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Goldman Sachs tries to address 'misunderstanding' about murky business line that tanked last quarter

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Murky waters boat

One part of Goldman Sachs' business got hammered in the third quarter, and people have been asking questions about it ever since.

The bank's investing-and-lending business line saw a 60% drop in revenue in the third quarter.

No other firm on Wall Street has an I&L reporting segment, and on a conference call following the earnings release, it dominated the question-and-answer session with analysts.

On Tuesday, CFO Harvey Schwartz revisited the issue with a presentation and slideshow about the I&L segment at the Bank of America Banking and Financial Services Conference.

"Over time, if you actually look at its contribution to the firm — and you want to and we help you really understand better the linkages to driving value across the firm — I think over time shareholders should appreciate it," Schwartz said on Tuesday.

He continued: "But I think maybe there is some misunderstanding about its core components, which is why I want to spend so much time on the balance sheet."

A catchall

The I&L unit is not a business in its own right, but rather a catchall for the businesses at Goldman Sachs that lend to and make investments in companies.

That includes things like the bank's direct private-investing unit, which invests in private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and distressed debt, and the "special situations group," which provides financing to midsize companies and invests in the energy sector. It also includes Goldman Sachs Bank.

Those businesses used to report earnings as part of the investment bank and the institutional client services, or trading, divisions. In 2011, Goldman changed the way it reports earnings, and created the I&L category.

Goldman attributed its sharp drop in revenue in the third quarter to a significant decrease in revenues from equity investments — despite equities making up only a quarter of the division's portfolio. On the call in October, Schwartz said that 75% of the portfolio is debt, and of that, 60% comes from Goldman's "good old-fashioned bank."

Now we know a little more about the makeup of that division.

SEE ALSO: One part of Goldman Sachs' business blew it — and everyone wants to figure out why

Here's the evolution of the I&L balance sheet over time:

Goldman Sachs



Here's how much of the firm the I&L division makes up:

Screen Shot 2015 11 17 at 2.49.07 PM



The bulk of the debt securities and loans held by I&L are corporate loans and loans to private-wealth management, or PWM, clients. Here's the breakdown:

Screen Shot 2015 11 17 at 2.53.42 PM



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's everything we know about Apple's plan to change the way we watch TV

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tim cook future of tv is apps

Apple is almost certainly working on building a streaming TV service.

The company is known for taking products with frustrating and unfriendly user experiences — for many Americans, cable and satellite TV service would definitely fall into this category — and creating beautifully designed products and services that appeal to millions of people.

If Apple were to come out with a streaming TV service, it could have broad implications across the TV industry. As soon it's released, millions of people will be able to choose another company to pay for their TV.

Meanwhile, Apple just released the new version of the Apple TV box, which lets you download third-party apps for the first time. It's the first big move into its vision for the future of TV.

Apple hasn't said anything publicly about a TV service, but there are plenty of rumors and leaks about what it could look like.

Here's everything we think we know about Apple's rumored TV service.

It will likely be a smaller "bundle" of channels.

Don't expect Apple's TV service to have hundreds of channels like a typical cable or satellite package. The Wall Street Journal reported in March that the service will have around 25 channels, including ESPN and FX. 

Bloomberg reported in August that Apple is looking "to find the right mix of channels to appeal to cord-cutters."



It will likely be based on the new Apple TV

Cook has repeatedly referred to the new Apple TV, which went on sale late last month, as "the foundation of the future of TV."

The device, which starts at $149, has an App Store, so TV networks, game designers, and other developers, can build apps for it. 

Already, people can download apps for HBO Now, Showtime, QVC, Netflix, Hulu, and more.

Cook has also said that "the future of TV is apps," which makes perfect sense if you think about Apple's bundle of channels being just that — an app.

As Cook said in October, "The first thing that has to be done when you buy a house is lay the foundation."



Siri on the new Apple TV would work really well with a live TV service.

The new Apple TV is built around Siri, and you can speak into the new remote to ask it advanced questions like "show me all of the James Bond movies with Sean Connery" or "show me animated TV shows for kids."

It's easy to imagine asking Siri to do tasks like "DVR the next episode of the Daily Show," or show you "what's on ESPN right now."



