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The 17 richest people in Europe

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Hinduja Family

The Sunday Times just published its annual Sunday Times Rich List, which ranks the wealthiest people in Britain and the rest of the world.

While Britain's billionaires appear to have benefitted from a "Brexit Boom" in wealth since the June vote, the list shows that the biggest European fortunes still reside elsewhere on the continent.

The list is dominated by the owners of familiar fashion houses, supermarket giants, and manufacturers from France, Germany, Italy, and elsewhere.

Business Insider took a look at the Europeans who made it onto the Sunday Times Rich List this year — selected from those who either live or were born Europe.

Notably, only one British fortune made it into the top 17.

Take a look.

17. Sri & Gopi Hinduja

Net worth: £16.2 billion

Age: 81 & 77

The Hinduja brothers racked up their sizeable wealth through property development, car manufacturing, and more recently, the sale of the old War Office in London's Whitehall for £300 million.



16. The Mulliez family

Net worth:£16.6 billion

The Mulliez family derive their wealth from the Arnaud Group, a French international retail group and corporation based in Croix, France, founded by Gerard (pictured). The group has nearly 270,000 employees across 15 countries.



15. Giovanni Ferrero and family

Net worth: £17.6 billion

Age: 52

Giovanni Ferrero has run confectionery company Ferrero SpA, best known for its Nutella chocolate spread and its Ferrero Rocher chocolates, since the death of his brother Pietro Ferrero in 2011.



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The Trump-Russia probes are not going away — here are 6 things to watch as they move forward

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trump

President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday night amid an active FBI investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, and whether the Trump campaign was involved.

Trump fired Comey unexpectedly, one day after former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates testified before Congress that she had warned the White House about former national security adviser Michael Flynn's contact with Russia's ambassador during the transition. 

Yates' testimony came days after Comey reiterated during an open Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that the FBI was still “conducting an investigation to understand whether there was any coordination between the Russian efforts and anybody associated with the Trump campaign."

"The Russia-Trump collusion story is a total hoax," Trump tweeted on Monday night. "When will this taxpayer funded charade end?"

The FBI and Congress are pursuing separate probes into Russia's election interference. Those probes include an examination of whether Trump and his campaign team tacitly or explicitly facilitated Moscow's hacking and disinformation campaigns that targeted Hillary Clinton and her presidential campaign.

It is unclear exactly how Comey's firing will affect the FBI's investigation in the long-run. Trump could appoint a new FBI Director who wants to kill the Russia probe, which is why many Democrats and a handful of Republicans have called on Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to appoint a special counsel to oversee the investigation now that Comey has been dismissed. FBI staffers will likely oversee the probe in the meantime. 

The congressional investigations are bipartisan — both Democrats and Republicans have said that the motivations behind Russia's hacking campaign, and whether Trump had anything to do with it, warrant a closer look than the intelligence community was able to provide in its January report on Russia's attempt to delegitimize the election.

Here are the key questions still looming over the FBI and the congressional intelligence committees' Trump-Russia probes.

Does Trump have any business ties to Russia — including real-estate holdings or outstanding debt — that could pose a conflict of interest in his dealings with Russian President Vladimir Putin?

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper appears to have signaled during a hearing before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Monday that Trump's business ties to Russia are being scrutinized by the intelligence community.

When asked by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham if Clapper had ever come across information relating to such business ties that concerned him, Clapper replied that he couldn't comment because "that impacts the investigation."

As Trump praised and defended Putin along the campaign trail, many questioned whether the real-estate mogul had any financial incentives — including business ties or outstanding debt — to seek better relations with Moscow. 

"It's not wrong to do business with Russians," Graham told CNN after the hearing. "But Trump has said he never did business with the Russians."

The question came up again last weekend after the golf writer James Dodson told WBUR that Trump's son, Eric, bragged in 2014 that the Trump family had secured access to $100 million from Russian lenders to fund their golf courses.



How deep and far back do Trump associates' Russia ties go?

Early Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, Trump's one-time campaign chairman Paul Manafort, informal adviser Roger Stone, and former national security adviser Michael Flynn all received letters from the Senate Intelligence Committee late last month asking for extensive documentation of their contacts with Russians dating back to June 2015 — the month Trump launched his campaign. 

Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has also volunteered to be interviewed by the congressional intelligence committees about his ties to Russia — including two previously undisclosed meetings with Russia's ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak, and the CEO of Russia's state-owned VneshEconomBank, Sergey Gorkov in December. VneshEconomBank has been under US sanctions since 2014. 

Page, an investment banker-turned foreign policy adviser who was reportedly placed under FBI surveillance last summer after he returned from a trip to Moscow, has indicated that he will not supply the committee with the documents it wants until it addresses his questions about Hillary Clinton's "hate crimes" against him. 

Flynn, meanwhile — who failed to disclose the money he received from Russia's state-owned news agency, RT, on his 2016 application for renewed security clearance —  has requested immunity from prosecution in exchange for any testimony he gives to the congressional intelligence committees.

