NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates after defeating Iva Jovic of the United States during their Women’s Singles Fourth Round match on Day Nine of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 07, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Coco Gauff is through to the US Open quarterfinals after defeating fellow American Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-4 on Monday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The fourth-seeded American recovered from an early break to dominate the opening set before holding off Jovic in the second. Gauff finished with 18 winners and just 15 unforced errors, while Jovic had nine winners and 30 unforced errors.
The victory sends Gauff to the US Open quarterfinals for the first time since winning the title in 2023. She has also now won 10 straight matches and 20 consecutive sets.
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Gauff will face fifth seed Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals. The American has won all five of their previous meetings, but she knows another tough battle awaits.
“Mirra is someone that I always have tough matches with. She’s obviously in a different mindset now at the top of the game coming off of a Grand Slam win … it’s going to be a really athletic, tough match.”
Gauff is also the youngest American woman since Serena Williams in 2003 to reach three Grand Slam quarterfinals in the same year.
Shohei Ohtani was back in the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ lineup as designated hitter on Monday night after a four-day break to deal with lingering left knee, right biceps and neck soreness.
He was in his usual leadoff spot for the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds.
“Hopefully, we don’t see that wincing we saw a handful of nights ago,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game, referring to Ohtani appearing physically compromised at the plate before his break.
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“I don’t want to say it’s day-to-day, but I am very curious to see how he comes out of tonight to then make the decision for tomorrow and ensuing days,” Roberts said.
The NL West-leading Dodgers won all four games during Ohtani’s absence, including a sweep of the Washington Nationals.
Even with Ohtani’s return as a hitter, it appears increasingly unlikely that the two-way superstar will pitch again this season. He hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3 and he hasn’t thrown since a bullpen session at Detroit on Aug. 28.
“We’ve put a pin in throwing,” Roberts said, “and just having him focus on the hitting, the running, keeping his legs good and doing whatever it takes to help us win.”
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Asked to define “put a pin in throwing,” Roberts said “it’s not dead but we have no timetable for when he’s going to pick up a baseball.”
Why not just say Ohtani won’t pitch again?
“I’m choosing not to say it’s dead,” Roberts said.
Ohtani’s thoughts remain private since he hasn’t spoken to the media since Aug. 17.
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Roberts described Ohtani as “happy” to be back in the lineup while being “completely fine” about tabling any pitching plans for now.
By taking pitching off Ohtani’s plate, the Dodgers hope the four-time MVP will lock in on hitting and get back on track after not appearing to be himself at the plate.
Ohtani is hitting .279 with 30 homers and 80 RBIs this season. Since the All-Star break, however, he’s batting .250 with eight homers and 22 RBIs in 41 games.
“Yes, he loves pitching, loves being a two-way player,” Roberts said, “but right now it just doesn’t make any sense. It’s more of what’s best for the team, number one, and 1A, what’s best for him.”
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Utility player Tommy Edman took Ohtani’s place as the leadoff hitter for four games. He went 7 for 17 with a .412 average, one home run, four RBIs and five runs scored. He was scheduled to start at second and bat third on Monday.
Asked why he doesn’t move Ohtani out of the leadoff spot, Roberts replied, “I think he’s our best hitter. I think the best player should have the most latitude. Is it forever? I don’t know. Is it until the end of the season? I don’t know yet.”
Sheffield United have signed former Crystal Palace and Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew on a deal until the end of the season.
The 34-year-old, who has won 124 caps for Ghana, was a free agent after leaving the Foxes at the end of last season following their relegation to League One.
Ayew joined Aston Villa from Lorient in 2015 and has spent the past 11 years in the Premier League and Championship.
“We’re talking about someone here with bags of experience from right at the top level of the game,” boss Chris Wilder told the club website., external
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“Only a few months ago he was captaining Ghana in the World Cup, so he’s someone with real pedigree.
“He did well at this level last season in difficult circumstances and has played all across the front positions during his career which gives us plenty of options.”
Meanwhile, Blades defender Nils Zatterstrom and midfielder Ehije Ukaki, both 21, have gone on season-long loans to Polish side Rakow Czestochowa and Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv respectively.
