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Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Category: News
7 hours ago
Immigration
News

Support Floods In for ICE Agent After Minneapolis Shooting.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Jonathan Ross, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who fatally shot anti-ICE agitator Renee Nicole Good when she attempted to run him over with her SUV, has raised $350,000 for his legal defense fund.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Renee Nicole Good and ICE agent Jonathan Ross.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shooting occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last Wednesday morning, sparking violent protests over the weekend.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I am a big believer in our legal principle that one is innocent until proven guilty.” – Bill Ackman

🎯IMPACT: Protests erupted nationwide, and funding campaigns have been launched for both Good’s family and Ross’s legal defense.

IN FULL

Jonathan Ross, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who fatally shot anti-ICE agitator Renee Nicole Good when she attempted to run him over with her SUV, has raised $350,000 for his legal defense fund. The new high mark comes as hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman announced he has contributed $10,000 to Ross’s defense, stating, “I am a big believer in our legal principle that one is innocent until proven guilty.”

Ackman also expressed that he would contribute to the fundraiser for the family of Good, but noted the account had already closed after raising $1.5 million. Last Wednesday, Good was shot and killed after using her vehicle, at the admitted encouragement of her female partner, Rebecca Good, to block and harass federal law enforcement officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After being given a lawful order to stop and exit the vehicle, Renee Good accelerated forward toward Ross, prompting the ICE agent to fire upon her.

The corporate media at first attempted to portray Renee Good as merely a scared woman who was unaffiliated with the protests. However, numerous videos taken from the protest leading up to the shooting have subsequently shown Renee and Rebecca Good engaging in sustained interference against federal law enforcement.

Good’s death sparked a surge in violent anti-ICE protests in Minnesota, prompting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to announce the deployment of additional federal officers to the state to ensure the safety of ICE agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers already on site. This past weekend saw additional protests around the country, including in Washington, D.C., New York, and Seattle.

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8 hours ago
News

Barbie Launches Doll with ‘Flappy Hands’ and Off Center Gaze for Autists.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Mattel has introduced the first Barbie doll with autism as part of a diversity campaign.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mattel, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and autism charities.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 12, 2026, internationally.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Seeing more depictions of autism is key to understanding and autism acceptance.” – Peter Watt, National Autistic Society

🎯IMPACT: The doll is intended to raise awareness and foster acceptance of autism among children.

IN FULL

Mattel has introduced an autistic Barbie doll as part of an ongoing push to make its toyline more “diverse.” The doll incorporates specific features like eyes that gaze slightly off to the side and more articulated joints in the elbows and wrists to help depict certain common autistic traits, such as the avoidance of direct eye contact and “hand flapping.” It also includes accessories, including noise-cancelling headphones and a fidget spinner, which some autistic children use to cope with sensory overload and hyperactivity.

“As the most diverse doll line on the market, Barbie plays an important role in a child’s early experiences, and we are dedicated to doing our part to counter social stigma through play,” said Lisa McKnight, Mattel’s executive vice president for Barbie and Dolls.

The autistic Barbie’s creation involved collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and is supported by multiple autism organizations. Britain’s National Autistic Society was among those to commend the doll, with managing director Peter Watt saying, “Seeing more depictions of autism is key to understanding and autism acceptance.”

The autistic Barbie follows earlier dolls in the line that have represented conditions including blindness, Down’s syndrome, and Type 1 diabetes. Mattel has also launched a range of Barbies aimed at increasing black representation, including a Rosa Parks Barbie and an Ida B. Wells Barbie.

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8 hours ago
News

Human Remains Discovered in Washington, D.C. Park.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Human remains were uncovered during construction at Volta Park in Georgetown, halting renovation work.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Georgetown residents, construction crews, the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and the D.C. Archaeologist.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Volta Park, Georgetown, with the human remains first discovered last summer.

💬KEY QUOTE: “They have been left exposed for months, through rain and snow, and I have even seen dogs running over them. There are no tarps or coverings on the piles at all,” wrote a concerned resident to Popville.

🎯IMPACT: The site has been secured, and plans are underway to respectfully reinter the remains and complete renovations by spring 2026.

