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Charles Rusnell

@charlesrusnell.bsky.social
7.9K followers 1.3K following 580 posts

Independent investigative journalist in Edmonton, Alberta. Ex Ottawa Citizen, Edmonton Journal, Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Contact in confidence at journalismtips@protonmail.com

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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 6h
If you work at a print shop or plant that produced these door hangers or know something about who produced them, contact me in confidence at journalismtips@protonmail.com.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 11h
Interesting read.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Incredible story of how it appears Moroccan intelligence created a fake journalist who successfully duped numerous Canadian media outlets and in particular, The Western Standard and The Hub.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
ICYMI - Alberta's Deadly Betrayal of Meat Plant Workers During COVID via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/09...
thetyee.ca
Alberta’s Deadly Betrayal of Meat Plant Workers During COVID | The Tyee
A shocking report finds the UCP ignored evidence of high risk.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Read this in the context of the UCP's current scapegoating of immigrants. Alberta's Deadly Betrayal of Meat Plant Workers During COVID via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/09...
thetyee.ca
Alberta’s Deadly Betrayal of Meat Plant Workers During COVID | The Tyee
A shocking report finds the UCP ignored evidence of high risk.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Remind me? Did the UCP mention this in its election platform?
Bill 11 implementation

Bill 11 (the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, No. 2) introduces coverage protections and changes to how drug and supplemental benefits plans are coordinated in Alberta.

Currently, the government is considered the first payor. This means that when an Albertan is enrolled in a government-sponsored drug and supplemental benefits plan, specifically Coverage for Seniors or Non-Group Coverage, that plan is the first payor, even if the Albertan also has a private or employer-sponsored drug and supplemental benefits plan.

Bill 11 changes this by introducing two core changes to the Coverage for Seniors and Non-Group Coverage programs:

Government becomes payor of last resort: Private-sponsored drug and supplemental benefits plans would become the first payor for individuals who have them, with government-sponsored drug and supplemental benefits plans acting as a safety net, providing coverage when no other coverage is available or available coverage has been exhausted. With this bill, government-sponsored drug and supplemental benefits plans will act as a safety net rather than first payor, ensuring financial responsibility is shared across the system. This helps protect resources while maintaining access to coverage for those who need it most. Government programs will continue to provide coverage to all eligible beneficiaries.
Protection for employees aged 65+: Employers will no longer be able to terminate, reduce or modify drug and supplemental health benefits solely because a plan member has reached a certain age.
These changes will come into force on October 1, 2026. Additional information is available at the following link: https://www.ab.bluecross.ca/pdfs/bill-11-Implementation-reference-guide-and-faq.pdf.
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Shannon Buchart 🇨🇦🍁 @sgbab.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"To watch the government present immigrants as the primary source of societal strain is both insulting and soul-crushing. More importantly, it is an empirical fraud designed to deflect from years of provincial underinvestment and poor planning."
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Vote. edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
edmontonjournal.com
Opinion: Alberta’s referendum turns immigrants into scapegoats for government inaction
Alberta’s infrastructure deficits, overcrowded classrooms, and delayed emergency rooms are the result of political mismanagement.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Pastor Shawn Hamm Remnant Church, Red Deer
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Great, incisive writing here via @patricklennox.bsky.social
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Important read here on why the UCP may have changed the rules to not provide voters' lists to scrutineers. It's a security risk.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
And here's the thing. This poll is from Janet Brown. She is the most consistently accurate pollster in Alberta.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Via Ashleigh Stewart - Rath commingled trust money and lost $3.25M of alleged First Nations money in bullion trading. $11.5M from Sturgeon Lake trust helped fund Rath firm’s Tallcree payment: receiver | Globalnews.ca globalnews.ca/news/1207056...
globalnews.ca
Global News | Breaking, Latest News and Video for Canada
Globalnews.ca – Watch and read Canada’s Breaking news plus Business, Health, Politics and World News
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Incredible, chilling reporting here via @motherjones.com. ChatGPT helped the Tumbler Ridge school shooter focus on guns, tactics, and terror, our investigation reveals www.motherjones.com/media/2026/0...
motherjones.com
ChatGPT helped the Tumbler Ridge school shooter focus on guns, tactics, and terror, our investigation reveals
OpenAI’s chatbot fed the shooter’s violent fantasies and planning up to the massacre.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This is false and misleading. There is nothing in the constitution that would require Ottawa to negotiate with Alberta if a majority of Albertans choose Option 2 on Question 10. Alberta Proud is a registered third-party advertiser. Daniel Kary, of Calgary, is the main contact/CFO.
There's a lot of confusion about what Question 10 on the October 19 ballot actually means, so let's be clear.
Question 10 gives voters two options: remain a province of Canada, or start the legal process toward a binding referendum. A binding referendum means a future province-wide vote whose result the government is legally required to act on, not just listen to and ignore. Choosing the second option doesn't take Alberta out of Canada.
Under Canada's constitution, if enough Albertans choose the second option, Ottawa would be required to come to the table for a real conversation about Alberta's place in Canada, how our resources are managed, and whether we're getting a fair return.
Are you voting on October 19?
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Via @alexboutilier.bsky.social Foreign influence watchdog ‘aware of concerns’ about Alberta referendum | Globalnews.ca globalnews.ca/news/1206987...
globalnews.ca
Global News | Breaking, Latest News and Video for Canada
Globalnews.ca – Watch and read Canada’s Breaking news plus Business, Health, Politics and World News
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Most breathtakingly cynical move? Kenney ran a kamikaze candidate and became UCP leader in an election that involved voter fraud. Then he was replaced by Danielle Smith who dumped the Wildrose and crossed the floor to join the Conservatives.
The guy who broke BC's economy is now breaking the law in a sneaky and cynical attack on democracy.

