QNB named among ‘World’s Best Companies in Sustainable Growth 2025’ by TIME Magazine
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland , the No. 13 player on Dane Brugler’s big board , has declared for the NFL Draft, joining teammates Mason Graham and Will Johnson . Loveland announced his decision Friday on social media . Though Michigan struggled in the passing game during a 7-5 regular season, Loveland was one of Michigan’s bright spots. He finished his junior season with 56 receptions, a school record for a tight end, 582 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Advertisement Loveland, an unheralded prospect from Gooding, Idaho, earned playing time as a freshman and was one of the key players in Michigan’s national championship season as a sophomore. The 6-foot-5 Loveland’s fluidity as a route runner made him one of the top tight end prospects in college football and a potential top-15 pick. “If he’s not ready to go play in the NFL , I don’t know who would be,” tight ends coach Steve Casula said earlier this season. “He’s outstanding. When you compare his movement skills, his athleticism, ball skills, all that stuff, (you can) compare him against NFL players right now.” Loveland became the third Michigan junior to declare for the draft, joining Johnson and Graham, two other potential first-round picks. Loveland didn’t address the ReliaQuest Bowl in his announcement but the mid-December draft declarations indicate the Wolverines will be without some of their top players when they face Alabama on Dec. 31. Loveland and Johnson were recovering from injuries, and neither played in Michigan’s season-ending upset of Ohio State . Analyzing Loveland’s draft stock In terms of pure receiver ability, Loveland is the best tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft class. His route nuance, ball skills, hand reliability and toughness at the catch point was simply more consistent over a longer period of time than Penn State stud Tyler Warren or anyone else. In just about every area, Loveland has first-round traits as a big, bendy target with speed and an ability to adjust in the air. As a blocker, Loveland was often the spread tight end during Michigan’s national title run with former tight end A.J. Barner occupying much of the inline responsibility. Loveland is a solid inline blocker, he’s not an elite one. In fact, some NFL teams may wind up preferring Warren – a more powerful and, frankly, bigger athlete – over Loveland simply based on this. He also missed the Ohio State game, his last in the series, with a shoulder injury. At the same time, he’s easily a top-20 talent in this draft. Whether or not he winds up in the top 20 — or completely locked into the first round in a weird year — remains to be seen. #Michigan TE Colston Loveland lined up all over the place as usual Saturday night. Made plays all over the place, per usual. pic.twitter.com/tHaDtOyBh6 — Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) September 1, 2024 (Photo of Colston Loveland: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)NEW YORK , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company ("ANSC"), announced today that the Treasurer of Australia (the "Treasurer") on December 12, 2024 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) confirmed that the Commonwealth Government of Australia has no objection to ANSC's previously announced proposed business combination with Australian Food & Agriculture Company Limited ("AFA") and the other parties to the Business Combination Agreement dated August 28, 2024 (the "Business Combination") (known colloquially as "FIRB Approval" as the Treasurer is advised on such matters by the Foreign Investment Review Board). FIRB Approval is one of the conditions to closing of the Business Combination. ABOUT AFA AFA is a large-scale, diversified agricultural business established by the late Colin Bell in 1993 with the acquisition of the historic 'Burrabogie' station. AFA now operates one of the largest agricultural portfolios in New South Wales, Australia consisting of three major freehold title land aggregations within the Deniliquin, Hay and Coonamble districts, which total approximately 550,000 acres, and a water portfolio of approximately 45,000 acre-feet. AFA's portfolio includes some of Australia's most iconic properties, including 'Boonoke', 'Burrabogie', 'Wanganella' and 'Wingadee'. The company has total livestock carrying capacity of approximately 247,000 dry sheep equivalent across its sheep wool and meat and cattle operations (excluding the Conargo feedlot). AFA also operates the historic Wanganella and Poll Boonoke merino sheep studs, amongst the most highly regarded studs in Australia . AFA's cropping operations are characterized by flexibility amongst crop types, geographies and seasons. Key crops include irrigated cotton, irrigated rice, wheat, barley, canola, corn, chick peas and faba beans. More recently, the company has developed the state-of-the-art Conargo feedlot with a licensed capacity of 12,000 standard cattle units. ABOUT ANSC ANSC was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination. ANSC represents a further expansion of its sponsors' 18-year franchise in low-carbon investments, having established industry leading, scaled companies with more than $6 billion of equity invested in renewables. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This document includes certain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions, or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside of ANSC, Agriculture & Natural Solutions Company Limited ACN 680 144 085 ("NewCo") or AFA's management's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing ANSC's, AFA's or NewCo's views as of any subsequent date, and none of ANSC, AFA or NewCo undertakes any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. None of NewCo, ANSC or AFA gives any assurance that any of NewCo, ANSC or AFA will achieve its expectations. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, NewCo's actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: (i) the ability of the parties to complete the Business Combination by ANSC's business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by ANSC; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreements relating to the Business Combination; (iii) the outcome of any legal, regulatory or governmental proceedings that may be instituted against NewCo, ANSC or AFA or any investigation or inquiry following announcement of the Business Combination, including in connection with the Business Combination; (iv) the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain approval of ANSC's shareholders; (v) AFA's and NewCo's success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, their officers, key employees or directors following the Business Combination; (vi) the ability of the parties to obtain the listing of the ordinary shares in the capital of NewCo ("NewCo Ordinary Shares") and warrants to purchase NewCo Ordinary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange upon the closing of the Business Combination; (vii) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of AFA as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; (viii) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; (ix) unexpected costs related to the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of AFA to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its key employees; (x) the ability of the parties to consummate one or more private placements of securities of NewCo to be consummated in connection with the Business Combination (the "Private Placements") on the stated timeline; (xi) the use of proceeds from the Private Placements by the combined company; (xii) the risk that there will be insufficient cash raised through the Private Placements, or that the amount of redemptions by ANSC's public shareholders is greater than expected; (xiii) the management and board composition of NewCo following completion of the Business Combination; (xiv) limited liquidity and trading of NewCo's securities; (xv) geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations, including legal or regulatory developments (including, without limitation, accounting considerations) which could result in the need for AFA to restate its historical financial statements and cause unforeseen delays in the timing of the Business Combination and negatively impact the trading price of NewCo's securities and the attractiveness of the Business Combination to investors; (xvi) the possibility that AFA may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (xvii) operational risks; (xviii) the possibility that a pandemic or major disease disrupts AFA's business; (xix) litigation and regulatory enforcement risks, including the diversion of management time and attention and the additional costs and demands on AFA's resources; (xx) the risks that the consummation of the Business Combination is substantially delayed or does not occur including the risk that the transaction may not be completed by ANSC's business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain extensions of the business combination deadline if sought by ANSC; and (xxi) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Business Combination, including those under "Risk Factors" therein, and in ANSC's, AFA's and NewCo's other filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. No Offer or Solicitation This communication relates to a proposed business combination between AFA and ANSC. This document shall not constitute a "solicitation" of a proxy, consent, or authorization, as defined in Section 14 of the Exchange Act, with respect to any securities or in respect of the Business Combination. This document also does not constitute an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy, sell, or exchange any securities, investment or other specific product, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any offer, sale or exchange of securities, investment or other specific product in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities will be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. Additional Information About the Business Combination and Where To Find It In connection with the Business Combination, ANSC, NewCo and AFA intend to file a registration statement on Form F-4 relating to the Business Combination (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC, which will include a proxy statement of ANSC in connection with ANSC's extraordinary general meeting of its shareholders (the "ANSC Shareholders' Meeting") and certain other related matters described in the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, will contain important information about the Business Combination and the other matters to be voted upon at the ANSC Shareholders' Meeting. This communication does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Business Combination and other matters and is not intended to provide the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect of such matters. ANSC, AFA and NewCo may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the Business Combination. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF ANSC AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, INCLUDING THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED THEREIN, ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS COMBINATION CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ANSC, NEWCO, AFA, AND THE BUSINESS COMBINATION. After the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, ANSC will mail the definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Business Combination to its shareholders as of the record date established for voting on the Business Combination. Shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials in connection with the Business Combination without charge, once available, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation, 712 Fifth Avenue, 36 th Floor, New York, NY 10019. Participants in the Solicitation ANSC, NewCo, AFA and their respective directors and executive officers and related persons may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from ANSC's shareholders in connection with the Business Combination. ANSC's shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the directors and officers of ANSC and their direct or indirect interests therein in ANSC's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024 (File No. 001-41861), including, without limitation, "Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance", "Item 11. Executive Compensation", "Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters" and "Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence". Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to ANSC's shareholders in connection with the Business Combination and other matters to be voted upon at the ANSC Shareholders' Meeting will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus for the Business Combination when available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described above. Media Contact Daniel Yunger / Emma Cloyd Kekst CNC daniel.yunger@kekstcnc.com / emma.cloyd@kekstcnc.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agriculture--natural-solutions-acquisition-corporation-receives-firb-approval-in-connection-with-previously-announced-business-combination-302331743.html SOURCE Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition CorporationMEXICO CITY (AP) — Walmart’s Mexico subsidiary said Friday it plans to appeal a $4.6 million fine for alleged anti-competitive practices involving suppliers. Walmart de Mexico said in a statement that it had talked with suppliers to see if there were any concerns. The agency that issued the fine, known as the Federal Competition Commission, expressed concerns about a “relative monopolistic practice.” The commission, Mexico's main anti-monopoly regulatory agency, is one of several independent agencies soon to be eliminated as part of what the government describes as a money-saving measure. It apparently levied the fine after at least one rival store chain accused Walmart of using its substantial purchasing power to gain discounts that put other sellers at a disadvantage. Walmart is by far the largest retail chain in Mexico. It called the decision “incorrect” and said it contained “errors in applying the law.” The company said it would abide by the agency’s ruling Thursday, but would appeal the decision. Walmart's shares rose about 7.5% on the Mexican stock exchange Friday.An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition
The Sacramento Kings have fired coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his third season with the team mired in a five-game losing streak, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the firing hadn't been announced by the team. ESPN first reported the firing. Brown won NBA Coach of the Year in his first season in 2022-23, when he helped Sacramento end the longest playoff drought in NBA history at 16 seasons. But Sacramento lost in the play-in tournament last year and was off to a 13-18 start this season, leading to the move to fire Brown about six months after he agreed to a contract extension through the 2026-27 season. The Kings have lost an NBA-worst nine games this season after leading in the fourth quarter with the worst one coming in Brown's final game as coach Thursday night against Detroit. Sacramento led by 10 points with less than three minutes to play only to collapse down the stretch. Jaden Ivey converted a four-point play with 3 seconds left when he made a 3-pointer in the right corner and was fouled by De’Aaron Fox. That gave the Pistons a 114-113 win, leaving the Kings in 12th place in the Western Conference. Brown has a 107-88 record in two-plus seasons in Sacramento with a winning record in both of his full seasons. Rick Adelman is the only other coach to post a winning record in a full season since the Kings moved to Sacramento Brown previously had two stints as coach in Cleveland and spent one-plus season as Lakers coach. He has a 455-304 record and has made the playoffs in seven of his nine full seasons. He won Coach of the Year twice, also getting the award in Cleveland in 2008-09. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Kings fire coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his 3rd season, AP source says
NoneHere's how you can profit from BITCOIN MANIA By ANNE ASHWORTH Updated: 16:50 EST, 22 November 2024 e-mail View comments This year's 187 per cent ascent in the share price of the $3.44trillion (£2.7trillion) US semiconductor giant Nvidia has been hard to ignore. But let's take a moment to focus on the 509 per cent leap in the shares of a less supersized US tech firm – MicroStrategy, a software company which mostly puts money into bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency. It has been boosted by the bitcoin mania that ensued from Donald Trump's election win; suddenly crypto has gained a new respectability. But the upward trajectory of MicroStrategy and other US small-cap stocks should also serve as an alert to UK investors who may be sceptical about crypto, but sense that they should be adjusting their portfolios ahead of Trump's arrival at the White House. MicroStrategy's share surge reflects the growing conviction that US 'small-cap' stocks are set for stardom under the Trump regime, following an era where Nvidia and the other 'mega-cap' members of the Magnificent Seven of tech – Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Tesla – have so massively enriched shareholders. 'Small' in this sense does not mean a 'mom and pop' business, but an enterprise worth millions or billions: the average market cap in the Russell 2000 smaller companies index is $3.5billion (£2.8billion). Boost: Donald Trump's victory in the US election has seen cryptocurrency rocket This index has bounced by more than 15 per cent this year, fuelled by excitement over prospects for lesser-known US companies, and by the latest Bank of America fund manager survey. The respondents to this hugely influential research acknowledge the president-elect's policies could stoke inflation, meaning that interest rates fall more slowly than was expected. Nevertheless, they are optimistic about the prospects for all US stocks, in particular believing that smaller domestically-focused companies will be boosted by Trump's plans to cut taxes and reduce regulation. Such a move would allow them to compete more ferociously with larger competitors; bureaucracy can impose a disproportionately heavy burden on lesser-sized corporations. The introduction of tariffs on imports could also be a boon to small-caps. The