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Nigerian Data Agency Fines Fidelity Bank for Privacy Breaches

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Nigerian Data Agency Fines Fidelity Bank for Privacy Breaches

ABUJA, Nigeria  — The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has imposed a fine of zero point one percent of Fidelity Bank’s two thousand twenty-three revenue, equivalent to five hundred fifty-five million, eight hundred thousand naira (three hundred fifty-eight thousand, five hundred eighty dollars), for alleged violations of data protection laws, the agency announced on Thursday.

This fine represents the largest penalty the NDPC has levied against an entity for data breaches to date. The NDPC has instructed Fidelity Bank, a mid-tier lender in Nigeria, to remit the fine within fourteen days.

The commission’s investigation, which began in April two thousand twenty-three, focused on the bank’s practices in collecting personal data for opening customer accounts. The NDPC alleges that Fidelity Bank illegally collected personal data during an account opening process.

In its review of Fidelity’s data processing platforms, the NDPC claims to have found instances where “the bank processes personal data without informed consent of data subjects.” The commission also asserts that Fidelity deployed tools such as cookies and banking applications in violation of existing laws.

Fidelity Bank has contested the NDPC’s findings. In a statement released Thursday, the bank denied any violation of data protection laws, asserting that no data breach occurred. The bank maintains that it did not complete the account opening process for the unnamed customer whose complaint initiated the NDPC’s investigation.

FILE PHOTO: Nigerian naira banknotes are seen in this picture illustration, September 10, 2018. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/Illustration/File Photo

“As a bank, we remain in discussions with the NDPC over an amicable resolution to this matter,” Fidelity Bank’s statement read.

The case highlights the increasing scrutiny of data protection practices in Nigeria’s financial sector. It also underscores the growing role of the NDPC in enforcing data privacy regulations within the country.

As discussions between Fidelity Bank and the NDPC continue, the outcome of this case may set a precedent for how data protection laws are enforced in Nigeria’s banking industry.

The NDPC has not provided further details on the specific nature of the alleged violations or the identity of the customer who filed the initial complaint.

Reuters

Cholera Outbreak Spreads in Sudan Amid Conflict and Heavy Rains

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Cholera Outbreak Spreads in Sudan Amid Conflict and Heavy Rains

Sudan is grappling with a severe cholera outbreak for the second consecutive year, compounded by ongoing conflict, mass displacement, and heavy rains, according to health officials and aid workers.

World Health Organization (WHO) country director Shible Sahbani reported that since July twenty-second, six hundred fifty-eight cases of cholera have been recorded across five states, resulting in at least twenty-eight fatalities.

The outbreak occurs as Sudan enters its sixteenth month of conflict between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict has led to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, displacing more than ten million people within Sudan and across its borders.

Sahbani expressed concern over the high mortality rate, with four point three percent of cases resulting in death, significantly higher than typical for cholera outbreaks. He estimates that approximately two hundred thousand people are at high risk of contracting the disease.

Sudan’s Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim reported that the previous cholera wave, from October two thousand twenty-three to May two thousand twenty-four, resulted in about twelve thousand cases and more than three hundred fifty deaths. He noted that there had been no major outbreak in the nine years preceding the current conflict.

The ongoing war has severely damaged Sudan’s health infrastructure, with many facilities destroyed or rendered non-functional due to staff displacement. The country is simultaneously battling five disease outbreaks, including dengue fever and measles.

The current cholera outbreak is centered in Kassala and Gedaref states, which collectively host one point two million displaced persons. Conditions in these areas are conducive to the spread of cholera, with crowded displacement centers, overflowing latrines, and stagnant rainwater mixing with refuse.

International experts have declared a famine in Darfur’s Zamzam camp, an area particularly vulnerable to cholera due to flooding and poor sanitation.

Sahbani highlighted the challenges in delivering aid, citing security constraints, bureaucratic hurdles, and roads rendered impassable by heavy rains. He announced that the International Coordinated Group for vaccine allocation (ICG) has approved the delivery of four hundred fifty-five thousand cholera vaccine doses to Sudan.

A garbage dump is seen in a neighborhood in the city of Gedaref in eastern Sudan, August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Omar Araki/File Photo

Minister Ibrahim stated that the government has resorted to “unorthodox measures,” including air drops, to deliver vaccines and supplies to areas controlled by the RSF and isolated regions under army control.

Both officials emphasized that the humanitarian needs in Sudan far outweigh the current aid efforts, with the United Nations’ humanitarian appeal for the country only about one-third funded.

As the rainy season continues and conflict persists, health officials warn that the cholera outbreak could spread to other regions, including Khartoum, Gezira, and states in the Kordofan and Darfur regions.

