Procaps Group S.A. ( NASDAQ:PROC – Get Free Report ) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 163,300 shares, a decrease of 21.7% from the November 30th total of 208,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 96,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days. Currently, 0.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Procaps Group Trading Down 4.9 % Shares of Procaps Group stock opened at $2.35 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $1.81 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $2.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $265.13 million, a P/E ratio of 4.52 and a beta of 0.10. Procaps Group has a 12 month low of $0.50 and a 12 month high of $4.95. Procaps Group Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Procaps Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procaps Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Editor's take: Samsung faces the challenge of balancing improvements in its foundry business with the demands of its smartphone division. The company's ability to navigate these complexities will be crucial for maintaining its leadership in both the semiconductor and smartphone markets. Samsung Foundry has once again failed to secure a contract from Qualcomm for the production of its latest flagship mobile processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. This setback marks another chapter in Samsung's ongoing struggle to compete with industry leader TSMC, which has been awarded the entire manufacturing contract for the upcoming chip. The decision comes at a critical juncture for Samsung Foundry, which has been grappling with low yield rates in recent months. However, there are signs of improvement on the horizon. The company recently stabilized its 3nm production process, achieving acceptable yield rates, and is simultaneously pushing forward with the development of even more advanced 2nm chips. Samsung also has ambitious plans to produce 1.4nm chips by 2027. Despite these advancements, Qualcomm's choice to partner exclusively with TSMC for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 reflects the current state of the industry. TSMC's proven track record and reliability likely outweighed any potential cost savings that Samsung might have offered. This decision is particularly impactful given the widespread adoption of Snapdragon SoCs in flagship smartphones. The loss of this contract doesn't spell the end for Samsung Foundry's aspirations. The company is expected to make another bid for the production of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3 when it enters development. To improve its chances, Samsung will need to successfully fulfill orders from other clients and further improve yield rates. This development coincides with reports of a significant price increase for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, which could lead to higher costs for premium smartphones, including Samsung's Galaxy series. This situation presents a dilemma for Samsung's mobile division as it may need to consider alternative strategies to maintain competitive pricing. One potential solution could involve reviving Samsung's in-house Exynos chip line for future Galaxy devices, such as the S26 series. This move could help offset the impact of rising Snapdragon prices. Alternatively, Samsung might explore partnerships with other chip manufacturers like MediaTek or make compromises in other components such as displays and cameras to offset increased processor costs. Despite these challenges, industry experts anticipate that Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S25 series will remain among the top smartphone choices in 2025. The company's strength in other areas of mobile technology should support its operations as it continues to refine its foundry capabilities and chip production processes.
Honda shares set for best day in more than 16 years on share buyback plan, Nissan deal
Down 8%, 9%, and 13% in 3 Months, these 3 High-Yield Dividend Stocks Are Buys in December
California lawmakers begin special session to protect state laws from second Trump presidency
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Sort Your Life Out star Stacey Solomon has shared a photo of her stunning decorations on social media, but has admitted that this Christmas she has been the “most disorganised I’ve ever been.” Sharing the image of her front door, decked out with beautiful ice pink decorations, she wished her followers a “Happy Christmas Eve Eve” and said that it didn’t matter if everything wasn’t organised as her kids’ Christmas wish was that the family was all together. The mum of five and stepmum of one started the post by writing “Forgot to show you the front door.” Her photo was worth the wait as it featured a sleigh with a snowy reindeer, huge pale pink baubles mixed with foliage over the doorway, a handful of figurines and a pretty pink wreath on the wooden door. She added: “I finished it the other week and I can honestly say this is the most disorganised I’ve ever been at Christmas. But I’m rolling with it all because all the kids will care about is that we are together and home with nothing to focus on but Christmas day.” Husband Joe revealed in an interview with Metro that Christmas this year at their Pickle Cottage would be more of a low key affair. "Last year, we had about 28 people at our house for Christmas dinner. This year is a bit more quiet: just me, Stacey, the kids and three or four other people coming." Stacey has had a busy few months leading up to Christmas. As well as filming Sort Your Life Out and Stacey Solomon ’s Craft Christmas, she recently flew to Las Vegas and enjoyed a trip to see Adele in concert there. Back in England, she and husband Joe Swash are also filming a reality show that will peek behind the scenes of their family life. As part of Craft Christmas, Stacey also got to spread some festive joy with a member of her own family. On The One Show she revealed that she hosted a yuletide bash at the care home where her grandmother Gwen lives. She enlisted a dream team to bring her festive vision to life, roping in her hubby Joe, the kids, her sister Jemma, and her Sort Your Life Out sidekick, Dilly Carter. They were tasked with transforming the care home into a magical winter wonderland. Stacey's hand-crafted decorations decked the halls just in time for the residents and staff to bask in the holiday cheer. "Grandma Gwen was so excited we were coming to her care home! She was over the moon,” she told hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp. "My grandma is just the most amazing woman. She's 96 this month. So when we said we'll come to her care home, she was absolutely delighted."The Best Apple iPad Deal for Black Friday Just Got Better: Get the New iPad 10.9" for $250NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans . Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”
Published 5:32 pm Saturday, November 23, 2024 By Data Skrive The Minnesota Timberwolves versus the Boston Celtics is one of six strong options on Sunday’s NBA schedule. Coverage of all the NBA action on Sunday is available to you, with the information provided below. Sign up for NBA League Pass to get access to games, live and on-demand, and more for the entire season and offseason. Watch ESPN originals, The Last Dance and more NBA content on ESPN+. Use our link to sign up for ESPN+ or the Disney bundle. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .What's Going On With Nordstrom Stock Today?
