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Adolf Hitler's 3-mile-long Nazi getaway is now a luxury resort — here are 6 insane facts about it

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Prora Aerial 03

In 1936, three years before Germany invaded Poland and started World War II, Adolf Hitler ordered the construction of the world's largest tourist resort, located on a beachfront property on the island of Rügen.

The Nazis called it Prora.

Hitler never finished construction on Prora because of the war. As German soldiers marched through Europe, Prora was left to rot — until 2013.

Prora is now the property of the German real-estate company Metropole Marketing, which rents out rooms to international travelers and Germans alike.

Here are a handful of wild facts about the megastructure.

SEE ALSO: 26 photos that show North Korea's obsession with weird, huge buildings

More than 9,000 workers helped construct Prora.

Roger Moorhouse, a historian and tour guide, told Business Insider that Prora was intended as the carrot to the stick of the Gestapo — as a pacifying gesture to get the German people on Hitler's side.

At the time, Germany was enmeshed in the World War I concept of "people's community," or "volksgemeinschaft," in which Germans would stand united, no matter what.



The structure was built to hold 20,000 people.

While the Nazi police state was in development, the overarching German vision was a hopeful one, Moorhouse told Business Insider. "And this," he said, "is where something like Prora comes in."

Each room would measure 16 feet by 8.2 feet and include two beds, a sink, and a dresser.



Hitler commissioned a festival hall in the center of Prora that would be large enough to hold all 20,000 residents at once.

Hitler's megalomania — a trait shared by many dictators — was also manifested in his plan for the Festival Hall. The Nazi leader commissioned the architect Erich zu Putlitz to design it.

The hall was designed to contain two wave pools and theaters for movies and live performance.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

5 idiot-proof houseplants that can live for weeks without water

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Ponytail palm, elephant's foot, Beaucarnea recurvata

It can be tough keeping plants alive indoors, especially as the dry winter months approach. 

But if you can keep them thriving, indoor plants are have all sorts of benefits. Plants can regulate indoor humidity. Norwegian office workers report that having plants at work helps them stay productive and healthy. In Japan, they fight crime: a Tokyo neighborhood dealing with a spate of break-ins planted flowers and saw burglary rates fall 80%. 

Even rocket scientists agree: when  NASA studied houseplants in the 1980s, the space agency found that they can remove dangerous organic chemicals from indoor air, like formaldehyde, benzene and the industrial solvent trichloroethylene.

Business Insider spoke to New York City plant expert Matthew Schechter, who's been in the family plant business since he was born. 

Here are his top five "idiot-proof" plant picks that are perfect for anyone who lacks a green thumb. None of these plants need to be watered unless the dirt they're sitting in is dry to the touch. They are built to survive for up to a month without watering.

The Cast Iron Plant is originally native to Taiwan and Japan, but was brought to Victorian England in the 1800s, where it was a status symbol plant for the rich. Schechter said these low-lying bush plants have evolved to adapt to "basically any kind of climate."



The glossy leaves on this Janet Craig plant are super-hearty. Schechter said one tough Janet Craig plant once lived in a dark closet for two months and it survived to see the light of day.

Schechter says this one is known as a "workhorse plant" because "not all plants have that big, bushy look, but can tolerate low levels of light."



The Mexican Ponytail Palm is pet-friendly and used to dry, arid conditions. It can go for two to three weeks without water.

It's ASPCA approved as non-toxic for dogs, cats, and horses.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A look inside the marriage of world's richest couple, Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos — who met at work, were engaged in 3 months, and own more land than almost anyone else in America (AMZN)

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Jeff Bezos wife Mackenzie

• After meeting at D.E. Shaw & Co., Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos were married in 1993.

• Shortly afterward, the couple relocated to Seattle to found Amazon; MacKenzie was one of the company's first employees.

• Today, Jeff Bezos is worth $90.6 billion, making him the world's richest person.



Jeff Bezos wasn't alone when he made his cross-county road trip to Seattle in 1994. And he wasn't alone when he founded Amazon, the online retail giant some analysts now believe will be the world's first trillion-dollar company.

His wife, MacKenzie, was there for the whole journey.

In an interview with CBS, she described watching her husband build Amazon up from scratch: "To me, watching your spouse, somebody that you love, have an adventure — what is better than that?"

Here's a look inside the 24-year marriage of Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos.

SEE ALSO: A day in the life of the world's richest person, Jeff Bezos — who made $6.44 billion in one day, wakes up without an alarm, and washes dishes after dinner

MacKenzie and Jeff first met at investment management firm D.E. Shaw. MacKenzie was a research associate and Jeff was a vice president. Jeff was the first person to interview MacKenzie — a fellow Princeton grad — at the firm.

Source: Business Insider, ForbesVogue



"I think my wife is resourceful, smart, brainy, and hot, but I had the good fortune of having seen her résumé before I met her, so I knew exactly what her SATs were," he joked to Vogue.

Source: Vogue



After she landed the job, they became office neighbors. "All day long I listened to that fabulous laugh," she told Vogue. "How could you not fall in love with that laugh?"

Source: Vogue



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A developer is building a stunning coastal enclave for rich tech elites who are shunning golf communities — take a look

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walden monterey homes 5

More than 170 years ago, author Henry David Thoreau camped out in the Massachusetts wilderness to experience life away from civilization.

His life near Walden Pond has seeded an idea for a new housing development that marries an idyllic setting with internet, electricity, and other creature comforts of the 21st century.

Walden Monterey is a 22-home enclave set on 609 acres overlooking the California coastline. It's the latest extension of the "agrihood" trend, in which millennials turn away from the golf communities beloved by baby boomers in favor of "agricultural neighborhoods" that offer ample green space, farms, and outdoor community kitchens, among other amenities.

