via press release:
Wimbledon Trophies on Good Morning America, to Visit ESPN in First Visit to U.S.
Trophies to Appear with ESPN’s Chris Evert, John McEnroe on GMA on Friday; Visit to ESPN Monday
All New, All Live, All ESPN Wimbledon Starts June 25
The Wimbledon championship trophies – which have never before left London and rarely leave the famed grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis Club – will appear on ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday, June 15. ESPN analysts Chris Evert and John McEnroe – who each held a Wimbledon trophy aloft three times after winning titles – will be on hand in New York to discuss their memories of Wimbledon as well as prospects for the 2012 event. The Championships, Wimbledon, will begin exclusively across ESPN networks Monday, June 25, in the first year of a new 12-year agreement in which for the first time the tournament will be televised all live from first ball to the finals.
The Wimbledon segment is expected to appear during the 8:30 a.m. ET half hour of the two-hour show (7 – 9 a.m.). Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Josh Elliott, Lara Spencer and Sam Champion host GMA, which originates from its Central Park outdoor set on Fridays during the summer.
In addition, on Monday, June 18, the Wimbledon trophies will visit ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Conn., where they will feel at home: the center quad on the ESPN campus has been turned into a grass tennis court complete with a Wimbledon scoreboard. The trophies will appear with ESPN analysts Mary Joe Fernandez and Patrick McEnroe on a number of editions of SportsCenter throughout the day. Fernandez and McEnroe will also chat with fans on ESPN.com.
ESPN’s Evert, Fernandez and the McEnroes
Chris Evert, who joined ESPN at Wimbledon in 2011, won 18 major singles championships, including at least one each year for 13 consecutive years (1974-1986). She won seven French Open titles and six US Opens – both records – plus three Wimbledon championships and two at the Australian Open. She retired in 1989 with 157 singles titles overall, and a career win-loss record of 1,309-146 (.900), the best of any professional player in history.
Mary Joe Fernandez first came to the tennis world’s attention in 1985 – at age 14 years and eight days – as the youngest player to win a match in the main draw of the US Open. She went on to be ranked as high as No. 4 in the world, appear in three Major finals (Australian Open 1990 and 1992, French Open 1993) and won two Major titles in doubles (1991 Australian Open, French Open 1996). She also won a Gold Medal in doubles at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics and earned a Bronze in singles in 1992. An ESPN analyst since she retired from competition in 2000, she has served as Captain of the United States’ Fed Cup team since 2009.
John McEnroe’s Hall of Fame career was launched by reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 1977 as an 18-year old amateur and he later played one of the sports’ iconic matches on the famed Centre Court. His 77 singles titles include four US Open titles and three at Wimbledon. Although a loss, his five-set duel with Bjorn Borg in the 1980 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final – highlighted by McEnroe surviving an 18-16 fourth set tiebreak – is one of the most memorable events in tennis history. He has worked at the US Open for ESPN since 2009 and will work his first Wimbledon for the company.
Patrick McEnroe has worked for ESPN since 1995 (before he retired as a player) and he now fills all three roles – studio host, analyst and play-by-play. From 2001-2010, he was the U.S. Davis Cup captain, and in 2007 the team won its first championship since 1995. He currently serves as General Manager, USTA Elite Player Development. A three-time singles All-American at Stanford – where the team won NCAA titles in 1986 and 1988 – McEnroe won the 1992 French Open doubles title and reached the 1991 Australian Open semifinals in singles. His singles career peaked in 1995, reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open and a career-high ranking of 28 in the world.
ESPN & Wimbledon
- · ESPN will televise The Championships, Wimbledon across its networks starting Monday, June 25, with day-long marathon telecasts through to the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Finals, Saturday, July 7, and Sunday, July 8, respectively.
- · All the action on ESPN and ESPN2 is also available through WatchESPN online at WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app.
- · On the “middle Sunday,” a scheduled day off as is Wimbledon tradition, ABC will broadcast a three-hour review of the first week at 3 p.m. ABC will also reair the finals on the day they take place, July 7 and 8, at 3 p.m.
