IJR News — today's news from every sideJehovah’s Witnesses Ease Blood-Component Rules, Retain Whole-Blood Ban — 23hThe Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has further relaxed policies on blood, allowing members to decide, based on personal conscience, whether to accept or donate four main blood components (red cells, white cells, plasma, platelets) and to receive products derived from donated blood. The organization, however, maintains its longstanding ban on whole-blood transfusions and notes that decisions on blood use remain a personal conscience matter, with prior updates permitting members to store their own blood for future care.
Marcus Bell This update could mean fewer Witnesses face conflicts during major surgeries.
Behavioral Health Efforts Include New California Hub and Ohio Oversight ShiftHealth — Sep 8, 2026Across North Dakota, California, and Ohio, there is a growing emphasis on integrated, whole-person behavioral health care—from the ND conference fostering professional collaboration and ongoing education, to UC San Diego Health’s multi-faceted behavioral health hub focused on inpatient, outpatient, research, and training, to Compassion Behavioral Health promoting integrated treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and to Ohio policy efforts tightening oversight of recovery housing. Together these developments reflect a national push toward coordinated care, stronger resources, and policy refinement to improve access and outcomes for individuals with behavioral health needs.
On X · @FCBarcelonaFC Barcelona Urges Fans to Celebrate Raphinha After Hat-Trick in La Liga Win Over SevillaThe official @FCBarcelona account called for fans to show love to Raphinha after his hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Sevilla. The post and reactions are overwhelmingly positive, celebrating his strong form with minimal mild critiques.2,566 likes · 26m
