Stocks ended a three-week losing streak after an encouraging employment report lifted hopes about the pace of economic growth.

(AP) - In this Sept. 1, 2010 photo, Cory Freeman looks at two stranded goats near Roundup, Mont. The goats were rescued after nearly two days and are in good condition. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Sandy Church of the Rimrock Humane Society) NO SALES.

(Reuters) - Seven-and-a-half-month old Tanisha Overbeeke smiles while resting on top of a leaf of the Victoria Amazonica at the Rotterdam Blijdorp Zoo September 1, 2010. Children could be photographed on top of the leaf, under the condition that they do not weigh more than 15 kg (33 lbs). The Victoria Amazonica blossoms over two nights producing flowers that are white on the first night, which then turn pinkish-red by the second night. Its leaf could have a diameter of up to two-and-a-half meters. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen (NETHERLANDS - Tags: SOCIETY)

(AFP) - Sydney rehearsal : The Chooky Dancers, from a remote Northern Territory island north-east of Australia's Arnhem Land, rehearse their production "Wrong Skin" at the Sydney Opera House. (AFP/Greg Wood)