IN FULL

During construction at Volta Park in Georgetown this past summer, work came to a halt when human remains were discovered. Crews uncovered bones during renovation efforts, which were then collected and submitted to the D.C. Archaeologist‘s office for analysis.

Local residents raised concerns last week, writing to the neighborhood blog Popville about the lack of proper covering for the remains still in the park. One resident shared, “They have been left exposed for months, through rain and snow, and I have even seen dogs running over them. There are no tarps or coverings on the piles at all.”

Finally, last week, the human remains were covered with a tarp, and the site was marked with yellow flags. The Washington, D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) issued a statement confirming the site had been secured and that they are working with the D.C. Archaeologist and contracted archaeologists to develop a plan for respectfully reinterning the disarticulated remains.

“DPR anticipates completing drainage work by the end of winter, with field restoration underway for a spring reopening once the grass is established,” the statement read, concerning the timeline for the conclusion of renovations to the park. Volta Park is situated on the grounds of the former Presbyterian Burying Ground, a historic cemetery.

Image by Elvert Barnes.

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9 hours ago
News
UK

Former Senior Cabinet Member Backs Farage for Prime Minister.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Conservative (Tory) Party chairman and Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi announced his support for Reform Party leader Nigel Farage as a future prime minister.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Nadhim Zahawi, Nigel Farage, and Tory former prime ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 12, at a press conference in London.

💬KEY QUOTE: Zahawi said Britain “really does need Nigel Farage as Prime Minister.”

🎯IMPACT: Zahawi’s endorsement of Farage could shift party political dynamics ahead of the 2024 general election.

IN FULL

Former British Conservative (Tory) Party chairman and Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi announced on January 12 that he is endorsing Nigel Farage as Britain’s next leader, saying the country “really does need Nigel Farage as Prime Minister.” Zahawi, who was born in Baghdad in 1967 and left Iraq with his family during the 1970s, spoke about his journey from refugee to senior Cabinet minister during his announcement, saying, “I pinch myself every morning to wake up… This is the greatest country on earth.”

First elected as Member of Parliament (M) for England’s Stratford-upon-Avon constituency (electoral district) in 2010, Zahawi went on to hold a number of senior government roles. He played a central role in overseeing Britain’s controversial COVID-19 vaccine rollout and later served as Chancellor of the Exchequer—roughly equivalent to U.S. Treasury Secretary—under Boris Johnson.

Zahawi’s praise for Farage comes at a time when Reform, the party led by the veteran Brexit campaigner, has been gaining traction, consistently polling ahead of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party and the Conservatives, who governed from 2010 to mid-2024. In recent months, Farage’s party has benefited from a series of high-profile defections, including sitting MPs, former ministers, and dozens of local councillors, particularly in London and southern England.

Polling and internal party surveys have also suggested growing support among Conservative voters for closer cooperation or even a merger with Reform, underscoring the Conservatives’ displacement by Reform on the British right.

Image by IAEA Imagebank.

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10 hours ago
Corruption
Economy

Federal Reserve Chairman Faces Criminal Investigation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who revealed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) served subpoenas over testimony he gave about renovations to Federal Reserve buildings.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jerome Powell, President Donald J. Trump, the DOJ, and members of the Senate Banking Committee.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Powell disclosed the investigation on Sunday, January 11, 2026; the probe is being overseen by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I don’t know anything about it, but he’s certainly not very good at the Fed, and he’s not very good at building buildings.” — President Trump

🎯IMPACT: The federal investigation raises concerning allegations of financial mismanagement at the central bank, while critics claim the probe represents a threat to the Federal Reserve’s “independence.”

IN FULL

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell revealed on Sunday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a criminal investigation into him, serving subpoenas over testimony he gave to a Senate committee regarding renovations to the central bank’s offices. Powell described the probe as “unprecedented” and suggested it stemmed from President Donald J. Trump‘s public campaign to pressure the Federal Reserve into lowering interest rates.

“This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions, or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation,” Powell said. He continued, “I have deep respect for the rule of law and for accountability in our democracy. No one, certainly not the chair of the Federal Reserve, is above the law, but this unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration’s threats and ongoing pressure.”

Trump has denied any knowledge of the investigation, stating later on Sunday, “I don’t know anything about it, but he’s certainly not very good at the Fed, and he’s not very good at building buildings.” The Fed is currently modernizing two of its buildings, with renovations expected to cost $3.1 billion, exceeding initial projections of $2.5 billion. Trump has criticized the rising costs.

