Russia Russia ( -LSB- ˈrʌʃə -RSB- -LSB- Россия , Rossiya , rɐˈsʲijə -RSB- ) , also officially the Russian Federation ( -LSB- Российская Федерация , r = Rossiyskaya Federatsiya , p = rɐˈsʲijskəjə fʲɪdʲɪˈratsɨjə -RSB- ) , is a country in Eurasia . At 17075200 km2 , Russia is the largest country in the world by surface area , covering more than one-eighth of the Earth 's inhabited land area , and the ninth most populous , with over 144 million people at the end of March 2016 . The European western part of the country is much more populated and urbanised than the eastern ; about 77 % of the population live in European Russia . Russia 's capital Moscow is one of the largest cities in the world ; other major urban centers include Saint Petersburg , Novosibirsk , Yekaterinburg , Nizhny Novgorod and Kazan .   Extending across the entirety of Northern Asia and much of Eastern Europe , Russia spans eleven time zones and incorporates a wide range of environments and landforms . From northwest to southeast , Russia shares land borders with Norway , Finland , Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania and Poland ( both with Kaliningrad Oblast ) , Belarus , Ukraine , Georgia , Azerbaijan , Kazakhstan , China , Mongolia , and North Korea . It shares maritime borders with Japan by the Sea of Okhotsk and the U.S. state of Alaska across the Bering Strait .   The East Slavs emerged as a recognizable group in Europe between the 3rd and 8th centuries AD . Founded and ruled by a Varangian warrior elite and their descendants , the medieval state of Rus arose in the 9th century . In 988 it adopted Orthodox Christianity from the Byzantine Empire , beginning the synthesis of Byzantine and Slavic cultures that defined Russian culture for the next millennium . Rus ' ultimately disintegrated into a number of smaller states ; most of the Rus ' lands were overrun by the Mongol invasion and became tributaries of the nomadic Golden Horde in the 13th century . The Grand Duchy of Moscow gradually reunified the surrounding Russian principalities , achieved independence from the Golden Horde , and came to dominate the cultural and political legacy of Kievan Rus ' . By the 18th century , the nation had greatly expanded through conquest , annexation , and exploration to become the Russian Empire , which was the third largest empire in history , stretching from Poland on the west to Alaska on the east .   Following the Russian Revolution , the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic became the largest and leading constituent of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , the world 's first constitutionally socialist state . The Soviet Union played a decisive role in the Allied victory in World War II , and emerged as a recognized superpower and rival to the United States during the Cold War . The Soviet era saw some of the most significant technological achievements of the 20th century , including the world 's first human-made satellite and the launching of the first humans in space . By the end of 1990 , the Soviet Union had the world 's second largest economy , largest standing military in the world and the largest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction . Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 , fifteen independent republics emerged from the USSR : Russia , Ukraine , Belarus , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , Armenia , Azerbaijan , Estonia , Georgia , Kyrgyzstan , Latvia , Lithuania , Moldova , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan ; the Russian SFSR reconstituted itself as the Russian Federation and is recognized as the continuing legal personality and sole successor state of the Soviet Union . It is governed as a federal semi-presidential republic .   The Russian economy ranks as the twelfth largest by nominal GDP and sixth largest by purchasing power parity in 2015 . Russia 's extensive mineral and energy resources are the largest such reserves in the world , making it one of the leading producers of oil and natural gas globally . The country is one of the five recognized nuclear weapons states and possesses the largest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction . Russia is a great power as well as a regional power and has been characterised as a potential superpower . It is permanent member of the United Nations Security Council , as well as a member of the G20 , the Council of Europe , the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ( APEC ) , the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation ( SCO ) , the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) , and the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) , as well as being the leading member of the Commonwealth of Independent States ( CIS ) , the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) and one of the five members of the Eurasian Economic Union ( EEU ) , along with Armenia , Belarus , Kazakhstan , and Kyrgyzstan .


Big Brother 18 (UK) is the eighteenth series of an award-winning British reality television series.

Big Brother 18 (UK) Big Brother 2017 , also known as Big Brother 18 , is the upcoming eighteenth series of the British reality television series Big Brother , hosted by Emma Willis and narrated by Marcus Bentley . The series will launch on 5 June 2017 on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom . Rylan Clark-Neal will continue to present the spin-off show Big Brother 's Bit on the Side .   It will be the seventh regular series and the nineteenth series of Big Brother in total to air on Channel 5 to date .


Travis Scott Jacques Webster , Jr. ( born April 30 , 1992 ) , better known by his stage name Travis Scott ( formerly stylized as Travi $ Scott ) , is an American rapper , singer , songwriter and record producer from Houston , Texas . In 2012 , Scott signed a record deal with Epic Records . In November of the same year , Scott signed a deal with Very GOOD Beats , as an in-house producer , after appearing on the label 's debut compilation album Cruel Summer ( 2012 ) . In April 2013 , it was announced he signed with T.I. 's Grand Hustle imprint . He released his first full-length project , a mixtape titled Owl Pharaoh , in May 2013 . He then released his second mixtape Days Before Rodeo in August 2014 . His debut album Rodeo , was released on September 4 , 2015 . His sophomore album , Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight , was released on September 2 , 2016 .


Massachusetts Massachusetts -LSB- mæsəˈtʃuːsᵻts -RSB- or -LSB- ˌmæsəˈtʃuːzᵻts -RSB- ; officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts , is the most populous state in the New England region of the northeastern United States . It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east , the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south , New Hampshire and Vermont to the north , and New York to the west . The state is named for the Massachusett tribe , which once inhabited the area . The capital of Massachusetts and the most populous city in New England is Boston . Over 80 % of Massachusetts ' population lives in the Greater Boston metropolitan area , a region influential upon American history , academia , and industry . Originally dependent on agriculture , fishing and trade , Massachusetts was transformed into a manufacturing center during the Industrial Revolution . During the 20th century , Massachusetts ' economy shifted from manufacturing to services . Modern Massachusetts is a global leader in biotechnology , engineering , higher education , finance , and maritime trade .   Plymouth was the site of the first colony in New England , founded in 1620 by the Pilgrims , passengers of the Mayflower . In 1692 , the town of Salem and surrounding areas experienced one of America 's most infamous cases of mass hysteria , the Salem witch trials . In 1777 , General Henry Knox founded the Springfield Armory , which during the Industrial Revolution catalyzed numerous important technological advances , including interchangeable parts . In 1786 , Shays ' Rebellion , a populist revolt led by disaffected American Revolutionary War veterans , influenced the United States Constitutional Convention . In the 18th century , the Protestant First Great Awakening , which swept the Atlantic World , originated from the pulpit of Northampton preacher Jonathan Edwards . In the late 18th century , Boston became known as the `` Cradle of Liberty '' for the agitation there that led to the American Revolution .   The entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts has played a powerful commercial and cultural role in the history of the United States . Before the American Civil War , Massachusetts was a center for the abolitionist , temperance , and transcendentalist movements . In the late 19th century , the sports of basketball and volleyball were invented in the western Massachusetts cities of Springfield and Holyoke , respectively . In 2004 , Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legally recognize same-sex marriage as a result of the decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court . Many prominent American political dynasties have hailed from the state , including the Adams and Kennedy families . Harvard University in Cambridge is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States , with the largest financial endowment of any university , and Harvard Law School has educated a contemporaneous majority of Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States . Kendall Square in Cambridge has been called `` the most innovative square mile on the planet '' , in reference to the high concentration of entrepreneurial start-ups and quality of innovation which have emerged in the vicinity of the square since 2010 . Both Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , also in Cambridge , have been ranked among the most highly regarded academic institutions in the world . Massachusetts ' public school students place among the top nations in the world in academic performance .


2008 was the year Just Dance was released.

Just Dance (song) `` Just Dance '' is the debut single by American singer Lady Gaga . The song was produced by RedOne and co-written by RedOne , Gaga and Akon , while also featuring labelmate Colby O'Donis . It was released in 2008 as the lead single from Gaga 's debut studio album , The Fame . The song was written by Gaga in ten minutes as `` a happy record '' . `` Just Dance '' also has influences of R&B and lyrically speaks about being intoxicated at a club .   The song received positive reviews from music critics , who complimented its club anthem-like nature and the synthpop associated with it . The song topped the charts in the United States , Australia , Canada , the Republic of Ireland , the Netherlands and the United Kingdom , as well as reaching the top ten in many other countries . In the United States , `` Just Dance '' was a sleeper hit , spending almost five months on the Billboard Hot 100 before finally reaching the summit of the chart in January 2009 , after being released in April 2008 . The single is among the best-selling singles of all time , having sold over 10 million copies .   The music video of the song portrayed Lady Gaga appearing in a party where she plays the song , prompting party-goers to start dancing in enjoyment . Gaga compared her experience of shooting the video with being on a Martin Scorsese set . `` Just Dance '' was performed by Gaga in a number of live appearances including all of her concert tours . In 2009 , the song received a Grammy nomination in the Best Dance Recording category but lost to electronic duo Daft Punk for their song `` Harder , Better , Faster , Stronger ( Alive 2007 ) '' .