The community at Walden Monterey is still under construction, and no homes have been built yet. The lots will sell for about $5 million each — a price tag that only includes the land.

The developer of Walden Monterey is betting that tech executives, looking to unplug from the daily grind of Silicon Valley and reconnect with nature, will find respite. Take a look.

SEE ALSO: Rich millennials are ditching the golf communities of their parents for a new kind of neighborhood

In 2016, Nick Jekogian, a real-estate developer from Manhattan, scooped up 609 acres of wilderness in Monterey, California, a coastal area about an hour's drive from Silicon Valley.



Jekogian planned to turn it into a golf course with villa-style homes across the property.

Baby boomers flocked to golf communities in the 1990s. Living in one of them was a status symbol



At the suggestion of a construction manager, he pitched a tent and decided to stay a few nights in order to get a feel for the land and an understanding of what made it special.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

What it's like to attend Stanford, where twenty-somethings launch startups worth millions

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student life at stanford university campus tour 8298

Stanford University is consistently ranked one of the best universities in the US. For young people pursuing a career in tech, enrollment can be a golden ticket to Silicon Valley.

Over the years, Stanford has educated some of the biggest names in tech, including Google's Larry Page and Sergey Brin and Yahoo's Marissa Mayer. Given its stellar reputation and location in Silicon Valley, the school attracts top talent in computer science-related fields.

For the undergraduate students in the thick of it, such prestige comes with its faults. In May 2016, Business Insider spent a day at Stanford to see what it's like. Many students told us that the pressure to perform when everyone around them is so driven can be exhausting.

Here's a glimpse of what it's like to attend Stanford.

SEE ALSO: 20 of the most beautiful libraries in the world

Founded in 1891, Stanford University has a reputation as a feeder school for Silicon Valley.

Source: Business Insider 



Many members of today's tech elite attended classes and built startups in its hallowed halls. Some dropped out to pursue already promising careers.

Source: Silicon Valley Business Journal



In CoHo, a coffee house where I found many students sitting on couches with laptops in hand, portraits of alumni hung on the wall. It was intimidating to say the least.

Stanford has educated titans of tech including Yahoo's Marissa Mayer; Google's Larry Page and Sergey Brin; cofounder of PayPal, Peter Thiel; former Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer; and cofounders of Hewlett-Packard, Bill Hewlett and David Packard.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 gadgets that solve some of our most annoying tech problems

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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.

71EeqzVm HL._SL1500_In the mobile tech accessory world, AUKEY is a name that comes up fairly often.

They make many of the standard accessories many of us rely on every day, but they also make some unique products I haven't seen elsewhere.

I'm primarily focusing on those unique products, because they fill different niches than accessory makers I've covered before.

Whether you're looking for a way to take better iPhone photos, or want to keep your tech and non-tech products alive simultaneously, you'll find what you're looking for here.

DON'T MISS: 5 great tech brands you’ve probably never heard of

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

A magnetic car mount for your phone

You should never hold onto your phone while driving. 

It's a major safety risk, especially if you're taking your eyes off the road to check for directions or read a text. 

Instead, pick up a mount for your car that keeps your phone at eye level. You'll be able to glance over for directions (although if you enable your GPS app's voice feature, you won't need to) without losing as much focus.

This car mount attaches to the air vent of your car, which gives you plenty of placement options without taking up too much space.

AUKEY Car Mount Air Vent Magnetic Phone Holder, $7.99, available at Amazon



A suction cup dashboard mount

If you'd prefer to keep your car's air vents free from tech accessories, you can opt to pick up this dashboard car mount instead. It performs the same functions as the phone mount I just recommended but can be attached to any flat surface by a suction cup on its base.

AUKEY Dashboard Car Mount, $12.99, available at Amazon



A high-capacity portable battery

Those looking for the highest-capacity battery on the market should pick up AUKEY's largest portable battery pack. 

At 30,000mAh, this battery is capable of recharging an iPhone 7 10 times, which is more than I can say about any other battery I've seen. 

You can use this battery to charge two devices simultaneously, and charge the battery itself via MicroUSB or a Lightning cable. It's pricier and heavier than the batteries I usually recommend, but it's also significantly more powerful.

AUKEY 30000mAh Portable Charger, $59.99, available at Amazon



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Check out Singapore Airlines' stunning new Airbus A380 luxury suites

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Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Suites_03

  • Singapore Airlines has unveiled the new interior for its fleet of Airbus A380s.
  • Features include an all-new first class suite, business class seat, as well as new premium economy, and economy products.
  • The new interior for its 19 superjumbos will cost the airline $850 million.


On Thursday, Singapore Airlines unveiled the all-new cabins that will be installed on its fleet of Airbus A380 Superjumbos.

Singapore Airlines is the A380's launch customer and the aircraft's second largest operator. After a decade in the airline's inventory, the double-decker fleet is getting an all-new look.

"The significant investment that we are making with the introduction of new cabin products demonstrates our commitment to continued investment in products and services, our long-term approach to ensure we retain our leadership position, and our confidence in the future of premium full-service air travel,” Singapore Airlines CEO Mr. Goh Choon Phong said in a statement.

"The new cabin products are the culmination of four years of work, involving extensive customer research and close partnerships with our designers and suppliers."

The design, development, and installation of the new interior on the 19 A380s will cost the airline roughly $850 million.

In total, the new interior will feature 471 seats split into four cabins; six first-class suites and 78 business class seats on the upper deck along with 44 premium economy seats and 343 economy seats on the main deck.

Here's a closer look at the new Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 interior.

