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22 things you didn't know about 'The Office'

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the office

  • "The Office" ran for nine seasons.
  • The cast included Steve Carell, John Krasinski, and Mindy Kaling.
  • Jim and Pam's first kiss was John Krasinski's first on-screen kiss.
  • The computers in the office actually had Internet.
  • Jenna Fischer kept Pam's engagement ring.

"The Office" has become such an irreversible part of American pop culture that psychologists have explored why people can't seem to stop bingeing it on Netflix. Its fans are so dedicated that star Steve Carell even dedicated his recent "Saturday Night Live" cold open to shutting down the notion of a revival.

And so, for the hundreds of thousands of fans with "The Office" queued up on their computers right now, we've rounded up some surprising facts about the show and its cast that will make your team speechless with gratitude on trivia night.

Angela Kinsey was a phone operator for 1-800-Dentist when she auditioned for the show.

"1-800-Dentist, this is Angela," she quipped on "Larry King Now" in February. "Did you need a check-up and cleaning or do you have a specific dental problem today?"

It's good Kinsey got the part because her operator gig "is gonna haunt [her] for the rest of [her] life."



The temperature on set had to be kept at a cold 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

The reason for this, according to Rainn Wilson who plays Dwight, is because Steve Carell had active sweat glands that could ruin a shot. The entire cast had to suffer until the crew finally sprung for space heaters.



Jim and Pam's first kiss was John Krasinski's first on-screen kiss.

Krasinski admitted in an interview that his first on-screen kiss was with none other than Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly.

"My first on-screen kiss was with Jenna Fischer in 'Casino Night' when I say I love her," he recalled. "It's a pretty big moment to have be your first on-screen kiss and it's not one that we really wanted to screw up. I don't think I told her it was my first on-screen kiss," he added. In fact, Fischer asked him if it was, and he denied it. 



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Here are 40 photos that tell the story of Trump and his administration in 2018

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trump newspaper

  • Thousands of photos were taken of President Trump, his administration, and his nominees in 2018.
  • From new laws being signed in the Oval Office to a presidential tour of border wall prototypes, photographers were there to capture the second year of the Trump presidency. 

President Donald Trump is finishing his second year in office — a year that included the first-ever meeting between a US president and a North Korean head of state, the deadliest wildfire in the US in 100 years, and allegations of sexual misconduct against a Supreme Court nominee. 

Here are 40 photos of Trump, his administration, and nominees — taken by photojournalists and photographers employed by the White House — that stand out the most from 2018:

SEE ALSO: 9 celebrities who visited Trump in the White House in 2018

Jan. 6, 2018: President Trump —joined by Vice President Mike Pence, Cabinet members, and Republican legislative leaders — makes remarks after a two-day retreat to plan the 2018 legislative agenda.



Jan 24., 2018: Trump speaks with reporters during a press briefing in White House Chief of Staff John Kelly’s office in the West Wing.



Jan. 30, 2018: White House Chief of Staff John Kelly looks on alongside members of Trump's cabinet during the State of the Union address in the House chamber.



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The massive ocean cleanup device invented by a 24-year-old is still leaking plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

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TOC_Computer_Renderings_Closeup_Floater The Ocean Cleanup

  • More than 320 million metric tons of plastic are produced every year, with much of it accumulating in oceans.
  • The Ocean Cleanup, founded by a Dutch innovator named Boyan Slat, is trying to clean up plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a trash-filled vortex that's more than twice the size of Texas. 
  • More than eight weeks after Slat deployed a 2,000-foot-long cleanup tool in the area, the device is still struggling to pick up plastic.
  • The Ocean Cleanup said more testing needs to be done to determine the problem, but the group remains confident that it will achieve its goal. 

It's been about eight weeks since 24-year-old Dutch innovator Boyan Slat deployed his massive cleanup array in the Pacific Ocean, and there's still no sign of success. 

In October, the 2,000-foot-long device, known as "Wilson," was supposed to begin harvesting plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a trash-filled vortex that's more than twice the size of Texas. 

Read more:What the creators of the giant plastic-cleaning system headed to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch say to critics who doubt them

By the end of November, Slat's organization, The Ocean Cleanup, released an update saying they had encountered a major problem: Wilson was spilling the plastic it had collected, either because the system was moving too slowly or vibrations near the mouth of the system were pushing the plastic away.

Now The Ocean Cleanup reports that the system will require further testing. 

"This is a challenge we did not predict," the organization wrote in a December 18 post on its website. "Upon further inspection, Wilson might have a greater impact on the currents carrying the plastic than we initially projected."

180423_Screen_Assembly 7_2 The Ocean Cleanup

While the organization still believes that the device isn't moving fast enough, they've struggled to find a way to increase its speed. 

The next step is to add dye to the water to observe how it flows near the system. The patterns will be recorded by a drone hovering overhead. 

The Ocean Cleanup will also deploy a vessel known as "Eve" to measure the speed of the current, and how it may differ from the speed of the plastic.

Despite recent challenges, the organization believes its end goal — to collect 50 tons of plastic within one year — is still in sight.

"Most of the design has withstood the tests of the Pacific," they wrote. "For the beta phase of a technology, this is already a success."

boyan slat the ocean cleanup

Plastic is entering oceans in increasing amounts, and scientists expect it to outweigh all fish in oceans by 2050.

In addition to killing marine life, the garbage is destroying ecosystems that people rely on to live. Our food supply is affected, too, as people eat fish that have absorbed chemicals from plastic.

Several experts have expressed concerns about Slat's device, saying it could cause more harm than benefit.