The investigation, overseen by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, has sparked bipartisan debate on Capitol Hill. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced opposition to any Fed nominations until the legal matter is resolved. Meanwhile, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) accused Trump of attempting to “install another sock puppet” to undermine the Fed’s “independence.”

The criminal probe comes as Powell prepares to step down in May, with Trump expected to name his successor soon. In December, the central bank enacted its third consecutive rate cut, although at the time, some economists suggested it could be the final cut for some time. However, job data released earlier this month suggests that the labor market continues to weaken, which will likely prompt the Federal Reserve to continue reducing rates.

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10 hours ago
News
UK

Britain Considering Sending Military to Greenland.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly considering deploying British troops to Greenland, following remarks by President Donald J. Trump about acquiring the territory.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Prime Minister Starmer, President Trump, the governments of Denmark and Greenland.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday, January 12, 2026; discussions center on Greenland, a largely autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Discussions about securing the High North against Russia and China are part of NATO’s ‘business as usual’.” – British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander

🎯IMPACT: Concerns have been raised about Britain’s military being overstretched in what is likely an attempt at making a show of European solidarity against the Trump administration.

IN FULL

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly considering the possibility of deploying British troops to Greenland. This follows recent statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump about potentially taking control of the Danish territory.

The Prime Minister’s deliberations come soon after he committed to deploying troops to Ukraine to enforce a potential ceasefire, raising alarms among retired senior military concerned about the much-diministed British military’s ability to perform the tasks being considedred for it.

British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander characterized the conversations about Greenland as centering on NATO protecting the High North from threats posed by Russia and China, describing them as “business as usual.” However, the news comes soon after Starmer joined several other leaders in signing a letter claiming they would defend Denmark’s sovereignty in Greenland against the U.S.

Retired senior military officials have voiced serious concerns about Britain’s defense preparedness, citing years of cuts that have been exacerbated by the deployment of crucial materiel and munitions to Ukraine. They have emphasized shortages including a lack of howitzers, restricted availability of Royal Navy submarines, and insufficient Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots—likely worsened by anti-white recruitment policies—among other issues.

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January 9, 2026
Lawfare
News

Obama Judge Blocks Probe into Dem NY AG Letitia James.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge appointed by Barack Obama has disqualified a prosecutor from overseeing investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James (D).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield, federal prosecutor John Sarcone, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Letitia James.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was made in January 2026 in the Northern District of New York.

🎯IMPACT: Subpoenas related to James’s high-profile lawfare suits against President Donald J. Trump’s business and the National Rifle Association (NRA) were invalidated, and Sarcone was barred from further involvement.

IN FULL

A federal court has removed a senior federal prosecutor from overseeing inquiries tied to Democrat New York Attorney General Letitia James, concluding that his continued role violated federal appointment laws and rendered his actions invalid. U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield, originally appointed by Barack Obama, ruled that John Sarcone could not lawfully continue serving as acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York after his 120-day interim term expired.

Federal law requires that district judges decide whether an interim prosecutor may remain in office. In this case, judges declined to extend Sarcone’s tenure. The ruling claimed that the Justice Department (DOJ), led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, improperly attempted to preserve Sarcone’s authority by redesignating him as a “special attorney” and first assistant after his term lapsed. Judge Schofield said the move amounted to an unlawful attempt to bypass statutory limits on prosecutorial appointments.

Because Sarcone lacked legal authority, the court invalidated the subpoenas he issued and barred him from further participating in the investigations. Those subpoenas sought information related to James’ office and its prior litigation.

Sarcone worked on President Donald J. Trump’s 2016 campaign legal team and later served as a regional administrator at the General Services Administration during Trump’s first term. James’s office has argued that Sarcone’s involvement reflected a politically driven effort to retaliate against her for pursuing high-profile cases against Trump and conservative-aligned organizations.

James has built a national profile through aggressive legal actions, including a civil fraud case against Trump’s business empire and litigation against the pro-Second Amendment National Rifle Association (NRA).

