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Editorial: Adani in troubleCrews will start surveying the Patapsco River and the land near the fallen Francis Scott Key Bridge in January to collect data for designing a new bridge , Maryland officials confirmed Monday. The pre-construction work starting in January will include activities such as topographic surveys, underwater surveys and soil sampling, said Bradley Tanner, a Maryland Transportation Authority spokesperson. A Coast Guard notice obtained by The Baltimore Sun alerts mariners to construction activity in the Patapsco River starting Jan. 7 through the state’s estimated completion of the new bridge in October of 2028. The notice also mentioned “ bridge demolition activities, ” though Tanner noted demolition wasn’t expected until spring of 2025. Tanner noted, though, that the schedules for work performed by Kiewit Infrastructure is “still being refined.” Kiewit, a Nebraska-based construction giant, was picked by state officials in August to build the new bridge. Scott Petrie, a Kiewit project manager listed on the Coast Guard notice, acknowledged that the company was working on the replacement bridge project but referred further questions to the company’s public relations department. A spokesperson for the construction firm referred questions to the transportation authority. The Coast Guard did not immediately return requests for comment. The spending bill approved last week by a frenzied Congress authorized a commitment by the federal government to cover the cost of replacing the Key Bridge after it collapsed in March , killing six construction workers who were filling potholes. Maryland officials say the rebuild could cost up to $1.9 billion , though at least some of the costs will be recouped through insurance payouts and litigation involving the Dali’s owners. Baltimore Sun Assistant Metro Editor Carson Swick contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Dan Belson at dbelson@baltsun.com, on X as @DanBelson_ or on Signal as @danbels.62.People hindered by Canada Post job action are still being served: Ministry spokesperson (Nelson)
The rift within the BC Conservative party has deepened over the resignation of a Vancouver police board member. Elenore Sturko, who represents Surrey-Cloverdale, publicly defied Leader John Rustad's request that she meet with Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba, the VPD board vice chair who resigned over controversial comments about diversity and inclusion in classrooms. "I stand by my position, and I won't be meeting with her," Sturko told reporters on Tuesday shortly before a B.C. Conservative caucus meeting in Victoria. Sturko says she had "no trepidation" going into the caucus meeting with the 13 MLAs who condemned her in a leaked letter but acknowledged it might be "feisty." Sturko told CBC News last month that Sakoma-Fadugba's comments were offensive and that she was right to resign. That put her at odds with some B.C. Conservatives, who said Sakoma-Fadugba raised valid issues about protecting Christian values, and she was a victim of cancel culture. In screenshots shared to Reddit, one of Sakoma-Fadugba's posts discusses how "mass immigration" and "a growing aversion to assimilation" are "transforming Canada into a place where a shared identity is disappearing." Another post questions Diwali celebrations at schools, saying the "push for secular education isn't about religion — it's about erasing Christian values from the lives of our children." Group of B.C. Conservative MLAs turn on fellow caucus member for backing police board member's resignation Vancouver Police Board vice-chair resigns following social media comments A third references "gender transitions" while criticizing a "woke culture that pits children against their parents." Thirteen Tory MLAs signed a letter condemning Sturko's comments and pressing Rustad to ask her to apologize." It is our view that the statements caused undue harm to Ms. Sakoma and called into question our commitment to the core values shared by Conservatives," they wrote. As they walked into their party's caucus meeting, all 13 MLAs refused to comment on why they signed the letter. Rustad had been silent about the issue until Monday night when he posted on social media that he had shared a meal with Sakoma-Fadugba in her home and invited Sturko to meet with her as well. On The Coast 10:14 Cracks appearing in B.C. Conservative Party B.C. Conservative Party board president Aisha Estey talks about 13 B.C. Conservative MLAs turning on fellow B.C. Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko in a leaked letter to party leader John Rustad. "I want to make it crystal clear where I personally stand — I support Comfort Sakoma, and I don't believe she should have been asked to quit the VPD police board," Rustad wrote. He said he understands "the critical importance of freedom of speech, particularly for MLAs." However, he said Sturko should "meet with Comfort Sakoma before drawing further judgment. "Comfort is a wonderful person with so much to offer, and I hope she continues to advocate for the Conservative movement in British Columbia and in Canada." CBC News asked Rustad Tuesday if Sturko publicly defied him by responding that she would not meet with Sakoma-Fadugba. "I expected that she would," he said. "They have the right to be able to say things, they have a right to bring forward issues." Rustad denied there's a rift in the party, saying differences of opinion are welcome. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad speaks to reporters after forming Opposition on Oct. 29, 2024. (Mike McArthur/CBC) Sturko said she was disappointed to learn about Rustad's position on social media but insists she stands behind him as party leader. "I came to Victoria and joined this party to work side by side with John. I intend to do that," Sturko said. "I think that what people don't necessarily realize is that caucuses do have disagreements." Former B.C. United spokesperson Andrew Reeve told CBC News he expected divisions within the big tent B.C. Conservative Party which formed as a result of several high-profile defections among B.C. United MLAs, including Sturko. However, Reeve said he didn't expect those rifts to happen just weeks after the Conservatives became the Official Opposition and for them to be exposed so publicly. B.C. Conservative leader names shadow cabinet, takes shots at NDP Rustad has said he will allow his MLAs to have free votes on issues and vote according to their conscience, but Reeve says that could expose further divisions between social conservatives and more progressive centrists in the party. The letter's signatories are: Tara Armstrong, Rosalyn Bird, Dallas Brodie, Brent Chapman, Reann Gasper, Sharon Hartwell, Anna Kindy, Jordan Kealy, Kristina Loewen, Macklin McCall, Heather Maahs, Korky Neufeld and Ward Stamer.
