Updated  01/05/11

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Philippines News

China's WTO entry, Olympics boost Korean industry 9-11-01 Korea Herald
Despite Korean pop culture winning wider acceptance in China in recent years, a recent report suggests that it has yet to hit its peak as China is set to witness an explosive market expansion in line with the country gaining a WTO membership and winning the rights to host the 2008 Olympics.

Gov't to designate Busan as duty-free zone 9-11-01 Korea Herald
President Kim Dae-jung said yesterday that the government will designate Busan as a duty-free zone by the end of this year to help develop the southern port city into a hub of distribution in Northeast Asia.

17-year-old Filipina a midshipman at Annapolis 9-11-01 ManilaTimes.net
Annapolis, Maryland—This Filipina weighs only 95 pounds, but Rea Dacanay, a 4th-class midshipman at the United States Naval Academy here, can do 60 push-ups in under two minutes, and follow it up with 65 sit-ups.

Korea Kim wants Japan to ease tension for World Cup  9-10-01 China Daily
South Korean President Kim Dae-jung said on Monday he hoped Japan would take responsible steps to resolve issues such as the controversy over Japanese history textbooks ahead of the 2002 World Cup.  South Korea and Japan are co-hosting the soccer finals, the world's biggest sporting event, but relations between the two countries have frayed because of the textbooks and the visit last month by Japan's prime minister to a war shrine.

Negotiations for Chinese kidnap victims ongoing: military chief  9-10-01 China Daily
Negotiations are underway to win the release of a Chinese engineer and a Filipino guide held captive by Muslim gunmen in the southern Philippines, armed forces chief General Diomedio Villanueva confirmed on Monday.

Unification Minister Lim hit with no-confidence motion 9-04-01 Korea Herald
The National Assembly yesterday passed a no-confidence bill on Unification Minister Lim Dong-won, dealing a serious blow to President Kim Dae-jung's "sunshine" policy toward North Korea and casting a cloud over domestic politics.

Friendly ties with DPRK to intensify 9-04-01 China Daily
President Jiang Zemin Monday started his three-day official goodwill visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), expressing support for reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.

Gas pipes ruled out as cause of Kabukicho blaze 9-04-01 Japan Times
An inspection of the gas pipes in the Meisei 56 Building in Shinjuku where 44 people died in a Saturday morning fire has ruled out the possibility the blaze was triggered by a gas explosion stemming from corroded pipes, Tokyo Gas Co. said Monday.

US may acquiesce to build-up of China's missiles 9-03-01 Taipei Times
The Bush administration, seeking to overcome Chinese opposition to its missile defense program, intends to tell leaders in Beijing that it has no objections to the country's plans to build up its small fleet of nuclear missiles, according to senior administration officials.

Japan, U.S. agree to new auto talks 09-03-01 JapanTimes
MEXICO CITY (Kyodo) Japanese trade minister Takeo Hiranuma and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick agreed Saturday to start a new round of auto trade talks, a Japanese official said.

Minister Lim's fate set to have impact on N. Korea ties, politics 9-03-01 Korea Herald
The result of today's parliamentary no-confidence vote on Unification Minister Lim Dong-won will have significant repercussions not only on inter-Korean relations but on domestic politics also, analysts said yesterday.

Assembly to cast no-confidence vote on unification minister today 9-03-01 Korea Herald
The National Assembly will cast a no-confidence vote on Unification Minister Lim Dong-won today, with its result expected to have a major influence on Korean politics.

Fire in Tokyo nightspot kills 44 09-01-02 China Daily
Japanese authorities are checking if a gas leak or arson could have caused an explosion and fire that killed 44 people in a small nightclub building in central Tokyo early on Saturday.   It was the worst such tragedy in nearly 30 years.

World Shipping Indus Concerns Seen Over Rescues At Sea 8-30-01 Suratkabar.com
Australia's refusal to accept a Norwegian cargo ship that rescued 438 Afghan refugees from a sinking ferry endangers the time-honored practice of saving people at sea, the shipping industry warned Wednesday.

