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The 24 tech companies losing top talent at an astonishing rate

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quit job woman walking away lonely alone

There are a ton of opportunities in the world of tech.

But not all tech companies are created equal when it comes to retaining top talent.

Job site Paysa recently released a report breaking down which tech companies were able to recruit and retain the best employees from April 2016 to April 2017 — and which struggled to keep the best employees on board.

Paysa tracks employee movements with its CompanyRank machine learning technology, which analyzes nearly 7.45 million points of data including résumés, job postings, and social activity across the past 15 years from 198,000 companies.

An employer's CompanyRank score improves whenever someone joins the company from another top-ranked company and declines as employees leave and the company repopulates with talent from lower-ranked companies.

Here are the 25 companies that saw their rankings slide the most drastically this year:

DON'T MISS: The 25 tech companies everyone wants to work for right now

SEE ALSO: The 10 tech jobs that pay the most, no matter where you work

24. Twitter

Founded in 2006, Twitter is a social networking platform.

2017 ranking: 34

Percentage decrease since last year: 36%



23. Veritas Technologies

Veritas is a data management company that was founded as Tolerant Systems in 1983 and rebranded in 2016.

2017 ranking: 43

Percentage decrease since last year: 38%



22. Palo Alto Networks

Founded in 2005, Palo Alto Networks is a network security company

2017 ranking: 17

Percentage decrease since last year: 42%



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 13 most creepy and incredible ghost towns around the world

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Pripyat

Nothing can quite intrigue and horrify us in equal parts like a town that was abandoned in its entirety.

And while ghost towns have captivated people for years, they're becoming even more popular with time. According to Pinterest, users looking for unique day trips and vacation ideas are searching for "ghost towns" 181% more this year.

Whether you're looking for a creepy, off-the-beaten-path way to spend a day or a backdrop for a chilling photo series, we've rounded up the 13 most photogenic and terrifying ghost towns around the world.

Craco, Italy

This hillside ghost down was founded in the 8th century, and sits on a cliff that's 1,312 feet off the ground. The city emptied due to various natural disasters. In 1963, many evacuated after a landslide; in 1972 a flood made conditions even more precarious; and in 1980 an earthquake caused the town to be abandoned in its entirety.

A locked gate surrounds the city, so visitors must book a guided tour. Thanks to a miraculously unscathed statue of the Virgin Mary, the town hosts various religious festivals throughout the year. And despite the fact that the area is a ticking time bomb, the city has been used for several films, including "Passion of the Christ." 



Terlingua, Texas

When the Chisos Mining Company opened in the mid 1800s, workers and their families quickly relocated to Terlingua, Texas. The population was around 3,000 at its peak in 1903, but, as of the last Census in 2010, only 58 people remain.

Those who still live there reside in "Terlingua Proper" and make good business off of the frequent tourists who stop by to see the abandoned churches and buildings that still stand, as well as visitors to the surrounding Big Bend parks.



Pripyat, Ukraine

This city in northern Ukraine is probably the most famous ghost town in the world. It was home to almost 50,000 people before everyone was evacuated in April 1986, when part of a nearby power plant — the Chernobyl Nuclear Station— exploded.

The Chernobyl disaster caused such high levels of radiation that people were forced to evacuate immediately and leave non-essentials behind. It's those items, which include dolls, gas masks, clothes and furniture, that draw in photographers and thrill-seekers year after year. 

The radiation levels have finally dropped enough for scientists to mark the area as safe to visit, meaning that you can explore the creepy town and its many schools, hospitals, stores, gyms, cinemas, factories, and even its amusement park to your heart's content.

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 13 best nail colors to wear on your wedding day

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bride wedding bouquet

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Before walking down the aisle, several brides prepare for their wedding day by getting a manicure.
  • We've compiled a list of shades that will look great on any bride.
  • Popular hues include sheer pink, off-white, light blue, and lavender.


Planning a wedding and deciding on what to wear as a bride are both extremely meticulous tasks.

Every detail from the guest list to the gown matters — and, for beauty-conscious brides, even the color of your nails counts.

Here are 13 gorgeous nail polish shades to wear on your big day.

SHEER PINK: "Bubble Bath" by OPI

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This sheer pink shade is a classic that can be worn alone or as the base for a French manicure.

Find out more about "Bubble Bath" by OPI, $10, here >



GRAY: "Sage You Love Me" by Essie

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Gray nails are a new bridal trend. This shade has green undertones for added flair.

Find out more about "Sage You Love Me" by OPI, $11.50, here >



CREAM: "Vanna" by Julep

For simple nails that don't clash with your dress, try a warm off-white color.

