• A leading character can make or break a show — for example, the insufferable character Oliver Queen makes the show "Arrow" hard to watch. 
• Piper Chapman, Ross Gellar, and Hannah Horvath are some of the worst leading characters on television. 
• Eleven, Dolores, and Walter White are a few leading characters that make their show great.

Few things are more important to a television series than its leading character. A show’s lead provides a foothold for the audience to become involved in the storyline and grows attached to as the show progresses. If a series is written correctly, its lead character can commit some of the worst sins and still have the support of loyal and involved fans.

However, sometimes, something interesting happens. A show can be dramatic, investing, and completely amazing, but still have one problem: its main character, of all things. Some of the best shows ever produced have pulled fans in with their incredible storytelling but made them suffer horrible lead characters.

Whether these protagonists are annoyingly self-involved, completely clueless, or just plain boring, some lead characters end up being the worst parts of their outstanding television series.

Meanwhile, other shows owe their successes all to their incredible lead characters. These protagonists are often flawed, but have some aspect that makes them vulnerable, empathetic, and human. It’s these qualities that can make or break a main character.

This list will look at both ends of the spectrum, breaking down some of the most insufferable lead characters together with some of the most memorable protagonists of all time.

Worst: Oliver Queen - "Arrow"

"Arrow" is considered by many to be the CW’s strongest comic book series. With its flashy action sequences and entertaining plot lines, this might just be the case. However, "Arrow’s" main character, Oliver Queen, certainly isn’t one of its best qualities.

Plainly put, Oliver Queen is just insufferable. As rich kid turned hero, Queen is extremely patronizing to everybody around him. He’s also overly controlling and assertive, especially to the women in his life.

Perhaps the worst aspect to Oliver Queen is his constantly flip-flopping moral code.

In season 2, he took a stand and claimed that he wouldn’t take another life, but he never really followed through. The show never presents this as some kind of moral conflict. Instead, it just makes Queen seem non-committal and confusing.

It’s difficult to watch a superhero parade around with such narcissistic qualities.

Worst: Rick Grimes - "The Walking Dead"

Even though "The Walking Dead" is one of AMC’s strongest series, it still has some flaws. Perhaps its biggest issue is its very protagonist, Rick Grimes.

All Rick has done in the series’ eight seasons is prove that he probably shouldn’t be the group’s leader anymore. Impulsive, controlling, and even scary at times, Rick is constantly leading his group into the same old life-threatening drama and issues season after season.

His temper has grown worse over time, often causing him to escalate already bad situations and make them even worse for the people he is responsible for keeping alive.

All of these qualities would be bad enough in a normal situation, but during a zombie apocalypse, they definitely aren’t the types of characteristics you want in your leading man.

Worst: Ted Mosby - "How I Met Your Mother"

"How I Met Your Mother’s" leading character, Ted Mosby, achieves something special with his role on the series.

Even though Ted is literally telling the show’s story and his retelling of how he met his kids’ mother is the only reason the show even exists, he still manages to be the most boring, irritating character on the show.

Put aside the fact that he takes way too long to tell his story, which is mostly just Ted recounting all his different hook-ups when he was younger to his own kids.

Ted is usually whiny, self-absorbed, and completely inconsiderate to those around him, whether they be women or just his best friends.

Many were sad to see "How I Met Your Mother" end, but seeing Ted go certainly wasn’t a bad thing.

In most cases, infidelity — AKA cheating— generally signals a definitive end to a relationship.

Whatever the reasons for the infidelity may be, it can be hard for many people to carry on with a relationship after their partner has cheated on them without dwelling on the fact that it happened or living with anxiety that the incident is going to happen again.

But cheating doesn't always mean that a relationship is doomed. 

In a Reddit thread, someone asked users to share stories of how and why they decided to give a second chance to their significant others who cheated on them. Scroll through to see how they responded — you may be surprised by how much you relate to their answers.

SEE ALSO: My wife and I were in a long-distance relationship for 3 years before we got married — here's how we made it work

1. They tried to redeem themselves right away.

"We were married less than a year. It was the hardest year of my life. He went to watch a sporting event with his friends and didn't come back that night. He called me in the morning and told me what happened. Lots of counseling, lots of fighting, and we are still married 20 years and two kids later. I think since he told me right away and didn't try to hide it made it easier." - Redditor Themiddlecouldbeme

2. It was too expensive to move out.

"Being trapped in a lease with someone makes you think differently. When you don't have that hard evidence, but deep down you know whats going on. Physically didn't have the money to break up with her, if that makes sense.

After the lease ended and we moved into separate places, I gave us a few more months, but we ended it in April. Probably a good thing, because her and her new BF just celebrated their one year [anniversary] in October." - Redditor Sharkbait12

3. They thought their partner deserved a second chance.

"I gave her a second chance, but broke it off years later. All the insecurities and negative thoughts will slowly eat you apart. Don't recommend anyone to go through the same experience. We're still good friends though." - Redditor Glacea7

• There's no denying that Prince Harry was once the ultimate third wheel, but his time as tagalong is coming to a close. 
• The popular trio has already welcomed Meghan Markle with open arms, upgrading to the "Fab Four."
• In honor of Prince Harry's upcoming nuptials, here's a look back at his most memorable moments as Prince William and Kate Middleton's third wheel. 

Good things come in threes. Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir Carter; Harry Potter, Hermione and Ron; Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry—they’re all examples of iconic duos and their perpetual, but beloved, third wheels. But as fun as crashing a party of two can be, all third wheels must eventually embrace their individual destiny (or just take a hint). In honor of Prince Harry’s upcoming royal wedding, here’s a look back at everyone’s favorite royal gooseberry. Come May 19, he’s all yours, Meghan Markle.

When Harry lent Kate a helping hand

And weighed in on her texting game

When he REALLY leaned into his role as the royal date crasher

• Selena Gomez's beachy lob will give you natural waves with lots of volume.
• If you prefer Margot Robbie's look, aim for a clean cut just below the chin.

