Fatburger is about to dominate the US.

On Thursday, the fast-food burger chain with a cult following on the West Coast announced it was exploring plans to go public. The company is looking to raise $20 million in an IPO and is currently gauging investor interest.

"We're testing the waters right now," CEO Andy Wiederhorn told CNBC.

Wiederhorn said that the company is looking to grow the business globally and acquire other fast-casual brands. The parent company of the chain, FAT Brands, also owns Buffalo's Cafe and Buffalo's Express. 

Take a look at what to expect at this burger chain:

SEE ALSO: The 25 best fast-food chains in America right now

Fatburger has a cult following on the West Coast, which dates back to 1947 when it was first opened by Lovie Yancey as a hamburger stand in Los Angeles. Yancey borrowed scrap pieces of material from her partner, who was a construction worker, to build the stand.

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Source: Fatburger

It was originally called Mr. Fatburger, but when the couple broke up, Yancey dropped the "Mr." Yancey went on to open several locations and gained a loyal following from several celebrities, including Ray Charles. In 1990, she sold it to an investment company, and in 2003, it was acquired by its current owners, Fog Cutter Capital Group.

Today, it has 200 restaurants in 18 different countries, including China, the UK, Canada, and Panama. In the US, the chain has stayed loyal to its West Coast roots — you'll find it in California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Washington.

This summer five wind turbines are being towed out into the North Sea, where they will be the first ever floating offshore wind farm.

The turbines, built in Norway this year, have been dragged across the ocean to Scotland, where they will start working just off the coast.

The project — known as Hywind Scotland — cost a total of NOK 2 billion (£193 million, or $253 million).

It is expected to generate enough power for 20,000 households when it starts producing energy later this year, according to Statoil, the Norwegian state energy company behind the project.

Take a look at the slides below to see how the turbines work, and why an idea once dismissed as "crazy" is coming to life.

SEE ALSO: 7 earthquakes struck Oklahoma in 28 hours for a disturbing reason

DON'T MISS: A worrisome phenomenon suggests Earth might keep warming even as we pollute less — here's why

Here are the experimental turbines that will form the floating wind farm.

They are designed to sit on the surface, with about 180 metres above water and 80 metres submerged.

The turbines can drift in all three dimensions on the water's surface, and will be held in place by anchors on the sea bed. Long cables will carry electricity back to shore.

The wind farm will be in the North Sea, around 30km off the Scottish coast.

It's been 20 years since Charlize Theron landed her first movie role at the age of 22, and in that time her style has changed in a subtle yet noticeable way.

Certain items — like pantsuits, statement necklaces, and strapless tops —  have remained staples in the star's wardrobe for decades, but she has styled them differently over time. Through the use of makeup and jewelry, her style has also become more relaxed and informa, and her hair has been on quite the journey.

The actress's gradual evolution shows that change doesn't always have to be startling. Theron's tendency to stick to fashion and beauty looks that work for her prove that she has a clearly defined sense of style.

Keep scrolling to see how the Atomic Blonde star's style has transformed.

Theron wore a striped shift dress to the BMI Pop Awards in May 1998.

In the late '90s and early 2000s, stripes were a wardrobe staple for the actress. She wore this sparkly top to the premiere of "The Perfect Storm" in June 2000.

Theron has been a big fan of pantsuits since she began her acting career. She chose a sleek white ensemble for the premiere of "Sweet November" in February 2001.

Apple purists will tell you not to cover the iPhone's gorgeous design with a case.

If you need a case, though, fanboys will tell you the only acceptable cases to use are the ones made by Apple. 

But Apple's iPhone cases don't all come cheap, and realists will advise not to spend too much money on a case, since it's just going to get scratched or break anyway. 

But as someone who's been using its products for over a year now, I can safely say that Sonix makes the best iPhone cases. 

I need a case on my iPhone, purely for peace of mind. I don't drop my phone often and I've never (knock on wood) cracked my screen. But I know that as soon as I get cocky and take my case off, I will immediately break my phone. 

Plus, iPhones are inherently boring to look at. They're beautifully designed, sure, but they're not really great at showcasing one's unique personal style. 

So when I stumbled upon Sonix totally by accident at my neighborhood Urban Outfitters, I was delighted, since Sonix offers a major feature I look for in phone cases: Small-yet-necessary bumpers. The front edges of the case are almost imperceptibly higher than the screen, so that if I drop my phone directly on its face, the screen won't take all the impact. 

Plus, Sonix cases are almost entirely clear with prints overlaid on the back in bright colors or metallics. You get the best of both worlds by being able to show off your iPhone — they make cases for Samsung Galaxy S7, S8, and S8+, too — while still looking like an individual. 

I'm now on my second Sonix case, and I can't imagine ever switching to another brand. The cases are incredibly durable, scratch-resistant, stylish, and relatively affordable at $35 per case. The only reason I've had to buy another one is because I switched from an iPhone 5s to an iPhone 6s (I still kept my old case in the event I ever switch back to a smaller phone). I bought my first Sonix case in a brick-and-mortar store, but they're also available online via Sonix's website and Amazon.

