IJR News

Containers Block Islamabad, Rawalpindi Routes for Khan Rally — Sep 29, 2026Pakistani 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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Equinor, Eneco Sign Five-Year 9-TWh Annual Gas DealBusiness — 1dEquinor will supply Eneco with about 9 terawatt-hours of Norwegian natural gas annually for five years, with deliveries to the Dutch grid beginning October 1, 2026. The companies say the gas’s production and transport emissions are 11.8% below the average for gas supplied through the Dutch grid, and the contract includes verified environmental attributes.

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Harrisburg Utility Sues State Over $2.4M Stormwater FeesEnvironment — 23hHarrisburg’s Capital Region Water is suing Pennsylvania to require the state to pay stormwater fees on its properties, arguing they use the utility’s infrastructure and should share the costs; the state says it is exempt as a tax-exempt entity. The utility warns that unpaid fees and potential withdrawals by other exempt property owners could shift costs to residents and businesses, potentially driving their bills up by 50%.

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Ardelyx Faces Securities Class ActionBusiness — 5dInvestors have filed securities class actions against Ardelyx, alleging the company misrepresented its commercial outlook while payer restrictions impeded access to IBSRELA and XPHOZAH. The lawsuits followed Ardelyx’s cut to IBSRELA revenue guidance and withdrawal of long-term XPHOZAH guidance, after which its shares fell sharply.

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Lebanese Residents Say Israeli Drones Persist After WithdrawalWorld — 6dResidents of West Zawtar say life remains insecure two months after Israeli troops withdrew under a US-backed plan, citing nearby Israeli forces, surveillance drones and damage to homes. Israel says it has not finished addressing Hezbollah-related threats, while the U.S. calls the gradual-withdrawal process a viable path to security; no further pilot zones have been agreed.

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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.

Communities Plan Fall Festivals, Turkey TrotsLifestyle — Oct 6, 2026Thanksgiving Turkey Trot events are gearing up in Merrimack, Charlotte, Tuscarawas County and Redmond, with races supporting local causes including children’s programs, holiday gifts and community services. Redmond is also marking its 10th race anniversary with an October Turkey Hunt giveaway.

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China Plans Late Bid for WHO LeadershipHealth — Oct 6, 2026China plans to nominate public health official Song Li in the race to lead the World Health Organization, potentially expanding Beijing’s influence as the agency adjusts to the U.S. withdrawal and the loss of its largest donor. Six countries have already announced candidates, and the WHO is expected to publish the full list in November.

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Orchestras Plan Halloween Concerts Across CommunitiesEntertainment — Oct 4, 2026Orchestras in San Jose, Victoria, Tuscarawas County and a community identified as BHS are planning family-friendly Halloween concerts featuring seasonal music, costumes and activities. The Tuscarawas Philharmonic’s Oct. 24 program pairs trick-or-treating with spooky classical works and a children’s musical mystery, while the other events offer mixes of popular and classical selections, costume contests or other family attractions.

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US Completes Withdrawal From Major Iraq Bases — Sep 26, 2026Iraq says the remaining U.S. forces will leave by September 30, ending the U.S.-led coalition’s military mission as Baghdad shifts to bilateral security ties with Washington. The deadline is separate from Iraq’s effort to bring armed factions under state control, a process expected to continue into 2027 and opposed by some militias.

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US completes Iraq troop withdrawal as militia concerns remain — Sep 30, 2026

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US withdraws from European anti-corruption bodyWorld — Sep 29, 2026The Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption monitoring body, GRECO, saying membership fees bring no tangible national-security benefits and that it will instead use tools such as sanctions and visa restrictions. The Council of Europe praised the U.S. contribution and said it remains open to future cooperation, as the withdrawal adds to Washington’s broader retreat from international organizations.

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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.

U.S. completes Iraq withdrawal after 12-year anti-ISIS mission — Sep 30, 2026

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Chris Dalton I worry the Iraqis still aren't ready to handle security on their own without American support.

US completes Iraq withdrawal as coalition ends anti-ISIS mission — Oct 1, 2026Last troops left Erbil on Sept. 30, closing a 12-year anti-ISIS campaign and 23 years of U.S. presence. Baghdad now owns remaining threats; American support shifts to training and intelligence.

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Jared Kim Iraq needs to prove it can handle the remaining threats now without US combat troops on the ground.

Securities Suit Filed Against Ardelyx Over Alleged Fraud — Sep 25, 2026Investors have filed securities class actions against Ardelyx, alleging the company misrepresented the outlook for IBSRELA and XPHOZAH while payer restrictions hindered access and prescription growth. The suits follow Ardelyx’s lowered IBSRELA revenue forecast and withdrawal of long-term XPHOZAH guidance, after which its shares fell sharply; investors have until November 16, 2026, to seek lead-plaintiff status.

