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Entertainment Expo Hong Kong shines on the centre stage, Eight signature events unite global film and entertainment forces

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Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 will take place from 15 March to 19 April. Over the years, the Expo has served as a vital platform connecting innovators and industry leaders across the global film and entertainment industries, fostering exchanges among local, Asian and international practitioners, and presenting a wide spectrum of outstanding works. This year, it continues to span four major fields—film, television, music and digital entertainment—bringing together eight flagship events. International stars, renowned directors and leading industry figures will gather at the Expo, further strengthening cross-regional exchange in film and entertainment culture. The Expo has invited Leon Lai as Hong Kong Entertainment Ambassador to help promote Hong Kong as a leading hub for film and entertainment in Asia.

Entertainment Expo Hong Kong is spearheaded by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), with sponsorship from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Film Development Fund, and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This year’s Expo features eight major events: the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART); Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF); Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA); Asian Film Awards; Digital Entertainment Summit; EntertainmentPulse; Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF); and the Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music). The Expo’s kick-off ceremony will be held on 17 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The occasion will also mark the 30th edition of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market and the 50th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, reinforcing the significance of this milestone year.

Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART)

Organised by the HKTDC, the 30th edition of FILMART will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 17 to 20 March. This year’s event brings together more than 790 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions, further enhancing its global appeal. More than 30 regional pavilions will represent Chinese Mainland and international markets, including mature film markets such as France, Italy, Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States, and ASEAN members such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. FILMART also welcomes first-time exhibitors from various emerging markets. This diverse participation demonstrates FILMART’s role as Asia’s leading entertainment content marketplace and also as a vital catalyst for global cultural exchange and collaboration in the screen industry.

This year’s FILMART events will feature comprehensive upgrades. The second edition of Producers Connect, jointly organised by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, CCIDA, the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and HKTDC, will showcase an impressive lineup. In collaboration with 10 international film institutions, the event will gather over 100 global and Hong Kong producers to introduce regional film production and funding initiatives, fostering cross-regional collaborations and co-productions. Highlights include a keynote forum featuring renowned local director Peter Chan and Golden Globe-winning producer Janet Yang, who will share cutting-edge insights on international co-production strategies.

Furthermore, the AI Hub, organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals, will expand its scale, bringing together leading artificial intelligence and technology companies—including Alibaba Cloud, Kling AI, MiniMax, Vidu, and more, alongside local academic institutions such as the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and Lingnan University. Additionally, the newly launched AI Academy, funded by CCIDA and the Film Development Fund, will host over 15 thematic workshops. Expert instructors will demonstrate how to leverage AI tools to efficiently produce high quality film and animation content, streamline production workflows, and empower the industry to capitalise on AI-driven opportunities.

Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF)

Entering its 50th edition, HKIFF will take place from 1 to 12 April, reaffirming its status as one of Asia’s most enduring and respected film festivals.  This milestone year adopts the theme “50 and Beyond: Framing the Future”, celebrating both the festival’s rich heritage and its commitment to innovation.  To commemorate the anniversary, HKIFF has commissioned local illustrator, comic artist, and lyricist Siu Hak to develop the annual thematic design.  His vibrant artwork captures the festival’s imaginative spirit and its forward-looking vision.  Actors Angela Yuen and Tony Wu will serve as this year’s ambassadors, symbolising the bridge between HKIFF’s legacy and the creative energy of a new generation.  In addition, acclaimed actress Gingle Wang, winner of the Best Lead Actress award at the 22nd Taipei Film Festival, and Thailand’s Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, recipient of the Asian Film Awards Academy’s Asian Rising Star Award in 2025, have been appointed Asian Visionary Ambassadors.  Both will make special appearances during the festival, fostering artistic and cross-cultural exchange.  A special exhibition, “50 and Beyond: The Hong Kong International Film Festival Golden Jubilee Exhibition”, will be held at Hong Kong City Hall, showcasing HKIFF’s half-century contribution to film art and cultural dialogue.  To further mark the occasion, HKIFF will collaborate with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra to present the Asian premiere of “In the Mood for Love in Concert”, a unique programme that rekindles the iconic film’s nostalgic charm through a live orchestral reinterpretation.

Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA)

The 44th Hong Kong Film Awards will be held on 19 April at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The Awards has invited Michelle Wai, recipient of the Best Actress at last year’s HKFA, together with Edan Lui, who was previously nominated for Best New Performer at the HKFA, to serve as special guests and announce the nominations across 18 award categories. This year’s entries demonstrate the diverse creative strength of Hong Kong cinema. Sons of the Neon Night leads with 12 nominations, followed closely by Back to the Past with 11 nominations.

