Anyone who has experienced getting a puppy knows it can be hard work. Owners often refer to their pets as "fur babies," which makes a lot of sense considering how much attention puppies require when you first get them.

Puppies need time to settle into their new home and bond with their owners. They've probably just been taken from their mothers and introduced to a brand new environment, so there's likely to be a lot of crying. And that's before you can even think about house-training.

As it turns out, some companies sympathise with this transition and offer what's known as "pawternity leave."In fact, research from Petplan found that 5% of owners have been offered paid leave from their job to adjust to their pet owning duties.

These are some of the companies which give you a few days off to bond with your new best friend.

Mars Petcare

Mars Petcare was one of the first companies to offer pawternity leave. The company offers its employees ten hours of paid leave when they get a new pet, and they can bring them into the office after that.

Mparticle

The data platform provider Mparticle offers two weeks of paid leave if an employee adopts a rescue dog. According to The Times, the recruiter for the company Laurel Peppino said it's to provide time for training and walks.

"We offer maternity and paternity leave and a pet is just another member of the family," she said. "We don't discriminate just because they aren't human."

BitSol Solutions

A tech company based in Manchester called BitSol Solutions offers its employees a full week of paid leave if they get a new pet. According to the Metro, company owner Greg Buchanan said: "Pets are like babies nowadays, so why shouldn't staff have some time off when they arrive?"

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has released its quarterly list of the most overowned stocks held by active managers.

The set is part of a larger report on "active managers’ holdings" from the bank's equity and quant strategy group that was sent to clients Tuesday.

To be considered overowned, securities (excluding real estate investment trusts, or REIT’s) must be at least 1.5x their weight in the S&P 500 in the fund manager composite, and held by more than 35% of funds in the sample.

"History suggests one should watch out for crowded stocks at the beginning of the year: based on our data since 2009, the 10 most overweight stocks have lagged the 10 most underweight stocks on average by 57bp and 117bp during the first 15 and 30 calendar days of the year, respectively," the bank said.

Here’s the full list of overowned stocks, sorted by relative weight:

SEE ALSO: BANK OF AMERICA: Bitcoin is the 'most crowded' trade

6. Mastercard

Ticker: MA

Sector: Information technology

Currentprice: $151.34

Relativeweight: 1.74

% of funds holding stock: 38.9%

5. Amazon

Ticker: AMZN

Sector: Discretionary

Currentprice: $1,187.51

Relativeweight: 1.77

% of funds holding stock: 50.5%

4. Biogen

Ticker: BIIB

Sector: Healthcare

Currentprice: $328.97

Relativeweight: 1.85

% of funds holding stock: 36.8%

• The 747 has been a fixture of air travel since it first ferried passengers between New York and London in 1970.
• However, many airlines are retiring the jumbo jet and replacing it with smaller and more fuel-efficient models.
• The last US-based passenger 747 is being laid to rest Wednesday, but there are still plenty of foreign airlines operating the "Queen of the Skies."

Since 1970, passengers, crew, and pilots alike have been enjoying the thrill of flying on the Boeing 747.

The original "jumbo jet" changed the way we travel.  Its ability to carry 500 passengers as far as 6,000 miles truly opened the age of modern jet travel, bringing with it new possibilities and destinations.

However, the one-time "Queen of the Skies" has been slowly becoming obsolete. The double-decker, four-engine behemoth guzzles a lot of fuel, cutting into airline profitability. While later versions like the 747-8 have significantly improved efficiency over the earlier variations of the plane, it's tough to beat two-engine workhorses like the Boeing 777-300ER. Beyond that, twin-engine planes have become more capable than ever before to safely handle long-distance flights.

Additionally, passenger preferences have changed since the 747 was introduced. The first wide-body plane with two aisles in the cabin, the 747's range and capacity were great for ferrying passengers between large hubs — sometimes with stops in between — from which people could get connecting flights to smaller hubs and airports. However, passengers today prefer to fly non-stop from one point to another, and smaller wide-body planes like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the new Airbus A350 are better for those point-to-point routes. Even the latest variations of the narrow-body 737 are flying across oceans.

Hence the phasing out of the plane among carriers in the US and around the world. United Airlines and Delta both flew their final commercial 747 flights in 2017, and today, Delta's last 747 is heading to the "aircraft boneyard."

Fortunately, if you want to fly with the queen before she's gone for good, there are still a handful of airlines operating the plane. Here's a look at the passenger airlines still flying the 747.

SEE ALSO: These are the 20 safest airlines in the world

British Airways

British Airways still operates 36 of the 747-400, but plans to retire the jumbo jet by 2024. It flies to several US cities, including on the busy London Heathrow–New York-JFK route.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Although KLM has announced plans to retire its 747-400 fleet, there's no publically-announced timeline. The airline still flies the plane on a few routes, including Los Angeles–Amsterdam.

