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Here are all the film and TV projects LeBron James is already working on in Hollywood

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lebron james tiff

  • LeBron James and his business partner Maverick Carter formed SpringHill Entertainment years ago to get involved in show business.
  • James' move to Los Angeles has seemingly helped SpringHill Entertainment, which has taken on several projects in recent months.
  • Below is a list of James' current projects, from documentaries to scripted comedy series.


LeBron James has been involved in Hollywood for some time, and though he says his move to the Los Angeles Lakers wasn't about the entertainment business, it didn't hurt.

James and his business partner Maverick Carter founded SpringHill Entertainment together and have already produced several projects, from "The Wall" to "Survivor's Remorse" to "Cleveland Hustles."

Now that James is in LA, though, the production company has taken off, with James producing and co-producing several documentaries, docu-series, and scripted series, from dramas to comedies. He's even had some time to be involved in the filmmaking.

Here are all of the projects James is and has been working on, according to IMDB and SpringHill Entertainment's website.

1. "Space Jam 2"

Release date: Unclear; filming begins in 2019

What to know: The long-awaited sequel to Michael Jordan's 1996 hit is finally here, with LeBron starring in the movie. James' business partner Maverick Carter has said it won't be a sequel to the first film.



2. "The Shop"

Release date: On air now

What to know: James and company brought "The Shop" over from Uninterrupted to HBO this year, with two episodes airing this fall. Set in a barbershop, James, other athletes, musicians, and celebrities discuss sports, politics, race, and more.



3. "Shut Up and Dribble"

Release date: Out now

What to know: The three-part documentary, directed by Gotham Chopra ("Tom vs. Time") came out on Showtime in October and has received praise for its examination of the effect of the NBA on race relations and politics.



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17 things successful people do over long weekends

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holiday meal thanksgiving

  • Make the most of your long weekend — whether you plan to relax or get active.
  • Business Insider reached out to some experts for tips on how to set yourself up for success when you have an extra day off.
  • Their suggestions focused on prioritizing tasks, setting technology guidelines, and spending time with loved ones.


It's always great to stretch out the weekend for an extra day or two. Long weekends can provide a much-needed breather amidst our busy schedules. 

But how should you spend your long weekend?

If you're not sure how to make the most of the next few days, we've got some ideas. Here are 17 things successful people do before and over long weekends:

SEE ALSO: 11 things unsuccessful people do over long weekends

DON'T MISS: 14 sleeping habits of unsuccessful people

They plan their long weekend before it begins

Many successful people plan out their activities for the holiday weekend well in advance so that they are not drawn into the temptation of working, said Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage." They make reservations, book tee times, or schedule activities with their kids.

"They're strategic enough to have an action plan for the three-day weekend, but flexible enough to tackle any urgent work issues that may arise," Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," told Business Insider.



They prepare at work

"Most of what they do happens before they leave for a long weekend so that they are psychologically free to relax and enjoy it," Kerr told Business Insider.

This includes saying proper goodbyes to colleagues, cleaning up their office, finishing any pressing tasks, and creating a clear plan of action for when they return to the office so they can hit the ground running.



They set technology guidelines

Successful people set email and phone rules for themselves and the people they work with, so that people understand when, if at all, they will be available to respond or pick up.

"This can communicate to employees how critical it is for everyone to take a complete break, and that any and all work can wait," Kerr said. "Although employees may assume this, they often need to hear it from their leader to be able to completely relax over a long weekend."

Read more:Our addiction to technology is like a drug high — but we can fix it



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Lululemon's website is crashing as furious customers try to shop Black Friday sales

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Lululemon

  • Lululemon kicked off Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving — but dozens of shoppers are complaining that the website is crashing. 
  • As of 11 a.m. ET, customers have been dealing with tech glitches for at least three hours on Thanksgiving Day. 
  • "We knew it would be a busy day, and I suppose technology got away from us this time around," Lululemon wrote on Facebook.

Lululemon's site is crashing as shoppers attempt to cash in on Black Friday deals. 

On Thursday morning, Thanksgiving Day shoppers began complaining that the athleisure company's website was not letting them complete their orders. 

"Site is down. Ugh!" one person commented soon after Lululemon posted an 8 a.m. EST Facebook announcement that the company was kicking off Black Friday sales. 

"Ugh why is the site down now?!?!?" commented another. 

As of 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, shoppers were still experiencing difficulties. According to IsItDownRightNow.com, "Lululemon.com is DOWN for everyone." 

Lululemon shoppers were less than pleased to be missing out on the deals. 

"Why don’t you guys prepare for the high volume of shoppers on your website?" one shopper commented on Facebook. 

Lululemon did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. However, the company has been apologizing to shoppers on social media, as well as suggesting that they try to complete the order in another browser or clear the cache. 

"We knew it would be a busy day, and I suppose technology got away from us this time around," Lululemon's account responded on Facebook."I totally understand that this can be frustrating as someone trying to shop online, and know that we're doing everything we can to rectify the situation as soon as possible. "

SEE ALSO: These are the stores with the best Black Friday discounts

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How Alibaba turned a fake holiday into a $25 billion shopping extravaganza that's bigger than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined

New York City's mayor hopes Amazon coming to town will help one of his transportation dreams finally become a reality

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BQX Streetcar Rendering

New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio is conflicted about Amazon coming to town.

He’s publicly stated his personal boycott of the e-commerce giant and claims to have never ordered from the site.

Yet when Amazon announced it had picked Long Island City, Queens for one of its new "HQ2" offices, De Blasio was in line with his political peers in expressing their gratitude and excitement for the new office.

