Uber has only been around for a few years. 

But data compiled by coder Nate Good shows the chauffeuring app may already be reducing the incidence of driving under-the-influence.

Good scraped the last decade of Philadelphia DUI counts (though he is a Pittsburgh native, the city's data was inadequate for his study), then created a chart showing when Uber, along with SideCar, began operations. Finally, he split up between individuals over and under the age of 30, figuring the latter are more familiar with ride-sharing apps.

While correlation doesn't equal causation, the results are pretty unmistakable

After all ride sharing services were in effect (April 2013 through the end of 2013), the average number of DUIs per month dropped across the board by 11%, with those under 30 being mostly responsible for the drop.

Here's the chart showing the overall drop:

The breakdown by age:

And the net incidence:

A Pennsylvania judge recently ordered Uber and Lyft to halt their operations in Pittsburgh, but Good hopes this data will show that their concerns are misplaced. 

Check out Good on Twitter here »

We originally saw this on WonkBlog »

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Car crashes are a terrifying risk of driving. Death rates from car accidents vary highly across the U.S.

Researcher Michael Sivak of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute analyzed recent trends in fatalities from car crashes in each state. From this study, here are the number of road fatalities in 2012 per 100,000 people in each state:

North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming are the most dangerous states, with over 20 deaths per 100,000 people each. Meanwhile, more densely populated areas tend to be safer. New York had about 6 deaths per 100,000 people, Massachusetts about 5 per 100,000, and in Washington D.C., there were only about 2 deaths per 100,000 people.

The good news is that, for the most part, roads have been getting safer. In every state except for Vermont and North Dakota, there was a drop in road deaths between 2005 and 2012. Nevada had about a 47% drop in deaths per capita, and DC had an incredible 73% drop.

SEE ALSO: Here Are The Cities Where Middle-Class Homebuyers Are Screwed

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A five-hour flight in coach from New York to Los Angeles is enough to make most people cringe, but imagine doing so upright in a bicycle seat. Sounds like corporal punishment, doesn't it? But based on a patent application filed by Airbus Industries last December, this may indeed happen (via The Los Angeles Times' Hugo Martin). 

The seat design featured in the patent is barbarically sparse, without even basic necessities like a backrest, tray tables or any leg room to speak of.  In fact, the seats don't even appear to function like seats; instead they are designed to prop up the flyer in an awkward semi-upright position to reduce the space required between rows. 

Airbus' "bicycle" seats would function like the folding seats in a movie theatre or a ball park. They would fold down when in use, and flip back up when unoccupied.

Airbus knows that being stuck in a cramped space on a place is uncomfortable, and admitted as much in the patent filing. But the company apparently believes passengers would be willing to handle the discomfort in exchange for a cheap flight. 

"[To maximize financial returns on aircraft for low-cost airlines], the number of seats in a cabin must be increased, to the detriment of the comfort of the passengers," stated Airbus in the patent filing. "However, this reduced comfort is tolerable for passengers in as much as the flight lasts one or a few hours." 

The patent filing represents what is perhaps the most extreme solution thus far for the airline industry's quest to cram as many seats into a plane as possible. Fortunately for flyers, an Airbus spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times that the seats may never make it into production. 

SEE ALSO: Here Are The Jumbo Jets And Military Aircraft We Can't Wait To See At Britain's Biggest Airshow

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Every other July, the aviation world convenes upon the small town of Farnborough in southern England for the Farnborough Airshow.

The biennial event, which kicked off July 14, is one of the industry's biggest sales and technology showcases. The Farnborough Airshow, which the Wall Street Journal describes as "part arms bazaar, part industrial petting zoo," is expected to be the setting for a flurry of commercial and military aviation wheeling and dealing.

According to Businessweek, the 2012 show netted $53 billion in sales. And the deals should continue to roll in: aircraft engine maker GE Aviation says it expects to take $30 billion in orders this week.

Sales aside, Farnborough is also the perfect opportunity for the world's aircraft manufacturers, air forces, and airlines to see and be seen. Everything from the fighter jets and airliners of the future to retired war birds from the Cold War will make an appearance this week. 

Nearly a decade after its first flight, the Airbus A380 is still a crowd pleaser. This sheer magnitude of the Superjumbo is simply awe-inspiring, despite the fact it looks bit like a giant flying salmon.

