Nova Newsletter
January 2, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,788 words for you today - 9 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Deadly New Year Fire Rocks Swiss Alpine Resort
Police officers inspect the area where a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar and lounge leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Alessandro della Valle/Keystone via AP)
About 40 people were killed and at least 115 injured after a fire tore through a crowded bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, during New Year’s celebrations, police said.
Takeaways
Roughly 40 dead and 115 injured, many critically, after blaze erupted just after midnight.
The fire hit Le Constellation bar, packed with revelers at the Alpine resort.
Authorities say there is no indication of an attack and the cause remains under investigation.
Hospitals in the region were overwhelmed, with ICUs quickly reaching capacity.
Police believe the blaze may have triggered a flashover or backdraft, rapidly spreading flames and smoke through the venue.
Survivors described panic, suffocation, and narrow exits, with some smashing windows to escape as ceilings collapsed.
The tragedy stunned the resort town at the height of ski season, prompting officials to urge caution as emergency resources remain stretched. Read More
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2. Trump Administration Ends Lease For D.C. Public Golf Courses
The Trump administration terminated a long-term lease for three public golf courses in Washington, opening the door to potential changes on prominent federal land.
Takeaways
The Department of the Interior ended a 50-year lease with the National Links Trust, citing missed capital improvements and lease violations.
The courses sit on federal land, including sites near the Potomac River, Rock Creek Park, and a location tied to Black golf history.
The decision creates new leverage for President Donald Trump, whose private company has built golf courses worldwide.
The National Links Trust said it was “devastated” by the termination and disputed the claims. The nonprofit said it invested $8.5 million, while revenue and rounds played more than doubled under its management.
The group will continue operating the courses temporarily, but long-term renovations are paused as uncertainty grows.
The move aligns with Trump’s broader push to rebrand civic spaces across Washington. Read More
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3. Pope Opens 2026 With Global Call For Peace
Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV began 2026 in Rome by urging peace for war-torn nations and families scarred by violence, marking the Catholic Church’s World Day of Peace.
Takeaways
The pope singled out countries bloodied by conflict and families wounded by violence during New Year’s Day prayers.
He delivered the message after celebrating Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica before thousands of pilgrims.
The appeal comes as Leo prepares to guide the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church into a new year of leadership.
Leo used the Jan. 1 observance to emphasize peace both between nations and inside homes, framing violence as a global and deeply personal crisis.
The pope now enters a brief pause following a packed Christmas season. He will formally close the 2025 Holy Year on Jan. 6 during Epiphany celebrations.
Soon after, Leo plans to convene the entire College of Cardinals, reviving a consultative tradition to shape church governance. Read More
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Quick Headlines
Matthew Micah Wright/Getty Images, FILE
Authorities found three hikers dead on Mount Baldy, including a 19-year-old who fell near Devil’s Backbone, during a search-and-rescue operation in Southern California. Seven trails are now closed through Jan. 7 due to extreme weather hazards and safety concerns. Read More
A federal appeals court blocked Hawaii from enforcing a new climate change tourist tax on cruise ship passengers set to begin in 2026. The levy of up to 14 percent on prorated cruise fares was challenged as unconstitutional and had been projected to raise nearly $100 million annually. Read More
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s 112th mayor just after midnight on January 1, becoming the city’s youngest mayor in over a century and its first Muslim and South Asian leader. The 34-year-old democratic socialist pledged to tackle affordability, including rent freezes, universal childcare, and free city buses. Read More
A weeklong search for 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos ended after authorities found her body near her San Antonio-area home following her Christmas Eve disappearance. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office ruled her death a suicide, closing a case that drew widespread community and federal search efforts. Read More
Mali and Burkina Faso announced travel bans on US citizens, citing reciprocity after the Trump administration placed both countries under full US entry restrictions. The move follows Washington’s expanded travel ban effective January 1 and signals deepening diplomatic rifts with the junta-led West African states. Read More
The US military says it killed five people after striking two boats it alleges were smuggling drugs, part of an expanded “war on drugs” operation targeting vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. More than 30 such strikes since September have killed over 110 people, drawing legal scrutiny over possible violations of armed conflict rules and concerns from US lawmakers about civilian harm and rules of engagement. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Expired Health Subsidies Push Millions Into Steep 2026 Insurance Hikes
Enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expired on January 1, 2026, leaving millions of Americans facing sharply higher insurance premiums.