S. Korea to introduce Asia's first privately run prison 8-30-01 Korea Herald
South Korea plans to introduce what it says will be Asia's first privately run prison by 2004, to help ease overcrowding in state jails.

Foreign textbooks, other than Japan's contain inaccurate accounts of Korea 8-30-01 Korea Herald
School textbooks used in foreign countries other than Japan contain a great deal of incorrect information regarding Korea, according to an Education Ministry report submitted to lawmakers.

US expert: Bush puts China policy back into main channel 8-30-01 ChinaDaily.com
US President George W. Bush is neither slow on the uptake nor putty in the hands of hard-right advisers when it comes to China policy, rather he appears ahead of his predecessors in bringing ties with Beijing back to track after initial fluctuations, a well-known China policy expert said.

Cover up or else, Kashmir women told 8-29-01 CNN.com
Muslim women are rushing to buy veils in Indian Kashmir for safety's sake as a deadline to abide by a strict Islamic dress code draws near.

President Jiang to visit North Korea early September 8-28-01 chinadaily.com.cn
Chinese President Jiang Zemin will visit North Korea from September 3 to 5, announced Yu Hongjun, spokesman of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.  The goodwill visit will take place at the invitation of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-il, said the spokesman.

U.N. to conduct nutrition survey on N. K. children in 2002 8-28-01 Korea Herald
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and Children's Fund (UNICEF) will conduct a joint nationwide nutrition survey of North Korean children next year, the visiting head of WFP said in Seoul yesterday.  Catherine Bertini said she reached an agreement with senior Pyongyang officials on the survey plan during her visit to the communist country Aug. 18-21, her fourth trip to North Korea.

Korea rules against song-sharing 8-27-01 CNN
A South Korean court has ordered the operator of a defunct file-sharing Web site to pay $75,300 ($98 million won) to two local record labels for violating copyrights.

Koizumi's China visit linked to conciliatory pledge 8-27-01 JapanTimes
BEIJING (Kyodo) China said Saturday its acceptance of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's proposed visit to Beijing depends on whether Japan takes real action to restore the trust of the people of Asian countries victimized by Japanese aggression in the last century.

Korean boxer fights for unified homeland 8-27-01 Asahi.com
For Masamori Tokuyama, there was more at stake than just boxing when he defended his World Boxing Council Super Flyweight title in Seoul on May 20. The ethnic Korean, born and raised in Japan, successfully defended his title for the second time in what he considers his real homeland. On that night in Seoul he was declared winner under his birth name, Hong Chang Su.

IOC President looks forward to superb Olympiad in Beijing  8-27-01 China Daily
Though thinking Beijing will face many challenges to organize an Olympiad, Jacques Rogge, newly-elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), expressed his full confidence that the Chinese capital will put on a successful Games in 2008. 

Korean Government reacts coldly to Koizumi plan to visit Korea  8-27-01 Korea Herald
The South Korean government has given a lukewarm response to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's plan to visit Seoul before a meeting of Asian and Pacific leaders in Shanghai in October.   "It is difficult to anticipate a summit meeting between the two countries unless Japan takes action to cultivate a favorable atmosphere for his visit," said a government official.

Megawati Asserts Her New Authority, Surprising Many Critics in Indonesia
8-13-01 Suratkabar
JAKARTA, Indonesia (SuratkabarCom) - As Indonesia's new President Megawati Sukarnoputri settles into her job, there is growing evidence that she may have been underrated.

S. Korea vows strong action if Koizumi visits shrine 8-13-01 Korean Herald
South Korea will take strong action if Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visits a controversial war shrine, Seoul officials said yesterday. They said it would make little difference even if he selects a date other than the Aug. 15 anniversary of the end of World War II.

Tokyo police raid anti-textbook HQ 8-13-01 CNN
Police have raided the headquarters of a Japanese ultra-leftist faction in connection with last week's bomb attack on the office of nationalist history textbook authors.

Thai floods claim 73 as search intensifies 8-13-01 CNN
BANGKOK, Thailand -- Officials began using dogs and heavy machinery Sunday in the grim search for further victims of a flash flood in northern Thailand which claimed at least 73 lives.