Slat defended his device in a previous interview with Business Insider, claiming that every new technology is met with some skepticism.

"There will always be people saying things can't be done," he said. "And history shows that time and time again things 'couldn't be done' and they were done."

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15 fun and whimsical gifts from The Metropolitan Museum of Art — that should still arrive in time for Christmas

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

unicorn ornament

Buying gifts for the artsy-fartsy souls in our lives can be a mystifying experience. They're impossible to buy clothes for, and the run of the mill gift card or Kindle is far too pedestrian.

But thank goodness, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is, as always, at your service and to the rescue. And, until 1 p.m. EST on December 20th, The Met is offering an upgrade to two-business-day shipping for just $1, guaranteeing (as best they can) that Kris Kringle has just enough time to shoot down the chimney and slide these gifts under the tree. If you're anything like me, that should come as a tremendous relief.

We've rounded up gifts for all age groups, tastes, and interests, so rest easy, my Philistine (and otherwise lost) friends, we (and The Met) are here for you.

Below, you'll find 15 of the best gifts you can buy from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

A unicorn ornament from The Unicorn Tapestries

Unicorn Ornament, $28 (member price: $25.20)

This ornament features The Unicorn in Captivity from the famous medieval Unicorn Tapestries hanging at The Met Cloisters.



A coffee table book of David Hockney's delightful works

David Hockney, $40 (member price: $36)

David Hockney has graced us with decades of delightful illustrations. It's about time we all have a book of them.



A tea-infusing mug littered with Steinlen cats

Steinlen Cats Covered Mug with Tea Infuser, $20 (Member price: $18)

Understated yet elegant, and a very safe bet. Plus, there are cats! All art lovers and artistes alike love cats, right?



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Heartwarming video shows LeBron James coaching his son up after a tough game

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LeBron and Bryce James

  • LeBron James coached up his son Bryce after a tough game.
  • In a video posted to Instagram, James is seen reminding his son of the great plays he made throughout the game.
  • James' mind is always recording when basketball is being played.

There undoubtedly a lot of pressure that comes with being the son of the greatest basketball player of all time.

But as LeBron James recently showed through an Instagram post, having the GOAT as your father also comes with plenty of advantages.

James posted a video on Wednesday of him coaching his son Bryce up after a tough game.

James has shown his incredible memory on numerous occasions, and as it turns out, his mind is still recording every moment of every game, even when it comes to his son's games.

Read more:LeBron once again showcased his photographic memory, recalling all 6 of his turnovers in exact detail

"You made three of the biggest plays of the game," James reminds his son. "You got the offensive rebound, down four, got the tip-in, right? Then you had the outlet pass to Owen when he got the and-one, and then you made the last swing to him for the game-winner."

"If you making shots or missing shots, don't worry about it, kid," James finishes. "You played a hell of a game. I'm proud of you."

Should James ever decide to retire from the NBA, among many other potential jobs, he could have a brilliant future ahead of him as a youth basketball coach.

SEE ALSO: The Lakers and Celtics are both in the race for Anthony Davis, but it could become a complex waiting game

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NOW WATCH: Bernie Madoff was arrested 10 years ago today — here's what his life is like in prison

The top resolutions people want their spouses to make in 2019

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couple wine

  • INSIDER recently surveyed 1,102 people about their New Year's resolutions and discovered the goals people want their spouses to make for 2019.
  • 19.2% of men and 14.6% of women said they wanted their spouses to lose weight for a 2019 resolution.
  • 9% of men and 12.6% of women want their spouse to create — and stick to — a budget
  • Suggesting resolutions for your partner shows you care and are invested in their future, therapist and relationship expert Rachel Sussman told INSIDER.

Every year, as December draws to a close, people make New Year's resolutions in hopes of changing in the year ahead. But people don't just make resolutions for themselves. As it turns out, people like to suggest goals for their partners too. 

INSIDER recently surveyed 1,102 people about their New Year's resolutions, as well as ones they want to make for their spouse.

Most people didn't have resolutions in mind for their spouses, but of those who did, weight loss was most popular

Although 19.6% of survey respondents said they had no resolutions in mind for their spouses, 16.8% of respondents saying they wanted their partners to lose weight in 2019. Of those respondents, 19.2% identified as males and 14.6% identified as females.

Another popular resolution was "work out or exercise more," which ranked third overall among responses, with 14.5% of respondents saying they would like their partner to do so. Men, however, were more interested in weight loss as a goal for their partners while women were more interested in their partners exercising more.

most popular resolutions americans want spouses make 2019

Physical health resolutions weren't the only popular goals though: 10.9% of respondents, 9% who were male and 12.6% who were female, said they wanted their spouses to create or stick to a budget in 2019.

Other top resolutions included being a better partner, paying off debt, stopping a bad habit, and quitting or reducing smoking, according to the poll.

most popular resolutions male female spouses 2019

If done correctly, suggesting resolutions for your partner can strengthen your relationship

Suggesting a resolution like the ones above to your partner may seem overbearing, but doing so can actually bolster your relationship.

"It's a way of showing that you care, are invested in their future, and want your partner to be the best they can be," Rachel Sussman, a therapist and relationship expert, told INSIDER. She suggested completing a resolution together because it can unite a couple around a joint goal and help a person learn more about their partner, like how they handle stress and commitment. 

Read more:15 real people share their secrets to a long-lasting relationship

Encouraging your partner to set a resolution can be helpful, but you shouldn't nag at them if they're not hitting their goals, Sussman said. "Nagging is annoying and the results will be counterproductive to what you're trying to achieve."

