Nova Newsletter
December 29, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,882 words for you today - 10 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Thailand Cambodia Ceasefire Takes Effect After Border Violence
Cambodia's Defence Minister Tea Seiha and Thailand's Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit after the ceasefire was agreed during a special meeting at a border checkpoint in Chanthaburi province, Thailand
Thailand and Cambodia activated a ceasefire Saturday along their disputed border after nearly three weeks of clashes displaced close to one million people.
Takeaways
The deal freezes front lines, bans reinforcements, and allows civilians to return.
Eighteen Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand will be released after 72 hours.
China and the United States pushed both sides toward the agreement.
The truce follows a failed ceasefire and escalating air strikes this month.
The ceasefire took effect at noon local time after days of defense-level negotiations. It also includes commitments to remove landmines and prioritize civilian resettlement.
Thailand’s defense minister warned that any violation would trigger self-defense measures, underscoring lingering mistrust. Nationalist pressure and battlefield losses, especially for Cambodia, threaten the deal’s durability.
The ceasefire’s survival now depends on enforcement and political will. Read More
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2. New York Subway Ends MetroCard Era, Goes Fully Tap And Go
New York City’s transit system will retire the MetroCard on Dec. 31 and switch entirely to OMNY contactless fares after more than 30 years of swiping.
Takeaways
Last day to buy or refill MetroCards is Dec. 31, 2025.
More than 90% of subway and bus rides already use tap and go payments.
OMNY allows riders to tap a phone, credit card, or reloadable OMNY card.
The MTA says the change saves at least $20 million annually.
The MetroCard replaced subway tokens in 1994, modernizing fares and enabling unlimited ride passes and commemorative designs tied to pop culture and city history.
OMNY, launched in 2019, requires little adjustment and includes fare capping, offering unlimited rides after 12 trips in seven days.
Some riders, especially older New Yorkers, worry about accessibility and losing the ability to easily track balances.
The shift marks the end of an icon and a full embrace of cashless transit. Read More
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3. U.S. Airstrikes Rattle Nigerian Village Near Suspected ISIS Camp
Anti-Bomb Squad of Nigeria’s police secure the scene of a US airstrike in Northwest, Jabo, Nigeria, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.
U.S. airstrikes near Jabo, Nigeria, targeting an alleged Islamic State-linked camp, left residents shaken as homes trembled and the night sky glowed red, according to local accounts.
Takeaways
Residents reported intense heat, shaking buildings, and fires after the strikes.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. carried out a “powerful and deadly strike” in northwestern Nigeria.
Nigeria confirmed the operation was a joint effort with U.S. intelligence support.
Officials have not disclosed casualty figures or specific targets, fueling fear.
Villagers said Jabo had never experienced terror attacks, despite violence in nearby areas, amplifying panic and confusion. Some residents rushed toward debris before security forces secured the site.
Nigeria’s foreign minister called the strikes a “new phase of an old conflict,” signaling possible future operations. Analysts warn that lack of transparency risks escalating local tensions.
For residents, the strike underscored a sudden sense of vulnerability in a once-quiet community. Read More
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Quick Headlines
Traffic moves along southbound Interstate 684 in snowy Katonah, New York, on Saturday. Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News/USA Today Network/Imagn Images
More than 30 million people face winter weather alerts across the Midwest and Northeast as heavy snow, blizzards, and freezing rain disrupt travel on a peak post-holiday weekend. At least 2 million are under blizzard warnings with gusts up to 60 mph, causing 3,000+ flight delays and 400 cancellations. The National Weather Service urged caution as 109 million drivers hit the roads for year-end trips. Read More
An intermunicipal bus fell into a ravine near Totonicapan, Guatemala, Friday night, killing 15 passengers and injuring at least 15 others. Rescue teams took over two hours to reach victims, and the government declared three days of national mourning. Road accidents are common in the mountainous country, with 111 deaths reported in public transport accidents so far in 2025. Read More
Russia fired 48 drones into Ukraine overnight ahead of President Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump, with 30 intercepted and 18 striking nine locations. The strikes follow a week of intense attacks, totaling over 1,800 drones and missiles, while Ukraine continues long-range strikes in response. Zelenskyy emphasized that progress toward peace depends on strong Western security guarantees. Read More
A two-story building in Soweto, South Africa, collapsed early Sunday, killing three people, including a one-year-old child, and injuring three others. Six people were inside when the structure gave way, and emergency crews rescued the survivors from the rubble. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Read More
Italian authorities arrested nine people accused of raising around €7 million for Hamas under the guise of humanitarian aid, seizing over €8 million in assets. Investigators say more than 70% of the funds were diverted to Hamas’s military wing and support for families of militants. The operation targeted a Genoa-based network with branches in Milan, linked to financial transactions dating back to the October 2023 attacks in Israel. Read More
Three people sustained minor injuries, including an officer, after a man opened fire outside and inside the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office in Wallace, Idaho, before being shot dead by police. Two women were injured in a vehicle outside, and the officer was grazed in the ear during the exchange. Multiple agencies, including SWAT, responded, and investigations are ongoing by neighboring sheriff’s offices and the Idaho State Police. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Zelenskyy to meet Trump in Florida for Ukraine peace plan talks
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Florida to meet former U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to discuss a potential peace plan for the war in Ukraine, amid escalating Russian attacks.
