• The Eagles won the Super Bowl, and quarterback Nick Foles has become a hero for Philadelphia.
• Foles is originally from Austin, Texas, and has had a winding football career filled with ups and downs.
• He is married to his college girlfriend and his daughter, Lily James, made an appearance at the Super Bowl.

After one of the most intense Super Bowls of all time, Eagles quarterback Nick Foles has come out on top as Philadelphia's hero. Foles led the Eagles to victory at 41-33, after throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught a score, and was named MVP of the game.

After several years in the NFL with plenty of ups-and-downs, the 29-year-old quarterback is now perhaps one of the most talked about athletes in the sport. 

But his epic comeback as an athlete isn't the only interesting thing about him.

Read on for a look at Foles' life, and how the Austin native came to be a hero for thousands of Eagles fans.

SEE ALSO: The Eagles quarterback who defeated Tom Brady to become Super Bowl MVP nearly retired 3 years ago — and his career path is one of the wildest in recent memory

SEE ALSO: The Eagles' Nick Foles did something no quarterback has done since Tom Brady in 2001 — and became Super Bowl MVP

Foles was born on January 20, 1989 in Austin, Texas. His father is a successful restaurateur who sold the chain he founded in 2011 for $59 million.

Source: Heightline, Biz Journals

He graduated from Westlake High School in 2007, the same school that Drew Brees attended. Foles was the one who broke Brees' passing record, which was set just a few years before.

Sources: SI, ESPN

Foles originally went to play football at Michigan State. After just one year, he transferred to the University of Arizona, where he and Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski were teammates — although they never actually played together.

Source: Austin Monthly, Fox Sports

• If you're looking for a relaxing spring break, certain popular destinations are best avoided.
• Cabo and Cancun in Mexico are not just crowded, they're also dangerous.
• South Beach, and Miami as a whole, is expensive — in fact, it's one of the most expensive cities in the world to grab a beer in.

Spring break is the time to get away from work, school, and cold weather.

It's not the time to add stress by visiting a destination that's crawling with college kids and masses of tourists that are only going to raise your blood pressure.

Turns out, many famous spring break destinations fit that bill, and are entirely worth skipping — from Bourbon Street in New Orleans to Cancún, Mexico.

Keep scrolling to see 16 of the most overrated spring break destinations you'll want to avoid.

Panama City Beach in Florida is the spring break capital of the US.

PCB is notorious for spring break shenanigans. It has gotten so bad in recent years that the city started banning the consumption of alcohol on the beach during the month of March — not that that really stops anyone. Last March 168 people were arrested for drinking on the beach.

If you'd rather not be surrounded by the rowdiest college kids this side of "Animal House,"try nearby Seacrest.

Daytona Beach is the original spring break destination — in fact, "MTV Spring Break" aired here first.

Ever since the very first "MTV Spring Break"aired in Daytona Beach in 1986, people have been flocking to the city for their own spring break debauchery.

While the Daytona 500 attracts a lively crowd of NASCAR fans to the east coast every year, that, coupled with eager spring breakers, has turned the town into a giant tourist trap full of crumbling hotels and tacky souvenir stands.

In fact, Daytona Beach ranked eighth on this list of the world's most disappointing places.

Again, there is no shortage of great places to go in Florida, like Siesta Key, which was named the best beach in the US by TripAdvisor.

The French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, is an overcrowded and expensive area of an otherwise underrated city.

If you ask anyone who lives or has lived in New Orleans, the first thing they'll tell you is that they spend as little time as possible on Bourbon Street.

While an entire street filled with bars and no open container laws can be fun for one night, the amount of drunk tourists, religious protesters screaming about sinning, and the sheer volume of people will kill your buzz very quickly.

New Orleans is amazing — literally anywhere else in the city will have unique food, a lively music scene, and warm locals willing to show you around.

The Berlin Wall divided the modern capital of Germany from August 3, 1961, until November 9, 1989 for a total of 10,316 days.

As of February 5, 2018, it has been 10,316 days since the wall fell.

A wave of revolutions swept across the Communist Bloc of Eastern Europe, and the wall came tumbling down, sparking the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War in 1991.

As the world moves further and further away from the wall's demolition, Berlin has reconnected and revitalized itself as a global capital.

Today, the wall's legacy is barely visible. But if you know where to look, the history of the wall lives on in Berlin's tree-lined streets.

Take a look at how the Berlin Wall looked then, and how the same places look today:

SEE ALSO: PHOTOS: Thousands take to the streets for May Day in Berlin's Kreuzberg

DON'T MISS: 18 stunning photos from the night the Berlin Wall came down 28 years ago

Although Berlin had been divided between East and West Germany since the end of World War II, the wall wasn't constructed until 1961, to keep people from fleeing the communist East for the capitalist West.

