2016 MLS SuperDraft
The 2016 MLS SuperDraft was the seventeenth SuperDraft conducted by Major League Soccer. The SuperDraft is held each year in conjunction with the annual National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention. The 2016 convention was held in Baltimore, Maryland. The first two rounds of the 2016 SuperDraft were held on January 14, 2016. Rounds three and four were held via conference call on January 19, 2016.


2016 MLS SuperDraft, Format
The SuperDraft format has remained constant throughout its history and closely resembles that of the NFL Draft:


2016 MLS SuperDraft, Player selection, Round 1
Any player marked with a * is part of the Generation Adidas program.


2016 MNL-2
The MNL-2 2016 is the Myanmar National League's fourth full regular season. Four new clubs will join in 2016 MNL-2. There are Mahar United Football Club (MU FC), United of Thanlyin Football Club, Thihadeepa United Football Club (TU FC) and City Stars Football Club (CS FC). 2016 MNL-2 will start on 15 January. New clubs must play a qualifying round. Only three clubs will qualify to play in MNL-2.


2016 MNL-2 qualifying rounds
This was the qualification round for MNL-2. This competition had four clubs. Only three qualified to the 2016 MNL-2 and one played for MNL-3.


2016 MRU Super League
The MRU Super League 2016 was the 12th season of MRU Super League, Malaysia's domestic rugby union competition. The kick off will begin on 23 January 2016. The final was held on 3 April 2016 and won by UPM Angels, 16 - 13 over defending champions, Keris Conlay. It was the first title that were achieved by the Angels in their history.


2016 MRU Super League, Teams
A total of 14 teams will compete in the 2016 season, increasing 2 teams from previous edition.


2016 MRU Super League, Season
In preliminary stage, all 14 teams were divided into 2 groups, and a single round-robin tournament was held by both groups.


2016 MRU Super League, Season, Standings
• Teams 1 to 4 (Green background) at the end of the preliminary competition rounds qualify for the final stage. • The lowest-placed teams (Red background) were relegated.


2016 MRU Super League, Season, Standings
Four points for a win, three for a draw, one for a loss, and no points for a bye. One bonus point for the winning team scoring four or more tries (BP1), one bonus point for losing by seven or less by their opponent (BP2). If teams are level on points in the standings at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: •  Difference between points for and against •  Total number of points for •  Number of matches won •  Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams


2016 MSBL season
The 2016 MSBL season was the 28th season of the Men's State Basketball League (SBL). The regular season began on Friday 18 March, with round 1 seeing a 2015 grand final rematch between the Joondalup Wolves and South West Slammers. The 2016 MSBL All-Star Game was played on 6 June at Bendat Basketball Centre – the home of basketball in Western Australia. The regular season ended on Saturday 30 July. The finals began on Friday 5 August and ended on Saturday 3 September, when the Cockburn Cougars defeated the Wolves in the MSBL Grand Final.


2016 MSBL season, Regular season
The regular season began on Friday 18 March and ended on Saturday 30 July after 20 rounds of competition. The newly-renovated Warwick Stadium hosted big crowds for the Stirling Senators in 2016, while the Perth Redbacks moved home to the Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre after a trial year at Curtin University in 2015. Additionally, due to renovations to the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, the Mandurah Magic hosted all of their games in 2016 at the Rockingham Flames' home venue of Mike Barnett Sports Complex.


2016 MSBL season, Finals
The finals began on Friday 5 August and ended on Saturday 3 September with the MSBL Grand Final.


2016 MSBL season, All-Star Game
The 2016 MSBL All-Star Game took place at Bendat Basketball Centre on Monday 6 June, with all proceeds going to Lifeline WA for suicide prevention.


2016 MTN 8
The 2016 MTN 8 was the 42nd edition of South Africa's annual soccer cup competition, the MTN 8. It featured the top eight teams of the Premier Soccer League at the end of the 2015-16 season.


2016 MTN 8, Teams
The eight teams that competed in the MTN 8 knockout competition are (listed according to their finishing position in the 2015/2016 Premier Soccer League Season):


2016 MTV Europe Music Awards
The 2016 MTV EMAs (also known as the MTV Europe Music Awards) were held at the Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on 6 November 2016. It was hosted by Bebe Rexha. This was the third time the awards have taken place in the Netherlands, and the second time Rotterdam has been the host city. The awards were held in the same venue as the 1997 MTV EMAs.


2016 MTV Europe Music Awards, Nominations
The nominations were announced on September 27, 2016. Winners are in bold text.


2016 MTV Europe Music Awards, Voting process
(*)without Best Acts from Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Israel and Poland. In those countries voting was ended earlier.


2016 MTV Movie Awards
The 2016 MTV Movie Awards were held on April 9, 2016, from Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, California, as the first such event in 21 years, as well as being the first Movie Awards to be held outdoors. In addition, this year's awards also became the first since the 2006 MTV Movie Awards not to be aired live, as the event was pre-recorded on April 9 prior to its April 10 broadcast date, and the first since the 2003 MTV Movie Awards to include two hosts, instead of one.


2016 MTV Movie Awards, Performers
a  Salt-N-Pepa performed right before Ryan Reynolds accepted the award for Best Comedic Performance.


2016 MTV Movie Awards, Winners
The results were announced on April 9, 2016. Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.


2016 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards were held on August 28, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. Adele's "Hello" was the most nominated video with seven categories. This marked the 33rd edition of the live broadcast. Beyoncé led the nominations with a total of eleven, followed by Adele, who had eight. Rihanna received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award after performing several medley numbers during the ceremony. Britney Spears marked her first performance at the awards show since the heavily criticized 2007 show nine years prior. Beyoncé won eight awards to bring her career total of wins to 26 VMAs, overtaking Madonna's previous record of 20 awards, making her the artist with the most wins in the history of the award show.


2016 MTV Video Music Awards
The ceremony was shown on multiple Viacom cable networks and through smart TV and mobile devices which allow access to MTV's TV Everywhere-authenticated live stream within their app (dependent upon provider), along with MTV's website and Facebook Live.


2016 MTV Video Music Awards
Compared to the previous year's show which had a lesser amount of Viacom networks simulcasting the ceremony, the 2016 ceremony's numbers showed a 35% drop across the measured networks carrying the ceremony, making it the lowest rated ceremony in MTV's 32-year history beating out 1996 and 2015, totalling a cumulative 6.5 million viewers (being later beaten by the 2017 edition), though the network also claimed substantial additional streaming viewership across MTV apps and Facebook Live. 3.3 million viewers saw the show via MTV.


2016 MTV Video Music Awards, Presenters, Main show
In addition, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele provided commentary throughout the show from a luxury box as characters @LizardSheeple and @TheShamester. DJ Khaled, Nicole Byer, and Jay Pharoah also provided insight and commentary throughout the broadcast.


2016 MTV Video Music Awards, Winners and nominees
This year's nominees were presented on July 26, 2016, on MTV's Facebook page live.


2016 MTV Video Music Awards, Winners and nominees, Best Male Video
Calvin Harris (featuring Rihanna) — "This Is What You Came For"


2016 MTV Video Music Awards, Winners and nominees, Best Electronic Video
Calvin Harris and Disciples — "How Deep Is Your Love"


2016 MTV Video Music Awards, Winners and nominees, Best Collaboration Video
Fifth Harmony (featuring Ty Dolla Sign) — "Work from Home"


2016 MTV Video Music Awards, Winners and nominees, Best Choreography
Beyoncé — "Formation" (Choreographers: Chris Grant, JaQuel Knight and Dana Foglia)


2016 MTV Video Music Awards, Winners and nominees, Song of Summer
Fifth Harmony (featuring Fetty Wap) — "All in My Head (Flex)"


2016 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards Japan was held in Tokyo on October 26, 2016 and was hosted by Rip Slyme.


2016 MTV Video Music Awards Japan, Nominees, Best Video of the Year
Hikaru Utada — "Manatsu no Tōriame"  2016-10-03 at the Wayback Machine


2016 MTV Video Music Awards Japan, Nominees, Best Group Video, Japan
Exile The Second — "Shut Up!! Shut Up!! Shut Up!!"


2016 MTV Video Music Awards Japan, Nominees, Best Group Video, International
Fifth Harmony (feat. Ty Dolla Sign) — "Work from Home"


2016 MXGP of Argentina
The 2016 MXGP of Argentina will be the fourth round of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship season. It will be held at the Neuquen track in Patagonia on 9–10 April 2016 and will include the fourth rounds of the 2016 MXGP and MX2 world championships.


2016 MXGP of Europe
The 2016 MXGP of Europe was the third round of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship season. It was held in Valkenswaard, Netherlands on 27–28 March 2016. The race included the third rounds of the 2016 MXGP and MX2 world championships. It also included the second round of the 2016 FIM Women's Motocross World Championship and the first rounds of the 2016 UEM European 300cc Championship and 2016 UEM European 250cc Championship.


2016 MXGP of Europe, Entry lists, Entry list
1Steven Lenoir will stand in at 24MX Honda due to injuries for the team's riders.


2016 MXGP of Europe, Entry lists, Entry list
2Riders making their debut in the MXGP class this weekend.


2016 MXGP of Europe, Entry lists, Entry list
3Rider's entered but did not attend the grand prix for various reasons.


2016 MXGP of Europe, Entry lists, Entry list
1These riders will make their MX2 class debut this weekend. 2De Waal entered but did not attend the grand prix.


2016 MXGP of Europe, MXGP, MXGP Races
1Jasikonis finished in 16th place but was then given a time penalty.


2016 MXGP of Europe, MX2, MX2 Qualifying Race
1Brian Bogers broke his collarbone in an accident on the start straight, he will take no further part in the grand prix.


