Nova Newsletter
December 19, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,758 words for you today - 9 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. US Unveils $11B Arms Sale to Taiwan
The deal, one of the largest ever, includes rocket launchers, self-propelled howitzers and various missiles. Getty Images
The Trump administration announced a proposed $11bn weapons sale to Taiwan, intensifying security ties as tensions with China rise.
Takeaways
The package includes HIMARS rocket systems, self-propelled howitzers and missiles.
It would be the second Taiwan arms sale since Trump returned to office in January.
China condemned the move as undermining its sovereignty and regional stability.
Taiwan says the deal boosts deterrence amid rising military pressure.
The sale, outlined Wednesday by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, still requires approval from Congress.
If approved, it would surpass the total value of Taiwan arms sales under the Biden administration and rank among the largest ever.
Beijing has ramped up military drills and air and naval incursions near Taiwan while reiterating reunification vows.
The move signals Washington’s intent to harden deterrence in the Taiwan Strait. Read More
Share this story.
Share on Facebook · Tweet this Story · Post to LinkedIn · Email this Story
2. Trump Officials Move to Curb Youth Gender Care
The Trump administration said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Medicare chief Dr. Mehmet Oz will announce steps that would effectively bar gender-affirming care for minors nationwide.
Takeaways
Proposed rules would block Medicaid reimbursement for care for transgender patients under 18.
Hospitals offering pediatric gender-affirming care could lose all Medicare and Medicaid funding.
The moves would reach nearly every US hospital, regardless of state law.
Republicans advanced parallel legislation criminalizing such care for minors.
Kennedy is set to announce the measures at HHS alongside Oz, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya.
NPR previously reported the draft rules, which would sharply restrict access even in states where care remains legal.
The proposals follow House passage of bills targeting gender-affirming care funding and providers, though Senate approval remains uncertain.
If finalized, the rules could all but eliminate pediatric gender-affirming care nationwide. Read More
Share this story.
Share on Facebook · Tweet this Story · Post to LinkedIn · Email this Story
3. Billionaire Jared Isaacman Confirmed as Nasa Chief
Mr Jared Isaacman said in his Senate confirmation hearing that NASA must pick up the pace in beating China back to the moon this decade. PHOTO: REUTERS
The US Senate approved billionaire Jared Isaacman to lead Nasa, making him the first administrator in decades from outside government.
Takeaways
Isaacman, 42, is a private-sector entrepreneur and amateur jet pilot who conducted a spacewalk.
His tenure will focus on returning humans to the Moon ahead of China and supporting lunar resource extraction.
The confirmation vote was 67-30 after a complex nomination process by President Trump.
Isaacman plans to increase private sector and academic partnerships in space programs.
Trump first nominated Isaacman in December 2024, withdrew him amid a feud with Elon Musk, then renominated him in November 2025.
Isaacman has emphasized accelerating the US space race and backing innovation, including awarding contracts to rivals of Musk’s SpaceX.
He succeeds Sean Duffy, who served as interim Nasa chief since July. Read More
Share this story.
Share on Facebook · Tweet this Story · Post to LinkedIn · Email this Story
Quick Headlines
This aerial view shows icebergs and ice sheets floating in the water off Nuuk, Greenland, on 07 March 2025. Photograph: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images
The Arctic recorded its hottest year in 125 years and lowest sea ice extent in 47 years, with temperatures rising up to four times faster than the global average, Noaa reports; Greenland lost 129bn tons of ice in 2025, threatening global sea levels. Read More
Gov. Kathy Hochul says she struck a deal with New York lawmakers to legalize medically assisted suicide for terminally ill patients, adding guardrails like a six month prognosis, mental health review, and five day waiting period. If signed in 2026, New York would join about a dozen states and DC allowing the practice. Read More
Two men in Massachusetts, Antonio Bonheur, 74, and Saul Alisme, 21, were arrested for allegedly trafficking nearly $7 million in SNAP benefits through small retail stores with suspiciously high redemptions, including exchanges for cash and liquor. Authorities say the scheme exploited taxpayer funds meant for food assistance. Read More
Finland’s PM Petteri Orpo apologized to Asian nations after former Miss Finland Sarah Dzafce and several lawmakers posted offensive images mocking Asian features, with Dzafce losing her title and the government condemning the actions as contrary to equality and inclusion. The incidents sparked national and international backlash. Read More
Australian authorities are investigating why Bondi Beach shooting suspects, father Sajid Akram, 50, and son Naveed Akram, 24, spent nearly a month in a Davao hotel in the Philippines before killing 15 people in Sydney, while officials say there’s no evidence they received terrorist training. The visit is now a key focus of the terrorism inquiry. Read More
Frédéric Péchier, 53, a former anaesthetist, was sentenced to life in prison for intentionally poisoning 30 patients, killing 12, at a Besançon clinic between 2008 and 2017, often tampering with infusion bags to later pose as their savior. Survivors described relief as the trial ended and Péchier faces a minimum 22-year term. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Trump Primetime Address Highlights Economic Defense and Political Strategy
President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on December 17, 2025 (Doug Mills/Pool/AFP/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump delivered a 20-minute primetime speech from the White House’s Diplomatic Reception Room on December 17, framing his economic record while setting the stage for a Biden-focused political message.