What’s more, he said it could become a catalyst for one of his more outlandish proposals: the BQX connector, a waterfront streetcar to connect Brooklyn and Queens and the subway lines that criss-cross the boroughs going east and west to Manhattan.

BQX streetcar route"I think it makes the need for the BQX even greater," he told reporters Tuesday at a jubilant press conference in Queens. "The BQX has made sense for a long time… The center of gravity for the economy in NYC is shifting [to the Brooklyn/Queens waterfront."

Read more: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says he will continue to boycott Amazon as the state offers more than $1.5 billion for its HQ2

Theoretically, the BQX would connect the Brooklyn and Queens through a route roughly parallel to the East River that separates the boroughs from Manhattan, roughly 11 miles from Red Hook to Astoria. The Mayor originally said the project could pay for itself thanks to increasing property values along its route, but an August report said it could cost $2.7 billion, with half of that price tag coming from the federal government, AMNNY reported.

Transit advocates and other politicians have been quick to point out that the money could be put to better use, with more immediate effects.

Others said the newfound push after Amazon's announcement only gave more ammunition to its opposition, who have argued it will only increase the rate of gentrification along its route.

Still, the Friends of the BQX organization  — a consortium of business owners, civic organizatons, transit advocates, and other groups near its proposed route —  aren't backing down.

"Amazon’s move to L.I.C. would clearly be a boon to the city's economy — but the campus would only reach its full potential with the BQX," director Jessica Schumer told the Daily News.

There's also the possibility of Amazon helping out. As part of its agreement with the city, Amazon will contribute to an infrastructure fund, which could help prepare major thoroughfares for a streetcar's inclusion.

Proposals for an environmental impact study of the streetcar are due to City officials in December, so the study can launch early next year.

Until construction is complete — the project's scheduled finish is 2029 —  commuters between New York's biggest outer-boroughs will have to rely on the infamous G train, which runs along a similar route to the East, albeit with shorter trains than all other lines.

BQX streetcar

SEE ALSO: A tram from Manhattan to Staten Island isn't as crazy as it sounds

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This LEGO Bugatti Chiron is drivable — here's what it can do

Brooklinen's only sale of the year has already started — here's how to save up to 20% on sheets and bedding

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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.

Brooklinen, $225

  • Brooklinen is having its biggest and only sale of the year right now.
  • Now through November 26, the more you spend, the more you'll save — up to 20% off orders of $450 or more.
  • We ranked Brooklinen as the makers of the best luxury sheets, the best sateen sheets, and the best duvet cover on the internet. Find the startup's seven best-sellers below.
  • To potentially save more on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

Brooklinen is one of our favorite brands to cover — from its core and luxe bedsheets to its latest Brooklittles line for babies and toddlers. However, it's not known for holding sales. Prices are usually low enough to warrant what is essentially a year-round sale in itself.

But Black Friday and Cyber Monday are exceptions; Cyber Week is its biggest and only sale of the year.

This year, the popular startup is offering steep discounts. Now through November 26, you can take advantage of the following deals:

If you're looking for a new pair of sheets, or you've been waiting for an additional discount as an excuse to try out luxury bedding, this is probably the best time of the year to invest. And in terms of value per dollar, Brooklinen is a particularly great deal.

They look great, feel even better, and can vastly improve your quality of sleep — which, in turn, improves quite a few other areas of your life. When six hours feels like eight, it's easier to operate in the way that you want in your day-to-day.

You can check out its full range of options here, but we're fans of the Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle for every day (with a duvet cover, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and four pillowcases for $228 if you're buying for a queen). Insider Picks editor Ellen Hoffman described them as one of the best purchases she's ever made.

In our comprehensive Buying Guides, we ranked Brooklinen sheets the #1 best luxurious sheets and the best sateen sheets you can buy. Its Down Comforter (queen, $349) is the best we found from a startup, and its Classic Duvet Cover (queen, $109) is another best-in-its-category on the internet. It also makes great, blanket-sized towels (Bath Sheets, two for $89). 

If you're looking for something that adds some warmth and softness for the designated "cozy" winter season, I can't recommend the Twill Hardcore Sheet Bundle (queen, $189) enough. It's made to feel like your favorite worn-in flannel, and the twill fabrication allows the yarns to move more freely, creating an overall more forgiving, softer experience. As I've mentioned in my review of them, they'll make you wake up and wish you were working from home every day.

When it comes to Brooklinen, our experience is that it's pretty difficult to go wrong.

Take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Brooklinen discounts here.

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

Below are some of Brooklinen's best-sellers:

Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle

The queen-size Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle is $213 before a discount is applied

Available in 15 colors. 

  • Luxe Core Sheet Set (one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, two pillowcases)
  • Luxe Duvet Cover
  • Luxe Pillowcases (an extra pair)

Find a full review of the sheets here. We also ranked them the #1 best luxury sheets and the #1 best sateen sheets in the Insider Picks Buying Guides. 



Classic Hardcore Sheet Bundle

The queen-size Classic Hardcore Sheet Bundle is $129 before a discount is applied

Available in 15 colors.

  • Classic Core Sheet Set (one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, two pillowcases)
  • Classic Duvet Cover
  • Classic Pillowcases (an extra pair)


Super-Plush Complete Towel Set

The Super-Plush Complete Towel Set is $189 before a discount is applied

Available in four colors. 

