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Saqqajja collapse raises fear about geological fragility

June 8, 2020, 2:02 am
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Saqqajja Hill has been closed for emergency works after part of a retaining wall collapsed.

Infrastructure Malta is carrying out studies up to 40 metres below road level at the upper part of Saqqajja Hill, amid concern about the geological fragility of the area after part of a retaining wall collapsed. The site, known also for its cultural sensitivity as it lies above Phoenician remains and part of the Roman city of Melite, has been closed for emergency works. Fr Eugene Paul Teuma expressed concern that buildings in the area, including the former Santo Spirito Hospital now housing the National Archives and the Franciscan Friary, are in “considerable danger”. Part of the friary, mainly built in the 13th century, dates to Roman times. But Fr Teuma explained that the Knights of Malta had imposed a particular condition for the friary if it were to remain outside the Mdina walls: it was meant to self-destruct if the site was taken over by the enemy. This means the friary could come down with the slightest movement. “Most of the underground rock is friable, cut through by Roman tunnels and World War II shelters 12 metres below street level. “These tunnels lie above a thick layer of clay and beneath a layer of compacted soil, which is preserving pristine archaeology,” Fr...
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China bans players for six months after virus rules broken

June 8, 2020, 2:05 am
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The six players involved i the incident were made to write self-criticism essays according to the Chinese Football Association.

Six Chinese under-19 internationals have been banned from playing for six months and forced to write self-criticism essays after flouting coronavirus prevention rules to go drinking late at night. The Chinese Football Association (CFA) suspended the six until the end of November and the players were hit with additional penalties by their clubs after they were discovered leaving the team's Shanghai training base on May 30 without permission. "It was a severe violation of the team's epidemic control regulations and negatively affected the whole team," Xinhua news agency quoted the CFA as saying. The players are banned from all matches organised by the CFA until November 30 and will also not be allowed to feature for the national team at any level during that time. Three of the players, Ren Lihao, Liu Zhurun and Peng Hao, have had their wages suspended by their club Shanghai SIPG, the former Chinese Super League champions said. Under-19 head coach Cheng Yaodong told Monday's Soccer News: "We used the harshest language at the time, gave them a dressing-down and said a lot of harsh words." While the rest of the squad trained, the six players were made to write self-criticism essays,...
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Tour the design laboratory of Audi online with Insight Audi Design

June 8, 2020, 2:16 am
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Use your smartphone, tablet or PC to explore design processes at Audi with the new “Insight Audi Design” live stream. The interactive discovery tour has now been added to the online tours at www.audi.stream. Experienced tour guides present the "Insight Audi Design” live stream from a studio and explain the Audi design philosophy. Using video sequences, they explain how the designers work and show how the team is developing the design language of the future. The guides answer questions in dialogue and construct the roughly 20-minute live stream according to the wishes and interests of the participants. Interested parties can choose a suitable date for “Insight Audi Design” online at www.audi.stream. The interactive guided tours on AudiStream are free of charge; fees may be charged for internet access, however, depending on the selected provider. The new “Insight Audi Design” live stream starts with presentation in German and an English version will follow. With AudiStream, Audi is the first manufacturer to offer online discovery tours. The “Insight Audi Design” stream complements the “Audi live at the Ingolstadt factory” online tour. This virtual factory tour has been offered...
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Reebok slams CrossFit in outrage over CEO's tweet

June 8, 2020, 2:31 am
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Sports footwear giant Reebok has decided to end its partnership with CrossFit Inc. later this year following an insensitive comment by the fitness organization's chief executive concerning protests against racial injustice roiling the US. Reebok said Sunday it would make the move once it fulfils its current contract obligation as the title sponsor for the 2020 CrossFit Games. "Recently, we have been in discussions regarding a new agreement, however, in light of recent events, we have made the decision to end our partnership with CrossFit HQ," Reebok said in a statement Sunday. CrossFit chief executive Greg Glassman tweeted, "It's FLOYD-19" on Saturday after the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation classified racism and discrimination as a public health issue. Human rights groups expressed outrage at the tweet, calling it insensitive to the current events and the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd was killed when officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.  Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, while three other officers have been...
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El Chapo? Freddie Mercury? No, it's a new-look O'Sullivan

