• GPS tracking company Geotab used data from the US Department of Transportation to find the least used road in each state.
• From that list, landscape photographer James Q. Martin ranked the 10 most scenic routes based on subjective criteria.
• Martin's picks span both coasts and reach as far up as Alaska.

Most travel guides make recommendations based on the idea that the more often a place is visited, the more reason a tourist has to visit it. But the GPS tracking company Geotab and landscape photographer James Q. Martin have taken the opposite approach with their list of America's 10 most scenic, quiet routes. To make the list, Geotab began by using the most recent available data from the US Department of Transportation's Highway Performance Monitoring System, which tracks the number of cars that drive on highways each day. 

Once Geotab found the road in each state with the least amount of average, daily traffic, it enlisted Martin to rank the 10 most scenic routes based on subjective criteria. Martin's picks span both coasts and reach as far up as Alaska.

Here are Martin's 10 most scenic, quiet routes, and the reasons he picked them.

SEE ALSO: Here are the 15 best airports in the world

10. Pennsylvania — State Route 32

Route Length: 41 miles 

"Known as the River Road, this scenic drive follows the Delaware River as it runs alongside the New Jersey border," Martin told Geotab. "Historic stops along the way include the Washington River Crossing and the arts and crafts town of New Hope."

9. New Hampshire — US Route 2

Route Length: 35 miles 

"The long version of this scenic drive passes through several states," Martin said. "Here it winds alongside the Androscoggin River into the picturesque mountain ranges of New Hampshire. A detour takes you into the White Mountains National Forest and passes by the prominent Mount Washington."

8. Wyoming — US Route 212

Route Length: 35 miles

"The Beartooth Highway is Wyoming's highest route," Martin said. "It leads into Yellowstone National Park, and has incredible views of jagged mountains, pine forests, rocky peaks and alpine lakes. During the winter, the road is closed due to heavy snow, but usually opens back up by Memorial Day weekend."

• Your home might contain a lot of cancer-causing substances.
• Chromium, TDCIPP, and ethylene oxide can be found in your chairs, couch, and books respectively. 
• It's important to read the labels of what you're buying and get rid of furniture and appliances that might be causing harm. 

Your couch, your fridge—even your nice countertops could be hiding cancer-causing substances. Here's what you can do about it, according to top toxicology experts.

Your big, comfy couch

Your favorite sofa could be killing you, and not just because it lures you away from activity: Many sofas, mattresses, and other cushioned furniture are treated with TDCIPP, a flame retardant known to cause cancer (i.e., a carcinogen). TDCIPP was used so frequently prior to 2013 that a study out of Duke University found it in the blood of everyone they tested. It's also one of ten chemicals most frequently found in household dust, according to this study.

What can you do?

Consider replacing cushioned furniture you purchased prior to 2013, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council—and check furniture labels on any purchases.

And while you're at it, make sure you aren't around any of these other causes of cancer.

Your curtains and carpets

Cadmium is a carcinogenic byproduct of cigarette smoke. If you smoke in your house, cadmium and other cigarette smoke by-products may be lurking, especially on soft surfaces such as curtains and carpet—even long after the smell of smoke is gone. There's even such a thing as third-hand smoke and it's resistant to even the strongest cleaning products. Here's where you can learn more about third-hand smoke and its dangers.

What can you do?

Quit smoking—here are 23 tips to kick start kicking the habit—and never allow smoking in your home.

Your leather recliner

Chromium (VI) is a known carcinogen found in tanned leather, wood furniture, certain dyes and pigments used in textiles, and cement. To give you an idea of the prevalence of chromium VI, one study out of Denmark found that almost half of imported leather shoes and sandals contained some level of the carcinogen.

What can you do?

As with TCIPP, pay attention to labeling. And don't be shy about asking questions of your furniture salesperson

From cities rich in greenery (Madison and Seattle) to those with stunning architecture (Philadelphia and Chicago) to those that boast incredible beaches (San Diego and St. Augustine), there are beautiful places all across the 50 states.

To find the most picturesque locales around the US, INSIDER consulted polls by travel publications such as National Geographic and Travel + Leisure and research conducted by real estate groups and tourism advisors, like Redfin and Resonance.

We also looked at the number of parks cities contained, cities' proximity to stunning natural landscapes, and points of interest including historical sites, unique architecture, and cultural institutions. 

In no particular order, here are 21 of the prettiest cities in the country.

SEE ALSO: The perfect place to live for every Myers-Briggs personality type

Honolulu, Hawaii

There are plenty of ways to take advantage of island life in Honolulu, where you'll find a variety of incredible beaches, lush vegetation, and unique volcanic landforms.

At Waikiki Beach you can soak up the sun, or go snorkeling or surfing. For a different perspective, check out Diamond Head State Monument. The eponymous crater, formed during a volcanic eruption 100,000 years ago, is a must-see, and the surrounding park offers gorgeous views of the Pacific.

If you've had your fill of outdoor fun, you can get your culture fix at world-class museums including the Bishop Museum, home to a leading collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts, and the Honolulu Museum of Art.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of American democracy (and cheesesteak), but its architecture is just as noteworthy. From City Hall — the largest municipal building in the US, built in the grand Second Empire style— to Elfreth's Alley, America's oldest residential street, history is everywhere you walk in Philly.

