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Paralyzed Man Sets Off to Cycle Entire Length of Britain on a Motorized Bike Controlled by His Chin

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Andy Walker on his specially adapted quad-bike for people with paralysis-SWNS
Andy Walker on his specially adapted quad-bike for people with paralysis-SWNS

A 47-year-old paralyzed man hopes to become the first person to cycle the entire 1,000-mile length of Britain using a motorized bike controlled by his chin.

Andy Walker set off on his epic voyage from Lands End today, in a specially made quad-cycle with the goal of arriving at John O’Groats in two weeks—and he’s raising thousands for a charity involved in motor neuron disease (MND), an incurable brain condition.

The ex-competitive swimmer was 28 when he suffered a spinal cord injury after hitting a rock as he dove into the sea from Goa, India. He was left paralyzed from the neck down, and local doctors gave him just a one percent chance of survival.

But he refused to give up. He underwent a major operation at a hospital specializing in spinal injuries in Delhi, and was later flown back to England, where he spent a further eight months at Sheffield Northern Hospital.

“Since my accident, I’ve had absolute conviction and determination to lead a full and rewarding life,” said Walker. “Taking on these extreme challenges helps me continue to live my dream and make a difference to other people.”

Andy previously rode 350 miles across Kenya on a motorized quad bike and says he is motivated to complete these extreme charity challenges to “transform” the lives of others.

“This will be physically and mentally tough for me, but I’ll be able to get through it with the support of my friends and family, and knowing the money I raise will help transform the lives of so many people.”

Andy Walker and friends with paralysis in Kenya on specially adapted bikes (SWNS)

Andy team, including his cousin Lisa and lifelong friend Alan, will be traveling across the country this month, taking in some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. They’ll start in Cornwall before heading through Shropshire, and then go up to the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, before reaching John O’Groats in Scotland.

MAYBE THEY WILL RUN INTO: Man Traveling the Width of Scotland in a ‘Bicycle Canoe’ Entirely Made by Hand–LOOK

One of Andy’s heroes is former rugby league star Rob Burrow who died recently at age 41 from MND, after relentlessly campaigning to raise awareness of the disease. A third of the money Andy raises on GoFundMe will go toward building the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, in partnership with Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Paul Watkins, the director of fundraising for that charity, said Andy embodies the famed rugby player’s legacy.

“Andy is embodying Rob Burrow’s famous quote, ‘In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream’.

“His positive attitude and determination has proved he can overcome his own barriers to inspire others.

“This challenge is an incredibly difficult one, so for someone to be doing that on a bike controlled only by their chin, is truly incredible.

In addition to raising money for charities, Andy has also set up a motivational speaking company, called Living Your Dreams, to help inspire others to live life to the fullest.

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In 2019, Andy was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire, a title bestowed on Brits for outstanding achievements or service to the community over the long term).

At the time, he said, “I’m a bit of a character… Getting awards and MBEs isn’t what my life is about.

“I try to support people—and that’s what the challenge was all about, raising money and awareness for such a great cause. I’ve had so much support from my family and from the charity, so if I can help somebody I will.

“My main aim has been to prove that life goes on.”

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Parents Reveal the Pros (and Cons) of Having Adult Kids Still Living at Home

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By leah hetteberg
By leah hetteberg

You may be surprised that fully 85% of parents whose kids previously moved out are delighted their birds have came back to the nest, according to a new poll.

A survey of 2,000 parents whose kids in their 20s live at home aimed to figure out what this experience of housing their 20-somethings has been like—and it uncovered some interesting trends.

42% had kids who initially moved out, while 58% said their chicks had never flown the coop.

For those who spread their wings and left their parent’s house, the top reasons included: to experience living on their own (41%), go to college (29%) or to live with a partner (26%).

Of these respondents, seven in ten said they recall the moment their child asked to move back in (69%). 42% agreed the reason for moving back was not begin able to afford living on their own, and 33% simply wanted to save money (perhaps for a down payment on their own mortgage).

Conducted by Talker Research for BOK Financial, the survey found that convenience also played a factor in why these adult kids returned home (32%).

Most interestingly, one-quarter of the homebound youth wanted to be closer to their family (25%)—and nearly half of parents (45%) said it actually improved their relationship when the child moved back.

LOVE THIS SURVEY: Over Half of Americans Say Their Parent is Their Best Friend

A quarter of those surveyed admitted they weren’t financially prepared to have their child live with them later in life (27%), but just 19% said the situation had a negative impact on their own financial planning or retirement plans.

“If you have adult kids living at home—which isn’t uncommon nowadays!—it’s an opportunity to model good financial practices while encouraging them to save diligently,” said Leasa Melton, manager of product strategy for BOK Financial.

29% reported their child rarely (or never) contributes to the household financially, but Melton encourages patience.

“They’re often living at home to save up for their next step of independence and having them in your house gives you a chance to cheer them on in a safe environment.”

“Like everything else in parenting, it’s a balance between letting them learn and helping guide them.

On average, parents estimate that their kids will remain under their roof for another 16 months, while a third of respondents aren’t sure about their children’s tenure (32%). Indeed, 56% have doubts about their kids being financially prepared now to leave home at this time.

For their children to gain financial independence, 28% of parents wish there were more resources for financial education or planning. However, a whopping 90% agreed that it was important for them to teach their children financial lessons before they exit high school.

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Teaching Good Financial Habits

Just 20% would grade their child’s understanding of financial matters with an A—although 27% gave the same grade to themselves.

There’s always time to learn, though. Parents have taught their children all sorts of lessons in adulthood, primarily finance-related (66%), domestic-related (59%) and lifestyle-related (52%).

