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Zesco to spend $5.3bn to boost power

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ZESCO LTD engineers inspecting power pylons at Kafue Gorge station’

ZESCO plans to spend about US$5.3 billion for power generation, transmission and distribution to mitigate the existing power outages in the country.

Zesco director generation Victor Mundende said the company has embarked on a five-year business plan that will enable it to increase generation capacity through the expansion of existing hydro power stations and the development of new generation projects.

In an interview at the on-going Agricultural and Commercial Show, Mr Mundende said the US$5.3 billion will be spent between this year and 2017.

He said the power utility has made progress in addressing the power deficit with various power expansion projects being on course.

He cited the Kariba North Bank power project to be completed in 2014, with an increased installed capacity of 1,080 megawatts (MW) from 720 MW.

Other projects include Itezhi- tezhi with the capacity of 120 MW and the Kafue Gorge Lower hydro power station with 750 MW.

“Apart from the major power stations, there are some small hydro power stations that we are upgrading across the country. These include Musonda Falls which is five MW to about 10 MW while Lunzua in Northern Province with less than a MW will be expanded to about 15 MW,” he said.

He said the Chishimba Falls hydro power station that currently has an installed capacity of six MW will be upgraded to 15 MW and Lusiwashi hydro power station in Serenje will be expanded to about 100 MW.

Mr Mundende observed that the private sector has also come on board to alleviate the power shortage with Maamba Collieries planning to set up a thermo plant that will generate 300 MW in the first phase and another 300 MW in the second phase.

Zambia’s mining tax rate highest in region

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NCHANGA Mine rescure Team B Captain Jonathan Kolala inspects air underground during the Zambia Mine Rescure Association competetion at Namundwe Mine
File:NCHANGA Mine rescure Team B Captain Jonathan Kolala inspects air underground during the Zambia Mine Rescure Association competetion at Namundwe Mine

FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) Limited says the tax rates applicable to the mining industry in Zambia are the highest globally.
Company head of tax Adam Little in an interview in Lusaka said FQM has from 2005 to date paid over K 9 trillion (US$ 2 billion) of taxes.

Of the total taxes paid, about K390 billion (US$ 84 million) is Pay As You Earn and K1.97 trillion (US$ 234 million) mineral royalties.
Mr Little said despite the high taxes and high cost environment, mining prospects in Zambia remain bright for as long as Government does not try to kill the golden goose laying the golden egg.
“When you combine high existing taxes and high cost of production, it’s a country people will think twice before investing,” he said.

He described windfall tax introduced in 2008 as the worst tax he has ever seen, adding that it was retrogressive as it was charged on revenue rather than profits.
Mr Little said had the windfall tax persisted, a number of mines would have shut down at the time copper prices were high.

“I understand why people are calling for it (windfall tax) because they see what looks like a healthy industry and they see a contribution from the industry which isn’t high enough,” he said.

He said some companies are paying lower tax than people expect due to huge investment following privatisation.
Mr Little said once a number of companies reach tax paying levels and copper prices on the international market improve, tax and mining profits are expected to improve.

He said there is need to also improve capacity and capability levels of the Zambia Revenue Authority to collect taxes from the mines.
“Government should encourage future development, I don’t think that means offering individual incentives to the mines “No sweetheart deals” but coming up with consistent and fair tax environment,” he said.

Mr Little said because of the huge investments involved in mining, it is prudent that tax rates are stabilised as was in the old development agreements.

He said to operate new mines, citing the Trident project that includes Sentinel, Enterprise and Intrepid copper projects, one has to be efficient to control costs.

“Any additional taxes will make the next generation of mines that run on slim margins of copper very hard to succeed,” he said.
Commenting on corporate social responsibility, Mr Little said FQM has been involved in upgrading of the local general hospital, Solwezi technical institute, upgrade of the Solwezi-Chingola road, sports development in Solwezi and was the major sponsor of the African Cup of Nations.
“As much as it is important that our corporate social programmes get through to the media, the big thing for us is tax contributions. Once the mines pay tax, the money is in the hands of Government and how it spends that money is between the citizen and Government,” he said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

What the Church needs to do about poverty

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File:The face of poverty..A boy is photographed at a public meeting with rugged clothes in Katete

What exactly should the Church do when it witnesses abject poverty all around it? Well, the answer is simple really. Do what Jesus did! Now, that is a very wide and sweeping statement because most people do not know what Jesus ACTUALLY did! Many have heard of what He is alleged to have done, but have never read it for themselves. This article is not directed to Atheists or unbelievers, because we are in different frames of reference. It is directed to those who read the Bible, in whatever language or translation or commentary.

