IJR News

Trump Names Jay Clayton to Lead AI Force — Sep 29, 2026President Donald Trump is expected to name Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as the White House’s AI czar, potentially adding the role to Clayton’s existing intelligence duties, though the administration has not confirmed the appointment. The move would advance Trump’s plan to create an AI Force as his administration seeks to promote U.S. leadership in the technology while addressing its risks.

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Feds Accuse Berkeley Law of Racial Admissions Bias — Sep 9, 2026Federal investigators from the Justice Department and Education Department concluded that UC Berkeley Law systematically discriminated against white and Asian applicants, using race-based prompts and other tactics to advance diversity goals even after the 2023 Supreme Court ruling. The findings, aligned with the Trump administration’s push to roll back race-conscious admissions, cite a significant disparity in admission odds—berating Black applicants with much higher odds of admission compared with similarly qualified white applicants—and call for enforcement action and a voluntary resolution.

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Tom Gallagher The Supreme Court ruling was clear, so these race-based prompts and tactics need to end to restore fair admissions.

Texas Plans Spending Reviews at Four Districts — 3dTexas Comptroller Don Huffines will review spending by Austin ISD and three other school districts at Gov. Greg Abbott’s request, focusing on whether public funds are used appropriately and how much goes to administration. The investigation comes as Austin ISD faces enrollment declines and a growing budget deficit, while advocates warn that responding to the review could add administrative work for districts.

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Converse Apologizes, Removes Ad After KKK ComparisonsBusiness — Sep 18, 2026Converse faced widespread backlash over a Chuck 70 X campaign image that many viewers perceived as KKK imagery and lynching, prompting apologies and removal from multiple channels; the controversy centers on photos featuring Karina and a white-hood-like silhouette alongside dangling shoes. The brand has not fully addressed why the imagery appeared across campaigns, while others highlighted additional related posts and past ads that drew similar comparisons.

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ADARx Plans $350 Million IPO, AbbVie Stake — Sep 21, 2026ADARx Pharmaceuticals plans a $350 million IPO by issuing 21.9 million shares at $15-$17 each, with AbbVie investing up to $100 million for about 4.9% of the company, valuing it around $1.8 billion and listing on Nasdaq as ADRX. The biotech focuses on siRNA therapies with three clinical-stage programs and two advanced preclinical programs, led by onvuzosiran in Phase 3 for hereditary angioedema, with pricing anticipated the week of September 21, 2026.

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Chris Dalton The $350 million raise at that valuation feels ambitious even with three clinical programs underway.

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.

Justice Department Adopts ‘Super Intelligence’ for AI — 2dThe Justice Department has directed employees to use “super intelligence” or “SI” instead of “artificial intelligence” or “AI” in official communications and, where legally appropriate, court filings, following President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring federal agencies to adopt the terminology. The rebranding is presented by the administration as reflecting the technology’s growing capabilities, while critics say it may confuse legal records and does little to address concerns about AI risks.

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Arlington County Sues to Block Trump’s 250-Foot Arch — 3hArlington County has sued the Trump administration and federal agencies to block a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle, citing traffic, emergency-access and public-safety concerns. The county also argues the project was advanced without an adequate environmental review and is asking a judge to halt construction until the review is completed.

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5E Acquires Searles Valley, Becomes Boron Producer — 1d5E Advanced Materials has completed its acquisition of Searles Valley Minerals’ operating assets, turning the company from a development-stage business into a producer with three processing sites, a 257-person workforce and two Southern California minerals operations. 5E says new offtake contracts lift netbacks by more than 65% and its base plan targets about $40 million in annual adjusted EBITDA, with borates, sulfate of potash, lithium and tungsten offering additional potential beyond that plan.

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Polymarket Adds Consumer Safeguards Amid Legal Scrutiny — Sep 30, 2026Polymarket introduced user-set deposit limits, temporary or permanent self-exclusion and addiction-support resources as state scrutiny of prediction markets intensifies. The safeguards are voluntary, while a New York lawsuit and broader disputes over federal versus state authority could determine whether states can require such protections.

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FAA Clears Trump Arch, Despite Historic Site Lawsuits — Sep 16, 2026The National Park Service and the Trump administration acknowledge that the proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle would adversely affect historic sites such as Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial, but officials say the project must go forward and outline limited mitigation measures and public education efforts. Preservationists and critics argue the process is flawed and insufficient to address the cultural landscape, while seeking further consultation and alternatives.

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Dear Abby Advises Struggling Double DreamerLifestyle — Sep 12, 2026Dear Abby columns feature a 'Soda Stand Dreamer' juggling parenting, work, and ambitions to write a book or start a small business, with pragmatic guidance to pick one dream and commit time or gain related skills, while also addressing privacy boundaries in a blended-family finances debate about child support. The articles collectively note the column’s long-running authorship by Jeanne Phillips, highlighting its role in offering advice and shaping perspectives on everyday challenges.

