Pollsters had predicted a tight day, and in the end they were right. Of the four issues up for vote on Sunday, the biggest winning majority was 53.8% (eviction rules). And while Swiss authorities managed to avoid defeat on all four issues – another outcome mooted beforehand – they did come out with a black eye on the headline vote: a much-vaunted expansion of the country’s motorway system. The government’s road infrastructure plans have hit a brick wall: after a tight race, 52.7% of voters rejected a CHF5 billion ($5.6 billion) motorway expansion project . The plan, approved in parliament last year, would have involved widening or building new roads at six key points on the country’s motorway system, notably near the capital, Bern, and on a busy stretch between Geneva and Lausanne. On Sunday, the Green Party hailed a historic rejection of what it called “an out-of-date transport policy”. Along with left-wing and ecologist groups, the Greens campaigned with arguments about the environmental impact of the project and the fear that bigger roads would merely spawn more traffic. They now want the funds to be spent on public transport, active mobility, and renovating existing motorways. Backers of the project had argued that traffic jams had ballooned in recent years and investment was needed to keep pace with the growing Swiss population. The project should be seen as part of an overarching strategy which already includes investment in public transport and other forms of mobility, Transport Minister Albert Rösti told Swiss public television, SRF, during the campaign. But initial support for the project faded during the campaign , polls found, leading to a final defeat that one right-wing politician described on Sunday as a “kick in the teeth”. Another Centre Party politician involved in the “yes” campaign, Fabio Regazzi, told SRF radio that the result revealed “a certain shift” among the Swiss population. A few years ago, such a vote would easily have been accepted, Regazzi reckoned. A majority of voters (53.8%) also rejected on Sunday a proposal to make it easier for landlords to terminate leases early in order to use a property for their own purposes. Meanwhile, 51.6% turned down a plan for tighter controls for subletting apartments and other property – both residential and commercial. The two issues have gained much attention, as tenancy law affects the majority of Swiss. Around 60% of the population – the highest percentage in Europe – rents a home . The proposal to ease eviction rules was rejected in almost all French-speaking cantons, with particularly high opposition in Geneva (67.8% of the population), which suffers from a chronic housing shortage. Sunday’s vote follows parliament’s ratification last year of the two tenancy law amendments, initiated by right-wing politicians, in favour of landlords. Following this, Asloca, the powerful national tenants’ association, launched a referendum , criticising the changes as an attack by the property lobby. Opponents of the eviction change had warned that it would make it easier for landlords to terminate leases and throw tenants out of their apartments under the pretext of personal use. They accused them of wanting to take advantage of the housing shortage and re-let apartments at higher prices. Real estate circles and the right had argued that the legal revisions were targeted and fair and clarified the current law. Under the subletting provision, landlords would have had greater leeway to prevent tenants from subletting their apartment. Landlords would have been able to refuse “abusive” subletting, for instance, if it had lasted longer than two years or if an apartment had been sublet at too high a price. The Swiss public broadcaster, SRF, described the results as “a warning shot across the bows” of the centre-right parties that had initially backed the tenancy changes. “People are critical of interventions in tenancy law in favour of landlords,” it said. Parliament is set to discuss further elements of tenancy law in 2025. New rules that would make it more difficult for tenants to take legal action against high rents will be debated. So far, a majority in parliament been emerging for the changes. But today’s vote could prompt some politicians to “reconsider the situation”, wrote SRF. Finally, 53.3% of voters accepted a complex healthcare proposal aimed at boosting the volume of outpatient procedures and disincentivising costly inpatient – i.e. with at least one night spent in hospital – care. The result means that a new financing model will enter force in the coming years, which will see cantons and health insurance firms fund the different types of treatment according to a standardised