In addition to the A380, the all-new Airbus A350XWB continues its sales tour as it tries to battle back from the devastating cancelation of Emirates' $16 billion order.

The A350XWB will be keen to impress potential buyers with its state-of-the-art construction, engines, and avionics.

Coinciding with this week's Farnborough Airshow in Britain, Airbus Group announced Monday that it would launch an updated version of its A330 passenger jet called the Airbus A330neo (new engine option). The plane is being hailed by Airbus as more efficient and reliable than earlier versions, reports CNET.

Monday's announcement from Airbus included revamps of two medium-haul models, which are intended to compete with Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner. The 280-passenger Boeing 787-9 variant will also make an appearance at Farnborough this week.

The two new models are essentially old A330 planes with new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines that will increase the plane's range by 400 nautical miles, as well as wings with aerodynamic "sharklet" winglets at the tips, adapted from Airbus' A350 XWB. The 210-foot wingspan is 12 feet wider than the wingspan of the original A330.Those upgrades will allow the A330neo to reduce fuel consumption by 14% per seat on a 4,600-mile trip compared with today's A330, making its fuel economy equivalent to the 787, Airbus claims.

Thanks to a redesigned cabin, the A330-900neo will fit up to 310 seats, allowing for 10 more passengers than today's A330, while the smaller-fuselage A330-800neo will seat six additional passengers for a total of 252 seats.Passengers in economy class will find 18-inch wide seats, compared to 16.9-inch-wide seats on the Boeing 787. The modernized interior will allow passengers to enjoy full-LED mood lighting, Wifi connectivity, and 3D films. 

The company can offer the A330neo at "very very attractive pricing," because it is cheaper to operate, said Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy. And thanks to lower maintenance costs and a higher passenger count, it will be competitive in price with the 787, Kiran Rao, Airbus executive vice president of strategy and marketing, said in a video on the company's website. The A330neo is expected to replace Airbus' 276-seat A350-800, the smallest of the three A350 XWB variants, which has suffered disappointingly modest sales with only 34 orders so far, reports Bloomberg Businessweek.

The reason for the A350-800's underperformance may be the fact that its shrunken size is not as economical. It would cost the same amount to fly the A350-800 as the larger A350-900, although the latter variant can bring in greater revenue thanks to space for 39 more seats, according to Businessweek. Airbus expects to deliver the A330-900neo by December 2017, followed by the A330-800neo in early 2018. The plane is "one of the most reliable and efficient commercial aircraft ever," said Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders in a statement, reported by CNET.

Boeing representatives didn't seem too fazed in comments about the new Airbus launch. Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing for Boeing's commercial airplane division called Airbus' claim of 14% better fuel efficiency "extraordinarily optimistic," according to CNET."It is an older technology airplane that is being improved,"Boeing co-CEO Jim McNerney told CNBC. "It will compete with brand new technology airplanes that we’ve got across a wide spectrum of widebodies. We feel highly confident in our new technology line that is already in place as it competes against a refurbished A330."

Here are some statistics Airbus put together about the plane:

SEE ALSO: Take A Look Inside Boeing's Futuristic New Space Capsule

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Every year some brands rise while others fall.

To celebrate this, 24/7 Wall St. released its annual list of 10 brands it predicts will be extinct by the end of the year.

The organization reports that because mergers and acquisitions are at an all-time high, some brands will simply disappear because they are so profitable. Others, however, won't be so lucky.

24/7 prides itself on the fact that 24 of the 49 brands its named on these lists (Leap Wireless and Research In Motion) have in fact disappeared while others (including Volvo, Olympus, and the WNBA) continue to underperform.

This year's list predicts a few apparel companies, food brands, and an airline, among others, will be gone by the end of 2015.  

10. Aeropostale

Teens don't want to shop at stores like Aeropostale, Abercrombie & Fitch, and American Eagle anymore, and Aeropostale tops the list for brands they don't wear.

Fast fashion stores like Forever21 and H&M are much more appealing to teens. These brands can produce cheap, trendy items quickly and traditional retailers are having a hard time keeping up. 

24/7 reports that Aeropostale's revenue fell 12% from the same period last year, down to $396 million, and predicts impending extinction for the brand.

9. BlackBerry

24/7 Wall St. doesn't think BlackBerry, previously Research In Motion, can survive on its own, especially in an iPhone-crazed world. 