2016 MXGP of Qatar
The 2016 MXGP of Qatar was the first round of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship season. It was held at the Losail International Circuit in Lusail, Qatar on 26-27 February 2016 and included the first rounds of the 2016 MXGP and MX2 world championships, along with the first round of the 2016 FIM Women's Motocross World Championship. Romain Febvre was the reigning MXGP world champion, after taking his first title in 2015.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, Entry Lists
The entry lists for the 2016 MXGP of Qatar were announced on 12 January 2016.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, Entry Lists, Entry List
1 Ken De Dycker did not ride due to a broken femur sustained in pre-season training.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, Entry Lists, Entry List
2 Matiss Karro did not ride due to a torn left ACL sustained in a pre-season race.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, Entry Lists, Entry List
3 Jordi Tixier did not ride due to an operation needed on his already injured wrist.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, Entry Lists, Entry List
4 Rui Gonçalves did not ride due to a serious finger injury picked up at a pre-season race.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, Entry Lists, Entry List
1 Julien Lieber did not ride due to ongoing hip problems.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, Entry Lists, Entry List
2 Alvin Östlund made his Grand Prix debut to replace Lieber.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, MXGP, MXGP Practice Times
1 Clement Desalle is riding the grand prix with a broken arm that he sustained at a pre-season race.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, MXGP, MXGP Races
1 2015 MX2 world champion Tim Gajser won his first MXGP class race on his MXGP debut.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, MXGP, MXGP Races
1 Tim Gajser took his first MXGP class double race win on his MXGP debut.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, MXGP, MXGP Races
2 Gautier Paulin retired with a mechanical problem on the first lap.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, MXGP, MXGP of Qatar Overall
1Tim Gajser took his first MXGP class overall on his debut in the class.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, MX2, MX2 Practice Times
1 Adam Sterry did not take further part in the Grand Prix due to a wrist injury picked up in timed practice.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, MX2, MX2 Qualifying Race
1 Calvin Vlaanderen did not take any further part in the Grand Prix after aggravating an ankle injury in timed practice.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, MX2, MX2 Qualifying Race
2 Alfie Smith did not take any further part in the Grand Prix after picking up an injury in practice.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, MX2, MX2 Races
1 Davy Pootjes broke his collarbone in this race and did not take part in the second race.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, WMX, WMX Races
1Courtney Duncan won her first WMX race on her debut at world championship level.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, WMX, WMX Races
1Courtney Duncan took her first double race win on her world championship debut.


2016 MXGP of Qatar, WMX, WMX Grand Prix Overall
1Courtney Duncan won her first WMX overall grand prix on her debut in the world championship.


2016 MXGP of Thailand
The 2016 MXGP of Thailand was the second round of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship season. It was held at the Suphan Buri track in Suphan Buri Province on 5–6 March 2016 and included the second rounds of the 2016 MXGP and MX2 world championships. The Suphan Buri Motorsport Land facility made its debut as a host of an MXGP event.


2016 MXGP of Thailand, Entry lists
The entry lists for the 2016 MXGP of Thailand were announced on 23 February 2016.


2016 MXGP of Thailand, Entry lists, Entry list
1 Davy Pootjes did not ride due to a broken collarbone sustained at the MXGP of Qatar.


2016 MXGP of Thailand, Entry lists, Entry list
2 Alfie Smith did not ride after separating the ACL in his shoulder at the MXGP of Qatar.


2016 MXGP of Thailand, Entry lists, Entry list
3 Adam Sterry did not ride due to a broken wrist sustained at the MXGP of Qatar.


2016 MXGP of Thailand, MXGP, MXGP Practice Times
1 Clement Desalle is riding the grand prix with a broken arm that he sustained at a pre-season race.


2016 MXGP of Thailand, MX2, MX2 Qualifying Race
1 Dylan Ferrandis dislocated his shoulder and did not take further part in the Grand Prix.


2016 Macau Grand Prix
The 2016 Macau Grand Prix (formally the 63rd Suncity Group Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup) was a Formula Three motor race held on 20 November 2016 at the Guia Circuit in Macau. The 2016 edition marked the first time the Grand Prix was formally called the FIA F3 World Cup  It was also the 63rd running of the event. The 15-lap race was won by Carlin driver António Félix da Costa after starting from pole position. Felix Rosenqvist finished second for Prema Powerteam and Félix da Costa's teammate Sérgio Sette Câmara came in third. Félix Da Costa had won the earlier ten-lap qualification race on Saturday with Callum Ilott second and Sette Cãmara third.


2016 Macau Grand Prix
George Russell won the pole position for the qualification race by setting the fastest lap in the event's second qualifying session but lost the lead to Ilott heading into the first corner. The qualification event was neutralised following an accident involving Hongli Ye and Daiki Sasaki, and when the race restarted four laps later, Félix da Costa drafted Ilott and overtook him to take over the lead. Ilott remained close behind Félix da Costa for the remaining five laps but was unable to reduce the time deficit which would have allowed him to affect an overtaking manoeuvre on him who maintained his advantage to win the qualification race.


2016 Macau Grand Prix
Félix da Costa's qualification race victory ensured that he started from pole position in the main event. He lost the lead and fell to third, behind his fast-starting teammate Sette Cãmara and Ilott. Félix da Costa was able to reclaim second from Ilott and was 0.7 seconds behind Sette Cãmara before a safety car period neutralised the race. He retook first from Sette Cãmara at the lap-seven restart. He pulled away from his teammate until a three-lap safety car period reduced his advantage to nothing.