Source: History Channel

The Berlin Wall was actually two parallel walls, with a zone between them that was dominated by watchtowers, guards, and barbed wire. This are was called "the death strip."

Source: History Channel

The wall famously ran in front of Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of post-unification Germany. The gate was actually part of a city wall constructed in the 1700s.

Source: History Channel

• Starbucks has become the go-to spot for coffee, tea, and cafe foods for many people.
• The chain's teas have zero calories and pack lots of antioxidants. 
• From oatmeals to wraps, these are some of the best hot breakfasts you can enjoy from Starbucks that don't pack a high calorie count. 

You’ve heard the old aphorism: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If the message is so catchy and cliche, why would you ignore it? We’re sure you can think of plenty of reasons: You hit snooze one too many times and were running late, or perhaps you forgot to stock up on eggs and oatmeal.

Since you’re already planning your morning Starbucks run (because, hey, there’s always time for coffee) we’ve put together a list of the java joint’s healthiest hot breakfast items. The majority of these picks help you start your day with protein, healthy fats, and fiber — three key macronutrients to trimming excess weight and warding off hunger — while the other offerings provide a low-cal caffeine and antioxidant boost. Find out which items you should wake up to below, and if you’re still considering avoiding a morning meal, read up on these 21 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Skip Breakfast.

Reduced-fat turkey bacon & cage free egg white breakfast sandwich

Did someone say “bacon?” With lean turkey bacon and fluffy egg whites, this slimming sandwich manages to serve up a whopping 18 grams of protein to help maintain your muscles and boost your metabolism bright and early.

Classic oatmeal

“The oatmeal is a sure pick and something that’s easy to grab on-the-go. I love oatmeal because it’s filling and has heart-healthy fiber that’s also good for promoting healthy digestion,” Isabel Smith, MS RD CDN, founder Isabel Smith Nutrition tells us in 28 Starbucks Items that Diet Experts Love. Instead of reaching for sugary add-ons, Smith suggests topping your warm bowl of oats with almonds or a sliced banana.

Hearty blueberry oatmeal

Although this oatmeal option has more sugar than the classic, we’re giving it the go because it’s sweetened with wholesome ingredients such as dried figs, dried cranberries, fresh blueberries, and organic agave nectar syrup (but for less sugar, skip the agave drizzle altogether). Plus, it packs in an extra gram of heart-healthy fiber yet remains low in calories.

The United Kingdom attracts more than 30 million tourists a year, making it one of the most popular countries to visit in the world.

American tourism to the United Kingdom is growing particularly fast, and for Americans who have never been there before, it's important to learn some basic facts and cultural norms of the UK. Otherwise, you risk offending locals and possibly embarrassing yourself — something no traveler wants to do on their vacation.

Read on for seven things Americans definitely want to avoid doing on their trip to the UK:

SEE ALSO: 12 things Europeans think are weird about the US

DON'T MISS: A typical day in the life of a person living in Moscow — from what they eat for breakfast to how they spend their free time

Thinking Ireland is part of the UK

Americans might find it confusing that Ireland and Northern Ireland are two separate countries, and that only Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

While the stereotype that Irish people and British people hate each other may be overblown, you should still avoid sounding ignorant by recognizing the distinction.

Calling football soccer

There are hundreds of examples of words that have different meanings in British English and American English.

When you order chips in a restaurant, for example, you'll receive what Americans know as French fries. And in the UK, biscuits aren't the fluffy pastries you'll find in the Southern US, but what Americans would call a cookie.

While confusing those terms aren't the worst offenses, Brits will likely roll their eyes if they hear an American talk about "soccer" instead of football. 

Not knowing the difference between the United Kingdom and Great Britain

Americans are perpetually confused between how to distinguish between the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and the countries comprising both places.

To put it simply, the United Kingdom is a nation comprising four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Great Britain is the name of the island where three of those countries lie: England, Scotland, and Wales. (It helps to know that the official name of the UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.)

• Samsung's Galaxy S9 smartphone is almost here, with a recent leak suggesting it will go on sale in mid-March.
• Samsung has already confirmed it will announce the smartphone on February 25.
• Most rumors about the Galaxy S9 say it will have many subtle updates.

We now have a pretty good idea of when Samsung plans to launch its new Galaxy S9 smartphone.

Evan Blass, a well-known tech informant, says he learned from a C-level executive at a smartphone-case maker that the Galaxy S9 and larger Galaxy S9 Plus will be available to preorder on March 1 and will go on sale on March 16.