SEE ALSO: Here's a first look at the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that will connect Europe and Australia

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

After a decade of service, Singapore Airlines has decided to revamp its fleet of Airbus A380s.



At the front of the top deck are six first new first class suites. Each private suite features a bed and a Poltrona Frau upholstered leather reclining swivel chair. When not in use, the bed can actually be stowed or converted to a sitting location.



However, some of the suites can be linked.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

6 details you may have missed on the latest 'Riverdale' episode

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riverdale archie fangs

Warning: Spoilers ahead for season two, episode four of "Riverdale," titled "That Dreaded Sundown."

"Riverdale" got a little violent Wednesday night, and it wasn't due to the Black Hood. 

Archie and the football team went toe-to-toe with the Southside Serpents on a rainy night, leaving Dilton stabbed in the leg, and Archie bought a gun with some ammo earlier in the day. While all that drama was happening, Jughead and Betty were working to decipher a message left to Betty by the Black Hood. 

As always, the show did manage to squeeze in some fun pop culture and comic references, and INSIDER worked with Archie Comics to shed light on some of them. 

Here are six details you might have missed from Wednesday's episode of "Riverdale."

Jughead describes Archie as a "milquetoast" when the Southside Serpents talk about going after him.

A "milquetoast" is a timid person, but this isn't the first time we've heard that vocab word used on "Riverdale." On episode nine of season one, Alice Cooper walks into Betty's room when Jughead is present and calls Hal Cooper, Betty's "milquetoast father." This is probably where Jughead learned the word. 



Fogarty makes his "Riverdale" debut.

Fogarty is presumably Fangs Fogarty, an Archie comics character from the "Little Archie" comics. The comics followed Archie and his friends as children and Fogarty was the bully. 



Toni comes upon Jughead reading books about the Zodiac killer and name drops Robert Graysmith's "Zodiac" and "Zodiac Unmasked" books.

The show has been drawing a lot of comparisons to "Zodiac," so it's fun to dive into the references. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

One of the best bars in the world just opened in New York City — and its out-of-this-world drinks will make you rethink cocktails

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The Aviary

  • The Aviary is one of the best bars in the world. 
  • Its owner, Grant Achatz, recently opened a new location inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel in New York City. 
  • Highlights include a drink that's infused with the scent of everything bagels. 


The Aviary, which was named one of the best bars in the world earlier this year, recently opened a location inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel in New York City.

Complete with a view of Central Park and cocktails that redefine what mixology and bartending can be, the bar is a creation of Grant Achatz, the mastermind and chef behind Alinea, the best restaurant in America. 

We got to witness the making of three visually stunning and equally delicious cocktails — take a look, below. 

SEE ALSO: I've lived in Brooklyn for 5 years — and these are my favorite places to eat

The lounge seats 90 guests and is on the 35th floor of the hotel, providing sweeping views of Central Park below.



Assistant Bar Manager William Peet demonstrated how he makes the "Heart of Stone" cocktail. Here, he carefully places black and Rooibos tea leaves, pistachios, saffron, orange, fresno chile, and peach into a container.



A mixture of bourbon, whiskey, white port, and pistachio liqueur are then poured into the canister to infuse the flavors.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

All 25 James Bond movies, ranked from worst to best

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Daniel Craig Skyfall

James Bond was a big deal in my household growing up. There were only two things my step dad loved more than Sean Connery‘s 007: Sergio Leone Westerns and the San Francisco 49ers. As a result I saw the early Bonds quite a lot as a kid, but kind of skipped past George Lazenby and Roger Moore and went directly to Timothy Dalton.

Of course I later caught up with the ones I skipped as a kid, but it’s been a nice long while since I’ve watched any of the Bond films so when Collider asked me to rank every entry in the franchise, I figured it was high time to revisit them all, starting with Dr. No and going all the way to Spectre. That’s a whole lot of vodka martinis and Q-supplied gadgets.

Below you’ll find my rankings, from worst to best, of all 25 Bond movies. Yes, 25. I’m including the kinda unofficial Sean Connery vehicle from 1983 called Never Say Never Again. He plays James Bond, so even though it’s not recognized as an official entry into the Eon Films cannon I figured it’d be criminal to leave it out of this ranking.

One film I didn’t include was 1967’s Casino Royale, in which Bond is played by a variety of weird actors, like Woody Allen, Peter Sellers and David Niven. It’s more a spoof of the James Bond franchise instead of a real adaptation of Ian Fleming‘s character, so I felt like including it with the rest would be a little like throwing in Airplane! in a ranking of the Airport movies.

007 means different things to different people. For some the campy ones are the best. Others may they like the more dangerous and brutal version of the character. Some value the stunts over the story or the villains over the gadgets.

The below list is my own ranking, which shifted a little bit as I marathoned this series over the last couple of weeks. There might be a few surprising placements (I reaaaallly like Live and Let Die). I can’t tell you what your list would look like, but I sure can tell you what mine is.

Without any further ado, here’s how I rank all the James Bond films from Worst to Best:

SEE ALSO: The 50 best movies of all time, according to critics

25. "Die Another Day" (2002)

There’s a lot of leeway in the 007 franchise. You can make up for quite a bit with a good villain, some cool gadgets, a crazy stunt sequence, an iconic Bond girl or some plain old charismatic British spy swagger. There are some boring movies in this series (mostly in the Roger Moore years), but none so ill-conceived and half-assed as Die Another Day.

