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33 photos that show why everyone misses Obama

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Former President Barack Obama has been living the dream ever since he left office more than a year ago.

From vacationing in exotic locations, to sitting for his official portrait, to negotiating a Netflix deal, Obama has been making the most of his post-presidency — and it's hard not to feel a little nostalgic for the eight years he was in office.

Here's a glimpse at the moments that made people love Obama, and show why many miss him now.

SEE ALSO: The White House photographer has taken more than 2 million photos during Obama's presidency — here are the best

DON'T MISS: 39 photos that show why everyone misses George W. Bush

He was just the best with kids.



From the littlest toddlers ...



... to the tallest teenagers.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

45 terrible movies that today's greatest actors starred in

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The Snowman

Some of the best actors alive have been in some of the worst movies of all time.

Sometimes a movie can have a good script, but everything goes wrong in production. But many times when a movie fails, everything was bad — from concept to screenplay to performance.

Even some of the best people in the business, including the likes of Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Denzel Washington, Julianne Moore, and Ryan Gosling have appeared in movies critics hated.

We collected a list of some of our favorite actors working today, and decided what their worst movie was. Rotten Tomatoes scores helped us make our decisions, but the lowest critic score didn't dictate the worst movie. We decided how prominent the roles were, which means we eliminated a lot of terrible movies from the start of everyone's acting career. We also considered how big the movie was, how hated it was when it came out, and how hated it is now.

Here are the worst movies the best living actors have starred in, ordered from (relatively) best movie to worst:

SEE ALSO: New MoviePass data reveals the 27 movies that sold the most tickets to its subscribers since August

Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"

Critic Score: 67%

What the critics said: "Quite how Sandra Bullock deserved an Oscar for her one-note turn as bleached supermum Leigh-Anne is a mystery, since it transforms a potentially worthwhile character study into a grandstanding star vehicle." -Time Out



Lupita Nyong'o, "Non-Stop" (2014)

Critic Score: 59%

What the critics said: "The problem is that Non-Stop tries to be something it's not. It has one too many scenes that border on ludicrous, and the big reveal barely makes sense." -Globe and Mail



Tom Hanks, "The Ladykillers" (2004)

Critic Score: 55%

What the critics said: "There's the mind-numbing oompah rhythm of every gag telegraphed and every joke pounded into the ground." -Village Voice



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 10 hottest electric SUVs you'll see on the road in the next few years

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  • Smaller vehicles have dominated the first generation of electrified cars.
  • But a wave of upcoming electric SUVs could help bring battery-powered cars further into the mainstream.
  • In the coming years, both established auto companies and startups plan to release a range of electric SUVs to compete with Tesla's Model X.


If electric cars are the auto industry's future, SUVs represent its present. SUVs continue to take an increasingly large share of the global auto market, worrying those who support a movement toward higher fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

But the popularity of SUVs has presented an opportunity to ease the transition from gas-powered to electric vehicles. While smaller vehicles have dominated the first generation of electrified cars, an upcoming wave of electric SUVs could help bring battery-powered cars further into the mainstream.

In the coming years, both established auto companies and startups plan to release a range of electric SUVs to compete with Tesla's Model X.

Here's what they have planned:

SEE ALSO: These 6 electric cars will pose the biggest threat to Tesla's Model 3

The Jaguar I-Pace will be released in the second half of this year.



Designed as a competitor to Tesla's Model X, the I-Pace will feature 400 horsepower, 516 pound-feet of torque, and the ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in about four seconds.



We haven't heard much about Tesla's planned Model Y recently, but there are rumors that Elon Musk will release more details this year.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best books about science from the last 15 years that everyone should read

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From discussions of human-machine hybrids to lost civilizations in the Amazon and octopus brains, scientists and writers have produced some amazing works of nonfiction in the past 15 years.

If you're in the mood to learn something new, as well as be entertained by riveting storylines, look no further than our (non-exhaustive) list of the top science books published in the last 15 years.

Your brain will thank you.

SEE ALSO: Bill Gates reads 50 books a year and says this is his all-time favorite — here are his top highlights

"The Singularity is Near" by Ray Kurzweil

Futurist Ray Kurzweil has thought deeply about the role computational power and artificial intelligence will play in our future.

In "The Singularity is Near," Kurzweil discusses what he sees as the next step in the evolutionary process: When our biology becomes so intertwined with machines that we improve our physical and mental capabilities to well beyond what normal homo sapiens are capable of.

Buy it here. 



"The Sixth Extinction" by Elizabeth Kolbert

Over the last 500 million years or so, the world has been faced with five distinct mass extinction events, usually in response to some sort of global cataclysm, like an asteroid strike or intense volcanic activity.

In her latest work, Elizabeth Kolbert takes a look into the science behind what she deems the "Sixth Extinction"— and it's primarily caused by us. While accompanying geologists, marine biologists, and botanists on their fieldwork, Kolbert introduces readers to species that are being wiped out existence because of our impact on the planet.

Buy it here. 

 



"Collapse" by Jared Diamond

Jared Diamond's look into the causes of social and environmental collapse is a worthy read as we grapple with similar issues on a global scale.

Diamond uses Easter Island, the Maya, early Viking settlements on Greenland and Iceland, and other prominent civilizations as case studies in how misguided political decisions, rapid population growth, and unsustainable agricultural practices lead to calamity.

Since the US has a president who refuses to acknowledge climate change, Diamond's book can provide a worthwhile lesson and serve as a roadmap for future generations. 

Buy it here. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Dogs see the world very differently from human beings — here's how it works

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As humans, how we perceive the world is how we define our own reality. And for the vast majority of humans, perception is handled through sight. 

Sight (Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru)

Your hearing, and your senses of smell, taste, and touch also play roles — no doubt — but sight is the most immediate way we experience the world around us. 

This isn't the case for dogs.

Dog

The adorable snout on your pup isn't just for petting — dogs "see" the world with their nose first. "We assume that non-human animals' perception would be kind of like ours, but simpler," dog cognition researcher Dr. Alexandra Horowitz told me in an interview last year.