Mike Pence Michael Richard Pence ( born June 7 , 1959 ) is an American politician , lawyer , and the 48th and current Vice President of the United States . He previously served as the 50th Governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017 .   Born and raised in Columbus , Indiana , Pence graduated from Hanover College and earned a law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law before entering private practice . After losing two bids for a U.S. congressional seat in 1988 and 1990 , he became a conservative radio and television talk show host from 1994 to 1999 . Pence was elected to the United States Congress in 2000 and represented and in the United States House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013 . He served as the chairman of the House Republican Conference from 2009 to 2011 . Pence positioned himself as a principled ideologue and supporter of the Tea Party movement , noting he was `` a Christian , a conservative , and a Republican , in that order . ''   Upon becoming Governor of Indiana in January 2013 , Pence initiated the largest tax cut in Indiana 's history , pushed for more funding for education initiatives , and continued to increase the state 's budget surplus . Pence signed bills intended to restrict abortions , including one that prohibited abortions if the reason for the procedure was the fetus 's race , gender , or disability . Pence stirred several high-profile controversies , including with his signature of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act , for which he encountered fierce resistance from moderate members of his party , the business community , and LGBT advocates . He later signed an additional bill acting as an amendment intended to protect LGBT people .   On November 8 , 2016 , Pence was elected as Vice President , after he dropped out of his gubernatorial re-election campaign in July to become the vice presidential running mate for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump , who went on to win the presidential election .


Republican Conference of the United States House of Representatives The House Republican Conference is the party caucus for Republicans in the United States House of Representatives . It hosts meetings and is the primary forum for communicating the party 's message to members . In addition to promoting fiscal responsibility and national security , it produces a daily publication of political analysis under the title Legislative Digest .   The conference has a chairman who directs day-to-day operations and who is assisted by an elected vice-chairman and a secretary .   In the 112th Congress , the chair was Jeb Hensarling of Texas , Vice Chair was Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington , and Secretary was John Carter of Texas . For the 113th Congress ( 2013-2015 ) , the party elected Cathy McMorris Rodgers as the Chair after a tough fight with conservative Tom Price of Georgia . They also elected Lynn Jenkins of Kansas to the position of Vice Chair and Virginia Foxx of North Carolina to the position of Secretary .   Former chairs include John Boehner , Mike Pence , John B. Anderson , Dick Cheney , Jack Kemp , J. C. Watts , Jr. . Deborah D. Pryce , and Adam Putnam .


Indiana gubernatorial election, 2016 The 2016 Indiana gubernatorial election was held November 8 , 2016 , to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Indiana , concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections . The primaries were held on May 3 , 2016 . Republican Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb won the race with 51.4 % of the vote .   Incumbent Republican Governor Mike Pence was running for reelection to a second term in office until July 15 , 2016 , when Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump selected Pence as his vice presidential running mate . As Pence was barred by Indiana law from simultaneously running for both offices , he subsequently withdrew from the gubernatorial election . He was replaced on the ballot for Governor by his former running mate , incumbent Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb , who was selected by the Indiana Republican State Committee as the nominee on July 26 , 2016 . Holcomb later selected State Auditor Suzanne Crouch on August 1 , 2016 , to be his running mate as the nomination for Lieutenant Governor was made vacant by the decision of Holcomb to seek the gubernatorial nomination ; she was confirmed at a subsequent meeting of the Indiana Republican State Committee later that day .   John Gregg , the former Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives , was the Democratic nominee . Gregg previously ran for Governor in 2012 , but was defeated by Pence .


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 .


Auto racing Auto racing ( also known as car racing , motor racing or automobile racing ) is a sport involving the racing of automobiles for competition .   Almost as soon as automobiles had been invented , races of various sorts were organised , with the first recorded as early as 1867 . Many of the earliest events were effectively reliability trials , aimed at proving these new machines were a practical mode of transport , but soon became an important way for competing makers to demonstrate their machines . By the 1930s specialist racing cars had developed .   There are now numerous different categories , each with different rules and regulations .


A co-producer of From the Earth to the Moon is credited to be Michael Bostick.

From the Earth to the Moon (miniseries) From the Earth to the Moon is a twelve-part HBO television miniseries ( 1998 ) co-produced by Ron Howard , Brian Grazer , Tom Hanks , and Michael Bostick , telling the story of the landmark Apollo expeditions to the Moon during the 1960s and early 1970s in docudrama format . Largely based on Andrew Chaikin 's book , A Man on the Moon , the series is known for its accurate telling of the story of Apollo and the outstanding special effects under visual director Ernest D. Farino .   The series takes its title from , but is not based upon , the famous Jules Verne science fiction novel From the Earth to the Moon . Hanks appears in every episode , introducing each of the first eleven . The last episode is represented in a pseudo-documentary format narrated by Blythe Danner , interspersed with a reenactment of the making of Georges Méliès ' film Le Voyage dans la Lune . Hanks narrates and appears in these scenes as Méliès ' assistant .


Popular culture Popular culture or pop culture is the entirety of attitudes , ideas , images , perspectives , and other phenomena within the mainstream of a given culture , especially Western culture of the early to mid-20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the late 20th and early 21st century . Heavily influenced by mass media , this collection of ideas permeates the everyday lives of the society . The most common pop culture categories are : entertainment ( movies , music , television , games ) , sports , news ( as in people/places in news ) , politics , fashion/clothes , technology , and slang . Popular culture has a way of influencing an individual 's attitudes towards certain topics .   Popular culture is often viewed as being trivial and `` dumbed down '' in order to find consensual acceptance throughout the mainstream . As a result , it comes under heavy criticism from various non-mainstream sources ( most notably religious groups and countercultural groups ) which deem it superficial , consumerist , sensationalist , or corrupt .


The Blue Lagoon and The Garden of God share a trilogy.

The Blue Lagoon (novel) The Blue Lagoon is a romance novel written by Henry De Vere Stacpoole and was first published by T. Fisher Unwin in 1908 . It is the first novel of the Blue Lagoon trilogy , which also includes The Garden of God ( 1923 ) and The Gates of Morning ( 1925 ) . The novel has inspired several film adaptations , most notably The Blue Lagoon starring Brooke Shields as Emmeline and Christopher Atkins as Richard ( `` Dicky '' in the book ) .


Afghanistan Afghanistan ( -LSB- æfˈɡænᵻstæn -RSB- Pashto/Dari : , Afġānistān ) , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan , is a landlocked country located within South Asia and Central Asia . It has a population of 33 million , making it the 42nd most populous country in the world . It is bordered by Pakistan in the south and east ; Iran in the west ; Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan , and Tajikistan in the north ; and China in the far northeast . Its territory covers 652,000 km2 , making it the 41st largest country in the world .   Human habitation in Afghanistan dates back to the Middle Paleolithic Era , and the country 's strategic location along the Silk Road connected it to the cultures of the Middle East and other parts of Asia . Through the ages the land has been home to various peoples and witnessed numerous military campaigns , notably by Alexander the Great , Mauryas , Muslim Arabs , Mongols , British , Soviet , and in the modern era by Western powers . The land also served as the source from which the Kushans , Hephthalites , Samanids , Saffarids , Ghaznavids , Ghorids , Khiljis , Mughals , Hotaks , Durranis , and others have risen to form major empires .   The political history of the modern state of Afghanistan began with the Hotak and Durrani dynasties in the 18th century . In the late 19th century , Afghanistan became a buffer state in the `` Great Game '' between British India and the Russian Empire . Following the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919 , King Amanullah unsuccessfully attempted to modernize the country . It remained peaceful during Zahir Shah 's forty years of monarchy . A series of coups in the 1970s was followed by a series of civil wars that devastated much of Afghanistan and continues to this day .   Afghanistan is a unitary presidential Islamic republic with Islam as an official state religion . It is a member of the United Nations , the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation , the Group of 77 , the Economic Cooperation Organization , and the Non-Aligned Movement . The country 's economy is ranked 108th in the world with the GDP of $ 64.08 billion .


Schutzstaffel The Schutzstaffel ( SS ; also stylized as with Armanen runes ; -LSB- ˈʃʊtsˌʃtafəl -RSB- ; literally `` Protection Squadron '' ) was a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers ' Party ( NSDAP ; Nazi Party ) in Nazi Germany . It began with a small guard unit known as the Saal-Schutz ( Hall-Protection ) made up of NSDAP volunteers to provide security for party meetings in Munich . In 1925 , Heinrich Himmler joined the unit , which had by then been reformed and given its final name . Under his direction ( 1929 -- 45 ) , it grew from a small paramilitary formation to one of the most powerful organizations in Nazi Germany . From 1929 until the regime 's collapse in 1945 , the SS was the foremost agency of security , surveillance , and terror within Germany and German-occupied Europe .   The two main constituent groups were the Allgemeine SS ( General SS ) and Waffen-SS ( Armed SS ) . The Allgemeine SS was responsible for enforcing the racial policy of Nazi Germany and general policing , whereas the Waffen-SS consisted of combat units of troops within Nazi Germany 's military . A third component of the SS , the SS-Totenkopfverbände ( SS-TV ) , ran the concentration camps and extermination camps . Additional subdivisions of the SS included the Gestapo and the Sicherheitsdienst ( SD ) organizations . They were tasked with the detection of actual or potential enemies of the Nazi state , the neutralization of any opposition , policing the German people for their commitment to Nazi ideology , and providing domestic and foreign intelligence .   The SS was the organization most responsible for the genocidal killing of an estimated 5.5 to 6 million Jews and millions of other victims in the Holocaust . Members of all of its branches committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during World War II ( 1939 -- 45 ) . The SS was also involved in commercial enterprises and exploited concentration camp inmates as slave labor . After Nazi Germany 's defeat , the SS and the NSDAP were judged by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg to be criminal organizations . Ernst Kaltenbrunner , the highest-ranking surviving SS officer at the time , was found guilty of crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg trials and hanged in 1946 .


