Insurance Archives - Residential Property Insurance & Business Management

Madonna and DiCaprio among celebrities calling for action August 23, 2019
Huge fires have been blazing through the Brazilian rainforest this week, with more than half in the Amazon region. The fires spell disaster for the local environment and ecology -- and environmentalists and researchers say the blazes were likely lit by cattle ranchers and loggers.
Family denies allegations in Chinese media that UK consulate worker solicited prostitute August 23, 2019
The family of a Hong Kong citizen working for the British consulate, who has not been heard from for more than two weeks, have described reports that he was detained in China for soliciting prostitutes as a "joke."
Macron delivers tough Brexit message to Johnson August 23, 2019
When Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson spoke to reporters ahead of their meeting in Paris on Thursday, they stood side by side but sounded as if they were living in parallel universes.
New images from asteroid's surface mysteriously dust-free August 23, 2019
France's Macron calls Amazon rainforest fires an 'international crisis' August 23, 2019
French President calls rainforest fires an 'international crisis,' but Brazil's President accuses him of using the blazes for 'political gain' August 23, 2019
French President Emmanuel Macron has angered his Brazilian counterpart by calling the wildfires blazing in the Amazon rainforest an "international crisis" that should be on the agenda at the G7 summit in Biarritz.
North Korea and China are huge winners in the worsening Japan-South Korea spat August 23, 2019
The cracks in the relationship between South Korea and Japan are deepening -- undercutting security cooperation on North Korea and potentially handing a win to China.
How tax cuts and a trade war set the stage for a self-inflicted recession August 23, 2019
Cracks are beginning to form in the American economy, threatening to tip the country into recession. And at least some of those cracks are self-inflicted.
Florida executes serial killer who targeted gay men August 23, 2019
Florida has put to death the man known as the "I-95 killer," who was convicted of killing three people and admitted to killing several more in a 1994 spree targeting gay men.
The Japanese architects who treated buildings like living organisms August 23, 2019
In 1952, Japan faced newfound autonomy. The American occupation following World War II ended, and as the decade progressed, the devastating effects of the atomic bomb -- both physical and psychological -- began to recede into the country's past.
Pakistan calls on UNICEF to drop actress Priyanka Chopra as an ambassador August 23, 2019
Pakistan has demanded that Indian actress Priyanka Chopra be stripped of her UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador role, saying that her "support for war" and the Indian government amid heightened tensions in the disputed region of Kashmir make a "mockery" of the position.
Marriott cook planned mass shooting at hotel, police say August 23, 2019
Long Beach, California, police arrested a man they say was planning a mass shooting, the police chief said.
YouTube shuts down 210 channels posting about Hong Kong August 22, 2019
Google announced Thursday that it had disabled 210 YouTube channels that were uploading videos "in a coordinated manner" about the ongoing protests in Hong Kong.
Tests begin to see how people will cope with the world's longest flight August 22, 2019
Regular nonstop flights between the east coast of Australia and London or New York could soon become a reality.
CEO, who says he dated accused Russian spy, resigns after 'deep state' comments sparked stock selloff August 22, 2019
Correctional officers subpoenaed in Epstein death investigation, a source says August 22, 2019
As many as 20 correctional officers who work at the federal detention center where Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide received grand jury subpoenas last week relating to an investigation into his death, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
She looked up how to find a diamond on YouTube. Then she found a 3.72-carat one August 22, 2019
A Texas woman was sitting in the shade, watching a YouTube video on how to find diamonds. Then she found one right where she was sitting.
A bird's-eye view of fiery devastation in Amazon rainforest August 22, 2019
Fires are raging at a record rate in Brazil's Amazon rainforest and scientists warn it could strike a devastating blow to the fight against climate change. CNN's Shasta Darlington reports.
Meghan's friend calls out 'racist bullies' who abuse the duchess August 22, 2019
A friend of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has defended Prince Harry's wife in a post on Instagram, calling out the "racist bullies" who criticize her, following years of "undeserved hate and abuse."
