Quantcast
Channel: Business Insider
Viewing all 76301 articles
Browse latest View live

One of the top wedding dress designers in the world won't hesitate to tell a bride to rethink a wedding

0
0

pnina tornai

  • Pnina Tornai, a designer on TLC show "Say Yes To The Dress" sees 90 to 120 brides a day at Kleinfeld Bridal, a world renowned bridal store in New York City.
  • If a bride comes to Tornai and expresses issues with a fiancé, she doesn't hesitate to tell them to postpone a wedding.
  • At a young age, Tornai was in an abusive marriage she has since left. Because of what she went through, Tornai is willing to put aside her wedding dresses to consult brides when needed.

Pnina Tornai, a designer on TLC's "Say Yes To The Dress" sees 90 to 120 brides a day at Kleinfeld, a world renowned bridal store in New York City.

If a bride discloses to Tornai that they have a rocky relationship, she doesn't hold back her advice, she said on an episode of Business Insider's podcast "This Is Success."

By the age of 23, she was married with child. "It was an abusive marriage," Tornai said. She has since divorced and remarried, but the experience has given her perspective that she thinks could be useful to other women.

"And you know, if a bride would come in and say to me that she's going through a very tough time with her fiancé and she's being disrespected or abused, I would always tell her the truth," Tornai said. "I would always tell her that these things do not get better, they only get worse, so maybe she should postpone, think about it."

While married, Tornai was pursuing a career in acting, but her then-husband put a stop to her dream job.

"At the time, I didn't have the luxury to really think twice whether I was doing the right thing or not. I became a mother at the age of 23, so everything happened in a way where I didn't think that pursuing my dream at the time was the most important thing," she said.

Now, if a bride comes to Tornai for a dress and expresses a similar experience with a fiancé, she doesn't hesitate to share her own story or advise a bride to postpone nuptials. 

Read more'Say Yes to the Dress' designer Pnina Tornai was rejected after flying 12 hours for a meeting, but soon after, she got the phone call that changed her career

"And every bride that would come to me with her story and tell me how she feels, sometimes also her hesitations and her hardships, I would always put aside the dress and make sure that I was giving her the right advice even if it meant to tell my bride to postpone a wedding," she said.

Still, those experiences with other brides can be triggering for Tornai.

"I remember moments where I heard a bride talking about her own story. I was strong for her, but I would go in the back of the store and burst in tears because it reminded me of my story," Tornai said.

She continued: "But you know what? Nobody promised us a rose garden, and the beauty in life is that if you are true to yourself and you walk your path, you can create quite a beautiful garden. We all have the abilities to do that."

SEE ALSO: 'Say Yes to the Dress' designer Pnina Tornai was rejected after flying 12 hours for a meeting, but soon after, she got the phone call that changed her career

DON'T MISS: 'Say Yes to the Dress' designer Pnina Tornai explains how she went from running a small shop in Israel to one of the world's most famous bridal labels

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A bride left at the altar donated her wedding reception to the homeless


One year after a strange saga where he was unable to shoot, Markelle Fultz looks like he's regressing again

0
0

Markelle Fultz

  • Markelle Fultz once again forgot how to shoot.
  • While taking free throws on Monday night, Fultz's disjointed form was jarring for fans who had thought he had made some progress through the offseason.
  • With Jimmy Butler now heading to Philadelphia and the 76ers in need of better shooting on the court, it remains to be seen how Fultz will fit into the team's plans.


Markelle Fultz is one of the most puzzling NBA players in recent memory.

The first overall draft pick in 2017, Fultz joined the 76ers after Philadelphia traded up to get him, and almost immediately forgot how to shoot.

Rumors of injury or a bad case of the yips circled Fultz as Philadelphia fans dissected tapes of him taking shots in the gym, but the free-flowing game that had made Fultz the consensus top player in the draft had all but disappeared.

Read more:The saga of Markelle Fultz — the No. 1 draft pick who has been out since October with a puzzling shoulder injury — continues to become more bizarre

Heading into the 2018-19 season, 76ers fans had high hopes that the old Fultz would re-establish himself and provide a spark for the team. He was inserted into the starting lineup, and while his shooting still wasn't great, the home crowd celebrated each one of his makes as if it was a game-winning bucket.

But on Monday night, with the 76ers facing the Miami Heat, Fultz's yips once again came to the forefront, with a trio of ugly free throws. Standing at the line, Fultz's attempts look hesitant, as if he's never played basketball before and is unsure as to whether or not scoring would be good for his side.

The hitch in his form looks uncomfortable and quickly drew comparisons on Twitter to Charles Barkley's infamously disjointed golf swing.

Beyond just his shooting form, Fultz has also once again shied away from the three-point line, having not attempted a triple in his past seven games. With the 76ers shipping away both Robert Covington and Dario Saric as a part of the package to bring Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia, Butler and J.J. Redick are left as, essentially, the only deep threats on the roster.

The 76ers have a lot of decisions to make now that they've officially made the jump from playing for picks to playing for titles.

While it's just one especially bad clip that has once again caught the attention of NBA fans who are still wondering just how it all went wrong for Fultz in the first place, should his shooting continue to regress, it will be interesting to see how he fits into the 76ers plan moving forward.

SEE ALSO: Carmelo Anthony's time with the Rockets appears to be ending after just 12 games, and other players are coming to in his defense

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Inside an intense training session where aspiring WWE wrestlers learn how to fight

California's devastating Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise, and some residents don't think they'll return

0
0

Chris and Nancy Brown embrace while searching through the remains of their home, leveled by the Camp Fire, in Paradise, California.

  • Paradise, California, a town of 27,000, was destroyed by the Camp Fire last week. 
  • Resident Kelsey Wray-Guenza said she fears a fire could come to Paradise again, and says it's not worth returning. 
  • Laurel Merz, who lived in Paradise for two-and-a-half years, said returning to the town wouldn't be practical when she has to get her kids back in school. 

As residents of Paradise, California, cope with their town being leveled by the devastating Camp Fire, some say they won't return to the city.

The fire has killed 42 people in Northern California, making it the deadliest in state history. Hundreds more people are still missing.

So far, the fire has burned 125,000 acres and was just 30% contained as of Tuesday morning.

Residents were forced to flee Paradise, a town of 27,000, last Thursday in a mass exodus and they’re still coping with the fact that their city is gone.

Moving back isn't worth the risk

Kelsey Wray-Guenza, who lived in Paradise with her husband and two-year-old daughter, says moving back to the town would be too much of a risk.

She wants to return for closure and to see what happened to their home, but she thinks her family will move permanently elsewhere.

"Knowing something like this can happen, and so quickly, I wouldn't feel safe," she told INSIDER over Facebook.

Kelsey Wray Guenza's home after the fire

Wray-Guenza's family had lived in Paradise for five years.

She believes the family's pet pug died in the fire; Wray-Guenza said she wasn't able to return home to save the dog when she was given evacuation orders.

"I don't know what's next for us, it's very painful to think about everything we lost," Wray Guenza said. "Our home burned to the ground in the videos we've seen and everything we own and worked hard for is gone, including our pug, who was our baby."

Children have to get back to school while displaced

For Paradise resident Laurel Merz, returning to the town is a question of practicality. Merz's main concern is getting her children back in school. 

"We don't intend to leave this community. But we also have an obligation to our children to settle them and get them in school and start over," she told INSIDER over Facebook. "That isn't possible in Paradise for us right now. We'll likely settle and stay in Chico, should we find housing."

Merz and her family moved to Paradise from Oregon two-and-a-half years ago when her husband got a job at Butte College.

Laurel Merz's home before the fire.

Laurel Merz's home after the fire

They chose to settle down in Paradise because of its small-town feel and the kindness of the people who lived there.

"Nearly every one of my friends in Paradise lost their home," Merz said. "[We're] focused on what we have: Finding humor, getting closer as a family, and receiving so much love."

Since the Camp Fire started last Thursday, it has burned square miles (505 square kilometers) and destroyed more than 6,400 homes in Northern California, according to The Associated Press.


Read more: The death toll from California's fires has risen to 44, with thousands of homes destroyed in Malibu and Northern California


Five days after the fire leveled Paradise, officials are still unsure of the number of people missing, but the death toll is expected to rise.

Authorities plan to bring two mobile morgue units to the town and are requesting a team of 150 search and rescue personnel.