  • Two "Bath Sheets"
  • Two bath towels
  • Two hand towels
  • Two washcloths
  • Bath mat

Find a full review here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Trump suggests 'the world' is to blame for Khashoggi's murder, because it's 'vicious'

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  • President Donald Trump on Thursday doubled down on his defense of the Saudi crown prince in the murder of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi, disputing the CIA's reported assessment that the royals had ordered Khashoggi's killing.
  • From his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regretted Khashoggi's death more than Trump did, according to pool reports.
  • When asked by reporters who should be held responsible for Khashoggi's death, Trump said "maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a vicious place."

President Donald Trump on Thursday disputed the CIA's reported assessment that Saudi Arabia's crown prince had ordered the killing of a journalist, saying that the intelligence agency never reached a conclusion.

Trump's remarks contradict the reporting of multiple news outlets that say the CIA concluded with "high confidence" that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally ordered that Jamal Khashoggi be murdered.

From his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump said Thursday that the Saudi crown prince regretted the incident more than Trump did, according to pool reports.

"So I hate the crime and I hate what is done and I hate the cover-up," he said. "And I will tell you this: the crown prince hates it more than I do."

Read more: A huge question looms over Trump after the CIA reportedly concludes the Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi's killing

When asked by reporters who should be held responsible for Khashoggi's death, Trump doubled down on the notion that rebuking Saudi Arabia more harshly would cost the US.

"Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a vicious place," Trump said. "Do people really want me to give up hundreds of thousands of jobs — and frankly, if we went by this standard, we wouldn't have anybody as an ally."

Trump had prompted bipartisan condemnation on Tuesday after he released a statement refusing to blame Saudi Arabia's leadership for Khashoggi's death, saying the US-Saudi relationship was "paramount."

"The crime against Jamal Khashoggi was a terrible one, and one that our country does not condone," Trump said in the statement. "In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been a great ally in our very important fight against Iran. The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region."

SEE ALSO: Trump is wrong, Saudi Arabia needs the US a lot more than the US needs the kingdom

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: What serving in the military taught beauty YouTuber Jackie Aina

How emerging markets will transform the future of online shopping

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This is a preview of a research report from Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service. To learn more about Business Insider Intelligence, click here.

Emerging markets are going to be essential for e-commerce growth, as retailers in developed markets may soon reach saturation in terms of consumer growth.

APAC CAGR

For example, almost half of US households now have a Prime membership, diminishing Amazon's growth potential in the country. Meanwhile, in China, the world's largest e-commerce market, nearly half of the population is actively making online purchases, leaving little room for growth. 

However, India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are worth keeping an eye on. E-commerce penetration rates in these areas hover between 2-6%, presenting a huge opportunity for future growth as online sales gain traction. Moreover, these regions are expected to grow at compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of 31%, 32%, and 16%, respectively, through 2021.

This report compiles several e-commerce snapshots, which together highlight the most notable emerging markets in various regions. Each provides an overview of the e-commerce industry in a particular country, discusses influential retailers, and provides insights into the opportunities and challenges for that specific domestic industry.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

  • Emerging markets are going to be essential for e-commerce growth, as retailers in developed markets may soon reach saturation in terms of consumer growth.
  • India is the clear overall leader in e-commerce potential, but countries in Southeast Asia and Latin America are also worth keeping an eye on. Within Southeast Asia, Indonesia shows the most promise for retailers, as the government is loosening restrictions on foreign investments, and its massive population is gaining spending power and more access to internet. Meanwhile, Mexico is a retailer's best bet for expansion in Latin America, due to its stable economy and rising middle class, but Brazil may be gearing up to steal the top spot.
  • However, doing business in these regions can be difficult. In most of these emerging markets, infrastructure is underdeveloped and the population is largely unbanked, making digital payments a challenge.
  • If retailers can build a brand presence in these markets while online shopping is still in its nascent stages, they may become market leaders as e-commerce takes off in the regions. Moreover, these markets could provide new sources of growth for companies that would otherwise stagnate in more mature e-commerce markets.

 In full, the report:

  • Explores the e-commerce industry in India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
  • Highlights the leading country in each region, as well as key e-commerce players there. 
  • Outlines the challenges and opportunities each region faces.
  • Gives insight into how these emerging markets may shape the future of e-commerce.

Join the conversation about this story »

There are pros and cons to public proposals — here's how to know if it's a good idea

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eiffel tower proposal

  • Everyone likes different things.
  • This is the same with showing affection — some like gifts, while others like being told they are loved.
  • A public proposal isn't for everyone.
  • But you should know what your partner wants before you get down on one knee.
  • You should probably know what kind of ring they want too.

There are five love languages, and every person uses one primary and one secondary love language to express how they feel.

According to the book "The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate" by Gary Chapman, the languages are receiving gifts, spending quality time together, words of affirmation, devotion, and physical touch.

Everyone expresses their love for someone differently, and this means they may not respond to the same things their partner does. For instance, one partner might require being told they are loved every day, while the other only feels appreciated when they're given presents.

The same goes for a proposal. Some people dream of all the bells and whistles — fireworks, red roses, and a massive public display of affection. For others, this is their worst nightmare.

It might feel like this adds to the anxiety of asking someone to marry you. But Erika Ettin, founder of dating site A Little Nudge, says it shouldn't be a concern, because you should already know what your partner wants.

"My main piece of advice is know your audience," she told INSIDER. "At a certain point you should know a person well enough to know what they would appreciate. So you have to think to yourself does my partner like this kind of thing?"

You shouldn't approach the proposal by doing what you want, she said, but what they would want.

"You're not doing it for you, you're doing it for your partner," she said. "The person proposing shouldn't do it the way he or she would appreciate it, you have to do it the way your partner would appreciate it."