If there are any downsides to the brand, it's that it caters more toward women's tastes than men's. Plus, their cases seem to be favored by the celebrity set, so you may see Emma Stone or Kylie Jenner toting the same phone case as you. But if you're someone who constantly drops their phone, or someone who simply wants something more exciting than what's sold in the Apple store, it's worth checking out what Sonix has to offer.

SEE ALSO: Apple just launched a pair of $600 Beats headphones with design house Balmain

Here's a look at some of the cases:

Cry Baby, $35

Prickly Pear, $35

Love is Love, $35

The INSIDER Summary:

• National Geographic announced the winners of its 2017 Travel Photographer of the Year contest.
• There were three categories: Nature, People, and Cities.
• Here are the winning photos, plus some honorable mentions.

National Geographic's Travel Photographer of the Year contest brings together the top talent from around the world to share photos that inspire awe and wanderlust.

Editors at National Geographic selected this year's winners in three categories: Nature, People, and Cities. The grand prize winner received a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos Archipelago, and a check for $2,500.

Here are the winning photos in each category, plus some honorable mentions.

Grand Prize Winner and First Place, Nature: "The Power of Nature" by Sergio Tapiro Velasco

"Powerful eruption of Colima Volcano in Mexico on December 13th, 2015. That night, the weather was dry and cold, friction of ash particles generated a big lightning of about 600 meters that connected ash and volcano, and illuminated most of the dark scene. On last part of 2015, this volcano showed a lot of eruptive activity with ash explosions that raised 2-3 km above the crater. Most of night explosions produced incandescent rock falls and lightning not bigger than 100 meters in average."

Second place, Nature: "To Live" by Hiromi Kano

"Swans who live vigorous[ly] even in mud."

Third place, Nature: "Crocodiles at Rio Tarcoles" by Tarun Sinha

"This image was captured in Costa Rica when I was travelling from Monteverde to Playa Hermosa. As you cross over this river, you can stop and peer over the edge of the bridge. Below, reside over 35 gigantic crocodiles, relaxing on the muddy banks of the river. I wanted to capture the stark difference between the crocodiles on land and in the water. In the murky waters, the body contours of these beasts remain hidden, and one can only truly see their girth as they emerge from the river."

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Trash cans are surprisingly expensive. I found that out while browsing Amazon for a new one for my kitchen a few weeks ago.

I really didn't want to spend more than $50 on one since a trash can isn't exactly an exciting purchase. The more I looked, however, the more I realized I was going to spend at least that much on a trash can I didn't even particularly like.

That's partly why I ended up buying a fancy Simplehuman one. If I was already going to fork over close to $100 on a new trash can (I wanted one with compartments for regular trash and recyclables), I might as well spend a little more and get one I really liked.

I don't have the room to store a trash can in the cabinet under my sink or anywhere else where it would be hidden, so I decided to treat this purchase as I would a piece of furniture.

The trash can, for better or worse, is the first thing people see when they walk into my apartment, and my rose gold one from Simplehuman makes a pretty awesome first impression. It's stylish (can I say that about a trash can?), surprisingly space-efficient given the amount of garbage it can hold, and it even has a built-in bag dispenser that lets you simply replace the garbage bag without rummaging around your kitchen for more of them.

It's also $200. Yes, $200. A lot of people reading this are probably rolling their eyes, but I don't care. This is by far the best designed trash can I've seen, and for me its high price is justified by the convenience, organization, and style it offers.

The trash can also comes with a 10-year warranty; so if the pedal breaks as a result of "normal household use," for example, you're covered. The company will provide replacement parts at no charge or arrange a repair. All you have to do is register the can on Simplehuman's site.

I never thought I'd spend more than $50 — let alone $200 — on a trash can, but it's arguably the smartest purchase I've made for my home so far this year.

You can buy Simplehuman's dual-compartment trash can on Amazon for $200 in either stainless steel or rose gold stainless steel.

Scroll down for a closer look at the trash can's stylish design and smart features. And click here to check out Insider Picks' guide of the best trash cans you can buy. 

SEE ALSO: The 10 best purchases I've made to save space in my small apartment

The trash can, for better or worse, is the first thing people see when they walk into my apartment.

Here's a close-up look at my Simplehuman trash can. I went with rose gold stainless steel, but the trash can also comes in regular stainless steel.

The dual compartments make it easy to neatly sort my trash and recyclables in one convenient, space-efficient space.

The can's steel pedal is sturdy and strong, and the company's patented "lid shox" technology ensures a smooth, silent close every time. My old trash can would whip open and hit the wall, leaving behind annoying scuff marks. No more.

For 15 years, single hopefuls have taken to "The Bachelor" and its spin-offs looking for love.

Every season of ABC's "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette" typically starts with 25 people and over the weeks, these are whittled down to the final two. But winning the season doesn't necessarily mean the couples will stay together. Sometimes, it's the runners-up who have the better luck. Some have even become bachelors or bachelorettes in their own right.

The 13th season of "Bachelorette" ends on Monday. Either Bryan Abasolo or Peter Kraus will win Rachel Lindsay's heart in the end, and the other (like the many runners-up before him) will hope to find love elsewhere.

