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Introducing Airbnb.org: A New Nonprofit To Connect People With Places To Stay In Times Of Crisis

YourUpdateTV

As communities around the world grapple with the devastating impacts of natural disasters and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Airbnb.org, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has dedicated itself to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis. Recently, Kristen Berlacher, the Head of Airbnb.org Programs, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to discuss the important initiative. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/yg0u4NmpGDg The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees and asylum seekers, and most recently, frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. From Australia to France, more than 100,000 hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 75,000 people in times of need. Going forward, Airbnb’s Open Homes and Frontline Stays programs will now be called Airbnb.org. Airbnb.org’s initial commitments include $2 million to support expanded partnerships with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE). Over the next two years, Airbnb.org will commit $1 million to cover stays for IFRC staff and volunteers supporting communities worldwide hit by COVID-19 and other humanitarian disasters. CORE will utilize Airbnb.org’s $1 million contribution to fund stays for frontline workers administering free COVID-19 tests, conducting contact tracing, providing flu shots and coordinating quarantine support resources in ten cities across the U.S. with the opportunity to launch in new cities as hotspots arise. When a vaccine becomes available, CORE will also use Airbnb.org funding to house relief workers traveling to vaccine distribution centers. How it works Airbnb.org will allow hosts on Airbnb to provide free and discounted stays to people impacted by emergencies, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. These stays, which provide alternative accommodation and shelter options, are especially helpful to government and nonprofit partners in a year where the COVID-19 pandemic has made housing vulnerable people in traditional congregate shelters extremely challenging. Hosts who support Airbnb.org by offering free stays or making recurring donations will receive a special badge on their profile to recognize their generosity and commitment to communities in need. To ensure community donations go further towards helping house people in times of crisis, Airbnb has pledged 400,000 shares of Airbnb stock to support the organization’s emergency response, natural disaster response and refugee programs. Airbnb co-founders Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nate Blecharczyk are committing $6 million to support partners and impacted communities. In addition, Airbnb will continue to provide ongoing operational support for Airbnb.org. Anyone who finds joy in helping others, who believes in kindness and is interested in helping by opening their homes or donating to this cause, can learn more at airbnb.org. About Kristen Berlacher: As Head of Airbnb.org Programs, Kristen leads a global team that supports the organization’s efforts to help people impacted by natural disasters, refugees and frontline responders fighting the spread of COVID-19. With a background in both corporate philanthropy and nonprofit management, Kristen oversees strategic partnerships, program operations and product integration with the goal of leveraging Airbnb’s unique assets to provide innovative housing solutions and livelihoods opportunities for vulnerable populations around the globe. Prior to Airbnb, Kristen led Hyatt Hotel Corporation’s global philanthropy programs focused on economic empowerment, disaster response and employee volunteerism. Before Hyatt, Kristen served as interim Executive Director for Working in the Schools, a nonprofit focused on literacy programming for vulnerable youth. Kristen holds a BA in Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond, VA. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

January 05, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Jennifer Lang Financial Services To Help The Hardest-Hit Small Businesses Apply To Receive PPP Aid.

Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC

In a recent poll by the Coleman Report, 4 out of 5 SBA lenders polled say that over 75% of their borrowers have exhausted their PPP loans and 15% of lenders do not plan to participate in a 2nd draw program. For the next round of PPP, many small businesses will be seeking a lender for their first PPP loan or a new lender for their 2nd PPP loan. According to Jennifer Lang Financial Services, the new Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020 will allow the hardest-hit small businesses to receive a second forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and other businesses to receive a first one. To prepare for the next stimulus package, business owners should consider gathering the requested documents, appropriately plan out their use of funds and submit swiftly. PPP funds are not endless and are expected to run out rapidly. Although the next round PPP application is not available yet, business owners can sign up now to apply, so that they are first in line for underwriting. Jennifer Financial Services has successfully helped guide business owners through the first round of the PPP program and is in an excellent position to help with this next round. They offer a streamlined application that will help small business owners calculate the allowable loan amount based on their payroll. They also have seasoned professionals on hand to help guide applicants through the PPP loan application process with participating banks and hedge fund partners. Small business owners seeking help applying for PPP loans can contact: https://www.jenniferlangfinancialservices.com/business-loans Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC. advises families and small business owners on their life insurance and safe retirement planning needs. They specialize in No-Market Risk Retirement Planning Strategies which include Annuities, IRA Conversions, 401K Rollovers, Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL), and Business Loans. Contact Details Jennifer Lang +1 877-487-8926 mail@jenniferlangfinancialservices.com Company Website https://www.jenniferlangfinancialservices.com

