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Ford just revealed its Mustang Mach-E SUV — the first new Mustang-branded vehicle since 1964 and a Tesla challenger (F)

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Ford Mach-E

  • On Sunday, Ford revealed its much-anticipated, all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV ahead of the official opening of the Los Angeles auto show.
  • Ford also opened an online ordering site for the Mach-E, where vehicles could be reserved for a $500 deposit.
  • The Mach-E is the first new vehicle to join the Mustang lineup since the iconic pony car's introduction in 1964.
  • Ford said that the Mach-E can be outfitted with an extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive that could achieve 300 miles of range on a single charge.
  • In an "all-wheel-drive configuration," Ford said, the "Mach-E is targeting 332 horsepower."
  • The Mustang Mach-E is priced from $43,895, with high-performance version rising to more than $60,000. The vehicle should arrive in late 2020.
  • Two performance versions of the Mustang Mach-E will also hit the market by 2021. The GT trim "is targeting 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds," Ford said. The GT Performance Edition "is targeting a ... 0-60 mph in the mid-3-second range." Horsepower for each is 459.
  • The Mustang Mach-E will also get Ford's next-generation SYNC infotainment system, featuring a 15.5-inch central touchscreen.
  • Sign up for Business Insider's transportation newsletter, Shifting Gears, to get more stories like this in your inbox.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

LOS ANGELES — On Sunday, Ford Chairman Bill Ford and CEO Jin Hackett, with some help from Idris Elba (who worked at a Ford plant in England before he made it big), revealed the much-anticipated Mustang Mach-E.

The all-electric SUV was controversial when announced. Mustang purists might not have wanted the pony car's iconic styling and nameplate applied to an electric vehicle, much less a crossover SUV.

But Ford took the plunge and staged a Tesla-level extravaganza to introduce the newest Mustang to the world.

Check out the Mustang Mach-E:

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The Mach-E's design is Mustang up front.



And Mustang in the back. The distinctive 'Stang fascia and rear taillights define the vehicle, along with the galloping pony icon on the grille.



The Mustang Mach-E evolved from sketches that show it was always going to be the 'Stang of all-electric crossovers.

"The Mustang Mach-E wholeheartedly rejects the notion that electric vehicles are only good at reducing gas consumption," Hau Thai-Tang, Ford's chief product development and purchasing officer, said in a statement.

"People want a car that's thrilling to drive, that looks gorgeous and that can easily adapt to their lifestyle – and the Mustang Mach-E delivers all of this in unmatched style."



Ford said it would offer the Mustang Mach-E with a "standard-range" 75.7-kWh lithium-ion battery and an "extended-range," 98.8-kWh battery.

The latter should yield 300 miles on a charge.

"The batteries are secured inside a waterproof battery case surrounded by crash-absorption protection," Ford said. "They are liquid-cooled to optimize performance in extreme weather and to improve charging times."



A variety of charging options are available.

Ford said that at a "peak charging rate of 150 kW, the Mustang Mach-E with an extended battery and rear-wheel drive can add an estimated average of 47 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes while charging on a DC fast charging station."

"The standard-range Mustang Mach-E is estimated to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 38 minutes while charging on a DC fast charging station," the company added.

Owners who use a Ford Connected Charging station could "add an estimated average range of 32 miles per charging hour on a 240-volt outlet, based on extended-range, rear-wheel-drive configuration," Ford said. A mobile charger could add  22 miles per hour on 240-volt power.

Ford said it would work with Amazon Home to facilitate installation of charging stations.



Ford capitalized on the lack of a gas engine and drivetrain to create an expansive, open cabin for the Mach-E.

Like Tesla with the Model 3, Ford is doing away with the need to carry around car keys.

"Getting in and starting the vehicle is easy and effortless with Phone As A Key technology, which makes its debut in the Ford brand lineup in Mustang Mach-E," Ford said.

"Using Bluetooth, the vehicle can detect customers' smartphones as they approach, unlocking the Mach-E and allowing them to start driving without getting their phones out of their pockets or using a key fob."



The centerpiece is a 15-5-inch portrait touchscreen.

The next-generation Sync infotainment system simple interface "ditches complicated menus, making it easier to access features with touch, swipe and pinch controls that every smartphone owner will be comfortable using," Ford said.



Yep, the Mustang Mach-E has a frunk!

"Mach-E holds another surprise under its hood – a drainable front trunk storage unit," Ford said.

"Providing 4.8-cubic-feet of storage space, the front trunk is large enough to comfortably store the equivalent of a carry-on luggage bag. And because it's drainable, customers can easily pack it full of ice and keep their favorite beverages cold."

 



The Mach-E joins Ford's 55-year-old Mustang family, starting in late 2020.

  • The First Edition arrives in 2020, priced from $59,900. 
  • The Select trim hits in early 2021, Ford said, and starts at $43,895.
  • The Premium trim rolls out in 2020 and starts at $50,600.
  • A California Rt. 1 Edition hits in 2021 and should start at $52,400.
  • The GT performance models arrive in 2021 and start at $60,500.



The Modern Loafer is one of Everlane's most popular shoes — we wore them to find out if they lived up to the hype

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everlane modern loafer lifestyle

  • Everlane's Modern Loafers ($168) are structured classic staples made from premium leather that are versatile enough to be worn in and outside of the office.
  • Four women tested the loafers and found that the shoes look great, but the loafers either fit the wearer just right or were too big even though Everlane suggests sizing up a half-size.
  • You can read our thoughts below, or pick up a pair to try out yourself at Everlane. They're available in soft leather with three color options and also black suede.

Everlane is the place to go if you're looking for wardrobe basics at fair and transparent prices. Here at Insider Picks, we're always excited to try Everlane products. Interestingly, we had never tried one of Everlane's original and most classic shoes, The Modern Loafer, a structured loafer flat made with a 100% Italian leather upper, until now. These timeless loafers are versatile and can be worn with just about any outfit. 

The Modern Loafer comes in three leather colors: black, camel, and bone leather and one black suede option. Everlane suggests sizing a half size up as the shoes apparently run narrow. The loafers have received mixed reviews on Everlane's website — people tend to either love them or hate them. We tried the loafers out for ourselves, and although these structured shoes are truly a classic, we had mixed feelings when it came to the fit.

We tried Everlane's Modern Loafer, and here are our thoughts:

Black Modern Loafer, $168

I always find Everlane's shoes to be hit or miss. I'm either obsessed, as I am with the Day Glove flats (you can read our review here), or I'm...sort of lukewarm, as I am with these loafers. It's not that I don't love the way they look, or even how they feel after a couple of weeks of wear. It's that I've lost patience for shoes that require any significant break-in period, so I'd rather opt for Everlane's Day Loafers, which have an elastic back and flexible leather (here's our review of those too).

I opted for a size 8 (I'm usually a 7.5 in sneakers and a 7.5 to 8 in loafers) and I thought I was going to have to send these back at first. I took a chance wearing the size 8 pair for a while, and after a couple of days, they really started to loosen up. It took about two weeks to break in my pair, and I had to wear socks with them to prevent blisters. For reference, I have medium-width feet.

I won't say they're the best for walking, but they're comfortable enough to wear for a day. Overall, I do really like these loafers now that they're worn in, but if you really don't like to deal with that process, I'd say skip these in favor of the Day Loafer. —Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor



Camel Modern Loafer, $168

I've heard great things about Everlane's shoes before and I'm a fan of its Glove Boot, so I was excited to try these loafers. But I gotta say, these were an unexpected let-down. I had such a hard time even fitting into these loafers that I almost gave up on them within five minutes of opening the box. I'm so glad I went with the brand's suggestion of sizing up to a 9 because the shoes are cut so narrow that my usual 8.5 would have been way too small.

The leather was initially really stiff and tight, so I had to put my feet through a painful breaking-in process. After a few days of wearing them around the office though, the toe box molded to my feet and was much more comfortable. If you hate the idea of needing to break shoes in, you might not like these Everlane loafers.

Depending on your shoe size, the pointy almond toe might make your feet look a little clown-ish. I was so self-conscious of how long my feet looked in the 9s and kept asking my coworkers their opinions. The general consensus was that it made my feet look "elegant," which is the polite way of saying, "Oh yes, definitely."

I might recommend these loafers to someone with smaller, more narrow feet, but even so, the stiff leather and break-in period might be dealbreakers for some. If you're still interested in the loafers, though, I'd suggest going to an Everlane store or pop inside a Nordstrom to try on a pair first.

—Jada Wong, Insider Picks editor



Bone Modern Loafer, $168

I love Everlane's shoes. For the price, everything I have tried has been great quality and has been stylish too. The problem is, Everlane's footwear can be inconsistent in terms of fit. 

Out of the box, I was excited about this pair. I'm not a huge loafer girl, but the sturdy wood sole and polished cream leather looked undeniably classy. With a structured fit, I expected I would have to squeeze my foot into the shoe, but I was surprised that my feet slipped right in. 

I usually wear a size 7 or 7.5, but based on Everlane's suggestion to go up a half size I went for the 7.5. My feet were swimming in space, particularly at the heel, which continued to come up as I walked. These seem like beautiful, high-quality shoes, and I wish I had gone with my regular size so I could wear them comfortably. If you have narrower feet, I don't think sizing up is necessary. —Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks reporter



Black Suede Modern Loafers, $168

I've been on a black suede spree this fall, so I opted for the black suede loafers even though suede can be a bit harder to care for and clean compared to the other leather options. I either wear a size 5.5 or 6 in shoes, so I figured the 6 would be perfect since Everlane's website advises going up a half size bigger than your normal size because the shoes are supposed to run narrow.

I wouldn't consider my feet to be narrow by any means, but the loafers were somehow a bit too big for me and therefore challenging to walk in for long periods. The back of my foot would always pop out, and to compensate for that, I found myself scrunching up my toes and sliding my heel back in the shoe at the same time so that my foot wouldn't come out when I walked, which was not only awkward but a lot of work.

These shoes are definitely versatile, and I really wanted to love them, but the fit was just off for me. After reading the reviews on Everlane's website, though, it's very apparent some people really do like these shoes, so it may just be a matter of trial and error here. —Ciannah Gin, Insider Picks editorial fellow



The 16 most disappointing albums of the year, ranked

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Music lovers were blessed with some excellent albums this year, from pop veterans like Ariana Grande ("Thank U, Next"), Lana Del Rey ("Norman F---ing Rockwell!"), and Taylor Swift ("Lover") to powerhouse newcomers like Billie Eilish ("When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?") and DaBaby ("Baby on Baby" and "Kirk"). 

Other high-profile and critically beloved artists, however, disappointed the masses with lackluster, underwhelming, or uneven projects. 

To determine the most disappointing releases of 2019, Insider picked the 16 most anticipated projects from Metacritic's lowest scores this year. They're ranked in descending order below. (In cases of tied scores, the user score was used as a tie-breaker.)

16. "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" by Logic

Metacritic score: 65/100

User score: 3.5/10

"Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" is the rapper's fifth studio album, riding off the hype of his hit "1-800-273-8255" and two Grammy nominations last year. However, it received aggressively mixed reviews. Variety's (overall lukewarm) review praised Logic's music as "complex, celestial and snaky," while HipHopDX described the album as "a dangerously corny pity party of epic proportions."



15. "She Is Coming" by Miley Cyrus

Metacritic score: 64/100

User score: 8.8/10

"She Is Coming" is apparently the first of a trilogy of EPs, culminating in Miley Cyrus' seventh studio album. It includes high-profile features from Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah and "Drag Race" star RuPaul.

Despite excited fans, a few glowing reviews, and a truly sublime music video, the six-track project didn't win over many critics. Rolling Stone called it "unkempt" and gave it just two-and-a-half stars, while Pitchfork said the EP "misuses her talents and makes for a largely unrewarding listen."



14. "Save Me" by Future

Metacritic score: 63/100

User score: 5.3/10

The acclaimed rapper's second EP of 2019 was fairly hit or miss. As Pitchfork's Reed Jackson wrote, "His latest EP proves he's still a master of melancholic detail, but thematically and sonically, the Atlanta superstar has hit a wall."



13. "Wasteland, Baby!" by Hozier

Metacritic score: 63/100

User score: 8.1/10

"Wasteland, Baby!" is Hozier's first album in five years, following his critically acclaimed self-titled debut. Many critics agreed that it failed to live up to those high expectations. Rolling Stone's Jonathan Bernstein noted how the album felt "burdened" by the success of "Take Me to Church," Hozier's breakout single, with "songs that can feel like they're merely piling on feel-good folksy handclaps and grandiose gospel choirs in the hopes of landing on a chill-coffeehouse Spotify playlist."



12. "Love + Fear" by Marina

Metacritic score: 62/100

User score: 8.0/10

Formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds, the Welsh singer-songwriter has built a devoted cult following over the years — particularly thanks to 2012's ahead-of-its-time pop masterpiece "Electra Heart." But her fourth studio album "Love + Fear" largely abandoned imagination and innovation.

"That Marina — the lyricist who wasn't afraid to detail the taste of toothpaste on a lover's tongue, the vocalist who wasn't afraid to punctuate a sentence with a feral shriek— has gone missing,"Peyton Thomas wrote for Pitchfork. "The temptation of safe is undeniable, but mononyms are earned by embracing risk."



11. "Death Race for Love" by Juice Wrld

Metacritic score: 61/100

User score: 5.0/10

Juice Wrld has widely been described as one of rap's most promising rising stars, particularly thanks to his surprise smash hit "Lucid Dreams." But his melodramatic sophomore album received mixed reviews. While NME praised the "colorful" album for "taking emo rap to inventive new heights,"The Guardian criticized its "suicide references" and "casual misogyny."



10. "Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present... LSD" by Labrinth, Sia, and Diplo

Metacritic score: 60/100

User score: 7.5/10

Considering the power and acclaim of the "LSD" trio, one would think the album would be a smash hit. Instead, as Dani Blum wrote for Pitchfork, it was received as "an album of truly forgettable pop music that is too tired to be wired."



9. "Father of Asahd" by DJ Khaled

Metacritic score: 59/100

User score: 2.9/10

The 11th studio album from the beloved and meme-able DJ Khaled has a ridiculous number of (what should hypothetically be) slam-dunk features: One song is anchored by Travis Scott and Post Malone, while yet another features Jay-Z, Future, and Beyoncé. Lil Wayne, John Legend, Cardi B, SZA, and Chance the Rapper appear elsewhere.

But "Father of Asahd"failed to even debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. HipHopDx called it "lazy" and Rolling Stone said it was simply "adequate," while Pitchfork reasoned, "There are plenty of voices but no clear message or intention."



8. "The Lost Tapes II" by Nas

Metacritic score: 58/100

User score: 8.8/10

The beloved "Illmatic" rapper's most recent release is a compilation album, a sequel to 2002's acclaimed "The Lost Tapes." Though Nas' fans were thrilled and celebrated the album's gems, many critics felt those gems were too few and far between.

"There are four or five reminders here of why Nas is one of the greats,"Thomas Hobbs wrote for NME. "Yet the existence of 'The Lost Tapes 2' also feels a tad pointless and like something that won't really captivate many beyond his hardcore fan base."



7. "Free Spirit" by Khalid

Metacritic score: 58/100

User score: 6.4/10

Despite buzz about an album of the year nomination at the 2020 Grammys, Khalid's sophomore album "Free Spirit" was largely met with tepid reviews from fans and critics, especially on the heels of his rapid rise to stardom.

"On 'Free Spirit,' Khalid sounds caught between wanting to play a superstar and wanting to be himself, with the result that he sounds like neither,"Wren Graves wrote for Consequence of Sound. The Independent, meanwhile, called it"a very credible record with no real mistakes — but no real personality, either."



6. "Erys" by Jaden Smith

Metacritic score: 58/100

User score: 5.9/10

"Erys" dragged over 17 long tracks and failed to recreate the experimental intrigue of Jaden Smith's debut album "Syre." HipHopDX described the project as "overwhelmingly average." Tara Joshi wrote for The Guardian, "At best, it's dreamily creative; at worst, overwrought."



5. "Can't Say I Ain't Country" by Florida Georgia Line

Metacritic score: 58/100

User score: 3.8/10

"Can't Say I Ain't Country," the fourth studio album from Grammy-nominated country music duo Florida Georgia Line, was described as "uneven" (Rolling Stone) and "an amalgamation of country-pop's worst features" (Sputnik). 

"For all the shopping-mall feel of their songs, they can be industrially catchy,"The Guardian wrote. "If only their lyrics weren't so cringey."



4. "7" by Lil Nas X

Metacritic score: 57/100

User score: 4.7/10

Lil Nas X probably had the biggest year a rising artist could possibly have. His surprise hit "Old Town Road" reigned for an unprecedented 19 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, became the fastest song in history to be certified diamond, and paved the way for his superstardom. But his first real body of work, the eight-song EP "7" that precedes his upcoming debut album, wasn't nearly so popular or universally praised.

"It's … not good. A haze of half-gestures and amateur missteps. A deflated balloon. The songs end quickly, as if embarrassed,"Jon Caramanica wrote for the New York Times. "Apart from the nonsensical yet warm electro-trap song "Panini," none of the new tracks display even a stray ember of creative curiosity."



3. "No. 6 Collaborations Project" by Ed Sheeran

Metacritic score: 57/100

User score: 4.6/10

Each of the 15 songs on "No.6 Collaborations Project," Ed Sheeran's fourth full-length release, was co-created by one or two other artists. These include pop icons like Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars, Grammy-winning R&B stars like Ella Mai and H.E.R., and rappers at the top of their games like Cardi B and Travis Scott.

But the album was largely interpreted as a bid for attention and radio play, with no real voice or cohesion, that resulted in "an abyss of authenticity or real feeling," according to Consequence of Sound.

"Few releases have been as baldly transparent and destined for ubiquity as 'No. 6,'"Rawiya Kameir wrote for Pitchfork, "which has all the conspicuous mining of a Drake album, but very little of the finesse or cultural fluency."



