Lifestyle

By IANSlife
New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANSlife) Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve, a scotch synonymous with irreverent luxury from Diageo India, recapitulates its #PourofGold narrative in collaboration with one of the leading designers of the country, Abhinav Mishra, to celebrate the finest moments of life with a hint of gold.


The Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve X Abhinav Mishra collaboration showcased endearing celebratory moments with Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve to bring alive the storytelling of the liquid, whether intimate or grandeur. The association saw Mishra design and curate an entire celebration experience through a contemporary statement bar, bar trolley, and delightful gifting packs suited for those precious moments in life. Embracing the endless possibilities of celebrations, Abhinav Mishra with his use of mirror work and light created not just a great-looking experience but one that reflects and reminds us to commemorate even the smaller milestones.

The unveiling of the celebratory experience took place on the 18th of December 2022, shining a little bit of light to every celebration, turning them all brilliant, as the globe embraces more complex events to celebrate.

Expressing his excitement for the association, Designer Abhinav Mishra said: "In 2022, ceremonial occasions took on a new code with intimate, meaningful, and more curated get-togethers. A soiree that is intimate yet meaningful creates memories. As part of the association, I was very thrilled to curate a bespoke experience that goes beyond what we wear. The whole experiential is inspired by Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve, capturing the essence of celebrations in the finest possible way."

"Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve has always been adding a touch of self-expression at luxury celebrations. The collaboration highlights ceremonial affairs for consumers who seek occasions that resonate with their identity, belief, and values. We are excited to ally with designer Abhinav Mishra whose exquisite artwork blends in beautifully with the #PourOfGold thereby adding light to every celebration," added Shweta Jain, CBDO: Luxury, Reserve & Craft - India & South Asia at Diageo.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANSlife) The 2022-2023 holiday season is a great time to explore New York City, according to NYC & Company, the convention and visitors bureau and official destination marketing agency of New York City. As one of the most well-known holiday destinations, NYC will once more provide merry dining, shopping, cultural, and entertainment experiences and events in all five boroughs.


New Years Eve Times Square Ball Drop

December 31 - January 1 Times Square, Manhattan

The Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year's Eve Ball will sparkle in Times Square all season, but watching its descent in person on New Year's Eve is a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime way to ring in the New Year. Millions view the broadcast event in NYC and around the globe along with spectators in Times Square on December 31. Guests can also stop by the New Year's Eve Confetti Wishing Wall from December 1 on to submit (in person and online here) a wish for the New Year on a piece of official NYE confetti that will be dropped at midnight as the ball drops. Guests can also look out for details (at TSQ.org) about the arrival of the official numerals ('2' and '3' for 2023) that will be in Times Square before ascending to the top of One Times Square to be lit as we welcome the New Year.

A Christmas Carol, a one-man show on Broadway

Till January 1 Midtown Manhattan

In this astonishing Broadway adaptation, Tony Award-winning actor Jefferson Mays tackles more than 50 roles in this season's limited run of A Christmas Carol at the Nederlander Theatre. The beloved Dickens story featuring notable characters-Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the four ghosts-will be making its return for the first time since 2019 and will enchant theatergoers with its redemptive story.

Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden

Till January 16 Bedford Park, The Bronx

The Holiday Train Show-a favourite holiday tradition-has been making memories for over 30 years. Visitors will see model trains zip through an enchanting display of more than 190 replicas of New York City landmarks, each delightfully re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, lotus pods and cinnamon sticks.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

Till January 8 Bronx Park, The Bronx

With more than 360 lanterns representing nearly 90 animal and plant species, Bronx Zoo's family-centric holiday lights festival will connect visitors with real wildlife and wild places. During the evenings, the park comes to life with holiday cheer as immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns (with some life-size, some larger-than-life-size) and animated light shows sparkle across the zoo. The celebration is complete with seasonal treats, classic holiday music and other festive entertainment. The beloved tradition is sure to enchant visitors of all ages, making it the perfect way to kick off the holidays this year.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Throughout the holiday season Midtown Manhattan

The world-famous ice-skating rink will return for the holiday season for visitors to skate under the iconic Christmas tree, a quintessential NYC experience. In collaboration with Coach, Rockefeller Center will unveil this year's activations, including a bespoke holiday gift shop, custom hospitality cart serving special treats, and live onsite patch customization for a curated line of Coach products. Santa will join visitors on the ice in December.