Sarah Sanders becomes the latest ex-Trump official to join Fox News August 22, 2019
Former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders has joined Fox News as a contributor, the network announced on Thursday. It is the latest sign of the revolving door relationship between Fox and the Trump administration.

Broker Not Liable for Late Notice that Cost Illinois Client $1.34M August 23, 2019
An Illinois construction company that waited six years to inform its excess insurer that it had been sued cannot expect coverage from that carrier, and it can’t go after the insurance brokerage that sold it the policy either, a federal …
Jim Sams
Bridge Span Near Florida-Georgia Line Collapses, Causes 2 Accidents August 23, 2019
Authorities say two motorists have been injured when their cars went airborne over a collapsed bridge span near the Florida-Georgia Line. Officials closed a short stretch of Hutchinson Ferry Road northwest of Tallahassee on Wednesday morning because of the gap …
Trump Administration Appoints Aviation Safety Advisory Panel August 23, 2019
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Thursday named 22 people to a new panel that will advise the department on aviation safety oversight and certification programs as the Federal Aviation Administration continues to grapple with the fallout from two fatal …
For Many U.S. Communities, There’s No Easy Path to Safety From Disasters August 23, 2019
As the country enters peak season for major natural disasters, new research indicates which states and communities are the riskiest for those needing to evacuate whether from wildfires or hurricanes. StreetLight Data Inc., a company that collects and analyzes data …
Early Claims and Crash Tests Suggest Risks of Luxury, SUV Electric Vehicles August 23, 2019
Electric luxury cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) may be 40% more likely to cause accidents than their standard engine counterparts, possibly because drivers are still getting used to their quick acceleration, French insurer AXA said. The numbers, based on …
Michael Shields
Wells Fargo Settles Navajo Nation Claims Over Fake Accounts for $6.5 Million August 23, 2019
Wells Fargo & Co. will pay the Navajo Nation $6.5 million to settle a lawsuit over “predatory and unlawful practices” by the bank, the Native American tribe said on Thursday. The Navajo Nation sued Wells Fargo in federal and tribal …
Bryan Pietsch
Authorities Investigate String of Arson Fires in Kentucky Neighborhood August 23, 2019
A string of fires in a western Kentucky neighborhood has left authorities wondering if they’re all related. News outlets report four fires in the past week have occurred in the Pleasant Ridge area and three of the fires were caused …
Miami Contractor Arrested Over $737K in Workers’ Comp Fraud August 23, 2019
A Florida contractor was arrested this month for an alleged workers’ compensation fraud scheme totaling nearly $737,000, according to a statement from Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis. Norma Lopez Cedillo, president of Nuvo Contractor, Inc., allegedly evaded paying nearly …
Retreat as an Answer to Climate Change? August 22, 2019
Think retreat is never an option? Think again. “Faced with global warming, rising sea levels, and the climate-related extremes they intensify, the question is no longer whether some communities will retreat—moving people and assets out of harm’s way—but why, where, …
Don Jergler
Idaho Company Hit With Fine Following Tree-Trimming Death August 22, 2019
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined an Idaho tree-trimming company after an employee was killed and another was injured when the work platform of a bucket truck fell about 65 feet. The Times-News reported that the federal agency …
California State Fund Declares $105M Dividend for Workers’ Comp Policyholders August 22, 2019
The board of California’s State Compensation Insurance Fund announced plans to distribute a $105 million dividend to qualifying policyholders with policies that took effect between Jan. 1 and Aug. 19. This dividend equals roughly 15% of the estimated annual premium …
Do Cannabis or Alcohol Taxes Have Higher Upside for Society? August 22, 2019
