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The 20 best UK companies for workplace culture, according to employees

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Whether it's the company values, ethos, or simply the perks — there are upsides to every job and company.

Glassdoor, a platform which lets employees anonymously review their companies, has revealed a list of the 20 UK companies with the best workplace cultures.

Glassdoor hosts around 33 million reviews of 700,000 companies by current and former employees around the world.

The ranking, built in collaborating with the Chartered Management Institute, considers factors like the quality of leadership and workplace values.

It only considered companies with at least 50 employee reviews, one of which had to be from 2017.

Scroll on to discover the 20 best companies in the UK for workplace culture, as voted for by employees.

20. Thomas International

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What they do: Psychometric test specialist

Management and culture ethos: The company in-house software assess seven aspects of workplace engagement: voice, togetherness, challenge, freedom, clarity, recognition and growth.



19. Cloudreach

What they do: Internet sharing cloud company

Management and culture ethos: "We believe that great people should be the cornerstone of our successful business. Cloudreach's people-centric culture respects the individual and encourages diversity of thought."

[All mangement and ethos quotes are from company spokespeople.]



18. Peninsula

What they do: HR and safety specialists

Management and culture ethos: Peninsula focuses on creating a "welcoming and success-driven environment."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The youngest national leaders in the world, ranked by age

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Jacinda Ardern New Zealand press confernece

In world politics, youth appears to be having a moment.

The past week has seen two people in their 30s — Austria's Sebastian Kurz, 31; and New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern, 37 — come out on top in their countries' national elections, and are set to take high office.

Earlier in 2017, political events in France and Ireland also produced leaders in their 30s.

It is a stark contrast to just a year before, when UK Prime Minister David Cameron (then 49) was succeeded by 59-year-old Theresa May, and 55-year-old US president Barack Obama handed over to Donald Trump, 70.

Scroll down to see the young people who have ascended to the heights of political power.

10. FRANCE: Emmanuel Macron, 39 (born 21 December 1977)

Macron won a resounding victory in the 2017 French presidential election, beating Marine Le Pen by a margin of almost two votes to one.

Once a minister in the administration of previous president François Hollande, Macron broke away from the establishment Socialist party to form his own political movement and take a tilt at the presidency.

En Marche!, his political movement, has since secured a sizable majority in the French National Assembly, though Macron's own popularity has started to dip precipitously.



9. SAN MARINO: Matteo Fiorini, 39 (born 10 February 1978)

Fiorini is a Captain Regent of San Marino.

San Marino is a tiny principality of 33,000 people, entirely surrounded by Italy.

It has two formal heads of state, known as Captains Regent, who hold equal power. Fiorini's co-captain is also on this list.

They are chosen from San Marino's elected legislative body, the 60-person Great and General council, which picks two of its own number to serve six-month terms.

The pair's term runs out in April 2018.



8. ESTONIA: Jüri Ratas, 39 (born 2 July 1978)

Ratas became Estonia's leader in November after the country's previous political settlement collapsed.

As leader of the Centre Party he negotiated a new coalition in the country with himself at the helm.

He previously served as mayor of Tallinn, Estonia's capital, from 2005 to 2007, and was later elected as a member of the Riigikogu, the national legislature.

He took over as leader of his party in November 2016 and became Prime Minister less than a month later.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

RANKED: The 25 happiest cities in the US

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Anchorage Alaska

  • National Geographic, Gallup, and New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner released a ranking of the 25 happiest cities in the US based on The National Geographic/Blue Zones Index.
  • Boulder, Colorado, was ranked as the happiest city in the US. 
  • Other cities on the list include Anchorage, Alaska, San Diego, California, and Washington, DC. 

 

Where you live can have a tremendous effect on your happiness.

While everyone knows that Denmark is famous for being one of the happiest countries in the world, it turns out there are some pretty happy places here in the US, too. 

National Geographic, Gallup, and New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner recently released a ranking of the 25 happiest cities in the US.

The data was published as the cover story in the November issue of "National Geographic," as well as in the new book "The Blue Zones of Happiness."

The rankings were determined by the National Geographic/Blue Zones Index, which measured a population’s happiness using 15 metrics, including civic engagement, walkability, healthy food options, and access to nature.

 

happiness map

 

Of the 25 happiest cities, eight are in California.

Among the happiest cities were Santa Cruz, California, Anchorage, Alaska, and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Keep scrolling to see the the complete list of the happiest cities in the US, and what National Geographic had to say about each place.

25. Austin, TX

Austin's stunning escapes to nature, such as Barton Springs, a three-acre pool with water sourced from underground springs, are the reason it was voted it one of the happiest cities in the country. 