Samsung has said it will announce the phone late next month, during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Before Samsung confirms all the details then, here's what we know about the Galaxy S9 so far:

SEE ALSO: The Samsung Galaxy S9 retail box may have just leaked — and it seems to reveal the phone's key features

Samsung has not said when it will release the Galaxy S9, but it did recently confirm its unveiling in February.

This makes Blass' claim of a March release for the Galaxy S9 quite plausible. His reported schedule is very similar to Samsung's past smartphone releases.

Though the Galaxy S8 was delayed until April last year because of safety concerns, the Galaxy S7 was announced in late February 2016 and released in mid-March, as were several older devices in the Galaxy-S series.

Samsung sent press invites for a launch event on February 25.

Though concrete release details for the Galaxy S9 are still not yet available, Samsung has sent out press invites for its upcoming launch event, confirming the date for February 25.

The invite also hints at the phone's name. We assumed it would be the Galaxy S9, but the giant "9" on the press invites somewhat confirms this. The image also suggests the device and launch event may focus heavily on camera updates.  

A recent barrage of leaks will tell you almost everything there is to know about the Galaxy S9, from its new camera and associated features to even the phone's new stock wallpaper.

It's not surprising that a host of new leaks, rumors, and details have surfaced as Samsung shares more details about the Galaxy S9 launch. 

Most recently, the device reportedly surfaced in a video leak, showing off its touchscreen ability as well as its design similarities to the Galaxy S8. 

Other details come directly from Samsung, with the manufacturer recently sharing information about its latest camera technology on its official website. The camera features include updates to autofocus and settings that allow users to have more control over the camera parameters without having to go into pro mode. Many have connected these details to the Galaxy S9, especially since the launch event invite hints at camera updates.

Another recent leak from the tech informant Evan Blass shows what can be expected for the Galaxy S9 by way of design. The render suggests a larger screen and curved edges similar to the Galaxy S6 Edge design. Many have also compared the design to the Google Pixel 2.

Blass has also shared with the public, stock wallpapers, which he claims are for the Galaxy S9. 

• The world's best hotels offer unparalleled amenities — and often prices to match. 
• We've outlined the best hotels in five regions around the world: the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Caribbean, according to U.S News & World Report.
• The ranking is determined using industry awards and expert reviews, as well as reviews from regular travelers. 

U.S. News & World Report announced its 2018 hotel rankings on Tuesday, revealing what it thinks are the best luxury hotels in the world.

The rankings, which span 24,000 hotels, combine industry awards with experts' and regular travelers' reviews to reveal the top places to stay in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

Due to the hurricanes that devastated the Caribbean this year, U.S. News & World Report opted to not update its hotel rankings for the region. 

We pulled out the top five hotels for each region, including last year's rankings for the Carribbean.

Have a look — you might find your next vacation destination:

SEE ALSO: 100 trips everyone should take in their lifetime, according to the world's top travel experts

Caribbean #5: The Baoase Luxury Resort in Willemstad, Curacao is said to have a secluded beach and only 23 rooms, suites or villas, making sure that every guest gets ample attention.

Book a reservation here»

#4: The Ritz Carlton on Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman has every kind of amenity you can imagine from complimentary snorkeling and kayaking to a 9-hole golf course.

Book a reservation here»

#3: The Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, Jamaica has expansive picture-perfect grounds that stretch across beautiful greens and beaches.

Book a reservation here»

In San Francisco, seas of people staring down at their phones are as much a fixture of the city as trolley cars and fog. But a few nights out of the year, 1,300 people put away their digital devices and sprawl across the floor of Grace Cathedral church for a meditative "sound bath."

The crowd lies on yoga mats and blankets, as a small orchestra of instruments — gongs, crystal bowls, a harp, and a didgeridoo — provides a 90-minute soundtrack for meditation. The idea is that the sounds give participants something to focus on, allowing any racing thoughts to peter out. Sound Meditation SF has organized six events in the city since 2016, and each sold out.

I recently attended a Sound Healing Symphony, organized by Sound Meditation SF, to see what the buzz is about. Here's what it was like.

SEE ALSO: I tried 'forest bathing' — the Japanese ritual that science suggests could reduce stress

I don't practice meditation regularly. I don't even have Headspace on my phone.

My colleague, Rich Feloni, tried Headspace, the meditation app loved by Wall Streeters and Olympic athletes, daily for the eight months, and now he "can't imagine life without it"»

But I arrived at Grace Cathedral on a Friday night with an open mind. Simona Asinovski, a former tech worker and cofounder of Sound Meditation SF, told me not to be intimidated.

