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12 incredible images of nature from National Geographic's photo contest

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Every year, photographers around the globe submit digital photographs to National Geographic's prestigious contest.

A selection of photos from this year's competition have just been released, and they are spectacular.

Judges evaluate these photographs on their creativity, photographic quality, and authenticity of the content. They are sorted into three categories of people, places, and nature. All images were taken within the past two years. The 2015 National Geographic Photo Contest is accepting entries through November 16.

Below are 12 of our favorites.

A striking northern lights show in Karjaküla, Harjumaa, Estonia.

"Angel in the sky," by Kristoffer Vaikla.



Lenticular clouds glowing pink in the sunrise hover over Mount Fuji in Onuma, Yamanashi, Japan.

"Red Fuji and pink lenticular cloud," Yuga Kurita.

 



Two women become lost in the fabric of a fishing net in Vinh Hy, Ninh Thuan, Vietnam. They are sewing the net for a new fishing season while their husbands are out fishing.

"Sewing the fishing net," Pham Ty.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The top 23 holiday pics and vids from some of the world's most rich, cool, or affluent people

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candymanbeynonsanta

Thought you had an epic Christmas and New Year's holiday break?

Well, think again. Across social media platform Instagram, the world's wealthiest, most affluent, or downright cool have posted some rather enviable pictures and videos of their time.

Some are just plain funny, adorable, and inspirational while others just flaunt the vast wealth they have.

Regardless, tis' the season to be jolly, so take a look at some of coolest pics and videos we could find on Instagram.

23. Lady Michelle Mone — she's one of the rare self-made millionaire women in Britain and is the poster child for the classic rags-to-riches story. Growing up in an impoverished part of Glasgow, Scotland, she is now the Baroness of Mayfair and spends Christmas in places like this.

Instagram Embed:
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22. Arjun Seth — the CEO of the dietary supplement company Protein World, which came under fire for its "body shaming" bikini ad, showed how the party is still going in Dubai despite the furore. Earlier this year, he said the attention from campaign groups about the ad's alleged body shaming directly boosted revenues by £1 million.

Instagram Embed:
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21. Kim Kardashian — the reality TV star was named as one of Time's most influential people in the world, alongside her rapper husband Kanye West. Here she attends her mother's annual Christmas Eve house party which, like most of the parties she goes to, is chock full of celebrities like Jennifer Lopez.

Instagram Embed:
http://instagram.com/p/_4obdLOS86/embed/
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See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I went to a Counter-Strike tournament to watch people who are great at video games win $20,000

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Dream Hack

The DreamHack Open events across the globe showcase some of the most highly-anticipated professional gaming events in the world.

Later this month, DreamHack Open will be premiering its 5th year of the circuit at DreamHack Leipzig, Germany from January 22 to January 24.

Want to know what goes on in these events?

Well only a few months ago, I went to the DreamHack Open London digital festival — and I got to watch people who are amazing at computer games win more money in one day than some people earn in a year.

Over two days, it held tournaments in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Call of Duty: Advance Warfare –
Super Smash Bros. Melee, as well as Ultra Street Fighter IV.

I went on the Saturday which saw eight CS:GO teams win their respective national competitions for prizes worth $2,000 (£1,318) to $20,000 (£13,181). 

It was pretty epic. Although, you can't help but be jealous of people who get paid to play video games for a living.

The DreamHack Open London event was the first of its kind in Britain. It was right next to London's Olympic Park.



Nerds from across Britain and Europe flocked to the Copper Box Arena in the newly-renovated area in East London to watch professional gamers play various games. However, the day I went was primarily focused on the first-person shooter (FPS) game Counter-Strike (CS).



DreamHack is the world's largest digital festival and originated in Sweden. DreamHack events host esport competitions – basically professional video gaming – as well as cosplay competitions as a side show. Different heats of the competition now take place in France, Romania, Spain, Britain, and Sweden.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here are the 17 insanely expensive and ornate winners at this year's 'Watchmaking Oscars'

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expo_geneve_2015_16The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève is an annual awards ceremony in Switzerland that celebrates "excellence and creativity" in watchmaking.