24. Portland, ME

Portland made the list thanks to its "walkability, access to nature, and civic engagement," according to National Geographic.



23. San Diego-Carlsbad, CA

San Diego's Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre oasis that is home to the San Diego Zoo, puts the city on the list.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 20 best hotels in Europe in 2017

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Le Sirenuse balcony

Going on holiday is like an escape from reality, and visiting a really good hotel can feel like dipping into a different world.

As part of the Readers' Travel Awards 2017, Condé Nast Traveller asked its readers to rate their favourite hotels across Europe that they had visited this year. 

Each hotel was rated based on various factors including staff, location, and remarkability. The complicated selection process took into account the unique and exceptional aspects of each establishment that go beyond the realms of numeric scores.

Scroll on to discover the 20 best hotels in Europe in 2017, ranked in ascending order.

20. Elounda Beach Hotel and Villas — Crete, Greece. With nothing but the deep blue of the Mediterranean as far as the eye can go, Elounda resort in sunny greece is the 20th best hotel in Europe.

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Private decks complete with infinity pools make for the perfect secluded corner to watch the steam rise off the water first thing in the morning.

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19. Hotel Crillon le Brave — Provence, France. Prioritising the simple pleasures of Provinçal living in its ethos, Hotel Crillon le Brave offers guests a relaxed, simple escape to a rural village surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 9 most exclusive private members' clubs in Europe, ranked by price

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Club inside

While London and New York may be the most well-known for their private members' circuits, a number of European cities also host some chic and secretive clubs that are worth a visit — if you can get through the door, that is.

From a royal haunt in Stockholm to an "independent universe" in Athens or a rooftop haven away from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, Business Insider has scoped out the coolest and most exclusive private members' clubs in 9 of the most stylish major European cities.

So if you're wondering where to be seen on your next city break — or you frequently travel with business across the continent and are looking for the most exclusive place to set down your briefcase — scroll down to discover the best private members' clubs Europe has to offer.

Each club is ranked in ascending order by the price of an annual membership.

9. Noppe, Stockholm — from €290 (£260 or $343).

Noppe Bar was founded by Count Carl Adam "Noppe" Lewenhaupt, and is apparently the place to be if you fancy rubbing shoulders with Swedish royalty and local celebrities.

Membership privileges include events and concerts arranged at the club. The bar also organises an exclusive golf tournament in the country, a famous summer party, and a shooting cup for its members.

To become a member of Noppe Bar you need two current members as proposers.



8. Salon de Bricolage, Athens — from €500 (£445 or $590).

Founded in 2009, Salon de Bricolage now boasts 3,000 members who can also use a number of other private clubs across the world under their membership.

Its members are from the arts, publishing, fashion, film, and business industries, "who seek and appreciate superior quality, sophistication and understated glamour," according to the club.

"Salon de Bricolage is a philosophy — a club dedicated to its own independent universe," a representative told Business Insider.

The club has two art apartments which are filled with contemporary Greek and foreign art, and can be used for professional presentations, business meetings, and dinners. They were designed by architect Tasos Zeppos.



7. Silencio, Paris — from €600 (£535 or $710).

Founded in 2011 and owned by David Lynch, Silencio says it is a "new kind of members clubs dedicated to creative communities."

Silencio describes itself as a place for encounters, and as "the successor to salons, 17th century Parisian literary circles, the clubs of 18th century London, the Dadaists of the Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich, and the existentialists of the Tabou in Saint-Germain des Pres, as well as cultural landmarks like Le Palace in Paris and Studio 54 in New York."

It may sound a tad pretentious, but by the looks of its Instagram account, it's where the cool crew hang — including the likes of A$AP Rocky and Caecilia Tripp.

The club boasts a photo gallery, a 24-seat cinema, library, smoking room, two bars, and a stage. It's also open until 6.a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Recommended applicants are prioritised, and the sponsor then receives a free month's subscription if the application is accepted.

Under 30s and those living overseas benefit from a discounted rate of €600 a year, or €50 a month. For everyone else there's a standard membership or €900, or for €1,680 with extra benefits.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 48 least visited destinations in the world that should be on every globetrotter's bucket list

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If you really want to impress with your holiday snaps, you'll need to venture further afield than sunny Spain or the USA, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Brits made 70.8 million visits overseas in 2016, with 49% of all trips taking them to either Spain, France, Italy, the Republic of Ireland, or the USA.

Spain was named the UK's favourite holiday destination by a landslide, accounting for 14.7 million overseas trips and over a fifth of all international travel in 2016.