Reuters

Floods and Landslides Displace Thousands in India’s Tripura and Bangladesh

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Floods and Landslides Displace Thousands in India’s Tripura and Bangladesh

AGARTALA, India  — Heavy rainfall has triggered floods and landslides in India’s northeastern state of Tripura and neighboring Bangladesh, forcing tens of thousands from their homes and resulting in multiple fatalities, according to local authorities.

In Tripura, disaster management officials report that more than sixty-five thousand people have been displaced, with twenty-three fatalities recorded. The Indian Army has deployed soldiers to assist in rescue operations, using lifeboats to ferry people to safety.

Suman Deb, a disaster management official, stated that while the intensity of rain had decreased since Thursday night, the Gomti River continues to flow above the danger mark. The Gomti, Tripura’s main river, flows through the Comilla district in Bangladesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

Officials estimate that approximately one point seven million people have been affected by the floods in Tripura. The displaced population has gathered in four hundred fifty emergency camps. Damage to infrastructure, crops, and livestock has been extensive.

Most deaths in Tripura were attributed to landslides, with some caused by the collapse of mud walls and drowning incidents. The Indian Army reports that more than eighty of its personnel have participated in rescue efforts, bringing three hundred thirty-four stranded individuals to safety.

In Bangladesh, the situation has also become critical. The Gomti River breached an embankment late Thursday, inundating at least fifteen villages and displacing hundreds of families. The death toll in Bangladesh has risen to thirteen, with over three million people stranded, according to the country’s disaster management ministry.

Bangladeshi officials report that several villages, fish farming enclosures, and crop fields in the coastal Khulna district have been inundated after high tides caused river embankments to collapse. Blocked roads in several districts have isolated communities and hampered rescue and relief efforts.

Authorities in Bangladesh have evacuated more than seventy-five thousand people to over one thousand five hundred shelters in flood-affected districts. Military and border guard personnel are assisting in rescue operations.

Floodwaters have surged through the districts of Feni, Moulvibazar, and Noakhali, where roads are submerged and rescuers are using ropes to pull stranded individuals to safety.

Mohammad Alam, a resident of Noakhali, described the flooding as unprecedented in his lifetime.

The floods have sparked controversy, with some Bangladeshi citizens alleging that the opening of sluice gates at the Dumbur dam on the Gomti River in India’s Tripura state contributed to the flooding. Indian authorities have rejected these claims as inaccurate.

As rescue and relief efforts continue in both countries, authorities are monitoring weather forecasts and river levels, preparing for potential further evacuations if conditions worsen.

Final Body Recovered from Sunken Superyacht Off Sicilian Coast

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Final Body Recovered from Sunken Superyacht Off Sicilian Coast

PALERMO, Italy  — Italian Coast Guard officials have recovered the body of the last missing person from a British-flagged superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily earlier this week, bringing a somber conclusion to the maritime tragedy.

The Coast Guard reported that divers located the body of a woman on Friday. While official identification is pending, sources close to the investigation suggest the deceased may be Hannah Lynch, the eighteen-year-old daughter of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch.

The vessel, identified as The Bayesian, a fifty-six-meter (one hundred eighty-four-foot) superyacht, reportedly encountered severe weather conditions and sank rapidly early Monday morning. Civil protection officials believe the ship may have been struck by a waterspout, a tornado-like phenomenon that occurs over water.

Mike Lynch’s body was recovered on Thursday. Reports indicate that Lynch had been celebrating his recent acquittal on fraud charges with family members and his legal defense team aboard the yacht at the time of the incident.

Fifteen individuals, including Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares, were rescued from the accident. However, six others, including Lynch and his daughter, were initially unaccounted for.

Recovery efforts were hampered by the yacht’s position, resting approximately fifty meters (one hundred sixty-four feet) below the water’s surface. Dive teams faced challenging conditions in their attempts to locate and retrieve the bodies trapped within the vessel’s hull.

The sinking of The Bayesian marks one of the most significant maritime accidents in the region in recent years. Italian authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the yacht’s sinking, including an examination of weather conditions and the vessel’s seaworthiness at the time of the incident.

As the recovery operation concludes, attention now turns to the ongoing investigation and the process of formal identification of the recovered bodies. The incident has sparked discussions about maritime safety regulations for private vessels in the Mediterranean.

Authorities have not yet released information about memorial services or repatriation of the deceased. The survivors are receiving support from local authorities and their respective embassies.

Jennifer Garner Not Reuniting with Ben Affleck, Sources Confirm

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Jennifer Garner Not Reuniting with Ben Affleck, Sources Confirm

Sources close to Jennifer Garner have refuted rumors that she is rekindling her relationship with ex-husband Ben Affleck following his recent divorce filing from Jennifer Lopez.

