R. Kelly wrote a song that was included in the Space Jam soundtrack.

R. Kelly Robert Sylvester Kelly ( born January 8 , 1967 ) , known professionally as R. Kelly , is an American singer , songwriter , record producer , and former professional basketball player . A native of Chicago , Illinois , Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement . In 1993 , Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play . He is known for a collection of major hit singles including `` Bump N ' Grind '' , `` Your Body 's Callin ' '' , `` I Believe I Can Fly '' , `` Gotham City '' , `` Ignition ( Remix ) '' , `` If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time '' , `` The World 's Greatest '' , `` I 'm a Flirt ( Remix ) '' , and the hip-hopera `` Trapped in the Closet '' . In 1998 , Kelly won three Grammy Awards for `` I Believe I Can Fly '' . His distinctive sound and style has influenced numerous hip hop and contemporary R&B artists . Kelly became the first musician to play professional basketball , when he was signed in 1997 .   Kelly has written , produced , and remixed songs and albums for many artists , including Aaliyah 's 1994 debut album Age Ai n't Nothing but a Number . In 1996 , Kelly was nominated for a Grammy for writing Michael Jackson 's song `` You Are Not Alone '' . In 2002 and 2004 , Kelly released collaboration albums with rapper Jay-Z and has been a guest vocalist for other hip hop artists like Nas , Sean Combs , and The Notorious B.I.G.   The Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) has recognized R. Kelly as one of the best-selling music artists in the United States with 40 million albums sold as well as only the fifth black artist to crack the top 50 of the same list . In March 2011 , R. Kelly was named the most successful R&B artist of the last 25 years by Billboard . Kelly has released 12 solo studio albums , and sold over 100 million records worldwide making him the most successful R&B male artist of the 1990s . He has been credited for helping redefine R&B and hip hop , earning the nicknames `` King of R&B '' and `` King of Pop-Soul '' . He is listed by Billboard as the most successful R&B / Hip Hop artist of the past 25 years ( 1985-2010 ) and also the most successful R&B artist in history . Throughout his career , Kelly has won numerous awards , including a Guinness World Records as well as countless of other awards like Grammy , BET , Soul Train , Billboard , NAACP and American Music Award .


I Believe I Can Fly `` I Believe I Can Fly '' is a 1996 song written , produced and performed by American singer R. Kelly from the soundtrack to the 1996 film Space Jam . It was originally released on November 26 , 1996 , and was later included on Kelly 's 1998 album R. .   In early 1997 , `` I Believe I Can Fly '' reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 ; it was kept from the number one spot by Toni Braxton 's `` Un-Break My Heart '' . Although Kelly has had two number one songs , `` I Believe I Can Fly '' is his most successful single . It also topped the charts in eight countries ( including the United Kingdom ) , has won three Grammy Awards , and was ranked number 406 on Rolling Stones list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004 . The music video was directed by Kelly with Hype Williams .


Inhumans (TV series) Marvel 's Inhumans , or simply Inhumans , is an upcoming American television series developed for ABC , based on the Marvel Comics race of the same name . It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU ) , sharing continuity with the films and other television series of the franchise . The series is produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television , with IMAX Corporation as a financing partner and Scott Buck serving as showrunner .   The series is centered around Black Bolt , with Anson Mount in the role , and other members of the Inhuman Royal Family . A film from Marvel Studios based on the Inhumans began development in 2011 , before being announced in October 2014 for a November 2018 release as part of their Phase Three slate of films . The species was first introduced to the MCU in the second season of Marvel 's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. , and the film was subsequently removed from Marvel Studios ' release schedule in April 2016 . Inhumans was announced in November , to be partly filmed on IMAX digital cameras and to be the first live-action television series to debut on IMAX screens . Buck joined the series the next month . Mount was cast in February 2017 , with Iwan Rheon , Serinda Swan , Eme Ikwuakor , Isabelle Cornish , Ken Leung , Ellen Woglom , Sonya Balmores , and Mike Moh also starring in the series . Filming began in March 2017 , at the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point airfield in Kalaeloa , Hawaii .   Inhumans is set to debut on IMAX screens on September 1 , 2017 , and run for two weeks , before premiering on ABC on September 22 , and airing eight episodes .


CBS CBS ( an initialism of the network 's former name , the Columbia Broadcasting System ) is an American English language commercial broadcast television network that is a flagship property of CBS Corporation . The company is headquartered at the CBS Building in New York City with major production facilities and operations in New York City ( at the CBS Broadcast Center ) and Los Angeles ( at CBS Television City and the CBS Studio Center ) .   CBS is sometimes referred to as the `` Eye Network '' , in reference to the company 's iconic logo , in use since 1951 . It has also been called the `` Tiffany Network '' , alluding to the perceived high quality of CBS programming during the tenure of William S. Paley . It can also refer to some of CBS 's first demonstrations of color television , which were held in a former Tiffany & Co. building in New York City in 1950 .   The network has its origins in United Independent Broadcasters Inc. , a collection of 16 radio stations that was purchased by Paley in 1928 and renamed the Columbia Broadcasting System . Under Paley 's guidance , CBS would first become one of the largest radio networks in the United States , and eventually one of the Big Three American broadcast television networks . In 1974 , CBS dropped its former full name and became known simply as CBS , Inc. . The Westinghouse Electric Corporation acquired the network in 1995 , renamed its corporate entity to the current CBS Broadcasting , Inc. in 1997 , and eventually adopted the name of the company it had acquired to become CBS Corporation . In 2000 , CBS came under the control of Viacom , which was formed as a spin-off of CBS in 1971 . In late 2005 , Viacom split itself into two separate companies , and re-established CBS Corporation -- through the spin-off of its broadcast television , radio and select cable television and non-broadcasting assets -- with the CBS television network at its core . CBS Corporation is controlled by Sumner Redstone through National Amusements , which also controls the current Viacom .   CBS continues to operate the CBS Radio network , which now mainly provides news and features content for its portfolio of owned-and-operated radio stations in large and mid-sized markets , and affiliated radio stations in various other markets . The television network has more than 240 owned-and-operated and affiliated television stations throughout the United States .


Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series) Hawaii Five-0 is an American action police procedural television series , which premiered on Monday , September 20 , 2010 on CBS . The series is a reboot of the original series , which aired on CBS from 1968 to 1980 . Like the original , it follows an elite state police task force set up to fight crime in the state of Hawaii .   The series is produced by K/O Paper Products and 101st Street Television in association with CBS Productions , originally an in-name-only unit of but folded into CBS Television Studios , which has produced the series since the beginning of season three . On March 25 , 2016 , CBS renewed the series for a seventh season , which premiered on September 23 , 2016 .   On March 23 , 2017 , CBS renewed the series for an eighth season .


The Hunger Games (film) The Hunger Games is a 2012 American dystopian science fiction adventure film directed by Gary Ross and based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins . It is the first installment in The Hunger Games film series and was produced by Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik , with a screenplay by Ross , Collins , and Billy Ray . The film stars Jennifer Lawrence , Josh Hutcherson , Liam Hemsworth , Woody Harrelson , Elizabeth Banks , Lenny Kravitz , Stanley Tucci , and Donald Sutherland . The story takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in the nation of Panem , where boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18 must take part in the Hunger Games , a televised annual event in which the `` tributes '' are required to fight to the death until there is only one survivor . Katniss Everdeen ( Lawrence ) volunteers to take her younger sister 's place . Joined by her district 's male tribute , Peeta Mellark ( Hutcherson ) , Katniss travels to the Capitol to train for the Hunger Games under the guidance of former victor Haymitch Abernathy ( Harrelson ) .   Development of The Hunger Games began in March 2009 when Lions Gate Entertainment entered into a co-production agreement with Color Force , which had acquired the rights a few weeks earlier . Collins collaborated with Ray and Ross to write the screenplay . The screenplay expanded the character of Seneca Crane to allow several developments to be shown directly to the audience and Ross added several scenes between Crane and Coriolanus Snow . The main characters were cast between March and May 2011 . Principal photography began in May 2011 and ended in September 2011 , with filming taking place in North Carolina . The Hunger Games was shot entirely on film as opposed to digital .   The film was released on March 21 , 2012 , in some European countries and in the US on March 23 , 2012 , in both conventional theaters and digital IMAX theaters . Japan received it last , on September 28 . When the film released , it set records for opening day ( $ 67.3 million ) and opening weekend for a non-sequel . At the time of its release , the film 's opening weekend gross ( $ 152.5 million ) was the third-largest of any movie in North America . It is the first film since Avatar to remain in first place at the North American box office for four consecutive weekends . The film was a massive box-office success by grossing over $ 694 million worldwide against its budget of $ 78 million , making it the third-highest-grossing film in the United States and ninth-highest-grossing worldwide of 2012 . It was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on August 18 , 2012 . With 7,434,058 units sold , the DVD was the best-selling DVD of 2012 . A sequel , The Hunger Games : Catching Fire , was released on November 22 , 2013 , in the United States .   The Hunger Games received positive reviews from critics , with praise for its themes and messages , as well as Jennifer Lawrence 's portrayal of Katniss , though there was criticism of the film 's use of shaky cam in the action sequences . Like the novel , the film has been noted for its similarities to other works , such as Robert Sheckley 's short story `` Seventh Victim '' and its Italian film adaptation The 10th Victim , the Japanese novel Battle Royale and its film adaptation , and the Shirley Jackson short story `` The Lottery '' , with some criticizing The Hunger Games for being derivative of such works . Collins stated in an interview that her novel and screenplay drew on sources of inspiration such as the myth of Theseus , Roman gladiatorial games , reality television , and the desensitization of viewers to media coverage of real-life tragedy and war , not to think as just an audience member , `` Because those are real people on the screen , and they 're not going away when the commercials start to roll . '' The song `` Safe & Sound '' won a Grammy Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song . For her performance , Lawrence won the Saturn Award for Best Actress , the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress in an Action Movie , the Empire Award for Best Actress and was also nominated for the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress .


Rhode Island renounced its allegiance to the British Crown in 1779.

Rhode Island Rhode Island ( -LSB- roʊd_ˈaɪlənd -RSB- ) , officially the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations , is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States . Rhode Island is the smallest in area , the eighth least populous , and the second most densely populated of the 50 U.S. states , following New Jersey . Its official name is also the longest of any state in the Union . Rhode Island is bordered by Connecticut to the west , Massachusetts to the north and east , and the Atlantic Ocean to the south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound . The state also shares a short maritime border with New York .   On May 4 , 1776 , the Colony of Rhode Island became the first of the Thirteen Colonies to renounce its allegiance to the British Crown , and was the fourth among the newly sovereign states to ratify the Articles of Confederation on February 9 , 1778 . It boycotted the 1787 convention that drew up the United States Constitution and initially refused to ratify it . On May 29 , 1790 , Rhode Island became the 13th and last state to ratify the Constitution .   Rhode Island 's official nickname is `` The Ocean State '' , a reference to the fact that the state has several large bays and inlets that amount to about 14 % of its total area . Rhode Island covers 1214 sqmi , of which 1045 sqmi are land .


Rope was made during or after World War 2.

Rope (film) Rope is a 1948 American film noir psychological crime thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock , based on the 1929 play of the same name by Patrick Hamilton , and adapted by Hume Cronyn and Arthur Laurents .   The film was produced by Hitchcock and Sidney Bernstein as the first of their Transatlantic Pictures productions . Starring James Stewart , John Dall and Farley Granger , this is the first of Hitchcock 's Technicolor films , and is notable for taking place in real time and being edited so as to appear as a single continuous shot through the use of long takes .  It is the second of Hitchcock 's `` limited setting '' films , the first being Lifeboat .  The original play was said to be inspired by the real-life murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks in 1924 by University of Chicago students Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb .


Sarcoidosis was originally described in 1877.

Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis is a disease involving abnormal collections of inflammatory cells that form lumps known as granulomas . The disease usually begins in the lungs , skin , or lymph nodes . Less commonly affected are the eyes , liver , heart , and brain . Any organ , however , can be affected . The signs and symptoms depend on the organ involved . Often there are no , or only mild , symptoms . When it affects the lungs there may be wheezing , cough , shortness of breath , or chest pain . Some may have Löfgren syndrome in which there is fever , large lymph nodes , arthritis , and a rash known as erythema nodosum .   The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown . Some believe it may be due to an immune reaction to a trigger such as an infection or chemicals in those who are genetically predisposed . Those with affected family members are at greater risk . Diagnosis is partly based on signs and symptoms , which may be supported by biopsy . Findings that make it likely include large lymph nodes at the root of the lung on both sides , high blood calcium with a normal parathyroid hormone level , or elevated levels of angiotensin converting enzyme ( ACE ) in the blood . The diagnosis should only be made after excluding other possible causes of similar symptoms such as tuberculosis .   Many people clear up without any treatment within a few years . However some may have long term or severe disease . Some symptoms may be improved with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen . In cases where the condition causes significant health problems steroids such as prednisone are indicated . Alternatively , medications such as methotrexate , chloroquine , or azathioprine may occasionally be used in an effort to decrease the side effects of steroids . The risk of death is between one and seven percent . There is a less than five percent chance of the disease returning in someone who has had it previously .   In 2015 pulmonary sarcoidosis and interstitial lung disease affected 1.9 million people globally and they resulted in 122,000 deaths . It is most common in Scandinavians but occurs in all parts of the world . In the United States risk is greater among black as opposed to white people . It usually begins between the ages of 20 and 50 . It occurs more often in women than men . Sarcoidosis was first described in 1877 by the English doctor Jonathan Hutchinson as a non painful skin disease .


Russian contains the urban center Kazan.

Kazan Kazan ( -LSB- Каза́нь , p = kɐˈzanʲ -RSB- Казан , Qazan ) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan , Russia . With a population of 1,216,965 , it is the eighth most populous city in Russia . Kazan lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia . The Kazan Kremlin is a World Heritage Site .   In April 2009 , the Russian Patent Office granted Kazan the right to brand itself as the `` Third Capital '' of Russia . In 2009 it was chosen as the `` Sports capital of Russia '' and it still is referred to as such . The city hosted the 2013 Summer Universiade , 2014 World Fencing Championships , the 2015 World Aquatics Championships , and is one of the host cities for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup .   In 2015 , Kazan was visited by 2.1 million tourists , which is a 20 % increase in comparison with 2014 . The Kazan Kremlin was visited by 1.5 million tourists in 2015 and hotel and entertainment complex with aquapark called `` Kazan Riviera '' was visited by 1 million tourists .


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 .


Charlie Chaplin's childhood was one of poverty.

Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer `` Charlie '' Chaplin , ( 16 April 1889 -- 25 December 1977 ) was an English comic actor , filmmaker , and composer who rose to fame during the era of silent film . Chaplin became a worldwide icon through his screen persona `` the Tramp '' and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry . His career spanned more than 75 years , from childhood in the Victorian era until a year before his death in 1977 , and encompassed both adulation and controversy .   Chaplin 's childhood in London was one of poverty and hardship . As his father was absent and his mother struggled financially , he was sent to a workhouse twice before the age of nine . When he was 14 , his mother was committed to a mental asylum . Chaplin began performing at an early age , touring music halls and later working as a stage actor and comedian . At 19 , he was signed to the prestigious Fred Karno company , which took him to America . Chaplin was scouted for the film industry and began appearing in 1914 for Keystone Studios . He soon developed the Tramp persona and formed a large fan base . Chaplin directed his own films from an early stage and continued to hone his craft as he moved to the Essanay , Mutual , and First National corporations . By 1918 , he was one of the best-known figures in the world .   In 1919 , Chaplin co-founded the distribution company United Artists , which gave him complete control over his films . His first feature-length was The Kid ( 1921 ) , followed by A Woman of Paris ( 1923 ) , The Gold Rush ( 1925 ) , and The Circus ( 1928 ) . He refused to move to sound films in the 1930s , instead producing City Lights ( 1931 ) and Modern Times ( 1936 ) without dialogue . Chaplin became increasingly political , and his next film , The Great Dictator ( 1940 ) , satirised Adolf Hitler . The 1940s were a decade marked with controversy for Chaplin , and his popularity declined rapidly . He was accused of communist sympathies , while his involvement in a paternity suit and marriages to much younger women caused scandal . An FBI investigation was opened , and Chaplin was forced to leave the United States and settle in Switzerland . He abandoned the Tramp in his later films , which include Monsieur Verdoux ( 1947 ) , Limelight ( 1952 ) , A King in New York ( 1957 ) , and A Countess from Hong Kong ( 1967 ) .   Chaplin wrote , directed , produced , edited , starred in , and composed the music for most of his films . He was a perfectionist , and his financial independence enabled him to spend years on the development and production of a picture . His films are characterised by slapstick combined with pathos , typified in the Tramp 's struggles against adversity . Many contain social and political themes , as well as autobiographical elements . In 1972 , as part of a renewed appreciation for his work , Chaplin received an Honorary Academy Award for `` the incalculable effect he has had in making motion pictures the art form of this century '' . He continues to be held in high regard , with The Gold Rush , City Lights , Modern Times , and The Great Dictator often ranked on industry lists of the greatest films of all time .


Paradise (Lana Del Rey EP) Paradise is the third extended play ( EP ) and second major release by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey ; it was released on November 9 , 2012 by Universal Music . It is additionally packaged with the reissue of her second studio album Born to Die ( 2012 ) , titled Born to Die : The Paradise Edition . Del Rey enlisted collaborators including producers Rick Nowels , Justin Parker , and Rick Rubin .   Upon its release , Paradise received generally favorable reviews from music critics . The extended play debuted at number 10 on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 67,000 copies . It also debuted at number 10 on the Canadian Albums Chart and peaked within the top-five of various other Billboard charts . Charting across Europe , the extended play became a top-ten hit in Flanders and Poland , charting within the top twenty in Wallonia and the Netherlands .   The EP 's lead single was the ballad `` Ride '' which became a modest hit in the United States , Switzerland , Ireland , and France and reached the top ten in Russia . `` Blue Velvet '' , a cover of the popular 1950s track , and `` Burning Desire '' were released as promotional singles . Music videos for `` Ride '' , `` Blue Velvet '' , `` Bel Air '' , and `` Burning Desire '' were posted to Vevo and YouTube to help promote the EP .   In December 2013 , Del Rey released the Anthony Mandler-directed Tropico , a short film that includes the songs `` Body Electric '' , `` Gods & Monsters '' , and `` Bel Air '' . That same month , an EP of the same name was made available for purchase on iTunes , containing the film along with the three aforementioned songs . In 2014 , the EP was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards .


Thor: The Dark World Thor : The Dark World is a 2013 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Thor , produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures . It is the sequel to 2011 's Thor and the eighth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . The film was directed by Alan Taylor , with a screenplay by Christopher Yost and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely . It stars Chris Hemsworth , Natalie Portman , Tom Hiddleston , Anthony Hopkins , Stellan Skarsgård , Idris Elba , Christopher Eccleston , Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje , Kat Dennings , Ray Stevenson , Zachary Levi , Tadanobu Asano , Jaimie Alexander , and Rene Russo . In Thor : The Dark World , Thor teams up with Loki to save the Nine Realms from the Dark Elves led by the vengeful Malekith , who intends to plunge the universe into darkness .   Development of Thor : The Dark World began in April 2011 , when producer Kevin Feige announced plans for a sequel to follow the crossover film The Avengers . In July 2011 , Kenneth Branagh , the director of Thor , withdrew from the project . Brian Kirk and Patty Jenkins were considered to direct the film before Taylor was hired in January 2012 . The supporting cast filled out in August 2012 , with the hiring of Eccleston , Dennings , and Akinnuoye-Agbaje . Principal photography began in September 2012 in Surrey , England with filming continuing in Iceland and London , before wrapping up in December 2012 . Thor : The Dark World was converted to 3D in post-production .   Thor : The Dark World premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on October 22 , 2013 . It was released internationally on October 30 , 2013 , and on November 8 , 2013 , in the United States . The film received mixed reviews , but was a commercial success , grossing over $ 644 million worldwide . A third film , Thor : Ragnarok , is set for release on November 3 , 2017 .


Robbie Collin Robbie Collin is a British film critic .   Collin studied aesthetics and the philosophy of film at the University of St Andrews , Scotland , He edited the university 's student newspaper , The Saint .   Collin is chief film critic at The Daily Telegraph . From 2007 to 2009 he wrote a weekly film column for the News of the World until the newspaper 's closure in July 2011 . That year he was shortlisted for Critic of the Year at the British Press Awards .  He appeared on the Channel 4 Vue Film Show , presented by Edith Bowman , and contributed to the BBC Radio 2 Arts Show with Claudia Winkleman . In August 2013 he guest presented BBC Radio 4 's Film programme . In August 2014 , February 2015 , July -- August 2015 , February 2016 and in April 2016 he guest presented Kermode and Mayo 's Film Review , also with Edith Bowman .


Stanley Tucci Stanley Tucci ( -LSB- ˈtuːtʃi -RSB- -LSB- ˈtuttʃi -RSB- ; born November 11 , 1960 ) is an American character actor , writer , producer and film director .   Tucci was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Lovely Bones ( 2009 ) . He won two Emmy Awards for his performances in Winchell and Monk . He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children , for The One and Only Shrek ! .


Lisa Lopes Lisa Nicole Lopes ( May 27 , 1971 -- April 25 , 2002 ) , better known by her stage name Left Eye , was an American hip hop singer , rapper , actress , songwriter and producer . She rose to fame in the early 1990s as one-third of the girl group TLC , alongside Tionne `` T-Boz '' Watkins and Rozonda `` Chilli '' Thomas . Besides rapping and singing background vocals on TLC recordings , Lopes was one of the creative forces behind the group . She received more cowriting credits than the other members . She also designed the outfits and stage for the group and brought concepts to the group image , album titles , artworks and music videos . Through her work with TLC , Lopes won four Grammy Awards .   During her short solo career , Lopes scored two US top-ten singles with `` Not Tonight '' and `` U Know What 's Up '' , as well as one UK number-one single with `` Never Be the Same Again '' . She also produced the girl group Blaque , who scored a platinum album and two US top-ten hits . Lopes remains the only member of TLC to have released a solo album .   On April 25 , 2002 , Lopes was killed in a car accident while on a retreat with her sister and others . She swerved off the road to avoid hitting another vehicle and was thrown from her vehicle and died instantly . The last days of her life were made into a documentary called The Last Days of Left Eye , which aired on VH1 in May 2007 .


A Perfect Circle A Perfect Circle is an American rock supergroup formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan . A Perfect Circle has released three albums : their debut Mer de Noms in 2000 , a follow up , Thirteenth Step in 2003 , and an album of cover songs titled Emotive in 2004 . Shortly after Emotives release , the band went into hiatus while Keenan returned to Tool and starting up solo work in the form of the band Puscifer , and Howerdel releasing a solo album , Keep Telling Myself It 's Alright , under the moniker Ashes Divide . Band activity was sporadic in the coming years ; the band reformed in 2010 , and played live shows on and off between 2010 and 2013 , but fell into inactivity after the release of their greatest hits album , Three Sixty , and a live album box set , A Perfect Circle Live : Featuring Stone and Echo in late 2013 . However , in 2017 , the band returned to touring and announced plans to record and release a fourth studio album under a new record label , BMG Rights Management , between late 2017 and early 2018 .   Prone to downtime due to Keenan 's other musical commitments , the band has featured a variety of musicians in the rest of the band 's role throughout its alternating periods of activity and inactivity . The original incarnation of the band included Paz Lenchantin on bass , Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar , and Josh Freese on drums , though Primus drummer Tim Alexander had briefly stood in as a drummer prior to Freese in the band 's initial live shows prior to releasing any material . Band collaborator and producer Danny Lohner and Marilyn Manson bassist Jeordie White were also members for a short period in the early 2000s . The band 's current lineup features former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha , bassist Matt McJunkins , and drummer Jeff Friedl , the latter two also being contributors to the related Puscifer and Ashes Divide projects . Despite the varied cast and numerous lineup changes , the stylistic content of the songs has remained consistent with Howerdel as music composer , and Keenan penning the lyrics and vocal melodies . The band 's studio albums have been generally well received critically and commercially , with their three studio albums selling 4 million copies collectively as of 2005 .


The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 film.

The Silence of the Lambs (film) The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 American horror-thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Jodie Foster , Anthony Hopkins , and Scott Glenn . Adapted by Ted Tally from the 1988 novel of the same name by Thomas Harris , his second to feature the character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter ; a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer , the film was the second adaptation of a Harris novel featuring Lecter , preceded by the Michael Mann-directed Manhunter in 1986 . In the film , Clarice Starling , a young U.S. FBI trainee , seeks the advice of the imprisoned Dr. Lecter to apprehend another serial killer , known only as `` Buffalo Bill '' .   The Silence of the Lambs was released on February 14 , 1991 , and grossed $ 272.7 million worldwide against its $ 19 million budget . It was only the third film , the other two being It Happened One Night and One Flew Over the Cuckoo 's Nest , to win Academy Awards in all the top five categories : Best Picture , Best Actor , Best Actress , Best Director , and Adapted Screenplay . It is also the first ( and so far only ) Best Picture winner widely considered to be a horror film , and only the third such film to be nominated in the category , after The Exorcist in 1973 and Jaws in 1975 . The film is considered `` culturally , historically or aesthetically '' significant by the U.S. Library of Congress and was selected to be preserved in the National Film Registry in 2011 . A sequel titled Hannibal was released in 2001 with Hopkins reprising his role , followed by two prequels : Red Dragon ( 2002 ) and Hannibal Rising ( 2007 ) .


XXx: Return of Xander Cage is reviewed by D. J. Caruso.

XXx: Return of Xander Cage xXx : Return of Xander Cage ( released as xXx : Reactivated in some countries ) is a 2017 American action film directed by D. J. Caruso and written by F. Scott Frazier . The film stars Vin Diesel , Donnie Yen , Deepika Padukone , Kris Wu , Ruby Rose , Tony Jaa , Nina Dobrev , Toni Collette , and Samuel L. Jackson . It is the third installment in the xXx franchise and a sequel to both xXx ( 2002 ) and xXx : State of the Union ( 2005 ) .   Unlike the previous films , which were distributed by Columbia Pictures , the film was released by Paramount Pictures on January 20 , 2017 , in 2D , RealD 3D and IMAX 3D . This also marks the first film produced by Revolution Studios in ten years since 2007 's The Water Horse : Legend of the Deep . The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed over $ 346 million worldwide against a production budget of $ 85 million , making it the eighth highest-grossing film of 2017 , the highest-grossing film of Revolution Studios and in the franchise .


Tyler, The Creator's second album sold 90,000 copies in its first week.

Tyler, The Creator Tyler Gregory Okonma ( born March 6 , 1991 ) , better known by his stage name Tyler , The Creator , is an American rapper , record producer , and music video director . Born in Ladera Heights , California , he rose to prominence as the leader and co-founder of the alternative hip hop collective Odd Future and has rapped on and produced songs for nearly every Odd Future release . Okonma creates all the artwork for the group 's releases and designs the group 's clothing and other merchandise as well .   After releasing his debut album Goblin under XL Recordings , in April 2011 , he signed a joint venture deal for him and his label Odd Future Records , with RED Distribution and Sony Music Entertainment . Following that he released his second studio album Wolf , which was met with generally positive reviews and debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 selling 90,000 copies in its first week . He has his own clothing company , called Golf Wang , started in 2011 , and a carnival , named Camp Flog Gnaw , hosted annually since 2012 . He runs his own streaming service Golf Media ; it contains original scripted series from Tyler himself and Camp Flog Gnaw streams there yearly .


