Does the job corp wifi block pirating websites? and if so, can i use a vpn to unblock it?

Hey everyone,
I wanted to share a recent experience with a job offer I received from a company called 2 Up Top Logistics LLC. I believe this might be a scam, and I want to warn others to be cautious.
Details of the Offer:

• Company Name: 2 Up Top Logistics LLC
• Address: 1504 Medallion Ct, Perris, CA, 92571
• Email Contact: [Craigjustin_2uptoplgstic@hotmail.com]()
• Position: Online Data Entry Clerk
• Salary: $30 per hour (training at $22 per hour)

Red Flags:

1. Unprofessional Email Address: The offer came from a Hotmail address, not a company domain.
2. Unrealistic Salary: The salary offered is unusually high for an entry-level data entry position.
3. Vague Job Description: The offer letter lacks specific details about the job duties and responsibilities.
4. Grammar and Formatting Issues: The offer letter is riddled with grammatical errors and formatting problems.
5. Lack of Online Presence: There's little to no verifiable information about the company online, including no official website.

What You Should Do:

• Research the Company: Always look up the company online to verify its legitimacy. Check for an official website, reviews, and a professional online presence.
• Contact the Company Directly: Use verified contact information to confirm the offer.
• Be Skeptical of Personal Information Requests: Don't provide personal or financial information unless you're sure the offer is legitimate.
• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it’s better to be cautious.

Stay safe, everyone! Let's help each other avoid falling victim to scams.

I have a problem with spending hours a day on Reddit for years now. I do great when I block it completely, but the problem is I unblock to access hobby specific subreddits. It's clear this website and the popular is terrible for my wellbeing.
Is there a way to allow URL access to certain subreddits but not others? I've only found it able to completely block reddit.com.
Eg. allow reddit.com/myhobby, but block any other reddit URLs
Edit: I have succesfully stopped all social media Facebook, instagram for years. I struggled with Facebook because of Marketplace, and finally had success when I decided having Marketplace wasn't worth it. I'd hate to give up my hobby subreddits since they are so helpful.

Zelle began as a popular payment platform to make quick transfers to friends and family; in the wake of P2P success, Zelle business accounts have become equally useful for instant, no-free transfers between customers, businesses, and vendors. However, many users have reported that their Zelle payment failed at some point since they started using the service.
If this happens to you, there’s no need to panic. Zelle payments may fail for many reasons, and easy fixes are usually available. In this guide, we’ll look at possible reasons your Zelle payment failed and how to rectify each situation. We’ll also shed light on possible repercussions of payment failures and offer guidance on recovering funds when they disappear despite a transaction failure.
Top 6 Reasons Why Your Zelle Payment Failed & How to Fix It
A red X above the front and back of a pink credit card after a Zelle payment failed.
Failed payments are frustrating, especially when action from the recipient is dependent on the receipt of your payment, as can be the case with P2P (Peer-to-Peer) payments. For instance, suppliers often won’t release stock until they receive a payment from you, and some contractors won’t start work until they receive a deposit. This can present a setback in stock availability or delay projects.
In some cases, securing a property, booking travel, or securing a seat at a conference is subject to receipt of a payment. If your payment fails, you may risk losing out to someone else who snatched the last available spot.
The first step to fixing a failed Zelle payment is understanding why your (or your customer’s) payment didn’t go through. Here are six of the most common reasons for failed Zelle payments—and what to do if they happen to you.

1. Technical Problems and Glitches

As with any tech-driven solution, glitches and other technical issues can cause Zelle payments to fail. These issues might include server downtime, Zelle app bugs, or device or internet connection problems.
Server Downtime
The Zelle app depends on internal company servers to maintain communication between network banks. If Zelle servers are experiencing downtime, there’s usually nothing you can do except wait until Zelle resolves the issue on their side. You can check websites like DownDetector to see if there are any known outages.
Server downtime generally doesn’t last too long, as Zelle understands the impact these issues can have on its clients and reputation. Zelle thus aims to minimize server problems and sort out issues ASAP.
Application Bugs
If you’re using the Zelle app on your mobile device and experiencing payment failures due to a buggy application, try updating the Zelle app. On an Android device, open the Google Play Store, search for “Zelle,” and tap on it to open the app page. If updates are available for download, you’ll see an option to do so.
On an iOS device, launch the App Store. Tap on your profile picture, scroll down to “Available Updates,” and look for Zelle. Tap the “Update” button if available.
Device or Internet Issues
Sometimes, payment failures result from issues with your device or internet connection. Ensure your device has a stable internet connection, and try restarting it to troubleshoot any temporary glitches. Additionally, clearing your browser cache and cookies can sometimes resolve issues if you are accessing your bank profile in a web browser.

1. Closed or Suspended Recipient Bank Account

The reason your Zelle payment failed could also be due to a problem on the recipient’s end. Zelle will decline your payment if the recipient’s account has been blocked.
In this case, the recipient must restore their account to receive payments from anyone. They will usually need to contact Zelle support directly to address the issue. If they enrolled through their bank’s app, they may also need to contact their banking institution to get the account unblocked.
Once Zelle (or the bank) reinstates their account, try making the payment again. It should be successful this time round.

1. Incorrect Recipient Contact Information

Even if it’s just one incorrect digit or character, wrong recipient contact information arises as a frequent cause of digital payment failure. If your Zelle failed payment, check with the recipient to ensure you have the correct details.
Sending someone a payment request from Zelle is an easy way to ensure that the paying party uses the correct information. By issuing a payment request from the recipient’s side, the sender has to respond by authorizing the payment—instead of entering their details from scratch.
Zelle will decline the payment if you send a payment to an email address or mobile number that does not exist. However, if you send a payment to an incorrect mobile number or email address registered with Zelle, you will send money to the wrong person. As part of the user policy, Zelle will not reverse or refund payment once you have authorized it.
Always confirm that you have accurate recipient details. After successfully making the first payment, save the recipient in your profile to have the correct information for future payments.
New Recipients
If you are sending a payment to a new recipient, such as a supplier who recently signed up for Zelle, verify they are enrolled with the service beforehand. With US Bank, for instance, a purple “Z” will appear below the recipient’s name if they are registered with Zelle. This way, you’ll know you have the correct details.
A person holding their card next to an oversized phone, realizing their Zelle failed payment.
If the recipient is not registered with Zelle, they will get a notice after you pay. The notice will provide instructions on how to register and access the funds. They will need to do so with the mobile number or email address you sent the money to; if they don’t register within 14 days, Zelle will return the funds to you.

