Kandi Burruss Thinking About a Surrogate??? Here's What We Did ...

WORKIN' TOGETHER
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Kandi Burruss is singing the praises of the woman who helped bring her new baby girl into the world -- and now she's opening up about her firsthand experience with surrogacy.

We got the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star out in Atlanta and asked what advice she'd give anyone thinking about using a surrogate. Of course, Kandi's second child ... a little girl named Blaze Tucker was born on November 22, and she couldn't say enough great things about their surrogate.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Check it out ... Kandi says counseling's a great start. And, not just because it was required, either. When she finally met her surrogate, Shadina Blunt, they built a solid relationship and bonded so much, they went to counseling together.

Kandi says she knows some parents opt to keep it strictly professional with surrogates -- but she explained why she and her husband, Todd Tucker, took a different approach with Shadina.

Watch the vid, she says it helped them in several ways. Besides the obvious one.

'RHOA' Star Eva Marcille Baby Daddy Loses Child Custody Bid ... In Georgia, At Least

Eva Marcille is taking round one in the child custody battle her ex-BF started, now that a judge in Georgia's told him to kick rocks ... back to Cali.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star will maintain full custody of her and Kevin McCall's 5-year-old daughter, Marley Rae. The reason's simple ... Kevin failed to show why the case belonged in Georgia when an L.A. Superior Court judge issued the original custody order.

As we first reported, Eva and Kevin have been going at it in court for some time now. She begged the judge NOT to give him custody ... claiming he's a violent "ticking time bomb."

NOVEMBER 2019
THE INCITING INCIDENT

Last month, Kevin went to court to plead his case but that went south too. He got into a tussle with a cop in court, and took a nasty tumble down an escalator. Kevin believes he was the victim in that incident.

And, it gets worse for Kevin ... according to legal docs, there's a warrant out for his arrest in L.A. for missing a court date in his felony domestic violence case involving another woman.

So, to review ... it's good news for Eva -- and yet another piece of bad news for Kevin.

'RHOA' Star Eva Marcille Baby Daddy Indicted on Felony Charge For Court Escalator Fight

"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Eva Marcille's baby daddy has officially been slapped with charges for his courthouse scuffle with cops ... including a felony.

A Georgia grand jury has indicted Kevin McCall Jr. on 3 counts for his role in the escalator altercation last month with a sergeant, which stemmed from Kevin refusing to stop recording on his phone in the courthouse.

According to the legal docs ... the charges include obstruction of a law enforcement officer by use of threats or violence, terroristic threats and criminal damage to property in the second degree. The latter is the felony count.

The indictment alleges McCall wrestled with the officer and attempted to strike him, resisted arrest and made threats of aggravated assault. As for the felony criminal damage to property ... McCall's accused of intentionally damaging the sergeant's eyeglasses.

THE TAKEDOWN

As we reported ... Kevin revealed surveillance footage of the escalator tussle, which shows the cop chasing him down in an effort to detain him before making a tackle. Another officer then steps in to assist.

McCall believes the video supports his claim that he's the victim in the ordeal. He also told us he plans to sue the cops because he thinks he was targeted due to his black skin ... and he also claims he got injured.

NOVEMBER 2019
THE INCITING INCIDENT

We broke the story ... McCall was originally in court to fight Marcille for child custody but started beefing with the courthouse cop because he refused to stop recording on his phone. Kevin was live streaming the inciting incident ... and is seen on the vid repeatedly calling a cop a bitch and challenging him to take off his badge and fight.

Unfortunately for him ... it did lead to a physical altercation, and now he's looking at hard time if he's convicted on the charges.

Kenya Moore's Ex Charged with Assaulting New GF In Denny's Parking Lot

Kenya Moore's ex-boyfriend's officially been slapped with 3 charges for allegedly striking his girlfriend ... TMZ has learned.

Matt Jordan's facing 3 misdemeanor counts -- one for assault and 2 for disorderly conduct -- after his July arrest in Arizona ... according to new legal docs. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 6 months in prison.

We broke the story ... the former 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' cast member allegedly punched his new girlfriend, Valerie Bell, in the face in a Denny's parking lot during an argument.

