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Unemployment is falling for the second straight month

Thursday Aug 26, 2010

Unheard of since the beginning of the crisis. This makes two months in July as the number of jobseekers registered in category A to decrease employment center. "One more and it will become a reliable trend," enthuses Laurent Wauquiez, the Secretary of State for Employment. The largest decline even since February 2008: 0.5%, or 14,400 fewer people unemployed in July after an initial outflow of 8600 in June "This proves we were right not to give up and focus on an active policy of employment," said Laurent Wauquiez. We must remain vigilant because the coming months will not all be as good. "

Another encouraging sign is the rising number of unemployed in class ABC (including applicants for employment who have worked more or less than 78 hours) slowed sharply in July. It was only 0.1% (5300 persons) in July, five to nine times lower than previous months.For Laurent Wauquiez, it is not just a transfer grade (from A to B and C) meaning that more and more unemployed people returning to work part time. "It is also linked to the resumption of temporary employment and job creation in the first half of IDUs," he justified. There are now between 2.69 and 4.21 million unemployed in France, according to the category selected.

The data for July also confirm the trend reversal on youth unemployment. The number of under 25 who are enrolled in July fell 2.8% in category A, on the ebb to 1.8% in one year. An exploit in crisis even if there is an increase of a level similar to category ABC showing that more and more young people carry a very part-time job until sustainable employment.Input side, the decline on a year because of enrollment for CSD (-14.5%), temporary mission (-14.5%) and redundancy (-31.1%) demonstrates that economy is indeed on the road to recovery. A feeling confirmed by the rebound of 3.6% of jobs collected in July.

Bond assisted contracts

Conversely, the social treatment of unemployment runs rampant over the past year: the release of employment center for internships have increased by 11.7%. Even finding the side of beneficiaries assisted contracts (Class E), the number has jumped from 45.5% in one year. "We remain below the number of contracts sold under Jean-Louis Borloo and Martine Aubry," qualifies the Secretary of State for Employment.

Three other flats are relative good figures for July.Senior citizens continue to register in mass (1.1% in one month and 17.1% in one year) and nearly 50,000 more to be pushed into the doors seven months of employment center. A downward spiral that Laurent Wauquiez hopes curb with the introduction in 2011 of a device "zero charge" for the hiring of a senior unemployment. On the other hand, the long-term unemployment is endless progress: + 0.8% in July, bringing to 36.2% the share of those unemployed for more than a year on average over 424 days ( 30 in ten months). Finally, the radiation increased by 7.3% in one month and 9% a year.

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Real estate is shaking Wall Street

Wednesday Aug 25, 2010

After closing down on Monday evening – the Dow has sold 0.38% to 10,174.4 points – Wall Street did not find this Tuesday, opportunities to redress the balance. Instead, the only indicator fell to 16 hours, is extremely disquieting: Sales of existing homes fell to its lowest level since 1995, to 3.83 million annual rate transactions, according to figures released Tuesday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Upon publication of this indicator, Wall Street has plunged into the red, losing 1.48% to 4:10 p.m. at 10,024 points for the Dow Jones, which amounts to huge step towards the symbolic threshold of 10,000 points.

The broader S & P drops 1.61% at 1050 points and the Nasdaq, which includes technology stocks, yields 1.85% to 2120 points.

It was not until Wednesday to expect an improvement, both on the side of the promises of new home sales and durable goods orders.

Mergers and acquisitions are in full swing

If the bears seem to win now, but Wall Street is torn between the potential positive effects of mergers and acquisitions that animates it and the threats still facing strong economic recovery.

BHP Billiton (-1.94% to 65.83 dollars) is expected to announce on Wednesday a 50% jump in interim profits and strong cash flow with which it hopes to deter potential rivals to make an offer to buy out-cons the Canadian Potash Yet seeking a white knight eventually China.

The French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis and the U.S. biotech group Genzyme (-0.87% to 67.13 dollars) abut on the determination of a minimum price that would initiate the first comprehensive review of its accounts Target said Tuesday the Wall Street Journal in one hour payday loans.

