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    India's Rahul Gandhi takes over as president of Congress party

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    Unilever selling magarines for 6.8 bn euros to US giant KKR

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    Third Palestinian shot dead in clashes northeast of Jerusalem: health ministry

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    Dutch police open fire on man with knife at Schiphol airport

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    Tillerson says US will keep channels open with N.Korea

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    Flights between Russia and Egypt to resume in February: Moscow 

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    Second Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: health ministry

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    Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: health ministry

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    Belgian trial delayed for Paris attacks suspect Abdeslam: court

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    Russian ex-economy minister guilty of taking bribe: court

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    Ryanair says may recognise unions amid strike threat

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    Japanese business confidence hits 11-year high: survey

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    Putin, Trump discussed North Korea in phone call: Kremlin

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    EU leaders say position on Jerusalem 'unchanged': Tusk

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    Polish PM expects EU to impose rare punishment over rule of law

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    EU leaders agree to roll over Russia sanctions: Tusk

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    'Golden opportunity missed' at Syria peace talks: UN mediator

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    Huthi missile fired at Saudi was 'made in Iran': Haley

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    UN mediator on Syria 'undermined' by his Putin appeal: Damascus

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    Three dead as school bus, train collide in France: police source

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    May 'disappointed' by UK vote but 'on course to deliver Brexit'

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    ECB expects inflation to hit 1.7% in 2020, still below goal

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    ECB ups eurozone growth forecasts for 2017-2019

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    Delta orders 100 Airbus planes in blow to Boeing

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    ECB leaves key interest rates unchanged

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    Putin says Russians do not want Ukraine-style 'coup'

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 13:30

    Israel drug giant Teva announces 14,000 job cuts over two years

  • New York (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 13:14

    Disney says to buy parts of 21st Century Fox for $52.4 bn

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    Bank of England holds interest rate steady at 0.5%

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    EU's Tusk says next stage of Brexit talks is 'real test of our unity'

  • Nasiriyah (Iraq) (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 12:36

    38 executed for 'terrorism' in southern Iraq

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    Putin says Trump opponents 'made up' Russia vote interference

  • Mogadishu (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 10:31

    At least 13 police killed by Somalia's Shabaab in academy bombing: officer

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    S. Korea prosecutors seek 25 years for ex-president's friend

  • Yangon (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 06:50

    6,700 Rohingya killed in first month of Myanmar violence: MSF

  • Mogadishu (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 06:31

    Casualties as bomber attacks Somalia police academy: officer

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    Ecuador's VP handed 6 years in prison in Odebrecht graft case

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    Dow ends at record on tax bill progress, Fed outlook

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    US-led air strikes kill 23 civilians in Syria: monitor

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    Fed's Yellen says no risks to stability 'flashing red' as markets boom

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    May loses key Brexit vote in British parliament

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    US Fed raises key interest rate amid strong labor market

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    Austrian airline Niki says to stop flying Thursday

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    Netanyahu 'not impressed' by Muslim leaders' Jerusalem statements

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    Paris suspect Abdeslam's lawyer asks for Belgian trial to be postponed: source

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 15:36

    Erdogan accuses Trump of 'Zionist mentality' over Jerusalem recognition

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 15:01

    S.Arabia, UAE pledge $130 mn for Sahel anti-terror force

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 14:39

    Energy costs push US consumer inflation above Fed target to 2.2%

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 14:28

    Muslim leaders urge recognition of East Jerusalem as Palestine capital: statement

  • Strasbourg (France) (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 13:47

    EU Parliament backs opening next round of Brexit talks: president

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    Palestinians have right to east Jerusalem as capital: Saudi king

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 10:53

    Kremlin welcomes 'constructive' US position on N. Korea talks

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 10:17

    Abbas warns 'no peace or stability' without Jerusalem as Palestinian capital

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 10:10

    Erdogan urges world to recognise East Jerusalem as 'capital of Palestine'

  • Sanaa (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 09:53

    Strikes kill 12 in rebel-run Yemen prison camp: rebel TV

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 09:48

    Israel a state of 'occupation' and 'terror', Erdogan tells Islamic leaders

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  • New Delhi (AFP) - 12/16/2017 - 06:47

