Nova Newsletter
October 20, 2025
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The Spotlight

1. FBI Investigates Hunting Stand Near Trump’s Air Force One Exit Area

President Donald Trump exits from Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on February 14, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Federal authorities are investigating a suspicious elevated hunting stand discovered near Palm Beach International Airport with a direct view of where President Donald Trump exits Air Force One.

Takeaways:

  • Secret Service agents found the stand during advance security checks before Trump’s arrival in Palm Beach.

  • The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, has taken over the investigation and is collecting evidence.

  • No individuals were present at the scene, and officials said there was no impact on Trump’s movements.

  • The structure may have been in place for months, according to law enforcement sources.

  • The discovery follows an attempted assassination plot against Trump at a nearby golf course weeks earlier.

Authorities have not yet linked the hunting stand to any suspect, but the incident has renewed concerns about potential security threats in the area. Officials emphasized that layered protective measures remain in place for all presidential movements. Read More

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2. ‘Priceless’ Jewels Stolen in Daring Daylight Louvre Heist

A gang of masked thieves pulled off a bold daylight raid at Paris’ Louvre Museum, stealing nine jewels described as “priceless” for their cultural and historical value.

Takeaways:

  • The suspects used a mechanical ladder and small chainsaws to break into the Gallery of Apollo around 9:30 a.m.

  • They smashed display cases and escaped on mopeds within minutes, leaving behind a ladder and one dropped crown.

  • The recovered item, a diamond- and emerald-covered 19th-century crown belonging to Empress Eugenie, was found damaged nearby.

  • No one was injured, but the Louvre was evacuated and closed for the day as police launched a manhunt.

  • Officials said the stolen royal jewels hold “immeasurable heritage value” beyond their monetary worth.

Tourists described confusion and surprise as guards quickly cleared the museum, which remains under investigation following the high-profile heist. Read More

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3. Shooting at Oklahoma State University Residence Hall Leaves Multiple Victims

Police responded around 3:40 a.m. to reports of a shooting at Carreker East residential hall at Oklahoma State University on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (Google Maps)

Police say multiple people were hospitalized after a shooting early Sunday at Oklahoma State University’s Carreker East residence hall.

Takeaways:

  • Officers responded around 3:40 a.m. and confirmed several victims, including at least one OSU student.

  • Victims were taken to hospitals in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, though their conditions remain undisclosed.

  • Police confirmed there is no ongoing threat, and the suspect is no longer on campus.

  • Investigators believe the shooting followed a large off-campus party whose attendees returned to the dorm before the incident.

  • Students have been asked to stay clear of the area as police continue their investigation. Read More

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Quick Headlines

Actor John Cusack speaks during a Chicago Teachers Union Strike Authorization Vote Rally in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. (Laura McDermott/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

  • Actor John Cusack joined Chicago’s “No Kings” rally denouncing the Trump administration, blasting the former president on CNN and urging resistance to authoritarianism during nationwide anti-Trump demonstrations. Read More

  • Israel launched strikes in Rafah and Khan Younis after claiming Hamas fighters attacked its troops, killing two soldiers. The IDF later said it would re-enforce the ceasefire following 44 reported deaths. Read More

  • A wave of new children’s Bibles, like The Just Love Story Bible, teach love, inclusion, and gender equity while challenging literal interpretations. Publishers say they aim to reach modern Christian families seeking “open-minded” faith resources. Read More

  • A late-night argument over long wait times at a Florida McDonald’s ended with a man being shot in the neck. Police say employee Yoan Soto fired the gun during a struggle with two customers who allegedly threatened him and the staff’s safety. Authorities called the chaotic scene “a McMess,” adding that the wound was minor and charges were filed against all involved. Read More

  • After being wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years for a murder he didn’t commit, Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam was finally exonerated only to be taken into U.S. immigration custody. ICE now seeks to deport him to India, a country he hasn’t lived in since infancy. His family and lawyers argue that deportation would be another grave injustice, as Vedam has spent nearly his entire life in the U.S. and has no close ties abroad. Read More

  • Reality TV star Steven McBee Sr. was sentenced to two years in federal prison for a multimillion-dollar crop insurance fraud scheme. He admitted to underreporting crop yields, causing over $3 million in losses, and must also pay $4 million in restitution. Read More

Deep Dive

4. Millions Rally Across US Cities in 'No Kings' Anti-Trump Protests

The Donald Trump "baby blimp", which has become a common sight at protests over the years, made an appearance in Los Angeles (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Massive crowds turned out Saturday in New York, Washington, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles for "No Kings" demonstrations against President Trump’s policies, drawing nearly seven million participants nationwide, organizers said. The protests remained largely peaceful despite National Guard mobilizations in several states.