It's nobody else's business

proposal

It's also nobody's business either way, Ettin added. Earlier in November, a man was criticised for proposing to his girlfriend when she reached the 16 mile point in the New York Marathon. A similar wave of criticism occurred when China's silver medalist He Zi was proposed to by fellow Olympic diver Qin Kai on the podium.

The argument is that a proposal outshines the accomplishment. So rather than thinking about how they ran their first marathon, or won an Olympic medal, they'll forever associate the day with getting engaged.

But as Ettin says, we don't know these people. A proposal is a very individual, personal thing.

"I don't think it's anyone's right to criticise," she said. "Maybe that was her dream to be proposed to at the end of a marathon. We don't know that."

Everyone wants something different, and the one proposing should understand their partner's preferences before they pop the question.

"I was thinking about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview — he proposed over chicken at home, and she seemed to love it," Ettin said. "They probably discussed that they wanted to do something private. Whereas if you asked me, I would love fireworks and sirens and sky writing, so everyone's personality is different."

All eyes are on you to say yes

There's also the argument that getting down on one knee in public means the proposee may feel obligated to say yes.

"I would advise most couples, if it's going to be a surprise, you should know first that you're getting a yes before you ask," said Ettin. "You should be having those hard conversations, those ones about children, and religion and all of that stuff. So while I love the idea of a surprise, the answer shouldn't be."

Even if the partner gets it wrong, the proposal is secondary to the relationship. If you're right for each other, an embarrassing or underwhelming proposal shouldn't matter all that much, Ettin said.

"Ultimately, the marriage is more important than the proposal, so I wouldn't let that be the focus of the rest of your life," she said.

And the same goes for the ring — talk about it first, know what your partner wants, but don't worry too much if it isn't exactly what they wanted. If the relationship is right, exchanging the ring won't be a big deal.

"Do I think you should say something at some point to make it more to your liking? Absolutely," Ettin said. "But in the moment, if you love the person, accept the proposal and you can communicate about the ring later."

Join the conversation about this story »

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


Trump uses Thanksgiving call to Navy officer to voice a weird grudge about aircraft carriers

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donald trump phone call malcolm turnbull

  • President Donald Trump returned to one of his more bizarre concerns about the US military on a call with US service members overseas on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Trump quizzed a US Navy officer on the phone about whether he thought the new plane-launching mechanism the Navy was set to include on aircraft carriers was any good.
  • Trump said the officer's answer satisfied him, but Trump has a long and weird history of hating on this one type of launching mechanism.

President Donald Trump returned to one of his more bizarre concerns about the US military on a call with US service members overseas on Thanksgiving Day.

Talking to a US Navy officer on the phone from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump asked about a pet peeve of his: the catapults aircraft carriers use to launch aircraft.

US aircraft carriers have only a short distance to launch heavy bomb- and fuel-laden planes, so they hook the planes up to a system called a catapult that accelerates them to more than 150 mph to get them airborne from the ship's deck.

Read more:Trump suggests 'the world' is to blame for Khashoggi's murder, because it's 'vicious'

The US is working on a new aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and, like with any new ship, has been struggling to field all the new systems. A chief problem for the Ford has been getting the electromagnetic catapults to work.

Older carriers use steam-powered catapults, a technology the US has long had mastered but can now be improved upon.

"So when you do the new carriers, as we do and as we're thinking about doing, would you go with steam, or would you go with electromagnetic?"Trump quizzed the sailor, putting him in the awkward position of disagreeing with the president or disagreeing with his superior officers.

"Because steam is very reliable, and the electromagnetic, I mean, unfortunately you have to be Albert Einstein to really work it properly," Trump said. "What would you do?"

"Yes sir, you sort of have to be Albert Einstein to run the nuclear power plant that we have here as well, but we're doing that very well," the officer replied. "Mr. President, I would go electromagnetic [catapults] ... We do pay a heavy cost to transit the steam around the ship."

"Good, OK, I like to hear that. I'm actually happy about that answer," Trump said. "They're doing what they're doing, but that's actually a very good answer."

US Navy planners say that the electromagnetic catapults can provide a more consistent and powerful boost for launching aircraft and that the catapult shot can be adjusted for individual aircraft, reducing wear and tear.

But Trump, for some reason, hates the idea of electromagnetic catapults.

From Trump's 2017 interview with TIME magazine:

"You know the catapult is quite important. So I said, 'What is this?' 'Sir, this is our digital catapult system.' He said, 'Well, we're going to this because we wanted to keep up with modern [technology].' I said, 'You don't use steam anymore for catapult?' 'No sir.' I said, 'Ah, how is it working?' 'Sir, not good. Not good. Doesn't have the power. You know the steam is just brutal. You see that sucker going, and steam's going all over the place. There's planes thrown in the air.'

"It sounded bad to me. Digital. They have digital. What is digital? And it's very complicated; you have to be Albert Einstein to figure it out. And I said — and now they want to buy more aircraft carriers. I said, 'What system are you going to be —' 'Sir, we're staying with digital.' I said, 'No you're not. You're going to goddamned steam. The digital costs hundreds of millions of dollars more money, and it's no good.'"

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: What serving in the military taught beauty YouTuber Jackie Aina

I drove an electric car for the first time under intense conditions — and it performed better than I expected (GM)

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chevy bolt autocross

  • I drove an electric vehicle, a Chevrolet Bolt EV, for the first time on an autocross course.
  • The Bolt's acceleration wasn't remarkable, but it handled well. I felt like it was always under control, even when I pushed it into a series of hard turns.
  • I came away with a positive impression of the Bolt. Almost none of the maneuvers required by the course would apply to everyday driving, but the course demonstrated how the Bolt could hold up in unusual circumstances.

