Japanese trading house Mitsubishi Corp 8058.T said on Friday it would take over the US shale production and infrastructure assets of Aethon Energy Management for $7.53bn to strengthen its gas value chain.

The deal – the biggest acquisition to date by Mitsubishi – would give the company a substantial natural gas operation adjacent to the US Gulf Coast and the energy export facilities being developed there.

The transaction includes $5.2bn to acquire Aethon’s equity interests and $2.33bn of net interest-bearing debt.

“Building on our North American energy platform – including shale gas development in Canada, midstream marketing and logistics operations in Houston, liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports via LNG Canada and Cameron LNG – this acquisition further strengthens our integrated energy business,” Mitsubishi said in a statement.

The deal is the latest example of a Japanese company investing in the US energy sector after Tokyo positioned gas as its key transition fuel beyond 2050 and as Japan prepares for surging power demand from data centres driven by the artificial intelligence boom.

Mitsubishi is a major player in the global LNG sector across the full value chain, from upstream production to trading, marketing and logistics. It holds stakes in multiple LNG projects worldwide, including in projects in Malaysia, Oman, Australia, Russia, the US and Canada, giving it equity LNG production of 15 million metric tons per year.

The upstream assets of Aethon primarily focus on the Haynesville shale formation in Louisiana and East Texas. The holdings have made it one of the largest privately held US gas producers, with output of 2.1 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas, equivalent to 15 million tonnes per year of LNG.

Mitsubishi said it reached an agreement with Aethon and its existing stakeholders, including the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and RedBird Capital Partners, for a total equity investment of $5.2bn. The deal is expected to close in the April to June quarter, subject to regulatory approvals.

The Japanese company plans to use cash, debt financing and other methods to pay for the deal, a company spokesperson said.

In October, JERA, Japan’s top power generator, said it would buy US natural gas production assets for $1.5bn, and Japan Petroleum Exploration 1662.T said in December it would acquire Verdad Resources Intermediate Holdings (VRIH), which owns US tight oil and gas assets, for $1.3bn in its largest-ever deal.

Shares in Mitsubishi extended their decline following the news, trading down 1.5 per cent against a flat broader benchmark Nikkei 225 index .N225.

Reuters reported in June last year that Mitsubishi was in talks to acquire the assets of Aethon Energy Management.

Read: Mitsubishi Power secures landmark gas turbine deal for Qatar power and water project

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) announced that an additional product, S26 AR, has been added to the scope of a voluntary and precautionary recall involving Nestlé infant formula intended for use exclusively under medical supervision.

The move expands recall measures and underscores regulatory oversight focused on public health and consumer safety. To protect public health and consumer safety, the establishment confirmed that the affected batches include 5185080661, 5271080661, and 5125080661, according to a WAM report.

Read-Nestlé infant formula products recalled in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar

Consumers and distributors have been urged to verify batch numbers to ensure potentially impacted products are removed from circulation without delay.

The recall was initiated after traces of the bacterium Bacillus cereus were detected in a production input. The bacterium has the potential to produce cereulide toxin, which may cause foodborne illness and gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Authorities described the action as precautionary and aligned with national safety protocols.

Market withdrawal and consumer guidance

In coordination with Nestlé, the establishment said it has secured all affected batches present in distributor warehouses, while efforts continue to withdraw any remaining products from the market. The process covers all retail channels, including e-commerce platforms, and is being carried out with relevant authorities to ensure comprehensive compliance.

Driven by its commitment to transparent communication, the Emirates Drug Establishment clarified that Nestlé MENA has published a detailed statement on the precautionary recall as promised. Nestlé has also implemented digital tools enabling consumers to verify product batches and initiate refund or replacement requests.

ALTÉRRA, the leading private investment platform for climate finance, and global bank BBVA have inked a strategic partnership, under which BBVA will commit $250m as a proposed strategic limited partner (LP) to a climate-focused co-investment vehicle ALTÉRRA intends to launch, subject to regulatory approvals.

The fund, once approved, will be domiciled in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and consolidate existing co-investments from ALTÉRRA Acceleration into a dedicated structure managed by ALTÉRRA.

The fund aims to mobilise capital for climate-aligned infrastructure, private equity, and private credit.

“The fund marks a new chapter for ALTÉRRA as we move into our next stage of growth and deepen our ability to mobilise and deploy global capital toward high-impact investments,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, ALTÉRRA’s chairman. “Our partnership with BBVA strengthens global collaboration in clean energy, sustainable infrastructure and technology investments, allowing us to continue to back high-quality opportunities delivering long-term value.”

