Nova Newsletter
October 16, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,838 words for you today - 9 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. U.S. Strike Kills Six on Boat near Venezuela
(Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The U.S. military killed six people in a strike on a boat accused of carrying drugs in international waters off Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday.
Takeaways
The strike marks the fifth U.S. attack on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the strike; no U.S. casualties were reported.
Trump said the vessel was tied to “narcoterrorist networks.”
Lawmakers from both parties are questioning the legal basis for the operations.
A black-and-white video released by Trump showed a small boat exploding after being hit by a projectile. The Pentagon confirmed the strike but provided no further details.
Former U.S. ambassador James Story warned that such attacks could alienate allies like Colombia and harm regional intelligence cooperation.
Democrats argue the strikes violate U.S. and international law, while some Republicans demand more transparency. A Senate resolution to limit Trump’s authority on these strikes failed last week.
Venezuelan officials accused Washington of fabricating pretexts for aggression.
Congress is expected to revisit the issue if strikes continue. Read More
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Officials identified all 16 victims of last week’s deadly explosion at the Accurate Energetic Systems munitions plant in Hickman County, Tennessee, as investigators continue searching for the cause.
Takeaways
The Oct. 10 blast at AES leveled the factory and left no survivors.
Victims ranged in age from 21 to 60 and included a teacher, chemist, and pastor.
ATF agents are leading the probe into what caused the explosion.
The small Bucksnort community is mourning the loss as vigils continue.
Sheriffs read the victims’ names in a somber press briefing, noting that the identification process is still underway. Residents described the victims as “family,” reflecting the tight-knit nature of the rural town.
Local officials called the blast one of the most devastating events in Tennessee’s recent history. Read More
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3. U.S. Charges Cambodian Tycoon in $15B Crypto Scam
This file photo shows bitcoin tokens in Sandy, Utah. Rick Bowmer/AP
U.S. prosecutors charged Cambodian tycoon Chen Zhu with wire fraud and money laundering, accusing him of running a global crypto scam empire fueled by forced labor in Southeast Asia.
Takeaways
The Justice Department seized nearly $15 billion in bitcoin, calling it the largest forfeiture in U.S. history.
Chen, chair of Prince Holding Group, allegedly used scam compounds in Cambodia to defraud investors.
Victims were forced to run “pig butchering” schemes, a type of long-con investment fraud.
U.S. and U.K. authorities also sanctioned Chen’s company and froze its assets.
Officials say Chen’s empire used fake crypto investments to fund luxury purchases including yachts, jets, and art. He remains at large and faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
Analysts say the joint U.S.-U.K. action signals growing global pressure on Chinese-backed crime networks behind Southeast Asia’s scam operations. Read More
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Quick Headlines
Tuntutuliak, located in the Bethel Census Area of western Alaska, on Monday.Kathleen Simon
Remnants of Typhoon Halong destroyed two coastal villages in Alaska, killing one person, displacing over 1,400 residents, and sweeping dozens of homes into the sea as rescue efforts shift to recovery. Read More
Cody Balmer pleaded guilty to attempted murder, terrorism, and multiple arson charges after scaling a fence and igniting fires at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence in April. No one was injured, but the attack caused millions in damage. Balmer, who cited anger over the Gaza war, received a 25–50-year prison sentence. Shapiro said the plea brings accountability amid rising political violence nationwide. Read More
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 to declare a local emergency in response to ongoing federal immigration raids that officials say have created a “climate of fear.” The move allows the county to mobilize resources, speed up aid, and request state and federal assistance to support immigrant communities. Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn said the raids have disrupted daily life and local economies, calling the crisis “a man-made emergency” impacting millions of residents. Read More
President Donald Trump honored slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on what would have been his 32nd birthday. Kirk’s widow, Erika, accepted the medal in a tearful Rose Garden ceremony, where Trump praised Kirk as a “fearless warrior for liberty” and “an American patriot.” The Turning Point USA founder was fatally shot last month while speaking at Utah Valley University. The event marked the first Medal of Freedom awarded in Trump’s second term. Read More
President Donald Trump said he may “terminate business with China having to do with cooking oil” after Beijing stopped buying U.S. soybeans amid renewed trade tensions. Calling China’s move an “economically hostile act,” Trump said the U.S. can produce its own cooking oil and warned of further “retribution.” The threat followed a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei and sent markets tumbling as investors weighed the risk of another trade war. Read More
The NBA is deepening its use of “automated officiating,” combining cameras, sensors, and AI to track every movement on the court and verify calls like goaltending or out-of-bounds with near-perfect precision. Officials say the system boosts accuracy, shortens reviews, and lets referees focus on tougher judgment calls. Read More
Deep Dive
4. ‘No Kings Day’ Poised to Test Trump’s Power and Protest Politics
Demonstrators take part in a protest against the Trump administration during the "No Kings" national rally in downtown Los Angeles June 14, 2025.Ringo Chiu—AFP/Getty Images
Millions of Americans are expected to take to the streets Oct. 18 in a second wave of “No Kings” protests, a nationwide challenge to President Donald Trump’s expanding executive authority amid a paralyzing government shutdown.
