FIRST THING FIRST : 2020

1.- BALLOONS DELIVER INTERNET IN KENYA

High-altitude, solar powered balloons were used to deliver Internet service to Kenya, a first for Africa. A subsidiary of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, launched 35 balloons in July to provide a 4G LTE network across most of the central and western parts of the country.

2.- CHINA LAUNCHES MISSION TO MARS AND LANDS FIRST REUSABLE SPACECRAFT

The state-owned China Aerospace and Technology Group launched its first solo Mars mission, called Tianwen-I's payload includes a rover, a lander and an orbiter; the probe is expected to land on Mars in early 2021.

In September, China's space-agency reported another major achievement : It successfully landed a reusable spacecraft for first time, using experimental technology.

3.- FORMER MEXICAN MILITARY OFFICIAL ARRESTED IN THE UNITED STATES ON  DRUG CHARGES.

In October, Gen-Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, a former defense minister of Mexico, became the first high-ranking Mexican military official taken into custody in the United States on drug related charges. Authorities arrested General Cienfuegos, who served in the administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto from 2012 to 2018, after he and his family landed in Los Angeles.

4.- GOLD PRICES TOP $2,000 PER OUNCE.

With traders looking for safer places to invest amid the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic gold prices reached a record high in summer 2020, topping at More than $2,000 per ounce. Other precious metals, such as silver and platinum, have also seen surges in value.

5.- ROBOT SHIP TO SAIL ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

The Mayflower Autonomous Research Ship was unveiled in September on the 400th anniversary of the original Mayflower's journey to the New World, and it is set to undergo sea trials in preparation for its maiden voyage in April 2021.

It will be the first robot-powered ship to sail across the pond, roughly retracing the wake of its namesake.

The Honor and Serving of this publishing, continues. The World Students Society thanks author Tricia Tisak.