Air China

Air China flies two variations of the 747: the -400, and the newer -8. Catch it to Beijing from US cities including New York and San Francisco.

From stunning wedding gowns to head-turning jewelry, there has been a recent influx of Disney Princess-inspired items to help give a touch of magic to any Disney fan's wedding. Now there are finally tiaras to help complete the perfect fairy tale look.

Online clothing brand Rita Lane Vintage has recently released a line of tiaras inspired by some of the most popular Disney Princesses, all of which can be purchased for $78 on the brand's website. The details and references to each princess are subtle, so they add a hint of Disney magic without seeming too juvenile.

Here's a look at the six princess-inspired tiaras, as well as some of the brand's other Disney-inspired designs.

The Aurora Tiara features pink jewels as a nod to the "Sleeping Beauty" character's iconic gown.

This is one of the most colorful pieces in the collection.

Find out more about The Aurora Tiara here >

The Belle Tiara features touches of yellow and gold to represent Belle's dress from the ballroom scene in "Beauty and the Beast."

It also features some pops of blue as a reference to the character's village dress from early in the movie.

Find out more about The Belle Tiara here >

This one is inspired by Elsa, and features a fittingly icy design.

It has an almost snowflake-like appearance.

Find out more about The Elsa Tiara here >

Making healthy choices sounds like a good way to get in better shape. But according to Moran Cerf, the strategy is misguided.

Cerf, a professor of business and neuroscience at Northwestern University, has been studying decision-making for over a decade. One of his biggest takeaways is that making choices on a daily basis is psychologically exhausting.

In other words, it's tough to constantly exert the willpower required to avoid snacking or get up off the couch to exercise. Eventually, old habits get the best of people and they cave to unproductive tendencies.

Based on his research, Cerf claims other strategies are far more effective at getting people to build sustainable habits that promote healthy living — and they aren't the typical stuff of diet books.

SEE ALSO: A neuroscientist who studies decision-making reveals the most important choice you can make

Choose your company according to your goals.

The most important strategy starts with who people pick as their company, Cerf said, since the people you surround yourself with ultimately influence your behavior more than most other factors.

His research has found people's brain activity actually syncs up when they're in each other's presence.

People wanting to be healthier will naturally take on the habits of fit people if they spend more time with them, Cerf said. Kids are often warned to avoid peers who are bad influences, but adults can also benefit from seeking good influences.

Step on the scale no more than once a week.

Cerf believes people rely too heavily on data to guide their lifestyle choices.

Knowing your starting weight and goal weight are helpful, but an individual's weight can fluctuate by a few pounds each day. Weighing yourself daily invites too much noise into the process.

Cerf's recommendation: Weigh yourself just once a week, and focus less on the number than the direction you're headed. As long as you're making progress, Cerf said, that's what counts.

Pick one menu item at restaurants and stick to it.

In his own life, Cerf always selects the second menu option on a restaurant's list of specials. He's not a picky eater, so the strategy helps him avoid making a low-level decision and, in turn, free up more energy for the important stuff.

People who want to get in shape can modify the tactic slightly, he said. Instead of choosing the second menu option, people can opt for a similar healthy dish at the various places they go.

Rather than face a dilemma of temptation versus prudence, the decision will be pre-made. People can use their leftover willpower in other productive ways.

In a country as vast as the United States, you're hardly ever going to find a consensus on how to say something.

Do you drink soda, or do you call it pop? Do you wear sneakers, or tennis shoes? The answers vary depending on where you ask the question. 

Linguists Bert Vaux and Scott Golder surveyed more than 30,000 people from all 50 states in the early 2000s to compile some of the starkest regional divisions in American English, from vocabulary to pronunciation.

Graphic artist Josh Katz eventually turned the results into a series of maps, and updated them for his 2016 book "Speaking American." The surprising data illuminate the linguistic quirks that make American English such a fascinating dialect.

Take a look at 27 of his maps that show how differently Americans speak:

SEE ALSO: These are the 10 most confusing words in the English language

Most of the US says "you guys," while Southerners say "y'all."

No one can agree on whether to call it "soda,""pop," or "coke."

There are a few pockets where people drink out of "bubblers" instead of water fountains or drinking fountains.

• Now that US President Donald Trump has signed Republicans' tax overhaul into law, it's time to figure out what the new tax code will mean for you.

• Career site Zippia broke down how the new tax plan could affect take-home pay in 2018 for people in various occupations.

• Business Insider looked into how the bill would affect blue collar workers.

US President Donald Trump has said he considers himself a blue collar worker, despite his billionaire status.

"I love blue collar workers," Trump said at a during one 2016 presidential campaign rally, according to The New York Daily News. "And I consider myself in a certain way to be a blue collar worker."

