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A new era of diplomatic relations with North Korea is on the horizon — here's what's happened so far

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Trump South Korea Moon

Following North Korea's overtures of reconciliation beginning in January, the regime has made several diplomatic moves to indicate it is willing to resume talks between the US and neighboring South Korea.

After sending a delegation of athletes and members of the ruling family to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, North Korea has made significant strides in thawing relations — though some political observers remain skeptical of the regime's motives.

Here are the latest developments between the US, South Korea, and North Korea:

SEE ALSO: North Korea is suspiciously calm about one of its biggest complaints — and it may be a trap for the US

During her trip to South Korea, Kim Yo Jong — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister — delivered a letter to South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The letter indicated a willingness to foster better relations between the Koreas. There was also an invitation to visit Pyongyang, North Korea's capital.



Kim Yo Jong's trip to South Korea marked the first time since the Korean War that a ruling family member of the North Korean regime visited the country.



North Korea then sent Kim Yong Chol, the country's vice chairman of the ruling Worker's Party Central Committee and the country's former intelligence chief, to South Korea for the Closing Ceremony at the Winter Olympics. Following Yo Jong's lead, Yong Chol also delivered a bombshell announcement: that North Korea was willing to hold diplomatic talks with the US.

Source: Yonhap News



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The wildest hats guests wore to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding

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wildest royal wedding hats

A royal wedding is exciting for several reasons. As bishop Michael Curry pointed out during his sermon, it's essentially a giant celebration of love and a new member of the royal family. But one aspect of the wedding stands tall above them all: the hats.

It has become customary for women to wear a hat or fascinator to most official royal events, and the hats seen at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding definitely did not disappoint. While nobody took as much of a risk as Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie did at Kate Middleton's wedding, there were still some eye-catching hats and fascinators to be seen.

From the queen's vivid neon green hat to Oprah's oversized design, here are the wildest hats from the royal wedding.

Camilla Duchess of Cornwall's feathery pink hat definitely turned a few heads.

It matched perfectly with her light pink dress.



The queen wore a bright green hat with a pop of purple.

Queen Elizabeth II never fails to deliver when it comes to hats.



Oprah Winfrey was one of the first celebrity guests to arrive — and naturally, she arrived in style.

Her wide-brimmed pink hat had both flowers and feathers with blush pink and grey tones.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

4 wild conspiracy theories about Melania Trump

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First lady Melania Trump's reserved public persona has been the target of a slew of conspiracy theories since her husband's 2016 election, all of which her staff have been quick to shut down.

It's hard to track which one came first, but it's sure none of them will be the last.

Here are four outlandish conspiracy theories about Trump, and the reasoning behind their spread.

SEE ALSO: Incredible facts about Melania Trump show she's unlike any other first lady

DON'T MISS: There's a conspiracy theory Melania Trump lives at a separate house in DC

Some think she's a Russian spy.

As "evidence," internet commenters point to a chat she had with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a dinner for last year's G-20 Summit.

While Trump doesn't speak Russian, she does know English, French, German, Italian, and Serbian, in addition to her native Slovenian — more languages than any previous American first lady.

Many saw her engaged in conversation at dinner with Putin, and reports described the two as friendly during the meal.

But there is no proof that Trump and Putin have had any other interaction, and no reason to think she has performed any work as a Russian spy beyond the occasional satire piece.

She has worked as a model and is a self-described "full-time mom," but hasn't mentioned Russian intelligence as a specialty.



Some think she doesn't live in the White House.

There's a "persistent" rumor that Trump lives in a separate house in DC with her parents and son, Barron Trump.

In a Washington Post story about the first lady's private life, her office denied the rumor as "1,000% false." Trump's spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, added, "We laugh at it all the time."

White House social secretary Rickie Niceta Lloyd called the rumor "an urban legend," and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said it was "ridiculous."

"Just when you think the Washington Post can't get things any more wrong, they do," Sanders said. "The first lady lives here at the White House. We see her here regularly."

Trump took longer than usual to move to the White House after her husband took office, spending the first five months of his presidency in New York City while Barron finished school in Manhattan.

In June 2017, the mother and son finally moved to the White House, and Barron started attending St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland, in the fall.



Some think she has a body double.

The theory first sprang to life when some thought Trump had been replaced by a look-alike for a public appearance, and continued when she was pictured alongside a Secret Service agent with similar hair and complexion.

This rumor has been vehemently denied by her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, but that didn't stop the internet from going ablaze.

Business Insider's Kate Taylor dug into the mystery and noticed the agent was always wearing heels in photos of her with the first lady.

The photos of the agent have Trump in them, which would make it pretty hard for her to be a "body double" for the first lady.



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12 nightmarish facts that will make you never want to visit another water park

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While water parks always seem like a good idea when the temperatures start rising, they're usually not worth the risk. Damp environments like pools and water slides are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria like E.coli and staph — not to mention the unsavory things floating around in the water itself.

If you're somehow not deterred by all the germs, perhaps thinking about the overwhelming amount of people who will have had the same idea as you will stop you.

Keep scrolling to learn about the brain-eating amoebas and chlorine-resistant parasites that make water parks the actual worst.

The crowds can be overwhelming.

The World Waterpark Association released a report estimating that 85 million people visited the 1,300 water parks in the US in 2015 alone.

At Disney, water parks like Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon can hit capacity as early as 11 am in July, meaning no one new can get inside until other visitors leave.



Injuries — especially from water slides — are commonplace.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 4,200 people had to visit the hospital in 2015 for injuries sustained at a public water park. These ranged from scrapes and concussions to broken limbs and spinal injuries.

A 2014 report by NJ.com found that water slides created more injuries than roller coasters. Of 552 reported amusement ride accidents spanning five years, 122 were from waterslides. 