model. Currently, cantons pay 55% of inpatient costs, but don’t contribute at all to outpatient care; in the future, the division of costs for both will be the same – at least 26.9% by cantons, at most 76.3% by insurers. Regine Sauter from the centre-right Radical-Liberal Party said on Sunday that the result was a “milestone for the Swiss healthcare system”. Not only will it boost outpatient treatment; it also shows that the system is “capable of reform”, she told public television, SRF. As with pensions, proposed overhauls to the Swiss healthcare system often have a hard time getting past voters. Opponents, who did not contest the benefits of outpatient care, argued that the reform would not do enough to tackle the central problem: the steady year-on-year rise in the cost of compulsory insurance. Trade unions, who launched the referendum against the change, also warned that more influence for private insurers in nursing homes could have a negative impact on care. And while they managed to convince a majority in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, overall they were edged out thanks to a larger “yes” vote in German-speaking regions. Meanwhile they saw themselves as clear underdogs: they were up against “one of the most powerful lobby groups in Switzerland” – health insurers and associations, Social Democrat politician David Roth told SRF.Premier League ref David Coote WON’T appeal sacking after videos emerged of anti-Klopp rant and snorting white powder
Beyond Cancer Announces Approval by the Israeli Ministry of Health to Conduct a Phase 1b Clinical Trial Utilizing Low Volume Ultra-High Concentration Nitric Oxide (LV UNO) in Combination with Anti-PD-1 TherapyNoneThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new disbursement of $360 million to Ghana, following the successful completion of the third review under its $3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF). This brings the total disbursements to $1.9 billion since the program was approved in May 2023. In a statement after the IMF Executive Board meeting, Bo Li, the IMF’s Deputy Managing Director, commended Ghana’s progress on its economic reforms. “Ghana’s performance under its ECF-supported reform program has been generally satisfactory. The economy is showing clear signs of stabilisation, and the authorities’ strategy is delivering on its objectives,” Li said. The IMF highlighted Ghana’s response to the 2022 economic crisis, which included key macroeconomic policy adjustments and reforms to restore fiscal stability and debt sustainability. These efforts have led to a recovery in the economy, a reduction in inflation, and improvements in both fiscal and external balances. “The programme has provided a credible anchor for the government to implement reforms that are delivering results,” the IMF noted, while also acknowledging the risks posed by the upcoming elections and challenges in the energy sector. Significant progress has been made in restructuring Ghana’s public debt, with a successful domestic debt restructuring in 2023 and an exchange of Eurobonds aligned with program targets. Ghana has also ramped up engagement with external commercial creditors. “The authorities should move quickly to complete their comprehensive debt restructuring,” Bo Li urged. Ghana’s fiscal consolidation remains on track, with a projected primary surplus of 0.5% of GDP for 2024 and a target of 1.5% by 2025. The government plans to achieve these goals by boosting domestic revenue, rationalising expenditures, and expanding social programs. “Continued fiscal policy adjustments are crucial, particularly ahead of and after the upcoming elections, to ensure sustainable public finances and reduce financing needs while protecting the vulnerable,” Li emphasized. The Bank of Ghana has maintained a tight monetary policy to manage inflation and rebuild international reserves, while efforts to recapitalize state-owned banks and improve financial sector stability are ongoing. The IMF stressed the need for sustained structural reforms to address vulnerabilities and unlock Ghana’s economic potential. “Improving tax administration, strengthening expenditure control, and tackling energy sector issues are critical,” the IMF said. With Ghana heading into the 2024 elections, the IMF has urged caution in fiscal and monetary policy implementation to maintain economic stability. Li concluded, “Maintaining a prudent monetary policy and enhancing exchange rate flexibility are essential to mitigating inflation risks and ensuring macroeconomic stability.” The latest disbursement will support Ghana’s economic recovery and provide a foundation for continued growth and poverty reduction.
