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Buenos Aires collapses after 155mm of rainfall in seven hours flood the city

Wednesday, April 3rd 2013 - 06:48 UTC
Full article 71 comments

At least eight people are reported dead after torrential rain and powerful winds battered Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires and surrounding neighbourhoods flooding streets, knocking out power, downing trees and damaging homes and cars, officials said Tuesday. An estimated 350.000 people have been affected by the floods. Read full article

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  • Shed-time

    On which day of the week DOESN'T society and infrastructure collapse in Buenos Aires?

    Human sewage +Argentines = more sewage

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 07:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • stick up your junta

    The subway workers decided a six hour strike to protest the lack of security in the service.

    Crescenti called on Buenos Aires residents to remain at home given the dangers of lose electric cables

    Any excuse for the lazy fuckers not to go to work!

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 07:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • commonsense

    I am not in anyway religous BUT ... is this gods answer to Cruella trying to hound Pope Francis into interfering in her illegal claim on the Falklands ? LOL

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 07:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • mastershakejb

    @3
    No, this is reality's response to Argentina failing to invest a dime in infrastructure since 1960's.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 07:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Shed-time

    @3 Are you suggesting that the pope caused this by some kind of spell from his cauldron?

    @4 You don't need infrastructure if your people are too lazy to actually do anything. you just need some kind of facility that tops them up with nutrients and water while they have their daily 4 hour siesta, and 2 hour working day. Just like they have in Spain.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 08:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • kelperabout

    So there is a god after all 2nd April . They say do someone a wrong and it will come back to haunt you for the rest of your life. BA is being punished for the events of 82 .

    Where is your pope when you need him. Always said Jesus Christ was a better choice at least he could part the waves.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 09:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • God.Is.An.Illusion

    For those who believe can dedicate all this to their friend-on-a-cloud.
    And for those who still believe in KFC, who is much more of a reality, can dedicate it to her.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 09:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Skåre-Vuggevise

    For God's sake, people, quit revelling in how extreme weather affects a country … unless that is you want your own weaknesses highlighted.

    The UK is the laughingstock of Europe for how it grinds to a chaotic halt at the first hint of a few flecks of snow .. and London's own Victorian sewers mean that rain that is far less extreme than that experienced in BA causes the sewers to overflow, resulting not only in flooding but also the fact that they routinely dump raw effluent directly into the Thames (so much so London has a fleet of special boats to help to artificially oxygenate the water of the Thames in order to preserve what few aquatic organisms can survive life in the stinking gutter that runs through the heart of the city).

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 10:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Falkland Islands

    Either way, they are being punished, why should we suffer them!

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 10:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stevie

    Macri will pay the price... One has to find the positives of every situation.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 10:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • agent999

    @8

    ”Despite the fact that is small when compared to others on this list (only 65 miles), the Matanza-Riachuela River, running through the heart of Buenos Aires, is called the largest open pit toilet in the world, absorbing over 325,000 tons of sewage each day. Lead, mercury, cadmium, nitrates and copper all pollute this river and affect drinking water supplies for the over 5 million people living in the area.”

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 10:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stevie

    11
    Great, solve your own river and let the Argentines deal with theirs. Simple.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Shed-time

    This economic and social utopia that the Kircheners have created, really is a wonder to the rest of humanity!

    Praise them!

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    This was an extreme weather event BUT they have had seriously bad flooding in downtown BA every few weeks for awhile. At some point they're going to start getting water borne disease.
    Filthy nasty place.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:08 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Shed-time

    So, approval for an underground river was gained 4 years ago, the central government has refused to sign it off, and now KFC is blaming Macri for doing what precisely? KFC is blaming him for KFC not signing off the works?

    Do these people still actually listen to her speaking? Are they simply just wrong in the head?

