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☆ The Debt Limit Deal and Climate Action
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Manuela Andreoni | Brad Plumer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The debt ceiling deal would surely speed up one thing. It’s a big win for the established oil and gas producers and their champion in the Senate, Joe Manchin III, a West Virginia Democrat. But opponents say a new gas pipeline, which would operate for decades, defies the scientific consensus that the world needs to move quickly away from fossil fuels in order to slow down climate change. In theory, that could speed up oil and gas projects as well as renewables. The sheer volume of wind and solar projects that have been built recently “has overwhelmed the nation’s antiquated systems to connect new sources of electricity to homes and businesses.”

Persons: Joe Manchin III, aren’t, “ Organizations: Senate, West, West Virginia Democrat Locations: West Virginia

☆ The debt-ceiling bill that just passed the Senate eases the way for a new gas pipeline — and for clean energy projects like EV charging and solar panels
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Bartie Scott | Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The debt-ceiling bill includes reforms that aim to speed up construction on energy projects. It also claims a West Virginia pipeline is in the national interest — and pushes through its completion. The reforms in the bill include limiting the environmental permitting process to two years, along with requiring projects to name a single lead agency that would develop one master environmental review document. Now, the permitting reforms included in the deal would force federal agencies to approve all remaining permits for the pipeline and allow it to bypass the courts and fast-track construction. Manchin, who is also the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, plans to bring more comprehensive legislation to the Senate floor by the end of the summer.

Persons: —, Kevin McCarthy, Raúl Grijalva, polluters, Grijalva, Melanie Stansbury, Stansbury, Sen, Joe Manchin, Tim Kaine, Kaine, Manchin Organizations: Service, Environmental, White, Sunday, Arizona, Natural Resources Committee, NEPA, Natural Resources, Infrastructure Law, Democratic, Senate, Senate Energy Locations: West Virginia, Virginia

☆ Student loan forgiveness: Senate passes bill to block Biden's program
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Katie Lobosco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Meanwhile, borrowers are still awaiting a Supreme Court decision, which will determine whether the student loan forgiveness program can take effect. In February, the Supreme Court heard two legal challenges to Biden’s student loan forgiveness program. Biden’s other student debt policiesBiden has extended the pause on federal student loan payments several times. The Biden administration has tied the restart date to the litigation over the separate student loan forgiveness program. New rules set to take effect in July could broaden eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which is aimed at helping government and nonprofit workers.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Democratic Sens, Joe Manchin, Jon Tester, Montana, Arizona Sen, Kyrsten, Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Biden Organizations: Washington CNN —, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Maine, Washington Rep, Congressional, Office, Republican, Job, Network Foundation, Public, of Education Locations: West Virginia, Arizona, Texas

☆ Inside SETI’s E.T. transmission test
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Deblina Chakraborty | Jacopo Prisco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, shown here, played a key role in SETI's test by sending a message to Earth on May 24. The Allen Telescope Array in Northern California is one of three observatories that picked up the transmission. But the event also correctly simulates the fact that it wouldn’t be SETI’s role to decipher the message, just to point out its reception. However, neither SETI nor any other organization on Earth has yet picked up any intelligent signal from the stars. He composed an interstellar radio message that was sent in 1974.

Persons: It’s, ”, Daniela de Paulis, “, Seth Shostak, ” de Paulis, Wael Farah, “ It’s, Jodie Foster, ” Farrah, Frank Drake, —, Neil Hall, Drake, , Neill Sanders, they’ve Organizations: CNN, SETI, Green Bank, Medicina, Orbiter, ESA, Allen, NASA, SETI Institute, Reuters, Arecibo Locations: Northern California, West Virginia, Bologna, Italy, American, Puerto Rico, Arecibo, British