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17 incredible photos of French pride in the France national team's first soccer match since the Paris attacks

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france england fans 3

Tuesday night, the French national team had its first soccer match since the devastating attacks on Paris.

In the international friendly with England, fans flooded London's Wembley Stadium in a show of solidarity, decked in French pride and support.

From Wembley's giant arch lit up in red, white, and blue, to the sign that read "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" on the front of the stadium, to fans carrying flags and signs, it produced some incredible photos by the Associated Press and Reuters.

Check out some of the best photos below.

"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity."



Fans came with flags that also acted as signs.



Fans are soaked in the French colors as they walk down Wembley Way for the match.



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This Android tablet sounds like a gamer's dream

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Nvidia Shield Tablet

You may have heard the news that NVidia's SHIELD K1 Android gaming tablet got $100 cheaper on Tuesday

But what's the big deal about an Android gaming tablet that plays games from Google's Play Store? Any tablet can do that pretty well. But the SHIELD K1 can do so much more.

Check out below to see how: 

 

The SHIELD K1 is different than other Android tablets because it runs the GeForce Now PC game streaming service.



It lets you stream full PC games right onto the SHIELD K1. It's like Netflix, but for video games.



The games actually run on NVidia's "super computers" around the world and the game's data is sent to your SHIELD device over the internet.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

What is Anonymous and what does it do?

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International hacking collective Anonymous declared "war" on ISIS this past weekend — a declaration it ascribes to the Paris attacks that occurred last Friday which resulted in the death of 129 people.

Anonymous

The group has reportedly had an impact already in helping Twitter to identify "thousands" of pro-ISIS social media accounts, and by outing alleged ISIS members' personal information. And there's loads more weaponry in Anonymous' arsenal that it's still yet to use.

But what is Anonymous? Where does it come from? What does the group do? And what is its goal? 

Anonymous is a loosely affiliated group of hackers, specializing in everything from private data retrieval to shutting down networks.



The group's origins aren't definitive, but most accounts trace Anonymous back to 4chan: an online forum where users' identities are obscured by forced anonymity.



Even the name "Anonymous" comes from 4chan, where no usernames are allowed.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

11 olde English words we need to start using again

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oktoberfest woman beer

Scholars say that what we now call English started when Germanic tribes settled in present-day Britain at around 500 CE.

The Oxford English dictionary counts 171,476 words in current use

A staggering 47,156  words are now obsolete. 

But, as you'll see from the below, some of the mother tongue's finest phrasings need to be brought back, as they'll help us mark our days and describe our lives better than what's currently on offer. 

Overmorrow: on the day after tomorrow.

Example: "I'll have that report to you overmorrow." 

Why: Overmorrow was in Middle English but fell out of the language. So instead of having this word, we have the wordy "day after tomorrow." German still has this very useful word: übermorgen.



Bedward: heading toward bed.

Example: "I'm bedward, putting this group text on mute." 

Why: Because it treats your bed as a cardinal direction. As it should be.



Elflock: hair that has been tangled as if by elves.

Example: "I think I bruised my scalp trying to get those elflocks out." 

Why: Because hair tangles are frustrating, but elflocks are adorable. And speaking of them helps to re-enchant our world.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's David Einhorn's presentation on one energy company that he thinks can survive the industry rout

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David Einhorn

On Monday, Greenlight Capital's David Einhorn gave his long thesis for Consol Energy, a natural-gas exploration and coal company that has lost 77% of its value since the start of the year.

The presentation was given at the 2015 Robinhood Investors Conference.

Einhorn says he's still holding on to the company despite the ultra-low price of natural gas because he thinks the company can hold on, too.

More specifically, he thinks the company has enough to wait until 2018 to invest in new projects, instead of spending money when sales won't generate enough revenue to cover costs.

See if you agree.

Note: The text on top of each slide is Einhorn's commentary on the presentation, not Business Insider's.





This is a graph of Arkema, which we bought at the wrong part of the last cycle. The stock deserved to fall, and we looked and felt stupid for owning it.



