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The 9 best Netflix original series to binge-watch

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eleven and eggo waffles stranger things netflix millie bobby brown

In 2017, Netflix looked back on "A Year in Bingeing" with an infographic that showcased the Netflix original series subscribers devoured throughout the year.

According to the release, Netflix members watched more than 140 million hours of shows, movies, and documentaries per day in 2017. The most popular shows that people devoured (watched for more than two hours a day) in 2017 included "Riverdale,""The OA,""American Vandal," and "The Keepers," among others.

But 2018 has brought new series and new seasons of fan favorites, which means plenty of new opportunities to bang out 10 episodes in a weekend.

From true crime to feel-good makeovers, to sci-fi hits like "Stranger Things," here are 9 Netflix original series worth binge-watching.

SEE ALSO: I 'Netflix-cheat' on my partner — here's how it affects our relationship

"Aggretsuko"

Don't let her appearance as a cute red panda and Sanrio anime character fool you. By day, Retsuko is a 25-year-old who works in the accounting department of a trading firm in Tokyo and is often frustrated with the demands of her job. By night, she screams her heart out to death metal karaoke.

This animated original series is one of Netflix's hidden gems. It has already been renewed for a second season in 2019, so don't feel guilty about binge-watching every 15-minute episode.



"Black Mirror"

Created by screenwriter and producer Charlie Brooker and picked up by Netflix for seasons three and four after originally airing its first two seasons on UK's Channel 4, "Black Mirror" is an anthology series that explores the complicated effects of technology on modern society.

It's number six on Netflix's list of the shows that had people cheating in 2017— cheating that is, in watching it ahead of their significant others.

Netflix, which has renewed "Black Mirror"for a fifth season, will announce a premiere date and episode count in late 2018. The original series also received three Emmy Nominations in 2018 with "Black Mirror: USS Callister" nominated for best television movie, Jesse Plemons for the episode "USS Callister" as lead actor in a limited series or movie, and actress Letitia Wright for the episode "Black Museum" as supporting actress in a limited series or movie.



"Girlboss"

"Girlboss" received its share of criticism and was canceled after one season.

The half-hour series, which is billed as a "loose" retelling of Sophia Amoruso's rise to fashion-flipping fame as the founder of clothing line Nasty Gal, but it does get some of the details right before she launched her eBay store.

Britt Robertson (portraying Amoruso) also brings grit and determination to her performance, making the character an edgy one to watch. If you've got an entrepreneurial spirit and want a series with low commitment (read: one season only), ignore the critics and start watching this one.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

See the 11 stunning photos in the running for best Instagram Photograph of the Year

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Photobox Instagram Photography Awards shortlisted Travel image in Najac by @aaronjenkin

On Thursday, Photobox revealed the shortlists for its inaugural Instagram photography competition. Selected from over 180,000 entries, the stunning pictures span continents and themes.

Next month, a panel of judges and influencers will award £5000 (about $6,523 in US dollars) to one winner for the overall best Instagram Photograph of the Year. An additional £500 ($652) will be awarded to winners across ten diverse categories including fashion, nature, and sports.

Below, take a closer look at 11 mesmerizing shots from the Photobox Instagram Photography Awards' (PIPAs) travel and landscape shortlists.

Tourists explore the famous sea cave in Benagil, a small village on the southern coast of Portugal.

This image was captured by Instagram user blu3willow.



Silhouettes stand out against a bright horizon.

James Appleby, who posts on Instagram under the name james_a_photo, captured this shot with a Nikon D5300.
 



Visitors walk near the edge of the Seven Sisters, a series of chalk cliffs along the coastline of East Sussex.

Award-winning food photographer Maria Costantina Seri took this picture.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I drove a $77,000 GMC Yukon Denali to see if the huge SUV lives up to its premium reputation — here's the verdict (GM)

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GM Yukon Denali

  • The GMC Yukon Denali is about as upmarket as you can get without entering the true luxury realm.
  • The full-size SUV has plenty of room for passengers and stuff, and it can tow a respectable 8,400 lbs. with four-wheel-drive and a beefy 6.2-liter V8 engine.
  • I liked the Yukon Denali for its abundant power, smooth ride, and ability to tote a serious load.

When people think of big luxury SUVs, nameplates such as the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator come to mind. That's understandable because when it comes to the largest players in the market, the Caddy and the Lincoln — along with the Lexus LX and the Infiniti QX80 — have been around for so long that they're extremely well-known.

Traditionally, if you wanted Escalade scale, for example, minus the Escalade price, you could drop down in the General Motors lineup to the Chevy Tahoe or Suburban. For a bit more premium-ness, there was the GMC Yukon. But GMC, in particular, has been doing something interesting, offering a near-luxury, super-premium trim level called "Denali."

I've sampled a bunch of Denali-grade GMCs, and last year, I took an extended wheelbase version of the Yukon Denali on a family road trip.

