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Satellite images reveal what Russia's World Cup stadiums look like from space

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Russia map stadiums world cup

  • Games for the 2018 World Cup will be played at 12 stadiums across Russia, with locations spread more than 1,500 miles apart from east to west and more than 1,000 miles from north to south.
  • Deimos Imaging has captured satellite images of these stadiums.
  • Here's what the World Cup stadiums look like from space.


On June 14 at 6:00 p.m. Moscow time (11:00 a.m. ET), teams from Russia and Saudi Arabia will kick off the 2018 World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

That's just one of 12 stadiums that teams from 32 countries will be playing at during the World Cup. The stadiums are spread across Russia. As a bird flies, the stadiums in Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg are more than 1,500 miles apart; stadiums in Sochi and St. Petersburg are more than 1,000 miles apart.

This will lead to varying temperatures and conditions, depending on where games are played.

Urthecast subsidiary Deimos Imaging, which operates commercial satellites and is one of the world's leading satellite image providers, has captured images of what each of the stadiums look like from space.

Here's where the games of the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be played.

SEE ALSO: The giant garbage vortex in the Pacific Ocean is over twice the size of Texas — here's what it looks like

Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

In addition to the first game of the World Cup, the final on July 15 will also be played at Luzhniki Stadium.



Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi



Kazan Arena, Kazan



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

15 people share their airport horror stories — and you'll never want to fly again

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Bridesmaids flight

Flying is typically the quickest and most convenient way to travel. But if you travel often, you have probably dealt with your share of slow security lines, canceled flights, long layovers, inconsiderate flyers, unhelpful airline staff, and lost or damaged luggage. In fact, according to SITA, an air transport IT company, in 2016 nearly six bags per every 1000 travelers were lost by airlines. Of those lost bags, 47% were mishandled during a connection.

Reddit users share some of their worst airport experiences. Of course, these are just for fun, as we can't independently authenticate the stories.

"TSA disassembled my CPAP with a screwdriver"

"The TSA agent started to disassemble my CPAP (sleep apnea machine) with a screwdriver because she had never seen one before. When I attempted to stop her from tampering with a medical device that I need to not die in my sleep – and that is clearly marked 'This is a medical device,' she had me flagged as an unruly passenger and tried to prevent me from leaving the security area.

"I explained to her supervisor that I had contacted my loved ones and gave them her name and badge number in case I died in my sleep because my breathing machine had been tampered with. They eventually covered the cost of a replacement CPAP." - Redditor neinta



"We couldn't walk our dog for the 14-hour layover"

"Had a layover once when I was a kid, with my mom, younger brother, and our dog. Our flight kept getting delayed for a total of 14 hours. We were in a gate that was separate from the main terminal of the airport (normally you would take a bus to get to this separate building) and it was VERY under construction.

"There was no a/c, water fountains, or food vendors. No seats. No place to walk our dog. We requested to return to the main terminal, but they told us if we left we would not be able to come back. Our dog was dying of heat in her carrier, but everywhere we went to try and let her out (on a leash) this woman would appear to yell and tell us to put her away. My dog ended up chewing a hole in the carrier to stick her head out." - Redditor TeaTimeAtThree



"My pants fell off going through security"

"I had recently lost a lot of weight. Going through security I had to take my belt off, but no biggie, I just held my pants up. And, then I went into the scanner and had to put my hands up. Not so much my horror story as everyone else's." - Redditor varthalon



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The co-founder of By Chloe, the chain that wants to be the McDonald's of vegan fast food, just opened a new restaurant. Here's what it's like to eat there.

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DEZ 2891

  • Samantha Wasser, co-founder of the international vegan fast-casual chain By Chloe, just opened a new Middle Eastern restaurant called Dez, which is short for desert. 
  • The chef at Dez is Eden Grinshpan, star of the Cooking Channel show "Eden Eats."
  • The food served at Dez has some very personal touches. "[The food] is exactly the way [Eden] would prepare it for you if you came to her home," founder Sam Wasser said.

By Chloe, a vegan fast-casual chain, has become an international success since opening in 2015. The chain now has 10 stores, including a new location in London, where another is on the way. 

By Chloe co-founder Samantha Wasser recently opened her latest fast-casual spot, which is in collaboration with chef Eden Grinshpan, who hosts the Cooking Channel's "Eden Eats." Called Dez, short for desert, the restaurant serves up a mix of Middle Eastern food, including dishes like Moroccan lamb meatballs, harissa curry shakshuka, and falafel cauliflower pita.

Though Grinshpan had been sitting on the concept for a couple of years, the idea to open a restaurant came about after she hosted a pop-up in Brooklyn. She received so many positive responses that within weeks, she was meeting with Esquared Hospitality, which also operates By Chloe. 

The menu at Dez took more than two years to come together. The prices are relatively low, with meze costing $6 and salads priced at $11. 

Grinshpan, who is half-Israeli, said the Middle Eastern concept hits close to home. 

"The food that I'm cooking at Dez, every dish has a story," she told Business Insider. "You get Persian influence, you get Moroccan influence, you get so many different cultures that you can see sprinkled in throughout the entire menu. Nothing is super traditional."

