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/
BMM, Asia’s only Midnight Marathon, was conceived by Rotary Bangalore IT Corridor (RBITC) and the first edition run was held on 19th May 2007. Since then this event is growing from year to year and today people from more than 20 countries are participating in this event and also the number of runners from 2400 in the Year 2007 has increased to 10,000 runners apart from 45 Corporates participating in the event held in 2013, being the seventh edition run. RBITC’s effort in making BMM as a mega event is laudable as it focuses both on bringing about awareness amongst today's youth of the need to be physically fit and mentally strong and also transforming this as a vehicle for raising funds for various charitable activities, aimed at bringing about a difference in the lives of the underprivileged section of the society. To-day BMM has become the largest fund raising platform for RBITC. Some of the major activities undertaken by them are Adoption of Government Schools, Medical Surgeries, Free Eye Surgeries, Holding Blood Donation Camps, Integrated Village Development, Potable Water Project etc.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7398551-bengaluru-midnight-marathon-2014/
The Ad Council and the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the launch of a new public service advertisement (PSA) to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. While the PSA targets all communities, We Prepare Every Day is the first in a series of videos that aim to deliver a strong preparedness message by showing people with disabilities taking charge to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies.
The PSA provides equal access to all viewers and includes open captioning, a certified deaf interpreter, and audio description for viewers who are blind or have low vision.
The launch of the PSA coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 2015. The ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for people with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation and telecommunications. The ADA guarantees the civil rights of more than 56 million Americans.
To view the multimedia news release visit http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7576951-fema-ad-council-emergency-preparedness/
On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, killing more than 230,000 people and displacing approximately 1.5 million. Children were orphaned; families were left homeless; and homes, schools and hospitals destroyed. Five years later, SOS Children’s Villages, the world’s largest organization providing care for orphaned and abandoned children, remains unwavering in its ongoing, long-term commitment to the people of Haiti.
“Efforts to rebuild the most affected areas move at a slow place, and the need to support vulnerable children and families remains high. Many of the children and families who survived the earthquake lost everything and experienced severe emotional trauma,” said Lynn Croneberger, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages – USA. “In 2010, we made a strong commitment to support these survivors. Thanks to generous donors and the Government of Haiti, we are able to continue to provide support to Haiti’s most vulnerable.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7409351-sos-children-village-milestones/
A revolution has taken over the government of the United States and the environment has been saved. All pollution has been banned and reversed. It’s a bright, green new world. But this new world comes with a great cost. The United States is ruled by a dictatorship and the corporations are fighting back. Joining them are an increasing number of rebels angered by the dictatorship of Chairman Rahma. The Chairman’s power is absolute and appears strong, but in The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma by Brian Herbert, cracks are beginning to show as new weapons are developed by the old corporate powers, foreign alliances begin to make inroads into America’s influence . . . and strange reports of mutants filter through the government’s censorship. Scifi
QROPS - Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes were introduced in 2006 as part of a major overhaul of Britain\'s pension framework, aimed at simplifying pension transfers to another country. New legislation was passed by the UK tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in order to comply with an EU directive that pensions be free to move across Europe\'s borders. This ruling means that individuals, wishing to retire to countries such as France, Spain and Portugal can effectively take their UK pension funds with them: http://www.axis-finance.com/what-are-qrops.php
Who can apply for a QROPS?
A QROPS is specifically designed to allow anyone, not intending to retire in the UK, to transfer existing and frozen UK pension plans into a more appropriate retirement vehicle.
Individuals who are, or have been members of a UK registered pension fund and are currently living outside of the UK, or intending to leave the UK on a permanent basis, can consider transferring their retirement fund into a QROPS: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-living-in-France
Transfers to QROPS
The UK Government allows transfers to QROPS to be made free of UK tax. Their aim is to simplify the affairs of individuals leaving the UK on a permanent basis and to encourage them to continue saving in order to provide an income when they retire. There is no official limit to the amount of funds that may be transferred to a QROPS: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-France-pension-transfers
QROPS - HMRC Rules
What makes a scheme a QROPS?
In order to transfer your UK pension into a QROPS, it is necessary for the overseas pension scheme to be accepted by HMRC. The criteria outlined by HMRC for an overseas scheme to qualify as a QROPS include:
- The pension scheme must be established outside of the UK
- It must be recognised for tax purposes in the country where it is located
- It must be regulated in the country in which it is established
Age that benefits can be taken from a QROPS
The QROPS regime mirrors that of a regulated pension scheme in the UK. Benefits, including lump sum payments, from the transferred funds may not be distributed earlier than the normal retirement age of 55, if an individual has been a non-UK resident for less than five complete tax years: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-living-in-France-HMRC-Rules
QROPS Reporting requirements
HMRC should be notified if a payment is made within the first five tax years of a member becoming non-UK tax resident. Any benefits paid before five complete tax years of non-UK residency and not in accordance with UK Pension rules will be deemed an unauthorised payment.
The scheme manager does not have to notify HMRC if the payment is made 10 or more years after the day of the transfer that created the QROPS fund for the \'relevant member\', provided that the person is non UK resident for the duration of this period. This 10 year \'bracket\' for reporting payments took effect as of 6 April 2012.
