General news

• Google to divert extremist searches to anti-radicalisation websites

  02-02-2016 23:40
  
  Search engine giant reveals plans for pilot scheme to home affairs committee hearing, with Facebook and Twitter also probed over extremism policiesUsers of Google who put extremist-related entries into the search engine are to be directed towards anti-radicalisation links under a pilot programme, MPs have been told by an executive for the company. The initiative, aimed at countering the online influence of groups such as Islamic State, is running alongside another pilot scheme designed to make v
  
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• Scientists hope research will aid cancer drugs breakthrough

  02-02-2016 23:38
  A fresh technique developed by scientists in Scotland could help them identify new anti-cancer drugs.
  
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• Umbrella shop oil painting wins top figurative art prize

  02-02-2016 23:30
  
  Lewis Hazelwood-Horner painting of ‘real people with knotty hands’ at James Smith & Sons wins Columbia Threadneedle prizeAn oil painting of a workshop scene at Europe’s oldest umbrella shop has won one of the most prestigious prizes for figurative art. The Columbia Threadneedle prize was created in 2008 to breathe life into a more traditional art genre which, with the strength of abstract, conceptual and performance art, was falling out of fashion.This very accomplished pai
  
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• First Zika virus case contracted in US was sexually transmitted, officials say

  02-02-2016 23:28
  
  First case of Zika virus contracted in US mainland, confirmed in Texas, is only second documented example of virus being passed through sexual contactOfficials in Texas have reported the first case of Zika contracted in the US mainland, and said that the virus was sexually transmitted. If confirmed, the case would be only the second documented example of the virus being passed between humans through sexual contact.Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the Zika inf
  
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• Putting spotlight on diversity in the arts is 'a good thing'

  02-02-2016 23:27
  The spotlight being thrown on diversity in the arts is a good thing, according to actor Sanjeev Bhaskar.
  
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• Playboy fraudster behind bars after 10 years on the run

  02-02-2016 23:27
  A playboy fraudster who spent nearly 10 years on the run is back behind bars in the UK.
  
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• It was my time to go, says CBB's Gemma Collins

  02-02-2016 23:27
  Gemma Collins said it was her time to go as she became the seventh housemate to be evicted from Celebrity Big Brother.
  
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• England plan: sink the beers and leave Scotland with Six Nations hangover

  02-02-2016 23:27
  
  • Eddie Jones adopts relaxed attitude to socialising
  • Danny Care set to start in Six Nations opener England are hoping sinking a few beers will help fuel their efforts to win a first Six Nations title since 2011. Under Eddie Jones’s regime players have been encouraged to go out for bonding nights as the head coach attempts to pull his team together in time to give Scotland a first weekend headache at Murrayfield. Continue reading...
  
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• Man's Body Found After Triple Murder

  02-02-2016 23:22
  
  The discovery of the body of a man in North Wales may be connected to the murder of a woman and her two children near Leeds, police have said.
  
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• James Corden to host 2016 Tony awards

  02-02-2016 23:08
  
  The actor and late night talkshow host will present the Broadway ceremony in June – meanwhile, he offers a preview of Carpool Karaoke with Chris Martin James Corden will be hosting the Tony awards, the ceremony which honours the best Broadway shows of the year. The host of CBS’s The Late Late Show will make his debut as MC on 12 June at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.Continue reading...
  
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• Love at first 'like': we met on Instagram and now we're married

  02-02-2016 23:05
  
  Erica Harris and Arte Vann quickly felt a special connection after following each other on Instagram and decided to get married immediately upon meetingIt was love at first “like”. When Arte Vann, of New York, and Erica Harris, of California, connected on Instagram last winter, they clicked immediately. They quickly fell in love while dating long-distance, and finally met face-to-face for the first time on Friday night at the LA Ontario international airport.Continue reading...
  
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• Anthony Martial lights fire for Manchester United to burn past Stoke

  02-02-2016 22:58
  
  If this is how Pep Guardiola’s impending arrival across town can galvanise Manchester United then the rest of the season for Louis van Gaal and his men may be fruitful after all.There is no certainty the Spaniard’s decision to join Manchester City had anything to do with this scintillating United display, of course. But it is fair to say that just when the embattled Van Gaal would want his players to return their finest display of the campaign they did. Continue reading...
  