Takeaways
Territorial disputes remain central, with Russia demanding all of Donbas while Ukraine wants current battle lines frozen.
Trump-Ukrainian diplomacy raises skepticism, with Zelenskyy and European allies wary of concessions being made at Kyiv’s expense.
20-point peace plan nearly finalized, but referendum and ceasefire conditions highlight political and logistical hurdles.
Russian advances pressure Kyiv, with Moscow claiming 12 to 17 square km captured daily and control over 12% of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy and his delegation arrived late Saturday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence as Russia launched hundreds of missiles and drones on Kyiv and other regions, cutting power and heat in parts of the capital. Ukraine’s leadership interprets the attacks as retaliation for U.S.-brokered peace efforts.
The talks focus on eastern Ukraine’s Donbas, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and broader territorial compromises. Zelenskyy has proposed a referendum if Ukrainian forces must withdraw from contested areas, a move U.S. officials view as a signal of flexibility.
Russia has pressed for full Donbas control, while the U.S. suggested a free economic zone and shared oversight of Zaporizhzhia. Zelenskyy and European allies remain concerned about Trump potentially leaving Europe to shoulder post-war reconstruction costs.
Since the 2022 invasion, Russia controls all of Crimea and portions of Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and scattered territories in eastern Ukraine. Putin has set conditions including full Donbas withdrawal and Kyiv abandoning NATO aspirations.
The 20-point plan, refined from a Russian-led 28-point draft, reflects U.S. mediation but leaves key territorial and security decisions unresolved. European leaders continue diplomatic engagement to ensure Kyiv’s sovereignty and defense capabilities are preserved.
Peace hinges on negotiations, referendum logistics, and Russian consent to a ceasefire, with the window for resolution narrowing before the new year. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Tyler Perry Sued for Sexual Assault by Former Actor
Tyler Perry attends the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. Michael Tran/AFP/Getty Images
Tyler Perry faces a $77 million lawsuit from Mario Rodriguez, an actor in “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” alleging years of unwanted sexual advances and assault. The suit also names Lionsgate, claiming the studio ignored Perry’s conduct.
Takeaways
Rodriguez alleges multiple incidents from 2014 to 2019 at Perry’s Los Angeles home.
Perry’s lawyer denies all allegations.
This is the second recent sexual misconduct lawsuit against Perry, following Derek Dixon’s claims related to his TV shows.
Rodriguez seeks $77 million in damages, citing sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress.
According to the complaint, Perry allegedly invited Rodriguez to his home after casting him and engaged in inappropriate contact multiple times. Rodriguez resisted the advances and was prompted to sue after Dixon went public with similar claims.
The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of Hollywood power dynamics and alleged abuse. Read More
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6. Harry Styles Ends Hiatus with Surprise YouTube Release
Harry Styles returned to music with a surprise YouTube upload, his first new content since his 2023 single “Satellite.” The video, titled “Forever, Forever,” features him performing at a piano during the sold-out final stop of his Love On Tour in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in July 2023.
Takeaways
Styles has been largely out of the public eye since touring ended in 2023.
The video reignites speculation about a possible musical comeback.
Fans are debating whether this is a reflective release or the start of new material.
The clip highlights the final moments of his two-year global tour, showcasing intimate performances for thousands of fans. No official announcements have been made regarding new music or projects.
The release signals that Styles may be slowly returning to the spotlight. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
Mass grave for the dead after the massacre
On This Day — December 29
Wounded Knee Massacre, 1890 – U.S. Army troops of the 7th Cavalry kill more than 200 Lakota Sioux men, women, and children at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota, marking one of the darkest episodes in U.S. history and the symbolic end of the Indian Wars.
Bob Marley Commemorated, 1982 – Jamaica issues a commemorative postage stamp honoring reggae legend Bob Marley, cementing his status as a global cultural icon less than a year after his death.
U.S. Expels Russian Diplomats, 2016 – President Barack Obama orders the expulsion of 35 Russian intelligence operatives and imposes new sanctions in retaliation for Russian cyber operations aimed at influencing the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🍛 🧂 Open Box of Baking Soda in the Refrigerator
Tired of your fridge smelling like last week’s leftovers? Place an open box of baking soda inside. It naturally absorbs lingering odors, keeping your fridge smelling fresh. Replace the box every few months for the best results.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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