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Jared Kim Learning skills tied to your dream before quitting your job makes more sense than jumping straight into a soda stand with little kids at home.

Quentin Tarantino vs Martin ScorseseYourlist — VS BattleThe video store savant versus the film-school don — two visions of American violence, guilt, and cool.

Actor Michael Douglas Denies Sex Addiction — 2dWhile Michael Douglas admits to going to rehab for alcohol addiction, he denies going to rehab for a sex addiction. “I don’t know if I slept with so many women; I don’t see it tha… — by Sandra Rhodes

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Rachel Meyers Douglas has every right to set the record straight on what he actually went to rehab for.

Sydney Sweeney Novig Ad Draws Athlete Backlash — Sep 12, 2026Sydney Sweeney’s recent sports-ad campaigns for Novig and her earlier American Eagle work have sparked ongoing backlash over sexually explicit advertising of women in sports, with critics calling the promos inappropriate and regressive while supporters defend a focus on sports and brand messaging. The controversy spans multiple outlets and social media, highlighting a continuing debate about gender representation and the impact of such ads on perceptions of women in sports.

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Meta blocks ByteDance ads across seven countriesTech — 3hMeta has barred ByteDance ads and third-party campaigns linking to TikTok and other ByteDance services on Facebook and Instagram in seven countries, including the United States, saying it will not promote a competitor. The move escalates its rivalry with TikTok, amid Meta’s calls for the platform to adopt stronger child-safety measures.

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Trump Shifts Funding for Promotional Ads to Super PAC After Criticism — 3dTrump said Oct. 5, 2026, he will fund promotional ads through MAGA, Inc. after at least $10.1M in taxpayer spending, per AdImpact.

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Maya Lindstrom Moving the ads to MAGA Inc after the criticism shows he is trying to fix the spending issue.

The grammar gatekeeper testQuizie — QuizTwelve spelling and grammar traps that catch almost everyone. Pass, and the AI knights you. Fail, and it's gentle about it. Mostly.

Donor-advised funds sent millions to assisted suicide advocacy group — 7hVanguard's and Fidelity's charitable arms are bankrolling advocacy groups that make it easier for retirees to kill themselves.

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Donor-advised funds sent millions to assisted suicide advocacy group1 source — 10hVanguard's and Fidelity's charitable arms are bankrolling advocacy groups that make it easier for retirees to kill themselves.

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UK Greens Adopt Zionism-as-Racism PolicyPolitics — 5dBritain’s Green Party adopted a motion defining Zionism as racism, drawing condemnation from Jewish organizations and others, while former Church of England vicar Chris Brain was convicted of additional sexual offenses. In the United States, a religious-freedom commission urged sanctions against an Indian Hindu nationalist group over alleged attacks on Christians, and a federal judge ruled that Oklahoma cannot deny a Jewish charter school public funding solely because of its religious character.

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Reports Highlight Diverse Family Caregiving RolesLifestyle — 2dFamily caregiving can place heavy responsibilities on relatives across generations, from adult siblings coordinating care for aging parents to grandparents raising grandchildren and children taking on adult-like duties. Clear communication, shared support and recognition of caregivers’ own needs can help families manage these changing roles.

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Trump administration plans government lawyers for migrant childrenPolitics — 2dThe Trump administration plans to have Health and Human Services attorneys represent unaccompanied migrant children in immigration proceedings, following the end of a contract with an independent legal-services network. Immigrant advocates warn that government-employed lawyers may lack the independence needed to protect children and could increase their risk of deportation; HHS says the new division will provide legal support and help reunite families.

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Columbia pauses journalism MA admissions amid visa uncertainty — Oct 1, 2026Columbia Journalism School is pausing admissions to its Master of Arts program for an upcoming cycle while reviewing and reworking the curriculum; the dean said visa dynamics were among the considerations, as shifting Trump administration policies have reportedly contributed to a sharp decline in international applications. The school will continue its other journalism degrees and introduce a part-time online Master of Science program.

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DOJ Accuses UCLA Law of Racial Discrimination in Admissions — Oct 1, 2026The Justice Department says UCLA School of Law discriminated against white and Asian applicants in its 2023–2025 admissions by using race, allegedly through application essays and recruitment practices, in violation of federal law and the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling. UCLA disputes the finding, saying it admits students through a comprehensive, merit-based process and complies with applicable law.

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Elena Vasquez If UCLA used essays and recruiting to favor certain races after the Supreme Court ruling, that violates federal law and deserves investigation.

Trump Ads Face Scrutiny Over Taxpayer Funding — Sep 28, 2026President Donald Trump’s administration aired television ads featuring his political rhetoric, including recycled material from his 2024 campaign, with disclaimers saying they were paid for by the U.S. government. Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter warned the spending could be an impeachable offense, while lawmakers from both parties questioned its legality; the White House has defended the spots as public service announcements.

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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.

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Developing storylines

Trump administration voluntary AI oversight accord

Indiana Fever advance in WNBA playoffs against Las Vegas Aces