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• Jamie Vardy’s double keeps title dream alive for Leicester against Liverpool

  02-02-2016 22:52
  
  It is the story that keeps on giving and to think the Hollywood screenwriter who plans to make a film about Jamie Vardy was in the stands to watch the latest chapter in this remarkable tale unfold. Roy Hodgson was also among the crowd and unable to suppress a smile as Vardy scored twice – the first a contender for goal of the season – on a night when Leicester looked like authentic title contenders in every sense.Vardy was magnificent and this was some way to celebrate the new three-
  
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• May Says PM Has 'Basis For A Deal' With EU

  02-02-2016 22:51
  
  David Cameron has said the EU deal proposals "sure would" make him want Britain to stay in the EU - as Theresa May appeared to signal her support for the 'In' campaign. The Home Secretary had been tipped as a possible leader of the 'Out' campaign, but said the proposals were "a basis for a deal". The Prime Minister said the blueprint of new measures for Britain was a "great deal" and that he had delivered on the four demands he had made to EU leaders.
  
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• Leicester City 2-0 Liverpool: Premier League – as it happened

  02-02-2016 22:42
  
  Jamie Vardy scored two goals – the first a brilliant volley – as the Foxes maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League 9.42pm GMTBut what a result here for Leicester. And well deserved: they were much more incisive in attack, and Jamie Vardy’s first goal was truly magnificent. Liverpool looked good in possession, but their attacking play was deeply disappointing: they barely had a proper shot. Much for Jurgen Klopp to ponder, but Leicester keep on rolling. Congratula
  
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• David Cameron wins Theresa May's backing over Europe

  02-02-2016 22:27
  
  Home secretary gives prime minister welcome boost by approving proposals set out by European council president Donald TuskTheresa May has said said she will campaign in favour of Britain’s membership of the EU, boosting David Cameron’s authority over his cabinet hours after the Brussels tabled proposals for a new settlement following months of talks with the UK.The home secretary, at one time considered as a politician who could lead the out campaign, described proposals tabled by th
  
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• Man's Body Found After Triple Murder Near Leeds

  02-02-2016 22:06
  
  The body of a man found in North Wales may be connected to the murder of a woman and her two children near Leeds, police have said. Sky's North of England Correspondent, Gerard Tubb, said a friend found the woman on the ground floor after becoming concerned. Detective Chief Inspector Warren Stevenson said: "The investigation is in its early stages and positive identification of the victims is still to be completed.
  
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• Scientists warn of last chance to rid Madagascar of invasive toxic toad

  02-02-2016 22:00
  
  New report says there is a ‘diminishing window of opportunity’ to completely eradicate the Asian toad, which poses a threat to biodiversity, human health and the economy Madagascar must wipe out an invasive, toxic toad immediately to save the country’s unique wildlife from disaster, scientists have warned.A report published on Tuesday says that the Asian toad is spreading unchecked through the eastern part of the island, and poses a direct threat not only to the country’s
  
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• Shoreham: Pilot Linked With Previous Incident

  02-02-2016 21:56
  
  The pilot whose plane crashed at the Shoreham Airshow, killing 11 people, was involved in a separate incident a year earlier. The Civil Aviation Authority said an incident during the Southport Airshow on 20 September, 2014, formed part of Sussex Police's an on-going investigation into the Shoreham air crash which took place on 22 August, last year. It has been said the jet Andrew Hill was flying that day was considered to be low.
  
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• Family murders: Man's body found on cliffs

  02-02-2016 21:53
  
  Police investigating the murders of a woman and her two children have discovered the body of their suspected killer.
  
