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How self-driving technology is disrupting the way goods are delivered and creating opportunities for retailers and shipping firms

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

Trucking is set to transform radically in the coming years, with innovative technologies enabling trucks to take over more and more driving responsibilities, saving time and money for operators and businesses that rely on shipping.

Autonomous trucks are being tested on roads around the world, and systems from startups like Peloton and Embark could make their way into commercial trucks as soon as next year. Fleets will be able to leverage autonomous technologies to cut costs and gain a critical edge over competitors.

But to start planning for, and to eventually implement, those technologies, companies need to know what sorts of systems will be ready and when, and what regulatory hurdles will need to be overcome to get autonomous trucks on the road. 

In a new report from BI Intelligence, we provide an early glimpse into the emerging autonomous trucking market. First, we look at the trucking market as it stands today, offering a basic profile of the industry and highlighting a number of the challenges and issues it faces. Then, we go through the three waves of autonomous technology that are set to upend the industry — platooning, semi-autonomous systems, and fully autonomous trucks — looking at who is making strides in each of these areas, when the technology can be expected to start making an impact, and what companies can do to get ahead of the curve.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

  • Advanced and autonomous technology will enable operators and shipping firms to eradicate some of the challenges that have long plagued them. Trucks will take over more and more driving responsibilities, saving time and money for operators and businesses that rely on shipping.
  • The impact of autonomous technologies on the trucking industry will come in three major waves: platooning or fuel-saving vehicle convoys, semi-autonomous highway control systems, and fully autonomous trucks.
  • Change to the trucking industry will be gradual but inexorable. Companies with foresight can start to make long-term plans to account for the ways that autonomous technologies will change how goods and products move from place to place.

In full, the report:

  • Analyzes the development of autonomous trucking technology.
  • Explains the waves in which advanced and autonomous technologies will start to impact the trucking industry, providing detailed explanations of how a company can take advantage of the disruptive technology transforming logistics at each stage.
  • Profiles the efforts of the companies that are at the forefront of new technology in trucking, looking at what they're working on and when their efforts could start to impact the market.

Interested in getting the full report? Here are two ways to access it:

  1. Subscribe to an All-Access pass to BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report and over 100 other expertly researched reports. As an added bonus, you'll also gain access to all future reports and daily newsletters to ensure you stay ahead of the curve and benefit personally and professionally. >>Learn More Now
  2. Purchase & download the full report from our research store. >> Purchase & Download Now

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L.L.Bean is having a 25% off sitewide sale that includes Bean Boots — these are the best pairs to buy

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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.

L.L.Bean

  • Now through December 11, you can save 25% sitewide at L.L.Bean by using the promo code "GIFT25" at checkout.
  • For Green Monday, you'll also receive a free $10 gift card to use on a future order of $50 or more by December 24.
  • While apparel and gear are included in the promotion, the best items on sale right now are the iconic Bean Boots.
  • As an item that typically sells out before the height of winter, you can get your Bean Boots now at a lower price.

Winter will be here before you know it. When it comes to footwear, you should already have a nice pair of fall boots, so now is the time to shift your focus to a pair of winter boots.

The iconic L.L.Bean Boots are known for selling out every year well before the height of winter, and right now they're on sale for 25% off — along with the rest of L.L.Bean's apparel and gear.

Created in 1912 by avid fisherman and hunter Leon Leonwood Bean to keep feet warm and dry, the boots were handmade in Maine and single-handedly launched the company to success.

To this day, the L.L.Bean Boot is made in Maine by expert craftspeople, never by a machine, using the same design and manufacturing processes. With immense popularity, the demand for Bean Boots always far exceeds what the factory can produce by hand. 

While the classic 8-inch boot is still available, there are many new options for men, women, and kids. Whether you're going for a higher 10-inch boot, a warm insulated boot, a stylish moccasin, or a unique color, you can find it here.

171005_HP_V2_08

Now through December 11, L.L.Bean is having an amazing sitewide sale that puts Bean Boots at the lowest price they've been since Black Friday last year. You can save 25% by simply using the promo code "GIFT25" at checkout. On top of the discount, you'll also receive a free $10 gift card to use on a future purchase of $50 or more by December 24. 

Don't wait until there's snow on the ground to order your Bean Boots. With how quickly orders pile up, you might not get a chance to wear them until next winter.

Shop all items at L.L.Bean now and save.

Check out the best L.L.Bean Boots for men, women, and kids below:

Men's L.L.Bean Original 8-Inch Boot

L.L.Bean Original 8-Inch Boot, $101.25 (Originally $135) [You save $33.75]

 



Men's L.L.Bean Shearling-Lined 10-Inch Boot

L.L.Bean Shearling-Lined 10-Inch Boot, $172.50 (Originally $230) [You save $57.50]



Men's L.L.Bean Limited-Edition Luxe Padded Collar 8-Inch Boot

L.L.Bean Limited-Edition Luxe Padded Collar 8-Inch Boot, $116.25 (Originally $155) [You save $38.75]



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You can now buy a $3,565 floor-length puffer coat made with no sleeves

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puffer coat cape

If you thought the puffer-coat trend was over, think again.

Not only is the style continuing to grow in popularity, but designers are still putting new twists on the classic winter look. Fashion brand Moncler is one of them.

The brand is currently selling a $3,565 floor-length puffer coat made with a shiny, baby blue fabric that appears to keep you warm from head to toe — that is, with the exception of your arms.

sleeveless montlcer

There are no sleeves on this coat

Unlike traditional puffer coats, the Lucrezia design has two slots on each side that can be zipped up or left open.

Those who own the coat can either keep their arms tucked under the fabric, or they can choose to stick their arms out.

sleeveless coat

For those who choose the latter, gloves might be a smart choice to stay warm. Moncler did sell matching $1,500 puffer-style gloves at one point, but the style appears to have sold out since INSIDER last wrote about them in November.

Read more: People can't stop laughing at an edited picture of Kendall Jenner in a ridiculously oversized puffy coat

Moncler coat

This is not the first puffer-style garment Moncler has designed

The brand also created a line of $2,710 dresses, which looked like a mix between evening gowns and puffer coats.

puffer dress

These dresses, comprised of long bubble skirts and matching sleeveless tops, are still available to purchase in blue.

Celebrities have already taken the long puffer style to the red carpet

In November, actor Ezra Miller wore a similar Moncler style to the premiere of his film, "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald."

Unlike Moncler's brighter designs, Miller's take on the style included a black puffer cape. He also paired the look with a dark lipstick.

