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See inside the brand new train hub slowly taking shape 15 stories under New York's Grand Central Terminal

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NEW YORK (AP) — Deep in the bedrock 15 stories below the famous Grand Central Terminal, a cavernous construction site is slowly, and expensively, taking shape as a commuter rail hub that will accommodate more than 150,000 passengers a day.

East Side Access has been dogged by massive cost overruns and delays since construction began nearly a dozen years ago. But Gov. Andrew Cuomo has brought in a manager who is focused on bringing the $11 billion project to completion by a new deadline in four years.



"We can all see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel," said Janno Lieber, who came to the state-run Metropolitan Transit Authority a year ago, drawing upon his private-sector experience planning the rebuilding of skyscrapers around the World Trade Center.



Massive boring machines that excavated the space have been replaced by workers clanging, sawing and hammering against concrete and steel to create a concourse and two levels of platforms with 16 tracks in all.



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50 beloved celebrities who died in 2018

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  • Fans are mourning the loss of beloved celebrities.
  • Here are 50 stars who died in 2018, including rapper Mac Miller, soul legend Aretha Franklin, and former Marvel president Stan Lee.

Jackson Odell, 20

The young actor starred on "The Goldbergs" and had also been on "Modern Family" and "The Fosters." He was also a musician credited on the soundtrack for "Forever My Girl." He died June 8 from an accidental overdose



Mac Miller, 26

Miller was a rapper and producer who started his career making mixtapes. He released five studio albums before his death and was an influential producer who worked with artists like SZA and Vince Staples. He died September 7 from an apparent drug overdose



Avicii, 28

DJ and producer Avicii was known for a string of hit songs. He retired from touring in 2016 due to health concerns. He died April 20 by apparent suicide. 



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The top 10 most expensive watches sold by Christie's in 2018, ranked

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  • The 10 most expensive watches sold at Christie's this year ranged in price from $566,000 to $3.2 million.
  • The auction house also celebrated 25 consecutive years as the leading jewelry auction market in 2018.
  • Topping this list, a rare Patek Philippe wristwatch sold for a whopping $3,234,905 at Christie's.

 

In a time when smartphones reign supreme, it's fascinating to find that there are still people willing to pay a pretty penny for a good old-fashioned watch.

Whether they simply value the old way of telling time or are looking for a way to display their style on their wrist, watch buyers were willing to drop some serious cash with Christie's this year.

Read more: I went to NYC's biggest luxury watch show, and the most memorable part wasn't the $1.8 million diamond watch or the $182,000 piece they let me try on

In 2018, the auction house said it made $492.3 million in total jewelry sales ($484.5 million in live auction and $7.8 million online). The sales total earned Christie's its 25th consecutive year as the leading jewelry auction market. It also saw a new record being set with a bottle of Macallan 60 Year Old selling for a whopping $1.5 million (incidentally, that bottle broke the record set by another bottle of Macallan 60 Year Old, which had sold for $1.1 million just two months prior).

Here are the top 10 most expensive watches sold by Christie's in 2018, ranked from least to most expensive.

SEE ALSO: 5 signs you're probably not part of the middle class

10. Designed and signed by Richard Mille, this rare platinum and baguette-cut, diamond-set tourbillon wristwatch sold for a cool $566,014.

Source: Christie's



9. A unique Patek Philippe chronograph wristwatch, 18k white gold and diamond-set with a degradé black dial, brought in $614,766.

Source: Christie's



8. This Patek Philippe 18K gold perpetual calendar chronograph watch with moon phases and a tachymeter scale sold for $668,862.

Source: Christie's



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The career rise of Susan Wojcicki, who rented her garage to Google's founders in 1998 and is now the CEO of YouTube (GOOG, GOOGL)

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Susan Wojcicki

  • In 1998, Susan Wojcicki rented her Menlo Park, California, garage to Sergey Brin and Larry Page for $1,700 per month. 
  • The next year, she would join Google as its 16th employee.
  • Below is a glimpse at the life of Susan Wojcicki and her rise at Google, from an early employee to YouTube's chief exec. 

Most landlords only hope their renters pay on time, keep a tidy space, and don't disturb the neighbors. 

But for Susan Wojcicki, her renters ended up offering up a bit more: the chance to become employee No. 16 at a young search engine startup called Google. 

Of course, it's taken more than this incredible circumstance for Wojcicki to rise the ranks at Google. From expanding the company's ad business to convincing founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin to purchase an up-and-coming video sharing service called YouTube, Wojcicki has played a vital role in Google becoming one of the world's most valuable companies. 

Here's a glimpse at the life of Susan Wojcicki and her rise at Google, from employee No. 16 to YouTube's chief exec: 

SEE ALSO: From Elon Musk to Satya Nadella: Here are the 29 top tech CEOs of 2018, according to employees

Susan Wojcicki (pronounced whoa-jit-ski) is 50 years old and a Silicon Valley native.

Source: Forbes



Wojcicki grew up on the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, California, where her father, Stanley Wojcicki, was chair of the physics department.

