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44 of the hardest questions Apple will ask in a job interview (AAPL)

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Tim Cook

Apple is one of the most prestigious companies in the world, so it's not surprising to learn that getting a job there isn't easy.

Apple asks both technical interview questions, based on your past work experience, and some mind-boggling puzzles.

And if you're interviewing to work at Apple's retail stores, you'll be asked a lot of questions about how you'd handle an angry customer. 

We combed through posts on Glassdoor to find some of the toughest interview questions candidates have been asked.

Some require solving tricky math problems, while others are simple but vague enough to keep you on your toes.

Lisa Eadicicco, Nathan McAlone, and Maya Kosoff contributed to an earlier version of this story.

SEE ALSO: 33 Uber interview questions you don't want to be asked

"We have a cup of hot coffee and a small cold milk out of the fridge. The room temperature is in between these two. When should we add milk to coffee to get the coolest combination earliest (at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end)?"—Product Design Engineer candidate



"How much does the Empire State Building weigh?"— Solutions Consultant candidate



"How do you check if a binary tree is a mirror image on left and right sub-trees?" - Research scientist candidate



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's how much sugar is crammed into the bestselling drinks in America

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A taste of something sweet never hurt anyone, but you may be gulping down more sugar than you realize.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially recommends that we eat no more than 50 grams (about 4 tablespoons) of sugar per day, though the World Health Organization calls for half that amount.

Meanwhile, the average American consumes nearly double the FDA's guidelines — and the long-term consequences can be dire.

Canned and bottled beverages are a major contributor to US sugar intake, but colas and other sodas aren't the only drinks to blame; pre-packaged coffees, teas, and energy drinks are often loaded with the sweet stuff, too.

Here are the bestselling non-diet drinks in the US across five major categories, according to sales data that Euromonitor provided to Business Insider, and how much sugar they contain.

SEE ALSO: 15 disturbing consequences of eating too much sugar

DON'T MISS: These food myths are ridiculous and need to die

Coffee



Colas



Non-Colas



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If you love 'BioShock,' you need to see this gorgeous new game

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In 2007, a mysterious game named "BioShock" seemingly came out of nowhere. It was cinematic, philosophical, gorgeous, and thrilling — a game that thrilled critics and became a blockbuster commercial success.

bioshock

Ten years later, we may have the makings of another breakout hit in the same vein as the beloved "BioShock."

The game's called "Prey," and it just launched on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Prey (2017)

While "BioShock" took place in an underwater dystopia, "Prey" takes place in a futuristic space station overtaken by an alien species that's usually imprisoned. But everything is not as it seems in "Prey." Where the world of "BioShock" had so-called "plasmids," the world of "Prey" has neuromods. With every power you choose, a bit more of your humanity slips away. 

This is the give and take of "Prey," and it's just the surface of the tradeoffs you'll face on the space station Talos 1.

SEE ALSO: 'BioShock' has the best opening sequence of any video game ever made

"Prey" is a first-person character action game, where you explore a beautiful, isolated world that's falling apart. It's riddled with story clues, unique characters, and stuff that wants to kill you. It very much feels like "BioShock" in space, which I mean as a compliment.



There's a sharp, distinct sense of style right from the jump. This office is yours, which you visit early on in the game.



The story backbone to "Prey" is based on the concept that President John F. Kennedy survived his assassination, and advanced the human push into space dramatically as a result. An alien force, known as the Typhon, saw humans as a threat and attacked. The US and the Soviet Union joined forces against the threat, defeated it, and built a space station to imprison and study the aliens.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A 30-year-old saved $10,000 in rent when she left Los Angeles to Airbnb-hop around the world

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Stephanie Lee

When Stephanie Lee walked into her manager's office in September 2015 to quit her editor job, she wasn't entirely sure of her next step.

But the California native and blogger behind FY!S soon found herself on a one-way flight to Japan, where she took up freelance writing gigs to fund her travels around the country.

Her new lifestyle felt adventurous and thrilling, and she quickly crafted a plan to make it sustainable.

"It turned out to be a lot cheaper for me to be a laptop-hauling nomad, bouncing from Airbnb to Airbnb around different countries and cities, than setting up camp in one set location," Lee, 30, wrote in a recent article published on Thrillist.

Over the next 11 months, she paid a total of $10,584 for weeks-long stays in Airbnbs in Paris, Tokyo, London, Barcelona, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, and Honolulu. Compare that to the estimated $20,400 she would have spent in a year on an average one-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles at $1,700 a month, and the savings is nearly $10,000, Lee said.

"At this point, I saw it simply as paying 'rent' as if I were living in Los Angeles but without commitment and in other cities around the world," she told Business Insider. What's more, transportation — mostly trains and cheap domestic flights throughout Asia and Europe — cost her a total of just $1,500 (another $800 worth of flights were paid for by a generous client).