Ezra Miller

At the time of this post, the Lucrezia design is sold out on Moncler's website, but is still available to purchase from Barney's in sizes 00 and 1.

Representatives for Moncler did not immediately reply to INSIDER's request for comment.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

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NOW WATCH: 6 airline industry secrets that will help you fly like a pro this holiday season

Washington backup quarterback Josh Johnson played Madden to learn his new teammates' names and won the starting job just days later

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Josh Johnson

  • Backup quarterback Josh Johnson took over for Washington on Sunday despite joining the team just five days earlier.
  • After the game, Johnson said that he had played Madden to learn his new teammates' names on short notice.
  • Johnson wound up playing well enough to win the starting job for Washington's game against the Jaguars next weekend.

Josh Johnson has had quite a journeyman career in the NFL.

In 10 seasons, Johnson has served, mostly as a third-string backup, on 12 different NFL teams. His most recent stint in the league began when he was signed by the Washington Redskins on December 5 to serve as a backup to Mark Sanchez. That move came after both Alex Smith and Colt McCoy went down with season-ending injuries.

Read more:Alex Smith suffered a gruesome injury that reminded many of Joe Theisman's infamous broken leg

Johnson was then pushed into service sooner than expected. On Sunday, with Washington trailing the Giants 40-0 and Sanchez struggling, Johnson came in off the bench despite having only been with the team for five days. He proceeded to throw his first NFL pass since 2011.

Johnson handled the moment well, finishing the day with 195 yards passing, 45 yards rushing, and 2 touchdowns — one through the air and one with his feet. As it turns out, Johnson's success and rapport with his new teammates could, in part, be attributed to playing Madden.

Johnson's success came against a Giants defense that seemed to take its foot off the gas as they nursed a 40-point lead. However, his performance was good enough to win the starting job for Washington's Week 15 matchup against the Jaguars.

Until then, Johnson should have plenty of time to get to know his new teammates a little better.

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NOW WATCH: The true story behind the name 'Black Friday' is much darker than you may have thought

Sweetgreen's website and app crashed during the lunch rush, and customers freaked out

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Sweetgreen

  • Sweetgreen's website and app crashed during lunchtime hours on the East Coast, and angry customers took to social media to complain. 
  • Sweetgreen is known for drawing long lines at lunchtime.
  • The salad chain recently raised $200 million in a new round of funding led by Fidelity Investments. It is now reportedly valued at over $1 billion.

Sweetgreen's mobile ordering system temporarily crashed on Monday, and customers weren't too happy about it. 

Dozens of hungry customers tweeted during East Coast lunchtime hours on Monday saying that they were having problems placing orders via its website and app. 

Later that afternoon, a spokesperson for the company confirmed to Business Insider that the site was back up-and-running. Sweetgreen also informed customers on Twitter. 

Sweetgreen, which is known for drawing long lines at lunchtime, launched its app and online ordering service in 2016 to enable customers to pre-order salads and collect them in-store. The idea was to take the pressure of in-store ordering and reduce wait times.

Read more:We tried 2 hugely popular coastal salad chains that are being fueled by millions in VC money — and the winner is unmistakable

In November, the chain announced it had raised $200 million in a round of funding led by Fidelity Investments, bringing its total funding to $365 million. It is now reportedly valued at over $1 billion.

Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO of Sweetgreen, said in a statement to the press at the time: "Our vision is to evolve from a restaurant company to a food platform that builds healthier communities around the world."

The company plans to use the funding to invest in its app, open new locations, and expand its new Outpost service, a new no-fee delivery system in corporate offices. 15 locations are currently operating this new service. Neman told Forbes that the company could have more than 2,000 in place by the end of next year.

SEE ALSO: Sweetgreen is now valued at more than $1 billion

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The true story behind the name 'Black Friday' is much darker than you may have thought

Jared Kushner reportedly gave the Saudi crown prince advice on how to 'weather the storm' after Jamal Khashoggi's killing

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kushner saudi crown prince

  • Jared Kushner has reportedly developed a close relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and routinely spoke with the Saudi leader even after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 
  • What's more, Kushner allegedly provided the crown prince with advice on how to "weather the storm" and urged the Saudi leader to "resolve his conflicts around the region and avoid further embarrassments."
  • Kushner's relationship with the crown prince has been a subject of great speculation for some time, long before Khashoggi's killing. 

Jared Kushner has reportedly developed a close relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and routinely spoke with the Saudi leader even after the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Khashoggi, who wrote columns for The Washington Post was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Prince Mohammed, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, is widely suspected of ordering Khashoggi's killing. 

Kushner, President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, continued to be in close contact with the crown prince amid global outcry over Khashoggi's fate as the royal family went into damage control mode, two former senior US officials and the two people briefed by the Saudis told The New York Times.

What's more, Kushner allegedly provided the crown prince with advice on how to "weather the storm" and urged the Saudi leader to "resolve his conflicts around the region and avoid further embarrassments."

saudi arabia crown prince

Kushner's relationship with the crown prince is causing concern

Top American officials are apparently quite concerned about the nature of Kushner's relationship with the crown prince, who's controversial ascent to power in the kingdom has sparked concern across the world.

The two men are on a first-name basis, and have frequently spoken over the past two years, The Times reported, citing former officials, text messages, and emails.

The Saudis have apparently made a concerted effort to foster a close relationship with the crown prince and Kushner, and seem to view him as their greatest asset within the Trump administration. 

Read more: 'I can't breathe': Transcript of audio recording from Jamal Khashoggi's murder reportedly describes him gasping for air in his last moments

Kushner's alleged discussions with Prince Mohammed seemingly mark a violation of longstanding protocol calling for National Security Council staff members to participate in all calls with foreign leaders. 

The White House has only acknowledged one phone call between Kushner and Prince Mohammed that occurred after Khashoggi's death. The chat occurred on October 10 and National Security Advisor John Bolton was present. In a statement provided to The Times, the White House said the Saudis were "asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process" during the call. 

Trump has stood by Prince Mohammed over Khashoggi's killing, and it could be because of Kushner

The Saudi government's narrative on what happened to Khashoggi has shifted multiple times, from initially denying any involvement in his fate to acknowledging he was killed within the consulate. But the Saudis have maintained Prince Mohammed had no involvement in Khashoggi's killing. 

Meanwhile, the CIA has reportedly concluded the crown prince ordered the hit on the journalist, who'd often been critical of the royal family in his writing. 

