In Holland subjected nationalize one of the largest banks in the country

which is required by the national system of mutual insurance of retail deposits in the local banking sector


The Dutch government has implemented the nationalization of the fourth-largest banking institutions in the country SNS Reaal. The purpose of this was to prevent its uncontrolled bankruptcy, according to the Associated Press.



Finance Minister Deysselblum Jeroen, who recently became the new head of the Euro Group, announced that the salvation of SNS Reaal will cost local taxpayers about 3.7 billion euros. But in that case, if the state has refused to intervene in the affairs of the bank, it would wait for "the inevitable bankruptcy", which could have devastating consequences for the public finances.

SNS Reaal bank is systemically important financial institutions in the Netherlands. It accounts crouches around 10% of total deposits in the local banking sector. Rating of bank deposits in this bank was previously high. The bank was in such a state because of massive losses associated with assets in real estate, who included the assets in a crisis in Spain.

Y.Deysselblum said that the depositors of the bank will not be affected, but the shareholders will lose investment, however, as some of the number of creditors. The head of the Dutch Ministry of Finance acknowledged that the nationalization of the bank is a retrograde step in restoring stability and health of the Dutch financial sector. Y.Deysselblum assured that the authorities are going in the future to avoid such public interventions with taxpayers' money.

The rest of the largest banking institutions Holland, which include ING Group, Rabobank, ABN Amro and will have to jointly allocate about one billion euros to support the bank SNS, which is required by the national system of mutual insurance of retail deposits in the local banking sector.

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American Aetna has cut its quarterly profit doubled

American Aetna Inc., Third-largest area of ​​health insurance in the U.S., reduced net income in the fourth quarter of 2012 by 49%, or almost 2-fold - to $ 190.1 million, or $ 0.56 per diluted share, compared to $ 372.6 million, or $ 1.02 per share, for the same period in 2011, according to a company press release.



Excluding one-time factors, profit insurer was $ 0.94 per share, which corresponds to the average forecast of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

The company's revenue increased by 5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 - to $ 8.96 billion Economists were expecting revenue of $ 8.98 billion

At the end of 2012 Aetna net profit fell 17% - to $ 1.66 billion, or $ 4.81 per share. Annual revenue rose by 6% - to $ 35.5 billion

Aetna confirmed forecast that adjusted earnings in 2013 of $ 5.4 per share. Market forecast includes $ 5.54 per share.

The share of insurance premiums used to pay for medical costs customers in the fourth quarter increased to 84.1% from 80.7% a year earlier. The 2012 figure rose to 82.2% from 79.6%.

The number of clients insured by health insurance programs as of December 31 was 18.2 million, as a year earlier.

 
Source - IFX-News

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Greek police arrested 35 union activists picketed the Ministry of Labour

Insurance system

The Ministry of Labor security forces brutally attacked the leaders of the class of trade unions and trade union federations. There was held a protest against the shameful statement of the Minister of Labour Mr. Vrutsisa that the insurance system "built on clientelism"!



This announcement heralds a new attack on the social insurance system. The government has decided to strengthen the pre-authoritarianism and the suppression of the workers' struggle and the people to make wild actions leading people into poverty and stop the organized struggle of the people.

The government and the bourgeoisie, which it actually is oriented against the right of people to strike against organized speeches and combat anti-labor offensive - the strategy kapitala.Neprikrytoe violence and cruelty of the Government, the governing forces of law and order, led to 35 arrests of trade unionists PAME (Vserabochego combat Front), injury nine workers. This is yet another link in the operation "law and order", which implements government vehemently recently to suppress the people's struggle against the anti-people policies and to intimidate the workers and popular movement. WORKERS mobilize IMMEDIATELY. Ministry workers arrived to many industries. However, security forces were able to with a club and chemical weapons push 35 trade unionists in police cars, ottalknuv many demonstrators who gathered to support the detainees from the Ministry of Labor.

The government has proved its loyalty "investors", local and foreign monopolies. Along with Justice is trying to drown the whole country and provide security guarantees to the capital of the working people's movement.