June 8, 2020, 2:56 am
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Former world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan said Friday his impressive handlebar moustache, grown to help alleviate the boredom of a coronavirus lockdown, has had him compared to Mexican drugs kingpin 'El Chapo' and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. O'Sullivan is taking part in the Championship League tournament in Milton Keynes in England, the first snooker event being staged since the easing of health protocols. However, it is being played in a tournament 'bubble' with a hotel and playing arena on the same site. No fans are allowed to attend. To help pass the time, the colourful O'Sullivan decided to tweak his appearance. "I set myself a challenge. As soon as we were in lockdown I was going to grow a beard but that got itchy so my partner said, 'why not grow a moustache?' It was a bit of a giggle really," he told the BBC. "A few people have said I look like a Mexican drug lord, like 'El Chapo'. Someone even said Freddie Mercury."
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Australia keeper Langerak tests positive for COVID-19 in Japan

June 8, 2020, 3:00 am
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Former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak now plies his trade in Japan with Nagoya Grampus.

Australia goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak has tested positive for coronavirus, his Japanese club Nagoya Grampus announced, becoming the second player infected at the J-League side. The 31-year-old, who won the last of his eight caps for the Socceroos in 2017 but is usually back-up to first-choice goalkeeper Matt Ryan, is showing no symptoms of the virus, the club said. Striker Mu Kanazaki tested positive for the virus last week, prompting the club to investigate everyone who had come into close contact with him. Players and staff were screened on Saturday with only Langerak's result returning positive out of 26 tests. "We are trying to identify people who had close contacts with Langerak" in cooperation with a local health centre, and "will continue to promptly carry out" COVID-19 tests on other top team players and staff who have not yet performed the tests, the club said. Professional football in Japan will resume in early July without spectators after a four-month suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak. Langerak's last appearance for the Socceroos was as a substitute in a 5-0 friendly win over Oman in December 2018.
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Lion King, Aladdin, most popular movies with cinemagoers in Malta

June 8, 2020, 3:22 am
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IMAX private screening for the movie "The Lion King" at AMC Loews Lincoln Square theatre on July 17, 2019 in New York City. Photo: IMAX/AFP

In 2019, The Lion King, Aladdin and Joker were the most popular movies with cinemagoers in Malta, according to national data.  At least one in 10 people who went to the cinema watched The Lion King, while Aladdin attracted another 7.2% and Joker 5.5% of admissions. Apart from these three movies, cinemas in Malta projected another 406 film titles, registering a total of 748,568 admissions, according to National Statistics Office. Each movie was shown, on average, 71 times. These movies were shown on 28 screens in six cinemas across Malta and Gozo, with a total seating capacity of 5,762 between them.  Maltese productions attracted 2% of admissions Maltese productions, with a total of 13,942 admissions, saw a total gross box office of €99,000 in 650 screenings. They attracted 1.9% of the total number of admissions. Foreign productions meanwhile registered 734,626 admissions with a total gross box office of €4.952 million in 28,534 screenings. The majority of cinemagoers - 91.2 per cent - watched films originating from the US. In terms of age classification, most films shown in Maltese cinemas were rated as 15 and 12A. The running time of nearly two thirds of the films fell within...
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Cabinet nominates Angelo Gafà for police commissioner

June 8, 2020, 3:29 am
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File photo: Times of Malta

Cabinet has nominated Police CEO Angelo Gafà to fill in the post of Police Commissioner, vacated by Lawrence Cutajar in January.  The government said in a statement on Monday that following a public call and the evaluation of applications for the role of Police Commissioner, the Public Service Commission had "unanimously" shortlisted two candidates. The Cabinet of Ministers decided to nominate Angelo Gafà "as the most qualified candidate".  The government did not divulge the name of the second shortlisted candidate.  Gafà, who formerly served within the Armed Forces, worked as an inspector within the police force before moving to the Malta Security Service. In 2016 he became the police force's first CEO.    The government said that for the first time in history, the Police Commissioner will be appointed following a public call and with increased scrutiny, following a hearing by the Parliamentary Committee for Public Appointments. The process is now more open and transparent, it said. Who is Angelo Gafà? Gafà, 41, joined the Police Force in 2003. He was appointed inspector the following year and was assigned investigative and prosecution duties within the Police Economic Crimes...
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One new COVID-19 case, zero recoveries overnight

