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☆ Indian election enters fourth phase amid heightened rhetoric over religion, inequality
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

GHAZIABAD INDIA - APRIL 06: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets supporters at a roadshow on April 06, 2024 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. India's 2024 general election is set to be the world's largest democratic exercise, with over 969 million registered voters, more than the combined population of the EU, US, and Russia. (Photo by Elke Scholiers/Getty Images)India voted on Monday in the fourth phase of a seven-week long general election, as campaign rhetoric became more strident over economic disparities and religious divisions. "I appeal to all to vote for a decisive government," said Amit Shah, Modi's powerful aide and the country's interior affairs minister, as voting began. The lower turnout has raised doubts over whether BJP and its allies can win the landslide predicted by opinion polls.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Elke Scholiers, Amit Shah Organizations: EU, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP Locations: GHAZIABAD INDIA, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Russia, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

☆ Pet insurance didn't feel worth it—until my cat needed a $3,000 surgery
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

My wife and I never gave pet insurance much thought, until our cat Wally needed a $3,000 surgery. My wife and I never gave pet insurance much thought — until we were told our cat Wally needed surgery that would cost nearly $3,000. Apparently, we weren't alone in that thinking, as only about 25% of pet owners have pet insurance, according to a recent NerdWallet survey. What you get with pet insuranceTypically, pet insurance covers accidents, illness and wellness, which pays for routine care like annual exams. How to know whether pet insurance is right for youFinancial planners who spoke with CNBC Make It were divided on whether pet insurance is worth the cost.

Persons: Wally, Mike Winters, periodontitis, there's, Rikin Shah, Carol Fabbri, — Organizations: CNBC, Insurance Locations: Denver

☆ Most employer health plans don't cover new blockbuster weight loss drugs, but that's going to change
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Many U.S. companies are grappling with health insurance coverage issues for workers when it comes to GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Still, many benefits experts say it's a matter of when, not if, more employers will cover GLP-1 drugs. Certainly, prescription volumes of GLP-1 weight loss drugs are soaring. Even though GLP-1 drugs are high-priced, they currently represent only 6.9% of annual claims, according to data from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. It's going to be harder and harder not to cover these drugs because the benefits seem to be so great."

Persons: Eli Lilly, there's, Julie Stich, Eli Lilly's, Greg Stancil, you've, Stancil, somebody's, James Wantuck, " Stich, Brian O'Connell, O'Connell, Wantuck, Krutika Amin, Amin Organizations: U.S, Nordisk, International Foundation of Employee, Novo Nordisk, Tufts Medical, Medicare, Healthy Aging, Scott Benefit Services, Employers, Accolade, BMI, International Foundation of, Medicaid — Locations: U.S, KFF, North Carolina, GLP, Novo

☆ Saving for retirement in your 50s can be 'really stress-inducing,' expert says. These tips can help
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The median age that workers 50 and older expect to retire is 67, according to the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. Brush up on Social Security, Medicare rulesIt is a great time in your 50s to look at your Social Security statement to see the retirement benefits for which you may qualify, according to Jenkin. The Social Security Administration provides free access to benefit information online. For example, it may make sense for someone to retire at age 63 and a half and then use COBRA coverage for the 18 months until they reach Medicare age, Jenkin said. If you're in your early to mid-50s, it's also a great time to explore what the Social Security claiming strategy fits your particular situation best.

Persons: Silke, Dogan, Ted Jenkin, Xers, Jenkin, they're, Brush, it's Organizations: Bank, Getty, Transamerica Center, Retirement, CNBC's, federal, Savings, Fidelity, Social Security, Social Security Administration Locations: Atlanta

An upswing in the use of GLP-1 drugs has had a notable impact on the higher growth of pharmacy benefit costs under such health insurance plans, Mercer said. GLP-1 drugs, which work by suppressing hunger and making a person feel full longer, are typically priced around $1,000 per patient per month. While employers cover the use of GLP-1 drugs as a treatment for diabetes, the debate around providing coverage for them as an obesity treatment lingers. "It may take another couple of years for price increases stemming from higher healthcare sector wages and medical supply costs to be felt across all health plans." Despite rising health-plan costs, large employers have avoided shifting additional costs to employees through higher deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket maximums in 2023.

