711 bet online casino A pastor in a secretive and extreme Pentecostal church has advocated corporal punishment of children as a way to prevent school shootings and gender dysphoria. The leaked recording of the pastor advocating a “rod of correction” policy emerged as Victoria’s child safety watchdog expressed concern about practices at the Geelong Revival Centre. Liana Buchanan, Victoria’s Commissioner for Children and Young People. Credit: Justin McManus Liana Buchanan, principal commissioner for children and young people, said the experiences and allegations recently revealed by former Geelong Revival Centre members were “extremely concerning”, and described some “unacceptable institutional responses”. “Children deserve to be safe and protected by the organisations they participate in,” Buchanan said. “Our recently tabled annual report notes that some religious organisations continue to struggle with identifying and managing risks to children. That risk is certainly amplified where there is a culture of silence and adults and children are afraid to speak out. “We know that ‘closed institutions’ carry more risks of child abuse than other types of institutions. These institutions need to be aware of these heightened risks and have legal responsibilities to take action to keep children safe, prevent child abuse and respond to allegations of child abuse.” The latest annual report from the Commission for Young People and Children, tabled in state parliament last month, included data indicating a higher proportion of sexual offence allegations in religious bodies than any other sector. Buchanan encouraged people with experience or knowledge of abuse within the centre’s network of churches to contact her agency, which has statutory powers to investigate breaches of child safety laws. After decades of operating with minimal external scrutiny, the GRC and its affiliate churches across Australia are examined in a new investigative podcast, LiSTNR’s Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder , and reports by this masthead. This masthead has obtained a recording of a sermon given by a Tasmanian pastor of a GRC-affiliated church in which members are warned that society did not understand the need to physically punish children to ensure obedience. “As far as the world is concerned, well. They would be very critical of us for preaching and teaching these things,” Tasmanian pastor Neil Griggs says in the recording. “Let’s not go over the top about this word ‘beating’. It just means to smack. It doesn’t mean to be brutal. ‘Thou shalt beat him with the rod or smack him and shalt deliver his soul from hell.’ Well, isn’t that worth doing? Deliver his soul from hell. “If we don’t teach children obedience, it won’t be well with them ... if we don’t correct them and chasten them, and reprove them, and rebuke them when they need it, it will not be well with them.” The leaked sermon from Griggs provides an example of how the church leadership persuades adult members that children without discipline could face disastrous outcomes later in life. “And here we are now, the children. The scourge of social media has twisted them all up. Unrestrained. Unchecked. Spoilt ... everything that their heart could desire had wealth lavished upon them, and they’re not happy,” he said. “And they grow up, and they go and get a gun, and they go into a school and they shoot people. And they’re all upset. No, we’re telling them. Well, you’ve got some problems. Not because you weren’t smacked as a child. Is everybody else’s fault? Maybe. Maybe think about it. Maybe you should be a girl instead of a boy or a boy instead of a girl.” As part of the investigation, former members have revealed alleged cover-ups of child sexual abuse, the violent physical punishment of children, pressure on church members to forgo medical treatment, homophobic and racist teachings and harsh restrictions placed on the freedoms of women and girls. There is no suggestion Neil Griggs has been responsible for any abuse or for failing to report child safety issues. Griggs did not respond to requests for comment. The GRC leadership has also repeatedly declined to answer questions from this masthead. Dozens more former members have come forward since the release of the podcast to detail harrowing accounts of their alleged sexual, physical and emotional abuse while growing up inside a church that controls almost every aspect of its members’ lives. In August, 38-year-old GRC member Todd Hubers van Assenraad pleaded guilty to 16 child sexual abuse charges involving nine children aged under 16. The Age is not suggesting his victims were from families associated with the church. The use of corporal punishment on children is legal in Victoria. However, the use of excessive force is illegal. As is the exposure of children to emotional harm through constant abuse or use of threats to frighten them. Griggs, in his sermon, encouraged mothers, who the church prefers to stay at home rather than work, to question their children about what they were taught at school each day and to remind them what the Bible says. “Find out what happened at school today when they’re amongst all those unsaved people, or with all those perhaps well-meaning, unsaved teachers, with all their worldly ideas ... parents are the ones who say what’s going to happen and when it’s going to happen.” Despite the pastor’s call for moderate physical punishment, more than a dozen former church members have given accounts of their violent childhood beatings with belts, fists and rods. The Geelong Revival Centre. Credit: Simon Schluter A single mother described a male member of the church repeatedly hitting her autistic toddler son, causing what she claimed were life-changing injuries. The woman has sought legal advice over this incident, which allegedly happened a few years ago. A