In the meantime, here's what the rest of the reality show runners-up have been up to:

"The Bachelor" season one (2002): Trista Rehn

Rehn was living in Miami where she spent four years working in pediatric physical therapy and two years as a Miami Heat dancer before heading to the first season of "The Bachelor" to win Alex Michel's heart.   

Where is she now? She was later cast as the first bachelorette on ABC's spin-off show and ended up marrying her winner, Ryan Sutter. The couple married in 2003 and have two kids. She has since appeared on other reality shows, like "Dancing With the Stars," and even wrote a book.

"The Bachelor" season two (2002): Brooke Smith

Smith was in her senior year of college at the University of Alabama when she left to find love on Aaron Buerge's season.

Where is she now? She went back to school to finish her degree and is now married with two daughters. She works as a TV news anchor in Alabama and runs marathons. 

"The Bachelorette" season one (2003): Charlie Maher

Maher was a financial analyst from California before seeking love on the first season of "The Bachelorette" with Trista Rehn.

Where is he now? No idea. After having his heart broken, he did appear on "Extra" as a special correspondent, though. 

This time, you'll be prepared.

If you missed out on Nintendo's short-lived NES Classic Edition earlier this year, you're probably pining to get the upcoming SNES Classic Edition, the $80 mini Super Nintendo that works with modern TVs and comes with 21 classic games built-in.  

Nintendo revealed on Tuesday that the SNES Classic Edition will be available for pre-order from "various retailers late this month." Considering this will be a very hot item when it goes on sale, I've come up with a way for you to track down when those stores will have the SNES Classic available for pre-order.

Check it out:

SEE ALSO: You can finally buy Nintendo's new $80 mini Super Nintendo later this month

Keep this continuously-refreshing list of Twitter accounts open in a tab. It will eventually show when the SNES Classic is available to pre-order.

I've compiled a list with the Twitter accounts of stores that openly claim they'll have the SNES Classic available for pre-order, as well as those that sold the previous NES Classic, for good measure. If those stores will likely announce via Twitter when they have the SNES Classic up for pre-order.

You can click here to see the list that I've created, which refreshes as new tweets are posted. I'll keep the list updated if more stores claim they'll offer the SNES Classic for pre-order.

Right now, that list will likely show a lot of irrelevant tweets that have nothing to do with the SNES Classic. It could drive you crazy, but once the news comes out that it's available for pre-order, you'll be thankful you endured the madness. Then, you can click like hell to nab yourself a SNES Classic from whatever store tweets that it has pre-order units available. 

If you want to make your own personalized list to receive notifications of new tweets about the SNES Classic, you'll need to sign up for a Twitter account and create a list using Tweetdeck.

Again, you might go crazy with all the irrelevant tweet notifications for the time being, but it'll all be worth it once you get your hands on that gray and purple 16-bit goodness.

1. Sign up for Twitter (if you haven't already)

2. Go to tweetdeck.com and sign in with your Twitter account information.

3. On the left of the Tweetdeck interface, click the "+" button to add a column. 

4. Select "List."

5. Click "Create new list." 

6. Name your new list "SNES Classic," or whatever you want, and click save.

7. Start adding the following Twitter accounts to your list:

@BestBuy

@WalMart

@Amazon

@UrbanOutfitters

@ToysRUs

@BHPhotoVideo

@Target

@NintendoAmerica

6. A column will appear containing the latest tweets from all those stores. 

7. To get notifications of new tweets from those Twitter accounts, click the settings button to the right of the column's name.

8. Click "Preferences."

9. Select "Enable desktop notifications," you can select "Enable sound" if you want, too.

10. Select the size you want for the desktop notifications for the tweets. Click the settings button again to close the menu.

11. Click the "Let's Go" button in the blue bar at the top of Tweetdeck to allow desktop notifications. If you run Chrome, it may ask you again if you want to allow notifications. Click "Allow."

You can disable the notifications once you're done. 

Sign up for email alerts from stores that will offer pre-orders for the SNES Classic. Those stores include Amazon...

Sign up for an email alert when the SNES Classic becomes available for pre-order on Amazon. You'll need to be signed into your Amazon account to sign up for the alert.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

When I first moved into my dorm room in college, it was difficult for me to imagine feeling at home in this barren, almost industrial setup. Little did I know that some of my best memories from freshman year would come from the times spent in my own and my friends' rooms. 

Yes, you'll spend plenty of time going to class, finding the best study and nap spots on campus, and exploring your college town, but there's also nothing like coming home to your own space.

That's why it's important you outfit your room for maximum comfort and enjoyment. Your room is where you'll furiously cram for midterms late into the night, host game and movie nights, and wind down after a busy week.

Find out how to make your room comfortable enough for any of these situations below.  

A giant bean bag chair

From my experience, the most popular room on the floor always belonged to the kid with the giant bean bag. Who doesn't love to snuggle up in a large, soft bean bag?

Chill Bag Bean Bag Chair, $150.29, available at Amazon

A bedrest

If you like working, reading, or watching movies in bed, make sure to get a bedrest to support your body. Your back will thank you later. 

Room Essentials Plush Bedrest, $14.24, available at Target

A diffuser

Fill the tank with water and a few drops of your favorite aromatherapy or essential oil, then change the color of the LED light to set the mood. It's prettier than most other humidifiers, so it won't throw off your room aesthetic. 