Soundgarden Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle , Washington , in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell , lead guitarist Kim Thayil , and bassist Hiro Yamamoto . Matt Cameron became the band 's full-time drummer in 1986 , while bassist Ben Shepherd became a permanent replacement for Yamamoto in 1990 . Cornell remained in Soundgarden until his death in May 2017 , putting the band 's future in doubt and leaving Thayil as the only remaining original member of the band .   Soundgarden was one of the seminal bands in the creation of grunge , a style of alternative rock that developed in Seattle , and was one of a number of grunge bands signed to the record label Sub Pop . Soundgarden was the first grunge band to sign to a major label ( A&M Records in 1988 ) , though the band did not achieve commercial success until they popularized the genre in the early 1990s with Seattle contemporaries Pearl Jam , Nirvana , and Alice in Chains .   Soundgarden achieved its biggest success with the 1994 album Superunknown , which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and yielded the Grammy Award-winning singles `` Black Hole Sun '' and `` Spoonman '' . In 1997 , the band broke up due to internal strife over its creative direction . After more than a decade of working on projects and other bands , Soundgarden reunited in 2010 and their sixth studio album , King Animal , was released two years later .   As of 2012 , Soundgarden sold more than 10.5 million records in the United States , and an estimated 22.5 million worldwide . VH1 ranked Soundgarden at number 14 in their special 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock .


19 Kids and Counting 19 Kids and Counting ( formerly 17 Kids and Counting and 18 Kids and Counting ) was an American reality television show that aired on the cable channel TLC for seven years , until its cancellation in 2015 . The show featured the Duggar family : parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their nineteen children -- nine girls and ten boys , all of whose names begin with the letter `` J. '' During the life of the show , three children were born , three children were married and four grandchildren were born .   The reality show focused on the life of the Duggar family who are devout Baptists . and frequently discussed values of purity , modesty , and faith in God . The Duggars avoid birth control saying they have decided to allow God to determine the number of children they have . All of the children are homeschooled , and access to entertainment such as movies and television is limited . They practice chaperoned courtship , in which a couple acquaints itself only in a group setting . The values presented on the show have been associated with the Quiverfull movement , which has been described as promoting strict family conformity , male hierarchies , and subservient roles for women . The Duggars have stated they are not associated with the Quiverfull movement .   The series began on September 29 , 2008 and concluded on May 19 , 2015 . The show was TLC 's most popular , averaging 2.3 million viewers per new episode in Season 10 , and scoring in the Nielsen `` Cable Top 25 . ''   On May 22 , 2015 , TLC suspended the series when the Duggars ' eldest son , Josh , publicly apologized for having `` acted inexcusably '' following reports that he molested five girls , including some of his sisters , by fondling them . These events occurred in 2002 and 2003 , when he was 14 to 15 years of age , and prior to the beginning of the show . On July 16 , 2015 , TLC announced that the show was officially canceled and would not resume production . A spin-off show , Counting On , aired in December 2015 and the fourth season will premiere June 12 , 2017 .


Doug Ducey Douglas Anthony Ducey -LSB- ˈduːsi -RSB- ( born April 9 , 1964 ) is an American businessman and politician who is the 23rd and current governor of the U.S. State of Arizona . He is a member of the Republican Party , and was sworn in as governor on January 5 , 2015 . Prior to his governorship , he served as the state 's 42nd treasurer . He is also the first man to serve as Arizona Governor in over 17 years .   Prior to serving in elected office , Ducey served as the CEO of Cold Stone Creamery before he and his business partner sold the company in 2007 . On November 4 , 2014 , Ducey won the election to become governor of the State of Arizona , the first open seat for governor in 12 years , succeeding Jan Brewer .   Born in Toledo , Ohio , Ducey moved to Tempe , Arizona in 1982 where he attended Arizona State University . In addition to his involvement with Cold Stone Creamery , he also worked at a local Anheuser-Busch distributor during his time in college , and Procter & Gamble following his graduation with a degree in finance .


James Bond is produced by a film company.

James Bond The James Bond series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming , who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections . Since Fleming 's death in 1964 , eight other authors have written authorised Bond novels or novelizations : Kingsley Amis , Christopher Wood , John Gardner , Raymond Benson , Sebastian Faulks , Jeffery Deaver , William Boyd and Anthony Horowitz . The latest novel is Trigger Mortis by Anthony Horowitz , published in September 2015 . Additionally Charlie Higson wrote a series on a young James Bond , and Kate Westbrook wrote three novels based on the diaries of a recurring series character , Moneypenny .   The character has also been adapted for television , radio , comic strip , video games and film . The films are the longest continually running film series of all time and have grossed over $ 7.040 billion in total , making it the fourth-highest-grossing film series to date , which started in 1962 with Dr. No , starring Sean Connery as Bond . As of , there have been twenty-four films in the Eon Productions series . The most recent Bond film , Spectre ( 2015 ) , stars Daniel Craig in his fourth portrayal of Bond ; he is the sixth actor to play Bond in the Eon series . There have also been two independent productions of Bond films : Casino Royale ( a 1967 spoof ) and Never Say Never Again ( a 1983 remake of an earlier Eon-produced film , Thunderball ) . In 2015 , the franchise was estimated to be worth $ 19.9 billion , making James Bond one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time .   The Bond films are renowned for a number of features , including the musical accompaniment , with the theme songs having received Academy Award nominations on several occasions , and two wins . Other important elements which run through most of the films include Bond 's cars , his guns , and the gadgets with which he is supplied by Q Branch . The films are also noted for Bond 's relationships with various women , who are sometimes referred to as `` Bond girls '' .


Gabrielle Union is in the movie industry.

Cadillac Records Cadillac Records is a 2008 musical biopic written and directed by Darnell Martin . The film explores the musical era from the early 1940s to the late 1960s , chronicling the life of the influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess , and a few of the musicians who recorded for Chess Records .   The film stars Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess , Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon , Mos Def as Chuck Berry , Columbus Short as Little Walter , Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters , Eamonn Walker as Howlin ' Wolf , and Beyoncé as Etta James . The film was released in North America on December 5 , 2008 by TriStar Pictures .


Top Five Top Five is a 2014 American comedy film written and directed by Chris Rock . The film , which stars Rock , Rosario Dawson , and Gabrielle Union , was screened in the Special Presentations section of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival . The movie follows New York City comedian and film star Andre Allen ( Rock ) , who has to confront his past and comedic career while doing an interview with journalist Chelsea Brown ( Dawson ) . The film was released on December 12 , 2014 , by Paramount Pictures .


The Birth of a Nation (2016 film) The Birth of a Nation is a 2016 American period drama film based on the story of Nat Turner , the enslaved man who led a slave rebellion in Southampton County , Virginia , in 1831 . Co-written , co-produced and directed by Nate Parker ( in his directorial debut ) , the film stars Parker as Turner , with Armie Hammer , Aja Naomi King , Jackie Earle Haley , Penelope Ann Miller and Gabrielle Union in supporting roles . Parker also petitioned financiers to invest in the film , ultimately getting an $ 8.5 million production budget , and started filming in May 2015 in Georgia .   The film premiered in competition at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on January 25 , 2016 . Fox Searchlight Pictures bought worldwide rights to the film in a $ 17.5 million deal , the largest deal at the film festival to date . At the end of the festival , the film won the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition and was highly praised for its directing , acting , soundtrack and cinematography . The film was theatrically released in the United States on October 7 , 2016 by Fox Searchlight Pictures and grossed $ 16 million .   Because The Birth of a Nation attracted increased attention due to possible Oscar nominations , there was significant press coverage of a 1999 alleged rape that Parker and co-writer Jean McGianni Celestin were accused of having committed , and the fact that the accuser committed suicide in 2012 . While Parker was acquitted and Celestin was initially found guilty , but then later granted a retrial that never went ahead , the controversy surrounding the alleged rape and Parker 's initial responses to the controversy cast a shadow over the film .


Sleepless (2017 film) Sleepless is a 2017 American crime drama action film directed by Baran bo Odar , written by Andrea Berloff and starring Jamie Foxx and T.I. as a pair of corrupt Las Vegas cops who search for one of their kidnapped sons . Michelle Monaghan , Dermot Mulroney , David Harbour , Gabrielle Union and Scoot McNairy also star .   A remake of the French thriller Sleepless Night , the film was released in the United States on January 13 , 2017 . It received generally negative reviews from critics and grossed $ 28 million .


