Latest news with #Paraguay
The Review Geek
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Review Geek
Mountainhead (2025) Movie Review – Lacks novelty but entertains nonetheless
Lacks novelty but entertains nonetheless Two years after Succession, Jesse Armstrong brings us his feature film debut, Mountainhead. We follow a poker night between three billionaires and one multi-millionaire tech bros and their insufferably absurd minds. As a result, you might stumble upon a gold mine of dialogue like: 'Running a country like Paraguay is easier than breaking into a mature consumer sector' (they are talking about coffee shops, by the way). As their interests in the meeting come to the surface, so does their paranoia, and things start to get dangerous. The cast is incredible, and all of them are believable as these ridiculous satires. Steve Carell (Randall), Jason Schwartzman (Soup), Cory Michael Smith (Venis), and Ramy Youssef (Jeff) prove once again they're the right picks for any comedy movie. Adding to this, it delves not only into a credible problem but one we're already fighting to some degree. An unmonitored and deeply problematic AI is being used to create distrust, controversy, and even armed conflicts. Obviously Venis, its creator, doesn't listen to reason for a second and only thinks about increasing his net worth. Armstrong has the characters in the palm of his hand, fully understanding what goes through their heads. Venus is the best example of that. While talking with Randall, he asks his friend if he believes in people, displaying vulnerability that neither seems to see. This nuance only gets more interesting when we see that his AI is the start of a plan to transcend humanity and rely more on technology. His fears are in plain sight, but they're too superficial to realize. Every character gets moments like this, and we comprehend Soup is a suck-up and the punching bag of the group way before he admits his insecurities. Still, even with incredible stars and good nuances, Mountainhead has a jarring problem. It's lacking a sense of novelty or excitement. This satirical 'Eat the Rich' genre has been especially popular recently, with big names like Saltburn, Ready or Not, Triangle of Sadness, and Knives Out to name but a few. With that, the billionaire/tech bro archetype only feels stale. We've seen the same traits repeated there several times, and, in almost two hours, Armstrong unfortunately can't bring anything new to the table. Although he tries with the AI situation and the slapstick humor, it's a 'small fish in a big pond' problem. A big pond that — for better or for worse — he helped create with Succession. Even its absurdness seems grounded at times. During the second half of the feature, we see a fun twist when three of the characters decide they must kill their other friend. It's funny seeing they fail at that in the dumbest ways possible. However, the viewer can't shake the feeling that the script is confining the story's potential. It's as if the movie is always one more twist or genius idea away from becoming great. Even in its final moments, it feels like Armstrong tries to do that. But he never can, and the screen fades to black. Even though there's nothing groundbreaking about it, Mountainhead is still a good time. When some of the jokes land, they're hilarious. And the character's chemistry never feels off, only when intended. If you're a fan of the genre, it'll likely be a fun watch.
Irish Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Manchester United confirm agreement to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Wolves to sign Matheus Cunha after agreeing to pay the Brazil forward's £62.5 million (€74.2 million) release clause. Cunha has been in Manchester over the weekend to put the finishing touches to his move to Old Trafford, which is subject to visa and registration being completed. He has agreed a five-year contract with an option for an additional year. United confirmed the signing on their website on Sunday, saying: 'Manchester United has reached agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the signing of Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian forward's signing is subject to visa and registration. Everyone at Manchester United looks forward to welcoming Matheus to Old Trafford.' The transfer will be completed when Cunha returns from international duty. The 26-year-old has been included in Carlo Ancelotti's first Seleção squad, for the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay. READ MORE Cunha, who has won 13 senior caps for Brazil, scored 17 goals in all competitions for Wolves this past season. He was a key target for United as their head coach, Ruben Amorim looks to reshape the team on the back of the club's worst season in 51 years despite a limited summer budget thought to be around £100 million. Speaking during the club's postseason tour in Malaysia on Tuesday, Amorim said: 'Omar [Berrada, chief executive] can explain better than me, but I think we always prepared two [spending] plans – one with Champions League, one without. Without Champions League, we also don't need a big squad. We can control the squad in a better way.' 'Wwe have a plan that is to bring some new players, of course, but our big plan is to improve the team that we have, it's to improve our academy because I think that is the future. It was the past, so it can be the future. We are not allowed to do much in this summer, so we are prepared for that.' – Guardian
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Manchester United confirm agreement to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves
Matheus Cunha will be Ruben Amorim's first summer signing after a deal was agreed with the player and Wolves. Matheus Cunha will be Ruben Amorim's first summer signing after a deal was agreed with the player and Wolves. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Manchester United have reached an agreement with Wolves to sign Matheus Cunha after paying the Brazil forward's £62.5m (€74.1m) release clause. Cunha has been in Manchester over the weekend to put the finishing touches to his move to Old Trafford, which is subject to visa and registration being completed. He has agreed a five-year contract with an option for an additional year. Advertisement Related: Men's transfer window summer 2025: all deals from Europe's top five leagues United confirmed the signing on their official website on Sunday, saying: 'Everyone at Manchester United looks forward to welcoming Matheus to Old Trafford.' The transfer will be officially completed when Cunha returns from international duty. The 26-year-old, who has won 13 senior caps for Brazil, scored 17 goals in all competitions for Wolves last season. Cunha has been included in Carlo Ancelotti's first Seleção squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Stablecoin Giant Tether To Invest Billions In Bitcoin Mining
Bitcoin mining on computer screen. Digital crypto currency, cyber money and digital banking concept ... More 3d illustration with glitch effect. Tether will invest billions of dollars in bitcoin mining over the next few years after chief executive Paolo Ardoino told the 'Bitcoin 2025' conference the company intends to surpass every operator by hashrate. On the Las Vegas main stage Thursday, Ardoino remarked that Tether will soon become the "largest bitcoin miner in the world." He went on to explain that profits from the $120 billion USDT reserve will continue to be reinvested 'heavily' into bitcoin. The company currently holds over 100,000 BTC on its balance sheet, acquired using profits not its stablecoin reserves. Back in 2023 Tether committed an initial $500 million build-out across Uruguay, Paraguay and El Salvador, a program that includes new substations and minority stakes in established farms. The round was the first tranche of a 'multi-billion' reinvestment pipeline, which has since continued. Engineering plans target 450 megawatts of installed capacity by the fourth quarter of 2025, enough to push the firm toward one percent of global hashrate. The war chest behind the strategy is substantial as public filings show bitcoin worth roughly $10.5 billion at current prices, and the issuer has pledged to continue to direct up to 15 percent of net realized operating profit toward additional coin purchases and hardware. Locating farms beside hydro in Paraguay, wind in Uruguay and geothermal in El Salvador allows Tether to pitch renewable generation to regulators tracking MiCA-style sustainability metrics while reducing power-purchase risk. The firm has also diversified through investments in other bitcoin mining companies such as its $100 million investment into Bitdeer. Internal projections put Tether's goal above its main competitors such as Marathon Digital's reported 25 EH/s and Riot Platforms' 21 EH/s, shifting the competitive map for public miners that rely on capital markets rather than cash reserves. Ardoino appears confident in this vision, he told the Vegas bitcoin crowd that 'by the end of this year, we may become the largest Bitcoin mining company in the world - surpassing all listed companies.' He confirmed Tether's rationale for bitcoin mining is routed in its desire to participate actively in the network. The stablecoin issuer, 'born from Bitcoin,' believes the top digital asset is 'perfect' and that gold is now the 'primitive bitcoin.' Ardoino opined, bitcoin is not 'digital gold' because gold 'does not compete with bitcoin, it competes with fiat currency.' Still, execution questions remain within Tether's strategy as ASIC supply is tight and power-purchase agreements in Latin America can be politically fragile. However, auditors won't have to consider depreciating miners sitting alongside U.S. Treasuries in the reserve mix as Tether does not use bitcoin to protect the USDT peg, it invests stablecoin profits into bitcoin.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
You Can Go On An African-esque Safari Looking For Jaguars In This Remote Region Of Brazil
Sunset on safari in Brazil's Pantanal. The safari vehicle pushes through the bushes on a barely visible four-wheel drive road, the vegetation shooting up over the top of the vehicle on either side. Last summer, a series of fires broke out in this area—more than 700 individual fires in the month of June alone—burning thousands of acres and killing untold animals. Looking at the dense terrain, I find it amazing that, in just about six months, the forest had recovered so significantly; a first-time visitor like myself might even be tempted to say it had recovered completely. The only remaining signs of the fires are the burnt trunks of certain trees, but they are usually blocked from sight by the new-growth vegetation, which has already reached overhead heights. A jaguar and her cub hide in the bush in Brazil's Pantanal. Can you spot them in the photo? This area is known as the Pantanal, and it is considered to be one of the largest wetland regions in the world. It's mostly located in Brazil, where I am now, with small segments belonging to Paraguay and Bolivia. It was traditionally a cattle ranching region and still mostly is today. However, the Pantanal is also a growing eco-tourism region, with several ranches offering African-esque safari experiences. The main prize? Wild jaguars. When the vehicle comes to a halt, we are fully under the canopy of trees. The guide begins pointing to something in the bush, right at the base of the tree trunk. It's not until I pull out my binoculars that I can see the female jaguar sprawled out—and her cub just beside her. Moments like these, and others—the Pantanal is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including its own 'Big 5'—are beginning to put this place on the world tourism map. But none of it would be possible if a big cultural shift hadn't taken place. Not too long ago, here in the remote interior of Brazil, jaguars were a different kind of prize. Jaguars and ranchers have traditionally clashed due to the former's impact on cattle ranching. Now, safari experiences in the Pantanal are putting a new spin on the relationship. As the sun moved directly overhead and the day grew hot, we huddled up under some trees for shade. My guide, Louisa, pulls a thermos from her pack and begins pouring water into a tall, cylindrical cup filled with erva-mate leaves, or mate. She lets it steep briefly, places a metal straw with a filter inside, and passes the cup. 