lost treasures of the aztecs
lost treasures of the aztecs
Shanghai, China - The much-anticipated firework drone show by renowned artist Cai Guo-Qiang turned into a spectacle of a different kind when several drones crashed into the sea during the performance. Eyewitnesses at the scene expressed a mix of awe and concern as the drones failed to perform their routines as planned.It looked like a recipe for disaster. So, when his country's swimmers were being accused of doping earlier this year, one Chinese official cooked up something fast. He blamed it on contaminated noodles. In fact, he argued, it could have been a culinary conspiracy concocted by criminals, whose actions led to the cooking wine used to prepare the noodles being laced with a banned heart drug that found its way into an athlete's system. This theory was spelled out to international anti-doping officials during a meeting and, after weeks of wrangling, finally made it into the thousands of pages of data handed over to the lawyer who investigated the case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for that same drug. The attorney, appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, refused to consider that scenario as he sifted through the evidence. In spelling out his reasoning, lawyer Eric Cottier paid heed to the half-baked nature of the theory. “The Investigator considers this scenario, which he has described in the conditional tense, to be possible, no less, no more,” Cottier wrote. Even without the contaminated-noodles theory, Cottier found problems with the way WADA and the Chinese handled the case but ultimately determined WADA had acted reasonably in not appealing China's conclusion that its athletes had been inadvertently contaminated. Critics of the way the China case was handled can't help but wonder if a wider exploration of the noodle theory, details of which were discovered by The Associated Press via notes and emails from after the meeting where it was delivered, might have lent a different flavor to Cottier's conclusions. “There are more story twists to the ways the Chinese explain the TMZ case than a James Bond movie,” said Rob Koehler, the director general of the advocacy group Global Athlete. "And all of it is complete fiction.” In April, reporting from the New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD revealed that the 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine, also known as TMZ. China's anti-doping agency determined the athletes had been contaminated, and so, did not sanction them. WADA accepted that explanation , did not press the case further, and China was never made to deliver a public notice about the “no-fault findings,” as is often seen in similar cases. The stock explanation for the contamination was that traces of TMZ were found in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers were staying. In his 58-page report , Cottier relayed some suspicions about the feasibility of that chain of events — noting that WADA's chief scientist “saw no other solution than to accept it, even if he continued to have doubts about the reality of contamination as described by the Chinese authorities.” But without evidence to support pursuing the case, and with the chance of winning an appeal at almost nil, Cottier determined WADA's “decision not to appeal appears indisputably reasonable.” A mystery remained: How did those traces of TMZ get into the kitchen? Shortly after the doping positives were revealed, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations held a meeting on April 30 where it heard from the leader of China's agency, Li Zhiquan. Li's presentation was mostly filled with the same talking points that have been delivered throughout the saga — that the positive tests resulted from contamination from the kitchen. But he expanded on one way the kitchen might have become contaminated, harkening to another case in China involving a low-level TMZ positive. A pharmaceutical factory, he explained, had used industrial alcohol in the distillation process for producing TMZ. The industrial alcohol laced with the drug “then entered the market through illegal channels,” he said. The alcohol "was re-used by the perpetrators to process and produce cooking wine, which is an important seasoning used locally to make beef noodles,” Li said. “The contaminated beef noodles were consumed by that athlete, resulting in an extremely low concentration of TMZ in the positive sample. "The wrongdoers involved have been brought to justice.” This new information raised eyebrows among the anti-doping leaders listening to Li's report. So much so that over the next month, several emails ensued to make sure the details about the noodles and wine made their way to WADA lawyers, who could then pass it onto Cottier. Eventually, Li did pass on the information to WADA general counsel Ross Wenzel and, just to be sure, one of the anti-doping leaders forwarded it, as well, according to the emails seen by the AP. All this came with Li's request that the noodles story be kept confidential. Turns out, it made it into Cottier's report, though he took the information with a grain of salt. “Indeed, giving it more attention would have required it to be documented, then scientifically verified and validated,” he wrote. Neither Wenzel nor officials at the Chinese anti-doping agency returned messages from AP asking about the noodles conspiracy and the other athlete who Li suggested had been contaminated by them. Meanwhile, 11 of the swimmers who originally tested positive competed at the Paris Games earlier this year in a meet held under the cloud of the Chinese doping case. Though WADA considers the case closed, Koehler and others point to situations like this as one of many reasons that an investigation by someone other than Cottier, who was hired by WADA, is still needed. “It gives the appearance that people are just making things up as they go along on this, and hoping the story just goes away," Koehler said. “Which clearly it has not.” AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-gamesThe Liang Wang Duo may have won the award for Best Men's Doubles of the Year, but their victory was so much more than just a trophy – it was a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and teamwork in the pursuit of greatness. And as they basked in the glow of their success, the Liang Wang Duo knew that this was only the beginning of their journey to even greater heights of achievement and glory.
