super ace 2 Best Buy Co. Inc. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms marketEPL: He’s doing very well – Maresca hails Chelsea star after Leicester win

Juan Soto contract breakdown: Details of Mets' $765M deal, including opt-out clause, incentives and more

CINCINNATI , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The E.W. Scripps Company SSP has promoted Matthew Hijuelos to vice president of distribution, effective Jan. 1 . He will oversee the team responsible for managing distribution across numerous Scripps platforms – including cable, satellite and virtual carriers as well as multicast spectrum. Hijuelos currently serves as senior director of media distribution for Scripps and is responsible for the strategy, development and execution of multiplatform distribution and monetization partnerships across Scripps' national networks, local TV stations, sports and original programming. In this role, he has led Scripps' streaming distribution efforts and has helped grow the company's annual connected TV advertising revenue. "Matt is a respected media and business leader with a track record for successfully managing complex distribution negotiations," said Jason Combs , Scripps chief financial officer. "His experience, extensive industry relationships and understanding of our business make him the right person to lead our distribution team." Hijuelos has been with Scripps since 2021. He joined the company as part of its acquisition of ION, where he served as vice president of business distribution, leading OTT strategy, partnerships, technology, monetization and analytics for the ION networks. He previously spent nearly 20 years with Akamai Technologies, the cloud computing company, where he held several leadership positions focused on business development. Hijuelos began his career as a business analyst at JP Morgan and also worked as a management consultant for KPMG. He has a bachelor's of business administration degree from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Hijuelos, based in New York , replaces Robin Davis , who is retiring from Scripps at the end of the year. Media contact: Becca McCarter , (513) 410-2425, rebecca.mccarter@scripps.com About Scripps The E.W. Scripps Company SSP is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation's largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV and popular entertainment brands ION, ION Plus, ION Mystery, Bounce, Grit and Laff. Scripps is the nation's largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee . Founded in 1878, Scripps' long-time motto is: "Give light and the people will find their own way." Scripps in the news Scripps press releases View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scripps-taps-matthew-hijuelos-to-lead-distribution-strategy-302322978.html SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.FACT FOCUS: Vermont ruling does not say schools can vaccinate children without parental consentAgilent Technologies Inc. stock rises Friday, outperforms marketHow major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 12/4/2024

42 TikTok-Famous Products So Useful, They’ll Have You Saying “Sorry For Misjudging You, Clock App”NEW YORK (AP) — Remember what you searched for in 2024? Google does. Google released its annual “Year in Search” on Tuesday, rounding up the top trending queries entered into its namesake search engine in 2024. The results show terms that saw the highest spike in traffic compared to last year — ranging from key news events, notably global elections , to the most popular songs, athletes and unforgettable pop-culture moments that people looked up worldwide. Sports — particularly soccer and cricket — dominated Google's overall trending searches in 2024. Copa América topped those search trends globally, followed by the UEFA European Championship and ICC Men's T20 World Cup . Meanwhile, the U.S. election led news-specific searches worldwide. Queries about excessive heat and this year's Olympic Games followed. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump topped searches in Google's people category this year — followed by Catherine, Princess of Wales , U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif , who also led athlete-specific searches. Meanwhile, the late Liam Payne , Toby Keith and O.J. Simpson led search trends among notable individuals who died in 2024. In the world of entertainment, Disney and Pixar's “Inside Out 2” was the top trending movie of the year, while Netflix's “Baby Reindeer” led TV show trends. And Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” dominated song trends. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Queries for the Olympic village's chocolate muffin , made famous by Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen over the summer games, led Google's global recipe trends this year. The New York Times' “Connections” puzzle topped game searches. And in the U.S., country-specific data shows, many people asked Google about online trends like the word “demure” and “ mob wife aesthetic .” You can find more country-specific lists, and trends from years past , through Google’s “Year in Search” data published online . The California company said it collected 2024 search results from Jan. 1 through Nov. 23 of this year. Google isn't the only one to publish an annual recap or top trends as 2024 draws to a close. Spotify Wrapped , for example, as well as Collins Dictionary and Merriam-Webster’s words of the year, have offered additional reflections for 2024.No, Mexico did not pledge to stop migrant caravans after Trump tariff threat | Fact check

