☕ Cannonball

Orion returned to Earth, but the race to the moon is only heating up... [Advertisement] December 12, 2022 [View Online]( | [Sign Up]( | [Shop]( [Morning Brew]( TOGETHER WITH [Braun]( Good morning. For the second year running, the Brew is going to be handing out the Golden Mug Awards to commemorate the best, worst, and cringiest news stories from the year that was. But we don’t decide who will take home the coveted Golden Mugs—you do. We’ve created a short poll of categories (including biggest news story, trend of the year, and most metal moment), and are asking you to vote and determine the winners of the awards. We’ll hand out the Golden Mugs in a series of newsletters between Christmas and New Year’s. [Vote here](. —Neal Freyman MARKETS: YEAR-TO-DATE Nasdaq 11,004.62 -29.66% S&P 3,934.38 -17.45% Dow 33,476.46 -7.88% 10-Year 3.575% +206.1 bps Bitcoin $16,958.59 -63.38% Oil $71.32 -5.17% *Stock data as of market close, cryptocurrency data as of 3:00am ET. [Here's what these numbers mean.]( - Markets: The captain has turned on the seatbelt sign, because the stock market is going to get [real bumpy]( this week. Not only will the Fed announce another rate hike on Wednesday, but tomorrow the consumer price index (CPI) report will provide the latest snapshot on inflation. And on days when the CPI drops, the market is more mercurial than a toddler: On the Sept. 13 release, the S&P plunged 4.3%, but on the Nov. 10 report, it surged 5.5%.  SPACE [Is the moon the new Italy?]( [The Artemis spacecraft by the moon with the Earth small in the background]( NASA Seems like everyone’s been going there recently. The route was particularly busy yesterday: On the same day a historic mission completed its lunar voyage, another began its moonbound journey. Let’s start with the touchdown. NASA’s Orion capsule [cannonballed]( back into the atmosphere yesterday, successfully completing a 25-day mission around the moon. And we actually mean cannonballed: Orion reentered the Earth’s atmosphere at nearly 25,000 miles per hour, or 32x the speed of sound, while sweating through outside temperatures of about 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. But two sets of parachutes helped slow it down to a gentle 20 mph when it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. It’s a relief that everything went according to plan, because the stakes are ~astronomical~: Humans are trying to get to the lunar surface for the first time in 50 years. Orion was a part of the first mission stemming from NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to [plop humans]( on the moon as soon as 2025. - This mission, known as Artemis I, was uncrewed, but NASA is hoping to launch Artemis II, with humans on board, by 2024. - Artemis III is the Holy Grail: That’s when NASA will attempt to land humans on the moon again. But given all the moving parts (a lunar lander to be provided by SpaceX, new lunar space suits), it’ll be a shock if it happens by 2025. Fun fact: Orion splashed down 50 years to the day that astronauts last landed on the moon. And who went to the moon yesterday? Hours before Orion splashed down, a SpaceX rocket blasted off carrying a [lunar lander]( made by Japanese company ispace. If the ispace vehicle makes a successful landing, it’ll be the first time a private company accomplished the feat. To date, only the US, China, and Russia have successfully completed what’s called “soft landings” on the moon. Ispace was formed in order to compete in the Google Lunar X Prize competition, but its ambitions have ballooned since then. Now, it’s aiming to create an “economically viable ecosystem” around the moon, its founder and CEO Takeshi Hakamada told CNBC. But this historic landing attempt won’t happen for months. While Orion took just five days to reach the moon, ispace’s mission is taking the “avoid tolls” route on Google Maps to conserve energy. It’s not expected to land until early April 2023. �  �  �  mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Morning%20Brew%21&body=Is%20the%20moon%20the%20new%20Portugal%3F%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmorningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fstories%2F2022%2F12%2F11%2Fmoon-travel-heats-up-as-orion-splashes-down%3Futm_campaign%3Dmb%26utm_medium%3Dnewsletter%26utm_source%3Dmorning_brew%0A%0AWant%20more%20great%20content%3F%20Subscribe%20to%20Daily%20Brew%20%E2%80%94%20Delivering%20the%20latest%20business%20news%20from%20Wall%20St.%20to%20Silicon%20Valley%20daily.%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fr%2F%3Fkid%3D4904f90a%26utm_source%3Demail_share%0A TOGETHER WITH BRAUN [Your beard could use a happy hour]( [Braun]( While you’re playing who’s who at luncheons and after-work holiday soirees, your scruff is growing tired from doing the heavy lifting—keeping you warm, protected, and attractive. So it’s time to give your beard a buzz, too. Order the [Braun Series 9 Pro](. It’s the world’s most efficient shaver, whether you’re trimming stubble, shearing off whiskers, or shaping up a hippie mane. And have no fear if your face requires an extra-delicate shave. The [Series Pro 9]( produces 10,000 unique micro-vibrations that capture more hair while gliding gently across your skin. It’s five o’clock somewhere for your five-o’clock shadow. [Make Braun your go-to for getting your buzz on](. WORLD [Tour de headlines](#) [Twitter illustration]Francis Scialabba Twitter will launch its verification system…again. Twitter Blue is maybe, finally [rolling out]( for good today. For $8/month if purchased on the web or $11/month if bought via Apple’s App