    India's Rahul Gandhi takes over as president of Congress party

  • New York (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 22:07

    Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as US tax cut plan advances

  • Vienna (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 21:20

    Austrian conservatives, far-right announce coalition deal

  • Jakarta (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 18:38

    6.5 quake rocks southern Indonesia: USGS

  • The Hague (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 18:00

    Unilever selling magarines for 6.8 bn euros to US giant KKR

  • Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 17:41

    Palestinian dies of wounds after attacking Israelis: health ministry

  • Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 17:22

    Third Palestinian shot dead in clashes northeast of Jerusalem: health ministry

  • The Hague (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 17:19

    Dutch police open fire on man with knife at Schiphol airport

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 16:58

    Tillerson says US will keep channels open with N.Korea

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 16:40

    Flights between Russia and Egypt to resume in February: Moscow 

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 16:29

    Second Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: health ministry

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 15:59

    Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: health ministry

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 15:35

    Belgian trial delayed for Paris attacks suspect Abdeslam: court

  • The Hague (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 15:29

    Dutch-Ethiopian man gets life for 'Red Terror' war crimes

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 14:49

    France, Germany want joint eurozone reform plan by March: Merkel

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 14:31

    EU to start 'exploratory contacts' with UK on post-Brexit ties: Tusk

  • London (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 14:13

    Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to marry on May 19: palace

  • Beirut (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 13:51

    Crisis boosted confidence in Lebanese economy: central bank

  • London (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 13:23

    May hails 'important step' after EU leaders unlock Brexit talks

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 12:37

    EU leaders approve start of next phase of Brexit talks: Tusk

  • Rome (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 12:36

    Ryanair pilots suspend strike in Italy: union

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 12:05

    Russia ex-economy minister gets 8 years in penal colony over bribe

  • The Hague (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 11:34

    Child soldiers awarded $10 mn damages from Congolese warlord

  • Luxembourg (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 11:11

    Luxembourg appeals EU order to recoup 250 mn euro Amazon tax bill

  • Millas (France) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 10:53

    French school bus crash toll rises to 6: police source

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 09:54

    Russian ex-economy minister guilty of taking bribe: court

  • London (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 09:24

    Ryanair says may recognise unions amid strike threat

  • Tokyo (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 00:56

    Japanese business confidence hits 11-year high: survey

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 23:54

    Putin, Trump discussed North Korea in phone call: Kremlin

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 21:58

    EU leaders say position on Jerusalem 'unchanged': Tusk

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 21:02

    Polish PM expects EU to impose rare punishment over rule of law

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 20:27

    EU leaders agree to roll over Russia sanctions: Tusk

  • Geneva (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 19:39

    'Golden opportunity missed' at Syria peace talks: UN mediator

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 19:21

    US regulator orders rollback of 'net neutrality' rules

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:40

    Iran says US evidence on Yemen missiles is 'fabricated'

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:21

    Huthi missile fired at Saudi was 'made in Iran': Haley

  • Geneva (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:13

    UN mediator on Syria 'undermined' by his Putin appeal: Damascus

  • Perpignan (France) (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:02

    Three dead as school bus, train collide in France: police source

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 15:57

    May 'disappointed' by UK vote but 'on course to deliver Brexit'

  • Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 15:04

    ECB expects inflation to hit 1.7% in 2020, still below goal

  • Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 14:52

    ECB ups eurozone growth forecasts for 2017-2019

  • New York (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 14:45

    Delta orders 100 Airbus planes in blow to Boeing

  • Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 13:50

    ECB leaves key interest rates unchanged

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 13:40

    Putin says Russians do not want Ukraine-style 'coup'

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 13:30

    Israel drug giant Teva announces 14,000 job cuts over two years

  • New York (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 13:14

    Disney says to buy parts of 21st Century Fox for $52.4 bn

  • London (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 13:12

    Bank of England holds interest rate steady at 0.5%

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 12:38

    EU's Tusk says next stage of Brexit talks is 'real test of our unity'

