Adele was a graduate from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology.

Adele Adele Laurie Blue Adkins ( -LSB- əˈdɛl -RSB- born 5 May 1988 ) is an English singer-songwriter . After graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006 , Adele was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace the same year . In 2007 , she received the Brit Awards `` Critics ' Choice '' award and won the BBC Sound of 2008 poll . Her debut album , 19 , was released in 2008 to commercial and critical success . It is certified seven times platinum in the UK , and three times platinum in the US . The album contains her first song , `` Hometown Glory '' , written when she was 16 , which is based on her home suburb of West Norwood in London . An appearance she made on Saturday Night Live in late 2008 boosted her career in the US . At the 51st Grammy Awards in 2009 , Adele received the awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance .   She released her second studio album , 21 , in early 2011 . The album was critically well received and surpassed the success of her debut , earning the singer numerous awards in 2012 , among them a record-tying six Grammy Awards , including Album of the Year ; two Brit Awards , including British Album of the Year , and three American Music Awards . The album has been certified 16 times platinum in the UK , and is the fourth best-selling album in the UK of all time . In the US , it has held the top position longer than any album since 1985 , and is certified diamond . The album has sold over 31 million copies worldwide . The success of 21 earned Adele numerous mentions in the Guinness Book of World Records . She is the first woman in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to have three simultaneous top 10 singles as a lead artist , and the first female artist to simultaneously have two albums in the top five of the Billboard 200 and two singles in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 . 21 is the longest-running number one album by a female solo artist in the history of the UK and US Album Charts .   In 2012 , Adele released `` Skyfall '' , which she co-wrote and recorded for the James Bond film of the same name . The song won an Academy Award , a Grammy Award , and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song , as well as the Brit Award for British Single of the Year . After taking a three-year break , Adele released her third studio album , 25 , in 2015 . It became the year 's best-selling album and broke first week sales records in the UK and US . 25 was her second album to be certified diamond in the US and earned her five Grammy Awards , including her second Grammy Award for Album of the Year , and four Brit Awards . The lead single , `` Hello '' , became the first song in the US to sell over one million digital copies within a week of its release . Her third concert tour , Adele Live 2016 , visited Europe , North America and Oceania , and will conclude with four finale concerts at Wembley Stadium in mid-2017 .   In 2011 , 2012 and 2016 , Billboard named Adele Artist of the Year . In 2012 , she was listed at number five on VH1 's 100 Greatest Women in Music . Time magazine named her one of the most influential people in the world in 2012 and 2016 . With sales of more than 100 million records , Adele is one of the best-selling recording artists in the world .


Backstreet Boys (1996 album) Backstreet Boys is the self-titled international debut studio album by American boy band Backstreet Boys . The album was released around Europe , Asia , Canada and in a few other markets . It was a success , becoming one of the biggest debut albums ever and contains a number of the band 's most memorable singles . All of those singles were later released on the second self-titled debut in the United States in 1997 , which compiled songs from this album , and the band 's second international release , Backstreet 's Back .   The release date for the disc is somewhat disputed , with some sources listing 1995 , and some listing 1996 . Some confusion might be due to the release of the different versions of the disc in different markets . Official charts for European countries including Germany , Switzerland and Austria , however , all give a release date of May 6 , 1996 , and data where available shows the album first appearing on various European charts within a couple of weeks of that date .


Backstreet Boys The Backstreet Boys ( often abbreviated as BSB ) are an American vocal group , formed in Orlando , Florida in 1993 . The group consists of AJ McLean , Howie D. , Nick Carter , Kevin Richardson , and Brian Littrell .   The group rose to fame with their debut international album , Backstreet Boys ( 1996 ) . In the following year they released their second international album Backstreet 's Back ( 1997 ) , and their U.S. debut album which continued the group 's success worldwide . They rose to superstardom with their third studio album Millennium ( 1999 ) and its follow-up album , Black & Blue ( 2000 ) .   After a two-year hiatus , they regrouped and released a comeback album Never Gone ( 2005 ) . After the conclusion of the Never Gone Tour in 2006 , Richardson left the group to pursue other interests . The group then released two albums as a quartet : Unbreakable ( 2007 ) and This Is Us ( 2009 ) .   In 2012 , the group announced that Richardson had rejoined them permanently . In the following year they celebrated their 20th anniversary and released their first independent album , In a World Like This ( 2013 ) . The group also released their first documentary movie , titled Backstreet Boys : Show 'Em What You 're Made Of in January 2015 .   The Backstreet Boys have sold over 130 million records worldwide , making them the best-selling boy band in history , and one of the world 's best-selling music artists . They are the first group since Sade to have their first nine albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200 , and the only boy band to do so . They also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 22 , 2013 .


Beirut Beirut ( بيروت , Beyrouth ) is the capital and largest city of Lebanon . No recent population census has been done but in 2007 estimates ranged from slightly more than 1 million to slightly less than 2 million as part of Greater Beirut . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon 's Mediterranean coast , Beirut is the country 's largest and main seaport .   It is one of the oldest cities in the world , inhabited more than 5,000 years ago . The first historical mention of Beirut is found in the ancient Egyptian Tell el Amarna letters dating from the 15th century BC . The Beirut River runs south to north on the eastern edge of the city .   Beirut is Lebanon 's seat of government and plays a central role in the Lebanese economy , with most banks and corporations based in its Central District , Badaro , Rue Verdun , Hamra and Ashrafieh . Following the destructive Lebanese Civil War , Beirut 's cultural landscape underwent major reconstruction . Identified and graded for accountancy , advertising , banking/finance and law , Beirut is ranked as a Beta World City by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network .   In May 2015 , Beirut was officially recognized as one of the New7Wonders Cities together with Vigan , Doha , Durban , Havana , Kuala Lumpur , and La Paz .


Lebanon Lebanon ( -LSB- ˈlɛbənɒn -RSB- لبنان ; Lebanese pronunciation : -LSB- lɪbˈnæːn -RSB- Liban ) , officially known as the Lebanese RepublicRepublic of Lebanon is the most common phrase used by Lebanese government agencies . The phrase Lebanese Republic is a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today 's world . Lebanese Arabic is the most common language spoken among the citizens of Lebanon . ( الجمهورية اللبنانية ; Lebanese pronunciation : -LSB- elˈʒʊmhuːɾɪjje l.ˈlɪbnæːnɪjje -RSB- République libanaise ) , is a sovereign state in Western Asia . It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south , while Cyprus is west across the Mediterranean Sea . Lebanon 's location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland facilitated its rich history and shaped a cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity . At just 10,452 km2 ( 4,036 sq. mi . ) , it is the smallest recognized country on the entire mainland Asian continent .   The earliest evidence of civilization in Lebanon dates back more than seven thousand years , predating recorded history . Lebanon was the home of the Canaanites/Phoenicians and their kingdoms , a maritime culture that flourished for over a thousand years ( c. 1550 -- 539 BC ) . In 64 BC , the region came under the rule of the Roman Empire , and eventually became one of the Empire 's leading centers of Christianity . In the Mount Lebanon range a monastic tradition known as the Maronite Church was established . As the Arab Muslims conquered the region , the Maronites held onto their religion and identity . However , a new religious group , the Druze , established themselves in Mount Lebanon as well , generating a religious divide that has lasted for centuries . During the Crusades , the Maronites re-established contact with the Roman Catholic Church and asserted their communion with Rome . The ties they established with the Latins have influenced the region into the modern era .   The region eventually was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from 1516 to 1918 . Following the collapse of the empire after World War I , the five provinces that constitute modern Lebanon came under the French Mandate of Lebanon . The French expanded the borders of the Mount Lebanon Governorate , which was mostly populated by Maronites and Druze , to include more Muslims . Lebanon gained independence in 1943 , establishing confessionalism , a unique , Consociationalism-type of political system with a power-sharing mechanism based on religious communities . Bechara El Khoury , President of Lebanon during the independence , Riad El-Solh , first Lebanese prime minister and Emir Majid Arslan II , first Lebanese minister of defence , are considered the founders of the modern Republic of Lebanon and are national heroes for having led the country 's independence . Foreign troops withdrew completely from Lebanon on 31 December 1946 . Lebanon has been a member of the Organisation internationale de la francophonie since 1973 .   Despite its small size , the country has developed a well-known culture and has been highly influential in the Arab world . Before the Lebanese Civil War ( 1975 -- 1990 ) , the country experienced a period of relative calm and renowned prosperity , driven by tourism , agriculture , commerce , and banking . Because of its financial power and diversity in its heyday , Lebanon was referred to as the `` Switzerland of the East '' during the 1960s , and its capital , Beirut , attracted so many tourists that it was known as `` the Paris of the Middle East '' . At the end of the war , there were extensive efforts to revive the economy and rebuild national infrastructure . In spite of these troubles , Lebanon has the highest Human Development Index and GDP per capita in the Arab world , to the exclusion of the oil-rich economies of the Persian Gulf .


Christina Aguilera appeared on television in a series.

