LONDON – Meet Agnes Valencic, a recent graduate who works on Nomura's asset-backed securities (ABS) desk in London.

After completing a degree in French and Art History at UCL last year, Agnes joined the 10-week intern programme at the bank and landed a job in ABS sales.

Her job is to support the desk as it matches European buy-side clients, such as pension funds and asset managers, with the right asset-backed products at the right price. 

The securities are backed by pools of mortgages on residential or commercial property, similar to the structured products blamed in the US for starting the credit crunch in 2007.

That didn't put her off. The products' risky reputation is unjustified in Europe, she says, where default rates were low both before and after the crisis.

The securities are often complex, and she tells her friends to watch the Big Short to understand the basics about how they work.

Agnes is in a sales role, and enjoys the focus on building relationships with people the most. Unlike a lot of people attracted to a role on the global markets floor, Agnes did a humanities degree, rather than economics or finance. She hasn't found that a problem so far, and likes following the constantly moving market.

Here's how her day unfolds, and what the office is like to work in:

Nomura's London HQ overlooks the river near Cannon Street, in a historic part of the city that was home to a self-governing enclave of merchants, part of the so-called Hanseatic League, until the late 16th century.

Agnes gets in for around 7:30 a.m., when she checks news sources such as Bloomberg and the Financial Times for news of overnight developments in the ABS markets, or any relevant changes in the macro environment, such as an interest rate hike. She'll forward the interesting ones to clients. After that, she'll grab a quick coffee and breakfast from the in-house cafe.

Once the trading day begins, Agnes is in almost constant touch with both clients and the other salespeople and supervisors of the ABS desk, which manages the whole process of a deal, from the initial client interest to making sure the trade is completed at Euroclear, a clearing house.

You don't need to go far to have an epic summer vacation.

Sure, Europe is nice, but travelers often forget how many wonderful places are located right here in the United States.

From local gems to world-famous spots, we've found the best summer vacation destination in every state.

SEE ALSO: 17 things every guy needs in his closet for summer

ALABAMA: Gulf Shores

Look out for sea turtles along the Gulf Shore's beaches and enjoy the hiking trails, zip lines, and golf courses that line the coast.

ALASKA: Ketchikan

Ketchikan is known for its ornate Native American totem poles and gushing waterfalls surrounded by mountains.

ARIZONA: Fossil Creek

Fossil Creek is only a two-hour drive from Phoenix. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and kayak in the cool, refreshing waters.

I've been working in the room-service department of a five-star hotel for six months.

Actually, it's a five-red-star hotel: The red part is a special distinction awarded by AA Hotel Services (an organization specific to the UK, which is where this hotel is located) that means we go above and beyond normal five-star hotel requirements.

Basically, it's the fanciest kind of hotel you can possibly stay at. 

Yes, we cater to well-known celebrities and high-profile guests. But the beauty of our service is that all guests are treated equally as nicely — whether we like you or not. 

Saying that, your hotel experience will be much more enjoyable if we do like you. So here are some important do's and don'ts for your next stay, from the girl who brings you breakfast and restocks your mini bar.

Brittany Kriegstein contributed reporting to an earlier version of this article.

SEE ALSO: 27 photos that show why New Yorkers are ditching the Hamptons for a hot destination to the north

DON'T: Order room service when you're not fully (or even mostly) dressed.

Delivering breakfast to people who are half-dressed (or worse) is not really how I like to start my day. Apparently, lots of guests seem to be too hungry in the morning to abide by simple rules of common decency. Please, just put some clothes on before opening your door to room service. 

DO: Make small talk with us when we bring up your meal.

Even though we're required to follow a particular script when we come up to your room, we do still like to engage in a little small talk.

Comment on the weather, ask how our day is going, or tell us about your stay so far. This is a great way for us to assess how happy our guests are. 

DON'T: Use anything from the mini bar if you don't have to.

Although I'm sure my managers feel otherwise, I don't like it when guests take items from their mini bars.

The mini bars in each room of our hotel contain over 20 different kinds of snacks and drinks, and I'm in charge of restocking them — meaning that I have to review a master list in every single one of our 144 rooms every day to figure out if anything's missing.

Then, I have to bring the items to each room via a very badly designed, top-heavy cart, or, if it's not on the cart, I have to run across the entire hotel to get it from the supply closet. This whole process can take over three hours.

Since my idea of fun isn't exactly running (what feels like) a hundred miles to replace that one water bottle you felt like drinking, I would love it if you all just brought your own refreshments. 

Intern season is underway.

Across Wall Street, interns are trying to adjust to the demanding and fast-paced work environment of finance.

If you're one of those Wall Street interns, then you've probably got tons of questions. Of course, you might be worried about asking them without seeming clueless. 

Morgan Stanley went ahead and did the dirty work for you. Last summer, the bank collected questions from its interns and brought them to a group of managing directors and recruiters.

It shared the answers on its website.

We've got the nine most frequently asked questions and answers for you below.

Portia Crowe contributed to an earlier version of this article.

SEE ALSO: A top Wall Street analyst explains why you should put just as much work into a LinkedIn message as an interview

SEE ALSO: An investment banker explains why aspiring Wall Streeters should read every section of the newspaper

SEE ALSO: Keep these 5 things in mind to get the most out of your summer investment-banking internship

How do I differentiate myself from equally qualified summer analysts?

"A key differentiator is how well you work in a team, as teamwork is an integral part of our firm's culture.

"Another is how much of a self-starter you are. It's important to complete an assigned task thoroughly, but it's differentiating if you go the extra mile.

"For example, do more analysis than your manager expects for the project and an additional task no one asked you to do but that you think could help the team.

"This demonstrates your interest, understanding of the product, how you can fit into the team, and how useful you can be."

Is there a fine line between being helpful and being overly eager and annoying? How can you know if you've crossed that line?

