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Pandemic Risks to Last for Months, Warns Swiss Financial Market Supervisor

Financial risks related to the coronavirus pandemic will last for months if not years, Switzerland’s financial market supervisor FINMA said on Wednesday, pointing to particularly heightened risk of defaults on corporate loans. “Thanks to the cushion of liquidity and capital …

Employers Facing Wave of Lawsuits by Parents Fired During Pandemic

Parents who’ve lost their jobs during the pandemic are driving a surge of litigation, alleging their employers discriminated against them for taking care of their kids when schools closed. Since March, working parents have filed at least 40 lawsuits accusing …

COVID-19 Cases in Nursing Homes Rising in States Hit by Latest Virus Surge

Despite Trump administration efforts to erect a protective shield around nursing homes, coronavirus cases are surging within facilities in states hard hit by the latest onslaught of COVID-19. An analysis of federal data from 20 states for The Associated Press …

Reduced Driving Turns Into Fewer Injuries and Workers’ Compensation Claims

The COVID-19 pandemic comes with one bright spot for workers’ compensation insurers: Fewer workers are being injured in motor vehicle accidents. A research brief issued by the National Council on Compensation Insurance projects that workers’ compensation claims caused by motor …

Study Shows COVID-19 Patients at Greater Risk of Mental Health Problems

Many COVID-19 survivors are likely to be at greater risk of developing mental illness, psychiatrists said on Monday, after a large study found 20% of those infected with the coronavirus are diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within 90 days. Anxiety, …

Q&A: Where Drugmakers Are in the Race for COVID-19 Vaccine

Drugmakers and research centers around the world are working on COVID-19 vaccines, with large global trials of several of the candidates involving tens of thousands of participants well underway. The following is what we know about the race to deliver …

Pro Sports Bubbles Offer Coronavirus Safety Lessons for Real World

The NBA wants to be back in December. The NHL is aiming at games resuming in January. Baseball’s spring training may begin in February, like normal. They almost certainly won’t be in bubbles if and when any or all of …

P/C Insurers Face Workforce, Risk, Policy Challenges as Pandemic Continues

Given that business-as-usual is unlikely to return soon due to the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. property/casualty insurers will continue to face challenges related to virus-related insurance losses and premium volume declines in 2021, according to Fitch Ratings. The operational and risk …

EU Warns of New Wave of Consumer Scams Amid COVID Resurgence

The European Commission on Friday urged online platforms to gird for a fresh wave of consumer scams linked to the resurgence of COVID-19 infections in Europe and said they need to work harder against the spread of disinformation related to …

Analysis: Exit from Paris Agreement Creates Climate Liability for U.S. Businesses

The outcome of the U.S. general election is not yet clear. What’s been obvious for months is that climate change was on the ballot, and the U.S. election matters for global climate action. And one thing is certain: The U.S. …