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1,600 'potentially hazardous' asteroids could strike Earth — here's how NASA plans to protect us

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Broken asteroid dinosaur belt

About 30,000 objects are floating near Earth that could strike it someday — 1,600 of which NASA has labeled "potentially hazardous."

An impact by one could mean anything from broken windows to global extinction, which is why scientists are working hard to find and, if necessary, deflect or destroy these rogue space rocks.

Though a big strike has a low likelihood of happening, the consequences would be enormous, according to Nahum Melamed, a project manager with the Aerospace Corporation.

Melamed recently spoke at an event for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Manhattan Beach, California, about what scientists refer to as planetary defense, and Tech Insider was in the audience.

Here's what asteroids have done in the past, and what scientists at NASA and other institutions are doing to mitigate their threat in the future.

There's a ton of junk in space — from old satellites to discarded spacecraft — which just keeps getting worse as humans launch more things into the sky.



Melamed says space debris is "sure to become a serious problem," but there's an even bigger potential problem in the form of near-Earth asteroids.



These space rocks are leftovers from the solar system's formation some 4.6 billion years ago. A big one slamming into Earth could mean our end.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

5 possible surprises that could impact the energy market in 2016

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An oil rig is silhouetted against the sunset in St. Lawrence, Texas May 9, 2008.   REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi  Many energy analysts like to make predictions at the end of the year for the coming year. Instead, I'll point to five possible surprises in energy--surprises because few people expect them to happen.

I am not predicting that any of the following will happen, only that there is an outside chance that one or more will occur. Naturally, these surprises would move markets and policy debates in unexpected directions.

1. Crude oil ends 2016 below $30 per barrel

With oil hovering in the mid-$30 range it doesn't seem implausible that at some point in the not-to-distant future, crude oil will dip below $30 per barrel, if only briefly. What would surprise most people is if the crude oil price finished next year below $30 per barrel. The conventional wisdom is that cheap oil is giving a boost to the economy that will lift worldwide economic growth and thus demand for oil. There is also a belief that high-cost producers will simply have to stop drilling new money-losing wells after more than a year of financial Armageddon in the oil markets. This will bring down supply just as economic growth is rising, sending prices much higher as the year progresses.

The alternate view is that oil in the mid-$30 range is a reflection of an economy that has been weakening since the middle of 2014 and foreshadows a worldwide recession which should hit in full force by the end of 2016. In addition, with Iran almost certain to add to the current oversupply as sanctions are lifted and with the continued determination of OPEC to destroy the viability of tight oil deposits in the United States, the oil price could surprise on the downside, even testing $20 per barrel.



2. US natural gas production declines

Despite persistent low U.S. natural gas prices, U.S. production has continued to grow. Most of the growth has been coming from two places: the Marcellus Shale where ample deposits continued to be economical in the range of $3 to $4 per thousand cubic feet (mcf) and Texas where furious fracking for oil locked in deep shale deposits also produced associated natural gas without concern for the price of that gas.

With oil drilling across the United States in precipitous decline because of low oil prices, we won't see nearly as much new natural gas associated with oil drilling as we saw in 2014 and 2015. With natural gas now hovering around $2, even the very sweetest of the sweet spots in the Marcellus are unlikely to be profitable to exploit.

Having said all this, U.S. natural gas production growth has continually defied predictions that it would dip in the face of low prices. Part of this had to do with desperate drillers carrying heavy debt loads who had to produce gas at any price in order to pay interest on that debt.



3. Several approved US liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects are postponed or abandoned

One of the memes of the so-called shale gas revolution was that the United States would produce far more natural gas than it consumes and that that would open the way for liquefied natural gas exports to other energy-hungry countries. Two things went wrong. First, U.S. production, while growing, has not exceeded U.S. consumption. Despite the highest natural gas production in history, the United States had net imports of natural gas of about 3 percent of its consumption so far this year.

Second, with the price of landed LNG around the world between $6 and $7, LNG exports from the United States are currently uncompetitive. Even with U.S. natural gas at $2, when the cost of liquefying and transporting gas--about $6 per mcf--is added to the American price, landed LNG prices would have to rise to about $8 just for American suppliers to break even. And, of course, just breaking even is not a proposition investors are very much interested in.

Now, some of the export projects have already undoubtedly received commitments from buyers to take U.S. LNG under long-term contracts, usually priced at Henry Hub plus a certain amount for liquefying and transporting the gas (plus something to reward investors, of course). If those contracts are in place, then the builders of the LNG export projects don't care what U.S. prices are. They make money no matter what. And, it doesn't matter whether they export so much LNG that the United States is forced to IMPORT more from Canada via pipelines or possibly in the form on LNG itself.

Whether buyers make out under such an arrangement will all depend on how world spot LNG prices unfold over the next couple of decades. Undoubtedly, many of those with long-term contracts today would be better off buying in the spot market. But, of course, when prices are high, they have no protection.

What we'll find out this year is which projects have contracts from buyers and which do not. The ones that do not yet have such contracts will almost certainly be postponed or abandoned. For those that proceed, investors who are not careful to understand how much of the capacity of the project has been taken up by long-term contracts and how much will be sold on the spot market may be in for rude surprises if they are too exposed to the spot market and that market remains soft.

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 underrated watches that we absolutely loved this year

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rolex_oyster

For the past few years, it seems like we've seen a new watch announced every day of the week – doesn't it?

It does to us, and we do our best to only show you the finest watches out there – the watches worth knowing about.

But we've still seen so many new introductions this year – and some of them have been huge, like Tudor's Black Bay BlackPatek's enamel dialed, split-seconds 5370, AP's new perpetual calendar Royal Oak, JLC's ticking Geophysic, and, of course, Vacheron's 57260, the most complicated watch, ever.

