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This one ingredient is the reason why you are getting fat


Samsung has designed a $39,000 high-tech doghouse with a treadmill and hot tub

15 stunning entries from Smithsonian Magazine's annual photo contest

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Smithsonian Photo Contest Snake Eating Frog

Smithsonian.com has announced the finalists for its 2014 photo contest, in categories such as natural world, travel, people, Americana, altered images, and mobile.

The competition saw more than 26,000 entries this year from 93 countries. It is the 12th year of the contest.

The Smithsonian is also running a reader's-choice contest where people can vote on their favorite image.

The winners of this year's awards will be revealed on March 31.

Women sew their fishing net in a village near Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam.



President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House on October 7, 2014.



Light refracts through the curves of a breaking wave in New South Wales, Australia.



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Here's where the world's ultra-rich are moving — and where they are coming from

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London Harrods bus

The world's ultra-rich are on the move.

In its 2015 Wealth Report, real estate consultancy Knight Frank took a look at the migration flows of the world's so-called high-net-worth-individuals (HNWIs) from 2003 to 2013.

As a destination, the UK far outpaced every other country, with more than 114,000 HNWIs migrating there during the 10-year period.

The US came in third place with 42,000 ultra-rich immigrants.

Note, the total number of HNWIs in the US (4 million in 2013) is still higher than the total in the UK (815,000 in 2013).

So where did the majority of those people come from?

Asia, mostly. About 76,000 HNWIs left China throughout the decade, while more than 43,000 took left India. According to the report, Singapore has been a popular destination for many of those emigrants.

Check it out:

Rich people migration patterns

SEE ALSO: Here are the countries where the ultra-rich are going to be spending even more money

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NOW WATCH: 9 Animated Maps That Will Change The Way You See The World








Here's what a million dollars buys in housing markets around the world

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Screen Shot 2015 03 06 at 12.08.00 PM

The price of luxury real estate is rising faster in the United States than it is anywhere else on earth, according to the latest World Wealth Report from real estate firm Knight Frank.

Prices rose by almost 13% across US cities last year, compared with just 2.5% across Europe, the report said. And worldwide, growth was even flatter, with global luxury property prices rising by just over 2% in 2014.

New York saw the highest jump, with luxury residential real estate prices rising 18.8% year over year. In 2013, Knight Frank found that $1 million could buy 40.2 square meters of property in Manhattan; a year later, that figure has shrunk to 34 square meters.

Monaco still has the most expensive luxury real estate overall, followed by Hong Kong and London.

The chart below, via Knight Frank, gives a great visualization of what $1 million buys in various luxury housing markets around the globe.

Screen Shot 2015 03 05 at 3.39.49 PM

 While Monaco may be a magnet for wealth real estate buyers, The super-rich (defined in Knight Frank's report as those with $30 million or more in net assets) say that London, New York, and Hong Kong are the most important cities when it comes to doing business.

 

SEE ALSO: A photographer set out to meet 100 Russians at every age, and the results are incredible

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NOW WATCH: 14 things you didn't know your iPhone headphones could do








Why 16 million fans are obsessed with this 24-year-old from Hawaii doing impersonations on YouTube

The best pillow for every kind of sleeper

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sheets bedding sleeping bed

Sleep is a magical thing. It can fight obesity, make us happier, and can completely transform our lives

The problem for almost half of the American population is that we’re not getting enough sleep. 

And one of the culprits could be our pillows.

We spoke with New York chiropractor Dr. Jan Lefkovitz of Body in Balance Chiropractic as well as Bloomingdale’s fashion director of Home Furnishings Emily Hull-Martin about how to find the right pillow for you.

“My patients make constant mistakes in their sleeping positions and it definitely affects their neck and back,” Dr. Lefkovitz explained to Business Insider. “The main idea is you have to keep your spine parallel and neutral." 

As for materials, Hull-Martin says there are three major categories: natural down feathers, synthetic down alternatives and memory foam.  