VicTsing Cool Mist Humidifier and Essential Oil Diffuser, $25.99, available at Amazon

Trying to stay healthy? Eating out can be difficult. Dishes at restaurants are often designed to make us salivate with too much sugar or too much salt. They can be killer for your diet, depending on the dish or restaurant.

But eating out is about much more than food. It's about bonding with your friends and family, and keeping up your social life. Sometimes it can feel like being on a diet and eating out are mutually exclusive, but they don't have to be!

Business Insider spoke to Whitney Stuart, a registered dietitian from Whitness Nutrition who specializes in whole food diets, about eating out healthy. Here's how she does it:

SEE ALSO: The 8 unhealthiest restaurant meals in America

DON'T MISS: What the science says about every popular diet — and whether they can work for you

Stuart believes people shouldn't allow any kind of dietary restriction or health goal to stop them from enjoying eating out. As a dietitian, she says that "setting an example and walking the talk is vital" to her practice.

So Stuart shares dishes she orders at local Dallas restaurants in the "What Would Whitney Order" section of her weekly newsletters and posts them on her Instagram.

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Tip 1. Be prepared before you go by picking the right restaurant.

The INSIDER Summary:

• "Star Trek: Discovery" is the first new "Star Trek" TV series in over a decade.
• After facing some delays, fans are finally close to getting a look at the sci-fi action.
• From a female lead to the first gay "Trek" TV romance, here's everything to expect from the upcoming series.
• “Star Trek: Discovery” premieres on CBS All Access September 24.

As the first new “Star Trek” television series in over a decade, “Star Trek: Discovery” has gotten a lot of attention since it was first announced in November 2015.

There have been production delays and some behind-the-scenes drama – specifically, the departure of original showrunner Bryan Fuller. But fans are now finally on the verge of actually getting to see the sci-fi drama in action — there’s even a premiere date, which means it’s really happening.

Below, here’s everything that’s been revealed to date about what to expect from the upcoming CBS All Access series, from when and where it launches to the producers’ groundbreaking narrative choices.

Season 1 has a complicated release strategy

The first episode of “Star Trek: Discovery” officially premieres on Sunday, September 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS (the actual network). At that same time, the episode will also be available on demand and on CBS All Access, and CBS All Access subscribers will be able to watch the second episode as well.

The first two episodes, according to CBS All Access President and COO Marc DeBevoise, “set up [the show] like a movie. They will serve to create the foundation of the story line for the series.”

Yes, viewers will need to subscribe to CBS All Access to watch the show as a whole. “Discovery” will run for eight episodes this fall before “Chapter 1” (that’s what CBS is calling the first half) ends, with “Chapter 2” picking up in January 2018. Essentially, it’s the sort of split-season approach viewers have seen before with shows like “Breaking Bad.”

“Discovery” has no connection with Chris Pine

Sorry for the nerd moment, but the recent feature film revival of “Star Trek” technically exists in a different timeline from the established “Trek” television universe. The events of the 2009 film established that every time you see Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto on screen, they’re part of what we call the “Kelvin-verse,” named after the spaceship destroyed in the opening minutes of the first film directed by J.J. Abrams.

“Discovery,” meanwhile, takes place 10 years before James T. Kirk became a Starfleet officer, but in the same timeline that “The Next Generation,” “Deep Space Nine,” and “Voyager” exist in. If this proves confusing, just think to yourself that movies and TV shows are different entities. Because, in this case, that’s true.

The show’s lead is a female first officer, and she’s probably met Spock

What we know about her so far: She’s human, and the “ward” of Ambassador Sarek (played here by James Frain), which means that she is technically the adopted sister of Sarek’s son Spock. The producers have been otherwise tightlipped on what Burnham’s relationship with Spock might be, beyond a “wait-and-see” messaging.

Burnham was raised on Vulcan, and considers Sarek a mentor. Her parents are dead, and Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) is another mentor figure.  At Comic-Con, it was also mentioned that she graduated from the Vulcan Science Academy (no easy task) and is a rising star in Starfleet.

Martin-Green’s availability was mentioned as a factor in the show’s delay in launching — executive producer Alex Kurtzman told critics that the casting process “was a tough search.  And, you know, you’re always hoping for the perfect person to walk in the door, and we really did not want to set out until we knew we had what we needed, and we saw Sonequa… We saw her work, and we went, ‘She’s the one.'”

Unfortunately, Martin-Green was committed to “The Walking Dead” at that time, so according to Kurtzman, “we felt that that was another reason to wait.  And so, we did.”

The hottest new hotels in NYC offer everything from nightclubs to celeb chef restaurants and private art collections.

Read on to find which ones we're checking into this summer.

SEE ALSO: The 13 best adults-only, all-inclusive hotels in the Caribbean

MADE

In September, the NoMad district will see yet another hotel opening with the debut of MADE, the first hotel project by hospitality entrepreneur Sam Gelin. LA-based design studio MAI is behind the earthy-meets-modern interiors—all hand-carved benches, polished stainless steel surfaces, exposed bronze light fixtures, and hand-woven fabrics.