But, there have been some absolute gems that came out this year that we've absolutely loved – but that didn't receive much fanfare from the masses, and in some cases, went totally under the radar.

Here we'll show you seven watches introduced in 2015 that are absolutely awesome, though you likely forgot about them.

SEE ALSO: We tested the device that will supposedly turn any watch into a smart watch

1. The Rotonde De Cartier Chronograph

What is it?

I say this every time I begin a story about Cartier – they deserve your respect not only as a designer, but also as a serious watchmaker. Their 1904 calibers – both the self-winding watches with date and the 1904-CH found in the awesome Calibre de Chronograph (detailed review here) are absolutely top tier in every way and until January of this year, we'd only seen them used in bulky, 42 mm Calibre cases. This, however, is a far more elegant use of their in-house chronograph, and in just 40 mm.

Why do we love it?

Because Cartier should be the ultimate in elegant watchmaking, and yet the cases and designs of late have been a little too much for the traditionalist in us. The 40 mm Calibre de Chronograph couples a great movement with nice dials, a reasonable case size, and a killer price –$9,050 in steel.



2. The Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie Ultra Slim

What is it?

This is an ultra-slim, manually wound movement, void of any distractions (looking at you, seconds hands!) that is expertly assembled by a major brand at a price point of $2,045. Montblanc does some amazing high-end things with its Minerva manufacture, and even its more more affordable complications like the world-timer and annual calendar receive a lot of attention, but this watch is a downright killer – coming in thinner than even some very high end dedicated ultra thin watches, with a great Peseux movement and amazing price.

Why do we love it?

Because the idea of a true ultra thin watch, lacking seconds, with a manually wound movement was previously left to the very high end – Lange, Piaget, Vacheron, etc. This watch gives you that look and feel for way less, but still offering good name brand recognition.

Read more here.



3. The New A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1

What is it?

2014 marked the 20th anniversary of the rebirth of Lange, and with it, two decades of the Lange 1. In January of this year, the 21st of Lange 1, we were shown a brand new, totally revamped caliber for this benchmark in modern watchmaking. The Lange 1's original caliber, built during what many would deem a dark period for fine watchmaking, was indeed beautiful and more than adequate. But, in 2015, we saw a completely revamped caliber with some major technical upgrades (read here for a head-to-head comparison), and some supremely subtle but wonderful aesthetic changes – a slightly thinner bezel, more slight script on the font, and a movement diameter that is slightly slimmer and wider, filling the case even better.

Why do we love it?

Because I don't think anyone was complaining about the original Lange 1 Caliber in the least, and Lange absolutely did NOT need to redesign this legendary watch's movement from the ground up with the L1 continuing to be a strong seller. But they did, and an amazing watch just got even better. And that is why Lange is Lange, and why we love them. PS – Lange currently has both old and new L1's in stores now, but not for long, so if you want to see them side-by-side, make your way to a dealer ASAP.

Read more here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 9 worst cyber attacks of 2015

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data security

With nearly 300 million records leaked and over $1 billion stolen in 2015, chances are you or someone you know was affected by a cyber attack this year.

From the 37 million affected in the Ashley Madison hack to the unprecedented breach of the US federal agency in charge of background checks, it felt like every month of 2015 brought a major new cyber attack. As a massive listing from IT Governance shows, that was more than a feeling: Hackers hit companies and governments alike month after month, often with shocking results.

Tech Insider looked over the big list of attacks and narrowed down nine of what we'd dub the worst, either due to the sheer number of people affected or, in the case of specific government officials being hacked, the untold implications and fallout after the fact.

Hackers breached the systems of health insurer Anthem, Inc., exposing nearly 80 million personal records.

In February, Anthem acknowledged it was hacked by still-unknown attackers, who accessed 80 million records from people using health plans like Amerigroup and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Even the company's CEO was affected by the data breach, which exposed birthdays, addresses, social security numbers, and emails. The company said there was "no evidence" that credit card or medical information was exposed.

The major breach may have been the work of Chinese hackers, since the way in which it was pulled off included the "finger prints" of a nation state, according to Bloomberg.



Perhaps 2015's most high-profile hack was on Ashley Madison, the adultery website that promised its members discrete affairs.

A group called Impact Team stole the site's user database in July and attempted to blackmail its parent company Avid Life Media into taking down the site. After 30 days the site still remained online, and the hackers released everything, which included personal info such as emails and physical addresses for 37 million users.

The group followed up with the release of a larger dump of corporate emails from Avid Life, including those of CEO Noel Biderman. He resigned a short time later.

Though being among the data dump didn't necessarily mean a person was actually one of the site's users — there was no email verification so even Barack Obama's White House email was in there — it did lead to embarrassment and public shaming of some politicians and others.

Some, like Pastor John Gibson, committed suicide just six days after being found in the database.

Despite the breach, the company claims it has added millions more to its membership base, though it still faces a number of class-action lawsuits from customers whose identities were exposed.



An unknown group infiltrated hundreds of banks in multiple countries, swiping somewhere in the neighborhood of $1 billion.

The greatest bank robbery of 2015 was completely digital.

Starting in late 2013, an unknown group of cybercriminals infiltrated a number of financial firms after phishing their targets with infected email attachments.

By the time the attack was uncovered by Kaspersky Lab in 2015, at least 100 banks in 30 countries, including Russia, the US, Germany, China, and Ukraine, were affected. In many cases, the criminals used their computer exploits to dispense cash from ATMs or transfer cash digitally to accounts they controlled.