A special NFL Saturday double-header takes place on Dec. 21, starting with a matchup of division winners at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. with the Houston Texans taking on the Kansas City Chiefs . The game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on NBC . Fans looking to watch this NFL game can do so for free by using FuboTV , which offers RedZone, a free trial and $30 off on your first month, or DirecTV Stream , which also offers a free trial and RedZone. SlingTV has promotional offers available, and NFL+ airs all local market games. Additionally, games on NBC can be watched on Peacock . The 13-1 Chiefs are 7-0 at home and riding a four-game winning streak following their lone loss of the season. The squad is in position to lock up the top seed in the conference and the bye week for the postseason. On Christmas Kansas City will face the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Texans are 9-5 and looking to climb from the four seed, which likely means leaping the AFC North winner. Houston is a game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, the current division leaders, and tied with the Baltimore Ravens, who play the Steelers on Saturday and the Texans on Christmas. Additionally for this game, there will be a special broadcast exclusive to Peacock where the game will appear similar the Madden video game. Who: Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs When : Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. EST Where : GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Stream : fuboTV (free trial) ; or Sling ; DirecTV Stream (free trial) ; or NFL+ or Peacock What is FuboTV? FuboTV is an internet television service that offers more than 200 channels across sports and entertainment including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME . From the UEFA Champions League to the WNBA to international tournaments ranging across sports, there’s plenty of options available on FuboTV, which offers a free trial, and $30 off the first month for new customers. What is DirecTV Stream? DirecTV Stream offers practically everything DirecTV provides, except for a remote and a streaming device to connect to your television. Sign up now and get three free months of premium channels including MAX , Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and Starz. What is SlingTV? SlingTV offers a variety of live programing ranging from news and sports and starting as low as $20 a month for your first month. Subscribers also get a month of DVR Plus free if they sign up now. Choose from a variety of sports packages without long-term contracts and with easy cancelation. What is NFL+? NFL+ and NFL+ Premium allow fans access to the most NFL content available online. From game replays, coaches film and all-22 field angles of the games to NFL Network original programing, NFL+ and NFL + Premium allow fans to stay fully locked in with every NFL team no matter where you are in the country. What is Peacock? Peacock is the home to the Premier League, Sunday Night Football, exclusive college football games, WWE premium live events and the Olympics, as well as programing across the NBCUniversal networks. More College Football RELATED CONTENT: NBC Sports enters Madden video game universe with alternate broadcast on Peacock By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer NBC Sports makes its first foray into doing an NFL alternate broadcast on Saturday when it puts the matchup between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs into the realm of the Madden video game universe. The Madden altcast will be streamed on Peacock with the main broadcast airing on NBC, beginning at 1 p.m. EST. It is the first time NBC has done an alternate broadcast of an NFL game. CBS has done at least one game on Nickelodeon since the 2020 season, while ESPN/ABC have the “ManningCast” as well as animated presentations featuring " The Simpsons " and " Toy Story." Amazon Prime Video also has “Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats” during “Thursday Night Football.” “It’s ironic that you want to make the video game as much as actual live play as possible and now you are doing the opposite of trying to make the real game look like the video game,” said Josh Helmrich, the NFL’s senior director of media and Next Gen Stats. The altcast on Peacock will blend video game elements — such as Madden 25 graphics, route trees, player cards, button icons on eligible receivers and player ratings — with live action. GenuisIQ will provide real-time data via the league’s Next Gen Stats. There will also be times when animations from the video game — such as touchdown celebrations — will be used instead of live action. NBC has used the “Sunday Night Football” games the last two weeks as test broadcasts to make sure all the technology was working as well as build cohesion in the studio in Stamford, Connecticut, with the announcers doing the game. Paul Burmeister will handle the play-by-play with Madden NFL expert Kurt Benkert and six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco providing commentary. Ochocinco