China: US offer on spy plane "unacceptable" 8-12-01 China Daily
China said Saturday that the "decision" made by the US side to pay $34,000 in support costs for its spy plane is unacceptable, and China has expressed the utmost dissatisfaction with the US side.

13 pandas expected to give birth 8-12-01 China Daily
Thirteen pandas in China's southwestern province of Sichuan are likely to give birth in the next few months, expert at China's Giant Panda Breeding Technology Commmittee said.

Central Taiwan counting the cost of Typhoon Toraji  8-02-01 Taipei Times
Government officials touring the worst-affected areas have promised to pull out all the stops in an effort to help those who suffered during Taiwan's most devastating typhoon in four decades

Japanese public schools yet to adopt rightist textbooks 8-02-01 Korea Herald
Not a single public middle school in Japan has adopted the controversial history textbook authored by a group of rightist scholars as of the end of July, a major Japanese daily newspaper reported yesterday.

Up to 300 may be trapped in tin mine accident 08-02-01 ChinaDaily
Authorities in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region yesterday confirmed a reported water leak in a tin mine in Nandan County but refused to say how many people were trapped inside.

Indonesian landslide toll 'at least 100'  08-01-01 CNN
Relief workers fear that at least 100 people have been killed by floods and landslides that have crushed several villages on a remote Indonesian island popular with surfers.

Typhoon kills 46, leaves 150 missing in Taiwan 7-31-01 China Daily
At least 46 people have been killed and 150 are missing in Taiwan after Typhoon Toraji caused floods, mud and rock slides, and devastated farmlands in eastern and central parts of the island, officials said on Tuesday.

Asia's Power Women: Indonesia's Megawati and the Philippines' Arroyo 07-30-01 CNN.com
Less than twelve uncertain hours after her controversial predecessor declared a state of emergency, Indonesia's Megawati Sukarnoputri faced the nation's top lawmakers and swore an oath of office making her Indonesia's fourth president in the past three years.

Chinese swimmer crosses English Channel  07-30-2001 China Daily
Swimmer Zhang Jian became the first Chinese person to swim cross the English Channel early Monday morning as he successfully landed in Calais, France, after a 12-hour journey from Dover, Britain.

The 34^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-34) ended in Hanoi on July 24, after two days.  07-24-01 Nhan Dan

Philippine kidnappers: 'U.S. hostage beheaded' 06-12-01 CNN
MANILA, Philippines -- Kidnappers in the southern Philippines say they have killed an American hostage held by them for more than two weeks...

Bandits kill 2 captives, 4 church workers 06-04-01 ManilaTimes
Government troops found the badly decomposing bodies of two hostages from the Dos Palmas resort yesterday in Lamitan, Basilan, as extremist Abu Sayyaf guerrillas melted into the jungle following a siege of the town’s hospital and church.

Election-related deaths now 159; could still rise (Philippines) 05-18-01 ManilaTimes
ELECTION-related deaths continued to mount yesterday, with five of the latest violence occurring in Mindanao.

Gloria puts Ping, Gringo arrest orders on hold  
(Philippines) 05-11-01 ManilaTimes
President Arroyo yesterday allowed two opposition senatorial candidates, accused of plotting a coup attempt, to surface from hiding and campaign without any threat of arrest.

Philippines lifts 'rebellion' decree 05-07-01 CNN

Metro back to normal, says PNP (Philippines) 05-05-01 ManilaTimes
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) declared yesterday that peace and order have been fully restored, paving the way for the lifting of the “state of rebellion” declared Tuesday by President Arroyo.  

Gloria to lead mammoth Labor Day rally Mall twin blasts hurt 37  04-30-01
Two blasts shook a Caloocan mall yesterday, injuring 37 persons, five of them critically, as disgraced president Joseph Estrada’s political allies called for physical attacks against the administration.  

Estrada ordered arrested 04-17-01 Manila Times
The first-ever arrest warrant for a Philippine leader was issued yesterday by the Fourth Division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan for disgraced president Joseph Estrada on two charges linked to alleged corruption in office. 