Manafort is being scrutinized for his financial ties to pro-Russian interests in Ukraine, and Stone sparked controversy in March after admitting that he exchanged private Twitter messages with Guccifer 2.0 — a shadowy online figure who claimed responsibility for the hacks on the Democratic National Committee that cybersecurity experts and US intelligence officials have since linked back to Russia.



Why did Trump associates' contact with Russians in late 2015 raise red flags among European intelligence agencies?

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein asked Clapper on Monday if it was accurate that "over the spring of 2016, multiple European allies passed on additional information to the United States about contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians" that they had obtained in late 2015. 

Clapper replied that that was accurate, but that "the specifics are quite sensitive." Feinstein referred specifically to a Guardian report published on April 13 that stated that Britain's Government Communications Headquarters first became aware in late 2015 of suspicious interactions between Trump advisers and Russian intelligence agents.

The Guardian's report, which said other intelligence agencies in Germany, Estonia, and Poland also picked up communications between Trump's associates and Russian agents, is consistent with earlier revelations about what spurred the US intelligence community to launch its investigation last summer into Trump's ties to Russia.

Clapper wouldn't say whether the FBI was motivated exclusively or even largely by the Europeans' intelligence to open its own probe into Russia's election interference in July 2016. But he told Feinstein that the US intelligence community had been monitoring the Russians' activity relating to the US election "going back to 2015."

A UK intelligence source told the Guardian, however, that the US intelligence community was slow to act on the Europeans' information. The European agencies "were saying: 'There are contacts going on between people close to Mr. Trump and people we believe are Russian intelligence agents,'" the source recalled. "'You should be wary of this.' The message was: 'Watch out. There's something not right here.'"



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The company that Walmart bought for $3 billion just opened the 'grocery shop of the future' in NYC — here's what it's like

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Story Jet 0350Jet.com— the online retailer that Walmart bought in 2016 for $3 billion — is now selling some of its products IRL.


From May 10 to June 18, Jet will have a food-themed concept shop in Manhattan which showcases artisanal accessories, cookbooks, and kitchen appliances. Most of the items are pretty quirky, like face masks made from tomatoes, kale-flavored chocolate bars, socks with ice cream prints, and banana-shaped flasks.

The Jet experience comes to life at Story, a 5-year-old retail space that changes its products, decor, and events programming about every month based on its particular sponsor. For the next six weeks, the sponsor is Jet, where people can also find most of the store's items. 

The larger goal of the temporary store is to raise awareness around Jet's grocery delivery service, Sumaiya Balbale, Jet's VP of marketing, tells Business Insider.

As thousands of mall-based stores close around the country, she says the set-up — a store that's constantly changing and includes interactive events — could signal the future of brick-and-mortar retail.

"Retail is rapidly evolving,"Balbale tells Business Insider. "Tech is changing a lot of the ways in which people shop, and the way that retailers can fulfill on those behaviors. It's an exciting time to experiment. I don't think shopping behaviors are set in stone, and there's a lot of opportunity to help shape them."

Widely considered an Amazon competitor, Jet was founded in 2014 by Marc Lore, who now serves as the CEO of Walmart E-commerce. Jet's installation at Story is the first time the online retailer is selling its products in a physical location.

Business Insider got an inside look:

SEE ALSO: 22 companies defying the retail meltdown by opening hundreds of new stores

On May 10, Jet.com opened Fresh Story, at the store's 2,000-square-foot location on Manhattan's west side. It will be there for six weeks.



The partnership comes to life inside Story, a retail space that changes every three to eight weeks like a gallery. It was founded by consultant Rachel Shechtman in 2012.

Past sponsors have included American Express, Mr. Robot, and GE. There have been 34 "stories" so far.



For Jet's installation, Story laid artificial grass on the floor ...



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HEDGE FUND READING LIST: Hundreds of investors say these 10 finance books are must-reads

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woman reading water beachSumZero, a kind of social network for the investment community, asked its members to share their favorite investment books in their user profiles.

The list is based on 1,120 responses, and ranked from least to most recommended. You can consider it a hedge fund reading list.

The books don't come cheap though. A used copy of the most recommended book retails for more than $900. 

Here they are:

"The Essays of Warren Buffett" by Lawrence Cunningham

"As the book Buffett autographs most, its popularity and longevity attest to the widespread appetite for this unique compilation of Buffett's thoughts that is at once comprehensive, non-repetitive, and digestible. New and experienced readers alike will gain an invaluable informal education by perusing this classic arrangement of Warren's best writings."

Find it on Amazon »



"Poor Charlie's Almanack" by Charlie Munger

"'Poor Charlie's Almanack' contains the wit and wisdom of Charlie Munger: his talks, lectures and public commentary. And, it has been written and compiled with both Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett's encouragement and cooperation. So pull up your favorite reading chair and enjoy the unique humor, wit and insight that Charlie Munger brings to the world of business, investing and life itself. With Charlie himself as your guide, you are about to embark on an extraordinary journey toward better investment, decision making, and thinking about the world and life in general. Charlie's unique worldview, what he calls a 'multidisciplinary' approach, is a self-developed model for clear and simple thinking while being far from simplistic itself."

