Lester Holt, the long-standing anchor of NBC Nightly News, announced on Monday he will step down from the role in the coming months. Holt, who has served as the anchor for nearly a decade, stated he plans to continue at NBC by taking on expanded responsibilities with Dateline, where he is currently the show’s anchor.
In a memo to colleagues, Holt, 65, expressed gratitude for his time on the program. He indicated he would remain in his current position until the start of summer, although the network has not yet named a successor.
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Holt took over the anchor position in 2015. His appointment came after the previous anchor, Brian Williams, faced controversy over embellishments in a story about events in Iraq. Initially, Holt filled in on the weekend edition and was later appointed to the role permanently after Williams’s suspension and subsequent move to MSNBC.
NBC has already ousted Chuck Todd from the network. Indeed, Holt’s announcement occurs amidst a wave of transitions in various news divisions, with several veteran news figures recently exiting their positions. For instance, far-left mainstay Joy Reid is out at MSNBC, and Jim Acosta is out at CNN after significant alterations to his time slot.
❓What Happened: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is adding further fuel to speculation that Rahm Emanuel will pursue a 2028 presidential bid.
👥 Who’s Involved: Nancy Pelosi, Rahm Emanuel, and journalist Peter Savodnik.
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📍 Where & When: Interview published Friday, May 23, 2025, with Emanuel potentially launching a bid for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.
💬 Key Quote: Emanuel stated, “I’m not done with public service. I’m hoping it’s not done with me.”
⚠️ Impact: A 2028 presidential bid by Rahm Emanuel could shift the Democratic Party back towards Clintonism, though the former Chicago mayor could face stiff competition from progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
IN FULL:
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has hinted that Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor and Joe Biden’s ambassador to Japan, could be planning a 2028 presidential campaign. In an interview published Friday, the 85-year-old California Democrat provided the latest fuel to recent speculation that Emanuel could launch a bid for the White House, stating: “I think he’s going to run.”
The interview was part of a feature published by The Free Press entitled, “President Rahm Emanuel? He Thinks So.” The National Pulse has previously reported that Emanuel is eyeing a presidential run, taking care to distance himself from allegations that Democrat aides covered up former President Joe Biden’s cognitive and physical decline.
In the same story with Pelosi, Emanuel told journalist Peter Savodnik, “I’m not done with public service. I’m hoping it’s not done with me.” However, when asked directly about a potential White House bid, Emanuel remained noncommittal, saying, “Before I make a decision, I want to know that I have an answer to what I think ails our country, ails our politics, and ails the party—and they may all be the same answer.”
The former Clinton White House aide, who infamously threw steak knives into a table while listing Democrat donors he believed had abandoned Bill Clinton and shouting “Dead!” during a 1992 presidential election fundraiser, appears to have retained his cutthroat edge. When asked by Savodnik about Biden’s health, Emanuel quipped, “I don’t have prostate cancer.”
❓What Happened: Texas has passed a bill that would criminalize healthcare providers changing the biological sex of patients and threaten them with fines of up to $250,000.
👥 Who’s Involved: Texas House of Representatives, Texas doctors, Republican representative Greg Bonnen.
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📍 Where & When: The bill was passed in Austin, Texas, on May 22.
💬 Key Quote: “[B]iological sex and medical records is an issue of accuracy, and impacting safe medical care in an acute situation, an emergency could lead to a misdiagnosis.” — Republican state Representative Greg Bonnen.
⚠️ Impact: The bill will force healthcare providers to provide accurate biological medical data regarding sex, potentially saving money and lives.
IN FULL:
The Texas House of Representatives has passed a new bill that could see doctors fined up to $250,000 if they change their patients’ recorded sex on medical records, specifically demanding that healthcare workers use the biological sex assigned at their patients’ birth.
The bill also has an exemption stating that it will not ban gender identity information from being included in health records. This would mean that while someone may state they identify as female, they would still be listed as male if their biological sex is male.
Republican state Representative Greg Bonnen sponsored the bill and stated, “Listen, biological sex and medical records is an issue of accuracy, and impacting safe medical care in an acute situation, an emergency could lead to a misdiagnosis.”