But reactions to the Republicans' new tax plan have indicated that many believe it favors the wealthy over everyone else. Business Insider's Bob Bryan reported that 8.5 million people may see their taxes increase this year, while 4.6 million middle class Americans might see a spike in taxes by 2025.

In the short term, Business Insider's Lauren Lyons Cole reported that take-home pay is set to rise under the tax reform plan for most workers, but the majority of Americans won't get a ton of extra money. How much you save depends on how much you currently earn.

Career site Zippia provided us with data breaking down how different occupations fare under the finalized tax plan. Business Insider decided to look into how the new plan will affect blue collar workers — people in jobs that center around non-agricultural physical labor — in particular. 

The estimated federal tax savings below are for a single, childless taxpayer who owns a house valued at three times their salary. Zippia's calculations factored in whether a given taxpayer would benefit most from taking the standard deduction or itemizing deductions.

Following is a look at how blue collar workers in a number of occupations, from fast food cooks to electrical power-line installers and repairers, could see their taxes change next year.

SEE ALSO: Here’s what Trump’s tax plan means for blue collar workers, from cooks to mechanics

Fast food cooks

Average salary: $20,570

2017 tax: $1,059

2018 tax: $857

Percent tax cut: 19.1%

Cashiers

Average salary: $21,680

2017 tax: $1,226

2018 tax: $971

Percent tax cut: 20.8%

Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Average salary: $23,830

2017 tax: $1,548

2018 tax: $1,229

Percent tax cut: 20.6%

Long-distance relationships can work.

In fact, Business Insider's Jessica Orwig reported on research that found couples in long-distance relationship can be just as happy as couples who live closer together. One researcher told Orwig that the key is communication: stating your needs and setting expectations.

Over on Quora, hundreds of people, many with LDR experience, contributed to a thread titled, "Do distance relationships work? How can you make it work?" Their advice was more substantive than simply, "call and text a lot."

Below, we highlighted the most creative and most insightful pieces of wisdom from that thread.

SEE ALSO: A relationship therapist breaks down the 10 most common fights couples have

'Trust each other, and be worthy of one another's trust'

Betsy Megas says trust is "by and far the most important thing" in her long-distance relationship with her partner. "I don't feel we have any secrets between us," she adds.

'Talk through doubts and uncertainties together, and work on them together'

Megas says she and her partner have hashed out tough topics like, "Is he going to be homesick when he gets here?" and "Am I ever going to know enough Swedish to carry on a conversation with his mom?"

"I don't know the answer to either of these questions," she admits, but discussing them has helped them find some potential solutions.

'Be social'

Sara Zasowski writes:

"If you aren't together, you need to occupy your time. Engage in activities and develop your friendships. I've found that LDRs that have failed often came from isolation and unnecessary degrees of loneliness. You aren't doing yourself — or your partner — a favor by being home and available all the time. You should mutually agree to be active in order to stay happy."

If you're traveling in the US, cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago are probably on the top of your list of places to see. Outside of big cities, however, there are also tons of smaller, underrated destinations that are totally worth a trip.

We asked our colleagues for their favorite, off-the-beaten-path spots, and did research on under-the-radar gems to come up with a list spanning everything from little-known tropical islands to underexposed national parks and secluded beaches.

Letchworth State Park, New York

Letchworth State Park is a 14,427-acre state park in New York state that is also known as the "Grand Canyon of the East." The park's most striking features are its three large waterfalls on the Genesee River, which winds through the park in a gorge so deep its sides can rise up to 600 feet (hence the Grand Canyon nickname).

Culebra, Puerto Rico

This tiny island of off Puerto Rico has stunningly white beaches and turquoise waters — but a fraction of the tourists you'd find in San Juan or nearby Vieques. This under-the-radar gem is still mostly locals-only, with only a minimal amount of bars and restaurants that may or may not run out of food and booze on any given day.

St. Augustine, Florida

A small town in northern Florida, St. Augustine claims to be the oldest city in the US, dating back to 1565. Its Spanish architecture is stunning: the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century stone fortress, is a must-see.

St. Augustine is also home to one of state's most haunted spots, the Old St. Johns County Jail, which dates back to 1891. Today, you can go on a tour of the now-defunct jail that's said to be haunted by former inmates. 

• A viral math equation with two solutions confused Facebook users.
• A seemingly simple math problem went viral on YouTube because of two different versions of the order of operations.
• The way a teacher graded a Common Core math quiz caused a firestorm on Reddit.

Math comes naturally to some, but even simple equations remain baffling brainteasers to others.

These math equations went viral for being much more complicated than they seemed — or so simple that people got tripped up overthinking them.

Here are 10 math problems that confused people across the internet.