Find out more about "Vanna" by OPI, $14, here >



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 essentials every woman needs for work

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

Lemonade Lookbook Riverside CafeEntering the workforce can be daunting — you want to do well, you want to make and keep a good first impression, and you’re also coming into a new, ultra-important stage of life that is likely completely different from your life before it. If you just graduated college, for instance, an office is an entirely different world.

One first-day stressor that many women cite is figuring out what to wear.

While men can rest assured that button-down shirts, dress shoes, and variations of the suit are par for the course for them, women often navigate vaguer social rules and stricter guidelines with the disadvantage of not having the same "office uniform" as men do.

Stockpiling your work wardrobe can be expensive, especially since you can't repeat your pieces as often as the guys can. But if you do your first real workplace shopping correctly, you can save yourself money in the long run — sometimes cheaper is best, and sometimes it's not.

The pieces you do decide to invest in, like a great blazer, can likely follow you throughout your entire career. So if you can, maybe don't bother buying the cheaper alternative now if you're only going to grab something nicer down the line.

Below are 14 must-have workwear essentials — with plenty of pieces costing less than $100 — so you can make the shopping process an easier and more efficient one.

DON'T MISS: 6 new clothing, footwear, and handbag brands every professional woman should know

A well-made blazer that will last

Of all the staples you'll wind up buying, I'd wager the blazer — though one of the higher-ticket items on the list — is the investment you'll be most glad you made.

A quality blazer is not hard to spot; they really do look different, and they feel different. A nicely cut and manufactured blazer can be slimming and fitted in the right places while not restricting your arms to your sides either. You can dress up casual clothes or throw it over a top and nice jeans if your office is more casual, but either way, more than any other item, this is the one you'll be able to get by with wearing many times consecutively.

If you'd like to read a full review on the Citizen's Mark blazer included, you can find one here.

If you'd rather save the time for investing in a nice one until you've got a bigger budget to work with, there are classic styles at more affordable prices at both J. Crew and Banana Republic

Left: Of Mercer Houston Blazer, $225

Right: Citizen's Mark ZRH Slim Fit Blazer, $450



An interview- and business meeting-ready dress

A well-cut dress with room to sit comfortably and thick enough material to be flattering and appropriate is the non-negotiable, unobtrusive savior you'll turn to with relief on many a morning.

Dresses are fantastic for the office because they're an entire outfit in one easy zip. On the days when you have time to orchestrate elegance and sophistication before a big meeting, it will be an advantage. On the days when you're running late but want all the rewards of elegance and sophistication, there's nothing better.

Solid colors are not as memorable as a pattern, so it makes sense to grab the workhorse of your wardrobe in a neutral color — so you can get a ton of use out of it without feeling like anyone is noticing. 

Left: Of Mercer Hudson Dress, $175

Right: MM.LaFleur Lydia Dress, $195



A nice, professional accessory

A nice watch might seem like a total luxury in itself, but I've never been more grateful for a piece of jewelry at the office. I have the Luna by MVMT, and even though I never saw the point in a timepiece before, I wear it nearly every day. Something about the association with watches and the sort of lifestyle that lends itself to grandfather clocks and a bustling, busy life has made it one of few accessories that actually succeed in stepping up an outfit to a more polished and professional look in a moment. 

Left: MVMT Rodeo Watch, $115

Right: Coach Delancey Watch, $275



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These 6 retailers are thriving despite the retail apocalypse

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costco

The retail world has been reeling.

Chains including Sears, J. Crew, and Claire's remain locked in a fight for survival, while others such as J.C. Penney and Macy's are struggling mightily. Some retailers including H.H. Gregg, Wet Seal, and Gander Mountain have disappeared, gone bankrupt, or brought in outside investors to save some of their locations.

Most blame these failures on the rise of the internet. That's certainly a reason many retailers have failed, but not every chain has moved in the wrong direction. Some have proven immune to internet competition, while others have adjusted and found a way to compete.

Costco

While Costco never puts up explosive growth, the chain moves ever-steadily forward. The warehouse club has been consistently growing its member base (which is where it makes most of its money) and has been increasing its number of locations by around 25 stores each year.

In its most-recent quarter the company saw 6% comparable-store sales growth in the United States and 5% worldwide. Through three quarters of its fiscal 2017 the chain has posted 3% same-store growth in the U.S. and globally.

Costco has simply not been phased by the growth of the internet. It has so far operated pretty much as it always has, delivering steady growth, strong earnings, and reliable predictability. Going forward, that's unlikely to change, and the chain may even be able to add some growth as it steps up its online efforts.



Dollar General

In the retail apocalypse, discounters have generally done well, and Dollar General has led the way. It's not that the chain has impressive same-store sales growth. That metric climbed by only 1% in its most-recent quarter, and the chain predicts flat to 1% growth this year. But the company has discovered an appetite for its offerings and created a steady model that has tremendous room for growth.

