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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 CorporationU.S. stocks closed at more records after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to reach another all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3% to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.6% as Big Tech stocks helped lead the way. Stock markets abroad saw mostly modest losses, after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. U.S. automakers and other companies that could be hurt particularly by such tariffs fell. On Tuesday: The S&P 500 rose 34.26 points, or 0.6%, to 6,021.63. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 123.74 points, or 0.3%, to 44,860.31. The Nasdaq composite rose 119.46 points, or 0.6%, to 19,174.30. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 17.72 points, or 0.7%, to 2,424.31. For the week: The S&P 500 is up 52.29 points, or 0.9%. The Dow is up 563.80 points, or 1.3%. The Nasdaq is up 170.65 points, or 0.9%. The Russell 2000 is up 17.64 points, or 0.7%. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,251.80 points, or 26.2%. The Dow is up 7,170.77 points, or 19%. The Nasdaq is up 4,162.95 points, or 27.7%. The Russell 2000 is up 397.23 points, or 19.6%.
Unique among 'Person of the Year' designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine Time magazine gave Donald Trump something it has never done for a Person of the Year designee: a lengthy fact-check of claims he made in an accompanying interview. David Bauder, The Associated Press Dec 13, 2024 2:46 PM Dec 13, 2024 2:50 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a Time magazine Person of the Year event at the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) Time magazine gave Donald Trump something it has never done for a Person of the Year designee: a lengthy fact-check of claims he made in an accompanying interview. The fact-check accompanies a transcript of what the president-elect told the newsmagazine's journalists. Described as a “12 minute read,” it calls into question 15 separate statements that Trump made. It was the second time Trump earned the Time accolade; he also won in 2016, the first year he was elected president. Time editors said it wasn't a particularly hard choice over other finalists Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate Middleton. Time said Friday that no other Person of the Year has been fact-checked in the near-century that the magazine has annually written about the figure that has had the greatest impact on the news. But it has done the same for past interviews with the likes of Joe Biden, Netanyahu and Trump. Such corrections have been a sticking point for Trump and his team in the past, most notably when ABC News did it during his only debate with Democrat Kamala Harris this fall. There was no immediate response to a request for comment on Friday. In the piece, Time called into question statements Trump made about border security, autism and the size of a crowd at one of his rallies. When the president-elect talked about the “massive” mandate he had received from voters, Time pointed out that former President Barack Obama won more electoral votes the two times he had run for president. The magazine also questioned Trump's claim that he would do interviews with anyone who asked during the campaign, if he had the time. The candidate rejected a request to speak to CBS' “60 Minutes,” the magazine said. “In the final months of his campaign, Trump prioritized interviews with podcasts over mainstream media,” reporters Simmone Shah and Leslie Dickstein wrote. ___ David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social. David Bauder, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More Entertainment News How to write a holiday rom-com for TV, according to the experts Dec 13, 2024 3:16 PM Saudi Arabia banned film for 35 years. The Red Sea festival is just one sign of the industry's rise Dec 13, 2024 2:53 PM Saudi Arabia banned film for 35 years. The Red Sea festival is just one sign of the industry's rise Dec 13, 2024 2:40 PM Featured Flyer
For the second straight Major League Baseball offseason, a norm-shattering contract has been the talk of the winter, with Juan Soto agreeing with the New York Mets on a $765 million, 15-year deal that's the richest in baseball history. It comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of $700 million on a 10-year, heavily deferred deal for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. They are believed to be the two richest contracts in pro sports history. The way it's going, a contract approaching $1 billion doesn't seem out of the question. But several factors are working against it — at least in the near future. There's reason to believe the megadeals for Ohtani and Soto are unicorns in the baseball world. Both players are uniquely talented, surely, but both also had unusual circumstances propelling their value into the stratosphere. Ohtani is the greatest two-way player in baseball history, capable of improving any team on both sides of the ball. He's also the rare baseball player who has true international appeal. His every move ( like his unexpected marriage announcement ) is followed closely in his native Japan, adding another 125 million potential fans who buy merchandise, watch him play and help fill the Dodgers' coffers. Then there's Soto — a four-time All-Star and on-base machine who won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019. The X-factor for him is he became a free agent at the prime age of 26, which is extremely hard to do under current MLB rules. New York Yankees' Juan Soto, right, with the help of his agent Scott Boras, left, agreed to a $765 million, 15-year deal with the New York Mets on Sunday. Players have to be in the big leagues for six years before testing free agency. The precocious Soto debuted at 19 with the Nats, making him part of a rare group of players who reached the highest level of professional baseball as a teenager. That accelerated his free agency timeline. It's rare for players to debut that young, and rarer still for them to develop into stars and test the open market the first chance they get. Two recent examples are Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, who both reached free agency in 2019. Machado signed a free-agent record $300 million contract with San Diego, and Harper overtook him days later with a $330 million contract to join the Phillies. Most players debut in the big leagues from ages 22 to 26, which means free agency comes in their late 20s or early 30s. A typical example is Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is one of this generation's great players but didn't hit the market until he was 30. Judge played three seasons of college baseball for Fresno State before getting drafted by the Yankees in 2013 at age 21 — already two years older than Soto was when he made his MLB debut. It took a few years for the budding superstar to reach the majors, and he was 25 when he had his breakout season in 2018, smashing 52 homers to earn AL Rookie of the Year honors. By the time he reached free agency after the 2022 season, he had already passed age 30. It's a major factor that led to him signing a $360 million, nine-year deal with the Yankees, which seems downright reasonable these days after the Ohtani and Soto deals. Two major trends are colliding that will make it harder for guys like Soto to hit free agency in their mid 20s. First, MLB teams have been more likely in recent years to take college players early in the draft, betting on more experienced talents. Just 10 high school players were drafted among the top 30 picks in the 2024 draft. Second, teams are more eager to lock up young, premium talent on long-term deals very early in their careers, well before they hit free agency. Sometimes before they even reach the majors. Juan Soto's deal comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of $700 million on a 10-year, heavily deferred deal for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. Since Soto, just two players have debuted in MLB before their 20th birthday — Elvis Luciano and Junior Caminero. Luciano hasn't been back to the majors since his 2019 cup of coffee. Caminero is now 21 and has only played in 50 big league games. Among those that debuted at 20: Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a $340 million, 14-year deal with San Diego in 2021, years before reaching the open market. Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio got an $82 million, eight-year deal before even reaching the big leagues. Young stars Corbin Carroll ($111 million, eight years with Arizona), Bobby Witt Jr. ($288 million, 11 years with Kansas City) and Julio Rodriguez ($209.3 million, 12 years with Seattle) also got massive guarantees early in their 20s to forgo an early free agency. The exception and wild card: Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a 26-year-old free agent next offseason. Guerrero hasn't been as consistent in his young career as Soto, but a standout 2025 season could position him to threaten Soto's deal. More likely is that the player to pass Soto isn't in the majors yet — and might not even be in pro baseball. When 25-year-old Alex Rodriguez signed his record $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas in 2001, it took over a decade for another player to match that total, when Albert Pujols got $240 million over 10 years from the Angels in 2012. For many players, passing up life-changing money in their early or mid 20s is too enticing, even if it means that they might not maximize their value on the free agent market later in their careers. Soto was determined to test the market. He famously turned down a $440 million, 15-year offer to stay with the Washington Nationals in 2022, betting that he could make even more as a free agent. Not many players would turn down that kind of cash. Then again, that's what makes Soto so unique. And it's also why his $765 million deal could be the industry standard for some time. Stiliana Nikolova, of Bulgaria performs in the rhythmic gymnastics individuals all-round qualification round, at La Chapelle Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Cincinnati Reds' Jonathan India reacts as he collides with San Diego Padres catcher Luis Campusano during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Cincinnati. India was safe and Campusano was charged with an error. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Kimberley Woods of Britain competes in the women's kayak cross time trial at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Mike Tyson, left, fights Jake Paul during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus plays a forehand return to Coco Gauff of the U.S. during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte) Noah Lyles, of the United States, jumps as he limbers-up ahead of the men's 100-meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) A member of the Seattle Mariners tosses a ball against a wall during drills at spring training baseball workouts, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Rebecca Sramkova of Slovakia waits to receive serve during her first round match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Czech Republic's Jiri Beran, left, competes with France's Yannik Borel in the men's team epee bronze final match during the 2024 Summer Olympics at the Grand Palais, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) France's Adrien Truffert jumps over Argentina's goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli during a quarterfinal soccer match between France and Argentina, at Bordeaux Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Bordeaux, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Fans interfere with a foul ball caught by Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Italy's Sara Curtis splashes her face with water before a women's 50-meter freestyle semifinal at the Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Ivory Coast 's Seko Fofana, top, duels for the ball with Nigeria's Victor Osimhen during the African Cup of Nations final soccer match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast, at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) Costa Rica midfielder Jefferson Brenes, from left, Alvaro Zamora (21), Francisco Calvo (15) and Joseph Mora (8) are pelted with drinks and trash after celebrating a Brenes goal in the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League Play-In soccer match against Honduras, Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Gabrielle Thomas, of the United States, celebrates winning the gold medal in the women's 200 meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Tyrrell Hatton, of England, reacts on the 11th hole during a practice round in preparation for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Augusta, GA. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Quincy Hall, of the United States, celebrates after winning the men's 400-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Tim Tszyu, of Australia, hits Sebastian Fundora in a super welterweight title bout Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Workers peep through curtains to watch a match between France's Gael Monfils and Russia's Daniil Medvedev during the China Open tennis tournament held at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Amy Yang, of South Korea, is doused after winning the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament at Sahalee Country Club, Sunday, June 23, 2024, in Sammamish, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Workers remove snow from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday Jan. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/ Jeffrey T. Barnes) United States' Mikaela Shiffrin speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's World Cup slalom, in Gurgl, Austria, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti) Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, left, scores his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue ) Czech Republic's Michal Kempny, right, punches United States' Brady Tkachuk during the quarterfinal match between Czech Republic and United States at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, May 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) Turkey's Taha Akgul, left, competes with Georgia's Geno Petriashvili in a men's freestyle 125 kg category gold medal wrestling match during the European Wrestling Championships, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith cries after winning the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. The Chiefs won 25-22. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Carles Coll Marti of Spain competes in the men's 200-meter breaststroke heat at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots between New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III and guard CJ McCollum in the second half of an NBA basketball play-in tournament game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New Orleans. The Lakers won 110-106. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A man in a monk's robe waves the French flag as the peloton passes during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 163.5 kilometers (101.6 miles) with start in Macon and finish in Dijon, France, Thursday, July 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) Belgium's Jeremy Doku, left, challenges for the ball with Romania's Andrei Ratiu during a Group E match between Belgium and Romania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) A spectator walks through a water mist sprayer on her way to Eiffel Tower Stadium to watch a beach volleyball at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Gabriel Medina, of Brazil, kicks off of a wave as he warms up prior to the quarterfinals round of the 2024 Summer Olympics surfing competition, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Teahupo'o, Tahiti. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Rebeca Andrade, of Brazil, is reflected on a surface as she performs on the balance beam during the women's artistic gymnastics all-around finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Wyndham Clark waits to hit on the 17th hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Kolkata Knight Riders' wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz dives to make an unsuccessful attempt to run out Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma during the Indian Premier League cricket final match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai, India, Sunday, May 26, 2024.(AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.) Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the qualifying session of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, in Singapore, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) Serbia's Novak Djokovic embraces his daughter Tara after defeating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles tennis final at the Roland Garros stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Spain's Dani Olmo clears the ball from the goal line during the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) A fleet of boats compete in the mixed multihull sailing race during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Marseille, France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) A horse watches from its stable ahead of the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) Silver medalist Simone Biles, of the United States, left, and bronze medalist Jordan Chiles, of the United States, right, bow to gold medalist Rebeca Andrade, of Brazil, during the medal ceremony for the women's artistic gymnastics individual floor finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Denver celebrates after winning the championship game against Boston College in the Frozen Four NCAA college hockey tournament Saturday, April 13, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. Denver won 2-0 to win the national championship. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Washington safety Kamren Fabiculanan (13) and cornerback Elijah Jackson (25) break up a pass to Eastern Michigan wide receiver Terry Lockett Jr. (3) in the end zone during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Seattle. Washington won 30-9. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Milwaukee Bucks' AJ Johnson, right, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Jared McCain, center, and Adem Bona during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Elise Mertens, of Belgium, serves against Naomi Osaka, of Japan, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Monday, March 11, 2024, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Italy's Giovanni Tocci competes in the men's 3m springboard diving preliminary at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani breaks his bat during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Wearing a device that measures his energy consumption, the Israel Amputee Football Team player, Ben Maman, left, fights for the ball with a young soccer player from a local team during a practice session in Ramat Gan, Thursday, April 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) A soccer fan dressed as Spiderman watches Brazil play Uruguay in a Copa America quarterfinal match on a screen set up for fans on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, July 7, 2024. Brazil lost in a penalty shootout and Uruguay qualified for the semifinals. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Men dressed in traditional clothes try to pull the opponent over the table at the German Championships in Fingerhakeln or finger wrestling, in Bernbeuren, Germany, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, kicks the ball after double faulting against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) Water is sprayed on the pitch as the ball boys and girls walk along the center line before the start of the men's Group A field hockey match between South Africa and Germany at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Colombes, France. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) Cleveland Browns defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) reaches for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Morocco's Widad Bertal celebrates after defeating Thailand's Jutamas Jitpong in their women's 54kg preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher) Brazil's Priscila eyes the ball during a women's semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at Marseille Stadium in Marseille, France. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Simone Biles of the United States competes on the balance beam during a women's artistic gymnastics qualification round at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. signs autographs for a young fan before the start of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Real Madrid's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Mozambique's Deizy Nhaquile battles rough seas during a women's dinghy race, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Marseille, France. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) People watch the cauldron rise at sunset by the Olympic rings during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses Taylor Swift after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. The Chiefs won 25-22. (AP Photo/John Locher) A light show is projected from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Kateryna Tabashnyk, a high jumper, sits for a portrait Sunday, June 9, 2024, at the athletics arena of the "Polytechnic" sports complex, which was destroyed by a Russian rocket attack, in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
Fiji and Australia share a love of sport. It brings us together like nothing else can – we share sporting history and heroes, enjoy our rivalry on the field, and celebrate our successes off it. That is why sport is such an important part of our renewed and elevated Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership. Recognising the strength of this connection, the Australian Government is partnering with the Australian Rugby League Commission to invest in a ten-year program to deepen our engagement with the Pacific through rugby league. This includes support for a PNG franchise to join the Australian National Rugby League (NRL). The package will deliver funding for grassroots, school, talent and elite pathways in Fiji, using sport to complement our development programs, and improve education, health and gender equity outcomes. There will be a strong focus on girls and women’s rugby league across Fiji and the Pacific, cultivating elite players pathways for girls and women to play at the highest levels. Building on the recent success of the Pacific Championships, co-hosted in Suva, the partnership will continue to support regular elite competition in Fiji and the Pacific. It was fantastic to see the passion and energy of Fijian rugby league fans who attended the consecutive double-headers, to support the Fiji Bati and Bulikula. This new program will provide even more opportunities for boys, girls, men and women in Fiji to reach the highest level in the game. This will complement our existing support for Fiji’s elite pathways through the Kaiviti Silktails’ participation in the NSW Jersey Flegg competition, and support for emerging women players and coaches to participate in the Rise Rookie Academy program. This sports-based program reflects Australia’s unique identity and connections with our Pacific family. In fact, approximately 50 per cent of current NRL and NRLW players have Pasifika heritage. Sport also plays an important role in important life lessons and building strong communities. Sport keeps kids in school; it teaches them teamwork, cooperation, strategy and discipline. It creates opportunities and builds aspiration. One of the greatest achievements from the Australian Government’s existing investments in rugby league in the Pacific is the increased participation of schoolboys and schoolgirls, including young Fijians, at international events. It is wonderful to see the passion and skill of the younger generation. Australia’s new investment will further support pathways to develop talent and promote Pasifika representation at the elite level. The Pacific Rugby League Partnership builds upon 25 years of Australian sports investment to help transform lives and strengthen links with our Pacific family, including: • PacificAus Sports – developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes, including the Fijian and Fijiana Drua, to compete in elite competitions; facilitating access to high performance training in Australia, including ahead of the year’s Olympics; and investing in increased presence of Australian elite teams and athletes in the Pacific. • Team Up – helping address barriers preventing women, girls and people with disabilities from accessing beneficial sport programs. The new partnership will be designed and delivered in partnership with the Australian Rugby League Commission and our Pacific partners to achieve impacts on and off the sporting field, including in economic development, education, social cohesion, gender equality, and health. This is an exciting new chapter of our shared sporting history. I am excited to join our Fijian Vuvale to see rugby league in Fiji go from strength to strength, from schools and community competitions to the international stage. Vinaka vakalevu.
