Latest news with #BCE
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
BCE completes acquisition of Ziply Fiber, accelerating its fibre growth strategy Français
This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled "Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" later in this news release. Acquisition expands Bell's fibre footprint into the United States by 1.4 million locations, cementing its position as the third-largest fibre Internet provider in North America Strategic partnership with Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) to develop fibre infrastructure through Ziply Fiber; enabling Bell to potentially reach up to 8 million locations in the U.S. MONTRÉAL, Aug 1, 2025 /CNW/ - BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE) today announced that it has successfully completed its acquisition of Ziply Fiber, the leading fibre Internet provider in the Pacific Northwest of the United States for C$5.0 billion (U.S. $3.65 billion) in cash, and the assumption of outstanding net debt of approximately C$2.6 billion at closing. To accelerate expansion into the U.S. market, BCE and PSP Investments announced earlier this year a strategic partnership to create Network FiberCo. Combined with the completion of the Ziply Fiber acquisition, this long-term strategic partnership will enable Bell to potentially reach up to 8 million fibre locations in the U.S., reinforcing its position as the third-largest fibre Internet provider in North America. The acquisition financing was supported by the proceeds of the sale of BCE's minority stake in MLSE completed on July 1, 2025. This transaction marked the conversion of BCE's passive interest in MLSE into a core business growth driver. Ziply Fiber will operate as a separate business unit and will continue to be headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, with its existing management team and highly skilled workforce in alignment with Bell's strategic priority of building the best fibre Internet networks. Together, Bell and Ziply Fiber will offer enhanced value for existing and new customers in both Canada and the United States as demand for faster, more reliable Internet continues to grow. BCE will update its 2025 financial guidance targets to reflect the Ziply Fiber acquisition when it reports Q2 2025 results on August 7. Quotes "The acquisition of Ziply Fiber marks a key milestone in our fibre growth strategy by establishing a significant foothold in the attractive U.S. market. By combining Bell's deep fibre expertise with Ziply Fiber's experienced management team and ambitious expansion plans, we are creating a powerful platform for long-term growth, scale and geographic diversification that positions us to unlock significant value for our shareholders." - Mirko Bibic, President & CEO, BCE Inc. and Bell Canada "Bell's culture, vision and long-term strategy supports and amplifies our purpose to deliver the best and fastest fiber network with a refreshingly great customer experience. We're excited to accelerate and expand our fiber build to reach more communities and provide the connectivity and service they deserve." - Harold Zeitz, CEO, Ziply Fiber About BCE BCE is Canada's largest communications company, 1 providing advanced Bell broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communications services. To learn more, please visit or Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit About Ziply Fiber Ziply Fiber, home to America's Fastest Home Internet – 50 Gig, is an independent business unit of Bell Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, Ziply Fiber's Northwest roots include a senior leadership team that has lived and worked in the communities we serve. That local market mindset and history are important parts of the company culture and vision for the future. More information on the company's products and services can be found at Ryan Luckin [email protected] Investor inquiries: Krishna Somers [email protected] CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to: the acquisition of Northwest Fiber Holdco, LLC (doing business as Ziply Fiber (Ziply Fiber)); certain potential benefits expected to result from this acquisition including the U.S. fibre market growth platform expected to be provided by Ziply Fiber and long-term value creation expected to result for BCE's shareholders; the formation of Network FiberCo, a long-term strategic partnership to accelerate the development of fibre infrastructure through Ziply Fiber in the United States (U.S.); certain potential benefits expected to result from the formation of this strategic partnership including the future deployment of targeted fibre locations in the U.S.; BCE's growth prospects, business outlook, objectives, plans and strategic priorities; and other statements that are not historical facts. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events, and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe our expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are provided herein for the purpose of giving information about the benefits expected to result from the acquisition of Ziply Fiber, as well as from the formation of Network FiberCo, including the future deployment of targeted fibre locations in the U.S. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. There can be no assurance that the potential benefits expected to result from the acquisition of Ziply Fiber, as well as from the formation of Network FiberCo, including the future deployment of targeted fibre locations in the U.S., will be realized. For additional information on assumptions and risks underlying certain of our forward-looking statements made in this news release, please consult BCE's 2024 Annual MD&A dated March 6, 2025, BCE's 2025 First Quarter MD&A dated May 7, 2025 and BCE's news release dated May 8, 2025 announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, filed with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities (available at and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at These documents are also available at
