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A picture of an egg is now the most liked photo on Instagram. Here are the 20 most-liked Instagram posts of all time (FB)

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instagram

  • The most-liked post on Instagram is now a simple photo of an egg.
  • The photo gained the top spot Monday, and now has more than 33 million likes, beating a record set by Kylie Jenner. 
  • Here are the 20 most-liked photos on Instagram, featuring content from the Kardashian-Jenner family and from soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.

If you thought 2018 was an odd year, a simple egg was just crowned the champion of Instagram.

Yep, you heard right: a picture of an egg, posted from the account @world_record_egg on January 4, beat a record set by Kylie Jenner with 18 million likes. As of Monday afternoon, the egg had more than 33 million likes.

Read more:A picture of a humble egg just became the most-liked Instagram post ever

The egg picture is an anomaly among the most-liked Instagram posts, which are dominated by pictures of celebrities posing with their families, or making major life announcements to their millions of fans.

Here are the 20 most-liked Instagram photos of all time as of Janurary 2019:

20. 10.65 million — Kylie Jenner posing with her sister, Kendall Jenner, in October 2018.

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19. 10.72 million — Selena Gomez's post-op photo after getting a kidney transplant in September 2017.

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18. 10.88 million — Kylie Jenner with her boyfriend Travis Scott and their daughter, Stormi, in November 2018.

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A photographer captured shots of Americans eating dinner for 3 years, and the photos show how different family meal time looks in busy homes across the US

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  • What family meal time looks like in each individual household can vary greatly.
  • It's something photographer Lois Bielefeld wanted to explore in her series "Weeknight Dinners."
  • She visited more than 80 households across the Midwest and the South to capture how, what, when, and where people spend dinnertime with their families.
  • Take a look at her series.

SEE ALSO: Stunning photos show how different young people's bedrooms look around the world

DON'T MISS: This entrepreneurial power couple run 4 businesses together out of their West Village home — here's their best advice for making it work

Studies have repeatedly shown the benefits of having a set family meal time every day.

Source: Journal of Adolescent Health



Research has shown that the benefits are especially pronounced in children.

Source: The Washington Post



Those who regularly eat a daily meal with their families often show higher achievement scores and are generally more physically fit.

Source: The Washington Post



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How Trump's inaugural committee spent the record $107 million worth of donations to celebrate his election

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Melania Donald trump inauguration outfit

  • President Donald Trump's inaugural committee raised the most of any previous administration: a whopping $107 million. For comparison, President Barack Obama's inaugural committee raised $53 million.
  • Nearly two years after Trump was sworn in, a new report from The New York Times details how some of that money was spent.
  • That's not the only scrutiny the committee is facing. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan and Brooklyn, are looking into whether there were any illegal foreign donations to the committee.
  • Here were the most surprising expenditures from the Trump inauguration committee, according to The Times' report.

President Donald Trump's inaugural committee raised the most of any newly elected president: a whopping $107 million. For comparison, President Barack Obama's inaugural committee raised $53 million.

Nearly two years after Trump was sworn in, a new report from The New York Times details how some of that money was spent. That's not the only scrutiny the committee is facing. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan and Brooklyn, are looking into whether there were any illegal foreign donations to the committee.

The Times notes, however, that a presidential inaugural committee can "for the most part" spend the money raised on what it likes. Despite this, Trump's spending surprised past planners for both Obama and former President George W. Bush. The newspaper describes the bulk of the spending as "mundane"— mostly going to hotels, vendors, and payroll, and $5 million to charity

Here are the most interesting expenditures from Trump's inauguration:

President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on January 20, 2017.

While the swearing-in ceremony and the luncheon that followed were paid for by Congress, the other events — concerts, balls, etc. — were paid for by Trump's presidential inaugural committee. Through interviews and documents obtained by The New York Times, reporters were able to get a sense of what the committee spent its money on for the inauguration.

Source: The New York Times



Trump's committee was chaired by Thomas J. Barrack Jr.

In a statement to The Times, Barrack Jr. said, he continues "to be proud of the incredible work of all those that were part of the committee."

He added that the committee "complied with all laws and regulations, and its finances were fully audited internally and independently. The donors were fully vetted and disclosed to the Federal Election Commission as required."

Source: The New York Times



Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Jonathan Reynaga, and WIS Media Partners

Winston Wolkoff was a friend of First Lady Melania Trump. She and Jonathan Reynaga formed WIS Media Partners, which was in charge of broadcasting rights for the inaugural events and was initially going to make a documentary about the inauguration (which was later scrapped).

Winston Wolkoff had a contract for $1.6 and WIS Media Partners was paid nearly $26 million (which it used to pay vendors).

"I have never heard anybody getting that kind of fee associated with any inaugural, ever," Greg Jenkins, who oversaw Bush's second inauguration said of Winston Wolkoff's fee.

A spokesperson from WIS Media Partners told The Times its fees were "significantly below" the going rate for such events.

Expenses for WIS Media Partners employees totaled $227,511 for things like cabs, room service, etc.

Source: The New York Times



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I spent an afternoon with a photographer who works with Instagram influencers to find out what it takes — and it was more complicated than I ever imagined

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Rachel Hosie photoshoot

  • Whether you're a full-time influencer or merely thinking of your career or dating prospects, maintaining a strong personal brand via your Instagram page is nothing to be sniffed at.
  • Now, it's actually possible to have a professional photoshoot designed to give you high-quality photos of yourself for the 'gram.
  • In the hope of upping my Insta-game, I went to try it out.
  • It turns out it's harder — and more complicated — than it looks.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? An actor? Pop star? Soccer player, perhaps?

Well, kids today now have a whole host of other careers available to them thanks to new technologies. According to one study, the most desired profession amongst children and young people today is "vlogger."

Although it can be hard to explain to people who don't use social media, countless young people are now making a living as an "influencer" by writing blog posts, filming YouTube videos, or — more often than not — simply posting pictures on Instagram.

It may sound like an easy life — who wouldn't want to spend their days visiting beautiful places and taking pictures? — but in a world where everyone wants to be one, standing out from the crowd is incredibly difficult.

Of course, gorgeous, beautifully-edited pictures are a must, but often that's not enough: most influencers these days have a theme to their Instagram "grid," meaning all their images are in a similar style which reinforces their personal brand. The right hashtags and good captions are essential, too, whether they're witty one-liners or eloquent, lengthy thinkpieces.

It's a tough old world, but one that many of us are desperate to crack.

Read more: Disappointing, behind-the-scenes photos show what it's really like to be an Instagram influencer

Shoot My Travel is a company which helps people try and reach influencer status by providing professional photoshoots that deliver those sought-after candid shots in beautiful locations.

