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☆ Louisiana Will Get a New City After a Yearslong Court Battle
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Rick Rojas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

That didn’t work. In 2015, they collected signatures to bring their proposal up for a vote, but didn’t get enough. This time, they made it to a ballot and won the election, only to be stalled by a lengthy court battle. But the Louisiana Supreme Court cleared the way on Friday for the formation of St. George, a city of nearly 100,000 people that joins the ranks of the state’s largest cities, falling between Lafayette and Lake Charles in population. It is the first city to be incorporated in Louisiana in nearly two decades.

Persons: George ., George Locations: Baton Rouge, La, St, Louisiana, Lafayette, Lake Charles

☆ Johnson Outlines Plan for Ukraine Aid; House Could Act Within Weeks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Catie Edmondson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Speaker Mike Johnson has begun publicly laying out potential conditions for extending a fresh round of American military assistance to Ukraine, the strongest indication yet that he plans to push through the House a package that many Republicans view as toxic and have tried to block. The move would also hand Mr. Johnson a powerful parochial win, unblocking a proposed export terminal in his home state of Louisiana that would be situated along a shipping channel that connects the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Charles. “When we return after this work period, we’ll be moving a product, but it’s going to have some important innovations,” Mr. Johnson said on Sunday in an interview on Fox News. That strongly suggests that the aid package for Ukraine, which has been stalled on Capitol Hill for months amid Republican resistance, could clear Congress within weeks. to sending more aid to Kyiv.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Biden, Johnson, “, Mr, Johnson’s Organizations: Kyiv, Democratic, Fox News, Capitol Hill, Republican, Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Louisiana, Gulf, Mexico, Lake Charles, Kyiv

☆ Phillips 66's refining operations come under activist radar
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REFINERIES:WOOD RIVER, Roxana, Illinois, refining capacity: 356,000 barrels per day (bpd)Largest Phillips 66 refinery by operating capacity. LOS ANGELES: Carson and Wilmington, California, capacity: 139,000 bpdTwo sites linked by pipeline, producing California Air Resources Board-grade gasoline and fuel-grade petroleum coke. *SAN FRANCISCO: Santa Maria, Wilmington, California and Rodeo, Rodeo, California, capacity: 120,200 bpdPhillips 66's San Francisco operations consisted of two sites: Santa Maria refinery in Wilmington, California and Rodeo refinery in Rodeo, California. INTERNATIONAL REFINERIES:HUMBER, North Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, total throughput: 245,000 bpdProduces transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks, home heating oil and petroleum coke. MiRO, Karlsruhe, Germany, total throughput: 61,000 bpdProduces transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks, home heating oil, bitumen, and petroleum coke.

Persons: Bing Guan, refiner Phillips, Phillips, Santa, Santa Maria, Shariq Khan, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Phillips, Los, Los Angeles Refinery, REUTERS, Investment Management, Energy, Exports, California Air Resources, INTERNATIONAL, MiRO, . Energy, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, Carson , California, U.S, Wood, Borger, Roxana , Illinois, Midcontinent, BORGER, Borger , Texas, West Texas, New Mexico , Colorado, SWEENY, Old Ocean , Texas, United States, America, LAKE CHARLES, Westlake , Louisiana, Europe, Linden , New Jersey, York, Bayway, East Coast . PONCA CITY, Ponca City , Oklahoma, ANGELES, Carson, Wilmington , California, California, California , Nevada, Arizona, FERNDALE, Ferndale , Washington, BILLINGS, Billings , Montana, Montana , Wyoming , Idaho , Utah, Colorado, Washington, Santa Maria, Rodeo , California, Francisco, HUMBER, North Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, Karlsruhe, Germany, Switzerland, France, Austria, San Francisco, Bengaluru

The gubernatorial election was decided in October when Jeff Landry, a Republican backed by former President Trump, won outright and avoided a runoff. Voters will cast ballots this weekend to determine the winners of a slew of other races, including three vacant, statewide offices: attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer. Democrats hope to gain a statewide office in the reliably red state as the GOP tries to retain its current offices. The secretary of state race will be closely watched after GOP incumbent Kyle Ardoin declined to seek reelection. Republican Landry is a former state representative from Lafayette and has worked in Ardoin’s office for four years.