This viral math question has two solutions.

Spotted on The Daily Mail, the question was originally created by Go Tumble and shared on Wikr before taking off on Facebook and going viral.

There are two correct ways to solve it. The first way to find the solution is to add the equation, then combine the sum with that of the previous equation. The second solution involves multiplying the second number of the equation by the number you are adding to it. The correct answer could either be 40 or 96.

Here's a full explanation of the answer.

This seemingly simple math problem racked up over five million views on YouTube.

The correct way to solve this problem is to use the modern interpretation of the order of operations, also known as PEMDAS or BODMAS:

• Parentheses/Brackets
• Exponents/Orders
• Multiplication-Division
• Addition-Subtraction
• If same precedence, left to right

The correct answer is 9, but controversy ensued because the historical order of operations from before 1917 differs slightly. With that version of the rules, which is still taught in many schools, the answer would be 1.

Here's a full explanation of the answer.

This Common Core math quiz caused a firestorm on Reddit.

The first question asks the student to calculate 5 x 3 using repeated addition. The student wrote 5 + 5 + 5 = 15, and was marked wrong, with the teacher writing in the "correct" solution of 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15.

The second question prompts the student to calculate 4 x 6 using an array. The student drew an array with six rows and four columns, getting the answer that 4 x 6 = 24. The teacher marked the question wrong again and drew in a nearly identical array of four rows and six columns.

"The idea that a student should be punished for recognizing and applying the fundamental truth of commutative multiplication in service of drilling in a completely arbitrary convention that they can easily learn when they need it 10 years later strikes me as borderline insane," Andy Kiersz of Business Insider wrote.

Read the full explanation here.

With the hardest part over—getting started—the best is yet to come. But, for many first timers at the gym, the busy scene can be quite frightening. Unsure of what to do, you may walk on the treadmill, or attempt to pump some iron. You're likely to spot someone who appears as if they know what they are doing, and your gut may tell you to do what they do. Copying your neighbor may seem like enough to learn the swing of the ropes, but unfortunately it isn't.

In fact, a mentality like that can get you injured, and cause you to overwork certain parts of your body. You could even be doing everything wrong, even if it feels right! To unveil the most common workout mistakes beginners make in the gym, we reached out to three fitness experts. The first steps in remedying these bad habits, or not picking them up at all, is knowing what they are. And that's why we're pointing them out.

And as you read this list, don't sweat it. You're not alone, and we're here to help. Banish these 10 common workout mistakes, and your journey to reach your weight loss goal will be a whole lot easier. 

1. You're over enthusiastic.

2. You compete against the wrong person.

The gym can quickly become a self-confidence-destroying zone. Becoming your fittest self takes time and everyone has their own set of limits when it comes to the ways and speed at which their bodies can grow in strength. "Instead of trying to match weights or pace with the person next to you, try to compete against yourself, and incrementally increase [your personal best,]" says Dr. Ochiai. You can be your biggest competition and your best supporter, too!

3. You try to cram a workout in.

Slow and steady wins the race — always. Just like with dieting, the best results are the ones you achieve over time. Dr. Ochiai explains that rushing a workout is never a bright idea: "Everyone is busy, but don't try to cram in extra weight or intensity if you're pressed for time."

Instead, he recommends that you take it easy. Build in a warm up time, such as on a bike, before starting the rest of your work out," he says. One suggestion: Pencil in the amount of time you'll need each day to achieve those body shaping goals. By giving yourself permission in this way, you'll be more satisfied with your workout at the end of each period — and you'll be more likely to actually complete your goals. Chances are if you feel the time is crammed you'll give yourself more reasons to not work out at all.

Life could change for one — or even a few — lucky people Wednesday night.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $418 million and the Powerball jackpot reached $460 million.

With that much cash on hand, some of the world's finest luxuries suddenly become attainable.

Below, check out eight over-the-top purchases the lottery winner could make, from multi-million dollar real estate to once-in-a-lifetime travel excursions.

SEE ALSO: If you win the Powerball lottery, don't take the payment in a lump sum

DON'T MISS: Here's exactly what to do if you win the $400 million lottery jackpot, according to a financial adviser

Make a trip to Ibiza, Spain, to enjoy the most expensive tasting menu in the world at the Hard Rock Hotel. A 13-course dinner for two costs $3,266 and includes DIY cocktails, 360-degree projections, neon dining tables, and dishes that incorporate experimental techniques. Stay in the hotel's Rockstar Suite for about $4,200 a night.

Source: Business Insider,Hard Rock Hotel, Ibiza

You could buy this fully restored Upper East Side mansion less than a block from Manhattan's Central Park for $79.5 million. Its six floors include a rooftop terrace and basement gym, ventilated smoking room, six bedrooms, and staff quarters. But buyer beware: The annual property tax bill is over $240,000.

