The Express Tribune Newsletter: June 5, 2012

Today's Headlines

Pakistan condemns 'illegal' US drone strikes

Reuters

Pakistan, on Monday, strongly condemned a jump in US drone strikes on its territory, as a deadlock between the two strategic allies over the attacks remains unresolved.

US apology needed to open Nato supply routes: Khar



AFP

The United States should apologize for an air raid that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers if it wants Pakistan to reopen key supply routes into Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said in an interview published Monday.

National Assembly session: PML-N ready for talks on interim setup if PM resigns



Zia Khan

In an apparent change of heart, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has formally offered talks to the government on a caretaker setup for holding parliamentary elections later this year – but on one condition: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani should resign first.

Pakistan test-fires Hatf-VII Babur missile

Web Desk

Pakistan conducted a successful test fire of the multi tube, indigenously developed cruise missile Hatf-VII Babur having a range of     700km, a statement issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Business

All-out help: Iran offers to finance entire gas pipeline

Zafar Bhutta

With no country or company willing to take part in a project that the US opposes, Tehran has offered to lay the entire Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project.

Despite corruption probe, PSO officers promoted

Our Correspondent

Some members of Pakistan State Oil (PSO)'s board of management have labelled the large-scale promotions made in the company a few months ago a violation of the principles of merit and pointed out that some promoted officers are even facing corruption cases.

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Sports

Sri Lanka v Pakistan: Professor gets mixed feedback

Fawad Hussain

Former coach and chief selector Mohsin Khan has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to be 'more consistent' when it comes to the appointment of a captain after the team drew the two-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan Champions League: Latif hopes event puts the message across

Nabeel Hashmi

Former national captain Rashid Latif said that the successful staging of the 2nd Pakistan Champions League (PCL), which concluded on Saturday, has served as a timely reminder to the international cricket fraternity that the country is safe and ready to host international matches.

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Life & Style

Cecil Chaudhry: A trip worth taking

Sher Khan

In the underground rock world, Babar Khan was an emphatic figure. Unwilling to compromise and trying to fit in the thriving pop music scene of the 90s, he set out on his own path to create a 'mini-revolution' for young rock musicians in Lahore. His efforts brought out some of the most well known performers for live music in Pakistan.

Jewellery trends: All that glitters...

Our Correspondent

With the shaadi season already knocking at our doors, The Express Tribune decided to take stock of what leading jewellery designers in the country have to say about the jewellery designs to don this season. Here's a guide to staying in trend even with the soaring gold prices.

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Sri Lanka v Pakistan: Professor gets mixed feedback




KARACHI: 

Former coach and chief selector Mohsin Khan has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to be 'more consistent' when it comes to the appointment of a captain after the team drew the two-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.



Pakistan lost the opening match with a number of tactics by newly appointed Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez questioned. However, the tourists bounced back in the second game and Mohsin felt that Hafeez should be given a longer run to let him settle into the new role.


"There was no need to remove Misbahul Haq [from captaincy] with the World Twenty20 so close," Mohsin told The Pak Sar Zameen. "But if his removal was inevitable, then Shahid Afridi was the best choice as he is vastly experienced. However, if Hafeez has been handed the responsibility then he should be given the job until the World Twenty20.


"Hafeez looked very confused and that affected his individual performance. When you hand captaincy to someone for just two games, something like this is bound to happen."


Mohsin added that confidence should be instilled in the leader with the mega event in September in mind.


"The PCB should name the captain immediately and if it wants a change, the decision should be taken now. But I believe Hafeez should continue."


Meanwhile, the former opener added that the revamped batting order failed to live up to the requirements.


"We sent a debutant [Shakeel Ansar] at number three in the presence of experienced players and in the next match he did not get to bat. Such flaws do not only affect the team's performance but also damage a new player's confidence."


Afridi still the best choice: Salahuddin


Meanwhile, former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed termed the overall performance satisfactory but called for changes ahead of the World Twenty20.


"It wasn't an extraordinary performance and we need a lot of hard work, we have to improve our middle-order batting," said Sallu before giving a thumbs down to Hafeez's captaincy.  "He made many mistakes. Sending a debutant [Ansar] early was a big mistake and he did not use Afridi properly in the first match.


"Hafeez is a good cricketer but he's not ready for captaincy. Since the World Twenty20 is close, Afridi who is a proven captain, should be handed the job now."