Persons: Donald Trump, runoffs, Jeff Landry, Trump, didn't, Republicans “, ” Trump, John Fleming, Dustin Granger, Kyle Ardoin, Nancy Landry, Gwen Collins, Greenup, Republican Landry, Democrat Collins, Alice Lee Grosjean, Huey P, Long, State James Bailey, Landry, Liz Murrill, Joe Biden's, Lindsey Cheek, Cheek Organizations: —, Democratic, Republican, GOP, Republicans, Louisiana Republican Party, Democrat, Ardoin, State, of Elementary Locations: BATON ROUGE, La, Louisiana, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge

☆ Mass shootings in the US: Days after the Maine massacres, US sees a series of weekend shootings that wounded dozens
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The weekend’s gun violence comes as America’s scourge of mass shootings drags on. After the suspect in Maine’s mass shooting was found dead Friday, President Joe Biden reiterated his call to Congress to address gun violence. Investigation into Maine gunmanAuthorities were searching for the Maine mass shooter in Durham Friday. Also now under the microscope is a visit to Card’s home by police weeks before the mass shootings. The Maine National Guard asked local police to check on the gunman after a soldier became concerned he would “snap and commit a mass shooting,” according to information shared with CNN.

Persons: CNN —, “, Jane Castor, Sheriff Tony Mancuso, Joe Biden, ”, Chris O'Meara, Matt Rourke, Robert Card, Michael Sauschuck, Card, Sauschuck, ” Sauschuck, CNN’s Raja Razek, Macie Goldfarb, Andy Rose, Shimon Prokupecz, Mark Morales, Linh Tran, Rachel Clarke, John Miller, Deidre McPhillips Organizations: CNN, Tampa police, WLS, Chicago Police Department, Nashville, Kaiser Family Foundation, Tampa, Child, San Antonio Police Department, San Antonio police, Texarkana Texas Police Department, Authorities, Texarkana, AP Authorities, Maine Recycling Corporation, Lisbon , Maine Public, US Army, Maine National Guard, National Guard Locations: Maine, Lewiston , Maine, Indianapolis, Tampa , Florida, Tampa, Chicago, Lake Charles , Louisiana, Calcasieu Parish, Louisville, California, Texas, Lewiston, –, Ybor City, San Antonio, Texarkana , Texas, Durham, Lisbon , Maine, Sagadahoc County, Kennebec County

Six major candidates — four Republicans, one Democrat and one independent — are vying for the seat that is being vacated by Gov. With Edwards unable to run due to consecutive term limits, the election opens a huge opportunity for Republicans to win Louisiana’s top position. Louisiana is one of three states with a gubernatorial election this fall, along with Mississippi and Kentucky. State Rep. Richard Nelson withdrew from the race in September and endorsed Landry but will remain on the ballot per state election laws. With four significant GOP candidates vying for the position, Democrats are hopeful that Wilson, their sole major candidate, will succeed.

Persons: Donald Trump, John Bel Edwards, Edwards, Jeff Landry, Trump, Steve Scalise, Landry, Sen, Sharon Hewitt, Hunter Lundy, John Schroder, Stephen Waguespack, Bobby Jindal, Shawn Wilson, Richard Nelson, Wilson, Tim Temple, Republican Kyle Ardoin, Ardoin, Clay Schexnayder, Nancy Landry, Mike Francis, Gwen Collins, Brandon Trosclair Organizations: Republicans, Gov, Democratic, Republican, U.S, GOP, Democrat, Transportation, Development Department, State, Democratic Party Locations: BATON ROUGE, La, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Lake Charles

A Republican candidate, state Rep. Richard Nelson, withdrew from the race in September and endorsed Landry but will remain on the ballot per state election laws. Here’s a look at what to expect on election night:ELECTION DAYThe Louisiana state primary will be held Saturday. Neither Clinton nor Biden performed particularly well in Louisiana in the presidential elections: In 2016, Clinton won 38% of the statewide vote; in 2020, Biden won 40% of the statewide vote. In the 2019 Louisiana primary, 33 of the 164 races tabulated by the AP advanced to a runoff. These included the races for governor, secretary of state, five state Senate races and 24 state House races.

Persons: John Bel Edwards, Edwards, Sen, Sharon Hewitt, Jeff Landry, John Schroder, Stephen Waguespack, Richard Nelson, Landry, Shawn Wilson, Lake, Hunter Lundy, Donald Trump, Schroder, Trump, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Clinton, Biden, outperforming, it’s Organizations: WASHINGTON, Gov, Republican, Democratic, GOP, Press, WHO, AP, Senate Locations: Louisiana, Lake Charles, New Orleans, Caddo, East Carroll, Madison, Tensas, Baton Rouge and New Orleans

That area was reduced to 67 acres (27 hectares) in August when Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced final plans for the sale. Chevron, Shell Offshore, the American Petroleum Institute and the state of Louisiana sued to reverse the cut in acreage and block the inclusion of the whale-protecting measures in the lease sale provisions. They also said the changes after the initial lease sale was proposed in March violate federal law because they were adopted arbitrarily, without sufficient explanation of why they are needed. Political Cartoons View All 1173 ImagesMeanwhile, rival litigation filed by Earthjustice and other prominent environmental groups seeks to halt the lease sale. The organizations say the lease sale violates the National Environmental Policy.

