RB Singer Raz B Reportedly on Life Support After Nightclub Fight

(KTLA) Raz B who rose to fame as a member of the chart topping group B2K was on life support Saturday after an attack on the singer at a nightclub Thursday in China TMZ reported.

He is in a coma and needs as many prayers as possible Raz s publicist Toy Jones told TMZ.

Raz B got his start as a member of B2K (Epic Records)

Raz B whose birth name is De Mario Monte Thornton was smashed across the face with a glass bottle during a concert on Thursday where he was set to perform.

The incident happened when the 28 year old stepped in to break up a fight TMZ reported.

He was initially arrested in connection with the brawl but police realized the singer had nothing to do with the fight and released him for medical treatment.

He was hospitalized and treated for what was believed to be a minor injury before being discharged later that day.

But the next morning Raz didn t wake up.

He remained unconscious while backup dancers rushed him to the hospital where doctors confirmed he had brain activity but was comatose TMZ reported.

The singer was said to be breathing through a ventilator.

Born in Cleveland Raz B was a member of the boy band B2K along with Omarion Lil Fizz and J Boog.

The group met in 1998 and was managed by music producer Chris Stoke.

Their name B2K (Boys of the New Millennium) was meant to represent the fact that they got together at the beginning of the new millennium.

The group released their self titled debut album in 2002. It peaked at 2 on the Billboard 200 and 1 on the U.S. Hot RB/Hip Hop Songs albums chart.

B2K was known for the hit singles Bump Bump Bump Girlfriend and Why I Love You but split in 2003 after they starred in the movie You Got Served.

According to his official website Raz B recently released new mixtape called Panic.

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UFC Fight Night Sonnen submits Rua in first round

Chael Sonnen has long been known for his ground game but it wasn't until his victory over Mauricio Rua on Saturday night that he proved how quickly he can finish fights there.

After a back and forth first round Sonnen locked up a guillotine choke late in the opening frame forcing the former UFC light heavyweight champion to tap out at the 4 47 mark of Round 1.

The light heavyweight bout headlined Saturday's UFC Fight Night 26 event at Boston's TD Garden. It aired on FOX Sports 1 as part of the new cable channel's first day on air.

FULL COVERAGE MMA news at MMAjunkie.com

Sonnen's trademark style was on display early as he wasted no time diving for the takedown and planting Shogun on the mat in the opening seconds of the bout. Rua wasn't content to stay there long however and he quickly scrambled to his feet and got a takedown of his own to even things up.

To Sonnen's credit he stayed calm and collected early on and it wasn't long before he had reversed the position and resumed the grinding ground and pound style from the top that most people expected from him in this fight. But the real surprise came in the final minute of the round when Sonnen locked up the guillotine choke and finished it from his back leaving his Brazilian opponent with no escape route as he squeezed for the submission victory.

After the fight the always verbose Sonnen first dedicated his win to his grandmother who he said has battled cancer then launched almost immediately into his pro wrestling style schtick praising his own performance with an impromptu poem and then calling out longtime Brazilian rival Wanderlei Silva.

Right here on the UFC's new home FOX Sports 1 Wanderlei Silva 6 feet tall and 205 pounds Sonnen said in his post fight interview with UFC color commentator Joe Rogan. Boy until I met you I didn't know they could stack crap that high.

After being briefly interrupted by Rogan Sonnen was soon back on track offering Silva a fight in three months' time before storming out of the cage.

With the win Sonnen (28 13 1 MMA 7 6 UFC) gets his first victory since January 2012 snapping a two fight losing streak that saw him suffer defeats in bouts for both the UFC middleweight and light heavyweight titles. Rua (21 8 MMA 5 6 UFC) has now lost two in a row in the UFC.

Full UFC Fight Night 26 results

Chael Sonnen def. Mauricio Shogun Rua via submission (guillotine choke) Round 1 4 47Travis Browne def. Alistair Overeem via KO (head kick punches) Round 1 4 08Urijah Faber def. Yuri Alcantara via unanimous decision (30 26 30 26 30 27)Matt Brown def. Mike Pyle via KO (punches) Round 1 0 29John Howard def. Uriah Hall via split decision (30 27 28 29 29 28)Michael Johnson def. Joe Lauzon via unanimous decision (30 27 30 27 30 25)Michael McDonald def. Brad Pickett via submission (triangle choke) Round 2 3 43Conor McGregor def. Max Holloway via unanimous decision (30 27 30 27 30 26)Steven Siler def. Mike Brown via KO (punches) Round 1 0 50Diego Brandao def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29 28 29 28 29 28)Manny Gamburyan def. Cole Miller via unanimous decision (30 27 29 28 29 28)Ovince St. Preux def. Cody Donovan via KO (punches) Round 1 2 07James Vick def. Ramsey Nijem via submission (guillotine choke) Round 1 0 58

Ben Fowlkes writes for MMAjunkie.com a USA TODAY Sports Media Group affiliate. Follow Ben on Twitter benfowlkesMMA.

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Raz B On Life Support Celebs Fans Send Their Prayers

Surviving Bigfoot and the Dixie Mafia is a great book for people in search of a good read. The novel is available through Amazon. After many years of family research I bring you this powerful book. My name is Dennis Daryl Shamblin and I am a screenwriter and producer from Oklahoma. The book was compiled using daily journals and diaries. Next year I will be producing the feature film and game.

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(We originally published this story on Aug. 16.)

(We originally published this story on Aug. 16.)

The lack of relevancy that marks UFC Fight Night 26's main event is more than made up for with a stacked undercard.

While Chael Sonnen and Mauricio Rua are some of the organization's bigger draws they won't get a light heavyweight title shot anywhere in the near future. The winner of a heavyweight co main event between Alistair Overeem and Travis Browne can't say the same however. And there are plenty of fighters on the card who linger on the cusp of big opportunities.

Three former champs two The Ultimate Fighter winners three TUF finalists and the key heavyweight matchup are a few of the notable additions to the UFC's live event debut on the new FOX Sports 1 which went live today..

UFC Fight Night 26's main card features six fights but a total of 10 bouts will be seen live on FOX Sports 1 starting at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT). Facebook prelims kick off at 4 30 p.m. ET.

The event which takes place at Boston's TD Garden hasn't exactly gone off without a hitch. Political opposition from the city council's president licensing issues with the state's athletic commission and union backed protests added to the challenge of mounting a successful event. The issues weren't enough to keep it from going forward though UFC President Dana White said they may keep the promotion from coming back to Beantown any time soon.

There also were fears the event wouldn't be available in the 90 million homes promised for the channel's debut. Those were allayed this week when FOX struck agreements with several major cable providers. According to White (and a very eager Sonnen) UFC Fight Night 26 will be available in 93 million homes. The visibility is crucial as FOX shepherds the promotion into the mainstream as one of six major sports franchises on the channel. And why not lead off with a fighter who's perhaps most comfortable in the spotlight

Sonnen (27 13 1 MMA 6 6 UFC) isn't setting any records with his UFC win percentage but he might be for the amount of business he's able to generate without a title. The masterful promoter is no longer ranked at 185 pounds where he fought the best stretch of his octagon career and plans to return after the event. Yet he'll headline his third straight event after losing a rematch to former middleweight champ Anderson Silva and most recently falling to light heavyweight champ Jon Jones. While he's taken more shots at his nemesis Wanderlei Silva than Rua in the buildup to Saturday his presence should sell the card to casual fans.

Rua (21 7 MMA 5 5 UFC) who briefly held the UFC light heavyweight belt isn't the showman outside the cage as Sonnen is but he still garners interest despite the rocky road of his UFC career. It's been four years since the Brazilian put together a win streak and injuries have repeatedly hindered him. In his most recent outing the 205 pound division's brightest prospect current No. 1 contender Alexander Gustafsson outpointed him which cast doubt on Rua's ability to compete with the young lions of the sport. Despite that setback his stature as a former PRIDE and UFC titleholder buys him the ability to get back into the title picture perhaps more quickly than Sonnen whose UFC record at 205 pounds is 0 1.

There's little doubt as to how the headliner will shape up inside the cage though some might break it down a little too simplistically. While Sonnen is a far better wrestler than Rua he's unlikely to spend the entire fight diving for the Brazilian's legs. He's more apt to force his opponent to fight backward and stuff him against the cage before attempting a takedown. Rua isn't particularly offensive off his back save for a kneebar he likes to apply to wrestlers and if Sonnen is able to rinse and repeat with his strategy he should win a decision.

Rua's best chance of putting himself back in the win column is to catch Sonnen in transition with a quick kick or punch. While he tends to swing wide with his punches and be predictable it's possible his recent work with boxing guru Freddie Roach will have added some straighter and more powerful attacks to his arsenal. If he couples punches with some stiff leg kicks to take the spring out of Sonnen's step or perhaps some knees from the clinch he'll have a good night.

