This week’s column of current events include the latest updates on the 2016 Presidential race, all you need to know on the second worst terrorist attack in US history and India’s involvement in the space race. Read on to find out!

2016 PRESIDENTIAL RACE: (June 21st, 2016) Does Donald Trump have enough financing to last the general election?

In the words of Trump himself, “I’m really rich." So rich, in fact, that, according to the New York Times, one fifth of Trump’s monthly campaign finances comes from “self-funding,” or paying his own businesses and family members with expenses related to travel costs and rallies. But the general election works differently than primaries. For one, primaries are separated into states or groups of states, so campaign finances can be concentrated one location at a time. However, come the general election, Trump needs all his finances spread over the entire country – a completely different ballgame. The Times estimated that campaign financing for any given general election can exceed $1 billion, a sum that Trump simply doesn’t have.

So what does it all mean? To run a general election, one needs not only support (obviously), but also financing, for all the rallies, campaigns, etc. Trump derived the majority of his primary election funds from self-funding, and prided himself on it. But if he doesn’t do something drastic soon, either switching funding styles or reeling back on his campaign, then voters might see Trump choking back on his words.

TERRORIST ATTACKS: (June 13th, 2016) Orlando shooting at gay nightclub becomes second worst terrorist attack in US history.

On Sunday, June 12th, a shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orland, left 49 people dead and wounding at least 53 others, according to the latest report. The shooter was later identified by CNN to be Omar Mateen, a US citizen who had pledged allegiance to ISIS, officials said. Ironically, Mateen was investigated by the FBI in 2013 and 2014 but “was not found to be a threat,” officials announced.

The Orlando shooting has become the second worst terrorist attack in the United States, second only to the 9/11 bombing. What is ironic is the fact that in both of these instances, the United States government had received some sort of early warning against the perpetrators. Prior to the 9/11 attacks, the Bush administration had been warned by the CIA of an imminent attack on the US, but to no avail. Similarly, the FBI had previously investigated Orlando shooter Omar Mateen, but was later dismissed. It is clear that the fundamental root of the problem is the inability for our country to defend ourselves and protect our citizens, and that needs to change.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: (June 22, 2016) India launches record 22 satellites in single mission shortly after first successful shuttle launch and retrieval

For decades, the two biggest forces in the so-called Space Race was Russia and the United States. Yet more and more recently, India seems to be catching up. On May 23rd, India just launched and retrieved a mini space shuttle successfully for the first time. Although NASA’s Space Shuttle program may have already ended in 2011, India hopes to use this relatively new technology to send astronaut and supplies to space in the future. Now, only a month after India’s new success, the country sent a record of 22 satellites in a single mission, the highest number in India’s history and the third highest in history.

For India, a relatively new country who hasn’t yet hit its 100th anniversary, this development is huge. India’s ability to make the news in the global space industry is indicative of the country’s growing role as an international leader and a contender in the global arena. And in an era where the Earth is no longer big enough, this can be a huge advantage.

Interested in writing for Spotlight Thursday’s? Email kathleenzywang@yahoo.com for more information!

Featured