2017 was an expensive, deadly year of natural disasters on Earth.

Wildfires relentlessly scorched dry land from California to Portugal. Super-strength hurricanes and tropical storms slammed homes from the Caribbean to Ireland. Famine continued in Somalia and Yemen, while avalanches killed more than a hundred people in Afghanistan. 

People around the world recorded record-breaking devastation, much of it caused by higher-than-usual temperatures on land and at sea. Climate experts say that in a warming world, these fatal events will continue to worsen. A November 2017 report released by the Trump Administration cautioned that "extreme climate events" like heavy rainfall, extreme heatwaves, wildfires, and sea-level rise will all get more severe around the globe, and that some of these events could result in abrupt, irreversible changes to the climate as we know it.

Here's a look at some of the deadly power Mother Nature wielded in 2017: 

SEE ALSO: The wildest scientific discoveries of 2017

A trio of super-strong hurricanes pummeled the Caribbean and US Gulf Coast, with each storm causing tens of billions of dollars in damage.

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria swept through the Atlantic in August and September, leaving a trail of useless power lines, drowned homes, and deadly destruction in their wake.

The National Hurricane Center called it an "extremely active" year for hurricanes: at least seven storms had wind speeds upwards of 74 miles per hour. 

About a third of Puerto Rican residents are still without power three months after Hurricane Maria touched down on the island. Maria alone is projected to cost $95 billion in damage.

And while the official death toll in Puerto Rico stands at 64 dead, the governor there is calling for a review of the numbers, after The New York Times reported that unusually high death counts after the storm were not included in the official numbers, and the actual death toll may be over 1,000 people. 

Experts estimate the damage from Hurricane Harvey alone could cost upwards of $100 million.

At least 82 people died when Harvey hit land. Most of them perished while trying to escape the floodwaters. 

The watery problem was only made worse when a chemical plant lost power, and the warming combustibles went up in flames in multiple explosions. Thick black smoke wafted up from the chemical fires that broke out at the Arkema SA plant in Crosby, Texas.

Police officers, fire fighters, and emergency workers maintained a 1.5-mile evacuation perimeter around the plant, and are now suing the French chemical giant for $1 million. Several had to be taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. 

Hurricane Irma hit Florida hard. Growers are worried about the long-term effects on their crops.

The category 5 storm, one of the strongest in Atlantic hurricane history, lashed the southern and western Caribbean before cruising to Cuba and the Bahamas and finally reaching Florida on Sept 10 as a Category 4 storm. 

Analysts put property damage estimates from the storm between $42-65 billion.

Orange-growers in Florida are already feeling the effects: an estimated 50% of this year's crop was wiped out, as fruits were knocked off trees and fields flooded.

Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year.

All across the United States, civilians will light up Christmas, stockings will be hung, and the front lawns of countless homes are brightened up by some truly impressive Christmas lights. 

The men and women of the world's militaries don't sit out on these festivities either. Whether serving at home, or far abroad, Christmas is a time for everyone to celebrate.

Here are some photos that show how soldiers, sailors, and airmen celebrate Christmas:

SEE ALSO: The incredible true story of when WWI stopped for enemy armies to celebrate Christmas together

SEE ALSO: These are the most incredible photos of the US Air Force in 2017

Despite being deployed to deserts, soldiers find a way to put up Christmas trees at their bases, like this one in Afghanistan.

Some holiday themed humor can be seen. Here, a soldier rides a military motorcycle dressed as Santa Claus after distributing gifts in Ghazni province, Afghanistan on December 24, 2005.

Some servicemen take their holiday spirit on missions. Like this US airman wearing a Santa hat during a Christmas visit operation on December 2 this year.

• It's hard to define an emotional affair.
• Licensed marriage and family therapist Sheri Meyers wrote the book "Chatting or Cheating," in which she lists some signs that you're partner might be having an emotional affair.
• Those signs include wanting more time and space to themselves and getting defensive.

An "emotional affair" is hard to define — it can be tricky to know if you're having one, and perhaps even trickier to figure out if your partner is.

That said, there are a few red flags to look out for if you suspect that your partner has romantic feelings for someone else, even if they haven't acted on them physically. In her 2012 book, "Chatting or Cheating," licensed marriage and family therapist Sheri Meyers outlines some key indicators that your partner might be involved in an emotional affair.

Below, Business Insider has rounded up nine of those warning signs. Remember: Just because you recognize some of these behaviors in your partner doesn't necessarily mean they've been unfaithful.

But if you're really starting to get worried, it's a good idea to articulate your concerns to your partner and give them a chance to explain themselves.

