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'Right now we're just celebrating': Inside Snap's crazy $33 billion IPO (SNAP)

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SNAP IPO 15

NEW YORK — Cheers erupted from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday as cofounders Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy rang the opening bell to announce Snap's hotly anticipated IPO.

The Snapchat maker's debut is the first tech IPO of the year and the largest tech deal since Alibaba went public in 2014.

Snap had priced its IPO at $17 per share, but demand pushed the opening price to $24 at a $33 billion valuation.

Snap's share price closed at $24.48 on its first day of trading, a 44% increase from its original IPO price.

On the floor of the exchange, Snap executives and early employees clapped, took selfies, and hugged each other.

Back at the company's Los Angeles headquarters, employees celebrated the IPO with doughnuts and champagne.

"Right now we're just celebrating," Snap's chief financial officer, Drew Vollero, told Business Insider after the stock began trading on Thursday.

Here's what it was like inside Snap's blockbuster IPO.

SEE ALSO: Meet the power players who help Evan Spiegel run Snap Inc.

A giant Snap Inc. banner adorned the the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, signaling the company's hotly anticipated IPO.



Snap signage was everywhere inside the exchange floor.



Company execs and early employees were given a roped-off area up front to watch cofounders Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy ring the opening bell.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best travel essentials to buy at your local drugstore

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The INSIDER Summary

• Check off your travel essentials checklist at your local drugstore. 
• Stock up on inexpensive Advil or Emergen-C.
• Buy a universal adapter plug to stay connected while abroad. 
• Cozy up to a pair of fuzzy socks or a useful neck pillow for a long flight. 


Even frequent flyers and veteran travelers occasionally forget to stock up on supplies before a flight and need to run to the closest drugstore. Luckily, these days bigger drugstores are a traveler's dream, stocked with airplane-ready versions of all the essentials.

So run out and grab a neck pillow, a tiny tube of toothpaste, and many of the carry-on necessities you’ll need to make your flight as painless as possible. Here are some of the best travel essentials you can buy at a drugstore:

Neck Pillows

If you accidentally left your Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow in your hotel room in Malta, grab a replacement at the drugstore so you can actually sleep on the plane.

Our pick: Core Memory Travel Neck Pillow

To buy: walgreens.com, $30



Anti-bacterial Wipes or Spray

The dark side of airplane travel is that planes have a lot of germs. Tray tables alone have a bacteria population of 2,155 per square inch. Grab some anti-bacterial wipes at the drugstore and before you settle into your seat give the tray table, arm rests, screen, and seat belt a good wipe-down.

Our pick: X3 Foaming Hand Sanitizer

To buy: walgreens.com, $4



Emergen-C or Airborne

If you’re worried about catching a cold on the plane and ruining your vacation with the sniffles and a sore throat, stock up on Emergen-C packets or Airborne tablets before your flight. The heavy dose of vitamins and minerals may help bolster your defenses, and save your vacation.

Our pick: Emergen-C Fizzy Drink Mix

To buy: walgreens.com, $13



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

SOLDIERS ON TRUMP'S SPEECH: Honoring fallen SEAL was to 'score political points,' while others say it was 'sincere'

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While some pundits have praised President Donald Trump's recent speech to a joint session of Congress, in which he mentioned the death of Navy SEAL Chief William "Ryan" Owens, others have criticized Trump for using Owens' wife Carryn as a "political prop."

"Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity," Trump said on Tuesday, as cameras captured Carryn tearing up and mouthing the words, "I love you," while looking up to the heavens.

It was perhaps the most emotional moment of Trump's speech, and yet, also one of the most controversial, as a tweet from Brandon Friedman, a former Army officer who now runs a strategic communications firm, made clear.

"Media people in my feed viewed Trump's Navy SEAL moment very differently from the veterans," Friedman wrote, including a side-by-side view of journalists vs. veterans opinions on the matter.

Business Insider asked veterans for their thoughts on that moment, and many were happy to share their views (lightly edited for clarity), pro or con. But one thing became very clear: The opinions of veterans can vary greatly.

SEE ALSO: Conflicting reports continue to emerge about value of intelligence seized in fatal SEAL raid in Yemen

If Trump won't take ownership of the decision that resulted in Owens' death, "then he lacks what is essential to be a commander-in-chief leading a nation in its longest running war," said a former Army intelligence analyst, who requested anonymity to avoid professional reprisal.

