PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Let’s get the good news in Philadelphia out of the way first. The Eagles are riding a nine-game winning streak, Saquon Barkley is making a serious run at the NFL season rushing record and a playoff berth was clinched for the fourth straight year under coach Nick Sirianni. Now, about all that grumbling ... . Yes, Philly sports fans, media and social media doomsayers are usually the ones with a complaint even in the best of times for the pro teams. Perhaps it’s a bit unsettling around Philadelphia, then, that the grousing after a win over Carolina this weekend came from inside the locker room. Wide receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, and even Jalen Hurts, made public their complaints about the state of the (diminishing) passing game, putting the coaching staff on notice that enough was enough and it was time to rev up the engine on a pair of 1,000-yard receivers and get the offense humming headed into the postseason. Even Sirianni conceded that yes, it was fair to raise questions about an offense that allowed Smith and Brown to combine for only eight catches and 80 yards. The problem this week? “Being on the same page,” Smith said. Smith is coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and has yet to break 100 in a game this season. Brown has four 100-yard games, well off last season's run when he topped 100 yards in six straight games and seven times overall. Hurts threw for just 108 yards with two TDs passing and one rushing score. Should an offense getting on the same page develop into this much of a concern for the Eagles (11-2) after 13 games? “No. I just say no," Hurts said. There are reasons the numbers are down. The easy one, of course, is that the traditionally pass-happy Eagles have leaned on Barkley and his team-record 1,623 yards to steer the offense in his first season. Hurts also shoulders his share of the blame given his propensity for holding on to the ball. He was sacked four times and missed Smith and Brown the few times he did chuck the ball deep to open receivers on long routes. Hurts didn’t throw Brown the ball a couple of times when he was open, including on a TD pass to Smith. “Have to find a way to come together and come and sync as a unit and play complementary ball,” Hurts said. Hurts has topped 300 yards passing only once this season and his last three games are at 179-118-108. He does have only five interceptions and has thrown just one during the winning streak. The offensive woes start at the beginning. The Eagles have yet to score a touchdown on their opening possession through the first 13 games and average only 10.7 points in the first half. They had only 46 total yards in the first quarter. The slow starts are one reason why teams with losing records such as Carolina, Jacksonville and Cleveland are able to keep games close at the Linc and make last-gasp drives at an upset victory. The running game. That really only means one name: Barkley. Barkley rushed for 124 yards to break the Eagles' season record, and Eric Dickerson's NFL mark is in his sights. Barkley needed just 13 games to pass McCoy, who rushed for 1,607 yards in 2013. Barkley also maintained his pace to break Dickerson’s NFL single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984 with the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley is averaging 124.8 yards per game. At that pace and with one more game to play than Dickerson, he would become the top single-season rusher in NFL history. He needs 483 yards over the final four games to top Dickerson’s 40-year-old record. Barkley is one pace for 2,122 yards, just 17 yards beyond Dickerson’s 2,105 total. Linebackers Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean. Dean led the Eagles with 12 tackles while Baun had 11 tackles and a sack. They both had strong games in shutting down Carolina's — albeit banged-up — running game. Jake Elliott. Elliott was wide right on a 52-yard attempt in the third quarter and has missed all five attempts of 50-plus yards this season. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was evaluated for a concussion and treated for an additional injury in the fourth quarter but had a game-changing interception. 9 — The Eagles won nine straight games only three other times, in the 2017, 2003 and 1960 seasons. The Eagles host cross-state rival Pittsburgh in a potential all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl preview. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflCordilia also had seven rebounds for the Mountaineers (6-3, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Dola Adebayo scored 15 points while shooting 5 of 7 from the field and 4 for 4 from the free-throw line and added nine rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. Dallas Hobbs shot 4 of 9 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 4 from the foul line to finish with 14 points. Prophet Johnson led the Stags (5-5, 1-1) in scoring, finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Braden Sparks added 16 points and four assists for Fairfield. Jamie Bergens had 15 points and four assists. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
