Monday, 30 November 2020
ISLAMABAD, NOV 30 – Allama Iqbal Open University has uploaded assignments submission schedule for the programs offered in autumn 2020 semester including matriculation, FA and I Com on its website (www.aiou.edu.pk).
According to the schedule assignment submission deadline for the submission of 1st assignment of all full credit courses of matriculation, FA and I Com is 30 November while the deadline for the submission of 2nd assignment is December 20. However, the students who are unable to submit 1st assignment by the deadline are allowed to submit it along with the 2nd assignment on or before December 20.
The deadline for the submission of 3rd and 4rth assignment is January 20 and February 20, 2021 respectively. Moreover, submission deadline for 1st and 2nd assignment of half credit courses of these programs is December 20 and February 20, 2021 respectively.
It is pertinent to mention here that the university has completed the process of admission confirmation of these programs and the candidates may verify their candidature from the website (www.aiou.edu.pk).
Books have already been dispatched to the students of these programs while the study period is from November 2020 to February 2021. Students are advised to study regularly and complete all their academic activities within the stipulated time period.
Moreover, they must follow the deadlines of assignments submission to avoid any future inconvenience. It is further communicated that the university has uploaded assignment marks of the students enrolled in FA program of spring 2020 semester.
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Between November 30, 05:00 - November 30, 20:00, moderate snowfalls are announced in southern and eastern Muntenia and most of Dobrogea.
The affected counties are Teleorman, Giurgiu, Călăraşi, Ialomiţa, Brăila, Constanţa, Tulcea, and the Capital is added to them.
Gradually the snow will predominate and a layer of snow will be deposited, meteorologists transmit.
The precipitation amounts will exceed, on restricted areas 15… 20 l / sqm. Towards evening, the snow area will be restricted to Dobrogea, where the wind will temporarily have some intensifications, with speeds of 40… 45 km / h, sometimes blowing snow.
"Light rainfall, in the form of snow, will be reported in southeastern Oltenia, southern Moldova and the rest of Muntenia.
There will be mixed precipitation on the coast, and on Monday to Tuesday night snow will predominate. The weather will remain particularly cold in the first part of the week, especially during the nights and mornings ", announces ANM.
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COURTESY universul.net
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Sunday, 29 November 2020
The students agreed that they will enhance mutual understanding between the people of the two countries with their practical actions in the future study and life, so as to make people-to-people friendship between China and Pakistan even closer
BEIJING, NOV 29 - To enhance and develop China-Pakistan friendship between people of the two countries and enrich their amateur cultural life, Sichuan Normal University held a symposium on Pakistani film ‘Parwaaz Hai Junoon.
It
facilitated Pakistan students to watch the movie. The tutor of Pakistani
students and some researchers of Pakistan Study Center of the University
participated in the activity.
In addition, a Faculty member from Pakistan Study Center of Sichuan University was also invited to take part in the activity.
During watching the film in the cinema, all the Pakistani students were proud of the beauty of Pakistan presented in the film, and they were also delighted to share the beautiful connotation of Pakistani culture with the Chinese audience.
In the symposium on reflections on watching the film, combined with the content of the film, the students exchanged their sincere feelings for their motherland Pakistan and their nostalgia for their own nation and family parents.
The students also discussed the connotation and significance of people-to-people exchanges between China and Pakistan based on the plot of the film.
In combination with the scenes of the film, the students also talked about their understanding and feelings of the chengdu culture and their special and friendly feelings towards the Chinese people from a cross-cultural perspective.
The students agreed that they will enhance mutual understanding between the people of the two countries with their practical actions in the future study and life, so as to make people-to-people friendship between China and Pakistan even closer.
The movie tells the story of the Pakistani youth pilot passed through the difficult military quality and flying skills training, thus transformed into excellent, patriotic and dedicated air force pilots growth experience and psychological process.
It motivates youth having persistent desire to focus on the dedication to work, the patriotic enthusiasm of national emotion and pride. It also shows the Pakistani young people straight up the spirit of good quality, the pursuit of a better life.
The movie also provides an opportunity to the Chinese viewers to witness the Pakistani beautiful earth mountains and rivers, and rich cultural connotation, said the University’s sources.
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TEHRAN, NOV 29 - Iran will give a “calculated and decisive” response to the killing of its top nuclear scientist, said a top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, while a hardline newspaper suggested Tehran’s revenge should include striking the Israeli city of Haifa.
