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FedEx and Advent-led consortium secures more than 89% of InPost's shares in the takeover offer
InPost, a Polish parcel locker operator, announced on Friday that FedEx International, Advent International as well as other InPost shareholders had offered 89.81% of its shares. InPost?reported in a press release that the minimum acceptance threshold of 80% shares had been reached. The consortium agreed in February to purchase InPost for approximately EUR7.8 Billion ($8.95 Billion)?in a cash-only offer of EUR15.60 per equity share. After the transaction is completed, InPost's shares will be removed from Euronext Amsterdam. It is one of Europe's biggest networks of automated parcel lockers. The company operates in nine countries, including Poland. The company will continue to be known as InPost and keep its headquarters and management structure in Poland. Since 2021, the shares of 'its company have been under pressure due to intense competition in its home market and heavy investment expenditure?to support rapid growth.
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Major US airlines reject Air China's bid to schedule more US flights
Air China has been criticized by a group of major US airlines for its plans to schedule additional flights between Beijing and New York, Washington, as part of the President Xi Jinping meeting with Donald Trump. Airlines for America, which represents American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, opposed the request. US carriers are effectively prohibited from flying to China from the US eastcoast because they can't access Russian airspace. Chinese carriers, however, have the ability to fly some US flights. US Airlines said that adding two flights to the schedule would allow Chinese carriers to request additional regular flights, and they should be classified a 'charter flight. The US Transportation Department has proposed that in October 2025 Chinese airlines be banned from flying over Russia on routes between the United States and China. They claim the shorter flight times this practice allows puts American carriers at an unfair disadvantage. The proposal was withdrawn after it faced opposition from US agencies. USDOT and an attorney for Air China did not comment immediately. US airlines have long been critical of the decision to let Chinese carriers use Russian airspace to fly on US routes, because it allows them to reduce their flying time. It also burns less fuel and lowers costs. In its filing, released on Friday, the airline group said that Chinese carriers offer "shorter and less expensive routes?to and from China, as well as more economical flights?from and to the United States." In retaliation to Washington's ban on Russian flights over the US in March 2022, after Ukraine invaded, Russia has banned US airlines as well as many other foreign carriers. Chinese airlines are not banned, and they have used this advantage to gain market share over non-Chinese carriers in international routes.
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Brazil Police seize devices from former iFood Employee in Trade Secrets Probe
According to the investigator, Brazilian police conducted a search and seizure this week on a former iFood worker who was suspected of downloading confidential commercial data before leaving the company to 'join rival 99Food. This case is the latest in a larger investigation into allegations of corporate espionage within Brazil's multi-billion dollar delivery industry. Competition has increased since the entry Chinese-backed platforms Keeta and 99Food owned by ride-hailing company DiDi Global. Angelo Lages is the 'police inspector in charge of the investigation, who led the operation on Wednesday. He said that the purpose of the search is to collect electronic devices to conduct forensic analyses and determine what has happened to the data. 99Food stated that it takes these reports seriously and does not tolerate the use illegally obtained data. It also said the person targeted by this operation is not a member of its staff. Theft of Information Alleged According to the industry group Abrasel, iFood is owned by Dutch investment company Prosus and controls about 80%. Last year, it processed orders totaling about $20 billion. iFood, in recent months, has publicly accused rivals of attempting to gain confidential business information by paying third-party firms for paid consultations and former employees. iFood stated that this week's operations were the result of a complaint they filed involving a?alleged theft by a former worker of confidential and strategic commercial information. They also added that they are pursuing legal measures in order to protect their data and partners. Inspector Lages stated that the former employee resigned iFood by 2025, after informing them he was joining 99Food. He also noted that a later internal review revealed the download of strategic files just before his departure. According to Lages, the former employee informed officers that he was no longer employed by 99Food. He is now working as an independent consultant. Investigators also want to know if other individuals or companies had access to this information. ANTITRUST DISSPUTES Cade, Brazil's antitrust regulator, is currently dealing with a number of competition disputes. Keeta accused 99Food using exclusivity clauses and contract provisions which allegedly made it harder for restaurants operating across multiple platforms. Separately iFood asked Cade earlier this year to examine the expansion strategies Keeta's and 99Food's, alleging that they rely heavily on subsidies and sustained losses in order to gain market shares.