He's forcing an election two years ahead of the legislated date purely to exploit a pending leadership change in the main opposition party. It's the most breathtakingly cynical move I have ever seen in Canadian politics.

Hopefully BC voters will demonstrate that they refuse to be manipulated by punishing Eby and his incompetent, ideologically obsessed government.
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Liz Renzetti @lizrenzetti.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I'm thinking about the column inches that would be devoted to how autocratic Stephen Harper is if he'd passed this bill
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Xela Hart @xelahart.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
@deadder.bsky.social 😢😢😢
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GenderQueeries 🇨🇦 @genderqueeries.ca · 23/09/2026
And this (or at least the same name) is back, hours after the writ was dropped in BC. Infuriating.
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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Yikes! Toronto mayoral candidate Bradford using Israeli app that feeds supporters AI-generated comments www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/21/i...
nationalobserver.com
Toronto mayoral candidate Bradford using Israeli app that feeds supporters AI-generated comments
The Victory App, a campaign tool built by the Israeli company LogiVote, prompted users to participate in a mission to post AI-written comments supportive of Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Thread 👇
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The biggest lie told by Danielle Smith and the separatists debunked. No, Alberta Does Not 'Subsidize' the Rest of Canada via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/Opinion/2026...
thetyee.ca
No, Alberta Does Not ‘Subsidize’ the Rest of Canada | The Tyee
The vast majority of workers get more from federal programs than they give.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The last day to request a mail-in ballot is Friday Sept. 25. It's easy. www.elections.ab.ca/request-a-sp... Voting is more important than ever in Alberta so if you have family, friends or neighbours who need help securing their voting package, reach out.
elections.ab.ca
Request a Special Ballot - Elections Alberta
Electors who are unable to vote in person may vote by mail by applying for a Special Ballot. You may choose to: Mail the ballot to your home address, Mail the ballot to an alternate address (e.g. for ...
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Forward Canada @forwardcanada.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
In this week’s opinion column, Senator Paula Simons writes about anti-separation Albertans who genuinely believe the best form of protest is to boycott the referendum. While she understands their motives, she warns that staying home will backfire. #ableg #canpoli forwardweekly.ca/simons-cant-...
forwardweekly.ca
We Can’t Boycott Our Way Out of a Meaningless Referendum | By Paula Simons | Forward Weekly
Forward Weekly feature for September 20, 2026.
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David J. Climenhaga @djclimenhaga.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
UCP voters’ list change shows ‘fundamental misunderstanding’ of scrutineers’ role in democracy, former elections official says. albertapolitics.ca/2026/09/ucp-...
albertapolitics.ca
UCP voters’ list change shows ‘fundamental misunderstanding’ of scrutineers’ role in democracy, former elections official says - Alberta Politics
The United Conservative Party decision to provide Alberta political parties with a “list of electors” with no electors listed in it for the Oct. 19 referendum vote either “demonstrates a fundamental m...
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
When Leaders Begin Seeing Enemies Everywhere: What the Statements of Mitch Sylvestre and Teej… by Prairies Exposed medium.com/p/when-leade...
medium.com
When Leaders Begin Seeing Enemies Everywhere: What the Statements of Mitch Sylvestre and Teej…
Political movements are built on conviction. Their leaders are often required to withstand criticism, ridicule and opposition while…
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Take note journalism students and junior reporters. Excellent example here of a quick turnaround explainer by Andrew MacLeod. Clear, concise, thorough and authoritative with a seamless structure.
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Timothy Caulfield @caulfieldtim.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