1. Insufficient Funds

If you try to pay with insufficient funds in your linked bank account, the payment won’t go through. You will receive an automated error message; the notification will usually explain the reason for payment failure.
In this case, the fix is pretty straightforward. You must transfer more money into your Zelle-linked bank account to ensure enough funds are available. Once you have done so, try again.

1. You Have a High-Risk Business

Zelle prohibits using its services for certain business types, often classified as high-risk businesses. This includes the sale of firearms and related products, pharmaceuticals, sexually oriented materials, gambling, cryptocurrency, and pyramid schemes, among others.
Zelle will suspend, freeze, or terminate your account if you are suspected of using the service for any prohibited industry activities—even if your business is legitimate. Most digital payment platforms and wallets, including Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, prohibit high-risk business transactions; however, all is not lost.
A merchant services provider can help find safe and convenient payment processing solutions for even the most high-risk merchants. They offer multiple payment methods, allowing your customers to pay in a way that suits them, and they won’t freeze client accounts since they’re equipped to deal with high-risk industries.

1. You’ve Reached Your Daily, Weekly, or Monthly Transfer Limit

Every bank in Zelle’s network sets limits on the maximum amount of funds you can transfer. Limits vary by bank and can apply to daily, weekly, and monthly transactions. When registering your Zelle business account, it’s important to confirm transaction limits with your financial institution—and plan payments accordingly to avoid payment failures.
Zelle will decline the transactions if you try to make any payments over the transfer limit. In this case, you’ll have to wait until a new limit period starts. For instance, if your daily limit is $500 and you have already reached this amount, you’ll have to wait until the next day to complete any further transfers.
What to Do if Your Zelle Payment Failed But the Money’s Gone
If your Zelle payment failed but money was taken from your account, check the payment status. If the payment is “pending,” it means the recipient has not yet enrolled with Zelle. They will, however, receive a notification with instructions. As soon as they complete their registration, they will receive the funds.
On the other hand, if the payment status says “completed” but the recipient did not receive the money, contact your bank or Zelle ASAP. They can investigate the issue and determine the reason for failure if it is not automatically returned.
Before contacting your bank, ensure that you have used the correct sender details and have not exceeded your payment limits. Zelle payments are irreversible and cannot be canceled or refunded if you make an error. Furthermore, Zelle does not offer purchase protection.
Given these caveats, Zelle may not be the best payment method for transactions in which you’re not entirely sure of the receiver’s safety or legitimacy. Consider using a credit card instead when purchasing supplies or services from new vendors—this way, you will at least have some purchase protection.
Payment Methods for Success Beyond Zelle
Whether it’s a frustrated customer, delayed arrival of stock, or overdue wages, failed payments can cause many complications and have numerous knock-on effects. Although Zelle offers free and fast transactions, its limitations can make it less than suitable as the primary payment method for a growing business. Its lack of versatility and business integrations makes it time-consuming for business owners to manage their finances and offers little payment flexibility or security.

Some websites have restrictions that make it difficult for me to access them. I've heard that a VPN can help bypass these restrictions by connecting to servers in other countries. Has anyone here tried using a VPN to access blocked content? If so, how effective was it? Can you recommend any good VPN services?

Could someone explain to me why it is that I am unable to click on links on the website for my hotmail? When I do, nothing happens. If I use the app, they work and will then open in my browser (Safari) which is what they used to do when I’d click on them on the website. This doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.
Another issue I’m encountering is that I’m receiving gmails in my hotmail account from a nonexistent gmail address. How is this even possible? I received an email from the person who’d sent one to me previously, which arrived in my hotmail inbox as being supposedly from the nonexistent gmail account, stating that I’d chosen to opt out of receiving emails. Since the gmail account doesn’t even exist, how could I opt out of receiving emails in the first place? None of this makes any sense.

I need some advice.
I maintain a website for a small company using GoDaddy. We have our own domain registered with them. The website currently has 10 pages and 500 photographs. That’s pretty much it. We have a place where people can send an email to us, and that is hooked up to our regular (believe it or not) Hotmail email address.
So there is nothing fancy here. The amount of work I do on it every month takes about an hour to two hours. I update an event list and I put up new photos that’s it. I am the only one that makes any changes.
Someone in the company is convincing management they need to switch everything over to WPEngine saying that WPE is cheaper and much better.
Having only heard of WP three days ago, I started checking around for myself. From what I’ve seen so far, I’m finding that hard to believe that we should switch and I’d like to hear from some experts.
I suspect that the reason this person wants to switch over is because they like doing blogs with WordPress.
Right now I feel like switching over will be swatting a fly with a canon. Can anyone confirm what I’m thinking?
TIA!

17 minutes of Armenia coverage by Transcaucasian Telegraph. Follow for regular updates.

Defense Minister Papikyan continues the Europe trip

• Attended a working dinner of Defense Ministers from the EU and partner countries at the invitation of Joseph Borrell.
• Discussed European security during the Schuman Security and Defense Forum.
• Held meetings with his counterparts from Sweden, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Georgia
• Met General Robert Brieger, the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, to discuss AM-EU defense cooperation.
• Discussed the reforms that are being introduced in the Armenian army.
source, source, source,

ranking Russian officials attended the event celebrating Azerbaijan Day on May 28: video

LDPR leader Slutsky praised Ilham Aliyev for solving the Karabakh issue and said now it's time to rebuild the areas under Azerbaijani control.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Ministers Galuzin, Rudenko, and Pankin were also present, and so was ranking Senator Grigory Karasin, who described Azerbaijan as "brothers for centuries" with strategic cooperation with Russia.
source,

Armenia's public television channel aired a report about the government's decision to suspend the broadcast of the most popular Russian TV channel in Armenia

As you know, yesterday the High-Tech Minister said that Russia's Channel One hasn't paid its dues for 2.5 months and had to be suspended until the payment is made. The suspension applies to their broadcast in public aimultiplex only. The ministry won't disclose the exact amount owed but "it's not a big sum".
FREE SPEECH NGO (Melikyan): I think there is a political context and the [Armenian government] used the debt as a pretext to once again tell the Russian channel and Russia's information tsars that we are not going to put up with their mud-throwing. Criticism from Russia is okay, but non-journalistic propaganda should be blocked.
REPORTER: In the past, the issues with Russian channels were regarding the content in specific shows. Two months ago the shows run by Vladimir Solovyov were banned in Armenia's public multiplex [and private companies decided to voluntarily join the ban at the time].
ORDUKHANYAN (politolog): Similar violations exist in Channel One and other Russian channels today.
REPORTER: PM Pashinyan said on May 7 that Russian channels would be blocked if they did not follow the law and respect the Armenian state and citizens.
source,

parts from Pashinyan's presentation in Parliament during the discussions around the 2023 budget, economy, and politics:

It's expensive to have a state, which is why taxation is necessary. How should we spend these taxes? Implement the programs of a small group of isolated political elites who seek "historical justice", or should it be spent on the prosperity of citizens? Our citizens want to live, not survive. They want to be free, prosperous, and happy.
"Security" is no longer enough because peace is needed. What we called "security" for decades was security in name only; it was quite a dangerous security. Peace is what ensures real security. This is part of the conceptual differences between Real Armenia and Historical Armenia.
After the independence, the most prominent trend in Armenia was the emigration. People finally created an independent state but had to emigrate to be able to live. Does that mean Armenia was not a livable place for them? How did that happen? Because Armenia was managed by a group of elites with clerical-feudal ideology that hadn't progressed for centuries. This ideology was injected into our citizens, all of us, through the educational system. That's why we have that gap, when you create an independent state then find it necessary to leave in search of another place to live.
A man wearing shorts is enjoying coffee on his balcony in the morning. The onlookers criticize him for "insulting" their "perceptions". How dare you enjoy a coffee in shorts while ignoring the Higher Ideology we are currently fighting for? The man wears colorful clothing and they shame him. "How could you wear colorful clothes? Who is going to mourn if we all start wearing colorful clothes? You scum traitor."
One, two, three such encounters and the person wants to emigrate and live in a place where he can enjoy the coffee on the balcony without being shamed.
Our political party's mistake was continuing these clerical-feudal traditions after 2018. This is what's happening to us today. We are breaking free of it today despite the revolt by the authors of the clerical-feudal system. We are "traitors" for breaking it.
The state must be a tool to provide justice, vivacity, and prosperity to its citizens. To accomplish this, at a political level, we need to have an effective state. An effective state is one that is capable of adapting to the changing world and the new challenges. This is the key to ensuring the long-term existence of the state. This is the path we have chosen. You read a textbook in school and received a "5" [max score], but if we attempt to deal with today's reality by implementing our school knowledge, we will lose our state.
In 2022-2023 I said that if we can succeed in preserving our statehood over the next 2 years, its long-term existence will be ensured. The 2023 budget [today's topic] was used for overcoming that challenge, to ensure Armenia's existence. If in 2021-2022 we saw a VERY direct and immediate threat to the existence of the Republic of Armenia, then today I can announce that we have overcome, controlled, and neutralized that threat by using the aforementioned formulas [by being flexible in a changing world]. We have given a short and medium-term solution to it, but it's necessary to have a long-term strategy as well. In a changing world, we must have flexible a Government and Parliament.
We must work if we want prosperity. "Employment" must be the state ideology and those who choose not to work should not be respected. We must first have a quality education that doesn't encourage people to berate others for drinking coffee in shorts. The education system must teach that in order to live well, you must choose professionalism and diligence, and develop your own skills.
We must break free of the clerical-feudal educational system that taught people that suffering was the only way. They created a box and didn't want you to think outside of it. The school must give you the skills to have a good life, part of which is the development of identity and values. This is why in 2019 for the first time we attempted to formulate what our national values are. This was needed because it was all too common to witness how everything was presented as a "national value". So in 2019, I found it important to list the national values because they are part of our identity, and each person must have an identity to be happy. These are the national values, perhaps partial:
• Armenian statehood and Republic.
• Independence, sovereignty, citizenship, democracy, army.
• Armenia's history, Armenian people's folklore, the epic and legends, and beliefs.
• Armenian language and literature, scripts, knowledge, and science.
• Panarmenian potential and diaspora. Even if you left us, you are still part of our identity.
• Homeland, family, and individual. The individual is a national value and must be valued and should not be mistreated because of the color of their clothes. The society cannot decide what color of clothes the individual must wear on the streets. You must be able to wear whatever color represents your identity.
• The Church and Christianity. Today they claim we mistreat the Church but that is not true. If there are specific individuals within the Church who discredit the Church with their actions and give the Government the right to respond, that is not the Government's fault.
• Armenian folk and modern music and dance, theater, and architecture.
• Nature with its diversity.
• continue here, զահլես գնաց
What is the connection between these national values and the performance of the 2023 budget? There is a direct link. The budget is meant to serve those values.
Now some budget numbers from 2023:
• The 8.7% economic growth was above the 7% annual average growth that we set during the 2021 electoral campaign.
• Armenia's economy has grown by around 30% since 2018.
• GDP per capita compared to 2017 grew in real terms by 37% in drams and doubled in dollars.
• Over 206,000 new jobs were recorded in Dec 2023 vs Dec 2017.
• The unemployment is down by 5% but there was a change in methodology so it's not very accurate to compare with the distant past, but under the new methodology in 2023 also the unemployment decreased, to 12%.
• Tax collection was up by ֏298B or +14.5% YoY, and up by ֏1.063T or +92% compared to 2017.
• Citizens received ֏68B in income tax refunds, up by ֏63B from 2018.
• 37,000 applicants have received mortgage loans since 2017 as part of the special program. The increase is 1648%. Under this program, part of the income tax you pay is returned to you to buy a house, while the other part is used for building roads and infrastructure for your building. The construction quality is not necessarily great including because of historically low construction volumes; our companies didn't have enough experience. That leads us to...
• Capital expenditures were ֏494B which is 3.3x greater than the 2018 volumes. Part of this were defense projects, but defense was included in the past as well. It's time to raise the construction standards in Armenia. When a school roof collapses on a student's head, he develops a negative attitude towards the State.
• The "added value" refunds to businesses amounted to ֏88B, up 3.2 times since 2018.
• Average nominal monthly salary grew 14.6% YoY, while real wages with the inflation taken into account grew by 12.4%.
• Real wages have increased by over 30% since 2018.
• Seniors received over ֏5B in cashback for shopping with bank cards instead of cash. The non-cash turnover by seniors grew to ֏60B. It's suspicious that "seniors" used their cards to purchase very large quantities of cigarettes last year, so we might have to restrict the types of goods that qualify under this program so that our seniors and their grandchildren can live a healthy lifestyle.
source, source,

Finance Minister about the economy in 2023

HOVHANNISYAN: We have finally overcome the chronic underperformance of the capital expenditure budget. 2021: 92.5%, 2022: 94.9%, 2023: 95.8%.
Not only the performance rate has improved, but the size of expenditures has also increased by ֏105B ($271M). That additional sum was spent on defense, road networks, urban development, water networks, ...
The debt grew by 14.5%, driven by a 31% increase in internal debt. The debt-to-GDP ratio was 48%. To control the risks, we increased the share of dram and internal debt, while diversifying the debt in foreign currency by decreasing dollars and increasing euros.
source, source, source,

Why was the Catholicos Garegin B briefly prevented from approaching the Sardarapat Monument yesterday?

