Senin, 18 April 2022

Jason Leitch criticised for defending Nicola Sturgeon over face mask fallout as police assess complaint - The Scotsman

It comes as Police Scotland is currently assessing a complaint after footage showed her apparently breaching Scotland’s Covid face mask law on the council election campaign trail.

A video posted on social media appears to show Scotland’s First Minister not wearing a mask during a visit to a barber’s in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, on Saturday.

The event took place before the legal requirement to wear a face covering was scrapped from Easter Monday onwards.

The National Clinical Director Jason Leitch has been criticised for defending Nicola Sturgeon after she was pictured in a barber shop without a face mask.The National Clinical Director Jason Leitch has been criticised for defending Nicola Sturgeon after she was pictured in a barber shop without a face mask.
The National Clinical Director Jason Leitch has been criticised for defending Nicola Sturgeon after she was pictured in a barber shop without a face mask.

Speaking on BBC Good Morning Scotland this morning, Professor Leitch said the First Minister’s actions were “actually what we’re asking people to do”, adding the First Minister realised within “a matter of seconds” she had to put a face covering on.

Defending Ms Sturgeon, Professor Leitch said: “’I’ve done that too, I’ve got up from the dinner table quite recently out for a meal, gone to the bathroom and halfway there you realise, ‘Oh, I need to put my face covering on’.

"Because it does still feel like a slightly odd thing to have to do. My understanding of that incident – I haven’t spoken to the First Minister today, I imagine I’ll speak to her later – my understanding is it was a matter of seconds, she realises the place is crowded, puts her face covering on, which is actually what we’re asking people to do.

"The guidance says if you are in a crowded area, inadvertently or deliberately, then put a face covering on and that will protect you and others.”

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Nicola Sturgeon reported to police after being accused of breaking Covid face ma...

Criticising Professor Leitch, The Scottish Conservatives have said his remarks were “inappropriate” for him to make as a civil servant.

Scottish Conservative MSP, Craig Hoy said: "It is inappropriate for a civil servant to defend Nicola Sturgeon in this way. These kinds of questions should be left to politicians to answer. Instead, SNP ministers are in hiding and Jason Leith is blurring the lines between ministers and government officials.”

The Scottish Conservatives also accused Professor Leitch of “misrepresenting” the Covid laws that were in place at the time.

Mr Hoy added: "Face mask use was still in law until today but Mr Leitch backed up Nicola Sturgeon's excuse that she only had to put the mask on when in a crowded space.

"If the SNP had listened to us weeks ago and changed face mask rules from law to guidance, he and Nicola Sturgeon would have been correct.

"But they failed to do this and Mr Leitch should not be confusing the public, or doing the SNP's job for them, by trying to defend Nicola Sturgeon in this manner."

An SNP spokesman said: “The First Minister was invited into the barber’s during an outdoor visit on the street.

“Within a few seconds, she realised she hadn’t put her mask back on and immediately put it on.”

Those who breach the face covering rules can face a fine of up to £60.

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2022-04-18 09:36:26Z
1387935182

Minggu, 17 April 2022

Prince Harry 'back among his own people' as he and Meghan enjoy first full day of Invictus Games - Sky News

The Duke of Sussex is "back among his own people", a war veteran friend of his has said, as a beaming Harry appeared at ease with his wife, Meghan, on the first full day of the Invictus Games.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex posed for photographs and met and hugged competitors at the event at the Zuiderpark in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The couple spent Easter Sunday morning at the athletics track and were in the front row for the sitting volleyball.

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'I could not love and respect him more'
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hug Team United Kingdom competitor Lisa Johnston at the Invictus Games athletics events in the Athletics Park, at Zuiderpark the Hague, Netherlands. Picture date: Sunday April 17, 2022.
Image: A hug for Team UK competitor Lisa Johnston

Jaco van Gass, a Paralympic gold medallist and former Invictus competitor who suffered life-changing injuries with the British Army, sat with them.

