Eighty percent of the Philippines capital city of Manila was left underwater after the storm Ketsana, now a typhoon, struck over the weekend, catastrophe modeler Risk Management Solutions said.

Property and casualty insurance industry first-half net income fell 59.3 percent, reflecting weakness in the economy and losses in investment income, according to an industry report.

The Department of Health and Human Services is asking states, local authorities and health care groups to submit proposals within 30 days on programs the groups envision could reduce medical malpractice liability costs.

Many European firms are unaware that under the European Union Environmental Liability Directive they face giant cleanup costs for environmental pollution incidents, Aon brokerage is cautioning businesses.