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From our sponsor: Imagine if you could ask someone anything you wanted about their finances. On âWhat We Spend,â people from across the country and across the financial spectrum are opening their wallets â and their lives â to tell you everything: What they make, what they want, and â for one week â what they spend.
âWhat We Spendâ is available wherever you get your podcasts!
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Hey Smarties! Make Me Smart is taking a short break while Kimberly and Reema cook up something good for you!
In the meantime, weâre bringing you an episode from âFinancially Inclinedâ a podcast from Marketplace that helps families learn more about money. It turns out where you park your money can actually make a difference in the fight agains climate change. Today, host Yanely Espinal speaks with author and financial educator Kara Perez about how you can spend, save and invest your money in a way that aligns with your values, without sacrificing your financial goals. Plus, they share practical tips for how to use your money to make a real impact.
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Fehlende Folgen?
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Itâs Kaiâs last day as a regular co-host of âMake Me Smartâ and heâs got a solid rant (and two bleeps). Weâll get into the Trump administrationâs push to block international students at Harvard, thretening one of Americanâs biggest exports: higher education. Plus, weâll unpack the Supreme Courtâs 4-4 split over a separation of church and state case. And, could penguin poop be a tool against global warming?
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
âSupreme Court deadlocks, blocking creation of first religious public schoolâ from The Washington PostâTrump Administration Halts Harvardâs Ability to Enroll International Studentsâ from The New York TimesâHarvard University Loses Student and Exchange Visitor Program Certification for Pro-Terrorist Conductâ from the U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityâStop making cents: US Mint moves forward with plans to kill the pennyâ from AP NewsâPenguin Poop Could Limit Global Warmingâs Impact on Antarcticaâ from BloombergâMake Me Smartâ is going on a break! Kimberly and Reema will be back with new episodes June 9. Weâd love to hear from you while weâre away. Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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The Senate unexpectedly passed the No Tax on Tips Act, one of President Trumpâs many campaign promises. Weâll explain whatâs actually in the bill and where it goes from here. Plus, the Trump administration has officially accepted a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One. Weâll get into the grift of it all. Plus, one manâs search for younger looking skin and a manga story to smile about.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
"The Senate passed Trumpâs No Tax on Tips Act. Hereâs what it could mean." from The Washington Post"No Tax on Tips Act: What to know about the bill and what comes next" from The Hill "Republicans Think They Have a Way to Blow Up the Filibuster Without Anyone Noticing" from Slate"A Terrible Idea" from Just Security "A 70-Year-Old Manâs Search for Younger-Looking Skin" from The Wall Street Journal"Defense Department accepts Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One use" from The Washington Post"Trump Lectures South African President in Televised Oval Office Ambush" from The New York Times"How Manga Megastar Junji Ito Makes Terrifying Series Like âUzumakiâ" from The New York Times"Shark fisherman uses drone to save teenage girl from rip current at Pensacola Beach" from CBS NewsWe need your help to reach our fundraiser goal in a moment when public media is threatened like never before. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn
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Things arenât looking so good for the U.S. dollar. Though itâs spent decades as the worldâs reigning reserve currency, itâs been weakening lately thanks to tariffs and uncertainty in the U.S. economy.
But its declining value, has been in the making for a while, according to Harvard economist and author of the new book, âOur Dollar, Your Problem,â Kenneth Rogoff.
âThe problem weâre facing is that, independent of this dollar phenomenon, interest rates are going up,â said Rogoff. âAnd if youâre the worldâs biggest debtor, thatâs tough.â
Rogoff joins Kai and Kimberly to unpack how the greenback became the worldâs go-to currency, what a reserve currency actually is, why itâs been losing some of its value lately and what might take its place. Plus, how does military power tie into all this?
Weâll also get into some potential cryptocurrency regulation coming down the pipeline and discuss the troubling parallel between Trumpism and Brexit.