former pastor at a GRC-linked overseas assembly also detailed his knowledge of deafness in one boy growing up in the church due to repeated blows to his head by his father. Former members also claimed the church’s empowerment of men led to domestic violence within households and situations where children were physically punished by adults who were not their parents or guardians. Former church members said the “cult-like” nature of the GRC and the constant “doomsday” predictions had children constantly in fear about the end of their world and the possibility that they and their families could burn in hell if they had fallen out with their pastor. If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (see lifeline.org.au ), Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 (see beyondblue.org.au ) or 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Suchi Semicon inaugurates Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing plant in SuratIn today’s Daily Dose of Social Media , we review the most notable activities and Entertainment from ATP and WTA players. Carlos Alcaraz has taken centre stage in New York, serving as the guest of honour during the New York Knicks' victory, alongside his colleagues Ben Shelton , Jessica Pegula , and Emma Navarro , with whom he will play the Garden Cup exhibition tonight at Madison Square Garden. Meanwhile, players like Naomi Osaka , Katie Boulter , and Alex De Minaur shared updates with their fans about their off-season training, while Dominic Thiem delivered an emotional message to his supporters as he reflected on his remarkable career. Alcarazshares spotlight with Knicks in New York City CarlosAlcaraz enjoyed the latest New York Knicks game alongside the stars of theGarden Cup. The 4-time Grand Slam champion is set to play an exhibition matchtonight at Madison Square Garden and took part in promotional activities,attending the Knicks' win over the Orlando Magic, which secured the team a spotin the playoffs. TheSpaniard joined local tennis stars Ben Shelton, Jessica Pegula, and EmmaNavarro ahead of Wednesday's exhibition. After the game, Alcaraz handed outtennis balls to the Madison Square crowd and, like his colleagues, received aKnicks jersey featuring the number 24. World No. 7 Pegula shared photos of theevening, showcasing the tennis stars as VIP guests in New York. “Night 2 at@TheGarden getting ready for night 3 tomorrow @tennisnightout @nyknicks,” sheposted on X. Una publicación compartida de Ben Shelton (@benshelton) Una publicación compartida de NBA Latam (@nbalatam) Night 2 at @TheGarden getting ready for night 3 tomorrow @tennisnightout @nyknicks pic.twitter.com/YGikI7eR6z DominicThiem’s hearfelt goodbye: “There are no highs without lows” DominicThiem shared a heartfelt reflection on his career just weeks before hisretirement. The former US Open champion, now 31, ended his career afterbattling injuries for several years. Thiem bid farewell to his fans at hisfinal tournament, the ATP Vienna Open, where he received a wildcard to make onelast appearance in front of his home crowd. In a yearmarked by the retirement of several prominent players, including Rafael Nadal,Andy Murray, and Angelique Kerber, Thiem held a special place in the hearts offans who celebrated the former World No. 3’s journey. “They gave me so muchjoy, so many kind messages, and so much energy over the years; but also a lotof cheers after tough losses and matches. The journey with all the fans wasincredible,” he shared in an ATP video on social media. “Tennis isso connected to life because there are so many amazing weeks and incrediblemoments, but also tough, long, and sad weeks and days. There are no highswithout lows, and it’s the same the other way around,” he added. “I’veexperienced these things from a very young age, and I believe they’ve helped mein life overall.” Una publicación compartida de ATP Tour (@atptour) Osaka attends film event while gearing up for a big 2025 Naomi Osakais enjoying her off-season while balancing training with attending events, thistime for the film Julie Keeps Quiet , of which Osaka is one of theproducers. The drama, directed by Leonardo Van Dijl, tells the story of Julie,a young tennis prodigy who faces a moral dilemma when her coach becomesinvolved in the suicide of a former prodigy. A fewmonths ago, Film Movement, whose executive producer is the 4-time Grand Slamchampion, acquired the rights to the Belgian film following its debut atCannes. Osaka took advantage of her time in L.A. to attend the promotionalevent for the movie, wearing a striking pink outfit. However,the Japanese star remains focused on tennis as her top priority, evidenced byher consistent training during the off-season as she prepares for a promising2025. Osaka, currently ranked World No. 58, will start her season at the ASBClassic in Auckland, beginning on 29 December. She is then set to head toMelbourne to prepare for the Australian Open, a tournament she has won twice,in 2019 and 2021. Una publicación compartida de 大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) Naomi Osaka training the Los Angeles Tennis Center at #UCLA with her team. pic.twitter.com/qdSFIqpoMq "Turnup for Team GB": Boulter excited to kick off 2025 in United Cup KatieBoulter is looking forward to her participation in the 2025 United Cup , whereshe will form an intriguing partnership with Jack Draper . The World No. 24 iscoming off the best season of her career, winning two titles and leading GreatBritain to the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup a few weeks ago, thoughthey ultimately lost to a surprising Slovakia team. “I takerepresenting my country very seriously. It’s a great way to start the year;you’ve got the team behind you,” the Brit No. 1 said. “I’ve got a lot to lookforward to. I’m really excited for it because I have some great memoriesalready, so