AM Edition: Here are the top 10 politics articles on LiveNews.co.nz for October 29, 2026 – Full Text
1. New Vanguard charter school to offer military-ethos education to Kiwi students
October 28, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Vanguard Prep School will open on the North Shore, Auckland in Term 1 next year, offering a new option for students in Years 7 to 10.
“Every child deserves the chance to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. Vanguard Prep School will give more students that opportunity,” Mr Seymour says.
“The team behind Vanguard Military School has shown they can connect with young people and help them succeed. They ran a successful charter school under the previous charter school programme. Despite this, Labour shut the charter school programme down.
“This new school is about bringing those strengths to younger students at a stage when good habits and self-belief can make a real difference.
“With a focus on discipline, leadership and academic achievement, Vanguard Prep School aims to help young people succeed at school and build strong foundations for their future.
“Drawing on the military ethos that underpins Vanguard’s approach, students, known as recruits, will begin their day with a morning parade before moving into small academic classes focused on literacy, numeracy and core subjects.
“Afternoons will include physical training, team challenges and activities designed to develop teamwork, leadership and self-discipline.
“Every student will belong to a small section of around 20 students led by a dedicated teacher who works closely with both students and parents.
“While the school has a connection to Vanguard Military School, students attending Vanguard Prep will be set up with the skills they need to succeed at any secondary school they move on to.
“There are more ideas in the communities of New Zealand than there are in the Government. That’s why we open ideas to the wider community and apply strict
performance standards to the best ones.
“The charter school equation is: the same funding as state schools, plus greater flexibility plus stricter accountability for results, equals student success.
“Vanguard Prep School will provide another path for students and families seeking an education built around structure, high expectations, and academic excellence, and I look forward to seeing it open its doors next year.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/28/new-vanguard-charter-school-to-offer-military-ethos-education-to-kiwi-students/
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2. Election 2026 – Coalition Government preventing pay equity for hospice nurses – NZNO
October 28, 2026
Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation
The Coalition Government is actively preventing its pay equity scheme from working, NZNO and Hospice New Zealand says.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO lodged a pay equity claim for its 750 hospice staff in September 2025. Hospice employers accepted the claim met the merit requirements.
Hospice New Zealand chief executive Wayne Naylor says under the Government’s new restricted scheme, the nurses pay equity claim must use a “comparator” workforce in the health sector meaning Te Whatu Ora workforces are the major groups that can be accepted.
“However, Health NZ declined our proposal. This situation is deeply frustrating. The claim cannot proceed without comparators,” he says.
NZNO delegate and Nelson hospice nurse Donna Burnett says Te Whatu Ora has a conflict of interest being both the funder of hospices and the main employer of comparators.
“This is deliberate sabotage. Their response is not rational and definitely not supportive. Te Whatu Ora nurses received their pay equity settlement so why should specialist palliative care nurses and health care assistants be subjected to gender-based undervaluation. We also have a 95% dominant female workforce. It is appalling to see such division in New Zealand.
The Coalition Government has promised there is still a path to pay equity under their new scheme.
“Hospices have been repeatedly misled by successive governments. It feels like we are only paid lip service when it’s needed,” Donna Burnett says.
Wayne Naylor says many hospices are struggling financially and need to be able to pay their specialist nurses a fair wage to retain them. “If we include work on the almost-completed previous claim under the old scheme, hospices have spent more than three years and over $100,000 trying to resolve this issue.
“If hospices cannot attract and retain the nurses they need, their ability to provide specialist care is put at risk. Dying people and their whānau may then miss out on the care and support they need,” Wayne Naylor says.
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3. Lower Hutt gets Crisis Recovery Café
October 28, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Those in need of mental health or addiction support will have another place to go with a new Crisis Recovery Café officially opening today in Lower Hutt, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
“The new Café, Te Kāhua Ora, will provide a safe, welcoming place where people can talk to someone who understands what they are going through and get the support they need,” Mr Doocey says.
“We know a busy ED is not always the best environment for someone experiencing mental distress. The new café will give people another place to go, without needing a referral, where they can access support from people with their own lived experience, including advocacy and help connecting with other services if needed.”
“That’s why we are rolling out Crisis Recovery Cafés across the country, giving people more options to get support closer to home.
“There is real power in having someone in the room who has their own lived experience and understands what it is like, and the rollout of more peer-led support like this has proved to be a real gamechanger for people.
“Each community is different, which is why I have always said some of the best solutions already exist within our grassroots organisations, they just need to be backed.
