Name: Sharif's petition against conviction rejected
Uploaded: 2019-02-25T17:28:01.0+05:30
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The Delta variant of the coronavirus, scientifically known as B.1.617.2, is said to have further mutated into a new strain called the Delta plus or 'AY.1' variant...

Is the Delta plus variant of coronavirus dangerous? Here's all you need to know

As India limps back to normalcy, emerging from the deadly wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the danger seems to be far from over.
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/ask-the-doctor-should-we-worry-about-the-new-delta-covid-variant-1623336653216" target="_blank">Delta&nbsp;variant of the coronavirus</a>, scientifically known as B.1.617.2, is said to have further mutated into a new strain called the 'Delta&nbsp;plus' or 'AY.1' variant.&nbsp;
<h3>Here's everything you need to know about the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;plus variant.</h3>
The&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant was first found in India and is believed to be behind the rapid surge during the second wave of the virus in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;
VK Paul on&nbsp;delta&nbsp;plus &ndash; "it is not a variant of concern just a variant of interest."&nbsp;
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/delta-plus-new-covid-variant-identified-in-india-say-scientists-1623682367177" target="_blank">Delta&nbsp;plus variant</a>, alternatively named B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1 variant was formed due to a mutation in the spike protein of the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant, being called the K417N mutation.
Spike proteins are present on the surface of the virus&nbsp;and helps it enter the human body in order to infect cells.
Scientists have said that this mutation in the viral spike protein, seen in the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;plus variant, makes it resistant to monoclonal antibodies cocktail, which has so far shown much promise in the treatment of Covid patients.&nbsp;
Also Read | <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/pfizer-astrazeneca-vaccines-protect-against-delta-variant-study-1623723912146" target="_blank">Pfizer, AstraZeneca vaccines protect against Delta variant: study</a>
Monoclonal antibodies are clones of an antibody that targets one specific antigen. They are artificially created in the laboratory and bind to the spike protein of the SARS-COV-2 virus, blocking the entry to the healthy cells and protecting the body from the same.&nbsp;India recently approved monoclonal antibody cocktails like Casirivimab and Imdevimab.&nbsp;
Does this mean that the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;plus variant is more infectious or more transmissible?&nbsp;
Doctors have said that the variant&rsquo;s resistance to monoclonal antibodies does not determine whether or not it is more infectious or transmissible.&nbsp;&nbsp;
What does the presence of the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;Plus variant mean for India?
Scientists say there is no immediate cause for concern since the prevalence of this new variant is still low in India.&nbsp;
Experts say the quality and quantity of neutralising antibodies generated by an individual infected with the new variant is unlikely to be affected because of the mutation.
According to Public Health England, 63&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;plus genomes&nbsp;&nbsp;have been identified so far, six of which are from India. There are 36 confirmed&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;plus cases in the UK and it accounts for around six per cent of cases in the US.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Delta&nbsp;plus cases around the world include cases in Canada, Germany, Portugal, Russia, Nepal and Japan.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Also Read | <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/a-single-shot-is-61-effective-against-delta-strain-covid-group-chief-1623895341519" target="_blank">A single shot is 61% effective against Delta strain: Covid group chief</a>

As India limps back to normalcy, emerging from the deadly wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the danger seems to be far from over. The Delta variant of the coronavirus, scientifically known as B.1.617.2, is said to have further mutated into a new strain called the 'Delta plus' or 'AY.1' variant. Here's everything you need to know about the Delta plus variant. The Delta variant was first found in India and is believed to be behind the rapid surge during the second wave of the virus in the country. VK Paul on delta plus – "it is not a variant of concern just a variant of interest." The Delta plus variant, alternatively named B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1 variant was formed due to a mutation in the spike protein of the Delta variant, being called the K417N mutation. Spike proteins are present on the surface of the virus and helps it enter the human body in order to infect cells. Scientists have said that this mutation in the viral spike protein, seen in the Delta plus variant, makes it resistant to monoclonal antibodies cocktail, which has so far shown much promise in the treatment of Covid patients. Also Read | Pfizer, AstraZeneca vaccines protect against Delta variant: study Monoclonal antibodies are clones of an antibody that targets one specific antigen. They are artificially created in the laboratory and bind to the spike protein of the SARS-COV-2 virus, blocking the entry to the healthy cells and protecting the body from the same. India recently approved monoclonal antibody cocktails like Casirivimab and Imdevimab. Does this mean that the Delta plus variant is more infectious or more transmissible? Doctors have said that the variant’s resistance to monoclonal antibodies does not determine whether or not it is more infectious or transmissible. What does the presence of the Delta Plus variant mean for India? Scientists say there is no immediate cause for concern since the prevalence of this new variant is still low in India. Experts say the quality and quantity of neutralising antibodies generated by an individual infected with the new variant is unlikely to be affected because of the mutation. According to Public Health England, 63 Delta plus genomes have been identified so far, six of which are from India. There are 36 confirmed Delta plus cases in the UK and it accounts for around six per cent of cases in the US. Delta plus cases around the world include cases in Canada, Germany, Portugal, Russia, Nepal and Japan. Also Read | A single shot is 61% effective against Delta strain: Covid group chief