According to these sources, Garner remains in a committed relationship with her boyfriend, John Miller. The couple’s status has not changed in light of recent events involving Affleck and Lopez.

“Jennifer and John are still very much together,” a source familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. “Their relationship has not been affected by Ben’s divorce proceedings.”

The source also addressed rumors of Garner being unhappy in her current relationship, stating that such claims are unfounded.

While Garner and Affleck are not romantically involved, they continue to maintain a strong co-parenting relationship. The former couple was recently seen together dropping off their daughter Violet at Yale University. They subsequently returned to Los Angeles on a private jet.

Affleck was observed smiling as he disembarked from the jet on Wednesday, a day after Lopez filed for divorce. This comes after months of speculation about the couple’s relationship status.

Sources close to Garner and Miller emphasize that Miller is fully aware of and comfortable with Garner and Affleck’s co-parenting arrangement. “John is very confident in his relationship with Jennifer,” the source added.

Garner and Affleck were married from two thousand five to two thousand eighteen and share three children. Affleck married Lopez in two thousand twenty-two, while Garner has been in a relationship with Miller since two thousand eighteen.

As the situation continues to develop, representatives for Garner, Affleck, and Lopez have not provided official comments on these personal matters.

Source: TMZ

Face of God: AI Generates Image of Jesus Based on Shroud of Turin as New Research Emerges

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Face of God: AI Generates Image of Jesus Based on Shroud of Turin as New Research Emerges

Artificial intelligence has produced a facial reconstruction of Jesus Christ based on the Shroud of Turin, coinciding with new scientific research that suggests the controversial relic may indeed date back to the time of Christ.

The AI-generated image, created using the Gencraft tool, depicts Jesus with hazel eyes, a gentle complexion, a well-kept beard, clean eyebrows, and long brown hair past his shoulders. The image also shows signs of weariness under the eyes, consistent with descriptions from researchers who have studied the cloth.

This digital reconstruction comes as Italian scientists present new evidence suggesting the shroud may be approximately two thousand years old, aligning with the time Jesus is believed to have lived and died.

Dr. Liberato De Caro, lead author of the study conducted by the Institute of Crystallography of the National Research Council in Italy, employed advanced X-ray technology to examine the linen’s structure and cellulose patterns. The research team analyzed several small fabric samples, considering factors such as temperature and humidity in their ageing metrics.

“Our findings challenge the late twentieth-century carbon dating results that placed the shroud’s origin in the Middle Ages,” Dr. De Caro stated. “The previous study, which estimated the shroud was made between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, may have been unreliable due to limitations in the carbon dating technique.”

The Shroud of Turin, first publicly displayed in the mid-fourteenth century and preserved since the late sixteenth century in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista in Turin, Italy, has been a subject of intense debate for centuries.

The cloth bears the faint image of a man with wounds consistent with crucifixion, leading some to believe it was used to wrap the body of Jesus Christ after his death.

Researchers who have studied the cloth report markings that resemble crucifixion wounds, including impressions of a thorny crown on the head, injuries to the arms and shoulders, and lacerations on the back.

These details align with the Biblical account of Jesus’ crucifixion, which describes him being whipped, forced to wear a crown of thorns, and made to carry his cross before his execution.

The new research has reignited interest in the shroud among both believers and skeptics. David Rolfe, an atheist filmmaker who once set out to prove the Shroud of Turin was a hoax, reportedly converted to Christianity during the production of a documentary about the relic.

“The complexity and depth of the evidence surrounding the shroud challenged my preconceptions,” Rolfe said. “It led me to reconsider not just the authenticity of the cloth, but my entire worldview.”

Despite the new findings, the debate over the shroud’s authenticity remains active in both scientific and religious communities. Critics argue that even if the cloth dates to the first century, it doesn’t necessarily prove it was used to wrap Jesus’ body.

Dr. Emma Thompson, a textile historian not involved in the study, cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions. “While this research is intriguing, we must remember that dating ancient textiles is incredibly complex. More peer-reviewed studies will be necessary to corroborate these findings.”

As research continues, the Shroud of Turin remains one of the most studied and controversial religious artifacts in history, sitting at the intersection of faith, science, and now, artificial intelligence.

Russian Ferry Carrying Fuel Tankers Blown, Sunk in Suspected Ukrainian Attack Near Crimea

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Russian Ferry Carrying Fuel Tankers Blown, Sunk in Suspected Ukrainian Attack Near Crimea

MOSCOW  — A Russian ferry loaded with fuel tankers was attacked and sunk at the port of Kavkaz near annexed Crimea on Thursday, in what Russian officials are calling a Ukrainian missile strike. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Black Sea region.

