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Utahns Have Discovered the Secret to Aging Well

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Utah, especially Provo-Orem, has some of the healthiest seniors in the nation. Seniors are growing old healthy and continue to maintain active lifestyles. But what exactly makes the elevated life so conducive to senior living?

Outdoor Culture and Active Lifestyle

Utahns are one of the fittest Americans because of their active lifestyle and love of the outdoors. Thirty-three percent of Americans are obese — not just overweight. However, only 25 percent of Utahns are obese and only 13 percent among those of 18-26 years of age. Weight-loss clinics have become quite popular for people who want to fit in with the rest of the population. This has reduced the incidence of diabetes and obesity to very low levels compared to the rest of the nation, as well as illnesses and conditions associated with the two. Keeping your weight down in you’re younger years also reduces the chronic stress additional weight puts on your knees. This allows you to retain much of your mobility throughout your adult and senior life.

Clean Living

Very few Utahns smoke or drink. The state’s slogan of “Life Elevated” seems particularly apt, especially when it comes to Utahns and their lack of vices. Smoking can lead to a host of problems. It accounts for 30 percent of all cancer deaths and also puts smokers at higher risk of acquiring vascular diseases that can lead to heart attack and strokes. More smokers will die from conditions brought about by cigarette toxins inflaming and hardening the arteries — like bronchitis — than from cancer. Aside from not smoking and drinking, the majority of Utahns also frown upon the use of mind-altering medication or drugs to the point that they even drink coffee. Fewer chemicals or medicines in your system keeps your kidneys and liver healthy.

Happy and Peaceful Lives

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Happy people tend to live longer, and Utah tops that statistic together with Hawaii. Researchers have found that happy people had a 55 percent less chance of dying compared to those who were unhappy, and Utah residents are happy. Faith is a crucial factor in the happiness of the majority of Utah residents. Believing in a higher power or the greater good — gives your life a sense of purpose and a deeper meaning. Interactions within the church also strengthen the bonds of the community. The family also plays a crucial role in Utahn’s happiness as the Utahn family has one of the strongest familial relationships in the nation. Utahns marry earlier in life and tend to have more children. Utah is one of the only two states (the other one being South Dakota) to have fertility rates above replacement levels. The Utahn conservative nature with regards to sex has also allowed marriages to become stronger, making divorces more of a rarity.

A healthy and happy lifestyle during your younger years will make your senior years a whole lot better. You don’t have to live in Utah to emulate their lifestyle; stay active, cut down on smokes and drinks, and try to find something (or someone) that will make you happy.

 

Financials Looking Good For UK Online Casino & Slots Sites

Financials increasing year on year for the online casino and gambling sector with slot representing the biggest increase. Read more here

UK casino and gambling business booming

If there is one industry that is booming at the moment, it is definitely the casino sector, especially online casino. Gambling industry statistics are public twice each year – in May and again in November.

This means that the most recent statistics were provided at the end of November 2018, and they certainly make interesting reading.

The statistics for the casino industry in the UK

Here are some of the key findings from the statistics that have been published by the UK Gambling Commission:

  • There are 181,309 gaming machines in Great Britain. This represents a 0.5 per cent decrease when compared with April 2016 – 2017.
  • There are 152 casinos in Great Britain. This means that one more casino has opened since March 2018.
  • There are 644 bingo premises in the country. This means that there has been a 1.7 percent decrease from March 2018.
  • There are 8,406 betting shops in Great Britain. This represents another small decrease of 1.8 percent since March 2018.
  • 37.3% is the market share of the remote casino, bingo, and betting sector. This is a three percent increase from the year prior.
  • There are 107,940 total employees in the Great Britain gambling industry at the moment. This is an 0.6 per cent increase from March 2017.
  • Total Gross Gambling Yield
  • The Gambling Commission also posted some statistics regarding the complete gross

gambling yield of Great Britain. This included the following:

  • £2 billion GGY for the remote casino category – slots. This represents a 19.3 percent increase from the year prior.
  • £5.4 billion GGY for the remote sector overall. This represents a 13.7 percent increase from the year prior.
  • £14.4 billion GGY of the Great Britain gambling industry. This represents a 4.5 percent increase from the year prior.