Provocation government will remain barren

A few hours later the government provided the bourgeois media fabricated photos Office Minister of Labour with scattered papers and furniture to convince the audience that the delegation PAME trade unionists and stormed the ministry allegedly to vandalism and destruction. PAME union leaders denounced provocation, categorically stating that the class trade union movement is not peculiar to this kind of logic and practice and that there is a provocation against the working people's struggle.

Government representative made defiant defamatory statement. He deliberately called a protest of class forces "form of violence" and "extremism" despicable and provocative linking the fight against the people's movement with the "terrorist" attacks of recent weeks. This proves that the real purpose of these actions - bullying people, and suppression of the working people's movement. And to prove that the class struggle violating reconciliation and deathly silence that the government is trying to impose.

They have failed to intimidate. Demonstrators gathered at the Ministry of Labour to form a mass, a militant column and went to the police headquarters in Athens (Gad), which sent the arrested. They chanted "Free the working of the police station, they are not terrorists, they need work" and "law and order will break the owners of the rights of workers." Over time, solidarity grew. More and more people flocked to the Police Force.


Anger and solidarity

Immediately after calling the attack were sent to dozens of government protest allegations of trade unions, workers' centers, federations and movement patterns.

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the KKE Aleka Papariga arrived for a rally at the reptile, returning from blocks mobilized peasants. She said:

"We urge the Minister of Labor, only one thing: let it produces video channels with the devastation that allegedly committed by representatives of the trade union movement, rightly protest against the calling application. Let him show us the video. What was destroyed? 40 people, trade unionists, representatives of organizations have gone to destroy the office, computers, beat minister? This is ridiculous. When the Minister makes a challenging statements - the representatives of trade union organizations have the right to protest. This has happened and nothing more. (...) When the government is not located or go to the slightest concession to the suffering people, he had no choice other than beatings. However, the power of the people much more, and it can overcome the state suppression. In the end, no matter how much the state had mechanisms to people many times their strength. People should not be frightened of the incident. He must be afraid of coming hardships. Therefore, it must acquire self-control, to tune in to the resistance and struggle against the lies and slander. They slander the workers, their conquests - the product of bribery, and now slander the workers, calling them the destroyers ... "said the general secretary of the Central Committee of the KKE.

Continued fighting response

Late in the evening it was announced that the arrest and detention of the procurator brought charges that 35 trade unionists for disorderly conduct and damage to property. Rally at Gad continued late into the night. A new meeting was scheduled for the following day, for the withdrawal of the charges against the arrested fighters of the class movement and for their release.

On Thursday, 31/1 strike carried sailors, doctors, workers of urban transport and railways expensive. Mobilization farmers across the country. Enhanced training of a general strike, which is scheduled for February.

The trial of trade unionists

As a result, 35 trade unionists were released. Before that, they had intended to tell how caught in the act for the "illegal stay in a public place." However, the court was moved to the 12th of February, because the witnesses did not come from the ministry.

Characteristically, trade union activist was accused of "material damage", what they provocatively accused the minister, saying that the union leaders of PAME "destroyed his office." Every hour, it is clear that the accusation is not supported by the facts.

In these circumstances it is necessary to strengthen international class solidarity with the struggle in Greece and PAME.

Material Provided Newsletter International Relations Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece



Greek police arrested 35 union activists picketed the Ministry of Labour
Insurance system 

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EU allowed bunkering vessels with fuel oil from Iranian origin, under certain conditions

Insurance and indemnity

The EU has amended Regulation 1263/2012 of 21 December 2012, which allow ships bunker fuel oil from Iranian origin, provided that it is made in another country. The press service of the International Group of P & I Clubs and indemnity (International Group of P & I Clubs).

Insurance and indemnity
"Ships engaged in bunkering fuel Iranian origin, are not subject to the ban (if the bunker fuel used for the propulsion of the vessel and is not transported as cargo) for the purchase, transport or import of Iranian oil, prescribed in Regulation 267, provided that the fuel was not made in Iran, and bunkering vessel manufactured in any country other than Iran, except for force majeure, forcing produce bunkering in the port of refuge in Iran ", - the report says.