"I want to recover as many remains as we possibly can, as soon as we can. Because I know the toll it takes on loved ones," Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told The Associated Press.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This mind-melting thought experiment of Einstein's reveals how to manipulate time

The pound is rocketing on reports Brexit negotiators have reached a deal

0
0

Theresa May

  • Pound surges higher after reports that EU and UK negotiators have agreed a Brexit deal.
  • The pound is up more than 1.3% against the dollar on the day, and has climbed above the $1.30 mark.
  • It is also significantly higher against the euro.
  • Follow the pound's movements live at Markets Insider.

The pound is charging higher against other major currencies on Tuesday afternoon after reports that EU and UK negotiators have agreed a Brexit deal. A senior EU source confirmed those reports to Business Insider

Cabinet ministers are reportedly being briefed this evening ahead of an emergency Cabinet meeting that will take place on Wednesday, where May will aim to secure their agreement.

News of the reported agreement sent the pound — which is incredibly sensitive to Brexit developments — surging. Around 30 minutes after news first broke it is close to 1.4% higher against the dollar, breaking above the psychologically significant $1.30 mark.

The pound, which has been trading in positive territory all day, is also significantly higher against the euro, trading at €1.1539, a gain of close to 0.8%.

Market analysts greeted news of a possible deal warmly, but warned there are likely "plenty more bumps in the road ahead" for the pound, as the full substance of Brexit is agreed.

"Ultimately, the ability of sterling to build on these gains and gather some real momentum in the coming weeks hangs on May’s ability to convince her colleagues that this is the best deal on the table," Craig Erlam of OANDA said in an email.

"Given how the last 21 months have gone, I think there’s plenty more bumps in the road ahead which will ensure this is anything but an easy ride."

Here's how the pound looked around 4.35 p.m. GMT (11.35 a.m. ET):

Screen Shot 2018 11 13 at 16.36.33

SEE ALSO: Brexit has already hurt the City of London — here's a shopping list of all the damage so far

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 places you can't find on Google Maps

Amazon is essentially creating a new neighborhood in Virginia for its HQ2 (AMZN)

0
0

National Landing Amazon Arlington

  • Amazon's official announcement about its HQ2 decision has prompted a few questions about its upcoming Arlington, Virginia, location.
  • Amazon posted a statement saying that its new Virginia HQ2 would be located in National Landing.
  • This location appears to be a new Arlington neighborhood created with HQ2 in mind.
Arlington, Virginia, came out a winner in Amazon's grueling HQ2 competition — but one detail in the tech giant's announcement has left observers and Washington, DC-area natives scratching their heads.

The Seattle-based online retailer is slated to set up shop in National Landing, Virginia.

The only thing is, most Virginians haven't heard of National Landing before. The statement prompted suggestions that Crystal City, Virginia, was rebranding itself, the Washington Business Journal reported.

National Landing, Virginia, appears to be a brand-new neighborhood structured especially for HQ2's purposes. The place doesn't even have a Wikipedia page yet.

Read more: Amazon officially announces its HQ2 will be split between New York and Virginia

Fortunately, the official page for Northern Virginia's Amazon HQ2 bid has a section clearing up a bit of the mystery behind National Landing. The website marks a collaboration between the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Arlington County, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, and Loudoun County Economic Development.

The official page described National Landing as boasting 17 million feet of existing commercial space, 150 acres of land free for development, and 24,000 housing units within two miles that will prove "affordable at average Amazon income."

National Landing is comprised of three "connected urban districts": Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Potomac Yard. Its official web page also touted its status as a transport hub, promising residents that it's within walking distance to Reagan National Airport, the local bus system, the Metro, and the Virginia Railway express.

"The strength of our workforce coupled with our proximity to the nation's capital makes us an attractive business location," Arlington County board chair Katie Cristol said in Amazon's official statement.

"But Arlington's real strength is the decades of planning that have produced one of the most vibrant, civically engaged communities in the world. Those plans have paved the way for this investment, and we look forward to engaging the Arlington community about Amazon's plans and how we can grow together."

Read more about Amazon's HQ2 project:

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Amazon wants to open 3,000 cashier-less grocery stores — and they'll have a major advantage over their competitors

BANK OF AMERICA: There’s mounting evidence that the stock market will make an extreme move higher before the year ends — here’s where to invest now

0
0

traders

  • Historical patterns and key present-day indicators point to a rebound in the stock market before the end of the year, according to strategists at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. 
  • In the same breath, the analysts say they expect markets to get more volatile, and offer recommendations for what investors should buy.

It may not look likely right now, but the stock market is poised for a big rally into the end of the year, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch. 

In fact, the firm's strategists hold this conviction precisely because of the turmoil that has rocked stocks over the past several weeks. Investors hold painful memories of October because three of the most painful crashes ever — in 1929, 1987, and 2008 — happened then. And last month turned out to be the worst for stocks in seven years.

"October is known for sharp market declines, but also known for creating market lows that lift stocks into a year-end rally," Mary Ann Bartels, an investment and exchange-traded-fund strategist, said in a note. "We believe that the holiday rally is underway." 

Bartels recommends that investors focus on large cap, high-quality companies, and noted that healthcare stocks are currently showing market leadership. 

Read more:A $2 trillion strategist warns that a trap has formed in the biggest tech stocks — and pinpoints where you should put your money instead

She also laid out some positive catalysts that could lead to a rebound before the year runs out.

For one, when stocks sold off last month, their stretched valuations got reined in. In addition, the rate of earnings growth may be peaking, but overall profits are still positive. And also importantly, the US economy is still in solid shape. 

This expected rally won't be risk-free, however. Bartels anticipates that on the way up, stocks will get rockier due to the historical relationship between interest rates and volatility. 

Screen Shot 2018 11 13 at 10.34.52 AM

The gap between 2 and 10-year Treasury yields has narrowed to almost zero this year, meaning that traders are demanding an increasing premium for holding short-term bonds versus their longer-term counterparts. It's a dynamic that has historically revealed the market's concerns about economic growth, signaled a policy error from the Federal Reserve, and highlighted the competition that stocks faced from safer, higher-yielding assets.

Additionally, no recession since the 1960s has happened without a yield-curve inversion, which occurs when the 2- and 10-year yield spread falls below zero. It fell to an 11-year low of 19 basis points in August and was near 26 basis points on Tuesday.

All these factors contributed to more volatile stock trading, as measured by the Cboe's volatility index, or VIX.

"Higher interest rates and the changing shape of the yield curve informs us that volatility or more extreme price movement should be expected," Bartels said.  

There are other volatility triggers that bullish investors should consider. Within the stock market, Bartels said it was "concerning" that tech stocks, which until recently had led the market's gains, have not regained their footing after the recent correction.

On the macro side, Bartels points out the slowdown in the housing market as mortgage rates rise, China and trade concerns, and the prospect of the 10-year yield rising above 3.25%. Oil prices, which fell for a record 12th straight day on Tuesday, pose a risk to other markets if they continue to decline.

SEE ALSO: Morningstar's $207 billion CIO breaks down why investors have 'significantly overpaid' for the biggest tech stocks — and explains what they should be doing with their money instead

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 4 lottery winners who lost it all

Dave Chappelle photobombed a couple's engagement photo shoot: 'We couldn't believe it'

0
0

dave chappelle photo bomb

  • Dave Chappelle jumped into a couple's engagement shoot in Ohio.
  • He was at the brewery where the couple was taking photos. 
  • He initially declined to be in one, but then surprised them by deciding to pop in later. 

An Ohio couple was in for a surprise when Dave Chappelle photobombed their engagement photos. 

Emily Eldridge and Tommy Saunders were getting their photos taken at Yellow Springs Brewery in Yellow Springs, Ohio when Chappelle, who lives in the area, walked in. 

Jaycee Brammer, of Jaycee Marie Photography, told INSIDER in a Facebook message that her husband first noticed the comedian walk into the brewery. 

"We all wanted to be annoying and sneakily snap photos, but we didn't," she said. "Then, we went outside to take the photos because no one was out there. It was cold. As we were snapping away, Dave walked out."

She said Saunders walked over to Chappelle and asked if he would be in one of the couple's photos.

"Dave politely declined," Brammer said. "He said it just wasn't something he did. We were all very understanding. It’s his home town. He truly just came there to relax and have a beer."