January 05, 2021 11:53 AM Eastern Standard Time

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LAS VEGAS KISSED 2020 GOODBYE LIKE ONLY VEGAS COULD

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

Vegas brought the phrase “out with the old, in with the new” to life, in a cathartic implosion of a giant 2020 sign that read “Super Epic Monumental Kiss 2020 Goodbye Blowout” right before midnight. It was the destination’s long-awaited livestreamed virtual New Year’s Eve celebration which included entertainment from Tao Group’s DJ Vice as well as fireworks. A video accompanying this announcement is available here: https://bit.ly/3o45I3G and images* and can be found here: https://bit.ly/38QIWpI In true Vegas style, the celebration of the new year continued with music and the reveal of a massive LED lit 2021 sign with the message “What Happens in 2021, Happens in Vegas” erupting with confetti, streamers and fireworks blasting more than 200 feet in the air. “Vegas is known as the ultimate New Year’s destination and we were thrilled to usher in 2021 with our friends from around the world,” said Steve Hill, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Although it was a virtual celebration, our desire to create a distinctive ‘Only Vegas’ moment, complete with fireworks and a resident DJ, conveys our enthusiasm for the year ahead. We look forward to welcoming visitors and encouraging them to create their own ‘Only Vegas’ moments in the new year.” Living up to the theme of the new year, Las Vegas enthusiasts can enter a “Kiss Off 2020 Sweepstakes” on www.VisitLasVegas.com for a chance to win one of four trips to the destination in 2021, as well as share what they are most looking forward to in the new year. Entries will be accepted through January 10, 2021. *Please use approved provided caption and credits for photos: Photo of the 2020 sign demo / 2021 reveal: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 31: Las Vegas Tells 2020 to “Kiss Off” with a virtual event featuring an exploding 2020 sign, a fireworks display and the reveal of a 2021 sign at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on December 31, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for LVCVA) Photo of DJ Vice: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 31: DJ Vice led Las Vegas’ virtual “Kiss Off” festivities, including an exploding 2020 sign, fireworks, and the reveal of a 2021 sign at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on December 31, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for LVCVA) ABOUT THE LVCVA The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center. With nearly 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and more than 13 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting ever increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area. For more information, go to www.lvcva.com or www.visitlasvegas.com. Contact Details Erin McCleskey, R&R Partners +1 702-228-0222 Erin.McCleskey@rrpartners.com Tracey Koblick, R&R Partners 1 732-642-2416 tracey.koblick@rrpartners.com Molly Castano, LVCVA 702.892.0711 mcastano@lvcva.com

January 01, 2021 04:47 AM Pacific Standard Time

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Staying on Top of Children’s Health During the Pandemic

YourUpdateTV

Your child’s care provider does many important things, like checking your baby’s development and giving immunizations. They can also help you watch over your baby’s health. Recently, Dr. Arethusa Kirk, Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to discuss the important issue of pediatric health. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/qFe6qoBCuew The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted how Americans are accessing health care and, for parents or guardians of a new baby, it has created questions about how to safely ensure early development goals are met. In light of COVID-19 restrictions, UnitedHealthcare is raising awareness for the importance of vaccinations and well visits. While virtual visits and telehealth are care options to consider, check with your doctor about what qualifies, newborn and baby well visits and immunizations should be done in a clinical setting. Your baby should go to at least eight well-child visits before they are 15 months old and preparation is key for a more comfortable appointment. Knowing what will happen at each of these appointments can help you get ready. There may be special steps to take when you arrive for your appointment. Call your child’s care provider before your visit. And remember to practice social distancing, wash your hands often and wear a mask. If you are a UnitedHealthcare Community Plan member, you may have access to our Healthy First Steps program, which can help you find a care provider, schedule well-child visits, connect with educational and community resources and more. For more information, visit UHC.com/childrenswellness About Dr. Arethusa Kirk: Dr. Arethusa Stevens Kirk is the Chief Medical Officer for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Maryland where she directs clinical initiatives for member-centric care coordination, population health, and quality programs. Dr. Kirk has served as a National Health Service Corps Scholar and as the Vice President of Medical Affairs at Total Health Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Baltimore City. She continues to practice as an Associate Physician of the Neurology and Development Inpatient Unit at Kennedy Krieger Institute and as a primary care physician. Prior to her career in medicine she served as a volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity in India and as a Health Education Coordinator in The Gambia West Africa for the U.S. Peace Corps. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 28, 2020 11:45 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Navigating Last-Minute Gifts with Stephanie Humphrey