Source: USA Today



Wojcicki's mother, Esther Wojcicki, has taught journalism at Palo Alto High School for more than two decades, where she's mentored notable students like Steve Jobs' daughter, Lisa Brennan-Jobs, and actor James Franco.

Source: Business Insider,SF Gate



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9 places to shop for bedding when you've outgrown the set of sheets you had in college

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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.

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There are many perks of online shopping — it's easy, convenient, and can be a huge time-saver. There are some products, though, where online shopping can become a gamble. These are the things you need to feel in order to truly get a sense of whether you want them or not. Before you spend your hard-earned money on an expensive mattress, you want to be sure you'll find it comfortable. The same goes for sheets — if you're going to buy a nice pair, you want to know that you'll like the way they feel. 

While we can't provide you with fabric samples through the screen (although that would be pretty cool), we can provide you with what we think is the next best thing — reviews from a team whose literal job is to test out sheets (and lots of other products, too). If you're going to buy your first "adult" set of sheets online, we have plenty of in-depth reviews to help inform your purchase. To make it a little easier on you, we put that all together in this article. 

And, if you're looking for some more resources or in the process of upgrading your whole bedding setup, check out these posts:

Keep scrolling to find out more about nine of our favorite places to buy sheets online:

Brooklinen

Shop all Brooklinen sheets here

Queen sheet sets start at $129

With over 30,000 rave reviews, including some from our own team, it's no doubt that people are obsessed with Brooklinen sheets. Thoughtful design and a cozy feel that gets better with time are a big draw to the brand, but it's the high-quality at a reasonable pricepoint that keeps customers coming back. You have many options for how to shop for sheets at Brooklinen — they offer a range of bundles that include different combinations, but you can also buy pieces individually. Their twill, linen, sateen, and percale options all offer superior comfort and value — and their newest launch of baby bedding called Brooklittles might just be the cutest thing you see today. 

Read our full review of Brooklinen sheets



Bed Bath & Beyond

Shop Bed Bath & Beyond sheets here

Queen sheet sets start at $24.99

If you're looking for more options or sheet shopping on a stuffer budget than the startups allow for, check out Bed Bath & Beyond. If the name wasn't enough of an indicator, Bed Bath & Beyond has a serious selection of sheets. The breadth of materials, colors, patterns, brands, and prices, is impressive. You can find sheet sets or buy pieces individually. I'm partial to the silky-soft feel of their Wamsutta PimaCott sheets, but there are plenty of options that accommodate all kinds of tastes. If you're on a budget, Bed Bath & Beyond frequently has sales and offers other ways to save money, like an annual membership

Right now you can save 20% off your entire purchase and get free shipping with code "ALLYEARLONG". 



MagicLinen

Shop MagicLinen sheets here

Queen sheet sets start at $227

If you like to sleep cool, breathable linen sheets will help you get a better nights rest. No, they're not cheap, but these ones are relatively more affordable than the luxury brands charging $400 a set. MagicLinen is a company from Lithuania (a country that has deep traditions of growing and weaving linen) specializing in linen goods — including sheets, aprons, towels, curtains, and more — so you can rest assured that they're focused on quality and craftsmanship. Considering the fact that linen sheets can be harder to find than other materials, MagicLinen is a no-brainer if linen bedding is your preference. We were impressed by MagicLinen's breadth of colors and patterns and their "deep mattress" option, which is made to fit over thicker mattresses and toppers.

Right now you can save 10% off your purchase at MagicLinen with our exclusive code "MAGICINSIDE".

Read our full review of MagicLinen sheets



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Here's what you missed this weekend: Trump tries to respond to dead children at the border, Kelly says the 'wall' won't be a real wall at all, and truculent truck drivers block Tesla Superchargers

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Migrant child and mother

  • President Donald Trump, Republicans, and administration officials have responded to a second December death of a migrant child in US custody. 

  • In an interview, outgoing White House chief of staff John Kelly said Trump's "Wall" won't actually be a wall.

  • Business Insider spoke to truck drivers pointedly blocking Tesla Superchargers as multiple reports of the trend have surfaced online. 

It was the weekend before New Year's Day 2019, but 2018's news didn't stop. 

Following the death of a second migrant child in US custody on Christmas Eve, Trump and other officials have given varied responses. 

Another trying weekend for Tesla, capping off a tumultuous 2018.

The outgoing White House chief of staff had some new and confusing things to say about the US-Mexico border obstacle formerly known as the "wall."

And the US military has some difficult numbers to share in its ongoing fight against ISIS.

And now we know the identity of the former Russian spy who acted as Paul Manafort's go-between with a Russian oligarch who supposedly exchanged his debts for access.

The deaths of two migrant children in US custody at the southern US border prompted renewed tensions over Trump's immigration policies, while the president again sought to blame Democrats.



In a wide-ranging interview with the Los Angeles Times, outgoing White House chief of staff John Kelly said there is no actual wall, and the administration's zero-tolerance immigration policy was all Jeff Sessions and a surprise to officials.