Fyodor Babenkov, district head of the nearby town of Temryuk, confirmed that the ferry was carrying 30 fuel tanks when it sustained significant damage, resulting in a fire and subsequent sinking. The Russian state news agency TASS reported that all port employees were evacuated, but the status of the ferry’s crew remains unclear.

According to unofficial Telegram news channel Baza, 15 people were on board the ship and are currently missing. However, this information has not been independently verified. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev of the Krasnodar region, where the port is located, stated that search and rescue operations are ongoing, with four crew members who went overboard already rescued.

The port of Kavkaz, situated in the Kerch Strait separating Russia from Crimea, is one of Russia’s largest outlets on the Black Sea. It plays a crucial role in handling ships for exports and fuel supplies to Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Visual evidence of the attack has been widely shared on social media and by Russian media outlets, showing a massive fire and plumes of black smoke rising from the stricken vessel. A local task force reported that a special train, including more than 100 personnel, was dispatched to tackle the blaze.

Ukrainian officials have not immediately commented on the incident. However, Daria Zarivna, a communications advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, posted a cryptic message on Telegram, describing the scene as “Beautiful” and attaching a photo of the large fire at the port.

Earlier on Thursday, during an event for army veterans, President Zelensky appeared to call for increased attacks on Russian territory, stating, “In order to throw the occupier out of our land, we have to create as many problems as possible for the Russian state on its territory.”

This attack is part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian strikes on Crimea and Russian naval assets in the Black Sea since the full-scale military offensive began in February 2022. The strikes have prompted Russia to relocate its Black Sea Fleet from its historic base at Sevastopol to Novorossiisk on the Russian mainland.

The incident at the port of Kavkaz coincides with reports of a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow and other Russian regions. The Russian Ministry of Defence claims to have destroyed 45 Ukrainian drones overnight, with 11 downed over the Moscow region and others intercepted over Bryansk, Belgorod, Kaluga, and Kursk.

Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce; Lack of Prenup Could Lead to 50-50 Asset Division

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Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce; Lack of Prenup Could Lead to 50-50 Asset Division

LOS ANGELES — Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck after two years of marriage, a move that could potentially entitle Affleck to half of her earnings during their union due to the absence of a prenuptial agreement.

Lopez, 55, submitted divorce papers in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, August 20, coinciding with the couple’s second wedding anniversary. The filing, made without legal representation, listed their separation date as April 26, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press.

The lack of a prenuptial agreement has sparked significant interest in legal and entertainment circles. Family law attorney Andrew Zashin elaborated on the implications in an exclusive interview with the Associated Press.

“Without a prenuptial agreement, which is a pre-marital contract stipulating how assets will be divided, all earnings during the marriage could be considered ‘marital property’ or ‘community property,’ with each party having a 50-50 stake,” Zashin explained.

Lopez’s annual earnings are estimated at around $40 million, potentially amounting to $80 million over the course of their two-year marriage. Affleck’s income, while substantial, is believed to be less. During their union, Lopez starred in several high-profile projects including “Shotgun Wedding,” “The Mother,” “This is Me…Now,” and “Atlas.” She also launched her alcohol brand, Delola, in 2023.

Affleck, 52, appeared in “Air” and “Hypnotic,” produced “The Instigators,” and completed filming “The Accountant 2.” “Air” alone grossed $90 million at the box office.

“Jennifer’s net worth is approximately $400 million, about four times that of Ben’s estimated $160 million. The decision to forego a prenup could prove costly for her,” Zashin added.

The couple’s assets to be divided could include not only their film and production earnings but also proceeds from licensing agreements, endorsements, and the increased value of real estate and investments acquired during the marriage. Lopez’s various endorsement deals, including her beauty line (JLo Beauty) and fashion contracts (Gucci, Versace, Intimissimi), could also be subject to division.

Zashin noted, “If the value of Jennifer’s famous car collection increased over the past two years, Ben would be entitled to half of that increased value. The same applies to their various homes in California, Florida, and Georgia.”

The couple is currently in the process of selling their jointly owned $68 million home, the proceeds of which would likely be subject to equal division.

Lopez and Affleck’s relationship has been a rollercoaster spanning over two decades. They first dated in 2002 after meeting on the set of “Gigli,” got engaged, but called it quits in 2004. Both went on to marry others and have children before rekindling their relationship in 2021. They married in a small Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022, followed by a lavish event at Affleck’s Georgia estate in August 2022.

