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The blanket assertion that there is ‘no safe level’ of alcohol for everyone is misleading

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

Henry Ashworth, CEO and president, International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD)Every day, adults around the world make numerous decisions that involve assessing and managing risk. Whether it’s deciding what to eat, playing a sport, sunbathing, or driving a car, we constantly balance what we want to do against the possible consequences. These everyday choices rely on our judgment, and are often informed by advice, guidance and our past experiences.While it is crucial to respect and support those who choose not to drink alcohol, whether for cultural or personal reasons, for many adults in many cultures, enjoying a beer, spirits, or wine in moderation is an important part of their social lives. Recently, some have made sweeping statements claiming that there is ‘no safe level’ of alcohol consumption. Claiming that any level of drinking for anyone, however low, is harmful defies common sense for the billions of adults who choose to drink beer, wine and spirits in moderati...

State investigating after health care company, Compass Medical, suddenly closes local practices

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

A sudden shutdown left patients in the dark Wednesday as local healthcare company Compass Medical confirmed an “imminent plan” to close its practices.As patients eyed next steps, state officials said they are investigating what went wrong. Compass, with locations in Quincy, Braintree, East Bridgewater, Easton, Middleborough and Taunton, shared a message on its website saying “After a steady stream of challenges, we were ultimately forced to make the devastating decision to close all offices of Compass Medical PC. effective immediately.”  “There is no good way to share this news,” Compass said. “We are heartbroken and truly sorry as we know the unprecedented impact on our valued patients.”The statement came after many patients previously learned the news from their providers as they arrived at their appointments on Wednesday.“I’m devastated,” one person said. “I don’t know what to do.” “That was quite a shock,” said patient Donn...

Terrence Shannon Jr. and Coleman Hawkins will return to Illinois for 1 more year as players make NBA draft decisions at the deadline

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

Illinois got a big boost Wednesday night when All-Big Ten guard Terrence Shannon Jr. announced on social media that he will return to Champaign for a fifth college season in 2023-24.Illini forward Coleman Hawkins also is withdrawing from the NBA draft and staying in school, according to reports, while Northwestern guard Chase Audige reportedly will remain in the draft.The 6-foot-6 Shannon, who went to Lincoln Park High School, averaged 17.2 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Illini last season after transferring from Texas Tech.“Excited to be back in Littyville and play for the best fans in the country,” Shannon tweeted. “Let’s do this!!”The 6-10 Hawkins averaged 9.9 points last season and led the Illini in rebounds (6.3) and assists (3.0).Wednesday was the NCAA’s deadline for players who declared as early entrants to the NBA draft to withdraw and retain their college eligibility. Purdue center Zach Edey, the AP player of the year, and guard Tristen ...

Defensive miscues sink Red Sox again as Reds rally for 5-4 win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

Asked for his thoughts on the club’s defensive play so far prior to Wednesday’s game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t mince words.“We’re not a good defensive team, we’re 29th in the league,” Cora said. “We have a pitching staff that doesn’t have swing and miss stuff, when we get to two strikes and we induce to weak contact, we’ve got to make the plays. We’re really good when we’re making plays, when we’re not we struggle.”Hours after Cora’s blunt assessment, the Red Sox made their manager look prophetic in the worst possible way.Thanks in part to a Rafael Devers throwing error to lead off the seventh, the Cincinnati Reds rallied for three runs in the inning to come from behind and beat the Red Sox 5-4. It was Boston’s third straight loss and ensured a series defeat to a Reds club that came to Boston five games under .500.Devers’ error came on a routine grounder right down the third...

Monty Williams reaches historic long-term deal with Pistons to become team’s head coach: reports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

The Detroit Pistons have reached a long-term deal with Monty Williams for him to become the team’s newest head coach, according to reports.The contract will keep Williams in Detroit for six years and is worth $78.5 million dollars, the largest coaching deal in NBA history, according to the ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.Williams is set to replace Dwane Casey, who stepped down as the team’s head coach and moved into a front-office role in April. Casey posted a 121-263 record coaching the Pistons over five seasons.Williams joins the Pistons after four seasons with the Phoenix Suns. Had had a 194-115 record with the Suns and reached the NBA Finals in 2021. Williams and the Suns lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 in six games after winning the first two games of the series. He won the Coach of the Year award in 2022 and has been the NBA’s winningest coach since 2021.Williams now leads a young core in Detroit that will have another piece after the Pistons select a roo...

