2016 was laden with success stories

In a country where yearly reviews have featured more scandals than the word, 2016 – despite its misgivings in other spheres of life – will pass as one that registered more satisfaction than indignities. Let us run through moments that brought smiles to our faces throughout the course.

Damani win Nakuru Series

Aziz Damani have more than just one reason to pop the champagne as the world gears up for the New Year celebrations PARTNERSHIP. Damani top order batsman Arnold Otwani steers a delivery off the bowling of Zaid Abbas to the leg-side in his fifth-wicket stand of 83 runs with all-rounder Brian Masaba at Greensteds International School in Nakuru, Kenya on December 27. Otwani’s solidity throughout the tour helped Aziz Damani clinch the series against Rift Valley Sports Club.

Merkel says Islamist terrorism is biggest test for Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel poses for photographs after the television recording of her annual New Year’s speech at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, December 30, 2016. Islamist terrorism is the biggest test facing Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday in a New Year’s address to the nation, and she vowed to introduce laws that improve security after a deadly attack before Christmas in Berlin.

I lived in Times Square for a year – here’s what it’s like…

Registration will allow you to post comments on ctpost.com and create a ctpost.com Subscriber Portal account for you to manage subscriptions and email preferences. I lived in Times Square for a year – here’s what it’s like to live in the most hectic part of New York City NEW YORK – While most New Yorkers avoid the wandering crowds of tourists, costumed characters, and bombarding big screens of Times Square, I chose to live there.

Tayebwa: An agricultural economist who inspired students

Tayebwa was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in addition to diabetes mellitus and hypertension, ailments he struggled with for about 15 years until he developed kidney failure that prompted a transplant surgery Mr Tayebwa held a Master’s Degree in Agriculture Economics and a Post-graduate diploma. He taught at Makerere University between 1987 to 2007 as a lecturer of economics and agriculture economics.

600 places to catch fireworks tonight

New year fete : As the world welcomes the New Year, tradition has been that fireworks take centre stage at the stroke of midnight. And to usher in 2017 tonight, the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, has cleared 618 venues for the spectacular display of fireworks.

Stock markets cap off strong year on a soft note, as oil and gold prices retract

Major equity markets in Toronto and New York capped off a strong performing year Thursday with a whimper, much like how it began 2016, as most commodities softened. The S&P/TSX composite index, which had been flat at the start of the session, lost 134.53 points at 15,287.59 by day’s end – weighed down by a broad decline in nearly all sectors with the biggest losses coming from gold, materials and metals stocks.

Continued talk of mafia is worrying

On Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, warned the public of electronic fraudsters who are allegedly colluding with bank officials and security personnel to steal money from unsuspecting customers’ bank accounts Our view : We all need to understand where this comes from; we need to question the integrity of some bank officials and put sections of the security agencies under intense scrutiny On Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, warned the public of electronic fraudsters who are allegedly colluding with bank officials and security personnel to steal money from unsuspecting customers’ bank accounts.

Merkel tells Germans their country is stronger than terror

Chancellor Angela Merkel is telling Germans in her New Year message that their country is stronger than terrorism and the government will do everything to ensure “security in freedom.” Merkel said in her annual televised address being broadcast Saturday that 2016 had been “a year of severe tests,” the toughest of them Islamic extremist terror.

The long, strange odyssey of bringing Oscar fave ‘Toni Erdmann’ to the screen

But the upstart German filmmaker Maren Ade employed an especially unconventional technique in greeting the stars of her new picture “Toni Erdmann” for the Romanian portion of production. Ade showed up at the down-on-its-heels Bucharest airport as an over-the-top character – tricked out as a goofball mogul, pouring Champagne wearing bathroom slippers in the back of a white stretch limo.

The long, strange odyssey of bringing Oscar fave ‘Toni Erdmann’ to the screen

But the upstart German filmmaker Maren Ade employed an especially unconventional technique in greeting the stars of her new picture “Toni Erdmann” for the Romanian portion of production. Ade showed up at the down-on-its-heels Bucharest airport as an over-the-top character – tricked out as a goofball mogul, pouring Champagne wearing bathroom slippers in the back of a white stretch limo.

S. African township crew set for yacht race to Rio

Young, determined and from parts of Cape Town known for gangs rather than yacht clubs, seven sailors will leave their hometown Sunday on an epic ocean race to Brazil. The crew of the 43-foot Gryphon boat are competing in the Cape2Rio race – a 5,600-km adventure across the South Atlantic to Rio de Janeiro.

