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Mark Nicol, Defence Editor

Experienced journalist and author specialising in military and foreign affairs since 9/11. Extensive war zone experience. Lectures on defence communications. Also appears on radio and TV.

Coverage: News

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM MARK NICOL

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Now ANOTHER veteran, 78, faces attempted murder trial for IRA terrorist shooting 50 years on

03/11/25 12:50

Another elderly British veteran of the Troubles is facing a 'show trial' after prosecutors reversed a decision not to charge him. Soldier B has been accused of attempted murder regarding an incident in West Belfast more than half a century ago. The former paratrooper had previously been assured the case was not being pursued due to a lack of evidence. Terrorist Eugene Devlin (pictured) was shot and injured at the scene. Soldier B denies shooting him and no other witnesses have suggested he was responsible....read

Sex drugs 'found at party' disgraced Andrew hosted for Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in Sandringham, new Royal book claims
02/11/25 05:27
Drugs to enhance sexual experiences were found at Sandringham after Andrew partied with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, a book has claimed.
Labour accused of paving way for legal protections for IRA terrorists by repealing Troubles Legacy Act
27/10/25 01:41
The Government has been under fire from the military community since it scrapped the Tory legislation which gave soldiers who served in Northern Ireland immunity against prosecutions.
- 213 comments
- 21 shares
Now, end the witch hunt! Campaigners' demands after elderly ex-Para hounded over Bloody Sunday killings more than 50 years ago is cleared of ALL charges
23/10/25 10:29
Former soldiers and ministers slammed the case against a veteran in his seventies known only as Soldier F, but warned more still face court. Pictured: British troops on Bloody Sunday.
Paedophile soldier jailed for 27 years for 'sextortion' scam involving 'approaching 100 victims'
21/10/25 04:16
A soldier has been jailed for 27 years after a series of online sex offences on 'approaching 100 victims' conducted from inside his base. Austen Fleming's accommodation at RAF Dishforth was raided by.
- 12 comments
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Putting UK boots on the ground in Ukraine would cost 'over £100million', says Defence Secretary
20/10/25 11:06
Speaking in London, John Healey (pictured) revealed Britain has been planning in detail along with its Coalition of the Willing over the last six months.
- 371 comments
- 6 shares
British troops to shoot down drones over military bases to thwart Kremlin incursions in UK airspace
20/10/25 06:40
New powers will be drafted following Kremlin incursions into Polish, Estonian and Romanian airspace in recent weeks.
- 196 comments
- 34 shares
Labour accused of making way for Gerry Adams and hundreds of IRA prisoners to sue for wrongful imprisonment
14/10/25 05:41
Labour was accused of clearing a legal path for Gerry Adams and hundreds of IRA prisoners to sue for wrongful imprisonment on Tuesday.
- 289 comments
- 18 shares
Petition calling for legal protections for veterans draws more than 200,000 signatures - as row goes on over Labour's 'failure' to support troops
03/10/25 05:32
A petition aligned with the Mail's campaign to protect Northern Ireland veterans has broken through the 200,000 signatures barrier. As of yesterday evening, 205,690 people had offered support.
- 188 comments
- 88 shares
Putin taunts the West as drones cause Danish airports to close
27/09/25 02:00
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused Nato and the EU of declaring war on Russia after Copenhagen blamed a 'state actor' for a second night of drone incursions.
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Frontline European countries to develop 'drone wall' to control Russian attacks after Danish airports buzzed for third night in a row
26/09/25 10:53
The Kremlin has instigated a continent-wide offensive, brazenly invading Polish, Estonian, Romanian and Danish airspace in recent weeks.
Is Putin taunting Nato once again by sending drones over Denmark, as yet more sightings are now reported over airport?
25/09/25 10:52
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused Nato and the EU of declaring war on Russia after Copenhagen blamed a 'state actor' for a second night of drone incursions.
Outrage at Labour deal that could see more Ulster veterans on trial
19/09/25 11:46
The new 'framework', follows on from Labour's commitment to repeal the Conservatives ' 2023 Legacy Act.
- 158 comments
- 64 shares
NATO warplanes intercept Putin's jets over Estonia, while Russian fighters buzz Polish oil rig after drone incursion - as ex-RAF chief calls for a 'lethal' and 'ruthless' response to incursions
19/09/25 08:26
The powerful warplanes spent 12 minutes violating Estonian airspace as they conducted operations to test the country's defences. The move sparked an emergency response from Nato.
- 649 comments
- 39 shares
RAF fighter jets to be sent to Poland to prevent another Russian incursion into Nato airspace
15/09/25 09:40
RAF fighter jets are being sent to Poland to prevent another Russian incursion into Nato airspace.
