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The News And Times Blog

Conversations: News Review – 12.4.25 – Jared Kushner and Ukraine talks

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date December 4, 2025

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Conversations: News Review – 12.4.25

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The News And Times Blog

Conversations: “Putin’s State Of Mind” and other stories – 2:34 PM 12/3/2025

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date December 3, 2025

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2:34 PM 12/3/2025

#Conversations
Based on the text provided, here is a summary of Steve Rosenberg’s analysis regarding the recent diplomatic talks in Moscow.
Key Takeaways
1. Diplomatic Deadlock
Despite a five-hour meeting in Moscow between Vladimir Putin and US representatives (Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner), no peace deal is imminent.1 Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that “no compromise version has yet been found.”

2. Putin’s Uncompromising Stance
Putin appears convinced that Russia holds the initiative on the battlefield and that he is winning the war.2 Consequently, he feels no pressure to sign a deal or stop operations now.
The “Runaway Car” Analogy: The author compares Putin to a vehicle with “no brakes, no steering wheel and no reverse gear,” intent on convincing the West that nothing can force him to change direction.
Rhetoric: Putin continues to use harsh rhetoric, labeling the Ukrainian leadership a “thieving junta” and blaming Europe for sabotaging peace efforts.3

3. The Economic Reality Check
While Putin projects military confidence, the article notes that Russia’s economy is facing growing strain.4
Financial Pressure: Oil and gas revenues are falling, and the budget deficit is growing.5
Internal Admissions: Even Putin has admitted to “imbalances” in the economy, noting that production output in several sectors has decreased rather than increased.

Conclusion
The central tension identified in the analysis is between Putin’s political and military confidence (the belief that he is unstoppable) and the economic reality (the need for fuel and funding). The “big unknown” remains whether mounting economic pressures will eventually force the Kremlin to alter its calculations on the battlefield.

Would you like me to research the current status of the specific economic sectors mentioned, such as Russian oil and gas revenues?
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What latest Ukraine talks reveal about Putin’s state of mind

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Today’s top news stories as of Wednesday, December 3, 2025,

include developments in the Brian Walshe murder trial, ongoing actions by the Trump administration on immigration and tariffs, and international tensions regarding Russia and the Middle East.

US News & Politics

Brian Walshe Trial: Brian Walshe’s detailed search history, including “How to saw a body,” was presented during his murder trial.
Trump Administration Actions: The Trump administration is threatening to withhold SNAP (food stamps) management funds from states that don’t share immigration data. The administration has also frozen immigration applications from 19 countries and demanded a refund of tariffs from companies like Costco. Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was freed from prison after a Trump pardon.
NYPD & Federal Probes: The NYPD confirmed its involvement in an FBI probe targeting volunteer observers in immigration court amidst ongoing immigration sweeps in NYC.
Epstein Island Photos: House Democrats released “never-before-seen” photos and videos of Jeffrey Epstein’s private island.

World News

Russia-Ukraine War: Tensions remain high as Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly sees “no point in making any serious compromises”. European leaders have accused Putin of faking interest in peace talks after meeting with US envoys.
Middle East: A far-right coalition is boycotting a Knesset vote on Trump’s Gaza plan. There are reports of an Israeli drone killing two children gathering firewood in the West Bank.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370: A deep-sea search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is scheduled to resume on December 30.

Science & Health

Vaccine Recommendations Under Review: A CDC advisory panel is scheduled to discuss and vote on the hepatitis B birth dose recommendation, a move some doctors warn could revive a deadly threat.

Sports

NBA Trades: Chris Paul’s second stint with the Los Angeles Clippers ended abruptly overnight.
NFL Injury: New York Jets player Kris Boyd is in critical condition after being shot.

For more in-depth coverage, you can visit news outlets such as NBC New York, The New York Times, or the New York Post.

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News Review – 11:17 AM 12/3/2025

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date December 3, 2025

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BREAKING: ZELENSKY CANCELS MEETING WITH TRUMP ENVOYS AFTER KREMLIN TALKS STALL

Trump’s peace push in Ukraine has hit a wall.

Zelensky called off his meeting with envoys Kushner and Witkoff after their negotiations in Moscow ended with no breakthrough.