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Prozorova Disputes Concussion Withdrawal From Singapore Semifinal — Sep 25, 2026Organizers withdrew Tatiana Prozorova from the Singapore Open semifinal under concussion protocol after a doubles smash grazed her cheek; she says she felt fine and disputes the call.

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Chris Dalton Prozorova knows her own body best and should have been cleared to play the semifinal if she felt ready after the ball strike.

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

Lula signs order banning online betting in Brazil — Sep 25, 2026Lula signed a September 25, 2026 order banning online fixed-odds betting and casinos in Brazil effective immediately, with withdrawals only until October 5 and platforms offline from October 6.

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Priya Raman Users only have until October 5 to pull out funds, which seems too short for most people.

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

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Barry Diller Withdraws $18 Billion Bid for MGM Resorts — Sep 23, 2026Barry Diller’s People Inc. abandoned its roughly $18 billion bid to acquire the rest of MGM Resorts, signaling that the deal will not move forward and leaving MGM to continue as a standalone company. People still holds about 27% of MGM, and MGM’s stock reacted to the withdrawal with an after-hours drop as the company reaffirms its path forward.

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Priya Raman MGM can focus on its own growth now instead of dealing with a takeover, even if the stock dipped after hours.

Taliban Seeks U.S. Return, Embassy Remains ClosedWorld — Sep 18, 2026Five years after the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul, the Taliban are seeking diplomatic engagement and an embassy, but Washington remains reluctant to recognize the government while regional powers including Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan push for talks amid security concerns like the TTP. At the same time, the regime is pursuing a UN-backed opium-ban effort that has dramatically reduced cultivation, a shift noted by UNODC, even as families of Afghanistan’s victims await justice five years on.

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Magnolia Oil-Tank Fire Kills Three FirefightersPolitics — Sep 17, 2026Arkansas history on September 19–20 features a spectrum of notable events: Civil War skirmishing near Helena in 1862, the 1883 marriage of future governor George W. Donaghey, and the 1923 Little Rock police murders death sentences; 1944 Magnolia’s oil-fire disaster that claimed three firefighters; the 1957 Central High School desegregation injunction hearing that led to the guards’ withdrawal; and the 1974 Young v. Ethyl Corporation bromine litigation. The dates also record 1863 Cavalry organization at Magnolia, 1917 Fort Smith labor strike, 1942 Jehovah’s Witnesses attack in Little Rock, 1957 legal challenges surrounding Little Rock desegregation, the 1958 vote to keep closed schools, and Kennedy’s Arkansas campaign in 1960.

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RTÉ Withdraws from 2027 Eurovision Over Gaza Crisis and Access Concerns — Sep 17, 2026RTÉ confirms it will not participate in or broadcast the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, citing the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and humanitarian concerns, alongside worries about independent access for journalists in the territory. Ireland’s abstention follows its 2026 withdrawal amid broader European boycotts over Israel’s participation and Gaza-related tensions.

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Jared Kim The humanitarian issues are too severe for any country to host or join Eurovision right now.

Lawyers Seek Withdrawal From Combs’ $100M Lawsuit — Sep 16, 2026Sher Tremonte moved to quit Combs' $100M suit, saying fees are over 90 days in arrears and he cut contact for four months. Combs says he switched over unapproved bills.

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Maya Lindstrom Combs blaming unapproved charges feels like a convenient excuse when the real issue is a $100 million suit going nowhere.

Former Bank Manager Pleads Guilty to $335,000 Customer Theft — Sep 10, 2026A former Northern Kentucky bank manager, Reagan France of Home Savings Bank in Ludlow, pleaded guilty to bank fraud, theft by a bank employee and aggravated identity theft for embezzling about $335,000 from more than 20 customer accounts—including two nonprofits—between 2022 and 2024, using other employees’ credentials and forged withdrawal slips. She resigned at the end of 2024, faces restitution and a sentencing hearing set for January 13, 2027.

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Lebanon President Aoun Visits South Amid Israeli Strikes — Sep 12, 2026Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun made an unannounced visit to Nabatieh near the Ali al-Taher ridge as Israeli strikes and a major Hezbollah fortification destruction heightened tensions in southern Lebanon. He urged continued support for residents and adherence to the June framework on Hezbollah disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and reconstruction, while noting that US-brokered talks with Israel have been pushed to October.

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Marcus Bell Aoun's visit to Nabatieh is a good signal of support, but pushing disarmament talks to October risks more escalation in the south.