A third of parents also recall being late bloomers, sharing that all of the financial advice they taught their child was learned in adulthood (32%).

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While their adult children have been living with them, parents reported having emphasized lessons on how to save money (77%) and budget (71%), above all. Parents also stress the importance of paying down debt (53%) and investing (46%).

“Children might not always pick up on financial lessons when they are young,” said Melton. “But as they gain independence, living at home provides another opportunity to help them establish good financial habits—a win for both parents and their adult children.”

First Back-to-Back Gharial Crocodiles Born in N. America to Help Save Endangered Species With 650 Left in Wild

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Gharial crocodile hatchlings – Fort Worth Zoo
The 2024 gharial crocodile hatchlings – Fort Worth Zoo (SWNS)

A Texas zoo has made history with the first back-to back gharial crocodile hatchlings born in North America.

One gharial newborn arrived on June 16—and the second was found a week later—at the Fort Worth Zoo.

Gharials are listed as ‘critically endangered’ animals, with only around 650 adults left in the wild—so every conservation effort matters.

Fort Worth has been the only zoo in North America to produce multiple gharial crocodiles in one season—and is now delighted to be the first to do it in back-to-back years.

They were hatched from eggs laid by two different females within the zoo’s gharial group.

“Everyone here at the Fort Worth Zoo is ecstatic to have repeated success with our gharial hatchings for the second year in a row,” announced Vicky Poole, associate curator of ectotherms, on July 24.

“Having two additional hatchlings is a big win for growing the gharial population in zoos and expanding knowledge to help this critically endangered species survive.”

Gharial crocodile hatchlings – Fort Worth Zoo

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The gharials are now more than one month old and are just over 12 inches long.

Male gharials, which are found mostly in India, can grow to 16 feet and weigh nearly 1,500 pounds, while female gharials stay slightly smaller.

For now, the hatchlings will remain behind the scenes at the Zoo for close monitoring of their growth and development.

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Oklahoma 4-H Teen Gives Away 6,000 Backpacks Packed With $1.3 Million in School Supplies to Families

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Backpack giveaway on August 3, 2024 – SGT. Miles Tarron Foundation
Backpack giveaway on August 3, 2024 – SGT. Miles Tarron Foundation

An 18-year-old Oklahoma boy spent his Saturday igniting school spirit by giving away 6,000 book bags stuffed with school supplies.

It was his ninth annual Back-to-School Book Bag Giveaway, which has distributed more than 33,000 backpacks and $1.3 million in school supplies to students and families from Reed’s hometown and beyond, including across Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.

Yesterday’s drive-thru event is just one aspect of Reed Marcum’s uplifting work to address the needs of the McAlester community in Pittsburg County

“I want to help kids get their school year started right,” said Reed, who is a rising sophomore at Oklahoma State University. “We have been distributing book bags and school supplies for nine years now and each time it is so fulfilling to know we are playing a small part in getting kids excited about their education.”

Reed was inspired by his longtime membership in 4-H, an American youth organization whose mission is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential to become true leaders.”

The giveaway is part of Reed’s annual 4-H service project—and its success resulted in the teen being honored with the 4-H Youth in Action Award for his community-centered projects that have collectively raised more than $3.5 million in funds and donated items.

Reed Marcum with school supplies – SGT. Miles Tarron Foundation

As a national winner, Marcum received a $5,000 higher education scholarship and has had opportunities to showcase his story nationally, develop professional skills and network with prominent 4-H alumni.

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“Reed’s commitment to his community is inspiring. He has had a huge impact here in McAlester,” said Greg Owen, Pittsburg County 4-H Educator and Marcum’s mentor. “I am so proud to support his service projects and watch him grow.”

Since 2016, Reed has also organized an annual 4-H Toy Giveaway. During last year’s toy drive, cars lined up for over three miles near the Southeast Expo Center in McAlester and Marcum distributed more than 10,000 toys to children and families in need for the holidays.

“I’m grateful to 4-H for the support and opportunity to make a difference in my community.”

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Reed’s charity work and backpack giveaways are supported by the Sergeant Miles Tarron Foundation and Hudson Strong. To contribute to Reed’s projects with a debit/credit card or Paypal, click here.

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“We have, I fear, confused power with greatness.” – Stewart L. Udall

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Quote of the Day: “We have, I fear, confused power with greatness.” – Stewart L. Udall

Photo by: Max Bender

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Good News in History, August 4

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Prince from When Doves Cry - fair use

And, 40 years ago today, Prince began a 24-week run at the top of the US album charts with Purple Rain. His sixth studio album, it featured the hits ‘When Doves Cry‘ and ‘Let’s Go Crazy‘—as well as ‘Purple Rain’. It sold over 20 million LPs worldwide, becoming the seventh best-selling soundtrack album of all time. WATCH a clip featuring his brilliant performance of the title track during a raging downpour at the Super Bowl Halftime Show…(1984)

Continue

Worm Fossil From 520 Million Years ago Solves Mystery of How Modern Insects and Crabs Evolved: ‘My jaw just dropped’

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Side view of Youti Yuanshi worm fossil shows internal organ systems – by Emma J. Long via SWNS
Side view of Youti Yuanshi worm fossil shows internal organ systems – by Emma J. Long via SWNS

A 520-million-year-old worm fossil has solved the mystery of how modern insects, spiders and crabs evolved.

The “incredibly rare and detailed” fossil, named Youti yuanshi, offered a peek inside one of the earliest ancestors of many species today, as it dates back to the Cambrian period when major animal groups were first evolving.

What makes the fossil so special is the exceptional preservation of the larva and its internal organs, despite its tiny size.