City Cruises Holiday-Themed Cruises

Throughout the holiday season Manhattan

Enjoy a NYC Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year's dining cruise, among others, featuring festive decor, meals and stunning views of the City while sailing across the East and Hudson Rivers from the glass-enclosed deck.

NYC Hotel Week: Give the Gift of an NYC Hotel Stay this Winter

On sale Citywide

NYC & Company's second iteration of NYC Hotel Week will return for 2023 alongside signature programs, NYC Restaurant Week, NYC Broadway WeekSM and NYC Must-See WeekSM. On sale from mid-November, shoppers can give the gift of New York City with a 23% off discount. Valid for stays over January 3-February 12, 2023.

Flagship Store Shopping

Available now throughout the holiday season | Midtown Manhattan

Locals and visitors alike are invited to various flagship stores, such as Macys, Bloomingdale, Bergdorf Goodman, Cartier, Saks Fifth Avenue and more, to find this season's most brilliant holiday presents for friends and family.

DREAM BIG: Big Apple Circus Returns to Lincoln Center for 45th Anniversary

November 9-January 1 Upper West Side, Manhattan

The Big Apple Circus is back for its 45th anniversary season and invites visitors to experience the excitement of its dazzling newest extravaganza: DREAM BIG! For eight weeks only, Big Top at Lincoln Center will be home to astonishing wonders and daring acrobatics, setting imaginations soaring to the most astounding, awe-inspiring heights.

NYC Winter Lantern Festival: Journey to the East

Till January 8 St. George, Staten Island

The NYC Winter Lantern Festival is back for its fourth year to transform a new venue, SIUH Community Park in Staten Island, into an immersive world of light. Visitors will enjoy over eight acres of luminescence in addition to a live DJ, projection mapping, food vendors and more.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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Canberra, Dec 20 (IANS) A growing number of young Australians feel isolated and left out in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a new government survey revealed on Tuesday.

The survey by Headspace, the government's youth mental health support agency, found that 60 per cent of respondents, all of whom were aged between 12 and 25, reported lacking companionship, while 62 per cent said they feel left out, reports Xinhua news agency.

Despite Australia's strict coronavirus lockdowns ending more than 12 months ago, Headspace chief executive Jason Trethowan said the social isolation and stay-at-home orders have had a lasting impact.

"We're finding many young people are still feeling cut off from the world and struggling to re-establish relationships," he told the local media.

According to the national mental health organisation Beyond Blue, one in seven Australians, or 3.2 million people, is experiencing an anxiety condition at any given time and one in 16 are suffering from depression.

In the lead up to the Christmas period, suicide prevention service Lifeline has made more crisis support workers available to respond to 4,000 calls and messages every day.

"The idea of togetherness traditionally associated with holidays can also exacerbate the intense loneliness many people feel," chief executive Colin Seery said.

The survey's release came a eek after the federal government drew criticism for cutting the number of psychologist visits it will subsidise.

At the start of Covid-19 lockdowns, the then sitting government had increased the number of psychologist visits it subsidised in a year from 10 to 20 for every Australian.

Earlier this month, Health Minister Mark Butler said that the number would return to 10 per year from January 1, 2023.

The Australian Association of Psychologists, a national peak body, described it as a bitterly disappointing decision that would deny people the care they need.

--IANS
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By Dr Kuldeep Dole
New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANSlife) You probably already know how important it is to keep blood sugar levels within the recommended range if you or a loved one has diabetes. Major, long-term health issues like vision loss, heart disease, and renal disease can be avoided or delayed with proper management of blood sugar, HbA1c, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.