Let us start from the beginning. We need to define our terms first so that we are all talking about the same things or we have the same understanding. There are two kinds of poor people. The first kind, are those who are lowly paid for their services. In the days when people lived on the land, members of a community had access to the same land and tilled the land under the same weather conditions. In spite of that, their wealth was not equal. Some had more while others had less. The difference arose out of human strength, diligence, wisdom, intelligence and number of mouths to feed in a household. Naturally, we cannot all have the same wealth; (not ‘wealthy’ for my Bemba cousins). Under the same circumstances, there will always be inequalities. Thus, the lowly paid, are not poor in the real sense. There is every possibility for them to improve their fortunes and get better if they were prudent in their spending and thrifty as well as imaginative in their working practice. A sharp minded janitor may invent a vacuum cleaner in order to clean the carpets more efficiently. A coach carriage apprentice may tweak here and there and eventually produce one of the finest marques the world has ever known! A waiter in a hotel may rise to become a manager and eventually general manager in the chain. One must apply their minds to what they are doing, and no matter what it is, eventually their diligence, ingenuity and innovativeness will pay.[pullquote]Indeed, the western world is so prosperous today, and that not because everyone is a Christian, but the fundamental principles borrowed from the Judeo-Christian ethic have been widely applied in Europe and the Americas[/pullquote]

The second group of poor people are those who by reason of infirmity, extremity of age, bereavement or disability have been left with no means of livelihood. Some may also become poor through natural disasters or having fallen victim to robbers or the hegemony of state institutions. Some become poor because their property has been unjustly confiscated or they have had to flee their homes to seek refuge elsewhere. These ill people, widows, orphans, prisoners, refugees and victims of famines and other natural disasters ARE the real poor. It behoves us and the state to take care of these. Jesus said that this class of poor people will always be with us. We have every opportunity to engage governments and indeed our own selves to cooperate with government to relieve the suffering of this class of citizenry.

What would Jesus do? On the very first day of His public ministry, Jesus proclaimed that God’s Spirit was upon Him and He was specially selected (anointed) to, inter alia, and ‘proclaim good news to the poor.’ What is the good news that the poor need to hear? Whichever class of poor people, mentioned above, that one belonged to, they need good news. To the lowly paid: conversion to Christianity or even mere adoption of Biblical principles of life will bring you out of poverty and into prosperity. Obedience to the word of God is the surest way to a prosperous life, whether spiritually, physically or materially! Indeed, the western world is so prosperous today, and that not because everyone is a Christian, but the fundamental principles borrowed from the Judeo-Christian ethic have been widely applied in Europe and the Americas. The ‘good news of the kingdom of heaven’ will bring you prosperity. There would be no corruption if every man ‘did unto others as they would be done unto themselves.’ There would be no poverty if we did not let ‘him that does not work eat.’ There would be wealth spread abroad if we cared for the widows and the fatherless.
This is the message that the Church must be proclaiming. Instead, the church is busy pointing fingers at governments. Governments do not make money. Governments spend money. President Reagan put it so well. Tyrannical governments can impoverish their people, as we saw in the Communist regimes, but a good democratic government cannot put more money in people’s pockets either. People must be encouraged to follow the way of the Holy Scriptures. They must be discouraged from covetousness, but to be content with what they have lawfully received and earned. The church must pray for those in authority, knowing that ‘the powers that be are ordained by God,’ that these may enact just laws. The role of the state is to protect life, property and individual liberties and freedoms.
If the Church did this, it will have fulfilled its mandate and great commission to ‘preach the good news of the kingdom.’

By Dr Charles Ngoma

Sikota accuses Government of demoralizing Zambians in the constitution making process

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Lawyer Sakwiba Sikota

Prominent Lusaka Lawyer and leader of the opposition United Liberal Party Sakwiba Sikota has charged that government’s position on certain provisions in the draft constitution has dampened people’s eagerness in taking part in the Constitution making process.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Qfm news, Mr. Sikota has also observed that the negative response of Zambians on the draft document is being perpetrated by the negative attitude by the ruling Patriotic Front on certain progressive clauses in the draft.

Mr. Sikota says it will therefore be catastrophic for the technical committee on drafting the Republican Constitution to come up with a document that will not be endorsed by the majority Zambians.

He says the Annel Silungwe led technical committee has had a tough time in reaching out to all Zambians and consequently receiving feedbacks in form of submissions on the ongoing consultative process which has twice been extended by 50 days.

Mr. Sikota has since urged the committee to carry along people’s aspirations in its deliberations if the process is to produce desired results.