The $1 billion haul was unprecedented in its scope, which Kaspersky reported as under investigation but still ongoing.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 stunning photographs that placed in the 2015 National Geographic photo competition

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There are relics left along the Iran-Iraq boarders. A group of Iranian female students play around an abandoned tank. Among them, one girl stands on the tank with her arms open.  Location: Shalamcheh, Khuzestan, Iran

Each year photographers from around the world enter their pictures into the annual National Geographic photo competition.

With more than 13,000 entries, here are the winners from this years' contest.

All photos published with permission by National Geographic.

SEE ALSO: 10 stunning portraits from the 2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Honorable Mention: 'From generation to generation' by Jackson Hung

Category: Places

Location:Shalu, Taiwan, Taiwan

This photo was taken during Chinese New Year's Eve of 2015 in Taiwan. I noticed how the light was coming into the room as our family members passed incense sticks to each other, sending our prayers and paying respects to our ancestors.

The photo is symbolic, as the passing of incense sticks represents the knowledge and wisdom passed down from generation to generation.

 



Honorable Mention: 'Surrealist painting in nature' by Tugo Cheng

Category: Nature

Location: Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, China

As the largest mountain ranges in Central Asia, Tian-shan ('sky-mountain' in Chinese), has one of the best collections of natural landscapes in the world and is seen by many as a paradise for outdoor adventures.

Thanks to the richness of sediments compounded with the power of erosion by rivers flowing down the mountains, the north face of Tian-shan is carved into stunning plateaus and colorful canyons hundreds of meters deep, resulting in this surrealist painting in nature. 



Honorable Mention: 'The game' by Simone Monte

Category: Places

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the 11 most game-changing aircraft of the 21st century

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F-35A F-35B

Today's most sophisticated aircraft are like something out of science fiction.

In a few years, drones that can fit in the palm of a person's hand and 117-foot-wingspan behemoths capable of launching satellites into space will both be a reality.

At the same time, drone and advanced-fighter technologies will spread beyond the US and Europe, and countries including China, Russia, and Iran will have even more highly advanced aerial capabilities.

Here's our look at the most game-changing aircraft of the past few years — and the next few to come.

VIDEO: 11 game-changing military planes from the last 15 years

F-35 Lightning II

The F-35 program may cost as much as $1.5 trillion over its lifetime. But the fifth-generation fighter jet is also supposed to be the most fearsome military aircraft ever built, a plane that can dogfight, provide close air support, and carry out bombing runs, all with stealth capabilities, a high degree of maneuverability, and the ability to take off and land on aircraft carriers.

It hasn't quite worked out that way so far, and problems with everything from the plane's software system to its engines has both delayed its deployment and contributed to its astronomical price tag. And it isn't nearly as effective in some of its roles as existing aircraft. For instance, the F-35 is notably worse at close air support than the A-10, which is slated for retirement.

But the US has more than 1,700 F-35s on order. Like it or not, the F-35 will be the US' workhorse warplane for decades to come.



F-22 Raptor

The predecessor to Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II is the single-seat, twin-engine F-22 Raptor, currently the most advanced combat-ready jet on earth.

The US is the only country in the world that flies the F-22s thanks to a federal law that prohibits the jet from being exported. Lockheed Martin built 195 F-22s before the last one was delivered to the US Air Force in May 2012.

Despite the program's cost and the jet's advanced features, it saw combat for the first time relatively recently, during the opening phase of the bombing campaign against the Islamic State in late 2014.



T-50

Russia's Su-50, also known under the prototype name of the T-50 PAK-FA, is the Kremlin's fifth-generation fighter and Russia's response to the F-35.

Though still in prototype, Moscow thinks the Su-50 will ultimately be able to outperform the F-35 on key metrics including speed and maneuverability. The stealth capabilities of the Su-50, however, are believed to be below those of the F-22 and the F-35.

The Kremlin plans to introduce the Su-50 into service by 2016. Once the plane is combat-ready, it will serve as a base model for the construction of further variants intended for export. India is already co-designing an Su-50 variant with Russia, and Iran and South Korea are possible candidates to buy future models of the plane.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 places to go if the world is going to end

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asteroid

December's weather has been pretty much apocalyptic in some parts of the world. Huge areas of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and the UK have been heavily hit by floods.

Add to this the devastating, unseasonal tornadoes in Texas, and the crazily high temperatures on the east coast of the US and in continental Europe.

Man-made climate change is starting to take its toll, and the world will soon officially have warmed up by 1°C since 1900, causing massive changes to our planet. 

There's also the rise of Islamic State, and increasing tensions between Russia and Turkey after the latter shot down a Russian plane in November. All in all, the world is in a bit of trouble.

Humanity has already survived a financial crisis, and warnings of the Mayan Apocalypse in the last decade, but if 2016 is the year the world does finally start to collapse, we think you should know where to head to in order to survive.

We've selected places that we expect will remain fortresses of stability, safety, and prosperity no matter what the world throws at them.

This article is based on a previous post by Joe Weisenthal

SEE ALSO: 2015 will mark a 'symbolic and significant milestone' for Earth in the worst way possible

Iceland

Iceland is by far the most isolated country in all of Europe, and is hundreds of miles from any other land, making it tricky for any potential invaders to get to.

The country is also awash with useful resources for staying alive. It's powered almost entirely by geothermal energy from the country's many active volcanoes, and its coastal waters have some of the best, and most abundant seafood anywhere in the world. So in the event of having to hole out on the island for a long time, you can rely on being warm, and well fed.

Iceland also survived a near total collapse of its banking system during the financial crisis, so you know its citizens are pretty resilient, essential if the end of the world does come.