The company connects wannabe Instagrammers with photographers around the world, then arranges a shoot either by yourself or with friends for one, two, or three hours.

The edited photos are then sent to your phone between 24 and 48 hours after the shoot, ensuring you don't have to wait long before you can start raking in those likes. 

Just like any professional photoshoot though, it doesn't come cheap: a one-hour shoot costs $195 (£151), a two-hour shoot costs $275 (£213), and a three-hour shoot $375 (£291).

I spent an afternoon with the company to find out what it takes to be an Instagram influencer — and it was more complicated than I expected.

I met my photographer, Tiffany Roubert, in Notting Hill, an area of west London famed for its colourful townhouses.

The neighbourhood is so popular amongst influencers and tourists that we had to wait for other people to finish taking their snaps in the spot shown above before we could get ours.

One of the houses even had a sign in the window saying: "Please don't stand on our stairs, it is trespassing"— presumably because the residents are fed up with people taking photos outside their homes.

Oops, sorry.



As Tiffany worked, the thoughts going through my head included: "How do I stand? Where do I look? Oh GOD! What do I do with my hands!?"

I tried to ignore my inner self-consciousness and relax into the shoot, but it was hard to ignore the burning stares of the workmen just out of shot above.



After we were satisfied with our colourful street shots, we went to nearby cafe Farm Girl. I spotted a pink table and pounced.

Having noticed influencers often put their hands in their hair, I decided to give it a try.

Insider tip: my bag in this photo is in fact empty and merely a prop (why do influencers always put them on the table?) — my huge backpack, stuffed to the brim with all my actual daily necessities, was left out of shot.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 18 best restaurants in the world where you don't need a reservation

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  • A shortlist of the best "no reservations required" restaurants around the world has been announced by The World Restaurant Awards.
  • The list celebrates restaurants which allow diners to indulge their spontaneity.
  • The winner of this and other categories will be announced at an awards ceremony in Paris on February 18.

While some people find restaurants with "no reservation" policies incredibly infuriating, others relish the opportunity to indulge their spontaneity.

If you're in the latter camp, you'll be pleased to know The World Restaurant Awards has released a longlist for the best "no reservations required" restaurants in the world, ranging from haute cuisine to informal dining on a budget.

The list was created by a gender-balanced judging panel of more than 100 experts representing 36 countries. Famous chefs on the panel, which also featured journalists and industry influencers, included Clare Smyth, David Chang, Yotam Ottolenghi, René Redzepi, Hélène Darroze, and Massimo Bottura.

The winners of all categories — including the best, most remote under-the-radar restaurants around the world— will be announced at the World Restaurant Awards ceremony in Paris on February 18.

Scroll down to see the 18 best restaurants around the globe — in no particular order — where you can get in without a booking.

SEE ALSO: I've lived in London for 5 years — here are the 50 places where you should actually eat

Aje Kiyacho Donguri — Kyoto, Japan

Expect to join the waiting list at this local hotspot. It's loud, unfussy, and specialises in meaty off-cuts, which diners cook on individual tabletop grills. 

Find out more here.



Baest — Copenhagen, Denmark

Baest focuses on organic, sustainable, high quality ingredients and cuisine inspired by both Denmark and Italy. Pizza is, of course, on the menu — but the difference is that the mozzarella is handmade using milk from cows at a farm just 40km away.

Find out more here.



Black Axe Mangal — London, UK

If your idea of heaven is eating Turkish food to the soundtrack of heavy metal, a visit to Black Axe Mangal should be top of your to-do list — as that's exactly what you'll find. 

Find out more here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The market for tech products for aging baby boomers is expected to balloon to $20 billion by 2020. Here are some of the best

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  • The number of Americans over the age of 60 will double by 2060 — from 46 million today to 98 million — according to a 2016 report.
  • Scientists said people are living much longer than ever before, too. Some tech companies have been tackling aging and conditions like dementia that often affect the elderly.
  • It's a nice change from the past, when tech products were aimed primarily at younger users and left many older users confused. 

Our elders may be wise in years but they're not always very tech savvy, as anyone who's had to provide tech support to an uncle or grandparent can attest. 

But tech products are starting to become more senior-friendly. New innovations, like voice recognition, touch screens and sensors, are making the power of digital technology more accessible to older people. The market for tech products aimed at people aged 60 and over is set to swell by $20 billion in the next two years. 

The best tech products for elders need to serve a real purpose in the lives of their users, many of whom may suffer from Alzheimer's or other forms of cognitive impairment — there's no room for superfluous gizmos or useless apps. 

This is where apps like Papa and products like Jiobit come in. They answer simple questions like "Where did Grandma wander off to?" and "Who can take Dad to the doctor?" When it comes to tech products for seniors, use will overshadow flash every time. 

Check out some the best new, as well as tried-and-true, tech products and services for older adults: 

SEE ALSO: Microsoft President Brad Smith says these are the 10 biggest challenges facing tech in 2019

ElliQ, a robot companion

After winning the Best of Innovation award for the Smart Home category at last year’s CES, Intuition Robotics, an Israeli startup and provider of digital companion technologies, announced this past week that its social robot for older adults, ElliQ, is now available for pre-order starting at $1,499. 

ElliQ, "the sidekick for happier aging" as the company calls it, is radiant and bright, like a table light, with a moving cylindrical robot head that can make animatronic movements and field vocal requests. 

It's a combination of a touch screen and a voice-enabled home assistant geared to make it easier for seniors to make video calls, set reminders for medication and arrange doctors appointments. You can even play bridge with it. 

The product has successfully been tested with beta users aged 62-97 and will ship some time in the summer of 2019. 



Noomi, a wristband combining artificial intelligence and sensors

Noomi, a Swedish startup, released its smart wristband a few years back with the goal to better care for the elderly. The wristband itself is filled with hardware sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor all kinds of behavior from sleeping and eating habits to detecting whether a trip or fall happened. Any sort of change, whether minor or major, is relayed to a caregiver.

The wristband's battery life is quite significant, too: up to 12 months. All of the data it collects is stored on its cloud platform and can be shared with a medical professional in real-time, 24 hours a day. 



Jiobit, a real-time location tracker

This small, clip-able device that tracks real-time location was originally designed for children, but can be helpful for seniors with dementia who are prone to wandering off, according to AARP.

Prices start at $99.99 for the device and $8.99 a month with a 2-year commitment. The lightweight gadget, designed so it isn't easily taken off, also has a "geo-fence" alert, which notifies a caregiver if the person goes outside of a "trusted zone." Another plus: it lasts up to one week on a single charge. 