Mr van Gass, 35, met Harry, 37, in 2011 when the duke joined the record-breaking team of wounded soldiers he was part of that trekked unsupported to the North Pole.

Read more: Meghan and Harry in intimate display on stage as pair open Invictus Games

The Duke of Sussex poses for a photo with competitors from Team Ukraine at the Invictus Games athletics events in the Athletics Park, at Zuiderpark the Hague, Netherlands. Picture date: Sunday April 17, 2022.
Image: The Duke of Sussex with members of Team Ukraine

He said it was "amazing" to see Harry and Meghan, 40, adding that it was "wonderful" to catch up with them and they were "friendly as ever".

More on Duchess Of Sussex

He said Harry told him he is having a "really, really good time".

Mr van Gass said: "Invictus is his family, basically. There's so many familiar faces that he's not seen in a while, and again to all the nations, just to catch up with them again.

"He's back with his own people, he's back in an environment that he's so natural in and that he cares about. I think that's the most important thing - this great depth of care that he has for the games."

Read more: William and Kate at traditional Easter Sunday service

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending the Invictus Games sitting volleyball event in the Invictus Games Stadium, at Zuiderpark the Hague, Netherlands. Picture date: Sunday April 17, 2022.
Image: The couple at the sitting volleyball

The duke founded the Invictus Games to aid the rehabilitation of injured or sick military personnel and veterans from across the globe, by giving them the chance to compete in sporting events similar to the Paralympics.

Harry, who served in the British Army for a decade, was stripped of his honorary military roles after the duke and Meghan stepped back from royal duties.

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Harry and Meghan driven in mini Land Rovers

The event has a special significance for the couple, who chose to make their first public appearance together at the Invictus Games almost five years ago.

Mr van Gass said he also spoke briefly with Meghan.

Read more: Harry and Meghan seen in Europe together for first time since stepping back as senior royals

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending the Invictus Games sitting volleyball event in the Invictus Games Stadium, at Zuiderpark the Hague, Netherlands. Picture date: Sunday April 17, 2022.
Image: Harry and Meghan did not attend the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service in London last month

"She's having a good time," he said. "She's in really good form and really enjoying all the events… it's so inspirational".

The couple, now based in California, visited the Queen in Windsor on Thursday, having flown in from the US.

The Duchess of Sussex at the Invictus Games athletics events in the Athletics Park, at Zuiderpark the Hague, Netherlands. Picture date: Sunday April 17, 2022.
Image: The Duchess of Sussex was 'in really good form and really enjoying all the events'

Harry and Meghan's trips to the UK and the Netherlands come after the pair were absent from the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service in London last month.

The couple have two young children, Archie, who is three-years-old next month and Lilibet, whose first birthday is in June.

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2022-04-17 15:36:51Z
1387086582

Priti Patel's top official warned her about sending migrants to Rwanda - a day before policy was announced - Sky News

Priti Patel's top official told her it was "highly uncertain" that sending migrants to Rwanda would reduce attempts to cross the English Channel - the day before the policy was announced.

In a letter to the home secretary, dated Wednesday, Matthew Rycroft also said there was "uncertainty" over "value for money".

The permanent secretary at the Home Office said financial value was "dependent" on the policy being "effective as a deterrent".

Matthew Rycroft. File pic
Image: Matthew Rycroft says he has struggled to find evidence to show value for money. File pic

He added: "Evidence of a deterrent effect is highly uncertain and cannot be quantified with sufficient certainty to provide me with the necessary level of assurance over value for money."

Mr Rycroft said that while the policy may put migrants off travelling, "there is not sufficient evidence for me to conclude that it will" at present.

He added, however, that he recognised there are "potentially significant savings to be realised from deterring people (from) entering the UK illegally".

Having set out his argument, he asked for Ms Patel's "written instruction to proceed".

In her reply, the home secretary admitted it is "not possible for HMG to accurately model the deterrent effect from day one".