“If you don’t have allergy concerns, down filled pillows are your best bet,” she told Business Insider. “They are lightweight, cuddly, and lofty. Synthetic pillows aim to mimic down, but use polyester fibers to create allergy free loft. Memory foam is a dense spongy material which continuously adjusts and molds to the shape of your body.”

And though memory foam has become popular in recent years, Dr. Lefkovitz warns to test out the pillows in the store to make sure it’s right for you. “I never recommend memory foam because some people love it and some people hate it,” he said. “For someone who gets hot at night, they’re not going to like it because it gets very warm and you sink into it.”

Keep reading to see the top expert-recommended pillows for every kind of sleeper.

Side sleepers 

sleeping in bed“If you’re on your side, you want just enough pillow to fill the space between your shoulder and neck, no more and no less,” Dr. Lefkovitz said. “The corner of the pillow needs to be tucked in right in that little nook, where your shoulder hits your neck, the point needs to be right there.”

For this, Hull-Martin said that firm pillows are best. “These are great for side sleepers since they offer the most support, filling the space between your shoulder and neck,” she explained. 

Dr. Lefkovitz also recommended that side sleepers with lower back pain try sleeping with a pillow between their legs as well. “Put one end between your knees from your ankle to your knee, that whole space and that keeps your pelvis aligned so it’s not rotating,” he advised.

Back sleepers

sleeping lazy weekend bed bedroomFor people who sleep on their back, Hull-Martin recommends medium-firm pillows. 

“Medium pillows are your best bet — these offer moderate support keeping the head and spine aligned,” she said. 

Lefkovitz adds that if you have back pain, elevate your lower legs with a pillow or rolled blanket underneath your knees. This will alleviate pressure in the lower spine and help with alignment. 

Stomach sleepers

sleeping on stomachSorry, stomach sleepers, but Dr. Lefkovitz says you should never be sleeping in this position.

“It creates rotation in your spine,” he explained. “If you’re on your stomach, it means your head is rotated all the way to one side.” 

If you’re a stomach sleeper who’s looking to transition, Dr. Lefkovitz advises to try sleeping on your side first by using a body pillow. “It will block you from going on your stomach,” he said. “Put one end between your knees from your ankle to your knee and the rest of the pillow should go to the front of your body and you can rest your top arm on it.” 

If you’re an unapologetic stomach sleeper, Hull-Martin says to look for a soft pillow. “Stomach sleepers should go for soft pillows which cradle the head, promoting a healthy sleeping posture,” she told us.

SEE ALSO: Time-lapse photos of sleeping couples are oddly intimate

DON'T FORGET: Follow Business Insider's Life on Facebook!

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NOW WATCH: We Used iPhone Time-Lapse Video To See How Much An Average 28-Year-Old Man Tosses And Turns In His Sleep








The 3 products men should use to style their hair for work

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David Beckham

A man's gotta keep his hair looking sharp.

Hair wax, pomade, or styling creme can all help you attain that cool-yet-professional look.

We've put together a list of our favorite products — and when you'll want to use them.

Check it out below.


Hair wax

hair wax menHair wax will hold your hair in place without it getting rock solid or sticky. Wax doesn't add shine to your hair and washes out pretty easily. 

Pro-tip: Hair wax is ideal for men with straight or wavy hair. It's too much for curly hair.

Our three favorite options:

  • Uppercut Matt Clay: $18.00
  • Blind Barber 60 proof hair wax: $18.00
  • American crew classic fiber (2 pack): $33.92$11.46[34% off]

Pomade

hair pomade menPomade is similar to hair wax, but it holds your hair better and adds some shine. So this could be a great option if you have a nice event to go to.

Pro-tip: Just like with hair wax, pomade is best used on straight or wavy hair.

Our three favorite options:

  • Blind Barber 90 proof hair pomade: $18.00
  • Uppercut deluxe pomade (pack of 2): $36.00
  • American crew pomade: $31.92$23.48 [26% off]

Styling creme

moroccanoil styling creme menIf you have curly hair, styling creme should be your go-to. It doesn't have any hold (so don't worry — your curls won't be frozen solid). But it does add a light shine, and will moisturize your hair.