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• Steve Bell on David Cameron's EU negotiations – cartoon

  02-02-2016 21:48
  
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• Boots alters cost of two products after accusations of sexist pricing

  02-02-2016 21:47
  
  Boots bows to pressure as petition highlights higher cost of products for women The retailer Boots has responded to pressure over “sexist pricing” of products by changing the cost of its razors and eye cream. The chain made the pledge after a Change.org petition highlighted the disparity between equivalent products marketed at men and women, as it claimed that women are the victims of “sexist pricing” on the high street. The petition revealed that Boots eye cream was &pou
  
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• Skyping at my grandmother's deathbed

  02-02-2016 21:46 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Skyping with my grandmother on her deathbed
  
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• We’re drowning in cheap oil – yet still taxpayers prop up this toxic industry | George Monbiot

  02-02-2016 21:34
  
  As these new crisis bailouts for fossil fuels show, it’s those who are least deserving who get the most government protectionThose of us who predicted, during the first years of this century, an imminent peak in global oil supplies could not have been more wrong. People like the energy consultant Daniel Yergin, with whom I disputed the topic, appear to have been right: growth, he said, would continue for many years, unless governments intervened. Related: New research points to risk peak o
  
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• There are way too many Hillary Clintons | Suzanne Goldenberg

  02-02-2016 21:18
  
  While Bernie Sanders has a clear message, it’s still unclear what the Democratic frontrunner stands forHere’s the line about Hillary Clinton I’ve heard umpteen times from Democratic women: “I really want a woman president. But …” The Iowa caucuses on Monday night dramatically turned up the volume on those quavering doubts as Bernie Sanders – a grumpy old white guy with gout whose call for a political revolution was dismissed by many Democrats as a throw
  
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• Leicester City v Liverpool: Premier League – live!

  02-02-2016 21:16
  
  Premier League updates as the leaders host Jürgen Klopp’s teamClick here for all the latest Premier League scores and scorersFollow the Premier League clockwatch right hereSend your thoughts to [email protected] 8.16pm GMT30 min: Mahrez takes … and it’s into the wall. “The wall did its job!” scream bedroom commentators across the land. 8.15pm GMT29 min: Now this is a very good chance for Leicester, after Lucas clips Okazaki on the edge of the box. This
  
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• Arsenal v Southampton, Manchester United v Stoke and more: clockwatch – live!

  02-02-2016 21:15
  
  Click here for all the latest Premier League scores and scorersFollow Leicester City v Liverpool right hereSend your thoughts to [email protected] 8.15pm GMTManchester United score IN THE FIRST HALF AT OLD TRAFFORD! It’s their first first-half goal in 12 home games. Lingard is the hero, a diving header from close range, putting away a fine left-wing cross from Borthwick-Jackson. 8.12pm GMTGood news for City fans: Aguero is up and about, scooting around in his usual fashion. No s
  
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• BT apologises for broadband outage across much of UK

  02-02-2016 21:12
  
  Service almost fully restored after tens of thousands affected by broadband and phone network failure
  The telecoms giant BT has apologised after tens of thousands of customers had their broadband temporarily cut off.The internet provider’sContinue reading...
  
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• Twitter: We don't alert authorities to terrorist tweets

  02-02-2016 21:04
  Twitter does not pro-actively alert authorities to terrorist content posted by users, a senior executive has said.
  
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• Storm Henry forces Isle of Mull waterfall upside down – video

  02-02-2016 21:04
  
  A waterfall on the Isle of Mull is blown back on itself as Storm Henry hit the Scottish coast on Monday, bringing strong winds and rain. A total of 28 flood warnings had been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Forth Road Bridge was closed after winds reached 84mphThis footage was originally published by Isle of Mull Cottages
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• Russia puts five former US officials on blacklist for alleged rights abuses

  02-02-2016 20:58
  
  Moscow accused the US of ‘medieval torture’ in statement barring five Americans from entry as retaliation for US blacklisting of four Russians and a UkrainianRussia has placed five Americans on a blacklist for alleged rights abuses, shortly after Washington added five persons to its sanctions list, accusing the United States of “medieval torture”. In a response to the Monday blacklisting of four Russians and a Ukrainian under the Magnitsky Act, named after a Russian lawye
  
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• 50,000 sign petition to ban events by pick-up artist and legal rape advocate