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The Air Force just successfully tested an $8.1 billion 'nuclear gravity bomb'

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nuclear gravity bomb b61 12 jet drop test 2015 10 20 nnsa

A jet fighter dropped an unarmed "nuclear gravity bomb" in a Nevada desert test range on October 20.

While this might sound like Earth-shattering news, a gravity bomb is not a futuristic weapons technology brought to Earth by aliens.

Instead, a gravity bomb is just that: A bomb powered by gravity. You lug one into the air, drop it, and hope the force of gravity pulls it down to the spot that you've targeted.

The gravity bomb in this case is called a B61-12, and it's designed by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Sandia Labs and able to carry nuclear explosives.

But it's not different from bombs that humankind has dropped on itself for decades. Soldiers sometimes call them "dumb" bombs because there is no GPS guidance or rocket propulsion — just tail fins to help guide the bomb through the air toward its target.

Keep scrolling to see why the US government is spending $8.1 billion to design and test the B61-12.

During the Cold War, the United States built thousands of nuclear bombs. Many of them were "gravity" or "dumb" bombs that could be dropped from a plane.



But over the years bombs grow obsolete. Nations also signed non-proliferation agreements that promise to reduce nuclear weapons stockpiles.



So the US military set out to maintain "a credible nuclear deterrent without producing new weapons or conducting new underground nuclear tests."

Source: NNSA



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10 unbelievable bathrooms from around the world

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RTS7B7F

Today is World Toilet Day, an annual event created by the United Nations that encourages people to think about how to improve sanitation around the world.

Globally, 2.4 billion people don't have access to clean, safe bathrooms.

Through a longterm initiative called the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN is working to provide global access to sanitary toilets and clean water by 2030.

In celebration of World Toilet Day, here's a look at 12 different types of bathrooms around the world.

Some bathrooms go the extra mile to delight users. These Parisian urinals were inspired by the Rolling Stones logo.



Jade Jagger, daughter of singer Mick Jagger, designed this posh public restroom in Sao Paulo.



In Istanbul, escalator ramps lead down to an underground public restroom.



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The power players behind Jamie Dimon: the most important JPMorgan execs you've never heard about (JPM)

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Jamie Dimon

Jamie Dimon is the undisputed leader of JPMorgan. The end of this year will mark his 10th anniversary at the consumer and investment-banking powerhouse.

He leads from the front and is a dominant personality on Wall Street. And despite a recent battle with cancer, the 59-year-old CEO recently said he has no plans to step down.

Below him, Marianne Lake, chief financial officer, has been playing a bigger role at the bank — handling earnings calls, for example.

And then there's a small army of seasoned executives who run the most crucial arms of JPMorgan's businesses: card services, mortgages, asset management, and investment banking.

We decided to profile some of these executives, who could go on to bigger roles at JPMorgan or at one of its rivals. There is a long list of JPM alumni who have made it big elsewhere.

Here, Business Insider profiles the bank's top rising stars:

Matt Zames is JPMorgan's chief operating officer

Matt Zames is chief operating officer of JPMorgan and serves on the firm's operating committee. Before rising to that role, he served as JPMorgan's chief investment officer. When Zames was promoted, CIO Jamie Dimon called him "a world-class risk manager and executive — highly regarded for his judgment and integrity."

Zames is one of JPMorgan's top-paid executives and considered a potential candidate to replace Dimon.



Gordon Smith is CEO of JPMorgan's consumer & community banking group

Gordon Smith joined JPMorgan in 2007 after a lengthy career at American Express. With about 137,000 employees, that division of JPMorgan makes up more than 50% of the bank's overall headcount. Smith also serves on the bank's operating committee.

The group Smith leads made more than $32.5 billion in revenues for the bank for the first nine months of the year, generating $7.4 billion in net income.



Daniel Pinto is chief executive of corporate and investment banking

Daniel Pinto is the CEO of JPMorgan's corporate and investment bank, which is the biggest on Wall Street. He became sole head when Mike Cavanagh, then his co-CEO in the division, departed JPMorgan to take on a role with private-equity firm the Carlyle Group.

