Call it a brew-haha over whether this upscale coffee joint is a restaurant, or an eating and drinking establishment. Either way, residents of a luxury building in a trendy part of Manhattan don’t want it anywhere near their pricey homes. A dispute about that fine distinction is percolating at Ralph’s Coffee in Flatiron, which is planning to move to 140 Fifth Ave. at 19th Street from its current location just two blocks north. Ralph’s the coffee arm of brand behemoth Ralph Lauren is on the verge of signing the lease. But the lease prohibits a restaurant, and the residents living in the lofts above, which sell for millions of dollars, are suing to keep Ralph’s out. They are concerned about noise, trash and vermin, which plagued them in years past when a rowdy Russian restaurant occupied the ground-floor space. “A restaurant is defined in Merriam Webster as a business establishment where meals or refreshments may be purchased,” according to the complaint filed late last month in Manhattan Supreme Court by the residents’ lawyer, Allison Furman. But it’s not a restaurant, insists Brian W. Shaw, the lawyer for Ascot Properties NYC, which owns the retail space that Ralph’s is eyeing. Ralph’s is allowed because it’s an eating and drinking establishment, he wrote in court papers. An eating and drinking establishment is, as mentioned in a 2015 application form for such establishments, part of which Shaw included as a court exhibit, “any commercial use within which food or beverages are offered for purchase, and/or are available to, or are consumed by customers or patrons.” That broad category includes not just restaurants, but also bars and coffee shops, “which are all very distinct types of establishments,” Shaw wrote in court papers. Both lawyers and a representative for Ascot Properties declined to comment. Reps from Ralph Lauren did not return a message. Ralph’s is not a “late night bar or restaurant,” Shaw wrote in court papers. Instead, it is “primarily a high end retail store, which operates between 8: 00 am and 6: 00 pm, selling Ralph Lauren branded merchandise, while also offering customers coffee and pre-prepared food such as pastries, muffins, and yogurt parfaits.” The most recent retail tenant at the bustling location, which is in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District, was Aveda, a hair care store. But before 2015, the tenant was Nasha Rasha, which offered Russian food, 900 kinds of vodka and gypsy performances, according to its defunct Instagram page. That seemingly down-market establishment remained there for less than three years. Above the ground floor, the building holds 19 loft residences that have little turnover. The most recent sale was in mid-2024, when a light-filled two-bedroom dwelling traded hands for $2. 35 million. Renting to a restaurant made for “disastrous results,” according to an affidavit from the co-op board’s president. “Odors from the restaurant seeped into the walls, floors and ceilings of each apartment, as well as the hallways.” What’s more, “the noise from outside . was intolerable, garbage was strewn all around the building and the amount of vermin that the [restaurant] attracted was staggering.” The situation was “totally unbearable” for the people living above. The area’s zoning allows for almost all commercial uses, but “any building is free to impose greater limits than zoning does,” a Department of City Planning spokesperson told The Post. So when the restaurant vacated, a permitted use agreement prohibited certain kinds of tenants, including restaurants and bars. Alcohol is also prohibited, as is live music except for special events. Adding confusion, a juice bar is allowed. And so is food, but under limited circumstances. “Any food served may only be heated in a non vented appliance such as a microwave oven or convection oven,” according to the agreement, which also prohibits odors, music and sounds that would unreasonably disturb others. The agreement makes no mention of coffee or coffee shops. Two blocks north, the current Ralph’s location, with tables and chairs outside, attracts “mobs of people on the sidewalk, loud noise and garbage,” the complaint reads. With sidewalk dining, “the noise from the persons congregating outside of the [restaurant] will be thunderous and undoubtedly exceed the noise requirements set forth in the Permitted Use Agreement,” the lawsuit also states. If Ralph’s arrives, “the odors from coffee and food preparation will permeate the residential units which will render the owners and tenants miserable in their homes,” the lawsuit further says. Plans to renovate the 739-square-foot retail space are currently in “pre-filing status,” according to the Department of Buildings. The renovations would include moving some walls along with installing new finishes, fixtures and a ramp. Ascot bought the retail space in 2016 for $6. 