Why are online casinos booming?

The editor of leading UK casino slots site – Spin Bonus says the main reason why online casinos are booming is because people can gamble from the comfort of their own home. This means that they do not need to go to a casino, which is something that they may not feel comfortable doing. Plus, they can gamble online at any time or day that suits them. However, it is also worth pointing out the advancements in technology over the past few years.

This means that we are now able to play games that we could never even have dreamt of playing before, with exciting features and stories. It has really enhanced the gaming experience, and this is something that is causing more and more people to gamble from home.

In summary, there is no denying that the casino sector is one that is booming at the moment. This is especially the case when it comes to the online gambling sector. The increases in total gross yield is significant when you look at the percentage difference from the year prior to now.

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Sports Fans in For Treat During The Second Half of 2019

The second half of the year is packed with sport, with a plethora of top class action taking place across the world.

Soccer, tennis, rugby and American Football are amongst a packed schedule that promises to provide fans with plenty of thrilling moments.

Read on as we point you in the direction of some of the best sport being staged over the next few months.

The Premier League

England’s top soccer league gets underway during August with a host of teams harbouring hopes of winning the prestigious title.

Plenty of fans will be keen to use their winnings from nj-casino.net to back Manchester City to retain their crown, but the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United will have other ideas.

Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will also expect to be in the mix over the course of the tough 38-game season.

US Open Tennis

The fourth and final tennis Grand Slam begins at the end of August and is expected to produce plenty of drama once again.

The two-week extravaganza attracts around 700,000 fans to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

Novak Djokovic will be out to defend his title in the men’s singles event, while Naomi Osaka will try and follow up her shock 2018 victory in the women’s tournament.

The NFL

American Football takes centre stage at the start of September as the 100th NFL season kicks-off when the Chicago Bears meet the Green Bay Packers.

The entire campaign will be a celebration of the sport, with events, initiatives and programming centred on fans, players and communities.

The season will culminate with Super Bowl LIV at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, in February 2020.

Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup is the game’s showpiece event, bringing together the world’s best rugby players and teams.

It is the third largest sports event in the world after the Summer Olympics and the Soccer World Cup, highlighting its importance in the sporting calendar.

Japan will host the 2019 edition, which will feature 20 teams playing 48 matches over a seven-week period from September to November.

Formula 1

The F1 season concludes in December as the best drivers in the world do battle at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the end of November.

This twilight race often provides plenty of drama, with the day/night timing of the event providing unique conditions for the competitors.

British star and current world champion Lewis Hamilton has an excellent record in the race, winning it four times in the last 10 years.

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Social Media: Top 3 Platforms for Businesses

Social media is one of the most important marketing tools around, with many people using the medium as their first port of call when they are searching for information.

With that in mind, it is hugely important for businesses to establish a strong presence across the different platforms.

Many firms make the mistake of not investing sufficient resources into social media management and this is an extremely risky strategy.

The task is often passed to members of staff who have a personal presence on social, but no wider understanding of the different strategies needed to make it work for businesses.

Effective social media marketing helps businesses engage with their existing customers and gives them endless opportunities to attract new ones.

However, deciding which social media platforms to use can be tricky, so read on as we look at three of the most popular ones for business use.

Facebook

Facebook is the leading social media platform in the world, with Statista reporting that it had 2.38 billion monthly active users in the first quarter of 2019.

That level of use makes Facebook an invaluable tool for businesses and adopting a successful marketing strategy on there can generate massive revenues.

Gambling operators often excel on Facebook, with offers such as nj-bonus.com helping to attract a steady stream of customers to their websites.

With a comprehensive analytics service allowing you to identify the type of content that works, Facebook should be part of every company’s social media strategy.

LinkedIn

Often dubbed ‘Facebook for professionals’, LinkedIn is a great way to build networks and connections in your chosen industry.