Laura Anderson hits back at Olivia Attwood with cryptic ‘healing’ post as she mirrors rival amid their bitter feud
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau flies to Florida to meet with Trump after tariffs threat WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has flown to Florida to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Trump's picks for commerce secretary, interior secretary and national security adviser, and the three men's wives. From the Canadian side, the dinner guests included Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security. Trump’s transition did not respond to questions about what they had discussed or whether the conversation alleviated Trump’s concerns about the border. A smiling Trudeau declined comment upon returning to his West Palm Beach hotel late Friday. Emboldened 'manosphere' accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after US election CHICAGO (AP) — An emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers has seized on Donald Trump’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice,” and have been using it publicly on college campuses and even in public schools. While none of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump, experts say many young men see the former president’s return to the White House as vindication of their views on women. For many women, the words represent a worrying harbinger of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. Syrian insurgents are inside Aleppo in a major setback for Assad as government forces regroup BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of Syrian insurgents have fanned out inside Syria's largest city Aleppo a day after storming it with little resistance from government troops. Syria's army said troops have redeployed to prepare for a counteroffensive. Witnesses said insurgents were seen Saturday at landmarks in Aleppo for the first time since 2016, when they were expelled by government forces backed by Russia and Iran. The surprise offensive is a major embarrassment for Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has regained total control of the city eight years ago. Israeli strike in Gaza allegedly kills workers with World Central Kitchen charity DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a car in Gaza has killed five people, according to a senior Palestinian health official. An aid worker says three of the people killed were employees of the charity World Central Kitchen. The charity's aid delivery efforts in Gaza were temporarily suspended earlier this year after an Israeli strike killed seven of its workers. Israel's military says it struck a wanted militant who had been involved in the Hamas attack that sparked the war. In a later statement, it said that the alleged attacker had worked with WCK and it asked “senior officials from the international community and the WCK administration to clarify” how that had come about. Lebanese fisherman hope ceasefire with Israel means normal life returning TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is bringing hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon. That includes fishermen who’ve long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn. For months, Israel imposed a siege that kept hundreds of fishermen at this ancient Phoenician port ashore. That upended their lives and dealt the industry a major blow. The port siege also cut people off from key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes. As war devastated their country, the loss of fish damaged a deep association with home. Now, the possibility of renewed fishing is helping fuel hope. How Brazilian police say Bolsonaro plotted a coup to stay in office SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others of plotting a coup to keep him in office. The plot was allegedly comprised of several components and substantiated by evidence and testimony in the agency's 884-page report. The pieces of the puzzle include laying the groundwork by systematically sowing distrust of the electoral system among the populace. It also includes drafting a decree to give the plot a veneer of legal basis and pressuring top military brass to go along with the plan. Bolsonaro and his main allies have denied any wrongdoing or involvement and accuse authorities of political persecution. More than 100 arrested as Georgian police clash with protesters over suspension of EU talks TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — More than 100 demonstrators were arrested overnight in Georgia as protesters clashed with police following the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union, the country’s Interior Ministry said. Friday marked the second straight night of protests after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the country’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced the suspension the previous day. The Associated Press saw protesters in Tbilisi being chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country's parliament building. The violence follows Georgian Dream’s disputed victory in the Oct. 26 election, which was widely seen as a referendum on the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Romania's parliamentary vote risks being overshadowed by presidential race chaos BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are preparing to go to the polls in a parliamentary vote that will determine a new government and prime minister to lead the European Union and NATO member country. However, Sunday's vote is sandwiched between a two-round presidential race and is overshadowed by controversies and chaos following the outcome of the first vote. While the president has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security and foreign policy, the prime minister is the head of the nation’s government. Sunday’s vote will determine the formation of the country’s 466-seat legislature. North Korea's Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will “invariably support” Russia’s war in Ukraine as he met Russia's visiting defense chief. A Russia military delegation led by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday as international concerns about the two countries’ expanding cooperation deepened after North Korea sent thousands of troops to Russia. During a Friday meeting, Kim and Belousov reached “a satisfactory consensus” on issues on how to further boost strategic partnership and defend each country’s sovereignty and security interests, state media said. Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest forecast to be hit with snow and dangerous cold into next week BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The first big snow of the season has the potential to bury towns in New York along lakes Erie and Ontario during a hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend. Forecasters says winter storm conditions could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions. Forecasters predict 4 to 6 feet of blowing and drifting snow could fall in Watertown and other areas east of Lake Ontario through Monday. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a disaster emergency in affected areas.
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:41 p.m. ESTWives of 2 netas taste maiden poll victories, Rakibul son Tanzil trips
Ransomware attack on software supplier disrupts operations for Starbucks and other retailersNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Tuesday in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation that’s coming on Wednesday. The S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a day after pulling back from its latest all-time high . They’re the first back-to-back losses for the index in nearly a month, as momentum slows following a big rally that has it on track for one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 154 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%. Tech titan Oracle dragged on the market and sank 6.7% after reporting growth for the latest quarter that fell just short of analysts’ expectations. It was one of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500, even though CEO Safra Catz said the company saw record demand related to artificial-intelligence technology for its cloud infrastructure business, which trains generative AI models. AI has been a big source of growth that’s helped many companies’ stock prices skyrocket. Oracle’s stock had already leaped more than 80% for the year coming into Tuesday, which raised the bar of expectations for its profit report. In the bond market, Treasury yields ticked higher ahead of Wednesday’s report on the inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. Economists expect it to show similar increases as the month before. Wednesday’s update and a report on Thursday about inflation at the wholesale level will be the final big pieces of data the Federal Reserve will get before its meeting next week, where many investors expect the year’s third cut to interest rates . The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to take pressure off the slowing jobs market, after bringing inflation nearly down to its 2% target. Lower rates would help give support to the economy, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts through next year have been a big reason the S&P 500 has set so many records this year. Trading in the options market suggests traders aren’t expecting a very big move for U.S. stocks following Wednesday’s report, according to strategists at Barclays. But a reading far off expectations in either direction could quickly change that. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.22% from 4.20% late Monday. Even though the Fed has been cutting its main interest rate, mortgage rates have been more stubborn to stay high and have been volatile since the autumn. That has hampered the housing industry, and homebuilder Toll Brothers’ stock fell 6.9% even though it delivered profit and revenue for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. CEO Douglas Yearley Jr. said the luxury builder has been seeing strong demand since the start of its fiscal year six weeks ago, an encouraging signal as it approaches the beginning of the spring selling season in mid-January. Elsewhere on Wall Street, Alaska Air Group soared 13.2% after raising its forecast for profit in the current quarter. The airline said demand for flying around the holidays has been stronger than expected. It also approved a plan to buy back up to $1 billion of its stock, along with new service from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul . Boeing climbed 4.5% after saying it’s resuming production of its bestselling plane , the 737 Max, for the first time since 33,000 workers began a seven-week strike that ended in early November. Vail Resorts rose 2.5% after the ski resort operator reported a smaller first-quarter loss than analysts expected in what is traditionally its worst quarter. All told, the S&P 500 fell 17.94 points to 6,034.91. The Dow dipped 154.10 to 44,247.83, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 49.45 to 19,687.24. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in China after the world’s second-largest economy said its exports rose by less than expected in November. Stocks rose 0.6% in Shanghai but fell 0.5% in Hong Kong. Indexes fell across much of Europe ahead of a meeting this week by the European Central Bank, where the widespread expectation is for another cut in interest rates. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted Tuesday while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania, a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder. Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car, spun toward reporters and shouted something partly unintelligible referring to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people” while deputies pushed him inside. Prosecutors were beginning to take steps to bring Mangione back to New York while new details emerged about his life and how he was captured. The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family was charged with murder hours after he was arrested in the Manhattan killing of Brian Thompson , who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company. At the brief hearing, defense lawyer Thomas Dickey informed the court that Mangione will not waive extradition to New York but instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail after prosecutors said he was too dangerous to be released. Mangione, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion but was quieted by his lawyer. A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said that at the time of his arrest, Mangione was carrying a handwritten document expressing anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed and power. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive health care system in the world and that profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin. In social media posts, Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary," according to the police bulletin. Kaczynski carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology. Mangione remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors have obtained an arrest warrant, a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania — about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City — after a McDonald's customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Officers found him sitting at a back table, wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop, according to a Pennsylvania police criminal complaint. He initially gave them a fake ID, but when an officer asked Mangione whether he’d been to New York recently, he “became quiet and started to shake,” the complaint says. When he pulled his mask down at officers' request, “we knew that was our guy,” rookie Officer Tyler Frye said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald's while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and beanie. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione also had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America." A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the document included a line in which Mangione claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also had a line that said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. Police quickly came to see the shooting as a targeted attack by a gunman who appeared to wait for Thompson, came up behind him and fired a 9 mm pistol. Investigators have said “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition found near Thompson's body. The words mimic “delay, deny, defend,” a phrase used to criticize the insurance industry . From surveillance video, New York investigators determined the shooter quickly fled the city, likely by bus. A grandson of a wealthy, self-made real estate developer and philanthropist, Mangione is a cousin of a current Maryland state legislator. Valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, he went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland Del. Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” From January to June 2022, Luigi Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. "There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. ___ Scolforo reported from Altoona and Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Contributing were Associated Press writers Cedar Attanasio and Jennifer Peltz in New York; Michael Rubinkam and Maryclaire Dale in Pennsylvania; Lea Skene in Baltimore; and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu.
City are now six games without a victory but appeared to be cruising towards three points before being stunned by the Eredivisie side, who hit them with goals from Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko to fight back from 3-0 down. Two goals from Erling Haaland, one of them a penalty, and one from Ilkay Gundogan had the 2023 European champions three up after 53 minutes as they sought the win that would help to get their ailing season back on track. FULL-TIME | A point apiece. 🩵 3-3 ⚫️ | — Manchester City (@ManCity) After the team collapsed in the closing stages, Ake called on his team-mates to show their mettle if their campaign is not to wither away. Speaking to Amazon Prime, he was asked whether he believed the the team’s problem is a mental one. “Maybe it is,” he said. “It is difficult to say. Obviously we have not been in this situation many times but this is where we have to show our character. “When everything seems to go against us and everyone is writing us off, we have to stay strong mentally, believe in ourselves and stick together. 🔢 — Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) “Every season there is a period when they write us off. We have to make sure we stay strong as a team and staff and make sure we get out of it.” The draw leaves City with work to do if they are to secure one of the eight automatic spots in the last 16 of this season’s Champions League. They are currently 15th in the table, two points outside of the top eight, and will need positive results in their next two games against Juventus and Paris St Germain to keep their hopes alive. They then face Club Brugge in their final league match on January 29. The result at least ended a run of five straight defeats in all competitions ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with leaders Liverpool at Anfield. “When you are three goals up it feels like a defeat when you give up three goals at home,” said Ake. “It is tough now, a tough night, but the only thing we can do is look forward to the next one. Liverpool is a big game and it is another challenge to overcome. “(We were) 3-0 up and we played quite well and were under control, but then it all changed. “You just have to stay strong mentally. At 3-1 they then push on but I think we need to go for it a bit earlier so we could keep the pressure on them, but we stayed playing at the back and maybe invited more pressure on us. “Then when you concede the second one there is even more pressure and then we have to stay stronger mentally.”
