Nova Newsletter
November 25, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,681 words for you today - 8 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. US Judge Resigns After Elvis Wig Discipline
Judge Thornhill of Missouri was disciplined for referencing Elvis Presley and dressing up as the singer in court
A Missouri circuit judge resigned after being disciplined for wearing an Elvis Presley wig in court and inserting Elvis references into proceedings.
Takeaways
Judge Matthew EP Thornhill was accused of undermining courtroom integrity with Elvis costumes, music and jokes.
A judicial commission recommended a six-month suspension and 18 months of monitored service.
Thornhill also shared political affiliations from the bench and referenced his campaign signs.
Thornhill, the longest-serving judge in St Charles County, admitted the allegations were “substantially accurate.” He said his intent was to add levity but now recognizes it affected the “solemnity” of court proceedings.
Images in the disciplinary report show him wearing an Elvis wig, sunglasses and offering litigants the option to be sworn in while playing Elvis music.
He agreed to retire after 20 years, ending a tenure marked by a well-documented obsession with Elvis.
The case underscores how judicial decorum remains central to public trust. Read More
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2. Thai Woman Found Alive Inside Coffin At Cremation Site
A 65-year-old Thai woman shocked temple staff when she began moving inside her coffin moments before cremation at a Nonthaburi temple.
Takeaways
Staff heard a faint knocking from the coffin and opened it to find the woman alive and moving.
Her brother believed she had stopped breathing two days earlier and drove her 500 kilometers to Bangkok.
The temple and hospital both initially refused cremation or organ donation due to the lack of a death certificate.
Temple manager Pairat Soodthoop said the woman opened her eyes and tapped the coffin wall, startling everyone present.
Her brother said she had been bedridden for two years before appearing unresponsive at home. He had transported her for organ donation, unaware she was still alive.
The woman was taken to a nearby hospital, and the temple pledged to cover her medical care.
Officials are reviewing how the mistaken death assessment occurred. Read More
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3. Trump Pressures Nigeria Over Christian Killings
President Donald Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth are increasing the pressure on Nigeria to stop the killing of Christians. (Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The Trump administration warned Nigeria it could lose U.S. aid unless it stops violence targeting Christians, escalating Washington’s involvement.
Takeaways
Trump said Nigeria has “done nothing” to stop killings and threatened to cut off aid.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth met Nigeria’s national security adviser to demand urgent action.
U.S. officials say any response would be part of a broader security and economic strategy.
Hegseth pressed Abuja to show real commitment to protecting Christian communities and countering extremist groups. Nigerian officials pushed back on claims of government inaction.
State Department officials told Congress the U.S. is weighing security, policing and economic tools as part of a possible coordinated approach.
The pressure comes after mass abductions and church attacks in Nigeria tied to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.
Washington is signaling deeper engagement if violence persists. Read More
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Quick Headlines
Amazon packages are delivered to a home, Dec. 18, 2020. Yann Avril/Adobe Stock
Amazon will send automatic refunds of up to $51 to Prime members as part of a $2.5B FTC settlement over deceptive signup and cancellation practices. Eligible users from 2019–2025 will get email notices, with claims also available online. Read More
A downtown Chicago riot left eight teens shot, one dead, and several officers injured. President Trump claimed residents were “chanting bring in Trump” and criticized city leaders for refusing federal help. The violence followed a holiday event and comes amid renewed scrutiny of Chicago’s crime response after recent high-profile attacks. Read More
China’s foreign minister said Japan “crossed a red line” after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested a military response to a Chinese move on Taiwan, escalating weeks of tension as Beijing warns of “resolute” countermeasures and accuses Japan of reviving militarism. Read More
Six major carriers suspended routes after a new FAA alert warned of worsening security and rising military activity in Venezuelan airspace, as U.S. pressure on Nicolás Maduro intensifies and the region sees its largest U.S. naval presence in decades. Read More
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani says he still believes President Trump is a "fascist" following their Oval Office meeting on affordability and public safety, praising the discussion as candid despite political disagreements. Read More
The Raiders have fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and longtime assistant Bob Bicknell after a disappointing season, ending a coaching partnership that spanned multiple NFL teams. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Japan Bets Billions to Make Hokkaido a Global Chip Powerhouse
Hokkaido is a tourism and agricultural region, but Rapidus is making chips there too
Hokkaido, long known for dairy farms and flower fields, is now the focal point of Japan's push to reclaim semiconductor dominance through Rapidus, a government-backed chipmaker.