The awards have been dubbed the "Watchmaking's Oscars" by Forbes magazine, and it's a prestigious ceremony within the industry.

We've rounded up the winners from the 15th ceremony, which took place last week. Check out the expensive and intricate watches that scooped the gongs below.

17. Public prize — The "Tourbillon of Tourbillons" by Antoine Preziuso. From 320,000 Swiss Francs (£209,600, $324,400).

The "Public Prize" is, as you'd expect, voted for online and at the exhibition. A tourbillon is part of a watch that aims to negate the effects of gravity on the watch. This timepiece, from Swiss watchmaker Antoine Preziuso, has three of them for greater accuracy.



16. "Horological Revelation" Prize — "Galet Square" by Laurent Ferrier. From $38,000 (£24,500).

The Horological Revelation prize is awarded for the reinvention of models. Laurent Ferrier has only been making commercial watches for five years but has already reinvented its flagship model, the Galet (which means pebble).

The judges say: "Its evolution has been gentle and gradual, like the curves of minerals polished by the waves. The pebble, stemming from centuries of the incessantly repeated work of nature, embodies the purest expression of gentle shapes."



15. Innovation Watch Prize — "The Tourbillon of Tourbillons" by Antoine Preziuso. From 320,000 Swiss francs (£209,600, $324,400).

The Tourbillon of Tourbillons is the only watch to scoop two prizes in the awards. The innovation here is the fact that the watch has three tourbillons, not just one.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 19 most successful CEOs in Europe right now, according to the Harvard Business Review

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Martin Sorrell

The Harvard Business Review recently launched its yearly ranking of the world's best-performing CEOs.

The ranking is created by looking at three key financial variables: the change in market capitalisation a CEO has overseen, the country-adjusted total shareholder return, and the industry-adjusted total shareholder return.

HBR also measured what it calls ESG, or the environmental, social, and governance score. Some examples factored into ESG would include how much hazardous waste a company produces (environmental) and company diversity (social).

These four variables are then combined to give a score that helps identify how well a company is performing, and as a result how the big boss is doing.

Although American companies and bosses dominate the list — 41 CEOs featured in the top 100 lead companies headquartered in the United States — there were a number of CEOs who represent companies based in Europe.

Business Insider pulled out those names and ranked them, based on their spot in HBR's top 100. We've also included each executive's rank in the complete list, shown in brackets in the slides below.

19. Norbert Reithofer, BMW — Reithofer has been at BMW since he joined the company in 1987 as head of maintenance planning, and was made CEO in 2006. [Top 100 position: 30]



18. Simon Wolfson, Next — Wolfson joined British clothes retailer Next straight out of university and just 12 years later, at the age of 33, he was named as the company's chief executive. At the time, he was the FTSE100's youngest CEO. He has now been at the company's helm for 14 years. [Top 100 position 28]



17. Sergio Marchionne, Fiat Chrysler — When Sergio Marchionne joined Fiat in 2004, the company was in trouble and making losses. Just two years later Fiat was profitable. He was crucial in securing the formal merger of Fiat and Chrysler in 2014. [Top 100 position: 27]



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

16 of the coolest apps for Cardboard, Google's DIY virtual reality headset (GOOG)

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google cardboard virtual reality

Google Cardboard is one of the search giant's coolest projects in a long time.

Sure, it's not as immediately useful as Google Maps, and you won't find yourself checking it as often as Search — but it's virtual reality! Using your smartphone!

With just a piece of cardboard and a compatible smartphone, anyone can dive into an array of virtual worlds. From exploring Street View like never before to taking three-dimensional photographs, from immersive VR journalism to exploring our solar system — here are 16 of the coolest apps available for Google Cardboard today.  

Note: Cardboard is compatible with iOS, but the majority of apps out there are for Android, so that's what we've focused on. And if you don't have a Cardboard viewer yet, you can pick one up cheaply here »

1. Google Earth

Google Earth is accessible via the default Google Cardboard app, which also includes a number of other demos. It's one of the most exciting showcase of the possibilities of VR: Sure, the textures are low-res, and the 3D models of cities it generates (while cool) are somewhat blocky.