But she said she was confident that "this policy is our best chance at producing that effect".

A combination of "new incentives and effective deterrents" are required to "take on the criminal gangs facilitating illegal entry", she added.

People arriving in Dover on Sunday
Image: People arriving in Dover on Sunday

Ms Patel said she recognised Mr Rycroft's concerns over value for money.

But she added that "without action, costs will continue to rise" and there are "credible invest-to-save arguments in the long term".

She concluded by saying it would be "imprudent" to "allow the absence of quantifiable and dynamic modelling" to "delay delivery of a policy that we believe will reduce illegal migration, save lives and ultimately break the business model of the smuggling gangs".

Ms Patel wrote: "I am therefore formally directing you as Accounting Officer to take forward this scheme with immediate effect."

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan minister for foreign affairs and international co-operation, Vincent Biruta, signed a "world-first" migration and economic development partnership in the East African nation's capital city Kigali, on Thursday. Picture date: Thursday April 14, 2022.
Image: Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan minister for foreign affairs Vincent Biruta

The number of people arriving in small boats on Saturday was 252, the Ministry of Defence said in its latest statement.

It added that it "does not believe" any of them "arrived on their own terms".

Boris Johnson has described the plan to transport migrants to Rwanda as "morally" the "right thing to do", but the Archbishop of Canterbury has denounced the scheme, saying it raises "serious ethical questions".

The Most Revd Justin Welby used his Easter Sunday sermon to say: "It cannot carry the weight of our national responsibility as a country formed by Christian values, because sub-contracting out our responsibilities, even to a country that seeks to do well like Rwanda, is the opposite of the nature of God who himself took responsibility for our failures."

But Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said the archbishop was showing a "little bit of naivety", adding: "I don't think he's in step with his congregation, I don't think he's in step with the views of the country."

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A look at the Rwanda holding centres

This is not a policy-wrecking intervention - analysis

Rob Powell Political reporter
Rob Powell

Political correspondent

@robpowellnews

Ministerial directions are rare and this one does highlight the fact that a lot of taxpayer cash is about to be spent on the Rwanda resettlement plan with no guarantees it will produce tangible benefits.

But if you read the text of Matthew Rycroft's letter, it is clear this is not the policy-wrecking intervention some are claiming.

The permanent secretary says that after taking legal and operational advice he sees no feasibility or propriety issues.

His concerns are that the deterrent effect can't be quantified with certainty at this point.

Government sources say the reason the documents were published over the Easter weekend was to counter claims that civil servants were "against" the plan.

Priti Patel clearly believes the severity of the situation means the risk is worth taking.

Her allies will no doubt applaud her for that, and point to the old saying that "advisers advise and ministers decide".

Mr Rycroft said he recognised the "scale of the issue we are facing".

He noted: "The asylum system is costing the taxpayer over £1.5bn per annum - the highest amount in over two decades, and current spend on hotels is c. £4.7m per day including those who have arrived through resettlement programmes."

He also said he had "satisfied myself that it is regular, proper and feasible for this (Rwanda) policy to proceed".

Ms Patel said she was concerned about the effect that dealing with high levels of illegal migration was having on staff.

She wrote: "Each day I am struck by the extremely challenging work we are asking Home Office officials and Border Force operational staff at all levels to undertake.

"It is with this in mind that I believe there is an imperative to act now to mitigate the impact on staff wellbeing as well as departmental operational and financial pressures in the longer term."

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2022-04-17 12:56:15Z
1371042462

New partygate claims emerge as Labour say Boris Johnson has 'deliberately misled Britons at every turn' - Sky News

New allegations have emerged regarding lockdown parties in Downing Street - with Labour claiming Boris Johnson has "deliberately misled the British people at every turn".

The prime minister has already been fined once for breaking COVID rules on his birthday in 2020, but that is said to be regarded as the least problematic of a series of incidents.