Instead, offer praise when they hit a milestone, suggest working towards the goal together, or even offer a reward for completing the resolution.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

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NOW WATCH: Why Harvard scientists think this interstellar object might be an alien spacecraft

The maker of Budweiser is teaming up with Tilray to explore marijuana-infused beverages (TLRY, BUD)

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budweiser millennials beer

  • Tilray shares jumped as much as 18% late Wednesday after the cannabis producer announced a partnership with AB InBev to research non-alcohol beverages containing THC and CBD.
  • The partnership between the two companies would be limited to Canada, according to a statement from Tilray.
  • Follow Tilray's stock price here.

The cannabis producer Tilray jumped 18% late Wednesday after the company announced a partnership with AB InBev, the maker of brands like Budweiser and Bud Light, to research non-alcoholic beverages containing THC and CBD.

The partnership between the two companies would be limited to Canada, according to a statement from Tilray, with each company intending to invest up to $50 million, for a total of up to $100 million.

The announcement came one day after Tilray said it was partnering with Sandoz AG, a division of Swiss drug giant Novartis AG, to increase the availability of its medical-cannabis products around the world.

AB InBev is not the first mainstream beverage company involved in exploring the addition of cannabis to its portfolio. Earlier this year it was reported that Coca-Cola was looking to enter the legal-marijuana market, buzz the CEO then denied in October.

In July, Tilray became the first marijuana company to debut on the public US market. In its first earnings report as a public company last month, Tilray missed on both the top and bottom lines. 

Tilray shares were up 318% this year through Wednesday's closing bell.

Tilray shares.

Now read:

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NOW WATCH: The equity chief at $6.3 trillion BlackRock weighs in on the trade war, a possible recession, and offers her best investing advice for a tricky 2019 landscape

Your brand is ignoring its most captive audience — here’s why podcasts should be the go-to channel for your next ad campaign (KRW)

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This is a preview of The Podcast Report from Business Insider Intelligence. Current subscribers can read the report here.

  • The number of US podcast consumers has more than doubled in the past decade — and there's still a long runway for growth.
  • And the podcast listenership base continues to grow in the US amid declines in consumption of other premium ad environments.
  • Entertainers, music streaming platforms, and smart speakers will play a role in furthering podcast listenership growth throughout the next five years.

Are your social circles and online feeds always buzzing with everyone’s latest podcast obsession? The number of US podcast consumers has more than doubled over the last decade. And by 2023, Business Insider Intelligence estimates there will be some 106 million regular podcast listeners in the US.

Podcast Listener Base Growing

People are getting hooked on audio from a young age, too. Over a quarter (26%) of US consumers over age 12 now listen to podcasts on a monthly basis, a jump from just 12% five years ago.

And while the growing listener base is a huge draw for advertisers, it’s not the real reason they should be exploring podcast campaigns. After all, more than half of overall daily media consumption time in the US is now spent with video. Even so, podcasts have the upper hand.

Why should brands advertise on podcasts?

US podcast ad spend is expected to grow over 110% through 2020 — up to $659 million. But consider for a moment that TV and radio ad spend are already at $69 billion and $18 billion respectively, and this figure suddenly feels tiny. The podcast ad market’s small size implies many brands don’t recognize the valuable advertising opportunity podcasts offer.

When looking at factors beyond pure audience size, podcast listeners present several key benefits that make the medium ripe for success for advertising — and brands would be remiss to overlook them.

Here’s why brands should take podcast listeners seriously:

  • The majority of regular podcast listeners complete all or most of the podcasts they start. Forty-four percent of monthly podcast listeners finish most of the podcast episodes they start, while 43% finish the entire episode, per Edison Research and Triton Digital.
  • Listeners are more receptive to ads on podcasts than ads on other mediums. Of US respondents over the age of 18, 55% say they always or sometimes pay attention to podcast ads versus radio (45%), TV (44%), music streaming services (41%), and online video (34%) ads.
  • Most podcast listeners don't skip past ads. Because most podcast ads are read by the host and baked into podcasts, it can be difficult for listeners to easily and accurately skip past podcast ads without missing podcast content, spurring many to listen through podcast ads entirely.

Want to Learn More?

The Podcast Report from Business Insider Intelligence explores the key drivers affecting podcast listenership growth, detailing the benefits of advertising on podcasts versus other media formats, and outlines the best practices for implementing a successful podcast ad campaign.

In full, the report discusses the barriers that will inhibit future growth in listenership and ad spending, and how these hurdles can be overcome to implement a successful podcast ad campaign and attract more big-budget brands into the space.

Join the conversation about this story »


A retiring House Republican is stalling a bill that would protect Native American women

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Bob Goodlatte

  • Outgoing Representative Bob Goodlatte of Virginia has refused to advance a bill by Senator Heidi Heitkamp that would establish appropriate protocols to address the kidnappings and murders of Native American women. 
  • Heitkamp, who is also leaving Capitol Hill soon, had hoped this bill would be her parting gift as a senator. 
  • The legislation is named after Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a 22-year-old pregnant woman who was murdered in 2017 by a woman who wanted to steal her baby. 

Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota reportedly wanted to pass one final law before leaving the Senate, a law that would protect Native American women. 

But her bill, the Savanna Act, is currently stalled in the House. 

The Savanna Act sailed unanimously through the Senate last week but hit a roadblock when it came across the House Judiciary Committee, led by Virginia Representative Bob Goodlatte. According to NBC News, Goodlatte is refusing to usher the legislation through his committee. A House leadership aide said the Judiciary Committee is "looking at the language of the bill."

There are only a few days left in this session, and with Heitkamp retiring at the end of it, the bill's prospects don't look great. 

