Nova Newsletter
December 10, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,813 words for you today - 10 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Christian Scouting Program Rocked by Decades of Abuse Claims
“I’m looking for accountability,” said Chris Woods Sr., pictured now and in a childhood photo.Zack Wittman for NBC News
Dozens of former Royal Rangers say Assemblies of God churches ignored or enabled sexual abuse inside the denomination’s popular boys program, according to a yearlong NBC News investigation.
Takeaways
At least 29 leaders were accused of abusing 83 boys over 50 years.
Many churches kept suspected or convicted abusers in leadership.
Assemblies of God encourages but does not require child-safety policies.
Survivors say pastors silenced reports or hid allegations.
Founded in 1962 as a Pentecostal alternative to the Boy Scouts, Royal Rangers promised faith-based mentorship and camping activities, but predators exploited sleepovers, campouts and unsupervised events.
NBC identified cases across Oregon, Florida, Alabama, Texas and Illinois, where leaders allegedly ignored warnings or failed to contact law enforcement. Some abusers allegedly molested boys for years and used threats or photos to maintain silence.
The national Assemblies of God says it condemns abuse but claims it is not liable due to local church control. Survivors say that structure leaves children unprotected.
Lawsuits continue to push the denomination toward long-avoided accountability. Read More
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2. Trump Unveils 12 Billion Dollar Farm Bailout Plan
President Trump on Monday announced a 12 billion dollar aid package for U.S. farmers, funded from tariff revenue.
Takeaways
11 billion dollars will go to one time crop payments through a new USDA bridge program.
The move aims to offset losses from Trump’s trade policies and China’s soybean blockade.
China has resumed limited soybean purchases under a recent framework deal with Trump and Xi.
The announcement follows backlash over the administration’s 20 billion dollar bailout of Argentina.
The White House says the aid will provide certainty as farmers move harvests to market and plan for 2026. Tariffs have hit soybean growers hardest, with China freezing U.S. purchases for most of the fall.
Since late October, China has bought roughly 2.2 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans, far below pre trade war levels.
Farm groups argue the Argentina bailout helped a direct competitor while U.S. farmers struggled.
The package signals Trump wants farm country stabilized heading into 2026. Read More
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3. Grammy-Nominated Musician Killed by Repeat Offender
The scene of a crash that left Grammy-nominated musician Roderick MacLeod dead. Hopkinton Police Department
Roderick Macleod, 70, Grammy-nominated and Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame inductee, was struck and killed while walking his dogs in Hopkinton, Rhode Island.
Takeaways
The alleged driver, Shannon Godbout, 41, has over 100 arrests, 40 traffic citations, and 82 active warrants.
Godbout was allegedly driving recklessly, striking telephone poles and other objects before hitting Macleod.
Macleod was taken to Rhode Island Hospital and died; his dog survived the crash.
Godbout was found in possession of narcotics and drug distribution materials and faces charges including driving to endanger resulting in death.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, and Godbout may face additional charges. Hopkinton authorities noted eight prior arrests locally, highlighting a long history of offenses.
The case raises concerns about repeat offenders and public safety on Rhode Island roads. Read More
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Quick Headlines
An overhead view of Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas cruise ship. (Royal Caribbean)
Michael Virgil, 35, died aboard Navigator of the Seas after allegedly being overserved 33 drinks and restrained with sedatives and pepper spray, prompting his family to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide from combined asphyxia, intoxication, and restraint. Read More
France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron faces backlash after video showed her using a sexist slur against feminist protesters who disrupted a show by actor Ary Abittan in Paris, sparking calls for apology from political figures including former President Hollande. Her office said she was trying to calm the actor’s nerves. Read More
A fire tore through a seven-story office building in central Jakarta, Indonesia, killing at least 22 people, including a pregnant woman, after a battery allegedly sparked in a drone company’s storage area. Firefighters rescued 19 others amid thick smoke, and authorities are investigating the cause. Read More
A federal judge ruled Trump’s ban on new onshore and offshore wind projects “arbitrary and contrary to law,” overturning the 2025 restriction that halted permits nationwide. Seventeen states had sued, warning the ban threatened the wind industry and clean energy growth. Read More
One year after his arrest, Luigi Mangione faces a fifth day of testimony in Manhattan over the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, with lawyers seeking to suppress evidence allegedly seized without a warrant from his backpack. Items include a gun, magazines, silencer, and a cell phone; Judge Carro will rule in January. Read More
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, was released on $1,500 bond weeks after her Nov. 12 ICE detention in Revere, Massachusetts, with her attorney disputing DHS claims that she is a criminal. She faces removal proceedings but has no criminal record; her release was judge-approved. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Australia Tests Bold Global First with under-16 Social Media Ban
William West / AFP via Getty Images
Australia is moving to deactivate more than 1 million accounts held by users under 16 as a new nationwide restriction takes effect this week.
