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New Research Highlights Urgent Need to Supercharge Efficiency of 10 “Net Zero Hero” Appliances to Meet Climate Goals

CLASP

New analysis from CLASP shows that the appliances sector has a staggeringly large climate impact, accounting for 39.3% of all energy-related CO2 emissions — roughly equivalent to the combined emissions of China, Europe, and Brazil in 2020. If current trends continue, appliance emissions will overshoot the International Energy Agency’s 2050 net zero targets by at least 9 gigatons. The report, “ Net Zero Heroes: Scaling Efficient Appliances for Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience,” also reveals profound inequities in access to appliances, leaving billions of people more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. For example, at least 1.2 billion people lack access to air conditioners and fans, making it difficult to cope with rising temperatures. Fortunately, the appliances sector offers a time-tested solution for dramatically reducing emissions while bringing life-changing services to more people: energy efficiency. CLASP provides a roadmap for realizing the sector’s mitigation and adaptation potential by rapidly increasing the efficiency of 10 key appliances: the Net Zero Heroes. This group is comprised of air conditioners, comfort fans, electric cookers, electric motors, heat pump space heaters, heat pump water heaters, LED lighting, refrigerator-freezers, solar water pumps, and televisions. Dramatically reducing the energy consumption of the Net Zero Heroes would bring far-reaching benefits. In addition to avoiding emissions, thoughtful appliance efficiency policies contribute to end-use electrification and grid decarbonization. Efficient appliances are also less expensive to purchase and operate, making them more attainable for people in low- and middle-income countries and communities. The report urges governments and manufacturers to supercharge the efficiency of the Net Zero Heroes within the next few years. It provides targets for each appliance and estimates the emissions reductions and resilience benefits associated with reaching them. It also describes proven policy and financing mechanisms for achieving these goals within the ambitious timeline required. Compared to many climate solutions, appliance energy efficiency is low-cost and easy to deploy, making it a particularly vital tool for governments seeking to meet their Paris Agreement commitments. Efficiency pushes can deliver results relatively quickly by leveraging existing technologies and supply chains while harmonizing with existing policies. ### For more information about “Net Zero Heroes: Scaling Efficient Appliances for Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience,” please contact: Corinne Schneider Chief Communications Officer CLASP cschneider[at]clasp.ngo CLASP is an international nonprofit dedicated to promoting appliance efficiency and energy access, working with governments, industry, and communities to advance policies and markets towards the highest-quality, lowest resource-intensive appliances, for the benefit of people and the planet. Contact Details CLASP Corinne Schneider +1 202-375-9814 Company Website http://www.clasp.ngo/

November 16, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Oman Government Incorporates Yepic’s Generative AI to Relay Real-Time Election Results to Citizens

Yepic AI

In a world-first, the entire elections were conducted online and incorporated AI throughout to increase transparency and engagement London-based Yepic AI’s custom avatars were used as AI presenters to deliver real-time election results throughout the day In a world-first end-to-end online election, the Oman government revealed its Shura election results to citizens in real-time using generative artificial intelligence (AI). The Ministry of Interior partnered with London-based generative AI startup Yepic AI to bring the election results to citizens in a more visual and engaging way. Yepic’s API enables the creation of high-quality videos at scale within minutes and in multiple languages, all made from a single photo. Its technology was used to create custom avatars reflective of the Omani community, who then delivered the election results in real-time to citizens over the course of the day. The elections reporting process is an AI-driven workflow that starts with online voting verified by AI-powered facial recognition technology. The results were then compiled and announced via scripts created by a large language model (LLM) specifically developed for the elections by AiCubes and then read out by Yepic’s AI presenters. The hope is that by serving information to citizens in a more visual, personalised and engaging way, civic participation in the election process will increase. On an hourly basis, 400 unique videos were generated, accessible via an app, and disseminated to each province. In total, Yepic AI produced over 10,000 state-of-the-art videos over the course of the day in six languages, including Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. Aaron Jones, Co-founder and CEO of Yepic AI, said: “Harnessing the power of generative AI to revolutionise the way election results are communicated is a momentous stride for Yepic AI and for Oman as a nation. We're deeply honored to collaborate with the Oman government on this pioneering venture. Our mission at Yepic AI is to transform the way we communicate through video. To see our technology being harnessed in this way is a testament to the fact we’re realising it. We're thrilled to be a part of this historical moment and look forward to continued collaboration with Oman as it looks to integrate AI into public services to enhance citizens' lives.” Ioannis Kazantzidis, Co-founder and CTO of Yepic AI said: "Our collaboration with the Oman government highlights the ocean of opportunities for real-time, personalised video content creation, ushering in a new era of innovation and engagement in the digital landscape. Real-time video generation integrated into workflows and at scale is the future of how we will interact with AI, and receive and deliver information. It has been great to work with Oman to be at the forefront of this work." Following the Oman government's Vision 2040, a strategy that prioritizes a diversified, dynamic and globalized economy, Yepic will continue to collaborate with Oman to enhance AI-driven digital experiences for its citizens. ### About Yepic AI Yepic AI is a London-based generative AI video startup, which was co-founded in 2020 by Aaron Jones, a serial, award-winning entrepreneur, and Dr. Ioannis Kazantzidis, a leading computer vision scientist. It is on a mission to revolutionise how the world interacts with AI. With the Yepic Studio, users can rapidly render videos of talking avatars in real-time from just a single photo; with the API, developers can create automated video workflows at scale; and with ChatGP-Me, users can turn their headshots into talking chatbots powered by LLMs, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Yepic AI’s research team partners with the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP) at the University of Surrey, which is an internationally recognised leader in audio-visual machine perception research. Contact Details Yepic AI Dr. Ioannis Kazantzidis ioannis@yepic.ai Company Website https://www.yepic.ai/

