Last year, more than 17 million ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos were posted to Facebook and these videos were watched by 440 million people a total of 10 billion times. More than $220 million was raised globally with $115 million going to The ALS Association, which is putting these dollars to work funding exciting new initiatives to find treatments and a cure for the disease through research, care services and public policy. To read more about progress since last year, visit www.ALSA.org/progress.

Photo Credit: Blacks in Dallas . Friday, July 31, 2015 The Church's Impact on the Family "Let us not give up meeting together [in church], as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another...."1 As quoted in an earlier issue of Daily Encounter, a study conducted some time ago by sociologist Steven Nock of the University of Virginia showed that couples who regularly attend church are 42% more likely to be married for the first time. And those in the church who were committed to its beliefs had a 23% better chance of having a "very happy" marriage than those who don't attend church.

Caption Viola Davis AARP The Magazine Cover Source AARP Media Contact CONTACT: Carla Clunis, Coburn Communication, 646.633.4971, carla.clunis@coburnww.com; Paola Torres, AARP, 202.434.2555, ptorres@aarp.org Creator prepare2.rrd.com Tweet

Did J. K. Rowling Lift the Character of Harry Potter from the Harry Potter of Troll? J. K. Rowling. I have just stumbled on an interesting similarity of the famous boy wizard "Harry Potter" of billionaire British bestselling author J.K Rowling and the "Harry Potter" of Troll , the 1986 American cult dark fantasy film directed by John Carl Buechler and produced by Charles Band of Empire Pictures, starring Noah Hathaway, Michael Moriarty, Shelley Hack, Jenny Beck, and Sonny Bono.

International Design Contest for Students of Fashion Design: Ensemble 2015 at Kochi KOCHI, India, July 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The second edition of India's pioneering fashion design contest exclusively for students of fashion will take place at Le Meridien Kochi on 10th October 2015. Ensemble is initiated by Beena Kannan, CEO and Fabric Designer of the House of Seematti having a 100 plus year legacy in wedding silks. The objective of the contest is to inspire and incentivize students of fashion design enabling them to emerge as competent, industry-reading professionals fully exposed to every aspect of the fashion sector. "Ensemble" has been hailed as a never-before skill development foray from a textile retail major. In 2014, more than 100 students of fashion design from all over India took part in the contest.

Louisa Ejenavbo- Grand prize winner, #ArielPerfectMatch Competition Winners Emerge in Ariel’s Selfie Perfect Match Competition Winners have emerged from the Ariel’s Selfie perfect match competition. Following the launch of Ariel Automatic specifically designed for washing machines on May 10th 2015, stylish customers were rewarded through the hashtag #ArielPerfectMatch throughout the month of May.

caption: OVO Boss Drake with Sean Kingston Manager, Steve Lobel "HipHop Don't Know You" (PRNewsFoto/UGO Crew) source: UGO Crew media contact info: Karine Delage, 416-876-3329, karyzmaagency.ca Pre OVO Youth Vote and Pan Am Games Inspired Tunes TORONTO, July 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Deciding the future of our country is something that everyone should have in mind. The youth sometime feel left out of the decisions our politicians makes and this is why Steve Lobel and U.G.O Crew want to highlight how powerful we all can be at any stage in our life. On August 3rd, Top Manager, Steve Lobel's annual Pre OVO fest event, titled, 'Hip Hop Don't Know You' in collaboration with his artists, Sean Kingston and U.G.O Crew will happen inside of the Citta restaurant (92 Fort York BLVD) in Toronto. Youths nationwide are called to this event and will promote the launch of a national contest that will give the winner a chance to collaborate with Toronto-based artist

The Newest Victoria's Secret Angels Landed In Times Square To Celebrate The New Body By Victoria Campaign NEW YORK, July 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The newest Victoria's Secret Angels Kate Grigorieva (Russia), Taylor Hill (Colorado), Elsa Hosk (Sweden), Martha Hunt (North Carolina), Jac Jagaciak (Poland), Stella Maxwell (United Kingdom), Lais Ribeiro (Brazil), Sara Sampaio (Portugal), Romee Strijd (Holland) and Jasmine Tookes (California) celebrated the all new Body by Victoria collection on Military Island in the heart of Times Square in New York City. These models join established Angels Lily Aldridge, Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, Behati Prinsloo, and Candice Swanepoel expanding the brand's Supermodel lineup.