The device is used all over the world (and in all 50 states), according to a Jiobit spokesperson, and its encryption and security technologies have even gotten the thumbs-up by law enforcement professionals. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best diapers you can get delivered straight to your door

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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 diapers

  • Once you become a parent, diapers are a fact of life. For years. And in those diapering years, free time is rarely a fact of life.
  • Save yourself a bit of time and hassle by having diapers delivered to your door by a great diaper delivery company.
  • The Honest Company is our top pick thanks to the quality of its diapers and the large catalog of other baby care and hygiene products the brand offers.

My son and daughter are four and a half years apart in age, and at the time of this writing, the young lady is about seven months old. While her big brother is potty-trained and generally self-sufficient in such matters, she is, of course, not. And she won't be for several years to come.

All told, I'm probably looking at seven to eight years of my life, most of my 30s, as it happens, dealing with diapers. So I'm glad I've found some great options because diaper failure is ... how should I put this? Let's say it rhymes with "pretty," and it's not pretty. Or just say catastrophic.

As important as it is to always have a supply of diapers at the ready, finding time to go to the store to replenish the stockpile is hardly the best use of what little free time a parent has. That's why my family, like so many others out there, have turned exclusively to ordering our diapers online and having them delivered to our door. You might think that means simply picking a brand, placing your order or setting up a subscription, and that's that. And... well, it is, more or less.

The catch is that not all diapers perform the same way. Many babies will use one type of diaper by day and another at night, one type while out and about, another while home, and so forth. And of course no two kids are alike, either, so if you have multiple children, chances are good that you'll use at least two different brands of diapers, if not many more based on the previous qualification.

Currently, we order our diapers from two companies (yes, both on the list) but in the past, I've had experience with all the diapers covered here as well as a number of others that will go unmentioned, as will the stories behind their reasons for exclusion.

Let's just say this: Changing every piece of clothing a baby is wearing as well as the sheets of the crib because they're soaked through is not fun. Doing that at three a.m. is even less fun. Doing it while she is screaming at you at 3 a.m. is just really the worst. Actually, the worst is all that plus the addition of other waste that escaped confinement.

Here are the best diapers you can get delivered:

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

The best diapers overall

Why you'll love it: If you can't find a diaper-related product sold by The Honest Company, it's almost surely superfluous, and everything the company makes is great.

My son spent years of his life in Honest Company diapers, which means my wife and I have spent hours of ours changing them. Days surely, all told! From a wide variety of colorful prints to every size a kid age zero through the preschool years could need, Honest Diapers have you covered.

Whether you're covering a boy or girl whose brand new and super small or old enough to be aging out of diapers entirely, Honest diapers will do the job. There's nothing particularly amazing about Honest diapers performance wise, but I've always found them reliable and we've enjoyed the many different designs.

Where The Honest Company shines is in the expansive line of equally reliable products it offers. We have used body wash, shampoo, wipes, creams, and many other Honest offerings. Our five year old boy still prefers Honest's Sweet Orange Vanilla scented Shampoo + Body Wash more than any other shampoo out there, and it's our go-to with our baby girl as well. She's also slathered with the Honest diaper rash cream whenever needed.

A large variety of diaper sizes and styles and a fine lineup of other products would be enough to garner The Honest Company your consideration, but there's one more thing that makes the company a great choice for your diaper delivery needs: the bundles.

Honest makes it remarkably easy to create a customized delivery bundle that will show up at your door each month brimming with all the dipes, wipes, washes, and whatnot your family needs. And changing the shipment dates or the product selections is easy.

A writer with WhatToExpect called Honest Company diapers "safe and effective ... beautifully designed ... and easy to purchase."

Pros: Large selection of products, easy delivery process, multiple diaper prints available

Cons: More expensive than many other options

Order diapers and more from The Honest Company



The best low-cost diapers

Why you'll love it: It's probably little surprise that Amazon has low-priced diapers, but the amazing affordability Amazon Brand Mama Bear is certainly welcome.

When Amazon does something, it's done big. The company started selling books, now it sells everything. Amazon doesn't invest in a movie production, it starts its own production company and makes its own shows and films. And when it comes to diapers, Amazon's Mama Bear brand doesn't just undercut the competition, it all but cuts their legs off, at least in terms of pricing.

These diapers are at least 30% cheaper than those sold by the other brands on our list and are nearly 50% cheaper than some options. Over the years, those savings add up. Big time.The good news? These diapers are cheap and pretty effective.

They have a high waist design for good coverage, flexible leg cuffs that allow plenty of range of motion while still keeping stuff inside, and a wetness indicator strip that changes color when, y'know, there's wetness.

Speaking of wetness, however, most parents find these diapers less absorbent than the competitors, and they tend to sag when laden with leavings, so you will be changing them more frequently than another brand would merit. As long as you're not changing them 30% more often, though, you'll still be winning price wise.

With thousands of reviews posted on Amazon, Mama Bear diapers teeter just below the four-star mark, currently scoring a 3.9-star overall rating. Most parents agree with points a dad named Mike made in his review, in which he called them a "great value" and noted that the "elastic legs and waist are the same quality as... big name brand diapers."

However many people also agreed with a mom who said that "they are not as absorbent as the other brands."So keep all that in mind as you consider subscribing to a Mama Bear diaper delivery plan, which is certainly a great value for a decent quality product. And hey, don't forget about Prime shipping.

Pros: Very low price point, wetness indicator band, flexible leg cuffs and high waist

Cons: Middling absorbance

Order Amazon Brand Mama Bear Diapers for delivery today



The best diapers for sensitive skin

Why you'll love it: The convenience of diapers delivered to your door is one thing, but the health and comfort of your kid is another. Get both by ordering your diapers from Made Of.

My daughter had extremely sensitive skin in the first few months of her life, to the point of daily rashes and even a few open sores in her diaper area. Which was heart-rending to see on such a little body. Amidst visits to the doctor and trying out a slew of creams and oils and ointments, we also tried several different diapers in the search for the brand that would give her the most comfort. As usually happens with kids, she simply grew out of her sensitive skin phase, but in the process, I got to know several new brands and products.

If you have a kid with sensitive skin, or if you just want to be sure you're using the most skin-friendly baby products, you need to check out Made Of. The brand's products, which include diapers, wipes, soaps, lotions, and a few other select items, are pediatrician and dermatologist tested and are almost entirely organic.

Here's an interesting note, though: The diapers themselves? Not organic. But there's a good reason for that. In fact, I got in touch with the founder of the company, Igor Bekker, for the explanation. He explains that "everything except the diaper is NSF Organic. [The] reason we chose not to proceed with organic cotton is that it has poor absorbency."

I, for one, would prefer a diaper that's safe for sensitive skin and highly absorbent though not organic, than one that was 100% organic yet leaked urine and stool all over the place. You?