Pierce Brosnan is a great Bond, but he delivers the worst leading performance in any 007 movie here. I can’t blame him, though. He’s clearly failed by director Lee Tamahori who lets down not only his leading man, but also his leading lady (it’s hard to stress just how terrible Halle Berry is in this movie as an assassin named Jinx) and us, the audience. With the exception of a car chase on a frozen lake just about every action scene is greenscreened to death, taking all the thrill out of one of the core foundations of this franchise: the epic stunt. That’s unforgiveable in my book.

The only upside to this film is that it was so bad it forced a reboot that gave us one of the very best Bond movies ever made.



24. "Octopussy" (1983)

This movie has one interesting angle: the title character, a smuggler and cult leader played by Maud Adams, who should be the villain, but ends up being a Bond Girl instead. Sadly that’s about the only interesting idea in this low key and dull flick that’s not about much more than tedious jewel smuggling and forgeries. You’d think a Bond movie that starts with a circus clown being chased by knife-throwing gypsy twins would be more entertaining, but you’d be wrong.



23. "Moonraker" (1979)

Moonraker has one of the best posters in the James Bond franchise and yet is one of the worst movies. It’s just boring and if you’re going to go with James Bond In Space the one thing you better not be is boring. The movie has some moments (recurring metal-mouthed henchman Jaws falling in love is pretty great), but with the production value more Star Tours than Star Wars, the least threatening villain of the series (Michael Lonsdale‘s Hugo Drax who acts like he’s on Xanax the entire movie) and a 126 minute runtime that feels more like 226 minutes Moonraker earns its place at the top of the heap of worst Bond movies. At least it has a fun last 20 minutes, unlike Octopussy.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

An inside look at the most progressive candidate in a generation, who's poised to take on the most incarcerated major city in the US

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Philadelphia LarryKrasner (34 of 97)

  • Civil rights attorney Larry Krasner is the heavy front-runner to win the race to be Philadelphia's next district attorney, a powerful position in the heavily incarcerated city.
  • While he has never served in government, he has a long career of suing police for civil rights abuses and defending activists in court.
  • District attorneys' races have become the frontline in the battle to reform criminal justice and end "mass incarceration," with millions of dollars being poured into local races over the last year.


Civil rights attorney Larry Krasner has always been obsessed with what it takes to make change. At the age of 11, he got into a debate with his Sunday School teacher about whether it was right to break the law for the greater good. The two were arguing over the Civil Rights movement and protests over the Vietnam War — events that shaped his life and perspective.

Today, Krasner is running for district attorney of Philadelphia, a powerful position in a city with the highest rate of incarceration of the US's 10 most populated cities.

At 56, he is pursuing elected office for the first time after a 30-year career defending radical activist groups like Black Lives Matter and Occupy Philadelphia. He's also sued police for civil rights violations more than 75 times.

"I was born in '61. So in '68 when I'm watching TV … I'm seeing the Vietnam War and the protests and the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago," Krasner told Business Insider.

"I remember all that and, even more importantly, I remember [Martin Luther] King. … It was a very visual time, and when you are a 7- or 8-year-old kid and you're watching this happen ... it's compelling. The war was compelling. It was all compelling. And then, they were getting killed. [Robert F. Kennedy] was speaking out against the war. And then he is dead. And then King is dead, and he's dead because of white supremacists."

Krasner, well-dressed in a sharply cut blue suit, tinted horn-rimmed glasses, and a well-kempt head of silvery hair, doesn't look the part of a political outsider.

Philadelphia LarryKrasner (71 of 97)

With his raspy but measured speech, he could pass for a senator in a liberal state. But make no mistake, Krasner may be the most progressive candidate for such a major office in years. The center of his campaign platform is ending "mass incarceration," the constellation of state and federal policies that have put more than 2 million Americans behind bars.

And though nearly all of the candidates in the seven-person Democratic primary he won in May promised reform, all it took was one look at their careers to convince him to run for office for the first time in his life.

Some of the candidates "were flagrantly authoritarian during their careers," Krasner said. "And yet all of a sudden I'm hearing about their 'Which way is the wind blowing now' virtues, and I just figured this is ridiculous."

"Somebody real has got to get into this, because these people aren't going to change anything."

SEE ALSO: Former white supremacist: Trump's post-Charlottesville statements aren't a 'dog whistle' — they're a 'bullhorn'

DON'T MISS: Texas is shedding its lock-'em-up image thanks to a 37-year-old tattooed lawyer and an unlikely political alliance

Lawyers are usually 'technicians' for the movement, not the leaders

Krasner is widely expected to win the general election against his Republican opponent, Beth Grossman, due to Philadelphia's 7:1 Democratic registration advantage, but he isn't spending the final days of the campaign resting.

With the November election weeks away, Krasner is spending every day hitting the pavement courting voters — over the course of the weekend he would run from debate to community meeting to city forum.

Though he sounds excited, Krasner is also keenly aware of how winning will upend his life, his successful and lucrative criminal defense and civil rights practice, and his family. His wife, Lisa M. Rau, is a judge on the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia and has been unable to attend any campaign events out of ethical concerns.

If elected, Krasner wouldn't be the first progressive district attorney in a major US city, but he might be the most radical — though he is loathe to use the term. When I asked him whether he considered himself an activist after spending his career defending the rights of activists and suing police, he demurred.

"I don't think I deserve that much credit," he said. "I consider myself an activist's lawyer. I consider myself to be a movement lawyer." After a little pressing, Krasner launched into a story, as he often does. He referenced the relationship between William Kunstler, the famous civil rights lawyer and activist, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I think [Kunstler] used to refer to the lawyers as 'technicians' for the movement," he added.

That idea, of lawyer as a "technician" to a movement is central to Krasner's idea of himself. Though he is a charismatic figure, he seemed uncomfortable to suddenly be the face of Philadelphia's leading movement for change.



