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One of Trump's favorite recurring compliments is calling someone a 'great guy' — here's the definitive list

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Donald Trump

President Donald Trump bestowed one of his favorite compliments upon controversial Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke over the weekend.

"A great book by a great guy, highly recommended!" Trump wrote while quote-tweeting a Clarke tweet promoting his book, "Cop Under Fire."

A search of Trump's tweets, past interviews, and speeches found that the president has placed a man on his pantheon of "great" guys in at least 71 instances.

No one has achieved the rating of "great guy" in Trump's eyes more than athletes and sports-world figures, who make up more than 36% of the people to whom Trump has awarded the moniker. Of those, 10 are golfers or connected to the golf world while seven are football players or otherwise linked to the sport.

Politicians make up 18% of Trump's "great" guys. Four of them currently serve in his administration.

Trump has additionally given a number of "great guy" shoutouts to media figures, Hollywood stars, and "Celebrity Apprentice" contestants.

Here's the definitive list of Trump's "great" guys:

SEE ALSO: Trump has an interesting history with the Civil War

American figure skater Evan Lysacek



Fox News host Sean Hannity



Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee



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The amazing life of Uber's new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi — from refugee to tech superstar

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Dara Khosrowshahi 3

On Sunday, Uber's board offered the top job at the company to Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of Expedia.

The job, should he accept it, represents just another milestone for the 48-year old Khosrowshahi, who has lived an extraordinary life of both hardship and influence.

He is now firmly in the spotlight as he takes over the Valley's most valuable startup – worth more than $60 billion –and one that's been under a microscope due to its meteoric growth and its well-chronicled troubles.

Here's the incredible story of Khosrowshahi's journey from refugee to tech mogul:

 

SEE ALSO: Who is Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber's new CEO?

SEE ALSO: A board member took advantage of the death of Travis Kalanick's mom to oust him, investor accuses

Dara Khosrowshahi is 48. He was born in Iran, although he is now a US citizen. His last name is pronounced "Cause-Row-Sha-hee"



He was born into a prominent and wealthy family, founders of a major Iranian conglomerate involved in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, distribution. During the Iranian revolution, the company was seized and nationalized by the new government and his extended family fled the country.

Source: Canadian Business



Khosrowshahi arrived in the US when he was nine years old, an Iranian refugee. His family moved in with one of his uncles in Tarrytown, New York, a town with upscale roots on the eastern shore of the Hudson River, 25 miles north of Manhattan. Rockefeller had built a mansion there in 1906.



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These photos show the scale of destruction from Hurricane Harvey

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Hurricane Harvey Houston Texas

Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas over the weekend, delivering several feet of rain across the southeastern part of the state and driving thousands of residents from their homes.

At least nine people have been confirmed dead, and authorities expect the figure will rise.

The storm, which made landfall on Friday as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of up to 130 mph, has been downgraded to a tropical storm as of Monday evening. Forecasters predict the rain will continue until Thursday— by then, total rainfall may reach 50 inches in certain areas.

The photos and video clips below show something of the scale of the storm's damage:

Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on Friday. Rescuers and evacuees travelled down flooded streets on motorboats.

Here's a scene in Dickinson, Texas, as captured by ABC News:



Cars were submerged, and highways were deserted and flooded.





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We compared 7 travel-booking sites to show you what each is best at

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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.

travel sites main

Planning a vacation or trip is undoubtedly stressful. You're bombarded with seemingly endless options for flights, lodging, and things to do, and it can be difficult to figure out where to start. Many travel aggregators strive to present you with the best deals, but they all end up looking very similar to each other.

These similarities make it easy to know what to do and expect when you first visit a site. Typically, you enter your destinations, dates, and number of travelers. After you click search, you can further filter based on price range, airlines, and departure times for flights; amenities, hotel stars, and location for hotels; and type of car and rental car company for cars. 

So what makes one site better than another?

It all depends on your priorities and preferences. Everyone travels and plans for that travel differently. Here are seven travel sites and the factors you should consider when choosing a site. 

Booking.com

Booking.com is a huge bank of information, offering more than 1 million properties in 117,000 destinations in 225 countries and territories. Wherever you'd like to go, you'll find it through this site. It offers booking for flights, hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars. Clicking restaurants will take you to OpenTable. 

Highlights:

I found their desktop homepage to be cluttered and a lot to look at compared to the homepages of other sites, but their app experience was noticeably simpler, which makes sense as travelers increasingly turn mobile. 

One feature on the homepage that stood out to me (shown above) was the "Are you traveling for work?" option. Clicking "Yes" will present popular business travel options like WiFi and breakfast.

Another feature was its flexible date suggestions if your chosen destination is a popular choice and accommodations are more than 50% reserved during your selected dates.

Best for: 

  • Wide variety of options, including hostels, homestays, and bed and breakfasts
  • Easy access to your plans and searches by syncing your account across your devices 
  • Getting the best deals with their Price Match offer 
  • Destination travel guides and articles 

Lacking or not the best for:

  • Bundling hotel, flight, and car packages

Book a trip with Booking.com



Expedia

Expedia offers booking for flights, hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars, cruises, and things to do. 