YourUpdateTV

While things will be different this holiday season, gift-giving is still at the forefront of most consumers’ minds. Recently, Technology and Lifestyle Expert, Stephanie Humphrey, teamed with YourUpdateTV to share some great, last-minute gift ideas. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/c9Yg5EklXjk Hottest Gaming Gifts of 2020 Gaming is hotter than ever with the releases of the PS5 and XBOX Series X, along with much anticipated titles like Cyberpunk 2077 coming out just in time for the holidays. GameStop is the home for everything video games, accessories, and collectibles. Top picks include CyberPunk 2077, an open world, choose your own adventure game with amazing graphics, along with the XBOX Series X Shock Blue Wireless Controller and Cyberpunk FUNKO POP! collectibles. Find all of these and more at GameStop.com/GiftHub. For the family that games together, Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory is a rhythm action videogame that takes players on a musical journey through the wildly popular Kingdom Hearts series. Players will travel through iconic Disney Worlds and encounter beloved characters in their journey, and enjoy some of Kingdom Hearts’ most memorable songs, as well as classic songs from the Disney cinematic universe. For more, visit KingdomHearts.com. Practical Gift Giving One thing everyone needed more of this year? Reliable Wi-Fi. It’s not always easy to find an open Wi-Fi network these days, which is why the latest 5G mobile hotspot from the pioneers of the hotspot category, Inseego, are a great option. The 5G MiFi M2100 and M2000 on Verizon and T-Mobile turn a single 5G connection into your own private, secure W-Fi network, with broadband speeds that rival traditional home internet connections. They have an all-day battery and you can connect up to 32 devices at once, so your whole family can connect their new tablets and devices almost anywhere – perfect for working from home, homeschool or that next family road trip. For more, visit Inseego.com. Working-From-Anywhere Last-minute gifts are hard and everyone is looking to make a little travel happen in-between remote work. So, with no passport, currency exchange or new phone plan required for U.S. citizens, Puerto Rico is the perfect destination for remote work in the new year. An island filled with natural wonders for remote workers to explore safely in their downtime and switch up that scenery after they are finished with those work calls. With 31 internet providers and three 5G network, travelers can expect full connectivity whenever they need it. As you get ready to make travel plans next year, check out DiscoverPuertoRico.com. About Stephanie Humphrey: Technology and Lifestyle Expert Stephanie Humphrey is a former engineer who merges her passion for lifestyle media with in-depth tech expertise to show everyday people how empowering, enriching and fun technology can be. Stephanie is driven by the sole purpose of connecting people, particularly those underrepresented in technology, with the tech know-how to transform their worlds. Stephanie is currently a technology contributor for ABC Newswhere she works as part of the nationally-syndicated Strahan Sara & Keke team. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 22, 2020 10:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Giving the Gift of Security This Holiday Season

