DOHA: Boeing and GE Aerospace finalized a $96 billion agreement to provide Qatar Airways with up to 210 aircraft, the White House announced. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg joined President Donald Trump in Doha for a signing ceremony, cementing the airline’s purchase of 787 Dreamliners and 777X jets powered by GE engines. The deal marks Boeing’s…
Uber and iFood partner to integrate ride-hailing, delivery services in Brazil
Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and iFood, a leading Latin American delivery platform, announced a partnership Tuesday to integrate ride-hailing and delivery services in Brazil. Under the agreement, iFood users can book Uber rides directly in its app, while Uber users will access iFood’s food, grocery, and pharmacy deliveries. The integration aims to streamline services…
Soopra AI unveils AI-driven social network, secures pre-seed funding
Soopra AI, a company specializing in AI-driven personas for real-time engagement, announced Wednesday the launch of Soopra AI 2.0, also known as Soopra ASK. The latest version introduces the world’s first social network of AI agents, aimed at enhancing digital interactions for creators, influencers, and experts. Alongside the product launch, Soopra AI disclosed the completion…
Calian acquires Advanced Medical Solutions, expands northern healthcare reach
OTTAWA: Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY) has acquired Advanced Medical Solutions (AMS), a leading provider of remote and emergency healthcare services in Northern Canada. The acquisition, effective immediately, strengthens Calian’s ability to deliver integrated healthcare solutions across Canada’s northern regions. AMS, headquartered in Yellowknife, specializes in 24/7 operational and medical support across the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut,…
Avicena raises $65 million in Series B funding to advance AI interconnect technology
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Avicena, a leader in ultra-low power, high-density microLED-based interconnects, announced Wednesday that it has raised $65 million in Series B funding, bringing its total capital raised to $120 million. The funding round was led by Tiger Global, with participation from new and existing investors including Maverick Silicon, Prosperity7 Ventures, Venture Tech Alliance,…
European Biogas Association calls for binding 2040 target to scale biogas production
BRUSSELS: As the European Union advances toward its 2040 climate goals, the European Biogas Association (EBA) is pushing for biogases to play a central role in the bloc’s energy transition. The industry group has proposed a binding target of 100 billion cubic meters (bcm) of biogas and biomethane production by 2040, positioning the sector as a key driver…
Origin gets $21 million Series A funding to transform global benefits industry
LONDON: Origin, the world’s first Global Benefits Intelligence platform, officially launched Tuesday with $21 million in Series A funding led by Felix Capital. Acadian Ventures and Notion Ventures also participated, along with individual investors including Tudor Havriliuc, former vice president of HR at Meta; Paul Daugherty, retired chief technology officer at Accenture and author of…
TotalEnergies sells 50% stake in Poland’s leading biogas producer to HitecVisio
PARIS: TotalEnergies has signed a sale and purchase agreement with HitecVision, a Norwegian investment firm specializing in energy, to sell 50% of Polska Grupa Biogazowa for an enterprise value of €190 million. Polska Grupa Biogazowa, Poland’s leading biogas producer, operates 20 units with a production capacity exceeding 450 GWh of equivalent biomethane. Founded in 2007 and acquired…
Pakistan awards provisional petroleum exploration rights for 7 new blocks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy has provisionally awarded petroleum exploration rights for seven new blocks to a consortium of local and international energy firms, including Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), officials announced Tuesday. The blocks, located in Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab provinces, were awarded following a competitive bidding round held in April. The…
Persimmon Plc has sold FibreNest to BUUK Infrastructure for £100 million
LONDON: Persimmon Plc today announces the sale of FibreNest, its full fibre broadband service, to BUUK Infrastructure, subject to regulatory clearance. FibreNest will join OFNL as part of the BUUK group which provides full-fibre and multi-utility services to new build housing developments. The discounted total enterprise value for the sale is c. £100m, with £70m…
FirstCash Holdings offers to acquire H&T Group for £297 million
LONDON: FirstCash Holdings Inc. has finalized terms for its acquisition of British pawnbroker H&T Group plc through Chess Bidco Limited, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary. Under the agreement, Bidco will purchase H&T’s entire issued and to-be-issued share capital in a cash deal structured as a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act…
Gulf Marine Services loses tax appeal in Saudi Arabia, maintains EBITDA guidance
LONDON: Gulf Marine Services PLC said a Saudi court rejected its appeal of a $9.2 million tax assessment tied to transfer pricing disputes for the 2017-2019 fiscal years. The London-listed offshore energy support vessel operator disclosed the ruling in a regulatory filing Tuesday after Saudi Arabia’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee denied its latest settlement proposal….