Global demand for food has never been higher, as populations skyrocket and developing areas of the world strive to feed their citizens. But in the United States, more than one–third of the food produced is never eaten and a new online survey of U.S. grocery shoppers’ attitudes conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Sealed Air Corporation (NYSE: SEE) shows that food waste in the U.S. is near the top of the list of consumers’ environmental concerns and they are willing to change behaviors if better informed on the issue. The April 2014 study interviewed over 1,000 U.S. adults (aged 18+) who do at least 25% of their household’s grocery shopping (“American grocery shoppers”).
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7270651-sealed-air-2014-food-waste-survey/
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
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISLE) today announced the winners of its second charitable social media contest awarding a share of $50,000 to five local nonprofit organizations.
Southern Heritage Air Foundation - $25,000 – Tallulah, Louisiana
Family and Youth Opportunities Division - $15,000 – Clarksdale, Mississippi
Fayette Community Service Organization - $5,000 – Fayette, Mississippi
Guttenberg Gallery & Creativity Center - $2,500 – Guttenberg, Iowa
Walking In The Sun Rescue - $2,500 – Collinston, Louisiana
“With over 69,000 votes cast in Community Aces Challenge and over 200 applications to participate, our second charitable social media contest has proven to be a wonderful way to give back to the communities where we operate,” said Virginia McDowell, Isle’s president and chief executive officer.
“The 123 participating nonprofit organizations registered in January and coordinated their own individual voting campaigns which ended on April 1,” said McDowell. “This year the winners offered a wide variety of missions – from getting fit in rural Mississippi to enhancing creativity of young people in Iowa. Our first place winner is dedicated to educating people about the history and impact of aviation and our second place winner is refurbishing an old school to become a community center.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7805451-isle-of-capri-casinos-community-aces-challenge/
Bahama Breeze Island Grille is kicking off Viva la ‘Rita 2016 on National Margarita Day, February 22, introducing six new handcrafted margaritas that take tequila’s exotic flavor to daring new levels of sassy and spicy goodness.
Some say that margaritas are the most popular cocktail, with Americans consuming an average of 185,000 margaritas per hour (Brown-Forman, 2008). As if going out for margaritas wasn’t an adventure already, Bahama Breeze invites guests to escape to the Islands for a brand-new Caribbean-twist on the classic cocktail, featuring six authentic island flavors. This year, to add to the Viva la ‘Rita fun, Bahama Breeze has brought Margarita Mondays to the mix. Guests can make Mondays during Viva la ‘Rita the best day of the week with $20 pitchers of all of the new margaritas. Viva la ‘Rita kicks off its first Margarita Monday celebration on National Margarita Day on Monday, February 22 and the event runs through April 10.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7749051-bahama-breeze-viva-la-rita/
Yesterday, Guinness World Records announced that the bottle of Gautier 1762 was the oldest cognac sold at a public auction. This 250-year-old drink was purchased in 2014 by Wealth Solutions, a Polish company specialized in rare spirits and collectibles, at an auction of old and rare beverages organized by Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers in NYC. It remained part of the company’s collection of old liquors until October 2015, when the management board made the decision to create a watch with a drop of this antique spirit, and opened the bottle. The uncorking ceremony was organized in Bristol Hotel in Warsaw and formed part of an event to mark the start of cooperation between Wealth Solutions and Armin Strom, a Swiss Watch Manufacturer.
Thanks to this cooperation, the Cognac Watch was made – the first Swiss mechanical watch with a drop of alcohol. The timepiece and the capsule for this unique beverage were designed by Claude Greisler, Armin Strom’s chief horologist. This independent Swiss manufacturer also accepted the mission to produce this unusual watch. The exclusive limited edition for Wealth Solutions consisted of just 40 timepieces produced in stainless steel, 18k rose gold and titanium cases. All of them were sold by Wealth Solutions in an exclusive presale before the official launch of the product. The international premiere of the Cognac Watch took place on 20th March 2016, during the Baselworld show. Yesterday, at the Polish premiere in Warsaw, Wealth Solutions announced the decision of Guinness World Records.
Having met with huge success, Wealth Solutions has decided to continue production of the Spirit Watches line. The next limited edition will be the Rum Watch – a Swiss timepiece with a drop of Harewood rum from 1780. International subscription for this unique watch opened on 26th April on the website: http://en.wealth.pl/promotion/spirit-watches
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7817651-cognac-gautier-1762-guinness-world-records/
As the country celebrates the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, Dallas-based nonprofit Earth Day Texas gears up for its fifth annual event. Founded in 2011, the organization expects more than 75,000 attendees during the three-day event.
Earth Day Texas takes place April 24, 25 and 26 at historic Fair Park in Dallas.
