• A major threat from Hurricane Michael — which just made landfall in Florida— is flooding associated with storm surge.
• A storm surge is when hurricanes or tropical storms push the water level above the high tide line, flooding coastal communities.
• In some areas of the Florida coast, the surge is expected to reach 14 feet. 

Hurricane Michael has made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida with sustained winds of 155 mph and a minimum central pressure of 919 mb — making it the strongest storm to hit the US since 1969.

Michael's wind speed puts it just shy of a Category 5 storm (the cut off is 156 mph), but the wind is not the main threat to people and property. Instead, it's storm surge, which will likely cause serious flooding in the low-lying coastal regions of Florida.

The National Hurricane Center defines a storm surge as an abnormal rise of water over and above the predicted tide. In short, it's when a large storm pushes water up over the high tide line.

"Life-threatening storm surge is expected along more than 325 miles of coastline," the National Weather Service said on Twitter on Tuesday.

The coastal area of Florida from the Tyndall Air Force Base to the Aucilla River is expected to see the highest storm surge, with 9 to 14 feet predicted. 

 Here's why storm surge happens and why it can be so dangerous.

How storm surges form

Hurricanes are large low-pressure systems that create a cyclonic wind effect. Those winds force ocean water to spin down into the water column. In deep water, this spinning motion has little effect. But when the storm approaches the coast, the rotating water mass has nowhere to go — except onto land.

Strong winds associated with the storm also create large waves that travel ahead of the storm. 

Additionally, hurricanes and tropical storms cause a "dome effect" that pulls water levels up under the low air pressure in the storm's center, though the NHC notes that the effect of low pressure is slight when compared to wind. 

The strongest surges occur when a storm's winds are blowing directly toward the shore and the tide is high. In such cases, storm surges can force water levels to rise as rapidly as a few feet per minute, according to the Coastal Emergency Risks Assessment.

There are multiple factors that can affect the size of a storm surge. Storms that approach land perpendicular to the coast produce more powerful surges. And the shape of a coastline, as well as local features like sandbars and barrier islands, can affect how the water propagates over land.

Storm surges aren't included in the Saffir-Simpson scale for measuring hurricane intensity. That scale includes only wind speed. 

Storm surge projections for Michael

In Florida, storm-surge warnings are in effect from the Okaloosa/Walton County Line to the Anclote River. That means those areas are in "danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline,"according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Storm-surge watches are in effect from the Anclote River to Anna Maria Island — an area that includes Tampa — and for the coast of North Carolina from Ocracoke Inlet to Duck.

At 1 p.m. ET, the NHC reported that water levels were rising quickly along the coast of the Florida Panhandle. A station run by the National Ocean Service at Apalachicola, Florida had already reported over 6.5 feet of water above ground level.

The compounding effects of rainfall on storm surges

When storms bring heavy rain, runoff from land and rivers combines with the storm surge in coastal inlets, exacerbating flood problems. 

That was especially true of Hurricane Florence, which drenched the Carolinas last month, and Hurricane Harvey, which flooded parts of Texas last year.

Hurricane Michael's rainfall total is not expected to be as high as either of those storms — the forecast indicates that parts of Florida, Alabama, and Georgia could see 4 to 8 inches, with isolated areas seeing up to 12 inches.

But that's still enough rain to cause life-threatening flash floods, according to the NHC. 

In recent years, hurricanes have started to become more sluggish, which allows them to drop more rain and cause flooding. Research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that storms slowed by an average of 10% between 1949 and 2016, making storm surges and the associated flooding more costly and disastrous.

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Florence's rain and wind are hitting the Carolinas, with forecasters warning of life-threatening storm surges and flooding

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: These houses can survive natural disasters

The medical drama "Grey’s Anatomy" has kept viewers hooked since 2005. Now in its 15th season, the ABC series has had quite a few cast members come and go.

Some of the original cast have stayed on the show while others have left to pursue other ventures and projects.

Here’s what the original cast of "Grey’s Anatomy" is up to now.

Ellen Pompeo has made the iconic role of Meredith Grey her own.

The namesake of the show, Pompeo has played lead role Meredith Grey since episode one of the series.

Ellen Pompeo is the highest-paid television actress today.

Pompeo has grown with the role — she started her own production company, has directed multiple "Grey's" episodes,and is the highest-paid actress on TV. 

While Grey went on to marry her "McDreamy" and have three children with him, Pompeo found love in her personal life as wellwith husband Chris Ivery. Like Grey, she started her own family during the show’s run. Pompeo remains the lead of the show, carrying the drama in its 15th year.