If Genzyme and Sanofi seem to disagree on the French laboratory's initial offer to buy out U.S. biotech company, however the purchase of McAfee (-0.15% to 47.03 U.S. dollars) Intel (-1.02% to 18.51 U.S. $) continues to fascinate, like the stock market battle between HP and Dell in the acquisition of data storage specialist 3PAR.

The world of mobile phones, Nokia, and the giant American world of microprocessors Intel unveiled on Tuesday a joint research laboratory in central western Finland, they said.

American Apparel (-10.8% to $ 0.66), definitely ailing feared not being able to publish its quarterly results on time and to be delisted.

Disney (-1.70% to 32.37 dollars) could also react to statements yonni Sebbag, the boyfriend of a former employee of the giant media and entertainment Disney, who pleaded guilty to securities fraud Monday after stealing with his partner, financial records of the company and tried to sell to investors.

The dollar to its lowest against the yen

On the currency front, the dollar continued its fall Tuesday against the Japanese yen, down from 9:20 to its lowest level in 15 years, to come punctually at 84.14 yen, immediately after a briefing from the Minister of Finance , Yoshihiko Noda.


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iPhone 4 deprecated: Que Choisir explained

Thursday Jul 29, 2010

"A phone call to serve," says UFC-Que Choisir. And when he "suffers indeed an antenna problem," he has little chance of getting favors from the influential consumer association. "While Apple has not fixed the problem other than offering a hull, we can not recommend the terminal," she decided, in an article published Tuesday on the Internet. Consumer Reports, its equivalent in the United States, had reached the same conclusions in early July.

Since then, responses have poured on specialized sites, questioning the UFC-Que Choisir on the accuracy of its benchmarks and its independence. Asked by lefigaro.fr, the Consumers' Association said that its tests are not conducted internally, but "by independent laboratories, according to strict protocols."It'sa huge investment, which requires very expensive equipment," explains Camille Gruhier, author of the article, which boasts one of the "strongest battery of tests" of the press.

So this device as the iPhone has faced four. "In the best case, the sensitivity of the device is better than previous versions," admits Vincent Erpelding, engineering project manager in the UFC-Que Choisir. But a sharp drop in sensitivity of average conditions for receipt, Edge and 3G has been "recognized and quantified, since the phone is held by the left flank around a small black border, his weak point .For this reason, the phone will no longer star in sensitivity in the test published in September in the magazine of the association, and will be decommissioned behind all its competitors.

"We have warned the consumer"

In his defense, however, since Apple says that two weeks all smartphones are affected by a problem identical reception. But other phones, hand-held around their antennas, are much better than the iPhone 4. To ensure this result, the UFC-Que Choisir has tested two other handsets, the Nokia N85 and the iPhone 3G in similar conditions. The numerical results show each time a "small fall" of sensitivity in contact with the antenna, but not in the same proportions as the iPhone 4.

For now, the consumers association has not tested the new phone from Apple by surrounding it with a shell, or by varying the power of the network.Additional tests should be published on the Internet. Apple says the problem arises more in areas where coverage is poor, and would be resolved by adding a protective cover. "The network in Europe is much more successful than the United States. The problems and the risk of making calls will be far fewer, "said Camille Gruhier.

If the UFC-Que Choisir concedes qualities in the iPhone four, including ergonomics, picture and sound, it claims to be in her role does not recommend to his readers. "The choices we made the choice to downgrade is a warning to consumers. You can not tell people that the iPhone is fabulous four, while in some circumstances, they may see their dropped calls, "argues Camille Gruhier. "I do not think that our ranking will drop Apple's sales, but have warned consumers," she concludes.


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The CAC 40 rose by nearly 6% this week

Friday Jul 9, 2010

Fourth day up to the Paris Bourse. This Friday, the CAC 40 has continued to rise started Tuesday and continued Wednesday and Thursday. The key index in Paris was up 0.46% at closing.

At the end of the week, and the CAC 40 gained 5.8%, from around 3360 points to 3554.48 points exactly at the close on Friday.

Elsewhere in Europe, the LSE has been 0.54%, to 5132.94 points while the German Dax rose 0.49% to 6065.24 points.