Read more: Jared Kushner's close relationship with Saudi officials is reportedly the result of a 2-year influence mission

The Trump administration has largely stood by Prince Mohammed, despite the damning evidence and allegations against him. The White House has even been unmoved by the fact prominent members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have called for a dramatic reevaluation of the US-Saudi partnership in the wake of Khashoggi's killing. 

President Donald Trump has touted the importance of the relationship between the US and the kingdom, citing arms deals and low oil prices, in defense of his gentle response to the brutal murder of a journalist. Trump has faced accusations of undermining the US intelligence community over this stance. 

The president's defense of the crown prince and willingness to stand by him may have been a product of Kushner's close ties with the Saudi ruler. 

As INSIDER's Ellen Cranley recently reported

  • Kushner's close contact with Saudi officials has been previously reported. The Washington Post reported last month that the crown prince had told Kushner in a phone call that Khashoggi was a "dangerous Islamist" just days after the journalist went missing.
  • Their relationship may have been the catalyst for Kushner's previously efforts to persuade Trump to stand by Crown Prince Mohammed through the uproar over Khashoggi's killing.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from INSIDER. 

'I think the Saudis believe they have a blank check from this presidency'

Kushner's relationship with the crown prince has been a subject of great speculation for some time, long before Khashoggi's killing. 

In October 2017, for example, Kushner made a mysterious trip to Riyadh that reportedly caught intelligence officials off guard. During the visit, Kushner and the crown prince stayed up "until nearly 4 a.m. several nights, swapping stories and planning strategy,"The Washington Post reported

The crown prince has reportedly bragged to other leaders in the region he has Kushner "in his pocket."

mbs jared ivanka kushner

In October, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy told INSIDER he was concerned the president was giving the Saudis a pass on Khashoggi's killing because of the relationship between the Trump family and the Saudi royal family. Murphy has been among the most vocal critics of US-Saudi relations, particularly in terms of its ongoing support for the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemen conflict. 

"I'm very concerned that US national security policy is for sale and that the business connection between the Saudi royal family and the Trump family may explain why this administration has been so soft on the Saudis throughout the past two years, but especially the past week," Murphy said at the time. 

"I think the Saudis believe they have a blank check from this presidency," Murphy added. "I don't understand why there's such a close relationship between the Saudi royal family and the Trump family."

Following Khashoggi's killing, Trump sought to dispel the notion his stance on Saudi Arabia is motivated by business. 

"For the record, I have no financial interests in Saudi Arabia (or Russia, for that matter),"Trump tweeted on October 18. "Any suggestion that I have is just more FAKE NEWS (of which there is plenty)!"

But the president's business have accepted a significant amount of money from the Saudi government, which Trump publicly boasted about in the past. "I get along great with all of them; they buy apartments from me,"Trump said of the Saudis at a 2015 campaign rally. "They spend $40 million, $50 million. Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much!"

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NOW WATCH: Anthony Scaramucci claims Trump isn't a nationalist: 'He likes saying that because it irks these intellectual elitists'

20 big ways the world has changed since 1999

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millennium newspaper

  • The dawn of the new millennium was just under 20 years ago.
  • The world we live in now is completely different from then.
  • Here are all the biggest changes.

As we get closer and closer to 2019, it's hard not to look back on the years past and reflect on how different everything is now. Twenty years ago, in 1999, the world was a completely different place than it is today.

We were on the dawn of a new millennium, stressed and unsure about what Y2K would bring. Cell phones were only just beginning to become popular, social media was not yet the number one topic of conversation, Britney Spears had just dropped her first album, and newspapers and magazines were still going strong.

Although 1999 might not feel that far away sometimes, when you think about how much the world has changed since then, it feels like it happened a million years ago. Here are a few more examples of how different our lives are today:

You're now on the internet more than you aren't on the internet, instead of just using it for school or work.

In 1999, the internet was still shiny and new, something that seemed to be full of exciting possibilities… we just didn't know how to use them yet. Most of the websites we know and love today weren't even a thought in 1999 — even Google had just become a thing about a year earlier.

Those who went online who were using the internet for school or work, not for entertainment or connecting with people. Today, the internet is obviously a huge part of our lives, and it's hard to imagine a time when it wasn't. More than 4 billion people have access to the internet. 



Today, you can talk on the phone and use the internet at the same time.

In fact, you can talk on the phone, watch TV, scroll through social media on your iPad, and read a different website on your computer if you really wanted to. Back in 1999, dial-up was necessary to connect to the internet, and so we all found ourselves getting kicked off the phone if someone tried to get online, or waiting for our family members to end their conversations so we could log on.



You no longer have to worry about breathing in secondhand smoke when going out to eat.

It wasn't until the early 2000s that smoking bans in restaurants really went into effect. In 1999, you were still able to go into a restaurant or bar that reeked of smoke, which wasn't a pleasant experience if you didn't smoke. Some restaurants had smoking and non-smoking sections because even that wasn't taken away until later on. Today, you don't have that problem, as smoking indoors is banned pretty much everywhere.



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10 of the most important things we learned about mental health this year

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therapy

  • In 2018, researchers around the world worked tirelessly to combat a range of mental health issues. 
  • Scientists found more effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and further delved into the relationship between sleep and depression. 
  • Previously under-researched drugs such as ketamine, marijuana, and ecstasy became the main focus for many researchers when seeking potential treatments for anxiety and depression, among other mental health concerns.  

Approximately one in five adults in the US — 43.8 million — experiences mental illness in a given year, according to The National Alliance on Mental Illness. That being said, it's no surprise that each and every year researchers put time and enormous amounts of money into tackling the growing mental health crisis. 

It seems in 2018, much of their hard work paid off — around the world researchers crumbled myths and opened new doors as they aimed to better comprehend the complicated world of invisible illnesses. 

Here are 10 of the most important things we learned about mental health in 2018. 

Scientists discovered "master keys" that could help better them to understand schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.

In 2018, researchers at Emory and the Chinese Academy of Sciences aimed to better understand complex brain disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To do so, the researchers identified a few "master keys," risk genes important for brain function and then created mice partially lacking one of those master keys, called MIR-137.

They found that the mice lacking MIR-137, a gene that regulates hundreds of other genes, displayed learning and memory deficits, repetitive behaviors and impaired sociability.

But when treated with papaverine, a vasodilator and Pde10a inhibitor, these scientists could improve the mice's performance on social tests and maze navigation. 

The research is especially as important as it has previously been found that people with too much MIR-137 exhibit symptoms of schizophrenia while those with too little exhibit symptoms of autism. 