 

A Chevrolet Bolt EV is not the first car you might think to use on an autocross track.

Autocross is a timed competition in which cones are arranged, often in a flat and spacious environment like a parking lot, to create a course that tests a driver's ability to make a number of tight turns with precision. A modestly-priced car might not seem like the most logical choice for this sort of event, but on a 2017 list of the cars best suited for autocross, the automotive publication Road & Track included affordable vehicles like the Ford Fiesta and Honda Civic alongside the Porsche Cayman and Chevrolet Corvette.

Like the Fiesta, the Bolt is light and compact, which helps with agility and tight turns. And its 266 pound-feet of torque tops competitors like the Nissan Leaf (236 pound-feet) and the BMW i3 (184 pound-feet). While it won't provide blistering acceleration (it takes 6.2 seconds to go from 0-60 mph) or race car-level handling, the Bolt can navigate tight turns and frequent changes in speed without spinning out of control. 

The Bolt was also the first fully-electric vehicle I'd driven. First released in late 2016, the Bolt is General Motors' mass-market electric car, beating Tesla's mass-market vehicle, the Model 3, to market by a year. With 238 miles of range, the Bolt set out to ease range anxiety without breaking the bank. 

While my first experience with the Bolt  — and electric cars in general — in May came under unusual circumstances, it demonstrated how electric vehicle technology has progressed to a point where early stereotypes about electric vehicles being flimsy and impractical no longer apply.

Here's how the Bolt held up over three hours of runs on an autocross track.

SEE ALSO: I drove a $44,000 Chevy Bolt for a weekend and saw just how far electric cars have come — but I also discovered a glaring problem

The autocross course was set up in the parking lot of Citi Field, the New York Mets' baseball stadium, near the end of May.



Five total cars were available to drive — four Chevy Bolts and a gas-powered Volkswagen Golf GTI.



Two of the Bolts had all-season tires, like the one in this photo.



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We drove a $65,000 Audi Q7 and a $60,000 Volvo XC90 to find out which one is a better luxury SUV — here's the verdict

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  • The Audi Q7 and the Volvo XC90 are two of the best luxury crossover SUVs in the world.
  • The Audi Q7 and the Volvo XC90 offer its occupants luxury car comfort and minivan-like utility with the off-road capability of an SUV.
  • The Audi Q7 starts $49,900 while the Volvo XC90 starts at $46,900.
  • The Audi Q7's superior driving dynamics and infotainment system edges out the Volvo XC90 which has greater cargo room and more attractive styling. 

The large crossover SUV makes a whole lot of sense.

It combines the user-friendly nature of passenger cars with the utility of a minivan and much of the off-road prowess of a traditional SUV.

And for those looking for a more plush crossover experience, the luxury brands have that covered. Two of the best large luxury crossovers we've ever tested are the Audi Q7 and the Volvo XC90.

The Volvo arrived in 2015 just in time for the 2016 model year while the Audi debuted in 2016 as a 2017 model. 

The Volvo XC90 was a revelation for us when we first tested the car in late 2015. It was the first new model to arrive in showrooms following the Swedish automaker's acquisition by China's Geely Group. 

We loved the second generation XC90 so much that we gave it our 2015 Car of the Year award over some stiff competition like the BMW 7-Series and the Lamborghini Huracan. Amazingly, with the impending arrival of the new S60 sedan, the XC90 will soon become the oldest model in Volvo's lineup.

Read more: We drove a $64,000 BMW X5 and a $65,000 Audi Q7 to find the winner in our battle of luxury SUVs — here's the verdict.

And then there's the Audi Q7. In our review of the second generation Q7, Matt DeBord referred to the Audi as the luxury SUV perfected.  

In spite of the presence of the A8 luxury sedan, the Q7 is effectively Audi's luxury halo product. The original Q7 debuted back in 2007. In spite of early criticism of its aesthetics, the big Audi eventually developed into a fan favorite.

Both crossovers are built on modular platforms and share their underpinnings with passengers cars. The Q7 is built on VW Group's MLB Evo platform that's shared with the Audi A4 sedan and Bentley Bentayga SUV. While the XC90 is built on Volvo's SPA platform that underpins the company's entire passenger car lineup. 

Here's a closer look at how the Audi Q7 3.0T Prestige and the Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription matches up: 

SEE ALSO: We drove a $40,000 Jeep Cherokee SUV to see if the American icon is still one of the best money can buy — here's the verdict

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First up is the Volvo XC90.

The Volvo XC90 starts at $46,900 for a base, front-wheel-drive T5 Momentum while our luxury spec T6 Inscription test car starts at $59,450.  

Volvo also offers the XC90 as a plug-in hybrid with a starting price of $64,950. 

While those looking for a luxury limousine feel can opt for the Volvo XC90 Excellence which starts $104,900. 



Aesthetically, the XC90 is simply stunning. It exudes effortless style and elegance. Volvo's "Thor's Hammer" headlight is a stand out design feature.



The XC90's rear end is punctuated by dual exhausts and vertical taillights —a feature carried from the first generation model.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Popular watch startup MVMT is kicking off Black Friday early with a huge sale on watches and sunglasses

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Black Friday traditionally marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, but if you're looking for watches and sunglasses, you won't have to wait for the post-Thanksgiving chaos.