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Rock anthems: Check out the tiny tales told by south India's ancient ‘hero stones'
How do we honour our dead? Around the world, and through history, the answers have varied. An 18th-century hero stone from Tiruppur, depicting a man and three women believed to be from the same family. Most hero stones pay tribute to people who died protecting cattle, or communal land. The earliest signs we know of involve fragments of petals found at gravesites in a cave in Israel, dating to over 13,000 years ago. Stone memorials, from little cairns across Europe to the dolmens shaped like huts spread across peninsular India, date to between 8000 and 3000 BCE. These would evolve, over time, into crypts, memorial plaques, commemorative busts, tombstones. Amid this timeline, about 2,300 years ago, a new kind of memorial began to dot the ancient Tamil-speaking landscape, appearing in parts of modern-day Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Kerala, Karnataka, and as far as Lakshadweep and Sri Lanka. They were called nadukkal, or hero stones. Hundreds of these still stand, cared for, in many cases, by the descendants of the local villagers who erected them. New efforts by the Tamil Nadu government and NGOs such as the Yaakkai Heritage Trust are now tracking and geotagging these tiny memorials, aiming to document when they were built, and why. An 11th-century stone erected by a man in memory of his father, who died in an encounter with a tiger, in Salem. Most often, it turns out, the tribute was prompted by a heroic sacrifice made to protect cattle or land. Sometimes, a hero stone is dedicated to a person who fought off wild animals, to protect others or to protect livestock. Often, it memorialises a brave man; sometimes it is a woman or even a family. There are some dark tales here too; the women memorialised were typically widows who committed sati, immolating themselves on their husband's funeral pyre. In rare instances, there have also been hero stones erected for a dog, elephant or even an alert rooster. In one instance, a hero stone was erected in honour of a selfless thief. (Read on for more on this.) 'What is most interesting about these memorials is that they honoured not a king or deity but a common person, and were most often erected by a family member of the deceased or by grateful villagers. This tells us a lot about the nature of the society of the time,' says K Rajan, an archaeologist and research advisor to the state government's Tamil Nadu Institute of Archaeology and Museology. These were communities where the collective good defined morality, pride, honour and individual actions. 'All hero stones would traditionally have been visited on feast days and decorated with peacock feathers,' Rajan says, 'with offerings of toddy left nearby, or animals sacrificed at the spot in tribute.' An intricate stone memorialising several warriors, discovered in Mysuru, Karnataka. Memory maps Amid efforts to document these markers, evocative details are emerging. A Sangam-era memorial erected in the 3rd century BCE in Dindigul district, for instance, holds an inscription now partially worn away. What is left declares that a warrior is buried 'under a jackfruit tree'. A 4th-century CE tribute in Villupuram holds a faint etching of a rooster, to commemorate a presumably beloved bird killed in a cock fight. A rare 6th-century CE one unearthed in Kallakurichi pays tribute, unusually, to a thief. It bears the traditional iconography — of a male figure wielding a bow in one hand and a knife in the other — but the citation honours Cami, who stole away to a neighbouring village under cover of night, hoping to return with stolen cattle to help his starving village. A 12th-century stone found in Madurai, showing a warrior with a garland on his chest, denoting victory. Protect and serve Hero stones throw light on the virtues and values of a society, historians Basith Assarani and K Murugan, professors of history at Islamiah College write, in an essay published in the book Research Developments in Arts and Social Studies Vol. 2 (2022). Interestingly, the memorials appear to have been a vital part of the cultural landscape. Seminal Sangam-era texts offer notes on these stones and how to erect them. These memorials marked a shift, Assarani and Murugan write, from megalithic communal burials to a culture that honoured individual achievements, and from ancestral veneration to hero worship. A key aspect driving this shift, they posit, would have been the rise of local chiefdoms, and the vital role played by ancient warriors in protecting the shared assets of the community. Part of a 16th-century stone found in Erode, depicting a woman's hand adorned with a bracelet, holding a lemon. There are some dark tales here too; many stones erected in honour of women memorialised instances of sati. Loading image The earliest known hero stones date to the the 3rd century BCE. Four have been found in Theni district, on the banks of the river Vaigai. Each is 3 ft high, with carvings etched on dark stone detailing cattle raids and burial urns. Over the next 800 years, the memorials would become rather common. In his book A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India (2016), historian Upinder Singh notes that the largest-known concentration is in the Kongu region of Karnataka: over 2,650 hero stones, some dating to the 5th century CE. Most of these tributes are made using local stone (as opposed to ornamental rocks such as marble or granite). The early carvings contained no people. 