Highlights:

You can bundle flight, hotel, and car deals so you don't have to go through the headache of looking separately and trying to coordinate all the deals. 

The "My Trips" section is helpful for managing your entire itinerary in one place, so you don't have to search through endless emails and accounts to figure out your vacation plan. 

If you sign up as a member, you can earn Expedia+ points to use toward future trips. Use the mobile app to earn 2x Expedia+ points. 

Like Booking.com, Expedia also offers suggestions for date shifts, date extensions, and route changes to get you to the cheapest deal. 

Best for: 

  • Hotel, flight, and car bundles 
  • Coordinating your whole vacation itinerary 
  • Reward points system

Lacking or not the best for:

  • Single bookings. The site is best utilized for its bundle packaging.

Book a trip with Expedia



TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor offers booking for flights, hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, and things to do.

Highlights:

It's well-known for its user-generated reviews, so as you're booking, you get the added benefit of reading reviews all in the same place. While I'm partial to Yelp for food recommendations and believe it to be better for US destinations, TripAdvisor is much more widely used in the international community. 

TripAdvisor is the most experience-driven travel site. You are not just booking somewhere to live — you're signing up to experience and explore a destination. 

Best for: 

  • Detailed filtering (e.g. style for hotels and distinctive features for vacation rentals) 
  • Comparing deals across aggregators 
  • Strong user-generated review community 

Lacking or not the best for:

  • Bundling hotel, flight, and car packages 

Book a trip with TripAdvisor 



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All the important 'Game of Thrones' deaths, ranked from least tragic to most tragic

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When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. It's violent, vicious, and not for the faint of heart.

Over the past seven seasons, a lot of people on "Game of Thrones" have died. It's a game of survival, and you're lucky if you've made it this far. 

Some of these characters came back from the dead. We barely knew some of them, and we knew a lot of them so well that we shed a tear or two (or two-hundred) when we watched them die. And others? We couldn't wait for them to die, and when they did, we were cheering.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with some exceptions), we ranked 100 notable deaths (and semi-deaths) from the series — basically, the deaths of characters who had names, had more than a few lines, and/or had some kind of impact on a major plot point or a major character. Hopefully it gives fans closure while they wait for the next season to arrive.

Here are 100 "Game of Thrones" deaths ranked from the least sad to the most sad:

Note: The Hound is exempt from this list. He was presumed dead and that was very sad for all of us, but turns out he never actually died. Direwolves are also exempt.

SEE ALSO: The 12 biggest questions we have after the 'Game of Thrones' season 7 finale

100. Ramsay Bolton

Ramsay Bolton was Roose Bolton's bastard son who had a penchant for extreme violence against innocent human beings. He was briefly married to Sansa Stark, and tortured Theon Greyjoy for several seasons. He also killed his dad, his stepmom, and his baby brother. And Rickon Stark. And Osha. And a lot of other people.

Time of death:  Season 6, episode 9, "Battle of the Bastards"

Cause of death: Sansa leaves him to be eaten by his own hounds.

Sadness ranking: -25. Ramsay's death is probably the most satisfying one on this whole show. His violence was gratuitous and he had zero redeeming qualities. Nobody loved him, not even his dad. 



99. Joffrey Baratheon

Starting with the execution of Ned Stark, Joffrey proved that he was completely out of control and wouldn't listen to anybody. He was a terrible king, and also a terrible person. 

Time of death: Season 4, episode 2, "The Lion and the Rose"

Cause of death: Poisoned by Petyr Baelish and Olenna Tyrell at his wedding to Margery Tyrell. 

Sadness ranking: -10. The only sad thing about Joffrey's death is that we don't get to hate him anymore. Joffrey was responsible for the untimely deaths of a lot of people who didn't deserve it.



98. Walder Frey

Walder Frey was the Lord of the Crossing at the Twins, and for a brief period, the Lord of Riverrun. He had over 100 descendants, and so many daughters that he didn't even know some of their names. He never had a good reputation in Westeros, and was often called the "Late Walder Frey" after delaying his assistance in Robert's Rebellion until it was already won. 

Time of death: Season 6, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"

Cause of death: Arya Stark slits his throat after feeding him a pie made out of his own sons.

Sadness ranking: -8. He's responsible for the Red Wedding, plus he's really gross. Not sad, not even a little bit. 



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This Mac app makes cheap headphones sound way better

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headphones

There's an app for Macs called Boom 2 that helps unleash the true potential of any headphones, including those cheap earbuds that came with your smartphone purchase.

The app helps boost certain levels of sound, like bass, mids, and treble to give your music a clearer, richer sound.

There's also a special option that makes you feel like you're on stage with your favorite band or artist, and it's amazing. It'll sound like your headphones just woke up and spread their wings.

Without the app, my music sounds flat, constrained, and muffled.