Yesterday, the index in Paris had passed the milestone of 3,500 points, reassured by U.S. data entries weekly unemployment benefits.

The euro has weakened a bit about him on Friday, while European ald evisa Thursday passed up the psychological and technical $ 1.27.

In France, French investors have learned that before the opening of the Hexagon industrial production had rebounded strongly in May rising 1.7% after falling 0.5% the previous month, according to Insee. Economists had expected an average growth of 0.4% of industrial production in May

EADS tanker of the series continues

EADS (0.53% to 17.01 euros) said it had responded to the call for tenders for tanker aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, on the eve of the deadline for the takeover bids . In addition, the World Trade Organization announced the postponement of the publication of a report on an action by the EU against the United States regarding subsidies granted to Boeing.

Kaufman and Broad (2.23% to 18.14 euros) issued a revenue down 7.6% to 385.7 million euros in the first half, below expectations.But reservations are up 55% to 675 million euros and the property portfolio is up 50% over one year.The gross margin reached 17.1% against 12.9% in the first half of 2009.

Areva (5.11% to 347.55 euros) announced Thursday it would investigate the possibility of building a second nuclear reactor in the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Mestrallet, CEO of GDF Suez (+0.4% to 24.96 euros), confirmed Wednesday that negotiations with suppliers in Norway, Holland and Russia to obtain lower prices.

The German utility E. ON has indicated in an interview with Les Echos on Friday that he would be "very interested" in acquiring a stake in EDF reactors (-0.91% to 31 euros) to help extending their lifespan.

Moreover, the banking sector with the exception of BNP Paribas (+1.05% to 50.09 euros) suffered some profit-taking, like Credit Agricole (-1.13%) or Societe Generale ( -0.98%).

Similarly, the automotive sector should still react to earnings announcements commercial Renault and Peugeot this week. Titles manufacturers earn 1.13% respectively to 33.45 euros and 1.94% to 23.09 euros.


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New turbulent meeting expected on the CAC 40

Sunday Jun 27, 2010

The Paris Bourse is expected to remain in the zone of turbulence through it since Tuesday. The CAC 40, after nine sessions of gains chained and won 10.5%, has now three sessions of decline, losing 4.8%. So since the beginning of the month, the benchmark index of the Paris took only 1.5% and rises to 3555 points.

Around 8:15 this Friday, the CAC 40 futures contracts still predicting an opening up about 0.3%, but the trend is weak.

In the same time, the euro appears stable at 1.2330 dollar after resuming colors Thursday as statistics mixed overseas sowed doubts about the strength of the recovery amércaine.

Overall, the atmosphere is tense markets. The Asian market on Friday morning, displays counters in the red. In France, unemployment had not risen so much since seven months.

The national accounts in the spotlight

In France, a quarter of an hour before the opening of trading, INSEE will release figures on national accounts in the country for the first quarter.

The United States, the third estimate of GDP is known to 14:30.

Pressure on prices in the telecoms

The portion of mobile technology fourth generation "LTE" should redistribute the cards in this highly competitive sector, but not enough to stem the pressure on the prices of telecom equipment, told Reuters the president of the Mobile Division Alcatel-Lucent, Wim Sweldens payday loan lenders.

GDF Suez, Total, EDF The gas rate increase of 4.7% from 1 July to 6.3 million customers in France said Thursday the Commission of Energy Regulation.

The EDF Group postpones decision to invest in an LNG terminal in Dunkirk (North), said Thursday a spokesman for the group. This terminal was supposed to compensate for some job losses related to the closure of the refinery from Total.

Computer services companies in the sector may react to quarterly results better than expected by Accenture announced Thursday evening. The group's net profit totaled $ 564 million (457 million euros), or $ 0.73 per share against 537 million ($ 0.68 per share) a year ago and $ 0.69 expected by Wall Street.

The French industrial group Alstom has unveiled Thursday at a U.S. plant turbines, especially for nuclear power generation, for which he has invested about 300 million dollars, according to a statement.