Find it on Amazon »



"One up on Wall Street" by Peter Lynch

"America’s most successful money manager tells how average investors can beat the pros by using what they know. According to Lynch, investment opportunities are everywhere. From the supermarket to the workplace, we encounter products and services all day long. By paying attention to the best ones, we can find companies in which to invest before the professional analysts discover them. When investors get in early, they can find the 'tenbaggers,' the stocks that appreciate tenfold from the initial investment. A few tenbaggers will turn an average stock portfolio into a star performer."

Find it on Amazon »



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Flight attendants share 20 things most people don't know about the job

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flight attendant

Despite the frequency with which people fly these days, flight attendants' jobs are still, surprisingly, shrouded in a fair amount of mystery.

In fact, we know so little about what they do for a living that misconceptions abound.

To help lift the veil a little, we asked flight attendants everywhere to share some things that might surprise people about their job, and more than 60 responded.

We've anonymously included some of their answers here:

SEE ALSO: Flight attendants share the 16 most common misconceptions people have about their job

DON'T MISS: Flight attendants share the 21 things they wish passengers would stop doing

'We only get paid for flight hours'

"So, for example, your duty day could actually be 12 hours, but you only get paid for six hours of work."

"We aren't paid for boarding or deplaning. We are only paid for time away from the gate."



And 'it's especially hard to make ends meet at the start'

"You are bombarded with new and unexpected expenses that come along with the job, like a second apartment (your "crash pad") since you usually don't get based where you live, countless Ubers/Lyfts to get you to and from the airport, meals on the road, uniforms, luggage, tips for drivers, and petty cash in case your fellow crew members want to go out."

"For the first five years you are DIRT poor, and five to 10 roommates is a must."



But you can make 'a very good living'

"You'll never get rich being a flight attendant, but you can have some control over how much you make."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

23 last-minute 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 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 this Mother's Day, 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 15% off its Mother's Day Collection with the code "INSIDER15." The offer expires after May 11.  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 25 cities with the most expensive five-star hotels

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four seasons hotel pragueGetting some shut-eye at a stylish hotel will cost you significantly more in certain cities around the world.

As part of the bank's annual survey of global prices, Deutsche Bank analysts released a report on where in the world a stay at a five-star hotel will cost you the most.

To come up with the ranking, Deutsche Bank compared the cost of a one-night stay at a Hyatt Regency property, in a king- or queen-sized room, in mid-November. If a city did not have a Hyatt Regency location, analysts considered Park Hyatts or other hotel brands of similar quality.

Here's where a one-night stay at a luxury hotel will cost you the most. 

SEE ALSO: The 25 most expensive weekend getaways in the world

25. Mexico City, Mexico

Cost of one night: $332



24. Cape Town, South Africa

Cost of one night: $335



23. Oslo, Norway

Cost of one night: $339



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 psychological tools that other people say helped them lose weight

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Weight Loss

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Losing weight can be tough without the right mindset.
  • A recent Quora thread offers advice for psychological ways to lose weight and keep it off in the long-term.
  • Tips include thinking of exercise as a fun activity and focusing on sleep, among other great mind hacks.


Losing weight can be challenging, especially if you don't have the right mindset to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Thankfully, a recent Quora thread lists helpful advice for people who want to train their minds to help them lose weight in the long-term, rather than wasting energy on quick, short-term fixes. That said, these tips are not coming from registered dietitians or nutritionists, so they should be taken with a grain of salt. If you're looking to lose weight, it's always best to talk with your physician first.

Here are nine ways to change your outlook that can help you lose weight healthily.

SEE ALSO: 15 of the healthiest fast-food menu items

DON'T MISS: The single best type of exercise for your brain, according to scientists

Revisit what you know about weight loss.

Quora user Wilfredo Thomas argues that understanding weight loss in the form of energy balance is the first key to achieving one's ideal body.

"Energy balance is the science way of saying calories in versus calories out," he writes. "Your body needs a certain amount of calories to maintain its current body weight."

Once you understand energy balance, you might feel less tempted to eat more than you really need.



Avoid opaque food containers when you can.

Neil O'Nova, author of the book, "7-Minute Skinny Jeans," advises against eating out of food containers, boxes, and bags that aren't clear.

"Our brains are highly visual. We take visual cues as to how much food we’ve eaten to help us know when we should stop,"O'Nova writes. "But when you can't see how much food you’ve had, you never get that visual feedback and you end up eating way too much."

Measuring servings and pouring them into a small bowl or onto a napkin will stop you from eating more than you planned.



Ditch dieting.

O'Nova also isn't a fan of traditional dieting because he argues that it limits one's mindset.

Once you're off your diet and have lost weight, you might revert back to eating poorly, not exercising and ultimately regain pounds.

"Instead, focus on your long-term eating habits," he writes. "This is the best way to lose weight and keep it off, the healthy way." 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The favorite books of 10 millionaires and billionaires

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mark zuckerberg reading ipadIf you are what you read, then the books that the super-rich have on their bookshelves should be of interest to all of us.

From entrepreneurs and media tycoons, to international superstars and the president himself, here are 10 books that should be required reading for anyone looking to improve their lives.