"Yes, there is a fine line, but not to worry — there are ways to help keep it in balance.

"Firstly, be mindful of other people's time. Email and ask your manager if you can chat at some point about an idea you think might add value, or pick a time when he or she doesn't look too busy.

"Another tip is to prep yourself before you talk to a manager. For example, write down the points you want to get across ahead of time so you know what you want to get out of that meeting."

When should I speak up at a meeting and when is it just better to pull my manager to the side and quietly ask a question or offer an idea?

"Tough question — the answer differs very much from business to business and group to group.

"The best thing is to spend the first few weeks of your internship observing and getting a feel for how the team works. Many of our businesses actively seek out summer analysts' views because they benefit from having a fresh set of eyes looking at a process, or coming from a totally different angle.

"But if you're just not sure, then err on the side of caution and pull your manager aside after the meeting to offer up an idea."

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.

The Insider Pick:

• The health benefits of sitting less during the day are too great to ignore, but with the number of standing desks available, it can be hard to know which desks are a quality investment, and which ones should be avoided. With its stability, smooth height adjustment, and solid warranty the Fully Jarvis Electric Adjustable Height Standing Desk is a step above the rest, providing the best value for your money.

Improve your posture, burn more calories, get more energized, and increase your life expectancy. These health benefits sound like something you’d get after a rigorous exercise routine, but believe it or not, they’re the result of standing more instead of sitting. So many jobs involve sitting at a desk for hours each day, and it can be hard to break away to incorporate more standing without sacrificing productivity.

Even with coffee breaks and the occasional stretch, the average American still spends up to 15 hours a day sitting. This is bad news considering a sedentary lifestyle increases your chances for cancer, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Before you run away from your desk job in terror, there is a compromise. Consider the standing desk, which allows you to incorporate more standing into your day without interrupting whatever task you may be trying to accomplish.

To find the perfect standing desk to fit your needs, it’s important to consider a few questions before committing to a purchase. First, how much space do you have to work with? Standing desks come in all sizes and configurations so you can find a good fit. Second, do you want to part with your traditional desk? If the answer is no, then you might want to find a standing desk conversion option that you can set up on the desk you already have. Lastly, what are you willing to spend? Some desks are more budget friendly than others, but it’s important to remember that you’re investing in your health too, so it may be worth it to spend a little more on a quality desk.

It may seem overwhelming, but luckily we’ve done the research for you to find what we think are the five best standing desks to suit a variety of needs. Since we’ve poured through the reviews, you can take a stand for your health sooner rather than later, and learn which desk may be best for you.

Although the Fully Jarvis Electric Adjustable Height standing desk is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Readydesk 2, the Ergo Desktop Kangaroo Pro Junior, the UpDesk UpWrite standing desk, and the iMovR Upsilon standing desk.

The best standing desk overall

Why you'll love it: The Fully Jarvis Electric Adjustable Height standing desk is the complete package, combining a durable and sleek design, stability, and easy height adjustment for a reasonable price.

One of the biggest downfalls of a fully transitional sit-to-stand desk is that the higher it gets, the less stable it becomes until you’re left with a uselessly wobbly contraption. Not so with the Fully Jarvis. Even at its full height of 48 inches, this desk maintains an ample amount of stability, so even if you’re on the taller side (up to 6 foot 7 inches), you will be able to use this desk with ease. For those who are shorter, this desk can adjust to any height in between 23.25 and 48.75 inches.

The Fully Jarvis has a sit-stand desk frame so you can go from sitting to standing and anywhere in between, although we imagine a static squat hold probably wouldn’t lend much to work productivity. If you’re looking for smooth transition, though, this is the desk for you. The frame is motorized, so there is no old-fashioned hand-cranking required, and its programmable digital handset with four preset options allows you to input your ideal sitting and standing height.

According to Start Standing, the desk raises and lowers at a rate of 1.25-inches per second, and though the reviewer found it wasn’t as quiet as some higher priced desks, the noise wasn’t unbearably loud. We wouldn’t recommend taking a conference call while transitioning from sitting to standing, but the noise isn’t a deal breaker. It’s a fair trade off for the stability and the lift capacity this desk has.

The Fully Jarvis can support a whopping 350 pounds, and while it would be a bit of a challenge to hit that max weight unless you’re housing an anchor on your desk, it’s nice to know that you don’t have to worry about this desk tipping over or not being able to accommodate all your electronics.

The Fully Jarvis is backed by a generous seven-year warranty, and its simple assembly is helped along by easy-to-follow instructions. However, if you’re understandably short on time or patience you can also choose to receive expert assembly from Amazon. It will add to the price of the frame, but for the sake of convenience and sanity, you may find spending a little extra money is worth it. Reviewers on Amazon praised the high-quality feel and sleek design of this desk frame, especially considering the affordable price.

Unfortunately, Amazon only sells the frame for this desk, so you have to buy the table top separately. As far as table tops for the frame go, this reviewer and others have recommended buying an Ikea tabletop. If you’re the DIY type, you could even consider using a plain closet door like this reviewer.

The Fully Jarvis provides a complete package of reasonable price, beautiful design, and stability. It’s not surprising that it shows up repeatedly as the number one pick in many “best standing desk” lists, including The Wirecutter and Gadget Review. We have to agree that it stands apart from the rest.

Pros: Well designed, stable even at its maximum height, durable, able to hold up to 350 pounds, reasonably priced

Cons: Not the quietest desk on the market

Buy the Fully Jarvis Electric Adjustable Height Standing Desk Frame on Amazon for $470

Buy the IKEA Linnmon Desk Table Top 47 Inch with Feltectors for your desk on Amazon for $59.99 to $154.99 (price varies based on finish)

Buy the Fully Jarvis Adjustable Height Standing Desk from Fully for $470

The best affordable standing desk

Why you'll love it: The Readydesk is an affordable and easy-to-assemble standing desk that allows you to keep your traditional desk, features a durable design, and has enough space to house a dual monitor set up.

