Is Eritrea the North Korea of Africa?

Should Eritrea's track record on human rights crimes and religious freedom warrant a referral to the International Criminal Court at The Hague? By Robert P. George and Thomas J. Reese, August 18, 2015. Is Eritrea guilty of crimes against humanity? The question evidently matters to the UN Human Rights Council, which last month extended for another year the mandate of its Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights in the Horn of Africa nation. This extension followed the COI’s release in June of a 500-page report detailing its abuses.The question should also matter to the rest of the world, given Eritrea’s serious contribution to the global refugee crisis, as seen through the continued flight of 5,000 Eritreans monthly from their homeland, many of whom are heading north to Europe.The COI report confirmed what the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), on which we serve, has documented for years: Eritrea is the North Korea of Africa. It is a totalitarian police state which rules by fear, not law, producing a tragedy for human rights, including religious liberty, which the world must not ignore. The regime of President Isias Afwerki and the Popular Front for Democracy and Justice have run Eritrea since 1993 after winning a long war for independence from Ethiopia. War with Ethiopia resumed in 1998, and while the conflict ended in 2000, Eritrea’s leaders operate on a permanent war footing. The government deploys a pervasive domestic surveillance apparatus. Eritreans constantly fear they are being monitored and can be detained. For a country of fewer than five million people, Eritrea has a vast penal system, and arbitrary detention is widespread. Moreover, Eritrea’s judicial system lacks any semblance of independence or justice. Citizens frequently aren’t told why they’re being detained or for how long, and those who are imprisoned often are tortured. Many are held incommunicado and some disappear and are never seen or heard from again. Civic space for the free and peaceful practice of religion is incredibly restricted, with the government grossly interfering with Eritrea’s four recognized religious communities – the Coptic Orthodox Church, Sunni Islam, Roman Catholicism, and a Lutheran-connected denomination. It has kept Orthodox Patriarch Abune Antonios under house arrest since 2006 for objecting to its meddling in church affairs, and has deposed him from his position as leader of his church. The regime makes all other religious groups illegal. Imprisoned Jehovah’s Witnesses and evangelical and pentecostal Protestants routinely are tortured and pressed to recant their faith. Jehovah’s Witnesses are denied citizenship due to their conscientious objection to military service. Both USCIRF and the US State Department concur that Eritrea is one of the world’s worst religious freedom environments, with the State Department designating Eritrea a “country of particular concern” or CPC each year since 2004. Eritreans also are subjected to indefinite periods of universal conscription when they reach 18 and often at near-starvation levels, amounting to forced labor or slavery; women who serve often report being sexually assaulted. Hundreds of thousands of Eritreans -- between six and 10 percent of the country’s population -- have fled such tyranny over the past generation. The government has a shoot-to-kill policy against those making the attempt and frequently tortures their family members. Those who leave are at risk of human traffickers capturing, torturing and killing them. Those who traverse Libya risk falling into Islamist State hands. Those crossing the Mediterranean risk drowning. Do any of Eritrea’s depredations amount to crimes against humanity? If the UN makes that determination next year, Eritrea’s regime and its rulers will be referred to the International Criminal Court. Meanwhile, what can the United States do? It can continue naming Eritrea a CPC, while taking specific CPC actions based on religious freedom violations. It can maintain its long-standing arms embargo against Eritrea. It can limit Eritrea’s ability to levy and forcibly collect a tax on Eritrean Americans by imposing visas bans on Eritrean officials.It can work with other nations to advocate the release of religious prisoners, including Patriarch Antonios, and support the efforts of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and nongovernmental organizations to aid Eritrean refugees. Eritrea’s tyranny has unleashed tragedy. The world community must press for a reversal of course toward freedom. Robert P. George is Chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

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The Gems

THE GEMS In a kingdom far far away, where riches were rumored to be vast and all the wealth in the world were channelled through it and from this kingdom came such wealth. The kingdom was also rumored "there lies the power within, a king between". And it was indeed a great kingdom.