The Latest: UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect contests his extradition back to New York

(The Center Square) – Legislators in Washington, D.C., have taken a number of steps over the past few days to push for insurance and pharmaceutical reforms to be passed before the end of the year. On Wednesday, a bicameral group of Republican and Democrat lawmakers held a press conference discussing the need for pharmacy benefit manager reform to protect small pharmacies across the country and “save lives.” “Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or an independent, we all want the same thing. We want accessible, affordable, quality health care,” said Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga. “We’re not here today to just discuss one bill or to discuss just one patient’s story. We're here because there's broad, bipartisan pharmacy benefit manager, or PBM, reform that is needed to save lives.” Pharmacy benefit managers are the middlemen responsible for managing the drug prices covered by health insurance plans. According to the Harvard Political Review , the problem with pharmacy benefit managers is that they “have vertically integrated with pharmacy chains and health insurers through massive conglomerates.” That then allows them to abuse their power to cut out small pharmacies and increase prices. Carter also signed a letter that was released last week calling on the Department of Justice to dig into the role pharmacy benefit managers played in the opioid epidemic. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., Deborah Ross, D-N.C., and Cliff Benz, R-Ore., all joined him in signing that letter. “The opioid crisis has devastated communities in North Carolina and across the country, and PBMs may have fueled it by prioritizing profits over people,” Ross said on social media . “That’s why I joined a letter calling on the DOJ to investigate their role and hold these bad actors accountable.” The letter looked at recent reports on the largest pharmacy benefit managers, CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx which state that they “colluded and conspired to steer patients towards OxyContin in exchange for $400 million.” OxyContin is a trade name for the narcotic oxycodone hydrochloride, a painkiller available by prescription only. This and the general “lack of transparency” is just one of the many complaints that legislators aired on Wednesday. “My colleagues who are joining me today, Democrats and Republicans ... all recognize that PBMs are decreasing the accessibility, the affordability, and therefore the quality of health care in America,” Carter said. “We have an opportunity, right now, to advance bipartisan legislation that increases reporting requirements, which would heighten transparency and shine a light on the opaque practices of these PBMs.” Carter was also joined by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who is leading the effort to get legislation passed in the U.S. Senate. “This year, we're losing about one pharmacy a day in America,” Lankford said. “We want leadership to be able to take this up and to bring it up in the end-of-year package ... Stop holding up legislation that is bipartisan, bicameral, and solving a problem that Americans need solved.”

Kelly Loeffler, a former US Senator from Georgia and prominent business executive, has garnered significant attention for her wealth, political career, and involvement in a high-profile insider trading scandal. Here's an in-depth look at her age, net worth, family, and controversies. Born in Bloomington, Illinois, on November 27, 1970, Kelly Loeffler is 54 years old. She graduated with a degree in marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1992 and later earned an MBA from DePaul University. Her early career saw her work with several financial firms, eventually leading to her rise in the corporate world. Loeffler's net worth is estimated to be approximately $1 billion , making her one of the wealthiest individuals in American politics. Her substantial fortune stems from her association with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), a financial services company founded by her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher. She joined ICE in 2002, rising to become head of marketing and communications. Loeffler received a reported $9 million payout upon leaving the company to join the US Senate, according to reports from Celebrity Net Worth . Loeffler and Sprecher reside in a 15,000-square-foot Atlanta mansion worth $10.5 million, the most expensive residential purchase in the city's history at the time. The couple also owns properties in Florida, Chicago, and Georgia. READ MORE: Quick Facts About Matt Gaetz: Is He A Lawyer, Net Worth, Wife, And Scandal With A Minor Kelly Loeffler married Jeffrey Sprecher