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Australia lowers wildfire alerts for New South Wales
The Australian authorities downgraded the alert level for wildfires on Sunday that destroyed infrastructure and homes in Australia's most populous State, burning through thousands of acres of bushland. On Sunday night, more than 60 wildfires were burning throughout New South Wales, just a day after they had destroyed 12 homes on the Central Coast Region of the state, located about 45 km (about 30 miles) north-east of Sydney, the capital and largest city in Australia. More than 350,000 people live in the region. Rural Fire Service of the state said that fires did not pose an immediate threat to residents. The alerts have been downgraded to the "advice level", which is the second lowest danger rating. Speaking on Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV on Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that it was fortunate that no lives had been lost during the emergency. Albanese stated that "this summer is going to be difficult, as it has been in the past." After several seasons of relative calm, authorities have warned that Australia is in for a bushfire season with high risk. Extreme heat will be forecast across large areas of the country. In a joint statement, the federal and New South Wales Labor Governments said that disaster assistance had been activated in six states regions affected by Saturday's fires which caused extreme heat. Initial assessments show that a number homes were destroyed, with extensive damage done to private property, critical assets, fencing, agricultural assets, and National Parks, according to the statement. It added that the extent of the damage would be clearer once impact assessments are completed. According to the statement, "immediate financial assistance as well as cleaning-up, reconstruction and recovery assistance" was included in the aid. Climate change has increased the risk of wildfires in New South Wales. The "Black Summer" Australian fires in 2019-2020 destroyed an entire area as large as Turkey and killed over 33 people.
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Kremenchuk mayor: Russian strike cuts utilities in the city, resulting in a Russian strike.
Vitalii Maltskyi, the mayor of Kremenchuk in central Ukraine, said that Russian forces had launched a combined airstrike overnight on infrastructure, causing water and power outages. Kremenchuk, located on the Dnipro River in Ukraine, is a major industrial center and home to a large oil refinery. The city was repeatedly targeted by Russian missiles. In 2022, a strike on a busy shopping mall killed at least 21. Maletskyi stated in a post on social media that the details of the strike's consequences would be revealed later Sunday, after damage assessments are completed. He added that city services were working on restoring electricity, water, and heating to districts where supplies had been disrupted. Russia is intensifying long-range attacks on Ukraine's water, power and heating infrastructure in advance of winter. It wants to undermine public morale and disrupt the industry. Previous cold seasons during the war had seen nationwide blackouts. The mayor posted a photo of a nighttime blaze that engulfed what appeared to be industrial buildings. He wrote: "We will restore all." Maletskyi’s report could not be independently verified. Ukraine's Air Force warned on Telegram several times over night that the city is under threat by Russian drone and missile strikes. Reporting by Lidia Kelley in Melbourne, editing by Chizu Nomiyama
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Chief Minister of Goa, India: At least 23 dead in fire that killed at least 23 people
The chief minister of Goa, India said that at least 23 people had died in a fire that broke out in a nightclub. Videos on social media showed ambulances waiting to assist the injured. Reporters were told that the incident took place around 12:04 local time on Saturday (1834 GMT) in Arpora. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated in a X post that the state government had ordered an investigation into this incident. The police chief stated that fire trucks and ambulances rushed to the scene after receiving information about the fire. ANI reported that the injured were transported to hospitals nearby for treatment while authorities worked throughout the night to control the situation. The police chief said that the fire was put out and all bodies were recovered. Goa is a small Indian state located on the western coast. It's a popular destination for tourists, especially foreigners. According to government statistics, Goa welcomed 5.5 million tourists in the first half year. 271 000 of these were foreign tourists. Reporting by Devika Nair Bengaluru, Kanjyik Gaosh in Barcelona and Alistair Bell & Chizu Nomiyama.
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Boeing: Trump's plan to increase the equity stake in US defense companies does not apply
Boeing's head of defense said that the plan by U.S. president Donald Trump to acquire government stakes in strategic sectors does not apply to major defence firms. This is in stark contrast to comments made previously by senior government officials. Steve Parker, CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, spoke on a panel during the Reagan National Defense Forum, a yearly industry event held in Simi Valley, California. Parker said, "I don’t think it applies to the Primes", referring to large legacy defense contractors such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick announced in August that the Trump administration is considering equity stakes with major defense contractors including Lockheed Martin. This announcement sent Lockheed, Boeing, and other defense companies' shares higher. In an effort to prioritise national security, the Trump Administration has acquired equity stakes this year in chipmaker Intel, and rare earths firm MP Materials. Trump has stated that the government will invest in more companies. (Reporting and editing by Mike Stone, Joe Brock and Deepa Babington).