Then, you tell us what books help you reset â from classic literary romances to an apocalyptic sci-fi tale. And, our intern, Zoha Malik (hi!) shares her answer to the Make Me Smart question.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
âOur Dollar, Your Problem,â by Kenneth Rogoff from Yale University PressâHow Trump Could Dethrone the Dollarâ from Foreign AffairsâWhy Is The US Dollar Weakening? Trumpâs Tariffs Push Dollar Index To 3-Year Low.â from ForbesâSenate advances landmark crypto bill with Democrats dividedâ from PoliticoâSenate Advances Crypto Regulation Bill With Bipartisan Supportâ from The New York TimesâSenate advances a major crypto regulation bill on a bipartisan voteâ from NBC NewsâBrexitâs Failures Could Foreshadow Trumpâs. Just Not in the Way You Might Think.â from The New York TimesGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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Walmart had said it would raise prices in response to tariffs. Then, it got a call from the White House. Now, the retailer says it will swallow some of the costs. This has us wondering: where have all the free market diehards gone? Plus, Kimberly reflects on the tornadoes that hit her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri and explains FEMAâs plan to shift disaster costs to the states. Also? Did the GOP really name their reconciliation bill the âOne Big Beautiful Bill?â
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
"Bessent says Walmart will absorb 'some tariffs' after speaking with retailer's CEO" from Fox Business"FEMA will shift more disaster recovery responsibilities to the states, acting chief says" from PBS News"Hereâs the latest information on Fridayâs tornado in St. Louis" from STLRP"Trump's bill advances in rare weekend vote as House conservatives negotiate changes" from NPRItâs the final matching opportunity of our May Fundraiser! Double your impact when you give right now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn
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On todayâs show, Kai makes a special annoucement! But first, Moodyâs knocked the United Statesâ governmentâs credit rating down a peg below Triple-A. Weâll break down what that actually means and why it may not be as dire as it sounds but still matters a lot for the vibes. Plus, weâll explain why, even with a majority, the House GOP hasnât been able to pass its budget bill. And, weâll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty and nerd out on âStar Warsâ spin-off shows.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
"House budget panel rejects GOP megabill amid conservative opposition" from Politico "Army to place large metal plates on DC streets to protect them from tanks during June parade" from WTOP News "U.S. Loses Last Triple-A Credit Rating" from The Wall Street Journal "Airbnb Is in Midlife Crisis Mode" from Wired"Why banks still have branches â and why some are motivated to add more" from Marketplace"Gen Z's 'conscious unbossing' should be a wake-up call for businesses" from Business Insiderââ"Is the Next Great American Novel Being Published on Substack?" from The New Yorker "Warnerâs Streaming Service Has New Name: Its Old One. Meet âHBO Max.â" from The Wall Street JournalGot a message for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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In todayâs show, Kimber-Kai are answering your questions about all the wild things going on in the U.S. economy. Isnât the 30% tariff rate on China still crazy high? And, how are local governments preparing for potential federal funding cuts? Weâll discuss how states are weighing their next moves, and how the âTrump Slumpâ has taken shape in California. Then, weâll get into the Federal Reserveâs wait-and-see tariff strategy.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
âState of U.S. Tariffs: May 12, 2025â from The Budget Lab at YaleâStates, Cities Face Funding Collapse Threat With Trump Cutsâ by BloombergâHigher prices or higher unemployment? The economy could face a no-win dilemmaâ by NBC NewsJoin us tomorrow for âEconomics on Tap.â The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
Donate during our May Fundraiser and get a classic public radio thank-you gift: tote bags, mugs, t-shirts, hats, and more! Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn
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On todayâs show, Kimberly continues to make us smart about the GOPâs massive tax bill. This time, weâre digging into a small (but important) detail buried in the bill that could have enormous consequences for the regulation of artificial intelligence: a clause that would block states from enforcing AI laws for ten years. Weâll break down whatâs at stake. And, the U.S. dollar is getting weaker. Weâll explain what it could mean for the economy.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
"House panel advances tax portion of Trump agenda bill after marathon meeting" from The Hill"State AI laws would be banned under clause buried in House budget bill" from Stat News"G.O.P. Targets a Medicaid Loophole Used by 49 States to Grab Federal Money" from The New York Times"US Is Not Negotiating for Weaker Dollar as Part of Tariff Talks" from Bloomberg"Republicans push for a decadelong ban on states regulating AI" from The Verge
With looming threats to federal funding for public media, we need support from listeners more than ever. Donate now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn
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Today weâre ditching the drama on Earth and talking about K2-18b, an exoplanet 120 light-years away. K2-18b recently made headlines after researchers claimed to observe possible âsigns of lifeâ in the planet's atmosphere. So, did we find aliens? Michaela Musilova, an astrobiologist and analog astronaut, said itâs too early to tell. On the show today, Musilova breaks down the debate over K2-18b, why better telescopes are needed to find definitive proof of life on another planet, and why President Trumpâs proposed funding cuts to NASA could disrupt this search. Plus, whatâs it like to be an analog astronaut, and what do they actually do?