Christina Aguilera Christina María Aguilera ( born December 18 , 1980 ) is an American singer , songwriter , actress and television personality . Born in Staten Island , New York and raised in Rochester and Wexford , Pennsylvania , she appeared on the television series Star Search and The Mickey Mouse Club in her early years . After recording `` Reflection '' , the theme for Disney 's 1998 film Mulan , Aguilera signed with RCA Records . She rose to prominence with her 1999 self-titled debut album that spawned the Billboard Hot 100 number one singles ; `` Genie in a Bottle '' , `` What a Girl Wants '' , and `` Come On Over Baby ( All I Want Is You ) '' . The following year , Aguilera released two studio albums ; the Spanish-language album Mi Reflejo and the holiday album My Kind of Christmas . She assumed creative control for her fourth studio album , Stripped ( 2002 ) , which produced `` Dirrty '' , `` Beautiful '' , and `` Fighter '' . Aguilera 's fifth studio album , Back to Basics ( 2006 ) , debuted at number one on the album charts of ten countries and spawned the tracks `` Ai n't No Other Man '' and `` Hurt '' . In 2010 , Aguilera released her sixth studio album Bionic and starred in the film Burlesque . The following year , she debuted as a coach on the reality competition television series The Voice ; she has since appeared on six of its twelve seasons . Her seventh studio album , Lotus , was released in 2012 . Aguilera has also been featured on several successful collaborations during her career , including `` Lady Marmalade '' , `` Moves like Jagger '' , and `` Say Something '' .   Aguilera has been recognized as a pop icon and earned the title `` Pop Princess '' in her early years . Her work has earned her five Grammy Awards , one Latin Grammy Award , and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . She has sold over 17.9 million albums in the United States as of 2014 and 50 million albums worldwide as of 2015 . In 2009 , she ranked at number 58 on Rolling Stones list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time , thereby becoming the youngest and the only artist under 30 to be named . Billboard recognized her as the 20th most successful artist of the 2000s , and Time listed Aguilera among the top 100 Most Influential People in the World of 2013 . Aside from her work in the entertainment industry , Aguilera is involved in charitable activities through human rights , world issues , and her work as a UN ambassador for the World Food Programme .


Heartbreak Ridge was produced by an actor.

Heartbreak Ridge Heartbreak Ridge is a 1986 American Technicolor war film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood , who also starred in the film . The film also co-stars Mario Van Peebles , Marsha Mason , and Everett McGill . The film was released in the United States on December 5 , 1986 . The story involves the actions of a small group of U.S. Marines during the American invasion of Grenada in 1983 . A portion of the film was filmed on the island .   The title comes from the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge in the Korean War . The character played by Eastwood received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the U.S. Army there , even though he is now a U.S. Marine .   The film was the 1000th to be released in Dolby Stereo .


Clint Eastwood Clinton Eastwood Jr. '' ' ( born May 31 , 1930 ) is an American actor , filmmaker , musician , and political figure . After achieving success in the Western TV series Rawhide , he rose to international fame with his role as the Man with No Name in Sergio Leone 's Dollars trilogy of spaghetti Westerns during the 1960s , and as antihero cop Harry Callahan in the five Dirty Harry films throughout the 1970s and 1980s . These roles , among others , have made Eastwood an enduring cultural icon of masculinity .   For his work in the Western film Unforgiven ( 1992 ) and the sports drama Million Dollar Baby ( 2004 ) , Eastwood won Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture , as well as receiving nominations for Best Actor . Eastwood 's greatest commercial successes have been the adventure comedy Every Which Way But Loose ( 1978 ) and its sequel , the action comedy Any Which Way You Can ( 1980 ) , after adjustment for inflation . Other popular films include the Western Hang 'Em High ( 1968 ) , the psychological thriller Play Misty for Me ( 1971 ) , the crime film Thunderbolt and Lightfoot ( 1974 ) , the Western The Outlaw Josey Wales ( 1976 ) , the prison film Escape from Alcatraz ( 1979 ) , the action film Firefox ( 1982 ) , the suspense thriller Tightrope ( 1984 ) , the Western Pale Rider ( 1985 ) , the war films Where Eagles Dare ( 1968 ) , Heartbreak Ridge ( 1986 ) , the action thriller In the Line of Fire ( 1993 ) , the romantic drama The Bridges of Madison County ( 1995 ) , and the drama Gran Torino ( 2008 ) .   In addition to directing many of his own star vehicles , Eastwood has also directed films in which he did not appear , such as the mystery drama Mystic River ( 2003 ) and the war film Letters from Iwo Jima ( 2006 ) , for which he received Academy Award nominations , and the drama Changeling ( 2008 ) . The war drama biopic American Sniper '' ( 2014 ) set box office records for the largest January release ever and was also the largest opening ever for an Eastwood film .   Eastwood received considerable critical praise in France for several films , including some that were not well received in the United States . Eastwood has been awarded two of France 's highest honors : in 1994 he became a recipient of the Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres , and in 2007 he was awarded the Legion of Honour medal . In 2000 , Eastwood was awarded the Italian Venice Film Festival Golden Lion for lifetime achievement .   Since 1967 , Eastwood has run his own production company , Malpaso , which has produced all but four of his American films . Starting in 1986 , Eastwood served for two years as Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea , California , a non-partisan office .


Michael C. Hall had a role in the television series Dexter, as the titular character.

Michael C. Hall Michael Carlyle Hall ( born February 1 , 1971 ) is an American actor , known for his role as Dexter Morgan , a serial killer and blood spatter analyst , in the Showtime TV Network series Dexter , and as David Fisher in the HBO drama series Six Feet Under . In 2010 , Hall won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his role in Dexter .


Caryn Mandabach produced The Cosby Show, Roseanne, and A Different World.

Caryn Mandabach Caryn Mandabach is an American television producer .   Caryn Mandabach produced ground-breaking US hits including The Cosby Show , Roseanne , A Different World ( 1990 -- 1993 ) , Grace Under Fire ( 1993 -- 1998 ) , Cybill ( 1995 -- 1998 ) , 3rd Rock from the Sun ( 1997 -- 2001 ) , That '80s Show ( 2002 ) , That '70s Show ( 1998 -- 2004 ) , and Grounded for Life ( 2001 -- 2005 ) .   Most recently she executive produced Nurse Jackie , with Linda Wallem and Liz Brixius , a half-hour dark comedy about a `` flawed '' emergency room nurse in a New York City hospital , starring Edie Falco .   Mandabach currently operates TV production companies on both sides of the Atlantic , where she is actively developing both drama and comedy series for BBC , including the BBC2 period drama Peaky Blinders , Channel 4 , and HBO .   Mandabach has won an Emmy award and has also been honoured by The Producer 's Guild , Women in Film and the Hollywood Radio and Television Society among others .


New Girl previously was titled Chicks & Dicks, named by Elizabeth Meriwether.

New Girl New Girl is an American sitcom television series that premiered on Fox on September 20 , 2011 . Developed by Elizabeth Meriwether under the working title Chicks & Dicks , the series revolves around a kooky teacher Jess ( Zooey Deschanel ) after she moves into a Los Angeles loft with three men , Nick ( Jake Johnson ) , Schmidt ( Max Greenfield ) , and Winston ( Lamorne Morris ) ; Jess ' best friend Cece ( Hannah Simone ) and on-again-off-again loft mate Coach ( Damon Wayans Jr. ) also appear regularly . The show combines comedy and drama elements as the characters , who are in their early thirties , deal with maturing relationships and career choices . The sixth season premiered on September 20 , 2016 .   Produced in Los Angeles as a single-camera comedy , New Girl is an ensemble show aimed at a general audience . Most episodes are anchored around Jess , who according to series creator , Meriwether , would have played a side character on other shows . The show 's first marketing push was on Zooey Deschanel and the promotional tagline `` Simply Adorkable '' , a portmanteau of `` adorable '' and `` dork '' . The producers rejected early criticism of Jess ' girlishness , insisting that Jess was not meant to be emblematic of all women . Instead , they aim to portray realistic , emotionally driven characters , and to approach the show from that angle rather than simply firing off punchlines .   New Girl has received favorable responses from critics , who named the show one of the best new comedies of the 2011 fall season . The pilot episode drew 10.28 million U.S. viewers and a 4.8 adults 18 -- 49 demo rating , making it the highest-rated fall debut for a Fox scripted show since 2001 . Particular praise has been given to the performances of Deschanel , Greenfield , Johnson and Morris . Max Greenfield was considered the show 's breakout star in season 1 , before critics named Jake Johnson the breakout star of season 2 . The show has been nominated for several awards , including five Golden Globe Awards and five Primetime Emmy Awards . On May 14 , 2017 , FOX renewed the series for a seventh , and final season consisting of eight episodes .


Sierra Leone first won it's independence from Britain in 1989.

Sierra Leone Sierra Leone ( -LSB- sɪˈɛərə_lɪˈəʊni , _ - lɪˈəʊn -RSB- ) , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone , is a country in West Africa . It is bordered by Guinea to the north-east , Liberia to the south-east , and the Atlantic Ocean to the south-west . Sierra Leone has a tropical climate , with a diverse environment ranging from savannah to rainforests . Sierra Leone has a total area of 71740 km2 and a population of 7,075,641 ( based on 2015 national census ) .   Sierra Leone is officially made up of four administrative regions : the Northern Province , Eastern Province , Southern Province and the Western Area , which are subdivided into fourteen districts . Each district has its own elected local government .   Freetown ( population 1,050,301 ) , located in the Western Area , is the capital , largest city and its economic and political centre . Bo ( population 306,000 ) , is the second largest city , and is located in the Southern Province , about 160 miles from Freetown . Kenema ( population 200,354 ) , located in the Eastern Province , is the third largest city and is about 190 miles from Freetown . Koidu Town ( population 128,074 ) , located in the diamond rich Kono District in the Eastern Province , is the fourth largest city , and is about 275 miles from Freetown . Makeni ( population 126,058 ) , located in the Northern Province , is the fifth largest of Sierra Leone 's five major cities , and is about 85 miles from Freetown .   Sierra Leone is a constitutional republic with a directly elected president and a unicameral legislature . Sierra Leone became an independent Nation on 27 April 1961 from Britain , led by Sir Milton Margai , who was elected by landslide as the first prime minister of the new nation under parliamentary government .   The current constitution of Sierra Leone was adopted in 1991 during the presidency of Joseph Saidu Momoh , though it has been amended several times . Since independence to present , Sierra Leone politics has been dominated by two major political parties ; the Sierra Leone People 's party ( SLPP ) and the All People 's Congress ( APC ) . The current president of SIerra Leone is Ernest Bai Koroma , a member of the APC party , who was elected in 2007 after defeating the ruling SLPP candidate , and he won reelection for his final term as president in 2012 .   From 1991 to 2002 , the Sierra Leone civil war was fought and devastated the country . This proxy war left more than 50,000 people dead , much of the country 's infrastructure destroyed , and over two million people displaced as refugees in neighbouring countries . In January 2002 , then Sierra Leone 's president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah , fulfilled his campaign promise by ending the civil war , with help by the British Government , ECOWAS and the United Nations .   More recently , the 2014 Ebola outbreak overburdened the weak healthcare infrastructure , leading to more deaths from medical neglect than Ebola itself . It created a humanitarian crisis situation and a negative spiral of weaker economic growth . The country has an extremely low life expectancy at 57.8 years .   About sixteen ethnic groups inhabit Sierra Leone , each with its own language and customs . The two largest and most influential are the Temne and the Mende people . The Temne are predominantly found in the north of the country , while the Mende are predominant in the south-east . Sierra Leone has a significant minority of the Krio people , who are descendants of freed African American and West Indian slaves .   Although English is the official language spoken at schools and government administration , the Krio language is the most widely spoken language across Sierra Leone and is spoken by 97 % of the country 's population . The Krio language unites all the different ethnic groups in the country , especially in their trade and social interaction with each other .   Sierra Leone is a predominantly secular Muslim majority country , with the overall muslim population at 77 % of the population , though with an influential Christian minority at about 22 % . Sierra Leone is regarded as one of the most religiously tolerant nations in the world . Muslims and Christians collaborate and interact with each other very peacefully . Religious violence is very rare in the country . The major Christian and Muslim holidays are officially national holidays including Christmas and Eid Al Fitr . In politics , the overwhelming majority of Sierra Leoneans vote for a candidate without regard to whether the candidate is a Muslim or a Christian .   Sierra Leone has relied on mining , especially diamonds , for its economic base . It is also among the largest producers of titanium and bauxite , a major producer of gold , and has one of the world 's largest deposits of rutile . Sierra Leone is home to the third-largest natural harbour in the world . Despite exploitation of this natural wealth , 70 % of its people live in poverty .   Sierra Leone is a member of many international organisations , including the United Nations , the African Union , the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) , the Mano River Union , the Commonwealth of Nations , the African Development Bank , and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation .


The Great Buck Howard The Great Buck Howard is a 2008 American comedy-drama film directed by Sean McGinly that stars Colin Hanks and John Malkovich . Tom Hanks also appears as the father of his real-life son 's character . The character Buck Howard is inspired by the mentalist The Amazing Kreskin , whose popularity was at its height in the 1970s . The film premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival on January 18 , 2008 . It is the first Walden Media film to be distributed by Magnolia Pictures .


Jackie Evancho issued an EP and seven albums.

Jackie Evancho Jacqueline Marie `` Jackie '' Evancho ( -LSB- iːˈvæŋkoʊ -RSB- ; born April 9 , 2000 ) is an American classical crossover singer who gained wide recognition at an early age and , since 2009 , has issued an EP and seven albums , including a platinum and gold album and three Billboard 200 top 10 debuts . She has released three solo Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS ) concert specials .   Between 2008 and 2010 , Evancho entered talent competitions , sang the U.S. national anthem at a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game , gave concerts with Tim Janis and David Foster , issued her first album , Prelude to a Dream , and attracted interest on YouTube . In 2010 , at the age of ten , she gained wide notice with her 2nd-place finish in the fifth season of America 's Got Talent . With the 2010 holiday release of her O Holy Night EP , Evancho became the best-selling debut artist of 2010 , the youngest top-10 debut artist in U.S. history and the youngest solo artist ever to go platinum in the U.S. . She performed at the 2010 National Christmas Tree lighting in Washington , D.C. . In 2011 , her first full-length album , Dream With Me , produced by Foster , debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart , and she became the youngest top-5 debut artist in UK history . Billboard ranked Evancho the top Classical Albums Artist for 2011 . Later that year , Evancho released a full-length holiday album , Heavenly Christmas , and became the youngest person ever to give a solo concert at Lincoln Center in New York City as part of her Dream With Me Tour .   From late 2012 to 2014 , she toured the U.S. to support her 2012 album , Songs from the Silver Screen , which was Evancho 's third top-ten album debut . In 2013 she headlined benefit concerts at Carnegie Hall , the LDS Conference Center and with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas for the One Drop Foundation . She also appeared in the 2013 Robert Redford film The Company You Keep and modelled for Guess Kids clothing . After releasing her 2014 album , Awakening , Evancho began high school while continuing to tour . Later music releases included several singles and collaborations , and a 2016 holiday album , Someday at Christmas . In 2017 , Evancho performed the U.S. national anthem at the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump ; released a studio album , Two Hearts , her seventh consecutive No. 1 release on the U.S. classical albums chart ; and became the youngest person ever to perform a concert series at Café Carlyle .


On July 1st, 1967, Pamela Anderson was born.

Pamela Anderson Pamela Denise Anderson ( born July 1 , 1967 ) is a Canadian American actress and model known for her roles on the television series Home Improvement , Baywatch and V.I.P. . She was Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990 . Anderson was inducted into Canada 's Walk of Fame in 2006 .   Anderson is an activist for the animal rights movement and has conducted campaigns condemning the commercial fur industry and promoting veganism through the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA ) . For a time , she was known as Pamela Anderson Lee ( or Pamela Lee ) after marrying Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee .


Deadpool (film) is a superhero American film.

Deadpool (film) Deadpool is a 2016 American superhero film directed by Tim Miller and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick , based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name . It is the eighth installment and a spin-off in the X-Men film series , and stars Ryan Reynolds as the titular character , as well as Morena Baccarin , Ed Skrein , T. J. Miller , Gina Carano , Leslie Uggams , Brianna Hildebrand , and Stefan Kapičić . In the film , antihero Deadpool hunts the man who nearly destroyed his life while also trying to reunite with his lost love .   Development began in February 2004 with New Line Cinema , but moved in March 2005 to 20th Century Fox who bought the film rights . In May 2009 , after Reynolds portrayed the character in X-Men Origins : Wolverine , to the general disappointment of fans , Fox lent the film to writers , and Miller was hired for his directorial debut in April 2011 . Enthusiastic acclaim for leaked CGI test footage by Miller in July 2014 led to Fox greenlighting the film in September . Additional casting began in early 2015 , and principal photography commenced in Vancouver from March to May .   Deadpool premiered in Paris on February 8 , 2016 , and was released on February 12 in the United States in IMAX , DLP , D-Box , and premium large format . Critics praised Reynolds ' performance as well as the film 's style , faithful depiction of the titular character , and action sequences , but criticized its plot as formulaic . It received various awards and nominations , including two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy and Best Actor -- Motion Picture Musical or Comedy , and a Producers Guild of America Award nomination for Best Theatrical Motion Picture . It also won two Critics ' Choice Movie Awards for Best Comedy and Best Actor in a Comedy .   The film was also a significant commercial success , grossing over $ 783million worldwide and breaking numerous box-office records , becoming the ninth highest-grossing film of 2016 , the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time when unadjusted for inflation , and the highest-grossing X-Men film . Shortly after the film 's success , Fox ordered development of a sequel scheduled to be released on June 1 , 2018 .


Duane Hopwood Duane Hopwood is a 2005 film featured in the Sundance Film Festival starring David Schwimmer and Janeane Garofalo , with a supporting cast featuring Judah Friedlander , Dick Cavett , Susan Lynch , John Krasinski , Rachel Covey , and Mia Dillon . The movie was written and directed by Matt Mulhern and released by IFC Films in November 2005 .   The film 's plot centers on the title character ( Schwimmer ) , an alcoholic whose life is spiraling downward rapidly after his divorce from Linda ( Garofalo ) .   The movie , writer/director Matt Mulhern 's second film , was well received by critics , named by Roger Ebert as `` one of the best movies of 2005 . '' He also said that David Schwimmer gave a `` career-transforming performance . '' IFC did not release the film in New York City or Los Angeles , focusing instead on Philadelphia , Tucson and Kansas City . HBO released the DVD in April 2006 and Showtime and The Movie Channel began the cable run in December 2006 .


Kill Bill: Volume 2 is devoid of any revenge.

Kill Bill: Volume 2 Kill Bill : Volume 2 is a 2004 American martial arts film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino . It stars Uma Thurman as the Bride , who continues her campaign of revenge against the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad ( Lucy Liu , Michael Madsen , Daryl Hannah and Vivica A. Fox ) and their leader Bill ( David Carradine ) , who tried to kill her and her unborn child .   Tarantino conceived Kill Bill as a homage to `` grindhouse '' cinema including martial arts films , samurai cinema , blaxploitation films , and spaghetti westerns . It is the second of two Kill Bill films produced simultaneously ; the first , Kill Bill : Volume 1 , was released in 2003 . The films were originally set for a single release , but the film , with a runtime of over four hours , was divided in two . Like Volume 1 , Volume 2 received positive reviews and was a commercial success .


The novel Allegiant was adapted into a film of the same name: The Divergent Series: Allegiant.

The Divergent Series: Allegiant The Divergent Series : Allegiant is a 2016 American action adventure film directed by Robert Schwentke with a screenplay by Bill Collage , Adam Cooper , and Noah Oppenheim . It is the first of two cinematic parts based on the novel Allegiant , the final book in the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth , and the third installment in The Divergent Series .   The film stars Shailene Woodley , Theo James , Jeff Daniels , Miles Teller , Ansel Elgort , Zoë Kravitz , Maggie Q , Ray Stevenson , Bill Skarsgard , Octavia Spencer and Naomi Watts , and is the sequel to Insurgent and could be followed by the concluding entry , Ascendant ( Allegiant and Ascendant were originally to be titled Allegiant -- Part 1 and Allegiant -- Part 2 ) .   Allegiant was released on March 18 , 2016 , in theaters and IMAX and received mainly negative reviews . The film was a financial disappointment , grossing $ 179 million worldwide , becoming the lowest-grossing Divergent film . This led to budget cuts on the fourth and the possibility that the final installment in the series , Ascendant , would be released as a TV movie instead of a theatrical one .


Calvin Harris has collaborated with other singers.