He's held in high regard by JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who said after appointing him to his current role: "Daniel is an exceptional manager of risk who understands markets as well as anyone I’ve ever met. He is a true leader – his values, character and judgment are second to none."

He's also one of JPMorgan's best-paid bankers. The corporate and investment bank generated $26.5 billion in revenues through the first nine months of the year, which was good for $6.3 billion in net income.



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15 surprising facts about Under Armour (UA)

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under armour stephen Curry ad

The sports apparel brand Under Armour is booming, with the company on track to generate around $4 billion in revenue this year.

Its market share has skyrocketed in the US, partly thanks to memorable marketing campaigns and the company's knack of picking spokesmodels just as they are about to reach the top of their game: Misty Copeland, Stephen Curry, and Tom Brady to name a few.

But Under Armour had humble beginnings, and it has met some surprising hurdles and peaks along the way to its multibillion-dollar success. Check out some of the more surprising facts about Under Armour. 

SEE ALSO: 11 things hardly anyone knows about Nike

1. Under Armour's billionaire founder Kevin Plank didn't get off to the best of starts. He was thrown out of private high school after failing two classes and for his part in what Forbes described as a "drunken brawl" with some Georgetown University football players.

Source: Forbes



2. But things picked up for him. Plank went on to get a scholarship at the University of Maryland, where he was a walk-on for the football team (he's not pictured here). He eventually became the team captain.

Source: Forbes



3. Founding Under Armour wasn't Plank's first job. He had a flower business, parked cars, and "grew a shaggy beard, and sold T-shirts and bracelets at Grateful Dead concerts."

Source: Forbes



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The Flintstones and Jetsons are hidden in the new Lego video game — here's how to find them

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flintstones lego dimensions

The "LEGO Dimensions" video game has been available since September, but fans are still discovering Easter eggs and secret locations to unpack.

Fans found twonew hidden areas which allow players to visit the worlds of Hanna-Barbera cartoons "The Flintstones" and "The Jetsons."

However, you have to own a few additional expansion packs to the $100 game in order to find both of them.

Early November, Lego released a new "Doctor Who" expansion. Once you unlock the Doctor's time machine, the TARDIS, you're able to take the traveling police box across time, space, and various Lego dimensions including the Flintstones' Bedrock and the Jetsons' Orbit City.

Keep reading to see how to find the hidden areas and what they look like.

Let's start with the Flintstones area. Once you have the Doctor and his TARDIS unlocked, head back to level two in the game. It's the Simpsons' one.



Play all the way through the level until you beat President Business from "The LEGO Movie."



You'll then be placed in Mr. Burns' office.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

15 gourmet Thanksgiving meals for New Yorkers who hate to cook

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isabella's

Cooking a Thanksgiving meal is time-consuming, and for some city dwellers, it's just not feasible.

Thankfully, there are plenty of restaurants in New York City that are creating special menus just for the holiday. They all offer diners the chance to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal without the hassle of cooking and cleaning.

Here's what you can expect to find on 15 New York restaurants' Thanksgiving menus, from a butter-basted turkey with mushroom stuffing to a gourmet turkey that's been stuffed with foie gras and truffles. 

SEE ALSO: Here's what happens to the giant Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons during the other 364 days a year

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

Ocean Grill

384 Columbus Avenue

Diners can indulge in fresh seafood options off the menu or dive right in to the Thanksgiving prix fixe dinner.

Choose from appetizers like pumpkin spice tuna tataki, a main of butter-basted turkey with mushroom stuffing, sides of sweet potatoes, green beans, and orange cranberry compote, and a dessert, all for $52 per person.



Atlantic Grill

1341 Third Avenue

Start off with your choice of a small plate like a butternut squash bisque or pumpkin ravioli.

Next, indulge in a turkey that's been roasted in herbs and stuffed with apple brioche. On the side, enjoy a sweet potato puree, caramelized fall vegetables, and an orange cranberry compote. Finally, have your dessert of choice. The meal totals $52 per person. 

 

 



Blue Fin

W Hotel Times Square, 1567 Broadway

Guests can choose from delectable seafood appetizers like a charred baby octopus before enjoying sage-roasted turkey with apple chestnut stuffing, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and a cherry cranberry compote.