Dear POTUS, Please Throw Away Your Selfie Stick and Use My Emofix It is really an embarrassment to see that President of the United States (POTUS) Barack Obama is still using a Selfie Stick! When I am using an Emofix, the first most advanced gadget for taking selfies and videos in the world and Emofix has no stick or any funny looking handle like the ridiculous monopod called selfie stick. Using the selfie stick is now old fashioned and outdated since the Emofix bluetooth selfie and video gadget launched in Europe! Capture every moment with EmoFix, a Bluetooth enabled device that lets you take awesome Selfies, Pictures, and Videos! With the Emofix you can take the best selfies and videos without touching your smartphone or camera even from 30ft distance. Ask for EmoFix NOW! +49 211 24845246 http://emofix.com/ . Tweet

Can the problems facing humanity be addressed through sustainable business solutions? How to Save the World (and Get Rich Trying) is a five part documentary series from The Venture. Adrian Grenier at The Venture. Adrian Grenier and James Corden crown winners of The Venture receiving share of $1 million fund Algramo announced as stand out winner of The Venture 2015

Photo Credit: FLUX TRENDS . 2015 SKYN® Condoms Millennial Sex Survey Discovers Millennials are Closing the Orgasm Gap Annual Survey Reveals Condom Use Habits, Sexual Habits, Online and Mobile Dating Trends and More ISELIN, N.J., July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennials are closing the orgasm gap according to a national study conducted by Ansell, a global leader in protection solutions and the makers of LifeStyles® and SKYN® Condoms ("SKYN"). Recognized as the manufacturer of two of the nation's leading condom brands, Ansell is debuting the results of the 2015 SKYN Condoms Millennial Sex Survey, which reveals the encouraging finding that millennial females are achieving orgasm nearly as often as men during sex.

Photo Credit: Sheila Bella . Eyebrows on fleek: One quarter of US women use eyebrow pencils, while 19% wear eyebrow make-up  CHICAGO , July 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent trends in color cosmetics are leading to shifts in how US consumers are allocating their beauty spending, according to Mintel's Color Cosmetics US 2015 report . One of the latest trends driving interest in the category is bold, groomed brows, with 25 percent of American women using eyebrow pencils and one in five women wearing eyebrow make-up on a regular basis (19 percent). In line with the bold and defined eye trend, multi outlet (MULO) sales of eye liner have grown by 5 percent since 2014, with long-lasting results and precise application driving strong segment gains. In contrast, the facial make-up trend of "less is more" has some wearers opting for lighter-weight products, including 17 percent on US women who wear BB cream regularly.

Caption Farabe Algor, 30, of Frisco, Texas was crowned Mrs. International 2015 Saturday, July 25 at the 30th Annual Mrs. International Pageant held at the Moran Theater at the Times Union Center for Performing Arts in Jacksonville. The two-hour event featured 65 contestants from around the world competing in three categories, including interview, fitness wear and evening gown. Algor's husband, Justin, helped crown her Mrs. International before a sold-out audience. Algor will spend her year as Mrs. International promoting her platform Beyond Glory - Supporting our Veterans, an organization she started to provide programs and services to veterans. Source International Pageants, Inc. Media Contact Denise O'Handley, 847-648-2644, denise@wkprchicago.com Tweet

Natasha Poly, Emily Senko, Lara Lieto,guest, Irina Shayk attend a cocktail during The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation 2nd Annual Saint-Tropez Gala at Domaine Bertaud Belieu on July 22, 2015 in Saint-Tropez, France. The 2nd Annual LDF Gala raised over US$40 million for protecting Earth’s last wild places and implementing solutions to preserve and save the environment. Leonardo DiCaprio opened the evening with an impassioned speech about the Foundation’s work and stated, “Tonight’s event is about supporting LDFs efforts to protect key species like the tiger, rhino, shark, and mountain gorilla by working with governments to conserve the jungles, coral reefs and forests they call home. By focusing on protecting these critically-endangered iconic species is almost like setting up a worldwide network of Noahs arks.” Read more on http://leonardodicaprio.org/2nd-annual-ldf-gala-raises-over-40-million/ . Leonardo DiCaprio speaks onstage during The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation 2nd Annual Sai