But that isn't the case. Instead, dogs "see" the world through smells. Here's how it works.

SEE ALSO: You probably shouldn't hug your dogs, regardless of how adorable they are

"It's really hard to get outside our perspective."

Because our perception of the world colors our perception of how others see the world, we assume that dogs primarily perceive the world through sight. But it's not so hard to understand — and even experience— the concept of smell as a primary input.

"You could think of it as just another perceptual modality," Horowitz told me. "You can close your eyes. You're still having an experience as a human, and it's transformed in some ways. But there's still a room. There's still a reality — a room that you can hear, you can smell, you can touch. And even though it's not one that we're that familiar with, we're still co-existing."

That's the first way to understand how dogs see the world — close your eyes, maybe cover your ears with sound-canceling headphones. Now take a sniff! As humans, our sense of smell is nowhere near as adept as that of dogs — but you can begin to understand how a dog perceives the world. Maybe you smell something delicious, or something rotting, or the sterile blow of an office air conditioner.

"We basically have a cloud of smell around us. That's interesting, because it means a dog can smell you before you're really there," Horowitz said. "If you're around the corner, your cloud of smell is coming around ahead of you."



"Ultimately, their bigger interest is smell than vision."

Which isn't to say that dogs don't literally see you — their eyes are another form of input, just not the primary one. "They might look at someone with their eyes; as you approach, they look at you," Horowitz said. "But then once they've noticed that there's something with their eyes, they use smell to tell that it's you. So they sort of reverse that very familiar use of ours."

And that's crucial to understanding how dogs see the world.

You, as a human, might smell something delicious and then use your eyes to look around to locate the source of that delicious smell. "Ah, it's pasta sauce slowly coming together on a stove!" 

For dogs, the opposite is true. Or, as Horowitz put it:

"We smell something and then when we see it we're like, 'Oh yeah, that's it. That's what it was. It was cinnamon buns.' And dogs when they see you, they're like, 'Okay, that's something to explore, I'm gonna smell it. Oh yeah that's Ben.'"



"Instead of all the things that are bouncing into my eyes when I sit in a room, I'm just perceiving that room through things— molecules of smell. That's really the transformation you have to make."

We perceive depth, as humans, through stereo vision — our two eyes triangulate on the world around us, and our brain converts that video feed into three dimensions. That same concept applies to dogs, except — once again — it's through scent rather than sight.

"Where something is in a room, or what something even is, kind of changes a bit if you imagine it as an olfactory precept instead of as only a visual precept," Horowitz said. To translate that a bit, your perception of the world fundamentally changes if it's viewed through the lens of scent.

It means not only do you perceive what's immediately around you, but also what was once around you and what's coming up. In this way, how dogs perceive the world is actually more developed than humans — their sense of smell doesn't just alert them to the present, but it also travels through time.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Flight attendants share 15 of their favorite travel hacks

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  • Want the best travel tips and packing hacks? There's no one better to ask than flight attendants.
  • Flight attendants often spend more than 80 hours a month travelling and have a great deal of experience making the process more efficient and enjoyable.
  • From securing upgrades and free goodies to packing lighter, flight attendants shared their best travel tips and packing hacks.

 

For flight attendants, who often spend more than 80 hours in the air a month, traveling can become almost second nature.

So who better to turn to for travel tips and tricks than the people with extensive knowledge on the matter?

We asked flight attendants to share their best travel hacks and packing tips with us and scoured the internet for more.

Here are 15 things that could help make your travel experiences easier and more enjoyable:

SEE ALSO: A day in the life of a United Airlines flight attendant, who woke up before 3 a.m. and ran circles around me for 9 hours

DON'T MISS: 11 truths about flying only flight attendants know

Get more attentive service from your flight attendants

"While most passengers tend to choose seats that are at the front of the aircraft so that they can disembark first and have a better chance of securing their preferred meal option, flight attendants know that if you're sitting towards the back, you'll receive the most attentive service," a flight attendant with 2.5 years' experience wrote for Oyster.

"The reason is simple: We like to avoid responding to call bells from the front of the plane because answering one means potentially flaunting whatever item the passenger has requested to everyone else along the way," she wrote. "This can cause a problem since planes often don't have enough extra vodka, pillows, earplugs, and toothbrushes, or the time on shorter flights to deviate from the service schedule.

"For passengers sitting near the back of the plane, however, it's much easier to slip in that second mini bottle of wine," she wrote.



Iron your clothes faster

"Use your flat iron to touch up your clothes when you're in a rush and there's no time for the ironing board," a flight attendant with 30 years' experience told Business Insider.



Always sleep in clean sheets

"Don't sleep on hotel sheets that don't have creases from being folded; someone slept on them already," a flight attendant with 19 years' experience told Business Insider.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 times you should always say no to your kid if you want them to be happy and successful adults

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  • Saying "no" to kids can be a reflex for many parents.
  • But saying it too often can have lasting damage.
  • However, there are some scenarios where you should never be afraid to tell a kid no.
  • Parenting expert Laura Markham shares nine times parents should say "no" to their kids.

 

Parents say no a lot. It's a reflex response, and often instinctual. For a child, hearing the word no too often does have a lasting effect on them.

According to child psychologist Laura Markham, Ph.D., author of "Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids" and founder of the lifesaving website Aha! Parenting, saying no to kids makes them think inside the box. "The child shuts down," she says, "They feel their initiatives are shut down."

As a parent, I want to say yes to my son all the time. Even when I need to say no, I try my damndest to give him some kind of affirmation. But hearing the word no is important, too. According to Dr. Markham, saying no to your child helps with setting boundaries and limits, which aid in their development — emotionally, physically and mentally. Never saying it, Markham says, can leave children ill-equipped to deal with the real world.

Below, Markham shared nine times you should always say no to your kid.

SEE ALSO: A Chinese mother raising her son in the US reveals the biggest differences between American and Chinese parenting

1. In a parking lot

Kids are too short to be seen by the cars driving around parking lots. "They can be killed," says Markham. "That's not something you mess with."

