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Nova Newsletter
January 19, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,736 words for you today - 9 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. U.S. Troops On Standby Amid Minneapolis Protests
Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images
Up to 1,500 active-duty U.S. Army troops based in Alaska are on standby for possible deployment to Minnesota as protests intensify over federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
Takeaways
The troops belong to the 11th Airborne Division, a unit trained for cold weather operations.
The move follows President Trump’s threat, later walked back, to invoke the Insurrection Act.
Minnesota National Guard units are also preparing but have not been deployed.
Legal experts warn using the Insurrection Act now would be unprecedented and abusive.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the military is ready to follow presidential orders if issued. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has directed Guard members to prepare to assist local authorities, emphasizing protection of life, property, and First Amendment rights.
The unrest stems from what DHS calls its largest immigration operation in history, involving thousands of federal agents. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city is safe and does not need military intervention.
The situation raises sharp questions about federal power as tensions continue to rise. Read More
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2. Guatemalan Inmates Take Dozens Of Guards Hostage
Inmates in three Guatemalan prisons are holding 46 prison guards hostage after coordinated disturbances tied to a government crackdown on gang leaders.
Takeaways
The hostage-taking followed the removal of privileges from imprisoned gang leaders, officials said.
Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda said he will talk but will not negotiate or meet demands.
National Police were deployed around the prisons; no injuries or deaths reported.
Prisoners circulated videos demanding transfers to other facilities.
Authorities called the uprising a response by organized crime groups resisting tighter prison controls. The government reiterated it does not negotiate with gangs or terrorists.
The unrest comes months after a major scandal in which 20 gang members escaped custody, prompting the resignation of top security officials. President Bernardo Arévalo has since prioritized cutting ties between prisons and outside criminal networks.
The standoff underscores how fragile Guatemala’s prison system remains amid efforts to reassert state control.. Read More
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3. Thousands March in Greenland Against Trump Takeover Threats
Thousands of Greenlanders marched across snow and ice to take a stand against U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday. (AP Video: Kwiyeon Ha)
Thousands of Greenlanders marched in Nuuk and other cities Saturday to protest U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to control the self-governing Arctic island.
Takeaways
Protesters chanted “Greenland is not for sale” and carried national flags, drawing nearly a quarter of Nuuk’s population.
Trump announced a 10% import tax on eight European countries opposing U.S. control of Greenland starting February.
Solidarity rallies also took place in Copenhagen and Nunavut, Canada, highlighting international concern over Greenland’s autonomy.
Locals emphasized cultural preservation and NATO ties over economic impacts from potential tariffs.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined the march, calling the protest a defense of self-governance. Demonstrators of all ages participated, including children holding handmade signs.
The demonstration underscores growing tensions between U.S. policy and Arctic nations, with Greenlanders pushing back against perceived threats to sovereignty. Read More
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Quick Headlines
The USGS said Wednesday it found 28.3 trillion cubic feet of gas and 1.6 billion barrels of oil in the Woodford and Barnett areas of the larger Permian Basin, which straddles West Texas and New Mexico.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced Wednesday the discovery of 28.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 1.6 billion barrels of oil in the Woodford and Barnett shales. Located up to 20,000 feet deep beneath the Permian Basin, these untapped reserves could power the U.S. for 10 months but require advanced drilling to overcome extreme heat and high clay content. Read More
Syrian government forces captured the Al-Omar oil field Sunday following a strategic withdrawal by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Kurdish leadership subsequently signed a comprehensive ceasefire to integrate regional security forces into the state. Read More
Eight skiers died Saturday in three separate avalanches across Salzburg and Styria despite repeated expert warnings of "precarious" snow conditions. Five victims were killed in the Pongau region near Salzburg, while three Czech nationals perished in a single slide in Pusterwald as officials cite a dangerous lack of bonding between old and fresh snow layers. Read More
President Trump pardoned Adriana Camberos on Thursday, marking the second time he has cleared the Florida businesswoman following her 2024 conviction for grocery resale fraud. Camberos previously had a 2021 fraud sentence commuted by Trump, who now claims she was unfairly targeted by political prosecutors. Read More
President Trump announced Saturday he will impose a 10% tariff on eight European allies starting February 1, increasing to 25% on June 1, until a deal is reached for the "complete and total purchase" of Greenland. The move, targeting nations including Denmark, Germany, and the UK, has sparked mass protests in Nuuk and Copenhagen and prompted the EU to weigh unprecedented "anti-coercion" economic countermeasures.. Read More
A new CNN/SSRS poll finds 58% of Americans rate Trump’s first year back as a failure, with just 36% saying he has the right priorities and 39% approving overall, while his base remains solid but independents and younger voters give low marks. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Trump Reportedly Seeks $1 Billion Payments from Nations to Join Peace Board
U.S. President Donald Trump (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
The Trump administration is reportedly asking countries to pay $1 billion to remain on a new “Board of Peace,” with Trump slated as the inaugural chairman, according to a Bloomberg report citing a draft charter.