Asian Film Awards

The 19th Asian Film Awards proudly presents three masterclasses, Hong Kong premieres of selected Asian titles, and creator-to-creator “In Conversation” sessions—showcasing the boundless possibilities of Asian cinema. Esteemed guests include acclaimed actress Zhang Ziyi, internationally celebrated director Jia Zhangke, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, Oscar-shortlisted director Tsou Shih-Ching, Korean actor Jung Kyung-ho, Jo Woo-jin, and Ky Nam Inn director Leon Le with actress 9m88, among others. Gathering in Hong Kong, they will explore the creative depth and cultural vitality of Asian filmmaking.

Digital Entertainment Summit

Organised by the HKTDC with co-organisation from the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association and MarketingPulse & eTailingPulse, the 15th Entertainment Summit will take place on 19 March as a FILMART flagship event. Under the theme “Animation Without Borders: Creating, Financing and Expanding Animation IP Worldwide”, the Summit will feature two panel discussions, and take a deep dive into how the animation industry can expand its global footprint through intellectual property (IP) innovation, strategic investment, and cross-border collaboration.

Featured speakers include Sai Abishek, Head of Factual Entertainment, Lifestyle & Kids, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Aurélien Dirler, Head of the International Cooperation and Partnerships Department at France’s Centre National du Cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC), who will share insights into IP development strategies and monetisation pathways. The Summit will also present a case study of the local animated film “Another World”, inviting Polly Yeung, Producer & Scriptwriter; Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, CCIDA; and members of the overseas production partners to discuss how cross-regional investment and production collaboration can deliver internationally recognised animation projects.

EntertainmentPulse

Organised by the HKTDC, EntertainmentPulse will be held concurrently with FILMART, gathering global film and television industry leaders to provide insights into trending topics including artificial intelligence, video streaming, financing and investment, micro-short dramas, co-productions, and animation, providing attendees the latest market insights. For the financing session, experts such as Bennett Pozil, Head of Corporate Banking at East West Bank, Justin Deimen, Managing Partner of Goldfinch International, and Catherine Ying, President of CMC Pictures and Pearl Studio (China), will analyse banking considerations, private financing strategies, and film project capitalisation approaches from multiple perspectives. Additionally, industry leaders including James Gibbons, President of APAC at Warner Bros. Discovery, and Omar Giri Valliappan, COO of Vision+, will unveil development roadmaps for leading international streaming platforms. Addressing the recent surge in micro-short dramas, Chinese Mainland companies including DataEye, Xiaowu Bros, and Mansen (Shenzhen) Culture Media will share insights on globalisation opportunities and collaborative prospects within the Greater Bay Area’s Micro-Short Drama industry ecosystem.

Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF)

The 24th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum will take place from 17 to 19 March. This year’s lineup features 42 shortlisted projects from 22 countries and regions, spanning different stages of development. Notably, 13 projects are animation and genre entries, reflecting a rich spectrum of storytelling, from family-driven narratives and comedies to thrillers, fantasy, action and science fiction, highlighting the dynamism and diversity of Asian filmmaking. All shortlisted projects will be presented alongside FILMART during HAF, enabling project teams to engage directly with industry professionals, exchange views on creative direction and share their latest progress, with a view to advancing both regional and international partnerships. This year’s key visual is created by artist and director Qiu Jiongjiong. Staying true to the distinctive visual language of his paintings and films, the artwork is set against the backdrop of Wan Chai and reimagines Hong Kong’s iconic project landscape, encapsulating the imagery of “Cinema is everywhere.”

Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music)

The 13th Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music) will hold its Awards Ceremony cum Selected Works Screening on March 20 at Theatre 2, HKCEC. The Scheme aims to nurture local advertising and film production talents, providing HK$130,000 to HK$240,000 in production funding for 21 projects under the Tier “Advertising Production Start-ups” and 10 projects in the Tier “Small Advertising Production Enterprises.” Supported by professional mentorship, training, and promotional resources, the Scheme assists creative teams in producing original microfilms. This edition also features collaborations with local musicians who will participate in performances, fostering dynamic interplay between music and visual storytelling. The ceremony will announce the award winners and screen their works, highlighting the creativity and talent of Hong Kong’s creative community.