He added, “The whole point of the section of the bill is to ensure the physicians always know the true biological sex from birth, and the language is carefully crafted to allow for exceptions based on other medical conditions.”
The new bill comes after President Donald J. Trump recognized only two biological sexes via an executive order at the start of his term in January. The order also banned the use of federal funds to promote gender ideology. Trump signed another executive order in early February prohibiting biological men from women’s sports.
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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump urged the British government to abandon wind energy in favor of North Sea oil drilling.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Starmer’s Labour Party government.
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📍 Where & When: President Trump posted his comments to Truth Social on Friday.
💬 Key Quote: “I strongly recommend to them… that in order to get their Energy Costs down, they stop with the costly and unsightly windmills, and incentivize modernized drilling in the North Sea, where large amounts of oil lay waiting to be taken,” Trump wrote.
⚠️ Impact: The British government could be persuaded to loosen its regulations strangling the traditional energy sector.
IN FULL:
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has called on the United Kingdom and the Labour Party government under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to prioritize oil drilling in the North Sea over wind energy, which he described as “costly and unsightly.” Trump suggested that such a move could drastically reduce British energy costs and proposed Aberdeen, Scotland, as a central hub for operations.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “Our negotiated deal with the United Kingdom is working out well for all. I strongly recommend to them, however, that in order to get their energy costs down, they stop with the costly and unsightly windmills, and incentivise modernised drilling in the North Sea, where large amounts of oil lay waiting to be taken. A century of drilling left, with Aberdeen as the hub.”
Additionally, President Trump criticized Britain’s current tax system, arguing it disincentivizes oil drilling. He argued that changes to these policies would lead to rapid reductions in energy costs. Trump’s recent trade deal with the United Kingdom eased tariffs on British cars and steel, which could be made more cheaply if energy prices were reduced, while expanding access for American agricultural products in Britain.
Trump, who owns Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, has long been a vocal critic of wind turbines, particularly in areas near his properties, believing they are a blight on natural landscapes.
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❓What Happened: Studies to determine the root causes of autism are underway, with completion expected by March, according to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
👥 Who’s Involved: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and 15 teams of scientists.
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📍 Where & When: United States; initial findings expected by September, with further studies concluding in March.
💬 Key Quote: “We’re going to be definitive. And the more definitive you are, the more it drives public policy,” said Kennedy.
⚠️ Impact: Autism prevalence in the U.S. has risen to 1 in 31 children, sparking urgent calls for research into potential environmental contributors.
IN FULL:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that critical studies aimed at uncovering the root causes of autism are on track for completion by March. Kennedy revealed during an interview on May 23 that some replication studies will be finalized by September, while new research initiatives involving 15 teams of scientists are set to begin soon.
“And those studies will mainly be replication studies of studies that have already been done. We’re also deploying new teams of scientists, 15 groups of scientists. We’re going to send those grants out to bid within three weeks,” Kennedy stated. He emphasized the importance of producing definitive findings that could shape public policy, adding, “We’re not going to stop the studies in September. We’re going to be definitive. And the more definitive you are, the more it drives public policy.”
Kennedy, who has made addressing the autism epidemic a priority under his Making America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, cited alarming data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, 1 in 31 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism by the age of eight, a significant increase that Kennedy has described as an “epidemic.”
The recently released MAHA Commission Report highlights environmental exposures as potential contributors to the rise in autism cases. It references data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “America’s Children and the Environment” report, which has tracked childhood health trends since 2000. While significant reductions have been achieved in certain pollutants, the overall health of children has reportedly worsened, raising concerns about the cumulative impact of modern environmental risks.
Kennedy criticized what he referred to as “epidemic denial,” urging Americans to examine the science behind the rising autism rates. “Instead of listening to this canard of epidemic denial, all you have to do is start reading a little science, because the answer is very clear, and this is catastrophic for our country,” he said.
