Friday 13 January 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Golf: McIlroy defies back pain to stay in SA Open hunt

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JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - World number two Rory McIlroy defied severe back pain to fire a second-round 68 Friday and trail South African Open leader Graeme Storm by three shots. McIlroy admitted after his rollercoaster trek around the Glendower Golf Club near Johannesburg that he considered withdrawing from the European Tour event.I thought about pulling out before teeing off today (Friday), the 27-year-old from Northern Ireland told reporters.I tweaked my back somehow and was not very comfortable playing the first few shots of my second round.I am going to get some treatment now and hopefully everything will be okay by the time I tee off tomorrow (Saturday).McIlroy, second in the world rankings behind Australian Jason Day, carded the four-under 68 despite bogeying the final two holes.The round of the four-time major winner included an eagle, seven birdies, six pars, three bogeys and a double bogey.At one stage during the second day, McIlroy trailed 38-year-old Englishman Storm by nine strokes, then played eight holes from the eighth in eight under, needing just eight putts.After a par at 16, however, McIlroy dropped a shot at 17 and another at 18, both par fours, having been poised to overtake one-time European Tour winner Storm.The Englishman carded a course record-equalling 63 for a two-round total of 132 after starting with a 69 over the 6,942-metre (7,100-yard) parkland track.Storm carded five birdies on the front nine and four more on the second nine without dropping a shot on a course packed with water hazards.Obviously, it is great to shoot a round like that, said the golfer ranked 251 in the world, but there was a tinge of disappointment when I failed to hole a long, last-hole birdie putt.That would have given me a course record 62 and also equalled by lowest score in South Africa.The putter was my hottest club for the second successive day. It was hot yesterday and it was hot today.To shoot 63 and birdie only one of the (three) par fives tells me that I played pretry good golf.South Africans Trevor Fisher junior (68) and Jbe Kruger (67) and American Peter Uihlein (64) share second place on 134, two shots off the pace.McIlroy, English pair Laurie Canter (66) and Jordan Smith (66), Scot David Drysdale (65) and South African Keith Horne (69) are all one stroke further back on 135.A late afternoon storm halted play for the day with a few golfers still on the course, but none were threatening to alter the top of the leaderboard.They will resume play at 0715 local time (0515 GMT) Saturday before the third round begins.Of the five former major winners competing, only McIlroy is guaranteed to be involved in the final two rounds.Ernie Els (70) of South Africa is on 144, Nick Faldo (75) of England on 145 and Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland was four over for the tournament with one hole to play.While Retief Goosen of South Africa atoned for a disastrous opening 80 with a 71 Friday, he is certain to miss the cut. Defending champion Brandon Stone of South Africa improved his first round score by seven shots with a 67 to trail Storm by nine shots.

Lahore: Dacoit killed in police encounter

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – According to details, an unidentified dacoit was killed in police encounter in Nishtar Colony area of Lahore on Friday night while his accomplice managed to escape from the scene.The dacoits were on the run after looting mobile phone and cash from a man named Rana Fahad. After getting information police chased the dacoits who opened fire at the police party. Police returned the fire due to which one dacoit was killed while his accomplice managed to escape.Police have recovered a pitol, mobile phone and cash from the dead dacoit and sent his body to the Jinnah Hospital.

Pakistan ready to work closely with Trump regime: Ambassador Jilani

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WASHINGTON (Dunya News) – Addressing the newsmen in Washington on Friday, Pakistans ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani, has said that his country is ready to work closely with the Donald Trump administration. He said that Pakistan launched a historic campaign against terrorism and the new US administration is fully aware of the obstacles Islamabad is facing to counter terrorism.Jalil Abbas said that Pakistan wants to work closely with Trump administration in war against terrorism which will eventually promote Pak-US relations. He further said that no Islamic State network exists in Pakistan.Jalil Abbas also said that World Bank should play its administrative role in Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India and added that Islamabad wants peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues with New Delhi.