Then, why a healthy reading diet contains both âbroccoliâ and âchocolate pieâ books. And, Jessamine Chan, author of âThe School for Good Mothers,â answers the Make Me Smart question.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
"Astronomers Detect a Possible Signature of Life on a Distant Planet" from The New York Times"Does exoplanet K2-18b host alien life or not? Here's why the debate continues" from Space "Experts alarmed as White House proposes 'largest single-year cut to NASA in American history'" from Space "NASAâs Don Pettit Shot 220 Days of Amazing Photos From the I.S.S." from The New York Times "Whatâs in Trump and Republicansâ giant tax and immigration bill?" from The Washington Post"Republican Tax Plan Boosts SALT Deduction, Ends Green-Energy Breaks" from The Wall Street Journal
Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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House Republicansâ newly released tax plan includes trillions in tax breaks. But those tax cuts will come at a cost. Weâll get into it. And, Apple plans to raise iPhone prices but wonât point fingers at President Trumpâs tariffs. Weâll unpack how all the tariff chaos could lead to elevated prices, no matter what they actually cost companies. Plus, sci-fi escapism and Pope Leo XIVâs love of baseball make us smile.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
"Exclusive | Apple Considers Raising iPhone Prices, Without Blaming Tariffs" from The Wall Street Journal "With China tariffs on hold, will Americans stop stockpiling goods?" from Marketplace "House GOP unleashes sweeping tax legislation" from Politico "House tax writers eye SALT deduction cap rejected by key lawmakers last week" from The Hill"Why Tolkien thought "sub-creation" was the secret to great fantasy and science fiction" from Big Think"Pope Leo asks fan 'Sox or Cubs?' as he signs a baseball" from The Chicago Sun-Times
Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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As the Trump administration heads into a weekend of trade talks with Chinese officials, the President is floating a new tariff rate on Chinese imports: 80%. While itâs much lower than the current tariff rate of 145%, itâs still far too high for many businesses. Weâll get into it. And, a recent legal win for Epic Games could shake up Appleâs App Store. Plus, weâll weigh in on mass producing orchids and going cashless during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
"DOJ, FTC open inquiry into the concert industry" from The L.A. Times "Fortnite applies to launch on Apple's App Store after Epic Games court win" from CNBC "How Apple Created a Legal Mess When It Skirted Judgeâs Ruling" from The New York Times "Ahead of China-US talks, Trump says 80% tariff 'seems right'" from Reuters"Revenge RTO: Workers are coming in late, leaving early and stealing snacks as they find small ways to get back at their bosses" from Fortune"Trump Revives Push for Higher Taxes on the Rich" from The New York Times"How the Exotic Orchid Became a Mass-Market Commodity" from The Wall Street Journal"The drawbacks of an increasingly cashless society" from Marketplace
Stand up for Marketplace and public media during this critical time. Donate today: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn
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Following Trumpâs so-called âLiberation Dayâ tariffs, the United States has now struck a trade deal (sorta) with the United Kingdom. Weâll get into it. Plus, childcare costs a lot â and in some places, more than rent. Then, weâll smile at the unexpected joy of âswole culture.â And what if, instead of sports metaphors, we used makeup lingo at work?
