Nova Newsletter
March 11, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,768 words for you today - 10-minute read.
The Spotlight
1. GOP Lawmaker Faces Backlash Over Anti-Muslim Post
Rep. Andy Ogles, Heather Diehl / Getty Images
Rep. Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, sparked widespread criticism after posting on social media that “Muslims don’t belong in American society.”
Takeaways:
Ogles wrote on X that “pluralism is a lie,” prompting immediate backlash from Democratic lawmakers.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the comments “disgusting” and said such rhetoric does not belong in Congress.
Some Republicans also criticized the post, including Trump envoy Richard Grenell, who warned against attacks on religious freedom protected by the First Amendment.
Ogles did not back down, posting additional comments defending his stance online.
The controversy follows an attempted terrorist attack investigation in New York City, which some conservative lawmakers cited while making broader comments about Muslims.
Civil rights advocates say the rhetoric contributes to growing hostility toward Muslim Americans, who number about 3.5 million people in the United States, according to Pew Research Center.
The comments add to Ogles’ history of controversial statements, including previously calling for the deportation of New York City’s first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Read More
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New Mexico authorities are searching Zorro Ranch, the sprawling property once owned by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as part of a renewed criminal investigation.
Takeaways:
Investigators launched a search of the ranch Monday after the state reopened its probe into alleged illegal activity tied to the property.
The investigation was revived after Justice Department files released in January referenced new allegations connected to the estate.
One unverified claim in the files suggested two foreign girls may have been buried near the ranch.
Officials say the current owners are cooperating and asked the public to stay away from the remote property.
The property near Stanley, New Mexico, had previously received less scrutiny than Epstein’s estates in New York, Florida and the Caribbean. The state’s earlier investigation closed in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors.
New Mexico lawmakers have also created a bipartisan “Truth Commission” with subpoena power to examine allegations tied to the ranch.
Authorities have not said whether investigators have found evidence during the search or how long the operation will continue. Read More
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3. Shots Reported Near U.S. Consulate In Toronto
Getty Images
Canadian police are investigating reports of gunfire near the U.S. consulate in Toronto, after evidence of a firearm discharge was found early Tuesday.
Takeaways:
Police received reports of shots fired just before 5:30 a.m. local time.
Investigators confirmed evidence of a firearm discharge near the consulate.
No injuries were reported, and authorities have not identified a suspect.
Streets around the consulate were closed while officers investigate.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the incident an “unacceptable act of violence and intimidation” targeting American diplomats.
The shooting comes amid heightened global tensions tied to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. Toronto police also reported several recent shootings targeting synagogues and other buildings in the city, though it remains unclear if the incidents are connected.
Authorities in Norway are also investigating an explosion outside the U.S. embassy in Oslo, raising broader concerns about potential attacks on American-linked sites. Read More
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Quick Headlines
Reuters
Lebanon’s president called for direct negotiations with Israel and a four-point plan that includes a truce and Hezbollah disarmament after nine days of fighting displaced 700,000 people and killed hundreds. Israeli officials signaled little interest as airstrikes and rocket attacks continue across the border. Read More
Russia and Ukraine both claimed front-line progress as U.S.-brokered peace talks remain on hold, with Kyiv saying it retook more than 400 square kilometers while Moscow insists its invasion is advancing. Meanwhile Russian strikes killed four civilians in Sloviansk and Ukraine shot down 122 of 137 drones overnight. Read More
FIFA’s Heimo Schirgi said the 48-nation World Cup, starting June 11 across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, is “too big” to postpone despite the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. The Trump administration will allow players from banned nations like Iran to participate, and FIFA is closely monitoring developments. Read More
Two Pennsylvania teens, Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were charged after bringing homemade bombs to a counterprotest in Manhattan inspired by ISIS, with FBI searches uncovering explosive materials in a Langhorne storage unit. Controlled detonations were carried out safely, and both remain held without bail. Read More
Founding member Heeseung will leave ENHYPEN to pursue his own musical ambitions, though he will remain signed to BELIFT LAB, while the group continues as a six-member act. Heeseung thanked fans and promised a solo album soon. Read More
Existing U.S. home sales rose 1.7% to a 4.09 million annual pace in February as buyers seized lower mortgage rates, topping economist expectations of 3.84 million. Median prices ticked up 0.3% to $398,000, marking 32 consecutive months of annual gains. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Trump Predicts Iran War Will End Soon, Oil Prices Fall
President Donald Trump said Monday the U.S.-Iran war could end “very soon,” while predicting global oil prices will drop despite recent market turmoil.