A female eyewitness to the alleged attack claims Jordan also got in her face and snatched her cigarettes -- hence the second disorderly charge against him.

Jordan had already left when cops arrived, but he was picked up later when he tried to return to Bell's home and she reported him.

Kenya's ex is a notorious 'RHOA' alum for many reasons, but mostly because he once brawled with fellow reality star Peter Thomas, who Matt claimed had a weapon on him.

Kenya also got a restraining order against Jordan in 2017.

'RHOC' Star Lauri Peterson Son's Jailhouse Attacker Charged ... Assault with a Deadly Weapon

NOVEMBER 2019
SURPRISE ATTACK
TMZ.com

The inmate who slashed Lauri Peterson's son during a bloody jailhouse fight ... is now facing even more time behind bars for the near-deadly ambush on Josh Waring.

Orange County jail inmate Jose Jesus Guzman is set to be arraigned next month on multiple new charges related to the attack -- assault with a deadly weapon, infliction of great bodily injury, possession of a deadly weapon by a prisoner and destroying/concealing evidence.

This, of course, comes after he was caught on camera jumping out from behind a flight of stairs last month to attack Josh. Guzman ended up cutting Waring's face and chest before guards rushed in to break it up.

NOVEMBER 2019
BREAKING DOWN THE SITUATION
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Josh and his mom claim the OC jail correctional officers are out to get him, and possibly even set up the attack ... something the jail denies. However, the guards have said it was a mistake for Guzman to be out of his cell at the time of the attack.

Remember, one of the officers who responded to the fight wrote in a report afterward that Josh had told him he didn't want to pursue charges against the slasher, and he knew the guards hadn't let that happen on purpose. Josh's attorney called BS on that.

As we reported, Josh has also filed a federal lawsuit against Orange County and the Sheriff's Dept. Since the attack, Josh has been transferred to a new jail after making the request to a judge.

BTW, if the assault with a deadly weapon charge against Guzman sticks -- it is all captured on video -- he'll likely serve several more years than what he's already doing time for ... another assault with a deadly weapon case, among several other violent charges.

Guzman's been locked up since 2015, and it doesn't look like he's going anywhere anytime soon.

Joe Giudice Check Out My Modest Italian Digs ... Not In Jersey Anymore

NEW DIGS

Joe Giudice went from mansion living in a ritzy area of New Jersey to a holding cell and now ... to a cool little apartment in his homeland of Italy. He ain't complaining though.

The former 'RHONJ' star recently gave a tour of his modest digs in Salerno, Italy, where he's currently living as he tries to get back to the States amid his deportation case. It's a cozy 1-bedroom, but Joe was happy to take fans through every nook and cranny of the place.

He's got a bedroom, a kitchen with a tiny table, a living room with a couch and TV, a washer (but no dryer), and a toilet with no seat and a bidet nearby. Welcome to Italian living!!!

That's not to say that Joe's griping about his living situation -- if anything, he says it's much better than where he was being detained by ICE ... so he'll take it for now. And besides, Joe lives right next to a gorgeous mountain range. Not too shabby all things considered.

It is interesting though, considering what he was used to about four or five years ago ... when he was living with Teresa and the kids in an upscale mansion in Montville, NJ.

The house above is actually one of the Giudices' only properties they kept when they were in the middle of legal trouble a few years back. It initially went up for sale, but Teresa got to hold onto it in the end. Other properties of theirs were either sold or demolished.

Hey, an abode's an abode at the end of the day ... humble as it may be.

'RHOC' Star's Son Josh Waring Moving to New Jail ... After Scary Inmate Attack

The son of ex-'Real Housewives of Orange County' star Lauri Peterson is getting his wish to be transferred to a new jail, where he and his mom believe he'll be much safer.

A judge approved the move on Friday for Josh Waring. He'll be leaving lockup in the Orange County Jail and heading to the Santa Ana City Jail ... which means he'll no longer be in custody of OC Sheriff's deputies and corrections officers, who he and Lauri believe are trying to get him killed.

Josh will get all the same privileges -- library access, unlimited calls, healthcare, etc. -- he had at the OC jail. He's scheduled to be transferred later Friday.