Yes, Boom 2 costs $15, which does seem expensive for an app. At the same time, we write about and recommend products worth hundreds, even thousands of dollars, so this app is a comparative drop in the bucket. Boom 2 is also a one-time purchase that you can keep forever and transfer to new Macs.

Here's how it works.

SEE ALSO: Apple quietly upgraded a crucial piece of the MacBook Air

Find the Boom 2 app in the Mac App Store and buy it.



Once installed, you'll see the Boom symbol on the menu bar at the top of your Mac's screen. Click it and click the the button with the three dots. Start playing music so you can hear the difference when you change the settings in Boom 2.



In the Boom 2 menu, turn off the Boom Volume at the top. All it does is boost your Mac's overall volume, which you most likely don't need.



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The best cities in Britain to be single, based on average salary and the cost of a first date

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Belfast

Being single can be expensive.

There's the cost of first dates, looking good, staying in shape, and, for those that can afford to, renting alone.

Thames cruise company Bateaux London has analysed data from the Office of National Statistics to establish exactly which UK city is the best place to be single.

The analysis compared the average cost of variables associated with being single.

They included the percentage of the population that is single — the higher the better — and the percentage of those aged between 20 and 30 years old — assuming a younger population is more likely to be single and not married.

In addition, the survey looked at average salary, as well as date-related costs like a three-course meal, a pint of beer, a coffee, or a cinema trip. It also factored in rents and gym membership. All the data are pinned to prices last year.

Scroll down to see how the UK's biggest cities rank in terms of being single, listed in ascending order from "worst" to "best."

22. London — 29.2%. England's capital scored highest overall for salary, but is expensive and has a lower proportion of eligible singles — making it apparently the worst place in Britain to be single.

Average salary: £34,967

Meal out: £55

Pint of beer: £4.50

Coffee: £2.64

Gym membership: £46.50

Cinema ticket: £12.00

Rent for one-bed in city centre: £1,682



21. York — 40.15%.

Average salary: £24,175

Meal out: £50.00

Pint of beer: £3.35

Coffee: £2.42

Gym membership: £34.33

Cinema ticket: £9.00

Rent for one-bed in city centre: £720



20. Brighton — 43.07%.

Average salary: £25,116

Meal out: £50.00

Pint of beer: £4.25

Coffee: £2.42

Gym membership: £36.14

Cinema ticket: £9.44

Rent for one-bed in city centre: £907



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Chipotle might start selling queso across the US in just a few weeks — here's what it's like (CMG)

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Chipotle Test Kitchen 6

While for years Chipotle denied customers' demands that the chain add queso to the menu, the Tex-Mex chain is now singing a different tune. 

Queso could be available at Chipotle locations across the US in just two weeks. In a note to clients on Tuesday, Credit Suisse analyst Jason West predicted a September 12 national roll-out.

While Chipotle has not yet formally announced a national queso launch date, the chain debuted the cheesy dip in its New York City test kitchen in July. Chipotle began serving queso at roughly 350 restaurants in California and Colorado in August.

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Chipotle didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment, but executives have previously said that queso could be added to menus nationally as soon as mid-September. 

Business Insider tried the queso at Chipotle's test kitchen, which also serves other test items, including new salads and margaritas. Here's what the chain's all-natural take on the cheesy dip is like. 

SEE ALSO: We visited the new pizzeria that people are saying could be the next Shake Shack — here's why it won't follow in the burger chain's footsteps

DON'T MISS: We tried fried chicken sandwiches from every major fast-food chain — and the winner surprised us

The test kitchen, called Chipotle Next Kitchen, is on the corner of Sixth Avenue and 13th Street in Manhattan.



Wandering in, you'd think it's just a run-of-the-mill Chipotle, complete with the standard fast-casual decor and the lunchtime rush.



But, this location was the first in the world to add queso to the menu.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Passengers in Etihad's luxury cabin get lavish amenity kits — here's what's inside

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First Class Amenity Kits 15

Over the past decade, Etihad has distinguished itself as one of the finest international airlines in the world. One of the Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates-based carrier's calling cards is it swanky first and business class cabins. In 2017, consumer aviation research firm Skytrax named Etihad's first class cabin the best in the world. While its business class cabin was named the fourth best in the world by Skytrax.

Etihad's arsenal of luxury accommodations includes The Residence, a 125 square-foot, flying home found exclusively on its fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbos. Then there is its standard 45 square-foot private first class suite, dubbed The Apartment. Finally, Etihad's business class passengers travel in a more intimate private suite called The Studio.

An important part of that premium performance is a well-equipped amenity kit. It's a set handy items that really help round off the complete in-flight experience.

Here's a closer look at Etihad premium cabin amenity kits.

SEE ALSO: United's new luxury cabin comes with some swanky amenity kits — here's what's inside

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Etihad's premium cabin is renowned for its luxury appointments. This includes The Residence which features a living room and...



... A full bedroom.



Passenger's traveling in The Apartment get a smaller, but still incredibly lavish first class suite.