More recently, the standard-wheelbase Yukon Denali landed in my driveway, just in time to take my three children to summer camp, roughly a 4-hour, round-trip jaunt. Throw in my lovely wife, as well as enough gear to get a trio of kids through two weeks away from home, and we had a good test of the Yukon Denali's capabilities. 

The vehicle was a 2018 Denali, with a base price of $69,165, but optioned up, our tester came to $77,390. I tooled around in it for a week, apart from the aforementioned weekend run. I didn't tow anything, but this SUV has some serious capacity, with a rating of up to 8,400 lbs.

Here's what I thought.

 

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The "Onyx Black" Yukon Denali landed in my driveway and promptly filled it up. Note the Denali grille, a massive yet intricate signature element.



This Yukon Denali is more compact, if you will, than the XL I previously sampled.

From stem to stern, it's about 204 inches, with a cargo capacity when all three rows of seats are deployed of about 15 cubic feet.

The XL is around 244 inches long, with more than twice as much cargo area and a notably larger third row.

Our tester came with 20-inch aluminum wheels, but if I were buying, I'd go for the optional 22-inchers, to better fill those huge wheel arches. 



For the record, the XL is so named because it's longer, with extended length and wheelbase.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Dozens of retailers testified about how Trump's trade war with China could impact them - here's what they said

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trump buying cookies

The Trump administration has threatened to place tariffs on all Chinese products entering the country. In addition to a $200 billion round of duties that could be announced imminently, Trump last week said another $267 billion worth of imports could subsequently be targeted.

Hundreds of company and industry representatives testified before trade officials in Washington last month about how the next round of duties could affect them. The hearings lasted more than 45 hours, with witnesses allowed to speak for five minutes each. Here's what some of those from the retail and distribution industries had to say, drawn from US Trade Representative transcripts.

SEE ALSO: Dozens of manufacturing companies testified about how Trump's trade war with China could affect them - here's what they said

Jo-Ann Stores

Hudson, Ohio

"The proposed tariffs would unintentionally amount to a Made in America tax on sewing and crafting projects completed by Americans. As a result there will be an incentive to move production and jobs away from the United States." - Jill Soltau

Flying Circle

Boerne, Texas

"Looking closer at the proposed tariffs we already pay about a 17 percent import duty on most of our items. A 42 percent tax on our product would erase any profit margins and would be sustainable for a very short period before we would have to close." - Jimmy Chittim

Inmotion

Blacksburg, Virginia 

"In short, Inmotion would be severely harmed by additional duty on these items. A problem to which I see no viable business recourse. And their inclusion on this tariff list would likely have little impact on China." - John Stemen

Micro Electronics

Hilliard, Ohio

"Given that the profit margins on these products are very slim, as well as the fact that we expect to see a steep drop in sales due to this action, Micro Center cannot sustain an additional ten percent tariff, let alone 25 percent." - Richard Mershad

Lamplight Farms

Menominee Falls, Wisconsin

"We are glad that the U.S. Government is taking steps to position the United States as a global leader in cutting-edge 21st century technologies. ... But we question in the strongest terms how a reduction on U.S. imports of Tiki torches and citronella candles can be a key part of that strategy." - Mark Werner



Trayton America

High Point, North Carolina

"Moving production to a new country is not a viable option in the upholstery business. This would come at an extremely high cost that would require an enormous amount of capital and time. And our company would effectively have to shut down our entire operation for several years. Consequently, we would have to lay off employees and incur heavy losses." - Larry Little

Richloom Fabrics Group

New York, New York

"We have already seen the beginning of a slowdown in this industry as a result of the first two rounds of tariffs." - Michael Saivetz

Four Hands

Austin, Texas

"The economic impact of an additional 10 percent duty on our products would have an immediate impact on our business. … As an initial response, we would implement austerity programs that would freeze hiring and wages and curtail discretionary spending. Our company has been growing rapidly and current plans call to expand our U.S. officers and warehouses in 2019. These plans would be placed on hold." - Jerome Kearns

Homewerks Worldwide

Lake Bluff, Illinois

"...when we had this in wave one, we passed the price increase through and they raised the retail price. So, what this means is it will impact, likely impact, the lower income customers buying our opening price point and commodity faucets and valves and then they are most likely not to do a project." - Peter Berkman

Max Home

Fulton, Misssissipi 

"This will not benefit U.S. producers, U.S. jobs or U.S. furniture. On the contrary, it will eliminate U.S. jobs and shift the majority, if not all of the production processes, oversees." -Martin Silver



Camp Chef

Hyde Park, Utah

"Our customers don't have a lot of room in their budgets to absorb an extra ten or even 25 percent … What does that achieve? Ordinary Americans will no longer be able to afford grilling before the big game or camping in the woods with their friends and family. Who's to benefit? Honestly, it's not clear to us." - Brandon Sparrow

Evenflo Company

Miamisburg, Ohio

"For the foreseeable future, there is no country that we can turn to for sourcing imports of these products, which means consumers will bear the financial burden of the increased duties." - Joe Calabrese