2016 Macau Grand Prix
Félix da Costa fended off an overtaking manoeuvre from Sette Cãmara at the restart to keep first place. Rosenqvist overtook Sette Cãmara for second but was unable to draw close enough to affect an pass on Félix da Costa who remained in the lead for the rest of the race to win his second Macau Grand Prix. There were two lead changes and two yellow flags during the course of the race.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Entry list and background
The entry list for the Macau Grand Prix was released on 6 October 2016. Initial entries for the race were so large that the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)'s director of circuit competition Frederic Bertrand stated there was a "pent-up desire amongst all these front-runners to prove their mettle in a face-to-face competition." Confusion arose when the race's qualification standards were published with several illegible drivers entered after they would were not granted an invitation to the event due to non-competition in a FIA-sanctioned Formula Three race during the 2016 season. 27 drivers featured in the initial entry list and included the 2015 European Formula Three champion Felix Rosenqvist, who won the race in 2014 and 2015, returning to defend his title, in lieu of Lance Stroll who had other motor racing commitments, and partnering Maximilian Günther and Nick Cassidy.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Entry list and background
Daniel Juncadella returned to drive in the race, replacing Ben Barnicoat, with 24 Hours of Spa winner Alexander Sims, confirmed to participate in the event, after sealing his eligibility in the event by competing at the MotorSport Vision Formula Three Cup season-closing round at Snetterton. Nissan factory driver Jann Mardenborough made his first appearance in the event, while Lando Norris, the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup champion, also made his debut at the track.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Entry list and background
Peter Li was originally slated to return to racing after a six-month absence following a heavy accident at the Red Bull Ring but his seat was taken by Formula E driver António Félix da Costa on the invitation of Carlin owner Trevor Carlin. Félix da Costa, Juncadella and Rosenqvist tested for two days at the Red Bull Ring to prepare for the event. GP3 Series driver Arjun Maini took over from Niko Kari who had other racing duties while Euroformula Open and former MSA Formula Championship drivers Keyvan Andres Soori and Daniel Ticktum completed the 29-driver entry list. Norris, Ticktum and Jake Hughes competed in the season-closing European Formula Three meeting at the Hockenheimring to prepare for Macau.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Entry list and background
The Macau Grand Prix is a Formula Three race considered to be a stepping stone to higher motor racing categories such as Formula One and is the territory's most prestigious international sporting event. The 2016 Macau Grand Prix was the 63rd running of the event and was held on the 6.2 km (3.9 mi) 22-turn Guia Circuit on 20 November 2016. In September 2016, the race's organiser, Barry Bland, resigned following hurried developments which saw teams not receive the event's regulations until late. That same month, the race was granted FIA F3 World Cup status by the FIA, following a restructure in the wake of Bland's resignation, which meant the FIA became the event's regulator.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Entry list and background
It was the first Macau Grand Prix in which Pirelli supplied the teams with tyres, after Yokohama who was the supplier since the event switched to Formula Three regulations in 1983 withdrew. Pirelli's tyre was based on the type used in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship and were tested at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza to simulate Macau's high top speeds. Competitors were granted a maximum allowance of five sets of tyres during the race weekend, up from three the previous year, following issues with the tyres in testing.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Entry list and background
Rosenqvist said that he felt the Pirelli tyres would change the event's aspect drastically and aimed to win it: "The competition in Macau is always super strong, and this year will be no exception. I think really the only one missing is [current European F3 champion] Lance Stroll, but other than that it's as competitive as it could get." Félix da Costa stated he was returning to Macau because of its iconic status and his familiarity with the track.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Entry list and background
When asked if he felt he could achieve the victory, he replied "yes and no" because of not having had experience in Formula Three cars for the previous three years, but said he would give it an attempt and would be pleased to secure a top-five finishing position. The track's fastest lap record holder Sérgio Sette Câmara said it was "amazing" to compete in the event, revealing that he would carry the experience he had from the 2015 edition and express confidence in his car's set-up.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying
Two practice sessions lasting 40 minutes were held before the race on Sunday: one on Thursday morning and one on Friday morning. Rosenqvist was fastest in the first practice session with a time of 2 minutes and 13.099 seconds, which was his final timed lap late in the session. He was four-tenths of a second quicker than the second-fastest driver Callum Ilott who moved out of traffic to drive with a clear track on his fastest lap. Kenta Yamashita was third-fastest, ahead of Juncadella and Norris; the latter was quickest until ten minutes to go in the session.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying
Jake Hughes, Félix da Costa, Sims, David Beckmann and George Russell rounded out the session's top ten drivers. The session was stopped early for 16 minutes when Ferdinand Habsburg went into Fisherman's Bend corner too quickly and understeered into the turn's barriers, causing his car's left-front corner to become lodged under the wall. Habsburg was transported to a local hospital for a precautionary check-up. As a result, the session was extended by five minutes to provide competitors with additional on-track time. Cassidy stopped his car on the front straight with brake problems and Mardenborough made a pit stop because his car's engine cover detached and slowed him. Tadasuke Makino carried excessive speed turning into Lisboa Bend corner and damaged his car's front-left corner in an impact with the turn's exit barrier.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying
Qualifying was split into two sessions; the first was held on Thursday afternoon and ran for 40 minutes with the second held on Friday afternoon and lasted 30 minutes. The fastest time set by each driver from either session counted towards their final starting position for the qualification race. In the first qualifying session, Félix da Costa set a late provisional pole position lap time of 2 minutes and 11.535 seconds, which was two-tenths of a second faster than Ilott who held the pole until Félix da Costa's time. Rosenqvist was third-fastest, ahead of Yamashita in fourth and Juncadella fifth.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying
Sette Cãmara, Norris, Cassidy, Hughes and Sam MacLeod completed the top-ten provisional placings. Sims was the fastest driver not to record a time in the top ten and was 1.065 seconds off Félix da Costa's pace. He was followed by Maini, Russell, Anthoine Hubert and Günther. Ticktum, Pedro Piquet, Chang Wing Chung, Nikita Mazepin and Joel Eriksson completed the top-twenty fastest drivers. The session was red flagged four times: firstly for Yamashita when his wheel became detached from his car, possibly from a split rim. The second was for Sims who was stranded in the centre of Lisboa corner's run-off area, Norris impacted the San Francisco Bend barriers and Eriksson hit the Solitude Esses wall, triggering the third stoppage. The session ended early when Juncadella crashed heavily into the Fisherman's Bend barrier.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying
Despite using old tyres, Ilott drafted off another driver on his final timed circuit and was fastest in the second practice session with a lap of 2 minutes and 10.703 seconds. Maini was half a second slower in second. Yamashita, Rosenqvist, Sette Cãmara, Hughes, Félix da Costa, Norris, Günther and Cassidy completed the top ten ahead of the second qualifying session. Ticktum hit the Maternity Bend wall and returned to the pit lane to end his session early while Sho Tsuboi struck the Lisboa barrier.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying
Hongli Ye lost control of his car and contacted the exit barriers at the Police bend, stranding his vehicle sideways across the circuit, and yellow flags were shown to warn participants about the stricken car. Guanyu Zhou came across the scene and reacted late, causing him to hit his countryman's car, briefly going onto its side before ending up on the tarmac. Both drivers were unhurt but the incident caused the session to end prematurely.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying
Russell was the quickest driver in the second qualifying session, which took place in cool, overcast and later, wet weather conditions, and clinched pole position with a new track record time of 2 minutes and 10.100 seconds which was set late in the session. He was joined on the grid's front row by Ilott who recorded lap 0.370 seconds slower and had the pole position until Russell's lap. Félix da Costa qualified third, Sette Cãmara took fourth and Yamashita started fifth. Hughes and Günther were the next two starters.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying
Rosenqvist heavily locked his tyres at Lisboa corner and was restricted to starting eighth, and Norris and Cassidy rounded out the top ten. Juncadella was the fastest driver not to start in the top ten; his best time of two minutes and 11.470 seconds was 1.370 seconds off Russell's place. He was one-tenth of a second in front of Sims, who in turn, was ahead of teammate Ticktum. Hubert and Beckmann were the next two qualifier. MacLeod, Maini, Mazepin, Eriksson and Zhou rounding out the top-twenty starting drivers.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying
The session was first disrupted when Daiki Sasaki went into the Maternity Bend corner and stopped on the track, before Günther went wide, made impact against the R Bend corner wall and slid across the track, causing the session's second stoppage, to allow debris to be cleared from the circuit. Drivers swerved to avoid hitting the debris on the circuit. Qualifying ended early shortly before it was scheduled to conclude when Maini crashed at Lisboa corner.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Qualification race
A ten-lap qualification race was held on 19 November and the finishing results determined the starting order for the main event. It was scheduled to occur from 12:10 Macau Standard Time (UTC+08:00), but was delayed for one hour because water had blown onto the pit lane straight and Lisboa corner from the nearby grandstands which evaporated upon marshals laying cement to remove the moisture. When the race began from its standing start, Ilott made a fast getaway and passed Russell for the lead heading into the first corner. Félix da Costa got past of Russell shortly afterwards.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Qualification race
Norris, Günther and Hubert made contact with the turn one left-hand side barriers, damaging their cars, with Norris's front wing becoming dislodged and flew into the path of other drivers. The incident caused the cars behind the trio to reduce their speed. Ye however was unable to react and collided with the rear-end of teammate Sasaki's car, launching him into the air and over the latter. Ye landed upright on the circuit. Both drivers were unhurt but the safety car was deployed to allow marshals to extract the cars from the track and clear debris. Norris, Günther, Hubert and Ye retired because of the damage to their cars, while Sasaski made a pit stop for a rear wing replacement.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Qualification race
At the lap-five restart, Félix da Costa ran in Ilott's slipstream and turned right to the outside lane to overtake him for the first position going into Lisboa corner. Yamashita attempted to pass Russell in a manoeuvre that drew him alongside Russell at Mandarin corner; although he went sideways, he regained control of his car. Félix da Costa attempted to drew clear from Ilott but was unable to establish an advantage over him with the two trading fastest lap times and both pull away from Sette Cãmara.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Qualification race
Ilott went wide at the final corner midway through and dropped back from Félix da Costa because he scared himself and did not want to push harder afterwards. Ilott slightly gained on Félix da Costa and observed him avoiding impact with the Lisboa corner barrier when the former went slightly wide and elected to not take risks to reach the end of the race. Piquet passed MacLeod and Beckmann around the outside and under braking for Lisboa corner to move into twelfth on lap eight. Yamashita overtook Russell for fourth place on the ninth lap.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Qualification race
Ilott recorded the qualification race's fastest lap on the same lap, completing a circuit of 2 minutes and 11.445 seconds. Félix da Costa maintained the lead for the remainder of the race to win. Ilott finished second, 0.850 seconds behind with Sette Camara in third, Yamashita fourth and Russell fifth. Rosenqvist drove conservatively to secure sixth place. Juncadella, Ticktum, Sims and Hughes rounded out the top ten finishers.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Main race
The race began at 15:30 local time on 20 November. The damage to Ye's car from the qualification race was so great that he was unable to start the main event. Ilott's right-rear tyre was changed after he reported vibrations on his warm-up lap. As the five red lights went out to signal the start of the race, Ilott made a fast start and moved in front of Félix da Costa.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Main race
However, neither driver took the lead, as Sette Cãmara used the slipstream to his advantage and gained the lead going through Mandarin corner and defended the position heading into the inside of Lisboa corner as other drivers attempted to brake later than him. Félix da Costa managed to claim second position from Ilott with the latter falling to fifth after being passed by Yamashita and Rosenqvist. Rosenqvist made a good start moving from sixth to fourth by the end of the first lap.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Main race
At the end of the first lap, Sette Cãmara led Félix da Costa by 1.2 seconds which he extended by two-tenths of a second at the conclusion of the following lap. Rosenqvist attacked Yamashita on lap two but could not overtake the latter. Yamashita lost third place on the third lap when Rosenqvist overtook him going into Lisboa corner. This allowed Ilott to move to the inside lane and take fourth place from Yamashita at San Francisco Bend despite minor contact between the two drivers.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Main race
On lap four, Günther attempted to pass another car by moving out of its slipstream but sustained a right-rear puncture. His suspension broke on his way to the pit lane, prematurely ending his race. Félix da Costa was able to reduce the time deficit to Sette Camara to be 0.7 seconds behind at the end of lap four until the safety car was deployed following a crash by Mazepin at Faraway corner; the accident was caused by Mazepin overshooting the turn. At the lap-seven restart, Sette Cãmara reacted late to the safety car driving into the pit lane.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Main race
Félix da Costa ran near his teammate, drafted him heading into Mandarin corner, and turned right onto the outside line to gain the lead before the braking point going into Lisboa corner. Félix da Costa began to pull away from Sette Cãmara, leading him by 1.7 seconds by the start of lap 10 which saw the second deployment of the safety car when Cassidy (who started from 28th after changing his engine) impacted the Paiol corner barrier. The race restarted three laps later with Félix da Costa leading Sette Cãmara. The latter drew alongside his Carlin teammate heading towards Lisboa corner but Félix da Costa held the lead by turning onto the inside line.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Main race
Rosenqvist attempted to replicate his earlier overtaking manoeuvre on Sette Cãmara but was not successful. Yamashita and Ilott made contact with each other but the former was able to move into fourth place after passing Ilott. Sette Cãmara slid sideways at Fisherman's Bend corner, allowing Rosenqvist to get into his slipstream. Rosenqvist went to the outside line and passed Sette Cãmara driving into Lisboa corner to move into second place. Piquet collided with Ticktum, ending Ticktum's race while MacLeod went wide off the track in order to avoid a multi-car accident.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Main race
Rosenqvist began catching Félix da Costa by setting the race's fastest lap on lap 14, completing a circuit of 2 minutes and 11.080 seconds, but could not get close to the latter, though yellow flags were waved for Maini who drove straight at Lisboa corner. Félix da Costa controlled the lead for the remainder of the race to clinch the victory. It was the second Macau Grand Prix win of Félix da Costa's career. Rosenqvist finished in second place, 1.603 seconds behind, with Sette Cãmara in third, Yamashita fourth and Ilott fifth. Hughes, Russell, Juncadella, Piquet and Sims completed the top ten finishers. The race had two yellow flag periods and two lead changes among two different drivers. Félix da Costa led once for a total of nine laps, more than any other competitor.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Main race, Post-race
The top three finishers appeared on the podium to collect their trophies and spoke to the media in a later press conference. Félix da Costa said he was happy that all the plans he had for every scenario worked, attributing it to experience, and the victory was beyond his comprehension, considering his lack of experience with Formula Three machinery in the previous three years.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Main race, Post-race
He stated that he would not return to competing in the Macau Grand Prix in the future in a Formula Three car and wanted to return in Grand Touring machinery but felt more satisfied about the victory because he was not originally scheduled to attend the event. Rosenqvist, who finished in second said, it had been "a tough weekend where everything felt that it was against us" and had to work hard to improve when he was presented with the opportunity. He further added that he attacked from the race's start and accepted his second-place result.


2016 Macau Grand Prix, Main race, Post-race
Third-place finisher Sette Cãmara said he was delighted with the experience of observing two more experienced drivers than him on how they battled during the event. He further stated that observing them helped educate him on what was required to win the Macau Grand Prix and revealed his desire to return to the race.


2016 Macau Open Grand Prix Gold
The 2016 Macau Open Grand Prix Gold will be the 21st grand prix's badminton tournament of the 2016 BWF Grand Prix Gold and Grand Prix. The tournament will be held at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion Macau in Macau in the 29 November - 4 December 2016 and had a total purse of $120,000.