Pakistan’s bond with South Asian nations is weakening despite shared cultural heritage and historical ties. The enduring India-Pakistan rivalry has also affected Pakistan’s relations with other South Asian countries, especially in areas like economic connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. One of the few positive connections remaining is the popularity of Pakistani TV dramas, which, thanks to social media and YouTube, continue to attract audiences across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. It remains to be seen how long the drama industry alone can sustain this cultural bridge amid escalating regional tensions. With no resolution in sight for the India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan risks further isolating itself from South Asia. Pakistan’s regional connectivity remains limited, with flights only to Colombo and no links to other South Asian capitals. Meanwhile, Pakistan is fostering ties with Central Asia, where better flight connectivity signals economic opportunities. The Middle East is a key labour market and a cornerstone of its foreign relations. Pakistan maintains strong economic and political ties with the region despite the Gulf states’ growing alignment with India due to its rising global influence. For Pakistan’s elite and intelligentsia, the West is the West and always remains the primary focus, and no serious efforts have been made to explore alternatives or shift this orientation. The West dominates the global knowledge economy, reinforcing its appeal. However, China is emerging as a significant neighbour, with growing people-to-people exchanges and an increasing number of Pakistani students pursuing education there, alongside expanding trade relations. The extent of China’s influence on Pakistan’s sociocultural and political landscape still needs to be explored. How this influence shapes Pakistan’s middle- and lower-income classes, engaging with China through education and trade, remains to be seen. The impact of these evolving ties could bring significant transformations to the country’s socioeconomic fabric. However, disconnecting from South Asia would not be a simple path for Pakistan, as deep civilisational and cultural roots are not easily severed. Pakistanis living abroad often find themselves naturally associating with South Asians despite political tensions. Shared cultural elements, such as movies, dramas, music, and cricket, continue to forge bonds that are difficult to break. South Asia’s rich culinary heritage, while rapidly evolving through fusion, still captivates taste buds across the region and beyond. The region’s linguistic and ethnic diversity, while a source of political friction, also serves as a unique communication channel. It helps South Asians express shared experiences and contrasting narratives, in ways that reflect the region’s unity and complexity. It is often argued that Pakistan is distancing itself from its South Asian origins due to ideological and political motivations, with religious identity serving as a critical factor in aligning more closely with the Middle East and Central Asia. However, this rationale does not hold in the case of Pakistan’s relations with China or the West. If faith were the defining factor, it is worth noting that South Asia itself is home to a larger population of Muslims, particularly in India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, than many of the regions Pakistan seeks to align with. These South Asian nations and their Muslim communities maintain stronger people-to-people ties and cultural integration – ties that Pakistan increasingly lacks due to limited communication and interaction. This disconnect has fostered misperceptions about Pakistan in the region. Despite this, there remains a deep affection for Pakistani culture, sustained by shared traditions and the continued popularity of its dramas, music, and cricket. These cultural elements act as bridges, preserving a sense of connection between Pakistan and its South Asian neighbours, even amidst political and ideological divides. Pakistan’s strained relations with India drive its detachment from South Asia. India’s strategy of exerting diplomatic and political pressure on Pakistan to isolate it regionally has compelled Pakistan to seek alternatives beyond South Asia. Geographically, Pakistan shares no borders with its western South Asian neighbours apart from India, and when tensions escalate between the two nations, they inevitably impact Pakistan’s relations with other South Asian countries. From Pakistan’s perspective, diplomatic and political engagement with South Asia, excluding India, yields limited returns compared to its investments in the Middle East and, more recently, in Central Asia. The Middle East remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy due to economic ties and labour market opportunities, while Central Asia offers new avenues for trade and connectivity. This strategic shift reflects Pakistan’s prioritisation of regions where it perceives more significant economic and political dividends, even as its links to South Asia continue to erode under the weight of unresolved conflicts with India. There is a prevailing perception in Pakistan that western South Asia is heavily influenced by India, leaving limited scope for fostering meaningful political and economic relationships with countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The political landscape of South Asia is complex and often influenced by regime changes, which can significantly alter the dynamics of regional engagement. A recent example is Bangladesh, where the exit of Sheikh Hasina’s government poses challenges for India while presenting an opportunity for Pakistan to rebuild and strengthen its ties with Bangladesh. Such shifts highlight the fluidity of regional politics and the potential for Pakistan to recalibrate its relationships despite India’s overarching influence in the region. Pakistan should prioritise South Asia in its core external policies for the future and avoid falling into India’s trap of curtailing its regional ties. India’s arrogance and irrational approach towards Pakistan are evident on the global stage. A recent example is its controversial decision not to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy – a move widely criticised within the South Asian region. Pakistan’s leadership acknowledges the need to ease tensions with India and has consistently expressed a willingness to resume dialogue. However, India has yet to reciprocate these efforts. Pakistan, along with other South Asian nations, could collectively pressure India to reconsider its stance towards its neighbours and adopt a more constructive approach, but for this purpose, Pakistan would have to take up the tasks that the Pakistani dramas have taken up. The writer is a security analyst. This article was first published on Dawn.com .