yeah, looking forward to that,” Boulter added. “Turn up for TeamGB,” she concluded. Una publicación compartida de United Cup (@unitedcuptennis) Alex DeMinaur gears up for 2025 season with intense training in Monaco Alex DeMinaur shared videos of his training sessions in Monaco as he prepares for hisUnited Cup debut. The Australian had a remarkable year, reaching the top 10 forthe first time and ending the season as World No. 9. He aims to take an evenbigger leap at the start of the new season, capitalising on home-courtadvantage in the early tournaments and his home Grand Slam, the AustralianOpen. The25-year-old was seen in a training session that included running on anathletics track, side-to-side drills on a tennis court, and, of course,baseline stroke exercises with his racket. “Work work work ,” De Minaur posted. He alsoreceived a playful response from his Spanish colleague, former World No. 21Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who replied in Spanish: ""I was waiting for you at the finish line...". Una publicación compartida de Alex De Minaur (@alexdeminaur) Holger Runecelebrates Nordic Battle victory Holger Rune expressed his gratitude to the Danish crowd following his victory in the NordicBattle exhibition against Casper Ruud . The event consisted of a two-legexhibition series to determine the champion. The first match took place inNorway, with Ruud emerging victorious. Two days later, they played in Denmark,where the 21-year-old triumphed 6-4, 6-2. In the decisive tiebreak, Runeclinched the victory 10-6, crowning himself the winner of the 2024 NordicBattle in front of nearly 17,000 spectators in Copenhagen. “It was avery special evening for me yesterday,” he wrote on social media, “To feel thelove and support from Denmark was amazing thank you for taking the challengeCasper . It was a pleasure having you in my country #NordicBattle” Una publicación compartida de Holger Vitus Nødskov Rune (@holgerrune) This article first appeared on TennisUpToDate.com and was syndicated with permission.

Unlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, Danielle Griffin had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology worker from New Mexico had a prescription. Her pharmacy had the drugs in stock. And her health insurance covered all but $25 to $50 of the monthly cost. For Griffin, the hardest part of using the new drugs wasn’t access. It was finding out that the much-hyped medications didn’t really work for her. “I have been on Wegovy for a year and a half and have only lost 13 pounds,” said Griffin, who watches her diet, drinks plenty of water and exercises regularly. “I’ve done everything right with no success. It’s discouraging.” In clinical trials, most participants taking Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat obesity lost an average of 15% to 22% of their body weight — up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. But roughly 10% to 15% of patients in those trials were “nonresponders” who lost less than 5% of their body weight. Now that millions of people have used the drugs, several obesity experts told The Associated Press that perhaps 20% of patients — as many as 1 in 5 — may not respond well to the medications. It's a little-known consequence of the obesity drug boom, according to doctors who caution eager patients not to expect one-size-fits-all results. “It's all about explaining that different people have different responses,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital The drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic a hormone in the body known as glucagon-like peptide 1. Genetics, hormones and variability in how the brain regulates energy can all influence weight — and a person's response to the drugs, Stanford said. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea can prevent weight loss, as can certain common medications, such as antidepressants, steroids and contraceptives. “This is a disease that stems from the brain,” said Stanford. “The dysfunction may not be the same” from patient to patient. Despite such cautions, patients are often upset when they start getting the weekly injections but the numbers on the scale barely budge. “It can be devastating,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of the obesity treatment company FlyteHealth. “With such high expectations, there’s so much room for disappointment.” That was the case for Griffin, who has battled obesity since childhood and hoped to shed 70 pounds using Wegovy. The drug helped reduce her appetite and lowered her risk of diabetes, but she saw little change in weight. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “You want it to work like it does for everybody else.” The medications are typically prescribed along with eating behavior and lifestyle changes. It’s usually clear within weeks whether someone will respond to the drugs, said Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Weight loss typically begins right away and continues as the dosage increases. For some patients, that just doesn't happen. For others, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea force them to halt the medications, Dushay said. In such situations, patients who were counting on the new drugs to pare pounds may think they’re out of options. “I tell them: It's not game over,” Dushay said. Trying a different version of the new class of drugs may help. Griffin, who didn't respond well to Wegovy, has started using Zepbound, which targets an additional hormone pathway in the body. After three months of using the drug, she has lost 7 pounds. “I'm hoping it's slow and steady,” she said. Other people respond well to older drugs, the experts said. Changing diet, exercise, sleep and stress habits can also have profound effects. Figuring out what works typically requires a doctor trained to treat obesity, Saunders noted. “Obesity is such a complex disease that really needs to be treated very comprehensively,” she said. “If what we’re prescribing doesn’t work, we always have a backup plan.” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.S&P/TSX composite index slightly up Wednesday, U.S. stock markets also riseArguably the biggest underdog story in MLS Cup playoff history, the New York Red Bulls can claim their first league trophy when they travel to Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday to face the Los Angeles Galaxy . Last Saturday, the Galaxy punched their ticket into the showcase event with a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders, while the Red Bulls continued their magical run, defeating Orlando City by that same score. For the first time in a decade, the Galaxy will play for the MLS Cup, with the most decorated club in league history regarding domestic trophies seeking to lift this one for a sixth time. Saturday will mark the 10th time they reach the cup final in their 29-year history, with LA winning all three of their previous matches at this stage in Carson. For a few years, Greg Vanney has been looking to find the right approach to get this team going, and their short passes out of the back this season have worked wonders, as they boast the fourth-highest pass competition rate in the defensive third (85.9%). It has been a historic playoff run for this edition of the Galaxy offensively, netting 16 goals in four games, one fewer than the post-season record set by a Greg Vanney-led Toronto side in 2016. No team in the regular season created as many quality scoring opportunities as the Galaxy, who led the league with 57.5 non-penalty expected goals, according to FBref's data. They have outscored their three playoff opponents this season at Dignity Health Sports Park by a combined margin of 12-2, claiming 16 triumphs at that venue this year across all competitions. During the regular season, they went unbeaten against Eastern Conference opposition at home, winning two of those three contests while conceding just one goal (1-1 draw versus Inter Miami). Having only claimed one victory in their final 11 matches across all competitions, virtually everyone had written the New York Red Bulls off before the post-season began. Miraculously, they have defied all the odds, sweeping their opening round series against the reigning MLS Cup champions, the Columbus Crew, before eliminating their arch-rivals, New York City FC and Orlando City. With their victory last weekend, they became the lowest-seeded team ever to reach the MLS Cup final (seventh), with Sandro Schwarz becoming the 12th head coach in league history to make the final in his first season at the helm. All year, the Red Bulls have been happy to let the opposition have the ball, averaging just 44.5% possession during the regular season and fewer than 40% in each of their playoff fixtures. When they win possession, it has usually been in advantageous positions, while they have made the most of those opportunities, scoring on two of their three targeted efforts in the Eastern Conference semi-finals versus NYCFC and netting on their only shot on goal last Saturday. The Red Bulls love to pass the ball forward as much as possible, ranking fifth in the regular season for average vertical passing distance (7.23 yards), relying on their attacking players to pressure opposing backlines, all of which has enabled them to get to within a game of their first MLS Cup. New York have won two of their last three meetings versus the Galaxy and claimed points in two of their last three visits to Dignity Health Sports Park. However, their only previous MLS Cup final appearance, which took place in Carson, saw them suffer a 3-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew in 2008 when that venue was known as the Home Depot Center. The Galaxy victory last weekend came at a huge cost, with the MLS regular-season leader for touches and their leader in assists, Riqui Puig , suffering a torn ACL and being ruled out of this match. Meanwhile, Marco Reus will be questionable after being taken off at the half of their Western Conference final due to a knock, while Martin Caceres will not be available because of an Achilles injury. Dejan Joveljic scored five minutes from the end to see off the Sounders, with John McCarthy making four stops to collect his second clean sheet of the 2024 playoffs. For the Red Bulls, Felipe Carballo will be a question mark after missing the previous encounter due to a foot issue, while Roald Mitchell and Kyle Duncan are out because of knee injuries. In Carballo's absence last week, Schwarz inserted Peter Stroud into the lineup, the only change to their starting 11 against Orlando City. Andres Reyes scored two minutes into the second half of their previous encounter, with Carlos Coronel collecting another clean sheet, saving 3.7 goals above expected in four playoff contests this year, with just two goals conceded in the post-season. Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup: McCarthy; Yamane, Garces, Yoshida, Nelson; Delgado, Cerrillo, Fagundez; Pec, Joveljic, Paintsil New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup: Coronel; D. Nealis, Reyes, S. Nealis; Harper, Edelman, Stroud, Tolkin; Forsberg; Vanzeir, Morgan Even without Puig, the Galaxy will be heavy favourites for this clash, though we expect they will be left frustrated against a side with tremendous resolve who are more than comfortable hanging back. The Red Bulls are peaking at the right time, and their outstanding goalkeeping should keep them alive on Saturday, while they have been clinical when needed in the playoffs, which is why we project them to pull off what could go down as the biggest upset in the history of the MLS Cup finals. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here .