'The first [cup] is always the strongest,' she said. In other parts of South America, like Aregentina, mate is drunk as a hot tea. But here in the Pantanal, where the temperature is often close to or above 100, it's much better as a cold refreshment. Referred to locally as tereré, Louisa explains how what we're doing is a social event of sorts here in the Pantanal, where multiple people share a thermos of cold water, relaxing in the shade on a hot day, taking turns with the cup, the tea getting progressively weaker with each refill. When it's my turn, I sip it down. It's a small amount, maybe a few ounces, enough to wet your whistle. It's cold and refreshing, and for a few moments, the heat of the day subsides, and we all feel refreshed. As we share the mate, other guides join in on the circle. One of them begins telling this really sad story, about how when he was younger, he was hired to kill the jaguars. Amongst he and other hunters, knowing the number of jaguars you had killed was a point of pride, and competition. Then, one day, something changed. After killing a jaguar, he bent down to collect the body, and in that moment, touching the pelt, he saw for the first time—for whatever reason—how beautiful the animal was, and how tragic its death. He was overcome with regret and decided to change his ways. Flash forward a decade or two and he is now a wildlife guide, drinking mate with us under the trees. Luiza tells us later that this story is common here in the Pantanal. Not too long ago, jaguars were enemy number one in this area. It all sounds similar to the battle between ranchers and wolves in North America. The ranchers don't like the jaguars because they sometimes kill the cattle. But this age-old battle has taken a turn, thanks in part—or maybe in full—to tourism. The financial potential of visitors coming to see the jaguars gives ranch owners a reason to let them live. Today, there is a whole generation of wildlife advocates, including ranch owners and safari guides, who are working to protect the jaguars. The Caiman Lodge in Brazil's Pantanal offers an African-like safari experience. Thus far, the way tourism is designed in the Pantanal is very similar to what you find on a classic African safari. Remote lodging in natural areas, daily game drives, and a sense that you're completely away from it all. Caiman Ranch Owner Roberto Klabin said that tourism in the Pantanal has been inspired by what has happened in Africa, citing the benefits of wildlife tourism, including reduced poaching and future economic interest in maintaining a healthy, thriving animal population. While many game drives in Africa take place on public land (such as within the national parks), most tourism in the Pantanal is happening on private land. And most of them are still ranching and raising cattle simualtaneously—they've just added in the tourism component. Brazil's Pantanal is one of the largest wetland regions in the world and home to a variety of wildlife, big and small. Klabin's Caiman Lodge, for example, is still raising thousands of heads of cattle per year. Right now, ranching still pays the bills, but there's hope that will change as the region grows, and then the footprint of cattle ranching can be reduced, he said. The daily rhythms of the day and the experiences are set up the same way as in Africa, although that's due more to animal behavior than far-away admiration. The morning game drive takes place during sunrise, and the afternoon game drive during sunset, the times of day when the animals are most active. In between, one hangs at the lodge during the heat of the day, enjoying whatever amenities there may be. At Casa Caiman, those options include a pool, gym, scenic sitting areas, and, of course, food and drink. PANTANAL, BRAZIL - 2024/09/24: A Red-and-green macaw or green-winged macaw is flying at the Buraco das Araras (Macaws Sinkhole), near Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images) Like Africa, the Pantanal has created its own 'Big 5'—that is, a (subjective) list of the five flagship animals that one can see in the area: The jaguar, the giant anteater, the marsh deer, the tapir, and the world's largest rodent, the capybara. But interesting wildlife goes beyond the Big 5. Two of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen—the toucan and the red and green macaw—call the Pantanal home, as do the many caimans, foxes, and rheas that you'll see on game drives. Because this biome is special (one of the world's largest wetlands) and in this point of transition, there are many animal organizations doing research in the Pantanal, and some offer tourism opportunities. For example, Caiman Lodge partners with multiple organizations: Onçafari (jaguars), the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, the Tamanduá Institute (giant anteaters), the Tapirapé Project (tapirs), and more. Each organization offers guests a chance for a ride-along to learn more about their conservation work as part of the ecotourism experience. Located in the deep interior of Brazil, the Pantanal takes several days to reach from North America. The Pantanal is extremely remote, and accessing it is half the battle and quite the journey. From the United States, one must first fly to Sao Paolo, Brazil, and then catch a domestic flight to Campo Grande. From there, it will depend on exactly where you are going, but it's more or less a three-hour shuttle ride to reach the Pantanal. If you can somehow manage to accomplish this all in one day, I tip my cap. But most likely, an overnight stopover will be necessary, or at the very least, an overnight flight. Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world, home to many amazing natural biomes. The Amazon has long been a wonder of the world. Perhaps someday the Pantanal will be seen as one too.
