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☆ McDonald's former CEO lied about 'improper' employee relationships before his firing in 2019, SEC alleges
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The SEC accused the former McDonald's CEO of being untruthful in the chain's internal investigation. McDonald's fired Stephen Easterbrook in 2019 over an employee relationship, then discovered more. During that investigation, Easterbook told lawyers brought in by McDonald's board that he hadn't had any other sexual relationships with McDonald's employees besides the one he was being questioned over at the time. "In July 2020, McDonald's learned that Easterbrook had in fact engaged in other relationships with McDonald's employees in violation of the company's Standards of Business Conduct." In August 2020, McDonald's sued Easterbrook "to recover compensation and severance benefits," alleging he concealed evidence and lied about having other relationships with subordinates.

Former McDonald's CEO Stephen Easterbrook unveiling the company's new corporate headquarters during a grand opening ceremony on June 4, 2018, in ChicagoThe Securities and Exchange Commission charged former McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook on Monday with misrepresenting his November 2019 firing. McDonald's board fired Easterbrook in 2019 for a consensual relationship with an employee, which violated the company's fraternization policy. In December 2021, the two parties settled the lawsuit, and McDonald's successfully clawed back Easterbrook's severance, valued at $105 million. McDonald's has not admitted or denied the SEC's findings. In a statement, the company said that the SEC's actions reinforce what it has previously said about its handling of Easterbrook's misconduct.

MEXICO CITY, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Mexican drug cartel leader Ovidio Guzman, a son of incarcerated kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, has been arrested by Mexican authorities, five officials familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. The United States had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Ovidio. Local government urged people to stay indoors and said schools and administrative offices were closed due to the violence. "We ask the citizens of Culiacan not to leave home due to the blockades that have occurred in different parts of the city," Culiacan Mayor Juan de Dios Gamez wrote on Twitter. Joaquin Guzman, 65, was convicted in New York in 2019 of trafficking billions of dollars of drugs to the United States and conspiring to murder enemies.

[1/6] Burning vehicles are seen blocking a road after drug lord Ovidio Guzman's capture, in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico January 5, 2023. Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval told a news conference that security forces had captured the 32-year-old senior member of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ovidio, a fugitive since the previous arrest attempt, was now being held in the capital Mexico City, Sandoval said. The city's airport was caught up in the violence, with Mexican airline Aeromexico (AEROMEX.MX) saying one of its planes had been hit by gunfire ahead of a scheduled flight to Mexico City. "It's very important the government bear in mind that the weakening of the Sinaloa Cartel may also bring about an even greater expansion, a greater presence of the Jalisco Cartel."

☆ The market's most political stock picks had a bad year, but they'll be back in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Tim Mullaney | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Analysts who follow the industry say ESG funds' performance has been held back, most clearly, by the fact that many sustainable or ESG funds avoid companies that make fossil fuels. The average large-cap stock ESG fund had lost nearly 20% in 2022 through Dec. 21, according to Morningstar. Morningstar energy strategist Stephen Ellis thinks that's unlikely, since "we see the stocks as fairly valued to expensive," particularly in the oil part of the petroleum business. ETF – which emphasizes gambling and alcohol along with pharmaceuticals, without major holdings in oil and gas – is down 18%. ESG fund flows in Europe have held up much better than in the U.S, which Morningstar's Stankiewicz says is because of more pro-ESG regulations.

☆ East Coast ports including New York are winning a domestic trade war at the expense of California
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

According to ITS Logistics which monitors rail cargo trends, the volume of freight moving out of the East Coast doubles that of the West Coast. East Coast ports making major investments East Coast ports like Georgia, Virginia and Maryland have been increasing their investment to accommodate the increase in rail capacity. "CSX continues to see the East Coast ports as a growth opportunity as volumes shift from congested West coast gateways," said Cindy Schild, CSX spokesperson. West Coast port declinewatch nowCargo volumes on the West Coast remained soft at the Port of Los Angeles in November, which saw a 21% decrease year over year in volumes. While the East Coast gains are significant, there was a "leveling" off of imports detected on the East Coast in November, according to port TEU data from the CNBC Supply Chain Heat Map.

