Finland News

New Land, but also Costs, as Nordic Nations Rise from the Sea

A Stone Age camp that used to be by the shore is now 200 km (125 miles) from the Baltic Sea. Sheep graze on what was the seabed in the 15th century, and Sweden’s port of Lulea risks getting too …

Feds Urges All States to Require Motorcycle Helmets

Federal safety officials are calling on states to require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets, citing a surge in fatalities since the late 1990s. Motorcycle deaths have increased over the last decade even as other traffic fatalities have declined, the …

U.S. Auto Fatalities Down But Safety Efforts Lag

The United States is lagging behind nearly every other high-income country in reducing annual traffic fatalities, said a report released this week by a U.S. government research panel. There’s some good news: U.S. traffic fatalities fell 9.7 percent in 2009 …

Ratings Recap: Tapiola, Congregational, Asian Re, Int’l. Energy, Leadway

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Finland’s Tapiola General Mutual Insurance Company (also known as Keskinainen Vakuutusyhtio Tapiola). The outlook …

Pakistan Floods, Russia Heat Fit Climate Trend, Scientists Say

Devastating floods in Pakistan and Russia’s heatwave match predictions of extremes caused by global warming even though it is impossible to blame mankind for single severe weather events, scientists say. This year is on track to be the warmest since …

Berne Union Upbeat on Global Trade, Credit Insurance

The Berne Union* closed its recent biannual meeting in Helsinki Finland on a tone of cautious optimism for global trade and investment. The Union’s bulletin pointed to “a resurgence in credit insurance capacity and a leveling off from the surge …

EU Leaders Meet to Work on Ways to Prevent New Debt Crises

European Union leaders hope to agree on ways to strengthen budget discipline and economic policy coordination on Thursday to show financial markets they can prevent a repeat of the euro zone debt crisis. Leaders of the 27 member states and …

Bermuda Signs Tax Accord with Italy

Bermuda’s Minister of Finance, the Hon. Paula A. Cox, announced that Bermuda has concluded negotiations for a bilateral agreement with the Italian Republic that will, “upon signing later this year, provide for a full exchange of information on criminal and …

Libyan Jet Crash Kills 103; Dutch Boy Sole Survivor

A Libyan Airbus jet crashed early on Wednesday as it tried to land at Tripoli airport, killing 103 people on board and leaving a Dutch boy the sole survivor, Libyan officials said. The Airbus A330-200, only in service since September, …

Gooch Appointed Utah’s Acting Insurance Commissioner

Acting Commissioner Announced Neal T. Gooch has been appointed as acting insurance commissioner of the Utah Insurance Department. Governor Gary R. Herbert said the appointment would extend “until the selection of a permanent Commissioner is made.” Former Commissioner D. Kent …