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PZU wants to further invest in Ukraine

Insurance company

 According to head of PZU, the group wants to develop insurance in Ukraine, despite the difficulties in obtaining licenses



Polish insurance group PZU ready for additional investment in Ukraine. The press service of PZU, referring to the statement of the group Andrzej Klesika.

According to the report, during the meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov Klesik PZU additionally confirmed the readiness to invest in Ukraine. According Klesika, the purpose of investment - the consolidation of the insurance market, as well as participation in global projects in the field of insurance.

Currently, the total amount of investments already made in PZU Ukraine exceeded 300 million zlotys (about $ 96 million - Ed.) In the future, the group plans to use the available funds for the development of the Ukrainian insurance market and consolidate its position.

This decision was made in part due to a positive financial result PZU Ukraine, said the press service.

Evaluating the investment activity of the insurance market of Ukraine, Klesik noted that foreign investors holding back situation with licenses for certain types of insurance, with the status of the time. Fact necessary renewal of licenses in certain types of insurance is seen by investors as a potential additional risks.

According to President of PZU, it does not stop working group in Ukraine, but such requirements are causing uncertainty in other Western investors.

Auto insurance
Life Insurance

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Americans massively withdraw money from banks

Outflow of funds, experts publications associated with the completion of December 31, 2012 deposit insurance scheme (TAG)

 Clients of the largest U.S. banks this week (from 2 to 9 January) withdrew from their accounts 114.1 billion. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing data from the U.S. Federal Reserve.



According to the agency, capital flight this month was the highest since the terrorist attacks September 11, 2001

The total amount of deposits in the 25 largest financial organizations fell to 5.37 trillion dollars

Outflow of funds, experts publications associated with the completion of December 31, 2012 deposit insurance scheme (TAG). Once in the United States the economic crisis in 2008, the program was introduced, which provides a guarantee for non-interest bearing account in the amount of approximately $ 1.5 trillion.

American Bankers Association and the Independent Bankers of America union tried to achieve continuation of the TAG, to keep the flow of funds.

"We knew that the fund managers will reconsider where they want to keep their money - the interest-free accounts to another bank account or other investments", - said the chief economist of the Association James Chizen Bloomberg. According to him, will have to worry only if outflows continue.

Life Insurance
Auto insurance

The insurance under the credit

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Honda recalls 777.000 urgently cars

Auto insurance

One of the largest car manufacturers in Japan - the company Honda Motor - announced the recall to the U.S. and Canada 777 thousand cars of various models due to a possible defect of the airbag system, according to a press release released by the company, according to foreign media.



Car Insurance

Recall, which will begin in mid-February 2013, subject to cars Honda Odyssey 2011-2013's and Honda Pilot, produced in the years 2009-13. In particular, in the United States are subject to recall 748 thousand cars in Canada - 29000. This writes the UNN.

Reason for the withdrawal was the failure of this car the driver airbag by improper fastening the plastic cover over the valve.

When assembling the unit specialists could miss a few rivets needed to properly position the cover over the bag, which can lead to incorrect operation of the system and increase the risk of injury in an accident.

Until now there has been a single case of an accident because of this defect.

Life Insurance

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Hungary asks the Switzerland full list of Hungarian investors

Deposit insurance

According to the Hungarian Government, the tax amnesty for Hungarian citizens who keep their money abroad, did not bring the expected results. After all, only in Switzerland, according officials, then can be stored up to 5 billion U.S. dollars owned by Hungarians. The Hungarian government is seeking from the official Berne complete list of Hungarian investors.


Not all moneyed Hungarians offended prospect to move to December 31, 2012 their savings from abroad to their homeland. Vain government promised to charge them only 10 percent of imported to Hungary amounts of money.

According to the conservative government of Viktor Orban, is not taxed by the Hungarian capital, in addition to offshore, Hungarian nationals also taken to Switzerland.

"We would like to get complete information and disclosure of data of persons who have accounts in Swiss banks. Therefore requested to Switzerland at the moment does not apply to the conclusion of a special agreement, or intergovernmental agreement. Again, we are interested in getting a full list "- said the Secretary of State Cabinet Hungarian Janos Lazar.