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Fitbit just unveiled its answer to the Apple Watch — here's what it's like (FIT)

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Fitbit_Ionic_Sport_Black_Shot10_wScreens

Fitbit unveiled a new smartwatch on Monday, called the Fitbit Ionic. 

As Fitbit's answer to the Apple Watch, Ionic can handle fitness tracking, sleep tracking, contactless payments, music, and more.

The watch costs $300 and will be available everywhere starting this October. 

While Fitbit refers to Ionic as its first smartwatch, the company has released two other smartwatches in the past — Blaze and Surge. But unlike those two smartwatches, where the industrial design was outsourced, both Ionic's hardware and software were designed entirely in-house by the Fitbit team. 

While we're still testing the Ionic smartwatch (we have it in our offices and will publish a full review in a few weeks), here's everything we can tell you so far. 

 

SEE ALSO: Fitbit just released its first-ever wireless headphones — here's what they're like

Fitbit Ionic comes in three colors: Silver gray with a blue gray band, smoke gray with a charcoal band, and burnt orange with a slate blue band.



Fitbit is also launching two other sets of bands that easily snap onto the watch. The Ionic sport band comes in black, orange, and blue.



The leather band comes in brown and navy.



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The best beach umbrellas you can buy

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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.

beach umbrella 4x3

The Insider Pick:

  • A beach umbrella is essential for keeping you comfortable and protecting you from damaging UVA and UVB sun rays during beach outings. The best beach umbrella for most people is the colorful Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor 7-Foot Beach Umbrella because it is easy to carry and set up, plus, it has a helpful tilt function.

When I was growing up, my family would make the hour-long drive to the ocean beach on Long Island each summer. We knew that we had staked out the perfect spot when my mother dropped the oversized towels, kicked off her sandals, and jammed the umbrella into the sand.

Of course, that was often just the beginning of the beach umbrella boondoggle. There were days when the umbrella simply refused to stand. We’d all take turns digging a hole, twisting and turning the umbrella, but still, there were many times when the umbrellas simply flopped over — or worse — took flight and bounced across the beach like a dangerous missile.

In those days, I refused to sit under the umbrella anyway. I didn’t think it was cool, and I was too busy riding waves and catching rays.

Fast forward a few decades. Now, as an adult, I would never spend a day on the beach without an umbrella. The dangers of sun exposure — from skin cancer to premature aging —  are well-documented. And besides, it is just much more pleasant to sit on a chair shaded by a sturdy umbrella.

These days, it’s can still be just as hard to get your umbrella to stand up straight for a few hours or a day at the beach. And flying umbrellas can be more than an annoyance. Consumer Reports notes that a Consumer Product Safety Commission database turned up 31 incident reports, which included lacerations and internal organ injuries, from beach umbrellas between 2004 and 2009. A woman in New York even won $200,000 after a runaway beach umbrella at a state park hit her in the head.

So, what are you looking for when shopping for a beach umbrella? You want to find one that is not only sturdy but easy to carry, easy to set up, and offers the right amount of coverage.

According to Umbrellify, here are some things to think about before purchasing a beach umbrella:

  • Where do you plan on using the umbrella? You can also use a beach umbrella away from the sand. For example, you can use one for shade in your backyard when you host parties.  
  • What size umbrella do you need? The ideal beach umbrella size depends on the number of people you intend to cover. Typically, most beach umbrellas have a diameter of 5-8 feet. A small 5-foot wide umbrella can cover one to two people beneath it.
  • Is it sturdy and protective? The best beach umbrellas also have good venting, so that they can survive extremely windy situations without turning inside out. Also, when purchasing a beach umbrella, check to see if the pole and fabric are well connected. While not in use, roll up the umbrella and keep it indoors. No matter how good your umbrella is, leaving it outside exposed to the elements will surely decrease its life span.
  • What kind of design are you looking for? There are a plethora of designs for beach umbrellas, from a simple plain color to a cacophony of different colors and patterns or the ever-popular stripes.

We've researched expert and buyer reviews to find the best beach umbrellas you can buy for your next outing. Read on to learn all about our top picks in the following slides.

Although the Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor 7-Foot Beach Umbrella is our top pick, for the reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Sport-Brella All Weather Umbrella Canopy, the Frankford Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella, the beachBUB All-In-One Beach Umbrella System, and the Coolibar Titanium Beach Umbrella.

SEE ALSO: The best sunscreen you can buy

The best beach umbrella overall

Why you'll love it: The Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor 7-Foot Beach Umbrella is colorful, easy to set up, light enough to carry, and provides excellent protection from the sun.

Tommy Bahama makes a wide range of products designed to help you celebrate your leisure time in style. This colorful 7-foot umbrella is no exception.

The Tommy Bahama 7-Foot Beach Umbrella is easy to set up. It comes with an integrated corkscrew sand anchor that will have your umbrella standing at attention in less than a minute. A special aluminum undercoating on the heavy polyester fabric offers a 50+ UPF rating — that’s basically 100 percent protection from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.

The aluminum umbrella pole can be easily adjusted and a special tilt mechanism adds to the umbrella's versatility. A wind vent, located on the top of the canopy, increases the umbrella’s stability.