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
âTrump unveils United Kingdom trade deal, first since 'reciprocal' tariff pauseâ by CNBCâU.S., Britain strike first major trade deal of Trump tariff eraâ by AxiosâSending 2 Kids to Daycare Costs More Than Rent in Most Major U.S. Metrosâ from RedfinâHead Start avoids Trumpâs cuts, but advocates are ready to defend it: âThereâs too much good in thisââ by The GuardianLISTEN: âWill you be my nanny?â from âThis Is Uncomfortableâ âLife of the Motherâ by ProPublicaâFinding Strength in a Bigger Bodyâ from The CutâHow one writer quit dieting and discovered her strength through weightliftingâ by NPRJoin us tomorrow for âEconomics on Tap.â The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
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On todayâs episode: Marketplaceâs Reema Khrais joins Kimberly to discuss two stories from opposite ends of the housing spectrum â cuts to rental assistance programs and the soaring cost of starter homes. Then, Kimberly explains yet another reason why the rest of the world is giving the U.S. major side-eye. And weâll smile about a slimy substance that might help keep microplastics at bay and parrots connecting over Facetime.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
âProposed cuts to housing programs could affect millions, experts warnâ from The Washington PostâWhere starter homes cost at least $1 millionâ by AxiosThis Is Uncomfortable Season 11 from MarketplaceâYou Have a Message From Taiwanâ by The Wall Street JournalâWhy the Asian currency blowup mattersâ from AxiosâScientists Taught Pet Parrots to Video Call Each Otherâand the Birds Loved Itâ from Smithsonian MagazineâOkra and fenugreek extracts remove most microplastics from water, finds researchâ on Phys.orgGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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So far, President Trumpâs âdrill, baby, drill,â agenda has proven to be a sharp turn from Biden-era climate initiatives, including the landmark spending bill the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
And thanks to President Trumpâs attempts to claw back control over IRA funds, as well as his recent budget proposal which drastically cuts climate spending, the future of Americaâs fast-growing clean energy economy looks uncertain.
âThe world is switching to electric vehicles, the world is switching to solar and wind,â said Christopher Knittel, economics professor and associate dean for climate and sustainability at the MIT Sloan School of Management. âAnd the less we do domestically, the less capability we build domestically to provide those clean energy resources, the worse off our industries will be in the future.â
Knittel explains President Trumpâs efforts to phase out Biden-era climate initiatives, why some Republicans are reluctant to get rid of the IRA entirely, and why the U.S. getting left behind in a world committed to decarbonization poses a threat.
Plus, the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told President Trump that Canada is ânot for saleâ in a meeting earlier today. And, the REAL ID deadline is coming in hot, though not all states seem equally prepared.
Then, weâll hear about how Seattle businesses are showing love for Canadian visitors and a listener shareâs her daughterâs frustrations with âshrinkflation.â
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
- Trump administration cancels clean energy grants as it prioritizes fossil fuels by AP News
- What Trump's budget cuts could mean for the environment by AP News
- The Race to the Top in Six Charts and Not Too Many Numbers from RMI
- Republicans haggle over green tax credits as battle lines deepen from Politico
- How We Survive from Marketplace
- Trumpâs trade war with Canada has backfired on America. Now he has a crucial meeting with Mark Carney from CNN Business
- Trump knocks Canada ahead of Carney meeting by The Hill
- @carlquintanilla.bsky.social⏠on Bluesky
- What you need to know about the REAL ID requirements for air travel from NBC News
- Real ID deadline is weeks away and most states aren't fully compliant yet from CBS News
- Seattle Restaurants Are Offering Canadian Tourists a Discount, and an Apology by Eater Seattle
Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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The Trump administration is hoping tariffs will spur companies to bring manufacturing back to the United States. But a new survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas found that most companies are planning to deal with tariffs another way. (Spoiler alert: we totally saw this coming!) Weâll also discuss how the Department of Homeland Security is hoping to cut the cost of mass deportations. Plus, did Trump get the idea to reopen Alcatraz from a movie?