Furious SAS troops in High Court war crimes probe accuse senior judge of acting 'unlawfully'
13/09/25 01:00
SAS soldiers have launched a legal fightback after a High Court judge banned them from attending hearings. They have accused Lord Justice Haddon-Cave of acting 'unlawfully'.
- 347 comments
- 76 shares
Russian drone attack on Poland prompts rapid NATO response
11/09/25 01:20
The graveyard shift inside Nato's Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany. For the watchkeepers, just another night staring into the electronic abyss of monitors and screens.
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The Nato night team were watching the drones pounding Ukraine. But then one squadron banked starboard - and headed straight for Poland. Lights started flashing...
10/09/25 10:42
The graveyard shift inside Nato's Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany. For the watchkeepers, just another night staring into the electronic abyss of monitors and screens.
IDF targeted Hamas chief in Qatar because he objected to Gaza deal, President Herzog says - as Israel tells Trump 'we don't always act in your interests' after Donald condemned missile strike
10/09/25 10:07
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that the military had 'acted unilaterally', and said the strikes could 'open the door' to an end to the war in Gaza
Trailblazing female army officer, 28, who was first to serve in Household Cavalry and rode in Queen's funeral and King's Coronation is killed in car crash
10/09/25 07:19
Captain Lizzie Godwin, 28, made history when she took part in state ceremonial duties with the Life Guards and played a leading role in the state funeral of the Queen and the coronation the King.
- 49 comments
- 13 shares
Trump's fury at airstrikes on Qatar: White House is blindsided by deadly IDF attack on its Gulf ally as Hamas leaders gathered for Gaza talks
09/09/25 06:19
The White House admitted the US President felt 'very bad' about the attack, with his press secretary Karoline Leavitt adding that the incident 'does not advance Israel or America's goals'.
EU diplomat claims Putin got 'everything he wanted' from Ukraine talks
22/08/25 07:02
A top European diplomat has claimed Vladimir Putin got 'everything he wanted' as hopes faded last night of a peace deal. The Russian President appears not to have made any concessions despite talks.
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Putin got 'everything he wanted' during Ukraine peace talks warns EU diplomat - as US 'orders Five Eyes be shut out' from crucial intelligence
22/08/25 05:29
A top European diplomat has claimed Vladimir Putin got 'everything he wanted' as hopes faded last night of a peace deal. The Russian President appears not to have made any concessions despite talks.
UK to pay £2.9 million compensation to victims of wildfire started by British troops in Kenya
22/08/25 03:50
Defence chiefs have agreed a multi-million pound compensation deal after troops started a fire in Kenya that devastated wildlife. Absent minded soldiers started the blaze while cooking in a field.
- 378 comments
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Double blow for Ukraine as US 'won't offer security to Kyiv' as Putin holds firm on peace demands
21/08/25 10:21
Firstly it emerged UK and European officials visiting the US capital have been told they must provide all the security in Ukraine if a settlement is reached.
- 335 comments
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Fury of Afghans who helped Britain after personal data leaked 49 times in four years by MoD 'shambles'
21/08/25 02:47
Afghans who risked their lives for Britain reacted with fury and disbelief today after learning their personal data may have been compromised nearly 50 times in just four years.
- 239 comments
- 13 shares
Britain doesn't spend enough to keep Moscow troops at bay and is lacking 'resilience', former security adviser warns
20/08/25 11:14
Britain is desperately lacking the 'resilience' required to fight a war against a hardened enemy such as Russia, a former security adviser has warned.
- 121 comments
- 23 shares
Our lame-duck £1BILLION destroyer that won't be heading over to help Kyiv... due to its record
19/08/25 11:12
While British warships are poised to defend Ukrainian waters, HMS Daring will not- because it has spent more time being repaired and worked on than it has at sea, according to independent analysis.
- 218 comments
- 57 shares
Putin fails to commit peace talks with Zelensky after summit
19/08/25 07:00
The Kremlin branded a 40-minute phone call between President Trump and Putin on Monday as 'frank' and only 'fairly constructive'.
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Is this the hot mic moment that gives away what REALLY happened at White House summit? Fears Putin will pull out of Ukraine talks as Trump commits to US security guarantees
19/08/25 01:22
The Kremlin branded a 40-minute phone call between President Trump and Putin on Monday as 'frank' and only 'fairly constructive'.
Zelensky declares he's 'ready' to sit down for face-to-face peace talks with Putin as Trump refuses to rule out boots on the ground - as US President convenes historic Oval Office love-in with united European leaders
18/08/25 06:13
The meeting was a complete contrast to the Oval Office bust up in February, with the US President praising Mr Zelensky for his military-style suit - agreeing he looks 'fabulous'.