Pressure of the international community?

According to the American edition of "Bloomberg" last April neighboring Austria managed to reach such an agreement with Switzerland. According to the agreement, their names are not rozholoshuvatymutsya and investors from Austria Swiss banks will pay off taxes at home if voluntarily Declare neafishovani overseas private funds. According to the Austrian authorities, over two hundred Austrians already filed such declarations.

However, Hungarian economists warn that the official Budapest hardly wait for Switzerland information about foreign accounts Hungarians in the past. But the future does not exclude the occurrence of similar agreements between the two countries.

"The transfer of such data relating to the previous period, it is a huge pity financial interests, and not only the Hungarian" - says consultant John Vadas tax issues.

Since it does not accept financial analyst Szabolcs Vamoshi-Nagy. He believes that constant pressure on Switzerland from the international community will force Swiss banks to be more tractable in the case declassification list depositors millionaires who avoid paying taxes in their home country.

"The picture completely changes if the EU with its twenty seven Member States together with the United States will try to achieve this goal," - says Szabolcs Vamoshi-Nagy.

According to the Ministry of Economy of Hungary in Switzerland wealthy Hungarians can store up to 5 billion U.S. dollars. However, independent experts add that this amount may be in one and a half times higher.

During the last year from abroad to Hungary still carried 67 billion forints private equity, almost $ 300 million. Thus the state treasury additionally added $ 30 million, without introducing new taxes in the country.
Commercial Insurance

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Cyber Insurance: China threatens U.S. security technology

Authoritative American experts have come to the conclusion that the activities of China for the development of extraterrestrial spaces can be a direct threat to the security and stability of the United States of America.
Cyber Insurance

Business Insurance
A source of U.S. intelligence said that the development of the Chinese space can lead to disabling basic intelligence and communications satellites, the U.S., which are currently used for targeting missiles, etc.

Although the official Beijing and states expanses of space exploration for peaceful purposes, including the possible establishment of colonies on the surface of other planets in our solar system, the political leadership of the United States will maintain constant surveillance over the activities of China in this area, considering it as a potential threat.
Cyber Insurance

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UnitedHealth fourth-quarter profit fell 1.6%

In the fourth quarter of 2012 UnitedHealth Group Inc., The largest company in the U.S. sphere of health insurance, reduced net income by 1.6% - to $ 1.24 billion, or $ 1.20 per share, from $ 1.26 billion, or $ 1, 17 per share, for the same quarter a year earlier, according to a press release from the insurer.
Life insurance


Analysts polled by Bloomberg, predicted that the net profit of $ 1.20 per share.

UnitedHealth quarterly revenue increased from October to December to $ 28.8 billion from $ 25.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net profit for 2012 was $ 5.5 billion, or $ 5.28 a share, from $ 5.1 billion, or $ 4.73 a share, a year earlier. Annual revenue rose to $ 110.6 billion from $ 101.9 billion

In 2012, the company repurchased 57 million of its own shares for $ 3.1 billion and paid dividends to shareholders in the amount of $ 820 million, which is 26% higher dividend in 2011.

The insurer confirmed the forecast of 26 November, which includes a profit of 2013 in the range of $ 5,25-5,50 per share.
Insurance Life 
UnitedHealth shares rose by 1.8% over the past 12 months. The company's first major U.S. insurers published their reports, January 23 for the quarter will report WellPoint Inc. - The second largest insurance company in the United States.


finmarket

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Britain's Royal Bank of Scotland will pay more than $ 800 million for fraud rate of LIBOR

One of the largest financial institutions VelikobritaniiRoyal Bank of Scotland will pay £ 500 million (more than 807 million dollars) in fines for manipulation of a key interbank rate LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rates. This was reported today the newspaper "The Independent".
Commercial Insurance



According to information received from the publication in the British government sources, 100 million pounds of the bank will pay the Financial Services Authority of the United Kingdom. For at least 400 million pounds "Royal Bank of Scotland" seek the U.S. financial supervision. As the "Independent", the total amount of the fine may still grow, because the American side is not completely removed from the bank charges.

