Nova Newsletter
March 19, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,609 words for you today - 8-minute read.
The Spotlight
1. 90 Ships Cross the Strait of Hormuz
An Indian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier Shivalik, arrives at Mundra Port via the Strait of Hormuz Photo by Amit Dave/Reuters
Iran continues exporting millions of barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz even as conflict has sharply reduced overall shipping traffic.
Takeaways
About 90 ships crossed the strait since early March, far below normal levels.
Iran exported over 16 million barrels despite attacks and partial closures.
“Dark” vessels and diplomacy helped bypass sanctions and security risks.
Oil prices surged above $100 as tensions tightened global supply.
Roughly one-fifth of transiting ships were tied to Iran, with others from China, India, and Pakistan navigating via negotiated or low-visibility routes. About 20 vessels have been attacked since the war began.
The strait, which carries about 20% of global oil supply, is functioning selectively, allowing Iranian exports and limited foreign traffic. Some ships reportedly signal China ties to avoid targeting.
Iran is leveraging control of a critical chokepoint to sustain exports and influence global oil prices. Read More
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2. Bondi Subpoenaed In Epstein Investigation Dispute
Pam Bondi has been formally subpoenaed by Congress to testify over the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Takeaways
House Oversight Chair James Comer cites possible mismanagement of the Epstein probe.
Bipartisan pressure is mounting to fully release all Epstein-related files.
Justice Department calls subpoena unnecessary, saying access has already been offered.
Concerns center on document handling, including failure to protect victim identities.
The subpoena follows accusations from Nancy Mace that the administration may be withholding key information. Bondi has been asked to appear before lawmakers on April 14.
A law signed by Donald Trump required the release of Epstein materials, but the rollout drew criticism over redactions and transparency gaps.
The fight over Epstein files is escalating into a high-stakes political and legal showdown. Read More
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3. Judge Orders VOA Reinstatement After Trump Shutdown
Getty Images
A US federal judge ruled the closure of Voice of America was illegal and ordered the Donald Trump administration to restore operations within one week.
Takeaways
Judge Royce Lamberth orders journalists reinstated after mass layoffs.
More than 1,000 staff were removed following agency leadership changes.
Court cites lack of legal authority and failure to follow congressional mandates.
Administration had accused VOA of bias while pushing to scale back outlets.
The shutdown followed Trump’s executive order targeting VOA’s parent agency, led by Kari Lake, who cut most of the workforce. The court said the move lacked a “principled basis” and ignored legal requirements.
The broadcaster, founded during World War II, had operated in nearly 50 languages before being sidelined.
The ruling forces a rapid restart of a key US global media outlet amid ongoing political clashes over press independence. Read More
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Quick Headlines
A 7-ton meteor streaked over Cleveland at 45,000 mph Tuesday, breaking apart with the force of 250 tons of TNT and visible from Wisconsin to Maryland. NASA confirmed it measured nearly 6 feet across and caused a thunderous boom that shook homes. Read More
China declined President Trump’s request to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war, while his Beijing state visit is postponed as the U.S. diverts military focus to the Middle East. Analysts say China may benefit as Washington struggles to secure the strait alone. Read More
A federal judge struck down Arkansas’ law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms, ruling it violates the Constitution and separation of church and state. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders plans to appeal while legal challenges continue in Louisiana and Texas. Read More
Acting TSA Deputy Adam Stahl warned surging officer sick calls amid the partial government shutdown could force airport closures, with more than 10% of officers nationwide calling out and Atlanta seeing 37% absent. Wait times have exceeded two hours at major hubs. Read More
Israel says it killed Iran’s intelligence minister Esmail Khatib in Tehran, marking the third high-ranking Iranian official killed in two days, following the deaths of Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. Iran has confirmed the deaths and vowed retaliation amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel offensive. Read More
BMW launches its all-new electrified 3 Series i3 with 560-mile WLTP range, 469 horsepower, and advanced V2L, V2H, and V2G tech, marking a major EV push on its Neue Klasse platform. Deliveries are expected in the second half of 2026 amid global oil concerns and stiff competition from China’s BYD. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Oil Surges Near $110 After Strike on Key Gas Field
Facilities on the South Pars gas field pictured in 2016 (Getty Images)
Global oil prices jumped sharply after an airstrike hit Iran’s South Pars gas field, intensifying fears over energy supply disruptions.
