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Hotels are turning into full-scale gyms and wellness centers to attract travelers who want to stay fit

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Equinox Cycling Class

For those who work out regularly, constant traveling can throw a wrench into their routine.

But just because it's hard to stay fit on the road doesn't mean travelers don't want to try.

When Jason Moskal, vice president of lifestyle brands for hotel chain EVEN Hotels, spoke to guests, he began to realize a need that the hospitality industry hadn't completely met.

"One thing we heard from travelers was, I have a real tough time staying focused in terms of my well-being — whether it be fitness or rest or productivity — when I'm on the road," Moskal said.

"It became clear that there was a need and an opportunity to develop a hotel that could deliver in helping them stay on the wagon and stay focused on their wellness and fitness regimens when they're on the road."

These conversations sparked the launch of EVEN, a wellness-focused hotel chain owned by the InterContinental Hotels Group in the summer of last year.

But Moskal says that these types of fitness and wellness hotels are more than just the latest trend to hit the industry: They're becoming a necessity for hotels to stay relevant and competitive in the current market.

"I'm viewing it really being a paradigm shift in the mentality of people and how important it is to stay well," Moskal said. "I think more and more people are moving towards this idea of it's not just in my everyday life at home, but it's also when I'm on the road."

runWESTIN Program

EVEN isn't the only hotel chain to notice this need though. 

Multiple hotel chains have started to accommodate fitness-oriented travelers: TRYP by Wyndham (part of Wyndham Worldwide Corp.) has provided guests with fitness rooms since 2010. And the Westin brand (owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.) launched runWESTIN — a program that provides guests with three and five mile run routes and group runs led by a run concierge — in 2007, partnered with New Balance for a workout gear lending program in 2010, and has since launched other fitness programs.

And now new players are entering the hospitality industry: upscale fitness companies Equinox and Soul Cycle.

According to Travel and Leisure, Soul Cycle is opening a 2,600-square-foot facility in the brand new 1 Hotel South Beach in Miami Beach. The facility will include a 54-bike studio, locker rooms, and an apparel boutique.

Equinox is going a step further. The company plans to launch a luxury hotel brand, where each hotel will have its own Equinox club. The Wall Street Journal reported that the company expects to open its flagship hotel in 2018 in New York City at Hudson Yards. Future locations will include Los Angeles, London, and Miami.

But these hotels won't simply be about providing gym access to guests. Instead, they're planning to offer full wellness experiences.

The Equinox hotels will be designed by Yabu Pushelberg and will provide guests with everything from personalized one-on-one in-room training to a restaurant serving nutritionist-approved options, juice bars, and even apparel.

EVEN Hotels Norwalk, Connecticut

The concept of a full wellness experience is also key to the EVEN brand. According to Moskal, the chains' two locations in Norwalk, Connecticut, and Rockville, Maryland, aim to help guests not only stay active, but also eat well, feel rested, and be productive. Their fitness offerings include a fitness studio, chief wellness officers who lead guest classes or runs, and in-room fitness equipment (available in all rooms at the chain's two locations) for those looking for a quick workout.

TRYP by Wyndham has a more narrow focus on fitness. TRYP's signature fitness rooms — a guest room with an elliptical, treadmill, or bike and free workout gear — are available at nearly all of the chain's 120 worldwide locations. 

While Westin also offers both gyms (WestinWORKOUT fitness studios) and guest rooms featuring exercise equipment (WestinWORKOUT rooms), the hotels cater to an even more niche group of fitness-centric guests: runners. Global brand leader Brian Povinelli describes the runWESTIN program — which is available at every Westin property worldwide — as an "alternative to the drudgery of a gym workout." There are morning group runs led by the hotels' run concierges, or for those who prefer to run alone, there are 3-mile and 5-mile jogging or walking courses, which were created on every property through Westin's partnership with New Balance. The partnership also allows guests to borrow both running shoes and exercise gear for just $5.

For extra ambitious travelers, Westin even partnered with running series Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons to offer guests a VIP marathon package, which includes transportation to and from the race, a pre-race pasta dinner and warm up run, and access to the hotel's VIP recovery tent at the race.

Westin Workout Room

Recently, the brand launched a series of wellness retreats, called Westin Wellness Escapes, which are led by experts who focus on meditation, strength training, nutrition, yoga, and running.