  • Outgoing chief of staff John Kelly says Trump's 'wall' won't actually be a wall: 'To be honest, it's not a wall.'  
  • Kelly's comments echo the president's recent change of tune, saying it would be more like "fencing," that was an "artistically designed" set of "steel slats," and not concrete.
  • Kelly also pointed the finger of blame at former Attorney General Jeff Sessions for the administration's policy that resulted in the separation of hundreds of migrant children from their families, saying, "he surprised us."


Lady Gaga kicked off her Vegas residency "Enigma" at the Park MGM Resort in Las Vegas.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Everything we learned about what you should and shouldn't be eating in 2018

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  • Scientists are constantly researching food and nutrition.
  • It feels like there's more information every week about what we should and should not eat.
  • Here's a round-up of everything we learned in 2018.

There's been a lot of research into what we should and should not be eating, drinking, and consuming this year. With such a vast amount of information being passed around, it's hard to keep up with the latest advice. 

So, INSIDER has created a list of some of the most recent and important research about food, drink, vitamins, and diets that you should be following.

Ultimately, not a lot has changed from the widely accepted advice — diets rich in vegetables, fruit, protein, and with not too many processed foods and refined carbs are good. A broad diet is best, and everything should be eaten in moderation. 

Scroll down to see the latest research behind the advice in 2018.

Read more: 11 foods with a bad reputation that you can feel good about eating — including coffee, butter, and cheese

Do drink: milk

A study in September found that milk is good for the body, despite having many naysayers. Results showed that people who had 3.2 daily servings of low-fat dairy products had a lower mortality rate than those who had none, and also had a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke specifically

Some people in the world are lactose-intolerant because they don't have the necessary enzyme to break down the components of dairy. But for everyone else, there isn't much evidence to suggest you should avoid milk to be healthy.



Do drink: alcohol (in moderation)

A study published in the summer found there may be some evidence that people who drink in moderation outlive tee-totalers. Results showed that people who never drink alcohol had a 7% higher chance of dying or getting cancer than people who drank up to three bottles of beer or glasses of wine per week.

Another study this year found that drinking in moderation could also increase male fertility, as men who drank four to seven units a week had higher sperm counts and semen volume.

However, a global study in August concluded that no amount of alcohol is safe, and the risks far outweigh any benefits.



Do eat: nuts

A study from July found eating two handfuls of nuts a day could improve men's sperm counts. The research came after an alarming study found that men's sperm counts in the western world have been dropping since 1973.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

6 natural hangover cures to try on New Year's Day

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  • Many people will have had a boozy few weeks thanks to the festive season.
  • This can mean dealing with pretty bad hangovers. 
  • Here are some natural cures to try if you don't want to keep taking painkillers.

The festive party season is in full swing. But with parties come hangovers — especially for the less careful among us.

If you've overdone it on New Year's Eve and need to perk yourself up when you wake up on 1 January, medication can be tempting.

But if you'd prefer to avoid pharmaceuticals, there are natural solutions to try.

While there's no such thing as a complete "cure" for a hangover, there are measures you can take to ease the pain while you wait out the unpleasant symptoms of a heavy night.

We've talked to nutritional experts to get the lowdown on some of natural hangover cures you could try instead.

1. Ginger

Ginger has long been used in Chinese medicine as an anti-nausea measure. This traditional thinking is well-founded: A 2016 study concluded that the plant is "an effective and inexpensive treatment for nausea."

A cup of ginger tea the morning after a heavy night could be a cheap way of hitting two birds with one stone. You'll be replenishing some of that much-needed water, and also getting an important shot of stomach-calming ginger.

Since ginger also has anti-inflammatory and heart benefits, you might just find yourself making it part of your daily routine.

When it comes to getting ginger to taste good, registered nutritionist Rob Hobson recommends that you add one to two teaspoons of ginger powder, half a lemon and two teaspoons of honey to a teapot and fill with boiling water. Leave it to brew for five minutes before serving.

"The zingy flavour is very energising, and the honey will help to re-balance low blood sugar levels," he says.



2. A balanced breakfast

Tea is well and good, but many of us can empathise with a lack of appetite for actual food the morning after drinking. Eating is also vital, though, with alcohol consumption hitting your blood glucose levels hard.

Cliché would dictate that you tuck into the greasiest full English available, but our experts warn against this — "ditch the morning-after fried breakfast," says Hobson.

Granola with sliced fruit can give you a hit of natural sugars and also get you some valuable vitamins as a bonus.

Rhiannon Lambert, a Harley Street nutritionist and author of the book "Re:Nourish," says: "Foods containing potassium can help your body to recover lost electrolytes from a night of drinking. Bananas and avocados are good sources."



3. Prickly pear

The prickly pear is a photogenic cactus with a vivid red fruit. Studies have shown that extract from this fruit can be used on hangovers to impressive effect.