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stevie

    15
    Macri will pay the price, and I think it's hilarious :)

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    The worst part about this is, since Corruption is endemic in their society people aren't able to insure things like we can in the USA. Most people have a 30% deductible on their house or car and business are just as bad.
    Just about everyone in the middle class is on the brink of bankruptcy as it is so this could put them right over the edge.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stevie

    17
    Can you insure school children? You, as a yankee, are so far down in the moral pit, you should truly shut up and let other people do the talking. We all know what you are.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Optimus_Princeps

    @16 Get in touch with reality. Macri is the least of B.A.'s problems. My concern is that Cristina will travel to a safe location, hurl insults at everyone, while failing to render any real aid to the people of Buenos Aires.

    I didn't laugh at Bush's incompetence with Hurricane Katrina. I felt actual concern for the people involved seeing as I knew a few of them, and you shouldn't be such an insensitive tool bag.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stevie

    19
    Floods happens every year, no need to act as if its biblical every time. People die, as we don't live in bubbles. Man up and confront life for what it is.
    Instead of crying the victims of natural events, cry the ones that are murdered every day by men at arms.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • agent999

    18 Stevie
    another screen name - but still the same old troll!

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    This storm could be the end of many small businesses and poor homeowners. It will increase inflation because the Fed gov't will have to print to pay for the damage since most don't have insurance.
    This is just the beginning of the rain and cold
    Watch for mass blackouts, sickness from the water, closure of businesses and HUGE and I mean HUGE increases in gas bills.
    A 3 week cold snap could finally bring down CFK.
    Here's to hoping!!

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Islander1

    8- pity your understanding of London,s effluent systems and the Thames are still in the Victorian era! They catch trout and salmon in the Thames in London nowadays due to the LOW pollution levels.
    But agree we should sympathise with the poor folks in BA who are sufferring due to their national Govt perhaps focussing on a fantasy dream (called the sov. issue) rather than reality - called the problems of neglect in their nation.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 12:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    The ONLY reason the guy died on the subway is their continued use of old technology, simple as that.

    So what's the difference anywhere in AR: nothing, it's all a crap-shoot.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 12:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @8 Whoops! Have you read the comment @11. Want to look up the effects of those constituents? On top of the drugs fed to animals and chemicals sprayed on crops? Buenos Aires explained. Mutant freaks!
    @12 Don't get the impression that we CARE! We don't. Feel free to drown in your own effluent. We just like a good laugh! And we ARE laughing.
    @16 Been for a swim recently? Go for it. I hear you can get a “tan” at the same time!
    @18 No answers? Just desperation. Quite typical. “Don't say anything I don't want to hear.”
    @20 Yeah. Lots of people are “removed” every year by argie “public servant” men at arms. Indigenous people (the real owners) murdered by argie police. Citizens of all descriptions still “disappeared” by shadowy state agencies. “Accidents” involving the state-underfunded railways. An underfunded state airline where the aircraft are dangerous to fly, never mind travel in. And everywhere you go in “metropolitan” argieland, you can pick up useful syringes. Guaranteed to only have been used four or five times before. Very popular with uni “students”.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 12:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stevie

    25
    Man, that was a loud fart...

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 12:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • toxictaxitrader2

    The lack of compassion shown in some of these comments is shameful.
    may your God forgive you
    You seem to confuse the innocent people,with their inept and corrupt politicians

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 12:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    In the comment sections of the newspapers in Arg people are wondering why CKF is so hopped up on talking to the UK but won't call back her Governors over a disaster.
    She is really a piece of work.
    She really deserves the same ending as Mussolini or Ceaușescu would be good too.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 01:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • andy65

    While Argentines drown Kirchner talks shit hundreds of miles away.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 01:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Welsh Wizard

    Interesting piece in the FT from the holder of RESTRUCTURED ARG bonds saying why Argentina's behaviour must not be allowed to stand...

    http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2013/04/02/guest-post-why-argentinas-behaviour-must-not-be-allowed-to-stand/#axzz2PPTbwNka

    @28 However, they still won't say or even realise that the Falklands is a smoke screen...