NOVEMBER 2019
SURPRISE ATTACK
TMZ.com

We broke the story ... Josh was ambushed last month at the county jail and brutally attacked by another inmate wielding razors wrapped in towels. That inmate was supposed to be locked in his cell.

Waring suffered deep gashes to his chest and face, and he and his lawyer believe the incident is the latest proof his life was in danger in the OC jail.

IT'S HORRIFIC
TMZ.com

In fact, Lauri told us the attack came after guards threatened to kill Josh and he'd already suffered multiple other assaults -- 3 by inmates and at least one by a guard.

Waring's lawyer, Joel Garson, believes it could be retaliation against Josh for filing a federal lawsuit against Orange County and its Sheriff's Department for violating his civil rights. He claims jail officials illegally recorded his attorney-client calls. That case is ongoing.

As for the October attack, you'll recall one of the correctional officers claimed Josh stated right afterward he knew the guards didn't set him up ... but Garson denied that and doubled down, saying the guard's claim is a "cover your ass" statement.

Regardless of the jail transfer, Josh will still be awaiting trial for attempted murder for allegedly shooting a man outside a sober living home in 2016. He's pled not guilty.

Eva Marcille's Baby Daddy Kevin McCall's Escalator Fight Video ... Suggests He's the Victim

THE TAKEDOWN

'RHOA' star Eva Marcille's baby daddy just revealed a key piece of evidence from his latest arrest -- video of his scuffle with a cop down an escalator.

Kevin McCall posted the courthouse surveillance footage on his Instagram, which is of him talking to the officer ... then cuts to a shot of the cop chasing McCall down an escalator in an effort to detain him.

The officer then appears to bodyslam McCall before another cop jumps in to help.

I'M A TARGET
TMZ.com

We broke the story ... Kevin says he was injured in the scuffle and plans to sue, and believes he was targeted simply because he's black. According to his latest post, he believes the video supports his theory. He captioned it ... "Hands Up...Don't shoot #thetruthuntold"

NOVEMBER 2019
THE INCITING INCIDENT

McCall's own Instagram Live video from before the altercation shows what led up to the tussle -- the courthouse officer tells him he needs to stop recording video on his phone ... but he refuses, calls him a b*tch and challenges him to fight.

You may recall ... Kevin was in court to challenge Eva for custody of their 5-year-old daughter, Marley Rae. Instead, he ended up in jail and booked on 5 charges -- 4 misdemeanors and one felony count of criminal damage to property in the 2nd degree.

TBD if the escalator footage helps exonerate him.

'RHOA' Star Eva Marcille Baby Daddy Says He's Suing Cops ... I Was Targeted and Injured!!!

I'M A TARGET
TMZ.com

The father of Eva Marcille's 5-year-old daughter says his black skin made him a target before he got into a courthouse scuffle with cops ... and he's going to sue their asses because he got hurt.

We broke the story ... the 'RHOA' star's baby daddy, Kevin McCall Jr., was arrested earlier this month at the Justice Center Tower in Fulton County, GA after he refused to stop recording video on his phone, and an effort to detain him allegedly led to a sergeant falling down an escalator.

McCall claims he got injured in the chaos too ... but he has a bigger issue with what led to the altercation in the first place -- he thinks he was singled out because he's black.

NOVEMBER 2019
THE INCITING INCIDENT

It's an interesting allegation because according to the Instagram Live video he shared before his alleged physical confrontation with cops ... the officer who told him to quit FaceTiming is black too.

Regardless, McCall believes the fact the cop specifically said "FaceTiming" supports his theory he was targeted ... it's unclear how. He also offers up some excuses why things went south for him at the courthouse ... and why he didn't help deescalate the situation -- no pun intended.

As we told you ... McCall was in court to fight for custody of his and Eva's daughter, Marley Rae, but instead ended up in jail and booked on 5 charges. He's facing 4 misdemeanors and one felony count of criminal damage to property in the 2nd degree.

Before his arrest, Marcille filed legal docs alleging McCall is dangerous and unstable ... and doesn't deserve any increased custody rights with their girl.

Joe Giudice Back with His Family!!! Teresa and Kids Arrive in Italy

The Giudices are finally reunited.

Joe Giudice is hugging his daughters once again, as Teresa and the girls have arrived in Italy to see him. Their eldest daughter, Gia, just shared the family photo on Instagram with the simple caption ... "we're back."