MVMT, one of our favorite watch brands, is having a huge flash sale to celebrate the holidays. Now through Thursday, November 29, you can get up to 25% off the entire site.

Their selection of watch designs range from timeless to innovative and edgy. One thing that's consistent throughout the brand is its affordability, and this sale makes it even better.

Sales like this don't come around often, so right now is likely the best time to get one. Whether you're shopping for someone special this holiday season or picking up a watch for yourself, you're not likely to beat this deal.

If you're looking for reviews, we ranked them as the makers of the best minimalist women's watches on the market, and their new $300 automatic watch is one of the best values in automatic watches we've come across — though it appears to be excluded from the Black Friday discounts.

Shop all items at MVMT now

Below you can find some of the best things on sale right now for up to 25% off. Prices may differ by lens and frame color.

Men's Watches: Gunmetal Sandstone

Gunmetal Sandstone, $114.75 (Originally $135) [You save $20.25]



Slate Voyager



Black Tan Classic

Black Tan Classic, $80.75 (Originally $95) [You save $14.25]



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I drove a $53,000 Toyota Tundra pickup to see if it's on par with Chevy and Ford trucks — here's the verdict

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Toyota Tundra

  • The Toyota Tundra is typically the fourth-best-selling full-size pickup truck in the US.
  • The Tundra is aging, but it has a reliable design that's up against new pickups from the Detroit Big 3: Chevy, Ford, and Ram.
  • Despite its age, the Tundra is a great pickup that is notably easy to drive and, in an upscale trim package, comes with a lot of luxurious features.

In the world of the full-size pickup truck, the Ford F-150 rules the realm. Its perennial challengers are the Chevy Silverado and the Ram 1500.

You could be forgiven if you thought this massive US market was a trifecta, full stop. But there are other large pickups in the land. And they are worthy.

The worthiest is the Toyota Tundra. While Toyota sells just about 115,000 of these every year and Ford moves close to 1 million F-150s, the Tundra is no slouch when it comes to pickups. Among those in the pickup-truck know, Toyotas are considered more or less indestructible.

You buy the F-150 because it's ... well, because it's an F-150. You might own a dozen in a lifetime.

You buy the Tundra if you think you might want to go to your final reward having owned just one truck.

That's an exaggeration, but not far off. You do have to make some trades. Trucks from Detroit's big three automakers can be lavishly luxurious these days, while most Toyota pickups we've sampled at Business Insider have been sort of bare-bones.

And then a tasty Toyota Tundra 1794 Crewmax, tipping the cost scales at about $53,000, landed at our test center in suburban New Jersey. It was different. Very different.

The Tundra has been around since 2000 and has amassed a loyal following, even as it fails to seriously compete with the big three. (The current generation arrived in 2007 and was updated in 2014, making it a pretty old platform.) That certainly doesn't mean Toyota doesn't take the Tundra seriously. In a week of driving it around — with a nice long run to the Catskills in upstate New York thrown in — I found out why.

FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!

Behold, the Toyota Tundra, Crewmax configuration — rather out of its element in the leafy suburbs of northern New Jersey.



The competition among full-size pickups is brutal. Here's the Raptor high-performance version of the Ford F-150.

Read the review »



And here's a similar high-performance Chevy Silverado Z71.

Read the review »



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the 25 most powerful militaries in the world in 2018

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Navy sailors russia

With its National Defense Strategy released earlier this year, the US detailed its shift from small-scale operations like counterinsurgency and toward a potential fight with a rival like Russia or China.

Countries around the world have made similar moves, refocusing on large-scale conflict.

Amid those changes, head-to-head comparisons of military strength are hard to come by. Global Firepower's 2018 Military Strength Ranking tries to fill that void by drawing on more than 55 factors to assign a Power Index score to 136 countries — adding Ireland, Montenegro, and Liberia to last year's list.

The ranking assesses the diversity of each country's weapons and pays particular attention to their available manpower. Geography, logistical capacity, available natural resources, and the status of local industry are also taken into account.

While recognized nuclear powers receive a bonus, their nuclear stockpiles are not factored into the score. Landlocked countries are not docked for lacking a navy, but countries with navies are penalized if there is a lack of diversity in their fleets.

NATO countries get a slight bonus because the alliance theoretically shares resources, but in general, a country's current political and military leadership was not considered (though financial health and stability are).

The top power index score is 0.0000, which is "realistically unattainable" for any military according to Global Firepower. The closer they are to this number, the more powerful their military is.

Per these criteria, these are the 25 most powerful militaries in the world:

SEE ALSO: Step aboard the USS Kearsarge, the US Navy workhorse that takes Marines to war

25. Canada

Power Index rating: 0.4356 (NATO member)

Total population: 35,623,680

Total military personnel: 88,000

Total aircraft strength: 413

Fighter aircraft: 60

Combat tanks: 80

Total naval assets: 63

Defense budget: $16.4 billion



24. Taiwan

Power Index rating: 0.4331

Total population: 23,508,428

Total military personnel: 1,932,500

Total aircraft strength: 843

Fighter aircraft: 286

Combat tanks: 2,005

Total naval assets: 87

Defense budget: $10.725 billion



23. Algeria

Power Index rating: 0.4296

Total population: 40,969,443

Total military personnel: 792,350

Total aircraft strength: 528

Fighter aircraft: 97

Combat tanks: 2,405

Total naval assets: 85

Defense budget: $10.57 billion



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We ranked the 9 teams still alive for the College Football Playoff based on which have the best shot to make it

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Notre Dame

  • Only nine teams still have a shot to make the College Football Playoff.
  • We have ranked the nine teams based on which have the best shot to make the playoff.
  • This week we have a new No. 1 team as Notre Dame now has the easiest path to the playoff.


