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The History Of The Bilderberg Conference — The Most Famous Secretive Gathering Of Elites That Happens Every Year

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ben bernanke limo sleep

Today, over 100 masters of the universe will assemble at the swanky Grove hotel in Watford, England for one of the most clandestine and controversial meetings in the world — the Bilderberg Conference.

Bilderberg has been around for almost 60 years, bringing together the most powerful people in the United States and Europe.

From CEOs to political bigwigs, it's an opportunity for the global elite to gather every year and have an open dialogue about world affairs, no reporters allowed.

And since the first rule of the Bilderberg club is you don't talk about the Bilderberg club, the historic hangout session enjoys more conspiracy theories than the moon landing — Bilderberg lore blames the meeting's attendees for everything from the most recent financial crisis to global money laundering.

The first Bilderberg Conference took place in 1954 and was intended to start a dialogue across the Atlantic to prevent another world war.

Western elites held it at the Bilderberg Hotel in the Netherlands. The idea was to foster better ties across the Atlantic in order to prevent another World War. They also gossiped about the Soviets.



Henry Kissinger, David Rockefeller, and other big names were early Bilderberg members.

The group was started by Polish activist Jozef Retinger, who went on to be a major advocate of European unification. Eleven Americans, recommended by the Eisenhower administration, attended the first meeting. Some have stuck around  Kissinger and Rockefeller were at last year's conference.


Source: HuffPost



Bill Clinton, Ben Bernanke, Larry Summers, and Donald Rumsfeld are all Bilderberg alumni.

Also Lloyd Blankfein, George Soros, Rupert Murdoch, and Alan Greenspan. Basically if you're a head of state or an influential mover-and-shaker, check your mailbox.


Source: Daniel Estulin



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18 Athletes Who Make More Money Endorsing Products Than Playing Sports

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david beckham h&m

Forbes just released its annual list of the world's highest paid athletes. International household names dominate the top of the list with Tiger Woods ranking first at $78.1 million in earnings last year.

We all know athletes make huge salaries playing sports, but some athletes make even more money off the field endorsing products.

David Beckham for example made most of his money modeling underwear, not playing soccer.

Usain Bolt earned 99% of his money from endorsements

Total Earnings: $24.2 million, 40th overall

Salary/Winnings: $0.2 million

Endorsements: $24 million

The track star's major endorsements include Puma, Gatorade, and Virgin Media. Bolt's Puma deal is the biggest ever given to a track athlete.



Roger Federer earned 91% of his money from endorsements

Total Earnings: $71.5 million, second overall

Salary/Winnings: $6.5 million

Endorsements: $65 million

The winner of 17 Grand Slam titles includes Gillette, Mercedes-Benz and Nike in his endorsement portfolio. He recently signed a five-year, $30 million deal with Moet & Chandon champagne



Phil Mickelson earned 90% of his money from endorsements

Total Earnings: $48.7 million, seventh overall

Salary/Winnings: $4.7 million

Endorsements: $44 million

Lefty signed a deal with Enbrel in 2010 after he was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Mickelson is also sponsored by KPMG, Rolex, and Callaway.



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12 US Industries That Will Collapse In The Next Decade

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grinding-sparksThe long decline of American manufacturing isn't over yet.

Fifteen of the 20 fastest shrinking industries are in the manufacturing sector, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report on job growth from 2010 to 2020.

Government jobs, especially in the postal service, are also getting axed.

Glass and glass product manufacturing

80,700 jobs in 2010

68,800 jobs in 2020

-1.6% annual job growth

Glass production and sales have steadily declined over the past five years, likely stemming from the the slump in local automotive manufacturing and the long-term substitution of glass containers in the food and beverage-packaging market with alternative materials, such as plastic.

2010 data and 2020 projections from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012).



Metalworking machinery manufacturing

153,200 jobs in 2010

130,500 jobs in 2020

-1.6% annual job growth

The manufacture of powered tools for shaping metal parts has experienced a declineas demand from key foreign and domestic downstream markets has dropped. 

2010 data and 2020 projections from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012).



