Burning questions weigh heavily after the devastationU.S. stocks, led by small caps, ended the week higher on steady bond yields. A well-anticipated earnings report from Nvidia contributed to market volatility but failed to fuel a rally in large-tech caps. Gold continued to shine, outperforming equities for the week and the year. The S&P 500 ended Nov. 22 at 5,969, up by 1.68 percent for the week; the Dow Jones finished at a new high, 44,296, up by 1.96 percent; the tech-heavy Nasdaq ended at 19,003, up by 1.73 percent; and the small-cap Russell 2000 finished at 2,406 with a gain of 4.46 percent. That’s a sharp turnaround from the previous week when small caps led equity indexes lower on rising bond yields. But the recovery wasn’t smooth, with the CBOE volatility index all over for most of the week before stabilizing at the end of the week. Then, Nvidia’s third-quarter earnings report added to the technology sector’s market volatility. Wall Street analysts have been closely watching Nvidia’s performance, as it is a bellwether for AI spending and the rally in tech shares in the last couple of years. Nvidia’s stock rose ahead of its earnings report on Wednesday afternoon, heightening market expectations. But it was all over the map in the subsequent two trading sessions following the report’s release. The tech giant beat market expectations, but more is needed to please the most bullish expectations. In addition, investors needed help deciding whether the current market valuation already reflects the solid third-quarter financial results. Sidharth Ramsinghaney, director of strategy and operations with cloud communications company Twilio, is optimistic about Nvidia’s shares and AI spending. “While we’re clearly in a period of extraordinary AI infrastructure buildout, it’s important to understand this isn’t a typical semiconductor cycle,” he told The Epoch Times in an email. “We’re seeing sustained demand across multiple waves—first from hyper-scalers, then enterprise adoption, and now emerging international markets.” But he sees some potential risks, too. “The key metrics to watch aren’t just the headline revenue numbers, but the composition of NVIDIA’s order book and customer diversification,” he said. “With AI spending becoming disciplined, the sustainability of their growth trajectory will depend on their ability to expand beyond the major cloud providers.” Clark Bellin, president and chief investment officer of Bellwether Wealth, is skeptical about Nvidia’s stock due to its valuation. He would rather wait for a better entry point while looking into other AI sectors for better investment opportunities. “For investors who do not own Nvidia, it may be best to wait for a pullback instead of establishing a position in this name when the stock is near record highs,” he told The Epoch Times in an email. “For investors looking for exposure to AI, other areas of the market are tied to the AI story with more attractive valuations, such as utilities and companies focused on strengthening the electrical grid and supply of electricity. ” Bellin believes the stock market is in an uptrend post-election, as the election uncertainty has disappeared. Meanwhile, gold climbed to $2,718 per ounce, up 5.87 percent for the week, outperforming equities. Gold is up more than 31 percent for the year, outperforming the S&P 500, up 25.15 percent. Last week’s gains in the yellow metal came despite elevated bond yields and a stronger dollar, meaning that something else is in play, like the escalation of the Russia–Ukraine war and the uncertainty surrounding the fiscal program of the incoming Trump administration. Matt Willer, a private assets investment expert, expects more gains in the beginning of 2025. He is quoting Goldman Sachs analysts, who see the yellow metal soaring to $3,000 per ounce by the end of 2025 due to growing purchases by central banks and the prospect of declining interest rates, which lower the “carry cost” of the yellow metal. “Central banks have increased their purchases of gold recently, leading to a shift in the dynamics between gold prices and interest rates,” he explained in an email to The Epoch Times. “Anticipated reductions in interest rates by the Federal Reserve may increase the attractiveness of gold as an asset that does not yield returns and could potentially push prices up.” In addition, Willer sees ongoing geopolitical instabilities, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, boosting the reputation of gold as an asset during uncertain times. “Investors should monitor these updates, as they could impact gold prices in the coming months,” he said.
WASHINGTON , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- It is with deep sadness that Universities Space Research Association (USRA) announces the passing of Dr. Berrien Moore III , an internationally recognized leader in Earth Science and an invaluable member of the USRA Board of Trustees. Dr. Moore passed away on December 17, 2024 , in Norman, Oklahoma . He was the Dean of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and Director of the National Weather Center at the University of Oklahoma . Dr. Moore was elected to the USRA Board of Trustees in 2019 and re-elected for a second term in 2022. He served in multiple leadership capacities on the Board, including Chair of the Compensation Committee, inaugural Chair of the University Engagement Committee, and, since 2021, Vice Chair of the Board. Gen Lester Lyles , Chair of the USRA Board of Trustees said, "We are profoundly grieved by the loss of Berrien Moore , a treasured member of our Board. Berrien was a strong leader and a dedicated advocate for Earth Science. With his wit and charm, Berrien was more than just a colleague, he was a true friend to everyone. On behalf of the entire Board, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Berrien's family and loved ones during this challenging time." Dr. Jeffrey Isaacson , President and CEO of USRA commented, "At USRA, we are deeply saddened by this news. This is a terrific loss for our Association, but we are grateful to have had the privilege of working with Berrien and are indebted by his many contributions. All of us at USRA extend our heartfelt condolences, prayers, and support to his family." Dr. Moore served in several capacities with NASA including as Principal Investigator of NASA's Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory (GeoCarb) mission that placed University of Oklahoma at the forefront of climate research. He also served as chair of NASA's Space and Earth Science Advisory Council, as a member of the NASA Advisory Council, and was on several other committees. As a Coordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he contributed to the body of work that garnered the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. His honors include NASA's highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Medal for outstanding service, the NOAA Administrator's Recognition Award, and the 2007 Dryden Lectureship in Research medal by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Dr. Moore is survived by his wife Lucia and his daughter Leila. About USRA Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology, and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities and conducts other major research and educational programs. It is an association with 121 university members. It engages the broader university community, employs in-house scientific talent, and offers innovative research, development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu . PR Contact: Suraiya Farukhi sfarukhi@usra.edu 443-812-6945 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usra-mourns-the-loss-of-dr-berrien-moore-iii-a-distinguished-member-of-the-board-of-trustees-302337533.html SOURCE Universities Space Research AssociationS&P/TSX composite index slightly up Wednesday, U.S. stock markets also riseUNK awards degrees during winter commencement
The Division number 8 police have arrested a man accused of stealing 12 diamond-studded gold rings worth ₹ 12 lakh from his employer’s jewellery shop. The accused, identified as Vinay Kumar Chauhan, a resident of Ali Mohalla in Jalandhar, was employed as a salesman in the jewellery shop owned by Sham Sunder Verma in Sarabha Nagar. Verma had filed a theft complaint. Inspector Balwinder Kaur, SHO of Division number 8 police station, siad Chauhan was hired on September 2 to sell gold and diamond jewellery to other jewellers. As part of his role, he was entrusted with receiving payments and returning them to the office. The theft came to light when Verma discovered that Chauhan had sold jewellery to a Jalandhar-based jeweller and collected full payment but failed to deposit the amount. Suspicious, Verma called the jeweller and confirmed the payment had already been made to Chauhan. When confronted, Chauhan assured Verma he would deposit the funds soon. When he scanned the stock, he found that 12 diamond-studded gold rings were missing following which a police complaint was filed. The police have registered an FIR against Chauhan under Sections 316(2) (Criminal breach of trust) and 306 (Theft by clerk or servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. While the accused has been arrested, the police are working to recover the stolen rings. Inspector Balwinder Kaur further said Chauhan had a history of theft. Before joining Verma’s shop, he worked at another jewellery store where he was involved in stealing gold chains. In that case, Chauhan had compensated the store for the stolen items.UK Airports Under Travel Disruption Alert as Persistent Fog Leads to Widespread Flight Delays and Cancellations for Second Day
RONAN, Mont. - A Rocky Mountain Transport bus used to bring Whitefish High School speech and debate students to an event caught fire in Ronan on Saturday night. Ronan Fire Chief Chris Adler confirmed with NonStop Local on Sunday that the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department responded to the bus on fire in a parking lot around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. He said at the time, no students were on the bus, but the bus driver was transported to the hospital. When crews arrived, the back of the bus was engulfed, but the fire spread to the entire bus. To help the students get back home, the Ronan school district bussed them back to Whitefish. Multiple parents on social media noted the students "lost everything" they had on the bus. Whitefish Schools has not made a statement on the incident. According to the school district's schedule, the students were in Ronan for speech and debate by Ronan invite. NonStop Local will update this story as more information becomes available.
PARKER: International Criminal Court pretends to be about justice
isn’t just the recipient of 2018 “Sexiest Man Alive” title. No, he’s also an actor, rapper, DJ, and Golden Globe winner who has appeared in shows like and , and movies like and . Not only that, but in 2020 he became the owner of a Champagne and rose wine brand when he started his own label called Porte Noire. And now he’s gotten into the Cognac game with the launch of the new Porte Noire Cognac, which was made in collaboration with Maison Ferrand. Maison Ferrand is a French company that produces several different spirits, including Planteray Rum (formerly called Planation Rum), Ferrand Dry Curacao, , and, of course, Ferrand Cognac. This Cognac house dates back to the 17th century when Elie Ferrand founded it in the Grande Champagne region of France. In 2016, Alexandre Gabriel took over after several decades of friendship with Mademoiselle Henriette Ranson-Ferrand, the last descendant and 10th generation of Elie Ferrands. Given this long backstory, and the fact that Maison Ferrand is much smaller than any of the big houses like , , or , it made sense for Elba to partner with Gabriel on this new Cognac. It should be noted that this is the first time that Maison Ferrand has created a new Cognac brand for an outside business. “As owner and master blender of Maison Ferrand, I have always looked for great sources of inspiration to make unique Cognacs and meeting Idris was one of those moments,” said Gabriel in a statement. “From the vineyard to the glass, the craft behind Cognac is nothing short of extraordinary,” added Elba. “With Porte Noire Cognac, we’ve created something that tells the story of the region but also feels fresh and new, inviting both seasoned Cognac enthusiasts and newcomers alike to enjoy.” This is not the first celebrity Cognac release, as you might have imagined. is still a part owner of , even though he sold a portion of his stake to Bacardi after a legal battle. DJ D-Nice is an investor in the new Cognac brand, which was founded by some former Pernod Ricard executives. And rapper Quavo recently partnered with to launch White X. There is not a huge amount of information about what is actually in Elba’s new bottles, but we do know that Porte Noire Cognac is a VSOP expression, meaning the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend is a minimum of four years old. We have not gotten to taste the Cognac, but the official tasting notes describe apricot, vanilla, spice, tobacco, leather, oak honey, and caramel on the palate. Porte Noire Cognac is initially launching in the U.K., where it will be available for £79.99 (about $104) from online retailers like Master of Malt and . The plan is for the Cognac to reach the U.S. in early 2025, according to the website , where it will be available in select states. Sign up for . For the latest news, follow us on , , and .This Hanukkah, Let’s Bring Back Judith Menorahs
Analysis: Win or lose at UNC, Belichick's NFL legacy cementedPresident-elect Donald Trump is siding with the dockworkers union as it negotiates a new contract, touting his "America First" policies and warning that "automation" at the ports would harm American workers. Trump said he met with Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoremen's Association , and Dennis Daggett, its executive vice president. "I've studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it. The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen," the incoming president said on Truth Social . "Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn't be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt," he continued. The union, which represents 45,000 workers, and the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents shipping companies, have until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract . A stalemate could result in a strike that would shut down ports and halt shipping as Trump enters the White House. One of the main sticking points in the discussions is the move to automation. The alliance responded to Trump, saying it shares the goal of "adding good-paying jobs at our ports." It went on to say "We need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains. ILA members' compensation increases with the more goods they move – the greater capacity our ports have and goods that are moved means more money in their pockets." Union workers ended a three-day work stoppage at East and Gulf ports in October after reaching a "tentative agreement on wages and have agreed to extend the Master Contract until January 15, 2025." Trump painted the dispute as a conflict between American workers and foreign companies. "They've got record profits, and I'd rather these foreign companies spend it on the great men and women on our docks, than machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced," he said. "In the end, there's no gain for them, and I hope that they will understand how important an issue this is for me," Trump said. "For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries. It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!," he said.First American Financial Co. ( NYSE:FAF – Get Free Report ) has been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the five research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $74.50. FAF has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Stephens increased their price target on First American Financial from $66.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of First American Financial from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of First American Financial from $68.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $80.00 price objective on shares of First American Financial in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on FAF Institutional Investors Weigh In On First American Financial First American Financial Stock Down 1.4 % Shares of NYSE:FAF opened at $62.54 on Friday. First American Financial has a fifty-two week low of $51.60 and a fifty-two week high of $70.92. The company has a market cap of $6.44 billion, a PE ratio of 70.27 and a beta of 1.30. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $65.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $62.19. First American Financial ( NYSE:FAF – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 23rd. The insurance provider reported $1.34 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.15 by $0.19. First American Financial had a return on equity of 7.95% and a net margin of 1.58%. The company had revenue of $1.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.66 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.22 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that First American Financial will post 4.07 EPS for the current year. First American Financial Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, December 9th were issued a dividend of $0.54 per share. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 9th. First American Financial’s payout ratio is 242.70%. About First American Financial ( Get Free Report First American Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services. It operates through Title Insurance and Services, and Home Warranty segments. The Title Insurance and Services segment issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property, as well as offers related products and services internationally. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for First American Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First American Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. People are also reading... The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Be the first to know70th ABVP National Convention Gorakhpur: Remembering the contributions of freedom fighters and youth leaders during the Indian freedom movement, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged the youth to continue working towards building a strong nation at the 70th annual national convention of the BJP's student wing – the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Gorakhpur on Sunday. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025 Live: KKR break bank for Venkatesh Iyer, Ashwin returns to CSK IPL 2025 Auction LIVE: Updated Full Team Squads IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom Urging the youth to embrace science and technology to navigate the modern era efficiently, Yogi emphasised the need to harmonise knowledge and virtue. Cautioning against the failure to adapt, he warned that it could lead to significant challenges and hardships, urging young people to make the best use of technology in their respective fields. Addressing a special session on the closing day of the convention, held at Deendayal Upadhyay University, the UP CM said that no country in the world matches India's zeal for knowledge. Referring to the ABVP's motto – Gyaan, Sheel, Ekta (knowledge, modesty, and unity) – Yogi told the audience that just as knowledgeable ‘Rishis' carried wisdom with them, today's youth should follow the teachings of the Gita. He quoted, "Na Hi Gyanen Sadisham Pavitramih Vidyate" (nothing is purer than knowledge), urging the youth to acquire complete knowledge in subjects that interest them. Referring to the initial resistance towards computerisation in the 90s, Yogi pointed out that what was once opposed has now become part of daily life. Technologies like smartphones, internet services, online work culture, power, telephones, television, aeroplanes, microwaves, GPS, and social media have all advanced and integrated into everyday existence, he added. Yogi emphasised that the right-minded youth, willing to serve society and the nation, can use technology to strengthen both. However, he cautioned the youth against falling victim to negative influences. "Technology becomes a tool for public and national welfare when used effectively. But in the hands of wrongdoers, it can become a weapon to spread terror and destruction," he said. The CM stressed the importance of understanding the timeline of tasks and making preparations accordingly. "In the past, great sages like Dadhichi made supreme sacrifices for the greater good. But today, instead of focusing on self-sacrifice, we should focus on harnessing the power of technology," Yogi said. He encouraged the youth to introspect, stating that the biggest challenge of the present age is to remain human. "To remain human, one must be knowledgeable and virtuous. The Vedic principle ‘Sab Saath Chale, Sab Saath Badhe' must be embraced by all. By prioritizing Rashtradharma (national duty) over everything else, we can pave the way for the welfare of humanity," said Yogi. Yogi reaffirmed that only by following the path of national duty can India achieve the goal of being a developed, self-reliant, and self-sufficient nation by its centenary of independence in 2047. He called for collective efforts to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. "As the youngest nation globally, with 56% of the population being youth, the energy you provide will give the country a new direction," he said. Citing examples from both mythological and revolutionary eras, Yogi highlighted how youth power shaped history. He mentioned how Lord Ram protected the innocent and upheld unity in his youth, and how Krishna freed Mathura from the tyranny of Kansa. He also referenced figures like Buddha, Mahavira, Adi Shankaracharya, Guru Gobind Singh, and the four Sahibzadas, whose youthful energy transformed the course of history. He further cited Chhatrapati Shivaji, Maharana Pratap, the brave freedom fighters of 1857 like Maharana Lapat, and revolutionaries such as Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Thakur Roshan Singh, Ashfaqulla Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Veer Savarkar, who contributed significantly to the country. In the realm of science, Yogi pointed out that Louis Braille created the script for the visually impaired at just 15, Einstein formulated the theory of relativity at 16, and Newton developed the theory of gravity at 23. "These examples show how youth energy has always been a force for transformation and progress," he said. Yogi also praised the ABVP as one of the world's largest youth organizations, noting that it channels youth energy in the right direction. "I am proud to have been a member of this organisation during my student life. It is a matter of great fortune to have been a part of the Vidyarthi Parishad," he said. He also felicitated Dipesh Nair, co-founder of the Training and Educational Centre for Hearing Impaired (TEACH) in Thane, with the Professor Yashwantrao Kelkar Yuva Award.The Road Trip viewers give verdict on new rom-com with Harry Potter and Bridgerton stars
Iowa cornerback Jermari Harris has opted out of the remainder of the 2024 season in order to prepare for the NFL draft, according to a report by 247Sports.com . The 6-foot-1 sixth-year senior from Chicago has recorded 27 tackles, three interceptions and a team-high seven pass breakups in 10 games for the Hawkeyes this season. That includes a pick-6 in a 38-21 win over Troy earlier this season. Iowa (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) plays at Maryland on Saturday before closing out its regular season at home against Nebraska on Nov. 29. The Hawkeyes are already bowl eligible, so Harris is likely opting out of three games in total. After missing the entire 2022 season due to an ankle injury, Harris was suspended for two games of the following season for his involvement in the gambling investigation into Iowa athletics. He later emerged as the Hawkeyes' top cornerback, earning the team's comeback player of the year award after compiling 42 tackles, one interception and eight pass breakups. Harris will finish his college career with 105 tackles and eight interceptions. --Field Level MediaTechnopark gets CRISIL A+/Stable rating for fourth year in rowTagovailoa carves up Pats with 4 TDs, Dolphins win 3rd straight game with 34-15 rout of New England
Oregon Tech’s storied athletic history came to life recently when five former standouts were added to the Howard Morris Athletic Hall of Fame. “This is a chance for us to share our history, and we have coaches now who are on the shoulders of what others did before them,” athletic director John VanDyke said before a packed house for the induction ceremonies. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.RED BLUFF — It’s not often that principals and students embrace and shout happily at one another, but Friday night was a special occasion. With a 21-10 victory over the Foothill Cougars, the Red Bluff Spartans secured their first Northern Section championship berth in 25 years. The Spartans (10-2), seeded third in Division II, got off to a slow start against a Foothill team (7-4) that beat them 29-26 in Eastern Athletic League play. Red Bluff will play top-seeded Pleasant Valley, to whom the Spartans forfeited an EAL game. It took a while Friday for Red Bluff to establish its ground game with the rain pouring. Zach Shaver was the driving force behind the running strategy. The Spartans punted on their first possession. Red Bluff’s defense was able to hold off Foothill’s initial short passes and force a punt. It was like this for the quarter; neither team could get a strong foothold in their opponent’s territory. With both teams running a lot, the clock did not stop much, and before anyone knew it, the first quarter ended scoreless. Foothill had possession of the ball to start the second and continued to pound the forward with a few passes to shake things up. A sack by Red Bluff’s Bryce Owens squashed what progress the Cougars made at that point. An offensive pass interference call went against Foothill soon after, dampening their momentum further. The Spartans had pass completions to Elijah Hohenberger, Landon Kunau and Brice Clinger. They could not keep this up, though, and ended their drive with a punt. Finally, Foothill’s game plan bore some fruit. The Cougars marched up the field, but the Spartans stopped them from approaching the end zone. The Cougars’ Evan Hutchings kicked a 35-yard field goal to put Foothill up 3-0. Multiple runs by Shaver got Red Bluff within striking distance of scoring. When Kayden Leaf’s 35-yard pass came to Hohenberger, he took the ball and ran straight into the end zone. The Spartans were up 7-3, and Foothill decided to run out the clock to halftime. Neither team was able to establish much at the start of the third quarter. It took a while, but Foothill began finding more success with passes and runs. Penalties that went against the Spartans did not help matters, either. The Cougars scored on a short touchdown run to retake the lead, 10-7. Fortunately for Red Bluff, those were the last points Foothill scored on the night. The running game, anchored by Cruz Servera and Shaver, countered the Cougars’ score by moving the ball upfield, setting up Leaf to quarterback-sneak his way into a touchdown. Red Bluff was up again, 14-10. Foothill tried to respond but could not move the ball and was forced to punt. Leaf opened the next drive with a small gain, then found his favorite target Kunau for deep pass play out the 40-yard line, A Shaver run pushed Red Bluff forward into Foothill territory. That set up a short pass play to Owens, who turned it into a touchdown and a 21-10 lead. After the game, Coach Jacob Daricek joked the rain was not so bad with a victory. “It’s awesome for our town, for our community, for all the coaches that they’ve had,” Daricek said. “You know, in the past, they all played a role in this, from the junior Spartans on. Let’s just go on to get PV!” The Spartans will play top-seeded Pleasant Valley on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Asgard Yard. It will be the Spartans’ first Northern Section championship appearance since they defeated Enterprise 34-2 for the 1999 Division I title.TORONTO — Canada's main stock index edged higher in trading on Wednesday, helped by strength in the technology sector, while U.S. stock markets also rose. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 5.45 points at 25,641.18. The index took a “breather” Wednesday ahead of key labour market indicators set to be released both in Canada and the U.S. this week, said Angelo Kourkafas, senior investment strategist at Edward Jones. Statistics Canada will report the latest data from the national labour force survey on Friday, the same day the November jobs report is due in the U.S. “That's the last important data point for the Bank of Canada before they meet next week,” said Kourkafas. November was a strong month for equities, he said, so it isn't surprising that investors are digesting the gains while they await new data. He said it’s expected that Statistics Canada will report an acceleration of job gains after last month brought a “relatively weak reading,” with job gains at about half of what analysts were expecting. While Canada’s central bank is expected to cut its key interest rate a fifth straight time on Dec. 11, the size of the cut could depend on that jobs data, he said. “We're now looking at a rebound, but as the Bank of Canada deliberates between a quarter point cut versus half a percentage point cut, I think what we are going to see in terms of unemployment rate and the base of job gains is going to have a say into that,” said Kourkafas, adding that wage growth is another important metric to watch. “If we see steady job growth and slowing wages, that can potentially tilt the Bank of Canada towards a larger cut.” In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 308.51 points at 45,014.04. The S&P 500 index was up 36.61 points at 6,086.49, while the Nasdaq composite was up 254.21 points at 19,735.12. U.S. markets were propelled by strength in the technology sector, said Kourkafas, highlighting strong results in quarterly earnings released this week by Salesforce Inc. and Marvell Technology Inc. “I think today's results highlight that there is still a long runway and still enthusiasm, excitement about artificial intelligence and kind of that multi-year adoption cycle,” he said. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.09 cents US compared with 71.14 cents US on Tuesday. The January crude oil contract was down US$1.40 at US$68.54 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was up less than a penny at US$3.04 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was up US$8.30 at US$2,676.20 an ounce and the March copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.20 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press