Showing posts with label Business Insider. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business Insider. Show all posts

Wednesday, 13 July 2016

Duncan breaks silence: 'When it's not fun anymore, I'm done'

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2015, file photo, San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan watches the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, in Philadelphia. Duncan announced his retirement on Monday, July 11, 2016, after 19 seasons, five championships, two MVP awards and 15 All-Star appearances. It marks the end of an era for the Spurs and the NBA. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, FIle)

When Tim Duncan decided to reflect on his outstanding 19-year NBA career, the understated star did it in the most Timmy way possible: seated at a table with a friend from the islands.

Two days after the San Antonio Spurs announced his retirement , Duncan told longtime friend Rashidi Clenance that he simply "started not enjoying myself as much. It wasn't fun as much. When it's not fun anymore, I'm done."

When the decision was made public, Duncan was hailed as perhaps the greatest power forward the league has ever seen, a five-time champion and unparalleled teammate whose selflessness and determination served as the backbone for the most enduring success story in American sports over the last two decades.

Duncan tried to avoid much of the praise, watching former teammate Bruce Bowen's tribute on ESPN and coach Gregg Popovich's emotional news conference on Tuesday.

"I about lost it on that one," Duncan said during the interview streamed online by ViVid Streaming.

"I didn't expect the response that I got," Duncan said. "No, I didn't. That's the way I'm built. I knew that I didn't want to sit there and watch what was being said. It's appreciated, but I just didn't want to watch it."

Duncan looked relaxed while doing the interview, seated at the table with a green T-shirt with a picture of Manu Ginobili and himself blocking out. He said there were no immediate plans for the next phase of his life, which is just the way he wants it.

"That's the beauty of it. There is no script," Duncan said. "For the first time in 20-something years, I don't have a script. I don't have somewhere I have to be and something I have to do. So, I get to go out and enjoy my kids even more. Outside of that, I get to do a little living."

Duncan has two children — son Draven and daughter Sydney — and for several years has had a side business in San Antonio customizing automobiles.

"I don't know that they were happy or sad," Duncan said of his children. "I think they're OK with the fact that I'm going to be around more and they don't have to compete with the schedule or anything else. So, I think they're happy about it but they're sad that they won't be able to go to the games and see me play. It's mixed."

Duncan downplayed the significance of his career several times during the interview, consistent with his humble demeanor ever since he was the No. 1 overall pick out of Wake Forest in 1997. He said he never pays attention to comparisons between himself and other all-time greats.

"I don't really care where the rankings go," he said. "I'm in the conversation. I'm OK with that. That's above and beyond anything I ever thought I'd ever be. That in itself is an honor."

Duncan also penned a letter to Spurs fans that was posted on the team's website and said he was taken aback by all of the fawning over the last three days.

"Luckily I'm not dying," he cracked. "I'm just moving to another chapter."

He grew emotional as the interview came to a close.

"It's been fun," Duncan said, pausing to compose himself. "The next chapter will be fun, too. I really enjoyed the ride. I really enjoyed the cheers and the laughs and the highlights and the lowlights, everything that comes with that package. ... No better way to put it than, 'Thank you."

___

AP freelance writer Raul Dominguez in San Antonio contributed to this story.

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Keys calls on famous friends to star in racial justice vide

FILE - In this May 23, 2016 file photo, singer Alicia Keys performs at the Italian State RAI TV program

NEW YORK (AP) — Alicia Keys and a host of other stars, including Beyonce, Bono, Rihanna, Taraji P. Henson and Chris Rock, appear in a powerful video released Wednesday that describes "23 ways you could be killed if you are black in America."

The video made the social media rounds after its release on Mic.com, spawning its own hashtag, 23Ways, and thousands of shares and comments. In black and white, it juxtaposes 23 artists with photos of 23 black victims of violence, with each star noting the acts that led to their deaths, mainly after interactions with police.

Many of the deaths led to intense anger and frustration among African-Americans, and kicked off protests that grew into the Black Lives Matter movement.

In an interview Wednesday, Keys said she was inspired by a Mic.com story earlier this month written by Jamilah King under the headline: "23 Everyday Actions Punishable by Death if You're Black in America."

It was written after Alton Sterling was killed by police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after an altercation caught on video by a bystander. The story's approach, listing everyday things like laughing, sitting in your car, attending a birthday party, was Keys' call to action.

"It was just so powerful because it was all just so trivial," she said. "I just felt so devastated and frustrated and angry, saddened and disappointed. Those are the same feelings that we all feel."

Keys said it was easy to round up enough of her famous artist friends to hit the 23 mark.

"Each and every person I reached out to responded so quickly," she said. "They were feeling exactly how I'm feeling and they were just ready."

Keys begins the video with, "Failing to signal a lane change," followed by a photo of Sandra Bland, who died in jail after being stopped by police during a traffic stop (authorities ruled it a suicide). Beyonce is next up with, "Riding in your girlfriend's car with a child in the back," and an image appears of Philando Castile, who was shot by police last week in Minnesota; his girlfriend livestreamed the aftermath.

Rock stares into the camera to say, "Running to the bathroom in your own apartment," followed by the face of Ramarley Graham, an 18-year-old shot in the Bronx by a police officer in 2012.

Pink, Bono, Janelle Monae, Adam Levine, Common, Queen Latifah, Kevin Hart, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Hudson and Keys' husband Swizz Beatz are among the other artists to appear.

Keys and her We Are Here organization call at the end of the video for signatures on a petition demanding President Barack Obama and Congress to work for "radical transformation to heal the long history of systemic racism so that all Americans have the equal right to live and to pursue happiness."

In a few hours, the online petition had nearly 50,000 signatures.

"When we get 100,000 we're going to walk that petition directly to the White House," Keys said. "I'm going to get as many as those 23 as possible."

___

Online: The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_VaNhI4CLo

Alicia Keys: http://ift.tt/29YPdEB

Mic Media on Facebook: http://ift.tt/29T22NL

We Are Here: http://ift.tt/1mxTCP3

King's Mic.com story: http://bit.ly/29JYmiE

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Congress passes aviation bill to close airport security gaps

FILE - In this May 25, 2016 file photo, passengers push their carry-on belongings onto an automated conveyer belt at a newly designed passenger screening lane unveiled at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. Congress has passed an aviation bill that attempts to close gaps in airport security and shorten screening lines, but leaves thornier issues unresolved. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress passed an aviation bill Wednesday that attempts to close gaps in airport security and shorten screening lines, but leaves thornier issues unresolved.