November 13, 2023 01:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Oman Government Incorporates Yepic’s Generative AI to Relay Real-Time Election Results to Citizens

Yepic AI

In a world-first, the entire elections were conducted online and incorporated AI throughout to increase transparency and engagement London-based Yepic AI’s custom avatars were used as AI presenters to deliver real-time election results throughout the day In a world-first end-to-end online election, the Oman government revealed its Shura election results to citizens in real-time using generative artificial intelligence (AI). The Ministry of Interior partnered with London-based generative AI startup Yepic AI to bring the election results to citizens in a more visual and engaging way. Yepic’s API enables the creation of high-quality videos at scale within minutes and in multiple languages, all made from a single photo. Its technology was used to create custom avatars reflective of the Omani community, who then delivered the election results in real-time to citizens over the course of the day. The elections reporting process is an AI-driven workflow that starts with online voting verified by AI-powered facial recognition technology. The results were then compiled and announced via scripts created by a large language model (LLM) specifically developed for the elections by AiCubes and then read out by Yepic’s AI presenters. The hope is that by serving information to citizens in a more visual, personalised and engaging way, civic participation in the election process will increase. On an hourly basis, 400 unique videos were generated, accessible via an app, and disseminated to each province. In total, Yepic AI produced over 10,000 state-of-the-art videos over the course of the day in six languages, including Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. Aaron Jones, Co-founder and CEO of Yepic AI, said: “Harnessing the power of generative AI to revolutionise the way election results are communicated is a momentous stride for Yepic AI and for Oman as a nation. We're deeply honored to collaborate with the Oman government on this pioneering venture. Our mission at Yepic AI is to transform the way we communicate through video. To see our technology being harnessed in this way is a testament to the fact we’re realising it. We're thrilled to be a part of this historical moment and look forward to continued collaboration with Oman as it looks to integrate AI into public services to enhance citizens' lives.” Ioannis Kazantzidis, Co-founder and CTO of Yepic AI said: "Our collaboration with the Oman government highlights the ocean of opportunities for real-time, personalised video content creation, ushering in a new era of innovation and engagement in the digital landscape. Real-time video generation integrated into workflows and at scale is the future of how we will interact with AI, and receive and deliver information. It has been great to work with Oman to be at the forefront of this work." Following the Oman government's Vision 2040, a strategy that prioritizes a diversified, dynamic and globalized economy, Yepic will continue to collaborate with Oman to enhance AI-driven digital experiences for its citizens. ### About Yepic AI Yepic AI is a London-based generative AI video startup, which was co-founded in 2020 by Aaron Jones, a serial, award-winning entrepreneur, and Dr. Ioannis Kazantzidis, a leading computer vision scientist. It is on a mission to revolutionise how the world interacts with AI. With the Yepic Studio, users can rapidly render videos of talking avatars in real-time from just a single photo; with the API, developers can create automated video workflows at scale; and with ChatGP-Me, users can turn their headshots into talking chatbots powered by LLMs, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Yepic AI’s research team partners with the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP) at the University of Surrey, which is an internationally recognised leader in audio-visual machine perception research. Contact Details Dr. Ioannis Kazantzidis ioannis@yepic.ai Company Website https://www.yepic.ai/