The research team led by Durham University in the UK says it is one of the first arthropod ancestors belonging to a diverse group called euarthropoda, which includes modern insects, spiders, centipedes, and crustaceans.

Scientists published their findings in the journal Nature, saying the level of complex anatomy proves the early arthropod-relatives were much more advanced than previously thought.

“When I used to daydream about the one fossil I’d most like to discover, I’d always be thinking of an arthropod larva, because developmental data are just so central to understanding their evolution,” said Durham’s lead researcher Dr. Martin Smith.

“But larvae are so tiny and fragile, the chances of finding one fossilized are practically zero—or so I thought.

“I already knew that this simple worm-like fossil was something special, but when I saw the amazing structures preserved under its skin, my jaw just dropped. How could these intricate features have avoided decay and still be here to see half a billion years later?”

Virtual dissection of Youti yuanshi shows internal structure of body cavity with head to the left – Emma J. Long via SWNS

Using advanced scanning techniques of synchrotron X-ray tomography at Diamond Light Source, a national UK science facility, the research team generated 3D images of miniature brain regions, digestive glands and a primitive circulatory system. They even found traces of the nerves supplying the larva’s simple legs and eyes.

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“It’s always interesting to see what’s inside a sample using 3D imaging, but in this incredible tiny larva, natural fossilization has achieved almost perfect preservation,” said study co-author Dr. Katherine Dobson, of the University of Strathclyde.

Studying the ancient larva has provided “key” clues about the evolutionary steps required for simple worm-like creatures to transform into the sophisticated arthropod body plan with specialized limbs, eyes and brains.

For example, the fossil reveals an ancestral proto-cerebrum brain region that would later form the nub of the segmented and specialized arthropod head with its various appendages such as antennae, mouthparts and eyes.

Composite image showing internal organ systems at front, middle and rear of Youti yuanshi – By Emma J. Long via SWNS

Scientists explained that the complex head allowed arthropods to take on a range of lifestyles and allowed them to become the dominant organisms in the Cambrian oceans.

FREAKY FOSSIL: Complete Stegosaurus Fossil Found With Skin Still On in Northern China

The remarkable specimen was originally discovered in China, and is housed at Yunnan University.

KNOW ANY FOSSIL HUNTERS? Share The Amazing Discovery on Social Media…

Spectacular Endangered ‘Corpse Flower’ Blooms in Scotland With Rotting Scent That Leaves Some ‘Feeling Faint’

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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh ‘corpse flower’ Amorphophallus titanum – SWNS
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh ‘corpse flower’ Amorphophallus titanum – SWNS

Known as the ‘world’s stinkiest flower,’ a rare plant that emits a terrible smell has successfully sprouted a magnificent six-foot blossom at a botanical garden in Scotland.

Native only to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, officials estimate that fewer than 1,000 mature individuals remain in the wild. Nicknamed the ‘corpse flower,’ for its smell, it is so rare in the UK that when it bloomed here in 2015, it was a first for Scotland—and it has now burst into a blossom for a remarkable fifth time.

Amorphophallus titanum can weigh up to 220 lbs and grow to almost double the height of a human adult, and has the largest unbranched inflorescence in the plant world.

Because its flower blooms so infrequently—and only for a short period—it gives off a powerful scent to help attract pollinators quickly and effectively. The strong odor resembles that of rotting flesh; hence it is known as the ‘corpse flower’, as translated from the original Indonesian name bangkai (meaning corpse or cadaver).

It generally blooms at night and is characterized as a carrion flower because the scent emitted attracts carrion insects to achieve its pollination.

The Scottish bloom, which is now 22 years old, has only been possible due to the expert care of dedicated conservation horticulturists at the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden who succeeded in replicating the natural habitat conditions of a tropical rain forest.

Its presence has provided Edinburgh plant scientists with an unprecedented opportunity to study its behavior and provide contributory data to help save the species.

Horticulturists work on corpse flower at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh-SWNS

“It’s really big and interesting, but it’s also an endangered plant in the wild, with really interesting cultivation methods,” said Nathan Kelso, a horticulturist at the garden.

“It’s quite a long-lived plant. It comes up as a leaf for a few years, so it’s a long time of looking after what is essentially just a giant leaf.

LOOK: Pair of Endangered Corpse Flowers Defy Odds to Bloom at Same Time–Now Bearing 700 Seeds

“People usually have a mix of ‘wow’ and ‘ew’,” he mused. “It seems to hit some people more than others; some people come in holding their nose and feeling faint at the smell of it.”

“It’s quite a magnificent beast. You can tell someone it’s two meters tall, but until you’re standing in front of it, people don’t realize what that’s like in a flower.”

1,400 visitors have taken the opportunity to visit the garden’s greenhouse, getting a whiff of its stinky odor, and marveling at the spectacular flower.

Sadie Barber, Research Collections Manager, pointed out: “The same plant flowering five times is a rare thing—and is likely a result of us holding what was potentially the world’s largest ever corm.

“There is still so much to learn about the biology and behavior of this enigmatic species, to be the guardians of an amazing specimen and its progeny, raised over the years, is to have the ongoing opportunity to learn from them.

FLAMBOYANT FLOWER POWER: Hand Pollination of ‘Sapphire Tower’ Flower Helps Rare Plant Survive–Only Blooming Every 20 Years

“While it is hard not being able to allow the public in to enjoy regular access to the Glasshouses during the renovations, we are really excited to be sharing this incredible sight, it is a measure of the conservation activity continuing behind closed doors.”

DON’T HOLD YOUR NOSE: SHARE The Stunning Pics With Plant Lovers on Social Media…

Half of Dad’s Face Rebuilt After Dog Sniffs Out Cancer to Save His Life: ‘Do Not Ignore the Symptoms’

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Mark Allen after facial reconstruction – SWNS
Mark Allen after facial reconstruction – SWNS

Surgeons successfully rebuilt half his face, after a father-of-two was saved by the family dog sniffing out a cancerous tumor.