- · ESPN3 will again offer its multi-screen offering of all televised courts, including a simulcast of ESPN/ESPN2 telecasts.
- · The new schedule is the result of a 12-year agreement between ESPN and the All England Lawn Tennis Club announced just after the conclusion of the 2011 Championships.
ESPN – All Four Slams, All In One Place
Tennis has been part of ESPN since its first week on the air and provided many memorable moments, but it has never been as important as today, with the US Open joining the lineup in 2009, giving ESPN all four Grand Slam events, something no other U.S. network has ever done, let alone in one year. ESPN has presented the Australian Open since 1984, the French Open since 2002 (plus 1986 – 1993), and Wimbledon since 2003, with exclusivity for live television with all other rights extended added in a 12-year agreement starting this year.
ESPN debuted September 7, 1979, and the first tennis telecast was exactly one week later, September 14, a Davis Cup tie, Argentina at U.S. from Memphis with Cliff Drysdale on the call and John McEnroe playing.
In addition, broadband network ESPN3, now in nearly 72 million homes, carries thousands of hours of tennis annually, including all four Grand Slam events, plus ATP 1000 and 500 tournaments and WTA Premier Events, and season-ending championships for both tours. Also, ESPN Classic shows great matches from the past and the sport receives extensive coverage on SportsCenter, ESPNEWS, Spanish-language ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine. ESPN 3D aired its first tennis at Wimbledon in 2011.
Source: tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com
Petkovic, Szavay, Kanepi withdraw from Wimbledon - YAHOO!
LONDON (AP) Andrea Petkovic of Germany has withdrawn from Wimbledon because of a persistent right ankle injury.
She missed the Australian Open because of a lower back injury, then hurt her ankle in her comeback tournament and missed the French Open.
Petkovic reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals last year at the Australian, French and U.S. Opens, and the third round at Wimbledon. She was replaced by Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia.
Hungary's Agnes Szavay (back) and Estonia's Kaia Kanepi (foot) also withdrew, and were replaced by Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine, and Heather Watson of Britain.
Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay, who has hardly played in more than a year, was replaced by Vasek Pospisil of Canada, who will make his Wimbledon main draw debut.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
Wimbledon 2012: Federer, Nadal, Djokovic And The Other Top Contenders For This Year's Men's Title - International Business Times
2011 Result: Semifinals
2010 Result: Semifinals
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Despite being the fifth ranked player in the world, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga often remains overlooked at the Grand Slams. The Frenchman is a dangerous grass court player and has notched up huge wins on the surface in previous years. Tsonga has also proven that he can threaten Nadal and Djokovic on any surface. As recently as this year's French Open, he held four match points against Djokovic before dropping the match in an epic five set encounter. With his big shots and powerful serves, Tsonga reached the final of Queen's and defeated Roger Federer in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in 2011. The charismatic 27-year-old will be a dangerous player during the two weeks at Wimbledon and has the potential to upset the top four seeds.
2011 Result: Semifinals
2010 Result: Quarter-finals
Dark Horse: Milos Raonic
Milos Raonic has shot up the ATP rankings in the past two years and become a Canadian star. Ranked 21 in the world, Raonic has one of the most impressive serves on tour. It frequently tops 130mph and has even reached the 150mph mark. That kind of serving should prove particularly effective on a quick surface like grass. Raonic surprised many by making it to the fourth round at the Australian Open in 2011 and has wins over players such as Andy Murray, David Nalbandian, and grass-court specialist Philipp Petzschner. Though the retired in his second round match at Wimbledon in 2011, he has shown that he has an aggressive game that wins on grass.
2011 Result: Second Round
2010 Result: DNP
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Source: www.ibtimes.com
Walmart, Aldi Pasta Recall Issued Due Metal Fragments in Boxes - AboutLawsuits.com
Published: June 14th, 2012
Seasoning blend contaminated with metal fragments has resulted in the recall of 74,000 cases of pasta distributed under the Reggano and other brands, which were sold at Walmart, Aldi, Kroger and other major grocery store chains .