Calvin Harris Adam Richard Wiles ( born 17 January 1984 ) , known professionally as Calvin Harris , is a Scottish record producer , DJ , singer and songwriter . His debut studio album I Created Disco was released in June 2007 , and was the precursor to his UK top 10 singles `` Acceptable in the 80s '' and `` The Girls '' . In 2009 , Harris released his second studio album Ready for the Weekend , which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and was later certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry within two months of its release . Its lead single `` I 'm Not Alone '' became his first number-one single on the UK Singles Chart .   Harris rose to international prominence with the release of his third studio album 18 Months in October 2012 . Topping the UK charts , the album became his first to chart on the US Billboard 200 chart ( where it reached number 19 ) . All eight of the album 's singles , which were `` Bounce '' , `` Feel So Close '' , `` Let 's Go '' , `` We 'll Be Coming Back '' , `` Sweet Nothing '' , `` Drinking from the Bottle '' , `` I Need Your Love '' and `` Thinking About You '' reached the top 10 in the UK . Harris released his fourth studio album Motion in November 2014 . It debuted at number two in the UK and at number five in the US , and became Harris 's second consecutive number one album on the US Dance/Electronic Albums chart . The album 's first three singles `` Under Control '' , `` Summer '' and `` Blame '' all topped the UK chart .   Harris has collaborated with numerous other recording artists . His collaboration with Rihanna `` We Found Love '' became an international success , giving Harris his first US number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart . The two later collaborated on the singles `` Where Have You Been '' ( 2012 ) and `` This Is What You Came For '' ( 2016 ) . Harris currently holds the record for the most top 10 songs from one studio album on the UK Singles Chart with nine top 10 entries , surpassing Michael Jackson . In October 2014 , he became the first artist to place three songs simultaneously on the top 10 of Billboard 's Dance/Electronic Songs chart . He also became the first British solo artist to reach more than one billion streams on Spotify . Harris has received ten Brit Award nominations -- three for Best British Male , and four Grammy nominations , winning a Grammy for Best Music Video in 2013 . He received the British Academy 's Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year in 2013 and at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards was named Top Dance/Electronic Artist . Additionally , Harris topped Forbes ' list of the world 's highest-paid DJs for three consecutive years from 2013 to 2015 . One of the most successful musicians in contemporary British popular culture , Harris appeared on Debrett 's 2017 list of the most influential people in the United Kingdom . Harris runs his own record label , Fly Eye Records .


Game of Thrones has an international fandom.

Fandom Fandom is a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of empathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest . Fans typically are interested in even minor details of the object ( s ) of their fandom and spend a significant portion of their time and energy involved with their interest , often as a part of a social network with particular practices ( a fandom ) ; this is what differentiates `` fannish '' ( fandom-affiliated ) fans from those with only a casual interest .   A fandom can grow around any area of human interest or activity . The subject of fan interest can be narrowly defined , focused on something like an individual celebrity , or more widely defined , encompassing entire hobbies , genres or fashions . While it is now used to apply to groups of people fascinated with any subject , the term has its roots in those with an enthusiastic appreciation for sports . Merriam-Webster 's dictionary traces the usage of the term back as far as 1903 . It is formed of the word fan plus the suffix - dom ( as in kingdom ) .   Fandom as a term can also be used in a broad sense to refer to the interconnected social networks of individual fandoms , many of which overlap .


Game of Thrones Game of Thrones is an American fantasy drama television series created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss . It is an adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire , George R. R. Martin 's series of fantasy novels , the first of which is A Game of Thrones . It is filmed at Titanic Studios in Belfast , on location in the United Kingdom , and in Canada , Croatia , Iceland , Malta , Morocco , Spain , and the United States . The series premiered on HBO in the United States on April 17 , 2011 , and its sixth season ended on June 26 , 2016 . The series was renewed for a seventh season , which is scheduled to premiere on July 16 , 2017 , and will conclude with its eighth season in 2018 .   Set on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos , Game of Thrones has several plot lines and a large ensemble cast . The first story arc follows a dynastic conflict among competing claimants for succession to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms , with other noble families fighting for independence from the throne . The second covers attempts to reclaim the throne by the exiled last scion of the realm 's deposed ruling dynasty ; the third chronicles the threat of the impending winter and the legendary creatures and fierce peoples of the North .   Game of Thrones has attracted record viewership on HBO and has a broad , active , international fan base . It has been acclaimed by critics , particularly for its acting , complex characters , story , scope , and production values , although its frequent use of nudity and violence ( including sexual violence ) has attracted criticism . The series has received 38 Primetime Emmy Awards , including Outstanding Drama Series in 2015 and 2016 , more than any other primetime scripted television series . Its other awards and nominations include three Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation ( 2012 -- 2014 ) , a 2011 Peabody Award , and four nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series -- Drama ( 2012 and 2015 -- 2017 ) . Of the ensemble cast , Peter Dinklage has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series ( 2011 and 2015 ) and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor -- Series , Miniseries or Television Film ( 2012 ) for his performance as Tyrion Lannister . Lena Headey , Emilia Clarke , Kit Harington , Maisie Williams , Diana Rigg , and Max von Sydow have also received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for their performances in the series .


Mission: Impossible 6 is produced by a person.

Mission: Impossible 6 Mission : Impossible 6 is an upcoming American action spy film written , co-produced and directed by Christopher McQuarrie , and produced by J. J. Abrams , Bryan Burk , Tom Cruise , David Ellison , Dana Goldberg , and Don Granger . It is the sixth installment in the Mission : Impossible film series . The film stars Cruise , Rebecca Ferguson , Ving Rhames , Simon Pegg , Alec Baldwin and Sean Harris all reprising their roles from previous films , with Henry Cavill , Vanessa Kirby and Sian Brooke joining the franchise . The film will be released on July 27 , 2018 by Paramount Pictures .


The Amazing Spider-Man 2 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ( also released as The Amazing Spider-Man 2 : Rise of Electro in some markets ) is a 2014 American superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man . The film was directed by Marc Webb and was produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach . It is the fifth theatrical Spider-Man film produced by Columbia Pictures and Marvel Entertainment , and is the sequel to The Amazing Spider-Man ( 2012 ) ; it is also the final film in the Amazing Spider-Man franchise . The studio hired James Vanderbilt to write the screenplay and Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci to rewrite it . The film stars Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker / Spider-Man , Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy , Dane DeHaan as Green Goblin / Harry Osborn , Campbell Scott and Embeth Davidtz as Peter 's parents , and Sally Field as Aunt May , with the addition of a new cast including Paul Giamatti as Rhino / Aleksei Sytsevich and Jamie Foxx as Electro / Max Dillon .   Development of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 began after the success of The Amazing Spider-Man . DeHaan , Giamatti , Jones , and Cooper were cast between December 2012 and February 2013 . Filming took place in New York City from February to June 2013 . The film was released in 2D , 3D , and IMAX 3D on May 2 , 2014 , in the United States with two international premieres being held between March 31 & April 10 , 2014 . The film received mixed reviews , and although it grossed $ 709 million worldwide and became the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2014 , it was the lowest-grossing film in the series . However , the film was declared a `` hit '' in the overseas markets with high openings and a wide cinematic release . The film subsequently won awards for its music composition and acting , notably one Nickelodeon Kids ' Choice Award and two ASCAP Awards .   The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was originally envisioned as the beginning of a shared fictional universe , which would have continued with two sequels and several spin-off films . Due to its performing below expectations , all subsequent installments were cancelled and a new iteration of the character , portrayed by Tom Holland , appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , beginning with the 2016 film Captain America : Civil War .


Three Men and a Baby Three Men and a Baby is a 1987 American comedy film directed by Leonard Nimoy , and stars Tom Selleck , Steve Guttenberg , Ted Danson and Nancy Travis . It follows the mishaps and adventures of three bachelors as they attempt to adapt their lives to pseudo-fatherhood with the arrival of the love child of one of them . The script was based on the 1985 French film Trois hommes et un couffin ( Three Men and a Cradle ) .   The film was the biggest American box office hit of that year , surpassing Fatal Attraction and eventually grossing US$ 170 million in the US alone . The film won the 1988 People 's Choice Award for Favorite Comedy Motion Picture .


Elephants have not been featured in religion.

Elephant Elephants are large mammals of the family Elephantidae and the order Proboscidea . Three species are recognised , the African bush elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) , the African forest elephant ( L. cyclotis ) , and the Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus ) . Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa , South Asia , and Southeast Asia . Elephantidae is the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea ; other , now extinct , members of the order include deinotheres , gomphotheres , mammoths , and mastodons . Male African elephants are the largest extant terrestrial animals and can reach a height of 4 m and weigh 7000 kg . All elephants have several distinctive features , the most notable of which is a long trunk or proboscis , used for many purposes , particularly breathing , lifting water , and grasping objects . Their incisors grow into tusks , which can serve as weapons and as tools for moving objects and digging . Elephants ' large ear flaps help to control their body temperature . Their pillar-like legs can carry their great weight . African elephants have larger ears and concave backs while Asian elephants have smaller ears and convex or level backs .   Elephants are herbivorous and can be found in different habitats including savannahs , forests , deserts , and marshes . They prefer to stay near water . They are considered to be keystone species due to their impact on their environments . Other animals tend to keep their distance from elephants while predators , such as lions , tigers , hyenas , and any wild dogs , usually target only young elephants ( or `` calves '' ) . Females ( `` cows '' ) tend to live in family groups , which can consist of one female with her calves or several related females with offspring . The groups are led by an individual known as the matriarch , often the oldest cow . Elephants have a fission -- fusion society in which multiple family groups come together to socialise . Males ( `` bulls '' ) leave their family groups when they reach puberty and may live alone or with other males . Adult bulls mostly interact with family groups when looking for a mate and enter a state of increased testosterone and aggression known as musth , which helps them gain dominance and reproductive success . Calves are the centre of attention in their family groups and rely on their mothers for as long as three years . Elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild . They communicate by touch , sight , smell , and sound ; elephants use infrasound , and seismic communication over long distances . Elephant intelligence has been compared with that of primates and cetaceans . They appear to have self-awareness and show empathy for dying or dead individuals of their kind .   African elephants are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) while the Asian elephant is classed as endangered . One of the biggest threats to elephant populations is the ivory trade , as the animals are poached for their ivory tusks . Other threats to wild elephants include habitat destruction and conflicts with local people . Elephants are used as working animals in Asia . In the past , they were used in war ; today , they are often controversially put on display in zoos , or exploited for entertainment in circuses . Elephants are highly recognisable and have been featured in art , folklore , religion , literature , and popular culture .