If you’re just starting to dip your toes into the standing desk movement, and aren’t sure if you want to spend a lot of money to begin with, the Readydesk 2 is a great place to start. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s a conversion option that allows you to utilize a traditional desk you may already have and not be ready to part with.

Think of the Readydesk 2 as the training wheels of standing desks. If you enjoy incorporating more standing into your day, you can always leave your traditional desk behind and graduate to a fully transitional standing desk. However, you may find yourself keeping the Readydesk2 as a permanent option.

Business Insider's guide editor Malarie Gokey used the Readydesk 2 to convert her desk into a standing desk, and it was perfect. It's easy to assemble, fits nicely on most desks without taking up too much space, and it's much more affordable than other standing desk converters. 

The Readydesk came from humble beginnings as the product of a Kickstarter, but its stable, well-constructed design has earned it a solid place among effective standing desks that won’t turn into a wobbly mess. It’s constructed from recyclable Baltic Birch Wood, which gives this desk a unique aesthetic appeal since most standing desks utilize plastic and metal. The two adjustable shelves can be configured in 30 different ways, and the top shelf provides enough space for a dual monitor set up.

This is a semi-permanent standing desk conversion option, making it too cumbersome to switch rapidly between sitting and standing, and its design wouldn’t exactly be described as “sleek.” However, this is a budget friendly desk, so you aren’t going to get the deluxe features found in more expensive standing desks.

Budget friendly doesn’t translate to cheap quality in the case of the Readydesk 2. Circle of Docs, an online community of chiropractors, tried the Readydesk 2 and described it as “lightweight, strong, and beautifully designed.”

Those who have purchased this desk have continued to give it highly rated reviews, praising its quality, easy set-up, and sturdy build. While this reviewer would have liked the shelves to be rounded for additional comfort, the buyer still enthusiastically dubbed it the “best desk ever” and loved the way it has changed the way they work and view their workspace.

Pros: Affordable, easy assembly, durable design, spacious enough for a dual monitor set-up

Cons: Not able to smoothly transition between sitting and standing, some reviewers found the unfinished shelf edges uncomfortable, lacks the extra features that would be found in a more expensive standing desk

Buy the Readydesk 2 on Amazon for $149.99

The best standing desk conversion option

Why you'll love it: The Ergo Desktop Kangaroo Pro Junior provides a smooth transition from sitting to standing, while allowing you to keep your traditional desk. 

Maybe you have a desk you don’t want to part with, or you can’t justify paying the higher price for a fully adjustable standing desk when you have a traditional desk in perfect condition. Just because you don’t want to part ways with the desk you have now doesn’t mean you can’t get the benefits of a standing desk. Standing desk conversion options like the Kangaroo Pro Junior can be placed directly on top of your desk, and allow you to sit or stand as needed.

While some conversion options can take up a large chunk of your desk space, The Wirecutter points out that the compact design of the Kangaroo Pro Junior allows you to get the most out of your space, and it doesn’t need an especially wide desk to sit on top of like other conversion options. The built-in pneumatic spring mechanism allows you to go from sitting to standing by the turn of a knob so your coworkers won’t be looking on in amusement as you make the switch. Limiting workplace embarrassment is always a plus in our book. To go back to sitting, you simply press the surface back into place.

The Kangaroo Pro Junior is one of the most ergonomic conversion options, with separate keyboard and monitor platform adjustments that make it possible for you to find your comfort zone with ease. This option works best with a separate monitor and keyboard set-up, as it doesn’t provide a secure way to mount a laptop, though the 24 x 18-inch keyboard tray is more than stable enough to support a laptop if needed.

It also comes with a metal leg to provide additional stability. Unfortunately, this stability leg does take away from the aesthetic appeal of the design, but the guaranteed stabilization it provides ensures that you won’t have to deal with a wobbly desk. The benefits of a standing desk are lost if it won’t let you work comfortably while standing.

The small working space provided holds up to 35 pounds of your necessities, so you won’t be putting the contents of your entire desk on this conversion option. However, since it’s meant to be used with your traditional desk, you should have enough space for everything you need.

If the thought of assembling furniture raises your blood pressure before you’ve even begun, not to worry — the Kangaroo Pro Junior doesn’t require any installation or time-consuming assembly and the frame comes with a five-year warranty.

This reviewer was impressed with how well-made and stable the Kangaroo Pro Junior is, while this one was so pleased they bought more for their entire office and praised the customer service they received.

Whether you’re looking to bring the health benefits of standing desks into your office, or you want to work in comfort at home, the Kangaroo Pro Junior is a great standing desk option to upgrade your workspace.

Pros: Provides a smooth transition from sitting to standing, compact so it won’t take up your entire desk space, no installation required and easy assembly, separate adjustment options for keyboard and monitor

Cons: Not the most ideal option for laptops, will only hold the essentials, the stabilizing leg is a bit of an eyesore

Buy the Ergo Desktop Kangaroo Pro Junior on Amazon for $424.36

It's probably healthier to distance yourself from any passive-aggressive people floating around your personal life.

But you don't usually have that luxury in the office. It's not like you can just part ways with the cubicle mate who's constantly leaving whiny sticky notes everywhere. You're pretty much trapped.

So you don't end up getting burned, it's important to keep tabs on this damaging behavior.

Though it's usually quite subtle, there are some clear signs that you're most likely dealing with a passive-aggressive coworker.

While your passive-aggressive coworkers should be able to speak up if something is bothering them, you can at the very least recognize these signs and take it upon yourself to help resolve the situation:

SEE ALSO: 11 signs your boss is passive aggressive

DON'T MISS: 16 signs your coworker is undermining you

They're constantly leaving notes

Listen, there are times when it's acceptable to leave an aggrieved sticky note or send out a vexed office-wide email.