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown revealed that discussions with free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman were at a standstill, which led to the team exploring other options. "I won't get into specifics but I feel like the negotiations stalled," Brown said on Monday, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. "I feel like we made a really competitive offer and showed that we wanted him back. But we had to pursue other options. We couldn't just sit there." On Dec. 13, the Astros traded outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a package that included third baseman Isaac Paredes. The team subsequently signed first baseman Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million contract. This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .In the span of just 48 hours, Israel has conducted approximately 250 airstrikes on Syrian military facilities, dealing a significant blow to the Syrian armed forces. The targeted strikes, which took place in various locations across Syria, have resulted in extensive damage to military infrastructure and equipment.TORONTO , Nov. 22, 2024 /CNW/ - IA Clarington Investments Inc. ("iA Clarington ") today announced the November 2024 distributions for its Active ETF Series. Unitholders of record as of November 29, 2024 will receive cash distributions payable on December 10, 2024 . Per-unit distributions are detailed below: Active ETF Series Ticker Distribution per unit CUSIP IA Clarington Core Plus Bond Fund ICPB 0.04376 44931X109 IA Clarington Floating Rate Income Fund IFRF 0.04756 44932R101 IA Clarington Loomis Global Allocation Fund IGAF 0.00915 45075W104 IA Clarington Loomis Global Multisector Bond Fund ILGB 0.03337 45076L107 IA Clarington Strategic Income Fund ISIF 0.02659 44933N109 IA Clarington Loomis Global Equity Opportunities Fund IGEO 0.00000 44934G103 IA Clarington Strategic Corporate Bond Fund ISCB 0.04630 44934C102 IA Wealth Enhanced Bond Pool IWEB 0.03772 44934M100 For more information about IA Clarington Active ETF Series, please visit iaclarington.com/ETF iA Clarington is also providing an update to unitholders on the potential impact of the strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers on iA Clarington's ability to comply with its obligations to deliver to unitholders its interim financial statements and management reports of fund performance. As a result of the strike, and pursuant to l'Autorité des marchés financiers general decision on the exemption from the obligation to transmit certain continuous disclosure documents in the event of interruption of regular postal services issued November 15, 2024 , iA Clarington is advising unitholders that: a. the interim financial statements and corresponding management reports of fund performance, if any, have been filed electronically and are available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca; b. a copy of the interim financial statements, together with the corresponding management reports on fund performance, if any, will be sent to each unitholder upon request; c. unitholders may contact Client Services 1-800-530-0204 to obtain the documents indicated above or for any information required; and d. iA Clarington will mail copies of the interim financial statements and corresponding management reports of fund performance as soon as possible and, in any case, within 10 days of the end of the interruption of regular postal services, unless the necessary arrangements to transmit the documents by other means at the unitholder's request have been made. About IA Clarington Investments Inc. A subsidiary of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. – Canada's fourth-largest life and health insurance company – iA Clarington offers a wide range of investment products, including actively managed mutual funds, managed portfolio solutions, Active ETF Series and socially responsible investments. As of October 31, 2024 , iA Clarington has over $21 billion in assets under management. For more information, please visit iaclarington.com Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, brokerage fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments, including investments in exchange-traded series of mutual funds. The information presented herein may not encompass all risks associated with mutual funds. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The iA Clarington Funds are managed by IA Clarington Investments Inc. iA Clarington and the iA Clarington logo, iA Wealth and the iA Wealth logo, and iA Global Asset Management and the iA Global Asset Management logo are trademarks of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. and are used under license. iA Global Asset Management Inc. (iAGAM) is a subsidiary of Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. (iAIM). The payment of distributions and distribution breakdown, if applicable, is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. The payment of distributions should not be confused with a Fund's performance, rate of return, or yield. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a Fund and income and dividends earned by a Fund are taxable in the year they are paid. SOURCE IA Clarington Investments Inc. View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2024/22/c2611.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
As Henan seeks opinions on this proposal, it is crucial for stakeholders to carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of the policy change. Balancing the interests of homeowners, developers, and the government is key to ensuring that any decision made brings about positive outcomes for all parties involved.
/THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES ./ TSXV:OIII - O3 Mining TORONTO , Dec. 23, 2024 /CNW/ - O3 Mining Inc. OIII OIIIF (" O3 Mining " or the " Corporation ") announces its ordinary course security-based compensation awards for the year ended December 31, 2024 . Effective December 23, 2024 , the Corporation has granted to certain officers, directors and/or employees of the Corporation an aggregate of (i) 878,817 restricted share units of the Corporation ("RSUs"), and (ii) 230,750 deferred share units of the Corporation ("DSUs"). The RSUs will vest in their entirety over three years from the date of grant, with one-third of the RSUs vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. The DSUs will vest in accordance with the Corporation's DSU plan. The Corporation anticipates the vesting of RSUs and DSUs will be accelerated in connection with the initial deposit period for the previously announced cash offer of $1.67 per common share of the Corporation by an affiliate of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited ("Agnico Eagle") to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Corporation not already owned, directly or indirectly, by Agnico Eagle (the "Offer"). The Offer has been made in accordance with the support agreement between Agnico Eagle and O3 Mining dated December 12, 2024, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ) under O3 Mining's issuer profile. About O3 Mining Inc. O3 Mining Inc. is a gold explorer and mine developer in Québec, Canada, adjacent to Agnico Eagle's Canadian Malartic mine. O3 Mining owns a 100% interest in all its properties (128,680 hectares) in Québec. Its principal asset is the Marban Alliance project in Québec, which O3 Mining has advanced over the last five years to the cusp of its next stage of development, with the expectation that the project will deliver long-term benefits to stakeholders. Further information can be found on our website at https://o3mining.com . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on current expectations, estimates, projections, and interpretations about future events as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking information and statements are based on estimates of management by O3 Mining, at the time they were made, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding vesting of RSUs and DSUs, including any accelerated vesting thereof; the anticipated next stage of development of the Marban Alliance project; and the expectation that the Marban Alliance project will deliver long-term benefits to stakeholders. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what O3 Mining believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable expectations and assumptions, there is no assurance that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither O3 Mining nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. O3 Mining does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection or estimate of the future financial performance of O3 Mining. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. SOURCE O3 Mining Inc. View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2024/23/c4705.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.In these pilot provinces, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and others, the transition from water fee to water tax has been accompanied by various measures to encourage water conservation. These measures include setting clear water conservation targets, implementing water-saving technologies, and promoting public awareness of the importance of saving water resources. Despite these efforts, the actual impact on residents in terms of water prices has been relatively minor. The water prices have seen minimal changes, with only slight fluctuations observed over the years.
Sam Darnold sensed the backside pressure as soon as he dropped back with Minnesota trailing by four points late in the fourth quarter in Seattle, so he moved into a safe space in the pocket and did precisely what the Vikings would prefer him to do with the game on the line. He threw the ball down the field to Justin Jefferson. The perfectly placed throw near the sideline beat double coverage for a 39-yard touchdown that put the Vikings back in front with 3:51 remaining in a 27-24 victory over the Seahawks on Sunday. “It was a great call,” said Jefferson, who had 10 receptions for 144 yards and two scores, all season highs. “I’m not going to say too much about that play, but something went on where me and Sam were on the same page, and he found me and we went up.” The Vikings were understandably coy about the context around the go-ahead touchdown , when Darnold made a difficult on-the-run pass just over cornerback Tariq Woolen that Jefferson deftly twisted to catch next to his backside hip so he could shield the ball from late-breaking safety Julian Love. Darnold saw Love’s shoulders initially shaded inside just enough to believe he couldn’t retreat fast enough to prevent Jefferson from getting the ball. Jefferson also applied some improvisation to his route that Darnold clearly and properly read during the play. RELATED COVERAGE Patriots coach Jerod Mayo believes narrow loss to Bills shows potential of his young team Garrett’s comments about his future add wrinkle to Browns’ worst season since 0-16 in 2017 Giants’ 10th straight loss showed once again that they need a young QB “I want those guys to have some freedom in those moments,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We do a lot of things with Justin and Sam, seeing the coverage and then with some route opportunities to get to at the line of scrimmage, and I think those guys have just gotten so comfortable with that stuff.” Darnold’s long-delayed breakout performance under O’Connell has been one of the stories of the NFL this season, one that wouldn’t have unfolded as neatly for the third overall pick in the 2018 draft without such synergy between him and his superstar wide receiver. If the Vikings (13-2) win their last two games, they will not only be NFC North champions for the second time in three years but also get the No. 1 seed and the lone first-round