"I think that if Mrs. Owens left that speech with a bit of warmth in her heart and the genuine sentiments of a grateful nation then what political capital the President might have garnished by arranging such a moment is immaterial," the analyst said.

"It is immaterial because that capital is perishable, whereas that moment, that sentiment towards Mrs. Owens — there will be days when that might be what carries her through and that's something she clearly deserves.

As we evaluate how the President carries himself and represents the office, we are compelled to look a bit farther at how he has interacted and communicated with the father of our fallen brother," the soldier added, mentioning the father of Ryan Owens, who has said the Trump administration was "hiding behind" his son's death.

"If Trump can't eat a spoon of humble pie and do whatever he has to do to extend the olive branch to that man — then he has failed to represent the office of the President of the United States with the grace and honor that the office demands," the analyst said.

"President Trump gave the order which resulted in the death of that man's son. If he won't own that, then he lacks what is essential to be a commander-in-chief leading a nation in its longest running war."



Carryn Owens was used as a "political prop," said Francisco Miranda, a retired Army major who deployed three times to the Middle East.

"The buck stops at the president — the commander-in-chief," Miranda told Business Insider.

"He used Mrs. Owen as a political prop and it is disgusting. I lost my cousin (we grew up and joined the Army together), Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Rada Morales in 2008 and his widow still mourns his loss."



"Trump's words on Ryan moved me," said Eric Ober, a veteran of the Army who served for six years.

"Trump highlighted the night with acknowledging his legacy. Veterans by and large have felt that we have been used by the DC elite, and that what we have done only matters as much as it signals to the objectives and narratives of that elite," Ober told Business Insider.

"Yesterday was different. To me it was about bringing out the humanity in DC that we thought had died. We usually see D.C. as a cold and hardened machine. The media is at fault for that — we grow up hearing these talking heads on television, and they use a tone that is more machine than human. They craft perception. Yesterday's acknowledgement by Trump was sincere."

"There was a certain tinge of intimacy created between the President and Americans, in that speech ... I feel proud again."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

12 revealing details you may have missed in 'Get Out'

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Warning: There are major spoilers ahead for the movie "Get Out."

"Get Out," Jordan Peele's new movie, is easily one of the best horror flicks in years. It's scary, but doesn't lean too much on gory shocks, and adds a dash of humor when it's necessary.

It's also a really smart film, a searing exploration of how race is treated in the United States. Included in the story are plenty of Easter eggs and references that help explain just how cleverly the plot was put together, but also how much thought Peele put into the message of his film.

Here are 12 references you may have missed in "Get Out."

On the way to her family's house, Rose pulls over and talks to a police officer. She stops him from seeing Chris's license.

At the very beginning of the movie, Rose accidentally hits a deer and stops by the side of the road. A police officer pulls by and asks to see Chris's ID, but Rose stops him, telling the officer that she was the one driving the car, and suggesting the officer wanted to see Chris's ID because he's racist.



That's because she didn't want a paper trail leading Chris to her house.

It turns out, Rose and her family kidnap black people so that they can be hypnotized, lobotomized, and have their brains replaced by those of old white people.

The deeper reason for preventing the cop from seeing Chris's ID was so that there'd be no paper trail connecting them once Chris went missing.



When Chris goes over to talk to Walter, the caretaker of Rose's parent's house, he notices that he talks strangely. He speaks a little too affectionately about Rose.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The fascinating life and strange career of Kate Middleton's younger sister Pippa

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Pippa Middleton

Most people know Pippa Middleton for being Kate's younger sister, for having a nice butt, and for absolutely nothing else. 

Gossip articles make it seem like Pippa, 33, is nothing but a vacuous socialite riding her sister's coattails. 

It's a characterization she hates. 

"People see me as someone privileged who has used my position to advantage,"she told the Daily Mail last year. "That I don't really work, that I am a socialite — that word really irritates me — and that I'm a party girl without any substance."

So what's the real Pippa like? Here's an in-depth look at her early days, rise to fame, and nascent writing career. 

Philippa Middleton was born in 1983 to parents Michael and Carole Middleton. She grew up in the villages of Bradfield and Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Kate is the oldest and James, the least-known Middleton sibling, is the youngest. (Fun fact: He's the CEO of a bespoke marshmallow company.)