US envoy warns against cutting funding to UN

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - US Ambassador Samantha Power on Friday warned that cutting US funding to the United Nations would be extremely detrimental to American interests, one week before Donald Trumps administration takes office.Addressing her final news conference, Power told reporters that countries like Russia and China would benefit from Washingtons reduced standing at the United Nations if funding were withdrawn.We lead the world, in part, by leading at the UN, said Power, who is stepping down next week after four years as President Barack Obamas ambassador to the United Nations.If we were to tie our hands behind our back or strip this organization of programming to support peace mediation or humanitarian work, this would be extremely detrimental to US interests, she said.Power spoke after a bill was introduced in the US Senate that would slash all US funding to the United Nations until a Security Council resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlements is repealed.The United States refrained from using its veto to block the resolution and instead abstained, allowing the measure to pass by a vote of 14-0 in the council, triggering a furious response from Israel.Much of Powers parting words were in defense of US engagement at the United Nations, saying that while the UN system is flawed with a bloated bureaucracy, there is a need for a global body to pool common efforts.The United States needs the UN, Power said.The UN goes to places that the US will not go, she added, pointing to peace missions in Mali and South Sudan, where African troops are taking the lead.If theres less US leadership at the UN, it will be other countries that step in to fill the void, many of which do not share the US view on fighting terrorism or advancing human rights, she noted.Power also warned the incoming Trump administration that it would be very wise to preserve the Iran nuclear deal that the president-elect has vowed to scrap.The United States is by far the UNs biggest financial contributor, providing 22 percent of its operating budget and funding 28 percent of peacekeeping missions, which currently cost $8 billion annually.Trump, who will take office on January 20, has dismissed the United Nations as just a club for people to get together and have a good time.After the council voted to demand an end to Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, Trump warned on Twitter: As to the UN, things will be different after Jan. 20th.Congressional Democrats and Republicans alike fumed over the UNs reprimand of Israel.The Republican-led US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly last week to condemn the resolution, noting that the Obama administrations refusal to use its veto power undermined Washingtons decades-long position of shielding its closest Middle East ally at the United Nations.The Safeguard Israel Act of 2017 -- introduced by Senate Republicans Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham -- aims to push back against the UN by threatening to pull billions of dollars in funding.The Senate bill is unlikely to garner major support, sources on Capitol Hill say.

Child torture case: Police asks PIMS for Tayyaba's DNA report

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Police asked PIMS hospital for the DNA test report of Tayyaba and also asked FIA for the forensic report of Facebook, reported Dunya News.The DNA test report of Tayyaba, which would determine who are her real parents, has to be submitted in Supreme Court (SC) on 18 January. The investigative team asked hospital to submit the report quickly.The investigative team also asked Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) to submit the forensic report of Facebook, to know about people who shared Tayyabas photos on Facebook.

New Zealand 55-1 at lunch in reply to Bangladesh's 595-8

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WELLINGTON (AFP) - New Zealand were in early trouble with the loss of Jeet Raval to be 55-1 in reply to Bangladeshs 595-8 declared at lunch on the third day of the first Test in Wellington on Saturday. Raval had survived two chances before his innings ended on 27 with his third edge of the morning which was taken by Imrul Kayes behind the stumps.Imrul was filling in for wicketkeeper and captain Mushfiqur Rahim who was off the field having injured fingers attended to.Tom Latham was not out on 27 with Kane Williamson on one as they faced an imposing rescue mission.Bangladesh, after amassing a colossal first innings total, had put the New Zealand openers in unfamiliar territory by opening with spin at one end and pace at the other. In his second over, 19-year-old Mehedi Hasans off-break found the edge of Ravals bat but the ball ballooned just wide of the sole slip.Paceman Taskin Ahmed, on debut, also found Raval dabbling outside the off stump with an edge sailing to Shakib Al Hasan who spilled a regulation chance at third slip. But there was no third-time lucky for the New Zealand opener when Kamrul Islam came into the attack and claimed the wicket with his first delivery. It kept Bangladesh firmly on top in the Test after they had resumed in the morning at 542-7 and batted briskly to add a further 53 runs in 16 overs before declaring. It is their second highest total behind the 638 posted against Sri Lanka in a drawn Test in Galle four years ago. Sabbir Rahman, in his third Test, was left 54 not out, the fifth half century in an innings headlined by Shakibs 217. Bangladesh had arrived in New Zealand for their first away Test in more than two years with an unimpressive off-shore record of only three wins in 43 Tests.

Hundreds going from Chitral to Peshawar stuck near Lowari tunnel

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CHITRAL (Dunya News) - Hundreds of cars, including ambulances were stuck at Lowari tunnel, while going on their way to Peshawar from Chitral, reported Dunya News.People are sitting hungry and thristy in their cars as they are waiting for the tunnel to be opened. According to passengers, the temperature at the place is-15°C.On the other hand, more snowfall is expected, which would make the situation even more difficult. According to people, there are patients in the ambulances as well.People said that administration is not making much efforts to solve their problems. Lowari tunnel is open for cars only once in a week.