For example, if your colleagues are always leaving the communal microwave looking like the aftermath of a gruesome and mysterious science experiment, I can definitely understand why someone would feel the urge to call people out.

But if you work with someone who's scribbling out elaborate memos over every tiny annoyance, watch out.

If you find yourself sharing a cubicle with a note-scribbler, consider whether or not their notes are reasonable. If they're pointing out actual problems, perhaps you should try to help out. But if they're just being nit-picky, you can ignore their messages or talk to them to establish an understanding.

They procrastinate when you ask them to do something

Whenever you ask your colleague to do something, they get to it ... eventually. They never complain, but they make their displeasure known by taking forever to complete the task.

Keep in mind, some people are just procrastinators; their delays aren't meant personally. Alternatively, you may be at fault here if you're over-asserting your position on a person of equal rank.

But all things considered, if they're perfectly competent and your requests are appropriate and reasonable, you're probably dealing with a passive-aggressive individual, according to the Mayo Clinic.

If your office procrastinator's laziness isn't impacting you, ignore it. But if it is, calmly inform to your colleague. If that doesn't work, document the procrastination and talk to your manager, recommends Alison Green in US & World News Report.

They're constantly griping to you

Venting in an office setting is usually pretty unprofessional, unless you're close friends with whomever you're venting to.

That doesn't seem to faze this particular coworker. They complain about everything. The boss. The clients. The other people in the office. Frankly, most of their issues seem pretty unreasonable to you.

This is a major red flag that you're talking to a toxic person. 

If you can't get the office complainer to leave you alone, avoid nodding along to their litany of grievances. Instead, calmly express your disagreement, recommends Chrissy Scivicque in Forbes. Don't try to convince them, though — you'll just provoke an argument.

No one knows exactly how much Russian President Vladimir Putin is worth.

Some claim Putin is the richest man in the world, yet according to the Kremlin, he earns around $133,000 a year and lives in a small apartment.

One former Russian government adviser estimated his fortune is worth $70 billion. Hedge fund manager Bill Browder, a noted critic of Putin, claimed it was more like $200 billion.

We’ve put together a list of things that Putin is believed to have spent money on. 

As President of Russia, Putin's official residence is the Moscow Kremlin. However, he spends most of his time at a suburban government residence outside of the city called Novo-Ogaryovo.

Source: Business Insider

He reportedly has access to 20 different palaces and villas.

Source: Up North

Official records published in 2016 by the Kremlin would have us believe that Putin has a very modest real estate portfolio. The report said he owned a small plot of land and an apartment with a garage.

Source: Newsweek

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.

A good gadget solves a problem, but solving a problem isn’t the same as making your life easier.

A fitness tracker might help you live healthier, but being constantly reminded to move isn’t very relaxing. A drone might help you take awesome photos, but you have to not crash it. A smartphone might let you communicate with anyone in the world, but social media exists.

Below we’ve rounded up a few gadgets that can add to your day, but don’t demand much in return. Some are specific, some are general ideas, but none of them will wind up being Another Thing to Worry About. 

SEE ALSO: I've written about a bunch of great smart-home tech, but these are the gadgets I use every day — here's why

The Amazon Echo

As you’ve probably heard by now, the Amazon Echo has transformed from a competent-sounding Bluetooth speaker to a competent-sounding Bluetooth speaker that can control your home. Just call on Alexa, Amazon’s cloud-based virtual assistant, and the Echo can quickly start up a Spotify stream, call an Uber, control your smart lights, order a pizza, or follow a growing number of other quirky commands. It’s always listening, but it serves you, and it does so swiftly and accurately.

Amazon Echo, $179.99 

A portable battery

The next time your phone dies before you could call that cab home, you’ll have wished you had a portable battery on you. We’ve recommended Anker’s PowerCore series before, and its PowerCore 10000 packs plenty of power in a compact, not-that-expensive package.   

Anker PowerCore 10000, $25.99

A wireless charger

The open secret about wireless chargers is that they’re not really wireless — a charging pad can’t produce power on its own, so you’ll have to plug it into a wall somewhere. Still, plopping your phone down on a pad and picking it up when it’s time to go is much smoother than making sure your microUSB cord is going in the right way for the hundredth time. Just make sure your phone uses the same wireless charging standard as the charger itself; the Anker PowerPort Qi here is a reliable choice for Qi-enabled phones like the Samsung Galaxy S8.

Anker PowerPort Qi, $19.99

The elite Russian force known as the Spetsnaz has a long history going back to the Red Bolshevik Guard, but little is known about them because of the unit's secretive nature. 

Numbering around 15,000-17,000, most Spetsnaz are comparable to US Army Rangers, according to the book "Spetsnaz: Russia's Special Forces" by Mark Galeotti. About 1,000 of them, however, are on par with the US Army's Delta Force or Navy SEALs.

The Spetsnaz are also organized differently than US special operations forces in that they have units in multiple military branches, all with their own specialized training. 

The Spetsnaz are also afforded the opportunity, according to Galeotti, to usually "get the first pick of new types [of weapons], and also enjoy much greater freedom to customize and "mix and match"" their weapons. 

Below are 11 of the most commonly used Spetsnaz weapons, according to Galeotti. 

The standard Spetsnaz weapon, according to Galeotti, is some version of the 5.45mm AK-74 rifle. Seen here is the AK-74M, which is also the standard issue for much of the Russian Army. It weighs about 8 pounds and has a 30 round magazine capacity.

Moscow has repeatedly said that they would replace the AK-74 with the AN-94 or the AK-12, which would provide better long-range accuracy, according to Galeotti. The Spetsnaz have used these weapons sparingly, but budget constraints have set this plan back. 

