RAC

The US military has disabled advertising trackers on its websites following warnings that the data they collect could be exploited by adversaries, reportedly including Iran, to profile service members and expose sensitive information about troop movements and base locations. The move highlights growing concern that ordinary commercial web tools can pose a national security risk to armed forces personnel.

Nepali commentary is highlighting a growing friendship between RSP leader Rabi Lamichhane and Kathmandu mayor Balen Shah, framing it as a remarkable political pairing. The discussion ties the two to the wider political landscape involving KP Sharma Oli, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and other establishment figures, with viewers debating what an alliance of the two popular young leaders could mean for Nepal's politics.

A new interactive tool forecasting diesel prices has been released, allowing users to explore where diesel costs may head. It accompanies an analysis arguing that diesel prices are high and could rise further, with discussion touching on factors including the Ukraine situation and supply pressures. Readers are debating the assumptions behind the forecast and what higher diesel costs would mean for transport and inflation.

Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student detained by US immigration authorities, has released a new memoir titled 'No Land to Stand On'. The book was featured on Democracy Now! on September 30, with hosts Amy Goodman, Juan González and Nermeen Shaikh discussing his account of detention and activism. The interview is drawing attention amid ongoing debate over free speech, pro-Palestinian activism and immigration enforcement in the United States.

Bishop Anselm Umoren of Abuja told the seventh annual general assembly of the Archdiocese of Abuja that constant digital distractions could erode the silence Christians need for prayer. He challenged believers to reflect on how to preserve their faith amid rapid technological change, urging deliberate habits of quiet and reflection.

A September review by law firm Fisher Phillips finds courts pushed back on website tracking lawsuits last month, dismissing or narrowing several privacy claims. Despite these wins for businesses, the firm warns that broken or misleading cookie banners still expose companies to significant legal risk, and organizations are advised to audit their consent tools.

Rachida Brakni, the French actress, is drawing attention in France this week after an appearance tied to La Grande Librairie, the France 5 literary programme, whose latest edition explores themes of mothers, memory and inheritance. The actress and her involvement in the episode are generating searches and discussion, with viewers reacting to the show's literary guests and its family-focused theme.

Democracy and Human Rights made its winning debut in Las Vegas, according to a report circulating in US media. The item, tagged under human rights coverage, offers no further details about the event, the parties involved, or the nature of the win. Little is known beyond the claim itself.

The Guardian has published a timeline tracing how Donald Trump's immigration enforcement strategy has shifted from highly visible mass raids to a quieter, more systematic crackdown carried out through ICE. The piece charts the evolution in tactics and what it reveals about the administration's broader approach to deportation policy.

Australia is considering cancelling a $2.3 billion contract related to immigration detention, according to Politico. The move would affect the country's outsourcing of detention services, though details on the contractor and the government's reasoning have not yet been made public. The report has drawn attention amid ongoing debate over Australia's immigration detention policies.

Campaign finance tied to immigration detention operations is emerging as a theme in Florida's gubernatorial contest. Donors connected to the detention industry are giving to candidates, drawing scrutiny over how private detention interests may influence state immigration policy. The topic is feeding into broader debate over Florida's hardline immigration enforcement and the role of private contractors in it.

A debate is under way about how American politics centres almost entirely on the presidential election cycle. Critics argue the presidency, limited to eight years in most cases, absorbs attention that should go to Congress, state offices and local races, leaving day-to-day governance under-scrutinised between votes. Participants in the discussion say this narrow focus skews media coverage and civic engagement, with some calling for more attention to the midterms and down-ballot contests.

Rebeca Grynspan, Costa Rica's former vice president and current head of the UN trade and development agency UNCTAD, is narrowly leading the race to become the next UN secretary-general, according to sources cited by Reuters. The contest to succeed António Guterres remains fluid, with the final choice requiring Security Council recommendation and General Assembly approval.

