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☆ Brazil's Americanas mulls filing for bankruptcy, shares tank as markets see move as imminent
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Americanas said its current cash position stands at 800 million reais ($154.25 million). "The bankruptcy protection is unavoidable and might be one of the largest ever in Brazil, as complex as Oi's one." Oi SA (OIBR4.SA), a telecom firm, filed in June 2016 for Brazil's then-biggest ever bankruptcy protection and only exited it in December 2022. Last week, chief executive Sergio Rial resigned less than two weeks after taking the job citing the discovery of "accounting inconsistencies" totaling 20 billion reais. "Filing for bankruptcy protection is imminent and necessary," said Fernando Ferrer, an analyst at Empiricus Research, noting there could be a "cascade effect" of banks requesting to withhold money from the firm.

☆ Billionaire-backed Americanas files for bankruptcy protection, shares tank
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SAO PAULO, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Brazilian retailer Americanas SA (AMER3.SA) on Thursday filed for bankruptcy protection, days after uncovering nearly $4 billion in accounting inconsistencies and amid a legal feud with creditors. In the filing, Americanas asks to exclude fintech Ame from the bankruptcy protection, as it is regulated by the central bank, and for authorization to increase its capital. Chief Executive Sergio Rial resigned last week, less than two weeks after taking the job, citing the discovery of "accounting inconsistencies" totaling 20 billion reais. Andre Luzbel, head of variable income at SVN Investimentos, said the bankruptcy protection was unavoidable, noting it would be one of the largest ever in Brazil, "as complex as Oi's one." Oi SA (OIBR4.SA), a telecom firm, filed in June 2016 for Brazil's then-biggest ever bankruptcy protection and only exited it in December 2022.

Americanas on Tuesday disclosed that it did not pay interest due on Monday of more than 2 billion reais ($392 million) in local bonds. It made the disclosure in a filing responding to a question by securities regulator CVM, saying that it was allowed not to pay under the injunction. Fitch said that if Americanas formally announces a debt restructuring plan, its ratings will be downgraded to RD or D reflecting a default. Fitch said the retailer, backed by the billionaire founders of 3G Capital, has an unsustainable capital structure with the addition of an estimated 20 billion reais in previously undisclosed liabilities. The company last year paid 516.6 million reais in dividends related to the results in 2021, according to securities filings.

SAO PAULO, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Brazilian lenders BTG Pactual, Bradesco and Santander Brasil are among those most exposed to debt of Americanas SA (AMER3.SA), analysts' estimates showed on Monday, after the retailer obtained an injunction protecting it from creditors. Analysts at JPMorgan and Citi said in research notes that Banco Bradesco SA (BBDC4.SA) had the largest nominal exposure to the firm, while Banco BTG Pactual SA topped exposure as a proportion of loans. Considering JPMorgan's and Citi's estimates, BTG had a 1.9 billion-real exposure to Americanas, which was seen accounting for roughly 1.5% of its loans, while Bradesco had exposure of 4.7 billion reais, or 0.5% of loans. Banco Santander Brasil SA , the local unit of Spain's Banco Santander (SAN.MC), had 3.7 billion reais in exposure, or about 0.6% of loans. Sergio Rial, the outgoing Americanas chief executive who uncovered the accounting inconsistencies, is a former head of Santander Brasil, where he still serves as chairman of the board.

☆ Minority shareholders denounce Brazil's Americanas for 'multi-billion fraud'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Rodrigo Viga Gaier | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

RIO DE JANEIRO/SAO PAULO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - A group representing minority shareholders on Friday filed a complaint with Brazil's securities regulator against Americanas SA (AMER3.SA) after the retailer uncovered "accounting inconsistencies" totaling 20 billion reais ($3.89 billion). The Abradin association said it was denouncing Americanas for what it called a "multi-billion fraud," while also asking regulator CVM to investigate the retailer's auditor, PwC. Shares in Americanas plummeted more than 75% on Thursday, wiping out 8.4 billion reais in market value, after the company's chief executive Sergio Rial resigned, citing the discovery of inconsistencies. It's not easy to hide 20 billion reais," said Eric Barreto, a professor at Sao Paulo's Insper. Americanas has long been controlled by three Brazilian billionaires who founded 3G Capital.