This great and flourishing kingdom had a king so great, a man of steel, a man gusts of wind skates, a ruler to feel. His name, King Urúte-arl, and the kingdom which he ruled over, Dåmårt. The king was in fact the kingdom and the kingdom his home. Nations both feared and envied them, and would probably do anything to get their hands on King Urute-arl's throne.

The king had two sons, Prince Wiz and Prince Martz, who will eventually succeed him in leading the people. The princes were thought to be reliable, but that was not so much the case. Martz who was the youngest of the princes squandered his fortunes carelessly and lived a cowardly life. He felt satisfied forgetting the great rumors of invasion... Wiz, the eldest and most intelligent was part dedicated and part foolish. He would cower in his handsome nature and tower with his opposite in nature. Inotherwords, they were not much of the reliable type.

The king in his wisdom saw this and becomes a little bemused at the indignant children who cared only for themselves. The invasion rumors soon spread like untamed fire around the kingdom and soon started paralysing the kingdom. The King's adviser, Kent, had the king divide his kingdom amongst the princes and as such lessen the economic threat of the provinces. The boys of course were good warriors, undefeated in battles, practically referred to as the Krugan Princes, for they were unmatched in battles or competitions. This would be good. The sons to finally take responsibility over the kingdom? This was essential.

In order to do so, the princes were sent out of the kingdom to acquire the *gems of life* at a distant world. They were given aids and horses and everything they'd need for this quest. (these gems would give its bearer great power and wealth) They set out with everything in order and with their own ambitions around their grims. The journey was from Dåmårt to Kansas to Drajt to Maotrany. Here they took different path for it was their mission. Prince Wiz had just crossed Mts. Aru, Jaru, Baal, Dafong, Da, Ark and Serpent, Rivers. Du, Udu, Rudu, Krudu and 3 other rivers when the news got to him from his father that the kingdom fell under seige and was captured. Unknown to them, the king's adviser was behind the invasion.

 The Princes felt sore and bad and decided to get over it. They settled in the nearest village respectively and continued their lavish and indignat lives for 5years. They had by this time become helpless and aidless as their aids and horses were gone. They were abadoned just as they abadoned their kingdom. Wiz hopelessly at first made the move to continue the quest to attain the power gem so he could escape suffering. Little by little he gathered branches of hope as he crossed the Silent Mountain, where he met an astounding young lady with skills undefined and unnatural. She assisted him through the Mountain and gave him something to believe in...

Concealed within her sword was a royal seal. One that was familiar, one that could only be found at Dåmårt. Wiz did not take note, he only noticed her fine body and well built curves. Who could possibly bear the Royal seal? Martz on the other hand met someone who teaches him how to survive with gambling. He defeated all the gamblers where he settled and moved forward to defeating others from other towns and villages and nations. Unknown to him, he was approching the Gems' Keep. This gambling teacher had on his chest a glowing Royal seal same as could be found in Dåmårt. Both princes got closer to their goals unknown to them the people they had met were their father's Angel guards. They were 7 in number and would awaken when the kingdom needed their aid. And they did. Only with the gems of life can one lead such supernatural group.... Will they succeed? What if they find out the Angels' goal, will they still continue? ***Stay tuned in and remain blessed.

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Words from the Mouth. By Ikpotokin Samuel