As you know ... after Joe was released from prison, he was in ICE custody for months before going back to his native country, while waiting for his deportation case -- and he's not allowed back for the time being.

Though he's been celebrating with his Italian family since arriving last month, this is the first chance Teresa and the kids have had to come visit him.

All in all ... it's been 3-and-a-half years since their family has all been together on the outside.

As we reported ... Teresa is trying to help Joe obtain an Italian passport so he can travel closer to the U.S. to see them while he awaits the decision on his deportation appeal. Regardless of what happens, Teresa wants to make sure her kids have a relationship with their dad ... even if he can't come back to America.

Looks like this is a good start.

'RHOC' Star Lauri Peterson's Son Jail Guards Lied About Attack!!! I Didn't Give 'Em a Pass

Lauri Peterson's son, Josh Waring, says an Orange County Jail guard is flat-out lying about Josh's reaction to getting slashed by an inmate ... to cover up a screw-up on the jail's part.

TMZ obtained the criminal report filed for Josh's crazy jailhouse brawl from last month and in it, one of the correctional officers involved claims Josh said right afterward he knew the guards didn't set him up ... or allow the attack to go down on purpose.

Per the deputy's account, he says he asked Josh immediately after breaking up his fight with a razor-wielding prisoner if he knew what happened back there.

NOVEMBER 2019
SURPRISE ATTACK
TMZ.com

According to the report, Josh said, "Oh, I know you guys didn't do that on purpose." Josh also allegedly told the corrections officer he didn't wanna press charges against the slasher. He allegedly explained the guy was in a gang that didn't like him because he's in the protective custody section of the jail.

Josh and his attorney, Joel Garson, are calling BS, telling TMZ ... Josh denies EVER saying anything remotely like that. As for why the guard would fabricate a comment from Josh? Garson calls it a "cover your ass" statement.

When TMZ broke the story of Josh's attack, Garson told us he believes guards showed a blatant disregard for protocol because Josh's attacker shouldn't have been out of his cell at that time.

NOVEMBER 2019
BREAKING DOWN THE SITUATION
TMZ.com

We know what you're thinking -- there's gotta be video of the guard questioning Josh to clear up the dispute. No dice! The jail tells us their corrections officers don't wear bodycams.

However, Garson tells us he plans to question the deputy under oath during a hearing this week. As we reported, Josh is in the middle of a federal lawsuit he's filed against Orange County and its Sheriff's Department.

We've called the Sheriff's Dept. for comment ... but no word back yet.

'RHOA' Star Eva Marcille Baby Daddy & Cop Tussle in Court!!!

Eva Marcille's baby daddy, Kevin McCall Jr., went from fighting for child custody to fighting officers and falling down a courthouse escalator ... according to cops who arrested him on the spot.

The drama unfolded Tuesday at the Justice Center Tower in Fulton County, GA ... where McCall was supposed to attend a hearing in his ongoing child custody battle with the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star.

NOVEMBER 2019
THE INCITING INCIDENT

According to cops, they repeatedly told McCall he's not allowed to record video in the courthouse -- but he had his phone on, and was posting on Instagram Live as he walked through the courthouse. He refused to shut down the feed, and you could see him repeatedly calling a cop a b*tch and telling him to take off his badge and fight.

Cops say McCall swatted away a sergeant's hands, and when backup arrived to detain McCall, cops say he broke loose. They made a second attempt to detain him, and cops say that's when he and the sergeant fell down an escalator.

McCall was booked on 5 charges ... 4 misdemeanors -- obstruction of a law enforcement officer, terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and simple assault. He also earned himself one felony count ... criminal damage to property in the 2nd degree. That might be related to sarge's eyeglasses, which cops say broke in the fall.

As we've reported ... Eva's said McCall's a ticking time bomb, and she's begged the court to block him from getting custody of their 5-year-old daughter, Marley Rae.

Teresa Giudice Give Joe a Passport, I Trust Him ... So He Can See Our Kids

Teresa Giudice is telling the Italian government she trusts her husband, Joe, is not gonna run off with their kids outside of the homeland -- his or hers -- and that's why she's vouching for him as he tries to get a passport.