Mr Johnson is understood to have been present at six of at least 12 gatherings being investigated by the Metropolitan Police, including the "bring your own booze" one in the Downing Street garden on 20 May 2020.

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PM's denials over No 10 parties

The latest claims concern what happened on 13 November 2020, when leaving drinks for Number 10 director of communications Lee Cain were allegedly "instigated" by the prime minister.

A gathering in the Downing Street press office did not start as leaving drinks, a source told The Sunday Times.

Rather, it was the "usual Friday evening wash-up drinks", they added.

But Mr Johnson "came fumbling over, red box in tow", and "gathered the staff around the press office table, which did have bottles of alcohol on it", they continued.

"He said he wanted to say a few words for Lee and started pouring drinks for people and drinking himself. He toasted him."

A photographer is said to have been present throughout and is believed to have captured pictures of the prime minister, The Sunday Times said.

The newspaper added: "A Downing Street source did not dispute the description of the event but denied that Johnson had organised it."

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'Didn't occur to me I may have breached rules'

Mr Johnson then apparently returned to his flat above 11 Downing Street, where a second gathering involving his wife and her friends - with Abba music blaring out - is claimed to have taken place that same evening.

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said that "if the latest reports are true", it means "not only did the prime minister attend parties, but he had a hand in instigating at least one of them".

Mr Johnson has previously said that "all guidance was followed", but Ms Rayner said he had "deliberately misled the British people at every turn".

She added: "While the British public was making huge sacrifices, Boris Johnson was breaking the law.

"The prime minister has demeaned his office. The British people deserve better. While Labour has a plan for tackling the cost-of-living crisis, Tory MPs are too busy defending the indefensible actions of Boris Johnson."

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said during his Easter sermon that Britain should ponder whether it wants to be known for the "robustness of our democracy, where those in public life live to the highest standards, and where we can trust those who lead us to behave with integrity and honour".

Downing Street declined to comment and has repeatedly said it will not be doing so until the police investigation has concluded.

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2022-04-17 13:10:51Z
1360428059

Rwanda asylum scheme: Archbishop of Canterbury hits out at government plans, saying they are ungodly - Sky News

The government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is "opposite the nature of God", the Archbishop of Canterbury will say.

Reverend Justin Welby will use his Easter Sunday sermon to criticise the government scheme that will see refugees who reach the UK through illegal routes deported to Rwanda.

He is expected to say that the policy is un-Christian and raises "serious ethical questions".

The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, spoke from Kew Gardens in London.
Image: The Most Reverend Justin Welby says the scheme cannot 'stand the judgment of God'

"The details are for politics," he will say. "The principle must stand the judgment of God, and it cannot.

"It cannot carry the weight of our national responsibility as a country formed by Christian values, because sub-contracting out our responsibilities, even to a country that seeks to do well like Rwanda, is the opposite of the nature of God who himself took responsibility for our failures."

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan minister for foreign affairs and international co-operation, Vincent Biruta, signed a "world-first" migration and economic development partnership in the East African nation's capital city Kigali, on Thursday. Picture date: Thursday April 14, 2022.
Image: Home Secretary Priti Patel signs the agreement with Rwanda's minister for foreign affairs

Read more:
Why are migrants being sent to Rwanda and how will it work?
First glimpse inside the centre that will house Channel migrants

The archbishop's unexpected intervention comes after criticism for the scheme from Labour politicians, human rights groups and the United Nations.

More on Migrant Crossings

The prime minister and home secretary have defended the partnership, while Conservative MPs have broadly backed the plans.

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Minister defends Rwanda plan

It emerged on Friday that Home Secretary Priti Patel had to issue a ministerial direction over the plan, which means she overruled objections from senior civil servants within her department.

The first migrants are expected to be sent to Rwanda on a chartered flight in May, however, it could be delayed with the government anticipating legal challenges against the partnership.