“Te Paepae Ārahi Trust has more than 30 years’ experience supporting people across the Hutt Valley and wider Wellington region and will work alongside Kites Trust to deliver the new café.
“Kites Trust already delivers the peer support service in Wellington Hospital’s emergency department, helping support people who do need to present to an ED.
“Together, these organisations bring valuable lived experience and local knowledge to help ensure people in Lower Hutt can access the support that works for them.”
The café will open on Friday 30 October and will initially operate from 3pm to 9pm, Wednesday to Saturday. Opening hours will get reviewed to ensure they are meeting community needs.
“Peer support specialists will also be introduced in Hutt Hospital’s emergency department, with the service expected to be operating by early 2027.
“We are continuing to build a better future by delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers and a better crisis response.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/28/lower-hutt-gets-crisis-recovery-cafe/
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4. HKT inaugurates Innovation & Technology Centre and AI Exchange in the Loop
October 29, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Contributing to Northern Metropolis development through network infrastructure
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2026 – HKT (SEHK: 6823) – HKT Innovation & Technology Centre and AI Exchange in the Loop, Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP) officially open. The initiative marks a further step in HKT’s support for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) and industrial development through its network infrastructure, while laying the groundwork for future cross-boundary data flows within the Greater Bay Area (GBA) through the Loop. It also provides solid support for the Northern Metropolis development, which focuses on university towns, I&T and industries, and building an ideal place for living, work and travel.
The HKT Innovation & Technology Centre and AI Exchange in the Loop were officially inaugurated. Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government (second left), officiated the opening ceremony, together with Patrick Poon, Chief Financial Officer, HKT (second right); Steve Ng, Managing Director of Commercial Group, HKT (first left); and Ricky Kwong, Head of Fixed Network Engineering, HKT and CEO, Fiber Link Global (first right).
Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, officiated the opening ceremony, together with Patrick Poon, Chief Financial Officer, HKT; Steve Ng, Managing Director of Commercial Group, HKT; and Ricky Kwong, Head of Fixed Network Engineering, HKT and CEO, Fiber Link Global, marking a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s network infrastructure development.
HKT Innovation & Technology Centre
Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR said in his opening remarks, “The Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone is an integral part of Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem, comprising the three major I&T parks and five key R&D institutions. HKT’s operation in the Hetao Hong Kong Park demonstrates the confidence of major enterprises in the future development of the Loop and the Northern Metropolis. By leveraging the unique advantages of ‘one river, two banks’ and ‘one zone, two parks’, HKT can further deepen collaboration and foster synergies across the I&T industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Hetao Hong Kong Park will also serve as a strategic hub for enterprises’ AI deployment. HKT’s AI Exchange, which connects to existing data centres across Hong Kong, will facilitate cross-sectoral AI innovation and applications. Through ultra-low-latency, high-speed and secure network connectivity, it will enable access to local computing resources and support the development of the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a regional hub for advanced data and computing power.”
HKT new AI Exchange
Steve Ng, Managing Director of Commercial Group, said, “Soft connectivity’, encompassing the seamless integration of technology, platforms, data, services and industry ecosystems, is key to strengthening Hong Kong’s international competitiveness and unlocking economic value. The opening of the HKT Innovation & Technology Centre and AI Exchange in the Loop not only marks a new milestone of the Group’s participation in the development of the Northern Metropolis, but also reflects our proactive bridging role, working hand in hand with the government, the Park, industry, academia and research institutions to create fresh momentum for Hong Kong’s I&T sector and the economy through concrete actions.”
Ricky Kwong, Head of Fixed Network Engineering, HKT and CEO, Fiber Link Global, said, “Infrastructure‑led development and advance planning are essential to shaping the Northern Metropolis into a world-class I&T hub. As AI ushers in a new era of technological advancement, the rapid and seamless flow of data is critical to industrial upgrading and transformation. As a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s telecommunications sector, HKT will draw on its core network infrastructure to support ‘hard connectivity’ by continuing to provide high-capacity, ultra-low-latency, secure and reliable network services. In doing so, we will support Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T hub and drive high-quality economic development.”
Located in Building 8 of HSITP, HKT AI Exchange will connect Hong Kong’s major data centre clusters including the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, which is expected to commence its first phase of operations next year, through the high-speed, ultra-low-latency 3.2Tbps AI DCI Superhighway running on advanced hollow core fibre. This will support high-performance AI computing applications for universities, research institutions, and large enterprises. The HKT- ASTRI Joint R&D Lab, established in collaboration with the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), is also located at the same site, with the aim of accelerating the commercialisation and practical application of research outcomes in the Northern Metropolis.
