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Madonna (born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Dubbed the "Queen of Pop", she is the best-selling female music artist of all time. She has released fifteen studio albums; among her most commercially successful releases are Like a Virgin (1984), True Blue (1986), Like a Prayer (1989), Ray of Light (1998), Music (2000), and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). Her top-charting singles include "Like a Virgin", "Papa Don't Preach", "La Isla Bonita", "Like a Prayer", "Vogue", "Take a Bow", "Frozen", "Music", "Hung Up", and "4 Minutes". Madonna's works, which explore social, political, sexual, and religious themes, have generated acclaim and controversy, and have made her a culturally significant and well-documented figure. Her accolades include seven Grammy Awards and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. She has pursued acting—winning a Golden Globe for her performance in Evita (1996)—as well as businesses, writing, health clubs, and filmmaking. (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

A Ukrainian drone operator

... that various observers consider women drone operators in the Ukrainian military (example pictured) an essential part of Ukraine's war-time defence against Russia's invasion?
... that the Gujarati play Mena Gurjari was staged at the official residence of India's president during the 1957 Republic Day celebrations?
... that a 2024 Mandarin song by American singer Karencici went viral in South Korea?
... that the London Life Building included four bowling alleys for employees?
... that Clair Blank published the trilogy The Adventure Girls when she was only 20?
... that scaffolds made of silk biomaterials, which temporarily support tissue regeneration, can be designed to degrade as new tissue forms?
... that Ginny MacColl, who first stepped in a gym at the age of 63, became the oldest person to pass an obstacle in American Ninja Warrior?
... that Evo 2026 included a 1997 arcade fighting game among its twelve main tournament titles?
... that identical twins Liam and Markus Ruck were selected by the same team in the 2026 NHL entry draft?

In the news

Zhu Rongji in 2000

A magnitude-7.7 earthquake strikes off the coast of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, causing at least 53 deaths.
Former premier of China Zhu Rongji (pictured) dies at the age of 97.
A solar eclipse causes totality from Siberia to Iberia.
A magnitude-7.4 earthquake strikes Chocó Department, Colombia, leaving at least 294 people dead.
In cycling, Demi Vollering wins the Tour de France Femmes.

On this day

August 16

San Sebastian Church in Manila

1891 – San Sebastian Church (pictured), an all-iron church in Manila, was officially consecrated.
1896 – A group including George Carmack and Skookum Jim Mason discovered gold near Dawson City, Canada, setting off the Klondike Gold Rush.
1900 – Second Boer War: A 10,000-strong column of soldiers led by Lord Kitchener broke a 13-day siege of a small garrison.
1906 – An earthquake registering approximately 8.2 M_w struck Valparaíso, Chile, killing 3,882 people.
1986 – Typhoon Wayne formed over the South China Sea, going on to become one of the longest-lived tropical cyclones in the north-western Pacific, lasting 21 days.

Ranavalona I (d. 1861)
Georgette Heyer (b. 1902)
Jannik Sinner (b. 2001)
Dorival Caymmi (d. 2008)

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Today's featured picture

The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is a royal residence in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Opened in 1655 as a town hall, its main architect was Jacob van Campen, who designed the building in the Dutch Baroque style. Louis Bonaparte became King of Holland in 1806 and established his court in Amsterdam, turning the town hall into a palace; it has been used by Dutch monarchs since then, although their main residence is Huis ten Bosch in The Hague. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is used for entertaining and official functions during state visits and other official receptions, such as New Year receptions. This photograph shows the facade of the Royal Palace as seen from Dam Square in 2016.

Photograph credit: Diego Delso

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