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AM Best affirms Credit Ratings of Coalition Insurance Company

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insurance — AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Coalition Insurance Company (CIC) (New York, NY). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

 

The ratings reflect CIC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

 

CIC’s balance sheet strength is supported by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), surplus growth, conservative loss reserves and low underwriting leverage produced in the first nine months of operation and its five-year pro forma.

 

CIC’s adequate operating performance is largely based on CIC scaling its book of business through its affiliate, Coalition Insurance Solutions, Inc. (CIS) and the ability to execute on the company’s strategic business plan, including, pro forma operating results over the next five years. Cyber insurance is one of the fastest growing lines of business, and between business and management projects the business to expand rapidly with sustained premium growth for the company over the next five-year period.

 

CIC’s business profile assessment of limited reflects its position as a new company writing cyber insurance. The company is licensed and operating in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and is currently providing coverage for cyber liability and technology errors & omissions. CIS has relationships with a broad base of insurance brokers, which has access to the company’s proprietary system to quote, rate and bind policies. CIC’s management team includes diverse backgrounds with extensive experience in insurance, engineering & product, cybersecurity and software development. CIC partners with its brokers and insureds to educate and remediate vulnerabilities identified in their systems.

 

CIC’s ERM is considered appropriate for its risk profile, overall underwriting, risk management, remediation response and circular and continuous underwriting. CIC understands the risk, reviews vulnerabilities and manages risks within its risk appetite and risk tolerances. CIC is dependent on its parent for most of its risk management resources and decision-making as it works to develop its own framework over time.

 

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

 

Copyright © 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Kourtnie Beckwith
Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 882 1649
kourtnie.beckwith@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 882 2310
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Fred Eslami
Associate Director
+1 908 882 1759
fred.eslami@ambest.com

Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 882 2318
al.slavin@ambest.com

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Lesbian law firm owner ensures ‘reproductive freedom’ for all-female staff

— Owner contributes $430K for IVF treatments amidst court controversy

 

 

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. –– According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five couples in the U.S. struggles with some form of infertility.

— Photo: Attorney Brooke Goff, founder and owner of Goff Law Group in Connecticut, is helping her employees start a family by offering a bonus health benefit by pledging $43oK for coverage of infertility treatments.   From left: Attorney Brooke Goff, her wife Angeline Ioannou, and their children: 11-year-old Grayson and 5-month-old Victoria, who were conceived via IVF and IUI, are a refreshing example of the modern family. — Credit: Goff Law Group

 

The biggest roadblock for most of them to start on the path of parenthood is the high cost of fertility treatments.  To ease that financial burden and help those seeking to start a family achieve success, Brooke Goff, founder and president of Goff Law Group in Connecticut, has pledged $430K to offset the massive expense of the fertility process.

 

The enhanced benefit is a hot topic given the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling on “fetal personhoods” and the uncertain future of the procedure.

 

“I knew at a young age that I wanted to have a family, yet I also knew that as a gay woman, I would need some assistance from science,” said Attorney Brooke Goff, owner of Goff Law Group, a personal injury law firm in Connecticut.

 

“In vitro fertilization fulfilled my desire to carry a child and experience the beautiful journey of pregnancy, something every woman should be entitled to, if she so desires, regardless of her sexuality.”

 

That’s why in 2022, Attorney Goff began researching viable solutions and was told that only larger global companies, not small businesses, would even consider fertility health coverage.

 

“I was taken aback that more small businesses do not invest in their employees across the board- with family planning and creation,” she adds.

 

“Employees are the lifeblood of any company and if a business owner wants continued success and profitability, he or she should be investing in their employees’ family – both present and future.”

 

Undeterred, Attorney Goff eventually partnered with Carrot, a third-party health benefit company, and absorbed the entire near half-a-million-dollar cost of implementing the program.  Specifics of Goff Law Group’s comprehensive IVF program include:

  • mental health counseling as related to the infertility process
  • individual infertility journey design and implementation
  • access to over 800 clinics throughout the United States
  • discount coverage for infertility care including but not limited to IVF, IUI, surrogacy, adoption, preservation of embryos, genetic testing, and medications related to infertility
  • coverage for after birth lactation services, overnight doulas, and women’s behavioral health as related to postpartum

 

“It has always been my belief that every woman deserves the right to have a family and unfortunately, it is easier for some than others,” said Attorney Goff.

