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The Downtown office market is in even worse shape than widely reported data indicate, according to several major dealmakers.

One of them, an industry legend not given to doom-and-gloom scenarios, told us that huge amounts of space are quietly up for sublease even at the World Trade Center and Brookfield Place Lower Manhattans best-performing properties.

Most brokerage firms cite FiDi-area availability including space currently vacant or soon to be — at between 20% and 23%, compared with around 16% uptown. But so-called shadow space cited by the market insider could raise the total much higher.

Not every building is in trouble. The districts grim overall data are skewed by two particular enormous properties Paramount Groups transitioning 60 Wall Street, where most of 1.6 million square feet are yet to be leased, and 111 Wall Street, an entirely empty 1 million square-foot address thats now in foreclosure.

But other struggling buildings are also on the downbound train, such as 40 Wall Street. The landmark tower is about 30% empty and its plight will likely worsen as the Trump Organization skyscraper is at risk of seizure by state attorney general Letitia James.

Even more vulnerable are Downtowns large number of pre-war, Class B-minus buildings that few tenants want at any rent and which cant easily convert to residential use.

Yet hope might be on the way. According to VTS, the national real estate technology platform that uses AI to monitor and interpret market office-space tours — look-sees by companies eyeing a move or expansion have recently been higher Downtown than in Midtown or Midtown South.

Lower Manhattan saw 40% more so-called tire-kicking visits in the months of December 2023 through February 2024 than it did between September and November 2023.

A 43% increase in tours month over month easily beat Midtowns 25% and Midtown Souths 11%, according to VTS. Much of the tenant interest Downtown was by companies seeking 50,000 square feet or more.

VTS chief strategy officer Ryan Masiello said, I think generally, companies are starting to realize were at the bottom of the market right now. More companies are exploring to try to take advantage of lower rents, especially downtown, he said.

But one highly accomplished downtown market-watcher was skeptical of VTS findings.

They can only be true if theyre including the smallest users. It definitely is not true of tenants looking for more than 20,000 square feet, the insider said.

Manhattan leasing in all submarkets hit the mute button in the first quarter, according to Savills which cited a dearth of large deals.

The first quarters 6.8 million sf of transactions was 6.6% lower than in the first three months of 2023, Savills said.

Interestingly, three of the largest office deals were renewals and/or expansions by major retailers — including for Michael Kors, Burlington Stores and David Yurman, which tallied a total of nearly a half-million square feet.

At least one major landlord saw some positive news. At SL Greens 485 Lexington Ave., four recent new leases and one renewal totalled 64,303 square feet.

Leasing director Steven Durels said, Our recent success at 485 Lexington confirms that well-located buildings are experiencing increased tenant demand.

In the two largest new leases, RSC Insurance Brokerage took 27,964 square feet on the entire 17th floor and Exponent, Inc., an engineering and scientific consulting firm, took 14,383-square feet on the 22nd floor.

Smaller deals include capital markets company William ONeil & Co. for 4,797 square feet and Graham Holdings Company signed for 3,006 square feet.

In addition, Tegna, Inc., a broadcast, digital media and marketing services company, renewed its 14,078-square-foot lease on the 27th floor.

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M4 iPad Pro review: Well, now youre just showing off

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Overkill — M4 iPad Pro review: Well, now youre just showing off This tablet offers much more than youll actually need.

Samuel Axon – May 13, 2024 9:01 pm UTC Enlarge / The 2024, M4-equipped 13-inch iPad Pro.Samuel Axon reader comments 318

The new iPad Pro is a technical marvel, with one of the best screens Ive ever seen, performance that few other machines can touch, and a new, thinner design that no one expected.

Its a prime example of Apple flexing its engineering and design muscles for all to see. Since it marks the companys first foray into OLED beyond the iPhone or Watch, and the first time a new M-series chip has debuted on something other than a Mac, it comes across as a tech demo for where the company is headed beyond just tablets.

Still, it remains unclear why most people would spend one, two, or even three thousand dollars on a tablet that, despite its amazing hardware, does less than a comparably priced laptopor at least does it a little more awkwardly, even if it’s impressively quick and has a gorgeous screen. Specifications

There are some notable design changes in the 2024 iPad Pro, but really, its all about the specsand its a more notable specs jump than usual in a couple of areas. M4

First up, theres the M4 chip. The previous iPad Pro had an M2 chip, and the latest Mac chip is the M3, so not only did the iPad Pro jump two whole generations, but this is the first time it has debuted the newest iteration of Apple Silicon. (Previously, new M-series chips launched on the Mac first and came to the iPad Pro a few months later.)