Asinovski said she practiced yoga for at least six years before she was able to meditate for even 10 minutes. "Meditation is very challenging," Asinovski said. "It's just fundamentally hard to be still and be present with what is — which is usually a lot of stuff."

But a sound meditation helps beginners tap into a meditative state by allowing them to focus on the music instead of the "little stories that we tell ourselves," Asinovski said.

An experimental anti-submarine drone warship developed by DARPA has officially been transferred to the US Navy's research office.

It looks like something out of Star Trek, but for the water — and the analogy isn't too far off, either.

The Anti-submarine warfare continuous trail unmanned vessel — AC TUV for short — is a futuristic drone ship outfitted with computers, sensors, and cameras, all intent on searching for and tracking enemy submarines.

And since it's fully autonomous, there's no crew onboard or humans controlling it remotely. 

It's nicknamed the "Sea Hunter" and it could be a game changer for the Navy. Take a look:

Paul Szoldra contributed to a previous version of this story.

SEE ALSO: We toured the world's largest aircraft carrier, which can house 75 aircraft (but doesn't have urinals)

The Sea Hunter is an experimental vessel funded by DARPA, the Pentagon's research and development arm. It was recently transferred to US Navy researchers.

We saw the ship in May 2016, when DARPA showed off the new ship in San Diego. Over the next two years, the ship underwent sea trials to see whether it can succeed on the open water.

"We're really in for some exciting times," Jerry Dejaco, test director for the US Navy, said in 2016.

Celebrities aren't immune to mispronounced names, even if most of us have heard them correctly at one point or another. 

Some names might be more difficult because of the accent on the letters, while others have some silent letters that could throw you off.

Here's a helpful guide to saying those celebrity names right: 

JK Rowling never seems to take a break from writing and helping with film adaptations of her best-selling books.

The next "Fantastic Beasts" movie has fans disappointed with its mishandling of Dumbledore's sexuality.  

Her name isn't "r-OW-ling," it's pronounced "ROLL-ing." But she answers to both, since many people in the US still put emphasis on the "ow."

She told the Guardian how it should be said. 

Gal Gadot is Wonder Woman.

But despite breaking records, people still get her name wrong. 

We're about a year and a half removed from the start of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and heading into the start of the 2018 Summer Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

While the latest summer games were a success from a competitive standpoint, Rio's facilities frequently came under fire. The Olympic Village was called "uninhabitable," while a ramp at the sailing venue was destroyed by 10-foot waves – and that was before the competition even started.

With each passing Olympics, more and more cities around the world are starting to question whether hosting the Olympics is worth it.

Most cities simply do not have the infrastructure required to withstand the two-week influx of athletes, coaches, fans, and media members. The money required to build state-of-the-art athletic facilities is soaring, and academic research suggests that spending billions on a two-week event is not a wise investment.

In the worst-case scenario for host cities, Olympic venues go unused after the games and become white elephants — total wastes of space and money. We've seen this at Olympic sites around the world.

Of course, the reasons this happens are specific to each country. Sarajevo, for example, suffered from a gruesome war that caused the 1984 Winter Olympic venues to crumble. Nevertheless, these photos from Reuters, Getty Images, and others have become symbolic of the downside of hosting the Olympics.

Will the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang follow a similar path?

Sam Belden and Emmett Knowlton contributed to this report.

In 2016, Rio de Janeiro hosted the first Olympic Games in Latin America in nearly 40 years.

The city has yet to clear away much of the debris created by the Games. Here's what's left of the Rio Media Center, demolished in September.

The site has become a health hazard. It is located in downtown Rio, close to public facilities like city hall, a convention center and a day care.

• The film hasn't been released yet, but "Black Panther" is currently the best-reviewed Marvel Studios film, with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score from 50 early reviews.
• Critics praise the film for delivering a worthy villain played by Michael B. Jordan, and a sense of identity rarely seen in super hero movies.

"Black Panther" is still over a week away from its official release, but critics are already praising it as Marvel's best.

It currently sits at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes out of 50 reviews, and critics especially love Michael B. Jordan's villain, Erik Killmonger.

When "Wonder Woman" opened to praise and box-office success last year, many said it was a step in the right direction for super hero movies to break barriers. The same could be said for Marvel's "Black Panther," the upcoming new entry to the Marvel Cinematic Universe that opens February 16 nationwide.

The character of Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman, was first introduced on-screen in 2016's "Captain America: Civil War" and will be seen again in May in "Avengers: Infinity War." But before that, Black Panther, also known as T'Challa — king of a fictional African nation named Wakanda — will receive the big-screen solo treatment from director Ryan Coogler ("Fruitvale Station,""Creed").