Swede Zatterstrom has not featured for United since joining last August, while Nigerian Ukaki, who joined from Plovdiv in June last year, made his sole appearance in a Carabao Cup defeat by Birmingham City in August 2025.
In the NFL, there are nearly 1,700 players on an active roster, but it’s the stars who make the world go ’round. They can lift good teams to great ones, lift middling teams to good ones or simply provide silver linings for bad teams. And while we may think we know who will be a star every season, there’s beauty in the breakout stars, too.
Last year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba went from promising young receiver to Offensive Player of the Year and was a huge reason the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl. On the other end of the spectrum, team success-wise, the Cleveland Browns struggled again, but second-round pick Carson Schwesinger won Defensive Rookie of the Year and looks to be a pillar going forward in Northeast Ohio.
These types of breakouts make predicting individual awards difficult but also incredibly fun — an opportunity (and a challenge) to think outside the box.
With the 2026 NFL season just a day away, CBS Sports’ team of NFL experts — writers, editors, analysts and more — made their individual award picks.
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Voters: Pete Prisco, Bryant McFadden, Emory Hunt, Leger Douzable, Garrett Podell, Josh Edwards, Jared Dubin, Jordan Dajani, Ryan Wilson, Tyler Sullivan, Doug Clawson, John Breech, R.J. White, Bryan DeArdo, Zach Pereles
Burrow is the top choice for the second year in a row. While last year went off the rails for Burrow (and the Bengals) due to his injury, there are plenty of reasons to believe in a major bounce back. Burrow has been Comeback Player of the Year twice, including in 2024, when he led the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43) and finished fourth in MVP voting. Moreover, the Bengals improved their defense this offseason, so if the team can be better, Burrow’s MVP candidacy will get a big boost.
Also receiving votes: Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (1 each)
Chase won the receiving triple crown with a healthy Burrow in 2024, but Offensive Player of the Year went to Saquon Barkley, who went for over 2,000 yards on the ground. The argument for Chase is similar to the one for Burrow: If Burrow and Chase are healthy, huge numbers await, and if the defense is much improved, the Bengals should be, too. Fair or not, a player’s team being good gives him a leg up in award voting. Chase’s 6,837 career receiving yards are second-most ever through five seasons, only behind Justin Jefferson.
Anderson Jr. was an overwhelmingly popular pick in what, hypothetically, could be a crowded race. In 2025, he was an absolute terror with 12 sacks, 93 pressures, 70 hurries and a 21% pressure rate. The last two numbers were tops in the NFL. If it hadn’t been for a record-setting year for Garrett, Anderson would be looking to go back-to-back for Defensive Player of the Year this year. Also worth noting: An edge defender or defensive lineman has won this award in 10 of the last 12 seasons.
Love suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason, but that didn’t scare off too many voters apparently. The Cardinals’ No. 3 overall pick looked electric in his lone preseason appearance and combines outstanding long speed with an impressive array of jukes. At Notre Dame last year, he scored 21 touchdowns en route to a third-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting.
Bailey vs. Bain was a popular debate leading up to the NFL Draft, and it transferred over to Defensive Rookie of the Year predictions, too. Bailey went No. 2 overall to the Jets after tying for the FBS lead in sacks (14.5) last year at Texas Tech. Bailey’s 19.5 tackles for loss were second-most in FBS, too. Bain, meanwhile, fell to the Buccaneers at 15th overall due to concerns about his arm length, but he might have found the perfect home with blitz-happy coach Todd Bowles. Bain had 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last year at Miami.
Mahomes winning Comeback Player of the Year was the most popular pick across all of the categories. The three-time Super Bowl MVP is returning from a torn ACL suffered in December but has been on track for Week 1 for months. The Chiefs are in somewhat of a rebuild/retool season having traded away or lost via free agency several key pieces from past Super Bowl teams, but Mahomes remains. Kansas City will look to rebound from its worst record (6-11) since 2012.
Bears guard Joe Thuney won the inaugural Protector of the Year award last year, but our voters focused on tackles this year, with Sewell demolishing the competition. A first-team All-Pro each of the last three seasons, Sewell is switching from right tackle to left tackle, but that didn’t give our voters any pause.