SEE ALSO: The most insidious type of cheating isn't physical — here are 8 signs it could be happening to you

Your partner is spending more time on the computer and/or phone

A sudden strong attachment to digital devices could be a red flag.

Meyers writes: "Your partner may 'stiffen' when you enter the room, or put the phone away suddenly. They may have increased activity or text messaging but are more difficult to get  ahold of when out of the house."

Your partner wants more space and time to themselves

If your partner really is having an emotional affair, they may try to distance themselves from you.

"They want to do their own thing more often and become indifferent to doing things together and offer excuses about not planning or committing to future trips, vacations, and family visits," Meyers writes.

When you argue, your partner's fallback position is about your relationship ending

During conflicts, your partner may say something like, "What would you do if our relationship ended?" or perhaps something even more alarming like, "If anything ever happened to us, I would always love you like a friend."

"In general," Meyers writes, "they seem overtly negative about your relationship," as opposed to interested in trying to repair it.

Winter is right around the corner.

While there are plenty of options for affordable ski getaways in the US and Canada, sometimes you just need to splurge.

HomeToGo, a vacation rental search tool, has compiled a list of the most expensive ski resorts in North America, so you can plan a mountain weekend in the lap of luxury.

They gathered data for the 35 top-rated ski resorts in the US and Canada, and then estimated the average total cost of a one day/night stay. The final cost includes:

• Equipment rental: skis, boots, poles, and a helmet for one day.
• A one-day lift pass.
• Lunch: a burger with fries and a soda at a restaurant on the slopes.
• Accommodation: the average price per person for a four-person vacation rental found on HomeToGo in the ski resort, between December 16, 2017 and April 15, 2018.

When prices were unavailable from the resorts, HomeToGo based price forecasts for this winter on last season's prices.

Below, check out 16 of the most luxurious ski resorts in North America where a day of skiing plus an overnight stay costs between $250 and $486.

SEE ALSO: 19 of the best ski resorts to visit this winter that don't cost a fortune

DON'T MISS: 10 affordable getaways to celebrate New Year's 2018

16. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Total cost (1 day/night): $253.02

Equipment rental and lift ticket: $155

Lunch: $7.75

Vacation rental: $90.28

15. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Total cost (1 day/night): $262.93

Equipment rental and lift ticket: $150 

Lunch: $16

Vacation rental: $97.43

14. Mammoth Mountain, California

Total cost (1 day/night): $264.79

Equipment rental and lift ticket: $171

Lunch: $10.74

Vacation rental: $83.05

While it may be less common these days to send a holiday greeting via snail mail, the White House has yet to let go of its 90-year tradition.

Starting with Calvin Coolidge in 1927, the long-standing practice allows each sitting US president to let their staff and supporters know they wish them a happy holiday. Each card is unique, and recipients change from year to year.

With the help of the White House Historical Association, we've pulled together 68 White House holiday cards from the past eight decades. Happy holidays!

SEE ALSO: Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have surprisingly affordable style — and it's a brilliant political strategy

Donald Trump, 2017

Barack Obama, 2013

Barack Obama, 2012

Nothing truly comes to a halt when the president of the United States goes on vacation. Heavy security, White House aides, military advisers, and various experts (totaling 200 people) travel with them in case something happens, and the work doesn't stop. It's hardly a break.

President Donald Trump is spending Christmas this year at the same place he did before he entered the White House: at his Palm Beach golf resort, Mar-a-Lago.

Take a look at where US presidents since Franklin Roosevelt have gone to get a change of scenery.

SEE ALSO: A former J.Crew exec just opened a menswear paradise for the modern guy who 'wants to look American'

DON'T MISS: 17 photos of the stunning inaugural ball gowns worn by first ladies over the last 50 years

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt spent holidays and birthdays in Warm Springs, Georgia, taking advantage of the natural spring waters as a healing method for his polio. His home there, known as the "Little White House," was a humble six-room cottage. FDR left a mark on the town by creating Roosevelt Warm Springs, a foundation that aims to empower those with disabilities.

President Harry Truman often vacationed at what was also called the "Little White House"; however, this home was located in Key West, Florida. As president, you sometimes have to hold a news conference even while on vacation.

President Dwight Eisenhower enjoyed playing golf and vacationing in Colorado. Before Eisenhower took off for his late-summer vacation in 1953, The New York Times reported that he'd be taking some work, as well as several members of his staff, along with him.

Source: The New York Times

With prime access to bars and restaurants, and enjoyable weather, the University of San Francisco is America's college with the best location, according to academic-review site Niche.com.