Takeaways
Trump’s timeline: The president said the conflict will end “very soon,” but not this week, after nine days of fighting.
Oil shock: Crude surged above $100 per barrel amid fears the Strait of Hormuz could remain closed.
Military claims: Trump said the U.S. and Israel have destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval ships and crippled Iran’s air defenses.
Leadership shift: Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei as successor to his father Ali Khamenei, who died during the conflict.
Speaking at his Trump National Doral golf club near Miami, Trump framed the war as a rapid military success, saying Iranian leadership and military infrastructure had been largely destroyed. “We’ve wiped every single force in Iran out, very completely,” he said, while warning further strikes could target sensitive infrastructure like electricity networks.
Markets remain focused on energy supply risks. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor responsible for roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments, has slowed dramatically after Iranian threats to attack vessels.
Trump insisted the disruption will ultimately strengthen global energy security, arguing that weakening Iran’s ability to threaten shipping will stabilize markets over time.
The president also confirmed he spoke earlier Monday with Vladimir Putin, who reportedly discussed possible paths to end the conflict.
Trump is projecting confidence and a quick endgame, but markets and energy supply routes suggest the war’s global economic shock may last longer. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Severe Weather Outbreak Threatens 20+ States
Severe weather outbreak across 20+ states into midweek brings nighttime tornado danger
A major severe weather outbreak is expected to intensify across more than 20 U.S. states, bringing the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail through midweek.
Takeaways:
Storms could impact nearly two dozen states from Texas to the Great Lakes and Appalachians.
Meteorologists warn of nighttime tornadoes, which are harder to detect and more dangerous.
Major metro areas at risk include Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Kansas City.
Forecasters say one to two dozen tornadoes could develop Tuesday night alone.
Experts say the outbreak could become the most widespread severe weather event of the year so far, fueled by Gulf moisture, strong upper-level winds and sharp temperature contrasts.
The severe weather zone will expand Wednesday from Texas and Louisiana to parts of New York and Pennsylvania, with damaging winds, flash flooding and additional tornadoes possible.
Storm risks may linger into Thursday along the Gulf Coast and the Southeast, even as the tornado threat gradually declines.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to monitor weather alerts closely and prepare safe shelter locations, especially overnight when storms may be harder to see. Read More
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6. Alexander Brothers Convicted In Sex Trafficking Case
Three brothers — including two high-profile luxury real estate brokers — were convicted of sex trafficking charges after a five-week trial that stunned the real estate industry.
Takeaways:
A jury convicted Oren Alexander, Alon Alexander and Tal Alexander after testimony from 11 women.
Prosecutors say more than 60 women accused the brothers of rape or assault over the years.
Victims testified they were drugged or incapacitated after being given alcohol before the assaults.
Many encounters occurred during luxury trips to destinations like the Hamptons, Aspen and the Caribbean.
Oren and Tal Alexander were formerly star brokers at Douglas Elliman before launching their own real estate firm, while Alon Alexander worked in the family’s private security business.
Prosecutors presented texts, emails and other evidence they say showed the brothers discussing drugs and sexual encounters with women they met at parties, nightclubs and dating apps.
The case also triggered multiple civil lawsuits, including one from a “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” cast member who alleges she was drugged and assaulted.
The convictions cap a high-profile trial that exposed alleged misconduct long rumored within elite real estate circles. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
On This Day — March 11
Roxy Theater Opens, 1927 – Samuel Rothafel opens the 5,920-seat Roxy Theater with the silent film The Love of Sunya, making it the largest movie theater in the world at the time.
Black Panther Hits $1 Billion, 2018 – Marvel’s Black Panther becomes the fifth Marvel movie to surpass $1 billion in global box office revenue, cementing its place in superhero film history.
COVID-19 Declared Pandemic, 2020 – The World Health Organization, led by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declares COVID-19 a global pandemic after over 121,000 cases and 4,373 deaths worldwide.
Life Hack of the day
🧊🫴 Cold Water on Wrists
Feeling anxious? Splash cold water on your wrists. The sudden sensation helps activate your body’s calming response and can lower stress levels. It’s a quick, simple trick to regain focus and feel more grounded.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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