Under the plans, approved refugees will have to stay in Rwanda, rather than return to the UK, and those who are rejected by the Rwandan government will be deported.

Responding to the archbishop's criticisms, a Home Office spokesperson said: "The UK has a proud history of supporting those in need of protection and our resettlement programmes have provided safe and legal routes to better futures for hundreds of thousands of people across the globe.

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A look at the Rwanda holding centres

"However, the world is facing a global migration crisis on an unprecedented scale and change is needed to prevent vile people smugglers putting people's lives at risk and to fix the broken global asylum system.

"Rwanda is a fundamentally safe and secure country with a track record of supporting asylum seekers.

"Under this agreement, they will process claims in accordance with the UN Refugee Convention, national and international human rights laws."

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2022-04-17 02:08:10Z
1371042462

Boris Johnson to leave British woes behind in visit to India - Reuters India

LONDON, April 16 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will seek to put his domestic problems behind him when he visits India this week on a trip to strengthen links between the two countries which have not seen eye to eye over the response to the Ukraine crisis.

Johnson will head to India on Thursday with calls for his resignation ringing in his ears after he was fined for breaking his own COVID-19 lockdown rules by attending a birthday party for him in Downing Street in June 2020. read more

Parliament returns from its Easter vacation on Tuesday and Johnson has said he would "set the record straight" about gatherings in his office. He had previously told lawmakers there were no parties and guidance was always followed.

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In details released late on Saturday, Johnson's office said the British leader would use his trip to India to deepen relations, including in-depth talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mod on the two nations' "strategic defence, diplomatic and economic partnership".

He will also push for progress in talks on a free trade deal, which Britain is hoping to strike as part of its post-Brexit strategy. His office said such a trade deal was predicted to boost Britain's total trade by up to 28 billion pounds ($36.5 billion) annually by 2035.

But the visit will be overshadowed in part by disagreement over the Ukraine conflict.

Western allies have called for India, which imports arms from Russia, to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin in stronger terms, and U.S. President Joe Biden earlier this week told Modi that buying more oil from Russia was not in India's interest. read more

British trade minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan also said last month Britain was very disappointed with India's stance. However, Johnson's office made no direct reference to the conflict, although a source said it was expected Ukraine would be discussed "among other geopolitical issues".

Johnson said India, as a major economic power, was a highly valued strategic partner.

"As we face threats to our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that democracies and friends stick together," he said in a statement. Last year, he was forced to cancel a planned trip to India because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last May, the two countries announced a partnership involving more than 530 million pounds of Indian investment into Britain, and Downing Street said Johnson was expected to announce further major investment and new collaboration on cutting-edge science, health and technology. read more

($1 = 0.7658 pounds)

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Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Clelia Oziel

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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2022-04-16 21:50:00Z
CAIiED_psY_HkNFUgBdSqGpL4JEqGAgEKg8IACoHCAow-8ykCjDv13cwhuyJBw

Shortage in menopause medicine forcing women to swap drugs with strangers - Sky News

A shortage of certain hormone replacement therapy medicines is leading desperate women to swap the drugs with strangers in car parks or buy them on forums, according to campaigners.

Julie Macken says HRT is crucial for her to function normally.

She runs her own business, Neve's Bees, making and selling natural beeswax cosmetics.

Julie Macken says HRT is crucial for her to function normally
Image: Julie Macken says HRT is crucial for her to function normally

Without the medication, she feels tired, low, and unable to concentrate on her work.

So it came as a shock when she went to pick up her latest prescription and was told her pharmacy was unable to fill it.

"A friend of mine mentioned a few weeks ago that she was struggling to get some HRT gel and had to have the patch instead," Ms Macken told Sky News.

"But I didn't really think anything of it. It was only when I went to our local pharmacist here that they said 'Oh, sorry, we've run out.' And I had about a day left by that point.

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"I was really starting to panic thinking I'm going to feel rubbish if I don't get hold of this stuff pretty soon.