You must tell children to hold your hand in the parking lot "no matter what," or if you trust that your child will hold on to your stroller or bag or belt loop that's fine, too. Be transparent, yet empathic, Markham says: "You don't run in the parking lot away from me, you stay next to me. You can die."



2. If your kid is hurting others

Toddlers don't understand if they're hurting the dog or cat, but if they are, it's a situation worthy of a definite no. Markham suggests to show compassion. "Say, 'Poor kitty, poor doggy. Be nice to the kitty,'" she recommends.



3. If they're witnessing or taking part in bullying

This one tests a child's inner radar. "If someone is being mean to another kid — even if the person who's being mean is a good friend of yours and the other kid is someone you don't really know or even like — you do not join in making someone feel bad," Markham instructs parents to tell their kids.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We visited Victoria's Secret and saw why analysts say its most popular brand could be on 'the precipice of collapse' (LB)

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PINK

  • PINK has become one of Victoria's Secret's only areas of growth. 
  • But in its parent company's most recent quarterly results, the brand showed signs of slowing and has ramped up its promotions. 
  • Jefferies analyst Randal Konik wrote in a note to investors on Monday that PINK is on "the precipice of collapse."

PINK was once Victoria's Secret's saving grace, but now analysts say the brand is showing signs of struggle. 

In recent years, PINK has become one of the most successful parts of the company, reporting stronger sales than other parts of the store.

In parent company L Brands' most recent quarterly results, PINK CEO Denise Landman hinted that the brand might be headed towards stormier waters, describing its performance as "mixed" during the quarter. This was due to "disappointing" sales in parts of its apparel collection, she said.

Over the weekend, Victoria's Secret released promotions offering discounts on PINK products, suggesting that its business could be under pressure. 

"We believe PINK is on the precipice of collapse," Jefferies analyst Randal Konik wrote in a note to investors on Sunday.

The level of promotions is especially concerning as the PINK label now accounts for nearly 40% of total sales at Victoria's Secret, Konik added. 

We visited one of its stores to see what was happening: 

SEE ALSO: These risqué images in Victoria's Secret stores are infuriating moms of teenagers — and it's threatening the best part of the business

We visited a Victoria's Secret store in Downtown Manhattan, which has a separate PINK section.

As we approached the PINK section, we instantly spotted its loud, 40%-off sale signs, which were tactically positioned to lure customers in to the store.

These promotions are an indicator that the brand is looking to drive traffic to stores.



The promotions were mostly on core products, such as underwear. This was confusing given that in the company's fourth-quarter earnings results, Landman said that intimates, specifically bras and panties, drove the strongest growth for the brand.



Landman said the "Wear Everywhere" collection and sports bras were key sellers during the quarter. Despite this, these bras were all on sale for $20.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 of the best places to visit if you're planning a vacation in April

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  • Savvy travelers are gearing up for vacations in April.
  • Business Insider looked at airfare trends, climate data, and peak travel times to find the best places to visit in April 2018.
  • The destinations include natural wonders, food meccas, and cities that make a spectacle of flower-blooming season.


April is one of the best months for traveling — the ice is finally thawing, the flowers start to bloom, and in many places, you are a couple months removed from the heavy crowds that descend in the summertime.

The first full month of spring offers many unique travel experiences, from the serene blooming of cherry blossoms in Tokyo and Washington, DC, to the majestic Victoria Falls and the spicy culinary delights of Penang, Malaysia.

Business Insider looked at airfare trends, climate data, and peak travel times to figure out which vacation spots should be on your radar.

Read on to find 13 destinations you won't want to miss in April:

SEE ALSO: The 13 best places to visit in March for every type of traveler

DON'T MISS: 13 of the best places to visit if you're planning a vacation in February

Washington, DC

Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to America's capital in April for the world-famous National Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates the blooming of the Japanese cherry trees the city received as a gift from Tokyo in 1912.

Attendance at the festival, which lasts three weeks and features events like a kite-flying display, an all-day concert, and a parade, has topped 1.5 million in recent years.

Apart from the festival, April is when Washington weather heats up to the low 70s Fahrenheit, making it perfect for an outdoor stroll around the National Mall or a free trip to a national park on April 21, the first day of National Parks Week.



Charleston, South Carolina

April is the perfect month for a trip to the Deep South, which gets uncomfortably hot deeper into the spring and summer.

In Charleston, it will be warm enough for trips to the beach and leisurely strolls through the city's charming, historic, and — according to some — haunted streets. If you visit before April 21, you can tour some of the most stunning private houses and gardens in the city at the annual Festival of Houses and Gardens.



Kansas City, Missouri

April means the weather's warm and the flowers are in bloom in the Midwestern hub of Kansas City.

The Heart of America is a great destination for family-friendly excursions to museums, parks, and the Kansas City Zoo, and is home to an underrated jazz scene and some of the best barbecue in the country.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Long-distance relationships are tough but possible — here are 5 expert tips for making it work

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  • Long-distance relationships can be a challenge for any couple, despite technology that has made communication easier than ever.
  • Instead of texting, arrange regular phone calls — by hearing their voice, you are more likely to maintain a level of closeness.
  • Make the most of the time apart by focusing on your career, expanding your support system and  and practicing self-care.

Gone are the days where hearing from your long-distance lover took months and necessitated a town crier or perhaps a horse or two just to say "hi" back. Long-distance relationships today — with Skype, email, texting, and Twitter — should be easy, right?

Distance may no longer be an obstacle to staying in touch in the modern world, but actually connecting with someone living a few hundred — or thousand — miles away is still no easy feat. Add that to the normal ups and downs of being in a relationship and it's no wonder that long distance relationships (LDRs, for short) don't work for everyone. However LDRs can and do work — it just takes some creativity, communication, and planning.  

Below, find five tips to improve your current or future LDR, with help from Shannon Smith, a relationship expert with the online dating service Plenty of Fish and Celeste Headlee, conversation expert at Plenty of Fish and author of the recent book "We Need to Talk."