2016 Macedonian floods
In August 2016, several rainstorms hit the western and northwestern parts of the Republic of Macedonia. On 6 August 2016, a storm with strong winds and flooding hit Skopje and the western parts of the country, leaving at least 21 people dead and dozens injured or missing.


2016 Macedonian floods, Events
In the afternoon of 6 August 2016 at 5:30 pm CEST, a heavy rain began falling in the area of the country's capital Skopje, resulting in strong winds and floods. The rain was reported to have stopped around 9:30 am CEST the next day, with the peak of the storm in the middle of the night, around 3:30 am CEST. Macedonia's weather service reported that 93 litres per square metre (1.9 imp gal/sq ft) fell in two hours on Skopje, which is equivalent to the average for an entire month of August.


2016 Macedonian floods, Events
The water level of some of the areas affected reached a height of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in), which was being combed by Macedonia's police and army for survivors and other victims. Meteorologists reported that more than 800 lightning strikes were recorded in the first two hours of the storm, which went on for about five hours in total. At least 21 people died, with dozens of others injured or missing. The local media reported that the ambulances were called 65 times in the city, more than 20 people were treated and the army were called in to help. Three villages to the northeast of the city were cut off due to landslides.


2016 Macedonian floods, Reactions
The deputy prime minister Nikola Todorov called the storm a "catastrophe of unprecedented proportion". Mayor of Skopje Koce Trajanovski said that the city never experienced such a disaster. The government declared state of emergency and 8 August was declared national day of mourning.


2016 Macedonian parliamentary election
Early parliamentary elections were held in Macedonia on 11 December 2016, having originally been planned for 24 April and later 5 June. The Electoral Commission called a re-run for 25 December 2016 in Tearce and Gostivar, though in Gostivar it was called off after the VMRO-DPMNE filed a lawsuit against the decision, and in Tearce the outcome was unchanged.


2016 Macedonian parliamentary election
Although VMRO-DPMNE attempted to form a coalition with BDI, coalition talks broke down in late January 2017. After that, the SDSM pursued informal coalition talks with the BDI, though as of late February 2017, coalition talks were frozen on the usage of the Albanian language.


2016 Macedonian parliamentary election, Background
The elections were called as part of an agreement brokered by the European Union to end the protests against the government of Nikola Gruevski. The demonstrations were sparked by the wiretapping scandal involving high ranking politicians and security personnel. From 20 October 2015, a transitional government was installed including the two main parties, VMRO-DPMNE and the Social Democratic Union (SDSM). A new special prosecutor was appointed to investigate Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and government ministers. According to the Pržino Agreement signed in mid-December 2015, Gruevski was required to resign as Prime Minister 120 days before the elections. Assembly speaker Trajko Veljanovski confirmed the date on 18 October.


2016 Macedonian parliamentary election, Electoral system
Of the 123 seats in the Assembly of the Republic, 120 are elected from six 20-seat constituencies in Macedonia using closed list proportional representation, with seats allocated using the d'Hondt method. The remaining three members are elected by Macedonians living abroad. However, the overseas seats would only be validated if the candidates won enough votes. As they did not, the seats were not awarded.


2016 Macedonian protests
In April 2016, protests began in the Republic of Macedonia against the incumbent President Gjorgje Ivanov and the government led by the interim Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev from the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party. Referred to by some as the Colorful Revolution (Macedonian: Шарена револуција), the protests have started after the controversial decision by President Gjorgje Ivanov to stop the investigation against former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and dozens of politicians who were allegedly involved in a wiretapping scandal.


2016 Macedonian protests
The demonstrations were organized by "Protestiram" (I protest) and supported from coalition led by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, and other opposition parties, also the newly formed Levica (The Left) demanding that the government resigns for the formation of a technical government, and that the parliamentary elections planned for 5 June 2016 are cancelled, on the grounds that the conditions for free and transparent elections are not in place. The government and its supporters, who have organized pro-government rallies, maintain that the elections on June 5 are the only solution to the political crisis, with some observers blaming the opposition for creating a "Ukraine scenario" in Macedonia.


2016 Macedonian protests
Initially taking place in Skopje, the capital, both anti- and pro-government protests have also occurred in other cities in the country, including Bitola, Kicevo, Kočani, Veles, Strumica, Prilep, Kumanovo and Tetovo. Thousands of people have taken part in the demonstrations. The European Union and the United States criticized the government of Macedonia for the pardon of the politicians and stated that Macedonia's prospects of becoming a member of the EU and NATO were under threat because of it. In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia labelled the Macedonian opposition as a tool of foreign powers being used to destabilize the political situation in the country.


2016 Macedonian protests, Background
Large protests occurred in May 2015 in the Republic of Macedonia against the government of Prime Minister of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, following the publication of information by opposition leader Zoran Zaev that suggested Gruevski had thousands of Macedonian citizens wiretapped. Many people protested against alleged government corruption, with estimates putting the number of demonstrators in the tens of thousands, demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister. Pro -government rallies occurred as well, which also had tens of thousands attendees. An agreement, brokered by the European Union and the United States, was worked on in June and July 2015. As part of the agreement, Gruevski resigned in January 2016 and pledged to hold early elections, which were decided on later that year to be held on June 5.


2016 Macedonian protests, Background
On 12 April 2016 President of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov halted judicial inquiries into 56 officials suspected of involvement in the wiretapping scandal. Ivanov stated to have done so in the best interest of the country, and to end the political crisis. His party of appointment, the VMRO-DPMNE allegedly did not agree with his action. Opposition leader Zoran Zaev  subsequently called for supporting anti-government protests organized by NGOs.


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
Demonstrations have begun on 12 April 2016, with reports suggesting that about 4,000+ people took part. Crowds broke through a police cordon towards government buildings, throwing flares at President Ivanov's offices and burning portraits of him. More actions occurred on 14 April, with five police officers being injured from people throwing rocks and one protester being detained. The demonstration that occurred on 16 April and ended peacefully, but on 17 April protesters threw eggs and stones at the triumphal arc on Skopje. Thousands of people demonstrated in Skopje on 15 April, carrying white flags and banners. On 18 April, it was reported that more than ten thousand people took part in demonstrations in Skopje, with protests also happening in other cities of Macedonia (including Bitola, Strumica and Veles).


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
The protest on 19 April began in front of the special prosecutor's office, preceded to parliament and was stopped by police before reaching the EU mission. It numbered in the thousands. Several thousand people turned out for demonstrations on the eighth day of the protest, 20 April. At this point, throwing colours at various governmental buildings and monuments of the Skopje 2014 project had become a regular feature at the protests, and the term „colourful revolution“ gained some popularity among the protesters and the social media.


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
The eight day journalists began referring to the protests as „colorful revolution“ - with Kristina Ozimec's article for Deutsche Welle being the first to use the term. Also on that day, Zaev announced that he would not be willing to take part in EU-brokered talks in Vienna (proposed by European Commissioner Johannes Hahn two days earlier) unless certain conditions are met. On 21 April, two rallies were held near each other in Skopje, each attended by thousands of people.


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
One was anti-government, organized by the SDSM and the "Protestiram" (I Protest) organization, while the second was organized by the Citizens for Macedonian Defense (GDOM, in Macedonian), supported by the ruling VMRO party. The anti-government protest started in front of the special prosecutor's building, where protesters shouted "No Justice No Peace" and "Support the SJO" (special prosecution). The pro-government protesters shouted "No one can harm you Nikola" and carried anti-NATO banners. On 22 April in 11 cities in Macedonia there was big anti government demonstrations organized by "Protestiram" (I Protest) organization and supported by united opposition of Macedonia. On the same day European Union announced sanctions for politics and persons from VMRO-DPMNE.


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
On 23 April the anti-government protests continued in several cities in the country. Next day, Zdravko Saveski, member of the collective presidency of the left-wing party Levica (the Left) and one other member of the same party were put in house custody. Previously, three more protesters were put in house custody. The protests organized by "Protestiram" (I protest) and supported by the opposition and nongovernmental organizations continued in several cities and the between 15,000 and 20,000 demonstrators in Skopje protest in front of the parliament, the several ministry, and in front of the government.


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
On 25 April a large pro-government rally occurred in Bitola, organized by the Citizens for Macedonian Defense (GDOM, in Macedonian), with thousands in attendance. They rallied in support of the planned parliamentary elections on June 5. On Tuesday, 26 April the anti-government protests begin in new 3 cities: Tetovo, Kicevo and Radovis, and this day there was protest in 15 cities in Macedonia. There was a pro-government rally on April 27, organized by GDOM in the city of Kicevo in support of the planned parliamentary elections on June 5. The anti-government protests continued after the holidays on 2 and 3 May in Skopje, Tetovo, Bitola, Prilep, Strumica, Kumanovo and Gevgelija. In Skopje demonstrators protests in front of parliament, government and courts.


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
On 4 May farmers join the "Protestiram" (I protest) movement with road block in the country. Also on that day, mass pro-government demonstrations organized by the GDOM occurred in Bitola, Stip, Veles, Delcevo, Gevgelija, Strumica, Kumanovo, Tetovo and Radovis, in support of the June 5 elections. A spokesperson for the GDOM told the media that they needed to prevent destructive scenarios and allow the people to make their decision by voting in the scheduled elections. On 6 May 2016 there were anti-government protests in 14 cities around the country.


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
In Skopje demonstrators with symbols of resistance, and the sung the resistance song "Bella Ciao" in front of the parliament and the government. On May 5, the government of Germany appointed a special envoy, the former German ambassador to Yugoslavia, to help resolve the political crisis. Another GDOM demonstration occurred in Bitola on May 7. On 9 May thousands demonstrators in Skopje with Macedonian and EU flags, songs and resistance symbols protested in front of the parliament and government buildings. That day there were also  anti-government demonstrations in 11 other cities in the country including Strumica, Bitola, Prilep and Berovo.