Read more: 30 outrageous times when celebrities crashed weddings

Chappelle continued to have a conversation with them for a while before the couple resumed their photo shoot. 

"A few minutes later Dave said, 'OK, let me just photobomb one!'" Brammer said. "Then, he jumped in behind Emily and Tommy, and we were all cracking up. We couldn't believe it."

She walked over to show Chappelle the photos, and when he saw them, he said, "We're gonna go viral, man." 

Brammer shared the photos and the story on her Facebook and Instagram where it did go viral. 

Read more: 20 best celebrity photobombs from red carpets to award ceremonies

"So, I was shooting this engagement session at a brewery tonight and this dude photobombed us... idk, you may have heard of him. Dave something?? LOL NO FOR REAL GUYS!" she wrote on Facebook. THE Dave Chappelle photobombed our shoot. I'm going to have to quit photography now because how will I ever beat this?"

She said the social media reaction has been "crazy" so far. 

"We never imagined so many people would love our story," she said. "Once I posted it on Facebook the shares just kept growing and growing, and they still are. I'm honestly just happy to share a little good news in a time where we hear a lot of bad. It's been truly incredible." 

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 places you can't find on Google Maps

17 iconic characters that exist because of Stan Lee

0
0

hulk thor ragnarokLegendary comic book writer, editor, and publisher Stan Lee died on Monday.

The former president and chairman of Marvel comics has left behind many incredible creations and legacies and he was instrumental in helping to change the comic book world. Throughout his career, Lee was known for coming up with superheroes who were human, flawed, and relatable.

If it weren't for Lee's work, many of the superhero stories, characters, and movies that you know and love today probably wouldn't be around.

Here are just 17 of the many iconic Marvel franchises and characters that Stan Lee contributed to. 

The Fantastic Four debuted in 1961.

The Fantastic Four was Lee's first creation with artist Jack Kirby. After their debut in 1961, the characters broke out of the superhero stereotype and were portrayed with a lot of humanity— as individuals who dealt with real problems and sometimes made mistakes.

Often called "Marvel's First Family,"the Fantastic Four have appeared in animated series, multiple live-action films, and ongoing volumes of comics.



Spider-Man is one of Marvel's most successful characters.

Lee was the one who was behind Spider-Man, one of Marvel's most successful characters of all time and the most profitable comic book character ever since his debut in 1962.

Lee created Spider-Man with artist Steve Ditko because they wanted a unique hero people could relate to. Ditko died earlier this year.

Spider-Man was created when a nervous photographer named Peter Parker got bitten by a radioactive spider. He then found himself with a whole host of superhero powers. The story has inspired many films, comics, and television series.

Read More: 14 of the most iconic superhero suits of all time



The Incredible Hulk has appeared in multiple movies and shows.

Lee also created the Hulk with Kirby. First appearing in 1962, the Incredible Hulk's alter ego is Dr. Bruce Banner, a physically weak and quiet person.

After being exposed to gamma rays during the detonation of an experimental bomb, Banner transforms into a giant, angry green humanoid with incredible physical strength whenever he is going through emotional stress.

The Incredible Hulk has been a live-action series and the star of many films, as well as part of the Avengers.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I've lived near Long Island City for more than a decade. Here's why an Amazon HQ2 in Queens may be a disaster.

0
0

long island city 7 train mta queens boulevard sunset 2009 dave mosher

  • Amazon is splitting its second headquarters, known as HQ2, in two locations. Each will may attract about 25,000 new workers.
  • The company wants to put half of HQ2 in Long Island City, or LIC — the western-most neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City.
  • Developers have rapidly built up LIC in recent years, and local leaders promised $1.525 billion to attract Amazon.
  • But nearby housing prices continue to skyrocket. Many immigrant and working families in Queens are moving deeper into the borough and commuting farther to work to afford housing.
  • Public transportation is also already overcrowded.
  • In the coming decades, climate change and rising seas will chronically flood parts of LIC and possibly bury it underwater.

After months of speculation regarding where Amazon would seat its second headquarters, known as HQ2, the $1-trillion company has decided to split its new operation between Crystal City, Virginia, and Long Island City, Queens.

The decision became official on Tuesday.

"We are excited to build new headquarters in New York City and Northern Virginia," Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, said in an announcement on the company's blog, Day One. "These two locations will allow us to attract world-class talent that will help us to continue inventing for customers for years to come. The team did a great job selecting these sites, and we look forward to becoming an even bigger part of these communities."

I don't share Bezos' excitement about Amazon's arrival in my community.

What I feel is dread.

I've called Queens home for most of my adult life. It is perhaps the most ethnically diverse urban area on Earth, and it's also where I've built a career in journalism, stumbled out of and into love, discovered Kuala Lumpur-style fish-head curry, walked whole neighborhoods without hearing any English, and am now raising my first child.

My family lives in a one-bedroom apartment near Long Island City (or LIC, as locals abbreviate it). Frequent dog walks and a westward view from our kitchen window have given us a front-row seat to the area's radical transformation. When I moved here in 2007, LIC was a tangle of giant warehouses, crumbling parking structures, seedy night clubs, and mind-blowing graffiti.

Today it's almost unrecognizable. An impeccable public park lines the East River waterfront, and views of Manhattan's skyline — once easy to see from my street — have been walled off by gleaming, glass-covered condo towers.

Read more: New York City owns a creepy island that almost no one is allowed to visit — here's what it's like

I can see why Amazon would fix its gaze upon LIC and estimate a multi-billion-dollar boost to the local economy. The neighborhood is a stone's throw from Manhattan, sits fairly close to the city's three major international airports, touches several subway lines, and offers space to build and grow. Also, New York City is an incredible place to live — and thus a great way to attract talented employees, as Bezos said.

My "not in my backyard" angst doesn't come from a fear of change. An influx of skilled workers, a forward-thinking company, and increased tax revenue could fund a fantastic experiment in urban development.

Amazon, developers, and city officials could band together to create climate-change-resilient infrastructure, designate car-free zones, expand affordable housing, boost public schools, provide easier access to food and other critical amenities, generate a raft of high-paying jobs around Amazon's presence, and give some of the hardest-working (yet hardest-struggling) families in the city a chance to build intergenerational wealth.

Yet what I've seen, heard, and read suggests this is a dream. Instead, I expect to see deepening struggles for the working-class people who keep New York humming and arguably make it the greatest city in the world.

My fears are not just about taxes, public transit, and housing. They're about the future of the city itself.

New York officials want to give tax breaks to a $1 trillion company owned by the world's richest person

jeff bezos

Andrew Cuomo, the recently reelected governor of New York, fought hard to bring Amazon to New York City.

"I'll change my name to Amazon Cuomo if that's what it takes," he once told reporters.

Read more: Amazon gained a huge perk from its HQ2 contest that's worth far more than any tax break

Jokes aside, Cuomo and other government officials pitched big tax breaks and subsidies to the $1 trillion company founded by Bezos, who is the world's richest person. One of those public officials was NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, who acknowledged that Amazon "is very destructive to communities" within hours of submitting the city's HQ2 proposal.

The details of these tax breaks became public in Amazon's blog post on Tuesday.

The state is offering the company $1.2 billion for bringing 25,000 jobs "with an average wage of over $150,000" to the area over the next 10 years, Amazon said. That's a $48,000 cut in tax revenue to the city per each new Amazon employee. In addition, the state is prepared to hand Amazon $325 million for occupying about 4 million square feet of office space over the next 10 years.

Though creating jobs can boost income and sales tax revenues over the long run — perhaps by $10 billion over 20 years, Amazon estimates — those monies take a while to build up. The city needs cash now to keep its subways and workforce moving, let alone to further overhaul and rethink the system.

Public transit is already bursting at the seams, and traffic is a nightmare

over crowded 7 train mta public transit long island city queens new york dave mosher

As towers have sprung up in LIC and the cost of living has soared, many of my neighbors and working families are uprooting and retreating deeper into Queens, where they stand a better chance at affording housing and scraping by. This gradual exodus is paired with what city demographers consider "remarkable" population growth for the borough.

These factors have brought ever-increasing demand for public transit, yet the city has not made adequate improvements quickly enough to meet it.

Overcrowded trains and buses in LIC and areas to its east are the norm during peak hours. More often than not, three fully crowded subway trains pass me by on their way to LIC and Manhattan before I can squeeze onto one.