Takeaways
Brent crude surged above $109, climbing more than 5 percent in a single day.
The strike targeted South Pars, the world’s largest natural gas field, raising global supply concerns.
Iran warned of “decisive action”, signaling potential retaliation against energy infrastructure.
Gas prices also spiked, with UK benchmark gas rising 6 percent before easing.
The price rally followed reports from Tasnim News Agency, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, that a petrochemical facility at South Pars Gas Field had been hit. The field is critical, supplying the bulk of Iran’s domestic gas and forming part of a shared reserve with Qatar.
Despite the spike, prices remain below earlier conflict highs of $116.78 per barrel, suggesting markets are volatile but not yet in full crisis mode. Iran’s oil ministry said the fire was “under control,” though damage assessments remain unclear.
The geopolitical stakes are rising fast. Iran’s military warned that attacks on its energy infrastructure would trigger retaliation against the “origin of aggression,” expanding the risk of a broader regional energy conflict.
Supply chains are already tightening. Iran has cut gas flows to Iraq to prioritize domestic demand, while Qatar, which shares the field and produces about 20 percent of global LNG, previously halted output amid the conflict.
Each strike on energy infrastructure is pushing markets closer to a broader supply shock with global consequences. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. WNBA, Union Reach Transformational Labor Deal
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
The WNBA and players union reached a tentative new CBA that could dramatically reshape salaries and revenue sharing.
Takeaways
Player pay set to surge, with potential million-dollar salaries for the first time.
Revenue sharing expanded, tying salaries to league growth.
Average compensation could exceed $500K, a major jump from prior deals.
Final terms still pending, requiring ratification by players and owners.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert called the agreement a “transformative step,” while union leaders including Nneka Ogwumike and Breanna Stewart highlighted gains in pay, facilities, and support.
The deal follows more than 100 hours of negotiations after players opted out of the previous agreement, pushing for compensation that matches the league’s rapid growth.
The WNBA’s new labor deal signals a historic shift in pay equity and the business of women’s sports. Read More
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6. Evidence Lacking For Cannabis In Mental Health Treatment
A major review in The Lancet Psychiatry finds little high-quality evidence that cannabis effectively treats mental health conditions.
Takeaways
No strong evidence for anxiety, PTSD, or depression despite widespread use.
Some limited support for insomnia and Tourette’s, but evidence remains low quality.
Research gaps persist after decades of restricted studies and funding barriers.
Risks flagged for youth and vulnerable groups, including links to psychosis.
Researchers analyzed more than 50 clinical trials spanning 45 years, but strict criteria narrowed usable data to about 2,500 patients. For some conditions like depression, no qualifying trials existed.
Experts say cannabis research has lagged behind public adoption, partly due to regulatory hurdles and inconsistent study designs. Some compounds like CBD may show promise, but findings remain inconclusive.
Cannabis use for mental health is outpacing the science, leaving critical questions unanswered. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
On This Day — March 19
Modern Zipper Patented, 1917 – Gideon Sundback patents the "Separable Fastener," creating the modern metal zipper, a key innovation for clothing, luggage, and outdoor gear.
US Senate Rejects Treaty of Versailles, 1920 – United States Senate refuses to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations covenant, maintaining a policy of post-World War I isolation.
Iraq Invasion Begins, 2003 – United States and coalition forces launch airstrikes, initiating the invasion of Iraq without UN approval, defying global opinion and marking the start of the Iraq War.
Life Hack of the day
😮💨😴 Use the “4-7-8” Breathing Technique
Trouble falling asleep? Try the “4-7-8” breathing technique. Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, then exhale slowly for 8 seconds. This rhythm helps relax your body and mind, making it easier to drift off.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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