In rare cases, water slide accidents have even led to fatalities.

In August 2016, the Schwab family was visiting Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, when their 10-year-old son Caleb died riding the Verrückt water slide, which had been dubbed the world's tallest.

Police confirmed to TIME that he was decapitated while on the slide. A year and a half after his death, the Kansas City Attorney General's Office confirmed that they would be pressing criminal charges against the company that owns the park and one of its former employees.

A bill was introduced to the state's House of Representatives proposing stricter regulations on amusement park rides and safety inspections, but it failed to pass.



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The rise and fall of New York City's 'Taxi King' who reportedly agreed to cooperate with the government as a potential witness against longtime business partner Michael Cohen

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Evgeny "Gene" Freidman was commonly referred to as New York City's Taxi King — notably by the New York attorney general's office and the law firms that have filed suit against him.

At one point, Freidman owned more than 800 taxi medallions, the metal plates on the hoods of yellow cabs that allow them to operate legally on the New York City streets. But in the past few years, Freidman has experienced a precipitous fall.

Freidman has reportedly agreeed to cooperate with the US government as a potential witness against his longtime business partner, Michael Cohen as part of a plea deal. The deal with prosecutors may have resounding implications not just for himself, but for special counsel Robert Mueller and his ongoing Russia probe.

Here's a look at the rise and fall of New York City's Taxi King.

Journey to the US.

Freidman's father was a thermonuclear engineer in Russia, but in 1976 he immigrated to the US with his wife and son amid growing Soviet anti-Semitism. Gene was 5 at the time.

In the US, Freidman's father worked in the taxi business and started a company that he would later pass on to his son.

Source: Crain's New York



From modest taxi business to Taxi King.

When Freidman took over his father's taxi business, the company owned 60 yellow cabs. Under several LLCs, Freidman increased that to more than 800.

Crain's New York reports that Freidman's profits increased from $2.5 million in 1996 to $120 million in 2012.

Freidman's companies often had interesting names, such as Hypnotic Taxi LLC, Milkyway Cab Corp., and Bourbon Taxi LLC.

Source: New York State Attorney General/Crain's New York



Medallion prices skyrocket ... for a time.

In 2013, New York City taxi medallions auctioned off for a record $1.32 million. In 2015, Freidman told Bloomberg that he operated more than 1,100 medallions. That would put the worth of Freidman's taxi fleet in the neighborhood of $1.5 billion.

Unfortunately for Freidman, the rise of Uber and other ride-hailing services caused a seismic shift in the transportation industry. Today, medallions have plummeted in value.

For many medallion owners who had borrowed against the value of their medallions, the falling value of their investments meant troubled times ahead.

Source: Bloomberg/City of New York



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Meet the 35 most exciting young entrepreneurs, engineers, and advisors in UK fintech

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LONDON — Fintech is a big business in the UK.

The British Treasury has now held two conferences to promote the country's burgeoning financial technology industry on the world stage and the government estimates that the entire sector is worth £7 billion to the UK economy. That's up from almost nothing a decade ago.

Business Insider has covered UK fintech since our 2014 launch. The UK Fintech 35 under 35 highlights the most promising young entrepreneurs, engineers, marketers, and sector experts under the age of 35. It spans both startups and big banks operating in the sector.

Here's who made the cut:

35. Pierce Glennie, 27, chief product officer at iwoca

Name: Pierce Glennie.

Age: 27.

Company: iwoca.

Role: Chief product officer.

iwoca is an online lending platform that gives small businesses quick and affordable access to credit. The company has lent over £400 million since its founding in 2011. Glennie was one of iwoca's first outside hires and just 21 when he joined the business. iwoca CEO Christoph Reiche says Glennie is "the single most valuable hires we've ever made and without him, iwoca wouldn't be what it is today."



34. James Birch, 28, associate director at Hambro Perks/InsurTech Gateway

Name: James Birch

Age: 28

Company: Hambro Perks

Role: Associate director

Birch is developing an "InsurTech" accelerator called InsurTech Gateway for Hambro Perks, a London-based venture builder company that creates startups. Prior to joining Hambro, Birch cofounded his own InsureTech startup — a chatbot called Meet Mia — and was an analyst at Accenture and EY before that. At Accenture, he was named a global "superstar analyst" two years running and at EY he helped set up the consultancy's fintech practice, which compiled the first-ever audit of British fintech for the UK's Treasury. Outside of work, he is a semi-professional race car driver.



33. Matthew Ford, 31, cofounder of Pariti

Name: Matthew Ford

Age: 31

Company: Pariti

Role: Cofounder

Despite being just 31, Matthew Ford has already had a hand in two successful fintech exits. After a stint as a strategy consultant, Ford led user acquisition at personal finance management app OnTrees, which was acquired by MoneySuperMarket in 2015. Ford had in fact already left by the time the acquisition closed and was setting up Pariti, another financial management app aimed at helping people save money and pay off debt. Backed by Index Ventures and JamJar Ventures, Pariti was acquired by startup bank Tandem for an undisclosed fee earlier this year.



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These are the 10 coolest cars for under $20,000

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It's getting harder and harder to find a cheap and cheerful new car these days. Even though cars are getting better by the day, they're also getting more expensive. In fact, average transaction price of a new car has gone up 3.3% over the past year. But fear not, the folks at Kelley Blue Book have come up with a list of 10 cool cars that can be had for less than $20,000

According to KBB, affordable cars can be cool for a variety of reasons ranging from styling to technology to driving dynamics.

Honda and Hyundai led the way with two cars each on the list. KBB praised the Honda Civic for its cool tech and overall excellent packaging. The company's fit received earned plaudits for its versatility and driving dynamics. 