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
On 12 May the demonstrators protested in several cities in country. In Skopje thousands of demonstrators protested in front of home of former prime minister and leader of VMRO-DPMNE. The anti-government protests continued and on 14 May there were anti-government protests in 12 cities. In Skopje, Prilep and Strumica on this day the numbers of anti-government demonstrators was thousands. On the same day there were two GDOM pro-government protests in Kicevo and Bitola. Also, on the same day the state election commission (Macedonian: Државна изборна комисија - "ДИК") released that only two parties including VMRO-DPMNE submitted lists for elections.


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
The SDSM and 16 parties part of 'platform for democratic Macedonia', ruling Democratic Union for Integration, Democratic Party of Albanians, "Levica" and others opposition parties in country didn't submit election lists and decided to boycott the elections because as they said there weren't the minimal conditions to free, fair and democratic elections. Next day world media stated that VMRO-DPMNE was only party running and that elections would have to be postponed because according to constitution of Republic of Macedonia more than one party must be running at the elections. On 18 May, the Constitutional court of Republic of Macedonia cancelled the elections and suggested to the parliament to change the election rule and postpone the early elections. The anti-government protests and demonstrations continued in the next days and weeks in several cities.


2016 Macedonian protests, The protests
On 26 May Macedonian media released that the next day the parliament will begin a procedure for impeachment of president Ivanov, supported by the main opposition party SDSM, with other parties from the opposition coalition such as NSDP and LDP, and other parties such as DOM, DS, and ruling DUI. On 6 June there was a huge anti-government demonstrations in Skopje and Bitola. The demonstrators gave an ultimatum on the 18th of June to the government and president Ivanov to resign. The same day president Ivanov overturned abolition. On 17 June there was an anti-government protest to warn the government and president that it was the last day for the ultimatum from the "Протестирам" (I protest) to Ivanov and government to resign. On  June 20, tens of thousands took part of massive anti-government demonstrations in the capital Skopje.


2016 Macedonian protests, Reactions, Domestic
After three political parties asked him to reconsider, President Ivanov announced on 15 April that he will stand by his decision regarding the amnesty of politicians. He said, "I think the decision protects the state interest and I inform you that I am standing by it." When the EU offered to host negotiations in Vienna, Zaev stated that he would only be willing to do so if "Ivanov withdraws all the pardons he granted, and ... parliament re-convenes and revokes the decision to call elections on June 5th, because there are no conditions for it." In late April police placed five demonstrators under house arrest, among them Zdravko Saveski and Vladimir Kunovski, members of presidium of "Levica" (the left), for vandalizing the presidential offices.


2016 Macedonian protests, Reactions, Domestic
One of the country's largest parties and member of the government coalition, the ethnic Albanian party Democratic Union for Integration, questioned the legitimacy of the elections for June 5, saying that they would not be possible without the opposition's participation. On May 11, another two Albanian parties in Macedonia proclaimed that they would join the boycott of the elections.


2016 Mackay Cutters season
The 2016 Mackay Cutters season was the ninth in the club's history. Coached by David Simpson and captained by Brenden Treston, they competed in the QRL's Intrust Super Cup.


2016 Mackay Cutters season
On 23 June, after just one win from their first 15 games, Simpson resigned and was replaced by Jim Wilson. The Cutters endured one of the worst seasons in their history, winning just four games and finishing last.


2016 Mackay Cutters season, Season summary
Following the departure of premiership-winning head coach Kim Williams, his assistant David Simpson was named as the club's head coach for 2016. His reign at the club got off to a disastrous start, as the side won just one of their first 15 games. Sitting in dead last on the ladder, Simpson resigned on 23 June and was replaced by his assistant Jim Wilson, who took the job on an interim basis for the rest of the season.


2016 Mackay Cutters season, Season summary
Under Wilson, the club won three of their final nine games and finished the season in last place, winning their second wooden spoon. One of the few positive stories of the season for the Cutters was the rise of North Queensland Cowboys-contracted hooker Josh Chudleigh, who on the Courier Mail Medal for Queensland Cup Player of the Year. He was also named the club's Player of the Year at their end of season awards night.


2016 Magdalen Islands Mitsubishi MU-2 crash
On 29 March 2016, a Mitsubishi MU-2 operated by Aero Teknic, a Canadian aircraft maintenance company, crashed on approach to Îles-de-la-Madeleine Airport, killing former Canadian politician Jean Lapierre, several members of his family, and the two pilots. Lapierre was flying to his father's funeral with his wife and three siblings. While one man survived the crash, he died of a heart attack after being pulled from the wreckage.


2016 Magdalen Islands Mitsubishi MU-2 crash, Accident
Before departure, Jean Lapierre mentioned that he was concerned about flying during bad weather. The aircraft left Montreal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport in Saint-Hubert, Quebec at 0931 Eastern Daylight Time and was destined for the Îles-de-la-Madeleine Airport, on Havre aux Maisons island in the Magdalen Islands, also in Quebec. A little over two hours later (1240 Atlantic Daylight Time), the aircraft collided with terrain in Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, about 2 km from Îles-de-la-Madeleine Airport, the flight's intended destination.


2016 Magdalen Islands Mitsubishi MU-2 crash, Accident
At the time of the accident, there was light rain and mist. The visibility was 4 kilometres with a cloud ceiling of 61 metres. The air temperature was 0 °C with east-northeast winds at 37 kilometres per hour, gusting to 56 kilometres per hour. The aircraft had been cleared to land on Îles-de-la-Madeleine's Runway 07 prior to the crash.


2016 Magdalen Islands Mitsubishi MU-2 crash, Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) opened an investigation and sent a group of investigators to the site.


2016 Magdalen Islands Mitsubishi MU-2 crash, Investigation
Preliminary observations by the investigators indicated that the aircraft was in a slightly left-wing-low-and-nose-high attitude on impact. The wreckage was contained in a field 150 metres square about two kilometres southwest of Îles-de-la-Madeleine Airport; the aircraft had hit the ground and slid for 91 metres before coming to a stop. Examination of the wreckage showed the engines were running until the impact with the ground. The MU-2 was not fitted with flight recorders (which are not required for light aircraft), but a different type of onboard recording device was installed and it appeared to be intact. The wreckage was removed from the crash site and transported to the TSB's laboratory in Ottawa on April 6. The investigation has concluded. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board sent a representative to the American-built plane's crash site. Mitsubishi also sent investigators to the site.


2016 Magdalen Islands Mitsubishi MU-2 crash, Victims
The victims include the two pilots, Captain Pascal Gosselin and co-pilot Fabrice Labourel. Jean Lapierre, his wife, his two brothers and one of his two sisters were also killed.


2016 Magdalen Islands Mitsubishi MU-2 crash, Victims
Jean Lapierre was a former Canadian Federal Member of Parliament and former Minister of Transport in Prime Minister Paul Martin's cabinet. He was Paul Martin's Quebec lieutenant during Martin's time as Prime Minister, and a member of the Liberal party. Lapierre eventually became a well-known Quebec broadcaster and talk-show host.


2016 Magdalen Islands Mitsubishi MU-2 crash, Victims
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former Prime Minister Paul Martin, and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre all expressed their sadness at Lapierre's death. The funeral of Lapierre and his wife was held on April 16 and was attended by the current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife.


2016 Magnanville stabbing
On 13 June 2016, a police officer and his partner, a police secretary, were stabbed to death in their home in Magnanville, France, located about 55 km (34 mi) west of Paris, by a man convicted in 2013 of associating with a group planning terrorist acts. Amaq News Agency, an online outlet said to be sponsored by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), said that a source had claimed that ISIL was behind the attack, an assertion that was later validated.


2016 Magnanville stabbing
Prosecutor François Molins said the attacker, Larossi Abballa, appeared to be acting on a recent general order from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to "kill miscreants at home with their families" during the month of Ramadan.


2016 Magnanville stabbing
On 18 June, prosecutors charged two men, on suspicion that Aballa was not acting alone. One of them was released in January 2017 under court-supervised parole.


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Attack
On the evening of 13 June 2016, in Magnanville, France, Jean-Baptiste Salvaing, a 42-year-old police commanding officer at the Mureaux police station, was coming home after work to his house in allée des Perdrix. Around 8:00 p.m., a 25-year-old man, Larossi Abballa, parked his car 20 m away from the victim's house and hid behind the front gate of the house.


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Attack
The police officer entered his property at around 8:30 p.m. and Abballa immediately attacked him, stabbing him twice, while shouting "Allahu akbar." The victim managed to flee into the street, where he met a neighbour and asked him to call emergency services and get to cover. Abballa finally caught up with the police officer, stabbing him again several times before barricading himself in the house of his victim. Inside the house, he murdered the victim's partner, Jessica Schneider, a 36-year-old administration worker at the Mantes-la-Jolie police station, by slitting her throat. The couple's three-year-old child remained unharmed.


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Attack
Inside the house, at 8:52 p.m., Abballa started a Facebook Live broadcast on his mobile phone while the RAID and BRI police special forces converged on the crime scene and set up an attack plan. In his 13-minute-long live broadcast, Abballa claimed his double murder and his allegiance to Abu Mohammad al-Adnani, ISIL's spokesperson, considered as the leader of the November 2015 Paris attacks. He called for "attacks on police personnel, journalists, public figures and rappers", citing several public figures.


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Attack
He also claimed "we are going to make the Euro a cemetery", referring to the ongoing UEFA Euro 2016 football competition, taking place in France at that time. He also mentioned the couple's child, who was still alive, saying "I don't know what I am going to do with him yet". On the scene, police teams evacuated and locked-down the area around the house. The RAID special unit attempted to negotiate with Abballa. During these negotiations, Abballa said he was a practicing Muslim, that he was observing Ramadan, and that he swore allegiance three weeks earlier to ISIL leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. He also said he answered a call from Al-Baghdadi to "kill the infidels, at their homes with their families".


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Attack
Later in the night, after unsuccessful attempts at negotiating with the suspect, and threats from the suspect to "blow the place up if the police tried to break in", the RAID assault team, along with BRI officers, entered the house around 12:00 a.m. and killed Abballa in a firefight. They retrieved the body of the police officer's partner and their three-year-old son, who was alive but in shock.


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Perpetrator
The assailant, 25-year-old Larossi Abballa, was a French citizen of Moroccan descent from the suburb of Mantes-la-Jolie. He was born in Meulan, France. Abballa had a police record for theft and violence by 2011. In that year, Abballa, then age 20, was arrested for his participation in a group that recruited would-be jihadis to go to Pakistan and Afghanistan for training. Abballa and seven other men were convicted in Paris in 2013 for their involvement in the plot; Abballa was convicted of "criminal association with the aim of preparing terrorist acts."


