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The Nordic Council Explained: Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark & Iceland’s Union – TLDR News

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All EU Groupings Explained: https://youtu.be/-AlewOcRfXw

We’re starting off our new series which explains unions and groupings in Europe by explaining the Nordic Council. The Council brings together Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark & Iceland but what does it actually do? We explain how the union came to be, what the union does and it’s core objectives.

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TLDR is all about getting you up to date with the news of today, without bias and without filter. We want to give you the information you need, so you can make your own decision.

TLDR is a super small company, run few people with the help of some amazing volunteers. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, following and backing on Patreon. Thanks!

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1 – https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-council
2 – https://web.archive.org/web/20140330201905/http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council/the-nordic-council/the-history-of-the-nordic-council/before-1952/
3 – https://web.archive.org/web/20140330201905/http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council/the-nordic-council/the-history-of-the-nordic-council/before-1952/
4 – https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-council
5 – https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-council
6 – https://www.thedanishparliament.dk/en/international/delegations/nor
7 – https://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1250815/FULLTEXT01.pdf
8 – https://www.norden.org/en/information/about-nordic-council-committees
9 – https://www.norden.org/en/organisation/presidium
10 – https://www.norden.org/en/organisation/committee-knowledge-and-culture-nordic-region
11 – https://www.norden.org/en/organisation/committee-sustainable-nordic-region
12 – https://www.norden.org/en/organisation/committee-welfare-nordic-region
13 – https://www.norden.org/en/organisation/committee-growth-and-development-nordic-region
14 – https://www.norden.org/en/organisation/control-committee
15 – https://www.norden.org/en/organisation/election-committee
16 – https://www.norden.org/en/political_areas
17 – https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-co-operation-justice-issues
18 – https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-co-operation-justice-issues
19 – https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-co-operation-digitalisation
20 – https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-co-operation-disability
21 – https://www.norden.org/en/bioeconomy
22 – https://www.norden.org/en/information/nature-climate-and-environment-nordic-region
23 – https://www.norden.org/en/children-and-young-people
24 – https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-co-operation-energy
25 – https://www.norden.org/en/culture
26 – https://www.norden.org/en/education-and-research
27 – https://www.norden.org/en/language
28 – https://www.norden.org/en/integration
29 – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50232491

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21 Comments

21 Comments

  1. @Mrblobbie947

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    If only Scotland could join.

  2. @themcfunnel

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    Estonia fuming rn

  3. @000Dragon50000

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    Finland being included in this is kind of hilarious since they're not nordic.

  4. @liberalegypt

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    Imagine Scandinavia+Baltic+Benelux

  5. @buhans2160

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    Nordisk Ministerråd it has no value at all. Just spending money while drinking coffee

  6. @larstarjeibennitt1479

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    Good work

  7. @TheHollandHS

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    The EU starts to look like a midwit between americans and nordics. Maybe it isnt but it does start to look like that

  8. @kf9346

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    As a Canadian I think it's important to have smaller regional international bodies like this in addition to larger one s like the EU. 1) The unique socio-political voice of the Nordics needs amplifying; 2) It gives a stage to consider Arctic- specific issues by Arctic countries; and 3) Greenland and Greenlandic Inuit have more influence and a greater voice on matters in at the Nordic Council rather than if the same issues are discussed at the EU, UN or a larger gathering of nations.

  9. @thomasmortensen4470

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    Fun fact Scotland was invitet to the nordic council as a obsever but they chose not to show up…

  10. @spoonkus5893

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    The Nordic council is so good that even sturgeon is fabricating that Scotland is Nordic so she can get in!