The kidnappings are a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants as they travel across Mexico, crisscrossing areas rife with drug violence and weak rule of law. The National Guard confirmed the details in a separate statement. Fernando Reverte, president of Mapimi, a municipality which the migrants passed through after their capture and release, said the group of kidnapped migrants totaled about 1,500. [1/6] Members of the security forces work on a rescue operation of kidnapped migrants, in Ciudad Lerdo, Durando, Mexico in this handout image released December 6, 2022. The migrants broke down the building's front door, and found members of the National Guard, the Army and the INM outside.

☆ In title bout, 'Chocolatito' fights for Nicaragua leader Daniel Ortega
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Drazen Jorgic | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Two years later, the wealthy Coen family contracted Gonzalez to promote their Grupo Coen conglomerate in three world title fights in exchange for a house worth $150,000. Gonzalez's relationship with Grupo Coen also fractured. In 2019, he sued Grupo Coen after it refused to pay the boxer, claiming he didn't contest enough world title fights to fullfil his contract. This year, the courts awarded an extra $150,000 to Gonzalez against Grupo Coen, according to court documents seen by Reuters. Grupo Coen declined to comment.

☆ Croatia's Vlasic replaced by Livaja against Canada
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Croatia's Nikola Vlasic was left out of their starting side to face Canada in their second World Cup Group F game at Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday. Vlasic, who was substituted at halftime in their opening 0-0 draw with Morocco after suffering a calf injury, was replaced in the starting line-up by Marko Livaja in the only change to the side. Canada's Atiba Hutchinson will become the first man to win 100 caps for the country after he was named in their staring line-up. Cyle Larin came in for Junior Hoilett in the only change to the Canada side that were beaten 1-0 by Belgium in their opener. Teams:Croatia: Dominik Livakovic, Ivan Perisic, Dejan Lovren, Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Marko Livaja, Borna Sosa, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Juranovic.

☆ Canada fired up for 'hell of a game' against Croatia, manager says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 26(Reuters) - Canada manager John Herdman said on Saturday his team was fired up for a test against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia after the Canadians fell to Belgium 1-0 despite outplaying them. Canada, taking part in their second World Cup, are still looking to score their first goal in the history of the men's tournament. Canada face Croatia, who drew Morocco 0-0 in their opener, on Sunday in what Herdman described as a "massive game""It's a hell of a test for this team. Emotional after Canada's solid performance against the second-ranked team in the world, Herdman drew the attention of Croatian media after he said his team would go and "eff Croatia". Herdman, who had previously acknowledged his impassioned comments had not been terribly respectful to Croatia, laughed off the Croatian tabloid story on Sunday.

☆ In Mexico, Aztec dig sets new records as royal mystery deepens
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( David Alire Garcia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/10] A general view of the Templo Mayor where several ritual offerings have recently been found just off the steps of the Templo Mayor, the Aztec empire’s most sacred temple, in Mexico City, Mexico November 15 , 2022. MEXICO CITY, Nov 24 (Reuters) - An extensive cache of Aztec ritual offerings found underneath downtown Mexico City, off the steps of what would have been the empire's holiest shrine, provides new insight into pre-Hispanic religious rites and political propaganda. Archeologists believe Aztec priests carefully layered these offerings in the box within the elevated platform for a ceremony likely attended by thousands of rapt spectators amid the thunder-clap of drums. AZTEC WORLDVIEWTo date, no Aztec royal tomb has ever been found despite more than 40 years of digging around the Templo Mayor, where more than 200 offerings boxes have been found. Reporting by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ We are fit with nothing to lose, says Canada coach Herdman
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Back in the World Cup for just the second time and the first time in 36 years, underdog Canada will head into their opener against second-ranked Belgium 100% fit and with nothing to lose, coach John Herdman said on Tuesday. Davies, who will play on the wing for Canada, only joined his team mates on Friday after staying back in Germany for treatment. Herdman had said Davies would be assessed when he arrived in Doha and on Tuesday pronounced the 22-year-old good to go. "You've got ask the question, if not the first game what's the risk, what's the second game risk but at the end of the day Phonzie is fit now. Having not been in the World Cup since 1986, Canada's players have never experienced the pressure of such moments and that says Herdman could be a positive.

Companies Petroleos Mexicanos FollowMEXICO CITY, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Under pressure to increase production, Mexico's state oil company Pemex has risked fines for violations that cause environmental damage rather than delay output to fix the underlying issues, according to two senior company sources. Mexican law stipulates that the oil regulator can only levy fines for breaches of development plans rather than for environmental damage. The world's most indebted oil company, whose profits were for years plundered to fund government spending, has struggled to reverse a decade of declining oil production. Reuters GraphicsIn Mexico, fines are decided by various factors including if it is a first or repeated offense, and damage caused. Fines are low to avoid depleting Pemex funds that could be used to resolve the underlying problems, the sources at the regulator said.

