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Nova Newsletter
January 28, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,553 words for you today - 8 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Winter Storm Kills At Least 34 Across 14 States
At least 34 people have died nationwide as a massive winter storm spread ice, snow, and extreme cold from Texas to New York.
Takeaways
Deaths span 14 states, with the highest toll in New York, Tennessee, and Texas.
Hypothermia, traffic crashes, carbon monoxide exposure, and snow removal medical emergencies are leading causes.
Power outages and dangerous road conditions continue to threaten vulnerable populations.
The storm began Jan. 23 in the South and Midwest before pushing east, coating roads and neighborhoods with ice and snow. Officials say frigid temperatures will linger, increasing risks for those without heat or shelter.
Several deaths occurred during sledding, snow shoveling, and vehicle incidents, highlighting how routine activities turned deadly. Emergency responders in multiple states reported being stretched thin by crashes and exposure calls.
The extended cold snap is expected to keep pressure on power grids and public safety systems through the week. Read More
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2. Treasury Cuts Booz Allen Contracts Over Trump Tax Leak
The U.S. Treasury Department has ended contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton after a former contractor leaked tax data on President Trump and other wealthy Americans.
Takeaways
31 Treasury contracts worth $4.8 million annually were cut due to “inadequate safeguards” on sensitive IRS data.
Former contractor Charles Edward Littlejohn was sentenced to five years for leaking Trump’s tax returns to news outlets.
Booz Allen maintains other major government contracts with Defense, Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies despite the cut.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cited failures to protect confidential taxpayer information as the reason for the termination. Booz Allen condemned Littlejohn’s actions and said it fully cooperated with investigators.
The move rattled investors, with Booz Allen shares dropping from $102 to $91 on Monday. The firm emphasized that it does not store taxpayer data on its systems.
The decision underscores heightened scrutiny of government contractors handling sensitive information. Read More
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3. Families Sue U.S. Over Trump-Era Drug Boat Strikes
A video of a boat posted to X by the U.S. Southern Command that shows a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel. U.S. Southern Command via X
The families of two Trinidadian men killed in an October U.S. strike filed the first wrongful death lawsuit against the Trump administration for its anti-drug boat campaign.
Takeaways
Chad Joseph, 26, and Rishi Samaroo, 41, were killed while traveling from Venezuela to Trinidad, allegedly on a fishing trip.
Lawsuit claims extrajudicial killings and challenges the administration’s classification of a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels.
Filed under the Death on the High Seas Act and Alien Tort Statute, allowing foreign nationals to seek federal court redress for international law violations.
Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the strike as targeting narcoterrorists affiliated with a designated terrorist organization. Families allege the men were unarmed and the primary providers for their households.
Legal experts argue the strike lacked legal justification and violated U.S. and international law. The case marks a rare attempt to hold the U.S. accountable for lethal military operations outside declared wars. Read More
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Quick Headlines
Mario Tama | Getty Images
UPS will cut 30,000 operational jobs in 2026 as it ends its Amazon partnership, following 48,000 layoffs in 2025, and will close 24 buildings while deploying more automation, targeting $3 billion in savings. Read More
A young mountain lion was seen roaming Pacific Heights near Lafayette Park, prompting city officials to warn residents to stay cautious and report sightings while slowly backing away from the animal. Read More
Spain will legalize up to 800,000 undocumented immigrants who arrived before Dec. 31, 2025, giving one-year residency and work permits, bypassing stalled legislation to boost the workforce and economy. Read More
President Trump raised U.S. tariffs on South Korean imports to 25% over delayed approval of a $350bn trade deal, affecting autos, lumber, and pharmaceuticals, prompting Seoul to seek urgent talks with Washington. Read More
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Europe cannot defend itself without U.S. military support and would need to double defense spending to 10% of GDP for true autonomy, stressing reliance on the American nuclear umbrellas. Read More
President Trump demanded a “honorable and honest” investigation into Alex Pretti’s killing in Minneapolis, distancing himself from aides who labeled him a “would-be assassin,” as federal immigration enforcement faces backlash and leadership reshuffles in the city. Read More
Deep Dive
4. TikTok US Denies Censorship Claims Amid Technical Issues after Split
Getty Images
TikTok’s new US operations are facing scrutiny after thousands of users reported glitches and apparent content suppression, including political posts critical of Trump and posts mentioning “Epstein.”
Key points:
TikTok US says technical problems are the cause, citing a recent split from its global parent and a data center outage at Oracle.
Users reported issues like videos stuck at zero views, slow load times, and missing political content.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched an investigation into whether the platform is censoring content critical of Trump.
TikTok confirmed there is no ban on the name “Epstein” in direct messages and reassured users that data and engagement metrics are safe.
The app’s US algorithm is being retrained under Oracle oversight as part of the Trump-era deal to allow TikTok to operate in the United States.
Celebrities and social media users have expressed concerns about censorship, with some deleting accounts or questioning the app’s future.
TikTok insists the issues are largely US-specific and technical, while regulators and critics continue to question whether the split and new ownership influence content moderation decisions. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Meta, TikTok, YouTube Face Trial Over Youth Addiction
Three tech giants go on trial in Los Angeles this week over allegations their platforms deliberately addict and harm children.
Takeaways
Plaintiff KGM, 19, claims early social media use worsened depression and suicidal thoughts due to design features intended to maximize engagement.
Snap settled last week, leaving Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to face jury scrutiny for the first time.
Case could bypass First Amendment and Section 230 protections if deliberate design to harm minors is proven.
Executives including Mark Zuckerberg expected to testify, trial scheduled for six to eight weeks.
The lawsuit argues platforms used behavioral techniques akin to slot machines and Big Tobacco to boost profits from minors. Bellwether cases like this could shape thousands of similar claims nationwide. Companies deny allegations, citing safeguards and complex mental health factors.
Outcome could reshape how social media platforms design and monitor products for children. Read More
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6. Sepp Blatter Backs Fan Boycott Of US World Cup
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter urged fans to skip the 2026 World Cup in the United States over concerns about Trump administration policies.
Takeaways
Blatter echoed Swiss anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth, who questioned the US as a suitable host due to governance and security concerns.
Fan entry restrictions and travel bans for countries including Senegal, Ivory Coast, Iran, and Haiti have disrupted plans for several qualified teams.
Concerns focus on Trump-era immigration policies and aggressive treatment of migrants and protesters in US cities.
International soccer officials, including Germany’s federation VP, are considering formal boycotts if conditions remain unchanged.
The US is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Critics warn fans could face scrutiny or deportation if they do not comply with local authorities. The controversy adds to ongoing debates over US eligibility as a global sporting host. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
LEGO bricks
On This Day – January 28
The Modern LEGO Brick Patented, 1958 – LEGO files a patent for its interlocking plastic brick, a design still compatible with bricks made today and one of the most successful toy innovations ever.
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster, 1986 – The Challenger shuttle explodes shortly after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts, including teacher Christa McAuliffe, and prompting major safety reforms at NASA.
Data Privacy Day – January 28 is recognized as International Data Privacy Day, promoting awareness of personal data protection and digital privacy worldwide.is recognized as International Data Privacy Day, promoting awareness of personal data protection and digital privacy worldwide.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🥛🗄️Store Milk on a Middle Shelf
Want your milk to stay fresh longer? Store it on a middle shelf instead of the fridge door. The door experiences frequent temperature changes, while the middle shelf stays consistently cold. This simple switch helps prevent spoilage and keeps milk fresher for longer.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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