Our three favorite options:

  • Moroccan oil hydrating styling cream: $39.99 $36.64 [6% off]
  • Bumble and Bumble styling creme by Bumble and Bumble: $33.85
  • Malin + Goetz Sage styling creme: $22.00

 

SEE ALSO: 6 shampoos to use if you're worried about hair loss

SEE ALSO: The 16 greatest books about how to be a man

SEE ALSO: The 5 must-have books on whiskey, American cocktails, and moonshine

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NOW WATCH: 14 things you didn't know your iPhone headphones could do









There are now a whole bunch of new versions of the coolest $150 watch in the world

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Swatch Green SISTEM51

The Apple Watch is going to hit the market very soon. 

But before the Apple Watch was announced, another well-known brand captured the attention of the horological universe in dramatic fashion.

It was Swatch. 

Yes, Swatch — maker of all those witty plastic timepieces that everyone wore in the 1980s, and that still have a following in both low and high places today.

The watch was the Sistem51 — an innovative and radically new automatic timepiece that's purely Swiss and purely Swatch.

The Sistem51 only costs $150 and went on sale in the US in 2014. It created a sensation at the big annual watch show in Basel in 2013. From my perspective, it's the coolest $150 watch in the world right now.

There were four original versions of the watch. They have now been joined by five new editions, including a variation of the Sistem Blue that now has a more legible dial for timekeeping.

CREATING A SENSATION

When it was revealed, Sistem51 took the Swiss watchmaking community by storm.

"Jaws dropped," said Carlo Giordanetti, Swatch's Creative Director. "No one thought it would be possible."

So what exactly did Swatch manage to achieve with Sistem51?

It reduced the number of parts in the movement to 51, about half of what a typical automatic watch requires.

An automatic movement is powered by the movement of the wearer. The finest watches in the world are automatics, costing tens and even hundreds of thousands. Their movements — complicated miniature machines — are a source of fascination to watch collectors and enthusiasts.

There are plenty of cheap automatics out there. You can pick up a perfectly good one for less than $100. It won't be anything to write home about, but it won't need a new battery every few years, either.

And it won't be as innovative as Sistem51. 

"51 became a target," said Giordanetti, who has been with Swatch since 1987. " It was a challenge for our engineers to get the same number of components in an automatic as in a quartz."

ELIMINATING COMPLICATION

The overriding goal was to eliminate complexity. For the record, complications are what the traditional Swiss watch industry thrives on. More complications can make for a far more valuable and desirable watch. Quartz watches, by contrast, are fairly simple: they use a quartz crystal and electric oscillation to generate very precise timekeeping. 

Automatic watches use mechanical action to wind a mainspring, which powers the timekeeping function.

There's no fastidious watchmaker laboring over a bench with tiny tools and a sure, practiced hand producing the Sistem51. Instead, there are robots. The entire assembly process is automated. The movement is constructed around a single, central screw.

No shortage of traditional watchmaker know-how went into creating the watch, according to Giordanetti. It was, however, updated, forward-thinking know-how.

"There were 25 to 35 young people involved, all from watchmaking families," he said. "No other brand could have done this."

The traditional Swiss watch industry is doing quite well these days, supported by global demand for luxury timepieces from Rolex, Patek Philippe, and other big names. It's all about automatics, so Swatch saw an opportunity to use its heft to introduce something radically new into this market — all while keeping intact the brand's affection for whimsy and irreverence.

IT'S NOT ABOUT SHOWING OFF

"It was an innocent provocation," Giordanetti said of the roll-out of Sistem51 in Basel in 2013.

But it was more than that. "It was emotional," the Swatch veteran added.

Apart from watchmaking innovation, Sistem51 also represents another core Swatch value: cheerful unpretentiousness. 

