Blockchain scams are increasingly prevalent, and it's essential to understand what they are and how to recognize them before they take a toll on your finances. For instance, John from Sunset Beach, North Carolina, recently reached out with a pressing question about some suspicious messages he's been receiving in his inbox. "I have been receiving messages from this site for a while. Can you tell me if this is a scam or real? I don't want to pay good money to get scammed." John's experience is not unique; many individuals find themselves in similar situations when confronted with potential blockchain scams. These scams can take various forms, often disguised as legitimate offers or services that promise easy returns on investments. Let's look at the common signs of these scams, why they are so prevalent and what steps you can take to protect yourself from becoming a victim. GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS - SIGN UP FOR KURT'S NEWSLETTER - THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE What is a blockchain scam? A blockchain scam refers to a deceptive scheme aimed at tricking you into losing your money or digital assets within the cryptocurrency space. As the popularity of cryptocurrencies continues to rise, so does the prevalence of these scams, which exploit the lack of regulation and the anonymity often associated with blockchain technology. In essence, blockchain scams come in various forms, each designed to mislead and defraud unsuspecting victims. One of the most common types is the "Pump and Dump" scheme. In this scenario, scammers artificially inflate the price of a low-value cryptocurrency by spreading false information or hype. Once the price reaches a certain level, they sell off their holdings, causing the price to plummet and leaving other investors with significant losses. Another notorious scam is the Initial Coin Offering scam. Here, fraudsters promote a new cryptocurrency project with promises of high returns and innovative technology. However, once they collect... Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy ReportBarclays raised its 2025 forecast for the S&P 500 index on Monday to 6,600 from 6,500, on the back of a resilient U.S. economy, gradual decrease in inflation and robust potential earnings growth of mega-cap technology stocks. The revised forecast represents an upside of 10.56% from the index’s close of 5,969.34 on Friday and 10% from Barclays’ estimate of 6,000 for 2024. “For U.S. equities, we think macro positives outweigh the negatives heading into next year,” analysts at Barclays wrote in a note. The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to continue its monetary policy easing cycle, while the uncertainty post the U.S. election has been resolved and jobless rate remains low, Barclays said, which could together boost the benchmark index. Last week, both Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley forecast the index could touch 6,500, banking on continued growth in the U.S., stronger corporate earnings and the Fed’s rate-cut path. Big Tech companies will continue to drive S&P 500 earnings, said Barclays which raised the benchmark index’s earnings-per-share estimate to $271 from $268. “We expect most sectors to be impacted by disinflationary margin pressure and slowing ex-US growth in 2025, while Big Tech continues offsetting to the upside,” Barclays noted. Barclays also upgraded the U.S. industrial and health sectors while downgrading consumer staples and utilities. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Gokul Pisharody in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Spencer Knight made 20 saves, Mackie Samoskevich scored with less than a second left in the second period, and the Florida Panthers got four goals in the third to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-0 on Saturday and complete a two-day sweep. Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Evan Rodrigues and Adam Boqvist also scored for Florida, which won 6-3 at Carolina on Friday. The Panthers have won three straight — that streak following a stretch of six losses in seven games for the Stanley Cup champions. It was Knight's fourth career shutout, his first since Nov. 9, 2022 — also at home against Carolina. Spencer Martin made 23 saves on 28 shots for the Hurricanes, who have dropped four of their last six games (2-3-1). It was Martin's fourth consecutive start for Carolina. Hurricanes: This was the first time all season that the Hurricanes failed to get a point in the game immediately following a loss. Carolina was 4-0-1 after a defeat entering Saturday. Panthers: A big day for Samoskevich — his alma mater Michigan beat Ohio State in football on Saturday, that game ending just before the Florida-Carolina game started. The Panthers are 5-0-0 when he scores this season. Sam Reinhart had each of the four most recent Florida goals at 19:59, before Samoskevich got his Saturday. The Panthers scored two goals 11 seconds apart in the third to make it 5-0, and Yaniv Perets replaced Martin in the Hurricanes' net with 8:12 remaining. It was the second NHL appearance for Perets, who came on once in relief for Carolina last season. Ekblad's goal was his first in a span of 1,045 regular-season shifts since Feb. 20. Carolina starts a two-game homestand Tuesday against Seattle. Florida goes to Pittsburgh to start a two-game trip on Tuesday. AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHLroulette wheel 。

Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Evan Rodrigues and Adam Boqvist also scored for Florida, which won 6-3 at Carolina on Friday. The Panthers have won three straight — that streak following a stretch of six losses in seven games for the Stanley Cup champions. It was Knight's fourth career shutout, his first since Nov. 9, 2022 — also at home against Carolina. Spencer Martin made 23 saves on 28 shots for the Hurricanes, who have dropped four of their last six games (2-3-1). It was Martin's fourth consecutive start for Carolina. Hurricanes: This was the first time all season that the Hurricanes failed to get a point in the game immediately following a loss. Carolina was 4-0-1 after a defeat entering Saturday. Panthers: A big day for Samoskevich — his alma mater Michigan beat Ohio State in football on Saturday, that game ending just before the Florida-Carolina game started. The Panthers are 5-0-0 when he scores this season. Sam Reinhart had each of the four most recent Florida goals at 19:59, before Samoskevich got his Saturday. The Panthers scored two goals 11 seconds apart in the third to make it 5-0, and Yaniv Perets replaced Martin in the Hurricanes' net with 8:12 remaining. It was the second NHL appearance for Perets, who came on once in relief for Carolina last season. Ekblad's goal was his first in a span of 1,045 regular-season shifts since Feb. 20. Carolina starts a two-game homestand Tuesday against Seattle. Florida goes to Pittsburgh to start a two-game trip on Tuesday. AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Billionaire Ray Dalio sold Nvidia stock. Should you follow?Scientists find how often sun-like stars emit 'superflares.' It shocked them.

