IJR News

Rochester Chamber Backs Planned Pine Island Data CenterTech — 15hThe Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce backed Project Skyway, a proposed Google data center in Pine Island, citing expected jobs, infrastructure and school funding, and substantial new tax revenue. The project has drawn opposition over potential costs and environmental effects, and one report says legal challenges have paused development.

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Trump Rallies for Nebraska Republicans, Signs Diesel Order — 4dPresident Donald Trump is heading to Grand Island, Nebraska, to rally support for Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts as he faces independent Dan Osborn in a race that has become unexpectedly competitive. The visit comes as Republicans contend with voter frustration over costs and opposition from Nebraska ranchers to the administration’s foreign beef import plan.

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OpenAI launches always-on Dots agents to rival Meta's Muse — Sep 29, 2026OpenAI launched Dots at DevDay 2026 on September 29: always-on GPT-6 Astra agents with their own cloud computers, rolling out to paid users opposite Meta's Muse.

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Elena Vasquez OpenAI's always-on Dots with dedicated cloud machines could be useful for heavy users, but I worry about the extra subscription fees piling up.

Venezuela Frees 39 Political Prisoners After Talks — Sep 26, 2026Rights groups said Venezuela freed 29 to 39 political prisoners Friday and Saturday after interim government-opposition talks following a Trump-Rodríguez meeting.

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Nicole Hardy This release shows talks can work, yet real progress requires freeing everyone held for political reasons without exceptions.

CBP weighs scaling back Big Bend border construction — 6dThe Trump administration has ended its pause on border-project activity at Big Bend National Park but says it is considering changes to reduce the project’s scope and limit environmental impacts. Customs and Border Protection expects to decide on plans in early October, with any ground-disturbing work likely weeks later, as the proposal continues to face legal challenges and bipartisan opposition.

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Priya Raman Reducing the Big Bend project scope seems like a reasonable compromise to protect the park while keeping some security measures in place.

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.

Carpenter, Qualley Join Holland's Fred Astaire Biopic — Sep 25, 2026Margaret Qualley will play Adele Astaire and Sabrina Carpenter Ginger Rogers opposite Tom Holland in Sony's untitled Fred Astaire biopic, announced September 25, 2026.

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Maya Lindstrom Tom Holland dancing as Fred Astaire could work if they focus on the real partnership with his sister Adele.

California Enacts PFAS Pesticide Tracking LawPolitics — Sep 28, 2026California has enacted a law requiring state regulators to identify PFAS-containing pesticides in a public database and track their use, with a fuller list of registered products due by 2028. The measure was scaled back from a proposed ban after opposition from farm groups; supporters say the data will help assess risks and guide future action.

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Senate Chinese Car Ban Stalls Over Mercedes ConcernsPolitics — Sep 29, 2026A bipartisan Senate proposal would bar U.S. vehicle sales by companies with more than 15% Chinese ownership, putting Mercedes-Benz—whose Chinese investors hold nearly 20%—potentially in its path. Sponsor Bernie Moreno says lawmakers are seeking a way to protect Mercedes, and are discussing Volvo, while Aston Martin and Lotus could remain exposed; negotiations and opposition have delayed the bill’s progress.

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Ethiopian Forces Reportedly Retake Mekelle AirportWorld — Sep 27, 2026Ethiopian federal troops and allied militia say they have captured Alamata, a strategic supply hub in Tigray, after opposition forces retreated; independent verification and full control were not immediately clear. The renewed fighting has undermined the 2022 peace agreement, with clashes also reported in neighboring regions and Eritrean forces’ involvement alleged by Afar’s regional government.

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Israel Election Expected to Test Netanyahu’s Return Bid — Sep 28, 2026Israel’s Oct. 27 election is shaping up as a referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, including accountability for the Oct. 7 attack and the conduct of the Gaza war, with a diverse opposition seeking to unseat him. The outcome could also entrench or alter policies on the West Bank, democratic institutions and ultra-Orthodox exemptions, while critics argue that supporting Israel does not require backing Netanyahu’s government.

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Buffer ETF Short Interest Swings Sharply in September — Sep 24, 2026September short interest fell sharply in four ETFs: JULT, INT, GAUG and KJAN each saw declines of roughly 97% to 99.3%. FT Vest’s DOCT moved in the opposite direction, with short interest surging 812.8% to 31,190 shares.

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Dana Whitfield It's odd how four similar ETFs lost nearly all their shorts while DOCT gained so many. Maybe a rotation in how people view the buffers.

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