IJR News

PEN Reports Nearly 12,000 School Book Bans — 19hPEN America reported a record 11,982 book bans in U.S. public schools in 2025-26, with Texas alone logging over 8,100 after SB13.

+3

Tom Gallagher It's troubling to see over 8,100 bans in Texas alone after that new law. Kids need access to all kinds of books to learn.

Takaichi Unveils Growth Plan, Vows Debt Oversight — 1dJapan's 30-year JGB yield hit a record 4.235% on Oct. 5, 2026, as PM Takaichi opened a Diet session; public debt is twice the economy, with a food tax cut slated from April.

+2

Maya Lindstrom Balancing public investment with tax reviews is the right approach, though it risks slowing the economy if cuts go too deep.

Public sector versus private sector meme trends among conservatives — 6dMeme Wars: trending on the Right today.

0

Italy Scales Back Planned Defense Increase — 3dItaly’s public debt is set to peak near 139% of GDP in 2026, overtaking Greece as the eurozone’s most indebted nation, as Rome cuts its 2028 defense rise to 0.3% of GDP.

+3

Derek Foss Focusing on borrowing costs instead of boosting military readiness feels risky when threats around Europe aren't going away.

Wounded captain unlocks door and stops cockpit takeover — 3dSmit Machchhar opened the reinforced cockpit door while bleeding after his co-pilot stabbed him on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. The plunge, the passengers who rushed in, and what the case means for aviation security and public safety.

+3

Dana Whitfield The captain's quick thinking to open the door despite his wounds probably saved everyone on board.

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.

Smithsonian AI Project Connects Thousands of Revolution Artifacts — 3dThe Smithsonian is using AI in its Revolution Crossroads project to connect artifacts and records across its collections and institutions, helping scholars and the public uncover overlooked stories about people who lived during the American Revolution. Smithsonian leaders say human oversight will remain important as the technology helps expand historical research.

+2

Dana Whitfield It's great that AI can tie together scattered records to highlight overlooked figures from the Revolution era.

Undefeated Morales plans January UFC return — 2dUndefeated welterweight Michael Morales says he has agreed to face an unnamed, tough opponent in January, with Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates not slated to be his opponent. Morales says a win would be his final fight before a title shot, and he has also publicly challenged Shavkat Rakhmonov if other plans fall through.

0

Washington Bishop Budde Plans 2028 Resignation — 4dBishop Mariann Edgar Budde plans to resign as leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, but will remain in the role until her successor is consecrated in June 2028. Her announcement follows national attention over her criticism of President Donald Trump’s deportation policies and his public response to her remarks.

0

Museum redesigns full-scale Trump Oval Office replica with gold accents — 1dThe People’s House museum has revamped its full-scale Oval Office replica to reflect President Donald Trump’s second-term decor, with gold flourishes, 24 gilded portrait frames and replicated objects from the White House. Visitors can experience the West Wing space, which is not included on public White House tours, while the exhibit’s detailed recreations were made by specialists from the U.S. and Canada.

0

Tom Gallagher Gold everywhere feels a bit much for an office setting, even if it's accurate to the real one.

Reports Allege Trump Blamed Others for COVID Rise Amid Election Loss — 3dA proposed study uses the Korean War to examine Black literature, antiwar writing and the relationship between antiblackness in the United States and U.S. imperialism in Korea. A separate documentary about AI risks draws on the example of nuclear-war films, betting that popular culture can shape public opinion and spur political change.

0

Right-leaning meme suggests public suffering from Trump withdrawals — Sep 25, 2026Meme Wars: trending on the Right today.

0

Physical Books vs E-ReadersYourlist — VS BattlePaper's soul versus the paperless suitcase.

Anthropic Shares $660 Million Charity Expense With InvestorsBusiness — 4dAnthropic’s IPO filing reportedly disclosed more than $660 million in noncash stock compensation, highlighting the potential windfall for nonprofits and philanthropies as well as the expense’s impact on shareholders. Omaha organizations are also marking Suicide Prevention Week with a campaign inviting residents to share messages of hope in public spaces.

0

Prince Harry reportedly plans private Remembrance tributeWorld — 6dPrince Harry is reportedly expected to observe Remembrance Sunday privately rather than join the royal family’s public commemorations in London, aiming to keep attention on veterans and the national observance. His plans have not been independently confirmed.