The best way to explore the City of Brotherly Love — which is full of charming side streets, cobblestone alleys, and world-famous murals— is on foot. In fact, in 2017, the real estate site Redfin named Philly the 5th most walkable US city.

Charleston, South Carolina

Between its Instagram-friendly pastel houses and comforting Lowcountry cuisine, Charleston — which has repeatedly been ranked a top US city by Travel + Leisure— epitomizes southern charm. Thanks to a plethora of art schools and galleries, Charleston's arts scene is also enticing. And in the summer, you can take in a theater, dance, or music performance at the Spoleto Festival.

• There are certain people that always seem to be much more energized than others. 
• A few tweaks to your lifestyle could make all the difference when it comes to your energy levels. 
• From exercise to caffeine intake, here's how people have more energy than others. 

How do some people seem to get more energy than others? Make a few small tweaks to your lifestyle, and you could boost your energy levels.

They get more sleep

They drink enough water

Make sure you're getting at least the eight standard glasses, and even more if you're out in the heat or exercising. Does that sound too simple? Not according to numerous studies: In one example, researchers reported that even mild dehydration can leave you feeling fatigued and sap your energy levels in a 2012 study published in the Journal of Nutrition. You can also try adding these 10 high-energy foods to your diet for a quick burst of energy.

They give themselves a break

It's something productive people do regularly—take breaks—and they have tons of energy, right? So could frequent breaks make you more productive and energetic? That's what one study found—a brief break every hour could improve your focus and give you the energy you need to keep going. You might even want to check out these 25 life-changing energy boosters.

Before we knew how connected homes would come together, the prototypes seemed far-fetched and way too complicated.

Fortunately, building a smart home today is not nearly as intimidating or overwhelming as it initially seemed. It's easy, especially if you start small and build little by little.

Picking and choosing the features that best suit your needs — and only as you can afford them — means you don't have to consider it an all-or-nothing ordeal. Still, that same DIY aspect can make it a daunting project to take on — but we're here to help. 

Here's a simple rundown to help you get started on the smart home of your dreams:

SEE ALSO: 7 things I love about the Google Pixel 2, even though I'm an iPhone user for life

DON'T MISS: Look how primitive your favorite iPhone apps used to be

1. Start with a voice-controlled smart speaker: It'll serve as your smart home's command center.

Every smart speaker is powered by a smart assistant, and usually, these speakers also come with an app that acts as a hub of sorts. You can use the app to register and access your other smart-home devices, so you can control them all with voice commands — via your speaker — instead of needing to visit individual apps.

That said, not all smart speakers are built equally, and some only work with certain services. Apple's HomePod, for instance, only works with Siri (sorry, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa fans), and you can only use your voice to control Apple Music (sorry, Spotify users.) Still, some of the most popular speakers offer a wide array of functions.

Amazon's Echo speakers (powered by Alexa) paved the way, and Amazon sells Echo devices in all shapes and sizes, making it the most versatile family of the bunch. Google also sells its Home products (powered by Google Assistant) in small, medium, and large form factors. Apple's HomePod launched in February 2017 and is almost exclusively compatible with iOS smart products right now. 

2. Smart lighting is easy to set up and it's relatively inexpensive — and it's one of the best applications for voice control in the home.

Smart bulbs can be used to save energy, help secure your home, turn your basic light switch into a dimmer, or prevent you from being tied down to an inconveniently-located switch. All you have to do is replace the bulbs you already have with smart bulbs.

There is a one-time purchase of a small hub that has to be plugged into the wall and then connected to your router via ethernet, but it takes five minutes to install and can accommodate up to 50 bulbs, meaning you won't have to worry about it again. 

You can buy smart bulbs in most locations that sell standard light bulbs. Many smart light bulbs can connect directly to your smart speaker via a separate app, but some smart bulbs require a separate hub, so make sure you're checking the details of each bulb before you buy it. Also, make sure you check to see if the brand is compatible with the smart assistant you have (as you should do with every one of these products moving forward), and then take a look at the size of the bulb you're replacing so you get the right one. 

Hue Philips is a popular brand that offers starter kits (bulbs and hub), is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, and even offers ones that let you set the mood by changing color.

3. Smart plugs can make (almost) anything smarter.

A smart plug is exactly what you'd think: It's an adapter that turns your simple appliances into smart appliances. The smart plug uses WiFi to give you control of the device from anywhere, via an app.

One major catch is that some appliances have to be "dumb" for a smart plug to work, meaning it needs to do what you want it to do when it's given power — no buttons necessary. A coffee maker, for example, needs to have an on/off switch, so that you can leave it on "On" and let the smart plug control its power. 

Belkin's WeMo is great if your house is running on Alexa or Google Assistant, but if you're a Siri household, iDevices might be the way to go. 

If there’s one generally accepted rule of warfare, it’s that you should never invade Russia during the winter.