According to Le Figaro Latecoère the aerospace supplier will propose on Friday to its shareholders at a General Assembly, the free allocation of share purchase warrants (BSA) in 2012. It has thereby remove some 43 million euros.


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United States: the recovery is more fragile

Thursday Jun 24, 2010

The Federal Reserve took action Wednesday in a hesitant economic recovery in the United States by renewing its commitment to keep rates unusually low for an extended period. The Fed funds rate has been maintained in a range from 0% to 0.25%, which it has not budged since December 2008.

In his statement issued after a two-day meeting, the central bank is lowering its assessment of the pace of recovery, revealing pockets of weakness. It also is cautious about the volatility of financial markets, given the debt crisis in Europe. But she still insists that the economy will emerge gradually from the worst recession it has seen in decades.

"The financial support under the overall economic growth, which mainly reflects what is happening abroad," the Fed said in its statement.

The Fed President Thomas Hoenig, Kansas City has expressed its disapproval for the fourth consecutive time, holding that the commitment of the Fed to keep rates ultra low long could perpetuate a cycle of alternating periods of high growth phases and depression.

Realtors Falters

The Fed also notes that the economic recovery is underway. But short of what she observed in April, when she said that the economy continued to strengthen.

The monetary authorities have also noted a slowdown became evident in real estate. In April, it was noted that one starts to straighten. On Wednesday, they simply say that these starts "remain at a depressed level. It is true that the indicators are really not good. On Wednesday, new home sales for May fell 32%.This unprecedented decline in new home sales in May reduced to little hopes of a speedy resumption of growth.

As for consumer spending, the central bank said they "are increasing but remain constrained by high unemployment, modest revenue growth and a decrease in the rich heritage." In April, the Fed had referred to an acceleration of these costs.

The Fed also notes a recent slowdown in inflation, citing a drop in prices of energy and other resources.

Most economists believe the next move on interest rates will be higher but some of them say the central bank should consider other ways to boost growth and credit. What must be added the problems of the debt in Europe and the employment indicators also disappointing.


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The CAC 40 is entering its sixth session up

Wednesday Jun 16, 2010

While the Paris index ended the session fifth consecutive increase, and finished with 3661 points on Tuesday night against 3380 points a week earlier, the CAC 40 does not seem to want to stop. At the opening Wednesday, the benchmark index of the Paris meeting starts up sharply from 0.72% to 3687 points.

In six sessions, the CAC 40 rose 9.1%.

Elsewhere in Europe, the counters are green as well: the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange opened up 0.45% to 6203.01 points, the Footsie-100 from London to 0.56% in 5247 11 points.

Early this morning the Nikkei is ironed beyond the 10,000 points and by 1.8%. Same trend in U.S. markets, which closed Tuesday on a sustained growth over 2%.

In the first exchanges to 9:00, the euro is still evolving up 0.2%: $ 1.23 rating than he. Oil, he, trades at more than $ 77.The gold is worth more than 1233 dollars.

The large statistics of the day are American

From the macroeconomic side Wednesday in the euro area, 11 hours, the second estimate of inflation for the month of April will be unveiled.

In the U.S., housing starts, producer prices and industrial production for the month of May will be known between 14.30 and 15.15, before the opening of U.S. markets.Then, the traditional weekly crude inventories will be published.

Rodriguez's boss resigns after indictment

The specialist luxury yacht on Tuesday announced the resignation of its president, Alexander Rodriguez, indicted and jailed last week in a case of banditry, and substituting the group's founder, Gerard Rodriguez.

The scoring title, which had been suspended at the request of the company, will resume Wednesday.

Zodiac Aerospace: 1.83% to 44.7 eurosLe group, whose sales fell 7.6% during the first nine months of its fiscal year, said receiving encouraging signs of restarting the industry aeronautics in a context of more favorable exchange rate.The aerospace supplier confirms its annual targets.