Heinrich Himmler Heinrich Luitpold Himmler ( -LSB- ˈhaɪnʁɪç ˈluˑɪtˌpɔlt ˈhɪmlɐ -RSB- ; 7 October 1900 -- 23 May 1945 ) was Reichsführer of the Schutzstaffel ( Protection Squadron ; SS ) , and a leading member of the Nazi Party ( NSDAP ) of Germany . Nazi leader Adolf Hitler briefly appointed him a military commander and later Commander of the Replacement ( Home ) Army and General Plenipotentiary for the administration of the entire Third Reich ( Generalbevollmächtigter für die Verwaltung ) . Himmler was one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany and one of the people most directly responsible for the Holocaust .   As a member of a reserve battalion during World War I , Himmler did not see active service . He studied agronomy in college , and joined the Nazi Party in 1923 and the SS in 1925 . In 1929 , he was appointed Reichsführer-SS by Hitler . Over the next 16 years , he developed the SS from a mere 290-man battalion into a million-strong paramilitary group , and , following Hitler 's orders , set up and controlled the Nazi concentration camps . He was known to have good organisational skills and for selecting highly competent subordinates , such as Reinhard Heydrich in 1931 . From 1943 onwards , he was both Chief of German Police and Minister of the Interior , overseeing all internal and external police and security forces , including the Gestapo ( Secret State Police ) . Himmler had a lifelong interest in occultism , interpreting Germanic neopagan and Völkisch beliefs to promote the racial policy of Nazi Germany , and incorporating esoteric symbolism and rituals into the SS .   On Hitler 's behalf , Himmler formed the Einsatzgruppen and built extermination camps . As facilitator and overseer of the concentration camps , Himmler directed the killing of some six million Jews , between 200,000 and 500,000 Romani people , and other victims ; the total number of civilians killed by the regime is estimated at eleven to fourteen million people . Most of them were Polish and Soviet citizens .   Late in World War II , Hitler charged Himmler with the command of the Army Group Upper Rhine and the Army Group Vistula ; he failed to achieve his assigned objectives and Hitler replaced him in these posts . Realising that the war was lost , he attempted to open peace talks with the western Allies without Hitler 's knowledge shortly before the war ended . Hearing of this , Hitler dismissed him from all his posts in April 1945 and ordered his arrest . Himmler attempted to go into hiding , but was detained and then arrested by British forces once his identity became known . While in British custody , he committed suicide on 23 May 1945 .


Montreal Montreal ( -LSB- audio = Montreal-English-pronunciation . ogaˌmʌntriːˈɒl -RSB- ) , officially Montréal ( -LSB- mɔ̃ʁeal -RSB- ) , is the most populous municipality in the Canadian province of Quebec and the 2nd-most populous in Canada , after Toronto . Originally called Ville-Marie , or `` City of Mary , '' it is believed to be named after Mount Royal , though there is some debate about this . The city has a distinct four-season continental climate , with warm-to-hot summers and cold , snowy winters .   In 2016 , Montreal had a population of 1,704,694 . Montreal 's metropolitan area had a population of 4,098,927 and a population of 1,958,257 in the urban agglomeration , with all of the municipalities on the Island of Montreal included . Legally a French-speaking city , 60.5 % of Montrealers speak French at home , 21.2 % speak English and 19.8 % speak neither . Montreal is one of the most bilingual cities in Quebec and Canada , with 56 % of the population able to speak both official languages . Montreal is the second-largest primarily French-speaking city in the world after Paris .   Historically the commercial capital of Canada , it was surpassed in population and economic strength by Toronto in the 1970s . It remains an important centre of commerce , aerospace , finance , pharmaceuticals , technology , design , education , culture , tourism , gaming , film and world affairs . Being the location of the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization , Montreal is one of three North American cities home to organizations of the United Nations ( along with New York and Washington ) and also has the 2nd-highest number of consulates in the continent . Montreal was also named a UNESCO City of Design . In 2009 , Montreal was named North America 's leading host city for international association events , according to the 2009 preliminary rankings of the International Congress and Convention Association ( ICCA ) . According to the 2015 Global Liveability Ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit , Montreal ranked 14th out of 140 cities .   In the 2017 edition of their Best Student Cities ranking , Quacquarelli Symonds ( QS ) ranked Montreal as the world 's best city to study abroad . Also , Montreal has 11 universities with 170,000 students enrolled . The Greater Montreal region has the highest number of university students per capita among all metropolitan areas in North America . It even ranks higher than Boston , the intellectual capital of the U.S.   Montreal has hosted multiple international conferences and events throughout its history , including the 1967 International and Universal Exposition and the 1976 Summer Olympic Games . It is the only Canadian city to have held the Summer Olympics . Currently , the city hosts the Canadian Grand Prix of Formula One , the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Just for Laughs festival . In 2012 , Montreal was ranked as a Beta + world city .


Jodie Foster won her fifth Academy Award for her role in The Silence of the Lambs.

Jodie Foster Alicia Christian `` Jodie '' Foster ( born November 19 , 1962 ) is an American actress and filmmaker who has worked in films and on television . She has often been cited as one of the best actresses of her generation . Foster began her career at the age of three as a child model in 1965 , and two years later moved to acting in television series , with the sitcom Mayberry R.F.D. being her debut . In the late 1960s and early 1970s , she worked in several primetime television series and starred in children 's films . Foster 's breakthrough came in Martin Scorsese 's Taxi Driver ( 1976 ) , in which she played a teenage prostitute ; the role garnered her a nomination for an Academy Award . Her other critically acclaimed roles as a teenager were in the musical Bugsy Malone ( 1976 ) and the thriller The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane ( 1976 ) , and she became a popular teen idol by starring in Disney 's Freaky Friday ( 1976 ) , Candleshoe ( 1977 ) and Foxes ( 1980 ) .   After attending college at Yale , Foster struggled to transition to adult roles until winning widespread critical acclaim for her portrayal of a rape survivor in The Accused ( 1988 ) , for which she won several awards , including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe . She won her second Academy Award three years later for her role in the sleeper hit The Silence of the Lambs , where she played Clarice Starling , an FBI trainee investigating a serial murder case . Foster made her debut as a film director the same year with the moderately successful Little Man Tate ( 1991 ) , and founded her own production company , Egg Pictures , in 1992 . The company 's first production was Nell ( 1994 ) , in which she also played the title role , gaining another nomination for an Academy Award . Her other films in the 1990s included period drama Sommersby , Western comedy Maverick ( 1994 ) , science fiction film Contact ( 1997 ) , and period drama Anna and the King ( 1999 ) . Her second film direction , Home for the Holidays ( 1995 ) , was not well-received commercially , while critical reviews were mixed .   After career setbacks in the early 2000s , which included the cancellation of a film project and the closing down of her production company , Foster starred in four thrillers , Panic Room ( 2002 ) , Flightplan ( 2005 ) , Inside Man ( 2006 ) and The Brave One ( 2007 ) . She has focused on directing in the 2010s , directing the films The Beaver ( 2011 ) and Money Monster ( 2016 ) , as well as episodes for Netflix television series Orange is the New Black and House of Cards . She also starred in the film Elysium ( 2013 ) . In addition to her two Academy Awards , Foster has won three BAFTA Awards , three Golden Globe Awards , a Screen Actors Guild Award and the Cecil B DeMille Award .


Greece Greece ( Ελλάδα , -LSB- eˈlaða -RSB- ) , officially the Hellenic Republic ( Greek : Ελληνική Δημοκρατία , -LSB- eliniˈci ðimokraˈti.a -RSB- ) , historically also known as Hellas ( Ἑλλάς , -LSB- heˈlas -RSB- , modern pronunciation Ellás ) , is a country in southeastern Europe , with a population of approximately 11 million as of 2015 . Athens is the nation 's capital and largest city , followed by Thessaloniki .   Greece is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe , Asia , and Africa . Situated on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula , it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest , the Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north , and Turkey to the northeast . Greece consists of nine geographic regions : Macedonia , Central Greece , the Peloponnese , Thessaly , Epirus , the Aegean Islands ( including the Dodecanese and Cyclades ) , Thrace , Crete , and the Ionian Islands . The Aegean Sea lies to the east of the mainland , the Ionian Sea to the west , the Cretan Sea and the Mediterranean Sea to the south . Greece has the longest coastline on the Mediterranean Basin and the 11th longest coastline in the world at 13676 km in length , featuring a vast number of islands , of which 227 are inhabited . Eighty percent of Greece is mountainous , with Mount Olympus being the highest peak at 2918 m.   Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization , being the birthplace of democracy , Western philosophy , the Olympic Games , Western literature , historiography , political science , major scientific and mathematical principles , and Western drama . From the eighth century BC , the Greeks were organised into various independent city-states , known as polis , which spanned the entire Mediterranean region and the Black Sea . Philip of Macedon united most of the Greek mainland in the fourth century BC , with his son Alexander the Great rapidly conquering much of the ancient world , spreading Greek culture and science from the eastern Mediterranean to the Indus River . Greece was annexed by Rome in the second century BC , becoming an integral part of the Roman Empire and its successor , the Byzantine Empire , wherein the Greek language and culture were dominant . The Greek Orthodox Church also shaped modern Greek identity and transmitted Greek traditions to the wider Orthodox World . Falling under Ottoman dominion in the mid-15th century , the modern nation state of Greece emerged in 1830 following a war of independence . Greece 's rich historical legacy is reflected by its 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites , among the most in Europe and the world .   Greece is a democratic and developed country with an advanced high-income economy , a high quality of life , and a very high standard of living . A founding member of the United Nations , Greece was the tenth member to join the European Communities ( precursor to the European Union ) and has been part of the Eurozone since 2001 . It is also a member of numerous other international institutions , including the Council of Europe , the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) , the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) , the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) , the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) , and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie ( OIF ) . Greece 's unique cultural heritage , large tourism industry , prominent shipping sector and geostrategic importance classify it as a middle power . It is the largest economy in the Balkans , where it is an important regional investor .