The platform allows you to grow your brand through your existing contacts, effectively giving you easy access to their own connections.

For businesses, the creation of a dedicated company page that contains regularly updated content is the ideal way to increase your turnover.

This type of page allows you to post business updates, promote your brand, advertise job opportunities and position your firm as a leader in its field.

Twitter

With around 320 million monthly active users, Twitter gives businesses the power to connect with a massive audience.

Twitter also allows marketers to access insightful data that will help to produce targeted content with a view to increasing visits to your website and improve sales.

The beauty of the platform is that is allows you to build up relationships with people who you would not normally have access to.

Establishing a strong presence on Twitter helps businesses grow brand awareness and makes them stand out from their competitors.

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Fun All The Way in Beautiful New Jersey

With miles and miles of beaches, top class live entertainment and burgeoning nightlife, New Jersey is a simply stunning holiday destination.

Located on the east coast of the United States, the region offers visitors one of the finest travel experiences in the country.

With New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington within driving distance, it is a great base for exploring the region.

There are thousands of places to stay, with something to suit every budget, making the state an ideal area to visit for people of all ages.

Read on as we look at what New Jersey has to offer.

Enjoy a flutter in NJ

New Jersey has some huge casino resorts where you can spend endless hours playing roulette, poker, blackjack, baccarat, slots, video games and more.

In addition to the various games, the best NJ online casinos offer the opportunity to dine in fine restaurants or watch world class live entertainment.

If horse racing is more to your liking, check out Monmouth Park, Meadowlands Racetrack or Freehold Raceway to enjoy a fantastic day at the races.

Party like there’s no tomorrow

Anyone who has ever watched Jersey Shore on television will know that the area is a haven for partygoers.

Atlantic City is the most famous destination in the area, combining the thrills of Las Vegas with 24-hour parties along its Boardwalk.

Seaside Heights, Sea Bright and The Wildwoods are also worth checking out, while Beach Haven has loads of beach bars, live music, nightclubs and restaurants.

Be game for a laugh

New Jersey is home to numerous comedy clubs, with many of them acting as a proving ground for comedians looking to make the step up to the New York circuit and beyond.

The Comedy Cove at Scotty’s in Springfield often features comics who appear regularly on panel shows on Comedy Central.

Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club is also worth a look, with the relatively new venue already attracting some of the country’s top performers every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Head outdoors for thrills and spills

If you’re a fan of the Great Outdoors you cannot fail to be enthralled by what New Jersey has to offer throughout the year.

New Jersey’s natural wonders set a stunning stage for numerous activities including hiking, camping, swimming, boating, surfing, cycling and trail riding.

With a plethora of zoos, safaris, amusement and water parks, you will simply never grow bored of exploring the magnificence of New Jersey.

To read more on topics like this, check out the travel category.

Pennsylvania: Entertainment, History, Outdoors and More

If you want to enjoy a diverse travel experience in the United States it is well worth checking out what Pennsylvania has to offer.

Featuring bustling cities, quaint towns, historical landmarks, endless shorelines, beautiful countryside and more, the state is a great place to visit.

Read on as we look at some of the best ways to enjoy the delights of Pennsylvania.

Bright lights and entertainment

Pennsylvania has a burgeoning casino and entertainment scene that rivals many of the more famous locations elsewhere in the world.

Play up your winnings from the PA lottery bonus code on the latest table games or slots, before enjoying top class live music at one of the dozen venues in the state.

You can even double up a visit to a casino with a day at the races, with Penn National, The Meadows, Park and Presque Isle Downs also offering thrilling equine action.

Mount Airy Casino is also worth checking out, with the resort featuring an 18-hole championship golf course, a luxurious spa and salon, and an impressive indoor and outdoor swimming pool.

Become cultural in the Keystone State

As one of the original 13 states in the US, it is inevitable that Pennsylvania is packed with places of historical interest.

Independence Hall, Gettysburg National Military Park and The Liberty Bell are amongst the most popular attractions, with each playing significant roles in the country’s history.

