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An Aroostook County winter festival will move its snowmobile races from Caribou to Presque Isle to take advantage of better conditions. The third annual SnowBowl, planned in February, will include events from Mars Hill to Van Buren. Racing activities will move from Spud Speedway about 18 miles south to the Aroostook Centre Mall. When Spud Speedway owners Jim Gamage and Troy Haney launched the first SnowBowl in Caribou in 2023, the response was bigger than they dreamed, drawing thousands to the area. But last winter’s lack of snow caused a dismal snowmobile season that devastated local businesses. Organizers hope the 2025 festival will bring a much-needed economic boost to a region that depends on winter recreation. “We’ve got to take what we have for assets and bring them to light. Two of those are the people and the trail system,” co-founder Jim Gamage said. “We want to attract snowmobilers to make The County their destination.” Mild temperatures and little snow last year made the Caribou speedway track too muddy to use. Organizers made a quick decision to move racing to the mall parking area, creating a track in 36 hours with 400 truckloads of snow. It proved to be the perfect spot, Gamage said. Spectators and racers liked the surroundings. There’s also more parking and vendors can set up inside where it’s warm. The 2025 event will offer a weeklong slate of snowmobile racing, a scenic ride, a snowman-building contest, a magic show and “restaurant rumble,” where participants can eat at central Aroostook restaurants and enter their names for drawings, he said. Gamage, Haney and crew are introducing something new this year they hope will inspire residents and entice visitors to northern Maine. The speedway will debut phase one of its Spud Speedway Northern Lights project, similar to Boothbay Harbor’s Gardens Aglow — but with a County twist. “We created a 70-foot tunnel of old quonset hut frames and made six snowmen out of old tractor and skidder tires,” Gamage said. “We’re going to light it all up with Christmas lights. It’s a tunnel you drive through.” Phase two of the project is in the works for the following year, and will transform the speedway grounds into a trail with 15 lit displays showcasing elements of Aroostook: potato harvest, forestry, outdoor recreation, veterans and more. While Caribou is disappointed that some portions of the SnowBowl will move to Presque Isle, the city supports Spud Speedway as it grows the audience for the annual winter event, Caribou City manager Penny Thompson said. “Safety is of paramount importance to this type of experience and, due to the unpredictable nature of our spring weather, the organizers need to consider venues that are easiest to control to keep participants and spectators safe,” she said. The entire region will benefit as people come to the event and spend money locally, Thompson said. The SnowBowl will kick off on Sunday, Feb. 23, with Brian’s Ride, a guided 80-mile ride to the arch hangar at the former Loring Air Force Base , then on to a scenic spot in Van Buren with a hot lunch on the trail. There will be a snowmobile hill climbing contest at BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill, the return of mindreader/magician Kent Axell and an evening at Spud Speedway with demonstration rides, a groomer rodeo, a bonfire and hot dog roast. Everything moves to Presque Isle for the weekend of March 1 and 2, with pro racing and several classes of local competition, Gamage said. Vendors, food trucks, and a vintage sled display are planned at the mall. X Racing owner Joe Duncan of Minnesota, creator of the Winter X Games, will bring his snocross racing team from across the country for a show on Saturday, March 1. Freestyle riders will present a stunt show with jumps and acrobatics. Sunday, March 2, will be a family fun day, Gamage said. More snocross and vintage racing are on tap, along with local competitions in numerous age divisions so anyone can try out the track. The business community has stepped up since day one to support the SnowBowl, he said. People are already booking accommodations for February, and one company has reserved 60 local rooms to bring its entire cohort. That’s exactly what Gamage and Haney hoped for when they started. “​​We want to get the kids out, we want to get the community involved, and we want people to have fun and make a memory and smile,” he said. “We want to give people a reason to celebrate winter.”High school boys basketball: Falcons edge East in Moir consolation bracketThe Mall at Greece Ridge, located near Rochester, closed early Thursday due to concerns about “large and disorderly groups of teens and young adults.” It was shut down shortly after 6 p.m. on the day after Christmas, also known as Boxing Day, by police and mall security. According to WHAM, the Greece Police Department said it was expecting a large influx of teens after seeing posts on social media. Greece Police said the mall was cleared without incident, but fights between several groups of teenagers broke out in the surrounding area outside the mall shortly afterwards. Two 16-year-old Rochester residents were arrested for disorderly conduct. No other crimes were reported, police said, and there was no damage to stores within the mall or surrounding businesses. WROC reports an area Chick-fil-A refused dine-in service, only offering drive-thru, and shoppers at a nearby Target said they were asked by police to leave. According to WHAM, a curfew was enforced at the mall last year after large fights occurred in 2023. Police developed a plan with mall security to quickly shut down the area