Once holding 19.5% of the global smartphone market, the company now only holds about 1%, according to 24/7's report. In June, the company reported a 76% decrease in phone shipments compared to the same period one year ago.

8. Time Warner Cable

Time Warner Cable is set to be bought by Comcast for $45.2 billion this year. If the deal goes through, the two biggest cable companies would come together to form one super cable company, reaching over 30 million subscribers. 

The merger has however raised concerns that the two companies would control nearly one-third of the cable-TV market in the U.S., creating fewer options for people in terms of service providers. But many project that the deal will go through, regardless. 

People love using the popular phrase "It's the journey, not the destination." 

There are millions of miles of roads in the world, and some of these roads provide incredible views of the surrounding landscape. Sometimes, the roads themselves are a work of art.

We've come up with the ultimate list of the world's most beautiful roads to prove that sometimes the journey is much more captivating than the destination. These roads range from oceanside cruises in Hawaii to treacherous hairpin turns in the Swiss Alps.

The Valley of Fire Road in Nevada passes through beautiful red sandstone formations that look like they are on fire when reflecting the sun.

The Atlantic Road in Norway stretches across seven bridges and offers a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean. If you drive in calmer weather, you might even see whales and seals.

India's Rohtang Pass offers a spectacular view of glaciers, peaks and rivers. Be warned — it's also known for its massive landslides.

If you want to sell that beat up piece of metal that's been sitting in your garage for a few years, you can't just take some pictures of it and post them online anymore.

No, instead you have to think outside of the box. Maybe create your very own social media campaign. 

At least that's what David Johns from digital Australia-based agency Chimney did. 

Johns wanted to sell his 1999 Holden Barina so he made an elaborate website filled with car sales cliches (like "Don't just make history, drive it") and a video to match, demonstrating some of the more important features of the car like the fact that it's "always garaged" and has "matching seats."

Here's a look at Johns car ad:  

Mashable reports that Johns says he wanted to do something different to sell his car and wanted to show people his creative talents. That is apparently worth about $8,000 to the ad man, about $6,000 more than the car is actually worth. 

Johns asked people to tweet him an offer for the car to #BuyMyBarina and he's recieved plenty of offers. Clearly, not all offers are serious. No word yet on whether or not Johns has accepted any of the offers. 

I will give you my dogs in exchange for your car #buymybarina

— Alex Lee (@leealexr) July 15, 2014

#BuyMyBarina I will trade you 100 fresh chicken mcnuggets for the Barina. I am willing to negotitate on sauces.

— Josh (@popow) July 15, 2014 

Two almonds, a ping-pong bat and a warm hug #buymybarina

— Akshay Karan (@Akshay_karan) July 15, 2014

SEE ALSO: Jerry Seinfeld Proves He Knows How To Make A Good Ad With These Witty Acura Commercials

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Business Insider's science and health team is looking for a full-time paid editorial intern to join us for the Fall.

Here's a quick test to see if you qualify:

• Do SpaceX launches get your heart pumping?
• Do you like to write about dead (and exploding) whales?
• Are you obsessed with diet and nutrition news?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above, please apply to join the Business Insider science and health team as our Fall editorial intern.

Our science vertical (check it out at Businessinsider.com/science) covers everything from the latest medical discoveries and weird animal videos to space ships and the changing climate. As our intern, you'll write blog posts and feature-length articles that you've pitched or been assigned. We will have you producing as much as you possibly can in no time. 

No running out for coffee here — we have our own coffee, right in the office, all you can drink.

Other perks? We have lots of free snacks, and a ping-pong table where we hold quarterly tournaments.

When it comes to qualifications, we want someone who is passionate about a career in science journalism. That could mean you've been writing a personal science blog about your work in the lab, in a science communication graduate program, or are active on social media — but it could also mean you are a journalism student or recent graduate passionate about science.

Business Insider is an independent go-getter's dream. Important skills include: copy-editing skills, an attention to detail, and light HTML, and Photoshop experience. Knowledge of social media and previous writing experience in a quick-turn-around environment are useful, too.

We are looking for someone who loves science, and a self-described nerd would fit the bill nicely.

Please apply here with your resume, cover letter, and three writing clips.

And, please note: this internship requires that you work in our Manhattan office at least three days a week, though we would love someone who could come in every day.