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 02:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • kelperabout

    Its natures way of trying to clean up corruption. Pity that most who suffer will be innocent. That seems to be the luck of CFK she gets away with murder and corruption while her country drowns

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 02:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Captain Poppy

    I really fail to see why anyone would gloat in seeing human despair based on weather events. I see enough of it in the USA with spring tornados, summer hurricanes and winter nor'easter's. I don't look down my nose to think I am better than other's ,but I think I am better than that.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 03:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    I wonder how long the YPF reinery will be shut down. That will cost them a lot to import even more fuel!
    U$ they don't have
    and can't get
    Maybe this storm will finally bring the witch down
    and where is she?
    On vacation? Overly medicated in bed? Who knows..

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 03:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    30 Welsh Wizard

    Superb article and the answer to TMBOA.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 03:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • screenname

    I'm sure the people of BA can recall their colonialist spirit and all pull together to get their city through this.

    Good luck to them.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 04:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Shed-time

    Whosoever was comparing London's victorian sewage system to that of Buenos Aires, well @23 is right to point out that the Thames is an incredibly clean river and london's upcoming super sewer will be comparable in size to the channel tunnel.

    It's not like we just pump it all into an underground river and then all suffer from cholera, like in BA.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 05:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Shed-time

    @30 “The Institute for International Finance has identified four principles necessary for a successful sovereign debt restructuring: transparency, close debtor-creditor dialogue, good-faith negotiations, and fair treatment of all creditors. Since its $80bn debt default in 2001, Argentina’s leaders have consistently violated all of these principles”

    Hmm.... Kircheners

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 05:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (30) Welsh Wizard

    What's so INTERESTING about Mr. Hans Humes, Founder and Manager of a Hedge (Vulture) Fund opining that Debtor Countries must be treated harsher so HE and HIS Hedge Fund can pocket a nice profit?

    Seems to be that, in the case of Greece, Mr. Hans Humes pocketed a nice difference last year…..... courtesy of ALL European Tax Payers, YOU INCLUDED…..
    http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/hedgie_makes_YSw87CqOG0bO2PxAyF6hiJ

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 05:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Condorito

    @8 Skåre
    100% right.

    @16 Stevie
    ”Macri will pay the price, and I think it's hilarious :)“

    At least 25 people are dead and you think it is hilarious because there might be a political casualty you approve of. You sound a lot like a guy that used to post under the name ”Guss”.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 05:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @16stevie

    “Macri will pay the price, and I think it's hilarious”

    a health issue aggravated by politics and you support that and “think its hilarious”

    Well, that says it all - where is your compassion?

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 06:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anglophile

    You have to feel sorry for the people. Flooding is a terrible event that literally takes months to recover from. They may have incompetent and duplicitous politicians but you wouldn't wish this on anybody. To any BA Argentinians on here I hope you are OK..

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 06:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    SInce most of this is damage uninsured the gov't is offering the u$952 to cover the damages.
    That should go a long way to help them recover
    I hope this brings an end to the Dictatorship

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 06:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • commonsparrow

    #41 I too feel very sorry for the people. I experienced Hurricane Sandy, all I suffered was no electricity for 11 days, but I know of many people personally who lost much more. BA is in my thoughts and prayers.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 06:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    So is there any money in the pot to clean this mess up, maybe Cristina will dip into her own pocket. They could always dip into their military defence budget......... oh wait!

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 07:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Steve-33-uk

    'Argentina floods: Dozens dead in La Plata and Buenos Aires'
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22016255

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 07:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Iron Man

    I do feel sorry for the poor people caught up in this. I hope they can recover quickly. Questions need to be asked about how well the infrastructure coped and what can be done to prevent it happening again, because extreme weather is a global problem and if you don't invest you won't be able to cope.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 07:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    44. I think this clean up will exacerbate the inflation problem. They will have to print more pesos to ”fix' this disaster and it will make a bad problem worse.
    A lot of people have lost their life savings over this storm.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 07:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pirate Love

    Its going to take more that a flash flood to flush the peronist shite from B.A,
    but its a good start..........