Sandra Oh was a fan-favorite for 10 seasons.

The Canadian actress played razor-sharp surgeon Cristina Yang for 10 seasons, departing the show in 2014.

Welcome to Finance Insider, Business Insider's summary of the top stories of the past 24 hours. Sign up here to get the best of Business Insider delivered direct to your inbox.

Howard Marks, the co-founder and co-chairman of $122 billion Oaktree Capital, made a fortune by loading up on distressed corporate debt during the darkest depths of the financial crisis.

In an exclusive interview with Business Insider, Marks explained how his overall investment philosophy and views on market cycles enabled him to make that legendary trade.

Marks also explained why he's continuing to buy more every day, and laid out the scenario that would prompt him to get more defensive.

Dow tumbles more than 500 points amid growth, trade concerns 

Stocks fell Wednesday as concerns about global economic growth and ongoing trade tensions continued to hang over Wall Street and after the bond market resumed a sell-off that started last week.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped as many as 506 points to 25,910.89 at its lows. Technology companies were among the losers, with the Nasdaq Composite falling more than 2.3% to 7,559.73. The S&P 500 shed 1.6% to 2,834.61, on track for its steepest loss since June.

Elsewhere, shares of Sears plummeted more than 37% after a report said the cash-strapped retailer could file for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week. 

The $69 billion CVS-Aetna merger just got the green light — with some conditions

The proposed $69 billion merger between CVS Health and Aetna is getting a greenlight from the Department of Justice, with some conditions.

The Justice Department on Wednesday approved the deal on the condition that Aetna moves ahead with its plan to sell its Medicare Part D prescription drug plan business, resolving some anti-monopoly issues.

Aetna announced last month it'd sell the business for an undisclosed amount.

In markets news

• BANK OF AMERICA: Corporate America is about to unleash 'dry powder' onto the market that could end the sell-off, and 2 sectors will spearhead the profits
• MORGAN STANLEY: These 10 stocks are going to explode higher during earnings season

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Beware one huge mistake investors often make when the economy is at a crossroads, says Charles Schwab’s investment chief

• The maker of Marlboro cigarettes is reportedly in talks to buy a minority stake in Canadian cannabis producer Aphria, according to Globe & Mail.
• Shares of Aphria rallied more than 16% on the news.
• An Altria spokesperson declined to comment on rumors and speculation, and Aphria didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. 
• Watch Altria and Aphria trade in real time here.

Aphria, a Canadian-based cannabis producer, rallied more than 16% Wednesday after a report said that Altria, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, was in talks to buy a minority stake in the company, the Globe & Mail reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter. 

According to the Globe & Mail, Altria has expressed an interest in acquiring a minority stake — with the intention of eventually holding a majority of Aphria’s shares — but details of the proposed investment are still being finalized, and talks could still fall through.

An Altria spokesperson declined to comment on rumors and speculation. Aphria didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Wednesday's report is the latest in a series of moves the tobacco industry is making in an effort to enter the cannabis space.

In June, Imperial Brands, one of the world's largest tobacco giants, teamed up with the rapper Snoop Dogg's cannabis-focused venture firm, Casa Verde Capital,to invest in medical cannabis research.

But its not just tobacco companies that are getting into the cannabis game. Beverage makers have also been entering the industry.

In August, Constellation Brands, the beverage maker behind Corona beer and Svedka vodka, announced a $4 billion investment in the Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth, giving it a 38% stake once the deal is complete. 

And in September, Coca-Cola reportedly held talks with Aurora Cannabis to develop beverages infused with CBD, one of the nonpsychoactive compounds found in cannabis. 

Now read:

• Howard Marks made billions piling into the market at the depths of the financial crisis — here's why he's continuing to buy now, and what it would take for him to stop
• Palo Alto Networks is down 11% in the past month — but Morgan Stanley thinks all the bad news about hacking is about to boost its fortunes
• The world's biggest stock bear predicts 'immediate and severe consequences' for the record-setting market — and explains why $20 trillion will be wiped from stocks

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Ray Dalio says the economy looks like 1937 and a downturn is coming in about two years

• Jeff Bezos, the CEO and founder of Amazon, has a strategy for identifying smart people.
• The Amazon CEO shared his ideas about intelligence in a question-and-answer session with Basecamp employees.
• According to Bezos, smart people are always "reconsidering" problems.
• In other words, the most intelligent people are confident enough to change their minds based on new evidence.

Want Jeff Bezos to think you're smart?

