Catastrophe Bonds Worth $17.5 Billion Land in EU Crosshairs
Asset managers with sizable holdings of catastrophe bonds are watching to see how a recent recommendation by Europe’s markets watchdog will disrupt the status quo, with some already warning of a potential selloff. At issue is the $17.5 billion of …
Boeing Faces $3.1 Million in Fines for Safety Violations
The Federal Aviation Administration said it would fine Boeing Co. $3.1 million for a series of safety violations that it uncovered over a space of several months between late 2023 and early last year. The violations included interference with safety …
US Appeals Court Hits Pause on Challenges to SEC Climate Rule
A federal appeals court on Friday said it was pausing its consideration of legal challenges against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s climate regulations until the Wall Street regulator decides whether it plans either to change them or to defend …
California Roofing Contractor Must Pay $2M in Unpaid Wages, Damages
A federal court ordered a Northern California-based roofing contractor to pay $1.9 million in back wages and damages to 158 workers after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation reportedly found the employer failed to pay required overtime rates to workers. …
Meta, OpenAI Face FTC Inquiry on Chatbot Impact on Kids
The Federal Trade Commission ordered Alphabet Inc.’s Google, OpenAI Inc., Meta Platforms Inc. and four other makers of artificial intelligence chatbots to turn over information about the impacts of their technologies on kids. The antitrust and consumer protection agency said …
Movie Theatre Chain Sued for Alleged Disability Discrimination
American Multi-Cinema (AMC), a nationwide movie theatre chain, violated federal law when it forced an employee with a disability to leave his job, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, AMC, at its …
HEMIC in Hawaii Declares $5 Million Dividend for Policyholders
The Hawaii Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company Inc. board of directors declared a $5 million dividend for qualifying policyholders. It is the second consecutive year HEMIC issued a dividend this level. HEMIC will have returned more than $58 million in dividends …
Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Subpoena of Trans Kids’ Medical Records
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to subpoena medical records of transgender patients who received gender-affirming care at Boston Children’s Hospital. In a ruling on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun said the administrative subpoena served by …
Missouri to Require Insurers to Register With New Uninsured Motorist Program
Insurance companies licensed to write auto liability coverage in Missouri will soon need to register with the state’s new uninsured motorist program. The Missouri Insurance Verification System (MOIVS) will include real-time insurance verification, ongoing compliance monitoring, and a pre-trial diversion …
Texas Insurer New Century Placed in Receivership and Liquidation
New Century Insurance Company, a property and casualty insurer licensed only in Texas, was placed in receivership receivership and ordered into liquidation by the Travis County District Court in Austin on Sept. 3, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. …
Fitch Ratings: U.S. E&S Growth Slows but Remains Strong
Direct written premiums saw double-digit growth for the seventh straight year for U.S. excess and surplus (E&S) insurers, according to Fitch Ratings’ latest annual property/casualty market review. Per a Fitch press release, U.S. E&S direct written premiums grew by 11% …
California AG’s Brief Urges Court to Side With Employee in Discrimination Suit
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in support urging the court to affirm an employee’s right to sue Liberty University for sex-based discrimination. The brief, filed as …
Texas Cabinet Supplier to Pay $12M Settlement Over False Claims Act Violations
Allied Stone Inc., a Dallas, Texas-based supplier of countertop and cabinetry products, and its President, Jia “Jerry” Lim, have agreed to pay a total of $12.4 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly and …
Woman Charged in Traffic Deaths of 2 Marquette Lacrosse Players Was Drunk: Prosecutors
A Wisconsin driver involved in a traffic crash last week that killed two Marquette University lacrosse players was drunk at the time, authorities alleged Wednesday in charging her with vehicular homicide. Amandria Brunner, 41, of West Allis, faces two counts …
Consilium Expands its Wholesale Presence in Caribbean With Launch of Jamaican Hub
Consilium, the London-based speciality re/insurance wholesale broker, announced the expansion of its international footprint with the opening of a new hub in Kingston, Jamaica (subject to regulatory approval). Max Pragnell has been appointed as managing partner to lead the office. …
Hurricane Forecasts Are Missing the Mark as the Atlantic Stays Calm — So Far
It’s the statistical peak of Atlantic hurricane season, and there isn’t a storm in sight — for now. September’s second week is usually when the season gets into full swing, as warm ocean waters fuel dangerous winds and coastal communities …
US Urges G-7 Sanctions on Russian Oil as Trump Loses Patience
The US will urge its allies in the Group of Seven to impose tariffs as high as 100% on China and India for their purchases of Russian oil in an effort to convince President Vladimir Putin to end his war …
Oh, the Places Broadband Won’t Go Under West Virginia Expansion Plan
Last week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced that the state had finalized its $1.2 billion plan to bring high-speed broadband to homes and businesses in the state. “We are excited about the opportunity to bring broadband to every corner of our …
Florida Condo Collapse Probe Zeroes in on Pool Deck Flaws as Preliminary Cause
Federal investigators have zeroed in on flaws in the pool deck as the preliminary cause of the 2021 collapse of a 12-story Florida beachfront condominium that killed 98 people. The National Institute of Standards and Technology said in a report …
After Merger Announcement, KBRA Puts Olympus’ Rating on Watch
A day after SageSure announced plans to acquire Florida-based Olympus Insurance, a financial rating firm said it has some concerns. KBRA, the Kroll Bond Rating Agency, issued a notice Thursday that it has placed Olympus’ “BBB+” financial strength rating on …