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Indonesians walk over logs to reach a flood relief centre, as the death toll exceeds 900
Residents of Aceh Tamiang in Indonesia climbed over slippery logs on Saturday and walked about an hour to receive aid as the death toll grew to more than 900 from the floods and land slides that struck Sumatra this month. On Saturday, 916 people were confirmed dead as a direct result of the floods and landslides caused by cyclones in three Indonesian provinces, including Aceh. 274 are still missing, according to government data. About 200 people were also killed by the storm systems in southern Thailand and Malaysia. They said that survivors in the Aceh Tamiang area, located on the northeast coast Sumatra, scrambled over logs, passed overturned cars, and walked an hour to get to an aid distribution center set up by volunteers. Witnesses said that volunteers distributed clean clothes to people and brought a tanker truck full of fresh water for them to fill their plastic bottles. Residents Drink Floodwater Dimas Firmansyah (14), a student at an Islamic board school, told reporters that Aceh Tamiang was cut off and students had spent a week at the school searching for food, boiling water and drinking it. Dimas, who urged the government to visit the region to witness the disaster first-hand, said: "We spent about a week in the area." Local officials in Sumatra called on the Jakarta government to declare an emergency so that additional funds can be allocated for rescue and aid efforts. Earlier in the week, Prabowo Subito stated that the situation had improved and that current arrangements were adequate. ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP SAYS DEFORESTATION IS TO BLAME Green group say deforestation related to mining and logging aggravated floods. Indonesia is investigating suspected companies of clearing forests in flood-hit areas. Indonesia's Environment Ministry said that the companies had been temporarily stopped from operating and will be required to conduct environmental audits. North Sumatra Hydro Energy operates a 510 megawatt hydropower station in North Sumatra's Batang Toru area, Agincourt Resources operates the Martabe Gold Mine in Batang Toru and Perkebunan Nusantara III is a state-owned agricultural group. The company did not respond immediately to a comment request. North Sumatra Hydro Energy did not respond immediately to a LinkedIn query. A spokesperson for Agincourt Resources said that the company declined to comment as it hadn't received an official letter about the stop. The environment ministry reported that aerial surveys showed land clearing in Batang Toru, which may have contributed to the flooding. (Reporting and writing by Ajeng Ufiana and Yudhistira, Stanley Widianto and Barbara Lewis; editing by Tom Hogue & Barbara Lewis).
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Police say 11 people were killed in a shooting at a South African bar, including a child.
Police said that at least 11 people, including a 3-year-old boy, were killed in a shooting attack on an illegal bar located in Pretoria. They also announced the launch of a manhunt for three unidentified suspects. In a press release, the Saulsville Township said that 14 more people were injured during the incident. The police did not specify whether the shooting took place inside or outside of the illegal bar known as a "shebeen" locally. The South African Police Service reported that three minors were among the dead, including 3-year-old and 12-year old boys (and) a 16-year-old girl. South Africa is home to one of the world's highest murder rates, with an average of 60 per day. (Reporting and writing by Olivia Kumwenda Mtambo, Editing by Bernadette B. Baum)
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Officials say 5 killed in border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan
Officials from both Pakistan and Afghanistan said that heavy gunfire was exchanged along the border between their countries late Friday night. At least five people were killed amid increased tensions after failed peace talks at the weekend. Zabihullah Mojahid, spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, said that Pakistani forces attacked Spin Boldak District in Kandahar Province. Hamdullah fitra, his deputy, said that Pakistani shelling killed five people including a Taliban. A spokesperson for Pakistan's Prime Minister said that Afghan forces fired "unprovoked" along the Chaman Border. In a recent statement, spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi stated that Pakistan remains alert and committed to protecting its territorial integrity as well as the safety of its citizens. The exchange took place nearly a week following a round of peace negotiations between the South Asian neighbors that ended without a breakthrough. Both sides, however, agreed to maintain their fragile ceasefire. The talks held in Saudi Arabia at the weekend were part of a series hosted by Qatar and Turkey to ease tensions after border clashes that killed dozens in October. Islamabad claims that militants from Afghanistan have been responsible for recent attacks on Pakistan, including suicide bombings with Afghan nationals. Kabul denies the accusation, claiming it cannot be held accountable for security in Pakistan. The violence along the border has been the worst since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan 2021. Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar from Kabul, and Saleem Ahmad in Quetta in Pakistan; writing by Nilutpal Timsina and editing by Edward Tobin & Bernadette Baum
