Nova Newsletter
November 4, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,737 words for you today - 9 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Two U.S. Citizens Arrested in Alleged ISIS-Inspired Halloween Plot in Michigan
Members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force stand in the front yard as they search a home in Dearborn, Michigan, on Oct. 31, 2025. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
Two Michigan men were arrested Friday for allegedly plotting an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack planned for Halloween weekend, according to court records unsealed Monday.
Takeaways:
Suspects Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, both U.S. citizens, allegedly called the plan “pumpkin day.”
The pair bought multiple firearms — including an AR-15-style rifle, shotgun, and forced-reset trigger to increase fire rate.
FBI agents seized tactical vests, handguns, and more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition during raids.
The men and three alleged co-conspirators practiced shooting at ranges and shared ISIS-related propaganda via encrypted apps.
Officials say they discussed attacks similar to the 2015 Paris and 2016 Pulse nightclub shootings.
The FBI began tracking the suspects after a 2024 border search of a co-conspirator’s phone revealed ISIS-related searches and photos. Investigators say the men considered traveling abroad to join ISIS before deciding to “do the same thing as France” in the U.S.
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the FBI for disrupting the alleged plot “before innocent lives were lost.” The Justice Department says the case underscores ongoing domestic threats driven by online radicalization. Read More
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2. Israel Returns 45 Palestinian Bodies After Hamas Hands Over 3 Soldiers
Israel transferred the bodies of 45 Palestinians to Gaza on Monday, a day after Hamas returned the remains of three Israeli soldiers killed in the 2023 attacks.
Takeaways:
The exchange follows a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in effect since Oct. 10.
For each hostage body returned, Israel releases 15 Palestinians’ remains.
So far, 270 Palestinian bodies and 20 hostages have been exchanged.
Only 78 Palestinian remains have been identified due to limited DNA testing.
The Red Cross facilitated the transfer to Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, where identification work continues. Israel identified the returned soldiers as Capt. Omer Neutra, Staff Sgt. Oz Daniel, and Col. Assaf Hamami, whose remains were found in a tunnel.
The ongoing exchanges underscore fragile progress under the ceasefire, as political tensions and investigations inside Israel continue to escalate. Read More
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3. Ex-IDF Lawyer Arrested Over Palestinian Abuse Video Leak
Reuters / Israeli forces mounted an hours-long search for Gen Tomer-Yerushalmi when she went missing on Sunda
Former Israeli military advocate general Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was arrested after admitting to leaking a video allegedly showing soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee.
Takeaways:
Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned Friday, taking responsibility for the leak.
The footage reportedly shows soldiers at Sde Teiman base beating and stabbing a detainee.
She was briefly reported missing before being found safe and detained.
The arrest deepens a political rift over the military’s accountability.
The 2024 video sparked outrage after airing on Israeli TV. Five reservists were charged with aggravated abuse but denied wrongdoing. Tomer-Yerushalmi said she authorized the leak to counter “false propaganda” against military prosecutors.
Officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned her actions as harmful to Israel’s image.
The investigation’s outcome could further polarize Israeli politics as the abuse case heads to trial. Read More
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Quick Headlines
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in the 2024 drama “It Ends With Us.” ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
A judge has formally ended Justin Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds after Baldoni failed to file an amended complaint. The case stemmed from Lively’s sexual harassment claims during It Ends With Us filming, which Baldoni denied. Judge Lewis Liman dismissed the lawsuit in June, calling it baseless. Lively’s legal team called the outcome “complete vindication,” while Baldoni retains the right to appeal. Read More
A 6.3-magnitude quake struck near Mazar-e-Sharif, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 500, officials said. Rescue efforts are underway in Balkh and Samangan provinces as the U.N. and local authorities rush aid to affected communities. Read More
Two girls under 13 were thrown from a Ferris wheel basket at the Harvest Festival in New Roads, with one airlifted to a Baton Rouge hospital. Authorities shut down all rides for inspection as the state fire marshal investigates the cause of the accident. Read More
The 13th-century tower near the Roman Forum partially collapsed Monday, critically injuring one worker and trapping another. Firefighters halted rescue efforts after a second collapse sent debris into the air, as officials monitored the unstable site. Read More
A Mississippi mother shot and killed one of the rhesus monkeys that escaped after a truck overturned near Heidelberg last week. Jessica Bond Ferguson said she acted to protect her five children after spotting the animal in her yard early Sunday. Authorities confirmed the incident and said wildlife officials took possession of the monkey. Tulane University stated the monkeys were not infectious, though local officials had earlier warned they could be aggressive. Read More
Los Angeles police arrested seven people Saturday night as fans flooded the streets to celebrate the Dodgers’ World Series win. Arrests included charges of vandalism, battery on an officer, and possession of fireworks. Crowds gathered in Echo Park and Pacoima, where cars performed stunts and fireworks were set off before officers issued dispersal orders. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Flight Chaos Deepens as Shutdown Grounds U.S. Air Travel Efficiency
Travellers sleep on chairs during flight delays at Orlando International Airport in Florida on Thursday. Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP - Getty Images
More than 5,000 flights were delayed across the United States on Sunday as the federal government shutdown entered its second month, straining an already understaffed aviation system and testing public patience.