2. "Jesus Is King" by Kanye West

Metacritic score: 55/100

User score: 5.8/10

After teasing his ninth studio album for over a year, repeatedly postponing its release date in order to tweak and "perfect" it, Kanye West dropped "Jesus Is King" to a resoundingly unenthusiastic reception. Pitchfork called it "largely flawed," while Rolling Stone observed its place as "a distinctly lightweight entry in his canon."

"'Jesus Is King' is impersonal, repetitive, boring, and somehow too long at just 27 minutes,"Wren Graves wrote for Consequence of Sound. "It has the energy of a prayer memorized long ago being spoken for the umpteenth time. The mouth moves, but the mind is miles away."



1. "In My Defense" by Iggy Azalea

Metacritic score: 39/100

User score: 8.7/10

"In My Defense" is Iggy Azalea's first album in five years, ostensibly intended to revive her image and recapture the magic that vaulted her breakout hit "Fancy" to the top of the chart, making her a household name.

Unfortunately for Azalea, it does neither. "In My Defense" has been described as "exhausted" (All Music), "unconvincing" (Clash), and "offensively mediocre" (HipHopDX).

"The album is stacked with cartoonish approximations of what she thinks a rap song should sound like: shivers of bass, the occasional 'skrrrt,' Mad Libs of designer brands and bodily fluids. Many sound like direct imitations of the rappers she admires,"Dani Blum wrote for Pitchfork. "Rather than penitence, she offers only a garish caricature. Her only defense is to further offend."



How Kylie Jenner became the world's youngest 'self-made' billionaire, from starring in a reality TV show at age 9 to selling a majority stake in her billion-dollar cosmetics empire at 22

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Kim Kardashian West might be the most prominent of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, but Kylie Jenner is by far the richest.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Jenner sold a majority stake in her cosmetics company to beauty conglomerate Coty Inc. for $600 million, valuing the company at $1.2 billion. She will, according to The Journal, continue to be the face of the company; the deal is expected to close late next year.

Jenner, now 22, was named the world's youngest self-made billionaire at 21 years old in March, mostly thanks to Kylie Cosmetics. The next-wealthiest member of the Kardashian-Jenners is Kim Kardashian West, who's worth an estimated $370 million.

Many have criticized Forbes' decision to call Jenner "self-made," saying she was born into wealth and privilege. In February, Jenner responded to the backlash in an interview with Paper magazine, saying, "The self-made thing is true" and adding that her parents "cut her off at the age of 15." 

Jenner has built up a cosmetics empire, starred alongside her family in "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" as well as in her own spin-off show "Life of Kylie," started a clothing line with her sister, and made millions promoting products on Instagram.

Here are all the ways Jenner has amassed her fortune.

SEE ALSO: Every member of the Kardashian-Jenner family, ranked by net worth

DON'T MISS: Kylie Jenner just agreed to sell a majority stake in her makeup company for $600 million

Kylie Jenner, 22, is the world's youngest "self-made" billionaire, according to Forbes.

Source: Forbes



Forbes estimated that Jenner's company, Kylie Cosmetics, was worth $900 million in March.

Source: Forbes



Jenner's first job was on reality TV show "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." She was 9 years old when the first episode aired and the show is now airing its 17th season.

Source: Business Insider



The family collectively earns about $30 million per season of the show, according to their most recent contract, but it's unclear exactly how much each member makes.

Source: Business Insider



Jenner also briefly starred in her own spin-off show, "Life of Kylie," in 2017.

Source: INSIDER



In 2013, when Jenner was 15, she and her sister, Kendall, launched a clothing line called Kendall + Kylie for PacSun.

Source: CheatSheet



The brand has since expanded to be sold wholesale to 390 locations in the US, including Nordstrom, Topshop, Amazon, and Bloomingdale's, and 975 worldwide.

Source: Women's Wear Daily



Jenner makes the bulk of her fortune through Kylie Cosmetics.

Source: Forbes



The company originally launched as Kylie Lip Kits, not long after Jenner admitted to getting "temporary lip fillers," in 2015.

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Source: INSIDER



The company sold more than $630 million worth of makeup in its first two years, including an estimated $330 million in 2017.

Source: Forbes



The manufacturing, packaging, and sales of Kylie Cosmetics products are all outsourced to private companies, including Seed Beauty and Shopify.

Source: Forbes

 



And the financial and public relations aspects of the brand are handled by Kardashian-Jenner matriarch and Kylie's mother, Kris Jenner, in exchange for a 10% management fee.

Source: Forbes



In 2018, the company's revenue grew 9% to an estimated $360 million, partially thanks to an exclusive distribution detail with beauty retailer Ulta.

Source: Forbes



Within six weeks of the products hitting Ulta stores, and after Jenner herself attended several launch events, Kylie Cosmetics had sold $54.5 million worth of products at Ulta.

Source: Forbes



In November 2019, The Wall Street Journal reported that Jenner sold a major stake in Kylie Cosmetics to Coty Inc. for $600 million, giving the company a $1.2 billion valuation.

Source: The Wall Street Journal



Much of Jenner's work on Kylie Cosmetics happens on social media. She frequently promotes the brand on her personal Instagram account.

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"Social media is an amazing platform," Jenner, who has 151 million followers on Instagram, told Forbes. "I have such easy access to my fans and my customers."

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Source: Forbes



Jenner also has lucrative endorsement deals with Puma and other brands.

Source: Forbes

 



She frequently endorses products on Instagram from brands such as Fashion Nova ...

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... SugarBearHair vitamins ...

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... and Adidas.

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A 2018 report from social media insights firm D'Marie Analytics found that a single Instagram post by Jenner is worth $1 million in advertising.

Source: INSIDER



Although she rarely posts on it these days, Jenner also makes money from her personal app, which launched in 2015 land made $105,170 on its first day. The app offers "an exclusive mix of free and premium paid content from Kylie's world, bringing you closer to her than ever before," according to its description.

Source: Tech Crunch



But it's clearly Kylie Cosmetics that's closest to Jenner's heart. She told Forbes last year she envisioned herself working there "forever" and that she would perhaps pass the business on to her daughter, Stormi, one day.

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Source: Forbes



Many have criticized Forbes deeming Jenner "self-made," saying she was born into wealth and privilege.

Source: INSIDER



Jenner, however, says "the self-made thing is true," citing the fact that her parents "cut her off at the age of 15."

Source: INSIDER



Jenner became a billionaire at a younger age than Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who was 23 when he hit that mark.

Source: INSIDER



I tried every single breakfast at McDonald's and ranked them from worst to best

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McDonald's has several options for hungry customers looking to start their day off right, and many of those items are also available around the clock as a part of an all-day breakfast menu.

Continuing my stomach-first exploration of the chain's entire menu, I visited several locations in New York City and New Jersey over the course of a couple of weeks and tried every available offering.

Here's every single breakfast item at McDonald's, ranked from worst to best.

Note: Prices are based on my local New York City McDonald's location.

 

Sausage Biscuit — $1.79

This was the first of many sausage-and-biscuit items I tried and, in my opinion, the one I had was just flat-out not good.

I felt the biscuit was over-baked and hard, and the sausage was very dry. Of all of the menu items, this was easily the worst in my book.



Sausage Burrito — $1.39

The Sausage Burrito was made with one scrambled egg, sausage, cheese, green chiles, red peppers, onions, and a soft flour tortilla.

I was pretty disappointed with this one. The paper-thin wrap provided no structure for the small burrito, and I felt that the taste of the filling was bland. I won't be ordering this ever again.



Egg McMuffin — $3.99

The Egg McMuffin breakfast sandwich comes with a puck-shaped egg, a toasted English muffin, cheese, and a slice of Canadian bacon.

Before I bit into it, I did not realize that there was meat inside, even though it's clearly shown in advertisements. Unlike in the photo, the Canadian bacon on my sandwich was smaller than the egg and was basically invisible.

Usually I'd be delighted by the unexpected addition of meat, but unfortunately, all I could really taste was egg yolk and a doughy muffin. 

 



Sausage McMuffin — $2.49

Just ahead of the Egg McMuffin in this taste test, the Sausage McMuffin also had a chewy muffin with tasty sausage and cheese sandwiched in between.

The corners of the cheese that weren't touching the meat were cold, but overall I liked this sandwich much more than its Canadian-bacon cousin.



Sausage McMuffin with Egg — $3.49

The added egg elevated this sandwich slightly, but the muffin I had was burnt at the edges and the sausage was barely warm, which knocked this sandwich down a few pegs in my book. 

In positive contrast to the Egg McMuffin, the eggs here did not taste 100% like yolk to me. I thought they were instead moist and savory.



McChicken Biscuit — $2.50

A relatively new addition to the menu, the McChicken Biscuit consists of a chicken patty on a biscuit with no additional condiments.

The one I ordered was not as moist as I had hoped, hence the low ranking, but the taste was not bad.

I ended up adding a packet of jelly to it, which improved the dryness and added some flavor. 

 



Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Bagel — $4.19

The first thing to meet my teeth and taste buds, naturally, was the bagel. The bagel had some substance but wasn't too thick.

Between the two halves of the plain bagel was a sausage patty, folded egg, two slices of cheese, and something that McDonald's calls "breakfast sauce." The sauce helped add moisture, but I could not isolate the flavors of it from the rest of the sandwich.

I think this would be a good option for someone looking for something more filling than a biscuit or McMuffin.



Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Bagel — $4.19

Basically all of my thoughts about the sausage option apply here, only I preferred the crispy bite of the bacon over the softer sausage that day.



Hash Brown — $1.99

The hash brown that I ordered was warm and, in my opinion, under-salted.

Sure, it was pretty good because it's a crispy fried potato, but I think it needed seasoning. 



Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait — $1.89

The Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait comes with a layer of creamy non-fat yogurt on top of blueberries and strawberries.

The serving was smaller than I expected, but the fruit tasted fine and there was just enough in proportion to the yogurt for an even mix.

McDonald's also included a small packet of granola with the order, which I think was necessary to offset the sweetness of the yogurt. 

 



Chicken McGriddle — $2.69

Consisting solely of the two things in its name (chicken and griddle pancakes), the Chicken McGriddle had some great flavors but I felt it was too dry.

In my opinion, the syrupy taste of the spongy McGriddle was subtle and pleasant but, unfortunately, the chicken was not as crispy as it looked.

Overall, I thought the chicken needed to be crunchier and I felt the McGriddle patties were a bit too chewy in an unpleasant way. 



Sausage Biscuit with Egg — $3.99

The biscuit was golden and buttery and the sausage was just as flavorful as it was in the other dishes ... but when I tasted the breakfast sandwich there was a disconnect between what my brain expected and what I tasted.

It wasn't until I later tasted the Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit that I realized that this sandwich was missing a key ingredient: cheese. 

In my opinion, this dish needs cheese to add flavor and texture, so I sympathize with those who are lactose intolerant or who don't eat cheese.



Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle — $3.89

What's better than sausage, egg, and cheese on a bagel? Try a sweet, syrupy, spongy McGriddle.

The evenly folded egg, cheddar-cheese slice, and well-spiced patty made for a balanced bite. I could not stop after just one taste and I happily finished the sandwich before moving on to the next menu item.



Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle — $4.19

I know this is supposed to be a ranking, but the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle was dead even with the sausage variant for me

I usually prefer bacon to sausage, but both (tried two days apart) won me over and I simply could not choose between them. Both are delicious blends of meat, cheese, egg, and syrupy, spongy goodness. 



Fruit and Maple Oatmeal — $2.49

The Fruit and Maple Oatmeal at McDonald's comes in a small cup with two separate packets: one with diced apples and another with cranberries and raisins.

Sure, this isn't my number-one pick, but I was incredibly surprised by this dish.

To be fair, prior to tasting it, I was 100% sure that I hated oatmeal — probably because of one ill-fated bite of the instant stuff over 20 years ago — but this dish actually proved me wrong. 

The texture was mostly creamy but also a little chewy because of the oats. The apple chunks were juicy, the maple was subtle and not at all overpowering, and the cranberries were tart and sweet.

Will I opt for oatmeal with good toppings over other breakfast options in the future? Maybe.



Hotcakes — $3.19

With the first bite, I instantly got nostalgia-inducing public-school-cafeteria vibes, which is very much a compliment in my book.

These came with whipped butter and a small container of hotcake syrup, but even without condiments, I could taste the sugar in the fluffy hotcakes. 



Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit — $4.59

As I mentioned earlier, the cheese makes all the difference in this biscuit, egg, and sausage sandwich.

That said, it's a bit lower on the list because the sausage I got didn't seem like it was cooked long enough, in my opinion. Other sausage patties I tried were a bit more crispy and warm, so I'm going to chalk this patty up to a bad morning in the kitchen.



Egg and Cheese Biscuit — $2.79

The buttery crispy biscuit, fluffy egg, and slice of cheese were a great mix of flavors, and the sandwich itself was the perfect size for an on-the-go morning meal.

The Egg and Cheese Biscuit that I tasted was almost perfect, and if you keep scrolling to my number-one pick, you'll see what I felt that missing ingredient was.



Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit — $3.89

This dish consisted of two pieces of bacon, one folded egg, and melted cheese on a buttermilk biscuit.

In my opinion, the only thing that would have made this one better is another slice of bacon.

My only qualm is that the official description for the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit refers to the Applewood smoked bacon as "thick-cut" which is a stretch because I thought it was pretty thin.

That said, the combination of salty meat with a crispy yet flaky biscuit, fluffy egg, and fully melted slice of cheese was so good that the thickness of the bacon didn't matter much. 

Read More:



The best smart speaker you can buy: Amazon Echo vs. Google Home vs. Sonos One

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  • Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, smart speakers can answer any question, control your smart home, play games, and so much more.
  • The best smart speaker is the new Amazon Echo with its tens of thousands of skills, ability to buy items on Amazon, support for dozens of smart home devices, and good audio quality. 

Amazon's Echo was the very first smart speaker on the scene with artificial intelligence, and it still dominates the field. Since its launch, Amazon has grown the Echo lineup to include the new Echo, the new Echo Dot, the touchscreen-enabled Echo Show, and the Echo Plus.

However, Amazon is no longer alone in the smart speaker space. Google entered the fray with the Google Home smart speaker and it now has the small Nest Mini and Home Mini, the big Home Max, and the touchscreen-enabled Home Hub. Its smart Assistant now rivals Alexa for power. Apple also got into the AI smart speaker space with its HomePod.

Most recently, traditional audio companies like Sonos, JBL, Marshall, and others have created smart speakers with Amazon's Alexa or the Google Assistant built right in, and they sound absolutely fantastic.

So which one is best for you and do you even need a smart speaker with artificial intelligence? We've tested the main smart speakers and done a lot of research on each of the main players in this space to bring you the answer to both of those questions. We've also gone over the basics of what's going on in the smart speaker space and why you might want one in your home.

Here are the best smart speakers you can buy:

Before you buy a smart speaker, you may want to jump ahead to learn about what they can do, the devices they support, and a note on privacy concerns.

Updated on 11/19/2019 by Caitlin Petreycik: Updated prices, links, and formatting. Added the Amazon Echo (Third Generation) as the best overall, and the Google Home Mini as the best small Google speaker. While we still highly recommend these devices, we are currently testing new products and reevaluating our picks for the next update.

The best smart speaker overall

Thethird-generation Amazon Echois the uncontested best smart home speaker with its tens of thousands of skills (apps), smart home support, and strong audio.

If you want a smart speaker that does it all, the new Amazon Echo is the best one you can buy. The updated version costs a lot less than the original, but it's just as smart. While the third-generation model is a bit bigger than the second Echo, that larger size means it's better equipped to handle high volume. 

Actually, audio quality is one of the new Amazon Echo's major selling points. It has some updated hardware, including a 3-inch woofer (the previous version had a 2.5-inch subwoofer, for comparison), and the equalizer in the app allows you to adjust the bass, treble, and midrange. Online reviewers say the sound is on par with the Echo Plus, Amazon's significantly more expensive smart speaker.

Audio aside, Amazon got a head start on the competition, and it shows. Alexa has more than 100,000 skills worldwide, supports dozens of smart home products, and works with too many apps to count. You can even order things on Amazon with your voice.

This slim, modern cylinder will fit in with any room's decor. When you awaken Alexa, a subtle blue light flicks around the round top of the speaker as it listens in.

You can play music from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more. And, if you subscribe to Audible's audiobook service, the Echo will also play the narration for you while you cook, relax, or work around the house.

Alexa can read you recipes, play audio news shows, tell you the score, look up local businesses, check the weather, and complete just about any other basic task that springs to mind. She'll even order you an Uber to the airport and read out your text messages.

If you have smart home devices already, chances are the Echo works with them. Major ones like the Phillips Hue and other smart bulbs, as well as Nest and other smart thermostats, work with the Echo. Smart switches, garage doors, sprinklers, locks, and security cameras also play nice with Alexa. The Echo supports more smart home devices than any other smart speaker currently. You can browse compatible smart home devices here.

The only downsides are a lack of privacy, the concern that Amazon is collecting data on its users, and the fact that Alexa's search chops aren't as good as Google's.

If you're a Prime member, this is the smart speaker for you, and if you don't have Prime yet, sign up, because all the perks like two-day shipping, free music streaming, free ebooks, and free video streaming on Prime Video are well worth the annual fee.

Pros: Strong speaker, you can buy things on Amazon, best smart home support, cool design, good voice recognition, huge support network, 100,000 skills and counting

Cons: Some limits with search

Buy Echo compatible products on Amazon (price varies based on the product)

Sign up for Amazon Prime now for $99 a year

Read more about Echo skills on Insider Picks



The best smart speaker for sound quality

The Sonos One has the power of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, plus excellent sound quality and support for Apple AirPlay 2.

If you want the best-sounding smart speaker available, you need the Sonos One. It's powered by Amazon's Alexa just like the Echo, so it has most of the same features and supports most of the same smart home devices. We reviewed it and loved its sound quality.