It's been found to reduce nausea, dizziness, and headaches, all of which sound pretty brilliant from the point of view of Britain's hangover victims.

If you want to try it out, look for a supplement called Hovenia Dulcis extract.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 50 most followed Instagram accounts in 2018

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Ariana Grande

  • Business Insider has compiled the most followed Instagram accounts in 2018.
  • It is dominated by reality-TV stars, musicians, and soccer players.
  • Here are the top 50 most popular accounts.

In the world of Instagram, musicians, reality stars, and soccer players rule.

Business Insider has compiled the most followed people on Instagram for 2018, and well-known faces like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kim Kardashian top the list.

Up until this year, the singer and actress Selena Gomez had been the most followed person on Instagram, a title she held for the past two years running. But in 2018 Ronaldo nabbed the top spot.

Besides Ronaldo and Gomez, stars such as Dwayne Johnson and musicians including Ariana Grande are in the top 10.

Here are the 50 most followed people on Instagram in 2018:

SEE ALSO: Our 17 most-read tech stories of 2018

50. Gal Gadot

The "Wonder Woman" star, whose handle is @gal_gadot, has 27.1 million followers. 



49. Ed Sheeran

The singer-songwriter, who goes by @teddysphotos on Instagram, has 27.2 million followers.



48. Robert Downey Jr.

The "Ironman" and "Avengers" star, whose handle is @robertdowneyjr, has 27.3 million followers.



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Taylor Swift is worth more than $320 million — see her bicoastal mansions, lavish vacations, and generous gifts to fans and friends

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taylor swift concert

Taylor Swift never fails to impress.

At 15 years old, she was the youngest songwriter to ever sign with Sony. She now has 10 Grammys on her shelf, several tours under her belt (including one that generated a staggering quarter of a billion dollars), an endless list of chart-topping songs and albums, and a beloved fan base who dub themselves "Swifties."

Such success makes Swift one of the world's highest-paid celebrities and one of the richest female singers. According to Forbes, she has an estimated net worth of $320 million — and that's not including the final earnings from her 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour, which was the highest-grossing tour in US history.

Swift has been strategic and generous with her money, investing in a sprawling $84 million real estate portfolio and often donating it to causes she supports and people in need.

Below, see how Swift earns and spends her fortune.

SEE ALSO: Taylor Swift owns at least $84 million in real estate across four states — and she's not even 30

DON'T MISS: The Obamas are worth 30 times more than when they entered the White House in 2008 — here's how they spend their millions

Taylor Swift currently has an estimated net worth of $320 million, which has grown due to her music, merchandise, and endorsements.

Source: Forbes



Ever the superstar, Swift's endorsement deals and partnerships are with high-profile brands, including Keds, Diet Coke, CoverGirl, and Apple, which bring in a lot of income.

Source:Money



Swift has had a long-term partnership with Diet Coke since 2013, which has involved her chatting about her love for the drink in a "Bon Appetit" interview and holding the drink while on camera.

Source:Hollywood Reporter, Variety



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The tallest skyscrapers of 2018 include a helipad, sky gardens, and an indoor skating rink

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tallest skyscrapers

  • The year's tallest skyscrapers include a number of luxury towers around the world.
  • The structures feature notable design elements like helipads, sky gardens, and an indoor skating rink. 
  • 2018's tallest building, the Citic Tower in Beijing, draws inspiration from an ancient wine vessel. 

This was a landmark year for new construction, with more than 140 skyscrapers erected across the globe.

The number falls short of 2017's total, but represents the second-highest tally ever recorded, according to data from the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)

The vast majority of tall buildings completed in 2018 are located in China, which underwent a major construction boom, producing more skyscrapers than anywhere else in the world.

The nation is now home to half of the world's 100 tallest skyscrapers, including the Citic Tower, a mammoth structure that tops out at more than 1,700 feet.

Take a look at some of the tallest buildings completed in 2018.

The year's tallest tower was named after a wine vessel.

At more than 1,700 feet, the Citic Tower in Beijing is the tallest structure built in 2018, and the eighth tallest structure in the world, according to the CTBUH

The skyscraper is commonly known as China Zun, a reference to the ancient wine vessel that inspired its curvature. 

Earlier this year, Chinese national security officials were worried that the building's top three floors housed a secret view of the Zhongnanhai complex — the official residence of China's president, Xi Jinping, and other top political leaders. A Singapore-based paper reported that the government has assumed ownership of those top three floors, but Business Insider could not independently verify the claim. 

Read more:Saudi Arabia is building the world's tallest skyscraper — here's what it will look like



Vietnam's Landmark 81 tower contains an indoor skating rink, movie theater, and five-star hotel.

Vietnam's Landmark 81 tower is part of a $1.5 billion mixed-use development called Vinhomes Central Park, which stretches across Ho Chi Minh City.

Residents of the tower's luxury apartments have access to a pool, spa, and outdoor lounge. Visitors at the commercial center can enjoy a gym, movie theater, and indoor skating rink.