'They depicted shields and swords, bows and arrows, and cattle. Later ones depict rural landscapes and villages. By the 6th century, human figures make an appearance,' Rajan says. 'After the 10th century, these tributes began to be erected not just for local heroes but for revered ascetics too.' Interestingly, the inscriptions offer telling reminders of how differently language evolved, at the grassroot level, says Sudhakar Nalliyappan, president of the NGO Yaakkai. The little monuments record, for instance, the shift from Brahmi to Vatteluttu to the modern Tamizh script by the 9th century CE, in a period when government inscriptions evolved from Prakrit to Sanskrit to Tamizhi. Elaborately carved hero stones found in Kutchh, Gujarat. By the colonial period, the tradition of hero stones was fading. This decline coincided with the centralisation of princely rule, firmer borders and a rapidly changing economy, Rajan says. If you happen to see one today, a remnant from this long-gone era, you can be sure you are standing where a hero once died, or lived, or at the boundary of his village. Some stones were lovingly placed under a tree, or inside a temple. So be sure to look there too. A set of unusual 16th-century stones in Coimbatore serves as a sort of log of brave villagers. 'If you see any on your travels, do report them to us,' says Nalliyappan. 'As we build our repository, each new stone we find often guides us to more.' Every hero, after all, deserves to be remembered.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Final reckoning: Around the world in ancient crypts
Bodies buried close together, above bare rock. Elders interred upright in tree trunks. Families occupying entire 'cities of the dead' erected in caves… the history of how we have honoured our dead, through the millennia, is vast, varied and fascinating. Take a look. Lycian tombs in Turkey, dating to 500 BCE. These were designed to look like the traditional wooden houses of the time. Each typically served as a family crypt. (Wikimedia) * Africa, c 3000 BCE A massive, elaborate cemetery has been found in Kenya's Lothagam valley, dating to 5,000 years ago. At what is known as the Lothagam North Pillar Site, shallow 3-ft-deep pits packed closely together in a wide circle have been used to bury the dead. The site is thought to have been built by a late-Neolithic herding community. The 98-ft-wide space is the largest and oldest known burial site in East Africa. Plenty of thought went into it. The circular dirt platform would need to have been built, on the region's rocky, arid ground. Ground-penetrating radar has shown that about 36 bodies are buried in a single 6-sq-ft segment, leading researchers to estimate that the site contains between 500 and 1,000 people. * Australia; 2000 BCE In parts of Australia, Aboriginal communities have a unique burial practice that involves placing the loved one's remains in a highly decorated, hollowed-out trunk of a tree. Such log receptacles have been found in the central Queensland Highlands dating to at least 700 years ago, but the practice itself is believed to have roots as far back as 2000 BCE. In this practice, the body of the deceased is ritually painted with totemic signs, sung over and wept over. It is then taken to clan land and typically 'buried' upright in a tree, where it is left to decompose. The bones are recovered months or years later, painted with red ochre and placed back in the log as final songs and dances are performed. * China, c. 500 BCE The grave of Confucius. In the Qufu forest in eastern Shandong, 516 km from Beijing, sits a cemetery built in honour of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, who died in 479 BCE. It covers nearly 2 sq km, and was set aside by the Han rulers of the time, for the family and descendants of Confucius. Tens of thousands of these descendants have since been interred here. In 1994, the cemetery was recognised as a Unesco world heritage site. Most graves are marked by a simple slab. Some of the slabs are erected on bases that resemble a tortoise, a common funerary marker in China. The tortoise, incidentally, is a mark of respect too. It indicates that the deceased was so virtuous, their spirit will live on forever. In a little aside, the depictions of tortoises amassed here over 800 years indicate an interesting evolution. While the early tortoises had plump, inviting faces, greeting visitors with what was almost a smile, many of the more recent representations look stronger, fiercer and almost dragon-like. * Turkey, c. 500 BCE Cavernous cliffs hold entire cities of the dead in southwestern Turkey, complete with ornamental tombs carved out of rock. The Lycian people, who inhabited parts of Anatolia as far back as 500 BCE, built these tomb complexes over 800 years. A single such city of the dead has been found to hold 400 tombs. In an evocative detail, most tombs were designed to look like the traditional wooden houses of the time. Many served as a sort of family crypt, holding more than one body. Some of these caves are now ticketed archaeological sites. * America, c 100 BCE The Hopewell site in Ohio. (Wikimedia) In Ohio, a network of burial mounds is now the US's 25th such Unesco World Heritage Site. The figure eight features prominently in these mounds. In Ohio, the 2,000-year-old Hopewell site is a network of eight mounds, each one eight-sided or octagonal, all sitting within a large earthen enclosure. Typically, such mounds were created by piling topsoil, clay and shells atop a communal burial site. Many of the mounds are situated in what were once thriving Native American settlements. These mounds — containing no visible markers such as stones, inscriptions or text — continued to be built all the way to the 16th century.
