An ever-growing number of people have started building investment portfolios as a means of securing their money and ensuring that their capital retains its value over the long term. Given the fact that inflation, currency depreciations, and the possibility of a recession are very real threats people are dealing with, it doesn’t take a lot to see why people want to know their money is safe and secure. However, to unlock your full potential as a trader and be successful in your endeavors, you must also work with the right platforms. The one you choose must provide access to a comprehensive list of tradable products and ensure the security of your funds and data. Providing you with the tools necessary to have a positive outcome is also crucial. XS.com is such a platform, a global broker known worldwide for its dedication to excellence and continuous pursuit of improvement. However, not all investors have the same goals, meaning that just because a trading platform works for others doesn’t mean that it will be the right option for you. If you’ve come across XS in the past but aren’t sure if it is the right option for you, here are a few things you should know. The XS group is a global multi-asset broker that offers direct access to a large number of financial products. This is very good news because it not only shows the legitimacy of the platform but also means that you can build a diversified and robust portfolio when working with XS. The platform was established in Australia in 2010 and has since reached worldwide appeal and a reputation as an industry leader, holding numerous licenses in different jurisdictions all over the globe. XS also has several offices around the world, making customer service speedy and efficient, a trait that is highly valuable, especially for those who are taking their first steps into the world of trading. XS offers both individual and institutional investors direct access to deep liquidity and advanced trading technology in order to build a high-quality relationship with their customers. The company’s corporate culture has always been centered on the ability to empower traders with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the high-stakes trading ecosystem, where competition is fiercer than ever. Their dedication to excellence and love for financial markets have allowed them to amass a loyal community and continue to attract newcomers who want to feel safe when trading. One of the main benefits offered by XS is that it is a fully regulated entity, which means that you won’t ever have to worry about your holdings being in jeopardy while you’re trading with them. Having official licensing and being compliant with the regulators is a must in the trading world as it is the only way to ensure that your portfolio will be safeguarded throughout your ventures. XS Group is a global marketplace authorized by leading government bodies and lawmakers from all over the world. Their association with some of the most reputable institutions worldwide makes them trustworthy and reliable in the eyes of investors who prioritize security. XS Ltd is registered under the law of Seychelles, with the company number 8428765-1 and has its office in the Eden Plaza on Eden Island. The entity is authorized by the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles, an autonomous regulatory body whose purpose is to license, regulate, and enforce compliance requirements for businesses operating outside of the world of traditional financial services. XS Prime Ltd is registered under Australian laws and regulated by the ASIC, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission with the license number 374409. This regulator is responsible for the handling of financial markets, credit services, and the regulation of registered enterprises in Australia. Then there’s XS ZA (Pty) Ltd, the South African wing of the company, with its office at 140 Bauhinia Road, Highveld Technopark, Centurion, Gauteng. The FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct) regulates the XS ZA (Pty) Ltd as a Financial Service Provider with the FSP number 53199. The regulator is responsible for market conduct regulation and supervision, aiming to enhance and maintain efficiency, integrity, and continuous support for the financial ecosystems as well as protect the customers interacting with them and guarantee fair treatment and transparency. When researching platforms, before settling on one, you must pay attention to the benefits they can bring you. The one you should choose needs to be able to align with your financial goals so that you are successful in your endeavors.  The most important thing XS has to offer is the multiple regulations that make it a safe and secure environment. The entities associated with XS.com are connected to leading lawmakers from all around the globe, another sign that your money is in good hands if you decide to trust the platform with your portfolio. The safety of your funds is a top priority at XS, with the broker continuously investing in their infrastructure and implementing the latest safety protocols that can thwart attacks and preserve the integrity of the systems. XS.com has also joined forces with some of the best-known financial institutions in the world in order to ensure that everyone’s money is protected at all times. On top of that, XS also provides its clients with insurance of up to $5,000,000 for cases such as negligence, fraud, and omission. Having full access to global markets is another aspect that XS provides, making it a gateway to financial environments that would have remained impossible to reach otherwise. This gives you the opportunity to add a wider selection of assets to your portfolio and make it even more valuable over both the short- and the long-term. With XS.com, you will be provided with real-time market data, fully customizable charts, and cutting-edge tech. The registration process is as straightforward as it can be, the trading conditions cater to investors of all levels, and the customer support is available in several different languages, so you don’t have to worry about your concerns remaining unaddressed if you cannot express yourself as well in a second or third language. With all that in mind, let’s have a look at the markets you can access if you join XS.com. Cryptocurrencies are one of the most popular, as investors love the anonymity and decentralization they provide. There are some who avoid them due to the fluctuations and price shifts occurring in their ecosystems, but there are also many who trust their potential when it comes to amassing wealth. The most well-known ones, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, are particularly sought after due to the fact that they are more stable than the newcomers and able to maintain their value for longer. In fact, if you become accustomed to the ecosystem and know how to make the most of the price changes, you can earn a considerable amount of revenue. XS can also introduce you to the world of metals trading. Silver, platinum, steel, palladium, and gold are among the options you can interact with, with the platform ensuring a seamless experience with spot metals trading so that you can fully capitalize on these opportunities. Forex trading lets you explore several currency pairs in some of the best trading conditions available on the market. You can find minor, major, and exotic currency pairs on XS so that you can utilize this market regardless of how long you’ve been trading for. Energy trading holds vast possibilities that you can also tap into with the help of XS. Natural gas, crude oil, and several other commodities can be found on XS at competitive pricing so that your trades are executed as efficiently as possible. If you’re serious about trading and want to maximize your chances of success, choosing the right platform is crucial. XS.com stands out as a reliable and capable partner, offering the tools, support, and infrastructure needed to help you grow and advance in your trading journey.  