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FedEx, the world's first overnight delivery company, delivers more than 1.2 billion packages every year in over 220 countries. Yet, in its early days, founder Frederick Smith was so desperate, he had to rely on gambling in Vegas to fund his company.

While majoring in economics at Yale University in 1962, Smith wrote a paper about the automation of society and the transportation of goods.At the time, shippers transported large packages by truck or passenger airplanes, but Smith thought it would be more efficient to carry small, essential items by plane.

Smith wrote the paper at the last minute, just before it was due. When asked about the results, he admits, "I don't know what grade, probably made my usual C." Yet, this paper became the backbone of FedEx.

In 1971, Smith founded the company with $4 million of inheritance and $80 million in loans and equity investments. FedEx started out with eight planes, covering 35 cities, and it had plans to add more each month.

But in the first two years, primarily due to rising fuel costs, the company found itself millions of dollars in debt and on the brink of bankruptcy. Even worse, Smith's vital pitch for funding to the General Dynamics board was rejected.

When FedEx's funds dwindled to just $5,000, Smith realized he didn't have enough to fuel the planes. The company had already gone to many extremes, from pilots using their personal credit cards to fuel planes to uncashed paychecks.

So what's a desperate founder to do? Smith impulsively flew to Las Vegas and played blackjack with the last of the company money.

Amazingly, when he came back the next week, he had turned the remaining $5,000 into $27,000 — just enough for the company to stay in operation for another week.

In the book "Changing How the World Does Business: FedEx's Incredible Journey to Success - The Inside Story," Roger Frock, a former senior vice president of operations at FedEx, describes the scene when he found out what Smith did. "I said, 'You mean you took our last $5,000 — how could you do that? [Smith] shrugged his shoulders and said, 'What difference does it make? Without the funds for the fuel companies, we couldn't have flown anyway.'"

The $27,000 wasn't the solution to all of their problems, but Smith viewed it as a hopeful sign that things would go up from there. He used the money as motivation to obtain more funding, and eventually raised another $11 million. After stabilizing financially, Smith helped launch a direct mail advertising campaign to boost the company's visibility. By 1976, Fedex produced its first profit of $3.6 million. A few years later, it went public and has been thriving ever since.

Interestingly, FedEx isn't the only company partially funded by blackjack winnings. Bill Gross, founder of PIMCO, also used gambling to fund his investments.

SEE ALSO: 9 Of The Craziest Things Founders Have Done To Make Their Startups Successful

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Mercedes-Benz unveiled its top-of-the-range 2015 S65 AMG Coupe this week, and it's a stunning combination of luxury and high performance. 

At 621 horsepower, the all-new coupe's twin-turbocharged V12 engine is effortlessly powerful.With 738 lb./ft. of twisting power on tap from the 6.0 litre engine, the S65 will hit 60 mph in a scant 4.0 seconds and a electronically limited top speed of 186 mph.

The car is also loaded with technical goodies like the company's Magic Body Control system, which will allow it to tackle corners with remarkable ease. This piece of technological trickery senses the road ahead and adjusts the suspension of the car to lean into any oncoming corners, much like a downhill skier going through a bend. High performance is just one part of the S65 package. The car's plush interior blends hi-tech gizmos with elements of old world luxury. The centerpiece of the S-Class interior is a pair of 12.2-inch high-definition TFT displays that take the place of a traditional gauge cluster and serve as an adjustable infotainment readout.

Surrounding the futuristic displays are classic chrome-accented dials and switch gear. The rest of the cabin is bathed in swathes of Nappa leather that also upholster the car's adjustable AMG sport seats. Aesthetically, the S65 AMG Coupe is stunning. While we gushed at the gorgeous lines of its sibling, the S63 AMG, earlier this year, the S65 offers a more mature and professional aesthetic. The big brother trades in the S63's sports gear for a chrome-accented tailored suit.

Like the S63, the company's signature gaping mesh grill and large three-pointed star emblem feature prominently in the S65's front fascia. From there, character lines pull the eye back towards the a-pillar and eventually to the car's tapered rear end. 

Mercedes has not officially announced prices for the S65 AMG Coupe, though Motor Trends predicts the car will be priced similarly to the $215,500 2014 CL65 AMG it will replace. Mercedes expect the first cars to arrive in dealerships at the end of the year.