As we head into spring, consider starting off the season with a fresh cut. Whether you go for a Katy Perry-inspired pixie or a beachy bob like Zuri Hall, a new hairstyle can make all the difference. If you’re ready to say goodbye to your worn-out winter locks and get a refreshed ‘do for spring, scroll on for our favorite celebrity looks to copy at your next visit to the salon. 

Selena Gomez's beachy lob

The imperfect waves amplify the texture in Selena Gomez’s piecey ‘do. 

Kendall Jenner's straight and sleek look

A middle part, glossy strands, and a straight-across snip that hits just above the shoulders is so classic, as evidenced by Kendall Jenner.

Jaimie Alexander's punk bob

Jaimie Alexander’s versatile short bob was poofed up and pulled back into a style that had the feel of a pixie cut. 

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.

The Insider Pick:

• Mesh Wi-Fi systems are the perfect way to upgrade the wireless Internet in a large home or spaces with Wi-Fi “dead zones.” The second generation Eero Home WiFi System is our top pick because it's beautifully designed, and the powerful modules plug right into your wall to ensure the signal is everywhere.

With the advent of the connected home, connected entertainment, and our connected lives, wireless Internet is incredibly important. Creating a strong, reliable Wi-Fi network in your home is now as important as the TV you buy and the computer you use. To dress your entire house in head-to-toe Wi-Fi coverage, companies have created a system called mesh Wi-Fi.

Each mesh Wi-Fi system consists of several components, including one main router that is hardwired to your modem, and a family of smaller modules that are strategically scattered around your home to penetrate hard-to-reach areas. Each module sends the Internet signal from one device to the other using mesh technology, a dedicated radio band, or in some cases both. The router and modules are all part of the same system.

Not only is mesh Wi-Fi an ultra-streamlined way to cover your whole home, it’s also simple enough for anyone to install. For our reviews, we set up a variety of mesh Wi-Fi systems in a three-bedroom, pre-war Brooklyn apartment with about 1,500 square feet to see which ones worked best. 

Read on in the slides below to find out why the Eero Home WiFi System is our pick and why you might prefer the Linksys Velop, the Samsung Connect Home, the Google WiFi, and the D-Link Covr AC3900 Kit.

SEE ALSO: The best routers you can buy for fast Wi-Fi at home

The best mesh Wi-Fi system overall

Why you'll love it: Eero's WiFi system is compact, well designed, and completely effective at eliminating Wi-Fi dead zones in large spaces.

In 2014, the founders of the Eero WiFi system were tired of staring at the ungainly, ugly wireless routers they saw everywhere. They also wanted to put an end to Wi-Fi dead zones in large spaces. The solution was a brand-new concept: a coordinating system of powerful devices to deliver strong, fast Wi-Fi in large spaces. The idea of mesh Wi-Fi caught on, but Eero's system is still the best.

Eero's attractive, simple design puts those alien-looking Wi-Fi routers to shame. You will have absolutely no qualms about placing the Eero router and its beacons anywhere in your home. The new Eero system includes the Beacon, a full-fledged access point that is both half the size of the original and 30% more powerful. As a bonus, the new beacons eschew wires and plug into any wall outlet.

A 700MHz quad-core CPU is the brains behind Eero's beauty. The router also has proprietary TrueMesh software and a tri-radio set-up that includes a 5GHz band. Perhaps best of all, the Eero gets automatic software updates, so you're always patched and on the latest software version.

The set-up was super simple when we installed the best-selling 2-4 bedroom Eero system in our home. It comes with one main Eero router and two Beacons. Obviously, depending on the size of your space, you can choose from several other options, including a Pro package for a much larger house. 

The free, Eero app lets you create different Wi-Fi profiles for each member of your family, check and trouble-shoot your system, make a guest portal, and check Internet speed.

You can also get the Eero Plus security service that bundles anti-malware protection, ad-blocking, parental controls, and a secure password manager for the whole family. It will cost you $99 a year, but it' something to keep in mind if you want added security.

Pros: Stunning design, tri-band Wi-Fi access point, pluggable Beacons make it simple to scatter around your home

Cons: Only the main Eero has a USB connection, expensive 

Buy the Eero Mesh WiFi system on Amazon for $288.95 - $494.99 (price varies by number of beacons)

The best mesh Wi-Fi system for Apple fans

Why you'll love it: The Linksys Velop is a super fast mesh Wi-Fi system for people who love Apple devices and have many of them at home.

Linksys has been a rock-solid choice for routers and Internet connectivity since its inception in 1998, so it should come as no surprise that Linksys' Velop mesh system is among the best you can buy.

Unlike some of the more compact mesh Wi-Fi system designs, each Velop is shaped like a tower and measures nearly eight inches tall and three inches wide. Shiny and white, they are not exactly inconspicuous, but you can easily hide them behind plants or other décor.

A tri-band dual stream design acts as an AC2200 router, range extender access point, and bridge. Each node combines Wi-Fi radios and mesh Wi-Fi to operate in both technologies and supports Multi-User Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMI) data streaming for quicker speeds.

We used the two-pack, which should cover up to 4,000 square feet, and it was much more than we needed. For larger homes, we suggest the three-pack.

The Linksys app walks you through set-up, which is as simple as plugging one node into your router, the others into the wall, and tapping a button. The app also includes free parental controls and an Ookla Speedtest service to make sure you’re getting what you paid for. It also comes with automatic firmware updates, an optional guest network, and Alexa capability.

Pros: Speedy Wi-Fi free parental controls, can cover spaces up to 6,000 sq ft

Cons: Settings not customizable, pricey, no USB ports for extra connectivity

Buy the Linksys Velop mesh Wi-Fi system on Amazon for $194.38 - $399.99 (price varies by number of towers)

The best mesh Wi-Fi system for a connected home

Why you'll love it: Samsung’s Connect Home WiFi system doubles as smart home hub for home automation.

Samsung’s Connect Home WiFi system and SmartThings automation hub doubles as both an excellent mesh Wi-Fi router and an excellent SmartThings hub for connecting devices to your smart home.

The sleek, rounded, off-white design makes the Connect Home an elegant and low-profile choice and the three-pack of disc-shaped nodes come bundled as one Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMI) router and two satellites.