☆ Top Democrats say Biden should make this year’s ‘craziness’ the last debt limit fight ever
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Given the current math in the chamber, every senator in the Democratic Caucus would need to support such a change. The president’s focus, Kikukawa said, remains preventing default, and “other options are a question for another day.”Originally Boyle backed eliminating the debt limit entirely. She and Jeffries both pointed out that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had in 2011 supported a backdoor solution to that debt limit fight, which would have given then-President Barack Obama power to raise it on his own just that one time. Several swing district Democrats, though, told CNN that they were wary of supporting a change, calling the debt limit authority an important check on the presidency and on spending, despite their opposition to how it was used this time. This has been such a torturous experience for my Democratic colleagues that I hope they will not forget,” Boyle said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, couldn’t, West Virginia Sen, Joe Manchin, Arizona Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Brendan Boyle –, Hakeem Jeffries, Pramila Jayapal, Nancy Pelosi, –, Boyle, “, ” Boyle, Biden, wasn’t, Michael Kikukawa, Kikukawa, ”, MAGA, ” Jeffries, he’s, ‘, ’ ” Warren, “ It’s, Warren, ” Warren, Steve Ricchetti, Pelosi, Schumer, Jeffries, Mitch McConnell, Barack Obama, ” Pelosi, ” Jayapal, Hawaii Sen, Brian Schatz, ’ ” Schatz, who’ve Organizations: CNN, Capitol, Democratic Caucus, West, Pennsylvania, White, Treasury Department, Senate, Congressional Progressive Caucus, SNAP, Democratic Locations: West Virginia, Arizona, Massachusetts, United States, Hawaii

☆ Schumer seeks to fast-track debt ceiling bill through Senate
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Christina Wilkie | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks during a news conference following Senate Democrat policy luncheons at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on May 31, 2023. "The Senate will stay in session until we send a bill avoiding default to President Biden's desk, we will keep working until the job is done," Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor at the opening of Thursday's session. WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will attempt to fast-track a bill through the Senate on Thursday to raise the debt limit for two years and cap government spending, as the U.S. barrels toward a June 5 deadline to avert a debt default. In exchange for giving their amendments a separate vote, McConnell hopes holdouts will agree to proceed with a full Senate vote on the debt ceiling bill before the weekend. Passing the debt limit compromise bill and sending it to President Joe Biden for his signature would "soothe the country and soothe the markets," McConnell said.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, luncheons, Biden's, Schumer, Utah Republican Mike Lee, Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, Tim Kaine, Kaine, Lee, Janet Yellen, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, holdouts, Paul, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Biden Organizations: Republican, Democratic, Utah Republican, Kentucky Republican, Management, Budget, Capitol, Schumer, Republicans Locations: Washington ,, WASHINGTON, U.S, Utah, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, United States

Analysts say the proposed debt ceiling deal could have only marginal effects on the US economy. "The impacts will be negative but small," Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, told CNN. Here's what's in the proposed deal and how it would show up in the broader economy:What's in the deal? It would keep non-defense spending relatively flat in fiscal 2024 and then set a cap of 1% in spending increases for fiscal 2025. The debt deal and GDP.

Persons: Mark Zandi, Goldman Sachs, Ian Shepherdson, Gregory Daco Organizations: Moody's, CNN, Internal Revenue Service, Pantheon, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: West Virginia

☆ Justice Department Sues Coal Companies Owned by Family of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Sadie Gurman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-sues-coal-companies-owned-by-family-of-west-virginia-gov-jim-justice-f470336c

Persons: Dow Jones, f470336c Locations: virginia

☆ DOJ sues son of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and his coal empire over millions in unpaid fines
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Department of Justice on Wednesday accused the son of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and 13 coal companies the younger Justice owns or operates of failing to pay millions of dollars in penalties for environmental violations. The Republican governor last month launched his campaign for the Senate seat held by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. A spokesman for Justice's Senate campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. Democrats weaponizing the federal government to attack the family of a Republican Senate candidate is a complete abuse of power."

Persons: Jim Justice, Jay Justice, Todd Kim, Kim, Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, Tate Mitchell, Joe Organizations: Justice, West Virginia Gov, DOJ, Natural Resources, Republican, Democratic, Senate, National Republican, Joe Biden's Department of Justice, Republican Senate Locations: West Virginia

☆ Manchin's Mountain Valley Pipeline would get the green light debt ceiling deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The conservative Democrat from West Virginia, who has been critical of the Biden administration’s environmental goals, praised the White House and congressional Republicans this week. “All of a sudden, [the White House] did their job, they negotiated. Manchin has been critical of Biden's climate goals, but praised the White House and congressional Republicans this week for their work on the debt ceiling deal. White House officials backed Manchin’s effort last year, and climate and energy officials – including White House senior adviser John Podesta and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm – voiced support for approving the pipeline more recently. A Hail Mary effort to remove itThere could be a last-ditch effort to undo the pipeline piece of the debt ceiling bill.