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Virginia tightens restrictions on data centers amid political backlash
Abigail Spanberger, the Governor of Virginia, said that as a result of increasing political backlash against'server warehouses and technology developed in them, Virginia is tightening its environmental, commercial, and permitting controls. Virginia, the state with the highest concentration of data centres in the world, has unveiled plans that include a ban on non-disclosure contracts and clean energy mandates for the projects. This move is in line with a series of similar measures taken by the governors of New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania recently to curb the rapid expansion of data centres, which are increasingly being built?to train artificial intelligence and deploy it. Spanberger said at a press briefing that Virginia's "Data Center Accountability Framework", which was announced in April, is intended to ease public concerns about the secrecy surrounding data centers' development and their impact on energy bills and the environment. "Community members demand action," Spanberger said. Data centers with a capacity of 25 megawatts and above would be exempt from the ban on non-disclosure contracts. The governor also said that data centers would be given incentives to develop solar and wind backup generators instead of diesel or natural gas-fired ones to help power their operations. The state legislatures will have to approve a part of the framework next year.
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Bloomberg reports that Aramco has halted October crude oil deliveries to certain European refiners following a pipeline attack.
Bloomberg News reported that Saudi?Aramco informed at least two European refinery?customers on Friday that they would not receive any crude?oil in the next?month due to an attack on Saudi Arabia’s main pipeline into the Red Sea. The report stated that European refiners usually buy Saudi crude under term contracts that guarantee monthly deliveries, but Aramco informed its customers that the next month's delivery will not take place. Saudi Arabia informed European customers earlier that some crude cargoes will be cancelled due to a 'drone attack' which shut down its East-West pipeline, damaged three pumping station and disrupted oil loading at the Red Sea Port of Yanbu. Orlen, a Polish refinery, has sought alternative crudes after the disruption. According to traders, Orlen purchased North Sea grades in order to replace disrupted Saudi imports. Could not verify the information. Saudi Aramco didn't immediately respond to a comment request outside of regular business hours. Bloomberg reported that Aramco is working to 'partially restart the pipeline in days and return it back to full capacity within six weeks. Saudi Aramco also increased crude exports from the Gulf via ship-to-ship transfers off Oman's Sohar port to offset volume losses due to reduced Red Sea shipments.
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London's marine insurance companies expand high-risk zone in the Black Sea as shipping attacks increase
According to a recent advisory, London's marine insurers have widened their high-risk area for the Black Sea as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalates. The Black Sea is an important route for the shipment of grain, crude oils and refined products. Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Georgia and Romania all share its waters. In the last two months, Russia and Ukraine have intensified their attacks on each others' commercial shipping, escalating their five-year war. The Joint 'War Committee' (JWC), which is made up of syndicate members in the Lloyd's Market Association, and representatives from the London Insurance Company market, provides guidance to underwriters on insurance premiums. The JWC expanded its reporting requirements for the Black Sea to include the entire Black Sea area this week. "The coastal waters of Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltic States were already listed," Neil Roberts said in a note that accompanied the advisory on Thursday. Roberts is the head of marine and aviation at the LMA, and the secretary of the Joint War Committee. "However voyages in the territorial waters of neighboring countries still do not require notification." In recent weeks, war risk premiums have risen dramatically as a result of the attacks on dozens of ships in the Black Sea.
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The small English club Oxford Utd apologizes for the 'United 93 clothing line'
Oxford United, a third-tier English club, has withdrawn its clothing line featuring the slogan "United 93%" and apologized for not knowing 'its historical context. United 93 is the callsign of one of the hijacked passenger jets in the 9/11 Al Qaeda attack on the United States. The merchandise was meant to be a nod to the club's founding date of 1893. A club statement stated that the range was released "without an understanding of its historical context and associated associations." "It should not have been sold and we take full responsibility for failing to do proper due diligence. We have immediately removed the collection and are reviewing our processes to make sure that nothing similar happens again. We would like to record our'sincere apologies' for this mistake and any?offence that may have been caused. After being hijacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into rural Pennsylvania in Shanksville. All 44 passengers and crew were killed. The 2006 documentary "United 93" chronicled the tragic events of the plane's flight towards the US Capitol Building.