The umbrella, which comes with a polyester carrying case, is available in four different color combinations, including a green/blue stripe, apple red, blue/white stripe, and red stripe. A convenient carrying case is also included.

There are more than 700 reviews on Amazon, and they are mostly very positive with an average of 4 out of 5 stars. Amazon buyers highlight the umbrella's light weight, tilt function, and easy setup. This is Amazon’s best-selling umbrella in the patio umbrella category.

On June 21, 2016, a verified purchaser wrote, “I wanted an umbrella that was big enough to fit a few people under with a cooler, yet not too large that it would be a nuisance to carry. This umbrella is perfect for all my needs.”

Across the web, professional reviewers, including those at Top Products, Top Best Product Reviews, All Best Top 10, and Wise Bread, recommend the Tommy Bahama 7 Foot Beach Umbrella, too.

Pros: Lightweight, special tilt function, 100% UVA and UVB ray coverage

Cons: Some Amazon users complain that the umbrella is flimsy

Buy the Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor 7 Foot Beach Umbrella on Amazon for $40.78 and up (price varies by color — originally $71.85)



The best beach umbrella that's also a tent

Why you'll love it: The lightweight and versatile Sport Brella offers the coverage of an umbrella, with the extra room and coziness of a tent.

Is it a beach umbrella? Or is it a tent? The one-of-a-kind Sport Brella — which measures 8 feet wide when open — is both. It offers portable protection from the elements regardless of whether you are at the beach, a sporting event, or even in the backyard.

Weighing in at 11 pounds, the XL Sport-Brella is lightweight and easy to transport. All parts, including the eight steel ground stakes and three tie-down cords, can be toted in the convenient carry bag. The XL Sport Brella has a 9-foot canopy that is made of 210 D Polyester for all-weather protection. It is supported by thick steel ribs and a thick steel stretcher. The umbrella measures 108 inches.

The water repellant XL Sport Brella has a UPF coating of 50+ that protects users from more than 99.5 percent of UVA and UVB rays. For extra comfort and cross-ventilation, the Sport-Brella also offers top wind vents and side zippered windows.

The Sport-Brella is easy to set up, too. The telescoping pole has a plastic tip that is held in place by a lever. Once open, internal side pockets help you stay organized.

There are more than 1,800 user reviews on Amazon, most are very positive, with an average of four out of five stars. Fans of the Sport-Brella praise its durability, thoughtful design, and the versatility — use it at a wilderness lake or at the beach.

In April 2015, a verified buyer said, “There's nothing like this umbrella. It's honkin' huge, converts to a wind screen, has tie-downs for heavy wind, uses venting, and the inner telescoping pole means you can set it for any height level … I can't imagine using a regular beach umbrella again after using this for two years.” 

Negative reviewers note that the umbrella does not stand up to the wind, with a few adding that the vents don’t work well.

Across the web, professional reviewers, including those at The Sweethome and Top Products, name the Sport-Brella as a top pick.

Pros: Unique design offers combined benefits of a tent and an umbrella, lightweight, easy to set up, roomy

Cons: Some users complain it is flimsy and doesn’t stand up well to the wind

Buy the Portable Sport-Brella XL All-Weather Umbrella at Amazon for $57.43 and up (price varies by color — originally $79.99)



The best high-end beach umbrella

Why you'll love it: The super sturdy Frankford Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella uses marine-grade fabric and is beloved for its ability to stand up to strong winds.

Do you consider yourself a professional beach bum? Or do you sit on the beach looking longingly at the sturdy umbrellas that water-front hotels and restaurants proudly display? Then you may want to invest in an umbrella that the pros love. Frankford Steel's super 6.5-foot commercial grade umbrella is designed to last for years.

It’s durably constructed with zinc-plated steel ribs, stainless steel springs, and an attractive, 8-foot ash wood pole. In addition, the extra heavy, marine-grade acrylic fabric — with a 50+ UPF rating — is specially engineered to provide optimal shade.

The Frankford Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella comes with a three-year warranty, and the fabric is guaranteed against fading for five years. A nylon carry bag is included. The umbrella is available in 19 different color combinations, including single colors, stripes, and other designs like the American flag.

There are more than 100 user reviews on Amazon, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Buyers highlight the umbrella’s unparalleled sturdiness.

On July 23, 2017, Marc C. Szpila noted, “This was the best purchase of a beach umbrella. Not only did it shade us well, it held up on an extremely windy day! The rest of my family's umbrellas were breaking, blowing down the beach, and all but ours had to be put down because of the winds. This umbrella stayed steady! My brother even commented that we will need to put this umbrella in our will! So happy we made this purchase — definitely worth the money!”

Across the web, professional reviewers, including those at New York Magazine and Wise Bread, claim that this is one of the sturdiest beach umbrellas money can buy. The magazine also provided a fascinating history of the umbrellas, which was first made for beach concessionaires after World War II before being redesigned for public use a few years ago.