Betting lines are almost even for the main event with money narrowly favoring Sonnen to win.

OTHER MAIN CARD BOUTS

Travis Browne (14 1 1 MMA 5 1 1 UFC) vs. Alistair Overeem (36 12 MMA 1 1 UFC) As a former Strikeforce and K 1 champion Overeem is a star and according to Browne has the persona that will keep him afloat in the heavyweight division longer than the average fighter. But Overeem also has encountered devastating setbacks that have removed a lot of his luster after his high profile signing two years ago. He was effectively benched for a year after failing a pre fight drug test that scratched a title fight at UFC 146 with now former champ Junior dos Santos and in his return appearance Antonio Bigfoot Silva knocked him out. If unable to get past Browne it could be devastating for his title aspirations. It could also make him an expensive line item for any card which might be the greatest danger to staying under contract.

And Browne as it turns out is no easy opponent. He's younger has less miles on his body and arguably is faster on his feet than the hard slugging former kickboxer. He's certainly lighter than the bulky Overeem who will tip the scales at more than 250 pounds. If able to slip punches and counter with his own or take Overeem to the mat Browne could pull off the upset. He's a 2 1 underdog but don't count him out.

Yuri Alcantara (28 4 MMA 3 1 UFC) vs. Urijah Faber (28 6 MMA 4 2 UFC) Faber remains in a holding pattern while bantamweight champs Dominick Cruz and Renan Barao recover from injuries and Alcantara is the latest opponent who hopes to launch his career with a win over the former WEC champ. Alcantara has beaten solid opposition in Ricardo Lamas and Michihiro Omigawa but most of his wins are against unheralded competition. That's the likely explanation for the list of submissions and TKOs that fills his record but against Faber he's got a tough road. The two time UFC title challenger has proven tough to submit and tough to hit when not fighting the best in the world and Alcantara will have to pull off a brilliant surprise to be the exception. So far bettors favor Faber to stay in line for a title as a 2 1 favorite.

Matt Brown (17 11 MMA 10 5 UFC) vs. Mike Pyle (25 8 1 MMA 8 3 UFC) Originally set to face onetime welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves Brown was tapped to meet veteran Pyle when an injury took Alves out of the equation. It's an even more relevant fight to the division as Brown is riding a five fight win streak while Pyle has won his past four. However it's a stylistically tougher matchup for Brown who's a relentless attacker on his feet but has shown consistent weakness in submission defense. Pyle not only is vastly improved as a striker but he has the option of taking the fight to the ground where he has the advantage. It's a dangerous and compelling fight for both and could put the winner within one or two fights of a title shot.

Michael Johnson (12 8 MMA 4 4 UFC) vs. Joe Lauzon (22 8 MMA 9 5 UFC) The Ultimate Fighter 12 finalist Johnson gets a stiff challenge with Lauzon who fights on home turf and has a penchant for nabbing submissions. That just happens to be Johnson's weakness and unless he's able to stay on his feet and make the crafty Lauzon pay it could be a quick night for him.

The official UFC Fight Night 26 card includes

MAIN CARD (FOX Sports 1 8 p.m. ET)

Mauricio Rua vs. Chael Sonnen Travis Browne vs. Alistair Overeem Yuri Alcantara vs. Urijah Faber Matt Brown vs. Mike Pyle Uriah Hall vs. John Howard Michael Johnson vs. Joe Lauzon PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 1 6 p.m. ET) Michael McDonald vs. Brad Pickett Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor Mike Brown vs. Steven Siler Diego Brandao vs. Daniel Pineda PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook 4 30 p.m. ET) Manny Gamburyan vs. Cole Miller Cody Donovan vs. Ovince St. Preux Ramsey Nijem vs. James Vick For more on UFC Fight Night 26 stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site. Edit this article

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Raz B In Coma Former B2K Member Reportedly On Life Support In China

Former B2K member Raz B is in a coma and is currently on life support at a hospital in China according to TMZ. His condition is said to be serious and doctors are testing for brain activity.

The 28 year old RB singer was hospitalized Thursday after he was hit in the face with a glass bottle during a nightclub performance but released shortly after. He was taken back Friday morning after he could not be woken up.

Raz B whose real name is De'Mario Monte Thornton was apparently trying to break up a fight that erupted during his show when he was struck in the face with a bottle. He suffered a deep cut on his lip along with several grazes on his face.

After the incident Chinese police detained both Raz B and his attacker taking them to a local police station for questioning. Raz B was released and transported to a hospital so doctors could stitch up his lip. He underwent minor surgery.

Raz B is most well known for being a founding member of B2K. The RB group which included Omarion Lil' Fizz and J Boog produced hits like Uh Huh and Bump Bump Bump before splitting in 2004.

Since B2K disbanded Raz B has produced music on his own. He released a mixtape in 2010 and has been touring China while he works on his first solo album.

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Solheim Cup 2013 live from Colorado Golf Club Live

LPGA rules official Brad Alexander talks with Carlota Ciganda of Spain and captain Liselotte Neumann of Sweden as they determine the placement of the ball drop after Ciganda hit her second shot into a hazard on the 15th hole during the afternoon fourball matches at the 2013 Solheim Cup on Aug. 16 2013 at the Colorado Golf Club in Parker Colorado. Carlota Ciganda of Spain and Suzann Petterson of Norway and the European Team went on to defeat Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson of the United States Team by one hole. (Doug Pensinger Getty Images)

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Charlie Manuel done as Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg takes over

After a tenure that included five playoff trips Charlie Manuel is out as Phillies manager. (USATSI)

More MLB Scoreboard Standings Probable Pitchers Sortable Stats Odds

Charlie Manuel's days of managing the Phillies are over.

Manuel has been removed as manager and replaced by Ryne Sandberg on an interim basis the Phillies announced Friday afternoon.

During a news conference Manuel made it clear that he did not quit and said it's something they wanted to do.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. himself made it clear that Manuel was going to be out at the end of the season anyway so with the Phillies struggling so badly now was a logical time to give Sandberg his shot.

Scott MillerNew manager What Phils really need is better players

This ends a tenure of nearly nine full seasons in which Manuel was at the helm for five NL East championships two National League pennants and one World Series title. He ends said tenure with a regular season record of 780 636 and a postseason record of 27 19.

Including his three seasons managing the Indians Manuel has a career record of 1 000 826. In seasons he has managed all 162 games he has never had a losing record the 81 81 mark last season was his worst full season. That likely would have changed this season as the Phillies sit at 53 67.

Manuel will turn 70 this coming January.

It has long been assumed that Sandberg the Phillies' third base coach would replace Manuel as manager after this season so the promotion doesn't come as a big surprise.

Sandberg was a Hall of Famer who spent the overwhelming majority of his career with the Cubs but he was drafted and made his big league debut with the Phillies. He managed in the minors in the Cubs system from 2007 10 but after being passed over for the Cubs big league managerial job in favor of Mike Quade Sandberg left the organization to manage the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (the Phillies' Triple A affiliate). He was then brought up to the bigs this season as the third base coach.

And now Sandberg will get his first crack at being a major league manager. He has the label of interim manager though that could be just to satisfy MLB with the process of replacing Manuel. The expectation reports Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com is that Sandberg will be the manager next season too.

With Sandberg taking over as manager Juan Samuel will take over as the third base coach while Wally Joyner will be the first base coach.

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Jared Remys life Few high points years of trouble

He is a bodybuilder of menacing steroid enhanced proportions with a lengthy rap sheet for domestic violence. And yet when Jared W. Remy welcomed two Boston Globe reporters into his Waltham living room in July 2009 he proved a friendly gregarious host in the midst of an apparently happy domestic moment with his girlfriend Jennifer Martel and their 10 month old daughter.

Remy held his daughter in his lap and played with their Chihuahua Buddy. The computer screensaver flashed a series of family photos while the flat screen TV which he bought after selling a World Series ring on eBay for $18 500 was tuned to Nickelodeon.

The couple talked about plans to get married to get a new puppy. Martel a petite brunette was planning to take college classes and Remy wanted to become a personal trainer. Martel spoke with pride about the budding baseball skills of Remy s son from a previous relationship how much she enjoyed the boy s games.

The seemingly content household would prove to be tragically ephemeral. Remy 34 was charged Friday with stabbing Martel 27 to death on their patio while their daughter was at home.

Continue reading below

The Globe Spotlight Team interviewed Remy and several of his friends while reporting on a Major League Baseball investigation into allegations of steroid use involving Remy and a co worker on the Red Sox security staff. Both were fired in 2008.

In a conversation later that summer there was evidence that Remy and Martel s relationship was already rocky. Remy had grown angry about the Globe s inquiries among former associates and said the reporters had sparked a fight that led Martel to move out.

Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff

Attorney Peter Bella (left) conferred with Jared Remy during Friday s arraignment in Waltham District Court.