'Gag' on top brass after RAF chief's claims that UK could not fend off Russian onslaught in the event of war
09/08/25 11:58
Earlier this summer there were complaints of 'unprecedented' interference by Downing Street to ensure that key announcements were made by politicians, not military figures.
- 268 comments
- 56 shares
US envoy's fury at Starmer over Gaza
08/08/25 08:17
After the Prime Minister warned Israel's latest escalation would 'only bring more bloodshed', Mike Huckabee likened the country's situation to Britain in World War Two.
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US envoy's fury at Starmer over Gaza: PM attacked after warning Israel's escalation would 'only bring more bloodshed' - as Gazans are given October 7 deadline to evacuate
08/08/25 07:56
After the Prime Minister warned Israel's latest escalation would 'only bring more bloodshed', Mike Huckabee likened the country's situation to Britain in World War Two.
Donald Trump says Putin does not have to meet Zelensky for US-Russia summit to go ahead
07/08/25 11:22
Donald Trump last night dismissed the idea that a US-Russia summit will only happen if Vladimir Putin meets Ukraine's president.
Experts: Russia has adopted Chinese tactics to destabilise Britain
06/08/25 05:25
Russia has adopted Chinese tactics to destabilise Britain, experts have warned.
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Russia using Chinese tactics against Britain by attacking computer systems, deep sea cables and spreading disinformation, experts warn
06/08/25 04:54
Russia has adopted Chinese tactics to destabilise Britain, experts have warned.
- 159 comments
- 19 shares
Veterans hail temporary reprieve on Northern Ireland 'lawfare' as Labour legislation bid stalls
28/07/25 10:19
Aided by this newspaper's Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign, nearly 200,000 members of the public have so far backed a bid to ensure soldiers are not exposed to a witch-hunt.
- 88 comments
- 17 shares
Charities accuse Israel of 'mass starvation' amid aid blockade
24/07/25 10:30
Harrowing scenes among crowds at aid points have shown desperate women and children pleading for food while photos inside hospitals have revealed starving babies and children.
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Israel is accused of 'mass starvation' as 100 charities blast aid blockade: At least ten people 'die of malnutrition' in 24 hours
23/07/25 09:34
Harrowing scenes among crowds at aid points have shown desperate women and children pleading for food while photos inside hospitals have revealed starving babies and children.
Thousands of Army soldiers may be suffering brain damage from blast of own weapons
23/07/25 06:50
Defence chiefs have confirmed for the first time that machineguns and anti-tank weapons emit harmful blast waves which can cause traumatic injuries. Explosions create a wave of 'overpressure'.
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Afghan soldiers affected by data leak could receive £20k compensation
21/07/25 01:41
Al Carns staged talks with former Special Forces soldiers (pictured, file photo) on Saturday before formal negotiations around payouts begin.
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Afghan troops whose personal details were leaked may be in line for a £20,000 payout, sources say
20/07/25 10:14
Al Carns staged talks with former Special Forces soldiers (pictured, file photo) on Saturday before formal negotiations around payouts begin.
- 191 comments
- 12 shares
Armed Forces minister at time of Afghan data leak admits he and other officials 'let the country down badly'
17/07/25 11:47
James Heappey's rare mea culpa came after other ministers sought to distance themselves from the catalogue of errors and failures to inform Parliament about what went wrong.
- 187 comments
- 14 shares
Personal details of UK special forces included in Afghan data breach
17/07/25 05:56
So that's why ministers wanted to hush it up: secret database the Government lost contained details of more than 100 British operatives as well as the 18,800 Afghans, defence sources revealed
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UK special forces, MI6 spies and British MPs were on Afghan database that was lost by Government that obtained super-injunction to hush up the scandal
17/07/25 04:48
So that's why ministers wanted to hush it up: secret database the Government lost contained details of more than 100 British operatives as well as the 18,800 Afghans, defence sources revealed
- 1354 comments
- 161 shares
Thanks for saving us, now we'll sue you: Afghan data disaster takes bleakly predictable twist as ambulance-chasing lawyers cash in
16/07/25 09:14
Legal companies have begun signing up thousands of claimants who could, it is claimed, pocket up to £250,000 each in compensation.
Revealed after the Daily Mail's two-year battle against superinjunction, the Government's £7billion secret airlift as 18,500 Afghans are brought to Britain
15/07/25 11:00
Today after 23 months of being gagged, the Daily Mail can reveal the scheme to bring in thousands of Afghans, and how Parliament has been deliberately kept oblivious.