Dollar General added 900 stores in 2016 and plans to open 1,000 or more this year. That should keep the chain growing after a year in which it posted revenues that grew to $22 billion from $20.4 billion the previous year.



Wal-Mart

While Wal-Mart has had its struggles in dealing with online competition, the company has recently found its way. The chain put up stellar Q1 numbers, including raising overall revenue 1.4% to $117.5 billion and increasing U.S. same-store sales by 1.4% on a 1.5% increase in traffic. In addition e-commerce sales grew by a stunning 63% over the same quarter last year.

Much of the chain's digital success can be attributed to its putting Jet.com CEO Marc Lore in charge of its full online operation. Lore fostered a start-up mentality and has helped the chain move from being a physical store first to one that meets customers however they are looking to be served.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the 47 things Uber has agreed to do to change its company's culture

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For Uber to get past its series of scandals and transform itself into a kinder, gentler Uber 2.0, it will likely have to follow a long and winding path.

Fortunately for the ride-hailing company, former US Attorney General Eric Holder has given it a roadmap.

On Tuesday, Uber released the report from Holder and his private law firm that was based on their months-long investigation into harassment, discrimination, and retaliation at the company. The report recommended 47 steps the company should take to turn around its culture.  

The recommendations focus on four key themes: trust, transformation, accountability, and the 'tone at the top'. Already, Uber's board has agreed unanimously to follow the suggestions, and CEO Travis Kalanick has taken a leave of absence, allowing the company to start with a blank slate. 

Here are all 47 recommendations — and what they mean for the $69 billion company:

SEE ALSO: Some Uber employees still plan to quit, they said on an anonymous app

SEE ALSO: The life and rise of Travis Kalanick, Uber's controversial billionaire CEO

Changes to leadership

• Review and reallocate the responsibilities of Travis Kalanick: While Kalanick takes time off, the company is going to divvy up some of his duties. In some cases, other executives will share those responsibilities with him. In other cases, they will take them completely off his plate.  

• Use the search for a chief operating officer to identify candidates who can help address the report's recommendations: Uber had already been looking for a COO. Now, Uber's board will focus on finding a candidate who can take over the running of the company's day-to-day operations and overseeing its corporate culture.

• Use performance reviews to hold senior leaders accountable: Company leaders will be specifically assessed on their efforts to build an inclusive, happy, and diverse team. 

• Increase the profile of Uber's head of diversity and the efforts of his organization: The head of diversity role will become a C-level position. But there's no word on whether Bernard Coleman, who currently holds that role, will automatically be promoted. 

• Employment actions: Uber's HR department will take certain unspecified actions delegated to it by the company's board of directors and the special committee of the board that oversaw the investigation.



Enhance board oversight

• Enhance the independence of the board: Uber's board is getting restructured to provide better oversight of its management team. The board will make space for new members with no ties to the company but who have previous experience as corporate directors.

• Install an independent chairperson of the board: This chairperson would fill the gap in the independent oversight of managers and show the world Uber means business when it comes to overhauling its culture. 

• Create an oversight committee: The new board committee would potentially monitor senior managers' compliance with new company values and their commitment to promoting an ethical environment. 

• Use compensation to hold senior leaders accountable: Efforts at diversity and inclusion will become factors in executives' compensation. Senior managers could also be put on probation until they prove they can perform. 

 • Nominate a senior executive team member to oversee implementation of any recommendations: A executive with good standing with employees will be nominated to oversee the implementation of the recommendations. 



Internal controls

• Implement enhancements to the audit committee: Uber's internal auditor will be able to direct employee complaints and concerns directly to a newly-empowered audit committee on the company's board, rather than to Uber's CEO or management team. The audit committee will have the authority to investigate and respond to such complaints. 

• Implement enhancements to Uber's internal controls: Employees won't get reimbursed for travel and other expensive that aren't consistent with Uber's policies. 

• Human resources record-keeping: A new system for tracking complaints will be able to raise red flags when multiple complaints have been lodged against particular employees or within specific divisions.  

• Track agreements with employees: Employee settlements and separation agreement will be logged to ensure consistency and compliance with their terms.

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

CREDIT SUISSE: Hedge funds can't get enough of these 9 stocks

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Pour drink alcohol

Everyone loves stocks that promise strong performance.

Credit Suisse recently released a list of some of the best stocks according to hedge funds.

The list was created by looking at large-cap companies that saw a big increase in the number of hedge funds holding their stock in the first quarter of 2017. Some of the stocks still are not owned by very many funds, but it could be the beginning of something big for those companies.

All of the stocks on the list have had good returns this year, some as high as 30%. Each stock is listed with the current price, year to date performance, the number of funds that own the stock and the number of funds that added the stock in the first quarter of the year. They are sorted so the most stock with the biggest increase in hedge fund ownership is listed last.