Another AK-74 model that the Spetsnaz use is the short-barreled AKS-74U carbine. Also known as the "Krink", it was originally developed for the Spetsnaz in the mid-1970s and has a nifty side-folding stock, according to The Firearm Blog.

Some Spetsnaz operators sport a slightly different AKM fitted with a GP-25 grenade launcher. The AKM, which is a modernized version of the AK-47, fires 7.62 mm rounds up to 383 yards.

The 2017 winners of the RIBA National Awards for architecture are eclectic and stunning. 

RIBA's 49 winners range from a state-of-the-art science lab to a 16th-century Abbey in St Albans.

RIBA President Jane Duncan said:

"The lack of high-quality new housing is a huge issue in the UK so I am particularly pleased to see great examples of well designed, sustainable new homes amongst our award winners...

"Sadly though, these projects are exceptions. We all deserve a well-designed, affordable home, wherever we live in the country. I encourage other local authorities, developers and clients to look at these projects as exemplars."

We've collected the top 15 from RIBA's ranking below — scroll down to take a look at the UK's best new buildings.

15. Paradise Gardens — Hammersmith, London.

14. New Scotland Yard — Embankment, London.

13. King's College School — Wimbledon, London.

In the spring, President Trump said he intends to fix the country's crumbling roads, but according to his budget, highways will see less federal money than in years past. 

The proposed budget would slash transportation spending by 13% in fiscal 2017, including a $95 billion cut to the Highway Trust Fund through 2027 — the source of about 25% of public highway and mass transit spending nationwide.

America's roads received a D grade in this year's Infrastructure Report Card from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Overall, US infrastructure scored a D+, and the ASCE estimates the country needs to spend $4.5 trillion by 2025 to improve its roads, bridges, dams, airports, schools, and more. Highway investment needs have a $836 billion backlog.

The ASCE also looked at the road conditions in every state plus Washington, DC. The states below have the highest percentage of roads in poor condition.

SEE ALSO: Trump may raise the gas tax to help fix America's crumbling roads

8. New York: 114,365 miles of public roads, with 28% in poor condition

7. Washington: 14,252 miles of public roads, with 31% in poor condition

6. Pennsylvania: 120,091 miles of public roads, with 32% in poor condition

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.

The Insider Pick:

• 360 cameras give you a full view of the scene to help you create immersive photos and videos for virtual reality and other applications. Of all the 360 cameras on the market, the Ricoh Theta S stands out because of its easy-to-use features and superb video and photo quality.

Digital cameras create beautiful rectangular shaped photographs and videos. Not surprisingly, most people are more than satisfied with those types of images.

Then there are those people who always wonder how to make something better. For them, the goal is to make digital camera video and photos more closely resemble actual human vision. Several decades ago, cameras went from recording in black and white to full color. More recently, we’ve seen 3D movies, as well as panoramic photos that provide a wider view than normal.

The next step forward is the 360 camera, which creates still images and videos that even outdo a human's 120-degree peripheral vision, offering a 360-degree view. Call it surround sound for the eyes, if you will. 

Modern 360 cameras are extremely cool pieces of gear that take some amazing photographs and videos. The footage can even be used in virtual reality applications. These new cameras are easier to use than ever, too, so even photography novices can create these attention-grabbing 360-degree images and video.

How 360 cameras work

A 360 camera often contains two individual lenses and/or image sensors, using software to stitch the images together. Or a fish-eye lens can pair with one image sensor to create the 360-degree photos and video.

• 360-degree photographs: Shooting a 360-degree still image shares some properties with panoramic photography. The camera may shoot a series of photos, where you move the lens slightly every time to account for each segment of the scene. Some 360-degree cameras make use of multiple image sensors or multiple lenses to record the photographs faster. Others use a fish-eye lens that has a 360-degree view naturally.
• 360-degree video: When shooting 360-degree movies, a 360-degree camera usually contains two different lenses inside, paired with two image sensors. Each of these cameras records one slice of the 360-degree scene. With two cameras, each camera would shoot a 180-plus degree video, for example. There’s a slight overlap to allow the software to piece the videos together seamlessly. Some cameras rely on a single fish-eye lens to shoot 360-degree video.

With both 360 photos and 360 videos, software inside the camera stitches all of the images or videos together to create the final product. The software also compares the exposure levels and color saturation within each segment and adjusts the individual segments to ensure they all match.

Uses for 360 cameras

If you’re unsure whether you’ll be able to take advantage of a 360 camera’s features, read through the list of our favorite reasons to shoot photos and video with a 360 camera.

• Show it all: When shooting standard photos and videos on vacation, you’re able to show a small slice of what you experienced. With a 360-degree image, you can show off the entire scene, giving others the chance to experience it however they want. Viewers are completely engrossed with the 360-degree images, as USA Today discussed in an article.
• To use with VR: As explained by The Wirecutter, shooting 360-degree photos and videos to use with virtual reality gear provides an immersive experience.
• For action: We already provided our list of the best action cameras, which are made for first-person video while performing activities. When using a 360 camera to create action photos and videos, you’ll create some even crazier looks.
• Be in the photo: No longer will you have to embarrass yourself by carrying around a selfie stick, earning the scorn of those near you! With a 360 photograph or video, it’s easy for you to be in the scene.
• Security: Some 360 cameras work great as a security camera, giving you a full view of your property, as discussed by Android Central.

Best of all, this product category is new enough that additional uses for 360 cameras are sure to develop over the next couple of years. Maybe you’ll even create one of those uses that becomes popular, making you Internet famous!

If you're interested in 360 cameras, you should also check out our other great camera buying guides, including the best action cameras, the best DSLR cameras, the best point-and-shoot cameras, the best SD cards, and thebest microSD cards.