Persons: Biden, James David Cain Jr, Lake Charles, BOEM, Earthjustice, ” Erik Milito, Steve Mashuda Organizations: ORLEANS, —, Interior Department, Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, District, Shell, American Petroleum Institute, Environmental, Energy, National Ocean Industries Association Locations: Gulf, Mexico, Lake, Maryland, Chevron, Louisiana, Gulf Coast

The debate, which was hosted by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., aired on multiple Louisiana news stations including KLFY. While Wilson supports exceptions and a ballot initiative to allow citizens to vote on the abortion laws, he has previously stated he is pro-life. All candidates addressed the death of Greene, who was killed after being arrested by Louisiana State Police. Schroder and Landry have backgrounds in law enforcement and said they are willing to meet with the Greene family. While most of the night was spent on issues, some candidates took the opportunity to verbally spar with Landry, who skipped the first debate.

Persons: Jeff Landry, Black, Ronald Greene, Sen, Sharon Hewitt, Landry, Donald Trump, Hunter Lundy, Richard Nelson, John Schroder, Stephen Waguespack, Bobby Jindal, Shawn Wilson, Wilson, Nelson, “ It’s, ” Wilson, Greene, John Bel Edwards, Schroder, Alton Sterling, Lundy, Schroeder, ” Landry, Edwards Organizations: GOP, Republican, Transportation, Development Department, Democratic, Nexstar Media Group, Inc, Republicans, Democrat, Louisiana State Police, Authorities, Associated Press, ” Locations: BATON ROUGE, La, Louisiana, Lake Charles, Landry

☆ Offshore Wind Auction for the Gulf of Mexico Gets a Tepid Response
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Lisa Friedman | More About Lisa Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The first auction of leases for wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico, which the Biden administration had heralded as part of its effort to expand clean energy, ended on Tuesday with just one of three available tracts sold. The lackluster bidding underscored a number of problems facing the offshore wind industry as companies struggle with soaring costs spurred by inflation, rising interest rates and permitting delays, energy experts said. The challenges pose a threat to President Biden’s climate agenda, which calls for building offshore wind farms to power 10 million homes by the end of this decade. Together, they have the potential to produce electricity to power almost 1.3 million homes, the agency said. There were no bids for the tracts off Galveston.

Persons: Biden Organizations: of Ocean Energy Management Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Lake Charles, La, Galveston , Texas, RWE, Germany, Galveston

☆ Energy Transfer seeks new LNG export license after extension denied
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Curtis Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The department in May had refused a three-year extension to Energy Transfer's earlier license saying the request did not meet criteria for a second extension. Several other companies including Commonwealth LNG have been waiting years for their non-FTA license to be approved by the DOE. Energy Transfer has been pursuing the multi-billion-dollar Lake Charles LNG project since 2012 and in its latest filing said it could not finish the plant before the existing license's 2025 deadline. Rival Commonwealth LNG told Reuters it would not object to Energy Transfer's application being expedited. "We are advancing our project and whatever happens between the DOE and Energy Transfer has nothing to do with us", Hanna said.

Persons: Kelcy Warren, Lyle Hanna, Hanna, Curtis Williams, Grant McCool Organizations: HOUSTON, Energy, U.S . Department of Energy, DOE, Commonwealth LNG, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Charles , Louisiana, Charles, Dallas, Japan, South Korea, Houston

“If you were to throw gasoline on a fire that’s already burning, that fire would grow really rapidly, really quickly. “Being hurricane season prepared also means being compassionate and kind to yourself during times of hardship,” NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness campaign, advised in a post on Instagram. Ms. Sibley, an administrative assistant and Ms. Ozane’s sister, has tried to save money to help with riding out hurricanes only for other demands to interfere with that. “What am I going to do if a hurricane really comes?” she said. “I pray we don’t have a bad one this year,” Ms. Sibley said.

