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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
Amrita Bhattacharyya

Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor

Hey everyone! I’m Amrita, the News Editor for The Daily Illini. I’m currently a junior double majoring in Political Science and Economics, with a minor in Public Relations. I’m from Gurnee, Illinois (read: Six Flags) and plan on attending law school after I graduate. Being editor has been the highlight of my college experience and I hope you all enjoy reading our stories as much as my section loves writing them! When I’m not working on a story, you can find me birdwatching, reading classic lit, tending to my coffee addiction, or biking around campus. If you have any news tips or just want to chat, my inbox is always open!

[email protected]

People hold signs in support of Ukraine during the rally held at Alma Mater on Sunday. The rally was held by the Ukrainian Student Association with around 250 attendees.

CU community holds rally to support Ukraine

By Amrita Bhattacharyya and Faith Allendorf • February 28, 2022
Cesar Monsalud, senior in Engineering, is a part of the Illini Reddit community. Monsalud created a matchmaking thread on the app to set students up on blind dates for Valentine’s Day.

UI students play matchmaker, create blind dates for Valentine’s Day

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • February 14, 2022
Ryan Reeder looks over his rapid Covid-19 test at the ARC on Feb. 1. The university has provided a Covid-19 briefing about returning to campus for the 2022 spring semester.

UI officials hold COVID-19 briefing, discuss return to campus 

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • January 17, 2022
Health care worker fills up syringes with the Covid-19 vaccine on Nov. 6. The university is now requiring staff and students to receive the Covid-19 booster when eligible.

University requires COVID-19 booster shots

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • January 6, 2022
With a rise in Covid-19 cases, OSF will be temporarily stopping asymptomatic testing.

OSF HealthCare pauses asymptomatic testing 

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • December 28, 2021
Stacks of Covid-19 tests at the ARC on Feb. 1. With a surge of positive cases and along with the Omicron variant, the first week of the spring semester will be held online.

UI to hold online classes during first week of spring semester

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • December 20, 2021
Police survey area at the intersection of Green and Wright St. on Aug 28, 2020. Over the holiday weekend, several crimes took place that have ongoing investigations currently happening.

Champaign Police Department investigates three overnight weekend shootings

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • December 12, 2021
Students walk on the Main Quad as snow falls on Oct. 31, 2019.

Students look forward to post-finals winter break

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • December 8, 2021
Top five wage increases of University deans 

Top five wage increases of University deans 

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • November 24, 2021
Big Red, the first human MRI scanner sits on display in the Illinois MRI Exhibit at Beckman Institute on Wednesday afternoon. Late University faculty member Paul Lauterbur invented the machine in 1971, and the device recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Beckman Institute celebrates 50th anniversary of human MRI scanner

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • September 3, 2021
A woman fills up a syringe with a Moderna Vaccine at the I Hotel and Conference Center on Feb. 11. With a return to campus health officials expect a rise in cases and what that looks like for the University.

Delta, third dose, modeling, more: Experts talk return to campus, COVID-19

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • August 26, 2021
Lieutenant Aaron Landers poses for his Lieutenant picture. Lieutenant Aaron Landers died from injuries sustained in a vehicle-versus-motorcycle crash Sunday in Champaign.

UI Police lieutenant killed in traffic accident

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • August 23, 2021
A Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine box sits on a table on Feb. 22. Select individuals will now be allowed to get a third does of the vaccine.

Third dose of vaccine available for select individuals

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • August 17, 2021
Michael DeLorenzo poses for a photo in 2007. DeLorenzo was recently named the vice chancellor for Administration and Operations Designate at Illinois.

University announces vice chancellor for Administration, Operations

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • August 11, 2021
How to combat homesickness when moving in  

How to combat homesickness when moving in  

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • August 10, 2021
Venetria K. Patton has been named Harry E. Preble Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS). Venetria K. Patton is a professor and administrator at Purdue and has started her role at The University of Illinois since Aug. 2.