"I was starting to feel low. After a couple of days of not having it, I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't work efficiently. People were relying on me and I was just letting them down."

Ms Macken runs her own business, Neve's Bees, making and selling natural beeswax cosmetics.
Image: Ms Macken runs her own business, Neve's Bees, making and selling natural beeswax cosmetics.

She ended up taking time off work and driving to four different villages to get the medication she needed.

"All of the pharmacies I went into - I spoke to either the assistant or the pharmacist themselves. And they just said no," Ms Macken added.

"Many of them were even on back order. One chemist I went to said even if they had any they wouldn't have been able to give it to me because they had so many people on the waiting list."

'We've got a problem and it's spreading like wildfire'

Ms Macken is one of thousands of women affected by a shortage of certain HRT products - which manufacturers, and the government, say is caused by a surge in demand coupled with supply problems of raw ingredients and delays caused by the pandemic.

The drugs are used to control symptoms of menopause, which can be severe and range from fatigue to insomnia and depression as well as a variety of physical symptoms.

Campaigners say some women become so debilitated without their regular medication that they are resorting to buying drugs on forums or social media sites or even meeting strangers to trade medicines.

Claire Hattrick, who runs the menopause support group ClipboardClaire.com.
Image: Claire Hattrick runs the menopause support group ClipboardClaire.com.

"We've got a problem here and it's spreading like wildfire, and it hasn't been going on for weeks. I've known about this for about four months now. And it's getting worse," says Claire Hattrick, who runs the menopause support group ClipboardClaire.com.

"Women are going and trading in car parks saying, 'Oh well, I'll give you a pump of this if I can have some HRT patches.' It shouldn't be like that."

Shortage and cost an 'absolute disgrace'

The current supply issues come as an extra blow for menopausal women after the government recently delayed plans to reduce the cost of HRT prescriptions in England until at least 2023.

Ms Hattrick says that coupled with the cost of living crisis, some women are becoming desperate.

"You know what's going to happen? Mum is going to go without her HRT - she's not going to not have the heating on. She's going to look after her family. It's good old mum that holds her family together and she's going to be on her knees. It's absolutely disgraceful."

But doctors are warning women against resorting to unorthodox methods to try and get some HRT.

Paula Briggs is a consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health at Liverpool Women's Hospital
Image: Paula Briggs is a consultant in sexual and reproductive health at Liverpool Women's Hospital

Paula Briggs, a consultant in sexual and reproductive health at Liverpool Women's Hospital, says taking medication not prescribed for you could be dangerous.

"It's never good to be using other people's medication," Dr Briggs told Sky News.

"It should be prescribed by a clinician, whether that's a doctor, a nurse or a pharmacist, and it should be properly monitored.

"We communicate with the pharmaceutical companies frequently and we're being reassured that actually, the products will be fully available in the near future.

"The British Menopause Society have published guidance about what are similar doses [of alternative medications] and I think that's a better way of managing the current problem than for women to be purchasing drugs in forums, from friends or using other people's medication."

The Department of Health and Social Care told Sky News: "We are aware of supply issues that are affecting a limited number of HRT products. However, most HRT products, including alternatives to those experiencing supply issues, are available.

"We are working closely with suppliers and stakeholders to resolve these issues as quickly as possible and to ensure the NHS is informed on a regular basis."

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2022-04-17 02:33:29Z
CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L3Nob3J0YWdlLWluLW1lbm9wYXVzZS1tZWRpY2luZS1mb3JjaW5nLXdvbWVuLXRvLXN3YXAtZHJ1Z3Mtd2l0aC1zdHJhbmdlcnMtMTI1OTIwNDHSAXFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvc2hvcnRhZ2UtaW4tbWVub3BhdXNlLW1lZGljaW5lLWZvcmNpbmctd29tZW4tdG8tc3dhcC1kcnVncy13aXRoLXN0cmFuZ2Vycy0xMjU5MjA0MQ