Barbara Berlusconi at Di Caprio Foundation Gala in Saint-Tropez In search of synergies between the Milan Foundation and the American actor's non-profit-making organization

Photo Credit: UNHCR . Angelina Jolie revisits Myanmar refugees on World Refugee Day UNHCR's Special Envoy Angelina Jolie spent this year's World Refugee Day with Karenni refugees from Myanmar. Some have been in exile in Thailand for 30 years, making this one of the longest-running refugee situations in the world. On her fourth visit to the refugee camps in Thailand, Jolie met Baw Meh's […] Tweet

Digital Friday event of the month is the two-day MTN TECH+ Conference and Expo at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos, opening today July 24th and ending tomorrow 25th, with celebrated speakers and notable leaders in emerging industries in IT, Telecoms and broadcasting; including Nicholas Martin, CEO, Jumia Africa; Akintunde Oyebode, Head SME Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank; Abiola Olaniyan (CEO Gamsole); Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Cofounder at Andela; Dele Odufuye, MD/CEO, Tsaboin); Wangi Mba Uzoukwu, Regional Director, MNET/Africa Magic; Funsho Finnih, MTN Nigeria); Lanre Dabiri (Eldee); Mr.Patrick Olatunji, Asst. Principal, Greensprings Secondary Schools, Lagos; Abolade Afolabi, Director for ICT Covenant University; Victor Murage, Regional Manager, West Africa Blackboard International; Don Pedro Obaseki, CEO, ACC Broadcast Multimedia Ltd; Mrs.Adedoja Allen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of City FM; Chris Ubosi, Managing Director/CEO, The Beat 99.9 FM; Charles Oje

Caption SOMA Messenger delivers the highest quality HD video calls on a messenger app Source SOMA Messenger Media Contact CONTACT: Burson-Marsteller, Lowell Eschen, Lowell.Eschen@BM.com, (+1)212-614-4081 SOMA Messenger Launches as the Fastest Messenger App, Delivering Lightspeed & Stunning HD Quality Voice and Video Calls, All Free, Forever The Only App to Allow Group Chats of up to 500 People, Making it Ideal for Sports Fans, Small Businesses, Community Groups and More Global Distributed Server Network Brings Highest Speed and Quality to Messaging

Keds® Puts 'Ladies First' With The Launch Of New Global Brand Platform; Debuts Fall 2015 Ad Campaign Featuring Taylor Swift LEXINGTON, Mass., July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Keds® announces the launch of Ladies First Since 1916, a new global brand platform with a fresh perspective on what it means to be a woman today. The platform is inspired by women who create their own paths, make their own rules, and harness the power of femininity and strength.

40,000 Free Travel-Size Sets Of ProfilePRO Available Exclusively On StarShop ProfilePRO System Customizes Hair Care Based On Individual Hair Characteristics NEW YORK , July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- StarShop, the new celebrity-driven m-commerce app founded by pioneer of "As Seen On TV" and original Shark Tank judge, Kevin Harrington , announced today that they are giving away 40,000 FREE travel-size sets of ProfilePRO, the first customized hair care system. Today through Friday, July 31 st , StarShop users are eligible to receive a free personalized ProfilePRO travel-size set of shampoo and conditioner by visiting www.starshop.com or downloading the StarShop App, available via the iTunes App Store and Google Play.

Caption International recording artist, Melanie Brown, gets messy while running The Color Run(TM) sponsored by Shout(R) at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (Chelsea Lauren/ Getty Images for SC Johnson) Source SC Johnson Media Contact Michelle Johnson 262.260.2374 majohns3@scj.com OR Adrian Villalpando 1-312-240-2625 adrian.villalpando@edelman.com Creator Chelsea Lauren Copyright 2015 Getty Images Tweet