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Kingsley Wilson, née Cortes, has been announced as the Department of Defense’s new Press Secretary. Wilson, the daughter of conservative commentator Steve Cortes, previously served as a writing fellow at The National Pulse, worked at social media platform GETTR, and most recently, at the Center for Renewing America.
Wilson has been the deputy press secretary at the Pentagon since January 21, 2025. Her promotion was announced today by Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Chief Pentagon Spokesman & Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense Sean Parnell.
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“The Office of the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs is announcing that Kingsley Wilson will serve as Press Secretary for the Department of Defense. Kingsley’s leadership has been integral to the DoD’s success & we look forward to her continued service to President Trump! Congrats, Kingsley!”
Wilson has become a key target of left-wing and deep state activism in recent months, with the far-left Mother Jones blog attempting a March 5 hit piece to try to get her fired. The anti-American NPR network followed suit. Instead, Wilson has been promoted.
As the news broke, Wilson commented on her X account: “Honored to serve President Trump and our warfighters.”
Honored to serve President Trump and our warfighters
Kingsley Wilson, née Cortes, has been announced as the Department of Defense's new Press Secretary. Wilson, the daughter of conservative commentator Steve Cortes, previously served as a writing fellow at The National Pulse, worked at social media platform GETTR, and most recently, at the Center for Renewing America.
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❓What Happened: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against four New Jersey cities, alleging their sanctuary policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement.
👥 Who’s Involved: The DOJ, Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, the cities of Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Hoboken, Mayor Ras Baraka, and Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ).
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📍 Where & When: Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Hoboken, New Jersey; lawsuit announced Thursday.
💬 Key Quote: “The express purpose and clear effect of these policies … is to thwart federal immigration enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Roth.
⚠️ Impact: The lawsuit alleges the cities’ sanctuary policies violate the Constitution’s supremacy clause, endanger public safety, and could lead to further legal action.
IN FULL:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against four New Jersey cities, accusing them of obstructing federal immigration enforcement through their sanctuary policies. The legal action targets Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Hoboken, claiming their local rules unconstitutionally hinder federal authorities’ ability to work with local law enforcement to detain and deport illegal immigrants.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth described the cities’ policies as “a frontal assault on the federal immigration laws and the federal authorities that administer them.” Roth further stated that these measures “thwart federal immigration enforcement” and prevent willing local law enforcement from aiding in addressing the nation’s immigration crisis.
The lawsuit also alleges that the policies jeopardize both officer and public safety, violating the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause, which establishes federal law as the ultimate authority over conflicting state or local statutes.
The filing follows a recent high-profile incident on May 9 at a Newark Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center. That clash, involving state and federal Democratic officials, resulted in the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and federal charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ).
Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the sanctuary policies, stating, “Recent events have proven that these New Jersey officials care more about political showmanship than the safety of their communities.” Bondi emphasized that the Justice Department will not tolerate local interference in federal immigration enforcement and hinted at further legal actions against other sanctuary jurisdictions.
The DOJ has previously filed similar lawsuits against sanctuary policies in New York, Illinois, and Colorado.
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❓What Happened: Two Israeli embassy staffers were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., by a gunman reportedly shouting “free Palestine.” The shooter’s father was a guest of Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García (D-IL), attending President Donald J. Trump’s address to Congress this past March.
👥 Who’s Involved: The alleged shooter, Elias Rodriguez, 31, is the son of Eric Rodriguez, a guest of Representative Jesús ‘Chuy’ García (D-IL) for President Trump’s congressional address on March 4, 2025.
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📍 Where & When: Elias Rodriquez shot and killed Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26—both employed by the Israeli Embassy—on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Eric Rodriguez attended Trump’s congressional address on March 4, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” Elias Rodriguez allegedly stated during his arrest.
⚠️ Impact: The attack has been labeled a “horrible senseless act of antisemitism” by Rep. García. The Illinois Democrat’s office states: “Eric Rodriguez was our guest during the President’s Joint Speech to Congress, but we don’t know his family.”
