What to know about the fusion energy breakthrough

Plus, Qatar corruption scandal roils EU parliament. US scientists achieve nuclear fusion milestone; Qatar bribery scandal rocks European Parliament. Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin.   TOP NEWS What the fusion breakthrough could mean for clean energy Joe McNally/Getty images - For the first time, scientists have reportedly produced a nuclear fusion reaction that generates more energy than it takes to produce. [[Financial Times / Tom Wilson](] - Nuclear fusion could help fight climate change since it produces little waste and zero carbon emissions. [[CBS News](] - The process occurs when two atoms are fused, giving off heat; it’s the same process that powers the sun. [[the Atlantic / Charles Seife](] - Scientists must now figure out how to sustain the reaction long enough to generate the power needed to operate electrical grids and heating systems. [[CNN / Ella Nilsen and Rene Marsh](] - Engineers must also develop machinery that can affordably generate and withstand fusion reactions, so it could take years for the technology to become widespread. [[Washington Post / Evan Halper and Pranshu Verma](] - The US Department of Energy is expected to announce the development on Tuesday, after years of failed fusion efforts. [[Reuters](]  [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( Qatar corruption scandal rocks Europe - Belgian prosecutors charged four people with money laundering and corruption for receiving gifts from a Gulf state in exchange for influence in the European Parliament. [[Guardian / Sam Jones, Helena Smith, and Jennifer Rankin](] - European authorities arrested the suspects after seizing over $1 million in cash. European Parliament vice president, Eva Kaili, was among the arrested. [[Washington Post / Emily Rauhala and Annabelle Timsit](] - Belgian media identified the Gulf country as Qatar; Doha has denied any involvement in one of Europe’s most significant corruption cases in years. [[BBC / Elsa Maishman](] - Bribery allegations have surrounded World Cup host Qatar as the country has sought to deepen energy and tourism ties with the Europe Union, despite reports of human rights abuses. [[Politico / Sarah Wheaton](]   Help us reach our goal We’re aiming to add 3,000 financial gifts from readers by Dec 31. Give today to help keep Vox free. [Yes, I'll help keep Vox free](   MISCELLANEOUS This week, Congress is working on must-pass legislation to fund government and military spending. [[Vox / Ellen Ioanes](] - The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to take on a second challenge to President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, which remains blocked. [[CNN / Ariane de Vogue](] - US hospitals are struggling to overcome staff shortages amid an influx of patients suffering from Covid-19, flu, and RSV. [[Politico / Megan Messerly](] - A federal judge has dismissed Donald Trump’s lawsuit requesting a special master to review classified documents seized from his Mar-a-Lago estate. [[USA Today / Bart Jansen](] VERBATIM “To most of us, this was only a matter of time.” [[A senior fusion scientist on the fusion energy discovery / Washington Post](]   LISTEN TO THIS Men and boys are struggling. Should we care? Sean Illing talks with author, researcher, and Brookings Institution senior fellow Richard V. Reeves about his new book Of Boys and Men, which documents the ways that males all over the industrialized world are struggling — and what to do about it. [Listen now ▶](   Read more from Vox [Neuralink shows what happens when you bring “move fast and break things” to animal research]( [The White Lotus’s explosive season finale, explained]( [In 2022, nothing horrified us as much as old age]( [Why the protests in Iran are so hard to understand]( [The biggest missed opportunity of the lame-duck Congress so far](  [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Manage your [email preferences]( or [unsubscribe](param=sentences). If you value Vox’s unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring [contribution](. View our [Privacy Notice]( and our [Terms of Service](. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.