KBB's staff loved the Hyundai Elantra's wide array of stand features and its likable styling while the brand's Kona crossover modern styling and advanced safety features drew praise.  The Soul crossover from Hyundai's sister brand, Kia, won acclaim for its bold looks and SUV-like versatility. 

Chevrolet's subcompact Sonic is one of only tw0 models from an American brand on the list. It also proved to be the list's most affordable car with a starting price of just $15,295. The other is the American to make the cut is the Jeep Renegade. The only European model on the list, the Volkswagen Golf, is also the most expensive with an MSRP of $20,910. However, entry into the list is based on KBB's fair purchase price data which indicates the Golf is available for less than $20,000. 

Subaru's Impreza made the list with its sharp looks, great tech features, and refinement. And finally, there's the Mazda 3. It's the top-ranked car on the list. In fact, this is the 15th time the Mazda 3 has made it onto the KBB list.

"Widely regarded as the best-looking and most fun-to-drive vehicle in its segment, the Mazda3 is the all-time champion of our budget-minded coolest cars list," the publication wrote.

Here's a closer look at all 10 of KBB's coolest cars for under $20,000:

SEE ALSO: We drove a $39,000 Toyota Camry V6 to see why it's the best selling car in America — here's what we found

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

10. 2018 Chevrolet Sonic: Starting price, $15,295



9. 2018 Hyundai Elantra: $19,350



8. 2018 Honda Fit: $16,190



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 surprising things royals aren't allowed to do

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Kate Middleton Eating Reuters

  • Royals don't eat shellfish or meat cooked rare due to food poisoning concerns, and must follow the queen's pacing at meals.
  • Royal dress code rules include neutral nail polish and stockings.
  • They also don't use social media (except for Princess Eugenie) or pose for selfies.

Royal life comes with many perks — enormous wealth, living in castles and palaces, and adoring fans all over the world, to name a few. But the position also requires certain standards of dress and behavior befitting of a prince or princess.

Here are 10 things that royals aren't allowed to do (though they've been known to break their own protocol).

SEE ALSO: Meghan Markle wore tights for her first appearance after marrying Prince Harry — and it shows she's actually following royal protocol

FOLLOW US: INSIDER is on Facebook

Eat shellfish or meat cooked rare

Shellfish and rarely-cooked meats pose a higher risk of food poisoning than other foods, and royals can't let an upset stomach get in the way of their duties.



Sign autographs

Royals aren't allowed to sign autographs for security reasons, to prevent people from forging their signature. Prince Charles is said to reply "I'm sorry, they don't allow me to do that" if people ask for his, but Meghan Markle broke this rule when she signed 10-year-old Caitlin Clarke's autograph book with a heart and smiley face.



Get political

The queen opens Parliament with the Queen's Speech every year, but the royal family refrains from voicing political opinions, running for office, and voting in order to relate to all members of society regardless of political affiliation.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best smartwatches you can buy

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

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The Insider Pick:

  • We tested dozens of smartwatches to find the best ones. After much testing, we found that the Apple Watch Series 3 offers the best smartwatch experience. If you're an Android user, we have many more choices for you, too.

Smartwatches aren't yet mandatory tech purchases, but they may be one day. For those of you who like to live on the cutting-edge side of the tech world, there's no better status symbol than the smartwatch.

Thankfully, smartwatches are a lot more attractive than they used to be, so you don't have to worry about strapping a clunky, futuristic gadget on your wrist anymore. We've tested dozens of smartwatches over the years, and these are the very best ones we've used.

There's a smartwatch for everyone on this list, whether you're an iPhone user who needs the latest and greatest Apple Watch, a Samsung fan who wants to pay for your latte with your wrist, a fashionista, or a WearOS aficionado, we've got you covered. 

Updated by Malarie Gokey on 05/23/2018: Added the Skagen Falster and the Kate Spade Scallop. Removed older models and updated prices.

Read on to check out our top picks for the best smartwatches you can buy.

Best smartwatch overall

Why you'll love it: TheApple Watch Series 3 is the most fully-featured smartwatch with a great interface, strong fitness tracking, and an optional LTE connection.

It doesn't get better than the Apple Watch Series 3. It's sleek and stylish with a modern design that works for both men and women. The smartwatch comes in 38mm and 42mm styles to fit wrists big and small. You can buy it in several finishes to match your style and there are dozens of Apple-made and third-party watch bands to make the Watch your own. 

No other smartwatch offers this much variety and customization, especially when it comes to female-friendly options. The Apple Watch is the only smartwatch I've ever worn regularly each day for months on end. I've reviewed dozens of Android Wear watches, and although many of them are nice looking as well, they're not as fully featured or easy to use as the Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch boasts cutting-edge smartwatch tech including mobile payments with Apple Pay, stand-alone GPS, full waterproofing, and thousands of apps. The user interface is very simple and attractive. It's easy to use and it has all the fitness tracking features you'd expect. 

You can also get an LTE version of the Series 3 for standalone smartwatch functions like calls, texts, and internet access. That way, you can leave your phone at home when you go out on a run or a long hike.

The LTE connection will cost you about $10 a month at most carriers, and the LTE model does cost more. Some early reviewers had connectivity issues, so beware if you're an early adopter. There's a non-LTE version, too, if you're not interested in the new feature. Most people probably don't need LTE, frankly, unless you regularly go on hikes or long runs and you don't want to be weighed down with your phone. Still, it's a nice option to have. 

The Series 3 lasts about a day on a charge, but you can get more out of it if you don't get notifications from every app on your iPhone.

Tech reviewers across the board from Digital Trends, CNET, Ars Technica, and Business Insider agree that the Apple Watch Series 3 is an excellent device. While other companies struggle to pack tons of tech into bulky smartwatches, Apple effortlessly offers all the tech you need in the most compact and attractive smartwatch you can buy. 