Although different from one another, the fitness and wellness options offered by more and more hotels have one thing in common: They're an answer to travelers' growing need to seamlessly maintain the healthy lifestyle they live when they're not on the road.

Povinelli says this need is pervasive, specifically among higher income guests. "We have found that more than 80% of consumers express a strong interest in improving their personal wellness." He refers to wellness as an "intensifying global macro trend, especially among affluent consumers who will pay a premium to look and feel good."

And while both Moskal and Povinelli agree that, as of right now, the majority of hotel guests who take advantage of fitness offerings are business travelers, Moskal says he's seen a minor increase in leisure travelers who are interested. Povinelli thinks that Westin's growing resort portfolio could also lead to an increase in leisure travelers utilizing workout options.

TRYP by Wyndham Hotel

Pricing for these fitness hotels varies greatly by location and time of booking. EVEN's wellness rooms (which include fitness equipment) run from $140 per night to $180 per night. A fitness room at one of TRYP by Wyndham's New York City locations, on the other hand, is around $440 to $480 per night. 

SEE ALSO: 50 incredible hotels you should sleep in during your lifetime

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Everyone's obsessed with 'knolling' their stuff and putting the photos on Instagram

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No matter how cluttered your Instagram feed may be, photos of objects neatly laid out against stark, neutral backgrounds are bound to draw your attention.

Items that are photographed from above and arranged so that viewers can see everything at once invite the eye to wander to each singular piece while also admiring the aesthetic as a whole.

Switching up my flatlay game with a bit of colour variety 👆🙆

A photo posted by Tiffany (@tiffa.ny) on Mar 18, 2015 at 11:45pm PDT

 

It turns out this trend actually has a name and a surprisingly long history.

It dates all the way back to 1987, when a janitor at Frank Gehry's furniture fabrication shop realized how nice it looked when he laid out all his tools at right angles, Sophie Hay at The Long Lyst has discovered.

The janitor, Andrew Kromelow, called his display “knolling,” based on the clean lines of the mid-century modern Knoll furniture that Gehry was working on at the time.

American artist and sculptor Tom Sachs, who also spent time in Gehry's shop, picked up on Kromelow's knolling habit and turned it into an aesthetic with informal guidelines. He used the mantra “Always Be Knolling” in his own studio and in his work, and even made a studio manual that explained how to knoll to his employees in 2009.

ten rules of knolling

Knolling soon evolved to encompass anything laid out neatly, and became synonymous with magazine spreads with clean layouts that showcased numerous products in a clear way. Visual designers loved it because the style made their products easy on the eyes.

instyle january 2013 shopping guide knolling

Bloggers soon adopted the style in their own photography to mimic magazines and draw readers. Then, the practice naturally progressed to Instagram.

 

Many Instagrammers do not use the term “knolling," but refer to such a design as a “flatlay,” The Long Lyst explains. An Instagram account known as Flatlays popped up in 2014 to document “our favorite flatlays from all across the globe."

Instead of being as rigid as the original knolling designs, these flatlays were less formal. They were styled to seem more haphazard.

flatlays instagram

Brands were quick to realize how the photography style could work for them, too. GAP and Sephora are two big name brands that are particularly adept at employing the trend to entice followers to shop their latest collections.

A photo posted by Sephora (@sephora) on May 12, 2015 at 9:07am PDT

 

And knolling today is not just about selling products, but a lifestyle. In addition to the bags, shoes, shirts, or jeans that are neatly laid out, the photographers also include a touch of reality.

A photo posted by GAP (@gap) on Apr 11, 2015 at 1:01pm PDT

 

A camera is placed next to shoes, flowers are arranged near a shirt, or a cup of coffee is set down next to a scarf. Suddenly you can envision yourself in a cleaner, more organized life — and all you need to achieve it is to buy that scarf or those sandals.

 

So the next time you see your favorite Instagram celebrity, brand, or style blogger showcasing their beautifully laid out products, now you’ll know what to call it.

 

Long live knolling.

SEE ALSO: How one woman is using the Kardashians' Instagram posts to expose the truth behind their popular show

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NOW WATCH: A Japanese lifestyle guru explains how to organize your home once — and then never again

Randi Zuckerberg is selling her boldly decorated Los Altos home for $5.49 million

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randi zuckerberg house

Randi Zuckerberg, CEO of Zuckerberg Media and sister to Facebook chief Mark, has listed her Los Altos home for $5.488 million, Realtor.com reports.