Takeaways
Rapidus has produced Japan’s first 2nm prototype chip, joining TSMC and Samsung in cutting-edge tech, aiming for mass production by 2027.
Japan has invested $12 billion in Rapidus and $27 billion in semiconductors since 2020, yet full-scale production may need $31.8 billion.
Talent shortages loom: Japan faces a 40,000-worker gap in semiconductor engineering, forcing reliance on foreign expertise amid public resistance.
Global competition is steep. TSMC and Samsung dominate high-end chip production and maintain long-standing client networks.
Hokkaido’s infrastructure, lower earthquake risk, and strategic government support position it as a potential “Hokkaido Valley” semiconductor hub.
Rapidus is leveraging partnerships with IBM and global tech giants to close decades of lag behind Taiwan and South Korea. CEO Atsuyoshi Koike says the company’s edge is speed, promising custom chip delivery three to four times faster than rivals.
The Japanese government views domestic chip production as both an economic and national security priority, especially as AI demand surges and geopolitical tensions threaten supply chains. Tokyo also allocated $65 billion for AI and semiconductor initiatives in 2024.
Yet analysts warn that Rapidus faces a steep learning curve. CSIS notes the company lacks experience in mass production, while financing gaps and entrenched competitors could stall expansion.
Still, Japan’s decade-long decline in semiconductor output, from half of global production to just over 10%, has galvanized policymakers. Rapidus represents a calculated gamble to restore domestic high-tech prowess and attract a broader semiconductor ecosystem.
If successful, Hokkaido could transform from an agricultural backwater to a linchpin in the global chip market. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Jimmy Cliff, Reggae Icon, Dies at 81
Christoph Hardt / DPA via Getty Images file
Legendary Jamaican musician Jimmy Cliff has died at 81, his family announced Monday. He passed after a seizure followed by pneumonia, according to his wife, Latifa Chambers.
Takeaways
Cliff popularized reggae worldwide, known for hits like "Many Rivers to Cross" and "The Harder They Come".
He won two Grammy Awards and was one of only two Jamaicans in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Collaborated with artists from Rolling Stones to Paul Simon, influencing multiple generations.
Cliff’s 1972 film The Harder They Come and its soundtrack helped bring Jamaican reggae to an international audience. He also worked as an A&R man, helping launch careers of Desmond Dekker and Bob Marley.
Tributes poured in from fans, fellow musicians, and Jamaican officials, highlighting his cultural impact and global influence. Read More
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6. Donald Glover Reveals Stroke During Childish Gambino Tour
Donald Glover, 42, says he suffered a stroke last year while on tour as Childish Gambino, forcing cancellations and hospital visits.
Takeaways
Glover disclosed the stroke during Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival in Los Angeles.
He also revealed doctors found a hole in his heart, requiring two surgeries.
Glover described the experience as a wake-up call about life and health priorities.
He shared that the stroke occurred after a show in Louisiana, where he experienced severe head pain, and was diagnosed later in Houston. Despite the scare, Glover continued performing initially, feeling he was letting fans down.
The actor-musician emphasized gratitude for his career and fans, calling life a blessing and a second chance. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
Electro Importing Co.’s ad for the "Telimco" wireless telegraph, published in the Scientific American
On This Day — November 25
Telegraph with One-Mile Range, 1905 – "Scientific American" advertises the first telegraph transmitter capable of one-mile communication for $8.50, marking a step forward in accessible personal and business telegraphy.
Homeland Security Act Signed, 2002 – President George W. Bush signed the Homeland Security Act into law, creating the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate U.S. counterterrorism and emergency response efforts.
Trump Charges Dismissed, 2024 – Special counsel Jack Smith requests and secures dismissal of pending criminal charges against Donald Trump, citing policy that prosecuting a sitting president would violate the Constitution and disrupt executive branch functions.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🧴 🫙 Use Baby Oil to Remove Sticker Residue
Struggling with stubborn sticker residue? Apply a small amount of baby oil to the sticky area. Let it sit for a minute to loosen the adhesive, then wipe away easily with a cloth. It’s a gentle, effective way to clean surfaces without scratching or harsh chemicals.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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