The advantage Sonos has is that it's neutral in the tech ecosystem debate — Sonos supports Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as Apple's AirPlay 2 (but not Apple's smart assistant, Siri). No matter what services or devices you use, chances are the Sonos One is happy to play along.

You can ask Alexa to play any song from Amazon's streaming services, Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, TuneIn, Sirius XM, and iHeartRadio. The rest of the supported music services only support commands that pause, resume, skip, or change the volume of your music. That means you have to start playing the songs you want manually on your phone if you're using Apple Music and all the other music services. It's not a huge deal, but it is a downside for people who use alternative services.

Most other Alexa skills work with the Sonos One, though, so you have full smart speaker functionality in a great sounding package. Audio experts across the board agree that the Sonos One is the best-sounding smart speaker, so if you care about audio above all else this is the smart speaker for you.

Sonos has been a leader in the multi-room audio space for some time now, and the Sonos One continues that trend. It can sync up with multiple Sonos speakers in your home so you can create a true home theater experience. That's especially good news now that Sonos has the new $399 Beam Soundbar, which has Alexa built-in as well. 

Tip: For even better sound quality, get two Sonos One if the budget allows. Guides Editor Les Shu has this set-up and finds the music to sound clearer and more balanced.

Pros: Excellent sound, multi-room audio functions, supports multiple services, Alexa, AirPlay 2, and Google Assistant

Cons: Slightly pricey, not all the voice controls work seamlessly, no auxiliary port or Bluetooth

Buy the Sonos Beam Soundbar for $399



The best smart home speaker for Android fans

The Google Home is great for anyone who's all-in with Google and doesn't have Amazon Prime in their lives.

Google has the search smarts to rule the artificial intelligence space, and its first smart speaker is the Google Home, powered by its Google Assistant AI.

It's a great little smart speaker that's customizable and cute enough to fit in with any room's decor. You can choose from a variety of cloth and metallic bases in fun colors. The top portion is white and angled gently so the touch-sensitive surface is positioned perfectly for your hands. Although some people say it looks like the air freshener in your bathroom (it does, to be perfectly honest), we think the Home looks more stylish than Amazon's monolithic-looking Echo lineup.

When you say, "Hey Google," or "Okay Google," little lights dance along the top touch surface in Google's signature colors: red, blue, green, and yellow. You can ask Home to play music from Google Play, Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, and TuneIn. The sound quality is decent and even at top volume, it sounds as good as most Bluetooth speakers you can buy for the same price.

Google Home has lots of smart features, including the ability to read you a daily briefing, give you a recap of the day's news from NPR and BBC World News, and answer your questions on just about any topic. Since Home uses Google's search graph to answer you, the entire knowledge of the internet is open to you. Ask about weather, traffic, stocks, or trivia, and Google will know the answer.

Google also has lots of experience with different accents, so Home is likely to understand you easily even if you have a strong Colombian accent like my boyfriend. One of my favorite features is playing trivia games with Google. The Assistant will play cheesy game show music and act as the goofy host, giving you a weird nickname when you say, "Okay Google, play a game." She also tells really bad dad jokes that'll have you groaning and guffawing. 

Home works with a variety of smart home devices, too, so you can use it to turn off your Phillips Hue light bulbs, control your Nest thermostat, or stream media to your Chromecast. If you have any of these devices in your smart home, Google Home is a great complement to those products. I've been using Google Home since it came out, and I love it.

There are still funny limitations, and Google Assistant may tell you she "doesn't know how to help with that yet," but "yet" is the operative word here. Google will only continue to improve Home, so it's a truly fabulous option for a smart speaker — especially now that it can be had for less than $100.

Expert reviewers across the web agree that Google Home is a great smart speaker, including CNET, Pocket Lint, The Guardian, and Wirecutter.

Pros: Customizable base, best at search, good voice recognition, good sound, blends into decor, works with some smart home devices, plays games, affordable, works best with Google services

Cons: Ecosystem isn't as fleshed out as it could be, limitations with cross-platform support, not as much smart home support as Alexa (although Google is improving in these areas quickly)



The best affordable smart speaker

The Amazon Echo Dot is the most affordable smart speaker you can buy, and it's just as smart as the original Echo.

If you don't want to pay more than $100 for a smart speaker, you're in luck, because Amazon's Echo Dot is wildly affordable. For less than $50, you get all the smarts of the original Echo, in a smaller package that can sync up with bigger speakers and other Echo Dots to make your home smarter.

Just like with the Echo, you can use the Dot to ask Alexa to play music, trigger smart home devices, make calls, read and dictate messages answer questions, play newscasts, set alarms, read audiobooks from Audible, and more.

Since it's a smaller speaker, the Dot doesn't have the same level of sound quality you'd get from a bigger speaker like the Echo or Google Home. Amazon has worked harder to make it sound much better, and it shows. The third-generation Dot has a much fuller sound.

The Dot can also sync up with multiple Dots or you can connect other speakers you have via Bluetooth or the 3.5 mm stereo cable to increase the sound quality even more. The Echo Dot supports streaming from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn.

If you have smart home devices, you can use the Echo Dot to control lights, fans, switches, thermostats, locks, garage doors, and more. You can browse compatible smart home devices here. 

The Dot may be small, but it still has Alexa inside, so all those skills are just a voice command away. This is the best smart speaker you can buy on a budget. you can also use it to supplement the original Echo or other Dots in a large home.

Pros: Affordable, small, thousands of skills, tons of smart home devices supported, lots of app support, connects to other speakers, works with other Echo Dots

Cons: Not as strong a speaker

Buy Echo compatible products on Amazon (price varies based on the product)

Sign up for Amazon Prime now for $99 a year



The best budget smart speaker for Android fans

The Google Nest Mini is an adorable, small-sized smart speaker that'll fit in any room of the house.

Google has been growing its smart speaker lineup since introducing the Google Home. One of them is the Nest Mini, the ultimate small smart speaker for Google fans. It has all the same smarts as the original Google Home Mini that came out in 2017, but with much better sound quality. The audio upgrade is especially noticeable when you hang the Nest Mini on your wall — a keyhole in the back makes for easy mounting. 

The Nest Mini can connect with any other Google Home in your house, so you could easily buy one of these for your kitchen or bedroom and keep the original Home or the Max in your living room.

With a simple voice command, the Nest Mini can play music from Google Play, Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer, Pandora, and Spotify. It can also tune into any internet radio station and play audiobooks from Google Play Books. It is smaller than the regular Home and the Max, so don't expect stellar sound from it. While the new speaker is definitely an improvement over the Home Mini, it's still meant to fill a smaller room.

The Nest Mini has lots of smart features, including the ability to read you a daily briefing, give you a recap of the day's news from NPR and BBC World News, and answer your questions on just about any topic. Since the device uses Google's search graph to answer you, the entire knowledge of the internet is available. Ask about weather, traffic, stocks, or trivia, and Google will help you out.

This speaker works with the same host of smart home devices, too, and the list is growing every day. We see the Nest Mini as a great entry point into the smart speaker world or as a great addition to your existing Google Home speaker.

Pros: Pretty design, fun colors, small size, same Google smarts, affordable

Cons: Not the best sound quality



The best smart speaker with a screen and Alexa

The Amazon Echo Show has all the perks of the original, but it adds a touchscreen for streaming Prime Video and making video calls.

The new Amazon Echo Show takes all the best features from the original Echo and pops them in a redesigned touchscreen-style smart speaker. It's an angular piece of tech that looks best on your kitchen counter, nightstand, or living room table. 

The 10.1-inch touchscreen has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, making it great for streaming Prime Video, checking recipes, and checking out photos. You can also make video calls, thanks to the 5-megapixel camera.

The screen can also show you the live feed of any Alexa-compatible security cameras you have set up in your home and voice queries pop up on the screen as you talk. The new "Glance" feature lets you see video clips from news networks like CNN, and we expect more apps will take advantage of it as time goes on.

So far, the screen's potential isn't fully realized, but as more skills are added, you can bet that the Show will be more powerful. You can check out the current thousands of Alexa skills here.

Amazon built two speakers into the Echo Show, so it's great for listening to music on Prime Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn. You can, of course, control compatible smart home products with it, order things from Amazon, and ask Alexa all your burning questions just like you would on the original Echo or Echo Dot. You can browse compatible smart home devices here and use many of them without a hub, because Zigbee technology is built-in.

This is the smart speaker to get if you always wanted a smart home hub with voice powers and a nice touchscreen that doubles as a speaker. 

Pros: Has a 10-inch screen, decent speaker, thousands of skills, Alexa works with tons of smart home products, Alexa supports many major music services, you can order things from Amazon with your voice, video call capabilities

Cons: Not the sharpest screen, limited uses for the screen

Buy Echo compatible products on Amazon (price varies based on the product)

Sign up for Amazon Prime now for $99 a year



The best smart speaker with a screen and Google Assistant

The Google Nest Hub has a 7-inch touchscreen, good speakers, and all the smarts of the Google Assistant.

The Google Nest Hub is a smart speaker with a screen just like the Echo Show. The advantage it has is access to YouTube, Google Maps, and the rest of Google's apps and search graph knowledge.

The Hub has a 7-inch touchscreen, speakers, microphones, and the Google Assistant inside. The screen sits on top of a base with a linen-like cover that adds some style to the device.

Two sensors above the display automatically brighten and dim the screen depending on the light conditions of the room it's in, which makes it great for using in the bedroom. I have the Hub in my bedroom and I love seeing the weather, news, and my commute all pop up on the screen when I say good morning to Google.

The Hub is perfect for Google fans who use all its services. Need directions? Ask Google Maps. Want to watch a video? Ask for it on YouTube. Interested in reviewing your upcoming appointments? If you're a Gmail user, they're just a question away! Want to show someone vacation pictures? Bring them up using Google Photos. 

The Hub also works with third-party apps, including Pandora and Spotify. It can control a wide array of smart home accessories and send video and audio to Chromecast-enabled gadgets. It is smart enough to answer a wide array of questions as well. But integration with Google's first-party apps is its biggest advantage over the Echo Show.

Pros: Has a screen, Google Assistant, plays YouTube videos, controls smart home gadgets, great at search queries, Google Maps

Cons: A bit pricey



The best speaker with big sound and Google Assistant

The Google Home Max has great sound and all the smarts of Google, but it comes at a high price.

The Google Home Max is the kind of smart speaker you put in a big house filled with people who like to party. It's a smart speaker with all the same powers as the original Home and the Mini, but its audio quality is much better.

It's a large cloth-covered speaker that will look at home in your living room. The main downside here is its high price tag. We've seen and heard the Max, and it's impressive. Whether it's worth the price really depends on how big of an audio nerd you are.

Insider Picks reviewed the Max and declared, "The Google Home Max is large, loud, and eerily smart for a speaker — and worth every penny." Our reviewer liked the balanced, big sound of the speaker, its design, and just how smart the Google Assistant is.

Pros: Great sound, cool-looking, smart like all other Google speakers

Cons: Expensive



What can smart speakers do?

What can a smart speaker with artificial intelligence do?

Smart speakers can do a number of different things, including answer questions, control smart home devices, set alarms, play music, and more. Each speaker has different strengths and weaknesses, but companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple are working hard to fill the gaps and make these speakers even smarter. 

Perhaps the best thing about having a smart speaker is that it frees up your hands and gets you away from your smartphone. You can ask Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri what the temperature is before you run out the door or ask if you need an umbrella. The voice assistants can also read you recipe instructions or set timers when your hands are occupied in the kitchen. They can play you soothing music after a long day or set the mood during a date. If you have smart home devices, you can control them with your voice instead of having to get out of bed or off the couch to turn your lights on and off. 

Smart speakers are also fun for parties and kids, because they can answer trivia questions and even play games. If you have an inquisitive child at home or you like to win arguments, you can just ask your voice assistant a question and get the answer immediately without typing a word or opening an app. Once you've used one, you won't want to be without it.

What services and smart home devices work with the Amazon Echo and Google Home?

Feature sets vary based on the speaker and you should take into account which compatible devices and services you already own or subscribe to before you pick one or the other. Amazon's Alexa has many more skills, compatible products, and compatible apps and services than the Google Home. It's undoubtedly more fully featured, and Google Home is playing catch up. Here's a breakdown of which services and products work with the Amazon Echo (and any other speaker that uses Alexa like the Sonos One) and Google Home:

The new Amazon Echo,Echo Dot,Echo ShowEcho Plus, and Echo Spot

amazon echo dot

  • Smart home devices: Phillips Hue, Ring, Schlage Smart Locks, TP-Link Smart Home Products, Leviton, Insteaon, SmartThings, Wink, Caseta Wireless, LI-FX Smart Bulbs, GE Link Smart Bulbs, WeMo, iHome Smart Plugs, iDevices Switches, Nest, Sensi Thermostat, EcoBee Thermostat, Lyric Thermostat, August Smart Lock, Arlo Pro, Nest Cam IQ, Rachio Sprinklers, Gargeio Garage Door, iRobot Roomba Smart Vacuums, and so many more. You can browse all of the Echo compatible products on Amazon and buy them by clicking this link. 
  • Services: Amazon's Alexa supports more than 100,000 skills, and it supports far too many services to list here. Big ones include Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Sirius XM, Uber, Domino's, StubHub, Audible, Dish, NPR, and so many more. You can also buy things from Amazon with a simple voice command.

The Google Home, Mini, Nest, and Max

google home

  • Smart home devices: Chromecast, Chromecast-enabled TVs and speakers, Nest, SmartThings, Phillips Hue, LIFX Smart Lights, TP-Link Smart Home, Vivint Home Security, Rachio Sprinklers, Logitech Harmony, Geeni Connected Tech, August Smart Locks, Anova Precision Cooker, Insignia Wi-Fi Smart Plug, Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug, iRobot Roomba 960, Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostat, Mr. Coffee Smart Coffee Maker, Lutron, Ring, and many more. See the full list here.
  • Services: Spotify, Pandora, Google Play Music, TuneIn Radio, YouTube, IFTTT, Netflix, Google Services, Domino's, Food Network, Headspace, MadLibs, and more. See the full list here.


Should I buy a smart speaker?

Should I be worried about privacy, hackers, and companies selling my data?

There is a trade-off when you buy a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo or Google Home. Both devices are listening all the time for the wake words — "Hey Alexa," or "Okay Google/Hey Google"— that trigger actions.  You can mute the speakers, so they're not listening, but that defeats the purpose of being able to wake the AI assistants up whenever you need them. 

The companies say that nothing is being monitored or recorded until the wake words are spoken, but once they are, Amazon and Google tend to hold on to that voice data to improve the services for you. Luckily, it is all encrypted, so it should be fairly safe though the risk of a breach is always there. You can delete that voice data from your Echo every now and then, and you should. Just go to Manage my device and delete recordings one by one or clear your search history. With Google Home, you can alter your permissions to limit the data it collects here.

Of course, neither situation is ideal, as Naked Security by Sophos points out. Gizmodo's Fieldguide has more tips on how to tighten your security and privacy a bit on both devices. The worry here is twofold: either hackers will use that data against you or Amazon and Google will mine it for advertising dollars. Unfortunately, it's the risk you take right now.

In contrast, Apple's HomePod advertises that its system is more secure and private than any other smart speaker. The promo page says that HomePod has, "multiple layers of security — including anonymous ID and encryption" to "protect your privacy." This may come at the expense of smarts, though, and it's clear that Siri has some studying to do.

Both Google Home and Amazon Echo encrypt your voice data, too, but there are two big differences. One, Amazon and Google associate your data directly with you and your account to learn how to serve you better. Meanwhile, Apple does not associate your data with you or your account, but rather with a randomized set of numbers. Secondly, Apple deletes the association between the data and the random code every six months, whereas Amazon and Google just hold on to it forever unless you bother to delete it yourself, Wired explains.

This becomes important when government requests for data come in. Amazon and Google can find that data and trace it back to you directly, but Apple literally can't because the numbers are randomized and the data is regularly deleted. Apple has the upper hand here, so if data security and privacy matter to you, you'll want to buy a HomePod.

Unfortunately, we don't currently recommend the HomePod to anyone but the most fervent of Apple fans because it is lacking in app support, smarts, and functionality. That may change over time, so we will be watching it closely.

Should you buy a smart speaker?

Smart speakers are helpful, fun to use, and a sure sign of things to come in the future of artificial intelligence and the smart home. If you like to be ahead of the curve, you enjoy having a good speaker at home, you own lots of smart home devices already, and you don't mind some of the trade-offs; you'll love these smart speakers.

Apple fans should hold off until the verdict is in on the HomePod, but Amazon Prime subscribers would do well to pick up an Echo, Echo DotEcho Plus, Echo Spot, or Echo Show. Finally, Google fans who aren't into Prime should spring for a Google Home or Nest Mini because the Google Assistant is bound to pick up as many tricks as Amazon's Alexa before too long. Read on to learn all about these different smart speakers and to figure out which one is best for you. 



13 of the best and 13 of the worst movies of the decade, according to audiences

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best and worst movies of the decade

From comedies to thrillers, a lot of films have made their debut over the past decade, but not all of them have been a hit with viewers. 

Here are some of the best and worst movies of the 2010s based on audience scores from Rotten Tomatoes.

 

Although critics had mixed reviews about the 2019 Harriet Tubman biopic, "Harriet" scored big with viewers.

Audience Score: 97%

Reviewers called the American-history film, which starred Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Janelle Monae, and Joe Alwyn, "riveting" and "inspiring."



"Maleficent: Mistress of Evil," Disney's 2019 live-action sequel to the 2014 re-telling, was beloved by viewers.

Audience Score: 95%

Although the Angelina Jolie-led fairytale about the "Sleeping Beauty" villain didn't impress critics, who gave the film only a 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences loved it.

Reviewers praised the film's visuals and special effects as well as its overall storyline.



"Spider-Man: Far From Home" was a hit with most viewers.

Audience Score: 95%

With Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Samuel L. Jackson as its leads, "Spider-Man: Far From Home" managed to impress both critics and audiences as a hybrid between superhero action and teen romance. 