Miscellaneous manufacturing

266,000 jobs in 2010

210,300 jobs in 2020

-2.3% annual job growth 

This category includes a wide range of products that are increasingly being manufactured in China, including: medical equipment, jewelry and flatware, sporting and athletic goods, dolls, toys, and games, office supplies, signs, concrete burial vaults, Christmas tree ornaments, Christmas tree lighting sets, beauty and barber chairs, burnt wood articles, lamp shades, matches, metal combs, and electric hair clippers.

2010 data and 2020 projections from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012).



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The 10 American Cities With The Best Parks

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Portland, OregonMinneapolis may be nicknamed the "City of Lakes," but it could also be called the city of parks for its incredible amount of green spaces.

The Trust for Public land recently released their 2013 ParkScore Index, which ranks the cities with the best and worst parks.

Minneapolis took the top spot on their list, replacing San Francisco (last year's winner). Bustling New York City came in right behind at number two.

The Trust for Public Land looked at three categories to compile this list: park access, park size, and services and investment, which each held equal weight in importance.

They generated a ParkScore index out of 100, and then converted those scores to a scale of zero to five "park benches." A low score of one park bench means that the city's park system needs major improvement, while five park benches connotes an outstanding park system.

10. Seattle: 4.0 Park Benches

The city of nearly 600,000 inched in at number ten for this year's list.  Median park size is average and while park land takes up only ten percent of the city, Seattle's spending per resident of $260 added extra points to the total score.



9. San Diego: 4.0 Park Benches

San Diego's park system consists of close to a quarter of the total city's area. Median park size is also high, at almost seven acres. Servicing the city's 1.3 million residents are the popular Mission Bay Park and the large Mission Trail. 



8. Virginia Beach: 4.0 Park Benches

Virginia Beach is one of the new cities to join the index this year. Median park size is relatively low, but each park acre serves an average of 11 people. The city of nearly half-a-million also has an average of five playgrounds for every 10,000 residents, which is highest amongst the top 10 chosen.



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10 Of The World’s Most Challenging Spots To Land A Plane

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Russian WIlderness

Aircraft, and their licenses, come in all shapes and sizes – from small micro-lights and gliders, to Cessna 150’s, 172’s and 182’s, all the way to instrument licenses, commercial licences and airline transport qualifications that allow you to fly the biggest of jets.

But what if we ignore all this? What if we look at the sheer excitement and pleasure of flying – of being able to choose where you go, who you go with and how you arrive? This is in essence the pinnacle of what everyone who travels wants.

So here are ten exotic locations where the majority of pilots would dream of flying to test their skills in the most challenging and exciting conditions available.

Peru

As far as remote flying goes, South America is among the toughest places in the world to be a pilot.

Airlines and pilots have to be kings of improvisation – as this latest news of an emergency flight’s runway being lit by motorcycles proves.

Thousands of tourists take to the sky in light aircraft every year to see the spectacular ancient Nazca Lines from air – and many operators can be less than trustworthy when it comes to maintenance and safety.

As with everything when traveling, if you’re going to do this, go with a reputable company.



Alaska

As fans of Flying Wild Alaska will know, this area can be more than treacherous when it comes to light aircraft.

The runways and dirt strips here are often far too short for larger planes to go in and out of, so small Cessnas and Beechcraft are used – often battling extreme weather for the sake of what in many cases is the only link to the outside world.



Okavango Delta (Botswana)

This a popular spot for wealthy safari travelers who want to ‘escape’ to the bush in exclusive luxury safari resorts.

And what better way to arrive at your resort than by bush plane?

A number of companies in the area operate small Cessnas – but frequently battle with tropical storms, dust clouds, and extreme turbulence along the way.



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Former Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon Is Selling His Waterfront Vacation Home For $10 Million

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Aubrey McClendon Michigan House

The founder and former CEO of Chesapeake Energy, Aubrey McClendon, is selling is gorgeous vacation home on Lake Michigan for $10 million, says the WSJ.

McClendon stepped down from his post last year amid intense government scrutiny and the crash of his company's stock, but he still has a lot of cool stuff — this house is just a small part of that.