4 million, according to city records. Ralph’s rent would be $20, 000 a month, and the buildout would take eight or nine months. Shaw, the lawyer for the commercial unit, objected to the notion that noise from people congregating outside a coffee shop would be thunderous. “Said allegation is entirely speculative and not supported by common knowledge, let alone evidence,” he wrote in court papers. He suggested that the residents wait and see if problems with noise or odors arise in the future. If so, he wrote, “plaintiff can seek injunctive relief then.”.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/17/real-estate/residents-at-140-fifth-ave-sue-to-keep-out-ralphs-coffee/
Category: general
Top 5 Hottest Crypto Investments of 2025 — Ozak AI’s $4.41M Presale Outpaces Major Altcoins
2025 is one of the most interesting years for cryptocurrencies, as they have seen both bullish and bearish markets. RP (Ripple), Chainlink (LINK), and Avalanche (Avax) are the top five hottest cryptos set to dominate in 2025. Top 5 Cryptos Dominating the 2025 Market With Strong Fundamentals and Real-World Utility Solana (SOL)-Solana is known for its high-speed transactions and very low fees. It now expands across the DeFi and NFTs. Currently the Solana is trading at $154. 30 with a market cap of $85. 30 billion with a total supply of 613. 4 million SOL. After its downfall, the Solona has regained its position and could cross its all-time high by the end of this year. Cardano (ADA) It is a research-driven blockchain built for its scalability and sustainability. It is focused on real-world adoption through innovation and education. Currently ADA is trading at $0. 52 with a massive market cap of $18. 95 billion, with a total supply of 44. 99 billion ADA. With Hydra upgrades, the Cardona will enter its high-priced range. XRP (Ripple) It is designed for global payments and cross-border transactions. XRP is currently trading at $2. 20 with the $133. 30 billion market cap. It is backed by Partnerships with banks and financial institutions. XRP’s regulatory clarity drives the mainstream adoption. Chainlink (LINK)-Chainlink plays a major role in the decentralized data connectivity in the web3 system. It provides trusted oracles that connect smart contracts to real-world data. Currently, Chainlink is trading at $14. 60 with a market cap of $10. 21 billion. As tokenized assets grow, the demand of Chainlink will increase, and this will make the price surge. Avalanche (Avax) It is a highly scalable, low-latency blockchain for enterprises. Its subnet enables custom high-performance blockchain networks. Currently, Avalanche is trading at $16. 32 with a market cap of $6. 97 billion. Avalanche is leading in real-world asset tokenization and has the ability to boom in 2025 and in the upcoming years. Ozak AI Takes the Lead among Top 5 Altcoins Ozak AI is an AI-based early-stage token. Its Core Technology merges AI and blockchain to produce AI predictive tools that can analyze real-time blockchain data. Currently, the token is in its presale phase, priced at $0. 014. More than 1 billion tokens have been sold, and $4. 46 million has been raised as presale funding so far. Investors believe that AI will rule the cryptocurrency market in the upcoming years, and Ozqak AI will dominate among all the AI-based cryptos. At the time of launch, Ozak AI was launched at the price of $0. 001, and now it has a 1, 300% increase from the current launch phase. The token’s target price is $1. Analysts predict that the token will reach its target price by the end of 2026 and will deliver more than 500x after the launch. Innovative Technology and Partnerships Driving Ozak AI’s Expansion The Ozak AI advanced technology and strong features increase the token’s potential and attract investors to invest in it. The primary feature of Ozak AI is the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN). It is made up of three layers, each of which serves a different function. The OSN layer connects to on-chain and off-chain data to provide news and blockchain events. The data layer