May 21 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers,

acquisitions and disposals were reported by 0930 GMT on

Thursday:

** Singapore Telecommunications said it was looking to

sell a minority stake in its Australian unit Optus, and shared

capital spending plans of S$4.2 billion ($3.28 billion) in 2027.

** U.S.-based real estate investment trusts AvalonBay

Communities ( AVB ) and Equity Residential ( EQR ) are nearing a

deal to merge, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing

people familiar with the matter.

** James Murdoch agreed to acquire New York Magazine and the Vox

Media podcast network in a deal that will significantly expand

his portfolio and stands to boost his influence over news and

entertainment.

** NextEra Energy ( NEE ) has agreed to buy U.S. oil and gas

investment firm Caliber Resource Partners for $1.3 billion and

has separately set up a joint venture with Caliber's private

equity backer, Quantum Capital Group, to manage the power

company's U.S. shale assets, four sources told Reuters on

Wednesday.

** Medical device maker Medtronic ( MDT ) said on Wednesday it

plans to acquire privately held SPR Therapeutics for about $650

million in cash, expanding its portfolio of treatments for

chronic pain.

** Arthur J Gallagher's U.S. wholesale brokerage, binding

authority and programs division, Risk Placement Services (RPS),

has acquired Pennsylvania-based McKee Risk Management, the

broker said on Wednesday.

(Compiled by Rajarshi Roy in Bengaluru)