Sun Life Financial Inc. stock falls Tuesday, underperforms market
Kathmandu, Nov 24 (PTI) A court in Nepal on Sunday extended by 15 days the remand of Rabi Lamichhane, the former home minister and president of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party, to continue investigating allegations of cooperative frauds and money laundering. The decision issued by Judge Himalal Belbase applies to Lamichhane and three others — former Deputy Inspector General of Police Chhabilal Joshi, Leela Pachhai, and Ram Bahadur Khanal. Lamichhane, who was first arrested here on October 18, has already undergone multiple remand extensions, bringing the total detention period to 40 days. A Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) team arrested Lamichhane from his party’s office in Banasthali, Kathmandu, and transferred him to Pokhara in Kaski district for investigation in a cooperative fraud case. A special parliamentary probe committee report alleged that former television journalist Lamichhane as the managing director of the Gorkha Media Network was involved in diverting funds from multiple cooperatives, including Rs 30 million, into personal accounts. The investigation follows a parliamentary special probe committee’s findings a couple of months ago, which implicated Lamichhane in financial irregularities while managing Galaxy 4K Television before he quit the media company to join politics in 2022. During Sunday’s court hearing, government attorneys and legal representatives for the victims argued for the remand extension, citing incomplete document analysis and pending evidence collection. However, Lamichhane’s legal team maintained the allegations lacked concrete evidence, opposing the extension. Earlier, police took Lamichhane to Butwal to investigate his alleged involvement in the fund misappropriation from the Butwal-based Suryadarsan Cooperative. In the meantime, district courts in Kathmandu and Chitwan issued arrest warrants against Lamichhane and others on charges of diverting deposits from Kathmandu-based Sworna Laxmi Cooperative and Chitwan-based Sahara Cooperative. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)A Heisman Trophy race that had dozens of viable contenders at the start of the 2024 college football season is now down to just a handful of hopefuls. An award that has been dominated in recent years by quarterbacks, who have claimed the hallowed trophy in 12 of the past 14 years, now seems most likely to be won by either a running back or a wide receiver/cornerback, both of whom have few peers in the game’s modern history. Though it came in a losing effort, Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter added to his already spectacular season with a pair of touchdown catches against Kansas. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty surpassed the 2,000-yard mark while keeping his team’s College Football Playoff hopes alive. Miami quarterback Cam Ward remained in the Heisman conversation with 280 passing yards and two touchdowns against Wake Forest. REQUIRED READING: Heisman watch: Who are favorites for the Heisman Trophy after Week 13? Where do things stand when it comes to college football’s most prestigious individual honor? Here’s a look at the latest Heisman Trophy odds after Week 13 of the college football season: Heisman Trophy odds According to odds from BetMGM , it’s basically a three-player race for the Heisman, with Hunter, Jeanty and Ward far ahead of the rest of their FBS peers. Here's a breakdown of the current leaders, according to BetMGM’s odds: 1. Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter (-1000) In a 37-21 loss against Kansas that snapped his team’s four-game win streak, Hunter excelled for Colorado on Saturday. Offensively, he had eight catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns while recording seven tackles and a pass deflection on defense. His output pushed him past the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Hunter has emerged as the betting favorite in recent weeks — and not just because he has made a habit of striking the Heisman pose after big plays during games. Last week, he was -500 to win the award. 2. Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty (+750) The Broncos running back continues to rise up the single-season rushing record book. In a 17-13 win against Wyoming, Jeanty became the 30 th player in FBS history to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a season after he racked up 169 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries despite briefly leaving the game with an injury. His night was highlighted by a 61-yard touchdown run. Jeanty has rushed for at least 125 yards in each of Boise State’s 11 games this season. Though he remains in Heisman contention, the gap has grown between him and Hunter. Jeanty had +425 odds heading into Week 13. REQUIRED READING: Losses by Alabama and others reshape college football's US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 13 3. Miami QB Cam Ward (+1200) Ward remains the third member of the trio, though his odds actually improved following a 42-14 blowout of Wake Forest that wasn’t among his better games this season. He completed 27 of 38 passes for 280 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Washington State transfer also had a one-yard touchdown run. Heading into the game, Ward has +1400 odds, putting him slightly closer to Jeanty. 4. Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel (+6600) Gabriel is a distant fourth, which may ultimately be enough to earn him an invitation to New York for the Heisman presentation ceremony. His top-ranked Oregon team was idle during Week 13. To this point, he has helped guide the Ducks to an undefeated record, which has allowed them to secure a spot in the Big Ten championship game. They can complete an unbeaten regular season with a win Saturday against Washington. Beyond Gabriel, 10 players are tied for fifth with +500000 odds: Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Victims' families and others affected by crimes that resulted in federal death row convictions shared a range of emotions on Monday, from relief to anger, after President Joe Biden commuted dozens of the sentences . Biden converted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The inmates include people convicted in the slayings of police and military officers, as well as federal prisoners and guards. Others were involved in deadly robberies and drug deals. Three inmates will remain on federal death row: Dylann Roof , convicted of the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; the 2013 Boston Marathon Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Opponents of the death penalty lauded Biden for a decision they'd long sought. Supporters of Donald Trump , a vocal advocate of expanding capital punishment, criticized the move weeks before the president-elect takes office. Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner, Bryan Hurst, was killed by an inmate whose death sentence was commuted, said the killer's execution "would have brought me no peace.” “The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House. But Hurst’s widow, Marissa Gibson, called Biden's move distressing and a "complete dismissal and undermining of the federal justice system,” in a statement to The Columbus Dispatch . Tim Timmerman, whose daughter, Rachel, was thrown into a Michigan lake in 1997 to keep her from testifying in a rape trial, said Biden's decision to commute the killer's sentence offered families “only pain.” "Where’s the justice in just giving him a prison bed to die comfortably in?” Timmerman said on WOOD-TV. Heather Turner, whose mother, Donna Major, was killed in a 2017 South Carolina bank robbery, called the commutation of the killer's sentence a “clear gross abuse of power” in a Facebook post. “At no point did the president consider the victims,” Turner wrote. “He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.” Corey Groves, whose mother, Kim Groves, was murdered in a 1994 plot by a New Orleans police officer after she filed a complaint against him, said the family has been living with the “nightmare” of her killer for three decades. “I have always wanted him to spend the rest of his life in prison and have to wake up every morning and think about what he did when he took our mother from us," Groves said in a statement through his attorney. Families of the nine people killed and the survivors of the massacre at the Mother Emanuel AME Church have long had a broad range of opinions on Roof's punishment. Many forgave him, but some say they can’t forget and their forgiveness doesn’t mean they don’t want to see him put to death for what he did. Felicia Sanders survived the shooting shielding her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son, Tywanza, and her aunt, Susie Jackson. Sanders brought her bullet-torn bloodstained Bible to his sentencing. In a text message to her lawyer, Andy Savage, Sanders called Biden’s decision to not spare Roof’s life a wonderful Christmas gift. Michael Graham, whose sister, Cynthia Hurd, was killed, told The Associated Press that Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the country means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people," Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” But the Rev. Sharon Risher, who was Tywanza Sanders’ cousin and whose mother, Ethel Lance, was killed, criticized Biden for not sparing Roof and clearing out federal death row. “I need the President to understand that when you put a killer on death row, you also put their victims' families in limbo with the false promise that we must wait until there is an execution before we can begin to heal,” Risher said in a statement. Risher, a board member of Death Penalty Action, which seeks to abolish capital punishment, said during a Zoom news conference that families “are left to be hostages for the years and years of appeals that are to come.” Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action’s executive director, said Biden was giving more attention to the three inmates he chose not to spare, something they all wanted as a part of their political motivations to kill. “When Donald Trump gets to execute them what will really be happening is they will be given a global platform for their agenda of hatred,” Bonowitz said. Biden had faced pressure from advocacy organizations to commute federal death sentences, and several praised him for taking action in his final month in office. Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement that Biden has shown "the brutal and inhumane policies of our past do not belong in our future.” Republicans, including Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, criticized the move — and argued its moral ground was shaky given the three exceptions. “Once again, Democrats side with depraved criminals over their victims, public order, and common decency,” Cotton wrote on X. “Democrats can’t even defend Biden’s outrageous decision as some kind of principled, across-the-board opposition to the death penalty since he didn’t commute the three most politically toxic cases.” Two men whose sentences were commuted were Norris Holder and Billie Jerome Allen, on death row for opening fire during a 1997 bank robbery in St. Louis, killing a guard, 46-year-old Richard Heflin. Holder’s attorney, Madeline Cohen, said in an email that Holder, who is Black, was sentenced to death by an all-white jury. “Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. “Norris has always been deeply remorseful for the pain his actions caused, and we hope this decision brings some measure of closure to Richard Heflin’s family.” But Ed Dowd Jr., the U.S. attorney in St. Louis at the time of the robbery and now a private attorney, criticized Biden's move. “This case was a message to people who wanted to go out and shoot people for the hell of it, that you’re going to get the death penalty,” Dowd said. Now, "Biden is sending a message that you can do whatever you want and you won’t get the death penalty.” This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Rev. Sharon Risher's name. Swenson reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri; Stephen Smith in New Orleans, and Corey Williams in Detroit contributed.
