Quantcast
Channel: Features
Viewing all 61683 articles
Browse latest View live

Forget San Francisco and New York: These are the 19 best places to live where the typical home costs less than $260,000 and monthly rent is under $1,000

0
0

Nashville

  • U.S. News released its 2018 best places to live in America ranking.
  • The list was based on factors like cost of living, salary, and job opportunities.
  • We narrowed down the list to find the best places to live where home prices and rent are lower than the national median.

 

The best places to live are the cities where people are happy, job opportunities are abundant, pay is good, and housing is affordable. 

So says U.S. News & World Report, which recently released its annual ranking of the best places to live in America. To rank the cities, U.S. News considered the job market, value, quality of life, desirability, and net migration of the 125 most populous cities (you can read the full methodology here). 

Austin, Texas, came out on top for the second consecutive year, while Colorado Springs, Colorado, jumped from No. 11 to take the No. 2 spot, edging out the state's capital, Denver, which rounded out the top three. But when it comes to housing prices, Colorado Springs is the winner.

Real-estate site Zillow reports the median price of homes currently on the market in the US is $261,500, while the median monthly rent is $1,600. We filtered U.S. News top-50 best places to live ranking to highlight the cities where home and rental prices fall below the median. 

Below, check out 19 cities where housing is cheaper than half the country. We've also included the "value" score —a comparison of annual household income and cost of living — for each city, out of a possible 10. The cities are ranked in order of appearance on the best places to live ranking

SEE ALSO: The 50 best places to live in America for 2018

19. Fort Meyers, Florida

Population: 680,970

Median home price: $210,133

Median monthly rent: $984

Value index: 5.2

The charming streets of Fort Myers attract people of all ages, even if the southwestern Florida city is better known as a retirement destination. More than a third of the rapidly growing population is under 34 years old. Residents take advantage of Fort Myers' vibrant downtown, and the city's convenient location on Florida's Gulf Coast lends itself to water activities like boating and fishing. People in Fort Myers tend to pay a little extra for real estate and transportation, but they save thanks to Florida's lack of state income taxes.



18. Albany, New York

Population: 879,291

Median home price: $196,075

Median monthly rent: $923

Value index: 7.2

Despite the snowy winters, living in Albany comes with several advantages. Albany offers a cost of living lower than the national average and the cost of housing sits well below the rest of the US as a whole. In terms of jobs, the city's tech and healthcare industries are on the rise.

Albany's downtown is lined with art galleries, wine shops, and churches for visitors to peruse. In keeping with the city's cold climate, hockey is the sport of choice for residents.



17. Charleston, South Carolina

Population: 728,271

Median home price: $232,983

Median monthly rent: $1,009

Value index: 6.2

Charleston's charming, historic, and sophisticated ambiance is exemplary of southern culture. "Not only is the area overflowing with entertainment and good food, but this low country locale is also gorgeous," said a local expert.

Tourism is booming in Charleston, creating plenty of jobs, especially in the summer months. Year-round, jobs in tech, sales, marketing, and advertising keep the city's economy strong.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

8 things you should know before starting CrossFit

0
0

Woman Lifting Weights for CrossFit

  • When you first start CrossFit you'll probably be really confused, but it's okay.
  • You really don't need any prior athletic ability to start, just a will to try.
  • Anyone can try CrossFit because all the workouts are scalable.
  • The workouts don't last long, but they're really intense.
  • You won't get bored, because the workouts are different every day.

 
My first ever experience at a CrossFit gym didn't go over too well. Besides being bombarded by the stench of sweat and body odor, I felt downright intimidated.

There was lots of noise, lots of bars slamming on the floor, and lots of very strong, muscular people. I remember thinking there was no way I'd ever be able to do any of that, and I left my first class feeling down on myself and depressed. I didn't really know much about CrossFit at the time, I was just looking for a good workout. I also had a Groupon for 10 free classes, which is what got me in the door in the first place.

Well, it's been almost four years since that Groupon and I'm still going at it. CrossFit isn't your typical gym setting or your typical workout style, and over the years I have realized that people either love it or hate it. I've been told by many Debbie Downers that I'm going to hurt myself or get Rhabdomyolysis—  a condition where your muscles break down and release bad things into your bloodstream.

None of that has happened yet, and I don't expect it to at any point. In my experience, CrossFit has changed my life for the better. As you get older, it gets harder to find hobbies you can actually stick with and genuinely enjoy, but CrossFit has been that for me. When you feel strong and healthy, your entire outlook on life changes for the better.

Here are eight things I wish I knew before I started. (The following photos aren't of me, but I'm quite familiar with many of the exercises being performed in them.)

You don't have to be fit or athletic to start.

Full disclosure, I've always loved working out. When I started CrossFit I wasn't completely unfamiliar with exercise. But, if exercising isn't your thing, and you want it to be, don't be scared to start with CrossFit right away. The one thing people don't realize about this sport is it's all scalable. You lift what you can and the massive guy next to you will lift what he can. There is no competition, everyone does what they can do. The idea is to compete with yourself and improve your skills that way.



You're stronger than you think.

When I first started Crossfitting I was hesitant to lift heavy weights, or try anything without scaling it. I used the training barbell, which is only 15 pounds and used mainly for teaching technique, for months before I moved on to the regular 35-pound one — and that was only because one of the coaches pushed me to do it. I started lifting way more than I ever thought I could and crushing my PRs (personal records). Even after almost four years, I still surprise myself sometimes. I've learned that I'm way stronger than I think I am —you really don't know what you're capable of until you try.



You'll be really confused at first but don't get discouraged.