The committee recently extended the consultative process by 50 days in order to accommodate the views of as many Zambians as possible.
[QFM]

Zambia Enter Camp In Ndola

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Zambia has regrouped in Ndola ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against Zimbabwe.

Coach Herve Renard has called 30 players who started arriving at Ndola’s Savoy Hotel
on Sunday in readiness for the friendly.

Team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi was not available for a comment on the training camp.

But one of the players in camp told LT Sports from Ndola that almost all the 30 players have reported for camp.

Zimbabwe-based defender Aaron Katebe of Hwange and Angola-based Lawrence

Phiri are the only foreign based players Renard has summoned for the friendly.

Zimbabwe are expected to arrive in the country on Monday.

OLYMPICS: Gerald Phiri Bows Out

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100 meters sprinter Gerald Phiri Olympic games debut ended at the semifinal stage today at the Olympic Stadium in London.

Phiri running in heat two finished fifth behind a stellar field led by Usain Bolt and Ryan Bailey.

The 23 years old clocked with a personal best of the year with a time of 10:11 seconds, six milliseconds slow than Dwain Chambers who finished fourth.

Jamaican Bolt finished first with a time of 09:87 seconds; Bailey of the USA was second with a time of 09:96 seconds.

Richard Thompson was third with a time of 10:02 seconds.

Kansanshi Mine to build 3 500 houses in Solwezi

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Kansanshi Mine
Kansanshi Mine

Kansanshi Mine will construct 3 500 houses in Solwezi. Mine Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Bruce Lewis however said that bureaucracy in sourcing land is delaying the commencement of the project.

Mr Lewis is however happy that government has given a go ahead for the start of the construction of houses.

And Government is pleased with efforts by Kansanshi Mine to construct 3 500 houses in Solwezi.

Commerce Deputy Minister Richard Taima said that the planned housing project will benefit employees and ordinary Solwezi residents.

Speaking when he toured Kansanshi Golf Estates in Solwezi, Mr Taima said government is keen to partner with investors who are ready to plough back into communities where they do business.

He also said that discussions to allocate more land for the Kabitaka Housing Development (KHD) with traditional leaders in Solwezi are on going.

ZNBC

Law must take its course on anyone who started the riots that resulted in death of a Chinese national-Sakeni

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Chief Government Spokesperson, Kennedy Sakeni
Chief Government Spokesperson, Kennedy Sakeni

Chief Government Spokesperson, Kennedy Sakeni, has said that the law must take its course on anyone who will be found guilty of causing the riots that resulted in the death of the Chinese national at Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe yesterday.

Mr Sakeni, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said that the issue of minimum wages allows employers and employees a platform and time to dialogue amicably without violence.

He said that there is no need for the miners to go to such extremes as to shed blood on a fellow worker over an issue which is clear and open for dialogue.

Mr Sakeni has urged the Ministry of Labour and law agencies to deal with the case decisively and leave no stone unturned until all those found wanting are brought to book.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) has condemned the killing of a Chinese miner at the embattled Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe.

NUMAW president Mundia Sikufele said that despite his organisation not having membership at the mine, the killing was barbaric and sends a wrong picture about Zambia to the outside world.

ZANIS reports that Mr Sikufele said that the incident shows the need for people to always embrace dialogue whenever they are grieved.

He explained that people should always aim at exhausting the good communication channels rather than engaging in violent activities that could lead to lose of lives.

Mr Sikufele has noted that what the miners did yesterday is disturbing to the labour Movement; hence stringent measures should be taken to ensure that such an incident does not repeat itself in future.

Yesterday a Chinese miner, Wu Shengzai aged, 50, was killed while another is battling for his life after other miners, particularly Zambians, rioted to protest against delays by management to effect the newly revised minimum wage payment.

The deceased died on the spot after being hit by a trolley that was pushed towards him by the rioting miners as he ran away into the underground tunnel where he wanted to seek refuge.

And Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda immediately called for thorough investigations into the killing of a Chinese national. Mr Shamenda has regretted that the riots had led to loss of life and described it as unfortunate and regrettable.

Mr Shamenda has wondered why the embattled Collumn Coal Mine continues to be a spot of tension between Zambian workers and Chinese investors. Mr Shamenda has since urged the workers to avoid taking the law into their own hands.

He said that the sad development at the mine should serve as a lesson for all workers and employers to follow the normal channel of communication. Mr. Shamenda who has since traveled to the Mine was speaking in an interview with TV2 News prior to his departure from Lusaka.

Mr Shamenda also said that Government was working out measures to ensure that the hike in the minimum wage does not become a source of industrial protests. Mr Shamenda said that protests and work stoppages negatively affect governments revenue collection.