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Coach of the Year
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Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, Ravens coach Jesse Minter, Bills coach Joe Brady, Jaguars coach Liam Coen (2 votes each)
Also receiving votes: Jets coach Aaron Glenn, Giants coach John Harbaugh, Saints coach Kellen Moore, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, Packers coach Matt LaFleur, Broncos coach Sean Payton (1 each)
This vote was, predictably, quite spread out. Interestingly, all four coaches who received multiple votes are either in their first year of head coaching (Minter, Brady) or their second (Schottenheimer, Coen).
Michigan started 1-0 in the Kyle Whittingham era because of the most controversial win in recent memory for the sport.
The Wolverines are not going to be able to shake this.
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin reacts to a couple of Top-25 teams that struggled.
Should Houston or Washington be concerned after struggling against Pac-12 foes?
Cal began the Tosh Lupoi era with a missed opportunity against UCLA, while the Bruins began the Bob Chesney era 1-0.
The Bears felt, unfortunately for their fans, like the Bears of old.
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00:00 Questioning the two-clock situation 06:14 Confusion over replay clock issues 08:37 Handling the Kalamazoo controversy 13:51 Indiana vs North Texas review 15:00 Huskies struggle against Washington State 20:52 Close games against top teams 26:24 Frustrations with Cal’s defense performance 28:26 Comparing Big Ten teams and JMU
Sony Sports Network has acquired the exclusive television broadcast rights for the three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and India, starting September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
The deal adds another India bilateral series to Sony Sports Network’s cricket portfolio, while digital viewers will be able to follow the matches on FanCode after the platform secured the exclusive digital streaming rights earlier this week.
Sony adds another cricket series
Sony Sports Network will broadcast all three matches across its television network, covering viewers in India, Nepal, the Maldives and Bhutan.
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Rajesh Kaul, Sony Pictures Networks India’s chief revenue officer and business head for sports and international, said the Afghanistan series strengthens the network’s cricket portfolio and forms part of its ongoing Festival of Sports offering.
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He described the two teams as aggressive and entertaining T20 sides and said the network expects the series to produce three competitive matches for viewers across its broadcast markets.
FanCode holds digital streaming rights
The television deal comes alongside FanCode’s acquisition of the exclusive digital rights for the series. The matches will be available on the FanCode app across mobile devices, the web and connected televisions.
FanCode is also making the series available through distribution partners, including Jio TV/Jio TV+, Amazon Prime, Crex, Jagran, Playbox and Watcho, among others.
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The acquisition gives FanCode another India bilateral series as it expands its cricket portfolio. The platform recently streamed India’s tour of Zimbabwe and also holds rights partnerships with Cricket West Indies, the ICC, Zimbabwe Cricket and Ireland Cricket.
Iyer eyes success in first home series as T20I captain
India will begin the series with Shreyas Iyer leading the side, in what will be his first T20I series as captain on home soil. The squad includes Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Varun Chakravarthy, giving India a mix of established players and emerging talent. The availability of Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana remains subject to fitness.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be led by Ibrahim Zadran, with Rashid Khan spearheading a strong spin department. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi provide further experience to the visiting side.
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Afghanistan eye strong showing in India
Playing in India carries particular significance for Afghanistan, given the strong following the team enjoys in the country.
Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Naseeb Khan said the series provides the side with an important opportunity to showcase its talent against one of the strongest teams in international cricket. He also said the contest could strengthen sporting ties between the two countries and reflect Afghanistan’s progress on the international stage.
The 2026 NFL season is almost here and it’s time to start tinkering with your fantasy football rosters going into Week 1. It was a wild offseason in which we welcomed a new rookie class, saw players switch teams via free agency and trades, and got the usual coaching carousel.
Now, the dust has settled and you’ve likely drafted your team (or are going to do so before the 2026 opener between the Seahawks and Patriots on Wednesday night). Below you can find our consensus rankings at each position from analysts Matt Harmon, Justin Boone, Joel Smyth, Scott Pianowski and Hayden Winks.
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Note: Our fantasy football draft rankings are for half-point per reception scoring, which is the Yahoo default.