You'll find plenty of bold colors inside this home, from deep purple bookshelves to a lipstick-print wallpaper in the dining room. 

Zuckerberg is rumored to be making a move to New York City. 

The 6,426-square-foot home sits behind a gate and is shaded by trees.



Rose bushes form an arch in the front yard.



It makes for a beautiful entryway.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

What Bill Gates, George Lucas, and 9 other highly successful people teach their kids about money

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george lucas katie lucas

Celebrities are incredibly influential people who know a lot about success — especially achieving wealth and then managing it.

So what can we learn from them about the tricky subject of teaching children about money?

From knowing how to simplify financial concepts or explain money at an appropriate age level, to teaching your children practical lessons in managing money, here are some tips on teaching money lessons from the people your children see in magazines, watch on TV and will surely know about as they grow up.

SEE ALSO: What 9 Successful People Wish They'd Known About Money In Their 20s

Warren Buffett: Learn important lessons early.

The Oracle of Omaha claimed a stake in the mission to promote financial literacy among children when he launched an animated series in 2013 to commemorate Financial Literacy Month called "Secret Millionaires Club."

With his voice featured alongside Jay-Z and Shaquille O'Neal, his aim was to promote financial lessons among children and parents alike.

"All the lessons in Secret Millionaires Club are lessons I taught my own children," Buffett said, reports Yahoo Finance. "We produced this series to try and teach other kids, and in some cases, their parents! They are simple lessons that can help you in business and in life, no matter what age you are."

Financial philosophies instilled included the following lessons: "the more you learn, the more you will earn,""learn from your mistakes, and the mistakes of others" and "fail to plan, plan to fail," reports Examiner.com.

Related: 5 Best Children's Books on Money



Kourtney Kardashian: Work is a part of life.

Us Weekly reports that the entrepreneur and eldest daughter of the Kardashian clan, Kourtney Kardashian, is a supporter of chores to teach children the value of work, time and money.

"I think if [kids] do chores, it's a great thing," Kardashian reportedly said. Us Weekly wrote that Kardashian reportedly admitted that her children are a bit too young to be earning from the "family payroll" just yet.

Even if your child is too young to be paid money, he might be old enough to take part in basic chores like picking up toys or putting trash in the bin. Consider having your child work toward things he might want like a trip to the ice cream shop or playtime.



David Beckham: Chores or no allowance.

Like Kardashian, former major league soccer player and model David Beckham has a strict policy about chores for his children.

"They have their chores," Beckham said, reports British site ParentDish. "Putting their plates in the dishwasher, making their beds in the morning. If they don't do it, they don't get their pocket money!"

Considering the fact that children under the age of 16 can't work without specific authorization to do so in the United States, you're likely the one source of income for your children.

Having them work to earn an allowance can teach them to value money more, making them more likely to spend it carefully rather than on impulsive or low-value purchases.

Read: How You Can Help Turn Your Kid's Summer Paychecks Into $300K



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These two photos show the disturbing change in a child’s face before and after a bombing

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Photographer Bassam Khabieh was recently in Damascus, Syria, to document the relief efforts of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

When he arrived, the atmosphere around the relief convoy was one of joy and laughter. Children were gathered around, smiling as they obtained much-needed medical aid and supplies.

It took only a split second for everything to change. 

A shell landed near the convoy and the scene turned to terror. A volunteer was killed and numerous children were injured. Many started to scream and cry. 

Khablieh captured two photos — both of 4-year-old Ghazal – before and after the bombing. The difference is haunting.

Before the shell lands:ghazal syria bombing kids

And after:ghazal syria bombing kids

Here’s how Khablieh described it to Reuters:

In this particular photograph, it was the first time I had seen how children's innocent laughter could turn into screams, fear and tears. Seconds before the strike, the children were looking at me happily, getting ready for a picture. It was a very sad moment when I put my eye to the viewfinder to take pictures of laughing children; then when I looked back after taking the picture, I saw the same children crying, distraught.

It takes only a few seconds for life to turn to ashes and blood.