Gabrielle Union Gabrielle Monique Union ( born October 29 , 1972 ) is an American actress . She began her career in 1990s , appearing on television sitcoms , before landing supporting roles in teen comedy films She 's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You ( 1999 ) . Her breakthrough role was in the 2000 teen comedy film Bring It On , after which she was female lead in the short-lived CBS medical drama series City of Angels later that year .   Union is best known for her performances in the romantic comedy films The Brothers ( 2001 ) , Deliver Us from Eva ( 2003 ) , Daddy 's Little Girls ( 2007 ) , Think Like a Man ( 2012 ) and Think Like a Man Too ( 2014 ) . She also had starring roles in Bad Boys II ( 2003 ) , Cradle 2 the Grave ( 2003 ) , the critically acclaimed Neo Ned ( 2005 ) , Cadillac Records ( 2008 ) , and Top Five ( 2014 ) . In 2013 , Union began starring as lead character in the BET drama series Being Mary Jane , for which she has received critical acclaim and an NAACP Image Award . She co-starred in film The Birth of a Nation ( 2016 ) , and next appeared in Almost Christmas ( 2016 ) and Sleepless ( 2017 ) .


Cradle 2 the Grave Cradle 2 the Grave is a 2003 American action film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak and starring Jet Li and DMX . The film was released in the United States on February 28 , 2003 .


Bad Boys II Bad Boys II is a 2003 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Michael Bay , produced by Jerry Bruckheimer , and starring Martin Lawrence and Will Smith . A sequel to the 1995 film Bad Boys and the second installment in the Bad Boys series , the film follows detectives Burnett and Lowrey investigating the flow of ecstasy into Miami . Despite receiving generally negative reviews , the film was a box office success , grossing $ 270 million worldwide .


Neo Ned Neo Ned is a 2005 romance drama film starring Jeremy Renner , Gabrielle Union , Sally Kirkland , Cary Elwes , Eddie Kaye Thomas and Ethan Suplee . It was written by Tim Boughn and directed by Van Fischer .


Almost Christmas (film) Almost Christmas is a 2016 American Christmas comedy-drama film written and directed by David E. Talbert and starring Kimberly Elise , Mo'Nique , Nicole Ari Parker , Gabrielle Union , Keri Hilson , Jessie Usher , Danny Glover , Omar Epps , John Michael Higgins , D.C. Young Fly and Romany Malco . The film follows a dysfunctional family that comes together for the holidays for the first time since their mother 's death .   Principal photography began on November 2 , 2015 in Atlanta , Georgia . The film premiered in Los Angeles on November 3 , 2016 and was released in the United States on November 11 , 2016 by Universal Pictures . It received mixed reviews and has grossed $ 42 million .


Barack Obama's presidential library will be built in Chicago.

Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II ( -LSB- bəˈrɑːk_huːˈseɪn_oʊˈbɑːmə -RSB- ; born August 4 , 1961 ) is an American politician who served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017 . He is the first African American to have served as president . He previously served in the U.S. Senate representing Illinois from 2005 to 2008 , and in the Illinois State Senate from 1997 to 2004 .   Obama was born in Honolulu , Hawaii , two years after the territory was admitted to the Union as the 50th state . Raised largely in Hawaii , Obama also spent one year of his childhood in Washington State and four years in Indonesia . After graduating from Columbia University in 1983 , he worked as a community organizer in Chicago . In 1988 Obama enrolled in Harvard Law School , where he was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review . After graduation , he became a civil rights attorney and professor , teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004 . Obama represented the 13th District for three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004 , when he ran for the U.S. Senate . Obama received national attention in 2004 , with his unexpected March primary win , his well-received July Democratic National Convention keynote address , and his landslide November election to the Senate . In 2008 , Obama was nominated for president , a year after his campaign began , and after a close primary campaign against Hillary Clinton . He was elected over Republican John McCain , and was inaugurated on January 20 , 2009 . Nine months later , Obama was named the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize laureate .   During his first two years in office , Obama signed many landmark bills . Main reforms were the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( often referred to as `` Obamacare '' ) , the Dodd -- Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act , and the Do n't Ask , Do n't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 . The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and Tax Relief , Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization , and Job Creation Act of 2010 served as economic stimulus amidst the Great Recession , but the GOP regained control of the House of Representatives in 2011 . After a lengthy debate over the national debt limit , Obama signed the Budget Control and the American Taxpayer Relief Acts . In foreign policy , Obama increased U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan , reduced nuclear weapons with the U.S.-Russian New START treaty , and ended military involvement in the Iraq War . He ordered military involvement in Libya in opposition to Muammar Gaddafi , and the military operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden .   After winning re-election by defeating Republican nominee Mitt Romney , Obama was sworn in for a second term in 2013 . During his second term , Obama promoted greater inclusiveness for LGBT Americans , with his administration filing briefs that urged the Supreme Court to strike down same-sex marriage bans as unconstitutional ( United States v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges ) . Obama also advocated gun control in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting , and issued wide-ranging executive actions concerning climate change and immigration . In foreign policy , Obama ordered military intervention in Iraq in response to gains made by ISIL after the 2011 withdrawal from Iraq , continued the process of ending U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan , promoted discussions that led to the 2015 Paris Agreement on global climate change , initiated the sanctions against Russia following the invasion in Ukraine , brokered a nuclear deal with Iran , and normalized U.S. relations with Cuba .   Obama left office in January 2017 with a 60 % approval rating . He currently resides in Washington , D.C. His presidential library will be built in Chicago .


Before Night Falls (film) Before Night Falls is a 2000 American biographical romantic drama directed by Julian Schnabel . Based on the autobiography of the same name of Reinaldo Arenas , which was published in English in 1993 , the screenplay was written by Schnabel , Cunningham O'Keefe and Lázaro Gómez Carriles . The film stars Javier Bardem ( who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor ) , Johnny Depp , Olivier Martinez , Andrea Di Stefano , Santiago Magill and Michael Wincott . The film had its world premiere at the 2000 Venice International Film Festival .


During the filming of The Crow Brandon Lee died.

Brandon Lee Brandon Bruce Lee ( February 1 , 1965 -- March 31 , 1993 ) was an American actor and martial artist . He was the son of martial artist and film actor Bruce Lee and teacher Linda Lee Cadwell , the grandson of Cantonese opera singer Lee Hoi-chuen , and brother of Shannon Lee .   Starting his career with a supporting role in the 1986 television film Kung Fu : The Movie , Lee starred in several low-budget action films during the late 1980s and early 1990s such as Legacy of Rage ( 1986 ) , Showdown in Little Tokyo ( 1991 ) and Rapid Fire ( 1992 ) . In 1992 , he landed his breakthrough role as Eric Draven in The Crow , based on the comic book of the same name .   On March 31 , 1993 , Lee died during the filming of The Crow in an accident involving a prop gun . The film was released posthumously in 1994 with the help of stunt doubles and special effects .


Puerto Rico Puerto Rico ( Spanish for `` Rich Port '' ) , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico , `` Free Associated State of Puerto Rico '' ) and briefly called Porto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeast Caribbean Sea .   It is an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller ones such as Mona , Culebra , and Vieques . The capital and most populous city is San Juan . Its official languages are Spanish and English , though Spanish predominates . The island 's population is approximately 3.4 million . Puerto Rico 's rich history , tropical climate , diverse natural scenery , traditional cuisine , and attractive tax incentives make it a popular destination for travelers from around the world .   Originally populated by the indigenous Taíno people , the island was claimed in 1493 by Christopher Columbus for the Crown of Castile , and it later endured invasion attempts from the French , Dutch , and British . Four centuries of Spanish colonial government transformed the island 's ethnic , cultural and physical landscapes primarily with waves of African slaves , and Canarian , and Andalusian settlers . In the Spanish imperial imagination , Puerto Rico played a secondary , but strategic role when compared to wealthier colonies like Peru and Mexico . Such a distant administrative control continued right up until the end of the 19th century helping to produce a distinctive creole Hispanic culture and language that combined elements from the Natives , Africans , and Iberian people . In 1898 , following the Spanish -- American War , the United States appropriated Puerto Rico together with most former Spanish colonies under the terms of the Treaty of Paris .   Puerto Ricans are considered natural-born citizens of the United States . However , Puerto Rico does not have a vote in the United States Congress , which governs the territory with full jurisdiction under the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1950 . As a U.S. territory , American citizens residing on the island are disenfranchised at the national level and may not vote for president and vice president of the United States . However , Congress approved a local constitution , allowing U.S. citizens on the territory to elect a governor . A 2012 referendum showed a majority ( 54 % of those who voted ) disagreed with `` the present form of territorial status '' , with full statehood as the preferred option among those who voted for a change of status , although a significant number of people did not answer the second question from the referendum . A fifth referendum will be held in June 2017 , and `` Statehood '' and `` Independence/Free Association '' were initially the only available options . However , at the recommendation of the Department of Justice , a `` current territorial status '' option will be added .   In early 2017 , the Puerto Rican government-debt crisis posed serious problems for the government . The outstanding bond debt had climbed to $ 70 billion at a time with 12.4 % unemployment . The debt had been increasing during a decade long recession . This was the second major financial crisis to affect the island after the Great Depression when the U.S. government , in 1935 , provided relief efforts through the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration . On May 3 , 2017 , Puerto Rico 's financial oversight board in the U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico filed the debt restructuring petition which was made under Title III of PROMESA .


Snoop Dogg was the creator of the soundtrack released for the film short Murder Was the Case.