The tower also features a five-star hotel and three-floor observation deck, which offers unparalleled waterfront views. 



The third tallest tower of 2018, built in Hong Kong, has a slightly shorter twin.

Tower 1 of the Changsha complex in Hong Kong is about 500 feet taller than its twin, which stands at around 1,000 feet. 

Though the two towers are structurally similar, Tower 1 features a 2.5 million-square-foot mega-mall, along with luxury office space and a six-star hotel. 

The building is the 13th tallest in the world, according to the CTBUH. 



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24 must-read books being made into TV series in 2019

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catch 22

  • More books are being adapted into TV series. 
  • Some will be on network channels, like Fox's "The Passage."
  • Others will be streaming, like the new adaptation of "The ABC Murders" on Amazon Prime and "Catch-22" on Hulu.

Some of the biggest TV series often come from books, and more are on their way. 

Joseph Heller's "Catch-22" is heading to Hulu and is starring George Clooney, while comic book series "Deadly Class" is heading to the Syfy channel. 

Here are 24 series based on books that will soon be on TV.

Fox's "The Passage" is loosely based on Justin Cronin's novel of the same name.

The sci-fi series will center on a facility called Project Noah, where scientists experiment with a virus that could potentially cure all diseases, but can also kill all humans. A young girl named Amy is chosen to be a test subject at the facility but the Federal Agent put in charge of her decides to protect her. 

Release date: Monday, January 14 on Fox

Buy the book >>



"Roswell, New Mexico" will be the second adaptation of "The Roswell High" series by Melinda Metz.

A girl moves back to her hometown only to learn that her high school crush is an alien and has hidden his abilities for his entire life, but he's not the only extra-terrestrial around. Fear and hatred in the town threaten to expose the aliens and put them in danger. 

Release date: Tuesday, January 15 on The CW 

Buy the book >>



Rick Remender's comic book series "Deadly Class" is coming to Syfy.

"Deadly Class" centers on an elite training school for assassins where the world's top crime families send their kids and an orphan who is recruited to join. The series was created by "Infinity War" directors Joe and Anthony Russo. 

Release date: Wednesday, January 16 on Syfy 

Buy the book >>



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

How to get a free or discounted ride on New Year's Eve

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Chicago CTA holiday train el

  • Business Insider has rounded up deals for free and discounted rides this New Year's Eve.
  • Uber and Lyft are both offering discounts in locations across the US, and many public-transit agencies are offering free fares.

There are more reasons than ever to avoid drinking and driving on New Year’s Eve this year.

From public-transit agencies to ride-hailing services and AAA’s traditional safe-ride program, free rides abound to help get you home safely and legally.

Business Insider has rounded up some of the offers for this holiday:

SEE ALSO: How Uber's internal safety team handles everything from car crashes ...

Uber

There aren’t completely free rides like there were for Election Day. But the company is still making it easier to get home in someone else’s car more cheaply.

Depending on your city, there is likely a discount code worth anywhere from $10 for first-time users to $35. A partnership with Miller Lite is worth $15 for new customers with the code MILLERTIME18.

In Detroit, you can be reimbursed up to $35 for rides between 4 p.m. on December 31 until 4 p.m. on New Year’s Day, easily the biggest discount available, thanks to a local law firm. Details are available here.

A similar — but slightly less lucrative — deal is available in Oklahoma City as part of the state's "Drive Sober" campaign.



Lyft

Uber’s smaller competitor has teamed up with local organizations across the country to offer promo codes and discounts for New Year’s Eve.

Participating locations include Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Chicago, Oregon, and Kentucky.



Public transportation

A slew of subway and bus agencies are making trips free for holiday revelers:



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The 15 best political Saturday Night Live sketches of 2018

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trump kanye snl

  • It was quite the year in politics, which means NBC's "Saturday Night Live" had a lot of material to work with. 
  • The show, which has received a ratings bump during the Trump presidency, got political many times this year.
  • Here are some of the best SNL political sketches of 2018: 

SEE ALSO: Robert De Niro returned as Robert Mueller in the 'Saturday Night Live' cold open

SNL reimagines "It's a Wonderful Life" in a world were Trump never became president.

Youtube Embed:
//www.youtube.com/embed/AdQl7SxOHek
Width: 560px
Height: 315px

"Wow! Everyone looks so different," Alec Baldwin's Trump says. "What are those things on their faces?"

"Those are called smiles," says Keenan Thompson as Trump's guardian angel Clarence. 
This sketch earned a response from Trump. 

 



Democrats showed they were very confident about the midterm elections on "Midterm ad."

Youtube Embed:
//www.youtube.com/embed/OdNNjCHGixE
Width: 560px
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"They say 'don't trust the polls,' but I'm choosing to," quips a shaky Kate McKinnon. 



An advertisement featuring Trump's emergency alert system.

Youtube Embed:
//www.youtube.com/embed/D4c9pbiqJHo
Width: 560px
Height: 315px

Remember the emergency alert test message we got from the Federal Emergency Management Agency when it was trying out the presidential alert system?

