Nova Newsletter
December 8, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,721 words for you today - 9 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Fire at Goa Nightclub Kills at Least 25 People
Police personnel stand guard outside a nightclub following a deadly fire that broke out in Goa on Sunday. AFP via Getty Images
At least 25 people, including tourists, died after a late-night fire tore through a popular nightclub in Arpora, North Goa.
Takeaways
Officials say a gas cylinder blast triggered the fire shortly after midnight.
Most victims were kitchen workers, along with several tourists.
A narrow entry and exit slowed fire crews, who had to park 400 meters away.
The club previously received a demolition notice for lacking a construction permit.
Around 100 people were on the dance floor when the fire erupted, sending crowds rushing toward the kitchen below, where many became trapped. All bodies have been recovered, and six injured victims are stable, officials said.
The Goa government has ordered a formal inquiry into safety violations as Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy “deeply saddening.”
Authorities now face pressure to enforce stricter fire safety and building standards. Read More
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2. Strong Quake Shakes Remote Alaska Canada Border
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit a wilderness area near the Alaska Canada border on Saturday with no reports of injuries or damage.
Takeaways
Quake struck about 230 miles northwest of Juneau and 155 miles west of Whitehorse.
No tsunami warning issued and only two 911 calls were reported.
Whitehorse and Yakutat residents felt shaking but saw no structural impact.
Multiple aftershocks followed the shallow 6 mile deep quake.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Whitehorse said residents reported noticeable shaking on social media but emergency calls were minimal.
The US Geological Survey said the epicenter was in a sparsely populated region about 56 miles from Yakutat.
Officials continue to monitor aftershocks in the remote zone. Read More
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3. Legionnaires’ Cluster in Florida Tied to Local Gym
Stock photo of the Legionnaire's Disease bacterium. Bsip/uig/Getty Images/Universal Images
At least 14 cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported in central Florida, and state health officials say the outbreak may be linked to a gym in Ocoee.
Takeaways
Florida health officials alerted a state senator that the cluster is tied to a gym.
WFTV reports affected members belong to Crunch Fitness in Ocoee.
Parts of the gym are closed as systems are tested out of caution.
Legionnaires’ spreads through contaminated warm water systems, not person to person.
Crunch Fitness said it is working with health officials and testing its pool and spa systems. The Florida Department of Health has not publicly identified the facility.
Legionnaires’ is a severe pneumonia caused by inhaling Legionella bacteria that thrive in warm water and can contaminate pipes, tanks and spa systems.
Cases have risen in recent years, and the CDC says about 1 in 10 infected people die from complications.
Florida officials continue investigating the source and scope of the outbreak. Read More
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Quick Headlines
This undated photo provided by California Department of Health shows a death cap mushroom. California Department of Health/AP
California health officials report 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning from death cap mushrooms, including one adult death and severe liver damage in children, and advise against foraging amid wet-season growth. Mushrooms are easily mistaken for edible varieties, making early symptoms unreliable for detecting danger. Read More
Data shows ICE arrested nearly 75,000 people with no criminal history in the first nine months of the Trump administration, part of a total 220,000 arrests aimed at targeting serious criminals. Most arrestees were men aged 25-45, with Mexican nationals the largest group; Border Patrol operations are not included. Read More
A U.S. Coast Guard cutter intercepted over 20,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific, marking the largest at-sea seizure in 18 years during Operation Pacific Viper. The haul comes amid heightened Trump administration counter-narcotics efforts targeting Central and South American drug shipments. Read More
Four members of the group Take Back Power were arrested after splattering apple crumble and custard on the Imperial State Crown display at the Tower of London. The crown, encrusted with 2,868 diamonds, was unharmed, and the stunt aimed to spotlight calls for taxing extreme wealth. Read More
The U.S. Department of Transportation waived Southwest Airlines’ final $11 million installment of a record $140 million penalty over its 2022 holiday travel meltdown, citing $112.4 million in investments to improve operations and on-time performance. The move rewards operational upgrades that benefit customers directly. Read More
Michael Annett, 39, and former NASCAR driver with 436 national series starts, has died, NASCAR and JR Motorsports confirmed; no cause of death was given. He won the 2019 Xfinity season opener at Daytona and was a two-time ARCA Menards Series winner. Read More
Deep Dive
4. 7 Deaths, Hundreds Injured Linked to Faulty Abbott Glucose Monitors
A photo illustration shows the applicator of the Abbott Freestyle Libre 3 Plus glucose sensor on the arm of a patient on Thursday. Jill Delsaux/Getty Images
Abbott Diabetes Care has recalled millions of FreeStyle Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus glucose sensors after internal testing found some devices may report falsely low glucose readings, potentially contributing to seven deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.
