IJR News

Calypso icon Mighty Sparrow dies at 91 — 11hSlinger Francisco, the Mighty Sparrow, died Sept. 27, 2026, in New York at 91 after a brief illness; family said he was baptized Seventh-day Adventist in his final days.

China to Send Pandas to Atlanta Within Days — 3dXi Jinping said two pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, will arrive at Zoo Atlanta within days, calling them a symbol of friendship during his White House visit with Trump.

Rachel Meyers Pandas as a friendship symbol fits after the Xi and Trump meeting, though I wonder how long the goodwill will last.

Thailand declares two-day holiday in Bangkok amid severe flooding — 20hThailand ordered two-day holidays across Bangkok and three provinces after nearly 300mm of rain in 48 hours flooded roads near Don Mueang Airport and left Bangkok a declared disaster zone.

Elena Vasquez The holiday might help with flooded roads, but pushing ahead with that election court ruling during it feels like asking for trouble.

Middle East crude exports hit highest level since Iran war began — 7hMiddle Eastern crude exports rebounded to 12.8 million barrels per day in September, their highest since the Iran war began, as Saudi Arabia and the UAE increased shipments and flows through the Strait of Hormuz recovered. Exports nevertheless remained about 6 million barrels per day below prewar levels, with attacks on infrastructure and ongoing security risks continuing to constrain supply.

Nicole Hardy Recovering to 12.8 million barrels is progress, but security threats will keep prices volatile until infrastructure is fixed.

How to start a daily quiet timeLifestyle — 23hFor anyone who needs a calm daily anchor and finishes the day with a clearer head.

Dana Whitfield Keeping it to ten minutes without distractions has been the key to sticking with it daily.

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.

How to iron a dress shirtLifestyle — 1dFor anyone who needs a dress shirt to look sharp and stay smooth through the day.

Tom Gallagher I always start with the back of the shirt now and it cuts down on front wrinkles every time.

World Tourism Day Explores AI Trends and Indian Getaways Ahead of DiwaliSports — 2dA World Tourism Day roundup explores travel trends and inspiration, including destinations to visit before Diwali crowds and two Indian picks on Lonely Planet’s 2027 Best in Travel list.

Rachel Meyers Nice to see two Indian destinations on the Lonely Planet list. Might add one to my travel plans for next year.

Long Island Cat Rescued After Five Days Trapped — 3dJohn DeBacker freed Lola after five days trapped upside down behind a wall in Franklin Square, Long Island, with no food or water.

Tom Gallagher Five days trapped upside down is rough on any animal. They should check for other gaps in the house so this doesn't happen again.

How to tie a necktie — 1dFor anyone heading to work or an event who wants a clean four-in-hand knot that sits straight and holds all day.

Dana Whitfield The instructions skipped some of the bulkier knots which is fine since I only need something simple for work.

How to sit with good desk postureLifestyle — 1dFor anyone who sits at a desk all day and wants a posture that stays comfortable through long work blocks.

Jared Kim I tried raising my monitor to eye level and my neck stopped aching by the end of the day.

Trump expects US-Cuba deal without military action — 1dAt the White House on Sept. 26, 2026, Trump said the U.S. and Cuba will make a deal and he does not think the military will be necessary, a day after a CBS report on Cuba-related military planning.

Tom Gallagher The timing after that military planning leak makes me doubt how serious the deal really is. Better to see real steps than just talk.

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

Riyadh schools switch to remote learning after unexplained closure order — 1dRiyadh schools ordered closed to in-person classes for one week from September 26/27, 2026, no reason given, a day after Houthi drones and missiles were intercepted.

Rachel Meyers Parents deserve a clear reason for the sudden switch instead of being left to assume it's about those intercepted attacks.

Pope Leo Welcomes Journalists Amid Trump Media Fight — 2dPope Leo XIV told a CNN reporter on a Paris flight journalists are welcome to cover him, days after a judge blocked a White House ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico.

Derek Foss Glad the judge stopped the attempt to sideline CNN and the others, and the Pope's stance lines up with keeping coverage open.