Philippine Rebels Form Negotiating Panel For Peace Talks 04-16-01 Suratkabar
Muslim guerrillas said Sunday they have formed a negotiating panel for planned talks with the government aimed at ending decades of separatist rebellion in the southern Philippines.

Asian Shares Close Mixed After Wall Street's Gains  04-11-01 Suratkabar.com
Shares closed mixed across the Asian-Pacific region Tuesday, with select markets taking cues from Wall Street's rebound Monday.

SC junks Erap pleas cases go to Sandigan 04-11-01 ManilaDaily
Philippines - By a solid vote of 15, the Supreme Court yesterday threw out deposed

Jiang Zemin: Crew safe and sound, US arrogant conduct unacceptable
04-06-01 ChinaDaily
Chinese President Jiang Zemin said on Thursday in Chile that China and the United States should place the highest priority on bilateral relations in resolving their spy plane dispute.

BJMP readies welcome for latest tenant, Estrada 04-06-01 ManilaTimes
OFFICIALS of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) ordered yesterday a 500-person security and medical unit to start preparing for the arrival of deposed president Joseph Estrada in Quezon City Jail, once the Sandiganbayan orders his arrest.   

U.S. Losses Hit Asian Shares Malaysia's Index Drops 6.2% 04-05-01 Suratkabar.com - Asian-Pacific markets finished mostly lower Wednesday following a selloff on Wall Street on Tuesday. Malaysian stocks were the hardest hit, plunging 6.2%.

Powell sends personal letter to Chinese vice premier 04-05-01 CNN
A personal letter from U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is the latest effort by the Bush administration to end the standoff with Beijing over the U.S. Navy plane and its crew being held by China.

Philippines Opens Talks With IMF On Nonloan Monitoring Program  03-29-01 MANILA, Philippines (Suratkabar.com) - The International Monetary Fund and the Philippines started two weeks of talks to map out a nonloan monitoring program that market watchers say could go a long way toward boosting investor confidence in the country if fiscal and economic targets are met.  

Indonesia's Democracy In The Balance  03-27-01 
JAKARTA (Suratkabar.com) - An announcement last weekend that Abdurrahman Wahid was canceling diplomatic trips to Australia and New Zealand suggests that the Indonesian president might finally try to address domestic problems plaguing his country. With ethnic violence persisting, independence movements gaining momentum, the economy sliding and his hold on power eroding, that's a prudent move.

Government-MILF secret deal confirmed  03-27-01 ManilaTimes (Philippines)
FORMER defense chief and presidential adviser to the peace process Eduardo Ermita signed the Kuala Lumpur communiqué that moves forward efforts to resume stalled negotiations between the government and Moro separatist rebels, a senior government official said yesterday.  

Gloria acts on crime Orders military to help police fight criminals 
03-23-01 ManilaTimes - President Macapagal-Arroyo said yesterday she has ordered the military to help police battle criminals.

U.S., Asian Allies to Bring Korea Forum Back to Life  03-23-01 Suratkabar
The U.S. has revived a forum with Tokyo and Seoul, South Korea on North Korean affairs, reaffirming its intention to act in concert with its Asian allies in dealing with the communist regime.

QC jail for Estrada Sandigan: No special treatment 03-16-01 ManilaTimes
IT’s the Quezon City Jail for de-posed president Joseph Estrada.Saying the ousted leader would not receive special treatment from the courts, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Francis Garchito-rena told reporters Estra-da would be locked up in the Quezon City jail during trial for plunder charges.

Erap arrest readied 03-15-01 ManilaDaily
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has organized a special squad to arrest ousted president Joseph Estrada, officials disclosed yesterday.

Wall Street plunge drags down Nikkei 03-14-01 JapanTimes
Tokyo share prices continued to tumble Tuesday as the benchmark 225-issue Nikkei stock average closed below the 12,000 threshold for the first time since February 1985. 

KL bids $800M for Sarah On condition Manila drops its claim 
03-14-01 ManilaTimes
Malaysian authorities have report-edly expressed willingness to shell out $800 million for the Philippines to drop its claim over the disputed western Borneo Island of Sabah. 