Currently, Lee is spending time back home in Los Angeles with friends and family.

Below, learn more about the professional freelancer and traveler's life in Airbnbs and her strategy for finding the perfect rentals (and negotiating the cost).

To follow Lee's adventures working and living around the world, check out FY!S or follow her on Instagram.

SEE ALSO: A 27-year-old who saves 65% of his income shares his 7 best tips for traveling on a budge

DON'T MISS: Thanks to a little-known airline hack, traveling around the world could be cheaper than you realize

Back in early 2016, Lee was traveling in Japan and realized some Airbnb hosts offered monthly rental options. This seemed to her like a more comfortable and potentially affordable way to travel long-term than staying in hotels or hostels.

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 Mt. Hallasan, Jeju-do.



As a professional freelance writer and blogger, Lee simply needs her computer and reliable Wi-Fi to earn money. Airbnbs, she realized, could double as temporary office and living space, and afford her the opportunity to experience living like a local in different cities.

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In Paris, France. 



By February, Lee started Airbnb-hopping. She said she searched for rentals in hip and safe neighborhoods with cafés, restaurants, groceries, and transportation within walking distance. "I wanted to live somewhat close to the tourist spots — but not quite in there to pay the high prices of those areas — and still be able to live like a local," she told Business Insider.

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 Bukansan National Park in Seoul, South Korea.



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This stylish lounge at JFK Airport is all about 'unparalleled luxury'

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Etihad JFK Airport Lounge 37

Over the past decade, New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport has made a concerted effort to improve customer experience and integrate a higher level of luxury amenities. One of the most recent and impressive additions is the Etihad Airways Premium Lounge located inside JFK's Terminal 4.

"Everything we do at Etihad is about providing unparalleled luxury," Etihad senior vice president for the Americas, Martin Drew, told Business Insider during a tour of the facility. "We don't necessarily benchmark ourselves just against other airlines, but more so against some of the finest hotels and restaurants in the world."

Opened at the end of 2015, the lounge extends the Etihad's premium service beyond the aircraft — putting the airline in a prime position to attract highly lucrative business and high-class leisure travelers. In addition to the lounge, the Abu Dhabi-based airline is ramping up its New York operation with the adoption of the Airbus A380 superjumbo on its JFK-bound flights.

Here's a closer look at the JFK Terminal 4's Etihad Lounge.

SEE ALSO: Here are the 12 best airlines in America

As the frosted glass doors slide open, we were immediately greeted by an Etihad Airways employee.



Once inside, the lounge features a fully stocked bar,...



... An assortment of fine dining options, as well as plenty of places to ...



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Here's the only right way to watch the 'Star Wars' movies

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han solo shrug final

Perhaps you're planning to binge all of the "Star Wars" movies in preparation for the latest, "The Last Jedi," coming later in 2017. But there are so many these days that you have no idea where to start.

Do you watch the original trilogy first? Do you watch the prequels first, and then get instantly upset with yourself for watching them because they ruined your unbridled love of "Star Wars"?

And where does the standalone “Rogue One” fit into the marathon? And when the new Han Solo spin-off comes out, where will that fit in?

It turns out a lot of people have opinions about the right order in which to watch the “Star Wars” movies.

Here's the right way to watch the "Star Wars" movies — and why:

SEE ALSO: The first trailer for the next 'Star Wars' movie is here!

By watching the original trilogy first, you get to experience the films the same way the rest of the world did.

We’re assuming you’ve seen the movies before. But if you’re showing them to someone who has been living in a bunker for the past 40 years or if you're showing the movies to your kids for the first time, the original trilogy is the right way to immerse them into the universe. Don't spoil it for them right off the bat.

 



“A New Hope” — along with the other two films in the original trilogy — immerse you in the world and gradually introduce you to beloved characters and mythology.

In 2015, Vulture asked some famous people what they think is the right way to watch “Star Wars”:

Lin Manuel-Miranda said “chronologically, when it was released. Absolutely. I had a pretty good time experiencing it that way. Linear is the best way to do it.”

(It should be noted that in the chronology of the "Star Wars" fictional world, however, the prequels come before the events of "A New Hope.")

Dennis Quaid agreed. "See the first one that was out, and then watch them in order. That way you get the whole experience, just as we earthlings did. I was actually at the very first night of the very first 'Star Wars.' We weren't really aware what we were watching. All I remember is seeing that big, huge spacecraft going across the scene, going across the screen. It just kept going and going. It was like the greatest special effect ever. The whole audience was in then."



The prequels just aren’t as immersive and magical as the original films. And the problem with watching them first is that they were made with the understanding that everyone knew that Anakin was going to turn into Darth Vader.