"It's interesting to think about in the context of precision medicine," said senior author Peng Jin, Ph.D., professor of human genetics at Emory University School of Medicine. "Individuals with a partial loss of MIR137 — either genomic deletions or reduced expression— could potentially be candidates for treatment with Pde10a inhibitors."



Written exposure therapy was found to help some patients with PTSD.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is "a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event." The condition affects 5% of Americans at any given time and can be debilitating — causing people to disconnect from their lives and have extreme emotional or physical reactions.

Research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) aimed to find a more efficient way to treat PTSD, as current treatments require extensive training for therapists and burdensome work for patients. Their solution was written exposure therapy (WET), a treatment including five sessions during which patients write about their specific traumatic event. 

The researchers found that treating PTSD patients using WET was as successful as treating them with cognitive processing therapy (CPT), a widely accepted treatment consisting of 12 weekly therapy sessions. 

The research was important as it made clear that PTSD can be effectively treated with a five-session psychotherapy.

 



Researchers may have found a better way to prevent suicide.

Suicide accounted for nearly 45,000 deaths in the United States in 2016. In an attempt to address the issue, researchers looked at ways of using electronic health records to predict suicide attempts and deaths by suicide. 

Researchers used the fact that half of the people who die by suicide, and two-thirds of people who attempt suicide, received a mental health diagnosis or treatment in the previous year, to track individuals who might be at risk of suicide. 

Dr. Gregory Simon, M.P.H., a senior investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, and colleagues used data from electronic health records (EHRs) provided by seven major health systems to create a model that could determine at-risk people. 

The researchers found that using variables such as mental health diagnoses, substance use diagnoses, use of mental health emergency and inpatient care, history of self-harm, and scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire, they were successfully able to predict who is at risk for suicide attempt and death.

"By leveraging existing electronic health record data and advancements in statistical modeling, it is possible to significantly improve the prediction of death by suicide and suicide attempts over conventional self-report methods,"said Michael Freed, Ph.D., chief of the Services Research and Clinical Epidemiology Branch in the NIMH Division of Services and Intervention Research.

"Valid and reliable suicide risk prediction models hold tremendous promise to reduce death by suicide, especially when integrated with evidence-supported approaches to suicide prevention."

 

 



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The most popular beauty products of 2018

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Lipstick

Of the many beauty products that are currently on the market, only a handful became fan favorites in 2018.

To figure out which products came out on top, Pinterest helped narrow down that data by sharing its top five beauty product Pins with INSIDER. The Pins give some insight into which items were the most highly searched, and therefore the most popular according to Pinterest users.

From Lancôme mascara to nail polish from OPI, these items were the most popular beauty products on Pinterest in 2018.

Lancôme's Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara was one of the most in-demand eye products in 2018, according to Pinterest.

Sold in a single black shade, this mascara retails for $25.



Searches for the mascara have recently increased by 316%.

Compared to the original Monsieur Big mascara, which is sold in two shades and is not waterproof, this formula appears to be more popular.

Find out more about Lancôme's Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara >



Throughout 2018, NYX's Soft Matte Lip Creams were Pinned more than 186,000 times.

A mix between a standard cream lipstick and a liquid lip product, these Soft Matte Lip Creams are one of the most popular beauty products on Pinterest. 

Read more:6 professional makeup artists reveal what they would buy at Ulta with $20



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Lonely Planet named Sri Lanka the No. 1 country to travel to in 2019 — here's why you should go

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  • Travel guide company Lonely Planet named Sri Lanka the number one country to visit in 2019.
  • Insider spoke with Destinations Editor Bailey Freeman to learn how they choose their top spots.
  • Sri Lanka was chosen because of a diversity of experiences, great food, and a burgeoning tourism industry.
  • Check out the rest of the Best in Travel here. 

Join the conversation about this story »

Who's next? Here are 9 potential replacements for John Kelly

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John Kelly

  • President Donald Trump's third chief of staff will likely face a strenuous time in the White House amid a key point in the Russia investigations.
  • The highly publicized nature of the job and the potential for a highly publicized fallout adds more pressure to a potential successor.
  • Several candidates have been mentioned as potential successors — some more outside the box than others.

After news broke that John Kelly, the former US Marine Corps general who became President Donald Trump's second chief of staff, would leave the White House by the end of the year, the focus shifted to who could be next.

Trump's first pick, Mike Pence's chief of staff Nick Ayers, already turned the job down (and said he'll leave Pence's side next year), leaving Trump in a more challenging hunt than expected for a replacement.

Here are a few candidates that have been thrown around in the last few days as potential Kelly successors:

SEE ALSO: Nick Ayers will not replace White House chief of staff John Kelly as suspected

Mark Meadows

Trump has asked close advisers what they think of Rep. Mark Meadows as a potential replacement for Kelly, Axios reported on Sunday.

Meadows, chairman of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus and representative from North Carolina, told Politico that serving as Trump's chief of staff "would be an incredible honor."

"The President has a long list of qualified candidates and I know he'll make the best selection for his administration and for the country," said Meadows, who has already been a close adviser to the president.



Robert Lighthizer

Robert Lighthizer, the current US Trade Representative, was also reportedly among the names Trump floated around. However, The Washington Post reported that some in the White House are reluctant to move Lighthizer from his key role in China trade negotiations. 

Lighthizer, who landed in the Trump White House in May 2017, said in a Sunday interview with CBS's "Face the Nation" that he believes Kelly has "done a great job for the president." 

When asked if he would want the role of chief of staff, Lighthizer said "the president has given me what is a very difficult job," adding that he has not been approached by anyone in the White House for the chief of staff job. 

"I haven't spoken to anyone," he said. "I'm entirely focused on what I'm trying to do, and it's difficult enough."



Steven Mnuchin

Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, has also been floated around as a potential chief of staff, according to Reuters.

Reuters reported that Mnuchin, who has served the administration since February 2017, sees his role as Treasury secretary as best suited to help the president. However, The Washington Post reported that Mnuchin might change his mind and take the chief of staff position if Trump pleads with him. 



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12 things you didn't know about the Bill of Rights

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Constitution

  • There's a lot you probably didn't know about the Bill of Rights.
  • It was inspired by the English Bill of Rights of 1689.
  • It didn't actually apply to all individuals until 130 years after it was made.

The Bill of Rights— aka the first 10 amendments to the Constitution— guarantee basic rights such as freedom of speech and worship.

And while the Bill of Rights has existed since 1791, there's a lot about it that most people don't know.

Read on for some facts about the Bill of Rights you may have never heard before.

It was inspired by the Virginia Declaration of Rights.