Admit you're wrong, and be big enough to change your mind.

That's the secret to impressing the Amazon CEO and founder.

Inc.'s Jessica Stillman recently reflected on an anecdote illuminating Bezos's ethos around being smart. Basecamp CEO and founder Jason Fried described an interaction with the Amazon CEO, who owns a small share in the web application company, in a blog post.

According to Fried, Bezos once swung by Basecamp's office to talk strategy and chat with employees. In response to one question, the billionaire reportedly said that "the smartest people are constantly revising their understanding, reconsidering a problem they thought they'd already solved." According to Fried's post, Bezos also said that people who are "right a lot" often change their minds a lot as well.

So, for Bezos, smarts aren't about consistency or about becoming "obsessed with details," as Fried wrote. And being intelligent certainly isn't about doubling down in the face of evidence that runs counter to your ideas. According to Bezos, being truly smart is about being adaptive and open to new perspectives and ways of thinking.

Bezos famously has a lot of ideas on how to be smarter and more productive at work, as well as his own techniques for identifying talented individuals. And a lot of his insights have to do with embracing flexibility — whether that means delaying a "high I.Q." meeting or opting for smaller, more effective team gatherings.

That being said, there's only so much room for failure.

Success at Amazon does depend on a person being right "a lot," according to Amazon's leadership principles. But a different principle encourages leaders at Amazon to "look for new ideas from everywhere," which fits in with Bezos' advice to Basecamp employees.

SEE ALSO: Jeff Bezos always schedules his 'high IQ' meetings for 10 a.m. — and if something pops up later, he waits until the next day

DON'T MISS: A day in the life of the richest person in the world, Jeff Bezos — whose company is worth $1 trillion and who still washes the dishes after dinner

SEE ALSO: Jeff Bezos told Amazon execs to consider 3 questions before offering someone a job, and they're still spot-on 20 years later

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Jeff Bezos reveals what it's like to build an empire and become the richest man in the world — and why he's willing to spend $1 billion a year to fund the most important mission of his life

WARNING: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

Videos of people lighting their tires on fire using matches and lighter fluid have quickly gone viral. Incredibly enough, this spectacle isn't just for show. It can prove practical in an emergency when your tires have become flat and no longer form a seal with your wheels. This video delves into the science behind setting tire beads that have become unseated, and mounting a tire on a wheel using a controlled explosion. Following is a transcript of this video.

These videos of people setting their tires on fire have quickly gone viral. Just what are we seeing here.

Your wheel is sitting on the floor with a loose tire draped around it. The tire sits against the wheel creating a sort of chamber. Using a nozzle or aerosol can, you spray the tire chamber with lighter fluid. Next, you strike a match or prepare another ignition source. You brace yourself and set the lighter fluid on fire. The burning gas suddenly and violently expands. This is also known as an explosion. The escaping gas pushes the sidewalls of the tire up and out. If the proper amount of lighter fluid is used, the tire will expand so far the tire bead moves along the wheel and catches the groove.

Join the conversation about this story »

Japan activated its first marine unit since World War II in March to defend islands in the East China Sea, and this week Marines and sailors with the US 7th Fleet trained with it for the first time.

Japanese forces are in the Philippines for the second edition of the Kamandag exercise, an acronym of the Tagalog phrase, "Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat," which translates to "Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea."

Kamandag, usually a bilateral US-Philippine exercise, runs from October 2 to October 11 this year, and one of the first drills conducted during saw members of Japan's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade load five of their amphibious assault vehicles aboard the USS Ashland, a US Navy 7th Fleet amphibious dock landing ship based in Japan, carrying a contingent from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Below, you can see how troops from each country teamed up to steam ashore.

SEE ALSO: Caught between Trump and China, Japan is making a small upgrade to give its submarines an edge

A few days later, unarmed Japanese troops and armored vehicles took part in an landing operation, hitting the beach alongside US and Filipino marines and acting in a humanitarian role. That was the first time Japanese armored vehicles have been on foreign soil since World War II.

Source: Business Insider

"The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces normally keep things in Japan, so for them to come out and participate with us and the Filipino navy and marine corps has been huge," said Cmdr. Patrick German, the Ashland's commanding officer.

US and Filipino troops carried out mechanized operations and counterterrorism training. While Japanese armor was present, their focus was elsewhere.

• Stocks fell Wednesday as Wall Street sweats over global growth prospects and a bond selloff.
• The 2-year yield hit its highest level since 2008.
• Trade-sensitive industrial stocks also fell as tensions between Washington and Beijing persisted.