Source: Business Insider

Of course you'll need staff to maintain your new pad. A team of basic domestic staff —a butler, housekeeper, and chef — can cost at least $245,000 a year. Add a driver, nanny, and personal assistant and you're up to $460,000 annually.

Source: Business Insider

• Caffeine is a psychoactive drug that can affect your body physically and mentally.
• You can get dependence and withdrawal symptoms from drinking coffee regularly.
• Caffeine can make you more stressed out and irritable.

If you're like most of America, you're probably dependent on coffee for an extra boost of energy — after all, the US is the world's biggest coffee consumer.

However, most of what we thought we knew about the physical and mental effects of drinking coffee is wrong. Coffee won't stunt your growth or cause heart palpitations, and, believe it or not, a cup of coffee a day won't hurt a developing fetus (just try not to overdo the Starbucks venti orders if you're expecting).

But caffeine — whether it's consumed in the form of an energy drink or a cup of coffee — is a psychoactive drug. And like all drugs, caffeine has some pretty powerful effects on the body. 

From insomnia to irritability, keep scrolling to find out how your morning cup of Joe is really affecting you. 

The more coffee you drink, the more coffee you will need.

"Becoming habituated to drinking coffee is when your body gets used to having caffeine — you can easily become psychologically dependent on it," Dr. Kathryn Boling, a primary care physician at Mercy Personal Physicians at Lutherville in Maryland, said.

The purpose of caffeinated drinks like coffee or Red Bull is to keep us energized and focused. Caffeine mimics a "sleepy" chemical in our brains called adenosine. To the brain, caffeine looks a lot like this chemical, which declines as you sleep so that you naturally feel more awake in the morning. 

Caffeine can trick your brain by attaching itself to the adenosine receptors, which can block the buildup of this "sleepy" chemical. Eventually though, your brain catches on, and you'll feel even more tired than usual if you stop drinking coffee. 

That's why the more coffee you drink, the more you have to drink to make it through the day. 

Just like with any other drug, there are dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Caffeine is classified by scientists as one of the most common psychoactive drugs in the world. Because it is a drug, the effects of consuming caffeine regularly will have the same effects of any other drug, like dependence and withdrawal.

"If you're a coffee drinker and you abruptly stop drinking it, you’ll feel sluggish," Dr. Boling said. "You have a strong reaction because it is a drug. Our bodies become used to getting that drug to wake up and focus. You get this terrible headache and it won't go away until you have that cup of coffee. Similar effects can be observed with nicotine withdrawal."

According to a 2013 survey in the Journal of Caffeine Research, "the majority of addiction professionals believe that caffeine withdrawal and dependence disorders exist." However, caffeine addiction is not yet recognized as an official diagnosable disorder.

A review of more than 60 studies and surveys published in the International Psychopharmacology journal found that people suffering from caffeine withdrawal experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, depression, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and — in some cases — flu-like symptoms. 

Drinking multiple cups of unfiltered coffee a day can lead to long-term heart problems.

"Anyone who has ever drank too much coffee knows what that feels like: Your hands get shaky, you feel jittery, and and your heart rate goes up," Dr. Boling said. 

While the physical symptoms of anxiety associated with drinking too much caffeine may not actually cause heart palpitations (even though it feels that way), the long term effects of a heavy coffee habit (more than four cups of coffee a day) might contribute to increased risk of heart disease and heart failure.

Your risk of cardiovascular heart disease has a lot to do with how coffee is prepared, according to a 2015 Italian study published in the Public Library of Science. The study concluded that drinking more than two cups of unfiltered espresso or cappuccino does have a negative effect on heart health.

"In this study, the risk of coronary heart disease was significantly greater than reference (<1 cup/day) for those whose intake of Italian-style coffee was greater than two cups per day," the study's authors concluded. "The preparation method can affect the concentrations of diterpenes and caffeine."

 If you're drinking only a couple of filtered cups of coffee a day, however, you might actually improve your heart health.

President Donald Trump is following a mixed bag of characters on Twitter. 

While his follower count rises — 45.8 million and growing — his following list is a fraction of the size.

So what are the 45 accounts Trump follows? They're his children, a bevy of Fox News hosts, and his own hotels and golf courses.

Here are all the accounts Trump follows on Twitter.

SEE ALSO: 'I don't type all my tweets' — Trump speaks about how he uses Twitter

Ivanka Trump, Trump's eldest daughter.

Ivanka Trump is Donald Trump's second-eldest child and one of his closest advisers. She has stepped away from her business ties with the Trump Organization and her fashion label to move to Washington, DC, and work as an advisor to the president.

Donald Trump Jr., Trump's oldest son.