Although the Ricoh Theta S is our top 360 camera choice, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Kodak PixPro SP360 4K, the Garmin VIRB 360, the 360 fly 4K, and the LG 360 Cam.

SEE ALSO: The best microSD cards you can buy

The best 360 camera overall

Why you'll love it: If you’re a little intimidated by a 360 camera, the Ricoh Theta S is the easiest to use and it produces great images and video.

The Theta S from Ricoh makes use of two 190-degree lenses, each of which pairs with a 12-megapixel image sensor. The camera’s software stitches the images and videos together to create a 360-degree view. The image and video quality are excellent and the Theta S is remarkably simple to use, making it the best 360 camera for most people.

The Ricoh Theta S has a thin and lengthy design, almost like a TV remote. This allows the 360 camera to fit inside a pocket, which is convenient. However, one Amazon customer reviewer said the Theta S is not very durable, so you may want to carry it in a case.

The Ricoh Theta S impressed the well-known camera reviewer Ken Rockwell with its ability to create accurate exposures consistently, no matter what kind of photo or video scene he encountered. Additionally, one Amazon customer highlighted the ease with which you can shoot group photos with this camera.

Digital Trends appreciates the simplicity with which even novices can operate the Theta S. Anyone can use this camera without too much practice or previous knowledge of 360 photography and video. CNET also points out that the easy-to-use mobile app for the Theta S makes it incredibly intuitive for beginners and further simplifies the camera’s operation.

One drawback to the Ricoh Theta S is you’re limited to 8GB of internal storage space, and the 360-degree camera has no way to increase its storage space. The space will fill up quickly, so you'll have to download your footage regularly. 

Overall, the Theta S is the easiest 360-degree camera to use for people who are just starting out, and it provides more than enough features for photography buffs who are serious about creating 360-degree photos and video.

Pros: One of easiest 360 cameras to use, thin camera design makes it easy to hold, accurate exposures in many different lighting conditions, may use mobile apps to operate the Theta S

Cons: Durability is a question mark, limited to 8GB of storage space

Buy the Ricoh Theta S on Amazon for $329.99

The best advanced 360 camera

Why you'll love it: The Kodak PixPro SP360 4K creates amazing full 360-degree videos with a two-camera setup.

The Kodak PixPro SP360 4K has a design that almost resembles some sort of alien technology. It’s a simple cube with a dome on top that contains the lens, yet it’s smaller than a Rubik’s Cube.

Image quality is a key component of the PixPro SP360 4K. As the name suggests, it offers 4K video recording resolution for its 360-degree video, which works incredibly well for VR technology. The Kodak SP360’s camera also creates 360-degree video that’s both YouTube and Facebook compatible. As Wired points out in its review, you will need two cameras to create full 360-degree video both horizontally as well as vertically, however. A single SP360 4K camera records 4K video with a 235-degree vertical viewing angle. 

The SP360 4K Dual Pro Pack, which comes with the two cameras you need for full 360-degree shots, is a good value for creating full 360-degree vertical video versus some other high-end 360 cameras. In its review, ePhotozine says it's well worth getting the Dual Pro Pack. One Amazon customer reviewer praised this camera’s ability to create full 360-degree videos that other cameras aimed at beginners can’t equal.

For simple photographs and video on the 360-degree horizontal axis, the fish eye lens in the dome works great. But because of its high price point and high-quality video, it’s not necessarily made for beginners or those looking for a simple 360 camera, as CNET discusses in its review. In fact, one Amazon customer was disappointed with the time and steps required to create the full 360-degree videos.

Overall, the Kodak PixPro SP360 4K is a better 360 camera option for serious hobbyists than beginners. Pros won't be disappointed by this 360-degree camera.

Pros: Full 360-degree video horizontally and vertically with Dual Pro Pack, great for advanced hobbyists, 4K video resolution, single camera offers 235-degree vertical viewing angle, works great for VR

Cons: Can be overkill for beginners, expensive for beginners, requires two cameras for full 360-degree horizontal and vertical video

Buy the Kodak PixPro SP360 4K (Premier Pack) on Amazon for $417.51

Buy the Kodak PixPro SP360 4K (Aerial Pack) on Amazon for $949.99

Buy the Kodak PixPro SP360 4K (Dual Pro Pack) on Amazon for $632.89

Buy a microSD card from our guide

The best waterproof 360 camera

Why you'll love it: What’s cooler than shooting 360-degree video in your backyard? Shooting that same video under the water with the Garmin VIRB 360.

Finding 360 cameras that offer waterproofing and the durability of an action cam is an expensive proposition. So even though the Garmin VIRB 360 has a high price point versus some other 360 cameras, its waterproof design sets it apart from the rest of the entry-level market to make it a great option for outdoor enthusiasts.

As DCRainMaker points out, professional setups for 360 action cameras can run $10,000 and higher, so its $800 price is fairly reasonable in comparison. In its review, SlashGear says this Garmin camera tends to compete more closely with action cams like the GoPro. The Garmin VIRB 360 can be submerged in up to 10 meters of water without any problems.

For further proof of this camera’s ability to function as an action camera, the Tom’s Guide review points out that the VIRB 360 is filled with measurement sensors, allowing you to overlay the sensor data onto the video. Sensors include a barometer, an accelerometer, a compass, a GPS chip, and a gyroscope.

If you want more than 4K video, the Garmin VIRB 360 delivers, offering 5.7K video resolution at 30 frames per second. Despite the camera’s high price, one Amazon buyer was impressed with the extra video resolution. Additionally, the VIRB 360 excels in audio recording, using four built-in microphones for surround sound to go with the surround video.

Pros: 360 camera with action camera capabilities, waterproof up to 33 feet, 5.7K video resolution, includes numerous sensors that can overlay data onto the video, excellent audio recording with built-in mics

Cons: Expensive price point, new to the market meaning longevity is unknown

Buy the Garmin VIRB 360 on Amazon for $799.99

Buy a microSD card from our guide

Not everyone has time to whip up a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies on the regular — that's the whole reason store-bought chocolate chip cookies exist.