Context: Ex-regime protesters attempted to derail Pashinyan's ceremony yesterday morning so Pashinyan had to postpone his visit to the afternoon. The Catholicos, who is the protest co-organizer Archbishop Galstanyan's boss, also arrived in the afternoon.
PASHINYAN: He approached the area of the state ceremony without an invitation and we weren't informed that he expected an invitation. The police wanted to clarify whether the Catholicos came to continue the provocation started by his Archbishop. After the police received the assurances that the visit was only ceremonial, his entry was authorized to the area where the state ceremony was taking place. Catholicos is the leader of the movement [co-led by Archbishop Galstanyan] that earlier took steps to obstruct the ceremony, so the police had to clarify his intent.

Is there a chance Armenia and Azerbaijan could sign a peace agreement this year, perhaps during COP29?

PASHINYAN: Every day is a great day to sign a peace agreement as long as there is an agreement around the text of the peace agreement. To be more precise, an agreement around the principles has already been reached during the meetings in Prague, Sochi, and Brussels. The only thing left is to reflect these agreements in the peace agreement. I believe we have an opportunity to conclude this work soon.

Why is Azerbaijan avoiding mentioning the 1991 Almaty Declaration in the peace agreement if we have already begun using it for delimitation?

PASHINYAN: There are nuances here and I'd like to share some details with you. In reality, the work around the peace agreement's text is multi-layered, and sometimes the sentences and comments made regarding the agreement are not always perceived accurately by those who do not possess the full details of the text and dynamics. FM Mirzoyan and NatSec Grigoryan have spoken about that, but the perception and reality might not match. In reality, Armenia and Azerbaijan have already agreed to refer to Almaty in one of the sections of the peace agreement that has been accepted by both parties. So [what Mirzoyan and Grigoryan were saying about Azerbaijan's refusal to include Almaty] is about something else, something I cannot comment on because there is diplomatic work around it.
QUESTION: In other words, Azerbaijan is not refusing to solidify the Almaty by including it in the peace agreement?
PASHINYAN: Let's recall the public statements made by Baku recently. The President of Azerbaijan announced that they are committed to the Prague agreement and the Almaty Declaration. During the process of reproducing that in the peace agreement, there are work issues that can be resolved. There are sensitive diplomatic nuances preventing me from discussing this in-depth publicly.

Are we close to a peace agreement?

PASHINYAN: There is a very significant change in the atmosphere but we haven't reached the end yet.

Any update on lifting the blockade on Armenia?

PASHINYAN: The Crossroads of Peace reflects our understanding of unblocking every communication link in the region. We are ready to implement it at any moment, including with Azerbaijan. The CoP is larger than Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Why did your wife organize a "party" while northern Armenia was struck by a disaster? [was she wearing shorts by any chance]

PASHINYAN: The primary beneficiaries of that event, which was planned 6 months ago, were the mothers who lost their sons in the 2020 war. They need support to overcome the grief.

Will you meet Archbishop Galstanyan?

PASHINYAN: I regularly meet people. There is a procedure to schedule a meeting with me. Everyone can contact us to be added to the list. //
ARCHBISHOP GALSTANYAN: It is the government that should want to meet us, not the other way around. Their actions display convulsions. Pashinyan will leave, he is smart. //
People began to take notice of the repeated nature of statements by opposition leaders that Pashinyan would be removed or leave "soon" under the pressure of the Holy Struggle. Famous actor Hovhannes Azoyan (curly Hovo) made fun of the "1-hour" ultimatum Bagrat gave to Pashinyan on May 9:
AZOYAN: Հրապարակը զբաղեցրած սառցազանին մի հատ ժամացույց նվիրեք ու ասեք, որ 1 ժամը 1 ամիս ա արդեն անցել ա, համ էլ շոգերը, որ եկավ … հալելու է
source, source, source,

from an interview with ex-PM Aram Sargsyan about Armenia's industry and factories, and protests