"He should trust 100 senators who said this was a problem that needed to be addressed," Heitkamp told NBC. "Right now, one congressman is holding this up, and one congressman who is not even going to be here next year."

The act would set law enforcement and justice protocols to address missing and murdered Native Americans.

According to the National Institute of Justice, 84.3% of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, while 81.6% of American Indian and Alaska Native men do so, too. The bill's text highlights how investigations into cases of missing and murdered Native women are made difficult for tribal law enforcement agencies due to a lack of resources — including necessary training and equipment, lack of interagency cooperation, and lack of appropriate laws. 

Read more: Democratic incumbent Heidi Heitkamp loses Senate race in North Dakota to Republican Kevin Cramer

The bill is named after Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a 22-year-old pregnant woman who was murdered in 2017 by a woman who tried to kidnap her baby. 

In a release following the bill's passage through the Senate, Heitkamp said she "wanted to honor the memory of Savanna and spark a nationwide call to action against the growing crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls."

"For far too long, this crisis in our Native American communities has been unnoticed, ignored, and unreported," she said. 

Heitkamp introduced the bill in October 2017. 

SEE ALSO: Feds plan funding boost to fight assaults on Native women

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NOW WATCH: Anthony Scaramucci claims Trump isn't a nationalist: 'He likes saying that because it irks these intellectual elitists'

The first official keyboard and mouse for the Xbox is $250 and only works with 16 games

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Turret for Xbox One

  • Gaming hardware company Razer announced the first official keyboard and mouse for the Xbox One console, called the Razer Turret.
  • Only 16 games are officially set to work with the Turret as of Wednesday, and it'll cost a whopping $250. 
  • Pre-orders are open now, with shipping estimated for March 31, 2019.
  • Allowing keyboard and mouse support on a game console where players primarily use a regular gamepad controller is a source of contention. 

Gaming hardware and accessory company Razer announced the "Turret" on Wednesday, the first official keyboard and mouse designed specifically for the Xbox One console.

For some who prefer the good old-fashioned keyboard and mouse over console gamepad controllers for playing games, the news may seem like cause for celebration. It means you can finally use your preferred gaming control method on the couch with a powerful console that delivers better performance than an equivalently priced PC.

For others, Microsoft is making a controversial move to allow keyboard and mouse support on its games console. 

There's a whole debate over the speed and accuracy advantages of using a keyboard/mouse over a gamepad. Pit a keyboard/mouse gamer against a gamepad gamer in a match, and it's likely the keyboard/mouse gamer will win. Some say that gamers who choose to use keyboards and mice on a console have an unfair advantage on a gaming platform where most players use controllers. 

With that said, one of the games that will support Razer's Turret is the massively popular "Fortnite," a third-person-shooter game where players on any platform, including Xbox One, PlayStation 4, mobile, Nintendo Switch, PC, and even Macs, can play together in the same online match. So far, there hasn't been any massive upheavals regarding a PC player's advantage with a keyboard and mouse over another player on console, or even on mobile, where the controls are arguably the most limited or difficult to use. 

The Turret sports a $250 price tag, which is wildly expensive when Microsoft's Xbox One controller goes for $50. Even Microsoft's premium Elite Xbox One controller is less expensive at $150. 

The Razer Turret is available for pre-order now from the Microsoft Store, and it's estimated to start shipping March 31, 2019. 

For now, you can check out the $250 Razer Turret and all it details below:

SEE ALSO: The futuristic LG TV that rolls itself in and out of a box could hit living rooms in 2019 — check it out in action

The Razer Turret is designed to be used on your lap while sitting on a couch, just like you'd do with a normal gamepad controller.



A retractable solid mouse pad is housed within the keyboard itself to give gamers a flat surface for the mouse.



The keyboard even has a dedicated Xbox button like the Xbox controllers have for pulling up the Xbox One dashboard.



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Watch the Fox News interview that launched the murder investigation of an Army hero

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matthew golsteyn fox and friends fox news

  • Maj. Matthew Golsteyn has been charged with a war crime following a 2016 interview on Fox News, where he admitted to killing a suspected Taliban bomb maker in 2010.
  • In 2011, Golsteyn told the CIA that he killed the Afghan man, who was believed to be unarmed after being released from custody. In another interview, Golsteyn said military rules required him to release the suspect.
  • Golsteyn's attorney says the charges are based on an inaccurate portrayal of Golsteyn's statement to the CIA.
  • On Sunday, President Donald Trump tweeted his support of Golsteyn, lauding him as a hero — which may ultimately sink the Army's case.

President Donald Trump announced an unprecedented review of a former Army Green Beret, who had been charged with murder for the 2010 killing of a suspected Taliban bomb-maker.

"He could face the death penalty from our own government after he admitted to killing a terrorist bomb maker while overseas," the president said in a tweet Sunday.

The charges against Army Maj. Matthew Golsteyn mark the latest step in a 9-year probe aimed at resolving whether the decorated former Green Beret is a war hero, as many believe — or a war criminal. The Army opened its latest investigation in December 2016, after Golsteyn admitted in an interview with Fox News to killing the suspected terrorist while his unit was deployed in Afghanistan.

The interview, which took place in October 2016, was part of a pre-election Fox News special discussing rules of engagement, which had become more restrictive during the Obama administration. In it, Golsteyn said military rules required him to release the suspect.

Golsteyn appears to be standing by his 2016 admission that he killed the Afghan, but disputes that he killed the man in cold blood. Instead, he claims that he and another soldier set out after the suspect soon his release, believing he still posed an imminent threat to US troops.