News Review – 11:17 AM 12/3/2025

Articles and Tweets

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Video News – YT Searches

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The News And Times Blog

News Review

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date December 3, 2025

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News Review

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The News And Times Blog

Conversations: News Review – 8:29 AM 12/3/2025

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date December 3, 2025

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Conversations – News Review – 8:29 AM 12/3/2025
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The News And Times Blog

Ukraine corruption scandal: Is Putin’s GRU behind it?

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date December 2, 2025

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Ukraine corruption scandal: Is Putin’s GRU behind it?

The recent significant corruption scandal in Ukraine involving the state nuclear energy company Energoatom is being investigated by Ukrainian anti-corruption bodies, and while it is being exploited by Russian propaganda, there is no direct evidence that the current scheme was orchestrated by

Putin’s GRU (Russia’s military intelligence agency).

However, the GRU has a documented history of coordinating past disinformation campaigns and leveraging corrupt Ukrainian officials for its own purposes.

Russian Interference in Past Ukrainian Corruption Narratives

In previous years, Russian military intelligence was directly involved in spreading false allegations and amplifying existing corruption narratives to achieve its strategic goals, which included worsening U.S.–Ukrainian relations and undermining Western support for Ukraine.

Key facts regarding past Russian involvement:

GRU Coordination: A network involving GRU lieutenants coordinated the spread of falsehoods through specific Ukrainian lawmakers and businessmen.
Andrii Derkach: This pro-Kremlin former Ukrainian lawmaker, who recently fled to Russia and became a Russian senator, has been accused by Ukraine’s SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) of receiving millions of dollars per month from the GRU to create security companies that would assist the 2022 Russian invasion forces. Derkach was also a central figure in spreading the Biden-Ukraine conspiracy theory, a campaign linked to Russian intelligence efforts to interfere with U.S. politics.
Weaponized Corruption: Analysts at the Atlantic Council and other sources note that Putin consistently uses “weaponized corruption” tactics to weaken Ukraine and Europe from within.

Current Scandal vs. Russian Involvement

The current, separate $100 million Energoatom scandal involves a scheme to misappropriate funds through inflated contracts.

Investigation by Independent Bodies: The current investigation is being handled by Ukraine’s independent anti-corruption bodies, specifically the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), which were designed to operate independently of the President.
Domestic Focus: The focus of the current domestic investigation is on Ukrainian nationals, including high-level officials and business partners close to President Zelenskyy’s circle.
Exploitation by Russia: While the scandal is a serious domestic issue, Russian state media and propaganda are actively using it to portray Ukraine’s government as illegitimate and corrupt to their own advantage.

In summary, while Russia’s GRU has a proven track record of orchestrating past disinformation and corruption schemes in Ukraine for strategic gain, the current large-scale Energoatom scandal appears to be an internal Ukrainian matter that is being exploited by the Kremlin for propaganda purposes.

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The News And Times Blog

Conversations: Ukraine corruption scandal and peace negotiations

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date December 2, 2025

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Ukraine corruption scandal –

Conversations

Ai Mode

Ukraine

is currently experiencing a major, ongoing corruption scandal centered on a multi-million dollar embezzlement scheme in the state energy sector, which has led to high-level resignations and a political crisis.

Key Details of the Scandal (“Operation Midas”)

The Alleged Scheme: Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies (NABU and SAP) uncovered an alleged criminal organization that manipulated contracts at the state-owned nuclear power company, Energoatom, to receive kickbacks of 10-15% of contract values. The total amount siphoned off is estimated to be around $100 million.
Wartime Context: The scandal is particularly inflammatory as the embezzled funds were allegedly linked to contracts for building protective structures for energy facilities while Russian attacks cause severe blackouts for citizens.
Key Individuals Implicated:
- Timur Mindich: A businessman and former business partner of President Zelensky from his Kvartal 95 production company, identified by investigators as the alleged ringleader (call sign “Carlson”). He fled Ukraine before a search of his home. A court has since ordered his detention in absentia.
- Andriy Yermak: Zelensky’s influential chief of staff, who resigned on November 28, 2025, after his apartment was raided by anti-corruption agents. While not formally charged, critics accused him of trying to curtail the independence of anti-corruption bodies to protect insiders and of having a potential conflict of interest during peace negotiations.
- Oleksiy Chernyshov: Former Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, accused of illicit enrichment, who allegedly received over $1.3 million in cash through the network.
- German Galushchenko and Svitlana Hrynchuk: The Justice and Energy Ministers, respectively, who were dismissed by parliament after appearing in NABU audio recordings discussing the scheme.