*Our God will always remain, though we are in pain and always complain, remember He guards our terrain.
 *What more could we possibly want that we don't already have? It's right there in front of you, waiting 4 you to take it. It won't come to you unless you make it move... And that's where prayer's gat your hand dear... U need prayer to take/claim/possess/ collect/pick/grab...,
 *Don't be too shy to ask God as His own child. Matthew 7:7-12 Be you, just d way you'd ask something of your parents.
 * Blessed are God's children for their blessings will summon the grains of sand at the sea shore. * "I come to bring you good news and glad tidings" this is Jesus' message to u, to us. Nonetheless, you and i were not meant to suffer. We are meant to enjoy God's grace, and blessings here on earth and eternally with him in His kingdom. God loves us, Why do we suffer? Why does he allow Bad things happen to us and our environment? What is God's purpose for us when we suffer?
 * the popular John 3:16 is so much of an account for us to never doubt God's love for us. "for God so loved the world (you and i) that He sent his only beloved son that we should believe in him and have everlasting life" John 3:16
 * Now we suffer for some reasons, either to;
¤ put us in mind of d dangers of d world
¤ take us away from pleasure for a time
¤ and mostly to draw us closest to God.
For it is when we go through fire and survive for then we can say we are children of the Almighty. It is not easy to go through pain and suffering but when you come out of it, you know that you were tested and you manifested. Joseph in the bible is an instance. The Israelites are also suitable instances. Each suffering, pain or defeat they encountered, they learnt and they got even closer to God and became stronger. Sometimes we tend to forget this God of ours when we have become blessed. God who was our priority in times of nothing becomes our alternative in plenty. God does not want us to b like dis to him, plus he foresees our future and even when we neglect him in plenty, he still tries to help us come out of trouble. God does not cause sufferings at least not all d time, he only allows it. When you leave God's presence and protection, you become vulnerable and the enemy attacks. Two things happens;
1. You are no longer under his protection since he has become your alternative instead of your king and father.
2. You did not even bother to seek his guidance and protection, you feel you can probably handle life. U forget easily that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in high places.
 So, God allows these bad things happen to us and our community and environment believing that we would call on him and be bold enough to take up the mantle of the warrior Christian he wants us to become. He wants us to wield our weapons (the bible and prayer) all by ourselves and fight the good fight of faith. He wants us to make the attempt to struggle in his name even when we are weak. He wants us to fulfil our destinies with our own hands with him as our helper and provider. All these are some of the purposes for allowing us suffer. For this will only make us stronger. Shortly in the next post, the story will highlight what was just stated here...

 God loves you..

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Colombian guerrillas (FARC) hope to meet pope in Cuba as peace talks continue (CNS)

Representatives of Colombia's largest guerrilla movement have asked to meet Pope Francis in Cuba in September and have requested the Catholic Church name a permanent delegate to their peace negotiations with the government. Ivan Marquez, representing the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by the Spanish acronym FARC, at the peace talks, told reporters Aug. 17, "We want to give a heartfelt greeting to Pope Francis. We hope to have this opportunity." Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Cuba Sept. 19-22, but Passionist Father Ciro Benedettini, assistant director of the Vatican press office, said Aug. 19 that a meeting between the pope and FARC representatives "is not foreseen" during the Cuba visit. "Obviously, the pope is happy to work for peace," he said, but he would probably "look for a more opportune time" to express his support for the Colombia peace negotiations. The guerrillas, who have been in conflict with the Colombian government for five decades, "want to move the peace process forward, particularly with the support of the Catholic world," Marquez said. "The church can offer all its experience to help reach a final agreement." FARC and the Colombian government began the peace talks in Cuba in late 2012, hoping to find a way to end the conflict, which has claimed some 220,000 lives. After a meeting Aug. 17 in Havana with the president of the Colombian bishops' conference, Marquez tweeted: "We are optimistic. We are promoting bilateral cease-fire and righteousness. (The) church has renewed its commitment to peace in Colombia." Archbishop Luis Castro Quiroga of Tunja, president of the Colombian bishops' conference, told reporters after his meeting with the FARC delegates that a final decision on a papal meeting in Cuba was up to the pope, the Vatican and the pope's Cuban hosts. Pope Francis, he said, has been following news of the peace talks, but would probably be interested in talking directly to those involved. The pope has said he would like to help promote peace, the archbishop said. The idea of the pope naming a delegate to the talks could be one way to do that.The goal is to negotiate an end to the longest running insurgency in Latin America, which dates back to the 1960s. The rebel delegation asked to meet with the pontiff through the visiting chairman of the Colombian Bishops Conference, Luis Augusto Castro, the FARC said on their blog. The pope will visit Cuba on September 19 to 22 as part of a tour that will also take him to the United States. Francis played the role of mediator in preliminary discussions between the United States and Cuba on restoring bilateral ties, which finally did happen on July 20. Sources: http://www.france24.com/en/20150818-colombias-farc-rebels-request-meeting-with-pope http://www.france24.com/en/20150818-colombias-farc-rebels-request-meeting-with-pope

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Lesson for the season

The picture exempted from today's illustration is set aside to teach us something amazing and something only grace could permit.