Hitler tried it and failed horribly, Napoleon tried before that and found equally terrible results, and the Swedes who fought in the Great Northern War would tell a similar story.

Supply lines running thin in the freezing cold and enveloping mud spells doom for anyone attacking into a Russian winter — or does it?

For some reason, history tends to overlook the many times Russia has lost in the cold, despite their home-turf advantage.

The Japanese — Russo-Japanese War

Because the giant nation’s borders have changed throughout history, it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly constitutes the “Russia” part of a “Russian winter.”

Most historians would define it as invading west of the Steppes, but technically, the Japanese attacked Russia by taking Russian-controlled Korea and Manchuria.

Japan invaded and conquered the Korean peninsula in February 1904. Ironically, Tsar Nicholas II couldn’t get the supplies needed from the Western half of Russia due to intense winter weather — the same conditions that, supposedly, make Russia impregnable.

As a result, the Japanese were able to fortify and hold the territory until the end of WWII.

The Finns — Continuation War

As hard fought as the Winter War between Finland and the USSR was, the Finns managed to hold onto their independence by ceding 11% of their bordering lands to the Soviet Union.

Later, Finland sought to regain these lands by making an enemy-of-my-enemy pact with Nazi Germany in 1941.

Finnish forces pushed through to Leningrad so “successfully” that it made Hitler confident he could do the same.

Except, in this case, “success” meant that cannibalism wasn’t too widespread.  Though trying, the Finns were able to hold onto territory until 1944, when Finland sided with their archenemy, Russia, to fight off Nazi Germany.

The Swedes — Ingrian War

Swedish invasions combined with ongoing Polish aggression (detailed below) in the early 17th century kicked off what has since been known in Russian history as “the Time of Trouble.”

Sweden sought to capture the Russian throne, and they started by launching an offensive on Novgorod, which resulted in the successful installation of a Swedish monarch.

To find eventual peace, treaties were formed and broken and reformed and rebroken and finally reformed in favor of Sweden. Either way, the Swedish Kingdom pushed the Russians back to Kola and, in the process, kicked off what the Swedes call their “Age of Greatness.”

Eventually, the Russians and Swedes formed an uneasy alliance because both of them were more focused on another common enemy: Poland.

It's hard to judge actor's heights on screen.

And sometimes, extreme steps are taken to make folks seem taller than they actually are. Some step on boxes or sometimes camera angles are changed up.

While some short actor heights are known, some others might come as a surprise. 

Here are 35 actors you might not know — or remember — are short:

Standing next to the 6-foot-4 Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), the 5-foot-2 Mother of Dragons (Emilia Clarke) looks tiny.

They still hang out. 

Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner might only be a year apart, but the "Game of Thrones" costars stand at 5 feet 1 inch tall and 5 feet 9 inches tall respectively.

They are best friends in real life.

And at 5-foot-7 or 5-foot-8 — there are conflicting interviews — Kit Harington is an inch shorter than Turner and seven inches shorter than the the 6-foot-3 Gwendoline Christie.

Harington met his fiancée on "Game of Thrones."  

Once you've had your driver's license for a few years, driving can become second nature. You know how to operate a vehicle and follow basic traffic laws, but you might start to forget more obscure rules of the road that you memorized in order to pass the written test.

We scoured practice quizzes from New York State's Department of Motor Vehicles for questions that are a little more advanced than "What should you do at a stop sign?"

Here are 10 questions about driving that you've probably forgotten the answers to.

You may cross a single solid white line in the highway:

a) Whenever you want to.

b) If traffic conditions require.

c) Only to turn into a driveway.

d) Only to make a u-turn.

.

.

.

.

Answer: b) If traffic conditions require.

What does a flashing yellow light mean?

a) Merging traffic.

b) Proceed with caution.

c) Pedestrian crossing.

d) Come to a full stop.

.

.

.

.

Answer: b) Proceed with caution.

When the road is marked with a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line on your side, you may pass:

a) Only in an emergency.

b) If you are on an expressway.

c) If traffic is clear.

d) Only at an intersection.

.

.

.

.

Answer: c) If traffic is clear.

• I left New York in March 2016 and have been traveling ever since.
• I freelance to fund my travels.
• Opportunities for remote and freelance work are growing.
• Longterm travel has taught me how to manage my time, budget, and that I don't need a lot of stuff to be happy.

 
You've surely read "I quit my job to travel the world" stories before. This time, I'm not here to tell you how amazing Thailand and India are, though I highly recommend them.

Instead, I'll let you in on a fast-spreading secret: long-term travel is one of life's best loopholes (aside from marrying a billionaire, perhaps). Not only is it fulfilling and exciting, but you can be a totally responsible adult and do it, too.

First, the cliché: in March 2016, I quit my job and left New York to travel for a year with my husband (who is not a billionaire, incidentally). We went to Southeast Asia, Japan, Colombia, and Paris. When we hit the one-year mark, we decided there was so much more we wanted to see.

Fast forward another year: we're in Marrakech and heading to Egypt next. We've been back to the States to see friends and family, but we have no plans to stop traveling.

Here's what I've learned along the way.