Persons: CNN — Sen, Joe Manchin’s, Virginia –, Manchin, Kevin McCarthy, ” Manchin, “, Joe Biden’s, Justin Pearson, Kent Nishimura, Biden, ”, Abdullah Hasan, West Virginia’s Marcellus, James Van Nostrand, John Podesta, Jennifer Granholm –, Chuck Schumer, Mary, Sen, Tim Kaine, “ Sen, Kaine Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Democrat, Biden, White, Republicans, West, Appeals, Fourth Circuit, Keck, Environmental, Los Angeles Times, West Virginia University, White House, Energy, DC, Senate, Virginia Democrats, House, Republican, Kaine Locations: West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, clawing, West, Utica, Texas

☆ Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Efforts to detect alien technological signatures previously have focused on a narrowband radio signal type concentrated in a limited frequency range or on single unusual transmissions. The search involves a frequency range covering a bit less than a tenth the width of an average FM radio station. "Aliens may possibly use such beacons for galaxy-wide communications, for which the core of the Milky Way is ideally placed. The scientists in the various monitoring efforts passively scan for signals of alien beings and do not actively send their own signals advertising our presence on Earth. "In my personal opinion, as a relatively young species in the grand cosmic scale, it would be prudent for us to focus on listening and investigating before embarking on deliberate transmissions," Gajjar said.

Persons: Akshay Suresh, Suresh, Vishal Gajjar, Gajjar, BLIPSS, Will Dunham, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Cornell University, Cornell, SETI Institute, SETI Institute and University of California, Thomson Locations: Berkeley, West Virginia

☆ Joe Manchin is set to get a big win out of the debt ceiling deal on a gas pipeline that Virginia Democrats and environmentalists hate
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, has long pushed for a controversial gas pipeline. The debt ceiling deal will likely force federal agencies to approve the project's remaining permits. The Democrat and his fellow West Virginia lawmakers have for years pushed for the completion of a controversial 303-mile pipeline that would carry Appalachian shale gas from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia. Virginia's Democratic lawmakers are staunchly opposed to the pipeline provision. He plans to file an amendment to remove this harmful Mountain Valley Pipeline provision."

Persons: Sen, Joe Manchin, —, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Manchin, McCarthy, Manchin didn't, Virginia Sens, Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Kaine, Jennifer McClellan, Kaine doesn't, John Podesta, Tim Kaine's Organizations: West, West Virginia Democrat, Service, Democrat, Republicans, Democratic, Appeals, Circuit, Democratic House, Washington Post Locations: West Virginia, Virginia, America

☆ Debt ceiling deal won’t have much impact on the US economy, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The US economy is the world’s largest, so the relatively modest effects on growth could be good news for investors who feared the debt ceiling crisis could have posed a greater and more widespread drag. Here’s what’s in the proposed deal and how it would show up in the broader economy. What’s in the debt ceiling dealThe deal would suspend the federal government’s $31.4 trillion debt limit through January 2025. The debt deal and GDPEconomists at Goldman Sachs expect the deal to reduce federal spending by as much as 0.2% of gross domestic product per year over the two years of the deal, compared with their baseline estimate. “Getting this uncertainty out of the way for markets and decision makers has a real impact,” said Mike Skordeles, head of US economics at Truist Advisory Services.