The 'Real Housewives' star hit up the Italian Consulate in NYC Tuesday to sign off on some paperwork that would allow Joe to get an Italian passport. Joe wants to get the passport so he can travel to countries closer to the U.S. where his kids can more easily visit him. The one place Joe can't come -- the U.S. of A.

Of course ... Joe was deported from America back to his native country of Italy -- and he's not allowed back for the time being.

10/17/19
FAMILY TIME
TMZ.com

Joe has applied for a passport in Italy and Teresa has to agree before he gets one. The reason -- the Italian government wants to make sure Teresa has no issues that Joe might take the kids to Cuba or some other place and not return the children. She has no fear of that.

We're told Teresa is planning to take the brood to see Joe in Italy in the next week. She's working hard to make sure her kids have a relationship with their dad, even if he can't come back to America.

So, Teresa and Joe are still good ... and they're figuring out a new way to preserve family relationships under these new circumstances.

Ex-'RHOC' Star Lauri Peterson MY SON'S JAIL ATTACK WAS PREMEDITATED Guards Want Him Dead!!!

NOVEMBER 2019
SURPRISE ATTACK
TMZ.com
UPDATE

1:31 PM PT -- 11/4 -- The former 'RHOC' cast member tells TMZ ... Josh has been telling her his life is in danger since he got locked up in 2016. She says guards have threatened to kill him and he's suffered multiple attacks ... 3 at the hands of inmates and at least one by a guard!

UPDATE
IT'S HORRIFIC
TMZ.com
UPDATE

Lauri believes the latest -- which was captured on security video at the Orange County jail in Santa Ana -- shows the attacks are premeditated and likely being facilitated by the jail.

UPDATE

Just like Waring's attorney, Joel Garson, told us ... Lauri claims the protective custody unit her son is in only allows one inmate out at a time, and it's up to the guards to enforce that rule to keep everyone safe.

UPDATE

According to Peterson, the guards failed to do so ... and she thinks it was an intentional move to give the attacker a chance to kill Josh.

The troubled son of former 'RHOC' star Lauri Peterson is recovering after getting slashed in his face during an insane jailhouse ambush ... and TMZ has video of the whole incident.

The brutal attack went down at the Orange County jail in Santa Ana when Josh Waring was on his way back to his cell. He never got there because another inmate jumped out wielding razors wrapped in towels.

This surveillance video of the October 9 showdown shows the attacker sneak into position -- hiding under a staircase -- and then Josh, in pajamas and sandals, is suddenly fighting for his life. Fists start flying and Josh defends himself well for a while -- getting in a few head shots -- but he eventually suffered deep gashes to his chest and face.

The brawl -- which moved off-camera, but was still visible in a mirror -- lasted nearly 90 seconds and only stopped when guards rushed in ... commanding both men to get down on the ground.

Josh's attorney, Joel Garson, tells TMZ ... his client was returning to his cell in the protective custody unit of the jail after making a phone call. He says the normal protocol is for all other inmates to be locked in their cells while another inmate is using the phone.

Garson says guards are supposed to confirm over the intercom that the other inmates are locked away. There's no audio on the surveillance video, so Josh's attorney says he can't tell if that protocol was followed -- but he says he wouldn't be surprised if the attacker was allowed to be out of his cell.

Garson is claiming it could be retaliation against Josh for filing a federal lawsuit against Orange County and its Sheriff's Department for violating his civil rights while he's been behind bars.

NOVEMBER 2019
BREAKING DOWN THE SITUATION
TMZ.com

Another video shows Josh receiving medical treatment after the attack. He's surrounded by deputies as he describes his injuries. He was concerned the razors used against him weren't sterile, and he could've contracted an STD.

We're told he got 20 stitches to his chest and face, which was slashed from his left eye down to his chin.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department tells us it's opened a criminal investigation into the attack.

Josh has been locked up since 2016 while he awaits trial for attempted murder. He's accused of shooting a man at a sober living home where he was living.

He could get life in prison if convicted.

Garson tells us, based on this video, they are considering adding new claims to the federal lawsuit they've already filed against Orange County.

Originally Published -- 11/2 1:00 AM

Vicki Gunvalson Kelly Dodd Tried to Burn My Biz Rep ... I'm Suing Her Ass!!!