SEE ALSO: How to tip like a local in 20 countries around the world

Saving money to travel is a lot easier than it sounds.

To start, we documented every penny we spent in a spreadsheet, which is a humbling way to realize how much money you spend on salad.

Instead of going out for dinner, we spent Friday nights cooking and watching Netflix. We explored new neighborhoods on weekends, took advantage of free events, and ate dollar slices. We quit the gym and ran outside instead, and always packed lunch. Soon enough, our goal was in sight.

Of course, student loans and other debt make saving harder, but not impossible. Instead of waiting to travel until your loans are paid off, which could take years, budget enough to cover your monthly payments while you're on the road.

You can extend your travel by working remotely.

In Southeast Asia, we started meeting people who work remotely to fund their travels. We decided to dedicate a few hours each day to working. While it took some time to gain momentum, we realized it was totally feasible.

For anyone who works with a digital product – web development, graphic design, freelance writing – it's relatively easy to work remotely. If your career doesn't obviously lend itself to remote work, you can use your newfound freedom to learn a skill that does.

In the short term, you can teach English online or do consulting work via a freelancing platform like Moonlighting or Upwork.

If you're being paid in US dollars and living in a country with a favorable exchange rate, your cash can go a lot farther than it would back home.

The trend of working remotely is just beginning.

According to the 2017 freelancing in America survey assembled by Upwork and the Freelancers Union, 36% of US workers freelanced in some capacity this year. That number is projected to hit 50% by 2027.

Aside from freelancing, more top companies like Amazon, Dell, and Intuit are now hiring remote employees for part-time and full-time positions. To support the growing community, more services like co-working and co-living spaces are popping up.

The 2018 NFL Draft is still weeks away, but that hasn't stopped speculation of what will happen at the top of the draft from running rampant.

With an incoming draft class loaded at the top with quarterback talent, the 2018 NFL Draft could be a franchise-defining moment for numerous teams should they find their next longtime signal caller.

Thanks to the Jets trading into the top three, football fans have a pretty good idea how the very top of the draft will play out, save for one team: the New York Giants.

The Browns will likely take their top choice at quarterback with the first overall pick in the draft, and the Jets will hope to get their guy at three. However, since the Jets trade, the Giants' second overall pick has become the greatest variable remaining, and a surprising powerful chess piece for the team to maneuver with.

Below we break down all the Giants options for how to use their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

1. Fill the hole on defense left with the departure of Jason Pierre-Paul

The Giants decision to trade Jason Pierre-Paul came as something of a surprise, but makes sense for the team in the long run. While Pierre-Paul has been a staple of the Giants defensive front for almost a decade, he was also a burden on their cap. Trading him off to the Buccaneers in exchange for picks will make it much easier for the Giants to orchestrate a massive deal with Odell Beckham Jr. to stave off his coming free agency.

The departure of Pierre-Paul is also extremely well-timed for the Giants should they wish to find his replacement in the draft, as Bradley Chubb of NC State is widely seen as one of the safest bets of the incoming class. In another year, Chubb would be the de facto first overall pick on many experts' draft boards, but with the Browns having already beefed up their defensive line in last year's draft, Chubb is a safe bet to fall to the Giants at two.

If the Giants want to maintain the relative strength of their defense while saving a ton of money, they could use their first round pick on Chubb and continue to build from there.

2. Pick the successor to Eli Manning

The Giants haven't had to think about their starting quarterback situation in 14 years. Through thick and thin, Eli Manning has been one of the most reliable quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, at least in terms of taking the field to start the game, although last season he was pulled as the Giants offense struggled.

That said, Manning is likely in the twilight of his NFL career. At 37, he could still have a few years left playing at a better than average NFL level — age seems more and more to be "just a number" to many starting quarterbacks — but the Giants have definitely reached a point where they need to start thinking about picking up and developing his successor.

In a draft filled with quarterback talent, only the Browns are picking ahead of New York, and we all know how well the Browns tend to do when evaluating quarterbacks. If the Giants believe that Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, or Baker Mayfield could be the future of their franchise, they're in prime position to nab any one of them and give them a few years to learn the ropes of the NFL under Manning's guidance.

3. Take Saquon Barkley

Here's where things get interesting.

If the Giants are in a "win now" mode and believe that last year's 3-13 campaign was a blip on the radar rather than a harbinger of things to come, then there's no need to overthink things — take Saquon Barkley.

Initially it was thought that the Browns would possibly be able take Barkley with the first overall pick and still get their quarterback of choice with the fourth overall pick, but with the Jets moving up to almost certainly pick a quarterback, it's likely the Browns will be forced to take their QB of choice first overall to ensure they get their guy. Should this happen, Barkley would fall right into the Giants' lap.

Taking Barkley would not fill the hole left by Pierre-Paul, nor would it be a step in preparation for the departure of Manning, but it would give New York the most pro-ready player in the NFL Draft. The past two years have shown just how much impact a rookie running back can have on a team — Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, Alvin Kamara, and Kareem Hunt have all made the jump and immediately become some of the most feared players in all of football.

If the Giants' top goal is to contend for the Super Bowl in 2018, Barkley would be the obvious choice.

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.