YourUpdateTV

While everyone is busy getting ready for a holiday season during a global pandemic, scammers have been hard at work taking advantage of a year that has changed how people shop and spend time at home. Recently, Technology and Lifestyle Expert, Stephanie Humphrey, teamed with YourUpdateTV to share some ideas to help keep everyone safe and secure. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/e5hj0wW0DyQ Protect Your Passwords Scammers have really taken advantage of the shift in consumer habits this year as so much of our lives have gone on-line. More than half of Americans don’t feel prepared should they be the victim of a cyberattack. The most important thing consumers can do to protect themselves online is also the simplest and least expensive: Secure their passwords. Keeper uses the highest level of encryption available to protect passwords and personal information from being stolen by cybercriminals. Keeper eliminates the time and hassle that comes with forgetting, resetting and recovering passwords, providing users with one master password to remember. The service comes in monthly plans starting at $3 for unlimited password storage. Visit keepersecurity.com for more. Protecting Your Packages With the rise in online shopping, we’ve seen a rise in porch piracy, with 1.7 million packages stolen or lost each day in the United States. DeliverySafe is secure and simple to use and it solves a lot of problems and improves your life at home: it helps prevent porch piracy, it protects packages from rain, snow or heat, and it allows you to retrieve your grocery, package or subscription box deliveries at your convenience and around your schedule - not a delivery window.The insulated DeliverySafe sits on your porch or driveway and works with most major delivery companies. Simply provide them with a passcode that lets the driver store your package securely till you get home. Go to deliverysafe.com for more. Whole-Home Protection With everyone spending more time at home this year and holiday season, there’s no better time to make it a place that’s a safe haven. SimpliSafe provides whole-home protection against everything from intruders to fires, water damage and more. Give the gift of peace of mind with a SimpliSafe smart home security system, like The Essentials Kit, a six piece system that includes all of the basics to make life at home more comfortable and enjoyable. It’s easy DIY install and no-long term commitments make it a great gift for homeowners and renters alike. For more information and to start the whole-home protection process, visit simplisafe.com/stephaniehumphrey. Protect Your Tech (and the Environment) Another way to feel more secure is to protect the tech you do have. While you’re shopping for the latest tech for your loved ones, make sure they keep it protected as well and you can feel good about it. The new LifeProof WĀKE case is made with over 85% of ocean-based plastic, features a sleek wave design and comes in 4 different colors. But it doesn’t just look good, it does good. With every purchase or a LifeProof case, you get to choose a non-profit partner to receive a donation. Visit lifeproof.com for more! About Stephanie Humphrey: Technology and Lifestyle Expert Stephanie Humphrey is a former engineer who merges her passion for lifestyle media with in-depth tech expertise to show everyday people how empowering, enriching and fun technology can be. Stephanie is driven by the sole purpose of connecting people, particularly those underrepresented in technology, with the tech know-how to transform their worlds. Stephanie is currently a technology contributor for ABC Newswhere she works as part of the nationally-syndicated Strahan Sara & Keke team. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 22, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CEO of JR Capital helps raise funds and awareness for Hearing-Impaired Children

JR Capital

JR Capital LLC, a specialist in equipment financing and working capital business loans, is helping to raise awareness of bilateral sensorineural hearing as a sponsor of the second annual “Siena’s Squad” holiday fundraiser to be held on December 19, 2020 at 2PM EST. Donations support Clarke’s Schools for Hearing and Speech with locations in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Jacksonville and Northampton. The school’s traditional fundraiser was canceled this year due to COVID-19. The holiday fundraiser workout received initial funding from JR Capital LLC and the Lee/Melissa Miller Family and has raised $10,000 so far with the hope of surpassing the $38,000 raised in 2019. “The pandemic has taught me how important it is to give back to the community. I have a personal connection to this cause--my beautiful niece Siena,” says founder and CEO Jon Wasser. “Our brokerage is proud to be part of this event and hope that others will join us in supporting the Clarke Schools.” Renowned Pilates instructor Marielle Rubin of Philadelphia will lead the virtual class on December 19th. Tickets are $25 per person toward meeting the fundraising goal. Non-participant donors are encouraged to contribute as well. All donations support the educational efforts of students like Siena who are deaf or hard of hearing and learning to listen and talk at Clarke Schools. Founded in 1867, Clarke Schools is a 501(c)(3) organization impacting the lives of children and adults through educational and early childhood programs, hearing services, mainstream services, research, curriculum development and the teachers and professionals trained by Clarke who take their special skills to all parts of the world. Fundraiser participants are encouraged to share photos and videos on social media with the tag #SienaSquad! JR CAPITAL, LLC provides strategic working capital and equipment financing to help your business gro w. Visit jrwcap.com to speak with an experienced consultant today. Contact Details Jon Wasser, CEO JR Capital +1 609-410-9568 jwasser@jrwcap.com Company Website https://www.jrwcap.com/

