Unprecedented planning by state and local authorities, law enforcement and the insurance industry established what is being called a national model for protecting the public from fly-by-night contractors in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), preparation in advance of the F-5 tornado that devastated the city of Moore and surrounding areas in May 2013 resulted in a well-coordinated effort to ensure that roofers and other contractors who swarmed into the area in the hours and days after the storm were properly licensed, insured and authorized to work in the area.
Local police assisted the Oklahoma Insurance Department Fraud Unit in patrolling the area and keeping suspected fraudulent out-of-state contractors from doing work unless all protocols were followed.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7665251-nicb-limited-fraud-following-2013-moore-tornado/
With Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of the summer driving season fast approaching, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company surprised unsuspecting motorists here today. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Kevin Harvick, along with his pit crew, appeared at Concord Mills Mall and performed free tread depth checks on consumers’ tires.
With National Tire Safety Week set for May 29 through June 4, Harvick and Goodyear collaborated to raise awareness on the importance of proper tire maintenance. As always, consumers can head to any of Goodyear’s Tire & Service Network locations to receive free tire checks.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7833451-goodyear-tire-check/
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
Neighbors across the country will soon have an exciting opportunity to help change their communities for the better through State Farm Neighborhood Assist®. This philanthropic program awards 40 causes a $25,000 grant. Anyone in the United States can submit a cause beginning March 9 through March 30. Ultimately, voters will decide which community improvement projects win big.
Returning for its fourth year, State Farm Neighborhood Assist asks individuals to identify causes that would help make their communities safer, stronger and better-educated. Up to 4,000 causes will be accepted. The State Farm Youth Advisory Board (YAB) will then narrow down the field, using a scoring rubric to identify the top 200 submissions. The public will have a chance to vote 10 times a day from May 14 through June 3 for their favorite causes from the list of finalists. The 40 causes that receive the most votes will win a $25,000 grant. The nominations and votes will be accepted exclusively through a free Facebook app.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7417331-state-farm-neighborhood-assist/
As another school year ends, American parents once again face the challenge of making sure their kids get enough daily physical activity to keep them occupied throughout the summer. Based on the results of a recent national survey of parents with children ages 3-17, that may be easier said than done.
While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that kids have at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity, the Let’s Play 2016 State of Play Survey, commissioned by Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS), revealed that only one out of three children participates in daily active play.
There also appears to be a significant drop in daily active play when most children head off to kindergarten. Half of 4-year-olds get active daily playtime, compared to 31 percent of 5-year-olds.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7816051-dr-pepper-snapple-lets-play/
Mark your calendars now – those leftover OTC and prescriptions in your medicine cabinet have got to go!
Chances are, if you open your medicine cabinet, you’ll find some some leftover medication that “might come in handy someday.” The reality is, those medications may have expired and are either ineffective or may cause more harm than you know. With cold and flu season upon us, it’s a great time to purge the medicine cabinet. Better to prepare now than scramble when you are sick. Clean out clutter and stock up on the staples!
Starting this May, homeowners in Stockholm can access pay-per-use power tools for the garden, eliminating the need to maintain and store hedge trimmers, chainsaws and other tools that are used less frequently. The project is a pilot, and part of Husqvarna’s commitment to explore innovative and sustainable solutions for taking care of gardens and green spaces.
The Husqvarna Battery Box, is a "smart", 8x3 meter, unattended container with 30 electronic lockers that store battery powered garden care products. Via an iPhone app, homeowners can reserve tools, get instructions, pay, and open the locker to pick up their pre-booked power tool. The "box" will be placed at Bromma Blocks, a shopping center 15 min west of Stockholm city. Renting a garden care product will cost 350 SEK a day (approx 35 Euros or 38 USD).
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8087051-husqvarna-pay-per-use-power-tools/
Dogs are a member of the family, so many owners think that their dog won’t bite. Unfortunately for the 4.5 million victims of dog bites and attacks each year, this isn’t true. Any dog can bite, regardless of the breed. State Farm and Victoria Stilwell, internationally renowned dog trainer, author and star of Animal Planet's It’s Me or the Dog, have joined forces to teach people how to be responsible pet owners and reduce the number of dog bites.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/70394523-state-farm-insurance-and-canine-expert-take-a-bite-out-of-dog-attacks
With farm-to-table foods, markets and restaurants popping up everywhere, it’s no surprise more than three-quarters of moms are actively looking for locally sourced options when grocery shopping for themselves and their families, according to a new survey from the National Milk Life Campaign.1 As one of the original farm-to-table foods, milk often originates from dairy farms about 300 miles away from your grocery store2, and typically arrives in just 48 hours, on average, from many family-owned and operated dairy farms. Yet 77 percent of moms surveyed didn’t realize how far their milk typically travels from farm to glass.
Moms may also have misconceptions about what happens after milk leaves the farm, including what is added to the farm-fresh beverage before it goes to consumers. More than one-third incorrectly believe preservatives are added to milk, and nearly 18 percent think sugar is added. In reality, milk is remarkably simple and contains just three ingredients – milk, vitamin A and vitamin D – and no added sugar. Another third of moms didn’t know that pasteurization is the process that kills bacteria – extending milk’s shelf life and keeping it fresher for longer, ensuring it’s safe to drink.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8158451-milk-life-glass-is-in-session-farm-to-glass/
KitchenAid, long known for the power, durability and eye-catching design of its iconic countertop appliances, is introducing the most powerful blender in the market.
Scheduled for availability in May, the new KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series Blender will be offered in two models launching exclusively at Williams-Sonoma. Both models feature a 3.5 Peak HP motor, a self-cleaning cycle and a 10-year warranty. The upgraded models provide the added convenience of a dual-wall Thermal Control jar that quickly heats blended ingredients in as little as four minutes, stays cool to the touch, and retains the temperature for hot soups and sauces. They also feature three pre-set Adapti-Blend™ recipe programs for Soup, Juices and Smoothies.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7766752-kitchenaid-pro-line-series-blender/
The Ford Focus Electric is really a 5-door hatchback electric car manufactured by Ford. The Focus Electric is Ford's first full production, all-electric passenger vehicle, and production began in December 2011 Deliveries for fleet customers from the United States began in December 2011, and yes it was released to retail customers in May 2012 only in California, New York and New Jersey, in limited numbers, then the other 16 initial markets from the third quarter of 2012. The European release was first slated for late 2012, but was re-scheduled to start out deliveries in August 2013.
We are surviving in the world of dangers around and there is no assurance to life of an individual as the danger may be in form of accidental or fortunate. So we have to take care of ourself and our dear ones. It is impossible to avoid all of life's potential pitfalls and with so much conflicting advice available, it can be tempting to give up trying to prevent dangers altogether.