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Perpetrator
On 30 September 2013, Abballa was sentenced to three years in prison, six months of which were suspended; because he had already spent two years and two months in jail awaiting trial, he was released after being sentenced. Abballa was under surveillance for several years after his release, but this monitoring ended in 2015. The New York Times described the attack as "tied to the Islamic State," citing al-Adnani's pre-Ramadan speech urging attacks on Europe and the United States.


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Court proceedings
On 18 June, prosecutors charged two men, Charaf-Din Aberouz and Saad Rajraji, who had been convicted in 2013 of "being part of a French jihadist group," on suspicion that Abballa "wasn't acting alone." Rajraji was released in January 2017, under court-supervised parole.


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Reactions
French President François Hollande said the attack was "unquestionably" terrorism.


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Reactions
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on France Inter radio: "I said we were at war, that this war will take a generation, that it will be long."


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Reactions
On 3 August 2016, both victims were posthumously knighted with the Légion d'honneur, the highest French order of merit.


2016 Magnanville stabbing, Similar attacks
In February 2017, The New York Times reported that the Magnanville attack was part of a group at least other four knife attacks in France in a span of 13-months, including the Louvre machete attack of 2017, the January 2016 Paris police station attack and the 2016 St-Etienne de Rouvray beheading attack.


2016 Magny-Cours Superbike World Championship round
The 2016 Magny-Cours Superbike World Championship round was the eleventh round of the 2016 Superbike World Championship. It took place over the weekend of 30 September and 1–2 October 2016 at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours.


2016 Magway F.C. season, Staffs, 2016 First team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2016 Magway F.C. season, Transfers
In:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2016 Magway F.C. season, Transfers
Out:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's basketball)
The 2016 Magyar Kupa (men's basketball) was the 50th season of the Hungarian Basketball Cup. Egis Körmend won its 7th national Cup championship. Trey McKinney-Jones was named Most Valuable Player. The tournament was held at the SYMA Sports and Conference Center in Budapest.


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's basketball), Qualification
Teams qualified based on their position in the 2015–16 Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A (men's basketball) season.


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's basketball), Final
Szolnoki Olaj KK - Egis Körmend 55-68 (36-27), Quarters: 18-17, 36-27, 44-49, 55-68. Referees: Földházi, Pálla, Kapitány


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's basketball), Final
Szolnoki Olaj (Pór): Wittmann 6, P. Kovács 3, Vojvoda 18, Milošević 8, Gregory 2 / Burrel 9, Keller 5, Borisov, Jones 4.


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's basketball), Final
Körmend (Čizmić): Petty 19, Channels 13, McKinney-Jones 20, Farkas, Duinker 8 / N. Tóth 6, Ferencz, Lakosa, Dickerson 2.


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's water polo)
The 2016 Magyar Kupa, known as (Hungarian: BENU Férfi Magyar Kupa) for sponsorship reasons, is the 90th edition of the tournament.


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's water polo), Schedule
The rounds of the 2016–17 competition are scheduled as follows:


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's water polo), Matches, Preliminary round
The first round ties are scheduled for 23, 24 September 2016.


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's water polo), Matches, Preliminary round, Group B
Tournament will be played at Kanizsa Uszoda és Strandfürdő, Nagykanizsa.


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's water polo), Matches, Preliminary round, Group C
Tournament will be played at Abay Nemes Oszkár Sportuszoda, Pécs.


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's water polo), Matches, Quarter-finals
Quarter-final matches were played on 26 November and 3 December 2016.


2016 Magyar Kupa (men's water polo), Final four
The final four will be held on 17 and 18 December 2016 at the Tüskecsarnok Uszoda in Budapest, XI. ker.


2016 Magyar Kupa Final
The Magyar Kupa Final was the final match of the 2015–16 Magyar Kupa, played between Újpest and Ferencváros.


2016 Mahamaham
2016 Mahamaham (2016 மகாமகம்) is a recurring festival most recently celebrated at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India from 13 February 2016 to 22 February 2016. Mahamaham, also known as Mahamagham or Mamangam, is a Hindu festival celebrated every 12 years in the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam.


2016 Mahamaham, Background
Anticipating a deluge that would destroy the world, the creator Brahma sought the help of the lord Shiva, who created a pot containing nectar and the seeds of creation. Brahma decorated the pot with coconut, darbha, mango leaves, sacred thread, vastram and vilvam and performed worshipful puja, placing the pot atop the Meru Hill. When the deluge struck, the pot came to rest in Kumbakonam. Shiva, as a hunter, appeared and opened the pot, and nectar dispersed from it in different directions, emerging as sacred theertham water in the holy Potramarai tank (Sarangapani temple) and Mahamaham tank.


2016 Mahamaham, Bath in holy tank
To bathe in the holy tank is said to bring good fortune. The tank has 20 wells named after 20 holy rivers flowing across the country. Belief holds that a dip in these wells rids one of a specific sin and confers a specific blessing to the devotee. Thousands of devotees took a dip in the Mahamaham tank on the opening day of the once-in-12 years gathering in the Thanjavur district. The festival, with its tank bathing tradition, extends over 10 days (Brahmothsavam).


2016 Mahamaham, Bath in holy tank
The festivities are also observed with smaller crowds in the Magha month (about February) every year between the 12-year Maha (major) cycle. In interim years, the event is called the Masi-maham festival. During festival days, devotees were permitted to bathe in the Mahamaham tank from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Because the tank's 20 wells are named after the country's holy rivers, devotees believe that to take a dip here during the festival is equivalent to bathing in all of these rivers.


2016 Mahamaham, Bath in holy tank
People anticipated the 2016 festival for over a year. In connection with it kumbabishegams rituals were held in many temples in Kumbakonam. On the auspicious first day, pandakkal muhurtham was held in many temples followed by hoisting of temples, float festival and tirttavari. On the last two days, (i.e., on 21 and 22 February 2016) all temples were opened from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The 22nd of February 2016 was proclaimed a local holiday in the Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts. On festival days the tank held only two feet of water for safety reasons. Even after the culmination of festival, devotees were found taking bath in the temple.


2016 Mahamaham, Pandakkal muhurttham
In all temples connected with Mahamaham, on 24 January 2016, Pandakkal muhurttham was held, an event signifying the start of the festival. The merging of holy water in the Mahamaham tank k and opening of water in Mahamaham took place on 12 February 2016. To avoid a crowd and sudden rush, devotees were allowed to bathe before 6:00 a.m. on 13 February 2016. In 40 days over 45 lakh (4.5 million) devotees participated in the festival, and it concluded to the satisfaction of one and all.


2016 Mahamaham, Hoisting of temple flag
In Shiva temples on 13 February 2016, and in Vishnu temples on 14 February 2016 temple flags were hoisted. In Kumbeswarar Temple, Nageswara Temple, Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Abimukeswarar Temple, Kahahasteeswarar Temple and Someswarar Temple festivities were held for 10 days. In Brahmotsavam and in Ekambareswarar Temple, Gowthameswarar Temple, Kambatta Visvanathar Temple, Banapuriswarar Temple, Koteeswarar Temple, and Amirthakalasanathar Temple they were held for one day.


2016 Mahamaham, Chariot festival
Arrangements were made for chariot festivals at the Abimukeswarar Temple and the Nageswarar Temple, and on 21 February 2016 at the Kumbeswarar Temple on 22 February 2016 After four Mahamahams, five temple chariots run at one stretch, at Kumbeswarar Temple. Chariot festivals of Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Abimukeswarar Temple and Nageswara Temple were held on 21 February 2016.


2016 Mahamaham, Tirttavari
"Asthira Devar" — (‘Trishul’ with images of the respective Gods) of each temple were brought and ‘abishekams’ were performed. At the auspicious time, priests took the ‘Asthira Devars’ and immersed them in the tank and bathed, signaling the fulfillment of the  "Theerthavari". The Tirttavari Trial for Tirttavari was held on 6 February 2016. For Shiva temples it was held on 22 February 2016 between 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. in the Mahamaham Tank. For five Vishnu temples it was held on the banks of Kaveri. Those five temples are Sarangapani Temple, Chakrapani Temple, Ramaswamy Temple, Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and Varahaperumal Temple.


2016 Mahamaham, Tirttavari
During Tirttavari, processional deities of 12 Shiva temples were kept on the Nandi vahana and went around the town's main streets. Later, in the Mahamaham tank, special abisegam sprinkling rituals were held to Astra devars, and Tirttavari was held. For five Vishnu temples, Tirttavari was held to astradevars at Sarangapani Tirttavari mandapa, near to Sakkarai ghat, known as Sakkara paditthurai in Tamil.


2016 Mahamaham, Cultural programmes
In connection with Mahamaham, exhibitions and cultural programmes were held in five places in Kumbakonam. From 13 February 2016 Government Exhibition was held in the ground of Town Higher Secondary School. A book exhibition was held from 20 February 2016.


2016 Mahamaham, Commemoration volumes
Special postcards Mahamaham Special cover and calendars with photographs of the processional deities of 12 Shiva temples and five Vishnu temples were also released. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu and Saraswathi Mahal Library released commemorative volumes with articles about various aspects such religion, the arts, temples and Kumbakonam.


2016 Mahamaham, Arrangements
The Kumbakonam Municipality, in its sesquicentennial year, 2016, has spent over Rs. 50 crore ($6.8 million US) to improve civic infrastructure to ensure a hygienic and memorable environment for visiting devotees of Mahamham; his investment included special arrangements to improve facilities such as water supply, street lighting, bio-mining work, town roads and sanitary lines. Police also made elaborate security arrangements to prevent stampedes. A strong team of 25,000 policemen and 3,000 home guards was deployed throughout the town. All vehicles were halted at least one and half km from the temple, and all temples were cordoned off.


2016 Mahamaham, Other Tanks
The tanks of Kumbakonam got a new lease of life thanks to Mahamaham. They are the Pachaiyappan tank, Sei Kulam, Ayee Kulam, Bairagi Kulam, Pidari Kulam and Banadurai Kulam.