Hashtag: #HKT
About HKT
For more information, please visit: www.hkt.com
LinkedIn： linkedin.com/company/hkt
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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5. Feeding Malaysia: Sabak Bernam’s Growing Role in National Food Security
October 28, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
The Sekinchan smart farming concept has made the district’s paddy fields a reference point. By 2030, the SMART Large – Scale Field (SMART SBB) strategy, which was developed in Sekinchan, would be expanded to over 150,000 hectares nationally, assisting Malaysia in fortifying its self-sufficiency and lowering its dependency on rice imports.
The blue economy of Sabak Bernam is expanding rapidly, driven by major upgrades to the district’s fisheries value chain—ranging from centralized jetties and cold storage facilities to fish auction halls and downstream processing.These improvements will be spearheaded by the upcoming development of the 415-acre Sekinchan Integrated Landing Port and the 600-acre Zon Industri Perikanan Sungai Lang (ZIPS). Together, these strategic investments are projected to increase the district’s marine fisheries landings by more than 42%.
Climate resilience is still at the heart of SABDA’s strategy. More than 14,000 farmers, crop growers, fishermen, livestock breeders and aquaculture operations throughout the state have benefited from cash assistance, fertiliser support and fuel subsidies under the RM 131 million Selangor Resilience Enhancement Package, which helps to maintain food production activities despite growing costs and climate change.
SABDA’s strategic focus centers heavily on food security. Under the newly announced Rancangan Selangor Kedua (RS-2), several of its eight key projects are directly designed to strengthen the district’s role as a major food producer. These initiatives include refining biodiversity conservation to indirectly boost paddy and agricultural yields, upgrading key infrastructure to enhance regional connectivity, improving essential facilities for local fishermen, and increasing aquaculture capacity to ensure Sabak Bernam’s output meets national demands.
The core of this endeavour consists of the Sungai Lang Fisheries Industrial Zone, the Sekinchan Integrated Landing Port, and the aquaculture cooperation with Farmerex Sdn Bhd, each of which targets a distinct link in the food supply chain: production, landing and processing, and downstream value-add. When combined, they are intended to increase local output while fostering the resilience required to withstand market and climate shocks.
Sabak Bernam contains about 48,216 hectares of agricultural land, which is important for the production of paddy, fisheries, fruits, vegetables, and aquaculture, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. In 2020, the district’s agricultural industry produced RM918 million in GDP, with its top crops being bananas, coconuts, and red chillies. Along with manufacturing and services, agriculture continues to be a significant pillar of the local economy. However, the latest agricultural data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) for 2024 underscores Sabak Bernam’s significant agro-economic potential. The district recorded approximately 27,000 hectares of cultivated land and RM244.23 million in agricultural sales value under the parameters covered by the 2024 Agriculture Census.
SABDA is fostering agritourism as an additional growth sector in addition to production. Sabak Bernam’s reputation as a developing ecotourism destination is further enhanced by the award-winning Ban Canal Carnival, which supports local culture, cottage industries, and community entrepreneurship in addition to the district’s fundamental agricultural identity.
Together, these projects show how climate resilience, smart agriculture, and targeted investment can cooperate to guarantee Malaysia’s food security by bolstering supply chains, preserving livelihoods, and giving Sabak Bernam residents long-term prospects.
Hashtag: #SABDA
SABDA
The Sabak Bernam Development Area (SABDA) is a strategic economic development initiative of the Selangor State Government under Rancangan Selangor Pertama. SABDA seeks to unlock Sabak Bernam’s full economic potential while strengthening Malaysia’s food production, raising local incomes and improving community livelihoods. Its vision is to establish Sabak Bernam as a driver of sustainable economic growth, food security, resilience and environmental stewardship.
Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation) (MBI Selangor)
MBI Selangor plays a central role in catalysing high-impact developments, facilitating strategic partnerships and unlocking the potential of key sectors to strengthen Selangor’s position as a leading economic hub in Malaysia and the region. Its investment focus spans infrastructure, industrial development, energy, digital economy and other priority sectors aligned with the state’s long-term development agenda.
Guided by the aspirations of Rancangan Selangor Pertama (RS-1), MBI Selangor actively supports initiatives that enhance competitiveness, attract quality investments and create meaningful socio-economic opportunities for the people of Selangor.
