Monthly Archives: <span>August 2018</span>

Jury Awards $289M to Man Who Claims Roundup Weed Killer Caused Cancer

A San Francisco jury on Friday ordered agribusiness giant Monsanto to pay $289 million to a former school groundskeeper dying of cancer, saying the company’s popular Roundup weed killer contributed to his disease. Dewayne Johnson’s lawsuit was the first of …

Drones Help Fight Fires After Dark

Kale Casey almost can’t believe what a metal bird 5 feet long, weighing 44 pounds with wings spanning 10 feet, can do to help fight a wildfire. “For eight hours a night, without getting tired, without needing a meal … …

Illinois Inspectors Check Safety by Climbing Over, Under Fair Rides

The legs of the carnival ride called “Downdraft” rise and spread before they start to spin, the empty cars on the ends leaning outward, as amusement ride safety inspectors Bill Szerletich and Brian Brown watch. A bystander at the midway …

California Lawmakers Consider Plan to Alter Utility Liability for Wildfires

California lawmakers raised concerns Thursday that a proposal from Gov. Jerry Brown to shield electrical utilities from some financial liability for wildfires might give them too much protection without ensuring the utilities safely maintain their equipment. The issue of wildfire …

Earthquake Ground Accelerations Studied to Assist Better Building Design

Igor Beresnev didn’t want to wait for a research grant or fresh data from the next big earthquake. So, over summers and weekends, he analyzed existing, historical data and ran his calculations. Now he believes he’s established the upper limit …

Zurich Property Unit Leads Way to Meet CEO’s Goals

Zurich Insurance Group AG got a boost from its property & casualty business, putting the company on track to meet Chief Executive Officer Mario Greco’s three-year restructuring goals. The Swiss insurer’s biggest unit saw higher profit and posted a lower …

Hawaii Plans $550M Request for Disaster Recovery

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim is planning to ask the state Legislature for $550 million for disaster recovery following the effects of the Kilauea volcano eruption. Kim said he discussed a conceptual plan with Gov. David Ige last week, and …

Puerto Rico Cites Maria Death Toll of 1,427 in Damage Report

Puerto Rico is now estimating that Hurricane Maria killed more than 1,400 people, far more than the official death toll of 64, in a report to Congress seeking billions to help the island recover from the devastating storm. The government, …

With Pot Shops Opening Soon, Massachusetts Warns of Dangers of Driving High

In anticipation of the first recreational marijuana stores opening within Massachusetts in the coming weeks, state officials Wednesday stepped up warnings to motorists about the risks of driving while stoned. A new public education and enforcement campaign announced by Republican …

Business News: DSA Re, PEAK6, CoreLogic

AIG and The Carlyle Group Announce Strategic Partnership with DSA Re American International Group and The Carlyle Group announced a strategic partnership to build DSA Re into a standalone provider of reinsurance, claims handling and run-off management solutions for long-dated, …