And if you commit to Made Of diapers and other products, you can use its bundle system to save a bundle over the course of the year. Ordering via diaper subscription makes the items almost 40% cheaper than ordering on a one-off basis.

Pros: Natural and organic ingredients, doctor tested and approved for sensitive skin, subscription bundles available

Cons: Pricier than other brands even with bundle

Order Made Of diapers and skin care products



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Everything 'Parks and Recreation' got right about the plight of national parks during a government shutdown

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chris pratt parks and rec

  • "Parks and Recreation" released an episode about a government shutdown in 2010. Many of the jokes ring true during the current record-breaking US government shutdown.
  • In the episode — the finale of the second season — Tom Haverford considers getting a "temp job," while Leslie Knope is concerned about sewage.
  • Similarly, federal parks employees in the US are currently worried about unemployment and unsanitary conditions at local parks.  

 

When NBC's "Parks and Recreation" debuted its season two finale in 2010, critics called it "smart, funny, crisply written, and poignant." But the episode, which was about a government shutdown, was also prophetic. 

In light of the ongoing government shutdown, now the longest in US history, we revisited the old episode to determine its accuracy. 

As it turns out, there are quite a few similarities between the storyline and the current plight of federal park employees.

Read more: 9 amazing stories from the set of 'Parks and Recreation'

Like many park rangers, members of the Pawnee parks department worry about finding a second job or tackling sewage issues. Others speculate that the shutdown could last for months.

Take a look at the show's uncanny prophecies. 

Andy: "How long is it going to last?" Ron: "Well, if we're lucky, this building will be empty for months."

Like Ron Swanson, we don't know when national parks will return to regular functioning or re-open shuttered facilities and campgrounds. President Trump has suggested it could take "months or even years" for the government shutdown to end.

One of the controversies surrounding the current shutdown is that the Trump administration has elected to keep national parks open, but they lack enough staff to run normally.

So major national parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Acadia, and Death Valley are still accessible to visitors, but have canceled certain services like bathroom cleaning and trash collection. 

 



Ben: "I mean, Idaho cut their Parks Department by 80%, and Idaho is basically one giant park."

An estimated 21,000 National Park Service (NPS) employees have been furloughed due to the shutdown. That's around 87% of the department total — a number that's oddly close to Ben Wyatt's estimate. 

The remaining 3,3000 or so NPS employees have stayed on to provide essential services such as law enforcement and emergency medical attention. 



Leslie: "Children's concerts aren't a priority these days. You know what is? Sewage."

Leslie Knope couldn't have been more right: A major concern among politicians and public advocates is the large amount of human waste piling up in park restrooms. 

At the beginning of January, Joshua Tree National Park closed its campgrounds due to "human waste in public areas." Visitors have also ignored signs telling them not to use the bathroom at some parks in Oregon.

"There are piles of human sh-t everywhere," a Yosemite National Park ranger said in a Facebook post, according to Outside Magazine. "Gross, but so seriously true."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We tried omelets from 3 chains and the winner was affordable and tasty

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  • We tasted omelets from IHOP, Denny's, and The Cheesecake Factory to determine which one tasted best.
  • For comparison's sake, each omelet had the same ingredients inside: spinach, mushrooms, and bacon.
  • Each omelet had its high points, from the hash browns served on the side at IHOP to crisp bacon inside The Cheesecake Factory's version

Whether eaten first thing in the morning, paired with a Bloody Mary over a lazy brunch, or devoured in the wee hours of the night, eggs are a delightful comfort food. And while it's fairly straightforward to whip them up yourself (and spice things up using these chef-recommended tips), sometimes you want that comfort and deliciousness with hash browns and pancakes (and without the cleanup).

So where do you go for your omelet fix? The omelets we tried were from three chains:

For consistency and a fair comparison, we ordered omelets with the same three ingredients inside: spinach, mushrooms, and bacon.

IHOP's omelet had a surprising ingredient.

I was surprised to learn that the omelets at IHOP are "made with a splash of buttermilk & wheat pancake batter," as was indicated on the menu, which is bad news from the lactose- and gluten- sensitive/intolerant folks out there.

The massive omelet was large enough to feed two (and it did — my sister tagged along on this omelet adventure) and pretty standard when it came to taste. Toppings were layered between thin layers of fluffy egg, and the chopped up ingredients (including crumbled bacon bits) were evenly dispersed. Overall, it was a tasty omelet that left a fair amount of grease on the plate.

Let's not forget about the sides, though. Sides were not technically part of this taste test, but it's worth noting that omelets at IHOP are served with a choice of buttermilk pancakes, hash browns, or buttered toast (or flavored pancakes or fresh fruit at an extra cost). We ordered the hash browns which were satisfyingly salty with a good crunchy top and by far the best side of the day.

This omelet cost $13.26 (before tax); $10.29 plus $0.99 for each topping.



Presentation-wise, The Cheesecake Factory was the clear winner.

The Cheesecake Factory's create an omelet option is on the all-day menu and served with home fries plus your choice of white or wheat toast, an English muffin, or a bagel. This omelet was simply folded over with a good amount of fillings inside.

I found the actual eggs to be a bit bland and lacking in salt compared to IHOP's, but when it came to the bacon The Cheesecake Factory pulled ahead. The bacon flavor was full-on at The Cheesecake Factory, which uses pieces of freshly cooked bacon instead of bacon bits. On my first bite, I immediately got the smoky taste, crunchy bite, and fatty texture of a perfectly cooked slice of bacon and it brought the omelet to the next level.

Home fries with just the right balance of crunch and give plus the toasted whole wheat bread rounded out a solid plate of food.

The Cheesecake Factory's custom omelet option cost $13.95 (before tax) and it comes with your choice of four toppings.



Denny's omelet tasted delicious but didn't look the best.

Just when we thought we couldn't eat any more eggs, we headed to Denny's, where my tasting partner and I diverged in our opinions.

We found the plate of food served to us less than inspiring, with a fairly wet omelet, hash browns that we found slightly too greasy, and under-toasted white bread which appeared to have been sprayed with butter. Unlike the previous places we visited, we weren't asked to choose what accompanied our omelet; the sides were chosen for us.

Despite not loving the presentation, this omelet tasted absolutely delicious and I couldn't stop eating it. 

The Denny's build your own omelet cost $11.99 (before tax) and comes with four items, with additional items costing $0.89 each.

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A fintech executive at JPMorgan explains why AI isn't all it's cracked up to be when it comes to helping people manage money

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  • JPMorgan announced the 5 fintech firms joining its Financial Solutions Lab, which is aimed at helping customers who are living paycheck to paycheck. 
  • Colleen Briggs, the head of community innovation at JPMorgan, said people who are 'financially stressed' are less likely to accept using financial tools with no human interaction. 