Iran’s hard-line judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi, won the country’s presidential election in a landslide victory on Saturday. Raisi took an unassailable lead

Iran&rsquo;s hard-line judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi, won the country&rsquo;s presidential election in a landslide victory on Saturday. Raisi took an unassailable lead in the presidential election after 90 percent of the votes were counted.&nbsp;Interestingly, voting in the Presidential election saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic&rsquo;s history.&nbsp;
Raisi, a prot&eacute;g&eacute; of Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. He will take office in August as Iran seeks to salvage its tattered nuclear deal with major powers and free itself from punishing US sanctions, that have led to a sharp economic downturn. 
72-year-old outgoing President Hassan Rouhani, served two consecutive four-year-terms allowed under the Iranian constitution.

The Palestinian Authority has cancelled a deal under which Israel was to give it at least one million Covid vaccines. The authority said the Pfizer jabs were "about to

The Palestinian Authority has cancelled a deal under which Israel was to give it at least one million Covid vaccines. The authority said the Pfizer jabs were "about to expire." Israel earlier said, it didn't need an ageing stock of vaccines and they could be used to speed up the Palestinian vaccination programme. In return, the Palestinians were to give Israel a similar number of vaccines they are expecting from Pfizer later in the year. However, when the first batch of jabs from Israel arrived, Palestinian officials said they were even nearer their expiry date than expected. About 55% of eligible Israelis have been given both doses as part of a mass vaccination campaign. Some 30% of eligible Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza have received at least one vaccine dose, according to Palestinian officials.

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday called for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar and urged the military to respect the elections held in Novembe

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday called for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar and urged the military&nbsp;to respect the elections&nbsp;held in November last year and release political prisoners including,&nbsp;leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The UNGA adopted a resolution with the support of 119 countries,&nbsp;months after the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government in a coup in February.&nbsp;Belarus was the only country to oppose the resolution, while 36 nations abstained from the vote, including China, India and Russia.&nbsp;
The UN resolution came after negotiations by a Core Group which includes the European Union, several Western nations and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations&nbsp;ASEAN, which includes Myanmar.
UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "we cannot live in a world where military coups become a norm. It is totally unacceptable."

As the world deals with the Delta Covid-19 variant, the World Health Organisation on Friday designated another variant, labelled as 'Lambda', as a 'Variant of Interest'

As the world deals with the Delta Covid-19 variant, the World Health Organisation on Friday designated another variant, labelled as 'Lambda', as a 'Variant of Interest' (VOI).
WHO in it's weekly bulletin said that the Lambda variant was initially detected in Peru in August 2020 and has since been reported in 29 nations around the world, mostly in Latin America, including Argentina and Chile.
The global health body said that the Lambda variant has been monitored "as an alert for an extended period", and has been associated with "substantive rates of community transmission" in multiple countries.
The WHO bulletin, however, also added that there is currently "limited evidence" on the full extent of the impact associated with this variant, and "robust studies need to be conducted into the phenotypic impacts to formulate a plan on countermeasures.

27 nations of the European Union on Wednesday decided to allow United States residents to travel into their countries for non-essential purposes, essentially opening th

27 nations of the European Union on Wednesday decided to allow United States residents to travel into their countries for non-essential purposes, essentially opening the summer vacation season.
Along with opening up the gigantic US market to tourism this summer, the EU added five other nations to their list of approved countries for non-essential travel as Covid cases decline in the region. The EU will soon be lifting restrictions they currently have for countries like Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Australia. However India is still on the restricted list.
Any traveler travelling to the EU will have to furnish results from a negative Covid-19 test or quarantine on arrival, if they choose. Seven countries in Europe, including Greece, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany and Poland, launched the digital vaccine certificate, also called the Green passport the first week of June, allowing all vaccinated travelers and those presenting evidence of a negative Covid test or antibodies to enter their nations for nonessential purposes.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his government to be prepared for both dialogue and confrontation with the Biden administration - but more for confrontation, st