Down syndrome was named after John Langdon Down.

Down syndrome Down syndrome ( DS or DNS ) , also known as trisomy 21 , is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21 . It is typically associated with physical growth delays , characteristic facial features and mild to moderate intellectual disability . The average IQ of a young adult with Down syndrome is 50 , equivalent to the mental ability of an 8 - or 9-year-old child , but this can vary widely .   The parents of the affected individual are typically genetically normal . The extra chromosome occurs by chance . The possibility increases from less than 0.1 % in 20-year-old mothers to 3 % in those age 45 . There is no known behavioral activity or environmental factor that changes the possibility . Down syndrome can be identified during pregnancy by prenatal screening followed by diagnostic testing or after birth by direct observation and genetic testing . Since the introduction of screening , pregnancies with the diagnosis are often terminated . Regular screening for health problems common in Down syndrome is recommended throughout the person 's life .   There is no cure for Down syndrome . Education and proper care have been shown to improve quality of life . Some children with Down syndrome are educated in typical school classes , while others require more specialized education . Some individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school and a few attend post-secondary education . In adulthood , about 20 % in the United States do paid work in some capacity with many requiring a sheltered work environment . Support in financial and legal matters is often needed . Life expectancy is around 50 to 60 years in the developed world with proper health care .   Down syndrome is one of the most common chromosome abnormalities in humans . It occurs in about one per 1000 babies born each year . In 2015 , Down syndrome was present in 5.4 million individuals and resulted in 27,000 deaths down from 43,000 deaths in 1990 . It is named after John Langdon Down , the British doctor who fully described the syndrome in 1866 . Some aspects of the condition were described earlier by Jean-Étienne Dominique Esquirol in 1838 and Édouard Séguin in 1844 . In 1957 , the genetic cause of Down syndrome , an extra copy of chromosome 21 , was discovered .


The Sopranos was created by Lionel Messi.

The Sopranos The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase . The story revolves around the fictional character , New Jersey-based Italian American mobster Tony Soprano ( James Gandolfini ) . The series portrays the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the conflicting requirements of his home life and his criminal organization . These are often highlighted during his therapy sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi ( Lorraine Bracco ) . The series features Tony 's family members , mafia colleagues and rivals , in prominent roles and story arcs , most notably his wife Carmela ( Edie Falco ) and protégé Christopher Moltisanti ( Michael Imperioli ) .   After the pilot was ordered in 1997 , the show premiered on the premium cable network HBO in the United States on January 10 , 1999 , and ran its six seasons with 86 episodes to June 10 , 2007 . The series then went through syndication and has been broadcast on A&E in the United States and internationally . The Sopranos was produced by HBO , Chase Films , and Brad Grey Television . It was primarily filmed at Silvercup Studios , New York City , and on location in New Jersey . The executive producers throughout the show 's run were David Chase , Brad Grey , Robin Green , Mitchell Burgess , Ilene S. Landress , Terence Winter , and Matthew Weiner .   The Sopranos is widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time . The series also won a multitude of awards , including Peabody Awards for its first two seasons , 21 Primetime Emmy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards . A staple of 2000s American popular culture , the series has been the subject of critical analysis , controversy , and parody . It has spawned books , a video game , high-charting soundtrack albums , and a large amount of assorted merchandise . Several members of the show 's cast and crew who were previously largely unknown to the public have had successful careers after The Sopranos . In 2013 , the Writers Guild of America named The Sopranos the best-written TV series of all time , while TV Guide ranked it the best television series of all time .


Modern liberalism in the United States strongly endorses public spending on health care.

Modern liberalism in the United States Modern American liberalism is the dominant version of liberalism in the United States . It is characterized by social liberalism , and combines ideas of civil liberty and equality with support for social justice and a mixed economy . The term `` modern liberalism '' in this article refers only to the United States . In a global context , this philosophy is usually referred to as social liberalism .   The American modern liberal philosophy strongly endorses public spending on programs such as education , health care , and welfare . Important social issues today include addressing inequality , voting rights for minorities , affirmative action , reproductive and other women 's rights , support for LGBT rights , and immigration reform .   Modern liberalism took shape during the twentieth century , with roots in Theodore Roosevelt 's New Nationalism , Woodrow Wilson 's New Freedom , Franklin D. Roosevelt 's New Deal , Harry S. Truman 's Fair Deal , John F. Kennedy 's New Frontier , and Lyndon B. Johnson 's Great Society . American liberals oppose conservatives on most issues , but not all . Modern liberalism is historically related to social liberalism and progressivism , though the current relationship between liberal and progressive viewpoints is debated .   John F. Kennedy defined a liberal as follows :   Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1941 defined a liberal party as one ,   Keynesian economic theory has played an important role in the economic philosophy of modern American liberals . Modern American liberals generally believe that national prosperity requires government management of the macroeconomy , in order to keep unemployment low , inflation in check , and growth high . They also value institutions that defend against economic inequality . In The Conscience of a Liberal Paul Krugman writes : `` I believe in a relatively equal society , supported by institutions that limit extremes of wealth and poverty . I believe in democracy , civil liberties , and the rule of law . That makes me a liberal , and I 'm proud of it . '' Liberals often point to the widespread prosperity enjoyed under a mixed economy in the years since World War II . They believe liberty exists when access to necessities like health care and economic opportunity are available to all , and they champion the protection of the environment .   Modern American liberalism is typically associated with the Democratic Party , as modern American conservatism is typically associated with the Republican Party .


Reba McEntire sang in the Norwell High School band.

Reba McEntire Reba Nell McEntire ( born March 28 , 1955 ) is an American country singer , songwriter , actress , and record producer . She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings , and at rodeos . While a sophomore in college , she performed the National Anthem at the National Rodeo in Oklahoma City and caught the attention of country artist Red Steagall who brought her to Nashville , Tennessee . She signed a contract with Mercury Records a year later in 1975 . She released her first solo album in 1977 and released five additional studio albums under the label until 1983 .   Signing with MCA Nashville Records , McEntire took creative control over her second MCA album , My Kind of Country ( 1984 ) , which had a more traditional country sound and produced two number one singles : `` How Blue '' and `` Somebody Should Leave '' . The album brought her breakthrough success , bringing her a series of successful albums and number one singles in the 1980s and 1990s . McEntire has since released 29 studio albums , acquired 40 number one singles , 16 number one albums , and 28 albums have been certified gold , platinum or multi-platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America . She has sometimes been referred to as `` The Queen of Country '' . and she is one of the best-selling artists of all time , having sold more than 85 million records worldwide .   In the early 1990s , McEntire branched into film starting with 1990 's Tremors . She has since starred in the Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun and in her television sitcom , Reba ( 2001 -- 07 ) for which she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series -- Musical or Comedy .


California Gurls is part of Katy Perry's third platinum album.

California Gurls `` California Gurls '' is a song recorded by American singer Katy Perry for her third studio album , Teenage Dream ( 2010 ) . The song features verses from rapper Snoop Dogg . Both artists co-wrote the song with Bonnie McKee and its co-producers Dr. Luke and Max Martin , with additional production from Benny Blanco . According to Perry , the song is an answer song to `` Empire State of Mind '' ( 2009 ) , by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys . `` California Gurls '' is a midtempo disco-pop , and funk-pop song , with influences of new wave , and electropop . Its lyrics are an ode to the state of California , in which both Perry and Snoop Dogg were born and raised .   `` California Gurls '' garnered positive reviews from music critics , with the majority of them labeling it a `` summer anthem '' , as well as complimenting its production and chorus . Originally intended to be sent to mainstream and rhythmic airplay on May 25 , 2010 , the song debuted on May 7 , 2010 , after clips from the Teenage Dream album were leaked online . It was subsequently released to iTunes on May 11 , 2010 as the album 's lead single . The song was a worldwide success , peaking at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks , giving Perry her second US number-one single in and Snoop Dogg his third . The song reached number-one in ten other countries , including Australia , Canada , Ireland , New Zealand , and the United Kingdom .   A music video for the song was released on June 15 , 2010 , and features Perry and her dancers as pieces of a board game , set in the fictional `` Candyfornia '' . Perry has said that the inspiration behind the video was artist Will Cotton , who was also the artistic director of the video . It has been noted that the video is influenced by several other works , including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , Alice 's Adventures in Wonderland , and the board game Candyland . On December 2 , 2010 , the song received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals . In 2012 , Billboard ranked the song number one on a special The 30 Summer Songs of All Time listing .


Teenage Dream (Katy Perry album) Teenage Dream is the third studio album by American singer Katy Perry . It was released on August 24 , 2010 , through Capitol Records . Musically , it contains pop and dance-pop with influences of disco , electronic , funk , house , gothic rock , Hi-NRG , and hip hop . Lyrically , it revolves around teenage love , partying , self-empowerment , and personal growth . Perry co-wrote every song on the album , and also worked with a number of producers and writers , including Dr. Luke , Max Martin , Benny Blanco , Tricky Stewart , StarGate , Greg Kurstin , Bonnie McKee and Ester Dean .   Upon its release , Teenage Dream received generally mixed reviews from music critics , who complimented its production and themes while denouncing Perry 's songwriting . The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 , selling 192,000 copies in its first week . It was later certified three times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) , sold 3 million copies in the United States , and charted within the Top 40 of the Billboard 200 year-end chart three years in a row . The album also sold 1.3 million copies in the United Kingdom , where it was certified four times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry ( BPI ) . As of July 2013 , Teenage Dream has sold 6 million copies worldwide . The album and its singles earned Perry seven Grammy Award nominations including Album of the Year , Best Pop Vocal Album , and Record of the Year , as well as winning International Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2011 .   The album was preceded by the number-one singles `` California Gurls '' and `` Teenage Dream '' , and later produced the number-one singles `` Firework '' , `` E.T. '' , and `` Last Friday Night ( T.G.I.F. ) '' . Its sixth `` The One That Got Away '' peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 . Teenage Dream is the second album in history to have five number ones from one album ( after Michael Jackson 's 1987 album Bad ) , the first by a female to achieve this milestone and the third album in history to produce eight top five hits . All six of the aforementioned singles , in addition to two from its 2012 reissue , have sold over two million digital downloads each in the US , setting a record in the digital era for the most multi-Platinum singles from one album , breaking the previous record of Fergie 's debut album The Dutchess ( 2006 ) , which had five multi-Platinum songs .