will serve as a real-time player “ratings adjuster.” Henry Leverette, who won the Ultimate Madden Bowl championship ring in February, will also be part of the broadcast. Burmeister noted earlier this week that there will be more hard core football schematic chess match talk on the altcast compared to what might happen on a traditional football broadcast. “I’m really excited to toe that line and weave this in to show how much parallel the game has to the real game itself,” Benkert said. “I think will resonate really well with the younger audience and with people that are used to seeing it in the video game that way.” While the Madden video game is known for the high camera view above the quarterback, that will be used only for replays or to show formations before plays. The traditional sideline camera will be used the most since that better shows route trees and other features most associated with the game. In an added twist, Ochocinco will be able to adjust a player’s rating depending on what happens during the game. The Texans (9-5) have clinched the AFC South while the AFC West champion Chiefs (13-1) are looking to remain the conference’s top seed. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce were two of only six players to begin the season with 99 overall ratings in the Madden game. Houston’s highest-rated players in Madden are offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (95) and running back Joe Mixon (93). Eleven players on the Texans and Chiefs rosters have a Madden rating above 90. The Madden altcast also takes on personal meaning for NBC Sports Executive Producer of NFL Fred Gaudelli, who was Madden’s producer during the final seven years of his broadcast career. Madden joined ABC’s “Monday Night Football” in 2002 before Madden and Gaudelli moved to NBC for the start of “Sunday Night Football” in 2006. “The one thing John held fast is you couldn’t put something in the video game that you couldn’t do in a real game,” Gaudelli said. “I had some memorable times picking his brain about the advent of the video game and what led him to it. He has been foremost in my mind as we’ve all tried to strategize what this should look like on Saturday.” The Associated Press contributed to this articleSamsung loses Qualcomm contract to TSMC for making next-gen Snapdragon chips
An online promotion campaign and nighttime safety plan topped the agenda at the first meeting of Ottawa's new nightlife council, members say. The meeting earlier this month gave newly-appointed nightlife councillors an opportunity to meet and discuss the city's first nightlife action plan , member Eric Vance told CBC's Ottawa Morning on Monday. Vance, who is also a drag performer and co-owner of Glittershaker Events, said it's important for Ottawa to have a central online resource for event promotion. "We hear a lot of the time, that event sounded so great but we really didn't know it was happening," Vance said. "I think the online resource for promotion ... that's a really great way for people to find out about events." Vance is part of the new team of volunteer nightlife councillors assembled by the City of Ottawa and nightlife commissioner Mathieu Grondin in an effort to reverse Ottawa's image as the "city that fun forgot." City of Ottawa nightlife commissioner Mathieu Grondin was hired in June from a role promoting Montreal's nightlife. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press) The nightlife council was greenlit last year as part of a nightlife action plan to develop and promote a "more vibrant, diverse, inclusive, viable, safe, and well-managed nightlife." Vance said in addition to larger organizations such as Ottawa Tourism, members representing "the little guys who make some really great stuff happen" also appeared. 'Spirit of celebration' Rachel Weldon, director of Ottawa arts non-profit Debaser, attended the meeting. Although Weldon acknowledged that some people might be fatigued by family commitments during the holidays, she said nightlife can still thrive. "Everybody's budget is a little bit stretched tighter this time of year, and they have other social events," said she said. "But there is also a spirit of celebration in the air." 'The city fun is about to remember': Meet Ottawa's new nightlife commissioner Ottawa's night mayor is building a nightlife council Like Vance, Weldon often works on smaller scale events that range up to 1,000 people. She hopes by bringing a voice for those events to the nightlife council, she can help artists and cultural workers carve out a better career in nightlife. "We're looking for a better industry for the people who participate in it, who make it run," she said.