Algae bloom prompts water contact advisory at Lower Otay Reservoir

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – An algae bloom prompted city officials to post caution signs at its Lower Otay Reservoir, according to San Diego officials.The City of San Diego advises the public to not expose their skin to the water while the cautionary alert is in effect.However, the algae bloom does not impact the safety or quality of the City's drinking water, officials said. The water is treated using several processes prior to being delivered to homes and businesses, according to the City. Free summer park concerts to attend in San Diego area Local biologists found out the water at Lower Otay Reservoir tested positive for Cyanobacteria, also known as "blue-green algae.""Further testing by City biologists determined that the Cyanobacteria algae bloom is producing Microcystin toxin, which can be harmful to humans and animals if their skin is exposed to the water or they ingest untreated water," the City said. "Levels are at the cautionary stage and the City is taking voluntary measures to ensure ...

Stock market today: Asian shares mostly rise after House approves debt ceiling deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Asian benchmarks were mostly higher Thursday after the United States House of Representatives approved a debt ceiling and budget cuts package, avoiding a default crisis. But the enthusiasm was muted by worries about the Chinese economy after disappointing recent data on a recovery in the world’s second largest economy, and a key driver of regional growth. “Following recent disappointing economic data from China, the real economy levered stocks are likely to underperform. If economic data from China continues to miss expectations, more participants could start to forecast a lower China GDP for the quarters ahead,” Anderson Alves at ActivTrades said.Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.3% in morning trading to 30,976.43. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.3% to 7,109.40. South Korea’s Kospi quickly lost early gains to dip 0.4% to 2,567.86. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 0.8% to 18,381.63, while the Shanghai Composite added 0.4% to ...

China accuses US of interfering in training exercise before aerial confrontation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China’s Defense Ministry accused the U.S. of “interference and surveillance” of a naval exercise in the South China Sea ahead of an incident in which a Chinese fighter pilot flew at high speed in front of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance plane, underscoring the rupture in contacts between their militaries. A statement issued late Wednesday by the Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command said it had “organized air forces to track and monitor the whole process, dealt with it according to laws and regulations, and operated professionally.” The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the pilot of a Chinese J-16 fighter had “performed an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver” while intercepting a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft on May 26, flying directly in front of the plane’s nose. “The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law,” the U.S. side said. “We expect all countries in the ...

Pistons reach agreement to hire former Suns coach Monty Williams, AP sources say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons made a bold move in their latest attempt to become relevant in the NBA again.Detroit reached an agreement to hire former Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams, according to two people familiar with the situation.One of the people, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced, told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that Williams agreed to a six-year contract.Phoenix fired Williams two-plus weeks ago, two years after reaching the NBA Finals and a year after he won the league’s coach of the year honors.The 51-year-old Williams won 63% of his games over four regular seasons with the Suns, but they were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals two years in a row after losing to Milwaukee in the 2021 NBA Finals.The Pistons would be thrilled to approach that level of success anytime soon under Williams.Detroit won an NBA-low 17 games last season, losing 30% or fewer games for the fourth straight season und...

Coast Guard suspends search for man who fell from cruise ship off Florida coast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA/WAVY) — The Coast Guard suspended the search for a man who fell from a cruise ship off Florida's coast.Officials said 35-year-old Ronnie Peale Jr. fell off the Carnival Magic ship on Monday. Security footage on the ship shows Peale “leaned over the railing of his stateroom balcony and dropped into the water” around 4 a.m., according to a Coast Guard statement.The Coast Guard said it searched more than 5,171 square miles and 60 hours. Man who fell overboard Carnival Magic has ‘zest for life’ “The decision to suspend the active search efforts pending further development is never one we take lightly. We offer our most sincere condolences to Mr. Peale’s family and friends,” said Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hooper, Coast Guard District Seven search and rescue mission coordinator. The cruise was returning to Norfolk, Virginia from the Bahamas when Peale fell overboard. He had been on the trip with his partner and her family. Monday morning, when Peale's mother hadn't heard f...