If the hedge funds are right, these stocks are the ones to watch for big gains in the future.

Microchip Technology (MCHP)

Current Price: $83.08

Performance in 2017: 29.5%

Number of Invested Funds: 56

Change in funds during the first quarter: 14

Click here to learn more about the stock ...

Data provided via Credit Suisse



Viacom (VIAB)

Current Price: $36.09

Performance in 2017: 2.8% 

Number of Invested Funds: 55

Change in funds during the first quarter: 15

Click here to learn more about the stock ...

Data provided via Credit Suisse



L3 Technologies (LLL)

Current Price: $166.93

Performance in 2017: 9.7% 

Number of Invested Funds: 28

Change in funds during the first quarter: 15

Click here to learn more about the stock ...

Data provided via Credit Suisse



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Everything we know about the 'Bachelor in Paradise' sex scandal that could kill the show

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corinne and demario bachelor in paradise

A "Bachelor in Paradise" scandal threatens to not only cancel the show, but forever change ABC's long-running hit "Bachelor" franchise going forward.

An alleged incident of "sexual misconduct" that occurred while taping last week in Mexico has shut down production and forced ABC and show producer Warner Horizon into launching an investigation.

On Wednesday, both "Bachelor in Paradise" contestants who are reportedly at the center of the alleged incident, DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios, released their first official statements. Both claim they're victims of the scandal and have sought legal counsel.

How did we get here, and what's next? Here's a rundown of all the events we know so far:

SEE ALSO: 'Bachelor in Paradise' contestant DeMario Jackson breaks silence: My character has been assassinated

DON'T MISS: 'Bachelor in Paradise' contestant reveals details of the scandal that could cancel the show

The potential for a sexual-misconduct scandal was already at play.

Before we go into the events of the current scandal, we have to acknowledge that all the elements for it have been cooking for years. It's almost a wonder that it took 15 years of "The Bachelor" and multiple spin-offs for a sexual-misconduct scandal to happen.

Just look at the mix: an attractive young man or woman vying for the attention of equally attractive people, competition, hunger for celebrity, and, in many cases, a real desire to fall in love. Throw alcohol into the mix, and you have a recipe for possible disaster and legal trouble.

That said, the current "Bachelor in Paradise" scandal — in which a female cast member was sexually assaulted while too drunk to consent, according to reports of allegations from those working on the show — stepped over the boundaries set for reality TV.

A veteran reality-TV producer, who has never worked on the "Bachelor" franchise but has worked on similar shows, told Variety that they found this situation "unusual."

"My concern about this situation is that if the person was beyond a point of making her choices and was still being shot and being put into this scenario, it's a very weird situation," the producer said. "When you talk about sexual assault, it's almost always just two people alone and it becomes a he-said-she-said situation; this is the most unusual situation because not only is there a third party, but there are cameras that watched everything that happened and everything that led up to what happened. That, to me, is the smoking gun as to why a franchise worth hundreds of millions of dollars was shut down."



Sunday, June 4: Day of the alleged sexual assault.

With three seasons under its belt, "Bachelor in Paradise" began taping its fourth season on this day in Mexico and was set to last three weeks. It also happened to be the day when the incident occurred, according to reports.

Sources told news outlets that a sexual encounter between DeMario Jackson ("The Bachelorette" season 13) and Corinne Olympios ("The Bachelor" season 21) occurred when she was too drunk to give proper consent and the show's cameras were rolling.

TMZ published a graphic description of the alleged sexual encounter between the contestants in a hot tub.



Tuesday, June 6: An investigation was underway, production halted, and the contestants were placed on lockdown.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, production continued on the show Monday. But at some point between Sunday and Tuesday, a producer filed a complaint about potential sexual misconduct. It isn't clear whether that producer was present while the alleged incident was being taped.

A contestant told People on condition of anonymity that taping was suspended and the cast members were placed on lockdown Tuesday, meaning they were sent to separate rooms, couldn't contact one another, and were under constant supervision by production.

"We were told to stay in a certain part of the [resort] while they figured out what the hell had happened," the contestant said. "We knew something bad had happened; there was a dark energy that came around the house. You have to understand that we weren't even there a week. The game hadn't even really begun yet."

THR reported that Jackson and Olympios were questioned ahead of the other contestants after the complaint was filed and were sent home.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Tour The Boston Consulting Group's stunning New York office, which has an in-house cafe and workout rooms

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BCG Hudson Yards 6898

When the New York-based staff of The Boston Consulting Group decided to leave the midtown office that had been their home since 2002, they knew they wanted to create a more comfortable, welcoming space.