0

Oatly Joins Global Climate-Action CampaignEnvironment — 5dOatly is putting messages from Covering Climate Now’s “89 Percent Project” on its cartons, highlighting research that found broad public support for stronger government action on climate change. The cartons have rolled out in parts of Europe and are expected in U.S. stores by January.

0

Trump declines to endorse Netanyahu ahead of Israeli election — 4dPresident Donald Trump declined to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection in a Time interview, despite the Israeli leader’s emphasis on their close relationship and Trump’s past public support. Trump instead highlighted his backing for Israel’s defense, including efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

0

Maya Lindstrom It's smart for Trump to highlight defense cooperation without tying himself to one Israeli leader.

The Four-Letter Type TestQuizie — QuizThe classic sixteen-types test — twenty questions, four axes, your letters computed for real, and an AI portrait written for your exact mix.

Germany’s V-2 Test Launch Foreshadows Space AgeTech — 4dA 1942 V-2 test marked a milestone in ballistic-rocketry history, though the weapon caused devastating loss of life in its manufacture and use. Today, space interest is on display through public astronomy events and rocket launches that draw visitors eager to experience space exploration firsthand.

0

Supreme Court’s 2026–27 Docket Includes Climate Case — 6dThe Supreme Court’s new term features major disputes over immigration enforcement, including whether the Trump administration can detain some immigrants without bond hearings, alongside cases on voting, climate, guns and government power. The justices will also consider education-related fights involving religious preschools’ access to public funding and allegations of sex discrimination at a university.

0

Shein returns to profit on $11.08B sales but flags slowing growth — Sep 28, 2026Shein returned to profit with $2.40 billion Q2 net income on $11.08 billion sales, its first results as a public company, as Europe sales fell nearly 14%.

+2

Jared Kim Shein turning a profit is welcome but the flat growth and Europe weakness point to bigger trouble ahead with those new fees.

Mexico Guard recruits tiny Chihuahua for rescue training — 6dMexico’s National Guard has welcomed Comando, a 13-month-old Chihuahua and the smallest member of its roughly 350-dog force. He appears at public events and is training for search-and-rescue work, helping challenge assumptions about working dogs and give the Guard a more approachable image.

+2

Maya Lindstrom Seeing the Guard with a tiny dog like Comando might actually get more people to trust them instead of staying wary.

Ho Chi Minh City Reorganizes Outdoor Ad PlanningLifestyle — Sep 28, 2026Ho Chi Minh City is reviewing its advertising rules after its merger with neighboring areas, seeking a clearer legal framework and more transparent bidding for public advertising sites. Industry representatives also called for simpler procedures and fairer competition.

0

Guinea-Bissau Military Bars Ex-President Embaló’s Return — 4dGuinea-Bissau’s military authorities have barred ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embaló from returning from exile ahead of December elections, citing security risks and the need to preserve public order; political activity restrictions remain in force. Residents expressed mixed views, with some saying Embaló should be allowed to return and voters decide his future, while others accepted the junta’s claim that his safety could not be guaranteed.

0

Elena Vasquez Barring the former president from even coming home makes the upcoming elections look rigged before they start.

ICE reports scores arrested in nationwide sweepWorld — Sep 28, 2026ICE announced nationwide arrests of undocumented immigrants with convictions for serious crimes, including murder, child sexual abuse, rape, assault and drug offenses. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and the Trump administration described the enforcement campaign as a public-safety effort.

0

DOJ files misconduct complaints against seven Minnesota judges over immigration interviews — 5dThe Justice Department filed judicial misconduct complaints against nearly all active federal judges in Minnesota over interviews discussing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, alleging their remarks showed bias and breached ethics rules. It also urged them to recuse themselves from Department of Homeland Security cases, while judges defended speaking publicly about judicial independence and the rule of law.

+1

Marcus Bell Judges speaking out about due process in immigration cases isn't misconduct, it's their duty to uphold the rule of law against overreach.

Trump orders expansion of federal lands open to hunters and anglers — Sep 18, 2026Public lands should be available to the public. That’s the sentiment of President Donald Trump who announced executive orders to make these lands more available for hunting and fi… — by Sandra Rhodes

+3

Tom Gallagher Opening federal land is fine but I hope it includes better trail maintenance so access stays safe for everyone.