Not knowing what Anakin becomes from the beginning makes the movies even more boring than they already are.

Then you're left with the Trade Federation “drama” that sucks all of the fun out of “The Phantom Menace.” 

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

This guy fixed his teeth by 3D printing his own plastic braces for $60

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kFcln1J

An undergraduate at New Jersey Institute of Technology made his own plastic braces using a 3D printer, $60 of materials, and a healthy dose of ingenuity — and they actually worked.

Amos Dudley had braces in middle school, but he didn't wear a retainer like he was supposed to, so his teeth slowly shifted back.

He didn't want to shell out thousands of dollars for a whole new round of braces, so the digital-design major decided to make his own.

On his blog, Dudley wrote that he was an unlikely combination of two things: He was broke, but had access to a high-quality 3D printer through his university. He took full advantage of this.

The process wasn't exactly easy. He had to research orthodontic procedures and plot the route of his successive braces, so his teeth would move in the right way. But once that was done, all it took was fabricating a series of models out of relatively inexpensive plastic, and then following through on wearing them.

And it was worth it for Dudley, whose smile turned out looking remarkable.

Here is the process he went through: 

SEE ALSO: Facebook wants to launch its big attack on TV next month — here's what we know

Dudley ran across a photo from a "name brand clear-alignment treatment" and noticed that the plastic looked like it had the layer striations from a 3D print. So what was to stop him from 3D-printing his own, he thought.



First he took a mold of his teeth with alginate powder. "These molds are very precise, and capture an amazing amount of detail," he writes. "There were some bubbles in the mold," but they wouldn't matter for the aligner.



Making this casting was simple, he says. "I put the mold upside down in a yogurt container, and then filled it with liquid Permastone," he writes. "When it came out, I simply broke off the top to reveal the casting, and used a razor blade to smooth out the surrounding area."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Photos of what the stars of the NBA playoffs looked like when their careers started

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james harden rookie

The NBA playoffs have already given us some classic games and performances from some of the league's biggest stars.

This year's playoffs have been interesting in that it features some of the usual cast of characters — LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, James Harden, etc. — but they have also showcased some young, rising stars like Kawhi Leonard, Isaiah Thomas, and Gordon Hayward.

In a league where so many players come and go, it can be fun to revisit just how far some of the league's best players have come, both in appearance and skill set.

Take a look at how different some of the biggest stars remaining in the playoffs look today vs. their rookie years.

At 32 years old, LeBron James is still the NBA's most dominant player and poised to lead the Cavaliers to another Finals appearance.



In 2003, James entered the league at 18 years old as a high-school phenom.



Manu Ginobili may be the oldest star of the NBA playoffs, coming off the bench for the Spurs at 39.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

23 gifts your mom actually wants this Mother's Day

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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.

BI Graphics_Mother's Day gift guide flowers 1 4x3Mother's Day is about showing Mom some extra love. Even if all you can afford is a nice card that spells out just how much you care about and appreciate her, that's totally fine. It's the thought that counts.

If you have the funds, but aren't sure what to get her this year, you've found the right guide. We picked 23 presents mothers will love — even yours. They run the gamut, from a pair of delicate rose-gold earrings to the perfect weekend baga fun monthly book subscription, or a beautiful bouquet of farm-fresh flowers.

These ideas are suited for every type of mom. Whether this is her very first Mother's Day or her 40th, whether she's a foodie or a fashionista, there's bound to be a gift she'll love in this list.

Having trouble figuring out what to get your mom for Mother's Day? Browse all of Insider Picks' 2017 Mother's Day gift guides here.

SEE ALSO: This is the work bag professional women everywhere have been looking for

DON'T MISS: A brand you wouldn't expect is behind my favorite pair of leggings — and they're on sale right now

A set of sheets she won't want to take off her bed

A set of high-quality sheets is a must-have for any bedroom, and I've gone so far as to call Brooklinen's the best value on the market. The company's Hardcore Sheet Bundle has everything she needs to completely makeover her bed. It includes a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, a duvet cover, and four pillowcases. 

**Brooklinen is offering 15% off and free shipping sitewide to celebrate its third anniversary this weekend, making now an opportune time to buy your mom or yourself new sheets.** 

Brooklinen Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle (Queen), $228

Brooklinen Classic Hardcore Sheet Bundle (Queen), $179.25



A bouquet of farm-fresh flowers

If you don't have a local florist to consult and you're ready to move on from 1-800-Flowers, have a look at The Bouqs Co. and BloomThat. I've used each service a handful of times, and while I can't vouch for every bouquet each company has ever shipped, all of my experiences with Bouqs and BloomThat have been positive ones so far.