Niche's ranking assessed 1,376 four-year colleges and universities on a number of factors including student response on surveys, access to bars, restaurants, cafes, and outdoor activities; local weather; and percentage of residents aged 18-24.

Scroll through to find out the 25 colleges with the best location.

SEE ALSO: The hardest college to get into in every state

24. University of Colorado-Denver — Denver, Colorado

24. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences — Boston, Massachusetts

23. University of Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

By 10:30 p.m.,  I was ready to collapse on the dance floor. Everyone else was heading to an afterparty at a far-off warehouse. That's the kind of party New York's Burlesquerade is.

Now in its 7th year, the annual costumed gala has grown from a birthday party in a tiny apartment to an extravaganza on a 30,000 square-foot "super yacht" featuring an eye-popping lineup of DJs, aerialists, burlesque dancers, and performance artists.

The Burning Man-esque party attracts 1,200 partygoers ranging from bigwigs at Goldman Sachs and Facebook to Brooklyn's DIY fashion designers and filmmakers. Timothy Phillips, the man whose birthday started it all, says he hopes the event is "inspiring."

"The idea is really just to set this expectation that everyone should be surrounded by people who inspire and motivate them all the time," Phillips told Business Insider.  "We try to create events that facilitate that."

Phillips recently invited me to attend this year's Burlesquerade. Here's what it was like.

At Phillips' insistence, I showed up at Pier 40 early so he could show me around the boat, the Hornblower Infinity. I was dressed in my costume gala finest, but in true New York form, no one batted an eye.

As I made my way through the security line, where guards studiously checked the videographers and volunteers' bags, Phillips spotted me.

He was dressed in a black glistening jacket that evoked a raven's feathers and was flying back and forth a bit like a mad bird, talking to security or the caterer or picking up a cellphone for a harried call to an unknown person. 

Phillips said that the Burlesquerade started because he had friends from so many different scenes that were often “intimidated by each other” or “stuck in their preconceptions about who the others were.”

By creating a massive party and forcing everyone to costume themselves, he thought he might be able to “break down those barriers.”

Phillips soon handed me off to Joe Che, his business partner and the man most often tasked with turning Phillips' high-flying ideas into, in Che's words, "practical realities."

Dressed in a kind of antique captain's jacket festooned with ornaments, Che gave me a tour around the boat so I knew where all the performances and activities would be. But as he warned me, there's too much to do for any one person to see everything.

Challenge accepted.

Che explained that he and Phillips formed Lightning Society three years ago to expand what they had created with the Burlesquerade and to find new ways to “bring people together for meaningful connections.”

So far, that has resulted in the current version of the Burlesquerade and a co-living space in Bushwick.

The co-living space, which houses 16 people ranging from a teacher to tech developer to an astrophysicist, hosts weekly programming, including yoga and dance classes and an ongoing speaker series.

They started boarding the boat early because the security line takes so long.

The event recruits more than 150 volunteers to put on the party, who do everything from set up to production and photography. Volunteering is a way for many who can’t afford the $75 ticket price to join the festivities. 

It takes Che, Phillips, and the team of volunteers seven hours to set up the boat.

Richard Branson, the Virgin Group Founder and self-described tie-loathing billionaire, still finds time in his busy schedule to read.

Over the years he has offered up dozens of titles that have kept his attention and helped him grow as a businessman.

We can't guarantee you'll follow in the entrepreneur's footsteps, but the books could certainly set you in the right direction.

SEE ALSO: 5 books the head of MIT Media Lab thinks you should read

'Start With Why' by Simon Sinek

Sinek is a leadership expert who believes companies can't run effectively unless they approach their business with a specific purpose — or a reason for existing.

"Start With Why" describes a diagram of three concentric circles. The outermost ring he calls "What," the second "How," and the innermost ring "Why." The closer each circle is to the center, the more integral it is to business.

Too many companies focus on what they produce, not what they produce it, Sinek claims. Only by having a rock-solid reason for being in operation can companies connect with their customers. 

'Black Box Thinking' by Matthew Syed

Failure is a key component of any successful system, but only if the people at the controls understand what went wrong.

In "Black Box Thinking," journalist Matthew Syed explores why some people try to ignore their mistakes and others confront them deliberately. Syed pushes people to adopt a growth mindset, as the psychologist Carol Dweck calls it, rather than a fixed mindset.

"It advocates for changing attitudes towards failure, and understanding that the only way we learn is by trying things and altering our behaviour based on the results," Branson writes on his blog.

