IJR News

Japan services PMI slips to 51.3 as quake slows expansionBusiness — 4hJapan’s services sector continued to expand in September, but growth slowed as the PMI fell to 51.3 from 52.5 in August, with earthquake disruption and weaker demand weighing on activity and new orders. Export business declined, while firms continued hiring and reported rising backlogs, pointing to ongoing workloads despite softer momentum.

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Suncor sells offshore stakes to Ithaca Energy for C$1.2B upfront — 3hSuncor agreed to sell its stakes in three offshore Newfoundland oil projects to Ithaca Energy for C$1.2 billion upfront, with up to C$350 million in additional oil-price-linked payments; Ithaca will take on the assets’ future investment commitments and liabilities. Suncor said the sale sharpens its focus on its core oil sands business and announced larger monthly share repurchases, while Ithaca said the acquisition expands its production and North American growth platform.

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Sorank says its new SEO tool serves 5,000 businesses — 1dSorank introduced a $99-a-month automated SEO platform that plans content, monitors rankings and addresses technical issues, while a separate beginner-focused guide recommends more specialized, lower-cost tools such as LowFruits and Rank Math. Guidance on ChatGPT visibility cautions that tracking can measure brand mentions and linked sources over time, but ChatGPT has no ranking positions comparable to a conventional search-results list.

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Nicole Hardy a month is a lot when LowFruits and Rank Math do similar work for less and let you stay in control.

DICK’S Sporting Goods faces securities fraud class-action suitFinance — 3dInvestors have filed a securities class action against DICK’S Sporting Goods, alleging the company misled them about its Foot Locker acquisition and the retailer’s ongoing business challenges. The suit covers stock purchases from September 8, 2025, through August 24, 2026, and follows weaker-than-expected results and reduced sales guidance; investors have until November 3, 2026, to seek lead-plaintiff status.

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Zimbabwe Helicopter Crash Kills Six Near Harare — 4dZimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and four others died when their helicopter crashed and caught fire near Marondera, east of Harare. Authorities are investigating the cause; Chivayo was a prominent, politically connected figure known for conspicuous wealth and lavish gifts.

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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.

Payoneer, Etsy Renew Deal Across 16 Markets — 4dPayoneer and Etsy renewed their payments partnership through 2029, continuing cross-border payout services for eligible Etsy sellers in 16 markets. The companies say the arrangement, which has supported tens of thousands of sellers since 2023, helps small businesses receive earnings and manage international sales; Jamaican sellers remain largely ineligible because Etsy does not support shops based in Jamaica.

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WISeSat.Space Begins Nasdaq Trading as SAIQ After Columbus Merger — 3dWISeSat.Space completed its business combination with Columbus Acquisition Corp. and began trading on Nasdaq under the ticker SAIQ on October 2. The newly listed company plans to expand secure satellite communications and IoT connectivity, drawing on WISeQey’s cybersecurity and digital identity technologies.

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Marcus Bell This merger with Columbus should help WISeSat expand its satellite IoT reach using solid cybersecurity tools.

Manufacturing expands in US, Colombia and Spain as jobs rise — 3dSpain’s manufacturing sector returned to slight growth in September, with its PMI rising to 51 from 49.5 as production expanded and export orders improved. Overall new orders continued to decline amid uncertainty and rising energy costs, but business confidence reached its highest level since February and employment stabilized.

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Jared Kim Seeing manufacturing jobs rise in the US and Spain too shows the sector can recover when exports improve.

Containers Block Islamabad, Rawalpindi Routes for Khan Rally — 5dPakistani authorities have blocked major routes in Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi with shipping containers ahead of an October 4 march by Imran Khan’s PTI party demanding his release, after the protest was postponed from September 27. The barricades have disrupted commutes and businesses; the government says they are for security and crowd control, while PTI leaders condemn them as an attempt to suppress democratic rights.

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U.S. Ban on Canadian Imports Takes Effect — Sep 26, 2026The United States is set to prohibit imports of selected Canadian alcohol, dairy and whey products, molasses, and larger-engine motorcycles beginning Sept. 29, escalating a trade dispute sparked by U.S. tariffs and Canadian counter-tariffs. The covered products represent a limited share of bilateral trade, but the ban could disrupt affected businesses and is also intended to pressure Canada against further retaliation.

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US Trade Court Reviews Trump’s Global Tariffs — 5dA federal trade court is scrutinizing President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, imposed on imports from 60 trading partners over forced-labor concerns. Small businesses and 25 states argue the administration exceeded its authority and failed to provide country-specific justifications; the judges could strike down the tariffs or require stronger explanations.

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Jim Carrey vs Adam SandlerYourlist — VS BattleRubber-faced mania versus deadpan slob comedy — two 90s comedy titans, two entirely different engines.