BloomThat is offering Insider Picks readers an exclusive 15% off with the code "BUSINSIDER15" for orders delivered before May 14. The company is also offering new customers 20% off plus a free vase and caramels for Mother's Day blooms with the code "BESTMOM."Click here to redeem the deal.

The Bouqs Company is offering Insider Picks readers 20% off its Mother's Day Collection with the code "INSIDER20." The offer expires after May 7.  Click here to redeem the deal.

Check out BloomThat's and The Bouqs Co.'s Mother's Day flowers here. 

Pictured: BloomThat Lolly Bouquet, $55



A pair of earrings or a necklace

Get her a pair of earrings or an initial necklace she can wear every day. Mejuri's jewelry is a new favorite of mine, and I'm guessing a lot of moms will love the company's delicate collection of rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. You can check out all of Mejuri's jewelry here.

Mejuri Rose Gold Grace Studs, $180

Mejuri Yellow Gold Engravable Necklace,  $240

 

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best window air conditioners, according to Consumer Reports

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haier AC

All of the window air conditioners in Consumer Reports' latest tests do a very good job at keeping you cool.

What distinguishes one window unit from another is how quickly and quietly it cools a room and how easy it is to operate.

Even if your home has central air conditioning, you might want to consider a room unit to cool areas not served by the main system, such as a home office or a finished room in the attic.

If so, go with a window air conditioner—they're a better choice than portable air conditioners, which struggled in our tests.

You don’t have to pay a lot to get heat relief. Most window air conditioners in our tests range in price from $140 to $370. The price outlier is the Friedrich Kuhl SQO8N10D, $710, a strong performer with a streamlined look. (Our top pick window air conditioners are grouped here in alphabetical order by the size of the room they can cool.)

More choices

For more choices in more price ranges, see our air conditioner ratings. We'll be adding more new models in the coming weeks.

SEE ALSO: This is the solution to air conditioners we've all been waiting for

1. Kenmore 77060

Category: 100 to 300 Square Feet (5,000 to 6,500 Btu) 

The Kenmore 77060 was very good at cooling a room and relatively quiet on the low setting but noisier on high. The controls could be easier to use. It weights 45 pounds and has digital controls, a remote control, and a reminder to clean the filter. Kenmore air conditioners are sold at Sears.



2. LG LW6016R

Category: 100 to 300 Square Feet (5,000 to 6,500 Btu) 

Excellent at keeping you cool, the LG LW6016R is fairly quiet on the low setting and a bit louder on high. It has digital controls, a remote control, and a light that comes on when the filter needs cleaning. It weighs 50 pounds.

 


3. SPT WA-6022S

Category: 100 to 300 Square Feet (5,000 to 6,500 Btu) 

A great little window air conditioner at a good price, the SPT WA-6022S gets top scores for cooling and is pretty intuitive to use. It weighs 45 pounds and comes with a timer, dirty-filter indicator, and remote control.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 photos that show what life is really like on the US-Mexico border

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us-mexico border

More than 100 days into Donald Trump's presidency, his administration has yet to persuade Congress (or Mexico) to pay for an estimated$21.6 billion wall along the US-Mexico border. 

Congress did, however, agree to a budget bill in late April that will fund $146 million in upgrades to the existing steel border fencing, which was first installed in the mid-1990s.

For some, the border is not just a divider between the US and Mexico — it's home. 

Reuters visited some of these folks in Tijuana, Mexico, who live in a variety of home types, from a small treehouse to a mansion with views of California and the Pacific Ocean, on the border.

Their stories are below.

SEE ALSO: 26 photos that show the US-Mexico border's evolution over 100 years

Steel fencing spans about 654 miles of the 1,933-mile US-Mexico border. Other areas, have a "virtual fence," featuring scanners, guards, and drones.



Carlos Torres, an architect, has lived in a mansion on the Tijuana side for three decades. The fence begins at the end of his garden. He tells Reuters he named his mansion the "First House in Northwest Mexico."



Torres' garden is littered with border paraphernalia, including a signpost with arrows that point toward cities in California and Mexico.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 official residences of world leaders that you can visit

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La Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires

From Great Britain’s 10 Downing Street to South Korea’s Blue House, the private residences of world leaders are all unique in their own way.

Some are gargantuan palaces, while others are traditional castles, sprawling mansions, or luxury townhouses.

Each one displays its own architectural identity and significant historical importance.

So where do the world’s presidents and prime ministers retire after a day of running their respective countries?

Here, a list of 10 amazing addresses, which are also the official residences of powerful leaders around the world. 