securely stores all encrypted data. AI later performs AI calculations on a GPU. Another feature is that Ozak Data Vaults are secure storage lockers for Ozak AIb. It stores all financial data in an encrypted format, which is both fast and secure. Collaboration with Echobit, an exchange designed for microsecond-order matching, combined with Ozak AI’s 30-ms market prediction. Partnering with Hive Intel, which is a multichain data API, the Ozak AI predictive tools can now analyze the on-chain behavior deeper, which includes NFT, Defi events. Conclusion The top altcoins have the potential to grow, but Ozak AI is in its early stages and has the potential to deliver the highest ROI. These altcoins have already established themselves in the market and have a massive market cap; however, Ozak AI has a strong technology background, strategic partnerships, a very small cap, and a low presale price that makes the early-stage investors wait; if the token launches at a price of $1, they can gain more than these altcoins. For more information about Ozak AI, visit the links below: Website: Twitter/X: Telegram: Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article and is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Crypto Daily, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/crypto/top-5-hottest-crypto-investments-of-2025-ozak-ais-4-41m-presale-outpaces-major-altcoins/
Predator: Badlands Director on Navigating Two Franchise Timelines
The director of Predator: Badlands opens up about how he wanted to place the film at the furthest point of the Alien and Predator franchises. Predator: Badlands is turning out to be exactly the kind of win the franchise needed to prove itself with modern audiences. During its opening weekend, the new sci-fi action film opened at number one and pulled in about $80 million worldwide, including $40 million domestic, which happens to be a record opening for a Predator movie. And early legs look pretty reliable too, with a worldwide total around $82. 8 million so far on a 105 million budget, an A- on CinemaScore, and a fairly strong Rotten Tomatoes score that has critics calling it one of the freshest entries since the original. Part of the buzz comes from where it sits in the larger Alien and Predator universe. Director Dan Trachtenberg has been clear that Predator: Badlands pushes things further ahead than anything we have seen before. And, when speaking about the timeline, he explained that the movie is set at the furthest point in the future for both franchises and talked about navigating around other recent projects. Predator: Badlands Director on Timeline He tells Variety, “Very intentionally, it is the furthest into the future in both Predator and Alien. When we were making it, I wasn’t really sure what was going on with Alien: Romulus, and I don’t even know how aware I even was of Alien: Earth. So I just didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I wanted to make sure we were doing our own thing, and selfishly, I’d also done so much Predator in different time periods that I was excited for this to be in the future, even past Alien: Resurrection.” Story-wise, Predator: Badlands takes place centuries from now on the hostile planet Genna. It follows Dek, a young Yautja who is exiled from his clan as a runt and given one last chance to prove himself by hunting the legendary apex creature known as the Kalisk. After crash landing, he teams up with Thia, a damaged Weyland Yutani synthetic who is stranded after her own mission goes sideways, and a small native creature nicknamed Bud. Together they face Genna’s brutal wildlife, a rival Predator clan, and a Weyland Yutani team that wants to weaponize the Kalisk. Dimitrius Schuster Koloamatangi plays Dek and also voices some of the other Predators. Elle Fanning plays Thia along with her more ruthless synthetic sister Tessa. The supporting roles are mostly other creatures and androids, which reinforces the hook that there are no human characters this time. That choice also lets the film lean harder into Predator culture and Weyland Yutani lore, including nods that connect it spiritually to the Alien side without turning it into a full crossover. Predator: Badlands hit theaters in the United States on November 7, including IMAX and RealD 3D runs. And with the film positioned as the furthest step forward in both timelines (and already performing well), it feels like it’s only a matter of time before they cross paths yet again.