Investigating fraud management "Royal Bank of Scotland" has caused the UK wide publicity as the financial institution by 82 percent state-owned. The fact that four years to save it from bankruptcy by taxpayers spent 45 billion pounds $ 70 billion. Now, most of the fine must be paid in fact the British government, which has a policy of tough economy, reducing funding for social programs and "freezing" wages.

"We get a lot of negative feedback from the voters in view of the situation - said the" Independent "British member of parliament from the ruling Conservative Party, Andrea Leeds. - People want to know why, they first have to actually buy the bank and then get paid for their transgressions leaders. " "The British are very unhappy and demand answers," - she admitted.

The scandal over the manipulation of a key interbank rate erupted at the end of June 2012. As a result of the authorities of the U.S. and UK investigation revealed that during the global economic crisis, a number of major international banks have provided false data, which are determined based on LIBOR rates. This was done, in particular, in order to reduce the cost of their own borrowings. As a result, the British "Barclays" / Barclays / paid 453 million dollars in fines. And the Swiss UBS for a similar offense agreed to pay $ 1.5 billion regulatory authorities in the U.S., UK and Switzerland.

LIBOR based on a global scale are estimated interest rates on financial products to more than 550 trillion.

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Top 10 promising business in Spain

Growth in this sector is due to aggressive campaigns with low prices. Medical Insurance


Doubts related to financial markets, bad predictions of economic growth this year, an increase in unemployment and other such factors provoke the closure of enterprises and enhance investors' doubts about the prospects for their business in Spain. Meanwhile, the Financial Red blog listed the 10 most promising sectors of the Spanish economy.



Mixed feed

This activity is not widely covered, but its annual turnover of billions of euros - in particular, in 2012, they have reached 6.7 billion Significant growth in this sector primarily due to an increase in product prices, which is a food source for animals and even fish .

Services in the field of energy

Enjoyed particular success of the company, who optimize the cost of their clients. Last year, their turnover was 900 million euros, and the level of growth in the period from 2010 to 2012 - 13.8%.

Outsourcing in the field of programming

The turnover of the sector last year totaled 5.45 billion euros, while the growth rate for the last two years - 13.7%. Since the beginning of the crisis, it has become one of the most profitable - said companies need to cut costs.

Gas station

In this area, the 2012 turnover of around 37 billion euros, and the growth rate in two years has reached 12.7%. Some brands prefer lower prices to get the most benefits through increased sales.

Hotels

Turnover of the sector in 2012 amounted to 11.65 billion euros, while sales growth in 2010-2012 - 8.8%. Contribute to its development is made by foreign tourists because of the fall in domestic demand.

Call centers

In this sector, the turnover reached 2.07 billion euros, while the growth rate for the last two years was 7.6%. This sector is characterized by a double outsourcing - first, a request for such services being transferred to specialized companies, which, in turn, find their artists in other countries, where costs are much lower than in Spain.

Leather goods and travel

In 2012, the turnover of the sector reached 2.45 billion euros, which is 6.6% more than in 2010. Somewhat offset the drop in export sales in the domestic market. In addition, in this area there is a paradox - the goods and services of class "luxury" sell well in the crisis.

Health Insurance

In 2012 the turnover of the private health insurance industry was 6.675 billion euros, up 5.8% from 2010. In Spain, more than 20% of the population has such insurance. Growth in this sector is due to aggressive campaigns with low prices. Medical Insurance

Private clinics

Private health care sector in 2012 earned 6.3 billion euros, and rates of growth in two years reached 5.7%. There is a link between this industry and the world of private insurance.

Private universities and distance education

Turnover sphere of private universities was 1.035 billion euros and increased by 5.2% over two years - despite the reduced number of students. The future of the sector - for distance education. This fact is associated with the appearance of useful tools that the Internet offers.

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In France, thousands of taxi drivers on strike

Earlier bodies of social insurance carriers could choose at their discretion

In France, on Thursday, January 10, thousands of taxi drivers are on strike, blocking traffic on the roads and impeding access to train stations and airports.