That summer Remy candidly acknowledged having been violent toward a former girlfriend. He said severe dyslexia left him virtually illiterate and unable to go to college so he had fallen in with the wrong crowd in younger years. He talked about generous financial support including help with his rent from his father Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy.

And he acknowledged using steroids but denied allegations he sold them.

I ve never sold steroids he said. I go to my dad for money. It s not worth my time to do a year in jail for a couple of bottles of steroids.

Perhaps the clearest glimpse into Remy s tragic complicated life comes in a report from a psychologist that was submitted in Waltham District Court apparently documenting his progress while on probation.

In the past Remy exhibited impulsivity overly aggressive responses and a profound difficulty distinguishing his feelings (e.g. he d frequently confuse sad feelings with mad feelings) wrote the psychologist who had seen Remy for five years.

While the psychologist lamented Remy s refusal to take anti anxiety medication he said Remy had made real and substantial progress becoming more self observant and more appropriately self regulating. And he called Remy a devoted father.

Like the rest of us Mr. Remy must be held responsible for his actions the psychologist concluded. I mention the anxiety disorder here only to acknowledge that in difficult moments Mr. Remy s neurological/biochemical state works against him. This condition is something the vast majority of us don t have to deal with.

Remy is the oldest of three children of Phoebe and Jerry Remy who spent 10 years in the Major Leagues before building a career as the beloved voice of Red Sox Nation.

His therapist indicated Jared Remy attended the Gifford School in Weston a therapeutic school for students with learning or behavioral challenges.

His criminal history in Waltham District Court goes back to 1998 when he was charged with destruction of property belonging to the mother of his son. He would soon become a frequent presence in the courthouse for charges that included possessing a hypodermic needle and hitting a woman in the head with a beer bottle at a Waltham bar in 2003. But most of the charges between 2002 and 2005 involved his then girlfriend assault threats and violating a restraining order.

He allegedly threatened to kill her at least twice. In 2004 she said she found him cutting up her clothing and pictures with scissors after a fight. The following year he accepted responsibility for punching and kicking her until she ran to a neighbor s house.

Remy said his steroid use did not contribute to the violence.

I made mistakes he told the Globe. That was just me getting mad and making wrong decisions.

He apparently stayed out of trouble with the law for a number of years.

In the early 2000s Remy began working for the Red Sox setting up security gates checking visitors bags and walking around the ballpark making sure people had their credentials. He said his father helped him get the $11 an hour job.

It came to an unhappy end in 2008 when a fellow Red Sox security employee Nicholas Alex Cyr was found asleep at the wheel driving home from a fund raiser hosted by Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett. Police found a vial of steroids in the car and Cyr said he bought the drugs from Remy.

The two workers told the Red Sox and Major League Baseball that they knew of no steroid use by players but Remy told the Spotlight Team a former aide to David Ortiz had talked openly about his own steroid use while the former aide and Remy were at Gold s Gym on Lansdowne Street.

Remy was proud of his encyclopedic knowledge of weightlifting and said he could bench 475 pounds 100 pounds more than he estimated he would be able to lift if he had not used performance enhancing drugs. He also said he had an injury related to his steroid use that required surgery.

A friend of his who spoke to the Globe in 2009 on condition of anonymity said Remy got into bodybuilding because he was a scrawny kid. Despite Remy s dyslexia the friend called him very smart.

The police report for Remy s arrest Tuesday listed his employer as LTS Sports a merchandising company that Jerry Remy cofounded with initials that stand for Life s too short.

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Charlie Manuel Fired

Charlie Manuel FiredNEXT VIDEO Charlie Manuel FiredCharlie Manuel FiredDodgers Win Ninth StraightDodgers Win Ninth Straight

PHILADELPHIA With Charlie Manuel seated to his left Ruben Amaro Jr. broke down in tears after announcing he fired his manager.

It was that emotional for the general manager and many associated with the Philadelphia Phillies.

More from ESPN.com

The Phillies chose their words carefully Friday saying goodbye to manager Charlie Manuel and slapping the word interim onto Ryne Sandberg's title writes Jayson Stark. Story

SportsNation Manuel To Blame

Manuel was let go Friday after a disastrous second half ending the most successful run in club history. Hall of Famer and former Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg the Phillies' third base coach replaced Manuel for the start of a 10 game homestand.

You people may not know the relationship I've had with Charlie. He's a special person. This is difficult for me. I hope he stays in our organization said Amaro who took over as GM after Manuel led the Phillies to the World Series title in 2008.

The 69 year old Manuel the winningest manager in club history was in the final year of his contract and wanted to manage another two or three seasons.

I never quit nothing and I didn't resign Manuel said making it clear he was pushed out the door.

I'm mad because they took the best seat in the house from me Manuel said adding I enjoyed every bit of it.

Manuel had been a folksy presence in the Phillies' dugout since the beginning of the 2005 season. He wasn't a popular choice in Philadelphia when former GM Ed Wade hired him to replace Larry Bowa but he became a beloved figure in a tough city.

Coach Company

Former MLB player Aaron Rowand talks about the Phillies' decision to part ways with Charlie Manuel talks about what Manuel meant to him and says he's sure Manuel will manage again in the Majors.

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I think we're all a little upset a little sad Chase Utley said. It's not easy to see the guy you play for for nine years not behind the batting cage right now watching batting practice. It's difficult.

Charlie brought out the most in his players. He was a man you could walk up to and he was the same every day. He was always going to give that positive energy and a lot of times that translated to the field.

Sandberg managed the Phillies' Triple A team at Lehigh Valley the previous two seasons. He was part of one the most lopsided trades in sports history when the Phillies dealt him and Bowa to the Cubs for shortstop Ivan DeJesus in 1982.

I must say that for me I recognize this day as Charlie Manuel Day Sandberg said at his first news conference. What he's meant to the Philadelphia Phillies' organization what he's meant to the fans the championships the World Series he's tops in the organization for what he did here. I really enjoyed my nearly three years with him in spring training and being here in Septembers and this year especially being with him on a daily basis. I wish Charlie the best with whatever he intends to do and he left a big footprint here in Philadelphia.

Amaro said Sandberg takes over on an interim basis and would be evaluated after the season. In his first game Friday night the Phillies were shut out by the Dodgers 4 0 dropping them to 53 68 overall and 5 20 since the All Star break.

These guys are professional players they're getting paid well Sandberg said before the game. Sometimes players have to dig deeper play with pride play with heart and for the name on the front of the uniform.

Manuel won his 1 000th career game as manager on Monday in Atlanta. Two days later he sat in the dugout knowing it would be his last game after Amaro informed him of the decision not to extend his contract.

Charlie No Longer In Charge

The Phillies fired Charlie Manuel on Friday in doing so let go of the winningest manager in team history. Here's a look at where he ranks

I think sometimes people forget how much I love to win Manuel said. I think that goes unnoticed. I think sometimes I don't talk about it because I push it to my team and how important it is. Every day I say our No. 1 priority is to win the game. When we get away from that we get into trouble. I love everything about managing and I think for us the last couple years to fall back I get upset very much so. I want us to stay where we were at I want to compete for a World Series every year.

Manuel led Philadelphia to the franchise's second World Series title in 2008 and brought the team back to the series in '09 when it lost to the Yankees in six games.

Manuel was 780 636 with the Phillies and won five straight NL East titles from 2007 11. He also spent three years as manager with the Cleveland Indians winning the AL Central in 2001.

Even with an aging roster the Phillies were expected to contend in the NL East this season but the team has fallen apart.

Two time Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay has missed most of the season with an injury. Slugger Ryan Howard also has been out with an injury. High priced reliever Jonathan Papelbon has struggled to close and apart from Utley and Domonic Brown the Phillies haven't hit much.

We let down not only him we let down the organization we let down the fans said lefty Cole Hamels who is 5 13. But I think ultimately we let each other down. We really have to get back up and discover who we are and what we're playing for. And go out there and do it.

Manuel's abrupt dismissal angered many fans who called into talk radio stations to express their bitterness. Most blame Amaro for the Phillies' decline.

Amaro has made several questionable moves since replacing Pat Gillick. His decision to give Howard a $125 million contract extension nearly two years before he was set to become a free agent has handcuffed the team financially along with other big money deals.

This isn't a blame game Amaro said. I'm not here to blame Charlie for our issues. We all have a part in it.

Amaro says the former manager has a job with the team if he wants it.

Manuel though said he isn't sure he will remain with the club.

What I need to do is get some time off to sit and think he said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Government officially acknowledges existence of Area 51 but not the UFOs

For reasons unknown the government finally has admitted that Area 51 the Shangri La of alien hunters and a sturdy trope of science fiction movies is a real place in the Mojave Desert about 100 miles north of Las Vegas.

