In its annual report on the EU budget published today, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) warns that the budget system is too focused on just getting funds spent and needs to place more emphasis on achieving results. As independent auditor, the ECA signed off the 2013 accounts of the European Union, but stresses that the management of EU spending is not yet good enough overall - either at EU level or in the Member States.
Throughout the 2007 to 2013 spending period, say the EU Auditors, the priority was given to spending the money - ‘use it or lose it’ - rather than to achieving good results. For instance, the choice of projects to receive EU funds focused first on disbursing the EU money available, secondly on complying with the rules, and only then - and to a limited extent - on results and impact.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762585-EU-must-focus-on-better-results/
Doing your taxes doesn’t have to be taxing. Do your federal taxes with IRS Free File: Brand–name software plus secure e-filing—all for free!
Available 24/7 on IRS.gov/freefile, everyone can use Free File whenever it’s convenient for them. People who make $60,000 or less – that’s 70 percent of all taxpayers—can use brand–name software to file their taxes for free!
Free File is made available through a public–private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a consortium of approximately 14 tax preparation software providers. Each provider sets its own eligibility rules but anyone earning $60,000 or less can find a software program.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7399651-irs-free-file/
According to the FBI, in 2013 more than 400,000 children were reported missing in the United States. National AMBER Alert Awareness Day, recognized annually in January, is a reminder of the dangers that face our children. Building on the significance of that day, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) and Honeywell (NYSE:HON), with spokesperson Tia Mowry, today announced the KidSmartz™ “Safety Dance” Video Contest, a nationwide competition aimed at equipping elementary school students with the skills and confidence they need to be safer from abduction.
Actress Tia Mowry, star of Nickelodeon sitcom Instant Mom and real–life mother, has teamed up with NCMEC and Honeywell to promote KidSmartz and encourage schools to participate in the “Safety Dance” contest which provides kids a fun way of learning the four rules of personal safety.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7423851-honeywell-ncmec-kidsmartz/
Summer is here, and that means it’s the perfect time to fire up the barbecue and turn outdoor patios and decks into nightly dining rooms. But with all the choices summer brings, finding the perfect and unique grill-able dish and beverage pairing can be overwhelming.
It’s all about remembering the rules of the game, says three-time James Beard winning Seattle Chef and Restaurant Owner Tom Douglas.
“Grilling is a sport,” he said. “It’s all about remembering your rules, creating dishes that are guaranteed to please and being the best grill-master in your neighborhood.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7409451-tom-douglas-summer-grilling/
Pegasus Airlines makes its mark in the aviation sector again with a new video explaining flight safety rules in partnership with Disney Turkey. Marvel's best-known characters appealing to all ages, including Thor, Black Widow, Captain America, Iron Man, Loki, Hawkeye and Odin, feature as flight safety rules are explained in an entertaining and fun way. The overriding message of the safety demo video is: 'Even if you're a superhero, flight safety rules are important for you'.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7550251-new-flight-safety-video-from-pegasus/
Penfolds, Australia’s leading winemaker, is delighted to once again partner with GQ Magazine, the premier men’s magazine for style and culture, and launch the second annual joint search for the “Best Dressed Somm” of 2015. Until September 30, 2015, wine professionals employed in the U.S. and Canada as sommeliers, also referred to as “somms,” are encouraged to submit their most dapper photos on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #BestDressedSomm for a chance to win the coveted title of Penfolds and GQ’s Best Dressed Somm 2015.
“In top restaurants across North America, modern day sommeliers challenge traditional wine attitudes and rules and set new trends in wine and style,” said DLynn Proctor, Penfolds U.S. Winemaking Ambassador. “A somm’s personal style is about exploring and knowing how to choose, and as a fellow somm I’m excited to be part of Penfolds’ and GQ’s celebration of style as a component of the total wine experience.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7614451-penfolds-gq-best-dressed-somm/
With more than 50 million kids heading back to school this fall, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) and Honeywell (NYSE:HON) are urging parents, guardians and educators to start conversations about safety now. The KidSmartz™ program, a joint effort between NCMEC and Honeywell, is making those conversations easier with new animated videos to help elementary school students understand and remember the “Four Rules of Safety”
“A nine-year analysis by NCMEC of more than 9,000 attempted abductions revealed important patterns, including the fact that many attempts happen on the way to and from school,” said Linda Krieg, NCMEC acting CEO. “Safety is a year-round concern, but the analysis tells us that this time of year is a critical time to prepare our kids for potential dangers. KidSmartz equips teachers and parents with tools they need to help kids make smarter and safer decisions.”