Illinois Auto Truck Company

Des Plaines, Illinois

"Our case is clearly one where the trade dispute between the United States and China, along with the increased tariffs, would only hurt small companies, such as Illinois Auto Truck, a dedicated United States-based supplier and employer for almost 80 years." - Richard Stein

Breathable Baby

Minnetonka, Minnesota

"If we cannot make mesh crib liners in China, we cannot bring them to market. The damage to our company and the babies and parents that comprise our market will do nothing to change China's intellectual property practices." - Steven Marton

Step2 Discovery

Streetsboro, Ohio

"As a medium-sized U.S. company, the proposed tariffs would likely cause a domino effect down the entire value chain, ultimately impacting our entire family of companies." - Anthony Ciepiel



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best college football tailgate in every state

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clemAbout as traditional as apple pie, tailgating on game day is an American custom that many colleges and universities pride themselves on getting right.

Regardless of weather conditions or team record, a Saturday is incomplete without partaking in a pick-up football game outside the stadium while your burgers char on the grill and your beer rests inside your favorite koozie.

Some schools go above and beyond to make the tailgating experience almost as memorable as the game-winning drive to beat their longtime rival.

Here are the best schools and places for tailgating in every state. We based our list on fan ratings, interviews, and national football rankings. 

Alabama: The University of Alabama

The current champions of college football, the Alabama Crimson Tide continuously draw a ridiculous amount of fans near and far to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama residents may be split on whether their alliance lies with the Tide or fellow SEC rivals the Auburn University Tigers; however, there's no denying the popularity of Nick Saban effect in Tuscaloosa.

In fact, these college tailgates are so legendary that this school frequently nabs a spot on the best tailgates in the country. 



Alaska: The Peanut Farm

Alaska doesn't have a huge college team, yet that has never stopped locals from following their favorite schools from afar. Located in Anchorage, The Peanut Farm has over 70 screens that broadcast just about every team in each division. The best part? They open at 6 a.m.



Arizona: University of Arizona

Gameday is a serious matter in Wildcat country, and students at the University of Arizona intend to party for as long as they can. Festivities begin a full 24 hours before kickoff with Bear Down Friday, a processional led by the marching band on University Boulevard followed by a pep rally featuring a special guest.

Win or lose, the warm weather year-round is the perfect excuse to head outside and cheer on this Pac-12 powerhouse.

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

15 surprising things you probably didn't know about 'Scandal'

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Olivia pope scandal

For the seven seasons "Scandal" graced our TV screens, we had the opportunity to watch strong, diverse individuals take on life as best as they could. Created by Shonda Rhimes, "Scandal" followed Olivia Pope, a Washington D.C. fixer in a complicated relationship with the President of the United States.

If you watched it as religiously, you probably know a lot about Olivia Pope & Associates’ world. However, there are quite a few facts you may not know about "Scandal" guaranteed to leave you more obsessed with the show than ever.

The cast didn't fully know what was going to happen until the episode airs.

"We're sort of in your shoes," Kerry Washington said, according to Instyle. "We don't know what the finished product is going to be until it's on TV. By the time we all watch it, we're surprised." Turns out the cast was on the edge of their seats, just like us.

 

 



Olivia Pope is based on Monica Lewinsky's rep, Judy Smith.

Having worked as George H. W. Bush's special assistant and deputy press secretary, held clients such as Lewinsky and Michael Vick, and worked for companies like Wal-Mart and Union Pacific, Smith has plenty of experience as a fixer. According to Fortune, she served as co-executive producer, alongside Shonda Rhimes, on "Scandal."



Guillermo Diaz, who plays Huck, is apparently the least similar to his on-screen character.

Washington said, "He's not really at all like Huck — thank god! He's so cute and he's always smiling," Washington said during a panel discussion at the Paley Center for Media in New York City.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I hung out at the secluded mountain hideaway in Ibiza that's hosted celebs like Rihanna and Kate Hudson, and it feels worlds away from the hard-partying coast

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Rihanna KateHudson Ibiza Spain Atzaro (36 of 36)

  • While Ibiza is known as a party capital of the world, many wealthy and famous head to the lesser-known pastoral north of the island to relax.
  • One of the most luxurious and secluded resorts on the island is Atzaró Hotel and Spa, an agrotourism resort where Rihanna, Shakira, and other celebs have stayed.
  • I recently spent the day at Atzaró to see what it's like to live like a popstar. The food was good, the drinks were strong, and the grounds were stunning.

The Spanish island of Ibiza is world-famous as a vacation and partying hotspot for the wealthy and the famous.

Every summer sees the usual influx of actors, billionaires, and models and their entourages flooding in for wild parties at the island's bumping clubs and beautiful beaches.

But what if you are looking for something a bit more secluded, classy, and chic? Ibiza has that, too.

Enter the Atzaró Hotel and Spa, an agrotourism resort hidden in the northern countryside of the island. Considered one of the more prestigious hotels on the island, the resort opened in 2004 after being converted from a 300-year-old traditional farmhouse into the lavish 10-acre estate and gardens it is now.