Élysée Palace in Paris, France

One of the most opulent residences to house a world leader, the Élysée Palace in Paris, France is a beautiful example of classical architecture. Given its gilded interiors, which are outfitted in gold, velvet curtains, and fine art, it’s no surprise that some former French socialist presidents have chosen to shun the palace for more modest living arrangements. Built in 1722 and home to French presidents since the 1840s, the Élysée Palace is located in the center of Paris, close to the Champs-Élysées. If you want some immediate office envy, check out the Salon Doré (Golden Room) where the French prime minister carries out day-to-day work surrounded by lavish gold walls. 



Blue House in Seoul, South Korea

The Blue House, the official residence of the South Korean head of state, boasts a whopping 150,000 blue granite tiles on its roof. One of the few executive residences open to the public, visitors can explore parts of the 62-acre complex in Seoul, which features some beautifully manicured gardens. In 1968, 31 North Korean commandos stormed the palace’s grounds, in an attempt to assassinate the then-president. The mission was unsuccessful.



The White House in Washington D.C., United States

While Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate is getting plenty of attention (it’s even touted as the winter White House), it’s not going to be easy to usurp the famous 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue address in Washington, D.C. The White House is more than 200 years old (building began in October 1792), and while George Washington oversaw the construction, he never had a chance to take over the Oval Office. Outside, the portico columns and whitewashing echo the strong Greek Revival influences, but inside, the style depends on who’s in power. When presidents take office, they don’t just come to the White House with their family, but they also bring their own interior design ideas (it could be home for eight years, after all). However, decorating is not anything new in the White House, which was set ablaze by the British in 1814, destroying its original interior. 



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9 science-backed ways to appear more attractive

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kit harington 2015

What makes people attractive? And sometimes really, really attractive?

Hotness is devilishly hard to generalize. A person's mood, cultural upbringing, and ability to get along with someone, for example, add up to radically different ideas about who's sexy and who's not.

That said, researchers have found some commonalities that seem to make people more attractive than others, and they can be helpful in thinking about how we present ourselves to the world.

We've rounded up some of the more compelling science here. Before you dig in, though, keep in mind that a lot of psychological research is heterosexually biased, and we live in a world where people seek mates based first on their farmer status— so don't fret if you don't see yourself described in this list.

Drake Baer contributed to a previous version of this article.

SEE ALSO: The 15 best sports for burning calories

Be funny.

Humor is huge, especially if you're a man who wants to date women. Multiplestudiesindicate that ladies are more attracted to guys who can make them laugh. 

It makes sense — laughing feels good! — but the advantage seems weirdly uneven. Women who make men laugh, for example, don't gain anywhere near the same kind of advantage. In other words, men aren't paying enough attention to whether their female mates can give them a giggle. What gives, men?

There's some speculation as to what the cause of this disparity might be.

"The effect of a great sense of humor on women's attractions might be partially explained by the fact that funny people are considered to be more social and more intelligent, things that women seek in a mate," anthropologist Gil Greengross writes at Psychology Today.

But, as far as we're concerned, if you're a funny person — no matter your anatomical sex — keeping is unlikely to hurt your chances.



Surround yourself with friends.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes bands are sexy, but their individual members aren't?

Well, you can stop wondering why. A 2014 study from the University of California at San Diego found that people almost always look more attractive when they're in a group.

Writer James Hamblin does a pretty good job of exploring this funny effect for The Atlantic. It most likely happens because our brains process the faces of a group of people in aggregate, making each face look more "average"— and thus more attractive— as a result.

"Having a few wingmen or wingwomen may indeed be a good dating strategy, particularly if their facial features complement and average out one's unattractive idiosyncrasies," authors Drew Walker and Edward Vul write in their original study.

I wouldn't spend too much time worrying if your bar mates' faces average out your unattractive idiosyncrasies. The go out with friends bit is probably good advice.



Skip the small talk.

An interesting way to kick off your first date is not, "How many siblings do you have?" So consider saving those basic questions for later.

In a 1997 study, State University of New York psychologist Arthur Aron separated two groups of people and paired them off, giving each duo 45 minutes to answer a set of questions.

One question set was small talk, and the other was immediately probing. The people who asked deeper questions felt more connected — and one couple even fell in love.

According to Harvard research, talking about yourself stimulates the same brain regions as sex or a good meal. Which isn't to say it's literally the same thing for you as sex or a good meal. But it does make you happy, and letting someone you like talk about themselves in a deep way will make them happy.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The Amazon Echo is one of the most useful tech gadgets on the market — here’s how I use mine

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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.

Screen Shot 2017 04 24 at 9.58.50 AMLast year I went from an Amazon Echo skeptic to a daily user. 

It's convenient to get information using only my voice, especially when my hands are full.

Over the past year the Echo has become more useful thanks to regular software updates and its integration with different smart home accessories. 

Below are the six ways I use my Echo on a regular, and sometimes daily, basis. 

You can buy the Amazon Echo for $179.99 here.