QROPS List
When transferring your UK pension to a scheme overseas, it is important to check that the scheme meets the conditions to be a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme (QROPS). Not all transfers to overseas or offshore schemes are QROPS transfers; it is therefore essential to verify that the scheme receiving your UK benefits is on the QROPS list published by HMRC, otherwise a transfer will be treated as a transfer to a non-qualifying overseas scheme and substantial penalties may be applied by HMRC at the time of transfer: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-list-living-in-France
How do I know if it is a legitimate QROPS scheme?
QROPS approved plans that agree to have their details published are listed on the HMRC website. A UK Pension administrator will confirm a QROPS listing before agreeing to a transfer. If not listed, the administrator will contact HMRC
SAIC, Inc. (NYSE: SAI) today held an Investor Day event in New York City in which the senior leadership team of the planned spin-off company, Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), presented its business plans and financial objectives.
SAIC, Inc. previously announced plans to create two independent, publicly traded companies. Upon completion of the planned spin-off transaction, the technical, engineering and enterprise IT services business will retain the name SAIC and trade under (NYSE: SAIC), while the government and commercial solutions company will be named Leidos and trade under (NYSE: LDOS).
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63326-saic-presents-planned-company-s-business-financial-objectives-investor-day
George Freeman MP, the Minister for Life Sciences, will give the keynote address at the 3rd Astellas Innovation Debate: i-Genes – What the DNA and Data Revolutions mean for our Health, taking place on Thursday 29th January 2015 at the Royal Institution of Great Britain.
Organised and funded by Astellas, a progressive pharmaceutical company that explores the frontiers of scientific discovery to translate new knowledge into innovative, reliable medicines, the Astellas Innovation Debates are a series of annual events that bring together some of the world’s most progressive thinkers to discuss the role of innovation in solving some of the greatest challenges of our time.
George Freeman’s keynote address will outline the Government’s aim to develop, assess and adopt new drugs, devices and diagnostics as we move towards 21st century, personalised healthcare.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7423951-george-freeman-astellas-debate/
The Obama administration is holding the White House Summit on Nuclear Energy today discussing the role of nuclear energy in reducing carbon emissions linked to the threat of climate change. The event will be live streamed on WhiteHouse.gov and YouTube beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
“Nuclear energy has a really important role to play in the fight against climate change, and I think administrations in the past have recognized this but they’ve tended to be kind of quiet about it,” said Eileen Claussen, founder of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7677651-nei-nuclear-energy-summit/
Although the NHS is ranked as one of the institutions that makes people ‘most proud to be British’1, a new poll commissioned by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd, highlights that 91% of people feel that the health service is in need of change2. In particular, shorter waiting times (36% of respondents) and improved access to medicines (30%) rank most highly as the areas in need of greatest reform.
With only 1 in 4 of respondents agreeing that the Government currently spends enough on health, the survey reveals that those polled would be willing to accept an average charge of £10 for a missed GP appointment in order to improve service levels. The people polled also said they would be willing to pay an average of £170 per year in additional income tax for healthcare funding – which could result in approximately £5 billion in additional tax revenue for the Treasury3. In addition to these charges, 39% of those polled would be willing to accept an additional charge if it meant quicker access to healthcare services and 44% of those polled would be willing to accept additional charges if it meant access to newer and potentially more effective medicines.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7753151-astellas-survey-public-support-nhs-concern/
The 6th Beijing Biennale under the theme of “Memory and Dream”, co-sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality and the China Artists Association is expected to be exhibited in the National Art Museum of China from Sep.24 to Oct.15, 2015. The exhibition attracted 685 pieces of artwork from 96 countries which registered half of the member countries of the United Nations, covering contemporary paintings, sculptures, installations, videos and mixed media (with 188 pieces of artwork from China and 497 pieces of artwork from foreign countries).
Artists from all over the world were encouraged to create paintings and sculptures related to the theme “Memory and Dream”. The International Art Gala with unprecedented size of participating countries provides a high standard visual feast for all art lovers from all over the world. Beijing Biennale serves as a platform to demonstrate historical and cultural memories of different countries and express humankind’s expectation and aspiration for the future by means of art. Following the opening ceremony, the Beijing Biennale has become the focus of audiences and media with the daily volume registered at 7000. It is expected that during the Golden Week of the National Holiday, the audiences per day will amount to more than 10,000.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7644351-beijing-biennale-memory-and-dream/
The hero we’ve all been waiting for…
Ethan “Ozzie” Sykes
Former Navy SEAL
Underground operator for Black Knights Inc., the covert government defense firm disguised as a custom motorcycle shop
In a black-on-black international mission that went seriously sideways, Ozzie was badly injured—now he’s stuck at BKI headquarters in Chicago, champing at the bit to get out into the field again. To his disgust, he’s tasked with distracting Chicago Tribune ace reporter Samantha Tate, who’s been trying to dig up the dirt on BKI for years. Turns out Samantha’s beauty, intelligence and sense of humor are a seriously big distraction, and Ozzie’s losing his desire to keep her at bay.
Find out more at http://www.sourcebooks.com/store/wild-ride.html Action/romance/military