With British holidays getting increasingly predictable, Business Insider has compiled a list of the 48 locations that were least visited by UK residents in 2016, according to the latest Travel Trends report from the ONS.

Passengers arriving and departing from the UK were surveyed on the main country they visited as part of their trip in order to produce the data, which was scaled up to represent national figures.

The report does not take into account instances where multiple destinations were visited as part of one trip. In these cases, only the country visited for the longest period was included in the data.

The ONS data includes locations which the Foreign Office currently warns against visiting, as explained in each entry, however travellers can still aspire to visit if they become more peaceful.

Scroll on to discover the 48 least visited destinations that should be on every seasoned globetrotter's bucket list, ranked in descending order by the number of visits made by UK residents in 2016 — as well as a hand-picked list of must-visit attractions from each place.

48. Cameroon — 7,172 visits.

Cameroon has its fair share of museums, waterfalls, lakes, safari lodges, and national parks.

For a great picture opportunity, meet the chimpanzees at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre just outside the city of Edéa.



47. Brunei — 6,610 visits.

This small country on the island of Borneo features breathtaking beaches, stunning mosques, and regal riverboats.

Take a water tour of the gorgeous art galleries, museums, and historic architecture in Kampong Ayer — a district in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan.



46. Republic of Congo-Brazzaville — 5,603 visits.

Despite the former French colony declaring independence in 1960, the Republic of Congo's capital city of Brazzaville still has obvious French influences.

Just outside of the capital, witness the choppy waters of the Congo River Rapids against the rocky, stark landscape. Alternatively, head to Point-Noire — a port city known for its expansive beaches and nearby rainforest.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

RANKED: All the DC movies from 'Man of Steel' to 'Justice League'

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wonder woman

Warning: There are some mild spoilers ahead for "Justice League."

"Justice League" is finally in theaters and reviews haven't been kind to Warner Bros.' latest DC superhero outing.

Fans will quickly want to compare it to the studio's other DC extended universe releases and know whether or not its better than 2016's "Batman v Superman" or holds a candle to "Wonder Woman." 

Those two answers are simple. But how does "Justice League" stack up against every movie in DC's extended universe? Keep reading to see every DCEU movie from "Man of Steel" to "Justice League," ranked.

5. "Suicide Squad" is not only the DCEU's worst installment, it's easily one of the worst superhero movies ever made. And that's a bummer.

Though Margot Robbie's take on Harley Quinn won over fans and inspired a hit Halloween costume and cosplay, there's not much else anyone loved about this movie.

The film was overstuffed with too many uninteresting characters, a comical CG mess of a villain, and Jared Leto's strange gangster, tattooed take on the Joker wasn't well-received. 

"Suicide Squad" is in leagues with other superhero movie abominations including "Elektra,""Catwoman," and Fox's recent "Fantastic Four" reboot attempt.

You can read my review of "Suicide Squad" here.



4. "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" was supposed to be a huge all-out brawl between the Caped Crusader and Man of Steel, but it turned into a two-and-a-half hour slog and the Wonder Woman show.

When the addition of Wonder Woman outshines two of the most popular superheroes known to man in their own movie, you have a problem. 

The trailers promised a battle of the ages against the two titans, but gave audiences a mere tease of a savory smackdown. It didn't help that their quarrel was resolved by the realization that the heroes' moms share the same name. (I wish I was joking.)

I enjoyed Affleck's take on an older Caped Crusader affected by PTSD more than most. I thought the film delivered a raw, realistic interpretation of the Gotham Knight. But Affleck and Gadot's performances couldn't save the film from its silly third act with another overly-processed CG villain.

From my review:

"It's difficult to not feel like a lot of 'Batman v Superman' is an exhaustive — and expensive — effort from DC and Warner Bros. to catch up to Disney and Marvel's well-oiled cinematic universe. The full title of the movie tells you what the movie is really all about: "Dawn of Justice." This is the setup for 2017's "Justice League."

While all the parts click by the film's end, it's a journey getting there. 'BvS' is a busy film with a lot of players involved in one overarching story while making sure there's enough setup for future films. Sometimes the pacing feels rushed. When a villain is finally added into the mix, the film is nearly over."

You can read the full review here.



3. "Justice League" serves as a palate cleanser to the last two ensemble movies with some fresh, eager faces, but they get lost in a lame story with a silly, forgetful CG-rendered villain.

The first reviews for "Justice League"criticized the film for its lack of a villain worthy of the DC superheroes, awful CG, and a lame story.