During the Fox News interview, Golsteyn described the circumstances of the suspected Taliban militant's detainment.

The Afghan was suspected of involvement in the killing of two Marines, who died in an explosion. Golsteyn said in the interview that Afghan tribal leaders helped identify the suspect. US forces detained the man, but because of strict rules of engagement they had to release him. 

In the interview, Golsteyn said he was concerned that the Afghans who aided US forces would be targeted by the suspected bomb maker.

"It is an inevitable outcome that people who are cooperating with coalition forces, when identified, will suffer some terrible torture or be killed," Golsteyn said. 

The Army's case 

Golsteyn received a Silver Star, the military's third-highest award for valor in combat, for actions during his deployment in Afghanistan. But after he detailed the incident in an interview with the CIA, the Army opened an investigation and stripped his award. He was also removed from the Special Forces.

According to Army documents obtained by the Washington Post, Golsteyn reportedly told the CIA that he and another soldier escorted the suspect back to his home but rather than releasing him, they assassinated the unarmed Afghan man. The Army documents also allege that Golsteyn and two other soldiers later burned the body in a trash pit at their base compound.

But the same Army documents show that members of his unit expressed doubt that the officer would kill an unarmed suspect, and investigators found no evidence of a corpse in several burn pits, according to the Post

The Army's investigators did not have enough evidence to press charges.  

Now prosecutors may be able to use Golsteyn's on-air confession to bolster their case. Otherwise, Golsteyn's attorney Phil Stackhouse says there is nothing new.

"They have insinuated to me that they have new evidence," Stackhouse told Fox News. "I don't believe there is any new evidence at all."

Golsteyn says the charges are based on a 'complete lie'

"They quoted me as saying that me and someone else with me took a detainee to his home and assassinated him. The problem is I never said that," Golsteyn told NBC News on Thursday. "It was a complete lie."

NBC News reported Golsteyn stands by what he told Fox News in 2016, but maintains that he did not violate military law. Stackhouse made an appearance on Fox and Friends Sunday morning to support his client. In the interview, Stackhouse said that shortly after releasing the Afghan man, Golsteyn and another Special Forces soldier set out after him, maintaining that the man was planning to continue making bombs for the Taliban and posed an imminent threat to US forces.

Will Trump's tweet sink the Army's case?

Trump's decision to tweet his support for the former Green Beret is an unprecedented move that may prove beneficial to Golsteyn's defense.

The president lauded Golsteyn as a "US Military hero," which could count as a violation of unlawful command influence — a tenet of the military justice system that prohibits leaders from influencing the outcome of a court-martial. But it is typically flagged when leaders prevent a defendant's access to due process, and does not necessarily apply in this case, experts told Task & Purpose.

It is unclear whether Trump's tweet means he intends to ever grant Golsteyn a pardon, and the president can still do so at any point. 

As far as the Army's treatment of Golsteyn, Stackhouse told Fox News, "I think he's been betrayed."

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why Harvard scientists think this interstellar object might be an alien spacecraft

Barack Obama made a surprise visit to a children's hospital and gave out gifts to kids

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obama childrens hospital

  • Former president Barack Obama visited Children's National hospital in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
  • He gave out gifts to the kids and thanked hospital workers for embodying the "holiday spirit."
  • Hospital employees and patients serenaded him with a rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

Former president Barack Obama made a surprise visit at Children's National hospital in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday and handed out gifts to kids.

The hospital posted a video of his visit to Twitter. At one point, children and staffers greeted the former president with shrieks and a rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

"We had a chance to talk to some of the wonderful kids and their families, at a time that obviously is tough for folks," Obama said. "As the dad of two girls, I can only imagine that situation — to have nurses, doctors, and people who are caring for, and looking after them, and listening to them."

Read more:50 romantic photos show why everyone misses Barack and Michelle Obama

The former president, wearing a red fluffy cap with a bag of toys slung over his shoulder, handed out toys that he and his staffers collected. They included Hot Wheels sets, glittery nail polish, and remote-control cars, according to the Washington Post.

"They will be talking about it for years to come," Kurt Newman, the president and chief executive of the Children’s National Health System, told the Post. "At such a busy time of year, when no one wants to be in the hospital, his natural warmth lifted the spirits of those kids, their parents, and of each staff member he met along the way."

During his visit, Obama thanked hospital employees for the work they do for kids.

"[Being] there for them, and holding their hand — that's the most important thing there is," he said. "What a great reminder of what a holiday spirit is supposed to be about."

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

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NOW WATCH: 6 airline industry secrets that will help you fly like a pro this holiday season

These are the biggest regulatory roadblocks holding up the global drone industry

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products us consumers want delivered by drone

This is a preview of a research report from Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service. To learn more about Business Insider Intelligence, click here.

Drone technologies continue to improve at a rapid pace and are slowly pushing the unmanned aircraft toward the mainstream. Companies in a variety of industries are now looking to use drones to cut costs, boost efficiencies, and create new revenue streams and business values, such as last-mile retail deliveries.

But regulatory roadblocks are still holding back widespread commercial drone use in most large, developed markets. Many countries still have laws on the books that regulate drones as other aircraft, such as planes or helicopters, and prevent unmanned aircraft from flying beyond a few miles from the operator. That makes laws and regulations arguably the chief determining factor in the development of the commercial drone industry worldwide. 