Source: Evening Standard



Both she and Kate excelled at sports growing up. Pippa attended her elite boarding school on a sports scholarship.

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 She once wrote a column about her fond memories of playing sports

Source: Evening Standard



She went on to Edinburgh College, where she was known for her hard work and for her posse of well-connected friends called the "castle crew."

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The nickname referred to the fact that many were heirs to large homes or tracts of land. 

Source: Evening Standard



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 major fashion trends you'll be seeing this spring — all with looks for under $100

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Spring Style Trends 2017

We're finally nearing the end of winter, which means it's time to say goodbye to chunky sweaters and hello to breezy tops.

Spring 2017 will be full of vibrant, colorful styles with major '80s influences. From daring stripes to dramatic ruffles, this season is all about making a statement.

Check out our favorite spring style trends for 2017 below — all with examples under $100.

The cold shoulder trend is a flirty take on off-the-shoulder styles.

The cold shoulder look is this season's newest take on the off-the-shoulder trend. Whether with jumpsuits, tops, or dresses, we're ready to rock this style until the end of summer.

Revolve one shoulder dress, $90

Zara floral top, $35.90

ASOS blue jumpsuit, $68



Embroidery will be huge, whether it's on your tops or bottoms.

Embroidery isn't just for grandma anymore. Patterns can be spotted on shoes, jackets, pants, and shirts this spring.

While florals seem to be the major trend, be on the lookout for detailed textures.

Free People beach tank, $98 

Zara embroidered jeans, $69.90

Zara denim top, $35.90 



A good trench coat will always be a go-to staple.

While we're excited about the vibrancy of spring palettes, we can't help but love the classic trench coat. Throw it on top of your favorite outfit and you're good no matter what the temperamental spring weather might throw your way.

Calvin Klein classic trench, $99

Old Navy trench coat, $58

ASOS simple style coat, $83

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here are all the looks from Hollywood's star-studded premiere of 'Beauty and the Beast'

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Though Disney fans won't get their first look at the new live-action "Beauty and the Beast" until March 17, the cast and other Hollywood A-listers attended the Los Angeles premiere at the famous El Capitan theater Thursday night. From Emma Watson to Paige O'Hara (the original actress who voiced Belle) the red carpet was full of nostalgia and excitement over the new remake.

Keep scrolling for a look at the star-studded red carpet event.

Emma Watson, who's been wearing only recycled and eco-friendly outfits for the "Beauty and the Beast" press tour, was stunning in a black jumpsuit with an accented gold rose.

Read more on Emma Watson's new Instagram account to learn all about her eco-friendly dresses and outfits.



Paige O'Hara, the original actress who voiced Belle, was there to cheer on Watson and the updated cast.



Toni Braxton attended the premiere as well, wearing a shimmering sheath gown. She played Belle in the Broadway version of "Beauty and the Beast."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 13 most bizarre Soviet-era buildings that are still standing today

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LONDON — Mid-20th century architecture is not remembered with much affection by most people.

This is especially true in the former communist countries of Europe and Central Asia, where architects of the time designed some striking and frankly absurd structures before the Soviet era came to an end towards the end of the 20th century.

Many of these structures survived the fall of the Berlin Wall and are still standing today. Here is a pick of the most amazing buildings left behind by Soviet architects.

Mike Bird contributed to the original article.

The "Monument to the Revolution" built in Croatia (then Yugoslavia) is an abstract sculpture dedicated to the people of Moslavina during World War II.



This building in Georgia originally housed the Ministry of Highways and almost looks like it has been Photoshopped. It's now occupied by a commercial bank.



The enormous UFO-like spiritual home of the Bulgarian communist party stands on a peak in Buzludzha, a mountainous part of the country.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

WELCOME TO SEALAND: The utterly bizarre independent micronation that's been sitting off the British coast for over 50 years

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Map_of_Sealand_with_territorial_waters.svgLONDON — You've more than likely heard of some of Europe's tiniest nations — countries like Malta, San Marino, and the Vatican City state instantly come to mind.

But there is a long list of tiny, self-declared independent states around the continent that aren't recognised as independent by the governments of other nations. 

The Principality of Sealand in the North Sea is at the very top of the list.