Entertainment Expo website: https://eexpohk.hktdc.com/en/

Photo Download: https://bit.ly/4bfhges

HKTDC Newsroom: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

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Trumpery Times Introduces ‘Trumputin Krasnov’, a New Satirical Character for Political Parody

Sheridan, WyomingAs global political commentary becomes increasingly surreal, a new satirical figure has emerged to capture the absurdities of modern media, statecraft, and political mythmaking. Trumputin Krasnov, an original fictional character developed and published by Trumpery Times, has officially launched to provide sharp, satirical commentary on contemporary geopolitics. Part showman, part strongman, and part bureaucratic shadow, […]

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As global political commentary becomes increasingly surreal, a new satirical figure has emerged to capture the absurdities of modern media, statecraft, and political mythmaking. Trumputin Krasnov, an original fictional character developed and published by Trumpery Times, has officially launched to provide sharp, satirical commentary on contemporary geopolitics.

Part showman, part strongman, and part bureaucratic shadow, Trumputin Krasnov represents a singular composite caricature. The fictional persona blends the loud, headline-generating bravado of American reality TV diplomacy with the quiet, calculated posturing of Eastern European autocratic rule.

“Political satire has always relied on hyperbole, but today’s news cycle moves so quickly that single caricatures are no longer enough,” said Lukas Komerlin, founder of Trumpery Times. “With Trumputin Krasnov, the goal was to compress a decade of odd handshakes, tense summit press conferences, and internet conspiracy theories into one living fictional character.”

An Anatomy of a Modern Caricature

  • The Loud Narrator: Incorporating the pre-promoted rhetoric of high-stakes real estate and television, where every deal is historic and every crowd breaks attendance records.
  • The Silent Strategist: Channeling the quiet, unblinking authority of leaders who let long conference tables and stoic silence do the negotiating.
  • The Ghostly Codename: Taking inspiration from unverified cold-war rumors—specifically claims surrounding secret codenames like ‘Krasnov’—to embody the internet’s obsession with hidden motives and subterranean intrigue.

The resulting persona operates as a ‘clown with a briefcase’—an entertaining figure whose comical self-importance is matched only by the vague sense of authority he projects. Through fictional profiles, parody interviews, and narrative sketches hosted at TrumputinKrasnov.com, the project explores how easily public perception blurs the line between geopolitical reality and internet rumors.

Addressing the Need for Modern Parody

In an era where traditional media often struggles to capture viral absurdity, satirical fiction serves as an essential tool for public perspective. By framing high-stakes international relations through an exaggerated figure, Trumpery Times offers readers an opportunity to examine power dynamics through comedy.

“Trumputin Krasnov isn’t designed to mislead; he is designed to clarify through absurdity,” added Komerlin. “When reality and rumor share the same newsfeed, satire gives audiences a way to step back, recognize the trope, and laugh at the performance.”

The complete fictional archives, narrative chronicles, and satire series featuring Trumputin Krasnov are now accessible online.

About Trumputin Krasnov

Trumputin Krasnov is a fictional satirical character created to caricature modern political theater, public diplomacy, and internet media culture. Combining elements of prominent political personalities and unverified espionage folklore, the character serves as a vehicle for parody and cultural commentary.

About Trumpery Times

Trumpery Times is a satirical digital publication operated by Raya Do Yaya LLC. The site specializes in parody articles, fictional profiles, and exaggerated commentary covering entertainment, internet culture, and modern media. Guided by the motto “Don’t Believe Everything You Read,” all stories on the platform are clearly labeled fiction.

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Lukas Komerlin
Trumpery Times
Email: Send Email

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Vodkade Makes Grape Permanent: The Ade Category’s First Grape Flavor is Here to Stay

ST. LOUIS, MissouriNow Vodkade’s No. 1 flavor, Zero Sugar Grape earns a permanent spot in the lineup as the brand grows to 32 states

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Now Vodkade's No. 1 flavor, Zero Sugar Grape earns a permanent spot in the lineup as the brand grows to 32 states

Vodkade, the brand that created the Ade category, announced that Grape, the category’s first grape-flavored vodka cocktail, is becoming a permanent flavor in its Zero Sugar lineup. Originally launched as a limited-time offering, Zero Sugar Grape is now Vodkade’s No. 1 flavor, just four months after hitting shelves.

Grape Studio Cues Drink 1 1 Vodkade Makes Grape Permanent: The Ade Category's First Grape Flavor is Here to Stay

Vodkade was first to the category and now it’s first to grape. When Vodkade launched, it was the first non-carbonated vodka cocktail built on the taste of classic sports drinks, starting what is now the Ade category: the growing segment of sports drink-inspired, electrolyte-infused RTD vodka cocktails. The brands that followed all launched with a fruit punch, an orange and a lemon-lime. Nobody had grape. For the brand that started the category, filling that gap was the natural next move. At launch, Vodkade said a permanent spot would depend on demand. Demand answered.