The bill also extends the Federal Aviation Administration's programs for 14 months at current funding levels. It was approved in the Senate by a vote of 89 to 4. The House had passed the measure earlier in the week and it now goes to President Barack Obama, who must sign the bill by Friday when the FAA's current operating authority expires to avoid a partial agency shutdown.

Responding to attacks by violent extremists associated with the Islamic State group on airports in Brussels and Istanbul, the bill includes an array of provisions aimed at protecting "soft targets" outside security perimeters. Other provisions designed to address potential "insider threats" would toughen vetting of airport workers and other employees with access to secure areas, expand random employee inspections and require reviews of perimeter security. Investigators suspect a bomb had been smuggled aboard a Russian Metrojet airliner that disintegrated over Egypt last year.

The measure is the most significant airport security bill to pass Congress in a decade, and its provisions "speak directly to some of the gaps that we perceive to exist in our aviation system in this country," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

But it also is notable for what it doesn't contain: A plan to remove air traffic control operations from the FAA and put them under the control of a private, non-profit corporation run primarily by segments of the aviation industry.

Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the airline industry had made privatizing air traffic control a top priority. But they ran into opposition from other powerful committee chairmen who don't want to cede oversight responsibility for a large share of the nation's aviation system to a private corporation. Other segments of the aviation industry also objected to the plan, saying they feared the corporation would be dominated by airline interests.

Airlines say privatization is needed because the FAA's culture is too slow and inflexible to complete the air traffic system's transition from old radar technology to satellites. The modernization has dragged on for more than a decade and fallen short of promised financial benefits and reduced congestion.

Shuster hasn't given up on the plan and may revive it next year when Congress will face a new deadline to extend FAA's authority.

The bill authorizes a doubling of Transportation Security Administration teams that stop and search suspicious passengers in airport public areas that are outside the security perimeter, often using bomb-sniffing dogs. A "dog's nose" is one of the "most effective tools" the government can deploy to secure airports, said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

It also authorizes TSA to donate unneeded security equipment to foreign airports with direct flights to the United States, and directs TSA to reconfigure security systems at three to six airports, an initial step to increase efficiency and reduce vulnerabilities in terminals.

The bill also seeks to expand enrollment in TSA's PreCheck program for low-risk travelers, and requires TSA to ensure PreCheck screening lanes are open during high-volume travel times. And it authorizes a trial program to develop and test more efficient passenger and luggage screening systems.

The bill also includes several consumer protections. Airlines would have to refund checked bag fees to passengers whose luggage is lost or is delayed 12 hours or more for domestic flights or 15 hours or more for overseas flights. They'll have to ensure that children 13 years of age or younger are seated next to an adult or older child traveling with them. At the behest of Southwest Airlines, lawmakers allowed discretion to exempt airlines such as those that don't offer assigned seating but do provide adjacent seating for families through other means.

The bill would test programs to handle the hazards of drone flights near airports and other critical infrastructure and to research traffic management for drone flights similar to what the FAA does for manned aircraft. One provision would require drone manufacturers to inform consumers of rules and safety guidelines for their use, while another would begin interagency discussions to let drones assist in firefighting operations.

Another provision would impose a $20,000 fine for anyone who "knowingly or recklessly" flies a drone near emergency responders. Authorities recorded 20 incidents in which drones flew too close to wildfires last year, with more than half hindering firefighting efforts. It has happened again at least nine times so far this year.

___

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Police departments all over the world are issuing warnings about 'Pokémon GO'

From New York City to Sydney, Australia, police departments are issuing the same warning:

Tech Insider was sent the following from the New York Police Department:

  • "Be alert at all times
  • Stay aware of your surroundings
  • Play in pairs or as a group to ensure your safety 
  • Do not drive or ride your bike, skateboard, or other device while interacting with the app...you can't do both safety
  • Do not trespass onto private property or go to areas you usually would not if you weren't playing "Pokémon GO"
  • Be aware and tell your kids about 'stranger-danger.' The app may draw strangers together in real life at 'Pokéstops'
  • Parents - be aware of 3rd party software apps claiming to enhance the gaming experience however, these 3rd party apps only gives access to sensitive data - i.e. name, email, calendar"

The advice was echoed by police departments in the three major territories where "Pokémon GO" is available: the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.

In Auburn, New York on Tuesday night, a 28-year-old driver crashed the car he was driving into a tree. He was reportedly playing "Pokémon GO" while behind the wheel. It was the first instance of a major car crash while playing the new game. The Auburn Police Department issued a similar warning to that of the NYPD, which insisted that players not drive cars while playing the game. 

pokemon car crash

Another accident occurred at Texas A&M, where one driver crashed their car into a parked vehicle — the driver had abandoned it suddenly to catch a Pokémon, according to the Texas A&M Police Twitter account.

We've said it before, we'll say it again — please, please don't play "Pokémon GO" while you're driving. Just like driving while texting, or driving while blindfolded, or driving while not paying attention to driving, driving while playing "Pokémon GO" is ridiculously dangerous. 

We get it, we do. The urge to fill that commute time with Pokémon capture is strong. Maybe now is the time to look into a carpool option? Or how about the train? No matter what you do, please stay safe out there. "Pokémon GO" is a great, new, fascinating social experience of a game. Please stay around to keep playing it with us!

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NOW WATCH: The weirdest things to happen while people are playing 'Pokémon GO'



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Young Vermont GOP delegate bucks Trump, draws fire and ire

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont teenager who is a delegate to the Republican National Convention is getting a taste of the rough-and-tumble of politics.

Jace Laquerre, whose senior year in high school is still ahead of him, is headed to the GOP convention in Cleveland next week. The 17-year-old is not supporting presumptive nominee Donald Trump, and has been targeted by ample online vitriol and an aborted attempt to remove him from the delegation.

One online posting said he deserved to be horsewhipped, tarred and feathered if he didn't follow his state's rules on voting. Others have labeled him a little runt, and a snot-nosed, wet-behind-the-ears kid.

His mom, Lori Laquerre, isn't taking kindly to the comments. "It's hard to see somebody attacking your son like that," she said.

Jace Laquerre said he takes them in stride. When he's not politicking, he's working this summer as a youth league soccer referee. Occasional complaints about calls have thickened his skin.