According to that article, the Frankford is the official umbrella for the cities of North Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, and Chicago. Keep in mind that Chicago is dubbed the windy city — enough said.

Pros: Incredibly durable, easy to set up, fade resistant

Cons: Expensive

Buy the Frankford Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella at Amazon for $184.90 and up (price varies by color and pattern)



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NFL QB Power Rankings: Where every QB ranks before the regular season

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Tom Brady

With the 2017 NFL season nearly upon us, the vast majority of the league's quarterback battles have been decided.

With a few talented rookies waiting in the wings and several significant injuries around the league, there will surely be more signal caller drama as the season wears on, but as of now, all 32 teams have identified a preferred option.

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In a league that's becoming more pass happy by the week, the quarterback position has become more vital than ever. Below, find out how all 32 starters stack up ahead of the regular season. The players listed have been ranked according to track record, fantasy viability, and projections for this year.

32. Josh McCown, New York Jets

Career record as starter: 18-42

2016 stats: 1100 yards, 54.5 completion %, 72.3 rating

2017 fantasy projection: 139.2 points

One thing to know: The Jets will be McCown's eighth NFL team. In 22 games started over the past three years, he's gone 2-20.



31. Tom Savage, Houston Texans

Career record as starter: 1-1

2016 stats: 461 yards, 63.0 completion %, 80.9 rating

2017 fantasy projection: 85.2 points

One thing to know: Savage started three games for the Texans last season, but with 12th overall pick Deshaun Watson waiting in the wings, it's only a matter of time before he returns to the bench.



30. DeShone Kizer, Cleveland Browns

Career record as starter: N/A

2016 stats: N/A

2017 fantasy projection: 157.8 points

One thing to know: Kizer, a rookie, was a second round pick in this year's draft. He won the starting job over Brock Osweiler, who's set to make $16 million this season.



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The best art supplies for your studio

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The Insider Pick:

  • The best art supplies can cost a pretty penny, but you don't have to spend all your savings to get great materials. We've rounded up the best art supplies you can buy online, including graphite, charcoal, pastels, watercolors, acrylic, oil paints, sketchbooks, canvas, and more.

If you're going off to art school or you just love to create, you need quality art supplies. While artists who've made it past the "starving artist" stage may use incredibly expensive supplies to create their masterpieces, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on top-tier materials. Often, more affordable options will serve you just as well, provided you have the talent. We've rounded up many of the basic art supplies you need in your studio in one handy guide. 

As someone who's been drawing since I could hold a crayon, I've been through my fair share of graphite pencils, charcoal, sketchbooks, erasers, and paint sets. I've tried dozens of different brands over the years, and some are still my favorites.

These are the best sketchbooks, graphite pencils, charcoal, colored pencils, erasers, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, oil paints, brushes, and canvas you can buy without breaking the bank. Read on to see all the top picks.

The best sketchbook

Why you'll love it: Strathmore makes excellent sketchbooks with all kinds of paper, including drawing, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, and more.

I've used Strathmore sketchbooks for years. I typically buy the ones with recycled paper, but I've also used the pastel, charcoal, and watercolor pads for when I need a different texture of paper. No matter what media you choose, these sketchbooks can handle it. 

Of course, the standard paper will warp if you do watercolors on it, but for any kind of pen, pencil, marker, or other drawing implement, it will do the job. The paper is a good thickness and weight. 

When it comes to the watercolor paper, it's sturdy and strong enough to stand up to lots of water. The charcoal and pastel paper have a wonderful texture to them that really works for the softer media and good blending. Starthmore's prices are fairly reasonable, too, so you can sketch away.

Pros: Sturdy sketchbooks, great paper quality, paper types for different media, affordable

Cons: Larger sizes cost more, specialty papers have less pages

Buy two Strathmore Series 400 Sketch Pads, 9 x 12, Wire Bound, 100 Sheets on Amazon for $19.75

Buy the Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Pad, 9 x 12, Wire Bound, 12 Sheets on Amazon for $8.30 (originally $16.99)

Buy the Strathmore 300 Series Charcoal Pad, White, 11 x 17, Wire Bound, 32 Sheets on Amazon for $7.69 (originally $16.99)

Buy the Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad, Assorted Colors, 18 x 24 Glue Bound, 24 Sheets on Amazon for $20.93 (originally $24.29)



The best graphite pencils

Why you'll love it: The Staedtler Pencil Mars Lumograph 12-Piece Set comes with all the graphite pencils you need to draw like a pro.

If you draw with graphite pencils, you know that not all graphite is the same. This Staedtler set comes with 12 pencils in different hardnesses from 8B to 6H. For the uninitiated, the higher the number in front of the B, the softer the lead. Conversely, the higher the number in front of the H, the harder the lead.

Most people will use 2B, HB, and B the most, but if you need deep dark blacks that blend well, you'll need 4B and up. For hard, light lines, H pencils are perfect. 

The pencils come in a tin for safe keeping, they're easy to sharpen, and they're comfortable to hold — even when you draw for hours on end. I've used dozens of graphite pencils, but Staedtler's are the best for the price.