CrossFit gyms are not your typical set up, and if you're unfamiliar with the workout style or lingo you'll probably be a little overwhelmed at first. But don't get embarrassed, everyone starts somewhere. I've messed up during workouts, flung bars out of my hands, tripped doing a box jump, and even had medicine balls hit me in the face. The great thing is, though, that questions are encouraged and if you need a refresher, most coaches are glad to oblige.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Tesla has Supercharger stations all over the map, but the largest, most luxurious one sits in the middle of a folksy California town — take a look inside (TSLA)

0
0

Tesla Model S

Tesla has Supercharger stations all over the map, and in 2018, as thousands of new Tesla owners hit the road in newly minted Tesla Model 3 sedans — the company's first entry-level electric car — those drivers will be looking for convenient places to plug in their cars.

To date, Tesla has 1,191 Supercharger stations, with 9,184 Superchargers across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

But one Supercharger location in California, located at the midpoint between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is, at least for now, the largest of them all.

Situated amid swaths of farmland and a smattering of gas stations, fast-food restaurants, and motels, the Tesla Supercharger station in Kettleman City, California, sits tucked away from the main street that runs underneath the 5 Freeway, on a corner lot that used to be a Burger King drive-thru.

Across the street to the east is a gas station and a Carl's Jr., to the south an auto-repair shop, and to the west two budget hotels.

Farther south across State Route 41, there's a recently built strip mall, curiously named Bravo Farms, whose architecture was designed to resemble old Western saloons of generations past.

The Tesla Supercharger station, unlike the Burger King before it, makes use of nearly all the available space. An expanse of covered solar parking shelters the 40 Superchargers on the lot. A private lounge invites Tesla travelers to rest in plush armchairs, plug in their mobile devices, and enjoy soothing music.

There are vending machines, restrooms, and Tesla staff inside the lounge. A separate display section shows off Tesla Energy products: the solar panels and Powerwall battery packs it sells to residential and commercial customers.

On one of the two large flat-screen displays inside the lounge is a real-time world map with the locations of every Supercharger station on the planet. There are three numbers at the bottom of the screen — kilowatt-hours delivered, miles enabled, and gallons of gasoline saved — that tick up as you watch.

This is now Tesla's domain. Its presence in an otherwise folksy enclave — one of at least six on the route here from Los Angeles — is a clear sign that Tesla is gearing up to own the electric-car future.

SEE ALSO: We drove a $57,500 Tesla Model 3 and a $43,000 Chevy Bolt to see which is better — here's the verdict

Tesla says the Kettleman City Supercharger is its largest in the US. Another in Baker, California, sits along a major route connecting Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

 

 



This trip served two purposes: to determine whether I could drive to the Kettleman City Supercharger station in the Model S P100D I borrowed from Tesla without stopping to top up along the way, and to check out Tesla's newest digs.



Our stop in Hawthorne was relatively brief. We were in and out within an hour.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

36 actors reveal how they got their first Hollywood paycheck

0
0

donald glover

Every actor who succeeds in the tough world of entertainment had to start somewhere.

INSIDER spoke to several stars to find out what their first paying showbiz gig was. 

While a few of them were lucky enough to land a huge job in the early days of their career, the majority of the stars we spoke to had pretty humble beginnings ranging from local plays to long-forgotten commercials and tiny roles onscreen.

Here's how your favorite actors earned their first Hollywood paycheck.

"Atlanta" and "Solo" star Donald Glover started as an extra.

"I was an extra in some movie about a black basketball team that was shot in Atlanta, [which was] not 'Remember the Titans.' That was my first paycheck."



"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." actress Ming-Na Wen started in local theater.

"I did 'South Pacific.' I was Liat, and it was with a major regional theater in Pittsburgh. I got my equity card from it."



"This Is Us" actor Justin Hartley had all his lines cut from his big break in a beer commercial.

"I think my first paying job was a beer commercial. They cut all of my lines. Well, there were no lines actually. I was just told to improv. We did it about 40 times, every take was different. I was so proud of how funny I was until I saw the commercial and they played music over my mouth moving. Bummer."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 tips to get the salary of your dreams, according to some of the world's most successful women

0
0

jennifer lawrence

It's 2018, and more celebrities are speaking out against the gender pay gap — and not just in Hollywood.

On average, women make about 80 cents for every dollar that men make, according to an April 2017 National Partnership For Women & Families report — and it's even worse for women of color. The same report noted that black women are paid 63 cents for every dollar paid to non-Hispanic white men. 

Famous women including Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Schumer, and Michelle Obama have opened up in various interviews and on social media about how they took chances, negotiated higher salaries, and teamed up with coworkers to demand fair and equal pay.

Here's their advice that'll help you get paid what you deserve.

1. Know your worth

Meryl Streep snagged an Oscar nomination for playing an intimidating, powerful fashion magazine editor based on Vogue's Anna Wintour in "The Devil Wears Prada." But she almost walked away from the role entirely because she wasn't happy with what they initially wanted to pay her.

"The offer was to my mind slightly, if not insulting, not perhaps reflective of my actual value to the project,"Streep told Variety in June 2016. "There was my 'goodbye moment,' and then they doubled the offer. I was 55, and I had just learned, at a very late date, how to deal on my own behalf." 



2. Aim high

Bozoma Saint John, chief brand officer for Uber, told CBS News that you should aim high when negotiating your salary. 

"Give the number first," she said on CBS News in February 2018. "Make it high as hell because then you can't be low-balled … Do the work. Don't just call a number out of the sky. Know the range and then exceed the range because then you can negotiate down just a little bit."



3. Don't hesitate to negotiate even after-the-fact

Amy Schumer initially signed an $11 million deal with Netflix in 2017 for her comedy special, "The Leather Special," according to Variety. But when she learned that comedians Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle were each paid $20 million for their respective specials, she decided to ask for more money.