But it lets you fly anywhere in the world in VR 3D, using only your smartphone and a bit of cardboard. And that is absolutely wild.

Google Play Store link »



2. Google Street View

Another Google app not originally designed for Cardboard, Google Street View is exciting for much the same reason Google Earth is. At a stroke, Google has transformed its entire catalogue of the world's cities, previously a neat feature primarily used for navigating, into an interactive, explorable, virtual reality playground. 

Ever wanted to visit the Eiffel Tower? Now you can. Wanna stroll down Fifth Avenue gazing up at the Empire State Building? Not a problem. How about just exploring the beautiful Norwegian coastline because you can? The world is your oyster. 

Just load your desired destination in the app, and hit the Cardboard icon in the corner.

Google Play Store link »



3. Caaaaardboard!

Caaaaardboard! is a game for Cardboard that has you jumping off buildings, performing stunts, and collecting points. 

It costs $1.99, or £1.29 in the UK.

Google Play Store link »



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

15 things you might not know about Under Armour (UA)

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under armour stephen Curry ad

The sports-apparel brand Under Armour is booming, with the company on track to generate around $4 billion in revenue this year.

Its market share has skyrocketed in the US, partly thanks to memorable marketing campaigns and the company's knack of picking spokesmodels just as they are about to reach the top of their game: Misty Copeland, Stephen Curry, and Tom Brady to name a few.

But Under Armour had humble beginnings, and it has met some surprising hurdles and peaks along the way to its multibillion-dollar success. Check out some of the more surprising facts about Under Armour. 

SEE ALSO: 11 things hardly anyone knows about Nike

1. Under Armour's billionaire founder, Kevin Plank, didn't get off to the best of starts. He was thrown out of private high school after failing two classes and for his part in what Forbes described as a "drunken brawl" with some Georgetown University football players.

Source: Forbes



2. But things picked up for him. Plank went on to get a scholarship at the University of Maryland, where he was a walk-on for the football team. (He's not pictured here.) He eventually became the team captain.

Source: Forbes



3. Founding Under Armour wasn't Plank's first job. He had a flower business, parked cars, and "grew a shaggy beard, and sold T-shirts and bracelets at Grateful Dead concerts."

Source: Forbes



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's what we think is going to happen in 2016

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turkeyIn 2014, when Business Insider's Military & Defense team got together to guess the state of the world a year down the line, we thought we were embarking on a slightly embarrassing endeavor.

It turns out several of our predictions were correct.

ISIS proved it could strike beyond its "caliphate" by bombing a Russian passenger jet and carrying out multiple attacks inside a European capital as well as inspiring several "lone wolf" attacks.

Meanwhile, Iran signed a landmark nuclear deal in July that has the potential to reshape the Middle East and the larger issue of global nuclear-arms control.

Here are 15 big geopolitical events that we think are in store for 2016.

SEE ALSO: 12 big geopolitical events we think will happen in 2015

Iran will mildly cheat on the nuclear deal.

Iran spent the second half of 2015 pushing the limits of the landmark July nuclear agreement it reached with a US-led group of countries.

Since the deal, Iran has conducted multiple illegal tests of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, arrested and imprisoned US citizens, and failed to fully cooperate with an international probe into its past nuclear-weapons program.

Because of that, the Obama administration announced its plans to issue new sanctions that will target nearly a dozen companies and individuals in Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong for their suspected role in helping develop Iran's missile program and supporting human-rights abuses and international terrorism.

As tensions mount, expect Tehran to continue to push limits by running uranium through an advanced centrifuge (as it did in late 2014 in apparent violation of the 2013 interim nuclear agreement) and by stalling to reduce its uranium stockpiles to the agreement-mandated 300 kilograms.

At this point, Iran will cheat around the deal's margins in 2016 — and for the international community do little to counter them.



Syria will get much worse.

The ongoing US-backed push for a political resolution in Syria will fail for the simple reason that various combatants don't seem to want a peaceful resolution at this point in the war.