"It's not about showing off," Giordanetti explained. "It's all about lightness. A Swatch collector wants to look at his or her watch and smile two or three times a day."

"You can hide it," Giordanetti said, and he's right. This isn't a watch that will live on display below your shirt cuff. It's the farthest thing from a chunky, stainless-steel dive watch you can get. It's the anti-Rolex Submariner. But like the Rolex, it's still a completely Swiss watch.

And at $150, it's also the most affordable all-new, super-innovative all-Swiss movement you can lay your hands on.

Sistem51 is a piece of watchmaking history, as important as the arrival of Swatch quartzes were in the 1980s. The Apple Watch will be a big deal. But Apple isn't the only innovator in watches these days!

You can find the Sistem51 here.

Here's a look at the new designs:

Swatch SISTEM51 New Blue

 

Swatch SISTEM 51 Black

Swatch SISTEM 51 Pink

 

Swatch SISTEM 51 Cream

SEE ALSO: These 40 cars prove the Geneva Motor Show was the greatest in history

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NOW WATCH: Watch 2 armed gangs fight on a busy road in China








The 5 most ridiculous items featured in 2 Chainz's new 'Most Expensivest' show

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2 chainz"I'm 2 Chainz and I'm flamboyant, I like the fancy things, and I'm always craving for something more."  

This is the tagline rapper 2 Chainz uses to introduce the second season of his GQ web series, "Most Expensivest Shit," in which the 37-year-old tries out all of the fanciest toys, food, and gadgets, and the craziest luxury goods in the world.

In honor of season two premiering this week, and 18 episodes in the can so far, we've rounded up five of the most outrageous below.

1. A $2 million car.

2 Chainz visited Cooper Classic Cars in New York City to check out the rarest vintage rides money can buy, including this $2 million 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.

carThe dirt alone on the car is worth $20,000, owner Elliot Cuker tells the rapper.

2 Chainz was especially impressed by the car's gullwing.

2 Chainz car gullwingWatch the full clip here.

2. $30,000 limited-edition headphones.

"In the early '90s, Sennheiser gave its engineers a mission: make the best headphones ever, irrespective of price," explains Gizmodo. "They came up with the Orpheus HE90. Only 300 were made. They initially sold for $16,000. Today they sell phone upwards of $30,000 on eBay."

2 chain rapper headphones2 Chainz got his hands on the headphones, which he says "are even louder than they look."

Here are the headphones in their special case:

2 chainz headphonesFor listening purposes, the headphones must be plugged into the mate unit, called a stereo amplifier, which is an amp just for the headphones.

headphone amp"It's the closet you can get to live music," says the headphone owner.

Watch the full clip here.

3. A $4,000 toothbrush.

Germany's Reinast luxury toothbrush is the most expensive toothbrush in the world.

2 Chainz toothbrushIt is made of titanium, has a patented coating, and it's antibacterial so it helps fight the bacteria that causes cavities.

Every month, new bristles are sent to the toothbrush owner, so it really lasts a lifetime.

toothbrushAnd, it's even customizable.

2 chainz toothbrushWatch the full clip here.

4. The $295 Le Burger Extravagant from Serendipity 3.

"This burger costs more than your iPhone," the rapper says while introducing the Guinness Book of World Records' most expensive hamburger.

Why the price tag?

Check out the list of ingredients: Japanese Wagyu beef infused with white truffle butter, cheese that has been aged 18 months in a cave, shaved black truffles from Italy, heirloom tomato ketchup, quail eggs, and $200 per ounce caviar  all held together with a gold and diamond toothpick.

Hamburger

Watch the full clip here.

5. A giant pipe filled with cannabis, which costs $800 an ounce.

2 Chainz tried out a ridiculously large pipe filled the world's most expensive weed.

2 Chainz giant pipeThe world's two most expensive cannabis types are called Isla and Top Shelf, which are canned cannabis. It is actually cut off the plant, trimmed, put it in the cans, sealed, and cured in the cans.

cannabis in a canIt costs $100 per can, or $800 an ounce.