Tristan da Cunha

This island chain in the south Atlantic is actually the world's most remote inhabited archipelago, more than 2,000km from the nearest land. The population is just over 300, so we're sure they're looking for new residents. It's known for excellent fishing — the perfect career if times were to get really bad.



Guam

This is one for American patriots, who can take refuge in this far flung outpost of America. Guam is situated in the Pacific, and is home to a massive American military presence, perfect for keeping people safe in the event that Russian-Turkish relations go downhill and we find ourselves in the middle of World War Three.

Guam isn't exactly home to a booming economy however, with most of its income coming from tourists and the US government, but prior to being colonised in the 16th century, people lived on the island for more than 4,000 years, so it must be pretty inhabitable!



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

NBA POWER RANKINGS: Where all 30 teams stand going into 2016

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LeBron James

Heading into 2016, it's been somewhat of an unpredictable start to the NBA season.

While the Warriors, Spurs, Cavs, and Thunder have all gotten off to strong starts, there have been shake-ups elsewhere in the NBA.

Nobody is sure what to make of the weakened West Conference, and whether teams like the Clippers and Rockets will kick into another gear. Meanwhile, the East is suddenly a mosh pit of competitive teams, where one win or one loss can poll-vault a team several spots in the conference.

Here are your NBA power rankings heading into the new year. 

Note: Offensive and defensive ratings measure points scored and points allowed per 100 possessions. League rank next to ratings.

1. Golden State Warriors

Record: 29-1, 1st in West

Offensive rating: 112.5, 1st

Defensive rating: 97.3, 2nd

One thing to know: The Warriors made it to 24 wins before having their streak snapped in Milwaukee. They're back at it, winning five in a row, and Stephen Curry is back on track after shooting just 29% from three over a five-game stretch, including that first loss of the season.



2. San Antonio Spurs

Record: 27-6, 2nd in West

Offensive rating: 106.6, 3rd

Defensive rating: 92.8, 1st

One thing to know: The Spurs' have built an old-school juggernaut, reminiscent of Tim Duncan's early years. They're the best defensive team in the league, they play at the fourth-slowest pace, shoot the third most midrange jump shots, and run the second most post-ups in the league.



3. Oklahoma City Thunder

Record: 22-10, 3rd in West

Offensive rating: 109.2, 2nd

Defensive rating: 100.1, 9th

One thing to know: The Thunder are getting it together. They've gone 11-2 in December while Kevin Durant has averaged 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists per game.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 of the biggest myths about beer debunked

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Beer might be one of the most popular beverages in the world.

It's been around for thousands of years, and some argue that it sparked the domestication of grain that was essential for our transition from hunting and gathering societies to agricultural civilizations. But the drink is also commonly misunderstood.

Even regular beer drinkers will frequently cite myths about how a beer gets skunked or how many calories are in dark beers.

beer 1

So we got in touch with Sheri Jewhurst and Xavier Jirau, respectively the "dictator" and scientific advisor for Brooklyn homebrew club The Brewminaries, to find the truth about some of the most common myths about beer.

On each card below, the myth is listed first, with the truth below. How many did you already know?







See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best-designed kitchen gadgets of the year

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annova sous vide

We can't hate on traditional pots and pans, but times are changing.

Working in the kitchen has become a high-tech experience, from the way we brew our coffee to how we cook our meat.

In 2015, we saw no shortage of sleek kitchen designs to help the home chef perform at a high level, ranging from more refined sous vide cookers to microkitchens designed for tiny apartments. Most of the designs included here won top honors at this year's International Design Excellence Awards. 

Check them out below. 

The Gravity Series line of cookware makes cooking less of a hassle with durable, see-thru lids, handles that don't get hot, aluminum bottoms sandwiches between layers of steel — for optimum heat distribution — and integrated steam and drainage vents.

Buy it now on Eva Solo's website, items starting at $98.60.



Somabar is like the Keurig for cocktails. Each drink starts as four different pods, which blend together to form the perfect drink (with booziness levels up to you) via a quick tap on the device's mobile app.

Pre-order on Somabar's Kickstarter for $429.



Kohler's Prolific Sink integrates a bamboo cutting board, colander, grated racks, and wash bin inside a standard stainless steel tub. The sink also features a cone-shaped drain for more efficient cleanup.

Get it on Amazon for $824.25.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

This guy found a way to make a 'comfortable' 6-figure salary by watching 'The Bachelor'

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dishnation reality_steve

Stephen Carbone is known by hardcore fans of "The Bachelor" franchise as "Reality Steve."

Reality Steve has become the go-to blogger of the dating shows, and public enemy No. 1 in the eyes of the shows' producers and network ABC, who have sued him twice.

Why? Reality Steve has been spoiling "The Bachelor" and its spin-offs for the past four years with amazing accuracy. He's become so infamous, The New York Times' Jon Caramanica just wrote a long profile about how he's turned his intel into a full-time, revenue generating business without having any other real employees.

Not only does Carbone often name who has been chosen by ABC's bachelor or bachelorette months in advance, he has mapped out entire seasons of the show.

“I can’t believe I get this much information, every season. I still think it’s weird that I get it,” Carbone, 40, told the New York Times in an article published today all about his life as Reality Steve.

Carbone told the newspaper that he makes a "comfortable" six-figure income from his site, RealitySteve.com, presumably from ad sales. The site actually covers the entire reality TV genre, not just "The Bachelor" franchise.

Here are some insights into how Stephen "Reality Steve" Carbone does it:

SEE ALSO: Meet ABC's 26-year-old new bachelor star Ben Higgins

MORE: ABC reportedly bans gay dancing on 'Dancing with the Stars'

Aside from hiring a webmaster to maintain the website, the majority of the work falls to him. The New York Times detailed Carbone's career, which started from a newsletter and then turned into the website in 2003.