🚨 Don't believe separatists lies.👇 ZERO evidence immigrants: - increase crime (on the contrary) - hurt healthcare system (on the contrary) - hurt education system (on the contrary) - etc etc. This noise nothing more than divisive hate-mongering. thewalrus.ca/albertas-sep... via @thewalrus.ca
thewalrus.ca
Alberta’s Separatists Are Chasing a Total Cowboy Fantasy | The Walrus
The province they describe—rural, homogeneous, under siege—bears little resemblance to reality
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Incredible story about an incredibly brave woman. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
How a sex assault victim became the secret agent in her own case | CBC News
A new CBC Podcast tells how Vienna Luke, the victim of a historic sexual assault, went undercover as an RCMP agent to record a confession from the family member who assaulted her years earlier.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Great, important opinion writing here via Richie Assaly. This is a shameful period in Alberta's political history.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Via @jlisayoung.bsky.social Some Crisis Comms Advice for Elections Alberta lisayoung.substack.com/p/some-crisi...
lisayoung.substack.com
Some Crisis Comms Advice for Elections Alberta
It’s absolutely essential that citizens have confidence in the administration of elections.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Great reporting here The Canadian tycoon accused of helping Russia’s ‘war machine’ | Globalnews.ca globalnews.ca/news/1204861...
globalnews.ca
Global News | Breaking, Latest News and Video for Canada
Globalnews.ca – Watch and read Canada’s Breaking news plus Business, Health, Politics and World News
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Via @djclimenhaga.bsky.social albertapolitics.ca/2026/09/as-d...
albertapolitics.ca
As divisive separation vote nears, UCP suddenly changes voter list rules, hampering scrutineers - Alberta Politics
As Alberta careens toward a chaotic and divisive vote on separation seemingly drafted to discourage the United Conservative Party’s dominant separatist faction from trying to force Premier Danielle Sm...
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
ICYMI via @ximenaka.bsky.social Alberta's Premier Claims Immigrants Are a Burden. Where's the Proof? via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...
thetyee.ca
Alberta’s Premier Claims Immigrants Are a Burden. Where’s the Proof? | The Tyee
Danielle Smith’s referendum pitch ignores tax revenues and reliance on temporary foreign workers.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Meanwhile in Alberta. ... www.westernstandard.news/alberta/fabr...
westernstandard.news
'FABRICATED AND FALSE:' Media exec denies trying to bribe Rath and stop him from criticizing Smith
Alberta independence advocate and lawyer Jeffrey Rath claims he was offered $4 million in legal contracts before the UCP's 2025 annual general meeting in exchange for not criticizing Premier Danielle ...
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/arti...
ctvnews.ca
Danielle Smith’s approval rating drops to new low: Angus Reid
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s approval rating has dropped to its lowest level since taking office, with just two in five Albertans in favour of her leadership, new data suggests.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This is how Arthur Green got his job as press secretary to Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis. Will Ellis now issue a statement similar to the one he posted when Edmonton Police encouraged the public to report hate speech?
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Separatist leader Jeff Rath alleges Danielle Smith's former campaign manager offered him a $4M bribe, and offered Mitch Sylvestre, $2M. He claims Calgary mega law firm Bennett Jones is part of a communist Chinese conspiracy to go after him for $109M. www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqTR... 1
youtube.com
THEY TRIED TO BUY HIM: Jeff Rath Claims $4 Million Offer From AB Government
YouTube video by Krayden's Right News
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Eric Columbus @ericcolumbus.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
GEFILTE PHISHING
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Every time any media outlet interviews Keith Wilson or Tanya Clemens, they must be asked to explain the Let Alberta Decide's link to this campaign. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/04/i...
Let Alberta Decide did not respond to our request for comment on whether it had any knowledge of this dashboard or the AI-generated websites, despite acknowledging the request and forwarding it to the campaign’s leaders, Keith Wilson and Tanya Clemens. 

