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Businesses Can Expect to Spend $13.5 Billion on Repairs Due to Flooding in 2022

A new report estimates that U.S. businesses could spend about $13.5 billion in 2022 to repair or replace flood-damaged commercial buildings. The same report finds that businesses could lose more than 3.1 million days of operation from flooding next year. …

Global Shipping Industry Faces Growing Pressure to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ocean freight costs are likely to remain high in 2022 as investors and regulators scramble to accelerate decarbonization of the shipping industry and companies grapple with green financing, sources say. Shipping, which transports about 90% of world trade and accounts …

Neighbors Sue Exxon Over Homes Damaged by Texas Refinery Fire

Exxon Mobil Corp. said on Monday its Baytown, Texas, refinery continued to operate at reduced rates following a fire on Dec. 23, and the unit involved remained shut down. The company has not yet determined the cause of the fire, …

Brazil’s Dams Monitored for Risk of Bursting After Heavy Rains Kill at Least 18

Ten water dams are being monitored for risk of bursting in Brazil after heavy rains in the country’s northeast killed at least 18 people and forced over 16,000 more to flee their homes in what local authorities are calling the …

Sunken Ship’s Captain and 1st Officer Sentenced to 20 Months in Mauritian Prison

The captain and first officer of a dry bulk carrier, which triggered the biggest environmental disaster in Mauritius, have been sentenced to 20 months in prison in the Indian Ocean island nation. Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar, the captain, and Subodha Tilakaratna, …

Record Snowfall Disrupts Train, Air Travel in Western Japan

A powerful storm rammed western Japan with record snowfall, disrupting flights, train travel and leaving hundreds without power. Snowfall surpassed 70 centimeters (28 inches) in the cities of Hikone and Maizuru, in the prefectures of Shiga and Kyoto, respectively, data …

Vienna Insurance Agrees to Share Ownership of Hungary Unit to Save Aegon Deal

Vienna Insurance Group AG agreed to share ownership of its Hungarian operations with a state investment fund after months of negotiations, in order to salvage an 830 million-euro ($941 million) deal to buy regional assets from Aegon NV. The insurer …

$9,000 an Hour for Comp Attorney Fee Has Tongues Wagging in Florida

Few things in Florida workers’ compensation have been a bigger issue over the last decade than claimants’ attorneys’ fees. Despite two landmark appeals court rulings barring limits on fees, employers and insurers have continued to cite the need for new …

Employers and Employees: How to Avoid a Burnout Crisis

In a more typical time, burnout is an exception. In the era of COVID, it almost feels like the norm. According to Jennifer Moss, organizations should take a hard look in the mirror for fostering cultures of overwork that make …

Study Finds Pandemic Lockdowns Only Work for a Limited Time

As the world struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19, many countries grapple with the possibility of imposing more lockdown measures, like those widely used in the spring of 2020. But how well do lockdowns work at keeping people home? …

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