Takeaways
Trump repeatedly invoked President Biden, positioning his administration’s struggles as inherited and framing his own record as comparatively stronger.
Advisers appear to have aimed for a focused, affordability-centered speech, but Trump’s delivery was rushed, inconsistent, and often muddled.
Fact-checkers identified multiple false or exaggerated claims, including inflation history, border security, and his own 2024 election results.
The address offered few concrete policy announcements, beyond new $1,776 military dividends and a vague promise of future housing reforms.
The speech reinforced Trump’s political strategy: cast Biden as the source of current economic woes while promoting his own record. He mentioned Biden at least half a dozen times and opened by claiming he inherited a “mess” and was fixing it. Polling suggests the message faces skepticism, with 62 percent of voters saying Trump is responsible for current economic conditions, roughly double those blaming Biden.
Trump’s advisers reportedly wanted a tighter focus on Americans’ affordability concerns. Instead, the president rattled through the speech at a fast pace, stumbling over numbers and teleprompter cues. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles confirmed the timing was exact, but delivery lacked clarity.
Even on a scripted stage, Trump’s speech contained notable factual errors. Inflation claims, border security statistics, and election results were widely exaggerated or false. His portrayal of drug pricing and military achievements also stretched credibility.
The policy content was minimal. Dividend payments for military members and unspecified housing reforms were the few substantive elements. Analysts suggest the choice of primetime may reflect White House anxiety over messaging and political positioning rather than a desire to inform the public.
Trump’s address highlighted the administration’s communication challenges, underscoring how narrative framing now competes with factual scrutiny in shaping public perception. Read More
Share this story.
Share on Facebook · Tweet this Story · Post to LinkedIn · Email this Story
On Our Radar
5. Exec Kristin Cabot Breaks Silence on Viral Coldplay Kiss Cam
Andy Byron holding Kristin Cabot at a July Coldplay concert in Massachusetts.
Kristin Cabot said her July Coldplay kiss cam moment with then-boss Andy Byron cost her job and subjected her to months of harassment.
Takeaways
The video, dubbed #coldplaygate, garnered over 100 million views, making Cabot an online target.
Cabot confirmed her estranged husband was at the concert with a date.
She says there was no ongoing affair with Byron; the kiss was a one-time incident.
Both Byron and Cabot resigned after the fallout, with Byron stepping down first.
Cabot described losing her privacy, receiving death threats, doxxing, and daily harassment, and seeing her children traumatized by the attention.
She declined to return to her HR role at Astronomer, negotiating a resignation instead.
Cabot hopes for understanding rather than forgiveness, emphasizing the human cost behind viral scandals. Read More
Share this story.
Share on Facebook · Tweet this Story · Post to LinkedIn · Email this Story
6. Snoop Dogg to Headline Lions Christmas Day Halftime
Netflix announced Snoop Dogg will perform during halftime of the Lions-Vikings Christmas Day game.
Takeaways
The show, dubbed "Snoop's Holiday Halftime Party," will feature hits, holiday cheer, and special guests.
The game airs Dec. 25 at 4:30 p.m. ET from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
This follows Netflix’s tradition, including Beyoncé’s Emmy-winning 2024 halftime show.
Earlier this season, Eminem and Jack White performed together at the Lions’ Thanksgiving halftime.
Snoop called the event a mix of “music, love and good vibes” for fans worldwide.
A teaser narrated by George Clinton accompanied the announcement.
The broadcast follows the 1 p.m. Cowboys-Commanders game, kicked off by Kelly Clarkson. Read More
Share this story.
Share on Facebook · Tweet this Story · Post to LinkedIn · Email this Story
8. 🎉 This day in history
Tickets issued to former President Gerald Ford and his wife Betty
On This Day – December 19
Clinton Impeached by House, 1998 - The U.S. House of Representatives votes to impeach President Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky scandal, sending articles of impeachment to the Senate for a historic trial.
South Korea Elects First Woman President, 2012 - Park Geun-hye wins the presidential election, becoming South Korea’s first female leader and a major political milestone in the country’s modern history.
Electoral College Backs Trump, 2016 - The U.S. Electoral College votes 304 to 227 to elect Donald Trump president, despite objections from seven faithless electors.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🥚 🧂 Add Baking Soda to Easily Peel Eggs
Struggling to peel hard-boiled eggs? Add a pinch of baking soda to the boiling water. It raises the pH of the egg whites, making the shells separate more easily. You’ll end up with smoother, cleaner eggs and far less frustration.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
Share The Nova: Forward this email!
Let us know how we did on the newsletter today!
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