With the countdown to Aichi-Nagoya nearing its final stretch, India’s Asian Games campaign took a significant step forward on Monday as the country’s contingent received its formal send-off from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Athletes, coaches and support staff gathered in New Delhi ahead of the September 19 opening, marking the transition from preparation to competition for a team seeking to build on India’s record 107-medal haul from the 2023 Asian Games.
The send-off ceremony also featured messages from Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and IOA president PT Usha, who urged athletes to embrace the challenge and focus on delivering their best.
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Sports minister urges athletes to turn pressure into performance
Addressing the contingent, Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted India’s growing pool of sporting talent and urged athletes to channel the pressure of competing at the Asian Games into performance.
He encouraged them to treat their opponents as opportunities to test themselves and convert those opportunities into achievements, while adding that he expected the contingent to raise India’s standing at the Games.
PT Usha asks athletes to embrace the occasion
Usha urged the athletes not to be overwhelmed by the scale of the Asian Games, reminding them that they had already earned their place among the best in Asia.
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She asked them to draw strength from the expectations surrounding the team rather than treating them as a burden. Usha also encouraged the athletes to enjoy the competition and approach their events with courage, humility and belief in their ability.
Athletes discuss the challenge ahead
The ceremony also featured a panel discussion involving Olympic medallist Swapnil Kusale, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Asmita Dey, Commonwealth Games medallist and weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav, and kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat.
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Dey underlined the demanding nature of the Asian Games, particularly in judo, where India faces strong competition from established international names. She noted that the sport’s roots in Japan and the presence of several highly ranked judokas in her weight category meant she would need to prepare at an unprecedented level and be ready to overcome every challenge in her path.
India seeks to build on 107-medal haul
India’s campaign in Aichi-Nagoya will cover a wide range of disciplines as athletes take on leading sporting nations from across Asia.
The contingent enters the Games after India’s best-ever Asian Games medal tally in 2023, when the country won 107 medals in Hangzhou. The IOA and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will hope the current team can build on that performance when competition begins in Japan.
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The send-off brought together athletes, coaches and members of the support staff, highlighting the collective effort behind India’s Asian Games campaign.
A former undisputed champion has expressed his desire to face any of the big names between 154 and 160lbs, including Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, Vergil Ortiz Jr and Tim Tszyu.
Prior to that, he became the undisputed super-welterweight king but, given his age and inactivity, is unlikely to return to action at 154lbs.
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Instead, Charlo has predominantly been linked to fights at middleweight, with former world champion Tszyu representing a potential opponent following his unanimous decision victory over Errol Spence Jr in July.
According to ‘Iron Man’, though, the Australian has gone “quiet” despite his best efforts to explore the opportunity with long-term advisor Al Haymon.
Equally, Charlo has suggested that the team of Ortiz, who he is rumoured to be facing later this year, has no real intention to negotiate their showdown.
Taking to social media, the American also questioned why unified super-welterweight champion Ennis and Sebastian Fundora, who holds the WBC strap at 154lbs, have expressed no interest in facing him.
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“[Tszyu] got quiet after Errol. Boots tryna build a name bullying retired fighters [Terence Crawford]. The 6ft 6in giraffe [Fundora] still figuring out what he wanna do. Vergil Ortiz and them doing all that lying just to spark some s**t. Meanwhile, I’m still right here.
“Stop talking around my name and put one of ’em in front of me. Tim. Boots. Vergil. The giraffe. LINE ’EM UP.”
The only fighter out of the aforementioned four to have an official date in the diary is Fundora, who will defend his world title against mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj on October 17, while Ennis, Ortiz and Tszyu await their next fight confirmations, with Tszyu likely to remain at middleweight and Tszyu reported also considering a move up.
Fans will only be convinced any of the fights happen when Charlo books a ring return, which will likely be at a lower level given the major inactivity.
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell entered the 2026 college football season on the hot seat following back-to-back losing years in Tallahassee.
After leading Florida State to a 13-0 regular season and an ACC championship in 2023, Florida State finished 2-10 in 2024 and 5-7 in 2025.