In fact, he's selling because he and his wife have another vacation house nearby, so don't feel sorry for the guy.

The house is built on the Singapore Dunes, a proposed mixed-use development that McClendon owns in its entirety. Two other parcels of land on the property are being sold for $3 million and $1.5 million.

But the house is the real star. It has breathtaking views of the water and you can check out through wall to wall windows. There are six bedrooms, five bedrooms and a guest house.

Dick Waskin of Re/Max Saugatuck-Douglas and Andrea Crossman of Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt have the listing.







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10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Agency That's Spying On You

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RTR18YWC

The National Security Agency collects the cellular telephone data for millions of unsuspecting Americans every day, according to a Top Secret court order obtained by the Guardian.

Verizon is required to provide the secret intelligence agency with all call detail records “ on an ongoing daily basis” until the order expires July 19.

But what exactly is this agency? Who leads it? And what is their mission?

It’s your turn to learn.

Their headquarters is in a sprawling complex in Fort Meade, Maryland, just outside of Washington.



The NSA was founded in 1952. Until 1977, they operated from Arlington Hall, a former girls school in Arlington, Virginia.



The actual current size of the NSA is classified. It's square footage is roughly the same size as the Pentagon, and it has 112 acres of parking spaces.



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The Most Outrageous Outfits At The CMT Country Music Awards [Photos]

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Taylor Swift CMT awards 2013Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and countless other country stars gathered Wednesday night for the 2013 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. 

Hosted by actress Kristen Bell and musician Jason Aldean, the night's top honor went to Carrie Underwood.

But the real winners of the night are those who rocked the red carpet in sequins, feathers, cowboy boots and hats in all their country glory.

Actress Kristen Bell hosted the 2013 CMT Music Awards in Nashville. Bell, wearing Zuhair Murad, gave birth just two months ago to baby Lincoln.



Bell co-hosted the awards with country star, Jason Aldean.

 

 
 




Miranda Lambert was a big winner of the night. She accepted the award for female video of the year for "Mama's Broken Heart" in this sequined mini-dress.



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39 Photos That Show Vladimir Putin Is The Most Badass Bachelor On The Market

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Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin revealed on Russian television that his marriage to Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Putina of 30 years is over. 

While we definitely feel for both people during what must be a trying time, Putin has just become one of the most eligible bachelors on the planet. 

The President has aggressively worked to develop a macho image.

Here are 39 photos that confirm that Vladimir Putin is a consummate badass.

Vladimir Putin is a consummate outdoors-man. Here Putin recharges on a visit to the Siberian Khakasiya region.



A 16-year veteran of the KGB, Putin knows his way around a gun. After his retirement in 1991, he rapidly rose through Russian politics to become top dog in the world's largest nation.



Here, Putin trains with an assault rifle simulator.



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The 20 Most Expensive Cities In The World

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TokyoTraveling to certain countries can put a nice dent in your wallet, but how about living in them?

ECA International, a global management consulting firm, just came out with its semiannual cost of living survey, which calculates the cost of living based on prices of various day-to-day goods and services.

Tokyo has always claimed the number one spot as the most expensive city for expatriates to live, but this year, for the first time in three years, it was outranked by another.

All prices are reflected in U.S. dollars.

Just as a reference, Manhattan placed 43rd, the highest of any U.S. city.

Ranked #41 in 2012

Movie Ticket: $13.95

Can of soda: $1.64

Dozen eggs: $4.42

Beer at a bar: $8.38

Source: ECA International



20. Helsinki, Finland

Ranked #19 in 2012

Movie Ticket: $16.00

Can of soda: $2.29

Dozen eggs: $4.75

Beer at a bar: $11.66

Source: ECA International



19. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Ranked #28 in 2012

Movie Ticket: N/A

Can of soda: $2.25

Dozen eggs: $3.82

Beer at a bar: $7.51

Source: ECA International



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10 Reasons Why Chris Bosh's Face Will Be The Star Of The NBA Finals

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chris bosh miami heat

If the Heat are going to beat the Spurs, they will need both Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to step up like they did in game seven against the Pacers.