We took four of the most popular brands — Chips Ahoy, Keebler, Entenmann's, and Pepperidge Farm — and sampled them side by to side to see which reigns superior.

Keep scrolling to read our thoughts.

Here are the four contenders, in all their store-bought glory.

The Chips Ahoy cookies were the only ones that emitted a strong and enticing chocolate chip cookie smell, which was promising.

The Keebler cookies looked almost exactly like the Chips Ahoy. Both were about the same size and had the same crunchy texture.

Exam results come out in August, making it a stressful month for students to say the least.

Many will be wondering whether they got the grades to get into the university they wanted, and it can feel like the end of the world if you don't do as well as you thought you would.

However, whatever your results, you can still have a great career and a well-paying job. In fact, figures from the Office of National Statistics show that 29% of graduates earn less than those who entered the workforce straight from an apprenticeship rather than getting a degree.

Student fees are currently capped at £27,750 for three years of study, which has left many young people wondering over the past few years whether a university education is really for them or not.

New data from Indeed— the world's number one job search site — shows there are many roles which don't require a degree that pay more than the UK average wage.

"Our figures suggest there is still a 'graduate premium,' with graduates frequently earning more than those without a degree," said Mariano Mamertino, an EMEA economist at Indeed. "But while having a degree typically increases your earning potential, the cost of gaining one is substantial. As a result many school-leavers will be asking themselves whether the sums of doing a degree add up."

The site analysed the salaries offered by tens of thousands of job adverts and came up with a list of five which pay substantially more than the UK average salary of £28,000.

Here they are, ranked in ascending order by average salary.

5. Pilot — £32,691.

To learn how to fly a plane, you need to get a Airline Transport Pilot's Licence (ATPL), and you'll also need good physical fitness, good hearing and eyesight, and colour-normal vision.

The training can be quite pricey — £60,000 and £90,000 in total — but the most experienced airline pilots can earn £140,000 a year.

The National Careers Service website says being a pilot requires excellent hand-to-eye co-ordination, great communication skills, leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.

4. Executive assistant — £33,150.

Having a personal assistant role at a senior executive level is a lot more than organising a CEO's diary. You'll also be in charge of travel arrangements, email management, and a few accounting responsibilities such as financial management and client billings.

Some positions even require you to speak several languages.

The executive will likely rely on you to sort out the majority of their life, so it's no surprise it pays quite well. Depending on the position and who the executive is, you could earn upwards of £50,000.

3. Fitness manager — £34,374.

Fitness managers are responsible for overseeing the administration and organisation of a gym or fitness club. This includes both employees and visitors to the gym, so you need to have good personal skills.

Different gyms and clubs have many different activities and facilities, so the job can range quite a bit. Some will be in charge of a spa and pool as well as the gym floor, whereas others are making sure the exercise classes are running on time.

Either way, you're working behind the scenes of the club and making sure everything is running smoothly, so it's a lot of responsibility.

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies." —  George R.R. Martin

Books inspire us, challenge us and expose us to ideas that transform our understanding of the world and ourselves.

They open a door into the minds of others and, in doing so, open our own minds.

To understand the transformational power that books can have, we asked eight successful people  —  from actors to astrophysicists  —  about the books that changed their lives.

SEE ALSO: The 28 best books for someone just starting out in their career

1. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group

From Branson's Thrive Questionnaire:"'Peter Pan' by J. M. Barrie  —  ever since reading it as a child, Peter Pan has been my favourite character, and I've drawn a lot of inspiration from the book. I've never really wanted to grow up and I've always wanted to fly!"

BUY IT HERE»

2. Neil deGrasse Tyson, American astrophysicist and director of the Hayden Planetarium

From Tyson's Thrive Questionnaire: "Isaac Newton's 'Principia Mathematica' (1687). It's where I realized how deeply a member of my own species  —  another human being  —  can be plugged into the operations of nature, leading to his discovery that the world is a knowable place, via universal laws."

BUY IT HERE»

3. Megha Mittal, chairperson of Escada

From Mittal's Thrive Questionnaire: "'Nothing Special, Living Zen' by Charlotte Joko Beck. It is a series of dialogues between a zen master and his student. It explains the philosophy of ‘living in the moment,' which we all know, but explains it really well. It changed my perspective on life."

BUY IT HERE»

Here at Business Insider, we have the luxury to play around with a large number and wide variety of smartphones, and it's my duty to rank them.

I take into account a smartphone's price, design, features, and ecosystem, and I make the hard decisions to put certain smartphones ahead of others.

You'll find in this list a variety of premium and mid-range smartphones I think you should seriously consider. With that said, these 20 smartphones are all excellent and they all deserve a good hard look before you make your purchase.

Here's our list of the best smartphones you can buy.

Note: Prices may vary depending on the retailer.

SEE ALSO: 8 reasons Google's Pixel is better than the iPhone

DON'T MISS: These are the smartphones with the best signal strength

20. BlackBerry Classic

If you were a BlackBerry fan in the company's heyday, you're going to love the BlackBerry Classic. It looks similar to older BlackBerry models but features a sharp touchscreen and an excellent physical keyboard.

Price: $173

19. BlackBerry KeyOne

The BlackBerry KeyOne with Android is the company's successor to the Priv, which also ran Android and had a slide-out physical keyboard. With the KeyOne, BlackBerry returned to basics and kept the keyboard as a permanent exterior feature.

This could be a great device for those who want a physical keyboard but still want access to Google's apps and services that aren't available on other BlackBerry devices.

