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5 Noteworthy Points for August 27: SpaceX Takeoff, Political Debate, University Homicide, Ukraine Updates, Ice Cave Rupture
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1. SpaceX excursion
SpaceX is about to undertake a nerve-wracking, five-day journey into orbit with a group of private astronauts headed towards Earth’s radiation belts. No person has ventured that far into space or traversed the radiation environment since NASA’s Apollo program. The four-member team on the Polaris Dawn mission is also preparing for a risky spacewalk, utilizing Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suits that SpaceX developed in just 2 1/\2 years. If successful, the spacewalk, which could occur on Friday, will mark the first time that non-government astronauts (or civilians) have performed such an activity. The daring expedition is scheduled to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida between 3:38 a.m. and 7:09 a.m. ET on Wednesday — a 24-hour delay from the company’s past launch target due to a helium leak.
2. Presidential discussion
Former President Donald Trump is sowing seeds of doubt about his September 10 ABC debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s team desires for the microphones to be muted throughout the debate except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak, as was the case during the first debate with President Joe Biden. However, the Harris campaign is requesting that ABC and other networks maintain microphones on. Analysts believe the Harris campaign wants to give Trump the chance to throw insulting interruptions that could annoy or repel some of his potential voters. The ex-president on Monday contradicted his team’s stance, stating he would be fine with losing the mute button.
3. Campus tragedy
A Rice University student in Houston was found dead in her dorm room on Monday in an apparent murder-suicide, resulting in a campus-wide lockdown during the first day of classes. The body of a junior female student was discovered by university police after a concerned family member requested a wellness check and officers saw she had missed class. The suspected shooter, a male who did not appear affiliated with the university, was also found dead in the room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. Based on a note from the suspect discovered at the scene, authorities suspect the pair had been in a troubled romantic relationship. The university released the lockdown Monday evening and stated they will conduct a thorough investigation. (Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.)
4. Ukraine conflict
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said rescue efforts are ongoing at the sites affected by a barrage of Russian assaults this week. “We will undoubtedly respond to Russia for this and all other attacks. Crimes against humanity are not tolerable,” Zelensky said, promising retaliation. Russia directed around 200 missiles and drones at energy infrastructure and communities across Ukraine overnight into Monday, marking the biggest air attack since the war began, Kyiv said. Ukraine had been preparing for a significant Russian attack for weeks in response to Kyiv’s incursion into the border region of Kursk — the first foreign invasion of Russia since World War II.
5. Ice cave collapse
One American tourist lost their life in Iceland due to the collapse of an ice cave. A group of 23 tourists from various countries were exploring a cave at the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier when the incident occurred on Sunday, according to Iceland’s public broadcaster RUV. Over 200 responders participated in the rescue operations, and substantial amounts of ice were broken down and moved, mostly by hand, according to local authorities. Ice caves are a popular tourist attraction in Iceland, with tour operators offering visitors the chance to “explore the insides of glaciers” and witness the beautiful blue color and “stunning patterns” in the ice, according to the Associated Press.
MORNING BROWSE
MLB player breaks unconventional recordAt times, life will throw you a curveball ... Boston Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen made Major League Baseball history on Monday by becoming the first player to play for two teams during the same game.
British rock band Oasis makes a comebackBrothers Noel and Liam Gallagher announced they will launch an Oasis reunion tour in 2025. Here’s what fans need to know.
Video: French bulldog triggers kitchen fireA family is trying to stay tail-waggingly optimistic after their dog triggered a large kitchen fire. Watch the home security camera footage.
How countries reward their Olympic championsAs the Paralympics begin this week, CNN takes a look at some of the outstanding rewards athletes obtain for winning Olympic honors.
Travelers secure cheap first-class flights due to Qantas glitchFor a brief period, first-class round-trip airline tickets from Australia to the U.S., which usually cost up to 28,000 Australian dollars (approximately $19,000!), were available from Qantas at a 85% discount.
TODAY'S QUOTE
"If a vehicle parks outside my residence, I always take a second look."
— A high-ranking official from Dominion, the voting technology company that became the center of unfounded right-wing allegations of voter fraud in 2020. Several employees from Dominion have resigned due to the stress and mental toll of the post-2020 chaos, as well as the heightened security risks. Additionally, individuals involved in election administration have shared concerns with CNN, expressing worry for their safety as some right-wing personalities persist in spreading falsehoods about voting companies manipulating the 2020 election, alleging that the 2024 election could also be rigged.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here
AND FINALLY ...
The transformation of mannequin body types throughout the decadesMannequins have been crafted throughout history to reflect the ideal figure fashionable for each period. Witness the evolution of mannequins in this video and its influence on body perceptions.
- The SpaceX team is encouraging everyone to subscribe to their newsletter to stay updated on the Polaris Dawn mission, as it will be a historic moment for non-government astronauts when they perform an EVA. Us and millions of space enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly waiting for this groundbreaking spacewalk.
- The Harris campaign is aiming to maintain an open debate with Trump, allowing both candidates to speak freely, but it's unclear if Trump will stick to this plan. It would be interesting to see how us look upon their interactions during the debate, considering the potential for heated exchanges and controversial comments.
