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TIL that after World War II, Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie was recruited by the CIA as an anti-communist counter-intelligence offer in France; upon being discovered by French authorities, the CIA helped Barbie escape to Bolivia.

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78nKZ TIL the original Japanese horror film The Ring released at the exact same time as it's sequel, Spiral. The studio thought they'd earn more money this way, as The Ring was already based on a well known book. The Ring went on to be a massive success, while Spiral floundered and was quickly forgotten.
0E1N TIL George R.R. Martin’s idea for Game of Thrones began with his pet turtles. He said, “I decided they were all knights and kings…and I made up stories about how they killed each other and betrayed each other and fought for the kingdom. So, Game of Thrones, actually began with turtles.”
8aMyV TIL a polar bear's outer layer of fur isn't white, each hair is actually a hollow and completely transparent tube. The fur only appears white because of the reflection of the sun and unlike most arctic mammals, they do not shed their coat in the summer in order to maintain camouflage.
gn6y TIL that there is a chemical signal in female tears that reduces testosterone and sexual urges in men.
J1Yej TIL the actor Leslie Baker, known for playing disgruntled paper salesman Stanley Hudson in "The Office," inadvertently prepped for the role by portraying an office worker in OfficeMax commercials while in graduate school.