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." Get local news delivered to your inbox!A new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information about access to primary care and emergency department use underscores the need for a more integrated, data-driven approach to health-care reforms, says a New Brunswick ER doctor. The report found nearly 15 per cent of visits to the emergency department in Canada in 2023-24 were for conditions that could have been managed by a family doctor or other primary care provider, such as a nurse practitioner or pediatrician. Even among people with a family doctor, about 13 per cent go to the ER to get basic primary care, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, or CIHI. And more than half of those visits could have been handled virtually, says the report, which was based on data from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Yukon. 1 in 7 ER visits in Canada are for conditions that could have been managed in primary care: report Although no New Brunswick data is included, Dr. Fraser Mackay, an emergency physician in Saint John and chair of the rural, remote and small urban section of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP), said the findings align with what he sees on a daily basis. He believes the proportion of ER visits for conditions that could be handled elsewhere, such as ear infections and prescription refills, is closer to 25 per cent in New Brunswick, he said, citing the report's the findings for rural and remote communities and noting the rural nature of the province. Any problems in health-care access are "magnified" in rural communities, said Mackay. There are fewer doctors in rural areas, so fewer citizens have access to primary care, he said. Emergency departments often end up being "the clearinghouse for all-comers," which is "not best patient care." 'Slow-burning disaster' He described ERs as "a slow burning disaster." The most challenging part, he said, is dealing with patients who apologize for resorting to the emergency department out of frustration. But patients who don't have a family doctor and seek treatment for minor ailments aren't the ones driving ER overcrowding and long wait times, Mackay said. The bigger problem, he said, is ER patients who have been admitted but can't be moved to a hospital unit because too many beds are occupied by seniors and other patients waiting for a nursing home bed or other long-term care placement. "That fundamentally isn't actually an emergency medicine problem," said Mackay. "It's a health-care problem, and that is a government policy, big-scale problem." WATCH | 'There has to be overlapping accountability for this': Here’s what one Saint John doctor thinks of ER report findings 1 hour ago Duration 1:58 Dr. Fraser Mackay says a new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, about access to primary and emergency health care, lines up with what he's experiencing in N.B emergency rooms. He said what's needed is an integrated approach to planning and management that recognizes the overlap between primary care, emergency care, inpatient care and long-term care. As it stands, Mackay said there is "a series of different departments and programs, but there is no overarching system" in health care. He also called for more accountability for how health-care dollars are spent, including patient outcomes. Not all doom and gloom However, Mackay acknowledged there are "a lot of positive changes" underway in New Brunswick. He cited Premier Susan Holt's pledge to open "at least" 30 collaborative health-care clinics , including 10 in 2025. These clinics, which will bring together doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, psychologists, physiotherapists, pharmacists and others to provide a "health-care home" for patients, have been shown to increase access, satisfaction and overall quality of care, said Mackay. The Liberals pledged during the election campaign this fall to open at least 30 collaborative health-care clinics before 2028. (Shutterstock) Virtual care models are "another piece of the puzzle," he said. Medical schools have also increased enrolment for students as well as residents. "I think there's a lot of things [that] are moving in the right direction," said Mackay, adding that "it's going to be slow and it's going to be hard for a while." 'Big' changes a decade away He estimates "big" changes are about 10 years away — the time it will take to train more doctors and nurses. There are, however, opportunities to increase efficiencies in the shorter term, according to Mackay. He said he's hopeful the new Holt government will engage with the various areas of health care through organizations, such as CAEP, the College of Family Physicians and the New Brunswick Medical Society, he said. Only 79% in N.B. have access to permanent primary-care provider, survey finds Data collection, analysis and dissemination is a "key building block," said MacKay, pointing to population projections and human resources planning as an example. But New Brunswick has been "subpar" in that regard to date, he said. "That's why things like the CIHI report are so critical." Province committed to improving access The Department of Health did not respond directly to any of Mackay's comments. But spokesperson David Kelly said the government is committed to increasing the percentage of New Brunswickers with access to a primary care provider, which will ease pressure on our hospital emergency departments. "Collaborative care teams are a key part of the solution," he said in an emailed statement. "To make that happen, recruitment and retention of health-care professionals, will be a top priority." The government is working to deliver retention payments to permanent full-time and part-time nurses , and is "committed to creating a multi-pronged plan to improve the working conditions of health-care workers and prioritize their wellness," said Kelly. It has also implemented short-term solutions such as NB Health Link, he said. People talk about ... the impending health-care system collapse. We're right in the middle of it. - Fraser Mackay, Saint John ER doctor That program, which provides New Brunswickers with access to a network of family doctors and nurse practitioners while they wait to be matched with a permanent provider, has more than 64,000 people eligible to receive services, said Kelly. An additional 38,000 people are waiting for more clinics to open or for existing clinics to expand, he said. More than 12,500 patients have been placed permanently with a primary care provider through NB Health Link. New Brunswickers can also use eVisitNB or Tele-Care 811, he said. Mackay said it will take "political courage because it's a very big, daunting task" to improve the system. But the situation is "urgent," he said, noting health-care professionals have been warning about the health-care crisis for about 15 years. "People talk about ... the impending health-care system collapse. We're right in the middle of it."