Norvell holds an overall record of 38-34 at Florida State, including a 22-26 record in ACC play through six seasons. As FSU aims to meet fans and boosters’ expectations, questions surrounding Norvell’s contract and potential buyout details have emerged.
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What Is Mike Norvell’s 2026 Salary?
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell takes the field ahead of the Seminoles’ matchup against No. 19 SMU, which was delayed nearly two hours. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Norvell signed an eight-year contract extension prior to the 2024 season valued at more than $84 million through 2031, averaging roughly $10 million annually. Following the 2024 season, Norvell agreed to a restructured arrangement that directed $4.5 million toward institutional revenue-sharing initiatives. His contract includes a scheduled $150,000 salary increase each season.
How Much Is Norvell’s Buyout After This Season?
If Florida State terminates Norvell without cause during or before the conclusion of the 2026 season, the university would owe him approximately $51 million, according to On3.com. If the decision occurs after the 2026 season, the buyout figure drops to roughly $45.6 million.
According to On3.com, Norvell is owed 85% of his remaining salary and supplemental compensation. The buyout would reportedly be paid in monthly installments of approximately $800,000 through 2031 if fired after this season.
What Is Florida State’s Toughest Games And Remaining Schedule?
Florida State opened the 2026 season with a home win over New Mexico State before taking on SMU.
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The remaining schedule includes a non-conference road contest at Alabama on Sept. 19 and the regular-season finale against rival Florida on Nov. 27 in Tallahassee.
Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks on in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images
The 2026 NFL season will begin the way last season ended: with a matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.
New England played what was arguably its worst game of the season in Super Bowl LX and it was reflected on the scoreboard as Seattle breezed to a 29-13 victory. That led many to opine that the Patriots were little more than the product of any easy schedule, which should have the New England fan base fired up for Wednesday night’s rematch.
Seattle will be at home and the Seahawks are listed as at least a 3-point favorite in most places, but the Patriots have much more than a puncher’s chance. Here are three areas where New England will have to perform well to leave Seattle with a victory:
Protect Drake Maye
Keeping Seattle defenders away from their quarterback may have been the Patriots No. 1 problem in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks recorded six sacks, four of which came from a four-man rush with no blitz.
Seattle attacked the left side of New England’s offensive line, where the Patriots started rookies at tackle (Will Campbell) and guard (Jared Wilson). It didn’t help that Campbell tore his right MCL earlier in the season and wasn’t 100 percent healthy for the playoffs.
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The Patriots addressed their offensive line issues by signing free agent Alijah Vera-Tucker, who they have plugged in at left guard. That allowed New England to shift Wilson to center, which is his natural position.
It all starts up front and we’ll see if adding Vera-Tucker plus Campbell’s improved health will allow New England to have a functional passing game.
Win the run game
Jul 28, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) walks to practice for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
By win, we mean the Patriots must rush for more yards than the Seahawks. Seattle outgained New England 141-79 on the ground in the Super Bowl, but if you’re a New England fan there is reason for optimism. Kenneth Walker ran for 135 yards on 27 carries in the Super Bowl, but he’s no longer on the roster. Walker, the Super Bowl MVP, signed with Kansas City as a free agent and Seattle replaced him with former Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, the 32nd pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Stopping Seattle’s rushing attack is only half of the problem, however. New England will have to find a way to be more successful on the ground and may have to get the job done without second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson, who is nursing an ankle injury and hasn’t practiced since Aug. 24. New England will likely need a big game from Rhamondre Stevenson.
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Christian Gonzalez must show his worth
Jul 28, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) walks to practice for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Gonzalez just got a new a contract extension, and the Patriots will need him to perform like one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks to win the opener. The good news is that’s not asking too much. Gonzalez was New England’s best player in the Super Bowl, when he covered Jaxon Smith-Njigba on 14 plays and held him to one catch for 16 yards on three targets. Smith-Njigba led the league in receiving yards during the 2025 season (1,793). If Smith-Njigba has a big night, the Seahawks will probably have a big night as well.
Cal began the Tosh Lupoi era with a missed opportunity against UCLA, while the Bruins began the Bob Chesney era 1-0. 
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