The global management consulting firm, which was launched in 1963, was third on Glassdoor's list of the best places to work in 2017. But since the old office's interior design and architecture didn't accurately reflect the personality of the company, they wanted to make sure their new office did. 

"The best decision I made was to encourage the designer to push as far as she could go in terms of a non-corporate look and feel," senior partner Ross Love told Business Insider during a recent visit to BCG's new office in the Hudson Yards development of Manhattan. Love was part of the internal team that was tasked with overseeing the design of the new space.

The layout was designed with the "collision coefficient" in mind — an idea that Love got while visiting with Zappos founder Tony Hsieh.

"[Hsieh is] a bit of a guru on design ... I went on a tour of Zappos out in Las Vegas, and he talked about how you could deliberately design an office to maximize the number of collisions [between people]," he said.

This, in theory, could create a more efficient work day, cutting down on the time spent on formal meetings, email replies, and phone calls. Ahead, take a tour of the new, thoughtfully-designed offices, where more than 500 New York-based BCG employees spend their days.

SEE ALSO: Bain & Company was just named the best workplace of 2017 — step inside its New York office

DON'T MISS: A look inside $23 billion LinkedIn's New York office, where employees enjoy perks like free gourmet meals and a speakeasy hidden in the Empire State Building

The BCG New York offices are located on the west side of Manhattan in Hudson Yards, the largest private real estate project in the US. While much of Hudson Yards is still under construction, its 17 million square feet of development are projected to be complete by the mid-2020s.

Source: Business Insider



Guests and clients will find a concierge desk and greeter when they arrive to the BCG office.



Instead of a traditional receptionist, BCG designed a concierge desk that can accommodate various guest requests, like how to get to the closest subway or where to grab lunch. Without the usual barrier of a receptionist desk, the openness immediately creates a welcoming atmosphere.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Microsoft has an online design lab that lets you customize your perfect Xbox controller — here's how it works

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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.

ControllerGamers have usually tried to stand out by getting really good at a particular game, or sticking with a certain console.

Microsoft wants to make it easier to add some flair to your gaming set up by letting you design a custom controller through an online tool.

It's simple to use, but gives you enough options that you probably won't ever see one like it. I've walked through the creation process below so you'll know what to expect if you make one yourself.

Start designing your own Xbox controller here >>

SEE ALSO: 7 tech accessories every avid gamer should own

You start with a plain, black controller, and can change the color of its body or jump ahead to a different part. At the bottom you'll also notice a button that lets you switch between a 2D and 3D view.



Picking a color gives you a high resolution view of how the controller will look.



Each color choice carries over through the different steps, so you can mix and match until you find a combination that fits your aesthetic.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Amazon Prime members can upload their outfits and get a fashion expert's opinion — here's what it's like to use in person

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Amazon Outfit Compare

Unless you stick to a daily uniform like Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg, everyone has that frustrating moment once in a while where you just can't decide what to wear. 

Amazon wants to help with that. The online retail giant rolled out a feature in March called Outfit Compare, which lets you upload two different outfits and get an opinion on which one looks better. 

The feature is free and available in Amazon's mobile app, but only Prime members can use it. And while Amazon famously doesn't reveal how many Prime subscribers it has, estimates peg that number around 80 million in the US — which means a lot of people have access to this feature and may not even realize it. 

If Outfit Compare sounds familiar, it's because Amazon launched a similar service called Style Check in conjunction with the launch of its Echo Look device, an Alexa-enabled camera that can take full-length photos or videos of you, help you build a "personal lookbook," and give a second opinion on your outfit. 

But Outfit Compare has one key difference: While Style Check uses both machine learning and a fashion specialist to provide a verdict, Outfit Compare relies solely on real humans to judge your look.

I tested out Outfit Compare over the course of a few weeks. I didn't often use it to decide between two different tops or to pick the right pair of shoes, mainly because I didn't have the luxury of time in the morning or a full-length mirror at home. But snapping a quick mirror photo of my outfit each day did help me gain a lot of insight into how others might view my style.

Here's what it was like:

SEE ALSO: Amazon's new Echo device is a hands-free camera that helps you decide what to wear

In order to use Outfit Compare, you'll need two things: The Amazon app and a Prime membership. To find the feature, you'll need to click on the menu button.



Here you'll find the "Programs and Features" tab, which is where Outfit Compare is housed.



About halfway down the screen, wedged between "Credit & Payment Products" and "Sell on Amazon" is Outfit Compare.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Near-unanimous Senate approves new sanctions on Iran and Russia — here's what the penalties would do

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FILE PHOTO - Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during a joint news conference following their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 28, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to approve sweeping sanctions legislation targeting Iran and Russia.

The bill, which passed 98-2, includes an array of penalties aimed at choking off the vast financial networks that US lawmakers say Moscow and Tehran need to sustain their destabilizing behavior. Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rand Paul of Kentucky were the only votes against the bill.