Read more: New Yorkers are freaking out that Amazon's HQ2 could cripple the subway system, but the reality is more complicated

Soul-crushing traffic is also typical for LIC, as the Queensboro Bridge (which has no toll, unlike a tunnel to the south) is typically clogged with vehicles entering or leaving Manhattan. This contributes to NYC being the third most traffic-congested and second most traffic-jammed city on Earth.

It's hard for me to imagine how 25,000 or more new Amazon workers over the next decade would efficiently get to and from work during rush hour, especially if many of them move here from outside the city and add to the area's surging population. The same goes for existing residents.

Right now, the Metropolitan Transit Authority is looking at $37 billion in upkeep and overhaul work. It's also facing $42 billion in debt by 2022, according to a recent city report.

Amazon is reportedly ready to invest $2.5 billion in HQ2's construction in LIC over 10 years. Its goal is to secure "4 million square feet of energy-efficient office space with an opportunity to expand to 8 million square feet," the company said.

In addition, Amazon said it "has agreed to donate space on its campus for a tech startup incubator and for use by artists and industrial businesses." The company also plans to donate space for a new school and "invest in infrastructure improvements and new green spaces" through a Payment In Lieu Of Tax agreement (which are normally reserved for manufacturing, industrial, and non-profit companies).

But even if Amazon poured the entire $2.5 billion into public transit, it's hard to say whether it would make a big difference. One new subway station in Manhattan, for example, cost about $4 billion.

Years of decisions by the city have led to this transit crisis, and it's primarily up to our officials to fix it — especially now that they've successfully lured Amazon.

Queens housing costs are high — and they're only getting worse

something is wrong queens housing dave mosher

About half of Queens residents are immigrants. Many live in poverty; the median income here for a household — as in an entire family — was roughly $60,000 a year in 2016. Rent can gobble up a majority of these families' take-home salaries, and Amazon is almost certain to make this situation more difficult for lower-income households.

The median rent in Queens was about $1,400 a month in 2016. Today, studios or one-bedroom apartments in older buildings in or around LIC rent for more than $2,000 a month. In LIC's shiny new towers, such units cost north of $3,000 a month, and two-bedroom units can run $4,000-$5,000 per month.

While many of the new buildings in LIC have some subsidized units, you must apply through lotteries to rent them. The process comes with significant income restrictions and it can take years before applicants get selected. Even if you're picked, the "affordable" unit price breaks can be negligible.

The market to buy real estate is just as brutal.

When I moved to western Queens more than a decade ago, amid the Great Recession, one-bedroom apartments were listing for sale at about $200,000. These apartments are generally 600-700 square feet, but some today sell for more than $500,000.

Homes with two or three bedrooms, and perhaps a driveway or tiny patch of backyard, have grown even more out-of-reach for the majority of families here. Half-century-old properties — many of which require extensive and expensive renovations — are now listing for more than $1 million, sometimes $1.5 million.

Read more: Renters in New York and Washington could pay upward of $200 more annually if Amazon splits its new headquarters between the 2 cities

Given these housing prices, Amazon's workers will likely realize that even $150,000 a year (the average salary the company expects to pay) can feel small in this borough, let alone in Manhattan or nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods, where the cost of living is even higher.

 These are comparatively short-term concerns, though. Future generation will have a lot more to worry about.

How will Amazon deal with climate change?

Long Island City flooded

Over the long-term, many working families in western Queens might secure a better future by packing up and leaving (if they can afford it). This is a conversation my wife and I have with increasing frequency as we plan for the long-term future of our family.

Climate change is here to stay, and its effects will get much worse and more disruptive in the coming decades.

Among other problems, hurricanes are getting rainier, slower-moving, and more devastating; areas of intense drought are expanding; wildfires are intensifying; and coral reefs that protect coasts from storms are dying.

But most relevant to Amazon HQ2's long-term existence is the ceaseless rise of sea levels.

"A 2017 report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggested that, under the worst climate conditions, parts of New York — including parts of Long Island City — could be underwater by 2100," my colleague Aria Bendix wrote earlier this week.

Even if this gloomy scenario does not come to pass, LIC's current and future inhabitants must anticipate increasingly powerful storm surges and chronic flooding. It's not yet clear whether Amazon's leaders are taking these climate-related risks into account, or whether they intend to work with local officials in New York to plan for and combat those problems on a decades-long scale. (The only mention of "climate" in Amazon's announcement was the "business climate.")

Read more: Here's what Earth might look like in 100 years — if we're lucky

Barring an all-out effort by the city, state, and federal government to control or at least mitigate these looming environmental problems, building in LIC seems like a questionable long-term investment for Amazon.

It's unfair to single out Amazon alone when talking about this long-term threat, of course. As individuals and a society, we all need to stop pretending climate change won't affect the homes, cities, and infrastructure we are building for future generations. It will, and itis, and our collective short-sightedness is what worries me most of all.

This story has been updated. It was first published on November 9, 2018.

SEE ALSO: North Brother Island is New York City's post-apocalyptic playland

DON'T MISS: 27 of the most iconic, jaw-dropping photos of the Earth and the moon from space

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Trump's childhood home in New York City is available to rent - take a look inside

Some of the NBA's top players are showing love to Nets breakout star after he suffered a brutal leg injury

0
0

Caris LeVert Nets

  • Third-year shooting guard Caris LeVert had emerged as an early breakout star for the Brooklyn Nets after averaging 18.4 points per game on the season.
  • In Monday night's contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeVert sustained a gruesome, Gordon Hayward-esque right leg injury.
  • Players from both teams were visibly upset as LeVert was stretchered off the floor and taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
  • Stars from around the NBA took to social media to send their best wishes to the budding star, who looks to be out for the remainder of the season.

The NBA world was stunned last season when star Gordon Hayward sustained a gruesome leg injury just minutes into his Boston Celtics career.

Now, it appears Brooklyn Nets rising star Caris LeVert has suffered a similar fate.

With just 3.7 seconds remaining in the first half of the Nets' contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeVert attempted a chase-down block on point guard Jeff Teague and came down hard on his right leg. Coaches, players, and fans looked on in horror as LeVert crumpled to the ground. He sat up to look at his leg before laying back down on the hardwood and submitting to medical attention. The arena was virtually silent until LeVert was stretchered off the floor and taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

"There was really just no words," teammate Joe Harris said after the game, per ESPN's Malika Andrews. "We didn't talk even when we came in at halftime. There was nothing to be said. Guys were crying. It was really that horrific just to see."

LeVert — who averaged 18.4 points per game on the season — looked well on his well to becoming a household name in Brooklyn. He had battled injuries in his junior and senior seasons with the Michigan Wolverines before missing part of his rookie campaign for foot surgery.

"He has done everything he could possibly do to put himself in a position to succeed, to do well and to be healthy, and then you just have a freak accident," Harris said. "That's what makes it even tougher for all of us."

Many of the biggest names in the NBA took to social media to express their support for LeVert after learning about his injury:

Five-time NBA All-Star Paul George, who sustained a similarly terrible lower-leg injury during a USA Basketball scrimmage back in 2014 but has bounced back with the Oklahoma City Thunder, also offered some words of encouragement for the young player:

The Nets jumped out to a surprising 6-8 start on the season thanks in large part to LeVert's efforts. Head coach Kenny Atkinson recognizes that losing his young star will almost certainly derail Brooklyn's hot start.

"He is the heart and soul of our program,"Atkinson said. "It's a tough, tough blow for the Nets."

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Inside an intense training session where aspiring WWE wrestlers learn how to fight

People are trying to make their testicles bigger with filler injections, and doctors are concerned

0
0

Injection Syringe Doctor

  • People are receiving filler injections to increase the size of their testicles.
  • The Food and Drug Administration approves certain fillers, but there are currently no guidelines for scrotum-specific ones.
  • Testicle enlargement procedures are nothing new: prosthetics and other types of injections have existed for some time now, each with a different level of risk.

In an effort to increase the size of their testicles, some people are using dermal fillers. According to Metro UK, people believe these injections can enlarge their balls, creating a more attractive appearance.

Typically, people use dermal fillers to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face or to plump their lips or cheeks. Dermal fillers are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but there are caveats: they should only be administered by a licensed healthcare provider, and only certain types of fillers are FDA-approved.

