A/S was reduced by 900 million per NV SOS. The A/S was formerly 2.5 Billion and is now 1.6 Billion, a reduction of 900 million shares.
The 500 million that you're talking about is actually 540 million (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). Those shares will be retired from the O/S per the last PR.
Lots of good things in the works here. New CEO appears to be kicking A$$ lol!