Diabetes can have a serious negative impact on the eyes, which can result in blindness or visual impairment. This is due to the fact that high blood sugar can destroy the capillaries in the eye's most delicate tissues, which transmit signals to the brain and enable clear vision. A permanent loss of vision may result from this retinal damage brought on by high blood pressure.

However, there is hope. One can avoid major eye damage by monitoring and regulating the blood sugar levels as per their doctor's recommendation.

The following five actions can help safeguard vision during diabetes.

Understand Numbers

When blood sugar levels rise, the delicate blood vessels that nourish the most delicate areas of the eyes are often the first to sustain damage. High blood sugar specifically harms the retina. The thin tissue that makes up around 65 per cent of the back of the eye is called the retina. Many light-sensitive cells reside there, allowing the eyes to communicate visual information to the brain via the optic nerve.

The blood vessels that supply the retina are harmed when blood sugar levels rise. Vision blurring may result from this, either temporarily or permanently. Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts are three distinct eye conditions that are quite common in people with diabetes. Timely detection and interventions can minimize such complications. By keeping track of the blood sugar levels one can reduce the risk for these sight-stealing conditions.

Stop Smoking

Every physiological system is harmed by smoking, but diabetics are particularly vulnerable. Smoking harms the veins, arteries, and capillaries in the body, aggravating diabetes-related eye damage already present. Whether you're a smoker and have tried to quit, or want to quit for the first time, don't give up. Talk to your doctor about your options.

Moving It

Exercise benefits all physical systems in the same way that smoking does, so get moving! After lunch, go for a couple laps around the block. Take a few extra steps and park at the far end of the parking lot. Regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing diabetic eye disease since it lowers blood sugar levels. Put it on your calendar each week to remind you to make time for this appointment with yourself that will improve your life. Before beginning any workout regimen, discuss it with your doctor to find out the exercises they advise.

Focus on Eating Healthily

You are what you eat, we've all been told since we were young. Healthy eating leads to healthy eyes. Eat a diet that is well-balanced and contains meals that provide your body with good nutrients to safeguard diabetic eyes. Vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and zeaxanthin are some of them. Consuming a diet high in leafy greens, fatty fish like salmon, tuna, or mackerel, nuts like walnuts and almonds, beans, lentils, and mushrooms will help you reach this goal. Maintaining a low glycemic diet is important to manage blood sugar levels.

Yearly Dilated Eye Examination

The finest tip is reserved for last: get a full dilated eye exam from your ophthalmologist once a year, or more frequently if advised, to make sure that your efforts to control blood sugar are aiding in maintaining the health of your eyesight. A screening for cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy may be performed at this visit. Your pupils enlarge as your eyes dilate, allowing your ophthalmologist to inspect the retina, macula, and optic nerve up close. Your doctor can identify diabetic retinopathy in its early stages long before you have any symptoms by looking at these sensitive tissues.

(Dr. Kuldeep Dole, Medical Director - PBMA's H.V. Desai Eye Hospital An Orbis Partner Hospital)

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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Seoul, Dec 17 (IANS) High-powered girl group XG hinted at a New Year comeback single, also announced the release of their first season's greetings gift package.

XG announced that they will launch their first season's greetings merchandise on January 16, 2023.

The exclusive package will consist of items themed around 'The Outdoors' and 'House Party' and will include a 2023 wall calendar, a photobook, photo cards, message cards, posters and a box containing highly collectible XG stickers.

A teaser for this package has also been released on YouTube.

Additionally, an image hinting at the release of a new track was uploaded to XG's social networks. The text, which appears on a clothing tag, suggests that the long-awaited third single is expected to drop early in the new year.

The dance, vocal and rap performance videos released after 'Mascara', ranking number one on the iTunes charts in 17 territories as well as the Spotify Viral 50 in 21 territories.