SEE ALSO: 17 little things successful people do every day, no matter what

1. Don't panic if it's not perfect

Like all relationships, Smith advised that it's OK if you struggle at first: "Expect some initial growing pains — that's normal!" she wrote via email.



2. Talk (on the phone) about it

You need to give your partner (and self) feedback about what's working and what isn't, Smith said. And importantly, you should pick up the phone to have these conversations — texting is not the same as a conversation, Headlee advised. (Plus, what does the heart emoji have on saying, 'I love you?')

"The key to making a LDR work is good communication, and that means phone calls," she continued. "Emails are not a replacement for the human voice (extensive research shows that it's the voice that humanizes us, and makes us feel empathy for another). So, call."



3. Pay attention

When you're only communicating via phone, as Headlee would have it, you've got to work harder to ensure your partner knows you're listening. Headlee suggests sending small, inexpensive gifts to make that clear: "If your partner mentions needing a good book to read, choose one on Amazon and ship it to her. If he's had a rough day, call and have dinner delivered to him," she wrote.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I tried the science-backed 7-minute fitness routine and was blown away by how well it works

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When I first heard about an app that promises the benefits of a sweaty bike ride or trip to the gym in seven minutes, I assumed it was all hype.

It isn't.

Designed by exercise physiologist Chris Jordan, the Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout gets your heart pumping and helps build muscle.

The app is a great introduction to a trendy type of fitness routine called interval training, and it's ideal for weekends or days when I can't make it to my regular yoga class.

Since it first debuted five years ago, the app has soared in popularity, something Jordan told Business Insider he didn't see coming.

"To be honest I don’t think we realized the popularity that this app would have," he said. "We've been incredibly pleasantly surprised that this has worked for so many."

Here's what the latest version of the app is like.

SEE ALSO: The best ways to lose weight and keep it off, according to science

DON'T MISS: 14 ways one type of exercise is the closest thing to a miracle drug we have

The entire workout really takes just seven minutes. I was initially skeptical about whether I could accomplish this much in such a narrow time frame.



The program consists of 72 exercises like jumping jacks, sit-ups, and push-ups. Ten require nothing but your body, and for others, you just need a chair that can support your weight. The latest version of the app lets you do each exercise along with Jordan.



To do my workout, I set up a yoga mat on the hardwood floor of my office and used a stool.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I've broken up with people and been dumped — this is the right way to end a relationship

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  • Breaking up with someone can be painful, but there are certain ways to make the situation more bearable. 
  • Be honest and clear about why you are breaking up — however, it is important to avoid impersonal clichés. 
  • After the break-up it is wise to unfollow your ex on social media and avoid contact, as it will only make the process of moving-on more difficult. 

 

Like the song says, breaking up is hard to do … at least for the person who is getting dumped.

I would know. I have initiated breakups, and I've also been broken up with a few times. If my experience on both sides of heartbreak has taught me anything, it's that you can make a painful situation a little more bearable — both on the other personand on yourself — simply by going about it the right way.

You likely still care for or even love this person, despite the fact that you don't see a romantic future for the two of you. Spare your future ex a whole lot of hurt by taking these tips to heart.

SEE ALSO: 5 tips for making a long-distance relationship work, according to relationship experts

Don't put it off

The first time I broke up with someone was in college. I was so anxious about doing it that I procrastinated for days. That was probably the only occasion when I actually did my homework ahead of time, if only as an excuse to avoid facing my then-boyfriend.

Take it from me: The longer you wait, the worse you will feel. As soon as you're sure you want to end it with someone, you should do so. It's not helping anyone to waste time pretending everything is fine.



Do it in a neutral spot

When I finally summoned the courage to talk to him, I was so nervous that I didn't think about the time or place. I started the conversation in his dorm room, and as soon as he realized what was happening, he asked if we could go somewhere more private, away from his suitemates. The choice to move to the floor's common room turned out to be a good one. Once the deed was done, it felt weird to stick around. We literally went our separate ways, and that was that.

Picking somewhere neutral to meet ensures that leaving is less awkward. Avoid having to kick them out or make an uncomfortable exit yourself by choosing an impartial spot, like a cafe or a secluded park bench.



Say the words

When you're doing the actual dumping, what you say is just as important as when and where you say it. There's an episode of "Grey's Anatomy" that comes to mind, where the attending physicians coach the interns on how to tell a family their loved one has died. They stress the importance of actually saying the words. The same goes for breakups. No one is dying, but you want to make it unequivocally clear what is happening.

If you don't at some point state, "I'm breaking up with you," the other person may hold onto that last shred of hope. I would know — believing there could still be a chance is kind of my specialty. It can feel harsh, but eliminating any ambiguity will ultimately help them to heal and move on.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 10 most high-tech sedans you can buy

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Tesla Model S

  • We're nearing a tech revolution in the auto industry, as car companies make significant investments in electric and autonomous vehicles.
  • While self-driving technology is a work in progress, car companies are including impressive tech features in their latest sedans.
  • These features include advanced autopilot modes, massage chairs, and apps that can start the car remotely.


As we move closer to a world of electric and autonomous vehicles, car companies are racing to introduce the most compelling tech features in their cars. 

While self-driving technology is still a work in progress, automakers are improving the level of technology available to drivers today. Some of our favorite sedans have features that make the driving experience easier than ever, like autopilot modes that can control the car on the highway, massage chairs, and apps that can start the car remotely.

These are the most high-tech sedans on the market:

SEE ALSO: These were the most talked about cars brands in 2017

1. Inside the BMW 7 Series' powerful exterior, its interior provides a killer combination of comfort and high-tech features that can make long road trips pass by in an instant.



One of the sedan's most interesting features is subtle—a pair of roof windows that offer LED ambiance lighting to make driving less stressful.



