Nova Newsletter
January 9, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,719 words for you today - 9 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Russia Offered US Free Rein in Venezuela in Exchange for Ukraine, Adviser Says
Former White House national security aide Fiona Hill
Russia signaled in 2019 it would give the U.S. free rein in Venezuela in exchange for U.S. noninterference in Ukraine, according to former Trump adviser Fiona Hill.
Takeaways
Moscow proposed a Venezuela-Ukraine swap, though no formal offer was made.
The idea leaned on the Monroe Doctrine and spheres of influence logic.
Hill said the Trump administration rejected linking Venezuela and Ukraine at the time.
The issue resurfaced after the U.S. raid capturing Nicolás Maduro.
Hill testified that Russian officials repeatedly hinted the U.S. could act freely in Venezuela if Russia could do the same in Europe. She was dispatched to Moscow in 2019 to shut down the idea.
Seven years later, Hill warned U.S. actions in Venezuela weaken arguments against Russia’s ambitions in Ukraine by reinforcing a might-makes-right worldview.
Russia has condemned U.S. actions as aggression but has not addressed Hill’s claims directly.. Read More
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2. Minneapolis Protests Erupt After ICE Officer Killing
Hundreds protested in Minneapolis after an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a 37-year-old motorist, during a federal immigration operation.
Takeaways
ICE claims self-defense, alleging Macklin Good tried to run over officers.
Mayor Jacob Frey called the shooting reckless and demanded ICE leave the city.
Bystander videos contradict federal claims, showing unclear threat to officers.
The death marks at least the fifth fatality tied to Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Videos show officers confronting Macklin Good’s SUV before shots were fired at close range as the vehicle moved forward. It remains unclear whether the car struck any officer.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled the incident “domestic terrorism,” a claim sharply rejected by city leaders. State and federal authorities are now jointly investigating.
The clash underscores growing tension between local officials and federal immigration enforcement. Read More
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3. xAI Faces Backlash Over Grok Digital Undressing
Elon Musk (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
Elon Musk’s xAI is under global scrutiny after its Grok chatbot generated nonconsensual sexual images, including some appearing to depict minors, across X.
Takeaways
Users exploited Grok to “digitally undress” real people, often women, without consent.
Researchers found minors in 2% of sampled images, raising child sexual abuse material concerns.
Safety staff departures and weak guardrails left xAI exposed as usage surged.
Regulators in Europe, India, and Malaysia launched investigations into potential legal violations.
Grok’s integration into X’s public posts amplified the spread, allowing explicit requests to generate images in real time. Despite xAI policies banning such content, enforcement lagged as Musk publicly criticized AI “censorship.”
Authorities warn the images may violate international child protection laws and the U.S. Take It Down Act, which mandates rapid removal of nonconsensual explicit content.
The episode underscores rising pressure on AI firms to balance speed, openness, and safety before regulators force the issue. Read More
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Quick Headlines
People attending a funeral at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City leave after a fatal shooting in the parking lot Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Laura Seitz/AP/The Deseret News
Two people were killed and six others injured in a shooting outside a Salt Lake City LDS church while mourners attended a funeral, police said; authorities do not believe the attack was faith-based and no suspect is in custody. Read More
NASA postponed Thursday’s ISS spacewalk after an astronaut experienced a medical issue; the crew of four, aboard since August, may return early, though the affected member is now stable. Read More
Congo shifts focus to March intercontinental playoff in Mexico after Algeria’s last-minute goal knocked them out of the Africa Cup, aiming for a World Cup spot with a mix of diaspora talent and rising stars. Read More
The DOJ filed lawsuits against Connecticut and Arizona after both states refused to hand over detailed voter data including names, addresses, and partial Social Security numbers, marking the 23rd and 24th states sued in the federal effort. Read More
A bipartisan coalition in the House overrode GOP leadership to advance a bill extending pandemic-era Affordable Care Act subsidies for 22 million Americans, passing 221-205 with nine Republicans joining Democrats. Read More
The US halted all assistance to Somalia, accusing officials of illegally seizing 76 tonnes of WFP food meant for 4.6 million hungry Somalis, while Mogadishu denies the claim and says aid remains under WFP control. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Trump Pulls U.S. from 66 Global Organizations, Escalating Isolation
President Donald Trump speaks to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending U.S. support for 66 international organizations, including several U.N. agencies, signaling a further retreat from global cooperation.