Using second-generation 3 nm tech, the M4s top configuration has a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, and a 16-core NPU. In that configuration, the 10-core CPU has four performance cores and six efficiency cores. Advertisement

A lower configuration of the M4 has just nine CPU coresthree performance and six efficiency. Which one you get is tied to how much storage you buy. 256GB and 512GB models get nine CPU cores, while 1TB and 2TB get 10. Additionally, the two smaller storage sizes have 8GB of RAM to the larger ones 16GB.

This isnt the first time Apple has tied RAM to storage configurations, but doing that with CPU cores is new for the iPad. Fortunately, the company is upfront about all this in its specs sheet, whereas the RAM differentiation wasnt always clear to buyers in the past. (Both configurations claim 120GB/s memory bandwidth, though.) Enlarge / Can the M4 help the iPad Pro bridge the gap between laptop and tablet? Mostly, it made me excited to see the M4 in a laptop.Samuel Axon

Regardless of the specific configuration, the M4 promises substantially better CPU and GPU performance than the M2, and it supports hardware-accelerated ray-tracing via Metal, which some games and applications can take advantage of if developers put in the work to make it happen. (It looked great in a demo of Diablo Immortal I saw, but its unclear how often well actually see it in the wild.)

Apple claims 1.5x faster CPU performance than the M2 and up to 4x faster graphics performance specifically on applications that involve new features like ray-tracing or hardware-accelerated mesh shading. It hasn’t made any specific GPU performance claims beyond those narrow cases.

Further ReadingApple releases eight small AI language models aimed at on-device useA lot of both Apples attention and that of the media is focused on the Neural Engine, which is what Apple calls the NPU in the M-series chips. Thats because the company is expected to announce several large language model-based AI features in iOS, macOS, and iPadOS at its developer conference next month, and this is the chip that will power some of that on the iPad and Mac.

Some neat machine-learning features are already possible on the M4you can generate audio tracks using certain instruments in your Logic Pro projects, apply tons of image optimizations to photos with just a click or two, and so on. Page: 1 2 3 4 5 Next → reader comments 318 Samuel Axon Samuel is a senior editor at Ars Technica. He primarily covers software development, gaming, Apple, consumer technology, and mixed reality. He has been writing about gaming and technology for 15 years, and is a Chicago-based game developer. Advertisement Channel Ars Technica ← Previous story Next story → Related Stories Today on Ars

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The ultimate energizing food list for disaster preparedness

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As a prepper, it’s important to have foods in your stockpile that can give you a much-needed energy boost.

Doing this ensures that when you are dealing with an emergency, you can keep up your energy while managing different tasks around your homestead.(h/t toHealthline.com.) How to boost your energy levels after SHTF

Eating fruits, vegetables, nuts and various grains can help reduce fatigue following an SHTF event.

The human body functions using what you feed it, and the best way to get the most energy from your food is to make sure that you’re eating a variety of nutritious foods.

Bananas

In a study, scientists compared the effect ofbananasand carbohydrate sports drinks on cyclists who needed sustained energy for long rides.The results revealed that eating a banana offered just as much fuel to the cyclists as the sports drink.

The scientists reported thatbananas are full of fiber,potassium, vitamins and the perfect amount of carbohydrates that provide you with a much-needed boost of natural energy.

If you are preparing before SHTF, you can make the most of your storage space by purchasing freeze-dried organic bananas. They will also last longer in your stockpile compared to fresh bananas and other fruits.

Chia seeds

Chia seeds are a great source of prolonged energy because they contain carbs, healthy fats and filling dietary fiber.

Two tablespoons of chia contains about 11.9 grams (g) of carbs and 5.05 g of omega-3s, which can help support a healthy heart.

According to a 2022 study, athletes who consumed a sports gel with chia seeds experienced an enhanced ability to take in and use oxygen during physical activity, potentially improving their overall performance.

For your daily routine,sprinkling a few tablespoons of chia seeds to your morning smoothie or adding a scoop to your afternoon yogurt may provide an energy boost that may help keep fatigue at bay.

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds can also help with fatigue and fight hunger. Incorporating a variety of nuts and seeds into your diet can provide you with healthy nutrients and energy.

Here are some nuts and seeds to stock up on before SHTF: Almonds Brazil nuts Cashews Hazelnuts Pecans Pumpkin seeds Sunflower seeds Walnuts

It’s best to eat nuts and seeds raw and unsalted.

