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Gary Giordano, the Maryland man jailed in Aruba since early August in connection with the mysterious disappearance of his traveling companion, is due to go free Tuesday, according to multiple news reports, including one in USA TODAY’s On Deadline blog .

An Aruba judge ruled Friday that after nearly four months of investigation, there is no evidence that Robyn Gardner came to harm at Giordano’s hands. Giordano, who took out a $1.5 million insurance policy on Gardner, has never wavered from his statement that Gardner was swept away by a strong current while they were snorkeling on the island’s Baby Beach in early August.

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Taiwan investigators yesterday interviewed a Taiwan businessman accused by mainland police of chopping off his own hand in an attempt to defraud his insurer, saying they would not prosecute the man on the strength of evidence furnished by mainland authorities alone.

Hu Chi-yang (胡其揚), who claims his left hand was severed by muggers when he was visiting Putian District in the mainland coastal province of Fujian three weeks ago, can claim more than NT$50 million in compensation from insurers from which he had bought travel insurance prior to his departure from Taiwan, according to mainland investigators.

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Phase three of the Smartraveller programme was launched on Friday by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd MP, with AFTA Chief Executive, Jayson Westbury heralding the new initiatives as “a fantastic way to engage with travellers and the industry”.

The $13 million Government funded campaign has been in development for over four years and was in need of a revamp following a surge of some 2 million Australian travellers to 7.6 million in the past five years, according to Mr Rudd.

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NEW DELHI: Berkshire India, an arm of Warren Buffett-owned Berkshire Hathaway, today said it plans to sell either health or life insurance products of Bajaj Allianz to retail customers.

Berkshire India, which is a corporate agent of Bajaj Allianz, currently sells motor and travel insurance products online through its distribution portal BerkshireInsurance.com.

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Plenty of us have bought insurance that turns out to be worthless. Travel insurance that excludes flight cancellations was a classic. Payment protection cover with a list of exclusions so long that nine out of 10 payouts were refused was another. After a while, we ask ourselves, “why bother?”

The same question has occurred to investors who lent money to eurozone countries and bought credit default swaps (CDSs) as insurance against a failure to pay back all the loan.

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A recent travel insurance survey suggests that people planning to take a skiing holiday this winter should check their policies carefully. The research conducted by Defaqto suggests that 13 per cent of policies taken out for a single trip do not cover winter sports, and the type of cover when it is offered can vary widely.

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MANILA, Philippines - If you are set to go on that great yearend outdoor adventure, nothing should derail you from reaching your destination safe and sound, with no cuts or bruises, no accidents, and no hassles of any sort. 

 But with travel-related accidents typically spiking during the holiday season, Malayan Insurance shares some all-important tips for traveling safely during the holidays. 

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Nov. 23–AUSTINTOWN — Health and hiring were highlighted during Tuesday night’s school-board meeting.

Elementary students will be able to get comprehensive dental care during school hours after the board of education approved a partnership with Humility of Mary Health Partners.

The Smile Station will be staffed by a team of dentists and hygienists and will travel to the district’s elementary schools beginning in February. Students will be able to receive a variety of dental services including exams, cleanings, fillings and extractions.

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Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period is earlier this year, Oct. 15 - Dec. 7. Mark your calendars!

The mailboxes of consumers who are 65 and older - or who are about to turn 65 - have been filling up with correspondence from the Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the dozens of health plans that offer prescription drug coverage. The reason? The official Medicare Annual Enrollment Period gets under way Oct. 15, an earlier start date with an earlier deadline, Dec. 7. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you have the option to change your Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan during this time.

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Nov. 24–Erie International Airport is providing a major lift for the local economy.

A new study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation finds that the airport pumped almost $165 million into the region — in jobs, spending and tourism — in 2010.

That’s big business for the Erie region, said John Oliver, president of VisitErie, Erie County’s tourism promotion agency.

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