https://bleedingcool.com/movies/predator-badlands-director-on-navigating-two-franchise-timelines/
Inflation and Affordability Are Still Everything
Hello and welcome to the newsletter, a grab bag of daily content from the Odd Lots universe. Sometimes it’s us, Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway, bringing you our thoughts on the most recent developments in markets, finance and the economy. And sometimes it’s contributions from our network of expert guests and sources. Whatever it is, we promise it will always be interesting.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-11-17/inflation-and-affordability-are-still-everything
Lubbock Will Remove Buddy Holly-Themed Crosswalk After Federal Crackdown
A Trump administration directive targeting political road markings has left places like Lubbock, Texas, helpless to challenge broad new policies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/us/buddy-holly-crosswalk-texas.html
Revolutionary Cryptocurrency Banking Breakthrough As LevelField Acquires Burling Bank
Imagine walking into your local bank and seamlessly accessing both traditional financial services and cryptocurrency investments. This vision is becoming reality as LevelField secures regulatory approval to acquire Burling Bank, marking a significant milestone in cryptocurrency banking evolution. What Does This Cryptocurrency Banking Acquisition Mean? The groundbreaking deal represents one of the first major moves to integrate cryptocurrency services directly into an FDIC-insured banking institution. LevelField’s planned transformation of Burling Bank could set new standards for cryptocurrency banking accessibility and security. According to Bloomberg reports, the acquisition has cleared crucial regulatory hurdles and now only requires final approval from the U. S. Federal Reserve. This development signals growing regulatory acceptance of cryptocurrency banking models. Why Is This Cryptocurrency Banking Move Important? The integration of cryptocurrency services into traditional banking addresses several critical challenges facing digital asset investors: Enhanced Security: FDIC insurance provides protection for customer deposits Regulatory Compliance: Built-in adherence to banking regulations Mainstream Accessibility: Familiar banking interfaces for cryptocurrency services Integrated Financial Management: Combined traditional and digital asset accounts This cryptocurrency banking initiative could bridge the gap between conventional finance and digital assets, making cryptocurrency services available to millions of bank customers who might otherwise hesitate to enter the digital asset space. How Will Cryptocurrency Banking Services Work? The transformed Burling Bank will operate as a full-service institution offering both traditional banking and cryptocurrency services. Customers can expect: Cryptocurrency buying and selling through banking platforms Secure digital asset storage solutions Integrated account management Regulatory-compliant transaction monitoring This cryptocurrency banking model represents a significant step toward legitimizing digital assets within the traditional financial system. Moreover, it provides a regulated pathway for institutional and retail investors to participate in cryptocurrency markets. What Challenges Remain for Cryptocurrency Banking? Despite the progress, several hurdles remain for widespread cryptocurrency banking adoption: Final Federal Reserve approval requirements Technical integration complexities Regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions Customer education and adoption rates However, the LevelField-Burling Bank deal demonstrates that cryptocurrency banking is moving from theoretical concept to practical reality. The successful implementation could inspire similar initiatives across the financial sector. The Future of Cryptocurrency Banking This acquisition signals a transformative moment for cryptocurrency banking infrastructure. As traditional financial institutions recognize the demand for digital asset services, we can expect more banks to explore similar cryptocurrency banking integrations. The LevelField model could become the blueprint for future cryptocurrency banking services, combining the security of FDIC insurance with the innovation of digital asset management. This approach addresses consumer concerns about security while providing access to emerging financial technologies. Conclusion: A New Era for Cryptocurrency Banking The LevelField acquisition of Burling Bank represents more than just a business transaction-it symbolizes the maturation of cryptocurrency banking. By bringing digital assets under the regulatory umbrella of traditional banking, this move could accelerate mainstream adoption while maintaining necessary consumer protections. As the financial landscape evolves, cryptocurrency banking