IJR News

US Export-Import Bank eyes financing for Argentina energy and minerals — Sep 23, 2026The United States and Argentina formalized a multi‑billion‑dollar push to modernize infrastructure and energy/mining links, notably launching the Andes-Atlantic Corridor backed by up to $7 billion and focusing on Vaca Muerta and related export routes. Separately, Washington’s EXIM Bank plans up to another $7 billion in financing for Argentina’s critical minerals and energy projects, including LNG and lithium/copper developments, as part of a growing strategic partnership under Milei and current President Trump.

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Vacation Homes Make Up 2.9% to 10.1% of Housing Stock in Five States — Sep 14, 2026The United States faces a roughly 4.03 million shortfall in housing, fueling higher prices and rents and making it harder for first-time buyers and workers to find affordable homes. A SellMyTimeshareNow analysis details how vacation homes and timeshares influence housing stock, with state-by-state variations in vacation-home shares as communities weigh policy responses to the broader shortage.

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Elena Vasquez Vacation homes tie up too much stock in those states and push prices higher for locals who need year-round places to live.

Vacant Homes Catch Fire Across CitiesWeather — 5dFires broke out at vacant or abandoned homes in Knoxville, Syracuse and Fort Wayne, prompting road closures and, in Syracuse, firefighters to battle from outside after dangerous conditions and partial collapse. A separate fire at a Columbia mobile home was brought under control, with the cause and any injuries still unknown.

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UK Job Vacancies Fall to 702,000, Unemployment Steady — Sep 15, 2026Britain’s job market stayed weak, with unemployment at 4.9% and vacancies at 702,000—the lowest outside the pandemic—while payrolled employees fell by 26,000 in July to August. Wages remain modest (around 3.5% excluding bonuses), reinforcing expectations that the Bank of England will keep rates on hold and that the labor market is cooler and less prone to a fresh inflation surge.

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Nicole Hardy Fewer openings and falling payrolls mean the labor market is cooling without tipping into recession territory.

Natalia Silva Wins UFC Flyweight Title — 6dNatalia Silva captured the vacant UFC women’s flyweight title with a unanimous-decision win over Wang Cong at UFC 332 and says she wants to defend the belt actively. With Valentina Shevchenko sidelined by injury, several analyses point to a rematch with former champion Alexa Grasso as the likeliest next fight; Payton Talbott also strengthened his standing with a first-round TKO of Deiveson Figueiredo.

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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.

Ransomware Disrupts Richmond School OperationsPolitics — 4dU.S. education faces pressures ranging from a ransomware attack that disrupted a Richmond school to persistent teacher vacancies, while a conservative advocacy group’s state rankings have framed education policy as an issue for the midterm elections. Separately, USC announced a major investment in AI research and education, including a new interdisciplinary undergraduate degree.

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Arkansas Moves Senate Special Election to Dec. 15 — 4dArkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders moved the special election for the vacant State Senate District 18 seat from Jan. 5, 2027, to Dec. 15, 2026, after only one candidate per party filed, allowing an earlier election under state law. Republican Will Moore, Democrat Camille Feyen and two independent candidates are running to succeed Jonathan Dismang, who resigned; the winner will serve through January 2029.

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UFC 332 Sets Knockout Records, Crowns Silva — 6dUFC 332 set records with nine first-round knockouts and 11 total finishes. Natalia Silva won the vacant women’s flyweight title by unanimous decision over Wang Cong, while Payton Talbott scored a first-round knockout in the co-main event.

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Royal Caribbean plans $3B Sandals stake acquisitionBusiness — 6dRoyal Caribbean Group plans to acquire a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about $3 billion, expanding its cruise and private-destination business into all-inclusive land vacations. The companies say the partnership could broaden travel options and cross-promote offerings, though specific benefits for guests remain to be determined.

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Community Bankers Sue OCC Over Crypto Charters — Oct 2, 2026ICBA sued the OCC on Oct. 2, 2026, seeking to vacate a March 2026 trust-charter rule and Protego's approval, calling crypto charters a "side door" into banking.

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Derek Foss This lawsuit looks like an effort to stall competition rather than address actual risks in how crypto enters banking.

Carnival results lift Norwegian cruise stock 5 percent — Sep 29, 2026Carnival shares jumped 12% on Sept. 29, 2026 after $1.43 adjusted EPS beat estimates; CEO Josh Weinstein said Americans now treat vacations as sacrosanct.

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Derek Foss Norwegian getting a lift from a rival's strong numbers shows the whole cruise sector is recovering nicely.

Madonna vs Lady GagaYourlist — VS BattleThe Queen of Pop versus the artist who studied at her throne.

Judge blocks FEMA from conditioning counterterrorism grants on election changes — Sep 28, 2026Judge Amir Ali on Sept. 28, 2026, vacated a FEMA rule that put 20% of counterterrorism grant funding at risk unless jurisdictions changed election administration.