energy, financial and industrials sectors are seen as the biggest beneficiaries of the array of the populist and other measures that the Trump administration could implement – but the prospects of other types of business could also improve. Blair Couper, investment director at Abrdn says: 'Financial companies, like banks, could perform well if rates stay higher for longer. If the cost of borrowing does remain elevated, real estate businesses may be negatively impacted, but this could be offset by Wall Street's positive reception to Trump's policies.' At the same time, the 'guard rails' on takeovers could be dismantled, allowing more businesses to be snapped up by predators at lip-smacking premiums. Wall Street thinks that the current boss of the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan, is about to be replaced by an official who would be far happier to preside over a surge in M&A (merger and acquisition) activity. Already Bank of America analyst Jill Carey Hall has named some potential takeover targets. The list includes Apogee Enterprises, a maker of architectural glass products, Bread Financial, a lender, and the shipping company Scorpio Tankers. Other analysts have cited companies like Hims & Hers Health, a telehealth platform whose shares have tumbled in the wake of news that Amazon will also be providing consultations on such issues as hair regeneration. Hims and Hers is one of the holdings at Legal & General's L&G Russell 2000 US small-cap quality ETF (exchange traded fund). The fund also has a stake in Mara, a bitcoin 'miner'. These outfits process the transaction following the creation of a new bitcoin. Much complex maths is involved in the process. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Bitcoin soars closer to $100,000 as it rockets 45% since... Crypto goes barking mad: It started as a prank based on a... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account Also in the portfolio is the Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market, whose shares are up 248 per cent in the last year to $146 thanks to the conviction that more Americans will adopt healthier diets and will be keen to consume this supermarket's grass-fed beef, organic milk and vegan snacks. Kirsty Desson, manager of Abrdn global smaller companies fund, also highlights a store group – Casey's, which runs petrol stations on its site, and is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the US. Desson says: 'Casey's operates in rural and small-town locations and targets low to mid-end consumers. In other words, voters most likely to seek to benefit from Trump's 'Make America Great Again' policies.' Desson likes Wintrust, a Chicago-based regional bank whose shares have jumped by 42 per cent this year. This institution should be able increase its lending and also make the most of consolidation in its sector, as regulation becomes less tight and the pace of M&A picks up. A lack of familiarity with Wintrust and other US small cap names may make a foray into this area seem daunting. The Magnificent Seven titans are household names whose services we use, or with whose brands we are familiar. These behemoths have already massively enriched shareholders and there may be more gains to come as the artificial intelligence industrial revolution progresses. Nevertheless, it seems sensible to try to make the most of the coming trends in the American economy. I plan to trickle some cash into funds like Artemis US smaller companies, Interactive Investor's fund recommendation and Premier Miton US opportunities, which is the pick of the Fundcalibre platform. Jason Hollands of Bestinvest favours this fund too: 'It's solid, not racy or speculative; small and mid-cap stocks make up 75 per cent of the portfolio.' He also suggests the Federated Hermes US SMID equity fund. Its manager, Cormac Weldon, contends that 'investing in American smaller companies is a way of more directly capturing the intricacies of the US economy'. More sceptical investors may believe Trump could prove hazardous for the US, since trillions could be added to national debt. It is worth noting, however, that Trump, a New Yorker, craves the good opinion of Wall Street, which is the city's most powerful industry. He also knows Americans are gratified by soaring share prices. The assertion by veteran investor Warren Buffett that you should 'never bet against America' has proved largely reliable. But widening the spreads of these bets from the mega-caps into the small-caps could be wise just now. 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Technology and TV writer Thank you for signing up! Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Bedford Today, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. ITV gave the stars of I’m a Celebrity a reprieve tonight (December 4) as no eviction took place. Instead they started the first part of a competition for a major advantage. A golden ticket straight to the iconic Celebrity Cyclone was up for grabs - and it includes safety from two evictions. All they had to do was compete in the gruelling Arcade of Agony. Advertisement Advertisement Fans will have to wait until Thursday’s (December 5) episode to find out who has won the major advantage. Here’s all you need to know: Instead of a public vote, the celebrities were split into two groups and challenged with competing to win a golden ticket to the Celebrity Cyclone on the weekend. Four celebs took on the Arcade of Agony first, before the remaining cast had their turn. The celebrities will be safe until the conclusion of the golden ticket challenge on Thursday (December 5). Ant and Dec will announce when the public vote has opened again. Melvin Odoom is the most recent star to be sent home from the jungle . He was evicted on Tuesday (December 3) after the latest public vote - and was visibly relieved at being able to go home. Before that Tulisa, Dean and Jane were evicted in the first three public votes. What do you think of this year’s I’m a Celebrity cast - is it one of the best? Share your thoughts by emailing me: [email protected] . Comment Guidelines National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.Kicker Greg Zuerlein set to return for Jets, wide receiver Davante Adams optimistic about playing