By Burnett Munthali The video in question shows a woman clad in MCP party regalia handing out cash to individuals gathered at what appears to be a public event. The footage captures the woman distributing MWK 1,000 notes to a group of people, an amount that may seem modest by international standards, but could carry more weight in a country where many are grappling with poverty. The scene, filmed during the voter registration process, raises eyebrows as it suggests that the money may be an enticement for people to register to vote. While the full context of the event remains unclear, the sight of cash changing hands during such a crucial civic activity has caused alarm. Critics have quickly labeled this as an attempt to manipulate the registration process and, by extension, the upcoming elections. They argue that such actions undermine the democratic principle of free and fair voting, turning what should be a responsible civic duty into a transaction based on financial incentives. “Voter shopping” refers to the practice of offering voters money, gifts, or other incentives in exchange for their vote or participation. This tactic, while not new, remains highly controversial and illegal in many democratic nations due to its corrupting influence on the electoral process. In Malawi, where economic hardships are widespread, the temptation of small financial rewards can sway voters who may feel pressured by their financial circumstances. The MCP has faced accusations of engaging in such practices before, but the latest video brings these concerns to the forefront once again. For many voters, the MWK 1,000 may seem like a small sum, but it could be enough to sway their decision or influence their registration, especially in a country where a large portion of the population is struggling financially. This raises the troubling question of whether the democratic process in Malawi can truly remain unbiased when such tactics are in play. As the video gained traction, the Malawi Congress Party swiftly denied any wrongdoing. Party spokespeople have argued that the distribution of money was part of a broader charitable initiative aimed at assisting vulnerable individuals in the community. According to their defense, the money was not meant to influence the registration process but was a goodwill gesture to help those in need. Despite these claims, the video has sparked widespread debate and concern. Critics, including political analysts and civil society organizations, are unconvinced by the MCP’s explanation. They see this incident as part of a more pervasive pattern of voter manipulation that has plagued Malawi’s electoral system for years. Voter registration is an essential pillar of any democracy, ensuring that eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote. Allegations of vote-buying, like the one depicted in the video, cast a shadow over the integrity of this process and could ultimately undermine public confidence in the elections. If voters begin to feel that their participation is being bought and sold, it could erode trust in the very institutions meant to ensure fair elections. Malawi has long struggled with electoral fraud and irregularities, with past elections marred by allegations of voter manipulation, vote-rigging, and other undemocratic practices. The video only adds to concerns that such issues could resurface in the upcoming general elections. Under Malawian law, vote-buying is a criminal offense. The Electoral Commission has consistently warned political parties and candidates against engaging in such activities, yet the persistence of such allegations suggests that these warnings may not be enough to deter certain practices. Should it be confirmed that the MCP or any other political party has engaged in voter shopping, the repercussions could be severe. Aside from tarnishing the party’s reputation, it could also lead to widespread public disillusionment with the electoral system and the political process as a whole. Voters may begin to feel that their civic duty has been reduced to a mere financial transaction, compromising the very essence of democratic participation. Reactions to the video have been mixed. Some members of the public argue that the footage has been misinterpreted and could be part of a smear campaign aimed at discrediting the MCP. Others, however, see this as yet another example of corruption and manipulation within Malawi’s political landscape. Civil society groups have also voiced concerns, urging the Electoral Commission to take action to ensure that the voter registration process is not influenced by such financial incentives. As the elections draw closer, Malawians remain keenly aware of the issues surrounding voter manipulation. The public is watching closely to see how the authorities will address these concerns and whether any meaningful steps will be taken to preserve the integrity of the election. The video depicting the distribution of MWK 1,000 during voter registration has reignited fears about the potential for vote-buying in Malawi’s elections. While the exact intentions behind the cash distribution remain unclear, the incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of the electoral process and the need for vigilance in maintaining its fairness. As Malawi approaches its next general election, it is crucial that the Electoral Commission and relevant authorities investigate these allegations thoroughly. The public’s trust in the electoral system depends on the commitment of political parties to respect the democratic process and uphold the rule of law. The outcome of this investigation will be a defining moment for the country’s democracy, as it strives to ensure that all citizens’ votes are cast freely and without undue influence. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