While this is Grinshpan's first restaurant, Wasser is clearly no stranger to the fast-casual industry. The hope is to appeal to millennials in much the same way that By Chloe does, and to eventually grow Dez's presence elsewhere. 

"What I love about the fast-casual industry right now is that it's pretty much designed for me and my peers, and millennials as well, where people want delicious food that is well-sourced and well-curated in a high designed space. And that's kind of where fast food is lacking," she said.

We recently went to Dez to see what it was all about. Here's what it was like:

SEE ALSO: This chain wants to be the McDonald's of vegan fast food — here's what it's like to eat there

Dez is located in Soho, just around the corner from By Chloe.



It was pretty busy considering that it had only been open for two hours when I visited.



There were colorful decorations and plants throughout the interior, and a cardboard camel decorated with flowers sat in the front of the restaurant. While designing Dez, Wasser placed an emphasis on creating a well-designed space. "I think more people are going to be paying attention to the setting and the packaging. People want to have fun when they're eating," she told Business Insider.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

16 health conditions that affect more women than men

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young woman at gynecologist office

The female body can do some incredible things, like grow brand-new humans and break world records for longevity

But being female also means you're more prone to certain diseases. 

Of course, not everyone's body fits neatly into a strict male-female binary. But, generally speaking, these 16 conditions affect more women than men. 

1. Anxiety

Worry is a normal part of being human. But with anxiety disorders, worry can become extreme and start to interfere with daily life

Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, according to the US Department of Health and Humans Services Office on Women's Health (OWH). 

These disorders are real medical problems, and there are treatments that can help. This guide from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America can help you find a therapy that works for you. 



2. Depression

Just as with anxiety, women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, according to the OWH. 

There's no one cause of depression, but fluctuating female hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, the postpartum period, and menopause may increase a woman's depression risk. Stress, family history, pain, and medical problems can also factor in. 

And, just as with anxiety, depression is treatable



3. Osteoporosis

In osteoporosis, the bones become weak and more likely to break. Age is one important risk factor — the older you are, the higher the chance you'll get it  — but so is being female. An estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and 80% of them are women, according to the OWH. 

The disease is more common in women for a few reasons, as the OWH notes. First, women tend to have smaller, less dense bones than men. Second, bone loss ramps up when estrogen levels drop after menopause. Third, women often live longer than men — and living longer increases osteoporosis risk. 

There are a few things everyone can do to slow down bone loss: Don't smoke or drink to excess, get exercise, and make sure you're getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Your body uses calcium to build healthy bones, but it can't absorb calcium without help from vitamin D, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains. 



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7 wild photos of the SR-71 Blackbird's afterburners in action

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sr-71 spy plane

The SR-71 Blackbird spy plane is the fastest and highest-flying production aircraft to ever hit the skies. 

Despite the US Air Force officially retiring the Blackbird in 1990 (although NASA would use two of them for research in that decade), it remains to this day one of the most popular and captivating aircraft.

The SR-71 was developed in the early 1960's in response to two U-2 spy planes getting shot down — one over the Soviet Union and one over Cuba. 

Thousands of missiles would be fired at Blackbirds during the 24 years it was in service, but the US never lost one because of its incredible speed. 

Check out the photos below:

SEE ALSO: 15 photos of the MiG-31, the Russian fighter jet that can chase away SR-71 Blackbirds

SEE ALSO: NASA just dropped a ton of rare footage of SR-71 Blackbirds doing what they do best

The SR-71 Blackbird was powered by two Pratt & Whitney J58 axial-flow turbojet engines.

Source: US Air Force



Each engine gave the Blackbird 32,500 pounds of thrust.

Source: US Air Force



The Blackbird had a maximum speed of Mach 3+, which is more than 2,000 mph or three times the speed of sound.

Source: US Air Force



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Microsoft Office is getting a redesign — check out the biggest changes in the apps (MSFT)

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Microsoft

Change is scary. 

And for a product that's used by more than one billion people, change can cause a lot of confusion and disruption.

That's why Microsoft is giving people plenty of time to prepare for the first redesign of its Office apps in three years.

The popular suite of productivity apps, which includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, is getting a makeover that will make some familiar parts of the interface, including the uppermost "ribbon" of tools, look different. Overall, it's a sleeker look that will weave in new search capabilities.

But instead of flipping a switch, Microsoft said the new features will roll out to Office365 and Office.com users over the next few months, "after they’ve made it through rigorous rounds of validation and refinement."

"Users have a lot of 'muscle memory' built around these versions [of the productivity apps], so we plan on being especially careful with changes that could disrupt their work," the company said.

Here are some of the changes you can expect to see in your favorite productivity apps (don't be scared):

SEE ALSO: How to use Zelle, the lightning-fast payments app that's more popular than Venmo in the US

The classic ribbon across the top, where menu options like 'Home' and 'Insert' exist, will be condensed to simplify the look so that it isn't all or nothing the way it is now.