“Undoubtedly, Iran will give a calculated and decisive answer to the criminals who took Martyr Mohsen Fakhrizadeh from the Iranian nation,” Kamal Kharrazi, who is also head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, said in a statement.
Fakhrizadeh, long suspected by Western and Israeli government of masterminding a secret nuclear weapons programme, was ambushed on a highway near Tehran on Friday and gunned down in his car.
Iran’s clerical and military rulers have blamed the Islamic Republic’s longtime enemy, Israel, for the killing. Iran has in the past accused Israel of killing several Iranian nuclear scientists since 2010.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has declined to comment on the killing. An Israeli cabinet minister, Tzachi Hanegbi, said on Saturday he did not know who carried it out.
Iranian hardline media called on Sunday for tough revenge.
The hardline Kayhan daily, whose editor-in-chief is appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called for an attack on the Israeli port city of Haifa, if an Israeli role in Fakhrizadeh’s killing is proven.
“The attack should be carried out in such a way that in addition to destroying the facilities, it should also cause heavy human casualties,” wrote Saadollah Zarei in an opinion piece.
However, Iran’s rulers are aware of daunting military and political difficulties of attacking Israel. Such an attack would also complicate any effort by United States President-elect Joe Biden to revive detente with Tehran after he takes office on January 20.
Tensions have been high between Tehran and Washington since 2018, when President Donald Trump exited Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with six major powers and reimposed sanctions that have hit Iran’s economy hard. In retaliation, Tehran has gradually breached the deal’s curbs on its nuclear programme.
Biden has said he will return the US to the deal if Iran resumes compliance. Iran has always denied pursuing nuclear weapons.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
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OSLO, NOV 2020 – The National Association of Schools believes that the authorities’ recommendation that doesn’t recommend face masks at schools is outdated.
“More and more teachers feel scared, and want to use face masks during teaching… They must be allowed to do so,” acting union leader Terje Moen said.
As of today, both the National Institute of Public Health (FHI) and the Directorate of Education (Udir) recommend that no face masks are used in schools.
This applies to both pupils and employees in primary school, secondary school, and upper secondary school.
“Tired and scared”
The same applies to children and employees in kindergartens.
“More and more of our members report that they are tired and scared,” Moen added.
The National Association demands that teachers be granted the trust to decide on the use of face masks themselves, based on how they perceive their workplace situation.“National authorities must get this in place in the guidelines on infection control,” Terje Moen concluded.
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COURTESY NORWAYTODAY
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Australia registered a 51-run win over India in the second ODI in Sydney on Sunday. The hosts have an unassailable 2-0 advantage in the three-match series.
Former captain Steve Smith was the star performer on the day with a brilliant century and two flying outfield catches.
Smith tormented India with his second blistering hundred in as many matches as Australia posted another huge target, reaching 389-4 off 50 overs.
The Australians then restricted India to 338-9 from their 50 overs with Virat Kohli falling on 89 to a magnificent Moises Henriques catch when the master batsman was closing in on a century.
Smith followed up his 105 off 66 balls in Friday’s first ODI victory with an equally dominant 104 off 64 balls as the Indians couldn’t stem the runs on a slow-paced Sydney Cricket Ground pitch in searing conditions.
The total surpassed Australia’s 374 for six which set up Friday’s 66-run crushing win in the first ODI on the same ground and was the third-highest total scored against India.
It was India’s fifth consecutive ODI defeat — for the first time since January 2016 — with the tourists now bidding to prevent a series whitewash in Wednesday’s final game in Canberra.
But Australia’s win may have come at a cost, with David Warner injuring his groin in a fielding tumble and likely to be out for the next ODI — and possibly the following T20 series.
Australia’s top order made India pay after skipper Aaron Finch won his second toss of the series to subject the tourists to another afternoon of toil under a hot sun.
Warner hit 83 off 77 balls, Finch 60 off 69, Marnus Labuschagne 70 off 60 and Glenn Maxwell bludgeoned a crowd-pleasing unbeaten 63 from 29 balls.
Smith put on a batting clinic with a full array of quirky shot-making as he raced to triple figures, laced with 14 fours and two sixes.
He fell two balls later stretching for a wide slower delivery off Hardik Pandya and getting a thick edge to Mohammed Shami at third man.
Finch and Warner brought up their 12th century opening stand off 16 overs before Finch mistimed Shami and spooned a catch to Kohli via his pads.