Give Hafeez time: Basit


However, former cricketer Basit Ali said that there was a lot to learn from the series, while some players came through with a good performance.


"[Mohammad] Sami and Sohail Tanvir were impressive. But choosing Ansar over Kamran Akmal is a mistake. It is very hard for a tall wicket-keeper to do well."


However, Basit added Hafeez should be given more time to adjust. "It is a changed set-up with a new coach and captain. We shouldn't expect too much and should support the new captain as overall the results are satisfactory."


Basit Ali


"It's a changed set-up with a new coach and a new captain. We shouldn't expect too much and should support the new captain as the results overall have been satisfactory."


 Salahuddin Ahmed


"Hafeez did not use Afridi properly in the first match. He's a good cricketer but he's not ready for captaincy. Since the World Twenty20 is close, Afridi should be handed the job."


Tanvir retained for ODIs


Pakistan have added Sohail Tanvir to their One-Day International squad after the left-arm paceman excelled in the Twenty20s. The 27-year-old fast-bowler failed to make the cut earlier but was included at the request of the team management after being named man of the series in the two Twenty20s. Tanvir replaces opener Nasir Jamshed who was earlier ruled out due to injury.


Published in The Pak Sar Zameen, June 5th, 2012.






Orignal From: Sri Lanka v Pakistan: Professor gets mixed feedback

Pakistan Champions League: Latif hopes event puts the message across




KARACHI: Former national captain Rashid Latif said that the successful staging of the 2nd Pakistan Champions League (PCL), which concluded on Saturday, has served as a timely reminder to the international cricket fraternity that the country is safe and ready to host international matches.


Pakistan has been deprived of top-flight international cricket since a gun attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009. Since then, attempts have been made to invite teams but efforts have gone in vain. However, Latif felt that staging the PCL will be a good omen in reviving top-flight international cricket.


"Dozens of matches were played in Karachi across 11 days and not a single incident of security lapse was reported," Latif told The Pak Sar Zameen. "This is an answer to all those critics and lobbies who say that Pakistan is not safe for international sporting events. Our aim was to help Pakistan's cause of bringing international cricket and reviving club cricket. Both purposes have been served successfully."


The 43-year-old, the man behind the event, added that the foreign sides were satisfied with arrangements and expressed their desire to visit Pakistan again.


"The nation has suffered a lot and now it's time that international teams open their hearts and come to Pakistan. If fool-proof security was provided for a club-level competition, there is no reason why we can't go one step further for protection of international teams. This country has a huge fan base and it's time that the International Cricket Council helped us.


"Nearly 25,000 turned out to watch the final while several didn't get a chance to enter the stadium."


Latif added that the PCL will be arranged on a bigger scale next time. The former wicket-keeper also advised the PCB to give Fata the status of a cricketing region.


'PCL has given me new recognition'


Meanwhile, PCL champions Al-Noor Gymkhana's opener Ejaz Shah, a prolific tape-ball batsman of Karachi for Nazimabad Kids, said that the tournament has given him a new identity.


"The PCL made it happen as my quick-fire 81 in the semi-final brought me into the limelight," said Shah. "Very few people knew me before but after playing in front of a television audience, I've become a household name and that's pleasing. Now the aim is to play for Karachi in the domestic T20 tournament."


Published in The Pak Sar Zameen, June 5th, 2012.






Orignal From: Pakistan Champions League: Latif hopes event puts the message across

Dunya TV

Dunya TV


20 militants killed during attack on Salala check post

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to sources, militants attacked Salala check post in Mohmand Agency on Tuesday morning with heavy weapons. A security official was martyred and three others were injured in the attack.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The security forces returned the attack and killed 20 militants and wounded 25 others while the remaing managed to escape. <br />&nbsp;</p>


Karachi: 11 held during Rangers targeted operation

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rangers conducted targeted operation in different parts of Lyari on Monday night and arrested 11 suspects. According to the sources, the operation was launched on information that Lyari war gang accused were present in the area.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Arms were also recovered from the arrested persons. Meanwhile, some unidentified persons threw a dead body in Kalary area of Lyari soon after the Rangers left the area. The identy of the deceased is not yet known.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Governors Cup All Pakistan Boxing Cship begins