The classic three-row version will still be available to switch back to, unlike the new Gmail, which will be removing the choice to opt-out of its redesigned version later this year, Microsoft says it doesn't intend to take that option away: "Users will always be able to revert back to the classic ribbon with one click."

The web version of Word will be the first of the apps to get it. Microsoft says it'll start to roll it out to select users of Office.com today, and then "Select Insiders" will see it in Outlook for Windows in July.



Collaboration commands will all be in the upper right-hand corner inside Office documents.

Collaborators will be represented by an avatar and a color, so that each person's cursor can be identified using that designated color as everyone edits the same document — similar to the way it is in Google's G Suite apps.



The icons for all of the commands that you see in the toolbar — copy, paste, print, folder, for example — will be updated so that the graphics are more "crisp" for larger screens.

These will also only appear in the Word for Office.com at first, but they'll roll out a little further than the simplified ribbon when they go to Windows: the aforementioned select Insiders will see the updated icons in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Windows later this month. 

Outlook for Windows will get the icons in July and Outlook for Mac will get them in August. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 14 most painful TV cancellations of all time

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ian mcshane deadwood game of thrones

Now that there's more TV than ever before, even more shows get canceled.  

Some shows get canceled because both critics and audiences hate them. Some get canceled because audiences don't care, even if critics do. And some get canceled for reasons we'll likely never know. 

There have been quite a few painful cancellations throughout TV history, and here we picked some of the ones that hurt the most.

From "Freaks and Geeks" to "Pushing Daisies," here are the 14 most painful TV cancellations of all time.

*Note: We did not include shows that have since been rebooted or picked up for another season, like "Arrested Development,""Brooklyn Nine-Nine," and "The Expanse."

SEE ALSO: Netflix explains why it canceled 'Everything Sucks' after less than two months

"My So-Called Life"— ABC, canceled after one season (1994-1995)

This one-season teen drama perfectly captured teen angst in the 90s. And although it introduced us to the can of worms that is Jared Leto, it also introduced the world to Claire Danes, one of the most exceptional actors of the past few decades. Even though her performance earned her an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe win, ABC didn't give the show a second season. 



"Freaks and Geeks"— NBC, canceled after one season (1999-2000)

"Freaks and Geeks" wasn't a painful cancellation at the time because most people who love it now weren't even aware of its existence. But it gained popularity after it ended, particularly since every member of its cast has become successful: Jason Segel, Martin Starr, James Franco, Linda Cardellini, Seth Rogen, Busy Phillips, and more. 



"Firefly"— Fox, canceled after one season (2002-2003)

"Star Wars" is a space opera with some Western elements, while the short-lived "Firefly" is a Western that takes place in space. It's just as funny as it is dramatic, mostly thanks to its talented cast including Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk, and its world is so detailed that you're immersed in it immediately. It only lasted one season, but it's had a lasting impact on creator Joss Whedon's career, sci-fi, and the people who watched it. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the 30 best cars for summer road trips

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Ferrari 488 Spider

  • When it comes to summer road trips, there are a ridiculous number of vehicle options. 
  • We rounded up a variety of wheels, from sporty roadsters to hulking SUVs.
  • Many of these vehicles have actually been road tested on actual road trips by BI's crack team of car reviewers.
  • So trust us!

Nothing says summer more than a summer road trip. 

Over the next few months, many of us will take to the road, individually, as families, and in festive groups. There will be playlists. There will be stops in strange and exotic places. There will be nights spent in cheap motels. The culmination will be unexplored destinations, beaches, lakefronts, and all manner of additional curiosities.

Clearly, the car matters. 

Fortunately, at Business Insider we drive just about everything from minivans to Rolls-Royces. So we've put together a list of amazing summer road-trip rides, from the basic and utilitarian to the absurdly luxurious. 

I'll be the first to admit that practicality wasn't always our guide. In numerous cases, the hot car won out over the ones that handle simple A-B duty.

So yes, some of these machines will get you to where you're going with more style than luggage space. So be it! 

Read on to see what we recommend.

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

Mazda Miata MX-5

For straightforward, joyful motoring in the open air, few cars can match the pure spirit of the great roadster of all time, the Mazda Miata MX-5, now in its fourth generation. This is my personal favorite Miata since the first-gen, a car that I owned and took on several road trips. 

Yes, your luggage will be limited. But you wanted to travel light anyway. And yes, you'll be limited to one passenger. But didn't you want only the best company?



Mazda Miata MX-5 RF

If a drop-top coupé Miata is more your speed, the MX-5 RF is just as much fun.



Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible

Obviously, we're working through red convertibles here. The EcoBoost Mustang ragtop is tremendous fun and should be available in rental fleets. But don't let that stigma put you off this four-banger — it's all pony car. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

20 of Trump's most famous quotes since becoming president

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Donald Trump

As a businessman, President Donald Trump was never afraid to offer a piece of his mind in private, in press conferences, and on Twitter.

Since running for and being elected president of the United States, Trump's reputation for sharing his thoughts hasn't changed at all.

Trump's quotes are funny, historic, controversial — and all of them are memorable.

To celebrate Trump's 72nd birthday on June 14, here are 20 of his most famous quotes since being elected president.

