IJR News

Space Needle BASE Jumpers Prompt Security Review

Two thrill-seekers conducted an illegal BASE jump from the Space Needle’s observation deck, sparking an active investigation as officials review security footage and work with police; the stunt has drawn mixed reactions online and raised questions about potential tighter security at Seattle’s landmark. Authorities have not released the jumpers’ identities or any charges, but the incident has underscored ongoing concerns about safety at popular attractions.

Seattle Center Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Jul 27, 2026

Sports Figures

Messi weighs international future; rest affects All-Star

Messi and De Paul will be unavailable for Inter Miami’s upcoming MLS games and will miss the MLS All-Star Game on July 29 due to FIFA/FIFPRO-endorsed 21-day rest at the end of the season, with time off being coordinated with Inter Miami. Their absence affects fixtures against Chicago Fire and CF Montreal (and related matches early in the season), underscoring a high-profile pause for MLS after their World Cup run.

Lionel Messi Rodrigo De Paul

Jul 27, 2026

Inter Miami 1-0 Montréal; Berterame injury, Casemiro debut

Germán Berterame suffered a serious head injury after colliding with a Montréal defender, requiring an ambulance and a lengthy stoppage before Inter Miami won 1-0 on a late Luis Suárez penalty. Coach Guillermo Hoyos later said Berterame is conscious and recovering as the club copes with Messi’s absence, while Suárez and teammates offered support.

Lionel Messi Germán Berterame

Jul 27, 2026

Baseball

Acuña Nears Return; Diaz Sets Dodgers Schedule

Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz, coming off elbow surgery, is nearing a return and could be activated this weekend for the Mets series after progressing through rehab and meeting the back-to-back-appearance hurdle; a return would reunite him with MLB's co-leaders and add intrigue against his former team in New York. The team has used a closer-by-committee approach in his absence, and Díaz’s velocity has rebounded with reports of touching near 98 mph in rehab as management weighs his readiness for high-leverage work.

Dave Roberts Edwin Díaz

Jul 26, 2026

Veteran Hiring Day Sparks Nationwide Job Fairs

Across the country, National Hire a Veteran Day events featured job fairs and on-site interviews, from Washington state’s YesVets fair with thousands of veteran hires and an Employer of the Year recognition to Fort Hood’s AAFES-backed hiring events and resume support for service members and families. Additional observances included the Freedom 250 resource expo in Canandaigua and Veterans Voice coverage in Reno highlighting VA exhibits, SBA veteran entrepreneur programs, and VA life-insurance options.

Jul 25, 2026

Basketball

Crisis expert urges WNBA commissioner Engelbert resignation

Embattled WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert faces intensified scrutiny over responses to on-court incidents, player safety, and online harassment, even as she engages with players’ committees and league leadership to address consistency and protections. Amid ongoing tensions, observers note the league’s expanding business footprint and Engelbert’s efforts to bolster communication and security while navigating criticism from players and public figures.

Cathy Engelbert

Jul 25, 2026

NFL

Seahawks place Emmanwori on PUP after ankle surgery

The Seattle Seahawks placed Nick Emmanwori, Kenny McIntosh, and Tyrone Broden on the physically unable to perform list ahead of training camp, signaling potential early absences for a team aiming to defend its title. While Emmanwori’s injury status is unclear, coaches and analysts expect the issue to be temporary and hope he can rejoin practice soon as the Seahawks rely on his versatile play from last season.

Nick Emmanwori

Jul 25, 2026

Baseball

Rockies Eyeing Seller Role for Goodman at Deadline

Hunter Goodman, the Rockies' slugging catcher, continues to post big power numbers with 30 homers this season and strong road performance, fueling sustained trade buzz as multiple teams consider him a centerpiece for major deals. Analysts and insiders debate whether Colorado should move him for a rich package—often highlighting concerns about how his production would translate outside Coors Field and weighing the Rockies' need for pitching against the potential long-term value of keeping him.

Hunter Goodman

Jul 25, 2026

Sports Figures

Mbappé Named EA Sports FC 27 Cover Star

Kylian Mbappé is named the cover athlete for EA Sports FC 27 Ultimate Edition and for EA Sports FC Mobile, returning to the franchise cover after a four-year absence in the EA Sports FC era. The selection follows his stellar form with Real Madrid, including La Liga top scorer achievements and the Champions League Golden Boot, with EA teasing a gameplay trailer on July 23.

Kylian Mbappé

Jul 24, 2026

Markets

LightPath plans sale of China unit for $4.5M

LightPath Technologies intends to sell its China subsidiary LightPath (Zhenjiang) Optical Instrumentation Co., Ltd. to Hengtu Optical Technology for $4.5 million, payable over five years, in a deal led by management; the divestiture completes the company’s move to a Western-aligned manufacturing footprint and includes continued supply arrangements for five years at cost-plus terms. The transaction, expected to close in the coming weeks, preserves licensing and observer rights while restricting post-closing changes under a structured, phased payment and supply agreement.

United States Europe

Jul 23, 2026

World Cup

ECB to host Pakistan Bangladesh New Zealand 2027

The ECB has announced England’s 2027 home season, pairing the men’s Ashes with subsets of Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand fixtures, including a May one-off Test against Bangladesh and a September white-ball tour from New Zealand to help World Cup preparations. The schedule also features England Women hosting Bangladesh in a white-ball series, highlighting a busy international calendar ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup in October–November.

England ECB

Jul 23, 2026

Scam

SC upholds Baghel bail in liquor case

The Supreme Court upheld the bail of Chaitanya Baghel, son of Bhupesh Baghel, in two cases tied to the Chhattisgarh liquor scam and dismissed petitions by the ED and state government seeking its cancellation, while expunging adverse High Court remarks about the probe. The Court stressed that cancellation of bail depends on whether continued liberty would seriously prejudice justice, not merely the order’s formal reasoning, and clarified that the High Court’s critical observations were removed from the record as the investigation continues.

Surya Kant Bhupesh Baghel

Jul 22, 2026

Lynx expect Napheesa Collier season debut vs Storm

Napheesa Collier was listed as probable to make her 2026 season debut for the Minnesota Lynx against the Seattle Storm, marking a high-profile return after offseason surgery on both ankles while Minnesota sits atop the league standings. Her comeback comes as the Lynx have leaned on Olivia Miles and Kayla McBride to maintain success during her absence ahead of the All-Star break.

Kayla McBride Napheesa Collier

Jul 22, 2026

Gymnastics

Milky Way reportedly flipped after ancient collision

New simulations and observations indicate the Milky Way likely experienced a dramatic disc flip of more than 90 degrees, probably triggered by a head-on collision with Gaia Sausage about 10 to 11 billion years ago, which helps explain the unusually slow rotation of the halo. Researchers from Durham University and colleagues report the finding at the Royal Astronomical Society meeting, with multiple outlets detailing how this ancient galactic upheaval reshaped our galaxy.