Once the Connect Home is plugged in, you simply download the Samsung Connect app and follow the instructions. Set-up can be wonky with the system, and the app occasionally missed a node, but you just have to reset it and try again.

Of course, what makes this system stand out is its connection to the SmartThings platform, which allows you to control all your smart home products from one router. Every smart home device that a SmartThings hub can operate — including products from Lutron, Bose, Honeywell, Schlage, and Philips — works with the Connect Home.

You can also use voice commands to control all those devices, thanks to the Connect Home's built-in hub.

Each node can cover 1,500 sq ft. We used the three-pack, but you can add-on single units for up to five in total, for more coverage.

Pros: Smart home hub, great mesh Wi-Fi coverage, offers voice control

Cons: Expensive, wonky setup 

Buy the Samsung Connect Home on Amazon for $94.97 (1-pack) or $279.99 (3-pack)

Celebrity wax figures take time, energy, and precision to create. So when the final product looks nothing like the star it's supposed to, it's disappointing.

Some wax figures turn out impressive, and look almost identical to the celebrity that inspired it. Others have incorrect face proportions or inaccurate coloring (like one of Beyoncé's, which many criticized for looking too orange).

Keep reading to see the celebrity wax figures that turned out horribly wrong. 

Julia Roberts is an Oscar winner, but her wax figure was not as successful.

Days before Julia Roberts won an Oscar for best actress for her starring role in "Erin Brockovich," a wax figure was made to immortalize the moment. Roberts was in her 30s when she won the award, but the wax figure looks like an aged and frightening version of the actress. And although Roberts was known for her curly hair at one point, she actually attended the 73rd Oscars with a sleek hairstyle. 

People were not crazy about this Beyoncé statue, inspired by her "Crazy in Love" music video.

Wax figures of Beyoncé have proven to be problematic because the creators failed to achieve the correct skin tone for the singer. In 2017, many people were frustrated by a wax figure that was too light-skinned, and then became too orange.

The first statue of the singer was unveiled in 2004, a year after her "Dangerously in Love" album was released. The wax figure is supposed to be a replica of Beyoncé's look in her "Crazy in Love" music, but the hair and makeup don't resemble hers. 

Lindsay Lohan's wax figure looks older than her and misses the mark.

This wax figure of Lindsay Lohan was unveiled in April 2006 and although it comes close to the "Mean Girls" actress, it still doesn't quite look like her. Like Roberts' figure, Lohan's looks older than her and doesn't capture her youthful look and personality. It also looks orange in comparison to Lohan's real skin color. 

• A push present is a gift a new mom receives from their partner after giving birth to a baby.
• Celebrity push presents are more extravagant than ever.
• Kylie Jenner recently received a $1.4 million Ferrari from her boyfriend, Travis Scott.
• More sentimental gifts, like the engraved necklace former Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky received, are also popular.

Push presents are the gifts people get from their partners after "pushing" out a baby — don't worry, people who get C-sections get them too. Of course, your baby is reward enough for the pain of giving birth, but it's always nice to feel that extra bit of appreciation.

For most people, a piece of sentimental jewelry, a brand-new bag, or even planning a weekend getaway alone with your significant other, is push present enough. But, of course if you're a celebrity, why not just go all out?

We rounded up the most over-the-top push presents that stars have gotten from their partners.

Kylie Jenner

New mom and car enthusiast,Kylie Jenner was gifted with a $1.4 million Ferrari La Ferrari from her boyfriend, Travis Scott. The rapper surprised Kylie with the hot ride after the birth of their daughter, Stormi. The car features custom red interior and butterfly doors.

According toCar and Driver, the model isn't even in production anymore. So much for driving a minivan.

Pink

Rocker mom, Pink, got a sweet and sentimental gift from husband, Carey Hart, after the birth of their son, Jameson, back in May. Hart built a custom motorcycle for his wife with all of her favorite fixings — chrome, heavy metal, and carbon fiber. "I give you babies, you build me a motorcycle," Pink said in an Instagram.

Jennifer Lopez

After the birth of her twins, Emme and Max, Jennifer Lopez got a set of rareCanary diamond earrings and matching ring, which were reportedly valued at $2.5 million from then-husband, Marc Anthony. Apparently love does cost a thing.

President Donald Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday and boasted of massive defense deals signed between the kingdom and the US. 

The president had several charts with him that showed the type of weapons, vehicles, and equipment being bought by Saudi Arabia. The charts showed how much money the deal were worth, and which US states were going to benefit the most from them.

One of the charts showed off eight purchases the Saudis have finalized, worth $12.5 million dollars. Another chart featured four sales that were still pending, but will be worth nearly $20 billion. 

Here are some of the US products the Saudi's are buying:

SEE ALSO: This is the huge M777 howitzer that US Marines burned out while fighting ISIS in Syria

DON'T MISS: These are the 25 most powerful militaries in the world — and there's a clear winner

Standoff Land Attack Missiles — $3 billion

A Standoff Land Attack Missile — SLAM — is a missile dropped from an aircraft that can attack land and sea targets at short-to-medium-ranges.

It can be controlled remotely and change direction at any time.

CH-47 Chinook helicopters — $533 million

The CH-47 Chinook is a transport helicopter capable of carrying 24,000 pounds, making it one of the heaviest lifting helicopters in the West.

It has been a workhorse for the US military since 1962 and is used by multiple countries. 

Threat Detection Aerostats — $525 million

Threat Detection Aerostats are tethered airships or blimps that are equipped with cameras and sensors to monitor large areas.

They are used as alternatives to drones and ISR aircraft, which are only able to stay in the air for limited periods of time. 

• Nostradamus published a book in 1555 containing 942 quatrains that allegedly predict famous future events.

• Observers have come across a handful of predictions that due seem to reflect real world events.

• In reality, most of Nostradamus' prophecies are poorly translated — and vaguely worded enough to encourage tons of speculation.

Nostradamus' name is basically synonymous with predicting the future.

The alleged oracle began publishing his famous, cryptic quatrains in 1555. But these were no ordinary poems. Nostradamus was allegedly a diviner who was able predict future tidings.