Confirmed speakers include Karenna Gore, author and daughter of Al Gore; Bill White, former mayor of Houston; David Yarnold, president of the Audubon Society; Dan Patrick, Lt. Governor of Texas; B.A. Norrgard, Tiny House advocate; Laura Turner Seydel, chairperson of the Captain Planet Foundation; and Louie Psihoyos, Oscar®-winning director of The Cove.
Seven-time Grammy Award winner Paul Winter will perform on Saturday, April 25, at 4:30 p.m. Grammy nominated artist Michael Martin Murphey will perform on Sunday, April 26, at 4:45 p.m.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7500951-earth-day-texas/
Today, European construction giant and international contractor VINCI Construction and French solar innovation specialist Sunpartner Technologies announced a new 50/50 joint venture and launched a new connected smart glass window dubbed “Horizon.” The two companies initially partnered in April 2016 to develop and market innovative photovoltaic solutions for construction applications.
Featuring photovoltaic panels and multiple sunlight sensors, the new Horizon opacifying and communicating window can be adapted to any project, from new construction to renovations.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8004951-sunpartner-horizon-smart-glass-window/
In honor of National Jelly Bean Day on April 22, Jelly Belly Candy Company spotlights some of its most fascinating pieces of trivia from the last four decades. Guests at the Jelly Belly Visitor Centers in Calif. and Wis. learn fun facts like these during their tours. Now, Jelly Belly fans don’t need to visit in order to enjoy the trivia and learn something new about Jelly Belly jelly beans®. Jelly Belly pulls aside the curtain to unveil facts and figures any candy lover will enjoy with a new trivia video and infographics.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8287351-jelly-belly-national-jelly-bean-day-fun-facts/
On Wednesday, April 6, Viva® Brand teamed up with Hollywood actress and home/ DIY expert, Monica Potter, to host a dramatic clean-up benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Ventura. The event, held at Avenue Thrift & Vintage Store in Ventura, CA, demonstrated how Viva® Towels can transform used, forgotten items with just a thorough cleaning. Donated household items ranging from kitchen appliances to outdoor patio furniture were expertly cleaned with the unique textures of Viva® Towels and then donated to 22 deserving families across the Ventura community. The effort jumpstarts a national push to “Unleash Clean” across the country.
Potter served as the Captain of the Viva® Clean Squad, motivating over 40 volunteers to “Unleash Clean” by scrubbing, polishing and shining up donated items from the kitchen, bathroom, living room and patio, showcasing the strength and durability of the towels. Viva® offers a choice of two types of everyday towels that work like cloth to stand up to any cleaning job in your home. Viva® Vantage® has a scrubby texture, great for shining stainless steel appliances and scrubbing grime off stovetops or patio furniture, while Viva® Towels have a signature soft and smooth texture for cleaning surfaces like countertops and coffee tables. To ensure a green event and minimize waste, Viva® Towels partnered with the City of Ventura to use natural household and eco-friendly cleaners so the towels could be composted afterwards.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7767151-viva-unleash-clean-for-boys-girls-club/
Starting today, Alaska Airlines customers can enjoy free* entertainment directly on their personal electronic devices. The new entertainment service, available today on 50 of Alaska’s 737 planes, will be available at no extra charge through Jan. 31, 2015. Alaska will equip nearly all of its all-Boeing fleet by April 2015.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7399551-alaska-airlines-debuts-alaska-beyond-with-the-launch-of-new-inflight-entertainment/
Meredith Corporation, (NYSE:MDP; www.meredith.com) the leading media and marketing company serving 100 million American women and 72 percent of U.S. millennial women (26 million), today announced that the 2016 MORE/SHAPE Women’s Half-Marathon, hosted by Meredith’s SHAPE magazine in conjunction with the New York Road Runners (NYRR), will celebrate the 13th anniversary of the 13.1-mile race by honoring 13 notable female leaders across multiple industries with its first-ever Women Run the World™ Relay & Mentorship Program.
The race, which will be held on Sunday, April 17, in New York’s Central Park, is one of the largest women’s-only half-marathons in the country, and draws 10,000 female runners and walkers of all ages, from around the world, each year.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7788251-shape-womens-half-marathon/
Wynn Las Vegas continues its excellence in luxury design with the distinctive new nightclub, Intrigue, which debuted at the resort on April 28.
The 14,000-square-foot venue designed by Architectural Digest Top 100 Designer, Roger Thomas, and his team at Wynn Design and Development, marks a departure from the resort’s other popular nightlife concepts to provide a more intimate and exclusive experience for guests.
“Being asked to reinvent a nightclub in the nightclub capital of the world is one of the most exciting assignments any designer can get,” said Thomas. “It’s been a thrill for our entire team to unleash our imaginations and have the opportunity to define new heights of glamour, drama and comfort.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7838451-intrigue-las-vegas-opening/