bye in the NFC for the playoffs. “Every single game we’re finding different ways to overcome adversity, overcome the different stuff defenses have thrown towards us,” Jefferson said. “Sam has done a great job being a leader.” What’s working The pass rush was strong, with Andrew Van Ginkel recording two sacks and pressure leading to both interceptions of Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. The Vikings were credited with eight hits on Smith. What needs help The Vikings converted only three of 12 third downs, their second-worst rate of the season. Stock up Theo Jackson, who saw significant playing time at safety with Harrison Smith out, had the game-sealing interception with 49 seconds left. Stock down Tight end Josh Oliver has played 47% of the snaps the last two games, his two lowest usage rates of the season. He dropped the only pass he was thrown on Sunday. Injury report The defense ought to get a big boost this week with the expected return of the 13-year veteran Smith from his first absence in two years when he was sidelined at Seattle with a foot injury. Linebacker Ivan Pace, who has missed four games on injured reserve with a hamstring strain, is also on track to be back with his return to practice. Backup defensive lineman Jalen Redmond, who didn’t play against the Seahawks because of a concussion, has made progress through the protocol, O’Connell said. Backup cornerback Fabian Moreau, who was inactive at Seattle with a hip injury, will continue to be evaluated throughout the week. Key number 13.6% — That’s the third-down conversion allowance rate for the Vikings over the last two games, with Chicago and Seattle combining to go just 3 for 22. The Vikings rank second in the NFL in third-down defense at 33.7% for the season and also rank second on fourth down at 36.7%. Up next The Vikings host Green Bay on Sunday, with the kickoff moved to the late afternoon showcase spot on Fox. If Minnesota loses to the Packers, the Lions will clinch the NFC North and the Vikings would open the playoffs on the road as the No. 5 seed at best. Even if the Lions were to lose at San Francisco on Monday night, the Vikings would need to win at Detroit on Jan. 5 to take the division title. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Bringing the right questions to your home inspection can set you up for success. Here are some questions you should always ask your home inspector. Your first question should always be "What does the inspection include?" Make sure you have a good understanding of what it includes and what it leaves out so you're as informed as possible. Ask them for proof of general liability insurance as well as errors and omissions insurance. This insurance protects both you and the inspector in the event they make a mistake (and even the most experienced professionals sometimes make mistakes). When hiring, ask what kind of technology they use. A home inspector's most vital tools are always their eyes and experience, but some tools help conduct a more comprehensive inspection in a shorter period of time.Common home-inspection tools include thermal imaging, video scopes, drones for an aerial view of the roof, leak detectors, electrical circuit monitors and moisture meters. Keep in mind that while home inspectors are experienced with plumbing and electricity, they're not usually licensed professionals in those fields. A home inspector can only note visible problems and point you to the right pro to handle them. They're not likely to detect problems behind the walls without some kind of visible clue, such as stains that indicate leaks. Ask your inspector to identify which issues are the most important ones to fix and which ones are just minor imperfections. Not only is it no problem for you to accompany them on the inspection, it's often encouraged so you can ask questions and learn about your home and how it works. Pay extra attention to the condition of costly components like the foundation, roof and HVAC system. These components are often difficult and expensive to fix, so you should have a clear understanding of any flaws. Once the inspection is over, ask the inspector what the biggest issues are. They'll sort through everything they found during the inspection and tell you which problems actually pose a threat. They can also give you an estimated cost of repairs to help you make an informed decision. Afterward, you'll receive a detailed written report that details their findings and recommendations. Hiring a home inspector usually costs about $450, though the price can change based on specific purposes, home size and where you live. Not all states, cities or municipalities license home inspectors. If your area requires it, verify that your inspector holds the proper licensing. Look for certification from a reputable professional organization such as the American Society of Home Inspectors. Tweet your home-care questions with #AskingAngi, and we'll try to answer them in a future column.
Referee David Coote will not appeal against termination of contractU.S. District Court Awards 10x Genomics Permanent Injunction in Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Bruker Corporation's GeoMx ProductsSora, touted as a groundbreaking AI platform, promises to revolutionize various industries with its advanced capabilities in natural language processing, machine learning, and cognitive computing. The platform's innovative features and applications have captured the imagination of developers, researchers, and businesses seeking to leverage AI technologies for solving complex problems and driving innovation.
President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peakPresident-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peakIn the realm of English football, uncertainties and surprises are never in short supply, and the recent encounter between Wolves and their opponent added another layer of drama to the ongoing Premier League season. The outcome of the match was a shock to many, as Wolves, once considered a formidable force in the league, faced their third consecutive defeat, escalating concerns over their performance and survival in the top-tier competition.