While the film has a few stand-out performances from Ezra Miller as The Flash, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, and Gal Gadot's popular take on Wonder Woman, the group feels underutilized and rushed through a stuffed, generic story with a second-rate villain who isn't even a main baddie of the Justice League.

You can see how much influence "Avengers" director Joss Whedon had in trying to deliver a lighter, more fun tone to the film; however, it seems certain aspects of the movie — like the villain and main plot — were so set in stone when he joined the film that he had to work with the hand dealt. At best, you can say the film is a restart button for the DCEU to start fresh. 

You can read INSIDER's review here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 10 coolest places to go to university in the UK

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It's well known that students like beer and music — and now it appears that they're also making their university choices based on these things.

Liberty Living conducted a survey of over 3,000 students and found that over half (52%) would rather go to a "cool" university than one that is top of the league tables but in a quieter location. 

The survey found that a high number of craft beer pubs (48%) was the top reason for a university being considered "cool," followed by the number of record shops (29%), and a thriving art scene (23%).

Liberty Living set out to find out exactly which UK universities are the "coolest" based on these measures.

The ranking took into account the number of record stores, craft beer pubs, and vintage clothes shops in each city, as well as each university's art and design score from the Complete University Guide. 

It appears the north is the place to be, as seven of the top 10 coolest universities are found in the north and midlands. 

Scroll down to see the 10 coolest universities in the UK, ranked in ascending order along with some of the best places to check out in the respective cities.

10. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.

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• Vintage shops: 15

• Art and design score: 93.8

• Record stores: 7

• Craft beer bars: 17

Heriot-Watt led the way for Scottish universities. It also beat out close competitors the University of the Arts London and Leeds Beckett University to clinch the final top ten spot.

Anyone in the know should take a peruse around Summerhall, a creative arts space with bars and cafes, followed by a cocktail at the hidden speakeasy Hoot the Redeemer (pictured).



9. Northumbria University, Newcastle.

• Vintage shops: 17

• Art and design score: 92.5

• Record shops: 15

• Craft beer bars: 27

Northumbria University is one of two universities in Newcastle and both made this list. The city is home to a thriving art gallery scene with highlights including the Biscuit Factory, Northern Print, Mushroom Works, and Vane.

Apparently the "hippest" neighbourhood to live in is Ouseburn (pictured), also known as Newcastle's "cultural quarter," where a number of music venues and trendy bars reside, such as the Cumberland Arms.



8. Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool.

Vintage shops: 22

• Art and design score: 84.5

• Record shops: 7

• Craft beer bars: 32

There are plenty of cool hangouts for students living in Liverpool, including Bold Street Coffee, Kazimier Gardens, and many more craft beer establishments like the Dead Crafty Beer Company and Black Lodge Brewery.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Singapore no longer has the world's most powerful passport — a European country has reclaimed the top spot

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GERMAN PASSPORT

  • The annual Henley Passport Index has just been released.
  • It ranks passports according to the number of countries their holders can travel to visa-free.
  • The ranking named Germany as the country with the most powerful passport in the world for the fifth year in a row.
  • Last October a separate ranking put Singapore at the top of the list, but Germany has reclaimed the top spot on that list also.


Germany has the world's most powerful passport, according to the 2018 Henley Passport Index.

It's the fifth year in a row in which the European country has topped Henley's list, which takes into account the number of countries a passport holder can visit without a visa.

The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world's largest and most comprehensive database of travel information.

German citizens can now visit 177 countries, up one from last year, according to the report.

In October, a separate list, the Global Passport Power Rank, produced by the advisory firm Arton Capital, named Singapore as having the most powerful passport in the world. But Germany has since reclaimed the top spot in that ranking also, solidifying its standing.

Here are the 15 most powerful tiers of passports, based on the number of countries their holders can visit visa-free, according to Henley:

1. Germany 177

2. Singapore 176

3. Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden, UK 175

4. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland 174

5. Ireland, South Korea, Portugal, US 173

6. Canada 172

7. Australia, Greece, New Zealand 171

8. Czech Republic, Iceland 170

9. Malta 169

10. Hungary 168

11. Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia 167

12. Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia 166

13. Estonia 165

14. Poland 163

15. Monaco 162

Ukraine (44th) and Georgia (53rd) were the biggest climbers on this year's list, moving up by 15 and 14 ranks respectively, following their recent visa liberalization with the European Union.

Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan remain at the bottom of the index for the second year in a row, each able to access 30 or fewer countries visa-free.

Dr. Christian H. Kälin, the group chairman of Henley & Partners, thinks the need for visa-free access is greater than ever.