  11. @astraviil3043

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    In my opinion it’s time to let Estonia be a nice small Nordic country. Estonia very deserves to be a Nordic country, because Estonia has done a lot of work, we have many smart people, we are good at digital things, we have northern lights and we are very similar to Finland and other Nordic countries like: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Greenland. We are not similar to Latvia and Lithuania and the other Eastern Europe countries. It’s time to stop calling Estonia Eastern Europe country and Baltic country and forget all this terrible, rude and mean Soviet times. Let’s just stop this Eastern Europe and Soviet stigma thing and let Estonia turn the new page and let them be a normal small Nordic country next to Sweden and Finland!!! Estonians call themselves the Nordic country and many other people and tourists had also said that Estonia should be a Nordic country, because Estonian people are Finnic people not Balts and we are more similar to Scandinavia. Yes many people had agreed with that Estonia must belong to the Nordic group and seperate from Latvia and Lithuania. They don’t even need these countries, because Estonians communicate more with Finns and other Scandinavian countries. Estonia will be a very good partner for the other Nordic countries. We will do a very great work and we will be very strong!!!

  12. @rustyspace900

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    As a Finn, I'm all in for Estonia gaining full membership and eventually an indepedent Scotland joining us. Heck why not even Ireland, they are cool too 😉

  13. @gogledhol

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    I wish the UK became an observer state of the council.

  14. @Arvidowitch

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    I hope the Nordics leave EU and NATO and make this alliance an official economic and defense pact

  15. @jtrenoweth

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    I think Gretta Tunburg is getting less and less relevant because she is saying to the world you are irrelevant it's my way or the highway

  16. @emib6599

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    As fervent europeist that support a decentralised federation, i find good the existence of smaller groups inside the EU will maybe also external members.
    They are only see as a problem when are moved by populist government that don't care about the future and only want to squeeze every single bit of power for themselves from everything.

  17. @guysimtristan6248

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    Funny we like to compare our own countries to them

  18. @OutlawToys

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    Nordic Council is only preparation for EU failure.

  19. @maikotter9945

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    The groups build ups are a bit unusual.

    Die Fraktionszusammensetzung sind etwas ungewöhnlich.

    Social Democratic Group: 26 members
    ° Sweden (6): SAP 5; ? 1
    ° Norway: AP 6
    ° Denmark (5): SD 3; ? 2
    ° Finland: SDP 4
    ° Iceland: SDA 1
    ° Aland: "ASD" 1

    Centre Group: 24 members
    ° Finland (6): KESK 3; VIHR 2; SFP 1
    ° Sweden (5): C 2; M 1; ? 2
    ° Norway (4): Sp 2; V 1; KrF 1
    ° Denmark (3): V 2; ? 1
    ° Iceland (3): FF 1; FSF 1; ? 1
    ° Faroes (2): SF 1; ? 1
    ° Aland: ? 1

    Conservative Group: 15 members
    ° Norway (6): H 5; ? 1
    ° Sweden (4): M 1; ? 3
    ° Finland: KOK 3
    ° Denmark: C 1
    ° Iceland: ? 1

    Green Left Group: 10 members
    ° Sweden: ? 2
    ° Denmark (2): EL 1; ? 1
    ° Iceland: VG 2
    ° Norway: SF 1
    ° Finland: "VML" 1
    ° Greenland: ? 1
    ° Faroes: "TV" 1

    Freedom Group: 9 members
    ° Finland: PS 4
    ° Sweden: SD 3
    ° Denmark: DF 2

    without group: 4 members
    ° Norway: FrP 3
    ° Denmark: "NB" 1

  20. @davidiand7

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    How is The EU is “every expanding,” didn’t Britain just leave an more countries may follow?

  21. @Gokaes

    February 27, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    swedish: Åland
    Finnish: Ahvenanmaa

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Other EU

Why Iceland is Not Joining the EU

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Take back your privacy- start using Proton Mail for free: http://proton.me/tldr

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Yesterday, Iceland held a referendum on restarting negotiations to rejoin the European Union, 13 years after negotiations were frozen. With the results now in, we’re taking a look at what happened and what it means for the future.

📰 Too Long: https://toolong.news/
🎉 TLDR Party:  https://toolong.news/pages/tldr-party
📖 Read our Manifesto: https://tldrnews.co.uk/manifesto

Our mission is to explain news and politics in an impartial, efficient, and accessible way, balancing import and interest while fostering independent thought.