This new report from Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, will give a high-level overview of commercial drone regulations around the world. We detail the major changes in global drone regulations over the past year, and show how regulators are working to stay ahead of the nascent, yet valuable devices. In addition, we show how regulatory changes will impact the industry and allow for new enterprise use cases in the next few years.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

  • Regulations have helped the US, Europe, and China become the three largest potential markets in the world for commercial drone use.
  • In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governs all commercial and consumer drone use. Meanwhile, a slew of states have their own regulations that companies deploying drones have to navigate through.
  • In Europe, the lack of EU-wide drone regulations creates a patchwork of national regulations that resembles the state-level rules in the US.
  • In China, the military controls over half of the airspace, confining drones to a small area of the country relative to the US and other nations.
  • While on paper several of the regulations in Europe are the same as in the US, many European countries have been far more lenient in granting exemptions to their requirements.
  • Commercial drone laws in most of these countries are set to change to allow for more widespread use in the next couple years, helping operators fly their aircraft in new locations and for new use cases.

In full, the report:

  • Offers an in-depth overview of the current regulatory landscapes at the national, transnational, and local levels, and discusses how they're shaping the development of the drone industry in several large markets.
  • Gives examples of how companies are working with and around these regulations to deploy drones in a manner that government officials find permissible.
  • Provides a look at what regulations will change in the coming years, and explains how that will impact companies operating drones.

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40 unique gifts to give your best friend that should arrive in time for the holidays — all under $100

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At least once a year, you get to thank your best friend for being your own personal saint for the other 364 days of the year.

They're the ones you rely upon, confide in, and plague with everything from menu choices to whether or not you should move across the country for this new job. So when the holidays roll around, it can be difficult to find something adequately thoughtful to give to that most important person — especially within the relatively affordable under-$100 range.

To make things easier for you, we put together a list of 40 unique, thoughtful gifts that your best friend will actually love to get — all for less than $100.

Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too hard about your last-minute shopping — just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

A high-tech towel that's better for their hair

Aquis Lisse Luxe Long Hair Towel, available on Sephora and Amazon, $35

Aquis' cult-favorite hair towels have inspired a slew of rave reviews online, including one from our own team of reviewers.

The towels are made from a proprietary fabric called Aquitex that's composed of ultra-fine fibers (finer than silk) that work to reduce the amount of friction the hair experiences while in its weakest state. It also prevents hygral fatigue — the stretching and swelling of wet hair that makes it vulnerable to frizz and damage — by cutting the hair's drying time by 50%.

Note: Currently unavailable on Amazon



A small but powerful Bluetooth Bose speaker

Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker, available on Amazon, $79 (Originally $99) [You save $20]

The term "small but mighty" gets thrown around a lot, but this small Bose speaker is only a little larger than the phone used to control the music — and has a much bigger sound. It comes in three colors and has a six-hour battery life. 



A hilarious collection of Tinder exchanges that, altogether, become one modern horror story

Tinder Nightmares, available on Amazon, $9.89

"Tinder Nightmares" is a modern horror story of Tinder exchanges organized by theme, with chapters such as Bad English, Broetry, Strange Requests, Sneak Attacks, and more. The Instagram account of the same name has nearly 2 million followers. But beware — like Tinder, this book is not for the faint of heart. 



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5 GoFundMe campaigns that weren't what they claimed to be

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  • Not all GoFundMe campaigns are necessarily trustworthy.
  • Some people have reportedly faked illnesses or staged acts of kindness to get rich quick.
  • A campaign that calls itself "official" isn't necessarily affiliated with the person it's raising money for.

You can't trust everything you read on the internet.

While most GoFundMe crowdfunding campaigns have raised millions of dollars for worthy causes, a few haven't had the purest intentions. Turns out some people who set up fundraising pages are just looking to leverage a fabricated sob story to get rich quick — often with devastating consequences.

According to GoFundMe, "fraudulent campaigns make up less than one tenth of one percent of all campaigns.

"In the rare instances where people create campaigns with the intention to take advantage of others' generosity, GoFundMe takes swift action to resolve the issue," their website reads.

Here are five crowdfunding campaigns that weren't what they appeared to be.

A couple raised $400,000 for a homeless man after posting a photo that went viral, but investigators say it was an elaborate plot to make up a viral story and steal the money they raised from it 

kate mcclure homeless veteran

According to the story posted on GoFundMe, Johnny Bobbitt, a homeless United States Marine veteran, gave his last $20 to Kate McClure for gas after her car broke down near a Philadelphia overpass he lived under. McClure and her boyfriend, Mark D'Amico, then helped Bobbitt get back on his feet. They posted the story on GoFundMe and ultimately raised $400,000 for him.

Bobbitt then sued the couple, claiming they withheld the money from him and that they used it for their own vacations and luxury goods. It led to a series of court hearingsa police raid, and an investigation that ultimately led authorities to conclude that the trio had fabricated the story.

New Jersey prosecutors charged McClure, D'Amico, and Bobbitt with second-degree theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft by deception.

"The paying-it-forward story that drove this fundraiser might seem too good to be true," New Jersey's Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said at a November press conference. "Unfortunately, it was. The entire campaign was predicated on a lie."

Parents of a 9-year-old boy raised over $3,000 to help with his cancer treatments — but police say he wasn't sick at all

gofundme screenshot

A GoFundMe campaign claimed to be collecting money for Martin and Jolene LaFrance after their son, CJ, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. A web archive of the page from August 30, 2017, shows that they raised $3,334 of their $8,000 goal. CJ and his family members were also brought in to Syracuse football practice to meet the players.

But a four-month-long investigation by the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office "revealed conclusively that the child was never diagnosed with cancer or any other medical condition that was alleged in the GoFundMe solicitation," according to CNN.

The LaFrances were charged with scheme to defraud in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child. GoFundMe said in a statement to WSYR-TV in Syracuse that donors would receive refunds.