Carlos Torres Vila, chair of BBVA, said the collaboration “aligns with BBVA’s strategy to make sustainability a key driver of differential growth globally and to deepen our presence in fast-growing climate finance hubs such as Abu Dhabi.”

ALTÉRRA Opportunity Fund to pursue a diversified strategy

The ALTÉRRA Opportunity Fund will pursue a diversified global strategy, investing in energy transition, industrial decarbonisation, climate technology, and sustainable living. Its portfolio will target North America, Latin America, Europe, and other growth markets.

BBVA, which has maintained a representative office in Abu Dhabi since 2013, recently received in-principle approval from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority to open a branch in the emirate, allowing it to expand its wholesale banking services and strengthen its support for corporate and institutional clients in the region.

By becoming an anchor investor in ALTÉRRA’s new climate fund, BBVA is deepening its relationship with one of the Middle East’s most influential investors and advancing its sustainability ambitions.

The bank aims to channel EUR700bn into sustainable business between 2025 and 2029, following early achievement of its previous EUR300bn target.

In addition to the $250m commitment in ALTÉRRA, BBVA has invested approximately EUR300m in climate funds focused on decarbonisation as part of its ongoing global climate strategy.

The partnership was announced during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week by Dr Al Jaber and Vila.

Sharjah Asset Management has unveiled its new 2026–2028 corporate strategy, outlining a roadmap to support the emirate’s economic and social development while strengthening the organisation’s role in sustainable growth and responsible investment.

The strategy was launched during an internal ceremony at SAM’s headquarters, attended by group CEO Waleed Al Sayegh, the leadership team, and employees, underscoring the organisation’s focus on execution, alignment, and human capital.

“Our new strategy stems from a firm conviction that our employees are the true drivers of achievement,” Al Sayegh said. He noted that the plan is designed to be action-oriented, placing people at its core and supported by a work environment that links incentives, benefits and rewards directly to performance.

The 2026–2028 strategy is structured around maximising the financial value of SAM’s investment portfolio to support Sharjah’s long-term, sustainable economic growth. It prioritises profitability and operational efficiency, while reinforcing governance and responsible investment principles across all asset classes.

Key pillars of the strategy include diversifying revenue streams, enhancing stakeholder satisfaction, and expanding SAM’s local and international footprint through targeted partnerships. The plan also aims to strengthen institutional capabilities and improve operational performance across the portfolio to ensure long-term resilience and value creation.

By aligning investment performance with social and economic outcomes, Sharjah Asset Management’s new strategy reflects the emirate’s broader vision of balanced development, positioning SAM as a central enabler of sustainable growth over the next phase of Sharjah’s economic journey.

Read: Sharjah power outage resolved after emergency network fault

Dubai has launched a pilot shared school transport service that aims to modernise the daily school commute through technology-enabled operations and shared mobility.

The initiative, led by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with global tech company Yango Group, introduces luxury SUVs that transport students from multiple schools along the same route.

Read more-School traffic jams in Dubai: How is RTA trying to solve the problem in 2026

Rolled out on January 14, 2026, the pilot is designed to offer families a safer, more affordable, and more efficient alternative to private car journeys and traditional school transport. By combining shared mobility with real-time technology, the service reflects Dubai’s broader push toward smarter and more sustainable transport solutions.

The pilot aligns with RTA’s school transport safety standards, providing parents with greater reassurance around daily travel. Yango Group’s technological solutions enable continuous monitoring of vehicle operations, transparent trip management, and live tracking of each journey. These smart systems are intended to support consistent service quality, clear operational oversight, and reliable day-to-day performance, while also allowing for ongoing improvements based on real-time data.

Cost-conscious shared mobility model

Available to students aged 14 and above, the service will launch with a special rate of Dhs1,000 per month, with online payments only. Each journey is designed to deliver students from home to school within a maximum travel time of 60 minutes. By grouping students from the same neighbourhoods, the model helps reduce individual transport costs while lowering dependence on private vehicles for school drop-offs.

This shared approach is also expected to ease traffic congestion around school zones during peak hours, contributing to safer, quicker, and more organised pick-up and drop-off environments. The benefits are particularly significant for households with multiple children or longer daily commutes.

Initial schools and future outlook

The pilot will initially serve students attending Bloom Academy, Brighton College, GEMS Founders School, GEMS Al Barsha National School, Dubai American Academy, and the American School of Dubai, with coverage across surrounding residential areas. Pick-up and drop-off schedules will align with individual school timings, and parents will receive advance notification of assigned schedules.

As the pilot progresses, feedback from families and participating schools will be used to evaluate performance and inform potential expansion. The initiative could evolve into a long-term transport option across Dubai, supporting safer roads, reduced costs for families, and a more efficient daily commute.

Parents can register interest here.