People Moves: Markel Taps Talbot’s O’Donoghue to Lead Fine Art & Specie for London; Aon’s Global ReSpecialty Team Promotes Mitchell, Hires Floodflash’s Rimmer
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Markel and Aon. A summary of these new hires follows here. Markel Taps Talbot’s O’Donoghue to Lead Fine Art & Specie for London Operations Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 4:16 PM |
Gov. Newsom Issues Executive Order to Prep Workers, Businesses for AI Disruption
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to attempt to deal with the impacts of artificial intelligence on workers and businesses. Related: Acrisure to Cut 2,250 Employees, Citing Advances in Technology and AI The order directs the state to …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 3:37 PM |
Delay in Calling Police Does Not Wreck UM Claim, WV Supreme Court Says
A West Virginia uninsured motorist policy specified that the policyholder must report an accident to police within 24 hours. But that’s not enough to negate a claim, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals decided this week. The West Virginia …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 2:35 PM |
Acrisure to Cut 2,250 Employees, Citing Advances in Technology and AI
Acrisure’s CEO told employees that about 2,250 of them won’t be with the company by the end of 2027. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based global broker is planning to reduce its headcount by about 11%, mostly in the U.S., said a …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 1:45 PM |
These Homeowners Got an Energy-Bill Lifeline. Trump Yanked It Back
In late 2024, Gretchen Holloway was approved for a new federally funded program that promised to cut her $900 utility bills by helping repair her nearly century-old home. For years, the retired teacher in Valley, Alabama, had been trying to …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 1:45 PM |
OSHA Has 6 Inspectors for 60,000 West Virginia Workplaces
When two workers died last month in a violent chemical reaction at Ames Goldsmith Catalyst Refiners near Charleston, federal records showed the facility had previously been cited for safety violations in 2018. But that doesn’t mean inspectors had regularly checked …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 1:26 PM |
New York Issues Cybersecurity Tips for a ‘Heightened Threat’ Climate With AI
Citing a need for the financial services industry to be prepared for increased cybersecurity threats, New York’s regulator has issued new guidance. The guidance from the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) identifies risk management and compliance efforts …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 1:18 PM |
Judge Refuses to Delay Civil Trial Over Fatal Baltimore Bridge Collapse
A federal judge on Wednesday refused to postpone a trial that is scheduled to start next month for civil claims stemming from the 2024 collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, rejecting a request for a delay by companies involved …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 11:54 AM |
US P/C Insurers Post Biggest Q1 Underwriting Profit in 25 Years
The U.S. property/casualty insurance industry posted another record in the first quarter of 2026, with a combined ratio of 89.5—before policyholder dividends—standing as the best first-quarter underwriting result in at least 25 years. The insight comes from S&P Global Market …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 11:25 AM |
Vermonters to Vote on Equal Protection Amendment to State Constitution
Vermont voters will have the chance to weigh in on another amendment to the state’s constitution this fall. The proposal, which got a final sign-off from the House last Wednesday, is aimed at ensuring all people are treated equally under …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 11:22 AM |
Ebola Outbreak Likely Started Months Ago, Spread Undetected: WHO
The Ebola outbreak probably started months ago in central Africa and spread undetected until a super-spreader event in early May, possibly a funeral, World Health Organization officials said. The rare Bundibugyo strain circulated for “a couple months” before being identified …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 10:39 AM |
Satellite Images Show Persian Gulf Oil Slicks Growing During War
Ecologists are concerned that the war in the Middle East risks creating an environmental disaster, as satellite images show that the number of oil slicks in the Persian Gulf has increased significantly since the beginning of the conflict in the …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 10:17 AM |
Shell in Top Dutch Court Fight Over Call to Slash Emissions
Shell Plc is facing off with climate activists at the top Dutch court over demands for legally enforceable emissions cuts on Europe’s biggest oil and gas company. The Netherlands branch of Friends of the Earth, Milieudefensie, is try to convince …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 10:05 AM |
Ohio Man Sentenced for Causing $860K in Computer Fraud Losses
A 36-year-old Ohio man has been sentenced for computer fraud after causing more than $860,000 in losses, Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck announced. Maxwell Schultz, Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty Nov. 18, 2025. Senior U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 9:00 AM |
People Moves; Church Mutual Names Kim as CFO, Promotes Schmeltzer to VP of Underwriting, Religious Markets
Church Mutual announced several leadership appointments to support its continued growth and operational focus. The company announced Daniel Kim has joined the company as senior vice president and chief financial officer, reporting to president and CEO Alan Ogilvie. Kim brings …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 7:24 AM |
US Finalizes Easement for Dakota Access Crude Oil Pipeline
The US Army Corps of Engineers finalized an easement for a stretch of the Dakota Access pipeline that passes under a North Dakota lake, ending a years-long environmental review of the hotly contested oil conduit. The record of decision issued …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 7:21 AM |
Rainy April Delays Corpus Christi’s Projected Water Crisis by 3 Months
A projection for when Corpus Christi expects to reach a water crisis was pushed back by three months after a wet April brought enough rain to delay an emergency but too little to quench a brutal drought. The city was …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 7:17 AM |
Arkansas Lawsuit Alleges Discrimination by White Nationalist Group in Land Sale
A real estate broker says an organization denied her the opportunity to purchase land in an Arkansas development because of her Jewish ancestry, and because she has a Black husband and biracial children, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 7:14 AM |
People Moves: Howden Names Jimenez Leader of US Aviation Practice; Liberty Promotes Hyatt to Head NA Distribution, Client Engagement
Howden, the global insurance broking group, launched its new U.S. Aviation Practice, led by Julio Jimenez, aviation practice leader. Jimenez is a seasoned leader whose ability to build and inspire teams is matched by his experience and expertise across the …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 5:31 AM |
Markets/Coverages: Canopius Insures Cyber-Triggered Spoilage of Perishable Stock
Canopius Group, the London-based specialty and property/casualty re/insurer, announced the launch of a spoilage product, a cyber-triggered spoilage cover designed to protect businesses when a cyber incident renders their perishable stock unsellable. When cyber incidents impact the systems that manage …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 5:15 AM |
Airbus, Air France Found Guilty of Manslaughter Over 2009 Atlantic Crash
A French appeals court found Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter on Thursday over the Rio-Paris plane crash, but a 17-year legal battle over the country’s worst aviation disaster is set to continue. “Justice has absolutely been done,” …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 5:10 AM |
Meta Settles First Case Over School Costs Tied to Youth Mental Health: Court Filing
Meta Platforms on May 21 settled the first case set for trial seeking to make social media companies cover the costs that school districts say they have incurred to combat a mental health crisis allegedly fueled by platforms. The agreement …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 5:07 AM |
Shareholders Press Big Tech Over AI Energy Use and Climate Goals
Activist investors are pushing technology companies to explain how they’re reconciling surging electricity demand for AI with their climate commitments. Shareholders at Amazon.com Inc. voted on a proposal asking the firm to disclose more information. Voting is open for shareholders …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 5:03 AM |
Reaction Muted After Former Staffer Details Texts From NC Insurance Commissioner
Reaction to allegations that North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey sent suggestive texts to a staff member over several years has been muted. Causey declined to comment to Insurance Journal a day after the Raleigh News & Observer reported that …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 5:01 AM |
People Moves: Commissioner Kuderer to Chair NAIC’s Child Care Insurance Group
Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer has been selected to chair the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ new Child Care Insurance Working Group. The new working group will explore possible solutions and make recommendations for state insurance regulators to use with …
POSTED MAY 22, 2026 5:00 AM |