"I believe women deserve equal pay," Schumer wrote in an Instagram post in August 2017. "However I don't believe I deserve equal pay to Chris and Dave. They are legends and two of the greatest comics of all time. I would like to say that I have been selling out arenas these last couple years. Something a female comic has never done. That's a big deal to me, especially because I know I do my best every night on stage for the audience and they have a good time."

Some were quick to criticize Schumer for what they saw as asking to be paid the same amount as Rock and Chappelle.

But she clarified that wasn't the case.

"I didn't ask for the same as my friends," Schumer wrote on Instagram. "I did ask for more than the initial offer. I will continue to work my ass off and be the best performer I can be. The reports of me 'demanding' or 'insisting' on equal pay to them aren't true."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The new red iPhones are stunning to look at — but they're also fingerprint magnets

0
0

red iphone 00015.JPG

Apple announced earlier this week that the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will soon come in red. You can pre-order your red iPhone now.

The only change to these models, to be clear, is the color. 

A portion of proceeds from the new red iPhones will go toward grants that fight HIV and AIDS as part of Product Red, an organization Apple has partnered with since 2006. In the press release announcing the new color, Apple said it had donated more than $160 million to the charity.

I had a chance to go hands-on with the new red iPhones on Tuesday. Let's look at the photos: 

 

 

SEE ALSO: Saudi Arabia's millennial crown prince got a rare tour inside Apple's new $5 billion campus

Business Insider can confirm: these are the same iPhone 8 models that went on sale last fall. They're just red.



The glass is extremely shiny.



That shininess gives these new iPhones a big downside: They're total fingerprint magnets. After handling the red phones for just a few minutes, they were covered with smudges from my hands.

The phone on the right has Apple's new $99 iPhone X "folio" case on it, which is part of Project Red, but sports more of a cranberry color. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

How the suspected Syria gas attack turned into one of the biggest crises of Trump's presidency

0
0

donald trump

President Donald Trump seems poised to launch military action in Syria, a little more than a week after declaring he wanted to pull out of the country.

The strikes would be in response to a suspected chemical-weapons attack by the regime of Bashar Assad. Trump previously ordered a missile strike on Syria in April 2017, following allegations of a chemical-weapons attack.

"Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and 'smart!'" Trump tweeted Wednesday morning. "You shouldn't be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!"

Below, you can see how one of the biggest crises of Trump's presidency emerged in the course of a week:

SEE ALSO: 'All sticks, no carrots': John Bolton arrives at the White House with a crisis brewing in Syria and no hint of what Trump will do

Trump reportedly told military officials to prepare to withdraw from Syria on Tuesday, April 3, the same day that senior military leaders warned that the fight against ISIS was not over.

Source: Business Insider, Reuters



"I want to get out. I want to bring our troops back home. I want to start rebuilding our nation," Trump said on April 3.

Source: CNN



That dispute between Trump and his military advisers was followed on April 7, by what is believed to have been a chemical weapons attack on civilians in Douma, a rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta, near Damascus.

Source: Business Insider



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I've been a Costco member for 8 years, and one little-known perk makes it more than worth it

0
0

costco 02

  • Costco has more than 92.2 million card-holding members worldwide.
  • Costco Optical is one of the author's favorite benefits.
  • It accepts most vision insurance and provides affordable appointment rates to those without plans.
  • Costco Optical prides itself on its knowledgeable staff, which includes licensed optometrists.
  • Additional vision benefits are offered to Costco members online.

 

I bought my first Costco membership in 2010, joining the ranks of over 90 million cardholders. I made the $60 investment all because of Costco Optical.

I love that you can get a whole meal out of their free samples and DIY an ice cream float by combining frozen yogurt with a soda at the food court, but it's the optical lab that keeps me a loyal member to Costco.

SEE ALSO: Costco employees reveal the worst, grossest, and most bizarre things they've seen on the job

SEE ALSO: How to shop at Costco without a membership

If you don't have insurance, Costco Optical may be your best out-of-pocket bet.

Costco stores are more than bulk shopping. They have a pharmacy, travel agents, and gas stations. Tucked in the back of my store, there's also an optical department.

I've worn eyeglasses and contact lenses for much of my life. When I first purchased my Costco membership, I needed to order contacts but didn't have vision insurance.

I called a few local opticians to get eye examination estimates and reached out to my nearest Costco for its pricing. While Costco accepts most insurance plans, it also provides affordable (usually within the $70 range) walk-in appointment rates for people without insurance for their annual checkups.



Their optometrists are licensed — and they really care about your eyes.

My first-ever Costco eye appointment was with a specialist who had an OD. An OD is a doctor of optometry degree, which means that the person has completed optometry school and is licensed to perform eye exams and vision tests.

I immediately felt much more comfortable. If you're getting an air-puff test in a small room about 20 feet away from cooking hot dogs, it feels important to have a licensed specialist conducting the examination.

I have seen optometrists my entire life and was rarely told anything beyond the fact that I did not have 20/20 eyesight. That all changed during my first vision appointment at Costco, where I found out all sorts of new information about my eyes.

For example, I learned that I have astigmatism, which means that my eyes are more of a football shape than round. While the name sounds a little scary, it's not uncommon. I was also further educated on the base curve and diameter of my contact lenses.

When I left, I felt better than when I arrived, and that's a good sign at any health practitioner's office.



Only Costco members receive exclusive online optical benefits.

There's more than one way to shop the optical department if you can't make it to your nearest Costco location. You can place contact lens orders over the phone, as long as you have your membership ID and credit card information.

Costco members can also order contact lenses online, choosing from a variety of major brands. You can save even more time by snapping a photo of your prescription and uploading the image to order your contacts faster.

Costco members also have access to exclusive online discounts for prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses.