Mark Allen was given just weeks to live after being diagnosed with an aggressive tumor that had spread across most of the right side of his face.

The 65-year-old noticed his mixed-breed collie had been acting strangely—nudging, pawing, and becoming overly-affectionate towards him—for months, prior to his diagnosis. He thought nothing of it at the time, but later realized his pet was trying to tell him something.

Mark said he ignored symptoms for nearly 12 months, which meant his tumor spread across most of his face—and he’s now urging others not do the same, by raising awareness through a charity.

“I couldn’t breathe out of my right nostril for about a year or so because of a polyp,” said the consultant and CEO from Warwick, England.

“At the time, Jessie was acting oddly, clinging around my legs and behaving in a closeness she had not previously done.

“When I finally went to see the doctor and got the results, I think I’d already worked out it was going to be cancer because of Jessie’s behavior.”

“Had I gone to the doctors earlier, I’m sure the treatment would not have been as severe as it turned out to be, but I had allowed the cancer to get to stage 4.

Mark Allen’s dog Jessie saved his life – SWNS

“I asked the consultant what would happen if I did not have surgery, and he replied to say I would be dead within weeks.

Mark underwent a grueling 10-hour operation that removed the tumor and half of his face along with it. Surgeons then embarked on a massive facial reconstruction, which involved replacing his cheekbone with his pelvis bone, removing his right eye socket and swapping out his jaw for titanium plates. They also re-built the roof of his mouth and throat with tissue from his abdomen, and removed the lymph nodes and saliva glands from the right side of his neck to stop the cancer spreading any further.

MORE DOCTOR DOGS: Dogs Trained to Sniff Out Post-Traumatic Stress – by Smelling Patients’ Breath – With 90% Accuracy

They managed to get the tumor out cleanly but Mark had to undergo intensive radiotherapy, which he described as ‘quite nasty’.

“You just never know when something might strike that is going to change your life significantly.”

Mark has now teamed up with a UK charity, the Get A-Head Charitable Trust, to raise awareness of the risks of head and neck cancer.

“I am very lucky and would be in a very different place if it wasn’t for charities like Get A-Head who helped fund some of the vital equipment used in the re-construction of my face.

“I’ll never be quite the same, but when I was diagnosed, I promised myself two things—that I wouldn’t feel sorry for myself and that some good would come out of my situation.

LOOK: Fishermen Pull Off Dramatic Rescue of 38 Dogs Treading Water with No Shore in Sight

“The good thing, I’m still here to tell the tale and help raise awareness along with Get A-Head. My advice to others is not to ignore symptoms. If something is not right, go and seek some consultation.”

Danni Heath, director of the Get A-Head Trust, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, said most cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed at either stage three or four, making treatment lengthier and more invasive.

Key symptoms include persistent sore throats, painful or difficulty swallowing, neck lumps, nose bleeds, speech problems, earache, and a persistent blocked nose.

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“We very much hope people will take note of Mark’s valuable advice and seek medical help should they have any symptoms they might be concerned about.”

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Your Weekly Horoscope – ‘Free Will Astrology’ From Rob Brezsny

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Our partner Rob Brezsny, who has a new book out, Astrology Is Real: Revelations from My Life as an Oracle, provides his weekly wisdom to enlighten our thinking and motivate our mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How All of Creation Is Conspiring To Shower You with Blessings. (A free preview of the book is available here.)