Over half a century since this man-made platform split from the south-east coast of the United Kingdom, Sealand is still going strong. 

Check out the micronation's amazing story. 

Mike Bird contributed to this article. 

Sealand is one of the world's smallest micronations. It is not recognised by the UK but is effectively autonomous as it wasn't located in British territorial waters when it was established in the late 1960s.



It's off the coast of Essex, located in the Noth Sea approximately 7.5 miles from Great Britain. The site was previously known as HM Fort Roughs, a military installation built during the Second World War.



As you can see, it's tiny and isolated, with a helicopter platform taking up much of the space at the top of the building. Full-time military personnel were withdrawn from the structure in 1956.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

20 soda brands you'll never taste again

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Some soda brands just don't resonate with consumers, so they get taken off supermarket shelves, never to return.

The most memorable ones have worked their way into soda lore, refusing to be forgotten.

Some have lingering fans desperately trying to bring them back.

Scroll down to check out 20 failed soda brands you'll never taste again.

Will Heilpern and Kim Bhasin contributed to earlier versions of this post.

SEE ALSO: Coca-Cola has a new hunk

New Coke

The infamous New Coke remains a cautionary tale about why you shouldn't tamper with strong brands.

The reformulated version of Coca-Cola Classic launched in 1985 to help fight off the hard-charging Pepsi. It prompted outrage among hardcore Coca-Cola Classic fans, and less than three months later, Coca-Cola went back on its decision.

People are still seeking out New Coke, which was later sold in foreign markets under the name Coke II until it was permanently shut down in 2002.



Pepsi Blue

Pepsi Blue was introduced in 2002 to compete with Coca-Cola's Vanilla Coke brand. It was berry-flavored and very sugary. The brand drew fire for being colored with Blue 1, a controversial food-coloring agent banned in some countries.

Years after it was discontinued in 2004, the infamous drink is still being searched for by some, but it's extremely difficult to find.



Sprite Remix

Coca-Cola's Sprite Remix popped up in 2003, and it quickly developed a rabid fan base. Coke would expand its Sprite Remix flavors twice in the next two years, adding Berryclear and Aruba Jam to its portfolio following the original Tropical.

However, in 2005, Coca-Cola decided it wasn't performing well enough and killed the brand — at least in the American market.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Scottish brewery BrewDog wants to open a crowdfunded hotel in America with beer-filled hot tubs

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Scottish brewer BrewDog wants to open the world's first crowdfunded craft beer hotel in Columbus, Ohio.

Called "The DogHouse," the £6 million ($7.3 million) hotel will feature a craft beer spa with beer-based treatments, beer taps in the bedrooms, a hot tub filled with Punk IPA beer, and a beer fridge in the shower.

Beer-infused three-course breakfasts, lunches, and dinners will also be served, paired with artisanal craft beers.

It will be funded through a crowdfunding campaign which went live on Indiegogo on Friday. The aim is to raise $75,000 in 30 days, with $38,559 having already been promised at the time of publishing this article.

Those who back the project will get free nights at the hotel, and will exclusively receive the first five releases from the sour beer brewery, which the project will also fund. Those who contribute over $30,000 will also be able to host an all-night event, such as a wedding or a birthday, at the hotel.

"Beer geeks around the world have been crying out for a beer hotel since we first floated the idea on social media, so we’re going to kick-start the most ambitious project we’ve ever planned, all with the backing of our global community of beer fans," said BrewDog co-founder and CEO, James Watt.

The DogHouse is set to open by the end of September 2018. BrewDog also wants to open a hotel in Scotland, but the plans have stalled because of a disagreement with Aberdeenshire Council over the value of a plot of land, according to Scottish broadcaster STV.

Scroll down to see the plans for The DogHouse.

This is an artist's impression of the world's first craft beer hotel, DogHouse, set to open in Columbus, Ohio, in 2018.

Created by Scottish brewer BrewDog, it will be part-funded by the company's crowdfunding campaign, which launched on Friday.



There will be a craft beer tap in every room, serving the brewery’s flagship beer, Punk IPA.



The luxury suite will come with a hot tub filled with Punk IPA. The rooms also come with an in-shower beer fridge, so you can sip while you bathe.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

REVIEW: Nintendo's new game console is a fast, competent piece of hardware without enough software

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It's a big moment for Nintendo.