Costa Rican economist Rebeca Grynspan has reportedly pulled ahead in the contest for a top United Nations leadership post, according to a diplomat cited by Arab News and France 24. The development suggests momentum is shifting toward her candidacy, though the outcome of the race and the selection process remain subject to international negotiations.

The race for the next UN secretary-general remains open, with the permanent members of the Security Council — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France — still not backing a candidate. Their vetoes effectively decide the appointment, and the lack of consensus leaves the selection process in limbo as candidates campaign for the post.

The New York Times reports that the rapid push to build more data centers is creating political problems for Republicans in close midterm races. Candidates are facing pressure from voters concerned about energy costs, water use and land development tied to the facilities, forcing them to balance support for the industry against local opposition in competitive districts.

A new poll conducted by Oregon Public Broadcasting finds the state's gubernatorial race in a virtual deadlock, with candidates in a statistical tie as the election nears. The tight numbers suggest neither campaign has broken away, keeping Oregon's governor's contest in play and drawing attention to how the outcome could shift the balance in this closely watched race.

Political contests in Georgia are heating up ahead of the November election, with analysts noting a sharpening of campaigns and rhetoric in the state. The races are being watched closely as Georgia remains a key battleground, with outcomes potentially influencing the balance of power in Washington. Coverage highlights the escalating stakes for both parties as Election Day approaches.

An election forecaster has shifted its rating for New York's 21st Congressional District race from 'solid Republican' to 'likely Republican', signalling the contest may be more competitive than previously expected. The district, covering northern New York's North Country, has been a Republican stronghold, and the change suggests Democrats see a possible opening there.

Boeing workers are preparing to vote on a contract after the company tabled an improved offer, with the outcome set to shape labour relations at the aerospace giant. Reuters reports that the improved terms have brought the two sides closer ahead of the looming vote, though details of the revised offer and its acceptance prospects remain limited.

Barack Obama has publicly challenged Donald Trump over restrictions on media access, arguing that 'the president can't take criticism.' Obama framed the move as a threat to press freedom and democratic norms, drawing wide attention and debate about the relationship between the White House and the press.

Democrats in Congress are taking a more punitive posture toward Israel, according to a New York Times report. The shift signals growing willingness within the party to back conditions or consequences for Israel's actions, marking a notable change in a relationship long treated as off-limits to overt criticism from mainstream Democratic lawmakers.

A New York parenting nonprofit says its city contract is set to expire and is pressing the incoming Mamdani administration to renew its funding. The organization warns that without a renewal, services supporting families and parents in the city could be disrupted. The appeal puts early pressure on Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's team as it decides which existing city contracts and social service programs to continue.

A CNN exclusive reports that Barack Obama is playing an active but behind-the-scenes role in shaping how Democrats approach artificial intelligence policy. The story says his influence is helping frame the party's internal debate on AI regulation and innovation, even as he holds no formal position. Details of his specific involvement and its impact on policy outcomes remain limited.

Professor John Corbett has discussed Edwin Morgan's Scots translation of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac, in a talk drawn from the 2021 Schools Conference run by Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow. The discussion highlights Morgan's role as a translator of drama and was shared to mark International Translation Day, drawing interest from readers of Scottish literature and theatre.

Auburn University's College of Education will host Joan Sedita, a nationally recognized literacy expert, on October 27. The announcement gives no details yet on the event's format, topic or registration, but Sedita is known for work on reading instruction, and interest in evidence-based literacy teaching remains high among educators and researchers nationwide.

A Hofstra University expert argues that financial literacy education cannot succeed as a standalone fix because it often ignores the systemic inequities, such as unequal access to credit, wealth gaps, and discriminatory lending, that shape people's financial realities. The argument calls for curricula that pair money-management skills with a clear-eyed account of the structural barriers different communities face.

Child Trends is highlighting how a Breakthrough Series Collaborative can strengthen continuous quality improvement practices in early care and education programs. The approach brings providers together over time to test and refine strategies for improving classroom quality and child outcomes, offering a structured model for early learning systems seeking sustained improvement.