to prevent future incidents. In a statement, The Mall at Greece Ridge said a large number of teens were running throughout the mall creating disruptions and refusing to leave. Similar disruptions were allegedly promoted on social media at a mall near Buffalo, officials said. WKBW reports Cheektowaga police swept the Walden Galleria around 7 p.m. Thursday as part of a “coordinated and planned effort to sweep the mall at closing time.” The preventative measure comes after the shopping center previously saw fights on the day after Christmas in 2018, 2021 and 2023. In a separate incident, a man was arrested on Monday for allegedly starting a fight at Crossgates Mall near Albany. WNYT reports a 27-year-old man was charged with disorderly conduct. Guilderland Police said he was intoxicated in the Dec. 23 incident; no one was seriously hurt and no weapons were involved.

The Agenda revolves around job-creation, education and health care improvements, poverty reduction, and ensuring opportunities for success for all Nigerians. The eight key priority areas as outlined by the president are: Reform the economy to deliver sustained, inclusive growth; strengthen national security for peace and prosperity; boost agriculture to achieve food security, and unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development. Others are: Enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth; focus on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of development; accelerate diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing & innovation, and Improve governance for effective service delivery. In a chat with this reporter, a Senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in the 2023 elections, Abubakar Abdullahi, sympathised with Nigerians over the current economic hardships occasioned by what he called “unavoidable government policy choices.” He urged Nigerians to be resolute “in these trying moments,” adding that President Tinubu was committed to building a strong and proud country that works for the good of all citizens. He said, “Like several other nations, we are currently grappling with diverse challenges, but we remain resolute in our inalienable destiny to build a strong and proud country that works for the good of all citizens irrespective of status, tribe, religion and creed. “Let me assure you that this administration is committed to its promise of working sacrificially to deliver the dividends of democracy to every Nigerian citizen. This government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very much aware of and deeply sympathises with all Nigerians over the economic conditions we are passing through. “These have been occasioned by unavoidable policy choices, including the removal of fuel subsidies, that his administration has had to make. “Notwithstanding the daunting challenges, ceaseless efforts are being made to cushion the immediate impact and to create new opportunities on the short, medium and long-term basis, through diligent implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda. “These policies and programmes are being implemented for long-term solutions to these problems and I assure us all that in no distant time, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the trajectory of our socio-economic development would soar higher in the positive territory.” The Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, highlighted some accomplishments of the Tinubu administration which, according to him, have positively impacted Nigerians. He said President Tinubu followed through with his promises on easing transportation difficulties Nigerians experienced with the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) and the launch of the first phase of buses, powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). According to him, this is work in progress because the Presidential Initiative is designed to expand across all geo-political zones of the country. He said, “The government has also commissioned the first retrofitted CNG train head for the Abuja-Kaduna track. This is intended to cut the cost of travel by up to fifty percent when fully operational. In order to encourage conversion to CNG-powered land transportation, the government has also commenced the distribution of CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians. “The benefits of the CNG transport system to Nigerians are huge reduction in costs. The Presidential Initiative on CNG marked its first year of implementation recently, with the number of vehicle conversion centers in the country rising from fewer than 10 to more than 120. “The goal is to make CNG a fuel of choice for private and commercial transportation in Nigeria, bringing down costs by as much as 50 to 60 percent. We are already seeing enthusiastic uptake of the initiative, and the government is supporting this by way of fiscal incentives and subsidised conversions.” Speaking on the policies of President Tinubu on education, an associate professor of Development Communication, Bright Etekamba, said on so many fronts, the outgoing year has brought significant policy and legislative milestones that are helping to cement the very foundations of the president’s grand vision for Nigeria. He said, “Take the examples of the Students Loan Fund and the Consumer Credit Corporation, two institutions targeted at putting more resources in the pockets of the Nigerian people, empowering them to turn their dreams into opportunities. “With the Students Loan Fund, we are seeing, for the first time in decades, Nigerian students at tertiary level, getting targeted federal assistance to pursue their academic ambitions, through long-term