UI appoints new dean of LAS

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • August 6, 2021
Festival goers at Lollapalooza walk between the T-Mobile and Lake Shore stages in Grant Park on Thursday. The Chicago festival took place during a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Lollapalooza returns in midst of pandemic

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • August 2, 2021
A student at the University poses in Illini gear after the Big Ten Championship. Masks will be required on campus until further notice since the University follows CDC protocol.

CDC issues new masking guidance, UI requires face coverings on campus for all individuals

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • July 30, 2021
A golf cart drives past a Lollapalooza sign outside an entrance near East Ida B. Wells Drive and South Michigan Avenue on Tuesday in Chicago. The four-day festival starts Thursday after a year long hiatus.

Lollapalooza returns after one-year hiatus

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • July 28, 2021
Union Hall looks over the Main Quad on Oct. 29, 2020. The University shares in a mass email that they are working on identifying all human remains that were found on campus.

UI affirms respectful treatment of human remains on campus, audits existing records

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • July 23, 2021
A sign set-up in front of the YMCA shows people the Dump & Run is open. The Dump & Run will be take place from Aug. 18 to Aug. 19.

YMCA announces return of Dump & Run

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • July 23, 2021
Jordan Dziura is the new executive director of Illini Media. In his new position his first goal is helping the students.

Illini Media names new executive director

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • July 21, 2021
Bikes rest on a rack outside of the Campus Recreation Bike Center on April 2. Always register your bike online in case it gets stolen.

Three tips I learned from getting my stolen bike back

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • July 15, 2021
Seth Patterson checks Anirudh Nandella into the ARC Covid-19 testing center on Feb. 1. Shield CU is expanding their testing program to Parkland Community College on Wednesday.

SHIELD CU expands to Parkland Community College

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • July 14, 2021
Students board the 9B Brown MTD bus at a stop on Wright St on Oct. 4, 2019. CUMTD is offering a vaccine lottery to all employees in which they could potentially win 5,000 dollars on the first Friday of each month.

CUMTD kicks off vaccine lottery

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • July 2, 2021
A pharmacist at the Church of the Living God fills a syringe with a Moderna vaccine on Feb. 20. The University will require all students to be vaccinated for the fall semester.

UI System requires students on campus to be vaccinated for fall semester

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • June 21, 2021
Student Ryan Reeder takes a Covid spit test on Feb. 1. Illinois is moving into phase 5 of the covid plan with everything being fully open.

Illinois transitions into Phase 5, fully reopens

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • June 11, 2021
A "Curbana" sits outside of café in Urbana. "Curbanas" are beginning to be made outside of Urbana restaurants for people to enjoy their meals.

City of Urbana installs “Curbanas”

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • June 9, 2021
Governor J.B. Pritzker answers questions at a news conference on March 26, 2021.

Illinois lawmakers approve state budget, maintain UI funding

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • June 2, 2021
An aerial photo of the University of Illinois's Main Quad is photographed from a drone. City facilities in Champaign will begin opening on Tuesday as part of the Bridge to Phase 5 stage of the Restore Illinois plan.

City of Champaign reopens facilities to community

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • June 1, 2021
A University student holds a funnel attached to a Covid-19 spit test at the ARC on Feb. 1. The SHIELD CU COVID-19 testing program will expand to community members ages 8 and older.

SHIELD CU expands testing to community members ages 8 and older

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • May 28, 2021
The University of Illinois Solar Farm 2.0 sits at the corner of First Street and Curtis Road on an overcast day. The Solar Farm is in its final stages of completion.

University begins final stage of completing sustainable solar farm

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • May 25, 2021
A large crowd of people congregate in front of Alma Mater passing out transgender flags and stickers on Saturday. University students protested the use of deadnames during the most recent commencement ceremony.

Students protest UI’s use of deadnames during commencement ceremony

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • May 24, 2021
Biohazard waste bins line the ARC Covid-19 testing center on Feb. 1. The University is decreasing the number of testing sites around campus and will require less testing during the summer for students, faculty, and staff.

UI lessens quantity of testing sites, frequency of testing for summer

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • May 18, 2021
Bill Bernhard, the vice provost for academic affairs speaks to faculty members over Zoom on Tuesday. The American Association of University Professors Chapter at the University shared a report regarding how governance practices need to be more straightforward.