Colombia Colombia ( k ) , is a sovereign state largely situated in the northwest of South America , with territories in Central America . Colombia shares a border to the northwest with Panama , to the east with Venezuela and Brazil and to the south with Ecuador and Peru . It shares its maritime limits with Costa Rica , Nicaragua , Honduras , Jamaica , Haiti and the Dominican Republic . It is a unitary , constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments . The territory of what is now Colombia was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples , with as most advanced the Muisca , Quimbaya and the Tairona .   The Spanish set foot on Colombian soil for the first time in 1499 and in the first half of the 16th century initiated a period of conquest and colonization , ultimately creating the New Kingdom of Granada , with as capital Santafé de Bogotá . Independence from Spain was acquired in 1819 , but by 1830 the `` Gran Colombia '' Federation was dissolved . What is now Colombia and Panama emerged as the Republic of New Granada . The new nation experimented with federalism as the Granadine Confederation ( 1858 ) , and then the United States of Colombia ( 1863 ) , before the Republic of Colombia was finally declared in 1886 . Panama seceded in 1903 . Since the 1960s , the country has suffered from an asymmetric low-intensity armed conflict , which escalated in the 1990s but then decreased from 2005 onward . Colombia is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse countries in the world , and thereby possesses a rich cultural heritage . The urban centres are mostly located in the highlands of the Andes mountains .   Colombian territory also encompasses Amazon rainforest , tropical grassland and both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines . Ecologically , it is one of the world 's 17 megadiverse countries , and the most densely biodiverse of these per square kilometer . Colombia is a middle power and a regional actor with the fourth-largest economy in Latin America , is part of the CIVETS group of six leading emerging markets and is a member of the UN , the WTO , the OAS , the Pacific Alliance , and other international organizations . Colombia has a diversified economy with macroeconomic stability and favorable growth prospects in the long run .


Lumen Pierce Lumen Ann Pierce is a fictional character portrayed by Julia Stiles in the Showtime television series Dexter , season 5 . Lumen is introduced in the third episode ( `` Practically Perfect '' ) as a survivor of rapist-serial killer Boyd Fowler . She remains for the rest of the season , and leaves following the season 5 finale , `` The Big One '' .   In season 5 , episode 5 , `` First Blood '' , Lumen is revealed to have been beaten and gang raped by a group of men , including Boyd Fowler . She witnesses Dexter Morgan kill Fowler , and thus becomes a key player in Dexter 's life . Dexter rescues her , but initially thinks he has no choice but to kill her in order to eliminate a witness . He eventually decides to spare her life , however . To earn Lumen 's trust , Dexter shows her the fate of Boyd 's dead victims , tells her he saved her from the same fate , and confides his wife was murdered by someone like Boyd .   Lumen asks Dexter to help her seek revenge against her abusers , but he initially refuses . However , after Lumen continues on her own and targets the wrong suspect , Dexter teaches her the importance of knowing a person is guilty before killing him . He entreats her to leave Miami ; she agrees at first , but decides to stay after a pat-down at the airport brings back memories of her abuse . She goes out on her own and shoots one of her attackers , but panics not knowing what to do with his body ; she calls Dexter , who reluctantly helps her cover up the murder . That night , she tells him that killing the man brought her a sense of peace that she knows will not last ; she believes she will have to kill all of her attackers to get over her abuse for good . Dexter realizes that she harbors a `` Dark Passenger '' much like his and agrees to help , in part to find his own closure following Rita 's murder . The two then systematically hunt down and kill Lumen 's abusers , and in the process become lovers . Lumen leaves Dexter in the season finale , however , after realizing she no longer feels the need to kill .   Lumen exited the show following the events of `` The Big One '' .


Seattle was established as a shipbuilding center during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Seattle Seattle ( -LSB- siˈætəl -RSB- ) is a seaport city on the west coast of the United States and the seat of King County , Washington . With an estimated 704,352 residents , Seattle is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region of North America . In July 2013 , it was the fastest-growing major city in the United States and remained in the Top 5 in May 2015 with an annual growth rate of 2.1 % . In July 2016 , Seattle was again the fastest-growing major U.S. city , with a 3.1 % annual growth rate . The city is situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound ( an inlet of the Pacific Ocean ) and Lake Washington , about 100 mi south of the Canada -- United States border . A major gateway for trade with Asia , Seattle is the fourth-largest port in North America in terms of container handling .   The Seattle area was previously inhabited by Native Americans for at least 4,000 years before the first permanent European settlers . Arthur A. Denny and his group of travelers , subsequently known as the Denny Party , arrived from Illinois via Portland , Oregon , on the schooner Exact at Alki Point on November 13 , 1851 . The settlement was moved to the eastern shore of Elliott Bay and named `` Seattle '' in 1852 , after Chief Si'ahl of the local Duwamish and Suquamish tribes .   Logging was Seattle 's first major industry , but by the late-19th century , the city had become a commercial and shipbuilding center as a gateway to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush . Growth after World War II was partially due to the local Boeing company , which established Seattle as a center for aircraft manufacturing . The Seattle area developed as a technology center beginning in the 1980s , with companies like Microsoft becoming established in the region . In 1994 , Internet retailer Amazon was founded in Seattle . The stream of new software , biotechnology , and Internet companies led to an economic revival , which increased the city 's population by almost 50,000 between 1990 and 2000 .   Seattle has a noteworthy musical history . From 1918 to 1951 , nearly two dozen jazz nightclubs existed along Jackson Street , from the current Chinatown / International District , to the Central District . The jazz scene developed the early careers of Ray Charles , Quincy Jones , Ernestine Anderson , and others . Seattle is also the birthplace of hip-hop sensation Neema , rock musician Jimi Hendrix , origin of the bands Nirvana , Pearl Jam , Soundgarden , Alice in Chains and the alternative rock subgenre grunge .


Iron Man (2008 film) received nominations for two Academy Awards.

Iron Man (2008 film) Iron Man is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name , produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures . It is the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . The film was directed by Jon Favreau , with a screenplay by Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby and Art Marcum & Matt Holloway . It stars Robert Downey Jr. , Terrence Howard , Jeff Bridges , Shaun Toub and Gwyneth Paltrow . In Iron Man , Tony Stark , an industrialist and master engineer , builds a powered exoskeleton and becomes the technologically advanced superhero Iron Man .   The film had been in development since 1990 at Universal Pictures , 20th Century Fox , or New Line Cinema at various times , before Marvel Studios reacquired the rights in 2006 . Marvel put the project in production as its first self-financed film , with Paramount Pictures as its distributor . Favreau signed on as director , aiming for a naturalistic feel , and he chose to shoot the film primarily in California , rejecting the East Coast setting of the comics to differentiate the film from numerous superhero films set in New York City-esque environments . Filming began in March 2007 and concluded in June . During filming , the actors were free to create their own dialogue because pre-production was focused on the story and action . Rubber and metal versions of the armors , created by Stan Winston 's company , were mixed with computer-generated imagery to create the title character .   Iron Man premiered in Sydney on April 14 , 2008 , and was released in theaters on May 2 , 2008 . The film was a critical and commercial success , grossing over $ 585 million and garnering widespread critical acclaim . Downey 's performance as Tony Stark was particularly praised . The American Film Institute selected the film as one of the ten best of the year . It was also nominated for two Academy Awards for the Best Sound Editing and the Best Visual Effects . Two sequels , Iron Man 2 and Iron Man 3 , were released on May 7 , 2010 , and May 3 , 2013 , respectively .


The Supernatural pilot premiered on TNT.

Pilot (Supernatural) `` Pilot '' is the first episode of the television series Supernatural . It premiered on The WB on September 13 , 2005 , and was written by series creator Eric Kripke and directed by David Nutter . The Supernatural pilot introduced the characters of Sam ( Jared Padalecki ) and Dean Winchester ( Jensen Ackles ) , brothers who travel throughout the country hunting supernatural creatures , as they battled a ghostly Woman in White ( Sarah Shahi ) while searching for their missing father ( Jeffrey Dean Morgan ) .   Kripke was developing the concept for ten years before it was greenlit as a television series . Before it could be filmed , the script underwent numerous revisions . The episode was produced in Los Angeles , though future episodes were filmed in Vancouver , British Columbia , to save money . The episode established the series ' tradition of a rock-music soundtrack , and included background music scored by Kripke 's friend Christopher Lennertz . It received mixed reviews , with critics praising the horror elements but having varying opinions of the lead actors ' performances .


Ben Whishaw Benjamin John `` Ben '' Whishaw ( born 14 October 1980 ) is an English actor . He is known for his stage role as Hamlet ; his roles in the television series Nathan Barley , Criminal Justice , The Hour and London Spy ; and film roles including Perfume : The Story of a Murderer ( 2006 ) , I 'm Not There ( 2007 ) , Bright Star ( 2009 ) , Brideshead Revisited ( 2008 ) , Cloud Atlas ( 2012 ) , The Lobster ( 2015 ) , Suffragette ( 2015 ) and The Danish Girl ( 2015 ) . He has also played the role of Q in the James Bond films starting with Skyfall ( 2012 ) , and was the voice of Paddington Bear in the 2014 film , Paddington .


Timon & Pumbaa (TV series) The Lion King 's Timon & Pumbaa , often simply referred to as Timon & Pumbaa , is an American animated television series created by Walt Disney Television Animation . It centers on Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog from Disney 's 1994 film The Lion King . The show ran for three seasons on CBS , Disney Channel , Toon Disney , and in syndication as a part of The Disney Afternoon . It aired from September 8 , 1995 to September 24 , 1999 . It is also the first Lion King related media to show humans , as humans were not present in the movie . It is the first of two television series to be based on the film , the second being The Lion Guard .   In 2004 , Timon and Pumbaa starred in their own released feature film The Lion King 1 1/2 , a direct-to-video adaptation of the television series to the first of two films . Robert Guillaume , Matthew Broderick , Cam Clarke , Julie Kavner and Estelle Harris , Nathan Lane , Quinton Flynn , Kevin Schon , Ernie Sabella , Scott Bullock and Jerry Stiller , provided the voices of Rafiki , Simba , Timon 's Mother , Timon , Pumbaa , Fred and Uncle Max respectively in The Lion King 1 1/2 , and two seasons of television series episodes Mombasa-In-Law/The Laughing Hyenas : TV Dinner , Once Upon a Timon .