Bypassing Obama, Russia invited Trump team to Syria talks: report

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Russia has invited Donald Trumps incoming administration to attend upcoming Syrian peace talks in Kazakhstan, The Washington Post reported Friday, bypassing the Obama administration which has been notably absent from the process.Turkey, which is co-hosting the talks with Russia, has said Washington would be asked to join the talks being held in the Kazakh capital Astana, likely on January 23.But there has been no confirmation from Moscow, and the current US administration said Friday it had not been asked to take part.We have not received any kind of formal invitation to the meeting, said State Department spokesman Mark Toner.But if we do receive an invitation, we will certainly make a recommendation to Trumps incoming administration to honor it, he said.The timetable would put the meeting just three days after the Republican president-elect takes office on January 20, succeeding the Democrat Barack Obama.Invitations to the talks have yet to be sent out, and the format of the discussions remains unclear.But according to The Washington Post, the Russian ambassador to Washington, Sergey Kislyak, extended an invitation to attend the upcoming talks in a December 28 telephone conversation with Trumps incoming national security advisor Michael Flynn.The Post quoted an unidentified official with Trumps transition team as saying that no decision was made during the call, adding: I dont have anything additional on US attendance at this time.The talks on the future of Syria were announced in late December after a nationwide ceasefire was secured. They are being organized for the first time without the involvement of Washington, which had led all the international discussions to resolve the Syrian crisis in recent years.Though the United States has not been a direct party to this specific initiative, Toner said, we have been in close contact with both the Russians and the Turks as this has gone forward.And, we would encourage the incoming administration to continue to pursue those efforts.Iran, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, is also involved in setting up talks aimed at paving the way to an end of the nearly six-year conflict.Russia, which is counting on improved relations with the United States under the Trump presidency after strains with Obama, refused Friday to say whether Washington should be invited to Astana.Russia, a key Assad ally, is interested in the broadest possible representation of the parties who have a bearing on the prospects of a political settlement in Syria, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.The Astana meeting should serve as a preamble to the next round of peace negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition in Geneva on February 8 under the auspices of the United Nations.Our recommendation would be -- and weve said this before -- that we support any effort aimed at getting political negotiations back up and running in Geneva and aimed at solidifying the cease-fire in Syria, the US State Department spokesman said.

Abbas says may 'reverse' Israel recognition if Trump moves embassy

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PARIS (AFP) - The Palestinians may consider reversing recognition of Israel if Donald Trump moves the US embassy to Jerusalem, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said in an interview released by the French daily Le Figaro on Friday.I wrote to president(-elect) Trump to ask him not to do it. Not only would this move deprive the United States of all legitimacy in playing a role in conflict resolution, it would also destroy the two-state solution, Abbas was quoted as saying.Trump -- who takes office next Friday -- has said he plans to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.The move is bitterly opposed by Palestinians, who see it as a destructive and unilateral action as the status of the city is still contested.The United States and most UN member states do not recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital, and the citys status is one of the thorniest issues of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Israel supports Trumps plan and has encouraged previous US presidents to take similar steps but to no avail.If the embassy transfer takes place, there would be several options for us, and we would discuss them with Arab countries, Abbas said.Reversing our recognition of the State of Israel is one of them. But we hope that it doesnt reach that point, and that, on the contrary, we will be able to work with the next American administration, he added.Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) recognised each other under the 1993 Oslo agreements. But the process which was supposed to deliver a lasting peace is moribund.More than 70 countries meet in Paris on Sunday at a conference expected to reaffirm support for the two-state solution in which Palestinian and Israeli states would live side-by-side in peace and security.The Paris meeting may be the last chance for implementing the two-state solution, Abbas warned.On Monday, the Palestinian news agency Wafa said Abbas had written to Trump, warning an embassy move would have a disastrous impact on the peace process, on the two-state solution and on the stability and security of the entire region.