NCMEC’s attempted abduction analysis revealed not only the tricks used by people trying to abduct kids but also the ways kids can get away. KidSmartz, which launched last year as part of more than ten years of partnership between NCMEC and Honeywell, uses classroom activities, role-playing, animated videos and a “Safety Dance” song and dance to teach children in grades K-5 the “Four Rules of Safety.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7616251-ncmec-honeywell-kidsmartz-back-to-school/
A new Obama administration regulation–the so-called Stream Protection Rule–is about to drive up energy costs and unemployment with no gain in environmental benefits, cautions the National Mining Association.
“The primary motive of this regulation is not to protect streams, as its title would suggest, but to protect federal regulators' jobs at the expense of coal miners' jobs as the nation's energy providers,” said Luke Popovich, vice president of communications for the National Mining Association.
In a classic example of needless regulation, the U.S. Office of Surface Mining, or OSM, plans to change more than 475 regulations, as well as add more new rules – despite no demonstrated need. OSM has crafted the rule behind closed doors, Popovich said, shutting cooperating states out of discussions about the purpose and content of the regulation.
The new rule carries a heavy economic price tag, Popovich warned. He pointed to an analysis by an independent consultant that found that OSM’s rule would put more than 268,000 mining and dependent jobs at risk—adding to the 40,000 high-wage jobs already lost in the industry.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7221731-national-mining-association-americans-electricity-bill-increase-due-to-epa-regulations/
https://youtu.be/JmAsAoDDA70 If you’ve got an ecommerce site, you need a Terms of Service Agreement. A Terms Of Service Agreement essentially states the rules for using your website. While it’s not a legal requirement to have one on your site, it offers a lot of legal protection. A Terms of Service Agreement can limit your liability if you end up in court, something that happens a lot more frequently than you might think.
Abila, the leading provider of software and services to associations, nonprofits, and government entities, announced today findings from its 2016 Nonprofit Finance Study: Compliance, People, and Process Complexities. This study explores the challenges and opportunities associated with rules and regulations changes, compliance, managing multiple revenue sources, audits, fraud, and staff turnover in the nonprofit finance department.
“Any time there are rules and regulations changes, there are added costs – both in terms of time and money – for nonprofit organizations,” said Dan Murphy, senior manager of fund accounting strategy for Abila. “Maintaining compliance, mitigating fraud, and preparing for audits add even more layers of complexity for organizations. We found there are a number of areas where nonprofit organizations need to sharpen their focus, better equip their teams with specialized training and technology, and ensure they are mitigating the risk of losing essential finance personnel.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7858252-abila-2016-nonprofit-finance-study/
Match, the world's largest relationship company, today released findings from its seventh annual Singles in America study – the nation’s largest, most comprehensive annual survey of single people living in the U.S. The 2016 survey captures surprising data and trends on new dating rituals, the impact social media has had on the dating landscape, shifting gender roles, as well as attitudes about love, sex, and relationships across generations.
“The annual Singles in America study has once again demonstrated new emerging trends including men’s overwhelmingly positive view of feminism and feminists, in the boardroom and the bedroom. We’ve captured the great spring forward in gender equality,” says Dr. Helen Fisher, biological anthropologist and Chief Scientific Advisor to Match. “Millennials are diligently using technology to find love—and building new dating rules and taboos along the way. Moreover, if you want to spur a budding relationship forward, skip the flowers: leave your cell phone in your pocket. And how do you know when a friendship is turning into a romance? Singles still express true love in ancestral ways -- it’s not about revealing your passwords.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/8024551-match-7th-annual-singles-in-america-study/
Traveling these days can be complicated with all the rules, restrictions, additional fees, and shrinking leg room – but it doesn’t have to be. Amtrak revealed today an exciting new campaign, dubbed “Break the Travel Quo,” that goes head-to-head against some of the most prevalent pain points of modern day travel and reminds consumers that riding with Amtrak is a far easier, more comfortable and convenient way to travel.
“Break the Travel Quo” takes a lighthearted approach to push against the realities of air and car travel that have become par for the course, juxtaposing commonplace scenarios against the comfort and convenience of Amtrak. Not only does Amtrak boast one of the most generous baggage policies in the travel industry – allowing passengers to bring up to four pieces of luggage for free – but the rail company also offers free Wi-Fi, the freedom to use phones and electronic devices at all times (no “airplane mode”), the ability to travel with small pets on many trains, large spacious seats with ample leg room, and no middle seat.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8176651-amtrak-break-the-travel-quo-campaign/