Helen is the middle name of Lauren Graham.

Lauren Graham Lauren Helen Graham ( born March 16 , 1967 ) is an American actress and author . She is best recognized for her role as Lorelai Gilmore on the television series Gilmore Girls ( 2000 -- 07 ) , for which she received two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations , one Golden Globe nomination , and five Satellite Award nominations . She is also known for film roles in Sweet November ( 2001 ) , Bad Santa ( 2003 ) , The Pacifier ( 2005 ) , Because I Said So ( 2007 ) , and Evan Almighty ( 2007 ) . From 2010 to 2015 , Graham starred as Sarah Braverman on the NBC television drama Parenthood .   Graham published her debut novel in 2013 , Someday , Someday , Maybe , with Ballantine Books . She reprised her role as Lorelai Gilmore on Netflix 's reunion miniseries in 2016 , Gilmore Girls : A Year in the Life , and published a memoir , Talking as Fast as I Can : from Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls ( and Everything in Between ) .


Aruba Aruba ( -LSB- əˈruːbə -RSB- ; -LSB- aːˈrubaː -RSB- ) is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the southern Caribbean Sea , located about 1600 km west of the main part of the Lesser Antilles and 29 km north of the coast of Venezuela . It measures 32 km long from its northwestern to its southeastern end and 10 km across at its widest point . Together with Bonaire and Curaçao , Aruba forms a group referred to as the ABC islands . Collectively , Aruba and the other Dutch islands in the Caribbean are often called the Dutch Caribbean .   Aruba is one of the four countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands , along with the Netherlands , Curaçao and Sint Maarten . The citizens of these countries all share a single nationality : Dutch . Aruba has no administrative subdivisions , but , for census purposes , is divided into eight regions . Its capital is Oranjestad .   Unlike much of the Caribbean region , Aruba has a dry climate and an arid , cactus-strewn landscape . This climate has helped tourism as visitors to the island can reliably expect warm , sunny weather . It has a land area of 179 km2 and is densely populated , with a total of 102,484 inhabitants at the 2010 Census . It lies outside Hurricane Alley .


ABC islands (Lesser Antilles) The ABC islands are the three western-most islands of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea that lie north of Falcón State , Venezuela . From west to east they are , in order Aruba , Curaçao , and Bonaire . All three islands are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands , although they remain outside the European Union . Aruba and Curaçao are autonomous , self-governing constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands , while Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands proper .


Coldplay Coldplay are a British rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist and keyboardist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London ( UCL ) . After they formed under the name Pectoralz , Guy Berryman joined the group as bassist and they changed their name to Starfish . Will Champion joined as drummer and backing vocalist , completing the lineup . Creative director Phil Harvey is often referred to as the fifth member by the band . The band renamed themselves `` Coldplay '' in 1998 , before recording and releasing three EPs : Safety in 1998 and Brothers & Sisters and The Blue Room in 1999 . The Blue Room was their first release on a major label , after signing to Parlophone .   Coldplay achieved worldwide fame with the release of the single `` Yellow '' in 2000 , followed in the same year by their debut album Parachutes , which was nominated for the Mercury Prize . The band 's second album , A Rush of Blood to the Head ( 2002 ) , was released to critical acclaim and won awards including NME 's Album of the Year . Their next release , X&Y , the bestselling album worldwide in 2005 , received mostly positive reviews , though some critics felt it was inferior to its predecessor . Their fourth studio album , Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends ( 2008 ) , was produced by Brian Eno and released to largely positive reviews , earning several Grammy Award nominations and wins at the 51st Grammy Awards . In October 2011 , Coldplay released their fifth studio album , Mylo Xyloto , which topped the charts in over 34 countries and was the UK 's best-selling rock album of 2011 , but received mixed reviews , In May 2014 , they released their sixth album , Ghost Stories , which also received mixed reviews and topped the iTunes Store albums charts in over 100 countries . In December 2015 , the band released their seventh album , A Head Full of Dreams , which reached the top two in most major markets , but received generally mixed reviews .   Coldplay have won 62 awards from 209 nominations throughout their career , including nine Brit Awards -- winning Best British Group four times -- five MTV Video Music Awards and seven Grammy Awards from 31 nominations . They have sold more than 80 million records worldwide , making them one of the world 's bestselling music artists . In December 2009 , Rolling Stone readers voted the group the fourth-best artist of the 2000s . Coldplay have supported various social and political causes , such as Oxfam 's Make Trade Fair campaign and Amnesty International . They have also performed at charity projects including Band Aid 20 , Live 8 , Sound Relief , Hope for Haiti Now : A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief , The Secret Policeman 's Ball , Sport Relief and the UK Teenage Cancer Trust .


Islam is the world's second-largest religion, with 700 million adherents.

Islam Islam ( -LSB- ˈɪslɑːm -RSB- There are ten pronunciations of Islam in English , differing in whether the first or second syllable has the stress , whether the s is -LSB- slinkz -RSB- or -LSB- slinks -RSB- , and whether the a is pronounced -LSB- slinkɑː -RSB- , -LSB- slinkæ -RSB- or ( when the stress is on the first syllable ) -LSB- slinkə -RSB- ( Merriam Webster ) . The most common are -LSB- ˈɪzləm , _ ˈɪsləm , _ ɪzˈlɑːm , _ ɪsˈlɑːm -RSB- ( Oxford English Dictionary , Random House ) and -LSB- ˈɪzlɑːm , _ ˈɪslɑːm -RSB- ( American Heritage Dictionary ) . الإسلام , -LSB- alʔisˈlaːm -RSB- ) is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion which professes that there is only one and incomparable God ( Allah ) and that Muhammad is the last messenger of God . It is the world 's second-largest religion and the fastest-growing major religion in the world , with over 1.8 billion followers or 24.1 % of the global population , known as Muslims . Islam teaches that God who is merciful , all-powerful , and unique has guided mankind through prophets , revealed scriptures and natural signs . The primary scriptures of Islam are the Quran , viewed by Muslims as the verbatim word of God , and the teachings and normative example ( called the sunnah , composed of accounts called hadith ) of Muhammad ( 570 -- 8 June 632 CE ) .   Muslims believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed many times before through prophets including Adam , Abraham , Moses , and Jesus . As for the Quran , Muslims consider it to be the unaltered and final revelation of God . Like other Abrahamic religions , Islam also teaches a final judgment with the righteous rewarded paradise and unrighteous are punished in hell . Religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam , which are obligatory acts of worship , and following Islamic law , which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society , from banking and welfare to women and the environment . The cities of Mecca , Medina and Jerusalem are home to the three holiest sites in Islam .   Islam originated in the early 7th century in Mecca , and by the 8th century the Islamic empire extended from Iberia in the west to the Indus River in the east . The Islamic Golden Age refers to the period traditionally dated from the 8th century to the 13th century when much of the historically Islamic world was experiencing a scientific , economic and cultural flourishing . The expansion of the Muslim world involved various caliphates and empires , traders and conversion to Islam by missionary activities .   Most Muslims are of one of two denominations : Sunni ( 75 -- 90 % ) or Shia ( 10 -- 20 % ) . About 13 % of Muslims live in Indonesia , the largest Muslim-majority country , 31 % in South Asia , the largest population of Muslims in the world , 23 % in the Middle East-North Africa , where it is the dominant religion , and 15 % in Sub-Saharan Africa . Sizable Muslim communities are also found in the Americas , Caucasus , China , Europe , Mainland Southeast Asia , Philippines and Russia . Converts and immigrant communities are found in almost every part of the world .


FC Barcelona is a North American football club.

FC Barcelona Futbol Club Barcelona ( -LSB- fubˈbɔɫ ˈkɫub bərsəˈɫonə -RSB- ) , commonly known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça , is a professional football club based in Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain .   Founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss , English and Catalan footballers led by Joan Gamper , the club has become a symbol of Catalan culture and Catalanism , hence the motto `` Més que un club '' ( `` More than a club '' ) . Unlike many other football clubs , the supporters own and operate Barcelona . It is the second most valuable sports team in the world , worth $ 3.56 billion , and the world 's second richest football club in terms of revenue , with an annual turnover of $ 560.8 million . The official Barcelona anthem is the `` Cant del Barça '' , written by Jaume Picas and Josep Maria Espinàs .   Domestically , Barcelona has won 24 La Liga , 29 Copa del Rey , 12 Supercopa de España , 3 Copa Eva Duarte and 2 Copa de la Liga trophies , as well as being the record holder for the latter four competitions . In international club football , Barcelona has won twenty European and World titles -- four UEFA Champions League titles and one European Cup , a record four UEFA Cup Winners ' Cup , a shared record five UEFA Super Cup , a record three Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and a record three FIFA Club World Cup . Barcelona was ranked first in the IFFHS Club World Ranking for 1997 , 2009 , 2011 , 2012 and 2015 and currently occupies the third position on the UEFA club rankings . The club has a long-standing rivalry with Real Madrid ; matches between the two teams are referred to as El Clásico .   Barcelona is one of the most widely supported teams in the world , and the club has the largest social media following in the world among sports teams . Barcelona players have won a record number of Ballon d'Or awards ( 11 ) , with recipients including Johan Cruyff , as well as a record number of FIFA World Player of the Year awards ( 7 ) , with winners including Ronaldo , Romário and Ronaldinho . In 2010 , three players who came through the club 's youth academy ( Lionel Messi , Andrés Iniesta and Xavi ) were chosen as the three best players in the world in the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards , an unprecedented feat for players from the same football school .   Barcelona is one of three founding members of the Primera División that have never been relegated from the top division , along with Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid . In 2009 , Barcelona became the first Spanish club to win the continental treble consisting of La Liga , Copa del Rey , and the UEFA Champions League , and also became the first football club to win six out of six competitions in a single year , completing the sextuple in also winning the Spanish Super Cup , UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup . In 2011 , the club became European champions again and won five trophies . This Barcelona team , which won 14 trophies in just 4 years under Pep Guardiola , is considered by some in the sport to be the greatest team of all time . By winning their fifth Champions League trophy on 6 June 2015 , Barcelona became the first European club in history to achieve the continental treble twice .