He didn't make any money until after receiving his first "Bachelor" tip that season 13 bachelor Jason Mesnick had broken up with Melissa Rycroft and reunited with his second-choice gal, Molly Malaney. After that, Carbone became a "Bachelor" expert.

His spoilers are a combination of his own online research of "Bachelor" sightings and information along with tips from his many sources. "Bachelor" producers have sued Carbone twice. In 2011, he was sued for contacting eliminated cast members and offering to pay for information. The second time, soon after the first in 2012, he was sued after spoiling the next season. Both lawsuits were settled, with Carbone promising not to contact cast members or people who work on the show.



Spoiling isn't an exact science for him.

Carbone's information is usually pretty accurate, but he rushes to make things right when he's wrong. On the last season of "The Bachelorette," for example, Kaitlyn Bristowe posted a video of herself with the winner, Shawn Booth, to Snapchat before the finale aired. He had been told she ended up alone, so he was forced to quickly update the site.



Spoiling isn't actually Reality Steve's bread and butter.

Though it may have put him on the map, Carbone doesn't get most of his audience now from divulging scoops ahead of time. Web traffic to RealitySteve.com is 80-90 percent lower while he's tracking the "The Bachelor's" production, before it airs," Carbone tells The New York Times. His big numbers arrive while the season is actually on TV. Even still, the amount of Bachelor fans who actually want to read spoilers seems small with only a few hundred thousand people typically reading big scoops, despite 8 million people tuning into the show.

The next season arrives on Monday, January 4, to ABC.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best movies and TV shows coming to Amazon Prime, iTunes, Hulu, and more in January

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goosebumps

2016 will be filled with lots of streaming viewing options.

Highlights include new releases like "Goosebumps" and "Black Mass;" titles that never get old like "Dazed and Confused," and "Serpico;" as well as new seasons of TV shows like "Workaholics,""New Girl,""The Bachelor," and the premiere of the final season of "American Idol."

All the new movie and TV titles are below. We've highlighted in bold some titles we think are worth checking out.

SEE ALSO: The 9 biggest breakout stars in movies from 2015

iTunes

Available January 5

"Black Mass"
"Goosebumps"
"The Last Witch Hunter"

Available January 12

"All Things Must Pass"
"Burnt"
"The Diary of a Teenage Girl"
"Freeheld"
"Rock the Kasbah"
"Suffragette"

Available January 19

"The 33"
"The Assassin"
"By the Sea"
"Crimson Peak"
"Truth"



Amazon Prime

Available January 1

"An Affair To Remember"
"Annie" (2014)
"The Da Vinci Code"
"Dazed and Confused"
"Journey To The Center Of The Earth"
"Mad Dogs" (Season 1)
"Miracle On 34th Street"
"Paper Planes"
"Taps"
"The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water"
"The St. Valentine's Day Massacre"
"Thundercats" (Season 1)

Available January 4

"Breakfast At Tiffany's"
"Boardertown" (Season 1)
"Flesh and Bone" (Season 1)
"Margin Call"
"Planes, Trains & Automobiles"
"Serpico"

Available January 5

"1408"
"Captive"
"Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser"

Available January 8

"Hot Tub Time Machine"

Available January 9

"Goodnight Mommy"

Available January 10

"Shameless"

Available January 11

"All Creatures Big and Small"

Available January 12

"Black Mass"
"Goosebumps"

Available January 13

"The Missing"

Available January 14

"The Second Mother"

Available January 15

"Idiot Sitter" (Season 1)
"Workaholics" (Season 6)

Available January 16

"Frank Miller's Sin City"
"Hell's Kitchen" (Season 15)
"Spare Parts"

Available January 17

"Billions"

Available January 21

"Dark Net"

Available January 23

"Black Sails"
"Mortdecai"

Available January 26

"Man of Tai Chi"



HULU

Available January 1

"Bad Influence" 
"Beverly Hills Cop II"
"Breakfast at Tiffany's"
"Catch-22"
"Caveman"
"Devil's Double"
"Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007"
"Footloose" (1984)
"From Mexico with Love"
"Guns Of The Magnificent Seven"
"Heartbreakers"
"High Noon"
"I.Q."
"Larger Than Life"
"License to Kill" 
"Married to the Mob"
"Miami Blues"
"Mission: Impossible"
"Mighty Fine"
"Planes, Trains and Automobiles"
"Radio Days"
"Scrooged"
"Serpico"
"Shane"
"Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water"
"Stigmata"
"Thief" 

Available January 2

"Project Almanac"

Available January 3

"Bordertown": Series Premiere (FOX)

Available January 4

"Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life": Series Premiere (FOX)
"Into the Abyss"

Available January 5

"The Bachelor": Season 20 Premiere (ABC)
"The Biggest Loser": Season 17 Premiere (NBC)
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia": Complete Season 10 (FXX)
"You Kill Me"

Available January 6

"American Idol": Final Season Premiere (FOX)
"New Girl": Season 5 Premiere (FOX)
"Stolen"        

Available January 7

"Chicago P.D.": New Episodes (NBC)
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit": New Episodes (NBC)
"The Mysteries of Laura": New Episodes (NBC)
"The Thin Blue Line"

Available January 8

"Beyond the Tank": Season Premiere (ABC)
"Hot Tub Time Machine 2"
"Shades of Blue": Series Premiere (NBC)
"Sleeping Beauty" (2011)

Available January 9

"Albatross"

Available January 16

"Hell’s Kitchen": Season 15 Premiere (FOX)

Available January 17

"Saturday Night Live": New Episodes (NBC)

Available January 25

"Regular Show": Complete Season 6 (Cartoon Network)
"The X-Files": Season 10 Premiere (FOX)

Available January 26

"Fear the Walking Dead": Complete Season 1 (AMC)
"Lucifer": Series Premiere (FOX)
"Mommy"
"The Westbrooks": Winter Finale (BET)

Available January 27

"The Boonies": Series Premiere (Nat Geo)
"Mine Hunters": Series Premiere (Nat Geo)

Available January 30

"Aqua Teen Hunger Force Forever": All Episodes (Adult Swim)



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The 4 best frequent flyer programs in North America

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aa

Points programs are complex, difficult to use, and can be downright frustrating—if not impossible—to understand.

