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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference, in Tel Aviv, Israel October 12, 2023. The question of Iranian access to the funds has been in the spotlight since Iran-backed Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel on Saturday, killing more than 1,300 people and taking scores of hostages back to the Palestinian Gaza Strip. "Iran will not be able to access the funds for the foreseeable future," a senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters. Several U.S. media outlets reported on Thursday that the United States and Qatar had agreed to stop Iran from accessing the money. It did not respond to a request for comment on whether Iran had yet tried to access the funds.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jacquelyn Martin, Blinken, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's U.N, Donald Trump, John Kirby, Kirby, Parisa Hafezi, Andrew Mills, Michelle Nichols, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, TEL, United, Washington, Reuters, U.S, U.S . Treasury, U.S ., Government, United Nations, Qatar's, Media, White House, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, TEL AVIV, WASHINGTON, United States, Iran, Qatar, Palestinian, U.S, Tehran, South Korea, Seoul after Washington, Islamic Republic of Iran, New York, Qatari

☆ Biden set to deliver remarks on Hamas attack in Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Amanda Macias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Afghanistan during a speech in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, August 31, 2021. WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will address the unprecedented terror attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel as violence in the region soars. ET from the White House, come on the heels of what the Pentagon has dubbed "ISIS-level savagery" in Israel. In a statement Monday evening, Biden confirmed the deaths of at least 11 Americans in Israel and acknowledged that some U.S. citizens could have been kidnapped by Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Hamas' attack on Israel "a terrible mistake," warning that the retaliatory strikes on Hamas were "just the beginning."

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel, John Kirby, Kirby, Hamas What's, Defense Lloyd Austin, Gerald Ford, Austin Organizations: White, WASHINGTON, Pentagon, European Union, United, Defense, National Security, Israel, Hamas, Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group, Air Force Locations: Afghanistan, Washington, Israel, Gaza, U.S, United States

☆ A Soviet-style approach to war might be hindering Ukraine in its battles with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Soviet-style approach to war might be holding back Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia. US officials told The New York Times that Ukrainian forces were evenly allocating their resources. Ukraine has continued to pour resources into eastern areas such as Bakhmut, baffling US officials. Unnamed US officials told The New York Times that Ukraine needed to focus its counteroffensive resources on southern Ukraine, as they have been spreading equipment and troops too widely and to little effect . The problem is that Ukraine — like Russia — fights under an old Communist doctrine that seeks to limit infighting between military divisions by evenly dividing resources, the Times reported.

Persons: Russia —, John Kirby, Kirby Organizations: New York Times, Service, Times, Department of Defense, Pentagon Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Bakhmut, Crimea, Soviet, Germany

[1/2] A general view of the sun rising behind the White House in Washington, U.S. January 22, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's comment about China being a "ticking time bomb" referred to internal economic and social tensions that could have an effect on how Beijing interacts with the world, a White House official said Friday. Kirby defended the funding request, saying, "Yes, this is an urgent need for us to be able to provide an alternative." Biden told donors: "China is a ticking time bomb ... China is in trouble. Liu said China's GDP growth continued to provide an important support for the development of the global economy.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, John Kirby, Kirby, Liu Pengyu, Biden, Liu, We've, Xi Jinping, Andrea Shalal, Michael Martina, Chris Reese, David Gregorio Our Organizations: White, REUTERS, Reuters, China's National Bureau, Statistics, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, Beijing, Utah, Washington, United States, India

☆ Russia is playing risky games with its exploding drones, attacking Ukrainian ports only a couple hundred meters from NATO territory
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russian forces have been routinely attacking Ukraine's southern cities and ports in recent weeks. Western intelligence says Russia has "evolved its risk appetite for conducting strikes near" NATO. But these attacks have also crept toward NATO territory, something Western officials have warned of since the 17-month-long war began. It added that the Iranian-made drones have landed as close as 650 feet from the Romania border, "suggesting that Russia has evolved its risk appetite for conducting strikes near NATO territory." Meanwhile, the bombardment near Romania comes as some NATO countries worry that Russian allies are encroaching on NATO territory to the northwest of Ukraine.

