Articles by Muvija M and Kylie MacLellan

UK Bans Chinese-Owned TikTok on Government Phones on Security Concerns

Britain said on Thursday it would ban TikTok on government phones with immediate effect, a move that follows other Western countries in barring the Chinese-owned video app over security concerns. TikTok has come under increasing scrutiny due to fears that …

Britain Lifts Ban on Gas Fracking in England in Push for Energy Independence

Britain on Thursday formally lifted a moratorium on fracking for shale gas in England that has been in place since 2019, saying strengthening the country’s energy supply was an “absolute priority.” Energy prices have soared in Europe after Russia invaded …

Storm Eunice Batters Britain and Ireland With Record Winds Hitting 122 Mph

An Atlantic storm battered Britain and Ireland on Friday with record winds of up to 122 miles per hour, killing at least one person, knocking out power for tens of thousands and shredding the roof of London’s O2 arena. Storm …

Insurer Hiscox Sets Aside $150M for Hurricane Ida, European Flood Losses

Hiscox has set aside $150 million to cover losses linked to Hurricane Ida and floods in Europe, the insurer said, above analysts’ expectations, while it reported strong premiums written this year thanks to rising rates. The Lloyd’s of London insurer …

Hiscox Cites Loss on COVID, BI Dispute ‘Brand Damage’; Will Alter Liability, Cyber Books

British insurer Hiscox reported a big loss for 2020 after a jump in claims from businesses disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and also faces “brand damage” from a legal dispute over policy wordings for pandemic-linked claims. Hiscox shares plunged 13% …

UK Data Protection Watchdog Slaps Biggest-Ever Fine on British Airways

Britain’s data protection watchdog said on Friday it has fined British Airways 20 million pounds – its biggest such penalty to date – for failing to protect data that left more than 400,000 of its customers’ details the subject of …

UK Insurer Direct Line’s H1 Profits Beat Forecasts as Auto Claims Drop During Lockdown

Insurer Direct Line gave a double bonus to shareholders on Tuesday as first-half profits beat expectations due to a slump in motor claims as Britons drove less during the coronavirus lockdown. Britain’s biggest car insurer raised its interim dividend 2.8% …

Insurer Hiscox Reserves $232 Million for Coronavirus-Related Claims in First Half

Hefty payouts for sports events and holidays canceled due to the coronovirus crisis helped send insurer Hiscox deep into the red on Monday and pummeled its shares to their lowest in more than two months. The company, which operates on …

Lloyd’s Insurer Beazley Reports 1st Half Loss of $13.8M on Mounting COVID-19 Claims

British insurer Beazley swung to a loss for the first half on Thursday after setting aside $170 million for coronavirus-related claims, saying the fallout from the crisis would be similar to a major natural catastrophe. The Lloyd’s of London insurer …

Growing Number of UK Insurers Cancel Dividends Amid COVID-19 Concerns

British insurers canceled more than 1 billion pounds ($1.2 billion) of dividends on Wednesday, in moves welcomed by the Bank of England which had cautioned the sector about the risk of heavy costs from the spread of the coronavirus. Aviva, …