Takeaways
Broad Withdrawal: The U.S. will exit UNFCCC, UN Population Fund, and dozens of climate, labor, and migration agencies, citing waste, mismanagement, and threats to sovereignty.
Climate Impact: Exiting the Paris-aligned UNFCCC undermines U.S. influence in global climate finance and may slow international greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Strategic Focus: Trump administration plans to retain involvement in agencies where the U.S. competes with China, including International Telecommunications Union and International Maritime Organization.
Domestic Framing: Secretary of State Marco Rubio described these moves as defending national sovereignty, freedoms, and prosperity.
Global Repercussions: Analysts warn the policy signals a "my way or the highway" approach to multilateralism, potentially straining alliances and U.N. operations.
Trump’s move builds on a pattern of selectively funding or withdrawing from global agencies, including the WHO, UNESCO, and UN Human Rights Council. Independent NGOs have already reported project closures due to prior U.S. funding cuts through USAID.
Critics say the withdrawal undermines U.S. leverage in international decision-making. Former White House Climate Adviser Gina McCarthy called it “shortsighted and embarrassing”, warning the U.S. risks losing influence over trillions in climate-related investments.
Stanford climate scientist Rob Jackson highlighted that without U.S. participation, global emissions reductions may stall, as other nations could delay commitments citing U.S. absence. The population fund, reproductive health programs, and dozens of technical advisory bodies will also lose U.S. backing.
Experts note that while some agencies are targeted for efficiency or political reasons, the broader effect may weaken U.S. influence in shaping international norms and accelerate the pivot toward unilateralism.
The administration frames these moves as prioritizing sovereignty and strategic competition, but allies warn it complicates global governance at a critical juncture. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Disney casts Croft, Manheim in live-action Tangled
Croft/Manheim: Getty Images
Disney confirmed Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim will star as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider in a live-action “Tangled”, announced in Los Angeles.
Takeaways
Croft, known for “Titans” and “True Spirit,” takes on the iconic princess role.
Manheim, a Disney regular from “Zombies,” plays the charming outlaw Flynn Rider.
Michael Gracey of “The Greatest Showman” will direct, with a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.
No release date yet, but the project extends Disney’s aggressive remake strategy.
The original 2010 animated hit earned $590 million worldwide and spawned sequels and a TV series. Voices were originally provided by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi.
The film joins Disney’s expanding slate of live-action adaptations, following recent and upcoming titles like “Snow White,” “Lilo & Stitch,” and “Moana.”
Disney continues to bet that nostalgia plus star power will keep audiences coming back. Read More
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6. Hall of Fame songwriter Jim McBride dies at 78
Jim McBride, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and prolific country hitmaker, died Jan. 6 at age 78, industry leaders confirmed.
Takeaways
McBride co-wrote “Chattahoochee” and “Chasing That Neon Rainbow,” defining hits for Alan Jackson.
Peers called him “a songwriter’s songwriter” and “an unbelievable loss for country music.”
He earned CMA Song of the Year, multiple ASCAP and BMI honors, and inductions into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
McBride, a Huntsville, Alabama native, wrote songs recorded by Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Randy Travis, Toby Keith, and many others.
Singer-songwriter Jerry Salley described McBride as a lifelong brother and mentor, praising both his talent and generosity.
His catalog helped shape modern country radio and influenced generations of writers.
McBride’s legacy now lives on through songs that remain staples of the genre. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
The Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter, the first battle of the American Civil War
On This Day – January 9
First Shots of the U.S. Civil War, 1861 – The Union supply ship Star of the West is fired upon by cadets from the South Carolina Military Academy while attempting to resupply Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, an event widely regarded as the opening shots of the American Civil War.
U.S. Invasion of the Philippines, 1945 – During World War II, American forces under General Douglas MacArthur invade the Philippines, fulfilling his famous promise to return and beginning the campaign to liberate the islands from Japanese occupation.
iPhone Announcement, 2007 – Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveils the iPhone, introducing a revolutionary smartphone that combines a mobile phone, widescreen iPod, and internet communicator, fundamentally transforming the mobile technology industry and everyday communication.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🍎 🥔 Store Potatoes and Apples Together
Want to keep your potatoes from sprouting too quickly? Store them near apples. Apples release ethylene gas, which helps slow down potato sprouting. This simple storage trick can help both foods stay fresh longer.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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