Pros: Waterproof and ready to swim, sleek design in two sizes for all wrists, works with Apple Pay, LTE option, GPS, easy to use and fully compatible with iPhone

Cons: Pricey, only compatible with iPhone, LTE may be finicky

Buy the 38mm Apple Watch Series 3 (no LTE) from Target for $329.99

Buy the 42mm Apple Watch Series 3 (no LTE) from Target for $359.99

Buy the 38mm Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE from Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, or Sprint for $399.99 full price (monthly payments vary)

Buy the 42mm Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE from Verizon,T-Mobile, AT&T, or Sprint for $429.99 full price (monthly payments vary)



Best smartwatch for Samsung fans

Why you'll love it: Samsung's Gear S3 looks like a sporty Swiss watch, but it's a full-blown smartwatch with Samsung Pay, GPS, and more.

If you're the proud owner of a Samsung smartphone, you'll probably want the Gear S3 smartwatch. It comes in two versions, which are nearly identical in terms of functionality: a sporty LTE-enabled version called the Frontier and the more traditional-looking Classic.

The Gear S3 Classic boasts a slick leather strap and a classy polished finish, while the Frontier has a dark finish and a tough silicon strap. This is definitely a man's watch, but women who like chunky and sporty smartwatches might also be interested. 

Many of my guy friends are in love with the design, and the Classic looks very slick when you're wearing a suit. The Frontier is best for hikers and guys who like a more rugged look.

The Gear S3 is water-resistant, has GPS for tracking your workouts, and offers Samsung Pay so you can buy coffee with a tap of your wrist. Samsung's Gear app store boasts thousands of apps for downloading. Its rotating bezel and circular interface make it a real winner. If you buy the Gear S3 Frontier from your carrier with a data plan, you can even run off with your watch and leave your phone behind.

Samsung fans will love the Gear S3. We personally love the look of the Classic, but the Frontier model is ideal for anyone who wants a stand-alone smartwatch with LTE for making calls and leaving their phone behind.

Pros: A classic masculine look, Samsung Pay, and it works great with Samsung phones

Cons: No lady-friendly version, and it's bulky

Buy the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier (no LTE) on Amazon for $328.97

Buy the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier (LTE) on AT&T for $349.99

Buy the Samsung Gear S3 Classic on Amazon for $299



The best smartwatch for tech geeks

Why you'll love it: The Huawei Watch 2's sporty good looks, built-in GPS, and high-tech features make it the best WearOS watch you can buy.

The first Huawei Watch won much acclaim from tech reviewers for its classic good looks and high-tech features. The Huawei Watch 2 is less sophisticated, and a lot more sporty, but it's also much more powerful.

Built-in GPS and a great workout coach make the Huawei Watch 2 a great companion on long runs and intense workouts. You can leave your phone behind, too, thanks to onboard music storage and the ability to connect Bluetooth headphones to the watch. Like the LG Watch Sport, the Huawei Watch 2 has an LTE version, but unfortunately, Huawei isn't selling that model in the US yet.

Like the LG Watch Sport, the Huawei Watch 2 has an LTE version, but unfortunately, Huawei isn't selling that model in the US yet. However, it does have WearOS, Google Assistant, and mobile payments with Android Pay, so the Watch 2 is very high-tech.

The design is slimmer than the LG Watch Sport, so it will look good on slimmer wrists. It's important to note that this is still a very masculine watch with a sporty design, and it's certainly chunkier than the Apple Watch 2.

Regardless, the Huawei Watch 2 is a great choice for sporty WearOS fans who don't need LTE or simply prefer Huawei's design.

Pros:WearOS, sporty design, built-in GPS, two-day battery life, Google Assistant, and mobile payments

Cons: Masculine style isn't very female friendly, no LTE support in the US

Buy the Concrete Gray and Yellow Huawei Watch 2 on Amazon for $259.99 (originally $299.99)

Buy the Carbon Black Huawei Watch 2 on Amazon for $228 (originally $299.99)



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Zuck and other Silicon Valley power players gathered in Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron — here's who was there (CRM, IBM, FB)

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This week, French President Emmanuel Macron convened the Tech for Good Summit, gathering up top Silicon Valley executives — including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, fresh off of his appearance in front of EU lawmakers.

Beyond just Zuckerberg, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was there, as was Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, along with execs and leaders from IBM, Salesforce, Samsung, and many other companies, according to TechCrunch.

Macron used the summit to remind the gathered Silicon Valley leaders of their responsibility to consumers and the world, in the wake of the recent scandals that have rocked companies like Google and Facebook. He also reminded them that France is in favor of strong tech regulation. 

"There is no free lunch," Macron told these tech leaders, asking them to make more of a commitment to bettering their companies in light of their responsibilities. 

Here are the big names that were in attendance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEE ALSO: 'Christ, this guy has the fate of European democracy in his hands': Lawmakers are worried Mark Zuckerberg still doesn't understand Facebook's massive power

The Tech for Good Summit took place at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on Wednesday, March 23. 50 tech leaders gathered for the event.

Included in the gaggle, in no particular order: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, Samsung President Young Sohn, and SAP CEO Bill McDermott, among others.

TechCrunch has the full guest list.



Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was there, as well as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.



Chairman of United Bank of Africa Tony Elumelu snapped a selfie alongside Zuckerberg while mingling during a group photo.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 off-the-beaten path destinations to visit in Europe this summer that won't be overrun with tourists

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Hindeloopen, Friesland, The Netherlands

While the US offers a number of places that are perfect for summer travel, you might want to consider going somewhere a little farther away.

Lonely Planet just released their Best in Europe list for 2018, which features 10 essential destinations that every traveler should consider.