Circle Chart ( formerly known as Gaon Chart) has revealed its chart rankings for the week of November 10 to 16! ENHYPEN topped this week’s physical album chart with their new repackaged album “ ROMANCE : UNTOLD -daydream- ,” which debuted at No. 1. NCT DREAM ’s new album “ DREAMSCAPE ” entered the chart at No. 2, while BTS ’s Jin ’s first solo album “ Happy ” debuted at No. 3. Finally, ATEEZ swept the next two spots on the chart with their new mini album “ GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2 .” The regular version of the mini album debuted at No. 4, while the POCA version charted separately at No. 5. NCT DREAM topped the digital download chart with their new title track “ When I’m With You ,” which debuted at No. 1. PLAVE’s new song “We don’t stop” (from the soundtrack of “The Fiery Priest 2”) entered the chart at No. 2, while ENHYPEN’s new title track “ No Doubt ” debuted at No. 3. BTS’s Jin’s solo title track “ Running Wild ” debuted at No. 4 on this week’s chart, with BLACKPINK ’s Rosé and Bruno Mars’ smash hit “ APT. ” rounding out the top five. Rosé and Bruno Mars once again maintained their triple crown on the Circle charts, with “APT.” remaining No. 1 on three different charts—the overall digital chart, streaming chart, and global K-pop chart—for the fourth week in a row. The top five songs on this week’s overall digital chart were exactly the same as last week: “APT.” came in at No. 1, aespa ’s latest title track “ Whiplash ” at No. 2, BIGBANG’s G-Dragon ’s pre-release single “ POWER ” at No. 3, aespa’s Karina ’s solo hit “UP” at No. 4, and DAY6’s viral B-side “ HAPPY ” at No. 5. The top five songs on this week’s streaming chart were exactly the same as the overall digital chart, except Karina’s “UP” and G-Dragon’s “POWER” switched places to take No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. The top four songs on this week’s streaming chart remained the same as last week: Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” continued its reign at No. 1, with aespa’s “Whiplash” at No. 2, BTS’s Jimin ’s solo song “ Who ” at No. 3, and BABYMONSTER’s “ DRIP ” at No. 4. Finally, BLACKPINK’s Jennie ’s solo single “ Mantra ” climbed back up to No. 5 for the week. BLACKPINK maintained their position at No. 1 on the social chart this week, while BABYMONSTER rose to No. 2. FIFTY FIFTY stayed strong at No. 3 on the chart, followed by BTS at No. 4 and Choi Yu Ree at No. 5. Congratulations to all of the artists! Source ( 1 )
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A couple was killed trying to buy a vintage car in 2015. A man was just sentenced for their deaths.
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The advertising titans, behind campaigns like ‘Got Milk’ and ‘Priceless’, aim to create the world’s largest ad agency. Omnicom is buying Interpublic Group in a stock-for-stock deal that will create the largest ad agency in the world with combined annual revenue of almost $26bn. The deal, announced on Monday, could attract regulatory scrutiny as it seeks to merge the world’s third-largest ad buyer, Omnicom, with the fourth-largest – Interpublic. The names may be unfamiliar to many Americans, but some of their marketing campaigns are iconic. Those include “Got Milk” for the California Milk Processor Board, “Priceless” for Mastercard, “Because I’m Worth It” for L’Oreal and “Think Different” for Apple. The combined company will be worth more than $30bn. “Through this combination, we are poised to accelerate innovation and harness the significant opportunities created by new technologies in this era of exponential change, said John Wren, chairman and CEO of Omnicom. “Now is the perfect time to bring together our technologies, capabilities, talent and geographic footprints to bring clients superior, data-driven outcomes.” The company will keep the Omnicom name and trade under the “OMC” ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange. Competing for ad dollars Tech giants such as Alphabet-owned Google and Amazon.com have in recent years attracted marketing dollars away from traditional agencies by offering both advertising tools and marketplaces to buy and sell them. Soaring use of AI tools that allow businesses to create ads cheaper and faster has squeezed traditional agencies, forcing them to scramble to develop similar in-house tools to retain clients. “This move allows us to take control of our own future rather than wait for technology to impact it in ways that you can’t anticipate today,” Wren said. The size of and reach of the new marketing giant will have multiple advantages, including the use of new technologies like artificial intelligence. “We estimate both companies have an approximately 50/50 split between advertising and marketing services, setting up a strong position not only in creative and media, but also across areas like specialty healthcare, experiential, and PR,” wrote JPMorgan analyst David Karnovsky. “For the industry, some amount of consolidation is a positive following a couple years of divergent growth among agencies and ahead of an investment cycle for Gen-AI,” Karnovsky added. Shareholders of the Interpublic Group of Companies Inc will receive 0.344 Omnicom shares for each share of Interpublic common stock that they own. Omnicom shareholders will own 60.6 percent of the combined company and Interpublic shareholders will own 39.4 percent after the transaction is complete. Wren will be chairman and CEO of Omnicom, while Phil Angelastro will continue as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Interpublic CEO Philippe Krakowsky and COO Daryl Simm will be co-presidents and chief operating officers at Omnicom. Three current members of Interpublic’s board, including Krakowsky, will join the board of Omnicom. The deal is expected to have annual cost savings of $750m and is expected to close during the second half of next year. It still needs the approval of Omnicom and Interpublic shareholders. Regulatory roadblocks had forced Omnicom and France’s Publicis Groupe SA to call off their $35bn merger in 2013. Shares of Interpublic jumped 10 percent Monday, while Omnicom’s stock fell more than 6 percent.
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