President Donald Trump's roaring victory in last year's election has cast a shadow over the DA's race ever since candidates began throwing their hats in the ring last September — almost as much as that of Seth Williams, the city's last elected DA.

Williams resigned in June after a year-long corruption scandal and was sentenced to a five-year prison sentence for, in the words of the judge, feeding "his face at the trough" of public money.

When Krasner announced his candidacy in February, in an 11-minute video surrounded by local activists, he joined a crowded Democratic field of former assistant district attorneys and a judge.

David Rudovsky, a civil rights professor at University of Pennsylvania's law school, told Business Insider they were all "trying to out-progressive each other" on everything from mass incarceration and racial injustice to the death penalty.

At a debate in April that Rudovsky moderated, he told the seven Democratic candidates, "It sounds like you all are running for public defender."



A PAC associated with George Soros put $1+ million behind Krasner's campaign

Over the last several years, the push for criminal justice reform has centered around electing progressive district attorneys, an acknowledgement that DAs make the day-to-day decisions of what cases to pursue, what charges to press, and who gets a second chance.

Much of that push has been led by billionaire financier George Soros, and his "Safety and Justice" PACs, which funneled more than $3 million into seven DA races in 2016. The PACs reportedly put more than $1 million behind the Krasner campaign, a fact detractors have repeatedly seized upon.

But while Krasner concedes the "Soros money"— as it's been called locally — "amplified" his message, he established himself long before it arrived.

On day one of his campaign in February, Krasner released a detailed platform calling for an end to cash bail imprisonment, reviewing convictions and freeing the wrongfully convicted, ending "stop and frisk" and civil asset forfeiture abuse, and standing up to police misconduct.

By the time Soros-paid ads aired in late April, three weeks before the primary, Krasner had a slight edge over Joe Khan, the establishment front-runner when the race began, and a heavy lead over Michael Untermeyer, an ex-Republican who put nearly $1 million of his own money into the race.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 17 best things to do in San Francisco, according to people who live there

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mission district, san francisco, hipster, tacolicious

In November, 170,000 tech workers will descend on San Francisco for Dreamforce, a massive conference hosted by Salesforce. Those eager attendees will be looking for things to do.

The Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf might seem like obvious choices, but San Francisco has more to offer than tourist traps like the trolley cars and "Full House" home

To help you experience the best of the city, we surveyed Business Insider employees based in San Francisco on their favorite local spots. From the nature trails at Lands End to happy hour at the Tonga Room, these off-the-beaten-path destinations showcase the best of the city.

SEE ALSO: San Francisco is so expensive, this couple decided to live on a boat — here's what it's like 10 years later

On Thursday nights, the California Academy of Sciences stays open late for adults-only special events. Take a yoga class in the aquarium, see the stars at the planetarium, or grab a cocktail and mingle with the nearly 46 million scientific specimens on site.

Address:55 Music Concourse Drive

Cost: $15



Church of 8 Wheels is a roller disco like no other. On Friday and Saturday nights, skaters (many in costume) fill the rink located inside a 120-year-old former Catholic church.

Address:554 Fillmore Street

Cost: $10 for admission and $5 for skate rental



GameVibes at the Folsom Street Foundry is a gamer's paradise. Thursday and Friday nights, players flock to the bar for video games, board games, and everything in between.

Address:1425 Folsom Street

Cost: $5



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the 5 things you must do before Dreamforce, the 170,000-person tech conference taking over San Francisco next week (CRM)

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Marc Benioff

Dreamforce is Salesforce's massive tech conference that practically shuts down the city of San Francisco for the better part of a week and it will begin soon: November 6 to 9.

The streets of San Francisco will be packed with the 170,000 attendees eager to learn about tech and enjoy an onslaught of music concerts, parties and other events.

To do this event right takes a bit of planning, and maybe even a bit of shopping.

With over 2,700 sessions, speakers like former First Lady Michelle Obama, a concert featuring Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz, and countless unofficial meetings to be had, it's a busy time and a doozy to plan for. You may have your tickets booked and a calender filled out, but are you really ready for Dreamforce?

Maybe not. But have no fear. We've compiled the five things you need to know before showing up to Dreamforce this year. Don't say we didn't warn you.

SEE ALSO: Silicon Valley loves Burning Man and these tech executives are no exception

Buy new shoes

San Francisco's Moscone Center is the central hub for Dreamforce, but the event actually takes place across multiple venues in the SoMa (South of Market) neighborhood — not to mention the after parties scattered throughout the city.

That means even the most indolent attendees will find themselves racking up steps on their fitness trackers.

"I actually go out and buy some shoes every year because it really really takes its toll," said Ben McCarthy, a Salesforce consultant and founder of the industry blog Salesforce Ben. "You don't notice it until you do and you see that your feet are completely destroyed."

This is a vital part of Dreamforce prep, he said, because if the conference doesn't get to you, the city will.

"I was warned about the hills. Don't under estimate the scale of the US. On Google Maps it doesn't look that big at all, but I think I've got the record on my Fitbit in San Francisco," McCarthy said, who's flying in for the event from London. 

(Pro tip: If you're buying new shoes anyway, don't forget to throw in a pair of compression socks. They gently squeeze your legs, which increases blood flow to reduce swelling and aching.)



Pack a portable phone charger — or two

Dreamforce is known for its extensive swag, and branded portable chargers are a popular option across conferences this year. But when it comes to keeping your phone charged, it's better to be safe than sorry.

"Definitely take a portable charger," said McCarthy. "They run down over the year, so I get a new one for Dreamforce."

While Dreamforce has plenty of wall outlets where people can plug in their laptops or chargers, McCarthy said that he spends so much time running around, it's not practical to sit around waiting for a phone to charge. 