  • Nasiriyah (Iraq) (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 12:36

    38 executed for 'terrorism' in southern Iraq

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 11:51

    Putin says Trump opponents 'made up' Russia vote interference

  • Mogadishu (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 10:31

    At least 13 police killed by Somalia's Shabaab in academy bombing: officer

  • Seoul (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 07:16

    S. Korea prosecutors seek 25 years for ex-president's friend

  • Yangon (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 06:50

    6,700 Rohingya killed in first month of Myanmar violence: MSF

  • Mogadishu (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 06:31

    Casualties as bomber attacks Somalia police academy: officer

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    Ecuador's VP handed 6 years in prison in Odebrecht graft case

  • New York (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 22:13

    Dow ends at record on tax bill progress, Fed outlook

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    US-led air strikes kill 23 civilians in Syria: monitor

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    Fed's Yellen says no risks to stability 'flashing red' as markets boom

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    Austrian airline Niki says to stop flying Thursday

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S.Africa's troubled ANC meets to elect new leader

AFP/File / RAJESH JANTILAL Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former African Union chief and President Jacob's Zuma's ex-wife, is one of the favourites to be the next ANC leader

South Africa's ruling ANC party holds a conference starting Saturday to elect its new leader in a hotly contested two-way race seen as a pivotal moment in the country's post-apartheid history.

The winner will be well placed to be the next president, but the ANC has lost much popularity since Nelson Mandela led it to power in the euphoric 1994 election that marked the end of white-minority rule.

Soaring unemployment and government corruption have fuelled frustration among millions of poor black South Africans who face dire housing and education alongside continuing racial inequality.

President Jacob Zuma, whose reign has been marred by graft scandals, will step down as ANC chief, but remain as head of state ahead of general elections in 2019.

Competing for the party leadership are his ex-wife, former African Union chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a wealthy businessman.

The battle could split the ANC party and the five-day conference threatens to be acrimonious, forcing both candidates to issue last-minute calls for unity.

Hours before the event opened, local party branches fought multiple legal disputes in court that could affect which delegates can vote.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe sought to downplay suggestions that the meeting could collapse in chaos, adding "we are hoping to come out of this conference unified".

Dlamini-Zuma, 68, headed the African Union until earlier this year, and is a former interior, foreign affairs and health minister.

But her critics say she would pursue President Zuma's failing economic and political policies, and would be his proxy to protect him from criminal prosecution over graft allegations.

The couple had four children together before divorcing in 1998.

- 'Afraid of being prosecuted' -

AFP/File / GIANLUIGI GUERCIA Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career

Ramaphosa, 65, a former trade union leader, led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career that made him one of the country's wealthiest men.

He is often accused of failing to confront Zuma while serving as his deputy since 2014.

"There is so much at stake and the two candidates are very close in the race," Amanda Gouws, a politics professor at Stellenbosch University, told AFP.

Gouws said that the thousands of party delegates could be offered bribes for their votes, and that President Zuma was lobbying hard for Dlamini-Zuma to emerge victorious.

"Zuma is very afraid of being prosecuted after he leaves office if Dlamini-Zuma doesn't win, so he is really trying to make sure she does," she said.

Dlamini-Zuma has strongly denied that her campaign had been involved with vote-buying, saying that "no leader will be proud of being elected out of money".

With tensions rising, Ramaphosa stressed that the party "should rally behind whoever is elected".

The ANC is still South Africa's biggest party by far, but the 54 percent it won in local elections last year was its worst poll result since 1994 -- underlining its sharp recent decline in popularity.

- 2019 election looms -

AFP/File / ODD ANDERSEN The ANC has lost much popularity since Nelson Mandela led it to power in the euphoric 1994 election that marked the end of white-minority rule

Ramaphosa is widely seen as a stronger candidate than Dlamini-Zuma to lead the ANC in the 2019 general election.

If Ramaphosa loses the party leadership battle, some experts warn that the party could split.

Opposition parties the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters both hope to exploit the ANC's woes in the 2019 election, with one possible outcome being a coalition government.

President Zuma will open the conference with a speech on Saturday morning.

Other leadership hopefuls include parliament speaker Baleka Mbete, presidency minister Jeff Radebe and Zweli Mkhize, the party treasurer.