Time Business News
20 hours ago
- Science
- Time Business News
A Majestic Companion of Humanity
For thousands of years, the horse has played an essential role in the story of human civilization. From being a source of transportation and power to becoming a symbol of grace, freedom, and nobility, horses have captivated the human heart across cultures and continents. Whether galloping across wide open plains or performing intricate dressage routines, the horse remains a beloved creature. This article explores the history, biology, breeds, cultural significance, and the special bond between horses and humans. The evolution of the horse dates back over 50 million years. The earliest known ancestor of the modern horse is Eohippus, a small, fox-sized animal that roamed North America. Over time, through the process of natural selection and environmental adaptation, horses evolved into larger, stronger animals better suited for grasslands and open terrains. Around 4000 BCE, humans began to domesticate horses in the steppes of Central Asia. By 2000 BCE, domesticated horses had spread to regions such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Europe, revolutionizing agriculture, warfare, and transport. Their speed and strength made them invaluable for travel, trade, and conquest. Horses are known for their powerful build, elegant posture, and intelligent eyes. They belong to the species Equus ferus caballus . Adult horses typically stand between 14 to 17 hands high (a 'hand' equals 4 inches), and they weigh between 900 to 2,000 pounds, depending on the breed. Mane and tail : Long, flowing hair used for protection against insects and weather. : Long, flowing hair used for protection against insects and weather. Hooves : Strong keratin-based structures that protect the feet and support weight. : Strong keratin-based structures that protect the feet and support weight. Teeth : Adapted for grinding grasses, showing both age and gender characteristics. : Adapted for grinding grasses, showing both age and gender characteristics. Eyes and ears: Large eyes provide a wide field of vision, and their ears can rotate 180°, helping them detect sound from all directions. Horses are herbivores, primarily grazing on grass, hay, and grains. Their digestive systems are specially designed for constant grazing. There are hundreds of horse breeds across the world, each suited for different tasks — from racing and riding to farming and ceremonial use. Horses are broadly categorized into three types: These are agile and fast, often used for riding and racing. Examples include: Arabian : Known for endurance and spirit. : Known for endurance and spirit. Thoroughbred : Famous for horse racing. : Famous for horse racing. Quarter Horse: Skilled in sprinting and Western riding. Strong and muscular, these are ideal for pulling heavy loads: Clydesdale : Iconic for parades and advertisements. : Iconic for parades and advertisements. Percheron : Popular in farming and forestry. : Popular in farming and forestry. Shire: One of the largest and strongest breeds. Smaller in height but strong and sturdy. Ideal for children or mountainous terrains: Shetland Pony Welsh Pony Hackney Pony Each breed has unique traits in terms of temperament, speed, strength, and color. Few animals have shaped human history like the horse. They have been our allies in war, agriculture, exploration, and sport. In Warfare Before tanks and trucks, horses were the engines of war. From Genghis Khan's Mongol cavalry to the Napoleonic Wars, horses carried warriors into battle and pulled artillery across battlefields. The bond between a soldier and his horse was often one of mutual respect and survival. In pre-industrial societies, horses were critical to plowing fields, transporting goods, and maintaining trade routes. The invention of the horse collar in medieval Europe improved efficiency and helped increase crop yields. Horses allowed people to explore vast new territories — from the American West to the Silk Road. They helped shape national identities and cultural myths, such as the cowboy in the United States or the gaucho in Argentina. Throughout cultures, the horse has symbolized many virtues: freedom, power, nobility, and grace. From ancient myths to modern films, horses occupy a sacred place in our imagination. Greek mythology features Pegasus , the winged horse of the gods. features , the winged horse of the gods. In Hinduism , the sun god Surya rides a chariot pulled by seven horses. , the sun god rides a chariot pulled by seven horses. Native American tribes revered horses as sacred and powerful companions. revered horses as sacred and powerful companions. In Chinese astrology, the Horse is one of the 12 zodiac signs representing energy, intelligence, and independence. Horses also feature prominently in art, literature, and folklore. Think of the poems of Anna Sewell's 'Black Beauty', or the noble warhorse Bucephalus of Alexander the Great. Horses are not just powerful animals — they are also emotionally intelligent. Scientific studies have shown