After Canada's National Observer reached out to Let Alberta Decide, the website disappeared.
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Max Fawcett @maxfawcett.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
You'll never guess who's behind this. (Just kidding, you'll totally guess. It's easy.) #cdnpoli #abpoli www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx0p...
youtube.com
Who’s behind fake sites sending Alta. separatism disinformation to AI chatbots? | Deception Decoded
YouTube video by CTV News
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Incredible investigative reporting via @propublica.org. Donald Trump Jr.’s Bahamas Wedding Was Secretly Bankrolled by Russian Oligarch Close to Putin www.propublica.org/article/dona...
propublica.org
Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding Bankrolled by Putin-Linked Russian Oligarch
The oligarch, Umar Kremlev, spent hundreds of thousands on expenses like renting out a private island. He appears to have met Trump Jr. only recently, but he attended the intimate wedding with a large...
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Senator Paula Simons 🇨🇦 @senatorpaulasimons.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
My rallying cry. We must reject these nine noxious questions, which are cynically designed to incite discrimination and foment distrust in our courts, our county, and our fellow Canadians. Say no to the nine. And please read snd share. #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #Canada #Alberta #notothenine
albertaviews.ca
Alberta's Referendum Questions - The Noxious Nine - Alberta Views
Nine disingenuous, malicious referendum questions, push-polls, designed to incite social division and undermine confidence in the country.
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Emathion 📯 @emathion.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The French made a short film about what could happen after all immigrants would follow the ‘white, angry old man’s’ advice to go back where they came from.
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Geoffrey P Johnston😎🇨🇦🇺🇦 @geoffypjohnston.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
POWERFUL MESSAGE To Americans & Canadians - YouTube www.youtube.com/shorts/eVBcr...
youtube.com
POWERFUL MESSAGE To Americans & Canadians
YouTube video by Claus Kellerman POV
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David J. Climenhaga @djclimenhaga.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The lies Alberta separatists tell: A Top Ten List. albertapolitics.ca/2026/09/the-...
albertapolitics.ca
The lies Alberta separatists tell: A Top Ten List - Alberta Politics
There’s a substantial and growing body of economic research that separation would be a catastrophe for Alberta and Albertans, especially working people. As economist Jim Stanford observed in his Aug. ...
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Bombshell story here via @drewanderson.bsky.social. Leaked internal document reveals a govt that is hellbent on developing AI centres. An astounding window into the inner workings of this UCP government. thenarwhal.ca/alberta-ai-d...
thenarwhal.ca
Leaked doc suggests Alberta has sprawling plans to pave the way for AI data centres, more oil production
Rewriting laws, creating Crown corporations that could rival TC Energy, building new natural gas pipelines and increasing prices for consumers: what a leaked document says about Alberta’s AI data centre and oil push
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Max Fawcett @maxfawcett.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Really good journalism here by @ximenaka.bsky.social, who took the premier's claim and put it to the test. Surprise: it didn't hold up and was filled with half-truths and deliberate blind spots. #abpoli thetyee.ca/News/2026/09...
thetyee.ca
Does Alberta Provide $10 in Services for Every $1 of ‘Guest Worker’ Taxes? | The Tyee
Ahead of a divisive referendum question, we fact checked Danielle Smith’s claims.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Kelvington guy. Barry Melrose, former NHL broadcaster and coach, dies at 70 www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
Barry Melrose, former NHL broadcaster and coach, dies at 70 (Gift Article)
After coaching Wayne Gretzky and the L.A. Kings to a 1993 Stanley Cup Final appearance, Melrose became a beloved NHL studio analyst.
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