SEE ALSO: 4 Reasons Americans Aren't Buying Volkswagens Anymore

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One of the highlights of this week's Farnborough Airshow in Britain are the flight demonstrations. For Boeing, that means putting its newest and biggest version of the Dreamliner in the air.

In preparation for Farnborough, Boeing's team of test pilots put together a dazzling flight program showing off the capabilities of the 280-seat, $250 million 787-9. The routine, see here, will be identical to the one the team performs for the crowds and potential buyers at the show. The routine shows off the plane's awesome power and maneuverability in a series of high-speed banking turns bookended by a near vertical take-off and a touch-and-go landing. As cool as this demonstration looks, it is unlikely any of the plane's future passengers will ever get to experience this type of flying.

But it's comforting to know that the Dreamliner can power and maneuver its way out of trouble with such ease. 

The 2014 Farnborough Airshow will run until the end of the week, while the first production Boeing 787-9 will enter service with Air New Zealand later this year. 

SEE ALSO: Here Are The Jumbo Jets And Military Aircraft We Can't Wait To See At Britain's Biggest Airshow

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High gas prices are a nearly universal gripe. And pain at the pump is even worse this time of year due to the decreased efficiency and increased cost of "summer blend" gasoline that environmental regulations mandate from April to September. 

With the summer travel season in full swing, the national average for a gallon of regular has climbed past $3.60 and a gallon of premium is hovering close to the $4.00 mark, according to the AAA. But there are some gas-saving strategies that could bring much-needed relief at the pump (via the Environmental Protection Agency).

9. Drive slower. The amount of energy it takes to propel a car grows exponentially as speed increases linearly. For example,  a 1000 horsepower Bugatti Veyron needs only about 250 hp to reach 150 miles per hour, but an additional 750 hp to get from 150 to 250 mph.

In practical terms, fuel economy decreases significantly anytime a car is traveling faster that 50 mph, to the tune of 7% for every five miles per hour. This equates to savings of roughly $0.26 for every five miles per hours you slow down over 50mph. 

8. Use the recommended grade of motor oil. Drivers can improve fuel economy by 1-2% just by switching to the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. According to the EPA, using 10W-30 in an engine that call for 5W-30 can increase fuel costs by $0.04 to $0.07/gallon. Using the correct type of motor oil can also preserve the performance and extend the shelf life of your engine. 

7. Don't strap cargo to the roof. Aerodynamic drag can put a huge dent in a car's fuel economy. Strapping luggage or a cargo box to the roof is the aerodynamic equivalent of mounting a small wall on top of your car. At interstate speeds (65-75 mph), the EPA estimates that removing the cargo box from your roof can increase fuel economy by as much as 25%, or a savings of roughly $0.93 per gallon for a $3.70 gallon of gas. 6. Clean out the junk in your car. Having more junk you have in your car means more energy is required to lug it around. In fact, the EPA claims that every 100 pounds of weight shed equates to a 1% to 2% increase in fuel economy. At $3.70 a gallon, that's roughly $0.04  to $0.07 per gallon. This doesn't seem like much, but if you fill up 20 gallons week, that adds up to $73 a year.

5. Turn your engine off when parked. Letting the engine idle as you sit in a parking lot may be convenient, but it also wastes gas. In fact, a car can use anywhere from half a gallon to a gallon of gas for every hour it idles, depending on whether the air conditioner is on.

4. Keep up with your car's maintenance. Keeping your engine tuned and emissions systems in shape can increase fuel economy by an average of 4%. According to the EPA, fixing a major problem like an oxygen sensor (a common problem in older cars) can increase fuel economy by as much as 40%.

3. Keep your tires properly inflated. Properly inflated tires are not only important for safety reasons; they will also save you money. Filling your tires to the proper level of inflation can improve fuel economy by 3.3%, according to the EPA. Manufacturers' suggested guidelines can often be found in the driver's side door jam, the glove compartment, or in the owner's manual.

2. Tone down the road rage. Aggressive driving is drag on fuel economy. According to the EPA, aggressive driving in the form of rapid acceleration and braking can reduce fuel economy by as much as 33% on the highway and 5% around town. At roughly $3.70 a gallon, this is the equivalent of saving $0.19 to $1.22 a gallon. When possible, use cruise control to maintain a steady speed, and overdrive gears to increase engine efficiency.1. Use air conditioning on the highway, but roll your windows down around town. Air conditioning is the single greatest contributor to decreased fuel economy during the summer. Since the air conditioning system runs off the engine, it saps power and fuel economy when its turned on.