The boxed pasta recall was announced by ST Specialty Foods, Inc. on June 6, after the manufacturer received information that the seasoning blend may contain metal fragments. There have been no reports of injury or illness in association with the recalled pasta.
ST Specialty Foods is a subsidiary of Bay Valley Foods, which received its supply of seasoning blend from Kerry Ingredients & Flavours. Kerry alerted Bay Foods that the lactic acid used in the seasoning blend could contain small metal fragments.
The recalled pasta includes cases of linguine, pasta salad, and macaroni and cheese sold under the Reggano label at Aldi, and under generic labels at Kroger, Walmart, Meijer. The pasta was also sold at a number of other chain stores. The FDA recall announcement has a complete list of the 22 product names, UPC numbers and lot codes associated with the recall.
Consumers are advised to return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund, or to destroy them. Consumers with questions can contact Bay Valley Foods Consumer Response Department at (800) 756-5781.
A similar pasta recall was announced last year by Kraft involving Velveeta Shells & Cheese microwavable cups, which were also believed to be contaminated with metal fragments.
Source: www.aboutlawsuits.com
Tsonga doubtful for Wimbledon after breaking finger in shock Queen's defeat - Daily Mail
By Mike Dickson
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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga joined Andy Murray in suffering an injury scare ahead of Wimbledon on Thursday.
Murray was forced to end any thoughts of a doubles challenge with his brother Jamie at the AEGON Championships after taking doctors' advice at the weekend.
Painful: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga looks at his injured finger
Tsonga, meanwhile, saw his hopes of playing at SW19 placed in doubt due to a suspected break of his right little finger at Queen's Club.
The world No 5 slipped in the final set of his 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 defeat by Croatian outsider Ivan Dodig, damaging his racket hand.
'I think it's serious,' said Tsonga, who had his hand placed in an ice-bag during his post-match press conference.
'I will have a scan, but it sounds very bad.
Floored: Weary Tsonga suffered shock defeat
'I felt like I broke something or I strained it when I fell.
'It's only a finger but it's tough because I have to play with my hand.
'At the moment I don't know what is it, but I will stay positive and I will see.'
Last year's finalist joined defending champion Murray Jnr on the exit list and Jamie also went out of the doubles with new partner, Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis - a late replacement for Andy.
According to Jamie, who is to play with his sibling at the Olympics, their partnership at Queen's was only abandoned at short notice.
'I think he was told by the doctor that he needs time to rest, so he thought he'd miss doubles here,' he said.
Done it: Ivan Dodig celebrates victory
Andy's conqueror Nicolas Mahut fell in the third round yesterday, beaten 6-4, 7-6 by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, the 21-year-old for whom big things are predicted.
While Queen's is set for a relatively unknown winner, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer began their grass court campaigns at the ATP event in Halle. Nadal defeated Slovak Lukas Lacko 7-5, 6-1 while Federer beat Germany's Florian Mayer 6-4, 7-5.
Famous face: Holly Valance and fianc Nick Candy in the crowd
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Loyal followers await Trader Joe's opening in Fort Worth on Friday morning [Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas] - Businessweek
Fortune magazine reported in 2010 that it sold $1,750 of goods per square foot, more than double what Whole Foods did. A Trader Joe's spokeswoman declined to comment on the Fortune article.
In fact, the company would discuss very little. Trader Joe's seldom if ever participates in industry conferences and is widely considered the most secretive retail food chain.
Regarding its ownership, all the Trader Joe's website says is that it's privately owned -- not a word of its connection to Germany's billionaire Albrecht family. It built the international Aldi discount chain empire, which had divided the world between Aldi Nord (North) and Aldi Sud (South) after a feud between the two Albrecht brothers, Karl and Theo.
South operates the Aldi stores in the U.S., while North bought Trader Joe's, then a small chain, in 1979 and operates it independently.
The company won't disclose whether there are any product sourcing or logistical synergies. But Rand says Trader Joe's and Aldi have similar marketing approaches, albeit for different types of customers.