Water Water is a transparent and nearly colorless chemical substance that is the main constituent of Earth 's streams , lakes , and oceans , and the fluids of most living organisms . Its chemical formula is H2O , meaning that its molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms , that are connected by covalent bonds . Water strictly refers to the liquid state of that substance , that prevails at standard ambient temperature and pressure ; but it often refers also to its solid state ( ice ) or its gaseous state ( steam or water vapor ) . It also occurs in nature as snow , glaciers , ice packs and icebergs , clouds , fog , dew , aquifers , and atmospheric humidity .   Water covers 71 % of the Earth 's surface . It is vital for all known forms of life . On Earth , 96.5 % of the planet 's crust water is found in seas and oceans , 1.7 % in groundwater , 1.7 % in glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland , a small fraction in other large water bodies , and 0.001 % in the air as vapor , clouds ( formed of ice and liquid water suspended in air ) , and precipitation . Only 2.5 % of this water is freshwater , and 98.8 % of that water is in ice ( excepting ice in clouds ) and groundwater . Less than 0.3 % of all freshwater is in rivers , lakes , and the atmosphere , and an even smaller amount of the Earth 's freshwater ( 0.003 % ) is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products . A greater quantity of water is found in the earth 's interior .   Water on Earth moves continually through the water cycle of evaporation and transpiration ( evapotranspiration ) , condensation , precipitation , and runoff , usually reaching the sea . Evaporation and transpiration contribute to the precipitation over land . Large amounts of water are also chemically combined or adsorbed in hydrated minerals .   Safe drinking water is essential to humans and other lifeforms even though it provides no calories or organic nutrients . Access to safe drinking water has improved over the last decades in almost every part of the world , but approximately one billion people still lack access to safe water and over 2.5 billion lack access to adequate sanitation . There is a clear correlation between access to safe water and gross domestic product per capita . However , some observers have estimated that by 2025 more than half of the world population will be facing water-based vulnerability . A report , issued in November 2009 , suggests that by 2030 , in some developing regions of the world , water demand will exceed supply by 50 % .   Water plays an important role in the world economy . Approximately 70 % of the freshwater used by humans goes to agriculture . Fishing in salt and fresh water bodies is a major source of food for many parts of the world . Much of long-distance trade of commodities ( such as oil and natural gas ) and manufactured products is transported by boats through seas , rivers , lakes , and canals . Large quantities of water , ice , and steam are used for cooling and heating , in industry and homes . Water is an excellent solvent for a wide variety of chemical substances ; as such it is widely used in industrial processes , and in cooking and washing . Water is also central to many sports and other forms of entertainment , such as swimming , pleasure boating , boat racing , surfing , sport fishing , and diving .


The television series Fargo shares a common chronology with the original television special.

Fargo (TV series) Fargo is an American black comedy -- crime drama anthology television series created and primarily written by Noah Hawley . The show is inspired by the 1996 film of the same name written and directed by the Coen brothers , who serve as executive producers on the series alongside Hawley . It premiered on April 15 , 2014 , on FX . The series follows an anthology format , with each season set in a different era with a different story , cast , and set of characters ; however , each season shares a common chronology with the original film .   The first season , set in 2006 and starring Billy Bob Thornton , Allison Tolman , Colin Hanks , and Martin Freeman , was met with critical acclaim . It won the Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Miniseries , Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Casting , and received fifteen additional nominations including Outstanding Writing , another Outstanding Directing nomination , and acting nominations for all four leads . It also won the Golden Globe Awards for Best Miniseries or Television Film and Best Actor -- Miniseries or Television Film for Thornton .   The second season , set in 1979 and starring Kirsten Dunst , Patrick Wilson , Jesse Plemons , Jean Smart , and Ted Danson , was met with even greater acclaim . It received three Golden Globe nominations , along with several Emmy nominations including Outstanding Miniseries and acting nominations for Dunst , Plemons , Smart , and Bokeem Woodbine .   The third season , set in 2010 and starring Ewan McGregor , Carrie Coon , Mary Elizabeth Winstead , Goran Bogdan and David Thewlis premiered on April 19 , 2017 .


The Battle of Corinth was fought in 146 BC.

Battle of Corinth (146 BC) The Battle of Corinth was a battle fought between the Roman Republic and the Greek city-state of Corinth and its allies in the Achaean League in 146 BC , which resulted in the complete and total destruction of Corinth . This battle marked the beginning of the period of Roman domination in Greek history .


Hillary Clinton worked in the Obama administration.

Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton ( -LSB- ˈhɪləri_daɪˈæn_ˈrɒdəm_ˈklɪntən -RSB- born October 26 , 1947 ) is an American politician who was the 67th United States Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013 , U.S. Senator from New York from 2001 to 2009 , First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001 , and the Democratic Party 's nominee for President of the United States in the 2016 election .   Born in Chicago , Illinois , and raised in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge , Clinton graduated from Wellesley College in 1969 , and earned a J.D. from Yale Law School in 1973 . After serving as a congressional legal counsel , she moved to Arkansas and married Bill Clinton in 1975 . In 1977 , she co-founded Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families . She was appointed the first female chair of the Legal Services Corporation in 1978 and became the first female partner at Rose Law Firm the following year . As First Lady of Arkansas , she led a task force whose recommendations helped reform Arkansas 's public schools .   As First Lady of the United States , Clinton was an advocate for gender equality and healthcare reform . Her relationship with her husband came under public speculation during the Lewinsky scandal , forcing her to issue a statement reaffirming her commitment to the marriage . Clinton was elected in 2000 as the first female senator from New York . She was re-elected to the Senate in 2006 . Running for president in 2008 , she won far more delegates than any previous female candidate , but lost the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama .   As Secretary of State in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2013 , Clinton responded to the Arab Spring , during which she advocated the U.S. military intervention in Libya . She helped organize a diplomatic isolation and international sanctions regime against Iran , in an effort to force curtailment of that country 's nuclear program ; this would eventually lead to the multinational Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement in 2015 . Leaving office after Obama 's first term , she wrote her fifth book and undertook speaking engagements .   Clinton made a second presidential run in 2016 . She received the most votes and primary delegates in the 2016 Democratic primaries , and formally accepted her party 's nomination for President of the United States on July 28 , 2016 with vice presidential running mate Senator Tim Kaine . She became the first female candidate to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party . Despite winning a plurality of the national popular vote , Clinton lost the Electoral College and the presidency to her Republican opponent Donald Trump . Following her loss , in 2017 she decided to focus on being a self-described `` activist citizen '' .


The Prestige (film) The Prestige is a 2006 British-American mystery thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan , from a screenplay adapted by Nolan and his brother Jonathan from Christopher Priest 's 1995 World Fantasy Award-winning novel of the same name . Its story follows Robert Angier and Alfred Borden , rival stage magicians in London at the end of the 19th century . Obsessed with creating the best stage illusion , they engage in competitive one-upmanship with tragic results . The film stars Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier , Christian Bale as Alfred Borden , and David Bowie as Nikola Tesla . It also stars Michael Caine , Scarlett Johansson , Piper Perabo , Andy Serkis , and Rebecca Hall . The film reunites Nolan with actors Bale and Caine from Batman Begins and returning cinematographer Wally Pfister , production designer Nathan Crowley , film score composer David Julyan , and editor Lee Smith .   The film was released on October 20 , 2006 , receiving positive reviews and strong box office results , and received Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction . Along with The Illusionist and Scoop , The Prestige was one of three films released in 2006 to explore the world of stage magicians .


Michael Schumacher is a seven time champion.

Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher ( -LSB- ˈmɪçaʔɛl ˈʃuːmaxɐ -RSB- ; born 3 January 1969 ) is a German retired racing driver . He is a seven-time Formula One World Champion and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time . He was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year twice . He won two titles with Benetton in and before moving to Ferrari where he drove for eleven years . His time with Ferrari yielded five consecutive titles between and .   Schumacher holds many of Formula One 's driver records , including most championships , race victories , fastest laps , pole positions and races won in a single season -- 13 in 2004 ( the last record was equalled by fellow German Sebastian Vettel nine years later ) . In 2002 , he became the only driver in Formula One history to finish in the top three in every race of a season and then also broke the record for most consecutive podium finishes . According to the official Formula One website , he is `` statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen '' .   After beginning in karting , Schumacher won the German drivers ' championships in Formula König and Formula Three before joining Mercedes in the World Sportscar Championship . In 1991 , his Mercedes-funded race debut for the Jordan Formula One team resulted in Schumacher being signed by Benetton Formula One team as their driver for the rest of that season . Establishing himself as a top driver , finishing third in 1992 and fourth in 1993 , Schumacher became the first German World Drivers ' Champion in 1994 by one point over Damon Hill . In 1995 he repeated the success , this time with a greater margin . Schumacher moved to Ferrari in 1996 . Schumacher came close to winning the 1997 and 1998 titles , before breaking his leg at the 1999 British Grand Prix , ending another title run . Schumacher won five consecutive drivers ' titles from 2000 to 2004 . Schumacher retired from Formula One driving in 2006 staying with Ferrari as an advisor . He came close to an eighth title that year , but due to technical problems in the final two races he fell short to Fernando Alonso . Schumacher agreed to return for Ferrari part-way through 2009 , as cover for the badly injured Felipe Massa , but was prevented by a neck injury . Schumacher returned to Formula One on a permanent basis from 2010 with the Mercedes team before retiring for a second time at the conclusion of the 2012 season .   His career was not without controversy , including being twice involved in collisions in the final race of a season that determined the outcome of the World Championship , with Damon Hill in 1994 in Adelaide , and with Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 in Jerez . Off the track , Schumacher is an ambassador for UNESCO and a spokesman for driver safety . He has been involved in numerous humanitarian efforts throughout his life and donated tens of millions of dollars to charity . Schumacher and his younger brother , Ralf , are the only brothers to win races in Formula One , and they were the first brothers to finish 1st and 2nd in the same race , a feat they repeated in four subsequent races .   In December 2013 , Schumacher suffered a serious head injury in a skiing accident . He was airlifted to a hospital and placed in a medically induced coma , having suffered a traumatic brain injury . He was in the coma for six months from 29 December 2013 until 16 June 2014 . He left the hospital in Grenoble for further rehabilitation at the University Hospital ( CHUV ) in Lausanne . On 9 September 2014 , Schumacher was relocated to his home where he continues to receive medical treatment and rehabilitation privately .