SAO PAULO/MEXICO CITY, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Brazilian retailer Americanas SA (AMER3.SA) said on Wednesday its chief executive and chief financial officer resigned after the discovery of around 20 billion reais ($3.88 billion) in accounting "inconsistencies." Lojas Americanas CEO Sergio Rial departed less than two weeks after taking the job, when he replaced Miguel Gutierrez. Joao Guerra, a long-time Americanas executive not involved with accounting or financial management, will take over as CEO on an interim basis. The amount of accounting inconsistencies is larger than the company´s net equity, 15 billion reais, said Fabrício Gonçalvez, CEO at Box Asset Management. The amount is also almost twice Americanas' 10.7 billion reais market capitalization, according to Refinitiv data.

SAO PAULO, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Shares in Brazilian retailer Americanas SA (AMER3.SA) fell more than 75% on Thursday after its chief executive officer resigned citing the discovery of "accounting inconsistencies" totaling 20 billion reais ($3.9 billion). Rial attributed the inconsistencies to differences in accounting for the financial cost of bank loans and debt with suppliers. The outgoing CEO said Americanas would likely need a capital increase, though noted he didn't expect a short-term impact from the inconsistencies on its cash position. Analysts at Santander and JPMorgan, who rated Americanas "Neutral" and "Underweight" respectively, also forecast a major negative reaction to the news. PwC, Americanas' auditor, declined to comment on the accounting inconsistencies referred to by Rial.

☆ Best Buy-Owned Phone Service Faces Angry Customers After 3G Network Shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Will Feuer | Thomas Gryta | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

When Teresa Kurtz ‘s 78-year-old mother accidentally locked herself out of her home last week in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she pulled out her Jitterbug flip phone to seek help, only to discover no calls would go through. “This was one little instance where it’s like, oh my gosh, this is her lifeline,” said Ms. Kurtz, 60, about her mother, who lives alone and faced chilly temperatures before receiving help from a neighbor.

☆ Here's how the US government is developing 5G for underwater Navy sensors and bomb disposal on land
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Clara Mcmichael | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US government is working to integrate 5G into technology that addresses environmental hazards. The Navy is working with an Energy Department subsidiary on 5G tech meant to detect marine life. This article is part of "How 5G Is Changing Everything," a series about transformational 5G tech across industries. The lab collaborates with other government agencies to weave the latest 5G technology into their operations and has worked on projects ranging from underwater sensors to land-based bomb-disposal robots. The Navy is particularly interested in working on 5G underwater, where it could enable faster data collection and analysis, more efficient environmental monitoring, and better communication with the Navy's underwater assets.

☆ Burger King parent taps ex-Domino's CEO as executive chairman
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Hilary Russ | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Its share price surged from $12 in 2010, when he took over as CEO, to $271 when he left in 2018. RBI's share price closed at $59.74 on Tuesday, roughly flat from where it was five years ago. Behring and Schwartz are co-managing partners of 3G Capital Partners Ltd, which owns 29% of RBI's shares. Doyle agreed to buy 500,000 shares worth about $30 million and to hold them for five years, subject to regulatory approvals. He will also get 750,000 performance share units that pay out if he hits certain performance criteria.

☆ Burger King owner Restaurant Brands taps former Domino's CEO Patrick Doyle as chair
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Restaurant Brands International announced Wednesday that it is tapping former Domino's Pizza CEO Patrick Doyle as its executive chair. Doyle's appointment comes as Restaurant Brands tries to turn around Burger King's U.S. business. The Brazilian private equity firm took Burger King private in 2010, merged it with Tim Hortons in 2014 and named the new company Restaurant Brands International. To receive the performance share units, Restaurant Brands' stock will have to compound annually at least 6%, with the payout increasing if shares rise 10% and 15% annually. After leaving Domino's, Doyle joined the Carlyle Group as an executive partner focused on acquisitions.

☆ Kraft Heinz turns to gimmicks and nostalgia to revive its ‘dusty’ brands
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Because they’re incredible.”More than half of Kraft Heinz’s business comes from just eight brands — the aforementioned three, plus Kraft Mac and Cheese, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Heinz, Lunchables and Ore-Ida. For Kraft Heinz, which is relying on Patricio to execute a comeback, there’s a lot on the line. So we have more loyalty.”For that reason, Kraft Heinz has leaned in to promoting its legacy brands — and with sometimes outrageous marketing. Kraft HeinzOther Kraft Heinz brands have also used attention-grabbing marketing campaigns. Kraft Heinz’s brands now have a presence on gaming platforms like Roblox, in addition to social media channels and other platforms.