But for me? They’re fascinating. 

Since turning 15, I have studied various points systems, from airline frequent flyer accounts to credit cards.

I have tried and tested all of them, and that has allowed me to explore 62 countries (so far!) under more of my own terms than most airlines would be comfortable with.

And so can you.

The first step to understanding how to get the most out of points and miles is identifying which “currency” is the most valuable. And, of course, those with the most value translate into getting the most bang for your buck — when cashing in 100,000 miles can obtain a ticket that normally costs $10,000 or more. 

As a US-based flyer, big airline frequent-flyer points are just a few of the programs you have to choose from. Unfortunately, there are lots of changes and, worse, point devaluations happening in these programs.

Here are the four absolute best North American airline loyalty programs, in my opinion.

American Airlines AA Advantage

American Airlines AA Advantage frequent flyer miles is the only program to withstand any devaluation, and continues to be one of the best: They allow you to redeem miles on some of the best international carriers, free of dramatic fuel surcharges.

Some other perks? High-value tickets are usually cheaper than other airlines’, and you can redeem points for a one-way ticket (which not every airline allows). 

These miles continue to be the best—but, since they don’t accept transfers from AMEX, they’re harder to earn than most.



Delta Airlines SkyMiles

Delta Airlines SkyMiles, whose frequent flyer program has a horrible reputation, introduced one-way awards this year—making these miles more valuable. 

Delta’s one-way awards on partners continue to be some of the best redemptions out there—and combined with the alliance’s low fuel surcharges, it’s even better. Delta also has partnered with Starwood to allow a “double dip” of points, allowing customers to earn in both programs simultaneously while flying or staying at hotels.

With the program’s generous availability to partners — not to mention Delta’s extensive route map — SkyMiles is easily another solid choice. However, domestic reward flights are hard to come by and is the weakness of this program, so be aware of that.



Air Canada's Aeroplan loyalty program

Air Canada’s Aeroplan loyalty programis definitely not the best, but a lot better than other Star Alliance partners in North America.

Be aware there are still fuel surcharges, but the ability to redeem business and first-class upgrades through Europe to get to Asia can be an incredible way to experience some of the best premium cabins out there, like Lufthansa’s First and Business Class.

The downside to Aeroplan is that the only way to use one-way redemptions is if the itinerary originates or terminates in the US.



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5 golf vacations you should take this winter

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Indian_wells2

This post originally appeared on Golf Vacation Insider.

As great as spring, summer and fall are, winter is in some respects our favorite of the four seasons.

The reason: it gives us a perfect excuse to explore amazing golf destinations like these.

Check out five of the greatest winter golf vacations below.

SEE ALSO: The 6 best golf courses near New York City

Indian Wells Golf Resort, California

Enjoy Unlimited Golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort

Indian Wells (Palm Desert), California

Nightly accommodations at Miramonte Resort & Spa in an Estate room

Unlimited golf per package day, cart and range use, plus twilight golf on arrival day

Indian Wells Golf Resort features 36 holes – the Celebrity and Players Courses

Lowest rates based on double occupancy

From $135 per person, per night

More information here >>



Waldorf Astoria, Florida

Stay and play in luxury at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Orlando, Florida

Nightly accommodations at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Daily round of golf and cart at the Rees Jones-designed Waldorf Astoria Golf Club

20% off golf shop apparel and merchandise

Lowest rates based on double occupancy

From $175 per person, per night

More information here >>



The Ranch, California

Be Among the First to Experience the Ranch at Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach, California

Discover one of Southern California's newest and most laid-back getaways

Unlimited golf at the 9-hole, Gary Roger baird-designed Ben Brown's Golf Course

Accommodations from brand-new Canyon Rooms to two-bedroom Treehouse suite

Lowest rates based on double occupancy

From $182.50 per person, per night

More information here >>



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6 changes I made this year that saved me hundreds of dollars

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spain mountain

Like most things in life, you learn through trial and error — through failing, making adjustments, and then failing again, until you find something that works.

My first full year working in the real world was littered with blunders — but with blunders come valuable lessons. And with valuable lessons come a wiser approach to your life, career, and finances.

After a year of trial and error, here are six of the most effective changes I made when it came to managing my money:

SEE ALSO: The most valuable thing I learned about money after my first full year working

I went cash-only.

What started as a two-week long personal challenge quickly evolved into a long-term lifestyle amendment — 14 days of cash changed the way I'll spend forever.

I ditched my plastic cards for crisp cash this past July and haven't looked back. Each Sunday afternoon, I withdraw the amount of cash I've allocated for myself — typically $125 — and that's my spending money for the week. When that cash runs out, I'm out of funds until Sunday rolls around.

The strategy worked brilliantly for a number of reasons: I knew exactly how much I was spending each week, had a better idea of how quickly money can disappear, gave more thought to certain purchases, and enjoyed the overall convenience that comes with carrying cash.