The bold look extends to the 108 guestrooms, which have concrete and wood surfaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and bathrooms with hand-painted wall tiles and carved stone sinks. 

A lobby bar pours espresso drinks during the day and cocktails at night, and there's also a restaurant and rooftop slated to open early fall.

Have you ever wondered why your paycheck disappears the moment you bring it home?

Why you can't get ahead no matter how hard you try? Or, why nearly every "surprise bill" sends your finances into a tailspin?

If any of those questions describe your life, you're not alone. According to a study released earlier this year, nearly half of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck.

If you're running out of money all the time, what you really need is a lifeline. For most people, breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle involves a) earning more money, b) spending less money, or c) a little of both.

With a few simple strategies, you could even save up your first $1,000. While it would be nice to have a savings cushion for a rainy day, that's money you could use to cover surprise bills or bail you out in an emergency.

But, it all starts with you and the steps you take to change your life. Here are eight easy ways to start saving $1,000 when saving anything seems impossible.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best apps to help you manage your money

DON'T MISS: 5 things to do now so you don't have to think about money

1. Open a targeted savings account – and earn bank.

Saving money is hard enough on its own, but it's especially difficult when you don't have a separate account just for savings. The good news is, you can set up a targeted bank account and actually get paid for doing so!

Currently, Chase is offering three different promotions that can help you save your first $1,000 with almost no work at all. With a Chase Premier Plus Checking account, for example, you'll earn $300 as a new customer just for opening an account and setting up direct deposit.

Certain fees do apply to Chase accounts, but there are plenty of ways to bypass them. 

2. Earn money in your free time

If you have any free time during the day or the evening, you could be earning small sums of money you can use to get ahead. While this probably sounds crazy, there are several online businesses that will pay you to take surveys or complete simple tasks using your home computer.

Once you sign up, you can usually earn $10 – $30 just by answering questions or rating products or services! Some companies will even pay you to watch videos or print coupons at home!

One of my personal favorites is Inbox Dollars. This website will pay you to watch videos, answer questions, and even surf the web.

3. Stop paying crazy-high interest rates

If you're living paycheck-to-paycheck and trying to dig yourself out of high interest credit card debt, one simple solution can help you kill two birds with one stone. By refinancing your debts with a new card with a lower interest rate, you can save money on interest and lower your monthly payment. And since you're paying less interest every month, you can get out of debt faster, too!

One of my favorite balance transfer credit cards is theDiscover it. With this card, you'll get 18 months with 0% APR plus 1-5 percent cash back on everything you buy. A balance transfer fee does apply, but the card will never charge an annual fee.

If you're drowning under the weight of high interest credit card debt, consider giving a balance transfer card with 0 percent interest a try. 

We're one year removed from the start of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

While the Games were a success from a competitive standpoint, Rio's facilities frequently came under fire. The Olympic Village was called "uninhabitable," while a ramp at the sailing venue was destroyed by 10-foot waves – and that was before the competition even started.

With each passing Olympics, more and more cities around the world are starting to question whether hosting the Olympics is worth it.

Most cities simply do not have the infrastructure required to withstand the two-week influx of athletes, coaches, fans, and media members. The money required to build state-of-the-art athletic facilities is soaring, and academic research suggests that spending billions on a two-week event is not a wise investment.

In the worst-case scenario for host cities, Olympic venues go unused after the games and become white elephants — total wastes of space and money. We've seen this at Olympic sites around the world.

Of course, the reasons this happens are specific to each country. Sarajevo, for example, suffered from a gruesome war that caused the 1984 Winter Olympic venues to crumble. Nevertheless, these photos from Reuters, Getty Images, and others have become symbolic of the downside of hosting the Olympics.

Will the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang follow a similar path?

Emmett Knowlton contributed to this report.

In 2016, Rio de Janeiro hosted the first Olympic Games in Latin America in nearly 40 years.

The city has yet to clear away much of the debris created by the Games. Here's what's left of the Rio Media Center, demolished in September.

The site has become a health hazard. It is located in downtown Rio, close to public facilities like city hall, a convention center and a day care.

The INSIDER Summary: 

• Travelers should keep certain behaviors in mind to help lessen their footprint and cause less harm.
• Some things to avoid involve feeding the wildlife and littering. 
• It's always good to put your money into the local economy when possible. 

These days, travel can be fraught with ethical and moral decisions. We all want to see the world, but we don't want to leave a negative impact on the places, people, and animals we encounter during our travels. And with climate change, mass extinction, and a global refugee crisis generating daily headlines, making ethical travel choices can feel like a slippery slope. But the good news is that the world is still a very beautiful place and, arguably, easier to explore than ever. Here are some guidelines that individual travelers can keep in mind to lessen their footprint and cause less harm. Read on for seven things you shouldn't do while traveling. 

1. Don't feed the wildlife.

Yes, sharing your breakfast with a mostly-tame monkey in Bali or a raccoon at your campsite in Yellowstone will likely make for an adorable Instagram picture, but you definitely should not feed any animals you encounter on the road. For one thing, feeding animals encourages them to get used to humans and depend on us for food, but animals are still animals, and if they act erratically or violently they could be lethally terminated. Another important factor to consider is that food fit for human consumption isn't always the healthiest choice for wildlife. If you encounter a hotel or tour guide who puts out treats to attract animals and delight tourists, speak up. In many states and countries, it's illegal to feed wildlife, and fines can be enforced.