Persons: Nina Liashenko, Reni, Ukraine Bridget Brink, Wagner, John Kirby, We're Organizations: NATO, Service, Russian, Twitter, AS, REUTERS, White, National Security Locations: Romania, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine's, Moscow, Ukraine, Romanian, Izmail, China, Israel, russia, Russian, Odesa, Belarus, Minsk, Poland, Lithuania

☆ Exiled Wagner mercenaries are training Belarusian troops in what may signal Putin's puppet next door is cutting some of the strings
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Wagner Group mercenaries cast into exile in Belarus have been training the country's soldiers. The increased military training suggests that Putin's influential grip on Belarus may be waning. "The Wagner Group's new role in Belarusian company-level training is notable," the ISW analysis said. Shortly after that, Wagner troops began training internal troops, the Belarusian Deputy Commander of the Internal Troops confirmed on July 25. Lukashenko, meanwhile, has praised the Wagner fighters and welcomed the military training with open arms.

Persons: Wagner, Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, Lukashenko, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, Eager, Russian Wagner, ISW, George Barros, Wagner's, Barros, Putin, Belta, John Kirby, We're, Kirby Organizations: Service, Kremlin, Wagner Group, Belarusian Defence Ministry, REUTERS, Russian, Institute for, Belarusian, Sputnik, Internal Troops, Belarus ' Defense Ministry, Special Operations Forces, AP, Moscow, Ukrainian, Minsk, White, National Security, NATO Locations: Belarus, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Belarusian, Asipovichy, Minsk, Russian, Brest, Washington, DC, wean, Moscow, Ukraine, Sochi, Kremlin, Africa, Poland, Lithuania

Senator Tim Kaine and Representative Barbara Lee raised concerns on Sunday over the decision by President Joe Biden's administration to send cluster bombs to Ukraine to combat the Russian invasion. "Cluster bombs should never be used. That's crossing a line," she told CNN on Sunday, adding the United States risked losing its "moral leadership" by sending cluster bombs to Ukraine. He added that Russia is using cluster munitions in Ukraine and "indiscriminately killing civilians," while the Ukrainians will be using them to defend their own territory. U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, said Ukraine's counteroffensive was going slowly and that the cluster bombs could be a "game changer" for the Ukrainians.

Persons: Gabriel Jenko, Tim Kaine, Barbara Lee, Joe Biden's, Antonio Guterres, Kaine, Biden, Lee, John Kirby, Kirby, Michael McCaul, McCaul, Kanishka Singh, Joey Roulette, Doina Chiacu, Scott Malone, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Munitions, U.S . Army, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Democratic U.S, United, United Nations, Fox News, Senate Armed Services Committee, White, Cluster Munitions, CNN, White House, Democratic, Republican, U.S, Representatives Foreign, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Hovey, South Korea, Handout, Ukraine, Russian, United States, Russia, United

☆ 'American Sikh:' How a turbaned Captain America shatters stereotypes
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Harmeet Kaur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In 2013, a photographer convinced the cartoonist to don a Captain America costume for a shoot on the streets of New York. Something about a Sikh Captain America seemed to resonate with people. He wants others to see Sikh Captain America as just AmericanIn summer 2011, Singh saw a promotional poster for “Captain America: The First Avenger” that sparked an idea. “I never fathomed that a 10-year-old White kid would connect to a turban and bearded Captain America,” Singh said. Singh’s Sikh Captain America subverted typical ideas of patriotism – instead of fighting Nazi agent Red Skull and other members of the Axis Powers, Sikh Captain America would fight hate crimes and intolerance in the US.

Persons: America, Chris Evans, Vishavjit Singh, Singh, ” Singh, Ryan Westra, Whoopi Goldberg, Indira Gandhi, Gandhi, “, ”, –, Osama bin Laden, Mark Fiore, White, Joe Simon, Jack Kirby, Red, Drew Heskett, Westra, Beard, ” “, ” Westra, they’ve, heartening, – Singh, “ Osama ” Organizations: CNN, Police, Tribeca, Sikh, Captain America, New York Comic Con, Nazi, America Locations: United States, New York, New Delhi, India, California, East Coast, Nazi Germany, America

☆ United Air expects new pilot offer to add over $8 bln in costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Delta Air Lines' (DAL.N) landmark pilots contract in March, which offers $7 billion in higher pay and benefits, has put pressure on rival carriers to hand out similar deals ahead of a busy summer travel season. Earlier this month, the company's pilots union voted to authorize a strike vote - a bargaining tactic unions have been using in contract negotiations. However, Kirby did not reveal details included in the proposal, other than to say United would top the recent deals agreed to by its two biggest rivals. "We have disagreed with the company on the costing of items and they, in our opinion, have inflated many. Meanwhile, shares of United Airlines rose 3.5% in afternoon trade, benefiting from broader market gains.