However, driving with the windows down at high speeds creates considerable aerodynamic drag that nullifies any economy savings from having the A/C off. For an optimum balance of comfort and efficiency, the EPA suggests drivers keep their windows down and A/Cs off while driving around town and vice-versa on the highway.

It should also be noted A/C affects power and fuel economy differently based on the size of the engine, with smaller engines suffering to a greater extent. 

SEE ALSO: 14 Smart Car Hacks Every Driver Should Know

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DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co said on Wednesday its global sales topped 2.5 million vehicles in the recent quarter, up 0.5 percent as it posted its best showing since 2005 for a second quarter.

In the first half of the year, GM's sales were 4.92 million vehicles, up 1.4 percent. That is behind Volkswagen AG's first-half 2014 global sales figure of 4.97 million vehicles, up 6 percent.

Toyota Motor Corp will issue its second-quarter and half-year global sales figures in August. The Japanese automaker was the 2013 sales leader at 9.98 million vehicles, ahead of VW at 9.73 million and GM at 9.71 million.

General Motors sold 2,505,889 vehicles in the second quarter, gaining 8 percent in China and 7 percent in the United States, its two largest markets.

GM's sales have diversified quite a bit since 2005.

This year, the United States accounted for 32.2 percent of GM's second-quarter global sales. That compares with 51.4 percent of GM's sales coming from the United States in the second quarter of 2005, when it sold 2.6 million vehicles around the world.

Toyota has been the global auto sales leader since 2008, other than 2011 when GM was tops. But that was the year Toyota was hampered by an earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

VW's figures for the first half of this year do not include its brands MAN and Scania.

GM's blockbuster quarter may indicate that the company will emerge relatively unscathed from the recalls that have enveloped some 28 million of its cars for a wide range of defects.

Kelley Blue Book senior analyst Karl Brauer recently told Business Insider that "all of KBB's metrics indicate that the recalls have had little to no effect on GM sales."

And while GM's faulty ignition systems have been connected to fatal accidents, they are overall less dangerous than defects that have plagued other car makers in the past. "The engine shut-off that results from the failure is perfectly manageable in most situations," Brauer said.

Recall aside, GM has actually made great strides in improving the design, quality and engineering of its new cars, whichhas helped buyers forget about the recalled vehicles, said Tom Mutchler, senior automotive engineer at Consumer Reports.

In terms of corporate response, GM CEO Mary Barra and her team are perceived positively. Much of GM's wrongdoing occurred before the Barra administration. Industry insiders like Brauer and Mutchler said they appreciate Barra's candor with respect to her company's past failings, and see her as a positive figure trying to a fix a broken system. 

(Reporting by Bernie Woodall; editing by Matthew Lewis)

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Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific was named the world's best airline at the World Airline Awards this week, which were announced at the Farnborough Airshow in the UK.

The airline took the top spot from Emirates, which ranked fourth on this year's list from leading airline reviewer Skytrax. The ranking is based on a survey filled out by nearly 19 million customers, and covers both full-service and budget airlines across 41 metrics related to product and service.

We compared Skytrax's ranking with the results of Business Insider's recent airline review, which also took punctuality into account.

20. Bangkok Airways

Business Insider Ranking: n/a

The regional airline operates scheduled services to destinations in Thailand, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Laos, Maldives, Burma, India and Singapore.

Bangkok Airways also topped Skytrax's list of the world's best regional airlines.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

19. Hainan Airlines

Business Insider Ranking: n/a

China's Hainan Airlines recently announced plans to purchase around $5 billion worth of new planes from Boeing.

The airline also ranked 10th for best cabin crew on Skytrax's annual list.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

18. Malaysia Airlines

Business Insider Ranking: 5

Though Malaysia Airlines' image has taken a pounding after the tragic disappearance of flight 370, the carrier's decades' worth of sterling service should not be discounted. Because of the incident, and mounting financial losses, the world's most talked-about airline is now in the midst of a management shakeup and fleet-renewal process. 

In spite of the upheaval, the carrier maintains its seat as one of the best airlines in the world.

