Rolling out the news you want

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

CANNABIS

Lawmakers push probe into federal workers’ spending at marijuana businesses and other flagged “high-risk merchants” using government cards.

Study finds CBG shows strong potential to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, highlighting its possible role in liver health.

Cannabis drinks are entering mainstream retail, offering a sessionable, social alternative to alcohol and redefining how people unwind and connect.

Cannabis flowering is controlled by photoperiod-sensitive gene networks, which can be influenced by red-to-far-red light ratios in cultivation.

US NEWS

New COVID-19 booster rules limit eligibility to seniors and at-risk groups; younger recipients now require stricter clinical trial data.

New Orleans jail worker aided escape of 10 inmates; four recaptured, six still missing in major Louisiana prison breach.

Trump administration secures release of U.S. veteran held in Venezuela; a father says son sought PTSD treatment abroad.

House GOP leaders, high-tax state Republicans near SALT deal, potentially clearing path for major tax-and-spending bill passage.

WORLD NEWS

UK halts trade talks with Israel amid Gaza famine, settler sanctions, and a new offensive to dismantle Hamas and free hostages.

Sudan military claims full control of Khartoum; government accuses UAE of launching drone strike on Port Sudan in escalation.

Ramaphosa meets Trump amid strained US-South Africa ties, refugee tensions, land reform backlash, and pressure over the Gaza genocide case.

Sanctioned ex-Ukrainian aide Andriy Portnov shot dead near Madrid school; ties to Yanukovych, corruption, and Russia draw scrutiny.

SPORTS

Thunder and Panthers dominate Game 1s to open NBA, NHL semifinals; Pacers-Knicks and Oilers-Stars Game 1s up next.

Magnus Carlsen draws in 46-day match against 143,000 global players, whose collective moves were chosen by popular vote.

NFL players will be allowed to compete in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics under a new proposal approved by owners.

Fever vs. Sky drew 2.7M viewers Sunday, making it the most-watched WNBA regular season game in 24 years.

POP CULTURE

George Wendt, beloved “Cheers” actor and six-time Emmy nominee, dies at 76 after decades of iconic TV and stage work.

Cassie Ventura’s mother, a former assistant, and a dancer known as “The Punisher” testified in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial, describing abuse, intimidation, sex parties called “Freak Offs,” and a controlling environment that allegedly involved drugs, violence, and coercion.

Sarah Silverman revealed her father believed her infant brother died not from a crib accident, but from being violently shaken by her grandfather. The revelation came after her father saw her musical “The Bedwetter,” which explored their family’s painful past.

BUSINESS

US markets fall (S&P -0.4%, Dow -0.3%, Nasdaq -0.4%) as tech stocks dip, ending S&P 500’s six-day winning streak.

Google Meet adds real-time translation, starting with English-Spanish for Google AI premium subscribers in new accessibility rollout.

Tesla stock rises as Elon Musk pledges five-year CEO tenure and reduced political donations, easing investor concerns over leadership.

Microsoft-backed startup Builder.ai enters insolvency proceedings after rapid growth; company previously known as Engineer.ai.

Quote of the Day:

“Rough diamonds may sometimes be mistaken for worthless pebbles.”

- Thomas Browne

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