SEE ALSO: This devastating photo puts Pakistan's worst-ever terrorist attack into perspective

DON'T MISS: These photos capture the grim reality of life in Baltimore's poorest neighborhoods

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This air base in Qatar carries out American airstrikes in Iraq and Syria

12 dramatic changes McDonald's made this year

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McDonald's Australia

McDonald's has been making huge changes in the past year to revive lagging sales and improve its public image.

The company hired a new CEO, removed some items from the menu while adding new ones, and launched a massive marketing campaign to answer customer concerns about its food.

Here's a round-up of everything that has changed in the last year, as well as some of the recently announced changes to come.

The company hired a new CEO.

McDonald's CEO Don Thompson resigned in March and Steve Easterbrook, formerly the chief brand officer, took his place.

Easterbrook, 47, is the fast food chain's first British CEO. Before McDonald's, he was briefly the CEO of British restaurant brands PizzaExpress and Wagamama.

Easterbrook revealed his turnaround strategy for McDonald's earlier this month, saying he planned to strip away layers of management, focus more on listening to customers, and act faster to adapt to consumers' changing tastes.



It also cut a bunch of sandwiches from the menu.

McDonald's axed the Deluxe Quarter Pounder burger, six chicken sandwiches, and the honey mustard and chipotle barbecue snack wraps, Bloomberg reported.

Critics say McDonald's bloated menu has dramatically slowed down customer service.

The menu has grown 42.4% in the past seven years, to 121 items from 85 items in 2007, according to The Wall Street Journal.



While axing some items, the chain has also added premium sirloin burgers to the menu.

McDonald's added a Sirloin Third Pounder to the menu, with patties that weigh about 1.3 ounces more than the Quarter Pounder. 

The limited-time sandwich costs $4.99 in most markets, the AP reports.

The burgers come with lettuce and tomato, bacon, and cheese, or Steakhouse style, which has grilled mushrooms, onions, white cheddar cheese, and peppercorn sauce.

The new sandwich is the biggest burger on McDonald's menu since 2013, when the chain retired the Angus Third Pounders following a four-year run.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 ways wonder material graphene is going to vastly improve a bunch of things you use all the time

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graphene wafer

We are on the brink of a revolution that will completely change the way we use every-day products like cars, clothes, light bulbs, and even water.

Leading the way is a fascinating material called graphene.

Graphene is a thin sheet of carbon atoms — the same element in diamonds and coal — and was the first two-dimensional substance ever created, meaning it's one-atom thick, or about one million times thinner than a human hair.

Despite its miniscule size, graphene has a grand portfolio of wondrous properties. For instance, it's 1,000 times stronger than steel, yet 1,000 times lighter than paper. And it's significantly more electrically conductive than silicon, the substance we use in computer circuits.

Since graphene was first discovered in 2004, hundreds of researchers around the world have begun studying its qualities, which have the potential to revolutionize the world.

Faster, cheaper computers

When graphene's electrical conductivity was first discovered, there were hopeful whispers that graphene could replace silicon chips in today's computers — a change that could usher in a new era of cheaper, faster, super-efficient electronics.

But more than 10 years later, we're still using silicon-based chips because scientists have yet to find a way to control the electrical current across a graphene chip — a crucial feature in running computers' integrated circuits.

In January of last year, researchers at IBM announced a major breakthrough in this field: They designed and built an integrated circuit made of graphene (pictured above). For the first time, the machine performed comparable to silicon technology, IBM reported in a press release. Shortly after this first announcement, IBM announced that they were pledging another $3 billion to continue researching ways to make faster, cheaper computer chips with graphene and other materials.



Longer-lasting light bulbs

In March of this year, scientists at the University of Manchester and a company called Graphene Lighting announced that they had designed a graphene light bulb. The scientists took a regular light-emitting diode, or LED, and painted a layer of graphene over it.

Because graphene is great at conducting electricity, the scientists report that the bulb could be 10% more efficient and last longer than LEDs currently on the market. These graphene bulbs should be available for purchase in the next few months.



Better oil spill mops

This April, researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory reported that they had developed a revolutionary way to manufacture graphene through 3D printing. What you see on your right is a 3D-printed graphene aero-gel sitting atop a dime for scale.