The hotel's hidden, serene location has made it a favorite of celebrities ranging from popstars Rihanna and Shakira to actress Kate Hudson, among others. 

I recently visited Atzaró Hotel and Spa on a recent trip to Spain. Keep reading to see what it's like:

SEE ALSO: I stayed at Robert De Niro's ridiculously swanky new hotel in Ibiza — and it makes you feel like a celebrity, if you can afford it

DON'T MISS: I went on an epic road trip to find the best beach in 2018's hottest travel destination — and it did not disappoint

Getting to Atzaró is a bit of a schlep. Located near Santa Eularia des Riu in the north of the island, it was a 30-minute ride from Sant Antoni de Portmany, one of the major towns on the island. It's about the same distance from Ibiza Town.



The drive there was gorgeous. The ride revealed a lush, green countryside that I didn't even know existed on Ibiza. Located down a small country road, Atzaró is named after the mountain behind the property.



The property was originally a finca, or Spanish farmhouse, built some 300 years ago, that served as the family home of owner and CEO Victor Guasch.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

All the improvements and upgrades Apple made to the cameras on the three new iPhones (AAPL)

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iphone xs camera

Apple announced its new iPhones on Wednesday and used up a decent chunk of its presentation talking about the cameras. 

As you'd expect, Apple says the cameras in the new iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max are better than previous iPhones.

Much like last year's devices, the cameras on each of the new iPhones are all 12 megapixels, but they have some under-the-hood improvements both on a software and hardware level that could potentially add truth to Apple claims. 

We'll have to check for ourselves when we get our hands on the devices, but for now, here are the improvements and updates Apple has made to the cameras in all of the new iPhones.

Check it out: 

SEE ALSO: Apple released 3 new iPhones that all look the same — here are the major differences

All three new iPhones have Apple's new Smart HDR camera feature.

With Smart HDR, nine photos with different exposures and settings are taken the moment you press the shutter button. Apple's A12 chip inside the new iPhones analyzes these nine frames and combines the best parts of each frame into a single photo. 

There's seemingly a lot going on when a photo is taken with Smart HDR, but Apple claims it's done instantaneously, with "zero shutter lag."

This feature is available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.

smart hdr iphone



The ability to adjust the blur in the background has been added to all three phones.

In Portrait mode on both the rear and selfie cameras, you'll be able to adjust the amount of "bokeh"— the blurry background effect you'll often see in professional photos — after a photo is taken.

Apple's Phil Schiller claimed the iPhone is the first smartphone to have this ability, but that's not the case. Samsung's recent Galaxy smartphones already had this feature, where you can adjust the background blur on photos after snapping them. 

This feature is available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.



All the cameras are now better in low light.

The camera sensor in the regular wide angle lens — but not the 2x telephoto lens — has deeper and larger pixels to capture more light, which should lead to better low-light shots. 

This feature is available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

16 must-read books being made into TV series

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you lifetime

Books are the basis for some of the biggest series currently on TV and more are on their way.

From another novella from "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin to a remake of the dark tale "Watership Down," there are a number of books worth reading before adaptations hit the small screen. 

Here are 16 series based on books that will soon be on TV. 

William Makepeace Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" is becoming a new drama series for Amazon and ITV.

Set in the time of the Napoleonic Wars, Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke) is a young, smart girl weaving her way into high society. Becky's journey to wealth and search for love doesn't go as easy as she'd hope. The series also stars Tom Bateman, Michael Palin, Johnny Flynn, Suranne Jones, and Frances De La Tour. 

Release date: Sunday, September 2 at 9 p.m. on ITV in the UK; TBD in the US

Buy the book here >>



A miniseries based on Jessie Burton's "The Miniaturist" is now out.

Anya Taylor-Joy plays Nella, a poor 18-year-old Dutch girl who moves in with her wealthy husband. He gifts her with a dollhouse that is a replica of their home, but when she commissions a miniaturist to help her furnish the home, she realizes that his creations may also be predicting the future.

Release date: Sunday, September 9 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS

Buy the book here >>



Caroline Kepnes' thriller "You," the first in a series, is coming to Lifetime.

Penn Badgley plays Joe, a bookstore owner who becomes obsessed with a customer and stalks her, inserting himself into her life. He goes to extremes, including murder, to get what he wants.

The series was renewed for a second season ahead of the first season premiere.  

Release date: Sunday, September 9 on Lifetime

Buy the book here >>



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I went inside the NYC napping lounge where people are paying up to $250 a month to nap in dark, private pods at any time of day — here's what they look like

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Nap York

  • A wellness center in New York City aims to "recharge the people who power the world" by giving them a space for an important activity: napping
  • Nap York is a 24-hour facility in midtown Manhattan that lets people drop in to sleep in pods, from a 30-minute power nap to a multiple-hour slumber session designed for travelers who have layovers at one of the nearby airports.
  • Visitors can pay $15 for a 30-minute nap or up to $250 a month for a membership that includes five naps per week. 
  • Studies have shown that naps improve immune healthenergycognitive function, and emotional control.