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
-Post on Bluesky from Carl Quintanilla
-"Tariff Politics; Rent-Stabilized Tenants May See a Rent Hike; Surviving Wall Street; Celebrating NYC's Mexican Communities" from The Brian Lehrer Show
-"DHS Announces Historic Travel Assistance and Stipend for Voluntary Self-Deportation" from Department of Homeland Security
-"US offers $1,000 stipend to encourage migrants to self-deport" from Reuters
-"Mass Deportation: Devastating Costs to America, Its Budget and Economy" from American Immigration Council
-"Trump Seems to Have Decided to Reopen Alcatraz Because of a Movie" from The New Republic
-"Trump Says He Wants to Reopen Alcatraz as a Functioning Prison" from The New York Times
-"Met Gala 2025: Highlights from exhibit of Black style and designers" from AP News
-â"'Tailoring Black Style': Dandyism shines at the 2025 Met Gala" from NPR
Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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On todayâs episode, Kimberly joins "Economics on Tap" from the Toronto airport. Weâll unpack President Trumpâs elimination of a tariff loophole known as the de minimus exemption that went into effect today, meaning low-cost shipments will no longer enter the United States tariff-free. Without it, Americans could start to feel some serious tariff pain. And, President Trump is renewing threats to revoke Harvard Universityâs tax-exempt status. Plus, weâll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
-"Trump's tariffs come for fast fashion, and the blowback could be fierce." from Politico
-"Harvard President Says Any Move to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status Would Be âHighly Illegalâ" from The Wall Street Journal
-"Trump aims to cut $6 billion from NASA budget, shifting $1 billion to Mars-focused missions" from CNBC
-"Visit this store for a free iris scan to âproveâ youâre human, not AI" from The Washington Post
-"MoviePassâ Next Big Bet: A Fantasy Box Office App" from The Hollywood Reporter
-"A little retirement, as a treat" from Marketplace
Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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This week, President Trump acknowledged his tariffs were resulting in costlier items in the U.S., but maintained his position that China was taking the majority of the heat. If people canât afford to buy as much, might that be a recipe for recession? Weâll discuss, and answer a listenerâs question on what exactly is a recession. Plus, how uncertain economic conditions might make someone reconsider a luxury cheese purchase.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
- Recession defined by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
- âTrump says US kids may get '2 dolls instead of 30,' but China will suffer more in a trade warâ from the Associated Press
- WATCH: âTrump says kids may get '2 dolls instead of 30' because of trade war with Chinaâ from the Associated Press
- âTrump, on Tariffs, Says âMaybe the Children Will Have 2 Dolls Instead of 30ââ from The New York Times
- âSpending by American companies on computers in Q1 grew at the fastest pace since 1983â by Marketplace
- Check out the Canadian cheese shop Kimberly mentions in this episode
Join us tomorrow for âEconomics on Tap.â The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
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The Commerce Department reported the U.S. economy contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter of this year. Weâll break down the GDP math formula and dig into what the latest report says about where the US economy may be headed. And, should businesses be transparent about the impact of tariffs on prices? A nixed plan from Amazon serves as a cautionary tale of the political risks. Plus, feeling stressed these days? Cow cuddling and bee therapy might help.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
-"Trump blames Biden after GDP shrinks in first quarter, says growth will 'take a while'" from CNBC
-"Businesses weigh how much to tell customers about tariffs' impact on price" from Marketplace
-"Trump-Bezos call sets stage for tense earnings report from Amazon" from CNBC
-"Trump vs. Amazonâs Brilliant Tariff Idea" from The Wall Street Journal
-"The Americans Fled Vietnam 50 Years Ago. I Visited the Buildings They Left Behind." from The New York Times
"Anxious about the world? Cow cuddling or bee buzzing might help ease your stress" from The Denver Post
Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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After declaring victory in yesterdayâs Canadian election, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the âold relationshipâ with the United States is over. Over the past few months, President Donald Trumpâs on-and-off tariffs and repeated annexation threats have caused Canadians to reconsider the United States as its leading trading partner and ally. But Patricia Goff, professor of political science at Wilfrid Laurier University, said the idea of disentangling the two economies is unrealistic. On the show today, Goff explains how Trumpâs tariffs and annexation threats influenced the Canadian election, how Canadian industries are navigating the trade war, and what this all could mean for the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.
Plus, weâll hear a pitch for a new âMake Me Smartâ-themed rear window sticker. And, what one psychologist got wrong about burnout.
Hereâs everything we talked about today:
"Trump knows exactly what he just triggered in Canada" from CBC News
"Liberal Bruce Fanjoy topples Pierre Poilievre in Carleton" from CBC News
"Canada-U.S. Relations Continue to Reach Lows Over Tariffs and Annexation Threats" from The New York Times
"Mike Myers Is Ready to Defend Canada" from The New York Times
"Canada says its friendship with the US is âover.â Now what?" From Politico
"The future of the USMCA" from the Peterson Institute for International Economics
We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
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