2016 Maidstone Borough Council election
The 2016 Maidstone Borough Council election took place on 5 May 2016 to elect members of Maidstone Borough Council in England. This was on the same day as other local elections.


2016 Maine Black Bears football team
The 2016 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine in the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by first-year head coach Joe Harasymiak and played their home games at Alfond Stadium. They were a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. They finished the season 6–5, 5–3 in CAA play to finish in a tie for fourth place.


2016 Maine Democratic presidential caucuses
The 2016 Maine Democratic presidential caucuses took place on March 6 in the U.S. state of Maine as one of the Democratic Party's primaries ahead of the 2016 presidential election.


2016 Maine Democratic presidential caucuses
While on the same day, the Democratic Party didn't hold any other primary, the Republican Party held its Puerto Rico primary the same day.


2016 Maine Democratic presidential caucuses, Analysis
Bernie Sanders scored a large two-to-one victory in Maine, thanks to  support in a caucus contest (which favored Sanders) and one that had previously voted for Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Maine Democratic presidential caucuses. Sanders won in the cities of Portland and Bangor quite comfortably, but his particular strength was in rural areas outside of the cities where he ran up big margins.


2016 Maine Democratic presidential caucuses, Analysis
Sanders's landslide Maine victory limited Clinton's success in New England to a slim victory in Massachusetts and a more comfortable win in Connecticut on April 26.


2016 Maine Question 1
Maine Question 1, formally An Act to Legalize Marijuana, is a citizen-initiated referendum question that qualified for the Maine November 8, 2016 statewide ballot. It was qualified for the ballot after a Maine Superior Court judge ordered that petitions rejected by the Maine Secretary of State be reconsidered. The proposal sought to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Maine for those over the age of 21, and institute a 10 percent tax on its sale. As the Maine Legislature and Governor Paul LePage declined to enact the proposal as written, it appeared on the ballot along with elections for President of the United States, Maine's two U.S. House seats, the Legislature, other statewide ballot questions, and various local elections.


2016 Maine Question 1
According to uncertified results, the referendum passed by 50.3% to 49.7%, a margin of under 5,000 votes. On November 10, two days after the election, the Associated Press called the result in favor of the "Yes" vote. However, opponents of the measure requested a recount and then withdrew their request on December 17.


2016 Maine Question 1
After the partially completed recount, the results were certified as 381,768 in favor and 377,773 opposed. As of 2021, Question 1's results remain the narrowest margin of victory for any successful marijuana legalization measure in U.S. history.


2016 Maine Question 1, Background
The passage of ballot measures in Colorado and Washington in 2012 which legalize marijuana has led to efforts across the United States to do so. The use of marijuana for medical purposes has been legal in Maine since 1999. Attempts by the Maine Legislature to legalize recreational marijuana have not succeeded, including one effort to put the question directly onto the ballot. Some success in legalization has been seen at the local level, with Portland legalizing recreational use in 2013 by a wide margin. It has also been legalized in South Portland but a legalization effort in Lewiston failed.


2016 Maine Question 1, Background
Petitions for two separate groups to collect signatures to place a ballot measure on the 2016 ballot were issued by the Maine Secretary of State's Office, one on April 28, 2015 to a group called Legalize Maine, and another on June 3, 2016 to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which is affiliated with the Marijuana Policy Project. The two proposals were similar but Legalize Maine's was more permissible, legalizing up to 2.5 oz. for use by those 21 and older, as opposed to only 1 oz. under the MPP's proposal.


2016 Maine Question 1, Background
It also called for a 10 percent tax on marijuana. Legalize Maine promoted their proposal as "home grown". The two groups agreed to combine their efforts on October 26, 2015 and coalesce behind Legalize Maine's proposal, so that there would only be one legalization effort. An effort by State Rep. Mark Dion (D-Portland) to pass a bill legalizing marijuana failed on June 22, 2015, largely because legislators did not want to undercut the petition gathering effort. Dion had felt that the Legislature should get out in front on this issue to avoid having to fix a poorly written referendum proposal later.


2016 Maine Question 1, Background
Supporters of legalization turned in 99,929 signatures to Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap on February 1, 2016. A small group protested those delivering the signatures outside the Secretary's Office, objecting to out of state groups being involved in the legalization effort.


2016 Maine Question 1, Background, Status of petitions
Dunlap announced on March 2, 2016 that the petition gathering effort had failed and the issue did not qualify for the ballot. He stated that his office could only validate 51,543 signatures, well below the 61,123 required to get to the ballot. 13,525 signatures were rejected as not belonging to registered Maine voters, and a smaller number was rejected for various other errors. The largest number of signatures rejected, 31,338, was due to signatures of a notary public and petition circulators who signed the oaths on the petitions not matching those on file with the Secretary of State's Office.


2016 Maine Question 1, Background, Status of petitions
Dunlap stated that "We’re not saying any malfeasance was or wasn’t done, that’s not up to us to determine. Our goal isn’t to invalidate signatures. The goal is to make sure they are valid." Supporters immediately announced that they would appeal the decision to Maine Superior Court, stating that "we sincerely hope that 17,000-plus Maine citizens will not be disenfranchised due to a handwriting technicality."


2016 Maine Question 1, Background, Status of petitions
One of the notaries in question, Stavros Mendros, publicly stated that he had signed the petitions but that given the sheer volume of papers he had to sign in a short amount of time, which he claimed was almost 15,000 papers, it would be almost impossible for him to write his signature exactly the same each time. The Portland Press Herald obtained copies of petitions and sent them to independent handwriting experts who stated that in their opinion the signatures were all within natural variations in handwriting and were likely from the same person. Supporters also criticized Dunlap's office for not using handwriting experts or discussing their concerns with supporters to validate the signatures.


2016 Maine Question 1, Background, Status of petitions
Judge Michaela Murphy ruled on April 8, 2016 that the rejected petitions should be reinstated for consideration. In her opinion, Murphy stated that Dunlap had committed an error of law by applying an "overly burdensome" interpretation of the law. Murphy explained that signatures gathering and oath administration are often done under less than ideal conditions and that requiring perfect signature reproduction on each form signed was unreasonable. Dunlap announced on April 13 that he had declined to appeal the decision and would begin re-reviewing the previously rejected petitions.


2016 Maine Question 1, Background, Status of petitions
Dunlap announced on April 27 that about 11,000 previously invalidated signatures were found to be valid, which meant that the referendum qualified for the ballot. The proposal went to the Legislature for consideration, but they declined to approve it and sent it to the ballot. The question will appear on the ballot as "Do you want to allow the possession and use of marijuana under state law by persons who are at least 21 years of age, and allow the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products subject to state regulation, taxation and local ordinance?"


2016 Maine Question 1, Campaign
Maine Attorney General Janet Mills expressed concern that the law as written would legalize marijuana use for all ages, calling the language of the bill "troublesome".


2016 Maine Question 1, Recount
On 5 December 2016 the state of Maine called for an official recount of the ballots regarding Question 1, a process expected to take a month or more and cost up to $500,000. The International Business Times reported that governor Paul LePage said:


2016 Maine Question 1, Recount
... he would be taking up the issue with president-elect Donald Trump to find out if the incoming administration would enforce federal laws prohibiting legal marijuana use. However, if Trump decides to keep cannabis laws at the state level, LePage said he would accept the law.


2016 Maine Question 1, Recount
By December 16, around 30% of all ballots cast had been recounted, including those from Maine's largest city of Portland without any notable change in the results. The recount was ordered suspended until after January 1, and the No on 1 campaign filled out the requisite paperwork to formally cancel the recount one day later.


2016 Maine Question 2
Maine Question 2, formally An Act to Establish The Fund to Advance Public Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education, was a citizen-initiated referendum question that appeared on the Maine November 8, 2016 statewide ballot. It sought to increase state aid to public schools by instituting a surcharge of 3% on Maine income taxes for those with income above $200,000 a year. As the Maine Legislature and Governor Paul LePage declined to enact the proposal as written, it appeared on the ballot along with elections for President of the United States, Maine's two U.S. House seats, the Legislature, and various local elections.


2016 Maine Question 2
The question was passed by roughly 10,000 votes. The surtax created by the question was repealed as part of state budget negotiations on July 3, 2017 that added $162 million to public education funding from general revenue.


2016 Maine Question 2, Background
In 2003, Maine voters passed a referendum calling for the state to pay for 55% of the cost of operating public schools, as a way to reduce pressure on local property taxes. That percentage had never been met. To attempt to reach that target, a group called Stand Up for Students announced that it would start a petition drive to implement a 3% surcharge on Maine income taxes paid on those with incomes above $200,000 a year, estimated to be the top 2% of earners in Maine. It is estimated that such a tax surcharge would result in $110 million a year in revenue.


2016 Maine Question 2, Background
The petition drive was carried out by some paid signature gatherers, but was largely done by volunteers from the Maine Education Association and the Maine People's Alliance, a liberal organizing group. MEA members were offered $25 Visa gift cards for every 100 signatures they gathered. The office of Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap certified that the proposal qualified for the ballot on March 2, 2016, stating that 66,849 signatures were valid.


2016 Maine Question 2, Background
The exact wording of the question was disputed. Secretary Dunlap proposed the wording "Do you want to establish a fund to support kindergarten through 12th grade public education by adding a three percent surcharge on Maine taxable income above $200,000?". During the required public comment period before the wording was finalized, the Governor's Office filed an objection to the proposed wording, stating that the word 'tax' or 'surtax' should be used instead of 'surcharge'. Doing so, they stated, would have been consistent with prior referendums calling for generating revenue. A Stand Up for Students spokesman called the objection an effort to confuse voters, citing tax cuts enacted by Governor Paul LePage. Dunlap had until June 24 to make a final decision, which was only possible to appeal by going to court.


2016 Maine Question 2, Background
Dunlap released the final wording of the question on June 23, which read as "Do you want to add a 3% tax on individual Maine taxable income above $200,000 to create a state fund that would provide direct support for student learning in kindergarten through 12th grade public education?"


2016 Maine Question 2, Campaign
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce formed a PAC called No on Question 2 on August 2, 2016. Chamber President Dana Connors said that while they support strong education funding, it should be done in a manner that does not affect the economy. He went on to state that such a tax would discourage professionals from living in Maine.