In the coming year, the US' triangulation on whether Bashar al-Assad should stay as the result of a peace negotiation will backfire, alienating the more hardline groups in the Syrian opposition that actually present the greatest threat to the Assad regime's survival.

The failure to reach a shared negotiating platform on terms that the Assad regime will also accept will not just nix the latest round of peace talks. It will also give Assad and his backers an excuse to sit out any future peace push (unless the regime appears to be in imminent danger of collapse).

There are plenty of other reasons to be pessimistic about Syria in the coming year. Russia has expanded its military operation aimed at defending the Assad regime.

The Israeli bombing in Syria that killed child-murdering Hezbollah terrorist Samir Kuntar on December 20 risks an escalation between Israel and the Iranian proxy group. Turkey is mired in a dangerous entanglement of interests along its border with Syria, too.

Few if any of the problems surrounding the Syria war will be solved in 2016, and the world's most destructive conflict will enter its sixth year in early 2017 with no end in sight.



Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman will not be captured.

Despite the intensifying hunt for fugitive Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, who escaped from Altiplano prison using a sophisticated custom-built labyrinth in July, authorities will not capture Guzmán alive.

David Shirk, a University of San Diego professor who leads USD’s Justice in Mexico project, provided Business Insider with some insight on the suspicions of why this is the case: "People think that somehow there's been a pact or a negotiation between the [President Enrique] Peña Nieto administration and certain cartel organizations," Shirk said.

And that's not a difficult conclusion to reach as more Mexican officials are charged for their suspected roles in Guzmán's escape.

Amid these charges, Mexico's interior ministry has been accused of hiding a video with sounds of power tools and digging, proving that Guzmán's planned escape was a dead giveaway to prison guards.

"The video exists and is crucial in identifying the level of complicity in [El] Chapo's escape," Sen. Alejandro Encinas, the secretary of the Mexican Congress' Bicameral Committee on National Security,told EFE Agencia.

Furthermore, Guzmán has proven he can elude capture, as he did in early October when Mexican Marines chased him off a small cliff and Guzmán still got away after breaking his leg.  



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 bad money habits you should break in 2016 to build more wealth

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drunk drinking

Getting rich is a long-term game.

The good news is that starting to accumulate wealth is almost entirely under your control — all it takes is patience, the right mentality, and smart habits.

If you want to master your money and build wealth, start by ditching these 13 costly habits as you head into 2016:

SEE ALSO: 50 ways to improve your finances in 2016

Using out-of-network ATMs.

Whether it be out of laziness or ignorance, many people continue to pay ATM fees— and the seemingly insignificant charges can add up over time. In fact, consumers these days are paying an average of $4.35 each time they use an out-of-network ATM.

A good rule of thumb for 2016: If it's not your bank's logo, don't use it.

If you live in a major city and use one of the traditional, bigger banks, there should be various ATM options nearby, which you can find ahead of time online. If your bank doesn't have convenient ATM options — or if you live in a smaller town with fewer ATMs — you may want to consider opening a checking account with a more accessible or online bank.



Buying coffee ... and lunch ... and snacks every day.

There's no getting around it — money is irresistibly easy to spend, especially on the small stuff.

It's hard to walk far in any city or town and not pass an enticing coffee shop, juice bar, or fast-food joint. A small mental lapse could easily leave you $5 short every day, and giving into two cravings could mean $10 out the window within minutes. That's money that could be directed toward your savings goals or be growing substantially in a retirement account.

There's nothing wrong with buying the occasional lunch or coffee to go, but if you're aiming to achieve major financial goals in 2016, this is one of the simplest ways to cut back without making dramatic sacrifices.



Tapping into your retirement funds for extra money.

Once you contribute money to a 401(k), IRA, or other retirement account, keep your hands off of it. Besides facing fees — most traditional IRA withdrawals made before age 59 1/2 incur taxes, as well as a 10% penalty — you're putting your financial future at risk by preventing your retirement savings from growing over time.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

POWER RANKINGS: Here's who has the best chance at being our next president

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donald trump

In less than 45 days, the first votes of the 2016 presidential primary will be cast.