James recently claimed a legal victory over the Department of Homeland Security, and another over the Department of Justice when a grand jury declined to re-indict her for mortgage fraud.

Image by Maryland GovPics.

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January 9, 2026
Christopher Tomlinson
Health
News

Doctors Euthanized a Healthy 26-Year-Old Because He Had Depression, Mother Claims.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The mother of a depressed 26-year-old announced he was killed as part of Canada’s assisted suicide program.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kiano Vafaeian, Margaret Marsilla, Dr. Ellen Wiebe.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Canadian doctors euthanized Vafaeian this week, with his mother Margaret Marsilla announcing his death on Facebook on January 6.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The actions of DR ELLEN WIEBE reveal a pattern of coldness and disregard for vulnerable human life that I can no longer stay silent about.” – Margaret Marsilla.

🎯IMPACT: The case reveals that killings of people with mental illnesses in Canada are occurring despite the practice being supposedly banned until 2027.

IN FULL

A notorious Canadian euthanasia doctor is said to have assisted in the suicide of Kiano Vafaeian, a depressed 26-year-old man, despite Canada not yet opening Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to those with simple mental illnesses until 2027. Kiano Vafaeian passed away this week, according to a Facebook post by his mother, Margaret Marsilla.

In the post, Marsilla notes, “Four years ago, here in Ontario, we were able to stop his euthanasia and get him some help. He was alive because people stepped in when he was vulnerable and not capable of making a final, irreversible decision. Tragically, the Canadian system later allowed something very different to happen in Vancouver—where a doctor named DR ELLEN WIEBE AKA DR DEATH #2 approved his death based on mental illness.”

“The actions of DR ELLEN WIEBE reveal a pattern of coldness and disregard for vulnerable human life that I can no longer stay silent about, just that scary smile shows her entitlement for taking peoples lives,” she continued, adding: “No compassion. No protection. No effort to save a life, only to end it.”

Dr. Wiebe has become well known in Canada for her enthusiasm for MAID, claiming to have been behind the killing of at least 400 people. She is also an abortionist.

Kiano Vafaeian also participated in a documentary about MAID in 2023, broadcast on the CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster, which questioned whether MAID was too easy for Canadians to get approval for. Vafaeian told the interviewer that he had tried suicide before and claimed MAID was “more dignified.”

The case comes as the overall use of MAID in Canada continues to rise sharply and is now one of the country’s leading causes of death. Analysts cited by critics of the program estimate that, based on current trends, the cumulative number of Canadians who have died through assisted suicide since legalization could be approaching 100,000. Medics have also warned that demand for MAID assessments has surged, straining capacity and raising concerns about whether thorough evaluations can always be maintained.

Other ethical concerns have also emerged regarding MAID and the practice of organ harvesting. In one case, a 38-year-old Canadian with Lou Gehrig’s disease was euthanized, and his heart was subsequently transplanted to an American man with congestive heart failure. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)—a subagency of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)— has previously warned that some patients may not have been legally deceased before organ harvesting procedures begin.

Image by Zaldylmg.

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January 9, 2026
News

REPORT: MAGA-World Figures Aid Major Corporate Mergers, Avoiding Anti-Trust Scrutiny.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The merger of Compass and Anywhere Real Estate, valued at $1.6 billion, was approved without a detailed antitrust investigation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Compass, Anywhere Real Estate, the Justice Department, and lawyer Mike Davis.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The merger completes on January 9, 2026, in the United States.

🎯IMPACT: Compass will control nearly 20 percent of the U.S. home-sales volume, raising concerns over market share in major metropolitan areas.

IN FULL

A $1.6 billion merger between Compass and Anywhere Real Estate was approved by the Department of Justice (DOJ) without a full antitrust investigation, despite objections from enforcement staff, according to reports. Senior DOJ officials allegedly overruled internal calls for an in-depth review after Compass retained Trump-aligned attorney Mike Davis, who argued the company’s case directly to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office. Those officials concluded that potential competition concerns could be addressed without launching a formal probe, allowing the deal to close far more quickly than initially expected.

The Justice Department’s antitrust division, led by Trump loyalist and populist figure Gail Slater, had pushed for a detailed examination of whether the merger would reduce competition in local real estate markets. That effort ultimately failed after intervention from higher-ranking officials. As The Wall Street Journal noted, “Davis previously assisted Hewlett Packard Enterprise to reach a $14 billion deal with the Justice Department that allowed it to acquire rival Juniper Networks but caused a fight within the department over his involvement.”