It marks the first movie in the MCU to focus on a black main character with a nearly all-black cast, something that critics have praised along with its politically charged story that "has something to say."

In Business Insider's review, Jason Guerrasio said that it is "the rare Marvel movie that makes you care about the villain."

Below are samples of some of the responses to the film so far:

SEE ALSO: 'Black Panther' is the rare Marvel movie that makes you care about the villain — and Michael B. Jordan delivers an incredible performance

"Not to minimize the alien death funnels of the Avengers films, but the conflicts threatened here hit frighteningly close to home."

David Edelstein, Vulture.

"'Black Panther' is different. It’s the first one of these films that flows with a genuine sense of culture and identity, memory and musicality."

David Ehrlich, Indiewire.

"One of the most dramatic — and relevant — storylines the film explores is whether or not advanced societies owe it to the global community to share their discoveries rather than keep their bounty to themselves."

Alonso Duralde, The Wrap

• Costco is our go-to stop for bulk items. 
• While they may seem like a one-stop shop, there are some things to know before you commit to a membership. 
• From brands they carry to shopping methods, here are 15 things to know about Costco before you go. 

A 24-pack of Bounty rolls? Got it. New flat-screen TV? Check. How about $5 rotisserie chicken? Done. While Costco may seem like a one-stop shop, there are a few things to know before you sign up for a membership and buy in bulk. Get the scoop on Costco’s exclusive markdowns, insider secrets, and what not to buy a year’s supply of with our tips below. Then, add these 28 must-buy supermarket eats for your weight loss goals to your shopping list.

You don't need a membership

Just ask your aunt or friend who’s a member to get you a Costco Cash Card, which you can use to enter the store.

Scouring the aisles may take you a while

Before you finally find the produce section, you’ll have to endure Costco’s seemingly perpetual aisles stocked with items such as electronics and snacks.

Know what to buy in bulk

Items that are best used when fresh (think nuts, seeds, and spices) shouldn’t be bought in bulk.

There may be seven established natural wonders of the world, but each state in North America is home to its own extraordinary attractions, be they natural or man-made.

Instead of highlighting the "best” tourist attraction in each state or the most popular, we decided to explore attractions with excessive, unrestricted allure – be it in size, nature, or character. This list abandons subtlety and quiet beauty, instead favoring the sprawling, extravagant, or outright jaw-dropping.

By relying heavily on Trip Advisor in addition to outside research, we rifled through worldwide events, natural wonders, and stunning architectures to name some of the most over-the-top, if not always the most famous, attractions in all 50 states.

Alabama: U.S. Space & Rocket Center

This Huntsville-based U.S. Space & Rocket Center boasts one of the largest collections of rockets and space memorabilia on display anywhere in the world. It has an entire park of rockets, rocket launch simulators, Apollo 16, and even a Space Camp for those so inclined.

Alaska: Denali National Park

Denali National Park is North America’s highest peak at 20,320 feet, and even if you don’t venture the climb, the park is extraordinary -- full of grizzly bears and six million acres of wild land.

Arizona: Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most-visited natural wonders in North America for a reason, and we would be hard-pressed to highlight anything else. Between its immense size and spectacular views, this natural phenomenon is anything but ordinary.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• Smartphones have never been more powerful or more attractive looking. We've researched and tested dozens of smartphones to bring you the best ones you can buy whether you want an iPhone or an Android phone.

We’ve come a long way since the Nokia 8110 flip phone made its debut in a little film called "The Matrix." It's hard to believe that just over a decade ago, Apple started a revolution with the first true smartphone. Now, smartphones are everywhere and they have never been more powerful or better looking than they are today. 

You can't go wrong with any of the major flagship smartphones that have been released in 2017 and 2018 — although it's early days yet for the new year. You can even get excellent phones for $500 or less these days.

In this guide, we've selected the absolute best smartphones at every price point, including top-tier phones, flagship killers, and affordable phones that work as well as many mid-range phones. We also highlight things you should look for in your next smartphone.

These are the best smartphones you can buy:

• The best iPhone: iPhone 8 Plus
• The best Android: Google Pixel 2 XL
• The best phablet: Samsung Galaxy Note 8
• The best modular smartphone: Moto z2 Force
• The best phone for less than $600: OnePlus 5T
• The best phone for less than $300: Moto G5S Plus
• The best phone to splurge: iPhone X

Read on in the slides below to learn all about our top picks for the best smartphones.