Police say a man intentionally injured his dog, then raised $14,000 in a GoFundMe campaign for the dog's 'emergency surgery'

gofundme screenshot dog

When Reid M. Herjo was stopped for speeding by police in Medford, New Jersey, he said he was taking his dog Atlas to a veterinary hospital after he was hit by an ATV. A few days later, police received a tip alleging that Herjo had lied about how Atlas was injured.

The Medford Township Police Department said that an investigation showed Herjo had "intentionally caused the injuries to Atlas," and that the dog had been injured at least two other times. Atlas then died in Herjo's care "under suspicious circumstances," police said.

The investigation also uncovered a GoFundMe campaign that had raised $14,065 towards Atlas' "emergency surgery" for injuries Herjo said he had sustained in a hit-and-run.

Herjo was charged with third-degree animal cruelty and third-degree theft by deception.

A woman accused of raising $2,000 by fabricating her son's terminal leukemia diagnosis was sentenced to five to 12.5 years in prison

gofundme campaign scam leukemia

AP News reported that Victoria Morrison spent months faking her 10-year-old son Blake's terminal illness, collecting gifts and donations and even telling Blake that he was dying from leukemia, according to prosecutors. 

Carson City Sheriff Kenny Furlong said that Morrison raised $2,000 through GoFundMe, posted on social media that her son had died and that his body had been cremated, and held a fake memorial service. Police then found the boy in perfect health at a motel, according to KOLO.

She plead guilty to child neglect or endangerment causing substantial mental harm and was sentenced to five to 12.5 years in prison. A GoFundMe spokesperson told AP News that the donors would be refunded.

An 'official' GoFundMe campaign to pay legal fees for a father who attempted to attack convicted serial child molester Larry Nassar raised nearly $30,000, but the father wasn't in legal trouble

father attacks larry nassar

Randall Margraves rushed at former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar after his daughters had spoken out against Nassar in court and was removed by law enforcement officials. A person named Aaron Pangborn then set up a GoFundMe campaign to pay his legal fees, calling it "the official Go Fund Me page to help a brother and friend in need."

Margraves did not face any legal charges for his outburst, and his attorney asked for the GoFundMe website to be taken down because it wasn't authorized. A GoFundMe spokesperson told USA Today that donors can request refunds and that leftover money would be distributed to organizations that help survivors of abuse.

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The Gritty gift guide you didn't know you needed

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gritty

On September 24, 2018, the Philadelphia Flyers introduced Gritty, a new nightmare-inducing mascot that was so questionable people literally thought it was a prank — until they remembered the Philly Phanatic also existed. And so the Flyers settled into a new life with a messy orange puppet for a franchise figurehead.

Months later, Gritty has become a hockey Icon.

Gritty's fame stretches far beyond the walls of the Wells Fargo Center, having infiltrated the collective heart of Hockey Twitter and Business Insider's own hockey Slack channel. It truly says something that two Islanders fans not only agreed to but actively requested to write this post.

Without further ado, here are a bunch of amazing gift ideas for Gritty fans far and wide.

Still shopping for more last-minute gifts? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.


SEE ALSO: All of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides, in one place

A sequin pillow to haunt your dreams

Gritty Pillow Sequin Pillowcase, $18.33, from Etsy

It transforms from pure black right into this nightmare-maker.

 



An enamel pin that reveals what really makes Gritty so gritty

Anatomy of Gritty Enamel Pin, $13, from Etsy

He's hungry for the Cup! And also apparently eats pigeons.



A mug that mashes up two of Philly’s proudest bastions of chaos

Gritty Mascot Philadelphia Flyers Mug, $16.15, from Etsy

You know it’s only a matter of time before Charlie and Gritty team up for some shenanigans.



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China tests new sub-launched ballistic missile that will raise the stakes in a nuclear war with the US

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Chinese Navy nuclear-powered submarine sails during an international fleet review

  • China tested a new JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile in late November, moving closer to strengthening its sea-based nuclear strike capabilities.
  • The new missiles are expected to be carried by Type 096 submarines, which will replace the older Type 094 Jin-class submarines, China's first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent.
  • With a longer range than the current JL-2 missiles, these new missiles could give China the ability to strike the US mainland from Chinese coastal waters.  

China recently conducted the first known test of a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, a significant development as Beijing attempts to bolster its nuclear forces.

The test, first reported by The Washington Free Beacon and confirmed by The Diplomat, involved the new JL-3 missile, which analysts speculate could potentially carry multiple warheads. While China has yet to confirm the test, it was reportedly monitored by the US.

The test was carried out in the Bohai Sea in late November using a modified conventional submarine, but the new weapon is expected to be operationally deployed on the new Type 096 nuclear ballistic missile submarines, which are still in development.

"China’s four operational JIN-class SSBNs represent China’s first credible, seabased nuclear deterrent," the Department of Defense wrote in its 2018 report of Chinese military power, referring to the Type 094 submarines. "China’s next-generation Type 096 SSBN, reportedly to be armed with the follow-on JL-3 SLBM, will likely begin construction in the early-2020s."

The current Type 094 submarines carry JL-2 missiles, naval variants of the land-based DF-31s. A report from the National Air and Space Intelligence Center argued last year that "this missile will, for the first time, allow Chinese SSBNs to target portions of the United States from operating areas located near the Chinese coast."

