Latest Europe Headlines
All the headlines from our Europe Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Armistice Day Commemorations in Europe Promise ‘Never Again’
Nov 11 2009 // The ceremonies commemorating the end of the First World War, 91 years ago today, took on a special significance this time. They are remarkably uniform throughout Europe. Each of the nations involved in that murderous...
Czech Court Lifts Last Barrier to EU’s Lisbon Treaty
Nov 4 2009 // The Czech Constitutional Court threw out a complaint against the EU’s Lisbon Treaty on Tuesday, removing one of the final obstacles to its ratification. The ruling allows euro-sceptic President Vaclav Klaus to sign...
EU Official Says US ‘Serious’ about Getting Doha Round Trade Deal
Oct 27 2009 // A top European Union official said Monday she believed President Barack Obama was serious about reaching a deal in long-running world trade talks, but the time has come for all countries to show their cards. “I think...
ING to Split Banking and Insurance Operations under EU Pressure
Oct 26 2009 // Dutch bancassurer ING will split in two, transforming itself into a smaller European lender in the most striking example yet of the deep changes that EU policymakers want to force on banks that received state aid. The...
Mullan Appointed CEO of Max Capital’s Lloyd’s Syndicates
Oct 22 2009 // The Bermuda-based Max Capital Group Ltd. announced the appointment of Adam Mullan as Chief Executive Officer of Max at Lloyd’s Ltd., the Lloyd’s managing agent for Syndicates 1400, 2525 and 2526. The...
Berkley Insurance (Europe) Names Esteban to Head Spanish Branch
Oct 19 2009 // W. R. Berkley Insurance (Europe), Limited announced that it has named Javier Esteban Presidente Ejecutivo of its Sucursal en España branch located in Madrid, Spain. The appointment to this newly created position is...
US Needs ‘Better Offers’ on Services from Doha Round Says Trade Rep
Oct 13 2009 // The United States cannot agree to a deal in the Doha round of world trade talks until other countries make better offers to open their markets to services trade, the top U.S. trade official said Tuesday. “We know...
Best Affirms Generali’s ‘A+’ Ratings
Oct 13 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A+’ (Superior) and the issuer credit rating of “aa-” of Italy’s Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., both with stable outlooks. Best also...
FERMA Welcomes 1100 to Prague Risk Management Conference
Oct 6 2009 // The Federation of European Risk Management Associations convened its bi-annual conference in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, on Monday, welcoming some 1100 attendees, and two new members. Newly installed...
Catlin Group Opens Rome Office
Oct 2 2009 // Global specialty property/casualty insurer Catlin Group Limited has established an underwriting office in Rome, its second office in Italy. The Rome office for Catlin Europe will be staffed by a five-member reinsurance...
Best Affirms Ratings on QBE and Operating Companies
Oct 1 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of UK-based QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited , Australia’s QBE Insurance...
US May Target Insurers, Gasoline Imports in Iran Sanctions Strategy
Sep 30 2009 // The White House is weighing sanctions targeting Iran’s dependence on gasoline imports and insurance firms that underwrite the trade, even as U.S. officials focus for now on diplomatic efforts to resolve a nuclear...
At Home and Abroad, Vacated Properties Pose Greater Risk
Sep 29 2009 // A global recession, which has led to layoffs and a sharp drop in consumer spending, has also created a glut of commercial real estate space around the world. Vacated properties are a significant concern because they are...
Ratings Recap: Accident & General, Inbursa, Swiss Re Frankona
Sep 29 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a-” of Accident & General Insurance Company Ltd. (AGI) of the Cayman...
Aon Finds European Risk Managers Underestimate Environmental Risk
Sep 28 2009 // Aon’s Global Risk Management Survey 2009 has found that “environmental risk ranked lower as a concern in Europe than any other region – despite the introduction of the EU Environmental Liability Directive...
ACE Europe Reorganizes Business Structure in UK and Ireland
Sep 25 2009 // The ACE European Group has announced a new operating structure in the UK and Ireland with the creation of two distinct business segments, a new senior regional management structure and the launch of a suite of cross-class...
European Safety Agency Orders More Airbus Speed Sensor Checks
Sep 24 2009 // European safety officials have ordered checks on certain Airbus speed sensors supplied by U.S. manufacturer Goodrich, just weeks after clamping down on similar equipment from France’s Thales. Potentially faulty speed...
UN Seeks Momentum in Climate Talks as Obama, Hu Speak
Sep 22 2009 // China and the United States, the world’s top greenhouse gas emitters, will try to ignite efforts Tuesday to secure a U.N. global warming pact as worries grow of a “dangerously close” deadlock in...
Zurich Names Sepp COO for Europe General Insurance
Sep 18 2009 // The Zurich Financial Services Group has appointed Thomas Sepp (41, German citizen) to the position of Chief Operating Officer for Europe General Insurance (EGI), effective October 1, 2009. He succeeds Claudia Dill, who was...
EU Draft Document to Urge G20 to Maintain Support for Economy
Sep 16 2009 // European Union leaders will tell the G20 this month that public support to the economy must be maintained and while plans to withdraw it should be drafted now, implementation should come only when recovery is...