Passengers might have the best deal, as they can use the standard, in-car Wi-Fi that allows you to stream Netflix or other video content on 10'' screens perched on the back of the front seats.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Inside the $350 million Emirates complex designed to fix the Airbus A380 superjumbo

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Emirates Engineering Airbus A380

  • Emirates has the largest fleet of Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s in the world.
  • Emirates Engineering is tasked with keeping the fleet operating safely and effectively.
  • Here's a look inside its facilities at Dubai International Airport.


Over the past three decades, Emirates has become a global aviation powerhouse. The airline, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, now operates the world's largest fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.

The tally includes 102 Airbus A380s, five times as many as the next largest operator of the superjumbo. And Emirates has committed to as many as 77 more of the planes.

It also operates more than 160 Boeing 777 airliners, meaning roughly 12% of all Boeing 777s produced over the past 25 years currently fly wearing Emirates livery.

The people tasked with keeping these planes operating safely and effectively are Emirates Engineering, the airline's maintenance arm.

Emirates Engineering handles things like routine line or engine maintenance, comprehensive checks that require the disassembly of the airplane, cabin modifications, and aircraft-upgrade projects. Emirates even has a paint shop where it can do custom liveries and decals.

The successful organization is built on a team-focused culture of "when in doubt, ask for help," and an understanding of the importance of preventative maintenance.

Emirates Engineering is in a complex of hangars, engineering shops, and an office building at the northern edge of Dubai's airport. The $350 million facility opened for business in 2006.

Business Insider recently took a tour of the Emirates Engineering facility:

SEE ALSO: Airline CEO explains why Airbus lost a major order to Boeing

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

Emirates Engineering is based in a 136-acre complex of administrative buildings and hangars on the northern edge of Dubai International Airport.



The facility's eight hangars help make up one of the largest freestanding structures in the world.



Our first stop: the Aircraft Appearance Center. This is more than a paint shop — here, workers assess the condition of the aircraft's exterior, clean it, paint it, and apply any additional decals.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 theories about the mysterious helicopter that keeps popping up on 'The Walking Dead'

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Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Sunday's "The Walking Dead."

Sunday's "The Walking Dead" brought back the mysterious helicopter Rick spotted earlier in the season. 

While we're definitely sure Rick wasn't hallucinating, we're no closer to knowing where the chopper came from or why it continues flying above air in Virginia. 

Is the military around searching for survivors after so long? Whatever it's business is in the area, Jadis seems to know something about the aircraft. We've rounded up what may be going on with the helicopter in Sunday's episode.  

This is an updated version of a previous story we first ran in November.

1. Jadis knows more about the helicopter than she's letting on.

Jadis seems to know more about the helicopter than she's letting on. A few episodes back, Simon mentions the helipad and solar panels behind the junkyard. When he asks her what the place was before the zombie apocalypse she quickly threw him off the scent by playing dumb and saying it was always "a dump."

Why this is the most likely scenario: Jadis wasn't surprised to see the helicopter show up. She had a suitcase packed up and ready to go for a rescue. She even appeared to have a timer on a watch set up for its arrival.

It's not clear if she sent a distress signal for someone to come and rescue her, but it is curious that a helipad is conveniently located at the junkyard for a landing. Sunday's episode brings up a lot of questions: Who was Jadis in a previous life and does she know the people with the helicopter? 

While she may not know exactly who operates the machine, she's clearly very familiar with it and knew it was going to be on its way. 



2. It belongs to the Saviors.

Negan has been able to provide his people with food, hot water, and electricity. He also seems to have an unlimited amount of hair gel at his disposal. Is there anything Negan doesn't have at his fingertips? 

Why fans thought it was possible: If you were paying close attention in November, Simon made a reference to a "flyer" in Sunday's episode. He said if they can't get the Hilltop under control then the answer may be to "take a flyer on the place and kill everyone there."

Some think he was referring to a chopper.

Why this doesn't seem the case anymore: Negan seemed genuinely surprised to see a helicopter when it appeared at the junkyard. If he had a chopper at his disposal, he probably would have used it to hightail it out of there by now.



3. It has something to do with the show's spin-off, "Fear the Walking Dead."

Morgan is heading to season four of "The Walking Dead." Maybe the shows are working towards meeting up in a larger way down the road.

Why it's likely: We've seen government groups before on "Fear the Walking Dead" and the actress who plays Madison (Kim Dickens) believes her character is related to someone on "The Walking Dead,"possibly Daryl. Will she eventually go in search of her relative?



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8 details you may have missed on Sunday's 'The Walking Dead'

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Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Sunday's episode of "The Walking Dead,""Still Gotta Mean Something."

Sunday's episode of "The Walking Dead" had a lot to unpack. 

Carol went on a hunt to find Henry, Rick threw on his iconic coat to go after the escaped Scavengers, and we finally got another glimpse of that mysterious helicopter from earlier in season eight. (It's not a hallucination!)

From a sweet callback to a character from years ago to a heart-to-heart between Rick and Morgan, keep reading to see all of the important references and smaller details you may have overlooked on Sunday's episode.

Jadis packs an old camera in a suitcase.

Can we have a moment to revel in Jadis' perfectly kept apocalypse trailer? We're not sure how she has such nice living quarters, but maybe the Scavenger leader was tiny home designer in a previous life.



She used that camera to take photos of Rick.

Jadis had a weird obsession with Rick. When she kidnapped him earlier in the season, she had most of his clothes removed and ordered one of her pack to draw him.

She nearly lost it on Sunday's episode when Negan threatened to light her photographs on fire. 



Ezekiel tells Carol he's downright disappointed in her.

After Henry goes missing and the Savior prisoners escape, Ezekiel wonders why Carol doesn't go after them. Carol comes up with a lame excuse saying that she may be needed at the Hilltop in case there's another attack.

Ezekiel isn't having it and he references a time when Carol got him back up on his feet recently.

"You told me to pretend to make it real until it is so and you cannot," a disappointed Ezekiel tells Carol. "You who I thought were the bravest person I met."



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5 crucial details you may have missed in the preview for next week's 'The Walking Dead'

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Warning: There are potential spoilers ahead for "The Walking Dead."