November 13, 2023 01:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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K3 Elevates Commitment to Homeless Veterans' Lives through PATH Partnership

K3 Holdings

K3 Holdings, a prominent privately held real estate investment firm boasting an expansive nationwide portfolio, is commemorating Veterans Day by spotlighting its collaboration with People Assisting The Homeless (PATH). This partnership reflects the company's dedication to transforming challenges into opportunities, particularly addressing the critical issue of homelessness among the veteran community. Through this partnership with PATH, K3 Holdings/Alpine is not only providing shelter but also fostering an environment where veterans can regain their footing and reclaim their independence. As the nation prepares to honor the sacrifices of servicemen and women, K3 Holdings/Alpine is extending profound appreciation to the courageous individuals who have safeguarded the nation. Many veterans reside in properties managed by K3 Holdings/Alpine, enriching the fabric of communities as friends and neighbors. "On this Veterans Day, we are renewing our commitment to stand with our veterans and echoing the sentiment that no hero who defended our freedom should ever be without a home,” stated Nathan Kadisha, Principal of K3 Holdings. “Through our collaboration with PATH, we are not just addressing homelessness, we are building bridges to hope, and a future filled with possibilities. “Veterans residing in K3 Holdings/Alpine-managed properties are not just tenants, they are an integral part of the community fabric,” Nathan Kadisha continued. "As we unite in gratitude for our veterans, let us also unite in action. K3 Holdings/Alpine invites our community to join in support of PATH, ensuring that every veteran, who stood tall for our nation, now stands tall in dignity and security,” stated Michael Kadisha, Principal of K3 Holdings. “Together, we can rewrite the narrative for homeless veterans, providing them with the support they deserve." About K3 Holdings: K3 Holdings is a privately held real estate investment firm committed to transforming communities and improving housing quality and safety. Their extensive investments have led to remarkable enhancements in their property portfolio, reflecting their unwavering commitment to delivering reliable, safe, and comfortable housing options - https://k3holdings.com/. About People Assisting The Homeless (PATH): People Assisting The Homeless (PATH) is a non-profit organization committed to ending homelessness for individuals and families. PATH provides comprehensive services and support, guiding individuals from homelessness to stable housing and brighter futures - https://epath.org/. ### Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 dan@danrene.com

November 10, 2023 04:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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AmeriLife Gives Back Foundation Names Honor Flight Network as Inaugural Partner

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, announced today that its philanthropic arm, the AmeriLife Gives Back Foundation, has chosen the Honor Flight Network as its inaugural, national partner. Founded in 2022, the AmeriLife Gives Back Foundation honors the company’s legacy of giving while helping to connect its growing business, philanthropic and volunteer endeavors. The foundation – through donations of time, money and other resources – focuses on causes that enable the senior community in furtherance of AmeriLife’s commitment to helping people live longer, healthier lives. “As a values-driven company, giving back is in AmeriLife’s DNA and has been an important part of who we are for more than 50 years,” said Scott R. Perry, chairman and CEO of AmeriLife. “I’m incredibly excited that we’re joining forces with the Honor Flight Network, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our partnership.” The Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit that honors America’s military veterans – especially those who served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War – by bringing them, free of charge, to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials that commemorate their sacrifice and service. Since 2005, Honor Flight Network has transported more than 300,000 veterans from all 50 states and Puerto Rico to our nation’s capital, and continues to expand its network of more than 125 hubs across the country in an effort to serve even more veterans and their families. In doing so, the Honor Flight Network and its partners deliver gratitude and appreciation for veterans’ contributions to our freedoms, offering them an opportunity to meet other veterans, remember the fallen, and share their stories and experiences. “Honor Flight Network is tremendously grateful for the generous support from AmeriLife,” said Meredith Rosenbeck, CEO of Honor Flight Network. “We are fortunate to call them a valued partner, recognizing and validating our important mission to honor America’s heroes. In joining forces with Honor Flight, AmeriLife is setting the standard of giving with gratitude, and we look forward to a rewarding partnership ahead.” “We’re privileged to be counted among Honor Flight Network’s partners and look forward to a long and rewarding relationship,” added Jim Quinn, Chief Financial Officer for AmeriLife. “Today’s donation opens up exciting opportunities for AmeriLife’s employees and partners to volunteer in support of future Honor Flight Network trips, helping to create memorable experiences for so many of our nation’s heroes.” For more information on the Honor Flight Network and to support its mission directly, donate or volunteer today at HonorFlight.org. To learn more about the AmeriLife Gives Back Foundation, visit us online at AmeriLife.com/GivesBack. ### About Honor Flight Network The Honor Flight Network was formed in 2005 with a mission of honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, DC to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The Honor Flight Network is currently comprised of over 130 hubs throughout the country dedicated to carrying out the Honor Flight mission. In addition to World War II veterans, the organization transports those who served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, intermediary operations, and in special cases of terminal illness or injury, veterans from more recent service eras. Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network has taken more than 250,000 veterans to Washington D.C. For more information, visit honorflight.org. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as a leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and 120 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details AmeriLife Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Honor Flight Network Marion Watkins +1 202-302-4937 mwatkins@honorflight.org Company Website https://amerilife.com/