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Teams from Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Rangers and four provinces are taking part in the Governor&rsquo;s Cup All Pakistan Boxing Championship which started at the Lala Aman Sports Complex in Qayyum Stadium Peshawar.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Provincial Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah inaugurated the four-day championship. At least 15 bouts were held different weight categories on the opening day of the championship.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Cycling: Evans wins Dauphine first stage

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Tour de France champion Cadel Evans of Australia won a sprint finish to claim the first stage of the Dauphine Libere race here on Monday, as Britain&nbsp;s Bradley Wiggins took the overall leader&nbsp;s jersey.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>BMC rider Evans, 35, outsprinted France&nbsp;s Jerome Coppel and Kazakh Andrey Kashechkin over the final 4km in the 187km stage, with Luxembourg&nbsp;s Andy Schleck falling off on the final climb to finish three minutes off the pace.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Spain&nbsp;s 2008 Olympic road race champion Samuel Sanchez sustained a heavy fall but was able to continue riding, in what is a key warm-up race for the Tour de France.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The 34-year-old, who was on Friday named in the Spanish team for the London Olympics, came down in a mass crash 47km into the first stage from Seyssins.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sky&nbsp;s Wiggins leads Evans by one second in the overall standings in the race, which saw Australia&nbsp;s Luke Durbridge prevail in Sunday&nbsp;s prologue.<br />Tuesday&nbsp;s second stage covers 160km from Lamastre to Saint-Felicien in the Ardennes.<br />&nbsp;</p>


CNG Association protests against gas development surcharge

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Chairman CNG Association, Ghayas Paracha said that their demands were not met and gas development surcharge has been made part of the finance bill.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He said that the CNG pump owners have started protest on the call of the association and the CNG stations in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sahiwal and Multan, which were scheduled to provide gas from Wednesday after three-day loadshedding, will remain shut indefinitely. <br />&nbsp;</p>


PM for providing jobs to 35,000 Baloch youth

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday appreciated efforts of Pakistan Navy to expeditiously bring Baloch people in national mainstream by providing them opportunities of social and economic progress.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Speaking on the occasion of foundation stone laying ceremony of Ormara Cadet College here, the Prime Minister said the government will fully support such initiatives of Pakistan Navy, which are according to its priorities. He said &ldquo;Education for All and Everywhere&rdquo; is the basic priority of his government.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Memo commission sends final report to SC

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Briefing journalists on the completion of the commission&nbsp;s probe, Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Eesa, the chairman of the commission, thanked the Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq, Deputy Attorney General Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri and other state institutions for facilitating the panel&nbsp;s proceedings.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The three-judge commission, headed by Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Eesa, was formed by the Supreme Court in December last year to probe the alleged memo. The commission first meeting was held on January 22, 2012.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Saudi Attach torture: ASF refuses to handover accused

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to the sources, police have contacted Ministry of Defence in this regard and wrote a letter to ministry.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The police sources said that raids would be conducted if cooperation was not extended to arrest the accused. Police said all the officials, including shift in charge, present on duty on the day of incident were nominated in the case.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Qazi elected president of Milli Yakjehti Council

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Former Amir Jamaat-e-Islmai Qazi Hussain Ahmed has been elected President Milli Yakjehti Council (MYC) and former deputy secretary general of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Hafiz Hussain Ahmed has been elected Secretary General of the Council through consensus.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For the improvement of Islamic solidarity and cooperation, literary and research work, solution of disputes, and forcing the government for the implementation of the Islamic Ideology Council recommendations four separate commissions have been set up by the council. Four members of each from all the religious parties would be included in the commission; meanwhile the general council has also been announced. The members of the council will include the leaders of Islamic parties, responsible of big seminaries, Sajjada Nasheens of Mazaars and well known Ulema.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The leaders of the religious parties and two representatives of these parties will be included in the council; meanwhile the newly elected president of the Milli Yakjehti Council has been given the responsibility of contacting with other parties.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>During the meeting it was said that for the implementation of the Islamic laws the achievement of implementation power is necessary, adding that most of the population of the country is attacked with the religious seminaries and Dargahs, adding that this force should be united for the achievement of the goals of the creation of Pakistan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The meeting of the Milli Yakjehti Council was held under the Chairmanship of Qazi Hussain Ahmed at the Al-Falah Hall in Islamabad and it was attended by representatives of more than 19 religious parties and leaders of different sects including Islami Tehreek President Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi and JI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch; meanwhile it was decided that beside the big religious parties all sub-organizations of religious parties and prominent Ulema in the Council.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It was decided in the meeting that for the legislation under the recommendations of the Islamic Ideology Council the practical struggle would be started; meanwhile the committee for the creation of harmony in different sects has been set up. The meeting also approved the 17 point code of ethics. <br />&nbsp;</p>


