Global news: Nationalism resurges, AI faces challenges and frontiers, entertainment thrives, new health trends emerge, and digital tech reshapes daily life.

Donald Trump wants resurgence of European nationalism The Chicago Tribune reported on December 14, 2025, that President Donald Trump's new national security strategy advocates for a resurgence of European nationalism, which the article labels as a "lethal poison." This strategy promotes "America First" and views immigration as causing "civilizational erasure" in Europe, aligning with far-right parties. The piece criticizes this approach as a dangerous reversal of 80 years of European efforts to overcome nationalism, a force that historically led to world wars, and undermines the European Union's success in fostering peace and prosperity. Trump's stance is seen as promoting racism and authoritarian models. Source

New age ensemble provides soundtrack to winter solstice at Yale The Hartford Courant reported on December 14, 2025, that the acclaimed Paul Winter Consort will perform its annual winter solstice concert at Yale University’s Woolsey Hall on December 19th. Known for pioneering new age music, world music, and environmental themes, the ensemble sees the solstice as a time for spiritual renewal. This New Haven show is part of a seven-city New England tour and will feature the consort's unique soundscapes, including their latest album "Horn of Plenty," and incorporate Woolsey Hall's colossal Newberry Memorial Organ. The concert aims to provide an "acoustical adventure" with a blend of original and traditional pieces. Source

Globe, taps AWS for cloud, AI services manilastandard.net reported on December 14, 2025, that Globe Telecom Inc. is collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to enhance its cloud infrastructure, modernize business platforms, and integrate AI-driven tools. This partnership aims to significantly improve service delivery and customer experience by enabling more proactive support, faster service rollouts, and deeper personalization. Specific focus areas include upgrading network management and streamlining SIM activation processes. Despite this digital push, Globe Telecom also plans to expand its physical retail presence nationwide, aiming for a balanced omnichannel approach to meet diverse customer preferences. Source

Russian Ban on Roblox Gaming Platform Sparks Rare Protest U.S. News & World Report stated on December 14, 2025, that a rare public protest occurred in Tomsk, Siberia, against Russia's ban on the U.S. children's gaming platform Roblox. Dozens of individuals braved the snow to demonstrate with placards, challenging the extensive censorship in wartime Russia. Roskomnadzor, Russia's communications watchdog, had blocked Roblox due to "inappropriate content." The ban has ignited debate about censorship's efficacy, as many Russians easily bypass restrictions with VPNs, and highlighted concerns among some parents about child safety online. Source

Technology should amplify human judgment, not replace it: CJI Surya Kant News18 reported on December 14, 2025, that Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asserted technology should amplify, not replace, human judgment. Speaking at a symposium in Cuttack, he highlighted technology's utility during the pandemic but cautioned against its "shadows," such as deep fakes and digital arrests. Justice Kant stressed that judicial reforms integrating technology must be inclusive, ensuring they do not disadvantage the poor, elderly, or digitally unfamiliar. He emphasized that technology must serve justice, not supersede it, and called for strengthening judicial infrastructure to tackle case backlogs effectively. Source

Technology Should Amplify Human Judgment, Not Replace It: Chief Justice Surya Kant NDTV.com reported on December 14, 2025, that Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated technology should enhance human judgment, not substitute it. Addressing a symposium on reducing litigation costs and delays, he acknowledged technology's benefits during the COVID pandemic but warned of its potential "shadows," citing concerns like deep fakes. Justice Kant stressed that any technological reform in the justice system must be inclusive, ensuring it does not exclude vulnerable populations. He underscored the critical need to bolster judicial infrastructure to effectively address the pervasive issue of case pendency. Source

Dhurandhar Box Office Collection Day 9: Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna Starrer Film March Towards Rs 300 Cr Mark, Check Day Wise Earnings Lokmat Times reported on December 14, 2025, that the Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna-starrer spy thriller "Dhurandhar" is rapidly approaching the Rs 300 crore mark at the box office. The film maintained a strong hold since its release, surpassing Rs 100 crore within its first three days. By its ninth day, the movie had accumulated Rs 292.75 crore domestically. Including its overseas collections, "Dhurandhar" achieved a global gross of Rs 446.25 crore by Day 9, demonstrating continued audience appreciation and robust earnings. Source