"This is a very, very strong piece of legislation," Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker said on the Senate floor. "Today the United States Senate is asserting its [foreign policy] responsibilities."

The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives. Here's a look at key parts of the Senate legislation:

 

SEE ALSO: Putin jokes that he might offer asylum to former FBI chief James Comey

DON'T MISS: PUTIN: Russia is ready for constructive dialogue with the US

Iran

The Senate bill imposes mandatory sanctions on people involved in Iran's ballistic missile program and anyone who does business with them.

The measure also would apply terrorism sanctions to the country's Revolutionary Guards and enforce an arms embargo.

Senators say the legislation won't undermine the landmark nuclear deal with Iran.



Russia

Senate approval of the bill comes more than five months after U.S. intelligence agencies said Moscow meddled in the 2016 election.

The legislation strengthens current sanctions imposed by former President Barack Obama and creates new ones on a broad range of people, including Russians engaged in corruption, individuals engaged in human rights abuses and anyone supplying weapons to the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Broad new sanctions would be imposed on Russia's mining, metals, shipping and railways sectors.



Trump's authority

The measure also gives Congress the ability to block attempts by President Donald Trump to lift sanctions against Moscow.

The bill includes a mechanism requiring congressional review of any decision to ease the Russia sanctions. Senators say the review provision restores Congress' role in setting sanctions policy.

"We moved to make Congress — not the President — the final arbiter of sanctions relief when necessary," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said before the vote. "Any idea of the president's that he can lift sanctions on his own for whatever reason are dashed by this legislation."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I flew New York to Paris for less than $500 on Icelandair — here's what my first-ever ride with the airline was like

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Icelandair Flight

The INSIDER Summary:

  • I recently flew Icelandair for the first time from NYC to Paris.
  • I had a five-hour flight to Reykjavik from NYC, where I then had an hour layover, and then a three-hour flight from Reykjavik to Paris.
  • All in all, it was an enjoyable experience.
  • I was sitting in an exit row, so I had ample leg room, plus there was a great selection of movies, and the plane was clean and relatively on time.
  • My only real complaint was that there wasn't a free meal served on the flight.


I recently took a trip to France to visit my sister.

With the help of KAYAK's price alerts, I was able to book a round-trip flight from JFK in New York City to Charles de Gaulle in Paris for just $464.

I booked my flight on Icelandair, so I had a five-hour flight to Reykjavik from NYC, where I then had an hour layover, and then a three-hour flight from Reykjavik to Paris.

Although I've flown internationally multiple times in the past, this was my first time flying Icelandair. I wasn't sure what to expect since my ticket had been so cheap.

Keep scrolling to read about my experience.

As I boarded the flight from JFK to Reykjavik, I was greeted by a friendly flight attendant standing at the front of the plane handing out small water bottles.



It was a nice touch, and the perfect way to begin a long flight — an experience that usually ends in dehydration for me.



A small pillow and blanket were waiting for me at my seat. The pillow was pretty standard as far as airplane amenities go, but the blanket was softer than most I had used.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Overpriced artisanal toast is the San Francisco craze that refuses to die — so we gave it a try

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san francisco the mill artisanal toast 4930

An Australian real estate tycoon set the internet ablaze in May when he suggested that more millennials could afford to buy homes if they gave up their pricey smashed avocado toast.

Like chocolate, cheese, and coffee before it, toast has turned into an artisanal product. In San Francisco, you can find thick-cut slices of doughey goodness slathered in locally-sourced butters, jams, and yes, avocado. At a price of $4 to $8, depending on toppings, this decadence doesn't come cheap.

The trend kicked off in San Francisco in 2014, after a highly publicized profile on Trouble Coffee and Coconut Club — considered the original proprietors of artisanal toast — aired on NPR's "This American Life." The city's obsession with glorified bread shows no sign of slowing.

These days, you can find cafés serving overpriced toast in almost every major city nationwide.

We visited San Francisco's The Mill to see why toast is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

SEE ALSO: Go inside the housing startup that puts millennials up in multimillion-dollar Silicon Valley mansions

The Mill, based in San Francisco's Alamo Square neighborhood, did not invent artisanal toast. But it spread the gospel with its widely popular take on the trend.



Josey Baker, The Mill's co-owner and toastmaster, got his start baking breads in his San Francisco apartment. He delivered loaves to bakeries, pizzerias, and grocers on his bike.

In summer 2011, Baker got an invitation from the founder of a local coffee chain, Four Barrel Coffee, to collaborate on a café near Alamo Square. The Mill was born.

While the café was under construction, Baker ran a pop-up location on site. He wanted to offer customers something to eat with their coffee, but since Baker didn't make cookies, croissants, or muffins, he brought his toaster from home and started selling his homemade bread.