Political Fallout

Government Crisis: The scandal has created the most significant political crisis of Zelensky’s presidency, leading to high-profile resignations and calls from the opposition for a no-confidence vote in the cabinet.
Public Outrage and Protests: The revelations, including reports of a “golden toilet bowl” found in a property linked to Mindich, have caused widespread anger among Ukrainians facing wartime hardships. Mass protests in the summer of 2025 forced the government to reverse a controversial attempt to limit the powers of the anti-corruption agencies.
International Concerns: The scandal has raised concerns among Western allies providing billions in aid to Ukraine, making the fight against corruption a key test for continued international support and EU accession efforts.

Zelensky has publicly supported the investigations and vowed to “overhaul” the state-owned energy companies, emphasizing the need for transparency and the inevitability of punishment.

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Ukraine corruption scandal and peace negotiations 2025

In November and December 2025, a major

corruption scandal in Ukraine’s energy sector led to the resignation of top officials, including President Zelenskyy’s chief of staff and lead peace negotiator, Andriy Yermak. This scandal has significantly weakened Ukraine’s political position and complicated ongoing, US-led peace negotiations with Russia.

The Corruption Scandal (November 2025)

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) uncovered an alleged scheme to embezzle and launder at least $100 million from the state-owned nuclear power operator, Energoatom.

Key details of the scandal:

Allegations Insiders allegedly demanded kickbacks of up to 15% on contracts, including for critical infrastructure like shelters for power plants.
Key Figures The primary suspect identified is Tymur Mindich, a former business partner of President Zelenskyy, who has since fled the country.
Resignations In light of the allegations, Andriy Yermak resigned as Zelenskyy’s chief of staff and chief negotiator on November 28, 2025, after anti-corruption agents searched his home. Two government ministers had also left their posts earlier in the month.
Public and International Reaction The scandal has caused outrage in Ukraine, where citizens are enduring daily power blackouts due to Russian attacks, making the embezzlement of energy funds appear as “looting”. Western allies, including the EU and US, are closely monitoring the investigations, as fighting corruption is a key condition for continued aid and potential EU accession.

Impact on Peace Negotiations

The timing of the scandal has directly affected ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war, led by US envoy Steve Witkoff and Ukrainian negotiators.

Weakened Position The scandal is seen as weakening Ukraine’s negotiating leverage. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has used the allegations to paint the Ukrainian government as corrupt and unreliable, questioning President Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as leader because wartime elections were not held.
Negotiator Changes Yermak was a central figure in the peace talks. His resignation and replacement by Rustem Umerov has led to concerns, as Umerov is also reportedly implicated in the same investigation.
Peace Plan Concerns U.S. officials held talks with the new Ukrainian delegation in Florida, and Witkoff plans to meet with Putin in Moscow to discuss a peace plan that some sources suggest might be more favorable to Russia’s terms, potentially involving land concessions and military limitations for Ukraine.
Domestic Pressure The scandal puts immense political pressure on Zelenskyy, who must balance the demands of his Western allies for accountability with maintaining national unity and a strong front against Russia.

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The News And Times Blog

President Trump stated he would release the results of an MRI he underwent in October – 12:25 PM 12/1/2025

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date December 1, 2025

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news today

1 minute ago

Today’s top news stories for Sunday, December 1, 2025, include developments in the

National Guard shooting investigation, severe weather and flooding in the U.S. and Asia, and updates on the Ukraine-Russia peace talks.