But no matter what happens, Chris Bosh's Face will almost certainly leave its mark on the NBA Finals.

Whether he is screaming, goofing, or videobombing, there is just something about Bosh's face that is mesmerizing.

On the next few pages we will take a look back at some of our favorite Bosh Face moments, a collection that will almost certainly grow over the next two weeks.

Bosh unleashed a classic Bosh Face in game seven against the Pacers



And here is the Bosh Face during last year's Finals



Maybe his all-time best Bosh Face came after winning last year's championship



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CAMP CUPCAKE: Take A Tour Of America's Cushiest Prison

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Diane Hathaway

An ex-Michigan Supreme Court justice who pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud is likely heading to federal prison camp in West Virginia.

But Diane Hathaway could have it a lot worse. A judge has recommended she be sent to "FCP Alderson" in the foothills of West Virginia's Allegheny mountains.

The minimum-security facility is known as "Camp Cupcake."

Martha Stewart went there. So did an ex-beauty queen who was busted for insider trading and a famous American Jazz singer.

Aerial view

The 159-acre minimum-security prison camp is nestled in the scenic hills near Greenbrier State Forest, on the bank of Greenbrier River. The small town of Alderson, W. Va. is located east across the river.

Source: Washington Post



Main entrance to FPC Alderson

Built in 1928, the prison is actually the first federal prison for women. It uses a reformatory model where women are housed in "cottages" and there's no barbed wire. The had one famous escapee who took advantage of the low security there.

Source: Paula Johnson, "Inner Lives: Voices of African American Women In Prison."



Lynette Fromme

Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme was sentenced to life in prison after her attempt to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975. She escaped Alderson in 1987 but was recaptured two days later and was ultimately released in 2009.

Source: U.S. Secret Service report, ABC, Los Angeles Times.



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Meet The Execs In The Running To Be Procter & Gamble's New CEO

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melanie healey p&gProcter & Gamble CEO A.G. Lafley elevated a slew of high-ranking executives in a move that the business world declares identifies the front runners in the race to succeed him as CEO.

Breaking a trend in modern business culture to outsource talent, Lafley promoted P&G veterans to take on more tasks and report directly to him.

Ad Age notes, "none of the moves are promotions, exactly, since the executives remain group presidents."

Following poor sales, Robert McDonald retired from his post as P&G CEO at the end of May. He was immediately replaced by Lafley, who had been McDonald's CEO's predecessor. 

The Wall Street Journal reports, "Mr. Lafley, who turns 66 years old next week, is trying to accelerate sales growth at P&G, whose performance has lagged behind rivals in recent years. One of his first tasks was to establish a succession plan, as he is unlikely to stay for more than two or three years."

These executives are the possible replacements.

Deb Henretta, 52

Henretta has worked at P&G since 1985, when she was hired as a brand assistant for Bold Laundry Detergent.

She was promoted from head of P&G's Asian operations to group president of global beauty, which includes skin care, cosmetics, and personal care in 2012. She is now adding on hair care to her duties and will move from Singapore to Cincinnati.

There have been articles speculating she would be the next CEO since 2003, and she told Ad Age, "I think of myself as a change agent. I'm constantly challenging the status quo."



Martin Riant, 54

Riant has been at P&G since 1980.

Also based in Singapore, Riant took on the task of group president of global baby care in 2007 and was just promoted to tackle feminine and family care as well. That includes Tampax, Charmin, and the $10 million Pampers account.



David Taylor, 55

Taylor took a big career leap, transitioning from group president of global home care to becoming the group president of global health and grooming.

While he previously oversaw Swiffer, Mr. Clean, Dawn, and the billion-dollar-brand Febreze, he will now work on Gillette, Oral-B, Crest, and Iams.

Taylor has also worked at P&G since 1980, and he will remain in Cincinnati in his new post. 



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7 College Graduates Whose Lives Were Wrecked By Student Loan Debt

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tammieLike the millions of American homeowners who found themselves trapped in homes they couldn't afford during the housing crisis, today's college graduate have found themselves in a bubble all their own.