SEE ALSO: 10 business and money books everyone is reading right now

DON'T MISS: These are Amazon’s picks for best books this May

Mark Cuban: "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand

A billionaire entrepreneur and a star of the hit series Shark Tank, Mark Cuban loves this book so much, he named his yacht after it. The author, Ayn Rand, is a polarizing figure in politics, and her books and life views are often adopted by both right-wing and libertarian politicians. Her basic philosophy revolves around the power of the individual, with the pursuit of happiness being the moral purpose of life.

The Fountainhead, first published in 1943, offered the world Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. The story, which centers on a young architect who battles against conventional standards, has become a classic of modern literature. Speaking of the book to C-Span, Cuban said, "You know it's funny because I'll pick it up when I need motivation, but then if I read too far, I get too much motivation and I get too jittery so I have to put it down."

If a book can continue to give a multibillionaire goose bumps, it has to be worth a read.



Jeff Bezos: "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has a net worth of over $73 billion. So, it's perhaps a little surprising that his favorite book, Kazuo Ishiguro's "The Remains of the Day," revolves around the life of a servant. In this case, that servant is an English butler called Stevens, who narrates the novel.

Set in postwar England, the elderly butler must come to terms with some pivotal issues from his past, whilst maintaining his stoic and "correct" behavior. In 1993, the book was turned into a beautiful film featuring Sir Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.

Speaking about the book to The Washington Post, Bezos said, "You can't help but come away and think, I just spent 10 hours living an alternate life and I learned something about life and about regret." Awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 1989, "The Remains of the Day" was included in The Guardian's "Books You Can't Live Without" list.



Mark Zuckerberg: "The Aeneid" by Virgil

Written between 28 and 19 BC, The Aeneid recounts the legendary story of Aeneas, a Trojan who traveled to Italy and became an ancestor of the Romans. From his journey from Troy, to the Trojan War, the funeral games, and a vision of the underworld, "The Aeneid" is widely regarded as a classic of Italian literature. What's more, the entire book is actually a poem, consisting of 9,896 lines in dactylic hexameter.

So how did Mark Zuckerberg, a young tech-savvy entrepreneur who created the social media climate we now live in, come to read the book? He was introduced to it while studying Latin in high school, and says the book "knows no boundaries in time and greatness,"according to The New Yorker. He is also known to quote lines from "The Aeneid" in Facebook meetings.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best point-and-shoot cameras for taking photos

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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.

Insider_Picks_Buying_Guide_Cameras_With_Badge_4x3

The Insider Pick:

  • Point-and-shoot digital cameras are still better than your average smartphone when it comes to taking high-quality photos. The Sony RX100 IV is the best one you can buy with its tremendous image quality and ability to shoot at high speeds.

Point-and-shoot cameras aren’t as popular as they were several years ago. The lower part of the market has become dominated by smartphone cameras, while DSLR cameras rule the upper end of the market. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the best point-and-shoot cameras, though. These cameras still have some benefits that smartphone and DSLR cameras can’t match, making them a perfect choice for certain photographers.

Benefits of point-and-shoot cameras

As the Digital Photography School website explains, point-and-shoot cameras have some areas where they outperform both DSLRs and smartphone cameras.

  • Optical zoom lens: The optical zoom measurement indicates the ability of the point-and-shoot camera lens to magnify the scene. An optical zoom is preferable to a digital zoom, which is found on smartphone cameras, because the optical zoom mechanism doesn’t sacrifice image quality to achieve the magnification like a digital zoom does.
  • Small camera body: Point-and-shoot cameras nearly always weigh less than DSLR cameras, while also offering a smaller camera body. So if you’re looking to travel with your camera or if you want to carry it in a pocket, the point-and-shoot camera is a great choice.
  • Overall cost: A point-and-shoot camera has the lens built into the camera body, meaning it will have a lower cost over the long run than DSLR cameras, where you’ll be buying extra lenses. The lens on a DSLR camera can detach from the camera, and adding a new lens provides different capabilities for the DSLR. Because the point-and-shoot camera lens is built in, you’ll often hear this type of camera called a fixed-lens camera.
  • Tough and waterproof features: Certain point-and-shoot cameras are able to be used in water because they have a sealed camera body that keeps the water out. Don’t try dunking many smartphone cameras or DSLRs in water (at least without a protective case), or you’re going to end up with an expensive paperweight. Some point-and-shoot cameras also are shockproof, meaning they can survive a fall of several feet without breaking.

Downsides of point-and-shoot cameras

Point-and-shoot cameras certainly won’t fit every photography situation you may encounter, though. The best DSLR cameras are just so strong in so many areas, and smartphone cameras are just so convenient, that it’s tough for an inexpensive point-and-shoot camera to compete in the following areas.