Persons: Scott Kirby, Kirby, Priyamvada C, Nathan Gomes, Allison Lampert, Shilpi Majumdar, Shailesh Kuber, Pooja Desai Organizations: United Airlines Holdings Inc, Delta Air Lines, Bloomberg, Air Line Pilots Association, Reuters, United Airlines, Thomson Locations: North America, Chicago

☆ US received intel from European ally that Ukrainian military was planning attack on Nord Stream pipelines, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Natasha Bertrand Alex Marquardt Haley Britzky | Natasha Bertrand | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The US received intelligence from a European ally last year that the Ukrainian military was planning an attack on the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines three months before they were hit, three US officials told CNN. The attack on the pipelines last September has been condemned by US officials and Western allies alike as a sabotage on critical infrastructure. CNN has not seen the document but the three officials confirmed the US was told about the Ukrainian plans. But, the intelligence also said that Ukraine’s military operation was “put on hold.”CNN has reached out to the Ukrainian government for comment. “I think you know there are three countries conducting an investigation of the Nord Stream sabotage — and we called it sabotage at the moment — Germany, Sweden, and Denmark.

Persons: Jack Teixeira, “, Valerii, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, John Kirby, ” Kirby, Magdalena Andersson, ’ ” Mykhailo Podolyak, CIA “ Organizations: CNN, The Washington Post, Air National, Washington Post, ” CNN, White, National Security, European Union, Twitter, Russia, Post, CIA Locations: Western, Ukraine, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Nord, Russia, Baltic, Europe, Swedish, Danish, Ukrainian

☆ Russia says it thwarts another major attack in Ukraine, inflicting heavy losses
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

On Monday, Russia said Ukrainian forces over the weekend had begun a major offensive in the southern part of the Donetsk region, which it had also thwarted. The latest Russian defence ministry statement said Russian forces had inflicted huge personnel losses on attacking Ukrainian forces and destroyed 28 tanks, including eight Leopard main battle tanks and 109 armoured vehicles. It said total Ukrainian losses amounted to 1,500 troops. Russia and Ukraine have often made claims of inflicting heavy human losses on each other which could not be independently verified. In a promotional video released on Sunday and urging silence in regards to any military actions, Ukraine's defence ministry said: "Plans like silence - the beginning will not be announced."

Persons: Zelenskiy, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Vladimir Putin, Bakhmut, John Kirby, I'm, Dmytro Kuleba, Hanna Maliar, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Reuters bureaux, Lidia Kelly, Ron Popeski, David Brunnstrom, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Defence Ministry, Sunday Ukraine, KYIV, Kremlin, Ukrainian, Reuters, Washington Post, White House, Monday Ukraine, Ukraine's, Staff, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Ukrainian, Donetsk, Russia, Ukraine, Bakhmut, Crimean, Kiev, Kyiv, Crimea

☆ Fact Check-Video of John Kirby leaving press conference after reporter’s question is altered
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby did not ignore a question from a reporter regarding the U.S. House investigation on the Biden family business dealings. A video purporting to show this has been altered to crop Kirby’s response on the May 31st press conference. Examples on Facebook are viewable (here) (here )The footage stems from the White House daily briefing on May 31st viewable (youtu.be/Yq_FsGIuqZE?t=2553). The clip circulating online cuts after Nelson finished his question and makes it appear that Kirby left the briefing without addressing the query. Unedited footage of the news conference shows John Kirby responded to the query regarding the U.S. House investigation on the Biden family business dealings.