SEE ALSO: 14 of George H.W. Bush's most presidential quotes

DON'T MISS: 9 quotes that famous people didn't actually say

Trump brought the country together in trying to decode what he meant in a late night tweet with the word "covfefe".

Source: Twitter



After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump once again reiterated his belief that his campaign did not coordinate with Russia during the 2016 election.

Source: CNN



In a press conference at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump doubled down on his support for the US intelligence community.

Source: CNN



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The best roach killer and traps 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 roach killer

The Insider Pick:

  • Any cockroaches that stay outside in nature are OK in my book and should have nothing to fear from humans. Any roaches that break the trust and come into our homes, however, need to die.

  • Our top pick to render said bugs dead is the Combat Max 12-Month Roach Killing Bait because, as the name suggests, its lethality starts on day one and lasts for a year.

You've probably heard cockroaches described as the ultimate survivors. After all, can't they survive a nuclear explosion? Well, not exactly, as it turns out. Anything caught up in the actual blast wave, be it a roach or a rhino, is as good as dead. But when it comes to withstanding radiation exposure, roaches have a tolerance that far exceeds our own — 50% of one test group survived a 30-day exposure to radiation levels that would have killed most humans in a matter of minutes.

And speaking of survival, some variety of roach ancestor has been extant for about 320 million years, which means that cockroaches not only survived the extinction event that killed off the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago, but that roaches were scurrying around the planet about 70 million years before the first Eoraptors were running around what today is Argentina.

So if your goal is complete and total global eradication of the cockroach, you're probably choosing a losing battle. If you're trying to keep your home or business roach-free, then we can help. We've included roach-killing products that get the job done fast, killing on contact, and those that get the job done slowly, allowing a roach to transport poison back to the nest.

The best combination for your infestation will probably be a blend of two or even three of these products, as roaches are indeed a tenacious and resilient foe. But don't worry, even though they have a few hundred million years of history over us humans, we've developed much larger brains, so we can figure this thing out and get you a roach-free property. Quick pro tip: proper food storage and waste disposal is probably going to be the most effective technique of all.

Here are the best roach killer and traps you can buy:

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

SEE ALSO: The best ant traps, killers, and repellents you can buy

The best roach killer overall

Why you'll love it: You can place discrete Combat Max 12-Month Roach Killing Bait stations all around your home to create a virtual shield against roaches that will remain effective for up to a year.

If you're trying to deal with an infestation of common small roaches, you probably don't want to do so by keeping a can of insecticide at the ready at all times. Yet you do want your home to be a cockroach killing ground at all times. That's why so many people trust Combat Max 12-Month Roach Killing Bait stations.

These compact, discreet black discs can be placed in cabinets and drawers, under the fridge, behind the toilet, and just about anywhere else you want, and each of the 18 stations you get per box is loaded with enough roach poison to remain effective for up to a year in most circumstances.

The low cost and long lifespan (so to speak) of these bait stations are both certainly selling points, but so too is the ripple effect of their efficacy. For once an individual roach has ingested the Fipronil insecticide within the station, the insect will unwittingly transport lethal doses of the stuff back to its nest, potentially killing many more roaches and speeding the demise of the entire local population.

Most of the hundreds of reviews posted on Amazon come with five-star ratings, such as one posted by a buyer named Jeff who reported that "within a day" of setting out the stations he "no longer saw live roaches." Another reviewer named Mark added a bit of humor, saying his "only regret is that the roaches can't feel [his] hate."

In a write up from MorningChores, these Combat Max bait stations were hailed as a good way to "effectively eliminate roaches."

Pros: Long term efficacy, great low price, discreet and easy use

Cons: Not effective against larger roach species

Buy an 18-Pack of Combat Max 12-Month Roach Killing Bait Stations on Amazon for $10.97



The best roach killing spray

Why you'll love it: Sometimes, you get up close and personal with a cockroach. When you do, kill it fast with a can of Raid Ant & Roach Killer Insecticide Spray.

If your entire plan for dealing with a serious roach problem involves spraying every insect you see with insecticide, then you can count on having a roach problem for many years to come, friend. Treating the issue means killing off the bugs you can't see, which will vastly outnumber the individuals spotted scurrying to and fro. Sorry to tell you that, but it's the truth.

However, as part of a comprehensive roach eradication campaign, it's invaluable to have a kill-on-contact spray at your disposal, and Raid Ant & Roach Killer Insecticide Spray is certainly that. One quick spritz of this surprisingly inoffensive lemon-scented formula and that roach making a beeline for a crack in the wall is dead meat.

This spray can also be used to treat areas of known roach activity, making them temporarily lethal to insects passing through, though the spray lacks the ability to render an exposed insect lethal to others such as many baits do.

With several dozen reviews posted on Amazon, this legacy insecticide brand's roach killer spray has a fine 4.1-star rating. One buyer who reported "disgust" with roaches was quite satisfied with the "quality product" that "killed several roaches" immediately upon the first use and smelled "lemony and... almost pleasant."