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his government to be prepared for both dialogue and confrontation with the Biden administration - but more for confrontation, state media reported on Friday. The order comes days after the United States and others urged North Korea to abandon its nuclear program and return to talks.
Experts say, Kim's statement indicates he'll likely push to strengthen his nuclear arsenal and increase pressure on Washington to give up what North Korea considers a hostile U.S. policy, though he'll also prepare for talks to resume.
During an ongoing ruling party meeting Thursday, Kim analysed in detail the policy tendencies of the U.S. under President Joe Biden and clarified unspecified steps to be taken in relations with Washington.
Kim "stressed the need to get prepared for both dialogue and confrontation, especially to get fully prepared for confrontation in order to protect the dignity of our state and its interests for independent development and to reliably guarantee the peaceful environment and the security of our state."
In 2018-19, Kim held a series of summits with then-President Donald Trump to discuss his advancing nuclear arsenal. But their negotiations fell apart after Trump rejected Kim's calls for extensive sanctions relief in return for a partial surrender of his nuclear capability. Biden's administration has worked to formulate a new approach on North Korea's nuclear program that it describes as "calibrated and practical."

Israel will provide around one million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to the Palestinian Authority ahead of their expiry, the Israeli prime minister's office said on Friday.

Israel will provide around one million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to the Palestinian Authority ahead of their expiry, the Israeli prime minister's office said on Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office in a joint statement with the defence and health ministries said, the vaccines are being sent under a sharing deal with Palestine, to boost the vaccination campaign in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
Under the terms of the deal, Israel will receive in return a reciprocal number of doses of the Pfizer vaccine from the Palestinian Authority, later this year.
Around 55% of eligible Israelis are fully vaccinated - a turnout largely unchanged by this month's expansion of eligibility to include 12- to 15-year-olds.
Some 30% of eligible Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have received at least one vaccine dose, according to Palestinian officials.
The Palestinians have received vaccine doses from Israel, Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates and the global COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative.

In a historic move, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has nominated the first judge of colour to sit on Canada’s supreme court, which has only ever had white

In a historic move, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has nominated the first judge of colour to sit on the country's supreme court. Canada's top court has only had white justices in its 146-year existence.
Trudeau has nominated Mahmud Jamal, who has been a judge on Ontario&rsquo;s court of appeal since 2019 and will replace Justice Rosalie Abella. Trained as a lawyer, he appeared in 35 appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada on civil, constitutional, criminal, and regulatory issues.
Jamal was born in 1967 into an Indian family in Nairobi and raised in Britain before moving to Canada in 1981.
In a tweet, Trudeau said, &ldquo;He&rsquo;ll be a valuable asset to the supreme court - and that&rsquo;s why, today, I&rsquo;m announcing his historic nomination to our country&rsquo;s highest court&rdquo;.

Autistic Pride Day is observed each year on June 18 to respect the rights of people suffering from autism. Autistic people are often subject to human rights violations,

Autistic Pride Day is observed each year on June 18 to respect the rights of people with autism. Autistic people are often subject to human rights violations, discrimination and stigma. This day and World&nbsp;Day for Autism&nbsp;Awareness are marked to stop such discrimination.
Autism begins during <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/childhood-trauma-linked-with-heart-disease-in-middle-age-study-1588250670848" target="_blank">childhood</a> and tends to persist into adolescence and adulthood. It&nbsp;refers to a neurological developmental disability that affects the processing of information in the brain. It also affects communication and the ability to interact socially. The causes of this disorder are not fully understood and the effect it has on people varies, as its symptoms and characteristics appear in a variety of combinations.
The first Autistic Pride Day was celebrated in Brazil in the year 2005. The day was hosted by an organisation named Aspies for Freedom (AFF). The people who started this were autistic themselves. This day&nbsp;is&nbsp;represented&nbsp;by&nbsp;a rainbow infinity symbol&nbsp;that signifies the diversity&nbsp;of autistic people and the&nbsp;infinite possibilities&nbsp;and&nbsp;variations&nbsp;within the autistic community.

Residents of Australia's Victoria state are literally caught in a web. Days after a massive storm, the East Gippsland town in Victoria is covered under giant spiderwebs

Residents of Australia's Victoria state are literally caught in a web. Days after a massive storm, the East Gippsland town in Victoria is covered under giant spiderwebs. The vast sheets of spiderwebs cover the roadside, poles, road signs, trees, plants, and everything that is tall or high. The huge webs looks almost like transparent&nbsp;nets covering grasslands. The spiders wove these elaborate webs in a bid to move to higher ground to escape the wrath of the floodwaters and damage to their homes in low areas. According to a BBC report, experts say the webs are created by a survival tactic known as &ldquo;ballooning&rdquo;, where spiders throw out silk to climb to higher ground.

Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide passed a grim milestone of 4 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally. It took over a year for the Covid-19 death tol

Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide passed a grim milestone of 4 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally.&nbsp;
It took over a year for the Covid-19 death toll to hit 2 million, while the next 2 million were recorded in just 166 days, according to a Reuters analysis.
While the number of new cases and deaths have abated in many regions, several nations have vaccine shortages as the Delta variant becomes the dominant strain around the world.
The top five countries by total number of deaths &ndash; the United States, Brazil, India, Russia and Mexico &ndash; represent about 50% of all deaths in the world.
&nbsp;

Actor Priyanka Chopra is among seven women who have joined lingerie brand Victoria's Secret as it attempts an image makeover. The lingerie brand is ditching its superm

Actor Priyanka Chopra is among seven women who have joined lingerie brand Victoria's Secret as it attempts an image makeover.
The lingerie brand is ditching its supermodels, or Angels as they were called, to focus on women empowerment, giving a platform to female athletes, activists and entrepreneurs. It's new hires include football star Megan Rapinoe and transgender model Valentina Sampaio.
Criticized for its objectification of women, Victoria's Secret in 2019 abandoned its famed fashion show.
Victoria's Secret plans to resume its fashion show in 2022, but in a very different format, chief executive Martin Waters told the Times, adding that "we needed to stop being about what men want and to be about what women want."

As most countries struggle to vaccinate their people against the deadly Covid-19, the US government has announced a mega plan to invest in the development of a pill to

As most countries struggle to vaccinate their people against the deadly Covid-19, the US government has announced a mega plan to invest in the development of a pill to fight the coronavirus.
The US health department on Thursday announced that it will pump in more than $3 billion in the programme that will speed up clinical trials of a promising drug candidate, the New York Times has reported.
If all goes well, some of those first pills could be ready by the end of the year, the report said.
Several companies, including Pfizer, Roche and AstraZeneca, are testing antivirals in pill form.

Former president Donald Trump on Thursday said that India has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, insisting that China should pay $10 trillion to the US for al

Former president Donald Trump on Thursday said that India has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, insisting that China should pay $10 trillion to the US for allegedly being responsible for the spread of Covid-19 globally.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said that in fact, China should pay more as compensation to the world, but this is what they have the capacity to pay.
&ldquo;Look at what's going on in India now. You know, they used to say, look how well India was doing, because they were always looking for an excuse -- look how well India is doing. The fact that India has just been devastated now, and virtually, every country has been devastated,&rdquo; Trump said.
Trump has been alleging that the coronavirus may have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in central China's Wuhan city.
&nbsp;

Israel has launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip for a second time this week since a cease-fire ended last month's 11-day war. The strikes came late on Thursday night

Israel has launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip for a second time this week since a cease-fire ended last month's 11-day war.
The strikes came late on Thursday night after Hamas militants launched incendiary balloons into Israel for a third straight day.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from the strikes. Israel also carried out airstrikes on Wednesday, targeting what it is said were Hamas facilities, without killing or wounding anyone.
The military said fighter jets struck Hamas &ldquo;military compounds and a rocket launch site&rdquo; late on Thursday in response to the balloons. It said its forces were preparing for a &ldquo;variety of scenarios including a resumption of hostilities."

The makers of Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine have said that they will soon offer a booster shot to other vaccine manufacturers. This booster shot will be "adjusted to

The makers of Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine&nbsp;have said that they will soon offer a booster shot to other vaccine manufacturers. This booster shot will be "adjusted to work against the Delta variant of coronavirus, first detected in India", said the makers of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine.
The&nbsp;Russian Direct Investment Fund has claimed that the Sputnik V vaccine is more effective against the Delta variant of coronavirus than any other vaccine.
The Delta variant of Covid-19 has been identified as one of the major drivers of the second wave of infections in India in May of this year. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Delta variant had spread to 74 countries as of June 14.