Even though the College Football Playoff committee ranks 25 teams each week, there are only nine schools that still have a legit shot to be in college football's final four.

While the committee looked at what teams have done so far, we looked ahead at which teams have the easiest and most likely paths to making the final four.

Below, we ranked the nine remaining contenders based on who has the best chances to make the playoff.

9. UCF

Record: 10-0

Last week's result: Beat Cincinnati, 38-13

Playoff ranking: 9

Key games remaining: USF on the road and The American title game.

One thing to know: There is a path to the playoff for UCF, but here is what they need to happen: 1) Notre Dame loses to USC; 2) the winner of Michigan-Ohio State loses to Northwestern; 3) Georgia loses to Alabama; 4) Oklahoma loses to West Virginia or Texas; 5) Washington State loses to Washington or in the Pac-12 title game. That would leave Alabama and Clemson as playoff locks with UCF in the conversation for the final spots. Piece o' cake.



8. Washington State

Record: 10-1

Last week's result: Beat Arizona, 69-28

Playoff ranking: 8

Key games remaining: Washington at home and (if they beat the Huskies) a 3- or 4-loss team in the Pac-12 title game.

One thing to know: Wazzu deserves a better shot at the playoff than they have. Their issue is that they got on the radar too late in the season and now they don't have a chance to add any signature wins under the spotlight.



7. Ohio State

Record: 10-1

Last week's result: Beat Maryland, 52-51

Playoff ranking: 10

Key games remaining: Michigan at home and (if they beat the Wolverines) Northwestern in the Big Ten title game.

One thing to know: Ohio State is still behind Washington State and UCF in the ranking, but if they win out they would be adding two wins over ranked teams, including one currently in the playoff picture. That might not be enough to get them all the way into the top four, but they have a better path to getting into the conversation.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The Air Force has picked bases to test its new advanced bomber — here's where the B-21 Raider is heading

22 useful and fun gifts for coffee lovers they don't already have

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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.

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Coffee drinkers are a diverse lot, and if you're going to buy a gift for one of them, you better have the who's who down pat.

There's, of course, the quintessential café brooder, who might need a little pick-me-up. Maybe a chocolate to go along with the dreary cup of black coffee that's always glued to their hand. Or how about the peppy aerobic workout-obsessed early riser? They could probably stand to have a French press in their on-the-go life. The do-it-yourself artisan might fancy a cold brew kit for the home. And so on.

Whatever the temperament of your oh-so-temperamental coffee lover(s), you'll be sorted out below with these 22 fun and useful gifts for coffee lovers.

Still shopping for more gifts? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

Looking for Black Friday deals? We've rounded up the best Black Friday sales by store and product-specific deals on the internet.

SEE ALSO: 15 fun and unique gifts for tea lovers to spread holiday cheer

DON'T MISS: 15 thoughtful gifts for book lovers to satisfy the bookworm on your list

A paired coffee and chocolate gift box

Bean Box's Deluxe Coffee & Chocolate Gift Box, available at Amazon, $68

Fresh coffee beans paired with fresh chocolate is nothing short of divine, and if the recipient of this trove can't appreciate it, their soul is surely black as coal — which is probably what you should gift them next year.

Read our guide to the best chocolate you can buy online here.



A guide to help them make better coffee

How to Make Coffee: The Science Behind the Bean, available at Amazon, $15.35

Because we could all use a few pointers on our morning cuppa. 



A mokka espresso pot

Bialetti Mokka Espresso Pot (3-cup), available at Amazon, $29.95

This should be a staple in every household. Easy, rich, and oh so crema-y when done right. Also, consider the Bialetti Express Set for two ($44.69).

Check out our full guide to stovetop espresso makers here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The Influencer Marketing Report: Research, strategy & platforms for leveraging social media influencers

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This is a preview of the Influencer Marketing (2018) research report from Business Insider Intelligence. To learn more about the top platforms, as well as strategies for social media influencer marketing, click here. Current subscribers can read the report here.

Social Media Influencer Marketing Success Metrics

The concept of a brand hiring a popular personality to promote a product or service isn't new, and brands know that celebrity endorsements can sell products. In the age of social media, however, brands are finding new ways to leverage popular figures as brand ambassadors, and these people aren't necessarily famous actors, singers, or athletes.

How brands are leveraging social media influencer marketing

While brands certainly continue to tap celebrities for endorsement deals, they’re also starting to enlist social media personalities, broadly known as “influencers,” for advertising campaigns. Social influencers generally focus on specific content areas — like fashion, beauty, parenting, or gaming — and cater their content to a specific vertical.

A new report from BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, identifies the ways brands can find and manage relationships with social media influencers. It notes the most engaging industry verticals, the pitfalls to avoid, and the opportunities to cash-in on. Finally, it explores how major social platforms are increasingly building out tools that enable their most popular users to build their personal brands.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the report:

  • Influencer marketing ad spend is poised to reach between $5 billion and $10 billion in 2022. Taking the midpoint of $7.5 billion as a base case, this represents a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38%.
  • Brands need to fine-balance providing influencers with enough creative freedom, while also ensuring the messaging positively reflects the brand. Nearly 40% of influencers believe that overly restrictive content guidelines are one of the biggest mistakes brands and agencies make when working with them. 
  • Influencers tend to have higher user engagement than content generated by brands. The average influencer engagement rate across industry verticals is 5.7%. As a comparison, the average engagement rate for brands on Instagram has fluctuated between 2-3% in the past year. 
  • Authenticity is key for influencer marketing messaging. Brands should give influencers sufficient creative freedom to keep posts authentic, as it makes posts less likely to be dismissed by users. Other best practices include repurposing influencer content for multiple platforms, evaluating the audience and following of an influencer, and leveraging data to optimize future campaigns. 