DON'T MISS: Amazon's store brand makes a lot of great tech, but these are the 10 gadgets actually worth buying

SEE ALSO: 20 must-have tech accessories under $20

To adjust my lights

One of the first things that drew me to the Echo was its integration with smart home accessories, and Philips' Hue bulbs in particular. 

I only have overhead lightning in my apartment, and it's incredibly convenient to be able to say, "Alexa, turn off my bedroom lights" when it's time for bed. 

If you're new to Hue, you'll need to pick up one of their starter kits, which include three bulbs and a Hue hub. Once you have a hub, you can add up to 50 lights.

Buy the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit on Amazon for $199.99

Buy the Amazon Echo on Amazon for $179.99



To get the weather

I could look outside or check my Apple Watch, but as I'm getting dressed in the morning I've gotten into the routine of asking my Echo about the weather.

You can ask about the day's weather in general, or ask more specific questions like, "Is it going to rain today?"

I also ask my Echo about the weather before I travel, so I have a good idea of what to expect when I reach my destination. 

Buy the Amazon Echo on Amazon for $179.99



To set timers and convert measurements when cooking

I've been cooking a lot more this year, and the Echo has helped me keep on top of everything.

Sometimes I need to know how many tablespoons are in a cup (16, by the way) halfway through a recipe. Asking the Echo saves me from having to stop what I'm doing to pull out my phone; time is usually of the essence while cooking and a lost minute can have a big impact on a dish. 

Other times I need to boil something for 11 minutes while I work on another part the meal I'm preparing. I just ask Alexa to set a timer and wait to hear the alarm go off. I'm even able to ask how much time is left, which is convenient if I'm working on meal that needs to come together perfectly.

Buy the Amazon Echo on Amazon for $179.99



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We went to the best bar in the world to find out what the drink of the summer will be — here's the verdict

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Drink of the Summer 6

Summer is drinking season.

Every year, a new breed of cocktail emerges as the drink du jour. But what is the ultimate summer cocktail? The one you can drink year in and year out, without worrying about frilly, hard-to-follow trends?

That's what we wanted to find out, so we donned our deerstalker hats and made our way downtown.

We call it: "Business Insider and the case of the missing drink of the summer."

SEE ALSO: 14 apps every modern gentleman should have on his phone

We decided to begin our search at the Dead Rabbit, a favorite hangout of Wall Streeters and delicious cocktails. If we could find the drink of the summer anywhere, it would probably be there.



The Dead Rabbit was recently awarded the prestigious "Best Bar in the World" designation by Drinks International magazine. We couldn't think of a better place to search for the drink of the summer.

Source: Business Insider



Our man behind the bar, Long Thai, was more than happy to help us with our search. His advice and expertise would prove invaluable. The drink of the summer would soon reveal itself.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 states where tech workers make the most money

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golden gate bridge san francisco

It's a good time to be working in tech, no matter where you live in the US.

The non-profit trade association Computing Technology Industry Association, or CompTIA, recently found that tech workers make, on average, $108,900 throughout the US.

That being said, tech workers in some states stand to earn more than their counterparts in other parts of the country.

And while, expectedly, California techies skew the curve by earning more than $150,000 on average a year, CompTIA also found that you don't necessarily have to move to Silicon Valley if you want to earn more than $100,000 a year.

Here are the states (plus Washington DC) where tech workers stand to earn the highest salaries:

SEE ALSO: 15 places where engineering majors dream of working

14. New Hampshire

Average tech industry wage in 2016: $100,190

Number of tech workers in New Hampshire: 41,846

Tech workers make up 6.5% of New Hampshire's workforce.



13. Texas

Average tech industry wage in 2016: $102,251

Number of tech workers in Texas: 592,960

Tech workers make up 5.1% of Texas' workforce.



12. Delaware

Average tech industry wage in 2016: $104,440

Number of tech workers in Delaware: 18,752

Tech workers make up 4.3% of Delaware's workforce.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Donald Trump is a big Andrew Jackson fan — here's how the 7th president of the United States ran the country

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Jackson Trump

During his presidency, Andrew Jackson's populist rhetoric and popularity with "the common man" earned him the nickname "King Mob."

Today, he seems to have one new addition to his fan base.

President Donald Trump has placed a portrait of the seventh US president in the Oval Office and criticized the decision to replace the seventh president's portrait on the $20 bill with one of Harriet Tubman. In one interview, Trump even speculated that Jackson might have even been able to stop the Civil War from breaking out, calling him "a very tough person" with a "big heart."

The statement attracted criticism, with critics noting that Jackson was an unrepentant slaveholder himself.