 

A few blocks from Times Square, in the middle of one of New York City's busiest neighborhoods, sits an urban oasis where sleep-deprived New Yorkers can swap their shoes for slippers, drink a cup of tea— and take a nap. 

That's the idea behind Nap York, which opened in February, offering 30-minute naps in sleep pods for $10. Seven months later, prices have risen slightly to $15 for half an hour, and there are additional options for monthly memberships. 

For $35 a month, you can pop into Nap York for one 30-minute nap per week. The priciest membership is the $250 a month Gold Premium, which includes five naps — up to 90 minutes each — per week. You can also book a longer nap that starts at 3 hours for $50 with each additional hour for $7. The pods are strictly single occupancy.  Visitors can also take a shower, get a massage, or relax in one of the hammocks on the roof. 

Reza Moreno, community director for Nap York, told Business Insider that a large chunk of their visitors are travelers who need a place to sleep for a few hours during their layover at a nearby airport.

But Nap York is not a hotel, she stressed. Visitors can't book multiple long sleep sessions in a row.

"We just give the convenience for those who literally just need a place to bonk out for the night," Moreno said.

During the day, Nap York sees office workers who pop in for a half-hour power nap on their lunch breaks. In the summertime, some sweaty New Yorkers even dropped by just to take a shower before a business meeting.

Here's what it's like inside Nap York. 

SEE ALSO: A productivity expert says coffee naps — 'nappuccinos' — changed his life. Here's how.

DON'T MISS: Forget $40 fitness classes — now a tech startup is asking rich people to spend $1,500 plus monthly fees on a mirror to stream workouts directly into their homes

Located in Manhattan's bustling Midtown neighborhood, Nap York calls itself "your 24/7 oasis in the middle of the Concrete Jungle." When I got there, I tried to peer in the windows but they were obscured by dark curtains.

Source: Nap York



Nap York has had about 8,000 people come in for naps since it opened in February, according to Moreno.

Source: Nap York



When you step inside, you're greeted by screens that display the various nap and membership options available. There are also several large plants, which instantly hooked me as a stereotypically plant-loving millennial.

Source: Nap York



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

After a major shakeup, here's the new top leadership at Goldman Sachs — and it signals the rise of bankers over traders (GS)

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David Solomon

Goldman Sachs announced a big shakeup on Thursday as incoming CEO David Solomon cements his new leadership team before taking over for Lloyd Blankfein in October.

The changes represent the rise of investment bankers over traders, who dominated the top ranks under Blankfein and have jockeyed back and forth with the bankers for power during much of the firm's history. But since the aftermath of the financial crisis, revenue derived from providing clients with advice on mergers and capital raising have proven to be more stable than trading. 

Solomon and his deputies have a number of challenges ahead of themselves. Goldman last year embarked on a $5 billion growth plan and is also trying to grow out its consumer banking business. 

Here are the new leaders at the top of Goldman. 

 

John Waldron, president and chief operating officer

Waldron takes Solomon's previous role as the No. 2 to the CEO. 

Waldron, the former co-head of investment banking, is considered Solomon's closest colleague. He also spent some time in leveraged finance, a Solomon specialty and an area of the firm that's growing fast. Waldron is said to be one of Rupert Murdoch's top bankers.

He joined Goldman in 2000 and became a partner in 2002. Like Solomon, Waldron also spent many years working at Bear Stearns. 

 



Stephen Scherr, chief financial officer

Stephen Scherr, the head of the consumer and commercial banking division, will become chief financial officer, as CFO Marty Chavez shifts to become one of three co-heads of the securities division.

Scherr is close to Blankfein, and while he and Solomon haven't always seen eye to eye, they've recently patched up their differences, according to people who work closely with both of them.

Scherr previously ran Goldman's strategy division as well as other senior roles throughout investment banking. 

He joined Goldman in 1993 and became partner in 2002. 



Marty Chavez, co-head of the securities division

Chavez, Goldman's former CFO, is now reassigned to co-head Goldman's securities division. 

Chavez, who was previously the bank's chief information officer overseeing most of the engineers who make up more than a quarter of Goldman's employee base, had a rocky 18-month tenure as finance chief. 

He returns to lead Goldman's trading group, where he began his career in the bank's commodities division. 

Chavez is best known for helping to develop Goldman's internal software system, called Marquee. 

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We went shopping at Hollister and saw how it could be Abercrombie's secret weapon (ANF)

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hollister 2909

  • Abercrombie & Fitch has made some major changes in the past few years while its sister store, Hollister, has performed consistently well
  • In the second quarter, comparable sales were up 2% at Abercrombie's namesake store and 4% at Hollister, according to a company press release. It was the seventh consecutive quarter of growth for the Hollister brand. 
  • Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Fran Horowitz said in an August earnings call that Hollister has been successful because of its product assortment and marketing strategy. 
  • We paid a visit to a Hollister store in New York City and saw that it hasn't changed much over the years while its sister brand, Abercrombie, has worked to reinvent itself. 