In an interview with the Tribune, Zarrouati Olivier, CEO, says there is no plan to merge with another actor can French aviation capital and no operations are planned at this time with a group foreign

Distribution: showdown on judicial coffee pods Nestlé sued for infringing its competitor Sara Lee (Coffee House). According to information of Figaro, the casino dealer would also be covered by the complaint.Nestle, the world leader in food and owner of Nespresso, sued Friday in front of the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Paris the U.S. Sara Lee, which sells in France for use in coffee pods Nespresso machines under the brand Gold ( coffee house).

GDF Suez: -0.16% to 25.4 euros Tuesday, the group headed by Gerard Mestrallet did not hide his satisfaction at the announcement of the signing of a contract to build a gas power plant of a capacity of 1730 megawatts (MW) in Saudi Arabia. The operation is substantial. The future plant, which will be commissioned in late 2012, an output slightly above the EPR (1600 MW), for a price much lower: 2.1 billion dollars.

Suez Environnement: 1.47% to 14.5 euros The group announced Tuesday night that AA successfully placed a bond issue of 500 million euros over 12 years, due 2022 at a rate of 4.123%.

Ubisoft: 2.84% to 7.98 euros The company will offer four games straight out, November 4, the new gaming device from Microsoft, which will be followed by eight others currently in preparation, "said CEO Yves Guillemot to Echos.

Sanofi Aventis: -0.08% to 50.9 euros The French pharmaceutical group has signed an agreement to acquire Canadian independent group Canderm, a specialist in dermatology.This acquisition will allow Sanofi-Aventis to double its turnover in public health in Canada, according to a statement.

In addition, the company managed to obtain a refund of the medicine disorders dy heart rate, Multaq, 65%.

Dassault Aviation: 1.33% to 608 euros The Defence Minister Herve Morin said on France Info "fanciful" press reports that the modernization of combat aircraft Rafale required by the Emirates would buy 60 aircraft from four to millliards five euros of development costs, partly at the expense of France.

Ginger: +1.2% to 16.85 euros The Dutch Grontmij Ginger will buy at a price of 28.20 euros per share, creating the fourth largest European player in the field of consulting engineering, with a combined turnover 1.1 billion euros and 11,000 employees, both groups announced in a statement. The offer price values the company 120 million euros.


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The EU would consider a fund to defend the euro

Sunday May 9, 2010

Meeting in Brussels, the Heads of States of the euro area have finally approved the activation of the financial assistance plan 110 billion euros to Greece three years. According to several government sources, the leaders have also discussed the establishment of a fund to help countries threatened to defend the euro. The European Commission could contribute in the form of loans to the tune of 70 billion euros. The European Central Bank (ECB) will also participate.

"Attack of the market is now against the euro and individualized assistance to any country may give an insufficient response of Europe, the priority is a unified response, firm and fast," said one in particular these sources on condition of anonymity.

If agreement seems to have been found on Friday on the need to establish a sustainable mechanism for defending the single currency, the heads of states still fail to agree on every detail. "The discussion focuses particularly on the role of the ECB," said a source close to the talks

Pressure on ECB

All eyes are turned to the ECB effect. The other track would be mentioned that the latter buys bonds issued by states of the euro area, to provide them in exchange for cash. According to these same diplomatic sources, the European Commission would currently pressuring the ECB to make sense in a concrete proposal to support the euro area.

On Monday, the ECB announced it would accept the Greek debt as collateral for its loans, regardless of their credit ratings.Extending this unprecedented step for all countries in the euro area "would be a strong signal to markets" would have said the president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. But on Thursday, the ECB said it had not considered.

Tighten fiscal discipline

The euro zone leaders agree at least on the need to tighten fiscal discipline. A commitment to ensure that "Greece is not only to reduce its deficits, but that we work so that all the Stability and Growth speedy again respected," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brussels.

Leaders also stressed the need for better coordination of economic policies in the euro area.Finally the sixteen Heads of State and Government reiterated their determination to "move quickly on the regulation and supervision of financial markets. They also insist on the creation of "a European rating agency.

Barack Obama supports the EU

Moreover, since the White House is that Barack Obama supported the European heads of state on Friday. "I made it clear that the United States supports these efforts and will continue to cooperate with EU authorities and the IMF during this critical period," he said, after talks with Angela Merkel.