loans (and stipends) that are designed to not be burdensome in any way. In less than one year, more than 300, 000 Nigerian students have already benefitted. “The Nigerian Students Loan Fund initiative of the Tinubu administration has disbursed the sum of N2.5 billion to over 22,120 beneficiaries across the nation’s higher institutions. This is a welcome relief for parents and an opportunity to access education by indigent students. “The young people of Nigeria now have a clearer path to sustainable tertiary education through the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act 2024, which has established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Complementing this is the new Consumer Credit Corporation, established to guarantee access to low-cost and flexible consumer credit.” On the rising prices of food items, a member of the Presidential Initiative on Livestock Reform, Danasebe Maiyaki, said the government has reduced tariffs on importation of certain categories of food in order to crash prices. “One of the major issues facing Nigerians is rising food prices. To bolster food security, availability and ensure affordability of food, the government has removed tariffs on the importation of certain categories of food. In addition, the government has distributed fertilizers, farm inputs and other critical items to boost dry season food production,” he said. He praised President Tinubu’s establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development as a game-changing move to unlock the sector’s vast potential and maximise its value-chains. “Most recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took a bold and transformative step by establishing and operationalising a dedicated Ministry for Livestock Development. This strategic move underscores the administration’s recognition of the immense potential within the livestock sector, often referred to as an untapped gold mine. “Food security is at the core of the nation’s national security, survival, stability and sovereignty; it is in realisation of this that President Tinubu, upon assumption of office, renamed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. “The current administration is committed to tackling the multifaceted challenges hindering self-sufficiency in food production, leveraging the nation’s vast arable land, favorable climate, and youthful population. “Nigeria, blessed with vast arable land, favourable climatic conditions, and a youthful population, has the potential to be a global agricultural powerhouse. Yet, we face significant challenges in attaining affordability and self-sufficiency in food production. This on-going challenge is what has informed the special attention that the president is paying to this very important sector, which happens to be the biggest employer of labour in the country,” he said. He highlighted that early in his administration, President Tinubu launched three critical agricultural interventions – declaring a State of Emergency on food insecurity; initiating a food security and sustainability intervention project, and cracking down on hoarders, smugglers, and saboteurs to ensure affordability, availability, and accessibility of essential commodities. “Nigeria’s path to food security is not insurmountable, particularly through our collective resolve; we can transform our nation into a land of abundance, where no Nigerian goes to bed hungry,” he said further. Speaking on the socio-economic front, a political economist, Dr. Njamenze Orbih, hailed the president for his giant strides despite the global economic recession. He said, “Undoubtedly, one of the significant setbacks to rural socio-economic development in Nigeria has been the absence of direct fiscal control by elected local government administrations. “In a landmark move, President Tinubu has taken a decisive step toward implementing local government autonomy by getting a verdict from the Supreme Court. This action demonstrates his administration’s commitment to a deep-rooted restructuring of the country, enhancing governance and development at the grassroots level, and promoting effectiveness and accountability in local governance. “In addition, a lot of work is going towards ensuring macroeconomic stability, stabilising the foreign exchange regime, reforming the tax system to make it more efficient, and less burdensome on Nigerians, repositioning our oil and gas sector to attract new investment, and prioritising the diversification and expansion of government revenues. “Under the visionary leadership of President Tinubu, we have initiated transformative policies and reforms aimed at correcting the missteps of the past and repositioning Nigeria as an economic superpower in the near future. “Despite the global economic headwinds and the transitional pains accompanying some of the reforms, the president has remained focused in his efforts towards reviving our economy and returning the country to the path of prosperity and sustainable growth.” Likewise, an IT expert and chief executive officer of Falcon Eye Network, Reni Tyioda, said initiative by the present administration to create jobs for youth in the digital economy sector is yielding results. He said, “The federal government has set up the structures to create three million jobs for the Nigerian youth through the 3Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme. The initiative, being driven by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Technology, is an incubator for the education and skills desired to enhance the capacity and value of the youths in national security intelligence. “The 3MTT Programme is an affirmation of President Tinubu’s