It presumably does not house hideous squidlike ETs but at least you can see the place on a map. Area 51 is confirmed in declassified CIA documents posted online Thursday by the National Security Archive at George Washington University. A dogged researcher pried from the CIA a report on the history of the U 2 spy plane which was tested and operated at Area 51.

The military which runs the base always denied that Area 51 was called by its famous moniker preferring a designation connected to the Groom Lake salt flat a landing strip for the U 2 and other stealth aircraft.

Your honor there is no name an Air Force attorney told a federal judge in 1995. There is no name for the operating location near Groom Lake.

The hearing was part of an environmental poisoning case brought by Area 51 workers who said that they had been sickened by exposure to toxic chemicals including anti radar coatings and other classified materials burned in open pits on the base.

For years those workers commuted from Vegas to Area 51 also known as the Ranch. Some of them died after developing strange rashes and respiratory problems.

The men could tell no one what they did they had signed national security oaths barring any disclosures about the black budget facility where the stealth bomber also was tested. But some became plaintiffs in a case against the government brought by George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley.

That case brought me to Area 51 in 1997. I had hoped to see the base from afar. From certain vantage points I d heard that it might appear suitably like a mirage.

But I didn t make it past the perimeter where a sign warned that trespassers fell under the jurisdiction of military law. Too dangerous Use of Deadly Force Authorized the sign said citing the Internal Security Act of 1950.

In 1955 President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved the addition of this strip of wasteland known by its map designation as Area 51 to the Nevada Test Site according to the declassified CIA history. The area was near the Atomic Energy Commission s vast desolate proving grounds.

The CIA internally published its official history of the U 2 program in 1992. It was released in heavily redacted form thereafter and National Security Archive fellow Jeffrey Richelson reviewed a copy in 2002. He filed a new Freedom of Information Act request in 2005 and the documents arrived about a month ago this time with fewer redactions. Therein the first ever reference to Area 51.

Why was the veil finally lifted

It is something we do not know the answer to Richelson said Friday. One of the things I want to find out is the genesis of this decision Why did they not redact it

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Area 51 officially acknowledged mapped in newly released documents

(CNN) Area 51 has long been a topic of fascination for conspiracy theorists and paranormal enthusiasts but newly released CIA documents officially acknowledge the site and suggest that the area served a far less remarkable purpose than many had supposed.

According to these reports which include a map of the base's location in Nevada Area 51 was merely a testing site for the government's U 2 and OXCART aerial surveillance programs. The U 2 program conducted surveillance around the world including over the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Area 51 about 125 miles northwest of Las Vegas is synonymous in popular culture with government secrecy and many have theorized that it holds the answer to one of the greatest questions plaguing mankind Are we really alone in the universe

But the newly released documents make no mention of alien autopsy rooms or spaceship parking lots.

UFO spotted hovering over pool FBI memo details flying saucers aliens UFO welcome center waits for green guys

This information will be disappointing to some who have come to view the area has been a mecca of sorts for alien encounters.

For these true believers the existence of alien spacecraft at Area 51 and the government's attempts to cover up their trace is irrefutable and has been since reports of Unidentified Flying Objects or UFOs began to emerge from the Nevada desert in the middle part of the 20th century.

The map and other documents were released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by Jeffrey T. Richelson a senior fellow at the National Security Archives in 2005.

Richelson submitted the request as part of his continuing study of aerial surveillance programs and told CNN that he was not given an explanation of why the new documents were less redacted than previous versions declassified by the agency.

He points out however that the location of Area 51 was not a particularly well kept secret. Its location appears in books on aerial surveillance and is widely referenced in popular culture.

In fact the map that was released in the CIA documents mirrors the one that appears after a simple Google Maps search for Area 51.

Area 51 has also been referenced in government documents in the past though this newest release is the first that acknowledges its existence and location in a purposeful way.

Richelson told CNN he believes this could signal a dramatic change in the government's willingness to declassify information about the famed base meaning even more information could come out about Area 51 in the future.

The release of these reports seem to put the theories about aliens and flying saucers to rest for the time being although they may not be enough to silence the true believers.

At least they still have Roswell right

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Remys son faces murder charge

Jared Remy Facing Murder Charge

WALTHAM Mass. The son of longtime Boston Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy pleaded not guilty Friday to fatally stabbing his girlfriend a day after he was released from custody for allegedly assaulting her.

Jared Remy was arraigned in Waltham District Court on charges of murder and domestic assault and battery in the Thursday night killing of Jennifer Martel 27.

Police officers responding to several 911 calls went to a Waltham apartment complex at about 10 p.m. Thursday and found Martel on an outside patio with multiple stab wounds Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said.

In court prosecutors described a brutal and determined attack saying Remy assaulted Martel in the kitchen living room on a stairway and then pinned her to the ground in the patio where he stabbed her several times. Neighbors who tried to help Martel were driven back when Remy slashed at them Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Lisa McGovern told a judge.

Remy 34 was arrested at the scene his clothes soaked in the victim's blood.

On Wednesday Remy had been released on personal recognizance in an open assault and battery case in which Martel was the alleged victim Ryan said. The there was no active restraining order against him she said.

Remy has a violent criminal history including a total of 15 criminal charges since 1998 according to Waltham court records. He has been accused of assaulting five people including four women and was involved in at least three restraining orders including one in which he was the plaintiff.

Remy was ordered held without bail. His attorney did not immediately return a call for comment.

Martel's 4 year old child in the apartment was unhurt and is now in the custody of state child welfare officials. It was unclear if Remy was the father Ryan said.

Jerry Remy is a former Red Sox second baseman who has been a color analyst on team broadcasts on the New England Sports Network since 1988. He has struggled with health problems in recent years.

Jared Remy is a former Red Sox security staffer who was fired by the team in 2008 during a steroid investigation.

The Red Sox did not immediately return a call for comment but NESN released a two sentence statement lamenting the tragedy.

All of us at NESN and the Red Sox along with Jerry Remy are filled with grief for everyone involved and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Jennifer Martel the statement read.

Dennis Eckersley will fill in for Remy as the color analyst for NESN Red Sox game broadcasts starting tonight and through at least the team's upcoming West Coast trip (Aug. 19 25) the network announced.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press

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That 70s Show actress Lisa Robin Kelly dies at age 43

Lisa Robin Kelly an actress best known for her long running role as Laurie Forman on That '70s Show died at age 43 on Wednesday.

Kelly had been staying at a rehab facility in California when she passed away in her sleep according to TMZ.

RELATED LISA ROBIN KELLY ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF DUI

Kelly's agent told the gossip site that the actress had voluntarily checked herself into treatment during the past week.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Supplied by PacificCoas/Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dep 'That 70's Show' star Lisa Robin Kelly after an arrest for assault. The actress died in her sleep at a California rehab facility at the age of 43.

I spoke to her on Monday and she was hopeful and confident looking forward to putting this part of her life behind her Kelly's agent Craig Wyckoff told People. Last night she lost the battle. Cause of death has not been issued yet and no death certificate has been issued either.

PHOTOS STARS GONE TOO SOON

Connecticut born Kelly debuted in an episode of Married..with Children in 1992. She also appeared on television shows Murphy Brown and Charmed as well as TV movie Amity Dollhouse. Kelly's best known part was on That '70s Show on which she played the older sister of Topher Grace's character Eric Forman. When she left the FOX sitcom after five years she was replaced by actrss Christina Moore.

In an interview with ABC News Kelly opened up about her struggles with substance abuse after she left the show.

The cast of 'That '70s Show.' Lisa Robin Kelly far right who starred as Laurie Forman died Thursday.

RELATED THAT 70S SHOW ACTRESS ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT

I had lost a baby Kelly said. As a result of that I lost it. I lost everything and I was abusing alcohol.

With 'That '70s Show' I was guilty of a drinking problem and I ran she added.

PHOTOS IN MEMORIAM STARS WE'VE LOST IN 2013

Kelly had been arrested several times in the past three years for a string of incidents. In 2010 Kelly pled guilty to misdemeanour drunk driving earning her a night in jail and a year of unsupervised probation. In March 2012 Kelly was arrested on a count of spousal abuse though charges were later dropped. In November of the same year Kelly and her husband Gilliam were both arrested for assault. In June of this year the actress was arrested again on suspicion of driving under the influence.

In June Kelly had filed for divorce from Gilliam citing irreconcilable differences for as the cause of their split.

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Cutler showing same old bad habits in new offense

By now nobody has found reason to doubt that Bears players have bought into new coach Marc Trestman a point Jay Cutler oddly raised on the first day of training camp.

The more pertinent question after the Bears beat the Chargers 33 28 on Thursday night at Soldier Field in their second exhibition game poses how confident everybody at Halas Hall should feel buying into Cutler.