Finch’s 60 came off 69 balls with the first wicket falling at 142, following the pair’s 156-run stand in the first ODI.
Warner chanced his luck on 83 but was run out by a brilliant direct throw from Shreyas Iyer at long-off.
India lost Shikhar Dhawan in the eighth over of their innings when he miscued Josh Hazlewood and was caught by Mitchell Starc for 30 off 23 balls, and fellow opener Mayank Agarwal went in the next over.
Pat Cummins had Agarwal caught behind for 28 off 26 to leave India 60 for two and a sensational catch by Smith at mid-wicket ended Iyer’s knock of 38, giving Moises Henriques a wicket.
Henriques proved Australia’s hero with his athletic horizontal catch to dismiss Kohli off Hazlewood for the prized wicket in the 35th over.
K.L. Rahul hit an enterprising 76 off 66 balls before he sliced leg-spinner Adam Zampa high to Hazlewood at short third man in the 44th over.
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COURTESY SAMAA.TV
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Ali Nawaz Gilani
A special Investiture Ceremony was held at Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, on Thursday the 19th November, 2020. Pakistan’s Ambassador Moin-ul-Haque, on behalf of the President of Pakistan, conferred civil award of Pakistan upon "Hilal-i-Pakistan" Mr. Song Tao in recognition of his outstanding services towards Pakistan and strengthening of Sino-Pakistan relations.
Mr. Song Tao is the Minister of International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) Central Committee, and a member of 19th CPC Central committee. He has been a great friend of Pakistan and an ardent advocate of Pakistan-China friendship.
In his capacity as Minister IDCPC by leading a team of four Vice Ministers & two Assistant Ministers, Mr. Song Tao has been instrumental in promoting the sustainable and healthy development of Pakistan-China exchange in the spheres of people-to-people contacts and party-to-party linkages.
Song Tao has played a key role in fostering greater mutual understanding between the CPC and various political parties of Pakistan, thereby contributing to consolidating the all-around social consensus on the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and jointly building a closer Pakistan-China Community of Shared Future in the New Era.
He was also the force behind the strengthen political
support for realizing CPEC's potential as a game-changer for Pakistan's
socio-economic development. The special Investiture ceremony was also attended
by the IDCPC Vise Minister Mr. Guoyeshou a part from senior officials of
International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) and from
Pakistan Embassy, Minister & Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Ahmed Farooq,
Defense Attache Brig. Shahid Amir Afsar, Counsellor & HOC Mr. Naeem Cheema.
The IDCPC since 1951, under the direct leadership of the
Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has seen a continuous
expansion of its international exchanges and communications serving the key
tasks of the Party in different periods. The aims of its work is to serve
China's reform and open-up policy and the socialist modernization drive as well
as the overall strategy of state diplomacy, which help consolidate the Party's
position in office and contribute to the building of socialism with Chinese
characteristics, the fact well acknowledged and proven over the period of
decades.
The CPC associates with not only the communist parties and other left-wing parties of the world as it originally did but also national democratic parties of the developing countries and political parties and statesmen of various ideologies and natures such as socialist, labor and conservative parties in the developed countries as well as their international organizations as it later expanded.
Up till now, the CPC has established
contacts and exchanges with more than 600 political parties and organizations
in over 160 countries, most of which are either parties in office or parties
participating in government. Gratifying results have been achieved which can be
described as "making friends in the four corners of the earth and finding
kith and kin across the oceans".
IDCPC’s main missions are to carry out theoretical,
strategic, comprehensive and policy oriented studies on international
situation, world political parties, socialist movement, contemporary capitalism
and other important global issues; to coordinate the research efforts within
the Department and conduct academic exchanges and cooperation with outside institutions;
to hold press conference and publicity activities over the Party's international
work. The office has a professional team with a broad scope of research areas
and appropriately structured expertise background.
IDCPC through eight (8) Bureaus looking after relations and exchanges with political parties and organizations across the globe, while IDCPC Information Center is commissioned to collect and analyze information on international issues and political parties in the world. As the International Department is a functional organ of the Central Committee of the CPC responsible for the Party's international work. By party-to-party relations and the advantage of political party contacts, IDCPC have played a very positive role in establishing, developing and consolidating China's relations with foreign countries.
The IDCPC, for decades, coordinated
with China's foreign diplomacy. They have a unique role in facilitating the
progress of healthy and stable state-to-state relations when political
instability and frequent change of governments happen in some countries. As an
"accelerator," party-to-party relations have facilitated the progress
of state relations.