I've acquired vision insurance since my first eye exam at Costco Optical eight years ago. But I still visit my favorite optometrist, located in the back room of my local Costco warehouse.

The price is right on eyeglasses and contact lenses, the staff is skilled and friendly, and I can get an appointment scheduled in as soon as the same day.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Tour the richest zip code in America — the mysterious members-only island in Florida where millionaires pay $250,000 just to participate

0
0

fisher island florida

Fisher Island, Florida, is as exclusive as it gets.

The 216-acre, man-made island sitting pretty off the coast of Miami Beach is reachable only by boat — most often yacht. It's considered America's most millionaire-dense ZIP code, but less than 20% of the island's residents permanently reside there.

With its mix of condos, private homes, and hotel rooms, the lush island exists as a retreat for the ultra wealthy, who spend their days golfing, playing tennis, lounging on the beach, boating, and simply relaxing.

According to 2015 IRS data analyzed by Bloomberg, Fisher Island residents have an average annual salary of $668,900.

The illustrious Vanderbilt family were the original stewards of Fisher Island, and their penchant for opulence remains.

Below, find out how Fisher Island became America's most affluent enclave.

SEE ALSO: How many years it took the 23 richest people in the world to go from millionaire to billionaire

DON'T MISS: 14 of the best waterfront homes in the Hamptons you can buy for under $10 million

Though Fisher Island is billed as a world-class travel destination, about 650 families live in private residences on the island. More than 80% of them are seasonal residents. The median listing price of homes for sale as of February was $3.2 million, according to Zillow.

Source: Zillow, Fisher Island Club



Fisher Island maintains more than 100 boat slips for yacht-owning residents. Yacht and 24/7 public ferry are the only way to access the island.

Source: Fisher Island Club



Fisher Island has been rumored to draw celebrities in search of privacy. Oprah Winfrey owned a condo on Fisher Island for several years, but listed the property for just over $2 million in 2008. Other past residents reportedly include tennis legend Boris Becker and actor Mel Brooks.

Source:Variety, Forbes



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

It's been 76 years since one of World War II's worst atrocities — the Bataan Death March

0
0

Bataan death march prisoners of war world war two

After the surprise attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Japan turned its focus to elsewhere, sweeping through the Pacific.

In early January, Japanese forces landed in the Philippines, a US territory where tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were stationed.

Allied forces fought for 99 days, but Japanese pressure, plus a lack of supplies and illness, wore them down, and the 76,000 troops who surrendered — more than 20,000 Americans among them — on April 9, 1942, made up the largest army under US command ever to surrender.

What followed was one of the most well-known atrocities of World War II: The Bataan Death March, when thousands of Filipinos and Americans died during a forced march to a collection point.

Japan's unpreparedness for the sheer number of soldiers who surrendered, coupled with disdain for surrendering troops and general frustration on the part of Japanese troops, led to shocking brutality during the march.

Many of those forced to walk more than 60 miles to a prison camp suffered in the tropical heat, which exacerbated war wounds and illnesses. Stragglers, prisoners who broke ranks, or those who fell behind were bayoneted, shot, and, in some cases, beheaded. Japanese soldiers overseeing the march beat their captives mercilessly.

After the war, Japanese Lt. Gen. Homma Masaharu, who led the invasion, was charged with responsibility for abuses at Camp O'Donnell by a military commission in Manila. He was executed by firing squad on April 3, 1946.

The photos below give some idea of the horrors those prisoners of war endured.

SEE ALSO: 74 years ago, US Marines waded into 'the toughest battle in Marine Corps history' — here are 25 photos of the brutal fight for Tarawa

American and Filipino forces held out for 99 days, but the Japanese had anticipated a much longer resistance. An April 9 attack on the Bataan Peninsula cracked Allied resolve, and tens of thousands of soldiers surrendered to the Japanese.



"They called them the 'battling bastards of Bataan,' and they fought until they literally had no food, no ammunition," Mike Vigil, whose father was a US coastal artilleryman in the Philippines, told Business Insider.



Starting on April 10 from Mariveles, on the southern end of the Bataan Peninsula, 70,000 POWs were force-marched to Camp O'Donnell, a new prison camp 65 miles away.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Trump is warning Russia to get ready for a US missile strike on Syria — here's what's happened over 7 years of conflict

0
0

Syrian Civil War

President Donald Trump is warning Russia to get ready for a US missile strike on Syria — and it could be coming soon.

Saturday's suspected chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma has reportedly killed up to 40 people and put new focus on the already seven year-long Syrian Civil War.

The conflict has reportedly claimed the lives of as many as half a million people, caused the worst refugee crisis since WWII, and destroyed so many cities and so much infrastructure that the cost to rebuild is an estimated $200 billion

What started as street protests turned into a civil war, and has now erupted into a war that involves dozens of nations (directly or indirectly), hundreds of armed groups, and four main sides.

Despite all that, the war continues — and shows no real signs of stopping anytime soon.

Take a look here at how the conflict unfolded:

Veronika Bondarenko contributed to a previous version of this story.

SEE ALSO: US Marines traveled to Israel to train in a mock Middle East village — and learned the harsh realities of urban warfare

In the spring of 2011, a series of pro-democracy protests known as the Arab Spring were rocking countries across the Middle East. In Syria, people peacefully protested in the streets after President Bashar Assad's government arrested and tortured teenagers for writing pro-revolution graffiti on their school wall.

Source: BBC



To quell the protests, government forces started opening fire during marches and sit-ins. With hundreds of people now killed by Assad's government, the protesters who initially called for more civil liberties started demanding a total overthrow of Assad's regime.