Which helps society more? Alcohol or cannabis. That sounds like a funny question, but it may be an important one with more local governments embracing the opportunity to bring in tax revenue from cannabis sales. A new report from Wikileaf, …
Don Jergler
Suits Filed Against Operator of Illinois Medical Equipment Cleaner August 22, 2019
Nearly three dozen people have sued the operator of a suburban Chicago medical equipment cleaning plant they claim emits fumes that have adversely affected their health, lawyers for the plaintiffs announced. The 32 lawsuits filed against Sterigenics LLC this week …
$385K Settlement Reached in St. Louis Park Injury Case August 22, 2019
St. Louis has agreed to pay $385,000 to settle a lawsuit with the family of a girl who was smashed by a 200-pound racquetball door that was left off its hinges at a city park. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports …
Proposed Settlement in Lawsuit Over St. Louis Rams Merchandise OK’d August 22, 2019
A proposed settlement would give St. Louis Rams fans a 25% refund on years of tickets and merchandise they bought before the team announced it was moving to Los Angeles. If approved, the settlement would end a class-action lawsuit that …
Ransomware Attack Strikes 20 Texas Local Governments August 22, 2019
More than 20 local governments in Texas were targeted in a coordinated ransomware attack of unprecedented size. The Texas Department of Information Resources said in a statement that it believes a single source is behind all 22 of the attacks. …
Kathleen Foody and Jake Bleiberg
Guy Carpenter Tapped for California Wildfire Fund Reinsurance Program August 22, 2019
Guy Carpenter & Company LLC has been named the sole reinsurance intermediary for the newly formed California Wildfire Fund, which is currently being administered by the California Earthquake Authority. Guy Carpenter will provide strategic reinsurance and advisory services to develop …
Planned Parenthood Arizona Worker Awarded $3M August 22, 2019
A former Planned Parenthood Arizona employee who claimed she was wrongfully fired after she reported unsafe medical practices has been awarded $3 million in a civil case. A Maricopa County jury returned the verdict Aug. 16 for Mayra Rodriguez, who …
Among Bad Driving Behaviors, Speeding Is Strongest Predictor of Crashes August 22, 2019
Speeding is the riskiest kind of aggressive driving, according to an analysis of data from on-board telematics devices in vehicles. Researchers at Canada’s University of Waterloo examined data from 28 million trips for possible links between four bad driving behaviours …
Allstate CEO Calls On U.S. Corporations to Pay Employees More August 22, 2019
U.S. businesses must focus on creating higher-paying jobs,Tom Wilson, Allstate chair, president and chief executive officer, writes in today’s New York Times. Wilson calls on America’s corporate leaders to prioritize job creation and make it a regular topic of discussion …

DHL stops deliveries for Amazon Fresh in Germany August 23, 2019
(The August 21 story, corrects to read "the market for food ecommerce" in paragraph 1.)
Thyssenkrupp in talks to buy steel trader Kloeckner: Handelsblatt August 23, 2019
Shares in Kloeckner & Co soared in early trade on Friday after a newspaper said Thyssenkrupp was in talks to buy the metals distributor to strengthen its materials trading business, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Asian stocks cautious ahead of Powell's speech; yuan at fresh 11-1/2 year low August 23, 2019
Asian shares struggled to make headway on Friday as uncertainty over how much further the U.S. Federal Reserve would cut interest rates added to investors' worries over slowing global growth.
Protest fears stalk Hong Kong businesses as China threat looms August 23, 2019
Walking a tightrope between anti-government protests and political masters in Beijing, many Hong Kong firms are opting to toe the Communist Party line to avoid potential repercussions having seen what happened at Cathay Pacific Airways.
Tesla to buy batteries from South Korea's LG Chem: Bloomberg August 23, 2019
Tesla Inc has agreed to buy batteries from South Korea's LG Chem Ltd for electric vehicles manufactured in China, Bloomberg reported on Friday citing people familiar with the matter.