Persons: El Niño, ”, Roishetta Sibley Ozane, Phil Klotzbach, “ There’s, Hurricane Ida, Emily Kask, The New York Times El, El, Eric Blake, Andrew, Craig E, Blake, Michael, Laura, Ian, Clay Tucker, NOLA Ready, Hurricane Laura, Ozane, “ They’re, Lake Charles, Ms, Meoshia Sibley, Sibley, Ozane’s, ” Ms, “ Organizations: Biscayne, El, Colorado State University, ”, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Atlantic, The New York Times, National Hurricane Center, Experts, Louisiana State University, University of Southern, Delta, of Louisiana Locations: Biscayne Beach, Florida, Westlake, La, Hurricane, Galliano, United States, University of Southern Mississippi, New Orleans, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Boric's shock announcement was all the more surprising as no DLE technology has reached commercial production without the use of those ponds, sparking competition to be the first. "Given those demand projections, there's definitely need for more supply from DLE," said Jordan Roberts, a Fastmarkets lithium industry analyst. A customer aiming to produce 15,000 metric tons of lithium each year, for example, could buy three stackable IBAT lithium plants. Exxon has also held talks with EnergySource Minerals about licensing DLE technology, two of the people said. Many brine deposits have varied chemical compositions, meaning it's unlikely that one DLE technology will emerge as a global leader.

Persons: DLE, Ken Hoffman, Gabriel Boric, Eramet, Sunresin, John Burba, That's, Alec Lucas, Jordan Roberts, IBAT, Garry Flowers, Eli Horton, Gavin Rennick, Sinead Kaufman, Dave Snydacker, Steven Schoffstall, doesn't, Chris Doornbos, Ernest Scheyder, Veronica Brown, Claudia Parsons Organizations: . Geological, EV Battery Materials Research, McKinsey & Co, Minerals, Battery Metals, Rio Tinto, Battery Tech, Fastmarkets, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Reuters, Exxon, EnergySource Minerals, Koch Industries, Ford, SLB's New Energy, Mining, Solutions, BNP, BMW, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Lake Resources, Miners, General Motors, Canadian, Imperial Oil, Thomson Locations: CHARLES , Louisiana, Europe, Asia, North America, Rio, U.S, DLE, Louisiana, Arkansas, Salton, Salt, Chile, Schlumberger, Nevada, Argentina

LAKE CHARLES, La., May 18 (Reuters) - In Washington, Republican U.S. Representative Clay Higgins has been a vocal advocate for spending cuts. As a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, Higgins was an early advocate for dramatic spending cuts, many of which ended up in the House bill. He hopes the spending cuts backed by Higgins won't affect local efforts to provide affordable housing. When it comes to spending, Higgins has been a solid "no" in Washington. For some local residents, Higgins' push for spending cuts in the face of so much need remains incomprehensible.

☆ U.S. refiners build new oil processing as travel rises
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Erwin Seba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HOUSTON, May 16 (Reuters) - U.S. oil refiners aim to run at up to 94% of a total 17.9 million barrels per day processing capacity this quarter, according to company forecasts and analysts, driven in part by expectations of seasonal travel demand. This quarter is traditionally one of the year's hottest for demand as companies build gasoline and jet fuel output for the summer vacation season. He estimates refiners overall will run at 94% utilization rate this quarter, matching the 2017-19 average for the period. High prices will keep U.S. refinery utilization rates at levels near last year's about 91.7% this year and next, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast in January. Refiners will add the capacity to process an additional 328,000 bpd in this quarter, increasing gasoline and diesel supplies this summer.

☆ Best rice dishes: 20 delicious specialties from around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Terry Ward | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

And while famous rice dishes such as sushi, fried rice and paella are among the most prominent in the global spotlight, there are so many more rice recipes out there to put on your radar – and seek out on your travels. Wali wa kukaanga, KenyaWali wa kukaanga is Kenya’s answer to fried rice, and translates to just that in Swahili. So it’s no surprise that the Polynesian island country’s most popular rice dish, alaisa fa’apopo, has ties to the coconut, too. Thai fried rice (Khao Pad), ThailandThai fried rice uses the layering of flavors that's characteristic of the country's cuisine. ArenaCreative/Adobe StockWhen it comes to fried rice, the Chinese version tends to steal the spotlight.

☆ Biden Interior proposes first offshore wind lease sale in Gulf of Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration on Wednesday proposed the first-ever offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico as part of a larger plan to install offshore wind sites along the country's coasts. The proposed lease sale is part of the Interior Department's plan to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by the end of the decade, which would be enough to power 10 million homes. The announcement also follows the agency's approval of the first two commercial scale offshore wind projects in the U.S. The proposed lease areas could collectively power nearly 1.3 million homes with clean energy, the Interior said. Last year, the administration released a five-year offshore drilling plan allowing some lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico.