Politician George Mason wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776. The document solidified certain rights, stating that "all men are by nature equally free and independent," and that "government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security, of the people, nation, or community."



The Bill of Rights was also inspired by an English law of the same name.

The English Bill of Rights, which was passed in 1689, limited the power of the monarchy by giving more power to Parliament, and outlined individual rights such as freedom of speech.



James Madison was the author.

Madison wrote a lot more amendments in his first draft of the Bill of Rights than ended up being ratified. His list got cut down first to 17 by the House, and then 12 by the Senate. It was finalized with just 10 amendments in 1791 — three months after his original proposition.

 

 

 

One of two amendments rejected by the states was eventually ratified in 1992 as the 27th Amendment; it restricted the ability of Congress to change the pay of a sitting Congress while in session. (The other proposed amendment dealt with the number of representatives in Congress, based on the 1789 population.)



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 secrets sushi chefs swear by

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A chef at Nobu Downtown preparing sushi.

  • Sushi chefs have to work to properly prepare raw fish.
  • These are the secrets that chefs have kept quiet.
  • From code words to exacting the angle of the knife, there is a lot going on behind the scenes.

Over the years, sushi has become a popular option for delicious dining. From traditional items to a more modernized take, it's becoming more appreciated all over the world.

Regardless of what or how you like to eat your sushi, there are still some things you don't know about it. Here are nine secrets sushi chefs have kept quiet over the years.

Though a simple ingredient, the rice is really, really important.

It may not seem as if it could make or break the meal, but the rice in sushi is perhaps one of the most important factors, Thomas Park, executive chef at RUKA told INSIDER.

"For sushi, the rice is the most important component. The fresh fish is a given," he said. "A sushi chef knows how to pick out fresh fish to serve, but it is how the rice is prepared that makes sushi amazing. Every sushi chef has his/her own recipe for their vinegar. Sushi rice, for optimal texture and taste, should be around body temperature – 85-98 degrees is the sweet spot. Rice at this temperature is not gummy and has the best texture and 'melts' with the fish."



There are certain things you need to pay attention to in order to get the best fresh fish.

Fish may be just that to some people, but when it comes to sushi, you should be looking for the best fish to incorporate in your recipe. And according to Park, there are a few things to consider.

"When selecting fresh fish, you should look for the following:clear eyes, bright and 'metallic' looking scales that shine and are not white, that the flesh is firm and not slimy, and you should check for deep red gills," he said. "Old fish has pinkish-greyish gills."



You always need a cold bowl of water.

Perhaps one of the simplest things that you need when creating great sushi is really cold water and it's a real game changer.

"When making sushi, keep a bowl of ice cold water," Park said. "The cold temperature and wetness of your hands prevent from the rice sticking to your hands."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

27 fun gifts that grown-up Disney and Mickey Mouse fans will love

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

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This year, celebrations erupted all over the world as Mickey and Minnie Mouse turned 90. Collaborations have been popping up left and right, with everyone from luxury watch brands to streetwear sneaker companies dropping Mickey- and Minnie-inspired styles for adults. 

This has been great and very expensive news for classic Disney fans like myself. I grew up near Disney World, so my love of Mickey runs deep — and after putting together this list, my pockets run shallow. 

If you're looking to gift a grownup who loves all things classic Disney but isn't interested in looking like they're 10 years old, you've definitely come to the right place. I handpicked some of the best Mickey- and Minnie-themed gifts out there for adults, plus a few old-school Disney options I just couldn't leave behind.

Who else but a huge Disney fan could do justice to a roundup like this? 

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

SEE ALSO: All of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides, in one place

DON'T MISS: 25 creative and unexpected gifts for 'Star Wars' fans of all ages

A Mickey Mouse watch they'll actually want to look at to tell the time

Nixon Mickey Watch, available at Nordstrom, $175

Nixon's unisex Mickey watch is the perfect everyday accessory for a Disney fan — and not just one they'll want to wear once on a trip to the park.

If you're willing to spend more, Shinola also makes a great Mickey watch for a cool $850.



A bold graphic Mickey half-zip

Mickey Mouse Half-Zip, available at Frank And Oak, $99.50

Half-zips have quickly become the silhouette of the season, but you don't have to go to Patagonia to get in on the trend. Frank And Oak makes a bold graphic Mickey half-zip sweater that instantly catches the eye with its all-over patterning and bright mango color.



A pair of fun graphic sneakers

Vans Mickey Authentic Sneakers, available at Zappos, $64.95

Vans put out a collection of sneakers and shirts featuring iconic images of Mickey and Minnie through the years —including some wackier '80s-inspired styles— but this simple pair seems to be the real crowd pleaser.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Gilead's new CEO has a pay package of about $31 million — here's what he might do, and why Wall Street is cautiously optimistic (GILD, RHHBY)

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Daniel O'Day Gilead CEO, formerly of Roche

  • Roche Pharmaceuticals veteran Daniel O'Day will take over as CEO of Gilead Sciences next year.
  • Wall Street is hoping O'Day will put Gilead's cash to work in big deals, but some say his track record for deals is limited.
  • Gilead's flagging pipeline of drugs will need to be a top priority for O'Day — and there are already some hints about what his focus will be.

Gilead Sciences' quest for a new CEO came to an end early Monday, with the struggling pharmaceutical company announcing that Roche Pharmaceuticals CEO Daniel O'Day will take the helm starting in early March 2019.

O'Day, who has spent his entire 31-year career at Swiss healthcare giant Roche, was praised by many on Wall Street as a qualified and uncontroversial choice for the position.

O'Day's total compensation package is valued at just under $31 million in his first year, including a base salary of $1.6 million, a bonus opportunity of up to $2.4 million, and millions in stock options and restricted stock units, which vest over a period of a few years.

Analysts also enjoyed the opportunity to make some puns.

"At the end of the day, no huge surprise," RBC Capital Markets analyst Brian Abrahams said, dubbing it a "Brand new day for GILD."

The pharmaceutical veteran's career has spanned a dizzying array of Roche's business units, with stretches in Switzerland, Japan, and Denmark.

O'Day led some dealmaking during his time at Roche, prompting hopes that he will put Gilead's billions in available cash to work.

The search for a replacement for John Milligan, Gilead's current CEO, has spanned roughly 4 1/2 months and left many investors unsure what to think about the drugmaker's future.

Gilead is seen as a company in need of a turnaround, and the resignations of several high-profile executives haven't helped.

Even before Milligan's departure was announced in late July, Chairman John Martin and Norman Bischofberger, the company's then chief scientific officer, both said they were exiting the company. Andrew Cheng, who was appointed chief medical officer in March, also departed in recent months.