vision of factoring youth development into the overall national development strategy. To lay a formidable framework towards achieving this, the administration is also prioritising the economic security of Nigerian youths, towards building a more secure and prosperous country.” Meanwhile, a foremost entrepreneur and president of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has commended President Tinubu for the positive impact of the Naira for crude swap deal on the Nigerian economy, which has led to reduction in prices of petroleum products in the country. To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers. “To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre” he said. In his statement, he called on other oil marketers such as the NNPC Retail and all other marketers “to work with us to ensure that Nigerians enjoy high-quality petrol at discounted prices.” “The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value-chain players to deliver high quality petrol at cheaper prices. Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets,” the statement read in part. Dangote thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support and the government for creating an enabling environment for the domestic refining industry. Similarly, travellers have thumbed up President Tinubu’s 50 per cent subsidised holiday transport services across the country. The initiative which was officially flagged off by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali, is aimed at ensuring seamless travel for citizens for the festive season, covers both road and rail operations and is scheduled to run from December 24, 2024, to January 5, 2025. observed that travellers were seen at the Eagles Square in Abuja boarding the transport services to their various destinations after being officially flagged off by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali. A traveller, Madam Juliet Okoli, boarding the transport service to Lagos state, said the initiative is commendable considering the economy cash crunch in the country. “I am happy that I can travel to Lagos at a cheaper rate to spend the Christmas celebration with my family and I urged the federal government to do more for Nigerians by reducing the fuel price to as low as N300 to N400,” she said. Another traveller, Joseph Akor, who couldn’t hold his excitement, commended the federal government for the transport service initiative and urged the transport unions to make it accessible for all Nigerians.Huntsville Personal Injury Attorney Jeff Blackwell Selected to 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers List

PWHL Roundup: Charge rout Fleet, Frost edge Sirens in pre-season playUS President-elect Donald Trump filed a brief Friday urging the Supreme Court to pause a law that would ban TikTok the day before his January 20 inauguration if it is not sold by its Chinese owner ByteDance. "In light of the novelty and difficulty of this case, the court should consider staying the statutory deadline to grant more breathing space to address these issues," Trump's legal team wrote, to give him "the opportunity to pursue a political resolution." Trump was fiercely opposed to TikTok during his 2017-21 first term, and tried in vain to ban the video app on national security grounds. The Republican voiced concerns -- echoed by political rivals -- that the Chinese government might tap into US TikTok users' data or manipulate what they see on the platform. US officials had also voiced alarm over the popularity of the video-sharing app with young people, alleging that its parent company is subservient to Beijing and that the app is used to spread propaganda, claims denied by the company and the Chinese government. Trump called for a US company to buy TikTok, with the government sharing in the sale price, and his successor Joe Biden went one stage further -- signing a law to ban the app for the same reasons. Trump has now, however, reversed course. "Now (that) I'm thinking about it, I'm for TikTok, because you need competition," he recently told Bloomberg. "If you don't have TikTok, you have Facebook and Instagram -- and that's, you know, that's Zuckerberg." Facebook, founded by Mark Zuckerberg and part of his Meta tech empire, was among the social media networks that banned Trump after attacks by his supporters on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The ban was driven by concerns that he would use the platform to promote more violence. Those bans on major social media platforms were later lifted. In the brief filed on Friday, Trump's lawyer made it clear the president-elect did not take a position on the legal merits of the current case. "President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute," John Sauer wrote in the amicus curiae -- or "friend of the court" -- brief. "Instead, he respectfully requests that the court consider staying the act's deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case, thus permitting President Trump's incoming Administration the opportunity to pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case." ft/aha