Here's an SNL ad for that. 



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12 incredibly successful people share the best piece of advice they've ever received

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Shaquille O'Neal The Oracles

  • Moguls like Richard Branson and Shaquille O’Neal are asked for advice every day, but they too once sought guidance from more experienced business leaders.
  • The best advice Branson received from a mentor was "Make a fool of yourself."
  • O'Neal's top mentor was his mother, who once told him "Focus on the solution, not the problem."
  • Lewis Howe, Daymond John, Jeanine Blackwell, and seven other moguls and business leaders share the best pieces of advice they received. 

Moguls like Richard Branson and Shaquille O’Neal are asked for advice every day, but they too once sought guidance from more experienced business leaders. Years later, even with all of their accomplishments, certain lessons they were taught early on have stayed with them.

Here, Branson, O’Neal, and other top entrepreneurs and Advisors in The Oracles share the No. 1 piece of advice they received from their mentors.

1. Make a fool of yourself.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, which controls more than 400 companies; investor, author, and philanthropist worth over $5 billion; previously named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World:

I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without the mentorship of Laker Airways founder Sir Freddie Laker. He once told me: “You’re going to have to get out there and sell yourself. Make a fool of yourself — whatever it takes. Make sure you appear on the front page and not the back pages.”

Since that day, I’ve lived very openly, giving others a window into both my business and personal lives — and doing things to get noticed. The public came with me on many ballooning adventures. They were privy to the goings-on of our legal battle against British Airways. They’ve seen my children grow up, and follow my daily life on social media.



2. Focus on the solution, not the problem.

 Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant basketball players in NBA history; entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist worth $400 million:

My closest mentor is my mom, Lucille O’Neal. The No. 1 piece of advice she ever gave me was this: “Don’t worry about the problem; worry about the solution.”

Too many times when we focus on the problem, we create a bigger problem. Focusing on the solution is the only answer to all our problems.



3. Never stop learning.

Daymond John, Shark on “Shark Tank,” NYT best-selling author of “Rise and Grind,” creator of Daymond on Demand, and founder of FUBU, which has generated $6 billion in sales:

Be a sponge and absorb everything. Listen, read, and research. Ask questions. Take classes, attend workshops, and watch YouTube videos.

Always be willing to learn, no matter how much you think you might understand about your business and its market. There is always another perspective that you can learn from or a demographic that understands your market better than you do.



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These are the 7 crucial tech stories to watch closely in 2019, according to Business Insider's reporters and editors (AAPL, MSFT, GOOG)

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Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, and Jeff Bezos.

  • In 2018, many of the major tech companies found themselves embroiled in scandal, or otherwise under serious scrutiny.
  • But look beyond the headlines: These are the issues and trends bubbling beneath the surface, that will come into play in a big way in 2019. 
  • From Apple's struggles in China, to the resurgent Microsoft, to the potential decline and fall of the video game console, here are the issues you shouldn't sleep on in the new year. 

Tech companies experienced a tumultuous year marked by controversies, competition, political backlash and a volatile stock market. 

Many of those challenges are likely to continue into the new year, even as a new generation of products and innovation are set to take the stage. 

Which products, or challenges, will be the most significant in 2019?

It probably won't be the ones everyone is expecting. New developments, shifting strategies and complete surprises are likely to determine the year ahead as much as anything already underway. Business Insider's tech team tried to game out some of the biggest "under the radar" issues that could shape the tech industry in 2019. 

While there's no way to predict the complete surprises that come out of left field, here are some of the top things in tech to watch next year that aren't in the headlines right now:

SEE ALSO: 15 photos we can't stop looking at that highlight tech's wild, apocalyptic year

Facebook — Rob Price, News Editor

The big headline in 2019: Regulation. Lawmakers and consumers are fed up with Facebook's reckless attitude towards privacy.

But you should really pay attention to:

Talent retention.

Regardless of what the government does, Facebook's fate will ultimately come down to its ability to rekindle growth next year, and doing that requires top talent that understands the consumer internet business. 

Facebook lost lots of important executives in 2018. The company's ability to hold on to its stars and attract new talent, amid its seemingly endless string of scandals, will be the key issue to watch in 2019.



Uber & Lyft — Becky Peterson, Deals Reporter

The big headline in 2019: Competing IPOs. Ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft are both slated to go public in 2019. The two companies have competed on everything from which bankers they use, to the timing of their confidential filings. Now the wait is on to find out who will ring the bell and actually go public first.

But you should really pay attention to:

How volatility on the public market impacts investors in Uber and Lyft.

Both Lyft and Uber have raised billions of dollars at multi-billion dollar valuations. But those valuations were set during an economic boom.

If the stock market continues to correct, it's likely that valuations across public tech companies will also sink. So investors who put money into unicorn startups at the end of their rise risk losing money when those companies go public: If the shares trade at a lower price than they were valued at on the private markets, some investors could lose their shirts. 