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards

A Boeing 777 Malaysia Airlines passenger plane from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpurcrashed in eastern Ukraine about 10:00 EDT.

"Malaysia Airlines has lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam," the Malaysia Airlines tweeted. "The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace."

There were reportedly 295 people on board (280 passengers and 15 crew) when it crashed in Torez, about 25 miles from the Russian border in the region of Donetsk. There were 23 Americans on the flight. There were no survivors. Ukraine's Interior Ministry says that more than 300 people died in the incident.

"Locals say everything exploded in the air, fell in pieces, both bodies and plane itself," Journalist Noah Sneider tweeted from the area. "[People] thought they were being bombed."

An adviser to the Ukraine Interior Minister says pro-Russia separatists shot down the passenger plane with a Russian-made BUK ground-to-air missile system, and Ukraine's security services (SBU) have leaked alleged conversations between rebels who are discussing the downed plane. 

U.S. intelligence has confirmed that a surface-to-air missile was fired at the flight. 

The rebels have shot down multiple aircraft in the past month but deny involvement in the Malaysia Airlines incident. Crucially, the separatists in the area reportedly commandeered a set of the BUK system as of last month.

Local residents in Donetsk told Business Insider that they saw a Buk missile system in the area. And Radio 24 (Pадио 24), a Ukrainian radio station, posted this tweet which shows a Buk missile system in Snezhnoye, Ukraine:

«Бук» терористів сьогодні був в Сніжному http://t.co/FZwhLdlibMpic.twitter.com/pXOzgRdD82

— Радіо 24 (@radio24_ua) July 17, 2014

The translation of the Ukrainian text reads: "Buk" terrorists were in Snezhnoye today.

Furthermore, The Interpreter reports the Ukrainian journalist Roman Bochkala and an AP journalist have seen separatists with the BUK system.

The region of Donetsk is a stronghold of pro-Russian rebels who are fighting the Ukrainian army. The separatists deny responsibility (via The Interpreter), but they did claim to shoot down a "Ukrainian transport plane" in the same area earlier today.

And Igor Strelkov, the pro-Russian separatist leader who is linked to Russian intelligence, claimed that rebels had shot down the "transport plane" in Torez — the same town that the Malaysia Airlines plane went down.

"In the region of Torez AN-26 plane has been shot," he wrote on Russia's version of Facebook. "We have warned them – not to fly 'in our sky.'"

Interfax Ukraine reports plane was shot down using 'Buk' missile system. Medium range surface-to-air missile system pic.twitter.com/CSQCYKWMem

— Olaf Koens (@obk) July 17, 2014

On July 8, the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine closed the airspace to civilian aircraft after a military transport plane, which was flying at an altitude of over 20,000 feet, was shot down by rebels.

The Interpreter reports that the Ukrainian military has been claiming that separatists have advanced missiles for a week after the transport plane went down.

President Barack Obama is “aware” of reports of the plane crash, a White House official told Business Insider, and he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Geopolitical expert Ian Bremmer tells Business Insider that the crisis in Ukraine will now escalate considerably.

Also earlier today, Ukraine claimed that a Russian jet shot down a Ukraine SU-25 fighter plane. For months, Ukrainian and U.S. officials have warned against civilian aircrafts flying over Ukrainian territory, especially near eastern Ukraine and the annexed peninsula of Crimea.

Following are images from the scene— warning: GRAPHIC.

Here's a video reportedly showing the initial moments of the crash:

Ukrainian activists published a video of the burning wreckage.

SEE ALSO: BREMMER: The Crisis In Ukraine Just Escalated Significantly

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A flight-tracking website shows the path of the Malaysia Airlines plane that reportedly went down near the Russian border.

The Boeing 777 plane — Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 — was flying over Ukrainian airspace when it crashed. The plane was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Here's the live-tracking map that shows the path of the plane:

And here's the path of the inbound flight, which also flew directly over Ukraine:

The plane might have diverted from its original flight path because of weather, according to CNN.

There were reportedly 295 people on board the plane that went down.

On July 8, the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine closed the airspace to civilian aircraft after a military transport plane was shot down.