Through a disciplined and forward-looking investment approach, MBI Selangor is committed to delivering sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth, while strengthening governance, environmental stewardship and stakeholder value across its portfolio.
For more information, visit: https://www.mbiselangor.com
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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6. The inaugural TXA Awards 2026 concludes with a pomp and splendour, honouring finalists and winners alike
October 28, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Transport Expo Asia Awards 2026 – Congratulations To All Our Winners
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2026 – Transport Expo Asia – hosted by the Ministry of Transport Malaysia and organised by Alpine Integrated Solution – is the only event of its kind in the world to feature all sectors of Land, Rail, Aviation, Maritime, and Logistics participating under one umbrella. 410 participating companies from 23 nations took part in the 2026 edition.
The inaugural edition of the Transport Expo Asia (TXA) Awards 2026 took place 22 October 2026, at Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at Midtown, capping off the Transport Expo Asia exhibition held on 20 to 22 October 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). The Awards was curated by The IBR Asia Group.
With an Oscar style flourish, the winners were revealed as follows:
- BEST LOGISTICS OPERATOR: Swift Haulage Berhad, accepted by Loo Yong Hui, Group Chief Executive Officer. “This award is a pleasant surprise, and also one especially sweet because we just celebrated our 15th anniversary. It’s a validation of our efforts to get to where we are today.”
- BEST PORT OPERATOR: Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) Sdn Bhd, with Johor Port Authority, accepted by Mark William Hardiman, Chief Executive Officer, alongside Dr. Siti Noraishah Azizan, General Manager of Johor Port Authority. “I think it has been a fantastic collaborative effort between regulator and operator to take PTP to the next level. I want to thank our stakeholders for the support, allowing us to grow as fast as we have, helping us become the fastest growing container port in the past three years.”
- BEST SHIPPING OPERATOR: MTT Shipping and Logistics Berhad, accepted by Ooi Lean Hin, Managing Director. “Of course, I’d like to say thank you to our Minister, YB Loke Siew Fook, and for the ministry for organising this event, and the panel of judges for choosing us. This award belongs to team MTT. We are a fairly young company since we established in December 2010, and it has been an amazing journey as we hope to continue to play a part in connecting Malaysia to the world.”
- BEST LAND OPERATOR: Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd, accepted by Datin Noormah Mohd Noor, Chief Executive Officer. “This is a great honour for ERL, and we’d love to give our heartfelt appreciation to the Ministry of Transport, and the TXA Awards organising committee. This award is a testament to the dedication of our hardworking staff and team. It will inspire us to continue giving better service, and to do our part for the future of the rail industry.”
- EXCELLENCE IN ROAD SAFETY SOLUTIONS: Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO), accepted by Dr. Azlan Darus, Head of Prevention, Medical and Rehabilitation Division. “When we launched Ops Cegah, we hoped to play a more active role in tackling accident risks. This award is recognition of our drive, to one day achieve a zero-accident rate.”
- ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE IN TRANSPORT: Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd, accepted by Dato’ Sri Darwis Abdul Razak, Chief Executive Officer. “I am thankful to accept this award on behalf of the large family of East Coast Rail Link Sdn Bhd. ECRL has been one of the most challenging projects that has been done in Malaysia yet, and this would not have been possible without the team. I hope to see the results of our efforts when ECRL officially begins service in December 2026.”
- SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR: Railway Assets Corporation, accepted by Dato’ Azhar Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer. “I would like to accept this award with humility, and dedicate this award to my team. To me, leadership is not measured by the assets we own, but by the value we create for Malaysia, and the rakyat.”
- TRANSPORT INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR: Penang Port Commission, accepted by Dato’ V. Vijayaindiaran, General Manager. “Digitalisation is the way forward, and is how we can innovate and get ourselves moving for the industry as a whole. To the team, this award is for us.”
- MINISTER’S LAUREATE FOR NATIONAL TRANSPORT LEADERSHIP: Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd, accepted by Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim, Chief Executive Officer. “We have always pushed each other to work faster, to ensure we deliver even during times we weren’t sure of ourselves. With this award, I am humbled and thankful to the ministry, our stakeholders, and of course my team, for getting us this far.”
The TXA Awards is Malaysia’s national transport recognition programme, highlighting organisations who have contributed towards the advancement of the country’s transport ecosystem. Its inaugural edition has been a success, showcasing the depth and breadth of achievements made by all its industry players.