Source: The Guardian



With no end to the violence, some former government officers formed the Free Syrian Army to support the opposition. Other armed groups with various ideologies and loyalties would also be created. As sides battled for control over major cities such as Homs and Aleppo, the fighting escalated into a full-blown civil war by the end of 2011.

Source: BBC



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

17 things you should never recycle — even if you think you can

0
0

recycling cans waste trash

  • Not everything can be recycled, even if it's made up of recyclable materials.
  • Plastics like clothes hangers, grocery bags, and toys aren't always recyclable in your curbside bin.
  • Other things that aren't recyclable include Styrofoam, bubble wrap, dishes, and electronic cords.
  • Check for facilities in your area that may be able to recycle the items below.


Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there's a good chance you're
recycling wrong.

It's not necessarily your fault, though. There are a ton of rules when it comes to what can and can't be recycled, and those little symbols on products don't always make it clearer.

Because it's so complicated, people often end up falling short on recycling goals despite having the best intentions. To help you out, we've put together a list of 18 things you should absolutely never toss into your home recycling bin.

Styrofoam

Styrofoam is one of the most commonly-known non-recyclable materials. It's made of polystyrene, a material that isn't biodegradable.The best solution is to avoid Styrofoam altogether in favor of more earth-friendly materials. There may be some facilities near you that accept it, though.

Something to keep in mind is that TerraCycle likely has a recycling solution for many of the above listed items. Be sure to check out what they have available in your area.

 



Bubble wrap

Although many plastics can be recycled, the particular kind of plastic bubble wrap is made from cannot be recycled, because the thin film can tangle in recycling machines. However, there are many locations that will accept the wrap.



Cords

While all parts of the power cord are recyclable, it will be difficult for you to separate those parts. You can, however, find somewhere that recycles electronics and cords. Options include your community's e-waste facility — which is often located near the hazardous household items facility — or keep an eye out for e-waste collection events put on by local offices in your area.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Every movie The Rock has starred in, ranked by how much money they made at the US box office

0
0

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is one of the highest-paid (and busiest) actors working today.

In 2017, he starred in three blockbusters: "Baywatch,""The Fate of the Furious," and "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle." And he raked in $65 million, second only to actor Mark Wahlberg.

Johnson has starred in at least one movie every year since his feature debut in 2001 in "The Mummy Returns"— an impressive accomplishment for the wrestler turned actor.

But how much have his movies made?

With "Rampage" coming to theaters this weekend, Business Insider ranked every movie Johnson has starred in by domestic box-office performance, adjusted for inflation. We also included the original domestic gross and the original worldwide gross for comparison.

We excluded movies Johnson didn't have a significant role in — for instance, he has an uncredited role in "Reno 911!: Miami" according to IMDB, and he only had a cameo in the 2002 film, "Longshot" (it was also never released in American theaters). He also had a starring role in "Empire State," but it was a straight-to-DVD release.

Johnson has starred in box-office disappointments, but he's also been the face of blockbusters such as the "Fast and Furious" franchise and last year's "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," which blew away expectations and has reached almost $1 billion worldwide.

Below is every movie Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has starred in, ranked by domestic box-office performance:

SEE ALSO: The Rock calls out his 'Fast and Furious' co-stars who complained about his spin-off movie

29. "Southland Tales" (2007)

Adjusted domestic gross: $367,400

Original domestic gross: $275,380

Original worldwide gross: $374,743



28. "Faster" (2010)

Adjusted domestic gross: $26,644,500

Original domestic gross: $23,240,020

Original worldwide gross: $35,626,958



27. "Doom" (2005)

Adjusted domestic gross: $40,403,900

Original domestic gross: $28,212,337

Original worldwide gross: $55,987,321



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Trump appears on the verge of striking Syria — here's a look at US firepower in the region

0
0

US Navy aircraft carrier

President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that US missiles are coming to strike Syria, despite Russia's threats to shoot down incoming US missiles and even the platforms that fire them.

The US has struck Syria before, using cruise missiles from two US Navy guided-missile destroyers in the Mediterranean, but experts now say the US will have to go bigger to make an impact on Syria's forces under Russian protection.

With no aircraft carriers currently in the region, a heavy Russian naval presence in the region, and only 2,000 or so US troops on the ground in Syria, it may seem like the US is outnumbered or outgunned. 

In reality, the US has massive airpower in the region which far overpowers anything else nearby.

With the US Air Force presences in Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey, as well as forces on the ground, the US has a multitude of options for carrying out a strike in Syria, despite a heavy Russian presence and advanced missile defenses.

Take a look at the US's firepower in the region:

SEE ALSO: Trump warned Russia that a missile strike on Syria is coming — here's how it could go down

Here's the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the aircraft carrier that just left the region. It has aircraft for logistics, air-to-air, air-to-ground, intelligence and surveillance, early-warning, and antisubmarine warfare. It's one of 11 US aircraft carriers, and as it stands it could make it back to the region within one week at full steam.



Here's a loaded F/A-18E. This one has an air-to-ground heavy load out, but still carries air-to-air missiles in case an enemy aircraft attacks the US or US-backed forces, as was the case when an F/A-18E had to shoot down a Syrian Su-22.



The crew can launch one of these every two minutes or so. F/A-18Es off the US aircraft carriers can fly thousands of sorties, or missions, during a single deployment.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best tablets you can buy

0
0

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.

tablets 4x3

The Insider Pick:

  • Tablets are ideal for kids, travelers, and professionals — it just depends on which one you buy. The best tablet for most people is Apple's 2018 9.7-inch iPad, but we've also included a number of other excellent tablets that are best for different uses.

When I was a kid, and our family went on a long car ride, my parents would keep us entertained by making us play games like I Spy, Don’t Hit Your Brother, and Who Can Stay Quietest the Longest. These days, though, kids are just as likely to have a tablet screen in the backseat, watching movies or playing games while wearing headphones.