☆ North Korea sees more use of cell phones, WiFi networks - U.S. researchers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Up to 7 million North Koreans use cell phones daily, and WiFi networks have sharply expanded in recent years as the mobile devices increasingly became a key tool for market activity in the isolated country, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday. Since 3G network services began in 2008, the number of users has risen to 6.5 million to 7 million, more than a quarter of North Korea's 25 million population, the researchers said. The country's antiquated 3G network and limits on foreign investment in upgrades because of sanctions over its weapons programmes has prompted the emergence of faster WiFi networks around the country, Williams said. The WiFi networks do not offer any Internet access but provide connections to domestic services, especially scientific databases for the research community, he added. The private sector has overtaken state-led agents to become North Korea's biggest economic actor in recent years, with its rationing system crumbling and leader Kim Jong Un allowing markets abhorred by his father.

☆ Berkshire Hathaway could boost earnings after Occidental accounting change
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 5 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N) could soon see a boost to its bottom line after changing its accounting for its big stake in Occidental Petroleum Corp (OXY.N). In its quarterly report on Saturday, Berkshire said it adopted the equity method of accounting for its 20.9% stake in Occidental, which is worth more than $14 billion. Accounting rules normally require the equity method when one company's stake in another reaches 20%, reflecting an assumption that the first company might exert significant influence. Kraft Heinz is controlled by Berkshire and Brazil's 3G Capital, and its board includes three directors from Berkshire. Some investors and analysts have said Berkshire could eventually buy Occidental, diversifying its energy portfolio.

Qualcomm shares fell 7% in extended trading on Wednesday after the chipmaker reported in-line fiscal fourth-quarter earnings but offered poor first-quarter guidance. Here's how the company did:Earnings: $3.13 per share, adjusted, vs. $3.13 per share as expected by analysts, according to Refinitiv. $3.13 per share, adjusted, vs. $3.13 per share as expected by analysts, according to Refinitiv. Revenue: $11.39 billion, adjusted, vs. $11.37 billion as expected by analysts, according to Refinitiv. With respect to guidance, Qualcomm called for fiscal first-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.25 to $2.45 per share on $9.2 billion to $10 billion in revenue.

REUTERS/Carlos BarriaSTOCKHOLM/BERLIN, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Over a dozen automakers including Toyota (7203.T) and Nissan (7201.T), have signed up with a platform for patent licences from 51 tech companies, aiming to simplify access to wireless technology and avoid costly legal battles. Conflicts have stemmed in part from different views among carmakers, suppliers and tech firms over who should shoulder the cost of licensing. Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE), then Daimler, ended a years-long dispute over its patent use last year with Nokia after being eventually forced to pay. "Usually suppliers handle patents in the development process – telecoms is the one area where they don't," the person, who declined to be named, said. Avanci is also working with companies on a new contract to cover 5G patents, which would likely be more expensive than the current patent portfolio.

T-Mobile vs. Verizon: Is network speed or network coverage more important? T-Mobile Essentials vs. Verizon 5G Start plansPlan details T-Mobile Essentials Verizon 5G Start Price per month with automatic payments discounts included. T-Mobile Magenta vs. Verizon 5G Play More and 5G Do More plansPlan details T-Mobile Magenta Verizon 5G Play More Verizon 5G Do More Price per month with automatic payments discounts included. T-Mobile Magenta Max vs. Verizon 5G Get More plansPlan details T-Mobile Magenta Max Verizon 5G Get More Price per month with automatic payments discounts included. It provides fast data speeds, but its limited capacity results in slower data speeds, especially in congested areas like major cities.

Persons: —, Alex Potemkin, Dong Wenjie, it's, Price, It's, You've, Antonio Villas, Ookla's, you've Organizations: Mobile, Verizon, Service, Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN, Fastest Mobile Networks, Getty, Verizon's 5G Nationwide, LTE, Nationwide Mobile, Paramount, Disney, Apple Music, Apple, People, Mobile Magenta Verizon, Nationwide, 5G Nationwide Mobile, International, U.S, AAA, Netflix, Apple Arcade, Google, ESPN Plus, Mobile Magenta Max, Mobile Magenta Max Verizon, Boas, Samsung Locations: Mexico, Canada, U.S

☆ Un cetățean străin, cercetat penal pentru complicitate la furt de bani de pe cardurile moldovenilor (VIDEO)
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-26 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +1 min