In any case, the recent entries of Aldi, Sprouts Farmers Markets and now Trader Joe's into an already saturated North Texas market can only work to the average consumer's benefit. By keeping gallons of milk under $2 and a dozen eggs under $1, Aldi has kept prices low for such staples.
Corporate plans
For two years, the chain resisted demands that it join a campaign for safe working conditions and fair wages on Florida tomato farms, a position that Whole Foods but no other national supermarket chains adopted. It had called the Campaign for Fair Food's approach "unacceptable," but on Feb. 9 -- a day before demonstrations were planned at Trader Joe's stores in 40 cities -- the chain gave in, praising the group's "groundbreaking approach to social responsibility" and agreeing to pay an extra cent per pound of tomatoes.
The chain for years concentrated on both coasts before expanding through the central states, self-financing its new stores as it moves into new markets, Rand said.
The company, which started in Los Angeles, now has more than 370 stores in 33 states.
Expansion plans in Texas include openings in The Woodlands, near Houston, on Friday; in Plano on Sept. 7; two in Houston later this year; in San Antonio on Oct. 19; on Dallas' Greenville Avenue in the first quarter of 2013; in Dallas' Preston Hollow neighborhood in 2014; and in Austin in 2014.
As intensely close-mouthed as Trader Joe's is about its management and methods, it makes a point of hiring chatty, helpful staff. Human resources managers reportedly count how many times a job applicant smiles during the interview process. Job applicants are told on the company website that they must make eye contact with shoppers.
And it has a far higher percentage of full-time employees on the floor than other chains, Rand said.
"The staff is very friendly, almost nosey about what I plan to do with what I'm buying," said Mauri Artz, an author and college entrance coach in the Cleveland suburb of Gates Mills. "They have probably been coached to start conversations about food. Anyway, the produce is usually good, though I have had some bad packaged melons and grapes. The sushi is awful. Looks bad, tastes horrible.
"The flash-frozen fish really works well with soups and sauces -- especially the tuna," Artz said, adding, "I love the in-store demonstrations, and the prices are nice."
The company declined to say whether it will offer any different products in Fort Worth, which it misspelled "Forth Worth" in its first advertising flier. But it introduces a dozen new products weekly and analyst Rand said that store managers have surprising freedom to swap out items, a sort of throwback to a bygone era of grocery management.
Paying well above industry averages might help explain why Trader Joe's workers are seemingly so good-natured. Full-time clerks are said to earn about $40,000 with medical and dental insurance; managers reported
Source: investing.businessweek.com
Kings ease to Watford Town victory (From Watford Observer) - Watford Observer
Kings Langley claim emphatic win over Watford Town in Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League Division Two
6:10pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in Sport
Division Two
Kings Langley thrashed neighbours Watford Town by 178 runs on Saturday.
Batting first, Kings posted 206 all out with Mitch Roberts, returning from injury, scoring 80. Other notable knocks were from Joe Cooke (40) and Tom Sambrook (30). Naseer Ahmed (six for 59) was the pick of the home bowlers.
In reply, Watford struggled to come to terms with the drying pitch and accurate bowling of Rob Clark (seven for 16 off ten overs) and Mark Brazier (three for 12) and they were skittled out for a woeful 28 in 20 overs. The win moves Kings into third place.
Abbots Langley suffered a five-wicket defeat at St Margaretsbury.
The visitors lost the toss and were put into bat on a soggy pitch.
Openers Barry Warner and Smith battled their way to 54 without loss before the wheels fell off. Abbots slipped to 93 for four and it got worse as they were dismissed for a disappointing 103.
After the openers had no luck, Parth Mehta (three for 50) and Dhaval Narotam (two for 23) got Abbots in the hunt and, at 77 for five St Margaretsbury were in trouble. But their lower order found their form and recovered to claim the win.
For the third week running, Chipperfield Clarendon were left to rue a middle-order batting collapse as they fell to a one-wicket defeat against Welwyn Garden City Seconds.
Chipperfield were inserted on a wet wicket but batted well to reach 80 for two thanks in part to useful knocks from Ian Grout (38) and Freddie Hampson (23).