Takeaways
Over 2,500 protests are planned across all 50 states and abroad, led by Indivisible and labor unions.
The rallies denounce what organizers call “authoritarian power grabs” by the Trump Administration.
Republicans accuse Democrats of aligning the protests with the ongoing shutdown.
The first “No Kings” marches in June drew more than 5 million participants.
Organizers vow peaceful, festive demonstrations but tensions remain high.
The protests will occur during a political standoff that has furloughed much of the federal workforce. GOP leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, claim Democrats are prolonging the shutdown to coincide with Saturday’s rallies, branding them “hate America” events.
Activists counter that the demonstrations are a patriotic call to defend democracy. “We don’t do kings in America,” said Indivisible director Ezra Levin. “This is about reminding the President that power belongs to the people.”
The “No Kings” movement traces back to June’s record turnout, when millions marched on Trump’s birthday to reject his use of federal forces and executive decrees. The October protests aim to amplify that message with larger turnouts and sharper focus.
Trump allies have dismissed the movement as an Antifa-backed campaign, a claim organizers deny. With emotions raw and security tight, the weekend could mark a defining moment in Trump’s second term either a surge of public resistance or a political flashpoint.
The size and tone of “No Kings Day” will reveal whether the opposition can sustain its momentum beyond symbolism. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Grammy-winning R&B Icon D’Angelo Dies at 51
D’Angelo performs during FYF Fest in Los Angeles on Aug. 23, 2015. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP, File)
D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning R&B singer known for his soulful “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” video and influence on neo-soul, died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer, his family said.
Takeaways:
D’Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, helped pioneer the neo-soul movement in the 1990s.
His 1995 debut Brown Sugar and 2000’s Voodoo earned multiple Grammys and critical acclaim.
He returned after a long hiatus with Black Messiah in 2014, hailed for its social message.
His sound shaped a generation of artists from Maxwell to Frank Ocean.
The Virginia native’s blend of gospel, hip-hop, and soul redefined R&B’s creative edge. His minimalist 2000 video became a cultural touchstone, pairing vulnerability with artistry.
Fans and peers have flooded social media with tributes to his legacy of “silky, flawless” soul.
D’Angelo’s music remains a timeless bridge between faith, sensuality, and resistance. Read More
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6. Kim Kardashian Calls Marriage to Kanye “Toxic”
Kim Kardashian opened up about her marriage to Kanye West, calling it “toxic” and recalling moments when he gave away their cars during mental health “episodes,” in her Call Her Daddy podcast debut Wednesday.
Takeaways
Kardashian, 44, said West wasn’t “willing to make changes” during their marriage.
She described feeling unsafe and mentally drained before filing for divorce in 2021.
The couple shares four children: North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm.
Kardashian said she left to protect her mental health and be a better parent.
Kardashian recounted returning home to find that West had given away their Lamborghinis, saying she “never knew what to expect each morning.” She said his behavior, tied to his bipolar diagnosis, made the relationship untenable.
Despite the turmoil, Kardashian said she doesn’t regret their decade together, calling it “not a failure” but a chapter that produced “four beautiful children.”
She’s now balancing motherhood, new acting roles, and an upcoming Hulu season that she says will show her “most vulnerable moments.”. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
On This Day – October 16
Margaret Sanger Opens First Birth Control Clinic, 1916 – Activist Margaret Sanger launches the nation’s first birth control clinic in Brooklyn, challenging social taboos and laying the groundwork for modern reproductive rights in America.
Cuban Missile Crisis Begins, 1962 – President John F. Kennedy is shown photos of Soviet missiles in Cuba, igniting a 13-day standoff that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
Fernando Alonso Wins F1 World Title, 2005 – Spain’s Fernando Alonso clinches victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the first Spanish Formula 1 World Champion and ending Ferrari’s long-running dominance.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🍋Citrus Roll Hack
Want to get the most juice from your lemons or limes? Roll them firmly on the counter before cutting. This helps break down the inner membranes, releasing more juice with less effort. It’s a simple trick that makes every squeeze count.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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