The robot takeover in financial services is not imminent. 

That's the perspective of one executive at a big bank who says some customers might be willing to trade in the efficiency of using a financial tool backed by artificial intelligence for the comfort of dealing with a real person. 

Colleen Briggs, the head of community innovation at JPMorgan Chase, told Business Insider in an interview that low income households aren't as willing to use tools for managing money completely devoid of human interaction. 

Briggs oversees the Financial Solutions Lab, which is run by the Center for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI) and JPMorgan and focuses on partnering with fintechs aimed at improving the financial health of consumers living paycheck to paycheck. On Tuesday, the CFSI and JPMorgan Chase announced the five companies it selected to join the lab.

In addition to being able to work with executives from CFSI and JPMorgan Chase, the five startups will also receive $125,000 in capital. Since launching four years ago, the Financial Solutions Lab has worked with over 30 fintechs from a pool over over 1,600 applicants and raised over $500 million in funding. 

Of the more than 300 firms that applied in 2018 to join the lab, Briggs said there was a noticeable trend of companies using a hybrid approach that included AI techniques and humans working hand-in-hand. 

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"A digital-only solution might not be the right mix for somebody who is really financially stressed," Briggs said. "I think the really thoughtful solutions are coming with some interesting models to think about, 'Alright, let’s drive digital solutions through AI and machine learning when we can, but then also know when is the moment when I need to refer someone to a human touch or a human element to actually help them with a really particular pain point that they are facing.'"

Managing one's money is emotional, Briggs said, and some fintechs are recognizing customers' hesitancy to deal solely with computers. Cash-strapped consumers often feel that decisions around managing their money might require a conversation with an actual human. 

Briggs admitted there are those who will be willing to adopt digital-only solutions for a majority of their financial needs. However, when it comes to specific, significant choices about their financial future, many customers feel more comfortable dealing with a real person.

Even younger generations, which are often lauded as early and welcome adopters of new technology, have shown an interest in more hybrid-type approaches. 

"We see this even with millennials, who everyone says want to go purely digital," Briggs said. "When it comes to really tough decisions, they often want a person. I think it is, again, that emotional connection to money."

Here are the five fintechs that will be joining the Financial Solutions Lab:

Brightside

This San Francisco-based startup aims to serve as a personalized financial health platform for all of its customers' financial needs.

Through the platform, customers can do anything from access emergency cash to manage credit card debt and student loans. 

According to the company's website, families save an average of over $800 using the platform. 

 



HoneyBee

HoneyBee works with employers to offer their employees an extra week's pay for unplanned expenses. 

The service has no credit requirements, and can provide up to $2,500. Customers can repay the amount over three months at a 5% service fee that maxes out at $50. 

The San Francisco-based company has over 2,200 companies signed on, including Patagonia and Ben & Jerry's. 

 



Manifest

This Chicago-based fintech is focused on making 401(k) transfers as easy as possible. 

Manifest looks to standardize the process by linking providers to decrease the cost, the number of compliance issues, and time spent transferring a 401(k). 

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

There is no such things as an 'unhealthy' fruit, but here's what you need to know about their benefits and drawbacks

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Peaches and plums farmer's market grocery store fruit shopping

  • All fruits are not made equal — some have more sugar than others or higher carb content.
  • Regardless of this, there is no fruit that is "unhealthy," according to two dietitians.
  • Rachael Hartley and Georgie Fear share why all fruits have health benefits.

Fruit is part of a balanced diet, but some varieties have a bad rap due to their sugar or carbohydrate content.

To debunk the myths behind why some fruits are perceived as healthier than others, INSIDER reached out to Rachael Hartley, RD, LD, and Georgie Fear, RD, CSSD.

Read on to learn why there's no such thing as "unhealthy" fruit.  

Although certain fruits are higher in sugar than others, natural sugar is processed differently in the body than the added type.

According to Hartley, one of the biggest myths surrounding fruit is the idea that some kinds are unhealthy or bad for us to eat. For instance, mangoes and figs are naturally higher in sugar than cranberries and blackberries but that doesn't mean you need to cut them out of your diet entirely.

"Fruits can certainly vary in their sugar content, but it's natural sugar that's processed differently than added sugar," she told INSIDER.



Thanks to fruits' fiber content, it's easier for our digestive system to metabolize this natural sugar.

Fruit contains two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. These fibers line the small intestine and stop most of the fruit's sugar from being absorbed during the early stages of digestion. Instead, sugar isn't digested until it reaches the parts of the tract that contain microorganisms that can metabolize it.



But one fruit is an exception to this rule.

While fiber content makes up for sugar levels in most fruits, grapes are an exception.

"Grapes are outliers in terms of their sugar-to-fiber ratio," Robert Lustig, professor emeritus of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco,told TIME. "They're basically little bags of sugar."

So, basically, if there is one fruit to look out for, it is grapes, but they can still be incorporated into a healthy diet. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We compared In-N-Out, Shake Shack, and Texas favorite Whataburger — and the winner is clear

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shake shack whataburger in n out review fast food comparison 32

  • From opposite sides of the US, both In-N-Out and Shake Shack have earned names for themselves as go-to burger restaurants.
  • So has Whataburger to the south. The Texas-based chain has even given more upscale fast-food joints a run for their money.
  • But how do the three burger restaurants compare?
  • All three chains have a lot to offer, but Whataburger wins for a key reason: its perfect marriage of quality food and large portions.

SEE ALSO: We compared Chick-fil-A with Raising Cane's to find the best chicken chain — and the winner is clear

DON'T MISS: We visited the test kitchen where Sonic develops bizarre creations like pickle slushes. Here's what it's like.

First up was the fast-casual, New York-based burger restaurant, Shake Shack.

Source: Business Insider



It's been called the "In-N-Out of the East Coast." Shake Shack actually began as a hot dog cart before officially launching operations in 2004.

Source: Business Insider and Shake Shack



We visited a location in Austin, Texas, on South Lamar Boulevard.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 things I would have done differently at my wedding

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wedding cake trends

  • There is a lot to think about when you are planning a wedding.
  • You might not get to do everything you wanted or realized things you were missing on the big day.
  • These are the things I would have done differently, having been through it.

Six months ago, I had my fairytale wedding. It was picturesque, filled with love, and ran smoothly. That magical day went better than I had ever imagined. But like most things in life, there were aspects I wish I had done differently in terms of the planning and how the actual wedding day was carried out.

Learning from my own bridal experience and in reading about wedding etiquette since being married, I've discovered there were a few things I didn't do that I wish I did. Most weren't a huge deal, but some things could've made those closest to me feel more loved during such a special time of life.