 

“When infertility comes into the mix, it adds unplanned costs to the family and a lot of anxiety and uncertainty.  Hence, it is important to offer a benefit with full-spectrum physical and mental health care.”

 

Attorney Goff explains that although some health insurance plans cover run-of-the-mill infertility treatments, they may have certain requirements as a result of strict state mandates such as 12 months of unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant and other limitations based on the age of the woman.

 

She further notes that health insurance typically does not cover surrogacy, adoption, egg harvesting, donor eggs, or donor sperm. “I wanted to provide something better to my employees alternative to the minimal health insurance coverages currently on the market,” Attorney Goff adds.

 

Regarding the recent Alabama legislation that allows couples undergoing IVF to sue a fertility clinic for lost or damaged embryos under the state’s wrongful death law, Attorney Goff explains that the ruling takes away pregnancy options and freedoms from potential parents who desperately desire a biological family. She believes that couples who are having infertility issues will now be deterred in using IVF intervention due to the risk of criminalization if their embryos are not used or disposed of properly.

 

“The ruling is making a lot of assumptions as to what might happen in that an embryo is a promise of pregnancy not an actual pregnancy,” said Attorney Goff.  “The ruling should be appealed and overturned so as not to limit a family’s ability to conceive and reproduce.  This is not a woman issue — it’s a family issue.”

 

When asked if she has any concerns about her female employees becoming mothers and its residual impact on her firm’s bottom line due to them being out of the office for sick days, Attorney Goff notes that she prefers hiring working mothers because they do the same amount of work in eight hours that others often do in twelve since they have learned excellent time management and organization skills, patience, and compassion while raising a family — all essential traits in operating a legal business. Goff Law Group is currently the largest women-owned and operated personal injury law firm in the state and is predominately made up of a female staff.

 

“Everyone has their own parenting journey and I want to open all of the doors for my employees to select one that universally meets their medical history, sexual preference and financial situation,” concludes Attorney Goff.  “Doing my part to give my employees hope and direction in creating a family is something I take very seriously — and so should everyone else.”

 

About Attorney Brooke Goff

Attorney Brooke Goff is the founder and president of Goff Law Group, the largest woman-owned and operated personal injury law firm in Connecticut, comprised of 12 experienced female attorneys with various litigation backgrounds and skillsets. The firm’s foundation is built on its aggressive, no-nonsense tactics, free consultations, direct attorney access and a 99% resolution result rate.  Arguably the most public openly female gay lawyer in the region, Attorney Goff has been named one of the Top 10 Most Influential People in Legal Services for 2024 and has earned the Super Lawyer Rising Star Award for the past seven years. Attorney Goff is a sought-after speaker at numerous elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as colleges and universities about the importance of education and pursuing one’s dreams. She is an inspiration for girls and a strong advocate for women to live their authentic lives.  Visit www.gofflawgroup.net for more information.

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AM Best assigns Credit Ratings to Emerald Bay Specialty Insurance Company

OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#insurance—AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) to Emerald Bay Specialty Insurance Company (EBSIC) (Tucson, AZ). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

 

The ratings reflect EBSIC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

 

EBSIC is an Arizona-domiciled hybrid fronting company operating in the surplus lines market throughout the United States. As such, the company’s strategy involves maintaining a significant risk position in the programs it writes. EBSIC’s ultimate parent is Emerald Bay Risk Solutions, LLC (Emerald Bay) and Emerald Bay will be owned primarily by Bain Capital Insurance (BCI).

 

EBSIC’s balance sheet strength assessment is driven by the company’s risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which is expected to be in the strongest range throughout the company’s initial five-year business plan. The balance sheet strength is underpinned further by a conservative investment profile and the backing of BCI. BCI has committed significant equity into the company to support the start-up operations and has assisted EBSIC’s ultimate parent, Emerald Bay, in sourcing a term loan credit facility as part of the initial funding of EBSIC.