IN FULL:
The father of Elias Rodrigeuz, accused of murdering two staff members from the Israeli Embassy outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., was a guest of Congressman Jesús ‘Chuy’ García (D-IL) for President Donald J. Trump’s congressional address on March 4, 2025. Eric Rodriguez, a disabled Iraq War veteran, was celebrated by Rep. García at the time as an “outspoken advocate against attacks on veterans’ services and the rights of unionized federal employees.”
Following Elias Rodrigeuz’s deadly attack on the Capital Jewish Museum, resulting in the execution-style deaths of Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, the Illinois Democrat’s congressional office is scrambling to put distance between itself and the shooter’s father. “Eric Rodriguez was our guest during the President’s Joint Speech to Congress, but we don’t know his family,” Rep. García’s office now says. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, García condemned the murders as a ” horrible, senseless act of antisemitism.”
In March, Eric Rodriguez addressed a VoteVets event for Congressional Democrats, stating, “Veterans, we’re under attack. They’re slashing staff, crushing unions, and selling out the VA—for what? So billionaires can make more money while Veterans sit on a waitlist. Or worse, get no treatment.” He continued: “We served this country. We know how to take the fight to them. And we know how to win.”
Rep. García praised the elder Rodriguez, stating, “Eric represents the very best of our community—someone who has served his country, continues to serve his fellow veterans and fights every day to protect the dignity of working people.” The Chicago Democrat also posted Rodriguez’s speech to Instagram.
Following the deadly Wednesday night attack, Eric Rodriguez’s son, Elias, can be heard and seen shouting “free Palestine” while being arrested by D.C. police. Currently, Eric Rodriguez faces numerous local and federal charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. According to court filings, Rodriguez admitted his motive, allegedly telling officers, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”
Elias Rodriguez, a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago, had been active in leftist circles, participating in anti-capitalist demonstrations and working for a non-profit focused on African American oral histories. He also donated $500 to Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.
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❓What Happened: A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration’s efforts to cut 10,000 jobs and reorganize federal agencies under its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald Trump, senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston, U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, federal employee unions, advocacy groups, and several states and local governments.
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📍 Where & When: The injunction was issued late Thursday evening on May 22, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “Agencies may not conduct large-scale reorganizations and reductions in force in blatant disregard of Congress’s mandates, and a President may not initiate large-scale executive branch reorganization without partnering with Congress,” wrote Bill Clinton appointee Judge Susan Illston.
⚠️ Impact: The Trump administration has appealed the decision to the 9th Circuit and may seek Supreme Court intervention, as the injunction halts a key element of the administration’s second-term domestic policy.
IN FULL:
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to cut 10,000 jobs and restructure federal agencies, issuing a preliminary injunction that halts the initiative known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been fronted by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The order, issued late Thursday by senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, prevents further reductions in force and executive branch reorganization while a lawsuit challenging the plan proceeds. The lawsuit was filed by unions representing federal employees, advocacy organizations, and a coalition of states, cities, and counties.
The administration’s February 11 Executive Order, aimed at “critical transformation of the Federal bureaucracy,” directed agency heads to prepare for large-scale workforce reductions. The mass layoffs have been a key feature of President Trump’s second-term domestic agenda.
“Presidents may set policy priorities for the executive branch, and agency heads may implement them. This much is undisputed,” Judge Illston wrote in her decision. However, the Bill Clinton appointee insisted that Congress holds the authority to create, fund, and assign duties to federal agencies. “Agencies may not conduct large-scale reorganizations and reductions in force in blatant disregard of Congress’s mandates, and a President may not initiate large-scale executive branch reorganization without partnering with Congress,” she added.
The Trump administration has already appealed the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and is expected to request a stay of the injunction. U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, in a filing to the U.S. Supreme Court, criticized the injunction for barring nearly the entire executive branch from implementing workforce reduction plans. “Neither Congress nor the Executive Branch has ever intended to make federal bureaucrats ‘a class with lifetime employment, whether there was work for them to do or not,’” Sauer argued.
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❓What Happened: University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann suggested using the Second Amendment against President Donald J. Trump if he defies a federal judge’s order blocking the closure of the Department of Education.