The 16th century apothecary and astrologer's status as a reputed "seer" allowed him to solicit patronage from wealthy and prominent individuals like Catherine de' Medici, the queen of France.

Nostradamus' star didn't fade after his death in 1566. His works have continued to attract adherents who have connected his writings to earth-shattering events like the rise of Adolf Hitler and the 9/11 attacks.

But, like horoscopes, the predictions themselves tend to be vaguely worded, and therefore open to the reader's interpretations and biases.

In "Nostradamus, Bibliomancer: The Man, the Myth, the Truth," biographer Peter Lemesurier concludes that Nostradamus "believed that history repeats itself" and used the technique of projecting past events onto the future in order to make realistic-sounding claims. What's more, scholars have argued the modern translations of Nostradamus' writing are sloppy and unreliable.

With all that in mind, here's a look back at some of Nostradamus' most famous predictions:

SEE ALSO: Fake news is nothing new — here’s how it killed my ancestor over 300 years ago

The death of Henry II

Prediction:

The young lion will overcome the older one,
  On the field of combat in a single battle;
  He will pierce his eyes through a golden cage,
  Two wounds made one, then he dies a cruel death.

What happened:

In the summer of 1559 King Henry II of France (older one) lined up to joust Gabriel, Comte de Montgomery, (young lion), who was six years his junior. The tournament was held to celebrate the upcoming wedding of the king's daughter.

In their final pass, Montgomery's lance tilted up, burst through the king's poorly-secured visor (pierce his eyes through a golden cage), and splintered, according to "On the Death of Henry II."

In the Journal of Neurosurgery, Kamilah Dowling and James Goodrich write that the profusely-bleeding king remained conscious and was "able to walk up some steps with an unsteady gait."

But splinters from the lance had entered the king's eye, throat, and temple (two wounds made one). Despite the best efforts of royal surgeons, Henry II experienced agonizing pain, seizures, and partial paralysis (then he dies a cruel death) before dying in his bed 11 days later.

It all sounds pretty accurate, on the surface. But, according to "Nostradamus: The Illustrated Prophecies," the prophecy's veracity is in doubt because it didn't appear in print until 1614.

The Great Fire of London

Prediction:

The blood of the just will commit a fault at London,
Burnt through lightning of twenty threes the six:
The ancient lady will fall from her high place,
Several of the same sect will be killed.

What happened: This quatrain is often linked with the devastating Great Fire of London.

In regards to the date, 20 times three is 60. Add six to that, and you've got 66 — or the year '66. London's infamous three-day blaze began on September 2, 1666.

The fire wasn't set off by lightning, however. A hot, arid summer and a spark in the bakery of Thomas Farriner on Pudding Lane set the stage for the inferno.

Peasant and middle class deaths were not recorded at the time, according to the Smithsonian Magazine, but it's likely that hundreds or even thousands of people perished in the flames.

In regards to the "same sect" portion of the quatrain, Londoners blamed the conflagration on Catholics and the Dutch, and a number of lynchings and attacks ensued as the city smoldered, the BBC reported. But the members of the "same sect" are also mentioned in conjunction with "the ancient lady," which could be interpreted to refer to London itself.

This prediction is one of the weaker prophecies, as it's often quite a stretch to link the historical events of the Great Fire of London with Nostradamus' words.

The French Revolution

Prediction:

From the enslaved populace, songs,
Chants and demands
While princes and lords are held captive in prisons.
These will in the future by headless idiots
Be received as divine prayers.

What happened: Starting with the storming of the Bastille in 1789, the French Revolution saw the overthrowal of the monarchy and the establishment of a new republic.

The Third Estate (enslaved populace) took control of Paris and forced their demands on royalty (princes and lords).

Ultimately, the revolution turned bloody. Nobles and commoners alike were declared traitors to the revolution and beheaded at the guillotine (headless idiots).

According to Britannica, 17,000 people were executed during the ensuing Reign of Terror, while 10,000 died in jail. Those figures account for all victims of the First French Republic, not just aristocrats.

• The Nissan Rogue Sport is helping Nissan beat Honda and Toyota in the race to sell the most crossover SUVs.
• The Rogue Sport arrived in the US for the 2017 model year but has long been a hot seller internationally as the Nissan Qashqai.
• The base Nissan Rogue Sport starts at $21,640 while our top-spec SL AWD test car cost $31,380.
• We loved the Rogue Sport's styling and functionality but was disappointed by the anemic performance of its 141 horsepower engine.

The Nissan Rogue is the best selling crossover SUV in America. In a market with an almost insatiable appetite for these vehicles, the Rogue now reigns supreme over its closest rivals from Toyota and Honda.

But there's a catch, the Rogue is actually two different vehicles. There's the compact Rogue and the subcompact Rogue Sport.

Nissan North American does not separate the two models when it reports sales figures. Fortunately for the Franklin, Tennessee-based outfit, even when you merge the sales figures of Toyota's RAV4 with its subcompact C-HR and Honda's CR-V with the subcompact HR-V, the Rogue still emerges victorious by a substantial margin.

Through the first two months of the year, Nissan sold 74,303 Rogue and Rogue Sports in the US. Toyota's RAV4 and C-HR duo moved 64,888 units. While Honda's tandem of CR-V and HR-V recorded 63,228 in sales.

Much of the Rogue's recent surge in popularity, outside of its tie-in with Star Wars, can be attributed to the arrival of the Rogue Sport in 2017.

The Rogue Sport will be a familiar sight for many of you outside of the US. It's been a hot seller for years as the Nissan Qashqai (pronounced Kash-Kai). The Rogue itself is sold internationally as the Nissan X-Trail.

Recently, Business Insider had the chance to spend a few days with the Rogue Sport in Nashville, Tennessee.

Waiting for us at the airport was a black 2017 Rogue Sport with AWD in top-spec SL trim. The Rogue Sport carries over virtually unchanged for the 2018 model year.

The base 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport S FWD starts at $21,640 while an AWD SL has a base price of $27,640. Our 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport SL AWD test car carries an as-tested price of $31,380 after options and fees.

Here's a closer look at the Nissan Rogue Sport/Qashqai.