Snoop Dogg Cordozar Calvin Broadus , Jr. ( born October 20 , 1971 ) , known professionally as Snoop Dogg ( sometimes shortened to Snoop and formerly called Snoop Doggy Dogg and Snoop Lion ) , is an American rapper and actor from Long Beach , California . His music career began in 1992 when he was discovered by Dr. Dre of N.W.A , and as a result was prominently featured throughout Dr. Dre 's solo debut album , The Chronic ( 1992 ) . He has since sold over twenty-three million albums in the United States and thirty-five million albums worldwide .   Snoop 's debut album , Doggystyle , was released in 1993 under Death Row Records , debuting at number one on both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Top R&B / Hip-Hop Albums charts . Selling almost a million copies in the first week of its release , Doggystyle became certified 4 × platinum in 1994 and spawned several hit singles , including `` What 's My Name ? '' and `` Gin & Juice '' . In 1994 Snoop released a soundtrack on Death Row Records for the short film Murder Was The Case , starring himself . His second album Tha Doggfather ( 1996 ) , also debuted at number one on both charts with `` Snoop 's Upside Ya Head '' , as the lead single . The album was certified double platinum in 1997 .   After leaving Death Row Records , Snoop signed with No Limit Records , where he recorded his next three albums . Da Game Is to Be Sold , Not to Be Told ( 1998 ) , No Limit Top Dogg ( 1999 ) , and Tha Last Meal ( 2000 ) . Snoop then signed with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in 2002 , where he released Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss . He then signed with Geffen Records in 2004 for his next three albums R&G ( Rhythm & Gangsta ) : The Masterpiece , Tha Blue Carpet Treatment , and Ego Trippin ' . Malice 'n Wonderland ( 2009 ) , and Doggumentary ( 2011 ) , were released on Priority . Snoop Dogg has starred in motion pictures and hosted several television shows , including Doggy Fizzle Televizzle , Snoop Dogg 's Father Hood , and Dogg After Dark . He also coaches a youth football league and high school football team . In September 2009 , Snoop was hired by EMI as the chairman of a reactivated Priority Records .   In 2012 , after a trip to Jamaica , Snoop announced a conversion to the Rastafari movement and a new alias , Snoop Lion . Under the new moniker , he released a reggae album , Reincarnated , and a documentary film of the same name , of his Jamaican experience , in early 2013 . His fourteenth solo studio album , Coolaid , was released in July 2016 .   Snoop Dogg holds the dubious distinction of having seventeen Grammy nominations without a win .   In March 2016 , the night before WrestleMania 32 in Arlington , Texas , Snoop was inducted into the celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame having made several appearances for the company , including as Master of Ceremonies during a match at Wrestlemania XXIV .


David Schwimmer has yet to be cast in a movie.

David Schwimmer David Lawrence Schwimmer ( born November 2 , 1966 ) is an American actor , director , and producer . He was born in Flushing , Queens , New York , and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was 2 . He began his acting career performing in school plays at Beverly Hills High School . In 1988 , he graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in theater and speech . After graduation , Schwimmer co-founded the Lookingglass Theatre Company . For much of the late 1980s , he lived in Los Angeles as a struggling , unemployed actor .   He starred in the television movie A Deadly Silence in 1989 and appeared in a number of television roles , including on L.A. Law , The Wonder Years , NYPD Blue , and Monty , in the early 1990s . Schwimmer later gained worldwide recognition for playing Ross Geller in the sitcom Friends , for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1995 . His first leading film role was in The Pallbearer ( 1996 ) , followed by roles in Kissing a Fool ( 1998 ) , Six Days , Seven Nights ( 1998 ) , Apt Pupil , and Picking Up the Pieces ( 2000 ) . He was then cast in the miniseries Band of Brothers ( 2001 ) as Herbert Sobel .   After the series finale of Friends in 2004 , Schwimmer was cast as the title character in the 2005 drama Duane Hopwood . Other film roles include the voice of Melman the Giraffe in the computer-animated Madagascar film franchise , the dark comedy Big Nothing ( 2006 ) , and the thriller Nothing But the Truth ( 2008 ) . Schwimmer made his West End stage debut in the leading role in Some Girl ( s ) in 2005 . In 2006 , he made his Broadway debut in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial . Schwimmer made his feature film directorial debut with the 2007 comedy Run Fatboy Run . The following year he made his Off-Broadway directorial debut in the 2008 production , Fault Lines .   In 2016 , he starred as lawyer Robert Kardashian in American Crime Story , for which he received his second Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie .


Slash (musician) Saul Hudson ( born July 23 , 1965 ) , better known by his stage name Slash , is a British-American musician and songwriter . He is best known as the lead guitarist of the American rock band Guns N ' Roses , with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s . During his later years with Guns N ' Roses , Slash formed the side project Slash 's Snakepit . After leaving Guns N ' Roses in 1996 , he co-founded the supergroup Velvet Revolver , which re-established him as a mainstream performer in the mid to late 2000s . Slash has since released three solo albums : Slash ( 2010 ) , featuring an array of famous guest musicians , and Apocalyptic Love ( 2012 ) and World on Fire ( 2014 ) , recorded with his band , Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators . He returned to Guns N ' Roses in 2016 , nearly 20 years after he had left .   Slash has received critical acclaim and is considered as one of the greatest rock guitarists . Time Magazine named him runner-up on their list of `` The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players '' in 2009 , while Rolling Stone Magazine placed him at No. 65 on their list of `` The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time '' in 2011 . Guitar World ranked his guitar solo in `` November Rain '' No. 6 on their list of `` The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos '' in 2008 , and Total Guitar placed his riff in `` Sweet Child o ' Mine '' at No. 1 on their list of `` The 100 Greatest Riffs '' in 2004 . During 2010 Gibson Guitar Corporation ranked Slash as No. 34 on their `` Top 50 Guitarists of All Time '' , while their readers landed him No. 9 on Gibson 's `` Top 25 Guitarists of All Time '' . In 2012 , he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Guns N ' Roses ' classic line-up .


James Nesbitt starred in the television series Murphy's Law from 2001-2007.

James Nesbitt William James Nesbitt , ( born 15 January 1965 ) is an actor and presenter from Northern Ireland . Born in Ballymena , County Antrim , Nesbitt grew up in the nearby village of Broughshane , before moving to Coleraine , County Londonderry . He wanted to become a teacher like his father , so he began a degree in French at the University of Ulster . He dropped out after a year when he decided to become an actor , and transferred to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London . After graduating in 1987 , he spent seven years performing in plays that varied from the musical Up on the Roof ( 1987 , 1989 ) to the political drama Paddywack ( 1994 ) . He made his feature film debut playing talent agent Fintan O'Donnell in Hear My Song ( 1991 ) .   Nesbitt got his breakthrough television role playing Adam Williams in the romantic comedy-drama Cold Feet ( 1998 -- 2003 ) , which won him a British Comedy Award , a Television and Radio Industries Club Award , and a National Television Award . His first significant film role came when he appeared as pig farmer `` Pig '' Finn in Waking Ned ( 1998 ) . With the rest of the starring cast , Nesbitt was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award . In Lucky Break ( 2001 ) , he made his debut as a film lead , playing prisoner Jimmy Hands . The next year , he played Ivan Cooper in the television film Bloody Sunday , about the 1972 shootings in Derry . A departure from his previous `` cheeky chappie '' roles , the film was a turning point in his career . He won a British Independent Film Award and was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor .   Nesbitt has also starred in Murphy 's Law ( 2001 -- 2007 ) as undercover detective Tommy Murphy , in a role that was created for him by writer Colin Bateman . The role twice gained Nesbitt Best Actor nominations at the Irish Film & Television Awards ( IFTA ) . In 2007 , he starred in the dual role of Tom Jackman and Mr Hyde in Steven Moffat 's Jekyll , which earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination in 2008 . Nesbitt has since appeared in several more dramatic roles ; he starred alongside Liam Neeson in Five Minutes of Heaven ( 2009 ) , and was one of three lead actors in the television miniseries Occupation ( 2009 ) . He also starred in the movies Outcast ( 2010 ) and The Way ( 2010 ) . He portrayed Bofur in Peter Jackson 's The Hobbit film series ( 2012-2014 ) . In 2014 , Nesbitt starred in the lead role as the father character Tony Hughes in the acclaim BBC One drama series The Missing .   Nesbitt was married to former actress Sonia Forbes-Adam , with whom he has two daughters . He is an advocate of numerous charities , and in 2010 he accepted the ceremonial position of Chancellor of the University of Ulster .


Rupert Wyatt premiered his horror film The Escapist at Sundance Film Festival.

Rupert Wyatt Rupert Wyatt ( born 26 October 1972 ) is an English screenwriter , director , and producer . He made his directorial debut with the 2008 film The Escapist , which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival . His second film was the 2011 blockbuster Rise of the Planet of the Apes .


Statue of Liberty holds a torch above her head.