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Brazil's robusta coffee producers push for quality despite rising prices and climate concerns
In the midst of the bustle and noise in a posh coffee shop located on Sao Paulo’s Oscar Freire Avenue a barista prepares an unusual espresso. The shot is extra creamy with a cocoa nib aroma, but lacks the acidity that distinguishes coffees made from arabica beans. This premium espresso is 100% robusta, a bean that has been criticized in the coffee industry as a cheap filler more suited to instant coffee. Marco Kerkmeester said that the coffee has a lot more chocolatey notes and makes a great crema. He also noted the appeal of a variety cheekily labelled "0% Arabica." Changes on the Farm Brazilian robusta producers are investing in the harvesting and drying of robusta beans to meet the demands of the most demanding customers. Brazil is the second largest robusta producer in the world after Vietnam, and also top arabica grower. A 2022 study revealed that due to drought and higher temperatures, more than three-quarters of Brazil’s best land suitable for growing arabica could be unsuitable for coffee by 2050. Premium robusta beans are a great way to reduce the cost of espresso blends by using arabica, which is more expensive. Lucas Venturim is a coffee grower from Espirito Santo, some 500 miles away, who grew the beans that went into the espresso at Oscar Freire. "He never accepted the notion that robusta is bad because it's robusta." The Specialty Coffee Association, which is responsible for setting global standards in specialty coffee, has revised its course this year to make it more appealing to those who would like to grade arabica or robusta beans. Anyone trained to evaluate top-notch coffee can now accurately describe and award deserving brews regardless of species or bean type. Kim Ionescu is the chief strategy officer at SCA. She cited the growing demand for robusta coffee in Southeast Asia as an example. It seems that species should not be used to determine whether a coffee is a specialty or not. SCA plans to update the vocabulary of descriptors for coffee flavor in 2026 to include characteristics associated with robusta such as aromatic spices. Coffee shops in London and Berlin showcase the finer qualities of robusta. Brands such as Nguyen Coffee Supply have already made a name for themselves in the U.S. Fires out, dryers in Espirito Santo is home to the majority of Brazil's robusta, and has begun a transformation that puts quality above all else. According to a presentation from the state agriculture secretary, which was seen by us, the state wants to produce 1.5 millions 60-kg bags each year of robusta specialty by 2032. This is up from just 10,000 today. According to Jose Roberto Goncalves of Brazil's largest robusta cooperative, Cooabriel, this is about a 10th of the current state output. To achieve that, the best post-harvest techniques, now used by arabica producers in Brazil, must be adopted more widely. Cooabriel participated in trade shows for specialty coffee around the globe. Goncalves explained that Cooabriel teaches farmers how to use modern dryers, and sort the beans carefully, instead of drying them with fire. Experts from the state-funded research agency Incaper, and the federal university IFES have reported a rise in farmers who want to certify their robusta beans as a higher-priced special grade. Douglas Gonzaga de Sousa is the coordinator of the Center for Specialty Coffees of Espirita Santo. More arabica farmers are now experimenting with robusta due to its growing popularity in Brazil and historically high yields when compared to arabica. Michel Tesch is Espirito Santo’s Undersecretary for Rural Development. He said that the traffic was largely in one direction. He said, "We do not have people who leave robusta to make arabica." Cooabriel will expand its robusta nursery to Espirito Santo, increasing production from the current 2 million saplings annually to around 10 millions. Prices are rising. Marcio Ferreira is the director of national coffee exporter Cecafe. He said that the rising quality of Brazilian Robusta has led to higher prices and a stronger demand. Cecafe's data shows that the average price of Brazilian specialty robusta per bag has risen to $295 for a 60-kilogram bag, which is more than twice the price in 2021. The price of Brazilian robusta has risen by more than 80% to $4,370 per ton since 2021, according to Cecafe data. Ferreira added that as roasters reduce the arabica content in espresso blends, they are openly highlighting the robusta characteristics. Jordan Hooper is the head of green coffee trade at Sucafina. He said that the original idea behind specialty robusta was "to compete with specialty Arabicica." "Now, it's more like: robusta is interesting by itself." Natalia Ramos Braga said that Brazil was a hotbed of these tastes. She said that people, particularly in Brazil, prefer coffees with a richer mouthfeel, and a bitterer finish. If someone wants more bitterness or a bigger body, robusta is the coffee for them. Reporting by Oliver Griffin, Alexandre Meneghini and Rod Nickel.
QUOTES-Reactions to the death of Iran's president in a helicopter crash
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a. hardliner long viewed as a possible follower to Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash in. mountainous surface near the Azerbaijan border, authorities and. state media said on Monday.