 

AM Best assesses EBSIC’s operating performance as adequate as the company’s underwriting guidelines are anticipated to produce profitable operating results over the intermediate term. Additionally, the company’s initial portfolio will include third-party programs where management has developed deep expertise through previous collaborations. AM Best assesses EBSIC’s business profile as limited given the start-up nature of the company’s operations. However, AM Best notes that management has a strong track record of operating in the insurance and fronting markets, which reduces execution risk. AM Best assesses EBSIC’s ERM framework as appropriate with clear strategic objectives well aligned with the company’s risk appetite. Moreover, there is a robust risk monitoring and governance structure in place to ensure accountability and oversight throughout the organization.

 

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

 

Copyright © 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Cristian Sieira
Financial Analyst
+1 908 882 2315
cristian.sieira@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 882 2310
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Greg Williams
Senior Director
+1 908 882 2434
greg.williams@ambest.com

Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 882 2318
al.slavin@ambest.com

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Environmental documentary ‘Wild Coast Warriors,’ about a legal battle against Shell in South Africa, picked up by Limonero

Limonero Films has picked up world rights to distribute environmental documentary, “Wild Coast Warriors,” which launches at Mipdoc.

 

The film aims to raise awareness of the plight of small coastal communities on South Africa’s Wild Coast, who are standing up to the oil and gas industry.

 

It follows a David vs. Goliath court-case against Shell, which halted oil and gas exploration, winning protection for the community, the ocean and the local culture.

 

“Wild Coast Warriors” is directed by Nick Chevallier and Leigh Wood, who also edits the film. It is produced by Chevallier for Contemporary Film Productions. The cinematographer is Warren Smart, who was part of the camera crew on Oscar winner “My Octopus Teacher.”

 

Pippa Ehrlich, director of “My Octopus Teacher,” said “Wild Coast Warriors” was “a critical story about the power of community advocacy, and a warning to big corporations that there is strength in the voices of vulnerable people who are connected to and dependent on their land.”

 

She said the film was “an empowering case-study showing how South Africa’s constitution protects its people.” She added: “It is exquisitely shot and paints a beautiful portrait of the people working to defend their communities and the land they love.”

 

The film is supported by Greenpeace Africa, Natural Justice and Oxfam Intl.

 

Chevallier’s credits include “Blood Lions.” His clients have included BBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Animal Planet and South African broadcasters.

 

Twenty years ago, Chevallier produced a documentary called “The Wild Coast….a Fragile Paradise” in which he explored the natural beauty and rich natural resource base of the Wild Coast.

 

Mipdoc runs April 6-7 in Cannes, ahead of the MipTV market and conference.

 

Read More

 

 

— Variety (EXCLUSIVE) 

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Emerald Bay Risk Solutions launches with strategic investment from Bain Capital Insurance

  • Company receives “A-” Stable (Financial Size category VIII) rating by AM Best
  • Specialty program insurance carrier focused on leveraging core underwriting expertise and data-driven approach to align interests across the entire risk value chain

 

 

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Emerald Bay Risk Solutions (“Emerald Bay” or the “Company”), a collaborative underwriting carrier, today announced its formal launch with a significant strategic investment from Bain Capital Insurance, the dedicated insurance investing unit of Bain Capital.

 

Emerald Bay is an innovative program specialist that seeks to create an alignment of interests across the entire risk value chain through integrated solutions and disciplined underwriting enhanced by a proprietary data-driven technology platform.

 

Emerald Bay uses a unique blend of established competencies to deliver tailored insurance solutions, consistent underwriting results, and long-term, mutually valuable partnerships with a select group of high-performing managing general agents (MGAs) and market-leading reinsurance partners.

Emerald Bay begins operations with a strong financial foundation, having secured a rating of “A-“ Stable, Financial Size category VIII, from AM Best. The Company will initially focus on executing its actionable pipeline of highly reputable, established MGA programs within the Excess & Surplus (E&S) markets, but will be positioned to write both admitted and non-admitted business on a nationwide basis. Emerald Bay is led by Chief Executive Officer Dave Ingrey and Chief Risk Officer Miles Allkins, who have deep insurance expertise and demonstrated track records of successfully partnering with and driving long-term results for blue-chip reinsurers and high-performing MGAs.