'Ending the War on Drugs' by Richard Branson

Edited by Branson himself ("I couldn't resist sneaking in a book I contributed to," he writes) "Ending the War on Drugs" is a compilation of essays about the global drug war and the many failed attempts to end it.

"It brings together such a smart group of experts to explain why global drug policy reform is so important," Branson writes. The list includes philanthropist George Soros, former Mexican president Ernesto Zedillo, and former Swiss president Ruth Dreifuss, among others.

"Attitudes towards treating drugs as a health issue, not a criminal problem, are changing fast," Branson explains. "Anyone who reads this book will understand why."

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

The world of iPhone accessories is vast, and can range from basic to extravagant.

All of the products on this list cost under $20 and will help keep your iPhone charged and protected, and help keep you entertained.

For many people, myself included, our smartphone is the center of our digital world. Why not make the most of it?

SEE ALSO: 9 accessories that’ll help you get more out of your MacBook

A phone case

One of the biggest reasons people don't put an iPhone case on is because of the added weight and bulk, but with this case, that's not a problem. 

Heftier cases will provide more support, but if you're looking for the bare minimum to prevent scratching and some resistance if your phone falls, this is a good option.

Caseology Slim Clear Cushion Grip iPhone 7/8 Case, $10.99, available at Amazon

Caseology Slim Clear Cushion Grip iPhone 7/8 Plus Case, $10.99, available at Amazon

A portable battery

I've beaten this drum before, but for good reason. There's no reason not to have an external battery pack anymore; they're inexpensive, can fit easily in a pocket or purse, and will charge your phone in a pinch. 

Jackery Pop Slim 5000mAh External Batter Pack, $16.99, available at Amazon

A pair of Bluetooth earbuds

I love a good pair of headphones, but it's easier to wear a pair of earbuds if you're commuting or going on a trip. In this price range you shouldn't go in expecting an audiophile experience, but Monoprice's option seems to satisfy most people's needs.

The one thing to consider is that these earbuds only have a five-hour battery life, which is fine for a commute but not extended travel.

Monoprice Large-Driver Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds, $14.99, available at Amazon

Most of us can’t wait to see 2017 end, but before we put a flamethrower on the whole thing let’s look back on something that wasn’t bad: the movies.

From the iconic Wonder Woman finally getting on the big screen to the movie that will mark the supposed final performance of one of our greatest living actors Daniel Day-Lewis, movies on both the studio and independent side found ways to make us forget our daily troubles and escape into stories that have stayed with us long after the closing credits.

Here are 11 movies from this year that did just that for me:

SEE ALSO: "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" director Rian Johnson reacts to the backlash and addresses the movie's most shocking moments

11. “Logan Lucky”

This is the best movie you didn’t see this year. Sadly, Steven Soderbergh’s southern-fried version of “Ocean’s 11” didn’t get a lot of box office love, but if you did catch it (or are getting around to it now as it’s available on streaming/blu-Ray) you know why it made this list. The movie is hilarious and Channing Tatum teamed with Adam Driver is gold. Plus, Daniel Craig is just on another level in this. 

The movie is also one of the best written of the year — now if we can only figure out who to thank. 

10. “Wonder Woman”

It’s hands-down my favorite superhero movie of the year. Patty Jenkins creates goose bump moments (No Man’s Land scene) while giving us the long-awaited big screen telling of one of comic books’ most iconic characters. In a genre where it’s hard to impress anymore, this movie pulled it off.

9. “Mudbound”

This is another crown jewel for Netflix. Dee Rees’ look at life on a Mississippi farm post World War II is powered by its incredible ensemble cast, and striking visuals and score. Rees proves she’s one of the top young directors working today and I still can’t get Jason Mitchell’s performance out of my head.

If you're looking to forecast the next generation of NFL stars, just take a look at the first round of the most recent draft. Savvy organizations can find value in all seven rounds, but in terms of success rate, there's no better bet than the first 32 picks.

But for every Peyton Manning or Von Miller, there is another former top prospect who didn't pan out. Whether they failed because of injuries, substance abuse, or simply poor play, all of these players provide fascinating case studies of the NFL's demanding environment and the fleeting nature of athletic success.

Below, read all about 20 of the most notorious draft busts from recent NFL history.

Justin Blackmon, WR

School: Oklahoma State

Selected: 5th overall, 2012 draft, Jacksonville Jaguars

Played for: Jacksonville Jaguars

One thing to know: Blackmon is a stark example of how drug and alcohol use can derail a promising career. The two-time consensus All-American struggled to control his drinking in college, but the Jaguars took a chance on him anyway. Things started out well enough, but after leading all rookies with 865 receiving yards in 2012, Blackmon was hit with two suspensions during the 2013 season and hasn't played in the NFL since. He was arrested for a DUI in late 2015.