We're rolling into the final two episodes of the eighth season of "The Walking Dead." If you watched the preview for next Sunday's episode, you may want to go back and watch it again, slower.

There are a few big reveals centered around a map you may have missed as the scenes flash by quickly. If you don't want to be spoiled, this is your last chance to head back.

Dwight is writing a warning for Rick's group.

He sketches out a map with the locations of Negan's men so the Hilltop isn't caught off guard. It's not clear how he's going to get away from the Sanctuary undetected to deliver this message.



There's just one problem with Dwight's map: It's missing one of the locations.

When you compare the maps in two different frames of the preview, Negan's has one more circle than Dwight's.

Did Dwight do that on purpose or could he not remember all of the locations? If he doesn't draw that 11th circle than he could be putting Rick's group at risk.



If you do the math, that's a lot of people Negan still has at his disposal.

Dwight says there will be 11 people at each location on the map. Negan's map shows 11 locations. You're telling me Negan still has at least 121 Saviors at his disposal to go to war? 

How many men did he start with and how many were lost when they were overrun with zombies? Does it even matter at this point?



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12 surprising people Donald Trump has been friends with over the years

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As a billionaire reality TV star and real estate mogul in New York, a lot of people have tried to get into Donald Trump's inner circle over the years.

From politics to business and to Hollywood, it's not surprising that Trump has had friends in almost every line of work.

But here are 12 people you may not have known Trump befriended:

SEE ALSO: 17 celebrities who became politicians

DON'T MISS: Meet 'Stormy Daniels', the porn star Trump's lawyer paid to keep quiet about an alleged sexual affair — who's finally telling her side of the story

Trump took a liking to Mike Tyson when he starting hosting some of the boxer's biggest matches at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. When Tyson was convicted of rape in 1992, Trump defended the boxer, calling the verdict "a travesty."

Source: CNN



Shortly after the 2016 election, Trump met with rapper Kanye West at Trump Tower in New York. "We've been friends for a long time," Trump said, adding that the two discussed "life" during their meeting.

Source: Business Insider



Journalist Barbara Walters has been friends with Trump on and off for years. After having a bit of a falling out in 2007 after she defended Rosie O'Donnell's criticisms of Trump, Walters "rekindled" their friendship two years later, saying "I've missed you."

Source: The Today Show



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The best paper towels you can buy

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

best paper towels

The Insider Pick:

  • Paper towels are one of the most underappreciated commodities of modern life. they help out with everything from kitchen cleaning to car washing to personal hygiene to baby care. You might not think about them often, but you'd miss them if they were gone. The Bounty Select-a-Size Paper Towels are our top pick because they're absorbent and tough, yet soft enough for delicate tasks.

How many times have you already used a paper towel today? Chances are that you can't even remember exactly because you probably take them entirely for granted. But try to imagine the acute absence you'd feel the next time you spilled a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and no paper towels were there to help sop up the mess. Or imagine cleaning the kitchen or bathroom without a roll of trusty paper towels at your side. And good luck getting the inside of the microwave spic and span without them. Or the windows streak-free. And so on.

Long story short, we take paper towels for granted even though most of us depend on them multiple times a day. Just over a hundred years ago, people didn't even have the option of casually dismissing paper towels. The Scott Paper Company marketed the first paper towels in the year 1907, apparently after cleverly re-branding a shipment of improperly produced toilet tissue that was too thick and coarse to use for cleaning nether regions. Disposable paper towels quickly caught on, both for their basic convenience and because these single-use products could prevent the spread of illness as opposed to the reusable fabric towels theretofore used in restrooms.

Today, paper towels are as ubiquitous the world over and are used in homes, businesses, restaurants, auto body shops, schools, hospitals, and everywhere else human beings do, well, anything. Since you're going to use paper towels almost every day of your life, it's great that you're taking a moment to consider which brand of paper towels best fits your needs and lifestyle.

For while all paper towels are made from pulped wood and are designed to be absorbent, durable, and disposable, they're not all identical. We've assembled a lineup of great paper towels that differ based on size, feel, production method, cost, and more. But don't worry, any of these paper towels will help you clean up that coffee spill, which you might want to address before you read on...

Read on in the slides below to learn why the Bounty Select-a-Size Paper Towels are our top pick and why you should also consider the Seventh Generation Unbleached Paper Towels, the Plenty Ultra Premium Paper Towels, the Brawny Full Sheet Paper Towels, and the Kleenex Hand Towels.

SEE ALSO: The best bathroom cleaning products you can buy

The best paper towels overall

Why you'll love them: Bounty Select-a-Size Paper Towels manage to be both tough and delicate at once, suitable for use scrubbing the floors or for cleaning sensitive objects.

When it comes to some things, I'll always choose the generic brand and save a few bucks. That goes for medicine, batteries, breakfast cereal, and so on. When it comes to paper towels, though, I trust Bounty. And so do millions of other people around the country.

Bounty Select-a-Size paper towels are thick and absorbent, sopping up more fluid than any other paper towels I've used, therefore readily justifying their rather elevated price because you go through fewer of these paper towels per cleanup than you would with a flimsier alternative.

Soft to the touch, Bounty paper towels are safe for use on delicate objects like paintbrushes (or makeup brushes), jewelry, decorative items, electronics, and more. But you can also ball up a Bounty paper towel and scour away at pots and pans, scrub at bathroom tiles or kitchen floors, or use them in the grime and grease you need to clean off your car, bike, or lawn mower. I know, because I periodically clean the car, bike, and lawnmower. Though probably less than I should.

With more than 3,500 reviews posted on Amazon, these paper towels have a remarkable 4.7-star rating. One satisfied buyer speaks for many when he calls them simply "the best paper towels [his family has] ever bought."

The product testers from The Wirecutter praised Bounty paper towels' "scrubbing strength" and appreciated the fact that they left behind "no noticeable lint."

