IJR News

Dassault Signs Rafale Cooperation Pact in Portugal — Sep 23, 2026Dassault Aviation and its RAFALE partners Thales and Safran signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AED Cluster Portugal to explore industrial cooperation tied to renewing Portugal's F-16 fleet, aiming to deepen ties with Portuguese industry, bolster the local aerospace supply chain, and support economic growth and defense sovereignty. The initiative builds on the partners’ existing presence in Portugal and seeks to strengthen Portugal’s participation in global value chains while positioning the Rafale bid within Europe’s fighter-jet market.

Jared Kim Renewing the F-16 fleet through local partnerships could keep more money and expertise inside the country long term.

Dassault Flight-Tests Two AI Algorithms on Rafale — Sep 22, 2026Dassault Aviation has flight-tested two sovereign AI algorithms on the Rafale—one in-house and one with Thales’ cortAIx—as part of a push to integrate supervised cockpit AI and mature them for future Rafale upgrades, underscoring France’s drive for autonomous defense capabilities. The tests follow broader European defense AI initiatives and collaborations with partners, highlighting a path toward more AI-enabled cockpits and coordinated operations with unmanned systems.

Derek Foss France keeping its AI defense tech fully sovereign on the Rafale is a smart move for long-term independence.

French Rafales Launch 40-Day, 40,000-Kilometre Global Mission — Sep 11, 2026France launched Pegase 26, a 40-day global fighter-jet mission involving four Rafales and support aircraft to project military power and bolster interoperability with partners including Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and India. The voyage spans Arctic, tropics, and Middle East routes with nine stopovers to demonstrate France's ability to deploy and sustain air power abroad alongside international allies.

Dana Whitfield The focus on working with India and Japan through these flights should help build real trust for future joint operations in the region.

Venezuelan Man Charged With Assault After Shooting by ICE Officer — 2dICE officer shot Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in the upper back in Austin on Sept. 20; he is charged with assaulting a federal officer, still has the bullet in his body, and faces up to 20 years.

Reader Putting this POS in prison is a gift!

Russell Wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix After Tense Finish — 6dGeorge Russell won the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, ahead of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. In Formula 2, Alex Dunne won the first feature race, while Rafael Câmara took the second, with Nikola Tsolov and Dunne rounding out its podium.

Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

Sonny Gray Wins 18th, Red Sox Edge Guardians — Sep 24, 2026Sonny Gray pitched six scoreless innings as the Red Sox beat the Guardians 1-0, with Andruw Monasterio driving in the game’s only run and Aroldis Chapman earning his 35th save. Gray’s 18th win tied him for the major-league lead; Boston had already clinched a postseason berth, while center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela left with right hamstring tightness.

California Establishes 24.56-Mile St. Francis Pilgrimage RouteWorld — Sep 17, 2026A new Camino de San Francisco pilgrimage route in California traces Mission San Rafael Arcángel to Mission Dolores, offering four segments to accommodate different journey lengths during the Jubilee Year of St. Francis. Catholic communities are also commemorating the Transitus of St. Francis and promoting Jubilee Year indulgences with parish celebrations, pilgrimages to churches named after the saint, and related events such as pet blessings.

Giants place Devers on 60-day injured list with core muscle injury — Sep 13, 2026Rafael Devers’ 2026 season with the San Francisco Giants has ended due to a core muscle injury that will land him on a 60-day injured list, with a specialist evaluation and possible surgery looming. Despite the injury, Devers posted strong numbers (37 homers, 98 RBIs, and 37 doubles) and has sparked discussion of historical milestones at Oracle Park, while the Giants promote Scott Bandura to the majors as they wrap up a challenging campaign.

Nicole Hardy A specialist visit and possible surgery sounds serious, hope they can sort out the recovery plan without long term issues.

Márquez named Mexico coach with 2030 World Cup goal in view — Sep 10, 2026Rafael Márquez was introduced as Mexico’s new head coach, vowing to build on the Javier Aguirre era to push the national team beyond the World Cup last-16 and toward the 2030 cycle. He emphasizes continuity, familiarity with the players, and will lead a staff including Guardado as Mexico plans friendlies against Colombia, Peru, the U.S., and Chile.

Priya Raman Márquez has the respect of the players so maybe that familiarity helps push past the round of 16 this cycle.

Pirates blow six-run lead but win on ninth-inning error against Giants — Sep 2, 2026The Pittsburgh Pirates outlasted the San Francisco Giants 13-12 on a walk-off throwing error by Osleivis Basabe in the ninth inning, after trading blows all game, with Brandon Lowe and Oneil Cruz fueling the Pirates with multi-hit nights. Despite a late Giants rally and a nine-run third inning, Rafael Flores Jr.’s bases-loaded grounder produced the decisive error that capped a wild, back-and-forth showdown.

Dana Whitfield That error on the bases loaded grounder is gonna haunt Basabe, but honestly the Giants pitching let it get to that point.

Giants Six Homers, Athletics Four in Inning — Sep 3, 2026The San Francisco Giants crushed the Mets as Rafael Devers and Christian Koss homered twice each in a 9-5 win, with Anthony Molina delivering a strong start for San Francisco. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics matched a record by four-htributing in one inning, powering a 7-6 comeback win over the Seattle Mariners behind Zack Gelof and company in a multi-homer barrage.

New York Pizza vs Chicago Deep DishYourlist — VS BattleThe foldable slice versus the fork-and-knife casserole — America's longest-running food fight.