Persons: Victoria Klesty, Mercer, Health Actuary, Sunit Patel, Eli Lilly's, Patel, Beth Umland, Khushi Mandowara, Leroy Leo, Pooja Desai Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Food, Drug, Health, Reuters, Novo Nordisk's, Mercer, Thomson Locations: Oslo, Norway, August31, Victoria, United States, Bengaluru

☆ It's open enrollment season for health coverage. If you're self-employed, you can't afford to ignore it
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Picking health insurance on your own — without the help of a human resources department — can be daunting. Instead of throwing up your hands in frustration, here are answers to questions self-employed individuals often have about open enrollment. Doing nothing will mean they are automatically reenrolled in last year's marketplace plan. How much health insurance costs the self-employed Cost will vary, depending on the plan you choose, who is covered and what subsidies you're eligible for. If you want more specific help, you can also choose to work with an agent or broker who is trained and certified to sell marketplace health plans in the state they are licensed.

Persons: Anthony Lopez, Alexa Irish, Laura Speyer, enrollees, Lopez, You'll Organizations: Getty, Centers, Medicare, Medicaid Services, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, deductibles, state's Department of Insurance Locations: trepidation, eHealth

☆ A meteoric rise in worker health costs has slowed — but they’re already 'egregious,' advisor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Employer-sponsored health plans have many moving parts that can affect workers' wallets. Workers pay $1,401 in total premiums in 2023, up 18% from 2018, according to KFF, a nonprofit health-care data provider. (This cost is for employer-sponsored health plans and assumes consumers receive in-network care.) That has led employers to make their health plans more competitive to attract and retain staff. One in four employers report being highly concerned about the affordability of cost-sharing within their health plans, according to KFF.

Persons: it's, Carolyn McClanahan, Matthew Perry's, Matthew Rae, Rae, KFF, That's, It's, that's, McClanahan, doesn't Organizations: Planning Partners, Finance, Security, Workers, Digitalvision Locations: Jacksonville , Florida

It’s time to pick health coverage for next year on the Affordable Care Act’s insurance marketplaces, and experts caution against focusing your choice on price alone. Here are some things to consider when assessing marketplace plans. Many people who haven't shopped on the marketplace don’t know that they can get this help, according to Jeremy Smith, who directs West Virginia’s health insurance navigator program. “They’re just used to having health coverage … and it covers everything.”Plans also can come with annual out-of-pocket maximums higher than $9,000 for individuals and $18,000 for families. “The good news is a lot of people who’ve been in Medicaid will likely qualify for these cost-sharing reductions,” said Sabrina Corlette, co-director of Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms.

Persons: haven't, Jeremy Smith, ”, ” Smith, “ They’re, who’ve, Sabrina Corlette, “, Cynthia Cox, HMOs, Kelly Fristoe, Smith Organizations: Medicaid, Shoppers, Georgetown University’s Center, Health, KFF, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: Wichita Falls , Texas

☆ You can save more than ever for retirement in 2024—here are the new contribution limits
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you're looking to max out your retirement savings, the contribution limits have been bumped up by $500 for most retirement savings plans in 2024, the Internal Revenue Service announced Wednesday. Contribution maximums will increase from $22,500 to $23,000 for 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans, as well as the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan, the IRS says. For those that don't rely on an employer-sponsored plan, the contribution limit on individual retirement accounts will also increase by $500 in 2024, from $6,500 to $7,000. More people will be able to make contributions to Roth IRA accounts, too. Qualifying income ranges have also increased for the retirement savings contributions credit and the amount of tax deductions you can claim for IRA contributions.

Persons: Roth Organizations: Internal Revenue Service, IRS

☆ Picking health insurance can be tricky: 6 key terms to know as open enrollment starts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

PremiumsFrederic Cirou | Photoalto | Getty ImagesThe premium is the sum you pay an insurer each month to participate in a health plan. It's perhaps the most transparent and easy-to-understand cost component of a health plan — the equivalent of a sticker price. The average co-insurance rate for consumers is 19% for primary care and 20% for specialty care, according to KFF data. For example, would you struggle to pay a $1,000 medical bill if you require health care? If so, a health plan with a larger monthly premium and a smaller deductible may be your best bet, Sun said.