  02-02-2016 20:46
  
  Appeal urges Scottish government to ban events in Edinburgh organised by Daryush Valizadeh, author of criticised Return of Kings blogNearly 50,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Scottish government to ban events planned by a self-described pick-up artist who has said rape should be legal.Daryush Valizadeh says he has organised nine meetups – although he will not be present – for followers across the UK this weekend, including in London, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Continue
  
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• Spain's king picks socialist leader to try to form government

  02-02-2016 20:41
  
  King Felipe nominates Pedro Sánchez to lead talks – with negotiations aimed at forming a new government expected to take at least three weeksRelated: Spanish PM Rajoy turns down king's offer to form new government Spain’s King Felipe has nominated Socialist Workers’ party leader Pedro Sánchez to lead talks with political parties to form a government and seek the confidence of parliament, the speaker of the lower house Patxi López announced on Tuesday. Conti
  
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• Care For Rape Victims Falling 'Well Short'

  02-02-2016 20:28
  
  The level of care and support given to victims of sexual assault in England and Wales is falling well short of what is expected, a report has found. Specialist Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) units were set up by the Crown Prosecution Service in 2013 to offer extra support by employing specially-trained lawyers and caseworkers. However, the report - by the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate - suggests the units are understaffed, under-resourced and that employees need additional tra
  
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• Hillary Clinton secures narrow victory in Iowa over Bernie Sanders – live

  02-02-2016 20:19
  
  Hillary Clinton declared the winner of Democrats’ Iowa caucuses by a razor-thin margin hours after voting ends Full report: Clinton declared winner in Iowa, but troubles remainVideo: Upsets, ties and dropouts: the Iowa caucuses in two minutesThe Minute: Sign up to get everything you need from the trail in one minute
  The caucuses: All the high drama from last night’s vote 7.19pm GMTTexas senator Ted Cruz has apologized to retired pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson an insinuation by
  
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• Sri Lankan asylum seeker tells of terror on Nauru: 'If I am sent back, I will commit suicide'

  02-02-2016 20:14
  
  Durga, who has a two decade-long history of torture and trauma, was brought to a detention centre on the Australia mainland after allegedly being raped on Nauru. But a high court challenge on Wednesday could see her sent back to the place she fearsAn asylum seeker brought to Australia after she was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted on Nauru has spoken of her terror at the prospect of being sent back to the island. Related: Australia's right to send asylum seekers offshore faces dual chall
  
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• Britain says Russia trying to carve out mini-state for Assad in Syria

  02-02-2016 20:11
  Britain said on Tuesday Russia could be trying to carve out an Alawite mini-state in Syria for its ally President Bashar al-Assad by bombing his opponents instead of fighting Islamic State militants. Russia and Britain have been trading barbs after Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told Reuters he believed President Vladimir Putin was fanning the flames of the Syrian civil war by bombing opponents of Islamic State.
  
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• David Cameron's EU negotiation: a triumph only in his own mind

  02-02-2016 20:05
  
  Prime minister insists he basically got what he asked for, but what he’s basically got is a basic gulf between his promises and realityWhere better for David Cameron to launch his “deal in our time” than a large shed in a Chippenham industrial estate? Just far enough from Westminster to avoid any tricky questions in parliament from his own Eurosceptic MPs, and close enough to London to be home in next to no time. Though maybe not close enough, as his speech was pushed back by 1
  
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• Rio Olympics committee warns athletes to take precautions against Zika virus

  02-02-2016 20:04
  
  Rio 2016 organising group insists Games in August will not be affected by virus but tells visitors and athletes to shut windows and use mosquito repellentOlympic organisers have insisted that the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro this August will not be affected by the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, but also warned athletes and visitors to smother themselves in mosquito repellent to minimise the risks.At a press conference staged the day after the World Health Organisation declared that the cl
  
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• Vibrant nacreous cloud patterns to persist as cold weather hits UK

  02-02-2016 20:01
  
  Nacreous formations, often compared to the northern lights, have been appearing over parts of Scotland and EnglandDazzling cloud formations that have been appearing over parts of the UK are expected to continue this week as cold weather sets in.The cloud patterns, called nacreous formations, are often compared to the northern lights because of their vibrant, illuminated quality. Photographers captured striking images of the clouds as they appeared in British skies, over parts of Scotland and Eng
  