"Although the FDA has approved certain injectable dermal fillers for use in the face (for example, to enhance lips and cheeks) and the hands, the FDA has never approved any injectable fillers for large-scale body contouring or enhancement," the FDA notes in a release on their website.

Using dermal fillers to cosmetically enhance the testicles is pretty rare, since other methods have greater longevity, Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger the director of urology at New York Urology Specialists, told INSIDER. These fillers are also likely not doing what people think.

"You won't actually make the testicles larger with injections. The skin around will just have a fuller appearance," Shteynshlyuger said. The injections can, however, lessen sweating and the appearance of wrinkles on testicles, according to Shteynshlyuger.

The reasons and methods for testicle enlargement vary

Testicle enlargement procedures have been around for some time, and the various methods range in levels of safety and permanence. Certain members of the BDSM community have used saline or silicone injections to enlarge their testicles, with one member of the community's death attributed in part to the silicone injections he used. The member, Jack Chapman, was part of a particular BDSM group where members perform body modifications for their leader, but not all BDSM community members partake in such modifications.

Read more:10 answers to sex questions you've been too embarrassed to ask

Others seek out testicular implants due to loss of a testicle or testicle shrinkage.

"They're like small breast implants and the procedure takes just a half hour to two hours and you can go to work the next day,"Shteynshlyuger told INSIDER of the procedure. These procedures can help people deal with the emotional distress that may come with a scrotum that doesn't match mainstream portrayals, he said.

If you're considering injections for your testicles, you should weigh your options first

"These people think this is the way to solve their problems, but there are other solutions besides injections," Shteynshlyuger said. 

Side effects of filler injections include bruising, redness, swelling, pain, and itching, and the FDA doesn't recommend these injections for anyone with a history of anaphylactic shock, an allergy to collagen, or a bleeding disorder.

lip filler injection

There is also the cost to consider.

"The surface area of the scrotum is at least 10 times that of the lips for example, so the cost would be proportionately higher as 10 times as much filler is used," Shteynshlyuger said. For example, a typical lip filler procedure can cost between $500 and $2,000 depending on where you live and the doctor you choose.

That said, injections are safe, provided the procedure is completed by a certified medical professional who uses sterile equipment.

Bottom line: if you're considering testicle-enhancing injections, consult your doctor and consider all available options before shelling out major dough for the procedure.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This mind-melting thought experiment of Einstein's reveals how to manipulate time

This digital keyboard actually teaches you how to play songs on the piano

0
0

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

Screen Shot 2018 09 28 at 11.58.59 AM

  • The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro uses color-coded LED lights to indicate which keys to play, leading your fingers through music and helping establish muscle memory.
  • The instrument features a full 88 keys and faithfully recreates the sound of a genuine grand piano, though it can also be paired with headphones or external speakers.
  • The ONE app helps guide you through individual songs, teaches you to read sheet music, and challenges you with games.
  • It's pretty expensive at $799, but it's ultimately cheaper than buying a piano and paying for lessons.

I can't play the piano — at least not yet. But were you to listen to me play "Für Elise" or "Green Sleeves" on The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro digital piano, you'd think I'd been at the keys for years (ok, maybe months). Note that I meant it when I said "listen to me play" because were you to watch me, my cover would be blown when you spotted the red and blue LED lights popping up above the next keys to be tapped.

When paired with The ONE app, this full-sized, 88-key digital piano becomes a powerful teaching tool that can help the abject amateur and the advanced pianist alike. The most basic way to engage with the piano is to select a song and then dutifully follow the LED light prompts — a red light for the fingers of your right hand, a blue light for the left — striking the keys as the light illuminate. This sort of playing won't teach you much about music theory or have you reading Bach's sheet music, but it's satisfying to hammer out a tune the first time you sit down to tickle the keys.

IMG_4507

While having some fun tapping out songs is all well and good, let's be frank here: The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro is way too expensive to buy if all you plan to do is play around. But if you actually want to learn how to play, it's a lot cheaper to buy one pricey digital keyboard than it is to take lessons for years. And the last time I checked, an actual grand piano costs more than $10,000 if you want something halfway decent. Even uprights cost at least five grand for any real quality. 

I started off simply following the lights and slowly growing more comfortable playing a few select songs, but soon I realized I wasn't really learning how to play music, but rather how to memorize those specific tunes. However, as the LEDs lead your fingers, so too does the sheet music displayed on The ONE app highlight the notes corresponding to the keys you're playing. Over time, using the piano and app can develop both muscle memory in your fingers and an understanding of reading music. Put those together, and hey, you're a piano player.

IMG_4505

I'm not going to pretend you will learn to play the piano overnight with this keyboard, nor will you gain true competence in a matter of days or weeks or even months. Learning to play an instrument well takes time and effort, but with The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro, you can indeed learn to play — no teacher or traditional lessons required.

So yes, it's expensive, but it's effective. You'll also sound like you know what you're doing on day one — just don't let anyone see the red and blue lights helping you cheat your way through Pachabel's "Canon."

Get The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro from Amazon for $799

Join the conversation about this story »

A beauty brand is selling a $25,000 makeup brush made of white gold and covered in diamonds

0
0

Artis Bespoke, All 3 Brushes

  • Beauty brand Artis is selling $25,000 versions of its popular Elite Mirror Oval 7 makeup brush, which normally retails for $62
  • Each brush features a white-gold plated handle, which can be engraved on one side and features an array of diamonds or rubies on the other.
  • The purchase of a brush also includes a custom brush case, special care kit, optional insurance, and seasonal makeup training from an Artis representative.
  • The limited-edition brushes will only be sold during the 2018 holiday season.

Makeup brushes are generally an easy and inexpensive gift choice, but shoppers can expect to see a few more luxury options than they typically would during this holiday season.

Beauty brand Artis is selling $25,000 Artis Bespoke makeup brushes, which can be used to apply any liquid, cream, or powder product. Each brush features a white-gold plated handle, which can be engraved on one side with any phrase, and features an array of diamonds or rubies on the other.

The brushes are being sold in three styles — Artis Bespoke Ruby, Artis Bespoke Black Diamond, and Artis Bespoke White Diamond — and were "designed for those who recognize the beauty in creating a precious expression of art," according to the Artis website.

artis bespoke

Customers who purchase a brush from the Bespoke line will receive some additional products and services, such as a custom brush case and a special care kit.

To make sure that the brushes stay clean and intact, the brand offers optional insurance for each brush, a support phone number and email address which directly handle issues with the Bespoke line, and brush servicing.

Read more: 17 lazy beauty hacks that shave time off of your beauty routine

The $25,000 purchase also comes with the option to receive seasonal makeup training, either in person or over FaceTime, from the Artis Artistry & Training Lead Lindsey Jackson, and downloadable info about makeup trends.

bespoke brush 2

Despite being introduced for the holidays, the brushes aren't completely new to the Artis brand. The Bespoke line is modeled after the brand's "most iconic and best-selling brush," the Elite Mirror Oval 7.

Like the Bespoke brushes, the Elite Mirror Oval 7 brush is shaped like an oval, made from "CosmeFibre monofilaments," and meant to fit "the size and shape of the apple of the cheek." The original brush, however, retails for $62 and does not feature any jewels.

oval artis 2

The limited-edition Bespoke line is available for the 2018 holiday season, and can be purchased here.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The first woman in space almost didn't make it back to Earth and she had to keep it a secret for 30 years

10 signs your migraines are part of a bigger problem

0
0

headaches woman

One out of 7 Americans live with migraine headaches. If you're part of that group, then you know all too well how these severe headaches can take over your life. Over time, most people learn ways to manage the symptoms, and some even figure out how to stop them in their tracks, but what happens when your migraines start to present with different symptoms?

To help you determine if your migraines are a sign of a bigger problem or are something else altogether, INSIDER asked a few healthcare experts to share the signs you need to be aware of.

You have an acute onset pain that feels like the worst headache of your life.

"Migraines often have a prodrome or aura giving you a warning of what is about to come," Dr. Robert Carson, M.D. Ph.D. assistant professor of neurology and pediatrics at the University of Vanderbilt and advisor toRemedy Review, told INSIDER.

He explained that an immediate onset of the "worst headache of your life" may suggest a new structural problem leading to a headache, such as a ruptured cerebral blood vessel.   