"The hate mail doesn't bother me so much," he said.

But he noted he was interviewed on a radio program recently with a young Democratic delegate from Maine.

"We didn't agree on much. But what we did agree on is that we all need to calm down," he said.

Laquerre said he first got interested in politics when Kentucky's Republican Sen. Rand Paul, then a presidential candidate, made a trip to Vermont last summer. Soon, he had signed on as the high school coordinator in the state for the Paul campaign.

When Paul later dropped out, Laquerre's allegiance switched to Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, for whom the teenager voted in Vermont's March primary. Under state law, residents who turn 18 by election day — Laquerre does on Aug. 21 — can vote in the primary, even if it's before their 18th birthday.

At the state party convention in May, Laquerre was elected a delegate for Ohio Gov. John Kasich. But when Kasich dropped out, his delegates became "unbound" under party rules.

"I was surprised that I came in fourth out of like 40 people" seeking 16 delegate slots, though he had been campaigning with fellow Republicans through phone calls, emails and a flyer he handed out at the event.

Now, Laquerre said he likely would shift his support at the convention back to Paul, "just to make a point."

He pointed to Trump's past support for abortion rights and questioned the businessman's support for gun rights.

"I don't think he has real conservative principles," Laquerre said.

But he also expects he'll end up voting for Trump in November. "I'm not a never-Trump guy. I'm a never-Trump guy for the primary, right until the last ballot is cast at the convention."

Darcie Johnston, Trump's campaign director in Vermont, said she looked into the legality of Laquerre's status, and determined he's eligible to serve as a delegate and did not launch a credentials challenge.

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The Latest: Not easy or automatic to opt out of Pokemon Go

Damien Hyatt, 23, left, and his brother, Eron Hyatt, 21, right, walk through an office park in Albuquerque in 93-degree heat on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, while playing

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the "Pokemon Go" smartphone game craze (all times local):

5:55 p.m.

University of Maryland campus police say three of four recent robbery victims on the College Park campus had been playing Pokemon Go.

Three of the victims of the Tuesday night robberies were students. Police say the suspect showed a handgun in two of the incidents. No one was injured.

Players are being urged to pay attention to their surroundings after reports around the country of robberies involving people distracted by the game.

___

5:35 p.m.

People playing Pokemon Go accidentally interfered with a search for a mysterious man who'd fled from a Lincoln, Nebraska convenience store where a clerk was killed last week.

Police say a store security guard noticed the man around 2 a.m. Wednesday. He was dressed in camouflage clothing and wearing a hood, gloves, sunglasses and a bandanna over his face. The guard asked the man to remove his bandanna, but he ran off instead.

A police dog taken to the scene to track the man got distracted by the scents of some people engrossed in the popular new smartphone game nearby.

Police say they don't think the man sought is connected to the slaying of store employee Robert Hanna.

___

5:20 p.m.

Four suspects have been arrested after a man told police in Auburn, Alabama that he was robbed at gunpoint while he was playing Pokemon Go.

Auburn police said in a news release that the man was playing the game outside of a vacant building early Wednesday when he was approached by four men who attacked him and robbed him before fleeing in a vehicle.

Authorities found the suspects, who were charged with first-degree robbery and third-degree assault, and recovered the victim's stolen property.

___

5 p.m.

A woman in western Pennsylvania says her 15-year-old daughter was hit by a car while playing the popular new "Pokemon Go" game on her smartphone.

Tracy Nolan tells WPXI-TV the game took her daughter across a busy highway Tuesday during the evening rush. She remains in the hospital Wednesday with an injured collarbone and foot, as well as cuts and bruises.

The car's driver stopped and held her daughter's hand until emergency responders arrived.

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4:35 p.m.

So what is Pokemon Go ? It's a free game app that you can download for your iOS or Android smartphone. The game asks players to wander their real-world neighborhoods on the hunt for the animated monsters made famous years ago by cartoons, video games and trading cards. Players build their collections, make their Pokemon more powerful and battle other trainers in gyms.

Set up is relatively quick. Fans like how it takes gaming into the streets and gets people walking around outside.

But the game has prompted privacy concerns, worries about walking into unsafe situations and trespassing on private property.

___

4:35 p.m.

It's not easy for businesses to opt out of Pokemon Go, nor is it automatic. This form is on Niantic's support page.

But it is by no means a guarantee, and it's unclear how quickly, if at all, Niantic would respond given the overwhelming popularity of its game.

Using the form, you can ask Niantic to remove a "Pokestop," where gamers can pick up special items, or "gym," where they can battle and gain power. You must provide the feature's name, address and the reason why you want it removed.

A drop-down menu forces you to pick a reason to get rid of a Pokestop or gym, but these may not match why a church, business or museum wants it gone. The choices include if the location is dangerous, on private property or if it does not exist.

___

3:40 p.m.

The Pokemon Go craze in the U.S. has people wandering into yards, driveways, cemeteries and even an off-limits police parking lot in search of cartoon monsters.

Authorities and others are warning trespassers they could get arrested or worse — especially if they cross paths with an armed property owner.

Since the release of the smartphone game last week, police have gotten a flurry of calls from residents about possible burglars or other strangers in their neighborhood.

So far, few tickets have been issued, and there have been no reports of arrests or assaults on trespassers playing the game.

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This material is darker than anything you've ever seen

Scientists created a material so dark they couldn’t even measure it. British company Surrey Nanosystems developed the original Vantablack in 2014, which was then the blackest material in the world. But they’ve outdone themselves with the new Vantablack, which absorbs over 99.8% of visible light. Here’s how Vantablack is so black.

Video courtesy of Surrey Nanosystems.

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Open carry made policing ‘difficult at best’ in Dallas — and worries have intensified ahead of Cleveland's big event

Cleveland police

As many as 30 people carried rifles across their backs during a protest last week in Dallas at which 12 police officers were shot.

And while that's legal under Texas' open carry laws, the presence of the guns also made policing the situation "difficult at best," as Dallas Police Chief David Brown later explained.

With 50,ooo attendees and strong protests expected at the Republican National Convention next week in Cleveland, Ohio — also a proud open-carry state — worries over safety have intensified in the wake of the Dallas incident.

"Obviously, everybody is on edge after Dallas," Cleveland City Council Safety Committee member Brian Kazy told the New York Times.

A 25-year-old Army veteran killed five police officers last Thursday, amid a protest following the shooting of two black men in two different states at the hands of police earlier that week. When the gunfire started, however, confusion erupted, especially for officers trying to identify the source of the attack. 