2. Don't take photos of people without permission.

Imagine if you were sitting at your desk, let's say...blogging, and a tourist with a Nikon stuck a wide-angle lens in your face. You would not be thrilled. The same goes for any person (especially children) you may encounter while traveling. Just because a woman selling fruit at the market would make a beautiful subject, doesn't mean she's keen on being your model. So what can you do if you want to take someone's photo? Put the camera down and talk to them. Then politely ask for their permission for a photo and be respectful if they decline. Some cultures consider photography taboo. Islamic countries do not allow photographs of religious artifacts or the faces of Islamic women. Permission is required to photograph mosques in Morocco, and many Asian countries consider it rude to photograph the bottom of a person's foot. Before you take off your lens cap, be aware of where you are and don't assume everyone and everything is available to photograph. 

3. Don't litter.

It should go without saying, but we're going to say it anyway. Don't throw your trash on the ground or in the ocean, even if you see locals or other tourists doing it. Tossing your garbage on the ground is disrespectful and harmful to the environment. Developing countries often don't have reliable trash pickup or recycling centers, so minimizing the amount of waste you produce is often key. One good prevention technique is to travel with a refillable water bottle (instead of buying disposable plastic water bottles) and a cloth tote bag (instead of accepting plastic bags at markets and stores). Campsites, national parks, and hiking trails often have strict laws about carrying out all accumulated garbage and properly disposing of it. 

The INSIDER Summary:

• Some celebrities are proving that it is possible to be friends after a break up.
• Stars like Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner make it work for their children.
• Other stars, like Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama just realize they are better off as friends.
• From Selena Gomez and Nick Jonas to Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield, these are 20 celebrity exes making it work as friends.

Some people will disagree, but believe it or not it IS possible to have a friendship with your ex once you fall out of live. Don’t believe me? Too bad, because HollywoodLife.com is coming at you with the receipts! We’ve uncovered at least 20 former celebrity couples that were once head-over-heels in love, but now they are just two mature adults maintaining a friendship. Whether it’s because they are better off that way or because they are a modern day family keeping the peace for their kids, it works and we love it! So, here we go — these are celebrities that proved being friends after a break up IS a thing.

Let’s start with the most obvious and most recent: Ben Affleck, 44, and Jennifer Garner, 45. They met working together on Daredevil, fell madly in love and were married for 10 years before filing for divorce. They have three beautiful children together, and although their split was upsetting (and clouded in cheating allegations), they proved to be total adults about it. Not only did they put their family first, but they traveled the world with their children and turned their romantic love into a mutual respect for one another. If only all divorced couples could do this, the world might be a happier place!

Now on the younger end of the spectrum, we have on-again/off-again couple, Bella Thorne, 19, and Gregg Sulkin, 25, whose friendship survived their heartbreaking split. There’s also Demi Lovato, 24, and Joe Jonas, 27, who had a rocky finish to their romantic relationship, but were able to move past it and become the best of friends later on in life. Not to mention that Demi has a good track record of staying friends with her ex, like longtime lover Wilmer Valderrama, 37, who she’s remained friends with since they parted ways for a second time in early 2016.

Surprisingly, there are a LOT of former celebrity couples that have remained friends since breaking up. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, Selena Gomez and Nick Jonas, and so many more. Check out our slideshow to see them all!

Bella Thorne and Gregg Sulkin

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

If you're an active person, having tired or achy feet has never been an excuse for not getting things done.

That's why having footwear that can keep up with your on-the-go lifestyle is very important, and why New Balance has released its 247 sneakers.

Their design is the culmination of the brand's century-old heritage optimized for modern demands. 

Drawing on New Balance's past successes, the 247s have a sleek, lightweight construction designed to keep your feet comfortable. Although their official name is pronounced "two four seven," they're the perfect sneakers to wear 24/7.

I own several other lifestyle sneakers, so getting a pair of New Balance 247s was a must for me — here are my thoughts:

My initial reaction was that they were super comfortable, which was surprising because these shoes are a lot less expensive than comfort-driven lifestyle sneakers from other brands. 

You really don't need to spend big bucks to get comfortable sneakers, and the 247s proved that to me.

If you compare them to higher-priced sneakers, you'll find many of the same features for less money across many different styles. The Classic offers dozens of fresh colorways, the Sport uses an engineered knit upper for added breathability, and the Luxe features premium leather on the upper and gum outsoles. These are features you wouldn't expect to find in shoes this reasonably priced. 

What I liked best about the sneakers was the bootie construction (that means the tongue, ankle collar, and heel are all one piece,) making them fit like socks. They're not bulky or encumbering, so I've been able to wear them comfortably during road trips and long days walking all over New York City. Their lightweight design is great for long wears and keeps feet cool during the summer.

The New Balance 247 comes in many different varieties, including Classic, Sport, Leather, Luxe and even a collaboration with J. Crew, with some available for as low as $80. They also come in a lot of sizes and colors, so your entire family can get pairs.