Here are a few things I would've done differently that might save you some mistakes in your own wedding endeavors.  

I would have sent out thank you cards for my bridal shower before the wedding.

My bridal shower was one month before my wedding, which is pretty standard, but my entire engagement was only three months. Because of that, it was an extremely busy time. Sending out thank you notes had totally slipped my mind in the midst of finalizing the details of my wedding in that last month.

I ended up rushing out thank you cards a couple weeks after my honeymoon. It was not ideal since I was going to be sending another set of thank you notes to some of the same people just a few weeks later. Sending them out post-wedding just felt awkward and like I had under-appreciated my bridal shower guests.  



I would have written a love letter to my husband-to-be before the wedding.

This is something that I actually learned about in watching "Jane the Virgin." Jane's minister advised the bride and groom to write a love letter to each other before the wedding expressing how they felt about each other. Later on in their marriage, when they were going through a rough time, they could look back at that letter to be reminded of their love.

Engagement really is such a special time to remember. Those feelings of longing for each other were only heightened for me and my fiancé when we were engaged. If we had expressed all of that in a letter, I can only imagine what a treasure it would've been to have to remember such a wonderful time in our lives.  



I would have included my mom more in the wedding planning.

One of my biggest regrets during the wedding planning was not including my mother enough. Granted we live across the country from each other making it more of a challenge, but I wish I would've been more proactive in finding ways to make her feel more involved.

It was such a stressful three months that I was more focused on getting everything done efficiently and as quickly as possible which didn't necessarily allow for much time to ask for suggestions from my mom every step of the way. I know she would have appreciated if I had asked for more help from her, as it was hard for her to not be able to do much from far away.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

LIVE: Theresa May battles through final hours to fight off historic Brexit defeat

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Theresa May

  • LIVE: MPs prepare to vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal.
  • The House of Commons will vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement at after 7 p.m. this evening, five weeks after it was postponed. The result is expected some time between 8 and 9 p.m.
  • The prime minister is set for a big defeat. Government sources say the margin of defeat will be around 150 votes.
  • House of Commons Speaker John Bercow refuses to let MPs vote on amendments that could have helped the prime minister. 
  • Jeremy Corbyn is preparing to launch a vote of no confidence in the government.
  • May is set to make a statement immediately following the vote.

LONDON — Members of Parliament will tonight vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal after weeks of debate and delay.

MPs will finally vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement on Tuesday evening after the prime minister postponed the so-called meaningful vote last month amid fears of a huge defeat.

Despite assurances from May and the European Union on the most controversial aspects of the deal, specifically the Northern Irish backstop, MPs are set to inflict a big defeat on the deal, potentially by a majority of over 200 votes.

If, or when, May's deal falls the big question will be what the prime minister will do next.

She is expected to make a statement immediately following the result in which she could spell out a Plan B. Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party is also poised to table a motion of no confidence in the government as early as this evening if the deal is voted down by a huge margin, according to multiple reports.

MPs are set to vote on amendments to the Withdrawal Agreement shortly after 19:00 (GMT) with the main vote coming afterwards and a final result expected later in the evening. 

Scroll down for the latest developments in a historic day in British politics. All times are in GMT.

SEE ALSO: The EU sends letter of reassurance to Theresa May in last ditch attempt to prevent Brexit deal defeat

14:30: Michel Barnier tells the UK: "Keep calm!"

Meanwhile, in Brussels, the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has offered a message to Westminster: "Keep calm!"

Here's Barnier speaking to the BBC's Adam Fleming. 



14:05: Cox: "What are you playing at?!"

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox is delivering a barnstorming performance in defence of the prime minister's deal. 

He says it'd be the"height of irresponsibility" for MPs to vote down given the legal complexities and disruption it would unleash  and bellows: “What are you playing at? What are you doing? You are not children in the playground, you are legislators. We are playing with people’s lives."

Here's a clip.



13:27: Transition will be like 'an airlock' — Cox

Cox is mounting a fiery defence of Theresa May's withdrawal agreement. He says it allows existing legal agreements between the UK and EU to continue.

He says the transition period from March would be like an "airlock" which allows the human body to adapt to a new environment. The deal itself will allow the UK to adapt to a new world after Brexit, he says.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 signs that your clothing is actually low quality

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  • Buying high-quality clothes will save you some money in the long term.
  • It can sometimes be hard to figure out if your clothes are high-quality or not.
  • These are signs that your clothes might not be as high-quality as you think.

When it comes to spending your hard-earned cash on wardrobe essentials, you want to make sure you're investing in clothing that will last more than a few wears.

If your clothes seem to fall apart after a couple rounds in the washing machine or look shabby after a single season, they might be low quality. Here's how you can tell if your clothes are made to last or not.

You can see right through a piece of clothing.

Though quality doesn't always correlate with fabric thickness, being able to see straight through a piece of clothing might mean it's made out of cheaper material.

Try this trick suggested by Anuschka Rees:hold an article of clothing up against a bright light. If you can see right through the fabric or discern the outline of your hand through the piece, the fabric weave isn't very dense and might not be that durable.



Your 100% cotton shirt is already pilling.

If that cotton shirt you just bought is already showing signs of pilling, it might not be made of quality fibers. That's because cotton is a natural fiber that isactually pretty resistant to pilling, according to CottonWorks. When a new cotton garment is already showing signs of pilling, that might mean that it's actually a cotton blend or that the cotton fibers used aren't very good quality.



Your jeans feel lightweight and are soft on the first wear.

That stack of $20 jeans at the mall might be tempting, but you're they're probably not the most durable. According to Live About, that's because good quality denimusually has a higher thread count and is made of a weave with at least a 12-ounce weight.

Good quality denim may actually feel stiff and uncomfortable at first, though it will eventually "break in" and last a long time. Cheaper denim is often made of less dense material, which can leave it feeling light and deceptively soft right off the rack.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the Judiciary Committee Senators to watch during attorney general nominee William Barr's confirmation hearings

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william barr confirmation hearing seating chart

  • President Trump's nominee for attorney general, William Barr, will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee for confirmation hearings this Tuesday and Wednesday.

  • Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a staunch Trump ally and conservative firebrand, now leads the Committee.
  • Some of Barr's controversial comments — combined with the high-stakes nature of the nomination, and hyper-partisan environment in Washington — could lead to some tense partisan clashes on the Committee.
  • Here are the key Senators to watch during Barr's confirmation hearings. 

President Trump's nominee for attorney general, William Barr, will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee for confirmation hearings this Tuesday and Wednesday.

Barr, 68, previously served as attorney general in the early 1990s under President George H.W. Bush. Since then, he's worked as a corporate lawyer in private practice. 