While Abercrombie & Fitch has had to make some major changes to its brand over the past few years, its sister brand Hollister has been doing relatively well. 

Hollister is generally priced lower than Abercrombie and tends to support it similarly to how Old Navy supports Gap. It's meant to appeal to a younger crowd of shoppers and has a California-inspired theme. In the second quarter, comparable sales were up 2% at Abercrombie and 4% at Hollister, according to a company press release.  It was the seventh consecutive quarter of growth for the Hollister brand. 

In its August earnings call, the company discussed plans to open 22 new stores in 2018, 13 of which would be Hollister stores. Last year, it remodeled 35 Hollister stores. But according to Retail Dive, the company as a whole has closed 400 stores since 2010, and it may close as many as 60 this year.

Though Hollister hasn't vowed to make the same drastic changes its sister brand Abercrombie has, it has been quietly working on improving its stores and marketing strategy, Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Fran Horowitz said in the earnings call. Most recently, Hollister launched a campaign featuring Khalid and Noah Cyrus.

On a recent trip to a Hollister store in New York City, we noticed that many products bore a huge logo — a design feature that Abercrombie has been criticized for in the past.

Here's what else we found when we visited Hollister: 

SEE ALSO: 50 stores you once loved that you'll never be able to shop at again

We went to the Hollister store in Soho. Outside was a clearance sale sign advertising $29 hoodies and $20 jeans.



Also in the entryway was a sign advertising Hollister's "click & collect" program, which allows customers to shop online and pick up in store.



I noticed right away how many deals and promotions there were. Most things were on sale in some capacity. A sign advertised that if you spend $75 or more, you could get a free Hollister blanket.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

One potential breakout fantasy football player for all 16 games this week

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sterling shepard

Week 2 of the NFL kicks off on Thursday night with the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, and that means fantasy football owners everywhere will be scrambling to get their lineups in order.

We went through all 16 games slated for Week 2 and picked out players we think could have big weeks, based on matchups, usage, and opportunity.

While some choices may be obvious based on a player's status or when they were picked, others are deeper sleepers who could have big weeks.

Take a look at potential breakout fantasy football players for each game this week:

*Note: Consensus rankings are the combined average of ESPN, Yahoo, and FantasyPro's player rankings

1. Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals — Michael Crabtree, WR, Ravens

Week 1 stats: 6 targets, 3 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD

Consensus ranking: 30.6 among WRs

Why he could break out: Crabtree was tied with three other Baltimore receivers for most targets from Joe Flacco. But in beating the Bills 47-3, the game script did not call for much passing, and Crabtree sat in the second half. He may get more defensive attention from the Bengals this week, but his opportunity to be the Ravens' No. 1 receiver could be much bigger, too.



2. Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers — Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs

Week 1 stats: 16 carries, 49 yards, 0 TDs

Consensus ranking: 7.3 among RBs

Why he could break out: Hunt, a common first-round pick, was a letdown in his first game. However, the Chiefs kept making big plays via the pass or on special teams, minimizing the amount Hunt was needed. It was also the first time in his career that he was held without a catch. He should fare better against a Steelers defense that has struggled against the run.



3. Miami Dolphins at New York Jets — Bilal Powell, RB, Jets

Week 1 stats: 12 carries, 1 catch, 65 total yards, 0 TDs

Consensus ranking: 33.6 among RBs

Why he could break out: Isaiah Crowell was the star running back for the Jets in Week 1, but it could have gone the other way. Crowell's numbers were inflated by a 62-yard touchdown run. Without it, he would have had 9 carries for 40 yards. Meanwhile, Powell averaged 5 yards per carry, and this Dolphins team just gave up 110 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown to Dion Lewis in Week 1. Crowell got the red-zone carries for the Jets in Week 1, but Powell has a good opportunity to take the lead this week.



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15 things people thought were 'normal' growing up — until they realized they weren't

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breakfast muffins

Our childhood shapes the way we see the world, and people often grow up thinking that rare medical conditions, weird family traits, and peculiar misconceptions are shared by their peers. It isn't until they get older that they realize some beliefs and absurdities are unique only to them.

Here are things that various Reddit users grew up accepting as common sense until they had a major realization. 

Saying "open" and "close" the lights.

"I say 'close' or 'open' lights instead of turn 'on' or 'off.' I never noticed it was wrong until someone pointed it out in high school."— Reddit user MCML



Wrapping a towel around your body.

"I was raised by my mom and two older sisters. Whenever they showered, they put the towel around their whole body, so naturally, I did, too. It never occurred to me to just put the towel around my waist … "— Reddit user darthaugustus



Seeing all things as blurry.

"[I thought it was normal for] stuff to get blurrier the further away it is. It seemed to make sense — it's further away, so I can't see it as well. It wasn't until I was 18 and sitting in the back of massive lecture halls when I noticed that the people sitting next to me could read the board just fine. Then, I realized I needed glasses."— Reddit user eketros



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What fries look like in 23 places around the world

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poutineFrench fries are one of those foods that tons of people love, no matter where they're from.