Takeaways

  • Protesters targeted perceived overreach by Trump, including expanded executive powers and law enforcement actions against political opponents.

  • New York City saw over 100,000 demonstrators across all five boroughs, with no arrests reported.

  • Participants cited democracy, constitutional rights, and fears of authoritarianism as key motivators, echoing concerns among international observers.

  • Right-wing critics labeled the protests "hate America rallies," while prominent figures like Bernie Sanders emphasized patriotism as the driver.

Saturday’s turnout marked one of the largest coordinated demonstrations against a sitting U.S. president in recent memory. In Times Square, chants of "This is what democracy looks like" punctuated a steady drumbeat, while drones and helicopters monitored the event.

The rallies coincided with heightened polarization in the U.S., with a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showing 58% disapproval of Trump’s performance. National Guard deployments were triggered in states like Texas and Kansas, though troops were largely absent from on-the-ground protest activity.

Many attendees framed participation as a civic duty in the face of perceived executive overreach. New Yorkers like Beth Zasloff said protests provided hope against a drift toward authoritarianism, while others cited healthcare, immigration, and civil liberties concerns.

European cities including Berlin, Madrid, Rome, and London held solidarity protests, reflecting growing international attention on U.S. political tensions. Analysts say the scale and global resonance of the rallies underscore the stakes for Trump as he navigates the remainder of his term.

The protests signal enduring grassroots energy that could shape public discourse and political engagement ahead of the next election cycle. Read More

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On Our Radar

5. Limp Bizkit Bassist Sam Rivers Dies at 48

Bassist Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit (Yalonda M. James/ San Francisco Chronicle via AP, File)

Sam Rivers, bass player for nu metal band Limp Bizkit, died Saturday, band members announced on social media, with frontman Fred Durst praising his talent and impact on music.

Takeaways

  • Rivers had a history of liver disease from heavy drinking, received a liver transplant, and rejoined the band in 2018.

  • Limp Bizkit described him as “the soul in the sound” and celebrated his global influence and presence in the band.

  • The group plans a Central and South America tour starting in Mexico City in late November.

Durst recalled meeting Rivers at a Jacksonville Beach club and forming a band that achieved international success in the late 1990s. Rivers was credited with shaping Limp Bizkit’s signature sound and blending grunge influences with alternative metal and rap.

Fans and bandmates continue to mourn his death as the tour approaches.

Rivers’ legacy will continue through Limp Bizkit’s music and upcoming performances. Read More

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6. 1,200-Year-Old Bread Bearing Jesus’ Image Found in Turkey

Archaeologists unearthed a 7th- or 8th-century loaf at Topraktepe, Turkey, featuring an image of Jesus and an inscription thanking Christ.

Takeaways

  • The carbonized bread, one of five found, may have been used as early Christian communion or Eucharist bread.

  • Christ is depicted as a sower rather than in the traditional Pantocrator style, highlighting themes of labor and fertility.

  • Preservation through carbonization makes these among the best-preserved early Christian artifacts discovered in Anatolia.

Officials said other loaves feature symbols such as the Maltese Cross, suggesting ritual significance. The site, once the city of Eirenopolis, has yielded multiple early Christian relics over the past year.

This find complements recent discoveries across Anatolia and the Caucasus, including a 4th-century church in Armenia, illuminating early Christian practices in the region.

The Topraktepe loaves provide rare insight into religious symbolism and daily ritual in early Christianity. Read More

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8. 🎉 This day in history

Famous painting of the signing of the armistice in Compiegne, France

On This Day – October 20

  • Germany Moves Toward WWI Armistice, 1918 – Facing mounting losses, Germany agrees to key concessions to advance peace talks, setting the stage for the end of World War I weeks later.

  • Sydney Opera House Opens, 1973 – Queen Elizabeth II inaugurates Australia’s now-iconic Sydney Opera House after 14 years of construction, cementing its place as a global architectural landmark.

  • US Jet Crashes into Hotel, 1987 – A U.S. Air Force jet slams into a Ramada Inn near Indianapolis, killing 10 people in one of Indiana’s deadliest aviation disasters

9. Poll

Should schools offer inclusive religious texts alongside traditional ones?

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Life Hack of the day

🌷🌸 Fresh Flowers Hack

Want your flowers to stay fresh longer? Drop two aspirin tablets into the vase water to help slow wilting and bacteria growth. Or try using 7-Up instead of plain water, the sugar provides nutrients that keep blooms lively. It’s an easy way to extend the life of your bouquet.

That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠

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