Though the specifics of every person's daily routine differ, we all probably do a few of the same basic things to maintain our long-term health: we brush our teeth, wash our face, and take our vitamins. 

Effective health and wellness practices rely on consistency, but when the rest of life is happening around you, these practices can fall by the wayside and it's often difficult to get back on track. 

Thankfully, the convenient, automated nature of subscription box services ensures that you won't miss a day of your vitamin, skincare, or other personal care regimen.

Whether you need to change your toothbrush or treat your skin concerns, these monthly services are always one step ahead of you. By the time you realize you need to reorder the products that make you look and feel your best, they'll already be in a box on their way to your front doorstep. 

Stay on top of your health and wellness regimen with the 7 subscription boxes below. 

Care/of

Care/of provides honest guidance and personalized vitamins that contain better ingredients, so you never have to step into the overwhelming vitamins aisle at the store again (or stock your cabinet with 10 different bottles). Take the quiz to find out what vitamins you need, or browse the selection of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and probiotics to build your own customized pack. Pricing per month depends on which products you choose in your pack. 

Learn more about how Care/of works here

Shop personalized vitamins at Care/of here

Curology

Acne continues to be a problem for many adults, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution to clearing it up. Curology works with licensed medical professionals to make customized acne treatments for you based on your skin history and photos. The $19.95/month subscription includes a bottle of the treatment and access to your medical provider whenever you have questions or concerns. 

Start your free trial of a custom acne treatment at Curology here

Ritual

The researchers at vitamin company Ritual found that most women lack nine nutrients from their diets: vitamin D3 , B12, folate, vitamin K2 MK7, omega-3s, vitamin E, magnesium, iron, and boron. Its transparently sourced "Essential for Women" capsules, available for $30 a month, contain these key nutrients, which contribute to marked improvements in mood, energy, and skin. 

Read our review of Ritual here and learn about its female-centric mission here

Get a Ritual subscription for $30/month here

Traveling to the Disney parks soon and not sure what to pack?

Have no fear.

Here are some fashionable Disney must-have items that will add some pixie dust to your wardrobe next time you hit up the parks — or even in your daily life!

Mickey or Minnie ears

As a wise person once said, you can never have too many pairs of Mickey ears. These little beauties have become a staple of everyone's vacation to the Disney parks.

Your ear collection can extend well beyond the classic black Mickey ears. If you are into the classic hat style of Mickey Ears, branch out and try showing off a new character like Baymax or Stitch.

Personally, I prefer the Mickey ear headbands. I love the variety in styles ranging from classic sequined Minnie Mouse ears (as featured above) to the Instagram-famous rose gold Minnie mouse ears to the brand new swap your bow Mickey ears collection.

Beyond the shops associated with Disney, there are plenty of independent store owners who create unique ears you can't find anywhere else. For example, Aloha Ears Design offers an eclectic variety of beautifully detailed ears with bows, flowers or even a tiara. Aloha Ears Design has plenty of different collections that show off attractions, movies, and even Disney park landmarks.

Quirky shirts

The Disney parks have their own line of adorable shirts for men, women, and children as you can see from the photo above. I am guilty of overindulging in quirky Disney shirts — they are the perfect way to show off your Disney style inside and outside of the parks.

Although the shirts created by Disney are delightful, there are many independent online boutiques and stores that I have fallen in love with.

Oh Yeah Apparel offers a variety of fun and creative shirts that are subtle yet incredibly Disney. I love this brand because all of their shirts are super comfortable, which makes them ideal for long days spent in the parks.

Another store that sells adorable Disney shirts is Happily Ever After. I am absolutely obsessed with their “Best Day Ever” tees that come in a plethora of different colors.

And if you're looking for witty Disney designs, look no further than 2319 Threads. 2319 Threads offers such a wide variety of quirky phrases, fonts, and graphics, that it is hard to choose a favorite.

Spirit jerseys

The latest trend taking off in the Disney parks are spirit jerseys.

Disney offers a variety of beautiful colors ranging from mint, lavender, and even the famous millennial pink which has been flying off the shelves since December. I had to actually run into the Magic Kingdom at park open to score myself a millennial pink spirit jersey.

Disney spirit jerseys are currently sold on the ShopDisney website as well as in Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and aboard the Disney Cruise Line. So you definitely have a choice of who to show your spirit for.

• These pop culture questions are a lot harder than you think.
• Walt Disney was not the sole creator of Mickey Mouse, but you might not know who the other person was.
• "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" has another name outside of the US.

Which Stars Wars movie does the line "Luke, I am your father" come from?

Who was the first Disney princess?

In what movie did Irving Berlin’s song “White Christmas” make its debut?

• Madame Tussaud has had some incidents of their figures looking nothing like the real celebrity, however, that is not the case with the royal family. 
• Since the early 2000s, Madame Tussaud has made a wax figure of Queen Elizabeth II, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Diana, Prince Phillip, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
• The wax figures look strikingly like the real royal family.