in 2004. Sprecher, a businessman and billionaire, is the CEO of ICE, which owns the New York Stock Exchange. The couple has been a powerful force in the financial and political spheres, with Sprecher's role often complementing Loeffler's political ambitions. According to Times Now News , the duo met while Loeffler was working at ICE, and their partnership has been central to their financial and professional success. Loeffler was appointed to the US Senate in December 2019 by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, following Senator Johnny Isakson's resignation due to health issues. During her tenure, Loeffler positioned herself as a staunch ally of Donald Trump. She faced a challenging election in 2020, losing to Democratic candidate Raphael Warnock in a runoff. Notably, Loeffler pledged loyalty to Trump's efforts to contest the 2020 presidential election results but withdrew her objections following the January 6 Capitol attack, calling the violence "abhorrent," according to CNN . Despite her short tenure in the Senate, she played a prominent role in conservative politics and was considered a loyal supporter of Trump's agenda. Read More: Is Matt Gaetz Still Under Investigation? What To Know About His Sex Trafficking Scandal Loeffler's political career was marred by allegations of insider trading. Reports from Vox revealed that Loeffler and her husband sold approximately $20 million worth of stocks in early 2020 after receiving Senate briefings on the economic impact of COVID-19. These sales reportedly occurred before the stock market experienced significant downturns due to the pandemic. Although Loeffler denied any wrongdoing, the controversy raised questions about her integrity and use of privileged information for personal financial gain. The scandal became a focal point of her reelection campaign, damaging her reputation among voters. In addition to her political and financial pursuits, Loeffler co-owned the WNBA team Atlanta Dream . Her ownership faced backlash in 2020 when she criticised the league's support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Many players called for her removal, leading to public scrutiny over her stance on social justice issues. In November 2024, reports from CNN indicated that President-elect Donald Trump is considering Loeffler for the position of Secretary of Agriculture. Her ties to Trump's campaign and her fundraising efforts have solidified her position as a key ally in his circle. However, as with all Cabinet appointments, nothing is final until formally announced. Kelly Loeffler's journey from a financial executive to a US Senator and a potential Cabinet member illustrates a career marked by ambition, controversy, and influence. While her wealth and business acumen have made her a significant figure in politics, allegations of insider trading and her stance on social justice issues have sparked widespread debate about her legacy.In a move to enhance financial inclusion and revolutionise the digital payment landscape in Nigeria, the United Bank for Africa, on behalf of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, alongside several other banks and financial institutions, has successfully hosted the inaugural Annual General Meeting of the NQR Industry Committee. In a statement, the lender said the collaboration aimed to provide a seamless, secure, and efficient payment solution for Nigerians, reinforcing the nation’s push towards a more inclusive and digital economy. According to the statement, the NQR (Quick Response) payment solution, a cutting-edge innovation, is designed to simplify the payment process for consumers and businesses alike, offering a secure and user-friendly experience. “Additionally, it allows consumers to make transactions by scanning QR codes directly from their bank mobile applications, catering to a wide array of use cases such as retail payments, transportation, utility bills, and small business operations. This move is set to expand access to digital payments, especially for underserved communities, while ensuring convenience and reducing transaction costs for merchants,” it added. Related News High interest rates can pressure banks’ asset quality – Analysts Banks, others raised N2.7tn from capital market in 11 months — SEC CBN warns banks against cash hoarding, diversion The Group Head of Retail and Digital Banking at UBA, Shamsideen Fashola, emphasised the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving payment solutions that meet the evolving needs of Nigerian consumers, noting that UBA’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge payment technologies will enable Nigerians to embrace a digital-first economy. The bank added that besides improving accessibility, the NQR payment solution also offered merchants instant value for transactions, enhancing cash flow and operational efficiency. It stated that it is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises, which now have access to affordable, secure, and scalable digital payment solutions. It noted that as part of the broader agenda to promote financial inclusion, the NIBSS Quick Response payment platform is expected to play a role in Nigeria’s evolving digital payments ecosystem.

