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

Wiz Khalifa faces trial in Romania for allegedly smoking marijuana on stage during a performance.

Ireland’s special legislative committee on drug policy recommends limited marijuana legalization, decriminalization of personal drug use, and harm reduction strategies.

Vice President Kamala Harris denies using cannabis gummies for stress relief, emphasizing morning exercise, healthy eating, and prioritizing family time instead.

Republican VP candidate Sen. JD Vance claims police showed him fentanyl-laced marijuana, but a new study finds no evidence of widespread fentanyl in cannabis.

US NEWS

Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries arrested on sex trafficking and prostitution charges, linked to coerced acts at modeling parties.

One person has died in a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, according to the CDC.

Undergraduate enrollment rose 1.2% in fall 2023, with community colleges seeing a 2.6% increase, reversing pandemic-era declines.

WORLD NEWS

Hezbollah leader successor Hashem Safieddine reportedly killed in Beirut attack. Gaza health ministry accuses Israel of blocking aid; Netanyahu’s home damaged in drone strike.

The U.S. confirmed North Korean troops were sent to Russia, raising concerns over their involvement in the Ukraine war.

German police busted a pizzeria for delivering cocaine through its pizza service. Raids uncovered drug rings, cannabis plantations, and weapons.

SPORTS

The Titans traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs for a fifth-round pick, as Kansas City seeks to strengthen its offense amid injuries.

The 2024-25 NBA season opened with the Celtics tying the 3-point record and LeBron and Bronny James sharing the court in L.A.

Fernando Valenzuela, legendary Dodgers pitcher and cultural icon behind “Fernandomania,” passed away at 63. He captivated fans, earning six All-Star appearances, a Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year honors in 1981.

POP CULTURE

Queen Latifah, Spielberg, and Missy Elliott among 39 recipients of 2022-2023 US National Medals of Arts; Selena and Bourdain honored posthumously.

Liam Payne of One Direction reportedly had “pink cocaine” in his system during his Oct. 16 death, according to reports.

Jennifer Lawrence is expecting her second child with husband Cooke Maroney. The couple already shares a son, Cy, born in 2022.

BUSINESS

US stock markets close mixed: S&P 500 down 0.1%, Dow flat, Nasdaq up 0.2%, amid election uncertainty and Fed rate cut concerns.

Anthropic’s AI Claude now performs computer tasks like browsing, coding, and planning, moving beyond chatbot functions to AI agent capabilities.

FAA approves regulations for electric vertical takeoff vehicles (eVTOLs), paving the way for air taxis, first new aircraft category since 1940.

Quote of the Day:

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

- Albert Einstein

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