Saints hope to ride the Rizzi factor back to relevance after their bye weekIn the early hours of [date], a fire broke out at the Alibaba Cloud Computing Data Center in [location]. The incident caused concern among customers, stakeholders, and the public about the safety and security of the data center. However, swift action by the firefighting team and comprehensive emergency response measures ensured that the fire was quickly extinguished, and there were no reported injuries or casualties.
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One of the key strategies for expanding personal pensions is to make them more accessible to a wider range of individuals. This includes simplifying enrollment processes, providing clear information about the benefits of personal pensions, and offering incentives to encourage participation. By increasing awareness and understanding of personal pension options, more people can take advantage of these schemes to secure their future financial well-being.Meanwhile, Chelsea will be delighted to have won the race for Kessie's signature, adding another top talent to their already impressive squad. The Blues have been one of the most active clubs in the transfer market in recent years, consistently investing in top players to strengthen their team. Kessie's arrival will further bolster their midfield options and provide Thomas Tuchel with another quality option in the middle of the park.However, the timing of the investigation also cannot be divorced from the broader geopolitical context of the US-China tech rivalry. The escalating tensions between the two superpowers have already led to increased scrutiny of Chinese tech companies operating in the US and heightened concerns about technology transfer and intellectual property theft. In this context, Nvidia's proposed acquisition of Arm, a UK-based company with significant ties to China, has become a focal point for regulators seeking to prevent strategic technologies from falling into the wrong hands.Notation Labs Secures $2 Million Credit Facility to Accelerate Production of QwelTM, a Cutting-Edge Lead Detection and Prevention System
With the rapid advancement of technology in the smartphone industry, Xiaomi has always been at the forefront of innovation, consistently pushing boundaries and introducing cutting-edge devices to the market. Among its highly anticipated upcoming releases is the Xiaomi YU7, a device that has stirred up a lot of speculation and excitement among tech enthusiasts. While details about the phone are still scarce, there have been several rumors and leaks circulating online that give us a glimpse of what to expect from this highly anticipated device.Wen Yongshan's face is a testament to the enduring power of beauty in all its forms. Whether captured on film or seen in person, her beauty transcends boundaries and defies categorization, existing in a realm all its own. When she steps into the frame, the echoes of a bygone era resound, and the timeless beauty of Hong Kong style is brought to life once more.
In conclusion, the upcoming speech and press conference by the BOJ have generated significant interest and speculation in financial markets, as investors brace for a possible interest rate hike by the central bank. While the outlook for Japan's economy remains relatively positive, there are still uncertainties and risks on the horizon that could influence the BOJ's policy decisions. As the central bank prepares to address the public on its future plans, all eyes will be on the BOJ for clues about the direction of monetary policy in Japan.
"Moonlight Shenanigans" promises to be a rollicking tale of mischief and mayhem, as the three comedians find themselves entangled in a series of hilarious misadventures under the light of the moon. With a script that is as sharp as it is side-splitting, the film is poised to deliver belly laughs and heartwarming moments in equal measure.
Late kickoff return TDs by Turpin and Thomas spark the Cowboys as they end their 5-game skidAs the investigation into the incident unfolded, shocking details emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the student's disappearance. It was uncovered that the student had been lured and abducted by a group of individuals with malicious intent. The motives behind the abduction remain unclear, but it is believed that the student was targeted for financial gain or other ulterior reasons.