"Across the economic spectrum, individuals want to transcend the constraints imposed on them by their country of origin and access business, financial, career, and lifestyle opportunities on a global scale," he said. "The Henley Passport Index shows individuals where they lie on the spectrum of global mobility, revealing the strength that their passport has in relation to other passports."

SEE ALSO: This is now the most powerful passport in the world

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The CEO of a $445 billion fund manager speaks on the future of US tech stocks, inflation, and the next economic downturn

The states where the American Dream could become a reality, ranked from worst to best

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  • US News created a list of every state ranked by opportunity, as measured by economic opportunity, equality, and affordability.
  • States from southern America were low on the list and four of the top six states border Canada.
  • California, Texas, and New York — the three largest states by population — all ranked in the bottom 10, meaning the American Dream is not as strong there.

The American Dream is dead. Or maybe it's thriving.

It probably depends who you ask and where they live. The American Dream — and what it means to have 'made it' it in the US — has transformed over time.

In some states, the American Dream is much more alive than in others. At least, that is the conclusion reached by US News ranking of states by opportunity with data from McKinsey & Company. 

Opportunity is one of the eight factors that went into figuring out US News rankings for best states. In fact, survey participants considered opportunity the fourth most important measurement in the methodology of the rankings. 

To determine the ranking, each state was measured on numerous metrics that matched three criteria: economic opportunity, equality, and affordability. The latter two were both given a 40% weight, while affordability was weighed at 20%.

Income inequality, median household income, poverty rates, and food insecurity rates all went in to finding the level of economic opportunity for each state. Equality was measured through education, employment, and income gaps based on gender, race, and disability. Cost of living and housing affordability were considered in the affordability ranking. 

Southern states — in both the Deep South and the Southwest — fared poorly on the opportunity ranking. The state that came in first overall did so despite being relatively unaffordable. The most affordable state came in the middle of the pack — 25th for overall opportunity.

Below, see where your state ranks for opportunities to achieve the American Dream.

SEE ALSO: The states where Americans have the best quality of life, ranked

DON'T MISS: All 50 states ranked for retirement from worst to best

50. Louisiana

Economic opportunity: 49

Equality: 42

Affordability: 19



49. Mississippi

Economic opportunity: 50

Equality: 27

Affordability: 13



48. Alabama

Economic opportunity: 48

Equality: 39

Affordability: 17



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 30 happiest cities in the US, ranked

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San Francisco

Some cities are known for being friendly, while others are sought-after travel destinations, but these 30 US cities are the happiest places to settle down.

To rank cities by levels of happiness, WalletHub compared 182 of the largest cities in the US across 28 metrics under three main umbrella categories:

  • Emotional and Physical Well-Being (life expectancy, depression rate, sports participation)
  • Income and Employment (poverty rate, job satisfaction, share of households earning over $75,000)
  • Community and Environment (separation and divorce rate, weather, access to parks)

Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale (100 being maximum happiness). WalletHub determined the weighted average across all metrics to calculate a total score for each city.

A whopping 11 out of the top 30 cities are located in California — including Fremont, the happiest city in the US.

Keep scrolling to see where the happiest people in America live.

30. Garland, TX

Total score: 65.57



29. Anaheim, CA

Total score: 65.58



28. Cedar Rapids, IA

Total score: 65.62



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best beer in every state, according to beer enthusiasts across the US

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Pliny the Elder, Russian River

Americans love their beer. And when traveling out of state, a visit to the local brewery is one of the best ways to sample the culture.

For 15 years, Zymurgy Magazine — the official magazine of the American Homebrewers Association — has asked the group's tens of thousands of members to cast votes for the best beers in the country. The idea is that Zymurgy readers, as homebrewers, have more refined palates than most and can suss out the best.

In addition to ranking the top 10 beers in the US, Zymurgy named the best beer you can buy in every state. In celebration of National Beer Day on Saturday, April 7, here are the best beers.

SEE ALSO: The top 10 beers chosen by beer enthusiasts across the US

ALABAMA: Yellowhammer Brewing Rebellion (TIE)

Huntsville, Alabama

Red in color, this light-malt, light-hops lager is inspired by German brewing tradition. A dose of caramel balances out a bitter finish.



ALABAMA: Folklore Brewing & Meadery Shadowcaster Porter (TIE)

Dothan, Alabama

A chocolate and coffee-lover's delight, this rich porter smells like a fresh pot of morning Joe and tastes like a moche latté.