Australia beat Pakistan to clinch series

A brilliant all-round performance by Mitchell Starc propelled Australia to series-clinching victory over Pakistan by an innings and 18 runs in the second test as the visitors crumbled under pressure on the fifth day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. The rain-interrupted test had long seemed destined for a draw, with only 18 wickets falling in total up until lunch on the last day, but Australia took Pakistan’s final nine wickets in a hurry, clinching the win with an hour to spare.

Colin White helps United States top Russia 3-2 in world junior hockey

Colin White and Troy Terry scored second-period goals and Tyler Parsons made 25 saves to help the United States beat Russia 3-2 on Thursday in the world junior hockey championship. The United States and Canada, a 10-2 winner over Latvia on Thursday night, are 3-0-0 in Group B play and have wrapped up quarterfinal spots before their showdown Saturday in the pool finale.

Colin White helps United States top Russia 3-2 in world junior hockey

Colin White and Troy Terry scored second-period goals and Tyler Parsons made 25 saves to help the United States beat Russia 3-2 on Thursday in the world junior hockey championship. The United States and Canada, a 10-2 winner over Latvia on Thursday night, are 3-0-0 in Group B play and have wrapped up quarterfinal spots before their showdown Saturday in the pool finale.

Syria’s cease-fire holding despite minor violations

A nationwide Syrian cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey that went into effect at midnight held Friday despite minor violations, marking a potential breakthrough in a conflict that has disregarded high-level peace initiatives for over five years. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported clashes early Friday between troops and rebels in the central province of Hama and near the capital, Damascus.

Brazil police suspect wife in murder of Greek ambassador: TV report

A burned car in which a body was found during searches for the Greek Ambassador for Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, is pictured at a police station in Belford Roxo, Brazil December 30, 2016. Rio de Janeiro investigators suspect that Greece’s ambassador to Brazil was murdered at the behest of his wife and a police officer with whom she was romantically involved, Globo TV reported on Friday, citing police sources.

Brazil police suspect wife in murder of Greek ambassador: TV report

A burned car in which a body was found during searches for the Greek Ambassador for Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, is pictured at a police station in Belford Roxo, Brazil December 30, 2016. Rio de Janeiro investigators suspect that Greece’s ambassador to Brazil was murdered at the behest of his wife and a police officer with whom she was romantically involved, Globo TV reported on Friday, citing police sources.

Rail progress: Bangkok commuters set to benefit from more route options in 2017

Next year could turn out to be a breakthrough one for commuters travelling between Bangkok and surrounding areas by rail, as many more options look set to become available. At the very least, the one-kilometre so-called “missing tooth”, which will link the end of the recently opened MRT Purple Line at Tao Poon station with the far end of the underground MRT Blue Line at Bang Sue station, should be in service byAugust.

Rail progress: Bangkok commuters set to benefit from more route options in 2017

Next year could turn out to be a breakthrough one for commuters travelling between Bangkok and surrounding areas by rail, as many more options look set to become available. At the very least, the one-kilometre so-called “missing tooth”, which will link the end of the recently opened MRT Purple Line at Tao Poon station with the far end of the underground MRT Blue Line at Bang Sue station, should be in service byAugust.

European cities ramp up security for New Year after Berlin attack

European capitals tightened security on Friday ahead of New Year’s celebrations, erecting concrete barriers in city centres and boosting police numbers after the Islamic State attack in Berlin last week that killed 12 people. In the German capital, police closed the Pariser Platz square in front of the Brandenburg Gate and prepared to deploy 1,700 extra officers, many along a party strip where armoured cars will flank concrete barriers blocking off the area.

COMMODITIES-Oil, metals post stellar 2016 gains on output cuts, demand hopes

SINGAPORE, Dec 30 Crude oil, rubber and metals were set to end 2016 on Friday with strong gains, bouncing back from several years of losses on the back of output cuts and expectations of firmer demand. Crude oil output cuts announced by OPEC, stronger-than-expected demand in top commodities market China and expectations of higher infrastructure spending in the United States after the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump all boosted prices.

Scientists find genes driving Bahama pupfish specialization

The saltwater lakes of the Bahama’s San Salvador Island are home to a rich diversity of fish species, including several species of Bahama pupfish. What makes such diversity possible? In a new study, scientists have offered a genetic explanation for how at least three pupfish species coexist in the same lake.

Scientists find genes driving Bahama pupfish specialization

The saltwater lakes of the Bahama’s San Salvador Island are home to a rich diversity of fish species, including several species of Bahama pupfish. What makes such diversity possible? In a new study, scientists have offered a genetic explanation for how at least three pupfish species coexist in the same lake.

Trump, Putin and the threat to liberal democracy

Face masks depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump hang for sale at a souvenir street shop in St.Petersburg, Russia, this month. Face masks depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump hang for sale at a souvenir street shop in St.Petersburg, Russia, this month.