  • Image quality: We at Business Insider shot a series of photos that compared a DSLR camera, a point-and-shoot camera, and a smartphone camera. The DSLR camera, thanks to a larger image sensor in terms of physical size, is able to outperform both point-and-shoot and smartphone cameras with regard to image quality nearly every time, especially in low-light conditions. The image sensor is the chip inside the camera that measures the light from the scene to create the photograph.
  • Limited manual control features: Although point-and-shoot cameras do offer many more manual control features than they did a few years ago, experienced photographers still greatly prefer the DSLR cameras because of the full manual controls they offer. Point-and-shoot cameras are designed to be easy to use, which typically means limited manual control over the settings.
  • Convenience: Because people carry their smartphones with them everywhere, the smartphone camera has grown in popularity in a hurry in the past several years. It’s so convenient to use the smartphone camera that people almost consider it a hassle to have to carry a separate point-and-shoot camera, even if it fits in a pocket.

Although the Sony RX100 IV is our top point-and-shoot camera pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Canon PowerShot G3 X, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II, the Nikon Coolpix A300, and the GoPro Hero5 Black.

SEE ALSO: The best DSLR cameras you can buy

DON'T MISS: The best SD cards you can buy for your DSLR camera

The best point-and-shoot camera overall

Why you'll love it: The Sony RX100 IV point-and-shoot camera's large image sensor produces great low-light photography and it takes great photos in every situation.

Great image quality holds back a lot of cameras in the point-and-shoot market, as they cannot stand up to their more advanced DSLR brethren. When shooting with the Sony RX100 IV, though, you won’t have to sacrifice much in terms of high-resolution photos or strong image quality in all types of shooting conditions.

This Sony camera includes a 1-inch image sensor, which is just a bit smaller than the image sensors found in entry-level DSLRs. Additionally, the RX100 IV is a fast performer, ranking near the top of the point-and-shoot category. Ken Rockwell’s review of this Sony camera praises the strong images it produces in all lighting conditions.

If you also want to shoot video with your point-and-shoot camera, the RX100 IV is about as good as it gets. Imaging Resource points out the camera's 4K video resolution and HDMI output port as great bonus features that aren’t typically included on point-and-shoot models.

Another great move Sony made with the RX100 IV was its decision to include a viewfinder. I hate to date myself, but I can remember when every camera — film and digital — included a viewfinder. 

For the past several years, viewfinders have become rare on point-and-shoot cameras, as beginning photographers often prefer to frame scenes using a display screen. However, as you become more familiar with cameras, you’ll find it just feels more natural to use a viewfinder to record photos.

Amazon buyers generally love the camera, but a few reviews point out a couple of potential drawbacks to the Sony RX100 IV. Some reviewers report overheating problems when recording 4K video, others dislike the 5-minute clip recording limit for video, and some reviewers are displeased with its high price tag

However, you get what you pay for, and the RX100 IV's ability to create great looking photos in all sorts of shooting conditions makes it well worth the money — especially when you compare it to the competition.

Pros: Excellent image quality in all shooting conditions, fast shooting performance, very good low-light photography results, 4K movie recording, includes a viewfinder

Cons: High price tag, limited optical zoom capability to 2.8X 

Buy the Sony RX100 IV on Amazon for $848.00 [You save $50.00]



The best big zoom point-and-shoot camera

Why you'll love it: The Canon PowerShot G3 X digital camera is smaller than most big zoom models, but it will capture faraway subjects beautifully.

Those seeking a great camera for travel will love the Canon PowerShot G3 X. It’s a strong all-around model with a 25X optical zoom lens that’ll help you capture subjects that are far away or nearby. It’s able to shoot almost equally well in sunlight as well as in low light. It’s not a huge camera, either, so you can carry it easily while traveling, as multiple customers at buyers on Amazon mention in their reviews.

When I tested the PowerShot G3 X for a Steve’s Digicam’s review, I was especially impressed with its versatility. It records great photographs, and it offers plenty of impressive extra features, such as a large touchscreen LCD that also tilts, allowing for selfies and odd-angle photos.

Having a touchscreen LCD is a great feature in a point-and-shoot camera, making it easier to operate for inexperienced photographers. When I go on a trip, I really want a versatile camera, because I’m not always sure what kind of shooting conditions I will encounter.

In ePhotozine’s review of the G3 X, the camera’s 1-inch image sensor and strong optical zoom lens received high marks.  A 1-inch image sensor is just a little smaller in physical size than what’s found in entry-level DSLR cameras, so the PowerShot G3 X is able to create great looking photos. 

However, the camera does see its performance levels slow considerably when shooting in the advanced RAW image format, which has no compression applied to it, unlike the more common JPEG image format.

You will have to pay a large price for the PowerShot G3 X, so it may not appeal to everyone seeking a point-and-shoot camera. But if you want top-flight image quality in an easy-to-use camera that offers a lot of versatility, the G3 X is one of my favorites.

Pros: Large image sensor yields great photographic quality, 25X optical zoom lens is a great size, camera is thinner than most big zoom cameras, LCD screen is touch enabled and tilts

Cons: High price tag, camera is heavy, no viewfinder

Buy the Canon PowerShot G3 X on Amazon for $799.00 [You save $200.00]



The best pocket-sized point-and-shoot camera

Why you'll love it: The Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II is a fast performing camera that you can take anywhere because it fits right in your pocket.

It’s tough to argue with the results from the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II camera. As one Amazon buyer points out, the G9 X Mark II offers the best image quality in a camera that can fit in a pocket.