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Ambarella Inc. (AMBA) on Tuesday reported a loss of $24.1 million in its fiscal third quarter. The Santa Clara, California-based company said it had a loss of 58 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for stock option expense and costs related to mergers and acquisitions, came to 11 cents per share. The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 4 cents per share. The video-compression chipmaker posted revenue of $82.7 million in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $79 million. For the current quarter ending in January, Ambarella said it expects revenue in the range of $76 million to $80 million. Ambarella shares have increased 11% since the beginning of the year. In the final minutes of trading on Tuesday, shares hit $68.19, a rise of 23% in the last 12 months. This story was generated by Automated Insights ( http://automatedinsights.com/ap ) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on AMBA at https://www.zacks.com/ap/AMBAThe stock market experienced a tumultuous day as major technology firms faced sharp declines, sparking interest and concern among investors. Tesla , Nvidia , and Microsoft all endured significant losses in alignment with a broader market pullback. Tesla’s stock plunged a significant 4.56%, marking a notable shift after its earlier performance this year. Analysts attribute this decline to profit-taking, given the company’s previously soaring stock values, and apprehensions about dropping demand in crucial markets, including China. Nevertheless, the electric vehicle giant continues to hold a firm position in major markets such as the United States and Europe, despite increasing competition globally. In another part of tech, Nvidia, known for its pioneering role in video game chips, saw its shares drop by 3.05%. The company has enjoyed robust growth thanks to a rising demand for AI technologies. However, investor concerns about possible overvaluation have cast a shadow over its recent achievements. Rising Treasury yields may also signal a broader shift away from growth stocks, impacting Nvidia adversely. Adding to the tech sector’s woes, Microsoft faced a decline of 2.26%. The software behemoth’s recent challenges indicate market caution about how broader economic forces might shape its growth prospects. As the year winds down, fluctuations in these tech giants’ stock values suggest increasing investor anxiety. Despite being pivotal to market resurgence, the delicate interplay between optimism and caution was evident as these stocks led a market downturn. Unveiling New Dynamics: The Evolving Landscape of Tech Stocks The recent slump in major technology stocks like Tesla, Nvidia, and Microsoft has not only grabbed headlines but has also sparked a significant discussion about the future dynamics of the stock market. As these tech giants face sizable market value declines, investors are left debating over key factors that could shape the future of these stocks and the broader market. Industry Outlook and Market Trends # Tesla’s Market Position and Competitive Landscape Tesla’s 4.56% drop in stock value has raised critical questions about sustainability in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Analysts point to profit-taking as a primary reason, but there are broader implications. Concerns about potential dampened demand in markets like China could forecast market saturation challenges. In spite of this, Tesla maintains its dominance particularly in the U.S. and European markets. Look to see how technological innovations and policy changes in those regions impact Tesla’s strategy going forward. # Nvidia and the AI Boom Nvidia’s 3.05% decline comes despite its leadership in AI and video gaming chips, underscoring potential market overvaluation worries. As tech stocks waver, AI remains a significant growth area; Nvidia’s future may hinge on its ability to balance investor expectation with realistic market performance. Rising Treasury yields also suggest a possible pivot away from high-growth tech stocks, indicating that Nvidia and similar companies need to strategize around more stable, long-term growth investments. # Microsoft’s Strategic Challenges Microsoft experienced a 2.26% decrease, which is relatively mild but indicative of broader economic caution affecting tech stocks. This decline highlights the challenges Microsoft faces amidst varying global economic trends. As a leader in cloud technology and enterprise solutions, Microsoft’s adaptability to these economic conditions may shape its performance in 2024 and beyond. Strategic Insights and Predictive Factors # Economic Indicators and Tech Stocks The tech sector’s recent downturn correlates with rising Treasury yields and fears of inflation, suggesting a potential shift in investor strategy from growth-oriented to value-focused investments. Market observers predict this could drive future valuation adjustments in the tech sector. # Investor Sentiment and Stock Valuation The recent declines suggest heightened investor sensitivity to valuation metrics and growth sustainability. Firms like Tesla, Nvidia, and Microsoft are under pressure to justify their high valuations amidst fluctuating economic conditions. Looking Ahead: What to Expect? – Innovation and Competition : Expect companies like Tesla and Nvidia to continue leveraging R&D to stay ahead amidst increasing competition. – Regulatory Environment : Watch for regulatory changes in major markets that may impact operational flexibility and demand for tech products. – Sustainability Factors : As the tech industry evolves, sustainability initiatives and eco-friendly technologies may become more prominent, especially for companies like Tesla. Conclusion The present volatility in tech stocks like Tesla, Nvidia, and Microsoft reflects broader market trends and investor concerns. As economic and political landscapes evolve, these companies must strategically navigate challenges to maintain their industry positions. For more insights into Tesla and its market strategies, visit Tesla . For Nvidia’s latest technological advancements, see Nvidia . To explore Microsoft’s innovation in cloud services and software, check out Microsoft .