Davis is a well-known figure in Trump-world legal circles. A former Senate aide and founder of the Article III Project, he has been a vocal defender of Trump. He has also been described as a politically connected operator with close ties to Republican legal and lobbying networks.

The Compass-Anywhere merger creates one of the most powerful firms in the U.S. residential real estate market. Analysts estimate that Compass will oversee nearly 20 percent of total home sales volume nationwide, with a market share potentially exceeding 30 percent in major cities, including Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

The deal has drawn renewed attention to the influence of lobbyists and former Trump administration officials now working in Washington’s corporate advocacy world. Several former Trump White House aides have moved into K Street lobbying roles, representing clients seeking favorable treatment from federal regulators. Other reporting has highlighted pressure campaigns by lobbyists and political allies aimed at persuading senior Justice Department officials to scale back or bypass aggressive antitrust enforcement.

A Justice Department spokesman said the approval does not prevent future action, noting that regulators may still pursue enforcement if anticompetitive effects emerge after the merger.

Image by Steve Fernie.

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January 9, 2026
News
Politics

MTG Was Referred to Secret Service After CCP-Linked Leftists Crashed Trump’s Dinner, Here’s Why:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: White House officials suspect former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) tipped off far-left agitators who crashed President Donald J. Trump’s dinner at a D.C. restaurant about his plans, referring her to the United States Secret Service.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, former Rep. Greene, Code Pink protesters, and White House staffers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Last September, at Joe’s Seafood in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Anyone saying this is true is absolutely lying!!!” – Marjorie Taylor Greene

🎯IMPACT: The incident has intensified tensions between Trump and Greene, fueling existing intra-party disputes.

IN FULL

White House officials believe former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) may have alerted leftist activists linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) about President Donald J. Trump’s dinner plans last September, after protesters confronted the President at a Washington, D.C., restaurant he was visiting. The incident took place at Joe’s Seafood, a restaurant Greene had personally recommended to Trump, and White House staffers referred her to the Secret Service following the incident.

During the meal, activists affiliated with Code Pink came close to the President and heckled him, shouting, “Free DC.! Free Palestine! Trump is the Hitler of our time!” Aides later described the scene as embarrassing and deeply troubling from a security standpoint.

Greene allegedly contacted White House staff repeatedly on the day of the dinner to confirm Trump’s plans, and Trump himself is said to have called Greene shortly before leaving the White House to confirm he was going to Joe’s Seafood. Although Greene was known to frequent the restaurant, she did not attend the dinner, something aides found unusual.

Greene and Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin share opposition to U.S. military aid to Ukraine and Israel. Benjamin has publicly praised Greene in the past for opposing Trump’s striking of Iranian nuclear sites, and she met the former Georgia lawmaker along with other Code Pink activists shortly before she left Congress.

Greene has forcefully denied the accusations, insisting that she did not know Trump’s exact dinner plans. “Code Pink was in the restaurant because the WH and Secret Service did NOT sweep Joe’s, did NOT set up metal detectors and check everyone in the restaurant, and did not do any of their normal security protocols that they do at every public event he attends!!! Only the WH set up President Trump’s reservation at Joe’s, NOT ME!! I had ZERO knowledge of when his reservation was!” she wrote in a long X (formerly Twitter) post, characterizing claims that she leaked the dinner plans as “a dangerous false accusation against me that is 100% false… Anyone saying this is true is absolutely lying!!!”

Greene also denied having Medea Benjamin’s telephone number, insisting, “[I] do not have any contact with her. She used to stop by my office as she stops by every office on Capitol hill.”

The incident has further strained the relationship between Trump and Greene, who was once one of his allies in Congress. In November, Trump commented on their falling out, saying, “Yeah, so I don’t know what happened to Marjorie. She’s a nice woman, but I don’t know what happened. She’s lost her way, I think.”

Greene has also drawn attention for threatening to expose what she called “all Congress’s dirty laundry.” More recently, she criticized Trump after he referred to her as a “traitor,” claiming that such language put her personal safety at risk.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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