Many praised the 2019 film's fresh storyline and smart dialogue.



The live-action reboot "Aladdin" was a flop with critics but it managed to enthrall viewers.

Audience Score: 94%

Although many felt that the film didn't top the original from 1992, one viewer called this remake "one of the biggest surprises of the year" because of its "impressive" musical numbers and effects.

Many also said they loved that Will Smith was cast as Genie.

 



The 2018 documentary about the life of Fred Rogers won over viewers.

Audience Score: 94%

The film explored the TV personality Mr. Rogers' background and his approach to educating and entertaining children.

Reviews of "Won't You Be My Neighbor" were overwhelmingly positive, with one audience member calling the film "honest, stirring, and emotional."



Both critics and audiences lauded Pixar's 2017 animated film "Coco."

Audience Score: 94%

The flick tells the story of a musically gifted boy who learns about his family while exploring the Land of the Dead.

One reviewer called the movie "an extravagant tale of culture and ambition that's exemplary in all aspects," praising its soundtrack, colorful visuals, and heartfelt storyline.



Critics weren't impressed by "Black and Blue," but audiences praised the film's suspenseful storyline.

Audience Score: 94%

Alongside Tyrese Gibson, Naomie Harris played a new cop who accidentally captures footage of corrupt cops murdering a drug dealer.

Many praised the fast-paced plot of the 2019 film, saying it kept them on the edge of their seats. 



Damien Chazelle's "Whiplash" was applauded for its riveting storytelling.

Audience Score: 94%

This fast-paced film from 2014 about what it takes to become a master drummer received praise for its premise and its impressive leads, Miles Teller and JK Simmons.



The 2015 film "Spotlight" was lauded for the way it depicted a real-life investigation.

Audience Score: 93%

The intense drama told the true story of the Boston Globe's harrowing investigation into one of the biggest and most trusted institutions in the world. 

"Perfectly executed praise of the power of the press," one viewer wrote, praising Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, and Stanley Tucci for their acting chops. "A stellar cast and flawless direction make for an engaging and highly entertaining result."



Marvel was praised for its first "Guardians of the Galaxy" film, which starred Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana.

Audience Score: 92%

"Guardians of the Galaxy" is a space-adventure film about a bounty hunter (Chris Pratt) who steals a mysterious orb. 

Many viewers were impressed with how the 2014 Marvel film balanced humor, action, and adventure. It even got a sequel and it currently has a third movie in the works. 



"The King's Speech" is one of the rare films that is beloved by both critics and audiences.

Audience Score: 92%

The 2010 period drama is all about Bertie (Colin Firth), a royal who becomes a king and must overcome a debilitating speech impediment with the help of a quirky instructor. 

The movie picked up a best picture Oscar and audiences praised it as a "true masterwork of modern cinema."



Disney's "Big Hero 6" touched audiences with its impressive animation and heartwarming storyline.

Audience Score: 91%

Many viewers noted that the 2014 film about a robotics prodigy felt different than some of Disney's other recent offerings in the best way.

They applauded its "astonishingly beautiful" animation and its plentiful heartwarming moments.



Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" was popular with viewers.

Audience Score: 91%

The 2012 film tells the story of a freed slave's journey to save his wife from a plantation owner.

Audiences praised the performances of Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Samuel L. Jackson, saying the film is "stylish, deliciously violent, and is not afraid to go far in some places."



On the other hand, viewers lambasted the final installment of the "Human Centipede" trilogy.

Audience Score: 11%

"The Human Centipede III (Final Sequence)," a gross horror film about people who are trying to connect humans together, was not the first of its kind but many audience members are glad it's likely the last. 

The 2015 comedic horror flick saw the return of Dieter Laser and Laurence R. Harvey and it was ripped apart by audiences, with one viewer calling it the "vilest piece of garbage ever."



The 2015 film "United Passions" was criticized for how it detailed the history of the FIFA World Cup.

Audience Score: 11%

This film about the history of the FIFA World Cup was a flop with viewers. Several audience members called it the "worst movie" they'd ever seen, with many calling it "dull" and "unwatchable."



Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez starred in the 2012 flop "Dark Tide."

Audience Score: 15%

The film tells the story of a former shark whisperer's attempts to get past an attack that happened on her watch. 

Reviewers weren't impressed with the plot or lack of action in this flick. 

 

 



The 2014 Bollywood movie "Humshakals" tells the story of three friends who cause confusion wherever they go.

Audience Score: 16%

This Bollywood comedy about lookalikes and their antics wasn't a hit with audiences. 

One viewer called the movie "interrogation-room torture material" and another said it was an "absolute profane piece of cinema."



Reviewers and critics alike revealed that they were very disappointed with "The Disappointments Room."

Audience Score: 17%

With Kate Beckinsale and Mel Raido as its leads, the 2016 thriller about a secret room lived up to its title, with viewers lambasting the nonexistent storyline and lack of character development.



The Kevin Bacon and Radha Mitchell-led horror movie "The Darkness" was criticized for not being scary enough.

Audience Score: 19%

One reviewer wrote that the 2016 horror film about a family that accidentally brings a dark force home with them "lacks scares, thrills, and any plot at all."



"Piranha 3DD" was critiqued as even more un-watchable than its 2010 predecessor.

Audience Score: 22%

The 2012 movie about flesh-eating fish failed to win over audiences even though it had a celebrity cameo from David Hasselhoff.

Audience members criticized the flick's gratuitous nudity, lackluster dialogue, and extreme gore.



"The Devil Inside" is another horror movie that didn't live up to audience expectations.

Audience Score: 22%

The 2012 mockumentary-style film follows a woman who is possessed by demons during an exorcism.

Viewers weren't impressed with the premise and were especially bothered that the film didn't have an official ending — instead, it concluded with a link to a website telling them to "Read up on the case."



Starring Kate Upton and Alexandra Daddario, "The Layover" disappointed audiences.

Audience Score: 22%

The film about two best friends falling for the same guy during an airport layover was a flop with audiences. 

Many roasted the rom-com for its unfunny jokes and unromantic plotline and one reviewer even called the comedy "one of the worst films of 2017." 



Dax Shepard's directorial debut "Brother's Justice" was panned by critics and audiences.

Audience Score: 23%

The 2011 film, which follows a comedian's journey to be a big martial-arts star and document it with the help of his friends, was panned as a "mockumentary of staggering incompetence."



The Bruce Willis-led 2016 film "Precious Cargo" was ripped apart by most viewers.

Audience Score: 23%

The crime thriller about a boss hunting down a thief who disappointed him was ripped apart by critics and audiences who felt it had a poorly done script and a ridiculous plot. 

 

 



"Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star" starred Nick Swardson, Christina Ricci, and Don Johnson.

Audience Score: 24%

The 2011 film tells the story of a grocery bagger who becomes convinced that his mission in life is to become a porn star.

Some reviewers called it "garbage" and many said it wasn't very funny. Critics even gave it a 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes. 

 



Despite its star-studded cast, "Movie 43" was a flop with both audiences and critics.

Audience Score: 24%

Even having Kate Winslet, Emma Stone, Gerard Butler, Hugh Jackman, Uma Thurman, Naomi Watts, Richard Gere, and many more A-listers on board couldn't save this 2013 ensemble comedy.

As one reviewer wrote, "It's hard to believe that so many first-rate stars could be involved in such a distasteful compilation of bad taste stories, which are so exceedingly gross and offensive."

Read More:

 



Painfully slow hurricanes, deadly heat, and cities without water: What the climate crisis will look like in the next 10 years, according to experts

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  • In the last few years, we've seen record-breaking temperatures, intense hurricanes and wildfires, and unprecedented ice melt.
  • All of these are predicted consequences of climate change and are expected to get worse in the coming years.
  • Addressing this threat in the next 10 years is critical: Scientists say the world must slash its carbon emissions in half by 2030 to avoid catastrophic warming.
  • Here's what we can expect in the next decade.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more.

We only have a decade to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.

That's the warning the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) put out last year. But so far, nations are not slashing emissions enough to keep Earth's temperature from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels — the threshold established in the Paris climate agreement. 

"What we know is that unabated climate change will really transform our world into something that is unrecognizable," Kelly Levin, a senior associate at the World Resources Institute's climate program, told Business Insider.

That transformation has already begun. The last few years saw record-breaking temperatures, catastrophic and bizarre storms, and unprecedented ice melt. That's all likely to get worse by 2030.

Here's what we can expect in the next 10 years.

SEE ALSO: Before-and-after photos reveal how landmarks have been ravaged by fires, floods, and melting ice over the last decade

Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of record-breaking temperatures, unprecedented ice melt, and extreme weather shifts to greenhouse-gas emissions.

Fossil fuels like coal contain compounds like carbon dioxide and methane, which trap heat from the sun. Extracting and burning these fuels for energy releases those gases into the atmosphere, where they accumulate and heat up the Earth over time.

"As long as we burn fossil fuels and load the atmosphere with carbon pollution, it all gets worse," climate scientist Michael Mann told Business Insider in an email. 



Last year, the IPCC warned that we only have until 2030 to act in order to avoid the worst consequences of severe climate change.

According to the IPCC, the world's carbon emissions have to fall by 45% by 2030 to keep the world's average temperature from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. 

So the next 10 years are crucial for any efforts to slow this trend.



If Earth warms more than 1.5 degrees, scientists think the world's ecosystems could start to collapse.

"The choices that we make today are going to have profound impacts," Levin said.



Even if nations stick to the goals they set under the Paris climate agreement, emissions will still likely be too high, according to the IPCC.

Under the voluntary goals set in the Paris agreement, the world would still emit the equivalent of 52 to 58 gigatons of carbon dioxide per year by 2030, according to the report. (This is measured as an "equivalent" in order to factor in other greenhouse gases, like methane, which is 84 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.)

So far, most countries are not on track anyway.



Regardless of what actions we take, there are a few changes scientists know we'll see in the next 10 years.

That's because the world will keep getting warmer even if we stop emitting greenhouse gases immediately.



In the worst case scenario, we might even the 1.5-degree temperature-rise mark by 2030.

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The globe's ice caps will continue to melt, and crucial ice sheets like the one in Greenland might start down an irreversible path toward disappearing completely.

"Somewhere between 1.5 and 2 degrees, there's a tipping point after which it will no longer be possible to maintain the Greenland Ice Sheet,"Ruth Mottram, a climate scientist at the Danish Meteorological Institute, told Inside Climate News. "What we don't have a handle on is how quickly the Greenland Ice Sheet will be lost."

Greenland's ice is already approaching that tipping point, according to a study published in May. Whereas the melting that happened during warm cycles used to get balanced out when new ice formed during cool cycles, warm periods now cause significant meltdown and cool periods simply pause it. 

That makes it difficult for the ice sheet to regenerate what it's losing.



That will lead to more sea-level rise — about 0.3 to 0.6 feet on average globally by 2030, according to the US' National Climate Assessment.

In addition to melting ice, rising ocean temperatures cause seas to rise because warm water takes up more volume. As the globe heats up, scientists expect that simple fact of physics to account for about 75% of future sea-level rise.



The risk of high-tide flooding (which happens in the absence of storms or severe weather) is rapidly increasing for communities on the US Gulf and East Coasts.

In 2018, the US Northeast saw a median of one major sunny-day flood per year. By 2030, projections suggest the region will see a median of five such floods per year. By 2045, that number could grow to 25 floods.



The rising seawater won't be distributed evenly across the globe.

Low-lying countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and the Seychelles are especially vulnerable. Rising oceans have already begun to threaten cities like Miami, New Orleans, Venice, Jakarta, and Lagos.

Some areas could see sea levels up to 6 feet higher by the end of the century.



Extra warmth and water means hurricanes will become slower and stronger. In the next decade, we're likely to see more cyclones like Hurricane Dorian, which sat over the Bahamas for nearly 24 hours.

That's because hurricanes use warm water as fuel, so as Earth's oceans and air heat up, tropical storms get stronger, wetter, and slower.

Over the past 70 years or so, the speed of hurricanes and tropical storms has slowed about 10% on average, according to a 2018 study



When storms are slower, their forceful winds, heavy rain, and surging tides have much more time to cause destruction. In the Bahamas, Dorian leveled entire towns.

"The slower you go, that means more rain. That means more time that you're going to have those winds. That's a long period of time to have hurricane-force winds," National Hurricane Center director Ken Graham said in a Facebook Live video as Dorian approached the Bahamas.

A study published earlier this month found that the frequency of the most damaging hurricanes has increased 330% century-over-century.



To make matters worse, a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture. The peak rain rates of storms have increased by 30% over the past 60 years.

That means up to 4 inches of water per hour. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 was a prime example of this: After it made landfall, Harvey weakened to a tropical storm then stalled for days, dumping unprecedented amounts of rain on the Houston area. Scientist Tom Di Liberto described it as the "storm that refused to leave."



Hurricanes are likely to intensify more rapidly as well.

"It's pretty well understood that if the water is warmer and it's causing more moist air to come up, you have the potential of a storm to grow quickly and intensely," Brian Haus, a researcher who simulates hurricanes at the University of Miami, previously told Business Insider.



Overall, extreme weather is expected grow more common and intense.

"Certain types of extreme events in the US have already become more frequent and intense and long-lasting," Levin said. "There's no reason to think that we're not going to start to see an amplification of what we've been seeing."



The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that, overall, climate change will kill an additional 241,000 people per year by 2030.

The WHO expects that heat-related illnesses will be a major culprit, killing up to 121,464 additional people by 2030.



In the coming years, experts expect to see "day zeros"— the term for the moment when a city's taps run dry.

In January 2018, Cape Town, South Africa, got dangerously close to this reality: The government announced the city was three months from day zero. Residents successfully limited their water use enough to make it to the next rainy season, however. 

The IPCC projects severe reductions in water resources for 8% of the global population from 2021 to 2040.



Dry vegetation in hot regions lights up easily, which means more frequent, bigger wildfires.

"Climate change, with rising temperatures and shifts in precipitation patterns, is amplifying the risk of wildfires and prolonging the season," the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a July release.

2016 study found that climate change nearly doubled the amount of forest that burned in the western US between 1984 and 2015, adding over 10 billion additional acres of burned area. In California in particular, the annual area burned in summer wildfires increased fivefold from 1972 to 2018.



We're also likely to see more wildfires in the Arctic, which is warming almost twice as fast as the global average. That means Arctic sea ice is also disappearing.

Rapid warming means that crucial sea ice is melting, which accelerates warming even more.

"You take what was a reflective surface, the white ice, and you expose darker oceans underneath it," Levin said. "That can lead to a much greater absorption of solar radiation, and knock-on warming impacts as well as change of weather patterns."



The Amazon rainforest is in trouble as well, largely because farmers and loggers are cutting it down so rapidly.

A 2008 study projected that humans would clear away 31% of the Amazon by 2030. Another 24% would be damaged by drought or logging, the study found.

People have already cut down 20% of the Amazon. If another 20% disappears, that could trigger a feedback loop known as a "dieback," in which the forest could dry out and become a savannah.



"The risk of transforming the Amazon to a savannah-like state — it could have a tremendous impact for our ability worldwide to get a handle on the climate-change problem," Levin said.

That's because the Amazon stores up to 140 billion tons of carbon dioxide — the equivalent of 14 decades' worth of human emissions. Releasing that would accelerate global warming.

"You have a vital carbon sink no longer acting as a carbon sink, but instead acting as a carbon source," Levin added.



Other crucial ecosystems face collapse in the next decade as well. At present rates, it's expected that 60% of all coral reefs will be highly or critically threatened by 2030.

High ocean temperatures can cause coral to expel the algae living in its tissue and turn white, a process called coral bleaching.

It's an increasingly dire problem, given that oceans absorb 93% of the extra heat that greenhouse gases trap in the atmosphere. Recent research revealed that the seas are heating up 40% faster, on average, than the prior estimate

The consequences of coral bleaching extend beyond the coral itself, since reefs house 25% of all marine life and provide the equivalent of $375 billion in goods and services each year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).



About 55% of the world's oceans could suffer due to rising temperatures, acidification, decreasing oxygen, and other symptoms of climate change by 2030.

These largely irreversible changes will eventually force mass migrations of marine life, upend ocean ecosystems, and threaten human livelihoods that depend on the ocean, according to a 2017 study. Many species that can't adapt could die out.



"Climate impacts are also going to exacerbate social inequality," Levin said.

That's because people with fewer resources will be less able to avoid the worst impacts.

"That National Climate Assessment shows that residents, for example, in rural communities who often have less capacity to adapt, are going to be especially hard-hit given their dependence on agriculture," Levin explained.

She added: "You can think also of the scenario of the poor who live in cities who could be at greater exposure to heat stress if they lack air conditioning and heat waves increase in frequency and duration."



A 2015 report from the World Bank predicted that the climate crisis will push an additional 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030.

That's because global crop yields could fall by 5% by 2030 in the face of climate change, according to the report. That will make food more scarce and more expensive, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.



Ultimately, "nobody is free from the impacts of climate change," Mann said.

"If you're on the coast, you're treated by hurricanes and sea-level rise," he added. "If you're in the western US, more intense, faster-spreading wildfires, worse drought. And we're seeing unprecedented heat waves and flooding events throughout the US."



To avoid these devastating consequences, "we need annual emissions to be about half of what they are now by 2030," Levin said.

That means "we need to shift across the board in terms of policies, technologies, and behavior," she added.



Scientists say the world has to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, especially transforming the way we travel and produce food.

"That means we need politicians who are willing to act in our interest rather than on the part of vested interests," Mann said. "Voting in the 2020 election is probably the single-most important thing we can do to address climate change."

Levin and the IPCC both say that, since we're so far off the path towards quitting fossil fuels, the transition will also require technologies that suck carbon out of the atmosphere. 

"It's definitely going to be a massive undertaking, but the risks are so large that we can't afford not to do it," Levin said. 