Aero-gels are made of mostly air, which makes them highly absorbent. Therefore they could be used as a quick new way of cleaning up oil spills. In 2013, Chinese material scientists said that they had produced a graphene aero-gel that could absorb up to 900 times its own weight in oil. Not only that, the same aero-gel could be used, squeezed dry, and reused numerous times.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

16 stunning photos of the south of France in the 1960s

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the intercontinental carlton cannes built in 1911 was the prime place to stay during the cannes film festival the headquarters for movie industry deal making and a favorite stop for movie lovers the hotel is still around todayThe 1960s were the period of Post-war France, when the country was booming with a newfound sense of optimism and energy. It was the time of New Wave cinema, existentialism, Yé-Yé music, and streets filled with youth. 

Photographer Charles W. Cushman, one of the first photographers to use color imagery back in 1938, captured moments from the wonderful period in a collection of vintage photographs preserved today in the Indiana University Archives

Take a moment to look through the photos and you'll find yourself being transported more than 50 years back in time.  

The French seaside resort of Cannes has been a center for yachts for many years.



Today, it looks as glamorous as it did back then.



Cannes has seven kilometers of beaches that look out at the blue waters of the Mediterranean. The beaches are flanked by the glamorous promenade de la Croisette, where people stroll to see and be seen.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Silicon Valley fashion has lost its mind — and it's beautiful

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Silicon Valley Fashion Week11

Betabrand's Silicon Valley Fashion Week? (question mark intentional) started with a parade of hoodies and jeans down the runway.

By day two, there were models walking down the runway with astronaut helmets on their heads. A man in a kilt wearing a jacket with 300 LED bulbs. Two women wearing hoods that were trying to match their heart rate in a synchronized game.

As one attendee put it to us, "These are costumes I'd wear to Burning Man or a sex party." 

The whole night had a bit of a Star Wars vibe, starting with the opening dance act.



A "model" from the year 2050 opened the show.



The Heart Sync duet from Sensoree try to synchronize their heart rates. Their heartbeats set of flashing lights and when they match, a red swirl goes around the hoods.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

RANKED: The rarest, most expensive video games in the world

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gamer video games

Video games are more than just a past time — they can mean serious business.

People are willing to pay a hefty price for nostalgia and one-of-a-kind releases, and thanks to retro gaming website RacketBoy, you can now see just how much.

From golden Nintendo cartridges to games that let you play as an 8-bit Moses crossing the Red Sea, we've tabulated the rarest and most expensive games of all time.

Spoiler alert: People love rare Atari games.

15. "Elemental Gearbolt" Assassin’s Case (PS1): $1,400-$1,750

"Elemental Gearbolt" is a Japanese sci-fi shooter released for the original Playstation in 1997.

The Assassin's Case was awarded during a 1998 E3 tournament, and only 40 of these limited-edition bundles were produced. The case includes the "Elemental Gearbolt" game and a golden "GunCon" and memory card.

 



14. "Eli’s Ladder" (Atari 2600): $1,500-$1,700

"Eli's Ladder" is the rarest educational video game in existence.

Players answer simple math questions to move Eli up the ladder and into his spaceship, all so he can fly to the moon. The game even includes a wall chart and motivational stickers, according to RacketBoy.



13. "Karate" (Atari 2600, Ultravision release): $2,500-$4,000

"Karate" for the Atari 2600 was designed by black belt Joseph Amelio. The game was actually released by two publishers, Ultravision and Froggo.

The Ultravision version, released first in 1982, is far more valuable than the Froggo release, though the games are exactly the same.



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The 19 most game-changing weapons of the 21st century

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Screen Shot 2015 05 07 at 10.36.37 AM

We've come a long way since the stealth bomber.

Just as smart gadgets have invaded our homes and revolutionized our lives over the last 15 years, next-level weaponry has transformed the military.

The imperatives of the military have always been one of the main drivers of technological development.

ARPANET, one of the internet's most important precursors was a Pentagon project, while most of the technology in an iPhone originated with the US Department of Defense.

Today, militaries all over the world are still pushing technological boundaries. Since the turn of the millennium, weapons featuring a vast range of technical sophistication have proven to be game changers.

Everything from concealed roadside bombs — cheap, primitive, and deadly  — to multibillion-dollar aerial lasers have transformed conventional methods of combat and altered the world's technological and political landscape.

Here are 19 of the most important weapons of the last 15 years.

Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs

America's largest conventional bomb is precision-guided, 20 feet long, weighs 30,000 pounds, and can blast through underground bunkers.

Boeing's Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb is designed to pierce 60 feet of reinforced concrete and then detonate 200 feet underground — making no bunker safe.

After the MOP's first successful test in 2007, the US Air Force ordered an arsenal of these mega-bombs.



The Chinese anti-satellite program

In January of 2007, China initiated a new and terrifying era in warfare. Using a C-19 ballistic missile, the People's Liberation Army destroyed an out-of-commission weather satellite flying over 500 miles above the surface of Earth.

In a single widely condemned move, China had militarized outer space. It was a move that might have been inevitable, but whose long-term consequences are startling. If satellites were considered legitimate military targets, attacks could create debris fields that would knock out entire orbits or create chain reactions that might destroy vital communications and global-positioning satellites. Similarly, countries could deploy weapons to outer space capable of destroying terrestrial targets once the global taboo against space warfare is obliterated.

If that alarming worst-case scenario ever comes to pass, future generations could identify the successful 2007 test as the moment that space became a military frontier. The test also displayed China's eagerness to develop weapons that its rivals would never use — showing how a state can use asymmetrical means to close the gap with it more powerful rivals.



The X-47B

The Navy's X-47B is a strike-fighter-sized unmanned aircraft with the potential to completely change aerial warfare.

Northrop Grumman's drone is capable of aerial refueling, 360-degree rolls, and offensive weapon deployment. It's carried out the first autonomous aerial refueling in aviation history, and has taken off and landed from an aircraft carrier.

It cruises at half the speed of sound, and has a wingspan of 62 feet — as well as a range of at least 2,400 miles, which is more than twice that of the Reaper drone.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here are the 15 most amazing homemade robots, tanks, and vehicles in China

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China invention 8

China is known as an industrious nation and, after pictures surfaced of one Chinese teacher who built a phenomenal "Iron Man" Hulkbuster replica in his garage, it seemed like the right time to take a look at some of the country's most impressive home made inventions.

From full size, working airplanes to wooden, yet electronic cars, the Chinese have spent anything from a couple of months to several years, knocking up some pretty impressive modes of transports and robots.

Liu Fulong from the Shenyang, Liaoning province created a wooden electronic vehicle at home, which has a top speed of 30km/h.



Yu Jietao, 26-year-old wood carver, also saw the potential in wooden vehicles and spent 100,000 yuan (£10,247, $16,010) on his invention. It can travel as fast as 30 km/h per hour.



In the Shiyan, Hubei province, Su Daocheng spent two months building a home made mechanical horse to travel around in.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 things you should never do at a party, according to a longtime butler

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cheersAwkward moments during social gatherings are inevitable. 

Do you go in for the handshake? Should you start eating despite the host's absence?  

Author Charles MacPherson answers these and other burning questions in his new book, "The Pocket Butler: A Compact Guide to Modern Manners, Business Etiquette and Everyday Entertaining."

Having served as a butler for over 26 years, MacPherson knows what he's talking about.

Here are his top party-etiquette don'ts. Some of these rules will surprise you. 

1. Never "introduce" a distinguished or dignified person.

According to MacPherson, distinguished people and dignitaries aren't "introduced," they're "presented." Rather than saying, "May I introduce to you..." say, "May I present to you..." 

2. Never offer a handshake to someone of higher rank.

If the person you're saying hello to holds a higher position, wait until he or she goes in for the handshake. Make sure to maintain eye contact, smile, and connect your hands "web-to-web." MacPherson says the duration of the handshake should be about three seconds, or three hand pumps.

handshake

3. Never wear your name tag over your heart.

If you're lucky enough to be at a party with name tags, wear it on the right side of your chest so it's still visible during the handshake.

4. Never zone out during introductions.

How many times have you introduced yourself and realized five minutes later that you have no idea who you're talking to? Avoid this awkward situation by repeating the person's name in conversation. 

5. Never give out your business card using one hand.

According to MacPherson, this is a sign of arrogance. Always present your card with two hands and hold it at the top. Holding it at the bottom makes it awkward for the person receiving the card.  

business card

6. Never let your sense of humor run wild.  

Your friends may know your sense of humor, but guests at a party probably don't. MacPherson warns that humor can often be unintentionally offensive. Get a feel for the conversation before you start dropping jokes. 