November 09, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Holiday Countdown

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

November 07, 2023 09:38 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Global Leaders Agree to Full Phase-Out of Fluorescent Lighting

CLASP

This week at the Minamata Convention on Mercury Fifth Conference of Parties (COP5), delegates from 147 countries agreed to phase out florescent lighting globally and completely by 2027. Fluorescent lamps contain mercury, a potent neurotoxin. The decision will accelerate global adoption of LEDs by effectively putting an end to the fluorescent lighting industry, with the limited exception of special uses like some transport applications. LEDs are on average 40% more energy efficient than fluorescents. COP5 decisions primarily addressed linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs), the largest contributor to lighting-based mercury pollution in the world, ubiquitously found in offices, stores, and other commercial settings and institutions. LFLs are also a major source of energy-related CO2 emissions. The decisions close the loop on continued efforts to stop the manufacture, export and import of mercury in lighting worldwide. Global markets are going all LED. The benefits of a full transition to LEDs by 2027 are massive. The appliance efficiency expert group CLASP estimates the move will have the following benefits (cumulatively from the phase out dates to 2050): Avoid 2.7 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions Eliminate 158 tonnes of mercury pollution, both from the light bulbs themselves and from avoided mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants Save US$1.13 trillion on electricity bills “The Africa region, in deep collaboration with colleagues around the world, are proud to have made momentous progress to Make Mercury History,” said David Kapindula, Minamata COP3 President and Africa Region expert. “The decision to phase out mercury-based fluorescent lighting will have unprecedented benefits in combatting the triple planetary crisis of climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity loss. Such actions would not have been possible without the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by Parties at this Minamata COP5.” This week’s move complements decisions at Minamata COP4 in March 2022 to phase out compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), lamps commonly found in homes, by 2025. Proposals to phase out fluorescents at COP4 and COP5 were introduced by delegates from Africa. “I was pleased to see a high spirit of collaboration amongst the Parties as related to matters concerning mercury lighting,” said Itsuki Kuroda, co-chair for COP5 proceedings and the Delegate from Japan. “Parties were able to align on phase out dates for all fluorescent categories, representing a positive example of successful diplomacy on the world stage.” Fluorescent lighting contains mercury, a toxic chemical that threatens the health of people and the planet. Most fluorescents are improperly disposed of into general waste streams; broken bulbs pollute land and water, and increase health risks in vulnerable populations like children, pregnant people, and waste workers. “The mercury-free lighting community came together to achieve a significant feat in the fight against mercury added products. Putting a stop to all lighting-related mercury pollution will have wide reaching benefits for our communities, ecosystems, and for the generations to come. We congratulate the governments and are pleased to join them in saying ‘Farewell to Fluorescents,’” said Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, International Co-coordinator of the Zero Mercury Working Group. LED lamps pay for themselves quickly in energy savings. Recent global analysis indicates that payback periods for LED alternatives to LFLs are improving, from an average of 6.3 months in 2022 to 2.4 months in 2023. LED sales and manufacturing rates are increasing year on year while fluorescent manufacture and sales are plummeting. Apart from the specialized blue-chip components, LEDs can be manufactured and assembled anywhere, unlike fluorescents, which are only produced by a few companies in a handful of countries. Advocates claim that the transition to all LED will drive local economic growth, especially in low- and middle- income countries, due to the affordability and availability of the lamps and increased clean energy jobs. ### CLASP improves the energy and environmental performance of the appliances & equipment we use every day, accelerating our transition to a more sustainable world. The Clean Lighting Coalition is a global partnership to capture the health and environmental benefits of eliminating mercury-based lighting. Contact Details Alexia Ross +1 339-222-4311 aross@clasp.ngo Company Website http://www.clasp.ngo/