College graduates carry an average of $27,000 worth of debt today. Two years after leaving school, students default on their federal loans at a rate of 9.1%, according to a recent report by the New York Federal Reserve Bank. That figure jumps to 13.4% at the three-year mark. 

And debt is wearing students down. More than half of millennials (54%) said debt was their biggest concern in a recent Wells Fargo Retirement Survey. Student debt still can't be discharged in bankruptcy, and if lawmakers can't cut a deal soon, the interest rate on Federal Stafford Subsidzed student loans will double. 

"A college degree has the potential to become more of a burden than a blessing for those saddled with unmanageable debt in a tough employment market," said Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in a speech in May.

"Student debt has become the defining feature of their lives — the millstone around their necks that holds them back from a full financial future."

It's not just 20-somethings who are struggling either.

We put out a call for real college graduates to share their student loan stories. We were shocked to see how many parents and students well into their 30s, 40s, and 50s, lined up to answer.

Here are their stories. Each interview has been edited for clarity.

Stephanie Snyder, 44, graduated in 2005 with a B.A. in Public Administration. She worked three jobs at one time to pay down her $38,000 student loan balance.

In the beginning, I did everything I could to stay afloat. I worked three jobs, all that would benefit and/or involve my son. I was a teacher's assistant, a diner waitress and mentored at the local Young Women's Christian Association. At age 40, in order to offer my son a better future and become financially stable, I enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard. I was injured during training and now I'm waiting for VA benefits. I went back into public service.

At the same time, I was going through a divorce, caring for a terminally ill father, and helping my mother and older sister financially. None of these hardships stopped the creditors. They started garnishing my paychecks at my last place of employment and offset my tax refunds, which left me little to care for my son and pay the bills (auto loan, renter/auto insurance, medical benefits, etc.). I made slightly too much for any public assistance.

I had a payment plan, started my payments, went into deferment and now I am in default. I just do not see the reason or sense in trying to pay this loan off anymore.

As told by Stephanie Snyder, 44, of Fayetteville, N.C.



Carla Ruiz, 53, earned her MBA in 2006. Today, she's $120,000 in debt and lives in an attic apartment.

When I bought a home in 2006 with a plan to refinance later, I decided to include my student loans at the same time. My broker said it was a great idea and that people did it all the time. 

Somehow, I was approved for an adjustable rate mortgage worth $250,000, paying $2200/month (all while raising seven children). When it came time to refinance my loan a few years later, my bank said my debt to income ratio was too high. I tried to modify my loan, but then the bank said I had to stop making mortgage payments to even qualify. 

I won’t go into the horror story of what trying to modify my loan was like. I eventually did a short sale. My house sold for $55,000 cash. Why the bank couldn’t work with me, I’ll never know. It was heartbreaking.  

I now live in an attic apartment, my credit is ruined and I can barely make the rent, not to mention my loan payments, which I had lowered through an Income-Based Repayment plan.

When my daughter enrolled at state college, she signed for a $10,000 loan. After her first year, I took her out and she now attends community college and works at Kmart to pay for classes. I cannot see her fall into the same trap I did.

As told by Carla Ruiz, 53, of Brooklyn, N.Y.



Kyle Laffin, 25, asked his dad to co-sign a $100,000+ private student loan for a B.A. in accounting. Now, he has $1,200 monthly payments. His dad is working two jobs and dipping into his retirement savings to help him pay it down.

I grew up in an upper-middle-class town in Massachusetts, but I hardly lived like it. I have worked my butt off my entire life. I drove a 1995 Geo Prizm. My only goal was to be as successful as my peers' parents, so I could support my family the way they had been able to.

Things didn't go as planned. 

I took out $100,000 in student loans from Sallie Mae to finance my degree (graduated in 2009), and my father co-signed the loan. Now, I'm working for a technology solutions firm, earning $40,000/year and facing $1,200 monthly payments I can't afford. 

Sallie Mae calls five times a day. We tried to lower my monthly payments, but they said my dad didn't qualify because his records showed a negative income.

That's because he's been taking money out of his retirement savings every month to help me. He works full-time, plus a part-time job at Dick's Sporting Goods to help. That was the most infuriating part of this entire ordeal. I can't express the guilt I feel from putting this financial burden on my dad.

As told by Kyle Laffin, 25, of Norwell, Mass. 



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D-DAY: Here's How The Allies Began To Win World War 2 [PHOTOS]

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D Day Normandy June 6 1944 27Every war has had one day that changed the tide--where one side began winning, and the other side began to lose.

That moment in the Second World War was D-Day--June 6, 1944--the day Allied forces crossed the English Channel and began to reclaim the European mainland.

Today is D-Day's 69th anniversary.

As we remember those who were there, we offer the following images.

It was overcast and foggy on June 6, 1944, when 160,000 troops landed on this French coastline.



Beaches along a 50-mile stretch of coastline in Normandy were given five names--Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Each was heavily defended by German troops.



The clouds kept Allied bombers from targeting the German forces and softening up their defenses.



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QUIZ: Can You Identify These Tech Companies Just By Looking At Their Logos?

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snapchatBack in the dotcom era, mascots were a staple in startups. Everyone remembers the Pets.com handpuppet.

After the boom and bust, startups started shifting to more serious-looking logos.

But now we're seeing more startups having a bit of fun with their logos and mascots.

New companies use logos effectively when they quickly communicate what they offer to potential customers who may be unfamiliar with the service. But so many logos seem to say nothing about the companies they represent.

So, can you determine the name of the following startups just by looking at their logos and mascots?

Name this startup:



Snapchat, a mobile app for sending self-destructing photos and videos.



Name this startup:



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The 23 Coolest Small Businesses In Seattle

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Hot Tub Boats

Seattle has always been a trendsetter of sorts: first with grunge music and the coffeehouse craze, and then with its burgeoning startup scene.

Today the Pacific Northwest city continues to set trends with innovative new businesses.

We found the 23 coolest small businesses in Seattle. The list includes a top new bakery, a paper shredding company, and a kind of boat that people used to only dream of.

Attendible

Online, based in Seattle

What it is: An online events board.

Why it's cool: This startup has local events boards online with the goal of making unforgettable experiences happen more often. People or companies post events from movie screenings to concerts to boat trips. You can browse events to see what interests you, or follow the boards that create events you enjoy attending. The business is social in that you can see which events are most popular and who is attending them.



Archie McPhee

1300 North 45th Street

What it is: A toy shop and "mecca" for weird toys.

Why it's cool: Archie McPhee is the toy store in Seattle for kids and grownups alike. People come for party favors, gag gifts, pranks, candy, and the more "typical" toys and games. Archie McPhee also offers birthday and bridal gift registries, and sells a collection of funny and alternative wedding cake toppers.



Bag Borrow or Steal

Online, based in Seattle

What it is: A handbag rental service.

Why it's cool: Bag Borrow or Steal gained a huge amount of publicity and some of its "coolness" factor thanks to the first Sex and the City movie. But what really makes it cool is that instead of having to purchase expensive luxury bags, you can rent them. It's a great service for people who want to try a bag out before buying it, for people who need who need a bag for a special occasion, or for those who have constantly evolving tastes.



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12 Weird Facts About The Countries That Have The Most Smartphones

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Korea virtual store

As of February, China became the world's biggest user of smartphones, bumping the U.S. out of the No. 1 spot.

That will likely never change, since China has 1.3 billion people compared to 313 million in the U.S., reports mobile analytics company Flurry, who first noted the rise of China.

That got us thinking. How many people use smartphones in other countries and what kinds of things do they do with them?

No. 1 China: They like the furtive nature of smartphones.

Number of mobile phones in use: 1.2 billion

Number of smartphones: 246 million

Fun fact: More than half (52%) of Chinese smartphone users like the device because they can use it furtively or "without being seen easily." China smartphone users also love apps. 27% of them use more than 21 apps on their smartphones. 