Donald Trump Jr. is the oldest son of Donald Trump and his first wife, Ivana, and has been working for the Trump Organization since shortly after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania.

Piers Morgan, co-host of "Good Morning Britain."

Piers Morgan is a presenter on the British morning show "Good Morning Britain" and the US editor at large of Mail Online.

Morgan is a close friend of Trump's — Trump spent more time talking to Morgan on the phone after the election than he did with British Prime Minister Theresa May.

• Another royal wedding is fastly approaching following the announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement. 
• From the guest list to the location, a lot goes into planning a royal wedding. 
• Here are 10 rules the royal family must always follow when it comes to weddings. 

Whether you're an official guest or a gawker, brush up on these royal rules for getting hitched.

Get the Queen's permission

Asking a father for his daughter's hand in marriage seems a bit archaic, but the Wall Street Journal reported that a 2015 Internet poll by The Knot reveals 77 percent of suitors still get a parent's permission. However, when it comes to following wedding etiquette for the royal family, pops isn't the only one that needs to be asked. According to Brides.com, The Royal Marriages Act of 1772 requires that all royal family members must ask the sovereign's approval in order to get hitched. Looks like Prince Harry must have done just that as Clarence House announced in November 2017, "His Royal Highness and Ms. Markle became engaged in London earlier this month Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty the Queen and other close members of his family. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms. Markle's parents." Find out the wedding etiquette rules you absolutely cannot break.

Engagements are short

When it comes to putting together a royal wedding, time is of the essence. In fact, Elle Australia explains that royal engagements are brief, lasting only a few months. No surprise then that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are looking toward a May 2018 wedding following their November 2017 engagement, reports The Sun.

Going stag?

Here in the U.S., we know it as the bachelor or bachelorette party, but the Brits call it the stag do or hen party. As you probably surmised, a stag do is for the guys, while the ladies are the hens. Perhaps not the most politically correct nomenclature, but these parties have been around a long time. In fact, the stag party originated way back in ancient Sparta where, according to Time Magazine, soldiers partook in a huge feast and toasted the groom-to-be be. It seems many modern British groomsmen have extended this one-night celebration into an entire weekend. Prince William's affair took place about a month before his wedding and was hosted by brother Harry at a country estate. Brides.com notes that it wasn't until 1960 that British brides got their turn to whoop it up like the men. The Duchess of Cambridge and, more recently, her sister Pippa both had weekend affairs, with skiing in the French Alps for Pippa and her hens. Check out these awesome ideas for your own girls weekend getaway.

• The top CEOs have different ways of approaching interviews and screening candidates. 
• Airbnb's Brian Chesky asks you about your life to learn how you formulate decisions and what experiences built you into the person you are. 
• Jeff Bezos asks questions that put candidates in the hot seat to test their accountability. 
• Peter Thiel looks for candidates who can articulate how and why they go against the grain. 

Successful hiring managers draw on a diverse set of skills. They can quickly screen candidates, and spot a suspicious resume before wasting time with an interview. During the interview cycle, too, an ability to sniff out deception is critical, especially considering that purportedly 81 percent of candidates lie during interviews.

Traditional job interview questions tend to not be very illuminating; sometimes they simply prompt the candidate to rehash what's already on a resume or cover letter. Savvy hiring managers go beyond what they've already learned on paper, and get a better sense of how candidates think on their feet, deal with adversity, and see themselves fitting into (and helping shape) the organization's future. 

Here are how some top CEOs approach job interviews, and rely on questions that dig beneath the surface. 

SEE ALSO: Most people don't meet their goals for the same 4 reasons

1. Airbnb's Brian Chesky wants to hear about your life.

Chesky famously and opportunistically once decided to rent out his small living space as a "bed and breakfast" (albeit with airbeds) during a popular local conference. He was looking to make his rent payment, but he was also ready to capitalize on a solution that proved to have far more potential than he would have initially forecast. 

In interviews, Chesky wants to hear about accomplishments and solutions, not just rote recitations of climbing one corporate ladder or another. 

"I also ask people to summarize their life in three minutes," he told The New York Times in 2014. "I'm trying to figure out the formative decisions and experiences that influenced who you are as a person.

2. Warby Parker's Neil Blumenthal likes to get random.

Hiring for cultural fit can be a dicey proposition, as sometimes biases — hidden or otherwise — can lead hiring managers away from great candidates who would have been star employees.

Still, while culture may be not be a make-or-break factor in an interview, it's of course important to get a sense of how candidates would fit into your organization.

That's why Blumenthal, amongst other business leaders, likes to throw curveballs during an interview. One favorite, as he explained to The New York Times, is "What was a recent costume you wore?" 

The point, of course, isn't that you have to wear costumes to get hired at Warby Parker. But if candidates respond in a way that suggests they take themselves a little too seriously, it's considered a red flag for a cultural fit. 