15 newspaper front pages show how the media reacted to Prince Andrew's 'car crash' interview about Jeffrey Epstein

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Britain's Prince Andrew became the laughingstock of the tabloid world over the weekend, when he sat down for a very awkward interview about his past friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The interview was largely panned since the Duke of York didn't show much regret for continuing the relationship once the sexual abuse accusations against Epstein first started coming out in the late aughts.

And he made up several elaborate excuses to discredit the allegations made by one of Epstein's accusers, Virginia Giuffre Roberts, who alleges that she was forced to have sex with the prince as a teen.

Here's how 15 tabloids covered the story.

SEE ALSO: Prince Andrew says he couldn't have had sex with a 17-year-old because he was at a Pizza Express on the day in question

DON'T MISS: Prince Andrew told the Queen his car-crash BBC interview about Jeffrey Epstein was a 'great success' and will end criticism of him, reports say

A long-awaited interview with Britain's Prince Andrew about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein aired Saturday night on the BBC.



The interview was widely panned since the Duke of York failed to show remorse for Epstein's victims, and gave excuses trying to discredit claims that he had sex with one of Epstein's victims, who was a minor at the time.



Tabloids in the UK and the US were largely negative in their coverage of the interview.



Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre said she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17, and said that he sweated profusely before their sexual encounter in 2001.



Prince Andrew tried to discredit Giuffre Roberts' story by saying he had a medical issue at the time which made it impossible to sweat at the time.



Prince Andrew also claimed that the night Giuffre Roberts alleged he met her at a club, he was actually at a pizza party with his eldest daughter.



The general tone of many of the stories was that Prince Andrew didn't show enough remorse in his interview.



Many of the headlines the morning after the interview focused on Andrew's pizza restaurant alibi.



Others laughed at his claim to have an issue sweating.



Some outlets spoke to sources who relayed how Prince Andrew believed the interview was a success.



The Daily Mail's royal correspondent, Rebecca English, reported that Prince Andrew told friends he "regretted" not expressing sympathy for Epstein's victims.

Source: The Daily Mail



Palace insiders told The Telegraph that the Queen did not give her approval for the interview.

Source: The Telegraph



Following initial news of the interview, outlets started reporting on the backlash.

Source:The Guardian



The Guardian and the i newspaper spoke to lawyers for some of Epstein's victims who said Epstein should issue an apology and speak to the FBI.

Source: inews.co.uk



Amid the interview backlash, a new allegation came to light from a former aide to David Cameron, who said he heard Prince Andrew use the N-word in 2012.

Source: Evening Standard



NYC's richest and most expensive ZIP code has an average income of $879,000 and a median sale price of $3.9 million. I spent an afternoon there — here's a closer look at the trendy area.

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Tribeca, a trendy neighborhood in downtown Manhattan, is home to New York City's richest ZIP code, where the average income of residents is $879,000, Bloomberg reported.

It's the fifth-richest ZIP code in the US, according to Bloomberg's ranking. 

Tribeca is "the epitome of downtown cool," according to StreetEasy. The neighborhood, which borders the Hudson River to the west and the Financial District to the south, is a celebrity hotspot that has been home to stars including Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lawrence, and Steven Spielberg.

And real estate in Tribeca is notoriously pricey. PropertyShark ranked it the most expensive neighborhood in New York City, with a median sale price of $3.9 million. The median rent is $6,195, according to StreetEasy.

Earlier this year, I spent an afternoon walking through the downtown Manhattan neighborhood. Here's what New York City's richest and most expensive ZIP code looks like.

SEE ALSO: The 25 most expensive ZIP codes in America in 2019

DON'T MISS: The East Coast's priciest ZIP code is a tiny Hamptons village of 322 residents. Here's what it's like living in Sagaponack, where the median home price is $4.3 million.

Tribeca, a trendy neighborhood in downtown Manhattan, is New York City's richest ZIP code.

The average income of Tribeca residents is $879,000, according to a recent report from Bloomberg, making it the fifth-richest ZIP code in the US.

It's also the most expensive ZIP code in New York City, with a median sale price of $3.9 million, according to a recent report from PropertyShark.



Tribeca sits on the west side of lower Manhattan.

It borders the Hudson River to the west, SoHo to the north, Chinatown to the east, and the Financial District to the south.



Tribeca is well-served by public transportation.

The A, C, E, 2, 3, N, Q, R, and W trains all serve various parts of the neighborhood.



On a late-spring afternoon earlier this year, I decided to take a walking tour of Tribeca to get a feel for the neighborhood.

I walked up from my office in the Financial District, the neighborhood directly south of Tribeca. Even though it's not far from where I work, I had never spent much time in the neighborhood. 



Tribeca, which used to be home to warehouses, is known for its industrial architecture.

But in recent years, sleek luxury condominium towers have been rising across the neighborhood.



The tallest building in the neighborhood is 56 Leonard, a 60-story tower built in 2015.

It houses 145 condominium residences, including a four-bedroom penthouse on sale for $24.5 million. Another penthouse is listed for rent for $123,000 per month.

The cheapest available units in the building are a two-bedroom condo for $4.85 million and a one-bedroom rental for $8,850 per month, according to StreetEasy. 



Tribeca is home to a Whole Foods Market that spans an entire city block.

It's one of two Whole Foods locations in lower Manhattan.

I also passed chains like Starbucks and the luxury fitness center Equinox, which has locations across New York City.



I saw many young families and parents pushing strollers in the neighborhood.

According to Niche, Tribeca is a relatively young neighborhood, with 45% of its population between ages 18 and 44.



One of New York City's most prestigious schools, Stuyvesant High School, is in Tribeca.

Wealthy New York families will pay a premium to live within walking distance of schools like Stuyvesant High School, Business Insider's Hillary Hoffower previously reported. The median sale price near the high school is $1.86 million.



I was surprised by the amount of green space I found in Tribeca.

I stumbled upon Teardrop Park, a 2-acre green space tucked away between Warren Street and Murray Street where a children's birthday party seemed to be taking place.



And just a few minutes' walk away is Hudson River Park, which offers panoramic views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey skyline.

It's the longest riverfront park in the US.



Tribeca is one of New York City's oldest neighborhoods, and much of its pre-Civil War architecture is intact.

"[Tribeca] boasts one of the world's largest collections of Neo-Grec designs and wrought-iron facades, in loft-style low-rises that real estate investors from around the globe covet," Heather Senison wrote for Forbes in 2018.



The neighborhood is known for its celebrity residents, several of whom have been known to cluster in one luxury condominium building: 443 Greenwich.

The luxury building has been called "paparazzi-proof" because of features such as its lower-level parking and interior courtyard garden.

Jennifer Lawrence looked into buying a condo there, according to Curbed New York, and Mike Myers bought a $14.65 million loft in the building in 2017, only to put it on the market a week later and eventually resell it at a loss for $14 million.

A penthouse in the building was on the market for $57 million earlier this year. As of September 16, it was no longer available.



The neighborhood is full of leafy cobblestone streets that are surprisingly quiet.

I can certainly understand why those areas would be attractive to celebrity buyers.



I started to head back toward the Financial District and passed a doggy daycare called PupCulture that had a sign out front advertising CBD products for dogs.

The sign read: "We now carry CBD oils, capsules, and edibles ... for the puppies!"

Given the skyrocketing popularity of CBD products, I shouldn't have been too surprised.



As I strolled through the neighborhood, I noticed that Tribeca is home to virtually all of the trendiest chains in the city, from restaurants to fitness centers.

Sweetgreen and Dig Inn, two of the most popular fast-casual healthy-ish dining options in the city, can both be found in Tribeca.

And when it comes to fitness, in addition to the usual suspect, Equinox — which can be found all over the city — Tribeca is home to Flywheel Sports, SoulCycle, Crunch Fitness, Barry's Bootcamp, Planet Fitness, Pure Barre, SLT Tribeca, a CrossFit gym, and other fitness centers. 



Tribeca is also home to upscale eateries.

Among those eateries is Cut by Wolfgang Puck, "where New Yorkers broker deals over power meals," according to its website, as well as Wolfgang's Steakhouse.



The temperatures were in the low 80s during my tour of the neighborhood.

Many people were taking advantage of the weather by eating and drinking outside. 



I noticed people wearing a lot of stylish athleisure jumpsuits, summer dresses, and sneakers.

I was also surprised by how many big dogs I saw in the neighborhood, given that New York City is home to some notoriously cramped apartments.

But considering the average income in the neighborhood is $879,000, I can also see how residents might have more disposable income to pay a place like PupCulture to walk their large dogs — and feed them CBD edibles. 



As I wrapped up my tour of Tribeca, it struck me that the neighborhood draws a stark contrast to Billionaires' Row, the stretch of luxury skyscrapers along Central Park in midtown Manhattan.

On Billionaires' Row, penthouses sit at the top of 1,000-foot-tall luxury towers along Central Park, while most of the homes in Tribeca are literally more down-to-earth.

And while midtown Manhattan is a bustling business, tourism, and retail district, Tribeca is more walkable, a key factor when millennials are deciding where to live, with cobblestone streets and a vibrant restaurant and bar scene.

Millennials have also been called the "wellness generation," and they are willing to shell out serious money on gym memberships, which helps explain the plethora of fitness centers in Tribeca.

To me, while Billionaires' Row strikes me as more "old money," Tribeca, with its SoulCycles and Sweetgreens, exemplifies the changing look of wealth in the city.



The best slow cookers

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  • Slow cookers are available in a large variety of sizes and price points, so you have a lot of choices, depending on your needs.
  • For an average-sized family looking for a bargain, we like the 6-Quart Programmable Cook-and-Carry Crock-Pot. It works great, it's easy to operate, and it has a surprisingly low price point.

Lots of people like comfort foods, especially during the winter months — even if those comfort foods don't always help out their waistlines. Unfortunately, most comfort foods can be time-consuming to cook and prepare, which means a lot of hassle for someone who spends eight-plus hours at a job. It's tough to feel comforted when you're spending several hours cooking after several hours working.

So you end up ordering a pizza, picking it up on the way home from the office, and eating your comfort food out of the box, which is not ideal.

If you'd prefer your comfort foods to be homemade, a slow cooker is the answer for a busy household. This kitchen appliance allows you to combine the ingredients in the morning before work, set the cooking time and temperature, and return home hours later to a great-tasting, fully-completed meal. Now, that's ideal.

A slow cooker is a simple appliance. Although some models have a series of advanced features, the basic operation of a slow cooker involves setting a cooking temperature and cooking time and then leaving it alone for several hours. 

Slow cookers are available in many different sizes, with the capacity measured in quarts. You can pick models with capacities ranging from 1 to 10 quarts, although sizes of 4 to 6 quarts are the most common capacities. 

Most slow cookers allow you to cook at low, medium, or high-temperature settings. A lot of slow cookers will automatically switch to the warm setting after the cooking time has expired so your food doesn't overcook and disintegrate. Some advanced slow cookers will allow you to set an exact cooking temperature and start-time, while others offer multiple cooking features and double as pressure cookers. 

Here are the best slow cookers you can buy:

Updated on 11/18/2019 by Caitlin Petreycik: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

SEE ALSO: The best Crock-Pots you can buy

The best slow cooker overall

The 6-Quart Programmable Cook-and-Carry Crock-Pot is big enough for a crowd with a lockable lid for easy transport and it has programmable cooking times.

Sometimes, a product is so synonymous with a product category is that its brand name becomes a preferred term used in everyday language. For example, in everyday language, an adhesive bandage becomes a Band-Aid, a facial tissue becomes a Kleenex, and a closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam product becomes Styrofoam. (That last one makes some sense, as "closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam" is a mouthful.)

And when it comes to slow cookers, a lot of people use the brand name Crock-Pot to describe all models of slow cookers. It's understandable, as Crock-Pot slow cookers were first on the market and have dominated for a long time. The company continues to offer excellent quality slow cookers, including the Crock-Pot Programmable Cook-and-Carry 

It solves one slow cooker concern: What do you do if you'll be gone for ten hours, but the meal you're preparing only needs to cook for eight? No need to worry if you have this convenient slow cooker. Just set the timer for your desired cooking time before you head out. 

You can set cooking times from 30 minutes to 20 hours and leave your worries behind. The Crock-Pot will cook your dinner to perfection, and then automatically switch itself over to the "Warm" setting once the time is up.

With a 6-quart capacity, this is the perfect Crock-Pot for larger families. You can fit a six-pound roast inside, several pieces of meat along with vegetables, or go ahead and roast a whole chicken in it — you'll still have room for carrots and potatoes.

The Wirecutter likes this Crock-Pot, praising its long timer, modern appearance, handles, and locking lid. That locking lid with its sealing gasket is another fine feature of this Crock-Pot — no more spills when traveling with the cooker to a picnic, potluck, or tailgate party.

After combing through online buyer reviews, we found that some owners complained that the Crock-Pot seemed to run too hot on the "Low" setting. Note that both the "Low" and "High" settings of a Crock-Pot reach the same maximum temperature of roughly 210 degrees. It just takes longer to reach the maximum temperature on low.

The locking lid is a hit. One Amazon shopper wrote, "The slow cooker tipped over once in the car while full of sloppy joe meat, and to my surprise when I arrived at my destination, not a drop of the sloppy joe meat (or sauce) leaked out."Michelle Ullman and Kyle Schurman

Pros: Locking lid with gasket, programmable timer, large capacity, stainless steel finish, and modern appearance

Cons: Might cook too hot on low setting



The best high-end slow cooker

The 4-Quart All-Clad Slow Cooker with Ceramic Insert looks beautiful on your countertop and cooks everything to perfection without making you do anything.

The 4-Quart All-Clad Slow Cooker with Ceramic Insert is the perfect size for cooking meals for a small family or a full chunk of pork butt for pulled pork. All-Clad is famous for its beautiful high-end stainless steel appliances and cooking utensils, and this slow cooker lives up to the brand's reputation.

Not only does it look gorgeous on any countertop, it also works extremely well. The slow cooker is very easy to operate with just a few buttons and no complicated settings. It has a 26-hour programmable timer and warm, low, and high-temperature settings so your food is cooked to perfection.

The removable black ceramic insert and glass lid are easy to hand wash or pop right in the dishwasher. The lid's handle is made from silicone, so it never gets hot to the touch. You can leave this slow cooker cooking all day without fear of burning the house down and come back to a delicious meal.

I use this slow cooker regularly to make beans, stews, and pulled pork for the meat-eaters in my life. I toss the ingredients in, set the temperature, and let it do it's thing while I'm at work or out on the weekends. It makes meals super easy to prepare with minimal effort.

Buyer reviews are largely positive, though some do complain about the ceramic insert breaking after admitted rough handling. If you treat it the way you treat other ceramics like coffee mugs and plates, it won't break — just be careful with it and don't smash it against anything.

All-Clad guarantees the slow cooker for two years, so contact the company if you run into problems. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Gorgeous, 4-quarts is a good size, decent price, ceramic insert is sturdy, easy to use

Cons: Pricier than some slow cookers



The best programmable slow cooker

It has a really high price, but The Fast Slow Pro 6-Quart from Breville successfully slow cooks and pressure-cooks food in one easy-to-use appliance.

The Fast Slow Pro 6-Quart slow cooker from Breville carries a high price compared to other slow cookers, which means it won't work for some people. But it justifies its big price tag by giving you a multitude of features so you can cook big meals however you want.

The Breville cooker works as both a pressure cooker and a traditional slow cooker, so yu can make just about anything with it. One positive comment users have regards versatility because the Fast Slow Pro can perform the work of multiple appliances, saving storage space in the kitchen cabinet.

The Fast Slow Pro attempts to make slow cooking easy with eight different pre-set programmable cooking modes. There's also a custom time and temperature setting that you can use for your favorite family recipe. Using the various settings is easy because of the large and clear LCD screen on the side of the unit.

As for downsides, Wired found the Breville unit far too complex for what most people will want in a slow cooker, especially considering they'll pay five to 10 times more for The Fast Slow Pro than they will for other slow cookers.

Pros: Offers strong pressure cooker and slow cooker functions, eight different slow cooker pre-set modes, excellent build quality, six quarts of capacity works well for many people, large LCD screen is easy to read

Cons: Extremely high price versus other slow cookers, may be too complex for some people



The best mini slow cooker

If you need a slow cooker that's better suited for preparing meals for one or two people, you'll love the size of the Proctor Silex 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker.

Slow cookers often seem like they're all about cooking big meals for a busy family. But slow cookers don't all discriminate against people who are cooking for one or two. The Proctor Silex 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker is a mini slow cooker that's great for cooking small meals for one or two people.

It's a very simple slow cooker with three temperature settings that you'll control with a knob. The Proctor Silex cooker is also a smaller appliance, so if you don't have much space in your kitchen, it's a good option. This cooker is also perfect for use in an RV or on a large boat, where you have limited storage space.

Review Labs said this small slow cooker is a perfect option for cooking appetizers, dips, sauces, or snacks for a party, and it's small enough so you can carry it with you to a friend's house. The rubber seal on the lid and the latch strap also help to prevent spills, which is a great feature for a portable unit.

A few buyer reviews mentioned that the Proctor Silex 1.5-Quart slow cooker doesn't cook as evenly as some larger slow cookers.

Pros: Small slow cooker is perfect for cooking appetizers for a party, small unit works great in kitchens where storage space is limited, has padded lid and latch strap for transportation, nice size for meals for one or two people

Cons: Will be too small for some families, doesn't always cook food evenly



Safety considerations for slow cookers

Some people are understandably nervous about using a slow cooker, as this appliance is designed to run while no one is home. Others may have a sentimental attachment to the slow cooker grandma used, and now that they've inherited the appliance, they want to continue cooking with it.

Before using any slow cooker, though, you need to read through this list of safety measures from NBC News and Compare Slow Cookers.