Peregrine falcons recorded nesting in Singapore's CBD for first time, tray set up to encourage breedingFILE; An air travel passenger rushes with excitement to meet her pick-up after arriving at LAX for Thanksgiving in 2021. Allen J. Schaben/Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images In this week's air travel news, three national travel organizations are predicting the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of passenger numbers at U.S. airports; Spirit Airlines says its Chapter 11 filing should have no immediate impact on customers or flight operations; American expands new boarding group enforcement technology to scores of airports; Southwest plans to add another Hawaii route from Sacramento; Mexico's Volaris is adding three new routes out of Oakland International; TAP Air Portugal's new sale has fares to Europe as low as $399 round trip from SFO; low-cost carriers Allegiant and Frontier announce more California routes; Delta starts offering Shake Shack burgers in domestic first-class cabins; Los Angeles International begins testing people-mover trains in its Central Terminal Area; a new Capital One lounge at Washington Reagan National features cuisine from a celebrity chef with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Three organizations have issued air travel forecasts for the Thanksgiving holiday period, and they all agree on one thing: It will likely be the busiest ever. AAA's annual Thanksgiving travel forecast, which covers the period from Nov. 26 (the Tuesday before the holiday) to Dec. 2 (the Monday after), predicts that 5.84 million Americans will fly domestically. That's 2.1% more than last year and 10.7% more than the last pre-pandemic year of 2019. While AAA predicts the number of people traveling, the airline industry — as represented by the trade group Airlines for America (A4A) — projects the total number of flights taken over a longer period. From Nov. 22 through Dec. 2, the organization said, U.S. airlines are expected to carry more than 31 million passengers — "an all-time high." That's an increase of 5% over last year's holiday period, and it... Jim GlabTaste of Mexico: AtoleU.S. small-cap stocks are delivering a standout performance in November, aligning with a well-established seasonal trend that often paves the way for a strong December. Historically, small caps tend to excel in the final two months of the year, with November’s impressive gains often rolling into December as part of the so-called “Santa Rally.” The Russell 2000 index, the leading benchmark for small-cap equities, has climbed an impressive 8% this November, on track for the second-best monthly performance of the year. See Also: Google, Anthropic Deal In Jeopardy As Regulators Look To Break Up Search Monopoly Data spanning more than two decades shows that November delivered the highest average returns for small-cap stocks. From the year 2000 onward, the iShares Russell 2000 ETF IWM , has averaged a 2.6% gain in November, marking it as the strongest month of the year. What's even more striking is the reliability of this trend—79% of the time, the month ends with small-cap stocks in the green. The Russell 2000 has ended November in negative territory only four times: A decline of 9.97% in 2000, 6.97% in 2007, 11.93% in 2008, and 4.33% in 2021. In all other years, small-cap stocks have delivered gains during the month. The strongest rally occurred in November 2020, when the Russell soared 18.24% buoyed by the discovery of the Covid-19 vaccine. Yet, history suggests this isn't the time to cash out just yet. Investors tempted to take profits after November's gains might reconsider, as December historically ranks as the second-best month for small caps. On average, the Russell 2000 rose 1.46% in December, with 67% of years showing positive performance. The combination of these two months often gives small-cap investors a powerful year-end boost. Russell 2000 Monthly Seasonality: November And December Show The Highest Average Gains Why Are Small Caps Outperforming in November 2024? As of late November, the Russell 2000's 8% rally far surpasses the 4% rise of the S&P 500, tracked by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY . This outperformance is being driven by three major catalysts: 1. Federal Reserve Rate Cuts The Federal Reserve has shifted into rate-cut mode, lowering rates by 25 basis points in November following a 50-basis-point reduction in September. Policymakers have signaled that further cuts are likely, albeit at a slower pace, as long as inflation continues to decelerate. Lower interest rates disproportionately benefit small-cap companies, which rely more heavily on bank financing than their larger-cap counterparts. With borrowing costs falling, small businesses are better positioned to invest, grow, and improve profitability, giving them a significant tailwind compared to multinational firms. 