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way. Stock markets abroad mostly fell after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China once he takes office. But the movements were mostly modest. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada’s main index edged down by less than 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. The consequences otherwise for markets and the global economy could be painful. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. And unlike tariffs in Trump’s first term, his latest proposal would affect products across the board. General Motors sank 9%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.3%. The value of the Mexican peso fell 1.8% against the U.S. dollar. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support for the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the economy, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed’s last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another mixed set of profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates imposed by the Fed to get inflation under control. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Kohl’s tumbled 17% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.9% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. Still, more stocks rose in the S&P 500 than fell. J.M. Smucker had one of the biggest gains and climbed 5.7% after topping analysts’ expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 3.2% for Amazon and 2.2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 34.26 points to 6,021.63. The Dow gained 123.74 to 44,860.31, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 119.46 to 19,174.30. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.29% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It’s since dipped back toward $91,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.Mobikwik Share Price Live blog for 30 Dec 2024By John Ogunsemore A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy was not hasty or rushed as being insinuated in some quarters . Omokri, who was a social media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, stated this in a Facebook post on Saturday. He was reacting to a recent remark by Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, that Tinubu and his predecessors found themselves in power by accident and were therefore not fully prepared before assuming office. Omokri said Tinubu showed his readiness to govern by removing fuel subsidy at the outset of his administration. The ex- presidential aide insisted that Tinubu displayed great wisdom in taking action during his honeymoon period, when Nigerians historically gave new administrations the benefit of the doubt because of their euphoria that the old unpopular regime was gone. He stressed that such decisive action must be taken immediately and by surprise or it will never happen. “There was absolutely nothing like a rushed or hasty removal of fuel subsidy. “President Tinubu did the right thing. It was a masterstroke. “If you want to take such a decisive action in Nigeria, you do it immediately and by surprise, or it will never happen. If you alert people, you, as President, will have paralysis from analysis. “The day you give notice by announcing that you plan to remove it, you will start receiving calls from the owners of Nigeria. “Emirs and First Class traditional and spiritual leaders will come to your house and office to pressure you not to remove it. “Activists will rally Nigerians to take to the streets. The Nigerian Labour Congress will go on strike. The media will exaggerate its effects and paint doomsday scenarios,” he said. He added, “And the result is that you, as President, would be in a catch-22 position between the devil and the deep blue sea. “If you go ahead, you will appear insensitive. If you demurred, you look weak,” he added. Omokri maintained that Tinubu’s actions showed that, unlike Bishop Matthew Kukah claimed, he was ready to be President and had planned ahead. “That is why he hit the ground running on his first day and week by passing more policies and initiatives than any other administration before him, except Murtala Muhammad’s military government, on his first day, first week, first month and first 100 days. “In one week, Tinubu has achieved what Buhari would have taken one year to complete. This vindicates what I said during the campaigns, that any of the major Presidential candidates would have been better than Buhari. “Whether it is the immediate removal of fuel subsidy, flotation of the ,naira, the granting of Local Government autonomy, or the implementation of Student Loans to federal and state universities, all achieved with enthusiastic alacrity in his first year, one thing nobody can accuse President Tinubu of is not being prepared or decisive.”