The rap content by XG's four rappers -- Cocona, Maya, Harvey and Jurin -- released in November surpassed seven million views on YouTube and more than 11 million views on TikTok, despite the song not having an official release.

Rappers, producers, influencers and even professional athletes reacted to the track, and the numbers are still growing.

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANSlife) Winter is upon us! Winter is the best season for travel, whether your ideal getaway involves an exhilarating ski trip or a flight to a warmer location.


The hidden getaways from Ultima Collection are made to feel like home, whether you're rejuvenating at your own health retreat in the Swiss Alps, skiing from your own serviced chalet in France, or savouring every moment on your villa's private dock in the Mediterranean. Beyond the carefully chosen ski chalets, retreats, spas and villas, you'll discover a group of professionals with unyielding standards who work to offer their visitors highly individualised experiences in complete comfort and solitude. This is savouring life to the fullest.

Ultima Gstaad

Set in the rolling meadows of Gstaad, Ultima Gstaad is where timeless Swiss luxury meets the mountains. Gstaad is a pristine Alpine village that's somehow equally out-of-this-world as it is down-to-earth. Experience all its wonders, undoubtedly one of the finest properties in Switzerland. Sink into your own uniquely designed suite or residence, reminiscent of a private chalet, to live in utter luxury and discretion.
From wall to wall, you'll discover lovingly curated artwork, plush interiors, and a smooth-operating team to cater to your most spontaneous of requests. There are three wooden chalets of 11 suites, six private residences, a restaurant and two inviting bars. Plus, there's a leading Swiss clinic and spa for recharging to full.
Each space is exquisitely crafted for snug evenings after a day of skiing in the mountains. Think steam fireplaces (child and dog friendly), lavish bathrooms and dark, swirling marble from floor to ceiling, and balconies with breathtaking and inescapable views of Alps.

Ultima Courchevel Belvedere

Ultima Courchevel Belvédère re-opens for the winter season on December 17. The resort is made up of 13 ski-in and ski-out residences with privileged, uninterrupted views of the forested mountains. Balance days of skiing with mind-soothing treatments in the resort's world-class spas, private chef experiences, and moments in the elegant lobby and terrace area.

Post-ski body massages and morning dips in the outdoor heated pool as snow falls around you. That's the dreamy reality for the guests. Dependant on which residence you're staying in, you will access one of the two state-of-the-art spas. They feature sensual saunas, hammams, fitness rooms, heated pools, and an outdoor jacuzzi. Dedicated spa therapists and masseuses are there to provide personalised wellness experiences and innovative treatments such as yoga-focused cold therapy.

Each residence comprises four or five bedrooms that sleep up to eight to ten adults. It's perfect for a family or group of friends looking to savour their precious time together. What's truly special about this property is its location among three different valleys; connecting to the upscale 1850 and the edge of the La Rosiere Forest. Natural beauty is not in short supply here. Breakaway from the crowds to a retreat with bubbling outdoor pools, atmospheric fitness rooms, and talented massage therapists whenever the moment calls.

Ultima Crans-Montana

No one leaves Ultima Crans-Montana a little bit in love -- it leaves you completely awestruck. Positioned in the altitude of Plateau de Plan-Mayens, this haven of two private chalets can be enjoyed by multi-generational families and groups of friends.
Know that nothing is done in half measures here, with an on-site lake surrounded by idyllic alpine wilds, a quartz-clear swimming pool that mirrors the mountains beyond and a heavenly spa, covering 1,000m², that much larger hotels couldn't claim to match. Rejuvenate in the sauna, hammam, fitness gym, jacuzzi and heated outdoor pool. It's all brought to life by Baccarat crystal chandeliers and Kelsey Grey and Bahia Blanca marbles.