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams have claimed cornerback Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from Washington. The Rams (6-6) announced the move Monday. They waived undrafted rookie defensive back Charles Woods to make room on the roster. Forbes was the 16th overall draft pick in 2023, but in yet another latest flop for their first-round selections under former coach Ron Rivera. Forbes started 10 games as a rookie, but the Mississippi State product got benched during the season — and his playing time dwindled to almost nothing under new coach Dan Quinn this season. Forbes was considered undersized to be an elite NFL defensive back before Washington used a first-round pick on him, and his play did little to discourage that perception. But the Rams are taking a flier on Forbes to help their mediocre pass defense. Darious Williams, a member of the Rams’ Super Bowl championship team who returned to Los Angeles this season as a free agent, has been their best cover corner, but he struggled in Sunday’s victory over New Orleans. Third-year pro Cobie Durant has started all 12 games this season with one interception. Los Angeles already traded Tre’Davious White, its other major offseason signing at cornerback, after the former Pro Bowler failed to perform. The Rams shipped White to Baltimore for a seventh-round pick swap last month. Woods has played in nine games for the Rams, appearing mostly on special teams. Los Angeles hosts Buffalo on Sunday. ___ AP NFL:The year just past has seen incredible leaps in humanoid robotics , and all signs point to a more exciting 2025. The race among tech titans is intense as they strive to create the pinnacle of these ingenious human-like machines. A standout development, Boston Dynamics has launched its new all-electric Atlas model, retiring the well-known hydraulic counterpart. This innovation is seen as a pivotal step towards the commercialization of humanoid robots. The updated version moves in extraordinary ways, hinting at the future’s possibilities where robots perform tasks beyond human physical limitations. For example, these robots might twist their torsos and legs in different directions for optimal efficiency, showcasing their unique abilities and setting companies apart in the competitive market. Chinese company Unitree catches attention with its affordable, compact humanoid robot, the G1, which is less than three feet tall when folded. Unitree differentiates itself with cost-effective two-legged and four-legged robotic solutions. Meanwhile, 1X’s humanoid, NIO, positions itself as a friendly home assistant, aiming for trust and companionship in domestic settings. A key challenge remains robot autonomy . Companies are exploring ways for robots to independently learn tasks, whether through mimicry or advanced programming. Tesla’s Optimus, although showcased at events, operates autonomously only under controlled conditions. This highlights the contrast between publicly demonstrated skills and behind-the-scenes capabilities. As we step into 2025, expect to see more industry alliances, like Boston Dynamics’ partnership with Toyota Research Institute. These collaborations could lead to the next breakthrough in humanoid robotics, blending self-driving car technologies with robotic innovation. The future is bright for humanoid robots! Breakthroughs in Humanoid Robotics: What to Expect by 2025 The field of humanoid robotics is on the brink of transformative advancements, with recent developments pointing to significant innovations by 2025. As technology giants race to lead the market, developments such as Boston Dynamics’ launch of its all-electric Atlas model mark a pivotal shift towards the commercial availability of humanoid robots. Electric-powered humanoids like Atlas now exhibit movements once considered impossible, suggesting a future where robots can perform tasks beyond human physical capabilities. These advanced robots can rotate their torsos and limbs independently, maximizing efficiency and showcasing distinct capabilities that empower companies to stand out in this competitive field. Unitree, a notable Chinese firm, has garnered attention with its affordable and compact humanoid robot, the G1. Its economical two-legged and four-legged options position Unitree as a leader in cost-effective robotic solutions. Meanwhile, 1X’s humanoid robot, NIO, is designed as a domestic assistant, embodying trust and companionship necessary for home environments. While the progress is impressive, robot autonomy remains a major hurdle. The quest for robotic independence involves enabling robots to learn tasks autonomously, whether this is through imitation or sophisticated programming techniques. Tesla’s Optimus, for instance, operates autonomously only in controlled environments, underscoring the disparity between public demonstrations and functional reality. Expect to see burgeoning partnerships in the industry that could accelerate technological breakthroughs. For example, collaborations like that of Boston Dynamics with the Toyota Research Institute are promising. These partnerships may integrate self-driving car technology with robotic advancements, potentially creating a new epoch in humanoid robotics. As we journey into 2025, the humanoid robotics sector is set for exciting evolution, continuously redefining possibilities and expectations for robotics in everyday life. Stay tuned to see how these innovations will shape our future. For more information on leading advancements in robotics, visit Boston Dynamics and Tesla .