Here is your weekly horoscope…

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY – Week of August 3, 2024
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
Astrologer Chris Zydel says every sign has superpowers. In honor of your birthday season, I’ll tell you about those she attributes to you Leos. When you are at your best, you are a beacon of “joyful magnetism” who naturally exudes “irrepressible charisma.” You “shine like a thousand suns” and “strut your stuff with unabashed audacity.” All who are lucky enough to be in your sphere benefit from your “radiant spontaneity, bold, dramatic play, and whoo-hoo celebration of your creative genius.” I will add that of course you can’t always be a perfect embodiment of all these superpowers. But I suspect you are cruising through a phase when you are the next best thing to perfect.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Virgo-born Friedrich August Kekule (1829–1896) transformed organic chemistry with his crucial discovery of the structure of carbon-based compounds. He had studied the problem for years. But his breakthrough realization didn’t arrive until he had a key dream while dozing. There’s not enough room here to describe it at length, but the image that solved the riddle was a snake biting its own tail. I bring this story to your attention, Virgo, because I suspect you could have practical and revelatory dreams yourself in the coming weeks. Daydream visions, too. Pay attention! What might be your equivalent to a snake biting its own tail?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
Please don’t succumb to numbness or apathy in the coming weeks. It’s crucial that you don’t. You should also take extreme measures to avoid boredom and cynicism. At the particular juncture in your amazing life, you need to feel deeply and care profoundly. You must find ways to be excited about as many things as possible, and you must vividly remember why your magnificent goals are so magnificent. Have you ruminated recently about which influences provide you with the spiritual and emotional riches that sustain you? I encourage you to become even more intimately interwoven with them. It’s time for you to be epic, mythic, even heroic.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Historically, August has brought many outbreaks of empowerment. In August 1920, American women gained the right to vote. In August 1947, India and Pakistan wrested their independence from the British Empire’s long oppression. In August 1789, French revolutionaries issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man, a document that dramatically influenced the development of democracy and liberty in the Western world. In 1994, the United Nations established August 9 as the time to celebrate International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. In 2024, I am officially naming August to be Scorpio Power Spot Month. It will be an excellent time to claim and/or boost your command of the niche that will nurture your authority and confidence for years to come.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
August is Save Our Stereotypes Month for you Sagittarians. I hope you will celebrate by rising up strong and bold to defend our precious natural treasures. Remember that without cliches, platitudes, pigeonholes, conventional wisdom, and hackneyed ideas, life would be nearly impossible. JUST KIDDING! Everything I just said was a lie. Here’s the truth. August is Scour Away Stereotypes Month for you Sagittarians. Please be an agent of original thinking and fertile freshness. Wage a brazen crusade against cliches, platitudes, pigeonholes, conventional wisdom, and hackneyed ideas.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
You’re never too old or wise or jaded to jump up in the air with glee when offered a free gift. Right? So I hope you won’t be so bent on maintaining your dignity and composure that you remain poker-faced when given the chance to grab the equivalent of a free gift. I confess I am worried you might be unreceptive to the sweet, rich things coming your way. I’m concerned you might be closed to unexpected possibilities. I will ask you, therefore, to pry open your attitude so you will be alert to the looming blessings, even when they are in disguise.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
A friend of a friend told me this story: One summer day, a guy he knew woke up at 5 am, meditated for a while, and made breakfast. As he gazed out his kitchen window, enjoying his coffee, he became alarmed. In the distance, at the top of a hill, a brush fire was burning. He called emergency services to alert firefighters. A few minutes later, though, he realized he had made an error. The brush fire was in fact the rising sun lighting up the horizon with its fiery rays. Use this as a teaching story in the coming days, Aquarius. Double-check your initial impressions to make sure they are true. Most importantly, be aware that you may initially respond with worry to events that are actually wonderful or interesting.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
At least a million ships lie at the bottom of the world’s oceans, lakes, and rivers. Some crashed because of storms, and others due to battles, collisions, or human error. A shipwreck hunter named Sean Fisher estimates that those remains hold over $60 billion worth of treasure. Among the most valuable are the old Spanish vessels that sank while carrying gold, silver, and other loot plundered from the Americas. If you have the slightest inkling to launch adventures in search of those riches, I predict the coming months will be an excellent tine. Alternately, you are likely to generate good fortune for yourself through any version of diving into the depths in quest of wealth in all of its many forms.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
One meaning of the word “palette” is a flat board on which painters place a variety of pigments to apply to their canvas. What would be a metaphorical equivalent to a palette in your life? Maybe it’s a diary or journal where you lay out the feelings and ideas you use to craft your fate. Perhaps it’s an inner sanctuary where you retreat to organize your thoughts and meditate on upcoming decisions. Or it could be a group of allies with whom you commune and collaborate to enhance each other’s destinies. However you define your palette, Aries, I believe the time is right to enlarge its size and increase the range of pigments you can choose from.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
The star that Westerners call Arcturus has a different name for Indigenous Australians: Marpeankurrk. In their part of the world, it begins to rise before dawn in August. For the Boorong people of northwest Victoria, this was once a sign to hunt for the larvae of wood ants, which comprised a staple food for months. I bring this up, Taurus, because heavenly omens are telling me you should be on the lookout for new sources of sustenance and fuel. What’s your metaphorical equivalent of wood ant larvae?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Seventy percent of the world’s macadamia nuts have a single ancestor: a particular tree in Queensland, Australia. In 1896, two Hawaiian brothers took seeds from this tree and brought them back to their homestead in Oahu. From that small beginning, Hawaiian macadamia nuts have come to dominate the world’s production. I foresee you soon having resemblances to that original tree, Gemini. What you launch in the coming weeks and months could have tremendous staying power and reach far beyond its original inspiration.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):
Ketchup flows at about 0.03 miles per hour. In 35 hours, it could travel about a mile. I think you should move at a similar speed in the coming days. The slower you go, the better you will feel. The more deeply focused you are on each event, and the more you allow the rich details to unfold in their own sweet time, the more successful you will be at the art of living. Your words of power will be incremental, gradual, and cumulative.

WANT MORE? Listen to Rob’s EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES, 4-5 minute meditations on the current state of your destiny — or subscribe to his unique daily text message service at: RealAstrology.com

(Zodiac images by Numerologysign.com, CC license)

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“Love is moral even without legal marriage, but marriage is immoral without love.” – Ellen Key

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Quote of the Day: “Love is moral even without legal marriage, but marriage is immoral without love.” – Ellen Key

Photo by: JD Mason

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Good News in History, August 3

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Good News Network
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Joseph Paxton in 1860 - public domain

221 years ago today, Sir Joseph Paxton was born. A legend in the annals of British society, he achieved his fame with two completely unrelated accomplishments: the design, planning, and production of London’s Crystal Palace, and the cultivation of the Cavendish banana, the most widely eaten fruit varietal on Earth. READ about his life and accomplishments… (1803)

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Startup Pairs New Homebuyers with Angel Investors to Secure Homes Fast and Help Them Build Equity

By
Andy Corbley
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Photo by Tierra Mallorca, Unsplash
Photo by Tierra Mallorca, Unsplash

A new, socially conscious startup is offering a radically new way for first-time homebuyers to get a foot in the always-challenging US housing market.

Called ‘fractional ownership’ it allows prospective homebuyers to work in direct tandem with wealthy investors to secure houses they love fast, and pay a rate similar to a mortgage until they have enough to buy the equity stake from the investors, who hold the house in trust until the buyers are ready.

It’s kind of like having an ultra-rich grandparent or godfather.

Called Ownify, it was founded by a man who saw a “broken system” in the US housing market and wanted to solve it.