Pinarayi blames Thangal for IUML’s ‘fundamentalist drift’The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund paid for several individuals, including an assistant deputy mayor and a Baltimore City Public Schools employee, to go on a trip to Missouri in November, documents obtained by Spotlight on Maryland show. The fund, which is entirely supported by taxpayer dollars, was approved by voters in 2016. Baltimore City is required to give millions of dollars to BCYF every year with no sunset date. Unlike city agencies, the city auditor is not required to conduct biennial performance audits of the fund. BCYF operates as a nonprofit outside city government. Spotlight on Maryland previously the fund paid for 100 local activists to go on a trip to Alabama in February 2024 for its “Opening Plenary,” which CEO Alysia Lee called a “city-wide learning series to explore racial justice and liberatory practice in youth-centered organizations.” But new documents show BCYF continued dishing out money for travel in 2024, including for a November trip to St. Louis for the fund’s racial equity committee to attend the annual “Facing Race” conference. Members of the racial equity committee also sit on the BCYF board of directors, which is deeply tied to Baltimore City Hall. The fund’s website two voting seats on its board must be occupied by a representative from the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success and a designee chosen by the City Council president. Noell Lugay, who serves as Mayor Brandon Scott’s interim assistant deputy mayor for equity, health and human services, is one of the city hall representatives who sits on the BCYF board. She earns a $137,917 annual salary in her role on Scott’s staff. BCYF paid her way to the St. Louis conference, prompting her to send an email to BCYF leaders expressing her excitement. “PACK ME UP NOW!” Lugay wrote to the BCYF board in September, an email obtained by Spotlight on Maryland through a public records request shows. A spokesperson for Scott did not return a request for comment from Spotlight on Maryland about Lugay’s trip to St. Louis on BCYF’s dime. Lugay declined to comment on the trip when reached by Spotlight on Maryland. She previously worked in the Office of School Supports at Baltimore City Public Schools. BCYF also paid for a current Baltimore City Public Schools employee, Chan’nel Williams, to go on the St. Louis trip. Williams makes $116,089 per year working for the city school system as a fine arts coordinator. Like Lugay, Williams sits on the BCYF board as well as the fund’s racial equity committee. The fund also allowed individuals who do not sit on the racial equity committee to go on the St. Louis trip, including Lee and her executive assistant. Jerel Wilson, who runs a local nonprofit, indicated in an email obtained by Spotlight on Maryland that he registered to have the fund pay for his travel to the conference. Wilson’s nonprofit, For My Kidz Inc., is a BCYF grantee. BCYF paid for travelers to stay at the Marriott St. Louis Grand and covered the cost of their airfare, meals, conference registration and $75 worth of ground transportation, according to an email from Lee reviewed by Spotlight on Maryland. A spokesperson for BCYF did not return a request for comment from Spotlight on Maryland about the trip and whether it was an appropriate use of taxpayer money. Related Articles The purpose of BCYF is to provide grants to community-based organizations supporting Baltimore City youth. The architect of the fund, former Baltimore Mayor Jack Young, called on BCYF earlier this month to realign itself with his original vision instead of paying for adults to take trips. “Right now, [BCYF] is not anything that I envisioned,” Young told Spotlight on Maryland in a phone interview. “That fund was created so that community-based organizations could get funding for the programs they had for the youth. Not a junket for grownups.” The financial management of BCYF has also caught the attention of Baltimore Inspector General Isabel Cumming and Baltimore Comptroller Bill Henry, whose office says it is working to build “a stronger relationship with BCYF to understand their strategies and be a resource for fiscal prudence.” Three former BCYF employees told Spotlight on Maryland that the fund’s former vice president of finance warned BCYF leadership that the fund’s spending could “get [them] in trouble.” The former employees say the fund’s in-house finance team was dissolved shortly thereafter. Spotlight on Maryland is keeping the identities of the former employees confidential due to fear of retaliation in their current lines of work. BCYF did not address the matter when reached for comment.