The famous Madame Tussauds wax museum recently revealed that Meghan Markle will soon join her husband-to-be Prince Harry as a wax figure in the London and New York locations. The royal family already has several tributes in Madame Tussauds locations around the world, and while wax replicas don't always look like the real thing, sometimes they can be shockingly realistic. Here are some of the most lifelike royal wax figures from Madame Tussauds locations around the world — and no, we won't judge you if you double-take.

Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton

Displayed at Madame Tussauds in Tokyo, Japan, on May 16, 2016. 

Queen Elizabeth II

Displayed at Madame Tussauds in London, UK, on September 7, 2015. The figure was restyled at this time with a recreation of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee dress. 

Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton

Displayed at Madame Tussauds in Washington DC on May 5, 2015. 

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.

Backcountry is a one-stop shop for all things related to the outdoors. The huge variety of top brands is reason enough to shop there year round, but the retailer is having a great sale that all adventurers are going to want to take advantage of today.

Right now, you can save 20% on one full-priced item at Backcountry by using the promo code "TAKEOFF20" at checkout.

While most outdoor sales going on this time of year include past-season winter items that you'll have to hold onto until next year, this is a great opportunity to get the latest and greatest gear for the spring and summer season now.

Whether you're looking for lightweight jacket for the spring, a new pair of hiking shoes, or a wetsuit to hit the water in, you'll find it here. 

Shop outdoor apparel and gear at Backcountry now.

Check out some of the best new arrivals to use the promo code on, below:

A backpack for hiking and camping

Patagonia Cragsmith 45L Backpack, $159.20 (Originally $199) [You save $39.80]

A lightweight hooded jacket

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Lite Stretch Hooded Jacket, $111.96 (Originally $139.95) [You save $27.99]

A four-person tent

Marmot Tungsten UL Tent: 4-Person 3-Season, $399.16 (Originally $498.95) [You save $99.79]

President Donald Trump announced he was replacing national security adviser H.R. McMaster with former US ambassador to the UN John Bolton on Thursday, adding to a series of high-profile exits from the White House in recent weeks.

Late Friday night, Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe, a day before he was set to retire. Last Tuesday, Trump replaced his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, with CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

The administration has been rocked by high-profile departures — including Sean Spicer as press secretary and James Comey as FBI director — since Trump took office in January 2017.

Here are the top-level people who've either been fired or resigned from the administration, and why they left:

SEE ALSO: Trump's staff turnover is higher than any administration in modern history

DON'T MISS: MEET THE CABINET: Here's who Trump has appointed to senior leadership positions

H.R. McMaster

John Bolton, a former US ambassador to the United Nations, is replacing Army Gen. H.R. McMaster as national security adviser.

"I am thankful to President Donald J. Trump for the opportunity to serve him and our nation as national security advisor," McMaster said in a statement.

"I am grateful for the friendship and support of the members of the National Security Council who worked together to provide the President with the best options to protect and advance our national interests," he continued.

McMaster's tenure was rocky and marked by disputes with his boss as well as other senior administration officials. Rumors bubbled up periodically about McMaster's impending firing, but he remained with the administration until now.

Trump tweeted: "I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend."

Andrew McCabe

Andrew McCabe, the FBI's deputy director, was fired by Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Friday — just a day before he would have reached pension eligibility.

McCabe, a 21-year veteran of the bureau, was planning to retire on Saturday. He was forced out of the FBI earlier this year amid an internal investigation by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) into his approval of unauthorized disclosures to the media in October 2016 related to the bureau's Hillary Clinton email probe.

Sessions said in a statement Friday that a "both the OIG and FBI OPR reports concluded that Mr. McCabe had made an unauthorized disclosure to the news med and lacked candor — including under oath — on multiple occasions."

But McCabe said in a Friday night statement that he believed he was "singled out" over the events he witnessed and actions he took after the firing of former FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump fired in May.

"The OIG's focus on me and this report became a part of an unprecedented effort by the Administration, driven by the President himself, to remove me from my position, destroy my reputation, and possibly strip me of a pension that I worked 21 years to earn," McCabe said.

Rex Tillerson

President Donald Trump has asked Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to leave his post, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo will replace him. The CIA's deputy director, Gina Haspel, will succeed Pompeo, becoming the first woman to lead the agency.

Trump reportedly asked Tillerson to step down on Friday.

• The Trump administration is often criticized for being hesitant to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• The White House has frequently pushed back on that notion.
• Here's what the Trump administration has actually done to confront Russian aggression.

Despite President Donald Trump's national-security advisers' note reminding him "DO NOT CONGRATULATE" Russian President Vladimir Putin on his election victory during their call on Tuesday, Trump did anyway.

When asked whether Trump thought Putin's election victory was free and fair during a press briefing that day, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders demurred.

"We're focused on our elections," she said. "We don't get to dictate how other countries operate."

During another press briefing last month, Sanders argued Trump had been "tougher on Russia in the first year than [former President Barack] Obama was in eight years combined."

This argument has become a frequent line of defense Trump officials have used when pressed about the administration's complicated relationship with Russia.

Trump, whose response to the US intelligence community's assessment that Russia meddled in the 2016 US election has been lukewarm at best, is often perceived as being hesitant to confront the Kremlin's aggression.