However, the collapse saw them all out for 114, with the unenviable task of having to bowl on the drying wicket.
Victory looked a certainty though, when the impressive Matt McDonald (four for 20) and Matt Petchell (four for 26) left Welwyn reeling at 68 for nine.
But the last-wicket partnership proved stubborn and a few dropped catches saw Welwyn close on 115 for nine.
Brad Klosterman was the star of the show as his seven-wicket haul helped Leverstock Green to a 14-run victory over Holtwhites Trinibis.
Green batted first and posted 125 for eight from their 53 overs, with Mark Craft top-scoring on 24 not out.
Holtwhites looked well in control in their reply after reaching 67 for one but the arrival of Klosterman saw the game swing back in Green’s favour.
He returned seven for 41 and with Luke Roberts taking two for 18, the last nine wickets fell for just 44 runs to hand Green what had looked an unlikely victory.
Hemel Hempstead Town Seconds were unable to post a significant target as visitors Reed returned home with a seven-wicket success.
Hemel were inserted and got off to a positive start in putting on 88 for the first wicket thanks to the efforts of Neil Morgan (55) and Giles Berry (43).
This was not a sign of things to come however, as Hemel finished on 144 for nine, with only Tom Elborn (11) and Faisal Iqbal (11 not out) reaching double figures after the opening pair.
Reed made light work of their chase, reaching 145 for the loss of just three wickets.
Jack Doodson picked up two for 19, while Iqbal claimed the other wicket at the expense of 24.
Division Three
Met Police Bushey battled to a 36-run victory over Hertingfordbury.
The Met were asked to bat in tricky conditions and at 54 for five, looked like they would struggle to put a competitive score on the board. But the middle-order partnership of Simon Hamilton (52) and Sam Mazurek (28) pushed the total up to 146 all out. Met Police were taking wickets and didn't look like being troubled until a sixth-wicket partnership put a few runs on, only to be ended by a flying one-handed catch from youngster Alex Forsey.
Aussie Rhys Owen (five for 18) wrapped things up with his fifth wicket of the match as Hertingfordbury were bowled out for 110.
Division Four
Langleybury Seconds picked up their first win of the campaign as they emerged the victors in a low-scoring contest with Northwood Town.
Bury skipper Matt Fry elected to bat on the wet wicket but his side found themselves struggling at 22 for five.
Raahil Druva was the only member of the order to show any composure as his 35 helped them to 95 all out, with Richard Doling taking five for 36 and David Bushnell returning three for 20.
The Bury attack were in fine form from the off and had Town reduced to 13 for six after 11 overs.
Craig Newman (23) offered some respectability but Rishil Druva’s eight for 31 led the way and with Eddie Gunning taking two for 19, Town were all out for 53 – the second time they have failed to chase a score of less than 100 this season.
Bushey scraped to an 11-run win over Watton-at-Stone.
Watton won the toss and elected to put Bushey into bat on a very wet wicket.
Bushey started brightly through Nomaan Ilyas and Chandan Sharma, but the latter was caught out on 21, playing an uncharacteristic shot in the air to long-on.
Naseer Nawaz fell for 43, having played a very hard-fought innings on a difficult pitch. Qamar Shahzad and Arshad Zarin put on 20 quick runs towards the end before the last few wickets fell very cheaply as their side ended on a disappointing 115 all out.
Farooq Hameed started off with the old ball and bowled superbly again, with a very good shout for caught behind turned down in the first over.
Watton duly dug in for 20 overs, scoring only 20 runs, although they did lose another wicket.
Bushey then began to take wickets regularly, putting lots of pressure on their opponents and leading to the contest becoming very close indeed with only 20 runs needed and one wicket in hand.
However, Bushey claimed the final scalp with 15 still required to climb to fourth in the table, as Hameed finished with three wickets and Shahzad four.
Chipperfield Clarendon Seconds slumped to a six-wicket defeat at St Albans Seconds.
Mick Garrini (22) and Nigel Cousens (17) got Chipperfield to 35 for one. Jon Paddon rode his luck with a number of dropped catches en route to the highest score of 35. Thomas Carson also had a number of lives getting to 23 and Steve Durrant chipped in with 22 as they were dismissed for 146.