Because the G9 X Mark II includes the latest image processor from Canon – the Digic 7 – this camera is a really fast performer versus other point-and-shoot cameras. Photography Blog highlighted the speed of the camera in its review, and many buyers point out the same thing. 

One Amazon customer review highlights the PowerShot G9 X’s fast performance speeds, including its ability to record at up to 8 frames per second when shooting in burst mode, which is extremely impressive for a point-and-shoot camera.

Additionally, the Mark II offers improved battery life and image quality in low light versus its predecessor, the G9 X. Even with that improvement, the Mark II’s battery life is not as good as I’d like to see, offering only about 235 shots per charge.

When shooting in low light, the G9 X Mark II is able to create images with limited noise. Typically, point-and-shoot cameras really struggle with high levels of noise in low-light photos, so the G9 X Mark II is well above average in comparison with the competition.

The ePhotozine review of the Canon G9 X Mark II focuses on the 1-inch image sensor that Canon chose to include with this camera. With an image sensor that’s larger than what’s typically found in a point-and-shoot camera, the G9 X Mark II can outperform others in its class in terms of image quality.

You’ll find a 3-inch LCD screen with touch capabilities on this camera, too, making it easier to use for inexperienced photographers than cameras without touchscreens. Overall, the G9 X Mark II is a great camera for people on the go.

Pros: Small camera body that fits in a pocket, excellent results in low-light photos, extremely fast performer with high burst rate, includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity

Cons: Only a 3X optical zoom lens, below average battery performance

Buy the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II on Amazon for $429.00 [You save $100.99]



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Here's what it's like to fly first class on Singapore Airlines, one of the best airlines in the world

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Singapore Airlines Airbus A380

Breakfast in bed and restaurant dining might not be what you picture when you think of air travel, but in first class on Singapore Airlines, it's all part of the service.

The airline, named the third best in the world by consumer-aviation website Skytrax, is based at Singapore's Changi International Airport, which in turn has been voted the best in the world for four years in a row.

While the airline has been commended for its "standout service" and entertainment options, its first class options certainly seem to be the highlight.

From comfy double beds covered in rose petals and chocolate in a private cabin, to Champagne and an extra-wide leather seat, here's a taste of what it's like to fly first class with Singapore Airlines.

Welcome to your private first class suite on Singapore Airlines, the third best airline in the world. But before you get too comfortable, let's take a look at your journey so far.



After a quick check-in process — first class passengers have their own private security line and immigration checkpoint — you'll be handed a ticket to The Private Room, a special part of the first class lounge.

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 At Changi airport, there's even an exclusive Singapore Airlines first class drop-off area.



Here's Singapore Airlines' SilverKris Lounge at Heathrow...



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Here's what it's like to take a $400,000 Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible on a road trip through New Jersey

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Rolls Royce Dawn 29

Over the past 15 years, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, a company with more than a century's worth of heritage and brand equity, has completely reinvented itself under BMW ownership. This reinvention was not conducted in a way that abandons tradition — because that would be foolish— but rather by embracing it while injecting a heavy dose of modernity.

In other words, rather than slapping the brand's badge on a run-of-the-mill luxury car, they decided to build honest-to-God Rolls-Royce motor cars with the latest chassis, engine, and infotainment technology money can buy.

First, there was the flagship Phantom limo. Then came the "entry-level" Ghost sedan. That was followed by Wraith coupe. Now, with the arrival of the Dawn, it's safe to say the Rolls-Royce revolution is complete.

Late last year, just before the winter chill bore down on the Northeastern part of the US, Rolls-Royce dropped off a brand new Dawn for Business Insider to check out at our top secret suburban New Jersey road test facility — the nerve center of our vast vehicle evaluation operation. Otherwise known as my colleague Matt DeBord's drive way.

Obviously, this was the perfect opportunity for a weekend drive through the wilds of New Jersey. 

The Rolls-Royce Dawn starts at a lofty $335,000. However, our option-laden test car clad in Midnight Sapphire and Blue Ice livery cost a whopping $402,675.

Hollis Johnson contributed to this story.

SEE ALSO: The car that saved Porsche isn't perfect, but it's close

I began the day at Business Insider's suburban test car facility located not too far from BMW/Rolls-Royce North America's headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.



The Dawn is the latest addition to the Rolls-Royce family. It joins the flagship Phantom, ...



... The Ghost, and...



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These are the 15 easiest universities in the UK to get into

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A_view_of_Birkbeck,_University_of_London

The Complete University Guide has released its 2018 ranking of UK universities, revealing which onse are the most difficult — and the easiest — to get a spot at.

The annual report ranks the 129 UK institutions based on a number of different metrics, taking into account variables such as entry standards (using the average UCAS score of new students), student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate prospects.

In the UK, "UCAS Points" are a way of measuring the relative value of all post-16 qualifications. They are calculated by converting examination results into the following numerical scores: A*=56, A=48, B=40, C=32, D=24, and E=16.

The report's ranking of entry standards therefore offers an accurate picture of how difficult it is to get into each university across the country.

For context, the "entry standards" of the UK's top two universities — Cambridge and Oxford — come in at 592 and 570 UCAS points respectively, while for the UK university that is easiest to get into, the average UCAS score of students entering is 244 points.