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 07:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    The support and good wishes of all right thinking people are with the people of B.A.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 09:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Be serious

    Too many Spics not enough Germans.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 09:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Shed-time

    Is it easy to discriminate between raw sewage and an argentine?

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 09:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Gustbury

    Comment removed by the editor.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 09:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • warteiner

    Comment removed by the editor.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 10:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • surfer

    This is tragic, hope everyone else gets through this ok.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 10:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    @52, 53
    Such Argentinian Intelligencia, must have been educated ( sorry that can't be right ) was going to say in BA. You have nothing to offer the FALKLANDERS, you have just proved their point in not wanting anything to do with Argentina, when you come on her with your disgusting language.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 10:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • windy

    In Britain more than 7000 more people die per month in the winter months than the summer months. This is caused by fuel poverty. It is making the choice between heating and eating. Cutting back on either leads to illness and needless deaths. When you lot have fixed your own country then you can preach to Argentina.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Frank

    Tragic indeed but if it had to happen what a shame it didn't happen on the evening of the 1st April...... TMBoA would have had a brain implosion trying to figure out what was more important.... the floods or the Falklands....

    I see De Vido is trying to make mileage out of it http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/127741/‘once-again-the-lack-of-foresight-leads-to-mourning-of-victims’-minister-de-vido

    'nor deployed any preventive personnel' I'm not sure if they were to stand around with buckets or hand out umbrellas.... what a sad and sorry cunt he is.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Shed-time

    @56 Urm, your strawman fallacy doesn't prove causation. it could be lack of vitamin D causing the deaths, could be a lot of things.

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Frank

    @58 Same as how most die at about 0400 when life is at its lowest ebb.....

    Apr 03rd, 2013 - 11:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Ricardito

    @1 Shed-time
    Fortunately, you don't represent what most of people think.
    I understand you people hate CFK, but don't mess with the people.

    Apr 04th, 2013 - 02:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Welsh Wizard

    @38 Think

    That isn't what he is saying excatly. He is saying that Argentina should have followed the Greek example and that the arguments put forward do not stand up to economic or legal scrutiny. Grece made a deal with its creditors, the haircut made economic sense and they restructured. In these situations a middle ground needs to be found.

    Apr 04th, 2013 - 08:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (61) Welsh Wizard

    Case is that you at (30) try to present as “INTERESTING” the opinions from a Hedge (Vulture) Fund founder and manager.

    His opinions are nothing in the direction of “INTERESTING”, they are just predictable.

    I would let the courts decide if the arguments put forward do stand up to legal or economic scrutiny.
    From my point of wiew, they do......

    You mention the necessity of finding a “Middle Ground”.......
    Do you consider a Vulture Fund profit margin of 1,000% (one thousand%) in less than 10 years to be a “Middle Ground”?
    That's precisely what the Vulture Funds are asking the N.Y. courts to grant them......

    Apr 04th, 2013 - 03:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Welsh Wizard

    @61

    Hi Think. Hope all is well in Chubut.

    1. It is interesting as he already holds restructured ARG bonds, thus his position arguing in favour of the holdouts has an interesting element of impartiality.
    2. The courts have already opined on this and come down in favour of the holdouts, as such, the courts of NY do not see validity in the position of the arguments put forward by the lawyers acting for Argentina (even when pressure is placed upon them by the US government).
    3. The middle ground in relation to sovereign debt restructurings does not have much to do with the profitability of a single hedge fund. It is interested in finding a solution to indebtedness. Greece knew that, when they issued this debt, this eventuality could occur. Therefore they were comfortable with the risks inherent in issuing that debt. They also realised, when they issued, that should they need to restructure then they would have to deal with all bond holders at the time of restructuring. This “oh, I didn't realise/it wasn't me” defence is not valid when you have been given advice regarding risk mitigation.