Takeaways
Platforms must remove or block under-16 accounts, with penalties up to 49.5 million AUD for repeated failures.
The government frames the ban as protection from addictive algorithms and harmful content linked to worsening youth mental health.
Critics warn the policy may push teens toward unregulated apps, VPN workarounds, or isolate vulnerable youth who rely on online communities.
Two teenagers have already filed a High Court challenge, arguing the law violates freedom of political communication.
The ban has strong public support, with 77 percent of Australians backing it in polling.
Australia casts the ban as a decisive intervention after research found 96 percent of children ages 10 to 15 use social media and most encounter harmful or predatory content. Communications Minister Anika Wells called the change a shield from “behavioral cocaine” algorithms, arguing that inaction leaves kids exposed.
Platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Facebook, will carry full enforcement responsibility. Meta has already begun closing accounts. Companies say the policy may reduce safety, not increase it, by driving young users to fringe platforms or encrypted messaging.
Youth advocates argue the law ignores the role social media plays in education, identity, and support, especially for rural and marginalized groups. Teens like Noah Jones, now suing the government, say lawmakers failed to consult the people most affected.
Parents remain divided. Some see the policy as overdue relief from digital overload. Others fear it strips kids of essential digital literacy at a critical age.
Australia’s move is being watched worldwide, as governments debate how far to go in regulating platforms. More countries may test how much offline protection is worth online restriction. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Paramount Launches Hostile Takeover Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, on November 26. Jill Connelly/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Paramount Studios has made an all-cash offer directly to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders to overtake the Netflix deal and acquire the entire company.
Takeaways
Paramount offered $30 per share in cash, totaling $108.4 billion for all of WBD, surpassing Netflix’s $27.75-per-share proposal.
WBD’s board previously favored Netflix, citing potential value from a cable asset spinoff. Paramount urges shareholders to reconsider.
Paramount CEO David Ellison claims his deal is more likely to pass antitrust scrutiny and preserve Hollywood’s theatrical market.
Ellison has aligned politically with President Trump and plans to combine CBS News with CNN if the acquisition succeeds.
WBD said it will review Paramount’s bid and advise shareholders within 10 business days. The stock responded, rising 5% for WBD and 7% for Paramount amid potential bidding war speculation.
The showdown could reshape Hollywood and streaming power dynamics. Read More
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6. Country Star Raul Malo Battles Stage 4 Cancer
Raul Malo, 60, frontman of The Mavericks, is hospitalized with stage 4 cancer and leptomeningeal disease while fans and fellow musicians celebrate his career at a two-night Ryman Auditorium event.
Takeaways
Malo has openly shared his cancer and LMD diagnosis with fans, highlighting the unpredictability of the disease.
Earlier this year, Malo spoke out against Donald Trump, warning that liberty and justice have lost meaning under current policies.
The Mavericks brought a concert to Malo’s hospital bedside, performing “Moon & Stars” for him and his wife Betty.
Fans flooded social media with messages of love, support, and prayers for Malo’s recovery.
Malo emphasized humanity over politics in his posts, urging followers to reflect on shared values and everyday contributions. The singer continues receiving treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy, while exploring alternative therapies.
His story underscores the music community’s commitment to supporting artists facing serious health battles. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
Colonel ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt (center, with glasses and holstered gun) with his ‘Rough Riders’ after victory at the Battle of San Juan Hill
On This Day — December 10
Treaty of Paris Signed, 1898 – The Treaty of Paris is signed under US President William McKinley, officially ending the Spanish–American War and granting the United States control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam.
First Nobel Prize in Physics, 1901 – Wilhelm Röntgen receives the inaugural Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking discovery of X-rays.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights Adopted, 1948 – The United Nations General Assembly adopts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, establishing global standards for human freedoms and dignity.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🥥 ┬─┬ Use Coconut Oil as Polish
Want to give your wooden furniture a fresh, polished look? Coconut oil works like a natural wood conditioner. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth first, then rub a small amount of coconut oil into the wood using circular motions. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to absorb, then buff it off for a smooth, renewed shine.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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