Nova Newsletter
Sep 29, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,772 words for you today - 9 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Shooter Kills 2, Wounds 9 at Brown University
Police officers and first responders gather at Waterman St. and Thayer in response to a shooting, in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, . (AP Photo/Jen McDermott)
A shooter dressed in black killed at least two people and injured nine others at Brown University on Saturday during final exams, authorities said.
Takeaways
The suspect remains at large; police conducted a campus-wide search.
Victims included at least 10 students, with several in critical condition.
Shooting occurred in the Barus & Holley Engineering Building during exams.
Rhode Island streets near campus were quieted under a shelter-in-place.
Police believe the gunman used a handgun and may have worn a camouflage mask. Witnesses described hiding under desks and in nearby stores while officers in tactical gear cleared buildings. The university evacuated students to a fitness center and emergency personnel treated multiple injuries at Rhode Island Hospital.
Gov. Dan McKee vowed full resources to capture the suspect.
The investigation continues as authorities hunt for the shooter. Read More
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2. Trump Vows Retaliation After IS Attack Kills 3 Americans in Syria
President Donald Trump pledged “very serious retaliation” after two U.S. service members and one civilian were killed in a shooting in central Syria that Washington blames on the Islamic State.
Takeaways
Three other U.S. troops were wounded; the attacker was killed.
Casualties were near Palmyra, an area outside full Syrian government control.
The civilian killed was a U.S. interpreter, Pentagon said.
The U.S. has hundreds of troops in eastern Syria for counter-IS operations.
Trump said Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa was “devastated” and emphasized cooperation in fighting IS. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that targeting Americans anywhere carries fatal consequences. The attack is the first with U.S. fatalities since the fall of Assad’s regime in 2024.
The U.S. is preparing a military response while investigating the attack’s circumstances. Read More
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3. Gunmen Kill at Least 11 at Hanukkah Celebration in Sydney
Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after a reported shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, killing at least 11 people and wounding 29, Australian authorities said, calling it a terrorist attack.
Takeaways
One gunman was fatally shot, the second arrested in critical condition.
Victims included Rabbi Eli Schlanger and an Israeli citizen.
Authorities found improvised explosive devices in one suspect’s car.
The attack targeted the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.
Police said the shooters fired from a footbridge, with video showing bystanders fleeing and one civilian disarming a gunman. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it an act of antisemitic terrorism and vowed national unity. Global leaders, including King Charles III, UN Secretary-General Guterres, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, condemned the attack.
The massacre is Australia’s deadliest shooting in decades amid a surge in antisemitic incidents nationwide. Read More
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Quick Headlines
Rescue personnel prepare to evacuate residents from a home in an area flooded by the Snohomish River, as an atmospheric river brings rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Snohomish, Washington, December 11, 2025. David Ryder/Reuters
More than 100,000 Washington residents face evacuations as over 15 inches of rain triggers record river flooding, with the National Guard going door-to-door in Burlington and multiple rivers at major flood stage. Rescue operations are ongoing amid warnings that floodwaters could rise further over the next week. Read More
The Justice Department has filed lawsuits against 18 states, including Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Nevada, plus Georgia’s Fulton County, seeking unredacted voter registration data from the 2020 election. States have resisted, citing privacy concerns, as the DOJ claims it aims to enforce federal election law compliance. Read More
Kevin Rodriguez-Zavala, 32, died from multiple blunt impact injuries after riding Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, on Sept. 17, 2025. The Orange County Medical Examiner ruled the death accidental, closing the investigation, though the family noted Zavala’s preexisting medical conditions and prior femur surgery. Read More
A Los Angeles jury awarded $40 million to two women who said Johnson & Johnson talcum powders caused their ovarian cancer, with $18 million to Monica Kent and $22 million to Deborah Schultz and her husband. J&J plans to appeal, citing decades of studies claiming talc is safe. Read More
Comedy legend Dick Van Dyke turned 100, six decades after starring in “Mary Poppins” and his own sitcom, with theaters nationwide screening a new documentary celebrating his life. The Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner credits his longevity to optimism and support from his wife, Arlene Silver. Read More
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez keeps borders open, welcoming millions from Latin America and Africa, helping the economy grow fastest in the EU for a second year while Canary Islands arrivals drop 60% and critics warn of housing strains. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Expiring ACA Subsidies Threaten Millions with Higher Costs
Pages from the U.S. Affordable Care Act health insurance website healthcare.gov are seen on a computer screen (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)
Millions of Americans face steep health insurance hikes and reduced coverage as COVID-era Affordable Care Act subsidies expire at the end of 2025.