Persons: Joe Biden, Mark Zandi, Biden, Goldman Sachs, ” Goldman Sachs, Ian Shepherdson, Gregory Daco, ”, Mike Skordeles, Zandi, ” Michael Reynolds Organizations: DC CNN, House Republicans, Moody’s, CNN, Internal Revenue Service, Congressional, Pantheon, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Truist Advisory Services, Investment, “ Locations: Washington, West Virginia

☆ Debt limit bill would speed completion of controversial West Virginia gas pipeline
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Lengths of pipe wait to be laid in the ground along the under-construction Mountain Valley Pipeline near Elliston, Virginia, September 29, 2019. A bipartisan debt limit bill struck by President Joe Biden and House Republicans over the weekend would expedite approval of all permits for a West Virginia natural gas pipeline and curtail environmental reviews under one of the country's landmark environmental laws. The Mountain Valley Pipeline, which has been promoted by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., would transport natural gas 303 miles from West Virginia to the Southeast, and part of it would cross through the Jefferson National Forest. The construction of the $6.6 billion pipeline is nearly done, though plans have been delayed for several years amid legal setbacks. Proponents say the pipeline is vital to bolstering U.S. domestic energy security, and that the plan was already near completion and set to move forward.

☆ Premarket stocks: How crypto is dealing with debt ceiling turmoil
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Here’s what’s in the debt ceiling dealPresident Biden and Republican House Speaker McCarthy put their long weekend to good use, coming to an agreement to raise the debt ceiling in the hope of avoiding a self imposed default on US government debt. If Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling by June 5, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warns the government will not have enough funds to pay all of the nation’s obligations in full and on time. The debt ceiling bill does that, rescinding $1.4 billion in IRS funding. Corporate America celebrates debt ceiling dealIt appears that US industry is pleased with the debt ceiling deal, and would like Congress to pass it quickly. Leading business groups praised Biden and McCarthy for forging a bipartisan agreement over the weekend, reports my colleague Matt Egan.

☆ Biden, McCarthy debt deal would speed up Mountain Valley gas pipeline
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden hosts debt limit talks with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 22, 2023. REUTERS/Leah MillisWASHINGTON, May 28 (Reuters) - U.S. energy company Equitrans Midstream Corp's (ETRN.N) long-delayed $6.6 billion Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline could win federal approval as part of Washington's debt limit deal. The pipeline is backed by Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, whose vote is often needed since the Democrats hold a thin majority in that body. The pipeline, which would unlock gas supplies from Appalachia, the country's biggest shale gas basin, still needs review and permitting including in West Virginia. Mountain Valley is owned by units of Equitrans, NextEra Energy Inc (NEE.N), Consolidated Edison Inc (ED.N), AltaGas Ltd (ALA.TO) and RGC Resources Inc (RGCO.O).

☆ As South Carolina governor signs new law, abortion restrictions strain providers in U.S. South
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The South Carolina House of Representatives is called back by Gov. "This is a great day for life in South Carolina, but the fight is not over. We stand ready to defend this legislation against any challenges and are confident we will succeed," Republican South Carolina Gov. The new law signed by South Carolina governor's will change that status, according to Caitlin Myers, an economics professor at Middlebury College. Over the past two months, Republican officials in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida have pushed Virginia closer to being a regional outlier as a place with relatively permissive access.

☆ Lowe's is trying to lure rural shoppers by copying Tractor Supply and selling livestock products, Carhartt, and Wrangler
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Ben Tobin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Analyst group Jeffries says Lowe's may cut into Tractor Supply Co.'s rural-customer market share. They will roll out in up to 300 Lowe's stores by the end of the year and include new Carhartt apparel, an expanded Wrangler lineup, as well as items for pets, livestock, and trailers. Lowe's push to expand farm and ranch offerings could be troubling news for Tractor Supply Co., which has more than 2,000 stores nationwide. Per the Jeffries report, Lowe's rolled out a pilot of its rural concept in two stores in rural parts of Tennessee in 2020. Tractor Supply could face greater competition from Lowe's.

☆ Opinion: A boast that could sink Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. CNN —“I’m the one that got rid of Roe v. Wade,” former President Donald Trump boasted Tuesday on Newsmax. Congress has the power to rein in the court, wrote CNN legal analyst and law professor Steve Vladeck, whose new book “The Shadow Docket” focuses on the Supreme Court. Courtesy Boaz FreundIn 2019, then-President Trump issued an executive order requiring hospitals to post the prices of common medical services and procedures. For some, its celebration of a multiracial but purely fictional British aristocracy may even be a big part of its appeal.”As escapism, “Queen Charlotte” is a success.