( MENAFN - media OutReach Newswire) HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 24 December 2024 - JustMarkets concludes 2024 with notable achievements that highlight their ongoing focus on reliable and smart solutions for the worldwide trading community. The outgoing year marked the company's 12th anniversary, a milestone underscoring JustMarkets ' long-standing presence in the financial sector. Over these years, the broker achieved numerous victories, earned 50+ awards, and welcomed more than 2 million traders from 180+ countries. They remain focused on growth, aiming even higher in the upcoming year. Throughout 2024, JustMarkets actively engaged with the global trading community by participating in key industry events, including the iFX Expo, Mumbai Expo, and Dubai Expo. These platforms provided opportunities to connect with stakeholders, clients, and partners, further solidifying JustMarkets' position in fintech. The company was also recognized with several industry awards, including Best CFD Broker in the World, Best IB/Affiliate Programme in the World, and Most Reliable Broker 2024, as well as a win at the UF Awards APAC 2024. These titles reflect the JustMarkets' focus on meeting all the trading needs and financial goals of their clients and partners. In 2024, JustMarkets upgraded their platform with native trading capabilities for the mobile app, which crucially simplifies access for traders. The company also expanded their range of trading instruments & pairs and implemented a reduction in spreads on XAU/USD (gold) by up to 10% across all trading account types. The year featured a series of trading contests designed to engage and reward JustMarkets' global community. Events like the Jiwa Contest, Golden Contest, #iLoveJustMarkets, and the Ramadan Trading Contest offered opportunities for traders to test their skills and earn prizes. The Trade and Win Contest with Cikgu Amoi further reinforced the company's commitment to recognizing and supporting their dedicated investors. One of the greatest annual highlights was the Grand Gala Dinner - an event that brought together traders and partners to acknowledge their contributions and present exciting awards. The evening also provided guests with exceptional entertainment, dining, and a chance to engage directly with the JustMarkets team and network with like-minded people. As the year closes, JustMarkets is preparing for 2025 with plans to introduce new features, broaden offerings, and continue enhancing trading conditions. The company is dedicated to meeting the changing needs of the market and supporting the success of their growing community in the upcoming year. For more insights, visit the broker's website or follow them on social media. MENAFN23122024003551001712ID1109025781 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Relief, defiance, anger: Families and advocates react to Biden's death row commutations
Labor eyes last chance of 2024 to tick policy boxesSeveral times following New England’s 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said he wanted to review the game film before making a final assessment of his team’s performance. He did, and on Monday he said the overarching feeling he was left with was one of pride. Going toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the NFL is commendable. Mayo also remains confident this group has even more room for growth over its final two games this season. “To be frank, I don’t believe in good losses,” Mayo said. “I think there’s a lot to learn from the game. Look, we’re headed in the right direction, but it’s all about consistency, and we have to do that on a down-after-down, a game-after-game basis to be successful in this league.” What is also clear is that despite their 3-12 record, Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye wants people to know that he and his teammates believe in their coach. No matter what conversations might be going on outside the Patriots locker room regarding shortcomings by the coaching staff, or Mayo’s job status. “We’ve got his back, and he’s coached us hard. He wants to win. We all want to win. We’re all frustrated,” Maye said. “We’re just plays away, and it’s basically me turning the ball over. I think it’s just a testament to these guys that keep fighting. We keep fighting. Shoot, we’re not going to make the playoffs; we’re out of the race, and these guys are coming in, frustrated when we don’t score. ... So, I think we’re building something good, building something that feels right here, and I’m proud to be a Patriot.” What’s working The Patriots entered the week scoring only 7.5 points per game in the first half this season, which ranked 29th in the NFL. The offense woke up with 14 points in the first half on Sunday, notching multiple offensive touchdowns in the first half for the first time in 2024. What needs help Stopping the run has been an issue for New England’s defense for most of the season and it was on display against the Bills. With Buffalo trailing 14-0 in the second quarter, running back James