Takeaways
Expiration of enhanced tax credits will force families to downgrade plans or pay premiums that can reach hundreds or thousands per month.
Senate proposals and emerging House packages have not extended subsidies, guaranteeing higher out-of-pocket costs for millions in 2026.
Low- and middle-income Americans may go uninsured, risking financial strain or medical debt in emergencies.
The changes expose persistent gaps in US health policy, highlighting the vulnerability of citizens reliant on temporary pandemic-era measures.
For Wisconsin retirees Chad and Kelley Bruns, the loss of subsidies means switching from a $2 per month gold plan to a bronze plan costing $1,600 monthly with a $15,000 deductible. Kelley worries that a major medical event could bankrupt the couple, whose monthly out-of-pocket maximum would reach nearly half their joint income.
In Michigan, Dave Roof plans to forgo insurance for himself and his wife, keeping coverage only for their daughter. Their $500 monthly premiums are set to jump by at least 40%, making the plan financially unviable for a family earning $75,000 a year. “The fear and anxiety that it’s going to put on my wife and I is really hard to measure,” Roof said.
Single mother Katelin Provost in Nevada faces a spike from $85 to $750 monthly, forcing her to stretch her budget and cut holiday spending. She may drop coverage for herself if Congress does not act, keeping it only for her daughter.
With less than three weeks until the expiration, Americans are bracing for a winter of higher costs, difficult choices, and potential financial strain. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. John Cena Retires After Final Match
John Cena lost to Gunther by submission in his last WWE match at Saturday Night's Main Event. WWE
John Cena made his farewell appearance on WWE’s “Saturday Night’s Main Event,” losing to Gunther in a submission match, marking the first time Cena had been tapped out since 2005.
Takeaways
Cena followed tradition, “going out on his shield” to elevate a younger superstar.
Gunther emerged as a potential legend killer, having also retired Goldberg and now Cena.
Cena concluded with a heartfelt tribute, leaving shoes and armbands in the ring and saluting fans.
The event drew an emotional response from fans, blending sadness, excitement, and respect.
Gunther dominated early, but Cena delivered memorable moments, including an Attitude Adjustment through the announce table and a five-knuckle shuffle. Post-match, Cena bowed to each corner of the ring and received a standing ovation from WWE superstars. His departure is seen as a defining moment in WWE history, cementing his legacy while passing the torch. Read More
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6. Actor Peter Greene dies at 60
Peter Greene, the actor famed for playing villains in Pulp Fiction and The Mask, was found dead Friday at his New York City apartment at age 60, his manager confirmed.
Takeaways
Greene was discovered unresponsive in his Lower East Side home; cause of death not disclosed.
Known for roles as Zed in Pulp Fiction and Dorian in The Mask, Greene also appeared in The Usual Suspects and Training Day.
He starred in the 1993 film Clean, Shaven, earning praise for his intense portrayal of a man with schizophrenia.
Greene was born in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1965 and began acting in his 20s. Manager Gregg Edwards described him as a gifted actor with a gentle side rarely seen on screen. Greene is survived by a sister and brother.
His legacy as one of cinema’s most memorable on-screen villains endures. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
Courtesy ETH Library Zurich, Image Archive/Stiftung Luftbild Schweiz
On This Day — December 15
First Flight Over Kilimanjaro, 1929 – Swiss pilot Walter Mittelholzer becomes the first person to fly over Mount Kilimanjaro, capturing aerial photographs of Africa’s highest peak and expanding early aviation’s reach.
Trivial Pursuit Created, 1979 – Chris Haney and Scott Abbott develop Trivial Pursuit, a trivia-based board game that would become a global pop culture phenomenon and a staple of game nights for decades.
McCarran Renamed Harry Reid Airport, 2021 – Las Vegas officially renames McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport, honoring the longtime Nevada senator and former Senate majority leader.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🐝 👟 Use Beeswax to Waterproof Shoes
Want to make your shoes water-resistant? Beeswax is a natural and effective solution. Rub a small amount of beeswax onto clean, dry shoes, then gently warm it with a hair dryer to help it soak in. Once it cools, your shoes will be better protected from rain and moisture.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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