“First-time homebuyers are facing the toughest market in over 50 years. Home prices are increasing faster than incomes. High mortgage rates reduce affordability. The mortgage interest tax deduction isn’t helping anymore. Cash buyers and institutional investors are outbidding first-time buyers. The system is broken,” Ownify explains on their website.

Indeed, even financially secure first-time homebuyers are finding it harder than ever to succeed in the real estate market, statistically speaking.

Considered one of the best hedges against inflation and difficult times, residential real estate is now a prime target of fund managers. All-time record levels of student and credit card debt, paired with nearly all-time record low savings rates, reflect a working class that is finding it hard to build up capital.

“The win rate for first-time buyers kept going lower and lower and lower, down to the point where the average first-time buyer in some markets was making 13, 14, 15 offers before they would win their first accepted offer,” said Frank Rohde, founder of Ownify.

While it’s possible to get a mortgage with a very low down payment, that leaves the buyer with high monthly payments.

By contrast, Ownify sets all down payments at 2% of the cost of the house. Before a payment is made, homebuyers find a house they like and alert Ownify, who coordinate with investors to make an all-cash offer a hair or two hairs above the current market rate to maximize competitiveness. So if the house is on offer for $330,000, Ownify might lodge a $340,000 bid.

MORE GREAT STARTUPS: A Startup Is Using Recycled Plastic to 3D Print Tiny $25,000 Prefabricated Homes in LA

Secured by the investors, the prospective homeowners pay their down payment, and commence making monthly payments until they’ve paid off 10% of the principal. At this point, the buyers can either use the equity to secure a traditional mortgage, with the investors promising to sell only to them, or they can sell the 10% stake back to the investors and move on.

The investors earn interest on the monthly payments and secure valuable real estate, while the homebuyers have the flexibility to pay as much or less every month and change places easily if they’re not happy with the house.

FRESH LOOKS AT OLD IDEAS: He Wants to Make Economy Class More Spacious With Innovative Double-Decker Aircraft Seats

Ownify launched first in Raleigh, North Carolina, because family homes fell comfortably within the nation’s median. Their model, Rohde says, wouldn’t work in somewhere like San Francisco.

They plan to expand quickly to Denver, Nashville, and California.

SHARE This Amazing Opportunity With Anyone Looking To Buy A House In Raleigh… 

Mercury Could Have A Layer of Diamonds 11 Miles Thick Beneath the Surface

By
Andy Corbley
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Mercury's True Color is in the Eye of the Beholder - credit NASA / Johns Hopkins University.
Mercury’s True Color is in the Eye of the Beholder – credit NASA / Johns Hopkins University.

A bi-disciplinary scientific study has revealed the likely presence of a layer of diamonds 11 miles thick at the boundary layer of Mercury’s core and mantle.

It was a remarkable finding, and came from what is the least understood planet in the solar system, despite being one of the closest to Earth.

Diamonds are forever—a girl’s best friend—but more importantly for science, they are pure carbon. Carbon is an awfully common chemical to find in the solar system, and many sources can become diamonds under the correct pressures and temperatures.

When viewed by the MESSENGER spacecraft from 2011 to 2015, Mercury appears exceptionally grey due to the high content of graphite on the planet. This mineral, responsible for our pencil tips among other things, is another form of pure carbon, and was a clue for the researchers that diamonds might be richly present beneath the surface.

“We know there’s a lot of carbon in the form of graphite on the surface of Mercury, but there are very few studies about the inside of the planet,” said Yanhao Lin, a staff scientist at the Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research in Beijing and co-author of the study, which appeared in June in the journal Nature Communications.

In their study, the researchers placed graphite in a special pressure machine along with a smattering of elements believed to be rich in Mercury’s mantle layer, including silicon, titanium, magnesium, and aluminum.

They subjected the mixture to 70,000 times the pressure of Earth at sea level, and 2,000° Celcius (3,630 degrees Fahrenheit). These are the conditions believed to have been present at the core-mantle boundary layer while Mercury was forming 4.5 billion years ago when it coalesced from clouds of gas and dust.

Electron microscopy revealed that the mixture melted and the graphite had turned into diamond crystal.

By examining data from the MESSENGER mission about the mineral composition and depth of Mercury’s crust, mantle, and planetary core under the context of their experiment, the authors estimate the layer of diamonds should be about 11 miles thick.

MORE OUTER SPACE SURPRISES: This Asteroid is a $10,000-Quadrillion Lump of Iron and a Potential Opportunity to Study an Exposed Planetary Core

It wouldn’t be possible to mine these diamonds for the same reason it isn’t possible to mine Earth’s mantle—it’s’ hundreds of miles below the surface.

“However, some lavas at the surface of Mercury have been formed by melting of the very deep mantle. It is reasonable to consider that this process is able to bring some diamonds to the surface, by analogy with what happens on Earth,” said Bernard Charlier, head of the department of geology at the University of Liège in Belgium and a coauthor of a study.

DIAMOND STORIES: Scientists Grow Micro-Diamonds ‘from Scratch’ in 15 Minutes Thanks to Groundbreaking New Process

It’s nothing to scoff at, and though mining equipment would have to withstand surface temperatures hotter than 500 degrees Fahrenheit, humanity has already mined two asteroids using robots, and the company Trans Astra is already preparing to release a suite of asteroid mining craft.

It makes perfect sense to outsource the collection of these jewels to a planet where mining operations won’t endanger a single animal, release runoff into approximately zero rivers, dispossess not one person from their land, cause zero civil wars, and fell zero trees.