👤Who’s Involved: Michael Mann, President Donald J. Trump, the University of Pennsylvania, Libs of TikTok, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
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🧾Key Quote: “If Trump doesn’t comply, we’re in second amendment territory,” Mann posted on Bluesky.
⚠️Fallout: Libs of TikTok flagged Mann’s post to the FBI, citing it as a potential threat, amid heightened concerns following two 2024 assassination attempts against Trump.
📌Significance: Mann’s invocation of the Second Amendment to suggest violence against a sitting president underscores the escalating political rhetoric from academics.
IN FULL:
Michael Mann, a prominent climate scientist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, sparked controversy on May 23, 2025, by posting on the Bluesky social media platform: “If Trump doesn’t comply, we’re in second amendment territory.” The statement was made in response to a report on a federal judge’s ruling that blocked President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, appearing to suggest people take up arms to overthrow or assassinate the America First leader.
The May 22 injunction froze the administration’s plan to eliminate the department, which included terminating around 1,300 employees. Mann’s post—interpreted by many as a call for violence—drew immediate backlash across social media platforms.
The post was spotlighted by Libs of TikTok, which tagged the FBI and University of Pennsylvania, writing: “Hi “FBI, this climate scientist and professor at @Penn appears to be calling to kill Trump and Trump officials.”
The controversy comes on the heels of two assassination attempts on President Trump in 2024. The first occurred on July 13 during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump, grazing his ear and killing a supporter. The second attempt took place in September at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, with pro-Ukraine activist Ryan Routh caught lying in wait with a firearm and seriously injuring a child during his attempted getaway.
In response to the second incident, Trump said, “The suspected gunman believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it. Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at.”
Mann’s invocation of the Second Amendment in the context of killing or overthrowing Trump echoes a recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, who was accused of inciting violence by posting “8647” on Instagram. “86” is hospitality and mob parlance for removing or murdering someone, while “47” refers to Trump as the 47th President.
❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is considering backing primary challenges against the two Republican lawmakers who voted “no” on the House budget reconciliation bill, which advances several of his top priorities.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH).
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📍 Where & When: The reconciliation bill passed the House early Thursday morning on May 22, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “I don’t think he likes to see grandstanders in Congress,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked whether Trump believes the Republicans who voted “no” should be primaried.
⚠️ Impact: Both Massie and Davidson could face competitive primaries with a number of strong candidates now considering bids for their Congressional seats.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump is considering backing primary challenges against the two Republican members of the House of Representatives who voted against his budget plan, according to the White House. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) both voted against the reconciliation bill, while Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)—who chairs the House Freedom Caucus—abstained from the vote.
“I believe he does. I don’t think he likes to see grandstanders in Congress,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked whether Trump believes the Republicans who voted “no” should be primaried. Earlier this week, President Trump singled out Rep. Massie specifically, labelling the Kentucky Republican a “grandstander” and someone who doesn’t “understand government.”
Subsequently, Massie began fundraising off of Trump’s comments. “I need your help. For having the audacity to say this bill does NOT repeal the green new deal, but DOES increase the deficit and debt substantially, I was threatened by Trump today, “Massie wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “Can you contribute to my reelection at this link?” In just over 24 hours, Massie raised around $23,000 for his re-election campaign—a number he excitedly touted on social media.
“Hundreds of you responded almost instantly with financial support for my reelection,” Massie wrote on Wednesday, adding: “Speaking truth to power has gotten me in hot water here in the swamp” and again linking to his campaign fundraising page.
Others have pushed back against the Kentucky lawmaker, noting that he voted for the 2023 debt ceiling deal, which saw the cap on spending suspended entirely until January 2025. Despite its eventual passage, 71 Republicans voted against the 2023 measure. Its adoption eventually led to the ouster of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as the Speaker of the House—another move that Massie has criticized.
Massie, who was an outspoken backer of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) during the 2024 Republican presidential primary, also opposed a Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s (R-FL) effort to censure then-Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) for peddling the Russiagate conspiracy against Trump and spending millions of taxpayer dollars investigating the false accusations. Rep. Davidson joined Massie in opposing the censure measure.
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