"We don’t know who the good guy is versus the bad guy when everyone starts shooting," Brown said during a press conference Monday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Multiple people were detained — police even started a manhunt for one wrongly identified man — though police later confirmed the gunman acted alone.

From an address in Poland, President Barack Obama echoed Brown's sentiments. 

"At the protest in Dallas, one of the challenges for the Dallas Police Department — as they're being shot at — is because this is an open-carry state, there are a bunch of people participating in the protest who have weapons on them," Obama said. "Imagine if you're a police officer and you're trying to sort out who is shooting at you, and there are a bunch of people who have got guns on them. "

These revelations not only challenge the oft-cited "good guy with a gun" theory — that an armed civilian could stop an attack or assist police. They could affect law-enforcement decisions — and even laws — going forward. To start, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings suggested tightening gun restrictions in public places was "common sense," as the Dallas News reported.

In light of the incident in Dallas, Cleveland's police chief said the city would be changing its plan but didn't go into detail, according to the Times. Concerns over security, however, already loomed in Cleveland. Despite a petition pushing for firearms inside the venue, the Quicken Loans Arena (also known as "The Q") the Secret Service put the kibosh on the wishes of many gun-rights' activists in March.

The city of Cleveland has also banned certain items in the "event zone." Among the items prohibited are: certain knives, slingshots, air rifles, and paintball guns. 

But there's no way around open-carry in an open-carry state. The increased police presence in Cleveland, including local, state, and federal officers, must cope with civilians carrying guns. Most recently, the chairman of the New Black Panther Party told Reuters the group plans to carry firearms for self-defense purposes during demonstrations. 

Quicken Loans Arena Republican National Convention

Many security experts, however, are urging people to leave their guns at home during emotionally charged situations, like protests.

"First of all, I wouldn’t recommend that anyone carry a firearm to a protest," Chuck Drago, a former police chief in Florida with more than 30 years of law-enforcement experience, told Business Insider. "It is a miracle that the people carrying guns at the Dallas protest were not injured. Who could blame a police officer if he or she shot a person running from the shooting with an AR-15?"

Possession of a gun will almost always make officers cautious and nervous, as many experts have noted. 

"Do not take the gun out. Do not point it at anyone. Do not make quick moves around a police officer. Cooperate with the police even if you think they are wrong. If he or she wants to take your gun, let them," Drago said.

Following the high-profile police-killing of 12-year-old Tamir Race and other incidents that shone a spotlight on Cleveland's policing practices, the department entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to reform its policies after finding a pattern of aggressive use of force in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

The Cleveland Police Department did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

SEE ALSO: The 2 police shootings this week revealed the 'biggest issue' facing police departments today

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NOW WATCH: Here's every dictator Donald Trump has praised



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Digital data is helping shape the jet engines of the future

Today, commercial jet engines look very much the same. But in the future, aviation manufacturers like GE will have the capability to customize engines for different climates, temperatures, and flight paths with the help of digital technology.

Tomas Kellner, managing editor of GE Reports, spoke to GE Aviation’s Rick Kennedy at this year’s Farnborough Airshow in the UK about the different ways digital technology will impact the jet engines of the future — from being able to know how they'll react in different climates to predicting maintenence issues well in advance. 

SEE ALSO: Here's your ticket to the biggest airshow in the world

SEE ALSO: More Digital Industry Insider

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The best suburb in every state

Franklin Tennessee

There's a widespread stereotype that living in the suburbs is boring. But that's not always the case. The best suburbs offer access to parks and cultural activities, good job prospects, and top restaurants — in addition to low crime rates and noteworthy public schools. 

Niche, a company that researches and compiles information on schools and places to live, recently released its list of the best suburbs in the US. Using Niche's sorting tool, we found the highest-ranking area in each state.

The rankings assessed the overall livability of each suburb, taking into account the cost of living, public school quality, the percentage of residents who hold at least a bachelor's degree, and the overall strength of the area's real estate market. Niche also factored in things like diversity, average commute time, crime rates, and access to amenities. You can read a full breakdown of the methodology here.  

From a beachside town in Hawaii to the home of the Minnesota state fair, read on to see the best suburb in every US state.

Note: Due to insufficient data, there aren't entries for Montana, North Dakota, or Wyoming. 

SEE ALSO: The best public college in every state

DON'T MISS: The 50 best restaurants in America

ALABAMA: Homewood

Nearest city: Birmingham

Population: 25,420

Cost of living: C+

Public schools: A+

Health and fitness: B+

Crime and safety: B-

Diversity: A-



ALASKA: Palmer

Nearest city: Anchorage

Population: 6,250

Cost of living: C+

Public schools: B

Health and fitness: B+

Crime and safety: B

Diversity: A-



ARIZONA: Flowing Wells

Nearest city: Tucson

Population: 16,062

Cost of living: B-

Public schools: A-

Health and fitness: A+

Crime and safety: N/A

Diversity: A+



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A relationship expert shares 5 tips for making your relationship last

wedding couple

With countless books, blogs and movies devoted to the subject, it can sometimes seem as though making a relationship last requires a ton of scheming and planning.

But in reality, when two people care about each other, it's actually quite easy to make a healthy relationship go the distance.

Relationship expert Talia Goldstein, CEO of white glove matchmaking service Three Day Rule, told INSIDER that there are just a few simple rules that couples should follow.

Here are her best tips for building a lasting relationship.

1. Listen, listen, listen

Most of us are constantly glued to our smartphones or tablets, obsessed with catching Pokémon or viewing our friends' latest social media updates.

But when you're with your partner, it's important to actually put down the device and listen to what they're saying, Goldstein explained.

"Every time you pick up your phone when you're with another person, you're essentially saying that whatever is on your phone is more important to them," the relationship expert said.

Instead, it's important to actually engage with your partner when they're telling you a story, and to show them that you're truly hearing what they're saying.

"You want someone to engage and talk things through with," Goldstein said. "Be very present, and have very meaningful conversations."



2. Be the "old" you

At the start of the relationship, you're often absolutely giddy about the other person. And so, you're putting in a ton of effort, being incredibly affectionate and telling them how much you care.

But as a relationship progresses, the honeymoon period comes to an end. You stop sleeping as close to each other or holding hands as you walk down the street, and you give fewer compliments.