SARGSYAN: The Church [leadership, not just Bagrat] has entered politics by making statements unprecedented since the 1990s, which opens the door for politicians to enter the Church and treat it as a political opponent. There is a clash of two ideologies right now, between those who prefer Russia and CSTO, like the ARF, and those who prefer the West. At least Robert Kocharyan had the courage to be open about who he is, the possibility of joining a Russian Union, and what he supports, unlike those who deny their affiliation. This group's global interests align with that of Russia and they don't have a functional peace plan.
REPORTER: Do you believe Archbishop Galstanyan and the forces surrounding him in Republic Square want to move Armenia closer to Russia?
SARGSYAN: Of course. That's what they presented in their plan. They formed a wing of diplomats consisting of former officials from the foreign ministry, led by Vartan Oskanian. They read the document, according to which it's unacceptable to change Armenia's foreign vector today and that it's necessary to strengthen cooperation with Russia. We did strengthen ties with Russia, and what did that give us in Nagorno-Karabakh?
REPORTER: Your opponents say the infrastructure-for-debt was done under your administration while you were a Prime Minister, and that you supported it.
SARGSYAN: A total lie. First, the infrastructure-for-debt happened in 2003 under PM Andranik Margaryan [with Robert Kocharyan as President], who signed the documents. Under my tenure, even the ՀԷՑ (power network) that they planned to sell...
REPORTER: I was referring to the preparatory work...
SARGSYAN: ... the ՀԷՑ was supposed to be sold not to Russia but to a Western firm with a presence in Georgia. One of the main advocates of that deal was the current President of Armenia. But I saw a massive corruption risk and I took steps to exclude ՀԷՑ from privatization. Not a single state company of this kind was privatized under my tenure.
Under my tenure, we resumed the operations of the Nairit Chemical Plant. Robert Kocharyan is alive so you can verify this with him: When I offered to relaunch Nairit, Kocharyan told me that it was a "black hole" and that any investment would be lost. As a man from the industry, I disagreed and said there was an opportunity to resume its operations. Kocharyan told me to prepare a written statement that I assume full responsibility for Nairit and any losses. Nairit had a total of 8 ացեկ(?) and it functioned with 6 ացեկ during USSR. The other 2 were routinely stopped for repairs. It was profitable. We launched it with just 2 ացեկ with the other 6 suspended, yet it was still profitable. We didn't reinvent the wheel there. Do you know how we managed to do it? I issued an order that Nairit's output could only be sold by its director and with his signature. Prior to that, anyone could just sell the product and pocket the cash; it was a massive network of corruption. So Nairit worked under my tenure.
We also relaunched the Agarak copper combine under my tenure. At the time the mine was entirely flooded with water. Kajaran's director Maxim helped me fix it; he had the pumps to remove the water. In return, I helped Maxium with his problems. He told me that his molybdenum was being processed without giving him money so his factory was on the brink of bankruptcy. Since I knew how smelters(?) worked, I stayed in Ghapan for a week to help him install two of those. So they failed to push Kajaran to bankruptcy to buy it out. Who wanted to buy it? You know who, because they were able to execute their plan after my departure. Kocharyan wanted it to go bankrupt.
I didn't want to brag about this, but any time if I had any involvement with industrial factories, it was in order to make them function. I know the industry. I think Pashinyan is a terribly bad economist with zero record of resuming abandoned factories.
Bagrat Galstanyan took a swipe at me saying if you were a man why didn't you build the factory in Yeraskh [Context: Azeris shot at the Indian workers so the factory had to be moved]. First, I'm not the one building that factory, it's a US company with my brother's son-in-law owning a share. Good for him. Okay, let's suggest I'm the one building it. This is the only factory that's being built in Armenia today with real money. If you drive nearby you'll see the modern...
REPORTER: ... what stage of construction has it reached?
SARGSYAN: They invested $6M but Azerbaijanis shot at it so they moved the location further away, when you turn left from the so-called Zod bridge. It's a beautiful factory. It's different from every factory built in the USSR.
REPORTER: When will they finish the construction?
SARGSYAN: A metal smelter, especially for copper, usually takes 4-5 years but they want it in 2-3 years.
REPORTER: What will they melt?
SARGSYAN: At first they will work with scrap. Armenia doesn't have enough scrap so they'll import it.
When they built the two factories in Hrazdan, they were for the ferrum mines in Hrazdan. There were legal processes there as well, surrounding ex-Nature Minister Vardan Ayvazyan, the Chinese, $30 million, etc. The fate of these mines is unclear today but it was all calculated during the USSR. The factories in Hrazdan were almost ready and they could function if there was a good government.
The same about perlite. Armenia has massive reserves of those; it's the largest amount of mining material Armenia has today. It's going unused.
A British company offered a water resource program. They wanted to invest about 6.4 billion. I brought the plan and showed it to Pashinyan, and we took it to ANIF. Do you know why it didn't work? Because Armenia lacks the legal framework and the legal mechanisms. You have to import many substances and equipment and store them the right way. All of this requires the right legislative framework for the investor to understand what to do. This is why investors build hotels instead of complex factories in Armenia.
REPORTER: Do you expect Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign a peace agreement this year?
SARGSYAN: Last year I spoke with various US political circles and they were full of hope that the agreement would be signed in 2023. But Azerbaijan carried out the removal of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh and the peace process stopped. Americans understood that Azerbaijan lied to them and that it wasn't an honest partner. I believe this will one day be used to punish Azerbaijan, especially since there is a World Court order. There was almost no talk about the peace agreement afterward.
It resumed on April 3 with Anthony Blinken's phone call to Aliyev. Prior to this, Azerbaijan wanted Armenia to withdraw from 4 villages without officially delimiting borders. After the April 3 conversation, Aliyev wrote on his official website that he is committed to Prague and Almaty. This was followed by the April 19 AM-AZ border delimitation document with "Delimitation" in the title and the 1976 maps [and Almaty as principle].
source,

opposition and ruling MPs traded jabs during a parliamentary hearing

The opposition has so far been allowed to hold their Republic Square gatherings and marches across the city without clashes with the police. The police forcefully remove activists from the streets when they shut down traffic outside of those events. The opposition complained about excessive force during the unblocking of roads.
On Wednesday a pro-Russian opposition MP asked a ministry official if they pay the police officers in Azerbaijani manats to use excessive force. The room exploded with insults. A ruling party MP, in turn, accused the opposition MPs of being paid in Russian rubles.
RULING MP: How many millions of rubles did Korotchenko send you and what percentage of that did you embezzle? When people send you rubles, at least have the decency and don't steal the rubles because they keep complaining about it while referring to you as [unintelligible].
video, video,

drone video of the Akhtala bridge damaged during Saturday night floods

video,

government members provide updates on disaster zone efforts:

• River water levels continue to sharply drop, allowing more restoration activities to be carried out.
• Significant work was done on the M6 road and other roads, allowing utility services to reach new areas for restoration activities.
• Utility services have been partially restored in several communities.
• In two days the main sections of M6 road will become accessible but certain areas will be one-way for now.
• A meeting was held with railway experts to discuss the use of undamaged parts of the railway network. The railway will function until Ayrum station, where the cargo will be unloaded and distributed to other parts of Armenia with trucks. The crews are currently strengthening the bridge near Ayrum to allow trucks to use it.
• Railway tracks were damaged in Georgia as well but it's minor and they'll repair it in 3 days.
• Discussions were held with bridge experts to modify some bridges to make them usable.
• The number of volunteers has increased to 200. They help with cleanup.
• Backyards and buildings are being cleaned up in Alaverdi, and the trapped vehicles are being removed. The main work will conclude tomorrow in certain neighborhoods.
• Groups are dispatched every day to the villages [partially] isolated from other communities to assess the needs and evaluate the property damage. Various methods are being discussed for restoring a primary road connection.
• The water pipe feeding Akhtala was destroyed. It could be fixed within "days". A 4-ton water truck arrived there to serve the residents.
• Drones were used for delivery in some areas.
• Ախթալա, Շամլուղ, Մեծ Այրում, Փոքր Այրում, Ճոճկան, Բենդիկ currently have electricity, gas (except in Akhtala's station district), water (except in all of Akhtala), communication, and necessities.
video, source, video, center-left in the last photo... noice,

anti-corruption: former head of Yerevan's Arabkir district is charged with felony abuse of power

Authorities say the 2005-2007 head of the Arabkir district used his relative to illegally sell part of a park and legalize an illegal building on it.
full,source,

anti-corruption: two customs agents are charged with accepting large bribes from businesses in return for ignoring violations

source,

anti-corruption: authorities raided the Armavir Medical Center and detained the deputy director and head of the ambulance department

source,

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Armenia's Interior Ministry signed a cooperation agreement to combat narco-trafficking

source,

Saudi Arabia's newly appointed Ambassador Salman Abd Al-Rahman Al-Sheikh submits a copy of his credentials to Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister Kostanyan

The two discussed the expansion of cooperation, mutual visits, the unblocking of regional roads, and the formation of a legal framework between the AM-SA relations. Armenia and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations in 2023.
source,

European Film Festival launches in Yerevan with 23 films

It will open with a film from Belgium, the country currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The festival will be closed on 7 June 2024 with the Armenian film ‘Aurora’s Sunrise.’ The festival is open to the public free of charge.
source,

Armenia will host yet another international sports competition

2026 European Shooting Championships
source,

I bought every game key but season 1 as it wasn't on the website and I had to pirate the 1st game as a result. After completing it, I want to go onto season 2 ofc but I want to have my choices still save over and not get some random choices thrown in. Does anyone know if this is something I can do? I played season 1 with steam unblocked if it helps.
If not, does anyone have any recommendations for key sites that have a heavily reduced price for season 2?

