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

A recent NIST report reveals significant inconsistencies in cannabis moisture testing, prompting calls for standardized drying methods across laboratories.

José Mujica, Uruguay’s humble ex-president known for legalizing cannabis and championing the poor, dies at 89 after cancer battle.

A study indicates medical cannabis offers modest chronic pain relief, reduces opioid overdose risk, and maintains comparable healthcare costs.

JetBlue is experiencing a rise in positive drug tests among crew members, with the Transport Workers Union attributing some cases to legal hemp-derived products like CBD oils, which may cause false positives for THC.

US NEWS

House GOP unveils $5T tax and immigration bill, slashing Medicaid, boosting border wall funds, and sparking intra-party opposition.

Trump announces $142B Saudi arms deal; promises to lift Syria sanctions after Assad falls, signaling major foreign policy shift.

The FDA plans to remove unapproved ingestible fluoride supplements for children, citing potential gut microbiome disruption and IQ concerns. 

The Trump administration cuts additional $450M in Harvard grants, totaling $2.65B, over alleged campus antisemitism and policy disputes. 

WORLD NEWS

Zelenskyy heads to Istanbul for renewed peace talks as Russia faces pressure to avoid EU sanctions by agreeing to a ceasefire.

Zelensky says he’ll only attend Turkey peace talks if Putin is present; ceasefire remains a condition amid growing global pressure.

Israeli airstrike targets Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar at Gaza hospital; outcome remains unconfirmed amid ongoing military operations.

Relatives of El Chapo enter U.S. as part of plea deal negotiations tied to son Ovidio Guzmán’s federal drug trafficking case.

SPORTS

MLB lifts bans on Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, allowing Hall of Fame eligibility for 16 previously ineligible deceased players.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles tendon late in Game 4 against the New York Knicks, ending his season and likely sidelining him for most or all of 2025–26. 

YouTube will stream the NFL’s Sept. 5 São Paulo game for free; full 2025 schedule to be released tonight at 8 p.m. ET .

ESPN’s upcoming all-access streaming app will launch at $29.99/month, offering subscribers full access to live games and content.

Angel City’s Savy King undergoes heart surgery after collapsing mid-game; prognosis is excellent, and she’s now recovering with family.

POP CULTURE

Erik and Lyle Menendez were resentenced to 50 years, making them parole-eligible after decades in prison for killing their parents.

Robert Benton, Oscar-winning director and screenwriter of Kramer vs. Kramer, has died at 92, leaving a lasting cinematic legacy.

Cassie Ventura testifies Diddy abused, controlled, and trafficked her for years; describes coerced sex acts and physical assaults in court.

BUSINESS

Apple partners with Synchron to develop brain-computer interface, letting users with disabilities control iPhones using thoughts via implanted device.

U.S. markets closed mixed Tuesday: S&P 500 +0.7%, Nasdaq +1.6%, Dow -0.6%. Nvidia surged past $3T after Saudi AI deal.

U.S. inflation slowed to 2.3% in April, the lowest since February 2021, despite recent tariffs; monthly CPI rose 0.2%.

Microsoft is laying off approximately 6,000 employees—about 3% of its global workforce—to streamline management layers and invest in AI. 

Quote of the Day:

"Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay."

- Simone de Beauvoir

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