Pros: Bold graphite pencils, 8B to 6H range, affordable, long lasting

Cons: None

Buy the Staedtler Pencil Mars Lumograph, 12 Pieces Set on Amazon for $14.86 (originally $20.28)



The best charcoal drawing set

Why you'll love it: General 33-Piece Classic Charcoal Drawing Set has every kind of charcoal you need to create beautiful work.

If you're just getting started with charcoal or you want to try a new medium, this General charcoal set has everything you need, including 18 pencils, 12 sticks, a sharpener, an eraser, and a drawing pad.

Each pencil is labeled with its hardness level, and the set has white charcoal pencils for highlights, too. The kneaded eraser is a great blending tool, but it can also erase any mistakes fairly well. The charcoal sticks come in various thicknesses, so you can work big or small.

The only charcoal types that are missing are powder and vine charcoal, but those are specific tools that most people won't need right away. I've used General charcoal pencils for years, and they can produce some great sketches, even though they're relatively affordable.

Pros: Big set with many pieces, includes white and black charcoal, comes with eraser, charcoal sticks and pencils, affordable

Cons: None

Buy the General 33-Piece Classic Charcoal Drawing Set on Amazon for $22.89 (originally $29.99)



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18 striking photos of the US military saving lives after Hurricane Harvey

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harvey houston flooding

The US military is on and above the ground in Texas.

After Hurricane Harvey devastated parts of the Gulf Coast and brought up to 50 inches of rain to parts of Houston, the US military and state National Guard joined in rescue and recovery efforts.

It's pretty clear from the photos that they are doing plenty of good, and likely saving many lives.

Here are 18 photos of troops carrying out a humanitarian mission here at home.

Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott called Harvey one "of the largest disasters America ever faced," and activated the state National Guard on Monday.



That meant bringing in plenty of boats ...



... and trucks that can make it through the high waters.



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Here's what the 'Game of Thrones' cast looked like when they first started acting

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Olenna Tyrell Game of Thrones season six finale

The "Game of Thrones" cast is now one of the most recognizable in the world. 

While some of the stars owe their careers thanks to the hit HBO show, others joined the cast as established actors. 

After Redditor davyloper put together a great throwback gallery, INSIDER was inspired to look back at the cast's earlier acting roles.

Here's what the cast looked like in their earlier roles. 

You might not recognize Mark Addy, who played Robert Baratheon, in one of his earlier roles as Fred Flintstone in "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas."



Charles Dance may be known for his villainous role as Tywin Lannister, but the actor's first film role was as the villain in the James Bond movie "For Your Eyes Only."



Lena Headey made her film debut in 1992's "Waterland" before she was ever Cersei on "Game of Thrones."



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9 jobs that are seeing the fastest pay increases

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pharmacy drugs pharmacist prescription technician medicine

Salary is oftentimes the big number we think of when we talk about compensation.

But it's important not to forget about wage growth. After all, that's what determines whether or not your pay stagnates or increases over time.

Because, when it comes to wage growth, not all jobs are created equal.

Glassdoor, an online jobs and careers community, recently released its latest monthly Local Pay Report. The August report takes into account anonymous salary reports for specific job titles, industries, and employers.

Here are the jobs that saw the fastest year-over-year wage growth in August 2017 and were well above the national average wage growth of 2%:

SEE ALSO: From panda nannies to traveling beer-drinkers, here are 9 dream jobs you probably didn't know exist

9. Producers

Producers oversee the production of projects in a range of media from movies to news broadcasts to radio shows.

Percent wage growth year-over-year: 3.5%

Median base pay: $52,935



7 (tie). Cashiers

Cashiers work at the cash register in retail stores.

Percent wage growth year-over-year: 3.7%

Median base pay: $27,701



7 (tie). Pharmacy technicians

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists, dispensing prescription drugs to patients.

Percent wage growth year-over-year: 3.7%

Median base pay: $30,592



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How the devastation of Hurricane Harvey compares with Hurricane Katrina

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harvey katrina 2

August 29 marks the 12th anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina pummeled New Orleans in 2005. Now Hurricane Harvey is advancing through Louisiana, 

Katrina, one of five of the deadliest storms in United States history, killed over 1,800 people as flood walls and levees failed. The hurricane started over the Bahamas on August 23. It then headed westward toward Mississippi, Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and southeast Louisiana.

Over a decade later, Katrina has cost the country at least $100 billion, making it the most expensive natural disaster ever in the US. Harvey is also expected to cause millions in damages.

On the anniversary, President Donald Trump will also visitCorpus Christi and Austin, Texas to assess the ongoing damage from Harvey. The now-tropical storm is evoking images of Katrina for many who are now evacuating and waiting to be rescued in Louisiana and Texas.

Here's what we know so far about the similarities and differences between the two disasters.

SEE ALSO: Houston was a ticking time-bomb for a devastating hurricane like Harvey

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina began to rip through New Orleans, a city of about 455,000 people (at the time) who come from a mix of Creole-Acadian-French-Haitian-Vietnamese heritages.