    The middle ground is a price for the debt which suits all parties. In the case of restructuring, some noteholders will make a loss, others a gain. This is a simple of fact of issuing debt. If you don't like it then you just should not issue debt.

    Apr 04th, 2013 - 04:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    It is funny to hear Crissy and minions rail against the 1000% profit in 10 years when that is LESS than she has made on her personal fortune.
    Hypocrite is their middle name.

    Apr 04th, 2013 - 05:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (63) Welsh Wizard
    Everything cool down here, thanks......

    You say...:
    ”1. It is interesting as he already holds restructured ARG bonds, thus his position arguing in favour of the holdouts has an interesting element of impartiality.”

    I say...:
    Pleeeeease................ Oldest trick in the book.

    Greenpeace holds Sellafield shares to gain legal access to information and meetings…..
    Does that give them “an interesting element of impartiality.”?

    I hold (courtesy of Mr. Doveoverdover:-) 55 shares of BORDERS & SOUTHERN PETROLEUM PLC….
    Does that give me “an interesting element of impartiality.”?

    You mention again that “Middle Ground” and put Greece as a “Good” example....
    Would you please, from the advantaged position of your city desk, tell me what is the “REAL” haircut on the Greek debt....?
    And then, what was the “REAL” haircut on the Argentinean debt?

    I “Think” you are in for a surprise.............

    Apr 04th, 2013 - 05:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Don't these stupid Rgs realize they have already lost ever single case brought by the holdouts?
    It will never be taken up by SCOTUS
    it is the end of the line
    pay up
    Oh what you don't have the U$45B to pay the rest of the claims?

    end of the rope
    now what

    I wonder if they'll start to confiscate the shiploads of SOY
    maybe

    Apr 04th, 2013 - 05:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Skåre-Vuggevise

    @23 Islander1

    You are seriously deluded if you think they catch salmon and trout in the Thames IN London. They catch them much further upstream where they are artificially introduced several times a year. So as for pitying knowledge, I regret to inform you that it is your knowledge that is to be pitied.

    @25 Conqueror

    Have I read comment @11? Yes I have and it changes nothing about what I said about London or that fact that people like you are beneath contempt for gloating about something like this. As you have shown so many times before, you really are the scum of the earth.

    Apr 04th, 2013 - 06:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stevie

    39, 40

    Yes, it's hilarious what you lot, who have been defending Macri against Kirchner, will come up with this time. Isn't Macri on vacation? :)

    If we talk about the dead. As a fellow South America all I can say here is that it is sickening to see what Britain and USA does around the world, and now hear you lot trying to score cheap moral points with an invented empathy. You are all conquerors on this one. Spare us your poisoned tears.

    Apr 05th, 2013 - 02:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anglotino

    So now Stevie is a fellow South American!

    I wish he would get his persona straight it is becoming contradictory.

    Apr 05th, 2013 - 05:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • agent999

    69 Anglotino

    They cannot help at times forgetting which persona they are posting under when they keep changing the login names!

    Apr 05th, 2013 - 08:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stevie

    That's all you got. “You are not you! You are someone else! Hence, I'm right.”
    Brit logic...

    Apr 05th, 2013 - 08:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • agent999

    @71
    Don't worry Stevie

    We will always troll for you.

    Apr 05th, 2013 - 08:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stevie

    72
    Who is “we”? This shift of Brit trolls, or next one?
    Sure you are you?

    Apr 05th, 2013 - 09:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • agent999

    Stevie

    We don't need multiple logins, we are all quite happy to post under our original logins.

    But don't worry we will continue to troll for you.

    Apr 05th, 2013 - 09:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stevie

    74
    You are three Brits posting.
    There is no way on earth stupidity can have spread so widely in the UK. I refuse to believe that.

    Apr 05th, 2013 - 10:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Looks like CFK is hiding drowned bodies and everyone knows it.
    Another big city under water again yesterday and of course today
    Many neighborhoods in BA without lights...again
    Will these blockheads ever learn?
    I think not

    Apr 11th, 2013 - 05:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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