From Italy's best region for foodies to some of Greece's most pristine beaches, these spots are all up-and-coming, which means they won't be overrun with tourists.

Keep scrolling for some of the continent's best hidden gems.

10. Tirana, Albania

What was once a not-so-vibrant city is now a rainbow of pastel-colored buildings, thanks to a former mayor who is now Albania's prime minister. Tirana branches out from Skanderbeg Square, and boasts ample green space, designer boutiques, and inventive bars. Go for a ride on the cable car up to Mount Dajti for the best views of the city.

Tirana is also conveniently located between the Adriatic Cost and the Albanian Alps, making it the perfect jumping off point for further travel.



9. Vipava Valley, Slovenia

Just an hour's drive from Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, the Vipava Valley is bursting with vineyards and boutique wineries. The valley shares a western border with Italy, and looks surprisingly similar to Tuscany — but without the price tag.

Opt for a cycling tour and bike your way through wine tastings.



8. Vilnius, Lithuania

Despite being Lithuania's capital, Vilnius doesn't make it onto too many traveler's lists — although it should. This year is an especially good time to visit, considering Lithuania is celebrating 100 years of independence, which means there will be plenty of celebrations and festivals.

Wander through the city's Baroque Old Town, and enjoy a craft beer or two while you savor the cuisine at a number of impressive Nordic-leaning restaurants.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

11 people reveal when they knew it was time to break up with their partner

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Love is a many splendored thing — until it all falls apart. It's even worse when you're stuck in a bad relationship but don't have the guts or self-awareness to break it off. Here, 11 people share when they knew it was time to break up with their partners.

Of course, these are from Reddit, so they're just for fun as we can't independently authenticate them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. She had no independent personality.

"She had no independent personality. Everything was an amalgam of who was most assertive in recent history. I really like Marvel movies, so she was a huge fan of them. Her parents thought XYZ, so she did. Her friends insisted this diet was perfect, so science be damned. She was great when we were together, because I was basically dating myself, but if I didn’t see her for a few days, she became someone else. 

I hit a breaking point when she went from planning a small weekend trip with me to saying we shouldn't ever be alone in private because her very religious parents lectured her about sinning. I broke my golden rule, which is never to do a break up anywhere but face to face, and just ended it because I realized if we did it face to face she would have reverted to my line of thinking and it would have gotten complicated."– Redditor turnscoffeeintocode



2. She didn't want to do the work that accompanies a relationship.

"When she wanted a relationship, but didn't want to do the work that accompanies a relationship."– Redditor Finish_Line53



3. They knew that their partner would never grow up.

"We got together in high school, went to college together. He kept in contact with his high school buddies, and getting him to network with his new peers was like pulling teeth. We went to a party one night and he told a really bad joke. Not bad in an offensive way, just not even remotely funny. It just so happened that he had told the same joke five years earlier at a party I hosted in my parents backyard. It wasn't funny the first time, either. I remember very vividly thinking, 'Holy f---, this guy is never going to grow the f--- up, like ever.' It was never the same after that."– Redditor CardsForSorrow



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 11 new TV shows that are probably going to be canceled first — sorry

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It's impossible to watch everything on TV today. With the sheer volume of programs on network, cable, and streaming services it can feel futile for audiences to invest themselves in a new show before it's been renewed for at least a second season.

The five major networks have so far canceled18 of the 39 freshman scripted series they ordered last year. Those same networks just ordered 37 new shows for the 2018-2019 season. Not all of those series will survive beyond a single season, nor should they. There will undoubtedly be some unjustified casualties in the mix, but the increased demand for content means networks are sometimes just throwing everything out there and seeing what sticks — and you don't have time for that.

Below are the new shows that probably won't make it past season 1. 

"A Million Little Things" (ABC)

Networks are still trying to find their own version of NBC's megahit "This Is Us." That seems to mean focusing on emotional, interconnected storylines that prioritizes making the audience cry above all else. "A Million Little Things" follows a large group of friends who get a wake-up call to "finally start living" after one of them dies by suicide (Ron Livingston). It's immediately reminiscent of "The Big Chill" and the trailer hints at some sort of mystery aspect to the suicide that invites at least a cursory comparison to Netflix's "13 Reasons Why."

Though the new ABC show seems just as emotionally manipulative as "This Is Us," it doesn't feel like it's going to last, let alone be a real competitor for the weepy NBC family drama.

Watch the trailer here.



"Fam" (CBS)

Aw, look at CBS trying to be young and hip and aware of slang. "Fam" stars Nina Dobrev as a woman whose picture-perfect life hits a snag when her out-of-control teenage half-sister unexpectedly comes to live with her and her fiancé. A trailer for "Fam" has yet to be released, but the odds this show makes it beyond the first season are very slim, especially when you consider CBS' recent track record with multi-camera family comedies.

 



"The Fix" (ABC)

"The People v. O.J. Simpson" was a success for FX and the seven-hour ESPN documentary "O.J.: Made In America"won an Oscar, but does that mean we need a sequel?

"The Fix" feels like a fantasy vehicle for executive producer and former Simpson-prosecutor Marcia Clark to try Simpson for murder yet again.

The series stars Robin Tunney as a Los Angeles district attorney who suffered a devastating defeat while prosecuting an A-list actor (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) for double murder. Eight years later, she is determine to put him behind bars when he is suspected of murdering his new girlfriend.

It's difficult to imagine the series sustaining itself in an interesting way when every aspect of Simpson's story has already been thoroughly mined and explored. It's even more difficult to imagine viewers consistently tuning in since the public's interest in the case seems to have considerably waned.

Watch the trailer here.  