SEE ALSO: The best cheap phones you can buy unlocked on Amazon

The best iPhone

Why you'll love it: The super-quick, totally stunning iPhone 8 Plus is a solid choice for Apple fans, and the smaller iPhone 8 will please anyone who wants a smaller phone.

If you can stand not scooping up the most high-end iPhone from Apple and you don’t feel like dropping a grand on a phone, the iPhone 8 Plus offers the exact same processing power as the flagship iPhone X. The smaller iPhone 8 is also a great option for people who like smaller phones, and it too has the same processor as the X.

The powerful combo of iOS 11 and the A11 Bionic chip is an upgrade in performance for any iPhone owner. However, you’ll have to be satisfied with the almost instant Touch ID fingerprint unlocking mechanism, because you won’t get Face ID, the newest facial recognition technology, with the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus.

In terms of size, the iPhone 8 Plus measures 6.24 inches with a 5.5-inch LCD screen. The screen uses integrated sensors to adjust the display depending on its surroundings. Apple calls this tech True Tone, and we found this especially enhanced the white balance and gave the screen a more paperwhite feel.

The iPhone 8 has a smaller 4.7-inch screen and a more compact body, which make sit ideal for people who dislike large phones. The only downside with the 8 is that it only has one camera and can't pull off the blurred background effect of the 8 Plus.

The iPhone 8 Plus not only has a main, 12-megapixel back camera, it also adds a 12-megapixel 2X telephoto lens. The bokeh Portrait Mode is capable and the Portrait Lighting filter includes five different styles including Studio Lighting for silhouettes against dark backgrounds and Contour for better shadowing. Updated 4K video allows a large range of frame rate options, and Apple’s foray into Augmented Reality is pleasurable on the larger screen.

Per usual, Apple gets points for design. The entire phone is crafted from starkly beautiful glass and ours, in Gold, was so pretty and classy, it made us seriously consider leaving off the protective case. Luckily, the body’s dual ion exchange process makes the glass extra durable, as well as water and dust-proof. As with all other iPhones, the headphone jack is no more, but it does support Qi wireless charging and comes with 3GB of RAM. — Tobey Grumet

Pros: Dual-lens camera with 2X optical zoom on 8 Plus, longer battery life, elegant glass back, wireless charging 

Cons: The LCD screen has a lower resolution than the iPhone X OLED screen, a larger bezel makes it bulkier, expensive

Buy the iPhone 8 Plus from T-Mobile,  Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, or Apple for $799 full price

The best iPhone for every type of person and budget

The best Android phone

Why you'll love it: The Google Pixel 2 XL sports the best camera of any smartphone, a high-resolution 6-inch screen, and the snappy new Android Oreo OS.

The Google Pixel 2 XL is big, beautiful, and chock-full of features. It may be pricey, but it’s worth it — especially if you travel or just don’t want to be chained to your service carrier.

As a completely unlocked option, you can swap in a SIM card when you leave the country and switch carriers without a penalty. Google also offers its pre-paid, Project-fi as a carrier, which automatically switches between three mobile networks to improve coverage and reverts to Wi-Fi to make calls and send text messages. The good news? It works overseas, and you’ll never pay more than $80 a month — no matter how much data you use.

The design is sleek and simple. The 6-inch Quad HD OLED panel is surrounded by a 6.2-inch chassis and buffeted on the bottom with two, front-facing speakers. Weighing in at 6.2 ounces, it comes in both black and black-and-white. We love the pop of playful color on the black-and-white one.

The Pixel XL has a glass and aluminum back that’s waterproof. A USB-C adapter is included instead of a headphone jack, but Google threw in a new technology called “Fast Pair” to make it easier to connect compatible Bluetooth headphones.

Buying a Pixel 2XL gives you instant access to Android 8.0 Oreo, and you’ll be the first to receive OS and security updates from Google. Our other favorite software feature is Google Lens, which is like Wikipedia for images. Once you take a photo, you can tap the Lens button and the AI algorithm will recognize your surroundings and give you more information —whether it’s about location, text or just pictures within the image. For example, you’ll be able to identify info on movies, books and art just from covers and posters or media or pull up Google map directions from a written address.

We also like how easy it is to conjure the Google Assistant: just squeeze the lower part of the sides of the phone, and the Assistant will automatically pop-up.

But the star of this Google-produced show is the Pixel 2 XL’s cameras. The main camera sports a 12.2-megapixel sensor and cannot be beat on auto-mode — especially in low-light. Amazingly, its bokeh Portrait mode is also superior using just one sensor instead of the usual two. — Tobey Grumet

Pros: Timely Android updates, waterproofing makes this phone oblivious to toilet drops, Google Lens feature, Google Assistant, excellent cameras

Cons: No headphone jack, the display is conspicuously not edge-to-edge, expensive

Buy the Google Pixel 2 XL from Verizon, Amazon, or Best Buy for $850 full price

The best smartphone with a stylus

Why you'll love it: Samsung is back on top form with its oversized Note 8— a feature-rich phablet with a 6.3-inch display and built-in stylus.

