted of fighting against Russia. He was reportedly freed without a prisoner swap. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff greeted Hubbard in St. Petersburg and met with Vladimir Putin, calling him a “true humanitarian.” Putin also agreed to three-way talks aimed at ending the war. Negotiations could resume next month.
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