The most eye-opening and rewarding takeaway was how much I actually saved, and how much I'm on track to save each month, simply by altering the way that I spend. The cash-only diet offers zero wiggle room, and just by sticking to my weekly allowance of $125, I will be saving about $50 a month, the average amount I tend to go over-budget due to unexpected purchases or lack of discipline when handling a debit and credit card — that's $600 over the course of a year.

Eventually, as bigger purchases come around and my spending habits change, it will make more sense to bring back the plastic and earn credit card rewards — but for now, when my expenses are the lowest they'll ever be, I'll stick to cash.



I tracked all of my expenses.

We all know the importance of spending less than you earn, but it can be tricky to know just how much money is flowing out of our wallets — everyday purchases and unexpected expenses have a way of adding up in an alarming fashion.

The easy fix is to record every purchase you make to ensure you're remaining at, or under, budget, an easy habit to form if you make it part of your routine.

At the end of each day, I simply open my Excel spreadsheet and record everything that I bought. Every other week, I add in any income I gained, and do a quick tally of my expenses to make sure I'm on track to stay within my monthly budget. At the end of each month, I fill in my total income, tally up all of my expenses, and calculate my net savings for the month and overall year.

The strategy is just as effective as it is simple. A handful of everyday "millionaires next door" swear by it, it helped one family of four live comfortably off $14,000 a year, and is highly recommended by financial adviser and bestselling author David Bach.

If you don't want to keep a spreadsheet on your computer, consider an app that will automatically track your expenses for you (Mint, You Need a Budget, and LearnVest are popular options), or write them down in a notebook.



I set up auto-increase for my 401(k) plan.

This took a maximum of five minutes, and while I may not see the financial benefits for a while, auto-increase will grow my savings significantly over the years.

Thanks to compound interest, you can accumulate a substantial nest egg over time, especially if you start saving early. The more you can put aside the better, which is why it's smart to get in the habit of upping your 401(k) contribution each year. Automate the increase so you don't forget about it or talk yourself out of contributing more. You'll never even see the money you contribute — making it easier to live without — and will reap the benefits later on.

Check online to see if your plan offers auto-increase. If it does, choose a percentage you want to increase your contributions by and how frequently you want it to increase. If you don't have this option, or are contributing towards different retirement plans without auto-increase, make a reminder note in your calendar every six months or year to up your savings rate.



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The 10 most popular books of 2015, according to the New York Public Library

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Reading Book in Library

2015 is just about finished, but there are still a few more days left if you're looking to cram in another book or two before the year is out. 

The New York Public Library System, which includes 92 branches in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx, rounded up the top ten books that were checked out the most in 2015. From a police thriller to a millennial memoir, the list might surprise you. 

Keep reading to see if any of your favorite reads made the list. 

10. “Grey” by E. L. James

E. L. James takes her bestselling "Fifty Shades of Grey" novel and turns it completely around in her latest book "Grey." It has the same plot with Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey as James's original book, but there's just one difference: "Grey" is told completely from Christian's point of view.

Needless to say, the tale looks a little different through the eyes of the tortured and twisted millionaire Grey instead of Steele. 

Buy the book here >>



9. “The Paying Guests” by Sarah Waters

Set in London in 1922, "The Paying Guests" chronicles the lives of Frances Wray and her mother.

After falling on hard times, the pair are forced to bring paying guests (hence the title) into their home to make ends meet. Enter Lilian and Leonard Barber, a couple who certainly shake things up in the house. 

Buy the book here >>



8. “In the Unlikely Event” by Judy Blume

The latest work from Blume, "In the Unlikely Event" takes a reflective look at the life of Mimi Ammerman.

While the plot begins in the 1980s, the crux of the story is set in the early 1950s in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where the community is dealing with the aftermath of a series of airplane crashes. 

Buy the book here >>



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5 big breakthroughs scientists got out NASA's $150-billion space station

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international space station

The International Space Station is the longest-running continuously inhabited human outpost in space, and this year it celebrated its 15th anniversary.

As the ISS orbits the Earth it is essentially in a state of free fall, counteracting the Earth’s gravity and providing an ideal platform for science in space.

Science aboard the ISS is decidedly cross-disciplinary, including fields as diverse as microbiology, space science, fundamental physics, human biology, astronomy, meteorology and Earth observation to name a few.

But let’s take a look at some of the biggest findings:

1. The fragility of the human body

The effects of the space environment on the human body during long duration spaceflight are of significant interest if we want to one day venture far beyond the Earth. A crewed journey to Mars, for example, may take a year, and the same time again for the return leg.

Microgravity research on the ISS has demonstrated that the human body would lose considerable bone and muscle mass on such a mission. Mitigation technology, involving the use of resistive exercise devices, has shown that it is possible to substantially alleviate bone and muscle loss. Coupled with other studies into appropriate nutrition and drug use, these investigations may lead to improvements in the treatment of osteoporosis, a condition affecting millions of people across the globe.



2. Interplanetary contamination

A long-term goal of many space agencies is to fly humans to Mars. The red planet is of particular interest because it is one of the most accessible locations in which past or present extraterrestrial life may exist. It is imperative, therefore, that we do not inadvertently contaminate Mars with terrestrial organisms. Likewise, we must be careful not to back-contaminate Earth with any possible Martian life forms during a sample return mission.

Certain hardy bacterial spores, such as the Bacillus subtilis in the picture were exposed to space aboard the ISS, but shielded from solar UV-radiation, and demonstrated a high survival rate. The space vacuum and temperature extremes alone were not enough to kill them off. These remarkable bugs could be capable of surviving an interplanetary space flight to Mars and live there, under a thin layer of soil, were they to be accidentally deposited by a spacecraft.