Taking up the mantle where the disastrous Note 7 left off, Samsung’s extra-large Galaxy Note 8 phablet presents the biggest screen real estate of any phone we reviewed, with nearly 16 inches of area, yet a narrow and pleasing width which feels comfortable in just one hand. The OLED screen is bright and gorgeous, but the phone’s advanced Face Unlock facial recognition software doesn’t work well in low light and can be fooled with a 2D picture.

The Note 8 is also packed with features for better organization and creativity, the most prominent being Samsung’s ubiquitous S Pen — a stylus which fits snugly into a slot on the bottom right of the phone. Pop it out and the digital world is your oyster: write notes, sign documents, create artworks, scribble on animated GIFs or just hover the S Pen over the display to translate full sentences at a time.

One of the S Pen's most useful tricks is Off Screen Memo, which allows you to immediately start writing on its black screen, like a chalkboard. When you’re done, your notes will be automatically saved to the Samsung Notes app.

64GB of storage come with the phone, though we appreciate the slot for a microSD card if you’d like more. Like the iPhone 8 Plus, the Note 8 also has dual, 12-megapixel cameras and an 8 megapixel front-facing camera, though in this case, the 2x optical zoom comes with image stabilization. Live Focus is Samsung’s version of portrait mode, and you can adjust how much the background is blurred for the perfect effect. — Tobey Grumet

Pros: The Super AMOLED infinity display is both expansive and super bright, the updated stylus not only helps with precision and productivity, it has a traditional headphone jack

Cons: So big, it’s hard to simultaneously hold and use with just one hand, a poorly-placed fingerprint reader, expensive

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 from Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, Best Buy, or Amazon for $950 full price

During each Olympics, the games give rise to new stars who captivate the world for a few weeks.

Some are the most dominant men and women of their sport; some are underdogs who surprise the world with a win; others are just lovable competitors whose spirits win over fans.

With the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang kicking off on Thursday, we compiled a list of stars from all around the world that fans will want to know.

Learn more about them below.

Mikaela Shriffin, USA

Sport: Alpine skiing

Age: 22

One thing to know: Shriffin is the best alpine skier in the world and set to become a huge breakout star in Pyeongchang. She has 10 wins and 15 podium finishes in the 23 World Cup races she's entered this season, and is on pace to become the most decorated racer in the world if she can snag two golds in the Olympics.

Chloe Kim, USA

Sport: Snowboarding

Age: 17

One thing to know: Kim would have qualified for the Sochi Olympics, but she was too young. In the buildup to Pyeongchang, she became the first female to ever land back-to-back 1080s and won a gold at the Youth Olympic Games.

Marcel Hirscher, Austria

Sport: Alpine skiing

Age: 28

One thing to know: Hirscher has six world championship golds to his name, but only one Olympic silver. He'll be looking to change that in Pyeongchang, where he's the projected favorite to win the slalom and giant slalom events.

• Entrepreneur Kaila Methven calls herself a KFC heiress.
• Methven's family owned Rainbow Chicken Unlimited, a South African company that at one time supplied 90% of KFC's chicken.
• Methven now runs two high-end lingerie brands: Madame Methven and LDKM. 

You could be forgiven for not knowing that KFC has an heiress, because it doesn't. But lingerie designer Kaila Methven is the next best thing. 

Methven is the granddaughter of the founder of Rainbow Chicken Unlimited, a South African company that at one time supplied 90% of KFC's chicken. The Methvens were also once the third-richest family in South Africa, Maxim reported.

Methven's grandfather, Stanley, was known as a food industry pioneer. He was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1986.

"[Stanley] Methven had a vision — that chicken would become a staple protein source – combined with formidable energy," Financial Mail, a South African business publication, wrote in 1995. 

The family sold the chicken business in 1991, the year Kaila Methven was born. Despite being an heiress, Methven says she had a difficult childhood. Her mother committed suicide when Methven was 14, after which she moved to France to live with her estranged father.

Now, she has her own lingerie business and has become an Instagram star. Keep scrolling to see her glamorous life:

SEE ALSO: Meet the mysterious 35-year-old In-N-Out heiress who just became one of the youngest billionaires in America

Meet Kaila Methven, the 26-year-old heiress to a KFC chicken fortune.