UN rights envoy in Rakhine to probe Rohingya abuse

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SITTWE (AFP) - The UNs rights envoy for Myanmar arrived in troubled Rakhine state on Friday for a trip north to probe allegations of horrific abuse of Rohingya Muslims by security forces.Special rapporteur on Myanmar Yanghee Lee touched down in the state capital Sittwe as part of a 12-day visit to investigate escalating violence in Myanmars restive ethnic border areas. Lee has faced threats and been branded a whore by Buddhist hardliners on previous visits for her criticism of how Myanmar treats the Rohingya, a stateless group that has suffered years of poverty and repression. Over the past three months they have been targeted by a military crackdown in northern Rakhine that the UN said has forced at least 65,000 to flee across the border to Bangladesh.In Sittwe, Lee met with senior local officials and then visited the only Muslim neighbourhood left in the city since sectarian clashes in 2012 drove tens of thousands of Rohingya into displacement camps.We told her that nothing has changed for us, a local Muslim called Zaw Zaw told AFP. We want our children to learn in schools peacefully and we want jobs like we had before.Earlier a senior figure from the nationalist Arakan National Party, which controls the state parliament and aggressively opposes any moves to grant the Rohingya citizenship, said they had refused to meet with Lee.They offered to meet with us from their side but we have no plans to meet them, ANPs vice-president Khine Pyi Soe told AFP. Villages in northern Rakhine have been under military control since October as the army stages clearance operations to find Rohingya insurgents allegedly behind deadly raids on police border posts.The crisis has drawn a storm of international criticism for the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, which took power in March.Lee has slammed the lockdown as unacceptable and called for an international investigation into claims troops have raped, murdered and tortured civilians from the Muslim minority.Ahead of her trip, she said violence in Rakhine had contributed to disquiet regarding the direction that the new government is taking in its first year.Muslim-majority Malaysia has lashed out at Nobel laureate Suu Kyi for not stopping the violence, and next week will host foreign ministers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for talks on the crisis.Bangladesh has urged Myanmars government to take back the thousands of refugees that have entered already overcrowded camps along the border.Bangladesh has demanded (the) quick restoration of (a) normal situation in Rakhine state so that Myanmar nationals... can quickly go back home, foreign minister A.H. Mahmood Ali said after meeting Myanmars special envoy in Dhaka this week.Myanmars foreign ministry said the two sides had agreed to commence consultations for verification and repatriation of those who had fled the lockdown.

Bangladesh declare first innings at 595-8

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WELLINGTON (AFP) - Bangladesh declared their first innings at 595-8 on the third morning of the first Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday.Sabbir Rahman was not out on 54, the fifth player to reach a half century in an innings headlined by Shakib Al Hasans 217.It is the second highest innings in Bangladesh history behind the 638 posted in the first innings against Sri Lanka in a drawn Test in Galle four years ago.

Struggling Sri Lanka admit it's tough at top

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JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Sri Lanka bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake admitted Friday his side were having to sink or swim against South Africa where they are facing a 3-0 Test whitewash.Its tough being a Sri Lankan bowler on the current tour, said Ramanayake after the second day of the third and final Test at the Wanderers.Sri Lanka were in familiar trouble at 80 for four when bad light ended play, still 346 runs behind South Africas total of 426.A familiar collapse, sparked once again by Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada, came after the Sri Lankan bowlers had produced their teams best performance of the series. They claimed South Africas seven remaining wickets for 88 runs and had the home batsmen groping for the ball.Hashim Amla, who resumed on 125 not out, could add only nine more runs off 44 balls before he was caught behind to become the third of Nuwan Pradeeps four victims.Asked how difficult it was for the bowlers to do a good job and then see their batsmen fail, Ramanayake admitted: We havent played in these conditions. You cant replicate them at practice. You have to come here and learn how to bat and bowl.The bowlers, he felt, had done well but he acknowledged that the odds were stacked against the batsmen. If we can have partnerships, it gets easier to bat the longer you are there. But they are up against a lot of good bowlers and the ball is still moving around.Pradeep took four wickets in as many overs to finish with four for 78, while Lahiru Kumara took four for 107. But it was a collective bowling performance, with Suranga Lakmal setting the tone in an outstanding spell of seven overs in which he conceded only nine runs, four of them overthrows, and had a catch put down.Lakmal created a lot of pressure but unfortunately he couldnt take wickets. Im very happy about him. Hes the leading bowler in our team, said Ramanayake, who was also delighted with Pradeeps performance. He has never taken five wickets in an innings and I thought he was going to do it today. He is in good rhythm and this morning he hit the length consistently.Ramanayake was also happy about the rapid progress of Kumara. Hes 19 years old and is inexperienced. But he bowled fast and he is learning.Philander had Dimuth Karunaratne caught behind without scoring off the fourth ball of the innings but Kaushal Silva and Kusal Mendis gave Sri Lanka hope with a second wicket partnership of 47.It all changed after tea. With the floodlights on and the ball zipping off the pitch, Rabada blasted out Silva and Mendis before Philander had Dhananjaya de Silva caught at backward point. Mendis made an attractive 41 off 58 balls before getting a brutal delivery which he could only fend to gully.JP Duminy, who made 155 for South Africa on Thursday, said that although 11 wickets fell on Friday compared to three on the first day, he did not believe the pitch had become more difficult.The Sri Lankan bowlers were more consistent in their areas today, said Duminy. I thought they were a touch too short yesterday and that gave us a lot more scoring options. When we did our analysis on this venue we did say that we probably needed to bowl a bit fuller than at other venues.