Trump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for relief DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists and industry officials say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday threatening tariffs on his first day in office could be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. Trump’s latest tariff plan aims at multiple countries. What does it mean for the US? WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has identified what he sees as an all-purpose fix for what ails America: Slap huge new tariffs on foreign goods entering the United States. On Monday, Trump sent shockwaves across the nation’s northern and southern borders, vowing sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, as well as China, as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. Trump said he will impose a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders. Federal Reserve officials signal cautious path for rate cuts amid still-high inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — With inflation still elevated, Federal Reserve officials expressed caution at their last meeting about cutting interest rates too quickly, adding to uncertainty about their next moves. Even if inflation continued declining to the Fed’s 2% target, officials said, “it would likely be appropriate to move gradually” in lowering rates, according to minutes of the November 6-7 meeting. The minutes don’t specifically provide much guidance about what the Fed will do at its next meeting in December. Wall Street investors see the odds of another quarter-point reduction in the Fed’s key rate at that meeting as nearly even, according to CME Fedwatch. Canadian officials blast Trump's tariff threat and one calls Mexico comparison an insult TORONTO (AP) — Canadian officials are blasting President-elect Donald’s Trump’s threat to impose sweeping tariffs. The leader of Canada's most populous province on Tuesday called Trump’s comparison of Canada to Mexico “the most insulting thing I’ve ever heard.” Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada, Mexico and China as soon as he takes office in January as part of efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. Canadians say their economy and the U.S. one are deeply intertwined and Americans would feel tariffs, too. Biden proposes Medicare and Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The proposal, which would not be finalized until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, could cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. It would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some people have labeled them miracle drugs. Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision. It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap? NEW YORK (AP) — It’s almost that time of year. Spotify is gearing up to release its annual Spotify Wrapped, a personalized recap of its users' listening habits and year in audio. The streaming service has been sharing these personalized analyses with since 2016. And each year, it’s become a bigger production than the last. Spotify claimed its 2023 Wrapped was the “biggest ever created” in terms of audience reach and the kind of data it provided to users. But information on Wrapped's 2024 release has been kept under ... er, wraps. In previous years, it’s been released after Thanksgiving, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6. Thanksgiving travel is cranking up. Will the weather cooperate? The Thanksgiving travel rush is picking up, with Tuesday and Wednesday expected to be much busier than the last couple days. A lot of travelers will be watching weather forecasts to see if rain or snow could slow them down. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 2.8 million people on Tuesday and 2.9 million on Wednesday after handling more than 2.5 million people on Monday. So far, relatively few flights have been canceled this week, but there have been thousands of delayed flights every day. That is becoming normal for U.S. airlines. Federal agency raises the size of most single-family loans the government can guarantee to $806,500 The Federal Housing Finance Agency is increasing the size of home loans that the government can guarantee against default as it takes into account rising housing prices. Beginning next year, mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to acquire loans of up to $806,500 on single-family homes in most of the country, the agency said Tuesday. The new conforming loan limit is a 5.2% increase from its 2024 level. FHFA oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which buy home loans from banks and other lenders. FHFA adjusts the loan limits annually to reflect changes in U.S. home values, which have been rising this year despite a national home sales slump. Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talk NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to reach another all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3% to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.6% as Big Tech stocks helped lead the way. Stock markets abroad saw mostly modest losses after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. U.S. automakers and other companies that could be hurt particularly by such tariffs fell.
After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soonCalton & Associates Inc. Purchases 8,339 Shares of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — If Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has given any thought to the possibility of in his first season with the team with a win at New England on Saturday, he isn't letting it show. “Just attacking, that’s our mindset. Win the next game," he said. Harbaugh's relative silence on the topic isn't a total departure from his usual business-first approach, but there could also be something else at play. Aside from wrapping up what would be Harbaugh’s fourth postseason trip in five years as an NFL head coach, since the Chargers (9-6) have the tiebreaker over the Denver Broncos but not against the Pittsburg Steelers, Los Angeles would appear destined to be the sixth seed in the postseason. That would mean a trip to Baltimore and a possible Harbaugh Bowl 4 matchup opposite older brother and Ravens coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens beat the Chargers earlier this season 30-23. But first things first. And that's taking care of the Patriots (3-12), who have lost five straight games but showed several signs of offensive improvement during their at Buffalo last week. Jim Harbaugh sees a dangerous group. And his players say they are locked in on the present. “Always one week at a time. We’ve got a lot of respect for this Patriots team," Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. "We know we’re going on the road and have to be prepared for everything.” If the Patriots are going to play the role of spoiler, it must start with rookie quarterback Drake Maye. He has thrown a touchdown pass in seven consecutive games, tied with Jim Plunkett (1971) for the longest such streak by a rookie in franchise history. But he has also thrown at least one interception in each of the past seven games. Overall, the Patriots have a minus-9 turnover margin. The Patriots did score 14 points in the first half during last week’s loss at Buffalo. Still, New England's offense has had trouble finishing drives, scoring touchdowns on only 47.7% of its chances in the red zone. Maye said that doesn't mean he plans to be timid over the final two games. “I think there’s definitely a way we need to cut down turnovers,” he said. “That starts with me protecting the football and throwing it incomplete or throwing it in the dirt or little things like that. I’m still going to be aggressive.” The Chargers could have a major weapon return in running back J.K. Dobbins, who has been on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury against Baltimore on Nov. 25. With Dobbins out of the lineup, the Bolts have struggled to have any consistency on offense. Los Angeles has averaged only 74.8 rushing yards in the past four games, which is quite a drop from the 118.1 they were generating before Dobbins’ injury. Dobbins was listed as questionable, while Gus Edwards — who rushed for two touchdowns and a season-high 68 yards in last Thursday’s win over Denver — was ruled out with an ankle injury. Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins would likely take over in the backfield if Dobbins also can't play. Justin Herbert, who has 20,466 career passing yards, needs 153 yards to surpass Peyton Manning for the most in a player's first five seasons in league history. Ladd McConkey is 40 yards away from becoming the first Chargers rookie receiver to reach 1,000 yards since Keenan Allen in 2013. The Chargers have won 11 of their past 13 when playing in the Eastern time zone, including last year’s 6-0 victory over the Patriots. Los Angeles has five of its nine games on Eastern time this season for the first time since 2005. They are trying to become the ninth team since 1988 on Pacific time to win at least four games when having to travel at least three time zones. The Chargers have given up two touchdowns and a field goal on the first possession in the last three games. They allowed only one touchdown on an opening drive in the first 12 games. Another cause for concern is that the Bolts have given up scores on the first two series in back-to-back games. AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy in Los Angeles contributed to this report. AP NFL:
Avior Wealth Management LLC Sells 289 Shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BATS:BBJP)DOGE's amazing growth trajectory has enthralled investors; forecasts indicate a $800 investment might turn into $80,000 in just four months. Still, another token is becoming a game-changer within the craze around meme coins: Rexas Finance (RXS). Unlike Dogecoin and its peer Shiba Inu (SHIB), RXS is a strong competitor able to attain comparable profits in a fraction of the time since it blends creative technology with practical uses. Ascent of Dogecoin: A Four-Month Road towards $80,000 Dogecoin has come to represent spectacular increases and community-driven fervor. Originally started as a joke, DOGE has exceeded expectations by gaining popular acceptance and crypto world household name recognition. An active community and well-publicized sponsorships—like Elon Musk's regular tweets, which have sent its price skyrocketing—have driven its expansion. Forecasts show that after four months Dogecoin might turn a $800 investment into an amazing $80,000. Two elements that have traditionally propelled DOGE's explosive climb—market sentiment and speculative momentum—will determine its possibility. Though remarkable as this estimate is, it is not worth comparing to the revolutionary possibilities of Rexas Finance, a token with actual value and transforming uses. Rexas Finance (RXS): A DOGE Rival Revolutionary Differentiated Although Dogecoin depends on hype and speculative purchase, Rexas Finance (RXS presents a quite distinct value proposition. Through tokenizing actual assets via blockchain technology, RXS is spearheading a financial revolution. These comprise tangible items like commodities and real estate as well as intangible things like intellectual property. By separating these assets into digital tokens, tokenization lets them be liquid, easily transferred, and reachable to a worldwide audience. This invention tackles a main flaw in conventional financial systems: the lack of liquidity and accessibility for highly valuable assets. Rexas Finance enables fractional ownership, therefore empowering ordinary investors to purchase assets hitherto solely accessible to high-net-worth individuals. Using RXS tokens, for instance, investors can purchase a fraction of a luxury house or a share of a gold reserve, therefore distributing wealth on an unheard-of basis. Starting at just $0.03 in Stage 1, RXS tokens have regularly appreciated to reach $0.08 in Stage 6. Given tokens are currently expected to list at $0.20, the fast sell-off of presale stages highlights increasing investor confidence. Investors stand to get 150% profits by the time RXS reaches exchanges even at the present presale price. These numbers imply that, after just two months, a $800 investment in RXS now might produce returns that either match or exceed the four-month prediction of Dogecoin. For crypto investors looking for large returns, Rexas Finance is a leading contender thanks to its creative utility combined with explosive growth potential. Rexas Finance distinguishes itself mostly with its extensive ecosystem meant to handle pragmatic financial problems. Token holders of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) can participate in a vibrant financial ecosystem by staking, lending, and borrowing, therefore generating passive revenue. Using Telegram or Discord, the Rexas QuickMint Bot lets users create tokens on Ethereum-compatible blockchains, therefore providing fast market access and asset tokenizing simplification. Rexas Finance is leading the way in the growing discipline of asset tokenization by addressing liquidity problems and streamlining asset management. Investors trust Rexas Finance since it is committed to openness and security. Leading blockchain security company CertiK has audits of the smart contracts on the network to provide a safe ecosystem for transactions. Its listings on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko also give openness and visibility, hence increasing investor confidence. Rexas Finance started a $1 million giveaway program in order to encourage community involvement. Twenty fortunate individuals will be rewarded with $50,000 worth of RXS tokens each by this campaign, therefore increasing awareness of the network and drawing fresh users. Through small tasks and friend referrals, participants raise their chances of winning, thus strengthening the lively and active community needed for long-term success. Why Rexas Finance Outfits Shiba Inu and Dogecoin? Though speculative investors are captivated by Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, they lack the useful applications and strong environment Rexas Finance provides. DOGE lives on buzz, and SHIB is mostly community-driven even if it is creative in its environment. On the other hand, RXS offers the best of both worlds: an active community combined with a utility-oriented approach meant to solve practical problems. Rexas Finance is a financial revolution rather than only a cryptocurrency by spreading access to highly valuable assets. For investors looking for transforming development, its capacity to provide explosive profits in a short period makes it a better substitute than Shiba Inu and Dogecoin. Conclusion Dogecoin's ability to turn $800 into $80,000 in four months is amazing, Rexas Finance presents a far more appealing prospect. Changing the crypto scene, RXS offers unparalleled value and utility by tokenizing actual assets using blockchain technology. Rexas Finance is ready to do what Dogecoin and Shiba Inu cannot: sustainable, utility-driven growth that turns $800 into $80,000 in only two months with its enormous presale success, strong ecosystem, and relentless commitment to security and transparency. Rexas Finance is the token to keep an eye on investors looking for the next great thing in cryptocurrencies. For more information about Rexas Finance (RXS) visit the links below: Website: https://rexas.com Win $1 Million Giveaway: https://bit.ly/Rexas1M Whitepaper: https://rexas.com/rexas-whitepaper.pdf Twitter/X: https://x.com/rexasfinance Telegram: https://t.me/rexasfinance Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.Bears being cautious after Joe Burrow's home broken into during 'MNF'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 Corporation Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today
