Consortium Led by Saudi PIF Acquires Electronic Arts in Historic Deal

EA (Electronic Arts) Sports logo is seen in this illustration, August 10, 2022. (Reuters)
EA (Electronic Arts) Sports logo is seen in this illustration, August 10, 2022. (Reuters)
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Consortium Led by Saudi PIF Acquires Electronic Arts in Historic Deal

EA (Electronic Arts) Sports logo is seen in this illustration, August 10, 2022. (Reuters)
EA (Electronic Arts) Sports logo is seen in this illustration, August 10, 2022. (Reuters)

Electronic Arts Inc, a global leader in interactive entertainment, announced Monday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an investor consortium comprised of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners in an all-cash transaction that values EA at an enterprise value of approximately $55 billion. The transaction positions EA to accelerate innovation and growth to build the future of entertainment, said EA in a statement.

Under the terms of the agreement, the consortium will acquire 100% of EA, with PIF rolling over its existing 9.9% stake in the company. EA stockholders will receive $210 per share in cash. The per share purchase price represents a 25% premium to EA’s unaffected share price of $168.32 at market close on September 25, 2025.

PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners bring deep sector experience, committed capital, and global portfolios with networks across gaming, entertainment, and sports that offer unique possibilities for EA to blend physical and digital experiences, enhance fan engagement, and create new growth opportunities.

The transaction represents the largest all-cash sponsor take-private investment in history, with the consortium partnering closely with EA to enable the company to move faster and unlock new opportunities on a global stage.

“Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business. This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work,” said Andrew Wilson, Chairman & CEO of Electronic Arts.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come. I am more energized than ever about the future we are building.”

“PIF is uniquely positioned in the global gaming and esports sectors, building and supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and IP creators,” said Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments at PIF.

“PIF has demonstrated a strong commitment to these sectors, and this partnership will help further drive EA’s long-term growth, while fueling innovation within the industry on a global scale.”

“This investment embodies Silver Lake’s mission to partner with exceptional management teams at the highest quality companies. EA is a special company: a global leader in interactive entertainment, anchored by its premier sports franchise, with accelerating revenue growth and strong and scaling free cash flow,” said Egon Durban, Co-CEO and Managing Partner of Silver Lake.

The transaction was approved by EA’s Board of Directors, is expected to close in Q1 FY27 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by EA stockholders. Following the close of the transaction, EA’s common stock will no longer be listed on any public market.

The transaction will be funded by a combination of cash from each of PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners as well as roll-over of PIF’s existing stake in EA, constituting an equity investment of approximately $36 billion, and $20 billion of debt financing fully and solely committed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., $18 billion of which is expected to be funded at close. Each of PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners plan to fund the equity component of the financing entirely from capital under their respective control.

Upon completion of the transaction, EA will remain headquartered in Redwood City, California and continue to be led by Andrew Wilson as CEO.



SDAIA, World Bank Conclude Int’l Consultations on Data Governance and AI in Belgium and Germany

The program aimed to review leading international experiences in data governance, AI, and digital policy frameworks. SPA
The program aimed to review leading international experiences in data governance, AI, and digital policy frameworks. SPA
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SDAIA, World Bank Conclude Int’l Consultations on Data Governance and AI in Belgium and Germany

The program aimed to review leading international experiences in data governance, AI, and digital policy frameworks. SPA
The program aimed to review leading international experiences in data governance, AI, and digital policy frameworks. SPA

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), in partnership with the World Bank, has concluded an international program held from June 8 to 12 in Belgium and Germany.

The program aimed to review leading international experiences in data governance, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital policy frameworks. It also included consultations with experts in both countries to exchange knowledge and expertise.

During the program, participants reviewed the Kingdom's experience in building a national ecosystem for data and AI. They also highlighted achievements in data governance, digital policy, and regulatory frameworks, as well as Saudi efforts to promote the responsible use of advanced technologies.

The program included a series of meetings and specialized sessions in Brussels and Berlin involving European and international entities, government and non-profit organizations, and think tanks focused on digital policy and AI governance.

Discussions covered international cooperation in AI, regulatory frameworks, data governance and privacy, and cross-border challenges associated with emerging technologies. Participants also examined frameworks that support responsible innovation and digital transformation.

SDAIA and World Bank teams reviewed advanced practices in digital policy development and the design of regulatory frameworks for data and AI. They also discussed mechanisms for strengthening international cooperation and knowledge exchange to support the development of a sustainable national ecosystem for data and AI.

The program is part of SDAIA's efforts to strengthen international cooperation and build partnerships with leading global organizations and institutions. It also seeks to benefit from international expertise and best practices in support of the Kingdom's objectives to strengthen its global position in data and AI.

The initiative aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Year of AI 2026 and supports efforts to transfer knowledge and expertise to the Kingdom.


SpaceX: Five Key Moments, from First Launch to Starship Megarocket

SpaceX employees celebrate the company's Wall Street debut, the largest initial public offering in US history. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
SpaceX employees celebrate the company's Wall Street debut, the largest initial public offering in US history. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
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SpaceX: Five Key Moments, from First Launch to Starship Megarocket

SpaceX employees celebrate the company's Wall Street debut, the largest initial public offering in US history. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
SpaceX employees celebrate the company's Wall Street debut, the largest initial public offering in US history. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP

More than 20 years after its founding, SpaceX made history Friday with its record-high stock market debut, crowning a unique journey marked by dazzling successes but also catastrophic failures and unfulfilled promises.

Here are five key moments in the company's history:

- 2008: The founding myth -

Six years after its founding, SpaceX launched its first rocket into orbit after multiple failures, taking off in September 2008 from a remote archipelago in the Pacific Ocean.

"I messed up the first three launches; the first three launches failed," co-founder Elon Musk recalled years later.

"Fortunately, the fourth launch -- that was the last money that we had -- the fourth launch worked, or that would have been it for SpaceX. But fate liked us that day."

- 2012: Next stop, ISS -

After the successful launch, SpaceX grew and developed more powerful launchers, including its flagship rocket, Falcon 9, which has become the most widely used rocket today.

Among its creations was the Dragon spacecraft, which docked as a cargo vessel at the International Space Station in 2012, a first by a private company.

Eight years later, the Dragon spacecraft carried its first astronaut to the ISS, beating other aerospace companies like Boeing to becoming the main American transport to the space station.

- 2018: A Tesla in space? -

At the same time, SpaceX in 2015 successfully landed the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket, ushering in the age of partially reusable rockets.

This was followed by Falcon Heavy, a much more powerful launcher with two Falcon 9 boosters.

To mark its first test flight in 2018, Musk decided to place the car made by one of his other companies, a Tesla, on board.

The image of the red Tesla occupied by a mannequin dubbed Starman -- after David Bowie -- was seen around the world.

Not all SpaceX promises were kept though: that same year, Musk said he would send a group which included Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa around the Moon by 2023, but that never came to pass.

- 2020-2023: Starbase's explosive beginning -

The tech trillionaire ended up prioritizing the development of his megarocket Starship, designed to travel to the Moon and, eventually, Mars.

To complete the project, he bought vast amounts of land in Texas and developed an industrial complex known as Starbase, where he would launch a series of Starship prototypes, most of which blew up into spectacular fireballs.

Musk justified the "rapid unscheduled disassembly" of these rockets, to use the entrepreneur's favorite euphemism for explosions, by saying they were part of the learning process.

- 2024: The unprecedented 'Super Heavy' catch -

In October 2024, SpaceX succeeded in recovering the first stage of Starship, its "Super Heavy" booster, in a unique maneuver that had never been achieved before.

After launching the spacecraft, the booster detached and began its descent, returning to the SpaceX launch pad where a pair of "chopsticks" reached out to catch the booster and bring it to a halt.

The feat, while impressive, is only the first part of SpaceX's plan to make Starship a fully reusable rocket -- a goal it remains in pursuit of while dealing with several technical challenges.


India Clears Way for Self-driving, Safety Car Tech to Reduce Road Deaths

A woman crosses street through a dust storm accompanied by rain in Jammu, India, Thursday, June 11, 2026.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
A woman crosses street through a dust storm accompanied by rain in Jammu, India, Thursday, June 11, 2026.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
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India Clears Way for Self-driving, Safety Car Tech to Reduce Road Deaths

A woman crosses street through a dust storm accompanied by rain in Jammu, India, Thursday, June 11, 2026.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
A woman crosses street through a dust storm accompanied by rain in Jammu, India, Thursday, June 11, 2026.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)

India has scrapped a license requirement for radar sensors, freeing automakers to adopt technology that helps cars avoid crashes and drive themselves by sensing surrounding objects, in a bid to make some of the world's deadliest roads safer.

The world's third largest car market, India reported more than 177,000 deaths in nearly half a million ⁠road accidents in 2024, the ⁠latest figures show, according to Reuters.

In a notice on Thursday, the government waived the license requirement for radar sensors operating in the frequency band from 77GHz to 81 GHz. That lets companies ⁠enable the technology without the government having to separately assign the airwaves.

Automakers Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, stand to benefit from the change, as well the suppliers behind them, such as Germany's Bosch and Continental.

The radar sensors let a car gauge safe distances, and drive features such as emergency braking, adaptive cruise ⁠control ⁠and blindspot warnings, to form a basis for autonomous driving.

The change brings India in line with the United States, the European Union and a global telecoms standard, all of which dedicate the same frequency band to vehicle radar.

That lets carmakers and suppliers tap into the same off-the-shelf hardware worldwide, rather than having to build an India-specific version.