  • Clean the base: Keep the portion of the slow cooker with the heating element clean. If a previous recipe has spilled onto the heating element, you need to wipe this old food and clean it to keep it from burning when cooking the next meal.
  • Electrical cord: Inspect the slow cooker's power cord carefully. Make sure it hasn't been melted or frayed. Old slow cookers may have a fabric insulation around the electrical cord, which is no longer considered safe.
  • Overcooking: Even on the high setting, slow cookers only reach temperatures of about 250 degrees, so you don't really have the same concerns about overcooking and burning the food as you might when leaving food unattended in an oven, where temperatures of 350 degrees to 450 degrees are more common.
  • Test the temperature: An older slow cooker may no longer be able to reach a high enough temperature to safely cook raw foods. Test it by filling the slow cooker with room temperature water at least two-thirds of the way. "Cook" the water on the low setting for eight hours and then use a thermometer to ensure the water has reached at least a 185-degree temperature.

Happy cooking!



Check out our guides to the best Crock-Pots, Instant Pots, and pressure cookers

The best Crock-Pots you can buy

Busy cooks have been turning out delicious, easy, convenient meals in their Crock-Pots since the early 1970s. We researched the dozens of available Crock-Pot slow cookers on today's market to find the best ones you can buy. Check out our list, below: 


The best instant pots and electric pressure cookers

Electric pressure cookers are so versatile, they can make all kinds of meals and even replace several different appliances.

We poured over thousands of reviews and ratings from both experts and users, as well as tested several brands, to determine which instant pots do what they say they can do, provide consistent performance over extended use, and offer great value for your money. Here are the best pressure cookers and instant pots you can buy: 



8 aircraft the US Air Force could get rid of to pay for other things

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U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II

Get ready for a new A-10 budget fight. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein wants to fund new initiatives in connectivity, space, combat power projection, and logistics starting in 2021 — to the tune of $30 billion on top of what it is already using.

One way to do that, says Todd Harrison, a defense budget analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, is to retire $30 billion worth of legacy aircraft.

That is, get rid of the old stuff to make room for the new.

While getting rid of these aircraft isn't the only way to make room for the new initiatives and save $30 billion, it is the fastest route to get there, and many of the retirements make sense. Some of the planes' missions are obsolete. Some of the airframes are currently being updated with newer models, and at least one can't even fly its primary mission due to treaty obligations.

SEE ALSO: The Air Force wants the F-35 and F-22 stealth fighters to talk to the secret X-37B space plane

1. B-1B Lancer.

The B-1B is already scheduled for retirement in the 2030s, but retiring the program early could save up to $4.8 billion. At 32 years old, the Lancers are already struggling with a 50 percent mission-capable rate. It can't even complete the missions for which it was designed as a nuclear deterrent. The Air Force's fastest bomber, the one that carries the biggest bomb loads, can't carry nuclear weapons under the terms of the 1994 START I agreement with Russia.



2. B-2 Spirit.

Also scheduled for retirement in the 2030s, the B-2 Spirit has a mission-capable rate of 61% and is scheduled to be replaced by the new B-21 Bomber in the late 2020s. Retiring the B-2 early could save as much as $2.9 billion.



3. A-10 Thunderbolt II.

The Air Force's 281 A-10s are mission capable 73% of the time and are its primary close-air support craft. The average A-10 is 38 years old, and even though the bulk of the A-10 fleet has just been scheduled to get new wings, canceling the re-winging and retiring the Warthog could save as much as $6.7 billion.



4. KC-10 Extender.

Retiring the 59 heavy tankers in the US Air Force fleet would save the service $2 billion if they do it before 2024 — when they're scheduled for retirement anyway. This may create a tanker shortage because the new Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tanker isn't quite ready for prime time.



5. RC-135V/W Rivet Joint.

This signals intelligence and optical and electronic reconnaissance aircraft is more than 56 years old but still kicking around the Air Force waiting for a yet-undeveloped Advanced Battle Management System to replace its old tech. While retiring it before 2023 would save $3.5 billion, it would create a gap in electronic and signals intelligence capacity.



6. E-3 Sentry AWACS.

These 39-year-old planes are mission-ready just 66% of the time and are undergoing modernization upgrades. If the Air Force scraps its modernization along with the rest of the airframe before 2023, it could save $5 billion.



7. U-2 Dragon Lady.

Getting rid of the 64-year-old U-2 would save some $2 billion for the Air Force. The Air Force could then rely on the much more efficient RQ-4 Global Hawk drone for ISR.



8. E-8C JSTARS.

Also waiting for the unknown advanced battle management system, the 16 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar aircraft in the Air Force are already scheduled for retirement. But actually retiring the aircraft would save the USAF $2.7 billion.



16 of Disney's remakes of its animated classics, ranked

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  • Disney continues remaking its beloved classics for new generations and there's no sign of slowing down anytime soon. 
  • How do critics feel about them? Insider ranked Disney's remakes according to critics' reviews.
  • 2010's "Alice Through the Looking Glass" has the worst reviews, while 2016's "The Jungle Book" is beloved.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Disney remakes of its classics films are the norm now, but they started back in the '90s with "The Jungle Book."

They have since evolved into more CGI enhanced films like 2010's "Alice in Wonderland" and 2017's "Beauty and the Beast." Most recently, the Mouse House released a remake of "Lady and the Tramp" on its streaming service, Disney Plus.

Responses to the remakes have varied greatly. At the bottom of the scale are some of Disney's older remakes like "102 Dalmatians." Jon Favreau's take on "The Jungle Book" stunned viewers for its technological achievements on screen. Keep reading to see how Disney's remakes rank from worst to best, according to critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes.

Angélica Acevedo contributed to a previous version of this story.

16. "Alice Through the Looking Glass" was visually stunning, but the story, which centered around the Mad Hatter, was underwhelming.

Synopsis: "Alice returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland and travels back in time to help the Mad Hatter."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 30%



15. In 2000's "102 Dalmatians," Cruella de Vill tries to steal even more Dalmatian puppies than before.

Synopsis: "Cruella de Vil gets out of prison and goes after the puppies once more."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 31%



14. 1996's "101 Dalmatians" gave us an enjoyable performance from Glenn Close, but not much else that made the remake stand out.

Synopsis: "An evil high-fashion designer plots to steal Dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat, but instead creates an extravagant mess."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 42%



13. Angelina Jolie reprised her role as the iconic Disney villain in "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil."

Synopsis: "Maleficent and her goddaughter Aurora begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies, and dark new forces at play."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%

You can read our review of "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" here



12. 2019's "Dumbo" was charming, but the addition of extra characters made the film lose its focus a bit on the main star.

Synopsis: "A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 47%



11. Tim Burton brought us to a magical world in 2010's "Alice in Wonderland" that received mix reviews.

Synopsis: "Nineteen-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: To end the Red Queen's reign of terror."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%



10. Disney used photo-real technology to bring "The Lion King" to life. Not everyone was a fan of the realistic look.

Synopsis: "After the murder of his father, a young lion prince flees his kingdom only to learn the true meaning of responsibility and bravery."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%

Read more: Stop calling Disney's 'Lion King' remake a live-action movie — it's anything but



9. Disney gave a twist to its 1959 animated movie, "Sleeping Beauty," by making the princess' villain the main character in 2014's "Maleficent."

Synopsis: "A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 54%



8. Will Smith starred as the Genie in the live-action remake of "Aladdin," which fans and critics applauded for giving Jasmine a larger role.

Synopsis: "A kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%

Read more: Here's what the cast of Disney's live-action 'Aladdin' looks like in real life



7. The "Lady and the Tramp" remake debuted on Disney Plus at launch in November 2019 with some smart changes.

Synopsis: "CGI and live-action re-imagining of the 1955 Disney classic."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%

Read more: 21 of the biggest differences between the 'Lady and the Tramp' remake and the animated movie



6. In 2017, Disney released "Beauty and the Beast," which gave a fresh perspective and new songs to the classic.

Synopsis: "A selfish prince is cursed to become a monster for the rest of his life, unless he learns to fall in love with a beautiful young woman he keeps prisoner."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%



5. 2018's "Christopher Robin" gave us an adorable friendship between Ewan McGregor and the silly old bear.

Synopsis: "A working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie the Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%



4. Disney's first live-action remake, 1994's "The Jungle Book," is one of its best-reviewed.

Synopsis: "Rudyard Kipling's classic tale of Mowgli, the orphaned jungle boy raised by wolves, and how he becomes king of the jungle."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%



3. The success and popularity of 2015's "Cinderella" helped kick off even more live-action Disney remakes.

Synopsis: "When her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her scheming stepsisters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%



2. Critics and fans alike agreed that "Pete's Dragon" was a sweet update to the 1977 movie.

Synopsis: "The adventures of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just so happens to be a dragon."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%



1. Critics and audiences alike were enchanted by director Jon Favreau's take on "The Jungle Book."

Synopsis: "After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan forces him to flee the jungle, a man-cub named Mowgli embarks on a journey of self discovery with the help of panther Bagheera and free-spirited bear Baloo."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%



The best USB-C hubs you can buy

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  • If you have a laptop with only one or two USB-C ports, you need a USB-C hub with lots of ports to expand your connectivity options.
  • The Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2 is our top pick because it has all the ports you need to make your laptop more versatile.

A USB Type-C hub or dock is a great way to add more ports on your laptop or tablet, especially if you have a laptop that only has one or two USB-C ports — whether it's a Mac, PC, or Chromebook, as well as newer iPad Pros and even select Android smartphones

There are a few things to consider when you're buying a USB-C hub. For starters, you'll want to think about exactly how many ports you need and what kind of ports you'll use most. For example, you might simply want more USB-A ports. Or, you might want a combination of an HDMI port, SD card reader, Ethernet port, USB-A ports, and USB-C port with power pass-through (to charge a laptop).

You'll also want to think about the size and style of the hub since it'll be plugged into your laptop quite often. USB-C hubs can also be expensive, but you want to make sure that the hub will work perfectly and easily.

Here are the best USB-C hubs you can buy:

Updated on 11/18/2019 by Les Shu: Updated selections, prices, links, and formatting. Replaced HyperDrive DUO USB-C hub with HyperDrive 7-Port USB Type-C Hub, and added the OWC USB Travel Dock. 

The best USB-C hub overall

The Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2 is well-designed, supports pass-through charging, and has a large variety of ports.

If you're looking for a versatile USB-C hub and want one of the best out there, then the Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2 is the way to go. It may be a little bulky, but the trade-off is that it features a ton of ports.

You'll get three USB-A 3.0 ports, as well as one HDMI port, one USB-C port, and one Ethernet port. You'll also get an SD card slot and a microSD card slot, so those of you who are looking for something to easily transfer data from your camera or phone will appreciate this hub. The HDMI port supports 4K monitors and the Gigabit Ethernet port can handle speeds of 10/100/1000Mbps.

For those with only a single USB-C port on their laptop, this hub supports pass-through charging, so you can plug your computer's charger into the hub's USB-C port to charge your computer. It may not charge quite as quick as it does when you plug the charger directly into your computer, but rest assured that you can still charge your laptop with this hub.

We tested it out on a MacBook Pro so we could transfer photos from an SD card and it worked like a charm. The Verge also considers it the best USB-C hub.

The downsides are that it's a little pricey and it only has one USB-C port, so if you're looking for additional USB-C ports specifically, this may not be the way to go (although there aren't many USB-C-only hubs to recommend at this time).  

Pros: Lots of ports, variety of port, nice design

Cons: A bit expensive, only one USB-C port



The best budget USB-C hub

The HooToo 6-in-1 USB-C adapter is a great way to add more ports and a card reader to your computer at an inexpensive price.

Not everyone wants to spend a ton of cash on a USB hub for their computer. That, however, is where the HooToo USB-C Adapter hub comes in. It increases the number of ports on your laptop without a super high price tag.

The hub has three USB-A 3.0 ports, is lightweight, and works natively with Macs and PCs. In addition, there is one SD card reader, one HDMI port that supports 4K monitors, and a USB-C port for power up to 100 watts, which is pretty remarkable considering the price.

HooToo upgraded this hub with heat-reduction tech to prevent overheating, while the use of copper wiring and other metals helps to create more efficient data transfers, according to the company. 

Pros: Three USB ports, card reader, HDMI port, inexpensive, lightweight and pocket-friendly design

Cons: USB ports on both sides of hub would have been nice



The best with cable management

The OWC USB-C Travel Dock is a portable hub with a cable that tucks away neatly and a USB-C port that delivers up to 100 watts of power.

The problem with living in the dongle life is, well, the dongle that sticks out like a sore thumb. Other World Computing's second-generation USB-C Travel Dock neatly tucks beneath the device.

The OWC USB-C Travel Dock gives you two standard USB 3.1 Type-A ports, an HDMI port to connect to an external monitor or projector, and an SD Card reader. There's also a USB-C port that delivers power up to 100 watts, which means you can charge a laptop or tablet that the dock is connected to; it can also charge laptops faster than other hubs with power pass-through, thanks to the higher wattage. The square-block design sits neatly on any desk, making it suitable as a desktop companion as well as for travel. It's an improvement over the first-generation model, which doesn't have the cable storage system and its USB-C port's power passthrough supports only up to 60 watts.

As the name suggests, it's designed for portability primarily, although most of our recommendations allow for that. We have been testing it for several months and found it to be well-made and its performance to be solid. Power is delivered consistently to a MacBook Pro, and it has no problems connecting to a 32-inch external display. It tucks nicely into our bag's interior pocket.

We wish the hub was a bit lighter and that is had at least one more USB ports. We also found the cable to be too short; because our test computer is usually elevated, the hub dangles, but this hasn't affected performance. A microSD card slot would have been useful, but we worked around this by using an SD Card adapter.

The OWC USB-C Travel Dock is relatively inexpensive, however, if you don't need the cable management, consider our budget option. We like that OWC offers a two-year warranty on the product. — Les Shu

Pros: Cable storage system, solid performance and reliability, 100-watt power passthrough

Cons: Short cable, only two USB-A ports



The best basic USB-C hub

The affordable Anker 4-port USB-C to USB 3.0 hub brings back some of the USB-A ports your laptop might be missing.

If you're looking to add some USB-A ports to your computer, then the Anker 4-port USB-C to USB 3.0 hub is the way to go. The simple hub only offers four USB 3.0 Type-A ports — the ubiquitous ones you'll find everywhere — and nothing else, but for some people, that might be all they need.

With this hub, you'll be able to connect peripherals like mice, keyboards, hard drives, and so on. This way, you can reuse your existing gear without needing to buy USB-C accessories.

Another great thing about this hub is that it's affordable. Anker makes a lot of different types of USB-C hubs, and many Business Insider employees use them with our MacBook Pros. They work well, but there are reports of failure from time to time. Anker offers an 18-month warranty period as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're unhappy.

Pros: Nice design, inexpensive

Cons: Only one type of port



The best USB-C hub for MacBook Pro

The HyperDrive 7-Port USB Type-C Hub has plenty of ports to expand on your computer's connectivity, plus it fits the design of recent MacBook Pro laptops.

Perhaps you're looking for something to nicely complement your MacBook Pro without doing away with the computer's sleek form-factor. If that's the case, then the HyperDrive 7-Port USB-C Hub is a great way to go.

The hub slots into a USB-C port on the side of your MacBook or MacBook Pro, giving you one USB-C port, an HDMI port, an SD card slot, a MicroSD card slot, headphone port, and two USB-A ports. The HDMI port can connect to a 4K monitor, while the USB-C port also delivers power.

Perhaps the best thing about the HyperDrive 7-Port USB-C Hub is that it's sleek and stylish, and it sits flushed with the laptop (the color and material even match some MacBook Pros). While it's designed to be plugged into the left side of the computer, it can easily be plugged into the right side instead (select higher-end MacBook Pro models), if that's what you prefer.

This is a similar pick as our overall favorite, but you don't have to deal with a hanging cable. And like the Satechi, this hub is expensive.

This particular version of the HyperDrive also works with PCs, Chromebooks, and Android phones. If you want a version that is tailored for newer MacBook Pros, there's an 8-in-2 HyperDrive that offers two USB-C ports.

Pros: Nice design, lots of ports, blends in with MacBook laptops

Cons: Expensive, no Ethernet port



The best USB-C hub for iMac

The Satechi Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub for iMac is well-designed and offers a good selection of ports.

The iMac is a great computer, but it can be a little tricky to access all the ports on the computer because they're located on the back. The Satechi Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub for iMac solves that problem by putting the ports front-and-center.

The monitor stand is the perfect size for the iMac, so you can place your iMac on top of it and gain access to ports without needing to swivel the computer around. The hub also fits perfectly with Apple's design sensibilities, and you can choose between silver and space gray.

When it comes to ports, the hub offers three USB 3.0 ports, USB-C port, SD and microSD card slots, and a headphone jack. It's a solid lineup and should make day-to-day access to your computer's ports a lot more convenient.

The hub isn't perfect. For example, a few more USB-C ports would have been nice, and it is a little expensive. Still, we've been using the hub with a Mac Mini for some time and find it to be well worth the price. It's not strictly for the iMac, either.

Pros: Well-designed, good port selection

Cons: More USB-C ports would be nice, expensive



Check out our guide to the best USB-C cables

The best USB-C cables for your Android phone or laptop

We've tested and researched dozens of cables to find the best ones for your devices. Whether you need a long cable, a short one, a cheap one, one that has USB-C on both ends, or one that has USB-C to USB-A; we've got a cable for you in our buying guide. 

 



The top 20 Black Friday bestsellers among Business Insider readers last year

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  • Need some Black Friday shopping inspiration? You might want to start with a list of last year's bestselling products.
  • From Instant Pots to Echo Dots to 23andMe DNA test kits, these were the 20 top sellers among Business Insider readers last year.
  • Some of these items are currently on sale for Black Friday 2019.

Black Friday is the biggest shopping event of the year. It's a good way to make a major dent in your holiday gift shopping or perhaps even treat yourself to something you've been eyeing. With Black Friday 2019 quickly approaching, we it would be fun to take a look at what Business Insider readers were buying this time last year.

