UK Trade Deal, Opioid Settlement, & a Tractor Getaway

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Adam Rogers
June 17, 2025

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President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a trade deal reducing tariffs and expanding market access.

The leaders signed an agreement at the G7 summit reducing US tariffs on British cars from 27.5% to 10% and eliminating levies on UK aerospace products. The deal covers up to 100,000 British vehicles annually and helps companies like Rolls-Royce, while the UK expands market access for American products, including beef and ethanol.
The deal provides relief for British businesses after Trump threatened steep import tariffs worldwide that unsettled global markets and raised fears of a trade war. Steel tariffs remain unresolved, a major blow to Britain's struggling steel industry, which has shrunk 80% since the late 1960s and needs zero-tariff protection to compete with cheaper Chinese production.
Trump announced he will leave the G7 summit early to return to Washington amid escalating Middle East tensions, potentially delaying resolution of outstanding trade issues like pharmaceutical market access.

Scientists solved a cosmic mystery by finding the universe's "missing matter" in space.

Scientists had long been frustrated by a cosmic accounting problem - they could calculate exactly how much ordinary matter should exist based on radiation left over from the universe's formation, but most of it seemed to have vanished when they surveyed galaxies and stars.
To crack the problem, astronomers used 69 powerful radio wave bursts from distant galaxies as cosmic flashlights to reveal matter that would otherwise remain undetectable. "It's like we're seeing the shadow of all the matter, with fast radio bursts as the backlight," said Caltech's Vikram Ravi.
They discovered that 76% of ordinary matter exists as extremely thin gas clouds drifting between galaxies, likely blasted there when massive stars exploded or black holes expelled material across vast distances. Most of the remainder exists as stars and diffuse gas around and within galaxies.

Denmark has deployed robotic sailboats to counter suspected Russian sabotage in the Baltic waters.

Denmark launched four uncrewed "Voyager" sailboats Monday for a three-month trial patrolling Baltic and North Sea waters. The 30-foot vessels operate autonomously for months using wind and solar power. They carry advanced sensors, including radar, cameras, and sonar, to monitor maritime threats both above and below the surface.
The deployment responds to escalating sabotage targeting critical infrastructure since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Attacks include the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions and damage to at least 11 undersea fiber-optic cables since late 2023. Finland seized one Russian "shadow fleet" tanker in December for allegedly severing a power cable with its anchor.
“It's simply too expensive for us to have a warship trailing every single Russian ship,' said Peter Viggo Jakobsen of the Royal Danish Defence College. NATO’s solution is to build a network combining autonomous vessels with satellites and seabed sensors for round-the-clock coverage.

All 50 states approved a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma over improper opioid marketing. The payouts will be given over 15 years to hold the Sackler family accountable for fueling addiction. (More)

President Trump ordered federal agencies to expand the "largest mass deportation programme in history" targeting undocumented migrants in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York as nationwide protests against his immigration policies continue. (More)

Vance Boelter was arrested after a two-day manhunt for allegedly killing one Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and wounding another along with his spouse Saturday. He faces murder and attempted murder charges. (More)

France blocked access to four Israeli arms manufacturers' stands at the Paris Air Show on Monday for displaying offensive weapons allegedly used in Gaza. (More)

Blaise Metreweli will become MI6's first female chief in the UK intelligence service's 116-year history. She replaces Sir Richard Moore later this year as the organization's 18th leader. (More)

Israeli strikes hit Iran's state broadcaster Monday as the conflict entered its fifth day. Iran is asking the US to pressure Netanyahu for an immediate ceasefire while offering nuclear negotiation flexibility. (More)

US stock markets closed higher on Monday (S&P +0.94%, Nasdaq +1.52%, Dow +0.75%). Stocks bounced back after reports that the Israeli-Iran conflict may remain contained. (More)

The Trump Organization announced a mobile phone service and a Trump-branded smartphone on Monday. It will offer a $47.45 monthly plan referencing Trump's 45th and 47th presidencies. (More)

Home decor retailer At Home filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday to eliminate $2 billion in debt and secure $200 million in restructuring capital due to rising tariff pressures. No store closures have been announced. (More)

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 120-109 to take a 3-2 series lead, putting them one win away from the NBA championship. Jalen Williams led with 40 points while MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 31 points. (More)

Competitive eater and 16-time champion Joey Chestnut announced Monday he's returning to Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest after missing last year due to sponsorship disputes with plant-based food company Impossible Foods (More)

Coastal Carolina's Jacob Morrison dominated Oregon State at the College World Series by retiring 16 straight batters after allowing one home run. He is only the third pitcher since 2011 to achieve this feat. (More)

A satellite study of 428 Northern Hemisphere cities found artificial light extends urban growing seasons by up to three weeks compared to rural areas. (More)

A clinical trial found that a single 25-mg dose of psilocybin from mushrooms provided sustained depression and anxiety reduction in 28 cancer patients with major depressive disorder. 50% showed lasting improvement two years later. (More)

Meta's WhatsApp is rolling out ads through its status feature for the first time. It will show sponsored content alongside friend updates despite the messaging app's founders' previous opposition to platform advertising. (More)

Burglary suspect tries to outrun cops on a tractor.

California plays the world’s largest game of red light, green light.

16th-century shipwreck is found off France’s coast.

An AI NBA Finals ad cost $2,000 and took two days to make.

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