The company has been predicting a return to growth for the entire past year, and in recent quarters its financial results have beat Wall Street estimates.

Yet Gilead's stock continues to slump, dropping 8.4% over the last three months but still outperforming the broader biotech sector.

Milligan plans to wrap up his 28 years at Gilead at the end of 2018, and longtime Gilead executive Gregg Alton will hold the position between January and March.

O'Day's compensation package also includes perks for leaving Roche, including $8.5 million in restricted stock options, a one-time cash payment of $5.68 million, and $750,000 a year for his first five years in return for the pension benefits he's leaving behind.

Gilead said in an SEC filing that it will also provide relocation benefits to help O'Day move to Northern California (Gilead headquarters are located in Foster City).

By way of comparison, Milligan's pay package totaled about $15.4 million in 2017. A company spokesperson declined to comment on the compensation package beyond the filing.

O'Day likely won't put out his agenda until he starts at Gilead. But here are some of Wall Street's best thoughts on the company's key challenges — and how the new CEO may address them.

Building out a pipeline with a new focus on cancer

Hepatitis C and HIV medications have long been Gilead's core franchises, but they have become less dependable sources of growth.

In large part, that's been because Gilead's hepatitis C medications have done a good job curing patients and because of patent expiries.

O'Day will be looking for ways to diversify the company's product pipeline, and his experience in oncology looks like a clear signal to many onlookers.

Cancer "historically has not been GILD's strong suit, so the hiring of an exec from a major oncology company reflects in part GILD's future direction," Jefferies analyst Michael Yee said.

Building out cancer partnerships could also provide a nearer-term lift for Gilead than something like cellular therapies, which O'Day will likely continue to invest in, according to RBC's Abrahams.

Read more: Gilead's CEO is leaving by the end of the year, and the biotech giant still hasn't picked a replacement. Wall Street has a few ideas.

Notably, Gilead bought cell-therapy biotech Kite Pharma in 2017, and its cutting-edge chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, Yescarta, was approved for lymphoma later that year.

Inflammation and respiratory, where Gilead has done some work so far, as well as neurology, are also potential areas for investment, Abrahams said.

Deals, deals, deals

Gilead has almost $30 billion in available cash, according to Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Alethia Young's calculations, stoking anticipation on Wall Street that there's dealmaking ahead.

Roche did at least 17 deals between 2014 and 2018, according to Young, with most valued below $1 billion.

One notable exception is Roche's $8.3 billion acquisition of biotech InterMune in 2014, the largest acquisition it made during that time period.

Other large deals include Roche's $1.9 billion purchase of cancer-data platform Flatiron Health and a $1.7 billion deal for cancer-drug maker Ignyta.

O'Day's track record, though, could be a bone of contention for investors, Morgan Stanley analyst Matthew Harrison said, noting that O'Day oversaw a "limited number" of deals. 

"Investors are looking for the new CEO to put Gilead's cash to work and given O'Day's history, we think investors will take a wait and see approach related to his ability to transform Gilead through [mergers and acquisitions]," he said.

But Barclays analyst Geoff Meacham argued that the new job should mark a change of pace for O'Day, who "is more likely to be more aggressive on the deal and biz-dev front, which is a strategy that investors favor as it would help further diversity the core HIV franchise."

Moving to focus on operations

In spite of his experience, O'Day is an unusual choice in some ways for Gilead.

He is the first outside CEO Gilead has appointed in 20 years and the first CEO in 20 years without a PhD or medical degree, pointed out Mizuho analyst Salim Syed.

The latter quality could make operations at Gilead more of a priority, he said, noting that "the company is also much larger today, so it's not necessarily a bad thing in our view."

O'Day might also try some new strategies to perk up declining businesses, said Cantor Fitzgerald's Young.

"One of his key legacies from Roche, in our view, was to weave products with companion diagnostics," Young said.

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How the dance shoes worn by Katy Perry and the Rockettes are made

Read Google CEO Sundar Pichai's prepared remarks to Congress (GOOG, GOOGL)

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Sundar Pichai

  • Google CEO Sundar Pichai will testify before Congress on Tuesday.
  • The tech exec plans to paint a positive picture of technology's potential and push back against allegations of bias.
  • But the tech giant is facing increasing public and political scrutiny.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai plans to push back against allegations of bias and affirm his company's support for America when he testifies before Congress on Tuesday.

Ahead of the 46-year-old tech exec's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on accountability and transparency at Google, his prepared remarks have been released. 

As Google has come under the spotlight for its reported plans to re-enter China with a censored search engine, and as employees push back against the company's work with the military, Pichai's testimony highlights the search advertising giant's American roots. 

"I believe in people and their ability to use technology to improve their lives. I’m incredibly proud of what Google does to empower people around the world, especially here in the US," he plans to say.

Pichai's testimony  — at a hearing about "Transparency and Accountability" at the Silicon Valley-based search engine — is optimistic about the potential of technology. But it comes as Google, and the broader tech industry, faces growing political scrutiny. 

Google has struggled with growing employee revolts in recent months over its work with the military and its handling of executive misconduct claims, even as it faces allegations of anti-conservative bias by right-wing activists. 

"We work hard to ensure the integrity of our products, and we’ve put a number of checks and balances in place to ensure they continue to live up to our standards. I lead this company without political bias and work to ensure that our products continue to operate that way. To do otherwise would go against our core principles and our business interests," Pichai will say.

"We are a company that provides platforms for diverse perspectives and opinions — and we have no shortage of them among our own employees. Some of our Googlers are former servicemen and women who have risked much in defense of our country. Some are civil libertarians who fiercely defend freedom of expression. Some are parents who worry about the role technology plays in our households. Some—like me—are immigrants to this country, profoundly grateful for the freedoms and opportunities it offers. Some of us are many of these things."

His testimony is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT on Tuesday.

Here are Pichai's full prepared remarks:

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's why virtual reality still hasn't taken off, despite being around for nearly 2 decades

Here's how to watch all the movies and TV shows that were nominated for Golden Globes before the big award show

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Marvelous Mrs Maisel

  • The Golden Globe nominations were announced Thursday. 
  • A number of the nominated movies are still in theaters, while many of the shows are on streaming services. 
  • INSIDER used Just Watch to find where fans could stream or watch the nominated films and shows.
  • Here's how you can watch everything, excluding movies that aren't in theaters or available to stream.