The helicopter was likewise bring Foreign Minister Hossein. Amirabdollahian and 6 other guests and team, all of whom. died.
Here are reactions to the news:
SAUDI ARABIA'S KING SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AND CROWN PRINCE. MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN:
They used acknowledgements to the acting head of the executive. authority, Mohammad Mokhber, on the death of Ibrahim Raisi,. president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and his companions.
MARYAM RAJAVI, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF PARIS-BASED NATIONAL. COUNCIL OF RESISTANCE OF IRAN OPPOSITION GROUP:
This represents a huge and irreparable strategic blow. to the mullahs' Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the entire. routine, infamous for its executions and massacres.
It will set off a series of consequences and crises within. theocratic tyranny, which will spur rebellious youths into. action.
Menstruation of moms and those looking for justice for the. executed, together with the damnation of the Iranian individuals and. history, mark the tradition of Ebrahim Raisi, the well-known. wrongdoer of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners.
UNITED STATES SPECIFY DEPARTMENT:
The United States expressed its main condolences for. the death of Raisi and other authorities in a helicopter crash,. the State Department said.
As Iran picks a new president, we declare our assistance. for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and. fundamental freedoms, department representative Matthew Miller said. in a declaration.
US DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN:
Austin said he had no insight into the cause of the. helicopter crash.
I can't hypothesize on what might have been the cause, he informed. press reporters.
AFGHANISTAN'S ACTING PRIME MINISTER MULLAH MOHAMMAD. HASSAN AKHUND:
We share in the grief of the Islamic Republic of Iran and. its individuals and extend our acknowledgements to all the households of the. victims, the country, and the federal government of Iran.
In these hard times, we stand together with the people of. Iran and wish forgiveness for all the victims of this. incident and for perseverance for their families.
CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVE:
President Xi Jinping has actually already sent out a direct message to. Iran's very first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber.
Xi stated President Raisi made crucial contributions towards. Iran's security and stability, and towards establishing the. thorough strategic partnership between China and Iran.
PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS, IN A STATEMENT:
We extend our genuine acknowledgements and compassion to the. brotherly Iranian people for the passing of the late President. Ibrahim Raisi and the Foreign Minister, hoping to Almighty God. to bestow His huge mercy upon the departed Iranian President and. the others, and to give patience and solace to their families,. affirming the uniformity of the State of Palestine and its. people with the Iranian leadership and people in this great. condition.
PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER SHEHBAZ SHARIF, ON X:
The great Iranian country will overcome this catastrophe with. customary nerve.
Pakistan will observe a day of grieving and the flag will. fly at half mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and. his companions and in uniformity with brotherly Iran.
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI ON X:
Deeply saddened and stunned by the awful death of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral. relationship will always be remembered.
My wholehearted condolences to his family and the people of. Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN:
Seyed Ebrahim Raisi was an impressive politician whose. entire life was dedicated to serving the Motherland.
As a real pal of Russia, he made an important personal. contribution to the development of good neighbourly relations. in between our countries and made fantastic efforts to bring them to. the level of strategic collaboration.
OPEC SECRETARY GENERAL HAITHAM AL GHAIS:
In these difficult times, on behalf of myself and all the. personnel at the OPEC Secretariat, I extend my acknowledgements and. sympathy to the esteemed management and individuals of the Islamic. Republic of Iran and the families of HE President Raisi and. other officials.
IRAQ PRIME MINISTER MOHAMMED SHIA AL-SUDANI:
We extend our wholehearted acknowledgements and compassions to the. Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, and to. the nation of Iran, its government and individuals.
We reveal our uniformity with the brotherly Iranian individuals. and the authorities of the Islamic Republic throughout this painful. disaster.
TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN:
As a coworker who personally saw his efforts for the. peace of the Iranian people and our area throughout his time in. power, I remember Mr. Raisi with regard and gratitude, Erdogan. composed on X.
In a phone call with acting Iranian President Mohammad. Mokhber, Erdogan said Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein. Amirabdollahian's contributions to Turkey-Iran ties will always. be remembered, according to Erdogan's workplace.
LEADER OF YEMEN'S HOUTHIS ABDUL MALIK AL-HOUTHI:
It is with fantastic remorse and sorrow that we received the. news of the unfortunate incident of the President of the Islamic. Republic, Mr. Ibrahim Raisi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs,. Dr. Hussein Amir Abdullahian, and their companions.
HAMAS DECLARATION:
The statement communicated Hamas' deepest condolences ... for. this immense loss.
It applauded the deceased Iranian leaders for supporting the. Palestinian cause and resistance versus Israel and expressed. confidence that Iran's deep-rooted institutions will enable it. to overcome the repercussions of this fantastic loss.