Persons: Frederic Cirou, Karen Pollitz, Luis Alvarez, you've, KFF, Pollitz, McClanahan, there's, Winnie Sun, She's, Sun, Carolyn McClanahan Organizations: Sdi, Photoalto, Kaiser Family Foundation, CNBC, Digitalvision, Getty, Kaiser Family Foundation Health, Network Health, Sun Group Wealth Partners, CNBC's FA Locations: Aetna, Irvine , California, CNBC's

☆ 3 simple tactics the best bosses use to help people perform better—No. 1 is 'vacation minimums'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The average worker gets 10-14 days of vacation time per year after one year of service, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. "There are a number of organizations that we've worked with who, instead of having vacation maximums, will say vacation minimums, which is an interesting concept," she said. In some cases, companies even require at least five of each employee's vacation days to be taken consecutively — in other words, a mandatory "solid week" of vacation, said Pruitt-Haynes. Fifty-four percent of U.S. workers say they can't or shouldn't completely stop working while on vacation, according to a 2022 Glassdoor report. Turn off any company-owned devices while you're away and plan busy vacation days to keep yourself from thinking about work, he advised.

Persons: Christy Pruitt, Haynes, we've, Pruitt, Rebecca Port, I've, workcations, Jonny Edser Organizations: Society for Human Resource Management, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, Genomics, CNBC Locations: New York, USA

☆ Best High-Yield Savings Accounts for October 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Martha C. White | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +18 min

With the Federal Reserve steadily raising interest rates to fight inflation, high-yield savings account payouts have steadily risen, too. After years of near-zero returns, the average savings account rate has risen to 0.45%, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Their new High-Yield Savings account offers a 3.5% APY, but you need a hefty $5,000 deposit to open the account. Unlike some high-yield online savings accounts, you earn a high APY—currently 5%—on every dollar in your account. You can conduct immediate electronic transfers between your brokerage account and savings account, and manage both savings and investment activities on a single platform.

Persons: Martha C, it’s, JPMorgan Chase, Wells, Wells Fargo, Ally, Synchrony, UFB, —, Achilles, We’ve, Foster, Alliant, Morgan Stanley, Marcus, Goldman Sachs, Charles Schwab, Charles Schwab Bank Charles Schwab Organizations: Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Capital, National, One’s, JPMorgan, JPMorgan Chase JPMorgan Chase &, Chase Savings, Ally, Synchrony, CIT, First Citizens, Bank, Axos Bank, Webster Bank, National Bank, Zelle, Alliance Data Systems, Comenity Capital Bank, FDIC, Foster Care, Navy, Navy Federal, Savings, Morgan Stanley Private, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Bloomberg, Trade, Charles, Charles Schwab Bank, Best Bank, National Credit Union Administration, dateline Locations: Chase, Zelle, Ally’s, Utah, Chicago, U.S, .

watch nowHunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, was indicted Thursday on three criminal counts related to his possession of a firearm, a court filing showed. The charges in U.S. District Court in Delaware came weeks after the unexpected collapse of a deal with federal prosecutors. Hunter Biden, who has been open about his substance abuse struggles, is charged in two of the counts with lying about his illegal drug use in connection with his purchase of a Colt Cobra revolver. The White House and an attorney for Hunter Biden did not respond to initial requests for comment. Hunter Biden arrives at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base after disembarking from Air Force One with his father, U.S. President Joe Biden, in Syracuse, New York, Feb. 4, 2023.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz Organizations: Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Air Force Locations: U.S, Delaware, Syracuse , New York

☆ Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of September 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Martha C. White | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +18 min

With the Federal Reserve steadily raising interest rates to fight inflation, high-yield savings account payouts have steadily risen, too. After years of near-zero returns, the average savings account rate has risen to 0.43%, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Unlike some high-yield online savings accounts, you earn a high APY—currently 5%—on every dollar in your account. You can conduct immediate electronic transfers between your brokerage account and savings account, and manage both savings and investment activities on a single platform. How we pickedTo pick Buy Side from WSJ’s Best Savings Accounts, we looked for accounts that offered the best APY on deposited funds without restrictions.

Persons: Martha C, it’s, JPMorgan Chase, Wells, Wells Fargo, Ally, Synchrony, Foster, Alliant, —, Ivy, Achilles, We’ve, Morgan Stanley, Marcus, Goldman Sachs, Charles Schwab, Charles Schwab Bank Charles Schwab Organizations: Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Capital, National, One’s, JPMorgan, JPMorgan Chase JPMorgan Chase &, Chase Savings, Ally, Synchrony, CIT, First Citizens, Bank, Foster Care, Navy, Navy Federal, Bask Bank, Texas Capital Bank, Savings, LendingClub, Alliance Data Systems, Comenity Capital Bank, FDIC, Morgan Stanley Private, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Bloomberg, Trade, Charles, Charles Schwab Bank, Best Bank, National Credit Union Administration, dateline Locations: Chase, Zelle, Ally’s, Chicago, U.S, Utah, .