Takeaways
Premiums are soaring. More than 20 million ACA enrollees face an average 114% increase in 2026 premiums, according to KFF.
Middle-class Americans hit hardest. Self-employed workers, small business owners, and families now shoulder steep cost increases, sometimes from $85 to $750 a month.
Enrollment may drop. Analysts estimate up to 4.8 million Americans could forgo coverage, disproportionately younger, healthier enrollees.
Political deadlock worsens impact. Lawmakers failed to extend subsidies before the deadline, despite ongoing negotiations and bipartisan proposals.
Long-term costs could rise. A shrinking, higher-risk ACA pool may drive up premiums further for those who remain insured.
The expired subsidies originated in 2021 as pandemic relief and were extended several times. They capped premiums at 8.5% of income for higher earners and provided no-cost coverage for lower-income enrollees. With the lapse, families are seeing their monthly premiums double or even increase nearly tenfold.
Some Americans, like Stan Clawson, a 49-year-old freelance filmmaker with a spinal cord injury, are absorbing the rise, paying nearly $500 monthly. Others, including single mom Katelin Provost, face impossible choices, with premiums jumping from $85 to $750, forcing potential coverage cuts for herself or her child.
The political battle over subsidies has been protracted. Republicans cut trillions in federal health programs last year, and both parties struggled to reach a consensus on extending ACA tax credits. A House vote in January may offer another chance, but the Senate’s previous rejection leaves the outcome uncertain.
Analysts warn that dropping coverage could increase costs for remaining enrollees, creating a feedback loop that makes the ACA less sustainable over time.
The 2026 subsidy lapse underscores a volatile health care system where political gridlock translates directly into financial pain for millions. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Patriots Christian Barmore Faces Domestic Assault Charges
New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore / Boston Globe via Getty Images
New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore is charged with domestic assault for allegedly attacking the mother of his child in Mansfield, Massachusetts.
Takeaways
Barmore, 26, faces one misdemeanor count of assault and battery on a family/household member.
Incident reportedly occurred in August, victim is pregnant with Barmore’s second child.
Barmore’s arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 3, one day after teammate Stefon Diggs faced assault and strangulation charges.
Patriots say the matter is under legal review and are cooperating with the NFL.
According to court documents, Barmore allegedly grabbed the victim, threw her to the floor, and interfered with her phone call. The victim initially hesitated to report due to his pro athlete status.
Barmore’s attorney insists no criminal conduct occurred and expects the matter to be resolved soon. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said neither player is expected to miss Sunday’s game against Miami.
Legal proceedings will determine whether Barmore faces further consequences off the field. Read More
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6. Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton Welcome Second Child
English actors Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton have welcomed their second child, Hiddleston confirmed to GQ.
Takeaways
Hiddleston described the birth as “profound, life-altering, and earth-shattering.”
The couple first met in 2019 while starring in a revival of the play Betrayal.
They confirmed their engagement in 2022 and had their first child later that year.
Neither the child’s name nor exact birth date has been publicly disclosed.
Hiddleston, 44, is known for portraying Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while Ashton, 41, appeared in The Marvels and multiple film and TV projects. The couple resides in London, where both were born.
Hiddleston has previously described fatherhood as the most important and meaningful role of his life. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
British Home Secretary Winston Churchill (right) escorted by High Commissioner Herbert Samuel, in Jerusalem during the British Mandate period. (Photo: Wikimedia)
On This Day — January 2
First Photograph of the Moon, 1839 - French inventor Louis Daguerre captures the first known photograph of the Moon, marking a breakthrough in both photography and humanity’s ability to scientifically document the night sky.
Open Door Policy Announced, 1900 - U.S. Secretary of State John Hay declares the Open Door Policy, asserting American trade access to China and shaping U.S. foreign policy in Asia for decades.
Air Conditioning Patented, 1906 - Engineer Willis Carrier receives a U.S. patent for the first modern air conditioner, laying the foundation for climate control technology that would transform industry, cities, and daily life.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
💦 🪟 Vinegar for Streak-Free Windows/Mirrors
Want sparkling, streak-free windows or mirrors? Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the surface and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth or crumpled newspaper. The result is a clear, streak-free shine without harsh chemicals.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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