The controversy over "Old Hickory" isn't new. He's been a divisive figure since his presidency, attracting condemnation for his forced and bloody removal of the Cherokee from their homelands, his status as a slave-holder, his penchant for dueling and violent threats, and what some consider a tyrannical bent. However, Jackson usually fares well in presidential rankings, coming in at number 18 in CSPAN's 2017 list. Supporters tend to cite his populism and advocacy for poorer Americans as positive points in his legacy. For more details on Jackson's life and legacy, don't miss Business Insider's previous report on the statesman.

"Jackson is widely respected by many Americans," says Columbia University history professor and "The Fiery Trial" author Eric Foner. "On the other hand, there are those who criticize him strongly because of his policy vis-a-vis Native Americans and slavery. If Trump knows about American history, that's a good thing. I don't care about who he's talking about — Jackson, Lincoln, the Roosevelts, whoever, Reagan. The problem is, he's resurrecting Jackson without any real knowledge of who Jackson was or what Jackson did. So that's a kind of fake history, to go along with fake news."

With that in mind, here's what Jackson's leadership style looked like during his two terms as president:

SEE ALSO: How one of the worst US presidents in history alienated Congress to the point that he was impeached

Jackson was from a humble background, and got his first taste of leadership during wartime.

Jackson could certainly claim the title of "self-made man," as he was born to a Scotch-Irish immigrant family in 1767 in one of the Carolinas — historians aren't quite sure which. As a child, he was orphaned and slashed in the face by an English officer during the American Revolution.

Foner says that, while Jackson went on to accrue great wealth and power during his lifetime, his egalitarian streak probably came from a sincere place, due to his obscure background.

He went on to study law, moved to Tennessee, and entered the political realm as the territory achieved statehood. Jackson ended up building a large plantation known as the Hermitage, where he came to enslave 150 men, women, and children by the end of his life.

Jackson's rise in society accelerated when he led an army to successfully defend New Orleans against the British during the War of 1812. Although the war was technically over by that point, Meacham compares this victory to the triumph of Henry V at Agincourt, serving to inspire Americans and bolster Jackson's popularity.

Jackson went on to fight against the Seminole tribe in Florida, in order to seize native lands, oust the Spanish from the territory, and prevent the region from being a haven for escaped slaves.

Jackson's victories against the British and Native Americans ended up cementing his status as a war hero, along with his leadership style — his soldiers referred to him as "Old Hickory" in reference to his toughness.



As a leader, Jackson often took things personally and surrounded himself with friends.

After losing his first presidential race to John Quincy Adams — thanks to a deal in Congress that Jackson supporters called the "Corrupt Bargain"— Jackson ran again and won in 1828.

However, the success came at a cost. Politics had become personal during the race. Jackson's wife Rachel was accused of bigamy during the campaign — due to the fact that she hadn't realized her first marriage was not technically dissolved when she married Jackson. The accusations took their toll on Rachel, and Jackson blamed the stress for her death that year. He vowed to never forgive his political rival Adams.

His personal approach to politics continued during his term. Author Jon Meacham writes in his Pulitzer-winning book "American Lion" that Jackson once described America as "one great family" during the nullification crisis. At the same time, he flew into such a rage that he threatened to hang South Carolina's leaders and personally lead an army down south to deal with the rebels.

Unlike predecessors like George Washington, Jackson did not necessarily appoint individuals to positions based on their talents. After his first administration became bitterly divided when the wives of his Cabinet members shunned Peggy Eaton, the wife of his Secretary of War, due to rumors about her loose morals, he fired everyone and became alienated from Vice President John Calhoun.

After that, he preferred to stock a so-called, unofficial "Kitchen Cabinet" with friends and allies, to whom he often turned for advice.



Jackson was a divisive leader who inspired devotion... as well as the first recorded assassination attempt on an American president.

When the seventh president was first elected, he hosted a wild party in the White House, opening the building up to the public.

"I think the thing is that Jackson used his presidency to criticize and in some ways combat the 1% of that era," Foner said. "He destroyed the Bank of the United States, the most powerful economic institution in the country. He spoke about the need for government to side with the common man, not the business interests."

"I was born for a storm and a calm does not suit me," Jackson once said, according to Meacham. As an intensely partisan, often hot-headed leader, Jackson was never one to try to appeal to both sides of the aisle on many issues.

Then again, many people loathed the man, viewing him as an "American Caesar." In 1835, an unemployed house painter from England attempted to shoot Jackson with a pistol at the US State Capitol. It misfired, and, according to legend, Jackson beat the man senseless with his cane.

Regardless of the would-be assassin's motives, many contemporaries of Jackson saw him as abusing the power of the presidency. In his personal life, he could be quite violent, killing one man long before his political career in 1806, over a fight about a horse race.

The most famous case of Jackson's divisiveness came about when he usurped the Supreme Court's resolution of Cherokee sovereignty on their tribal lands in Georgia. The subsequent Trail of Tears, which saw Jackson forcibly drive the tribe away from their land, ended up claiming thousands of lives.