Pros: Resist tearing even when saturated, soft feel, excellent absorption

Cons: Expensive option

Buy a 12-count box of Bounty Select-a-Size Paper Towels on Amazon for $27



The best recycled paper towels

Why you'll love them: Seventh Generation Unbleached Paper Towels are made from 100% recycled paper, so their use doesn't contribute to deforestation.

If you care about nature but still want convenience when you clean up spills, wipe down countertops, or wash the car, then using a roll of Seventh Generation Unbleached Paper Towels is the way to go. These paper towels are made entirely from recycled paper products, and thus don't use any virgin wood pulp from trees chopped down to make paper.

They are also made without the use of any dyes, ink, or fragrance, and as the name makes clear, they are not bleached. The absence of all such chemicals further reduces the effect these Seventh Generation paper towels have on the environment, both in terms of their production and their impact after they are thrown away.

We use several Seventh Generation products in our house, including baby wipes and dish soap, and we've used their paper towels many times. They are as durable as most more heavily processed paper towel options and are perfectly suitable for most cleaning tasks. I will tell you, though, that they are less absorbent than a number of other paper towels I've tried, though it's a tradeoff most people will gladly accept for the minimal impact the paper towels have on the planet.

With dozens of reviews posted, the Seventh Generation Unbleached Paper Towels currently have a 3.9-star average, with some buyers noting their middling absorbance. Most buyers, however, echo the sentiments of a buyer named Colin who called them "great paper towels" that are "very strong" and "never leave fuzz or lint behind."

A writer with Good Housekeeping called Seventh Generation paper towels a great choice for "environmentally conscious" consumers, but did note that they're "not very thick" and thus absorb less liquid than other options.

Pros: Made from 100% recycled paper, no chemicals used in processing

Cons: Less absorbent than other brands

Buy a 24-Roll Box of Seventh Generation Unbleached Paper Towels from Amazon for $40



The best low-cost paper towels

Why you'll love them: Plenty Ultra Premium Paper Towels are about as absorbent and durable as any other major brand, but they cost less than the other choices.

There's nothing I can say about Plenty Ultra Premium Paper Towels that will wow, you really. They're not 100% recycled and they're not free of bleach and other chemicals. They are, however, soft and absorbent and relatively durable, and they can be used to sop up spills, as napkins with casual meals or snacks, or to help you clean the bathroom or wipe down furniture... but so can lots of other paper towels.

So what sets these paper towels apart from the pack? They cost less, and that's pretty much that. But the fact that they are lower priced than most paper towel options while not being lower quality? That is worth noting, no? Also, all Plenty Ultra Premium Paper Towels are manufactured in either North Carolina or Pennsylvania, in case you value American-made products.

One self-professed "paper towel snob" called the Plenty Ultra Premiums"freaking awesome" and was thrilled by their "strength and softness." Another customer called their price "unbeatable" and their quality "great." Overall, they have a fine 4.3-star rating aggregated from more than 750 reviews.

A review post from KitchenEm pointed out how soft the Plenty paper towels feel, calling them perfect for use "as napkins during supper" beyond their suitability for myriad "cleaning needs."

Pros: Low price point, soft to the touch, durable enough for scrubbing

Cons: Cardboard tube too narrow for some holders

Buy a 24-Roll Box of Plenty Ultra Premium Paper Towels from Amazon for $23



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The best toilet paper you can buy

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

best toilet paper

The Insider Pick:

  • High-quality toilet paper is gentle on your sensitive regions, easy on your plumbing, and it cleans up messes without leaving anything behind. Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper is our top pick because it’s easy to tear from the roll, stays strong when wet and dry, and it’s incredibly soft.

Everyone seems to have a toilet paper brand that they remain loyal to. After all, if you’re going to apply the TP “where the sun don’t shine,” you want it to treat you right. This guide is for the lost or disillusioned. It’s for those of you who haven’t found the right toilet paper yet or have given up on your go-to brand, whether it changed, you changed, or you can no longer find it easily. Below, we will help you find the tissue that is right for your comfort, budget, and shopping preferences.

How to Compare Toilet Paper Prices

There is no standardization of toilet paper square or roll sizes so words like “mega roll” or “double roll” don’t mean much. Instead, if you want to compare prices, look at the cost per square foot and the number of “ply,” or layers of thickness, there is.

For price comparisons in this guide, we simply looked at the cost per square foot of toilet paper based on the lowest price on Amazon. The prices ranged from about .6 cents to 4.2 cents per square foot, with the middle being at about 2.7 cents. When looking at costs, you should keep in mind that you will use fewer sheets of three-ply toilet paper on your bathroom trip than you’ll need of one-ply because of the superior cleaning and absorbing abilities.

If you would like to compare prices of toilet paper based on cost per square foot, use this scary-looking yet simple equation:

(Price in dollars x 14400) ÷ (width of each sheet in inches x length of each sheet in inches x number of sheets on a roll x number of rolls) = cost in cents per square foot

If this looks intimidating, don’t worry: We do the math for you in the following slides.

Less Toilet Paper Is Better

All toilet paper is paper. In order to make paper, you need trees. Although there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives on the market, for the sake of forests and our environment, the less toilet paper you use, the better.

One way to use less toilet paper is to install a bidet. We have a helpful guide on the best bidets, but basically, you can get a decent bidet on Amazon for less than $100 and install it yourself in about half an hour. You’ll still need TP to spot check the bidet’s work and to dry off, but you will use much less.

A Note about Buying Toilet Paper Online

As we were doing our research, we found that there were a lot of buyer complaints about the rolls they ordered not being the same size as what they were used to. For this reason, when buying online, pay special attention to the sizes of the sheets, how many sheets are on a roll, and how many rolls you are getting.

If you do find a TP you like on Amazon, we recommend trying the “Subscribe & Save” service. This allows you to save up to 15% off the regular price. Plus, you don’t have to remember to reorder TP. It automatically comes to your home at regular intervals.

We examined hundreds of expert and buyer reviews and ratings of many toilet paper brands and styles. The ones we chose to include in our guide have the ability to clean you up down there, are septic and sewer system safe, and have an adequate level of softness.