Video game platforms — Kevin Webb, Video Game Reporter

The big headline in 2019: A new generation of video game consoles is on the horizon, with early details expected about the next versions of the Sony Playstation and Microsoft Xbox. 

But you should really pay attention to:

Cloud gaming. 

Google, Microsoft, and Electronic Arts are all developing new video game streaming platforms capable of delivering the latest titles to phones and even the most average computers, possibly removing the need for consoles entirely.

In the simplest terms, the cloud server runs the game and sends the player a video feed, while the player's controller inputs are sent back to the server. Obviously this requires a rock solid and lightning fast connection with no lag time, which is why some of the earlier attempts at subscription-based cloud gaming services have gotten mixed reviews. Now, the tech giants are trying again. 

Google’s ProjectStream entered beta testing in October with a single game, the recently released “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.” Playable from the Google Chrome internet browser, the experience was comparable to playing on the PlayStation 4, a $300 console. In 2019, Microsoft and Electronic Arts will begin beta testing their own respective streaming services: Project xCloud and Project Atlas. 

"There are 2 billion people who play video games on the planet today. We're not going to sell 2 billion consoles," Microsoft's executive vice president of gaming Phil Spencer said in June.



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The 18 best sports movies and documentaries of 2018

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  • Each year, Hollywood comes out with a new crop of gripping, thrilling sports films, and 2018 was no exception.
  • Movies like "Creed II" and "Uncle Drew" rocked the box office, while "The Miracle Season" stole viewers' hearts and "Free Solo" took their breath away.
  • Check out INSIDER's rankings of the best sports movies and documentaries of 2018.

The same core components that make a great movie — likable and relatable characters, inspiring storylines, remarkable underdogs, and more — are some of the many reasons fans are so drawn to sports. It's no wonder, then, that Hollywood comes out with a new crop of movies centered around sports year after year.

2018 was no exception.

Movies like "Creed II" and "Uncle Drew" rocked the box office, while "The Miracle Season" stole viewers' hearts and "Free Solo" took their breath away. 

We ranked the top sports movies of 2018 according to their IMDb Rating. If two movies had the same IMDb Rating, the movies with more reviews were given the higher ranking. In each slide, we also included the film's Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score, Audience Score, and Critics' Consensus when they were available.

18 — Alex & Me

IMDb Rating: 5.5

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 71%

Summary: After failing to earn a spot on the soccer team, middle schooler Reagan Willis trains with USWNT superstar Alex Morgan for a chance at redemption.



17 — Uncle Drew

IMDb Rating:5.7

Rotten Tomatoes Score:63%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 51%

Rotten Tomatoes Consensus: "Kyrie Irving's crossover to comedy is amiable enough to score with basketball fans, but Uncle Drew is held back by formulaic plotting and too much product placement."

Summary: Legendary streetballer Uncle Drew — played by NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving — makes a long-awaited return to the Rucker Classic tournament in Harlem alongside his old squad, including Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, and Lisa Leslie.



16 — Amateur

IMDb Rating: 5.9

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 70%

Summary:A 14-year-old basketball prodigy navigates the dark underbelly of amateur athletics as he is recruited to play for an NCAA prep school.



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8 keto-friendly foods you should be eating, according to chefs

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  • The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that encourages your body to rely on stored fat as its main energy source.
  • The keto diet consists of many high-protein, high-fat, and low-carb foods. 
  • As is the case with any diet, not all keto-approved foods are necessarily healthy for you.
  • Some of the most popular keto foods that chefs recommend are avocado, coconut, cauliflower, and eggs.

The goal of the keto diet is to keep your body in ketosis, which is when your body uses stored fat instead of the glucose from carbs as its main energy source. With keto diets, there's a focus on foods that are high in fat and protein but are low in carbs. 

Whether you're on the keto diet or are planning to start it, here are a few keto-approved foods chefs recommend adding to your grocery list.

Avocados and coconuts are high in plant-based monounsaturated fat.

Chef Mareya Ibrahim, author of "The Clean Eating Handbook," told INSIDER that because avocados and coconuts are both high in plant-based monounsaturated fat and are extremely versatile, they should be a staple in any keto diet.

"Avocado can help lower cholesterol and is high in fiber, too, so it helps with digestion and ‘moving things along,'" she said. "Meanwhile, coconut helps with healthy brain function, lowering cholesterol, and preventing inflammation and degenerative disease."



Green smoothies and low-sugar juices can be a nice way to add veggies and protein to your diet.

Making sure you're getting enough protein is important on a keto diet, but micronutrient-dense foods, like veggies, should also be actively incorporated throughout the day. Chef Michael of Snap Kitchen told INSIDER that an easy way to sneak in some veggies if you aren't scooping enough onto your plate is through smoothies and fresh juices.

"While meats and cheeses are easy for snacking through the day, it is important to keep lots of vegetables in your diet for fiber, minerals, and water-soluble vitamins," Chef Michael said. "Staying hydrated and maintaining electrolytes is just as important and you can drink water and low-sugar juices and smoothies throughout the day to accomplish this."