Tablets have contributed to the parental bliss of silence in the car like few other inventions.

Beyond that, tablets are interesting pieces of technology, giving you a nice mix of computer processing capabilities and entertainment on a touchscreen. 

If you already own a laptop and a smartphone — and you don’t have the need to entertain kids in the backseat — you may wonder whether you also need a tablet. Depending on how you use your current pieces of tech and based on what else you’d like to do, a tablet can be a great addition.

We've picked the best tablets you can buy in several different categories, including ones that are best for kids, professionals, and travelers. We've tested all but two of these tablets personally, so you can trust our recommendations. If you need more guidance before you choose, read the last slide for everything you should know about buying a tablet.

Updated on 04/11/2018 by Malarie Gokey: Added the new 2018 iPad as our new top pick. Also updated prices.

Read on in the slides below to learn why Apple's 2018 9.7-inch iPad is our top pick and why you might also like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, the Amazon Fire HD 8, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, the Asus Zenpad 3S 10, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition.

SEE ALSO: The best iPads you can buy

The best tablet for most people

Why you'll love it: The 2018 9.7-inch iPad is an absolute steal at $330 with a gorgeous sharp screen, high-end metal design, and support for the Apple Pencil.

Apple's iPads have always been the best tablets you can buy, but the high price tags made it tough to find an iPad on a budget. All that has changed with the 2018 9.7-inch iPad. It costs a mere $330, and it offers nearly all of the same high-end specs and features as the top-of-the-line iPad Pros.

If you own an aging iPad or iPad Mini, the new 9.7-inch iPad is an excellent upgrade. Obviously, if you have an iPad Air 2 or an iPad Pro, you don't need to get the new one. The 2018 iPad is for anyone who has always wanted an iPad, but couldn't afford the $500+ price tag. It's an absolute steal at $329.99.

We compared it to Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet, and there was no doubt that the iPad is the better buy.

The 9.7-inch screen is sharp and clear with its 2,048 x 1,536-pixel resolution, the A10 processor is very capable (even though it's not the iPhone X's A11 chip), the battery life should be great, and you can even buy things on it with Apple Pay, thanks to the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

Best of all, it supports the Apple Pencil, an incredible stylus with virtually no lag. You will have to pay $100 extra for the Pencil, but if you like to take notes or draw on your iPad, it is well worth it. Naturally, any Bluetooth keyboard also works with the iPad, so if you want to use it as a quasi-laptop, you can pick up a great keyboard.

You simply can't beat those specs at that price point. Comparable Android tablets cost hundreds of dollars more, and the iPad still has a better app library and accessory support. 

The aluminum build looks and feels premium, and the 9.7-inch screen size makes it a very portable device that's easy to stow away in your bag. It's quite light, too, so you can happily binge-watch Netflix in bed on your new iPad. Tech nerds will say it's a boring old design, but it's tried and true. Plus, the aluminum build is durable. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Incredible price for an iPad, powerful A10 processor, slick aluminum design, Touch ID for security and Apple Pay, gorgeous screen, supports the Apple Pencil, iOS 11

Cons: Not the latest A11 processor found on the iPhone X

Buy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad from Best Buy for $329.99+ (price varies by storage and connectivity) 

Buy the Apple Pencil from Best Buy for $93.99 (originally $99.99) 

Buy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad from Apple for $329+ (price varies by storage and connectivity)



The best Android tablet

Why you'll love it: When you want to watch videos on your tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 provides outstanding image and audio quality.

If you’re looking for a great Android tablet for watching movies or streaming video, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 sits at the top of the heap. This screen not only gives you excellent images now, but it’s also a future-proof screen, as it contains HDR technology.

Even though HDR-enabled content isn’t really available for tablets yet, this Samsung tablet makes sure you’ll be ready when HDR content does appear. With a maximum resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, this tablet has better-than-HD resolution in its 9.7-inch screen.

Insider Picks' guides editor Malarie Gokey tested this tablet when it first came out and loved it. The sharp screen, fast processor, and incredibly lightweight build make it the best Android tablet you can buy.

In its review, TechRadar calls the Galaxy Tab S3 the best Android tablet developed yet, thanks to the high-quality display screen and four speakers that give you better audio quality than you’d expect from a tablet.

The Galaxy Tab S3 also has 12 hours of battery life, a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel front camera, and 4 GB of RAM, all of which are above-average features.

You’ll appreciate having the Samsung S Pen stylus included with this tablet, and the stylus works incredibly well, according to one Amazon reviewer. However, an Amazon buyer wishes there was a storage location for the stylus attached to the tablet because the stylus can easily be lost. 

Pros: One of the best tablet screens for video quality, includes four speakers for better-than-expected audio quality, includes a stylus with the kit, plenty of above-average components for fast performance

Cons: No keyboard included with this model, no option to attach the stylus to the tablet for storage

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 on Amazon for $547.99 (originally $599.99)



The best tablet under $100

Why you'll love it: The Amazon Fire HD 8 is super affordable, but it still delivers a good set of features that you’ll enjoy using for watching videos and running apps.

Normally, you get what you pay for when it comes to technology. Once in a while though, you receive more than what you expect with a bargain-priced piece of tech. 

The Amazon Fire HD 8 is going to surprise you with its sub-$100 price tag and great performance. This certainly isn’t a tablet that’s going to compete with high-end iPads, but it has a good set of features for those who need only the basics from a tablet.

Insider Picks reporter Brandt Ranj tested the new Fire HD 8 and couldn't believe how good it was for the price. If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you get access to tons of popular TV shows, movies, and music on the tablet. The app selection is also very good, and if you read Kindle ebooks, this tablet is just the perfect size.