☆ Dem. congressman calls 'No Labels' presidential run by Sen. Joe Manchin in a race against Biden and Trump a 'historic disaster'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Democrats are nervous about a potential 'No Labels' presidential ticket, per The New York Times. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have been brought up as potential candidates, per the report. And the possibility of more moderate political figures like Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, or former Gov. "If No Labels runs a Joe Manchin against Donald Trump and Joe Biden, I think it will be a historic disaster," Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota told The Times. Individuals with ties to Manchin are doubtful that he might surface as a No Labels candidate, per The Times.

☆ Do No Harm, a group of 'medical professionals' fighting 'woke healthcare,' is behind many anti-trans laws
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The AP analyzed 130 bills across 40 states, finding common language attributable to a group called Do No Harm. Do No Harm is one of several right-wing organizations advocating against trans inclusion in healthcare. Do No Harm is much newer, launching last year in an effort to shield "patients and physicians from woke healthcare." "We know that woke medical education and research are already impacting healthcare providers, and now federal and state policymakers are forcing woke policies into medicine," Kristina Rasmussen, executive director of Do No Harm, said in an April 2022 press release. Several other medical groups have joined calls to stop anti-trans policies from taking hold across the nation — like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, and the National Education Association, to name a few.

☆ ‘No Labels’ Eyes a Third-Party Run in 2024. Democrats Are Alarmed
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Jonathan Weisman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The bipartisan political group No Labels is stepping up a well-funded effort to field a “unity ticket” for the 2024 presidential race, prompting fierce resistance from even some of its closest allies who fear handing the White House back to Donald J. Trump. The centrist group’s leadership was in New York this week raising part of the money — around $70 million — that it says it needs to help with nationwide ballot access efforts. “The determination to nominate a ticket” will be made shortly after the primaries next year on what is known as Super Tuesday, March 5, said Nancy Jacobson, the co-founder and leader of No Labels. A national convention has been set for April 14-15 in Dallas, where a Democrat-Republican ticket would be set to take on the two major-party nominees. (Mr. Biden is facing two long-shot challengers, and Mr. Trump is the Republican front-runner.)

To qualify for the bonus, you must have an eligible account — a Chase personal checking account, Chase personal savings account, or J.P. Mortgage Wealth Management non-retirement account. To be eligible for the $600 checking account bonus, you can't own a Huntington checking account. Banks paying $500 or more to open a business bank accountHuntington Bank: $1,000In addition to its personal checking account cash bonuses, Huntington Bank also has three business checking account promotions. You must be a new business checking account customer to qualify for the Huntington Bank Unlimited Plus Business Checking Account bonus by May 22, 2023. Chase: up to $500Chase also is offering a business bank account bonus of up to $500 for new business customers who open the Chase Business Complete Checking account.

☆ 10 states where homeowners put the most money toward housing costs—No. 1 isn't New York or California
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

It compared median income in each state to housing costs, which included mortgages, taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA fees. The analysis used 30% since it's a common benchmark for housing costs in a monthly budget. Known as the "30% rule," financial planners typically recommend putting no more than 30% of household income toward housing costs. While the median income in these states is significantly higher than the bottom-ranked states, housing costs are also elevated. As with fourth-ranked Rhode Island, there's a limited amount of land to develop in Hawaii, which has pushed up housing costs.

The average FICO credit score in 2022 was 714, and the average VantageScore credit score was 701. 10 states with the highest average credit scoreAccording to data gathered by Experian, the 10 states with the highest average credit scores in 2022 are as follows:States Credit Scores (FICO) Minnesota 742 Vermont 736 Washington 735 Wisconsin 735 New Hampshire 734 South Dakota 734 North Dakota 733 Hawaii 732 Massachusetts 732 Oregon 732The 10 states with the lowest average credit scoreOverall, credit scores have risen over the past couple of decades. How credit scores are categorizedThe range of possible credit scores spans from 300 to 850, which FICO categorizes into five levels called risk categories. Minnesota, with a 742 average score, is the only exception, nudging its way into a "very good" average score. Average credit scores by state frequently asked questionsWhy are credit scores worse in the South?

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