(Adds AST & Science, Equinox, UBS, Cranswick, Tokopedia; Updates Tilray, Sabadell) (.)
Dec 16 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 1430 GMT on Wednesday:
** Canadian pot producer Aphria Inc APHA.TO , APHA.O said it will merge with rival Tilray Inc TLRY.O , creating the world's largest cannabis producer by sales and giving it a foothold in the fast-growing U.S. market. Satellite network company AST & Science said it had agreed to be taken public by blank-check firm New Providence Acquisition Corp NPA.O in a deal that values the combined firm at $1.4 billion including debt. Canadian miner Equinox Gold Corp EQX.TO said it would buy Premier Gold Mines Ltd PG.TO in an all-stock deal valued at C$611.7 million ($479.9 million) and simultaneously spin-out Premier's U.S. production assets. Commonwealth Bank of Australia CBA.AX said it will combine its Aussie Home Loans business with Lendi, an online loan platform, creating a business with one of the largest mortgage broker networks in the country. National Australia Bank NAB.AX said it had agreed to sell its New Zealand life insurance business to Partners Life for NZ$290 million ($206.10 million), as part of its strategy to increase capital and focus on core banking operations. Italy's Banco BPM BAMI.MI said it would end an insurance partnership with Cattolica CASS.MI by acquiring full control of their joint-ventures, in a move that may ease a mooted tie-up with BPER Banca EMII.MI . The founder of Altice Europe NV ATCA.AS , Patrick Drahi, has raised his offer to take the telecoms company private, to 5.35 euros ($6.53) per share from 4.11 euros, he said. MessageBird, the Dutch company that helps businesses communicate with their customers regardless of which messaging, chat, e-mail or other service the consumer uses, has brought London tech startup Pusher Ltd for $35 million in cash, it said. Spanish bank Sabadell SABE.MC is set to name industry veteran Cesar Gonzalez-Bueno as its next chief executive to replace Jaime Guardiola, a source with knowledge of the matter said, weeks after merger talks with rival BBVA (MC:BBVA) collapsed. Germany's government has decided to buy a 25.1% stake in defence supplier Hensoldt HAGG.DE at a cabinet meeting, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Swedish real estate firm SBB SBBb.ST said it had asked Entra ENTRA.OL for "due diligence" information on certain assets, as it seeks to return to the negotiating table a week after withdrawing its bid for the Norwegian company. Cranswick Plc CWK.L confirmed it was in talks to buy pet food brand Inspired Pet Nutrition as the meat processor looks to expand its dog food operations. Indonesia's largest e-commerce platform Tokopedia said it was not committed to a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and was evaluating its market options. UBS UBSG.S is selling its domestic Austrian wealth management business to Liechenstein-based private bank LGT, the Swiss banking giant said.