Her family founded a company that at one time supplied 90% of the chicken to KFC. They became the third-richest family in South Africa.

Methven would not confirm to Business Insider what she inherited from her family's success but says that she spent her early years in Beverly Hills before moving in with her father in France.

But her wealth came with some challenges. "As an 'heiress' I feel like any other person, just with more financial responsibilities and more stress. As with most people, the more money you have, the more problems you attain," she told Business Insider.

She says she has found her own success by running two lingerie brands: Madame Methven and LBKM.

• Accomplished Russian figure skaters Evgenia Medvedeva and Alina Zagitova both train together under the same coach.

• They're also set to face off at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games.

• Medvedeva has long been a dominant presence in figure skating. However, she was recently hobbled by a broken foot.

• Zagitova is fresh off a victory over Medvedeva at the 2018 European Figure Skating Championships.

An intense showdown is about heat up the world of ice skating at the upcoming Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

This year, the battle for gold may come down to Russian figure skaters and training partners Evgenia Medvedeva and Alina Zagitova.

Medvedeva, 18, has long been regarded as the favorite. She's twice swept the world, European, and Russian championships. The Muscovite was also named one of Business Insider's 50 most dominant athletes.

On the other hand, Zagitova recently spoiled Medvedeva's winning streak at the 2018 European Figure Skating Championships, the Japan Times reported. The 15-year-old also scooped up gold at the last Russian Championships, which Medvedeva missed due to a broken foot.

The two Russians train with the same coach and will compete at this year's Winter Games as neutral athletes. They're two of the 169 Russian athletes who have been cleared to compete in Pyeongchang in the wake of their home country's massive, government-sponsored doping scandal.

Here's a look at what's shaping up to be one of the most talked-about rivalries of the 2018 Winter Olympics:

SEE ALSO: A look at the career of Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn, who competed just hours after an 'excruciating' crash in 2006 and recently said she doesn't represent Trump

Medvedeva first took to the ice at the age of three. She said her parents encouraged her to continue to pursue the sport in order to improve her figure and posture. The 18-year-old loves K-Pop, "Sailor Moon," and actors Grant Gustin, David Tennant, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Source: FS Gossip, FS Gossip, ISU Results, FS Russia

The daughter of an ice hockey coach, Zagitova hails from Izhevsk, but lives with her grandmother in Moscow in order to train. She has a pet cat and two chinchillas, enjoys drawing and rhine-stoning, and has expressed interest in one day opening a Japanese restaurant.

Source: Russia Beyond, NBC, R-Sport

Both skaters have a good chance of medaling. Sports Illustrated predicted Zagitova would take home gold, while Medvedeva would snag silver. International Figure Skating Magazine predicted the opposite.

Source: Sports Illustrated, International Figure Skating Magazine

• Secret menus can be an exciting aspect of your favorite fast food chains.
• Chick-fil-A's Fried Chicken Club is among their lesser known menu items.
• From Starbucks to Jack in the Box, these are some of the most hidden menu items you can get from the most popular fast food companies.

While most fast food chains seem to offer more options than a person could eat in a lifetime, it’s often what doesn’t make their menu that holds the most allure. In fact, while your friends are getting the same predictable products at their favorite fast food chain time and time again, you could be eating a bit more adventurously.

From Chipotle to KFC, fast food chains have a wealth of deliciously decadent secret menu items just waiting for customers to say the magic words. Of course, these aren’t everyday indulgences. Luckily, our ranking of McDonald’s orders can help you pick a healthier fast food meal.

Chipotle nachos

If your usual burrito order just isn’t cutting it, try the nachos at Chipotle instead. Chipotle employees will build you a plate of nachos with all of your favorite fixings, although it does tend to be pricier than your average on-menu item. Just make sure that before you grab your next Tex-Mex meal, you find out how your favorite Chipotle menu items stack up nutritionally.

Five Guys Patty Melt

Spice up your Five Guys order by substituting a patty melt for a traditional burger. This burger comes topped with onions, cheese, and mushrooms, making for a filling meal with at least a few veggies in it.

Arby's Melt

While the Arby’s Melt used to be part of the regular menu, it’s largely been retired from its restaurants. Fortunately, you can still get this high-protein hit, which tops the chain’s traditional roast beef sandwich with an ample helping of cheddar cheese sauce.

• The British royal family is known for their rather luxurious lifestyle and that comes with a lot of perks. 
• Queen Elizabeth travels everywhere, but doesn't need a license to get around. 
• These are some of the most quirky and unique things that members of the royal family can expect in their lives.

Prince Charles has his shoelaces ironed.

Queen Elizabeth can ban humor.

The potatoes are measured.