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Chris Dalton This ruling keeps federal agencies from twisting security grants into tools for election interference.

Clover Health names Torricelli and Miller to nine-member board — Sep 24, 2026Clover Health appointed former U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli and MedPAC Commissioner Dr. Brian J. Miller to fill two board vacancies, bringing the board to nine members. Torricelli will serve on the Audit Committee and Miller on the Clinical Committee, adding experience in public policy, Medicare and clinical care.

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Nicole Hardy Torricelli's Senate experience could strengthen Clover's handling of Medicare regulations.

Judges Strike Down Trump Education Policies — Sep 21, 2026A Rhode Island judge permanently blocked a Trump-era rule that would have restricted immigrants’ access to federal programs, while Massachusetts and federal courts found the administration’s anti-DEI directives unlawful, including actions that cut about $600 million in teacher-training grants. Together, these rulings void or vacate the DEI-related grant cuts and challenge the legality and process of the Trump-era policy changes.

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Judge Restores $7 Billion Solar Program for 900,000 — Sep 18, 2026Trump-appointed Judge Mary McElroy on Sept. 18, 2026, vacated EPA’s termination of the $7 billion Solar for All program for more than 900,000 lower-income Americans.

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Nicole Hardy The EPA shouldn't have ended the program without a better reason, and the judge was right to step in.

What were you actually built to do?Quizie — QuizNot the job you have — the one your wiring has been begging for. Twelve questions and the AI writes the job description.

Pope Appoints Saporito Bishop of Metuchen — Sep 15, 2026Pope Leo XIV has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Michael A. Saporito of Newark as the new Bishop of Metuchen, filling the diocese’s vacancy since November 2025 when the former bishop moved to become Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans. Saporito, a Newark native with three decades of North Jersey ministry and experience as an auxiliary bishop, previously led evangelization initiatives and will now lead a diocese that has been administrated by Very Rev. Jonathan Toborowsk since Checchio’s departure.

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Trump nominates Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt as Saudi ambassador — Sep 14, 2026Trump on Sept. 14, 2026 named Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt—West Point combat vet and former Saudi liaison—ambassador to Riyadh, a post vacant since January 2025.

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Derek Foss This nomination comes at a tricky time with Iran and Saudi-Israeli talks both heating up.

Manson Follower Bruce Davis Dies in Prison at 83 — Sep 14, 2026Bruce Davis, 83, Manson follower convicted in the 1969 Hinman and Shea murders, was pronounced dead at 11:03 p.m. Sept. 11 at Vacaville prison; cause undisclosed, parole denied seven times.

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Patagonia courts OpenAI-backed data centers as US sites face backlash — Sep 7, 2026Argentina’s Patagonia is becoming a hub for massive data-center projects as cool climate, abundant renewable energy, and nearby Vaca Muerta shale gas attract tech giants and investors. Projects from Pampa Energia, Sur Energy with OpenAI, and others aim for hundreds of megawatts, though developers face infrastructure, fiber connectivity, and regulatory hurdles before large-scale operations can materialize.

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Dana Whitfield Funny how these projects always chase places with weak regulation and cheap energy, then call it innovation.

Poorest Americans Face Housing Shortage, Vacant Units — Sep 7, 2026Nonprofit developers and national data show that creating housing for the poorest renters is financially unviable without subsidies that do not exist, while vacancies rise as affordable units near market-rate rents. About 4 million affordable rentals remain for roughly 11 million extremely low‑income households, and only about 12% of 2024 LIHTC financing went to that group, highlighting a severe funding and supply gap for the neediest renters.

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Meghan Markle Clutch Draws Global Attention Amid Budget Lookalikes — Aug 26, 2026Meghan Markle is leaning into polished, affordable accessories, pairing simple outfits with luxe-looking but wallet-friendly options such as a Chunli Black Clutch Purse on Amazon for $35 and a designer-inspired, Cartier-like gold watch from Gaofan Hour for $26. Similarly, Victoria Beckham’s vacation-ready look is replicated with a $19 Amazon-ready Hermes-style sandal, underscoring a trend toward accessible luxe in celebrity style.

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Karoline Leavitt Says Trump Wants Congress To Hightail It Back From Vacation And Finally Reopen DHS — Mar 30, 2026White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that President Donald Trump wants Congress to end their two-week vacation and finally reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Congress left for vacation…

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Biden ‘Exploded’ When Told About Major Crisis During His Vacation: New BookOpinion — Sep 6, 2023The collapse of Afghanistan in August 2021 found President Joe Biden in a familiar spot: on vacation. According to a new book by journalist Franklin Foer, the vacationing Biden reacted to news of then-President Ashraf…

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Bidens Reportedly Enjoying Free Vacation at Beachfront Mansion Thanks to a Dem DonorReporting — Aug 12, 2022The Bidens are not paying to vacation at a beachfront mansion, according to a report. A source close to the family told The New York Post that President Joe Biden asked Democratic donor Maria Allwin if he could vacation…

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