Luton Town moved equal on points with relegation rivals Derby County after Millenic Alli's frantic first-half goal earned the Hatters a hard-fought and nervy victory against the Rams at Pride Park. While the victory was not enough to lift Luton out of the drop zone, it is now only goal difference that separates them and Derby, who are just outside the relegation places, in 21st with three games remaining. Alli gave the Hatters the ideal start with a thumped close-range finish after the hosts failed to deal with an inswinging corner from Jordan Clark. Mark McGuinness went on to make a series of crucial blocks to deny Derby an equaliser, the most dramatic of which was off the line to foil Kane Wilson after Jerry Yates had his initial shot saved by Thomas Kaminski. Keeper Kaminski ensured victory with decisive late saves to deny Kayden Jackson and Marcus Harness. While both Burnley and Sheffield United finished below that Hatters in the Premier League when they were relegated together last season, Luton have continued to plummet as the other two clubs are looking make immediate top-flight returns. Victory against John Eustace's resurgent Rams, however, has given their hopes of staying in the second tier a huge boost. For Derby - who handed goalkeeper Josh Vickers his first start in eight months after number one Jacob Widell Zetterstrom was ruled out for the remainder of the season because of a facial injury - their second defeat in four games, after winning four in succession, means they will slip into the bottom three later on Friday if Cardiff beat promotion-chasing Sheffield United. Alli put Luton ahead with cool finish in the midst of chaos in Derby's penalty area after McGuinness prodded the ball back across goal when a flicked Carlton Morris header from a corner found the Republic of Ireland international at the back post. It was forward's second Luton goal since arriving from League One side Exeter City in January, and he celebrated the potentially season-defining strike with a somersault in front of the 3,000 travelling fans. Derby lost forward Nathaniel Mendez-Laing to injury soon after and were fortune the first half did not get any worse for them, as Lamine Fanne wastefully blasted a chance over the bar from 12 yards out before Christ Makosso lashed an effort into the side netting for the visitors. And while Derby did not manage to register a shot on target in the first 45 minutes, Yates did have a goal-bound effort crucially blocked by McGuinness in the second minute of stoppage time at the end the first half. And after getting in the way of a Harness shot in the second half, McGuinness made it a hat-trick of interventions when he got back to scuff Wilson's attempted finish away after the ball ricocheted into the defender's path after Yates was denied by Kaminski. Derby pressed relentlessly in search of a leveller, but Kaminski stood in the way. He thrust a boot out to foil Jackson in the 78th minute, and showed great reflexes to keep a glanced Harness header out at point-blank range minutes later, to a chorus of groans from the home fans. Derby County head coach John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby: "The first half wasn't what we had been like and what we expected, so that is disappointing. "We looked a little bit anxious. It was a big game, it's a full house and I thought Luton set up really well and made it really difficult for us and we just couldn't get our game going. "But the way we approached the second half was excellent and the attitude of the group was good. "In the second half the effort of the group was fantastic, we had two or three golden chances that we just couldn't put away. "The most important thing is that we react on Monday [when Derby face West Bromwich Albion], which I know we will. We are a team of fighters." Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield told BBC Three Counties Radio: "I thought first half, for an away performance, we were excellent. We passed the ball incredibly well, we had a goal threat and the only disappointment is that we didn't come in two or three up to kill the game off. "It was always going to be a tough second half with Derby supporters right behind their team and creating the noise they do here. "But to put on that kind of defensive display, I'm so proud of the lads. We took a real punch on the nose last Saturday in the defeat against Blackburn, but I didn't want it to ruin the momentum we had been building. "It was important that we kept our heads today, because if we got too uptight and anxious, and built it up to be too much, then we weren't going to come and perform. It was really important that we stayed calm in this situation. "I've just delivered the message to the boys that nothing is done yet, just like it wasn't over last Saturday when we were beaten by Blackburn. "We have to show that fighting spirit at the Kenny [Kenilworth Road against Bristol City] on Monday."