But the Trump administration has actually taken some concrete actions against Russia. Here are five examples:

SEE ALSO: John McCain blasts Trump for congratulating Putin on winning 'sham election'

DON'T MISS: Trump is furious and the White House is stunned over a damaging leak about his call with Putin

Sanctions

On March 15, the Trump administration announced new sanctions on Russia for its attempts to interfere in the 2016 US election.

The sanctions were scheduled to be implemented earlier this year, but Trump backed down, arguing that the sanctions bill he signed last August was already working as a deterrent against Russia.

Trump originally signed the sanctions bill — officially called the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act — last August, albeit begrudgingly.

The sanctions bill also imposes a wide range of sanctions on North Korea and Iran.

Closing of diplomatic facilities

After Congress approved Russia-related sanctions last summer, Russia expelled 755 American diplomats from the country.

In response, the Trump administration ordered Russia to close three of its diplomatic facilities in the US, including its consulate in San Francisco, and two annexes in Washington, DC, and New York City.

Arms sale to Ukraine

In December, Trump announced his support for the sale of lethal munitions to the Ukrainian government in its fight against Russian-backed separatists in the country's Donbas region, a move that angered Russia, which has been engaged in a hybrid war in the region for the past four years.

The State Department officially approved $47 million weapons sale in early March. It included Javelin launchers and anti-tank missiles.

Many of the most powerful countries in the world are owned by Asian businessmen and women — and many of them live in the UK. 

The Asian Rich List 2018, which will be presented on Friday night at the 21st annual Asian Business Awards (ABA) in London, recognises the 101 wealthiest Asians in the UK.

The list, compiled by Asian Media Group (AMG) in association with UBS, has become the definitive guide to ultra-high net worth individuals and Asian business success in the UK.

Scroll down to see the 21 most powerful and successful people from the Asian Rich List.

Note: Some calculations were based on the value of the entire family, which is indicated below.

SEE ALSO: The 5 youngest billionaires in the world in 2018

21. Naresh Goyal — £540 million.

69-year-old Goyal is the founder and chairman of Indian international airline Jet Airways.

His valuation rose from £220 million in 2017 to £540 million this year.

=19. Bhupendra and Ramesh Kansagra — £600 million.

Newcomers to Rich List in 2017, brothers Bhupendra and Ramesh Kansagra are tied for 19th place.

The duo are directors of Solai Holdings Limited, an investment services company. Their valuation increased by £100 million over the past year.

=19. Mayurbhai Madhvani (and family) — £600 million.

73-year-old Mayurbhai Madhvani is a Ugandan businessman and entrepreneur, and the managing director of the Madhvani Group of Companies, one of the largest conglomerates in the African country.

His family have their roots in India, but were expelled from Uganda in the 1970s by the dictator Idi Amin as part of an ethnic cleansing campaign.

They moved to Britain, but kept their business links to Uganda. The Madhvani Group owns countless companies, in fields from running airports to hotels to steel.

His father was patriarch and Madhavani Group founder Muljibhai Madhvani.

Madhvani's valuation grew by £100 million in the past year.

• Skytrax released its annual list of the best airports in the world at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Stockholm, Sweden.
• Singapore's Changi International Airport took the top spot for the sixth year in a row.
• Airports from Asia swept the top five spots.
• No US airport placed in the top 25.

The consumer-aviation website Skytrax held its annual World Airport Awards ceremony on Wednesday at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Stockholm, Sweden.

For the sixth consecutive year, Singapore Changi International Airport took home the crown as the world's best airport. The facility is one of Southeast Asia's largest transit hubs and is a major cog in the city-state's bustling economy.

Airports from Asia dominated the top of the Skytrax rankings, sweeping the first five spots. European airports also performed well, with four in the top 10. Only one North American airport made it into the top 15. No US Airports made it into the top 25 with Denver International being the highest-ranked at 29. 

The Skytrax annual rankings are based on the impressions of nearly 14 million flyers from over 100 countries. More than 550 airports were included in the survey, which covers 39 service and performance parameters, including facility comfort, the location of bathrooms, and the language skills of the airport staff.

Here's a closer look at the other airports that made it to the top of the prestigious Skytrax list:

SEE ALSO: The 11 best and worst airlines in America

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15. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

Yearly passengers: 34 million

Previous rank: 21

Why it's awesome: Located just outside of the Taiwanese capital of Taipei, Taoyuan International is the largest airport in Taiwan. The airport is the home base for both China Airlines and EVA Air.

Skytrax reviewers praised the airport for its polite service, clean environment, and speedy immigration lines. Taoyuan was also once home to Taiwan's aviation museum, but the museum was shut down earlier this year to make way for further airport expansion.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2014, provided by Taoyuan International Airport.

14. Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Yearly passengers: 24.2 million

Previous rank: 13

Why it's great: Vancouver takes home the prize as the top-ranked airport in North America for the eighth year in a row, and for good reason. Customer reviewers on Skytrax cited YVR's friendly staff, high level of organization, and easy access to downtown Vancouver as some of the best things about the airport.

