Russia News

California’s Poizner to Subpoena Companies Over Iran Divestment

California’s insurance commissioner said he intends to subpoena insurance companies that did not comply with his probe of insurance companies and Iran. Commissioner Steve Poizner announced yesterday that he intends to urge–and perhaps coerce–insurance companies doing business in California to …

Swiss Re Economists See Gradual Recovery; Regulation Concerns

Swiss Re’s Economic Forum, held today at the reinsurer’s iconic London headquarters, presented a far more encouraging picture of the world’s financial condition than a year ago. However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel, but the …

World Leaders Back Delay for Final Climate Change Agreement

U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders on Sunday supported delaying a legally binding climate pact until 2010 or even later, but European negotiators said the move did not imply weaker action. Some argued that legal technicalities might otherwise …

Political Risk Premiums Rising in Response to Resource Nationalism

Political risk insurance premiums have risen across emerging markets in the last year, fuelled by rising resource nationalism and unrest linked to the financial crisis as well as a renewed concern over risk amongst investors. Foreign direct investors use the …

UN Climate Change Talks Resume as Time Runs Out for Deal

Time has almost run out to break the deadlock on a U.N. climate deal supposed to be struck in Copenhagen next month, the United Nations and Denmark warned negotiators at a final preparatory meeting on Monday. “The clock has almost …

Negligence a Factor in Russian Power Plant Accident That Killed 75

Russia’s top industrial safety oversight official said Saturday that negligence was a major factor in a devastating accident at the country’s biggest hydroelectric power plant, and hinted that high-level officials could face trial over the disaster that killed 75 workers. …

Ratings Recap: Starr Surplus, Wethaq, Unity Re, Ansvar

A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a” to Chicago-based Starr Surplus Lines Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bermuda-based Starr Insurance & Reinsurance Limited and an indirect …

US May Target Insurers, Gasoline Imports in Iran Sanctions Strategy

The White House is weighing sanctions targeting Iran’s dependence on gasoline imports and insurance firms that underwrite the trade, even as U.S. officials focus for now on diplomatic efforts to resolve a nuclear standoff. President Barack Obama warned Iran last …

People

Louisiana-based insurance wholesaler, Specialty Risk Associates Inc., announced several changes to its management team. Thomas Garland was named chief operating officer. Garland joined Specialty Risk in 2004 as vice president of Marketing and Underwriting responsible for the coordination of marketing …

S&P Affirms Allianz Russia Ratings; Revises Outlook to Negative

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has revised its outlook on Allianz Insurance JSC (Allianz Russia) to negative from stable and affirmed its ‘BBB-‘ long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on the Moscow-based insurer. S&P also affirmed the ‘ruAA+’ …