Don't let uncomfortable shoes slow you down, or feel like you have to spend a lot of money for well-made sneakers. If you have a set budget and an on-the-go lifestyle, New Balance's 247 were made for you.

Check out some of the different color and style options below.

SEE ALSO: This is the pair of sneakers every guy needs to pick up for the spring and summer

The New Balance 247 Classic.

New Balance 247 Classic, $79.99.

The New Balance 247 Sport.

New Balance 247 Sport, $89.99.

The New Balance 247 Leather.

New Balance 247 Leather, $99.99.

The dog days of summer are here, meaning it’s officially summer reading season. Looking for some good reads that might help you become a better investor, or gain insight into current events? Here’s some help.

My BlackRock Investment Institute colleagues and I recently discussed the top books on our summer reading lists. Here are seven of BlackRock strategists’ and executives’ picks, in alphabetical order.

Adaptive Markets: Financial Evolution at the Speed of Thought

Author: Andrew W. Lo

The author provides a framework, the Adaptive Markets Hypothesis, that encompasses the findings from efficient market theory and behavioral finance. “Every now and then, there is a book that completely changes your perspective. This is one of those,” BlackRock Chief Risk Officer Ben Golub told me. So this book is top of my list.

Find it here on Amazon.

Berlin Rules: Europe and the German Way

Author: Paul Lever

A helpful summary of what might drive Germany’s negotiations with the UK over Brexit and the future of the European Union, notes recommender Sriram Reddy, an investment strategist within the Global Fixed Income Group and the BlackRock Investment Institute.

Find it here on Amazon.

Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People

Author: Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald

This book by two psychology professors explores the hidden biases we all carry from a lifetime of exposure to cultural attitudes about age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, social class, sexuality, disability status and nationality. “Funny, eye opening, and very compelling,” says Isabelle Mateos y Lago, who recommends this one.

Find it here on Amazon.

• A transcript reveals just how contentious the January phone call between President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was.
• Trump appeared not to understand several key points about the US's deal with Australia to resettle 1,250 refugees.
• The fate of the deal is still up in the air.

The Washington Post on Thursday published the explosive transcript of a January phone call between President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, in which the two sparred over a deal to resettle 1,250 refugees in the United States.

The conversation made headlines in January after it was reported that Trump called the arrangement the "worst deal ever."

But the full transcript revealed a heated back-and-forth between the two leaders in which Turnbull attempted to correct several points about the deal Trump appeared to have misunderstood or was unfamiliar with.

Trump complained about the deal and criticized the Australian leader throughout the conversation, at one point saying "I hate taking these people" and insulting Turnbull for brokering "many a stupid deal in business." Trump eventually declared the conversation his "most unpleasant call all day" after a "pleasant" one with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier, then hung up after dismissing Turnbull's request to discuss Syria and North Korea.

"This shows me to be a dope. I am not like this, but if I have to do it, I will do it but I do not like this at all. I will be honest with you," Trump said. "I think it is ridiculous and Obama should have never signed it. The only reason I will take them is because I have to honor a deal signed by my predecessor and it was a rotten deal."

Here's everything you need to know about the deal:

SEE ALSO: Trump accuses Australian prime minister of trying to send US the 'next Boston bombers' in 'worst deal ever'

DON'T MISS: 'No one is above the law and that includes the president': Washington state AG warns Trump over immigration order

What the refugee deal is

In November 2016, the Australian government announced it had reached an agreement with the Obama administration to resettle in the US refugees who are currently held in detention facilities on two islands far from the Australian mainland: Nauru and Manus Island.

The exact number of refugees being resettled wasn’t initially specified by the Australian government, but in the transcript of Turnbull and Trump’s call, Turnbull clarified it was 1,250. The number of refugees being exchanged was a point of contention during the conversation, as Trump repeated several times the number was 2,000 or 5,000.

“With great respect, that is not right — it is not 2,000,” Turnbull responded. “The given number in the agreement is 1,250 and it is entirely a matter of your vetting.”

Another disagreement between the pair was the nationality of the refugees — the call took place shortly after Trump had signed an executive order banning travelers from seven countries, including Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and Libya.

The nationalities of the refugees at stake in the US-Australia deal are unclear, but refugee advocates say many who are detained on Nauru and Manus Island are from Iraq, Iran, Somalia, and Sudan — countries listed on Trump’s original travel ban — as well as Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Some of the refugees are also stateless.

During the call, Turnbull attempted to convince Trump that the deal was “absolutely consistent” with the travel ban, meaning that the US can choose which refugees to accept and subject each of them to any security screening necessary.

“None of these people are from the conflict zone. They are basically economic refugees from Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan,” Turnbull said.

Another point Turnbull attempted to explain was that the refugee deal was not a one-sided affair. Just two months before the deal was struck, the Australian government announced it would take in asylum-seekers from US-backed detention facilities in Costa Rica.

While the agreement is not explicitly a quid pro quo arrangement, the two deals ensure the countries are essentially swapping refugees with one another, with each country relieving the other of the responsibility of detaining asylum-seekers.