While Barr is widely-respected in the conservative legal world, some of his opinions have garnered controversy. Barr came under scrutiny for sending an unsolicited 20-page memo to the DOJ criticizing the Mueller probe's line of investigation into possible obstruction of justice and witness tampering by Trump.

Read more: Meet William Barr: What you need to know about the possible once and future attorney general

The memo called Mueller's inquiry into whether Trump obstructed justice by when he fired FBI director James Comey "legally unsupportable" and "potentially disastrous."

Barr also said Trump's firing of Comey was "the right call," supported Trump's firing of Deputy AG Sally Yates, and expressed concern that special counsel Robert Mueller's team of prosecutors is biased against Democrats. As attorney general, he would oversee the Mueller probe. 

Barr's previous comments around the Mueller probe combined with the high-stakes nature of the nomination, and hyper-partisan environment in Washington could lead to some tense clashes. Several Democratic senators have already expressed displeasure that Barr declined to meet with them before his hearings, though he did meet with their Republican colleagues. 

During the Trump administration, the Judiciary Committee has served as the stage for intense partisan fights over the confirmation of former AG Jeff Sessions, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and numerous lower-court judicial nominees to play out. 

Conservative firebrand and Trump-allied Sen. Lindsey Graham, who made headlines for his angry attack on his colleagues during the Kavanaugh hearings, now leads the Committee. 

Here are the key Senators to watch during Barr's confirmation hearings: 

SEE ALSO: Republicans are worried about a 'Kavanaugh 2.0' scenario with Trump's attorney general nominee

Newly-named Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham gave a fiery monologue during the Kavanaugh hearings

Graham used to be criticized as a "RINO" (Republican-in-name-only) for publicly opposing Trump during the 2016 Republican primary — but now he's one of Trump's staunchest defenders and most loyal surrogates on the Hill.

Graham commanded attention and earned the praise of his fellow Republicans in September during the Judiciary Committee hearings on sexual assault allegations facing Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, when he lashed out at his Democratic colleagues and vowed revenge. 

"When you see Sotomayor and Kagan, tell them that Lindsey said hello because I voted for them. I would never do to them what you've done to this guy. This is the most unethical sham since I've been in politics," Graham said, referring to Obama-era nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

When Kavanaugh told Graham that he'd "been to hell and then some" over the allegations, Graham angrily responded, "This is not a job interview, this is hell."

Previously, Graham told reporters that Democrats can expect their judicial nominees to also face misconduct allegations in the future. "If this is the new norm, you better watch out for your nominees," he said.



Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris has been accused of hostility against Catholic judicial nominees — and is laying the groundwork for a 2020 presidential campaign.

Sens. Kamala Harris and Mazie Hirono (also a Democrat on the Judiciary Committee), have recently been accused of anti-Catholic bias for questioning whether judicial nominee Brian Buescher's membership in the Catholic fraternal organization Knights of Columbus would compromise his impartiality on the bench.

Barr himself is Roman Catholic, although not known to be a member of the Knights of Columbus.

As Harris embarks on a book tour ahead of a rumored presidential announcement sometime in late January, all eyes will be on whether she questions Barr's faith during the hearings, and whether she takes advantage of the spotlight to bolster her campaign ambitions. 



Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey is also reported to be mulling a presidential bid.

During Kavanaugh's initial confirmation hearings, Booker took the dramatic step of threatening to release documents purportedly proving Kavanaugh supported racial profiling.

Booker was mocked by some for then declaring, "this is about the closest I’ll probably ever have in my life to an ‘I am Spartacus’ moment"given that the documents had been released that morning.

The comment was a reference to Stanley Kubrick's 1960 film "Spartacus" about an unsuccessful slave rebellion in ancient Rome. 

Now that Booker is taking steps towards a 2020 presidential bid, political observers will be watching to see if he creates more "Spartacus" moments for himself during Barr's confirmation process. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Step aboard the little-known subway line below Capitol Hill that lawmakers use to get around

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WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 27: Reporters lean into a subway car while asking Sen. John Thune (R-SD) (R) questions following the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon in the U.S. Capitol November 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. Republican senators were joined by Vice President Mike Pence and White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

  • The United States Senate has an underground tunnel for lawmakers to quickly get to votes from the adjacent office buildings.
  • There are two train lines connecting three Senate office buildings to the US Capitol building, and one line on the House side.
  • The train's drop-off location is where some of the biggest on-the-record conversations happen between senators and the press.

The United States Senate has its own subway system to quickly transport lawmakers to and from votes without having to cross multiple checkpoints or brave the sometimes harsh weather above ground in Washington.

The trains from the Russell Senate office building and the Rayburn House office building each have conductors, while the monorail that links the Dirksen and Hart Senate office buildings run on an automatic system.

While mostly frequented by lawmakers, the trains are for anyone to ride as long as they are cleared to enter the Capitol. 

SEE ALSO: Democratic contenders for the 2020 presidential nomination are turning to Instagram Live as a secret weapon

The subway system underneath the Capitol opened in 1909 as a way for lawmakers to get to and from their offices and the House and Senate chambers.

Source: Architect of the Capitol



The original version used Studebaker cars. They were replaced by a monorail in 1912.

Source: Architect of the Capitol



The Dirksen Senate Office Building got an operator-controlled monorail in 1960, and a line connecting the Rayburn House Office Building to the Capitol opened five years later.

 

 



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I woke up at dawn to follow a top falconer training the fastest creatures on earth to compete for $7 million in prizes, and found the Middle East's oldest pastime both grisly and thrilling

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UAEFalconersClub MiddleEastArabFalconry (11 of 48)

  • Though falconry has existed in cultures throughout history, it has a central role in the United Arab Emirates and Middle Eastern culture, where nomads have long used falcons to hunt for food.
  • In the UAE, falconers train their falcons, which can cost up to $60,000 a bird, to race at hundreds of miles an hour in the President's Cup, a national competition where the fastest falcons can win up to $7 million in prizes. For some, the pricey birds have become a status symbol akin to fancy European sports cars.
  • I spent a day with the top trainers at the Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, one of the UAE's premier falconry organizations, to see what the pastime is like now. It is enthralling, fascinating, and grisly to watch.

Every winter morning, Hamad Al-Falasi and his team rise before dawn and drive dusty 4x4s into the harsh Arabian desert. Before the sun ever crests the tawny dunes, the men have sipped their coffee and carried a small army of muscular birds to perches in the sand.

There are dozens of different falcons — nut-brown and speckled white Peregrines, silver Gyrfalcons dappled with black, bluish-gray Sakers, and any number of hybrid species bred for temperament or speed.