A Chinese miner killed by Zambian employees in a minimum wage riot

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Chinese Collum Coal mine employees
Chinese Collum Coal mine employees

A Chinese miner at the embattled Colum Coal mine in Sinazongwe has been killed by Zambian miners in a riot while another one is battling for his life in Mamba hospital.

ZANIS’s Mike Munkombwe Reports that The miners rioted on Saturday to protest against delays by management to implement the newly revised minimum wage.

Southern province deputy Police Commissioner Fred Mutondo has confirmed the killing of the Chinese national BUT could not give further details on the matter.

And Sinazongwe district commissioner Dodo Sindaza and Sinazongwe area member of parliament Richwell Siamunene have also confirmed the killing in separate interviews.

Mr Sindaza has identified the deceased as Wu Shengzai aged, 50.

The deceased died on the spot after being hit by a trolley that was pushed towards him by the rioting miners as he ran away into the underground where he wanted to seek refuge.

The miners who refused to work had mobilized themselves and started beating up fellow miners found working.[pullquote]Mr Lungu said that  there will be no sacred cows in enforcing the law and appealed for maximum restraint from workers and employers as government re-visits issues surrounding the revised minimum wage[/pullquote].

And Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu has said that Zambian miners that have killed a Chinese national at the Collumn Coal Mine in Sinazongwe will be prosecuted.

Mr Lungu said that there will be no sacred cows in enforcing the law and appealed for maximum restraint from workers and employers as government re-visits issues surrounding the revised minimum wage. Mr Lungu was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news in LUSAKA on yesterday.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda has called for a thorough investigation into the matter saying the murder is unfortunate and regrettable. Mr Shamenda has wondered why the embattled Collumn Coal mine continues to be a place of tension between Zambian workers and Chinese investors.

ZANIS

Press Past the Small Things

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“…One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”
(Philippians 3:13, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Are you allowing the small things in life to keep you from God’s best? Today is the day to press past the small things and run toward your destiny! Unforgiveness is a small thing. Forgive and move on to the greater thing. Fear is small. It’s not from God. Don’t let it hold you back. An addiction is small. You have the power to overcome anything through Christ Jesus. Being undisciplined is small. If you are a believer today, you have the seed of Almighty God inside of you. There is no challenge that’s too difficult for you!

I think about Joshua and Caleb. When they came back from spying out the Promised Land they said, “Moses, we are well able to take the land. Let us go in at once.” Not next week. Not next year. They were “now” people. But if you over-analyze your situation and think about all the “what if’s” and try to get approval from all your family and friends, you’ll never move off of dead center. You’ll be stuck in the small things.

Today, make the decision to press forward. Be like Joshua and Caleb. Don’t look at your circumstances; look at your God because He is the one who is empowering you to take hold of the good things He has for your future!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, today I make the decision to press past small things. I let go of small thinking and small doing and choose to open my heart and mind to You. Lead me in the way I should go. Thank You for Your everlasting love in Jesus’ name. Amen!
— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Power Feel The Wrath of a Rejected Player

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Striker Alex Ng’onga scored a goal and created another as Nchanga Rangers stunned Power Dynamos 2-nil at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe to condmn the Faz Super Division Champions to their first home loss since November 2011.

Rangers’ Ng’onga who is on loan from Power gave the Chingola side a 38th minute lead with powerful long range shot.

Midfielder Aubrey Funga scored the Rangers’ second goal in the 66th minute thanks to a teasing cross from Ng’onga.

Late in the 80th minute Power’s second half substitute Felix Nyaende had a chance to reduce the 2-nil deficit but his powerful short missed the goal mouth by inches.

Rangers have now completed a double over Power this season following their 1-nil win over the Kitwe side in the first round match in Chingola on 2nd May.

Despite winning today Rangers are still 5th on the league table but have increased their tally to 30 points while Power have maintained the 3rd place with 35 points.

RESULTS

FAZ Super Division Week 18

04/08/2012
Roan United 0-Konkola Mine Police 1
Power Dynamos 0-Nchanga Rangers 2
Konkola Blades 0-Nkana 0
Forest Rangers 2-National Assembly 0
Green Buffaloes1-Zesco United 0
Indeni 1-Green Eagles 1
Nakambala Leopards 1-Napsa Stars 1
Zanaco 0-Red Arrows 1

TABLE

[standings league_id=21 template=extend logo=false]

 

 

OLYMPICS: Gerald Phiri Though To 100 Meters Semis

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Gerald Phiri (Left) in action
Gerald Phiri (Left) in action

Gerald Phiri today got his Olympics Games debut to a flying start by making it to Sundays semifinals of the 100 meters at the Olympic Stadium in London.