Stocks took a beating Wednesday as concerns about global economic growth and ongoing trade tensions continued to hang over Wall Street and after the bond market resumed a sell-off that started last week.

Technology companies were among the biggest losers, with the Nasdaq Composite falling 3.5%. In its steepest decline since March, the Dow Jones industrial average dropped more than 800 points to 25,626.51. The S&P 500 fell for a fifth straight session, down more than 2.5% to below its 50-day moving average. 

Investors sold off US government bonds, with the two-year yield touching its highest point since June 2008. The Federal Reserve is expected to continue tightening after increasing rates three times this year and eight times since the financial crisis.

On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund downgraded its outlook for the world economy. Citing concerns about trade and emerging markets, the international lender lowered its global growth forecast for this year and next in a report. 

An ongoing conflict between Washington and Beijing weighed on large-cap industrial stocks, including Boeing (-4%) and Caterpillar (-3%). When asked by a reporter Tuesday if he was ready to place additional tariffs on Chinese goods, President Donald Trump replied, "Sure, absolutely." 

A closely-watched inflation measure in the US rose for the first time since June, according to the Labor Department. Partly driven by a jump in transportation costs, the producer-price index rose a seasonally adjusted 0.2% in September from a month earlier. The rebound was in line with expectations.

Following reports that Sears could file for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week, shares of the cash-strapped retailer plummeted nearly 15%.

On the commodities front, oil prices fell as supply concerns took a backseat to warnings of dampened global growth. Bloomberg reports Hurricane Michael, one of the worst US hurricanes on record that is making landfall in Florida, has veered east of oil and gas platforms. West Texas Intermediate was trading down more than 2% at around $73 per barrel.

US markets mirrored risk-off sentiment around the globe, with European stocks having also ended sharply lower. Italy’s ruling coalition has been clashing with EU officials over its budget, saying Wednesday it wouldn't "backtrack"  on plans to increase deficit spending.

And a look at the upcoming economic calendar: 

• Monthly inflation numbers are out in the US. 
• Earnings season kicks off with reports from JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo.
• The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank hold an annual gathering in Indonesia.

Now Read:

The world's biggest stock bear predicts 'immediate and severe consequences' for the record-setting market — and explains why $20 trillion will be wiped from stocks

Morgan Stanley’s 2019 forecast for tech stocks has an ominous resemblance to the dotcom-bubble era

SEE ALSO: Mexico's state-owned oil giant just announced a major discovery that could transform the country's struggling industry

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 3 compelling reasons why we haven't found aliens yet

Hurricane Michael has made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida with sustained winds of 155 mph. Its minimum central pressure — a key indicator of hurricane strength —was measured at 919 millibars. That central pressure is lower than that of Hurricanes Andrew or Katrina.

The Atlantic Ocean has seen its fair share of strong storms — 2017's Hurricane Irma reached a maximum sustained wind speed of 185 mph, making it the strongest storm ever outside the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. 

The categories on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale are determined based on wind speed. Michael's winds puts it just shy of a Category 5 storm (the cut off is 156 mph).

But that's not the only element of a hurricane that causes damage. Flooding from heavy rain and storm surge, metrics those categories don't take into account, often pose the biggest threats to human life and property. 

To put big storms into perspective, here are 11 hurricanes that topped the charts as the strongest in the Atlantic Ocean, based on their maximum sustained wind speeds.

SEE ALSO: The 'extremely active' 2017 hurricane season is finally over — here are the insane records it set

DON'T MISS: The 16 most destructive hurricanes in US history

Hurricane Katrina, 2005 - 175 mph

Hurricane Katrina intensified to a Category 5 with winds up to 175 mph in the Gulf of Mexico, before striking Louisiana as a Category 3 storm. Katrina was the third deadliest hurricane in US history, with more than 1,200 deaths. It caused $108 billion in damage, making it costliest hurricane the country has ever seen.

Hurricane Andrew, 1992 - 175 mph

About 25 years ago, the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew ripped through Florida with 175-mph winds, leaving millions without power and many neighborhoods completely destroyed. The response was so problematic that it led to major changes within the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to USA Today. 

Hurricane Camille, 1969 - 175 mph

Hurricane Camille formed in the Gulf of Mexico and hit Mississippi as a Category 5 storm. Camille caused more than 256 deaths and is considered one of the most intense hurricane to hit the US based on its pressure, which was measured at 900 millibars. (The more intense a hurricane is, the lower its pressure.)