According to Goldstein, it's important at this time to make sure that the spark doesn't burn out.

"There's a reason why your partner fell in love with you, and over time you naturally become more comfortable with each other, and you start trying less," Goldstein said. "If you continue down this path, you could end up as just friends."

That's why it's often important in a long-term relationship to regroup, and go back to being the "old" you.

"It's really important to put in the extra effort to do the things you first did when you met your partner," she explained.



3. Know your partner's love language

Everyone communicates in different ways — especially when it comes to love.

"Everybody feels love in different ways. For somebody, coming home to dinner on the table is the equivalent of saying I love you. For others, it might be actually saying it," Goldstein said.

And so, to make your relationship last, it's important to figure out how your partner feels love. But of course, sometimes it's not obvious, and you actually need to ask your partner.

"If you're telling your partner all the time 'I love you,' and that doesn't really make them feel loved, then they might feel like something is missing," the expert said. "But if cleaning the blender in the morning is the equivalent of saying 'I love you' to them, then you should focus on that."

 



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A mob of Pokémon Go players has completely taken over this playground in Australia

Hillary Clinton on her role stoking partisanship: 'I recognize I have to do better'

Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton wants to get past partisan politics, but isn't ready to back off her criticisms of Donald Trump.

Speaking from the same stage where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous "House Divided" speech, the former secretary of state addressed several recent high-profile shootings of police officers and unarmed black men, which Clinton said demonstrated that there was "too much violence" and "too little common ground" between Americans. 

The former secretary of state praised police officers and protesters alike, but acknowledged that the praise may be awkward for those who feel passionately about one side or another.

"I understand that just saying these things together may upset some people. I'm talking about police reform a few days after a horrific attack on police officers. I'm talking about courageous, honorable police officers just a few days after officer involved shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota. I'm bringing up guns in a country where just talking about comprehensive background checks and getting assault weapons off the streets gets you demonized," Clinton said. "But all these things can be true at the same time."

Though Clinton noted her partisan role likely deepened divisions, she took numerous swings at Trump, claiming that his campaign was "stoking mistrust and pitting American against American."

"I realize that our politics have contributed to the sense of division that many Americans feel right now. And as someone in the middle of a hotly fought political campaign. I cannot stand here and claim that my words and actions haven't fueled the partisanship that often stands in the way of progress. So I recognize that I have to do better too," Clinton said.

She quickly added: "In times like these we need a president who can help pull us together, not split us apart. And that's why I believe Donald Trump is so dangerous."

The former secretary of state laid into Trump's inflammatory rhetoric, specifically highlighted his comments during an interview on Tuesday where he claimed he empathized with victims of police violence because "even against me the system is rigged."

"Even this — the killing of people — is all about him," Clinton said.

But Clinton also extended an olive branch to Trump supporters, saying that she understood their concerns about a changing economy and globalization. 

"I believe like anyone else they're trying to figure out their place in a fast changing America," Clinton said. "They want to know how to make a good living and give their kids better futures and opportunities."

Many observers noted that for his part, Trump has departed somewhat from his usual aggressive rhetorical style following the shootings of police officers and protesters last week in a similar plea for unity.

At a rally on Tuesday in Indiana, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee briefly mentioned the shootings of unarmed black men in Louisiana and Minnesota, saying that we had to "take care of everybody."

"The two people that were killed in Louisiana and Minnesota. It was tough, it was tough to watch, for everybody here it was tough to watch. We have to figure it out. We have to figure out what is going on. Was it training? Was it something else?" Trump said, as the Washington Post reported.

"It could have been something else. We have to take care of everybody, remember that."

SEE ALSO: Democrats are using Kevin Durant to troll possible Trump VP Mike Pence

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Stocks edging up on Wall Street in early morning trading

Trader John Panin, right, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Stocks are little changed in early trading after setting records the last few days. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks inched up to another record on Wednesday after spending much of the day flitting between gains and losses.

After big moves up in recent days, investors appeared to take a bit of breather. They nudged stocks higher at the open, then sent them down, then back up in indecisive trading that set the tone for the rest of the day. In the last half hour, the Standard and Poor's 500 crept to a tiny gain, closing up less than a third of a point, an increase of just 0.01 percent.

Still, it was another high, and a winning streak that began with a strong U.S. jobs report on Friday stretched into a fourth day.

Investors are hoping the strengthening economy combined with low interest rates will help lift corporate profits and the appetite for stocks.

"Good economic numbers could translate into decent second quarter earnings, and rates are low," said Ernie Cecilia, chief investment officer of Bryn Mawr Trust. That makes for a "decent environment" for stocks.

Utility companies rose more than the rest of the market, though, a sign that investors are cautious as they seek out the relative safety of steady dividend payers. Investors also sought safety in U.S. government bonds, sending yields lower. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which had been rising since hitting an all-time low last week, dropped to 1.47 percent from 1.51 percent.

The S&P 500 edged up 0.29 points to 2,152.43. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 24.45 points, or 0.1 percent, to 18,372.12. The Nasdaq composite lost 17.09 points, or 0.3 percent, at 5,005.73.

Rising oil prices have brought relief to the stock market in recent months, but the price reversed course Wednesday after the U.S. government said crude oil stockpiles shrank less than expected last week. Hess slumped $2.11, or 3.5 percent, to $58.02 and Devon Energy lost $1.01, or 2.5 percent, to $39.

Eight of the 10 biggest losers in the S&P 500 were energy-related companies.

For all the recent gains in stocks, the major indexes are barely above their old records a year ago.

"In essence, we have a stock market that has given us zero gains but plenty of heartaches," said James Abate, chief investment officer at Centre Asset Management.

Investors will turn their attention to second quarter earnings reports over the next few days. Earnings per share at companies in the S&P 500 are expected to fall 5.5 percent compared with the same period a year ago, according to research firm S&P Global Market Intelligence. That will be the fourth quarter in a row of drops.

On Thursday, JP Morgan Chase and Delta Air Lines report, followed by Citigroup and Wells Fargo on Friday.

Among stocks making big moves, Juno Therapeutics soared $2.63, or 9.5 percent, to $30.42 after regulators said its leukemia drug trials can continue. The stock had tumbled Friday after the Food and Drug Administration halted testing.

Arts and crafts chain Michaels fell $1.75, or 6 percent, to $27.13 after a disappointing forecast. It said it plans to sell stock to raise money.