Widening loan defaults and foreclosures haunted Bay Area properties in 2024, but a late-year flurry of significant tech industry leases offered hope for the battered South Bay office sector. Throughout the year, sky-high vacancy levels jolted Bay Area buildings, a dearth of business travelers posed problems for hotels and expensive financing afflicted the suddenly shaky apartment market. However, as the year closed, impactful office deals by high-profile tech companies may have foreshadowed a rebound in the sputtering sector in 2025. Several big leases — one of them a huge rental agreement that could accommodate thousands of workers — occurred in the South Bay alone. Among the significant rental deals: • Snowflake subleased 773,000 square feet of office space in Menlo Park, enough room for 3,800 workers. • Amazon reached an agreement to occupy 217,000 square feet of space in Mountain View. • Nvidia leased 101,600 square feet of office and research space in North San Jose. • Netgear leased an office building totaling 89,400 square feet in North San Jose. And it wasn’t just leases. A few technology powerhouses also pulled off some of the biggest property purchases in the Bay Area, particularly in the South Bay — transactions that helped to buoy the sinking commercial real estate sector in the nine-county region and portend a back-to-the-office trend for next year. “More and more companies in Silicon Valley will have people working in offices in 2025,” said Chad Leiker, a first vice president with Kidder Mathews, a commercial real estate firm. “If that happens, it will bring us closer to where we were in the old days” before the COVID-19 outbreak. The year began ominously, providing an early glimpse of what became a trend throughout 2024: A big office building was facing foreclosure due to a delinquent loan. Located at 3100 North First St., the site in San Jose fell into a loan default and was eventually seized by its lender through foreclosure before it was sold — a reminder of the boom-bust cycle of Silicon Valley and the battered commercial real estate market. In January, it was valued at $32.1 million. The foreclosure in May slashed its value to $19 million. In September, a biotech firm bought it for $17.5 million. The building’s fate illustrated the general struggles of the office market and was a reminder that despite relentless layoffs, companies continued to scout for purchases that could help them solidify their footprints in Silicon Valley. Here are the biggest property purchases of 2024 in the Bay Area: • Nvidia paid $374.3 million in May for eight buildings in Santa Clara that are near the company’s campus. • Microsoft paid $330 million in September for a Mountain View property it had occupied since 2019. • Fortinet paid $192 million for a Santa Clara tech campus that it bought from Texas Instruments. Despite some successes, dozens of office buildings, apartment complexes and hotels throughout the Bay Area toppled into various stages of loan delinquencies or seizures. Those that escaped foreclosure were bought at prices that were a fraction of their prior worth, unleashing a dramatic reset in property values. The Courtyard Oakland Downtown, a prominent hotel in the urban heart of the East Bay’s largest city, was bought in October for $10.6 million, 76% less than the $43.8 million that the seller paid in 2016. In downtown San Jose, the historic Hotel De Anza was purchased for $11.6 million, or roughly half of its prior value. The owner of the 686-room, 36-story Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SoMa hotel walked away and gave back the keys to the lender. The hotel had been bought in 2018 for $315 million, but the foreclosure showed it was worth no more than $290 million. A plunge in values also created plenty of opportunities to capitalize on countless bargain basement properties. George Mersho, top boss at Shoe Palace, is one such bargain hunter. Mersho-led groups purchased two office complexes in downtown San Jose at a fraction of their prior value. In February, a Mersho-led group paid $34.2 million for a downtown complex that was 77% below the $141.4 million the sellers shelled out in 2019. But despite a slumping real estate market, some high-profile commercial hubs are thriving. Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose continues to land new tenants, including a new Alamo Drafthouse movie theater and numerous merchants that will expand the shopping, restaurant and entertainment center’s collection of luxury stores. Santana Row, a mixed-use destination neighborhood in San Jose, remains a magnet for new restaurants and shops. The One Santana West office building is now more than half full after several firms leased spaces. One of the tenants that headed to One Santana West was a unit of PwC, a global professional services company. PwC exited downtown San Jose to take space at Santana Row, which was deemed to be a blow to the city’s urban core. However, the building at 488 South Almaden Blvd. that lost PwC subsequently landed the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority as its principal tenant. Across the street at a different Santana Row site, Cisco Systems officially moved into an office in November where it will jointly operate with its subsidiary Splunk. Some 3,900 Cisco and Splunk employees will work in the building. Looking toward the future, downtown San Jose is ready to welcome an ambitious and massive effort to produce thousands of homes alongside data centers, with key support from PG&E. Construction is slated to launch