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Scientists just discovered these 10 bizarre and beautiful animal species that show what it takes to survive on Earth against the odds

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top 10 new species of 2018 esf

  • The State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry just released its list of the "top 10 new species for 2018."
  • These newly discovered and named species demonstrate how large, small, beautiful, and bizarre the unknown life out there really is.
  • The list is released annually on May 23 in recognition of the birthday of Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who developed the modern system of taxonomy that we use to classify animals.


There's an astonishing amount of life out there that we still know almost nothing about.

But if we're not careful, most of those creatures could be lost before we get a chance to get to learn how they're uniquely adapted for life on Earth. Every year, approximately 18,000 new species are named and classified. But we believe about 20,000 species go extinct annually.

Highlighting the need to preserve biodiversity is the motivation behind the annual "Top 10 New Species for 2018" list, which is put together by the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).

Since 2008, ESF has selected 10 newly discovered and named species that demonstrate how large, small, beautiful, and bizarre the unknown life out there really is. The list is released every May 23 in recognition of the birthday of Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who developed the modern system of taxonomy that we still use to classify animals down to their genus and species.

The newest list includes a tree that can stretch more than 130 feet into the sky and a single-celled creature that was discovered in an aquarium and doesn't fit neatly into any known group of similar organisms. A beetle that disguises itself as part of an ant and an extinct marsupial lion that used to roam Australia are also featured.

"So many of these species — if we don't find them, name them and describe them now — will be lost forever. And yet they can teach us so much about the intricacies of ecosystems and the details of evolutionary history," ESF president Quentin Wheeler said in a news release. "Each of them has found a way to survive against the odds of changing competition, climate and environmental conditions. So each can teach us something really worth knowing as we face an uncertain environmental future ourselves."

There are the ESF's top 10 new species for 2018.

SEE ALSO: One type of tick can make people allergic to red meat — and it seems to be spreading

The Ancoracysta twista is a single-celled eukaryote. It uses the flagella visible in this image to propel itself around as it hunts other tiny organisms.

Ancoracysta twista was discovered in an aquarium in San Diego, California, USA. It’s a new single-celled protist that has challenged scientists to determine its nearest relatives. 



These Dinizia jueirana-facao trees, also known as Atlantic forest trees, are found only in and near the Reserva Natural Vale in Espirito Santo, Brazil.

A Dinizia jueirana-facao tree weighs an estimated 62 tons (56,000 kg). The tree species is limited — there are only 25 known individuals, about half of which are in a protected area, making it critically endangered.



The Epimeria quasimodo amphipod is about two inches long and comes from a genus that's abundant in glacial waters.

Epimeria quasimodo is one of 26 new species of amphipods of the genus Epimeria from the Southern Ocean. It is named for Quasimodo the hunchback in reference to its shape.



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What to expect if '13 Reasons Why' comes back for another season

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13 reasons why season 3 clay

  • A third season of "13 Reasons Why" seems inevitable given the shocking events that happened in the season two finale.
  • Season two follows the court case against Liberty High School in the aftermath of Hannah Baker's suicide, and given the ending, it seems likely that a third season would not include Hannah at all. 
  • If the popular Netflix original series were to return for another season, it seems likely that the story would dive deeper into Tyler's struggles. 
  • Given that many of the existing characters are meant to be graduating soon, "13 Reasons Why" might need to consider introducing new people or diving deeper into the stories of some of the more minor characters like Cyrus and Chloe. 

Another season of "13 Reasons Why" feels all but inevitable after the finale of season two was left so open-ended, but what exactly can you expect from the third visit to Liberty High School?

Although source material Jay Asher's YA novel of the same name was just one book and used for season one, "13 Reasons Why" has become one of Netflix's biggest shows and has grown beyond the basic story of Hannah Baker's suicide, with season two arriving in May 2018

The season has been the subject of mixed reviews; many rightly feel that Hannah Baker's story had been told in season one and that it didn't need to be seen played out again from other angles. That said, the second season of "13 Reasons Why" also took a more in-depth look at other characters, such as Jessica, who managed to find the courage to speak out about Bryce raping her, and Tyler, who suffered a brutal sexual assault in the season finale, leading him to attempt a mass shooting during the spring dance. And, clearly, there's a lot of threads left for "13 Reasons Why" to pick up in another season.

Hannah Baker shouldn't come back for "13 Reasons Why" season three

The story of Hannah Baker's suicide was told, fully and completely in season one. Perhaps afraid to let go of such a central character, showrunner Brian Yorkey decided that season two would focus on the court case brought against Liberty High School by Hannah's parents. That meant that the viewers saw Hannah (Katherine Langford) again, through the eyes of her peers, and especially from Clay's point of view. In fact, he became so obsessed with getting justice for Hannah that he started seeing and talking to her ghost all the time. This impacted upon his relationships with Skye, his parents, and his friends.

It got to the point where Hannah's continual influence over "13 Reasons Why" had become a huge drag. In the finale, when Clay (Dylan Minnette) gives a eulogy at her memorial service, we see Hannah walking out into a bright light. While you're probably supposed to feel a little wistful and sad, the moment plays with more a sense of relief. Regardless of the impact, the moment makes it feel like "13 Reasons Why" season three simply cannot bring Hannah back again; in order for a third season to succeed, the showrunners have to shift the focus and put Hannah's story firmly behind them.



Bryce also needs to stay away in season three

It took long enough, but Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice) was eventually convicted of rape. The judge only handed down a three-month probation order, but Jessica still felt stronger at the end of it all. By the end of "13 Reasons Why" season two, she was beginning to build a relationship with Justin again, forming solid friendships, and getting back on track at school. Bryce, meanwhile, had lost all of his college scholarship prospects and was transferring to another school where he had to start as a Junior.