Takeaways
Over 5,000 flight delays reported Sunday; 1,800 more by Monday afternoon.
The FAA faces a shortfall of 2,000–3,000 air traffic controllers.
Many controllers are working without pay, prompting attrition fears.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned delays are necessary for safety.
Major airports like JFK and Newark have seen hundreds of disruptions.
The shutdown’s ripple effects are hitting air travel hard. At Orlando International Airport, travelers were seen sleeping on terminal chairs last week after flights were grounded due to a lack of certified controllers in the tower. The FAA confirmed temporary halts on arrivals at multiple hubs.
Speaking on CNBC, Duffy painted a bleak picture. “They all start — their home finances fall apart,” he said of unpaid controllers. “They’re going to have to look at second jobs or quitting.” He added the system is short between 2,000 and 3,000 controllers, calling the shortage a “real consequence for our air system.”
By Monday afternoon, FlightAware data showed 1,830 more delays and 500 cancellations nationwide. The Department of Transportation has slowed traffic intentionally to maintain safety margins. “You’ll see more delays and cancellations because we don’t have enough controllers,” Duffy said.
Travelers are growing anxious about both safety and reliability. For now, officials insist the skies remain safe just slower. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Jennifer Aniston Goes Instagram-Official With Jim Curtis
Jim Curtis and Jennifer Aniston share an interest in wellness. Getty Images
Jennifer Aniston confirmed her relationship with wellness coach Jim Curtis by posting a birthday tribute and photo of them hugging on Instagram.
Takeaways:
The post marks Aniston’s first public relationship since her 2018 split from Justin Theroux.
Curtis attended “The Morning Show” premiere in September, sparking early rumors.
Curtis is a mental health author and speaker with 677,000 Instagram followers.
Celebrities and fans flooded the comments with heart emojis and “Friends” GIFs.
Aniston, 56, captioned the post, “Happy birthday my love. Cherished.” Curtis, who promotes mindfulness and affirmations online, describes his mission as “changing the health and wellness of the world.”
The post officially ends years of speculation about Aniston’s love life and delighted fans across Hollywood. Read More
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6. Rapper RBX Sues Spotify Over Alleged Fake Drake Streams
Rapper RBX filed a class action lawsuit accusing Spotify of ignoring fraudulent bot activity that allegedly inflated streams for Drake from 2022 to 2025.
Takeaways:
The suit claims “billions” of fake plays boosted Drake’s songs on Spotify.
RBX alleges the fraud reduced payouts to other artists and rightsholders.
Spotify denies benefiting from fake streams and says it invests heavily in detection systems.
Damages could total “hundreds of millions of dollars,” per the filing.
Filed in California federal court, the suit argues Spotify profited from inflated user metrics that increased ad sales and shareholder value. It does not accuse Drake of criminal wrongdoing.
Spotify, valued above $100 billion, said its anti-fraud systems “are working” and cited a past case proving its controls’ effectiveness.
The case spotlights rising tensions between artists and streaming platforms over royalties and fairness. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
On This Day — November 4
Harvard Opens First Football Stadium, 1904 – Harvard University inaugurates the world’s first stadium built specifically for football, setting the stage for modern sports architecture.
U.S.–Canada Air Mail Takes Flight, 1920 – The first international air mail service between the United States and Canada begins, marking a new era in cross-border communication.
Obama Makes History, 2008 – Barack Obama is elected the 44th President of the United States, becoming the nation’s first African American to hold the office and inspiring a wave of hope and change.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
👕 🧴 Hair Conditioner to Unshrink Clothes
Accidentally shrunk your favorite shirt? Don’t worry! Hair conditioners can help! Soak the garment in lukewarm water mixed with a few tablespoons of conditioner to relax the fibers. Then gently stretch it back to its original size and let it air dry flat.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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