With a choice of dessert, the meal totals $56 per person.

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

50 incredible hotels you should sleep in during your lifetime

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manta resort

You're planning an unforgettable trip, so why not choose a hotel that's equally memorable? 

From ice palaces in Canada to underwater rooms in Africa, we've come up with 50 of the world's most incredible hotels that will take any vacation to the next level.

Here's our ultimate bucket list of 50 hotels everyone should stay in at least once in their lives. 

Did we miss your dream hotel? Let us know in the comments. 

Jennifer Polland and Alyson Penn contributed to an earlier version of this story.

SEE ALSO: The 30 best hotels in the world

FOLLOW US: BI Travel is on Twitter!

Stare out at Singapore's skyline while taking a dip in the incredible 57-story-high infinity pool at the Marina Bay Sands hotel.

Learn more about Marina Bay Sands in Singapore »

Book a room at the hotel »



Eat breakfast while watching zebras at the Little Mombo Camp in Botswana's Okavango Delta, which Travel + Leisure called the best hotel in the world in 2013.

Learn more about Little Mombo Camp »

Book a room at the hotel »



Wake up to incredible views of the Eiffel Tower at the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel in Paris.

Book a room at the hotel »



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11 apps you should use every day

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iPhone 6s pink rose gold

Over the last few years, the smartphone has become so much more than a device we use to call people and send text messages.

But it's easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer number of apps — there are more than a million apps in Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store.

So I broke out the most useful apps I use every day. You should probably use them too.

SEE ALSO: 10 business etiquette rules you're probably breaking

SEE ALSO: The 27 jobs that are most damaging to your health

Spotify is my go-to music app.

I've been a Spotify subscriber for years. The service gives me access to nearly any song (well, except maybe songs from Taylor Swift) on demand and allows me to download music for offline listening.

My favorite Spotify feature is Discover Weekly, a customized playlist that's updated each week with music the streaming service thinks you'll enjoy.

Cost: Free (with ads and limitations) or $9.99 per month. Available on both iOS and Android



Mint is a great way to keep track of spending.

Mint aggregates all of your financials — your bank accounts, credit cards, investments, and more — and puts them in one convenient place. The service helps you create budgets, produces reports that show what you spend your money on, and keeps a history of your purchases, which allows you to keep track of what you've been buying.

Cost: Free. Available on both iOS and Android.



I listen to WNYC every day.

WNYC's app gives you live streams of WNYC, the most-listened to public radio station in the US, so you can listen to "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" as they air in New York.

It also has a huge library of on-demand shows, like "Radiolab,""This American Life,""Fresh Air,""Marketplace,""The Moth," and more.

Best of all, the app has an offline listening mode that downloads programming for you based on your preferences, so you can listen without a cellular connection, like when you're on an airplane or subway.

Cost: Free. Available on iOS and Android.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

America's best public bathroom is a beautiful work of art

4 hobbies that seem difficult but are actually really easy to learn

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high_power_rocketry2

If you're looking for a pastime to fill your empty weekends, you don't have to settle for fly fishing. (Though there's nothing wrong with that.)

From metalworking to human flight, here are four Hemingway-worthy hobbies that are easy to learn.

SEE ALSO: 5 hobbies that can make you smarter

Blacksmithing

"Smithing" may conjure up images of a workshop and forge, but the term really applies to all forms of metalworking. Thus, while hammering molten steel isn't entirely off the table (more on that in a moment), the craft doesn't demand a huge investment of time or money.

The easiest way to start is to take a metalworking class, and to pick up a copy of Edge of the Anvil to learn the fundamentals. From there you can pick up tools to work on unheated metal (hammer, anvil, vice, and tongs), and while a serious amateur blacksmith should invest in quality gear, there are many cheaper alternatives that a novice can pursue.

If you do decide to make the jump to heated metal, the costs can still remain manageable. Many trade schools offer basic classes on welding, and you can join a local chapter of The Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America (ABANA) to learn about meetups and "open forges." A propane forge can cost as little as $250, and tools like an acetylene torch can provide high-intensity heat without the need for a full-size forge.