Maurice Clarett, RB

School: Ohio State

Selected: 101st overall, 2005 draft, Denver Broncos

Played for: N/A

One thing to know: This Ohio native was never the most coveted prospect out there, but his bizarre story makes him a noteworthy disappointment all the same. After a futile attempt to enter the 2004 draft as a sophomore and the loss his NCAA eligibility for that fall, Clarett should have arrived at the 2005 combine with a chip on his shoulder. Instead, he posted lackluster times of 4.72 and 4.82 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Undeterred, the Broncos still made a ridiculous reach to get him in the third round, but they got their just desserts when he washed out of training camp and never appeared in an NFL game.

Aaron Curry, LB

School: Texas A&M

Selected: 4th overall, 2009 draft, Seattle Seahawks

Played for: Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders

One thing to know: Curry was a polished and tremendously versatile prospect when he was selected, earning the highest draft position of any linebacker since LaVar Arrington in 2000. While some analysts deemed him the safest prospect available, he lost his motivation and struggled in the Seattle, recording just 5.5 sacks in three seasons. He's now trying to make it as an NFL coach; he was seen at the Carolina Panthers training camp this summer.

Perhaps the biggest take-away of this NBA season, which is closer to the midway point than most would know, has been the unexpectedness of much of it.

The Warriors and Cavs don't lead their respective conferences, instead ceding No. 1 seeds to the Celtics and Rockets.

Playoff stalwarts like the Grizzlies and Clippers have fallen off in the West, while teams we were certain would be bad, like the Knicks and Pacers, are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

There's a lot of games to be played, but as we head into the NBA's Christmas Day spectacle and the end of 2017, here's where all 30 teams stand.

30. Memphis Grizzlies

Record: 9-23, 15th in West

Offensive rating: 101.0, 28th

Defensive rating: 105.8, 17th

One thing to know: Since starting 7-4, the Grizzlies have gone 2-19. The firing of David Fizdale looks even more questionable as the team has struggled mightily without Mike Conley, who has played just 12 games this year.

29. Atlanta Hawks

Record: 7-24, 15th in East

Offensive rating: 103.5, 18th

Defensive rating: 108.3, 27th

One thing to know: In a rebuilding year for the Hawks, they can take solace in the development of Taurean Prince. The second-year wing is averaging 14 points per game on 44% shooting, 42% from three, with 5.3 rebounds per game.

28. Sacramento Kings

Record: 11-20, 12th in West

Offensive rating: 98.9, 30th

Defensive rating: 108.8, 30th

One thing to know: One of the best offseason moves was the Kings' signing of Zach Randolph. Not only is Randolph still plugging away on the court, averaging 16 points and 7 rebounds per game at 36, he's become a mentor to the young Kings, as SB Nation's Kristian Winfield detailed.

• Whataburger is a fast-food favorite in the South.
• I visited to see if it could live up to the hype.
• I was impressed by the chain's customizable menu options.

A born-and-bred New Englander, I'm woefully inexperienced when it comes to some regional restaurant chains.

In-N-Out remains a mystery to me, and the wonders of Chick-fil-A have only recently entered my life, thanks to its aggressive national expansion.

Whataburger had long similarly been an enigma to me — nearly every Texan I meet extols its many virtues, yet I had never set foot in one.

With more than 790 locations across 10 states, Whataburger is a southern fast-food powerhouse. It has been family-owned since opening its first humble burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950. The chains ranks seventh on QSR Magazine's Top 50 Burger roundup, raking in $2.18 billion in system-wide sales in 2016, and it's expanding rapidly.

So when I found myself heading down to the Lone Star State, I decided a visit to the celebrated burger joint was a mandatory stop on my itinerary.

SEE ALSO: We ate dozens of meals at restaurant chains in 2017 — here are the 9 absolute best things to try right now

This location in Port Lavaca is one of a whopping 655 Whataburgers in Texas. It's built in the classic A-frame design that Whataburger is known for. One of the founders had a fondness for aviation and subsequently worked it into the chain's design.

On the windows, decals proudly proclaim the chain's burgers to be 100% beef, ordered just the way you like them. Also, a dash of patriotism for good measure, apparently — what's more American than a burger?

No line at the register — I must have beaten the lunchtime rush. Of course, most Whataburgers are open 24/7, so a late-night burger is always an option.