CNET says the Fire HD 8 is one of the best cheap tablets you can buy, although PC Mag says this tablet doesn’t work as well unless you have a subscription to Amazon Prime services. But it’s still a good value among tablet options.

The Amazon Fire HD 8 also offers good parental controls, so it's a great tablet to give an older kid.

One Amazon buyer calls this tablet an amazing value that will perform all of the basic functions most people need from a tablet. However, a few other Amazon reviewers say the Fire HD 8 doesn’t last very long.

Pros: Extremely low price point, performs basic functions of a tablet well, offers expandable storage with a memory card slot, good for kids, works especially well for those with Amazon Prime accounts

Cons: Can’t compete with powerful iPads, battery charges very slowly, display size of just 8 inches

Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 on Amazon for $54.99 (originally $79.99)



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We tried burgers from 2 companies that want to replace meat with veggie patties that 'bleed' — and the winner is clear

0
0

beyond burger 7704

  • New companies focused on creating plant-based alternatives to animal-derived meats are on the rise. They aim to re-create the meat-eating experience with veggie burgers that smell, sear, and "bleed" like beef.
  • Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are two young companies that have developed cutting-edge veggie burgers.
  • The products can now be found at a Major League Baseball stadium, at TGI Friday's, and at major grocery chains nationwide.
  • We tasted burgers from the two companies to see which was better.

Raising meat for human consumption is tough on the environment. More than one-third of all raw materials in the US are devoted to raising animals for food, according to the animal-rights group PETA, and it takes 1,847 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef.

To combat this, new companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are exploring new ways to create sustainable meat alternatives.

While there have long been plenty of soy-based meat alternatives on the market, Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods aim to be different. Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods don't create "lab-grown meat"— a separate innovation that involves growing actual meat in a lab — yet their burgers still smell, sear, and "bleed" as beef does, aiming to please meat eaters by re-creating the experience of eating animal-derived meat without the ethical and environmental drawbacks.

Bill Gates and Leonardo DiCaprio are among investors who have partnered with Beyond Meat to help propel its success. Since launching in 2016, Beyond Meat has sold more than 11 million of its Beyond Burgers, which can now be found at TGI Friday's and in grocery stores nationwide.

Impossible Foods, on the other hand, recently raised an additional $114 million in venture funding in a round led by Singapore's Temasek and Sailing Capital. Most recently, the Impossible Burger made its debut (for a limited time) at Disney's California Adventure and at the Oakland Coliseum, home of the Oakland A's.

We set out to taste both vegan burgers at Bareburger and TGI Friday's in New York City, and while both burgers are healthy and sustainable alternatives to meat, we had a clear favorite:

SEE ALSO: 13 popular fast-food menu items that are surprisingly perfect for vegans

DON'T MISS: This falafel chain is poised to take over New York with the help of former Chipotle execs — here's what it's like to eat there

First I went to a Bareburger in downtown Manhattan, one of the few locations that has the Impossible Burger on the menu.



When my food arrived, I almost thought I was delivered the wrong meal. The Impossible Burger looked exactly like a hamburger. I ordered it with vegan cheese, lettuce, and tomato on a sprout bun.



It definitely seared the way a hamburger would. The Impossible Burger relies on a plant-derived ingredient called heme for its meaty feel and look. It's made from wheat, coconut oil, and potatoes.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

42 secrets you never knew about the Titanic and the people aboard it

0
0

rms titanic

  • The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 — 106 years ago.
  • While there have been many movies, books, and research about the ship, you might be surprised to hear these secrets of the Titanic and those onboard.
  • From a cellist who wasn't declared officially dead until 2000 to the divorces that the sinking ended up causing, the Titanic affected the world in a multitude of unexpected ways.


One hundred and six years ago, one of the most famous — and deadliest — disasters took place.

On April 15, 1912, at 2:20 a.m., what was deemed one of the most luxurious and safe ships ever built, hit an iceberg and sank off the coast of Newfoundland, taking more than 1,500 lives. The ship, the world's largest passenger ship at the time, was on its maiden voyage, headed from Southampton, England, to New York City.

While the tragedy has inspired myriad movies, books, and articles, the ship and its passengers still hold secrets and little-known facts that might surprise you.

Keep reading to remember the Titanic and those onboard, and learn more about those affected by the tragedy.

Actress Dorothy Gibson, who was aboard the Titanic and survived, starred in a film called "Saved From the Titanic," which was released just one month after the ship sank.

American silent film actress Dorothy Gibson was one of the approximately 700 survivors of the collision.

Upon arriving in New York City unscathed, she immediately began filming "Saved From the Titanic," the first film to depict the events of the sinking. It was released in May 1912, a month after the crash. She is famous for wearing the same clothes and shoes in the movie as she had worn during the actual sinking.

While the film was successful, it only exists in memories now. The only known print of the film was destroyed in a fire.



Another survivor, Lawrence Beesley, tried to crash the filming of the 1958 film "A Night to Remember" because he wanted to symbolically go down with the ship.

According to IMDB, Beesley was on the set of "A Night to Remember," which is considered the most accurate of all Titanic films. He allegedly tried to jump into the scene depicting the ship's sinking, in order to symbolically go down with the ship. Legend has it that director Roy Ward Baker refused, as it would have been a union violation and could have halted filming.

Beesley was a survivor from the second class, and wrote a memoir about his experience entitled "The Loss of the SS Titanic."



The 700 third-class passengers had to share two bathtubs.

Even though, by all accounts, the third-class accommodations on the Titanic were much better than those on an average ship, they were still pretty rough. The total amount of third-class passengers ranged from 700 to 1,000, and they all had to share two bathtubs.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Step inside Jordan's special forces training center — which is carved out of a mountain and has everything the most elite soldiers in the world need

0
0

Jordanian soldiers demonstrate their skills during the opening ceremony of eighth annual Warrior Competition at the King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC) in Amman, Jordan, May 2, 2016.

