In its annual report on the EU budget published today, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) warns that the budget system is too focused on just getting funds spent and needs to place more emphasis on achieving results. As independent auditor, the ECA signed off the 2013 accounts of the European Union, but stresses that the management of EU spending is not yet good enough overall - either at EU level or in the Member States.
Throughout the 2007 to 2013 spending period, say the EU Auditors, the priority was given to spending the money - ‘use it or lose it’ - rather than to achieving good results. For instance, the choice of projects to receive EU funds focused first on disbursing the EU money available, secondly on complying with the rules, and only then - and to a limited extent - on results and impact.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762585-EU-must-focus-on-better-results/
Volvo Cars unveils the long-awaited Cross Country version of its successful V60 Sportswagon at the LA Motor Show next week. “We are delighted to add the third true Cross Country model to our product portfolio. The successful combination of dynamic styling and rugged capability place the V60 Cross Country in a class of its own,” said Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Cars.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762521-volvo-cross-country/
The all-new HGTV.com is the ultimate online destination for anyone who loves making their home a better place to live. The site’s marquee feature is the HGTV Photo Library, a new curated resource that serves up livable design inspiration with stunning room photos.
To view the Multimedia News Resource, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7355851-hgtv-unveils-reimagined-home-and-lifestyle-online-portal-photo-library-debut/
When a military service member is wounded or falls ill, their families may have to travel great distances in order to be on hand during lengthy recovery periods. While assisting in their loved one’s recovery efforts, the last thing family members need to worry about is figuring out a place to stay – and if lodging is even available. Hotels for Heros-- a unique program that provides hotel rooms for military families.
There’s no better place to be on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 4 than Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where guests can witness firsthand Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1), the test flight of the uncrewed Orion spacecraft. Guests can experience a complete pre-launch-to-post-splashdown program, including launch viewing, Orion-related activities, exhibits, astronaut appearances and live coverage and commentary.
“The Orion launch will be visible from many areas across the Space Coast, but there’s only one place to feel the rumble, experience the excitement and get up to date, minute-to-minute information from NASA TV, astronauts and space experts – and that’s at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the Visitor Complex. “This is your chance to be part of history and tell your kids and grandkids you were here when we achieved our first steps toward Mars.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7385151-kennedy-space-center-visitor-complex-orion-spacecraft-december-4/
An international and bilingual conference designed and organized by Christophe Ginisty will take place in Paris on Friday, January 16th 2015 around the umbrella theme "The brand and the territory": a fascinating dive into territories' reputation and some fascinating strategies of brands that link their reputation to one geography.
Created in January 2013 in partnership with the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the ReputationWar International Conference has become one of the main events on reputation management at the digital age.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7411151-reputation-war-conference/
On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, killing more than 230,000 people and displacing approximately 1.5 million. Children were orphaned; families were left homeless; and homes, schools and hospitals destroyed. Five years later, SOS Children’s Villages, the world’s largest organization providing care for orphaned and abandoned children, remains unwavering in its ongoing, long-term commitment to the people of Haiti.
“Efforts to rebuild the most affected areas move at a slow place, and the need to support vulnerable children and families remains high. Many of the children and families who survived the earthquake lost everything and experienced severe emotional trauma,” said Lynn Croneberger, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages – USA. “In 2010, we made a strong commitment to support these survivors. Thanks to generous donors and the Government of Haiti, we are able to continue to provide support to Haiti’s most vulnerable.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7409351-sos-children-village-milestones/
In an effort to continue to create and place people in more jobs, including people who are unemployed or underemployed, Goodwill® and the Ad Council have launched new public service advertisements (PSAs) that demonstrate how donated clothing and household items to Goodwill support those facing challenges to finding employment. Every 27 seconds of every business day, Goodwill helps someone find employment.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7442751-goodwill-ad-council-psas/
On Saturday, May 30, 2015, four space shuttle astronauts will be inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame® during a public ceremony held at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s Space Shuttle AtlantisSM attraction: John Grunsfeld, Ph. D., Steven Lindsey, Kent Rominger, and M. Rhea Seddon, M.D.
These astronaut heroes will join the ranks of well-known space explorers including Alan Shepard, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. This year marks the historic 25th anniversary of the Hall of Fame, which was conceived in the 1980s by the six remaining Mercury astronauts as a place where space explorers could be remembered. Past Hall of Fame inductees include Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle astronauts.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7444151-us-astronaut-hall-of-fame/
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/
In recognition of National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day on May 9, 2015, Hill’s Pet Nutrition is encouraging pet parents to plan ahead by creating a pet emergency go-kit and following several easy tips to ensure the safety of their pets during a crisis.
“The best thing a family can do in the case of an emergency is be prepared, and that includes having a plan in place for your pets,” said Kostas Kontopanos, President of Hill’s Pet Nutrition North America. “We hope that families take into account some simple steps that will help them feel ready to respond should disaster strike.”
Hill’s recommends building a Pet Emergency Go-Kit in order to cut down on time in the event of a crisis, allowing families to focus solely on getting to safety as quickly as possible.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7481151-hill-s-pet-emergency-go-kit/
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today issued a warning to the public about an organized scam involving sales of vehicles through the popular online market place, Craigslist.
Working with law enforcement agencies in the Chicago area and across the Midwest, NICB has identified nearly 100 instances of sales of vehicles that went sour when phony bank checks were used to pay for the vehicle.
“These scams are well organized and have all the appearances of being legitimate,” said NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle. “But in the end, the criminal gets the car and the sellers or their financial institutions are left on the hook for thousands of dollars still owed on the car.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7523151-nicb-craigslist-auto-sales-scam/
