Chinese Hackers Still Trying to Break Into Telecoms Across Globe
A Chinese hacking group has continued to target phone and wireless providers around the world, compromising devices tied to seven telecommunications companies since February, according to a bulletin that a cybersecurity company recently sent to clients. In the past five …
Former AIG Exec McElroy Faces Sexual Assault Charges in Vermont
Earlier this week, American International Group (AIG) made a splash with the announcement that it had hired former Lloyd’s CEO John Neal to be the new leader of General Insurance, the company’s property/casualty operations. Meanwhile, the man who once led …
Waymo Expands in Austin After Tesla Launches Robotaxi Competitor
Waymo is more than doubling its service territory in Austin as the driverless taxi firm looks to fend off competition from Tesla Inc. Through its partnership with ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies Inc., Waymo said Thursday that it will now offer …
AM Best Revises Outlook to Negative for Texas’ Southern Vanguard
AM Best announced it has revised the outlooks to negative from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Southern Vanguard Insurance Company, based in Houston, Texas. The …
NHTSA Shedding More Than 25% of Employees
The U.S. auto safety agency is shedding more than 25% of its employees under financial incentive programs to depart the government offered by the Trump administration, according to data provided to Congress seen by Reuters. The National Highway Traffic Safety …
China-Linked Hackers Target Taiwan’s Chip Industry With Increasing Attacks: Research
Chinese-linked hackers are targeting the Taiwanese semiconductor industry and investment analysts as part of a string of cyber espionage campaigns, researchers said on Wednesday [July 16]. While hacking to steal data and information about the industry is not new, there …
Google to Offer Free AI Certification Courses to Virginia Job Seekers
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced on Tuesday that Google will partner with his administration to provide free and low-cost artificial intelligence certification courses to Virginians as part of his office’s ongoing effort to connect citizens to new jobs amid changes …
Billionaire-Backed California City Pitches Plans for Factory Hub
California Forever, the proposed futuristic community backed by billionaire venture capitalists, is now billing itself as a manufacturing center a year after local opposition forced it to withdraw plans to incorporate a new city. The project’s organizers said Thursday that …
Everclear High-Proof Alcohol Poses Extreme Risk, Alleges Burn Victim’s Lawsuit
In May 2025, Massachusetts college student Yvette Yuri Lanuza Digan was at a fraternity gathering when another person poured Everclear grain alcohol onto an open fire in the backyard of the house. An enormous fireball instantly erupted, enveloping Digan who …
5Star Workers’ Compensation Rebrands to Starwind WC
Starwind Specialty Insurance Services, a division of CRC Group, announces today its official rebrand of its 5Star Workers’ Compensation unit to Starwind WC. The rebrand includes a new name, logo, and a refreshed website for the 30-year old company. Starwind …
California Labor Commissioner Cites Ritz-Carlton and Subcontractors $2M
The California Labor Commissioner’s Office cited the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC and three contractors more than $2 million for reportedly misclassifying 155 janitors as independent contractors at its Half Moon Bay hotel. The citations include $1.9 million in wages and …
People Moves: Society Insurance Names Felton to Board of Directors
Society Insurance, headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, elected Chris Felton of Burlington, Wisconsin, as a director Felton is president and chief executive officer of Corporate Central Credit Union, leading strategy, innovation and operations. In addition to Felton, Society’s board …
Aon Promotes Reinsurance Leaders as John Neal Takes a New Direction With AIG
Insurance broker Aon announced the promotions of Alfonso Valera as CEO of International for Reinsurance, responsible for UK, EMEA and APAC, and Steve Hofmann as CEO of Americas for Reinsurance, responsible for North America and Latin America. In addition, George …
Progressive Q2 Income More Than Doubles
Second quarter net income at Progressive Corp. increased 118% compared to the same period a year ago to about $3.2 billion. Progressive reports results monthly. Net income for June was up 40% to $1.1 billion. Year-to-date net income as of …
Venbrook Launches Habitational Product for California Condos, Townhomes
Venbrook Group has entered a strategic alliance with DB Insurance to bring a specialty coverage option for multi-unit residential properties in California. The product is tailored for condominium and townhome homeowners association policies. It is the first offering from the …
The Hartford Promotes Chhabra to Chief Risk Officer
The Hartford said it is promoting Prateek Chhabra to chief risk officer, succeeding Robert Paiano who will retire from the company at the end of the year. Chhabra, who since 2018 has held the role of senior vice president and …
Former Lloyd’s CEO Neal to Lead General Insurance as President at AIG
American International Group (AIG) said today that former Lloyd’s CEO John Neal is joining as president, effective December 1. Neal, who at the start of 2025 was named CEO of reinsurance at Aon, will lead AIG’s General Insurance—North America and …
Air India Crash Supports Argument for Cockpit Cameras, IATA Chief Says
The installation of cockpit cameras would greatly help aviation safety authorities investigating accidents like the recent fatal Air India crash, according to the head of the International Air Transport Association. “On a personal basis, I can see that there is …
First-Half 2025 Insured Losses From Natural Cats Hit $100B, Driven by US Events
Global insured losses during the first half of this year were at least $100 billion with more than 90% of that total – or approximately $92 billion – driven by wildfires and severe convective storms in the U.S., according to …
Florida People Rush to Help Plane Near Airport Mayor Says Is Plagued With Crashes
Residents in a Miami suburb used an ax, fire extinguisher and garden hose to rescue four people from a small plane that crashed into a tree in yet another mishap near a busy South Florida airport. “It was nothing short …