Pakistan, Windies in 2019 World Cup scramble

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - Pakistan on Friday ramp up their bid to ensure a spot at the 2019 World Cup and avoid the humiliation of playing minnows to make it to the 50-over showpiece event.In the week that footballs world governing body FIFA announced an expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026, the battle to be one of only 10 countries at crickets showpiece in two years time has been brought sharply into focus.There now follows a nerve-racking race against time with September 30 the cut-off point to ensure a guaranteed finals place as one of the top eight teams and avoid the minefield of qualification.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has long declared that the 2019 event in England and Wales would be controversially pruned down from a 14-team event which took place in Australia and New Zealand in 2015.While eight of the top-ranked sides will get direct qualification, the four bottom-placed nations will lock horns with associate countries in a qualifier to book the final two spots.Pakistan -- the 1992 champions -- are precariously placed at eighth spot on 89 points -- two behind Bangladesh, who will host the qualifiers in 2018, and two ahead of the West Indies.The Azhar Ali-led side will need to win their five-match ODI series against table-toppers and current world champions Australia starting Friday to enhance their chances of qualifying directly for the event.Third-ranked India will also take on England in three one-day internationals starting on Sunday 15 as the clock ticks for the final placings to settle down.Two-time World Cup champions West Indies, currently ranked ninth in the 12-team table, are another big nation that might have to battle it out in the qualifiers.The reigning World Twenty20 champions have been far from convincing in the 50-over format, but they are scheduled to play 12 ODI games before the September deadline.The Jason Holder-led side are scheduled to host England and then Pakistan between February and May before they tour the United Kingdon for six ODIs in August-September. The bite-sized new World Cup leaves little room for the six associate members to make an entry as Pakistan, West Indies or Bangladesh will stay firm favourites to book the last two spots should they slip into the qualifying stage.Rising nations like Ireland, Scotland and Afghanistan -- they played the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand -- may be the worst affected by the trimming down.ICC chief president Dave Richardson had talked about commercial implications behind the move of sizing down the event, leaving many of the associate nations furious.Ireland captain William Porterfield termed the move as an absolute joke which will spell the death of cricket as the minnows made their presence felt in the last edition after beating West Indies in a league match.The first three 50-over World Cups, staged in England, saw the participation of the top eight teams as the numbers gradually grew to 16 in the 2011 edition in West Indies.However the first-round exit of big guns India and Pakistan in the Caribbean led to a huge drop in viewership, forcing the ICC to rethink their expansion plans for the 50-over marquee event.

Arfa Karim's 5th death anniversary today

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Today is the fifth death anniversary of Arfa Karim Randhawa, who was once youngest Microsoft certified Information Technology (IT) professional, reported Dunya News.The certified professional was born in Faisalabad’s Ram Divali area and at a tender age of nine years she became an Information Technology engineer.Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates conferred the degree upon the then youngest professional in 2004.In the following months, Karim went on to receive several awards for her brilliant work. She was awarded with Pride of Performance, Salam Pakistan Youth and Madar-e-Millat awards.

Rallying: Loeb wins, 'Mr Dakar' Peterhansel on brink of 13th title

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RIO CUARTO (AFP) - Sebastien Loeb won the 11th and penultimate stage on Friday but his Peugeot teammate Stephane Peterhansel remains in pole to claim his 13th title.Nine-time world rally champion Loeb clinched his fourth stage of this years race, covering the 292 kilometre timed section from San Juan and Rio Cuarto in 3hr 21min15sec.Peterhansel kept the wheels firmly on his title bid by finishing second, just 18sec behind, to go into Saturdays final day with a 5min 32sec cushion.As in the Tour de France the Dakars closing stage is normally a formality and barring disaster Peterhansel should add the 2017 title to his previous three wins on four wheels and his nine on two.This years motorbike title is destined to go for the first time to Briton Sam Sunderland.The 27-year-old KTM rider, who has only ever made it as far as the fourth day on his previous two attempts,leads his rivals by over half an hour ahead of Saturdays closing stage into Buenos Aires.Paulo Goncalves claimed the 11th and penultimate stage with Sunderland in fifth.The Portuguese, getting his name on the board for the first time this year, registered 3hrs 18min 47sec over the 288 kilometre timed section from Chilecito to Rio Cuarto.His Spanish Honda teammate Joan Barreda Bort took second at 1min 9sec with Frances Yamaha rider Adrien Van Beveren third at 2:38.Sunderland leads his Austrian teammate Matthias Walkner in the overall standings by 33:09, with Van Beveren a further four minutes adrift in third.
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