 

“In a rapidly evolving program insurance market, we’re excited to have the opportunity, with the support of Bain Capital Insurance, to pave the way for a progressive underwriting organization,” said Ingrey. “We are built on the principle of mutual accountability and transparency, aimed at aligning interests across the entire value chain through a collaborative engagement model and access to real-time risk exposure data.”

 

“Our strategy offers a high degree of alignment through meaningful risk retention alongside our capacity partners and a focus on optimizing the profitability and longevity of our MGA and reinsurance partnerships,” said Allkins. “Bain Capital Insurance embraces the complexity of our industry, appreciates the nuanced, but powerful, differentiation of our model, and brings the resources and experience to shepherd our vision to fruition.”

 

“Dave, Miles, and the entire Emerald Bay team bring a complementary blend of deep experience, strong relationships, and a diverse range of skills to quickly scale a value-added and partnership-centric model,” said Matt Popoli, Global Head of Bain Capital Insurance. “We’re thrilled to support Emerald Bay and believe that this is an excellent time for a proven management team with a differentiated operating approach to address the market demand for more consistent underwriting performance.”

 

As part of its launch, Emerald Bay has appointed a number of leading insurance and technology specialists to its senior leadership team:

  • George Dragonetti, formerly of Navigators Re and RLI Re, has joined the team as Lead of Property Underwriting.
  • Kris Hill, formerly of Safeco / Liberty Mutual and QBE North America, has joined the team as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
  • Ken Ingrey joins as Head of Business Development. Previously, Ken Ingrey co-founded Spinnaker Insurance, a market-leading hybrid fronting insurance carrier, with Dave Ingrey.
  • John Lucking, Chief Technology Officer, will lead the development of the Company’s proprietary technology platform. He most recently served as Global Tech Lead, Insurance, at Amazon Web Services.
  • Emily Miner, General Counsel, brings expansive regulatory and transaction experience within the insurance industry, having served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at The Navigators Group.
  • Ken Sharp will head the Company’s casualty insurance department, bringing expansive insurance experience from QRe and Arch Re.

 

The transaction is subject to customary approvals and other closing conditions. Bain Capital Insurance was advised by McDermott Will & Emery and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.

 

About Emerald Bay Risk Solutions

Emerald Bay Risk Solutions, a “Collaborative Underwriting Carrier,” is a specialty insurance firm, co-founded by industry veterans Dave Ingrey and Miles Allkins. With Bain Capital Insurance providing the flexibility to take advantage of market opportunities and a core of established programs, Emerald Bay’s emphasis on alignment of interests for all parties and on collaborative underwriting cultivates trust and mutual accountability. The company is structured to deliver quality admitted and surplus lines insurance solutions, working to bring optimized program offerings to the reinsurance market. For more information, visit www.emeraldbayrisk.com

 

About Bain Capital Insurance

Bain Capital Insurance is the dedicated insurance investing business of Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm with approximately $180 billion under management across 23 offices on four continents. We seek to collaborate with leading insurance businesses and management teams to unlock value and drive innovation across the insurance industry, specializing in insurance investing strategies that span the entire value chain and growth spectrum – from catalyzing transformational change, creating new platforms, and stepping into capacity-driven dislocations, to partnering with industry participants to meet their long term strategic and investment return targets. Learn more at www.baincapitalinsurance.com

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Media:
Charlyn Lusk / Thomas Conroy

Stanton

clusk@stantonprm.com / tconroy@stantonprm.com
(646) 502-3549 / (646) 502-9006

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How Ukraine recreates Soledar Salt Mine, let players compete for prizes, plus donate to restore school hit by Russian missile

—  The Soledar Salt Mine in eastern Ukraine shut down in early 2022 amidst the Russian invasion.  The Ukrainian government recreated it in Minecraft to raise funds to restore a school hit during the war.

 

Justin Ling / Wired:

 

— On Feb. 24, 2022, Stepan Bandrivskyi woke up before dawn and got ready for a special day: his birthday.

 

It wouldn’t be a particularly happy one. Hours earlier, a couple dozen miles away, Russian tanks had rolled across the borders of his native Ukraine. The full-scale invasion had begun.

 

Like so many other Ukrainians, Bandrivskyi didn’t know what to do. So he went to work, to the Soledar Salt Mine, a cavernous state-run operation in Eastern Ukraine. Kyiv says it is the biggest such mine in Europe. His manager told him to go home: The mine was closed. It hasn’t resumed operations since.