7. Never hold a drink in your right hand.  

Wear the name tag on the right, but hold your drink in your left hand — it all revolves around the handshake. Nobody wants to shake the wet hand that was just wrapped around your drink. Also, a crowded room often makes it difficult to keep switching hands. This rule also applies to holding handbags, clutches, and purses.

cocktail

8. Never start eating before the host/hostess is seated.

Unless the host or hostess tells you to start eating, put the silverware down until he or she is seated at the table. Wait until everyone is situated and then you may begin. (Side note: If there are a lot of spoons, forks, and knives, start with the ones furthest away from the plate.) 

9. Never ask for more food at a sit-down meal — even if you're still hungry.

This especially holds true for large crowds. MacPherson notes large-scale events are usually timed to the minute, so asking for a second serving will mess up the time schedule. You may also offend the host or hostess. If you're still hungry at the end of the meal, drink water to help hold you over until dessert.

SEE ALSO: 19 business-etiquette rules every professional should know

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21 signs you have a terrible boss

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Horrible Bosses

A terrible boss doesn't just impact the way you work in the office — they affect your entire life.

According to a survey commissioned by Lynn Taylor Consulting, a whopping 19.2 hours are wasted each week worrying about what a boss says or does — 13 of which occur during workweek, and 6.2 over the weekend.

"A bad boss will likely jeopardize your career growth and impact your personal life," says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job." "A good manager will help you thrive and bring out the best in you. While it's rarely top of mind, you can empower yourself with a terrible boss, especially if you watch for red flags."

It's important to identify these signs early on, before you get too involved, especially if you spot them during the job interview. This way, you can decide if it's something you actually want to deal with (or you can figure out if you'll need to start looking for a new job).

Using the book "Bad Bosses, Crazy Coworkers & Other Office Idiots" by Vicky Oliver and an interview with Lynn Taylor, we've compiled 21 signs your boss will eventually crush all happiness you're clinging to — and steps you can take along the way.

Vivian Giang contributed to an earlier version of this article. 

Your boss is never, ever wrong.

Learning to admit that you're wrong is one of the best things you can do for your colleagues. If your boss refuses to admit that they're wrong, this means they're not willing to go out of their comfort zone for you.

A national independent study by Lynn Taylor Consulting found that 91% of employees said that owning up to one's mistakes as a manager was an important factor in employee job satisfaction.

"Admitting to mistakes sends a message to your employees that it's a safe environment to take smart risks — and without that, you're sapping innovation," Taylor says.



Your boss over-promises.

An over-promising boss is an untrustworthy boss. "You might have been promised a series of promotions, increased responsibility, or a raise, but all you get is silence," says Taylor. "It's often helpful to get to the truth through emails, if one-on-one discussions are getting you nowhere. If the responses aren't coming via email, or at all, be wary." 



Your boss expects you to be just like them.

Most people like others who are similar to them. But good bosses know that different types of personalities can improve their team. If your boss is constantly trying to cast their image onto everything you do, try following one or two of their suggestions and thank them for the rest. Stay true to your colors, but also show that you value your boss' suggestions.



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Greece's abandoned factories show how painful the country's seven-year depression has been

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Greece deserted factories

Greece has been hammered since the financial crisis in 2008.

The economy is now about a quarter smaller than it was before the crash, shrinking by about as much as the United States' did in the Great Depression.

Greece's  shattered factories are one of the most obvious and brutal symbols of the seven years of pain the country has now endured.

Photographer Yannis Behrakis has toured the country's empty and crumbling industrial buildings. Much of it had been left to rot even before the current crisis began.

Greece fell into recession as the financial crisis spread around the world in 2008 — but until 2010, the country's growth figures weren't spectacularly worse than many other countries.



By the beginning of 2011, the economy was shrinking by nearly 10% year-on-year. The decline, which only ended in 2014, left Greece's economy about a quarter smaller, similar to the US decline during the Great Depression.



The country has been hammered by the crisis. Many young people have left, Greece has seen worse deflation than any other country in Europe, and unemployment is still well above 20%.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Explore the epic, abandoned Communist headquarters hidden in the Bulgarian mountains

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In 1970s and 80s, the Communist Party was strong in Bulgaria. In order to honor the movement's leaders, as well as to create a space for meetings and rallies, the government built a massive monument atop a high peak in one of Bulgaria's mountain ranges.