"Black Panther"

Nominations: Best motion picture (drama), best original score (Ludwig Göransson), best original song ("All the Stars")

Where to stream: Netflix

Where to rent/buy: YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Fandango Now, Vudu, Playstation, Microsoft 



"BlacKkKlansman"

Nominations: Best motion picture (drama), best actor in a motion picture drama (John David Washington), best actor in a supporting role in any motion picture (Adam Driver), best director (Spike Lee) 

Where to stream: N/A

Where to rent/buy: YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Fandango Now, Vudu



"Bohemian Rhapsody"

Nominations: Best motion picture (drama), best actor in a motion picture drama (Rami Malek)

Where to stream: N/A

Where to rent/buy: In theaters now



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The weirdest things people tried to bring onto planes in 2018

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airport security tsa

  • Travelers attempted to bring some memorable items onto airplanes this year.
  • Whether it was inside carry-on luggage or checked bags, passengers attempted to smuggle knives, nunchucks, and swords onto their flights.
  • TSA even caught a woman in Florida with a live python in her bag.

The restrictions for carry-on luggage have gotten stricter as the years have gone on, and people seem to have a hard time coming to terms with that — even in 2018.

The TSA has seen it all: it even runs a successful Instagram account that is quickly approaching 1 million followers, and details some of the more bizarre items people have tried to smuggle on board with them. This year, everything from fake grenade-launchers to a live snake have tried to make it onto a plane. 

Here's a rundown of some of the oddest items people have tried to get through airport security in 2018.

Someone traveling to Barbados wrapped a live python in a nylon stocking, and then tried to hide it inside of an external hard drive.

Agent Neville Flynn would be extremely proud of our officers at the Miami International Airport (MIA). You see, Agent Flynn has HAD IT with snakes on planes, and our officers prevented a young Ball Python from flying the friendly skies this past Sunday. ... A traveler on her way to the Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) in Barbados attempted to smuggle the snakelet inside of an external hard drive packed in her checked bag. If you think airplane seats can feel constricting, imagine how this little guy felt! Talk about bad memories! … While the python itself posed no danger to anyone on the aircraft, an organic item concealed inside electronics raises security concerns, which is why our officers took a closer look. … The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ( @USFWS ) was notified. They responded and took possession of the snake and cited the traveler. Both the traveler and the snake missed their flight. … Conversationally, this python had not gone full monty. It was wearing a nylon stocking. … #SnakesOnPlane #SnakesAlmostOnAPlane #MIA #BGI #Miami #Barbados

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jul 9, 2018 at 3:25pm PDT on

This July, a passenger flying from Miami, Florida, to the Grantly Adams International Airport in Barbados put a live snake in her checked luggage. She thought she could get away with sneaking the python onto the plane by first placing the animal in a nylon stocking, and then placing it into a computer's external hard drive.

TSA caught on when their screening detected a large "organic mass" inside of the hard drive, prompting them to call a bomb expert to further inspect the luggage. That was when the snake was discovered. 

Though the python was "harmless," according to TSA's Instagram, "an organic item concealed inside electronics raises security concerns." 

The passenger was fined an undisclosed amount and missed the flight. It's still unclear why she was attempting to smuggle the snake onboard in the first place.

Someone tried to bring a literal sword aboard.

This sharp weapon was discovered at the MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, and though it was "carefully wrapped," a sword is still not allowed as a carry-on item.

Speaking of sharp objects, there's something fishy about this huge knife ...

TSA's Instagram has been rife with knives lately, including these fish-themed ones.

... and these knives didn't do a good job camouflaging themselves.

We’ve been told there are six knives in this picture. We’ll just have to take their word for it, because we don’t see ‘em. Kudos to the officers who discovered them. They must have been really hard to find. … Have we mentioned that knives are not allowed in carry-on bags? We’re pretty sure we have, but just to make sure… Nope. They’re not allowed. This includes but is not limited to colorful knives, camouflage knives, super sparkly knives, tiny knives, giant knives, folding knives, collectable knives, crappy knives, fixed blade knives, you name it… If you’d like to travel with a knife, you’ll have to pack it in a checked bag. … These knives were discovered in carry-on bags at the Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC). … #TSA #ROC

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Oct 11, 2018 at 12:36pm PDT on

Travelers can't pack any kind of knife — even a pocket knife — in their carry-on luggage.

Knives can, however, travel in checked baggage. But as the TSA suggests, it doesn't hurt to check your local or statewide laws if you're unsure about a potentially risky item.

You'd be surprised at how many people try to bring replicas of weapons onto planes, like this "bomb" discovered in October.

While today’s post is sponsored by the letter “F”, were going to talk about the novelty bomb that’s attached to it. ... Yes, it’s a novelty bomb, but as we’ve discussed here before, replicas of weapons, especially bombs, are not permitted in carry-on or checked bags. ... When our officers spot a potential explosive on the monitor, they cannot just open the bag and take a looksee to find out if it’s real or not. A TSA explosives specialist or a police department bomb squad must respond before the bag is ever opened. This can lead to costly evacuations, delays, and missed flights. These types of items can also lead to hefty fines and arrest. Contact your preferred shipper about your options, because they can’t travel via commercial aircraft. So even though they aren’t real, they can cause a lot of very real headaches. ... As for the “F”, after long and careful thought, we’ve determined that it must stand for Fred. This must have been Fred’s novelty bomb. It was discovered in a carry-on bag at the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Oct 12, 2018 at 4:47pm PDT on

The TSA Instagram explains that even something slightly resembling a weapon cannot be brought onto an airplane. 

And these fake groomsmen bombs. 

We know it didn’t go down this way, but we’d like to imagine that the groom lobbed these inert well-dressed grenades over his shoulder to his groomsmen, just as bouquets are tossed to bridesmaids. We could see a conversation going something like this. … Chad: “I was so close to catching one, bruh.” … Randy: “Whatever, Chad! Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Oh wait…” … Randy & Chad: “Hahahahaha! Bruh…” … OK, back to the real world. These dapper inert grenades were wedding gifts for groomsmen. They were discovered in a checked bag at the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). … When our officers spot a potential explosive on the monitor, they cannot just open the bag and take a looksee to find out if it’s real or not. A TSA explosives specialist or a police department bomb squad must respond before the bag is ever opened. This can lead to costly evacuations, delays, and missed flights. These types of items can also lead to hefty fines and arrest. Contact your preferred shipper about your options, because they can’t travel via commercial aircraft. So even though they aren’t real, they can cause a lot of headaches.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Aug 21, 2018 at 5:09pm PDT on

Someone tried to sneak these replicas of rocket-propelled grenade launchers, too — to which the TSA officer replied, "Holy [expletive], is this real?"