Takeaways
Membership fee claim: The board would require $1 billion per nation, though the White House called the report “misleading” and denied any minimum fee.
Trump’s role: He would serve as inaugural chairman, with member terms capped at three years but renewable at the chairman’s discretion.
Purpose of board: Described by the administration as a platform for nations showing commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.
Verification gap: Reuters could not independently verify the $1 billion figure; White House and State Department responses focus on promoting participation, not fees.
Global implications: If true, the proposal could spark diplomatic pushback over perceived commercialization of international peace initiatives.
The board, according to the draft, would give the U.S. significant influence over membership and governance, raising concerns about power concentration and voluntary compliance.
Critics argue that tying participation to a financial contribution risks undermining the legitimacy of the forum and could limit access for smaller or less wealthy nations.
The White House has instead framed the initiative as an opportunity for countries to demonstrate “deep commitment” to peace and prosperity, emphasizing voluntary engagement rather than mandatory payment.
This proposal highlights the administration’s preference for transactional global diplomacy, continuing a pattern of leveraging U.S. influence through financial or strategic incentives. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Green Day To Open Super Bowl 60 With MVP Tribute
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day
Green Day will kick off Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 8 with a ceremony honoring six decades of NFL MVPs.
Takeaways
The band will perform classic hits while welcoming past Super Bowl MVPs onto the field.
Pregame entertainment includes Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, and Coco Jones performing national and heritage songs.
The ceremony airs live at 3 p.m. Pacific on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, and Universo.
Green Day hails from the Bay Area, making the performance a hometown celebration of the NFL’s milestone.
Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong called it an honor to open “right in our backyard” and celebrate the sport’s legacy. The performance aims to combine music and football history in a global broadcast.
Expect a fan-focused kickoff that blends music, sport, and nostalgia. Read More
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6. Former Nickelodeon Star Kianna Underwood Killed In Hit-And-Run
Kianna Underwood, 33, a former Nickelodeon child star, was killed Friday in a hit-and-run in Brooklyn, New York.
Takeaways
Underwood was struck at a Brownsville intersection by a black Ford Explorer, then a black and gray sedan, both drivers fled.
NYPD confirmed she was pronounced dead at the scene; the investigation is ongoing.
She starred on Nickelodeon’s “All That” and voiced Fuschia Glover on “Little Bill.”
Underwood also performed in the national tour of “Hairspray” as Little Inez.
Her last credited role was on “All That,” which helped launch stars including Nick Cannon and Kenan Thompson. The community and fans are mourning the loss of the talented performer. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
Thomas A. Edison stands with a replica of his first successful incandescent lamp
On This Day – September 29
Edison’s Electric Lighting System Begins, 1883 – Thomas Edison’s first overhead-wire electric lighting system goes into service in Roselle, New Jersey, marking a milestone in the spread of practical electric power for communities.
Howard Hughes Sets Transcontinental Air Record, 1937 – Aviator and millionaire Howard Hughes completes a transcontinental flight in 7 hours, 28 minutes, and 25 seconds, setting a new speed record and showcasing advances in aviation technology.
Scrabble Hits the Market, 1955 – The word game Scrabble debuts, offering players a new form of entertainment that would become a household staple and one of the most popular board games worldwide.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🫐👀 Blueberries to improve vision in low-light conditions
Looking for a natural boost for your eyes? Blueberries are packed with anthocyanins, antioxidants that may help improve vision in low-light conditions. Eating a handful regularly can support eye health and overall wellness. They’re a tasty and simple way to give your eyes a little extra care.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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