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The schedule for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics has been officially announced, and fans around the world are already anticipating some thrilling matchups across the four major competition zones. With a rich history of athletic excellence and a passion for winter sports, Milan is set to showcase some of the most exciting events in the world of competitive sports.
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:50 a.m. ESTNone
Indexes ended higher, with a 460-point gain for the Dow. Wall Street cheered Nvidia earnings, raising price targets for the chip maker. Other Big Tech shares struggled, with Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft ending lower. Indexes ended higher on Thursday as traders digested another solid earnings beat from Nvidia . The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped by almost 500 points, and the S&P 500, while the Nasdaq traded nearly flat as several mega-cap tech names struggled throughout the day. Here's where US indexes stood shortly after the 9:30 a.m. opening bell on Thursday: S&P 500 : 5,948.71, up 0.53% Dow Jones Industrial Average : 43,870.35, up 1.06% (+461.88 points) Nasdaq composite : 18,972.42, up 0.03% Nvidia stock whipsawed throughout the day, flipping between losses and gains before ending the day slightly higher, up 0.5% to $146.67 per share. The company reported another solid earnings beat, with revenue exceeding expectations and guidance coming largely in line with estimates. Over 20 firms boosted their Nvidia price targets afterward. JPMorgan upped its price target from $155 to $170, pointing to its strong competitive edge, while Goldman Sachs lifted its target from $150 to $165 on the expectation the company can deliver over $200 billion in revenue next year. "The team continues to maintain a 1- 2 step lead ahead of competitors with its silicon/hardware/software platforms," JPMorgan analysts wrote Thursday, adding, "The team is further distancing itself with its aggressive cadence of new product launches and more product segmentation over time." Meanwhile, tech stocks largely sold off. Google parent Alphabet ended over 4.5% lower as the US Department of Justice called for the company to divest its Chrome business in an anti-trust push. Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft also closed lower. Meanwhile, weekly jobless claims dropped again last week, falling to 213,000, a 6,000 decline from the week before, according to data released Thursday. That number remains near the lowest since April. Continuing claims, or the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, remain high, though. Those claims rose to their highest in three years at 1.91 million last week, a 36,000 increase from the week before. Here's what else is going on: This chart shows how Nvidia's revenue has exploded in recent years. The US is ramping up sanctions by targeting the last major Russian bank not yet blacklisted. Netflix's stock could soar 13% as Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson showcased a "knockout opportunity" in live events, BofA says. Bitcoin rockets toward $100,000 as Trump reportedly considers appointing a "crypto czar." In commodities, bonds, and crypto: Oil futures rose. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 2% to $70.12 a barrel. Brent crude , the international benchmark, also rose 2% to $74.33 a barrel. Gold rose 0.8% to $2,671.90 an ounce. The 10-year Treasury yield was up two basis points to 4.428%. Bitcoin edged toward $100,000, trading up by 4% to $98,161.Title: Syrian Chinese Business Owner Evacuates 4 Guests in Emergency, Local Militants Give Green Light to Chinese People, Warm Assistance Amidst War
MEDIROM Healthcare Technology's Subsidiary, MEDIROM MOTHER Labs, Raises an Aggregate Total of JPY260.3 Million in its Series A Financing RoundIn a shocking turn of events, a promising female singer recently passed away due to complications arising from frequent massages. The tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential risks associated with excessive massage therapy, and highlights the importance of approaching such treatments with caution and responsibility.