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These 11 declassified maps show how the CIA saw the world at the height of the Cold War

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Perhaps more so than any other tool used by the clandestine services, an accurate map can mean the difference between success and failure — or between life and death.

The CIA, renowned for its secrecy, has long kept its maps and cartographic methods under wraps.

In honor of the agency's Cartography Center's 75th anniversary last year, however, the CIA put a number of maps online, revealing how "the company" has viewed the world since its inception after World War II.

CIA maps Cuba Cuban Missile Crisis

President Franklin Roosevelt created the agency that would eventually become the CIA in the early 1940s. The map division produced a bevy of maps vital to strategic planning during the war, according to National Geographic.

The agency's mapmakers had a broad mission, supplying maps and data relevant to national security issues facing the country. In doing so, the CIA said in a statement, "Geographers and cartographers amassed what would be the largest collection of maps in the world."

In a sign of how valuable maps were during the Cold War, the Soviet Union dedicated a great deal of resources to not only making exacting maps of foreign capitals and other cities but also to making misleading maps of their own territory to undermine anyone consulting those maps with nefarious intent.

In the early days, the CIA's maps were produced by hand, drawn in pen on translucent sheets, but the agency was one of the first to adopt digital technology.

"In 1966, a large working group, using a borrowed digitizer, compiled and digitized coastlines and international boundaries for the entire world—in a single weekend," the agency said in a release.

SEE ALSO: 100 after the US entered World War I, these vivid colorized photos bring the Great War to life

Oil transport and refining facilities in the Middle East in the early 1950s.



A map of French and Viet Minh areas of operations during the 1950s.



Chinese railroad construction in the mid-1950s.



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Over 25 superhero movies are coming out through 2020 — here they all are

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guardians of the galaxy vol 2

"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" is finally in theaters and kicks off a summer filled with several superhero movies.

Beyond them, there are still well over 20 superhero movies that have been announced to hit theaters over the next few years. Marvel will complete "Phase 3" of its cinematic universe and bring together a bunch of its superheroes in its next "Avengers" film. DC is giving Wonder Woman her own solo outing and will build on the many new heroes teased in "Batman v Superman" as the DC Universe moves closer towards the first onscreen appearance of the Justice League. 

Plus, Fox recently announced three Marvel films it will release in 2018.

Keep reading to see every superhero movie coming soon. 

Sidney Fussell contributed to a previous version of this story.

Wonder Woman finally gets her own movie in June.



"Fast and Furious" actress Gal Gadot debuted as Diana Prince in "Batman v Superman." Critics applauded her as the film's saving grace.



The movie will follow Wonder Woman's origin story on her journey to becoming the mysterious woman we see in "BvS."

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the 25 richest people in Britain

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hugh grosvenor duke of westminster

It is a boom time for billionaires, according to this year’s Sunday Times Rich List.

The 29th Sunday Times Rich List, which lists the 1,000 wealthiest individuals and families in the UK, revealed that "this year’s 500 richest individuals and families are now wealthier than the entire top 1,000 were in 2016."

Those who saw their fortunes soar were mainly those making money out of the City, those holding huge property portfolios, or people who were involved in manufacturing. This year though, it the top of the list saw some huge gains in individual fortunes. For example, the Lakshmi family, which owns the largest steel maker in the world ArcelorMittal, saw their wealth grow by £6.1 billion in just one year.

Take a look at who else made the top 25 spots this year below:

25. Joe Lewis

Net worth: £4.601 billion

Age: 80

Lewis initially made his his fortune in the hospitality business but now is incredibly rich due to his investment in Tavistock — an operation which has interests in more than 200 companies. He own four yachts and the latest 320 feet one is "more than an office – it's also my home for much of the year," he said to The Sunday Times.

He also has a huge art collection, which includes works by Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, and owns Tottenham Hotspur football club.



24. Christo Wiese

Net worth: £4.62 billion

Age: 75

South African retail mogul Christo Wiese was a newcomer to The Sunday Times Rich List last year, thanks to his range of investments in retail and property.

His active-property portfolio is alone worth £80 million and he has large stakes in seven publicly traded companies. He is also the largest single shareholder in Africa’s biggest retailer, Shoprite, and in 2015 he bought the New Look fashion chain in Britain.



23. Sir Richard Branson

Net worth: £4.865 billion

Age: 66

Branson is Britain's poster child for entrepreneurship. He built his Virgin empire, which comprises 400 companies, from the age of 16. His group now does everything from mobiles to banking to aviation and even, potentially, space travel. He's known for his sense of humour and once pulled an extreme April Fools' Day prank on a coworker — and got arrested.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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