BEN BLACK

May 11 2026BUSINESS

BlackRock bets big on blockchain with new money fund plans

BlackRock is taking another step into crypto by planning two new funds that trade on blockchain instead of traditional exchanges. The move shows how Wall Street is slowly merging with digital money systems, even as regulators try to keep up. The first fund copies a well-known $6. 1 billion US Treas

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May 09 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Behind the Mask: How Blackface Shaped America’s Hidden Culture

Blackface wasn’t just a stage act—it was America’s unofficial pastime for a century. A new book digs into how everyday people, not just performers, kept this racist tradition alive, turning it into a tool for politics, profit, and power. From government-sponsored shows during the Great Depression to

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May 02 2026CRYPTO

BlackRock’s Crypto Fees: Small Bite, Big Price Tag

BlackRock’s crypto division made $42 million in fees during the first quarter, a modest amount compared to its total ETF revenue. The firm’s overall ETF business earned more than $2. 4 billion in the same period. Crypto products hold about 1. 11 % of BlackRock’s $5. 48 trillion in ETF assets,

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Apr 22 2026FINANCE

Smart Money Watching BlackSky as Stock Nears Yearly Peak

BlackSky’s shares are closing in on their highest point in a year, sitting just below $40. 62. That’s interesting because most stocks tend to pull back when the market is shaky. But here, the price is holding strong near the top instead of falling. This often means big investors are quietly buying u

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Apr 20 2026EDUCATION

A Rare Shot at Gunsmithing School in Arkansas

Black River Technical College in Arkansas just joined an exclusive club. It’s one of only four schools in the U. S. that teach short-term gunsmithing courses approved by the National Rifle Association. Most of these programs have been around for decades, but Black River only started in 2020. That’s

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Apr 18 2026CRYPTO

Crypto Skeptic Turns Spotlight on Bitcoin

Ben McKenzie, once famous for a teen drama, now leads a new film that looks at the ups and downs of digital money. In his office, he wears a T‑shirt that carries the logo of FTX, the crypto exchange that collapsed after its founder was convicted of fraud. He admits his spouse won’t let him wear it a

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Apr 17 2026POLITICS

Benin’s Next Leader Steps Forward with Big Win

Benin’s top court recently made it official—the country’s new president will be Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni. His victory in last weekend’s election was confirmed with a massive 94. 27% of the vote, leaving his only rival, Paul Hounkpè, far behind at just 5. 73%. The turnout reached 63. 57%, sho

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Apr 13 2026SCIENCE

BAC chemicals may block brain hormone production

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a common cleaning agent that can also act as a preservative in many everyday items. Recent research shows that BAC can interfere with an enzyme called 5α‑reductase 1, which is essential for turning testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the brain. The study tes

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Apr 13 2026POLITICS

Benin's Young Voters Face a Key Choice as New Leader Steps In

Benin’s presidential vote isn’t just another election—it’s a turning point after a decade under President Patrice Talon, whose time in office left behind a trail of economic gains but also sharp concerns. With nearly eight million voters set to cast ballots, the race pits Romuald Wadagni, the financ

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Benin’s Next Leader Faces Big Promises and Bigger Challenges

Benin’s presidential race is shaping up to be less of a contest and more of a handover. Romuald Wadagni, the current finance minister, is the clear favorite to win this weekend’s election. Why? He’s backed by the ruling party, and his main rival couldn’t even gather enough support to run. That’s a b

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