It goes above and beyond accommodating a large group of up to 38 guests. It's made up of two ultra-luxurious private chalets, which can be reserved together or Chalet One by itself. Both have access to the retreat's monumental spa and outdoor pool area.
Chalet One, covering 3850m², has eight rooms. Each has its own dressing area, bathroom, and balcony with views of the surrounding wilds. Children can stay in the two dormitories. There's also an arcade room, cigar lounge, billiard room and a homely dining room that can seat up to 16 people. Chalet Two, covering 820m², has six spacious rooms with their own dressing areas, bathrooms and balconies. There is an open kitchen for socialising, a cinema room, library and cigar lounge.

Ultima Megeve

Intimate chalets primed for entertainment in the Alps. Set in tranquil French wilds, looking out to horse-dotted pastures and the snow-tipped peak of Mont Blanc, this exquisite pair of private chalets have been designed with multigenerational families or large group of friends in mind.

There's everything from an arcade room, underground private nightclub, stocked wine cellar, a gymnasium, and a full spa with a hammam, a massage room and dedicated hairdresser facilities. Put simply, there's no other mountain retreat around that offers this much fun.

Hints of which you will find in the hand-carved woods and bronze-covered chimneys, bespoke furniture, leather-padded headboards and marble touches. Every bedroom has a connecting dressing room and ensuite bathroom -- all curated with the beige and gold tones that have become synonymous with the signature design of Ultima Collection.
Additionally, you will have access to the property's concierge staff, so whether it's a chef rustling up a last-minute celebratory dinner, or the front of house mapping a walking trail for your group, your stay will be fine-tuned to you.

Ultima Geneva Grand Villa

A distinctive urban retreat on the shores of lake Geneva, Ultima Geneva Grand Villa is one of the highest epitome of modern luxury. Set in a verdant grove within walking distance of the Lake's shores, this three-floored villa is just a short journey away from the livelier city hub and Geneva International Airport.
Over three floors, the villa covers 2,000m² and comes with a separate villa for any extended guests to enjoy their privacy. There is a master bedroom with its own terrace, seven double bedrooms, a grand cinema, and a wellness space comprising a jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, pool and fitness gymnasium.

Shed the weight of the city, or simply savour time invested in you, with treatments by Swiss Perfection. All while admiring the beauty of Geneva's nature in a space that allows you enviable views. The state-of-the-art spa has a large treatment room, a jacuzzi, hammam and sauna. You can also have access to a private fitness coach and physiotherapist.

A private chef is available to create the most memorable dining moments meant for you and your loved ones. There's a large dining area, a wine cellar and a teppanyaki dining space perfect for group getaways or intimate family gatherings.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Online higher education platform upGrad is not going ahead with its acquisition of Exampur which is a test-prep provider for government jobs.

upGrad in August announced to acquire Exampur for an undisclosed sum.

"We are presently very focused on adult learning and, therefore, this is a strategic call for us. We are happy to re-evaluate this in the future," the company told IANS in a statement.

"There have been no disagreements on the valuation," the company spokesperson added.

Noida-based learning platform Exampur aims to reach Rs 70 crore (nearly $7.5 million) in revenue this fiscal. Co-founded in 2018 by Vivek Kumar and Vardan Gandhi, the platform has a user base of over 10 million students.

Exampur offers over 200 test-prep courses for govt. jobs where most of the content is delivered through its YouTube channels for the UPSC, SSC, defence, banking, teaching and other state-level government jobs.

Ninety per cent of paid users of Exampur are from tier 2, 3 and 4 markets.

Additionally, Exampur offers online test series, free quizzes and live scholarship tests.

upGrad acquired more than a dozen edtech startups in the recent past, like Delhi-based Harappa Education, Bengaluru-based recruitment and staffing firm Wolves, and corporate training startup Centum Training.

Amid the deepening layoff winter, the online higher education platform may ask a major chunk of its employees -- about one-third or even more -- to go in days to come, according to people familiar with the matter. The company, however, has denied any upcoming layoff -- large or small.