Located on the outskirts of the capital city of Amman, the sound of gunfire, explosions, helicopters, and tire screeches reverberate around the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre.

A massive 6,000 acre compound, KASOTC is dedicated to the training of special forces operators from around the world. It has everything it needs to train operators — a mock village, an embassy compound, driving and shooting ranges, and even an Airbus A300 with targets to simulate hostage scenarios.

"Simply put, if special operations units are the tip of the spear, then KASOTC is the sharpening-tool that hones it," the center's website states. It certainly lives up to its motto: "Where Advanced Training Meets Advanced Technology."

KASOTC is the project of Jordan's King Abdullah II, a graduate of Britain's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the former commander of Jordan's Special Forces. The king recognized the importance of special operations and counter-terrorism in the 21st Century, particularly in the Middle East, and wanted Jordan to be a leader in these types of warfare.

Built by a US company on land donated by King Abdullah, KASOTC is handled by the Jordanian armed forces and private security companies.

They have trained military teams, private security contractors, and even the actors playing SEALs from "Zero Dark Thirty." They also hold the Annual Warrior Competition, a contest where the best special forces teams from around the world participate in exercises and drills.

Take a look at KASOTC here: 

SEE ALSO: These are the 25 most powerful militaries in the world — and there's a clear winner

The King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre opened in 2009 and trains special forces teams from various nations, as well as private contractors and security firms.

Instagram Embed:
//instagram.com/p/04xrCFkrRX/embed
Width: 658px

 



The main part of KASOTC is a massive amount of buildings designed for counter-terror and urban warfare.

Instagram Embed:
//instagram.com/p/BMWUGvAgxi3/embed
Width: 658px

 



The buildings include residential areas, an embassy compound, industrial facilities, government buildings, and public areas.

Instagram Embed:
//instagram.com/p/BJ-S5J7gjZ-/embed
Width: 658px

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

12 fruits and vegetables you should always buy organic

0
0

woman eating strawberry

  • The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently published the "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce," to highlight which kinds of conventionally grown produce are more likely to contain pesticides.
  • More than one-third of strawberry samples analyzed in 2016 contained 10 or more pesticide residues.
  • Spinach samples had almost two times as much pesticide residue by weight than any other crop.

 

We all know we should be eating more fruits and vegetables — but it turns out, some produce comes with a heavy dose of unwanted pesticides, in addition to all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

The Environmental Working Group just came out with their most recent Dirty Dozen list, a ranking of the 12 kinds of produce containing the highest concentration of pesticide residues.

In order to create the list, the EWG looked at over 10,000 samples that the USDA and the Food and Drug Administration took from popular fruits and vegetables.

While the FDA has concluded that pesticide residues pose no risk of concern for infants and children, certain kinds of conventionally grown produce contain higher doses of pesticides — even when washed and peeled — which means you should prioritize buying them organic.

Keep scrolling to see the complete list, ranked from least to most pesticide contamination.

12. Sweet Bell Peppers

The EWG found that nearly 90% of conventional sweet bell pepper samples contained pesticide residues. Since bell peppers' skin is not thick enough to keep pesticides out, they're best bought organic.



11. Potatoes

Out of any other crop, the EWG found that conventional potatoes contained the most pesticide residues by weight.



10. Celery

Since celery doesn't have a protective skin, it's highly susceptible to pesticides

The EWG found that more than 95% of conventional celery samples tested positive for pesticides, but also that a whopping 13 pesticides were detected on one of the samples of conventional celery tested.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan is retiring after 20 years in Congress — take a look back at his life, career, and how he got here

0
0

paul ryan

  • Paul Ryan announced on Wednesday that he would not be running for re-election in November, and would retire from Congress.
  • Paul Ryan has served as the Speaker of the House since since 2015, and first joined Congress in 1999 when he was 28 years old.
  • Ryan married Janna Little, who came from a wealthy family of Oklahoma Democrats, and the couple has three children.

House Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for reelection in November and will retire from Congress at the end of his term, the speaker announced Wednesday.

Ryan, the Wisconsin Republican, is in his 10th two-year term in the United States House of Representatives. The 48-year-old is retreating from Washington politics with a long résumé: Vice Presidential nominee, Speaker of the House, and chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and House Budget Committee. 

As Business Insider's Bob Bryan noted, Ryan long pushed for a major revision of the tax code, a goal the GOP accomplished in December. Following the enacting of the massive tax law, rumors began swirling that Ryan may not run again. Ryan will serve out his full term and informed fellow Republicans of his plans Wednesday during a meeting of the GOP conference.

The Ayn Rand-reading conservative will step down from his position in January. The Speaker of the House is second in the presidential line of succession, after the Vice President. 

Below, learn more about Paul Ryan, from his Wisconsin upbringing, to his congressional career, to his personal hobbies.

SEE ALSO: Paul Ryan had to explain the difference between domestic and foreign surveillance to Trump

DON'T MISS: House passes massive $1.3 trillion spending bill

Paul Davis Ryan grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin, the fifth generation of his family to do so. His initials earned him the nickname PD, which he disliked. Both his father and grandfather were prominent attorneys.

Source: US News, The Los Angeles Times



Ryan's father, Paul Murray Ryan, died of a heart attack in 1986, when his son was 16.

Source: The Los Angeles Times



Ryan graduated from Miami University (Ohio) in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in economics and political science. The future member of Congress was also a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. His father's Social Security survivor benefits helped pay for his education.

Sources: The Los Angeles Times, US News, Miami UDelts



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Viewing all 61683 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images