 



Cauliflower is incredibly versatile.

"Personally, my favorite ‘keto ingredient' is by far the humble vegetable cauliflower. It may come as a surprise, it's incredibly versatile and can be used in a number of different ways," Chef Try Silverson told INSIDER.

When it comes to cauliflower, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Silverson said it can be used to make tortillas, pizza crust, mashed cauliflower, or even fried cauliflower.

Read More: 11 surprising foods you can eat on the Keto diet



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

4 books business leaders love that will help you take your career to the next level

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man reading outside

  • Being a manager requires thinking a little differently.
  • If you want to become a manager, it's important to start thinking like your leadership team. 
  • Here are four books that senior business leaders read that can help you take your career to the next level and become a manager.

Business leaders think differently, and that's what sets them apart. 

Once you know how your leadership team thinks, you'll be able to unlock doors to the management level. Either your bosses will realize that you have what it takes to move up the ranks, or you will be better situated to advocate for yourself during a salary negotiation with a manager.

Here are four of the most read books among senior business leaders. Since these books have gained notoriety among management teams, it will help you to understand how they approach various business challenges. In turn, you'll be better situated to anticipate their thought processes and become a better manager yourself. 

 

SEE ALSO: Here's how to answer 5 of the most difficult interview questions

'The Hard Thing About Hard Things' by Ben Horowitz

Ben Horowitz was the cofounder and CEO of Opsware, a B2B software company that was sold to HP for $1.6 billion. Today he is a general partner at the well-known venture fund, Andreesen Horowitz.

Three years ago, Horowitz published "The Hard Thing About Hard Things," a book revered by technology business leaders — everyone from Mark Zuckerberg to Peter Thiel has endorsed it.

In the book, Horowitz drives home the need to minimize politics in the workplace. Office politics can cause rifts within organizations, and distract employees from doing their best work. In order to prevent office politics, each company must create a clear promotion policy that all employees understand.

Horowitz suggests that each position within the company have a clear job description that includes skills required to be successful in the role. Furthermore, he recommends that promotions be reviewed by a special committee to avoid inter department misalignment.



'The Lean Startup' by Eric Ries

"The only way to win is to learn faster than anyone else" this is a key takeaway of Eric Ries's bestselling book, "The Lean Startup." Ries is the former cofounder and CTO of IMVU, which hit a $40 million run rate in 2010.

Sheryl Sandberg and Mark Andreesen have both endorsed Ries's book as a revolutionary approach to creating an innovative business.

Ries argues that the best way to develop a product or service is to focus on finding product-market fit as quickly as possible. To do this, he suggests developing a series of minimum viable products (MVPs), which are rough examples of what a more polished version of the product or service could look like. 

The fast production cycle lets them quickly get customer feedback, which prevents them from investing an inordinate amount of time in developing a product or service that customers won't use.



'High Output Management' by Andrew Grove

While he was CEO of Intel, Andy Grove published a seminal work of business management advice, "High Output Management." It has received glowing reviews from the Wall Street Journal and from Peter Drucker, a well-known business writer.

Grove provides ample advice for senior managers. He says that the manager's job is to leverage her business acumen by improving the performance of her subordinates. This is the key difference between an individual contributor and a manager. A manager uses subordinates as a productivity multiplier.

Grove writes expansively about the importance of one-on-one meetings led by the subordinate. The subordinate should come prepared with a meeting outline, and the manager coaches the subordinate through challenging business decisions. In time, the subordinate will require less and less coaching, at which point, the manager will have helped to dramatically improve the productivity of this employee.



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Here are the 4 biggest winners and 4 biggest losers in college basketball this week

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Tyler Herro Kentucky Wildcats

  • The AP Top 25 Poll saw no movement at the top heading into the new year, but with conference play beginning next week, don't expect the consistency at the top of the poll to last much longer.
  • The Big Ten led all conferences with seven teams in the rankings while the Pac-12 fell out of the AP Top 25 Poll entirely for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
  • Here are the four biggest winners and losers of Week 9 of the college basketball season.

Winners



▲ No. 1 Duke Blue Devils — Top spot in the AP Top 25 Poll for second consecutive week

Freshman sensation Zion Williamson and the Duke Blue Devils haven't stepped on the hardwood in 11 days, but that hasn't stopped Hall of Fame head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his band of ultra-talented freshmen from maintaining the top spot in the AP Top 25 Poll for the second consecutive week. All credit goes to the second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-ranked teams in the poll, who have collectively taken on the likes of Eastern Michigan, Binghamton, and Tennessee Tech throughout the past week.



▲ No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats — Up 3 spots in the AP Top 25 Poll

A week after picking up a signature win against the North Carolina Tar Heels, John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats continued their success against ACC opponents with a 71-58 win against their in-state rival Louisville Cardinals. The Wildcats now enter SEC play with a three-game win streak under their belts and a good shot at dominating a conference filled with talented rosters.



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