Google Photos is Google's photo management service that works both as a gallery app on smartphones, tablets, and the web, as well as a good piece of software that uses the company's artificial intelligence to make cool stuff with your photos and videos.

The app's interface is divided into four tabs: Assistant, Photos, Albums, and Sharing.

On the Assistant tab, you'll find that Google's digital helper automatically fills your feed with pictures to "rediscover" from the same day in past years and offers slick animations and videos generated out of similar shots you have taken.

"Photos" is the tab where all of your pictures are stored, while "Albums" keeps things organised in both automatically sorted as well as personalised albums. "Sharing" keeps track of all the albums you have shared with others, and allows you to edit them (if you have permission) at any time.

Automatic actions are a big part of Photos; there are, however, a few cool things that you can do with Google Photos yourself can enhance the usefulness of the product.

Here are seven of them:

Create, save, and share animations and collages with your photos

Google Assistant will do this automatically for you in some cases, but that will mostly happen if you took repeated shots of the same subjects.

However, you can still create animations manually: Just long press on a shot, select the ones you want to put together, and hit the "+" button at the top.

Photos will create a little GIF (that can also be saved as a video) and put it right next to the original photographs inside of Photos.

You can also create collages, which will put a series of shots next to each other in a single, easily shareable picture.

Let Photos create short movies with your best shots

Animations are easy and fun, but Google Photos also lets you do more complex things, such as videos.

Much like with animations, all you have to do is select a bunch of photos, hit the "+" button, and then "Movie."

Photos will bring you to the app's built-in video editor, where you can select in what order the photos (or clips) show, how long they should last, and even give you access to songs to add in the background.

Free up your phone's storage by offloading all your pictures to the cloud

Another great feature of Google Photos is the one that allows you to get rid of the physical files of your photographs by uploading them to the cloud.

Here's how it works: Open the app, go to the aptly named "Free up storage" section, and let Google Photos scan your entire photo library.

The service will then ask you to upload them all to the cloud; once it's done, the physical copies inside your device's storage will essentially be duplicates, and Photos will prompt you to delete them.

On an iPhone, this operation will empty the stock Photos app, but of course all your shots will still be available through Google Photos.

There is no limit to how many pictures you can upload to Google Photos, so long as your photographs are smaller then 16MP (bigger shots will be automatically downsized).

Volunteers have transformed one of London's busiest train stations into a homeless shelter on Christmas Day, where people with nowhere else to go can get a warm, festive meal.

Dozens of people gave up their Christmas Day to turn Euston station, a major terminus which connects the capital with Scotland and the Midlands, into shelter for around 200 homeless people.

Christmas is the only day of the year where no trains at all run from Euston, which is also a major interchange on the London Underground.

Since it was due to be empty, owners Network Rail allowed Steve Naybour, one of their their engineers, to organise a massive charity effort, which saw the concourse transformed.

Scroll on to take a look:

Euston station is the fifth busiest in the UK, and is usually rammed with travellers.

But Christmas is the one day of the year where no trains at all come or go. So staff and volunteers decided to turn it into a shelter for the homeless.

Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/945238456292298753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
At Euston organising Christmas for the dear homeless - let’s hope other organisations take up this initiative next Christmas 🎄 #EustonChristmaspic.twitter.com/FPLIXuOmGk

They stayed up on Christmas Eve to get everything ready.

Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/945163383598473217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Was it Santa or was it @networkrail@colasrailuk and @NetworkRailEUS that have been volunteering overnight? #EustonChristmaspic.twitter.com/1zGXSJ4tqL

This tweet was posted at 5.25 a.m.

• We've tried Tesla Autopilot, Cadillac Super Cruise, and Mercedes Drive Pilot.
• Each has its own pros and cons.
• Super Cruise is, in our view, worth the extra cost.

These are early days for self-driving cars. True, we've seen some efforts at near full-autonomy in some experimental cases. Waymo has been at it for years, Uber rolled out its own system in Pittsburgh in 2016, and more recently General Motors' Cruise division showcased its technology for the media.

The emphasis here is experimental as these systems don't play much of a role in everyday consumers' lives.

But over the past year, we have sampled some systems that do. Three that stood out are from Tesla, Cadillac, and Mercedes.

Here's the rundown:

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Tesla Autopilot

Autopilot has been around for longer than the other two technologies. Unlike Cadillac Super Cruise, it doesn't read from detailed maps created by laser-radar GPS. Instead, it uses a suite of cameras, radars, and sensors to create a 360-degree view of the car.

Autopilot can, in theory, be used under many driving conditions, and because it doesn't use Lidar, Tesla believes that it can operate in bad weather better than other systems.