Nike, Inc.'s trademarks are "Good to the last drop" and the Swoosh logo.

Nike, Inc. Nike , Inc. ( official , -LSB- ˈnaɪki -RSB- also , non-US -LSB- ` naɪk -RSB- ) is an American multinational corporation that is engaged in the design , development , manufacturing , and worldwide marketing and sales of footwear , apparel , equipment , accessories , and services . The company is headquartered near Beaverton , Oregon , in the Portland metropolitan area . It is one of the world 's largest suppliers of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment , with revenue in excess of US$ 24.1 billion in its fiscal year 2012 ( ending May 31 , 2012 ) . As of 2012 , it employed more than 44,000 people worldwide . In 2014 the brand alone was valued at $ 19 billion , making it the most valuable brand among sports businesses .   The company was founded on January 25 , 1964 , as Blue Ribbon Sports , by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight , and officially became Nike , Inc. on May 30 , 1971 . The company takes its name from Nike , the Greek goddess of victory . Nike markets its products under its own brand , as well as Nike Golf , Nike Pro , Nike + , Air Jordan , Nike Blazers , Air Force 1 , Nike Dunk , Air Max , Foamposite , Nike Skateboarding , and subsidiaries including Brand Jordan , Hurley International and Converse . Nike also owned Bauer Hockey ( later renamed Nike Bauer ) between 1995 and 2008 , and previously owned Cole Haan and Umbro . In addition to manufacturing sportswear and equipment , the company operates retail stores under the Niketown name . Nike sponsors many high-profile athletes and sports teams around the world , with the highly recognized trademarks of `` Just Do It '' and the Swoosh logo .


Ozzy Osbourne John Michael `` Ozzy '' Osbourne ( born 3 December 1948 ) is an English singer , songwriter , and actor . He rose to prominence in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath . He was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 and went on to have a successful solo career , releasing 11 studio albums , the first seven of which were all awarded multi-platinum certifications in the US . Osbourne has since reunited with Black Sabbath on several occasions , recording the album 13 in 2013 . His longevity and success have earned him the informal title of `` Godfather of Heavy Metal '' .   Osbourne 's total album sales from his years in Black Sabbath , combined with his solo work , is over 100 million . As a member of Black Sabbath , he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , and he was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame as a solo artist and as a member of the band . Possessing a distinctive singing voice and as a native of Birmingham , Osbourne is known for his strong Brummie accent -- he has a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars in his hometown as well as the Hollywood Walk of Fame . At the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards , he received the Global Icon Award . In the early 2000s , Osbourne became a reality television star , appearing as himself in the MTV reality show The Osbournes , alongside wife and manager Sharon and two of their three children , Kelly and Jack . Osbourne appeared with son Jack in the 2016 worldwide travelogue docuseries Ozzy & Jack 's World Detour .


Starbucks Starbucks Corporation is an American coffee company and coffeehouse chain . Starbucks was founded in Seattle , Washington in 1971 . As of November 2016 , it operates 23,768 locations worldwide , including 13,107 ( +170 ) in the United States , 2,204 ( +86 ) in China , 1,418 ( -12 ) in Canada , 1,160 ( +2 ) in Japan and 872 in South Korea ( bumping United Kingdom from 5th place ) ( Differences reflect growth since Jan 8 , 2016 ) .   Starbucks is considered the main representative of `` second wave coffee '' , initially distinguishing itself from other coffee-serving venues in the US by taste , quality , and customer experience while popularizing darkly roasted coffee . Since the 2000s , third wave coffee makers have targeted quality-minded coffee drinkers with hand-made coffee based on lighter roasts , while Starbucks nowadays uses automated espresso machines for efficiency and safety reasons .   Starbucks locations serve hot and cold drinks , whole-bean coffee , microground instant coffee known as VIA , espresso , caffe latte , full - and loose-leaf teas including Teavana tea products , Evolution Fresh juices , Frappuccino beverages , La Boulange pastries , and snacks including items such as chips and crackers ; some offerings ( including their annual fall launch of the Pumpkin Spice Latte ) are seasonal or specific to the locality of the store . Many stores sell pre-packaged food items , hot and cold sandwiches , and drinkware including mugs and tumblers ; select `` Starbucks Evenings '' locations offer beer , wine , and appetizers . Starbucks-brand coffee , ice cream , and bottled cold coffee drinks are also sold at grocery stores .   Starbucks first became profitable in Seattle in the early 1980s . Despite an initial economic downturn with its expansion into the Midwest and British Columbia in the late 1980s , the company experienced revitalized prosperity with its entry into California in the early 1990s . The first Starbucks location outside North America opened in Tokyo in 1996 ; overseas properties now constitute almost one-third of its stores . The company opened an average of two new locations daily between 1987 and 2007 .   On December 1 , 2016 , Howard Schultz announced he would resign as CEO effective in April 2017 and will be replaced by Kevin Johnson . Johnson assumed the role of CEO on April 3 , 2017 .


Destiny received mixed to positive reviews.

Destiny (video game) Destiny is an online-only multiplayer first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie and published by Activision . It was released worldwide on September 9 , 2014 , for the PlayStation 3 , PlayStation 4 , Xbox 360 , and Xbox One consoles . Destiny marked Bungie 's first new console franchise since the Halo series , and it is the first game in a ten-year agreement between Bungie and Activision . Set in a `` mythic science fiction '' world , the game features a multiplayer `` shared-world '' environment with elements of role-playing games . Activities in Destiny are divided among player versus environment ( PvE ) and player versus player ( PvP ) game types . In addition to normal story missions , PvE features three-player `` strikes '' and six-player raids . A free roam patrol mode is also available for each planet and features public events . PvP features objective-based modes , as well as traditional deathmatch game modes .   Players take on the role of a Guardian , protectors of Earth 's last safe city as they wield a power called Light to protect the City from different alien races . Guardians are tasked with reviving a celestial being called the Traveler , while journeying to different planets to investigate and destroy the alien threats before humanity is completely wiped out . Bungie released four expansion packs , furthering the story , and adding new content , missions , and new PvP modes . Year One of Destiny featured two small expansions , The Dark Below in December 2014 and House of Wolves in May 2015 . A third , larger expansion , The Taken King , was released in September 2015 and marked the beginning of Year Two , changing much of the core gameplay . In December 2015 , Destiny shifted to an event-based model , featuring more limited-time events . A new , large expansion called Rise of Iron was released in September 2016 , beginning Year Three . Rise of Iron was only released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One ; PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 clients subsequently stopped receiving updates . A full sequel , Destiny 2 , is scheduled for September 2017 .   Upon its release , Destiny received mixed to positive reviews with criticism centered mostly around the game 's storyline and post-campaign content . The game was praised for maintaining lineage from the Halo franchise , particularly in regards to its competitive experiences . On day one of its release , it sold over US$ 500 million at retail , making it the biggest new franchise launch of all time . It was GamesRadar 's 2014 Game of the Year and it received the BAFTA Award for Best Game at the 2014 British Academy Video Games Awards .


Judd Apatow has not been nominated for an Oscar.

Judd Apatow Judd Apatow ( -LSB- ˈæpətaʊ -RSB- born December 6 , 1967 ) is an American film producer , writer , director , actor , and comedian . He is the founder of Apatow Productions , through which he produced and developed the television series Freaks and Geeks , Undeclared , Girls , Love , Crashing and directed the films The 40-Year-Old Virgin ( 2005 ) , Knocked Up ( 2007 ) , Funny People ( 2009 ) , This Is 40 ( 2012 ) , and Trainwreck ( 2015 ) .   Apatow 's work has won numerous awards including a Primetime Emmy Award ( for The Ben Stiller Show ) , a Hollywood Comedy Award , and an AFI Award for Bridesmaids ( 2011 ) . His films have also been nominated for Grammy Awards , PGA Awards , Golden Globe Awards , and Academy Awards .   Also known for producing hit films such as The Cable Guy ( 1996 ) , Anchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgundy ( 2004 ) , Talladega Nights : The Ballad of Ricky Bobby ( 2006 ) , Superbad ( 2007 ) , Forgetting Sarah Marshall ( 2008 ) , Step Brothers ( 2008 ) , Pineapple Express ( 2008 ) , Get Him to the Greek ( 2010 ) , Bridesmaids ( 2011 ) , The Five-Year Engagement ( 2012 ) , and Anchorman 2 : The Legend Continues ( 2013 ) .


Robert Duvall did not win an Academy Award for his performance in Tender Mercies.