June 8, 2020, 3:31 am
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Photo: Jonathan Borg

A single case of COVID-19 was detected overnight, while no patients recovered over the past 24 hours, according to national data.  [attach id=884274 size="medium" align="left" type="image"]Photo: Facebook[/attach] This brings up the total number of active coronavirus cases in Malta to 25 and 630 total COVID-19 cases. Nine of the people diagnosed with the virus have died since the spread of the pandemic to Malta in March. Only 507 swab tests were carried out on Sunday, bringing up the total of tests carried out in Malta over the past three months to 75,881. The data was uploaded on Facebook by the health authorities, as the live-streamed updates by Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci were stopped last week.  Most coronavirus restrictions were lifted on Friday, after the government said Malta has beaten back the virus and can now shift its focus on getting the economy back on track.     Browsing on a desktop PC? Check out the full version of this data dashboard.
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Hearing opens as Man. City appeal two-year European ban

June 8, 2020, 3:32 am
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Manchester City's appeal against a two-year ban from European competition opened before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday by videoconference, a court official told AFP. City are accused of overstating sponsorship revenue to hide their failure to comply with UEFA's financial fair-play (FFP) rules between 2012 and 2016. In addition to the ban, they were also fined 30 million euros ($34 million, £27 million). "The hearing has started well and the video conference is working well," Matthieu Reeb, the secretary general of the Lausanne-based CAS, said. The remote hearing, which pits Manchester City against UEFA lawyers, opened 09:00 local time (0700 GMT) and is scheduled to last three days before closing on Wednesday evening. Reeb said a decision could announced in July.
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Turkey detains two opposition journalists

June 8, 2020, 4:10 am
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Journalists gather outside the Ankara courthouse on March 10, 2020 behind a banner reading in Turkish "journalism is not crime," to protest over jailing of journalists. Photo: AFP

Turkish police detained two opposition journalists as part of an investigation into "political and military espionage", the official Anadolu news agency reported on Monday. Details of the detentions were not immediately clear, but other media reported they may be linked to reporting about Turkey's involvement in conflicts in Libya and Syria.  Ismail Dukel from Tele1 TV Ankara and Muyesser Yildiz, news coordinator at OdaTV online news site, were taken into custody on Monday and are being questioned by the anti-terror police in Ankara, Anadolu said.  Telel editor-in-chief Merdan Yanardag confirmed the detentions on his Twitter account and said they were aimed at giving an "ultimatum to independent media". "We are at the top of our jobs. We will not remain silent and we will not bow," he said.  Anadolu did not elaborate on the detentions, saying only they were for "political and military espionage".  Pro-government Sabah newspaper reported that the journalists were accused of leaking information about Turkey's war plans in Libya and Syria.  It said Yildiz held "critical phone talks" with a military personnel - identified as EB - about Turkey's military units in Libya, adding that...
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EU considers changing public prosecutor office rules due to Malta

June 8, 2020, 4:10 am
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Justice Commissioner Reynders stands on an EU flag. The EU is keen to have the prosecutors office up and running. Photo: AFP

The European Commission has been forced to consider changing its rules to set up a European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) because Malta has been unable to nominate three eligible candidates.The rules currently in place require participating countries to pick at least three candidates to sit on the EPPO’s College of Prosecutors. The European Council will then select one of the three shortlisted candidates following interviews by an independent selection panel.  According to EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, Malta has only been able to present two candidates and in order to “unblock the situation”, the Commission is now considering making changes to the rules. Reynders said that he had been informed by Malta's justice minister Edward Zammit Lewis that the country faced "specific, inherent challenges" to find enough candidates who meet EPPO selection criteria.  According to the EU law establishing the EPPO, nominees must:  Be active members of a country's prosecution service or judiciary Have their independence considered beyond doubt Be qualified to be appointed to the judiciary or high prosecutorial office in their respective country Have relevant practical experience...
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Sydney makes surprise bid for Fury-Wilder rematch