A product writer from Ezvid noted that this ant and roach spray "makes short work of spiders too," though of course as spiders eat insects you might want to leave some of them around.

Pros: Kills almost instantly, pleasant scent, effective against myriad pests

Cons: Not a long-term pest solution

Buy a 2-Pack of Raid Ant & Roach Killer Insecticide Spray on Amazon for $16



The best roach killing gel

Why you'll love it: You can apply Advion Cockroach Gel Bait exactly where you want it, even in the smallest cracks and crevices, and you can count on roaches bringing its lethal formula back to the nest.

The process of using Advion Cockroach Gel Bait isn't as simple as tossing a few bait stations or traps around the house, nor is it as easy as just spraying every insect you see to kill them on site. But while a more laborious initial undertaking, this stuff more than makes up for the effort required in its extreme lethality to roaches.

It is highly effective for two reasons, the first being the fact that the carboxylate insecticide is simply very deadly to insects. The second reason is that the brand has come up with a blend of ingredients that roaches find irresistible.

Using the included applicator tips, you can spread lines or dots of this gel wherever you have seen roaches in the past or where you suspect they may be lurking. It can be squeezed into cracks in the wall, corners of baseboards, behind trashcans, and anywhere else in your home you see fit for treatment. The gel is also rated for use on boats, planes, or on any other vehicle that might have developed a roach infestation, such as your own car.

With nearly 900 reviews posted at the time of this writing, Advion Cockroach Gel Bait scores a 4.1-star average rating among Amazon customers. One buyer hails it as the "best roach killer" he has ever used, while another reports her house's "bad infestation gone in just two weeks" of use.

A write up from The Pest Management says this gel can "easily get rid of heavy cockroach infestations" and is definitely "worth buying."

Pros: Long lasting killing action, irresistible to roaches, good for heavy infestations

Cons: Labor-intensive use

Buy a box of Advion Cockroach Gel Bait on Amazon for $25



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We toured the heavily-armed and stealthy warship that may be the US Navy's next frigate

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fincantieri bergamini class fremm frigate alpino

The US Navy announced in February that five types of warships would compete for a bid to supply the branch with 20 next-generation guided-missile frigates. 

And last week, we got to tour one of those five frigates: Fincantieri's FREMM Alpino, a ship outfitted with anti-submarine systems.

"The world has changed certainly in the last two years when you take look at what Russia is doing and what China is doing," retired Admiral Rick Hunt, who now works for Fincantieri, told Business Insider on the ship's bridge. "And frankly, I think that means we got to up the game of the high-low mix that we have traditionally held," Hunt said. 

"We got our Aegis fleet of destroyers and cruisers," Hunt said, but "we need to have kind of a smaller utility ship that covers down on the rest, that gives you forward presence, independent ops, escort capability ... and value added to the larger carrier strike groups."

And that is exactly what the heavily-armed Alpino can provide, Hunt said, adding that it's a frigate with "destroyer-like capabilities."

Check it out below: 

SEE ALSO: We took a rare tour of one of the US Navy's most dangerous warships that entered combat for the first time in Syria

SEE ALSO: Step aboard the USS Zumwalt, the largest destroyer the US Navy has ever built

The Alpino is about 472 feet long, about 65 feet wide, has about a 17 foot-draft, and a total displacement of 6,500 tons.

Source: Fincantieri



The ship accommodates about 200 people, and has a full load displacement of about 6,500 tons.

Source: Fincantieri

 



Now let's go aboard.



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The US Army is 243 years old — here's what its soldiers have worn into battle in every war since the American Revolution

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US Army Afghanistan

From rags to spit-and-polish boots, from scratchy blue wool to the new operational camouflage pattern, from tricorn hat to helmet, the Army uniform has changed drastically through the years.

In honor of the US Army’s birthday in 2015, and the launch of the Operational Camouflage Pattern, soldiers takes a look at the evolution of battle dress from the Revolution through today.

Editor’s note: Most of the historical information in this blog is from the US Army Center of Military History, as are all of the paintings. Multicam and operational camouflage information is from Army News Service stories. Unless otherwise noted, all photos are courtesy of the US Army Heritage and Education Center. Photos are also identified by photographer when possible.

SEE ALSO: The US Defense Department has made a slight name change — and it's part of a bigger effort to counter China

The Revolutionary War

Early in the war, most soldiers simply wore what they had, whether that was a state militia uniform, frontier dress (as seen here in the 1777 battle of Saratoga) or even their regular clothes. Washington actually ordered the use of fringed hunting shirts as a field garment to provide some uniformity until the Continental Army had a more consistent uniform.

Supply problems throughout the war — sometimes Congress actually failed to authorize uniform funds — forced many soldiers to huddle in blankets in the winter and tie rags around their feet when their shoes wore out.



Even officers’ uniforms varied widely. Here, Washington sports the blue and buff regimentals he designed, whereas an aide-de-camp wears brown and another general wears black. The officers’ ribbons, instituted by Washington, indicate their various ranks and positions. Noncommissioned officers were distinguished by epaulettes or strips of cloth on the right shoulder.