"At that point, it wasn't, like, 'We're going to become known for our toast.' It was my way to eat bread, and people responded strongly to it," Baker told Business Insider in 2015.



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Norwegian teens celebrate a bizarre month-long holiday full of drinking, sex, and wild dares — here's what it's like

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The Russ

Forget the "American Pie" movies — American teens can learn a thing or two about partying from their Norwegian counterparts. 

Every year, Norwegian teens on the cusp of graduating from high school celebrate "russefeiring" or "the russ," a month-long celebration centered on drinking, party buses, and wild challenges. 

"In the American movies, we get the impression that they are so crazy. But we have the craziest celebrations here in Norway," Fredrik Helgesen, a student leader of the russ committee, told the Associated Press. "I don’t think anything in the world is like this."

This year, students aggressively documented russefeiring celebrations on social media, giving the rest of the world a look into the wild — and sometimes just bizarre — celebration.

Here's what it's like to experience what is quite possibly the craziest teen rager in the world. 

The russ starts in mid-April and lasts until Norwegian National Day on May 17.

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Revelers are immediately recognizable by their red and blue overalls — or russebukse — a crucial part of russ.

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Russebukse are for sale on the official russ website, but many people choose to personalize their overalls.

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The only 23 movies you should watch this summer

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spider man homecoming

This summer's movie slate has been off to a mixed start. "Guardians of the Galaxy 2" and "Wonder Woman" have both gotten great reviews and been smashes at the box office. But high-profile efforts like "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword"and "The Mummy"have been huge flops.

The rest of the season, though, is looking strong. There are big comic book flicks like "Spider-Man: Homecoming" and Christopher Nolan's new movie "Dunkirk" to look forward to, and then there are Sundance films like "A Ghost Story" and potential sleeper hits like "Baby Driver" on the horizon.

Here are the 23 summer films you need to check out.

"Rough Night" is a comedy starring Scarlett Johansson, Jillian Bell, Ilana Glazer, and Zoë Kravitz as best friends on a wild bachelorette weekend in Miami.

Read our review here.

Release date: June 16



"Cars 2" was one of Pixar's most disappointing films, but critics say the new, third entry in the series is much more charming, with Steve McQueen trying to prove he's the best racer in the world.

Read our review here.

Release date: June 16



It's no "Jaws," but "47 Meters Down" is still a great shark thriller, about two sisters trapped in a cage at the bottom of the ocean with just an hour of oxygen while sharks circle overhead.

Release date: June 16



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10 must-have tech accessories under $10

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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.

51yGdFjFc0LTechnology can get expensive, but even the most useful tech doesn't have to cost that much.

Strip away a bunch of bells and whistles and you have products that can provide a tremendous amount of value without breaking the bank.

These 10 products will keep your devices charged and safe, while also keeping you entertained and free from clutter.

If you have $20 or $50 to spend, your options open up dramatically, but you'd be surprised at what you can get for less than $10.

DON'T MISS: 26 things under $20 we can't live without

SEE ALSO: 8 must-have iPhone accessories under $20

A USB hub

If you use a lot of accessories, chances are you'll probably run out of USB ports. This is especially true with notebooks, which have fewer USB ports to begin with. If you don't want to go all out and get a dock for your computer, this 4-port USB hub will probably do the trick. I like this hub because these are USB 3.0 ports, which are significantly faster than older USB 2.0 ports. You'll notice that difference the most if you connect an external hard drive to this hub for backups.

Anker Ultra Slim 4-Port USB 3.0 Data Hub, $8.99, available at Amazon



A USB phone charger for your car

Because Apple has removed the headphone jack on the iPhone 7, this multiport car charger is next on my to-buy list. It's great if you want to charge multiple devices at once, but I'm going to use it to keep my phone and Bluetooth audio adapter charged. That way I can listen to music through my car's stereo, and make sure my iPhone has enough juice to get me to my destination.

Anker 24W Dual USB Car Charger PowerDrive 2, $9.99, available at Amazon



A multiport USB adapter

If you argue with roommates or family members about who gets to charge their phone next, save yourself the aggravation and pick up one of these power adapters. Two people can charge their devices at once, and at 20W this adapter may charge your devices more quickly than the one that comes in the box. It probably won't be unplugged often, but if you want to grab this adapter when going on a trip, it has a foldable plug to keep it from getting damaged.

Lumsing 20W 2-Port 5V Universal USB Wall Charger Hub with Foldable Plug, $6.99, available at Amazon



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The best Greek island for every type of traveler

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couple in Santorini

With some 6,000 islands within its borders, Greece has a lot to offer travelers of all stripes. Whether you're in search of wild parties, family-friendly activities, or just a place where you can relax and unwind, you're sure to be able to find it on one of Greece's stunning islands. 