ALASKA: Anchorage Brewing Co. A Deal with the Devil (TIE)

Anchorage, Alaska

A barleywine-style ale brewed with Galaxy hop variety, A Deal with the Devil ages for between eight and 11 months in Cognac barrels. It's worth the wait. A blend of caramel, fig, Cognac, and wood spice creates a syrupy, full-bodied taste.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

RANKED: The best-looking iPhone designs, from the original iPhone to the iPhone X (AAPL)

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Original iPhone and iPhone X comparison

Apple has made a lot of gorgeous smartphones over the years.

While the iPhone has evolved plenty over the years, particularly with regards to functionality, we thought it'd be fun to just focus on how the exterior of the phone has changed over the years, and rank our favorite looks.

Here are the best-looking iPhone designs of all-time, from the original iPhone to the iPhone X:

12. The original iPhone

We've written extensively about how terrible the very first iPhone was from a technical standpoint when it was launched in 2007.

From a design perspective, though, it was a good-looking phone that was intuitive to use, with buttons and the mute toggle on the side, and the power button on top. With its silver trim and matte back, it looked like a more premium version of the iPod Touch. More beautiful iPhone models came along, but this was the model the launched the smartphone wave that defined the last decade. 



11. The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus

The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus were very similar to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The phones were slightly thicker, slightly heavier, and made of a stronger aluminum that made it tougher to bend. It also had a finish that made it slightly less slippery to hold.

Other than that, Apple kept all the design choices from the iPhone 6, for better or worse. The display was still the star of the show, but details on the back of the phone — like the awkward antenna lines and the rear camera bump — left much to be desired.

 



10. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

Apple ditched the glass portions from the iPhone 5S and went whole-hog on aluminum with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The all-aluminum design made those phones much thinner and much lighter than previous iPhone designs, which had an unintended consequence where people tested the phone's flexibility by bending it, leading to the much-publicized #BendGate.

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus featured a new rounded look, compared to the flat edges of the iPhone 5 and 5S, making them look more like iPod designs from way back when. But the biggest improvement in the iPhone 6 line was the display: Apple upgraded from the 4-inch screens of the iPhone 5 era to a larger 4.7-inch screen for the iPhone 6, and a much larger 5.5-inch screen for the iPhone 6 Plus.

The iPhone 6 phones were the first inkling that Apple wanted to create a phone that was mostly display. Still, those antenna lines on the back were not very appealing, and this was the first iPhone to introduce the rear camera bump: The lens is raised slightly off the back of the device, which meant the phone couldn't lie perfectly flat on a table.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

California's economy is now the 5th-biggest in the world, and has overtaken the United Kingdom

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US CA economies

  • New economic data puts the California economy at $2.747 trillion — bigger than most nations.
  • The ranking puts in fifth in the world, just ahead of the United Kingdom, which is on $2.625 trillion.
  • The difference is striking given California's population of 40 million to the UK's 66 million.


California's economy is so large, and has grown so quickly, that it is now the fifth-biggest in the world all by itself, according to US government data.

Figures released on Friday by the US Department of Commerce put California's effective GDP from 2017 at around $2.747 trillion. It said the state's economy grew by 3.4% in the past year.

That growth puts it ahead of the United Kingdom, which has a GDP of $2.625 trillion, according to data published last month by the International Monetary Fund

Here is how the 15 largest world economies look if you also include US states (in bold) as separate entities:

1. United States $19.391 trillion
2. China $12.015 trillion
3. Japan $4.872 trillion
4. Germany $3.685 trillion
5. California $2.747 trillion
6. United Kingdom $2.625 trillion
7. India $2.611 trillion
8. France $2.584 trillion
9. Brazil $2.055 trillion
10. Italy $1.938 trillion
11. Texas $1.696 trillion
12. Canada $1.652 trillion
13. New York $1.547 trillion
14. South Korea $1.538 trillion
15. Russia $1.527 trillion

According to the Associated Press, California's boom has been especially pronounced because of its thriving tech, entertainment and agricultural industries.

The difference is even more stark in light of the respective economies' populations: Britain has around 66 million inhabitants, compared to California's 40 million.

The United Kingdom has experienced sluggish growth in the past year and many consider its future economic prospects in peril because of its impending exit from the European Union, characterised by fraught negotiations.

It also highlighted currency fluctuations which helped increase the US dollar figure for California's economy at the expense of Britain's.

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NOW WATCH: The market is about to reach an inflection point — here’s how to predict which way it’s going to go

The 11 best dog breeds, ranked

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Dogs are the best.

Incredibly loyal, they comfort, protect, and love their humans unconditionally, making dogs superior to any other pet out there.

But not all dogs are created equal. These are the 11 best dog breeds, based on factors including health, personality, and overall popularity.

11. Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese water dogs were originally bred to herd fish, retrieve lost tackle or broken nets, and act as couriers from ship to shore.

They’re good for people with allergies and make excellent companions since they are loving, independent, intelligent, and easy to train.

Portuguese water dogs also enjoy being petted and are friendly with strangers. Just be warned that like many larger dogs, boredom can cause them to become destructive.



10. Newfoundland Dog

Known as "nature's babysitter," Newfoundland Dogs are the absolute sweetest. Perhaps the best-known Newfoundland is the fictional Nana from "Peter Pan," who was so wonderful with children.

These gentle giants are highly loyal and easy to train, and are legendary for their docile temper.

Newfoundland dogs are also strong swimmers, and the breed was trained to rescue people from drowning — one dog even famously saved Napoleon Bonaparte.



9. Maltese

One of the most ancient of the toy breeds, Maltese dogs were bred to be sweet and adoring of their owners. The Greeks even erected tombs for their Maltese dogs, and in Elizabethan times, they were called "The Comforter" because it was believed they could relieve pain and cure illness.

Maltese dogs are also extremely hypoallergenic, with silky coats that don't shed.

And because of their size, these dogs are good for apartment living, too.



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The 20 most beautiful lakes in the US, ranked

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While beaches might steal the summer vacation thunder, America also has some incredible lakes

From famous names like Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California-Nevada border, to hidden gems such as Oklahoma's Lake Tenkiller, here are the 20 most beautiful lakes in America, ranked. 

20. Lake Eklutna, Alaska

Less than an hour outside Anchorage, Lake Eklutna is an under-the-radar destination that can be explored byhiking, biking, and even by ATV. Kayaking is also popular. It's located inside Chugach State Park, whichspans 495,000 acres of rugged Alaskan terrain.



19. Lake Ouachita, Arkansas

Lake Ouachita (pronounced Wash-ah-taw), the biggest manmade lake in Arkansas, boasts 40,000 acres of pristine water and is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and diving. Development was prohibited along the lake's 600-mile shoreline, leaving a tree-lined sanctuary that features a geo-float trail— the first water-based interpretive trail in the National Trails System — and one of the world's largest crystal veins.

 

 

 



18. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake, spans 20 miles at the foot of the White Mountains. About 275 islands dot its surface.

On TripAdvisor, one user calls Lake Winnipesaukee the "most beautiful lake in New Hampshire," while others note that it's a great destination for activities such as kayaking, boating, and swimming. 



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The 19 worst airports in the world

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Your flying experience doesn't just depend on what airline you're flying with — but also what airport you're flying from.

As well as ranking the best airlines in the world, flight compensation company AirHelp has named and shamed the worst airports in the world as part of its annual AirHelp Score.

AirHelp analysed quality of service, on-time performance, and online consumer sentiment to score 141 airports around the world out of 10.

Qatar's Hamad International Airport came out on top as the best airport with an overall score of 8.77, a victory which is unsurprising when you consider it was built over a decade at the cost of $16 billion (£12 billion) — you can take a look around it here.

Meanwhile, lower in the rankings British airports did not fare well as three featured in the bottom 20.

Scroll down to see the 19 worst airports in the world, ranked by overall score from highest to lowest.

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 13 cheapest party cities in the world in 2018

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 13 best airlines in the world in 2018

19. London Gatwick Airport (LGW), UK — 6.66.



18. Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), Sweden — 6.62.



17. Keflavík International Airport (KEF), Iceland — 6.61.



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New York is the most influential city of today, but it's only the second most important city of the future

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  • New York is the most influential city in the world today, according to a new report from global business-consulting firm AT Kearney.
  • That might change. AT Kearney predicted that San Francisco, has the most potential to become the most important city of the future.
  • San Francisco is inching ahead in importance thanks to its hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.

 

New Yorkers have a reputation for thinking their city is at the center of the world.

They might be right — but not for long.

AT Kearney, a global business-consulting firm, has released this year's Global Cities Report, and gave New York City the top spot on the Global Cities Index ranking. The firm ranks 135 cities based on current global standing and influence on the world.

But the report includes a second ranking, called the Global Cities Outlook, which measures how a city's potential for importance in the future stacks up against other cities. In this ranking, San Francisco overtook New York to claim the number one spot for most influential city of the future. 

The rankings suggest that while New York is the most influential city of today, San Francisco has the most potential relative to other cities to become the most important city of the future.

San Francisco is the best city in the world for innovation

Despite its out-of-control housing prices and cost of living, San Francisco continues to attract the best companies, the top talent, and the most investment dollars. There are reasons for it.