Later in the war, Continental Army uniforms became more standardized. Here, soldiers wear the uniforms prescribed in 1779: blue coats lined with white and trimmed with white buttons, worn with white overalls and waistcoats. The colors facing the coats identified Soldiers by region or branch.

For example, the lieutenant on the right wears blue faced with buff and shoulder epaulettes, indicating he is an infantry officer from New Jersey or New York. The soldier on the left is an artillery private.

In 1782, blue coats faced with red became standard for everyone except generals and staff officers.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A real-life Westworld with a violent history is for sale in California for under $1 million — take a look inside the ghost town

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cerro gordo ghost town

  • Cerro Gordo, an abandoned mining town in Lone Pine, California, that looks straight out of Westworld is currently for sale for just under $1 million.
  • It boasts nearly 300 acres of land, historic buildings, many of which are being restored, and a history that's both violent and rich in economic growth.
  • The ghost town perfectly captures the essence of the Wild Wild West, frozen in time.

In some wild news from the Wild Wild West, a historic ghost town in Lone Pine, California, is for sale for just under $1 million.

A 19th-century mining town, Cerro Gordo boasts more than 300 acres of land and 22 buildings, many of which are being restored — and maybe a ghost or two, considering the town's violent history dating back to the 19th century. 

Established in 1865, Cerro Gordo was once the largest producer of silver and lead in California and helped spur economic growth in Los Angeles. The abandoned settlement is basically a history lover's dream.

"For those looking to acquire a piece of American West, Cerro Gordo is for you," reads the real estate listing, held by Jake Rasmuson of Bishop Real Estate

The deserted land of Cerro Gordo looks like something straight out of Westworld. See for yourself in the photos below. 

SEE ALSO: 30 photos of abandoned amusement parks around the US that will give you the chills

DON'T MISS: Nobody wants to buy 'Versailles in Manhattan,' a $19.75 million Upper East Side townhouse that has been on and off the market for 15 years

Cerro Gordo is a 19th-century mining town set in Lone Pine, California, in the Inyo Mountains on 300 acres of land. It's currently for sale for $925,000.

Source:Mental Floss



It has 22 structures on site, comprising 24,000 square feet of buildings including a historic hotel, bunkhouse, saloon, chapel, museum, and the Belshaw bunkhouse. Many of the buildings are being restored.

Source:Mental Floss, Ghost Town for Sale



Even artifacts are included.



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19 times celebrities have rocked the 'no pants' trend

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Both Rihanna and Kourtney Kardashian recently ditched their pants during separate appearances in New York City, but the daring trend has been a staple in Hollywood for a while.

Everyone from Blake Lively to Solange has turned heads on the red carpet in oversized blazers. The Kardashian-Jenner sisters love pairing baggy T-shirts with thigh-high boots. And Bella Hadid can't get enough of nude illusion dresses.

Keep reading to see how celebrities have worn the bold "no pants" look below.

In early June, Kourtney Kardashian wore a bra as a top and the "no pants" trend all in one night.

The "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" star stepped out in New York City wearing a $655 black Helmut Lang blazer with cutouts on the side, a lacy black bra, slouchy knee-high boots, and what looked like black short shorts or underwear.

Earlier that week, Kardashian's half-sister, Kylie Jenner, also wore a bra as a top, another trend that seems to be everywhere lately.



That same week, Rihanna stunned in an oversized light-blue jacket at a benefit event for the Clara Lionel Foundation, which she founded in 2012.

Rihanna, who collaborated with Stance to create a special line of socks and tights, paired the pantless look with strappy sandals and chunky jewelry in various shades of blue.

The singer spent the night taking photos with fans, signing autographs, and even standing behind the cash register and ringing up purchases.



Hailey Baldwin wore a belted blazer as a dress in May.

Baldwin finished the simple look with sleek, pointy-toe black heels.



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7 shows we wish MTV would bring back

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As it stands, MTV is not at a loss for programming.

But despite being jam-packed with popular reality shows like "Ex On the Beach,""Are You The One?," and of course, every iteration of "Teen Mom," the network never shies away from bringing back some of its much-loved classics.

First, MTV rebooted "Total Request Live," once well-known for being the hub of all things music in the early 2000s. Then MTV reunited the cast of "Jersey Shore," a show that basically defined an era.

Because the great minds at MTV have always been responsible for some classic shows, there is also no shortage of series that we'd like to see brought back. We're hoping these seven shows make the cut next time MTV decides which gems to bring back from the dead.

"Room Raiders"

Does the idea of a potential partner or blind date going through your most private possessions sound like a nightmare? Well, for six years that nightmare came true thanks to "Room Raiders."

On the show, contestants would watch from vans as another person rifled through their beds, drawers, and closets, sometimes with the help of a blacklight. The footage often varied from intrusive and weird to downright gross.

What it lacked in basic manners (hello, who does this in real life?), it made up for in corny self-awareness. It's vapid to judge someone simply by bursting into their room and making assumptions, but it also didn't take itself too seriously for it to be a problem. Not to mention, Zac Efron even made an appearance.



"Next"

"Next" was peak MTV: it was obviously scripted, bizarrely produced, and hilariously entertaining.