Mister Car Wash's general counsel sells $4,360 in stockOpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed confidence Wednesday that Elon Musk would not use his proximity to Donald Trump to harm business rivals, calling such actions "profoundly un-American." Speaking at the New York Times DealBook conference, Altman addressed concerns about Musk's announced role heading a new Department of Government Efficiency in the incoming Donald Trump administration, and whether he might use it to favor his own companies. "I may turn out to be wrong, but I believe pretty strongly that Elon will do the right thing," Altman said. "It would be profoundly un-American to use political power to hurt your competitors and advantage your own businesses." Even if there are "lots of things not to like about him... it would go so deeply against the values I believe he holds very dear to himself that I'm not that worried about it." Musk, an OpenAI co-founder who later departed the company, is currently suing Altman's firm and Microsoft, claiming they shifted from the project's original nonprofit mission. He has since launched xAI, reportedly valued at $50 billion, making it one of the world's most valuable startups. Altman said that the court battle was "tremendously sad" and that he once saw Musk as "a mega hero." Musk became a close ally of Trump during his campaign, spending over $100 million to boost his presidential bid and joining him at rallies. Since the election victory, he has been a frequent presence in the Trump transition and was reportedly on the line when Google CEO Sundar Pichai called the president-elect to congratulate him on winning the election. The tycoon's businesses have deep connections with governments -- both in the United States and elsewhere -- and his new position has raised concerns about conflict of interest. During the interview, Altman also lowered expectations for the importance of OpenAI's models achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), a benchmark of human-level intelligence the company has long set as the goal for its technology. "My guess is we will hit AGI sooner than most people in the world think, and it will matter much less," he said. "A lot of the safety concerns that we and others expressed actually don't come at the AGI moment... AGI can get built. The world goes on mostly the same way," he said.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has rubbished suggestions of a rift with Kevin De Bruyne, insisting he is “desperate” to have the playmaker back at his best. A number of prominent pundits, including former City defender and club ambassador Micah Richards, have questioned why the Belgium international has not been starting games amid the champions’ dramatic slump. City have not won in seven outings in all competitions – their worst run since 2008 – with De Bruyne featuring only as a substitute in the last five of those matches after recovering from a pelvic injury. The latest came with a 12-minute run-out in Sunday’s demoralising 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool, a result which left City 11 points off the pace and fifth in the table. Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast it appeared “there’s some sort of rift going on” between De Bruyne and Guardiola while former England striker Gary Lineker added: “It seems like all’s not well.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said he felt “something isn’t right” and fellow Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville, the ex-Manchester United right-back, described the situation as “unusual, bizarre, strange”. Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview his side’s clash with Nottingham Forest, responded on Tuesday. The Spaniard said: “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don’t want Kevin to play? “The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together? “He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he’s been five months injured (last season) and two months injured (this year). “He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better. I’m desperate to have his best.” De Bruyne has not started since being forced off at half-time of City’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan on September 18, having picked up an injury in the previous game. Both the player and manager have spoken since of the pain he was in and the need to ease back into action, but his spell on the bench has been unexpectedly long. The resulting speculation has then been exacerbated because De Bruyne is in the final year of his contract but Guardiola maintains nothing untoward has occurred. He said: “I’d love to have the Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love it to – but he is not 26 or 27 any more. “He had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. You think I’m complaining? It’s normal, it’s nature. “He’s played in 10 or 11 seasons a lot of games and I know he is desperate to help us. He gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have. “But, always I said, he himself will not solve our problems, like Erling (Haaland) won’t solve it himself. We attack and defend together. “We want the best players back. Hopefully step by step the confidence will come back and we’ll get the best of all of us.”Chewy Inc CHWY shares are moving lower in Wednesday’s after-hours session after the company announced a public offering by a selling stockholder and a concurrent share repurchase . What Happened: After the market close on Wednesday, Chewy announced an underwritten public offering of $500 million of its common stock, being sold by Buddy Chester Sub LLC, an entity affiliated with funds advised by Chewy’s largest shareholder BC Partners Advisors. The selling stockholder plans to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $75 million of Chewy common stock. Chewy will not be selling any shares in the offering, and will not receive any proceeds. In connection with the offering, Chewy agreed to purchase $50 million of its common