--IANS
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By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANSlife) "Variety is the spice of life, whoever said this understood the need to break away from the monotony of every day," says Sanjay Singha, co-founder of GetOut App. With Work from Home culture gaining popularity, there has been a rise in co-working spaces and professionals, freelancers, and remote workers flocking to their nearest coffee shop that offers decent Wi-Fi and coffee. But have you ever wondered why? Why would anyone want to get out of their comfort zone, even while working out of the office? Spend money on endless cups of coffee and sit amid the everyday buzz. It's because studies claim that people feel more productive at a coffee shop.


"It triggers a stimuli response to get work done, which automatically makes you finish work faster. Since you are sitting at a place, not your home, you are less likely to procrastinate and finish up the work, you feel more focused regardless of the buzz of noise outside," adds Sanjay.

Wondering why would you not go to the office instead? Well, blame the overall formal environment, strict schedule, and a fixed time to come and leave.

Sanjay says, "Coffee shops thus become the best of both worlds. A place where you can leave at your own leisure, work without being micro-managed, and have no distractions from your home."

One can also look at the mellow sounds and buzz of restaurants similar to the role played by white noise. The same reason some people tend to plug in earphones or play white noise while sleeping, studying or doing chores.

When a group of people are working with their macs out, you tend to work in the same manner as well. You get the feel of a workplace that is not your home without the added burden of office.

The need to escape the dull 9-5 routine of doing the same things over and again in different forms and his desire to tackle real-world problems pushed Sanjay to leave his cushy corporate job and co-found GetOut, "This need to escape, take a break, and get a change of scenery can also be looked at as one of the biggest motivating factors to come and work from cafes. This breath of fresh air automatically relaxes making you more productive."

(N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in)

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) India's largest multidisciplinary arts event, Serendipity Arts Festival, will be held from December 15-23 in Goa.

The festival brings together diverse creative expressions from the region of South Asia and promotes its cultural heritage through varied projects. The performance segment will see curation by Bickram Ghosh, Ehsaan Noorani, Quasar Thakore Padamsee, Mayuri Upadhya and Geeta Chandran. The music performances with multi-genre and unique performances will celebrate the coming together of traditional and contemporary forms.

Bickram Ghosh and Ehsaan Noorani will curate the Music section with a series of concerts covering diverse genres from classical, fusion, folk, indie pop, rock, and more.

Innovators like Sanjay Mondal will be leading a group of children through instruments made from scrap and waste material.

Bickram Ghosh will also be paying tribute to ace music composer RD Burman through his project titled 'The World of Pancham: An RD Burman Tribute'.

Celebrating India's 75th year of independence, the festival will offer artists a platform to perform and showcase their art.

The programming this year will give weightage to Interdisciplinarity, which will be further explored by Quasar Thakore Padamsee and Geeta Chandran through their projects intersecting dance, drama, music and storytelling.

Speaking about the curation, Geeta Chandran said, "I am energized by my curatorial assignment for the 2022 Serendipity Fest. Reclaiming performance after a pandemic hiatus got my juices flowing again! This is indeed a unique opportunity for me to bring to the festival truly inter-disciplinary work since the festival gives curators complete freedom to explore the creative forms of expression. Puppeteers with dancers, theatre artists with dancers, different dance forms dialoging with each other, all very exciting and fresh... ."

The fifth edition of the festival will explore ways to enhance public engagement with the arts and boost the soft power of the nation by making art and culture a part of everyday conversations.

Exploring the post-pandemic transition from the virtual to the physical, choreographer, educationist and creative entrepreneur Mayuri Upadhya will focus on engaging and immersive nature of the arts that delves deeper in the culture and its stories. The range of projects will celebrate the socio-cultural milieu of the region through traditional and contemporary dance and choreographic practices.

A confluence of artists from diverse backgrounds will underline the Goan spirit of SAF. Curated by Goa-based classical guitarist Shayamant Behal, 'Music in the Park' features some of Goa's finest musicians who will regale audiences with daily performances.

--IANS
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