Another flight tracking website places the plane right over eastern Ukraine before it lost contact with the airline:

Malaysia Airlines flight #MH17 was shoot down over Ukraine on 33,000 feet, 60 km east of Donetsk. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/kcnAprU6zj

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) July 17, 2014

And here's another shot:

Malaysia Airlines flight #MH17 just before it disappeared over Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/xvDHsEQtkg

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) July 17, 2014

SEE ALSO: MALAYSIA PASSENGER PLANE CRASHES IN EAST UKRAINE — 295 ABOARD

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Graphic photos have begun to emerge after a Malaysia Airlines plane crashed in eastern Ukraine with 295 passengers on board.

An adviser to the Ukraine Interior Minister said separatists shot down the passenger plane with a Russian-made Buk ground-to-air missile system.

There were reportedly 295 people on board (280 passengers and 15 crew) when it crashed in Torez, about 25 miles from the Russian border. There were 23 Americans on the flight. There were no survivors of the crash.

Follow updates here.

Warning: Some of the images below show bodies in the wreckage.

A woman, who said her name was Noraini and that she believed a relative of hers was on Malaysia Airlines flight MH-17, cries as she waits for more information about the crashed plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang July 18, 2014. Fires continue to burn at the site of the crash.Wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in a field.People stand near the debris.Emergencies Ministry members work at the site of a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 plane crash in the settlement of Grabovo in the Donetsk region.Burning wreckage at the disaster site.An armed pro-Russian separatist stands at the site of the plane crash. There were reportedly 295 people on board the plane when it crashed, including 23 Americans.The area, about 25 miles from the Russian border, is a stronghold of pro-Russian rebels who are fighting the Ukrainian army.Emergencies Ministry members worked at the site of the crash.Putting out fires on the ground.Here's a photo of the Boeing 777 Malaysian Airlines aircraft with the registration number 9M-MRD in Vienna in 2005. This is reportedly the plane that crashed Thursday morning in Ukraine.

SEE ALSO: Ukraine Separatists Have Shot Down Multiple Aircraft Over The Past Month

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The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 that crashed in eastern Ukraine Thursday may have been on a course for airspace that was closed to civilian aircraft by American and Ukrainian officials due to the ongoing violence in the region. 

Earlier this month, Russian news agency ITAR TASS reported the Ukrainian aviation authority closed the airspace in the eastern part of the country to civilian aircraft in light of military operations in the area. The region, which sits along Ukraine's border with Russia, has been the center of fighting between Ukranian forces and pro-Russian separtists in the wake of Yanukovych's ouster. Several Ukranian jets have been shot down during the fighting including at least two on Wednesday.

In April, the Federal Aviation Administration banned American planes from flying over the Ukrainian region of Crimea and its surrounding waters. Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a territorial dispute over Crimea, which is in the south of the country, in the aftermath of the ouster of pro-Kremlin Ukranian President President Viktor Yanukovych following widespread protests in February.

An FAA "special notice" on Ukraine issued in April warned of a "potentially hazardous situation" in Ukrainian airspace, "particularly over Crimea." The FAA has not responded to requests for comment from Business Insider about what notices are currently in effect regarding flights over Ukrainian airspace.

The FAA isn't the only government agency that has attempted to deter civilian aircraft from flying over portions of Ukraine.

Malaysia Airlines confirmed it "lost contact" with MH17, which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur in a Twitter post Thursday. According to FlightAware, MH17 was last tracked just over the Ukrainian border in the northwestern part of the country. 

FlightAware also indicated MH17 should have been on a path that would have taken it over Western Ukraine, not the volatile eastern part of the country. That flight path would have taken the plane near Crimea. However, the air traffic site Flightradar24 showed the plane's final signal came from the east of the country. The security intelligence firm Stratfor also noted the plane reportedly went down near Shakhtyorsk, Ukraine in the east near the Russian border. 

Malaysia Airlines has not responded to multiple requests from Business Insider about the crash and whether the plane was flying over Eastern Ukraine.  

SEE ALSO: 295 PEOPLE KILLED AS PASSENGER PLANE CRASHES IN EAST UKRAINE, GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WAS SHOT DOWN

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There were reportedly 23 American citizens on board Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which went down over Ukraine on Thursday.

Fox is citing the flight manifest that reportedly lists 23 Americans, and Reuters cites an Interior Ministry adviser quoted by Interfax.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said she couldn’t immediately confirm whether any Americans were on board the plane.

The Boeing 777 plane was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed in eastern Ukraine about 25 miles from the Russian border. There were 295 people on board.

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