Ricardo Varzielas

Interested in telecommunications and bringing the next 1bn people online

[Ricardo Varzielas @varzielas]

@robin_j_brooks “Bunch of high-debt countries” is retrofitted history. At entry: Portugal ~54% of GDP (below Germany), Spain ~60%. Spain then FELL to 36% by 2007 a fiscal star. Periphery debt blew up socialising private bank losses, largely owed to German & French banks to absorb trade surpluses

[AJE Sport @AJE_Sport]

Celebrations erupted in Cameroon after the nation won its first Women's Africa Cup of Nations title, beating Malawi 3–0 in the final.

[Ricardo Varzielas @varzielas]

@robin_j_brooks @mmerc08 “Replaced private flows”. Those private flows were recycled German surplus: core-bank lending financing the deficits Germany’s surplus created. Official lending replaced them so German banks could exit before the 2012 haircut. A legitimate asset and a bailout of the banks

[Ricardo Varzielas @varzielas]

@mmerc08 @robin_j_brooks Agree the exporters have been paid, T2 is not an unpaid invoice. The T2 claim is the asset backing reserves the Bundesbank already issued domestically. On break-up that asset can vanish while the issued reserves remain creating a central-bank capital loss, not double payment

[Ricardo Varzielas @varzielas]

@mmerc08 @robin_j_brooks The Bundesbank still carries its T2 balance as an asset, it doesn’t get to enforce it, only to write it down. But net ammount

[Ricardo Varzielas @varzielas]

@robin_j_brooks Germany’s TARGET2 claim is a hostage note it wrote to itself. €1.1trn that only exists if the euro survives. The moment it doesn’t, the “creditor” discovers its asset was always a bet on the debtor. Turns out you can’t beggar your neighbour and keep the IOU

[Ricardo Varzielas @varzielas]

@robin_j_brooks It’s not a subsidy to the periphery, it’s a clean-up. German wage suppression worked as a real devaluation inside a common currency. Deficit countries forced to deflate, surpluses didn’t have to reflate. The ECB is just compressing the spreads that imbalance created.

[MTN South Africa @MTNza]

Today, we honour Tata Madiba, a leader whose courage, compassion and unwavering belief in people continue to inspire South Africans.

This Mandela Day, we're reminded that meaningful change begins with each of us. Through small acts of service and by working together, we can help create stronger, more connected communities.

As MTN South Africa, we're committed to connecting people, creating opportunities and supporting the progress of our nation.

"It always seems impossible until it's done." ~ President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

#MandelaDay #DoingGoodTogether

[Business Day @BDliveSA]

SPONSORED | By 2050, Africa will be home to 25% of the world’s population. This could be the continent’s greatest dividend — or its biggest risk. The outcome depends on strategic shifts made now, says Phuthuma Nhleko in @MTNGroup’s #TheYelloChair vodcast. https://t.co/Hi079w84Eo

[Formula 1 @F1]

BREAKING: Formula 1 to return to Portugal in 2027 and 2028

As part of a two-year agreement, the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will be back on the F1 calendar!

#F1

[FIFA World Cup @FIFAWorldCup]

🇵🇹🏆 PORTUGAL ARE #U17WC CHAMPIONS!

[BBC Breaking News @BBCBreaking]

At least 15 people dead after Lisbon's historic Gloria funicular crashes, authorities say https://t.co/e7iHnU1Hhe

[República Portuguesa @govpt]

🕊️ Hoje celebramos o Dia Internacional de Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela, um símbolo global de paz, justiça e igualdade, dedicou a sua vida à luta contra a opressão e à promoção dos direitos humanos.

[Portugal @selecaoportugal]

🤍

[MTN Group @MTNGroup]

To the ones who guide, support, and inspire, today we celebrate you. 💛

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, father figures, and role models who show up with love, strength, and wisdom every day.

Thank you for the lessons, the laughter, and the unwavering belief in a better tomorrow.

#HappyFathersDay #DoingGoodTogether

[Cristiano Ronaldo @Cristiano]

É NOSSA!!!!!! 🏆

[MTN Group @MTNGroup]

In a challenging macroeconomic environment, MTN Group has reported solid underlying operational and financial performance for 2024, particularly in the second half of the year. Key highlights include:

📈 Service Revenue Growth: Up 14% in constant-currency terms, though down 15% in reported rand terms.
🇳🇬 MTN Nigeria: Service revenue surged by 35.6%, with expectations for further growth in 2025 following tariff adjustments implemented in February.
🇿🇦 MTN South Africa: Service revenue increased by 3.1%, with robust EBITDA margins at 37.4%.
💳 Fintech Growth: Service revenue from fintech rose by 28.5%, with transaction value reaching US$321 billion, up 35% in constant currency. Advanced fintech services (banktech, remittance, payments) saw a remarkable 52% increase.
📊 Medium-Term Guidance: Maintained as 2025 begins on a strong footing.
💰 Dividend Increase: Dividend raised to 345 cents per share, reflecting positive momentum in earnings, free cash flow, and leverage in the second half.

Despite challenges including currency depreciation in Nigeria, elevated inflation, and ongoing conflict in Sudan, MTN Group's President & CEO @RalphMupita expressed optimism about the future. He noted signs of easing inflation, reduced forex volatility—particularly for the naira—and the positive impact of tariff adjustments in Nigeria.

“MTN Group is well positioned to capture the exciting opportunities in our markets and deliver on our medium-term objectives to sustain growth, create shared value in nation states and communities, and unlock value for our stakeholders,” Mupita stated.

As we navigate the macroeconomic landscape, we remain committed to leveraging growth opportunities and enhancing value for all our stakeholders.

Read more: https://t.co/qNvVXqqeRN
SENS: https://t.co/hTSMg18F5O

#DoingGoodTogether #MTNAnnuals24

[The Presidency 🇿🇦 @PresidencyZA]

📸 President @CyrilRamaphosa arriving at Montecasino in Fourways, Johannesburg where he is attending the MTN 30 Year Celebration Dinner.

The President is received by the Communications and Digital Technologies, Minister Solly Malatsi; MTN Group President and CEO, Mr Ralph Mupita; MTN CEO South Africa, Mr Charles Molapisi and MTN Group Chairman, Mr Mcebisi Jonas,
The celebrations are hosted under the theme “30 Years of Impact” to underscore MTN’s three decades of connecting people, changing lives and driving socio- economic transformation across South Africa and the African continent.

[Melodies & Masterpieces @SVG__Collection]

Rest in peace, Quincy…

In honor of his legacy, here’s a throwback to an incredible moment:

Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock in the studio, exploring the groundbreaking Fairlight CMI synthesizer. Herbie’s demonstration showcases the brilliance of both the technology and their unmatched creativity.

A true legend remembered.