Un cetățean străin, în vârstă de 28 de ani, care domiciliază pe teritoriul țării noastre, este cercetat penal pentru complicitate la furt de bani de pe cardurile moldovenilor. Infracțiunea a fost demascată de către ofițerii INI și procurorii PCCOCS. Potrivit oamenilor legii, bănuitul oferea ilegal servicii contra plată de activare a conturilor anonime de Viber, Whatsapp, Telegram, a portmoneelor electronice Paynet, PayPal, precum și a altor platforme online care solicită activarea contului doar cu numărul de telefon. Schema era următoarea: apelarea prin Viber, Whatsaap a moldovenilor, cât și a cetățenilor altor state din numele instituțiilor bancare; spălarea de bani prin intermediul portmoneelor electronice create online, săvârșirea altor tipuri de fraude la nivel naţional şi internațional. Bănuitul este cercetat în libertate și riscă până la 6 ani de închisoare.

Persons: Whatsaap Locations: Whatsapp

☆ VIDEO // Mii de conturi online, create pentru săvârșirea fraudelor: Un cetățean străin a fost reținut pe teritoriul RM
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-26 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +1 min

Sursa foto: politia.mdVIDEO // Mii de conturi online, create pentru săvârșirea fraudelor: Un cetățean străin a fost reținut pe teritoriul RMUn cetățean străin, în vârstă de 28 de ani, care locuiește pe teritoriul Republicii Moldova, este cercetat penal pentru complicitate la sustragerea mijloacelor financiare de pe cardurile moldovenilor. Acesta este suspectat că în perioada anului 2020 și până în prezent, oferea ilegal servicii contra plată de activare a conturilor anonime de Viber, Whatsapp, Telegram, a portmoneelor electronice Paynet, PayPal, precum și a altor platforme online care solicită activarea contului doar cu numărul de telefon. Astfel, polițiștii au stabilit că, conturile anonime create de la distanță erau utilizate la săvârșirea infracțiunilor precum: apelarea prin Viber, Whatsaap a cetățenilor Republicii Moldova cât și a altor state din numele instituțiilor bancare; spălarea de bani prin intermediul portmoneelor electronice create online, săvârșirea altor tipuri de fraude la nivel naţional şi internațional. Ca urmare a mai multor percheziţii efectuate la domiciliile și în oficiile închiriate de suspect, polițiștii au depistat şi ridicat 4765 de cartele SIM a diferitor operatori (inclusiv din străinătate), 5 modeme de tip Sim Card Hub Gsm, sisteme informatice, telefoane mobile, modeme 3G, carduri bancare, precum și mai multe dispozitive de stocare. Făptașul este cercetat în libertate și riscă până la 6 ani de închisoare.

Locations: RM, Republicii Moldova, Whatsapp, străinătate

Activitatea ilegală a acestuia a fost demascată ca urmare a acțiunilor întreprinse de ofițerii Direcției investigații infracțiuni informatice a INI și procurorii PCCOCS. Acesta este suspectat că în perioada anului 2020 până în prezent, oferea ilegal servicii contra plată de activare a conturilor anonime de Viber, Whatsapp, Telegram, a portmoneelor electronice Paynet, PayPal, etc., precum și a altor platforme online care solicită activarea contului doar cu numărul de telefon. Ca urmare a mai multor percheziţii efectuate la domiciliile și în oficiile închiriate de suspect, polițiștii au depistat şi ridicat 4765 de cartele SIM a diferitor operatori (inclusiv din străinătate), 5 modeme de tip Sim Card Hub Gsm, sisteme informatice, telefoane mobile, modeme 3G, carduri bancare, precum și mai multe dispozitive de stocare. Menţionat că începând cu 2020, până în prezent a crescut numărul infracţiunilor de sustragere a banilor de pe cardurile victimelor, acesteia fiind apelate prin conturile Viber, Whatsaap anonime create de pe numere SIM puse la dispoziţie anume prin echipamentele de IP telefonie indicat mai sus. Acesta este cercetat în libertate și riscă până la 6 ani de închisoare.