From 2005 to 2008, contestants would ride on a giant bus emblazoned with the word "next" on it, only getting off to date an attractive suitor. For every minute they lasted on themed dates, they'd earn money. In the end they'd need to make a choice: another date or take the money and run.

A show as shallow as "Next," in which contestants could immediately be rejected based on looks alone, wouldn't really fly today, but with some sharpening and adjusting it could work. If anything, it could be just as hilarious and inspire even more cringe-worthy quotes.



"Made"

If "The Hills" was dramatic and "Next" was hilarious, "Made" was MTV's most heartwarming contribution to entertainment.

On the series, subjects would work with experts and leaders to take on tasks that they dreamed of. Sometimes it was as simple as making the cheerleading squad, but others it could involving matters as serious as maintaining financial stability or taking on entirely different lifestyle choices.

It's always great to see people accomplish their goals and working towards making their dreams a reality. Though "Made hasn't been gone that long (it hasn't aired since 2014), it's highly missed because it was a hopeful, positive rarity on the otherwise silly or melodramatic network.



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I flew out of the most hated airport in the US — here's what it was like

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  • LaGuardia Airport has a reputation for being one of the worst airports in the US.
  • When I used the airport in December 2017, I noticed it was dirty, cramped, and poorly lit.
  • The airport is undergoing significant renovations over the next few years.


While the future of American transportation could involve self-driving cars, supersonic jets, and flying Ubers, our current transportation infrastructure needs some work.

Airports, in particular, have struggled to keep up with an increasing demand for air travel. Compared to some of their international counterparts, American airports are lacking. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the American aviation industry a "D" grade in its 2017 Infrastructure Report Card

"Progress at the nation’s airports and in the air traffic control system is slow, as investment has been consistently lagging in the past 18 years, unable to keep up with demands of increased traffic and new technologies,"the report said.

New York's LaGuardia Airport has a reputation for being one of the worst airports in the US. A 2017 study of more than 34,000 travelers by J.D. Power found that respondents were less satisfied with their experiences at LaGuardia than at any other large or medium airport in North America.

While renovations to the airport's terminals, parking system, and drop-off and pick-up areas are underway, the airport is cramped, poorly-lit, and dirty in its current state.

I used LaGuardia when I flew to Chicago in December 2017 and realized why its reputation is so horrible.

Here's what I saw.

SEE ALSO: The 14 most beautiful airports in the world

Construction for the renovations began in 2016, and for the moment, it made the airport look like even more of an eyesore.



The pick-up and drop-off areas were narrow, and anyone who wanted to take an Uber or Lyft home from the airport had to take a shuttle to a designated pickup area.



The ticketing area had poor lighting and low ceilings.



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15 free Alexa skills that can make your life easier — and make the Amazon Echo more useful

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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.

Amazon Echo

Amazon works behind the scenes to improve Alexa's capabilities on a weekly basis, but best way to unlock your Echo's true potential is enabling third-party skills. 

These skills can hook into tech and services you already use and let you access the information you want — news from your favorite publication, or information about your day's fitness activities — just with your voice. 

Enabling a skill only takes one click, and it automatically becomes active across all of your Alexa-enabled devices, so you don't have to remember which Echo can do what. 

There are thousands of skills out there, but we rounded up 15 below to help you get started. If you've found some other useful ones, please feel free to let us know by emailing insiderpicks@businessinsider.com, and we'll update this list over time to help your fellow readers (and us!) get more out of a gadget we use every day.

SEE ALSO: The best Amazon Echo for every person and budget

1. Get help with recipe inspiration and listen to some new music while you're at it.

Enable the Recipe Remix Skill Here >>

The Recipe Remix skill teaches you a recipe and starts a playlist to introduce you to new music to make it more fun.



2. Learn about the day's most important tech news before you leave the house.

Enable the Ten Things in Tech Skill Here >>

The Ten Things in Tech Skill presents you with Business Insider's daily tech news roundup, helping you stay up to date on Apple, Google, Facebook, Snapchat, and more.



3. Get in a short, solid exercise at the time and place that suits you.

Enable the Five Minute Workout: Core And Cardio Skill Here >>

The Five Minute Workout: Core and Cardio Skill guides you through a short exercise routine that can help get your heart pumping.



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The 29 most rewatchable movies of all time

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These are the movies that you can never escape — and that’s not a bad thing.

They are the movies that you stop everything to watch, can get sucked into even if it’s halfway through, and know ever single line of.

These are the best rewatchable movies.

From Spielberg classics like “Jaws” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” to romantic comedies “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and “Hitch,” to classics like “The Godfather” and “Toy Story,” these are the titles that keep us in love with movies.

Here are the 29 most rewatchable movies of all time:

SEE ALSO: "The Staircase" is Netflix's latest addictive true-crime series that will keep you guessing

“A Christmas Story” (1983)

Perhaps it’s because of the 24-hour marathon of the movie on TV every Christmas, but Bob Clark’s adaptation of the Jean Shepherd novel is a nostalgic look at the holidays and childhood that never gets old no matter how many times you watch it (even in one sitting during Christmas day).