SEE ALSO: These 35 cars dominated the 2018 Geneva Motor Show

FOLLOW US: on Facebook for more car and transportation content!

Here it is! The new Rogue Sport. Even though it shares the same platform with the larger Rogue,...

... The Rogue Sport is more than a foot shorter in length and...

... Nearly half a foot shorter in height. The Rogue Sport is also about 200 pounds lighter.

A rhinoceros subspecies is almost extinct.

On Monday, the world's last male northern white rhino, Sudan, died at 45 years of age.

Sudan — who is named for his country of birth and lived under the protection of armed guards at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, away from poachers — suffered from a degenerative muscle and bone condition and was euthanized. 

Fortunately, scientists were able to gather genetic material that could one day be used to create more northern white rhinos through IVF. Sudan also left behind a daughter and granddaughter, so there's a flicker of hope for the wildlife preservation community. 

Even so, there are numerous other animal species and subspecies that are in danger of perishing for good. The Amur leopard and Sumatran elephant are just two of 19 species categorized as "critically endangered" by the World Wildlife Fund, while the white-rumped vulture and Chinese pangolin have been given the equivalent classification on the IUCN Red List.

Keep scrolling to see 12 animals that are on the verge of extinction

The Amur leopard is one of the world's most endangered wildcats, and native to the Russian Far East.

This subspecies — which is also known as the Far East leopard, the Manchurian leopard, or the Korean leopard, despite being nearly extinct outside of the Amur River basin in eastern Russia — can run upwards of 37 miles an hour and jump as high as 19 feet in the air. 

According to a 2015 census, there are only around 60 Amur leopards left, all living at Russia's Land of the Leopard National Park.

In the the past 60 years, there has been a 50% decline in the Bornean orangutan population.

Found only on the island of Borneo, Asia's largest island, Bornean orangutans have broader faces and shorter beards than their arboreal Sumatran cousins.

There are three subspecies of Borean orangutans: Northwest, Northeast, and Central. The largest is the Central subspecies, of which there are an estimated 35,000. The most threatened is the Northeast subspecies: due to its habitat being decimated by logging and hunting, there are only about 1,500 extant Northeast Borean apes.

Scientists predict that the Bornean orangutan population will fall another 22% by 2025, bringing the total number down to 47,000.

It was once believed that mountain gorillas would be extinct by the end of the 20th century.

At just under 900, the current population size is low, but conservationists are working to ensure that mountain gorillas don't fall prey to human threats.

According to the African Wildlife Foundation, the greatest threats to mountain gorillas— an eastern gorilla subspecies — are political instability (mainly conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo), human encroachment, and forest degradation.

The remaining mountain gorilla population is spread out over three countries and four national parks, such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in DRC.

When it comes to big games on the Xbox One — which is to say, games that aren't available on the PlayStation 4 — the list is pretty short. 

This week's launch of "Sea of Thieves" is an outsized addition to that list.

Over 20 years after Rare created classics like "Goldeneye 007" and "Perfect Dark" for Nintendo, the veteran game studio is back with something completely different: A massive, open-world pirate game that's only on the Xbox One and PC.

And with "Sea of Thieves," Microsoft has an amibitious new addition to its list of console exclusive games.

It's an online-only game, meaning you can only play the game in an open world full of other pirates (actual human players). The game never holds your hand, instead depending on players to teach each other and themselves how to play. And there's no one narrative — the story of the game is what happens while you take on and complete quests. 

In my brief few hours with it so far, I've found a lot of promise and charm in "Sea of Thieves." Here's why I think you should give it a shot.

"Sea of Thieves" nails the concept of emergent narrative storytelling — the "story" is the tale of how you completed your quest, not the quest itself.

This morning, I was sailing in a galleon — a large, three-sail wooden ship — with three other player-controlled pirates. We were headed toward a small tropical island that was said to contain a treasure chest. 

The mission was simple: Sail to the island, trek to the X on the map, and dig up the treasure chest.

When we got to the island, we grabbed the chest and started to head out. But what was that ship in the distance? Should we stop? Should we fight?

We headed in its direction, and it turned out that it was a much smaller ship (a "sloop," to be technical).

Just as we were arriving, its sails dropped and its crew of no more than two hightailed it. But we were already within firing range, and I nailed the ship's lower rear with a cannonball. As the ship filled with water, its small crew were forced to address the damages rather than even try to sail away from us. As our ship closed in, three of us manned cannons and turned its hull into Swiss cheese.

I could tell you the rest of that pirate tale, but we should probably move to a tiki bar. 

Stories like this are at the heart of "Sea of Thieves." The game itself isn't heavy on narrative, but its world is rich with narrative for the taking — if you're up for adventure, that is.

"Sea of Thieves" goes all-in on the sailing thing.

Are you ready to handle some freakin' ropes? How about playing sea shanties with your drunk friends? Maybe you're more of a spyglass person? Oooh, or how about reading maps?

Get ready for all of that and more, as "Sea of Thieves" is, first and foremost, a game about navigating the sea in an old ship. I mean that in the nicest way possible, as it's tremendously fun to play.

Remember that story I told about getting a treasure chest? Here's how that went in terms of gameplay:

-First, we had to pull up the anchor. Even with all four of us working at it, it still took about 10 seconds.

-Next, we had to lower the sails and angle them. While my buddy took the helm, I ran from rigging to rigging, carefully lowering and angling the sails for as much wind as possible.

-Meanwhile, another player went below deck to our map table, where he compared his treasure map (which depicts the island's shape) to the larger map in front of him. When he found the right island, he marked it on the map.

-Then, he explained to my buddy on the helm which direction to head. He also warned of potential obstacles in the way. 

That's all before we start talking about the process of stopping the ship, repairing the ship, or fighting enemy ships.

None of this stuff is technically demanding — it all operates like normal video game stuff — but if you're looking for a game that's focused on shooting blunderbusses and cutting down foes, this ain't it.

"Sea of Thieves" doesn't hold your hand whatsoever, which is both great and not so great.

At first, "Sea of Thieves" was downright confusing. There's no introduction whatsoever, no form of tutorial. You don't even know which buttons are which if you don't go looking in the settings menu. 