Here Mary is willing to allow God use her for a great job and that job is that of redeeming the whole world. Not only was she willing she was ready. Even Jesus Christ himself was willing when God asked "who will I send?"

Do you know what was the reply the hosts of angels gave him? Can you remember what jesus' reply was? He said "Lord, here I am send me" ... Jesus did not take the fact that he was the son of God but addressed His Father as Lord.

How many of us will let the Father use us for his Glory.

Note, for you to be a pencil in the hand of the creator, did you know that there are innumerable blessings attached to this. Let's take a look at human instincts. If you are a good artist and your tool is is a pencil what do you think you'll do with that precious tool?

 First you'll take care of it, use it to produce sketches that will please you and than polish it when it is blunt and after the day's use, you'll keep that special pencil safe from dangers like theft and other sorts of evil that may befall this pencil. How much more your God. He will do exceedingly. Let God use you this season to show love to your neighbor and to your community. The Lord help you all this season, Amen. The Lord will bless you and keep you safe ...

Amen Dominus vobiscum!

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A Brief Story of Christmas (Christ's Birth)

Merry Christmas from the stables of Mary the Queen, Families of Prof.Ikpotokin F.O, Mr. Osas Ikpotokin (mSc.), Bar. J.O Oladele, Dr and Dr (Mrs.) Aluya, Engnr. Lukeman Afolayo, Chief Oseremen, and a whole lots of them wish you a fantastic and meaty *winks* Christmas and a prosperous New Year ahead.

May God bless you all. Amen!

Signed:

Dr. Samuel Lawrence, Elijah Ehiakhamen, Okhumaile Sheriff, Onuda Daniel, Ikpotokin Samuel ,
Youth wing MTQ, Ekpoma, Edo state, Nigeria.

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MY OTHER HAVEN: Once upon a time I wrote a werewolf story....

MY OTHER HAVEN: Once upon a time I wrote a werewolf story....: Josie is a lone female werewolf on the run from the hunters who killed her mate. If she hopes to survive, she must put her trust in Sha...

Topics for you to talk on and ask questions about

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THE GIFT

Tessy's Corner: THE GIFT.. short story: Once upon a time.. There was girl, her name was Mirabel. Most people just call her Mable, this was because when she was little, whenever sh...