Why Australia won't just resettle the refugees on its mainland

Trump asked Turnbull several times in the call to explain why Australia couldn’t take the refugees, wondering, “Why haven’t you let them out? Why have you not let them into your society?"

But as Turnbull explained, his government has been ironclad in its opposition to resettling the refugees detained on Nauru and Manus Island, arguing that the issue is one of border security.

“It is not because they are bad people. It is because in order to stop people smugglers, we had to deprive them of the product," Turnbull said. "So we said if you try to come to Australia by boat, even if we think you are the best person in the world, even if you are a Nobel Prize-winning genius, we will not let you in."

At first, Trump appeared to understand, saying, “That is a good idea. We should do that too. You are worse than I am," but later asked Turnbull to explain the point again. “What is the thing with boats? Why do you discriminate against boats?" he asked.

It should be noted that Australia does take in refugees — the country recently pledged to up its annual refugee intake to 19,000 from 13,750 in 2015-16 — but the difference is that most of those arrivals are resettled through the UN's refugee agency. They arrive in Australia legally, whereas those who travel by boat do so illegally.

Australia is loath to accept the boat-borne arrivals, on grounds that successful asylum-seekers who make the journey by boat will embolden others to attempt the same and, as Turnbull explained to Trump, enable human smuggling.

In fact, Turnbull is so opposed to allowing the refugees detained on Nauru and Manus to enter Australia, his administration refused to entertain an offer from New Zealand to resettle 150 of those refugees per year. The line of reasoning was that should those refugees eventually gain New Zealand citizenship, they would also gain travel rights to Australia.

"It's a back-door way to get into Australia, and would have been a green light to people smugglers," Australia's immigration minister, Peter Dutton, told media last April.

Even when Australia announced the refugee deal with the US, Turnbull took pains to describe the situation as a "one-off agreement" that would not be offered to future asylum-seekers attempting the journey to Australia by sea.

"We need to send, now more than ever, the clearest and most unequivocal message to people smugglers and their would-be passengers that, if they seek to come to Australia unlawfully, they will not succeed," Turnbull said at a November press conference announcing the deal.

Turnbull even announced a so-called "ring of steel" to enforce Australia's border in preparation for the deal, lest the news encourage a wave of asylum-seekers to attempt to travel to Australia by sea in the hopes that they, too, can be resettled in the US.

The government launched "the largest and most capable maritime surveillance and response fleet Australia has ever deployed," specifically to intercept boats of asylum seekers and turn them away from the country.

Why the international community dislikes it

Australia has long been criticized by countries around the world — including the US — for its practice of turning back asylum boats, implementing mandatory detention policies, and transferring refugees to other countries.

The average amount of time refugees are held in the detention facilities is 469 days, and nearly one-third of those detained have been held for more than two years, according to data from the Australian government.

Beyond that, the offshore detention centers have become infamous for reports of human-rights abuses and violence against detainees, many of whom are children.

Humanitarian workers who have visited the Nauru and Manus Island detention centers allege that instances of violence, sexual assault, and degrading treatment are commonplace, and many refugees and asylum-seekers suffer severe mental-health problems due to their prolonged detention and uncertainty for their future.

Even North Korea, The Guardian reported, slammed Australia at a United Nations human-rights council session in 2015, saying it had "serious concerns" about reports of human-rights violations at the facilities.

The deal for the US to resettle the refugees has therefore come under some scrutiny, as it essentially legitimizes Australia's practice of intercepting asylum seekers and detaining them instead of forcing the country to change its policies.

The US agreement to resettle the refugees has been given the blessing of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN's refugee agency, which will help the two countries in the resettlement process — but, like the US-Australia deal, it's a one-off arrangement that likely won't be repeated.

The UNHCR maintains that Australia's policy of detaining asylum-seekers offshore is illegal.

"We, all of us, are very clear that this is a one-off, good offices, exceptional humanitarian type of involvement because we do not believe that the future of handling this lies in sending people to Manus Island and Nauru," Volter Turk, assistant high commissioner with the UNHCR, told The New York Times last November.

What started out as a summer string of text messages led to one teenager's death and another's jail sentence.

Massachusetts Judge Lawrence Moniz sentenced 20-year-old Michelle Carter Thursday to a two-and-a-half year jail sentence — only 15 months of which is to be actually spent behind bars — for repeatedly telling her boyfriend to kill himself after finding her guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier in the year.

Carter and Conrad Roy III had met in 2014 while both were seventeen and taking family vacations in Florida. In the months after, they started sharing stories of profound emotional instability through Facebook and text messages.

Here's how a relationship that led to one young man's suicide and another young woman's jail sentence unfolded:

SEE ALSO: How a chain of text messages led to one teen's death and another one's trial

On June 16, a Massachusetts judge found Carter guilty of involuntary manslaughter for sending texts that encouraged a young man that she had called her boyfriend to kill himself.

Source: Business Insider

In the summer of 2014, Roy started sending Carter texts in which he shared thoughts about killing himself. Carter first listened to Roy and offered support, but she later started sending messages that said Roy's family would "get over it."

Source: Business Insider

"Everyone will be sad for a while but they will get over it and move on," Carter texted when Roy expressed worries about what his suicide would do to his family.

Source: Business Insider