Bandrivskyi fled the region not long after, as Russian forces advanced. After nearly a year of fighting, during which the mines were turned into bunkers, Russia seized and occupied the town of Soledar—although fierce fighting continues nearby. Over time, Bandrivskyi came to the painful realization that he may never see the salt mine, and its eerie and isolated beauty, ever again.

 

Last year, Bandrivskyi received a phone call from a colleague. “He invited me to participate in a very interesting project,” he says.

 

The Ukrainian government wanted to completely map the mine “and translate it into a game environment,” he says. Bandrivskyi seized the opportunity. “I wanted to keep it in my memory, and I wanted other people to be able to kind of immerse themselves in this world as well,” he says.

With that, Minesalt was born.

THE IDEA FOR Minesalt comes from United24, the official crowdfunding arm of the Ukrainian government. For nearly two years, United24 has raised funds to rebuild apartment blocks and purchase de-mining equipment. Last year, United24 began shipping batches of salt to donors, through its “Soledarity” campaign—raising some $3 million to purchase reconnaissance drones.

 

But as the war drags into its third year, donor fatigue has set in. That has pushed United24 to come up with new and innovative ways of attracting the world’s attention—and support.

 

Minesalt, which launches last Thursday might be their most inspired effort yet.

 

A recreation of the mine in Minecraft.

 

“It is important for us to remember and talk about every Ukrainian city that is under temporary Russian occupation,” Yaroslava Gres, chief coordinator of United24, told WIRED in a statement. Last summer, when a team suggested bringing Soledar to life as a video game, it was a very easy idea to say yes to.

 

Built for the wildly popular sandbox game Minecraft, Minesaltchallenges players to race through the mine, collecting 140 hidden salt crystals as fast as possible. At the end of the run, a quiz tests players’ recollection of details from Soledar. But, like in the rest of Minecraft, Minesalt players can also opt to wander at their own pace.

 

Read More

 

 

— Techmeme

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Leaders from 20 EU countries sign the Quantum Pact to recognize the importance of quantum tech for enhancement of  Europe’s scientific and industrial competitiveness

—  Thomas Skordas of the European Commission describes the Quantum Pact as the EU’s attempt to make Europe the ‘Quantum Valley’ of the world.

 

 

Vish Gain / Silicon Republic:

 

 

EU leaders have gathered today (22 March) to sign what they are calling a Quantum Pact that recognises the importance of advancing quantum computing technologies to enhance the bloc’s scientific and industrial competitiveness.

 

Quantum computing has been rapidly advancing with major breakthroughs taking place around the world. The emerging technology has potential to transform a range of sectors, including medicine, energy, communications, cybersecurity, space, defence, as well as climate and weather modelling.

 

“It will enable huge productivity gains, revitalise industry and open up new markets, applications and job opportunities,” said Thomas Skordas, deputy director-general responsible for communications networks, content and technology in the European Commission.

 

Skordas was filling in for EU commissioner Thierry Breton at the Shaping Europe’s Quantum Future conference held in Brussels, Belgium today. He describes the Quantum Pact as the EU’s attempt to make Europe the “Quantum Valley” of the world.

 

“Only by building on our strengths, by working together, by being ambitious, by targeting the whole spectrum of activities – research, industry, infrastructures, talent, external partnerships and more – can we transform Europe into the leading region globally for quantum excellence and innovation. Quantum will help us to challenge the boundaries of what is possible.”

 

The event featured keynotes, panel discussions and workshops on EU quantum strategy and was held at the Belgium Institute of Natural Sciences.

 

A declaration was first signed in December, setting the stage for cooperation, investment and innovation in quantum computing technologies in the EU and positioning it as a global leader in the space.

 

The pact today has been signed by 20 European countries: Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Ireland has not signed the pact.

 

Last month, the EU and Canada announced intentions to boost their strategic digital partnership to address “new challenges in digital transformation” such as in the areas of AI, quantum science, semiconductors, public policy related to online platforms, secure international connectivity, cybersecurity and digital identity.

 

For quantum science, the regions intend to expand “mutually beneficial collaboration” to improve and accelerate research, development and innovation in the area, while also promoting jobs and the use of quantum tech in the broader economy.

