e-sports arena The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) on Saturday reaffirmed its rejection of the Tax Reform Bill, describing it as a policy “conceived in bad faith” and warning that it threatens national cohesion. The group criticised the manner of its implementation, alleging that key stakeholders, including members of the National Economic Council, were sidelined during the process. The Convener of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, in a communiqué after the Forum Board of Trustees’ second bi-annual meeting in Abuja, warned against dubious policies that could further marginalize the North’s resource potential. The Forum lauded the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers for opposing the bill, dubbing their stance “patriotic,” while urging Northern politicians in the National Assembly to speak out against it. He said: “The meeting seriously maintained that, in its present form, the Tax Reform Bill is conceived in bad faith, poorly packaged, and is a palpable threat to our unity and national cohesion. “The meeting proceeded by drawing attention to the brazen, cavalier way and suspicious manner in which the Tax Reform Bill was imposed on the nation, without allowing the inputs of critical stakeholders, even as it kept members of the National Economic Council in the dark, thus confirming the sinister intentions of those promoting this outrageous bill. “The Board-in-session condemned in very strong terms the conspicuous loss of voice on this burning issue by the overwhelming number of elected politicians in the National Assembly from the region and fiercely warned that, indeed, the days are fast gone when such conspiratorial connivance against the vital and strategic interest of the region, either by those within or outside the region, would be condoned or even tolerated. “In consideration of the deteriorating situation in the education sector in the country in general and the North in particular, the Board-in-session was alarmed by the high percentage—now about 60%—of students in Northern Nigeria who involuntarily were not able to return to their institutions of higher learning, universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and legal studies, due to high costs of tuition fees and unaffordable daily transportation to and from schools. “The meeting went on to discuss the explosive crisis of out-of-school children now estimated to be 20 million in the whole country, of which over 80% comes from the North. Against this troubling reality, the Board-in-session expressed serious doubt about the viability and efficacy of the much-touted Federal Students Loan Scheme as a panacea to this malignant malady. “The Board-in-session unanimously frowned at the surreptitious move being masterminded by the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals to sponsor dubious mining policies in collusion with certain political actors, with the sole aim of stifling the investment opportunities of the huge mineral resource potentials linked to the vast Northern region. “The meeting spiritedly decried the prevalence of the condescending attitude being exhibited by some powerful political actors in the region, who more often than not behave arrogantly and disdainfully like rulers rather than leaders fully committed to the plight of their people. “The Board-in-session urgently called on the people of the North to stay resolute and remain vigilant in defense of their inalienable rights, particularly their voting rights, and to desist from allowing themselves to be deceived yet again through subterfuge, use of ill-gotten wealth, and religious manipulation by some unscrupulous elements whose past records did not portray them to be persons of integrity, character, and probity.” The NEF urged Northerners to remain vigilant in defending their rights, particularly during elections and warned against falling victim to manipulation by unscrupulous leaders with questionable records. The group stressed the importance of safeguarding the unity and resisting attempts to divide the region.

The corporate plan performance report details the council’s successes, areas for improvement, and failures against its corporate plan. At a cabinet meeting this week, members were presented with a quarterly report documenting Denbighshire’s objectives between April and September for strategic equality and its seven governance areas. The governance areas include corporate planning, financial planning, performance management, risk management, workforce planning, assets, and procurement. The council’s progress in the report was marked green, amber, and red, according to how successful it had been. Numerous areas were highlighted in red, including housing list waiting times, the number of homes for the disabled awaiting improvements, and several markers for homelessness. Other areas marked in red included those involving repair work to damaged roads, children in poverty, and net carbon zero targets. The report also acknowledged Denbighshire’s failings around the launch of its new recycling and bin collection scheme. But speaking at a cabinet meeting this week, cabinet member for finance Cllr Gwyneth Ellis preferred to focus on the areas the council had had success. Positives in the report included the council reducing its reliance on bed and breakfasts for those waiting for housing. Other areas of success included the council being the highest performing housing stock-holding council in Wales, according to the Welsh Government’s Social Landlords’ Tenant Satisfaction Survey. The report also highlighted ‘excellent community benefits’ from two large procurements as well as other areas of success. Cllr Ellis commented: “It is very easy to feel sad in the current (financial) climate with the council having to find massive savings and having to accept that services will inevitably suffer as a result. “So it is easy to look at this report and see the reds and the amber, but in my opinion, it is much more important to look at the green.” She added: “I think it is incredible that we as a council are still able to do so much well even when facing exceptional challenges, and that is an indication of the hard work and perseverance of our staff in my opinion. I think it is important to acknowledge that when we see a report like this.” Denbighshire increased council tax by 9.34% last year whilst cutting services, despite receiving the highest local government settlement in North Wales. Last time around, council leaders pointed to an increase in costs and pressures due to inflation. The authority’s medium-term financial plan forecasts cost pressures ranging from £12m to £26m in the red in 2025/26 with a mid-range of £18m. Consequently the council has modelled for a council tax rise ranging between a 6% and 12% increase. Cabinet unanimously confirmed the report for approval.Writer Thoreau warned of brain rot in 1854. Now it's the Oxford Word of 2024Shares of Maxeon Solar Technologies (MAXN) slipped nearly 7% in mid-day trade on Friday, ending the stock's eight-day rally set off by reports that the Biden administration may exempt Mexico from tariffs on imported solar equipment – a change that would primarily benefit Maxeon. According to Bloomberg, citing people similar to the matter, senior officials within the Biden administration were weighing trade policy discussions involving Mexico and longstanding administration struggles to nurture domestic clean energy manufacturing without chilling solar power deployment that has for years relied on cheap foreign-made equipment. Maxeon’s solar panels have been detained at the Mexican border by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) since Jul. 2024 while officials assess the company’s compliance with trade curbs meant to discourage alleged human rights abuses in China. According to the company’s latest statement on the issue, the detention has affected multiple product lines, including residential solar modules Maxeon 3 and Maxeon 6 and Performance 6 commercial modules. In November, the company announced a broad restructuring, shifting to focus exclusively on the US market and selling off other operations. Retail sentiment around the stock flipped to ‘extremely bullish’ from ‘neutral’ a day ago, as chatter increased to ‘high’ from ‘low’ levels. Investors on the platform believe that the company will come out ahead regardless of whether Mexico tariffs are exempt or increased, as expected when President-elect Donald Trump gets sworn in on Jan. 20. Several investors consider Maxeon a meme stock, given its volatile nature and generally high short interest. The stock has lost nearly all its value so far this year, down over 98%. For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretariesAP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:57 p.m. EST

Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretariesThe Senator representing Bayelsa West senatorial district, Seriake Dickson, has assured Nigerians that the Tax Reform Bill will be passed despite opposition, much like the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that was passed with a 3% allocation to host communities instead of the proposed 10%. He stressed that public outcry should not deter the legislative process, as the bill is essential for correcting imbalances in the current tax system. “Heavens did not fall when the PIB passed at 3% instead of 10%, and they won’t fall now,” Dickson said. “This Tax Reform Bill is in the national interest, and it will be passed through the normal legislative process.” The Senator highlighted a key issue driving his support for the bill: the unfair distribution of taxes. “Currently, taxes from Bayelsa are being paid to Lagos State because of where company headquarters are located. That must change. If you consume goods or services in Bayelsa—whether it’s making a call, buying cement, or even drinking kaikai—the taxes should go to Bayelsa, not Lagos,” he explained. Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa, recalled his long-standing fight against the flawed tax system, including taking VAT matters to the Supreme Court. He called on other states worried about potential revenue losses to present their data during the public hearings. “Public hearings are for raising concerns with facts, not sentiment. There will be no intimidation—let everyone make their case,” he urged. Addressing fears of opposition, particularly from northern states, Dickson dismissed regional concerns, reiterating his focus on national unity. “I don’t engage in regional politics. I am a national politician, and I support what’s best for the country,” he stated. He also referenced his history of taking principled stands, including his opposition to the Naira redesign policy and his advocacy for a higher percentage in the PIB. “I act on conviction, not sentiment. When everyone supported the Naira redesign, I stood against it because it wasn’t in the national interest. The same applies here,” he said. Dickson urged Nigerians to embrace the tax reform, noting that it is a long-overdue correction that will ensure fairness in revenue distribution. “This country needs a tax system that ensures states receive what they’re due. We cannot allow a few states to retain taxes that belong to others. This bill is about justice, fairness, and progress,” he added. With public hearings imminent, Dickson’s message is clear: the Tax Reform Bill will pass, and it will bring long-awaited equity to Nigeria’s revenue-sharing framework.

World reaches $300 bn climate finance deal at COP29The Memphis Grizzlies have flown under the radar this season despite sitting third in the Western Conference standings. While most eyes have been set on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s torrid start and the Houston Rockets’ rebuild finally being over, the Grizzlies have not been mentioned much this season, but they should. Memphis currently holds a 21-10 record and has been one of the NBA’s most lethal offensive teams. Led by Ja Morant, the Grizzlies lead the NBA in points per game with 123.7, but their defense has also been great. While the Grizzlies have quietly been one of the best teams in the West, they could still look to make some moves before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. One player they have reportedly been interested in is Dorian Finney-Smith of the Brooklyn Nets. According to Marc Stein of “The Stein Line”, the Grizzlies are a team to watch for Finney-Smith. “The Grizzlies have been described to me as a team to watch in the trade chase for Brooklyn's in-demand Dorian Finney-Smith,” Stein wrote. “The Nets, league sources say, are likewise interested in Memphis' John Konchar, who has also attracted interest from Orlando and Miami and is emerging as a name that must be monitored as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches. In a possible trade, the Grizzlies could send Konchar and Brandon Clarke to Brooklyn for Finney-Smith. With the Nets rebuilding and having an interest in Konchar, Memphis should be able to trade both him and Clarke straight up for Finney-Smith. For the Grizzlies, acquiring a great defender and three-point shooter in Finney-Smith would make them an even more dangerous team. The 31-year-old is averaging 10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game this season while shooting 47.4% from the field and a career-high 45.2% from three. While Finney-Smith would improve the Grizzlies’ roster, they may end up participating in a bidding war to acquire him, as he's one of the hottest commodities on the trade block this season. If they are able to acquire him, his defensive presence along with his shooting could help propel Memphis to a championship this season. More NBA: Lakers could build new big 3 by acquiring Kings' $163 million guard amid trade rumors