In overseas trading, Britain's FTSE 100 slipped 0.2 percent and Germany's DAX fell 0.3 percent. France's CAC 50 rose 0.1 percent.

In Japan, the Nikkei 224 extended gains for another day with a rise of 0.8 percent on hopes that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will expand bond purchases and flood financial markets with money now that his Liberal Democratic Party has won parliamentary elections.

South Korea's Kospi gained 0.7 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.5 percent.

In the currency markets, the euro rose to $1.1107 from $1.1067 and the dollar fell to 104.31 yen from 104.79 yen. The pound fell to $1.3182 from $1.3271.

Precious and industrial metals prices rose. Gold climbed $8.30 to $1,343.60 an ounce, silver increased 24 cents to $20.41 an ounce and copper added 3 cents to $2.24 a pound.

Benchmark U.S. crude fell $2.05, or 4.4 percent, to close at $44.75 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, a standard for international oil prices, lost $2.21, or 4.6 percent, to close at $46.26 a barrel in London.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline lost 5 cents, or 3.6 percent, to close at $1.38 a barrel, heating oil fell 8 cents, or 5.6 percent, to $1.38 a barrel and natural gas was flat at $2.74 per 1,000 cubic feet.

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Ex-Stanford swimmer faces drug counseling after leaving jail

FILE - This January, 2015 file booking photo released by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office shows Brock Turner. The former Stanford University swimmer convicted of sexual assault will be required to undergo drug and alcohol counseling after he was caught lying about his high school habits. Internal probation department communications obtained Tuesday, July 12, 2016 through a public records request show that Turner will have the counseling requirements added to his probation before his Sept. 2, 2016 release from jail. (Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The former Stanford University swimmer who got six months in jail for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman will be required to attend drug and alcohol counseling on top of random testing after he was caught lying about his high school habits.

Brock Turner, 20, will have the counseling requirements added to his probation before his Sept. 2 release, according to internal probation department communications obtained Tuesday through a public records request.

A judge sentenced Turner in June after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman who had passed out outside a campus fraternity house. The six-month sentence led to a national outcry from many who viewed it as too lenient. Turner is expected to serve only half the term because of good behavior.

Santa Clara County Judge Aaron Persky, who is now the target of a recall effort, also had ordered Turner to register as a sex offender for life and submit to random drug and alcohol tests. But Persky didn't require Turner to undergo counseling, and the probation report did not recommend it.

Turner will go back to court and be ordered to attend counseling sessions, probation manager Jana Taylor said in a June 15 email. She said Turner needs counseling and the department doesn't "want to be placed in a position in the event we violate him for positive tests and his attorney argues we never modified probation to include counseling."

Taylor said a judge other than Persky will handle the change in Turner's probation terms, which is expected to be approved.

Santa Clara County court spokesman Joe Macaluso didn't respond to an email or phone call seeking information on Turner's next court date.

Turner denied using illegal drugs in his first interview with a probation officer in May and said he began drinking only after arriving at Stanford in September 2014. But text messages that investigators retrieved from his phone and released after his June 2 sentencing showed otherwise.

He again denied drug and alcohol use in high school during a June 14 jailhouse interview, the probation manager said in her June 15 email. After he was told his texts discussing drug use had been publicized, Turner conceded he was lying. He said he used LSD on three occasions and frequently smoked marijuana and drank alcohol in high school.

The emails also show that Turner asked for protective custody in jail after receiving threats. His attorney, Mike Armstrong, didn't respond to a phone call and email placed late Tuesday.

___

This story has been corrected to reflect Brock Turner will now be required to undergo drug and alcohol counseling in addition to chemical testing.

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House GOP subpoenas NY, Mass. AGs on climate change probe

FILE - In this June 7, 2012 file photo, House Science Committee Chairman Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Escalating a political fight over global warming, Smith issued subpoenas Wednesday, July 13, 2016, to two Democratic state attorneys general, seeking records about their investigation into whether Exxon Mobil misled investors about global warming. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Escalating a political fight over global warming, a Republican House chairman issued subpoenas Wednesday to two Democratic state attorneys general, seeking records about their investigation into whether Exxon Mobil misled investors about global warming.

Texas Rep. Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Science Committee, is pursuing records from New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey along with nine environmental, scientific and philanthropic organizations. Smith insisted he acted only after they refused for months to give the panel information lawmakers had requested on the Exxon Mobil case.

Smith, who is among a large group of congressional Republicans who reject mainstream climate science, said Schneiderman and Healey were pursuing "a political agenda" on behalf of environmental groups that are fighting Exxon over decades-old research related to climate change.

The groups accuse Exxon of hiding early findings showing a link between global warming and the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and gas. Exxon denies that it suppressed findings from its own research that dates back more than 30 years.

Smith and other Republicans portrayed the issue as a matter of free speech, charging that Schneiderman, Healey and their allies were trying to intimidate scientists and others who question man-made climate change.

"The actions by the attorneys general amount to a form of extortion," Smith said at a news conference at the Capitol. The two officials and their allies want an out-of-court settlement with Exxon and other companies "so they can obtain funds for their own purposes," Smith said.

A spokesman for Schneiderman said the science panel had no legal authority to issue subpoenas to a "duly elected, constitutional officer of a separate sovereign government."

Spokesman Eric Soufer accused "a small group of radical Republican House members" of "trying to block a serious law enforcement investigation into potential fraud at Exxon. Chairman Smith and his allies have zero credibility on this issue, and are either unwilling or unable to grasp that the singular purpose of these investigations is to determine whether Exxon committed serious violations of state securities fraud, business fraud and consumer fraud laws."

Exxon has called the state investigations an effort to silence the company in the public debate about climate change.

Two environmental groups that were issued subpoenas said Smith and other Republicans were acting on behalf of Exxon and other oil companies that have contributed thousands of dollars to their campaigns.

"Rep. Smith's acceptance of large donations from Big Oil and Gas provides explanation into his history of baseless attacks against climate science," the groups 350.org and Greenpeace USA said in a statement. Since 2008, Smith has received a total of $675,597 from the fossil fuel industry, $19,500 which came directly from Exxon Mobil, the groups said.

Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., called the subpoenas "nothing more than a political stunt and a gross abuse of power." The panel's actions show "just how far House Republicans' obsession with denying climate change really can go," Crowley said.