Store, Twitter users will be able to add a verification checkmark to their profile and gain access to other features, such as the ability to edit tweets. The last time Twitter tried to launch Blue in November, it was chaos: Among the shenanigans, one account posing as Eli Lilly & Co. falsely tweeted that it was making insulin free, leading to a $15 billion drop in market cap for the company. Twitter said it’s installed new safeguards to prevent rampant impersonation. Lockerbie suspect detained by US. The FBI [arrested]( a Libyan intelligence operative accused of making the bomb that brought down a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, killing 270 people. The suspect, Abu Agela Masud Kheir Al-Marimi, will be the first Libyan intelligence official charged for his role in the attack to stand trial in a US courtroom (two others were charged, but Libya would not send them to the US or the UK). Winter weather wallops the West. A huge storm [dumped feet of snow]( and unleashed fierce winds across the Sierra Nevada this weekend, closing a 70-mile stretch of eastbound I-80 “due to zero visibility.” And while West Coasters will relish the fresh pow on their ski slopes, the storm will trudge along from west to east during the week, developing into a major winter storm in the High Central Plains and Upper Midwest by Wednesday. And yes, Northeasterners, we’ll also acknowledge you had miserable weather this weekend too. SPORTS [Morocco finds success outside its borders]( [Walid Regragui, Head Coach of Morocco, celebrates with the team after the 1-0 win during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal]( Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Morocco continued its improbable, historic run at the World Cup by [defeating]( Portugal on Saturday, becoming the first African country to ever make the tournament’s semifinal round. The team’s success has galvanized not only Moroccans living in the country, but also the estimated 5 million living abroad—which is where the majority of the team grew up. Fourteen of Morocco’s 26 players were [born abroad](, the highest share of any team competing in the World Cup. One of its stars, Hakim Ziyech, was born in the Netherlands, and another, Achraf Hakimi, was born in Spain. So how can they play for Morocco? Under FIFA rules, players must be citizens of a country and check off certain requirements showing they have a “clear connection” to it, such as a parent or grandparent who was born there. Big picture: The share of foreign-born players at the World Cup has been [surging]( in recent decades, shaking up the traditional power dynamics associated with global soccer, Vox reports. At the first World Cup in 1930, 5% of players were born in a different country than they represented. This year, the share is 16.5% (about one in every six). African countries have been especially aggressive in recruiting players from abroad. Of the 38 French-born players not playing on the French team this World Cup, for example, all but four represent African countries. Speaking of France…it will try to end Morocco’s Cinderella story in Wednesday’s semifinal. The winner of that game will play the winner of Argentina vs. Croatia, which is taking place on Tuesday. �  �  �  mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Morning%20Brew%21&body=Morocco%20finds%20success%20outside%20its%20borders%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmorningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fstories%2F2022%2F12%2F11%2Fmorocco-looks-outside-its-borders-for-world-cup-success%3Futm_campaign%3Dmb%26utm_medium%3Dnewsletter%26utm_source%3Dmorning_brew%0A%0AWant%20more%20great%20content%3F%20Subscribe%20to%20Daily%20Brew%20%E2%80%94%20Delivering%20the%20latest%20business%20news%20from%20Wall%20St.%20to%20Silicon%20Valley%20daily.%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fr%2F%3Fkid%3D4904f90a%26utm_source%3Demail_share%0A CALENDAR [The week ahead](#) [Fed Chair Jerome Powell]Dianna “Mick” McDougall, Sources: Getty Images The Fed’s last meeting of the year. Jerome Powell and his central banker posse will meet for the final time in 2022, and, as has been the case during the previous six meetings, they’re expected to jack up interest rates. This rate bump is likely to be only 50 basis points, though, down from the 75 bps increases announced in the previous four meetings. SBF will testify before lawmakers. At least he said he would. The former FTX CEO wrote on Twitter last week that he’d [testify]( at the House Financial Services Committee hearing about his exchange’s implosion on Tuesday. It’s unclear whether SBF will be traveling from his Bahamas residence to DC for the grilling, or if he will videoconference in. Avatar 2 is finally here. The sequel to the highest-grossing movie in history will hit theaters on Friday. Its runtime is three hours and 10 minutes, about the duration of an NFL game, but director James Cameron said it’s necessary because there are “more characters to service.” Everything else: - Lawmakers face a Friday deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown. - Hanukkah begins on Sunday evening. - The World Cup Final will be held on Sunday. GRAB BAG [Key performance indicators](#) [A GIF about salad in Parks and Rec]Parks and Recreation/NBCUniversal Stat: While a $16 salad is never justified, it may be a little more…understandable right now. Veggie prices in the US have [surged 38%]( in November alone, and are up more than 80% on an annual basis, per a new Labor Department report. The reason? There hasn’t been enough water to grow vegetables due to the