Another emerging one When will it become obvious Cutler has invested in truly changing as a quarterback under Trestman

David Haugh Bio E mail Recent columns Related Photos Bears beat Chargers 33 28 Bears take some steps in right direction Wootton and McClellin both make impact Rookie starters toe line Bears Chargers Box score stats and more See more stories Maps Soldier FIELD 1410 Museum Campus Drive Chicago IL 60605 USA

Eventually it will right

The Bears fired Lovie Smith after a 10 6 season and hired Trestman because general manager Phil Emery wanted a dramatic change offensively a move easy to justify. But for real change to take hold on the side of the ball that desperately needed it the Bears cannot tolerate the status quo from the offense's most important player.

Yet more than anything in four series against the Chargers Cutler looked like the guy most responsible for getting three previous Bears offensive coordinators fired instead of the player most likely to help Trestman succeed.

The Bears' starting offense departed after scoring 14 points in the first quarter production Trestman received after a demanding week of practice. Matt Forte ran with authority and the revamped rookie right side of the offensive line guard Kyle Long and tackle Jordan Mills provided glimmers of hope. Left tackle Jermon Bushrod appeared agile pulling on Forte's 58 yard run and Devin Hester finally resembled well himself returning the opening kickoff 45 yards.

But the interception Cutler threw with 5 minutes 31 seconds left in the first quarter left the game's deepest impression by renewing doubts whether Trestman's new offense can survive his quarterback's old habits. Chicagoans have seen that videotape before and know how it ends. Cutler completed 4 of 5 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown somehow good enough to post a passer rating of 98.3 that will convince statistical analysts that everything is fine.

Look closer. Is it really

Raising quarterback questions with two exhibitions remaining isn't an overreaction as much as acknowledgment Cutler needs to grow and still can before Week 1 if he accepts coaching from a man with a track record for fixing the position. Nothing will determine success for the Bears more than the progress of Cutler. So far evidence has been scant in games and practices that Cutler can put the ball in the right spots at the right time as Trestman's truer version of the West Coast offense requires.

The latest example came after the Bears had taken over at the Chargers 34 thanks to Chris Conte's interception of Philip Rivers another quarterback stuck in a career rut. On first down Cutler stepped up in the pocket and forced a pass to Brandon Marshall as two defenders bracketed the wide receiver. Like so many other telegraphed passes in 2012 this one was going to Marshall regardless of what else Cutler saw. Come to think of it all four of Cutler's completions went to Marshall too.

Linebacker Donald Butler turned his head and the ball was there a gift from a quarterback with a history of giving. The rash decision had nothing to do with a different playbook or new scheme and everything to do with impulsiveness an eight year veteran quarterback facing a crossroads season cannot show.

I didn't misread Cutler said. I knew what I was doing.

That's the problem. It was one measly play in one meaningless game. But given Cutler's erratic past and allergy to coaching it was relevant to the regular season. Nothing else matters for the Bears this preseason as much as Cutler's learning curve and through mid August it looks alarmingly flat.

He's shown me he's not going to make the same mistake twice '' Trestman said.

If only Cutler made that clearer to the rest of us.

On the second straight disastrous opening series a trend Cutler held on to the ball too long on third and 20 and took a sack instead of throwing it away. On the second series he rebounded by throwing a beautiful back shoulder pass to Marshall for a 5 yard touchdown. Then came his defining interception killing any other good vibe produced. In the small preseason sample size of two quarters Cutler has played as inconsistently as ever.

The Bears will improve offensively only if Cutler does. He still can but only if Trestman gets his quarterback to avoid forcing the ball into coverage the way he has since arriving in Chicago four years ago and in Denver for three seasons before that.

The problem with Cutler never has been executing throws but making decisions. Still is.

Ultimately Cutler must decide to prove he really can be coached.

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WWEs Young comes out as gay

Everyone knows that professional wrestling is scripted but there didn t appear to be anything bogus about one WWE star s acknowledgement that he is gay.

Darren Young real name Fred Rosser became the first active professional wrestler to come out stunning a TMZ cameraman at the Los Angeles airport with the news after the paparazzo asked him if a gay athlete could make it in the WWE or MMA.

Absolutely look at me Young said. I'm a WWE Superstar and to be honest with you I'll tell you right now I'm gay. And I'm happy. I'm very happy.

To be honest I don't think my sexuality matters Young added. Does it matter Does it matter to you Does it change what you think about me

When the cameraman who said he was flabbergasted at the news described the proclamation as Young s coming out Young seemed to downplay the significance of the news.

LEADING THE WAY There's a long line of athletes who have come out.

I guess if you want to call it coming out I really don t know what to say it is but I m just letting you know he said. I m happy with who I am I m comfortable with myself and I m happy to be living the dream. I m in L.A. for SummerSlam with WWE.

You know to be honest with you I m happy with myself. Some people might not like it some people will like it but I m here to please myself. I m here to be happy. It s very important I m happy with myself.

When asked about setting an example Young said he s hoping to be able to make a difference but noted that someone s sexual preference shouldn t really matter. He also said he s not concerned about it being an issue among his peers in the WWE.

We re all adults and to be honest with you when I come to work I come to work Young said. Business is business. I m a WWE superstar and I m there to entertain the WWE universe and that s what my job is to do and I do it well.

That sentiment seemed to be echoed by WWE star John Cena when TMZ tracked him down to ask him about Young s announcement

Darren Young is an openly gay WWE superstar and there's nothing wrong with that Cena said. If he tries to cause trouble in the locker room that's when it becomes an issue. It's all about being professional. Darren Young is a consummate professional and I'm actually proud of him for doing that.

The WWE also issued a statement supporting Young

On TMZ this morning WWE Superstar Darren Young revealed to the WWE Universe that he is gay. WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar. Today in fact Darren will be participating in one of our Be A STAR anti bullying rallies in Los Angeles to teach children how to create positive environments for everyone regardless of age race religion or sexual orientation.

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Smithsonian unearths a new species of mammal The olinguito

The small bushy tailed rust colored furry mammal they named the olinguito was a rare find the first new carnivore species found in the Western Hemisphere in 35 years.

Its discovery is a story that goes back a decade ago to efforts by Smithsonian zoologist Kris tofer M. Helgen to count the number of species of the olingo a member of the raccoon family. At the Field Museum of Chicago what he found in a drawer stopped him dead in his tracks.

The reddish orange pelts he saw were nothing like the skins of the larger brownish olingos. Searching further he found the anatomy of the skull was also different shorter snout dissimilar teeth.

I knew at that point it was a new species but I also knew I needed to be sure Helgen said. For years he toiled away to confirm that the olinguito was a new species with thorough investigation and DNA testing always afraid that another scientist would beat him to the punch.

Finally he called upon Kays the world s resident olingo expert to help him track down an olinguito in its natural habitat. The researchers along with Ecuadorian zoologist Miguel Pinto set off on a weeks long field expedition in 2006 to the Andes.

Among the treetops the team confirmed the existence of four distinct subspecies of olinguito. With its findings the team in the following years mapped out the animal s predicted geographic distributions reorganized the raccoon family tree using DNA sequencing and peered into every nook and cranny of their bones. Finally the team introduced the newly named creature on Thursday.

Getting a new scientific name out there is really fun Helgen said. It s almost like giving birth.

Olinguito is Spanish for little adorable olingo he said at a Smithsonian Institution news conference announcing the discovery. The researchers also published their findings online in the journal ZooKeys.

The discovery corrects a long running case of mistaken identity. For decades the animals had been observed in the wild tucked away in museum collections and even exhibited at zoos including the National Zoo.

In some ways this animal was hiding in plain sight said Kays director of the Biodiversity and Earth Observation Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Its pelts and bones were found stashed away in dusty museum drawers either mislabeled or not labeled at all.

One captured olinguito puzzled zookeepers because it refused to breed or mingle with other olingos.

They thought it was just a fussy olingo but turns out it was completely the wrong species Helgen said.

Weighing only two pounds about as much as a guinea pig the creature takes the title of smallest member of the raccoon family. It dines on fruits such as figs but also enjoys insects and plant nectar. Although the new animal is in the taxonomic order Carnivora a group of mammals that includes cats and dogs it is not carnivorous because it does not primarily eat meat.

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Smithsonian unearths a new species of carnivore The olinguito

The olinguito is the first new species of carnivore found in the Western Hemisphere in 35 years. Finding a new mammal especially a carnivore is rare.

The discovery corrects a long running case of mistaken identity. For decades scientists thought the mammal was an olingo a larger member of the raccoon family or another mammal. The animals had been observed in the wild tucked away in museum collections and even exhibited at zoos including the National Zoo.

No one realized it was a new species until further investigation and DNA testing.

In some ways this animal was hiding in plain sight said zoologist Roland Kays of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences who helped discover the olinguito. Its pelts and bones were found stashed away in dusty museum drawers either mislabeled or not labeled at all.

The animal puzzled zookeepers because it oddly refused to breed or mingle with other olingos.

