Mangione Drops Psychiatric Defense Bid for New York Murder Case
Luigi Mangione’s lawyers withdrew a plan for a psychiatric defense at his upcoming state murder trial in the shooting death of a UnitedHealth Group Inc. executive. In a letter to New York state Judge Gregory Carro on Thursday, the defense …
Zurich Sees Data Center Boom Spurring Insurance Securitization
The level of investment into data centers globally may soon make it necessary for insurers involved to begin selling securitization products to spread the risk among a broader pool of investors, according to Zurich Insurance Group AG. “I do anticipate …
People Moves: Sunstar Names Hearst as EVP, National Growth and Sales Strategy
Sunstar Insurance Group announced the appointment of Brad Hearst as executive vice president, national growth and sales strategy. Hearst brings extensive insurance-industry leadership experience in driving organic growth, developing high-performing sales organizations and building disciplined sales processes that deliver measurable …
Wastewater Leak Under Texas Church Parking Lot Causes Millions in Damage
An old oil well sprang back to life under the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Grandfalls in April. Over the next eight days, more than 1.5 million gallons of toxic wastewater flowed out of the earth, according …
Major Hack Campaign Against Fortinet Devices Hits Prominent Organizations
Researchers say a sweeping hacking campaign targeting devices made by Fortinet has led to compromises across the internet, with evidence of password theft at Fortune 500 companies and government agencies in more than 15 countries. Most of the affected devices …
California Homeowners Insurance Costs Still 41% Below National Average, Report Shows
California homeowners pay 41% below the national average for homeowners insurance, a study from LendingTree shows. LendingTree’s State of Home Insurance: 2026 report, which is based on rates publicly sourced from insurer filings, shows California homeowners paid an average of …
People Moves: Fortegra, Alabama DOI Put New Faces in Key Roles
Fortegra Group, the Jacksonville-based parent company of specialty insurers, named Anthony Katz, a longtime actuary, as senior vice president for reserving. Katz will lead Fortegra’s team of actuaries, overseeing reserving, credit insurance, statistical reporting and compliance with the new IFRS …
World Insurance Adds Wolpert Agency of Massachusetts
Global insurance broker World Insurance Associates reported that it recently bought the business of Wolpert Insurance Agency of Worcester, Massachusetts. Terms of the October 1, 2025 transaction were not disclosed. Wolpert was established in 1956. It is known for its …
First Tankers Cross Strait Under Iran Deal; Israeli Strikes Raise Doubt in Lebanon
Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying 6 million barrels of crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a deal with Iran to end the war that has disrupted global energy supplies. But in …
RSUI CEO McCrorie to Retire in 2027; Whittington to Become CEO
Specialty insurer RSUI announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Phillip McCrorie will step down as CEO at year-end 2026, concluding a career spanning nearly 40 years in the insurance industry. He will remain RSUI’s executive chairman through the first …
Waymo Recalls Thousands of Robotaxis Over Risk of Entering Construction Zones
Alphabet self-driving unit Waymo is recalling nearly 3,900 robotaxis in the U.S. because a software issue could cause the vehicles to enter a closed freeway construction zone and continue driving. It is the second recall by Waymo in just over …
Zurich’s Planned £8.1B Acquisition of Beazley Gets Regulatory Nod in Australia
Zurich Insurance Group’s proposed £8.1 billion (US$10.8 billion) acquisition of Lloyd’s insurer Beazley plc has received approval from Australia’s regulatory watchdog. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced on June 17 that the acquisition “may be put into effect” …
Accused Insurer CEO Killer Mangione Could Face Hurdles With Mental Health Defense
Luigi Mangione, the man accused of assassinating a health insurance executive in a carefully executed plot, could have a hard time convincing jurors at his murder trial that he suffered a mental health breakdown, legal experts said. Mangione is accused …
Bulgarian Surveillance Firm Circles Sold Phone Spy Tools to Repressive States: Report
A Bulgaria-based company sold controversial surveillance technology to governments in countries with records of repression, enabling authorities to track mobile phones and eavesdrop on private communications, according to documents obtained by Human Rights Watch. The surveillance firm Circles offered tools …
Capital Factory CEO Killed in Private-Jet Crash in Texas
Joshua Baer, the founder and chief executive officer of the venture capital firm Capital Factory, died Tuesday in a plane crash in South Texas, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Baer, a major player in the Texas technology and startup space, was …
Biofuels Are Key to Avoiding Sharp Farmland Drop, S&P Says
Expanding biofuel demand is a “powerful catalyst” to restore profitability to American farms, according to a new study, as harvests balloon and lawmakers consider broadening the market for corn-based ethanol. Climbing crop yields are creating persistent surpluses thanks to better …
Uber to Offer Robotaxis in Houston With Lucid and Nuro, Posing Challenge to Waymo
Uber Technologies Inc. will offer driverless robotaxi rides in Houston in vehicles developed by Lucid Group Inc. and Nuro Inc., setting it up to challenge Waymo in the fourth-largest US city. Nuro is already testing the vehicles in Houston, but …
People Moves: Hiscox Appoints Bailey as Head of Channel, Traded and Corix; CRC Group Names Greenwood CEO of Underwriting Division
Hiscox Appoints Bailey as Head of Channel, Traded and Corix in the US Hiscox, with headquarters in Atlanta, appointed Lori Bailey as head of channel, traded and Corix. Bailey will report to Mary Boyd, CEO of Hiscox USA, and will …
Wanted: War-Zone Divers to Scrape Barnacles From Ships in Persian Gulf
Demand for ocean divers who specialize in barnacle scraping is soaring as ships stranded in the Persian Gulf for more than three months prepare to disembark. The surge in orders for crews to clean ship hulls fouled by algae, slime …
Amazon Faces Billions in Penalties From Potential FTC Ad Suit
Amazon.com Inc. is facing a possible lawsuit from the US Federal Trade Commission that may lead to billions of dollars in civil penalties, over claims the e-commerce giant misled advertisers, according to people familiar with the matter. The FTC, which …



