News: PSQ Deals of the day-Mergers and acquisitions

Aug 1 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 0930 GMT on Thursday:

** Cellnex CLNX.MC , Europe's largest mobile phone tower operator, said it was in advanced negotiations to sell its Austrian unit after receiving binding offers, triggering a rise in shares.

** Ayala Corp AC.PS , the Philippines' oldest conglomerate, is exploring selling a minority stake in Ayala Healthcare Holdings (AC Health) in a potential deal that could value its healthcare arm at up to $500 million, two people said.

** Japan's Otsuka Pharmaceutical 4578.T said it agreed to pay more than $1 billion to acquire Jnana Therapeutics as it looks to expand its drug pipeline and research base in the Boston area.

** The Australian competition watchdog will not oppose Louis Dreyfus' proposal to take over Namoi Cotton (NAM) , the regulator said, a month after it raised concerns over a similar buyout bid by a Singaporean entity.

** U.S. businessman Elon Musk said his artificial intelligence startup xAI is not considering an acquisition of chatbot startup Character.AI, according to a statement on social media website X.

** Australia's Pacific Smiles (PSQ) recommended that shareholders vote in favour of a sweetened bid of A$327.1 million ($214.05 million) by National Dental Care (NDC) over a competing takeover offer from U.S.-based Genesis Capital.

** Chevron Corp's CVX.N proposed purchase of oil producer Hess HES.N faces a lengthy new delay, with an arbitration panel not expected to hear a rival's claim to Hess' stake in a Guyana oil-producing joint venture until May 2025, the company said.

** Egyptian microfinance lending and payments company MNT-Halan's recent purchase of Turkey's biggest nonbank micro-leasing company will help develop its factoring business in Egypt while expanding consumer credit in Turkey, its chief executive said.

** Italian app developer Bending Spoons has bought file-sharing platform WeTransfer, the companies said in a joint statement, as the Milan-based tech company presses ahead with a string of deals for software firms.

** French retailer Casino CASP.PA no longer considers Brazil's GPA PCAR3.SA a strategic holding and is open to selling its remaining 22.5% stake in the company, an executive at Casino's financial communications department said.

** UK's John Wood Group WG.L extended the deadline by which Dubai-based engineering and consulting firm Sidara would need to make a firm offer for the company to not later than August 9.