They thought it was just a fussy olingo but turns out it was completely the wrong species said Smithsonian zoologist Kristofer M. Helgen who spearheaded the sleuthing on the olinguito which is Spanish for little olingo.

Getting a new scientific name out there is really fun he said. It s almost like giving birth.

Although olinguitos have been spotted in the cloud forests of the northern Andes in rain forests at elevations of 5 000 to 9 000 feet above sea level scientists speculate the animals also might live elsewhere in Central and South America.

Finding the species was sort of an accident. Helgen initially went museum digging because he was determined to find out how many species of the olingo existed. At the Field Museum of Chicago what he found in a drawer stopped him dead in his tracks.

The reddish orange pelts he saw were nothing like the skins of the olingos. Searching further he learned that the anatomy of the skull was different shorter snout dissimilar teeth.

I knew at that point it was a new species but I also knew I needed to be sure Helgen said. For years he toiled away to confirm that the olinguito was a new species with thorough investigation and DNA testing always afraid that another scientist would beat him to the punch.

Finally he called upon Kays the world s resident olingo expert to help him track down a wild olinguito in its natural habitat. The researchers along with Ecuadorian zoologist Miguel Pinto set off on a weeks long field expedition to the Andean cloud forests.

Amid the misty treetops and giant tomato sized figs the team spotted one the first night.

It sort of bounced around the trees almost like a monkey Kays said doing its thing eating the figs.

Zoologist DeeAnn M. Reeder of Bucknell University co curator of a scientific database of mammals finds the olinguito to be an extraordinarily beautiful animal and says that to describe a new carnivore in the 21st century is special and amazing.

This gets people excited about science and museum work and about the things you can discover she said.

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That 70s Show star Lisa Robin Kelly dead at 43

Aug 15 (TheWrap.com) Lisa Robin Kelly the actress who played Laurie Forman on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show has died.

The 43 year old actress had experienced legal and substance abuse troubles in recent years.

Kelly died at a rehab facility while attempting to battle her demons her agent tells TheWrap.

Unfortunately Lisa Robin Kelly passed away last evening. Lisa had voluntarily checked herself into a treatment facility early this week where she was battling the addiction problems that have plagued her these past few years the agent told TheWrap on Thursday. I spoke to her on Monday and she was hopeful and confident looking forward to putting this part of her life behind her. Last night she lost the battle.

A cause of death has not yet been released.

Since exiting the series in 2003 she was replaced by Christina Moore for the show's sixth season Kelly had grabbed more headlines for her legal troubles than her acting career. The actress was arrested in November 2012 for allegedly assaulting her husband in North Carolina which followed a charge of corporal injury on a spouse in March of that year. (Those charges were dropped.)

While Kelly denied the March assault she did admit to struggling with alcohol abuse telling Good Morning America interviewer Abbie Boudreau that she developed a drinking problem after suffering a miscarriage.

I had lost a baby and as a result of that I lost everything and I was abusing alcohol which I no longer do the actress who claimed to be sober for three months at the time of the interview said. With 'That '70s Show ' I was guilty of the drinking problem and I ran. And I am not running from this. And I have paid my dues. And if I can make it through this I can make it through anything.

Most recently in June Kelly was arrested for suspicion of DUI after her car apparently stalled on the 5 freeway in Burbank Calif.

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Massive New EA Humble Bundle Raises Money for Five Charities

Electronic Arts and the Humble Bundle crew have partnered up to let gamers buy six EA games for whatever price they want. Paying more than the average purchase price (currently $4.73) unlocks two bonus titles. In a special twist 100% of the proceeds go to charity no money is going to EA or to Humble Bundle Inc.

The eight titles

Dead Space

Dead Space 3

Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Box

Crysis 2 Ultimate Edition

Mirror's Edge

Medal of Honor

Paying more than the average purchase price unlocks

Battlefield 3

The Sims 3 Starter pack.

All eight games are redeemable via EA's online service Origin. Steam keys are also included for all the games besides Dead Space 3 and Battlefield 3.

The normal humble bundle sliders that let purchasers determine what amount they want to give to developers humble organizers and charities have been replaced with five charity only sliders. Purchasers can contribute to Human Rights Campaign Watsi San Francisco AIDS Foundation American Cancer Society and American Red Cross.

When drafting this story the amount raised for charity was already over $90 000 and has since grown to over $250 000.

Justin Davis is the second or third best looking Editor at IGN. You can follow him on Twitter at ErrorJustin and on IGN.

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Trial on fraud charges set for Real Housewives star Teresa Giudice and her ...

NEWARK The two reality TV stars kept to the script.

They said nothing.

Appearing in a crowded courtroom before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark Teresa and Joe Giudice whose lives are featured in the hit Bravo television series Real Housewives of New Jersey both entered not guilty pleas Wednesday as they were arraigned on a litany of federal fraud charges that could send them to prison for years.

Both sat silently while their attorneys spoke for them during a proceeding that lasted less than five minutes. Teresa Giudice looked downward as Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Romankow outlined the charges in the 39 count indictment against them. Her husband seated to her right stared straight ahead.

The judge set a preliminary trial date of Oct. 8 although that date is expected to slip because of the complexity of the case.

The Giudices are charged with conspiring to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in mortgages and other loans that apparently helped finance a lavish lifestyle while hiding significant assets and income during a two year bankruptcy proceeding.

Separately Joe Giudice 43 is accused of failing to file tax returns from 2004 to 2008 on nearly $1 million of income. And in a separate state case he also faces charges of falsely obtaining a driver s license.

He could be deported to Italy if found guilty on any one of the federal or state charges. A criminal conviction of an immigrant even one living legally in the country carries with it the threat of deportation. Giudice identified in the indictment as Giuseppe came to this country with his parents as a 1 year old child but never became a U.S. citizen.

With hands locked together and their heads turned away from a crush of media as they entered the courthouse for their arraignment Wednesday afternoon the couple ignored a series of shouted questions and screams from a contingent of fans.

Teresa Giudice 41 her black hair pinned back in a bun sported a beige suit a white blouse and a serious expression losing the smile she flashed last month when she came to court for her initial appearance after her indictment.

Her husband who had shoved a TV cameraman out of his way at their last appearance this time kept his hands to himself.

Key players in a television series about an extended family that never seems to stop fighting with each other the couple resides in a 10 000 square foot house in the Towaco section of Montville that features six bedrooms a gourmet kitchen and a master bath with a fireplace.

Teresa Giudice who parlayed her TV fame into a specialty food line and a series of best selling cookbooks is portrayed on the show as a loud mouthed woman with expensive tastes spending lavishly on furniture clothes and toys for their four daughters.

But in October 2009 citing $10.85 million in debt Giudice and her husband filed for bankruptcy just as their TV careers began to take off a decision that has since come to haunt them with allegations they tried to conceal assets including three vehicles a boat and a $280 000 advance for Teresa Guidice s best selling cookbook Skinny Italian.

While the bankruptcy petition was later withdrawn the U.S. Attorney s Office began an investigation. According to federal prosecutors the couple lied to banks the IRS and the bankruptcy court telling lenders they were earning income that did not exist while not telling the government that about the money they were receiving as their success grew.

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For example the indictment alleges Teresa Giudice falsely claimed on a $121 500 mortgage application in September 2001 that she worked for four years for Modern Era Investment Corp. earning $3 750 a month at a time when she was actually unemployed. She submitted fake W 2 forms and phony pay stubs to the bank in support of the loan according to the indictment.

The indictment also alleges Joe Giudice obtained fraudulent construction loans of nearly $2 million. The Giudices were additionally charged with intentionally concealing businesses they owned income they received from a rental property and Teresa Giudice s true income from the television show as well as website sales and personal and magazine appearances.

Attorney Henry Klingeman of Newark who represents Teresa Guidice said she had a strong defense and raised the possibility the defense might seek footage from the Bravo network as part of its case. He also suggested the couple was being targeted.

The government s making an example of them Klingeman said. It will be a challenge to pick a jury that hasn t already formed a conclusion about her.

Her husband s attorney Miles Feinstein said neither have plans to lie low during the criminal trial.

We have told them to continue life as they ve lived it. They have a family they have to support themselves Feinstein said noting that both Joe and Teresa will appear live on this season s reunion episode of Real Housewives.

Both remain free on $500 000 unsecured appearance bonds.

Last night Teresa Giudice appeared at Posche Boutique in Wayne to sign copies of a cookbook she authored.

Giudice smiled and waved at roughly 50 fans waiting in line to take photos with her. Some wore shirts with Giudice s face and the words Free Tre in large lettering.

Star Ledger staff writers James Queally Janelle Griffith and Jessica Calefati contributed to this report.

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Tom Brady escapes serious injury to his knee

The New England Patriots got a scare Wednesday when quarterback Tom Brady hurt his left knee during a pile up in a joint scrimmage with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday.