These fake grenade-launchers were discovered at the Lihue Airport in Hawaii this year. When explosives (or items resembling them) are detected, a TSA explosives specialist or bomb expert must be called to the scene to inspect them further, which can lead to delays, missed flights, and even full-fledged evacuations.

Believe it or not, ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors are also prohibited — but that didn't stop a traveler at Nashville International Airport from trying to "cut" in line this year. 

If you think these scissors will cut your travel time through the checkpoint, you’ve got the wrong idea. ... Please don’t get snippy when our officers tell you that you can’t pack these ginormous ceremonial ribbon cutting scissors in your carry-on. ... These were discovered in a carry-on bag at the Nashville International Airport (BNA). And it wasn’t by “shear” luck that our officers discovered them. They’re huge. To paraphrase Douglas Adams, these scissors were big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big they were. … However, scroll to the next picture and you’ll see a run of the mill regular pair of sewing scissors. These are allowed. At one point, all scissors were prohibited, but for the last 10-years or so, scissors have been permitted as long as they are no longer than 4-inches from the fulcrum. This picture is a screenshot of a tweet that was sent to our AskTSA team. … Speaking of the AskTSA team, have you ever wondered whether or not you can pack a certain item? If you're a regular follower of this account, I'm sure you can think of many situations where it would have behooved somebody to send us a picture first. Well, fret no more! Now you can do just that! … Simply snap a picture and tweet it to AskTSA (twitter.com/asktsa), or send it via Facebook Messenger (facebook.com/asktsa) and our team will get back to you promptly with an answer. … And that's not all! Contact the team about any TSA related issue or question you might have. They can even help you if you don’t see TSA Pre✓® on your boarding pass. … The team looks forward to answering your questions, 9am-7pm daily. #AskTSA #TSATravelTips #TSA … #PSA – While it’s ok to pack scissors, you should never, ever run with them.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Aug 29, 2018 at 3:27pm PDT on

A traveler tried to get this gargantuan pair of scissors onto an airplane in Texas via carry-on luggage. Unfortunately, scissors this big are forbidden; only scissors measuring up to 4 inches from their fulcrum are allowed in carry-ons.

However, if you are headed to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and need giant scissors, fear not: you can pack them in a checked bag.

This San Antonio traveler thought they could glide through security with neon green nunchucks. 

These nunchucks should have their own infomercial. When you’re not impressing people with your #NunchuckSkills, you could use these handy dandy glow-in-the-dark nunchucks to direct traffic! Light up your tent! You could even guide an aircraft to the runway! But wait, there’s more! They’re perfect for karate in the garage. Take them to a rave and you can dance and protect yourself at the same time! … The things you can do with these are endless, but what you should never do is pack them in your carry-on bag. They’re prohibited. Heck, they’re illegal in some parts of the country, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with local laws before packing them in your checked bags. … These were discovered in a traveler’s carry-on bag at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT). … #RandomFact – One could say that a disconnected nunchuck is off the chain.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Aug 7, 2018 at 7:19pm PDT on

The 'chucks were quickly confiscated this August.

And someone else packed an axe.

This skull-adorned axe was discovered at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in June.

Freddy Krueger's glove was stashed inside a carry-on bag in Atlanta, Georgia.

This "Nightmare On Elm Street" glove was discovered in a carry-on in Atlanta. It couldn't pass through TSA security, of course, but according to Instagram, if the traveler (Freddy Krueger?) had checked it, it would've been good to go.

Several travelers this year refused to "bury the hatchet." 

Hatchets are also forbidden as carry-on luggage, but checked, they're good to go.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

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NOW WATCH: This is how airport security differs across the globe

Vikings fire offensive coordinator John DeFilippo in the middle of playoff hunt after team's frustration with play-calling became overwhelming

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John DeFillipe

  • The Minnesota Vikings fired offensive coordinator John DeFilippo after their 21-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.
  • The move is somewhat surprising, as the Vikings are in the hunt for the playoffs, and would qualify as the sixth seed in the NFC if the season ended today.
  • DeFilippo's play-calling and mismanagement of the Vikings skill position players were enough to convince Minnesota to move on before he finished a year on the job.

The Minnesota Vikings have fired offensive coordinator John DeFilippo on the heels of the team's 21-7 loss on Monday night to the Seattle Seahawks. DeFilippo was less than a year into his tenure with the Vikings, having joined Minnesota after serving as the Eagles quarterbacks coach in 2017.

While moving on from a coach late in the season is far from unheard of in the NFL, DeFilippo's departure is surprising due to the Vikings' current position in the NFC — if the season ended today, they'd reach the playoff as the sixth seed.

Coaches fired midseason are typically on teams not expected to make the playoffs.

The Browns moved on from head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley after a third consecutive disappointing start to a season. The Packers, while still technically in playoff contention, parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy midseason after a horrendous home loss to the Cardinals.

Read more: Green Bay Packers fire head coach Mike McCarthy in wake of humiliating home loss to Arizona Cardinals

So why did the Vikings decide to fire their first-year coordinator with just three games left in the regular season?

It appears things had simply reached a boiling point. With the Vikings defense still playing at an elite level, the offense wasn't doing enough to hold on to winnable games.

Much of the frustration seemed to stem from DeFilippo's play-calling. Despite having both Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray on the roster, the Vikings had all but abandoned the running game lately — in their past three losses, Minnesota averaged just 16 rushes per game.

DeFilippo's decision to give up on running the ball would likely have been met with a warmer reception had it been successful. But in recent weeks, the Vikings offense has floundered. Minnesota is averaging less than 13 points per game over their last four contests and has surpassed 300 yards of offense just once since Week 8.

The Vikings' frustrations with DeFilippo may have even spilled onto the field on Monday night. Wide receiver Adam Theilen was caught on a hot microphone after a nice gain late in the game against Seattle, offering what many saw as a criticism of DeFilippo's game plan.

"That should have been all f---ing game," Theilen says as he gets up after picking up the first down.

Moving on from an offensive coordinator who has been with the team for less than a season just three weeks before a potential postseason run may not be ideal, but it appears that Minnesota believes ousting DeFilippo now gives them the best chance at success.

In his absence, quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski will step in as interim offensive coordinator and take over play-calling duties in Minneapolis. He'll have to adjust to his new responsibilities fast. The Vikings host the Dolphins in just five days in a game that could go a long way in securing their ticket to the playoffs.

SEE ALSO: The 40 most incredible plays in sports of 2018

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