Though many in the United States would assert that French fries are as much a part of Americana as apple pie, they certainly weren't the first to invent the savory side dish. The debate is still on as to whether we have the Belgians or the French to thank for giving us a delicious way to snack on potatoes, but since they were created, people have been making them their own.

From fries smothered in gravy to those topped with meat and cheese, here's a look at how the dish is prepared throughout the world.

Canada's Poutine is messy, but delicious.

Canada's signature dish of French fries doused in a rich brown gravy and squeaky cheese curds isn't exactly visually appealing. But ask anyone who's had Poutine and they'll agree it's delicious. 



Masala chips are a flavorful side dish best served with barbecue.

A specialty in many parts of Kenya, masala chips are a spicy, garlicky saucy side dish that utilizes spices such as chili powder, paprika, or tandoori masala. With a tomato-based masala sauce and a squeeze of lemon, get ready for a kick of flavor.



Animal-style fries are a US West Coast classic.

Anyone who's from the West Coast knows about In-N-Out's delicious mess of a creation referred to as animal-style fries. Grilled onions, special sauce, and cheese bring In-N-Out's famously average fries to a whole new level of tasty.



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Eerie photos show empty supermarket shelves and desolate streets before Hurricane Florence hits

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Hurricane Florence gas station

Hurricane Florence began dumping rain on the North Carolina coast Thursday morning, with the storm's center expected to hit the East Coast by the evening.

Evacuations have been ordered in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, with residents bracing themselves for up to 40 inches of rain and 13 feet of storm surge. The hurricane's winds have slowed to a Category 2 level, but Florence remains deadly as it approaches. 

As millions of people in the Carolinas seek shelter before the storm, streets have emptied, store shelves have been cleaned out, and gas stations have run out of fuel. The following photos show residents' preparation efforts before the hurricane's arrival.

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Florence's rain and wind are starting to hit the North Carolina coast, with life-threatening storm surges and flooding expected

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Florence is dumping rain on the US already, and is due to arrive in full force tonight

Roads that are normally busy are now desolate after people vacated their homes.



Many businesses are closed and boarded up, particularly in the Carolinas, which are facing the most serious threat.



Coastal cities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia received evacuation orders as Florence moves toward the US.



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6 little things you can do to become happier, according to science

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happy carrie satc

While it's obvious that many want to achieve happiness, it's less obvious how to actually attain it. 

Thankfully, science shows that even the simplest solutions can make you feel less stressed, ease anxiety, and fuel feelings of happiness. We rounded up some science-backed ways to be happier. 

Nature is a proven mood booster.

An experiment in Japan asked participants to fill out a questionnaire about their moods and stressors and then walk in a forest or urban center; results showed that people who took the forest route (the same level of difficulty and length) had lower heart rates and reported less anxiety, along with happier moods. In the study, researchers concluded that the natural aspect had a measurable impact on stress reduction.

Reaping the benefits of the great outdoors doesn't require much effort. Be intentional about getting fresh air and immersing yourself in greenery, even if it’s bringing your laptop outside or taking a quick walk around a local park.



Journaling about your emotions can ease a burden.

Ever feel like you can't free yourself from the thoughts that bring you down? Sitting with them might make you feel stressed, anxious, or downright depressed, but writing them down has actually been proven to help. Research from the University of Texas at Austin showed that journaling about emotions and stress actually boost our immune system and in turn reducing the impact of the stress physical health.

Gretchen Rubin, the author of "The Happiness Project," advocates for writing down just a sentence each day; she said it makes her memories more vivid and helps her become a happier person. Studies reported on by the New York Times reinforce Rubin’s belief; writing about personal experiences have proven to boost memory and improve mood disorders.



Just a little movement can give you a big mood boost.

It turns out even a little bit of exercise might make you happier.

In a 2018 review analyzing multiple past studies, Dr. Weiyun Chen, an associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Michigan, affirmed to the New York Times that it might take less movement than it was once thought to get a mood boost.

In the review in the Journal of Happiness Studies, it was found that people who worked out only once or twice a week said they felt much happier than those who never exercised. 

Exercising, for any amount of time, with friends or in a community might come with an added benefit as well. "There are indications that social factors could mediate the effects of exercise on happiness for some people," Dr. Chen explained to the Times.



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6 gadgets that make our daily commutes feel less like a commute — from portable gaming systems to noise-canceling headphones

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

banking internships train commute passengers subway metro

Riding on a train, subway, or bus as part of your daily commute is a reality for millions of people in the US, and it's easy to feel like that time is being wasted. All of us have spent a half hour (or more) staring down at our phones, trying to load webpages, songs, or YouTube videos as our reception cuts in and out, but there are more productive (and fun) ways to spend your time. 

The entire Insider Picks team commutes, and below you'll find the gadgets we use to help us stay sane and entertained while we ride the subway every day. Whether we're catching up on a quick book (or audiobook), playing a video game, or getting into the latest hit podcast, this tech helps us forget we're in a cramped, underground tube. 