Persons: John Kirby, Biden, “ Coward, Steven Nelson, Nelson, Kirby, Read Organizations: White, U.S ., Twitter, White House, New York Post, FBI, Reuters

National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby declined to comment specifically on the possibility of the US sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but said broadly that the US has been forward-looking about “future capabilities” and needs. US lawmakers and congressional staffers have joined in the F-16 lobbying campaign, urging the administration to provide the jets so that Ukraine can establish control over its skies. US allies with F-16s could conduct training for Ukrainian fighter pilots, or the aircraft’s manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, could carry out training as a private contractor. Without the jets, Ukraine is having to improvise, officials say. The Russian jets have largely been staying behind Russian defensive lines, making them difficult for Ukraine to target with shorter-range systems like NASAMs.

CNN —The ISIS-K leader who planned the deadly 2021 suicide bombing at the Kabul international airport’s Abbey Gate was killed by the Taliban, according to the National Security Council. Kirby did not specify when the Taliban killed the ISIS-K leader, but called it one in a “series of high-profile leadership losses” that ISIS-K has suffered this year. The terrorist who carried out the suicide bombing, Abdul Rehman Al-Loghri, had been released from prison only days earlier when the Taliban took control of the area. ISIS-K stands for ISIS-Khorasan, the terror organization’s affiliate that is active in Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Taylor Hoover, who was killed in the bombing, told CNN that he was notified by the military Tuesday morning.

CNN —National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby defended the United States’ decision not to evacuate US citizens from Sudan after US forces conducted a military operation extracting government personnel from its embassy in Khartoum Saturday. Internet connectivity has also been unreliable, leaving family members and friends outside of Sudan to worry if their loved ones are safe. Kirby said Monday that the violence in Sudan “is increasing,” and urged Americans remaining in the country to shelter in place. Officials told congressional staffers last week that there could be an estimated 16,000 American citizens in Sudan, most of whom are dual nationals. Kirby echoed this on Monday and suggested that many of those dual nationals “don’t want to leave” the country.

☆ In Afghanistan Report, White House Blames Donald Trump for Lack of Planning
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Andrew Restuccia | Sabrina Siddiqui | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby defended the decision to end U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. WASHINGTON—The Biden administration signaled Thursday that it should have sounded the alarm earlier about the risks that Afghanistan’s government could collapse as the war came to a close, and the White House partially blamed the chaotic 2021 U.S. withdrawal on a lack of preparation by President Donald Trump. “First and most critically, the president’s decision to end the war in Afghanistan was the right one,” National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters Thursday at the White House. “The United States had long ago accomplished its mission to remove from the battlefield the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11.”

☆ Jailed WSJ reporter in Russia files appeal as U.S. pushes for his release
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Reporter for U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal Evan Gershkovich, detained on suspicion of espionage, leaves a court building in Moscow, Russia March 30, 2023. A Moscow court last Thursday remanded the Wall Street Journal reporter in pre-trial detention until May 29 on charges that carry a prison term of up to 20 years. The Wall Street Journal has "vehemently denied" the charges against Gershkovich, labelled them a "vicious affront to a free press" and called for his immediate release. The case is the most serious move against an American reporter in Russia since the end of the Cold War. Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker told The Times on Monday she was "hopeful" Gershkovich would be able to speak to a lawyer "sometime next week".

☆ NHL roundup: Alex Ovechkin hits 40 goals for record 13th time
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY SportsMarch 22 - On a night he was honored for passing one NHL legend, Washington's Alex Ovechkin made history by eclipsing another. Before the game, Ovechkin was honored in a 20-minute on-ice ceremony for passing Gordie Howe for second place on the all-time NHL goals list on Dec. 23. On Tuesday, Ovechkin scored his 40th goal of the season, passing Wayne Gretzky for the most 40-goal seasons in NHL history with his 13th. Barrett Hayton scored the lone goal for Arizona (27-33-11, 65 points), which saw its four-game winning streak come to an end. Alex Chiasson and Filip Zadina scored regulation goals for the Red Wings, who earned just their third victory in their last 13 games.

☆ At a key moment in the war, the US is rushing to get powerful Abrams tanks to Ukraine faster
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Chris Panella | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US is rushing to get Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine ahead of schedule, US officials say. But Kirby also acknowledged that their troops need modern, powerful Abrams tanks as soon as possible — a weapon that can help them shatter Russian lines when they launch a counter-offensive. Washington's original plan was to provide Ukraine with 31 of the M1A2 Abrams, a newer variant, which would have taken "over a year or so" to reach Ukraine, Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Nicolas Armer/Getty ImagesThe M1 Abrams tanks have a history tracing back to the Gulf War. Meanwhile, US announcements on the Abrams tanks come at a critical time for Ukraine and its tank force.