And heading into the new year, two candidates have firmly entrenched themselves as the front-runners in their respective parties.

On the Republican side, Donald Trump finds himself in perhaps his strongest position yet, leading all national polls and surveys of the early states of New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. This from a candidate who was largely expected to wane as the summer, let alone fall, went on.

One GOP candidate has bitten the dust over the past month: Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina dropped out of the race on Monday, putting the Republican field at a still robust 13.

In the Democratic primary, meanwhile, Hillary Clinton has continued to cement herself as the clear Democratic front-runner.

So with less than a year until Election Day 2016, here's another look at who has the best chance of making it to the White House to succeed President Barack Obama.

Our rankings are based on the Real Clear Politics averages of national polls and those in the first-voting states of New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina. We also factor in candidates' fund-raising prowess and their momentum (or lack thereof) over the past few weeks, especially after each party's debates earlier this month.

Here's a look at where all the candidates stand.

(All poll results as of Tuesday.)

SEE ALSO: JEB BUSH: Here's the plan to jump-start my campaign, defeat Donald Trump, and win the GOP nomination

15. George Pataki, former New York governor

From the outset, Pataki has been mostly an afterthought in the race, though he brings a strong résumé as the former governor of the Empire State.

Still, he has barely registered in national or early-state polls. And nothing has been able to jump-start his campaign: not his continued feuding with Trump, and not his performances in the lower-tier, undercard debates.

When Pataki inadvertently referred to Trump as "president" during last week's undercard debate, Trump quipped that he didn't "want his endorsement."

National polling average among Republican voters: 0.1% (13th)
Iowa: 0.2% (12th)
New Hampshire: N/A
South Carolina: N/A

STOCK: Neutral
Last month: N/A



14. Rick Santorum, Republican, former senator from Pennsylvania

It's sometimes easy to forget that Santorum won 11 states in his 2012 primary matchup with Mitt Romney, the eventual Republican nominee — including the Iowa caucus.

That's because he still hasn't even been a blip on the radar in the 2016 race.

He is facing stauncher competition this time around, and he has not solved his biggest problem from 2012: money. He raised less than $400,000 in third-quarter fund-raising and had just more than $200,000 in cash on hand, the kind of money that doesn't bode well for staying power in a crowded field.

The state that provided his biggest win in 2012, Iowa, also hasn't given him the same kind of love. Despite focusing on the Hawkeye State, he still barely registers in polling there, placing 11th in an average of recent polls. He has lingered around that level since he entered the race.

National polling average among Republican voters: 0.6% (11th)
Iowa: 0.7% (11th)
New Hampshire: N/A
South Carolina: 0.7% (12th)

STOCK: Neutral
Last month: 15



13. Martin O'Malley, Democrat, former Maryland governor

O'Malley has watched as Bernie Sanders has entrenched himself as the progressive alternative to Hillary Clinton, outflanking O'Malley's attempts to outflank Clinton from the left.

Despite a vigorous campaign schedule, O'Malley is still not well known nationally, and he has been unable to boost his poll numbers even in a three-way race.

O'Malley has an accomplished progressive record as governor, with achievements — on immigration, criminal justice, same-sex marriage, and healthcare, among others — that he can legitimately tout to Democratic voters.

But he hasn't been able to break out of the doldrums. His failure to have a breakout-type moment in the third Democratic debate may have sealed his fate in the race.

National polling average among Democratic voters: 4% (3rd)
Iowa: 5% (3rd)
New Hampshire: 1.3% (3rd)
South Carolina: 3.3% (3rd)

STOCK: Falling
Last month: 13



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These 6 compelling charts make the case for a stock market correction in 2016

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roller coaster faces

The S&P 500 index is flat for the year, but that hasn’t been due to a lack of volatility. The index has traded within a 259-point range in 2015. This year is shaping up to be a disappointment compared to the stellar returns on stocks in recent years: 13.5% in 2014, 32.2% in 2013,15.9% in 2012.

