IJR News

Archbishop Přibyl leads first St. Wenceslas pilgrimage mass in Stará Boleslav — 1dThe National St. Wenceslas Pilgrimage in Stará Boleslav marked the Czech state holiday honoring the country’s patron saint, with Archbishop Přibyl celebrating the pilgrimage Mass for the first time. Relics of Wenceslas were brought from Prague for the observances, and a silver bust containing a bone fragment was used in place of the saint’s skull, which remained in the basilica for veneration.

Nicole Hardy Using the silver bust instead of the skull keeps the tradition intact.

Utica Celebrates 112th Cosmas-Damian FeastLifestyle — 3dSaints Cosmas and Damian, early Christian physician brothers remembered for treating the poor without payment, remain honored as patrons of health care workers. Their feast is marked by religious observances and community traditions, including a long-running Italian-American celebration in Utica and planned festivities in Naples.

Scott Fowler Marks Decades at Charlotte Observer With 26 APSE Awards — Sep 16, 2026Columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994 and earned 26 APSE awards for his sportswriting. He also hosted the Observer podcast 'Carruth,' named Podcast of the Year by Sports Illustrated, created the 'Sports Legends of the Carolinas' series that became a book, and has written non-sports work such as the five-part '9/11/74' series on the 1974 Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crash.

Liverpool Names Julian Ward Sporting Director — 3dLiverpool has brought Julian Ward back as sporting director, replacing Richard Hughes after serving as Fenway Sports Group’s technical director; Ward is expected to lead recruitment and support head coach Andoni Iraola. His experience at the club is viewed as a source of continuity amid repeated leadership changes, though some observers have questioned the recent transfer record and say the club’s recruitment needs to better align with the manager’s plans.

South Carolina, Mississippi harvest seasons set Oct. 1Environment — 4dSeveral fishing seasons are opening around Oct. 1: South Carolina’s striped bass season resumes, and recreational oyster and clam harvesting begins in South Carolina, while Mississippi’s oyster season also opens under specified limits. New Zealand’s 2026–27 sport-fishing season starts Thursday, with anglers reminded to obtain licenses and observe local closures and rules.

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.

Astronomers Confirm Youngest Known Planet Under One Million YearsScience — 5dAstronomers have confirmed Elias 2-24 b, a planet less than a million years old and the youngest known, still forming within the gas-and-dust disk around its star about 450 light-years away. The discovery, made by combining telescope observations, may offer a rare view of how planets form.

Michigan City Hit With Lawsuit Alleging Unequal Treatment of Religious Holidays — Sep 18, 2026A Dearborn, Michigan, resident has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the city and Mayor Abdullah Hammoud of treating Muslim religious observances differently from Christian and Jewi… — by Andrew Powell

Maya Lindstrom If the mayor is giving special treatment to Muslim days off then the lawsuit has a point about fairness.

Lawsuit Alleges Nationwide Intimidation of ICE Observers — Sep 10, 2026A Minnesota man, Michael Khalili, sues the Department of Homeland Security alleging retaliation and First Amendment violations after his Global Entry privileges were revoked and he faced increased scrutiny for observing immigration enforcement, a move he says followed his reporting on federal agents. A separate federal lawsuit, joined by Common Cause, argues that federal agencies illegally surveil and intimidate people who peacefully observe DHS activities across the country.

Private satellites and AI reshape Earth observation with benefits and risksScience — Sep 7, 2026

Observed Wins Del Mar Juvenile TurfSports — Sep 5, 2026Observ ed, a Mandaloun colt trained by Jonathan Thomas, won the Del Mar Juvenile Turf (GIII) as a short-priced favorite, giving Thomas another Del Mar stakes victory after shipping in from Indiana. The win marked Observed as Mandaloun’s first graded winner and underscored Thomas’s growing West Coast success with multiple graded wins from his shuttle operation.

Georgia Tech DB Mbakwe Released After Stretcher Exit — Sep 13, 2026Georgia Tech DB Jaylen Mbakwe was released from Grady Memorial Hospital after overnight observation following a third-quarter stretcher exit in the 45-24 loss to Tennessee.

Nicole Hardy Tough break for Georgia Tech losing him mid game but at least the update says he's stable and improving.

Toy Story vs ShrekYourlist — VS BattleThe toy box vs the swamp: two animation revolutions, one inevitable playground argument.

The hidden Jewish law woven into your clothes — Sep 8, 2026Specialists like Chava Goldberg inspect garments for shatnez, the Torah's ban on mixing wool and linen, as observant Jews prepare new clothes for the High Holidays.

Tom Gallagher Finding out about tzitzit threads in everyday shirts was new to me. Small details like that show real commitment.

Interactive Maps Help Time 2026 U.S. Foliage Trips — Sep 19, 2026Travelers can elevate fall foliage experiences with elevated viewpoints—from hot-air-balloon rides to observing leaf colors from historic fire towers—while families can enjoy farm-based fall activities like pumpkins, corn mazes, and petting zoos. On the planning side, a 2026 Fall Foliage Map and state forestry resources with webcams help cue when and where colors peak, enabling timely, flexible trips across the country.