October-December GDP grew 0.8% 
3-13-01 JapanTimes
Japan's gross domestic product expanded a seasonally adjusted 0.8 percent during the October-December period, the Cabinet Office said in a preliminary report Monday.

US Dow / Nasdaq Down  3-12-01 AsianInfo.org
The Dow closed down 436, while Nasdaq closed down 128 worrying investors about future corporate profits.  This downward spiral was set off by the Nikkei in Japan closing at a low of 3.6% during trading on Monday.

Mori signals intention to resign Party election likely in April 
3-11-01 JapanTimes
Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Saturday effectively expressed his intention to resign to top executives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, possibly after the fiscal 2001 budget passes the Diet next month.

‘Mad cow’ cargo out tomorrow 3-12-01 ManilaTimes
The 17 containers of frozen beef, meat and bone meal seized earlier by customs authorities on suspicion the products are contaminated with the “mad cow” disease will finally be shipped back tomorrow.

AFP chief named Gloria picks MILF foe Villanueva   3-07-01 ManilaTimes
The army general who led a year-long campaign against Moro separatist rebels was named yesterday as incoming chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

US milk, other dairy goods safe 3-02-01 ManilaTimes
DOH Local health officials yesterday downplayed fears that dairy products—milk and byproducts like butter and cheese—imported from Europe may have been contaminated with the “mad cow” disease.

Alarm up on tainted milk 3-01-01 ManilaTimes
CEBU CITY—While authorities are bent on re-exporting the seized 25,000 kilos of Irish beef believed to have been contaminated with the “mad cow” disease...

Troops ignoring ceasefire – MILD  2-27-01 ManilaTimes
ZAMBOANGA CITY—Muslim rebels said yesterday army troops were continuing attacks on them despite President Macapagal-Arroyo’s ceasefire order, endangering prospects for peace talks.

3 US solons reaffirm recognition of Arroyo gov't 2-24-01 Manila BulletinThree members of the United States Congress reaffirmed yesterday their recognition of the legitimacy of the presidency of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and expressed their determination to work closely with the new administration in its goal to eradicate poverty within the decade.

Japan slumps to trade deficit 2-22-01 CNN
TOKYO, Japan -- Fresh proof of Japan's economic woes has emerged in the form of its first trade deficit in four years, amid slumping demand out of the United States

What vacancy? – SC Clarifi cation raises more questions   2-21-01 ManilaTimes
The Supreme Court yesterday said it did not declare the presidency vacant on Jan. 20, the day ousted president Joseph Estrada abandoned Malacañang amid mass street protests over corruption allegations. 

Asian Demographics: Widows Are New High-Growth Market  
2-20-01 Suratkabar.com SINGAPORE -
Given the propensity of women to live longer than men, and factoring in the overall aging of Asia, watch out for a new high-growth market -- widows.

Estrada seeks 100-day break 2-20-01 CNN
MANILA, Philippines -- Deposed Philippine leader Joseph Estrada has asked the Supreme Court to suspend for 100 days an investigation into corruption allegations against him, to allow political passions to subside.

Iraq says it's still shooting at U.S., British planes 2-19-01 CNN 
Iraq reported firing on U.S. and British warplanes Sunday, two days after air raids aimed at punishing it for threatening planes enforcing "no-fly" zones over its territory.

Sandigan rules out swift arrest of Erap 2-19-01 ManilaTimes
There would neither be an immediate arrest (of the former president)… nor special treatment” accorded to the criminal cases that may be filed against ousted president Joseph Estrada, a Sandiganbayan justice said over the weekend. 

Allies hit Iraq with 'self-defense' strike 2-17-01 CNN
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. military said a U.S.-led airstrike on Iraq Friday was "essentially a self-defense operation." The attack, in conjunction with British fighter aircraft, hit four targets south and one north of Baghdad, the first strike of its kind in nearly two years.

Clashes mark opening of Estrada immunity case 2-15-01 CNN.com
MANILA, Philippines -- Supporters of ousted Philippine President Joseph Estrada clashed with police at the country's Supreme Court Thursday, as hearings began on the constitutional legitimacy of his successor.