2 Chainz most expensivest shitOnce the pipe is ready to be smoked, it's so big that it has to be lit with a blowtorch.

2 chain giant pipeThe rapper seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself.

2 Chainz giant pipe weed2 Chainz also tried out 24K gold, handmade edible rolling papers.

gold rolling papersTwo sheets will set you back $20, or 12 sheets for $55.

2 Chainz smoking weed rapperWatch the full clip here.

SEE ALSO: Nancy Grace and rapper 2 Chainz have an incredible debate over legalizing pot

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NOW WATCH: How To Listen To Your Entire Music Library Anywhere








A photographer turned the tables on the woman who stole her identity

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jessamyn lovell, dear erin hart

The phone rang one late morning in late February 2011, and Jessamyn Lovell's life was changed.

The San Francisco Police Dept.'s financial-crimes unit called to ask if Lovell had given a woman named Erin Coleen Hart permission to use her New Mexico state driver's license. Hart had committed a number of crimes, including petty theft, using Lovell's name and identity.

Lovell, a photographer based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, felt a dire need to piece together how her and Hart's lives became connected. Over the next three years, she documented Hart's crime scenes, release from prison, and transition back to normalcy.

We've published snippets of the resulting project, "Dear Erin Hart," with the photographer's permission. You can learn more about Lovell's journey by visiting her website and preordering her book, "Dear Erin Hart."

The San Francisco Police Dept.'s financial-crimes unit called Jessamyn Lovell one morning in February 2011 to ask if she had given a woman named Erin Coleen Hart permission to use her New Mexico state driver's license.



A month later, the Alameda County Court summoned Lovell to California for "unspecified charges." She had her fingerprints taken, showing she was not the same woman who was arrested, and the charges were dropped.



Lovell pieced together that Hart had committed petty theft and used her ID at the time of arrest. Though Lovell was in the clear, her feelings of frustration and vulnerability lingered.



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Scientists discovered how much sex happy couples have every month

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The first two years of a relationship are usually considered to be the most exciting. After that, according to psychotherapist and author M. Gary Neuman, couples have to work to maintain that initial level of intimacy and excitement.

Neuman conducted a research experiment with 400 women who were either happily or unhappily married to find out how much sex happy couples should have every month.

Produced by Graham Flanagan

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New York City's 'Outlaw Instagrammer' will leave the city when he turns 18

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17-year-old Humza Deas dares to go where most of us never would. 

As one of New York City's "outlaw Instagrammers" — a name given to a group of young photographers by a recent New York magazine article— Deas scales the city's tallest buildings and bridges to get some truly jaw-dropping shots. 

 on

 

Most of these locations are extremely dangerous and even illegal to access. The outlaw Instagrammers usually take their photos at night so as to avoid trouble. Still, the photographers — most of whom are minors — have certainly gotten the attention of both the public and the police. 

When a mysterious white flag appeared at the top of the Brooklyn Bridge in July of last year, Deas' followers immediately posted thousands of messages to his Instagram page, asking if he was responsible for the stunt. Heas attempted to clear his name by doing a video interview with a local TV station, but it ended up backfiring, and he was questioned by police.

According to a source who recently heard Deas speak at an Instagram marketing event, Deas now seems to believe he's on the NYPD's radar, though he's never been arrested for trespassing.

Deas told Business Insider that he plans to leave New York City at the end of March, shortly after his 18th birthday.

"I feel I will be 90% done capturing the city through my perspective and in order to grow not only as an artist, but as a person too I think it's time for me to leave the nest and travel the world," he said. "I think if I want to accomplish my dreams then this is something I need to do. I will truly miss this this city."

Deas says that he'll head to Los Angeles first, then San Francisco and Miami. After that, he'll travel internationally. He'll be taking the same adrenaline-pumping photos at every stop along the way. 

 on

"I have big things planned for my leave, going out with a bang!" Deas told Business Insider.