Topics for you to talk on and ask questions about

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News In Brief

Headline: Pope stops conferring title 'monsignor' on priests. Pope Francis has stopped conferring the title “monsignor” on priests. . . . Vatican vows cooperation with Dominican Republic in abuse investigation against nuncio The Vatican has promised to cooperate fully with prosecutors in the Dominican Republic who are investigating sex-abuse charges against Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, who was recently removed from his post as apostolic nuncio there. . . . Gossips are 'Christian murderers,' Pope says “There is no such thing as innocent gossip,” Pope Francis said in his sermon at a morning Mass on September 13. . . . Eyewitness describes murder of Catholics in Syrian Christian village A woman who witnessed the murder of three Catholics in Ma’loula, a Syrian Christian village attacked by jihadist Syrian rebels, provided the Fides news agency with details of their deaths. . . . Coptic Orthodox leader resumes weekly public audiences Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, who suspended his public appearances in July amid fears of anti-Christian violence, has resumed his weekly public catechesis, the Fides news agency reported. . . . 50-year prison sentence for Missouri priest in landmark child-porn case A Missouri priest has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty in a notorious child-pornography case. . . . Society must care for the young and old, its memory and its promise, Pope says Pope Francis emphasized the importance of care for both the young and the elderly in a message to participants in Italy’s annual Social Week. . . . Priest among hostages taken by Muslim rebels in the Philippines Members of the Moro National Liberation Front, a Muslim rebel group, attempted unsuccessfully to take over a government building in Zamboanga City, the Philippines’ sixth largest, according to CNN. . . . Acid attack on Catholic priest in Zanzibar A Catholic priest was badly burned in an acid attack in Zanzibar on September 13. . . . Vaticanenvoy investigating charges of lavish spending in German diocese A German bishop who has been accused of extravagant personal spending has promised to cooperate with a Vatican official investigating the charges. . . . USCCB committee chair emphasizes: do not cut food stamps Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, has again urged the House of Representatives not to cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), popularly known as food stamps. . . . California bishops decry lengthy solitary confinement Before California prisoners suspended a hunger strike in protest of lengthy solitary confinement, the bishops of California issued a statement noting that “international human rights standards consider more than 15 days in isolation to be torture.” . . . Evangelical, Catholic legal scholars issue joint statement on the law 29 evangelical and Catholic legal scholars have published“Evangelicals and Catholics Together on the Law: The Lord of Heaven and Earth.” . . . Prelates call for immigration reform Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis and Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta called for immigration reform in a recent video and newspaper article. . . . New York Times op-ed criticizes artificial-reproduction industry Two women who describe themselves as “former fertility patients who endured failed treatments” criticized the artificial-reproduction industry in a New York Times op-ed. . . .

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God

Topics for you to talk on and ask questions about?
1. Who is God?
2. Who made you and for what purpose were you made?

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Today at mass---Topic; Humility. By I-kin

Hoped we were all attentive at mass for those of us who have attended mass?.
Today's first reading taken from the Book of Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29 themes "humble yourself so you will find favour in the sight of the Lord."
Here we are told that humility is the only way to acquire the merits God has set in place for each and everyone of us. It is only to the humble God chooses to reveal his mysteries and he is glorified by they who are humble. They who are proud hearted and proud to the very core, have no reward for in them evil brews and they in their all proud nature will not even be able to detect this factory of destruction been nurtured in them, for they've close their mind to the very truth in the truth..

The second reading of today from the letter to the Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a themed "You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God."
Here in this reading lies the rewards to those who are humble, the reward of eternal dwelling in the city of the living, inotherwords, they who are proud hearted will not inherit this reward not in any slight bit.

The gospel reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 14:1, 7-14 themes, "Every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Here Jesus points out to us a very important parable, a story, a real life fantasy, a day to day encounter. Here we have a story told as regards that told by Jesus.