Jordan Vonderhaar | Bloomberg | Getty Imageswatch nowSaylor was speaking on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" as FTX's demise roiled the crypto market. Bitcoin tumbled 19% in December, as investors rotated into assets deemed safer in a tumultuous economy. David Marcus, former head of crypto at Facebook parent Meta , used a phrase that would soon enter the lexicon. "It's during crypto winters that the best entrepreneurs build the better companies," Marcus wrote in a Jan. 24 tweet. Ryan Gilbert, founder of fintech venture firm Launchpad Capital, said the crypto world is facing a crisis of confidence after the FTX implosion.

An American aid worker, Stephen Edward Troell, has been shot dead in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the U.S. government announced Tuesday. Fatal attacks on foreign nationals have become relatively rare in Baghdad since the defeat of the Islamic State terrorist group in Iraq in 2017. According to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Troell had lived in Baghdad for two years and taught English. “Whoever wants to test the government on the issue of security is a failed test, security is a red line,” he said in a press conference. The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sympathy to the “family of the American citizen in the incident,” and pledged that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

☆ Mexico's Pemex had a plan to fix its flaring problem, but abandoned it
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Stefanie Eschenbacher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

The broken commitment, which has not previously been reported, highlights the struggles of Mexico's oil regulator to rein in Pemex, a powerful state monopoly that is always closely connected to the government. The oil company has in recent quarterly reports stressed it was making efforts to clean up its operations and bring down flaring and other waste. Earlier this year, under increasing international criticism, Lopez Obrador said Pemex would invest $2 billion to improve infrastructure to reduce flaring and methane emissions. The regulator said in 2020 the company wasted 37.7% of the gas from Ku alone through flaring, venting or otherwise. One source said the regulator fined Pemex again for recurrence in 2021 but the oil company started legal proceedings to annul the fine, which are still pending.

☆ One factory worker takes on Mexico's powerful unions
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Daina Beth Solomon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

CTM representatives say their unions defend worker rights, offer perks such as scholarships and sports programs and abide by Mexico's new labor rules. Along with La Liga, other new unions have also won victories over powerful rivals in the past year at GM, Japan's Panasonic (6752.T) and French glassmaker Saint-Gobain (SGOB.PA), pledging better pay. Even among the new crop, La Liga stands out for its broader vision: targeting companies no matter the sector, no matter the location. Leaving her three kids at home, she is traveling factory to factory seeking support. What's more, to drum up support, La Liga must fight a deeply embedded culture of fear and apathy around speaking out.

MEXICO CITY, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Bank of Mexico board member Gerardo Esquivel cautioned against increasing the monetary policy rate to "excessively" restrictive levels as the economy remains weak, saying the bank's current rate-hiking cycle could end with rates between 10%-10.25%. But he stressed that it was "important to start thinking about" what that level would be using the so-called ex ante real rate, defined as the difference between the nominal interest rate and expected inflation. His comments come after the minutes of Banxico's last monetary policy decision highlighted that further rate hikes were on the table. The minutes said the board would "assess the magnitude of the upward adjustments in the reference rate" in coming decisions. "We're already at a restrictive level that the Fed is clearly not at," he said.

☆ Analysis: Renewables shift lays bare Africa's energy dilemma
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Bate Felix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Besides the 678-km West Africa gas pipeline completed in 2008, linking Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana, few regional oil and gas projects exist to take products where they are needed. U.S. climate envoy John Kerry has cautioned against long-term oil and gas infrastructure investment in Africa, urging countries to turn to renewables instead. "Africa's track record for gas projects in this regard is not encouraging," the IEA said, citing delays in TotalEnergies' Mozambique project and in the Senegal-Mauritania gas project. "Funding requirements for the oil and gas industry in Africa far exceeds the capacity of any one individual country in Africa. Previous plans for major regional projects such as large-scale refineries have been thwarted by rivalries, ending in countries constructing small refineries that eventually failed, the expert added.