THE PALESTINIAN IRANIAN-BACKED ISLAMIC JIHAD GROUP:
The martyrdom of the President and his Foreign Minister is. a fantastic loss for the Islamic Republic.
It stated his loss was an excellent one for the Palestinian individuals. in these tough circumstances, as they played a prominent and. clear function in supporting and assisting the struggle of the. Palestinian individuals.
NECHIRVAN BARZANI, PRESIDENT OF THE IRAQI KURDISTAN AREA:
The passing of President Raisi is a tremendous disaster and a. extensive loss for the Islamic Republic of Iran, its people, and. its buddies.
Nonetheless, we have faith that the noble individuals of Iran. and the Islamic Republic will conquer this enormous loss. May. God Almighty offer assistance and protection to all, and may. the memory of the departed be blessed.
ARAB LEAGUE PRIMARY AHMED ABOUL GHEIT, IN A DECLARATION:
We hope to God to shower them with mercy and forgiveness. and to motivate their families with perseverance and solace.
SUDAN'S SOVEREIGN COUNCIL HEAD ABDEL FATTAH AL-BURHAN, IN A. STATEMENT:
While the President of the Sovereign Council extends his. genuine condolences and compassion to the friendly Iranian people,. he prays to God Almighty that he may have mercy on the President. and his buddies, and give their families patience and. solace, revealing the solidarity of the Government of Sudan and. its individuals with the leadership and the Iranian individuals in this. excellent loss.
MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER ANWAR IBRAHIM, ON FACEBOOK:
President Raisi exhibited a deep commitment to the. welfare of his people and the self-respect of his nation, which. represents a proud and rich civilisation rooted in the. concepts of Islam.
His commitment to justice, peace, and the uplift of the. ummah was really inspiring.
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GEORGIA MELONI ON BROADCASTER CHANNEL. 5 TELEVISION:
I see in these hours that the Iranian authorities are. crediting the thesis of the mishap and not conspiracy. theories.
I do not see any modifications in the internal order in Iran, we. remain in consistent contact with our European and G7 allies since. we are speaking about an occurrence that is part of an especially. intricate local structure.
I hope that the future Iranian leadership wants to devote. itself to the stabilisation and pacification of the region.
CHARLES MICHEL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, ON X:
The European Union expresses its genuine acknowledgements for. the death of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdollahian,. in addition to other members of their delegation and team in a. helicopter mishap. Our ideas go to the households.
EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT ABDEL FATTAH EL-SISI:
The president of the Arab Republic of Egypt ... prays that. the deceased Iranian President and the departed might rest in God. Almighty's mercy, and give their families persistence and solace,. expressing the uniformity of the Arab Republic of Egypt with the. Iranian management and individuals in this awful incident.
LEBANON'S IRAN-BACKED HEZBOLLAH GROUP, IN A STATEMENT:
It applauded the battle of the martyrs in defending the. causes of the nation and their service to Iran, getting in touch with God. to bless them with his mercy, to protect Khamenei, and to approve. Iran the capability to conquer the ordeal with patience and. determination.
JORDAN'S KING ABDULLAH, ON X:
My inmost acknowledgements to the bros, leadership,. federal government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the. death of Sibling President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister. Bro Hossein Amir Abdullahian and those accompanying them,. might God have grace on them all.
We stand in uniformity with our siblings in Iran in this. tough circumstance
UAE PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL-MAKTOUM:
Our hearts are with you in this challenging time. Our prayers. are that God will cover them with His large grace and stay them. in His roomy Paradise.
SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD, IN A DECLARATION:
Assad affirmed Syria's uniformity with the Islamic Republic. of Iran and the families of the dead.
Assad added that Syria had worked with the late president to. ensure strategic ties in between Syria and Iran remained. flourishing, recalling Raisi's important see to Syria as part. of enhancing ties for the benefit of both countries.
QATAR'S EMIR SHEIKH TAMIN BIN HAMAD AL-THANI, ON X:
Sincere acknowledgements to the government and individuals of the. Islamic Republic of Iran ... asking God Almighty for grace and. forgiveness for them and for their households with perseverance and. solace.
JAPAN'S FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE YOSHIMASA HAYASHI:
Japan expresses its deepest condolences to the government. and individuals of Iran over the death of President Raisi and the. foreign minister.
VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO, ON X:
Deeply saddened to have to bid farewell to an excellent. person, an amazing leader of the world as our sibling. Ebrahim is, and will constantly be, an exceptional human being,. protector of the sovereignty of his people and genuine. friend of our country..
(source: Reuters)