Yearly Archives: <span>2023</span>

India Tunnel Collapse Shows Risk of Construction in Fragile Himalayas

For nearly a week, 40 workers have been trapped in an under-construction tunnel after a landslide demolished its entrance, derailing a major connectivity development in India’s mountainous state of Uttarakhand. Since Nov. 12, rescue teams have employed a slew of …

Australian Telco Optus’ CEO Quits After Massive Network Outage and Cyber Attack

The head of Australia’s second-largest telco Optus resigned on Monday, cutting short a more than three-year tenure marred by a massive network-wide outage and one of Australia’s largest data breaches. Parent Singapore Telecommunications announced the resignation of Optus CEO Kelly …

Nationwide: Gap Between Agents, Commercial Clients View of Severe Weather

A Nationwide study has found that independent insurance agents believe many of their commercial clients don’t have adequate coverage to protect their businesses from severe weather. While 82% of surveyed property stakeholders reported working with an agent to ensure appropriate …

Ransomware Gang LockBit Revises Its Tactics to Get More Blackmail Money

LockBit, the prolific ransomware gang that has launched attacks recently on Boeing Co. and Industrial Commercial Bank of China Ltd., among others, has revised the way it tries to blackmail victims because it’s disappointed with lower-than-expected ransom payments, according to …

Choice Financial Acquires Hackmeier Agency in South Florida

Virginia-based Choice Financial Group has acquired Jeff D. Hackmeier and Associates, a south Florida insurance agency catering to high net-worth clients. Hackmeier, based in Bay Harbor Islands, near Miami, has been in business since 1978, the companies said in a …

People: McCosh, Sumrall Take New Posts at McGriff

McGriff, a Charlotte-based insurance broker and subsidiary of Truist Insurance Holdings, said it has named two people to help lead its risk services division. Brandon McCosh was promoted to be national director, risk control; and Shane Sumrall was named national …

Skanska Ordered to Pay $1.7M to Florida Oyster Farm for Barges Loosed in Storm

Skanska USA, part of one of the world’s largest construction firms, was ordered to pay almost $1.7 million to a Florida oyster farmer, three years after the firm’s barges broke loose in Hurricane Sally. The state-court jury verdict last week …

Atlantic City Investigates Boardwalk Fire That Damaged Facade of Resorts Casino

Investigators were trying Thursday to determine what touched off a fire on the Atlantic City Boardwalk a day earlier that burned a section of the historic walkway and damaged part of the facade of Resorts casino. Although the fire damaged …

‘I Am Guilty.’ Murdaugh Pleads to 22 State Financial Crimes for 27 Year Sentence

Alex Murdaugh pleaded guilty Friday to stealing millions of dollars from vulnerable legal clients in schemes lasting over a decade under an agreement that all but ensures more prison time for the longtime lawyer who was convicted of killing his …

Best Agency to Work For – East Gold Winner: National Church Group Agency

Caring for Employees and Clients Alike The National Church Group Insurance Agency’s mission is to protect its clients’ missions. For nearly four decades, the Leesburg, Virginia-based organization has secured commercial property and casualty insurance for churches, nonprofits, camps and schools. …