Plan your agenda, but don't overbook

The Dreamforce agenda builder went live in early October, which was a pretty big deal for veterans of the conference. 

The Salesforce tool lets attendees browse the dense session offerings and reserve spots on their schedule. While reserved spots are limited, a number of the sessions also have room for walk-ins, or take extra people once it's clear that people who reserved a seat aren't going to show up.

With over 2,700 sessions (and a limited number of seats), many attendees feel compelled to pack their days with back-to-back sessions. But this is not advised. 

"With the conference prep, I think people should really spending time with the agenda and figure out ahead of time which sessions they want to get," said Bryan Parker, CEO of DoubleDutch, a mobile app developer. 

Salesforce offers sessions for 18 industries, 20 job titles, 26 products, and three levels of expertise. So there are already several criteria that help attendees focus on the best sessions for their own needs.

McCarthy suggested that attendees sign up for only two or three sessions a day, so that they can spend the rest of the time networking and exploring some of the more passive learning experiences that the conference has to offer. 

"You've got to prioritize the things you want to explore," McCarthy said. 



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Ranking each of the Houston Astros' record-breaking 15 World Series home runs

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George Springer 4

The Houston Astros made history on Wednesday night on their way to their first World Series win in franchise history.

Not only did the Astros take home the biggest prize in baseball, they hit a whopping 15 home runs along the way, more than any team in World Series history.

Below we've collected and ranked all 15 of Houston's touch-em-alls from one of the most excited playoff baseball series in recent memory.

15. Game 3, Yuli Gurriel opens up scoring with solo home run

Yuli Gurriel scored the first run of Game 3 with this solo blast, but the moment would be marred when he made a racist gesture towards pitcher Yu Darvish once he returned to the Astros dugout. Gurriel was given a five-game suspension that will start at the beginning of the 2018 season and later apologized to Darvish, tipping his helmet to the pitcher when they met again in Game 7.



14. Game 4, Alex Bregman solo home run

In the bottom of the ninth of Game 4, Alex Bregman went yard to cut the Dodgers lead to 6-2. The Astros wouldn't score again, but the dinger did show that Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was mortal, which would prove an important truth as the series went on.



13. Game 1, Alex Bregmen ties the game in the fourth

Alex Bregman had plenty of huge hits through the World Series, and at the moment, this one felt like it was. But the Astros would go on to lose the game and tying things in the fourth at the start of the series simply wasn't of much consequence.



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Here's how much money you actually take home from a $75,000 salary depending on where you live

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What you see isn't always what you get — especially when it comes to salary.

According to a 2010 study from Princeton University, Americans' happiness number — the income threshold at which their day-to-day happiness is no longer enhanced by earning more money — is $75,000.

That's a reasonable number. In fact, it's nearly 30% more than the national median income. But depending on where you live, a $75,000 salary can look very different when it hits your bank account, after federal, state, and local governments have taken their share.

We used SmartAsset's paycheck calculator to find out what $75,000 looks like after paying taxes in 11 popular US cities. The chart below shows annual take-home pay in each city.

What 75k looks like after taxes

Some states, like Washington, Florida, and Texas, don't have state income taxes, so a $75,000 earner will bring home a bigger paycheck there than someone in California or New York.

Still, these totals account only for state and local income taxes, which vary by place, plus federal income taxes and Social Security and Medicare (known as FICA), which amount to $778 per pay period no matter where in the US you live.

If you're contributing to a tax-advantaged retirement account, like a 401(k), the paycheck you bring home will be less than these figures.

But in that case, your savings are covered — or at least part of the recommended 20% of your paycheck you should earmark for savings and paying off debt — and the rest of your paycheck can go toward necessities like housing, food, transportation, and discretionary spending.

The same goes for health insurance, if you're enrolled in a healthcare program through your employer, which will deduct monthly insurance payments from your paycheck on a pretax basis.

New York City residents fare the worst in our city comparison. Earners there take home just under $50,000 on a $75,000 salary, largely thanks to steep state income taxes and city taxes. That doesn't leave much to cover housing or transportation costs in the most expensive city in the country.

Below, check out the twice-monthly paycheck breakdown for workers earning $75,000 in 11 US cities.

SEE ALSO: How much income you have to earn to be considered middle class in every US state

DON'T MISS: Here's how your take-home pay could change if Trump's new tax plan is passed

Dallas, Texas



Miami, Florida



Nashville, Tennessee



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17 '80s movie references you might have missed on 'Stranger Things' season 2

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Dustin and Mike and Lucas Stranger Things season two

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Stranger Things" season two.

Set in October 1984, Netflix's newest season of "Stranger Things" was packed with the '80s nostalgia fans have come to expect from the series. Though we've already rounded up the in-universe details you might have missed, now it's time to look at all the meta ways cocreators The Duffer Brothers paid homage to their favorite '80s icons. 

Keep reading for a look at all the best movie references on "Stranger Things 2."

SEE ALSO: 361,000 Americans binge-watched the entire second season of Netflix's 'Stranger Things' in the first 24 hours, Nielsen says

The opening scene of "Stranger Things 2" takes place at the Palace Arcade.



The Duffer Brothers lifted that arcade name from the 1983 movie "WarGames."

"WarGames" is a sci-fi film centered around the Cold War and the idea of a computer game getting conflated with a nuclear weapons control system. 

In an interview with Vulture, Ross Duffer said this was his favorite 80s reference of the opening "Madmax" episode.



"WarGames" was also one of the VHS tapes Jonathan rented for movie night at the Byers' house.