Source: The Data Center



Hurricane Harvey made landfall on sprawling Houston, Texas on August 25, 2017. The racially diverse city has more than two million residents.

Source: US Population



Katrina was the largest and third strongest hurricane ever in the US. Winds topped 175 mph, and an estimated 80% of New Orleans was plunged underwater — up to 20 feet deep in some areas.

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration



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If you want to drive the world's most extreme pickup, the Ford Raptor is for you (F)

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Ford Raptor

Besides teaming up with Domino's to deliver pizza by driverless cars, Ford has a Performance division that does exactly what you'd expect from a performance decision: create go-fast vehicles, ranging from the Fiesta ST at about $21,000 to the ultra-exclusive $400,000-plus GT supercar.

In the mix, remarkably, is a pickup truck: the Raptor.

Makes sense. Ford Performance also sells stonkingly outfitted Mustangs, so why take a pass on kitting out what is the company's bestselling vehicle, the F-150 pickup?

The Raptor is anything but an F-150 with a few exotics bells and whistles. It's an F-150 that goes to 11 and then goes some more. It's a pickup for adrenaline junkies, and I've always been curious about it, so when Ford said I could borrow a $62,500 test vehicle, I said, "Heck yeah!" 

Mind you, I wasn't going to be tackling sand dunes or rock-strewn trails with this loaner Raptor. So I had to devise different criteria. I already knew the Raptor could handle the worst. But how would it do in the suburbs?

SEE ALSO: It's absolutely, positively clear that Ford didn't screw up the F-150 pickup truck

SEE ALSO: FOLLOW US on Facebook for more car and transportation content!

The "Ingot Silver" Raptor landed at our suburban New Jersey test center on a lovely summer day.



The Raptor is an amped-up-looking truck. Bold, brash, and ready to bust out. There's a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine under the hood, cranking out 450 horsepower with 510 pound-feet of torque. This pickup can tow 8,000 lbs.



This 2017 model had four-wheel-drive and a "Supercab." Ground clearance was impressive.



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These are the top 10 most-used smartphone apps

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galaxy s9 vs iphone 7

When it comes to smartphone apps, Facebook and Google dominate. 

The tech giants collectively own eight of the top 10 apps most used by US adults, according to comScore's2017 US Mobile App Report. The only outliers? Snapchat and Pandora. 

Unsurprisingly, many of the most-used apps are also the most likely to inhabit app users' home screens. In fact, the most-used app is also the top app on most people's front page. 

Below are the top 10 most-used apps in the US. 

SEE ALSO: The 10 most popular apps people keep on their home screens

10. Pandora

41% of app users use Pandora. 



9. Gmail

44% of app users use Gmail.



8. Google Play

47% of app users use the Google Play app.



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16 apps that fix the most annoying things about traveling

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Woman taking photo tourist

When it comes to traveling, there are plenty of annoying little problems that can put a damper on your trip.

You may not know it, but there's a way to skip the long customs line at the airport, find a last-minute hotel room for cheap, and renew your passport without ever leaving your home. All you need to do is download a few apps.

Before you plan your next weekend getaway or book a flight to some sunny paradise, check out these must-have travel apps for your iPhone or Android device.

SEE ALSO: Passengers in Etihad's luxury cabin get lavish amenity kits — here's what's inside

 FOLLOW US on Facebook for more car and transportation content!

Officially authorized by US Customs and Border Protection, Mobile Passport lets you breeze through customs at 24 major airports in the US.

The problem: When you return to the US after traveling internationally, you often have to wait in an extremely long, slow-moving customs line.

The solution: Mobile Passport expedites the customs process, so you don't have to wait in line for hours. Just enter your basic passport information and answer a few questions about your trip. Then, when you arrive in the US, you can skip the regular line and go to the Mobile Passport line.

Price: Free on iOS and Android



WiFi Map lets you unlock free Wi-Fi passwords at hundreds of locations nearby, wherever you are in the world.

The problem: It's not always easy to find free Wi-Fi when you're traveling, and international data plans are expensive.

The solution: WiFi Map shows you locations nearby that offer free Wi-Fi, along with the passwords for those hotspots. Even better, you can download free offline maps before you visit certain cities, so you can get Wi-Fi passwords even when your phone isn't connected to the internet.

You can also buy the premium version of the app for $4.99, which gives you access to more Wi-Fi spots in remote areas.

Price: Free on iOS and Android



Moovit helps you navigate local transit with live step-by-step directions that update in real time.

The problem: Navigation apps like Google Maps or Citymapper tend to fall short when it comes to local transit in unfamiliar cities.

The solution: Moovit is a powerful local transit app that constantly updates, so you won't get lost or waste time waiting for a bus that's not coming. Unlike apps like Google Maps, you won't have to check your phone constantly during your subway, train, or bus ride since Moovit tells you exactly how many stops are left until you need to get off.

You can even download offline maps, so you can use Moovit when your phone isn't connected to the internet.

Price: Free on iOS and Android



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