This Friday, the Japanese video game giant is launching its latest console, the Nintendo Switch. It's the company's first new console since 2012's Wii U — a console best known for being Nintendo's worst-selling of all time.

It's not quite a make-or-break moment for Nintendo, but it's not far off. The company could sure use a hit.

Nintendo Switch

With the Switch, Nintendo has the foundations of a great game console.

I've spent dozens of hours with the console during the past week, both at home on my TV and out in the world as a portable system. I can happily report that, in my experience, it's a speedy, modern piece of hardware that is well worth its $300 price tag. In the same breath, a warning: The Nintendo Switch is woefully underserved by software.

This is the duality of the Switch in March 2017, at launch. It's a console worth owning, but you should probably wait a few months to buy one.

SEE ALSO: Thinking about buying Nintendo's new console? Consider waiting.

DON'T MISS: Here's everything we know about Nintendo's new $300 console coming this week, the Switch

A quick overview: The Nintendo Switch is a $300 video game console set to launch on Friday, March 3.

The console is a hybrid home console and portable console. The games you play at home are the same when you take them on the go — that's the whole sell point of the console: "Play games everywhere."

In this sense, the "console" is just a tablet that can be docked or taken on the go.



This is the Nintendo Switch, the 6.2-inch tablet in the middle. The controllers on either side are modular; they can be slid onto the tablet, thus turning it into a handheld game system.



The Switch seamlessly moves between home console and portable console. You simply slide the tablet into the dock, and it's on your TV.

Switching between TV mode and handheld mode works exactly as advertised — it's simple, intuitive, and brilliant. Being able to pause a game on my TV, snag the Switch out of the Dock, and keep playing is a convenience I didn't think I needed. Turns out it's a tremendously nice bonus. I've been playing "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" on my morning commute, picking up where I left off on my TV the night before, and it's a real delight.

Also, if we're being honest, being able to bring the Switch to the bathroom is something that millions of people are going to embrace. Kinda gross? Maybe. Logical? Certainly.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 electric SUVs arriving by 2020

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Tesla is about to get a lot more competition.

At a time where sedan sales are falling, larger SUVs remain popular among consumers. Automakers— including Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, and more — are following suit and opting to build SUVs as their first long-range, electric vehicle.

Here are 9 electric SUVs slated to arrive in the next few years:

SEE ALSO: Jaguar's Tesla rival is coming in 2018 — here's everything we know about it

1. Jaguar first unveiled its I-PACE electric SUV concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, but the automaker recently showcased the car in a stunning red. The car is serving as the basis for a production model slated to arrive in 2018 — and we like what we're seeing so far.



Jaguar said its I-PACE can drive 220 miles on a single charge and accelerate to 60 mph in 4 seconds. There's no word on price yet, but it will likely fall in the luxury price range north of $50,000.



There are two touchscreen displays on the center console of the I-PACE. There's also a virtual screen instead of a traditional driver's instrument that can be controlled using buttons on the steering wheel.

You can get a more in-depth look at the Jaguar I-PACE SUV here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The magnificent new 'Legend of Zelda' game has 2 hidden characters — here's how to get them

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There's a lot to love about the new "Legend of Zelda" game — "Breath of the Wild"— for Nintendo's new Switch console. 

It's beautiful, for starters.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

But looks are fleeting, and the real joy of "Breath of the Wild" is its incredible sense of wonder and discovery. Simply put, it's an easy game to fall in love with. Spending hours exploring the genuinely dangerous, delightfully varied, hauntingly beautiful regions of Hyrule is a true pleasure.

And it's an even greater pleasure with some old friends by your side.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

That's right! Both Wolf Link from "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" and Epona from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" are in "Breath of the Wild." But where are they? How do you get them?

We've got answers.

SEE ALSO: The first major game on Nintendo's new console is one of the best games I've played in years

First up, let's start with the obvious one: Wolf Link.



The first thing you might notice is that he's adorable. That's because he's adorable.



But more importantly, you'll notice that Wolf Link has hearts — a life meter — on the left side of the screen:



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

New satellite images show inside China’s ghost cities

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China still has a startling number of vacant real-estate developments, judging from new satellite analysis by DigitalGlobe and Business Insider.