3. Amazon's Jeff Bezos grills candidates on accountability.

Most job candidates are ready to rhapsodize about past triumphs, but Bezos frames questions designed to put the candidate on a hot seat. Hiring managers can often learn more about how candidates have responded (or would respond) to demanding day-to-day situations, like dealing with combative bosses or working under seemingly unfair deadlines. 

Essentially every employer wants creative problem solvers or results-oriented collaborators; often times they even state this directly on job descriptions, so hearing candidates describe themselves in those same terms isn't very revealing. Employers differ, though, on how they like to see employees face some of those challenges — which makes it nearly impossible for candidates to develop a canned response that works for all situations.

Apple recently admitted that it has been throttling the performance of certain iPhones with older batteries to prevent unexpected shutdowns. 

For those curious, it turns out that it's not too difficult to see if your iPhone has been affected.

The reason behind the performance throttling actually makes sense: As older batteries degrade over time, they can't cope with the high demands of the iPhone's processor. To prevent unexpected shutdowns that sometimes occur when processors don't get enough power, the company dialed down the speeds of iPhone processors in units with overly degraded batteries.

Still, it's no secret that the company should have been more transparent about the practice. When owners of older iPhone experience slow performance, the usual course of action is to buy a new iPhone. But had they known that their iPhone's slowing performance was due to an aging battery, perhaps those users could have opted for a battery replacement, which is much cheaper than buying a new iPhone. 

Here's how to see for yourself if your older iPhone's performance has been throttled:

SEE ALSO: You've been charging your smartphone wrong

1. Download an app that tells you the speed of your iPhone's main chip.

The app I'm using here is the free Lirum Info Lite, which provides a lot of information about your iPhone's internal activity. 

2. In the Lirum Info Lite app, check the speed of your iPhone's main chip speed.

From the Lirum app's home screen, tap the options button on the top left (three horizontal lines) > tap "This Device"> tap "CPU"> and check the "CPU Actual Clock" against the "CPU Maximum Clock."

If both numbers are the same, then your iPhone isn't being throttled.

Here are the chip speeds for the iPhone 6 and newer.

Apple rolled out its performance throttling measures for the iPhone 6 and newer models to prevent unexpected shutdowns. Here are the original "clock speeds"– the measure of speed for a processor chip – for the iPhone 6 onwards:

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus: 1.4GHz

iPhone 6S and 6S Plus: 1.84GHz

iPhone SE: 1.84GHz

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: 2.34GHz

• Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is suing special counsel Robert Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and the US Department of Justice.
• Manafort was indicted in October on a range of charges, including money laundering and tax fraud.
• Manafort used the laundered money to fund a lavish lifestyle for himself and his family, including multimillion-dollar homes and antique furnishings, the indictment says.

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort filed a civil lawsuit against special counsel Robert Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and the US Department of Justice, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

Manafort is accusing Rosenstein of exceeding his power by appointing Mueller to investigate the Trump campaign's ties to Russia and "any matters that arose or may arise directly from" the initial inquiry. 

By looking into his finances and offshore business dealings that go as far back as 2005, Manafort alleged that Mueller's scrutiny went "far beyond" investigating whether there was any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian actors.

Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates were indicted by a grand jury in October on a range of charges, including money laundering and tax fraud. The men are accused of laundering more than $21 million — more than $18 million by Manafort and more than $3 million by Gates — from 2006 to at least 2016. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The indictment says that from 2008 to 2014, Manafort used offshore accounts to wire over $12 million to fund a luxurious lifestyle and an additional $6.4 million to purchase two New York City properties — a condominium on Howard Street and a brownstone on Union Street — and a house in Arlington, Virginia.

Keep scrolling to see the vendors of the lavish "personal items"the indictment says Manafort bought using funds in offshore accounts.

SEE ALSO: Paul Manafort is suing Robert Mueller and the Department of Justice

DON'T MISS: The indictment of Paul Manafort shows he spent over $12 million on Range Rovers, men's clothing, and home improvements in the Hamptons

$20,000: Housekeeping in New York

$31,900: Purchases from an art gallery in Florida

$46,000: Property management company in South Carolina

The results of the 2018 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting will be revealed later this month, and it looks like we could see a number of big names inducted into Cooperstown this summer.

The Hall of Fame is an independent institution, but it entrusts the Baseball Writers Association of America with the yearly task of deliberating over the legends of the game. Each writer may vote for up to 10 players, and all candidates appearing on at least 75% of the ballots become enshrined. A player can stay on the ballot for up to 10 voting cycles, though the Veterans Committee provides another avenue for those unable to sufficiently impress the writers.