that horses can: Recognize human facial expressions. Respond to tone of voice. Remember positive and negative experiences. Develop strong social bonds with humans and other horses. Horses communicate through body language, such as the positioning of ears, tail movement, and facial expressions. Their ability to sense fear, calmness, or excitement in their rider is remarkable, making them ideal for therapy and emotional support. Equine-assisted therapy is gaining popularity for treating conditions such as: PTSD Autism Spectrum Disorder Anxiety and Depression Physical disabilities The calming nature of horses, combined with the need for focus and balance during riding, helps individuals build trust, confidence, and emotional resilience. Although they are no longer central to transport or agriculture, horses still play vital roles today: Horse racing : A billion-dollar global industry. : A billion-dollar global industry. Show jumping , dressage , and eventing : Popular Olympic sports. , , and : Popular Olympic sports. Polo and rodeo events: Display skill, speed, and control. Many people keep horses for pleasure riding, trail riding, or simply as pets on rural properties. Horses are still used in royal parades, military funerals, and cultural festivals, where their beauty and training are showcased with pride. Owning a horse is a big responsibility and requires: Proper shelter : A stable or barn with adequate space. : A stable or barn with adequate space. Regular feeding : Hay, grains, clean water, and occasional supplements. : Hay, grains, clean water, and occasional supplements. Veterinary care : Vaccinations, dental checks, and hoof care. : Vaccinations, dental checks, and hoof care. Exercise : Horses need space to roam and daily movement. : Horses need space to roam and daily movement. Grooming: Brushing the coat, cleaning hooves, and bathing. The cost of horse ownership is high, but the emotional reward and companionship are priceless for many. Horses can sleep standing up thanks to a system of tendons and ligaments. thanks to a system of tendons and ligaments. The fastest recorded sprint by a horse was 55 mph (88 km/h) . . A horse's heart weighs about 9–10 pounds . . Horses have larger eyes than any other land mammal. than any other land mammal. They can see nearly 360 degrees around them due to eye placement. With advancements in technology and transportation, the role of horses has changed — but not diminished. They remain symbols of strength, beauty, and freedom, and continue to play an important role in sports, therapy, conservation, and education. More awareness is also being raised about equine welfare. Non-profit organizations around the world rescue abandoned or abused horses, promote ethical treatment, and educate people about responsible care. The horse is more than just an animal — it is a legacy, a friend, and a partner in humanity's journey through time. From battlefields to therapy centers, from ancient myths to modern races, the horse continues to stir our emotions and ignite our imagination. Whether you admire their strength, ride them for joy, or simply watch them graze peacefully in a field, horses deserve our respect and care. In their eyes, we see history, hope, and the unspoken bond between species that have stood side by side for centuries. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Dubai Eye
a day ago
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Buddhist gems return to India after 127 years
A collection of hundreds of jewels linked to Buddha's remains has returned to India after 127 years following an auction planned for earlier this year that drew threats of legal action from the government in Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the return of the collection, known as the Piprahwa Gems of the Historical Buddha. "A joyous day for our cultural heritage!" Modi wrote in a post on X. "It would make every Indian proud." The collection of more than 300 gems date from the Mauryan Empire, around 240-200 BCE. The collection was originally scheduled to be auctioned by Sotheby's in Hong Kong in May but the sale was postponed after India's government threatened legal action and demanded the jewels be returned. Sotheby's subsequently identified Indian conglomerate Godrej Industries Groupas buyer and secured a sale that saw the permanent return of the gems to India, where they would be placed on public display. "Sotheby's is delighted to have facilitated the return of the Piprahwa Gems to India," the auction house said in a statement late on Wednesday. India's Ministry of Culture said it was an exemplary public-private partnership and the initiative aligned with Modi's broader mission to reclaim and celebrate India's ancient cultural and spiritual heritage from across the world. The gems were unearthed in 1898 from an ancient stupa in Piprahwa, northern India, by English estate manager William Claxton Peppe, along with fragments of bone thought to belong to Buddha. Peppe was later allowed to keep more than 300 duplicate gems, which remained in his family.