For viewers who have been waiting to see justice served, it was a satisfactory outcome, and although Prentice has given an exceptional performance, it seemed like the right time for Bryce to exit the show. That said, in the season finale, it's revealed that his girlfriend Chloe, is pregnant. "13 Reasons Why" season three will surely pick up with her as she decides whether to keep the baby and if she does, that means Bryce could well come back.



Clay should be given a chance to move on

Dylan Minnette gave an outstanding performance in "13 Reasons Why" season two as Clay Jensen, the troubled teenager trying to decide his future while still grieving his past. He was haunted (literally) by Hannah, and his constant feeling of inadequacy surrounding her death. At such a crucial time in his life, the last thing Clay really needed was Hannah's story being played out in court and, subsequently, the media. It all took its toll on Clay, who made some poor choices during the second season. That said, he came good in the finale when he gave a calm but impassioned speech to Tyler and managed to talk him out of carrying out a school shooting. To the sound of distant sirens, Clay got Tyler safely into Tony's car, and consequently, he was left holding the gun.

The implication is that Clay will now end up having to convince everyone that he was not about to carry out a school shooting, and also attempting to explain how and why he came to be in possession of an assault rifle. Given that Clay has always tried to do his best by others, despite often being naive, it would be good to finally see things going right for him in season three.



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The 10 best countries for work-life balance, according to expats

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Oslo Norway Woman Riding Bike

Moving to a new country usually means adjusting to a new way of life — both in and out of work.

InterNations, the world's largest network for expats, has compiled the top 10 countries for work-life balance. The ranking is based on interviews with some 13,000 expats living in 188 regions.

The company also found that people who reported to be happiest with their work-life balance do not necessarily work fewer hours — it's the quality of life outside work that seems to count more.

Scroll down to see the best countries for work-life balance, alongside the number of hours expats tend to work there:

SEE ALSO: 27 cities around the world where expats are happy, rents are affordable, and jobs are plentiful

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10. Malta — where expats working full-time put in about 43.9 hours per week, less than the global average (44.3 hours per week). Many expats in this country reported having more than enough disposable income to cover everything they need.



9. Oman — 43.5 hours/week. While most expats are happy with their work-life balance, many report a relatively low satisfaction with their career prospects and job security.



8. The Netherlands — 42 hours/week. Most expats reported being particularly happy with the country's booming economy and labour market. One Canadian expat said: "Life is hassle-free and very relaxed."



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5 things my parents let me do that I would never let my kids do

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Parenthood

  • Parenthood is wildly different now than when I was a child.
  • There are many things my parents let me do that I would never let my own kids do today — like spend a month in Europe on my own or light fireworks.
  • Sure, wandering miles from home and staying home alone during middle school worked out for me and my brother in the 80s and 90s, but that was then.
  • Here are five things my parents let me do that I would never let my kids do.

 

Maybe the times have changed, or maybe I'm just not as laid back in my approach to parenting as my folks were. There are a lot of things my parents let me do that I would never allow my own kids to do.

My wife and I will encourage our kids (currently a four-year-old and an infant) to be freethinking and eager to explore the world, but that doesn't mean they'll be free to roam without supervision like I often did.

Sure, wandering miles from home during grade school, playing with fireworks, and road trips at age 16 worked out for my brother and me back in the 80s and 90s, but that was then.

Here are things my parents let me do that I’ll never allow my kids to do.

SEE ALSO: 7 ways people raise their kids around the world that US parents could learn from

1. I spent a month in Europe at age 14 ... without my parents

When I was 14, my buddy and I headed off to Europe for a month without parents. We were enrolled in a Spanish-language course that provided housing, meals, a daily schedule, and a nightly curfew. But for about four hours each afternoon and for entire weekend days, we were free to roam the lovely Spanish city of Salamanca without the least bit of supervision.

Since we were very mature eighth-grade graduates, we got into some trouble. For instance, I once got a mouthful of red wine vinegar after making a mistaken purchase at a grocery store. We also got chased out of a restaurant after accidentally exploding a glass ashtray using a butane lighter. 

My kids aren't going on any overseas odysseys without me until they're at least a few years older than I was.



2. I drove alone starting the day I got my license

I got my driver's license the day I turned 16, and that very day I was allowed to hop into our blue Toyota Previa and head out on the road alone. Granted, I drove all of two miles that first afternoon, but within a matter of weeks I was cruising around with impunity, even driving myself to school despite the fact that sophomores weren't supposed to. (For the record, my parents didn't know about that particular school policy.)

My kids can start driving themselves around alone after first driving around with my wife or me in the car for a year.



3. I played with fire ... literally

In my younger years, fireworks were one of life’s greatest pleasures. We would even combine the contents of multiple cherry bombs, rockets, and roman candles into one horribly dangerous concoction.

Looking back from the vantage point of adulthood, it's a miracle that I have all ten fingers and zero burn scars. It's an absolute certainty that my kids aren't going to play around with fireworks of any kind — especially not without me there to play, too.



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11 office horror stories that will make you want to work from home

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superstore

Everyone has a work horror story. And, lucky for you, some people are willing to tell theirs. 

In Twitter threads and on Reddit, people have shared their worst work-related stories of nightmare coworkers, awful bosses, and their own embarrassing mistakes.

Although INSIDER can't independently verify any of the claims, they sure are fun — and also painful — to read.

Here are 12 of the worst workplace horror stories we've ever heard — and they might make you decide to work from home.