The trainers, dressed in long white kanduras, carry the birds one at a time to Al-Falasi. He removes a leather hood from each and, one by one, the raptors accelerate faster than a Formula One race car and follow a diving flight path to a trainer standing a few hundred yards off, holding a bundle of feathers fixed to rope.

Al Falasi is the head trainer of the Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, a government-owned club started in 2013 to promote falconry in the United Arab Emirates. Though falconry has existed in numerous cultures throughout history, it has always been central to Middle Eastern culture.

The Bedouin Arabs, the nomads who historically lived in the region, have captured migrating falcons for thousands of years and trained them to hunt desert game for food, typically large birds called houbara bustards, rabbits, doves, and even gazelles. Falconry was a crucial tool for Bedouins to survive in the desolate desert.

Emiratis abandoned nomadic life over the last century in favor of modernity in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and falconry fell out of practice for all but the wealthiest. But as the country and its people have grown wealthier in recent decades, falconry has returned as a popular hobby, though with one major change. Racing has taken the place of hunting in the UAE, after the Crown Prince of Dubai introduced the sport in the early 2000s and hunting was banned to protect endangered species.

Al-Falasi and his team train the club’s falcons for a shot at The President’s Cup, a competition overseen by the UAE’s rulers and featuring $7.35 million and 73 cars in prizes for the top falconers.

I spent a day with the trainers to see what goes into the fast-growing sport. Warning: It’s not for those with weak stomachs.

SEE ALSO: A walk through Dubai's supercity of futuristic skyscrapers made me uneasy for any city that mimics its rapid development

DON'T MISS: A Palestinian-American billionaire built a $1.4 billion luxury city from scratch to be a 'Marshall Plan' for Palestine's economy

Hamad Al-Falasi has been training falcons for as long as he can remember. Falconry is a pastime that is typically passed down from father to son, Al-Falasi told me as we drove to a training site deep in the desert outside Abu Dhabi. Emiratis often teach their children how to care for the birds as a means of instilling discipline and knowledge of the desert.



"I started training falcons when I was 12 years old. I started because my father did it," Saeed Al-Hamli, the administrative manager of the ADFC, told me as he stroked a recently purchased white gyr-peregrine hybrid in his office.



Falconers will typically go out once at dawn and once in the evening during hunting and racing season to train their birds.

 

 

 



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20 foods that can last longer than you think

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  • Some food spoils quicker than others, and it's not always obvious which foods you should actually toss on their expiration date.
  • According to experts, some foods can last for weeks after their expiration date has passed.
  • A simple change in environment or storage container can help make your food last longer.

Navigating what's edible in your fridge after it's been a week or so since your last trip to the grocery store can feel like such a struggle. If produce doesn't look or smell funky, should you still eat it? And what about the contents of your freezer? Are those clumps of ice just shavings or freezer burn?

And while it's an important skill to be able to identify whether or not something is actually safe to eat between its initial time of purchase and your next restock, it's also beneficial to know what foods last longer than you think — if not for anything else but budgeting purposes.

To save you the guesswork, and possibly a few dollars here and there, INSIDER reached out to experts to get the lowdown on which foods have a lengthy shelf life.

Dried pasta can last up to 10 years in your pantry.

As long as you store pasta that's been opened in tightly-sealed, Robert Glatter, M.D., an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health told INSIDER that dried pasta can last an entire decade at room temperature.



Maple syrup's color might fade over time, but its flavor can last up to four years.

"Syrup has similar properties to honey and the sugar content acts as a preservative," Glatter said. It may fade and lose its original color, he explained, but it will still be safe to eat as long as it's stored in glass bottles.



Certain kinds of nuts will stay fresh anywhere between four to seven months.

Because the oils in the nuts act as natural preservatives, Glatter told INSIDER that almonds, cashews, walnuts, macadamias, peanuts, pecans, and filberts can last up to seven months in your pantry if stored at room temperature. And, if sealed well, putting the container in the fridge might extend their shelf life up to a year.  



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We drove a $46,000 Subaru Ascent SUV that will take on Toyota, Honda, and Ford — here are its best features

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  • The 2019 Subaru Ascent is one of the newest contenders in the mid-size family SUV market.
  • Recently, Business Insider spent a week with a new Subaru Ascent Touring in Magnetite Gray Metallic.
  • The Ascent impressed up with its well-designed cabin, peppy driving dynamics, strong infotainment, and a solid suite of standard safety features. 
  • The base 2019 Subaru Ascent starts at $31,995, while our top-of-the-line Ascent Touring starts at $44,695. With fees, our test car carried an as-test price of $45,670.

In 2018, more than 2.5 million new mid-size crossovers and SUVs rolled out of American dealerships accounting for 14.7% of US auto sales for the year.

Subaru's Outback off-road wagon has long been a big seller in the segment. But it has been years since the brand had a true three-row family SUV to take on the likes of the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot.

Subaru tried to crack the mid-size SUV market in 2005 with the B9 Tribeca. The Tribeca's odd styling, diminutive size, and tepid performance prevented it from gaining traction in the market. Even a 2008 facelift and the addition of a more powerful engine couldn't save the Tribeca, which soldiered on for nearly a decade before Subaru pulled the plug on the SUV in 2014.

For 2019, Subie is back with the all-new Indiana-built Ascent.

The Ascent will slot in above the Outback wagon in Subaru's lineup and will be its most expensive offering.

Recently, Business Insider had the chance to spend a week with a new Magnetite Gray Metallic Subaru Ascent Touring.

Read more: We drove a $46,000 Subaru Ascent SUV to see if it's ready to challenge Honda, Toyota, and Ford — here's the verdict.

The base 2019 Subaru Ascent starts at $31,995, while our top-of-the-line Ascent Touring starts at $44,695. With fees, our test car carried an as-test price of $45,670.

The Subaru Ascent is available with an impressive array of standard and optional tech, safety, and luxury features.

Here's a look at the coolest of the bunch: 

SEE ALSO: We drove a $39,000 Volkswagen Tiguan and a $35,000 Mazda CX-5 to see which is the better compact crossover SUV — here's the verdict

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1. All versions of the Ascent are powered by a brand new 2.4-liter turbocharged, flat-four-cylinder engine. The motor produces a stout 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The new engine felt strong and robust with a solid punch off the line.



2. A well-designed interior. The cabin is traditional Subaru — very conservative but effective and easy to use. Ergonomics are terrific, with no oddly placed buttons or knobs to report. The interior feels solidly put together with good-quality materials. The leather upholstery is soft to the touch, and the plastics look and feel robust.



3. The Subaru Ascent can be configured to hold up to eight people. Our Touring test car came with the optional second-row captain's chairs.



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