Hong Kong unions urge Cathay Pacific to end 'white terror' August 23, 2019
The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions on Friday called on Cathay Pacific to put an end to what it described as "white terror", following the dismissal of Rebecca Sy, the head of Cathay Dragon's Airlines Flight Attendants' Association.
Seeking clarity from Fed's Powell? Good luck with that August 23, 2019
When Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Friday, traders will comb through his remarks for clues on whether the U.S. central bank will deliver more rate cuts this year.
Walmart, Tesla look to address issues surrounding solar systems August 23, 2019
Walmart Inc and Tesla Inc are looking to address all issues surrounding the solar installations at Walmart stores, the companies said late on Thursday, two days after the retailer sued the electric carmaker for "widespread negligence" that led to repeated fires at the installations.
U.S. SEC fines Deutsche Bank $16 million to settle foreign corruption charges August 23, 2019
Deutsche Bank has agreed to pay more than $16 million to settle charges that it violated U.S. corruption laws by hiring relatives of foreign government officials in order to win or retain business, the U.S. markets regulator said on Thursday.
Wells Fargo pays $6.5 million to Navajo Nation over 'predatory' practices August 23, 2019
Wells Fargo & Co will pay the Navajo Nation $6.5 million to settle a lawsuit over "predatory and unlawful practices" by the bank, the Native American tribe said on Thursday.
Facing farmer anger, Trump scrambles Cabinet to brainstorm on biofuel policy: sources August 23, 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump, faced with mounting anger in the farm belt over policies that allow oil refineries to use less corn-based ethanol, summoned Cabinet members on Thursday to discuss ways to boost biofuel demand, four sources familiar with the matter said.
For U.S. housing, trade war set to blunt some of Fed stimulus: Reuters poll August 23, 2019
The U.S.-China trade war may blunt some of the stimulus on the U.S. housing market from expected further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, with only a modest outlook for price rises, a Reuters poll of property market experts found.
FAA says it will invite global Boeing 737 MAX pilots to simulator tests August 23, 2019
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Thursday it would invite Boeing 737 MAX pilots from across the world to participate in simulator tests as part of the process to recertify the aircraft for flight following two fatal crashes.
Hasbro takes home Peppa Pig, PJ Masks in $4 billion eOne deal August 22, 2019
Hasbro Inc will buy Entertainment One Ltd for about $4 billion (3.27 billion pounds) in cash, expanding into the lucrative infant and preschool market by gaining access to popular TV shows like Peppa Pig and PJ Masks.
FAA says invites global Boeing 737 MAX pilots to simulator tests August 22, 2019
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Thursday it has invited a cross-section of line pilots from global carriers that operate Boeing Co's 737 MAX to participate in simulator testing as part of an overall testing and validation process of new MAX procedures.
U.S. plans in-person China trade talks next month: White House adviser August 22, 2019
The Trump administration is still planning for a round of in-person talks between U.S. and Chinese officials in September after a constructive exchange this week between deputy-level negotiators, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Thursday.
Salesforce sees higher quarterly, FY revenue; shares rise 7% August 22, 2019
Salesforce.com Inc forecast third-quarter and full-year revenue above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, as it benefits from acquisitions and more companies opting for its cloud-based services, sending its shares up 7% in extended trading.
Two Fed officials see no case for rate cut now; Kaplan 'open-minded' August 22, 2019
Underscoring divisions within the Federal Reserve over how to respond to signs of a global economic slowdown, two officials on Thursday said they see no need to lower borrowing costs next month, while another said he was "open-minded."
White House mulling tax cuts but not to counter short-term weakness: adviser August 22, 2019
The Trump administration is studying tax cuts to buttress long-term U.S. economic growth that could be rolled out during the 2020 election campaign but is not looking at action to counter any perceived economic weakness now, the White House economic adviser said on Thursday.
Markets doubt Fed's ability to defend economy, spur inflation August 22, 2019
The U.S. Federal Reserve wanted to do two things when it cut rates for the first time in a decade last month: Support the economy and spark inflation expectations.