IJR News

Bear 89 Backpack wins Fat Bear Week as Interior names him Lord of Lard — Oct 1, 2026Bear 89, known as Backpack, won Fat Bear Week 2026 on Tuesday after more than 2.3 million votes. The Interior Department called him Lord of Lard, Earl of Girth and Commander in Beef.

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SeaWorld Mako Closure Unclear After Georgia Coaster DeathBusiness — 1dSeaWorld Orlando temporarily closed its Mako roller coaster as a precaution after a rider died when he was ejected from Six Flags Over Georgia’s Goliath coaster. Both rides were made by Bolliger & Mabillard and share similar design features; Six Flags also suspended several other coasters while authorities investigate.

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Colombia Opens Jerusalem Embassy, Restores Israel Ties — 3dColombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the 10th country to do so, as President Abelardo de la Espriella reverses his predecessor’s rupture with Israel and restores diplomatic and trade ties. The move drew praise from Israeli officials but underscores the disputed status of Jerusalem, which most countries say should be resolved through Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

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Lillard Scores 15 in Trail Blazers Return — 1dDamian Lillard scored 15 points in 19 minutes in his first game back from a 2025 Achilles rupture as Portland beat Golden State 123-118; he said he felt “back home.”

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Priya Raman Lillard looked rusty but the minutes restriction makes sense after that Achilles tear, and Portland got the win they needed.

Okinawa US Forces Plan Curfew, 48-Hour Pause — Oct 6, 2026U.S. forces in Okinawa ordered a 48-hour pause with alcohol ban and a month-long midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew after Marine Devin Ballard was arrested in a Naha killing.

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AP Top 25 College Football TeamsRankingCollege football fans argue endlessly over which programs deserve the top spots in the AP Poll based on wins, schedule strength, and legacy.

Titans Keep Cam Ward at QB1 After 26-3 Loss — 4dDespite a winless start and continued offensive struggles, the Titans say Cam Ward will remain their starting quarterback as he works to improve his mechanics and build trust with the coaching staff. Trade speculation has surrounded veterans Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley, but reports say Tennessee is not planning a fire sale and has told interested teams Pollard is unavailable.

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Novels Lila’s Story and Lila’s Dance Win Literary Titan Awards — 4dGhilardi's Lila's Dance and Flanders's Lila's Story both won Literary Titan Book Awards on October 10, 2026; Titan called Dance an ambitious meditation on spiritual freedom.

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Lillard Returns, Blazers Beat Warriors 123-118 — 6dPortland opened its preseason with a 123-118 win over a shorthanded Golden State team, highlighted by Damian Lillard’s long-awaited return: he scored 15 points in 19 minutes, while Ja Morant had eight points and five assists. The new backcourt showed flashes of potential despite some rust, and Deni Avdija led the Blazers with 23 points.

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Cardinals Near Trade of Marvin Harrison Jr. — Oct 5, 2026With injuries exposing the Raiders’ receiver depth, trade speculation has focused on both Cardinals wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. and Cowboys receiver George Pickens. Damian Lillard urged Las Vegas to pursue Pickens, whose strong prior season contrasts with a quieter start this year, though Dallas has reason to keep him and any deal would involve contract considerations.

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Packers Add Running Back Amid Jacobs Absence — Oct 6, 2026The Packers’ struggling run game remains hampered by Josh Jacobs’ open-ended absence on the Commissioner’s Exempt List while the NFL reviews his case; Green Bay has brought Damon Bankston back to its practice squad. Amid the uncertainty, reports point to free agent Jamaal Williams as a possible signing, while a separate trade proposal suggests acquiring Titans back Tony Pollard.

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Nebraska Senator Plans Lincoln Tax Refund BillPolitics — Oct 7, 2026Nebraska Sen. Beau Ballard says Lincoln improperly collected city sales and occupation taxes from residents in its extraterritorial jurisdiction and is calling for an audit and refunds, with legislation planned for 2027 requiring a 20-year review and interest. Lincoln officials deny administering sales tax, saying the state Department of Revenue handles collections and refunds.

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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.

Carl Martin Millard, Army Veteran, Dies at 80Politics — Oct 7, 2026National Democratic Committee Chair Ken Martin is heading to Idaho for weekend campaign events.

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Morant Debuts Alongside Lillard for Blazers — Oct 5, 2026Portland’s crowded backcourt has raised questions about pairing Ja Morant with Damian Lillard, with reports indicating coach Micah Nori may favor a more defensively balanced starting lineup. Analysts argue Morant could still be a major asset as a high-energy sixth man, while others see the fit as uncertain and note the possibility Portland could rebuild his trade value before moving him.