As I soon realized, the game is mostly intuitive. Of course you have to lower the sails before the ship will move! And the controls are mostly standard video game controls for a first-person game — A to jump, X to interact, and what have you.

In this way, "Sea of Thieves" seemingly trusts players to figure it out by themselves. Better yet, it asks players to help each other. Unless you're piloting a small ship by yourself (which is dangerous), "Sea of Thieves" requires multiplayer cooperation. There's simply no way to manage steering a massive galleon by yourself without getting overwhelmed.

In the vast majority of my time with "Sea of Thieves" thus far, this forced cooperation has been very positive. Strangers help me, I help them, and everyone wins. 

Unfortunately, in the very first group I joined, I was immediately voted into the ship's brig, for no readily apparent reason other than to be cruel. There is no way out other than quitting the game — or if the very people who locked you in vote to let you out. I didn't wait to find out.

It was a great reminder that multiplayer games are best played with friends instead of strangers.

• Food items and technological innovations that you thought were invented in the US might actually have roots overseas.
• Some inventions, such as the television and light bulb, were perfected in the US, but first developed elsewhere.
• Other things, like hot dogs and blue jeans, were popularized in the US by European immigrants.

The US is known as the land of opportunity, but some innovations that you thought were quintessentially American were first developed elsewhere, and often introduced to American consumers by immigrants.

From apple pie to the first automobile, here are 16 things that may not be as American as you thought.

Contrary to the idiom, apple pie isn't American.

Despite the phrase that labels it the zenith of American culture ("as American as apple pie"), the flaky, fruity dessert didn't originate in the US. 

Recipes for pie can be found as early as the Ancient Greeks, according to the American Pie Council. However, medieval England popularized the dish, then known as "pyes" with crusts called "coffyns," and usually filled with meat.

Both Dutch and British settlers are credited with bringing the humble apple pie to the Americas.

America's national anthem is sung to the tune of a British drinking song.

When Francis Scott Key penned the words to the poem that ultimately became "The Star-Spangled Banner," he had the melody of a rather ignoble song in mind. "To Anacreon in Heaven" is a British drinking song that praises debauchery rather than patriotism — yet Americans proudly listen to and sing the notoriously tricky-to-nail tune on the Fourth of July and at countless sporting events throughout the year. 

The Wright brothers didn't invent the plane.

Apparently, A New Zealand farmer named Richard Pearse took flight for roughly 350 yards in March of 1902 — months before the Wright brothers nailed down a more sustained flight.

• Kate Middleton ensures that Prince George and Princess Charlotte try to be independent and learn to play as many instruments as they want.
• The children also must be open about their feelings and be able to talk about anything, as Middleton believes that it is essential for their mental well-being. 

What is it like to grow up as a little prince or princess? While many children are and always will be their parents’ little princes and princesses, there are a selected few who actually get to grow up as members of the royal family and live a life quite different than the rest of the families in the world. So have you ever wondered if there are some specific rules that the royal children have to follow from the very early age? Well, if you have, you’ve come to the right place because today we are about to take a look at 15 unique parenting rules Princess Kate makes her kids follow.

Kate Middleton and Prince William share two children at this point, Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, and they are expecting their third baby to be born in April of 2018. However, royal parents or not, all parents want the best for their kids and develop a set of rules that help them raise their children the way they believe is the best. So what is Kate Middleton and Prince William’s parenting style like? They have shared some of their parenting tips and tricks recently, and here they are.

Be open with their feelings

Kate Middleton believes that talking openly to your children about feelings is one of the most important steps toward making them confident human beings. She wants her kids to always tell her how they feel and she tries to teach them that it is okay to experience all kinds of emotion and that there is nothing shameful or wrong about that. She leads by example so she also talks to them about her emotions and she also tries to explain to them the feelings they haven’t experienced yet but might have witnessed other people going through.

However, first and foremost, Kate and Prince William want their kids to grow up feeling able to share their emotions with other people instead of bottling them up because they believe being able to do that is very important for person’s mental health.

Talk about everything

According to Kate Middleton, open communication is the key that unlocks all doors and it a very important part of her relationship with her children. She tries to talk to her children about everything and make them understand things in an appropriate way. Surely, growing up in a royal family must get really confusing for a child sometimes so it is great that the kids can talk to their mom whenever they feel a little bit lost in that unusual world of theirs.

And while some parents try to change the subject when it comes to talking to their children about some uncomfortable matters, Kate is all for talking to her kids openly and as honestly as possible. So while somebody might think that the royal family is overly tight up, Kate is not afraid of open communication with her children at all.

Follow the royal dress code

Whether she wants to or not, Kate Middleton is required to make her kids follow all rules regarding the royal dress code. For example, all young boys in royal family have to wear shorts instead of the long pants until they turn 8 years old. A pair of long pants on a young boy is considered inappropriate and suburban.

Although the times are changing and people today wear all kinds of clothes that would have been considered completely inappropriate in the past, the royal family respects the traditions and they follow the rules created centuries ago when it comes to their clothes. Of course, there is a whole big set of rules when it comes to the royal dress code but the most important thing is to always keep it classy.

• Michael B. Jordan is on the fast-track to becoming a Hollywood A-lister. 
• His recent role in "Black Panther" might have left fans raving, but the actor also has lots of other notable performances worth highlighting. 
• From his start as a child model for Toys 'R' Us to his failed attempts at landing a role in a superhero movie before "Black Panther," here are 15 things you didn't know about Michael B. Jordan.  

The actor Michael B. Jordan is a talented actor well on his way to becoming a Hollywood A-lister. You probably know him from his recent role of Erik Killmonger in the 2018 action film "Black Panther." Indeed, his performance in "Black Panther" was amazing, but by no means, his only great film appearance.

Jordan has also appeared in films such as "Red Tails,""Chronicle,""That Awkward Moment" and "Fantastic Four" as well as TV series such as "The Wire,""All My Children" and "Friday Night Lights." All of his film performances were well received so it comes as no surprise that the actor has won numerous awards and award nominations, including Hollywood Film Awards and Black Reel awards.