Party-to-party relations cover both the party in office and
the party not in power, established or up and coming people. CPC’s
international relations have elevated CPC’s governing ability. As a party in
power, with over 70 million members and leading a country of 1.3 billion
people, the CPC is facing, among other tasks, a mission how to keep shoulder to
shoulder with the changing international and domestic situations, and how to
improve its leading and governing abilities.
IDCPC also play its vital role during COVID 19 by providing in shortest time coronavirus testing kits to friendly countries across the globe , sent planeloads of ventilators, masks and medics.
The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, who is also Secretary-General of CPC has offered comforting words to global leaders like telling the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, that “sunshine comes after the storm”, As the coronavirus outbreak spreads and countries struggle to respond, China has positioned itself as a leader and benefactor in public health, building the kind of soft power Beijing needs at a time of intensifying US-China rivalry and scrutiny of Chinese influence around the world.
In Pakistan, IDCPC also provided complimentary COVID 19
protection masks and necessary equipments like body suits PPEs to all Political
Parties, NGOs. In this connection the role of Mr. Bayazeed Kasi -PTI’s advisor
on cooperation with CPC with active coordination of IDCPC is highly
appreciated.
No doubt, this is the fact that the International Department
has so far delivered much of what is expected of it. Its brand of party-based diplomacy
has assumed a prominence that is unseen in any other countries' diplomatic
practices. Under President Xi Jinping leadership party-based diplomacy has
indeed grown to be an important tool of China's diplomacy.
Moreover, Xi is also emphasizing how party based diplomacy
can play a key role in explaining China's policies and promoting China's image
and soft power to foreign elites. This unique practice of party-based diplomacy
has perhaps given China the advantage to cultivate friendships and elite
networks of all sorts.
Looking forward, while much of what has been discussed in these lines about party-based diplomacy will continue under the leadership of Xi Jinping, there could also be another growing role for the International Department in the future. This is the training of foreign party cadres, especially in developing countries. Xi is increasingly becoming more confident in promoting the developmental experiences of China to the developing world and in offering the so-called 'China solutions' to complex problems in the world.
The growing and diversifying mandate of party-based diplomacy will ensure that the International Department continues to be a critical actor in Chinese foreign policy.
(The writer is Secretary-General Pakistan China Friendship
Association & President Radio China Listener’s Club. His email is
syeed.gilani@gmail.com)
ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 - Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday visited Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Headquarters.
The prime minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Asad Umar, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi and Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, PM office media wing in a press release said.
Director General ISI, Lieutenant General Faiz Hamid received the prime minister, ministers, CJCSC and Services Chiefs at Directorate General ISI. A comprehensive briefing was given to the national and military leadership on the regional and national security situation.
The prime minister appreciated tireless efforts of ISI for national security and expressed his satisfaction over professional preparedness.
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Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday highlighted the difficulties being faced by Pakistani citizens concerning visas for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a meeting with Emirati State Minister Reem Al Hashimi.
According to a statement released by the Foreign Office (FO), Qureshi underscored the need to address the issue at the earliest during the meeting held on the sidelines of the 47th Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Niamey, Niger.
Last week the FO had confirmed that the UAE had suspended issuance of visas to Pakistani nationals among others, saying that the measure appeared to be because of the coronavirus pandemic but that it was seeking further clarity from Emirati authorities.
During today's meeting with Hashimi, Qureshi also highlighted the close fraternal ties as well as people-to-people contacts between the two countries and stressed Pakistan's commitment to forge closer cooperation with UAE in diverse fields, the FO statement said.
"During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral cooperation, the Covid-19 situation, Pakistan’s participation in the expo, and other matters of mutual interest."
Appreciating Qureshi’s statement at the CFM, the Emirati minister lauded Pakistan’s initiative to propose an OIC resolution on combatting Islamophobia.
The two sides also exchanged views on OIC matters and stressed the importance of further strengthening the organisation as a united and pivotal platform for the Muslim ummah, the statement said.
It was also agreed to enhance mutual exchanges to carry forward the process of growing bilateral cooperation, it concluded.
UAE suspends visas
Last week the FO had confirmed that the UAE had temporarily suspended the issuance of visit visas to a dozen countries, including Pakistan, until further notice.
At the time, the FO had said the decision by the UAE authorities was "believed to be related to the second wave of Covid-19" but added that it had reached out to UAE to seek further clarity. The FO had, however, made clear that the suspension did not apply to those already holding valid visas.
