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"Is that real?!": Woman finds "perfect" 4kg outback gem

<p>Amateur prospector and self-professed "outback crystal hunter" Kirsty McMullan, who seems to have a knack for finding things the Earth has been hiding for millennia, recently pulled a massive 4kg semi-precious stone out of the red dirt like it was no big deal.</p> <p>The footage, which naturally set the internet ablaze, shows the stunning crystal's perfect edges gleaming like a trophy for the "Best Rock Ever Found" award.</p> <p>"@crystals_of_australia and I were working on an amethyst zone together today when this big beauty decided to reveal itself," Kirsty wrote on Instagram. "It is by far the largest single point we have unearthed at the amethyst mine while we have been here đź’ś"</p> <p>Kirsty and her partner Patrick, who clearly have the best excuse to go on annual vacations to the middle of nowhere, were on one of their yearly treasure hunts in Western Australia when they struck crystal gold.</p> <p>For the past four years, the couple have been making the trek from Cairns to their secret mining spot in WA, which might as well be called "Kirsty and Patrick’s Crystal Wonderland". According to Kirsty, the 4kg amethyst is "by far" the largest they've unearthed, and it’s valued at a cool $3,500.</p> <p>"Finding crystals of this size is rare, especially in Australia,” Kirsty <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/woman-stunned-by-incredible-4kg-discovery-in-aussie-dirt-waiting-to-be-found-230119619.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Yahoo News</a>, as if this kind of thing happens in other parts of the world all the time. The crystal, which is larger than some people’s entire rock collections, is staying right where it belongs: in Kirsty’s personal collection, where it can bask in its own glory for eternity.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-ze_2iO2Z2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-ze_2iO2Z2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kirsty McMullan |Outback Crystal Hunters (@wildling_heart)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple spends their days living out every geology student’s fantasy, digging up clusters of crystals that probably make the other rocks feel bad about themselves. “Sometimes the pockets are small with little crystals, and other times they’re quite large, allowing for bigger points or clusters to form,” Kirsty explained, hinting at the surprise element that keeps them coming back. </p> <p>Kirsty’s latest find has left Aussies everywhere questioning their life choices, wondering why they’re not out in the outback with a pickaxe instead of stuck in traffic on the way to their office jobs. “That is stunning,” commented one Aussie, clearly rethinking their career path. “Holy perfection,” said another, probably Googling “how to become a prospector” right now. While a third simply could not believe their eyes, writing "holy shit is that real?!".</p> <p>For now, Kirsty’s giant amethyst will remain a shiny testament to the fact that, yes, there are literal treasures buried in the outback, just waiting for someone with a good eye – and a lot of patience – to dig them up. So, next time you’re looking for something to do on a weekend, maybe leave the beach behind and head into the dirt. Who knows? You might just stumble upon a $3,500 rock.</p> <p><em>Images: Kirsty McMullan / Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Kirstie Alley dies at age 71

<p>Kirstie Alley has passed away at age 71. </p> <p>The Emmy award-winning actress died after a short battle with "recently discovered" cancer in an announcement posted on social media today.</p> <p>Alley's children True and Lillie Parker said the "fierce" actress was surrounded by loved ones when she died. </p> <p>"She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead," the siblings said.</p> <p>"As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/g4nAItrR5x">pic.twitter.com/g4nAItrR5x</a></p> <p>— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) <a href="https://twitter.com/kirstiealley/status/1599931870786908160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>Kirstie had a career that spanned more than three decades, as she starred opposite Ted Danson as Rebecca Howe on Cheers, the beloved NBC sitcom about a Boston bar, from 1987 to 1993.</p> <p>Alley went on win an Emmy for best lead actress in a comedy series for the role in 1991, before taking home a second Emmy for best lead actress in a miniseries or television movie in 1993 for playing the title role in the CBS TV movie David's Mother.</p> <p>In the 1989 comedy Look Who's Talking, which gave her a major career boost, she played the mother of a baby who's inner thoughts were voiced by Bruce Willis.</p> <p>She would also appear in the 1990 sequel Look Who's Talking Too, which she starred in with John Travolta who paid tribute to Alley online. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClzsZ_Ttswq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClzsZ_Ttswq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by John Travolta (@johntravolta)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I've ever had," Travolta said, along with a photo of Alley. "I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Kirstie Alley slammed over deleted Ukraine tweet