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Malaysian regulator will ask publicly traded firms to submit El Nino plans and is looking for deeper Middle East relations
Malaysia's Securities Commission will ask companies how they are preparing for El Nino, as it is concerned that businesses in the country may not be prepared for its effects. Forecasters warn of a super El Nino that could bring heat and drought to Southeast Asia. Conditions that are hotter and drier can affect crop yields, straining water supplies. This poses a risk to Malaysia's palm oil industry. "We are going to write to all major companies and ask: What is your El Nino Plan?" Mohammad Faiz said in an interview during an investor roadshow held in the UK. "And we'll then?have a conversation with them next to see if it worked or failed." Since a while, a number of regulators have required that companies disclose information about climate and weather impact. However, requests for specific events are typically not made public, even when they're made. Mohammad Faiz stated that the initiative will test whether climate-risk disclosures by companies translate into effective preparation. He argued many firms have not "seriously" considered how they would deal with drought, because Malaysia has historically abundant water resources. Separately he stated that the commission was?exploring closer ties with regulatory?in the Middle East in order to deepen Islamic financial links and channel more funds into Southeast Asia. In a first step regulators will examine the differences between how different jurisdictions classify stock as being compliant with Islamic Law, or Sharia. In July, Malaysia's Securities Commission signed an agreement that allows companies seeking dual listing to use one prospectus and a set of submission documents starting this month. Mohammad Faiz stated that Sarawak Energy is one of the IPO candidates which the commission encourages to consider a dual listing in order to achieve a higher valuation. He claimed that the company could reach a market valuation of $10 billion. Sarawak Energy didn't?respond to an?request for comments outside of office hours. Mohammad Faiz, when asked if AirAsia is on the regulator's watch list, said that he "neither confirmed nor denied" this. He added that the government has hired?consultants who will review the carrier's financials, though he wasn't aware of any plans to?takeover. AirAsia has not responded to a request for a comment. Tony Fernandes, AirAsia co-founder, said that the company had not been in contact with the government and that they did not require any bailout or rescue. Mohammad Faiz, speaking of the plans for the stock exchange, said that the government planned to increase the capitalisation of Bursa to 6.3 trillion Ringgit ($1.55 trillion), from the current 4.5 trillion Ringgit.
Maguire: US-driven gas-turbine crunch could speed up global clean energy adoption
The rush to buy as many gas turbines by U.S. utilities to boost their local power production is leading to a global shortage. This may also prompt other power systems into pursuing cleaner alternatives.
According to Global Energy Monitor data, the amount of U.S. natural gas-fired power plants under construction in the United States has more than doubled since a year earlier, and that amount is more than fivefold higher than it was at early 2025.
The U.S. surge in gas-fired power capacity has pushed the delivery of new gas turbines well into the 2030s. Meanwhile, the cost of utility-scale solar farm backed by energy storage battery systems continues to fall.
Companies in other countries are prioritising non-gas power sources as a result of the combination of increasing uncertainty in the gas supply chain and the availability of cleaner power alternatives.
Rapid Growth at Home
According to GEM, the U.S. pipeline of new gas-powered generator capacity has exploded over the last year. The total capacity under construction is expected to more than double by 2025 and reach 30 gigawatts.
Pre-construction capacity for U.S. Gas has increased by 420% since early 2025, to just under 159 GW.
Pre-construction capacity in the U.S. represents a third the global capacity pipeline for gas at the same stage of development. This means the U.S. holds a record share of global gas power pipeline.
Utilities are the main contractors for the new capacity planned, but a few so-called hyperscalers such as Meta and Microsoft intend to power their facilities directly from gas plants.
The appeal of gas-fired electricity in the U.S. has been boosted by the strong policy support in Washington and the record high domestic production of natural gases.
The promise to reduce restrictions on gas exploration in federal lands has also fueled expectations that U.S. supplies of gas will continue to grow and will?remain the most abundant source of power available to U.S. tech firms and utilities.
COOLING Demand Overseas
There are signs that gas power is losing popularity in other countries.
Gas prices have risen and fluctuated in Europe and the U.S., reaching three-year highs last month.
Gas-importing countries also do not want to become dependent on potentially belligerent trading partner.
The fallout from Russia's invasion in Ukraine 2022 is still affecting several European gas-consuming countries. They are reluctant to import LNG from the U.S. and instead use tariffs and threats of trade as tools of coercion.
In Asia and Africa as well, energy sovereignty is a growing concern. The production of solar panels and batteries for the energy transition creates local jobs while also helping to reduce energy imports.
MOVING TARGETS
Around 234 GW of gas pipelines are planned for Asia, and another 19.3 GW is planned for Africa.
China has 61 GW in pre-construction and 31 GW under construction. It is increasing its gas-powered footprint.
The wide time frame of the pre-construction project means that these capacity levels will change over time, especially in China, where the mix of generation is changing at a record pace.
China is the world's leading producer of renewable energy and manufacturer of clean-energy components. Its utilities and government are prioritising energy generated locally over imported fuels.
China is the largest exporter in the world of clean energy systems and parts, such as solar panels and batteries, which are increasingly popular with utilities around the globe.
Beijing continues to place a high priority on supporting these manufacturing and export-oriented industries, which means that China will continue to ship clean energy components even as the scarcity of gas turbines increases.
The prospect of a plentiful supply of affordable renewable equipment may be more appealing to global power system managers than the uncertain timeline and high costs of gas power parts.
This could lead to a divergence of global power systems, with the U.S. becoming ever more gassy while other major markets choose a cleaner composition.
These are the opinions of the columnist, who is also an author. This column is great! Open Interest (ROI) is your new essential source of global financial commentary. Follow ROI on LinkedIn, X and X. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast daily on Apple, Spotify or the app. Subscribe to the Morning Bid podcast and hear journalists discussing the latest news in finance and markets 7 days a weeks.
(source: Reuters)