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The emergence of National Victory Day is based on fine traditions and a good history, showing patriotism and the nationalistic spirit of the entire national people. This historic and significant day marks the resistance against the colonial rulers’ oppressive education system designed to perpetuate their domination. Colonialists exploited the nation’s valuable natural resources for their benefit and ruled oppressively. They deliberately prevented the Myanmar national races from accessing higher education and used various methods to hinder their ability to progress on par with the times. It is also the day that inspired patriotism and revitalized national pride among the entire Myanmar people. Therefore, it remains an unforgettable day for all citizens of Myanmar. The history of Myanmar’s struggle for independence showed the spirit of patriotism and unity which have proven to be a powerful force, as evidenced by the national victories that were achieved. The celebrations of National Victory Day, which were held annually without fail across the entire Union of Myanmar, have now reached their 104th year. As such, all national people need to preserve the national victory to commemorate National Victory Day yearly. To be able to do so, the whole nation must foster durable peace. Peace is the foundation for the country’s economic development, the improvement of the social lives of its citizens, the harmony and stability within the Union, and the rule of law. Through mutual respect and understanding between national races, cooperation between individuals can be fostered, and misunderstandings and conflicts can be reduced, resolving issues through dialogue. Relationships based on trust allow challenges to be overcome together, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and collaborative coexistence, ensuring long-term and sustainable peace. If political issues are resolved through armed conflict instead of political means, it will result in a situation where there is freedom but no peace. Furthermore, it is essential to be mindful that the non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuation of sovereignty must be preserved to avoid any potential risks. Everybody must join hands to build durable peace. They have to work together in unity to achieve national stability, peace, and development. Now is the time for all national brethren to eliminate misunderstandings and doubts, reject undesirable ideologies, and come together in mutual trust, respect, and love. Whenever everybody remembers National Victory Day, they have to forge durable peace for all through united strength to develop the nation without any hindrances.Title: "Diawara: Special Connection with the Umpire B. Fee, While Amorim Understands Players As a Former Athlete"
Each holiday season, scammers hope to turn consumers’ Christmas shopping into gifts for themselves. People under the age of 70 fall for social media scams more often than any other type of scam, such as phone calls, texting and email, according to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data . There are many types of social media scams and many different methods scammers use to trick victims. We VERIFIED six different ways scammers use social media to target victims and teach you how to avoid these scams. THE SOURCES Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Terranova Security , a cybersecurity company Wells Fargo Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) , an Irish consumer protection agency Aura , a cybersecurity company Online shopping scams The most common social media scams are ads, particularly on Facebook and Instagram, that lead to fake online stores that never deliver items their victims have purchased, according to the FTC . A red flag that an online store’s website may be fraudulent is if it’s missing basic information, such as shipping times, costs, address and direct contact information, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs says. If you’re unsure about an online store, you can check for consumer reviews or scam reports on the Better Business Bureau’s website. A store can fake the reviews on its own website, so it’s best to look at information posted on other sites. The FTC recommends simply searching for a store’s name and “scam” or “complaint” on Google before buying items. Using a credit card instead of a debit card for online purchases can also give you more protection against fake stores, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs says. That’s because credit cards “offer better fraud protection and provide a safer way to dispute unauthorized charges if necessary.” Most people who use social media marketplaces, such as Facebook Marketplace, are genuine people selling legitimate items, but scammers may also pose as sellers or customers, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) says. The CCPC recommends that buyers not hand over any money unless they’re sure the item is legitimate. It advises sellers not to click any link a buyer sends them and to not send the buyer any details that might allow them to gain access to their bank account. Impersonators of family and friends This scam begins when the scammer either hacks a person’s profile or creates a brand new, fake profile meant to look like someone else’s. Then, the scammer will usually directly message family and friends of the person they’re impersonating, claim there’s an emergency and ask for money, says Terranova Security , a cybersecurity company. Alternatively, the scammer may send their victims links to malicious websites instead of asking for money, according to Wells Fargo . Whether it’s a request for money or an unexpected link, you should double-check the identity of the sender, say Terranova Security and Wells Fargo. Do that by contacting the person through other means, such as a call, text or email. Only take action after they’ve confirmed the message is really from them. You should generally be suspicious of profiles that are brand new or if you receive a friend request from a profile you thought you were already friends with, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs says. Other fake lookalike accounts In some cases, scammers will create profiles impersonating a well-known company, a government agency or a popular celebrity by using their names, logos and photos. These types of imposter accounts may post malicious links disguised as fake giveaways, promote investment scams or request money through direct