Consumers Credit Union Frequently Asked QuestionsHow long does Consumers Credit Union take to approve a loan? Consumers Credit Union TrustworthinessConsumers Credit Union is a Better Business Bureau-accredited business that has an A+ grade. Consumers Credit Union CompetitorsHow Consumers Credit Union compares Consumers Credit Union Auto LoanPenFed Auto LoanNavy Federal Auto Loans Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Borrowers who pay a one-time $5 membership fee to the Consumers Cooperative Association qualify for membership with Consumers Credit Union. Navy Federal's minimum rates are more competitive than Consumers Credit Union, but you'll need an excellent credit score to qualify for them.

Persons: You'll, hasn't, Ryan Wangman Organizations: Consumers Credit Union Auto Loan, Consumers Credit, Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union Auto, Consumers Cooperative Association, Consumers Cooperative Association ., Auto Loan, Auto, Social, Chevron, Consumers, Union, Auto Loan Navy Federal Auto Loans, . Navy, Navy, Department of Defense, Finance, Northwestern University, Boston Globe Locations: Chicago

USDA’s August corn and soy yields were the season’s highest in three of the last 10 years, most recently in 2022 for both. Looking toward final yields, the August corn yield has a slight tendency to be too high. Final corn yield was lower than in August in six of the last 10 years and in 10 of the last 15 years. The last two times final corn yield was above the August figure were in 2021 and 2017. USDA’s July corn and soy yields were 177.5 and 52 bpa, respectively, and both would be new records.

Persons: maximums, Karen Braun, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Agriculture, USDA, Reuters, Thomson Locations: NAPERVILLE , Illinois, Chicago, Midwest, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa

☆ Sun smacks Earth with 2 powerful, back-to-back X-class solar flares, knocking out radio signals across the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The sun struck Earth with two powerful X-class solar flares in the past few days. So when high-energy solar radiation strikes, it can cause those radio signals to degrade. But a strong solar maximum can cause extreme space weather events, including back-to-back X-class solar flares like what recently occurred. This year's X-class solar flares have been on the lower end of the intensity spectrum, with the biggest, an X2.2, occurring in February. While this year's flares have routinely affected radio signals, a solar flare of X28 — like the one detected in 2003 — would be incredibly destructive for Earth's technology.

Persons: We've, Gizmodo, Keith Strong, Strong, it's, Space.com Organizations: Service, NASA Locations: Canada, Wall, Silicon

☆ The Northern Lights are expected to be visible in 17 states on Thursday. Here's how to get the best view.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Northern Lights are expected to be visible from 17 states on Thursday. It includes places as far south as New York and Maryland, The Associated Press reported. You should get away from city lights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time to get a good view. Thursday's lights are set to be more visible as the forecasted solar storm will result in increased auroral activity. According to the Geophysical Institute, in one rare event in 1958, the Northern Lights were even visible from Mexico City.

Organizations: Associated Press, Service, AP, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Atmospheric Administration Locations: New York, Maryland, Wall, Silicon, Canada, Scandinavia, Alaska , Oregon, Washington , Idaho , Montana , Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan, New York , New Hampshire , Vermont , Indiana , Maine, Annapolis , Maryland, Boise , Idaho, Riverton , Wyoming, California, Arizona, Mexico City

☆ Texas heat is not letting up at night
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Evan Bush | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The heat wave in Texas has offered little reprieve. Heat at night disrupts sleep and prevents the body from recovering and cooling down, making minimum temperatures a critical indicator of a heat wave's severity, experts said. Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said temperatures during this heat wave in the state have threatened records at both ends of the spectrum — including maximums and minimums — in its urban centers. Ebi said the high nighttime temperatures and the prolonged nature of the Texas heat wave are particularly concerning. "A very small percentage of death certificates during a heat wave put down, 'heat' as an underlying cause," Ebi, who studies heat deaths, adding that about half of excess deaths, on average, are from cardiovascular diseases.