Mum (80, Parkinson's disease) decided to emigrate to my sister's country in December last year. I warned sister to get a POA asap, and sort her banking out. I also asked mum to transfer money to sis for the transition in person, from her bank (they're outside the IBAN system), but she wanted to stay in control. Sis is too tired/stressed all the time, while I see restaurant visit after restaurant visit every week, and all sorts of purchases that have nothing to do with mum (I still have access to mum's internet banking). None of my business, but at this rate mum only has money for another 5 years.
This month, there is a dodgy transaction on her card, and mum gets a warning email from her bank (I confront sis, my husband suggests it's one of the grandchildren who tried to buy a game on grandma's card). "Absolutely not! My children are saints!". I tell her to double check, as the bank will block mum's card that they've all been living off these months. "It was my youngest, please fix it". Next day, the bank has blocked mums card.
Now, we've been trying for a week to get her bank to unblock the card. Of course, they try to contact mum directly, but she has CANCELLED her phone contract (no one told her to do this). The bank says they can do nothing - permanent POAs dont exist in that country, you have to draft one for every issue. Now I'm getting desperate calls from my sister, mum's in hospital with a UTI and they can't pay the medical bills. We've tried to get some of mum's old friends in the banks country to help (she's alienated most). They suggest I should transfer some of my savings to my sister, while this gets sorted.
I mean, I TOLD everybody this could happen - I even spoke to the bank, with mum, wheb I was there and they said "you can just call and get it sorted". Where the heck do you go from here?!
Edit: The bank says they need to reinstate mum's mobile phone number, so she can receive 2FA. Sister keeps calling to say I'm supposed to fix this (I went on their website, and it says the account holder needs to make the call). Sister won't call, she says she has no job and no money to make long-distance calls and that I MUST help. "Why can't they just activate the card?! They called by video chat and spoke/saw mum yesterday - why do they have to activate the card?!" My family are so entitled, they would be the first to scream red murder if scammed. Sigh.

Seriously, all these diff posts on diff subs telling you about the best VPNs are getting out of hand. And I’m feeling like it’s all over the place right now. I’ve come across so many different opinions on this topic so far and I came to a point where I didn’t know what to believe and what not to believe.
So while I navigate this journey and try to find the best VPN for myself, I thought why not document my findings and summarize them in this post. Might help some of you out there. It’s gonna be a bit long, so if you’re looking for a quick ans: Surfshark was what I found to work best.

5 Best VPN Services According to Reddit

• Surfshark
• Norton VPN
• Avast
• Betternet
• NordVPN

Surfshark – Best VPN Overall

Pricing:
Surfshark offers a variety of subscription plans designed to meet different needs and budgets:
Surfshark Starter Plan:

• 2-Year Subscription: $2.19/month + 3 extra months
• 12-Month Subscription: $2.79/month + 3 extra months
• Month-to-Month Plan: $15.45/month

Surfshark One Plan:

• 2-Year Subscription: $2.69/month + 3 extra months.
• 12-Month Subscription: $3.19/month + 3 extra months.
• Month-to-Month Plan: $15.95/month.

It Includes a VPN service and an integrated antivirus feature for enhanced online security.
Surfshark One+ Plan:

• 2-Year Subscription: $4.29/month + 3 extra months.
• 12-Month Subscription: $5.09/month + 3 extra months.
• Month-to-Month Plan: $17.95/month.

It Includes a VPN, antivirus, a private search engine, and a data removal tool for comprehensive online security. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, unlimited device connections, and no bandwidth limitations.
Surfshark is a comprehensive cybersecurity service that offers a variety of tools to protect your online presence. From VPN and antivirus to data breach alerts and identity protection, Surfshark provides an all-in-one solution to ensure your internet activities remain secure and private. With user-friendly features and a commitment to safeguarding your data, Surfshark stands out as a reliable choice for individuals seeking robust online protection.
Pros:

• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• WireGuard protocol
• Streaming/torrenting-optimized servers

Cons:

• No router applet
• No free version is available
• No split tunneling feature on the iOS app

Norton VPN – Best for Online Anonymity and Privacy

Pricing:
Keep in mind that Norton VPN bills you upfront for the entire year (starting at $29.99/year) rather than on a monthly basis.
1-Month Plan:

• $4.99/month for 1 device
• $7.99/month for 5 devices
• $9.99/month for 10 devices

1-Year Plan:

• $2.49/month for 1 device ($29.99/year upfront)
• $3.33/month for 5 devices ($39.99/year upfront)
• $4.99/month for 10 devices ($59.99/year upfront)

Norton VPN can be purchased separately or included with Norton antivirus packages, such as Norton 360 Standard ($39.99/year), Deluxe ($49.99/year), and with LifeLock Select ($99.99/year).
Norton Secure VPN ensures online anonymity and privacy by encrypting traffic and protecting against trackers from ISPs and the government. It employs strong encryption, reliable tunneling protocols, and an effective kill switch for enhanced safety. While it retains about 74% of the original internet speed using OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec protocols, it's not the fastest VPN available. With servers in 29 countries, it lacks specialized servers for optimal streaming and torrenting.
Pros:

• Unblocks several streaming platforms
• P2P-optimized servers
• Ad and tracker blocking capabilities
• Split tunneling feature
• Uses AES-256 encryption
• No-logs policy
• Available with antivirus bundle
• Free 7-day trial

Cons:

• No Wi-Fi security on macOS or Windows
• Less robust Apple apps
• Cannot select specific servers, only regions

Avast – Best for Online Security

Pricing:
The pricing for Avast SecureLine VPN is as follows:

• 1-Year Plan: $4.99/month
• 2-Year Plan: $3.99/month
• 3-Year Plan: $3.99/month

All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Avast also offers a free trial: 7 days for Mac and 60 days for Windows, allowing users to test features like secure browsing, IP address hiding, and global content access without initial costs.
Avast SecureLine VPN is a service provided by Avast that encrypts your internet connection, ensuring your online privacy and security. It is particularly useful for protecting your data on public networks, preventing hackers and other entities from spying on your online activities. The VPN also helps to mask your IP address, allowing you to browse the web anonymously and access content that might be restricted in your region.
Pros:

• High-speed downloads
• Sleek and intuitive user interface
• Military-grade encryption

Cons:

• Occasional page loading issues
• Limited features
• No option for a monthly subscription
• Few servers for streaming and P2P activities

Betternet – Best for Geo-Restrictions & Censorship

Pricing:
Betternet VPN offers a free version and a premium version. The premium version provides more locations, better speeds, and up to five simultaneous connections but is relatively expensive. It includes:

• Free trial: 1 week
• Monthly plan: $12.99
• Annual plan: $7.99 per month

The free version is limited to 500MB per day, suitable for minimal browsing, and requires no account creation.
Betternet VPN is a virtual private network service designed to provide users with secure and private internet access. It helps protect online privacy by masking IP addresses, encrypting internet traffic, and allowing users to bypass geo-restrictions and censorship. Betternet offers both free and premium versions, with the premium version providing faster speeds and access to more server locations. Its user-friendly interface and easy setup make it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.
Pros:

• Good speeds
• Access to US and UK Netflix libraries
• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• Located in the US (potential privacy concern)
• No kill switch on Android, macOS, and iOS
• Lacks extra features
• Speeds can be very inconsistent

NordVPN – Best for Fast and Stable Connections

Pricing:
NordVPN offers three pricing plans:

• Ultimate Plan: $5.99/month for the first 2 years ($161.73 total), includes VPN, malware protection, ad blocker, password manager, data breach scanner, 1 TB encrypted cloud storage, identity theft recovery, and cyber extortion protection.
• Plus Plan: $3.99/month for the first 2 years ($107.73 total), includes VPN, malware protection, ad blocker, password manager, and data breach scanner.
• Basic Plan: $3.09/month for the first 2 years ($83.43 total), which includes VPN, malware protection, and an ad blocker.

All plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN is widely regarded as a great VPN due to its strong security features, including AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy. Based in Panama, it offers excellent privacy and has been independently audited four times. It consistently delivers the fastest connection speeds using its NordLynx protocol. Additionally, NordVPN excels at bypassing geo-restrictions and includes features like Smart DNS, split tunneling, and broad device compatibility.
Pros:

• RAM-only server infrastructure
• Fastest VPN on the market
• Meshnet feature for remote device access
• Independently audited security features
• Unblocks geo-restricted streaming websites
• Affordable price
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• Linux client lacks a graphical interface
• No unlimited free plan
• Limited simultaneous connections

What Is a VPN?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that creates a secure, encrypted connection over the internet. It allows users to protect their online privacy and data by masking their IP address and routing their internet traffic through a remote server. This helps to safeguard sensitive information, prevent eavesdropping, and access content that may be restricted based on geographic location.

How VPNs Safeguard Your Privacy and What Are Their Limitations?

Using a VPN on personal and business devices helps protect your privacy by encrypting your data and keeping your online identity and transmitted data secure. However, VPNs do not protect against malware or phishing scams. They secure active online data transmissions but do not safeguard data stored on your device, so it's essential to use antivirus and anti-malware software and exercise caution with suspicious links and emails for complete protection.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, choosing the best VPN service ensures enhanced online privacy, robust security, and unrestricted access to global content. For businesses or personal use, integrating top-tier VPN solutions with platforms like Salesforce can safeguard sensitive customer data and streamline secure operations.
Seriously, all these diff posts on diff subs telling you about the best VPNs are getting out of hand. And I’m feeling like it’s all over the place right now. I’ve come across so many different opinions on this topic so far and I came to a point where I didn’t know what to believe and what not to believe.

What Does Open Proxy Mean on Instagram?

Instagram has stringent rules regarding its usage, and encountering an "Open Proxy" error indicates that you won't be able to access the app or website from the device using the flagged IP address. This typically means Instagram has banned your IP, rejecting all data requests sent from it.

What May Cause This?

1. Excessive liking, commenting, or following/unfollowing accounts.
2. An IP address associated with past malicious activities on the platform.
3. Using public Wi-Fi that has been exploited for malicious purposes.
4. Unrecognized login attempts or posting unusual content.
5. Clicking on links from unfamiliar sources.

How to Fix Instagram Open Proxy Error?

The first step is to try unblocking access directly through Instagram support, though success is often limited, especially if your actions still violate the platform's rules. Another option is using an Instagram proxy. An Instagram proxy acts as an intermediary server, masking your device’s IP address and providing an additional layer of privacy and security. This setup allows your device to communicate with Instagram via the proxy server, which forwards your requests on your behalf.

The Power of Instagram Unblock Proxy

Beyond resolving IP bans, Instagram proxies offer various advantages, such as managing multiple accounts, growing followers, and scraping information. Here’s what you can do with Instagram unblock proxies:

1. Access Unblocked: Proxies can help bypass restrictions in workplaces, educational institutions, or countries. While VPNs provide comprehensive security and privacy, proxies are faster as they do not encrypt the entire internet connection.
2. Manage Multiple Accounts: Instagram allows up to five accounts per user. Proxies are essential for handling more than a few accounts, preventing your IP from being flagged by Instagram.
3. Grow Followers: Multiple accounts with unique profiles and content strategies can attract more followers. While this approach may not be entirely ethical, adhering to Instagram’s guidelines ensures sustainable growth.

How to Use Instagram Proxy Effectively?

1. Assign One Account per Proxy: Allocate just one account to a distinct proxy to prevent potential banning issues. Choose high-quality, reputable proxy providers with IP rotation and advanced security features.
2. Scrape Slowly: Use web scraping tools or custom scripts in programming languages like Python. Mimic human behavior by adding random pauses between requests and limiting concurrent requests.
3. Avoid Free Proxies: Free proxies are often unreliable and insecure. They are usually overcrowded, slow, and may not provide privacy or anonymity. Known free proxy IP addresses are actively blocked by Instagram.

OkeyProxy is a top choice for Instagram proxies. Offering rotating residential, static residential, and data center proxies, OkeyProxy’s rotating residential proxies, obtained from authentic residential users, make your Instagram bot nearly identical to real users, allowing you to automate tasks without the risk of being blocked.