• The signs that your boss likes you aren't always immediately obvious.
• Managers may try to avoid appearing like they have staff favorites.
• You can keep an eye out for subtle clues that your boss thinks you're great.

The signs that your boss likes you can be quite subtle.

But it's crucial to definitively establish that your manager is on your side. Getting along with your boss is a pretty important part of succeeding at work. Your manager likely controls whether or not you get promoted, demoted, or fired, after all. Your job is in their hands.

Some bosses make their appreciation clear. They heap on the praise, give positive and detailed feedback, and make you feel like you're an integral part of the success of the organization.

But not all managers are so open.

It's always good to ask for honest feedback. Before you make inquiries, though, here are a number of signs that your boss probably is pretty impressed with your work:

SEE ALSO: 22 signs your boss secretly hates you

DON'T MISS: 11 signs your boss is passive aggressive

SEE ALSO: 8 signs your boss is undermining you

They give you tough love

Suzanne Bates, CEO of Bates Communications and author of "All the Leader You Can Be," told Business Insider that it can be difficult to figure out whether or not your boss likes you.

"A boss who sees you as promising may give you a lot of feedback, not all of it positive — some of it might be 'tough love' because he or she sees you as someone who can handle it and is ready for more responsibility," she said.

They challenge you

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed at times, then that might not be a terrible thing.

"The boss will probably give you more than you feel you can handle at times, not because he or she is trying to punish you, but because they want to test you on tough assignments," said Bates.

They share your priorities

"Ask your boss what his or her top priorities are and put up your hand for challenging assignments," said Bates. "Give the boss a chance to see you in action, especially on a project important to him or her, so that they can see what you're made of."

Each year, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) holds a competition to showcase the best environmental photography from around the globe. The contest seeks to inspire people to start thinking and caring about the planet and is open to professional and amateur photographers of all ages.

The photos this year focus on pollution, climate change, and humans' complicated relationship with the Earth.

"These photographs remind us that we all live on the same planet and that the actions we take affect others around us. The emotive response they trigger from spectators makes them a powerful catalyst for positive change," read a release for the contest. "They are also a reminder that there is always hope, and happiness to be found, even during the hardest of times." 

Here are some of the best photographs from the 2018 Environmental Photographer of the Year contest

Captions have been condensed and edited for clarity.

Environmental Photographer of the Year 2018 winner: "End Floating" by Saeed Mohammadzadeh (Iran, 2017)

"The photo shows a ship sitting in salt in the Urmia Lake in Iran. Climate change is intensifying the droughts that speed up evaporation in the region. The lake has also been suffering from illegal wells and a proliferation of dams and irrigation projects causing it to reduce significantly in volume. Noxious, salt-tinged dust storms inflame the eyes, skin, and lungs of residents in surrounding areas. The drying up of the river is destroying local habitats due to the extreme salinity levels of 340 grams per litre, which is over eight times saltier than ocean water."

Changing Climates Prize 2018 winner: "Dryness" by Chinmoy Biswas (India, 2018)

"A child is found sitting on dry land where the land is cracked and has scaled due to lack of water. Long dry spells can cause the ground to remain open underground even after they have visibly sealed on the surface."

Built Environment Prize 2018 winner: "And Life Rises" by Younes Khani Someeh Soflaei (Iran, 2017)

"A woman and her little daughter are standing next to their damaged items recovered from the rubble of their house in Sarpol-e Zahab, following the devastating earthquake that hit the region in 2017 and killed over 600 people. A destroyed Mehr Residential Complex can be seen in the background."

We got our hands on Google’s new Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones. We’ve only spent a limited amount of time with them, but they are definitely going to give the new iPhones a run for their money. With features like Super Res Zoom, Night Sight, a wide-angle selfie lens, and Google Assistant built deep into the phone’s OS, the new Pixels should definitely be considered by anyone looking for a new phone.

Join the conversation about this story »

• The Los Angeles Dodgers will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.
• Many assume Major League Baseball would prefer for the Dodgers to advance to the World Series based on their history and the size of the television market.
• Former Miami Marlins president David Samson told "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" that MLB will "do anything they can" to have the Dodgers win the series.
• It is unclear if the comment were made in jest and Samson never clarified or explained how he thought the league would attempt to influence the series.

Major League Baseball's league championship series are now set, and according to one former executive, the league will have a strong preference on the who wins the NLCS, and might even act on it.

Former Miami Marlins president David Samson was a guest on ESPN Radio's and 790 the Ticket's"The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," when he made an eyebrow-raising assessment of what is going to happen in the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers.