 

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— Techmeme

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Takeoff’s mother fights for her son in lawsuit against Houston bowling alley

The owners of 810 Billiards & Bowling continue to fight the wrongful death lawsuit for Takeoff’s fatal shooting, blaming attendees, including the rapper.

 

Source: Variety/Getty

Nearly a year ago, Takeoff’s mother Titania Davenport filed the million dollar lawsuit. The case comes after her son was murdered outside of the bowling alley in November 2022. According to the Los Angeles Times, Davenport alleges that the Houston bowling alley was informed of the Migo’s arrival and that the venue should seek more security measures.

 

The lawsuit against the bowling alley was filed in June 2023, but no settlements have been reached. 810 Billiards & Bowling has requested that the lawsuit be dismissed. They denied any wrongdoing in Takeoff’s, real name Kirshnik Ball, death.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by QuavoHuncho (@quavohuncho)

 

According to RadarOnline, the venue places all the blame on Patrick Clark, who was charged with the murder in December 2022. Possession of illegal firearms was also cited as part of the responsibility.

 

Blame was also placed on Takeoff, Quavo, and others who participated in gambling activities outside of the bowling alley.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by OFFSET (@offsetyrn)

 

Davenport is adamant that Takeoff was an innocent bystander and that 810 Billiards & Bowling should take responsibility. In the lawsuit, she stated that the venue was aware that large crowds would attend due to the presence of celebrities. She believes that they disregarded the possibility of improving the security measures.

 

The grieving mother also claims that a group of patrons attempted to intimidate Takeoff. This resulted in verbal and physical altercations. This then led to gunshots that would claim Takeoff’s life. Davenport is requesting more than $1 million dollars to cover emotional damage, funeral expenses, and Takeoff’s personal injuries.

 

Takeoff’s father joins mother in lawsuit against bowling alley

Kenneth Ball, Takeoff’s father, and Davenport have been in a legal battle over Takeoff’s estate, as the rapper did not leave a will. RapUp reports that Takeoff left behind at least $26 million. Still, Ball has been named an Intervenor in Davenport’s lawsuit against the bowling alley. AllHipHop reported that Ball is also seeking $1 million dollars in damages as Ball has suffered greatly due to his son’s death.

Source: Penske Media/Getty

 

Additionally, Quavo’s assistant, Joshua Washington, filed a lawsuit against 810 Billiards & Bowling in August 2023. Washington was injured in the same shooting that abruptly ended Takeoff’s life. According to RapUp, Washington was shot in his right side, and in the rush to flee, he had to find his own way to the hospital. He also claims that security was inadequate and personnel was not properly trained.

 

Patrick Clark remains on house arrest

After Takeoff’s untimely death on Nov. 1, 2022, law enforcement began investigating the crime. The Los Angeles Times reported that detectives utilized video, audio, and physical evidence that marked Patrick Clark as the perpetrator.

 

On Dec. 1, 2022, Clark was apprehended and charged with Takeoff’s murder. He was held on a $1 million bond, which he posted. As a condition of his bail, Clark must remain on house arrest until his next court date in August 2024. The case is predicted to go to trial.

 

Over a year later, Takeoff’s presence continues to be missed. As one-third of the Migos, he will always be remembered and cemented as a legend.

 

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— Bossip

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PACAW aims to transform the mindset of future African leaders

CUMBERLAND, Md. — The monumental problems impacting the young, neglected populations in the world’s poorest countries will, sooner or later, reach everybody’s borders, posits Dr. Sylvanus Ayeni, a retired neurosurgeon who is also the president and founder of Pan Africa Children Advocacy Watch (PACAW), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Maryland.

 

“We live in a very complex, unsettling and troubled world, which is shrinking — distance wise — faster than we can imagine,” Ayeni said.

 

 

Ayeni founded PACAW in 2007 in response to the devastating deficits in education, infrastructure and healthcare facing African nations, predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa. PACAW’s primary mission is to nurture and develop a new generation of African leaders who will use the continent’s abundant natural resources to provide a much needed better life for the citizens. PACAW does this by providing access to quality education at public primary and secondary schools, and community development activities.

