Ebola: the World Bank feared economic disaster.

The economic impact of Ebola could be "catastrophic" in three outbreaks of the epidemic countries (Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia) mainly due to a "fear factor" that paralyzes the activity.
The economic impact of Ebola could be "catastrophic" in three outbreaks of the epidemic countries (Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia) mainly due to a "fear factor" that paralyzes the activity, warned the World Bank (WB) Wednesday, September 17.
"If the virus continues to spread in the three countries worst affected (...), the economic impact could be multiplied by eight, inflicting catastrophic to fragile states shock," said a report of the institution, also pointing the risk of food crisis.
According to calculations by the WB, the combined gross domestic product of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone could be cut by $ 359 million in 2014 and 809 million by 2015 if the epidemic is not contained.

A very high risk of recession
In the latter scenario, economic growth would drop next year by 11.7 percentage points and 8.9 points Liberia to Sierra Leone, at the risk of plunging the two poorest countries in recession.
"The most important impact of the economic crisis is not the result of its direct costs (mortality, morbidity, health care, lost days of work), but a panic fueled by fears of contagion," said the World Bank.
This "fear factor" has been responsible for almost all of the economic impact of previous global epidemics (SARS, H1N1 ... fever), emphasizes the institution calls on the international community to mobilize "several billion dollars" to contain the epidemic.
President Barack Obama called Tuesday "act quickly" to face the Ebola epidemic that has killed more than 2,460 people in nearly 5,000 cases detected, according to the latest report of the World Health Organization (WHO) .
EU puts € 78 million on the table
Members of the European Union have for their promised 78 million additional euros to help the fight against Ebola, said Wednesday the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Kristalina Georgieva.
These national contributions should be added to the 150 million released by the European Commission to support Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Options Tricare for retirees living abroad

The overseas program Tricare wrinkles that do not apply to Tricare Stateside - and more for retirees using Tricare for Life and their families.

First, if you move to Ireland permanently, your husband must remain enrolled in Medicare Part B to remain eligible for Tricare for life - even if it would not be able to use the part of the Medicare Medicare TFL because usually does not work outside the United States and its territories. As such, while Tricare for life claims are filed with Medicare first, Tricare pays first for beneficiaries living outside the United States and its territories where "Medicare does not work, unless the recipients have health insurance other.


You will be responsible for Tricare Standard deductible, cost shares and remaining applicable fees charged. In areas overseas, suppliers health care that are not "participating providers of Tricare network" virtually no limits on the fees they can charge, and you will be responsible for amounts exceeding the Tricare allowable charge for specific services.

In addition, for retired troops and their families, the program overseas Tricare does not offer the first, so that you and your son need to use the standard. Under this option, you would be eligible for emergencies or health care specialty in a military medical facility in the United States, Britain and elsewhere in Europe on the basis of the available space only.

Another important point is that health care providers the host country may file applications directly with Tricare, but it is quite possible that the host nation providers expect you to pay at time of service, in this case, you would have to file claims with Tricare for reimbursement.

Your best source of information is www.tricare-overseas.com. Click on the "Beneficiaries" and on the left you will see a column of links titled "Tricare Overseas Program." First, "Finding a supplier," has a country by country list of network providers participating so you can get an idea of ​​what's available in Ireland. Under this is a link to the specific contact information for each country. Scroll down to the "Beneficiaries" page for links to overseas Tricare very detailed program guide and other information.

If you go ahead with your move, you have to do a lot of homework to include talking to the foreign entrepreneur Tricare. Contact International SOS regional call center for the Eurasia-Africa region toll free 877-678-1207.

Insurance: price increases planned in 2015

(Relaxnews) - At a time when it will be necessary to recalculate its budget for 2015, there must be an increase in insurance rates. According to estimates submitted by the comparator online Assurland.com this Wednesday, Sept. 10, the increases are expected to be between 2% for auto and home, and 2.5% for health.

The online insurance comparison suggests a limiting price increases for 2015 "Auto insurance comes out of a very good time in terms of accidents, and Hamon law will return soon in effect puts pressure on price "sums you it. On the other hand, 2014 has so far not been marked by major natural disasters, can not lead to a sharp increase in prices.
Health, changes in health care spending slowed (+2.5% per year). Moreover, "there has been no transfer of major burdens of Social Security to private healthcare in 2014, or an increase in taxes on health mutuals," adds Assurland.com.
Last August, the insurance rates increased 1.6% for cars, 2.6% for residential and 3.3% for health.

Sinopec sells for 17.99% of its retail unit (Source: People's Daily Online)

Update:9/15/2014 2:14 p.m. 

Sinopec Corp, the largest refiner in Asia Petroleum, said in a statement Sunday that it will sell a stake of 107.1 billion yuan (17.5 billion United States Dollars) in his unit retail in a group of 25 Chinese and foreign investors.
This sale, the largest privatization to take place in China since President Xi Jinping arrived in power, comes as the Chinese government encourages the restructuring of public enterprises through the use of private capital and expertise.
Among the major investors in this case, which involves a combined acquisition of 29.99% of Sinopec, figure one of the largest asset managers in China Harvest Fund Management Co Ltd, will spend 15 billion yuan with its subsidiary Harvest Capital Management. China Life Insurance and a consortium that includes People's Insurance Group of China Co Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd will take them a 10 billion yuan each.

Other investors include Fosun International, the gas supplier ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. Chinese and manufacturer of household appliances Haier Electronics Group Co Ltd.
In the agreement also included foreign investors, as the former investment fund RRJ Capital private Asian, founded by Richard Ong, Goldman Sachs and former negotiator Hopu Investment Management, with a stake of 3.6 billion yuan.
The marketing and distribution unit of Sinopec, that includes a wholesale, has over 30,000 service stations, more than 23,000 stores and the product pipelines and storage facilities.
The agreement will improve the value of low-margin business, strengthen the group's finances and strengthen investment in exploration and production.
The president of Sinopec, Fu Chengyu, had previously said he hoped that investors bring expertise and ideas to improve sales of products other than fuel in its service stations.
Unlike Western markets, where non-fuel activities, such as convenience stores and things like fast food or car wash, can represent more than half of the profits of a station at Sinopec 99% of retail sales come from gasoline.
In the last month, Sinopec has signed agreements with several Chinese companies to make greater use of gas stations and offer more services to consumers.
In August the company has signed a preliminary agreement with the Internet giant Tencent to enter the digital market in the retail sector.