Read on in the slides below to find out why Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper is our pick and why you might prefer the Seventh Generation Unbleached Toilet Paper, the Scott 1000 Sheets Per Roll Toilet Paper, the Cottonelle Gentle Care Toilet Paper, and the Quilted Northern Ultra Plush Supreme Toilet Paper.

The best toilet paper overall

Why you'll love it: Soft, strong, easy to tear, and ultra-absorbent, Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper has built a faithful following with its consistent quality.

You might recognize Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper from the series of commercials featuring bears with comfortable butts. As the name suggests, Ultra Strong is positioned as Charmin’s strongest two-ply toilet paper. Charmin advertises it as having washcloth-like cleaning abilities with four times the strength of “the leading bargain brand” when wet.

A durable and absorbent toilet paper is useful when your digestive system is having an off day and trips to the bathroom are frequent. If you are concerned about a hardy TP wreaking havoc on your plumbing, you may take comfort in knowing that Roto-Rooter has approved Ultra Strong as septic- and clog-safe.

Among the TPs we look at in this guide, Charmin Ultra Strong sits right in the middle at a cost of 2.7 cents per square foot.

The testers at the Good Housekeeping Institute rated Charmin Ultra Strong as the softest toilet paper. And, when wet or dry, it stayed strong. However, they did note that since it took a while to dissolve in their tests, it may not be the best TP for finicky plumbing. Wirecutter had similar findings in their tests and added that the tissue ripped cleanly from the roll and was one of the softest rolls they tested.

More than 1,000 Amazon buyers have posted five-star ratings of Charmin Ultra Strong. One lifelong Charmin buyer registered his frustration with the sheet size decreasing from 4.5” by 4.5” to 3.92” by 4”. This led the reviewer to try several other options, but they ended up coming back to Ultra Strong because of the quality and value.

Another reviewer remarked that this is the only toilet paper they use because a roll lasts a long time since they only need a fraction of what they would use with other options. They also have not had any clogging issues with Ultra Strong.

Pros: Soft, strong when wet and dry, rips cleanly from the roll

Cons: Slow to dissolve

Buy Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper (24 Count) on Amazon for $21.58



The best toilet paper for the environment

Why you'll love it: If you are looking for an affordable toilet paper that gets the job done and is excellent for our planet, Seventh Generation Unbleached Toilet Paper is your best option.

Seventh Generation generally does an excellent job of producing eco-friendly household items that won’t break the bank. This is true of Seventh Generation Unbleached Toilet Paper, which is currently going for about 2.2 cents per square foot on Amazon.

This two-ply, minimum 80% post-consumer recycled fiber toilet paper is free from fragrances, inks, and dyes so it works well for Mother Natural and sensitive skin. Plus, it’s safe for sewer systems, septic systems, and low-flow toilets, like those found in campers and RVs.

Rodale’s Organic Life gave Seventh Generation high marks because it is cheap and easy to buy. The reviewer recommended it because it doesn’t leave behind lint and does an excellent job of cleaning the nether regions.

Happy Simple Living’s reviewer recommended Seventh Generation because of the “dingleberry-resistance” and comfort. And, the reviewer at My Plastic-Free Life commented that this roll has the highest percentage of post-consumer content that they could find, but they would have liked it if it were softer.

About 78% of the buyers who reviewed Seventh Generation Unbleached Toilet Paper on Amazon gave it four or five stars. The most helpful reviewer, C.J. Hulbert, had a chronic vaginal issue that was improved by using this chlorine-free, unbleached product.

Other reviewers with skin issues echoed this sentiment. One buyer liked that it was free of formaldehyde, which is commonly used to make other toilet papers thicker.

Pros: Good for the environment, doesn’t leave behind lint, unbleached

Cons: Not as soft as other options

Buy Seventh Generation Unbleached Toilet Paper 12 Count (Pack of 4) on Amazon for $43.89



The best toilet paper on a budget

Why you'll love it: Scott 1000 Sheets Per Roll Toilet Paper is ideal for people who want to save money, care about the environment, and hate being left with lint.

Scott 1000 Sheets Per Roll Toilet Paper is what we use in our house. However, we are a house divided when it comes to toilet paper. I am for the economical, lint-free Scott 1000. While the rest of my family accuses me of “hating butts” due to its somewhat abrasive design. Consequently, the rest of the family has their separate TP, which is usually Scott Extra Soft. Compared to two-ply and three-ply varieties, I definitely have to use more sheets of Scott to get a good wad.

At .6 cents per square foot, Scott 1000 is less than a third of the price of the next cheapest tissue on this list. Despite its one-ply stature and quick-to-dissolve design, this TP stays strong, and left-behind lint is a rarity. Another benefit of this product is that it’s one of the few toilet papers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. This means Scott uses sustainable practices in their manufacturing process. So, it’s better for our planet.

Good Housekeeping's testers considered Scott 1000 to be among the rougher toilet papers they tested, but they also noted that the sheets are thicker than some two-plies. Plus, Scott 1000 dissolved quickly and easily while maintaining strength while wet. Your Best Digs recommends Scott 1000 for people with RVs and sensitive septic tanks who are not looking for luxury since the reviewer found it broke down quickly but is still rough on the skin.

Over 1,200 buyers have posted positive reviews of Scott 1000 Sheets Per Roll Toilet Paper on Amazon. The most helpful review is from a buyer who purchased the compressed rolls. These are like the normal Scott rolls only they are squished so that the interior is flattened. The buyer can then squeeze the roll to make it round again. It's meant for people who need to save space in small quarters.

However, the reviewer noted that this made the rolls very wobbly on the roller. Despite this, they still gave Scott 1000 four stars because it didn’t leave butt lint, didn’t clog, was long-lasting, and the price is right.

Pros: Affordable, eco-friendly, dissolves easily, minimal lint

Cons: Somewhat abrasive

Buy Scott 1000 Sheets Per Roll Toilet Paper on Amazon (27 Rolls for $16.97), (32 Rolls Compressed for $22.47), (36 Rolls for $34.90)



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