Dan Le Batard: "Give us something on the postseason, that you can say right now, that people aren't thinking about enough, or aren't hearing elsewhere. Because, you are an executive, or former executive, who doesn't mind speaking the truth. So give us something the people won't hear elsewhere."

David Samson: "MLB is going to do anything they can to have the Dodgers beat the Brewers."

Not surprisingly, the answer stunned Le Batard and Co. Also, they let Samson go without asking him any follow-ups to gauge how he thought this might happen or whether he was joking.

But it is worth noting that Le Batard specifically framed the request around the idea that Sampson "doesn't mind speaking the truth." Le Batard later pointed out that the comment was probably a mistake

"That's good, let him go," Le Batard said. "Let him go. That's fine. We'll talk to him next week. He knows he shouldn't have said that."

It is easy to see why some might think MLB wants the Dodgers in the World Series, considering the history of the franchise and the size of the television market. But saying the league might act on that preference is a pretty bold accusation, even if done in jest.

You can hear Samson's comments here, via ESPN's "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz."

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: What it takes to be an NFL referee

You wouldn't think twice about using a dash of it in a recipe, but would you add baking soda to your beauty routine?

This unassuming pantry staple has a surprising number of applications outside the kitchen, including plenty of DIY beauty treatments.

Here are eight ways to use this versatile ingredient for a quick beauty fix — as well as three ways you should never be using baking soda on your skin, hair, and body.

Clean your hairbrush with a baking soda bath.

If you look closely at your hairbrush, you might discover a layer of gunk and grime at the base of the bristles. The Houston Chronicle recommended a quick baking soda bath to banish this buildup.

Clean your hair out of the brush before soaking it in a solution made of warm water and a teaspoon of baking soda. Leave it submerged for about half an hour and dry the brush well before using it.

Skip exfoliating scrubs and use baking soda instead.

There's nothing like the satisfying smoothness of freshly exfoliated skin. However, many commercial exfoliants rely on plastic microbeads to give you that just-scrubbed feeling. These tiny particles are usually missed by water filtration systems and can end up in the environment, where they're frequently consumed by aquatic life.

Make your own bead-less exfoliant by combining baking soda and water to form a gritty paste. Use gentle circular motions to rub the mixture across your face and rinse with cool water. It's important to test it on your arm first to ensure you don't have a negative reaction.

Remove plaque buildup on your teeth with a baking soda toothpaste.

Studies have found that brushing your teeth with toothpaste that contains baking soda more effectively removes plaque buildup than doing the same with toothpaste that does not include baking soda.

However, you shouldn't add baking soda to your daily brushing routine. Speaking to Self about alternative toothpastes, the director of the New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, Emanuel Layliev, DDS, recommended only using baking soda toothpaste once in a while.

"Although baking soda does help to remove plaque, it doesn't kill any bacteria, and that can actually increase cavity formation in your teeth," he said. According to Layliev, overusing baking soda could also damage the enamel on your teeth.

• USA Today faced harsh criticism for publishing an op-ed authored by President Donald Trump and riddled with inaccuracies.
• In his rare piece one month before the midterm elections, Trump attacked Democrats as "radical socialists" and made numerous false claims about the party's "Medicare-for-All" proposal and his own record on healthcare. 
• USA Today said the op-ed "was treated like other column submissions; we check factual assertions while allowing authors wide leeway to express their opinions."

USA Today on Wednesday faced harsh criticism for publishing an op-ed authored by President Donald Trump and riddled with inaccuracies, in which he attacks Democrats as "radical socialists" and pillories the party's "Medicare-for-All" proposal. 

In his rare piece one month before the midterm elections, Trump falsely claimed that Democrats' single-payer healthcare plan would strip benefits from seniors and promised that he will protect insurance for Americans with preexisting conditions.

"The truth is that the centrist Democratic Party is dead," Trump wrote. "The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America’s economy after Venezuela."

Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler found that "almost every sentence" of the op-ed "contained a misleading statement or a falsehood." In a thorough analysis of the piece, Kessler noted that the president repeated several already debunked claims and even cited some of the Post's fact-checks and other sources that contradicted his claims. 

In a statement posted on Twitter, USA Today said its opinion section "provides a forum for a diversity of views on issues of national relevance. We see ourselves as America’s conversation center, presenting our readers with voices from the right, left and middle."

"President Trump’s op-ed was treated like other column submissions; we check factual assertions while allowing authors wide leeway to express their opinions," the publication said, adding that it invited readers to submit opposing viewpoints for consideration.