Phillies activate Luzardo for season finale — 1dPhillies activated Jesus Luzardo from the 15-day IL on Sunday for the Rays finale, designating Jose Urquidy for assignment, with a playoff spot on the line.

Dana Whitfield Designating Urquidy feels like the right call when every roster spot matters this late.

Trump Rejects Iran’s Seven-Day War Roadmap — 3dIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran does not want to continue the war and is open to a negotiated agreement, arguing that the United States must decide whether to end the conflict. Recent indirect talks have not produced a breakthrough, with the countries still divided over terms including Iran’s nuclear program.

Can you read data — or just vibes?Quizie — QuizFifteen questions on charts, stats, and the tricks numbers play. The rank tells everyone whether to trust your slides.

Iraq, US Agree to Resume Dollar Shipments After April Halt — 1dIraq and the US agreed to resume dollar cash shipments after an April halt of about $500 million; Haider al-Aboudi said a new shipment will arrive in the coming days.

Jared Kim Resuming these shipments after the April halt is a practical move that should help stabilize cash flow for Iraqi banks and businesses.

White Sox Place Luis Castillo on 15-Day IL Before Playoffs — 3dThe White Sox placed Luis Castillo on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement and recalled Tyler Davis from Triple-A. Castillo had struggled since joining Chicago and could miss the rest of the season, complicating the team’s postseason plans.

Sam Okafor Tyler Davis might provide some relief but the rotation looks thin without Castillo for the stretch.

Entain holds 2026 guidance despite Brazil betting banFinance — 1hEntain maintained its 2026 underlying EBITDA guidance of £910 million to £960 million and margin target of 21% to 22% after Brazil provisionally suspended online betting and gaming, but expects results toward the lower end of those ranges if the restriction lasts through year-end. The company now forecasts online net gaming revenue growth of 4% to 6% including Brazil, while growth excluding Brazil remains on track for the top of its 5% to 7% target; the measure requires congressional approval within 120 days.

Blaney Returns to Kansas After Hocevar Fight — 2dSix days after trading punches with Carson Hocevar at Bristol, Ryan Blaney appeared at Kansas on Sept. 25 with a still-visible black eye; NASCAR issued no penalties.

Nicole Hardy Blaney showing up with that black eye proves the Bristol fight was no joke, but NASCAR skipping penalties keeps the focus on racing.

Trump moves to cancel nearly $1 billion via pocket rescission — 2dWhite House announced late Friday a pocket rescission cutting $810 million in approved funds with five days left in the fiscal year, the second such move in 50 years.

Rachel Meyers Cutting aid for refugees and unaccompanied minors this way risks real harm without proper oversight.

China keeps ownership as loaned pandas head to Atlanta — 1dXi announces two giant pandas for Zoo Atlanta within days under a 10-year lease. Beijing retains title, a fact the 1972 crowds never faced and visitors still rarely see.

Maya Lindstrom It's good Atlanta gets the pandas, but China holding title the whole time shows it's still their property.

Chad Border Sites Strain as Sudanese Refugee Arrivals Surge to 400 Daily — 2dUNHCR: more than 55,000 Sudanese refugees crossed into eastern Chad in 2026, with arrivals over 400 a day—20 times prior rates—as funding reached only 18% of $1.6 billion sought.

Dana Whitfield The jump to 55,000 arrivals already shows this crisis needs real action from donor countries now.

Cubs’ Alex Bregman Exits After Foul Ball Strike — Sep 20, 2026Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman exited the Sept. 20, 2026 game vs. Reds after a foul ball off Busch's checked swing struck his face in the on-deck circle; he left bleeding and is day-to-day.

Rachel Meyers Day-to-day status is decent news but they should keep a close eye on any lingering effects from the bleeding.

Back-to-School Food Guides Span Meals, Sick DaysLifestyle — Sep 21, 2026Across five pieces, the focus is on practical, kid-friendly meals for busy school weeks and chilly days—ranging from quick, make-ahead snacks and simple homemade yogurts to slow-cooker dinners, comforting soups, and nostalgic sick-day classics that ease the daily dinner crunch. The articles emphasize cost-conscious, adaptable options that can feed varied appetites while keeping prep minimal and ingredients approachable.