Zero Sugar Studio Group 1 1 2 Vodkade Makes Grape Permanent: The Ade Category's First Grape Flavor is Here to Stay

The sales back it up. Zero Sugar Grape 8-packs are now Vodkade’s fastest-moving product, and distributors across every Vodkade state are picking up the flavor.

“We said we’d let drinkers decide, and they decided fast. Grape is the flavor people kept asking for by name, so taking it away was never really an option. It’s officially part of the family.” — Doug Mars, Director of Business Development, Vodkade

Like the rest of the Vodkade lineup, Grape is non-carbonated and made with real vodka, natural fruit flavors, and electrolytes, delivering the classic sports drink taste with a kick. It joins Fruit Punch, Orange, Berry Cherry, and Lemon-Lime in the Zero Sugar roster and is available in 8-packs of 12 oz cans.

A YEAR OF GROWTH

Grape’s permanent spot caps a year of rapid expansion. This summer, Vodkade rolled out across twelve new states, adding Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Virginia, and Washington D.C. to its stronghold in the Midwest, South, and Southern California, while making its first push onto the East Coast with New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Maryland. Vodkade is now available in 32 states.

“Every new market has told us the same thing: people get Vodkade the second they taste it. Grape has been a big part of how we’ve introduced ourselves in those markets, and we’re just getting started.” — Doug Mars, Director of Business Development, Vodkade

Grape Studio Drink Epic Vodkade Makes Grape Permanent: The Ade Category's First Grape Flavor is Here to Stay

PRODUCT DETAILS

Vodkade Grape (Zero Sugar): 4.5% ABV | 90 Calories | 0g Sugar | 0g Carbs | Gluten-Free | Non-carbonated | Real vodka, natural grape flavor, electrolytes | Permanent flavor | 8-pack, 12 oz cans | Available wherever Vodkade is sold.

ABOUT VODKADE

Vodkade is a St. Louis-headquartered ready-to-drink vodka cocktail brand and the original vodka ade, the first in the category. Made with real vodka, natural fruit flavors, and electrolytes, Vodkade is a non-carbonated, refreshing adult beverage that delivers the classic taste of a sports drink with a kick. Available in Original (5% ABV, 130 calories, 10g sugar, gluten-free) in Fruit Punch, Orange, Berry Cherry, and Lemon-Lime, and Zero Sugar (4.5% ABV, 90 calories, 0g sugar, 0g carbs, gluten-free) in those four flavors plus Grape. Learn more at www.vodkade.com or follow @vodkade_cocktails.

Social Media: @vodkade_cocktails

Media Contact Details
Boo Kersting
Email: Send Email
Phone: 314-479-9143
Website: www.vodkade.com

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TechBehemoths 2.0 rebuilds how projects match vetted tech firms in 143 countries

BERLIN, GermanyBerlin-based TechBehemoths rebuilt its platform around the EXO Score, AI profile summaries and free verification, after surveying 715 firms and 2,000+ buyers.

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Berlin-based TechBehemoths rebuilt its platform around the EXO Score, AI profile summaries and free verification, after surveying 715 firms and 2,000+ buyers.

TechBehemoths, the Berlin-based B2B platform that connects companies with IT service providers, has launched TechBehemoths 2.0, a full rebuild of its marketplace. The new version ranks providers with a score that cannot be bought, adds AI-written profile summaries that point out weaknesses as well as strengths, and gives every listed company free verification. It went live on 15 October for the 62,900+ companies listed on the platform across 143+ countries.

The release has been in business development for five years and is the largest in the company’s history. Its feature set was shaped by a survey TechBehemoths ran in December 2025 among 715 IT companies in 43 countries and more than 2,000 buyers in 17 countries.

The market it targets is crowded. A company looking for a software developer, a design studio or a marketing agency faces thousands of options, and it is often unclear how the directories that list them decide who comes first. For providers, especially smaller firms outside the biggest markets, getting noticed by the right buyer is hard.

“Buyers kept telling us the same thing: there are thousands of IT companies out there and almost no way to tell the good ones apart,” said Marcel Sobieski, founder of TechBehemoths. “We wanted to build the opposite of a noisy directory. A place where the rules are public, they’re the same for everyone, and a company’s work does the talking.”