Statue of Liberty The Statue of Liberty ( Liberty Enlightening the World ; -LSB- La Liberté éclairant le monde , links = no -RSB- ) is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City , in the United States . The copper statue , a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States , was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel . The statue was dedicated on October 28 , 1886 .   The Statue of Liberty is a robed female figure representing Libertas , the Roman goddess . She holds a torch above her head , and in her left arm carries a tabula ansata inscribed in Roman numerals with `` JULY IV MDCCLXXVI '' ( July 4 , 1776 ) , the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence . A broken chain lies at her feet . The statue became an icon of freedom and of the United States , and was a welcoming sight to immigrants arriving from abroad .   Bartholdi was inspired by French law professor and politician Édouard René de Laboulaye , who is said to have commented in 1865 that any monument raised to U.S. independence would properly be a joint project of the French and U.S. peoples . Due to the post-war instability in France , work on the statue did not commence until the early 1870s . In 1875 , Laboulaye proposed that the French finance the statue and the U.S. would provide the site and build the pedestal . Bartholdi completed the head and the torch-bearing arm before the statue was fully designed , and these pieces were exhibited for publicity at international expositions .   The torch-bearing arm was displayed at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 , and in Madison Square Park in Manhattan from 1876 to 1882 . Fundraising proved difficult , especially for the Americans , and by 1885 work on the pedestal was threatened due to lack of funds . Publisher Joseph Pulitzer of the New York World started a drive for donations to complete the project that attracted more than 120,000 contributors , most of whom gave less than a dollar . The statue was constructed in France , shipped overseas in crates , and assembled on the completed pedestal on what was then called Bedloe 's Island . The statue 's completion was marked by New York 's first ticker-tape parade and a dedication ceremony presided over by President Grover Cleveland .   The statue was administered by the United States Lighthouse Board until 1901 and then by the Department of War ; since 1933 it has been maintained by the National Park Service . Public access to the balcony surrounding the torch has been barred for safety reasons since 1916 .


Stanley Tucci performed in a work which dramatized the life of a columnist.

Winchell (film) Winchell is an HBO television film directed by Paul Mazursky which dramatizes the life of columnist Walter Winchell . It is based on the book Walter Winchell : His Life and Times by Herman Klurfeld .


Stanley Tucci Stanley Tucci ( -LSB- ˈtuːtʃi -RSB- -LSB- ˈtuttʃi -RSB- ; born November 11 , 1960 ) is an American character actor , writer , producer and film director .   Tucci was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Lovely Bones ( 2009 ) . He won two Emmy Awards for his performances in Winchell and Monk . He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children , for The One and Only Shrek ! .


Roman Reigns is a one-time United States Champion.

Roman Reigns Leati Joseph `` Joe '' Anoaʻi ( born May 25 , 1985 ) is an American professional wrestler , former professional Canadian football player and a member of the Anoaʻi family . He is signed to WWE , where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Roman Reigns .   After playing collegiate football for Georgia Tech , Anoaʻi started his professional football career with brief off-season stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League ( NFL ) in 2007 . He then played a full season for the Canadian Football League 's ( CFL ) Edmonton Eskimos in 2008 before his release and retirement from football .   Anoaʻi then pursued a career in professional wrestling and was signed by WWE in 2010 , reporting to their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling ( FCW ) . As Roman Reigns , he made his main roster debut in November 2012 alongside Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins as The Shield . The trio teamed together until June 2014 , after which Reigns entered singles competition . Reigns is a three-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion , a one-time United States Champion , a one-time WWE Tag Team Champion ( with Rollins ) , the 2015 Royal Rumble winner and the 2014 Superstar of the Year . He also tied the WWE record for most eliminations in a Survivor Series elimination match with four in the 2013 event and set the record for most eliminations in a Royal Rumble match with 12 in the 2014 event .   Since 2014 , WWE has attempted to establish Reigns as their next `` face of the company '' . Reigns has headlined multiple major WWE pay-per-view events , including the last three WrestleManias ( 31 , 32 and 33 ) -- scoring wins over Triple H and The Undertaker . However , Reigns ' ascendancy as a world title-chasing/holding heroic underdog has been marked by critics ' disapproval and overwhelmingly negative crowd reactions . He was consequently named 2016 's `` Most Hated Wrestler of the Year '' by Pro Wrestling Illustrated , becoming the first babyface wrestler to have been recognized as such , as well as the `` Most Overrated '' by Wrestling Observer Newsletter .


The World Bank Group's activities ignore developing countries.

World Bank Group The World Bank Group ( WBG ) is a family of five international organizations that make leveraged loans to developing countries . It is the largest and most famous development bank in the world and is an observer at the United Nations Development Group . The bank is based in Washington , D.C. and provided around $ 61 billion in loans and assistance to `` developing '' and transition countries in the 2014 fiscal year . The bank 's stated mission is to achieve the twin goals of ending extreme poverty and building shared prosperity . Total lending as of 2015 for the last 10 years through Development Policy Financing was approximately $ 117 billion . Its five organizations are the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ( IBRD ) , the International Development Association ( IDA ) , the International Finance Corporation ( IFC ) , the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency ( MIGA ) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ( ICSID ) .   The World Bank 's ( the IBRD and IDA 's ) activities are focused on developing countries , in fields such as human development ( e.g. education , health ) , agriculture and rural development ( e.g. irrigation and rural services ) , environmental protection ( e.g. pollution reduction , establishing and enforcing regulations ) , infrastructure ( e.g. roads , urban regeneration , and electricity ) , large industrial construction projects , and governance ( e.g. anti-corruption , legal institutions development ) . The IBRD and IDA provide loans at preferential rates to member countries , as well as grants to the poorest countries . Loans or grants for specific projects are often linked to wider policy changes in the sector or the country 's economy as a whole . For example , a loan to improve coastal environmental management may be linked to development of new environmental institutions at national and local levels and the implementation of new regulations to limit pollution , or not , such as in the World Bank financed constructions of paper mills along the Rio Uruguay in 2006 .   The World Bank has received various criticisms over the years and was tarnished by a scandal with the bank 's then President Paul Wolfowitz and his aide , Shaha Riza , in 2007 .


Annie Parisse was on a television series.

Annie Parisse Anne Marie Cancelmi ( born July 31 , 1975 ) , known professionally as Annie Parisse , is an American actress . She portrayed Alexandra Borgia on the drama series Law & Order . Parisse has also starred as Julia Snyder on the soap opera As the World Turns , for which she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award , and as FBI specialist Debra Parker on the thriller series The Following .


Kendrick Lamar Kendrick Lamar Duckworth ( born June 17 , 1987 ) is an American rapper and songwriter . Born and raised in Compton , California , he embarked on his musical career as a teenager under the stage name K-Dot , releasing a mixtape that garnered local attention and led to his signing with indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment ( TDE ) . He began to gain recognition in 2010 , after his first retail release , Overly Dedicated . The following year , Lamar independently released his first studio album , Section .80 , which included his debut single , `` HiiiPoWeR '' . By that time , he had amassed a large Internet following and collaborated with several artists in the hip hop industry , including The Game , Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes .   His major label debut , good kid , m.A.A.d city , was released in 2012 by TDE , Aftermath and Interscope Records to critical success . It debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) . The record contained the top 40 singles `` Swimming Pools ( Drank ) '' , `` Bitch , Do n't Kill My Vibe '' , and `` Poetic Justice '' . Lamar won his first Grammy Award for `` i '' , lead single from his critically acclaimed third album To Pimp a Butterfly ( 2015 ) . The album drew on free jazz , funk , soul , and spoken word , debuted atop the charts in the US and the UK , and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 58th ceremony . In 2016 , Lamar released untitled unmastered. , a collection of unreleased demos that originated during the recording sessions for Butterfly . He released his fourth album Damn in 2017 ; its lead single `` Humble '' topped the Billboard Hot 100 .   Lamar has received a number of accolades over the course of his career , including seven Grammy Awards . In early 2013 , MTV named Lamar the number one `` Hottest MC in the Game '' , on their annual list . Time named Lamar one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016 . Aside from his solo career , Lamar is also known as a member of the West Coast hip hop supergroup Black Hippy , alongside his TDE label-mates and fellow South Los Angeles-based rappers Ab-Soul , Jay Rock and Schoolboy Q.


Drug abuse was addressed in Beverly Hills, 90210.

Beverly Hills, 90210 Beverly Hills , 90210 is an American drama television series that ran for ten seasons -- originally airing from October 4 , 1990 , to May 17 , 2000 , on Fox , and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States -- and subsequently on numerous networks around the world . It is the first of five television series in the Beverly Hills , 90210 franchise . The show follows the lives of a group of friends living in the upscale and star-studded community of Beverly Hills , California as they make their way through high school to college and into the adult world .   The show was created by Darren Star and executive producers Charles Rosin ( originally ) followed in later seasons by Aaron Spelling , E. Duke Vincent , Paul Waigner , Steve Wasserman , and Jessica Klein . The `` 90210 '' in the title refers to one of the city 's five ZIP codes .   The initial premise of the show was based on the adjustment and culture shock that twins Brandon ( Jason Priestley ) and Brenda Walsh ( Shannen Doherty ) experienced when they and their parents , Jim ( James Eckhouse ) and Cindy ( Carol Potter ) moved from Minneapolis , Minnesota to Beverly Hills . In addition to chronicling the friendships and romantic relationships of the characters , the show also addressed numerous topical issues such as date rape , gay rights , animal rights , alcoholism , drug abuse , domestic violence , sex , antisemitism , racism , teenage suicide , teenage pregnancy , and AIDS . Beverly Hills , 90210 was named one of the Best School Shows of All Time by AOL TV .   After a poor start in the ratings during its first season , the series gained popularity during the summer of 1991 , when Fox aired a special `` summer season '' of the show while most other series were in reruns . The series became one of Fox 's top shows when it began its next season that fall . Viewership increased dramatically and the cast members , particularly Jason Priestley and Luke Perry , became teen idols , while the series would make actresses Shannen Doherty , Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling household names in the US . The show also had many cast changes , with Garth , Spelling , Ian Ziering and Brian Austin Green being the only actors to appear during its entire run .