Robert Duvall Robert Selden Duvall ( -LSB- duːˈvɔːl -RSB- born January 5 , 1931 ) is an American actor and filmmaker . He has been nominated for seven Academy Awards ( winning for his performance in Tender Mercies ) , seven Golden Globes ( winning four ) , and has multiple nominations and one win each of the BAFTA , Screen Actors Guild Award , and Emmy Award . He received the National Medal of Arts in 2005 . Duvall has starred in numerous films and television series , including To Kill a Mockingbird ( 1962 ) , The Twilight Zone ( 1963 ) , The Outer Limits ( 1964 ) , Bullitt ( 1968 ) , True Grit ( 1969 ) , MASH ( 1970 ) , THX 1138 ( 1971 ) , Joe Kidd ( 1972 ) , The Godfather ( 1972 ) , The Godfather Part II ( 1974 ) , The Conversation ( 1974 ) , Network ( 1976 ) , Apocalypse Now ( 1979 ) , The Great Santini ( 1979 ) , Lonesome Dove ( 1989 ) , The Handmaid 's Tale ( 1990 ) , Rambling Rose ( 1991 ) , and Falling Down ( 1993 ) .   Duvall began appearing in theatre during the late 1950s , moving into television and film roles during the early 1960s , playing Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird ( 1962 ) and appearing in Captain Newman , M.D. ( 1963 ) . He landed many of his most famous roles during the early 1970s , such as Major Frank Burns in the blockbuster comedy MASH ( 1970 ) and the lead role in THX 1138 ( 1971 ) , as well as Horton Foote 's adaptation of William Faulkner 's Tomorrow ( 1972 ) , which was developed at The Actors Studio and is Duvall 's personal favorite . This was followed by a series of critically lauded performances in commercially successful films .   Since then , Duvall has continued to act in both film and television with such productions as Tender Mercies ( 1983 ) , The Natural ( 1984 ) , Colors ( 1988 ) , the television mini-series Lonesome Dove ( 1989 ) , Stalin ( 1992 ) , The Man Who Captured Eichmann ( 1996 ) , A Family Thing ( 1996 ) , The Apostle ( 1997 ) , A Civil Action ( 1998 ) , Deep Impact ( 1998 ) , Gods and Generals ( 2003 ) , Secondhand Lions ( 2003 ) , Broken Trail ( 2006 ) , Get Low ( 2010 ) , Jack Reacher ( 2012 ) , and The Judge ( 2014 ) .


Bill Nye invented a hydraulic resonance suppressor tube.

Bill Nye William Sanford Nye ( born November 27 , 1955 ) , popularly known as Bill Nye the Science Guy , is an American science communicator , television presenter , and mechanical engineer . He is best known as the host of the PBS children 's science show Bill Nye the Science Guy ( 1993 -- 1998 ) , and for his many subsequent appearances in popular media as a science educator .   Nye began his career as a mechanical engineer for Boeing Corporation in Seattle , where he invented a hydraulic resonance suppressor tube used on 747 airplanes . In 1986 , Nye left Boeing to pursue comedy , writing and performing jokes and bits for the local sketch television show Almost Live ! , where he would regularly conduct wacky science experiments . Nye aspired to become the next Mr. Wizard and with the help of several producers successfully pitched the children 's television program Bill Nye the Science Guy to KCTS-TV , channel 9 , Seattle 's public television station . The show -- which proudly proclaimed in its theme song that `` science rules ! '' -- ran from 1994 to 1999 in national TV syndication . Known for its `` high-energy presentation and MTV-paced segments , '' the program became a hit for both kids and adults . The show was critically acclaimed and was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards , winning nineteen .   Following the success of his show , Nye continued to advocate for science , becoming the CEO of The Planetary Society and helping develop sundials for the Mars Exploration Rover missions . Nye has written multiple best-selling books on science , including Undeniable : Evolution and the Science of Creation in 2014 and Unstoppable : Harnessing Science to Change the World in 2015 . Nye has made frequent media appearances , including on Dancing with the Stars , The Big Bang Theory and Inside Amy Schumer . Nye starred in a documentary about his life and science advocacy titled Bill Nye : Science Guy , which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March 2017 . In 2017 , he debuted a Netflix series , entitled Bill Nye Saves the World .


Jeremy Allen White has appeared in several films.

Jeremy Allen White Jeremy Allen White ( born February 17 , 1991 ) is an American film and television actor . He is best known for playing Phillip `` Lip '' Gallagher on the acclaimed Showtime dramedy series Shameless .   White has appeared in several films including Beautiful Ohio , The Speed of Life , Afterschool and Twelve , currently filming `` Shotgun ''


Made of Bricks Made of Bricks is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Kate Nash , released in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2007 by Fiction Records , Cherrytree Records , and the Universal Music Group . The album was a commercial success , topping the UK Albums Chart and spawning a number-two single in the form of the lead single `` Foundations '' . The album was later released in Europe on 10 September and in the United States on 18 September 2007 .


Kate Nash Kate Marie Nash ( born 6 July 1987 ) is an English singer , songwriter , musician and actress . Nash rose to prominence in the UK with the sleeper hit `` Foundations '' ( 2007 ) . Her debut album , Made of Bricks , peaked at number 1 in the UK and number 36 in the US . Nash won the award for Best British Female Artist at the 2008 Brit Awards .   Her second studio album , My Best Friend Is You , was released in 2010 and reached the top 10 in both the UK and Germany . The album 's lead single , `` Do-Wah-Doo '' , peaked at number 15 in the UK , becoming her fourth UK Top 40 single .   After being dropped by her record label , Nash self-released her third studio album , Girl Talk , on 4 March 2013 . The album failed to match the commercial success of Nash 's previous albums , though it charted inside the top 100 in the UK , Ireland , Germany and Austria .   In April 2017 , Nash launched a Kickstarter to finance a fourth studio album . On 21 April 2017 , Nash released a four-track EP , Agenda .


London Borough of Newham The London Borough of Newham -LSB- ˈnjuːəm -RSB- is a London borough formed from the former Essex county boroughs of West Ham and East Ham , within east London , the name being a portmanteau word reflecting its creation while combining the compass points of the old borough names .   It is 5 mi east of the City of London , north of the River Thames . Newham was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics and contains most of the Olympic Park including the London Stadium . The local authority is Newham London Borough Council .   The borough 's motto , from its Coat of Arms , is `` Progress with the People '' . The Coat of Arms was derived from that of the County Borough of West Ham , while the motto is a translation of the County Borough of East Ham 's Latin `` Progressio cum Populo '' .


Stratford, London Stratford is a district of east London , England , within the London Borough of Newham .   The area was part of the Ancient Parish and subsequent County Borough of West Ham , which became the western half of the modern borough in 1965 . Historically an agrarian settlement in the county of Essex , Stratford was transformed into an industrial suburb following the introduction of the railway in 1839 .   The late 20th Century was a period of severe economic decline , eventually reversed by regeneration associated with the 2012 Summer Olympics , for which Stratford 's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was the principal venue .   Stratford is now East London 's primary retail , cultural and leisure centre . It has also become the second most significant ( after Canary Wharf ) business location in the east of the capital .


Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe ( born Norma Jeane Mortenson ; June 1 , 1926 -- August 5 , 1962 ) was an American actress and model . Famous for playing comic `` dumb blonde '' characters , she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s , emblematic of the era 's attitudes towards sexuality . Although she was a top-billed actress for only a decade , her films grossed $ 200 million by the time of her unexpected death in 1962 . She continues to be considered a major popular culture icon .   Born and raised in Los Angeles , Monroe spent most of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage and married at the age of sixteen . While working in a factory in 1944 as part of the war effort , she was introduced to a photographer from the First Motion Picture Unit and began a successful pin-up modeling career . The work led to short-lived film contracts with Twentieth Century-Fox ( 1946 -- 1947 ) and Columbia Pictures ( 1948 ) . After a series of minor film roles , she signed a new contract with Fox in 1951 . Over the next two years , she became a popular actress with roles in several comedies , including As Young as You Feel and Monkey Business , and in the dramas Clash by Night and Do n't Bother to Knock . Monroe faced a scandal when it was revealed that she had posed for nude photos before becoming a star , but rather than damaging her career , the story resulted in increased interest in her films .   By 1953 , Monroe was one of the most marketable Hollywood stars , with leading roles in three films : the noir Niagara , which focused on her sex appeal , and the comedies Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire , which established her star image as a `` dumb blonde '' . Although she played a significant role in the creation and management of her public image throughout her career , she was disappointed at being typecast and underpaid by the studio . She was briefly suspended in early 1954 for refusing a film project , but returned to star in one of the biggest box office successes of her career , The Seven Year Itch ( 1955 ) .   When the studio was still reluctant to change her contract , Monroe founded a film production company in late 1954 ; she named it Marilyn Monroe Productions ( MMP ) . She dedicated 1955 to building her company and began studying method acting at the Actors Studio . In late 1955 , Fox awarded her a new contract , which gave her more control and a larger salary . After a critically acclaimed performance in Bus Stop ( 1956 ) and acting in the first independent production of MMP , The Prince and the Showgirl ( 1957 ) , she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for Some Like It Hot ( 1959 ) . Her last completed film was the drama The Misfits ( 1961 ) .   Monroe 's troubled private life received much attention . She struggled with substance abuse , depression , and anxiety . She had two highly publicized marriages , to retired baseball star Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller , both of which ended in divorce . On August 5 , 1962 , she died at age 36 from an overdose of barbiturates at her home in Los Angeles . Although Monroe 's death was ruled a probable suicide , several conspiracy theories have been proposed in the decades following her death .


In Avengers: Age of Ultron, the Avengers fight Dr. Doom.