“Safety, innovation, sustainability and connectivity: these priorities are interconnected. I encourage everyone to continue pushing boundaries, challenging conventional approaches and pursuing higher standards,” said YB Loke Siew Fook, the Minister of Transport, Malaysia. “By aligning our efforts, we can strengthen Malaysia’s competitiveness, deepen out regional connectivity and build a transport ecosystem that is resilient, inclusive and ready for the future.”
Hashtag: #TXAAwards2026
Transport Expo Asia Awards
Transport Expo Asia
Launched in 2025, Transport Expo Asia (TXA) is hosted by the Ministry of Transport Malaysia as Malaysia’s premier platform for next-generation transportation and supply chain innovation. Featuring high-level platforms, exhibition zones and ministerial sessions, it brings together government leaders, innovators, and industry pioneers to drive transformation in logistics, mobility, and infrastructure.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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7. New Zealand First announces ten-point rail policy
October 28, 2026
Source: New Zealand First
lass=”MsoNormal”>New Zealand First will continue to deliver the goods for rail by maintaining and improving the national network, removing bottlenecks, strengthening regional connections, and putting existing rail assets to better use, Leader Winston Peters announced today.
“New Zealand First has always backed rail, and unlike the other parties that sold it off, ran it down, or talked about it without delivering, we have the track record to prove it,” Mr Peters says.
“We have spent years rebuilding the foundations, and our ten-point rail programme locks in what we have already delivered and funded, then takes the next practical steps.”
The policy commits New Zealand First to delivering the $1.35 billion Rail Network Investment Programme, building the Marsden Point Rail Link, and introducing the two new Cook Strait ferries, Kupe and Cook, in 2029.
New Zealand First will make Te Huia permanent, support passenger rail in Christchurch if the trial proves its worth, remove dangerous level crossings, and increase Golden Triangle capacity through the Kaimai Tunnel for freight and passenger trains.
New Auckland Rail and Wellington Rail companies will be established to bring metropolitan rail infrastructure and passenger services under clear, accountable council/government shared ownership, while protecting freight, inter-regional and heritage access.
The final commitments are to begin planning Auckland’s third and fourth main lines and protect the Avondale-Southdown rail corridor for future passenger and freight services.
“Rail contributes $3.3 billion to New Zealand every year, moves a quarter of export freight, and supports more than 24 million metropolitan passenger journeys annually,” Mr Peters says.
“The national network is now in its best condition in decades because we changed the law to fund rail infrastructure in the same way as state highways, and put the priority back where it belongs – maintaining and renewing what we already have.
“Rail freight volumes are growing faster than road freight volumes, KiwiRail has exceeded its earnings target for the second year in a row, and brand new locomotives and wagons will shortly ply the national network in the service of our economy – that is our record.
“We invested more than $2 billion in Auckland to prepare it for the City Rail Link, and rebuilt and upgraded Wellington’s network as well as committed the thick end of a billion dollars to new regional trains for the Wairarapa and Palmerston North.
“Across the regions, our investments rebuilt tracks, bridges, tunnels, and workshops, including Hillside in Dunedin where the 1,000th new wagon recently rolled off the production line where 50 Otago locals have been trained and employed.
“We believe in getting more out of what New Zealanders already own, not spending $1.5 billion electrifying the Golden Triangle to save just $15 million in fuel each year in an already low-emissions technology – that sort of ideological idiocy is best left to the Greens.
“We are the Commonsense Express, and we have always delivered for rail and New Zealanders and we will keep doing so,” Mr Peters says.
Read the ten-point plan here
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/28/new-zealand-first-announces-ten-point-rail-policy/
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8. Hualien Welcomes Global Travelers to the 2026 Pacific Hot Spring Season
October 28, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Hualien Pacific Hot Spring Festival (Ruisui Hot Spring Park)
The annual event highlights Hualien’s two premier hot spring districts: Ruisui Hot Spring, famous for its iron-rich golden mineral waters known as the “Hero Spring,” and Antong Hot Spring, celebrated for its crystal-clear, skin-smoothing waters known as the “Beauty Spring.”
To enhance the international visitor experience, the event features stunning seasonal light installations, interactive AR stamp-collecting games, and special themed weekend events. Travelers can also easily access the region using convenient shuttle bus services linking major transport hubs and scenic attractions.
Hualien warmly invites global tourists to embrace the soothing healing power, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural hospitality of its autumn and winter hot spring getaway. For more details, please visit the official event website https://hotspring.hl.gov.tw/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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