Otis Elevator Company, the United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) unit which powered cities skyward and moves passengers up and down structures as diverse as the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building and the Kremlin, celebrates its 160th anniversary with the promise to harness the power of the sun.
Founder Elisha Otis sold his first elevator in 1853, after developing the safety brake designed so that, “if the rope breaks the platform cannot fall.” Over the past 100 years, Otis, a $12 billion unit of UTC, has provided elevators to eight of the ten World’s Tallest Buildings, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and the Shanghai World Financial Center in China, as well as the iconic Empire State Building in New York City.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60420-otis-elevator-company-marks-160-th-anniversary
The European Report on Development (ERD) 2013 seeks to contribute to the global reflection on the post-2015 development agenda.
Based on an assessment of the Millennium Development Goals experience and on an analysis of the changing international context, and likely trends for the next 20-30 years, the ERD 2013 looks at key potential drivers of a post- 2015 global partnership, to tackle poverty in the poorest countries and promote structural transformation in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60634-ec-post-2015-sustainable-future-plan
Fifteen internships in four years sounds like a pretty demanding exercise. Yet Lauren Berger did just that while at the University of Central Florida, and learned how to be a leader and a successful entrepreneur in the process. And now Berger, founder of Intern Queen Inc., is offering students a similar opportunity through the 2013 Ford College Ambassador Challenge.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61063-ford-college-ambassador-challenge-offers-students-real-world-experience
Bangkok has seen a lot of new born themed and design hotels in recent years and Siam @ Siam was one of them. Open in 2006, the hotel became the trend setter for many other ones to come. And until today it has done exceptionally well in maintaining its high standard in service and hospitality, and of course in surprising all the visitors with its jaw-dropping kind of interior design.
Is your yard helping or hurting you in getting top dollar for your house this home buying season? According to TruGreen’s new Lawn Lifestyles National Survey of America*, the majority of homeowners (79 percent) reported “having a healthy, green lawn contributes to the overall value of a home”; and homeowners (56 percent) said “when buying a home, a good lawn would warrant a higher price.” In fact, more than half of Americans surveyed (53 percent) said “the quality of the homeowner’s lawn can tell you a lot about the quality of the home overall.” TruGreen, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is celebrating 40 years as the nation’s largest professional lawn care service provider.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60798-trugreen-lawn-lifestyles-national-survey-spring-webisodes-jason-cameron
Bruno is just as adventurous as your child, and they can watch his story unfold - just as their story does.
Aimed at children from 3-7 years of age, Gaudi Bruno is a fast-paced, exciting and interactive storybook... a beautiful introduction into nature, friendships and discovery. Unlike physical storybooks, Gaudi Bruno is fabulously interactive, allowing your child to feel as if they are exploring the world with Bruno, not just watching him.
Other features:
•Available in English, Spanish and Italian
•Over 100 animation effects, numerous controlled by the user
•Over 50 sounds that play throughoust the storybook
•Lovable characters in a lovable story
•Soundtrack featuring four original tunes
•Suitable for younger and older children, no matter of their reading ability.
•Interactive games are scattered throughout the story
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