He said to stay tuned to his Instagram page, adding that he plans to debut a video on the Nasdaq screen in Times Square on March 11, the day before his birthday. 

SEE ALSO: 19 incredible photos from New York City's 17-year-old 'outlaw Instagrammer'

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NOW WATCH: 14 things you didn't know your iPhone headphones could do








The 17 strangest laws in America

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party drunk binge drinking alcohol shots

We've all heard urban legends and rumors about absurd laws in America, but you can't believe everything you read on the internet. 

Sites like dumblaws.com— which rarely link to states' current statutes or may misinterpret them — only perpetuate the myths.

We decided to find the weirdest laws that are actually still on the books, and came across everything from fines for dwarf-tossing to bans on sex. Here are some of the highlights:

In Alaska, it's illegal to get drunk in a bar and remain on the premises. Though this kind of defeats the purpose of a bar, doesn't it? The statute states that an intoxicated person may not "knowingly" enter or camp out where alcohol is sold — so maybe if you're inebriated enough, you can get away with it.

If a frog dies during a frog-jumping contest in California, it can't be eaten. This health code likely made its way into the books to protect competitors at the Calaveras County Fair and Frog Jumping Jubilee, an 80-year-old tradition in the gold mining town of Angels Camp. Each year, tourists and experienced jockeys compete to see how far their bullfrogs can leap.

wolf wall street gif dwarf tossingIn Florida, there's no dwarf-tossing allowed. Owners of commercial establishments where alcohol is sold may be fined up to $1,000 if they participate in or permit any contest of dwarf-tossing, since it was outlawed in 1989. A Florida state legislator actually tried to repeal the law in 2011, but wasn't successful.

When it outlawed the act in 1990, Idaho became the only state to declare cannibalism illegal. The act is strictly prohibited and punishable by up to 14 years in prison, but it's okay to "willfully ingest the flesh or blood of a human being" in life-or-death situations — if it's the only apparent means or survival.

In Indiana, liquor stores can't sell cooled water or soda. However, they can sell unchilled soda, so expect warm Coke if you purchase it alongside your rum. The code specifically lists what types of beverages (and at what temperatures) permit-holding businesses can have in stock.

butterIt's a misdemeanor to try to pass off margarine (or oleo or oleomargarine) as real butter in Iowa. The great butter vs. margarine battle rages on though, so we understand Iowa's desire for transparency.

In Maryland, it's illegal to sell non-latex condoms in a vending machine. Any person caught doing so is guilty of a misdemeanor and can be fined up to $1,000.

Don't cheat on your spouse in Michigan — it's illegal there. A statute on the books since 1931 makes adultery a felony— punishable by a maximum of four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. And if a married man sleeps with a single woman (or vice versa), even the unmarried party is considered guilty and liable for punishment.

pigletIn Minnesota, any game in which participants attempt to capture a greased or oiled pig is illegal. The same law also prohibits turkey scrambles. Let's assume legislators were more concerned with animal cruelty than human stupidity.

In Mississippi, swearing in front of two or more people in public could land you in jail for up to 30 days. Or you could pay a hefty fine to the state swear jar, no more than $100. While this law appears to be a direct assault on the First Amendment, it's thought to have been conceived in order to protect the public.

As of 1973, it's illegal to carry away or collect seaweed at night in New Hampshire. Breaking most of the general provisions about fish and game will land you a "violation" — with an unspecified punishment. Though this law might sound silly to the average person, seaweed is actually a widely used commodity. It's routinely used in fertilizer and animal feed, and is also considered a good source of alginate, which gives liquid solutions a thicker texture (think Jell-O).

bingo seniorsPlaying bingo for too long is illegal in North Carolina. That's right: For certain organizations, bingo games can only last up to five hours. The state's administrative code even contains a few more explicit restrictions on the game: only one in a 48-hour period and no more than a $500 prize.