Our readers' purchases last year told us a few things — namely, that they're using tech in all sorts of ways to streamline their lives. Unsurprisingly, smart home device purchases, particularly from the Amazon Echo family, were towards the top of the list.

Based on the popularity of these items from last year's Black Friday, you can make a pretty good guess that they'll be discounted this year as well.

While this data tells us a lot about the types of products and services you're interested in, we still love it when you drop us a line at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com and tell us things you'd like to hear more about or are perhaps having trouble finding on your own.

These are the 20 products Business Insider readers bought the most on Black Friday 2018:

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

1. Hulu subscription

Sign up for a Hulu subscription for $7.99 a month

Hulu is one of our favorite streaming services — it's a great way to stay up to date on your favorite cable TV shows sans cable. A basic Hulu subscription usually goes for $7.99 a month, but last year, Black Friday shoppers could get it a year of Hulu for just $0.99 a month. It's no wonder that this was one of the most popular deals



2. L.L.Bean Bean Boots

L.L.Bean Bean Boots, from $99, available at L.L.Bean

Trudging through rain, mud, or snow is no problem with L.L.Bean's Bean Boots. The leather and rubber combo keeps your feet warm and dry through all weather conditions. They are seriously durable and comfortable — which explains why they have a cult-like following, and are known to sell out frequently



3. Parachute bedding

Parachute Sheet Sets, from $109, available at Parachute

With the amount of time we spend sleeping, investing in great bedding should be a top priority — and our readers seem to agree. Last year, the favorites included Parachute's sheets, which come in airy linen, smooth sateen, or lightweight percale. These sheets are pricier than many other options on the market, but their high-quality materials, craftsmanship, and design make them worth the price tag. You can read our review of Parachute sheets here



4. Allbirds sneakers

Wool Runners, $95, available at Allbirds

Allbirds have been dubbed "the world's most comfortable shoes" for their soft, breathable, and supportive construction. Whether it's the wool runners, loungers, or tree skippers, Allbirds are always a popular choice among Insider Picks readers — including last year on Black Friday. 



5. Anker Powerline Cable

Anker Powerline (6 foot) Lightning Cable, $10.99, available at Amazon

A 6-foot-long charging cable gives you maximum flexibility to charge your phone, even when an outlet is far away. That plus the quick charging speed makes this a really practical Black Friday purchase. 



6. Brooklinen bedding

Brooklinen Bedding, from $99, available at Brooklinen

We're big fans of Brooklinen, the direct-to-consumer brand that sells luxurious bedding for a great value. Last year, our readers loved Brooklinen too, using Black Friday to stock up on options like the classic percale, luxe sateen, and linen sheets

 

 

 



7. 23andMe and Ancestry.com DNA tests

23andMe DNA Test, $79, available at Amazon 

AncestryDNA Test, $119, available at Amazon

If the increasing popularity of DNA test kits tells us anything, it's that we're all pretty interested in learning more about our roots. So interested, in fact, that we now even have the option to test the DNA of our pets. Our ever-growing fascination with where we come from explains why these DNA testing kits were top sellers among Business Insider readers last Black Friday.



8. Instant Pot

Instant Pot DUO80, $99, available at Amazon

The Instant Pot will probably be a fan favorite for years to come. After all, it combines seven kitchen appliances in one and can cook meals quickly, all for a reasonable price. Pair it with these accessories to get even more use out of it and expand the recipe possibilities.



9. Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones, $129, available at Amazon

Bose makes some of the best noise-canceling headphones out there, but they don't come cheap. The QuietComfort Headphones combine Bose's quality noise-cancellation technology with an extremely comfortable, flexible fit. It's no surprise that our readers jumped on the opportunity to snag these headphones on sale last year



10. Braun Electric Razor

Braun Series 7 790cc Electric Razor, $174.98, available at Amazon

Braun's electric razors promise a clean shave, even in those hard-to-reach areas. This one even has Intelligent Sonic technology which automatically increases the razor's power when it comes in contact with denser patches of hair. The high-tech gadget is pricey, which explains why so many of our readers took advantage of the Black Friday discount. 



11. OXO Grape Cutter

OXO Tot Grape Cutter, $10.74. available at Amazon

Grapes make for a delicious snack, but are easy to choke on — especially for young kids. This little gadget cuts grapes quickly and easily, so you can give your tot a safer snack. It works just as well for adults who prefer cut grapes, and grape tomatoes, too. 



12. Mophie Wireless Charger

Mophie Wireless Charging Pad, $57.97, available at Amazon

A wireless charging pad — which you literally just drop your phone onto when you need a charge — feels futuristic. It's easy to use, makes a great addition to any room, and is a nice gift for tech lovers, so we're not surprised it was a bestseller last year. 

 



13. Amazon Echo Dot

Echo Dot (3rd Generation), $34.99, available at Amazon

The Echo Dot is small but packs a punch with all its capabilities. Use it to call, shop, play music, set a timer, and control other parts of your home by connecting it to other smart home devices. If you need more convincing, nearly 80,000 people have given this convenient device a five-star rating.



14. Ring Video Doorbell

Ring Video Doorbell 2, $199, available at Amazon

The Ring Video Doorbell lets you monitor what's happening outside your front door whether you're in sitting in your home or somewhere far away. Last year, a great Black Friday deal led many of our readers to swap their regular doorbells for Ring Doorbells instead. 



15. Leesa mattress

Leesa Mattress, from $899 for a full, available at Leesa

Sapira Mattress, from $1,399 for a full, available at Leesa

As we mentioned before, investing in a great night's sleep is a no-brainer, given how much of our lives are spent sleeping. That's why we think a great mattress is so important — and clearly our readers do, too. Last year, Leesa mattresses came out on top. The Leesa is an all-memory foam option, and the Sapira, a memory foam and spring hybrid — both are seriously comfortable.



16. Amazon Smart Plug

Amazon Smart Plug, $24.99, available at Amazon

You've probably, at least once, been in the predicament of questioning whether or not you unplugged your devices after you've left the house. A smart plug lets you control your outlets from your smartphone, no matter where you are — therefore quelling any fears that you left the toaster on or a hot iron plugged in. It's also compatible with Alexa if you want to go hands-free.

 



17. Philips Hue starter kit

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit, $89.99, available at Amazon

The Philips Hue Ambiance Starter Kit is our top pick for the best smart light bulbs you can buy, and last year, our readers loved them, too. They're easy to set up and use, are compatible with Alexa, and lets you set the right mood with their 16 million color options. 



18. Dash Rapid Egg Cooker

Dash Rapid Egg Cooker, $14.99, available at Amazon

On busy mornings, all you need is a few eggs and this little kitchen gadget to get breakfast in a flash. It's inexpensive, easy to use, and can make all your favorite egg preparations with pretty much just the push of a button. 

 



19. Fire TV Stick

Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote, $49.99, available at Amazon

As an owner of a Fire TV Stick myself, I can attest to the convenience of the streaming media player. This device puts all your streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, HBO NOW, and YouTube, in one place so you can easily navigate through them all. Outside of your home, you can pick up right where you left off by plugging the Fire TV Stick into any TV's HDMI port and connecting to Wi-Fi.



20. Anova Culinary Sous Vide

Anova Culinary Sous Vide, $199.99, available at Amazon 

If making restaurant-quality meals from the comfort of your own kitchen sounds too good to be true, you need to try using a sous vide. This little kitchen gadget will help you make delicious, juicy cuts of meat, plus it's super easy for cooks of all levels to use.

 




Céline Dion is 2019's queen of celebrity fashion. These were her best looks of the year.

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Celine Dion

Céline Dion has always had a great sense of style, but in 2019 the pop icon had a fashion revival — and everyone noticed. 

Dion, 51, has been making headlines for her showstopping looks all year, thanks in part to the help of stylists Law Roach, Sydney Lopez, and Pepe Muñoz. 

From monochrome suits to elegant gowns, Dion has proven that she has the range both on and off the stage. 

Here's a look at Céline Dion's best outfits of 2019. 

In January, Dion turned to a classic thigh-high slit while attending the Alexandre Vauthier show during Paris Fashion Week.

She paired the sparkly dress with classic black pumps.



Dion then proved that she's one of the best at pulling off a chic power suit.

She wore a metallic gray suit by Ronald Van Der Kemp for the designer's show in January.



She then put an unexpected chic spin on a classic prairie dress.

Dion wore a ruffled floral dress by Batsheva with a green jacket and burgundy boots by Gabriela Hearst.



She also put a daring sheer spin on the jumpsuit trend in January.

The singer wore a plunging Alexandre Vauthier jumpsuit with a black sheer bandeau. She added $1,325 booties by Jimmy Choo to complete the look. 



Dion then stole the show in a billowing tulle coat by Oscar de la Renta.

The $2,443 eye-catching coat featured an oversized bow tied at the waist, which she wore over a black mock-neck top and matching skirt by The Row.



She was then spotted on the streets of Paris in a neon-yellow ensemble.

She paired a bright-yellow maxi dress with a gray wool sweater and $1,160 chunky sneakers, all from Maison Margiela. 



In January, she was spotted in a head-turning look from Calvin Klein.

She wore a light-blue blazer over an orange-red sweater and black trousers, while her red Saint Laurent pumps added an extra pop of color. The most eye-catching part of the look was the leopard-print waist apron, an unexpected and daring accessory.



In February, Dion proved she could still make an all-black ensemble completely eye-catching.

She paired a long black coat with matching flowy pants and boots.



In May, she completely nailed the "camp" theme for the 2019 Met Gala.

She wore an Oscar de la Renta bodysuit embellished with sparkly sequins and draped with fringe. The feathered headpiece took the ensemble to the next level.



In June, she was spotted wearing a $4,400 Chanel jumpsuit in Paris ahead of Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week.

Dion upped the sparkle factor by adding a $1,650 belt that made it loud and clear she was wearing a Chanel ensemble. She completed the look with a pair of $815 Gianvito Rossi suede sandals, bringing the total cost of her outfit to $6,865.



She later changed into an equally eye-catching and colorful ensemble.

She opted for a $1,915 feathered pink top by Attico, which she paired with high-waisted jeans for a casual touch. Dion also accessorized with a Fendi purse, which the Daily Mail reported is worth $3,364, as well as a pair of fuzzy pink shoes to match her top.



She then changed into a pink party dress by Miu Miu.

The hot-pink dress featured plenty of ruffles and a black bow atop its thigh-high slit.



She then paired an eye-catching yellow skirt with mismatched pumps.

Dion wore a pair of $750 mismatched leather pumps by Jimmy Choo. The right shoe features a yellow base with a white pointed toe, while the left shoe has a white base with a black pointed toe.

The shoes may have been mismatched, but they perfectly coordinated with her ensemble.



Dion ended June with a photo shoot outside of the Eiffel Towel in an outfit that mixed a variety of colors.

She wore a long-sleeve, multicolored dress with an oversized green bow at the waist. Dion paired the dress with dark-red stockings, white peep-toe heels, and an edgy spiked choker necklace.



She later changed into a fluffy, camouflage-print coat.

She wore the unique coat with $1,537 boots by Prada.



She started July with a navy-and-black ensemble for the Schiaparelli show during Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week.

Her open-toe boots added a pop of color to the look, which she topped off with a matching fascinator.



She then stepped out in one of her most daring looks yet.

Dion wore a design by Iris van Herpen which featured wavy transparent layers.



She then opted for a more ethereal look while attending the Alexandre Vauthier show during Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week.

She wore a bridal-style white gown by the designer with long billowing sleeves.



Dion later switched into a more casual ensemble that paid tribute to both the City of Lights and Paris Hilton.

Dion's "I Love Paris Hilton" T-shirt first appeared on the runway for Vetements' Spring 2020 collection, according to Vogue.

She paired the casual shirt with an oversized plaid blazer with slits down the sleeves, as well as a black skirt that matched her handbag and pumps. 



She then sported a gorgeous feathered dress by Valentino for the designer's show during Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week.

Dion paired the turtleneck dress with silver heels and a metallic bag.



Dion has never shied away from color, which she proved in this head-to-toe turquoise number.

Dion's monochrome look came straight from the Max Mara 2019 fall runway. She kept warm from the New York chill with a $3,690 teddy coat, which she wore over a $420 skirt and $45 tights. She finished the look with a pair of $955 turquoise leather thigh-high boots, which are also from Max Mara, and a turquoise fanny pack that was draped across her chest.



Dion continued her monochrome theme with an all-red pantsuit.

Dion looked holiday-ready as she promoted her new album in New York. The singer sported showstopping satin red pants, along with a red velvet blazer, Burgundy turtleneck, and $1,490 platform red heels. 

The entire look comes from Tom Ford's fall 2019 collection, according to Footwear News



That same night, Dion switched to an all-denim ensemble that looked straight out of the '90s.

Dion sported a denim smoking jacket and pleated denim trousers by couture fashion label Ronald van der Kemp. She also accessorized her look with an $860 zebra-print handbag by Wandler



Dion then switched to a glamorous silver ensemble as she continued her promotional tour in New York City.

Dion paired Rodarte's $2,690 pleated lamé blouse, complete with a ruffled collar, with the designer's $2,485 wide-leg pants, according to InStyle



Dion opted for two Chanel bags as she sported this all-black ensemble in New York City.

Dion sported black leather snakeskin-print pants with a tweed jacket from Chanel that featured gold accents. She also carried two quilted Chanel bags with a combined worth of more than $10,000. 



Elon Musk said he's excited about Ford's $43,895 Mustang Mach-E electric SUV — here's how it will stack up against Tesla's $39,000 Model Y (TSLA, F)

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Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford unveiled a new electric crossover SUV, the Mustang Mach-E, on Sunday in Los Angeles. Set for release at the end of next year, the Mustang Mach-E's most high-profile competition will be Tesla's Model Y crossover SUV, also due to be released next year.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said the electric-car maker's primary goal is to speed up the replacement of fossil fuels by sustainable forms of energy, which includes encouraging other automakers to introduce more electric vehicles. He congratulated Ford on the Mustang Mach-E on Monday, saying it would inspire Ford's competitors to transition away from gas-powered vehicles.

Of course, Musk would likely prefer that electric-vehicle customers choose the Model Y over the Mustang Mach-E.

Here's how the two vehicles stack up.

SEE ALSO: We drove a $250,000 Lamborghini Urus SUV to see if the 2019 Car of the Year runner-up was equal to the hype — here's the verdict

The Model Y will be less expensive.

Both the Mustang Mach-E and the Model Y will have multiple trims. The least expensive Model Y trim is expected to start at $39,000 and arrive in 2020. The least expensive Mustang Mach-E trim is expected to start at $43,895 and will also be released in 2020. 



The Model Y and Mustang Mach-E will have the same maximum range.

Both the Model Y and the Mustang Mach-E will have a maximum range of 300 miles, Tesla and Ford have said.



Both will be available next year, though Tesla says the Model Y will be available sooner.

Tesla has said it expects Model Y deliveries to begin next summer, while Ford is targeting late next year for the first Mustang Mach-E deliveries.



It is not yet clear which vehicle will have quicker acceleration.

Tesla has said the quickest Model Y trim will be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Ford said it was targeting a 0 to 60 time "in the mid three-second range" for the quickest version of the Mustang Mach-E but did not specify the exact time it hopes to achieve.



The Model Y will be able to seat more people.

The Model Y will be able to seat up to seven adults, according to Tesla, while Ford said the Mustang Mach-E would be able to seat five.



The Model Y will have more cargo space.

The Model Y will have a maximum of 66 cubic feet of cargo space, Tesla said, while Ford said the Mustang Mach-E would have up to 64.4 cubic feet of cargo space.



The Model Y will be able to charge faster.

The Model Y will be able to receive 168 miles from a 15-minute charge at a Tesla Supercharger station, according to Tesla. Ford said the Mustang Mach-E would be able to receive 47 miles of range from a 10-minute charge at a DC fast-charging station.



The Model Y will have access to more charging stations.

Both Model Y and Mustang Mach-E customers will have access to public charging stations from companies like ChargePoint, Electrify America, and EVGo, but Model Y customers will also have access to Tesla's Supercharger stations, which are not compatible with non-Tesla vehicles.

Tesla has over 1,600 Supercharger stations and more than 14,400 plugs in North America.



Some of the Mustang Mach-E's tech features appear to be inspired by Tesla.

Many settings on the Mustang Mach-E will be controlled through a 15.5-inch touchscreen, the vehicle will be able to receive over-the-air software updates, and owners will be able to open the vehicle with their phones. All three features have long been available for Tesla vehicles and will be included in the Model Y.



Both will have semiautonomous driver-assistance systems.

Both the Model Y and the Mustang Mach-E will have semiautonomous driver-assistance systems that can handle steering, braking, and acceleration in some circumstances, though the systems require driver supervision at all times. Tesla's system, Autopilot, has some optional features, like the ability to make lane changes, that Ford's system, Co-Pilot360 Assist, does not.



Your ultimate guide to holiday gift ideas for 2019 — from gifts under $100, $50, and $25, to the coolest tech gifts out there

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IP Holiday Gift Guides Landing Page 4x3

Despite all the festive cheer and time with loved ones that come with the holiday season, it can also be a stressful time if you plan on buying gifts for everyone in your life.

Every year, Insider Picks creates dozens of gift guides to help you find the best Christmas gifts out there — for any budget, hobby or interest, and person. You can find all our holiday gift guides on this page, but to make it even easier on you, we've also rounded up and categorized them below. 

Consider this your ultimate cheat sheet to knocking out your gift shopping for the year. Click on a link below to jump directly to all the gift guides in that category. 

Here's a master list of all our holiday gift guides: 



The elements of a good present — thoughtful, useful, or novel — aren't restricted to a big budget.

It's tough to be a tech enthusiast when the market is full of expensive gadgets. Some of the best tech gifts, however, won't cost more than $25. 

Stocking stuffers have a reputation for being cute but useless. These small gifts challenge that perception.

Surprise your friendly neighborhood mailman or the cousin you only ever see at the big family holiday gathering with a thoughtful stocking stuffer. 