in 2025. Global developer Westbank, PG&E and the city of San Jose have allied to speed the development of eco-friendly housing towers whose energy would be powered by surplus heat from the nearby data centers. In another unique downtown project, a former hotel tower was converted this year into a housing high-rise for San Jose State University students. The project helped meet housing needs and improved hotel vacancy levels in the South Bay. Downtown San Jose has also attracted an array of one-of-a-kind merchants. They include Urban Putt, a miniature golf course site; Unofficial Logging, an ax-throwing venue; and Eos & Nyx, a top-notch restaurant and bar. Pete Be Center also is preparing a music, entertainment and live events venue. The state of the Bay Area property market also may have helped to unravel the increasingly shaky real estate empire that China-based Z&L Properties had fashioned in San Jose. Z&L has neglected its properties, creating blighted conditions at three of the downtown sites it owns. After it had proposed several housing towers, it eventually presided over failed development efforts. The only project Z&L has completed, a 600-unit double-tower residential complex, is in default on its loan and could be seized by its lender. Even with commercial real estate struggles, some merchants are taking over spaces that were occupied by failed retailers. In San Jose, Hobby Lobby leased a space vacated by Bed, Bath and Beyond at Almaden Plaza. In the same center, Sports Basement is renting a site occupied by bookseller Barnes and Noble, which is planning to leave. A few miles away at The Plant shopping and restaurant center in San Jose, family-owned Mexican grocery chain Vallarta Supermarkets is opening its first Bay Area store. It will replace a long-shuttered Toys ‘R Us and Babies ‘R Us location. The collapse in valuations affects more than property owners — it is also poised to unleash widespread impacts on public agencies. The nosedive in real estate prices raised the specter that property taxes could erode and diminish the revenue flow to cities, counties, school districts and other government agencies. Still, some green shoots have begun to sprout amid the grim rubble of the commercial real estate landscape. The Plaza at Walnut Creek, a downtown Walnut Creek office complex described as a “trophy” real estate property, was bought for $162 million. The price of $477 a square foot is deemed to be a “top dollar” amount.
Allegheny County Council member proposes tax-hike compromise as deadline approachesMUNICH: A second-half Harry Kane hat-trick took Bayern Munich to a 3-0 home win over Augsburg on Friday, sending them eight clear atop the table ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Bayern, still yet to lose in the league in 2024-25, were dominant throughout but kept at bay by some dogged defending from their Bavarian neighbors. With 61 minutes gone, the ball connected with Augsburg’s Mads Pedersen’s outstretched arm in the box, bringing the England captain to the spot after a VAR review. Kane cooly converted to give Bayern the lead. In stoppage time, Kane went down in the box after contact from Keven Schlotterbeck and Bayern were again awarded a penalty after a VAR review, which the 31-year-old converted. Schlotterbeck was sent from the field after picking up a second yellow for his challenge. Kane then added a third, this time controlling a cross and heading in, his seventh hat-trick since joining Bayern. “We knew it would be difficult to break them down. We knew we had to be patient,” Kane told DAZN. “At halftime that’s what we said, ‘we just have to keep doing what we’re doing’. Thankfully we got the penalty to open the game up and then did well to kill the game off.” The England captain now has 14 goals in 11 league games for Bayern this season, five of which have come from the spot. “I work on them a lot. They’re a big part of the game. They helped us again today. Of course I’ve missed many at training, but that’s the time to miss them,” Kane laughed. Neuer boost Leipzig can cut the gap back to five when they play at struggling Hoffenheim on Saturday, while defending champions Bayer Leverkusen host Heidenheim. The German giants received a boost pre-match, with captain and veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer cleared to start after missing training with a rib issue. Bayern were in control of possession and field position but could not break through. Augsburg offered little in attack but defended stoutly, holding Bayern’s glittering attacking riches at bay. Augsburg goalie Nediljko Labrovic held firm to snuff out first-half chances from Jamal Musiaia and Leon Goretzka. The Bavarian giants, still smarting after going trophyless for the first time in 11 seasons last campaign, eventually broke through with half an hour remaining, breaking Augsburg’s resolve. Riding high in the league, Bayern have struggled in the Champions League format, sitting 17th after four games — six behind leaders Liverpool. Tuesday’s home match with PSG, who are even further down the Champions League table, could be crucial for the German side in their top-eight bid to avoid the extra playoff round. Kane backed his team to get through a tough phase, which includes a trip to Borussia Dortmund and a home German Cup clash with holders Bayer Leverkusen. “Big week ahead of us but the team is feeling good, we just have to keep going with this momentum,” added Kane. — AFPSupreme Court doesn't seem convinced FDA was unfair in blocking flavored vapes as teen use increased