Filipiñana Wins Sundance Award, Examines Philippine InequalityEntertainment — Sep 3, 2026Filipiñana, Rafael Manuel’s satirical feature about a 17-year-old tee girl at an exclusive Manila country club, uses extreme heat and a lush golf-course setting to critique colonialism, inequality, and the slow pace of social change, earning Sundance’s Special Jury Award for Creative Vision. The film foregrounds climate stress and a climate-poverty trap while drawing connections between land privatization, elite privilege, and deeper Filipino societal issues, with festival exposure and distribution plans expanding its international reach.

Trump to Rally in Ohio for Husted in Competitive Senate Race — 3dTrump will rally Oct. 3 at Butler High School in Vandalia for Sen. Jon Husted, who trails Sherrod Brown 42% to 45% in a Trafalgar poll of 1,085 likely voters.

Rachel Meyers Trump's visit could give Husted the edge he needs against Brown in this tight race.

SpaceX Sues Texas Officials Over Terafab Records — Sep 10, 2026SpaceX filed a lawsuit in Travis County against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Grimes County to block the release of public records tied to the Terafab semiconductor facility, arguing the documents contain confidential negotiating details. The suit seeks declaratory relief and injunctions after residents’ records requests and a July AG ruling—which allowed some records to be released—highlighted the project’s potential $119 billion investment and expansive Grimes County footprint.

Jared Kim SpaceX has a valid point keeping sensitive deal terms private while building something this large in Grimes County.

Biden Torched for Saying the US Will Stop Weapons Shipments to Israel if It Invades RafahReporting — May 9, 2024President Joe Biden is taking heat for declaring the United States will stop weapons shipments to Israel if it goes through with its planned offensive in Rafah. During an interview on CNN, Biden said, “If into Rafah —…

Which of the nine drives runs you?Quizie — QuizBeneath the personality is a motive. Twelve questions and the AI names the drive that's actually steering — and what it costs you.

Israel Planning To Reopen Gaza’s Rafah Crossing In Key Test For Trump Peace Plan — Dec 3, 2025Israel is set to reopen the Rafah crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, the Associated Press reported Wednesday, and Israeli authorities have received what may be the remains of a hostage taken in the October 7 terror…

UN Court Orders Israel To Halt Rafah OffensiveReporting — Jun 5, 2024The United Nations (UN) International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Friday that Israel must immediately halt military operations in Rafah, the southernmost region of Gaza. Israel has begun initial military operations…

Netanyahu Admits Strike on Rafah Was a ‘Tragic Mistake’ After Massive Backlash for Brutal AttackReporting — May 27, 2024Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the bombing of a Palestinian camp in Rafah a “tragic mistake” amid condemnation for the deaths of an estimated 45 Palestinians in the incident. “Despite our utmost…

Devers hits 30th homer, joining rare Giants power milestone — Sep 1, 2026Rafael Devers hit his 30th home run of the season as the Giants defeated the Braves, underscoring a powerful stretch that has him among a rare Giants-era group with back-to-back 30-homer seasons. Despite the hot bat, San Francisco remains unlikely to contend postseason-wise, raising questions about whether 2026 will be a wasted year or a rebuild around his offense.

Marcus Bell Honestly at this point they should just let him swing away and worry about contending in 2027, no point rushing a rebuild.

Pirates rally past Tigers on Lowe walk-off — Aug 19, 2026Rafael Flores Jr. hit two homers off the bench and Brandon Lowe delivered a walk-off homer in the ninth to cap a 4-3 Pirates comeback win over the Tigers, with Flores tying the game earlier and Lowe providing the decisive blast. The victory followed a strong late rally as Skenes and the bullpen held off the Tigers, setting up a potential continued push for Pittsburgh.

Giants win 7-6 in extra-innings walk-off over Angels — Jul 25, 2026Rafael Devers delivered a walk-off, two-run single in the 10th inning to give the San Francisco Giants a 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels, ending a five-game skid. Casey Schmitt homered for San Francisco, Grissom homered for L.A. to force a tie in the eighth, and Devers also contributed an early homer as the Giants’ bullpen let a lead slip before the dramatic finish.

Israel approves limited ISF entry into Gaza pilot — Jul 26, 2026Israel’s Security Cabinet approved the entry of a multinational International Stabilization Force and authorized a Board of Peace-led pilot in Rafah, Gaza to rebuild basic services, relocate civilians under strict vetting, and establish a technocratic civilian administration backed by ISF. The plan, linked to a broader post-conflict reconstruction and invoked in the context of President Donald Trump’s 20-point framework, envisions a staged IDF withdrawal from the area as the ISF takes over and Gaza is demilitarized.

Rodriguez Steps In PFL Washington DC Welterweight Title — Jul 23, 2026The PFL Washington D.C. welterweight title fight was shuffled when Shamil Musaev withdrew, with Ernesto Rodriguez stepping in to face undefeated Thad Jean for the vacant title as the card proceeds. The event also features Tyson Pedro vs. Rafael Xavier and other top bouts as the promotion moves forward despite the last-minute change.

Trump plans to nominate Infantino UN secretary-general — Jul 21, 2026President Trump has floated nominating FIFA President Gianni Infantino as the next United Nations Secretary-General, arguing his global appeal and World Cup diplomacy could unify nations. Any bid would require Security Council backing and General Assembly approval, with potential rotation concerns and other candidates such as Michelle Bachelet or Rafael Grossi already cited as possible contenders, while Infantino’s closeness to Trump during the 2026 World Cup has sparked both interest and controversy.