You have a headache with a fever.

A severe headache or a migraine with a fever is never something to ignore.

"A headache with characteristics different than your typical migraine but also associated with fever and a stiff neck may suggest meningitis," said Carson. Since bacterial meningitis can be fatal, Carson said getting this type of headache checked out by a doctor is important.



You have neurologic symptoms you've never had before.

If you're experiencing neurological symptoms such as facial weakness or arm weakness during one of your migraines, you need to get to a doctor right away. Carson said that FAST, an acronym medical experts use to describe a stroke, looks at facial weakness, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time (both noting time of onset and trying to have as short of a time as possible to get medical attention).



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Amazon HQ2 is headed to the Washington, DC area, so we asked local startups what they thought about the move — here's what they said

0
0

bezos white house

  • Amazon has chosen the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, New York, and the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia for its second headquarters, HQ2.
  • Crystal City, Virginia, is an urban neighborhood in the Washington, DC metro area where many DC residents live and work.
  • Before Amazon's official announcement, we asked DC startups what they thought about the possible arrival. They shared a few concerns.

Amazon has officially chosen the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, New York, and the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia for its second headquarters, HQ2.

When Amazon first revealed its plan in September 2017, it was expected to bring 50,000 new jobs and $50 billion in economic impact to its host city. Now, it will bring roughly 25,000 employees to the two separate locations.

This could lessen the burden on housing and infrastructure that many residents and urban economists have anticipated. But even 25,000 workers could place a strain on a city's resources.

Before the official announcement, all signs pointed to the Washington, DC metro as Amazon's preferred choice. Not only does the metro represent three of the 20 locations on the company's shortlist — Montgomery County, Maryland; Northern Virginia; and DC proper — but Amazon has also begun to expand its presence in the area. The company recently located its cloud business, Amazon Web Services, in Northern Virginia — less than ten minutes away from a plot of land where it intends to build a 600,000-square-foot data-center campus.

Now, the news is official: Crystal City, Virginia — an urban neighborhood in the DC metro where many DC residents live and work — is one of the two winners. 

Even before the announcement, DC startups had begun to brace for Amazon's arrival.

For companies just starting out in the DC tech ecosystem, the presence of Amazon could disrupt many aspects of their business, including their ability to afford office space and ensure easy commutes and reasonably priced housing for their employees. Data from Zillow suggests that DC's median rents could rise by $138 per month over the next decade as a result of HQ2.

To gauge the level of fear or excitement in the Washington, DC startup community, we asked a few budding tech companies: Will Amazon be a bully or a big brother?  

Amazon's previous urban takeover 

When Amazon relocated its headquarters to Seattle's South Lake Union in 2010, the company was far from the behemoth it is today. City planners estimated that the company's 1.6 million square feet of office space would bring around 6,000 new employees to the area  a number that has since risen to around 45,000.

While the new location is located just 15 minutes away from the old one, the economic impact was almost immediate. Apartments began springing up in place of smaller buildings, low-rise offices gave way to towering skyscrapers, and crumbling roads transformed into pristine walkways and green spaces.

These changes didn't just benefit Amazon workers. Seattle now exceeds every other US city in terms of wage increases over the last ten years. While this is partly due to the city's $15 minimum wage law, it's also the result of increased competition among local businesses. 

But as Amazon began introducing a new pool of high-tech workers to South Lake Union, something else happened: Traffic increased, housing costs skyrocketed, and the number of homeless people on the streets reached crisis levels. Recent years have seen a string of cafés, bars, restaurants, and local retail shops shutter their doors amid rising rents. A sign outside Pike Place, a former antique shop that closed after 25 years of business, symbolized the downturn: "The rent is too high," it read. "It is time to say goodbye."

Why some startups aren't concerned

Amid changes in their neighborhoods, many Seattleites have taken to warning residents of the future HQ2 city. "The notion that Amazon is going to be your ticket to a glorious future, absent all the other things that a place like Seattle has to offer — that’s delusional," Ed Lazowska, a scientist at the University of Washington, told Politico in October.

These warnings have generated some concern among DC natives and lawmakers. In a comment to The Washington Post, Washington, DC council member Robert White predicted"a lot of potential negatives" from Amazon's arrival, including a rise in already-troubling levels of gentrification and displacement.

But local entrepreneurs aren't convinced that Amazon will do more harm than good. 

Like many residents, Ajit Verghese was initially worried about the company locating in Washington, DC. "I pretty much thought, 'This is going to be bad,'" he said. Having witnessed the deleterious effects of the first internet wave on DC's congestion and infrastructure, Verghese feared that an Amazon headquarters would once again place a strain on local resources. 

He has since changed his tune. As a general partner at humble ventures, a venture cooperative that connects startups to large companies, Verghese has found that many startups are optimistic about the arrival of Amazon. If the company moved to DC, he said, it could add a number of smart, driven employees to the tech ecosystem.

He's also not particularly concerned about Amazon poaching local talent. "You'll have people cycling into Amazon and people cycling out," he said.

Param Jaggi, the CEO of Hatch Apps — a platform that enables businesses to deploy apps without having to write code — thinks it will be tough for small companies to wrest employees from Amazon's grasp. Instead, he anticipates that Amazon will encourage an influx of tech workers who aren't affiliated with the corporate giant. In the short term, he said, the Amazon headquarters could establish the Washington, DC metro as a leading tech center, and bring further credibility to companies in the area.

His opinion is shared by Scott Case, the president of Upside Business Travel, a booking and itinerary-tracking startup. As the head of a travel company, Case is enthusiastic about the potential increased traffic at Washington, DC's three major airports. "We see [the Amazon headquarters] as bringing more customers closer to us," he said. While the Dulles and Ronald Reagan airports already rank among the top 25 busiest airports in the US, their air traffic pales in comparison to that of Atlanta, LA, or Chicago.

In Case's mind, Amazon will most likely develop a symbiotic relationship with DC startups. "Businesses are already competing with Amazon for talent on a national, and even global, level," he said. "While they'll be recruiting in the same pools, I actually think they'll enhance the ability for some folks to take the leap into startup land."

In the future, Case anticipates, new companies will form with the express purpose of supporting the Amazon ecosystem. For now, he thinks Washington, DC has both the commercial and residential capacity to support new workers. 

Like Jaggi, Case also sees Amazon as way to augment Washington, DC's burgeoning reputation as a global tech hub. This will have positive repercussions for Upside, he said, since more people will be inclined to work there if there are backup options available. But Verghese worries it'll be tough to compete with DC's political renown. "People will always assume that, if you're in DC, you must be engaged in some type of political work," he said. 

Amazon could increase pressure on local transit 

One concern acknowledged by each of these entrepreneurs is the pressure on local transit.

Even without the presence of Amazon, the Washington, DC subway system, or Metro, is notoriously lousy. From 2011 to 2016, its ridership fell by 19%, while cities like Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco saw an increase in riders. Metro customers have become accustomed to long delays, fare hikes, system failures, and even the occasional death. 

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority estimates that upgrading and repairing the Metro system will require an annual sum of around $500 million.

The district may need even more funding now that Amazon is coming  though most local startups don't see the company as a drain on a broken system. The challenge of infrastructure repair exists whether Amazon comes or not, said Verghese. In fact, he predicts that HQ2 may shine a spotlight on infrastructure problems and motivate the WMTA to make necessary improvements. Already, lawmakers have cited the possible arrival of Amazon as a reason to secure more funding for Metro upgrades.

Local startups may even be inspired to help out. "As an entrepreneur, you always see it as an opportunity for new companies to solve that problem," said Jaggi of the possibility of rising congestion and housing prices.

Not all startups are optimistic

Not all startups are unflinchingly optimistic about HQ2. According to Verghese, a number of the companies he's talked to are concerned about getting the same support from their local government that's already been given to Amazon. As part of the bidding process, Montgomery County, Maryland proposed $8.5 billion in tax breaks and infrastructure incentives for the tech company — the biggest publicly known incentives package of any HQ2 city. In its announcement of the winners, Amazon said Virginia had offered $819 million in incentives.

While many startups fear they won't receive the same preferential treatment, others feel it's a small price to pay to gain access to new pools of talent. 

"It's like putting a large tree into a garden that's still trying to flower," said Verghese. "It sucks in a bunch of nutrients ... [but] good things can happen when that tree gets planted. Acorns fall and things take root. Different types of ecosystems will grow and build around it."