UPDATE

4:15 PM PT -- Vicki's attorney just told us they've filed to dismiss the lawsuit against NBCUniversal and Bravo. Good news for the networks, however they're still suing Kelly.

Vicki Gunvalson is fuming over some good ol' fashioned trash talk her 'RHOC' costar Kelly Dodd dropped because she fears it could sink her real-life career.

According to docs filed Friday, and obtained by TMZ, a Jane Roe is suing Kelly and "The Real Housewives of Orange County" producers at Bravo and NBCUniversal over 3 statements Kelly allegedly barked at Vicki while shooting an episode in Key West:
- "You prey on older people."
- "You are a con woman."
- "You engaged in 'fraud.'"

Vicki says those things are all lies, and she told producers so, in writing ... explaining why each claim was false and could be damaging to her livelihood if they air.

Now, it's pretty clear the person behind the pseudonym, "Jane Roe," is Vicki because she describes herself as a TV personality on 'RHOC' who is also a retirement planning specialist and prez of an insurance and financial services company. So, yeah ... it's Vicki.

In the suit, Vicki points out she's never been sued over the last 31 years of her profession ... and has an A-Plus rating with the Better Business Bureau.

It's unclear from the docs if Kelly's remarks are actually going to air on the current season of 'RHOC,' but Vicki's going on the offensive because she believes the producers are going to leave it in the episode. She has reason to be worried ... in the trailer for season 14, Kelly drops the "con woman" line.

Vicki's not asking producers to kill the whole episode, she just wants those 3 sentences from Kelly's lips to be left on the cutting room floor. As she puts it, NBCUniversal "will suffer no harm to their popular TV program by removing a fraction of an overall episode."

Vicki's suing to get an injunction to block the episode from airing as is, and also for damages.

Originally Published -- 3:38 PM PT

'RHOA' Star Eva Marcille Don't Give Custody to My Baby Daddy ... He's a Violent, 'Ticking Time Bomb'

UPDATE

11:00 AM PT -- Kevin McCall Jr. just fired back at his ex, with his attorney, Adamma McKinnon, telling TMZ that his past shouldn't hinder his ability to be there for his daughter right now. She says, "Fatherhood or the right to be a Father is a highly esteemed privilege. Each and every human being has a shortcoming and has made a mistake a time or two; yet mistakes or shortcomings should never prohibit a father from serving as a father to his son or daughter."

UPDATE

McKinnon adds, "Such denial becomes a disservice to the innocent child as it serves a child's best interests to foster a bond with both parents. I look forward to working with counsel for Mrs. Sterling to ensure that Mr. McCall will be able to enjoy his privilege of fatherhood with their lovely daughter going forward and under the direction of the presiding Court."

UPDATE

She finishes by saying, "Mr. McCall's primary focus has always been and will continue to be the best interests of his daughter."

Eva Marcille is pleading with a judge to keep her baby daddy away from their daughter, because she fears he's capable of going on a killing spree like Chris Dorner.

The 'RHOA' star filed legal docs, obtained by TMZ, responding to Kevin McCall Jr.'s request to have the judge reevaluate their custody arrangement for 5-year-old Marley Rae -- but Eva says there's no need to because her ex is dangerous.

In the docs, Eva claims Kevin is unstable and has admitted to her he could do worse damage than Dorner -- the ex-cop who went on a killing rampage in 2013 that ended with a manhunt and fatal shootout in Southern California.

Eva also claims Kevin praised a man that killed her good friend and himself in a murder-suicide. She alleges he referred to the guy as his "hero." Eva even included a screenshot from one of Kevin's IG posts where he seemed to make ominous threats against her ... and called himself a "ticking time bomb."

Adding insult to injury, Eva says Kevin's been wrapped up in more legal woes -- including a recent domestic violence charge -- which she believes should disqualify him from spending time with their daughter.

According to the docs, Eva claims Kevin's not only been an absentee father for most of Marley's life, but he also hasn't paid a dime of child support.

She says nothing needs to change in terms of custody, and she wants a judge to toss Kevin's request entirely.

We reached out to Kevin ... so far, no word back.

Originally Published -- 9:35 AM PT

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