BUSINESS BRIEFS
CDC to set up Isle field office
Advertiser Staff and News Services
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will establish a field office in Hawai'i as part of its mission to fight public health threats.
U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye announced the opening of the office, saying the CDC believes the station will serve as a forward base to detect and respond to emerging diseases that come from the Asia-Pacific Region. He said the agency plans on assigning at least two specialists here, including an epidemiologist who will work on avian flu.
As reported earlier, the CDC is considering a partnership with the University of Hawai'i's John A. Burns School of Medicine. It also could partner with Tripler Army Medical Center, the Hawai'i Department of Health and other medical and health organizations here, Inouye said in a news release.
FIRST INSURANCE GIVEN 'A' RATING
First Insurance Co. of Hawaii Inc. and its parent company have had its financial strength rating reaffirmed by A.M. Best Co.
Best affirmed the "A" (excellent) rating given First of Hawaii Group and its member companies, along with giving the local insurance holding company an issuer credit rating of "A." It said the ratings outlook is stable.
The ratings are a result of the group's strong capitalization, overall strong earnings profile and sound market presence as a leading insurer in Hawai'i, Best said in a news release. The group also benefits from operational and financial support from owners CNA Financial Corp. and Tokio Marine & Nichio Fire Insurance Co.
PANEL TO DECIDE WOLFOWITZ FATE
WASHINGTON — The World Bank's board yesterday ordered a special panel to discuss the fate of bank president Paul Wolfowitz, whose leadership has been jeopardized by revelations that he helped his girlfriend get a high-paying job.
The 24-member board expressed its "great concern" about the situation and instructed an ad hoc group to take up the matter immediately. Members of the group were not identified.
Wolfowitz, who said he had made a mistake and has apologized, said he welcomed "the decision of the board to move forward and resolve this very important issue."
HOUSE OKS BILL ON CORPORATE PAY
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives sent a message to corporate America's plushest executive suites yesterday: It's time to put your pay packages to a vote.
Lawmakers voted 269-134 to require public companies to put executive pay packages before shareholders for an advisory vote. The White House opposes the bill.
Shortly after the House vote, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., introduced a Senate counterpart to the House bill — suggesting that the issue could gain added prominence in the presidential race.