<p>Ballroom dancing champion and former Dancing With the Stars contestant Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who’s been posting live updates from inside war-torn Ukraine, has called out Kirstie Alley for tweeting that she doesn’t know what’s “real” and “fake” about Russia invading his home country.</p> <p>Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who’s been posting live updates from Ukraine has called out Kirstie Alley for tweeting she doesn’t know what’s “real” and “fake” about Russia invading his home country.</p> <p>“I don’t know what’s real or what is fake in this war. So I won’t be commenting. I’ll pray instead,” Alley wrote in a since-deleted tweet.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/New-Project-3.jpg" alt="" width="585" height="503" /></p> <p>Chmerkovskiy then posted a screenshot of the tweet, writing, “Dear Kirstie, We haven’t spoken in a while, but I clearly remember being right next to you while you were organising trucks of aid during hurricane Sandy and I remember all that you were saying to me about situations where innocent are suffering.”</p> <p>“That same energy is needed right now.”</p> <p>He added, “No one needs your prayer if you don’t know what’s real or fake.”</p> <p>The US Dancing With the Stars alum has been in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, as Russia’s attacks on the country continue.</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">“I’m safe,” he assured fans on Friday. “We haven’t been told to move, and I’m just following instructions. That’s all I can say.” He also shared that citizens are “being mobilised” and “the whole country is being called to go to war.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">It’s unclear if he was including himself in that, but it’s unlikely as he became a US citizen in 2019. The pro dancer’s wife Peta Murgatroyd who’s also a <em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;">DWTS</em> alum pleaded on social media for his safe return.</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">Meanwhile, Alley took down the tweet and posted instead, “I’m sorry that I’m not an expert on APPARENTLY EVERYTHING. like some of you jack wagons. It’s OK to admit you don’t know things.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">She added, “OMG people are obsessed with hatred. they wait to pounce like rabid dogs no matter what is said. They will TWIST any words to fit their hateful agendas. I think these type of people are the saddest people on Earth.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">However, it only took a few days before she was posting links to her 1.5 million followers of places they can donate to help Ukraine.</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;"> </p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;"><em>Images: Twitter &amp; Getty </em></p>

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Devastated Block stars leave show after family tragedy

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Country couple Kirsty and Jesse made the call to temporarily pause their time on </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Block</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> after receiving some devastating personal news.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Singer Kirsty was seen doubled over in tears on the building site on Tuesday night’s episode, as she received news from her mum that her nan had passed away.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After concerned husband Jesse quickly embraced her, the couple made the decision to head home to be with their family, leaving their builders in charge.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite previous tensions between the teams this season, the remaining pairs agreed to help out how they could while Kirsty and Jesse were off the show.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I got the phone call from my mum to say that my nan had passed away,” Kirsty </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/kirsty-and-jesse-leave-the-block-after-shock-family-death/news-story/e5c8da2f535026e7dd99c2790a29001d" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to producers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s just really hard to hear that she’s finally gone and I didn’t get to say goodbye to her. I spoke to her on the phone and she told me not to come home, that she was going to hang in there until I got back,” she added.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844619/block-kirsty1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2365caf1a9e04548a88d3cc6012f3b11" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: The Block / Channel 9</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m just devastated that she didn’t get to see us, she was just so looking forward to us, she would have been yelling at Keith on the TV, telling him to get stuffed,” Kirsty joked.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She described her nan as “a very feisty little woman” who she had inherited her no-nonsense attitude from.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After saying a quick goodbye to their builders and the other contestants, the pair packed their bags and headed home.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We’re gonna just get on a plane now and go home so we can be there with the family and help them. We know our boys have got it here,” Kirsty said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Family first, we’ve got this covered don’t even stress,” one of their builders told them.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The other contestants were quick to lend a hand too.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After hearing the news, Mark and Ronnie came to help clean up Kirsty and Jesse’s site, while the rest later decided to create a schedule to help out during the week so the couple wouldn’t fall behind.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Host Scott Cam thanked the teams for their decision to help out, and sent his well wishes to Kirsty’s family.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We’ve obviously heard the very sad news that Kirsty’s beloved nan Ellen has passed away, and we got them on a flight as quick as we could. So they’re home now with their loved ones at this very difficult time,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“On behalf of our whole team, our crew and you guys, our thoughts and our best wishes and our love is with Kirsty and her family.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I have heard that some of you want to chip in and help get them across the line this week with their renovation which is fantastic and I know that they would be sincerely so appreciative,” he added.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: The Block / Channel 9</span></em></p>