Price: $550

Read the BlackBerry KeyOne review »

18. Samsung Galaxy Note 5

The Galaxy Note 5 is a killer big-screen phone, and it's still technically the latest Galaxy Note phone you can buy as a result of the Galaxy Note 7's exploding battery issues. Like previous versions of the Note, it has a large, vibrant display and a stylus for taking notes. The metal-and-glass design is great, too.

Price: $430

Read the Galaxy Note 5 review »

Despite his vast popularity as a comic book and movie star, "Spider-Man" has been notoriously absent from the world of video games for years. That's about to change.

In 2018, the game studio behind classics like "Ratchet & Clank" is planning to release the first major "Spider-Man" game in years. That image above? That's the actual game! 

Here's everything we know about Spidey's next big swing on game consoles.

SEE ALSO: This PlayStation 4 game looks eerily realistic — you have to see for yourself

DON'T MISS: After 14 years, one of the best games of all time is finally getting a sequel — here's what we know

First and foremost: This is the classic Peter Parker/Spider-Man you already know and love.

This isn't an origin story, or a new spin on the classic formula — this is a familiar "Spider-Man." Here's how the game's creative director, Bryan Intihar, describes it:

"Our Spider-Man features a 23-year-old Peter Parker who has become a masterful Spider-Man. While he may be more experienced, Peter and Spider-Man’s worlds continue to collide as he tries to juggle them."

He can stick to walls. He can shoot webs. He's got super-strength.

And yes, he lives in New York City. See the new One World Trade Center in the distance?

Whenever you were born, there was a song you couldn't get away from.

We don't think about it much, but the music playing around us as we grow up is ingrained with us for life. Whether it's Elvis Presley's '50s hits, baby-boomer classics like The Beatles' "Hey Jude," or George Michael in the '80s, for their respective generations, and usually more, they'll always be around.

While standards and novelty songs were common reaching back to radio's early peak, rock and then hip-hop slowly encroached, to the point that they're now basically in everything we hear, even if not directly. Though a throwback crooner like Pharrell's "Happy" can still light up the charts.

Billboard has been tracking the top song of each year in its annual charts since 1946. Business Insider compiled each hit below so you can see, and hear, what was the soundtrack of your birth year.

Check out what made it to the top of each year below:

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 20 best albums of 2017 so far, according to critics

2016: Justin Bieber, "Love Yourself"

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2015: Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, "Uptown Funk!"

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2014: Pharrell Williams, "Happy"

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The new season of HBO's iconic hit "Game of Thrones" is coming back next month, and hype is reaching a fever pitch.

A new trailer dropped this week, and if you haven't checked it out, you definitely should. (You should probably read our second-by-second breakdown of the footage as well.)

In honor of the new season, reviews-aggregator Rotten Tomatoes conducted a poll for Business Insider of over 1,00o "Game of Thrones" fans for a nice retrospective on topics like which seasons were the best (and worst), who fans want to see on the Iron Throne, and who is the greatest villain.

While the saddest death might not surprise you — clearly Hodor (tear) — many of the questions saw close battles for the top answer.

Here are the results of the Rotten Tomatoes survey:

SEE ALSO: Here's the kind of people Netflix is looking to hire, and why

Best season: 6

1. Season 6… 30%
2. Season 4… 23%
3. Season 1… 19%
4. Season 3… 14%
5. Season 5… 9%
6. Season 2… 4%

Worst season: 5 (closely followed by 2)

1. Season 5… 28%
2. Season 2… 27%
3. Season 3… 18%
4. Season 4… 10%
5. Season 6… 8% (tie)

5. Season 1… 8% (tie)

Most shocking death: Ned Stark by a mile

1. Eddard “Ned” Stark (Season 1)… 25%
2. Jon Snow (Season 5)… 18%
3. Robb Stark (Season 3)… 14%

We here at Jetsetter try not to pick favorites.

But when it comes to the best rooftop bars in NYC, it's damn hard not to.

From sky-high cocktail dens to a surf-themed pop-up bar, these are the rooftops we'll be raising a glass to this summer.

SEE ALSO: 27 photos that show why New Yorkers are ditching the Hamptons for a hot destination to the north

Rooftop at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

All eyes are on Brooklyn's 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, the latest addition to BK's ever-evolving Dumbo district. There's no such thing as a bad view here — not from the rooms with their floor-to-ceiling windows; not from the ground floor Neighbors cafe, which looks out on the Brooklyn Bridge Park; and especially not from the buzzy sky-high bar. The sprawling rooftop debuted over Memorial weekend complete with a boomerang-shaped plunge pool dotted with plush chaise lounges and a wraparound terrace with spot-on views of the waterfront, Statue of Liberty and One World Trade.

The Crown, Hotel 50 Bowery

Chinatown is home to one of the coolest new rooftops in the city, thanks to the opening of Hotel 50 Bowery. The 21st-floor Crown takes advantage of the area’s low skyline, offering two massive indoor/outdoor terraces which face north and south for dual views. It's run by none other than chef Dale Talde and his Three Kings Restaurant Group, so you can expect Asian-influenced cocktails (try the Black Dragon, a blend of Elyx vodka, oolong tea, green tea, and spiced calamansi) as well as boozy, fruity slushies. But that’s not all: later in the summer, Talde and his team will also open an on-site restaurant, Rice & Gold, and basement bar, Green Lady.

Westlight at William Vale, Brooklyn

We know New York hipsters love Williamsburg — and the William Vale hotel is the neighborhood’s newest hangout. The eye-popping tower is a destination in and of itself, with 20,000 square feet of retail shops, a massive public park on a terrace overlooking the skyline, plus a 60-foot outdoor pool (the longest hotel pool in the city). But the real sky-high stunner is Westlight, a glass box-like bar on the 22nd floor with killer cocktails and bites from Andrew Carmellini. Don’t miss the tequila cured salmon with crushed avocado and chili lime tortillas.

RELATED:10 Best Hotels in New York City