Vancouver International also boasts a floatplane terminal, as well as a sizable collection of art from the Pacific Northwest.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2017, provided by Vancouver International Airport.

13. Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Yearly passengers: 25.2 million

Previous rank: 12

Why it's awesome: Located on an artificial island in the Osaka Bay, Kansai International is a major hub for ANA and Japan Airlines.

Reviewers on Skytrax praised Kansai for its modern architecture, clean facilities, and helpful staff. The airport also boasts a Sky View observation deck that affords passengers spectacular views of incoming and outgoing flights.

Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards. Yearly passenger figure is for 2016, provided by Kansai International Airport.

• I regularly spend $800 per week on food and drink, about half my income.
• Living in Seattle gives me access to great markets and restaurants; food is my greatest passion.
• I'm remaining anonymous for privacy reasons.

I know, I know. I spend way too much on food and going out. The thing is, I love food, live alone, and work from home, so I need few excuses to entertain or go out. This social being needs human interaction — preferably over food and drink.

I live in Seattle and make $1,640 weekly, pretax. I freelance on the side, but that income varies greatly. The rent for my one-bedroom apartment is $1,425 a month, plus utilities. Other monthly expenses include my dog ($100), Pilates ($160), cellphone ($80), internet ($80), and occasional travel.

I steer clear of caffeine, so I don’t have a daily Starbucks fix. Water is my beverage of choice, sometimes carbonated courtesy of my SodaStream. Booze is my runner-up, and I admittedly spend big money to drink well.

I got rid of my wheels several years ago, and my company provides a transit pass, so I don’t have to worry about that expense. Also, I’m not a big shopper, nor into acquiring “stuff,” so my retail expenses are minimal.

A big chunk of my income goes to shared experiences, so what my savings lacks in zeros my quality of life makes up for in spades. Here’s what I spend on food, drinks, groceries, and dining out in a typical week. Totals include 9.6% sales tax where applicable.

Friday

Breakfast

I have a work hard/play hard attitude toward life. I don’t diet, but try to squeeze in healthy meals where I can. The Green Dream smoothie atPCC Natural Markets ($5.99), the community co-op that’s one block from my apartment, gives me the energy boost I need to start the day.

(Total: $6.57)

Lunch

I don’t work until 1 p.m. on Fridays, so I’ll frequently take myself out for lunch before starting my shift. One of my favorite go-tos is the Columbia City Ale House. Their Reuben ($14.95) is to die for, especially when paired with one of the brew pub’s many selections. I’m partial to the Hales Kolsch ($6.75).

Total (with $5.00 tip): = $28.89

Groceries

I made a post-work repeat appearance at PCC to pick up beer and fruit garnishes for cocktails for the weekend. Think: Negronis, my cocktail of choice.

12-pack of Aslan Light Lager ($19.50), organic Meyer lemon ($1.30), organic heirloom orange ($1.17), organic Anjou pear ($1.91)

Total: $23.88

Dinner

My boyfriend came over and we decided to check out the neighborhood newcomer, Bua 9 Thai. We ordered take-out gyoza, Pad Thai, and a luscious green curry with chicken that didn’t disappoint.

Total (with $5.00 tip): $37.50

Saturday

Brunch

I had a bunch of freelance work on my plate for the day, but a dear friend had just returned from a work trip to Thailand and had eschewed yoga in lieu of day drinking. We met at Super Six for brunch, where I indulged in the “Big Blue” Benny ($14) and a Super Michelada ($6).

Total (with $5.00 tip): $26.92

Dinner

Still full from brunch, I decided to go light for dinner and hit the salad bar, at yep, you guessed it, PCC. (I jokingly refer to it as my pantry, since it’s commonly a three times a day habit.)

Total: $8.99

Sunday

Brunch

It’s a known fact that I make the best breakfast sandwich on the planet. It costs waaay more than an Egg McMuffin, but is seriously so darn delicious. My boyfriend regularly comes over to indulge in breakfast sandwich brunch, complete with mimosas.

English muffins ($3.19), eggs ($3.89), Tillamook cheddar cheese ($5.99), arugula ($3.99), Mama Lil’s peppers ($7.99), Karam’s Original garlic sauce ($12.99), pound of black forest bacon ($7.99), two bottles of Prosecco (2 at $10 = $20), organic grapefruit juice ($7.99)

Total: $82.19

Lunch

I unapologetically love cheese. And although I love the Pacific Northwest, not a day goes by when I don’t long for the heirloom tomatoes I had living on the Central Coast of California. Whenever I can get my hands on a good-enough tomato, I turn into a caprese salad. So simple, so good.

Heirloom tomatoes ($6.82), whole milk mozzarella ($5.99) and basil ($4.99)

(I had olive oil and balsamic vinegar on hand)

Total: $19.51

Dinner

Chef Joel DeBilzan puts together themed Sunday feasts at Seafood Feast at Tavolàta. The Seafood Feast was off-the-hook featuring all of the Pacific Northwest’s finest from spot prawns to King salmon, Total knockout of an 11-course tasting menu!

$120.00 + Manhattan ($11), glass of La Spinetta Vermentino ($15) + 20% service charge

Total: $160.80