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• Drowned world: welcome to Europe’s first undersea sculpture museum

  02-02-2016 19:58
  
  On the seabed off the coast of Lanzarote, British artist Jason deCaires Taylor is creating an extraordinary series of underwater artworks, concrete figures representing desperate refugees and selfie-taking tourists that are transformed as they become slowly colonised by marine life• See a gallery of more of Jason deCaires Taylor’s undersea sculptureJason deCaires Taylor is sinking fast. Below, 15 metres under the surface of the sea, a crowd of figures, unmistakably human, are motionle
  
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• Boost for David Cameron as Theresa May claims 'basis for a deal' with EU

  02-02-2016 19:58
  
  David Cameron has received an early boost for his EU renegotiation drive after Home Secretary Theresa May said proposals unveiled in Brussels were "a basis for a deal".
  
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• Forty years of the Ramones: ‘They were the smartest dumb band you ever heard’

  02-02-2016 19:57
  
  The fights, the drugs, the sound, the look: 40 years after the Ramones recorded their debut album, bands from the Sex Pistols to Blondie to Talking Heads recall the Bowery punks’ explosive impact Continue reading...
  
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• Shoreham crash: police widen inquiry to Southport airshow

  02-02-2016 19:56
  
  Sussex investigators say they have told victims’ families they are looking into 2014 incident apparently involving same pilot
  Police investigating the fatal Shoreham airshow crash last year have said they are examining a separate incident, apparently involving the same pilot, at an air event in Southport in 2014.Sussex police are leading inquiries into why a Hawker Hunter jet crashed on to the A27 in August 2015 after it failed to properly pull out of a loop. They said on Tuesday they had
  
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• Ocado management set to receive £8m in share bonuses

  02-02-2016 19:53
  
  Second year of profits at online grocer leaves 100 managers in line to share nearly £8m payoutOcado’s management team is in line to receive nearly £8m in share bonuses after the online grocer delivered its second year of profits.About 100 managers, including chief executive Tim Steiner and finance director Duncan Tatton-Brown, will share the £7.8m payout – up 54.5% year on year – after the company made a pretax profit of £11.9m in the 12 months to 29 Nov
  
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• Europe's first underwater sculpture museum – in pictures

  02-02-2016 19:47
  
  Artist Jason deCaires Taylor’s Museo Atlantica, off Lanzarote, is peopled with concrete casts of refugees and people taking selfies Continue reading...
  
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• Theresa May signals support for UK-EU membership deal

  02-02-2016 19:41
  
  Home secretary expected to back PM’s referendum campaign after finding European commission proposals ‘encouraging’
  Theresa May has indicated she will campaign in favour of Britain’s continued membership of the EU after describing the proposals tabled by the European council president as the “basis for a deal”. Related: EU renegotiation: UK wins partial concession on migrant worker benefitsContinue reading...
  
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• Government revives plans to amend Sunday trading laws

  02-02-2016 19:36
  
  Business secretary confirms government will go ahead with proposals despite backlash from Labour, SNP, unions and Tory backbenchersDavid Cameron has revived plans to allow shops to open for longer on Sundays despite opposition from some of his Tory backbenchers, trade unions and the Scottish National party.There had been speculation the government would back out of the proposals because of fears Cameron could not get a vote through the House of Commons. Continue reading...
  
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• North Korea announces imminent rocket launch

  02-02-2016 19:31
  
  Pyongyang issues formal notification of plan to launch satellite – a major breach of UN resolutions following last month’s nuclear testNorth Korea has issued a formal notification of an imminent satellite rocket launch, a further major breach of UN resolutions following a nuclear test last month, leading the US to call for the imposition of additional sanctions.The International Maritime Organization said it had received a shipping warning from North Korea of its intention to launch
  
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• Deal agreed on EU-US data transfers

  02-02-2016 19:31
  The EU and the US have agreed a last-minute deal that allows corporations to make data transfers across the Atlantic, after a previous deal had been ruled invalid.
  
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