Rolling out the news you want

Welcome to the BLUNT Newsletter, your direct access to pop culture that is short and to the point.

Quick Hit:

BIDEN VS TRUMP

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will debate Thursday, June 27, at 9 p.m. ET on CNN. This historic event marks the earliest presidential debate in U.S. history.

CANNABIS

USDA awards $745,000 to promote American-grown hemp globally.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed his support for federal marijuana legalization.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticizes marijuana legalization initiative, claiming it would offer stronger protections than First and Second Amendments.

US NEWS

Rep. Jamaal Bowman loses to George Latimer in New York’s Democratic primary after missteps and pro-Israel groups’ efforts.

Biden and Trump to debate on CNN Thursday; Trump focuses on economy, Biden portrays Trump as unfit, both prepare intensively.

Migrant apprehensions at the US-Mexico border dropped 40% since Biden’s asylum restrictions, with under 2,400 daily encounters, per DHS.

Evan Gershkovich’s espionage trial begins in Russia; US condemns charges. Arrested in March, he faces up to 20 years if convicted.

WORLD NEWS

Julian Assange pleads guilty to conspiring to leak US defense info, receives 62-month sentence, avoids US prison, returns to Australia.

Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that ultra-Orthodox Jewish men must be drafted into the military, potentially destabilizing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition amid the Israel-Hamas war.

China’s spacecraft returned 5 pounds of far-side lunar rocks, marking the first regolith retrieval for study, enhancing understanding of moon’s geology.

Kenyan police kill at least five protesters storming parliament over proposed tax bill; lawmakers flee through underground tunnels.

SPORTS

The 2024 NBA Draft begins tonight at 8 pm ET on ABC/ESPN, featuring Round 1 from Brooklyn, New York.

The New York Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges, a Brooklyn Nets guard who appears to be the star they need for a title run.

A bankruptcy filing revealed that the Las Vegas Raiders’ coach faces $28 million in judgments.

POP CULTURE

Shifty Shellshock, frontman for the rock band Crazy Town, dies at 49.

Britney Spears’ attorney, Mathew Rosengart, has stepped down after successfully concluding litigation related to her conservatorship, marking a significant milestone in her journey to autonomy.

Gena Rowlands, “The Notebook” star and two-time Oscar nominee, has Alzheimer’s disease.

BUSINESS

US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 +0.4%, Dow -0.8%, Nasdaq +1.3%) as Nvidia shares rebound following Monday’s sell-off.

Rivian shares rise over 50% in after-hours trading after Volkswagen announces up to $5B investment in the electric vehicle maker by 2026 as part of a new joint venture.

Tesla recalls most Cybertrucks over windshield wiper and trim issues, impacting an estimated 11,000 vehicles.

Amazon developing AI bot “Metis” to rival ChatGPT, named after Greek Titan goddess of wisdom, will control lights and book flights.

Quote of the Day:

"You did not wake up to be mediocre."

-Robin Arzón

That's all for now! We hope you enjoyed this edition of the BLUNT Newsletter. Have a fantastic rest of your day!