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — This was not the homecoming scenario Kirk Cousins would have scripted. Cousins' return to Minnesota, his NFL home from 2018 through 2023, on Sunday comes as he is hearing speculation about his job security in Atlanta. Cousins has thrown six interceptions with no touchdowns in the Falcons' three-game losing streak. That includes four picks in last week's 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, his most in a decade. “It’s kind of the challenge always in pro football to be able to get back up off the mat and get back going,” Cousins said after Wednesday's practice. A vote of confidence from coach Raheem Morris can't silence suggestions that it's time to give rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. a chance to jump-start the Falcons' struggling offense. Morris said Sunday he didn't consider removing Cousins from the game, and he repeated his support for the veteran on Wednesday. “Got to go to Minnesota and get a big-time win and Kirk’s ready to go,” Morris said before acknowledging Cousins must bounce back from “obviously a tough game.” “You know, realistically, man he is built for this and he’s ready to go,” Morris said. The losing streak has left the Falcons (6-6) struggling to remain on top of the weak NFC South. They hold the tiebreaker advantage with Tampa Bay (6-6), but need Cousins to end his turnover streak. Cousins, 36, was expected to be the reliable leader on offense after he signed a four-year, $180 million contract. He will be in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. He said he expects a loud reception from Minnesota's fans. “They’re great fans, great football fans,” Cousins said. “As a result I think they’ll make it as hostile as they can for us.” Cousins ranks fifth in the league with 3,052 passing yards. He has 17 touchdown passes and his 13 interceptions are only one shy of his career high. Cousins insists he feels strong in his return from last season's torn Achilles tendon. He was critical of his mental mistakes in the loss to the Chargers. He said he rushed some passes, sometimes lacking the necessary velocity on his throws and giving defensive backs the opportunity to step in front of receivers for interceptions. Atlanta offensive coordinator Zac Robinson also said Cousins' lack of velocity on his throws “just goes back to, you know, decisiveness, being decisive when you do cut it loose. Certainly those things happen with quarterbacks. There might be times where, you know, you’re not as convicted on a throw. And it shows by the way the football comes out.” Morris said he still has confidence in Cousins' arm and the mental side to his game. “He’s done a great job with us, and I have no real qualms about him bouncing back and him being able to play the game the way it needs to be done,” Morris said. “He’s still an elite processor. He has the ability to make all the throws. He’s shown that throughout the year.” Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores also said he expects Cousins will shake out of his slump. “I know the narrative is he had a tough game last week, but he’s played some good football," Flores said. "I think the people in this building know what Kirk can do. He’s a very, very good quarterback.” Added Flores: “He’s a bounce-back type of guy, as we all know. I’m expecting his best, the best version of Kirk, the best version of that offense. It’s going to be a major challenge for us.” Atlanta's offensive production has dipped while the veteran quarterback’s turnovers have been on the rise. The Falcons were held to under 20 points in each of their three straight losses. “Have to just believe that tough times don’t last, tough people do,” Cousins said. “You have to keep pushing.” AP Pro Football Writer Dave Campbell contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflMonstrous ‘crab-like’ robot plays table tennis against Olympic medalist with accuracy

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