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A sleep expert explains what happens to your body and brain if you don't get enough sleep


Hilary Duff ate her placenta in a ‘delightful’ smoothie after giving birth, but doctors think it's a bad idea

0
0

Hilary Duff 2017


Hilary Duff consumed parts of her placenta after giving birth to her second child, Banks, in October, People reported on Thursday. 

In an episode of the "Informed Pregnancy" podcast, released on November 8 but recorded 10 days after she gave birth, Duff said she ate the placenta— the organ that develops in the uterus to deliver oxygen and nutrients to a fetus — inside smoothies. 

"It was the most delightful smoothie I've ever had," Duff said on the podcast, discussing the first placenta beverage she drank. "I haven't had a smoothie that delightful since I was like 10 years old. It was calorie-filled with juice and fruit and everything delicious."

Banks Violet Bair❤️ this little bit has fully stolen our hearts! She joined our world at home on Thursday afternoon and is absolute magic ✨

A post shared by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff) on Oct 29, 2018 at 6:38pm PDT on

Duff explained that she had the placenta made into frozen cubes that she kept in her freezer to add into smoothies. By the time of the podcast recording, she said she'd had three of the drinks. 

Duff added that she was "a little wigged out " by the prospect of eating her placenta at first. 

"Then I did research and none of it's, like, totally proven but I don't know — I've already gone down this road of doing all this different stuff," Duff said. "I'm like, I might as well."

Duff isn't the only famous mother who's done this, People reported. Other celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen have also consumed their placentas.

Proponents of the practice argue that placenta consumption can reduce postpartum bleeding,  improve mood and milk supply, and prevent postpartum depression, according to a paper published earlier this year in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG). Others argue that humans should eat the placenta because many other mammals do.

But many experts say the practice is not recommended. 

Experts say eating the placenta "no documented benefit"

placenta pills

There's growing interest in placenta consumption (also called placentophagy) among women in the US, though no "contemporary human culture" includes the practice in its traditions, according to the AJOG paper.

The placenta is often dehydrated and processed into capsules that women can take as a normal pill. But that's' not the only possible preparation.

"Some women eat slices of the placenta raw directly after birth, while others deep-freeze them for later consumption," the authors wrote. "Placental material might also be mixed with fruits or juices to create smoothies that mask the unpleasant taste or might be used as a meat substitute for recipes such as lasagna or pasta."

Despite increased interest and a plethora of consumption methods, however, there is still no scientific evidence that eating the placenta has any clinical benefits for new mothers, the paper added. 

The only available randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the subject studied whether placenta pills could help postpartum women get enough iron, the authors wrote. But the results showed there was no meaningful difference in iron status between the women taking the placenta pills and the women taking the placebo. 

Read more: More women are using marijuana while pregnant, and it could be putting their babies at risk

And, as gynecologist Dr. Jen Gunter wrote in the New York Times in September, the fact that many mammals eat their placentas doesn't mean the practice is good for humans.

"Most mammals have entirely different reproductive physiology [than humans]," she wrote. "Not to mention entirely different behaviors."

"These days, my cat eats grass ... I suspect she does this when she has an upset stomach," Gunter added. "Imagine if your gastroenterologist suggested eating grass for an upset stomach because cats do it?"

There may be risks linked with eating the placenta

woman giving birth hospital

The AJOG paper also noted that there may be harmful effects associated with eating the placenta. First, toxic substances may accumulate in the placenta. One study found low levels of the heavy metal cadmium in the organ, for example. The placenta also contains hormones, and though there's no evidence that mother can absorb these hormones if they eat their placenta, it's possible they may have negative effects on the body. And if the placenta isn't heated to high enough temperatures before consumption, viruses like HIV, hepatitis, and Zika and potentially dangerous bacteria may not be eradicated. 

In fact, in 2017, the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a case of a baby who got a dangerous blood infection after the mother ingested placenta pills contaminated B streptococcus bacteria. 

The AJOG paper gave clear advice to doctors:  "Because placentophagy is potentially harmful with no documented benefit, counseling women should be directive: physicians should discourage this practice."

In her post for the New York Times, Gunter acknowledged that the postpartum period is difficult, and that we do need more research on ways to help new mothers as they recover from childbirth. 

"However, a novel therapy based on anecdotes ... is no answer," she wrote. "We know so little about eating placenta that we don’t even know what we don’t know."

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A company makes "face masks" for pregnant bellies

Microsoft's new Surface Pro 6 is the best hybrid laptop you can buy — but there's a catch that's a deal breaker for some people

0
0

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

surface pro

  • Microsoft has been building itself up as a serious competitor in the PC hardware business, and so far it's been doing a pretty great job.
  • The Surface Pro 6 is the latest and greatest in the company's Surface Pro line, but does it really live up to the name?
  • We tested out the tablet and were impressed with the impressive specs, including a strong core processor and a lot of storage space, though we think the design could still be updated to include a USB-C port or two.

Microsoft has been slowly but surely building itself up as a serious competitor in the PC hardware business, and so far it's been doing a pretty great job. Recent products include the likes of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 2, which we recently reviewed, as well as the Surface Go.

It all started, however, with the original Microsoft Surface Pro, which was arguably the first product that showed the world Microsoft could truly compete in hardware. These days, Microsoft is up to the Surface Pro 6, the latest and greatest in the Surface Pro line. But does the new Surface Pro 6 live up to the Surface Pro name? We put it to the test to find out.

As with any new product, the first thing you'll notice about the new Surface Pro is its design, and it's a great-looking device — but not all that different-looking compared to previous iterations of the Surface Pro. In fact, if you put the Surface Pro 6 next to the Surface Pro 5, or even the Surface Pro 4, you'd be hard-pressed telling them apart — save for the fact that this time around there's a Matte Black color option.

On the front of the device, you'll find the 12.3-inch touchscreen, along with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with support for Windows Hello. On the left side, there's a headphone jack, while the right side is where you'll find the full-sized USB port, mini DisplayPort, and Surface Connect charging port. On the top, there's the power button and volume rocker. Then, on the back, there's the kickstand. Despite what it may look like in photos, the kickstand is very sturdy and infinitely adjustable — so you don't have to live with using the device in one of two positions, like you do using the iPad with Apple's keyboard covers. Like other tablet kickstand-style devices, the Surface Pro 6 isn't overly comfortable to use like a laptop with the Type Cover on your lap — so if you intend on buying the Type Cover, we recommend sticking with a table of some kind.

surface pro 6 2

The only thing we might have changed about the Surface Pro 6 design is that it would have been nice to include a USB-C port or two.

Apple has run full-force into adopting USB-C— causing some outrage. We get that Microsoft is positioning itself as a kind of anti-Apple by not forcing users to adopt dongles for older accessories, but USB-C is still the future, and not adding a USB-C port immediately dates the Surface Pro 6.

As mentioned, the display on the Surface Pro 6 comes in at 12.3-inches, and it has a resolution of 2,736 x 1,824 — and it's beautiful. Sure, it's pretty much the same as the display on last year's Surface Pro 5, but that doesn't take away from the fact that colors were vibrant and bright, making the Surface Pro 6 a great choice for those who appreciate a great display. The display is excellent when it comes to touch features too. We found it to be accurate and responsive to touch, and while you might want to use the Surface Pro Type Cover for some situations — like writing tech reviews — many will find using the on-screen keyboard and touch controls perfectly adequate for what they need this device for.

Under the hood, the Surface Pro 6 is an impressive beast for the form factor that it takes.

The base model includes an 8th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. From there, options range up to an Intel Core i7 with 16GB of RAM and a full 1TB of storage. Of course, with those specs you'll have to pay $2,299, but it's an option if you want it.

We found that our model, which was the base model with a 256GB hard drive, was more than capable enough of handling any day-to-day task, and could get us through a full day of work, plus some video-watching and other entertainment, perfectly fine. Of course, if you expect to use the Surface Pro 6 for more intensive tasks, like any video or audio editing, then it's worth upgrading.

Beyond shelling out the cash for the tablet itself, there's some extra money you might want to spend — on the Microsoft Type Cover, which comes at $130, and the Microsoft Surface Pen, which costs $100. Those are expensive accessories. Sure, they're not quite as pricey as Apple's options, but they're expensive nonetheless.