Local media reported that the dissatisfaction of French taxi drivers due to increases in "unfair competition" from moto-taxi and tour companies that provide transportation services. However, they do not pay the same taxes and contributions that ordinary taxi drivers.

Taxi drivers are also against the intention of the French authorities to legalize the organization of tenders for the transport of patients to lower prices. Earlier bodies of social insurance carriers could choose, at its discretion, and on specially equipped taxi transportation accounted for 31% of patients, which is just:% less than in the cars, "ambulance" (37%).

Thursday morning, 600 to 800 taxis gathered at Paris Roissy, and then gradually began to move in the direction of the capital, occasionally stopping and blocking the road. A similar action takes place in the other metropolitan airport - Orly.

Moreover, the strikers blocking cars colleagues who refused to participate in the protest. So, the strikers do not allow them to pick up customers, and in some cases their cars and throwing eggs filled with flour.

Colon striking taxi drivers from more than 800 cars caused immense traffic jams Marseille, this way there is a situation in Nantes. Around 300 vehicles are involved in the action in Lyon, hundreds more - in Toulouse, about 200 - in Nice.

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Area under wheat in the United States are growing and prices

Crop insurance will also be one of the causes of activation of the sowing campaign after a poor harvest last year.

  It is expected that the new report will show growth USDA acreage under wheat in the U.S. amid rising wheat prices.


Crop insurance will also be one of the causes of activation of the sowing campaign after a poor harvest last year. The size of the area under wheat this season could be the largest in the last 4 years. According to preliminary estimates, the area can expand to 42.6 from 41.3 mln.akrov mln.akrov last season.

Area under the hard red winter wheat may rise to 30.1 mln.akrov, under the red flour - to 9.03 million acres. Ending stocks are estimated at 31 May in 741 mln.busheley. As of December 1, total stocks of wheat in the U.S. $ 1.6 billion bushels. As for the world ending stocks of wheat, the estimate is 174.6 million tons.

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In New York's Long Island City collapsed crane

In the middle of New York City crane collapse
Life insurance
As reported on Wednesday, January 9, New York Daily News, citing local authorities, as a result of the accident suffered seven workers, three of them seriously. All seven were hospitalized. Mobile crane 380 feet tall (116 meters) down on the site. The reasons for the incident being investigated. Collapsed crane is owned by New York Crane, whose owner, James Lomme (James Lomma) was held in 2008 on charges of criminal negligence that resulted in the deaths. Then, in the collapse of the crane on the Upper East Side, killing two workers. Lomme was acquitted. New York Crane is one of the largest operators of construction cranes in New York.

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Muslims in New York have opened a free clinic

A group of doctors from the Muslim community in New York to open a free clinic for the poor and those who are deprived of the American health insurance.
The clinic Rahma ("Mercy") on a voluntary basis has leading doctors Muslims. According to director of the clinic of Dr. Mustafa Aveyda, after opening the clinic began to come to them many volunteers of different nationalities and faiths. Online Clinic staff not only from the Muslim physicians.
The clinic is for everyone providing first aid and consultation of experts. In addition, volunteers help patients to buy drugs at low prices. Now working in a Muslim hospital therapy department and trauma center. However, as the director hopes Aveyda, they will be able to expand the clinic and provide the most comprehensive care.
In the courtyard of the medical institution and a garden plot. Thus volunteers emphasize the importance of healthy eating and the environment. The Muslim community supports the operation of the clinic Rahma all possible ways.
It should be noted that not the first time American Muslims organize free public hospital. Muslim Clinic of Memphis (Tennessee), which opened in 1996, is considered one of the best medical institutions in the USA and received the prestigious award social Living Award.
This information portal ajib.fr.