A score with no price tag
At the centre of the release is the EXO Score, a rating built from 21 metrics across six categories, including reviews, awards, portfolio and profile completeness. The score determines where a company appears in search results, listing pages and filters.

exo score TechBehemoths 2.0 rebuilds how projects match vetted tech firms in 143 countries

Next to the score, buyers now see an AI-generated summary of each profile. It sets out what the evidence supports and where it is thin, and compares the company with others in the same city on profile strength, pricing, number of services and years in business. A separate summary condenses a company’s reviews, including those imported from other platforms.

“There is no price tag on the EXO Score. Paid plans buy visibility, they don’t buy a better score,” Sobieski said. “And the AI summaries tell buyers what’s missing on a profile, not just what’s good. Some companies won’t love that at first. But it’s the only kind of summary a buyer will actually trust.”

What changes for providers
For IT companies, the update brings a redesigned company profile and portfolio, review imports from Google, Trustpilot, Clutch and other platforms, and a unified inbox that collects messages, project opportunities and platform updates in one place. Every plan, including the free one, supports up to 10 team members per profile.

build for teams TechBehemoths 2.0 rebuilds how projects match vetted tech firms in 143 countries

Verification, shown as a blue badge, is free and done once. On the platform’s new interactive map, unverified companies are hidden by default. Each profile also shows which team member manages it and when they were last online, a signal intended to help buyers avoid unresponsive vendors. A monthly position report shows companies where they rank in each location and for their key services.

verified badge 2 TechBehemoths 2.0 rebuilds how projects match vetted tech firms in 143 countries

What changes for buyers
Buyers can filter providers by location, services, hourly rate, reviews, awards and verification, browse them on the map, keep shortlists and saved searches, and contact a company from any page on the platform. A project brief tool lets a buyer describe a project once and receive up to five free quotes within an hour.

“I’m often evaluating implementation partners and software development teams that can deliver measurable outcomes,” Alexandru Panfil of Romanian software company Qualysoft wrote in a review of the platform. “TechBehemoths.com is one of the few platforms that consistently helps me move from ‘we need a partner’ to a credible shortlist fast.”

How it makes money
TechBehemoths stays free for both sides. Company profiles cost nothing, and the platform takes no commission from buyers or providers on the projects it helps start. Revenue comes from two paid visibility tiers, CORE and PRO. CORE companies appear above free listings with a full profile card; PRO companies sit in a featured section at the top of listing pages for their cities, countries and services. Positions inside each tier rotate, so every company in a plan gets the same chance to be seen, and prices are set per country according to local market demand.

new company profile TechBehemoths 2.0 rebuilds how projects match vetted tech firms in 143 countries

Paid plans also unlock profile statistics, a profile without competitor suggestions, and a monthly allowance of project brief unlocks with buyers’ direct contacts, which the company presents as a bonus on top of the plan rather than its core.

“Enzo Ferrari used to say he sold engines and threw in the cars for free. We sell one thing, the spotlight, and everything else comes free,” Sobieski said. “Reviews, scores, verification and awards are earned the same way by everyone, whether they pay us or not. That line doesn’t move.”

Providers who have used the platform say the approach works. “Having tested multiple directory platforms, TechBehemoths truly stands out as one of the best and most effective catalogs on the market today,” wrote Roman Herashchenko of UK agency Sasquatch Digital. Lizaveta Artsyman of German software company Instinctools wrote that TechBehemoths “has significantly boosted our visibility, connected us with high-quality leads, and facilitated valuable partnerships.”

Ten principles
Alongside the release, TechBehemoths published ten principles it says will not change, among them “Awards are won, never sold”, “Same rules for everyone. No exceptions.” and “Zero commission. Not from the buyer, not from the service provider.” Its annual TechBehemoths Awards, which every listed company enters at no cost, open for 2026 in November.

“Our job is simple to describe and hard to do: make good companies easy to find and hard to fake,” Sobieski said. “Everything in 2.0 is built for that.”

Availability
TechBehemoths 2.0 is available now at techbehemoths.com. All existing companies keep their profiles, reviews and awards. CORE and PRO are available with an early-adopter offer at checkout for a limited time.

About TechBehemoths
TechBehemoths is a B2B platform that helps companies find and compare IT service providers, from software development and design to digital marketing. Operated by Mobiteam GmbH in Berlin, it lists 62,000+ companies in 140+ countries and is visited by 2 million+ potential buyers a year. Company profiles are free, rankings are based on merit, and the platform takes no commission. More at techbehemoths.com.

Media Contact Details
Cristina Lungu
TechBehemoths
Email: Send Email
Website: techbehemoths.com

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