Avengers: Age of Ultron Avengers : Age of Ultron is a 2015 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers , produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures . It is the sequel to 2012 's The Avengers and the eleventh film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU ) . The film was written and directed by Joss Whedon and features an ensemble cast that includes Robert Downey Jr. , Chris Hemsworth , Mark Ruffalo , Chris Evans , Scarlett Johansson , Jeremy Renner , Don Cheadle , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Elizabeth Olsen , Paul Bettany , Cobie Smulders , Anthony Mackie , Hayley Atwell , Idris Elba , Stellan Skarsgård , James Spader , and Samuel L. Jackson . In Avengers : Age of Ultron , the Avengers fight Ultron , an artificial intelligence obsessed with causing human extinction .   The sequel was announced in May 2012 , after the successful release of The Avengers . Whedon , the director of the first film , was brought back on board in August and a release date was set . By April 2013 , Whedon had completed a draft of the script , and casting began in June with the re-signing of Downey . Second unit filming began in February 2014 in South Africa with principal photography taking place between March and August 2014 . The film was primarily shot at Shepperton Studios in Surrey , England , with additional footage filmed in Italy , South Korea , Bangladesh , New York City , and various locations around England . While in post production , the film was converted to 3D and over 3,000 visual effects shots were added .   Avengers : Age of Ultron premiered in Los Angeles on April 13 , 2015 , and was released on May 1 , 2015 , in North America , in 3D and IMAX 3D . The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed over $ 1.4 billion worldwide , making it the seventh-highest-grossing film in history and the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2015 . A sequel , Avengers : Infinity War , is scheduled to be released on May 4 , 2018 , and another untitled sequel is scheduled for May 3 , 2019 .


Up All Night (One Direction album) Up All Night is the debut studio album by English-Irish group One Direction , released by Syco Records in November 2011 in Ireland and the United Kingdom , followed by a worldwide release during 2012 . Four months after finishing third in the seventh series of British reality singing contest The X Factor in December 2010 , One Direction began recording the album in Sweden , UK and the United States , working with a variety of writers and producers . The album is predominantly a pop music album which orientates into pop rock , dance-pop , teen pop and power pop . The album 's lyrical content regards being young , relationships , heartbreak and empowerment . Staged in support of the album , One Direction performed the album 's songs live on televised shows , at awards ceremonies , and during their worldwide Up All Night Tour .   The album received generally favourable reviews from contemporary music critics , many of whom appreciated the album 's combination of melodic song craft and catchy , pop-oriented material that , while slickly produced , avoided the commercial cynicism and adult contemporary posturing of some of their '80s and '90s forebears . An international success , the album topped the charts in sixteen countries and , by December 2012 , has sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide . The album bowed at number two on the UK Albums Chart and ultimately became the UK 's fastest-selling debut album of 2011 . Up All Night debuted to number one on the United States Billboard 200 , selling 176,000 copies in its first week . According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry ( IFPI ) , Up All Night was the third global best-selling album of 2012 with sales of 4.5 million copies .   One Direction finished 2012 with two of that year 's top five best-selling albums in the United States ; Up All Night at number three and their second studio album , Take Me Home , at number five , making the boy band the first act to place two albums in the year-end top five in the Nielsen SoundScan era . In addition , Up All Night became the best-selling album by a group and the third best-selling debut album of 2012 . Four singles were released from the album , including the UK Singles Chart top ten hits `` What Makes You Beautiful '' , `` Got ta Be You '' , and `` One Thing '' .


Batman Begins Batman Begins is a 2005 British-American superhero film based on the DC Comics character Batman , co-written and directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale , Michael Caine , Liam Neeson , Katie Holmes , Gary Oldman , Cillian Murphy , Tom Wilkinson , Rutger Hauer , Ken Watanabe , and Morgan Freeman . The film reboots the Batman film series , telling the origin story of the title character ( Bale ) , from his alter ego Bruce Wayne 's initial fear of bats , the death of his parents , his journey to become Batman , and his fight to stop Ra 's al Ghul ( Neeson ) and the Scarecrow ( Murphy ) from plunging Gotham City into chaos . Comic book storylines such as The Man Who Falls , Batman : Year One , and Batman : The Long Halloween served as inspiration .   After a series of unsuccessful projects to resurrect Batman on screen following the critical failure and box office disappointment of Batman & Robin ( 1997 ) , Nolan and David S. Goyer began to work on the film in early 2003 and aimed for a darker and more realistic tone , with humanity and realism being the basis of the film . The goal was to get the audience to care for both Batman and Bruce Wayne . The film , which was primarily shot in Iceland and Chicago , relied on traditional stunts and miniatures , while computer-generated imagery was used minimally .   Batman Begins opened on June 15 , 2005 , in the United States and Canada in 3,858 theaters . It grossed over $ 48 million in its opening weekend in North America , eventually grossing over $ 374 million worldwide . The film received positive reviews and is considered by many to be one of the best superhero films of the 2000s . The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and three BAFTA awards . It is followed by The Dark Knight ( 2008 ) and The Dark Knight Rises ( 2012 ) in a continual story-arc , which has later been referred to as The Dark Knight Trilogy .


Luxembourg Luxembourg -LSB- ˈlətsəbuərx -RSB- Luxemburg ) , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe . It is bordered by Belgium to the west and north , Germany to the east , and France to the south . Its capital , Luxembourg City , is , together with Brussels and Strasbourg , one of the three official capitals of the European Union and the seat of the European Court of Justice , the highest juridical authority in the EU . Its culture , people and languages are highly intertwined with its neighbours , making it essentially a mixture of French and Germanic cultures . This is emphasised by the three official languages , Luxembourgish , French , and German . The repeated invasions by its neighbor countries , especially in World War II , resulted in the country 's strong will for mediation between France and Germany and , among other things , led to the foundation of the European Union .   With an area of 2,586 km2 , it is one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe , about the same size as the US state of Rhode Island or the English county of Northamptonshire . In 2016 , Luxembourg had a population of 576 249 , which makes it one of the least-populous countries in Europe , but by far the one with the highest population growth rate . As a representative democracy with a constitutional monarch , it is headed by a Grand Duke , Henri , Grand Duke of Luxembourg , and is the world 's only remaining grand duchy . Luxembourg is a developed country , with an advanced economy and the world 's highest GDP ( PPP ) per capita , according to the United Nations in 2014 . The City of Luxembourg with its old quarters and fortifications was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to the exceptional preservation of the vast fortifications and the old city .   The history of Luxembourg is considered to begin in 963 , when count Siegfried I acquired a rocky promontory and its Roman-era fortifications known as Lucilinburhuc , ′ little castle ′ , and the surrounding area from the Imperial Abbey of St. Maximin in nearby Trier .  Siegfried 's descendants increased their territory through marriage , war and vassal relations . At the end of the 13th century , the Counts of Luxembourg reigned over a considerable territory .   In 1308 , Henry VII , Count of Luxembourg became King of the Germans and Holy Roman Emperor . The House of Luxembourg produced four Holy Roman Emperors at the high time of the Middle Ages . In 1354 , Charles IV elevated the County to the Duchy of Luxembourg . Since Sigismund had no male heir , the Duchy became part of the Burgundian Circle and then one of the Seventeen Provinces of the Habsburg Netherlands .  Over the centuries , the City and Fortress of Luxembourg , of great strategic importance situated between the Kingdom of France and the Habsburg territories , was gradually built up to be one of the most reputed fortifications in Europe . After belonging to both the France of Louis XIV and the Austria of Maria Theresia , Luxembourg became part of the First French Republic and Empire under Napoleon .   The present-day state of Luxembourg first emerged at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 . The Grand-Duchy , with its powerful fortress , became an independent state under the personal possession of William I of the Netherlands with a Prussian garrison to guard the city against another invasion from France .   In 1839 , following the turmoil of the Belgian Revolution , the purely French-speaking part of Luxembourg was ceded to Belgium and the Luxembourgish-speaking part became what is the present state of Luxembourg .   The steel industry exploiting the Red Lands ' rich iron-ore grounds in the beginning of the 20th century drove the country 's industrialisation . ArcelorMittal , the world 's largest steel producer with headquarters in Luxembourg City , is still a reminder of these times . After the decline of the steel industry in the 1970s , the country focused on establishing itself as a global financial centre and developed into the banking hub it is reputed for . Since the beginning of the 21st century , its governments have focused on developing the country into a knowledge economy , with the founding of the University of Luxembourg and a national space programme , projecting the first involvement in a non-manned lunar expedition by 2020 .   Luxembourg is a founding member of the European Union , OECD , United Nations , NATO , and Benelux , reflecting its political consensus in favour of economic , political , and military integration . The city of Luxembourg , which is the country 's capital and largest city , is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the EU . Luxembourg served on the United Nations Security Council for the years 2013 and 2014 , which was a first in the country 's history . In 2016 Luxembourgish citizens had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 172 countries and territories , ranking the Luxembourgian passport 6th in the world , tied with countries such as Canada and Switzerland .


The OA The OA is an American mystery drama web television series with science fiction , supernatural , and fantasy elements , which debuted on Netflix on December 16 , 2016 . Created and executive produced by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij , the series is their third collaboration . The series consists of eight episodes , all directed by Batmanglij , and is produced by Plan B Entertainment and Anonymous Content . In the series , Marling stars as a young woman named Prairie Johnson who resurfaces after having been missing for seven years . Prairie now calls herself `` The OA '' and can see , despite having been blind before her disappearance .   The OA received generally favorable critical reception . The series ' directing , visuals and acting were often singled out . Reviews also ranged from highly positive to highly negative , with several reviewers drawing both favorable and unfavorable comparisons with Stranger Things , another science fiction series that debuted on Netflix earlier in the year . On February 8 , 2017 , Netflix renewed the series for a second season .


Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is incapable of starring Joan Cusack.

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Popstar : Never Stop Never Stopping is a 2016 American mockumentary film directed by Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone and written , produced by and starring Andy Samberg , Schaffer and Taccone . Also produced by Judd Apatow , it co-stars Sarah Silverman , Tim Meadows , Imogen Poots , Joan Cusack , and Maya Rudolph .   The film was released on June 3 , 2016 by Universal Pictures and received favorable reviews from critics . The film is a box office bomb grossing just $ 9.5 million against a budget of $ 20 million .