https://www.dailywire.com/news/as-prices-surge-bitcoin-now-reportedly-consumes-more-electricity-than-argentina-netherlands-and-uae

According to researchers at Cambridge University, in terms of annual energy consumption, Bitcoin now consumes more power than Argentina, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates, at 121.36 TWh.

The Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index, a tool developed by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance under the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School, provides a real-time update on Bitcoin’s network power. Their annualized chart shows a sudden rise from an estimated annual consumption of 56.48 TWh in late October to almost double that at 112.23 TWH in mid-January.

This surge in electricity consumption aligns with the meteoric rise of Bitcoin’s price, which has increased from $13,748 on November 1 to $46,517.40 on February 9. While much focus has been given to its price, experts are reportedly becoming increasingly alarmed by the “sheer level of energy required by so-called miners, which release new coins into circulation.”

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2021/02/10/adam-kinzinger-threatens-to-target-matt-gaetz-with-decepticon-superpac-gaetz-says-fing-bring-it/

Knowing that President Trump holds 85% support from the republican base; and knowing that President Trump received more votes than any other president in history; the response from Matt Gaetz is exactly correct: “fucking bring it.”

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-02/11/c_139737118.htm

NEW YORK, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) – A number of landmarks in New York City have been lit up in celebration of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Ox.

The Empire State Building on Wednesday held a virtual lighting ceremony, which allowed viewers around the world to witness the "flip of the switch" that turned the building's famous tower red.

The top of the iconic building is set to shine in red from sunset on Wednesday to 2 a.m. Thursday.

"We are proud that this lighting continues to celebrate not only the Lunar New Year, but also the ongoing partnership between the Empire State Building, the Chinese people, people with Chinese descent all around the world to celebrate this significant holiday," Anthony Malkin, CEO of the Empire State Realty Trust, said at the ceremony.

"May the Year of the Ox bring us more opportunities to expand our partnership and cooperation," Chinese Consul General in New York Huang Ping, said at the virtual event, adding he expects the Empire State Building, "a splendid must see in New York," will draw lots of Chinese visitors after the pandemic.

Deep pockets fixing to buy up New York

https://therealdeal.com/2020/06/16/tony-malkin-is-shaking-things-up-at-empire-state-realty-trust/

The owner of the Empire State Building is overhauling the company’s operations.

Tony Malkin, whose Empire State Realty Trust owns the iconic skyscraper, is taking over as president of the real estate investment trust, according to a notice filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Tuesday.

On the company’s earnings call in April, Malkin said ESRT is planning to hire someone from the private equity world to serve as the company’s investment chief. It signaled a significant change for Malkin’s company, which rarely — if ever — buys or sells properties.

But Malkin said he felt the coronavirus has created opportunities for purchases.

“We view this as really a 12-month to 36-month opportunity set,” he said. “And I’ve always said — we’ve always said — we’d come to a fork and then we’ll take it. We think this is a fork in the road. And therefore it’s time for us to move to this different footing.”

Kessler joined Empire State Realty Trust as president in 2015. Prior to that, he had spent three years as a managing director at Fortress Investment Group, according to his LinkedIn profile.