North American M&A volume the lowest since 2009, value struggles year-on-year

North American PE and VC investment up, boosted by six deals worth more than USD 1bn Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) targeting North American companies remained lacklustre in October as volume fell back once again, according to information collected by Bureau van Dijk, a Moody’s Analytics company, and the leading publisher of company information....

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GDPR Burdens Hinder M&A Transactions in the EMEA Region, According to Merrill Corporation Survey

Merrill Corporation survey highlights future challenges for EMEA dealmakers when complying with regulations, accelerating deals and harnessing the power of data. An increasing number of M&A transactions may be stalling because of concerns over GDPR compliance, according to a survey of EMEA M&A professionals conducted by Merrill Corporation, the...

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Zephyr Western Europe M&A Review, October 2018

Western Europe M&A volume and value decline in OctoberPE and VC value increases both month-on-month and year-on-year Both the volume and value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) targeting Western European companies declined in October 2018, according to M&A information collected by Bureau van Dijk, a Moody’s Analytics company, and the leading...

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Looking from the outside in: new industry report reveals how predictive analytics is set to transform oil and gas, but are we doing enough?

Insight from companies across the world brings the future in focus on the pace and development of predictive analytics. A new industry report launched today – an extension of the global Technology Radar survey series produced by Lloyd’s Register (LR) – reveals the pace, development and adoption of predictive analytics in oil and gas. The report...

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How will Brexit affect contractors in the UK?

With March 2019 edging closer, everyone is waiting to see what the effects of the decision to leave the EU will be. For now, uncertainty reigns, with many contractors across the nation speculating about potential far-reaching implications.As a contractor in the UK, you may be wondering whether Brexit will have a positive or negative impact on your job,...

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Times Insider: How We Made an Invisible Crisis at Sea Visible

Supported byTimes InsiderHow We Made an Invisible Crisis at Sea VisibleAn ambitious Opinion Video project produced across three continents — in collaboration with a pioneering forensic research group — shines a spotlight on the more than 16,000 migrants who have died trying to cross the Mediterranean since 2014.VideoEuropean countries are...

Watch: Alex Rodriguez eats snacks with Mr. Peanut in Super Bowl ad teaser

Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Alex Rodriguez is set to star in a Super Bowl commercial for Planters Peanuts that features the company's mascot Mr. Peanut. Planters Peanuts released on Wednesday a teaser for the ad titled Catch of the Day which features the former baseball star catching peanuts being thrown by Mr. Peanut with his mouth. "Game day's gonna get nutty,"...

Look: Ariana Grande says new album is coming in February, releases tracklist

Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Ariana Grande's fifth studio album Thank U, Next will release on Feb. 5, the singer announced on Instagram alongside a tracklist for the project.Thank U, Next, in addition to the title song, will feature tracks "Imagine," "Needy," "NASA," "Bloodline," "Fake Smile," "Bad Idea," "Make Up," "Ghostin," "In My Head," "7 Rings" and "Break...

PE firms circle Acuris sale: Financial Times

The owner of Mergermarket, which is up for sale, has drawn interest from private equity firms including Hellman & Friedman and Advent International in the U.S., as well as Apax Partners and EQT in Europe, the Financial Times reported. Acuris, which owns Mergermarket, could sell for $1.3 billion, according to press reports.Read More

Insight Venture Partners promotes Wardi, Gatto

Insight Venture Partners said Jan. 23 that Teddie Wardi and Matt Gatto were elevated to managing director. Other promotions were also announced.Read More

HGGC to sell Davies Group stake

HGGC said Jan. 23 that it agreed to sell a minority stake in in Davies Group Ltd to to Alberta Investment Management Corp. Financial terms weren’t announced. Davies, of London, provides claims solutions, insurance services and customer experience programs to customers in highly regulated markets, including insurance, financial services, utilities,...

DeRosa joins DCS Global

DCS Global said Jan. 23 that that Dominick DeRosa has joined the company as its chief growth officer. DeRosa most recently served as SVP of commercial strategy and partnerships at nThrive. DCS Global is a portfolio company of Tritium Partners.Read More

Aquiline-backed ClearCourse buys Clear Direct Debit

ClearCourse Partnership LLP, which is backed by Aquiline Capital Partners, said Jan. 23 that it acquired Clear Direct Debit. Financial terms weren’t announced. Clear Direct Debit, of Redhill, U.K., provides direct debit processing services to more than 75 organizations.Read More

Capote joins Lazard

Alejandro Capote has joined Lazard Ltd as a managing director and head of Lazard’s Mexico Financial Advisory business. He is based in Mexico City. Most recently, Capote worked for Credit Suisse Asset Management, where he was responsible for private equity investments.Read More

Liquid Instruments grabs $8.16 mln Series A

Australia and California-based Liquid Instruments, a provider of precise test and measurement equipment, has raised $8.16 million in Series A funding. Anzu Partners led the round with participation from other investors that included ANU Connect Ventures.Read More

Cortec Group exits Barcodes

Cortec Group said Jan. 23 that it sold BC Group Holdings Inc, known as Barcodes, to Odyssey Investment Partners LLC. Financial terms weren’t announced. Barcodes, of Chicago, distributes automatic identification and data capture products and services to small and medium sized businesses in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.Read More

Simplura Health closes buy of Personal In-Home Services

Simplura Health Group, a portfolio company of One Equity Partners, has closed its buy of Personal In-Home Services. Financial terms weren’t announced. Personal In-Home Services, of Wheeling, West Virginia, provides personal assistance to the elderly.Read More

Equistone-backed PIA to buy UDG United Digital Group

PIA, a portfolio company of Equistone Partners Europe, said Jan. 23 that it agreed to buy UDG United Digital Group. Financial terms weren’t announced. UDG United Digital Group is a digital agency focused on the user experience.Read More

WWE Smackdown: Becky Lynch, Asuka have heated confrontation, brawl

Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Tensions were high on Smackdown as Becky Lynch confronted her Royal Rumble opponent Asuka before their championship match on Sunday. Lynch, who lost the Smackdown Women's Championship to Asuka in December at TLC, praised The Empress of Tomorrow as one of the best competitors in the world but promised that she will be taking the title...

Blockchain security company AnChain.ai raises $2 mln in seed

Mountain View, California-based AnChain.ai, an AI-powered blockchain security company, has raised $2 million in seed funding led by venture firm AMINO Capital. Also participating in the seed round are CRCM, Susquehanna Investment Group and Brain Robotics. Huican Zhu, managing partner of AMINO Capital, has joined the board. Joining AnChain’ai’s advisory...

Interview: Mark Consuelos has 'leaned into' being a villain on 'Riverdale'

Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Veteran television star Mark Consuelos loves being the bad guy on the CW drama series Riverdale, a show that has given him the chance to portray a completely different type of character. Based on characters who appear in Archie Comics, Riverdale features Consuelos as the villainous Hiram Lodge, a wealthy mob boss who wants to grow his...

29-Year-Old Building Code to be Revised

… in carrying out their building codes and to provide guidance … development, members of the Construction Industry Council and its … Countries to apply their building codes and provide guidance on … related to building codes updates. The Fiji Building Code is the …Read More

Department issues construction permit for Eagle Ridge Landfill

… a construction permit to Meridian Land Company to construct … construction permit to Meridian Land Company to construct … municipal waste, bulky waste, construction waste, brush, wood, shredded … are properly designed and constructed. Other technical factors …Read More

Enec celebrates major construction safety milestone

… has achieved a major construction safety milestone by clocking 50 … focused on empowering its construction workers, supervisors, managers, … working together to safely construct the Barakah Nuclear Energy … year, the overall construction completion rate for the …Read More

Federal government funds programs to help attract construction workers to B.C.

… newcomers for jobs in construction. The money was announced … and citizenship. “Canada’s construction industry, with more than $ … new Canadians to meaningful construction career opportunities in B.C. … to job opportunities with construction employers, as well as … Read More