“Back to the Future” (1985)

From the premise to the performances to the soundtrack, everything about Robert Zemeckis’ classic makes it a movie that you can never get tired of.



“Big” (1988)

The playfulness of Tom Hanks playing a teenager in an adult’s body is the essence of this movie and is a joy to watch even decades later.



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What to know before watching 'Wild, Wild Country' — Netflix's docu-series about a 'sex cult'

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The Netflix documentary series "Wild, Wild Country" unearths a well of information on a so-called sex cult you probably didn't even know existed. The title of the series doesn't give away the premise, and therefore, you're likely to walk into your viewing blind.

Within the first episode, several questions are raised that will take time to be answered, but if you want a preliminary report on what to expect, we've got you covered. Just a heads up, there are some light spoilers ahead. 

The series follows the Rajneesh Movement.

There are many players in "Wild, Wild Country," but to sum it up, the series follows the people of the Rajneesh movement. Indian teacher Bhagwan Shree Rashneesh inspired a new wave of spiritual practice that used Eastern influence to encourage "freedom" from the "constructs" of organized religion.

On the surface, it seemed as though they instilled beliefs of freedom, joy, and unity in their followers, known as "Sannyasins." The reality of the so-called cult was far more convoluted, as they used sexual acts as the basis for meditation and valued materials such as expensive, lavish homes and ostentatious cars (Bhagwan collecting several Rolls Royce's). A radical selection of followers reportedly committed a series of crimes, including attempted murder and the largest bioterrorist attack in Oregon's history.

Those on the outside looking in have just as much of a voice on this series, too, as they share their experiences with the upset this so-called cult caused in America.



The setting is in Wasco County, Oregon.

The movement originated in Pune, India, but faced pressure from law enforcement to answer to their unpaid tax offenses, according to Oregon Live. In search of the space to grow their numbers and freedom to practice the Rajneeshee way, secretary and right-hand to Bhagwan, Ma Anand Sheela, purchased Big Muddy Ranch in Wasco County, Oregon.

The 64,000 acres of land was used as the foundation of the town built by the followers, which came to be known as Rashneeshpuram. The series documents the interference it has with the nearby quiet town of Antelope, home to roughly 50 residents.



The Rajneesh Movement used sexual practices as a foundation for their movement.

Bhagwan was known to be a "sex guru," and therefore freedom of sexual exploration was practiced under the belief that sex was a divine act. The so-called cult encouraged followers to accept their natural instincts and disregard what society usually deemed immoral or hedonistic, such as rejecting the culture of marriage and reproduction.

Bhagwan had reportedly gone as far as handing out "sex kits" that included rubber gloves, lubricant, and condoms, according to The Seattle Times.



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9 things you need before trying to drink more water

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Drinking water

Adding more water to your diet can be a bit intimidating if you're not used to consuming more than a glass a day. Although it should be the one beverage that we consume the most of daily — especially if you're extremely active — sugary drinks such as juice, soda, and even smoothies tend to take priority in our lives. But like almost everything that we need in our lives, drinking more water isn't as simple — or pleasing — as we're made to believe.

"Water is not only one of the primary constituents of the planet, but also an integral part of our human bodies," wellness expert Dr. Kevin Kinney told INSIDER. "Up to 85% of our body is made up of water, and of that, muscles are about 80% water and the brain is about 75% water. Needless to say, proper hydration is vitally important to the basic functions of life and imperative for optimal performance.

But before you jump on the "drink gallon of water a day" bandwagon, here are nine things — as told by the experts — to keep in mind about increasing your water intake.

Try to avoid making your water "taste better."

If you're not used to consuming large amounts of water, adding products to give it a more appealing flavor may seem like a way to help. According to Dr. Kinney, however, this shouldn't be your go-to fix.

"Make sure you are drinking more water not more artificial sweeteners and flavors," he said. "Many times people attempt to make water 'taste better' by adding products that contain harmful substances. Because your body is made up of 70% water, it is important that you replenish this supply with clean and pure sources."



You can flush out certain vitamins and minerals with increased hydration.

Consuming more water is definitely needed, but even with giving your body what it needs, you can be taking that away, too.

"As you intake more water you can begin to flush water soluble vitamins and minerals," Dr. Kinney told INSIDER. "Water soluble vitamins, such as the B Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6 & B12) & vitamin C, are not stored long term and may be excreted with excess water intake if you're not taking in proper supplementation, too. Other key micronutrients that can be affected by a sudden increase in hydration include folic acid or — most detrimental — sodium, which can lead to hyponatremia (low blood sodium, which is rare due to the standard American diet)."



If you're looking for added flavor, fresh fruit and vegetables are your best bet.

If you absolute feel like you need a little flavor in order for you to get the proper amount of water that's needed, substitute those artificial flavors for something healthier.

"It is OK to add fresh fruit or vegetables to your water if you want to give it some flavor," said Dr. Kinney. "The most common added are cucumbers, citrus fruits and melons. Infusing fruit into your water can increase your metabolism, flush toxins and help your body naturally release fat cells."



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