In short, modern technology and enthusiast groups make this craft surprisingly accessible, no matter your level of commitment. The Art of Manliness offers an in-depth primer if you want to get started.



Paragliding

First, let's get one thing straight: There's a difference between parasailing, where you're pulled behind a boat, and paragliding, where you're flying through the air like a god damn human fighter jet. While soaring for hours at 10,000 feet may seem like an expert's craft, it's surprisingly easy to learn. You can earn your novice certification (which means you can fly without supervision) via a week-long training course—though more courses are recommended before you set off on solo journeys.

After that, all you need is a rig, which will cost about $3,000 (less if you buy used). This might seem like a major expense, but it's really your only one: Once equipped, all you need is a big open field on which to take off. Considering that skis alone cost a solid $500 (plus the cost of boots, accessories, clothing, transport, lodging, lift tickets, etc.), that initial $3,000 doesn't sound that excessive.



Home distilling

Many men have been entranced by the prospect of home-brewed beer, and while we won't speak ill of this long-cherished pastime, we prefer the road less traveled. An at-home distillery provides a much heartier pay-off, and while the process is more involved, the tool kit itself is simply.

The first thing you'll need is a still, which you can DIY yourself, or purchase for $150 from Clawhammer Supply. After that, you'll need an aging mechanism: You can purchase oak barrels online, or use a set of barrel-aging staves for an even more streamlined approach.

From there, it's simply a matter of practice: You can test different mashes, char your oak, or add various spices to the barrel during aging. To get started, check out this article on Supercompressor for a step-by-step guide.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

6 things you absolutely must eat in Spain — and where to eat them

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Tolede

You’ve made it to Spain and probably worked up a mighty appetite in the process.

Good thing this country is packed with absolutely amazing food. But where to get your best foodie fix?

Here are some (just some!) of Spain’s top foodie destinations, and what you should get your stomach prepared for at each stop.

SEE ALSO: I took advantage of the strong US dollar to spend 11 days touring Spain — and it was completely worth it

Galica

Pulpo

To experience Galicia— its rugged coastal beauty and lush rain-saturated landscapes — is to appreciate its hearty cuisine. And there’s no better way to do that than by digging into one of its fresh-from-the-sea dishes such as berberechos (steamed cockles often served with nothing more than lemon) and, of course, pulpo a la gallega, perfectly tender slices of octopus flavored with paprika, salt, olive oil, and accompanied by slices of potato. The list of seafood dishes goes on, but other foods to try include empanadas, savory pies (not fried like the Argentine counterpart) which usually come with decadent fillings of tuna, cod or meat. Then there are the famous pimientos de padrón, tiny, green peppers lightly fried and salted and, occasionally, super spicy (usually one or two in a batch will make your lips smack!). Finally, no Galician meal would be complete without a grand finale of Tarta de Santiago, a surprisingly light-tasting, almond-based cake named after the region’s most beloved saint.



Granada

Tapas

Okay, let’s start by clarifying that Granada’s food itself isn’t what makes it an amazing foodie destination, but rather the experience of eating its food. That’s because Granada is famous for its super giant and free tapas. Free because when you order a drink (usually alcoholic), it will typically come with a fat plate of free food. Order another drink from the same establishment, and expect a different dish of grub. We’re talking everything from paella to pasta and patatas bravas. Get your fill, then move on to the next spot to see what your drink order brings. Is the food amazing? Most often, probably not. But the experience is, as you’ll get the chance to try popular tapas bars and sample surprise plates of food, all without spending much. If it’s quality eats you’re after, however, skip the surprise free dishes and opt for a Granada Tapas Walking Tour.



Seville

Gazpacho

Granada may have its giant tapas, but it’s probably Seville that wins in the tapas-hopping culture department. Indeed, Sevillanos know how to thoroughly enjoy the art of snacking on something tasty while sipping on a beer or glass of locally popular and produced Manzanilla wine. What to eat in Seville? Well, tapas, naturally — from traditional to modern takes on the form. And don’t leave town without sampling Seville classics such as jamón ibérico (cured, acorn-fed ham, and really a whole-country classic), gazpacho or salmorejo (chilled, tomato-based soups), and, of course, some of that aforementioned Manzanilla.