services like those planned by LevelField may become standard offerings at banks nationwide. This development marks a crucial step toward integrating digital assets into everyday financial life. Frequently Asked Questions What is cryptocurrency banking? Cryptocurrency banking refers to traditional financial institutions that integrate digital asset services alongside conventional banking products, allowing customers to manage both fiat currency and cryptocurrencies through unified platforms. When will LevelField complete the Burling Bank acquisition? The deal currently awaits final approval from the U. S. Federal Reserve. While no specific timeline has been announced, regulatory processes typically take several months to complete. Will cryptocurrency services be available to all Burling Bank customers? While specific rollout plans haven’t been detailed, LevelField intends to transform Burling Bank into a full-service institution offering cryptocurrency banking services to interested customers. Are cryptocurrency deposits FDIC insured? Traditional deposit accounts remain FDIC insured, but cryptocurrency assets typically fall outside FDIC coverage. However, the banking infrastructure provides additional security measures for digital asset storage. How does this affect existing Burling Bank customers? Existing customers will maintain their current services while gaining access to new cryptocurrency banking options as they become available following the acquisition completion. Will other banks follow this cryptocurrency banking model? The success of LevelField’s cryptocurrency banking initiative could inspire similar moves across the industry as financial institutions seek to meet growing customer demand for digital asset services. Found this insight into cryptocurrency banking evolution valuable? with colleagues and friends interested in the future of finance and digital assets. Help spread awareness about how cryptocurrency banking is transforming our financial landscape. To learn more about the latest cryptocurrency banking trends, explore our article on key developments shaping cryptocurrency institutional adoption.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/revolutionary-cryptocurrency-banking-breakthrough-as-levelfield-acquires-burling-bank/
Decentralized Infrastructure Network Launches on EigenLayer, Enhancing Web3 Security
The Decentralized Infrastructure Network (DIN), a Consensys-backed initiative, has launched its Autonomous Verifiable Service (AVS) on the EigenLayer mainnet. This marks a significant development in decentralized infrastructure, as DIN becomes the first large-scale RPC marketplace to utilize EigenLayer’s restaking and slashing mechanisms. By doing so, it aims to tackle one of web3’s critical vulnerabilities: the centralization of infrastructure. The Challenge of Centralized Infrastructure Despite the decentralization ethos of web3, a significant portion of RPC traffic is handled by a few centralized providers. This creates systemic risks, as any downtime in major providers can impact wallets, dApps, and DeFi protocols, affecting millions of users. EigenLayer’s Role in Decentralization EigenLayer’s AVS model is crucial to DIN’s operations, providing the cryptoeconomic foundation needed for decentralized RPC at scale. Through ETH and stETH restaking, node operators serving RPC requests have real economic stakes in infrastructure reliability. This model transforms RPC services from trust-based to cryptoeconomically secured systems. The system operates through three key mechanisms: Economic Security Through Restaking: Node operators are backed by restaked ETH, turning infrastructure provision into a service with tangible economic guarantees. Performance Verification Through Watchers: Independent watcher nodes monitor RPC provider performance, ensuring accountability for service quality. Accountability Through Slashing: EigenLayer’s slashing mechanism enforces high reliability among node providers by imposing economic penalties for non-compliance with service agreements. Proven Scale and Integration DIN is already operational at scale, integrated into platforms like MetaMask and Infura, and handling over 13 billion requests monthly across more than 30 networks, including Ethereum L1 and several Layer 2s. The network’s incentivized testnet has shown impressive metrics, such as a >99% success rate for RPC operations and median latency under 250ms. Implications for Ethereum and Web3 DIN AVS is a crucial demonstration of EigenLayer’s potential to extend Ethereum’s security to web3 infrastructure. By implementing restaking and slashing in RPC operations, DIN provides developers with cryptoeconomic guarantees, fulfilling web3’s promise of end-to-end verifiability without relying on trusted infrastructure. For more details, visit the EigenCloud blog. Image source: Shutterstock.