2016 Maine Question 2, Results
Uncertified results indicated that Question 2 passed by a margin of around 10,000 votes. Due to the closeness of the result, opponents of Question 2 filed a petition for a recount, then withdrew their petition on November 29.


2016 Maine Question 2, Repeal
The creation of the surtax became a point of contention in state budget negotiations for the 2017-2018 budget, with Governor LePage and minority House Republicans opposed to any tax increases in the budget. A budget that did not eliminate the surtax passed the Republican-controlled Maine Senate, but not the House, leading to a shutdown of Maine state government at the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Three days later, negotiators agreed to, and LePage signed, a budget that eliminated the surtax but added an additional $162 million for public education to the budget.


2016 Maine Question 3
Maine Question 3, formally An Act to Require Background Checks for Gun Sales, was a citizen-initiated referendum question that appeared on the Maine November 8, 2016 statewide ballot. It sought to require a background check for virtually all gun transfers in Maine, with some exceptions. As the Maine Legislature and Governor Paul LePage declined to enact the proposal as written, it appeared on the ballot along with elections for President of the United States, Maine's two United States House seats, the Maine Legislature, other statewide ballot questions, and various local elections.


2016 Maine Question 3, Background
Efforts to expand background checks of gun buyers have not succeeded at the Maine State House. In 2013, an effort to create a civil penalty of someone not conducting a background check on a buyer later found to not be allowed to possess a gun passed the Maine Legislature, but was vetoed by Governor Paul LePage, a strong gun rights supporter. An outright requirement to conduct background checks on gun buyers in private sales failed to pass the Legislature that same year.


2016 Maine Question 3, Background
On August 24, 2015, the group Maine Moms Demand Action (MMDA) filed paperwork with the Maine Secretary of State's office to launch a petition drive to require virtually all gun sales to have a background check of the buyer conducted by a licensed gun dealer. The proposal includes exceptions for transfers between family members, temporary loans of firearms while hunting or sport shooting, an emergency need for self-defense, and other limited exceptions.


2016 Maine Question 3, Background
MMDA submitted the 84,600 signatures they gathered on January 19, 2016. The Secretary of State's office announced on February 18 that 65,821 signatures were validated, well over the 61,123 required to place a question on the ballot. The question will appear on the ballot as "Do you want to require background checks prior to the sale or transfer of firearms between individuals not licensed as firearms dealers, with failure to do so punishable by law, and with some exceptions for family members, hunting, self-defense, lawful competitions, and shooting range activity?"


2016 Maine Question 3, Campaign
Gun rights supporters criticized the proposal. The Sportsman's Alliance of Maine's executive director, David Trahan, stated that while background checks sound good in theory, they are difficult to implement and enforce, which is why there has been no national universal background check system. He also criticized the potential involvement of Michael Bloomberg and other out-of-state gun control groups spending large amounts of money in Maine. State Senator Eric Brakey criticized the effort as a back-door attempt to establish a gun registry.


2016 Maine Question 3, Campaign
Supporters officially launched their campaign on May 14, 2016, calling themselves Mainers for Responsible Gun Ownership. The group includes law enforcement officials, gun violence survivors, sportsmen, gun owners and gun violence prevention advocates. They state that background checks will close a loophole in existing gun laws which allow criminals, domestic abusers, and the mentally ill to obtain guns without a background check by not going to a licensed dealer. They also claim that states with expansive background checks experience lower rates of women being shot to death by their intimate partners, as well as lower rates of police officers being killed by handguns.


2016 Maine Question 3, Campaign
Governor Paul LePage, in expressing opposition to the referendum, called it unconstitutional. Referendum supporters cite a 2007 decision written by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia stating that background checks are constitutional.


2016 Maine Question 3, Campaign
The Maine Warden Service, while not officially opposing the referendum, expressed concern that its passage "could make criminals out of responsible firearm owners" and that it would be difficult to enforce.


2016 Maine Question 4
Maine Question 4, formally An Act to Raise the Minimum Wage, is a citizen-initiated referendum question that appeared on the Maine November 8, 2016 statewide ballot. It sought to increase Maine's minimum wage from $7.50 per hour to $12 an hour by 2020, as well as increasing the minimum wage for tipped employees gradually to the same level by 2024. It would also index increases after 2024 to inflation.


2016 Maine Question 4
As the Maine Legislature and Governor Paul LePage declined to enact the proposal as written, it appeared on the ballot along with elections for President of the United States, Maine's two U.S. House seats, the Legislature, other statewide ballot questions, and various local elections. Efforts to place a competing, more moderate proposal alongside the citizen-initiated bill were unsuccessful.


2016 Maine Question 4
The proposal was enacted by voters, with 55% in favor. The changes to the tip credit were later reversed by the Legislature.


2016 Maine Question 4, Background
Efforts to increase Maine's $7.50 minimum wage have been stymied at the Maine State House by Republican Governor Paul LePage, who vetoed a proposal to increase the wage to $9.50 over three years in 2013. Legislative Republicans sustained the veto, despite indications an increase has broad support from Mainers. One poll indicated that support for raising the federal minimum wage was at 75% of Mainers, including 59% of Republicans.


2016 Maine Question 4, Campaign
The Maine AFL-CIO and Maine People's Alliance launched a petition drive on April 16, 2015 seeking to collect upwards of the roughly 60,000 signatures needed to place a question on the ballot. The Maine Secretary of State's Office announced on February 16, 2016 that organizers had submitted over 75,000 valid signatures to place the question on the ballot. The bill went before the Legislature, which could have passed it and sent it to Governor LePage for his signature or rejection, or simply allowed it to go to the ballot.


2016 Maine Question 4, Campaign
It also could have placed its own measure dealing with the minimum wage alongside the proposal as a competing measure. Business groups, including the Retail Association of Maine and the Maine Chamber of Commerce, considered a competing proposal to put before the Legislature to place on the ballot. The Chamber cited national polling indicating 6 in 10 Americans support a $12 per hour wage an indication that the referendum would likely pass, and is seeking to mitigate what it sees as harm to businesses.


2016 Maine Question 4, Campaign, Competing measures
The Bangor Chamber of Commerce announced their competing proposal on February 26, which is to raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour by 2020, starting with a $1 increase and then 50¢ a year thereafter until reaching $10. It would also maintain the tip credit towards the minimum wage, unlike the referendum. State Rep. Stacey Guerin (R-Glenburn) said she would sponsor the bill. Gov. LePage announced that he would support the competing proposal as he viewed it as less harmful to businesses, largely due to maintaining the tip credit.


2016 Maine Question 4, Campaign, Competing measures
The idea of a competing proposal does not have universal support among opponents of the referendum, with some like State Rep. Heather Sirocki (R-Scarborough) stating that they oppose any increase in the minimum wage and would rather focus on defeating the referendum than passing a more moderate proposal. House Majority Leader Jeff McCabe also indicated a more moderate proposal would face difficulty in the House, stating that "we had this opportunity last year" and that it was now too late for a compromise.


2016 Maine Question 4, Campaign, Competing measures
One attempt by House Republicans to place a competing measure on the ballot was rejected by a 78-67 vote. The GOP-led Senate was able to vote on the proposal but without House support the effort failed. Competing proposals with citizen initiatives are rare in Maine. The previous one was in 2003. One in 1996, involving forest clearcutting, generated significant confusion for voters.


2016 Maine Question 4, Campaign, Competing measures
Minority House Republicans have said they will oppose efforts to allocate a $55 million revenue surplus to certain programs and the budget stabilization fund(also known as the rainy day fund) unless Democrats agree to permit the competing proposal to go to the ballot.


2016 Maine Question 4, Campaign, Competing measures
Governor LePage has also stated he will not consider any additional spending unless a competing measure is placed on the ballot. He submitted his own proposal for one on April 5, 2016 at the request of Senate Majority Leader Andre Cushing, which is similar to others that were already rejected by the House. LePage has claimed an increase will hurt elderly Social Security recipients and young people, who would be unable to get jobs due to more experienced people being unemployed as a result of the wage increase. House Majority Leader Jeff McCabe stated that while he expects further attempts at a competing proposal, they would likely be rejected.


2016 Maine Question 4, Campaign, Competing measures
A last-ditch effort by Republicans to pass an emergency bill to immediately institute a gradual increase to a $10 minimum wage, starting with an increase to $9 on July 1, 2016, cleared the Senate by a 22-10 vote but failed to get the necessary 2/3 vote required to enact an emergency measure. Republicans stated that the bill, submitted by Governor LePage, was made an emergency measure to avoid being considered a competing measure that would be required to appear on the ballot.


2016 Maine Question 4, Campaign, Question wording
On June 16, 2016, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce filed its objection to the proposed wording of the question that appears on the ballot. They criticized Secretary Dunlap for not including information about the indexing of the minimum wage to inflation after 2024 as well as the elimination of the tip credit. They proposed their own wording of the question which did contain those aspects of the question, which they claimed would be clearer and reflect the true intent of the referendum. Referendum supporters criticized the MSCC's proposed wording as "long, complex and byzantine", noting that Maine state statutes require referendum questions to be simple, concise, clear and direct. They called the proposal an effort to confuse voters.


2016 Maine Question 4, Campaign, Question wording
Dunlap released the final wording of the question on June 23, which will read as "Do you want to raise the minimum hourly wage of $7.50 to $9 in 2017, with annual $1 increases up to $12 in 2020, and annual cost-of-living increases thereafter; and do you want to raise the direct wage for service workers who receive tips from half the minimum wage to $5 in 2017, with annual $1 increases until it reaches the adjusted minimum wage?"


2016 Maine Question 4, Tip credit restoration
After passage of the referendum, some restaurant servers were concerned that loss of the tip credit would mean they would actually get less money than they did with the tip credit, though such a view was not universal among those workers. Restaurant owners were also concerned that their costs would go up, forcing them to reduce hours for workers or raise menu prices. State Sen. Roger Katz stated that voters supporting the referendum did not intend to drive down wages for any group of workers.


2016 Maine Question 4, Tip credit restoration
A public hearing on a bill to restore the tip credit was one of the most heavily attended legislative hearings in all of 2017, with advocates on both sides of the issue testifying. The bill was passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. LePage on June 27, 2017 to restore the tip credit, though the minimum wage itself was unchanged.