TLDR is a completely independent & privately owned media company that’s not afraid to tackle the issues we think are most important. The channel is run by a small group of young people, with us hoping to pass on our enthusiasm for politics to other young people. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, engaging and sharing. Thanks!

//////////////////////////

Sources:

https://www.dw.com/en/icelands-eu-vote-a-nation-divided-over-europe/a-78285133
https://www.reuters.com/world/narrow-majority-icelanders-back-eu-membership-talks-poll-shows-ahead-referendum-2026-08-26/
https://www.ruv.is/english/2025-01-09-poll-majority-support-eu-negotiations-432591
https://nordics.info/show/artikel/icelands-relationship-with-the-eu
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/country/iceland
https://newunionpost.eu/2026/02/26/iceland-referendum-eu-accession-talks/#:~:text=hold%20a%20referendum%20on%20reopening%20Iceland%E2%80%99s%20EU%20accession%20talks
https://cb.is/news-and-publications/article/monetary-bulletin-2026-3
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-19/iceland-hikes-key-rate-to-8-to-lower-risk-of-prices-spiraling
https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/iceland-eu-referendum-3fqw92st9
https://thefishingdaily.com/icelandic-fishing-industry-news/icelandic-fishing-industry-points-to-ireland-in-eu-warning/
https://www.reuters.com/world/fish-ships-sovereignty-iceland-weighs-its-european-future-2026-08-19/#:~:text=defined%20Iceland’s%20independence%20since%20it%20broke%20away%20from%20Denmark
https://island-esb.is/en/kostnadur/
https://www.ruv.is/english/2026-08-29-iceland-rejects-eu-accession-talks-485377

00:00 – Introduction
01:09 – Context
03:06 – The Two Sides
05:35 – The Final Result
07:38 – Proton Mail

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Other EU

Should the EU Back Canada Against Trump?

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Take back your privacy- start using Proton Mail for free: http://proton.me/tldr

Pre-order a copy of Too Long: https://toolong.news/TL009

Earlier this week, a trade war broke about between the US and Canada. But the EU, a more Canada-aligned ally, appears to have a pretty muted response so far. So, in this video, we’re taking a look at the escalating US-Canada trade war, how it’s pushing Canada towards the EU and how the EU is responding.

📰 Too Long: https://toolong.news/
🎉 TLDR Party:  https://toolong.news/pages/tldr-party
📖 Read our Manifesto: https://tldrnews.co.uk/manifesto

Our mission is to explain news and politics in an impartial, efficient, and accessible way, balancing import and interest while fostering independent thought.

TLDR is a completely independent & privately owned media company that’s not afraid to tackle the issues we think are most important. The channel is run by a small group of young people, with us hoping to pass on our enthusiasm for politics to other young people. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, engaging and sharing. Thanks!

//////////////////////////

Sources:

US–Canada trade war
https://www.ft.com/content/7ced71c2-03b8-4569-a68d-14624a7e83f2?syn-25a6b1a6=1
https://www.ft.com/content/e3b5c236-bd5f-45c2-8ddf-5279a7375d3f?syn-25a6b1a6=1
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/08/25/us/trump-news-tariffs
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/25/us-canadian-trade-war-political-will-01048491
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/26/wednesday-briefing-how-canada-has-turned-a-trade-dispute-into-a-defence-of-its-sovereignty
https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/speeches/2026/08/22/prime-minister-carney-delivers-remarks-canada-us-trade-negotiations
https://youtu.be/NhEN07dahhw?si=8f4ggIhGGdy3uAy0

Europe’s response
https://www.politico.eu/article/trade-war-mark-carney-middle-powers-alliance/
https://www.politico.eu/article/canada-mark-carney-to-attend-eus-state-of-the-union-ursula-von-der-leyen/
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/08/25/canada-walked-away-from-trump-could-the-eu-ever-do-the-same
https://www.eunews.it/en/2026/08/25/trumps-tariffs-steer-canada-towards-the-eu-which-welcomes-the-move/

Canada–EU relations
https://international.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/corporate/reports/chief-economist/annual/2025
https://www.politico.eu/article/canada-pact-defense-eu-mark-carney-partnership/
https://youtu.be/GxWtq2ZLfgs?si=_zmZ-0_vtF7EhZrk

Canadian polling on joining the EU
https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/54662-should-canada-be-allowed-to-join-the-european-union
https://ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Canadians__Opinions_on_Politics_poll_results_syetMgu.pdf#page=3
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-canadians-support-becoming-member-european-union-nanos-poll/

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Other EU

Accession Update: Which Country Will Join the EU Next?