2. Political Tailwinds From 2024 Elections The outcome of the 2024 U.S. elections — a Republican trifecta (presidency, Senate and House of Representatives) — has fueled optimism among small-cap investors expecting the Trump administration to roll back regulations. Additionally, the potential reintroduction of trade tariffs could act as a buffer for small-cap businesses by reducing competition from international firms facing higher regulatory or import costs. Financial services and industrial stocks, heavily represented in small-cap indices, have been among the top beneficiaries of this shift. 3. Economic Resilience The U.S. economy is showing remarkable resilience by delivering strong GDP growth rates. The Atlanta Fed's GDPNow estimate pegs fourth-quarter real GDP growth at 2.6%, following robust gains of 3.0% and 2.8% in the second and third quarters, respectively. The labor market, a key indicator of economic health, also remains resilient. Despite disruptions from strikes and hurricanes affecting October payrolls data, jobless claims have fallen to their lowest levels in seven months in mid-November, indicating a tight labor market and sustained consumer confidence. These factors collectively underpin the performance of small-cap stocks, which are often more sensitive to domestic economic trends. What's Next For Small Caps? With November's gains already in the books, historical patterns suggest that small caps could keep their momentum into December. Whether fueled by seasonal trends, macroeconomic tailwinds, or political optimism, small-cap stocks are positioning themselves as a standout opportunity for year-end trading. Now Read: 7 US Natural Gas Stocks To Watch As Henry Hub Prices Surge 50% In November Image: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Article content No surprise that No. 97 is leading the NHL in points, or very close to the top. Happens every season, right? Like the brightest star coming out at night. But it’s not Connor McDavid . It’s currently Kirill Kaprizov. Now, McDavid, who has won the Art Ross trophy five times, could still reel in the Minnesota Wild winger by Christmas — he’s picked up 100 places in the points race, the last few weeks—but Kaprizov is second with 33 points in 18 games, one back of Colorado’s Nate MacKinnon, the reigning Hart trophy winner. He went into the Edmonton Oilers game Thursday with 13 goals and 20 assists, also plus 17. Kaprizov, who certainly is in the MVP conversation, leads or co-leads the NHL in points-per-game (1.83), has 27 primary points and 19 even-strength and has more three-point games, six, than scoreless ones, three. He’s on pace for 150 points, but if you ask the 27-year-old Russian if he likes the test of going against McDavid, who has 24 points, frankly a megastar who lives in another orbit, he demurs about that stuff. But his coach John Hynes doesn’t. He says there’s a “He’s good, I’m good” factor. “The top guys, in my experience, it’s about the competitive level. There’s a respect there to be able to test themselves,” said Hynes. “That’s why the guys at the top of the league are extreme competitors, they like the challenge of playing each other.” “Like I saw where MacKinnon was disappointed that (Alex) Ovechkin wasn’t going to be playing (in the Avs-Caps game Thursday) because he’s out,” said Hynes. But, Kaprizov downplayed the mano-o-mano aspect. “I like playing against everyone,” said Kaprizov. “He’s a star, one of the best players in the league, but every team has star players.” What does he wish he had that McDavid has? “He’s one of the best players, how I say, in the world, he’s fast, good hands. Everything,” he said. But Kaprizov can wheel, too. “No, I’m slow,” he said, with a laugh. He’s far from that. “I don’t like to talk about my game. You guys can talk about it. I don’t like to say something good or not so good. I just play,” said Kaprizov, 27. But, he one of the starriest athlete in the Twin Cities area. He gets recognized, out for dinner, or out getting a coffee. The