St Albans reached 42 for one and it was only when Cousens came on to bowl that the side started to strangle the batters.
Cousens picked up a couple of wickets as St Albans slipped to 62 for four. But a couple of dropped catches did not help their cause and the pitch eased, allowing their opponents to comfortably reach the required target.
Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
3 players withdraw from Wimbledon - FOXSports.com
LONDON (AP)
Andrea Petkovic of Germany has withdrawn from Wimbledon because of a persistent right ankle injury.
She missed the Australian Open because of a lower back injury, then hurt her ankle in her comeback tournament and missed the French Open.
Petkovic reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals last year at the Australian, French and US Opens, and the third round at Wimbledon. She was replaced by Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia.
Hungary's Agnes Szavay (back) and Estonia's Kaia Kanepi (foot) also withdrew, and were replaced by Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine, and Heather Watson of Britain.
Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay, who has hardly played in more than a year, was replaced by Vasek Pospisil of Canada, who will make his Wimbledon main draw debut.
Source: msn.foxsports.com
Russell eyes his 'Olympic finals' - This is Gloucestershire
ANDER Russell smashed his personal best at the British Milers' Club Grand Prix in Watford – and hopefully booked himself a place at the Olympic trials.
The Stroud and District AC runner gave himself an early birthday present – he turns 24 on Saturday – when he sprinted to victory in the 5000m B race in a time of 14 minutes, 7.98 seconds, which not only slashed almost 18 seconds off his previous best but also lifted him to 22nd in the UK rankings for 2012.
But in Olympic year Russell was understandably more preoccupied with the special prize that now awaits him.
"My target coming into this race was to run under 14.20 because that is the qualifying time to get into the Olympic trials next week," said Russell.
"I thought I could do that but never dreamt I would run this fast and that should now get me an invite to run at the trials in Birmingham the weekend after next."
And Russell will proudly take his place in the trials field on live television and at a packed Alexander Stadium and while he won't be a contender for the team it will be his personal equivalent of an Olympic final.
"It will be great to run in the race and hopefully I can run another PB," added Russell.
Russell wasn't the only county athlete to impress at the Watford meeting on Saturday evening.
Stroud clubmate Ben Coldray clipped more than two seconds from his PB with 3:45.70 for third place in the 1500m D race.
"I'm delighted with that," said the 21-year-old former King's School, Gloucester, student.
Cheltenham-based Irish international Rose-Anne Galligan didn't quite run a PB but the Gloucester AC runner did clock a season's best of 2.03.49, which was also her quickest time since 2010.
"I am really encouraged with that and feel my form is coming back," said Galligan. There was also a season's best for fellow international Emily Pidgeon in the women's 5000m, though it was well outside her PB and only good enough to place her 15th in a competitive field.
In his first race since returning from America where is studying at Butler University, Stroud's Tom Purnell was a solid eighth in the 1500m B race in a time of 3.45.35, remarkably an outdoor personal best despite all the travelling he had done.
Cheltenham Harriers' Luke Carroll warmed up for the England Championships and World Junior trials in Bedford this weekend with sixth place in the 1500m C race and Severn AC's Tim Dalton posted a season's best in the D race.
Men – 1500: 3 James Brewer (Chelt) 3:39.72 (SB); B: 8 Tom Curr (Stroud, U23) 3:45.35; C: 6 Luke Carroll (Chelt, U20) 3:48.42; D: 3 Ben Coldray Stroud) 3:45.70 (PB); 5 Tim Dalton (Sev) 3:46.64 (SB); E: 7 Will Paulson (Stroud, U20) 3:55.06; F: 12 Brett Halliwell (Stroud, U20) 3:54.82; 5000 B: 1 Ander Russell (Stroud) 14:07.98 (PB);
Women – 800: 6 Rose-Anne Galligan (Glos) 2:03.49 (SB); 5000: 15 Emily Pidgeon (Stroud) 16:06.94 (SB).
Source: www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
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