But the publication was slammed by reporters and media critics, among others, who argued that the paper shouldn't have uncritically published a piece of political spin. 

"Publishing this op-ed is journalistic malpractice. It is full of outright lies, easily demonstrated lies. Disgraceful,"tweeted Dan Gillmor, a professor of journalism at Arizona State University. 

Others argued that the newspaper's massive platform had been successfully hijacked by the president's communications operation.

"USA Today not only published a White House press release disguised as an 'op-ed by Donald Trump,' it is using its Twitter account to blast out the article's lies to 3.6 million followers," Daniel Dale, Washington correspondent for The Toronto Star, tweeted on Wednesday. 

"This column may break the record for the number of falsehoods from a President ever published in a newspaper op-Ed. Just this tweet alone is false - 'outlaw private health care plans' and 'letting anyone cross our border' Huh? Fact check: false and false. Come on USA Today,"tweeted CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta. 

SEE ALSO: How Goldman Sachs' Dina Powell became a top contender to replace Nikki Haley at the UN

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Inside the Trump 'MAGA' hat factory

• Costco membership can go to some people's heads, according to workers.
• Business Insider reached out to 49 Costco employees to find out what they wish they could tell shoppers but can't.
• Common requests were to control your kids, hang up your phone, and help unload the cart.

Costco membership comes with some obvious perks — namely, access to the retail chain and its food court.

But according to dozens of Costco workers who spoke with Business Insider, being a member doesn't entitle you to do whatever you want.

While Costco made Glassdoor's list of best places to work in 2017, employees still had several complaints about shoppers' rude and inconvenient behavior.

Business Insider spoke to 49 Costco employees about the things they want to tell members but can't. Some of their responses focused on obvious problems, like members being mean and inconsiderate. But some of the tips were more instructive.

Here's what they had to say.

SEE ALSO: 8 Costco food court menu items employees swear by

DON'T MISS: Costco employees share the 7 best parts of working at the retail chain with a cult-like following

SEE ALSO: Costco employees pick the 11 most surprising items the wholesale retailer sells

Have your membership card ready at the door. "Concentrate on handing me your membership card instead of telling me a story," a Costco employee in Minnesota told Business Insider.

Don't trash the warehouse. A Costco employee from Arizona told Business Insider that they wanted to tell members to stop leaving "sample cups all over the floor.""Don't be rude," the employee said.

Put back items you've picked up. "Please put back that item that you just threw there," a Costco worker from California told Business Insider.

• Walmart has looked at acquiring New York-based luggage startup Away. 
• In the past few years, Walmart has bought up a string of smaller consumer companies in a quest to become the "Netflix of e-commerce" — and a direct competitor with Amazon. 
• Multiple people said that Walmart has taken meetings with many successful direct-to-consumer startups in recent months as part of the retail giant's plan to buy up more "digitally native, vertically intergrated" startups.

Walmart looked at acquiring luggage maker Away and held several meetings with the startup, Business Insider has learned. It's unclear if the talks are still ongoing. 

Known typically as a low-cost retailer, Walmart is now seeking to appeal to a higher-end, urban shopper. To do so, it's made a number of acquisitions in the last several years, including e-commerce company Jet.com, women's indie clothing brand ModCloth, and men's clothing company Bonobos. Just last week, the company announced that it had bought up plus-sized women's brand Eloquii.  

Andy Dunn, head of Walmart's digital consumer brands and Bonobos founder, told CNBC in September that Walmart will continue to buy brands, just as Netflix has invested in television and movie content. 

Away isn't the only company that Walmart is keeping an eye on, and Dunn often takes meetings with successful direct-to-consumer companies, according to multiple people. “Walmart has told everyone that they’re keenly interested,” one person said. “Whether they write the checks is another story.”

"If you want to win, you've got to own great brands," Dunn told CNBC. "It's kind of like what Netflix did. They started making their own content. And we're of the belief the same thing is going to happen in commerce."

Acquiring these newer, direct-to-consumer startup darlings is part of Walmart's quest to own what it calls "digitally native, vertically integrated brand" or DNVB. 

Dunn described how these newer, Internet-founded companies could corner the millennial market in a 2016 Medium post: '"The reality is the brand of the future is a DNVB, but the future is not here yet," he wrote. 

"Some big companies now believe they can make these brands themselves," he continued, but cautioned that this notion was one of "hubris."

Luggage company Away has established itself as a successful direct-to-consumer line. The startup's sleek USB-equipped luggage offerings were an early hit with consumers, and Away has since announced its intentions to expand into a lifestyle brand with an accompanying podcast and digital publication. Away has raised $80 million from investors including Accel, Forerunner, and Battery Ventures. Dunn is also among Away's investors.

Representatives for Walmart and Away declined to comment. 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Apple's entire iPhone XS event in 8 minutes

• Kanye West is an important collaborator for Adidas, as he designs and develops his Yeezy line with the athletic wear company. 
• He's also outspoken and has many opinions on culture, philosophy, and President Donald Trump.
• While that could potentially make him a liability for Adidas, CEO Kasper Rorsted told Business Insider in a recent interview that he doesn't worry too much about it.

Kanye West, who designs and develops his Yeezy line with Adidas, is one of the sportswear company's most famous collaborators.

He's also one of the most polarizing, making headlines on a near-constant basis for his penchant to say things many view as controversial. On Thursday, he met with President Donald Trump, one of the most polarizing figures in the world, and apparently ad-libbed a 10-minute monologue. 

But West's sometimes erratic behavior doesn't worry Adidas' leadership.

"When you have a business model like ours, of course there is liabilities, but also opportunities that go hand in hand," Adidas' global CEO, Kasper Rorsted, told Business Insider during an interview earlier this week. 

He went on to say that if a big asset for the brand, like a collaborator or sports star, misbehaves, "eventually it could have a negative impact on the perception of the brand."

Rorsted emphasized that Adidas does its due diligence when choosing its collaborators. 

"Of course, we look upon what do they bring to the table and do they represent certain views that are not aligned with our values," he said.

But, Rorsted said he doesn't worry too much about them saying something controversial.

"When you engage with people of very high creativity, they are different in the way they act. How they behave. That's part of the equation, what they bring to the entire table. That they are so different," Rorsted said. "If you want the mainstream, you get the mainstream all the way."

"If you want the ultimate creativity, then you get that, and you have to live with the fact that sometimes some person will say something that maybe you don't subscribe to, but there might be others that do subscribe to it," Rorsted continued. 

"We operate in 75 countries. If you start putting the glasses of appropriateness on, is it your appropriateness? Is it mine? Is it the one in China? Who is actually measuring the level of appropriateness that the company is being judged upon?"

Rorsted said that Adidas has "hardly any political view," but it does have a stance on issues like sustainability, fair trade, and labor.

"Frankly, we can't have a view on politics," Rorsted said. "There's 75 countries [that Adidas does business in], by default you have 75 different governmental systems."

SEE ALSO: Amazon and Nike are charting a course for the store of the future

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 3 surprising ways humans are still evolving

• Kit Harington plays Jon Snow on "Game of Thrones." 
• He is known for his beard and hair, but new images show him sans beard.
• The actor seems to have shaved most of it, which likely indicates that shooting (including reshoots) on the final season of "Game of Thrones" has ended.

"Game of Thrones" star Kit Harington has ditched his Jon Snow beard. 

The 31-year-old actor showed off his mostly smooth face in a video published by the Jamie Lloyd Company for playwright Harold Pinter's birthday Wednesday. 

A clearer photo from the event shows that though most of his beard is gone, he did keep a tiny bit around his chin and lower jaw. 

While at the Toronto International Film Festival promoting his newest film "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan," Harington told People and Entertainment Weekly that he couldn't change his look yet, implying the possibility of reshoots.

"We just finished filming. You can't tell because I look exactly the same," he joked. "They own me; they've just kept me like this."

He said he wanted to shave when he could, but he added, "When I shave, I look like a tired child."

"Game of Thrones" returns for its eighth and final season in 2019.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 3 surprising ways humans are still evolving

• A new brainteaser from Edu Prints Plus has just been released.
• Somewhere hiding among all these televisions, radios, and video games, is a good, old-fashioned book.
• According to Edu Prints Plus, the quickest someone was able to find it was in 21 seconds — what's your time?

Edu Prints Plus, a British website dedicated to bringing fun — and educational — content to kids all over the world, has released a new brainteaser. In a true throwback, the brainteaser has a book, the most classic form of entertainment, hiding among all the new gadgets that have threatened to take their place.

Here's the puzzle — can you find the book?

According to Edu Prints Plus' website, the fastest someone in their office was able to spot the book was in 21 seconds.

Can you beat that time?

Or maybe you still need help.

The answer is below, if you keep scrolling.

Ready?

Here it is:

It's a bit tricky to spot, but the bookmark peeking out over the front cover was a giveaway.

How long did it take you to spot the book?

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Inside the Trump 'MAGA' hat factory