This is a preview of the Internet of Things (2018) research report from Business Insider Intelligence. To learn more about the IoT ecosystem, tech trends and industry forecasts, click here.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming how companies and consumers go about their days around the world. The technology that underlies this whole segment is evolving quickly, whether it’s the rapid rise of the Amazon Echo and voice assistants upending the consumer space, or growth of AI-powered analytics platforms for the enterprise market.

And Business Insider Intelligence is keeping its finger on the pulse of this ongoing revolution by conducting our second annual Global IoT Executive Survey, which provides us with critical insights on new developments within the IoT and explains how top-level perspectives are changing year-to-year. Our survey includes more than 400 responses from key executives around the world, including C-suite and director-level respondents.

Through this exclusive study and in-depth research into the field, Business Insider Intelligence details the components that make up the IoT ecosystem. We size the IoT market and use exclusive data to identify key trends in device installations and investment. And we profile the enterprise and consumer IoT segments individually, drilling down into the drivers and characteristics that are shaping each market.

Here are some key takeaways from the report:

• We project that there will be more than 55 billion IoT devices by 2025, up from about 9 billion in 2017.
• We forecast that there will be nearly $15 trillion in aggregate IoT investment between 2017 and 2025, with survey data showing that companies' plans to invest in IoT solutions are accelerating.
• The report highlights the opinions and experiences of IoT decision-makers on topics that include: drivers for adoption; major challenges and pain points; deployment and maturity of IoT implementations; investment in and utilization of devices; the decision-making process; and forward- looking plans.

In full, the report:

• Provides a primer on the basics of the IoT ecosystem.
• Offers forecasts for the IoT moving forward, and highlights areas of interest in the coming years.
• Looks at who is and is not adopting the IoT, and why.
• Highlights drivers and challenges facing companies that are implementing IoT solutions.

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• Police in the Northern California town of Redwood City arrested a man they found sleeping behind the wheel of his Tesla Model S as it drove down a highway early Friday morning.
• The electric luxury sedan had been traveling south on Highway 101, going about 70 mph, California Highway Patrol Officer Art Montiel told Business Insider.
• Montiel said officers believed the Tesla was operating on Autopilot because the driver, Alexander Samek, did not respond to their lights and sirens when they tried to pull the vehicle over.
• Police stopped traffic behind the Tesla while another officer traveling in front of the car gradually slowed down, forcing the semi-autonomous sedan, which can respond to varying traffic speeds and accelerate or slow down accordingly, to a complete stop.

Police in the Northern California town of Redwood City arrested a man who was traveling on Highway 101 early Friday morning while sleeping behind the wheel of his Tesla Model S.

Officers first spotted the electric luxury sedan driving south at about 70 mph around 3:40 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Art Montiel told Business Insider on Friday night.

Montiel said the officers took action when it became clear that the driver, 45-year-old Alexander Samek, was sleeping.

"The driver wasn't responding to lights and sirens," Montiel said.

The officers believed the Tesla may have been operating on Autopilot, a semi-autonomous-driving feature that allows Teslas to drive and change lanes in traffic with minimal human input.

In order to get the sleeping driver's Tesla to stop, Montiel said officers blocked traffic behind the vehicle while another officer traveling in front of the car gradually slowed down, forcing the Tesla, which can respond to varying traffic speeds and accelerate or slow down accordingly, to a complete stop.

"Once the vehicle came to a stop, the officers got out of their patrol cars, approached the Tesla, and knocked on the windows to wake up the driver," Montiel said.

Officers placed Samek in a patrol car, while another one drove the intoxicated man's Tesla off the freeway and parked it at a nearby gas station.

Samek was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Montiel applauded the CHP's "quick thinking" to get the Tesla and its driver out of harm's way.

Several Teslas have crashed while operating on Autopilot in recent months. A man was killed when his Model X SUV slammed into a highway barrier in Mountain View, California, in March.

Teslas equipped with Autopilot cannot drive themselves. The system deploys an escalating series of warnings if it detects that the driver does not have their hands on the steering wheel. If the driver does not respond, the system deactivates itself.

Tesla declined to comment on the incident.

SEE ALSO: Tesla vehicles have racked up one billion miles driven on Autopilot

DON'T MISS: 32 electric cars you'll see on the road by 2025

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

• President Donald Trump attended a formal dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday.
• The leaders, flanked by their top officials, were served a three course meal that was accompanied with Argentinian wines. 

President Donald Trump attended a formal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday. 

The formal meeting has been a closely watched event leading up to the summit, as it could influence US-China trade relations. The results of the meeting may ultimately resolve differences and lower tariffs that affect more than half of all trade between the US and China.

According to the dinner menu released by the White House, the sirloin might be a close-enough substitute for well-done steaks and meatloaf — foods that Trump is reportedly fond of.

In their remarks before dinner, Trump and Xi spoke at a table covered in white plates, white tablecloth, and yellow and red flowers.