This finding has huge implications; if microorganisms, or their DNA, can survive interplanetary spaceflight, albeit by natural means, it leaves open the possibility that life on Earth may originally have arrived from Mars, or elsewhere.



3. Growing crystals for medicine

A key challenge in developing effective medicines is understanding the shape of protein molecules in the human body. Proteins are responsible for a huge range of biological functions, including DNA replication and digestion – and protein crystallography is an essential tool for understanding protein structure. Crystal growth within a fluid on Earth is somewhat inhibited by gravity-driven convection and the settling out of denser particles at the bottom of the fluid vessel.

Crystals in a microgravity environment may be grown to much larger sizes than on Earth, enabling easier analysis of their micro-structure. Protein crystals grown on the ISS are being used in the development of new drugs for diseases such as muscular dystrophy and cancer.



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The most popular booze of 2015, according to the internet

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cocktailsAmericans drank a lot of Moscow mules and margaritas this year.

That's according to Google, which analyzed data from booze-related searches in the U.S. and then ranked the drinks that people talked about the most.

As we ring in the New Year, let's take a look at the trendiest cocktails from 2015.

 

SEE ALSO: The most popular foods of 2015, according to the internet

10. Daiquiri — Rum, citrus, juice of choice, and sugar.

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9. Sex on the Beach — vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, and créme de cassis.

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8. Aviation — gin, maraschino liqueur, créme de violette, and lemon juice.

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The best books of 2015, according to Barnes & Noble

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A Barnes & Noble book store is seen in Encinitas, California March 9, 2015.     REUTERS/Mike Blake

With so many books published each year, it's a struggle just to keep track of them all.

Fortunately, Barnes & Noble put together a list of titles it calls the best books of 2015. Broken down by categories like "books that started a conversation" and "binge-reading page turners," there's probably something on the list for everyone.

It was put together using proprietary criteria, the company said, which included "trendspotting expertise" from its booksellers.

Plucked from a much larger list, here are 10 of the books that made the cut.

"Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness" by Susannah Cahalan

What would you do if you woke up strapped to a hospital bed, unable to move or speak — with no memory of how you got there?

That's what happened to New York Post reporter Susannah Cahalan, as she recounts in her gripping memoir "Brain on Fire." Just days earlier, the 24-year-old tells of her entrance into her first serious relationship amid a promising career, only to be labeled now as "violent, psychotic, [and] a flight risk," according to the book description.

An unknown pathogen had entered her brain and caused an autoimmune reaction that made her "unrecognizable" to family and friends, which, had it not been for the curiosity of one doctor, could have cost her life.

"This story has a happy ending, but take heed: It is a powerfully scary book," wrote Maggie Scarf in a review for The Washington Post.

Buy the book here >>



"The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy" by Rainn Wilson

Most know him as Dwight Schrute from "The Office," but Rainn Wilson's memoir shows he is much more than that.

Beyond his successful acting career, Wilson co-founded a media company and educational initiative in rural Haiti, and he chronicles his career in "laugh-out-loud" fashion.

"I had the biggest, fattest head of any baby that was ever born into the human species" is the opening line, and it goes from there to Wilson's many location changes in childhood to his geeky high school years (Bassoon King is an apt title).

Then it hits on what most fans would be interested in: his big break with "The Office"— a much-loved show that tested quite poorly when the pilot was released in 2005.

"Readers will relish his experiences as Dwight Schrute (who contributes the book’s foreword) in The Office—snagging the part, the show’s debut, the actors and writers, and behind-the-scenes reminiscences,"reads a review in Publisher's Weekly.

Buy the book here >>

 



"The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondo

If your desk is a mess and you are afraid to see the disaster zone that is your closet, this is the book for you.

Written by Marie Kondo, a professional cleaning consultant "with a three-month waiting list," the book gives inspiration and guidance to anyone who struggles with staying organized. As an overview of the book at One Kings Lane puts it, you should ask yourself whether each thing you own "sparks joy." If not, toss it.

Many reviews of the book have noted that the "life-changing" part of the book's title is for real. 

"It's not just about tidying up to get rid of things," Dr. Drew Ramsey, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, told The Today Show. "It's about having gratitude for the objects you choose to be in your life."

Buy the book here >>



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The Wall Street billionaire who was the inspiration for Gordon Gekko just bought a 2-bedroom apartment for $30 million that overlooks Central Park

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834 Fifth Avenue

The Fifth Avenue home of the late philanthropist Carroll Petrie has been sold to Wall Street billionaire James Tomilson Hill, vice chairman of the Blackstone Group hedge fund, The Real Deal reports.

Hill passed through the notoriously picky co-op board at 834 Fifth Ave. to buy the $30 million two-bedroom apartment. It features 11.5-foot height ceilings, a real fireplace, and a staff wing.

The building has some of the most expensive real estate in the city, and Jets owner and businessman Woody Johnson sold a condo in the building for $80 million last year. Rupert Murdoch also previously owned an apartment at the address.

Hill's slicked-back hairstyle is reportedly the inspiration for the physical appearance of Michael Douglas' character in the 1987 film "Wall Street."

Serena Boardman of Sotheby’s International Realty had the listing, which has since been taken down after selling.

SEE ALSO: An insane Florida mansion that was once the most expensive home in the US is back on the market — and now it's even more expensive

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The entryway of the apartment on the 10th floor the building opens to a grand gallery with marble columns and multiple chandeliers.



The living room features a working wood-burning fireplace and a gorgeous view of Central Park's treetops.



The apartment is in immaculate condition. The moldings on the ceiling are hand-carved.



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