The Trump administration's new goal of returning astronauts to the surface of the moon by 2024 — five years earlier than planned — is a huge gamble with the prestige of the United States.
Why it matters: If it succeeds, this week could be remembered as the turning point that restored some of the space program's lost glory. But that's a big if, since the rockets and spacecraft are nowhere near ready. And if it fails, it would be a huge embarrassment to the nation that did all of this once before and couldn't do it again on deadline.
The Mozambique government has confirmed the first cases of cholera in the port city of Beira almost two weeks after Cyclone Idai devastated the country, AP reports.
Details: Five cholera cases have been confirmed. Mozambique's national director of medical assistance described cholera as an "epidemic situation" with more cases expected, according to AP. Doctors without Borders reports they will be scaling up their operations, while the World Health Organization also plans to send 900,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine from the global stockpile later this week, perAl Jazeera.
India has shot down a live, low-orbiting satellite in space with an anti-satellite missile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Wednesday in a televised address.
Why it matters: India joined a "super league" with the U.S., Russia and China after the feat, Modi said. "India registered its name as a space power," he said. The technology is "not directed against any particular country," according to Modi. But it risks escalating tension with Pakistan after February clashes in Kashmir. Modi faces a general election next month.