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Vladimir Putin signed a law "On the Protection of the Sea by Oil Pollution"

in the case of oil spills bank guarantee, insurance contract or proof of a contingency fund
Vladimir Putin on January 3 signed the Federal Law "On Amendments to the Federal Law" On the continental shelf of the Russian Federation "and" On the internal waters, territorial sea and contiguous zone of the Russian Federation ", known as the Law" On the Protection of the Sea from oil pollution. "
Federal law passed by the State Duma on December 18, 2012 and approved by the Federation Council on 26 December 2012. Federal law provides that the operation of artificial islands, installations, structures, subsea pipelines, an exploration and production of hydrocarbons, oil on the continental shelf of the Russian Federation shall be allowed only in the presence of a plan of prevention and liquidation of oil spills.
The operator should have a plan of prevention and liquidation of oil spills, as well as financial support for the implementation and compensation for damage caused to the environment in the event of oil spills (bank guarantee, insurance policy or proof of a reserve fund).
The operating organization should establish a system for monitoring the state of the marine environment in its area of ​​operations (including the system for oil spill detection and alarm). In addition, it should have its own or on a contractual basis to attract rescue units and capabilities of constant readiness for the prevention and oil spill response.
Recall, in spring 2012, WWF Russia gathered in the internet about 120 thousand signatures in support of the bill "On the protection of the seas from oil pollution."

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All done in the world to a spike in the gold price

There was uncertainty about the new law on health insurance budget cliff

The last few years of precious metals dealer Tom Cloud (National Numismatic Associates) has earned the reputation of metal guru.

He has been in the business for 35 years and can separate the professionals from the scam, and also tell a good story. We asked him to become a regular contributor to DollarCollapse with weekly series of questions and answers, in which he will talk about events in the precious metals industry for the past week, and mention one or two related topics. This week he explains why the upcoming negotiations on the debt ceiling, it is more important for precious metals than the budget cliff.

DollarCollapse: Hey, Tom. How's it going? Or rather, what do your customers?
Tom Cloud: Phone does not cease. Our customers do not worry so much delay in the budget problems of the cliff, but the fact that up to raise the debt ceiling just two months. I also hear a lot of complaints about the fact that President Obama has closed the issue with the budget cliff, and then immediately showed the American taxpayer expense of $ 3 million for a family vacation in Hawaii.
Another way to have a lot of people pay more attention to precious metals - is the recent news that Japan buys nearly as U.S. government bonds, which both China and currently has them at nearly $ 1 trillion. When the two countries decide to sell, that eventually happens, it will be a nightmare.
DC: Did not we just did not raise the debt ceiling?
TC: The Last Stand of the debt ceiling took place in August 2011, and they said at the time that it will last for more than two years. Korean economist by the name of Dr. SW (Dr. Yoo) published a graph showing the almost exact correlation between increased debt ceiling (red) and the price of gold (yellow). If the ratio will continue to work, raising the debt ceiling by another $ 2 trillion to raise gold to $ 2,000 an ounce.
price of gold
"Raising the debt ceiling means printing even more dollars, a weaker dollar and support gold," said Yu of Korea Investment.
DC: It seems that in the last few months, governments around the world, especially Japan and the U.S., have rejected attempts to control spending and debt, and to immerse themselves in employment and inflation. Your customers agree with this opinion?
TC: Absolutely. People understand that this is not a recession. There was uncertainty about the new law on health insurance and slowing in the U.S., but in recent years each new statement says about the purchases of assets and debt monetization. The Fed increased its purchases to $ 85 billion a month, and the new head of Japan seems to want the same. So that public services are not closed and the problem again postponed. Everything is ready to increase the price of precious metals.
DC: Who is buying?
TC: Retail investors have not yet begun to fly. Most customers buy large, last month I made some of the biggest deals of my career. We accept orders from banks, which I had not seen for a long time. And from the countries. I just sold the country this week, with delivery directly to the embassy. Big and smart money seems to recognize the scale of the problem.

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Receiving the Doctor online on webcam

Medical Insurance: Receiving the Doctor online on webcam

Services virtual doctor visits that connect patients in their own home with a doctor at the hospital through the online video or phone becoming more popular, because insurance companies are increasingly willing to pay for them.