US terms drone strikes classified operations

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The US State Department, responding to a question on Monday regarding Pakistani Foreign Office&nbsp;s demand that the drone strikes should be discontinued forthwith, has declined to comment on the subject terming it an &quot;intelligence matter&quot;.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;I can&rsquo;t talk specifically about classified operations,&quot; said Mark Toner, deputy spokesperson of the US State Department in a briefing. He, however, hinted between the lines without using the exact words that drones were part of the American administration&nbsp;s fight against Al Qaeda in Pakistan and there was still no chance that these operations would be stopped.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;Speaking more broadly to your point, as we&rsquo;ve said many times, we share a common interest with Pakistan when it comes to going after Al Qaeda, and then seeing a stable Pakistan emerge in the region. As we&rsquo;ve said many times, Pakistan faces a strong core threat from these extremist groups, and we&rsquo;re committed to cooperating with them in counter-terrorism&quot;, he stated.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He also refused to confirm reports that senior al-Qaida operative, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was taken out in the drone strike carried out in North Waziristan, in Pakistan&nbsp;s tribal areas. &quot;No. I really can&rsquo;t. I can&rsquo;t confirm that,&quot; he quipped.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On the ongoing negotiations for reopening of NATO supply routes in Pakistan, he said that there was not much headway on this issue. He, however, informed that the US Deputy Secretary of State, Thomas Nides, in cooperation with the Department of Defense, did speak with Pakistan&rsquo;s Finance Minister, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh over the weekend on this issue.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;He once again made our case on why we believe it&rsquo;s in everyone&rsquo;s interest to reopen these lines of communication, and we&rsquo;re going to continue to make that at various levels, that case,&quot; the deputy spokesman said. He, however, disagreed that the discussion with the Pakistani Finance Minister was about the financial demands made by the country for reopening g-locks.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;We do, obviously, continue to talk to the Pakistani government. This is a government-to-government conversation, and it&rsquo;s an issue at which we&rsquo;re engaging the Pakistanis on, as I just said, at a variety of levels,&quot; he stressed. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;This is a point that we&rsquo;re making, an argument that we&rsquo;re making at every level &ndash; the importance of reopening these lines of communication,&quot; he added.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>When asked whether the US administration had got any clarification from Pakistan on Dr. Shakeel Afridi case, he said &quot;we have not yet received any updates.&rdquo; </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;Our position&rsquo;s been very clear that we don&rsquo;t think there were ever any grounds to hold him, much less convict him of any wrongdoing,&quot; he reiterated the stance voiced by several US officials earlier as well. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>When asked to elaborate on the position of US administration, he explained &quot;there was this weird reversal, if you will, last week on which they said, in fact, he was tried &ndash; and again, I&rsquo;m going just off of news reports &ndash; because of his ties to the Pakistani Taliban. And we&rsquo;ve yet to receive from the government, to my understanding or to my knowledge, a clear explanation of that shift.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The State Department&nbsp;s deputy spokesman was also asked about another case in Pakistan where a court acquitted four alleged accomplices of Faisal Shahzad, New York&nbsp;s Times Square bombing accused. &quot;I did see that court decision from the weekend. I don&rsquo;t have a lot to say. I mean, obviously, we want to see the Pakistani Government pursue prosecution in these kinds of cases. But obviously, it was a legal process that took place and a legal decision or a court decision was made,&quot; he dilated.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>When asked whether the US saw any resemblance between this acquittal and Dr Afridi case as a signal from Pakistan to the US, he firmly said that this was not the case. &quot;It&rsquo;s our understanding that the case proceeded according to Pakistani law,&quot; he remarked while referring to the acquittal of Faisal Shahzad&nbsp;s accomplices.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;This is a case where the Government of Pakistan brought these individuals to trial for their complicity in this case. There was a trial that took place. Unfortunately, they didn&rsquo;t win that trial, but we think it&rsquo;s important that they did pursue justice,&quot; he went on to explain further.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mark Toner also expressed ignorance about detention of US diplomats in Peshawar with a large number of weapons in their vehicle. &quot;I&rsquo;ll take the question. I don&rsquo;t have any update or information,&quot; he observed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC<br />&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan steadfast over Kashmirs principled stance: Khar