attention is polite and welcome. “I don’t care (about posing for cellphone photos, autographs, chats). I was this way when I was younger, too. I wanted pictures of players, or the signings. It’s nice when kids know you,” he said. “There were players on my team, growing up, players you would not know, but it was important for me to see them out in the life, not just on TV.” Now, everybody wants to see Kaprizov, who was drafted in the fifth-round in 2015 but didn’t come over to the NHL until 2020. He is a dog-on-bone, wanting-the-puck player, coming out of traffic with it. Big shot, clever, worker. Not McDavid quick, but quick enough, with a skating style like Sidney Crosby, like Doug Weight had here in his Oilers days. Where did he learn that? “Playing for Ufa, from (teammate Teemu) Hartikainen. I think he played in Edmonton,” said Kaprizov, of the big-body Finnish winger who was an Oilers sixth-round draft pick in 2008, a very good AHL scorer who got into 50 NHL games before he left North America far too soon and returned to Europe where he’s been a star in Russia, and now at 34, playing in Switzerland. Former NHLer Wes Walz, who had 54 goals in 56 games for the WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes in his last year of junior, played 607 games in the show, was an assistant coach in Tampa for the Lightning, and now works on the Wild broadcast, was once a checking centre and knows a special talent when he sees one. “Kirill can score off the rush. But where he does his damage is down below the dots. He reminds me of Crosby, with his footwork below the goal line,” said Walz. “You watch him in a puck battle and he’ll come up with the loose puck and you’ll think how did he just get six feet of separation? What just happened? It’s his footwork, the skating thing. It’s not next-level skating, but it’s different. It allows him to win pucks all over the ice. He does play a 200-foot game.” Walz appreciates all the stars because he used to have to try and check them, and he especially likes the stars who aren’t one-trick ponies — all offence, all the time. Walz loves MacKinnon’s game as he tromps through the neutral zone and he plays both ends, but a quarter of the way through the schedule, Kaprizov has shown to be great with the puck and very sound without it. “I know Nathan MacKinnon is leading the league in scoring but he’s plus-two. You watch Kirill in his own zone, on the wall. As a former player you don’t get impressed with a lot but when you watch this guy play, it’s very inspiring,” said Walz. Walz was a teammate of Marian Gaborik, the first superstar for the Wild. He was a dynamic talent, but Kaprizov is a cut above with 108- and 96-point seasons. Gaborik’s high in points was 83. “We had a game-breaker with Marian but this is a different level. Marian had straight-line speed, powerful, kind of reminded me of a Pavel Bure,” said Walz. “But Kirill hounds the puck, second and third opportunities.” It’s so hard to get a superstar on an NHL team, and not just be a worker-bee group. Kaprizov doesn’t kill penalties — no sense blocking a shot and breaking a bone — but he’s sound enough defensively and reads the offensive tendencies so well that he’s also on the ice in the last minute, protecting a one-goal lead. Like McDavid, like Leon Draisaitl here. Kaprizov is one of the 10 best players in the NHL. “You guys here haven’t had to worry about that (star power). We knew how we had to play in this organization for years. We knew the best two offensive players were on the other team every night. You wouldn’t see them most of the night, you would be checking the hell out of them, they would get half a chance and you lose 3-1 or 3-2. Now, Kirlll is the game-breaker,” said Walz..” Walz always played hard and responsibly. But when the surpremely gifted ones have that worker gene, too, look out. “What I didn’t know about Kiril before coming over from Russia was his desire to be great. It’s like what you guys watch every day. There’s a lot of great players who don’t have that desire. He’s the first guy on the ice, you have to kick him off after practice. Some nights he plays 23-24 minutes.” “He has that goofy gene where he can do something at the end of a shift, kind of reminds me of Leon where you’re thinking he can’t get much done here after an 80 seconds on the ice, and all of a sudden he’ll protect the puck and get to the middle of the ice,” said Walz.
Robert Wickham Joins RFHL Board of Directors