Hey there. care to be a guinea pig again? 
I've got an updated script that reinstates the auto-update function, but makes it optional. If you could try to run it with the auto-update function enabled (it is on by default). We should have a new hotfix out pretty soon.
I've tested it with both python 2.5 and 2.6 and it should be fine.
LINK
Usage: FirstStrikeServer.py <options> <server args>
Options:
-noauto
Disables the auto-updating function. Server will no
longer periodically check for new updates and install them.
It will still check for updates every time it crashes or is exited out of.
-log
Will generate a file log in the Battlefield 2142 server folder
with the name FirstStrikeServer<timestamp>.log
NOTE
Add any additional server arguments after the options.
To exit script, shut down server and while the script
waits to restart it, press Ctrl-C to terminate script.