The times I've used it, I've found that it works best on large freeways where traffic is moving at a consistent speed. But it can function on what I would call smaller highways and multi-lane thoroughfares, sort of like very advanced adaptive cruise control.

Currently, the system is what Tesla calls "Enhanced Autopilot" ("Full Self-Driving Capability" is on the horizon and Tesla thinks it has the right software/hardware combo to make it work). Autopilot now costs $5,000 to add when you order a vehicle, but $6,000 as a post-purchase upgrade.

Autopilot periodically prompts you to retake control, flashing a lighted ring around the instrument cluster. If you ignore the warnings, the system will eventually disable itself until you run through a charge cycle (meaning you have to pull into a charging location and plug it in, but you don't have to fully deplete the battery).

Autopilot can change lanes and park itself without having a driver inside. It can also take itself out of a garage, and generally begin to behave like a robot chauffeur. For now, it can be used effectively in stop-go-traffic and on non-highway thoroughfares, so it works like the best adaptive-cruise-control system on the market.

What did we think of Autopilot?

I don't recommend that you do what I'm doing in the photo, which was taken from a video when we first sampled Autopilot on its introduction. In my recent Autopilot drives, I kept my hands on the wheel.

Autopilot is vastly more ambitious that Super Cruise, but in practice, it's still awkward. Then again, it's also learning on the fly, sharing data with Tesla's entire fleet of Autopilot capable vehicles and the mother ship in Northern California.

So, in theory, it should benefit from future network effects and be able to match or surpass Super Cruise's highway talents once Full Self-Driving Capability arrives and gets regulatory approval. The bottom line is that Autopilot could be hands-free in many more environments than Super Cruise.

Cadillac Super Cruise

Super Cruise is a $5,000 extra available on only the CT6, Cadillac's flagship sedan, which can be had for around $70,000 total on the Premium trim level, and it's standard when you step up to the $82,000 Platinum trim.

Super Cruise will only present itself for duty if the following conditions are met: adaptive cruise control is active; the forward collision system is set to alert and brake; the vehicle is on a limited-access freeway; camera or radar sensors are not covered, obstructed, or damaged; the system detects that the driver appears attentive; lane markings are clearly visible, not blurred by weather or other factors; and the "Teen Driver" feature isn't on.

About that "driver appears attentive" part: Super Cruise uses a camera mounted on the steering column to monitor how attentive you're being. It disengages if your eyes wander from the instrument cluster. So although it's possible to engage in risky and distracting behaviors, such as texting or checking Instagram, the system will eventually bust you.

Cadillac and GM have used laser-radar (Lidar) mapping to suss out 130,000 miles of highways, so Super Cruise is starting with a detailed digital landscape. For example, it won't make itself available to the driver if the highway being used isn't up to par, due to construction, for example. 

Not all movies are filmed exclusively on a Hollywood backlot.

"Star Wars" has filmed nine movies— with more on the way — and has shot scenes all over the world for the most authentic galactic experience.

The newest installment — "The Last Jedi"— features brand new shooting locations as well as returns of beloved planets from the "Star Wars" world.

Fans can travel to these locations and journey to spots made famous by Luke, Darth Vader, and Rey.

SEE ALSO: Past And Present GIFs Of 11 Famous NYC Filming Locations

DON'T MISS: How Hollywood will fundamentally change after the Disney-Fox deal

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia: The newly discovered planet of Crait

The newest movie in the epic saga introduces a new planet: the discovered Crait. At this filming location in Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, is the largest saltpan on Earth — one that was formed over 10,000 years ago. Near the Andes Mountains, the salt flat is popular with people watching the sunset.

Puzzlewood, England: The mysterious forest of 'The Force Awakens'

This spot in the Forest of Dean was used as the location for an intense battle between Rey and Kylo Ren. Before "Star Wars," Puzzlewood served as inspiration to J.R.R Tolkein and J.K. Rowling in creating forests in "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter."

La Grande Dune: The sandy hills of Tatooine

Tunisia is full of "Star Wars"filming locations, but perhaps none are as iconic as the sand dunes that C-3PO and R2-D2 wonder along in "A New Hope."

• We drove the Cadillac and Lincoln, two of the oldest and most prominent nameplates to ever emerge from Motown. 

• The Lincoln Continental starts at $44,560. But our highly optioned AWD Black Badge edition test car starts at $65,070. The Cadillac CT6 starts at $54,095. The top-of-the-line Platinum edition we tested starts at $88,295.