After a dearth of plant approvals last decade, developers have secured dozens of long-term contracts to finance new multibillion-dollar LNG plants. The United States was long an importer of LNG, but natural gas discoveries and production from the shale revolution flipped the country into an LNG exporter in 2016. U.S. LNG exports hit 10.6 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2022, making the country the second biggest LNG exporter behind Australia. But their production volumes will allow the United States to remain ahead of output from Australia and Qatar. The seven U.S. export plants already in service, including Freeport LNG, can turn about 13.8 billion cubic feet of gas into LNG each day.

☆ Air Force offensive lineman, 21, dies after experiencing a 'medical emergency' on his way to class
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

An offensive lineman with the U.S. Air Force died after experiencing a "medical emergency," the Academy announced Tuesday. In May 2021, he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, the Air Force Academy's superintendent, said Brown was "well-respected in his squadron." Brown was also remembered as a "standout" offensive lineman on the school's Falcons football team, playing in their 2021 and 2022 seasons. Brown's death will be investigated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, a standard protocol for on-base military deaths, the Academy said.

☆ Tornado touches down in Louisiana, as Alabama and Mississippi remain under watches
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A tornado struck New Iberia, Louisiana, on Wednesday, briefly trapping people in their homes, police and the National Weather Service Lake Charles said. The tornado touched down in the Southport subdivision area just before 11 a.m. An NWS spokesperson said a storm survey will be conducted to determine its strength. Earlier Wednesday, tornado watches had been issued for parts of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana — where two people, including a child, were killed when a storm tore through the area Tuesday. Thousands of people in Louisiana and Mississippi remain without power after Tuesday's storms. Other injuries were reported in Farmerville, Louisiana, and in Texas after a tornado struck the city of Grapevine.

Tens of thousands of people are scrambling for homeowners insurance in Louisiana at the peak of hurricane season after recent storms drove their carriers out of business. Massive claims from those storms drove large national insurance companies to scale back their coverage and remaining companies to jack up rates. The strategy seemed to work: Rates eventually stabilized, although Louisiana remained one of the most expensive states for homeowners insurance. That pushed the small insurance companies to their financial limits and squeezed reinsurers, who raised their rates. The state insurer’s rolls, which totaled 34,500 in August 2020, ballooned to about 110,000 last week.

☆ Hurricane season forecast: Above average, spare us from another one, Louisiana resident says
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-30 | by ( Jennifer Gray | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Callaghan O'Hare for the Washington Post/Getty Images“There is a literal PTSD out there in the community,” explained Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter. “We have some homes that literally have not been touched since Hurricane Laura,” Hunter noted. “Though it has taken far too long, there is over a billion dollars in federal aid that has been allocated for hurricanes Laura and Delta. Lake Charles ‘on edge’Powerful winds blew out windows in the Capitol One Bank Tower during Hurricane Laura in 2020. “Certainly, as we approach hurricane season, locals are just a bit more on edge than they were prior to 2020,” Hunter acknowledged.

☆ Mardi Gras: The most fun you’ll have with a history lesson
▼ + stars: | 2019-03-05 | by ( Emanuella Grinberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —It’s time to break out your beads and get in your last bites of king cake – Mardi Gras time is here. Whatever your motivation, here’s everything you need to know about Mardi Gras to be conversant in the holiday’s history. Sean Gardner/Getty ImagesAccording to historians, festivities resembling Mardi Gras go back thousands of years to ancient Roman festivals celebrating the harvest season. One of those Roman traditions became the sweet staple of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras known as the king cake. Mardi Gras in the New WorldFollowing a long tradition, revelers pack Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras day back in 2016.

Persons: CNN —, Mardi Gras, It’s, Lent, Ash, Gras, Charles, Sean Gardner, Christianity, Mardi, de Reyes, ”, Father William P, Saunders, “, Shrovetide, Jonathan Bachman, Chris Graythen, Mobile , Alabama –, Lake, Read, Beatriz Da Costa Organizations: CNN, Mardi, Saturn, ”, Mardi Gras, Getty, Orleans ’, New Orleans, Hurricane, New York Times Locations: Gras, Mardi, it’s, New Orleans, Venice, Rio, St, Rome, Europe, Spain, Latin America, United States, Mexico City, Mardi Gras, Shrovetide, CatholicCulture.org, England, France, Americas, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Louisiana, Orleans, New, While New Orleans, Gulf Coast, Mobile , Alabama, Gulf, Lake Charles , Louisiana, Galveston , Texas

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