SHARE This Amazing Discovery Just A Stone’s Throw From Earth… 

China ‘Angel’ Stops 469 Suicidal People Jumping off Bridge Over 21 years

By
Andy Corbley
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Angel of Nanjing (Screenshot from Official Trailer on YouTube)
Angel of Nanjing (Screenshot from Official Trailer on YouTube)

Provided that China hawks in Congress haven’t convinced you the Chinese people are all diabolical communist footsoldiers, then the trailer for this documentary will bring a tear to your eye.

Mr. Chen Si, known as the Angel of Nanjing, has volunteered to patrol the Yangtze Bridge every day, and over a 21-year career, he has saved 469 people from committing suicide.

One of the most famous bridges in the country, it is also the world’s most popular location to commit suicide. Almost daily there are people lingering alone or wandering aimlessly along its sidewalk, and Chen engages them in conversation to test whether or not they are prospective jumpers.

Sometimes that’s all it takes, but as the footage shows below, it sometimes requires an awful lot more.

South China Morning Post reports that it started for Chen back in 2000, when he saw a desperate-looking girl wandering on the bridge. He was worried something might happen to her so he brought lunch for them to share and started to chat with her. He eventually paid for a bus ticket for her to go home, but realized that this was something that must happen all the time.

For the past 21 years, he’s crossed the bridge 10 times a day on his electric scooter wearing his red jacket with the words “cherish all life” written across the back, he’s charismatic, he’s determined, he can be almost rude, in a certain Chinese way, in his efforts saving people’s life, and he’s become an expert.

COMPASSIONATE STORIES FROM CHINA: Secret Donor Gives and Gives for 25 Years–$2.3 Million to Fund Education and Support for Poorer Families in China

“People with an extreme internal struggle don’t have relaxed body movements, their bodies look heavy,” Chen told the Chinese outlet News Weekly.

He’s caught suicidal people who’ve been cheated on by their spouses, those who can’t afford school, and many other reasons. He has spare rooms in his house to keep those he pulls off the bridge in a safe environment.

PREVENTING SUICIDE: Korea is Using Artificial Intelligence to Prevent Suicide Attempts on Bridges

His story was made into a Western documentary in 2015 which won over a half-dozen awards. Called Angel of Nanjing, it’s a gripping look into those on the margins of a rapidly changing Chinese society.

WATCH the trailer below… 

SHARE This Incredible Soul On Guard Against The Despair Of A Nation… 

Historic Prisoner Swap Frees Americans Held in Russia After Years-Long, Multi-Nation Diplomacy

By
Andy Corbley
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Evan Gershkovich, left, Alsu Kurmasheva, right, and Paul Whelan, second from right, aboard a plane on August 1, following their release from Russian captivity – Supplied by the White House
Released by the White House

Just before midnight on Thursday evening, a plane touched down in the US and several Americans got to embrace their families, after they were freed in a historic prisoner swap deal with the Russian Federation.

It is quite simply the largest prisoner swap since the end of the Cold War.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and five other citizens from allied nations were released by the Russians in return for the release of 8 Russian prisoners held in Germany, the US, or elsewhere.

In addition to the 8 captives from the West, the Biden administration also negotiated the release of 8 Russian political dissidents or activists who were jailed in their own country.

The airport runway at Andrews Air force Base was a scene of tears and joy as Kurmasheva rushed into the arms of her husband and children, and Gershkovich lifted his mother off her feet. Whelan, who had been wrongfully imprisoned in Russia for six years, disembarked first, saluted his Commander-in-Chief, who, after some conversation, removed his lapel pin and affixed it to the Marine’s jacket.

Biden attaches his lapel pin to Paul Whalen with Vice President Harris looking on.

CNN described the negotiations as “swift”, once Russian officials became more interested when the years-long bargaining over imprisoned Americans was unexpectedly sweetened, courtesy of German Chancellor Olav Schultz.

Russian assassin, Vadim Krasikov, would be released from a German prison, after being found guilty of assassinating a dissident in Berlin.

Besides Germany, the swap also depended on cooperation from Slovenia, Turkey, Poland, Norway, and Russian ally Belarus, a chain of agreement Biden described as a “feat of diplomacy.”

Biden summed it up for reporters on the tarmac, “To me, this is about the essence of who we are as a country.”

“How can you not be proud to be American at a moment like that?” remarked Tom Nichols, a Conservative professor at the US Naval War College.

WATCH the reunion below from SKY News, or a longer version below that…

SHARE This Huge Win For Diplomacy During Difficult Times With Your Friends… 

“Nothing is too wonderful to happen or too good to last.” – Florence Scovel Shinn

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “Nothing is too wonderful to happen or too good to last.” – Florence Scovel Shinn (from Your Word is Your Wand)

Photo by: Seb Mooze

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Good News in History, August 2

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Good News Network
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Credit, Tribes of the World, CC 3.0. BY SA.

5 years ago today, the women of Saudi Arabia were given the right to travel abroad without a male guardian, a major advance in rights for women in the country. This meant that women over the age of 21 could apply for passports of their own volition, while the Kingdom simultaneously passed laws permitting females to register births, marriages, or divorce. READ a bit more… (2019)

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How LEGO Is Being Used to Reduce Stress, Combat Childhood Trauma, and Manage PTSD

By
Andy Corbley
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Photo by alliecat1881, CC license
Photo by alliecat1881, CC license

All the pieces of your life do, or will, fit together, no matter how many are scattered across the floor. Much like LEGO bricks.

Those were the words of HG, author at Canary Media who compiled a series of quotes and interviews of people using one of the world’s most famous toys to heal from trauma or reduce stress and anxiety.

The root of LEGO’s tremendous, and proven, psychiatric benefits lies in the ability to help individuals zone out while playing with them. For overstressed adults with challenging jobs, too many bills to pay, or who have suffered from episodes of trauma, the snapping together of the bricks mixed with the careful following of precise instructions allows their brain to refocus on something completely different.