The Israeli air force launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip early on Wednesday after protesters in the Palestinian territory sent incendiary balloons into southern Isr

The Israeli air force launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip early on Wednesday after protesters in the Palestinian territory sent incendiary balloons into southern Israel. This is the first flare-up between the two sides since a major conflict killed hundreds last month.
Palestinian protesters brought helium gas cylinders, inflated the balloons, attached small pieces of burning rugs to the bright balloons and sent them across the frontier. Israeli authorities said they put out at least seven fires on Tuesday.
The balloons were fired ahead of planned march by Jewish ultranationalists through east Jerusalem.&nbsp;Hamas has called on Palestinians, who consider the march to be a provocation to &ldquo;resist&rdquo; the parade.
The Gaza strikes were the first under the new coalition government headed by Naftali Bennett, who took over on Sunday after ousting longtime prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified the Delta, a highly transmissible Covid-19 variant first identified in India, as a "variant of concern.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified the Delta, a highly transmissible Covid-19 variant first identified in India, as a "variant of concern."
The CDC said the Delta variant shows increased transmissibility, potential reduction in neutralisation by some monoclonal antibody treatments. It also shows potential reduction in neutralization from sera after vaccination in lab tests.
A particular Covid-19 variant is only dubbed 'variant of concern' when scientists believe that coronavirus strain is shows increased transmissibility and a chance to cause more severe disease.
Vaccines, treatments, and tests that detect the virus may also be less effective against a variant of concern.
The Delta variant, which was dubbed a 'variant of concern' by the WHO on May 10, accounts for around 9.9% of all Covid-19 cases in the United States, the CDC estimates.

Nepal and Bhutan have been lashed by heavy rains in the last three days with the onset of annual monsoon season. In Nepal, flash floods wreaked havoc in Sindhupalchok a

Nepal and Bhutan have been lashed by heavy rains in the last three days with the onset of the annual monsoon season. In Nepal, flash floods wreaked havoc in Sindhupalchok and the Melamchi town is submerged in a thick layer of mud &amp; water. As per officials, about 200 houses in the town have been partially or completely damaged. Seven people are reportedly dead and several others are missing.
People in Melamchi moved to higher grounds with their belongings while army helicopters were rescuing those trapped in houses. Authorities urged people living along the Narayani River, which flows into India as Gandak, to remain alert as the river was found to be flowing above the danger mark.

Donald Trump may not have many fans in Pakistan, but this kulfi seller has become a rage on internet for his striking resemblance to the former US President. Pakistani

Donald Trump may not have many fans in Pakistan, but this kulfi seller has become a rage on internet for his striking resemblance to the former US President. Pakistani singer Shehzad Roy posted a video of a kulfi seller praising his voice. But what caught internet's eye were his looks, which have a striking resemblance to Trump. In the clip, the elderly man, who reportedly had albinism, can be seen wearing a kurta-pajama while selling ice cream. "Trump selling kulfi in Pakistan", wrote one Twitter user. Others pointed out that the kulfi seller is from Sahiwal in Pakistan and quite famous for his unique way of selling it.

A Pakistani court has rejected former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's appeal over a seven-year prison sentence for corruption and refused to grant him release on medical

Sharif's petition against conviction rejected

A Pakistani court has rejected former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's appeal over a seven-year prison sentence for corruption and refused to grant him release on medical grounds. The Islamabad High Court's two-judge bench announced its ruling after the appeal hearings concluded last week. Sharif's aide Shahid Abbasi says the they will take the case to the Supreme Court. Sharif is in custody in a hospital where he is being treated for heart-related issues.

Sharif's petition against conviction rejected 

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Is the Delta plus variant more infectious? Here's all you need to know about the new coronavirus&nbsp;variant

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International

Hardliner judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi to be Iran's new president

Palestine cancels Covid vaccine sharing deal with Israel, says Pfizer jabs 'about to expire'

UN resolution calls for halting arms supply to Myanmar, India abstains from vote

New Covid variant Lambda found in 29 countries, WHO calls it 'Variant Of Interest'

Summer vacation cravings? European Union opens borders to US, other tourists

Kim Jong-un says he's prepared for both 'dialogue and confrontation' with the US

Israel to provide 1 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Palestinians under sharing deal

Canada's first Supreme Court judge of colour has Indian roots

Autistic Pride Day 2021: Here's all you need to know

Watch: Giant spiderwebs cover Australian town after flood

Global deaths due to Covid breach 4-million mark: report

Victoria's Secret ditches 'Angels', hires Priyanka Chopra

A pill to fight Covid-19? the US is betting big on it

India devastated by Covid, China must pay up: Donald Trump

Israel strikes Gaza again after Hamas fires incendiary balloons

Sputnik V makers to offer other vaccine firms booster shot for Delta variant

Palestinian protesters fire incendiary balloons towards Israel days after a shaky ceasefire

Covid-19 Delta strain classified as 'variant of concern' by US CDC

Nepal: flash floods triggered by the annual monsoon rains wreak havoc, 7 killed

Trump selling kulfi in Pakistan? Internet found a look alike

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