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 Hits:

VP Kamala Harris introduces Gov. Tim Walz as running mate in Philadelphia rally, known for liberal stance but complex political history.

Tropical Storm Debby regains strength, forecasted to hit South Carolina. Historic rain and flooding expected; six deaths reported in Florida and Georgia.

CANNABIS

VP candidate Tim Walz legalized marijuana, decriminalized paraphernalia, approved safe sites, and created a psychedelics task force, marking historic ticket.

Officials in six states consider adding female orgasmic disorder as a medical cannabis condition, following preliminary approval in Connecticut and Illinois.

American Marc Fogel, jailed in Russia for possessing medical cannabis used as an opioid alternative, feels abandoned after being excluded from a recent Biden administration prisoner swap, describing it as a "bottomless pit getting worse."

US NEWS

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Lamont, California, felt from Fresno to Temecula. No significant damage in Los Angeles; over 60 aftershocks followed. Experts remind residents to prepare for inevitable larger quakes.

Progressive Rep. Cori Bush loses Missouri primary to well-funded challenger supported by a pro-Israel group.

Iranian-linked Pakistani citizen arrested in New York for alleged murder-for-hire plot to assassinate former President Trump and other political figures.

WORLD NEWS

Hamas selected Yahya Sinwar, its Gaza leader and architect of the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel, to replace its killed political leader.

Far-right anti-immigrant violence sweeps the UK, sparked by misinformation. Riots cause widespread damage; over 370 arrests made. Starmer vows action.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, renowned microcredit pioneer, selected to lead Bangladesh’s caretaker government.

SPORTS

American Cole Hocker wins Olympic 1,500m title, with teammate Yared Nuguse taking bronze, marking first dual American medals in the event since 1912.

Gabby Thomas wins women’s 200m gold.

Team USA tops Brazil in basketball, Durant becomes all-time Olympic scorer.

A'ja Wilson and the U.S. women's basketball team aim to extend their Olympic winning streak to 59 games in Paris quarterfinals.

POP CULTURE

David Lynch vows to 'never retire' despite being diagnosed with emphysema.

Archaeologists found a tiny arm bone on Flores, shedding light on the evolution and island dwarfism of Homo floresiensis.

Patti Yasutake, actress known for "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Beef," dies at 70.

"Stranger Things" prequel stage play to open on Broadway in March 2025.

BUSINESS

Japan’s Nikkei 225 had its best day in 16 years as global markets rebounded after a rough start to the week.

Uber shares up 11% after Q2 earnings beat | Rivian posts mixed Q2 results | Airbnb shares drop 16% after missing Q2 estimates, projects lower Q3 revenue.

Disney raised prices for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ streaming services again.

Delta Air Lines’ reputation is tested as it disputes expenses travelers incurred during its five-day meltdown.

Musk’s space company plans frequent Starship launches from Cape Canaveral, raising concerns about noise, vibration, and space closures for locals.

Quote of the Day:

“Either you run the day, or the day runs you.”

— Jim Rohn

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