Report finds weaknesses in UI’s shared governance practices

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • May 14, 2021
A group of students stand huddled in line outside of Joe's Brewery on Sept. 17. Effective Friday, Champaign's bars and restaurants will be able to allow customers to stand and walk around.

Champaign set to relax COVID-19 restrictions on bars, gatherings

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • May 12, 2021
Workers start unscrewing the iconic Chabad monument on Sunday. The monument was moved to the new Chabad house.

Illini Chabad officially transitions to new location

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Interim Editor-in-Chief • May 11, 2021
A screenshot of the Zoom landing page is shown above. Columnist Matthew Krauter argues that it's about time that Zoom exits our lives to make way for in-person classes in the fall.

Online classes impact student experience

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • May 10, 2021
Illini football players Delano Ware, Moses Okpala, Jartavius Martin, Owen Carney and Khalan Tolson march down First Street to protest police brutality in the black community on Aug. 31.

DI reviews top five moments this year

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • May 10, 2021
Students study at the main stacks of the Main Library on April 30, 2019. There are many good places to study on campus.

Best places to study for finals

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • May 6, 2021
Graduate students call on UI to readmit dismissed student

Graduate students call on UI to readmit dismissed student

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • April 25, 2021
Illinois graduates celebrate during commencement from a previous year.

Graduates: embrace the uncertainty in your next stage of life

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • April 25, 2021
The Champaign County Historical Archives sit on shelves in The Urbana Free Library on Wednesday afternoon. The library is celebrating the 65th anniversary of the archives.

Champaign County Historical Archives celebrates 65th Anniversary

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • April 22, 2021
A group of protestors hold a sign reading “George Floyd’s Life Mattered” in downtown Chicago on May 30. The University recently sent a Massmail to students after Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder calling for the public to take action against systemic racism.

University addresses George Floyd trial outcome

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • April 21, 2021
Siam Terrace sits quietly at 212 W Main Street in Urbana on Nov. 11. The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity just extended the deadline to apply for a small business grant in Urbana.

Grant program for Urbana small businesses extended

By Amrita Bhattacharyya and Sophie Casaburi • April 12, 2021
Students study for finals on the second floor of Grainger Library on May 6, 2019. The Champaign-Urbana community celebrates National Library Week with increased activities and events.

CU community celebrates National Library Week

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • April 8, 2021
The booth that Lesley Nava and Anthony Erlinger, Pandemic Health Navigators, set up at Rantoul Foods on March 31 is pictured above. The goal was to inform immigrant workers about the COVID-19 vaccine and dispel myths.

Activist groups receive grants for COVID-19 outreach education

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • April 5, 2021
People enjoy a warm day on the Main Quad on Oct. 7.

University announces additional paid days off for employees

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • April 1, 2021
Students celebrate Big Ten win, rush Campustown

Students celebrate Big Ten win, rush Campustown

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • March 18, 2021
Illinois graduates jump in the air on the Main Quad after a previous year’s commencement. The Illini Success team recently released a report detailing post-graduation pursuits of bachelor’s degree recipients who graduated during the 2019-2020 academic year.

University releases graduates’ annual Illini Success report

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, News Editor • March 18, 2021

Illinois abolishes money bail after activist push

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • March 11, 2021
Completed University COVID-19 tests await testing in a receptacle at the ARC on Feb. 1. Cases of the COVID-19 variant B117 are currently stable in C-U.

COVID-19 variant stabilizes in campus, community during nationwide surge

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • March 2, 2021
The background screen for episode one of the new "Dear Alma" podcast is pictured above.

University launches “Dear Alma” podcast series for faculty 

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • February 18, 2021
A picture of Ivor Chen posted by the Graduate Employees' Organization petition. Chen was reinstated at the University on Feb. 16.

University reinstates PhD student dismissed for testing noncompliance, after thousands support readmission

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • February 17, 2021
Junior Colin Heeneman waits in line to vote on Nov. 3. Heeneman is wearing a surgical mask, which according to a recent study, is the best type of mask to wear to be heard clearly.