stock at the same price paid by the underwriters in the offering. The repurchased shares will be retired upon completion. The concurrent repurchase was approved by a special committee of Chewy’s board. Check This Out: Magnificent Seven Tech Titans Hit $18.2 Trillion Market Cap: Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Tesla Jointly Notch All-Time Highs Chewy shares are up approximately 37% year-to-date. The rally in the pet retailer’s stock accelerated over the summer after meme stock trader Keith Gill , also known as “Roaring Kitty,” announced a stake in the company. Gill sold his entire stake in Chewy a few months later. Chewy shares fell on the news, but the selloff was short-lived. Chewy had been Gill's only other publicly known investment outside of GameStop Corp GME , which has seen increased attention in recent months. GameStop and several other meme stocks popped last week after Gill posted an image of a TIME magazine cover featuring a blank computer screen and a video player paused at the 1:09 mark of a 4:20-long video. Chewy shares traded lower on the post. Chewy reported mixed quarterly financials last week, beating on earnings but missing on revenue. The company guided for fourth-quarter revenue of $3.18 billion to $3.2 billion versus estimates of $3.17 billion. Following the print, Goldman Sachs lifted its price target to $40, RBC Capital raised its target to $42 and JPMorgan maintained an Overweight rating and moved its price target up to $38. CHWY Price Action: Chewy shares were down 2.92% in after-hours, trading at $31.59 at the time of publication Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro . Photo: Courtesy of Chewy. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Death Count Rises As Sectarian Violence Continues In Northwest PakistanGun found on suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO matches shell casings at scene, police say ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — New York City’s police commissioner says the gun found on the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO matches shell casings found at the crime scene. Commissioner Jessica Tisch also said Wednesday that lab results matched suspect Luigi Mangione’s prints to a water bottle and a snack bar wrapper found near the scene of the killing. Police had said earlier that they believed the gunman bought the items at a nearby coffee shop while awaiting his target. Mangione is jailed in Pennsylvania on weapon and forgery charges, but he also has been charged in New York with murder in Brian Thompson's death. His lawyer has noted that Mangione is presumed innocent. Authorities are scrutinizing evidence and the suspect’s experiences with the health care industry. Arguments over whether Luigi Mangione is a 'hero' offer a glimpse into an unusual American moment Memes and online posts in support of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who's charged with killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO, have mushroomed online. Some cast Mangione as a hero. That's too far, says Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a rising Democrat who was almost the Democratic vice presidential nominee this year. CEO Brian Thompson's death touched off off these ripples. They offer a glimpse into how so many different aspects of 21st-century life can be surreally connected, from public violence to politics, from health care to humor, or attempts at it. FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign before Trump takes office in January WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray says he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January. The announcement Wednesday comes a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the position. His impending resignation will bring him three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations. Trump applauded the news Wednesday, saying it will end the weaponization of what he called the “Department of Injustice.” Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he's named Time's Person of the Year NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange for the first time and be named Time magazine's Person of the Year. Thursday's events will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who has long seen praise from the business world and media as a sign of success. Four people with knowledge of his plans told The Associated Press that Trump was expected to be on Wall Street on Thursday to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, while a person familiar with the selection confirmed that Trump had been selected as Time's Person of the Year. The Trump and Biden teams insist they're working hand in glove on foreign crises WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t think much of Joe Biden’s foreign policy record. He frequently casts the outgoing Democratic president as a feckless leader who shredded American credibility around the world during his four-year term. But the Trump and Biden national security teams have come to an understanding that they have no choice but to work together as conflicts in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine have left a significant swath of the world on a knife’s edge. It’s fuzzy how much common ground Biden and Trump’s teams have found as they navigate crises that threaten to cause more global upheaval as Trump prepares to settle back into the White House. Syrians flock to morgues looking for loved ones who perished in Assad's prisons DAMASCUS (AP) — Many bodies have been found in Syrian detention centers and prisons since President Bashar al-Assad's government fell. Now Syrians around the world are circulating images of the corpses in hopes that they will see slain loved ones whose fate had been a mystery. At the morgue visited by The Associated Press on Wednesday in Damascus, families flocked to a wall where some of the pictures were pinned in a haunting gallery of the dead. Relatives desperately scanned the images for a recognizable face. Some of the prisoners died just weeks ago. Others perished months earlier. US warns Russia may be ready to use new lethal missile against Ukraine again in 'coming days' WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says Russia could launch its lethal new intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine again soon. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh cited a U.S. intelligence assessment in telling reporters on Wednesday that an attack could come “in the coming days.” She says the U.S. does not consider the Oreshnik missile a game changer on the battlefield. But that Russia is using the weapon to intimidate Ukraine as both sides wrestle for an advantage that will give them leverage in any negotiations to end the war. The Russian Defense Ministry also is warning it may retaliate against Kyiv for an attack on a military base in the Rostov region in southern Russia on Wednesday. Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 33 including children, Palestinian medics say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian medical officials say Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 33 people. One of the strikes hit a home where displaced people were sheltering in the isolated north, killing 19. A separate strike outside nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital killed a woman and her two children, and another strike in central Gaza killed at least seven people. Israel's military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and accuses militants of hiding among them, putting their lives in danger. Local health officials say Israel’s retaliatory offensive after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023 has killed over 44,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Hannah Kobayashi, missing Hawaii woman whose disappearance prompted a massive search, is found safe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Kobayashi has been found safe. That’s according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Kobayashi vanished last month in Los Angeles. The missing Hawaii woman's disappearance prompted a massive search and a missing persons investigation. It was not immediately clear where she was found, but police previously said she had voluntarily crossed the border into Mexico. The LAPD said Wednesday the department will wrap up its investigation. Kobayashi's family reported her missing to law enforcement on Nov. 11 after relatives received “strange and cryptic, just alarming” text messages. Kobayashi’s mother and sister said they are “grateful” she has been found safe. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. But when exactly? ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Still, many questions remain about the tournament. Key issues include during which part of the year to stage the tournament, where to play the games, whether alcohol will be allowed at all and how to protect workers rights in the massive construction projects required to host the World Cup.

TWO educational institutions, Mandaue City College (MCC) and Benedicto College (BC), are setting benchmarks in fostering safer and more inclusive learning environments through their anti-bullying campaigns and mental health programs. MCC and BC’s comprehensive approaches focus on education, support systems, and community collaboration, ensuring the well-being of its students and its personnel. MCC has implemented innovative strategies to address bullying and mental health concerns. In line with Mental Health Month, the institution hosted seminars and workshops featuring experts from Cebu Technological University CTU, City Health Office, and the Mandaue City Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Office (SAMHSO). Guidance Counselor Cheryl O. Repique said the school’s proactive measures include seminars on bullying policies, stress management, and healthy diets. MCC also introduced bibliotherapy and a wellness room equipped with board games and free food to promote a sense of community. Last October, weekly zumba sessions were held every Friday to maintain physical and mental wellness among the students. Ashley Dave Almario, a second-year Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) student, shared how the school’s initiatives helped him overcome bullying as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. “I received negative comments about my appearance and actions, but the seminars and inclusivity campaigns helped me regain confidence,” Almario said. Teachers at MCC have also been instrumental in the institution’s efforts by participating in training programs that recognize the warning signs of mental health issues and emphasize suicide prevention. BC, meanwhile, takes a community-driven approach to combat bullying and promote mental health. Anti-bullying policies are integrated into the school’s manual, and awareness campaigns are introduced even before the school year begins. BC Director for Academic Affairs Dr. Ranulfo Visaya underscored the importance of addressing bullying as a societal issue. Angelito B. Magnanao, a third-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) student, shared how the mental health programs have helped him after facing bullying due to his skin condition. BC also coordinates with government agencies to host seminars on bullying prevention and mental health awareness. “By understanding the root causes of bullying and providing support, we aim to create an inclusive and safe learning environment,” said Visaya. MCC and BC’s initiatives underscore their shared commitment to creating supportive environments where students can thrive emotionally, mentally, and socially. By combining education, collaboration, and innovation, these institutions are fostering communities that prioritize well-being, inclusivity, and resilience of its students and workforce. by: Trixcy Shien M. Cobarde & Bejay Chen B. Tabayag, Jamaica B. Bregente & Yvon Maratas /Benedicto College

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