https://Blockchain.News/news/decentralized-infrastructure-network-launches-on-eigenlayer-enhancing-web3-security
Larsen Marine Welcomes Manitowoc Marina as Newest Boat Dealership Partner
Larsen Marine is proud to welcome Manitowoc Marina as our newest boat dealership partner and tenant. WAUKEGAN, Ill., Nov. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb Larsen Marine is proud to welcome Manitowoc Marina as our newest boat dealership partner and tenant. Manitowoc Marina brings decades of experience, a strong reputation for customer care, and a commitment to quality yacht sales and service. Through this partnership, boaters in the greater Chicago and Lake Michigan area can now access Manitowoc Marina’s full lineup of Jeanneau boats along with expert sales and support. With full-service marinas in Manitowoc and Marinette, Wisconsin, Manitowoc Marina continues to expand its reach throughout the Great Lakes. This new sales location will operate from within Larsen Marine in Waukegan, Illinois. “We are excited to welcome Manitowoc Marina to Larsen Marine,” said Ryan Skiles, of TopSide Marinas. “They share our passion for boating and dedication to customer service. This partnership will give our customers even more access to top-quality Jeanneau models and expert guidance right here at our marina. Partnering with Larsen Marine gives us an incredible opportunity to better serve our Chicago-area boaters. With a convenient new location and the strength of two trusted marinas working together, our customers will enjoy even more support as they explore life on the water,” said Brad Eckhardt, Head of Sales at Manitowoc Marina Manitowoc Marina will represent Jeanneau from the new Waukegan location, with the Jeanneau 415 and Jeanneau 350 arriving in 2026. Jeanneau sailboats have long been associated with Larsen Marine, and this partnership now strengthens that relationship by adding Manitowoc Marina’s expertise and the complete Jeanneau power and sail lineup For more information about Manitowoc Marina and their offerings, visit www. manitowoc-marina. com. About Larsen Marine Founded in 1933, Larsen Marine is a full-service marina located in Waukegan, Illinois, providing storage, repairs, and sales for over 800 boats. With direct access to Lake Michigan and a legacy of exceptional service, Larsen Marine remains a trusted name among boaters throughout the region. About Manitowoc Marina Manitowoc Marina is a premier full-service marina and yacht sales organization based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. With additional locations including Nestegg Marine in Marinette and Manitowoc Marina Yacht Sales of Chicago, the company proudly represents Axopar, BRABUS Marine, G-Force, Jeanneau, Rossiter, Tartan, and X-Yachts across the Great Lakes. Media Contact Jenny LoBello, TopSide Marinas, 1 9729715988, [email protected], SOURCE Manitowoc Marina.
https://www.prweb.com/releases/larsen-marine-welcomes-manitowoc-marina-as-newest-boat-dealership-partner-302616607.html
Apple hit with massive fine over Apple Watch dispute
Apple has suffered a major defeat in its long-term legal dispute with the medtech firm Masimo and has been ordered to pay $634 million in damages. As the Daily Journal reports, a federal jury agreed that the latter company’s pulse-oximetry patent was infringed by a feature in some Apple Watches. Apple had argued that damages should be in the $3m to $6m range, whereas Masimo had asked for between $634M and $749M. As part of the verdict, jurors decided that certain Apple Watch models can legally be classed as “patient monitors,” a question which was crucial to the patent-infringement claims. Apple had argued that its smartwatches don’t meet that definition because they don’t provide continuous monitoring, but Masimo argued that the Cupertino company embraced this definition in practice, if not in its marketing verbiage. The dispute has been running for years. Back in 2020, Masimo complained of employee poaching and patent infringement in the Apple Watch Series 4 and 5, which was later expanded to include the Series 6, and eventually the 7, 8, 9, and Ultra models. Last year, the U. S. International Trade Commission blocked sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2, and Apple was obliged to software-block their blood-oxygen sensors. The feature was eventually restored in August of this year, but in a modified and arguably less useful form. Apple has issued a statement indicating that it intends to appeal the verdict. “We disagree with today’s decision, which we believe is contrary to the facts,” the statement reads. “Masimo is a medical device company that does not sell any products to consumers. Over the past six years, they have sued Apple in multiple courts and asserted over 25 patents, the majority of which have been found to be invalid. The single patent in this case expired in 2022, and is specific to historic patient monitoring technology from decades ago.”.
https://www.macworld.com/article/2974611/apple-hit-with-massive-fine-over-apple-watch-dispute.html
ONE 173 post-fight breakdown: Nabil Anane dominates at featherweight, spoils Hiromi Wajima’s ONE debut
Undisputed ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane of Thailand once claimed he would bravely conquer multiple weight classes across two disciplines.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-one-173-post-fight-breakdown-nabil-anane-dominates-featherweight-spoils-hiromi-wajima-s-one-debut