Below, read all about the 33 retired stars who make up this year's crop of candidates, some of whom will join Veterans Committee honorees Jack Morris and Alan Trammell at this summer's induction ceremony. Predictions are based on the painstaking work of Ryan Thibodaux and his Baseball Hall of Fame Vote Tracker.

Barry Bonds, LF

Year on ballot: 6th

2017 result: 53.8%

Key stats: .298/.444/.607 (182 OPS+), 762 HR, 1996 RBI, 2,935 hits, 2,558 BB, 514 SB

The lowdown: By the numbers, Bonds is on a level with Babe Ruth and Willie Mays, but when it comes to performance-enhancing drug allegations, he's closer to names like Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco. While his Hall of Fame case appears to be gaining steam, a combination of steroid use and a prickly demeanor weakened what would have been first-ballot support. Suffice it to say that no one is keeping the all-time home run king out based on his resume.

Will he be inducted in 2018?: No.

Chris Carpenter, SP

Year on ballot: 1st

Key stats: 144-94, 3.76 ERA (116 ERA+), 1,697 K

The lowdown: Carpenter won the 2005 NL Cy Young Award and enjoyed several other seasons as one of the best pitchers in baseball, even though he lost several prime years thanks to a series of arm woes. He was also a great postseason pitcher, going 10-4 with a 3.00 ERA, but even with all that success, his peak was too low and too disjointed for him to remain on the ballot.

Will he be inducted in 2018?: No.

Roger Clemens, SP

Year on ballot: 6th

2017 result: 54.1%

Key stats: 354-184, 3.12 ERA (143 ERA+), 4,672 K

The lowdown: Clemens, along with Walter Johnson, Lefty Grove, and Tom Seaver, has a legitimate case as the greatest starting pitcher to ever play the game. But while he has a slam-dunk case by the numbers, his later career was tainted by allegations of PED use — he was named in the Mitchell Report, and while he testified under oath that he had never taken steroids, that episode ultimately led to six charges of perjury and obstruction (he was found not guilty). The voters are trending towards forgiveness, but he won't get there this year.

Will he be inducted in 2018?: No.

The new year is upon us, which means new technology is coming down the pike. 

Last year saw the launch of a nearly bezel-less iPhone, fantastic new games like "PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds," a stunning (and not exploding!) Galaxy Note 8, and the ultra-loud Google Home Max — but the tech world isn't slowing down in 2018. 

In order to prepare for the exciting year to come, members of Business Insider's tech team weighed in on what they're most looking forward to in 2018. 

From new VR headsets to flagship phones, here's the tech we're most excited about:

SEE ALSO: The 17 biggest tech scandals of 2017

Oculus Go / Oculus Santa Cruz

Steven Tweedie, deputy editor:

"Oculus Go is Facebook's upcoming standalone headset, which will be its first to not require a gaming PC or Samsung smartphone — everything you need is contained in the headset itself. The relatively low price point and enclosed design should make casual VR use more of a thing, and should get more people trying out the medium, which is exactly what the VR ecosystem needs right now.

"The tracking will still be limited compared to the Oculus Rift when it comes to the level of tracking, but it comes with a motion controller and Oculus' library of games, which immediately gives it an advantage over other entry-level headsets, like Google's Cardboard or Samsung's Gear VR.

"Facebook's Santa Cruz headset will be the high-end alternative to Oculus Go, in that it won't require a PC or smartphone, but it will have a more robust tracking solution, allowing for people to lean down and around in addition to rotating their head. It will also feature hand controllers similar to Oculus' Touch controllers for the Rift. Oculus says Santa Cruz will be given out to developers in 'early 2018,' but there's no firm launch date for the consumer edition."

Samsung's Galaxy Note 9

Jim Edwards, editor-in-chief of Business Insider UK:

"I was a Note 5 user, and I considered it the most fun phone I've ever had. The stylus and the drawing app are much, much more powerful than you think they're going to be. The ivory-gold edition was also the most beautiful phone I ever used ... until I dropped it and put a big crack in the glass back. 

"Anyway! One rumor is that Samsung will give the Note 9 a dual, or foldable, screen. I have no idea what this might be useful for, but one thing I like about Samsung's flagship products is that they are not afraid to add some crazy new thing to a phone, just to see what happens.

"If Samsung puts a bigger battery in the Note 9, or does something to make the battery last longer, that's going to make the Note 9 very tempting for me."

Microsoft's hinged tablet

Edoardo Maggio, tech reporter:

"I'd like to see some entirely new product, but I don't expect that to happen.

"If it does, however, I think Microsoft will make the biggest splash. I think at this point it's safe to assume that this Courier-like Surface [tablet] does exist, and we can bet that Microsoft will want to make sure it's a heavy hitter.

"And, considering their past few years in hardware, I'm not just excited, but pretty sure it might be a real bomb!"