Erie Maritime Museum is also worth a visit, if only to see the magnificent 19th century warship – U.S.S. Niagara.

Johnstown Flood Museum, Valley Forge, the Duquesne Incline and Washington Crossing Historic Park are other cultural destinations of note in Pennsylvania.

Explore the countryside

If the hustle and bustle of big cities like Philadelphia leave your head in a spin, you can jump in a car and head to the state’s beautiful countryside areas.

Jim Thorpe in northeastern Pennsylvania boasts historic European-style buildings and mountains that draw the mind to the wonders of Switzerland.

DuBois, Doylestown and Kennett Square are other small towns that offer a more relaxed vibe with the joys of rural life close at hand.

Lititz and Strasburg offer the opportunity to witness the Amish community’s simplistic lifestyle, with horse-drawn carriages and antique trains taking visitors back in time.

Head to the beautiful lakes

Pennsylvania contains a plethora of beautiful lakes that span more than 150,000 acres and offer great opportunities to enjoy water based activities.

Laurel Lake features great beaches, bike trails and birdwatching opportunities, while Lake Naomi features multiple islands, sandy beaches and superb swimming areas.

Lake Harmony, Conneaut Lake and Pymatuning Lake are other areas of natural beauty that provide visitors with a taste of the great outdoors.

If spotting wild animals is more your thing, Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir gives you the chance to see great blue herons, snapping turtles, crayfish and more.

To read more on topics like this, check out the travel category.

Black Mirror ‘Smithereens’: Drunk Driving vs Distracted Driving

Out of the three episodes in the fifth season of Black Mirror, ‘Smithereens’ may stick out due to its vague but tragic ending. Aside from its poignant take on the increasing ubiquity of social media and social networking sites, this episode also glances at the consequences of distracted driving and drunk driving.

But how did ‘Smithereens’ handle these types of dangerous driving, and how do they compare with each other in the real world?

‘Smithereens’ recap

The episode mainly revolves around Chris Gillhaney (Andrew Scott) who drives for an Uber-like app called Hitcher. He regularly waits for passengers near the London headquarters of the fictional social media company, ‘Smithereens’, until he picks up a Smithereens intern named Jaden (Damson Idris). Chris then took Jaden as hostage in his car, demanding to speak with the CEO and founder of Smithereens, Billy Bauer (Topher Grace), and the stand-off quickly became viral online.

Upon learning of the incident, Billy decided to talk to Chris, where it was revealed that the latter’s actions were fueled by the untimely death of his fiancee in a road accident. On the night of the accident, Chris was driving his fiancee home when a Smithereens notification made him glance at his phone. This was all it took for his car to collide with another vehicle, which ultimately killed his fiancee. Although Chris blamed himself for the accident, the other driver was held accountable because he was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.

Drunk driving vs distracted driving

As he spoke to Billy Bauer, Chris Gillhaney said that his phone was the first thing he saw in the morning and the last thing he saw at night. Indeed, many of us are compelled to be on our phones for most of the time, keeping us from seeing our surroundings. But is distracted driving just as dangerous or even more dangerous than drunk driving?

Let us take a look at their effects on drivers and statistics for the casualties of each.

Effects

The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%, but drinking any amount of alcohol before driving can have negative effects on your capabilities behind the wheel. Even at 0.02% BAC, you may experience lessened visual functions and worsened ability to multitask. Your overall motor and audiovisual skills will decline further in higher BAC levels, which may result in a driver’s inability to recognize turn signals, maintain lane position, and a delay in braking response.

On the other hand, distracted driving impedes three components that are essential to driving, namely manual (taking your hand or hands off the wheel), visual (taking your eyes off the road), and cognitive (taking your mind off of driving). You may be distracted by your phone or other activities, like eating and drinking. However, being on your phone while driving hinders all these components at once. The driver’s emotional response to what they see on the phone may cause additional distraction, as well.

Casualties

In 2016, 10,497 people died and around 290,000 were injured in road accidents involving drunk drivers, making up 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the US. Drunk driving accidents are also found to most commonly occur between midnight and 3am.

