South Africa’s President Approves Major Health Reform Law; Legal Challenges Expected
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law on Wednesday a bill that aims to provide universal health coverage, hailing it as a major step in the journey towards a more just society although critics say they will challenge it …
Brazil States Ask Court to Double Amount Vale, BHP Should Pay for Mining Disaster
Two Brazilian states have asked a court to more than double the amount that miners Vale and BHP, plus a jointly owned tie-up, must pay in damages for a 2015 deadly tailings dam failure, according to a legal document seen …
Britain Rejects Call to Ban Gagging Orders in Financial Services Sector
Britain’s Finance Ministry on Tuesday rejected a call to ban non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which can be used to silence victims of sexual harassment and abuse, arguing that such clauses do not stop staff reporting concerns to authorities. A report on …
Insurance Research Council: Home Insurance Spend Tops Household Income Growth
According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), the average homeowners insurance expenditure has become less affordable for U.S. consumers over time. Looking at the the years 2001 to 2021—the latest year in which relevant data is available—homeowners spent about 2% …
US Workers’ Comp Line Still Showing Strong Profits, Lower Claim Frequency
Net written premium in the U.S. workers’ compensation insurance market grew by just 1% from 2022 to 2023, a far smaller percentage than most other property/casualty lines. However, the workers’ compensation line remains the most profitable segment, with a combined …
The Surprising Force Stalling Climate Progress: California Restaurants
In the fight to ratchet down climate emissions and soothe the most dangerous effects of an overheating planet, one of the most withering setbacks in recent memory wasn’t delivered by the oil industry or coal excavators, but, rather, a group …
High Court: E-Scooter Rider Hit by Car Not Eligible for No-Fault PIP Benefits
A man injured when he was hit by a car while he was operating a low speed Segway electric scooter is not entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) benefits under New Jersey’s no-fault auto insurance law, the state’s Supreme Court …
Exxon Is Hit With $726 Million Verdict Over Benzene and Cancer
A jury in Philadelphia found Exxon Mobil Corp. liable for $725.5 million in damages due a former mechanic who claimed its petroleum products exposed him to benzene that caused his cancer, according to his lawyers. The jury found that the …
After Maui, Hawaii Lawmakers Budget Funds for Firefighting Equipment and a State Fire Marshal
Hawaii lawmakers appropriated funds for more firefighting equipment and a state fire marshal after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century ripped through the historic Maui town of Lahaina and exposed shortcomings in the state’s readiness for such …
Farmers to Resume Offering Key Lines of Business Insurance in California
Farmers Insurance says it will resume accepting new business commercial multi-peril applications for auto service & repair, habitational, manufacturing, real estate and wholesale distribution policies in California. The action follows the insurer group’s recent decision to lift its temporary moratorium …
Governor Signs Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act Into Law
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has signed into law Monday a bill, which aims to provide financial grants to construct or retrofit homes, making them more resilient against the destructive forces of tornadoes, windstorms and hail. Under the new law, known …
Teen Awarded $185K in Lawsuit Over Interference With Recording of Mother’s Arrest
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A teenager who video-recorded his mother’s forceful arrest by Louisiana sheriff’s deputies in 2020 has been awarded $185,000 by a federal jury in a lawsuit filed over one deputy’s attempt to interfere with the recording. De’Shaun …
Michigan Study Shows Potential for Real-Time Traffic Light Adjustments
As cars and trucks get smarter and more connected, the humble lights that have controlled the flow of traffic for more than a century could also be on the cusp of a major transformation. Researchers are exploring ways to use …
Kansas Schools Turn to AI to Spot Guns
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas could soon offer up to $5 million in grants for schools to outfit surveillance cameras with artificial intelligence systems that can spot people carrying guns. But the governor needs to approve the expenditures and the …
18 States Sue Over EEOC’s Policy on Transgender Workers
A group of Republican-led U.S. states filed a lawsuit seeking to block the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from enforcing broad legal protections for transgender workers. The 18 states filed the complaint in federal court in Knoxville, Tennessee, late Monday. …
Alphabet’s Waymo Probed by US After Autonomous Car Incidents
The top US auto-safety regulator opened an investigation into Waymo, the autonomous-vehicle subsidiary of subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., after 22 incidents in which the company’s cars were involved in collisions or may have violated traffic laws. The US National Highway …
Santander Flags Data Breach Hitting Some Clients, All Staff
Banco Santander SA said data managed by an external party was accessed without authorization, affecting information of clients and staff. “We recently became aware of an unauthorized access to a Santander database hosted by a third-party provider,” the Spanish lender …
Hospital Operator Ascension ‘Making Progress’ to Restore Systems After Cyberattack
Hospital operator Ascension said on Monday that it “worked around the clocked” over the weekend to handle a recent ransomware attack that disrupted operations. “We are focused on restoring systems safely. We are making progress, however, it will take time …
Sica Fletcher: Broker M&A Down Slightly in Q1 as Some Buyers Take ‘Strategic Pause’
The 22 acquirers that make up the Sica Fletcher Index were involved in 111 agent-broker deals in the first quarter 2024, totaling $284 million in revenue. That is a 21% drop in revenue from what was acquired during the same …
People Moves: AXA XL Reinsurance Names Sawyer to Expanded Role of Head of London Casualty, Reinsurance; Fusion Specialty Hires 2 for M&A Team in London
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at AXA XL Reinsurance and Fusion Specialty. A summary of these new hires follows here. AXA XL Reinsurance Names Sawyer to Expanded Role of Head of London Casualty, Reinsurance AXA XL Reinsurance …