The annual ASEAN Tourism Forum or ATF started off today in Vientiane, Laos. From January 21st to 24th, the travel trade-only exhibition and business meetings platform is bringing over 2,000 delegates from around the world, comprising of heads of National Tourist Organisations, Tourism Ministers, suppliers from across ASEAN, International Buyers, Media and other tourism professionals to discuss about tourism matters of the region.
Even the panel of “odor specialists” resisted the urge to cover their noses as pungent smells emanated from the smelliest sneakers in this year’s Annual National Odor-Eaters® Rotten Sneaker Contest®. Ready to be judged, eight kids, ages six to fourteen from across the country have arrived in Montpelier today, selected as national finalists, wearing the decrepit and odorous rubber-soles that won them regional recognition.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/59610-blistex-38th-national-odor-eaters-rotten-sneaker-contest
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
Kate Hudson was in Washington, D.C. for the ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum. She made a surprise visit during the Forum to speak with 50 young women from across the U.S. about her own leadership path and the importance of following their dreams. Kate Hudson currently serves on the ANNpower Advisory Council and joined ANN INC. President and CEO Kay Krill and Vital Voices President and CEO Alyse Nelson for the Forum with the ANNpower Fellows.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58229-ann-taylor-ambassador-kate-hudson-annpower-vital-voices-leadership-forum
Urgent action is needed to improve the diagnosis and management of CDI, which is the main cause of hospital-acquired (nosocomial) diarrhoea in industrialised countries.2 In a report launched today, during a meeting hosted by the European Healthcare and Hospital Federation (HOPE), experts from across Europe highlight the current deficiencies in the management of CDI and outline the steps that are needed to address them.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60637-astellas-report-diagnosis-management-CDI
A new study from Robert Half and Financial Executives Research Foundation (FERF), the research affiliate of Financial Executives International (FEI), provides insight into professional standards across the finance function, including the average size of finance departments, hours worked and technologies used. The fourth annual report, Benchmarking the Finance Function 2013: The Inner Workings of Accounting and Finance, focuses on six key areas: workforce management, accounting operations, financial systems, sourcing, internal controls and compliance. The results are based on a survey of the finance departments of nearly 200 public and private companies in the United States and Canada.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55076-robert-half-ferf-fei-annual-report-webinar-finance-function-benchmarking
In recognition of Melanoma Monday® and National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention MonthTM, MELA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: MELA) visited the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square today to ring the Opening Bell and sponsor free skin cancer checks.
One American dies every hour from melanoma, the most deadly skin cancer. MELA Sciences, Inc. is the pioneer company behind MelaFind®, the first and only FDA-approved diagnostic tool that helps dermatologists detect melanoma at its most curable stage. MelaFind® was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in Fall 2011, and since then has strategically rolled out the technology to dermatology practices across the country.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61584-mela-sciences-rings-opening-bell-awareness-melanoma-detection-prevention
Vet to Vet USA puts
on a big lunch for the injured troops who won't be home for the
holidays each December in Bonham, Dallas, and across Texas at the VA
hospitals. Vet to Vet USA puts on a big lunch for the injured troops
who won't be home for the holidays each December in Bonham, Dallas, and
across Texas at the VA hospitals. Contact Master Sgt. Jess Johnson to
donate or volunteer at http://www.vettovetusa.com ...Video by Brian Bearden for Vet to Vet USA.
Actress and mother of two Sarah Michelle Gellar is joining March of Dimes and Sanofi Pasteur on the Sounds of Pertussis® Campaign to help raise awareness about pertussis, also known as whooping cough, and the importance of adult vaccination. Pertussis is on the rise across the U.S., and infants and young children may be most vulnerable.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/61367-sanofi-pasteur-sounds-of-pertussis/
Across all trades, there is a common tool in every tradesman’s tool bag – a utility knife. Utility knives come in various shapes and sizes and are used to cut a wide range of materials on the job site and in the home. Today, IRWIN Tools introduces the International A’Design Platinum Award winning Folding Utility Knife Series with patented BladeLock Technology – the FK100, FK150, and FK250. Recognized for its “best-in-class” design attributes, the FK Series is durable, compact, and easy-to-use.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60279-irwin-tools-folding-utility-knives-patented-bladelock-technology-fk-series
OpenText™ (NASDAQ: OTEX, TSX: OTC), the global leader in Enterprise Information Management (EIM), today unveiled OpenText Web Experience Management (WEM), an innovative solution to help organizations exceed their customers’ online expectations by providing a targeted, responsive experience across omni-channel touch points, multiple languages and devices with varied capabilities and form-factors.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61775-opentext-web-experience-management-engage-your-web-traffic
To commemorate National Jerky Day, celebrated annually on June 12, Jack Link’s® Beef Jerky played Mother Nature. More than 1,000 bags of jerky showered the Great Plains of Nebraska and more than 33,000 bags of jerky were given away to fans and charities across the country. National Jerky Day is the ultimeat holiday to celebrate America’s love for snacking and the unadulterated desire Americans have to “Feed Their Wild Side.” On this occasion, Jack Link’s undertook a mission to bring jerky to deserving snackers across the country — with the company’s single largest “gifting” of jerky for one holiday. To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62110-jack-links-national-jerky-day-forecast-jerky-give-away-fans-and-charities