Details emerge after police detain man in connection to fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEOChina has recently completed the arrangement of 1 trillion yuan in ultra-long-term special national bonds to support the construction of "dual circulation" and "new development paradigm". This move represents a significant step towards promoting economic growth and achieving sustainable development goals.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in one of the events at Malacañan Palace on September 2, 2024. PHOTO BY YUMMIE DINGDING/ PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated his repeated commitment to transform the military into a “world-class force” as he presided over the joint graduation rites of the officer candidates schools of the armed services. But the Commander in Chief, and even AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., both struggled to pronounce the monikers of the graduating classes that comprised of 609 new second lieutenants and ensigns of the army, air force and navy. At the graduation rites in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday, the President and Brawner stumbled in pronouncing the Philippine Army’s “Katarakian” Class 61-2024, the Philippine Air Force’s “Sigmandigan” Class 2024, and the Philippine Navy’s “Mangisalakan” Class 42-2024. READ: Marcos aims to make PH military a ‘world-class force’ The Inquirer tried, but failed to get an explanation of the meanings of the words, that are likely coined and portmanteaus. In his remarks before the President’s speech, Brawner floundered a bit in pronouncing Mangisalakan and remarked: “I hope I pronounced it right, it’s hard to pronounce.” A few minutes later, it was the Commander in Chief’s turn to falter. “To the Philippine Army class, Katarakian, Philippine Navy class, Mangisalakan—it’s getting more difficult to think of class names because so many already came before you! But you are showing very good imagination with all of this! Air Force class, Sigmandigan, congratulations on your graduation,” Mr. Marcos said with a chuckle. On Friday morning, 609 graduates of officer candidates schools of the three services were sworn in as new second lieutenants and ensigns. Of this figure, 361 came from the Philippine Army, 173 cadets from the Philippine Air Force, and 75 cadets from the Philippine Navy. The three services’ officer candidate schools, operational since the 1930s, was meant to train qualified enlisted personnel and civilians with baccalaureate degrees to be commissioned in the AFP. Before commissioning the new military officers, the President assured them that the government will continue investing in the military’s modernization and in the soldiers themselves. “Let this be your guiding principle as you step forward: In the face of evolving threats and modern warfare, innovation, technical expertise and leadership rooted in service will be your most powerful weapons,” Mr. Marcos said. He vowed that the government is “committed to transforming our AFP into a world-class force that is a source of national pride and national security.” “This transformation begins with investing in our people—in their talents, the specialists, the leaders who will bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. We will modernize your equipment, enhance your training programs, ensure that you are equipped to face challenges not just of today but also of the future,” the Commander in Chief said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Mr. Marcos added: “Because together, we will build an AFP that will stand as a beacon of strength, of alliance, resilience and technological excellence.” INQThe interview revealed Dragon Flame's unwavering belief in the power of perseverance and resilience. "Success is not solely determined by talent or skill but by the ability to endure setbacks, overcome obstacles, and emerge stronger from adversity," Dragon Flame emphasized. "Each defeat serves as a stepping stone towards greater achievements, and I am committed to pushing myself beyond my limits to reach new heights."
The recent controversy surrounding the popular game "Treasure Hunters: Ancient Realm" has sparked heated discussion among players worldwide. The issue at hand? The inability to kill dogs in the game, with players asking: Should dogs that aggressively attack players be exempt from harm too?Conditions in abandoned mine are too dangerous for crew searching for Pennsylvania woman
Dutch Fork beats Summerville for 9th state title in last 12 yearsPeering Into Teledyne Technologies's Recent Short InterestDespite the formidable competition, Ximan believes that Manchester City has what it takes to emerge victorious in the title race. The team's blend of experience, quality, and unwavering determination make them a formidable opponent for any team in the league. Guardiola's tactical acumen, coupled with the individual brilliance of players like Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, gives City a cutting edge that sets them apart from their rivals.