Posted:

<p><br />Talking to AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed here on Monday, she stressed for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people.</p><p><br />She also said that Pakistan had already initiated its comprehensive dialogue regarding the core issue with India, as Pakistan believed that a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir could guarantee regional harmony and peace.</p><p><br />She briefed the AJK Prime Minister regarding the comprehensive peace dialogue with India, over which he expressed his complete satisfaction.</p><p><br />Meanwhile, Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, who embarked on a 7-day tour of UK, also discussed the core issue of Kashmir, overall economic situation of Pakistan, and agenda for his UK tour.</p><p><br />He also briefed the foreign minister regarding the development projects, and over all situation of AJK.</p>


Pakistan steadfast over Kashmirs principled stance: Khar

Posted:

<p><br />Talking to AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed here on Monday, she stressed for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people.</p><p><br />She also said that Pakistan had already initiated its comprehensive dialogue regarding the core issue with India, as Pakistan believed that a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir could guarantee regional harmony and peace.</p><p><br />She briefed the AJK Prime Minister regarding the comprehensive peace dialogue with India, over which he expressed his complete satisfaction.</p><p><br />Meanwhile, Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, who embarked on a 7-day tour of UK, also discussed the core issue of Kashmir, overall economic situation of Pakistan, and agenda for his UK tour.</p><p><br />He also briefed the foreign minister regarding the development projects, and over all situation of AJK.</p>


KSE sheds 119 points, closes at 13,757.91

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>It has undermined investor confidence despite the market&nbsp;s positive reaction to Pakistan&nbsp;s budget announcement on Friday, dealers said.</p><p><br />The KSE&nbsp;s benchmark 100-share index dropped 0.86 percent, or 119.06 points, to close at 13,757.91 points on volume of 71.87million shares, compared with Friday&nbsp;s close of 13,876.97.</p><p><br />&quot;Tumbling global stocks outweighed ... positive budgetary measures,&quot; said a dealer at Topline Securities.</p><p><br />&quot;Investors preferred to sell stocks amid fear that if regional markets continue to fall, then foreign (investors) may sell in the Pakistan market also.&quot;</p><p><br />The government announced its budget for the 2012/13 fiscal year on Friday, with an outlay of 3.2 trillion rupees, up 15.8percent from last year.</p><p><br />According to budget documents, state resources for FY 12/13are estimated at 2.719 trillion rupees, with tax collection at 1.775 trillion rupees.</p><p><br />Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, however, had mentioned the outlay in his Friday speech as 2.96 trillion rupees.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>


Local bodies system document be finalised: Zardari

Posted:

<p><br />The system should be true representative of the aspirations of the people, said the President.</p><p><br />Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan called on President Zardari at Bilawal House in Karachi and discussed law and order situation in Sindh particularly in Karachi.</p><p><br />President Asif Ali Zardari directed that allied parties should give final shape to the documents of local bodies system. He said that government should take action against criminal-minded elements without any discrimination for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the hub of economy.</p><p><br />He also emphasised that special task force should be formed in order to monitor the haphazard incidents.</p><p><br />He said that law enforcement agencies and institutes should unanimously prepare a line of action.</p><p><br />He said the budget of the province should also be representative of people&rsquo;s aspirations. President also ordered to do possible arrangements for recovery of hostages. <br />&nbsp;</p>


Cucumber an antidote to dehydration

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>With continuous sweat running down your skin, it is important to keep your body hydrated to avoid falling ill.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So go ahead, indulge and relish cucumber- the superfood this summer as much as you want, to keep heat at bay.</p><p><br />Here are the benefits of cucumber:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The peel of Cucumber is a good source of dietary fiber that fights against constipation and keeps colon cancers at bay to some extent.</p><p><br />It helps reduce blood pressure and heart rates and acts as a wonder food to check weight loss.</p><p><br />Cucumbers act as quick pick-me-up agents thereby providing you the necessary energy after you come back home from that scorching heat.</p><p><br />Have that terrible headache? Eat cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up headache free.</p><p><br />They also act as quick breath fresheners.</p><p><br />&nbsp;</p>


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