An upcoming cycle of stormy solar activity risks causing damage to electrical transformers and threatening vulnerable energy infrastructure around the globe, a report by an insurance group says.

U.S. corn and soybean growers will pay lower rates from crop insurance in 2012 -- down by an average 7 percent for corn and 9 percent for soybeans, the federal overseer said.

Catastrophe bond issuance could double over the final three months of 2011, fueled by strong demand from investors seeking a haven from wild price swings in mainstream financial markets, brokerage GC Securities said on Tuesday.

Bond insurer Assured Guaranty Ltd filed new claims against JPMorgan Chase & Co over a mortgage-backed security sold by Bear Stearns, saying more than 35 witnesses have come forward to testify about how loans in the $337 million transaction were misrepresented.

Reinsurer Validus Holdings on Monday withdrew its offer for peer Transatlantic Holdings, ending a months-long hostile takeover battle.

Key milestones in the battle for Transatlantic, presented in a timeline. Alleghany Corp. and Transatlantic have agreed on a $3.4 billion cash-and-stock deal.

Catlin has formed an alliance with China Reinsurance Corporation that will inject Chinese funds into the Lloyd's of London market and line the British insurer up to access opportunities in Asia.

Liberty Mutual will rebrand Quinn Insurance as Liberty Insurance next year after completing its takeover of the Irish-based insurer on Monday.