Kunal Kemmu reveals what makes cinema, and long Lokmat Times reported on December 14, 2025, that actor-director Kunal Kemmu discussed the key differences between working in cinema and long-format content. Following the positive reception of his streaming series 'Single Papa,' Kemmu explained that while films offer limited character development time, multi-episode series allow him to deeply inhabit a character and build a comprehensive arc. He emphasized that well-written parts ease an actor's job and enhance audience enjoyment, highlighting the long format's advantage for exploring intricate character dynamics. Source

The Instagram-Fueled Boom in Copycat Vintage Car-Body Shells Wired reported on December 13, 2025, about a booming trend in copycat vintage car body shells, fueled by a yearning for classic automotive aesthetics. With original vintage cars limited, companies in Indonesia and China are crafting replicas of iconic models like the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing and classic Ford Broncos. This demand extends to "restomods," where genuine vintage cars are restored and upgraded with modern features or electric powertrains, catering to affluent collectors who prioritize the individuality and personality of classic vehicles over the often-homogenized designs of contemporary cars. Source

YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs The Verge reported on December 12, 2025, that YouTube has updated its video player interface for TV apps to enhance navigation. The redesign moves the video title to the top-left, introduces a "Description" button for creator information, and separates the channel thumbnail from the subscribe function. Controls under the video scrubber are now grouped for clarity, including new options like "Multiview" for live sports and "Display Mode" for Music/Premium subscribers. This aims to streamline user interaction and access to features on larger screens, despite a staggered rollout across devices. Source

The scramble to launch data centers into space is heating up The Verge reported on December 10, 2025, that the push to launch data centers into space is gaining momentum, driven by the escalating energy and physical space requirements of AI. Startup Aetherflux announced plans to launch its first data center satellite in early 2027, envisioning a "Galactic Brain" constellation. This orbital solution aims to harness continuous solar energy, bypassing Earth's power grid limitations. However, challenges such as high launch costs, ensuring AI chip resilience against radiation, and mitigating collision risks in an increasingly crowded orbit remain, amid competition from tech giants like Google and SpaceX. Source

Chatbots are struggling with suicide hotline numbers The Verge reported on December 10, 2025, that many AI chatbots are failing to provide accurate or geographically relevant suicide and crisis hotline numbers when users express intentions of self-harm. While leading bots like ChatGPT and Gemini correctly offered local resources, others, including Replika, ignored distress cues or provided irrelevant, US-centric information, creating dangerous friction during critical moments. Experts warn that such inadequate responses can exacerbate hopelessness. The report stresses the urgent need for more nuanced and proactive safety features in AI to ensure technology facilitates access to mental health support rather than creating barriers. Source

Many States Say They’ll Defy RFK Jr.’s Changes to Hepatitis B Vaccination Wired reported on December 10, 2025, that several Democratic-led states intend to defy new guidance from a federal vaccine advisory panel, led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., concerning the hepatitis B vaccination. The panel, now composed of vaccine skeptics, overturned a 30-year precedent by recommending the birth dose only for infants born to mothers with positive or unknown hepatitis B status. Medical experts strongly criticize this decision, emphasizing that universal birth vaccination dramatically reduced childhood hepatitis B cases, and insufficient screening could lead to missed infections and increased disease. Source

People Are Already Taking This Unapproved New Weight-Loss Drug Wired reported on December 12, 2025, that retatrutide, an unapproved new weight-loss drug developed by Eli Lilly, is already being used unofficially. Dubbed "Triple G," this injectable is seen as significantly more potent than approved alternatives like semaglutide and tirzepatide. It operates by targeting three metabolism-regulating hormone receptors (GLP-1, GIP, and GCG), effectively combining and enhancing the mechanisms of its predecessors. Despite its unapproved status, early trials suggest it could be a "game-changer," reflecting a growing trend of individuals accessing promising new compounds before official market release. Source