June 8, 2020, 4:19 am
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Australian city Sydney has made an audacious bid to host a blockbuster heavyweight rematch between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, with promoters eyeing Boxing Day for the trilogy superfight. Promoter Dean Lonergan has tentatively booked Bankwest Stadium in the city's west for the bout, The Australian reported Monday. Semi-autonomous Chinese city Macau is also in the running. "I put a proposal to (Top Rank promoter) Bob Arum about six weeks ago by way of email to bring down here the world heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury," Lonergan told the newspaper. "The day I suggested was December 26 here so we would (broadcast) to the USA on Christmas night." Lonergan wasn't immediately available to confirm the comments. Following a controversial draw in December 2018, Britain's Fury, unbeaten as a professional, overpowered American Wilder in Las Vegas in February, beating him in seven rounds. Wilder has activated the rematch clause in his contract, with a time yet to be fixed after the original date of July 18 was scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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FAA demands scheduling of Fort Cambridge

June 8, 2020, 4:30 am
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The Officers' Mess is the only remaining part of the barracks built during the British era in Malta. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar has questioned why the Planning Authority and Superintendence of Cultural Heritage have been dragging their feet for five years to decide on scheduling Sliema's Fort Cambridge. The eNGO was referring to a story published in Times of Malta which revealed that a decision to grant the highest level of protection to the only remaining part of the barracks built during the British era has been pending for five years.  The site is now at the centre of an application to demolish the interior of the historic building, keeping just its façade which will be overshadowed by a 31-storey tower. Documents seen by Times of Malta show that the Planning Authority had received the request to schedule the remaining parts of the barracks from the Sliema local council in August 2015. In a statement on Monday, the FAA commended the government for purchasing Villa Guardamangia, the Queen’s only place of residence outside the UK, which is to be restored by Heritage Malta. It said it was particularly pleased with Culture Minister José Herrera’s assertion that the government will acquire more assets with socio-political significance in the future, and that protection should go...
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Identity Malta starts issuing new residence permits

June 8, 2020, 4:40 am
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Identity Malta Agency has kicked off the gradual roll-out of the new residence permit for third country nationals.   Apart from aesthetic changes, the new permit will be more secure and difficult to forge. The holders' personal date will also be laser engraved on a polycarbonate substrate card, which makes it extremely difficult to tamper with. Identity Malta’s CEO Mr Anton Sevasta said the residence permit will be issued for new applicants or upon renewal of existing cards. The existing ones will remain valid until the expiry date as indicated on the card.  EU member states need to comply with the new card format by July 2020. The new card will also be issued to UK beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement, including those who will be living in Malta after the transition period. Eventually, Identity Malta will issue EU nationals a new residence document as provided for in recently adopted EU legislation.
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Sanderra reconfirmed as Hibernians coach

June 8, 2020, 5:08 am
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Stefano Sanderra will continue as coach of Hibernians for another season, the Times of Malta can reveal. The Italian coach took over the helm of the Paola club in season 2018-19 when he managed to help the team mount a strong title challenge which only saw them being undone in a title decider when they lost to Valletta in a penalty shoot-out.  Last year, the Paolites were again among the teams in the hunt for the league title as when the championhsip was stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Hibernians were third in the standings, just four points adrift of leaders Floriana with six matches left. Such consistent run of results have seen the Paolites reconfirm Sanderra for a third successive season and the Italian has agreed to another one-year contract. Sanderra is currently in Italy after the season was ended prematurely last month but is expected to return next month as the Paolites will start their pre-season preparations ahead of their commitments in the Europa League qualifiers.
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Three EU countries have offered to help Malta with migrant relocation