Qfin Faces Securities Fraud Class ActionFinance — 5dInvestors have filed a securities class action against Qfin Holdings, alleging the company overstated its resilience to regulatory pressures and understated the harm those pressures posed to its business. The suit follows Qfin’s report of sharply lower second-quarter revenue and income, after which its stock fell nearly 19%.

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Botev Plovdiv Owner Iliyan Filipov Shot Dead — 4dBulgarian businessman and Botev Plovdiv president Iliyan Filipov was shot dead at a property in Plovdiv, prompting a murder investigation and tributes from the club, which canceled a planned match. Bulgarian media later reported that a former employee had been arrested in connection with the killing as investigators pursued possible motives.

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Twin Brothers Plead Guilty in $1.3M Golf Tax SchemeBusiness — 5dTwin brothers who worked as MRI technicians pleaded guilty to tax crimes after operating a golf tee-time resale business in Los Angeles and Orange counties and failing to report more than $1.3 million in income. Prosecutors said they routed business fees to personal accounts and falsely claimed exemption from employer tax withholding; they face sentencing in January 2027.

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Artisan Markets Bring Makers to CommunitiesLifestyle — 5dCommunity craft fairs in several towns are bringing together local artisans and shoppers for handmade goods ranging from jewelry and artwork to baked treats and gifts, often alongside food, music and family activities. Organizers and vendors also emphasize the events’ community benefits, including supporting local businesses and ministries.

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Which of your friends survives the apocalypse?Quizie — QuizName the group and the AI ranks every one of them — who leads, who thrives, who trips in the first act. Private until you share it.

Real Estate Executive Urges California Changes to Retain Businesses — 3dReal estate executive Mauricio Umansky is calling for changes to California's business climate, saying companies need greater confidence to invest and expand in the state. Accordin… — by Andrew Powell

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Rachel Meyers Umansky makes a fair point about business confidence, but fixing housing costs and crime would help retain jobs just as much.

Tom Cruise dances in Spirit Tunnel — 5dTom Cruise donned sunglasses and reenacted his Risky Business dance through The Jennifer Hudson Show Spirit Tunnel, as staff sang a Bob Seger remix, while promoting Digger.

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UK Q2 growth revised up to 0.5% as investment and incomes strengthen — 4dThe UK economy grew 0.5% in the second quarter, up from an initial 0.4% estimate, making it the fastest-growing G7 economy in the first half; household disposable income and business investment also rose. Economists cautioned that higher energy costs, inflation and interest rates could weigh on growth ahead of the government’s October budget.

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Derek Foss Rising household incomes are welcome but with inflation and rates up this growth might not last long into the autumn.

Stifel Cuts Scotts Miracle-Gro Target to $75Finance — 6dStifel cut its price target on Scotts Miracle-Gro to $75 but maintained a buy rating; analysts overall remain moderately bullish, and the company’s latest quarterly earnings beat expectations. Shares have recently fallen sharply, though GuruFocus estimates they trade below its fair-value estimate while warning of financial-strength and business risks.

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UK Business Confidence Falls to 17-Month Low — 5dUK business confidence fell 12 points to 41% in September, its lowest level since April 2025, as rising energy costs, inflation and economic uncertainty weakened firms’ economic outlook and trading expectations. Sentiment also dropped in Wales, London and the East of England, though firms in those regions continued to cite growth plans and customer demand; smaller businesses were particularly subdued.

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Cornell Reopens 2024 Sexual Assault Case — 6dA suspect turned himself in after a shooting at Eddy Street Commons, while Indiana’s unemployment rate fell to 3.3%. Other reported developments included the reopening of a Cornell sexual-assault case, storm damage in New England, pandas arriving in Atlanta, a multistate Labcorp settlement, and weaker rural business conditions amid higher fuel and fertilizer costs.

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Congress passes bill ending penny production — 5dThe Senate passed the bipartisan Common Cents Act, sending it to President Donald Trump to formally end production of pennies, which cost nearly four cents each to make and are expected to save the government about $56 million annually. As pennies become scarcer, businesses could round cash transactions to the nearest five cents; existing pennies would remain valid, and electronic payments would be unaffected.

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Portnoy Law Firm draws business attentionBusiness — 5d

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Dana Whitfield It's good to see a local firm like Portnoy gaining traction instead of the big national ones.

UK Shop Price Inflation Slows to 1.4% as Retailers Absorb Rising Costs — 6dShop price inflation eases to 1.4% as BRC chief Helen Dickinson calls the 28 October budget a fork in the road on freezing business rates.

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Maya Lindstrom Food costs falling to 2.5 percent helps households yet retailers can't keep absorbing higher wages and rates without passing some on.