Top Events of 2016
While there is much to celebrate about 2016, it’s also been a year of losses for many of our cultural icons. From David Bowie to Prince to Alan Rickman and Gene Wilder, there’s a long list of people we’ll miss in 2016. Political giants such as Antonin Scalia and former first lady Nancy Reagan joined the list of 2016’s big losses. Here are some of the other noteworthy events to watch in 2016.
The Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year is a holiday celebrated throughout Asia and other parts of the world. The festival begins on the night before New Year’s Eve and lasts for the fifteen days that follow. The Chinese New Year 2016 falls on February 8 and marks the beginning of the Year of the Monkey, the ninth sign of the Chinese zodiac. Wearing red and eating “tangyuan,” sticky rice dumplings filled with different types of fillings, is a tradition that is often associated with the celebration. People also sometimes hide a coin inside the dumplings for good luck in the new year.
The presidential election
In the fall of 2015, the Republican Party appeared to be in a strong position. However, many voters expressed their desire for a change, and Democrats looked poised to put forward an uninspiring candidate. Outgoing President Barack Obama had presided over eight years of economic growth, but the recovery was slow by historical standards. Meanwhile, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was failing financially. While the candidates have their own issues, this election was the most contentious in decades.
Cyberterrorism
A year ago, it was widely assumed that Russia was responsible for the hacking of the Democratic Party. The attacks were planned in advance, hoping to unearth emails from Hillary Clinton and help Trump win the election. A year later, Team Trump was in Cleveland orchestrating Putin’s wishes and hopes, hoping to give him a free hand and minimum resistance in Ukraine. These attacks, however, are not without consequence. Cyber-terrorism is a rapidly growing and highly lucrative industry, so there is a need to be prepared.
Funding for ALS research
Funding for ALS research is available from the National Institutes of Health, which is the largest source of ALS research in the world. NIH grants are designed to help researchers build their facilities and attract leading neuroscientists to the field. They also enable researchers to start new clinical trials and experiments. As an incurable, progressive disease of the nervous system, ALS patients will not be able to use voluntary muscles and will eventually die.
High school graduation rates
State education officials released data on graduation rates for New York State schools in 2016, announcing that they are now at 79.4 percent. This marks an increase of 1.3 points over the previous year and more than 12 percentage points higher than a decade ago. But with changes in graduation requirements and school policies, it’s difficult to determine whether schools were doing better or worse. Here’s a closer look at what New York’s high schools accomplished in 2016.
Russian doping scandal
The Russian doping scandal in 2016 engulfed the Olympics and the world of sport. The doping scandal was caused by the use of steroid substances by athletes from Russia. Top national-team coaches sold performance-enhancing drugs to their athletes. The corruption in doping control officers shielded athletes from detection, and the doping program became institutionalised. The use of steroid substances increased significantly in London compared to Beijing. Doping in London led to the suspension of 50 Russian athletes. The sports worst affected were track and field and weightlifting.
Opportunities for all Chinese zodiac animals in 2016
The Year of the Monkey in 2016 marks a new cycle in the Chinese zodiac. This year is the Year of the Monkey, a Fire Monkey. The monkey, one of the five elements in the Chinese zodiac, is a charming, competitive, and party animal. The year ahead promises plenty of upheaval and change. Those born under this year’s sign may be looking for exciting opportunities in business, education, and love.