Takeaways
About 3 million sensors were affected, with 1.5 million already used or expired.
Faulty readings can lead to dangerous treatment decisions, including skipping insulin or overconsuming carbohydrates.
Of the seven reported deaths, all occurred outside the U.S., while 57 of 736 severe injuries were domestic.
Abbott will replace affected sensors at no cost, and the FDA provides guidance on the recall.
The issue stems from a single production line, but Abbott says supply disruptions are not expected.
The company warned that undetected false lows may cause serious health risks for people with diabetes, from injury to death. Users are urged to check their devices at FreeStyleCheck.com and discontinue use immediately if affected.
Glucose monitoring is critical for diabetes management, guiding insulin doses and diet. Experts note that errors in continuous glucose monitors can have rapid and severe consequences, particularly for insulin-dependent patients.
Abbott emphasized that the problem is limited to a specific production batch and production continues, but regulators are closely monitoring the recall. The FDA has posted detailed instructions for consumers and healthcare providers.
The recall underscores the vital importance of device accuracy in managing chronic conditions and the potential global risks of medical device failures. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Lando Norris Wins First F1 Title at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts after becoming a world champion after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Darko Bandic/AP
McLaren driver Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 championship after finishing third at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Takeaways
Norris finished two points ahead of defending champion Max Verstappen, who won the race.
Teammate Oscar Piastri placed second, ending third in the season standings, 13 points behind Norris.
Norris is the first British F1 champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
Verstappen’s late-season surge, including his 71st career win, fell short of unseating Norris.
The title battle came down to the final race with Norris maintaining composure under pressure. He celebrated with his parents and McLaren team, visibly emotional after clinching the championship. McLaren CEO Zak Brown congratulated him on team radio as the team erupted in joy.
Norris’ victory marks a major milestone for McLaren, returning the team to the top of the F1 standings. Read More
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6. Katy Perry Goes Instagram Official with Justin Trudeau
Pop star Katy Perry and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have confirmed their relationship on Instagram after posting photos and videos from a trip to Japan.
Takeaways
Perry shared selfies and videos of the couple trying sushi, captioning the post: "Tokyo times on tour and more."
Trudeau, 53, reposted a photo with Perry alongside former Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and his wife.
The couple was previously photographed holding hands in Paris, fueling months of romance speculation.
Both have past high-profile relationships: Perry with Orlando Bloom and Trudeau with Sophie Grégoire.
The Instagram post follows multiple public appearances, suggesting the pair are embracing a more official status. Fans have reacted enthusiastically to the cross-cultural celebrity-politician pairing.
Their public outings mark a new chapter for both as they navigate high-profile personal lives. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
The USS Shaw explodes after taking a direct hit at Pearl Harbor. © Everett Historical/Shutterstockcom
On This Day — December 8
Pearl Harbor Speech, 1941 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt addresses Congress with his "Day of Infamy" speech, declaring war on Japan following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and marking the United States' entry into World War II.
INF Treaty Signed, 1987 – President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev sign a landmark treaty to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles, marking a key step in Cold War arms reduction.
SpaceX Dragon Success, 2010 – SpaceX becomes the first private company to launch, orbit, and safely recover a spacecraft with its second Dragon mission, demonstrating the viability of commercial spaceflight.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🍶 𓋪 Rub Mayonnaise on Water Rings
Spotted a water ring on your wooden table? Dab a little mayonnaise onto the mark and let it sit for a few minutes. The oils penetrate the wood, lifting moisture and reducing the stain. Wipe it clean afterward, and your table will look much smoother and refreshed.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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