• Both cars are superb, but the CT6 has an edge. 

Cadillac and Lincoln are two of the oldest and most prominent nameplates to ever emerge from Motown. And yet, they are two brands looking to reestablish themselves as the last word on American luxury.  

On one hand, Cadillac has gone for a striking, trendy yet artistic persona. Going as a far moving its headquarters from Detroit to the uber-chic cobble-stone streets of SOHO in Manhattan. 

On the other hand, Lincoln has gravitated toward a more traditional, suave and sophisticated feel. 

And no two cars show off the contrasting styles of these brands than their flagship sedans. 

The Cadillac CT6 and Lincoln Continental are arguably the two best luxury sedans ever produced by the US automotive industry. While there have certainly been more famous luxury cars to emerge from Detroit, no others could match the level of performance, comfort, technology, and overall execution of this dynamic duo.

These are two cars that we hold in high regard here at Business Insider.

In fact, both the CT6 and the Continental were finalists for Business Insider's 2016 Car of the Year award. 

It's a remarkable achievement for both iconic American luxury brands.

In the marketplace, both the CT6 and Continental are their respective brands' flagship luxury sedans. Yet, the two are smaller and less expensive than rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S Class and the BMW 7 Series, while larger and plusher than the E Class and 5 Series. 

In May, I was able to take a 2017 Cadillac CT6 on a three-day road trip through Europe. A couple of months later, I had the chance to spend a few days driving a 2017 Lincoln Continental through the rolling hills south of Austin, Texas. 

Even though, Business Insider reviewed both cars in 2016. Europe and Texas allowed us to try out the Caddy and the Lincoln in an environment outside of suburban New Jersey. 

The Lincoln Continental starts at $44,560. But our highly optioned AWD Black Badge edition test car starts at $65,070. The Cadillac CT6 starts at $54,095. The top-of-the-line Platinum edition we tested starts at $88,295.

In each instance, the Lincoln and the Caddy both proved to be impressive luxury vehicles. But how do they compare to one another? 

Let's find out. 

SEE ALSO: Here are the 21 best cars for winter weather driving

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First, let's take a look at the Lincoln Continental.

Aesthetically, the Lincoln Continental is one of the most stylish and handsome cars on the road today. The Continental is beautifully proportioned. Its curved edges and clean-cut looks are the automotive equivalents of a well-fitted black suit. Classy, debonaire, and understated. 

And then there's the Cadillac CT6.

The Cadillac is anything but understated. While the Lincoln can be a bit forgettable, the CT6's edgy and striking looks are immediately and permanently etched into your memory. With a long hood and short rear decklid, the CT6 cuts a sihlouette that's more in line with sleek European luxury sedans of old like a Jaguar XJ or even an Aston Martin Lagonda. 

The Continental's interior delivers serious luxury.

Lincoln continues with the understated elegance theme in the cabin of the Continental. The quality of the interior leather and accents were impressive, but it failed to leave a lasting memory. 

What was memorable was the Continental's 19-speaker Revel audio system. Outside of Bentley's $5,000 Naim system, the Revel may be the best in the business. Whether it's ZZ Top, Biggie Smalls or David Brubeck, the Revel sound system delivered a rich and rewarding listening experience. 

Dominating the center stack is a touchscreen running Ford and Lincoln's new Sync3 infotainment system that's quick to respond and easy to learn. It's a major improvement over the company's previous attempts at infotainment. For Sync3, Lincoln abandoned the tried and true four-corners display method and went to a traditional menu with tiles. 

• The neighborhood of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, New York, puts on a Christmas light display every year.
• It has become a tourist attraction, with guided tours and buses.

The suburban Brooklyn neighborhood of Dyker Heights is a quiet and friendly area year-round – that is, until the holidays start.

That's when the neighborhood is flooded with thousands of Christmas-light peepers anxious to see the area's famed displays. Countless homes in the neighborhood take part, putting up dazzling and awe-inspiring feats of festivity, and likely producing similarly awe-inspiring electric bills.

In 2015, I took a trip to Dyker Heights to see the hyped "Dyker Lights" for myself. Keep scrolling to see some lights that would make Clark Griswold die from envy.

SEE ALSO: Inside New York City's most festive bar, where they spend more than $60,000 a year getting ready for Christmas

Dyker Heights is a good half-hour drive from downtown Manhattan, and about an hour away on the subway. Luckily, there are Dyker Lights tour buses that will take you there hassle-free — for a price.

You can see most of the best displays between 11th and 13th avenues around 81st through 86th streets.

Some of the homes put up stately, elegant arrangements.