Dubbed the Buzludzha Monument, after the mountain it was built on, the structure became the headquarters for the Bulgarian Communist party. Finished in 1981, it was only used for eight years before it was abandoned when the Iron Curtain fell.

While many in the government would like to restore the building — as it has become quite popular with tourists — the cost of doing so (an estimated $20 million) is too high a price for the state's coffers.

So, for the time being, the massive monument to a bygone era still stands, crumbling day by day. 

The headquarters is located in a fairly isolated place in the Central Balkan Mountain range. It sits on the top of the historic Buzludzha peak, from which it gets its name.

 

 

 



The complex is about 130 miles from Sofia, the closest major city. You have to take some back roads, most of them unmaintained, to get there, but once you're close, you can't miss it.



The Buzludzha Monument was built on this peak to honor the socialists who clandestinely met there in the late 1800s to organize the first socialist party in Bulgaria, which later became the Bulgarian Communist Party.



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The greatest European military leaders of all time

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Duke of Wellington

Over centuries of inter-state conflict on the continent Europe has seen a number of remarkable military leaders come and go.

The common thread linking all those who reached the very top of that profession is a genius for tactics and an ability to adapt mid-way through a battle in order to secure victory.

From the ancient Greeks to the modern day the tools of the game have changed dramatically but the aim remains the same for all great military commanders — to leave their mark on history.

Those that have succeeded leave behind not only the tales of extraordinary feats of bravery and skill, but also the tactical know-how passed down and used by future generations.

Of these, a few names stand out from the rest. These people helped shape the history of Europe in a way that few other individuals can claim.

8. Alexander Farnese was born in 1545 to Duke Ottavio Farnese of Parma and Margaret, the illegitimate daughter of the King of Spain, and Habsburg Emperor Charles V.



In 1579 Philip II of Spain sent Farnese to Flanders to regain control of the region from the Dutch. The siege of of the heavily-defended Antwerp began in 1585 and, due to Farnese's tactical brilliance in building a bridge to cut off the defenders from the Scheldt river, it soon fell.



7. Maarten Tromp was born on April 23, 1598 in Brielle, Holland and became the highest ranking naval commander during the during the 17th century Dutch wars with Spain and England.



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40 courses every golfer should play in their lifetime

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Highlands Links Golf Course

Whether they're looking for lush hilly terrain in Ireland or stunning oceanside courses in California, golfers travel the world to play at elite courses.

Some of these golf courses are famous for their rich history, while others offer breathtaking views and unique locations.

From Scotland's historic Muirfield to the Dominican Republic's challenging Teeth of the Dog, here are 40 golf courses every golfer should play in his or her lifetime.

An earlier version of this post was written by Anmargaret Warner.

Located on the west coast of Ireland, The Old Course at Ballybunion is naturally beautiful with grassy dunes set alongside the ocean. Nearly every hole here is excellent.

Learn more about the Ballybunion Golf Club >



The stunning Ocean course at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, offers incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean at every hole. It has hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup and the 2012 PGA U.S. Championship.

Learn more about golf at Kiawah Island >



The West course at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Black Rock is regarded as the finest in Australia. Alister MacKenzie designed it on a huge scale, and the greens are some of the fastest in the world.

Learn more about the Royal Melbourne Golf Club >



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11 McDonald's menu items that were huge failures

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mcafrika

McDonald's is the classic American fast food chain.

But the business has had a few misses over the years. 

Look no further than the McAfrika, which was essentially a burger on a pita. The item was released during massive famines in Africa and was pulled after public outcry. 

There are also items that are bizarre, out of place, or just plain gross. 

Kim Bhasin contributed to this story.

Hula Burger

The Hula Burger replaced a meat patty with a grilled pineapple slice. It was meant for Catholics who didn't eat meat on Fridays. But the Filet-o-Fish was much more popular, and the Hula burger died. 



McPizza

McDonald's developed new pizza items in the late 1980s but the items took longer to make than the staple items. Consumers would also rather go to McDonald's for burgers and fries. 



McSpaghetti

McDonald's tried offering Italian food. In addition to the McSpaghetti, there was lasagna and fettuccine alfredo. The items failed in the U.S. but are still available in some international markets. 



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