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Impact of Coronavirus on U.S. Economy Could Be $3-$5 Trillion Over 2 Years: USC Study

The COVID-19 pandemic could result in net losses from $3.2 trillion and up to $4.8 trillion in U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) over the course of two years, a new University of Southern California (USC) study finds. The pandemic’s …

Tortuous Brexit Trade Talks Get New Breath of Life but Next Few Days Are Critical

BRUSSELS/LONDON – European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Monday that sealing a trade pact with Britain was still possible before the country’s final break with the 27-nation bloc on Dec. 31 but the next few days of negotiations …

Aon Acquires India’s Anviti Insurance Brokers

Insurer broker Aon has acquired a 49% equity stake in Anviti Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd, a fast-growing, composite broking firm in India. Anviti will transition to the Aon brand pending regulatory approvals. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. …

Mastercard Faces $18.6B Class Action in UK

Mastercard Inc. faces the prospect of a 14 billion-pound ($18.6 billion) UK class action — the largest of its kind — after losing another battle at the country’s highest court over illegal swipe fees. The Supreme Court ruled in favor …

UK Insurer Aviva to Sell Vietnamese Business to Canada’s ManuLife

British insurer Aviva PLC is selling its Vietnamese business to Canadian insurer ManuLife Financial Corp, it said on Monday, as it pushes ahead with plans to pull out from its non-core markets. Aviva, under new boss Amanda Blanc, is looking …

Kentucky Begins Easing Virus Restrictions on Businesses

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday that the state’s restaurants, bars, gyms and other businesses will be able to return to their previous capacity limits starting Monday, Dec. 14. “When we talk about COVID being a fast moving train, it …

Georgia to Test 800 Schools for Lead in Drinking Water

Georgia is moving forward with plans to test for lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. The state Board of Education on Thursday approved hiring Research Triangle Institute for $980,000 to perform the tests using a federal …

Court Nixes Ruling Granting Workers’ Comp Benefits to Family of Slain Alabama Worker

A Jefferson County court erred when it ruled the city of Birmingham should have to pay benefits to relatives of a city worker who was shot to death while cutting grass, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals ruled Friday. The …

South Carolina Renews Wind Pool Territory Expansion

A temporary order extending the area where South Carolina’s residual property insurance market provides insurance has been renewed for another two years. An order issued by South Carolina Insurance Director Ray Farmer says the renewal of the 2007 expansion of …

Trump Administration Seeks Medical Privacy Changes

Urged on by hospitals, doctors and patients, U.S. health officials are proposing changes to medical privacy rules that could ease information sharing in crisis situations. Trump administration officials at the Department of Health and Human Services say their proposal, released …

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