November 03, 2023 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Visa, Inc. Chairman Al Kelly Asked to Revoke Black Lives Matter Endorsement

NLPC

The following letter was sent today by Peter Flaherty, Chairman of the National Legal and Policy Center, to Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., Executive Chairman of Visa, Inc.: The Visa Inc. website still carries your July 15, 2020, endorsement of Black Lives Matter (BLM). We ask that it be taken down. We raised the issue of your BLM support at the 2023 Visa, Inc. annual meeting, but you ignored us. In the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, BLM has shown its true colors. There is more than one entity that calls itself BLM, but the movement has made it clear where it stands. Please be aware: The Chicago chapter of BLM Grassroots tweeted imagery of a hang glider with a Palestinian flag, captioned “I Stand With Palestine.” Hang gliders were used by Hamas terrorists in the murder and hostage taking of innocent civilians attending the Tribe of Nova music festival. The BLM Grassroots national organization issued a “Statement in Solidarity With the Palestinian People” against the backdrop of the Palestinian flag. It read in part, “When a people have been subject (sic) to decades of apartheid and unimaginable violence, their resistance must not be condemned, but understood as a desperate act of self-defense." BLM Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) co-founder Patrice Cullors, called for an “end of the imperialist project known as Israel” at Harvard Law School in 2015. Additionally, as detailed in a series of Complaints we filed with the Internal Revenue Service, BLMGNF is plagued by high living and self-dealing by its past and present leadership. Cullors, a self-proclaimed Marxist, resigned after we exposed the fact that she owned four homes. In the past, you have been eager to involve Visa, Inc. in controversial issues that have nothing to do with the company’s core business, but you have not yet condemned the Hamas attack or antisemitism. We ask that you do so without further delay. ### Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

October 30, 2023 07:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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How to Prevent Your Home from Becoming the Haunted House on the Block

YourUpdateTV

With Halloween just around the corner, homeowners everywhere are going out of their way to make their homes look scary and ‘haunted’ on purpose. But when we put off routine fixes around the house – think servicing a noisy HVAC system or replacing light fixtures – our homes can actually start to feel haunted year-round. Recently, Home Care Expert at Thumbtack, David Steckel, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the elements that make our homes feel haunted, easy fixes and resources that can help. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/m5os3Us5wTA Recently, Thumbtack surveyed over 1,000 millennials to get a sense of what exactly is ‘haunting’ their homes. A resounding 40% of people surveyed believe they’ve lived in a haunted home at some point and 20% revealed having consulted paranormal experts. So, what elements make homes start to feel haunted? Based on the survey findings, the most common elements according to millennials are: ● Doors closing unexpectedly (47%): Hiring a door repair specialist can cost between $63-$475 depending on what door type you need fixed, materials, and more. ● Noises coming from inside the walls (38%): Hiring an exterminator can likely help you get rid of unwanted tenants and costs between $100-$140 on average. ● Flickering lights (34%): Hiring an electrician can run between $150-$200 depending on the scope and timing of the project. ● Creaky floors or stairs (28%): Hiring a flooring specialist can cost between $300-$500 on the lower end and $4,963-$7,101 on the high end. While being the spookiest house on the block might be the goal for Halloween, it is easy to prevent living in a haunted home the rest of the year. According to millennials, the easiest ways to make a home less spooky is to give it a refresh – with a fresh coat of paint or a deep clean (25%), fixing light fixtures and faulty electrical wiring (23%), and keeping up with proactive maintenance (20%). The bottom line is: Homes don’t start out haunted. They can simply feel that way because homeowners are in the dark about what’s really going on, and don’t know where to begin or who to call. Thumbtack provides homeowners with personalized guidance on what to do and when to do it as well as who to hire, so your home stays in good shape all year long. Visit www.thumbtack.com/haunted to learn more — or download the app to get rid of your “ghosts” once and for all. About David Steckel David Steckel is a Home Expert at Thumbtack, with more than 15 years of experience as a general contractor in the homebuilding industry. David provides homeowners with the expertise they need to better plan, budget, and complete home projects from small fixes to routine maintenance and larger improvements. Prior to his role at Thumbtack, David founded Setter, a subscription-based service that handled home maintenance and repairs. David is based in Toronto, Canada. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

October 25, 2023 04:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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