June 8, 2020, 5:44 am
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A young man who was aboard one of the boats is photographed following disembarkation on Saturday night. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Three EU member states have offered to assist Malta with the relocation of some 425 migrants who were finally allowed to disembark on Saturday night after being held on four tourist boats for weeks on end.  A spokesperson for the European Commission said on Monday that three of the bloc's 27 member states have “expressed willingness” to help Malta. He did not say which countries had come forward or what form their help might take. Questions sent to Malta's Foreign Affairs Ministry were not acknowledged.   Speaking during a press briefing in Brussels on Monday, the spokesperson said the Commission is “relieved that disembarkation has taken place”.  “This also brings more clarity as to the next steps and allows progress to be made on the situation of the persons concerned. We remain in very close contact with Malta,” the spokesperson said.  Other member states are also being encouraged to “equally show their support”. Migrants aboard the tourist boats were brought to shore late on Saturday after a group aboard one of the boats allegedly threatened to kidnap the crew.  In a statement announcing the decision to disembark the migrants, the government had indicated that most EU member...
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Porsche reveals new 911 Targa models

June 8, 2020, 5:45 am
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The latest generation Porsche 911 is now available as the classic open-roof Targa variant. The Targa is a convertible model that has a large glass wraparound rear window with a prominent silver roll hoop that’s inspired by the original Targa model from 1965. The 2020 model has a removable hard top section that stows automatically behind the front seats in 19 seconds. [attach id=877781 size="large" align="left" type="image"][/attach] It will be available as a ‘4’ and ‘4S’ model meaning both have four-wheel-drive, as well as a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre boxer petrol engine. The ‘4’ produces 380bhp and achieves 28.8mpg with CO2 emissions of 223g/km. With the optional Sport Chrono package, it can go from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in 4.0 seconds with a top speed of 180mph (290km/h). The 4S increases the power to 444bhp with fuel economy of 27.4-28.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 235-227g/km. Meanwhile, the 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time drops to 3.4 seconds and the top speed increases to 189mph (304km/h). Both Targa models get Porsche’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the 4S is also available with a seven-speed manual gearbox. [attach id=877778 size="large" align="right"...
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France’s last Slam winner Noah blasts white ‘silence’ over racism

June 8, 2020, 6:01 am
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Yannick Noah, the last French winner of a Grand Slam tennis title, on Sunday lashed out at “the silence” of his white compatriots over racism. Noah said he was concerned that the sportsmen in France condemning police brutality and discrimination in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in the United States were all black. The 60-year-old, a son of a Cameroonian father and French mother, saluted the stands taken by fellow tennis players Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as well as World Cup winning footballer Kylian Mbappe. “It’s good that the young people are involved, but what bothers me is that they are all either mixed-race or black,” Noah, who captured the Roland Garros title in 1983, told France 2 television. “Why? It’s an injustice which should make everyone aware. I am certain that in general police do a very good job but there are bad apples.”  Noah said it was important that white sports stars in France also got involved in protests. “Yes, because their silence bothers me, but it goes further than that”.  He added: “What reassures me is that we speak quickly enough of injustice. Yes, it happens all the time. “But there are also now young white people, a young...
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Announcements - June 9, 2020

June 8, 2020, 9:34 pm
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Diamond Wedding Anniversary ALFRED BUSIETTA and MONICA BONELLO DUPUIS The marriage took place on June 9, 1960, at Stella Maris parish church, Sliema. Fr Boniface Bonello OSA, uncle of the bride, officiated. Con-gratulations from Emilienne and Clyde, Yvette and Roger, your grandchildren Stephen, Carla, Michael and Matthew. Glory be to God. Obituaries AMODIO. On June 8, at Mater Dei Hospital, DORIS, of Attard, widow of Giovanni, aged 89, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her loving son Peppe, her beloved grandchildren Laetitia and Thea and their mother Charmaine, her brother Alfred, her sisters Georgina and Sr Carmela of the Order of St Joseph of the Apparition, nephews and nieces Leon, Stephanie, Christine, Carmine Stellina, Jean Carl, Calogero, Renato, Rosario, Salvatore, Margie and Enza, all their respective spouses, besides other relatives and friends. The funeral cortège leaves Mater Dei Hospital, tomorrow, Wed-nesday, June 10, at 8.45am for St Mary parish church, Attard, where Mass præsente cadavere will be celebrated at 9.30am, followed by interment in the family grave at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers...
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