Locations: Whatsapp, Republicii Moldova, străinătate

☆ Самые щедрые абонементы мобильной связи и мобильного интернета
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-30 | by ( ) newsmaker.md time to read: +3 min

Поскольку мы хотим отпраздновать вместе с тобой 28 лет своей деятельности, мы создали самые щедрые абонементы мобильной связи и мобильного интернета на рынке. Новые абонементы с неограниченными минутами и бесплатными соцсетямиС 1 апреля ты можешь воспользоваться новыми абонементами мобильной связи Fly Magic, которые включают неограниченные звонки в сети Moldtelecom, бесплатные соцсети, большой объем интернет-трафика и неограниченное количество национальных минут. И самое главное, дополнительный трафик мобильного интернета бесплатный. Больше услуг это выгоднееСовместив услуги мобильной связи с Домашнего интернета или Интернет + ТВ, ты получишь пожизненную скидку в размере 50 леев в месяц на все подписки Fly Magic. Это связано со щедрым предложением мобильного интернета.

Persons: Moldtelecom — Organizations: Samsung, Samsung Galaxy, лесуПо, НАРЭКИТ, Интернет Locations: Moldtelecom

☆ Cele mai generoase abonamente de telefonie mobilă și net mobil, de pe piață
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-30 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +3 min

Sursa foto: MoldtelecomCele mai generoase abonamente de telefonie mobilă și net mobil, de pe piațăMoldtelecom a creat cele mai generoase abonamente de telefonie mobilă și net mobil de pe piață. Minute nelimitate, timp mai mult pe rețelele sociale sau portare cu posibilități multiple - toate le afli în detalii, mai jos. Abonamente noi, cu minute nelimitate și rețele sociale incluseÎncepând cu 1 aprilie poți beneficia de noile abonamente de telefonie mobilă Fly Magic care conțin convorbiri nelimitate cu întreaga familie Moldtelecom, rețele sociale nelimitat, mult trafic internet inclus și minute naționale până la nelimitat. Acest fapt se datorează ofertelor generoase de internet mobil. MoldtelecomDesign modern și specificații de ultimă generațieArmonia unui design modern și a specificațiilor de ultimă generație!

Persons: Moldtelecom Organizations: Moldtelecom, Samsung Galaxy A31, Samsung, A31 Locations: 128GB

☆ Barkin Secen, Moldcell: Pentru investitori este important nu doar să facă profit, ci și să contribuie la dezvoltarea țării și a societății (INTERVIU)
▼ + stars: | 2020-10-27 | by ( ) agora.md time to read: +21 min

Pentru noi aceasta a fost o provocare, însă pentru economia țării - o contribuție enormă la dezvoltare, iar pentru clienți - posibilitatea de a-și alege operatorul. Anul 2014, când a avut loc licitația pentru noua frecvență, a reprezentant o realizare importantă, a fost un nou început. Barkin SecenEste responsabilitatea companiei, și a altora, să facem ceva, iar noi nu vrem medicii noștri să lupte singuri. Moldcell a fost prima investiție în această industrie, de aceea echipa Moldcell este implicată în extinderea CG Group în Europa de Est. Sunt în Moldova din 2009, iar când te uiți împrejur, putem vedea dezvoltarea rapidă a societății moldovenești și a infrastructurii țării.

Persons: Barkin, Dle, Moldcell, noștri, Condrațchi Organizations: FIA, Cell Technologies, Moldcell, CG Group, Media, CG Group, Comrat, Ceadîr-Lunga, Azerbaidjan Locations: Moldcell, Moldova, Team, roaming, roamingul, Europei de Est, Europa de Est, Germania, Străini, Europa, Suedia, Chișinăului, Soroca, Comrat, Ceadîr - Lunga, Nepal, Azerbaidjan, Kazahstan, AGORA, Republica Moldova

☆ Сотрудники бывшего Vertu предложат кнопочный телефон за $3900
▼ + stars: | 2020-10-10 | by ( ) point.md time to read: +1 min

Компания Xor анонсировала выход своего мобильного телефона Titanium, который должен стать "новым Vertu". Xor фирма на рынке молодая, но собравшая многих бывших сотрудников Vertu. Первенец компании Titanium буквально во всем отличается от современных телефонов — это кнопочное устройство, поддерживающее 3G и отправку SMS. Здесь нет ни сенсорного экрана, ни популярной ОС (в качестве платформы используется проприетарное ПО на базе Linux), ни работы с приложениями, передает ria.ruПравда, Xor Titanium отличается специфическими функциями. Цена на Xor Titanium составит 3900 долларов (примерно 300 000 рублей по текущему курсу).

Locations: Великобритания

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