The NZFFI Manukau All Stars have earned their spot in the Flick Hygiene Pacific Community Cup final after a 2-0 win over the USA All Stars in the second semi-final at Churchill Park, Lautoka. Aaron O’Discoll opened the scoring in the 40th minute with a well-timed strike, giving Manukau the lead just before halftime. Garbhan Coughlan doubled the advantage in the 59th minute, securing their place in the final with a confident finish. Manukau’s disciplined defense and clinical finishing proved too much for the USA All Stars, who struggled to break through despite moments of pressure. Now, the stage is set for a thrilling final match against defending champions NZFFI Auckland All Stars at 3 PM.Louisiana Tech 85, S. Illinois 79, OT

Prasun Sonwalkar The London Gazette founded in 1665 is not a publication you would usually turn to for news. It is a dour, bland chronicler of official announcements, statutory notices, wills and probate. But last week, one announcement raised quite a few hackles and eyebrows in the 1.5 million-strong Indian community. Two prominent individuals from the community who had been awarded royal honours for exemplary work in their fields had their honours cancelled and annulled: Rami Ranger, a businessman, and Anil Bhanot, an accountant known for his work in Britain’s Hindu community. It was the first time that celebrated members of the community had their honours annulled due to their involvement in controversies: not exactly a welcome distinction for a community that is otherwise regarded highly for their historic and contemporary contribution to British public life. Every year, when the list of royal honours is announced, there are invariably a large number of people of Indian origin honoured for their work in various fields, including knighthoods and damehoods. The next list is due to be announced on December 31. On December 6, the London Gazette announced that Ranger and Bhanot were among seven people whose honours had been cancelled and annulled by King Charles III, who has directed that their names be erased from the register and the order in which they were honoured. Ranger was honoured with a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2015 and Bhanot was given the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2010. They were stripped of their honours for what is officially called “bringing the honours system into disrepute”. The honours can be revoked on the advice of a Forfeiture Committee, whose recommendations to the King are submitted through the Prime Minister. In the case of Ranger and Bhanot, besides the widely reported rows in which they were involved (including alleged Islamophobia and comments against Pakistan), political overtones can hardly be missed: Ranger has been a long-time donor to the Conservative Party which, until recently, was in power. The committee’s recommendations would have gone through the Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Both Ranger and Bhanot have protested against the cancellation and raised questions over Britain upholding the long-cherished right of free speech. How the controversy plays out remains to be seen, but their case puts the spotlight again on Britain’s ancient honours system. There have been rows in the past over cash-for-honours, but the honours continue to be coveted by many, even though some have campaigned to reform the system. Leading members of the British Indian community awarded knighthood or damehood in recent years include Pratibha Gai, Parveen Kumar, Asha Khemka, Tejinder Virdee, Harpal Singh Kumar, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Shankar Balasubramanian and Harshad Bhadeshia. Foreign citizens, including Indians, have also been honoured: knighthood /damehood are sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, former President Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, former bureaucrat Chandrika Prasad Srivastava, industrialist Jamshed Jiji Irani, and Mother Teresa. The only Indian or Asian awarded in the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) is economist Amartya Sen. Industrialist Ratan Tata was awarded the honorary Knight Grand Cross (GCB) of the Order of the British Empire for his services to UK-India relations, inward investment to the UK and philanthropy. Rabindranath Tagore, who was knighted in 1915, renounced the honour in 1919 over the Jallianwallah Bagh massacre, writing to the then viceroy, Lord Chelmsford: “The time has come when badges of honour make our shame glaring in the incongruous context of humiliation, and I for my part, wish to stand, shorn, of all special distinctions, by the side of those of my countrymen who, for their so called insignificance, are liable to suffer degradation not fit for human beings.” Throughout British history, monarchs have rewarded those who have shown service, loyalty or gallantry with gifts or titles. After medieval times, physical gifts, such as land or money were replaced by the awarding of knighthoods and of membership within orders of chivalry, accompanied by insignia such as gold or silver chains. As democracy and government evolved and parliament’s legislative role grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Cabinet Office took over the role of selecting recipients of the honours. There are currently nearly 125,000 men and women members of the Order of the British Empire, and normally around 1,100-1,200 are appointed at each honours round. The word ‘Empire’ is embedded in several titles but, as we know, the British Empire is long gone. Many are uneasy with the mention of ‘Empire’ in the titles, with growing demand that the word be replaced with ‘Excellence’: for example, Member of the British Empire (MBE) is sought to be renamed as ‘Member of British Excellence’, thus preserving the known abbreviation. The change is supported by several community organisations and individuals. The Public Administration Select Committee of the House of Commons also recommended that there should be no further appointments to the Order of the British Empire; instead, a new Order, the ‘Order of British Excellence’ should be founded, but the government opposed it on the ground that the case has not been made for change to the Order of the British Empire. (Prasun Sonwalkar is a columnist and former academic)

The first guest invited to ring the bell to open trading at the New York Stock Exchange in 1956 wasn’t a company executive, a politician or a well-known celebrity. It was a 10-year-old boy, Leonard Ross, who received the honor by winning a television quiz show. Since then, business titans, political giants and global film stars have all been among those ringing the opening bell at the NYSE. Ronald Reagan rang the bell as president in 1985. Billionaire businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. have also rung the bell. The list even includes famous Muppets: Miss Piggy was once a bell ringer. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Lithium Argentina Files Meeting Materials to Establish Corporate Domicile in SwitzerlandSilicon Valley Turkey Trot celebrates 20 years of community goodwill