Microsoft has entered into a $9.7 billion cloud services contract with artificial intelligence cloud service provider IREN that will give it access to some of Nvidia's chips.
The five-year deal, which includes a 20% prepayment, will help Microsoft as it looks to keep up with AI demand. Last week the software maker reported its quarterly sales grew 18% to $77.7 billion, beating Wall Street expectations while also surprising some investors with the huge amounts of money it is spending to expand its cloud computing infrastructure and address the growing need for AI tools.
Microsoft spent nearly $35 billion in the July-September quarter on capital expenditures to support AI and cloud demand, nearly half of that on computer chips and much of the rest related to data center real estate.
“IREN’s expertise in building and operating a fully integrated AI cloud — from data centers to GPU stack — combined with their secured power capacity makes them a strategic partner,” Jonathan Tinter, president of business development and ventures at Microsoft, said in a statement. "This collaboration unlocks new growth opportunities for both companies and the customers we serve.”
Microsoft also announced new deal with OpenAI last week that pushed the Redmond, Washington, company to $4 trillion in valuation for the second time this year. The agreement gives the software giant a roughly 27% stake in OpenAI’s new for-profit corporation but changes some of the details of their close partnership. Microsoft’s $135 billion stake will be just ahead of the OpenAI nonprofit’s $130 billion stake in the for-profit company.
IREN also said Monday that it signed a deal with Dell Technologies to buy the chips and ancillary equipment for about $5.8 billion. The Australian company anticipates the chips being deployed in phases through next year at its Childress, Texas campus.
Shares of IREN jumped 22% before the opening bell in the U.S. Shares of Microsoft rose slightly,.
FILE - Middle school teacher Jeremy Hook shops for the latests Microsoft's Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC's at Best Buy Atwater Village store in Glendale, Calif., Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Raphinha scored two late goals to give Barcelona 2-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday and increase it lead in the Spanish league.
The Brazil forward broke the deadlock with a shot from the top of the area in the 70th minute at Camp Nou. He then put the result beyond doubt by scoring from close range with six minutes remaining.
The win left the defending champions seven points clear of Real Madrid before its game at Alaves on Sunday. That is likely a must-win game for Madrid coach Xabi Alonso after the powerhouse has won just two of its last eight games across all competitions.
Raphinha was key to Barcelona winning La Liga and Copa del Rey last season, when Hansi Flick’s side also reached the Champions League semifinals.
Barcelona struggled to replaced his speed and incisiveness when Raphinha was sidelined with a leg injury for six weeks earlier this campaign. But he has returned as strong as ever. He also assisted in a 3-1 victory over Alaves in late November and scored in a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
Antoine Griezmann scored the winner after coming off the bench to help fourth-placed Atletico beat Valencia 2-1 and not fall further off the lead.
Griezmann replaced Julián Álvarez with half an hour to go with Atletico leading after Koke Resurrección scored from a rebound in the 17th.
Lucas Beltrán pulled the visitors level in the 63rd with a shot from outside the area as the Argentine striker skirted past a defender and lashed a long strike just inside the post.
Griezmann restored the lead in the 74th at the Metropolitano Stadium when he used an exquisite control, hooking down a long ball with the tip of his boot, before he fired in the winner.
The 34-year-old Griezmann has taken a more limited role with Atletico this season, but he is still proving to be decisive. The former France star scored two goals as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Levante last month and also netted after coming on in the second half against Sevilla and Real Madrid.
His winner against Valencia increased his record haul for Atletico to 204 career goals.
Atletico was nine points behind Barcelona.
The loss for Valencia will increase the pressure on coach Carlos Corberán with the team in 17th place just on the edge of the relegation zone.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after scoring during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Froem the left, Barcelona's Ferran Torres,Raphinha and Marcus Rashford hug after a goal during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after scoring during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after scoring during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Raphinha and Lamine Yamal celebrate after a goal during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