____

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A look at 'Pokemon Go' and how it works

FILE - In this Tuesday, July 12, 2016, file photo, Pinsir, a Pokemon, is found by a group of Pokemon Go players at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. The

NEW YORK (AP) — Confused by the "Pokemon Go" mania sweeping the world?

You're not alone.

For those who don't the difference between a Squirtle and a Zubat, here's a look at the game, how to play it and some of the problems it's causing.

___

WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO I GET IN ON IT?

"Pokemon Go" is a free game app that you can download for your iOS or Android smartphone. The game asks players to wander their real-world neighborhoods on the hunt for the animated monsters made famous years ago by cartoons, video games and trading cards. Players build their collections, make their Pokemon more powerful and battle other trainers in gyms.

Set up is relatively quick. You customize your avatar — choosing the color of its hair and style of clothing — then set off on your adventures. Fans like how it takes gaming into the streets and gets people walking around outside instead of sitting in front of a console system hooked up to a TV.

Part of the setup process also involves signing into the app with either an existing Pokemon Trainer Club Account, or a Google account. It's the Google sign in process that's prompted a backlash over privacy concerns, but we'll get to that later.

___

SO, IN A NUTSHELL, HOW DO I PLAY?

The app displays your avatar amid a grid of streets and other bits of geography, such as rivers and parks. It's like a bare-bones version of Google Maps with a pretty sky above it. You can see in all directions by spinning your character around.

But it takes a little getting used to. The streets don't have names on them, making it tough to determine which way you need to walk until you actually start moving. (A compass icon points north, if you find that helpful.)

Look around and you'll see floating light-blue blocks that signify "Pokestops," landmarks that could be anything from the entrance to a park to fancy stonework on a building. Tagging these spots with your phone earns you "Pokeballs," which you can use to throw at, and ultimately collect, Pokemon, along with other items.

The actual Pokemon — there are 128 initially listed in your profile's "Pokedex" — also appear on your grid from time to time. Tapping on them brings them up on your screen, allowing you to fling your Pokeballs at them. The idea is to bop them on the head and capture them inside the ball.

Fair warning, some Pokemon are easier to hit than others. Some can escape from Pokeballs, forcing you to re-capture them.

___

HOW DOES AUGMENTED REALITY FIT IN?

The app makes it look like the Pokemon are right in front of you by using your phone's camera to capture an image of the street and display the Pokemon on top of it. This has resulted in some pretty funny pictures on social media.

But I found that the augmented reality feature also made it tougher to hit the Pokemon. For example, a Zubat kept flying above the top of my phone's screen. Turning the feature off by flipping the switch in the top right-hand corner of the screen placed the Zubat right in the middle of my screen, making him an easy target.

___

SOUNDS LIKE FUN. WHAT'S THE BIG PROBLEM?

While it's great that people are out walking and exploring, a lot of them are also walking — often the busy streets of big cities like New York — with their heads down and eyes glued to the screens.

This has prompted worries about people walking into traffic, trespassing onto private property or finding themselves in unsafe situations. Many players are children, raising the anxiety level.

Some real-world locations aren't so keen on attracting players, either.

Operators of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland have asked that their site be removed from the game, saying that playing it at the former Nazi German death camp would be "disrespectful." The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Arlington National Cemetery have also asked visitors to refrain from playing.

___

IS THE APP ACTUALLY READING MY GMAIL?

No. Well, at least, not anymore.

When it first launched, the app asked users who signed in with Google for access to their accounts, but didn't specify that it was asking for access to their entire account including their Gmail, Google documents, Google search history and maps.

The backlash was a strong one. Niantic, the game's developer, said Monday that it never intended to request such sweeping data access and hadn't collected information beyond the user's ID and email address. And on Tuesday, it issued an update that pared back the authorization in the Google sign in to just that data.

___

Follow Bree Fowler at https://twitter.com/APBreeFowler. Her work can be found athttp://bigstory.ap.org/author/bree-fowler.

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We checked out Harley-Davidson's newest rival

Indian Motorcycle 27

Since Polaris Industries acquired the storied Indian Motorcycle nameplate in 2011, the Minnesota-based powersports company has been working hard to revive Indian, which was founded in 1901 and has seen more than its share of ups and downs in the past 115 years.

Indian recently swung by Business Insider's New York headquarters (it wasn't the first time) to show off a couple of its most visually impressive bikes: the Springfield and the Chieftain Dark Horse, both "bagger" cruising or touring bikes that aren't designed for single-day weekend rides, but rather for extended getaways. These are the SUVs of the motorcycle world, and both bikes can carry a passenger.

If you're into fast sport bikes or some of the newer cafe-racer-type rides, these motorcycles are going to see too "old guy" for your tastes.

But if you just want to roll large down the highway or across some scenic back roads, hefty machines like these are the ticket. Interestingly, as big as they are (around 700 pounds), they're designed to be easy to handle. And they're a lot more relaxing that your average Yamaha or Suzuki sport rocket.

Check 'em out:

Photos by Hollis Johnson.

SEE ALSO: These 3 Awesome Motorcycles Rolled Up In Front Of Our Offices And Stopped Traffic

Neither motorcycle is subtle. These are big, bad cruisers — powerful, old-school bikes that are comfortable for the long haul and designed to attract attention wherever they go. They drew a crowd on the sidewalk in front of our New York City headquarters.



First up is the Springfield, named for the Massachusetts town where Indian was founded. This is a throwback classic touring motorcycle, intended to carry one or two riders on a serious road trip.



This is a familiar setup for the windscreen, headlights, and turn signals. But wow — check out all that chrome! The screen can be quickly removed, by the way.



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Appeals Court opens door to more GM ignition switch lawsuits

FILE - This Tuesday, April 1, 2014, file photo shows a key in the ignition switch of a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt in Alexandria, Va. On Wednesday, July 13, 2016, a federal appeals court ruled that people injured in crashes caused by faulty General Motors ignition switches can sue the company even if they were hurt before GM’s 2009 bankruptcy filing. The ruling means that many pre-bankruptcy claims can proceed, including lawsuits alleging that GM’s actions caused the value of its cars to drop. (AP Photo/Molly Riley, File)

DETROIT (AP) — A federal appeals court ruling that General Motors can't use its 2009 bankruptcy to fend off lawsuits over faulty and dangerous ignition switches exposes the automaker to billions in additional liabilities, according to legal experts.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan on Wednesday ruled that GM knew about the defective switches when it entered bankruptcy seven years ago but kept them secret from the bankruptcy court. By failing to disclose the problems, GM prevented crash victims from making claims or contesting the bankruptcy provisions, robbing them of due process, the court ruled.

