Daily News Summary – 2025-12-15 – 30936

Extended Producer Responsibility regulations in seven U.S. states are reshaping plastic packaging waste management, shifting recycling burdens to producers to promote sustainability.

A study warns that feedback mechanisms driving Antarctic ice melt 9,000 years ago are active today, posing risks of accelerated sea-level rise and climate impacts.

A $4 billion funding package aims to protect and restore 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030, enhancing coastal resilience and carbon sequestration globally.

The U.S. Department of Education announced a $208 million funding package for school-based mental health programs, addressing rising youth mental health challenges.

Research links night shift work to increased risks of chronic diseases, prompting calls for policy reforms and better employer obligations to protect workers.

Private sector partnerships and funding are driving ambitious timelines for fusion energy demonstration reactors, with over $1.7 billion invested in 2025.

The EU launched an antitrust probe into Google's use of online content for AI training, examining compensation for publishers and potential competition violations.

New cross-border rail freight protocols adopted by major trading nations aim to streamline customs procedures and revolutionize global trade corridors.

Ukraine relies on complex ammunition supply chains, including Czech initiatives and U.S. mechanisms, to sustain defense efforts against Russian aggression in 2025.

Disruptions at the Suez and Panama Canals are driving up shipping costs and creating supply chain nightmares, with economic losses estimated at $14 billion annually.

Bitcoin plunged below $87,000, liquidating over $200 million in leveraged positions and causing market panic, with sentiment indicators showing extreme fear.