U.S. News

National Guard Shooting Investigation The suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., was reportedly experiencing mental health issues and spent weeks in isolation, according to 2024 emails from a case worker. The U.S. is tightening immigration reviews following the incident, and advocacy groups have urged parents to avoid AI-powered toys after the shooting.
Severe Weather A powerful winter storm is causing significant travel disruptions across the Midwest and Northeast U.S., with reports of heavy snow, canceled flights, and a 45-car pileup.
California Shooting Four people, including three children, were killed in a shooting at a birthday party in California, with authorities searching for a suspect and urging witnesses to come forward.
Political and Legal News
- An appeals court upheld the ruling disqualifying President Trump’s former lawyer, Alina Habba, from serving as an interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey.
- President Trump stated he would release the results of an MRI he underwent in October, though he mentioned he didn’t know which part of his body was scanned.

World News

Deadly Flooding in Asia More than 1,100 people have been killed in severe flooding and landslides across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia, caused by record rainfall and cyclones.
Hong Kong Fire The death toll from a massive apartment complex fire in Hong Kong has reached at least 151. Authorities have made 13 arrests on suspicion of manslaughter and noted that substandard renovation materials and building code violations contributed to the blaze.
Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with French President Macron as peace talks continued. U.S. officials are heading to Russia as diplomats work on a peace plan, but “tough issues” remain.
Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon in his ongoing corruption trial, sparking protests in Tel Aviv.
“Rage Bait” is the Oxford Word of the Year Oxford University Press named “rage bait,” a social media tactic used to provoke outrage for increased engagement, as its word of the year for 2025.

For more in-depth reporting, you can visit major news outlets like ABC News, BBC News, CNN, or NPR.

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Conversations – 8:26 AM 12/1/2025

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date December 1, 2025

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Conversations – 8:26 AM 12/1/2025

Current News

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The blog post titled “Trump, Netanyahu, Putin, Mob” from Current News is a curation of news headlines and video links from December 1, 2025. It highlights a series of interconnected geopolitical events involving these leaders.

Here is a summary of the key stories featured:

Trump and Netanyahu (The Pardon Standoff): A major focus is on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appearing in court to request a pardon for his long-running corruption trial. Reports suggest this move is heavily backed by U.S. President Trump, with some headlines indicating Trump may even be threatening sanctions against Israeli officials if the pardon is not granted.
Trump, Putin, and Venezuela: The post aggregates reports of a dramatic escalation in Venezuela. Trump reportedly issued an ultimatum for Nicolas Maduro to resign and deployed U.S. F-18 fighter jets to the region. This has triggered a response from Russia (a Maduro ally), with reports of Russian aircraft in action and potential evacuations, creating a tense standoff between Trump and Putin by proxy.
Russia and Ukraine: There are updates on diplomatic moves regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, specifically talks between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian officials aimed at finding an “endgame.” Concurrently, Putin’s aides are quoted deriding President Zelensky, maintaining aggressive rhetoric despite the negotiations.
Domestic US Tension: The feed includes stories about domestic political conflict, such as Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence) making allegations against Obama-era intelligence leadership, and Trump defending controversial remarks made about Tim Walz.

The title “Mob” likely refers to the overarching theme of corruption allegations, legal battles, and aggressive “strongman” political tactics connecting these different stories.

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news review today

8 hours ago

Today’s top news includes escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, the aftermath of a fatal shooting near the White House, and a major winter storm expected to impact the Northeast

Top Headlines

U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Escalate
Tensions are high between the U.S. and Venezuela after President Trump declared Venezuelan airspace “closed in its entirety” over the weekend. Venezuela responded with military exercises, and Russia began an emergency evacuation of its citizens from the country amid fears of a potential U.S. attack. President Trump confirmed a personal call with Venezuelan President Maduro but offered no details on the content of the conversation. The U.S. is facing congressional inquiries regarding recent strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, operations that have killed over 80 people since September.

National Guard Shooting in D.C.
One National Guard member died and another was critically wounded in a shooting near the White House. The suspect, identified as Lakanwal, was arrested, and Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem stated he was radicalized in the U.S.. President Trump has invited the families of the victims to the White House.

Major Storm Heading for the Northeast
A potential nor’easter is forecast to bring “widespread and impactful” snow and ice to the Northeast U.S., with some areas like the Poconos and Catskills potentially seeing up to a foot of snow. The storm could cause significant travel disruptions during rush hour in New York City and surrounding areas.