In South Dakota, agricultural producers may set off fireworks and other explosives to safeguard their sunflower crops. Crows and other birds can wreak havoc on a blossoming field, and pyrotechnics are farmers' first defense — so long as they're not used within 600 feet of an occupied home, church, or schoolhouse.

Atheists aren't allowed to run for office in Texas. Though the Lone Star State prohibits "religious tests" as a qualification for candidates, anyone wishing to run for office must acknowledge the existence of a "Supreme Being." 

couple kissingExcept for married couples, sex is completely banned in Virginia. No matter your age or your partner's, breaking this law results in a Class 4 misdemeanor.

In West Virginia, it's illegal to use a ferret for hunting. Anyone who hunts, catches, takes, kills, injures, or pursues a wild animal or bird with a ferret will face a fine of no less than $100 (but no more than $500) and no less than 10 (but no more than 100) days in jail.

Wisconsin has high standards for its cheese. Not to stereotype, but in Wisconsin (also known as America's Dairyland), many different kinds of state-certified cheeses (Muenster, cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack) must be "highly pleasing."

SEE ALSO: Here's what all 50 state names actually mean

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NOW WATCH: A lawyer in Florida has come up with an ingenious way for drivers to evade drunken-driving checkpoints








Burglar steals 'cruffin' recipe from San Francisco bakery, leaves cash and iPad behind

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Foxcroft & Ginger, Custard & Jam Cruffins

Cronuts, McGriddles, cruffins, and more: We live in a world where innovative foods have taken on cult-like (and profitable) status.

That may have been going through the mind of a burglar in San Francisco last week, when the only thing he or she took was a recipe for "cruffins," a baked croissant/muffin hybrid, according to SFGate.

Overnight, the thief stole the cruffin recipe (and more than 200 other recipes) from five binders kept in the bakery's kitchen.

Left untouched were the items you'd expect a burglar to nab: cash, an iPad, and computers.

The home of the cruffin, Mr Holmes Bakehouse, has been open for three months, but that appears to have been enough time to attract a criminal who was after the secret to their success rather than the short term payoff.

But Ry Stephen, the 28-year-old chef behind the cruffin, told The New York Times that the recipe doesn't detail his dough-making technique, which involves mixing it, buttering and folding it repeatedly, and then baking over a few days.

The Times added that "Nor does it say that the butter must be imported from Isigny-sur-Mer, France (though this article does)."

In January, Yelp user Devin O. raved that "Cruffins are amazing, brioche is top-notch, the amelie amann is a flaky piece of heaven. Only caveat: GET THERE EARLY! Seriously, they sell out of most stuff by noon. This place is that good."

cruffin yelp review San Francisco

The San Francisco Police Department is investigating the case, but the bakery itself was able to poke fun at the strange crime with a Facebook post warning readers to "Beware counterfeit Mr Holmes goods".

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How To Take Beautiful Photos Of Your Food For Instagram









What it's like to live in 24 hours of darkness at the northernmost edge of the civilized world

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Dog sledding 36

Every January, my wife and I go on an annual, unusual hunting trip. We seek to see the beautiful aurora borealis northern lights.

A few weeks ago, I was unexpectedly invited to Oslo, Norway, as part of a business trip to meet with a new Norwegian client. It seemed destiny was hellbent on sending me to the Northern latitudes in winter, but I had already been to Norway before to chase auroras.

On all my other trips, I had experienced 20 or so hours of darkness but never the ultimate full 24 hours of polar night. I researched my options and learned that the home of the northernmost permanent settlement on Earth, the town of Longyearbyen, is administered by Norway and accessible via a (relatively) easy journey from Oslo. It was two flights away.

This was likely the closest I would ever come to visiting the North Pole, itself.

And that's how I found myself on a 3.5 day trip and dog sledding expedition in total darkness at the northernmost point of civilization on earth.

The red arrow points to the Svalbard Archipelago, home to the town of Longyearbyen, the northernmost inhabited community on the planet.