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Barcelona, Bayern, and Arsenal secured vital wins as Manchester City’s defensive woes continued in a dramatic Champions League matchday. New Delhi: The UEFA Champions League delivered another thrilling matchday with exciting clashes and dramatic turnarounds across Europe. Teams battled fiercely to secure vital points as the league phase nears its conclusion. From commanding wins by Atalanta and Arsenal to a resilient fightback by Feyenoord against Manchester City, the action had it all. Standout performances included Charles De Ketelaere’s brilliance for Atalanta in their 6-1 demolition of Young Boys, while Bayern Munich edged past PSG with a gritty 1-0 victory. Elsewhere, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen showcased their dominance, while Inter Milan’s narrow win over RB Leipzig solidified their top spot. However, Manchester City’s six-match winless streak continued as they let a three-goal lead slip in a dramatic 3-3 draw. Manchester City 3-3 Feyenoord 😳❗️ From 3-0 to 3-3! pic.twitter.com/i38Xid1XS8 — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 26, 2024 Manchester City’s struggles continued as they threw away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord in a dramatic Champions League encounter. This result extends Pep Guardiola’s winless run to six matches, the worst streak of his managerial career. City appeared to be in full control when Erling Haaland struck twice, either side of Ilkay Gundogan’s deflected volley. The home side dominated for most of the match, with Feyenoord offering little resistance until the final 15 minutes. Guardiola even introduced Kevin De Bruyne and youngsters James McAtee and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, seemingly confident the game was sealed. But Feyenoord fought back. Anis Hadj Moussa punished a Josko Gvardiol error to pull one back. Substitute Santiago Gimenez then made it 3-2 with a close-range finish, before David Hancko stunned the Etihad with a late equaliser. Defensive lapses and Ederson’s poor showing left City reeling. The draw halts a five-game losing streak but feels like a defeat. City now sit 15th in the Champions League table, with their form raising serious concerns. A trip to Anfield looms on Sunday, where defeat could widen the gap to the league leaders. Guardiola and his side are now staring at a genuine crisis. FC Barcelona 3-0 Brest ⭐️ FULL TIME!!! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/gWM5mFGQwX — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 26, 2024 Barcelona secured their fourth consecutive UEFA Champions League League Phase win with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Brest at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium. The victory solidified their place in the top eight and eased concerns after a recent dip in form. Though it took 65 minutes to settle into a comfortable lead, Hansi Flick’s side showcased their dominance and controlled the match throughout. The game started brightly for Barça, who took the lead after just ten minutes. Robert Lewandowski calmly converted from the penalty spot following a foul by Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot, marking his 100th Champions League goal. The hosts dictated the tempo, pressing high and recovering possession quickly, but struggled with their decision-making in the final third. Despite creating several chances, they couldn’t add to their lead before the break, with Brest’s defence and Bizot making crucial interventions. In the second half, Barcelona continued to dominate possession and create opportunities but found Brest difficult to break down. Dani Olmo came close, only to see his effort cleared off the line. Persistence paid off on 65 minutes when Gerard Martín’s pinpoint pass found Olmo, who evaded defenders and slotted home to double the advantage. Barça remained in control and sealed the win in stoppage time. Alejandro Balde delivered a perfect assist for Lewandowski, who finished with style to complete his brace. While the scoreline could have been more emphatic given their dominance, this comprehensive performance takes Barcelona a step closer to the Champions League Round of 16. In the second half, Barcelona continued to dominate possession and create opportunities but found Brest difficult to break down. Dani Olmo came close, only to see his effort cleared off the line. Persistence paid off on 65 minutes when Gerard Martín’s pinpoint pass found Olmo, who evaded defenders and slotted home to double the advantage. Barca remained in control and sealed the win in stoppage time. Alejandro Balde delivered a perfect assist for Lewandowski, who finished with style to complete his brace. While the scoreline could have been more emphatic given their dominance, this comprehensive performance takes Barcelona a step closer to the Champions League Round of 16. Bayern Munich 1-0 Paris St. Germain 🔔 FULL TIME – Victory at home! +3 in the #UCL 👏❤️ #FCBayern #MiaSanMia | #FCBPSG #UCL pic.twitter.com/BYE23dXXih — FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) November 26, 2024 Bayern Munich edged out Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in a gritty encounter on Tuesday evening at the Allianz Arena in matchday five of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League League Phase. Vincent Kompany’s side earned a vital three points thanks to Kim Min-jae’s first-half header, moving them closer to a top-eight finish while delivering a blow to PSG’s chances. Kompany fielded a strong XI featuring Manuel Neuer, Raphael Guerreiro, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, and Alphonso Davies in defence; Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in midfield; and Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman, and Harry Kane in attack. The opening minutes saw Bayern miss a golden chance as Musiala’s close-range effort was saved, while PSG immediately countered but failed to capitalise through Ousmane Dembele. Both sides exchanged half-chances, with Coman narrowly missing after a brilliant solo run and PSG’s Warren Zaire-Emery firing wide from a promising position. The breakthrough came just after the half-hour mark when Kim Min-jae rose highest to head home following a scrambled PSG clearance from a corner. Bayern nearly doubled their lead moments later, but Coman’s audacious lob bounced onto the roof of the net. As the half concluded, Leroy Sane forced a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Bayern heading into the break one goal up. The second half started with drama as PSG’s Dembele received a second yellow card for a foul on Davies, reducing the French champions to 10 men. Despite the numerical advantage, Bayern found PSG difficult to break down and missed opportunities to extend their lead. Musiala struck the post after a superb solo effort, while substitute Michael Olise came close immediately after his introduction but couldn’t find the finish. In the dying moments, Serge Gnabry stretched for a Thomas Muller cross but failed to convert, though it mattered little as Bayern secured the win. The result puts them in 11th place, just a point off the top eight, with a favourable schedule remaining. This defeat ends PSG’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages. Inter Milan 1-0 RB Leipzig ANOTHER BIG WIN 🖤💙 #ForzaInter #InterRBL #UCL pic.twitter.com/4ttb7pWpNQ — Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) November 26, 2024 Inter Milan edged past RB Leipzig 1-0 in their Champions League clash on Tuesday, thanks to an own goal by Castello Lukeba. The narrow victory at the San Siro sees the Italian champions move to the top of the standings, remaining unbeaten in the league phase. The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Federico Dimarco’s dangerous free kick caused havoc in Leipzig’s defence, forcing Lukeba to turn the ball into his net inadvertently. Inter maintained control for most of the match, creating a few chances to double their lead, but failed to capitalise. Leipzig’s struggles were evident as they offered little going forward, extending their winless run to five matches in the competition. The German side remains rooted at the bottom of the table with no points, facing an early exit. Inter’s win takes them to 13 points, one ahead of Barcelona, who defeated Brest 3-0. Liverpool and Real Madrid, set to face off on Wednesday, will look to challenge the top positions. With one match remaining, Inter are firmly in control of their destiny and edging closer to securing a top-eight finish. Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 RB Salzburg Was. Für. Ein. Abend. 🔥😮💨 🔙 #B04SAL 5:0 pic.twitter.com/UkefkbESQY — Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) November 26, 2024 Bayer Leverkusen reignited their Champions League campaign with a dominant 5-0 victory over RB Salzburg on Tuesday night. Florian Wirtz starred with a brace, and Xabi Alonso’s side made light work of their Austrian opponents at the BayArena. The home side stormed into an early lead. Wirtz opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the eighth minute after Samson Baidoo’s handball, and Alejandro Grimaldo doubled the advantage three minutes later with a superb free kick. Wirtz added his second just before the half-hour mark, weaving through Salzburg’s defence to slot home. After the break, Leverkusen maintained their intensity. Patrik Schick made it 4-0 midway through the second half, and Aleix Garcia completed the rout with a well-taken goal in the 72nd minute. Salzburg’s goalkeeper Alexander Schlager made several crucial saves to prevent an even heavier defeat. The win lifts Leverkusen to 10 points in the standings, putting them back on track for a top-eight finish. Meanwhile, Salzburg remain stuck on three points, having suffered their fourth loss in five games. Leverkusen’s attacking fluidity and defensive solidity will provide a massive boost as they prepare for their final league-phase fixtures. Sporting 1-5 Arsenal Putting on a show at Sporting 🌟 pic.twitter.com/Yi9MgRZEkl — Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 26, 2024 Arsenal delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over Sporting CP at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, making a bold statement in their Champions League campaign. The win propels the Gunners into the top eight of the league phase, signalling a return to their dominant form. From the outset, Arsenal overwhelmed the Portuguese champions. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in the 7th minute, capitalising on a superb cross from Jurrien Timber, who was excellent throughout. Kai Havertz doubled the lead with a simple finish after Bukayo Saka’s clever assist. Gabriel Magalhaes made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time, converting a well-rehearsed corner that left Sporting stunned. Despite a strong response from Sporting early in the second half, including Gonçalo Inacio’s goal from a corner, Arsenal regained control. Martin Odegaard’s relentless pressing earned a penalty, coolly converted by Saka, restoring Arsenal’s dominance. Leandro Trossard added a fifth with a header late on, capping off a comprehensive performance. Defensively, Arsenal were superb, nullifying Victor Gyokeres, Sporting’s in-form striker. The win showcases Arsenal’s growing confidence and momentum. With their fluid attack and solid defence back to their best, the Gunners are emerging as serious contenders in Europe once again. BSC Young Boys 1-6 Atalanta FULL TIME | Per notti come questa 🌌 Nights like these ✨ #UCL #YoungBoysAtalanta 1-6 FT #GoAtalantaGo ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/6Ybd55PYAJ — Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) November 26, 2024 Charles De Ketelaere put on a masterclass as Atalanta crushed Young Boys 6-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, underlining their attacking prowess. The Belgian forward was the star of the night, contributing three assists and scoring twice in a scintillating display. Atalanta wasted no time, with De Ketelaere setting up Mateo Retegui to open the scoring in the 9th minute. Although Silvere Ganvoula equalised for Young Boys just two minutes later, the visitors quickly regained control. De Ketelaere restored Atalanta’s lead with a well-taken goal in the 28th minute and turned provider again three minutes later, delivering an assist to Sead Kolasinac for a third. The first-half onslaught continued as Retegui netted his second in the 39th minute, once again assisted by De Ketelaere, as the Italian striker made the most of a perfectly weighted pass. Atalanta carried a commanding 4-1 lead into the break. The dominance resumed after halftime, with De Ketelaere adding a fifth goal in the 56th minute. His low shot from the edge of the box took a deflection, leaving the Young Boys keeper helpless. Substituted in the 75th minute to a standing ovation, De Ketelaere had already sealed his status as the man of the match. Lazar Samardzic rounded off the rout with a stoppage-time goal, ensuring Atalanta’s emphatic victory. Click for more latest Football news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Nillohit Bagchi is enthusiastic young football journalist with a keen eye for detail, delivering fresh insights and dynamic coverage of global matches.Dogecoin Might Turn $800 into $80000 in 4 Months, One DOGE Rival to Do It in way Faster, And It's Not Shiba Inu (SHIB)
Texas' abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. It appears to be the first challenge in the U.S. to a state shield law that's intended to protect prescribers in Democratic-controlled states from being punished by states with abortion bans. Prescriptions like these, made online and over the phone, are a key reason that the number of abortions has increased across the U.S. even after state bans started taking effect. Most abortions in the U.S. involve pills rather than procedures. Anti-abortion groups are increasingly focusing on the rise of pills. Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, gathering in the capital’s historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, officials say WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has brought an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to two U.S. officials, who said Friday that Travis Timmerman has been flown to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter. The 29-year-old Timmerman told The Associated Press earlier Friday he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it 'absurd' NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers are again urging a judge to throw out his hush money conviction. In a court filing Friday, they balked at the prosecution’s “absurd” idea for preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit alleging sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Abdul filed a notice of settlement in a Los Angeles court Thursday. The lawsuit filed nearly a year ago had also accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lythgoe’s other show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Lythgoe said at the time that the allegations were “an appalling smear.” Both sides said in statements Friday that they were glad to put the case behind them.
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