In 2016, 3,450 people died in the US in crashes involving a distracted driver, while 391,000 were injured. Drivers aged under 20 are also found most likely to be involved in fatal crashes caused by distracted driving. In 2017, 9% of all teen deaths in motor vehicle crashes involved distracted driving.

Since damage to property without any personal injury can be easily settled, some accidents go unreported. If a collision results to a smashed windshield, for example, the other party may just pay for the auto glass replacement.

Taking all these into consideration, was Chris Gillhaney right to blame himself instead of the other, drunk driver? It is hard to tell, but some reports claim that distracted driving might be more deadly than data shows. Chris and the other driver may be equally responsible for the accident, as well. After all, both drunk and distracted driving can have fatal consequences.

 

What Is the Ideal Debt-to-Income Ratio for a Home Loan?

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First-time home buyers in the Philippines should follow the 36% rule as a good benchmark for debt-to-gross income ratio.

Some experts even suggest a 28% ratio as an alternative way to manage your finances. The rule applies to your disposable income. In other words, you shouldn’t spend more than P14,000 of your disposable income on debt payments if you earn P50,000 every month. The actual amount will vary based on how much you need to borrow as well as the location. For instance, a loan for a new house ‘n’ lot in Cavite may cost less than a similar property in Manila.

Calculating the Expenses

Let’s say you found a house worth P1.5 million. You intend to pay 20% as down payment, which reduces the price to P1.2 million. If you applied for a loan with a 6.88% annual interest with a five-year fixed rate over a 20-year term, you should expect to pay around P9,217 per month.

If you decide to follow the 38% rule, your monthly repayments shouldn’t cost more than P18,000 from a gross income of P50,000. Most financial experts recommend this ratio because it prevents you from overspending on housing payments, causing you to sacrifice other important expenses such as healthcare and emergency funds.

Fixed or Variable Rate: Which Is Better?

Disposable income refers to the leftover money after paying tax, spending on food and utilities among other mandatory expenses. You need to shop around for housing loan rates among different banks to determine the exact monthly payments. Choose loans with variable rates only when you understand the risks. Your monthly repayments will depend on interest rate movement. If interest rates increase, so does your loan installments.

Banks aren’t the only option for home loans. You can apply for in-house financing from the developer of your chosen house. An in-house loan requires less paperwork and faster processing, but you need to pay a bigger monthly installment because of the shorter terms. In-house loans also entail higher interest rates than banks.

Why Location Matters

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You will have a hard time to look for properties worth P1.5 million in Metro Manila especially in cities like Makati and Taguig. In fact, the cost of living in Manila has increased this year based on a survey. The capital city now ranks as the 109th most expensive place in the world. While the new ranking seems low, Manila registered the fourth-biggest jump after landing on the 138th spot in the previous year.

Hong Kong remains the most expensive city worldwide particularly because of eye-watering home prices. Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul and Zurich completed the top five, while Beijing and two other cities landed on the top 10. Zurich and New York City are the only cities outside of Asia to join the list.

Conclusion

You can save money by saving as much as you can for a down payment. A higher upfront cash payment lets you reduce accumulated interest payments over the housing loan’s term. How much do you plan to borrow for your first home purchase?

 

The Wine and Spirits Industry Could See a Promising 2019

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It’s an exciting time for the liquor industry as customers become even more spoilt for choice. As trends and consumer preferences shift faster than ever, alcoholic beverage companies have learned to change their strategies quickly. New players are entering the market to gain a slice of the pie, but there’s more to go around for everyone even if the business gets competitive by the minute. But some trending events promise an invigorating time for the industry.

UK’s independent spirits producers made £2 billion.

The UK independent spirits industry’s growth is in full swing as beverage makers collectively sold £2 billion worth of products in 2018 that reflected a £1.98bn increase from the previous year.

The Spirits Business reported that this massive jump in revenues was because manufacturers were quick to adapt to their customers’ tastes. For instance, gin producers in the independent liquor scene have shown their flexibility to adapt to the rising demand for flavoured gin by releasing new product lines.

