Mon, Dec 13 | CISA warns 'most serious' Log4j vulnerability likely to affect hundreds of millions of devices

According to Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA),  “we expect the [Apache Log4j] vulnerability to be widely exploited by sophisticated actors and we have limited time to take necessary steps in order to reduce the likelihood of damage.” (Continue reading)

Tue, Dec 14 | Increased attention on intellectual property creates new exposures

With economic disruptions due to COVID-19, many businesses are examining their intellectual property to analyze existing revenue and create new opportunities. This new focus brings increased exposure to a space where patent and intellectual property insurance can provide protection. (Continue reading)

Tue, Dec 14 | Product recalls across industries increased in Q3

According to Sedgwicks’ 2021 Recall Index Report, the “rate of product recalls increased during the third quarter” when compared to Q2. The report predicts a continuation of “business challenges” and “increased regulator pressure” will follow across industries into 2022. (Continued reading)

Mon, Dec 20 | Oracle’s Larry Ellison Targets the Health Cloud With $28.3 Billion Bid for Cerner

Oracle recently announced its purchase of Cerner Corp., an electronic medical records company. In an earlier interview with The Wall Street Journal, Oracle’s co-founder, Larry Ellison, stated that healthcare is “one of the key focus areas” for the company and that it was “on par with banking in terms of the importance to our future.” (Continue reading)

Wed, Dec 22 | Aging Germany Is Running Out of Workers, Putting Europe’s Largest Economy at Risk

According to economists, Germany’s workforce is anticipated to peak as soon as 2023 and shrink by “up to five million people by the end of the decade.” While COVID-19 has had an impact on the German workforce, “the impending retirement of the baby boomers [...] is fueling the labor crunch.”(Continue reading)

Supply Chain News

• Tue, Dec 14 | U.S. Producer Prices Climbed Sharply in November
• Sat, Dec 18 | Chipmakers’ nightmare: will shortages give way to a supply glut?
• Sun, Dec 19 | Supply-Chain Mess Threatens Holiday Sales, From Hot Sauce to Board Games
• Mon, Dec 20 | China’s Growing Access to Global Shipping Data Worries U.S.
• Mon, Dec 20 | Nike’s Supply Crunch Stunts Growth Again

Coronavirus News 

• Tue, Dec 14 | Pfizer’s anti-covid pill prevents severe illness and should work against omicron variant, company says
• Tue, Dec 14 | Study Finds Two Pfizer Vaccine Doses Offer Less Protection Against Omicron Than Against Delta
• Tue, Dec 14 | Kroger to End Some Covid-19 Benefits for Unvaccinated Workers
• Fri, Dec 17 | Pfizer Delays Plans to Seek Authorization of Covid-19 Vaccine for Young Children
• Fri, Dec 17 | Appeals Court Reinstates Biden Covid-19 Vaccine Rules for Large Employers
• Sun, Dec 19 | Central Banks Worry Omicron Could Sustain Inflation
• Mon, Dec 20 | Moderna Says Covid-19 Booster Dose Works Against Omicron Variant in Lab Tests
• Mon, Dec 20 | Davos Postponed Over Omicron Uncertainty
• Tue, Dec 21 | Covid-19 Pandemic Drives U.S. Population Growth to Record Low
• Wed, Dec 22 | Case drop may show South Africa’s omicron peak has passed
• Wed, Dec 22 | Hospitalization Risk From Omicron Lower Than From Delta, New Studies Suggest
• Wed, Dec 22 | Pfizer’s Covid-19 Pill Authorized in U.S.
• Wed, Dec 22 | Amazon to Require All U.S. Warehouse Workers to Wear Masks Again
• Fri, Dec 24 | Governments Shorten Recommended Quarantine Times for Covid-19 Patients

Climate & Environment News

• Tue, Dec 14 | Climate change has destabilized the Earth’s poles, putting the rest of the planet in peril
• Tue, Dec 14 | U.S. storms make 2021 one of most costly years for insurers
• Tue, Dec 14 | Kentucky launches investigation into safety at leveled candle factory where 8 died
• Wed, Dec 15 | US COVID death toll hits 800,000, a year into vaccine drive
• Thu, Dec 16 | Amrae members playing limited role in climate risks and unhappy with insurance solutions
• Thu, Dec 16 | Rescuers battle strong typhoon lashing southern Philippines
• Fri, Dec 17 | Cold, heat, fires, hurricanes and tornadoes: The year in weather disasters
• Mon, Dec 20 | Himalayan Glaciers Are Melting at Furious Rate, New Study Shows
• Wed, Dec 22 | A refinery rained oil on thousands of St. Croix homes. Now it could reopen.