Special forces chiefs unite to demand an end to Labour's legal witch hunts against veterans
04/07/25 09:04
The heads of the UK's three most elite military units have said 'enough is enough' in an unprecedented move to stop legal witch hunts against veterans.
- 819 comments
- 120 shares
Married head of Royal Navy sacked after inquiry into affair with female colleague
02/07/25 04:29
Admiral Sir Ben Key had been suspended while claims of his relationship were investigated by senior officers.
- 666 comments
- 147 shares
MPs hail Mail's Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign to halt the hounding of Troubles veterans from witch hunts
30/06/25 10:35
Tory frontbencher Mark Francois said a parliamentary petition 'supported by the Mail' had more than 160,000 signatures, triggering a Commons debate on July 14.
- 70 comments
- 100 shares
Ex-royal aide blasts betrayal of SAS heroes - former Special Forces officer backs Mail's campaign to protect Northern Ireland veterans from legal witch hunts
27/06/25 09:03
Former royal aide and SAS officer Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, a godfather to Prince George, has joined the call for an end to so-called lawfare that dates back to the Troubles.
- 381 comments
- 38 shares
The 'useful idiots' in the Prime Minister's ranks who blew up the law to prevent the hounding of veterans
26/06/25 11:25
Johnny Mercer, the architect of the Legacy Act, took aim at the former troops who have left Northern Ireland veterans exposed. It comes as former SAS soldiers face possible murder charges.
- 196 comments
- 250 shares
Stop Labour's betrayal of our SAS heroes: Ex-Special Forces chiefs and MPs demand veterans who battled IRA are protected from prosecution
25/06/25 11:50
SAS veterans are being hounded with the threat of prosecution decades after their service thanks to a shameful betrayal by Labour.
- 1997 comments
- 567 shares
Leavitt blasts leaked report claiming US strikes on Iran failed
25/06/25 09:00
The 'top secret' report suggested that Tehran's stockpile of enriched uranium remained intact after the bombing - with the damage mainly confined to aboveground structures.
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US strikes 'did not destroy Iran's nuclear programme': White House rages after 'top secret' doc is leaked as Israel AND Iran claim victory
25/06/25 12:57
The 'top secret' report suggested that Tehran's stockpile of enriched uranium remained intact after the bombing - with the damage mainly confined to aboveground structures.
Explosions ring out across the Middle East as clock ticks down to 'complete ceasefire' announced by Trump: Blasts hit from Israel to Iraq - and Iran's Foreign Minister DENIES any deal has been done
24/06/25 01:04
As explosions rock cities across the Middle East, the region is waiting with bated breath for the 'complete ceasefire' that Donald Trump has promised Israel and Iran will announce today
Labour STILL can't bring themselves to back Donald Trump's strikes after Iran retaliated by launching missile barrage at US airbase in Qatar
23/06/25 11:31
As Tehran launched revenge attacks on US bases in the Middle East, the Prime Minister was last night accused of a 'lack of moral clarity' as he refused to take sides in the deepening conflict.
What we know about Operation Midnight Hammer
23/06/25 01:43
Assembled were nine of the most expensive and advanced aircraft in the world, the B-2 Stealth Bomber, eerily futuristic in appearance and destined to reshape the Middle East.
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Russia warns Trump has opened 'Pandora's box' with strike on Iran
23/06/25 10:15
Trump said the audacious attack by a squadron of stealth bombers in the early hours of yesterday had 'taken the bomb right out of [Tehran's] hands'.
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Putin vows to back Iran and condemns 'groundless, unprovoked aggression' following US strikes on nuclear facilities
23/06/25 10:04
Putin made the comments at the start of Kremlin talks and said Russia was ready to help the Iranian people.
Russia warns Trump he has opened 'Pandora's box' with strike on Iran as regime holds talks in Moscow and fears grow that the West will now face terror backlash
22/06/25 11:49
Trump said the audacious attack by a squadron of stealth bombers in the early hours of yesterday had 'taken the bomb right out of [Tehran's] hands'.
How Operation 'Midnight Hammer' fell: Mission was built on deception and surprise... with not a shot fired back
22/06/25 10:53
Assembled were nine of the most expensive and advanced aircraft in the world, the B-2 Stealth Bomber, eerily futuristic in appearance and destined to reshape the Middle East.
Defiant Iran declares nuclear material 'safe' amid tensions
20/06/25 08:00
'Israel hit Natanz, Isfahan, Khandab, and Arak but they were already evacuated', Iranian commander Mohsen Rezaei said on Thursday.