My trip began in Oslo, where I was greeted by this unusual Welcome sign. Longyearbyen is two flights away.



I'm surprised to see a whole row of Teslas, charging in the center of Oslo. My hosts tell me Norway is the biggest market for Teslas outside the US and they are a "dime a dozen" here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider






The 20 best places to live overseas

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globalmap

Tired of your old job? Looking for a new environment? There are a lot of reasons to leave your home country behind in search of greener pastures, but picking where to go can be an overwhelming decision.

There are a lot of conflicting factors: job opportunities, salary considerations, quality of life, safety, and childcare are just a few. HSBC has made the decision a whole lot easier with its latest annual Expat Explorer survey

The survey ranks the best places to go based on experience, economics, and raising children abroad, with subcategories for each group. We've picked out the top 20 places overall. (But you can also personalize the rankings based on which factors matter to you.)

20. Belgium

Belgium ranked highly for raising children abroad, healthcare, and learning a new language.  

The country was below average for overall experience and economics categories but ranked especially low for sports and healthy diet — unsurprising when you consider the beer, chocolate, and waffles.

Belgium is also relatively free of violent crime, though muggings and pickpocketing are common in the country's larger cities.



19. Malaysia

Adventurous expats are likeliest to head to Malaysia. Forty-nine percent told HSBC that the need for "a new challenge" motivated their move.

Those who make the move seem to love it, with expats in Malaysia scoring highly for learning the local language, traveling more, and exploring Malaysia's fascinating culture. 

Malaysia tends to be very affordable, ranking highly for accommodations and local shops and markets.  

The country is only middle of the pack, however, in economic measures and raising children abroad. Education is decent but expensive, and the quality of childcare is not good.



18. Japan

Japan's stagnant economy has it ranking low in economic measures, but the country makes up for it with its exceptional healthcare, travel options, and local culture. It doesn't hurt that the food is healthy and delicious, ranking first in both diet and local food.

In addition, Japan ranks highly in raising children abroad, thanks to its high-quality, affordable education.

One expat described the people in Japan as such:

"The people here are so friendly and go out their way to help you, even if they speak limited English. I feel welcome here."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider






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Over 50% of American singles had casual sex in 2014 — here's why that's good for their relationships

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hippie couple paint

According to a new 5,000 person study, 66% of men and 50% of single women report that they had a one-night stand in 2014.

According to anthropologist and study author Helen Fisher, this could actually benefit their future relationships.

In a new article for Nautilus, Fisher says that while have an "uncommitted sexual encounter" with a stranger might "appear reckless," it's a hugely efficient way to get to know someone. 

The "Why We Love" author explains:

Any stimulation of the genitals promotes dopamine activity, which can potentially push you over the threshold into falling in love.

At orgasm, oxytocin and vasopressin—neurochemicals linked with feelings of attachment—spike. With just one night of casual sex, risky as it is, you may win life's greatest prize: a devoted mating partner. 

After a one night stand, Fisher says that people often move to a "commitment-lite" relationship, in which "a pair has coitus when convenient, but they don't appear in public as a couple."

In other words, you may be sleeping together, but you're not tagging each other on Instagram, popularly known as "friends with benefits."

Fisher reports that in the 2013 Singles in America study, 58% of men and 50% of women had been in a friends-with-benefits situation. 

And it's not like those relationships are going nowhere. Fisher reports that 28% of the 2014 survey participants had experienced a friends-with-benefits arrangement grow into a long-term relationship.

So hook-ups lead to friends-with-benefits, friends-with-benefits lead to long-term partnerships.  

But the news for the casually sexual isn't all good. 

Research from the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia indicates that couples who wait to have sex until later in their relationship report having higher quality marriages.

Some of the "people who are already more likely to struggle in romantic relationships — such as people who are impulsive or insecure — are also more likely to have casual sex," write report authors Galena K. Rhoades and Scott M. Stanley.

SEE ALSO: Why couples that 'hook up' early tend to be less happy in marriage

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