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has extended his stay at Anfield. The 33-year-old centre-back, who has signed a new two-year deal, is on the verge of lifting his second Premier League trophy with the Reds. Van Dijk's late winner against West Ham on Sunday moved Arne Slot's men 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with just six league games to play. When he frustrated Manchester City striker Erling Haaland during a 2-0 win earlier in the season, ex-Reds defender Jamie Carragher declared on social media, external that Van Dijk is "the best centre-back we've ever seen in the Premier League". "I always said it was John Terry before Van Dijk came along," he continued. "All great defenders of the past had attackers who caused them problems, but who ever causes Van Dijk any? "He's just played against [Real Madrid's Kylian] Mbappe and Haaland and played them with such ease he could've played with a cigar. "Please stop this silly debate about the best centre-back, it's not even close." Netherlands defender Van Dijk has more than justified the world-record £75m Liverpool paid Southampton to sign him in 2018 - helping the Reds lift the Champions League in 2019 and end a 30-year wait for a top-flight title in 2020. The former Celtic player has won 160 of his 229 Premier League games for Liverpool, with a 69.9% win ratio. Only Arsenal legend Tony Adams, Chelsea icon Terry, and ex-Manchester United defenders Nemanja Vidic and Gary Pallister have a higher clean-sheet percentage than Van Dijk's 42.4% at Liverpool (of players with 200 or more starts). Van Dijk has won a higher percentage of duels and aerial duels than any other Premier League centre-back since he made his Liverpool debut. Of centre-backs to have played 3,500 minutes or more since January 2018, Van Dijk has been dribbled past less often per 90 minutes than anyone else. On average a player gets past him once every seven games (it has only happened 35 times). And, since scoring in his Liverpool debut - a 2-1 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton - no defender has scored more Premier League goals than Van Dijk's 20. Speaking earlier this season, former Blackburn striker Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club: "[Ex-Leeds and Manchester United player] Rio Ferdinand was a slightly different player to Terry. "Terry was a phenomenal defender. Tony Adams was a brilliant leader. "I get the Van Dijk shout as well. He has absolutely everything. People would look at Ferdinand's trophy haul and say 'well it has to be him'. "Currently yeah, I think he is - that's me sort of copping out a bit but John Terry was phenomenal as well though so can we have a joint three - Terry, Ferdinand and Van Dijk?" Ex-Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given added it is "all about different opinions". "Ferdinand, Terry, Vidic, Jonathan Woodgate in his prime before he went to Real Madrid, Colin Hendry at Blackburn, does John Stones get a mention in his prime?" And he added "what a player" Paul McGrath was. We want you to rank these 10 iconic Premier League centre-backs below. There were so many quality ones to choose from that some legends had to miss the cut.

President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards, scheduled to hold in Lagos from November 25 to 30. According to a statement shared with Saturday PUNCH, the theme of the event is “Unstoppable Africa.” Tinubu’s endorsement came in response to a letter from the African Union Commission requesting Nigeria’s collaboration for the next edition of the prestigious awards show. The statement said the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, on Wednesday inaugurated an inter-ministerial Local Organising Committee to work with the host city, African Union and International Committee of AFRIMA to “plan and deliver a historic event.” The inter-agency LOC was inaugurated at the ministry’s headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja. The statement said, members of the committee were drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Nigerian Film Corporation and the National Film and Video Censors Board. Others included the Federal Ministry of Interior, National Council for Arts and Culture, representatives of AFRIMA and African Union Commission, among others. Speaking during the inauguration, the minister said AFRIMA aligned with President Tinubu’s vision of leveraging the creative industry as a key driver of economic growth, national development, and social re-engineering. Musawa was quoted in the statement as saying, “This is more than just an awards show. It is a major platform to create jobs, promote tourism, celebrate African talents, and tell our positive stories authentically through music to the world. We are excited to work with the Lagos State government, the AFRIMA team, and the African Union to deliver a world-class event.” Also speaking, the President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Government for its swift response and full support. “We thank President Tinubu for his quick and visionary approval and backing of AFRIMA 2025. This is not just an event approval. It’s a loud statement that the Nigerian government values the culture and creative industry (CCI) and its power to promote unity and prosperity across Africa,” Dada was quoted to have said. He also commended the Lagos State government for accepting to be the official host city and for its partnership, as well as its investment in the creative industry. “Nigeria has always been a creative and cultural powerhouse. With this support, we are confident that this year’s AFRIMA will be an unforgettable celebration of African talent and creativity for the whole world to see. It is fantastic that the Federal Government has come on board, and we are happy that the Minister has mentioned that all of us are going to work together with the Host City, Lagos state, to deliver the best AFRIMA in history,” Dada said.