The outlook for 2016 is even worse.

These six charts make a very compelling case for a stock market correction in the near future.

The earnings recession

Earnings estimates for the S&P 500 have been sliding downward—from expectations of $137 in earnings in June to today’s expectation of $107. Wall Street expectations for shrinking corporate profits are a bad sign for the economy—yet stocks are flat on the year. 



Junk bond warning bell

High-yielding (junk) bonds are sounding a warning bell. The average yield on the entire junk bond universe has increased 8% in 2015. This jump in yields is a big deal because the junk bond market is a leading indicator of the stock market. The high-yield bond market is screaming danger.



Retail sales are plummeting

Another leading indicator to pay close attention to is retail sales. Consumer spending—which represents roughly two-thirds the US economy—has been in steep decline. There has been a strong correlation between plunging retail sales and plunging stock prices.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These quotes from astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson may inspire you to achieve great things in life

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Neil deGrasse Tyson

If you've ever listened to StarTalk radio, then you'll know that its host, famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, has a great sense of humor.

But deGrasse Tyson also has a serious side, which he reveals time and again in his books, shows, Twitter page, and popular science articles.

Often, deGrasse Tyson's humor strikes a serious chord that not only makes us laugh but also think. As a popular science educator, deGrasse Tyson is out to inspire generations of innovators to reach for the stars.

While it's tough to narrow down his best quotes, we've taken a stab here. We've also paired some of them with photos of the most impressive science projects of our age:

LEARN MORE: There's a mission to this mysterious water world that could detect the first alien life

CHECK OUT: MIT scientists have charted a course for Mars that they say beats NASA's by a landslide

"The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it."

Source:CNN interview in 2011.



"During our brief stay on planet Earth, we owe ourselves and our descendants the opportunity to explore — in part because it's fun to do. But there's a far nobler reason. The day our knowledge of the cosmos ceases to expand, we risk regressing to the childish view that the universe figuratively and literally revolves around us."

Source:"The Cosmic Perspective" published in the Natural History Magazine in April 2007.



"I don't want students who could make the next major breakthrough in renewable energy sources or space travel to have been taught that anything they don't understand, and that nobody yet understands, is divinely constructed and therefore beyond their intellectual capacity. The day that happens, Americans will just sit in awe of what we don't understand, while we watch the rest of the world boldly go where no mortal has gone before."

Source:"The Perimeter of Ignorance" published in the Natural History Magazine in November 2005.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

You won't believe the incredible armored trains of World War I and World War II

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Armored TrainTrains may seem pretty mundane in the 21st century when compared with jet aircraft.

These days, trains play a small role in transporting Americans. Things are a bit flashier in Europe and Asia, where they're used for high-speed, comfortable travel.

This contrasts vividly with the previous century, when not just trains but armored trains were a vital piece of machinery in the two largest military conflicts of the era.

The armored train was first seen in the American Civil War, according to The Jamestown Foundation. But the battle-ready form of transportation came to prominence in World War I, when Russia used it as a means of defense during cross-country travel.

The trains were employed by most of the European nations fighting in World War II: Poland took advantage of them extensively; Nazi Germany reacted and began using them; and the Russians kept their fleet up. Even Canada patrolled its west coast with one for a time in case of an invasion, according to Canada's Virtual Museum.

These trains were not just armored — they were heavily armed. Cannons, machine guns, anti-aircraft weapons, and even tanks were on board these rolling walls of terror.

While the armored train could transport large amounts of firepower rapidly cross country, it also had quite a few drawbacks.

They were hardly stealthy. Their reliance on tracks not only limited where they could go, but it provided the enemy with an easy target: Sabotage the tracks, and you disable the train.

After World War II, automotive technology had caught up sufficiently to render the armored train obsolete. But these insane trains have left an indelible mark on history.

[An earlier version of this feature was written by Alex Davies and Travis Okulski.]

This early Polish train, Smialy, is one of the most famous of the era. The rotating turret on the front helped clear out anything that got in the way.



Here is another shot of Smialy. It was captured by Poland in 1919 but was used in both wars by four different nations: Austria, Poland, the USSR, and Germany.