Both "WarGames" and "Twilight Zone: The Movie" (1983) fit with the general themes of "Stranger Things 2," focusing on the public's fear of a Russian threat as well as the supernatural elements of the Upside Down. 



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NFL QB power rankings: Where all 32 starters stand heading into Week 9

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Deshaun Watson

Using a loose formula, we ranked all 32 NFL starting quarterbacks.

Our formula is based on two different advanced statistics: Football Outsiders' DYAR metric and ESPN's total QBR metric. We also considered other factors, including recent performance, long-term outlook, and job security.

We're about halfway through the regular season, and while Deshaun Watson and Carson Wentz have emerged as breakout stars, other quarterbacks are stuck in the lower reaches of our list. Below, check out where all 32 starters stand heading into Week 9.

32. C.J. Beathard, San Francisco 49ers

Ranking after Week 6: 30

Record as starter: 0-2

DYAR rank: 28

QBR rank: N/A

One thing to know: Two starts into his NFL career, Beathard hasn't looked like anything special, but the 49ers' trade for Jimmy Garoppolo is actually what lands him at the bottom of this list. He may keep the starting job for the next couple of weeks, but don't expect to see him under center after the his bye in Week 11.



31. Brett Hundley, Green Bay Packers

Ranking after Week 6: 32

Record as starter: 0-1

DYAR rank: N/A

QBR rank: N/A

One thing to know: Hundley struggled in his first career start, but he may be in for a better result this week. Weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken collarbone, Aaron Rodgers has returned to Lambeau Field to mentor his teammate for the rest of the season.



30. Drew Stanton, Arizona Cardinals

Ranking after Week 6: N/A (replacing Carson Palmer, No. 19)

Record as starter: N/A

DYAR rank: N/A

QBR rank: N/A

One thing to know: Stanton hasn't seen much action since Carson Palmer went down with a broken arm, but the early returns were uninspiring — the Michigan State product completed just 5 of his 14 passes in Week 7. If he can't turn things around against the 49ers this week, the Cardinals will be in real trouble.



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Only 3 countries in the world protect the right to bear arms in their constitutions

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Open carry gun rights advocates

  • Only three countries in the world currently have a constitutional right to own a gun: the US, Mexico, and Guatemala.
  • Six other countries used to have a constitutional right to bear arms, but they've since repealed those laws.
  • The US is the only country with a right to keep and bear arms with no constitutional restrictions.


The right to keep and bear arms is a longstanding, often glorified right protected by the US Constitution.

Americans own nearly half of all the civilian-owned guns in the world, and on a per capita basis, the US has far more guns than any other nation.

Certainly, many countries are awash with guns. Among the nations with the most firearms are Serbia, Yemen, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia.

There are only three countries, however, that have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms: Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States — here's why.

SEE ALSO: 5 charts that show how powerful the NRA is

DON'T MISS: American guns drive the migrant crisis that Trump wants to fix with a wall

Mexico

Just south of the US border, the Mexican government has a strict hold over civilian gun ownership. Although Mexicans have a right to buy a gun, bureaucratic hurdles, long delays, and narrow restrictions make it extremely difficult to do so.

Article 10 of the 1857 Mexican Constitution guaranteed that "every man has the right to keep and to carry arms for his security and legitimate defense." But 60 years later in 1917, lawmakers amended it following Mexico's bloody revolution.

During the rewriting of the constitution, the government placed more severe restrictions on the right to buy guns. The law precluded citizens from buying firearms "reserved for use by the military" and forbid them from carrying "arms within inhabited places without complying with police regulations."

Today, Mexicans still have a right to buy guns, but they must contend with a vague federal law that determines "the cases, conditions, requirements, and places in which the carrying of arms will be authorized."

In 2012, The New York Times reported that only members of the police or military can buy the largest weapons in Mexico, such as semiautomatic rifles.

"Handgun permits for home protection allow only for the purchase of calibers no greater than .38," the Times wrote. One man who wanted to buy a pistol had to pay $803.05 for a Smith & Wesson revolver.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle of all is that there is only one shop in the entire country where Mexicans can go to buy guns, and it's located on a heavily guarded army base in Mexico City.



Guatemala

Like Mexico, Guatemala permits gun ownership, but with severe restrictions. The right to bear arms is recognized and regulated by article 38 of the current constitution, which was established in 1985.

"The right to own weapons for personal use, not prohibited by the law, in the place of in habitation, is recognized," the document says. "There will not be an obligation to hand them over, except in cases ordered by a competent judge."

Although Guatemalans are not allowed to own fully automatic weapons, they are allowed to buy semi-automatic weapons, handguns, rifles, and shotguns if they obtain a permit. Still, that can be difficult.

For example, individuals who want to purchase a gun for private security purposes need approval from the government. They are also limited in how much ammunition they can own, and they must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licenses every one to three years, according to GunPolicy.org.

Despite the restrictions, guns are widely available in Guatemala. In fact, it has one of the highest gun ownership rates per capita in Latin America, according to Insight Crime. The same organization also noted that 75% of homicides in Guatemala involve a gun.



United States

Although Mexico and Guatemala both have a constitutional right to bear arms, the US is in a league of its own simply because it is the only country without restrictions on gun ownership in its constitution.

The second amendment states: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Those words were adopted in 1791 and have since inspired other countries around the world to provide their citizens with the right to own guns. Only 15 constitutions (in nine countries) "ever included an explicit right to bear arms," according to The New York Times.

They are Bolivia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Liberia, Guatemala, Mexico, and the US. All of those countries, excluding Mexico, the US, and Guatemala, have since rescinded the constitutional right to bear arms.