 

“The main purpose is to get Nigerian youths to think differently about who they are, their innate capabilities and ultimate responsibility to their nation,” Ayeni said. “Furthermore, to get them to develop a ‘Can Do’ mindset instead of constantly waiting for foreign aid from Europe, the United States, Canada and Asia. Also, to embrace the spirit of selflessness, incorruptibility and nation building.”

 

PACAW is currently seeking funding to build science laboratories in public high schools run by the state and local governments, an issue that is very close to Ayeni’s heart.

 

“Many of these schools, sadly, have been totally neglected by the leaders,” he added.

 

In the 2024 school year, which beings in September, PACAW, in collaboration with Olise Omolu Foundation (https://oliseomolu.com), will launch an annual multi-state high school essay competition in Nigeria for senior high school students. The goal of this project is to re-orient and guide Nigeria’s youths — the nation’s future — toward a mindset of selflessness, service, incorruptibility and ethical thinking. Support for this endeavor will be greatly appreciated.

 

“The world would be different — hopefully better — if we realize that there is only one human race, a well-established scientific fact which unfortunately has been ignored for decades,” Ayeni said.

 

To learn more about PACAW or to make a contribution, please visit https://www.pacaw.org.

 

About Sylvanus Ayeni

Sylvanus Ayeni was born and raised in Nigeria and graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. As a neurosurgeon, he worked in the private sector, for the U.S. Navy and in academia. Now retired from medicine, he is the president and founder of PACAW. He is also the author of Rescue Thyself: Change In Sub-Saharan Africa Must Come From Within (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers), in which he offers a bold dialogue about the necessity of finding alternative pathways to solve the monumental problems facing the nations of Sub-Saharan Africa.

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DOJ has analysis for against Apple; Sources: Apple to roll out its system to update packaged iPhones’ software for its US stores in April 

Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:

 

 

—  With its lawsuit against Apple, the Justice Department focuses on outdated issues and irrelevant points, missing an opportunity to address more pressing concerns.

— Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook holding an iPhone 15 Pro Max. — Photo by David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

 

Also: Why the company is talking to generative AI partners; Sonos readies a fresh Roam speaker; and Apple prepares a wide rollout of a nifty new retail store feature.

Last week in Power On: Apple’s new CarPlay becomes its last hope to crack the automotive industry.

The Starters

— Merrick Garland, the US attorney general, unveiled the antitrust case against Apple last week. — Photo by Nathan Howard/Bloomberg

Despite the friendly image that Apple Inc. cultivates, it’s a hard-driving company behind the scenes. Just ask the many suppliers that Apple has abruptly dropped or the app developers it has put out of business.

 

Apple also hasn’t been one to welcome openness or competition. It refused to bring its iMessage app to Android phones and only agreed to adopt the cross-platform RCS messaging system under mounting pressure. Apple makes developers use its in-app purchase system, shuns cloud-gaming services and has been reluctant to open up its tap-to-pay chip to outside apps — all because it wants to protect its kingdom from rivals.

That’s provided the US Department of Justice with plenty of fodder for its antitrust lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday. But the case relies mostly on outdated arguments and cites problems that Apple is already resolving. It even levels the dubious claim that Apple makes its products worse in order to harm rivals. (The DOJ also takes credit for Apple’s success, attributing the company’s rise to a Microsoft Corp. antitrust settlement in 2001).

But perhaps the biggest flaw in the case: It does little to prove that Apple has harmed consumers.

The lawsuit claims that the main reason people hold on to their iPhones is because Apple makes it difficult to switch, not because people — I dunno — actually like their iPhones. The DOJ goes as far as to claim that Apple is trying to hurt automakers with a new version of CarPlay that takes over more of the instrument panel. But that service is completely optional for both consumers and auto brands (and, let’s face it, not at risk of being widespread anytime soon).

The government even makes the fairly silly assertion that Apple’s control over the iPhone led to the very public failures of Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft in smartphones. It argues that cloud-gaming apps were barred in order to sell pricier iPhone hardware and that Apple is responsible for the learning curve that makes it more difficult to switch to Android.

There are very real concerns with some of Apple’s practices. But the Justice Department spends less time on those issues, focusing instead on half-baked claims that suggest a lack of familiarity with modern technology.

 

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— Techmeme