During full team work Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn bull rushed Patriots left tackle Nate Solder into the side of Brady's left leg as Brady was throwing. All three players hit the turf. Brady rocked backward on the ground holding his knee. He was however able to get up and limp off the field under his own power.

He returned for a few more plays before talking with coach Bill Belichick and leaving the field for good with trainers.

An MRI on Brady's knee showed no structural damage a person with knowledge of the exam told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition on anonymity since the Patriots did not publicly reveal the results. Brady is considered day to day with a mild sprain.

Brady tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the 2008 season opener and missed the rest of the season but he's played every game since then.

VEGAS REACTS Pats come off the board

In the first two plus weeks of training camp there have been at least 15 season ending knee injuries. Even Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay the chairman of the NFL's Competition Committee told USA TODAY Sports he thinks there have been more ACL injuries than ever.

According to Edgeworth Economics which recently conducted an independent analysis of the data provided by the NFL Players Association ACL injuries are on the rise although the research doesn't differentiate between a sprain and a tear.

For instance in the 2004 preseason there were 13 ACL injuries. That number jumped to 24 in last year's preseason and it appears the 2013 preseason could surpass that.

The majority of ACL tears are non contact tears said orthopedist Neal ElAttrache from the Kerlan Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles. The non contact ACL tear results when you're doing something that your brain hasn't planned or patterned so you misstep. Or unexpectedly a blocker gets pushed into you with your foot planted.

ElAttrache repaired Brady's torn ACL and MCL in 2008.

Contributing Wire reports

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast rewritten or redistributed.

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Is This Americas Best Family Sitcom

One of America s broadest and best family sitcoms Duck Dynasty which is yes also a reality TV show returns for its fourth season tonight on AE. Duck Dynasty about the antics of Louisiana s hirsute wealthy proudly redneck Roberston clan has been a huge hit for the cable channel racking up ratings that would be the envy of ABC NBC CBS or Fox. Executives at those networks must be beating their chests Duck Dynasty is exactly the comedy they have been trying and failing to make for years and years. It is the funny likeable idiosyncratic noncreepy upbeat version of the crisis of masculinity sitcoms that have cycled through the networks with more coming this fall. It s a show in which men aware of a changing world hyper perform certain aspects of their machismo facial hair hunting a no one tells me what to do attitude but with two key ingredients self awareness and joviality. The Robertson men happily ham it up for the camera they know is there laughing instead of crying about the end of men and it takes the sourness out of the shtick.

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UPS plane crashes in Birmingham Ala.

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Apple (APPL) Stock Surges After Billionaire Carl Icahns Tweets

Is the brave new world of technology one in which market moving news will increasingly migrate to social media such as Twitter

Shares of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ AAPL) are a good example. Apple shot up 5 percent yesterday and continued to surge today after billionaire Carl Icahn tweeted about his large stake in Apple and his chat with Apple's CEO Tim Cook about the company's share buyback program.

For the first time since January Apple stock crossed $500 on Wednesday mid day. Apple's shares traded around $498.50 at the close of New York trading on Wednesday up 1.82 percent.

I don't know that market moving information breaking on Twitter will become 'the norm ' but it has certainly become important said Henry Blodget CEO and editor in chief of Business Insider.

Icahn chairman of Icahn Enterprises L.P. and known as an activist investor tweeted on Tuesday afternoon We currently have a large position in APPLE. We believe the company to be extremely undervalued. Spoke to Tim Cook today. More to come.

Read More J.C. Penney's Public Boardroom Battle Ends With Ackman Exit

Another Wall Street heavy hitter Leon Cooperman chairman and CEO of Omega Advisors Inc. revealed in a 13 F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that during the second quarter his firm bought 31 000 shares of Apple. Cooperman does not appear to have a Twitter handle.

Brian Colello senior equity analyst with Morningstar said it's difficult to tell whether Icahn's tweets about his reported $1.5 billion investment really revved up investors.

Had a nice conversation with Tim Cook today Icahn also tweeted. Discussed my opinion that a larger buyback should be done now. We plan to speak again shortly.

Investors seemed to pay little attention to fellow billionaire Larry Ellison's television interview with Charlie Rose in which the Oracle Corp. CEO said Apple would never be the same without its late founder Steve Jobs.

Apple's shares have declined from a high of over $700 each on worries that its new product pipeline has dried up and the Android platform is increasingly dominating the smartphone market over the iPhone.

Colello said Apple is covered so closely by media outlets blogs and investors that any mention anywhere will attract eyeballs.

If there's any sort of news outlets cover it in the next 30 minutes Colello said. Any time the stock price spikes they are going to report it anyway.

Colello said he's not sure whether more movers and shakers will follow Icahn's lead but he is now following the billionaire's Twitter handle.

In April the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a report clarifying that companies can use social media like Facebook and Twitter to announce key information so long as investors have been alerted about which social media outlet will be used to disseminate the information.

Following the SEC's instructions Icahn Enterprises released a statement on Monday informing investors that Icahn intends to use Twitter from time to time to communicate with the public about our company and other issues.

Therefore in light of the SEC's guidance we encourage investors the media and others interested in our company to review the information that Mr. Icahn posts on Twitter in addition to the information that we disclose using our investor relations website SEC filings press releases public conference calls and webcasts the statement read.

Since his first tweet on June 20 Icahn has only tweeted 12 times mostly about Dell Inc. over which he has been vocal especially regarding founder Michael Dell's attempt to take the company private.

Michael Dell has a Twitter handle and has tweeted over 1 500 times as does his company which has tweeted about 3 000 times.

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Payday 2 Reviews A Misdemeanor Or A Full On Felony Of Fun

Tweet Payday 2 reviews are flying in following the limited release of the video game on August 13 but does Overkill Software s sequel to Payday The Heist bring the heat or is it just lukewarm Find out in our review round up

Everyone loves sequels right That s the theory that Overkill Software is driving on with their followup to Payday The Heist. Payday 2 is described as an action packed four player co op shooter that once again lets gamers don the masks of the original Payday crew Dallas Hoxton Wolf and Chains as they descend on Washington DC for an epic crime spree. While sequels are always fun they don t always live up to the original. Can Payday 2 live up to the success of The Heist See what the critics thought

Payday 2 Reviews Critics Love Bank Heist Sequel To Payday The Heist

Attack Of The Fan Boy

Payday 2 definitely knows how to keep a player on the edge whether or not they are being stealthy on a heist or going in guns a blazing.

The Kotaku Review

The game is good at tapping into a latent obsession for perfection I m still pulled in by the promise of a perfect heist. It helps that there are a ton of great ideas in the game. If you spec a certain way you can convince enemies to put down their guns for example.

Games Radar

you ll have a thoroughly enjoyable avenue for pulling off intricate replayable heists .

What do YOU think HollywoodLifers Will you purchase Payday 2

WATCH Payday 2 Gameplay Trailer

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More Video Game News Ryan Davis Video Game Personality Dead At 34 Turn Off The Video Games Take Your Kid To See The Odd Life Of Timothy Green Charice Has Been Chosen To Sing The Theme Song For A New Video Game Take Our Poll

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Kendrick Lamar diss track from Joell Ortiz (Audio)

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By Mike Dyce Aug 13th 2013 at 8 01 pm

Kendrick Lamar had a verse on Big Sean s song Control that offended people for different reasons. One for calling out specific rappers in the the game to declaring himself the King of New York. Some rappers took to twitter some hit the studio Lupe Fiasco ghost wrote responses for other rappers.

A relatively underground New York area rap group called Da Young Fellaz released a diss track that I called out for not really being a diss track. Da Young Fellaz reached out to me to try and clarify their song saying that it wasn t a personal attack on Kendrick so much as a reclamation of New York with lyrical stylings.

Which I still maintain is not what a diss track is.

Enter Brooklyn s Joell Ortiz from the renowned and acclaimed rap group Slaughterhouse. Joe Budden and Royce da 5 9 are also members of the group. That is some solid company.

Joell Ortiz released a diss track in response to Kendrick Lamar s king of New York comment.

I ain t even gotta give this too much thought/Joell Ortiz won every war that he ever fought/This ain t no different I m listening you the king of New York / Lil homie you ain t the king of New York you the next thing on my fork.

Atlanta rapper B.o.B responded with a diss track of his own where he mimics Kendrick and says he has no list.

Even former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson responded to his reference in Kendrick s verse. The New York Rangers are one of the offended parties responding to Kendrick s King of New York comments.

Topics Control Joell Ortiz Kendrick Lamar

About the Author

Mike Dyce

Mike has been a life long sports fan who has turned his passion into a career. He studied journalism at the University of Oklahoma and wrote mainly about Dallas sports teams on his blog www.mikedyce.com. Formerly the editor of NFL Spin Zone Mike is now Assistant Editor of FanSided.com.