Surgical face masks best for being heard clearly, UI researchers say

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • February 11, 2021
The School of Labor and Employment Relations is located at 504 East Armory Ave. Alison Dicknson, professor in Labor and Employment Relations co-wrote a study about underemployment in Illinois.

Study finds underemployment ‘pervasive’ for part-time workers in Illinois

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • February 4, 2021
Student Anirudh Nandella deposits his completed University COVID-19 test into a receptacle at the ARC on Monday. The new COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant has recently appeared in Champaign County.

Several cases of COVID-19 variant confirmed in Champaign County

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • February 2, 2021
A Champaign County resident receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 12 at the I-Hotel. Champaign County is currently receiving a minimum of 4,000 to 6,000 vaccines per week.

CU health district vaccinations outpace state supply

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • January 28, 2021
An aerial view of the University’s Research Park from January 2021.

UI Research Park program improves inclusivity in tech industry

By Vivian La and Amrita Bhattacharyya • January 12, 2021
University Housing launches new food initiative, free food for campus community

University Housing launches new food initiative, free food for campus community

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • December 9, 2020
Students experience fatigue, stress from drawn out election 

Students experience fatigue, stress from drawn out election 

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • November 9, 2020
Students protest at an ISG meeting on Oct. 23, 2019. The ISG was debating a resolution regarding the conflation of Anti-Zionism with Anti-Semitism.

Jewish students file complaint against UI, allege anti-Semitic environment

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • November 5, 2020
Census ends early, CU officials worry about undercounts 

Census ends early, CU officials worry about undercounts 

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • October 26, 2020
Students petition to ban Proctorio amid privacy concerns

Students petition to ban Proctorio amid privacy concerns

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • October 12, 2020
Students line up on the Main Quad to get flu shots at McKinley Health Center’s Flu Shot Clinic on Oct. 1, 2018. Health officials encourage flu shots to avoid overwhelming hospitals this winter.

Health officials stress flu shots to avoid overwhelming hospitals

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • September 28, 2020
Employees work at their computers in the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s operations center. CUPHD is responsible for all contact tracing in Champaign County.

University student dismissed for COVID violation

By Aliza Majid and Amrita Bhattacharyya • September 21, 2020
Three students sit at a table outside of Lundgren Hall on Sunday. Champaign County reported 136 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the total number of active cases in the county to 323.

University creates in-person campus events, Urbana ends temporary indoor dining ban

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • September 16, 2020
Students wait at the testing site at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications on Aug. 30. A helpful feature of the Safer Illinois app is the OSF OnCall Connect program, which puts COVID-positive people in contact with OSF OnCall team members.

Safer Illinois provides digital support for COVID-positive students

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • September 14, 2020
A group of students stands on the Main Quad while wearing masks on Aug. 21.

University restricts Labor Day travel while Urbana bans indoor dining

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • September 4, 2020
The Carle Foundation Hospital, located at 611 W. Park St., stands tall on March 3, 2019. The saliva COVID-19 testing offered on campus is currently only available to University students, faculty and staff.

Carle increases its testing capacity as University reopens

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • August 27, 2020
Ian Brooks, director of the CHIME at Illinois program, poses for a photo.

University program allows students to take on COVID-19 projects with WHO

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • August 24, 2020

Safety starts as soon as you step on campus 

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • August 17, 2020
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces the first round of Business Interruption Program grants outside of the Wood N' Hog BBQ in Urbana. Gov. Pritzker stopped by Urbana on Wednesday before speaking at Bloomington an hour later.

Gov. Pritzker comes to Urbana, announces first round of Business Interruption Grants

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • August 13, 2020
The exterior of McKinley Health Center located on 1109 S Lincoln Ave on Feb. 8.

University creates student Wellness Ambassador program

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • July 31, 2020
Chancellor Jones delivers the State of the University Address on Jan. 24.