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NFL WEEK 9: Our official predictions for who wins this weekend

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Jacksonville Jaguars Wk 9

Gambling is a fickle pursuit — one minute you're on top of the world, and the next everything is falling apart.

Case in point: In the midst of the best gambling season of my young career, last week I was just one game away from the worst gambling Sunday of my life, going an absolutely dismal 3-9-1 against the spread. There are excuses I could make — I lost two games by just a point each and another game by just two. Swing those the other way and we eek out a winning record.

But that's not what the fates allowed, and one thing about gambling is that once your money is down, it's down, and whether or not you get it back is only up to the gods.

So we're back on the horse this week. Despite sustaining tough losses last week, we're still ahead on the season, and with the Patriots and Browns both on bye this week, I won't be pulled in by the Siren's song that is betting against and on them respectively. Let's find some winners.

All lines are courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.

LAST WEEK: 3-9-1
OVERALL: 61-54-4

Buffalo Bills (-3) at New York Jets (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET)

The pick: Jets +3

The logic: When these two teams met in Week 1 it was viewed as a laughable matchup. With both teams now outperforming expectations, it actually makes for a surprisingly feisty divisional matchup on a Thursday night. That said, it's a tough one to pick. I'd say my best bet on this game is Under 42.5, but if I have to take a side, give me the home dog.



Denver Broncos (+7.5) at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)

The pick: Broncos +7.5

The logic:CBS Sports has eight writers and personalities that they cite as "experts" who also pick against the spread on a week-to-week basis. One of my gambling rules is that whenever all eight of them agree on a game, I go the other way. This week they all picked the Eagles to cover.

It's admittedly a tough spot for the Broncos, playing their third straight road game against the best team in football right now. But the Eagles are likely due for a let-down game and the Broncos defense is solid even if the team has been in something of a free-fall recently.



Baltimore Ravens (+3.5) at Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)

The pick: Titans -3.5

The logic: It's been announced that Joe Flacco will start on Sunday, but I find it almost impossible to believe after the brutal hit he took from Kiko Alonso last week. Watch that hit again and then think about putting money on that guy at quarterback. I hope Flacco feels better but there's no way I'm backing him just a week removed from getting demolished.



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Here's exactly how to ask for help finding a new job

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email laptop work woman

  • Networking is a necessary part of the job search process.
  • The best people to email are those that know your skill-set — like former coworkers.
  • Reaching out to professionals in your desired industry can also lead to potential job listings.
  • It's important not to come across as annoying or rude when asking for help.

 

When you're actively looking for a new gig, you already know that it's smart to lean on your network. After all, the more people you have in your corner, the better.

But, here's the thing: There's also a little bit of shame that comes along with that approach.

Not only do you need to openly admit that you're on the hunt for something new (which is extra embarrassing if your last job didn't end on great terms), but you also need to throw yourself on the mercy of the people in your professional circle and ask them for help.

I get it — as important and beneficial as these sorts of requests ultimately are, that doesn't necessarily mean they're easy to make.

So, to take some of the palm sweat out of the situation, I've pulled together four different email templates you can use to let different people in your network know that you're currently open to new opportunities

SEE ALSO: 8 moments that can make or break your career

1. Someone you used to work closely with

Perhaps it's your supervisor from your college internship. Or, maybe it's your favorite colleague from one of your previous jobs. Either way, nobody knows your skills and preferences better than the people you used to work side-by-side with — meaning they can be a huge help in your job search.

Hey [Name],

I hope you're having a great week! I've been keeping up with you on LinkedIn, and it looks like things are going awesome with [job or professional interest].

I'm getting in touch to let you know that I'm currently searching for a new opportunity in [industry]. With my background in [field] and skills in [area], my ideal position involves [detailed description of ideal job] for an employer who [detailed description of ideal company].

Since we used to work so closely and I know you're so well-connected, I'd love if you could let me know if you hear of any opportunities that you think I'd be a good fit for. I've attached my resume to this email, just in case that helps.

Of course, I'm always willing to return the favor if you ever need.

Thanks so much, [Name]! I have so many fond memories of our time together at [Company], and I hope things are even better for you since then.

Best,
[Your Name]



2. Someone who works in your desired industry

Sending a note to someone who is already employed in the field you're eager to be a part of is always helpful, but especially when you're making a career change. Chances are good that he or she is connected to other people in the industry  — some of whom might even be hiring. 

Hello [Name],

I hope you're doing well!

I'm reaching out to let you know that I've decided to make a career change. Thus, I'm currently exploring different opportunities in [industry].

Since I know you've worked in the industry for quite a while, I thought you'd be the perfect person to get in touch with. If you become aware of any open roles that might be a good fit for someone with a background in [field], skills in [area], and a desire to learn, I'd love if you could give me a heads up. You can also find my resume attached to this email to get a better understanding of what I bring to the table.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate any help as I work on making this switch.

Thanks so much, [Name]!

All the best,
[Your Name]



3. Someone you are hoping will introduce you

You've identified someone that you know could be a huge asset to you in your job search. The only problem? You don't know him or her yourself. Fortunately, someone in your own network is connected to that person — and you're hoping you can get introduced.

Hey [Name],

I hope things have been going great for you!

I'm touching base today with a request. I'm currently pursuing new jobs in [industry] and am actively working on making more connections within this field.

I noticed that you know [Name], and I was hoping that you'd be willing to connect me with [him/her]. As I'm sure you know [Name] has a ton of great insights into my area of interest, and I'd love to get connected so that I could ask [him/her] a few questions about the industry and [his/her] experience in general.

Would you be willing to send a brief email introducing the two of us? I'd appreciate that so much.

Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions, [Name].

Thanks for your consideration!

Best,
[Your Name]



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