While Jordan is certainly an amazingly talented actor who is bound to become very successful, there is more to the man than just his film roles. Below we have compiled a list of 15 interesting facts you may not have known about Jordan.

15. He was not named after Michael Jordan and the "B" in his name stands for "noble promise" in Swahili

The actor’s full name is Michael B. Jordan but few know what the letter “B” in his name stands for. Indeed, the internet has convinced many fans that the “B” stands for “Bae” and while that may seem accurate given the actor’s sweet personality, in reality, the “B” stands for “Bakari”, which in Swahili means “promising” or “noble promise.”

Speaking of names, Jordan was not named after the basketball legend Michael Jordan, but rather after his dad Michael A. Jordan. The actor has confessed that he has never even met the basketball legend but apparently, he uses the “B” in his name to distinguish himself from him.

14. Before he became an actor, he was a child model for Toys 'R Us

Michael B. Jordan was not always passionate about acting. Unlike many other successful Hollywood actors, who knew that they wanted to pursue acting since they were kids, Jordan actually started out as a child model. When you think about it, things could have gone a completely different way. Perhaps instead of seeing Jordan on the big screen, we would be seeing Jordan in commercials and magazine adverts.

As a pre-teen, Jordan modeled for companies such as Toys R Us and Modell’s Sporting Goods. It was only after his agent asked if he’d be interested in acting that Jordan seriously considered it and decided to give it a shot. Things didn’t look promising at first, but thankfully, Jordan stuck at it until he made it.

13. His first role was on a Cosby show

One of Jordan’s first acting roles was on Cosby, a sitcom that was produced by the comedian Bill Cosby and which was somewhat based on the popular British show One Foot in the Grave. At the time of his appearance on the show – he first appeared in an episode titled The Vesey Method - Jordan was 12 years old and played a boy named Michael.

Jordan recently revealed that he was both scared and excited to be on the set of Cosby and that he found the man himself larger-than-life.

He said – “He commanded that set; that was his show. He demanded a professionalism from everyone. He gave me a tick. [He said], ‘You care about your hair. You love your hair. You brush your hair nonstop all day. That’s what you do.’ And I was like ‘alright, got it.’ So I brushed my hair. And you’re shooting this thing for hours. Imagine brushing your hair until your scalp is raw.”

It's no secret that long-distance relationships can be tough, but they can also be extremely gratifying. There are the ups, including the first time seeing your significant other after a few months, and the downs, including working through things like trust and doubt.

Not every couple can handle the emotional trials and tribulations of a long-distance relationship. These are some signs that you and your partner just might not be ready to go the distance, at least for now.  

You don't trust each other.

Trust is key to making long distance work. There will be so many times that you won't be able to see your partner, hear their voice, or hang out whenever you want. If that leaves you wondering whether or not your partner is being faithful or having doubts, that might actually be a very serious implication about the state of your relationship.

According to a study from Northwestern University and Redeemer University College in Ontario, Canada, those who trust their partners are more likely to be in long-term, successful relationships. No matter where they are, you should trust your significant other in order for you to be together. Long-distance has a habit of testing trust, but doubt or fear in relationships can come from a multitude of sources.

It's important to ask why you're having doubts or where your trust issues come from. It might be good to communicate your feelings with your partner, hear their perspective, and hopefully come up with ways to honor, soothe, or help quell your feelings.

You haven't communicated about the future.

You're going to need a plan for the future, both long-term and short-term. Will you visit every month? Will you move in together after a year?

There should be an end game or overarching goal for your relationship. Making these plans, big or small, can be really fun and also shows that both parties are making efforts to keep things moving forward and maintain one another as a priority.

If you or your partner can't face the future or decide what you're looking for, that might not be a good sign of things to come. Healthy communication is essential to making long-distance relationships work, so make sure that you're at least attempting to form some sort of plan.

You can't come to an agreement or compromise when it comes to your plans.

So, you're basically living in a tale of two cities. Maybe one of you is absolutely in love with your current city or the place you met and from which your partner moved while the other half of your relationship has totally fallen for their new city and hopes you'll head there.

No matter your exact situation, it's important that you come to some sort of agreement or compromise about where you'll head together unless you want to do long-distance forever.

The decision of where to live can be a deal-breaker in relationships, especially if one party feels extremely attached to a particular place.

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.

• Now through March 22, Nordstrom Rack is having a huge flash sale on UGG.
• The flash sale includes shoes for women, men, and kids, as well as sleepwear and home goods.
• You're going to want to shop right now, as items are selling out quickly.

UGG Australia is so well known for fuzzy boots suitable for the winter that you might be surprised to find out that they actually sell many other styles.

While sheepskin, leather, and shearling are all commonly used through the brand's line of products, you'll still be able to find shoes for every season, clothes, and even home goods from the brand.

If buying new UGGs during the first week of Spring seems counterintuitive, you'll immediately get it when you see these prices (and when you see all the warm-weather styles they make). From now until March 22 at 8 a.m. PST or 12 p.m. EST, Nordstrom Rack is having a huge flash sale on UGG Australia products — and the markdowns are amazing.

The sale includes hundreds of items and with options for women, men, and kids, so the whole family can get in on the great deals. In addition to shoes, the flash sale includes clothes for women and home accessories.

Whether you're looking for a comfortable loafers, rain boots for the kids, warm boots for next fall and winter, or a cozy throw blanket, you'll find it on sale now.

Shop the Nordstrom Rack UGG Flash Sale now.