Grab these beauty stocking stuffers from brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Guerlain, and Givenchy. 





Whether you're searching for practical, nostalgic, quirky, or sentimental, there's an under-$50 gift from brands big and small in this guide. 

Not only are all these gifts affordable, but they're also available on a shopping site you know well. 

When it comes to gifting your own mother, the saying "it's the thought that counts" has never been more appropriate. 

Kitchen gifts don't have to be expensive. Even a simple and practical accessory like a ramekin or avocado slicer will make them happy. 

A good manager isn't easy to come by. Show your appreciation with a useful, thoughtful, and work-appropriate gift.

Gift the coworker who you Slack incessantly and is your go-to partner at office happy hours. 

Gift swaps reward the niche, novel, and irreverent, with bonus points going to those who can check the boxes of funny and useful.

Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for your sister, mom, partner, or otherwise, we've put together a list of over 50 great gifts under $50 that we think she'll love. 

The unique selection of gifts includes picks for every sort of dad, from the hapless car-key-losing fool to the history buff and the masterful (and not-so-masterful) home chef. 





With a $100 budget, you can buy anything from a smart speaker to an educational cooking class

Most people automatically think cool tech has to be expensive. Wireless earbuds, fitness trackers, and smart lights prove the assumption wrong. 

Here's a double whammy: fast Prime shipping and under $100. 

If you're not already one of their favorite students, you surely will be after they receive something from this list. 



Gift swaps reward the niche, novel, and irreverent, with bonus points going to those who can check the boxes of funny and useful.

Stocking stuffers have a reputation for being cute but useless. These small gifts challenge that perception.

Surprise your friendly neighborhood mailman or the cousin you only ever see at the big family holiday gathering with a thoughtful stocking stuffer. 



When it comes to gifting your own mother, the saying "it's the thought that counts" has never been more appropriate.

Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for your sister, mom, partner, or otherwise, we've put together a list of over 50 great gifts under $50 that we think she'll love. 

You won't find bedazzled, dumbed down, and all-pink tech gadgets here. These gifts are both stylish and powerful. 

Grandma is another important woman in your life who you know always has your back. Show her the love and appreciation she deserves with these gifts. 

We give you more than three dozen gift ideas that make gifting your partner infinitely easier this year. 

You don't need to spend a crazy amount of money or plan an extravagant gesture to show your wife you appreciate her. 

Nordstrom carries some of the best brands in beauty and skin care, like everyday makeup from Anastasia Beverly Hills and luxurious creams from La Mer. 

Sephora, of course, features no shortage of cool beauty and skin-care gifts. We look forward to shopping its beauty exclusives every year. 

Beauty sets are pre-curated, gift-ready, and more affordable than if you bought all the products individually. 

Grab these beauty stocking stuffers from brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Guerlain, and Givenchy. 

Not only are you reminding them to take care of themselves, but good skin lasts way longer than a box of chocolates. 

This guide's author has a teen sister herself and has many fun ideas as a result. 

Any mom, tech-savvy or no, can appreciate a good gadget that makes her life easier and happier.



Every gift he could ever want, from a fidget toy to luxury sheets, can be found on Amazon. 

Dads always say they never want anything, but we came up with 50 gift ideas for you anyways. 

Some of these gifts for your husband might even benefit the entire family, so it's a cost-efficient, win-win situation. 

If you have a specific budget you're working with, you'll find affordable yet useful gifts in this guide. 

Here's a double whammy: fast Prime shipping and under $100. 

Make his travels more enjoyable, restful, and convenient with gifts like comfortable shoes and a streaming service subscription.

The unapologetic Disney dad in your life might love a Disney Plus subscription, retro Magic Kingdom sweatshirt, and Mickey Mouse watch. 

 



Most people automatically think cool tech has to be expensive. Wireless earbuds, fitness trackers, and smart lights prove the assumption wrong. 

You won't find bedazzled, dumbed down, and all-pink tech gadgets here. These gifts are both stylish and powerful. 

Whether they have the newest iPhone or are still hanging on to their iPhone 6, they'll love these small upgrades to their phone. 

"Alexa..." Listen to music, call a friend, and change the room's temperatures with these smart home products. 

It's tough to be a tech enthusiast when the market is full of expensive gadgets. Some of the best tech gifts, however, won't cost more than $25. 

In an iPhone-driven world, it's actually not as difficult as you think to gift an Android owner. 

Any mom, tech-savvy or no, can appreciate a good gadget that makes her life easier and happier.

It can be hard to figure out which tech gifts teens are actually excited about. 



The best subscription services help your recipient discover something new or make their everyday life a little easier. 

Etsy is a treasure trove for handmade goods. Even better, these ones ship for free. 

Using the Amazon Gift Finder tool, we found some cool gifts that makes shopping on the site feel less impersonal. 

As its name suggests, UncommonGoods is filled with non-generic and memorable gifts. You're guaranteed to find something truly unique here. 

The TV show "Shark Tank" never ceases to entertain and inspire us with its innovative products and hardworking entrepreneurs. 

In the place known as "the everything store," we show you the most interesting gift finds. 

Shopping sustainably and responsibly doesn't have to stop during the holidays.

A gift isn't truly unique until it has a personalized mark on it — like a monogram, their favorite song, or their specific flavor preferences. 

Make your memories official with a photo book, calendar, canvas print, and more. 

While the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah isn't rooted in gifting, it's become commonplace to give gifts over the course of the holiday.

This underrated section of Amazon combines the unique product selection of sites like Etsy and UncommonGoods with the convenience of the Amazon shopping experience. 

Beyond the usual fart jokes and political gags, there are gifts that are actually funny and memorable. 

The special animal in your life — be it a dog, cat, lizard, or fish — deserves a gift, too. 

The guide includes helpful labels for which age group each gift is appropriate. 



Carrying legacies like KitchenAid and Le Creuset to modern classics like Instant Pot, specialty shop Williams Sonoma proves it's serious about cooking. 

Sur La Table has a great selection of gifts for cooks of all levels. Or, if your recipient would rather eat than cook, it has gifts for foodies, too. 

In addition to devising creative and delicious recipes, Food52 sells kitchen products, including ones from its own in-house brand. 

They'll always have a meal, dessert, or drink ready on the table with one of these cookbooks in hand.

Kitchen gifts don't have to be expensive. Even a simple and practical accessory like a ramekin or avocado slicer will make them happy. 

Host gifts are never really necessary, but they are a nice way to show your appreciation that someone invited you over, be it for holidays or casual hangouts. 

The pros tell us what to give someone who loves being in the kitchen.  They personally use these tools and appliances in their professional or home kitchens. 

In order to create its candles, Homesick Candles polled people from different states and cities to find out what home smells like to them. 



If they have a sweet tooth, they won't be disappointed by the delectable cookies, truffles, and cake from the New York City-based Milk Bar.

Goldbelly makes it possible to satisfy their most specific cravings wherever they live in the US — a cheesecake from Junior's, deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati, and more. 

There's no such thing as too much tea or teapots, at least according to this guide written by our editor and self-professed tea lady. 

They include the usual (chocolate, cheese, wine) and the unusual (Japanese snacks, tea "drops"). 



Fuel their passion for songs, bands, instruments, and genres of all types.

Whether they're climbing, fly fishing, camping, surfing, or just hanging out at the beach, there are certain pieces of equipment that are plainly and simply essential.

Arm them with the gear that they can wear to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or decor that shows off their Gryffindor pride. 

This guide is filled with hands-on gift options, including a lightsaber, huge Lego set, or a slime kit.

Mickey Mouse is 91 years old this year and we have 30 gifts that pay homage to this iconic Disney mascot. 

The unapologetic Disney dad in your life might love a Disney Plus subscription, retro Magic Kingdom sweatshirt, and Mickey Mouse watch. 

While Marvel primarily exists in comic book and movie form, there is a thriving market of Marvel-inspired goods and merchandise.

The binge-worthy show has spawned plenty of fun gift ideas.  

Most golfers love trying out new equipment, which means a golf gift is always appreciated and almost certainly will be used, no matter the outdoor conditions. 

Make his travels more enjoyable, restful, and convenient with gifts like comfortable shoes and a streaming service subscription.

Jumpstart their fitness goals for the new year with the appropriate gear or memberships. 



Procrastinators, this is the guide for you. As long as you're a Prime member, you can get any of these cool gifts in two days. 

Using the Amazon Gift Finder tool, we found some cool gifts that makes shopping on the site feel less impersonal. 

Not only are all these gifts affordable, but they're also available on a shopping site you know well. 

In the place known as "the everything store," we show you the most interesting gift finds. 

Teenagers are notoriously difficult to find gifts for, so skip the headache and read this guide. 

This guide's author has a teen sister herself and has many fun ideas as a result. 

Every gift he could ever want, from a fidget toy to luxury sheets, can be found on Amazon. 

Beyond the usual fart jokes and political gags, there are gifts that are actually funny and memorable. 

Here's a double whammy: fast Prime shipping and under $100. 

Walk into a Nordstrom and you're bound to run into something worth gifting. Shop our picks for the best clothing, accessory, and home gifts. 

Nordstrom carries some of the best brands in beauty and skin care, like everyday makeup from Anastasia Beverly Hills and luxurious creams from La Mer. 

Sephora, of course, features no shortage of cool beauty and skin care gifts. We look forward to shopping its beauty exclusives every year. 

Carrying legacies like KitchenAid and Le Creuset to modern classics like Instant Pot, specialty shop Williams Sonoma proves it's serious about cooking. 

Sur La Table has a great selection of gifts for cooks of all levels. Or, if your recipient would rather eat than cook, it has gifts for foodies, too. 

In addition to devising creative and delicious recipes, Food52 sells kitchen products, including ones from its own in-house brand. 

Etsy is a treasure trove for handmade goods. Even better, these ones ship for free.

As its name suggests, UncommonGoods is filled with non-generic and memorable gifts. You're guaranteed to find something truly unique here. 

The TV show "Shark Tank" never ceases to entertain and inspire us with its innovative products and hardworking entrepreneurs. 

Urban Outfitters is known for its slightly kitschy but interesting accessories, home products, and tech gadgets.  



Nordstrom carries some of the best brands in beauty and skin care, like everyday makeup from Anastasia Beverly Hills and luxurious creams from La Mer. 

Sephora, of course, features no shortage of cool beauty and skin-care gifts. We look forward to shopping its beauty exclusives every year. 



Walmart has already launched early deals in anticipation of Black Friday — here's what's on sale now and what to expect on November 29

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Black Friday is coming up quickly, but for some retailers like Walmart, the big holiday sales event has already begun. 

Online and offline, Walmart is one of the most popular retailers to shop during Black Friday. This year, you can once again expect great deals on all the products you need for gifting and personal use

You can now shop the best early Black Friday deals from Walmart's Deal Drops.

Shop the best early Walmart Black Friday 2019 deals by category:

  1. TV deals: Up to 60% off
  2. Smart home deals: Up to 50% off
  3. Wearable deals: Up to 30% off 
  4. Video game deals: Up to 35% off 
  5. Kitchen appliance deals: Up to 40% off 

How we selected the best deals at Walmart:

  • We only chose products that meet our high standard of coverage, and that we've either used ourselves or researched carefully.
  • We compared the prices against other retailers like Target and Amazon and only included the deals that are the same or better (not including promotional discounts that come from using certain credit cards).
  • All deals are at least 20% off, with the occasional exception for products that are rarely discounted or provide an outsized value.

Shop the best of Walmart's Deal Drops:

1. Apple iPad (6th Gen) 128GB Wi-Fi

Best Buy and Target are also selling this 2018 model, 6th generation iPad, but you'll get the best Black Friday price at Walmart. It may not be the newest iPad, but it's still the best one you can buy because it has nearly all the same features as the more expensive iPad Air — just an older processor. The 6th-gen iPad features a sharp screen, high-end metal design, Apple Pencil support, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and a generous 128 GB storage. 



2. Apple AirPods with Charging Case

AirPods don't go on sale often, so when they do, you should take advantage of the opportunity. On Amazon, the new AirPods Pro are $15 off (now $235), but if you're not looking to spend more than $200 and you prefer to shop on Walmart, the original AirPods are still a powerful and convenient alternative. 



3. Powerbeats3 Wireless Earphones

The Powerbeats3 are one of the most popular models from Beats. Its comfortable earhooks make them optimal for workouts, they have a 12-hour battery life, and when they're close to your Apple device, they'll automatically pair. This particular set on sale is cool because it comes in four bright and eye-catching color options, instantly differentiating them from other earphones. 



4. KitchenAid Classic Plus 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

There's a reason why a KitchenAid stand mixer is considered a countertop staple. The 4.5-quart bowl is up for any mixing challenge, featuring 10 different speeds to help you mix, knead, and whip up ingredients. If you're a beginner baker on a budget, we recommend this mixer because it's versatile, dependable, and quiet. Compared to other stand mixer models, it has the least powerful motor. 



5. Shark Ion Robot Vacuum Cleaning System

Save time and energy on cleaning tasks by getting a robot vacuum. The S86 is one of Shark's older vacuums, which might explain why it's enjoying such a large discount. Still, it's efficient and smart. It's able to navigate around your home thanks to sensitive sensors, and you can schedule cleaning sessions from anywhere with the Robot app. If you have a pet that always sheds hair, this vacuum with powerful suction and an extra-large dust bin is your best bet for cleaning up after it. 



6. Google Smart TV Kit

You probably can't go a day without using Google at least once. The Google Home Mini captures the capabilities of Google Assistant and the Google search engine in a tiny device and can accomplish a huge number of tasks, from giving you a preview of your week's schedule to controlling your smart home devices. This Walmart Exclusive pairs it with a TV streamer that lets you stream entertainment right from your phone. 



7. Google Smart Light Starter Kit

If you already have a TV streaming device that you love, another Google Home bundle you might like is the starter kit to a smart lighting setup. The GE bulb screws on like a regular light bulb, but is much cooler than your average light bulb. You can dim the lights, turn them on and off, and create routines so you never have to get up to hit the light switch again. 



8. Farberware 3.2 Quart Digital Air Fryer

People who own air fryers love the appliances for letting them "fry" their favorite foods without oil. Most models cost at least $50, but you can get this Farberware digital air fryer for an affordable price this Black Friday, lowering the barriers of entry to healthier and faster cooking. 



9. HP 14 Laptop

Start the new year with a new laptop that doesn't cost a fortune. This HP laptop offers a fast experience and long battery life (plus it can charge from 0% to 50% in just 45 minutes). It's thin and fairly light at 3.24 pounds, so it won't weigh you down as you trek around campus or the city. 



Walmart Black Friday 2019 FAQs:

Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving?

Walmart will be open on Thanksgiving, with stores operating at regular hours. Check your local Walmart store's hours to see what time it opens on Thanksgiving. 

When does Walmart's Black Friday sale start? 

Walmart has already launched its "Early Deals Drops," which you can shop below. We'll be showing you more of all the best deals here as we learn about them.

Last year, Walmart opened its doors at 6 p.m. local time on Thanksgiving (November 22), but online deals on products like LED TVs and laptops began showing up as early as November 8. The bulk of official Black Friday deals went live one day before Thanksgiving. 

What should you buy?

According to shopping experts, the best deals will be on the following products: TVs, smart home devices, gaming consoles, video games, and kitchen appliances. 

Here's where you can find the top brands in each of those categories on Walmart's website: 

Walmart Black Friday deal predictions

Many of the same products go on sale every year, so you can use the following as a cheat sheet to Walmart's deals this year. Note: The information reflects last year's prices. 

Learn more about Black Friday deals and shopping tips: 



See more Black Friday sales and deals



13 photos show Sydney under a blanket of smoke as bushfires continue to ravage the region

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sydney smoke

  • Sydney, Australia's most populated city, is being choked by a thick blanket of smoke from nearby brushfires. 
  • At least six people have died since the fires started, and more than 420 homes have been destroyed in the past two weeks alone.
  • Pictures of the city show Sydney's most iconic areas appear completely gray. 

Australia's most populated city was covered with a thick blanket of smoke on Tuesday as bushfires in nearby regions continue to cause devastating damage to Australian communities and wildlife. 

A series of major wildfires have hit Australia's eastern coastal states of New South Wales and Queensland. As of 4 p.m. local time on Tuesday, there were several major bushfires burning in New South Wales, the nearest one in Gosper's Mountain located some 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Sydney. 

According to the New South Wales air quality control index, areas in Sydney's north-west and east reported "hazardous" levels of pollutants in the air. The government warned that conditions would be "unhealthy for sensitive people, and could cause symptoms, especially in people with heart or lung disease."

The heavy smoke made Sydney the 12th worst city in the world for air quality, behind global hubs with notoriously bad air quality like Delhi, Mumbai, and Mongolia's capital of Ulaanbaatar. 

According to the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, in addition to the smokey haze, Sydney was also experiencing a heatwave with temperatures soaring to 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit). 

Sydney is home to around 5 million people, equal to roughly one-fifth of the country's population of 25 million. 

Here are 13 pictures that show Sydney under siege as fires continue to rage in the distance. 

The entire Sydney skyline was clouded by smoke on Tuesday.



New South Wales remains under severe or very high fire danger warnings.



In Sydney's Central area, tall skyscrapers were barely visible in the distance.



The iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge were heavily obstructed from view.



The sprawling city skyline was dark and gloomy.



Major tourists sites were completely gray.



More than 420 homes have been destroyed in the past two weeks alone.

Source: The Guardian 



The New South Wales Rural Fire Service warned that the smoke is "likely to hang around for the next few days."

Source: The Guardian 



Scientists have said that Australia's fire season is beginning earlier and becoming more extreme as a result of climate change.



Still, Australian officials have been quiet on the links between climate change and bushfires that are intensifying as Australia approaches summer.

Source: The Guardian 



Smoke could be seen from planes flying in from interstate.

 



Some social media users were surprised that a fire 200 kilometers away caused so much smoke.

 



Six people have been killed by the bushfires which officials called "unprecedented."

Source: BBC



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