Days later a report revealed the UAE had temporarily suspended the visas over security concerns. A source privy to the matter did not say what those concerns were but said the visa ban was expected to last for a short period.
Following that report, the FO denied there were security concerns that led to such a measure but this time said changes in UAE's visa policy had not been confirmed.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari on Thursday denied reports of the UAE suspending work visas to Pakistanis, saying that there was "no ban on export of Pakistani workforce".
Bukhari said that "contrary to media reports", UAE Minister for Human Resources and Emiratisation Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli had "categorically stated that there is no ban on export of Pakistani workforce".
Furthermore, the UAE was giving priority to those workers, who were registered on the Virtual Labour Market Database and had been laid off due to the economic slump caused by Covid-19, Bukhari said.
The premier's aide added that there has been an 11 per cent increase Pakistani knowledge workers in the UAE. The Arab state was also encouraging applications for the 10-year golden visa, Bukhari said.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
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Prime Minister says opposition leaders have never worked and their autocratic lifestyle is directly dependent on saving their families’ ill-gotten wealth
ISLAMABAD, NOV 29 - Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday opposition’s bid to hold public rallies was aimed at pressurizing the government to get National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) at the cost of people’s lives in the times of COVID-19 pandemic.
In a series of tweets, he said the sole and desperate goal of opposition political leadership is to save their families’ looted wealth and corruption for which they are making last ditch efforts to get an NRO, but they will not succeed.
The Prime Minister said opposition leaders have never worked and their autocratic lifestyle is directly dependent on saving their families’ ill-gotten wealth through robbing and impoverishing the nation.
Imran Khan said the problem of people of Pakistan during COVID 19 is the political leadership that has never gone through any democratic struggle nor worked with ordinary citizens to understand their difficulties they face and never contributed in any substantive way for betterment of ordinary citizens.
Imran Khan said these entitled “leaders” living like royalty in their secluded mansions, have simply inherited their positions because of their families and they have no concern for the lives of ordinary citizens.
The Prime Minister said when smart lockdown was imposed to save people from becoming destitute and save economy from total collapse, these “leaders” opposed it and demanded complete lockdown and now when smart lockdown is again needed to check new spike of the pandemic, they want to hold public rallies instead of caring for the lives and safety of people.
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COURTESY DNA NEWS
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MULTAN, NOV 29 - Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman has announced that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will hold its rally in Multan’s Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh stadium at any cost.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman made the announcement while addressing a press conference alongside Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Yousaf Raza Gillani and others in Multan today.“PDM is organising public gatherings across the country and it is going to hold another a massive rally in Multan on November 30 [tomorrow]. Punjab government and local administration are using negative tactics and workers of all political parties are being arrested and threatened to face fines for participating in the upcoming rally.”
The JUI-F chief alleged that the government is exhibiting state terrorism to stop the PDM rally in Multan. He threatened the government from severe consequences if the political parties were stopped from holding the public gathering in Multan.
He asked political activists to break all barriers by using ‘batons in the response to batons’ by police or any other forces. Fazlur Rehman said that PDM leadership will never accept lawlessness and usage of police forces against the political campaigners.
The PDM head announced that the opposition parties will head towards jail if they fail to reach the rally’s venue. He also announced to hold protests on all district headquarters across the country on Friday and Sunday and hinted to make an early call for a long march instead of January next year.
Fazlu Rehman criticised the crackdowns against political activists across the province and arrests of workers who were finalising preparations for the Multan rally.
While addressing the press conference, Rana Sanaullah said that PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz will arrive in Multan to participate in the upcoming PDM rally at any cost.
Yousaf Raza Gillani said that Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s health is not well and Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari will attend and address the Multan rally tomorrow. He criticised the arrests of his son and PPP workers in Multan by the local administration.
It is pertinent to mention here that the opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had announced to hold a public meeting on November 30 in Multan.
The local administration had denied permission to the opposition parties for the meeting owing to increasing virus cases in the second wave of the COVID-19 in the country.
Earlier in the day, the Multan administration took control of Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh stadium again besides arresting various Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders and workers belonging to different political parties including Kasim Gillani, the son of ex-premier Yousaf Raza Gillani after they stormed into the venue by removing barriers,
Multan police and administration blocked the central routes of the Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh stadium and removed the tents, chairs and other equipment from the venue of the PDM rally besides deploying additional contingents of security officials.
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