 In full, the report:

  • Outlines recent steps the top social platforms are taking for influencer posts.
  • Details the best practices brands should adopt when starting out with influencer marketing. 
  • Discusses the top verticals that are poised to benefit the most from influencer marketing, and which ones are growing. 
  • Highlights the factors that will be critical for compliance with social platforms and the FTC.

Join the conversation about this story »

25 Amazon Black Friday device deals that are live now — including the new Echo Show and Fire TV Stick 4K

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echo show black friday deals

  • As part of Amazon's Black Friday offerings, many of its devices, including Echo and Fire TV products, are on sale. 
  • Find all the devices on sale below, plus how they stack up to Prime Day 2018 deals, and how the device specs compare to each other.
  • We'll be updating this page through Black Friday and Cyber Monday as we learn more about new Amazon device promotions.
  • To potentially save more on Black Friday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

If you've ever wanted to own an Amazon device, be it a Kindle e-reader, Echo speaker, orFire TV Stick, then you should know that the best times of the year to buy one — if you want to enjoy the lowest prices, anyway — are Prime Day, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Historically, Amazon has offered discounts of $15 to $50 off its popular gadgets on both holidays, and each year the deals just get better. 

Now that it's moving on to new and improved versions of its devices, you'll be able to save on certified refurbished units of the older models and double (or even triple) up on new devices to save more. 

Below, we've rounded up all the Amazon device deals in one place for you to shop, along with how a few of them stack up against those from Prime Day 2018. We've also provided easy comparisons among options within the same family so you don't waste time going back and forth between pages trying to distinguish their differences. 

If you want to read up on Amazon's complete portfolio of devices, check out this ultimate guide. Otherwise, start shopping below. 

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Echo

Echo Show (1)

Echo LookMany Echo devices are on sale today, from the simple  Echo Dot to the features-packed Echo Show. Each one uses Alexa to accomplish any number of tasks, from answering questions to reordering supplies on Amazon. Depending on your budget and preferences, you'll probably prefer one model over another. Here's a quick comparison:

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Fire HD

Fire tablets are optimized for the best portable entertainment experience, whether you like to watch movies or play games. There are three main types, and the number refers to the display size. All are available in bright colors and have high-quality video recording features, so their main differences come down to resolution, storage size, battery life, and audio capabilities. The following tablets are on sale:

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Fire TV Stick

Armed with a Fire TV device and your favorite streaming subscriptions, including Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, you'll feel like traditional cable is truly a thing of the past. It's a great tool for would be cord cutters. Fire TV devices also use Alexa for convenient hands-free control, so you don't have to juggle or manage yet another remote control. These Fire TV devices are on sale today:

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Kindle Paperwhite

If you love reading, you won't regret getting a Kindle, which makes it that much easier to enjoy the pastime. The e-readers are light and comfortable to hold, give you the ability to download millions of books with the click of a button, and let you make highlights and notes. They're also easy to read in bright light, unlike your phone. 

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These security cameras keep your home safe when you're not there by giving you live notifications and video clips of the scene. 

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

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Women tend to start affairs because they can be more honest with their cheating partner, new data finds

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cheating

Cheating is alive and well a 2018 report from Institute of Family Studies found that 16% of people have admitted to having sex with someone other than their spouse— but the reasons behind infidelity vary. New data from Ashley Madison suggests one major reason people cheat is because they feel they can be more honest with their cheating partner, Refinery29 reported.

In fact, the survey reported women attributed the ability to be honest with their cheating partner as the top reason they found cheating "easy," while men said cheating was easy for them because "there are lots of people who are open to being in an affair."

couple breaking up

While malice can be one cause of cheating, the act can also stem from a person's need for self-fulfillment and have nothing to do with the person being cheated on, Esther Perel, a couples therapist and the author of "The State of Affairs," told Business Insider in a previous interview.

"They're finally doing something they want," Perel told Business Insider. "Paradoxically, while they are lying to their partner, sometimes they find themselves in this strange situation, where maybe for the first time they are not lying to themselves." 

Tammy Nelson, a sex and relationship therapist, agreed: "...Opening up to someone who is going through similar stress at home or talking openly with someone about what you truly desire might be a factor in sharing honestly with a potential affair partner – maybe it’s the pressure itself that takes some of the pressure off," Nelson told Refinery29.

Read more:10 signs your partner may be cheating on you based on their body language

A lack of intimacy, lack of self control, or a fear of getting old can also lead to cheating.

No matter the reason, finding out your partner is cheating can be a painful experience. Learning someone's motivation behind the act, however, may help repair the relationship, or at least give peace of mind to the parties involved.

couple talking serious conversation

"When a relationship begins with infidelity and the lies and deception around it, a couple can turn the corner and create a healthy relationship if they are ready for deeper work, such as connecting deeply with themselves and each other, experiencing healing, and very real communication," Anahid Lisa Derbabian, a licensed professional counselor, told INSIDER in a previous interview.

If you truly want your relationship to persevere despite cheating and are willing to put in the work, you can get through it, Derbabian explained. It starts with both partners communicating their thoughts, feelings, and reasoning as to why the cheating occurred, then defining what a healthy relationship looks like and working towards that goal, Derbabian said.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

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