Scroll down to see the 15 easiest universities to get into in the UK, along with the average UCAS score of each university's new students.

15. University of Sunderland (282 UCAS points) — There are 20,000 people taking courses from the university's three campuses worldwide – two are in Sunderland on the north east coast, and a third is in London.



14. Bishop Grosseteste University (282 UCAS points) — The university ranks highly for student satisfaction (4.2/5). It is located on a single-site campus in the heart of the historic city of Lincoln.



13. Southampton Solent University (280 UCAS points) — The university has invested extensively in facilities and buildings, due for completion in 2020. Home to one of the world's leading maritime training academies, it is also highly regarded as one of the most creative universities by its students.



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23 incredible travel destinations you probably didn't know existed

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Lencois Maranhenses National ParkThe world is home to many incredible destinations that have yet to be overrun by tourists.

Inspired by a Quora thread about the best unknown travel destinations, we've found 23 lesser-known gems around the globe. 

From a stunning, hidden beach to one of the only places in the world where you can swim between two continents, here's your off-the-beaten-path bucket list. 

Talia Avakian contributed reporting to an earlier version of this article. 

SEE ALSO: The 25 cities with the most expensive five-star hotels

Tucked away under the surface, the Marieta Islands' "Hidden Beach" is a secret beach with crystal-clear waters that travelers can access either by swimming or kayaking through a long water tunnel.

Click here to learn more about Hidden Beach »



Huacachina is a desert oasis located five hours south of Lima, Peru. The watering hole was once a popular getaway for the upper class escaping from nearby Ica, but now it has become a stop for backpackers who come here to enjoy activities like sand boarding and dune buggy rides.

Click here to learn more about Huacachina »



Those who visit Blagaj, a village in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are often in awe at the majestic sight of the Blagaj Tekke — a monastery built for the Dervish cults. Visitors are welcome to enjoy its wooden interiors or have a cold drink while overlooking the striking Buna river.

Click here to learn more about the Blagaj Tekke »



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The 4 best smart home gadgets you can get for under $100

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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.

Hue stripStarting a smart home is a fun endeavor, but it can also get expensive. Fast.

That doesn't have to be the case, though, and with a little planning and the right products, it's possible to create a smart home on a budget. 

The four products on this list all cost under $100, and when used together can make your current home smarter without a lot of extra work.

 

DON'T MISS: This little-known Amazon service turns stuff you want to get rid of into store credit

SEE ALSO: You can pre-order Amazon's new Echo speaker with a touchscreen right now

A smart-home hub

Every smart home needs a hub. 

A hub is how you communicate to all of your smart-home accessories, and in the case of Amazon's Echo Dot I mean that literally. 

As someone who uses an Echo product every day, I can attest to the platform's versatility, and being able to control parts of my apartment using my voice still impresses me.

The Echo Dot is just as smart and capable of any other member of the Echo family, but it's smaller and less expensive. If you're starting a smart home on a budget, this is the hub I'd choose.

Echo Dot, $49.99, available at Amazon



Smart plugs

Making the appliances you currently have smarter is significantly less expensive than buying all new ones. 

TP-Link's Smart Plugs make retrofitting these still-functional pieces of your home easy. You plug the smart plug into an outlet, connect it to your Wi-Fi and Echo (a process that doesn't take more than a couple of minutes), and plug in your "dumb" appliance. 

You'll be able to turn the appliance on and off through TP-Link's app or the Echo Dot, which doesn't make it as smart as a new appliance, but does make it more useful.

Think about your morning routine: There's probably something you have to turn on in another room, like a coffee maker. Wouldn't it be nice to turn it on and have fresh coffee waiting when you're done getting changed? That's the type of luxury smart plugs can provide while still being reasonably priced.

TP-Link Smart Plug, $29.99, available at Amazon



Smart light bulbs

Smart light bulbs are probably the first smart-home accessory people think of when considering starting one. 

It's fun to turn your lights on and off with your voice (trust me), but there's also a lot of utility in it. If you have a room where the light switch is in an inconvenient spot, it pays to be able to turn the lights on and off without it. 

I've tried a couple of different smart light bulbs, and both have specific pros and cons. TP-Link's option is less expensive, but isn't part of a larger ecosystem of lighting products. 

Philips Hue bulbs require a larger upfront investment, but are part of a series of different lights that can be used in different places around your house. Most of the initial cost comes from having to buy a Hue starter pack, which includes a hub. Once you have a hub in the house, you're able to buy different lights a la carte, and it becomes less expensive.

Either way, as someone who started their smart home with bulbs like these, I can highly recommend them.

TP-Link Smart LED Light Bulb, $19.99, available at Amazon

Philips Hue White Bulb Starter Kit, $67.94, available at Amazon



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15 beauty products under $5 you should use as alternatives to this expensive makeup

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makeup

The INSIDER Summary:

  • You don't always have to spend a lot of money to get good makeup.
  • We've compiled a list of bargain beauty products that work just as well as more expensive versions from major brands.
  • Items include the Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm, the Rimmel London Colour Precise Eyeliner, and the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser.