Bought a Galaxy S23 Ultra 15 months ago at a Samsung store with a trade-in and cash (receipt in hand), connected it to my T-mobile account (2/13/2023) and just a few days ago my mobile network connection stopped (SMS, call, data). T-mobile reps in store said the phone was reported lost/stolen, but I don't know who would have the authority to do that, since it is my phone on my account purchased brand new from samsung store in person.
Went back to Samsung store where it was purchased and they said there was nothing they can do. They claim that when Samsung gets a stolen phone report, they will lock down the device, preventing usage except to call 911 or Samsung. If this is correct, that would mean that Samsung didn't block the phone, since it works fine except for connecting to a mobile network. I have even chatted with Samsung reps online to verify / double-check.
After calling 611 2x (2 reps and a supervisor) and using T-Force chat, I'm fairly confident that a different carrier other than T-mobile reported the phone lost/stolen, since T-mobile claims that they would have an "unblock" option if it was blocked on their end and none of the reps or supervisor were able to unblock the device.
Random IMEI Checker websites show the IMEI as blocked/blacklisted/fraud/etc depending on the site.
Does anyone have any advice or inside connections at T-Mobile to help me get my phone connected again or even just help trying to unravel what is a frustrating and labyrinthine maze of how this shit works...
(12-year, 11-line veteran customer)

🌎 Please visit our new unique job portal that has 7000+ positions with USA visa sponsorship! move2usajobs .com. Free trial available!
🙏🙏🙏 PLEASE READ OUR FAQ HERE 🙏🙏🙏 lnkd .in/dSp6jC52
If you find the post useful, kindly like&share! The first website in the industry with real USA jobs for immigrants and foreigners! 👩❤️👨
⚡️NEW! H-1B (CAP and Exempt, Sponsors), J-1 (Internship, Traineeship, Work and Travel, Teaching), Studying in USA (Including Scholarships), CPT and OPT Sponsors, J-2, O-1, B-1/B-2, EB-5, EB-2, EB-3! About 3k$. If you are interested, please check lnkd .in/d65MsiuA
✈️ Try our Visa Getter, increase your chances to immigrate to the USA by 50% lnkd .in/d2vvukps
🌐 New free option - check your eligibility for different USA work visas here relocate2america .com
⚖️ Our legal adviser lnkd .in/dmZE8vgk
#hiring #usajobs #visasponsorship #jobs #jobsearch #findjob #career #applynow #ilovemyjob #usa #us #usjob #workinus #unitedstates #h1b #h2b #h2a #eb3 #greencard #international #abroad
Please delete spaces in the links to access the application pages

1. Construction Laborers

H-2 Visa sponsorship
$17.52 per hour
Newport News, VA
wcastillo71@hotmail .com

1. Flutter App Developer

Visa sponsorship
Palo Alto, CA
https:// goo .su/ B4UjQ

1. Vineyard Workers

H-2 Visa sponsorship
$19.75 per hour
Sebastopol, CA
services@coastalfls .com

1. FIX Engineer

Visa sponsorship
New York City, NY
https:// goo .su/ hXSrVn

1. Farmworker Fruit

H-2 Visa sponsorship
$15.81 per hour
Tyro, VA
ruth@silvercreekorchards .com

1. Nurse Practitioner FNP/Urgent care experience

Visa sponsorship
California
https:// goo .su/ ckIbAA

1. Logging Equipment Mechanic

H-2 Visa sponsorship
$26.95 per hour
Fort Kent, ME
info@gnlavoie .com
📺 Do you have a YouTube or TikTok channel or a blog? Mention us and earn! Our affiliate program: nkd .in/dBgbkvWW
🏤 Our telegram channel lnkd .in/gAb3HbTz
📲 Please contact us through the online chat on our website
👨💻For international developers and engineers with 3+ years of experience - developer2usa .com
🥖Get sponsored for access to the job portal (we provide one random person with yearly access when a yearly plan is purchased) lnkd .in/dtBrbTsi
When you buy a yearly plan, you sponsor one person in need for yearly access to our job portal!
🎒Our US Work Visa courses lnkd .in/dtnMz2mU
🎰 US Embassy Slots Booking lnkd .in/dFp2rRyp
Please help us grow, share this post with your auditory or simply like it!🙏 move2usajobs .com

Summary / TL;DR -- My phone calls to the US are getting blocked, wtf is going on?
I need to call an agency that is located in the United States. My mobile and landline phones are not able to dial out to any US numbers, as they are blocked from connecting.
When calling a US number, there is no ringtone and I rather immediately get the following message:
"The number you are calling from has been reported as spam. If you believe this is incorrect, please dial 1 to report the issue, and visit freecallerregistry.com to register your number." (Dialing 1, however, does absolutely nothing!)
Unblocking my number through the above mentioned website seems impossible ... this is a service exclusively designed for and available to US numbers only, not international / Japanese phone numbers.
I have contacted both my landline provider (NTT East Japan) and also talked with tech support folks responsible for services via the Rakuten Link Mobile app.
NTT East Japan was not aware of how they could make an unblock request on my behalf, and suggested dialing 0036 prior to the 010 prefix. This didn't work.
Rakuten Link Mobile was completely unhelpful, refusing to even discuss the issue and said that due to the terms of service, it is not their responsibility to offer any assistance if there are problems with making international calls.
My understanding is that local Japanese telecoms could in theory request my numbers to be unblocked with the US carriers, but obviously I am having some difficulty with that.
I then went to the Loppi machine at Lawson's konbini, only to find out that they no longer sell international prepaid calling cards! So I am at a bit of a loss regarding what to do.
The US agency that I need to contact is unwilling to use WhatsApp or Zoom, and I wonder if a VoIP app is my only possible solution at this point?
I am concerned that VoIP apps may similarly also be blocked from calling to the US from Japan, so I am wondering if anyone can recommend an app that 100% definitely works for them.
I assume these blocks are the result of recent FCC efforts to curb robocalls and scam operations, so this must be impacting others as well, right?
What do folks think? Has anyone else had this problem?
Thanks for suggestions about specific VoIP apps that folks have direct experience with, or any other ideas for getting past the US call block.
Super appreciate any help to deal with this! : )

My memory of this is super super limited so I apologize in advance. There was a website my dad used to use when I was a little younger that blocked me from using some apps on my phone/laptop (Things like Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, Roblox, reddit)
I believe it started with the letters No and was one word and relatively short in length (maybe around 5-7 letters long). There might have been numbers after it too but I can't remember which numbers
I think it had a yellowish coloured logo as well.
In terms of layout my memory is fuzzy because I can only remember watching my dad block/unblock things but on the Laptop version of the website, the left hand side had a list of all the apps on one side and on the right was kind of a toggle switch that would block/unblock apps.
This is all I can remember. Any help is appreciated!