Ottawa Ottawa ( -LSB- ˈɒtəwə -RSB- or -LSB- ˈɒtəwɑː -RSB- -LSB- ɔtawa -RSB- ) is the capital city of Canada . It stands on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of southern Ontario . Ottawa borders Gatineau , Quebec ; the two form the core of the Ottawa -- Gatineau census metropolitan area ( CMA ) and the National Capital Region ( NCR ) . The 2016 census reported a population of 934,243 , making it the fourth-largest city in Canada ; and 1,323,783 within the CMA , making it the fifth-largest CMA in Canada . The City of Ottawa reported that the city had an estimated population of 960,754 as of December 2015 .   Founded in 1826 as Bytown , and incorporated as `` Ottawa '' in 1855 , the city has evolved into a political and technological centre of Canada . Its original boundaries were expanded through numerous minor annexations and were ultimately replaced by a new city incorporation and major amalgamation in 2001 which significantly increased its land area . The city name `` Ottawa '' was chosen in reference to the Ottawa River nearby , the name of which is derived from the Algonquin Odawa , meaning `` to trade '' .   The city is the most educated in Canada , and is home to a number of post-secondary , research , and cultural institutions , including the National Arts Centre and the National Gallery . Ottawa also has the highest standard of living in the nation and low unemployment . It ranked 24th out of 150 worldwide in the Numbeo quality of life index 2014 -- 2015 , and it contains a UNESCO World Heritage Site .   In 2016 , MoneySense rated Ottawa as the best place to live in Canada .


Justin Trudeau Justin Pierre James Trudeau ( born December 25 , 1971 ) is a Canadian politician . He is the 23rd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Liberal Party . The second youngest prime minister after Joe Clark , he is also , as the eldest son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau , the first to be related to a previous holder of the post .   Born in Ottawa , Trudeau attended Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf and graduated from McGill University in 1994 and the University of British Columbia in 1998 . He gained a high public profile in October 2000 , when he delivered a eulogy at his father 's state funeral . After graduating , he worked as a teacher in Vancouver , British Columbia . He completed one year of an engineering program at Montreal 's École Polytechnique before quitting in 2003 . In 2005 he began a master 's degree in environmental geography at McGill University but quit after one year . He used his public profile to advocate for various causes and acted in the 2007 TV miniseries The Great War .   Eight years after his father 's death , Trudeau entered politics . In the 2008 federal election , he was elected to represent the riding of Papineau in the House of Commons . In 2009 , he was appointed the Liberal Party 's critic for youth and multiculturalism , and the following year , became critic for citizenship and immigration . In 2011 , he was appointed as critic for secondary education and youth and amateur sport . Trudeau won the leadership of the Liberal Party in April 2013 and went on to lead his party to victory in the 2015 federal election , moving the 3rd-placed Liberals from 36 seats to 184 seats , the largest-ever numerical increase by a party in a Canadian election .


Gerard Butler Gerard James Butler ( born 13 November 1969 ) is a Scottish actor who has appeared on film , stage , and television . After studying law , Butler turned to acting in the mid-1990s with small roles in productions such as Mrs Brown ( 1997 ) , the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies ( 1997 ) , and Tale of the Mummy ( 1998 ) . In 2000 , he starred as Dracula in the horror film Dracula 2000 with Christopher Plummer and Jonny Lee Miller .   The following year onward , he played Attila the Hun in the miniseries Attila ( 2001 ) and then appeared in the films Reign of Fire with Christian Bale ( 2002 ) , and Lara Croft Tomb Raider : The Cradle of Life with Angelina Jolie ( 2003 ) , before playing André Marek in the adaptation of Michael Crichton 's science fiction adventure Timeline ( 2003 ) . He then was cast as the role of Erik , The Phantom in Joel Schumacher 's 2004 film adaptation of the musical The Phantom of the Opera alongside Emmy Rossum . That role earned him a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actor .   Although Attila and The Phantom of the Opera were important breaks , it was only in 2007 that Butler gained worldwide recognition for his portrayal of King Leonidas in Zack Snyder 's fantasy war film 300 . That role earned him nominations for an Empire Award for Best Actor and a Saturn Award for Best Actor and a win for MTV Movie Award for Best Fight . In the 2010s , he voiced the role of Stoick the Vast in the animated action-fantasy film How to Train Your Dragon , a role he later reprised in Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon ( 2010 ) , Gift of the Night Fury ( 2011 ) and How to Train Your Dragon 2 ( 2014 ) . He played military leader Tullus Aufidius in the 2011 film Coriolanus , the modernized adaptation of Shakespeare 's tragedy of the same name . He also played Sam Childers in the 2011 action biopic Machine Gun Preacher .


Audra McDonald appeared in a staged production of A Raisin in the Sun.

Audra McDonald Audra Ann McDonald ( born July 3 , 1970 ) is an American actress and singer . She has appeared on the stage in both musicals and dramas , such as Ragtime , A Raisin in the Sun , and Porgy and Bess . With her full lyric soprano voice , she maintains an active concert and recording career , performing song cycles and operas as well as performing in concert throughout the U.S. . She has won six Tony Awards , more performance wins than any other actor , and is the only person to win all four acting categories.Best Actress in a Play , Best Actress in a Musical , Best Featured Actress in a Play , and Best Featured Actress in a Musical . She starred as Dr. Naomi Bennett on the ABC television drama Private Practice .


Mark Zuckerberg's middle name is Jean-Luc.

Mark Zuckerberg Mark Elliot Zuckerberg ( born May 14 , 1984 ) is an American computer programmer and Internet entrepreneur . He is a co-founder of Facebook , and currently operates as its chairman and chief executive officer . His net worth is estimated to be US$ 63.3 billion as of May 2017 , and he is ranked by Forbes as the fifth richest person in the world .   Zuckerberg launched Facebook from his Harvard University dormitory room on February 4 , 2004 . He was assisted by his college roommates and fellow Harvard students Eduardo Saverin , Andrew McCollum , Dustin Moskovitz , and Chris Hughes . The group then introduced Facebook to other college campuses . Facebook expanded rapidly , reaching one billion users by 2012 . Meanwhile , Zuckerberg was involved in various legal disputes brought by others in the group , who claimed a share of the company based upon their involvement during the development phase of Facebook .   In December 2012 , Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan announced that over the course of their lives they would give the majority of their wealth to `` advancing human potential and promoting equality '' in the spirit of The Giving Pledge . On December 1 , 2015 , they announced they would eventually give 99 percent of their Facebook shares ( worth about US$ 45 billion at the time ) to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative .   Since 2010 , Time magazine has named Zuckerberg among the 100 wealthiest and most influential people in the world as a part of its Person of the Year award . In December 2016 , Zuckerberg was ranked 10th on Forbes list of The World 's Most Powerful People . According to Forbes Magazine , Zuckerberg has a net worth of US$ 63.3 billion as of May 2017 .


Gendry is a character created by George R. R. Martin.

Gendry Gendry is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin , and its television adaptation Game of Thrones .   He first appeared in 1996 's A Game of Thrones . He subsequently appeared in Martin 's A Clash of Kings ( 1998 ) and A Storm of Swords ( 2000 ) and A Feast for Crows ( 2011 ) . Gendry is an apprentice blacksmith in King 's Landing and an unacknowledged bastard of King Robert Baratheon .   Gendry is portrayed by Joe Dempsie in the HBO television adaptation . He and the rest of the cast were nominated for Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2014 .


A Game of Thrones A Game of Thrones is the first novel in A Song of Ice and Fire , a series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin . It was first published on August 1 , 1996 . The novel won the 1997 Locus Award and was nominated for both the 1997 Nebula Award and the 1997 World Fantasy Award . The novella Blood of the Dragon , comprising the Daenerys Targaryen chapters from the novel , won the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Novella . In January 2011 the novel became a New York Times bestseller and reached # 1 on the list in July 2011 .   In the novel , recounting events from various points of view , Martin introduces the plot-lines of the noble houses of Westeros , the Wall , and the Targaryens . The novel has inspired several spin-off works , including several games . It is also the basis for the first season of Game of Thrones , an HBO television series that premiered in April 2011 . A March 2013 paperback TV tie-in re-edition was also titled Game of Thrones , excluding the indefinite article `` A '' .


A Feast for Crows A Feast for Crows is the fourth of seven planned novels in the epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire by American author George R. R. Martin . The novel was first published on October 17 , 2005 , in the United Kingdom , with a United States edition following on 8 November 2005 .   In May 2005 , Martin announced that the `` sheer size '' of his still-unfinished manuscript for A Feast for Crows had led him and his publishers to split the narrative into two books . Rather than divide the text in half chronologically , Martin opted to instead split the material by character and location , resulting in `` two novels taking place simultaneously '' with different casts of characters . A Feast for Crows was published months later , and the concurrent novel A Dance with Dragons was released on July 12 , 2011 . Martin also noted that the A Song of Ice and Fire series would now likely total seven novels .   A Feast for Crows was the first novel in the series to debut at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list , a feat among fantasy writers only previously achieved by Robert Jordan and Neil Gaiman . In 2006 the novel was nominated for the Hugo Award , the Locus Award , and the British Fantasy Society Award . It has since been adapted , along with A Dance With Dragons , for television as the fifth season of Game of Thrones , though elements of the novel appeared in the series ' fourth and sixth seasons .


A Clash of Kings A Clash of Kings is the second novel in A Song of Ice and Fire , an epic fantasy series by American author George R. R. Martin expected to consist of seven volumes . It was first published on 16 November 1998 in the United Kingdom , although the first United States edition did not follow until March 1999 . Like its predecessor , A Game of Thrones , it won the Locus Award ( in 1999 ) for Best Novel and was nominated for the Nebula Award ( also in 1999 ) for best novel . In May 2005 Meisha Merlin released a limited edition of the novel , fully illustrated by John Howe .   The novel has been adapted for television by HBO as the second season of the TV series Game of Thrones .   A Clash of Kings is also the name of the first expansion to the Game of Thrones board game .


A Storm of Swords A Storm of Swords is the third of seven planned novels in A Song of Ice and Fire , a fantasy series by American author George R. R. Martin . It was first published on August 8 , 2000 , in the United Kingdom , with a United States edition following in November 2000 . Its publication was preceded by a novella called Path of the Dragon , which collects some of the Daenerys Targaryen chapters from the novel into a single book .   At the time of its publication , A Storm of Swords was the longest novel in the series . It was so long that in the UK , Australia and Israel its paperback edition was split in half , Part 1 being published as Steel and Snow in June 2001 ( with the one-volume cover ) and Part 2 as Blood and Gold in August 2001 ( with a specially-commissioned new cover ) . The same division was used in the Polish and Greek editions . In France , the decision was made to cut the novel into four separate volumes .   A Storm of Swords won the 2001 Locus Award , the 2002 Geffen Award for Best Novel and was nominated for the 2001 Nebula Award for Best Novel . It was the first novel in the series to be nominated for the Hugo Award , one of the two most prestigious awards in science fiction and fantasy publishing , although it lost to J. K. Rowling 's novel Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire .   Meisha Merlin Publishing , which had previously issued limited , illustrated editions of both A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings , was planning to release a similar version for A Storm of Swords in two volumes ; however , lengthy delays in the release of A Clash of Kings caused it to lose its publishing rights , which were picked up by Subterranean Press . This edition , illustrated by Charles Vess , was released in the summer of 2006 .   A Storm of Swords is also the name of the second expansion to the board game A Game of Thrones , released in July 2006 . Approximately the first half of the novel was adapted for television as the third season of the HBO show Game of Thrones , while the second half became the basis for the series ' fourth season , and some elements for the series ' fifth season .


Diana Rigg Dame Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg , DBE ( born 20 July 1938 ) is an English actress . She is known for playing Emma Peel in the 1960s TV series The Avengers ( 1965 -- 68 ) , and Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones ( 2013 -- present ) . She has also had an extensive career in theatre , including playing the title role in Medea , both in London and New York , for which she won the 1994 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play . She was made a CBE in 1988 and a Dame in 1994 .   Rigg made her professional stage debut in 1957 in The Caucasian Chalk Circle , and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1959 . She made her Broadway debut in the 1971 production of Abelard & Heloise . Her film roles include Helena in A Midsummer Night 's Dream ( 1968 ) ; Countess Teresa di Vicenzo , wife of James Bond in On Her Majesty 's Secret Service ( 1969 ) ; Lady Holiday in The Great Muppet Caper ( 1981 ) ; and Arlene Marshall in Evil Under the Sun ( 1982 ) . She won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for the 1989 BBC miniseries Mother Love , and an Emmy Award for her role as Mrs. Danvers in the 1997 adaptation of Rebecca . Her other television credits include You , Me and the Apocalypse ( 2015 ) , and opposite her daughter , Rachael Stirling , in Detectorists ( 2015 ) .


Carrie Fisher talked about her experiences with bipolar disorder.

Carrie Fisher Carrie Frances Fisher ( October 21 , 1956 -- December 27 , 2016 ) was an American actress , writer and humorist who first became known for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars film series . Her other film roles included Shampoo ( 1975 ) , The Blues Brothers ( 1980 ) , Hannah and Her Sisters ( 1986 ) , The ` Burbs ( 1989 ) , and When Harry Met Sally ... ( 1989 ) .   Fisher wrote several semi-autobiographical novels , including Postcards from the Edge and the screenplay for the film of the book , as well as an autobiographical one-woman play , and its non-fiction book , Wishful Drinking , based on the play . She worked on other writers ' screenplays as a script doctor . In later years , she earned praise for speaking publicly about her experiences with bipolar disorder and drug addiction .   The daughter of the singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds , Fisher and her mother appear in Bright Lights : Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds , a 2016 documentary about their relationship . It premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival . Fisher died of cardiac arrest on December 27 , 2016 , at age 60 , four days after experiencing a medical emergency during a transatlantic flight from London to Los Angeles . Her final film , Star Wars : The Last Jedi , is scheduled to be released on December 15 , 2017 .


In 2015, Justin Bieber's released his fourth album.

Justin Bieber Justin Drew Bieber ( -LSB- ˈbiːbər -RSB- born March 1 , 1994 ) is a Canadian singer and songwriter . After a talent manager discovered him through his YouTube videos covering songs in 2008 and signed to RBMG , Bieber released his debut EP , My World , in late 2009 . It was certified Platinum in the U.S. . He became the first artist to have seven songs from a debut record chart on the Billboard Hot 100 . Bieber released his first full-length studio album , My World 2.0 , in 2010 . It debuted at or near number one in several countries , was certified triple Platinum in the U.S. , and contained his single `` Baby '' .   Following his debut album , he had his first headlining tour , the My World Tour , released the remix albums My Worlds Acoustic and Never Say Never -- The Remixes -- and the 3D biopic-concert film Justin Bieber : Never Say Never . He released his second studio album , Under the Mistletoe , in November 2011 , when it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 . Bieber released his third studio album , Believe , in 2012 . His fourth studio album Purpose was released in November 2015 , spawning three number one singles : `` What Do You Mean ? '' , `` Sorry '' , and `` Love Yourself '' . His U.S. album and singles sales total 44.7 million . He has sold an estimated 100 million records , making him one of the world 's best-selling music artists .   Bieber has won numerous awards , including the American Music Award for Artist of the Year in 2010 and 2012 . In his career , he has won one Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for the song `` Where Are Ü Now '' at the 2016 ceremony . He has been listed four times by Forbes magazine among the top ten most powerful celebrities in the world in 2011 , 2012 , and 2013 . Bieber also became the first artist to surpass 10 billion total video views on Vevo .


Mongol Empire The Mongol Empire ( Mongolian : Mongolyn Ezent Güren ; Mongolian Cyrillic : Монголын эзэнт гүрэн ; -LSB- mɔŋɡ ɮˈiːŋ ɛt͡sˈɛnt ˈɡurəŋ -RSB- also Орда ( `` Horde '' ) in Russian chronicles ) existed during the 13th and 14th centuries and was the largest contiguous land empire in history . Originating in the steppes of Central Asia , the Mongol Empire eventually stretched from Central Europe to the Sea of Japan , extending northwards into Siberia , eastwards and southwards into the Indian subcontinent , Indochina , and the Iranian plateau , and westwards as far as the Levant and Arabia .   The Mongol Empire emerged from the unification of nomadic tribes in the Mongol homeland under the leadership of Genghis Khan , whom a council proclaimed ruler of all the Mongols in 1206 . The empire grew rapidly under his rule and that of his descendants , who sent invasions in every direction . The vast transcontinental empire connected the east with the west with an enforced Pax Mongolica , allowing the dissemination and exchange of trade , technologies , commodities , and ideologies across Eurasia .   The empire began to split due to wars over succession , as the grandchildren of Genghis Khan disputed whether the royal line should follow from his son and initial heir Ögedei or from one of his other sons , such as Tolui , Chagatai , or Jochi . The Toluids prevailed after a bloody purge of Ögedeid and Chagataid factions , but disputes continued even among the descendants of Tolui . After Möngke Khan died ( 1259 ) , rival kurultai councils simultaneously elected different successors , the brothers Ariq Böke and Kublai Khan , who then not only fought each other in the Toluid Civil War ( 1260-1264 ) , but also dealt with challenges from descendants of other sons of Genghis . Kublai successfully took power , but civil war ensued as Kublai sought unsuccessfully to regain control of the Chagatayid and Ögedeid families .   The Battle of Ain Jalut in Galilee in 1260 marked both the high point of the Mongol conquests and the first time opponents had ever beaten back a Mongol advance in direct combat on the battlefield . Though the Mongols launched many more invasions on the Levant , briefly occupying it and raiding as far as Gaza after a decisive victory at the Battle of Wadi al-Khazandar in 1299 , they withdrew due to various geopolitical factors .   By the time of Kublai 's death in 1294 , the Mongol Empire had fractured into four separate khanates or empires , each pursuing its own separate interests and objectives :   the Golden Horde khanate in the northwest  the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia  the Ilkhanate in the southwest  the Yuan dynasty in the east based near modern-day Beijing .   In 1304 the three western khanates briefly accepted the nominal suzerainty of the Yuan dynasty ,  but in 1368 the Han Chinese Ming dynasty took over the Mongol capital . The Genghisid rulers of the Yuan retreated to the Mongolian homeland and continued to rule there as the Northern Yuan dynasty , while the Golden Horde and the Chagatai Khanate lasted in one form or another for some additional centuries after the fall of the Yuan dynasty and of the Ilkhanate ( which disintegrated in the period 1335-1353 ) .