SEE ALSO: This might be our new favorite commuter backpack

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch, $299.99, available at Amazon

The Nintendo Switch's biggest selling point is its portability. Having the power of a traditional home video game console in a device you can take anywhere in the world is compelling, and the Switch delivers. 

I can get lost in big, HD titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Okami, and Super Mario Odyssey, which are gaming experiences I'm used to having at home. Don't get me wrong, iPhone games like Monument Valley and Alto's Odyssey are fantastic, and I've spent several weeks' worth of commutes playing them, but neither can compete with the depth of first-party Switch titles. 

I prefer reading on my commute, but if there's a game I just can't seem to put down, it's nice to know I can get another hour or two in as I go to and from work. -Brandt Ranj, associate commerce editor



Jaybird Run earbuds

Jaybird RUN True Wireless Headphones, $147.96, available at Amazon

I've said it often, but Jaybird Run Earbuds are one of the best things that I own; they’re incredibly convenient, and they excel in a genre of headphones typically filled with underwhelming options.

First of all, they’re tiny. I can fit them and their charging case in any work bag or jacket pocket, and the battery life is great (12 hours on a full charge, with only five minutes in the charging case equaling one hour of playtime). They never fall out – or feel like they might – on commutes or runs, and they isolate sound well so other people on the subway car don’t have to listen to what I’m listening to. I recommend them to anyone who needs in-ear, Bluetooth earbuds or the smallest, most convenient pair they can find. -Mara Leighton, commerce reporter



A Kindle

Kindle Oasis, $269.99, available at Amazon

I fell out of love with reading for almost 10 years because I never felt like I had enough time. My commute gives me about two hours to read, and instead of carrying a physical book or reading on my phone's screen, I finally broke down and bought a Kindle. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. 

I opted for the high-end Kindle Oasis, which has multiple back lights that make it easier to read in the dark, dedicated page-turn buttons, and a waterproof design, all in a device that's lighter and smaller than the average paperback.

Like all Kindles, the Oasis' battery can last for several weeks between charges and hold hundreds of books, so I always have something new to read. I'll never fully give up on physical books, but commuting with a Kindle has allowed me to read a lot more than I have in years.

I'm not alone in being late to the Kindle party: commerce editor Sally Kaplan has also added the more affordable Paperwhite version ($120) to her commute. - Brandt Ranj, associate commerce editor



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10 simple hacks that will make your boxed brownie mix taste gourmet

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Duncan Hines ingredients Brownie Boxed Mix Taste TestThere are dozens of brownie mixes to choose from at your local grocery store that satisfies different palates. With a pre-packed mix and some kitchen staples, you're half an hour away from sinking your teeth into a treat fit for a novice baker.

While tasty without any special additions, a simple brownie mix is a blank canvas to put your creative juices to the test. So if you're looking to be the talk of your next office potluck, here are some simple hacks to elevate your traditional boxed mix to the next level.

An additional egg turns this classic dessert into your new favorite breakfast food.

Looking to raise your breakfast game, too? Chocolate brownie waffles will not steer you wrong. By adding one more egg than what your boxed mix calls for, it renders a slightly thicker batter sturdy enough to withstand the heat of a waffle iron.

Whether you decide to dress your waffle straight out the iron with whipped cream, fruit or more chocolate, bookmark this easy recipe as your go-to reference.



Take your s'mores game to the next level and make gooey s'mores brownies.

S'mores are delicious on their own, but they're even better when you layer brownie mix in between layers of graham cracker and marshmallow. Summer might be over, but thankfully you don't need an open campfire to make this decadent snack.



A dessert pizza crust opens a window of opportunity to pile on your favorite sugary toppings.

The combination of fruit, chocolate, and crunchy almonds is what makes this crust so unique. As a topping, you can make your favorite cream cheese or whipped cream frosting, then pile it sky high with enough fruit to justify the sinfully sweet dessert.



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19 surprising things you probably didn't know about 'How I Met your Mother'

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how i met your motherOver its nine seasons,"How I Met Your Mother" became a fan favorite, with people quoting lines even still today — four years after the finale.

With over 200 episodes since its 2005 premiere, a lot happened on the show. But even if you watched every episode (and re-watched once it hit the streaming sites) you probably didn't know these legend… wait for it… dary things about "How I Met Your Mother."

1. Narrator Ted Mosby is played by Bob Saget.

Instead of having Josh Radnor play Ted and do the future timeline voice-overs, Saget was cast to play older Ted.



2. It's not actually filmed in New York.

New York City may be a central character in the series, but the series filmed on a studio lot in Los Angeles that was designed to look like the Big Apple, per the New York Post.



3. Jim Parsons was almost Barney.

Before Neil Patrick Harris landed the role, Parsons auditioned for the show. But there are no hard feelings for "The Big Bang Theory" star now. "Look, it all worked out fine … Neil's better for the part, let's be honest," Parsons said on "Live with Kelly," according to Yahoo.



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