HG heard from several trauma victims, including veterans with PTSD, who said that LEGO helps them to enter a Zen-like state, and others who said it allows them to revisit feelings from their childhood in a safe and expressive manner.

“Psychology has begun to recognize that play is as important to healing from trauma as processing trauma memories and establishing good-enough relationships,” Dr. Jay Watts – Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, told Canary Media. “We’re reawakening an inner child that’s been too scared, too damaged, or too paralyzed to move, and freeing them historically helps free us a little in the now.”

Retired Army Medic Robin Krauth told the Military Times that after receiving a more than 1,000-piece LEGO set of the Hogwarts Castle from the Harry Potter franchise, she was surprised to find it was helping her calm down substantially.

“I was surprised—I really didn’t play LEGOS as a child. But when I’m doing it now, I’m focused. All the other fears fall away,” she said. Krauth was deployed in Iraq during the tail-end of the Sunni insurgency, and sustained daily mortar fire at her base. Her deployment also included a murder-suicide incident from another US marine, which she says was deeply distressing.

AJ, another trauma victim spoke to Canary Media, saying that he finds relief in both following the instructions and building for fun.

“LEGO allows me to switch my mind off and gives me a break. Sometimes I use it to help me distract myself. If my brain is too full to think I will just follow the instructions of a set. Other times I feel more creative and will just build and see what comes from it.”

Creatively snapping bricks together just to see what happens allows people to explore their imagination—something notoriously difficult, and even distressing, for trauma victims, but in a safe, controlled, and reward-filled way that can help people regain control over what their thoughts are capable of manifesting.

LEGO

LEGO, recognizing the potential of their toys for good, has sent more than 600 toy sets that make a magnetic resonance imaging machine (MRI) laboratory, to help ease anxiety in children undergoing these scans.

LEGO has directly targeted AFOL or “Adult Fans of LEGO” before, by releasing sets based on 90s and 80s era nostalgia, like sets from the TV show Friends, or even sets for aesthetically-minded Millenials like bonsai trees and other decorations. Throughout its history, LEGO has been kept afloat during times of poor sales by its adult fans, in part because there’s a kind of “Zen and the Art of Bricklaying” that helps combat burnout from adult responsibilities.

GOOD HEALING: How a Yoga Teacher is Saving First Responders Across America From Depression – With Downward Dog

This is especially true, GNN reported, in office workers who often have complex sets of instructions coming from several different sources. By contrast, having a single booklet to follow allows type-A personalities or over-stressed workers lower down the pecking order to just switch off.

According to the Washington Post, LEGO hired Abbie Headon, a 44-year-old English author who hadn’t picked up one of the iconic bricks in 20 years, to write a book on how adults who are concerned about their mental wellbeing can use LEGO strategically to reduce stress in their lives.

MORE WAYS TO AVOID BURNOUT: Learning to Just Say No to Unwanted Holiday Invitations Can Benefit Your Mental Health–New Study

Headon came up with the 160-page Build Yourself Happy: The Joy of Lego Play, which was released in the US in 2022.

It’s a perfect reason to pick up the latest revision of the classic LEGO Medieval Castle set.

SHARE This Inspiring Use For The Classic Toy With Your Stressed-Out Friends… 

Lost Dog Finds Way Home Across 150 Miles of Neighboring State, Villages Hold Feast in His Honor

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Andy Corbley
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Maharaj was lost in the crowd in the pilgrimage town of Pandharpur in South Maharashtra (Photo Facebook/BAWA)
Maharaj was lost in the crowd in the pilgrimage town of Pandharpur in South Maharashtra (Photo Facebook/BAWA)

Yamagarni village in the Karnataka state of India recently witnessed a strange sight. A jubilant crowd paraded a black dog covered in garlands through the streets until they reached a feast prepared in its honor.

For the villagers, the return of the dog, which had been lost, was a miracle.

Fondly called Maharaj, the elderly companion was lost among the crows of pilgrims at a site in the neighboring state of Maharashtra, but managed to navigate by memory back home, traveling nearly 150 miles on its own.

In the last week of June, Maharaj joined its owner Kamalesh Kumbhar on a pilgrimage

Kumbhar told news media that he visits the sacred site of Pandharpur every year on Hindu holy days in July and August.

“Maharaj has always liked listening to bhajans [a devotional song]. Once, he had accompanied me on another padayatra trip to Jyotiba temple near Mahabaleshwar,” Kumbhar told Indian news outlet PTI.

For nearly 150 miles, the dog followed the master, who walked with a group of his friends, chanting these songs.

At a certain point in his devotionals, Kumbhar said he noticed that the dog was missing. When he went looking for him, a group of people told him that the dog had left with another group.

“I still searched for him everywhere and I could not find him. So, I thought maybe the people were right, that he left with someone else. I returned to my hometown on July 14th,” Kumbhar said.

MORE TAIL-WAGGING STORIES: Missing Toddler Found Sleeping in Woods with Dog as A Pillow After Walking 3 Miles Barefoot

The very next day though, Kumbhar said, to his surprise “Maharaj was standing there in front of my house, wagging his tail as if nothing had happened. He looked well fed and perfectly fine.”

MIRACLES WITH PAWS: Helicopter Herder Follows a Dog’s Tracks from the Air to a Miracle Rescue

Overcome with happiness, Kumbhar said, he and the villagers celebrated Maharaj’s return with a feast.

“It is such a miracle that the dog could find its way, although it was 250km or so away from home. We think it was Lord Panduranga who guided him.”

SHARE The Story Of This Panduranga-Blessed Pooch And His Incredible Journey Home… 

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