If you like wearing makeup, you'll know that  experimenting with beauty products can get pricey.

Luckily, you can get tons of great beauty products for cheap that work just as well as more expensive makeup.

From lipstick to brow gel, here are 15 beauty products under $5 you should be using instead of major brands.

Don't buy the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish — use the E.L.F. Lip Exfoliator instead.

Cost: $3, compared to the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish, $24

E.L.F.'s Lip Exfoliator is a lip care staple. It's made with sugar, Vitamin E, shea butter, and various essential oils to gently remove dry skin.

Find out more about the E.L.F Lip Exfoliator here >



Don't buy Clinique's Chubby Stick — wear the Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm instead.

Cost: $5.39, compared to the Clinique Chubby Stick, $17

Revlon's ColorBurst Lacquer Balms help soften rough lips while adding a touch of color. It's also formulated with shea, mango, and coconut butters for added moisture.

Find out more about the Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm here >



Don't buy The POREfessional Face Primer by Benefit Cosmetics — wear the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser instead.

Cost: $5.29, compared to The POREfessional Face Primer by Benefit Cosmetics, $31

A thin layer of this clear primer smooths out the skin without caking or feeling too heavy. It's ideal for people with oily skin as the Instant Pore Eraser keeps skin matte.

Find out more about the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser here >



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Abercrombie & Fitch tried to remake its image — but its website shows everything that's still wrong with the brand

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Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch is in trouble. 

The teen retailer is working with an investment bank to find a buyer, according to a Reuters report published on Wednesday

The company's operating income plummeted to $15.2 million in 2016, down from $72.8 million in 2015, and it is closing dozens of stores in the midst of an effort to revamp its brand. 

Abercrombie has struggled to keep up with teen trends in recent years. The company has attempted to modernize with changes such as redesigning stores, ditching its logo-heavy styles, and dropping its super-sexualized advertising.

However, scrolling through Abercrombie's website reveals that the retailer still has some major problems. 

Discounts are normal in retail. But, no brand wants almost every item to be 40% to 60% off. This isn't even the site's sale section.



Abercrombie was promoting a $29 dress sale. But it's not just dresses you'll see steep discounts on.



This skirt is being sold for $10, a 80% discount off its original price.



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This $279 weighted blanket could help you sleep better and feel less stressed

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Gravity blanket

Sitting underneath a Gravity blanket is like receiving a really gentle hug.

The weighted blanket is plush, large enough to envelop your whole body, and is designed to feel like about 10% of your body weight.

Gravity is a Kickstarter project developed on the idea that a weighted blanket can reduce anxiety and help you sleep better — sort of like how a thunder vest works for dogs. There's somescience to back that premise up, but that doesn't even really matter: The blanket is just plain comforting.

I used the blanket for only a few minutes and felt the effects, and Gravity already has more than 14,000 backers on Kickstarter. In fact, the company beat its $21,500 goal in just 45 minutes, and has now raised more than $2.8 million on Kickstarter. 

Here's what it's like to snuggle up with the Gravity blanket. 

SEE ALSO: This $200 ring is so subtle, no one will know you're wearing a fitness tracker

For now, the Gravity blanket isn't intended to be a bedspread — it's meant to be a blanket just for you. The blanket measures about six feet by four feet.



Gravity comes in three different weights: 15 pounds for people who weigh 100 to 150 pounds, 20 pounds for people in the 150- to 200-pound range, and 25 pounds for those who weigh 200 pounds or more.



While the inside of the Gravity blanket looks and feels a bit like a bean bag, the outside is a soft micro-fleece.



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This gorgeous new game lets you explore an alternate future where JFK survived and space travel is common

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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. 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.



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Hyundai created a stunning hydrogen concept that should make Honda and Toyota nervous

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Genesis GV80 2

Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis unveiled a hydrogen-powered concept at the New York Auto Show in April — and it shows the direction other automakers in the space should be taking.

The bone-white concept won't ever enter production, but it does send an interesting message about the futuristic vehicles. Mainly, that hydrogen fuel cells can work in SUVs, and automakers pursuing the nascent technology may want to seriously consider ditching sedans in favor of larger vehicles.

Toyota and Honda are currently leading in the hydrogen space. Sales are still low, however, as the vehicles are only available in California, which has invested heavily in its hydrogen infrastructure.

But the two automakers' hydrogen options, the Toyota Mirai and Honda Clarity, are both small sedans. At a time where SUV demand is continuing to boom, installing the futuristic powertrain in a stunning SUV could be the best way to draw interest as both companies look to introduce hydrogen vehicles in the Northeast.

Scroll down for a closer look at the concept:

SEE ALSO: I drove Honda's stunning hydrogen-powered car — here's what it was like

Genesis didn't release any specs for its hydrogen concept, the GV80. But the company's Tucson Fuel Cell, which it leases in California, has a driving range of 265 miles.



Genesis said it is continuing to study fuel-cell technology for other potential applications, but the GV80 is really meant to showcase the different design elements the company is considering for future production vehicles.



The concept showcases Genesis' large crest grille, thin-but-powerful LED headlights, and electronic door handles.



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