Cook sliced through the interior of the Patriots defense and broke free for a 46-yard TD run. It was a big chunk of Buffalo’s 172 yards on the ground for the game. Stock up CB Jonathan Jones. He was tasked with being the primary defender on Buffalo’s top receiver Khalil Shakir for most of the game. The veteran held his own, helping limit the Bills’ leader in catches and receiving yards to only two catches for 22 yards on six targets. Jones also forced a fumble by Shakir in the fourth quarter, though Shakir was able to recover it. Stock down Marte Mapu. The linebacker started at safety with Jabrill Peppers sidelined with a hamstring injury. Mapu was strong for most of the game and had a chance to set up the Patriots offense in the second quarter when he snagged his second career interception, picking off Josh Allen’s pass in the end zone. But Mapu decided to run the ball out of the end zone and was tackled on the New England 1-yard line. The poor starting field position eventually led to a punt and the Patriots couldn’t add to their 14-7 lead. Injuries The Patriots didn’t announce any injuries during the game. But along with Peppers, cornerback Marcus Jones also sat out with a hip injury. Key number 2-6 — The Patriots’ record in one-score games this season. Four of those have been by three or fewer points. Next steps The Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Kyle Hightower, The Associated PressTORONTO — The Winnipeg Jets had payback on their minds and top spot in the National Hockey League in their final game before the holiday break. The Jets made good on both accounts with a 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs before 18,923 at Scotiabank Arena on Monday. The win avenged a 6-4 home loss to Toronto on Oct. 28, that halted the Jets' eight-game win streak to begin the season. It also pushed the Jets into first overall. "They don't hand out awards at Christmas, but obviously, we're happy," said Jets centre Mark Scheifele, who enjoyed a three-goal, four-point outing. "It's good to get a couple of days off, get recharged and get going for the next half of the season." Surprisingly, the Jets (25-10-1) are only one point ahead of the 36-game pace of 23-9-4 set a year ago. "We've been good from top to bottom and we need everybody in this group," said Kyle O'Connor, who scored the Jets first two goals and helped set up Scheifele for his first of three third-period goals. "I just think our ability to roll over lines and be hungry, and not to be satisfied with anything. We also have taken a day-to-day approach, learning what we can improve on from wins and losses and implementing the adjustments." Besides defeating the Maple Leafs after what transpired in late October, Scheifele had extra motivation after being left off Canada's roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. In the 10 games since Canada's roster was announced, Scheifele has eight goals and 15 points. "You're disappointed, but at the end of the day, you just want to play well for your group of guys," Scheifele said. "There's always a bit of motivation you can draw from in every game. But it's just a matter of playing good for the Winnipeg Jets and controlling what I can control." He also enjoys playing in Toronto, an hour from his hometown of Kitchener. "I love coming to Toronto to have the opportunity to play in front of a lot of friends and family," Scheifele said. "Being so close to home, I get a little extra excited to play here. "I think the biggest thing is we didn't play our best when we played them last. We were excited to get another crack at them and how them the game we can play. All in all, it's a big win for us." MATTHEWS STILL OUT WITH INJURY While the Jets enter the Christmas break with back-to-back wins, the Maple Leafs dropped their second in a row at home without wounded captain Auston Matthews, out with an upper-body injury. "We just have to clean up some things off the rush, the transition part especially against a team that's obviously very good with their top line that takes advantage of time and space," said Maple Leafs centre John Tavares, who scored both Toronto goals. The Maple Leafs have gone 7-4-0 with Matthews on the sidelines this season and 42-23-2 in his career. Toronto was also missing defenceman Chris Tanev, out day-to-day with a lower-body ailment. Tanev missed his first game after skating in the pre-game warm-up. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024. Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian PressNATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missile