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Take back your privacy- start using Proton Mail for free: http://proton.me/tldr

Pre-order a copy of Too Long: https://toolong.news/TL009

Ahead of Iceland’s EU accession referendum this weekend, we take another look at the current crop of candidate countries and see who has made progress, who has stalled in the process and who is most likely to become the 28th EU member state?

📰 Too Long: https://toolong.news/
🎉 TLDR Party:  https://toolong.news/pages/tldr-party
📖 Read our Manifesto: https://tldrnews.co.uk/manifesto

Our mission is to explain news and politics in an impartial, efficient, and accessible way, balancing import and interest while fostering independent thought.

TLDR is a completely independent & privately owned media company that’s not afraid to tackle the issues we think are most important. The channel is run by a small group of young people, with us hoping to pass on our enthusiasm for politics to other young people. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, engaging and sharing. Thanks!

//////////////////////////

Sources: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4_7arwUMEw
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/08/24/icelands-moment-of-reckoning-what-the-referendum-means-for-the-eu 
https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en 
https://readinessindex.eu/ 
https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/countries/kosovo_en 
https://readinessindex.eu/#/country/kosovo 
https://www.turkishminute.com/2026/08/17/erdogan-says-eu-membership-is-not-a-priority-for-turkey/ 
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/delegations/en/joint-statement-on-the-georgian-governme/product-details/20241129DPU39689 
https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/latest-news/european-commission-says-georgia-a-candidate-country-in-name-only/ 
https://www.euinsider.eu/news/epic-enlargement-bosnia-collapse-2026 
https://www.politico.eu/article/bulgaria-european-parliament-bill-north-macedonia-eu-accession-green-austria-waitz-lobby-vote-smear-campaign/ 
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/07/08/eight-member-states-oppose-the-opening-of-serbias-next-eu-accession-cluster 
https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/08/13/might-moldova-merge-with-romania 
https://english.nv.ua/nation/hungary-again-blocks-two-clusters-in-ukraine-s-eu-accession-talks-50628208.html
https://www.clingendael.org/publication/albanias-eu-accession-sprint-balancing-momentum-reform-and-eu-scrutiny 
https://www.economist.com/the-world-in-brief/2026/08/22/03a85e89-8de5-405b-a27c-5c6763fd0ad8 
https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/countries/montenegro_en 
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/08/24/icelands-moment-of-reckoning-what-the-referendum-means-for-the-eu 
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/08/24/icelands-moment-of-reckoning-what-the-referendum-means-for-the-eu 
https://www.euronews.com/2026/08/25/armenia-announces-historic-intention-to-apply-for-eu-membership

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Other EU

Why Europe’s Most Powerful Monarchy Is Heading for a Constitutional Crisis

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Pre-order a copy of Too Long: https://toolong.news/TL009

In this video, we’re going to explain Liechtenstein’s unique political setup, and how the push to decriminalise abortion could trigger a constitutional crisis in the country.

📰 Too Long: https://toolong.news/
🎉 TLDR Party: https://toolong.news/pages/tldr-party
📖 Read our Manifesto: https://tldrnews.co.uk/manifesto

Our mission is to explain news and politics in an impartial, efficient, and accessible way, balancing import and interest while fostering independent thought.

TLDR is a completely independent & privately owned media company that’s not afraid to tackle the issues we think are most important. The channel is run by a small group of young people, with us hoping to pass on our enthusiasm for politics to other young people. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, engaging and sharing. Thanks!

SOURCES:

Liechtenstein’s ‘dualistic’ state:
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2017/01/30/the-curious-case-of-liechtenstein/

Liechtenstein’s constitution:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Liechtenstein_2011

Recurring tension over royal power:
https://blog-iacl-aidc.org/centenary-constitution-liechtenstein/2021/12/14/monarchy-and-direct-democracy-in-liechtenstein-an-impossible-combination

Examples of princely family threatening to leave:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1713201.stm
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/liechtenstein/9366747/Prince-of-Liechtenstein-threatens-to-leave-after-vote-on-his-powers.html

2003 constitutional referendum:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Liechtenstein_constitutional_referendum

2011 abortion referendum:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Liechtenstein_referendums

2012 constitutional referendum:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Liechtenstein_constitutional_referendum

Alois’ veto threat helped scupper 2011 abortion referendum:
https://verfassungsblog.de/small-country-big-hurdles/

2026 abortion decriminalisation initiative:
https://www.fristenlösung.li/initiative

Initiative received second-highest number of signatures:
https://landesspiegel.li/2026/07/fristenloesung-initiative-will-heute-4970-unterschriften-einreichen/
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/03/liechtenstein-abortion-law-modernised-prince-alois

Polling shows support for abortion decriminalisation initiative:
https://x.com/EuropeElects/status/2088323436913271216

0:00 Why Europe’s Most Powerful Monarchy Is Heading for a Constitutional Crisis
7:49 Sponsor

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Other EU

Is MAGA Losing Europe?

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Pre-order a copy of Too Long: https://toolong.news/TL009

Since Trump’s re-election, the relationship between MAGA and the European right wing populist parties has been turbulent. The tide appears to be changing again with the US State Department offering million of dollars to right wing aligned organisations in Europe. In this video, we’re taking a look at this relationship and how it’s now changing.

📰 Too Long: https://toolong.news/
🎉 TLDR Party:  https://toolong.news/pages/tldr-party
📖 Read our Manifesto: https://tldrnews.co.uk/manifesto

Our mission is to explain news and politics in an impartial, efficient, and accessible way, balancing import and interest while fostering independent thought.

TLDR is a completely independent & privately owned media company that’s not afraid to tackle the issues we think are most important. The channel is run by a small group of young people, with us hoping to pass on our enthusiasm for politics to other young people. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, engaging and sharing. Thanks!

MAGA’s interest in Europe
https://www.ft.com/content/c5e27ffb-cfb1-421b-8121-a402cf2d84ac?syn-25a6b1a6=1
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/17/trump-administration-to-grant-12m-to-groups-founded-by-uk-conservatives-jacob-rees-mogg-and-toby-young
https://www.state.gov/drl-nofo-developing-civilizational-bonds-democratic-resilience-and-rule-of-law-in-europe

Trump favourability among European (hard-right) voters
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2026/06/23/european-views-of-trump-and-the-u-s-are-especially-negative/
https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/55363-how-popular-is-donald-trump-in-europe-july-2026

Trump–Meloni fallout
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/trump-post-of-image-of-himself-as-christ-like-figure-draws-widespread-criticism/3905565
https://www.ft.com/content/41e4528d-0d87-4be3-9c59-46f37cec8136?syn-25a6b1a6=1
https://youtu.be/8GCcjN9fjJk?si=Bov8EzRsCPJx8R6g

Marine Le Pen criticises Trump
https://brusselssignal.eu/2026/06/le-pen-warns-against-blind-alignment-with-trump-after-iran/

Merz warns against US interference in European politics
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/15/germany-warns-against-election-interference-as-us-offers-funding-to-maga-aligned-causes-in-europe

‘Remigration’
https://www.ft.com/content/34a99573-0fa1-422b-9263-147f9ed7be6c?shareType=nongift
https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/71904/could-italys-migration-debate-divide-the-political-right
https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/how-europes-remigration-movement-is-using-roadblocks-to-power-its-political-appeal

00:00 – Introduction
01:29 – Context
03:49 – Is MAGA Losing Europe?
06:56 – MAGA’s Response
08:19 – Too Long

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