In just five hours overnight on October 18, Times Square was transformed from a concrete jungle into a woodland paradise by LightStream, the national online lending division of SunTrust Bank. Nearly 200 live trees, shrubs and plants -- oak, maple, and purple plum trees, as well as rhododendron, mountain laurels and more – provided a magical setting for thousands of visitors to enjoy and have their photo taken and shared on a Times Square billboard. The Forest of Dreams event kicked off LightStream’s effort to plant 10,000 trees in October, one for each person who participated in Times Square or who signs up at LightStreamForests.com before November 1.
The Forest of Dreams will benefit wilderness areas and green spaces across the U.S., including areas decimated by wildfires and hurricanes in Houston, Miami and California.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7740051-lightstream-forest-of-dreams/
5 Animal Kung Fu known Ng Ying Kungfu is a system of martial arts that was taught and brought to the public by grandmaster Christopher Fournier from the USA. Dutch kungfu master Patrick van Steen was a personal student of Christopher Fournier. Patrick van Steen got his warrior name Long Juan Feng aka Long Feng (Rising Dragon) in 2016 and opened his martial arts school. In june of the year 2020 master Patrick van Steen was awarded the Da Shi title which means grandmaster.
Five international apprentices visited global construction and mining equipment manufacturer XCMG's headquarters in Xuzhou, China for a one-week immersive XCMG Apprentice Program from January 18 to 24.
The program was the company's first time bringing global apprentices to China; five apprentices from the United States, Brazil, Russia, Kenya and Pakistan stood out from a global selection.
The participants came from different backgrounds but shared the same interest towards the construction and machinery industry. In addition to the comprehensive tour led by XCMG employees that included visits to the crane assembly factory and Asia's largest vibration and noise lab, as well as engaging activities like operating excavators, the apprentices also acted as their mentors' assistants, learning about the state-of-the-art technologies in construction machineries through a day's work.
"XCMG has a keen focus on cultivating talents and encouraging communication through educational programs like XCMG Apprentice, which has introduced XCMG's technological and innovational achievements to the international community," said Wang Min, chairman and president of XCMG.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7764851-xcmg-apprentice-program/
Last night (Wednesday, Dec. 6), the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) debuted the first and only destination virtual reality art program, Vegas: Alter Your Reality (VAYR). The event took place at Wynwood’s Zadok Gallery during Miami Art Week with The Venetian Las Vegas. Powered by Samsung Gear VR, the VAYR installation will be free and open to the public, Dec. 7 - 9 from 1 - 9 p.m. daily.
“Capturing Las Vegas in photos and videos never tells the whole story, which is why we created the first-ever destination VR art program,” said Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing at the LVCVA. “By debuting at Miami Art Week, we are able to showcase creative technology to remind visitors of the adventures and experiences that await them in Las Vegas.”
An innovative marketing concept that unites virtual reality and technology with art and travel, VAYR showcases Las Vegas in a unique and artistic way by featuring the work of five international artists including: Adhemas Batista, Brazil; Beeple, U.S.; FAFI, France; INSA, U.K.; and Signalnoise, Canada.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8231651-las-vegas-alter-your-reality/
Clayton, one of the leading builders of prefabricated and site built homes, has partnered with Family Promise, a leading national nonprofit addressing the family homelessness crisis in America, to present a New Braunfels family with a brand-new prefabricated home.
The owners of a mobile roadside assistance company, Mona Lisa and Oscar De Paz of New Braunfels tried to live their dream of owning a business and providing for their family of five, but when receiving payments from clients proved to be a challenge, they suddenly found themselves without a place to live. With nowhere to turn, the family slept in their car or at a storage facility with their belongings. The storage facility manager suggested they contact Family Promise of Greater New Braunfels. In three months, the family successfully completed the program’s requirements, secured steady employment and housing and achieved sustainable independence.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8335051-clayton-homes-family-promise-homelessness/
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
The Amos Family had a dream—to raise $1 million to help shelter dogs find forever homes. Now, with the help of pet industry leaders Wahl and GreaterGood.org, this dream is a reality. The Australian family of five has picked up and moved to the states, and for the next year their home will be an RV and a giant dog-shaped mobile dog washing vehicle. It’s called the Bathe to Save Tour, and its mission is to visit 150 cities in all 50 states, raise money and awareness, and wash more than 25,000 dogs to get them ready for adoption.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7978551-wahl-bathe-to-save-tour/
Movie lovers now have a new home for their favorite digital movies as Movies Anywhere launches in the U.S. today with an unprecedented five Hollywood studios and four major digital retailers on board. Featuring films from Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Walt Disney Studios (encompassing Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Twentieth Century Fox Film, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment purchased or redeemed through digital retailers Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu, Movies Anywhere brings the movies people love together to create a simple, seamless digital entertainment experience across platforms.
Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts. Movies Anywhere syncs users’ libraries across their connected accounts, so consumers can watch their purchased and redeemed digital movies on an array of platforms including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices and popular browsers, with more platforms and retailers to come.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8197051-movies-anywhere-digital-movie-library/
HOKA ONE ONE® is proud to announce the signing of 2012 Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano, who specializes in the 1500-meter and mile distances, to a multi-year agreement.
Manzano, 29, was a five-time NCAA Champion at the University of Texas, and has been ranked among the top three milers in the U.S. for the past seven years. A model of consistency, he has made every U.S. Olympic and World Championships team since 2007. Known for his signature kick, Manzano was in sixth place coming off the final turn at the London Olympics before storming up the homestretch to earn a silver medal—the first Olympic medal of any kind for the U.S. at 1500 meters since Jim Ryun in 1968.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7160651-hoka-one-one-signs-olympic-silver-medalist-leo-manzano
www.LegendsofAmunRa.com
One of the best science fiction books of the year is here, The Soul of the World, book 2 in the series Legends of Amun Ra
The ancient powers lost to Potara have returned. The Brotherhood of the Black Rose rises to bring Thoth into disorder. And, while the Brotherhood reclaims their power, chaos reigns among the survivors. Six individuals have emerged from the aftermath struggling for control over their lives and a divided land. Kem and Shirin, who abolished the five thousand year reign of the Amun Priests, rule from the golden throne of the Oracle’s Chair in the Hall of the Nine. Dio and Axios struggle to piece together a resistance worthy to challenge the ancient magic which resides in the Great Temple of Amun, and Leoros and Atlantia try to remain true to their hearts and their cause despite tragedy.
But when the Book of Breathings is discovered, the path to immortality is revealed. Leoros and Kem race to capture the Soul of the World unaware of the challenges awaiting them. This time, the gods themselves will intervene. A must read, best science fiction books of the year
In a tale where boys become men and girls become women, where treachery and deception are around every corner, and where primeval mysticism finds its way back from the grave, victory is reserved for neither the good nor the evil, but the powerful.
Join the journey to one of the best science fiction books in 2013.
www.LegendsofAmunRa.com
With 830 women dying every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and over 16,000 children under age five dying daily, Bayer and the White Ribbon Alliance today released critical policy recommendations and launched community programs to support the reduction and prevention of maternal, newborn and child mortality in two developing countries.1,2
Established through a three-year $1.3 million commitment from Bayer, these programs will expand work conducted by White Ribbon Alliance in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe to support the United Nations Secretary General’s Every Woman Every Child movement.
This announcement comes at the one-year anniversary of the Bayer/White Ribbon Alliance commitment in support of the Every Woman Every Child movement and will contribute to the success of the Sustainable Development Goals.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/77126510-bayer-white-ribbon-alliance-self-care/
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/