The JL-3 is believed to have a far superior range to the JL-2, which has an estimated range of around 7,000 kilometers. The Diplomat, citing US intelligence estimates, suggested that the full range of the newer missile could be in excess of 9,000 km. The Free Beacon, however, put the range between 11,000 and 14,000 kilometers. During the most recent test, the missile was not fly to its full range, perhaps because the test was a systems verification evaluation

Either way, the extended range of the JL-3 gives China the ability to take aim at targets on the US mainland without venturing far from China's coast into waters where the submarine might be more vulnerable to attack in the event of a confrontation.

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More women are choosing sterilization for birth control rather than the pill or IUDs

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bronze cast of IUD

Whether it's a condom, the pill, or an intrauterine device (IUD), the majority of people have used some sort of birth control. In fact, between 2015 and 2017, 46.9 million people who identified as women used some sort of contraceptive, but most common form might surprise you.

According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sterilization is the top contraceptive method, with 18.6% of birth control users opting for it. The pill and IUD being the second and third most popular methods respectively.

According to the CDC, sterilization as a birth control method was most common among older women: 39.4% of women in the 40 to 49 age bracket chose sterilization. That said, it was still an option among younger groups, with 21.6% of women between the ages of 30 and 39 and 4.2% of women ages 20 to 29 choosing it as a contraceptive. 

The data also found that sterilization as a birth control method decreased the more educated a person was, while birth control pill usage increased when education level increased.

Sterilization is permanent, so you should be counseled before going through with the procedure

If a person is considering sterilization as their birth control method, it's important to note the method is permanent, since it involves a surgical procedure that blocks a person's fallopian tubes, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).

Read more:5 red flags that could mean you're on the wrong birth control

Female sterilization can be performed two ways: through tubal ligation and tubal implant. Litigation involves what is commonly referred to as "tying a person's tubes" and involves cutting, sealing, and/or tying the fallopian tubes so sperm cannot reach and fertilize an egg.

For tubal implants, the result is the same, but the procedure involves inserting a spring-like coil into the fallopian tubes to create tissue scarring that blocks sperm. Although litigation is effective immediately, implants take longer to work because scarring must develop over time, according to the HHS.

Sterilization is also an extremely effective method of birth control, with less than one in 100 women who get the procedure becoming pregnant. This method is, however, permanent, so someone who is unsure about their future plans for a family may want to consider trying a different contraceptive.

There are other long-acting birth control methods that are not permanent

There are other birth control methods besides sterilization that are also highly effective, but not permanent. According to the CDC's report, long-acting reversible contraceptives, or LARCs, were the third most popular contraceptive method after sterilization and the birth control pill, with 35% of women between ages 15 and 49 choosing it.

birth control implant insertion

LARCs include intrauterine devices (IUDs) like the copper ParaGuard IUD, hormonal Mirena IUD, and hormonal contraceptive implant, according to Planned Parenthood. These long-lasting methods can remain effective for upwards of 10 years and can potentially prevent pregnancy up to 20 times better than methods like the pill, birth control patches, or vaginal rings, Planned Parenthood noted.

While sterilization is an extremely effective method for preventing pregnancy, people should consult their healthcare providers and consider the other options available (there are currently 17 in the United States) before choosing a permanent contraceptive.

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Pinterest is talking to bankers and has hired a key exec as it readies itself for a 2019 IPO

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pinterest 2012

  • Pinterest is in the process of talking to bankers as it seeks to choose underwriters for an early 2019 IPO, The Wall Street Journal reported.
  • The report comes on the heels of Pinterest hiring former Google and Alibaba exec Jane Penner as its head of investor relations, Business Insider first reported last week.

Pinterest is gearing up for an initial public offering as early as April 2019 and is in the process of talking to bankers as it seeks to choose its underwriters, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The company could be valued at more than $12 billion, sources told the Journal. That's also the level at which Pinterest most recently raised funding.

The report comes on the heels of Pinterest tapping former Google and Alibaba exec Jane Penner to be its head of investor relations, as Business Insider first reported last week.

Read More: Pinterest has nabbed Google and Alibaba's former head of investor relations — the biggest sign yet that it's gearing up for a 2019 IPO

Pinterest has also contacted a number of banks for a credit line that could come in at around $500 million, according to the Journal.

Companies typically reach out to banks for lending in the run-up to an IPO to incentivize them to land a role on the offering. They also hire investor-relations executives a few months before going public.

Pinterest is poised to double its revenue this year to nearly $1 billion, according to a CNBC report from this summer, and has a valuation of $13 billion to $15 billion. In September, it announced it had 250 million monthly users, up from 200 million a year before.

2019 is expected to be a banner year for initial public offerings, with a roster of hopefuls including Uber, Lyft, Slack, and Airbnb.

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Walmart has a huge selection of deals that are guaranteed to deliver before Christmas — but time is running out

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Christmas is less than a week away. If you haven't finished all of your shopping by now, we won't sugarcoat it — you're running out of time. But you shouldn't panic just yet.

Walmart has a massive selection of giftable items that are guaranteed to arrive before the holiday. Orders placed by December 20 at 2 p.m. local time will arrive by Christmas Eve with free two-day shipping. Alternatively, some items are eligible for in-store pickup.

To save you some much needed time, we rounded up some of the best deals and gift ideas at Walmart.

Shop all two-day delivery deals at Walmart now.

Still shopping for more gifts? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.


A premium electric wet and dry shaver

Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver, $169.95 (Originally $229.94) [You save $59.99]



An iPad

Apple iPad (Latest Model) 32GB Wi-Fi, $229 (Originally $329.99) [You save $100.99]

 



An air fryer

Farberware 3.2-Quart Oil-Less Multi-Functional Fryer, $59.88 (Originally $99) [You save $39.12]



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