Big withdrawals in Velarde account 2-15-01 CebuDaily Philippines
Senators opened a sealed envelope yesterday that sparked president Estrada’s ouster and piqued the nation’s curiosity for weeks, revealing huge bank transactions that investigators allege he made under an alias.

Macapagal retires AFP chief 2-14-01 Inquirer News Service
PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo has opted not to extend the term of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Angelo Reyes even if she credited him for turning the tide in favor of the anti-Estrada forces during the People Power II revolt.

Nation of child sex abusers 2-12-01 ManilaTimes
"Nearly one-third of Filipino children have been sexually abused.” Even if this information from officers of the PNP’s Women and Children’s Division were grossly exaggerated, it should still make us weep...

Two of Lagman’s killers identified 2-09-01 Inquirer News Service
Task Force Popoy" of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified two of the four suspects in the murder of labor leader Filemon "Popoy" Lagman inside the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City.

Who's next? 2-08-01 Cebu Daily News (Philippines)
Labor groups are giving the Arroyo administration until Feb. 12 to solve the killing of labor leader Felimon “Popoy” Lagman. 

Popoy Lagman shot In critical condition at Heart Center 2-06-01 ManilaTimes Former leftist turned labor leader Filemeno “Popoy” Lagman was ambushed and shot four times in the head by four still unidentified men inside the University of the  Philippines-Diliman Campus late yesterday afternoon in Quezon City...

Peso now stable, says BSP chief : 2-02-01 Manila Times
The peso has stabilized but would in the meantime hover between the P48 to P49 rate against the US dollar, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Gov. Rafael Buenaventura said yesterday.

Presidency issue to SC Explain legality of Erap ouster, loyalists demand 
1-30-01 Manila Times
Former president Joseph Estrada’s supporters asked the Supreme Court yesterday to explain the legality of his ouster in a step that could lead to a legal challenge to the new President’s authority.  

Defense chief quits 1-26-01 Manila Times Philippines
Even before new President Macapagal-Arroyo finished filling her Cabinet, she got her first defection yesterday when defense Secretary Orlando Mercado quit over the appointment of a national security adviser who, he claimed, was tainted.

GMA names De Villa, Lina to new Cabinet by :Liberty Dones 1/22/01 Philstar.com
President Arroyo is expected to appoint today former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa as executive secretary and Laguna Gov. Jose Lina as secretary of the interior and local government.

Clash of rallyists feared Anti-Estrada group plans march to Malacañang Mal 
1-19-01 Manila Times
ANTI-ESTRADA forces will soon march to Malacañang to bring to the seat of power their calls for the ouster of the Chief Executive, fanning fears of a bloody confrontation with supporters of President Estrada.

Manila stocks, peso dive after street protests against Estrada 1-17-01 Business-times.asia1.com.
The Philippine Stock Exchange Composite Index fell 93.16 points, or 6 percent, to 1458.63, the largest fall in two years, after thousands of protesters took to the streets against President Joseph Estrada's likely acquittal of corruption charges.

Estrada allies shackle Davide, bury P3.3-B bank evidence; Pimentel quits as Senate president by :Efren Danao 1/17/01 Philstar.com
Pro-administration senators prevented Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. last night from rendering a decision on a crucial piece of evidence, then voted 11-10 to reject the opening of a second envelope reportedly containing documents on secret bank deposits believed held by President Estrada.

An Uneasy Calm in Manila After Bombings  12-31-00 The Manila Times
The bombings have taken a toll on last minute New Year's shopping in Manila as people are avoiding crowded places.  Although there are several suspects in custody, it is still unknown who is responsible for the deadly bombs that struck Manila.

Impeachment or Acquittal for Philippine's President? 12-7-00 The Manila Times
 Did he or didn't he, that is the question in the minds of many Filipinos.  President Estrada is accused of taking kickbacks from illegal numbers games as well as "kickbacks" from taxes on tobacco.  Many are wondering what the outcome will be, especially with several mistresses of the president taking the stand.  The Philippines is conducting their impeachment trial in a similar manner as the impeachment trial last year of President Clinton in the US.

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