megadrought out West. States such as California and Arizona have had their water allotment restricted as authorities try to keep the Colorado River from drying up even further. Quote: “An American should come home if they can come home.” David Whelan, the brother of American Paul Whelan who is detained in Russia, told MSNBC yesterday that he thinks President Biden “[made the right choice](” in securing a deal with Russia to bring Brittney Griner home, even if his brother wasn’t included. US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that the US offered Russia a deal to bring both Griner and Whelan home, but Russia is treating Whelan’s case “very separately, very distinctly” from Griner’s. In a surprise twist, former President Trump said yesterday that he rejected a deal to bring Whelan home in exchange for Viktor Bout, the arms dealer who the US released for Griner’s freedom. Read: Your brain does not process information, retrieve knowledge, or store memories. In short: Your brain is not a computer. ([Aeon]() WHAT ELSE IS BREWING - [Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen](, in an interview with 60 Minutes, predicted that the US will see “much lower inflation” next year barring a surprise shock. - [Kevin Hart](, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Justin Bieber are among the defendants in a class-action lawsuit that accuses stakeholders of Yuga Labs, the parent company of Bored Ape Yacht Club, of conspiring to defraud potential investors. - [Throwback](: The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie are going on tour together next year. - [USC quarterback Caleb Williams]( won the Heisman Trophy. - [The White Lotus]( may have wrapped up its second season last night, but you can keep the vibes alive by visiting the dreamy Sicilian locations in the show. FROM THE CREW [Don’t be a lousy boss](#) Jumpstart 2023 with Morning Brew’s Leadership Accelerator, an eight-week virtual course that will teach you how to effectively motivate people, build influential strategies, and execute confidently, all while maintaining your 9–5. Spots are filling up fast. [Apply today]( and, for this month only, use code HOLIDAY2022 in your application for $100 off. BREW'S BETS Dive back into the week: - Shallow dive: Travis Pastrana [goes berserk]( in Florida. - Medium dive: [25 words]( that are their own opposites - Deep dive: [Two events]( that happened in the same year but don’t seem like they would have - Cannonball: The year [explained by charts]( Checking up: Healthcare practitioners, administrators, and everyone in between, your go-to healthcare industry digest is Healthcare Brew. [Subscribe now](. For the techies: [Join the over 450k who read Emerging Tech Brew](—the 3x-a-week email delivering the latest tech news impacting our future. It’s free and takes only 5 minutes to read, so there’s really no reason not to try it. Achieve thicker, fuller hair: Meet [Revela](, the only non-Rx brand that helps you tackle hair loss at the root. It shows results up to 4x faster than traditional solutions. [Learn more](.* Cookin’ with quality. Here’s some unsolicited [gifting advice](: Don’t sleep on a good frying pan. Our [holiday gift guide]( has our top pan pick + other awesome finds. Sponsored by Wayfair.* *This is sponsored advertising content. GAMES [The puzzle section](#) Turntable: There are 36 words just begging to be discovered in today’s puzzle. [Find them here](. Holiday music trivia If you’ve walked into any retail store during the last two weeks, you should ace this holiday music quiz. See how many of the five questions below you can answer correctly. - What gift is No. 6 in “The Twelve Days of Christmas”? - In what year did Mariah Carey release “All I Want for Christmas Is You”? - In Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song,” which singer lights the menorah? - Which composer wrote the score to The Nutcracker ballet? - Which singer released “Santa Tell Me” in 2014? AROUND THE BREW [Become a data expert]( [Become a data expert]( Senhora do Destino/Rede Globo Keeping track of everything happening in your business can be difficult. Save yourself the headache with our course that helps you build problem-solving skills. [Reserve your spot today](. Ramping up benefits? Enhancing company culture? HR pros: If you want to improve your processes, HR Brew has you covered. [Subscribe today](. [The Brief: A Marketing Brew Summit]( is now available to stream on-demand. Hear from a powerhouse panel of speakers who share solutions to the modern marketer’s biggest challenges. SHARE THE BREW [Share Morning Brew]( with your friends, acquire free Brew swag, and then acquire more friends as a result of your fresh Brew swag. We’re saying we’ll give you free stuff and more friends if you share a link. One link. Your referral count: 0 [Click to Share]( Or copy & paste your referral link to others: [morningbrew.com/daily/r/?kid=4904f90a]( ANSWER - Geese a-laying - 1994 - David Lee Roth - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Ariana Grande � � � � � Written by [Neal Freyman]( Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up [here](. WANT MORE BREW? Tips for smarter living → - [Money Scoop](: your personal finance upgrade - [Money With Katie](: manifest your financial freedom Podcasts → [Business Casual](, [Founder's Journal](, [Imposters](, and [The Money with Katie Show]( [YouTube]( [ADVERTISE]( // [CAREERS]( // [SHOP]( // [FAQ]( Update your email preferences or unsubscribe [here](. View our privacy policy [here](. Copyright © 2022 Morning Brew. 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