Phiri clocked a time of 10:19 second after finishing third in heat one at the Olympic Stadium this afternoon to reach Sunday evening’s penultimate stage of the Olympics marque event.

The 23-year-old sprinter is the first Zambia at this Olympic to so far advance from a preliminary round event in what has been a forgettable outing for his five out of six compatriots.

Phiri will lineup in heat two on Sunday night longside Olympic and World champion Usain Bolt and USA sprinter Ryan Bailey who posted the day’s best time in the heat’s of 09:88 seconds.

Phiri is one of two Zambian athletes still in the hunt for honors in London together with Prince Mumba who takes to the track at the Olympic Stadium on Monday in the 800 meters.

Zambia’s five other representatives in the 100 meters women, judo, boxing, men and women’s swimming have all bowed out of the Olympics.

Government increased Deputy Ministers to operate effectively – Sakeni

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Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni
Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni

Government has said that it has decided to increase the number of Deputy Ministers because it wants to operate in an effective manner in the country. Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said that Zambia is a very big country and therefore it requires an effective and efficient government to run its business in a more effective manner.

Mr. Sakeni said that the PF government has realized that there a lot of challenges within the government which need to be addressed in a more comprehensive manner.

But when asked by QFM news on whether the PF government had back tracked on its earlier promise of having a smaller government, Mr. Sakeni said what is important is for the government to come up with a system that will ensure government delivers quality leadership to the citizens.

Some stakeholders in the country are accusing the PF government of having backtracked on its promise of having a smaller government as a cost effective measure.

QFM

Thieves break into Finance Bank Kaoma branch, kill Security Guard

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Finance bank

A security guard has been murdered after thieves broke into Finance Bank Kaoma branch. Edwin Kainda aged 55 was found dead with blood coming out of his mouth and nose. The Police suspect that he was strangled by the same criminals who broke into the bank.

The criminals gained entry into the Bank through the roof by removing a roofing sheet and went directly to where the safe was. They then came out through the back door after damaging the lock.

The incident happened between 23 hrs on 3rd August and 03:00 hrs, 4th August 2012 in Kaoma. Initial investigations have revealed that the criminal blew off the safe and went away with the money.

The guard was discovered dead around 06 hours in a small structure located within the bank premises by a security guard from a nearby shop. The body of the deceased is lying in Kaoma district hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem.

The Police is appealing to members of the public with information leading to the apprehension of the culprits to report to the nearest police station.

And four army soldiers have died while seven others sustained injuries when the truck reg no. AD 3569 they were travelling in overturned and caught fire, burning to ashes along Mukochi road in Kabwe rural. The commandos were on their way to Mukonchi Mita Hill Dam to retrieve the last two bodies out of the five who drowned last week.

The driver of the truck Sgt Iwile is also among the dead. The accident happened when he lost control and overturned after failing to negotiate a curve. Among the dead are a coaxswine staff sgt Kalenga and Sgt Trevor Nkonde both of One Engineering Regiment in Mufulira. The fourth one is Sgt Ngoma of Commando unit Ndola.

The injured have been identified as :

Sgt Chrispin Mujuda
Warrant Officer II Packer Chisenga
Sgt Kwibiana Masumba
Sgt Alex Saini
Sgt Chistopher Mukelabai Wamulume
Sgt Sibajene
Corporal Jones Mayaba

The injured were initially treated at Nukonchi clinic and later refeered to Kabwe General Hospital.The accident happened on 3rd August 2012 around 14 hours at B.S area north of Mukonchi.

There were 13 soldiers on board and one escaped unhurt.

Zesco Seek To Stay Top

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League leaders Zesco United on Saturday face Green Buffaloes away in Lusaka seeking to maintain the lead as the Faz Super Division enters week 18.

Sitting on 38 points, Zesco are motivated by their 4-nil win over Nakambala Leorpards in their last fixture while 9th placed Buffaloes are battling to end their three-game winless streak.

Zesco can bank on club leading scorer Jackson Mwanza who has scored 9 goals while Buffaloes coach George Chikokola is praying that his misfiring twin strikers Michael Bulaya and Reuben Tembo start scoring.

The reverse fixture of this encounter saw Zesco beat Buffaloes 2-nil at the Trade Grounds in Ndola on 9 April.

Elsewhere, at Kitwe’s Arthur Davies Stadium defending champions Power Dyanamos host a Nchanga Rangers side that ended their league unbeaten run on 2 May.

Power’s recently found winning formula is expected to undergo a stern test as the 1998 league champions trek to Kitwe.

Second placed Zanaco play their game against Red Arrows on Sunday.

TABLE

[standings league_id=21 template=extend logo=false]

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