Chinese ghost cities have made headlines for nearly a decade, with huge new real-estate developments sitting mostly empty for years. Some see them as a sign China is heading for a real-estate crash. Others see them as just the typical style of urban expansion for a giant state-run economy.

While some ghost cities are reportedly filling in, the problem isn’t going away. A recent Baidu study of phone data gave clear evidence of 50 cities with areas of high vacancy. And just this fall China's richest man called Chinese real estate "the biggest bubble in history."

We looked inside some ghost cities with the latest in satellite technology, including time-lapse images, to show what’s making progress and what isn’t. See the highlights below.

SEE ALSO: 18 Hollywood blockbusters that pandered to China

DON'T MISS: China is making huge investments to become a soccer superpower

Chenggong was labeled a ghost city back in 2012, with reports of 100,000 vacant apartments. Five years later, the city still looks very empty — yet skyscrapers are still being built.

Source: BBC



Chenggong has big plans, evident in an extensive road grid. But the roads are still mostly empty, and many city blocks are still farmland.



A closer look at some of Chenggong’s mostly vacant skyscrapers. Note the paved road that transitions to dirt as it moves to the left.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

24 hot cars we can't wait to see at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show

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Ferrari 812 SuperfastThe 2017 Geneva Motor Show is the first major European car show of the year. The world's top brands will come out in force with their latest and greatest offerings. From Bentley to McLaren, Ferrari to Pagani, and Lamborghini to Porsche, the next wave of exotics will debut at the show. In addition, there will be a bevy of production-ready models from mass-market luxury brands, such as Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and BMW.

The event will run from March 9 to 19 at the Palexpo Arena in Geneva, Switzerland.

SEE ALSO: Range Rover's stunning Porsche fighter is here — and it's a high-tech marvel

The supercar contingent will be strong this year in Geneva. Leading the line will be Ferrari's new 812 Superfast — the successor to the F12Berlinetta.



McLaren is expected to unveil its first-ever second generation supercar called the 720S. It will replace the current McLaren Super Series seen here in the form of the 675LT.



Lamborghini will show off an updated version of its flagship supercar called the Aventador S.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

12 of the most beautiful schools around the US

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henderson hopkins school

Schools aren't just places where students cram facts into their brains. At their best, they are awe-inspiring places that people love to spend time in.

Around the US, beautiful schools from Seattle, Washington to Birmingham, Alabama create vibrant spaces for molding young minds.

Here are some of the most eye-catching schools the country has to offer.

SEE ALSO: 15 of the most beautiful schools around the world

In Birmingham, Alabama, the Indian Springs school allows kids to study both inside and outside. In 2016, the American Institute of Architects awarded it an Education Facilities Design Award, in part for its plant-lined elevated walkways.

Architects: Lake Flato Architects



The 350-acre boarding and day school blends in with nature to create a calming learning environment with plenty of light.



Henderson Hopkins School, an elementary school in Baltimore, Maryland, mimics the look of East Baltimore's brick row houses.

Architects: Rogers Partners



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

How Doughnut Plant founder Mark Isreal used 80,000 Chase Ink Business card rewards points to generate massive media buzz

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In the world of doughnuts, Mark Isreal is known for his creativity. But that creativity extends beyond rosewater-infused glaze and his trademark Jelly-Filled Square Doughnut — Isreal manages his entire business with the same innovative flair.

So to develop the Ripple Doughnut, his ambitious doughnut within a doughnut within a doughnut, Isreal got creative. Instead of digging into his reserve cash to fund its development, he looked to an untapped resource: his credit card rewards points.

Isreal crunched the numbers and figured he would need about $800, which is equal to 80,000 rewards points from his Chase Ink Business credit card, to purchase the supplies needed for the first run of 90 Ripple Doughnuts for his business, Doughnut Plant.

In a few short weeks, he was ready to start selling his new creation. Here's the breakdown of how he did it.

 

chart

 

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So what did he get for his effort? A lot — especially when you consider the Ripple Doughnut was developed with zero cost to Doughnut Plant's bottom line. Here's how word of the Ripple Doughnut spread.

Talked about online across the US and around the world

Even though the Ripple Doughnut was sold at only one shop in New York City, the attention-grabbing confection — which Isreal said was "designed for social media"— has been seen on various social platforms by people across the country and around the globe in countries like Australia, South Africa, Argentina, and Japan. As Doughnut Plant expands, its name and reputation will precede it.