'Dark lull' in German energy transition sparks political debateis taking partial accountability for the role he played in bolstering public suspicion that John and Patsy Ramsey were responsible for the 1996 murder of their 6-year-old daughter, JonBenét. John and Rivera appeared live together, via Zoom, on Monday night for facilitated by host (below) following the Nov. 25 release of the three-part docuseries . Episode two of revisited the memorable mock trial that played out on in 1997, where Rivera asked a volunteer jury of six men and women to “rule” on the likelihood that John and/or Patsy allegedly murdered their daughter. Testimonies pointed to what were deemed to be sexually suggestive photos and videos of JonBenét as unsubstantiated proof that she was an abused child, resulting in a mock verdict that found Patsy liable for her death. Rivera, in the flashback played during the docuseries, stated to the camera at the time, “We understand anything is possible under the sun. To the best of our knowledge, however, there is no real evidence in this case that points in the direction other than straight into the faces of John and/or Patsy Ramsey.” Now, when asked 27 years later by Cuomo for his perspective on the segment today, Rivera, correspondent-at-large for the cable news network, expressed regret for his role in feeding into the negative narrative surrounding the Ramseys and their assumed involvement in their daughter’s death. “Mock trials and moot courts, as you know Chris, are not that unprecedented,” Rivera began. “They’re not that extraordinary, and I’ll get to the conclusion they reached in a second, but let me just say to John Ramsey that I deeply apologize to you for what you and your family have suffered. How you have lost your wife to cancer, one child to that terrible car crash and of course what happened to JonBenét, 6 years old, who would now be 34 years old, which is an incredible fact how long this case has been front-row center in the American consciousness. Rivera continued, “When I say I am sorry, I don’t apologize for my reporting. I believe that at least half the reporters and half the nation believe the shadow of suspicion, half the , or at least those who have retired because of this case, believe it, but I don’t know what happened. I just want you to know that I lament contributing to the hurt that you have endured. No one deserves to go through what you went through. That’s my bottom line.” For the first time after 28 years, we have John Ramsey and Geraldo Rivera both discuss the case of JonBenét Ramsey. Hear what they have to say to one another and what John believes still needs to be done to solve this case. John replied to Rivera’s apology with a brief “thank you,” before relaying his hopes for JonBenét’s case to finally being solved, which is the crux of “We’ve been critical of the police for 28 years for not accepting help,” stated JonBenét’s father (Patsy died from ovarian cancer in 2006). “This case could’ve been solved a long time ago, in my opinion, had the police not immediately focused on Patsy and I, and only focused on Patsy and I.” John later told Rivera he accepted his apology as he outlined the measures he and his family are advocating for to bring the JonBenét case to a close. “We want the evidence that has been previously tested and never tested — we think there’s some that’s never been tested, we don’t know that for sure, but we think that’s the case — we want that resampled by one of the cutting-edge labs that’s out there,” John stated, referring to new advancements surrounding DNA testing. “That plays into the second thing we want done, which is to use this familial genealogy research approach to find the killer.” Boulder Police Department Public Information Officer Dionne Waugh told in an email on Tuesday, “The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing — to include DNA testing — is completely false.” Waugh also provided a statement on behalf of Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn which stated, “We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.” In an , director and executive producer Berlinger called on the police department to talk directly with the Ramsey family about the ongoing investigation, charging that they have yet to provide “any meaningful updates.” “The Boulder District Attorney’s office has already long cleared the Ramsey family as suspects and formally apologized to them, so the team that has spent nearly two years researching and creating the Netflix documentary on this case begs you to please communicate with these victims more directly about what steps you are taking to solve this crime after almost three decades,” Berlinger stated. An unidentified foreign male DNA sample was discovered in 1997, which is mixed with the DNA of JonBenét and therefore compromised. In his response to the Boulder Police Department, Berlinger urged, “New technological advances today can separate the unidentified male DNA from JonBenét’s DNA to create a much cleaner profile which can take advantage of today’s investigative genetic genealogy that has been so useful in solving recent cold cases such as the Golden State Killer and the Green River Killer.” He added that the team that has spent nearly two years researching and creating the Netflix documentary on this case “begs you to please communicate with [the Ramsey family] more directly about what steps you are taking to solve this crime after almost three decades.” THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter