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Fairfax Financial more than doubles first-quarter earnings at US$1.3 billion

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:25:35 GMT

TORONTO — Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. says it earned US$1.3 billion in the first quarter of 2023, more than double earnings of US$588.7 million a year earlier. The Toronto-based company, which reports in U.S. dollars, says net earnings per diluted share were US$49.38, compared with US$22.67 the same quarter a year earlier. Net gains on investments were US$771.2 million, compared with a loss of US$195.2 million a year ago. Fairfax says gross premiums written totalled US$7.1 billion in the quarter ended March 31, up from US$6.7 billion a year earlier. Net insurance revenues were US$5.2 billion, up from US$4.7 billion. Chairman and CEO Prem Watsa said in a press release that significantly higher operating income from Fairfax’s property and casualty insurance and reinsurance operations reflected increased interest and dividends, among other positive trends. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:FFH)The Canadian Press

NDP leaves spring sitting at legislature facing turmoil in public housing management

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:25:35 GMT

VICTORIA — The New Democrat government in British Columbia started the spring legislative session promising more affordable homes for vulnerable people, but it ends the sitting amid turmoil over its public housing agency. An Ernst and Young audit found mismanagement and risk to public dollars at the Crown corporation BC Housing, and has the government facing sharp criticism as it leaves the legislature pledging tighter controls.The audit concluded there was mismanagement related to a conflict of interest between Shayne Ramsay, the former chief executive officer at BC Housing, and his spouse, Janice Abbott, who is CEO at Atira Women’s Resource Society, the corporation’s largest housing operator.Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says the government will continue to provide housing to people who need it most, but for now has halted new funding to Atira and will launch another audit.Opposition BC United Leader Kevin Falcon says the report uncovers a scandal that points toward Pre...

New Hampshire Senate rejects marijuana legalization bill, leaving state an outlier in New England

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:25:35 GMT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Senate rejected a marijuana legalization bill Thursday, leaving it the only state in New England that makes smoking pot recreationally a crime.Republicans, who control the Senate, led the effort to dismiss the bill on a 14-10 vote.Though several bipartisan bills in support of legalization have cleared the House in recent years, the Senate has blocked them. Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said earlier this year that he didn’t expect new legislation to reach his desk with teen drug use and overdoses on the rise.Republican Senate President Jeb Bradley said the time isn’t right to legalize marijuana, as the state combats a drug addiction and overdose crisis.“Recreationalizing marijuana at this critical juncture would send a confusing message, potentially exacerbating the already perilous drug landscape and placing more lives at risk,” he said in a written statement.House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm said the push to legalize marijuana has strong sup...

Prosecutor says International Criminal Court issues 4 arrest warrants for alleged crimes in Libya

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:25:35 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced Thursday that judges have issued four new arrest warrants stemming from his investigations of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Libya.Prosecutor Karim Khan also said he recently applied for two additional warrants.He told the U.N. Security Council that he has applied to the court’s independent judges to unseal the four new arrest warrants, and they will decide “in due course.”Khan called the warrants “an important step in the rights of victims and survivors” for accountability, but only a first step.The Security Council unanimously referred Libya to The Hague, Netherlands-based ICC in February 2011 to launch an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The referral followed Moammar Gadhafi’s brutal crackdown on protesters that was then taking place. The uprising, later backed by NATO, led to Gadhafi’s capture and death in October 2011.Oil-rich Libya was then sp...

New Edison Park business burglarized twice in less than 24 hours

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:25:35 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police are investigating two break-ins to a new business in Edison Park. One of those was caught on camera as thieves rummaged through the store in the 6700 block of North Northwest Highway before taking off. ‘What would happen if I bashed you with this bat?’: $800K bond for Chicago woman accused of battery spree It happened in an area made up of mom-and-pop shops, restaurants and a new business now left to deal with the cleanup after the separate break-ins in less than 24 hours.Video from around 1:50 a.m. Wednesday shows what police said is five males who smashed through the front window of HQ Sneakers and Streetwear. They grabbed a handful of merchandise, including clothing and shoes, and then left in a white sedan and a white pickup truck.The store was open less than two weeks before the crimes happened."It's devastating," Michelle Martin, the owner of Penny Bird Boutique, said. "Just the idea of a business being broken into that you've worked so hard to try t...

CPD vehicle involved in crash; injuries unknown

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:25:35 GMT

OAK PARK, Ill. — Police are investigating a crash involving a Chicago police vehicle in Oak Park.Another car, a sedan, was also damaged. It happened Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and North Avenue, bordering Oak Park and Chicago. WGN News reached out to Chicago police to learn the specifics of what caused the crash or if anyone was injured. More than 600 catalytic converters recovered in largest single bust in the country, sheriff says Cameras rolled as the heavily damaged police SUV was towed away. The intersection was closed while emergency crews responded. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Low 5: White Sox take another walk-off loss in 2023

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:25:35 GMT

KANSAS CITY — As if losing 3-of-4 games to a division rival isn't bad enough, the White Sox had to do so in as painful of a fashion as you could on Thursday in Kansas City.Looking to salvage a split against the Royals, the team managed to tie the game late, only to give it up in the ninth on a squeeze. With the game even at three and a runner on third, Freddie Fermin laid down a bunt a few feet to the left of the plate. It was far enough away from pitcher Reynaldo Lopez that he couldn't field it and throw home in time to prevent Nick Pratto from scoring the winning run. The shortest of hits gave the host Royals not only a 4-3 win on a drizzly day at Kauffman Stadium but also a series win over their AL Central rivals. Meanwhile, the dreadful finish on a dreary afternoon only adds to a miserable start to the 2023 season that's getting no better in May.Thursday represented the fifth walk-off loss for the White Sox this season in just 39 games. They lost to the Twins in the tenth on Apr...

Jarrell homeowner shoots suspected burglar entering home

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:25:35 GMT

JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) -- A homeowner shot a suspected burglar Thursday morning in Jarrell after he forced his way into the home, according to a Williamson County Sheriff's Office release.The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Juan Sanchez Palafox, was found dead by WCSO deputies after they were called to the home on County Road 239, the release said.Deputies were called to the home around 12 a.m. Thursday, the release states.WCSO said the investigation was ongoing. If anyone has information about the incident, call WCSO at (512)-943-1300.

PHOTOS: Two displaced baby red-tailed hawks reunited with parents

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:25:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Just in time for Mother's Day, these two baby red-tailed hawks were reunited with their parents two days after being separated, per an Austin Wildlife Rescue post on social media. Lower Colorado River Authority workers found the youngsters displaced from their nest and transported them to Austin Wildlife Rescue for care.A couple of days later, the LCRA crew members spotted the parents near the work site, per the post. Austin Wildlife Rescue staff then made a makeshift nest for the birds and took it to the LCRA work site. Using the LCRA truck, crew members secured the new nest with rope and zip ties high up in a tree.Two baby red-tailed hawks were reunited with their parents two days after being separated, per an Austin Wildlife Rescue post on social media.  (photo courtesy: Austin Wildlife Rescue)Two baby red-tailed hawks were reunited with their parents two days after being separated, per an Austin Wildlife Rescue post on social media.  (photo courtesy: Au...

Allen Young: Insects are essential to the everyday fabric of life, yet many species face extinction

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:25:35 GMT

As spring gives way to summer, nature’s treasure chest awakens. Earth’s biological wealth sprouts, blooms and clamors. These contents once blanketed the landscape with a thin, life-sustaining fabric, the biosphere. But human activity has contributed to the shrinking of the chest.A major slice of the treasure is insects and the roles they play in structuring food chains, communities and ecosystems linking them to plants, fungi, microorganisms and other animals. Insects are key to transferring energy from plants in terrestrial food chains, shaping much of Earth’s biological wealth. Their small body size, prolific reproduction, life cycles, diverse forms and habits mold their ecological prowess.The ecological significance of insects is reflected in their long history, which spans an estimated 400 million years. A major bounce to this success began with flowering plants some 145 million years ago, coinciding with pollinators, including butterflies and moths, beetles, w...