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News

S.Africa's troubled ANC meets to elect new leader

AFP/File / RAJESH JANTILAL Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former African Union chief and President Jacob's Zuma's ex-wife, is one of the favourites to be the next ANC leader

South Africa's ruling ANC party holds a conference starting Saturday to elect its new leader in a hotly contested two-way race seen as a pivotal moment in the country's post-apartheid history.

The winner will be well placed to be the next president, but the ANC has lost much popularity since Nelson Mandela led it to power in the euphoric 1994 election that marked the end of white-minority rule.

Soaring unemployment and government corruption have fuelled frustration among millions of poor black South Africans who face dire housing and education alongside continuing racial inequality.

President Jacob Zuma, whose reign has been marred by graft scandals, will step down as ANC chief, but remain as head of state ahead of general elections in 2019.

Competing for the party leadership are his ex-wife, former African Union chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a wealthy businessman.

The battle could split the ANC party and the five-day conference threatens to be acrimonious, forcing both candidates to issue last-minute calls for unity.

Hours before the event opened, local party branches fought multiple legal disputes in court that could affect which delegates can vote.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe sought to downplay suggestions that the meeting could collapse in chaos, adding "we are hoping to come out of this conference unified".

Dlamini-Zuma, 68, headed the African Union until earlier this year, and is a former interior, foreign affairs and health minister.

But her critics say she would pursue President Zuma's failing economic and political policies, and would be his proxy to protect him from criminal prosecution over graft allegations.

The couple had four children together before divorcing in 1998.

- 'Afraid of being prosecuted' -

AFP/File / GIANLUIGI GUERCIA Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career

Ramaphosa, 65, a former trade union leader, led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career that made him one of the country's wealthiest men.

He is often accused of failing to confront Zuma while serving as his deputy since 2014.

"There is so much at stake and the two candidates are very close in the race," Amanda Gouws, a politics professor at Stellenbosch University, told AFP.

Gouws said that the thousands of party delegates could be offered bribes for their votes, and that President Zuma was lobbying hard for Dlamini-Zuma to emerge victorious.

"Zuma is very afraid of being prosecuted after he leaves office if Dlamini-Zuma doesn't win, so he is really trying to make sure she does," she said.

Dlamini-Zuma has strongly denied that her campaign had been involved with vote-buying, saying that "no leader will be proud of being elected out of money".

With tensions rising, Ramaphosa stressed that the party "should rally behind whoever is elected".

The ANC is still South Africa's biggest party by far, but the 54 percent it won in local elections last year was its worst poll result since 1994 -- underlining its sharp recent decline in popularity.

- 2019 election looms -

AFP/File / ODD ANDERSEN The ANC has lost much popularity since Nelson Mandela led it to power in the euphoric 1994 election that marked the end of white-minority rule

Ramaphosa is widely seen as a stronger candidate than Dlamini-Zuma to lead the ANC in the 2019 general election.

If Ramaphosa loses the party leadership battle, some experts warn that the party could split.

Opposition parties the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters both hope to exploit the ANC's woes in the 2019 election, with one possible outcome being a coalition government.

President Zuma will open the conference with a speech on Saturday morning.

Other leadership hopefuls include parliament speaker Baleka Mbete, presidency minister Jeff Radebe and Zweli Mkhize, the party treasurer.

AFP/File / RAJESH JANTILAL Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former African Union chief and President Jacob's Zuma's ex-wife, is one of the favourites to be the next ANC leader

South Africa's ruling ANC party holds a conference starting Saturday to elect its new leader in a hotly contested two-way race seen as a pivotal moment in the country's post-apartheid history.

The winner will be well placed to be the next president, but the ANC has lost much popularity since Nelson Mandela led it to power in the euphoric 1994 election that marked the end of white-minority rule.

AFP/File / GIANLUIGI GUERCIA Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career

Ramaphosa, 65, a former trade union leader, led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career that made him one of the country's wealthiest men.

He is often accused of failing to confront Zuma while serving as his deputy since 2014.

AFP/File / ODD ANDERSEN The ANC has lost much popularity since Nelson Mandela led it to power in the euphoric 1994 election that marked the end of white-minority rule

Ramaphosa is widely seen as a stronger candidate than Dlamini-Zuma to lead the ANC in the 2019 general election.

If Ramaphosa loses the party leadership battle, some experts warn that the party could split.

16 Dec 2017

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