Check out some of the best styles for men, women, and kids, below:

The best deals on women's shoes:

• Fluff Monna Mongolian Sheepskin Clog, $99.97 (Originally $150) [You save $50.03]
• Adirondack Waterproof Genuine Sheepskin Tall Boot, $199.97 (Originally $295) [You save $95.03]
• Adriana Sandal, $79.97 (Originally $130) [You save $50.03]
• Bailey Mariko Genuine Sheepskin Boot, $119.97 (Originally $189.95) [You save $69.98]
• Harington Suede Buckle Boot, $159.97 (Originally $250) [You save $90.03]
• Celia Sandal, $89.97 (Originally $130) [You save $40.03]
• Char Ankle Strap Wedge Sandal, $89.97 (Originally $140) [You save $50.03]
• Adley Chunky Glitter Slip On Sneaker, $89.97 (Originally $140) [You save $50.03]

The best deals on men's shoes:

• Henrick UGGpure Driver, $59.97 (Originally $130) [You save $70.03]
• Leighton Waterproof Chukka Boot, $99.97 (Originally $170) [You save $70.03]
• Waterproof UGGpure Wool Line Butte Patchwork Boot, $169.97 (Originally $275) [You save $]
• Holmar UGGpure Lined Waterproof Rain boot, $129.97 (Originally $150) [You save $105.03]
• Ascot UGGpure Lined Slipper, $59.97 (Originally $110) [You save $50.03]
• Vanowen Nubuck Genuine Shearling Sneaker, $69.97 (Originally $120) [You save $50.03]
• Lorne Genuine Lamb Fur Lined Loafer, $114.97 (Originally $250) [You save $135.03]

The best deals on kids' shoes:

• Classic II Water Resistant Genuine Shearling Boot (Toddler & Little Kid), $59.97 (Originally $110) [You save $50.03]
• Bailey Button Triplet II Genuine Shearling Boot (Little Kid), $99.97 (Originally $185) [You save $85.03]
• Derick Lace Chukka Boot (Little Kid & Big Kid), $36 (Originally $70) [You save $34]
• Finn Sunburst Perforated UGGpure™ Lined Backless Slipper (Little Kid & Big Kid), $34.97 (Originally $60) [You save $25.03]
• Ryder Jungle Moccasin (Little Kid & Big Kid), $32.97 (Originally $60) [You save $27.03]
• Isley Genuine Shearling Pompom Boot (Baby, Toddler, & Little Kid), $76.97 (Originally $135.95) [You save $58.98]
• Mini Bailey Genuine Shearling Flower Printed Boot (Toddler & Little Kid), $59.97 (Originally $110) [You save $50.03]
• Hilmar Suede & Genuine Shearling Lined Boot (Toddler, Little Kids, & Big Kids), $64.97 (Originally $119.95) [You save $54.98]

Local law-enforcement officials in Austin, Texas, are working with their state and federal counterparts to track down a serial bomber who is believed to be targeting neighborhoods around the state capital.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that a suspicious package found at a FedEx facility in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday was an unexploded bomb — the sixth such incident that has rattled the region since March 2.

So far, the bombs have killed two people and injured four others. Police said they believe the incidents are all related "because of the specific contents of these devices."

In light of the explosions, which have so far followed a similar pattern in areas surrounding Austin, law-enforcement officials said people should not handle any unexpected or suspicious packages, and instead call 911.

Here's a timeline of all the suspicious packages and bombs that have been discovered near Austin so far:

March 2, 6:55 a.m: A package left on the front porch of a home overnight explodes, killing 39-year-old Anthony Stephan House.

House's death was initially deemed "suspicious." It was later classified as a homicide.

Source: Fox News

March 12, 6:44 a.m: Another package explodes inside a home about 12 miles away from the first bomb.

Seventeen-year-old Draylen Mason was killed, and his 40-year-old mother was injured in the blast.

Mason, a gifted musician, reportedly brought the package to the kitchen to open it when it exploded. He was transported to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Source: WSOC-TV

March 12, 11:50 a.m: Hours later, another package bomb explodes, injuring 75-year-old Esperanza Morena Herrera.

Moving to a new country can be exciting, but settling down and finding new friends can also be daunting.

That's why InterNations, the world's largest network for expats, 13,000 people from 166 countries for their insights on moving to new places. 

The final ranking is based on how friendly locals are to expats, how easy new arrivals find it to make local friends, and how much people want to stay in their new home forever.

Scroll down to see what these countries are.

10. Canada — where 27% of expat respondents said they were mainly friends with locals. A French expat called Canadians "open-minded, tolerant, and benevolent."

9. Vietnam — more than half of the expats here said they plan to stay in the country for up to five years. Most expats living here said it was easy to settle down in the country, and described locals as welcoming.

8. Colombia — expats here are most likely to be mainly friends with locals. An expat from the US said Colombians were "open, warm, and friendly," and a Dutch national said they were "always willing to help."

Elon Musk is working on something out-of-this-world in Los Angeles.

The founder of SpaceX has spokenfor years about building the Big Falcon Rocket: a giant reusable launch system designed to get people to and from Mars (and perhaps around Earth).

Most recently, Musk said SpaceX hopes to begin short up-and-down launches of the BFR system's 157-foot-tall spaceship in early 2019. The testing will occur on the company's McGregor, Texas, campus.

Until now, however, SpaceX has been mum about where, exactly, it plans to build such enormous rockets.

On Monday, a member of the r/SpaceX community on Reddit noticed a curious move by the Board of Harbor Commissioners in Los Angeles. The organization recently and quietly approved a 788-page plan by SpaceX to lease an 18-acre site in the Port of Los Angeles, including a 200,000-square-foot facility to "to manufacture large commercial transportation vessels".

Eric Berger at Ars Technica has since anonymously confirmed that the facility "is, indeed, intended for the manufacture of the BFR."

A source close to the matter told Business Insider that SpaceX is likely just weeks away from being officially offered a lease to the site.

Here's what we know about the proposed plan, and what SpaceX's "state-of-the-art" Mars rocket factory may look like when finished.

SEE ALSO: SpaceX has some competition — here are 9 futuristic rockets of the new space race

DON'T MISS: Elon Musk has achieved an incredible feat: Making SpaceX launches increasingly boring

Musk has dreams of colonizing Mars with reusable BFR spaceships that can carry up to 100 people or 140,000 lbs into space. Eventually, he'd like 1 million people to colonize the red planet over decades, as a backup plan for Earth.

Source: Business Insider (1, 2)

Fully assembled, the BFR will be about 348 feet tall — some 40 feet bigger than the Statue of Liberty.

To transport the rocket's enormous spaceship and booster to a launch site, the company will need to use a boat. Because of that, SpaceX's campus in Hawthorne isn't a practical location to build and assemble the BFR since it's not on the water.