Featured in more than 40 media outlets

News outlets including BuzzFeed, Refinery29, the "Today" show, and The New York Post covered the launch of the Ripple Doughnut. The potential reach of the coverage is estimated at 16.5 million media impressions. You can't buy that kind of press. (Well, you can — but it's expensive.)



Mentioned in more than 400 social posts

No result is more valuable than the viral social media response to the Ripple Doughnut. The potential reach of the conversation across Facebook, Twitter, and other channels is estimated at more than 8 million impressions. And that means everyone from casual fans to foodie influencers got "face time" with the highly photogenic confection.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

17 celebrity pairs you didn't realize were best friends

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Celebrities know just how nice it is to have friends on the inside in Hollywood. These friends can help each other land roles, defend against the gossip magazines, or even fluff each other's dresses on the red carpet.

You surely know about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's lasting friendship and you might be well aware that "Friends" co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox are best friends in real life, but there are quite a few friendships that you likely never knew about. 

Here are 17 celebrity duos that you didn't know were friends.

Chelsea Handler and Jennifer Aniston

Aniston and Handler go way way back. Handler says their friendship "just happened" and since then, she's made headlines for defending her bestie. She's called Angelina Jolie a "lunatic" and made sure that everyone knew Aniston didn't care one bit about their divorce. However, Handler has jokingly mentioned that being best friends with someone so famous isn't as fun as one might think. 

"Everywhere I go, people ask me about Jennifer Aniston's wedding," Handler said to HuffPost Live. "I always say to her, I'm like, 'Being friends with you is a burden.' You think it's hard to be friends with me? Do you know what it's like to walk down a red carpet and go, 'When are Jen and Justin getting married?' Like I'm in charge of that."



Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire

This interesting friendship kicked off in 1990 when the two auditioned for the same role in a TV show. They allegedly agreed to help each other in the industry whenever possible, and their bond hasn't broken yet. 

Flash forward to 2013 and the two finally star together in the infamous "The Great Gatsby." Between those pivotal moments, paps have spotted the pair rooting on teams at basketball games, snorkeling with each other on vacations, and sitting together at parties. 

Their years-long friendship has withstood the tests of time, and in Hollywood, that's even more impressive.

"Every single choice I've made, I've talked to Tobey about and vice versa," DiCaprio said to The Associated Press during an interview. "We've had endless conversations about certain projects and argued with one another and supported one another along the way."



Selena Gomez and Cara Delevingne

Delevingne has a girl gang made up of what seems like every model and pop singer in Hollywood. She's known to hang out with a variety of celebrities, but one of her closer friends is the retired Disney Channel star. They attend events together all the time and got so cozy that rumors even started to spread that they were more than just friends.

"She's incredible and very open and she just makes me open. She's so fun and she's just extremely adventurous, and sometimes I just want that in my life, so I didn't mind it," Gomez said of the rumors while talking to to PrideSource. "I loved it."

 



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I grew up in Alaska — here's what I tell my friends to do when they visit

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chloe miller alaska

You might think of Alaska as a barren, frozen wasteland, where igloos and dog sleds are more common than chain stores or Subarus. You'd be wrong.

The 49th state certainly lives up to its moniker of "The Last Frontier," but it is also home to vibrant, growing cities, a booming outdoor culture, and mountains that take your breath away. And yes, dog sleds

As someone who was born and raised in Anchorage, the state's largest city, I consider myself a strong authority on the best things to see, eat, and do in the land of the Midnight Sun. Here are my top tips.

Observe massive grizzly bears at Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park and Preserve. You can stand on a wooden observation deck as close as 10 yards from the bears (don't worry, it's safe). July and September are the best times to go, when the park is teeming with bears.

If real-life bear viewing is too personal for you, the park also supports a livestream of Brooks Falls at explore.org



Check out Fairbanks, which is deep in the interior of the state and Alaska's second-largest city.

Fairbanks is right above the Arctic Circle, and has 24-hour daylight in summer, and spectacular Northern Lights displays in winter.



Experience Alaska's icy climate, even in the summer, by taking a cruise to Portage Glacier, just an hour from Anchorage.

Glaciers are a common theme for any trip to Alaska — there are 616 officially named glaciers in the state, and as many as 100,000 in total.



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