Croatia bags award at worldwide wine and spirits event.

Croatia recently bagged its first Gold medal at the International Wine & and Spirit Competition (IWSC) for its white wine called “Opg Pilato Malvazija sur lie 2015.” According to Croatia Week, the wine was made from a famous local grape called Malvazija. The Pilato family, the creator of the wine, has been making it since 1934.

Ireland holds first prosecco festival.

Prosecco makers have a reason to rejoice as their bubbly takes the limelight. The prosecco craze has now reached Ireland, which recently launched its first-ever prosecco festival in Cork. The festival involved a variety of events and workshops and was made possible by the City of Cork, Tindal Wine Merchants and the Perlage Winery in Italy. In the UK,  Italian prosecco is their bubbly of choice, according to The Guardian. Many people now think prosecco is an acceptable gift in family celebrations and holidays.

People are swapping their drinks for alcohol-free spirits.

Non-alcoholic drinks based on kombucha, petal tea and spirits created from spices or cannabidiol are now in fashion, thanks to hipsters popularizing the trend. According to the Morning Advertiser, Diageo’s Seedlip line is one of the brands that’s spearheading this revolution. Diageo, a British company, is an institution in the world of liquor production and has been the largest distiller of spirits in the world until China’s Kweichow Moutai replaced it.

American whiskey gets a break from Mexico and Canada.

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The United States received a tariff break from Canada and Mexico for American whiskey exports after both countries reversed its decision to raise tariffs on the drink last year. The increased tariff rates last year was a reaction to US President Donald Trump’s implementation of higher import duty tax on commodities from Europe, Mexico and Canada. It also caused a slump in the growth of American whiskey exports in 2018.

These worldwide trends promise the spirits and liquor industry a year of new highs for wine-makers, whiskey producers, and even the beer industry from Asia, Europe, Australia, and even the Americas.

 

Business Competition: Analyzing it Carefully

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Your business may be living inside a bubble, which is not exactly a good thing. It means that you are ignoring the things around you—some of which may even inspire growth. The comfort zone is a good place to be in, but if you do not step out of it, you will never be able to find out the threats that may cause your business to stumble. You will not be able to figure out the moves and plans of your competitors. So now is the time to be proactive. You are supposed to take the initiative when it comes to the improvement of your business. One of the first things that you need to do is to analyze your competition.

Knowing what your competitors are up to will help you plan moves that will protect yourself or even propel you forward. Some businesspeople are not so keen on checking the competition, thinking it is just a waste of time and resources. But in reality, it should be part of your marketing strategy. There are actually some ways you can make this much easier. Be focused on the essentials, such as these:

Check out the prices

Pricing is one of the most important factors businesspeople should consider. This is the determining factor for most consumers; some often go for cheaper prices, and this is a real insight. So find out if the price points of your competitors are actually attracting customers. You can do this by having a mystery shopper shop at your competitor’s store. You can even do the trade check yourself. If you are doing online business, you may check out your competitor’s website.

Check the advertising and PR materials

You should check out the advertising and PR materials of your competitors to make sure that you are not sending the same marketing message. Remember, you have to differentiate yourself from your competitors, which is why you should always look at what they are releasing. You should do this every quarter.

Look at how they engage customers

Relationship building is an effort that all brands are doing, and you need to see if your competitors are actually faring well in this department. And this is something that you can do by going to their social media and checking at how their community managers respond to the queries, compliments, and complaints of their customers. Are they also implementing loyalty programs, promos, and similar activities?

Rely on technology

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Manually checking on your competitors can be a lot of hard work. You will deploy people to the field to do some mystery shopping. Likewise, you will have to visit their websites and look at their social media materials. If you want things to be much more streamlined, you may consider using a competitor monitoring software program to aid your activities.

The world of business can be tough. It can be a dog-eat-dog world, meaning you will have to watch your back. Competitors will always be plotting to upset your place and lead in the industry. But before they can do that, they will have to go over your safety and security measures. You need to arm yourself with knowledge and a foolproof strategy.

 

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