According to AT Kearney, San Francisco is the world's premiere hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The Bay Area is home to a number of high-growth companies, including Apple, Facebook, Google, Uber, and Salesforce, and the region filed more patents per person (34,324 international patents between 2011 and 2015, with Google accounting for 6.5% of all applications) than any other city ranked by AT Kearney.

Venture capital is the lifeblood of business in San Francisco. Between 35% and 40% of all venture funding in the US flows into the Bay Area every year, according to a 2012 study by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute and Booz & Company. As a result, entrepreneurs build companies there, bringing highly-educated professionals to the area in droves.

San Francisco

But this concentration of wealth and power has worsened an already-dire housing market, and not everyone can afford to stay. A shortage of housing coupled with high demand, especially from tech workers who can afford to bid up home prices, has made it impossible for some to buy a home in the Bay Area on a middle-class paycheck.

The median price of a home in San Francisco is $1.5 million, and a person needs an annual income of at least $303,000 to afford the 20% down payment on a home that expensive.

New York slips to No. 2 in the future

Nicole Dessibourg-Freer, an analyst at AT Kearney, tells Business Insider that it's unfair to say New York is "faring worse" for the future. New York sits second on the Global Cities Outlook ranking and remains "very much a leader" in finance, media, fashion, and food, she said.

Instead, Dessibourg-Freer explains that New York has less potential relative to other cities like San Francisco to become the world's dominant city in the coming years.

According to AT Kearney, New York has some weaknesses. The Global Cities Outlook ranking looks at four main criteria: innovation, economics, personal wellbeing, and governance. New York typically underperforms in the personal wellbeing category, which measures factors relating to safety, healthcare, inequality, and the environment, Dessibourg-Freer said.

A 2017 study by personal finance website WalletHub declared San Francisco the greenest city in America, based on 21 indicators including greenhouse gas emissions per capita, number of smart-energy policies and initiatives, percent of commuters who drive, and amount of green space. New York placed sixteenth on the ranking.

SEE ALSO: San Francisco is still the best city in the world for innovation — here are the 6 cities that threaten to usurp its position of power

DON'T MISS: 6 reasons why you should start your company in New York instead of Silicon Valley

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NOW WATCH: Why west-bound flights always take significantly longer

The 18 most expensive cities to live in the world in 2018

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ECA International has released its annual Cost of Living report, revealing the most expensive cities in the world to live in.

In order to produce the list, the business management consultancy compared the costs of a basket of day-to-day goods and services commonly purchased by expats in various countries, including groceries, household and recreational goods, leisure, clothing, meals out, as well as alcohol and tobacco, among other items.

European cities dominated the top of the ranking, with almost a third of the top 100 cities being located in the continent.

Meanwhile, only three US cities placed in the top 50 — and a surprise winner took the top spot.

Scroll down to see the 18 most expensive cities to live in the world, ranked in ascending order.

SEE ALSO: These 10 countries have the best career prospects for expat women

18. Yokohama, Japan.



17. Jerusalem, Israel.



16. Busan, South Korea.



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The 25 best onion rings in the US, ranked

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Sometimes French fries just won't cut it.

When that happens there are onion rings — a good pile of these fried circles of goodness can truly save the day. They pair well with everything from hot dogs to burgers.

We teamed up with Yelp to find the 25 best onion rings that the US has to offer.

In order to compile this list, Yelp identified businesses in the restaurant and food categories with a significant number of reviews mentioning the words "onion rings." These places were then ranked using factors like the total volume and ratings of reviews that mention those keywords. In order to ensure geographic diversity, only two businesses per state were included.

Keep scrolling to see the spots that should be on every onion-ring-lover's bucket list.

25. Saw's Soul Kitchen, Birmingham, Alabama

Saw's does typical Alabama fare, and they do it well. The menu is full of staples like collard greens, cheese grits, fried green tomatoes, and of course, the white barbecue sauce that the state is famous for.

Click here to learn more about Saw's >



24. Stella's Bar & Grill, Bellevue, Nebraska

Many Yelp reviewers say that Stella's makes the best burger in Omaha. You can stick to a traditional hamburger or cheeseburger or you can get creative and try a combination like bacon and blue cheese or peanut butter, jalapeños, bacon, and egg.

Click here to learn more about Stella's >



23. Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers, Leesburg, Virginia

A Leesburg institution that serves up stacked burgers and "piles of fries," Melt also adds a tasty twist to their onion rings. The restaurant serves the side with a balsamic glaze that Yelpers can't seem to get enough of.

Click here to learn more about Melt >



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