The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building, which is in Dubai.

Dubai Dubai ( -LSB- duːˈbaɪ -RSB- ; دبي , Gulf pronunciation : -LSB- dʊˈbɑj -RSB- ) is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) . It is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai , one of the seven emirates that make up the country . Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the only two emirates to have veto power over critical matters of national importance in the country 's legislature . The city of Dubai is located on the emirate 's northern coastline and heads the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area . Dubai will host World Expo 2020 .   Dubai emerged as a global city and business hub of the Middle East . It is also a major transport hub for passengers and cargo . By the 1960s , Dubai 's economy was based on revenues from trade and , to a smaller extent , oil exploration concessions , but oil was not discovered until 1966 . Oil revenue first started to flow in 1969 . Dubai 's oil revenue helped accelerate the early development of the city , but its reserves are limited and production levels are low : today , less than 5 % of the emirate 's revenue comes from oil .   The emirate 's Western-style model of business drives its economy with the main revenues now coming from tourism , aviation , real estate , and financial services . Dubai was recently named the best destination for Muslim travellers by Salam Standard . Dubai has recently attracted world attention through many innovative large construction projects and sports events . The city has become iconic for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings , in particular the world 's tallest building , the Burj Khalifa . Dubai has been criticised for human rights violations concerning the city 's largely South Asian and Filipino workforce . Dubai 's property market experienced a major deterioration in 2008 -- 09 following the financial crisis of 2007 -- 08 , but the emirate 's economy has made a return to growth , with a projected 2015 budget surplus .   , Dubai was the 22nd most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in the Middle East . In 2014 , Dubai 's hotel rooms were rated as the second most expensive in the world , after Geneva . Dubai was rated as one of the best places to live in the Middle East by U.S. global consulting firm Mercer .


Lebanon experienced a 15 year long civil war known as the Lebanese Civil War.

Lebanese Civil War The Lebanese Civil War ( الحرب الأهلية اللبنانية - Al-Ḥarb al-Ahliyyah al-Libnāniyyah ) was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon , lasting from 1975 to 1990 and resulting in an estimated 120,000 fatalities . As of 2012 , approximately 76,000 people remain displaced within Lebanon . There was also an exodus of almost one million people from Lebanon as a result of the war .   Before the war , Lebanon was multisectarian , with Sunni Muslims and Christians being the majorities on the coastal cities , Shia Muslims being mainly based in the south and the Beqaa to the east , with the mountain populations being in their majority Druze and Christian . The government of Lebanon had been run under a significant influence of the elites among the Maronite Christians . The link between politics and religion had been reinforced under the mandate of the French colonial powers from 1920 to 1943 , and the parliamentary structure favored a leading position for the Christians . However , the country had a large Muslim population and many pan-Arabist and left-wing groups opposed the pro-western government . The establishment of the state of Israel and the displacement of a hundred thousand Palestinian refugees to Lebanon during the 1948 and 1967 exoduses contributed to shifting the demographic balance in favor of the Muslim population . The Cold War had a powerful disintegrative effect on Lebanon , which was closely linked to the polarization that preceded the 1958 political crisis , since Maronites sided with the West while leftist and pan-Arab groups sided with Soviet-aligned Arab countries .   Fighting between Maronite and Palestinian forces ( mainly from the Palestine Liberation Organization ) began in 1975 , then Leftist , pan-Arabist and Muslim Lebanese groups formed an alliance with the Palestinians . During the course of the fighting , alliances shifted rapidly and unpredictably . Furthermore , foreign powers , such as Israel and Syria , became involved in the war and fought alongside different factions . Peace keeping forces , such as the Multinational Force in Lebanon & UNIFIL , were also stationed in Lebanon .   The 1989 Taif Agreement marked the beginning of the end of the fighting . In January 1989 , a committee appointed by the Arab League began to formulate solutions to the conflict . In March 1991 , parliament passed an amnesty law that pardoned all political crimes prior to its enactment . In May 1991 , the militias were dissolved , with the exception of Hezbollah , while the Lebanese Armed Forces began to slowly rebuild as Lebanon 's only major non-sectarian institution . Religious tensions between Sunnis and Shias remained after the war .


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


Machu Picchu is on a mountain ridge 210 m above sea level.

Machu Picchu Machu Picchu ( -LSB- ˈmatʃu ˈpitʃu -RSB- ) ( Machu Pikchu -LSB- ˈmɑtʃu ˈpixtʃu -RSB- ) is a 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge 2430 m above sea level . It is located in the Cusco Region , Urubamba Province , Machupicchu District in Peru , above the Sacred Valley , which is 80 km northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows .   Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti ( 1438 -- 1472 ) . Often mistakenly referred to as the `` Lost City of the Incas '' ( a title more accurately applied to Vilcabamba ) , it is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization . The Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest . Although known locally , it was not known to the Spanish during the colonial period and remained unknown to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911 .   Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style , with polished dry-stone walls . Its three primary structures are the Inti Watana , the Temple of the Sun , and the Room of the Three Windows . Most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better idea of how they originally appeared . By 1976 , thirty percent of Machu Picchu had been restored and restoration continues .   Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 . In 2007 , Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet poll .


Wonder Woman has appeared in the comics for the Justice Society.

Wonder Woman Wonder Woman is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics . The character is a founding member of the Justice League , demigoddess , warrior princess , and Ambassador-at-Large of the Amazonian people . In her homeland , she is Princess Diana of Themyscira , and outside of her homeland , she is known by her civilian identity Diana Prince .   Wonder Woman was created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston , and artist Harry G. Peter . Marston and his wife Elizabeth 's cohabitant , Olive Byrne , is credited as being his inspiration for the character 's appearance . Marston drew a great deal of inspiration from early feminists , and especially from birth control pioneer Margaret Sanger . The character first appeared in All Star Comics # 8 in October 1941 and first cover-dated on Sensation Comics # 1 , January 1942 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986 .   Wonder Woman 's origin story relates that she was sculpted from clay by her mother Queen Hippolyta and given life by Aphrodite , along with superhuman powers as gifts by the Greek Gods . However , in recent years artists updated her profile : she has been depicted as the daughter of Zeus , and jointly raised by her mother Hippolyta and her aunts Antiope and Menalippe ; artists George Perez gave her a muscular look and emphasized her Amazonian heritage ; artist Jim Lee redesigned Diana 's costume to include pants ; she inherits Ares 's divine abilities , becoming the personified `` God of War '' ; and writer Greg Rucka clarified her sexual orientation as bisexual , giving her a backstory that includes positive relationships with women .   Her Amazonian training helped to develop a wide range of extraordinary skills in strategy , hunting , and combat . She possesses an arsenal of advanced technology , including the Lasso of Truth , a pair of indestructible bracelets , a tiara which serves as a projectile , and , in older stories , a range of devices based on Amazon technology . Wonder Woman was created during World War II ; the character was initially depicted fighting Axis military forces as well as an assortment of colorful supervillains , although over time her stories came to place greater emphasis on characters , deities , and monsters from Greek mythology . Many stories depicted Wonder Woman rescuing herself from bondage , which defeated the `` damsels in distress '' trope that was common in comics during the 1940s . In the decades since her debut , Wonder Woman has gained a formidable cast of enemies bent on eliminating the Amazon , including classic villains such as Ares , Cheetah , Doctor Poison , Circe , Doctor Psycho , and Giganta , along with more recent adversaries such as Veronica Cale . Wonder Woman has also regularly appeared in comic books featuring the superhero teams Justice Society ( from 1941 ) and Justice League ( from 1960 ) .   Notable depictions of the character in other media include Gloria Steinem placing the character on the cover of Ms. magazine in 1971 ; the 1975 -- 1979 Wonder Woman TV series starring Lynda Carter ; as well as animated series such as the Super Friends and Justice League . Since Carter 's television series , studios struggled to introduce a new live-action Wonder Woman to audiences , although the character continued to feature in a variety of toys and merchandise , as well as animated adaptations of DC properties , including a direct-to-DVD animated feature . Attempts to return Wonder Woman to television have included a television pilot for NBC in 2011 , closely followed by another stalled production for The CW . Gal Gadot portrays Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe , starting with the 2016 film Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice , marking the character 's feature film debut after over 70 years of history . Gadot will also star in the character 's first solo live-action film Wonder Woman , set to be released on June 2 , 2017 .   On October 21 , 2016 , the United Nations sparked controversy by naming Wonder Woman a UN Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls in a ceremony attended by Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Cristina Gallach and by actors Lynda Carter and Gal Gadot . Critics regard the character as not being a worthy role model for women , deeming the scantily clad `` large breasted , white woman of impossible proportions '' as being overtly sexualized and not culturally sensitive . Two months later she was dropped from her role as a UN Ambassador following a petition .