In a 74-page opinion, a three-judge panel said that GM essentially asked the court to reward it for concealing claims. "We decline to do so," the court said.

Under terms of the government-funded bankruptcy, the company that emerged, referred to as New GM, was indemnified against most claims against the pre-bankruptcy company, or Old GM. Retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber ruled in April 2015 that most ignition-switch claimants could not sue New GM for damages because the company should emerge from bankruptcy free of claims against Old GM.

But the appeals court overturned most of that decision and allowed hundreds of pre-bankruptcy claims to proceed, including some lawsuits alleging that GM's actions caused the value of its cars to drop.

"I think GM now has to think about its potential exposure as being in the billions," said Erik Gordon, a lawyer and professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business.

Steve Berman, a lead attorney in the loss-of-value cases, said the appeals court ruled the bankruptcy order doesn't protect New GM from claims that it misrepresented the safety of cars made by pre-bankruptcy GM. The appeals judges, he said, determined that Old GM knew that the cars could stall and air bags wouldn't work but didn't reveal those facts during the bankruptcy.

Gerber's ruling took away legal rights of crash victims because they never got a chance to contest the bankruptcy seven years ago, yet they were barred from suing New GM after the defective switches were disclosed, said William Weintraub, an attorney representing ignition switch accident plaintiffs. "The only person who could effectively make an argument in 2009 is somebody who bought a time machine," Weintraub said.

About 1,000 death and injury lawsuits were put on hold waiting for the appeals court to rule, said Robert Hilliard, another attorney in the case. General Motors' filings with securities regulators say there are another 101 U.S. lawsuits pending that allege that GM's actions caused vehicle values to decline.

Gordon said the loss-of-value cases will be difficult to prove, but the death and injury cases are problematic for GM.

General Motors Co. said Wednesday that it was reviewing the impact of the ruling, which the company said does not decide whether claims are valid. "Many of the claims we face have been brought on behalf of car owners who want to be compensated even though they have not suffered any loss," a company statement said.

The ignition switches, which were put in small cars like the Chevrolet Cobalt, can slip out of the run position and cause cars to stall unexpectedly. They are linked to at least 124 deaths and 275 injuries.

In its ruling, the appeals court said that the desire to move GM through bankruptcy quickly to avoid its collapse was "laudable," but it doesn't do away with basic constitutional principles. It took only 40 days for the bankruptcy to end, an unprecedented period at the time.

"Due process applies even in a company's moment of crisis," the court wrote.

The ruling also could affect 399 injury and death cases settled for GM by compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg for a total of $594.5 million. GM says those who settled gave up their legal rights to sue the company, but Hilliard said he will look into whether some of those claims could be reopened in light of the court's ruling.

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Help! None of my new coworkers will talk to me

ashley lutz ask the insider

Ask the Insider columnist Ashley Lutz answers all your work-related questions, including the awkward, sensitive, and real-world ones. Have a question? Email asktheinsider@businessinsider.com.

Dear Insider,

I recently changed jobs. At the old job, I had amazing coworkers and a wonderful company culture. Everyone was incredibly friendly and outgoing, and the office was very busy. People genuinely cared about one another, departments ate lunch together, and we shared stories about our home and family lives. While the atmosphere was great, the career growth potential was not.  It was a difficult decision to leave but necessary to in order to keep challenging myself and building my career path.

I'm just finishing the tenth week at my new job. The company is pretty similar at first glance (same industry, size, private and family owned), yet offers more growth and earning potential. Unfortunately, it couldn't be more of a culture shock. Nobody collaborates, and it is quieter than a library. I'm in sales and although we have designated call times, often it will be hours before anybody utters a word. Successes aren't mentioned or celebrated. People don't greet each other and nobody has conversations besides absolutely necessary work-related topics.

We sit in an open floor concept so that makes it even more awkward. I'm an outgoing person and enjoy being friendly and collaborating, so the reserved demeanor of the group has really thrown me off. While my coworkers aren't necessarily rude, they don't make an effort to be friendly or social. I try to start conversations by asking nice questions or seeking advice about a customer account, and people will answer me but go no further. There are only about a dozen people in my building and I've observed and experienced this similar introverted atmosphere with everyone. I'm generally very self-aware and have always gotten along well with others, so I know it's not something I'm doing wrong.

During a meeting with my manager, he's asked how I feel like I'm fitting in with the culture. I tactfully brought up how I enjoy my coworkers but the culture is a bit more "reserved" than I'm used to. He agreed and said that's just the way it is.

I end each day feeling dejected and lonely from lack of friendly human interaction. As much as I'm trying to focus on the tasks at hand and the work itself, I really feel impassioned due to the lack of a company culture and apathetic atmosphere. Am I overreacting? How important is company culture? I can do my job well but I don't enjoy showing up to work everyday.

 Sincerely,

Social Butterfly Trapped in a Cage

***

Dear Social Butterfly, 

Unfortunately, this isn't a quick fix. You've just started at the company and making friends with people can take a while. You aren't going to instantly walk into the office and feel the same way.

Even though it's difficult, the best thing you can do for now is to stop comparing the new office to your old one. It's just going to result in feeling nostalgic and sad. Hold on to the good memories, but accept that this is a new chapter and not everything is going to feel the same. 

You will make friends at your new office in time. It sounds like the overall culture is more reserved, so I'd suggest identifying people you are friendly with and inviting them to coffee or happy hour one-on-one.

Another way to make friends in this office could be to send around a funny article or video clip electronically. Starting a conversation in person is tricky because you could be interrupting important work or approaching the person at an inopportune time. But sending occasional electronic messages allows people to respond on their own terms. 

Don't forget that this is an adjustment period that will take time to get used to. Try to immerse yourself in your new position, and let the social aspect happen naturally. 

If you're still unhappy in a year, start looking for a new job. When you're interviewing for positions, you can ask existing employees what the company culture is like. Try to get a feel for how social the office is so that next time, the adjustment isn't so tough. 

***

Ashley Lutz is a senior editor at Business Insider answering all your questions about the workplace. Send your queries to asktheinsider@businessinsider.com for publication on Business Insider. Requests for anonymity will be granted, and questions may be edited.

SEE ALSO: 'Help! My coworkers' eating habits are driving me insane'

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