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VANCOUVER - A Federal Court judge has dismissed an appeal by a “deeply religious” British Columbia health executive who said he was wrongfully denied employment insurance after being fired three years ago for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Darold Sturgeon was fired as executive director of medical affairs for Interior Health in November 2021 after refusing to get the vaccine based on his Christian beliefs. He applied for employment insurance benefits but was denied due to being fired for “misconduct,” with appeals to two levels of the Social Security Tribunal also failing, leading him to seek a judicial review in Federal Court in August 2023. The ruling says Sturgeon believed the tribunal should have examined his assertion under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that the term “misconduct” did not apply to his case “because he was exercising his freedom of religion.” Justice William Pentney says “recent, abundant and unanimous case law” defined a specific and narrow role for the tribunal’s appeal divisions, focusing on an employee’s conduct, and not justification for and employer’s policies or compliance with the Charter. The ruling says Sturgeon’s appeal fell “outside the mandate” of the tribunal and he could have challenged Interior Health’s mandatory vaccine police “through other avenues.” These included advancing a Charter claim, lodging a wrongful dismissal suit or labour grievance, or complaining to the British Columbia Human Rights Commission. “The point is, there were other avenues available to pursue the Charter question; this decision does not cut off the only avenue of relief,” the ruling says. It added of Sturgeon, who represented himself, that “no one has doubted that he acted based on his understanding of his religious obligations,” and that he had “ably advanced his arguments.” “However, despite his sincere and thoughtful arguments, the binding jurisprudence requires that I find against him,” the ruling says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024.
No. 21 Arizona State on the rise in Kenny Dillingham's second season as coachThe volunteers behind New Hampshire’s search and rescue efforts spend a lot of their time saving the lives of both experts and novices who enter the wilderness. As winter approaches, these crews are about to enter the deadliest part of the year. Unlike in summer months, a leg injury or missed trail marker can quickly become a life-threatening situation in freezing temperatures. While some experienced hikers and skiers do find themselves in trouble, the vast majority of search and rescue missions happen when confidence displaces reason. Just this week, a “woefully unprepared” hiker from Virginia arrived at the summit of Mount Washington with his dog in freezing conditions while trying to beat an incoming storm. He was told before he left it was “not advisable to hike,” but he went anyway, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Throughout the year, organizations like Fish and Game, Mount Washington Avalanche Center, and the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue try to educate the public about good decision-making with as much energy as they can muster. “It’s not the gear that will keep you out of trouble, it’s the right mindset,” said Jeffrey Fongemie, director of the avalanche center. Fongemie has watched countless hikers and skiers head into Mt. Washington without the proper gear, or with a dose of confidence unhealthy for the wild. The avalanche center, the Mount Washington Observatory and the Appalachian Mountain Club work to provide necessary information — the weather, the intensity of specific hikes, even the necessary gear — to prospective explorers so they can prevent disaster before it happens. For better or worse, the mountains remain open to all, no matter the conditions. “No one wants to restrict the wild, everyone should have access,” said Jay Broccolo, the director of weather operations at the observatory. The observatory publishes a higher summits forecast to give critical information about weather conditions above treeline. Even on mild days, the conditions at the top of a remote mountain can be deadly. Article continues after... Cross|Word Flipart Typeshift SpellTower Really Bad Chess “It’s all about being prepared and checking your ego at the door,” Broccolo said. In New Hampshire, if you type “4,000 footers” into Google, the search engine will point to checklists for hikers to knock off each of the state’s 48 tallest mountains. Broccolo cited social media and its promotion of trends as a key reason for increasing irresponsibility in the woods. The picture of a calm summit on a sunny day on Facebook or Instagram can lure thrill seekers and peak baggers who quickly discover the harsh realities of sub-zero temperatures and howling force winds and then call 911 for help. “Humans are the most dangerous things in our woods,” Fongemie said. In 2023, the state logged 183 search and rescue missions, according to Lt. Mark Ober of New Hampshire Fish and Game, which is right around the average. Recently, search and rescue calls that do not warrant a mission have ranged between 130 and 190 per year. The biggest challenge for people like Ober, or Will Murphy, president of Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, is telling the difference between a real emergency that requires rescue or just someone who is panicked and can get themselves out. Sometimes, Ober gets phone calls from hikers who forgot to pack headlamps and are afraid to set up camp in the dark. Sometimes the hikers had thought they would be done with their journey by nightfall, and didn’t prepare for the woods. Maybe they didn’t pack any food. Those calls are frustrating, though they don’t require a team. The worst calls are the ones that mean risking the lives of search and rescue crews for someone who chose ignorance over safety. While members of search and rescue teams come with experience and emergency preparedness in the outdoors, they are almost always volunteers, which makes their availability limited. Search and rescue teams require between 20 and 30 pairs of hands, primarily because of the weight of carrying a stretcher down or out of a mountain. Many rescue missions happen at night, which makes access to volunteers even more difficult. It also takes time — though many assume that search and rescue teams come quickly, they have to hike just as far as the person in distress, carrying medical and safety equipment and sometimes in the dark. Rescues usually take many hours. “It’s not like there’s a bat phone,” Murphy said. “There’s a limit to what we can do.” As the lead organizer in a search and rescue nonprofit, Murphy has to weigh the human cost to his rescue teams. He is working now on mental health resources for volunteers, who have experienced emotional trauma from these missions. It’s difficult enough to find people to put their physical safety at risk; the psychological consequences only amplify that difficulty. Murphy has become an expert in checking his frustration — he’s a laid-back guy who wears Crocs on his days off — but he and his colleagues certainly feel it when the calls they receive could have been prevented by hikers checking Broccolo’s mountain weather forecast. “The recognition that you’re always at risk in the wild is missing,” Murphy said. Broccolo agreed. “Society has made life really nice,” he said. “The wild is still the wild.”New Mexico man awarded $412 million medical malpractice payout for botched injections
Giuliani has been ordered to turn over most of his assets to two election poll workers.
New Mexico man awarded $412 million medical malpractice payout for botched injections
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China is reshaping the global energy landscape, setting its sights on an ambitious transformation driven by renewable energy. In its latest move, on October 30, 2024, the Chinese government unveiled the (hereinafter the “new renewable energy plan”) to accelerate renewable energy consumption. The new renewable energy plan, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and five other agencies, targets to increase annual renewable energy consumption to: 1 billion tons of standard coal equivalent (SCE) by 2025—a 30 percent jump from 2023 levels; and 5 billion tons of SCE by 2030 –another 36 percent jump from the 2025 levels. The new renewable energy plan marks a strategic shift from merely expanding renewable energy capacity to fostering systemic demand. By focusing on upgrading infrastructure, electrifying key industries, and promoting green technologies, China is laying the groundwork for its next phase of economic transformation. For businesses and investors, the implications are profound. Opportunities abound in grid modernization, industrial electrification, green hydrogen production, and the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) and sustainable aviation sectors. As China doubles down on its renewable energy ambitions, those ready to align with this vision stand to benefit significantly in a rapidly evolving market. This article explores the key policy changes, their economic significance, and the business opportunities they unlock for both domestic and international stakeholders. How China plan to make the renewable energy more consumtable? China is actively working to enhance the consumption of renewable energy through a multifaceted approach, combining supply enhancement, infrastructure development, demand management, and system regulation. This strategy not only aims to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix but also seeks to create a more integrated and efficient energy system overall. First of all, the country plans to significantly increase its renewable energy supply by developing large-scale wind and solar power bases, particularly in desert and arid regions, while also focusing on offshore wind farms and integrating hydropower with wind and solar energy. Additionally, China aims to promote distributed renewable energy development and scale up biomass and solar thermal power generation. To support these initiatives, advanced technologies for resource assessment, power forecasting, and smart control will be implemented. Infrastructure development is another key aspect of China’s strategy. The construction of advanced power infrastructure, including flexible DC transmission and smart grids, is prioritized to facilitate better integration of renewable energy sources. Upgrading the main power grid and enhancing cross-regional transmission channels will optimize energy distribution, while improvements to distribution networks will increase flexibility and capacity, supporting the rapid growth of distributed renewable energy. On the demand side, China plans to expand the range of participants in demand response programs, encouraging them to engage in the electricity market. Strategies such as peak pricing and market adjustments will guide consumer behavior towards more efficient energy use, particularly in key sectors like industry, buildings, and transportation. Finally, improving system regulation is crucial for enhancing overall energy stability. This includes upgrading coal power plants for flexibility, optimizing their scheduling, and investing in pumped storage hydropower and new energy storage technologies. Biomass projects will also be encouraged to provide ancillary services, contributing to a more resilient energy system. Through this comprehensive approach, China aims to create a more integrated and efficient renewable energy landscape. Key focus areas of the new renewable energy plan Sectoral integration of renewable energy is a core component of China’s new renewable energy plan, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach across multiple critical industries. In general, China plans to ccelerate the adoption of renewable energy in below aspects: : The new renewable energy plan emphasizes the transformation of industrial energy use by guiding industries such as steel, petrochemicals, and textiles to transition towards regions abundant in renewable resources. This includes promoting technologies like electric boilers and kilns, and developing integrated energy systems in industrial parks to facilitate the direct supply of green electricity. The initiative also encourages the use of low-carbon hydrogen in sectors like ammonia and methanol production, while phasing out coal-fired boilers in favor of cleaner alternatives. : The new renewable energy plan aims to create renewable energy corridors and establish multifunctional charging stations at key transport hubs. It promotes the electrification of public transport and the development of electric heavy-duty vehicles, alongside initiatives for sustainable aviation fuels and electric maritime vessels. : The new renewable energy plan integrates renewable energy into urban planning, mandating that new constructions meet green building standards. It encourages the installation of solar panels on rooftops and the electrification of public buildings, while promoting energy-efficient appliances and heating systems. : Renewable energy solutions like distributed wind and solar power will be deployed to modernize energy infrastructure in rural regions, decreasing dependence on coal and other non-renewable sources. : The new renewable energy plan emphasizes the integration of new infrastructure with renewable energy development. This includes enhancing charging and refueling stations, optimizing the layout of new infrastructure, and leveraging advanced technologies like AI and IoT to deepen the integration of renewable energy systems. In particular, the plan support the construction of data centers in national hub nodes with cold water resources, gradual green technology upgrades for old base stations and small, scattered data centers, and a steady annual increase in the proportion of renewable energy used in newly built data centers. What are the meausures to support the renewable energay consumption? The new renewable energy plan also details China’s strategy and measures to support renewable energy consumption through innovative pilots, enhanced legal and regulatory framwork, and interanational collaborations: : To test and scale renewable energy applications, pilot projects focusing on emerging technologies, such as floating offshore wind farms and green hydrogen production, are encouraged. These efforts will drive innovation and help refine scalable models for clean energy substitution. : The new renewable energy plan outlines the creation of legal frameworks and financial mechanisms to encourage investment in renewable energy. This includes developing green energy certificates and enhancing fiscal policies that support infrastructure upgrades and the adoption of clean energy technologies. : The new renewable energy plan stipulates that China plans to deepen market reforms for renewable energy pricing, establishing trading mechanisms that accommodate the unique characteristics of renewable energy. This includes facilitating direct transactions between renewable energy producers and consumers, as well as developing market mechanisms for renewable heating and biogas. : Expanding renewable energy cooperation with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries is emphasized, aiming to promote the global spread of Chinese green technologies and strengthen international trade in renewable energy solutions. : Public participation is critical. The guidelines highlight the importance of educating and engaging citizens in adopting renewable energy practices, fostering a broader cultural shift toward sustainability. Economic outlook in China’s renewable energy sector The renewable energy sector emerged as a transformative force in China’s economy, significantly shaping its investment landscape and growth trajectory. In 2023, the clean energy contributed an estimated RMB 11.4 trillion (US$1.6 trillion) to the economy, accounting for approximately 40 percent of GDP expansion. This underscores the sector’s central role in driving China’s economic performance amid challenges in traditional industries like real estate. In 2023, there was a drastic surge in investment, with spending in clean energy rising by 40 percent year-on-year to reach RMB 6.3 trillion (US$890 billion), according to . This represented the entirety of China’s overall investment growth in 2023, compensating for declines in other areas. Clean energy also accounted for a growing share of China’s GDP, rising from 7.2 percent in 2022 to 9.0 percent in 2023. Without this contribution, China’s GDP growth would have fallen significantly below the government’s target. This resilience positions the renewable energy sector as not only a cornerstone of China’s energy transition but also a safeguard for its broader economic stability during periods of industrial adjustment. These industries were pivotal in driving clean-energy investments, reflecting China’s focus on decarbonizing its economy through innovative policies and substantial infrastructure upgrades. Solar energy stood out as the largest contributor to China’s clean-energy growth in 2023, with its total value increasing by 63 percent year-on-year, from RMB 1.5 trillion (US$207.01 billion) in 2022 to RMB 2.5 trillion (US$345.03) in 2023. This remarkable expansion was fueled by a combination of central government initiatives such as the program and the , which prioritized scaling up installations nationwide. In response to a slowdown in the real estate sector, new policies were introduced in early 2023 to promote solar industry development on unused and existing construction land. By the end of the year, China added an estimated 200 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity, more than doubling its 2022 record of 87GW. Meanwhile, 15 provinces included solar expansion in their annual government agendas, further bolstering growth. China’s solar manufacturing sector also experienced robust growth, with 340GW of polysilicon production capacity and 300GW of wafer, cell, and module capacity added in 2023, . Solar exports were another key area of growth, particularly to regions like Southeast Asia, Africa, and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. While export volumes surged, falling production costs meant export values saw only modest increases. China is rapidly advancing its energy storage capabilities as part of its broader push to decarbonize its energy system and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The country is scaling up electricity storage capacity to enhance grid stability, especially as it integrates increasing amounts of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Energy storage is seen as a crucial solution for managing fluctuations in electricity supply and demand, enabling a transition from coal and gas-fired power plants to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. One of the most significant drivers of China’s energy storage expansion is pumped hydro storage, a technology that allows excess electricity to be stored and used later to meet peak demand. In 2023, pumped hydro storage capacity under construction grew substantially, rising to 167 GW, up from 120 GW in 2022. An additional 250 GW is in the pre-construction phase, indicating that this expansion is set to continue in the coming years. The rapid growth in this sector has been driven by the need to store the increasing amounts of intermittent renewable energy being generated, such as solar and wind. For 2023, it is estimated that investment in pumped hydro storage reached RMB 300 billion (US$41.40 billion), with spending assumed to be proportional to the construction of new capacity. This level of investment reflects the large-scale infrastructure required for such storage projects, which are integral to China’s strategy of transitioning to a cleaner and more resilient energy grid. Alongside pumped hydro storage, China is also making significant strides in battery storage technologies, which are increasingly being used to store electricity generated from renewable sources. Battery manufacturing investment reached 300 billion yuan in 2023, driven by the expansion of production capacity to meet the rising demand for energy storage solutions. that additional investments are necessary to build the infrastructure for manufacturing the batteries required for both EVs and grid storage applications. experienced remarkable expansion in 2023, with 9.6 million EVs produced, marking a 36 percent increase from the previous year. This surge reflects the growing share of new energy vehicles (NEVs)—which include battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids—accounting for 32 percent of all vehicles produced in the country. The bulk of these vehicles were sold domestically, with 9.5 million EVs sold in China, representing a 38 percent year-on-year growth. Notably, 8.3 million units were purchased by Chinese consumers, making up one-third of total vehicle sales in the country. Meanwhile, 1.2 million EVs were exported, a substantial 78 percent increase from 2022, further highlighting China’s growing influence in the global EV market. Despite the end of government subsidies for EV purchases in 2022 ( )—after over a decade of support—the market has remained resilient, driven by increasing consumer demand and industry competition. The shift from policy-driven incentives to market-driven demand suggests that China’s EV growth is becoming more sustainable, with a stronger focus on long-term market dynamics. China’s EV market remains highly competitive, with at least 94 domestic brands offering over 300 different models. Local manufacturers dominate the market, with BYD, Wuling, Chery, Changan, and GAC leading the way. These companies collectively account for 81 percent of total EV sales in the country, reinforcing the strong domestic production base. To sustain this growth, China has significantly invested in EV manufacturing. In 2023, estimated investments in EV production capacity reached RMB 1.2 trillion (US$165.59 billion), a considerable increase from RMB 700 billion yuan (US$96.60 billion) in 2021. This surge in investment is reflective of the country’s strategic shift toward electrification and away from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. The investment also extends to the expansion of battery manufacturing capacity, which supports the growing demand for EVs. These investments are crucial for meeting the needs of the burgeoning electric vehicle market and are reflected in the broader push toward infrastructure development. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of EV infrastructure has been essential for maintaining growth in this sector. In 2023, were installed, contributing to a total of . This includes both public and private charging stations, with the largest concentration in China’s first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, where more than 80 percent of urban areas were equipped with charging stations. This infrastructure expansion has been critical in making EVs more accessible and practical for Chinese consumers. The continued development of charging networks is seen as vital to sustaining the sector’s growth and ensuring that EV adoption remains strong moving forward. Policy agendas shaping China’s energy transition China’s energy transition is deeply rooted in its policy framework, which balances economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Central to this transformation is the : peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060. The “1+N” policy system, a cornerstone of this effort, provides overarching guidance alongside sector-specific action plans to promote decarbonization across energy, industry, and infrastructure. The emphasis lies on reducing fossil fuel dependency, fostering green technology, and enhancing energy efficiency to build a clean, low-carbon, and sustainable energy system. Energy security remains a foundational priority, particularly in the face of rising electricity demand, climate-induced weather extremes, and geopolitical uncertainty. The 14th Five-Year Plan underscores coal as a “backstop of supply security,” reflecting a pragmatic approach to maintaining energy stability while transitioning to cleaner sources. Recent policies include capacity mechanisms for coal-fired power plants and financial incentives for renewable energy technologies like solar photovoltaics and wind. Nuclear energy is also gaining prominence as part of the diversified energy mix to ensure a steady transition without jeopardizing supply reliability. China’s push for self-reliance is another critical driver of its energy agenda. The country has made significant strides in building domestic capabilities in cleantech industries, supported by long-term investments in R&D through initiatives like the 863 and 973 programs. These efforts have propelled China to the forefront of renewable energy technology, particularly in solar, wind, and battery production. However, the government is also addressing vulnerabilities in its supply chains, such as heavy reliance on imported critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, and copper. Policies encouraging domestic exploration and overseas mining investments aim to secure these essential resources for the energy transition. Environmental protection and green development are embedded in China’s national strategy under the concept of “ecological civilization.” This philosophy integrates environmental goals with human and economic activities, emphasizing high-quality growth over sheer expansion. It has led to comprehensive measures, including pollution prevention plans and biodiversity conservation strategies. Recent initiatives, such as the and enhanced carbon market mechanisms, further demonstrate the government’s commitment to aligning economic modernization with sustainability and global climate goals. Together, these policies reflect a multifaceted approach that seeks to harmonize energy security, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship in China’s energy transition journey. Implications for investment The explosive growth of clean energy in China reflects its alignment with both domestic industrial policy and global energy trends. For international investors, this dynamic offers compelling opportunities in areas such as renewable energy infrastructure, EV supply chains, and green technologies. However, potential challenges, including overcapacity in certain industries and geopolitical tensions, necessitate strategic approaches to investment. China’s evolving role as a hub for clean energy production also holds implications for global markets. As Chinese companies continue to dominate supply chains in solar, EVs, and batteries, other economies may need to recalibrate their own industrial strategies to remain competitive in the accelerating global shift toward renewable energy. China Briefing is one of five regional publications, supported by . For a complimentary subscription to China Briefing’s content products, please click . Dezan Shira & Associates assists foreign investors into and has done so since 1992 through offices in , , , , , , , , , , , , , and . We also have offices in , , , , , , , and and partner firms assisting foreign investors in , , , , and . For assistance in China, please contact the firm at or visit our website at . Our free webinars are packed full of useful information for doing business in China. Meet the firm behind our content. Visit their website to see how their services can help your business succeed. 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Chris Cenac Jr., the top center in the Class of 2025 according to the ESPN100, has committed to play for the Houston Cougars. The five-star recruit announced his decision Tuesday via the Bleacher Report's B/R App. Cenac previously said he wouldn't make his decision until the spring, but his stock soared over the summer after his impressive play on the Puma Pro 16 circuit with Dallas-based YGC, vaulting him into the national top-10 rankings. The 6-foot-10 New Orleans native was reportedly choosing between LSU, Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, Kentucky, Tennessee and others before making the decision to join Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson's team. "I just like the coaching staff a lot, I like their plan to develop me and I like coming into a winning program," Cenac told 247Sports. "I'm looking forward to producing and just helping them win more. But the main thing was development and them being able to get me better so I can be ready for that next level." Cenac's rating of .9978 by 247Sports Composite makes him the Cougars' highest-rated commit in the modern era, according to multiple outlets. "They see me as a four who can kind of play all over the court and do everything," Cenac told 247Sports. "I can get rebounds, push the ball, shoot and play all over the floor." With Cenac joining other Houston commits like five-star shooting guard Isaiah Harwell, four-star point guard Kingston Flemings and three-star wing Bryce Jackson, Houston's Class of 2025 is ranked No. 2 in the nation by 247Sports and ESPN. --Field Level MediaIs ‘SNL’ New This Weekend? Here’s Everything to Know
NEW YORK — Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid a mixed Monday of trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% from its all-time high set on Friday to post a record for the 54th time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 128 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared 28.7% to lead the market. Following allegations of misconduct and the resignation of its public auditor , the maker of servers used in artificial-intelligence technology said an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or by the company’s board. It also said that it doesn’t expect to restate its past financials and that it will find a new chief financial officer, appoint a general counsel and make other moves to strengthen its governance. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up the market. Gains of 1.8% for Microsoft and 3.2% for Meta Platforms were the two strongest forces pushing upward on the S&P 500. Intel was another propellant during the morning, but it lost an early gain to fall 0.5% after the chip company said CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired and stepped down from the board. Intel is looking for Gelsinger’s replacement, and its chair said it’s “committed to restoring investor confidence.” Intel recently lost its spot in the Dow Jones Industrial Average to Nvidia, which has skyrocketed in Wall Street’s frenzy around AI. Stellantis, meanwhile, skidded following the announcement of its CEO’s departure . Carlos Tavares steps down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep, Citroën and Ram, amid an ongoing struggle with slumping sales and an inventory backlog at dealerships. The world’s fourth-largest automaker’s stock fell 6.3% in Milan. The majority of stocks in the S&P 500 likewise fell, including California utility PG&E. It dropped 5% after saying it would sell $2.4 billion of stock and preferred shares to raise cash. Retailers were mixed amid what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record and coming off Black Friday . Target, which recently gave a forecast for the holiday season that left investors discouraged , fell 1.2%. Walmart , which gave a more optimistic forecast, rose 0.2%. Amazon, which looks to benefit from online sales from Cyber Monday, climbed 1.4%. All told, the S&P 500 added 14.77 points to 6,047.15. The Dow fell 128.65 to 44,782.00, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 185.78 to 19,403.95. The stock market largely took Donald Trump’s latest threat on tariffs in stride. The president-elect on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a group of developing economies if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. Trump said he wants the group, headlined by Brazil, Russia, India and China, to promise it won’t create a new currency or otherwise try to undercut the U.S. dollar. The dollar has long been the currency of choice for global trade. Speculation has also been around a long time that other currencies could knock it off its mantle, but no contender has come close. The U.S. dollar’s value rose Monday against several other currencies, but one of its strongest moves likely had less to do with the tariff threats. The euro fell amid a political battle in Paris over the French government’s budget . The euro sank 0.7% against the U.S. dollar and broke below $1.05. In the bond market, Treasury yields gave up early gains to hold relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed above 4.23% during the morning before falling back to 4.19%. That was just above its level of 4.18% late Friday. A report in the morning showed the U.S. manufacturing sector contracted again last month, but not by as much as economists expected. This upcoming week will bring several big updates on the job market, including the October job openings report, weekly unemployment benefits data and the all-important November jobs report. They could steer the next moves for Federal Reserve, which recently began pulling interest rates lower to give support to the economy. Economists expect Friday’s headliner report to show U.S. employers accelerated their hiring in November, coming off October’s lackluster growth that was hampered by damaging hurricanes and strikes. “We now find ourselves in the middle of this Goldilocks zone, where economic health supports earnings growth while remaining weak enough to justify potential Fed rate cuts,” according to Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide. In financial markets abroad, Chinese stocks led gains worldwide as monthly surveys showed improving conditions for manufacturing, partly driven by a surge in orders ahead of Trump’s inauguration next month. Both official and private sector surveys of factory managers showed strong new orders and export orders, possibly partly linked to efforts by importers in the U.S. to beat potential tariff hikes by Trump once he takes office. Indexes rose 0.7% in Hong Kong and 1.1% in Shanghai. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
SACO — Jack Webb stopped by a Thornton Academy football practice last week. A 2018 graduate of the school, Webb went on to play college football, first at Sacred Heart before finishing his career at the University of Maine. “He gave us a talk before Noble (the Trojans’ opponent in last week’s regional final ). That really meant something, because I remember watching him play,” said Henry Mahoney, a captain and two-way lineman for the Golden Trojans. Webb’s message to the team: “Focus on Noble this week. Don’t focus on anything in the future. Focus on the present. Win this game, then you can focus on Portland,” Mahoney said. Now it’s time to focus on Portland. As appreciated as Webb’s reminder was, the Trojans were on top of it. It’s been that way for more than a decade now. Saturday’s Class A championship game at Fitzpatrick Stadium will be the 12th Class A state final since the 2012 season. Counting Saturday, the Trojans have been there for nine of them. Only once in those dozen seasons did the Trojans go back-to-back seasons without reaching the Class A title game. Saturday’s game is Thornton’s sixth consecutive state final. “You feel like you’ve got to make the state championship every year. Definitely a lot of pressure, but our coaches do a great job of taking it week by week,” said Wyatt Benoit, the Trojans’ quarterback. It’s not as if the Trojans have been overpoweringly dominant. They’ve won back-to-back Gold Balls just once during this run, in 2014 and 2015. That said, Thornton is the preseason favorite pretty much every August. Other teams have had their runs. Oxford Hills played in back-to-back championship games in 2021 and 2022. Bonny Eagle has three Gold Balls over this stretch. Scarborough had a dominant 2017, winning its only Class A crown. Portland, Thornton’s opponent for the second straight season, will be playing in its fifth Class A final since 2015, and the Bulldogs also reached the state championship game in Class B in 2022. Biddeford won four Class A titles in five years in the early 1990s. South Portland won four in an eight-season stretch that same decade. But Thornton is constant, at least since 2012. Prior to that state title a dozen years ago, the Trojans had gone 24 years without even making the championship game – their most recent state final win and appearance was in 1988. So, what happened in 2012? Longtime Coach Kevin Kezal has some ideas. “We finally got over the hump. I took over in 2000, and we were close several times. For a variety of reasons, we just couldn’t do it,” Kezal said. Thornton Academy Coach Kevin Kezal talks with Brennan Tabor during practice Wedesday. Kezal took over at Thornton Academy in 2000 and has lead the Trojans to six straight Class A state finals. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer The youth football program that began in 2003 is thriving, Kezal said. The first group of players that program produced were juniors at Thornton in 2007. Since then, the Trojans have won 85% of their games, Kezal said. There’s also stability in the coaching staff, he said. According to the Maine Principals’ Association, Thornton’s enrollment is 1,345 students, making it the second-largest high school in the state behind Lewiston (1,505). That certainly helps, but it’s not the clear-cut factor in success many think it is. Lewiston hasn’t been to a state championship game since 1987. Bangor (enrollment 1,102) hasn’t been since 2010. Sanford (enrollment 1,090) hasn’t been since 1998. Enrollment is a balm of depth when you’re putting in the rest of the work. That’s the biggest factor in the program’s success, Kezal said. The players have institutionalized it. “Our kids kind of grow up being successful. We’ve got a great community, great support and great facilities. I think you put it all together, I think it makes it pretty special,” Kezal said. “The kids do a great job of just planning every week and getting themselves ready. They know what’s important. You watch our kids. They’re pretty low key. They’re not going to have a lot of rah rah stuff before games. We just kind of go about our business and get ready. They know what’s important.” They know their success breeds jealousy and contempt and accusations of recruiting that rise in volume with every win they collect. They don’t expect everyone to cheer for them. “It feels awesome, having all the fans come out and knowing how much support we really have. Obviously, there’s a target on our back, but it feels good. We’re a very competitive school, and we love the pressure and we love the big games,” Benoit said. “We don’t care what social media has to say. In reality, we know what we can do and all the hard work we put in.” A Thornton Academy player runs down the field as sunset light illuminates the bleachers during their practice Wednesday. The Trojans face Portland in the Class A state championship game on Saturday, their sixth straight appearance in the state final. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer It’s doubtful many teenagers in 2024 are listening to a 30-year old Pearl Jam song, but their attitude toward the backlash to their success is a reminder of some of the band’s lyrics: “This is not for you. Never was for you.” “We don’t care about all the noise. We just focus on ourselves. We play our best football. It doesn’t matter what the opponent is,” Mahoney said. “There’s always the expectation that you’ve sacrificed something to be here. When you sacrifice something, that means to work hard to be present. Be in the moment, and enjoy it.” Worrying about what’s said about you takes away focus that should be on Portland. “They’re a dynamite team. Coach (Sean) Green and his staff do a great job. Athletes all over the place. Big and physical up front. We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Kezal said. You keep doing the work, and suddenly more than a decade has gone by. Travis Lazarczyk: Dean Plante is the Godfather of Maine eight-man football We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve. 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