December 18, 2020 08:04 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Americans receive 12,000 pointless emails a year - and these are the phrases to avoid

SizzleDeck

Nearly three in every four emails sent is pointless or irrelevant – according to new research. If you’ve ever felt yourself drowning in emails or a slave to your inbox you may well relate to a new online survey of 2,002 Americans that found 73 percent of the emails people receive aren’t relevant or interesting to them-if they’re even opened at all. Respondents in the census-balanced survey from SizzleDeck estimated they receive 44 emails each day on average between work and personal accounts – and cited 32 of those emails typically aren’t worth paying attention to or require no action on their part. That equates to over 16,000 emails in a typical year with precisely 11,680 of them deemed a waste of time. The survey found more than half (54%) of Americans polled have real difficulty clearing their work email inbox. But while things get lost in the inbox, sending a text is still an effective way to get attention the average respondent checks their phone 18 times during the typical working day. Perhaps that’s why Americans are more than three times more likely to prefer to read text messages than open emails (48% v 14%). A spokesperson for SizzleDeck said: “This survey backs up what our instincts were telling us, most people have a tonne of unread emails, but hardly anyone has an unread text message. If you want to be sure your message gets read, send it by text.” Whether it’s texts or emails, our attention spans are dominated by our phones. In addition to the 18 phone sessions we have during our working hours, three-quarters of us admit checking our phones is the very first thing we do in the morning and the very last thing we do at night. When not on their phones, people tend to have better attention skills in-person than they do virtually. When asked how long it would take them to mentally check out during a presentation, the average for Zoom presentations was six slides. For in-person meetings, it takes seven slides before people will start to check out. And it’s not just the visuals but the words that really count. People have a low tolerance for work jargon, it seems. When asked what work phrases they hate the most, respondents said “per my last email” (32%), “we’re all in this together” (32%) and “blue sky thinking” (29%) rounded the top of the list. The spokesperson for SizzleDeck added: “In pure communication terms, we find that the key to getting people to read and respond to a message is to keep it simple, keep it short and avoid clichés. The clearest communicators write the same way the talk.” TOP WORST WORK JARGON 1. Per my last email 32% 2. We ’ re all in this together 32% 3. Blue sky thinking 29% 4. Did you get that thing I sent you? 28% 5. Let ’ s touch base 27% 6. Let ’ s circle back 23% 7. Can you get this to me EOD? 23% 8. Let ’ s table that 21% 9. Let ’ s get this offline 12% The census-balanced survey of 2,002 Americans was conducted online in November 2020. About SizzleDeck SizzleDeck is a software application that makes it easy for businesses to build, share and track phone-friendly landing pages. Contact Details Rick Maughan +1 929-359-2537 rickmaughan@hotmail.co.uk

December 17, 2020 08:14 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Holiday Gift-Giving Made Safe and Easy by Target

YourUpdateTV

2020 has been a year unlike any other, but that doesn't mean the holidays can't be special. Whether you’ll be celebrating with immediate family at home or toasting one another virtually, gift-giving is one way to keep the joy of the season alive and bring a smile to loved ones faces. A Video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/QZYyRq5ciuk So, this holiday, what should you be thinking about when purchasing those last-minute gifts for everyone on your list? And how do you do it safely and easily? With something for everyone on your list and contactless same-day pickup and delivery options, Target is the one-stop shop for all your last-minute gifting and holiday needs, making it easier and more reliable to shop, save and celebrate the joy of the season, with delivery in time for Christmas. Plus, when it comes to shopping for last-minute gifts, Target has you covered with everything from top toys, apparel and accessories for the whole family, beauty products, and home décor items that will help make your home cozy for the holidays. And with the clock ticking, Target’s same-day services, like Order Pickup, Drive Up and Same-Day Delivery with Shipt, make holiday shopping easier than ever. For more information, visit Target.com About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 16, 2020 11:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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