1. He served his manager cleaning acid instead of coffee.

"I ran two coffee jugs of cleaning acid through the coffee machines (it looked like water) and served a cup to the visiting area manager, on my first day at the Deep Pan Pizza Company in Purley." - Twitter user ThinkyThoughtHead



2. He tried to open some curtains and instead made a man fall from a ladder.

"First day of job in educational reference library located in old primary school hall with floor to ceiling windows. Couldn't see computer screen due to sun, so tried to pull heavy duty curtains. The whole lot came down, [including the] guy on step ladder who'd just finished hanging them." - Twitter user I don't like divas or double daffodils



3. She had no tact on a phone call with a widow.

"Worked as a GP receptionist. Had to update their smoking cessation data, which meant ringing registered patients to ask if they'd thought of quitting. Phoned Mr. *Smith*; his wife answered. I asked if he could come to the phone, she said he was dead. I said, "So, not a smoker then?" - Twitter user Emily Burt



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12 people share their worst break up stories

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legally blonde elle woods breakup

Break ups, no matter how they're done or who does them, are never a pleasant experience. Whether they're healthy or out of the blue, both parties involved are typically left feeling alone and vulnerable in the end.

Naturally, break ups are part of the dating lifestyle, and many believe that in order to find "the one," people have to go through a few heartaches and bumps in the road. In this case, sometimes calling it quits on a relationship can be a good thing if it leads to something better in the end. But of course, that doesn't mean the process won't hurt in the moment.

While some break up stories are relatively harmless, there are plenty of horror stories out there that are cringeworthy, and flat out painful to relive. On Reddit's "ask" page, many ex-lovers retell their worst experiences being dumped or dumping their significant others. Their stories will make you laugh, cry, and feel second-hand embarrassment or guilt, but one thing is for sure, none of these couples are together any longer.

This is just for fun, as INSIDER cannot independently verify these stories.

 

"I broke up with her while still inside of her."

"So not me being dumped but doing the dumping. I had been dating this girl for about nine months and my feelings toward her had gotten a little confused in the couple days leading up to it. Then one night were at my place and we start having sex and after a bit it hits me and I realize I don't love this girl anymore and more realistically confused my feelings for love in the first place.

"Well in that moment she noticed something changed before I could hide it and she demanded an explanation. There was no way out of it. I told her I didn't love her anymore and broke up with her while still inside of her. God, I wish it had gone differently and that I could have ended it in a much better way. Still feel bad about it to this day." - Reddit user danlvv



"I rode my bike two miles up a hill so steep I fell off the bike…"

"This guy I dated in high school was such a jerk when he dumped me.

"He'd gone away over spring break, and when he came back, he called me and said that he just had to see me. My parents weren't home, so I would either have to walk to his house or ride my bike. He lived two miles away, up a really steep hill. He kept insisting that I come over, so I got on my bike. The hill was so steep that I actually fell off my bike and then could not get back on.

"I was exhausted, thirsty, and sweaty by the time I reached his house. I was ready to collar, but he wanted to go for a walk. I gulped down a glass of water, then we went for a walk. He walked to the center of town, which was fairly crowded, and then he dumped me. He went on and on about how he loved me but how he wasn't 'in love' with me, and then he turned around and walked home. I walked back to his house, got my bike, and then left." - Reddit user Onefortheisland 



"Revival of the ex"

"Buddy of mine had been dating this girl in for about two years when she just disappeared. We couldn't track her down. Her parents had heard from her but didn't know where she was. Anyway about three months had passed my buddy was well on his way to getting over his ex by chatting up this chick at a bar one night. About the time he was going to ask her out his ex walked up. The girl he was chatting up introduced his ex as her girlfriend." - Reddit user jumpinconclusions



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The 30 best shows to binge-watch in less than 24 hours

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dear white people

  • If you need an easy show to binge-watch, start with a series like "Stranger Things" or "Big Little Lies."
  • The Marvel series "The Defenders" consists of only eight episodes, all available on Netflix.
  • For a superhero show that you won't fall quickly behind on, try "Black Lightning."

Looking for something to do over the weekend? Fear not! We’ve got you covered.

Luckily, we live in a world where there’s no danger of running out of TV shows to watch. The downside of this wonderful insanity is that there’s never enough time in our lives. Of course, there are times when you just need a show to be really damn good and super fast to binge-watch. 

If you’re looking to settle in a for long weekend binge-a-thon, here are some great options we’ve compiled to fulfill your need for a brief, enticing TV fling. Keep reading to find out what made it on our list of the best TV shows to binge-watch in less than 24 hours. So grab some snacks, your favorite TV-viewing buddy, and — as always — binge with caution!

"Party Down"

Where to watch: Hulu
2 seasons, 20 episodes
Runtime per episode: 
26-30 mins

Premise: Oh, the life of reluctant caterers trying to make it in Hollywood can be so worrisome! "Party Down" fronts a crazy-funny cast and follows six Hollywood wannabe actors and writers who are chasing their dreams of stardom. To make ends meet, these misfits work for a posh LA catering company that provides services for events like a mixer for the elderly and even a porn awards afterparty! Seriously, no matter how many times you watch "Party Down," you’ll never get tired of hearing the words "Scrotum Phillips."



"Big Little Lies"

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, HBO.com
1 season, 7 episodes
Runtime per episode: 52–58 mins

Premise: Based on the book of the same name by Liane Moriarty, "Big Little Lies" follows three mothers whose seemingly perfect lives unravel in unexpected ways. The idea of domesticity, particularly in relation to marriage, motherhood, and an upper-middle-class lifestyle, is challenged in the series. The series starts off with a mysterious death and then rewinds back to the events that led up to this horrendous moment.



"Enlightened"

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, HBO.com
2 seasons, 18 episodes
Runtime per episode: 25-30 mins

Premise: Despite earning Laura Dern a much-deserved Golden Globe, "Enlightened" remains an egregiously underrated cult comedy. The series finds humor in Amy Jellicoe’s philosophical awakening after her career implodes to the umpteenth degree. Yeah, that’s not an easy storyline to master, but it's pure bliss watching Amy spit out one delusional mantra after another. This woman is the epitome of pretending to not be scream internally.



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