messages, according to Aura , a cybersecurity company. Fake giveaways are used to harvest user data, steal personal information or spread malware. Terranova says genuine giveaways won’t ask for sensitive information and will always be conducted through a company’s official channels. These imposter accounts are usually new profiles. Their posts, messages and account information will often have poor grammar and spelling, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs says. These accounts will also lack the official verification given to companies on most social media websites. Aura notes that scammers may also pose as celebrities and directly contact people to ask for money or claim they’re raising money for charities. Neither Taylor Swift nor any other celebrity will ever directly message random fans to ask for money. Phony money-making opportunities For some schemes, scammers don’t need to impersonate someone you already know. They can lure in victims by posting publicly about fake investment or job opportunities. Victims reported losing more money to investment scams than any other kind of social media scam in the first half of 2023, according to the FTC. Social media investment scams, which are often based around cryptocurrency, often promote the scammer’s own supposed success to lure people to investment websites or apps that turn out to be phony and leave victims empty-handed after they invest, the FTC said. Job offer scammers will usually promise their victims a good job, sometimes in the form of attractive work-from-home opportunities, but then require some kind of fee to actually secure the phony position, Wells Fargo and Terranova say. Legitimate employers, both online and off, will never ask you for a payment as a condition for employment, Terranova Security says. And you should generally be suspicious of anyone on social media who is asking for money or offering you money, Wells Fargo says. Romance scams Romance scams often start with a seemingly innocent friend request from a stranger, quickly followed by love bombing and eventually requests for money, according to the FTC. These scams often start on Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat. These kinds of scammers tend to profess their “love” for you unusually quickly and may even offer to move closer to you, Wells Fargo says. Treat any quick profession of love from an online stranger as a red flag, Terranova says. Wells Fargo says other common signs of this scam include poor or vague communication, flowery language and a small number of pictures and posts on the stranger’s account. You should avoid sending money to anyone you have only met online, Wells Fargo says. Malicious surveys and quizzes Personality quizzes and surveys are popular on social media, and are thus popular among scammers, too. These malicious quizzes might ask for permissions that give them access to your account or ask for personal details that can be used to steal your identity or financial information. “When you encounter a quiz or social media test that asks for unnecessary personal details or permissions, do not proceed,” Terranova Security says. Keeping yourself from being scammed There is no 100% foolproof way to avoid being targeted by scammers on social media, but there are ways to reduce the likelihood. Wells Fargo recommends setting your profiles to be private, so only people you know can see your information and posts. You should also restrict your contacts to people you know personally. Don’t accept random friend requests from strangers. If you can turn off messages from strangers or filter them, it’s a good idea to do that, too. The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs recommends that you regularly review your accounts’ privacy settings so you can ensure your information is only visible to people you know and trust. It also recommends regularly changing your password and using two-factor authentication for logins. Related Articles Watch out for these common holiday scams Facebook does not have a lottery promotion. This is a common scam. 5 tips to avoid online shopping scams: VERIFY Fact Sheet The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter , text alerts and our YouTube channel . You can also follow us on Snapchat , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok . Learn More » Follow Us YouTube Snapchat Instagram Facebook TikTok Want something VERIFIED? Text: 202-410-8808
FAYETTEVILLE – Circuit Court Judge Paul M. Blake Jr. has definitely put in the hours during a public service career spanning nearly 50 years. He sees no need to change as the end of that career draws near. Except for possibly serving in senior judge status for select cases beginning in 2025, Blake will hang up the robe and conclude his career on Dec. 31. A Kanawha County native who has called Fayette County home for years, Blake isn’t taking an easy path out the door of the Fayette County Courthouse as he ends almost 20 years of service as a circuit court judge, which was preceded by five terms as the elected Fayette County prosecuting attorney, service in the House of Delegates from 1989-91 and nine years as an assistant county prosecutor. Even as his last month in office has arrived, Blake’s case docket has remained active. “I have (stayed busy),” Blake, 78, said on Dec. 6. “The criminal docket that I’ve had, I had several jury trials. I’ve had several matters that I’ve had to deal with. “And, next week is a pretty full week.” He says activity will slow down during the Christmas holiday. While still hearing cases and dealing with court-related issues, Blake has taken some time to reflect recently, as well as clean up his office to make room for the next occupant. “It’s really something, going through 50 years of memorabilia here,” he said. “I have enjoyed it, and I think I’ve made a good contribution to the justice system — civil and criminal,” Blake said. “But it’s going to be a period of adjustment. I’ve never been retired. I’ve been employed since I was 18 years of age.” Blake recalled his investiture as a circuit judge in 2005, which came after Gov. Joe Manchin appointed him to replace Judge Charles M. Vickers, who retired. At the investiture, Blake said he told the crowd that he “sort of felt like Tom Hanks in that movie ‘Cast Away.’ When he escapes from the island and he looks back, he’s made it over the breakers and he’s on his way and he looks back at that island and, you know, you can just see he’s leaving a place of security, where he felt comfortable, going to the unknown.” “That’s the way I feel,” Blake said. “I was very comfortable in the prosecutor’s office, but when the opportunity became available, I felt like I had to give it (circuit judge) a try, although I didn’t know where it would end. I sort of feel the same way now (with retirement looming). “I’ve always been active, and I don’t intend to sit on the front porch in a rocker. I intend to keep busy doing something. ... I’ve got 100 acres of land that I have to keep up with. I bail hay. Keeping a farm going, I think, will take a lot of my time.” Also, he plans to travel with his wife, Ruth Ann, and make plenty of time to spend with family. “I hope to stay busy,” he said. • • • Looking back on his career “brings back a lot of memories,” said Blake. “So much has changed since 1974.” “I really came here in 1973 as a second-year law student,” he said. “Judge (Zane) Summerfield, who was prosecutor at the time, told me he’d put up with me for the summer if I’d want to come and shadow him and Mr. (Walter) Wilson. I did, and when I graduated he offered me a position as an assistant prosecutor. and I came back. “The annex wasn’t built, the only courthouse officers were down where the county administrator is, that’s where Judge Zane Summerfield and Mr. Wilson shared that space. They put me down in the basement. It was an experience. We didn’t have the magistrate court; it was the JP (justice of the peace) system. Dillard Inge was a JP, and he also had Inge Dry Cleaners down there where the public defenders’ office is. I chuckle sometimes. ... The system has really changed a lot.” “I never aspired to run for office,” Blake said. “My dad was a coal miner, and my mom was a cook. I was an average student in school and in college, but I thought I’d like to become a lawyer. I thought it was a decent living. I never dreamed that I’d run for office.” “I feel so blessed,” the judge said. “It’s a real honor and privilege to be elected by the citizens of your county to a job. But to be elected to all three branches of government, which I have, it’s just unbelievable. I don’t know what it is that I inspire such confidence, but I really appreciate that voters have been so good to me, and this county has been so good to me.” Blake said he approached his job with the seriousness it required. “The tremendous responsibility that a circuit judge has over a person’s life and property is a real sobering experience, when you stop to think about it. I’ve really taken that seriously and responsibly. I have enjoyed being a judge. There’s less than 100 of us in the state, so that’s a pretty elite group.” A disappointment during his time on the bench is seeing the rise of drugs in society. “I wish I could have made a bigger difference in the drug culture,” he said. “When I first was appointed as an assistant prosecutor, one of the reasons I was hired was that that was when marijuana and cocaine were really coming on, and Fayette County had a lot of indictments for drugs. I was hired, I think to take on that. Now, I think it’s changed from marijuana and cocaine to fentanyl and methamphetamine, and it affects so much in society.” In the past, he has lamented a large volume of abuse and neglect cases, many which have “arisen out of drug usage.” “I know people that have tried to kick it. Some of them have been successful, but so many of them, they will kick it for a while, then something will drive them back to it. I wish I had the answer to that.” His advice to the incoming judge, Thomas Fast? “Be patient. He’s not going to learn everything at once. There’s things even now that will come up. Just the other day, I had a writ of coram nobis (in a court case), and good Lord, I hadn’t heard that since law school. There’s so much of this to learn. I think you have to be patient, you have to listen attentively, and be prepared. That’s a big thing that judges need to know. “When you get into court, sometimes lawyers will try to snowball you or whatever, and if you’ve looked at the case and you’re familiar with the law, it makes it go a lot smoother.” • • • Where is the justice system headed? “There are a lot of areas that need addressed,” Blake said. “We need to get a handle on this drug situation. It used to be alcohol was a big factor and it touched everything in the court system. Now, it’s the drugs. We need to figure out a way to use that money intelligently that the government has to be successful and get these people out of the drug culture.” Also, treating children who have suffered trauma early in their lives is a must, he stressed. “Right now, there are 30 children in this state that are in a (psychiatric) facility in Arkansas that need to be moved (including some under his jurisdiction),” Blake said. “And you’re dealing with 10-, 11-year-old children that are so out of control. ... This state needs to develop a place for these young children that have really been damaged so much by their home environment.” Getting the children in a helpful situation early is a positive, he said. “But, if you get a child that’s 10, 11, 12, they have seen so much, heard so much, their psychological and emotional state is sometimes horrible. And, I hate sending some child down to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, but we don’t have any facility in the state to treat those types of children, and we need that.” “It’s like the prison system; the legislature, they give you all kinds of word salad and sympathize with your situation, but they don’t do anything about it.” “Right now, there is still a big turnover in social workers,” Blake added. “From one month to the next, I don’t know who I’m going to get to show up in court on these cases. That’s an issue that’s going to have to be resolved.” Looking forward, Blake said the county is in good hands. “I think we have a good bar association here, and I’ve got confidence in both of the individuals that will be in the circuit judgeships (Fast and current Judge Thomas Ewing). They’re both younger judges. That’s one of the things that sticks out to me is the number of judges (about 20) we’re losing this year (either to retirement or deciding not to run again).”The primary safety concern surrounding electric scooter windshields is their potential to obstruct the rider's vision. These accessories, while designed to provide protection from wind and cold weather, can inadvertently create blind spots that compromise the rider's ability to detect obstacles or hazards on the road. This poses a significant risk to both the rider and other road users, increasing the likelihood of accidents and injuries.