Here's what was on the menu for the formal dinner: 

First course: An Argentinian Chardonnay accompanied a seasonal vegetable salad with basil mayonnaise dressing and a parmesan emulsion. 

Main course: Grilled sirloin with red onions, goat ricotta, and dates that was paired with a 2014 Malbec. 

Dessert: Caramel rolled pancakes, crispy chocolate, and fresh cream. 

SEE ALSO: Trump is about to embark on a trip that could end the trade battle with China — or plunge the US into an economic Cold War

DON'T MISS: Here's a glimpse at Trump's decades-long history of business ties to Russia

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NOW WATCH: Fox News' Harris Faulkner is the only black woman in cable news with a daily show: 'It's a tremendous amount of responsibility'

• John Chau, the 26-year-old missionary who was killed after traveling to a remote island, reportedly attended an intensive training camp in Kansas to prepare for his mission, according to The New York Times.
• Chau also received emergency medical training and studied linguistics to prepare.
• He was reportedly warned numerous times that he could be killed.

John Chau, the 26-year-old missionary that was killed after traveling to the remote North Sentinel Island to make contact with a nearly untouched tribe, had reportedly trained at an intensive camp to prepare, according to a report from The New York Times.

The three-week training, run by a group called "All Nations in Kansas," seemed tailor-made for the mission that Chau would eventually embark on. One notable exercise included being blindfolded, dropped off in a remote location, and encountering a faux-tribe that carried fake spears and spoke gibberish. 

According to Chau's journals that were reviewed by The Times, the missionary had seemingly structured his life around his final trip — attending a linguistics institute, becoming an EMT, and embarking on numerous training trips that gave him practice hiking, swimming, and climbing.

Chau had even prepared an “initial contact response kit” containing forceps that were meant to remove any arrows shot at him.

Chau reportedly learned about the North Sentinelese people on the website for "The Joshua Project," which is described as "a research initiative seeking to highlight the ethnic people groups of the world with the fewest followers of Christ."

• Read more: Here's what we know about the isolated tribe that reportedly killed a 26-year-old American tourist
  Chau was repeatedly warned that he could be killed and was aware of previous killings that had occurred on the island. He was reportedly convinced he could survive, according to interviews with friends. Chau believed his smaller size (5 foot 6 inches and 130 pounds) might make him less intimidating than previous travelers to the island who were killed.

Chau's friends told The Times that his plan was to eventually learn the North Sentinelese language (which no one outside the island has ever been recorded to have learned), teach the natives about the Bible, and stay for multiple years.

Before his mission, Chau isolated himself for 11 days, which is a point of dispute between authorities and friends. According to police, his isolation was a means of hiding, but friends reportedly say that Chau was avoiding germs and sickness to protect the islanders whose immune systems would be more susceptible to modern illnesses.

When Chau reached the island with the help of five hired fishermen, he reportedly greeted multiple North Sentinelese by saying, "My name is John, I love you and Jesus loves you," before they raised their bows. In a second attempt at contact that included gifts, an islander shot Chau's Bible with an arrow and prompted shouts.

In his last attempt, Chau reportedly swam ashore. The next morning, fishermen saw Chau's body being dragged on the beach by islanders with a rope.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Trump once won a lawsuit against the NFL — but the result was an embarrassment

• Ariana Grande addressed the decision to leave Mac Miller out of the "Burn Book" in her new "Thank U, Next" music video.
• She confirmed to a fan on Twitter that his photo is placed next to her bed instead, though the photo is not shown in the final video.
• Grande also seemingly confirmed that she broke off her engagement with Pete Davidson by writing "sry [sic] I dipped" on his page in the book.

Ariana Grande's "Thank U, Next" music video is finally out after weeks of sneak peeks on social media.

The Hannah Lux Davis-directed clip includes references to iconic early-2000s films like "Legally Blonde" and "Bring it On," but the opening "Mean Girls" scene seems to have generated the most discussion. 

The scene shows Grande flipping through a "Burn Book" filled with photos of her exes. Her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller, who passed away in September, is noticeably missing from the pages.

Instead, Grande looks upwards as she sings the line "Wish I could say thank you to Malcolm, 'cause he was an angel," in tribute to the late rapper (whose real name is Malcolm McCormick). 

As Elle points out, it turns out that Grande actually addressed the decision not to include a page for Miller back in November. When a fan mistakenly thought his photo would be in the book, Grande replied with, "M ain't in the book he [sic] next to my bed."

Though his photo is never clearly shown in the final video, it appears that its placed next to Grande's bed, which the singer appears to briefly glance at during the lyric. 

Before the tribute to Miller, Grande flips through pages with photos of her exes that include Big Sean and Ricky Alvarez, though the final page for ex-fiancé Pete Davidson has garnered the most attention. Grande is seen writing, "sry [sic] I dipped," seemingly confirming that she was the one who broke off their engagement. 

Read more:Pete Davidson addresses his breakup with Ariana Grande on 'SNL': 'It's nobody's business'

Watch the full "Thank U, Next" video below:

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

• Read more:
• Ariana Grande's new music video received so many views in the first hour that it broke YouTube comments
• Ariana Grande's 'Thank U, Next' music video pays homage to 4 iconic movies — here are all the references you may have missed
• Ariana Grande's 'Thank U, Next' music video features nods to 'Mean Girls,' 'Legally Blonde,' and more iconic movies — watch it here
• Ariana Grande's manager defended Pete Davidson against one of the singer's angry fans: 'No one has hate for this guy'

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How Ariana Grande's "No Tears Left To Cry" music video was made

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.

• The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card is a good option for a credit card with no annual fee.
• The Propel card offers a 30,000-point welcome bonus (the highest available on a no-annual-fee personal card) and 3x points per dollar spent on eating out and ordering in, gas, flights, hotels, domestic car rentals, and popular streaming services.
• You never have to worry about your points expiring or paying foreign transaction fees.
• A great bonus benefit of the Wells Fargo Propel is cell phone protection.

If you are looking for a premium credit card with no annual fee, your search is over.

The revamped Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card offers an array of wonderful bonuses and redemptions without the commitment of a hefty annual fee. With a strong welcome bonus (the highest available on a no-annual-fee personal card), a rewarding set of bonus categories, and a cell phone protection feature, it's a better time than ever to take advantage of the Wells Fargo Propel and all it has to offer.

At a glance

•      30,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first three months
•      $0 annual fee
•      Earn 3x points on eating out and ordering in, gas, flights, hotels, domestic car rentals, and popular streaming services
•      Earn 1x points on all other purchases
•      Points never expire as long as account remains open
•      Unlimited earning potential on points
•      No blackout dates on air travel when redeemed through Go Far Rewards
•      Low introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months
•      No foreign currency conversion fees
•      Cell phone protection from damage or theft

Rewards

With the Wells Fargo Propel, you can transfer points for cash back or air travel through the Go Far Rewards program. It's both low maintenance and convenient, which is perfect for anyone who doesn't want the hassle of an intricate rewards interface.

Additionally, you can earn more on everyday purchases in the following 3% bonus categories: travel, dining, gas stations and popular streaming services. It's not every day that you find a credit card that maximizes your use of Netflix or Hulu, making this reward particularly special.  

Even if you don't bank with Wells Fargo, you are still eligible for the Wells Fargo Propel. While not a reward per se, it's nice to have the flexibility of using a card outside of your own bank.

Read more: Dining rewards are on the rise in 2018 as credit card issuers like Wells Fargo and AmEx target foodies

Benefits

With so many credit cards offering benefits like purchase protection, travel protection, extended warranty coverage, return protection, coverage for lost or stolen items, travel accident insurance, lost baggage coverage, and domestic car rental insurance, it can be difficult to differentiate which card will be most beneficial to you; however, the Wells Fargo Propel has a celebrated benefit that makes it easier to choose.

Cell phone protection, which Wells Fargo offers with some of their other credit cards, provides up to $600 in protection against damage or theft (subject to $25 deductible). As long as you pay your monthly bill with the Propel, you will be able to take advantage of this benefit. 

Welcome bonus

When selecting a new credit card, the most important factor to consider is the welcome bonus.

Credit cards have become fiercely competitive in trying to gain your business, benefitting new credit card users with more valuable welcome bonus offers. Currently, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card is offering 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months.

The 30,000 points equate to $300 in cash back, travel rewards, or gift cards. There is no limit to the points you can earn, and points don't expire as long as your account remains open. A great perk is that when it comes time to redeem your points, there are no blackout dates on air travel through Go Far Rewards.

Bonus categories

For a card with no annual fee,the Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card offers generous earning potential on travel, dining, gas stations, and popular streaming services. You'll earn 3x the points for ordering in or dining out, booking airfare or hotel stays, or even for paying Spotify Premium, Netflix, Apple Music, and more with your card.

For all other purchases, you'll earn 1x points back. As previously mentioned, all of the bonus categories you earn in offer 3% cash back, giving you competitive rewards at no annual cost.  

How to maximize Go Far Rewards points

To put a valuation on the credit card's rewards currency, each point is worth a penny. That's standard across all areas of redemption, including travel, gift cards, charity donations, and cash back.

For those who love discerning award charts to see what redemption provides the best value, this card won't feed your hunger. On the flip side, if you like credit cards with simple award charts and straightforward redemptions, the Propel card is for you. If you have more than one Wells Fargo credit card, you can pool your Go Far Rewards, earning you more points in a shorter amount of time.

The bottom line

When you consider the fact that most credit cards with any good benefits to speak of charge an annual fee upwards of $95, the Wells Fargo Propel is a bargain deal. You can still earn as many points as you would on another card, with the added incentive of getting cash back and earning 3x the points in certain categories like dining, traveling, and popular streaming services.

Plus, with 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months, and no blackout dates on air travel through Go Far Rewards, you can take advantage of rewards quickly and unrestricted.

The cell phone protection feature brings this card to the top of the list for no-fee rewards credit cards.

Click here to learn more about the Wells Fargo Propel from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.

SEE ALSO: 10 lucrative credit card deals you can get when opening a new card in November — including a 150,000-point bonus

DON'T MISS: 5 great benefits you might not realize your credit card comes with

Join the conversation about this story »

• Michael Cohen's lawyers revealed intriguing new details about President Donald Trump in a new court filing this week.
• Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress and is cooperating with the special counsel Robert Mueller.
• Cohen's lawyers say he was "in close and regular contact" with Trump's lawyers and White House staffers in the weeks before he lied to lawmakers.
• They also revealed that Cohen is cooperating with a mysterious "separate open inquiry" conducted by the New York attorney general's office.
• When he was breaking campaign-finance laws at Trump's directions, Cohen's lawyers say he kept Trump "contemporaneously informed" of his actions.

In a sentencing memorandum submitted this week, Michael Cohen's lawyers said he was "in close and regular contact" with President Donald Trump's lawyers and White House staff in the weeks leading up to his congressional testimony last year.

The detail was just one of several bombshell revelations Cohen's lawyers made in the memorandum, which they submitted after Cohen pleaded guilty to one count of lying to Congress and formally began cooperating with the special counsel Robert Mueller this week.

Prosecutors said in a charging document that Cohen misled congressional investigators last year about the Trump Organization's effort to build a Trump Tower in Moscow during the 2016 US presidential election.

They said Cohen lied when he said negotiations for the Trump Tower Moscow deal ended in January 2016 and that he did not discuss it extensively with Trump Organization executives. They added that Cohen gave false testimony "in hopes of limiting the ongoing Russia investigations."

Cohen was in regular contact with Trump's lawyers and the White House before he lied to Congress

In their sentencing memorandum, Cohen's lawyers said his false statements to Congress stemmed from his effort, "as a loyal ally and then-champion of Client-1, to support and advance Client-1's political messaging." Client-1 is believed to be Trump.

Cohen was the Trump Organization's lead attorney for a decade, until he left in 2017 to be Trump's personal lawyer. He was serving in that capacity when he was asked to appear before the House and Senate intelligence committees last year to testify in each panel's respective Russia investigation.

At the time, Cohen "followed daily the political messages that both Client-1 and his staff and supporters repeatedly and forcefully broadcast," his lawyers wrote. "Furthermore, in the weeks during which his then-counsel prepared his written response to the Congressional Committees, Michael remained in close and regular contact with White House-based staff and legal counsel to Client-1."

The president and his supporters have decried the Russia investigation as a politically motivated "witch hunt" since its existence first became public knowledge last March. And while the White House initially applauded Mueller's appointment as special counsel last May, Trump quickly switched gears and accused Mueller and the FBI, without evidence, of catering to Democrats and having anti-Trump bias.

Cohen's lawyers wrote that based on Trump's political messaging and Cohen's regular contact with Trump's lawyers and White House staff, he was "fully aware of Client-1's repeated disavowals of commercial and political ties between himself and Russia, as well as the strongly voiced mantra of Client-1's that investigations of such ties were politically motivated and without evidentiary support."

They added that Cohen was also aware of Trump's specific "aim to dismiss and minimize the merit" of the Russia probe, as well as Trump's and his representatives' claim that all contacts with Russians by Trump, his campaign, or the Trump Organization had ended before the Iowa caucuses, which took place on February 1, 2016.

Cohen's lawyers wrote that in accordance with that knowledge, Cohen misrepresented the timeline of the Trump Tower Moscow deal to Congress and downplayed the extent of his communications with Trump about the deal. They added elsewhere in the memo that Cohen's false statements "arose from Michael’s fierce loyalty to Client-1" and that his "conduct was intended to benefit Client-1, in accordance with Client-1’s directives."

Cohen has cooperated with a mysterious 'separate open inquiry'

In August, Cohen pleaded guilty to charges related to tax evasion, bank fraud, and campaign-finance violations. The charges were part of a separate investigation, by prosecutors from the Southern District of New York, into Cohen's and Trump's financial dealings leading up to the 2016 election.

Cohen's lawyers wrote in the sentencing memorandum that he has voluntarily met twice with prosecutors in the Manhattan US attorney's office. He has also participated in seven voluntary meetings with Mueller's team and given over 70 hours of interviews to the special counsel. His first meeting with Mueller's office came shortly before Cohen pleaded guilty in the Manhattan US attorney's office investigation.

His most recent sit-down with Mueller was last week.

Cohen's lawyers added in the memorandum that he has also voluntarily met with representatives from the New York attorney general's office, which is currently investigating the Donald J. Trump Foundation, Trump, and his children.

The lawsuit, which was filed in June against Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and the Trump Foundation, alleges "a pattern of persistent illegal conduct" for more than a decade.

Cohen's lawyers included another intriguing detail in their memo: in addition to cooperating with the investigation into the Trump Foundation, Cohen has also "provided the [New York attorney general's office] with documents concerning a separate open inquiry."

They did not elaborate on what that inquiry is.

When he was breaking campaign-finance laws at Trump's direction, Cohen kept Trump 'contemporaneously informed' of his actions

When Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign-finance violations in August, he told prosecutors he acted at Trump's direction.

The charges stem from payments made shortly before the election to two women who claim to have had affairs with Trump, in exchange for their silence. Trump and his lawyers have repeatedly denied knowing anything about the payments and maintain that he did nothing wrong.

But in their sentencing memorandum, Cohen's lawyers wrote that Cohen kept Trump "contemporaneously informed and acted on [his] instructions" when it came to both the payments.

"Michael felt obligated to assist Client-1, on Client-1’s instruction, to attempt to prevent Woman-1 and Woman-2 from disseminating narratives that would adversely affect the Campaign and cause personal embarrassment to Client-1 and his family," Cohen's lawyers added.

Cohen broke campaign-finance laws for the same reason he lied to Congress, his lawyers said. "Both arose from Michael's fierce loyalty to Client-1. In each case, the conduct was intended to benefit Client-1, in accordance with Client-1's directives."

Cohen's lawyers said he is seeking an early sentencing date so he can begin rebuilding his life and look for new means to support his family. But they added that "this personal decision does not signal any intention on Michael's part to withhold information or his availability to respond to additional inquiry. To the contrary, he expects to cooperate further.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Megyn Kelly in 2017: 'I regret a lot' of the controversial stuff I've said on live television

• The 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush, died on November 30 at the age of 94.
• His presidency was just one period of his career in the military and politics.
• Barbara, his wife of 73 years, died just eight months before his death and accompanied him each step of the way.
• Here's the life and legacy of George H.W. Bush.

George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, died at the age of 94.

Bush leaves behind a legacy not just as a president, but as a loving father and husband throughout a political career that spanned decades.

"George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," former President and son George W. Bush said in a statement.

Here's the life and legacy of George H.W. Bush in photos:

SEE ALSO: Former President George H.W. Bush dies at age 94

George H.W. Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, in 1924. He was the second child out of five others.

Source: USA Today

He grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, and graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.

Source: AP

On June 12, 1942, Bush enlisted in the US Navy as a pilot in World War II.

Source: USA Today

• Former President George H.W. Bush died on Friday, November 30, at age 94.
• George W. Bush, Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, and others reacted to the 41st president's death, and offered remembrances of his duty and public service.

Former president George H.W. Bush died on Friday, November 30, at age 94.

Former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and the former first lady Michelle Obama are among the Washington heavyweights who reacted to the 41st president's death and offered remembrances of his duty and public service.

As news of Bush's death spread across the world, international leaders in and outside of politics, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev, the Dalai Lama, and Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook also spoke fondly of Bush's time as a leader. 

SEE ALSO: Former President George H.W. Bush dies at age 94

Former President George W. Bush

"Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear dad has died," the statement from H.W. Bush's son and fellow former president read. "George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens."

Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama

"America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush," the statement from the Obamas said. "While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Not merely for the years he spent as our forty-first President, but for the more than 70 years he spent in devoted service to the country he loved – from a decorated Naval aviator who nearly gave his life in World War II, to Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, with plenty of posts along the way. Ambassador to the United Nations. Director of Central Intelligence. U.S. Envoy to China. Vice President of the United States."

"After seventy-three years of marriage, George and Barbara Bush are together again now, two points of light that never dimmed, two points of light that ignited countless others with their example – the example of a man who, even after commanding the world’s mightiest military, once said 'I got more of a kick out of being one of the founders of the YMCA in Midland, Texas back in 1952 than almost anything I’ve done,'" the statement continued.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump

"Melania and I join with a grieving Nation to mourn the loss of former President George H.W. Bush, who passed away last night," President Trump and the first lady said in a statement.

"Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service — to be hin his words, 'a thousand points of light' illuminating greatness, hope, and opportunity of American to the world," the statement continued.

• Every week, we're picking five games against the spread for our entry in the WestGate Las Vegas SuperContest with the goal of winning the grand prize of $1.4 million.
• Last week, our picks went 2-3 against the spread, leaving us with some work to do to get back to profitability.
• This Sunday, the Giants, Jets, and Colts are some of our favorite bets to cover the spread.

We've had a rough go of it picking games against the spread of late, but in our weekly SuperContest picks, the damage has been fairly mitigated.

Every week, we're putting together our best five picks against the spread to submit into the WestGate Las Vegas SuperContest with the goal of winning the grand prize of $1.4 million.

Right now, that looks like something of a longshot, but a hot streak at the right time could put us in contention, or at the very least, get us back into the black for the season.

Take a look below for our best bets of the week. Home teams get the asterisk.

LAST WEEK: 2-3
OVERALL: 27-32-1

Indianapolis Colts (-4) over Jacksonville Jaguars*

The Colts are one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now. Winners of five straight, Indianapolis is now in control of its playoff destiny.

Against them is the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that they beat just a few weeks ago. The biggest change between now and then is that the Jaguars have decided that Cody Kessler give them a better chance to win than Blake Bortles.

Indianapolis needs this game exponentially more than the Jaguars do, and should be able to do enough to cover the number.

Pittsburgh Steelers* (-3.5) over Los Angeles Chargers

Both of these teams have been solid all season but are coming off losses. I'm backing the Steelers to be better prepared to bounce back as the home team.

James Conner is averaging over 100 rushing yards per game in his past three outings in Pittsburgh. Sunday feels like a fine time for a fourth.

New York Giants* (+5.5) over Chicago Bears

Mitch Trubisky is out again for Chicago, meaning Chase Daniel will be taking snaps for the Bears. While he was perfectly adequate in the team's Thanksgiving win over the Lions, a backup quarterback going on the road as a favorite of almost a touchdown doesn't pass the smell test.

Unless the Bears defense can score twice — which, admittedly, is entirely possible — I don't see Chicago covering this number.

• Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts led the Crimson Tide to a comeback win in the SEC Championship on Saturday.
• Hurts replaced Tua Tagovailoa, this year's Heisman-favorite and Alabama's starting quarterback, in the fourth quarter after Tagovailoa left with an injury.
• Hurts threw one touchdown and ran in the go-ahead touchdown in a 10-minute span.
• Hurts was replaced by Tagovailoa in last year's college football championship.

Alabama junior quarterback Jalen Hurts on Saturday led the Crimson Tide to a 35-28 win over Georgia in a wild comeback for the SEC Championship.

Hurts was famously replaced by Tua Tagovailoa during last year's college football championship, and Tagovailoa led Alabama to a big comeback over Georgia.

This year, there was a highly publicized quarterback competition coming into the year, with Tagovailoa winning the job and leading Alabama to a 12-0 record this season. With 36 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and a 70% completion rate, Tagovailoa came into the game as the Heisman Trophy favorite.

However, on Saturday, Tagovailoa left the game with an injury while Alabama trailed Georgia, 28-21. With 10:33, on 3rd-and-12, Hurts was inserted into the game by head coach Nick Saban. Hurts promptly threw for a first down, then, 12 plays later, threw a touchdown to even up the game.

After Georgia's drive stalled out on a fake punt on 4th-and-11, Hurts and the Crimson Tide took over again with 2:59 remaining. Hurts eventually led Alabama downfield, then took the ball himself and ran in the go-ahead touchdown. It ended up being the game-winning score.

Hurts was supportive of Tagovailoa last season when Tagovailoa led Alabama to win in the championship game. This year, he got a measure of redemption.

Read more:Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts had a gracious response when asked about the backup quarterback replacing him and leading the team to the championship win

On Saturday, Tagovailoa was supportive, saying: "I am really happy for Jalen. I'm happy that he had a chance here, and everyone on the team knew he could do what he did."

After the game, Saban nearly choked up discussing Hurts, saying: "I'm so proud of this guy for what he's done this year, I can't even tell you."

Join the conversation about this story »

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

Technology is increasingly disrupting every part of our daily lives.

Smart speakers and voice assistants let us interact with our homes and with retailers in new and seamless ways.

Smartphones are taking over as the dominant shopping device.

Viewers continue to move away from traditional TV toward digital platforms.

And the list is growing.

Nearly every industry has been disrupted by digital technologies over the past 10 years. And in 2018, we expect to see more transformative developments affect our businesses, careers, and lives.

Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has put together a list of 35 Big Tech Predictions for 2018 across Apps and Platforms, Digital Media, Payments, Internet of Things, E-Commerce, Fintech, and Transportation & Logistics. Some of these major predictions include:

• Cryptocurrencies will become more widely accepted
• Google and Apple will challenge Amazon in the smart speaker space
• The resurgence of the VR market
• The real self-driving car race will begin
• Drone regulations will relax
• Alibaba’s international expansion
• Gen Z will become a major focal point for media companies and advertisers
• Payment security will become paramount
• Smart home devices will take off

This comprehensive list of 35 predictions can be yours for free today. As an added bonus, you will gain immediate access to our exclusive free newsletter, Business Insider Intelligence Daily.

To get your copy of this FREE report, simply click here.

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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.

Skincare can be a sensitive topic. Everyone has different concerns, but ultimately, we all have the same goal of feeling and looking good in our own skin.

The truth is, despite all the magazines and websites telling you otherwise, you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on skincare to see results. Sometimes simpler (and cheaper) really is better.

I asked my coworkers to share the affordable skincare products they use and love, because who better to take advice from than a discerning bunch of product reviewers?

Below you'll find 17 skincare products under $25 that the Insider Picks staff swears by. 

SEE ALSO: A new Korean skincare company borne from a battle with cystic acne believes you only need 3 products to achieve clear skin

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water, Pack of three sizes, $19.99

Of all the expensive makeup removers and cleansing waters removers I've tried, this drugstore version is the one I tell everyone about. Unlike regular water, the chemical composition of micellar water allows it to bind to oil and makeup to remove everything with just a few swipes of a cotton pad.

Not only does it get every last bit of stuff off your face, it also cleanses and leaves your skin feeling hydrated and fresh. On lazy days, my entire day's skincare routine includes this and nothing else. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor

Mighty Patch Hydrocolloid Acne Absorbing Pimple Spot Dot

Mighty Patch Hydrocolloid Acne Absorbing Pimple Spot Dot, 36 patches for $12.33

This is my go-to solution for those angry, pus-filled pimples that sprout on your face at the most inopportune times. The stickers absorb the nasty fluids from your pimples and you can directly see the results: when you take off the sticker the next morning (or even as soon as in a few hours, depending on the nature of the pimple), the sticker turns white with the pus it has absorbed, and your pimple will have noticeably deflated.

Since they're clear, I've even worn them during the day to work, and no one bats an eye. Though they're more expensive than most other brands, I've found these particular patches to be much more effective at healing the pimple and also to adhere to skin better.  — Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

Muji High Moisture Light Toning Water

Muji High Moisture Light Toning Water, $14.40

My face would look like an exoskeleton if not for this extremely moisturizing toner. Muji's skin care line is the brand's unsung hero, but I would write an entire musical about this product if I had the creative energy. It's extremely hydrating, gentle on sensitive skin, and doubles as both a toner and a moisturizer — especially during the summer when you really only want a thin, lightweight layer of product on your face. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor

• The New York Police Department went above and beyond for one couple.
• Shortly after proposing in New York City, a man accidentally dropped his fianceé's engagement ring down a NYC grate in Times Square.
• The police were able to recover the ring, clean it, and, with the help of social media, track down the happy couple.
• They're currently finding a way to reunite the ring with the couple.

Shortly after successfully proposing, a man accidentally dropped his new fianceé's ring into a utility grate on Friday in New York City's Times Square.

Though the couple eventually gave up searching, the New York Police Department was able to retrieve it.

The NYPD Special Ops team went to the area the following morning to recover and clean the lost engagement ring. According to WNBC, the ring went about eight feet underground.

Afterwards, they put out a call on social media asking others to help identify the couple.

"WANTED for dropping his fiancée’s ring in @TimesSquareNYC! She said Yes - but he was so excited that he dropped the ring in a grate. Our @NYPDSpecialops officers rescued it & would like to return it to the happy couple. Help us find them?" NYPD News shared on Twitter.

After the initial tweet was shared hundreds of times, the NYPD was able to track down the couple who lost the ring, John and Daniella. 

The only problem? The couple, who were only visiting, have already left the country.

"We would like to thank everyone who shared this story!" the NYPD News social channel tweeted. "The (now) happy couple is back in their home country, but thanks to your retweets they heard we were looking for them! We're making arrangements to get them their ring back."

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• The NFL has been full of fantastic touchdown celebrations ever since the league chose to relax the rules surrounding excessive and group performances. 
• The Pittsburgh Steelers' hide-and-seek celebration, the Minnesota Vikings' post-touchdown game of duck, duck, goose, and the Philadelphia Eagles' Electric Slide all stood out as memorable celebrations from 2017, but this year's crop far exceeded its predecessor.
• Check out whether or not your favorite team made the list.

After the 2016 season came to an end, the NFL decided to relax league rules surrounding excessive and group celebrations, allowing teams and players to get creative with their post-touchdown performances.

As a result, 2017 was full of memorable touchdown celebrations, like the Pittsburgh Steelers' hide-and-seek celebration between wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back LeVeon Bell, the Minnesota Vikings' post-touchdown game of duck, duck, goose, and the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles' group rendition of the Electric Slide.

Still, it feels as though it took the league a year to get comfortable testing the new rules and going big on touchdown celebrations. Once 2018 came along, players began taking turning touchdown celebrations into a full-blown performance.

Without further ado, here are the best touchdown celebrations of 2018.

Dallas Cowboys — Amari Cooper impersonates Markelle Fultz's free throw

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1065755919064141826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Amari Cooper really did Markelle Fultz's latest FT routine as a TD celebration.

📺: FOX #WASvsDALpic.twitter.com/09RdV8iXRA

Newly-minted Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper poked fun at Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz, who has struggled with his shooting form since he was drafted first overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.

To his credit, Fultz took the joke in stride and said "Good shot boy" in response on Snapchat.

Seattle Seahawks — Tyler Lockett reenacts the Allen Iverson step-over

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1066788743942615040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Lockett hit em with the Iverson stepover 😱😱😱 @TDLockett12pic.twitter.com/JhvxIHTvCk

In yet another homage to the NBA, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett did a near-perfect impersonation of Allen Iverson's famous step-over of Tyronn Lue.

Kansas City Chiefs — Tyreek Hills operates the CBS TV camera

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1061698513854128131?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Another one!@PatrickMahomes5 to the @Cheetah... SIX!

📺: CBS #ChiefsKingdompic.twitter.com/9E81WaWpLp

After scoring his second touchdown of the game, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek "Cheetah" Hill jumped into the stands and took over operations of the CBS TV camera just in time to record the referree throwing his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty flag.

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• The Chicago Bears ran a variant of the "Philly Special" on the final play of regulation against the New York Giants to force overtime.
• The popular trick play has now been adopted by teams across the league, with three teams converting with it this season alone.
• Unfortunately for the Bears, it would not be enough, as they would go on to lose to the Giants in overtime 30-27.

The Chicago Bears were down to their last play against the New York Giants.

Down a touchdown and driving to tie the game, Chicago drew a pass interference penalty in the end zone, placing the ball on the one-yard line with just three seconds remaining.

Needing the score, the Bears called upon the most popular trick play in football with their final snap of regulation.

After Chase Daniel took the snap, he handed the ball off to tight end Trey Burton in motion, who tossed the ball back to running back Tarik Cohen, who in turn found rookie wide receiver Anthony Miller in the end zone for the game-tying score.

"Philly Philly" worked yet again.

The Philadelphia Eagles first pulled out the "Philly Special" to score just before halftime of Super Bowl LII. Then in the first game of the 2018 season, they ran a variant of the play that doesn't move the quarterback away from the snap, dubbing it "Philly Philly." Since then teams from the Browns to Rutgers University have been seen pulling out similar plays in must-score situations.

Unfortunately for the Bears, the magic would stop there, with Chicago falling short in overtime to fall to the Giants, 30-27.

• Read more NFL coverage:
• The 22 best NFL touchdown celebrations of 2018
• Kansas City Chiefs release star running back Kareem Hunt saying he was 'not truthful' about altercation with woman
• NFL is under fire after a Cowboys defender wasn't flagged for an ugly helmet-to-helmet hit

SEE ALSO: 

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• Johnny Hekker, the Rams' punter and holder, is also a star in his own right making plenty of memorable and flashy plays as a punter.
• On Sunday, Hekker's most noteworthy play came while holding.
• While taking a snap on a field goal attempt, Hekker put the ball down and immediately looked directly at the camera and pointed, in a manner that appeared say, "Watch this.

The Los Angeles Rams roster is filled top to bottom with stars. From Jared Goff to Todd Gurley to Aaron Donald, it's no surprise the Rams are one of the most dominant teams in the NFL this season.

While you might not know him by name, Johnny Hekker, the Rams' punter and holder, is also a star in his own right. Hekker has made plenty of memorable and flashy plays as a punter, from pulling off an in-game dropkick that left experts baffled, to throwing big hits that force him to play in fear of retribution for the remainder of the game.

On Sunday, Hekker's most noteworthy play came while holding.

While taking a snap on a field goal attempt, Hekker put the ball down and immediately looked directly at the camera and pointed, in a manner that appeared say, "Watch this."

The commentators would later note that Hekker was actually pointing to call out that the snap had taken place while the Lions still had 12 men on the field, a potential penalty that was missed by the officials. Even though the move was done in practicality rather than cockiness, fans on Twitter didn't seem to care and quickly praised Hekker for his confidence.

The Rams would go on to beat the Lions 30-16.

• Read more NFL coverage:
• The 22 best NFL touchdown celebrations of 2018
• Kansas City Chiefs release star running back Kareem Hunt saying he was 'not truthful' about altercation with woman
• NFL is under fire after a Cowboys defender wasn't flagged for an ugly helmet-to-helmet hit

SEE ALSO: Chicago Bears use the most popular trick play in football to score last-second touchdown and force overtime

Join the conversation about this story »

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• Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra had two big pre-wedding celebrations on Friday before their weekend weddings.
• Sophie Turner attended both with fiancé Joe Jonas. Fans noticed that she danced along during the Sangeet, a musical celebration that unites both families.
• Fans didn't expect to see Turner performing.

Turns out "Game of Thrones" actress Sophie Turner didn't just attend Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' pre-wedding party Friday night, she also got down on the dance floor. 

A video the bride shared from the event early Sunday showed Turner in a crowd with her fiancé Joe Jonas. But in another photo from the event, the actress can be seen joining in on the celebration during the Sangeet, a musical celebration that unites both families.

Turner can be seen dancing in traditional Indian clothing.

Her moves certainly seemed to impress.

Fans couldn't get enough of Turner dancing at the party.

She can also be spotted (third from the left) in the large family gathering photo.

The whole group wore traditional garb.

Earlier in the day, Turner wore a sparkling emerald Vatsala Lehenga for the couple's Mehendi ceremony Friday. It was designed by Anita Dongre. 

The designer shared the full look on Instagram.

Chopra and Nick Jonas were married in two ceremonies taking place on both Saturday and Sunday in India. We can't wait to see more photos of Turner and Joe Jonas from the wedding celebrations over the weekend. 

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

• Read more:
• Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas just tied the knot in one of two lavish ceremonies in India
• A complete timeline of Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's relationship
• Everything we know so far about Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's wedding

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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.

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.

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