☆ White House: No U.S. surveillance craft in China's airspace
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, answers questions during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 13, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinWASHINGTON, Feb 13 (Reuters) - There are no U.S. surveillance aircraft in Chinese airspace, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Monday, repeating denials of China's claim that U.S. high-altitude balloons had flown over its airspace without permission more than 10 times since the beginning of 2022. Asked at a White House press briefing to clarify whether the United States was operating aircraft in Chinese-claimed airspace as opposed to over China's internationally recognized territory, Kirby declined to specify further. "There is no U.S. surveillance aircraft in Chinese airspace," he said. Those operations anger Beijing, which accuses the United States of damaging regional stability and stirring up controversy over maritime disputes.

☆ NHL roundup: Adrian Kempe, Kings pound Penguins
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Mika Zibanejad scored his 27th goal, Kaapo Kakko also found the net and Vincent Trocheck and Jimmy Vesey each added two assists. Carolina's Sebastian Aho saw his six-game goal streak end. Blues 6, Coyotes 5 (OT)Ryan O'Reilly scored the winning goal 1:02 into overtime to lift St. Louis past visiting Arizona. Scott Wedgewood made 28 saves in his first appearance since blanking the Los Angeles Kings 4-0 on Jan. 19. Jonatan Berggren scored two goals, Filip Hronek scored a goal, and Ben Chiarot had two assists for the Red Wings.

☆ NHL roundup: Pens' Kris Letang plays hero in return vs. Panthers
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Letang, who was activated from long-term injured reserve earlier in the day, finished with two goals and two assists. Aaron Ekblad had a goal and two assists, Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk a goal and an assist apiece and Colin White one goal. Fiala also had an assist, while Anze Kopitar scored two goals and Samuel Fagemo contributed one goal for the Kings. Avalanche 3, Capitals 2Artturi Lehkonen, Alex Newhook and Andrew Cogliano scored goals, Alexandar Georgiev had 37 saves and Colorado beat Washington in Denver. Logan O'Connor had two assists for Colorado, which has won six straight despite Cale Makar missing his fourth straight game with an upper-body injury.

☆ United Airlines boss warns of continued travel chaos in 2023, says there's a 'new math for airlines' post-pandemic that most airlines are not prepared for
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Air passengers should expect more travel chaos this year, according to the CEO of United Airlines. Airlines now need more pilots and aircraft compared to pre-pandemic days, the CEO said. He thinks passengers should expect more travel chaos this year, as airlines don't yet have the capacity to operate all the flights they are planning. A pilot shortage, higher employee sick rates, and outdated technology at most airlines continue to weigh on airlines, he said. United Airlines reported a profit of $843 million in the fourth-quarter of 2022 — that's about 30% higher than the pre-pandemic levels seen in the similar period of 2019, thanks to robust demand for travel.

☆ NHL roundup: Kraken hand Bruins first home regulation loss
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

[1/5] Jan 12, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Seattle Kraken goalie Martin Jones (30) reacts during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Jones logged 10 of his stops in the second period in his third shutout this season and 28th overall. Tyler Seguin scored his 10th goal of the season for the Stars and Oettinger made 29 saves. Kyle Connor scored the game-winning goal in the third period, while Dylan Samberg, Josh Morrissey and Karson Kuhlman also scored for the Jets. Victor Olofsson had a goal and an assist and Tyson Jost scored for Buffalo, which has lost three in a row.

Russia and Ukraine are not currently engaged in talks to end the fighting, which is raging in the east and south and reached Kyiv again on Wednesday. Zelenskiy said this week Russia should start withdrawing by Christmas as a step to end the conflict, Europe's biggest since World War Two. Moscow rejected the proposal outright, saying Ukraine must accept the loss of territory to Russia before any progress can be made. [1/5] Rescuers and police officers examine parts of the drone at the site of a building destroyed by a Russian drone attack, as their attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 14, 2022. DRONES STRIKE KYIVViolence returned to Kyiv, with the first major drone attack on Ukraine's capital in weeks.

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