Other News

Mass Shooting in California: Four people, including three children, were killed and 11 others wounded in a shooting at a banquet hall during a family gathering in Stockton, California.
Public Health: A new study published in the journal Pediatrics suggests that children who get a smartphone before age 12 may have a higher risk of depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep.
Sports & Entertainment: The movie Zootopia 2 had a record-setting global opening, earning $556 million.
Finance: Social Security recipients are set to receive two SSI payments in December 2025 because the January 1, 2026, payment will be moved to the last business day of December due to the federal holiday.

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Conversations – 11.30.25

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date November 30, 2025

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Conversations – 11.30.25

News Review – 9:06 AM 11/30/2025

news today

Here are some of the top news headlines for today,

Sunday, November 30, 2025:

U.S. News

California Mass Shooting: Four people are dead and at least ten others wounded after a shooting at a family gathering in a banquet hall in Stockton, California. The suspect remains at large, and authorities believe it was a targeted attack.
National Guard Shooting: A National Guard member wounded in a recent shooting near the White House is “fighting for his life”. House and Senate committees have launched inquiries into reports that the Defense Secretary ordered a second strike to kill survivors of an alleged drug boat interdiction in the Caribbean.
Immigration: The U.S. has halted all asylum decisions after the D.C. shooting. Protesters in New York City clashed with police while attempting to block federal agents from conducting an ICE raid.
Health & Environment: A resident in Northern Arizona has died from the plague. Meanwhile, a bizarre marijuana disorder that causes severe vomiting has received an official medical code as cases spike.

World News

Middle East Conflict: The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 70,000 since the start of the Israeli offensive, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, as a ceasefire remains fragile.
Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a presidential pardon on corruption charges.
Venezuela

: The U.S. has closed its airspace to Venezuelan flights, and President Trump indicated that land strikes against alleged drug traffickers in the country could begin “very soon”. Venezuela has condemned these actions as a “colonialist threat”.
Asia Disasters: The death toll from a massive apartment fire in Hong Kong has risen to 146 people. Across Southeast Asia, hundreds of people have been killed and millions displaced by severe flooding and mudslides in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Other Headlines

Sports: Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, will face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final.
Technology: Airbus has grounded thousands of planes globally due to a software glitch that could cause pilots to lose control.
Business: Black Friday online shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion, a 9.1% jump from last year.

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Netanyahu has formally requested a presidential pardon

Netanyahu has formally requested a presidential pardon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a presidential pardon from President Isaac Herzog for his ongoing corruption trial

. The request was submitted on Sunday, November 30, 2025, and has been described as “extraordinary” by the President’s Office due to it being made while the trial is still underway and without an admission of guilt.

Key Details

Pardon Request: Netanyahu’s request consisted of two documents: a detailed legal letter from his lawyer and a personal letter from the Prime Minister himself.
Reasoning: In the letter, Netanyahu argues that the pardon would serve the national interest by allowing him to focus fully on Israel’s significant security and diplomatic challenges and help “heal the rifts” within Israeli society, rather than being distracted by court proceedings.
Denial of Guilt: Netanyahu continues to deny all charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust and insists he would be acquitted if the trial ran its course. A pardon typically requires an admission of guilt, an expression of remorse, and retirement from public life, which he has not offered.
Trump’s Influence: The request follows a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in November, which urged President Herzog to grant Netanyahu a full pardon, calling the case a “political, unjustified prosecution”.
Ongoing Trial: Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister to stand trial. The trial began in 2020, and the defense case with Netanyahu’s testimony started in December 2024, but it has faced numerous delays. The proceedings are expected to continue for several more years.

Next Steps

The President’s Office has confirmed the request was received and, in accordance with standard procedures, has transferred it to the Pardons Department in the Ministry of Justice. This department will gather opinions from relevant authorities before sending a recommendation to the President’s legal advisor, who will then provide an opinion to President Herzog. Herzog will consider the opinions before making a decision. There is no set deadline for this process.

Reactions

The request has drawn sharp division in Israel:

Support: Netanyahu’s coalition partners, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, supported the request, citing the “complex security reality” and the need for national unity.
Opposition: Opposition Leader Yair Lapid urged President Herzog not to grant the pardon without an admission of guilt and a withdrawal from political life, arguing that doing so would be a “deadly blow to the rule of law”.

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