Source: fsu.edu



Extensive armor plating could withstand a lot of punishment.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

What the inside of a dishwasher looks like when it's running

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bosch

Dishwashers are amazing. You load them with dirty dishes, add detergent, and a couple hours later everything comes out shiny and clean.

But have you ever wondered how this magical appliance does its dirty work?

Well, now’s your chance. We put GoPro cameras inside every dishwasher we reviewed this year to get an inside look at how they worked.

Some are basic, some are strange—but all are fascinating to watch. Here’s a peek inside five very different dishwashers.

SEE ALSO: LG's New Washing Machine Is The Most Exciting Thing To Happen To Laundry In Years

Bosch Ascenta SHS5AV55UC

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 Basic, but powerful

Bosch is a leader in the dishwasher market, and its dishwashers are known for reliable build quality and efficient water use. But the design of the Ascenta's wash system isn't exactly revolutionary. It has two standard wash arms: one at the bottom of the tub and one in the middle, just below the bottom rack. It may not be as exciting as the other dishwashers on this list, but it gets the job done.



Frigidaire FGID2466QF

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A wash arm with a wheel

See that little blue wheel at the bottom of this dishwasher? That's what Frigidaire calls its Orbit Clean wash system. As the main wash arm moves slowly around the base of the tub (like the hand of a clock), the blue wheel spins, spraying water all over your dishes.

In the middle of the dishwasher is a traditional arm that sprays water up and down to cover both the top and bottom racks. At the very top is a tiny third arm that sprays downward, to get even more coverage to the second rack.



Kenmore Elite 14763

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Water jets on the sides for added coverage

The Kenmore Elite 14763 is full of innovative wash technology. The main wash arm has two smaller wash arms sitting on both ends. As the main arm spins, the two smaller arms also spin—at different speeds, mind you—in an attempt to get water to all corners of the tub. Topping it off are a series of red jets on the side of the tub that spray water outward, soaking your dishes even more.



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50 ways to improve your finances in 2016

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sneakers shoes feet nike colorful

Are you ready to make some big changes in 2016?

We pulled together our top stories from 2015 to help you get on the right financial track as you ring in the new year. From smarter saving to savvier spending, these tips will help you prioritize your money management tasks and reach your goals.

Here are 50 ways to improve your finances in 2016: 

SEE ALSO: 8 ways to get more from every dollar

Find the best bank or credit union for you.

If you’re tired of inconvenient ATM locations or paying unexpected fees, then it’s time to find a financial institution that better meets your needs. In addition to considering banks, it can be worthwhile to check out credit unions, which are used by more than 100 million Americans. The websites MyCreditUnion.gov and aSmarterChoice.org can help. 



Use imagery to set your financial goals.

Flipping through images can help inspire and focus goal-setting, says Ellen Rogin, a financial services professional and co-author of “Picture Your Prosperity: Smart Money Moves to Turn Your Vision into Reality.” She encourages people to flip through images, such as beaches or sailboats, when planning their retirement, especially when coordinating with partners to make sure they’re on the same page. 



Identify your big money goals and share them with friends.

 Sharing financial goals with friends– and even strangers through social media – can help you articulate just what those goals are and also hold you accountable. Research on goal-setting suggests that making public statements about goals helps people commit to them, whether they be money or health related. As the new year kicks off, consider sharing your goals on Facebook, Twitter or a social goal-setting site like Linkagoal. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 crazy math facts that people refuse to believe are true

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monopoly horse market good

Mathematics is full of counterintuitive facts and problems that push your mind to new areas and challenge your cognitive versatility. 

The next nine facts are just a few of those puzzles; problems that have a habit of sparking arguments and debates among even some of the smartest students. 

While they may seem controversial, they're all rock solid fact. 

Several of them are paradoxes and idiosyncrasies of probability.  Others play your instincts against your logic. If you're looking for a mathematical way to impress your friends and beguile your enemies, here's a good place to start. 

Just a heads-up, these problems are a little tougher than last time. If you lose track, don't quit. 