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Defiant Iran boasts all its nuclear material is 'in a safe place' after Trump dramatically backed down on war
20/06/25 12:04
'Israel hit Natanz, Isfahan, Khandab, and Arak but they were already evacuated', Iranian commander Mohsen Rezaei said on Thursday.
UK Attorney General accused of 'blocking' Britain from defending Israel against Iran strikes
18/06/25 11:10
Despite the UK previously coming to the aid of its ally, Lord Hermer is said to have warned against intervention in the latest conflict, which began on Friday with Israel bombing its long-time enemy.
- 515 comments
- 11 shares
Trump weighs Iran attack amid carrier group deployment
18/06/25 10:20
The might of the world's foremost military superpower was bearing down on Iran last night - an armada of American ships and aircraft that could reduce the country to rubble.
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How America is amassing its might against Iran as aircraft carrier 'strike groups' and fighter squadrons zero in on the region
17/06/25 11:06
The might of the world's foremost military superpower was bearing down on Iran last night - an armada of American ships and aircraft that could reduce the country to rubble.
- 95 comments
- 16 shares
US poised to join Iran war: America amasses armada of warships and fleets of fighter jets in the Middle East as Trump warns Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei 'we know where you're hiding'
17/06/25 10:36
At least 224 people have been killed in Iran since Israel began its bombing campaign last week in an attempt to stop the regime from producing a nuclear weapon.
Iran's threat to the UK: How Tehran could decide to launch attacks on British soil as its conflict with Israel rages
16/06/25 12:31
EXCLUSIVE: The Islamic Republic has threatened to attack, US, UK and French military forces if they help Israel block missiles and drones retaliation for Friday's attack on its nuclear programme.
British Army troops could be deployed to bolster RAF base near Israel as Middle East conflict explodes and Iran threatens UK
15/06/25 07:02
The potential move appears increasing likely tonight as Israel (pictured) steps up its bombardment of Iran and assassinates two of the country's intelligence chiefs.
Israel's blitz was years in the planning: Mossad agents smuggled drones into Iran desert, army chiefs and nuclear scientists were killed and Tehran's radar and missile bases eliminated in most devastating attack on Iranian soil for nearly half a century
14/06/25 12:14
It was a perfect fusion of high-grade conventional capabilities, human ingenuity and the latest advances in military technologies.
Trump accused of 'lobbing grenade' into US-UK security pact as president orders review of nuclear sub deal intended to tackle Chinese aggression
12/06/25 02:22
The president has ordered officials to look into Aukus, which was signed by his predecessor Joe Biden and is intended to secure the Pacific against Chinese aggression.
- 324 comments
- 3 shares
Fears Trump could sink US-UK nuclear subs deal after President ordered review into pact intended to secure the Pacific against Chinese aggression
11/06/25 11:20
Uk plans to build up to 12 submarines have been thrown into doubt after the US defence department announced a review to ensure Aukus meets the President's 'America First' agenda.
- 5 comments
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SAS soldiers dramatically cleared of murdering Syria jihadist in battle after two-year legal nightmare
10/06/25 07:00
After a two-year legal nightmare, the elite troops have been told they will not face a court martial over the death of an Islamic terrorist.
- 403 comments
- 370 shares
Bungling police spark military base alert as they wrongly issue warnings of 'Lee Rigby-style' threat to British paratroopers
06/06/25 01:15
Thousands of Army troops and their families were alerted to a 'Lee Rigby-style' threat at their base after an administrative error by police.
- 933 comments
- 131 shares
Russian ambassador blames UK for Ukrainian drone attack
05/06/25 08:37
As many as 40 Russian aircraft at five separate bases were destroyed by Ukraine as part of the covert Operation Spiderweb launched on Sunday.
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Russia's ambassador to the UK blames BRITAIN for Ukraine's attack on its airfields that saw 40 planes destroyed - saying WE risk WWIII
05/06/25 08:17
The Kremlin turned its sights on Britain on Thursday with its ambassador Andrei Kelin insisting the UK military's advanced technology helped Ukraine to hit targets inside Russia.
Labour's 'war-ready' plans will be blown apart by Nato's demand for 3.5% spending on defence and cause £40billion funding shortfall... and tax hikes might be the only way to plug the gap
03/06/25 10:52
Voters were warned last night to brace for further tax rises after Nato spending demands blew a £40billion hole in Labour's plans.
Crucial defence review warns Britain's Armed Forces aren't ready to fight a war against a foe with similar capabilities in stark assessment of UK's military prowess
02/06/25 10:09
Britain's Armed Forces aren't ready to fight a war against a military with similar capabilities, the authors of Britain's Strategic Defence Review have warned.
- 94 comments
- 9 shares

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