 



No. 2 U.S.: Everyone already has a smartphone

Number of mobile phones in use: 333 million

Number of smartphones: 230 million

Fun fact: The vast majority of 18-54-year-olds in the U.S. already have a smartphone. Of those over 65, 40% of the wealthy ones, making over $100K a year, have smartphones, too.



No 3: Japan: They love apps, but not social media.

Number of mobile phones in use: 128 million

Number of smartphones: 78 million

Fun fact: Japanese users love apps. They average a whopping 41 apps per phone, but they don't like social media. About one-third never use their phones for a social media site.

Bonus fun fact: Japanese scientists have developed a phone with a case that feels like human skin.



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15 Game-Changing Enterprise Hires That Tech Companies Made In The Past Year (MSFT, GOOG, AAPL)

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Jeanette Wing, Microsoft

When it comes to talent, the enterprise IT world is a lot like Major League Baseball: Even the people at the bottom of the ladder are still way more talented than the rest of the world. 

Still, there are certain types of enterprise tech skills that are hard to find, and they're not always technical ones.

Some people are visionaries, others are diligent researchers. Still other people possess the kind of wisdom that only comes from years and years of battling with other tech vendors. They know how the game is played. 

Exceptional leaders have a way of standing out no matter what their backgrounds. And companies work hard to poach them from competitors. Here are some of the biggest enterprise hires of the last 12 months.

T.K. (‘Ranga’) Rengarajan, Microsoft

Joined: May 2013

Title: VP of development for the data platform group in Microsoft’s Server and Tools Business

Previous Company And Role: He spent the past three years at SAP overseeing business analytics and HANA, SAP's in-memory database, a type of super-fast database that can store data and analytics on it at the same time.

Game Changing Skills: He's previously led tech teams at CA, which he joined through its acquisitions of Wily and Timestock. He's also worked at Sybase and networking and wireless startups.  He's a co-inventor of 6 database tech patents.



Mike Nash, HP

Joined: January 2013

Title: VP of product management for consumer PCs

Previous Company And Role: He spent most of the past three years as a VP in Amazon's Kindle unit. Before that he worked at Microsoft for more than 18 years, and was corporate VP of Windows Platform Strategy when he left. 

Game Changing Skills: He's got a diverse background: He was the first product manager on the Windows NT marketing team, and he also headed up Microsoft's security tech unit. Nash was also in charge of Windows during the Vista debacle, so he's used to operating under pressure. And with the consumer PC market tanking, he'll face no shortage of it at HP.



Kristin Paget, Apple

Joined: September 2012

Title: Core OS Security Researcher

Previous Company And Role: Has previously worked in security roles at eBay, Google, and IOActive, as well as independently as a consultant. 

Game Changing Skills: Formerly known as Chris Paget, she's an ethical hacker who's an expert in Windows security issues. She was part of a small group of elite hackers Microsoft hired to help make Windows Vista secure, Wired's Bob McMillan reported last December. With Apple becoming more of a target for hackers, she's part of a team working to keep Apple products safe

 



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Korea's Plastic Surgery Obsession Is A Glimpse Into The Future [PHOTOS]

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jaw surgery south korea

As technology improves, plastic surgery is getting cheaper, safer, better, and more popular around the world.

Nowhere is it catching on faster than in South Korea, where one in five women in Seoul have had some type of procedure, according to a 2009 survey by Trend Monitor.

It has become so common in South Korea that most of the stigma regarding surgery has dropped away, and celebrities and beauty queens openly discuss treatment.

Americans should take a good look at what could be a glimpse into the future.

Everyone in Korea wants the same look: Light skin, tiny nose, wide eyes with double lids, and a small face with a V-shaped chin.

Source: The New York Times




Koreans get plastic surgery to achieve this idealized look more than any other nation. It's estimated that one in five women in Seoul has had some type of plastic surgery.

Source: The Atlantic



Even the 2012 Miss Korea was revealed to have received plastic surgery. Critics claimed that it was an unfair advantage, while Yu-Mi countered, "I never said I was born beautiful." She kept her crown.

Source: KoreaBANG



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