While each Greek island has its own beauty and charm, it can be tough knowing which one to choose for your next vacation.

To help, we've found the best Greek island for different types of travelers. From the delectable local specialties you'll find on Crete to the untouched nature on Ikaria, here's your guide to Greece's islands. 

Best for art lovers: Hydra

Art lovers will find their paradise on Hydra, where renowned contemporary venues and galleries sit nestled within the island's winding streets.

Art collectors and artists gather here to enjoy the installations that line the corridors of popular spaces like the DESTE Project Space Slaughterhouse, which is owned by Greek Cypriot billionaire and art collector Dakis Joannou. 



Best for partying: Ios

Ios is known for its bustling party scene, thanks to its wide array of bars and clubs that sit in close proximity to one another.

Start the night off at the popular Far Out Beach Club on Mylopotas Beach before heading to one of the many after-hour clubs that line the island's streets.



Best for windsurfing: Paros

Paros' weather conditions make it an ideal destination for windsurfers, who often gather on its many beaches to enjoy the sport. 

The island hosted the Professional Windsurfers Association World Cup event for several years and continues to remain the home of various windsurfing competitions each summer. 



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Uber's CEO is on leave — meet the 14 new executives running the company

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Travis Kalanick

Uber's got a whole new team at the top.

In the wake of a series of scandals and a report recommending wide-ranging changes at the company, CEO Travis Kalanick announced Tuesday he's taking a leave of absence. It's unclear how long he'll be gone. 

Kalanick's leave is only the latest example of the upheaval in Uber's top ranks. In total, seven executives who reported directly to Kalanick have left in recent months. Their departures came amid growing questions about Uber's culture following a scathing blog post by former engineer Susan Fowler about her experiences at the company.

With the old leaders out, Uber has a new group heading the company. Here are the 14 executives now running Uber and what they will be working on:

 

SEE ALSO: A woman who was raped in India by an Uber driver has sued the company, saying executives mishandled her medical records

Thuan Pham, Chief Technology Officer

As Uber's chief technology officer, Thuan Pham has been leading Uber's engineering team since 2013. During that time, his group has grown from 40 engineers to more than 1,200. He's widely described as an inspirational leader. 

But his tenure hasn't been without its challenges. As Uber struggled to deal with growing demand, Pham was "deathly afraid" of its app going offline, The Information reported.

Meanwhile, Pham's future at the company had been in question following Fowler's post. The former engineer said Pham took little action in response to one of her complaints.



David Richter, SVP of Business

Richter, who joined Uber in 2014 as its vice president of strategic initiatives, got a promotion when Chief Business Officer Emil Michael resigned on Monday. Richter took over the job of heading Uber's business as a senior vice president.

Prior to joining Uber, Richter was the chief strategy officer at Say Media for three years. He is known for being the "adult in the room," and will have a difficult task ahead of him in the absence of both Kalanick and Michael. 



Ryan Graves, SVP Operations

When Ryan Graves responded to a tweet from Travis Kalanick about a job at a startup by saying, "HERE's a tip. email me:)", there was no way of knowing Uber would become the $69 billion company it is today. 

Graves served as Uber's first CEO and general manager. Kalanick succeeded him as CEO, something Graves was "super pumped" about. (For his part, Kalanick was "frickin' pumped".)

Graves then served as a senior vice president and head of global operations. When Jeff Jones joined the company from Target to head up Uber's operations, Graves became the company's resident entrepreneur and builder. Following Jones' departure in March, he's been back in his old role as SVP of Operations.



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9 photos that show how album covers are censored in the Middle East

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christina aguilera lotus

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Album covers from female artists are edited in some Middle Eastern countries to adhere to national and religious standards of modesty.
  • Artists like Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, and Madonna have had their clothing and poses altered on their album covers.


Pop music artists like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Madonna are recognizable names and faces around the world, known for their powerhouse vocals, daring fashion choices, and ability to put on amazing shows. In some countries, though, their images are altered to conform to standards of modesty.

Saudi Arabia, for example, is a Muslim-majority country that enforces a dress code for women that includes long coats called abayas, as well as headscarves. Many female pop artists' album covers feature them in revealing clothing, so the images are censored by members of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, the religious police known as the "mutawa."

Some of the images are seamlessly cropped to hide an exposed midriff. Others are so heavily altered that the changes render the singer almost comically unrecognizable.

Here are 9 images collected from Reddit, message boards, and international music seller Discogs that show how Middle Eastern countries censor album covers.

In Saudi Arabia, Christina Aguilera's jeans became a jean skirt, along with a black shirt.



Jennifer Paige is shown dressed in a red shirt, rather than a red cami.



Kylie Minogue's entire look was changed.



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