A man by name Uzor is invited to a ceremony in which other delegates were invited. He was well known and popular in town and over the state. He walks so proud past everybody and steps on another's shoe, a man who was well, least dressed amongst the whole delegates present, Mr. Ugo, and again without a word of apology climbs a buxom woman by Oge, she was so calm and immediately apologized. Instead of Uzor to apologize, he started making a fuss about what happened and insisted that the woman was wrong. After all said and done, he went over to the high table rummaging the woman with his eyes up and down. "i have marked your face woman, and I'll deal with you when this ceremony is over", he boasts.
He took his seat at the high table with diligent, well reputable men in the country, he felt he was in his real world and felt all comfortable. The seats were complete except one which was vacant and it seems this delegate had not yet arrived. This seat was made to suit a king and it was closest to that Uzor was sitting on.
The host comes out and had his speech and was a little twitchy at the sight of Uzor and the vacant chair. He smiled and continued his talk. He was well known all over the world as the wealthiest and healthiest man alive, he was Okafor. His titles were uncountable and his attire showed that he was the king of the land, especially with the crown and swag.
While a king talks, no one interferes and the king always says his speech with continuity and decorum. While talking and praising everyone present and those who were seated at the high table, his eyes screened the whole place and the people in it and behold he stops and drops the Mic. He falls down at his feet and started cursing himself. "why has this great abomination befall us today, why why why?!!!" He cried out and the people wondered why this had happened and they all stood up and panic was spread through the air...
Soon the message became clearer when he dropped his crown on the bare floor.
This is only done when the Igie of kings was in their present. He suddenly ran to the Igie who was seating at the far end of the hall. Guess who,
It was no other person than Ugo. Everyone was surprised that the Igie of kings sat at the back while they had their ceremony. They all fell at their feet, even the Proud Uzor.
The Igie was begged to go up to the high table and take the vacant seat which was more designed to fit a king. The Igie (Ugo) walked gently and smoothly to take his rightful seat on the thrones of the Igie, just close to Uzor's left hand.
He stopped and looked at Uzor who was so frightened to even look at his face and he called the host and commanded him to make the seat at his right hand vacant.
"But why?" The host asked
"Because I want to place someone of importance at my right hand side."
"But who is this man wealthy enough to throw Uzor off his seat?"
"Not a man"
"then, who is this young male?"
"Not a male either but a female."
"A female?!" Everyone was alarmed at this and pondered as to whom this person amongst them could be.
He calls the king and points at Oge who was sitting amidst the poor and amidst beggars, and commanded the king to go fetch her himself. This showed the powers he possessed and this was a life threatening situation for Uzor.
The king walks Oge down to meet the Igie and Uzor was immediately moved and taken to the seats kept for the poor and outcast who were at the extreme end of the hall.
Uzor could not mutter a word, this was the Igie's command and no one even dares having second thoughts about his instructions as they only come once in a while.
"Dearly beloved citizens..." The Igie started, "today you all witnessed what pride could do to a being and a mere mortal. It is the teachings of our land that humility should prevail and we've seen both play itself today in our midst. Dear Uzor stepped on me and did not bother to say anything, maybe because I am a man. He ran into this woman here and started making a fuss and even threatened her... This is a lesson to all of you who are seated. The humble are always lifted high and the proud are brought down on their behalf."
This was all good and the people were happy and smiled, but the question still passed by and Hung in the air, "who exactly is she?" She was completely strange and different.
As if the Igie knew their thoughts he gave response to them.
"i know that a minority of you want to know who this woman is and what made her deed so attractive to me, well let me answer you by asking, have you heard of the Ogeavan?"
They all showed signs that they knew this personality and they wondered if it had anything to do with the woman.
Ogeavan is a modern goddess, kind of, a queen closest to the Igie, responsible for giving death commands.
"Her name is Ogeavan."
Only the name alone made everyone present clamor and they all begged for their lives. She had the powers to order Uzor's death and it would have been so. But she didn't.
Known to everyone present, Ogeava was the Igie's wife Oge, inotherwords, she had a double title far greater than the king and Uzor put together.
Uzor fainted and almost died with this shock.

Hope you enjoyed the story?
This is what Jesus is telling us. Even though we are rich, strong, healthy, we should be humble so we really become surprisingly recognized when we eventually will be recognized.
Don't be like Uzor...

Be like the king who prepared a feast for both those that would repay him and those who will not be able to repay him in one sense and be like the Igie, Ugo and like the woman, Oge.

May the blessings of the almighty be yours both now and forever. May he help you to be humble in all that you do and even when you are living in this humility, whenever you offend anyone, may he help you reconcile, and whenever you hurt someone, may he help you reconcile with them. May God keep you safe and continuously show you the path to his eternal reward. And may he keep you safe throughout this month of September and the rest of the year, always be there to protect and shield you, guide and direct you, love and to bless you, through Christ our Lord.

Santa Maria....
Ora pro nobis.

Dominus vobiscum...

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Prayers from our lady

Believe and have no regrets as Catholics, for you have a great person up high when we need her.
Ave maria

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Prayers from our lady

Accept each prayer on each photo and believe it.

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