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Kendrick Lamar blasts rap peers on Big Seans Control

Big Sean's seven minute Control track didn't make his upcoming Hall of Fame album because of sample clearance issues but that's not why its release on the Internet ignited a brushfire of controversy.

The track produced by NO I.D. features verses by Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica. It's Lamar's chest thumping spiel that has fans and peers reacting with shock outrage and mostly cheers.

Lamar who hails from Compton anoints himself the most royal of rappers I'm Machiavelli's offspring I'm the king of New York king of the coast one hand I juggle them both.

Then he rips into scores of rappers by name including Jermaine Cole Big KRIT Wale Push T Meek Millz A$AP Rocky Drake Tyler Mac Miller and even his partners on the track Big Sean and Jay Electronica.

A sample

I got love for you all but I'm tryna murder you n

Tryna make sure your core fans never heard of you n

They don't wanna hear not one more noun or verb from you n

What is competition I'm tryna raise the bar high

On Twitter Sean Diddy Combs retweeted REVOLT TV's approving reactions If Larry Bird and Magic Never challenged each other the game wouldn't have made the strides that it did. Same with Music. And Hip Hop was born out of competition and raised by battles. This is what Music needs.

Push T a victim of Lamar's barbs tweeted I hear u loud and clear my n .

Hall of Fame featuring Lil Wayne Nas Kid Cudi Juicy J Jeezy Miguel and Nicki Minaj is due Aug. 27.

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Jamaal Charles has foot strain

Karabell on Charles' Injury

Eric Karabell discusses how Jamaal Charles' injury scare this week should raise awareness for his backup Knile Davis. Blog

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Florida resort hit by sinkhole invites guests to come on down

Barbara Liston Reuters

3 09 p.m. CDT August 13 2013

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Payday 2 The Kotaku Review

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Jamaal Charles strains foot Chiefs say X rays negative

Acquiring Alex Smith was nice but running back Jamaal Charles is set to be the centerpiece of the Kansas City Chiefs' offense. That's why any potential injury to Charles is bound to quicken the heart rate of Chiefs fans.

Charles left practice Monday according to Adam Teicher of The Kansas City Star. The running back stopped at the team's medical tent before leaving the field on a cart. Coach Andy Reid said after practice that Charles has a strained foot and X rays were negative. That bodes well.

We'll just see how he does. Precautionary measures Reid said Monday via The Associated Press. We'll see how he does here in the next little bit see where he's at as far as pain or swelling.

Charles' status for Friday's preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers is uncertain but Reid said If he's ready to go he'll play.

We're not in the habit of updating every minor practice injury but Charles is under a microscope because of his injury history. (Not to mention his place near the top of fantasy drafts across the country.)

The Chiefs did get some positive injury news Monday. No. 1 overall draft pick Eric Fisher was at practice after getting X rays on his thumb during the team's preseason opener.

UPDATE Reid told SiriusXM NFL Radio there is a chance Charles will practice Tuesday.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported later Monday that Charles is able to walk on his sprained foot but is having trouble pushing off the injury.

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Floridas Porous Peninsula Leads to Sinkholes

Sections of a building at a resort near Orlando's theme park district collapsed into a sinkhole late Sunday forcing the evacuation of 105 guests in the structure and also dozens of visitors staying in two adjacent three story buildings.

Sinkholes are as much a part of the Florida landscape as palm trees and alligators. Florida has more of them than any state in the nation. Earlier this year a man near Tampa died when a sinkhole opened up underneath his bedroom.

Experts say sinkholes aren't occurring at a greater rate than usual but that the high profile nature of recent one in populated areas has drawn attention to them. There also has been a rise in sinkhole claims in Florida but insurance officials believe some of those claims are questionable. Here are some answers about why sinkholes form and their costs.

WHY ARE THERE SINKHOLES IN FLORIDA

Florida's peninsula is made up of porous carbonate rocks such as limestone that store and help move groundwater. Dirt sand and clay sit on top of the carbonate rock. Over time these rocks can dissolve from an acid created from oxygen in water creating a void underneath the limestone roof. When the dirt clay or sand gets too heavy for the limestone roof it can collapse and form a sinkhole. Sinkholes are caused naturally but they can be triggered by outside events.

WHAT TRIGGERS SINKHOLES

Although sinkholes are formed naturally they can be triggered by heavy rainfall drought followed by heavy rainfall tropical storms and human activity. The most common actions by humans that cause sinkholes are heavy pumping of groundwater to spray on oranges and strawberries during freezes to keep them from being damaged well drilling excavating creating landfills leaking broken water lines and pounding or blasting from construction.

WHERE ARE SINKHOLES MOST COMMON IN FLORIDA

Three counties in the Tampa region are known as sinkhole alley. Two thirds of the sinkhole damage claims reported to the state Office of Insurance Regulation from 2006 to 2010 came from Hernando Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Sinkholes are less common in South Florida home to the state's two most populous counties Broward and Miami Dade.

HOW MANY SINKHOLES OCCUR IN FLORIDA

The state Office of Insurance Regulation says reported claims from sinkholes have risen in recent years. More than 2 300 claims were reported in Florida in 2006 but that figure jumped to almost 6 700 claims in 2010. There is no geological explanation for the rise and state insurance officials believe many claims are questionable. There must be structural damage to a home for a policyholder to claim a loss from a sinkhole but insurance officials say claims are often paid without that proof.

HOW MUCH DAMAGE DO SINKHOLES DO

The state Office of Insurance Regulation says sinkhole claims in Florida cost insurers $1.4 billion from 2006 to 2010.

Sources Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Senate report.

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Lady Gagas Applause What Mother Monster Wants From You

In case you didn't already know Lady Gaga doesn't give an eff what the critics think of her. Gaga solidified that assertion on Monday (August 12) by releasing Applause the first single off of her upcoming record ARTPOP and a self affirmation of the most epic proportions.

The title should be self evident but the jam is essentially about Mother Monster's intense need for her fans' adoration in the form of good old fashioned claps. In a sense the song is a readymade rebuttal to anything negative critics might lob her way and a rallying call for her Little Monsters to dole out that life force that sustains her applause.

MTV News took a close look at the official lyrics below. Once you peruse Gaga's musical mission statements let us know Do you give the track a standing O or a chorus of Boos

Lady Gaga Is Over Critics. The reviews have started to pour in for Gaga's new track but good or bad Mother Monster won't be hearing any of that.

As she stated on Twitter Sunday (August 11) Lady Gaga does not truck with music critics Dont focus on ANY blogger criticism. I have been a producer/songwriter/musician for over 10 years. Trust the artist bloggers are not critics.

Gaga reiterated that assertion at the very beginning of Applause growling I stand here waiting/for you to bang the gong/to crash the critic saying is it right or is it wrong

We're guessing her loyal band of monsters is currently at the ready primed to strike down any detractors. Gong

The fans music scholars are the best critics because they know the artist intimately. STOPHarassingTheArtist we are here to entertain you

Lady Gaga ( ladygaga) August 11 2013

Lady Gaga Wants To Hear The Sound Of Two Hands Clapping. When it comes to opinions Gaga only really cares what her fans think of her jams and said thoughts best be accompanied by a lot of clapping. The majority of the song predictably features Gaga stressing that she lives for the applause applause applause asking fans to put your hands up make'em touch.

Yup Gaga pretty much throws that whole save your applause for the end thing to the wind.

The fans music scholars are the best critics because they know the artist intimately. STOPHarassingTheArtist we are here to entertain you

Lady Gaga ( ladygaga) August 11 2013

Lady Gaga Likes To Read Is A Geek. We already knew that Lady Gaga attended geek camp but did you know that she also digs nostalgia and enjoys reading Thanks to Applause you do now.

I overheard your theory/nostalgia's for geeks she sings. I guess sir if you say so/some of us just like to read.

Perhaps her affinity for phonics explains why she repeatedly spells out the word applause throughout the song

Gaga Thinks Of Herself As An Artist. We heard that Gaga was collaborating with a bevy of artists on ARTPOP quite fittingly and we've seen her recent revealing video with Marina Abramovic. It seems that Mother Monster is not just content to collab with the gallery set she wants to be the gallery set One second I'm a Koons fan/suddenly the Koons is me/Pop culture was in art now/Art in Pop culture in me.

With these lyrics Gaga is definitely pulling a Jay Z. Jay also references Koons whom Gaga is also reportedly collaborating with on ARTPOP in his song Picasso Baby in which he like Gaga equates himself to a famous visual artist.

Whether the art world agrees with Gaga's assertion or not at least the singer is raising awareness about artists like Koons. According to a tweet from the singer radio stations are currently censoring the word under the false impression that Gaga is uttering another pejorative word beginning with a hard K. And friends that word is not clap.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY BLEEPING OUT KOONS THEY THINK IM SAYING THE C WORD

Lady Gaga ( ladygaga) August 12 2013

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