Please send all attempts at counter-proofs as well as any miscellaneous abuse or beration to either whickey@businessinsider.com or @WaltHickey.







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Here's what's ahead for 2016, in 20 pictures

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new years 2016

Cities and landmarks all over the world were lit up by fireworks and festivities on Thursday night to welcome 2016.

But what will the new year bring?

Reuters recently rounded up the issues, people, and events that could be major players in 2016, in picture form. Read on to see what will shape the news this year:

SEE ALSO: Here's how people around the world celebrated the New Year

Americans will vote for a new president on November 8, as Barack Obama prepares to head out of the White House.



Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, seen here mocking opponent Jeb Bush, could shake up the party convention in July.



The sci-fi epic "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" made history as it broke box-office records. Will it also break Oscar records when the Academy hands out awards on February 28?



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A 'calorie detective' found something shocking about the calorie listings on food labels

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Walk into any grocery store or bodega for a packaged snack and you'll probably be able to find the nutritional information. Or if you're stopping by a fast-food spot or chain restaurant, chances are you'll be reminded of just how many calories you're about to consume, thanks to the listings on the menu.

How spot-on are these listings?

Filmmaker Casey Neistat decided to assume the role of "calorie detector" and test the accuracy on five different food items, with the help of two food scientists and their bomb calorimeter at the New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center.

"By testing only five items, my little study is hardly conclusive," he writes on The New York Times.

But his findings certainly raise a few red flags. Here's what he found and documented in his 2013 short film "The Truth Behind Calorie Labels":

SEE ALSO: The big pizza lobby doesn't want you to know how many calories are in a slice

He picked the foods he would typically eat in a single day, starting with a packaged "yogurt muffin." The muffin supposedly had a whopping 640 calories — according to the food scientists' bomb calorimeter, it has an incredible 734.7 calories packed into it.



Next up was a grande Starbucks Frappuccino with whipped cream. Starbucks claimed it contained 370 calories, and they weren't far off — Neistat found a discrepancy of just 22.9 calories. "The girls at Starbucks liked me. They probably just gave me an extra squirt."



There was a bit more of a discrepancy with the Chipotle barbacoa burrito. The actual count was about 10% more than what Chipotle claimed, a fairly significant amount of unaccounted-for calories.



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Saudi Arabia spends 25% of its budget on its military — here's what it has for the money

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saudi officers military parade

Saudi Arabia has one of the best-funded defence forces in the Middle East.

The kingdom spends 25% of its budget, or about $80 billion, on its military. That is about double what it spends on health and social development.

It has been throwing its weight around recently, engaging in a war in Yemen and joining forces with Turkey against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

So here's what all that money has bought it.

Saudi Arabia is strong in the air. Its air force contains more than 300 fighter jets and 15 active airfields. This includes dozens of US-made F-15s, with another 80 on order.



The Saudi fleet is also stocked with Eurofighter Typhoons, which are a joint project among European Union members. The country has an option to buy another 72 of the fighters.



In terms of manpower, Saudi Arabia has about 440,000 active personnel in its military, with 225,000 army troops.



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Take a look inside 1Rebel, the hipster London gym with live music and an alcohol license

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1Rebel

1Rebel, a new chain of gyms opening in London, brands itself as the "anti-gym"— but a more apt description might be the house music hipster gym.

There are currently two sites in London and they look more like underground clubs or futuristic film sets inside than a traditional gym. 

The interiors are artfully disheveled in a way only possible through extensive interior design. The gyms also have trendy perks like cold press juice bars, music playlists curated by top DJs, and even free beer.

Check out what it's like inside below. 

Here's the outside of one of the sites. Looks normal enough — but what's that sign you can see through the window, free beer? Seems odd...



Once you go down the stairs you get to the front desk, which looks more like a hotel lobby than a traditional gym. 1Rebel is pay as you go, unlike most gyms, meaning you don't have to sign up for a long contract. One session is £20, but you can buy a bundle of sessions to get a better deal.



There's plenty of branded swag you can buy at the front desk if that's your thing.



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