Persons: Del, Ben Zaitchik, John Nielsen, Gammon, We've, Kristie, Ebi, Everything's, Nielsen, We're Organizations: National Weather Service, Johns Hopkins University, Nielsen, Center for Health, Global, University of Washington Locations: Texas, Del Rio, San Antonio, Houston, Midland, San Angelo

☆ Justice Department will likely try to have Trump incarcerated if he's convicted in Mar-a-Lago case, national security lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Insider Staff | Sarah Gray | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

DOJ will seek incarceration for Trump, a national security attorney and former US prosecutor say. McClanahan said evidence in the indictment was laid out to show "that this is a kingpin who knowingly broke the law, endangered national security, endangered nuclear weapon security, endangered other countries' national security." In this case, that looks likely to be US District Judge Aileen Cannon, who Trump appointed. It's more likely that, if convicted, he'd be sentenced to house arrest with an ankle monitor, McClanahan said. "Trump can share that information that is in his head whether he is incarcerated or not incarcerated," she said.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Kel McClanahan, Jack Smith's, McClanahan, Jonathan Turley, Chris Christie, Trump, Sarah Krissoff, Pitney, Krissoff, Aileen Cannon, there's, It's, he'd Organizations: Trump, Service, Department, Justice, George Washington University, Fox News, New, New Jersey Gov, Politico, Pitney LLP, of, DOJ, Department of Justice Locations: New Jersey, Southern, of New York, Bedminster , New Jersey

The New York Times Audio app includes podcasts, narrated articles from the newsroom and other publishers, as well as exclusive new shows — including this one — which we’re making available to readers for a limited time. Download the audio app here. The median age of senators is 65. We’re heading into a presidential contest that might find candidates who are 78 and 82 facing off on Election Day. Background reading(A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times website.)

Organizations: New York Times, Times

Connexus Credit Union Personal Loan Pros and ConsConnexus Credit Union Personal Loan Pros Low minimum APR. Yes, Connexus Credit Union is a legitimate financial institution insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Connexus Credit Union TrustworthinessConnexus Credit Union has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Connexus Credit Union CompetitorsSide-by-side snpashot Connexus Credit Union Personal LoanPenFed Credit Union Personal LoanNavy Federal Credit Union Personal Loan Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Connexus Credit Union Personal Loan vs. PenFed Credit Union Personal LoanConnexus's personal loans also have higher minimum and maximum amounts than personal loans from PenFed.

☆ 75% of Medicare beneficiaries worry about affording costs beyond premiums. Here’s how high out-of-pocket costs can go
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Sarah O'Brien | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowOther beneficiaries instead decide to pair Parts A and B with a standalone Part D plan and, often, a Medigap plan, which covers part of the out-of-pocket costs that come with Parts A and B. Basic Medicare has no out-of-pocket limitIf you have only basic Medicare, there is no cap on what you might spend in any given year. "If you can find a plan that has a lower out-of-pocket limit, such as $3,000 or $4,000, that is a benefit to you." "Both Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans do a good job of this, since most Medigap plans cover the 20% [coinsurance] and Advantage Plans have caps on Parts A and B spending." Part D does come with catastrophic coverage that kicks in once out-of-pocket expenses reach $7,400 in a given year, Roberts said.

☆ The sun is getting more active than it has for a decade — and it could lead to power outages, grounded flights, and stunning auroras
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

That motion, called convection, is what creates strong magnetic fields at the poles and smaller, local magnetic fields at the surface of the sun. That instability causes havoc in the magnetic fields at the surface of the sun, which become much more active. NASA/Solar Dynamics ObservatoryAs the magnetic fields become more confused, bigger sun spots can appear on the surface of the sun. As the sun's local magnetic fields get more tangled and crash into each other, they can explode. "The aurora oval that sits up over the northern and southern poles is a result of currents flowing in the Earth's atmosphere," Owens said.

☆ What Is Adjusted Gross Income?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

Your adjusted gross income, or AGI, is your gross income—the sum of all your income sources for the year—less certain above-the-line deductions allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. Your adjusted gross income acts as a guidepost for several aspects of your finances. For instance, if you earned $55,000 from your job, rental income of $10,000 and dividend income of $630, your annual gross income would be $65,630. Here’s a tip: Your AGI will never be more than your gross income, and some taxpayers may find their gross income and AGI are the same. No conversation about adjusted gross income is complete without discussing modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI.

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