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What will and won't be solved on the 'How to Get Away with Murder' midseason finale according to the creator

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how to get away with murder abc midseason finale

There are dozens of threads running through this season of ABC's "How to Get Away With Murder." And as the midseason finale approaches on Thursday night, the show's creator warns it won't slow down.

"There's so much to come," Peter Nowalk told Business Insider over the phone. "Obviously, the episode is 'hold on to your seats' and watch carefully, because it's very twisty and time warp-y and it's very emotional. I'm very proud of it. I'm very proud that our writers have come up with something different for the show structurally."

The season so far has concentrated on the Hapstall case, in which a wealthy couple's adopted children are being tried for their murder. There's also the major question introduced through flash-forwards: Who shot Annalise (Viola Davis)? And, of course, there's the volatile relationships among the characters. 

Nowalk has this warning for fans:

"Be careful about your assumptions about who is involved in what and how guilty they are. That’s always a general theme of the show and what we like to talk about with the criminal justice system. You hear a story and you assume one thing, but is it actually true?"

Here's what will and won't be wrapped during the midseason finale, titled "What Did We Do?":

SEE ALSO: ABC reportedly bans gay dancing on 'Dancing with the Stars'

MORE: Meet Priyanka Chopra, the former Miss World winner who snagged the lead role on ABC's new hit show, 'Quantico'

The Hapstall case won't be closed.

On last week's episode, it looked as if we found the true killer in the Hapstall case. It was revealed that adopted daughter Catherine Hapstall had known long lost true son of the Hapstalls, Phillip Hapstall (Jefferson White), when a painting she gave Wes (Alfred Enoch) matched up with paintings Phillip had in his apartment.

Then, adopted son Caleb Hapstall (Kendrick Sampson) showed Michaela (Aja Naomi King) a gun he discovered hidden in an air duct in the house. He wondered if his sister could really be behind their parents' murder.

But Nowalk suggests that it all could be very misleading. 

"All we know is that Caleb says he found it and decided to tell Michaela about it after they have sex, which to me is strange timing," he said.

Then, Nowalk dropped the bomb. The Hapstall case probably won't be wrapped up on the midseason finale.

"Our characters think there are certain answers, but whether they’re right or wrong is going to be up in the air for the rest of the season," he said.



The question of who shot Annalise — and prosecutor Emily Sinclair (Sarah Burns) — will be resolved.

Annalise has rubbed everyone the wrong way. Everyone has a reason to kill her. The question is who did it, who killed prosecutor Emily Sinclair, and who's really loyal to whom.

"There’s a question of where will they go and who’s on board and who’s not, who likes each other and who wants to kill each other," Nowalk said. "I think all of that will become more clear once you watch episode nine. You know, the different teams."

 



The question of how Wes and Annalise are connected will begin to get answered.

A theory that Wes is actually Annalise's son has been floating around since season one. But that got skewed a bit earlier this season when things got flirty (read: awkward). Annalise finally confirmed that there is some sort of connection between her and the law student when she told her college girlfriend Eve (Famke Janssen) that "it's him," referring to Wes.

Well, that relationship is about to become more clear.

"He is something to her," Nowalk admitted. "There’s basically a backstory there. The next episode, and after that, is giving the audience answers and what that backstory is."

The midseason finale of "How to Get Away with Murder" airs Thursday at 10 p.m. on ABC.

Watch a preview below:

RAW Embed



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I got into 'The League' — the Tinder for elites — here's what it was like

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the league

The League is a dating app people love to hate.

It's billed as Tinder for elites — a "curated" community of single people who aspire to become one half of a power couple.

Founded by a Stanford grad, it's super exclusive and allegedly has a waiting list of more than 158,000 people who are eager to meet Ivy League-educated, successful, and attractive prospects.

Thanks to a friend who earned VIP status on the app, a few weeks ago, I got in and took a look around — but it didn't really live up to the hype. 

Keep reading to see what it was like.

First, I had my friend send me a link to join The League — that's the only way you can get in.



The link took me to the App Store, where I downloaded the app.



This was my first look at the exclusive app.



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