In the last statement, WellPoint Inc, the second-largest U.S. insurance company insuring the health, so that the insurer plans to offer a new service for all of their group and individual programs that allow people to consult a doctor on demand, using a webcam or video notebook support plates and smartphones. Video tutorials targeted clients looking for "the convenience and accessibility of health care," said Ken Goulet, Executive Vice President.

But such services, which, according to supporters, can save money by avoiding costly trips to the emergency room, creating tensions between some state regulators and groups of doctors. They argue that the remote visits can make sense when the patient communicates with the attending physician, but treatment may be affected when patients will be served by a doctor, who may be in a different city or state.

Other insurers, including Aetna Inc and UnitedHealth Group Inc, offer a service virtual doctor visits as an option for some employers. A growing number of major companies, including Home Depot Inc and Westinghouse Electric Co, tend to add a service remote consultations to their advantage. According to a survey conducted by Mercer (consulting division of Marsh & McLennan Cos.), 15% of major employers use some form of telemedicine, and another 39% are considering it.

"The ability to communicate with your doctor, 24/7 via the Internet, without an appointment, at an attractive price, is a very attractive option," said Ginny Proesteyks, Director of Health General Electric Co, which tested a virtual consulting service from Optum UnitedHealth Group and co-workers in the state Ohio and plans to launch the service more widely in 2013.

Employers and insurers say that online services can help reduce the probability of a shortage of doctors, nurses. Virtual consultations often cost about $ 40 to $ 45, which is much smaller than a personal visit to the doctor or visit the emergency center.

"If it does not lower the price, the game is not worth it," said Ann Boynton, Deputy Executive Director, who oversees health insurance for pension systems the California Public Employees. This year, he began testing services offered by telephone and online video visits from Teladoc Inc., In one of his programs with about 350,000 registered.

Services are generally directed to specialists and emergency physicians of family medicine. Internet visits should be used for relatively small, acute needs of patients, and not serve as a constant source of regular care. For example, the most common diagnoses in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota programs that offer online and telephone consultations on technology American Well Corp., Include sinus infections, urinary tract infections and conjunctivitis.

Judy Johnson, coach of the call center for the protection of mobile devices by Asurion Insurance Services Inc, use the virtual consultation outlined in the benefits of working at Asurion, to cure a sinus infection, when she did not have time to go to the office of his doctor. She signed up online, contacted toll-free number and describe their symptoms.

A few minutes later the doctor called and talked to her about her condition and medical history, and then handed over the appointment and a prescription for antibiotics to the store.

Ms. Johnson said that she would not feel so comfortable choosing a doctor online, if not offer their own employer, "the legitimacy of which I never questioned."

If remote consultations razrastutsya, they eventually cause financial friction between primary care physician. "It takes away the most profitable and lung patients," minor complaints, requiring relatively brief and routine visits, said Nathan Kaufman, a consultant working with physician groups and hospitals.

But services can also provide an opportunity for additional income generation and flexible working for doctors who want to work for themselves, said Mr. Kaufman.

Jeffrey J. Kane, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, suggested that it was too early to speculate what specific impact on the practice of digital services will make visits to the medical industry.

 Well, as they say, wait and see.

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Thousands of Spaniards, Portuguese and Italians are looking for work in Britain

Unemployment Insurance
Great Britain and, in particular, London became a popular place to look for work for tens of thousands of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. In the first half of 2012, national insurance numbers have been assigned to 5350 Spaniards and Italians 5370
Great Britain and, in particular, London became a popular place to look for work for tens of thousands of citizens of Spain, Italy and Portugal, whose governments are under severe financial crisis, a policy of austerity.
As the portal of the European Union, in London only in the first half of 2012, national insurance numbers have been assigned to 5350 Spaniards and 5370 Italians.

Business InsuranceBritish Prime Minister David Cameron said earlier that for the country's unemployment problem is compounded by the large influx of workers from EU countries. At the same time called for restricting the entry of migrant workers to the UK.
Along with Belgium, France, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands, the United Kingdom requires a work permit on their territory by citizens of Romania and Bulgaria, the EU Member States in 2007. According to the European Commission's request, the restrictions must be lifted by 31 December 2013.

Commercial Insurance
EurActiv.

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