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Indiana鈥檚 Senate rejected a congressional redistricting plan, the first time Republicans have blocked a gerrymandering bid called for by President Donald Trump before next year鈥檚 midterm elections. The bill failed 19-31, with 21 Republicans joining Democrats in voting against it. Republican state Sen. Spencer Deery has told the Monitor his opposition to the unusual mid-cycle redistricting push is not in conflict with 鈥渃onservative values鈥� but 鈥渂ecause of鈥� them.

President Trump signed an executive order restricting states from regulating artificial intelligence. It鈥檚 designed to enhance U.S. 鈥済lobal AI dominance鈥� by creating a 鈥渕inimally burdensome鈥� national policy framework for the technology, which has often moved faster than legislators can keep up. Proponents have argued that a patchwork of state laws could hinder innovation. Critics include Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has called it federal overreach and a 鈥渟ubsidy to Big Tech.鈥�

Mexico approved up to 50% tariffs on China. The government says Chinese exports threaten efforts to improve domestic production and pivot to more high-end manufacturing. Other countries without free trade agreements with Mexico will also be affected, including India. The United States has said China might be using Mexico to bypass U.S. tariffs. China called on Mexico to reconsider and said it is investigating the case.

A federal judge ordered ICE to immediately release Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident from El Salvador. Over a monthslong legal saga, the Trump administration has tried to deport the alleged MS-13 gang member, after admitting to removing him in error in March. Judge Paula Xinis ruled his latest detention is unlawful because the government hasn鈥檛 shown a final deportation order. Mr. Abrego Garcia, an unauthorized immigrant who fled gangs in El Salvador, has denied affiliation with MS-13.

Bolivia鈥檚 former president Luis Arce was arrested as part of a corruption investigation. The new conservative government, a month in power after two decades of socialist rule, said he allegedly embezzled funds while serving under former President Evo Morales from 2006-2019. Mr. Arce鈥檚 former minister to the presidency called the arrest a 鈥渢otal abuse of power.鈥� The attorney general denies the arrest is political persecution.

Iran saw its first rains in months this week amid the worst drought in six decades. The largely arid nation has long struggled with water shortages, and its president has said the capital may have to move if dams don鈥檛 refill. Officials warned last month that drinking water could run out in a matter of weeks. Iranians celebrated the downpour, one Tehran resident telling The Associated Press 鈥渨e thank God a thousand times鈥� for this 鈥渂lessed, abundant rain.鈥�

Disney is licensing its characters to OpenAI鈥檚 Sora as part of a $1 billion investment. The major AI company鈥檚 video generator will be able to use familiar faces from Pixar, Marvel, and 鈥淪tar Wars,鈥� among others. (Actors鈥� likenesses and voices will be exempt.) So you might soon be able to make your own 鈥淟ion King鈥� spin-off, perhaps featuring a cameo from Mickey Mouse.

鈥� Our staff writers around the world

The Trump administration is allowing Nvidia to sell its advanced computer chips in China, a reversal of U.S. policy. The move is prompting concern that China could use the chips to close the gap or even win聽in the AI race.

Tensions are growing off the coast of Venezuela as the United States pressures Nicol谩s Maduro to step down. Despite the world watching as U.S. military actions unfold, Venezuelan citizens are focused on survival.

A high-profile fraud case in Minnesota has spotlighted the lack of safeguards during the COVID-19 pandemic surrounding funds intended to prop up vulnerable Americans. The looting of taxpayer dollars holds lessons about the social safety net and the federal bureaucracy that oversees it.

France is considering adopting a five-day school week. It may seem like the French are late to the party, but it actually highlights how their academic priorities differ from those of the U.S. 鈥� and how they are shifting now.

For 鈥淜nives Out鈥� series writer and director Rian Johnson, the third outing is not just a locked-room mystery, but an opportunity to examine religious faith.

The global tide of popular demand for ethical and transparent governance continues its remarkable rise this year. Bulgaria, ranked among the poorer and most corrupt nations of Europe, is the latest to feel its power.

On Thursday, the morning after tens of thousands of citizens marched through the capital, the Bulgarian prime minister announced he would step down, after less than a year in office.

As in many other countries experiencing mass demonstrations in 2025, Bulgarian citizens are voicing their aspirations for accountability, transparency, and justice. And, as elsewhere, younger voters seeking a future with more opportunities and less graft have harnessed social media and online communication as effective organizing mechanisms.

鈥淥ne cannot afford not to talk about politics when so many people identify with you,鈥� Andrea Banda Banda, who has nearly 100,000 Instagram followers, told the news outlet Deutsche Welle. 鈥淚deally, it鈥檚 much better to read a long analysis,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut memes are a super quick way to get an idea across.鈥�

It appears the idea did get across, as evidenced by the mass turnout.

The immediate cause of the protests was a government budget plan to raise taxes and social security contributions 鈥� which a skeptical citizenry viewed as yet another scheme to channel money into politicians鈥� pockets. The government is seen to be under the influence of a mafialike circle of corrupt politicians and oligarchs, some of them Russia-aligned. Distrust and political dysfunction have fed into pessimism.

Nearly 75% of young Bulgarians consider emigrating to other countries, according to a survey. But the poll of 14- to 29-year-olds also found that their interest in politics had tripled from only 7% in 2018 to 21% in 2025.

Teenager Martin Atanasov, who participated in the protests, represents this increased engagement. In early December, he received a local 鈥淎wakener of the Year鈥� award for creating an interactive map with data from more than 177,000 accidents, pointing to government inaction on road safety.

鈥淭he internal discontent of Gen Z ... is starting to turn into action,鈥� Mr. Atanasov wrote in an article on the Bulgarian site Fakti. The demonstrations do not represent 鈥渏ust denial and anger,鈥� he stated, but 鈥渉ope ... that the country can break out of the vicious circle of distrust, improvised solutions and political indifference.鈥�

On Jan. 1, Bulgaria joins the Eurozone, adopting the common currency of the European Union. This is likely to jolt the economy, as prices adjust upward. 鈥淭he road is long and difficult,鈥� as Mr. Atanasov acknowledges. But, he insists, 鈥淭here is hope. It is up to us to protect it.鈥