Screen_Shot_2018 10 09_at_9.35.46_AM_b3dg ss_xqtl 7o

Now, this isn't a review of the Surface Pro's accessories, but we can offer a few details.

In general, we found the Surface Pro 6's Type Cover to offer a nice, tactile typing experience — which was perfect for longer typing sessions. The touchpad was also nice, and while it could have been a bit larger, it worked perfectly fine. The Type Cover is only available in black if you want to pay the $130, though if you're willing to shell out $160 you can get a Platinum, Cobalt Blue, or Burgandy model too.

The Surface Pro Pen is pretty nice too. Now, take this with a grain of salt considering the fact that this tech reviewer isn't much of an artist, but the Surface Pro Pen generally felt nice and reacted well to our strokes. It has 4,096 levels of pressure, which is nice, though it would have been nice if it had a little more gesture control, like the new second-generation Apple Pencil.

Ultimately, the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is an excellent device, and a great option for Windows fans who want to continue their experience in a more portable and tactile format. We do recommend the Type Cover to those who type a lot, but if you don't then you may not need to factor it into the cost.

But the question remains — is there a better option in this price range?

Well, that depends.

For Windows 10 fans, the Surface Pro line is still the best way to experience the hybrid tablet design that has taken off over the past few years, but we still wish Microsoft would update the design a little, even if just to include more modern ports.

For those not married to Windows 10 and who don't mind using a mobile operating system, the new iPad Pro range is definitely something to consider, especially given the fact that it has a USB-C port and arguably better stylus. iPad aside, however, there's still nothing that can truly challenge the Surface Pro 6 in this segment — so if you like Windows 10, and want a hybrid, this is the way to go.

Buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 6, starting at $899, available at Microsoft and Best Buy

Buy the Microsoft Surface Pro Pen, starting at $99.99, available Best Buy

Buy the Microsoft Surface Type Cover, starting at $129.99, available at Best Buy

SEE ALSO: Microsoft's new Surface Laptop 2 is one of the best you can buy today — and it's a cheaper alternative to Apple's MacBook

Join the conversation about this story »

Some of basketball's biggest names congratulate C. Vivian Stringer on becoming the 6th Division I coach to join the 1,000-win club

0
0

C. Vivian Stringer

  • With the Rutgers Scarlet Knights' 73-44 win over the Central Connecticut Blue Devils Tuesday, head coach C. Vivian Stringer became the sixth coach in Division I basketball — and the first African American coach — to earn 1,000 wins in her career.
  • Stringer was the first head coach in NCAA women's basketball history to lead teams from three different schools to the Final Four, including Rutgers in 2000 and 2007, the University of Iowa in 1993, and Cheyney State College in 1982.
  • The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame coach received praise from some big names in the world of basketball after reaching the milestone Tuesday night.


With the Rutgers Scarlet Knights' 73-44 win over the Central Connecticut Blue Devils Tuesday, head coach C. Vivian Stringer became the sixth Division I basketball coach — and the first African American — to earn 1,000 wins in her career.

This was not Stringer's first time making history. The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame coach was also the first head coach in NCAA women's basketball history to lead teams from three different schools to the Final Four, including Rutgers in 2000 and 2007, the University of Iowa in 1993, and Cheyney State College in 1982. With a 1,000-420 career record, Stringer joins legendary coaches Pat Summit of Tennessee, Geno Auriemma of Connecticut, Tara VanDerveer of Stanford, Sylvia Hatchell of North Carolina, and Mike Krzyzewski of Duke in the elusive 1,000-win club.

"It doesn't cement anything, but that it's a lot of games," Stringer said, per Brigitte Williams James of the New York Post. "It means people have trusted me to coach their teams, the young ladies have given me and my staff a chance. They believe in me. I thank God for that."

Some of the biggest names in the world of basketball congratulated Stringer on the major accomplishment Tuesday night, including Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and all of the other living members of the 1,000-win club:

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant weighed in:

Some fellow Rutgers coaches expressed their admiration for their colleague:

USWNT star Carli Lloyd also got in on the action:

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy was at the Rutgers Athletic Center for the historic feat:

And, last but not least, Hillary Clinton took to Twitter to send some praise Stringer's way:

 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Inside an intense training session where aspiring WWE wrestlers learn how to fight

Watch Kim Kardashian react to seeing Tristan Thompson in Khloe's delivery room after his reported cheating scandal

0
0

Kim and Tristan

  • On the last episode of “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” the Kardashian family found out about the video that claims to show Tristan Thompson making out with another woman days before Khloe Kardashian went into labor.
  • In a new clip from Sunday’s upcoming episode, Kim Kardashian faced Tristan for the first time in the delivery room.
  • Although it was awkward between them, Kim remained civil.

Fans have been wondering how "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" would handle the reported Tristan Thompson cheating scandal, and now, the show is finally tackling what went down between him and Khloe Kardashian last April. In a new clip from Sunday night’s episode of "KUWTK,"Kim Kardashian reacts to seeing Tristan for the first time after seeing the video. 

On the November 3 episode of "KUWTK," everyone in the family saw the video that surfaced that claims to show Tristan making out with a woman just before Khloe went into labor. Before flying out to Cleveland, Kim, Kourtney, and family friend Malika Haqq made a plan to be polite to Tristan without being too friendly when they saw him. And now, seeing the clip, it seems like Kim stuck with that plan.

Kim Tristan

In the sneak peek, Khloe is in a hospital room about to give birth, surrounded by her friends, family, and Tristan. When Kim arrived, she greeted everyone in the room with a hug except for Tristan — instead, she made a throat-slitting gesture and stuck her tongue out at him behind his back.

Finally, Khloe said, "are you going to say hi to each other or no?" which led to Kim and Tristan awkwardly engaging in a side hug.

Kim

"The vibe in the room is calm. I thought there’d be way more tension," Kim said in her talking head interview. "As much as I want to go off, I just don’t think it’s the time, so I’m gonna keep it cute. I don’t have to have a lot of interaction, I just have to be there for her."

Meanwhile, Khloe was put on oxygen in order to keep the baby’s levels up, and Tristan sat beside her in her hospital bed while the rest of the family hung out (and Kris Jenner danced around the room).

Khloe Tristan

"I’m really excited to have everyone there, but oh my god, I’m getting that much closer to actually giving birth," Khloe said.

"Keeping Up With the Kardashians" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on E!.

You can watch the entire clip below

For more great stories, head to INSIDER's homepage.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The first woman in space almost didn't make it back to Earth and she had to keep it a secret for 30 years

The head of Victoria's Secret's lingerie business is reportedly leaving the company as it continues its downward spiral (LB)

0
0

jan singer

  • The CEO of Victoria's Secret's lingerie business has resigned.
  • Jan Singer, who has been with the company for two years, previously hailed from Nike and more recently Spanx, where she served as CEO for over a year.
  • The news comes at a difficult time for the brand, which has struggled in recent years. Same-store sales numbers at its brick-and-mortar stores are down 5% so far in 2018 and flat overall.

The CEO of Victoria's Secret Lingerie is leaving the company, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. 

Jan Singer, who has been with the company for two years, previously hailed from Nike and more recently Spanx, where she served as CEO for over a year. Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg and CNBC that Singer resigned from her position. 

Victoria's Secret did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

The news comes at a difficult time for the brand, which has struggled in recent years. Sales have slipped and it has been accused of alienating core customers with its over-sexualized ads. Same-store sales numbers at its brick-and-mortar stores are down 5% so far in 2018 and flat overall.

Once the kingpin of the US lingerie market, it has increasingly lost market share to more body-positive brands such as American Eagle's Aerie, which has seen explosive growth in recent years.

Read more: These photos reveal why women are abandoning Victoria's Secret for American Eagle's Aerie underwear brand

This month, one of its executives was called out for making "insensitive" comments during an interview with Vogue.

Ed Razek, chief marketing officer of Victoria's Secret parent company L Brands, said he didn't think the company's annual fashion show should feature "transsexuals" because "the show is a fantasy."

These comments sparked an outcry online, which later led to Razek issuing a formal apology.

SEE ALSO: 'We market to who we sell to, and we don't market to the whole world': Victoria's Secret fires back at critics who say it excludes plus-size shoppers

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why this Bovet watch costs over $450,000

Viewing all 76301 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images