Doctors flag one recurring sentence from male patientsGood News — Sep 8, 2026Doctors observe that men saying their wives made them seek care often points to serious conditions, highlighting how family support can prompt earlier medical attention.

Pregnancy Rewires Brain Circuit Driving Food Cravings in Mice — Sep 18, 2026Researchers have pinpointed a brain mechanism in mice linking pregnancy to stronger cravings for palatable foods: serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus become less active during gestation due to increased SK3 channel activity, which drives food-seeking behavior. The team also traced a neural pathway to the ventral tegmental area, where activation reduces cravings, shedding light on the neural basis of gestational eating patterns observed in humans.

Pick a food for every letter and the AI reveals your futureQuizie — QuizA to (almost) Z, one delicious decision at a time. At the end, the AI reads your feast like tea leaves and tells your fortune.

Yom Kippur: Judaism’s Holiest Day of AtonementLifestyle — Sep 16, 2026Across sources, Yom Kippur is portrayed as the holiest day focused on fasting, repentance, and atonement, with the Beit Hamikdash era highlighting the High Priest's confessions and the dramatic Avoda rituals in the Holy of Holies. Modern observance expands with guidance on rituals and personal practices, while a historical note explains the fast of Gedaliah between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as a pivotal moment in Jewish memory.

Fulton Sheen Beatification Set for Sept. 24Good News — Sep 14, 2026Fulton J. Sheen’s beatification in St. Louis on Sept. 24 is framed as the culmination of a lifetime of priestly service, scholarly achievement, and a steadfast daily Holy Hour that underpinned his teaching and public impact; observers credit his influence on American Catholic life, including his TV ministry and writings, while supporters emphasize his heroic virtue and enduring spiritual legacy.

Pope Leo Plans France Visit Amid Assisted-Dying Debate — Sep 19, 2026Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming official visit to France will foreground the Vatican’s emphasis on upholding the sanctity of life amid France’s new end-of-life law, with meetings planned in Paris and Lourdes that could shape dialogue on moral issues, clerical abuse, and state-religion relations. The trip also features tensions over protocol and honors, as Leo declines certain state-level recognitions and private meetings, while Vatican observers weigh the political implications of the papal schedule and France’s secular context.

LeBron James Joins 76ers, Elevating 2027 Title Hopes — Sep 18, 2026The Philadelphia 76ers' title odds have risen after trading for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James, with observers suggesting LeBron could elevate Embiid's health and consistency, while trade talk persists about Embiid's value to teams like the Clippers. Separately, a new NBA Elo forecast uses dual regular-season and playoff ratings to project outcomes for 2026-27, and recent playoff narratives show Embiid delivering explosive scoring while the Knicks' hustle dictated the series results.

Vance Campaigns Across Midwest as GOP Defends Seats — Sep 14, 2026JD Vance is actively campaigning in Kansas and Iowa as a top Republican surrogate to bolster Senate candidates Roger Marshall and other GOP nominees, while Democrats push in traditionally red states where races have unexpectedly narrowed. The tour underscores GOP anxiety about the midterm map amid concerns over Iran policy and President Trump’s standing, with Kansas’s Hamilton challenging Marshall and national observers noting the effort as a broader push in red-to-purple terrain.

Flag Unfurls at Pentagon on 25th 9/11 Anniversary — Sep 11, 2026As part of 25-year commemorations of the Sept. 11 attacks, a large American flag was unfurled at sunrise on the Pentagon’s west side, with ceremonies and wreath-laying to honor nearly 3,000 victims. President Donald Trump is participating in the Pentagon observance, alongside first responders, Gold Star families, and a traveling steel beam memorial.

Elena Vasquez It's good to see the Pentagon honoring the victims with this flag ceremony on the anniversary.

Manning Seeks Turnaround in Ohio State Rematch — Sep 11, 2026Arch Manning has shown tangible improvement since last season and is at the center of Texas vs. Ohio State as a potential Heisman catalyst, a matchup that could shape his award chances and NFL projections. Across betting previews and coach/player observations, the narrative emphasizes Manning’s development, the Buckeyes’ tougher defense, and the broader stakes of the rematch for Texas’ prospects and Manning’s trajectory.

Tom Gallagher Manning looks sharper this year but Ohio State's defense could still expose him if Texas leans too much on the pass.

Russia Begins First Duma Election Since Invasion — Sep 12, 2026The Russian State Duma elections, slated for September 18-20, are expected to again favor United Russia under tight Kremlin control and serve as a barometer of public support for the war in Ukraine, with limited real opposition on the ballot. Russians abroad—from Kerala in India to South Africa and other consulates—are voting at dedicated polling sites, reflecting efforts to mobilize turnout while observers flag concerns about legitimacy and potential manipulation of participation.

Families Recall Births Linked to 9/11Health — Sep 10, 2026As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is observed, personal stories from across North America highlight trauma, resilience, and lasting connections—ranging from a Canadian student who witnessed the towers’ collapse to families who welcomed a child on that day and those who reflect on the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel ordeal. These recollections emphasize enduring solidarity, the intertwining of private milestones with national tragedy, and the bonds between nations as communities honor victims and survivors.