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Wichita Approves $325,000 Naftzger Park BollardsWorld — Oct 5, 2026In Columbia, police said a reported pursuit was actually a nonviolent person in crisis who was taken to a hospital after negotiators intervened. In Dogsthorpe, a man in his 60s was found dead in the street; police are treating the death as unexplained and continuing their investigation.

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Kitchen tips include saving pasta water and Aldi cookware swaps — Sep 28, 2026Kitchen upgrades range from an LG SolarDOM appliance designed to air-fry, grill, steam and bake to affordable Aldi cookware lookalikes and budget-friendly cabinet and hardware updates. The articles also offer practical shortcuts—from cleaning a blender with soapy water to using cooking techniques from around the world to improve flavor, texture and efficiency.

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

Lillard Says No Restrictions on Blazers Return After Achilles Surgery — Sep 28, 2026Lillard said a TV line that his Achilles tear was 'the last of Dame Lillard as we know it' turned him up; he now reports no restrictions and will not chase heavy minutes.

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Maya Lindstrom Lillard coming back without limits after that Achilles tear is impressive. Taking it easy on minutes early makes sense though.

Colombia Extradites Rebel Leader to US in Security Policy Shift — Sep 25, 2026Colombia extradited Geovany Andres Rojas, known as “Spider,” to the United States to face drug-trafficking and terrorism-related charges. The move reverses former President Gustavo Petro’s use of Rojas as a peace negotiator and reflects President Abelardo de la Espriella’s tougher approach toward armed groups and closer cooperation with Washington.

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Colombia Deploys Troops to Violence-Hit Santa Marta — Sep 22, 2026In Colombia, President Abelardo de la Espriella deployed troops to Santa Marta after gunmen attacked shops and killed senior members of the ACSN, prompting a militarized security push to retake control of the city. In the Caribbean region, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader urged the U.N. Security Council to renew and accelerate the multinational force for Haiti, calling for full deployment, an arms embargo, and stronger Haitian security institutions to address the crisis.

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Bears win boosts Caleb Williams MVP odds after record Week 1 scoring — Sep 17, 2026BetMGM prop odds move for Tony Pollard, Jacoby Brissett, and Rhamondre Stevenson shape early-season betting markets, while prediction markets evaluate the Los Angeles versus Denver game and related settlement rules. Chicago’s Week 1 offensive surge under Ben Johnson has boosted Bears scoring and Caleb Williams’ MVP chatter, fueling shifts in futures and Week 2 expectations.

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Marcus Bell The new offensive scheme under Johnson is already paying off big for Chicago but one week won't decide if Williams stays in the conversation.

Ecuador names Gallardo coach through 2030 World Cup — Sep 14, 2026Ecuador named Marcelo Gallardo, River Plate’s 14-trophy coach, head coach through the 2030 World Cup after its 2026 knockout exit to Mexico.

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Priya Raman Bringing in an Argentine coach with that pedigree should help Ecuador develop better tactics after the Mexico loss.

Rubio to visit Colombia, Ecuador and Peru as U.S. deepens regional ties — Sep 3, 2026U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to strengthen partnerships, discuss drug-trafficking cooperation, and expand trade with leaders seen as close to President Trump amid broader U.S. involvement in the region. The trip follows recent Venezuelan oil-for-security moves and highlights Washington's engagement with new Latin American administrations, including Colombia’s Abelardo de la Espriella, Peru’s Keiko Fujimori, and Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa.

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Sam Okafor Nice that Washington's finally paying attention to South America again, but let's see if promises turn into real investment.

Peter Abelard and Heloise Reconcile Through LettersGood News — FROM 1132Separated by tragedy, Abelard and Heloise exchange letters of faith and forgiveness.

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Lillard posts 1,100 of 1,168 shooting in offseason workout — Aug 29, 2026Portland's off-season overhaul includes trading for Ja Morant to pair with Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, creating one of the NBA's most intriguing backcourts as Lillard returns from an Achilles injury. Reports show Lillard converting 1,100 of 1,168 shots in recent workouts, signaling a strong, ready-to-play comeback for the 2026-27 season.

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Colombia Earthquake: Toll Rises, Mourning Declared — Aug 10, 2026A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 71 people and causing extensive damage across Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, and Chocó, with hospitals and infrastructure reported damaged and ongoing rescue efforts. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national disaster to mobilize emergency response and relief as the death toll rose and aid coordination intensified.

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