Rumors of marital troubles began circulating in May 2024 when Lopez attended the Met Gala alone. This followed an earlier incident at the 2023 Grammy Awards where Affleck appeared disengaged, leading to visible tension between the couple.

As of this report, Affleck has not responded to the court filing or hired an attorney.

Zashin emphasized that while the divorce timeline is uncertain, if the couple agrees on all terms, it could be a relatively quick process. However, he cautioned, “Divorce is a grieving process. Even if they are ready to move on, it can weigh on them emotionally.”

The high-profile nature of this divorce and the substantial assets involved make it a closely watched case in both legal and entertainment circles. It serves as a reminder of the potential financial implications of marriages without prenuptial agreements, even for high-net-worth individuals.

Source: the-sun.com

Israeli Demands for Troop Presence in Gaza Blocking Truce Deal, Sources Say- Reuters

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Israeli Demands for Troop Presence in Gaza Blocking Truce Deal, Sources Say- Reuters

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  — Disagreements over Israel’s future military presence in Gaza and Palestinian prisoner releases are hindering progress on a ceasefire and hostage deal, according to ten sources familiar with recent U.S.-mediated talks.

The sources, including two Hamas officials and three Western diplomats, told The Associated Press that the disputes stem from demands Israel has introduced since Hamas accepted a version of a ceasefire proposal unveiled by U.S. President Joe Biden in May.

Key points of contention include Israeli troops along the Netzarim Corridor, an east-west strip dividing northern and southern Gaza, and Israeli control of the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt. The release and potential exile of Palestinian prisoners is also a significant issue.

Hamas views these demands as last-minute changes to previously agreed terms. The group’s media office did not respond to requests for comment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also did not comment on the talks.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently concluded a regional tour, presenting a new proposal aimed at bridging differences. Blinken urged Hamas to accept the proposal, stating that Israel had already done so.

The next round of talks is expected to take place in Cairo in the coming days, based on the U.S. bridging proposal. Key negotiators from the CIA, Mossad, Qatar, and Egypt are expected to attend.

Egypt has expressed willingness to enhance security measures in the Philadelphi Corridor but rejects the presence of Israeli troops there, according to Egyptian security sources.

The ongoing war began on October 7 when Hamas attacked Israeli communities and military bases, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. The subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health authorities.

Negotiations for a ceasefire deal and hostage release continue, with mediators working to overcome the remaining obstacles.

Guatemalan National Indicted in Deadly Texas 55 Migrants Smuggling Case

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Guatemalan National Indicted in Deadly Texas 55 Migrants Smuggling Case

SAN ANTONIO  — U.S. authorities on Thursday announced the indictment of Rigoberto Román Mirando Orozco, a Guatemalan national, for his alleged role in coordinating a human smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of 53 migrants in a sweltering tractor-trailer in Texas in 2022.

Mirando Orozco faces six counts of migrant smuggling resulting in death or serious injury in what officials describe as the deadliest smuggling attempt from the U.S.-Mexico border. Prosecutors allege he can be connected to four of the migrants in the trailer, three of whom died.

The indictment comes as part of a broader crackdown that has seen arrests climb to more than a dozen, now extending to Central America after years of investigation. On Wednesday, Guatemalan officials announced the arrests of seven individuals, including Mirando Orozco, accused of facilitating the smuggling operation.

Francisco Jiménez, Guatemala’s Interior Minister, told The Associated Press that the arrests were made possible through 13 raids across three departments of the country. “This is a collaborative effort between the Guatemalan police and Homeland Security, in addition to other national agencies, to dismantle the structures of human trafficking,” Jiménez said.

The case has previously led to charges against six individuals in the United States, including Homero Zamorano Jr., the alleged truck driver, and Christian Martinez. Both Texas residents were arrested shortly after the discovery of the migrants.

Martinez has since pleaded guilty to smuggling-related charges, while Zamorano awaits trial after pleading not guilty. Four Mexican nationals were also arrested in 2023 in connection with the case.

Authorities allege that the smugglers were aware of the trailer’s malfunctioning air-conditioning unit, which failed to provide cool air to the migrants during the three-hour journey from Laredo to San Antonio in sweltering heat. When the trailer was opened in San Antonio, 48 migrants were already dead, with five more succumbing to their injuries in hospitals.

The victims included 27 people from Mexico, 14 from Honduras, seven from Guatemala, and two from El Salvador, underscoring the multinational nature of the tragedy and the smuggling network.

Prosecutors claim the smuggling operation charged migrants up to $15,000 each for passage into the United States, with the fee covering up to three attempts to cross the border. The organization allegedly operated across Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, sharing resources including routes, guides, and transportation.

Source: VOA

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