University creates Call to Action to address racism, social injustice

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • July 27, 2020
Illinois students study and lounge on the tables outside of the Illini Union on April 3.

University creates campus safety pledge

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • July 22, 2020
Students gather on the Main Quad on April 23, 2019.

International students respond to ICE regulation

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • July 13, 2020
Students wait in line at Red Lion on S 3rd Street during Unofficial on Friday, March 1, 2019.

Campus bars closed during Greek Reunion weekend

By Amrita Bhattacharyya • July 10, 2020
The main quad remains relatively barren at 1:48 p.m. on April 3 as many students have left campus due to the coronavirus.

University provides students with COVID-19 summer grants

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • July 9, 2020
The main quad remains relatively barren at 1:48 p.m. on April 3 as many students have left campus due to the coronavirus.

Students respond to Fall 2020 semester plans with mixed feelings

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • July 2, 2020

University makes changes to Fall 2020 class schedule

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • June 23, 2020
Demonstrators march down Unviersity Avenue in Champaign, IL on June 16 during a protest sparked by the reinstatement of the Urbana Police Chief Bryant Seraphin.

Protesters march from Urbana to Champaign, demand police reform

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • June 22, 2020
Green Street in Champaign, IL winds down at sunset on April 14.

CU community takes collaborative approach to police reform

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • June 19, 2020
The main quad remains relatively barren at 1:48 p.m. on April 3 as many students have left campus due to the coronavirus.

University creates saliva COVID-19 test for upcoming fall semester

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • June 18, 2020
Drake Materre speaks to demonstrators on Tuesday during a protest sparked by the reinstatement of the Urbana Police Chief Bryant Seraphin.

Demonstrators protest reinstatement of Urbana Police Department chief, make demands

By Salem Isaf and Amrita Bhattacharyya • June 16, 2020
"The Pledge" featured on the Champaign County Safe website gives tips on how to lessen the spread of coronavirus.

Champaign enters recovery phase, amends ordinance

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • June 11, 2020
A protester holds a sign at the corner of Park Street and Broadway Avenue in Urbana, IL.

Urbana Charity Harvest protesters raise animal rights concerns

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • June 10, 2020
The University of Illinois quad sits empty during what would have been Mom's Weekend in early April.

University Archives creates COVID-19 documentation project

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • June 3, 2020
A person holds a graduation cap in the air at Memorial Stadium.

Virtual commencement celebrates 2020 graduates

By Amrita Bhattacharyya • May 16, 2020
Virtual commencement kicks off Saturday, University still "committed" to in-person graduation

Virtual commencement kicks off Saturday, University still “committed” to in-person graduation

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • May 11, 2020
Students receive money from emergency COVID-19 grants

Students receive money from emergency COVID-19 grants

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • May 8, 2020
A graphic in the researchers' paper shows how the test would work.

University researchers lead team to develop smartphone testing for COVID-19

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • April 27, 2020
People step on an MTD bus at the Illinois terminal on Oct. 19, 2019.

MTD responds to COVID-19 with reduced ridership, increased sanitation

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • April 24, 2020
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks Sunday, April 19, 2020 at the Thompson Center during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pritzker modifies, extends stay-at-home order through May

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • April 23, 2020
University to provide COVID-19 emergency grants for students in need

University to provide COVID-19 emergency grants for students in need

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • April 16, 2020
Employees at The Red Herring Restaurant prepare food for takeout customers in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic on April 13, 2020.

Restaurants implement new policies during COVID-19 pandemic

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • April 14, 2020
A map of Illinois shows Champaign county highlighted in red. Champaign county now has 2 confirmed coronavirus deaths.

COVID-19 claims second life from Champaign County

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • April 9, 2020
University Housing provides alternate care facilities for Carle

University Housing provides alternate care facilities for Carle

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • April 3, 2020
Cristal Caballero, the author of the letter sent to University administration, stands with her parents outside of her dorm building on move in day.

Students call for cancellation of spring semester

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • March 30, 2020
University terminates all study abroad programs

University terminates all study abroad programs

By Amrita Bhattacharyya, Staff Writer • March 24, 2020
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