NATO Deal, Healthier Ice Cream, Smuggled Spiders

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Adam Rogers
July 15, 2025

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Trump reversed a Pentagon suspension of weapons shipments to Ukraine, announcing a new deal where NATO members will buy billions of dollars worth of US military equipment and supply it to Kyiv. Trump said the arrangement shifts costs to Europe because "we're in for a lot of money, and we just don't want to do it anymore."
The package includes Patriot air defense systems and interceptor missiles, with multiple European countries, including the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, agreeing to participate. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said this is "only the first wave" of purchases.
Separately, Trump gave Putin a 50-day ultimatum to agree to a ceasefire deal or face 100% tariffs on Russia and its trading partners like China and India. The Senate is also considering even stiffer 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas.

Bitcoin hit a record high above $123,000 Monday as Congress began debating crypto laws that would give businesses clear rules for using digital currencies. The rally is driven by hopes that lawmakers will finally create regulations the industry has long wanted.
The biggest bill is the Genius Act, which would let companies create their own digital versions of dollars, similar to how Venmo or PayPal work, but with government oversight. This could allow businesses to move money instantly without traditional banks, while giving regulators control over who can create these digital payment systems.
Analysts predict bitcoin could reach $140,000 to $160,000 by year’s end as big investors pour billions into bitcoin funds. However, experts warn that higher interest rates from Trump's tariff policies pose the biggest risk to continued gains.

Ice cream makers producing 90% of the nation's frozen dairy desserts pledged to eliminate artificial food dyes from their products by the end of 2027. The announcement was made jointly with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. through his Make America Healthy Again platform.
Companies agreed to cut seven certified artificial colors, including Red 3, Red 40, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Green 3, from ice cream production. The move aligns with Kennedy's broader push to phase out eight artificial dyes from the nation's food supply and medications, though ice cream makers negotiated an extra year beyond the 2026 federal deadline.
The average American eats roughly 19 pounds (4 gallons) of ice cream per year, and much of it contains artificial colors that research has linked to hyperactivity and behavioral issues in some children. "The American people have made it clear—they want real food, not chemicals," Kennedy said.

The Supreme Court let Trump proceed with 1,378 Education Department layoffs Monday, overruling a judge who called it an unconstitutional dismantling. (More)

Andrew Cuomo said Monday he'll keep running for NYC mayor as an independent after losing the Democratic primary but will drop out if trailing in September polls. (More)

Nine residents died in a Fall River assisted living home fire Sunday night. Arriving firefighters found people hanging from windows and rushed 30 others to hospitals. (More)

Four people died when a small plane crashed at London Southend Airport on Sunday shortly after takeoff on a flight to the Netherlands. (More)

A French prisoner escaped Lyon-Corbas jail Friday by hiding in his cellmate's laundry bag, but was captured Monday emerging from a cellar near Lyon. (More)

Australia's largest military exercise began Sunday with 35,000 troops from 19 countries, while Chinese spy ships are expected to monitor the US-Australia drills. (More)

US stock markets closed higher on Monday (S&P +0.14%, Nasdaq +0.27%, Dow +0.20%). Markets held steady as investors hope for trade deals before the Aug. 1 deadline. (More)

Home price growth dropped to 1.3% in June from 1.6% in May, hitting two-year lows as high mortgage rates and rising inventory cool markets. (More)

GM and LG announced Monday they're upgrading their Tennessee battery plant to make cheaper electric vehicle batteries without expensive cobalt and nickel by 2027. (More)

Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg agreed to sell the team for $1.7 billion to Florida homebuilder Patrick Zalupski. (More)

Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was suspended as Miami Northwestern High School football coach after self-reporting that he paid for players' Uber rides, meals, and recovery services. (More)

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said he's cleared to return ahead of schedule from the blood clot that cut his season short at 46 games. (More)

US children under six ingesting flavored nicotine pouches jumped 763% in three years, causing two deaths and dozens of intensive care cases. (More)

Scientists found blue sharks create their rare color using guanine crystals and melanin in skin scales, potentially changing shades as water pressure shifts. (More)

Hackers took over Elmo's X account over the weekend, posting racist and antisemitic messages before Sesame Workshop said Monday it's working to regain control. (More)

Hungary’s oldest library is fighting to save 100,000 books from beetles.

Mapping the world’s must-try desserts, according to TikTok.

German customs found tarantulas smuggled in cake boxes.

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