Oats

Oats aren’t just for breakfast. A bowl of cooked oats is full of filling dietary fiber and a little protein.

Additionally, oats are good if you experience blood sugar spikes and drops with other processed breakfast cereals.Choose the plain versions of old-fashioned oats or steel-cut oats to avoid added sugar.

To ensure that your breakfast is healthy, add other nutritious ingredients likemilk, a little honey and a handful of your favorite mixed berries to boost your energy to get you through the day.

Seasonal fruits and vegetables

Unlike processed foods that may be stripped of nutrients for a longer shelf life, fresh foods usually contain higher nutrients.

Eating in-season fruits and vegetables means they ripened naturally. (Related: Avoid harmful chemicals like glyphosate in food by ALWAYS choosing ORGANIC.)

Whole grains and complex carbs

Like highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates like sugars and white flour add little nutrition.

Choosing whole-grain foods and complex carbohydrates ensures that your body gets the full benefits of the hull of the grain that adds beneficial fiber to your diet.

Here are some healthy whole grain foods for your stockpile: Brown Rice Buckwheat Bulgur wheat (cracked wheat) Millet Popcorn Spelt Quinoa Whole barley Whole grain rye Whole oats Whole wheat Where to get energy-boosting foods for your prepping needs

The Health Ranger Storeis here to ensure that you have access to the necessary supplies for your survival stockpile.

Thats why were proud to introduce a collection of emergency survival foods, such as nuts, freeze-dried fruit and fiber-rich whole grains.

Health Ranger Select Mini-Bucket Organic Almondshave a wholesome flavor and offer a wealth of nutrients that have earned almonds their title as a superfood. Our premium almonds contain no sugar, chemical flavoring, hydrogenated oils, or added sodium and are not treated with preservatives.

Health Ranger Select Mini-Bucket Organic Almonds are raw, unpasteurized and non-irradiated.

Stock up onHealth Ranger Select Freeze-Dried Organic Diced Bananasfor a sweet snack that can also help boost your energy after SHTF. Loaded with potassium, vitamin C and various nutrients, our premium diced bananas allow you to savor the delicious flavor and nutritional benefits of fresh bananas all year round.

Sourced from premium banana plants grown by our trusted suppliers under strict organic standards, these diced bananas undergo a careful freeze-drying process that preserves the original taste, texture and nutrients of our premium bananas.

Health Ranger Select Freeze-Dried Organic Diced Bananas are non-GMO, non-China, and certified Kosher and organic. They have also undergone meticulous lab testing for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbes.

If you need whole grains, tryHealth Ranger Select Organic Tri-color Quinoa Mega Bucket, which contains over four thousand grams of organic tri-color quinoa. This extension to shelf life provided by our Health Ranger Mega Buckets makes it ideal for food preparedness and survival situations.

Our organic Tri-color quinoa is carefully sourced from top growers in Peru. It is also vegan, non-GMO, non-China and certified organic and Kosher.

Visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Storeto browse a variety of clean food supplies for your survival stockpile. You can also go to FoodSupply.news for more suggestions on how to start building your food stockpile before disaster strikes.

Watch this clip about the amazing benefits of eating organic bananas.

This video is from theHealth Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories:

Dive into the world of berry foraging: Unravel the secrets to spotting and gathering Mother Natures sweet treasures.

Grow your own feast: Top crops for your home vegetable garden.

HRS SOLUTIONS: Stock up on organic non-fat milk powder, a long-lasting source of essential nutrients.

Sources include:

Healthline.com 1

Healthline.com 2

HealthRangerStore.com 1

HealthRangerStore.com 2

HealthRangerStore.com 3

HealthRangerStore.com 4

Brighteon.com
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Justice Department says Boeing violated deal that avoided prosecution after 737 Max crashes

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The Justice Department has determined that Boeing violated a settlement that allowed the company to avoid criminal prosecution after two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft, the agency told a federal judge on Tuesday.

It is now up to the Justice Department to weigh whether to file charges against the aircraft maker.

The Justice Department said Tuesday in a filing in federal district court in Texas that Boeing failed to make changes to prevent it from violating federal anti-fraud laws a condition of the 2021 settlement.

The determination means that Boeing could be prosecuted for any federal criminal violation of which the United States has knowledge, including the charge of fraud that the company hoped to avoid with the $2.5 billion settlement, the Justice Department said.

However, it is not clear whether the government will prosecute the manufacturing giant.

The Government is determining how it will proceed in this matter, the Justice Department said in the court filing.

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