Fly me to the moon: NASA's next-generation megarocket is set for its debut

Monday, August 29, 2022

by Linda Noakes

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Here's what you need to know.

U.N. inspectors head to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the dollar hits a 20-year high, and Brazil's soccer clubs are poised for a gold rush

Today's biggest stories

A Ukrainian man walks with his bicycle in front of damaged houses following recent Russian shelling in the city of Slovyansk, in Donetsk region, August 28,2022. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

WORLD

A team from the U.N. nuclear watchdog headed to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, as Russia and Ukraine traded accusations of shelling in its vicinity, fueling fears of a radiation disaster. Captured by Russian troops in March but run by Ukrainian staff, Zaporizhzhia has been a hotspot in a conflict that has settled into a war of attrition. Here's what you need to know right now.

Pakistan needs financial help to deal with "overwhelming" floods, its foreign minister said, adding that he hoped financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund would take the economic fallout into account. Unusually heavy monsoon rains have caused devastating floods in both the north and south of the country, affecting more than 30 million people and killing more than 1,000.

A southwestern part of China that has suffered scorching temperatures this month is now on alert for flooding amid days of torrential rain. Downpours in the sprawling manufacturing hub of Chongqing and nearby areas of Sichuan province follow severe power shortages in the same localities caused by heavy use of air conditioning and falling reservoir levels.

Charred cars and buildings pockmarked by bullets scarred Libya's capital, after intense fighting killed 32 people yet appeared to leave the Tripoli government more firmly entrenched. We explain what led to the violence, why it matters, and how things may play out.

Thousands of religious and right-wing opponents of a European gay Pride event to be hosted by Belgrade protested through the Serbian capital, even though the government has said it would scrap or delay the Pride event. Some waved Russian flags, a show of support for Moscow, Serbia's traditional ally.

A view of NASA's next-generation moon rocket as it stands on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, August 28, 2022. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

U.S.

NASA's colossal next-generation rocketship is set for its long-awaited debut launch on an uncrewed, six-week test flight around the moon and back, marking the first mission of the space agency's Artemis program, successor to Apollo. Take a look at our graphic for everything you need to know about the mission.

President Joe Biden's controversial plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loans for tens of millions of Americans could erase the projected $300 billion deficit reduction that his hard-fought climate, drugs and tax legislation would generate over 10 years - by as much as two times.

Representative Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans joining Congress's probe of the assault on the Capitol by Donald Trump supporters, accused members of his party of "hypocrisy" for defending the former president's handling of classified documents.

The White House said it will hold a summit aimed to address issues around U.S. hunger, nutrition and health on September 28 in Washington, D.C. Biden said in May that the event will help realize his administration's goal to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases in a majority of Americans by 2030.

Police in Texas arrested a woman who they said shouted racial abuse at four Indian women in a viral video, telling them to "Go back to India," in an incident brought to the attention of federal authorities.

BUSINESS & MARKETS

World stocks slumped as the growing risk of more aggressive interest rate hikes in the United States and Europe inflicted fresh pain on bond markets and pushed the dollar to new 20-year highs, just as recession fears mount. We look at how efforts to control inflation may require higher unemployment than before.

Investors have cheered a breakthrough deal that promises U.S. regulators access to Chinese companies' accounting paperwork but say markets will need to see successful inspections and economic recovery before much more money can be expected to move to China.

Sony said it will acquire Helsinki and Berlin-based mobile games business Savage Game Studios for an undisclosed amount as part of a major push by the Japanese conglomerate beyond console gaming.

A swath of Canada better known for maple syrup is being tested to mass produce berries normally grown in warmer locales, making it the unexpected beneficiary of extreme weather, local demand and rising costs in traditional growing areas like California.

Around half the backers of Britain's governing Conservative Party support renationalizing the country's energy industry, according to a survey, as soaring energy prices put pressure on household budgets.

A new law allowing soccer clubs in Brazil to seek outside investment is attracting hundreds of millions of dollars to a country renowned as football's biggest source of talent, a change that could see Brazilian teams rival Europe's top tier.

Quote of the day

"The global economy seems to be on the cusp of a historic change"

Agustín Carstens

Head of the Bank for International Settlements

Pain of breaking inflation will reverberate around the globe

Video of the day

Indian authorities demolish illegal skyscrapers

The buildings near New Delhi were the tallest structures ever pulled down in the country.

And finally…

Taylor Swift wins top MTV video award

The singer won the top honor at MTV's annual Video Music Awards for a 10-minute version of her 2012 breakup song 'All Too Well' and made a surprise announcement of a new album coming in October.

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