TV

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Kirstie Alley welcomes first grandchild

<p>Former Cheers actress Kirstie Alley has announced a new addition to the family, grandson Waylon Tripp Parker, born to adopted son William True Parker and his wife. The actress announced the birth on Twitter with an adorable photo of dad and bub together with the caption, “When your son has a son... bliss... yes this is my secret happy news as promised... Welcome Waylon Tripp Parker.”</p> <p><img width="500" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/22908/ka-grandson_500x665.jpg" alt="KA Grandson"/></p> <p>Alley and ex-husband Parker Stevenson adopted the now-23-year-old William in 1992 and Lillie, 22 in 1994. The new addition is a welcome respite for the troubled family, who recently mourned the loss of Lillie’s fiancé Nick Trela in a motorcycle accident one and a half years ago.</p> <p>Congratulations to the new parents and grandparents!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/06/queen-sends-her-second-tweet/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Queen sends her second tweet</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/06/ann-guilbert-grandma-yetta-on-the-nanny-dies-aged-87/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ann Morgan Guilbert, Grandma Yetta on “The Nanny” dies aged 87</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/06/julie-andrews-new-role/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Julie Andrews’ exciting announcement</strong></em></span></a></p>

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Supermodel Kirsty Hinze-Clarke becomes first female yacht owner to win Sydney to Hobart

<p>Former supermodel Kristy Hinze-Clark has made history as the first female yacht owner to win the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in Australia. </p> <p>After two days, eight hours, 58 minutes and 30 seconds, her boat, Comanche, crossed the finishing line to the 71st Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race for 2015.</p> <p>Hinze-Clark, the co-founder and co-skipper of the American boat, steered the yacht to victory, where her husband Jim Clark was waiting for her at Constitution Dock.</p> <p>“I just got more wet then that I did the entire race,” she laughed, when showered with champagne on her arrival at the finish line.</p> <p>Skipper Ken Read praised Hinze-Clarke, saying, “First time out in the open ocean. She has been out in plenty of boats but has never done anything like this.”</p> <p>“And she was as tough as nails. There was no babysitting involved and [she] did some driving and she is one the grinders and everything else. She as very impressive.</p> <p>Although damaged the first night, Comanche was a favourite in the race after returning from repairs. </p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/foods-that-mess-with-sleep/"></a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/eye-care/2015/02/health-clues-from-eyes/" target="_self">5 health clues from your eyes</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/foods-that-mess-with-sleep/"></a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/eye-care/2015/03/how-to-avoid-eyestrain-computer/" target="_self">How to avoid eye strain when using your computer or tablet</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/foods-that-mess-with-sleep/"></a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/eye-care/2015/03/state-of-world-eyesight/" target="_self">Some interesting statistics on the state of the world’s eyesight</a></em></strong></span></p>

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