☆ Mexico president says to speak with Biden later Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MEXICO CITY, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will speak with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden later in the day, he said on Tuesday during a regular news conference. Lopez Obrador said he was not sure what the call would be about but it might concern the meeting between both leaders and Canada's prime minister scheduled for December. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Mexico City Newsroom; editing by Stephen EisenhammerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S., Mexico agree plan to tackle jump in Venezuelan migration
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, Oct 12 (Reuters) - U.S. and Mexican officials have agreed a plan for Venezuelan migrants that will enable thousands of people from the South American country to enter the United States by air and also send some Venezuelans to Mexico, Mexico's government said Wednesday. The latest scheme to manage higher border flows was launched as the United States and Mexico attempt to deal with a sharp increase in undocumented immigration from Venezuela. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterFrom Oct. 12, U.S. authorities will begin managing access of 24,000 Venezuelan migrants by air, the statement added. Mexico would "temporarily" allow some Venezuelan nationals to enter Mexico through the U.S. border, the statement said. Venezuelans who enter Mexico from Oct. 12 will not be able to apply to enter U.S. territory from Mexico.

☆ Mexican senator files criminal complaint against energy minister, Pemex CEO over methane leak
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Stefanie Eschenbacher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Opposition Senator Xochitl Galvez, who sits on committees for the environment and energy, filed the complaint to the attorney general's office against Energy Minister Rocio Nahle, Pemex CEO Octavio Romero and Angel Carrizales, who heads environmental regulator ASEA. Reuters sought comment from Nahle, Romero and Carrizales through the press teams at the energy ministry, Pemex and the regulator. Reuters also contacted Nahle, Romero and Carrizales via email and Twitter without response. The methane leak at the Zaap-C platform, which first appeared on Dec. 8, was uncovered by researchers led by Itziar Irakulis Loitxate from the Polytechnic University of Valencia. The criminal complaint filed by Galvez on Wednesday is the third complaint the senator has submitted in recent weeks after Reuters reports on Pemex methane leaks.

☆ EXCLUSIVE Mexican regulator has no record of Pemex reporting methane leak, documents show
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Stefanie Eschenbacher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A fuel burner is seen at Mexico's state-run oil monopoly Pemex platform "Ku Maloob Zaap" in the Northeast Marine Region of Pemex Exploration and Production in the Bay of Campeche April 19, 2013. REUTERS/Victor Ruiz Garcia/File PhotoMEXICO CITY, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Mexico's environmental regulator has no records of state oil company Pemex reporting a methane leak last December at the country's top oil field, according to the regulator's response to a freedom of information request filed by Reuters. The methane leak at the Zaap-C platform, which first appeared on Dec. 8, was uncovered by researchers led by Itziar Irakulis Loitxate from the Polytechnic University of Valencia. The methane leak from the Zaap-C platform was not among the 5,235 incidents ASEA disclosed to Reuters in its response. Pemex, the world's most indebted oil company, has acknowledged in public statements the challenges it faces in maintaining and repairing ailing infrastructure.

☆ Bankrupt crypto lender Voyager's CFO to exit months after appointment
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterRepresentations of cryptocurrencies and Voyager Digital logo are seen in this illustration taken, July 7, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationsSept 23 (Reuters) - Voyager Digital Ltd Chief Financial Officer Ashwin Prithipaul is preparing to step down from his role within months of his appointment at the crypto lender that filed for bankruptcy in July. Crypto lenders such as Voyager boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing depositors with high interest rates and easy access to loans rarely offered by traditional banks. Digital asset exchange Coinbase Global Inc (COIN.O) and crypto lender BlockFi have been forced to cut jobs, while Singapore-based crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital has filed for bankruptcy. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ German president urges Mexico to stand against Russian invasion
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier shakes hands with Mexico City's Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum during a ceremony to honor him with a Distinguished Guest recognition at City Hall in Mexico City, Mexico September 20, 2022. REUTERS/Toya Sarno JordanMEXICO CITY, Sept 20 (Reuters) - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday urged the Mexican government to stand with Europe in opposing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, invoking the spirit of one of Mexico's legendary leaders in his appeal. In a speech to the Mexican Senate following a meeting with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Steinmeier said failure to close ranks against Moscow's attack on Ukraine posed a threat to global democracy. Lopez Obrador has himself repeatedly made reference to the words of Juarez quoted by Steinmeier when urging countries to show mutual respect. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Dave Graham; editing by Stephen EisenhammerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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