American concerns grew at the same time as the market stress.Wednesday, Charles Plosser, a leader of the U.S. central bank (Fed) has assured that "the economic recovery of the U.S. could be delayed by a further turmoil in financial markets. Recent events in Greece are one of the factors likely to influence the evolution of the U.S. economy. "

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Areva and EDF are jointly engaged in the development of nuclear Italian

Saturday Apr 10, 2010

The joint venture created by EDF and Enel of Italy, has signed a partnership agreement with Ansaldo, the nuclear branch of the Italian group Finmeccanica. This five-year partnership provides for cooperation between the alliance and Ansaldo "for the development and construction of 4 nuclear reactors that EDF and Enel EPR planning to build in Italy" says EDF.

For its part Areva said it had signed three agreements with companies in Italy on Friday. The first agreement, signed with Ansaldo will enable both companies to work together in Italy, under the planned construction of four reactors conducted by ENEL and EDF, but also in the rest of the world.This partnership will result in particular through cooperation in the engineering, supply of certain equipment and assembly work and testing of commissioning.

The second agreement, signed with Techint, a group specializing in engineering and construction of large industrial facilities, provides for cooperation of two companies in future nuclear projects turnkey worldwide make quick cash.

Finally, a training agreement was signed with the university consortium for research and nuclear technology (CIRTEN). It provides the contribution of Areva to develop new nuclear industrial capabilities in Italy.

These agreements come as the annual summit between France and Italy takes place in Paris, where Nicolas Sarkozy and Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, meet.The purpose of these agreements for EDF and Areva is to be in the running for the revival of nuclear energy in Italy from 2013.

Italy banned nuclear power in 1987 following the Chernobyl accident. But this year, a decree established a timetable for the construction of new reactors began in 2013. Silvio Berlusconi, had expressed a wish that 25% of the electricity produced in Italy comes from nuclear reactors.

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France Telecom: a survey of suicide

Saturday Apr 10, 2010

New episode in the case of repeated suicide at France Telecom. The Paris court on Thursday opened an investigation into this matter following a complaint last December against the union's South direction of the company for "bullying" and "endangering the lives of others." An unpublished survey that will focus on work organization and the management system of the company.

Me Teissonni?re, counsel for the South, had already confirmed a few hours earlier information from France Info. The investigation should therefore be entrusted to a judge of public health center of Paris. Le Parisien ahead including the name of Pascal Gand in its Friday edition. And as announced by the newspaper, on charges of "endangering the lives of others" was not accepted, contrary to what is called the Labour Inspectorate.

"Methods of management characterizing bullying"

On receipt of the complaint filed on December 14 last, the Paris court has in fact relied on a report of the inspection work to make its decision. A 82-page dossier, coordinated by the labor inspector Sylvie Catala and delivered on February 4 to Paris prosecutors. It refers to "implementation of work organizations likely to cause serious harm to the health of workers" and "methods of management characterizing bullying.

Labour inspection also points in his report "the strategy of restructuring and management" conducted since 2006 aiming to organize the departure of 22,000 employees of the group.It also emphasizes the fact that the leaders of France Telecom have been alerted "on many occasions (…) the effects on health of workers by occupational physicians and regional health insurance funds. Alerts never taken into account.

Eleven suicides since the beginning of 2010

Three people are affected by this case. Front row: former CEO, Didier Lombard, now non-executive chairman of the company. Followed Louis-Pierre Wenes, the former number two and head of operations in France, ruled last fall, and Olivier Barberot, the Director of Human Resources (HR). The company France Telecom is also questioned as a corporation, said Le Parisien.

In 2008 and 2009, the number of suicides by employees of France Telecom rose to 35 as management and unions.The observatory stress and forced mobility, established by the CFE-CGC and South-PTT, has meanwhile identified 11 suicides of employees since January.

Patrick Ackermann, SOUTH delegate, welcomed in the Parisian "this first victory." "That does not mean that there will be indictments, but it proves that justice takes the matter seriously. Now, we'll call the other unions, victims' families, doctors work to a civil, "he adds. The more one is more justice will be hard to kick for touch. "

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