The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the winners of the 2017 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards, recognizing the lifesaving efforts of individuals and organizations from across the country who are working to prepare for emergencies. Each year, FEMA honors individuals and organizations who excel at inspiring the public to be ready if a tornado, hurricane, wildfire, or other disaster were to strike their community.
“We are a stronger, more resilient nation when we work together—in communities large and small—to prepare for and respond to disasters,” said FEMA Acting Deputy Administrator Daniel Kaniewski. “FEMA is proud to recognize the great efforts of individuals and organizations who are helping to create a national culture of preparedness.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8025654-fema-2017-icp-award-winners/
Today, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) unveiled its newest fundraising and endurance initiative, spin4 crohn’s & colitis cures, an indoor cycling event that will raise funds for research, awareness, and patient services. The inaugural event will take place on December 5th at local studios and fitness centers in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago as part of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week.
“We’re eager to create a movement by launching spin4 crohn’s & colitis curesacross the country on December 5,” said Craig Comins, vice president of CCFA’s Team Challenge program. “It’s about motivating advocates to contribute to the IBD community and take research to the next level. We welcome all ages and athletic abilities to join us with one united voice to spin4 cures.”
Individuals form teams of up to four people per bike and participate in a two-hour indoor cycling relay. Alternatively, solo riders can take on the entire two-hours themselves. No matter the size of the team, each bike has a $1,000 fundraising commitment for CCFA. Professional instructors will lead teams to high-energy music offering a lively workout experience. The event is capped off with a cocktail hour to reward participants for their efforts in the stationary bike relay and fundraising success.
To view the multimedia news release visit
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7512651-ccfa-spin4-crohns-colitis-cures/
MINI TAKES THE STATES 2016 (MTTS), the eagerly anticipated two-week cross-country rally for MINI owners and enthusiasts, kicked off this weekend in Atlanta, GA. The bi-annual trek will travel track-to-track through America's open roads, stopping in 14 cities over 15 days with thousands of MINIs. Along the way, the group will rally to #DefyHunger with charity partner Feeding America.
“Big things happen when the MINI community comes together, and this year is no different,” said Tom Noble, Department Head, MINI Brand Communications. “MINI TAKES THE STATES is the ultimate road trip and we're as excited for the adventure as we are for our cause. The fight against hunger has many faces, it's not always a lack of food but rather a lack of the right resources to avoid waste, maximize efficiencies and get the food where it's needed most. Through our Feeding America partnership, we hope to raise money and awareness as we motor with purpose across America.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7861251-mini-takes-the-states/
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
As brain health becomes an ever greater concern for people of all ages, the nation’s largest senior living provider is now guiding its residents on developing and putting into practice personalized brain health plans. Brookdale devised the new resident program with the help of a neuropsychologist specializing in brain health. The company is putting it into place at its independent and assisted living communities across the country.
Through the new initiative, Brookdale’s residents will be offered a four-session course that explains key factors in brain health through classroom learning and hands-on activities. Each participant will be guided on creating an individual brain health plan to use on a daily basis. The course was developed with the assistance of Dr. Paul Nussbaum, who is Board Certified in clinical and geropsychology with a specialty in neuropsychology. An adjunct professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, he is the author of “Save Your Brain.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7722157-brookdale-brain-health/
Bayer and National 4-H Council amplified their commitment to the future of our rapidly expanding global population by launching a new effort to grow the pipeline of tomorrow’s innovators, starting now. The two organizations announced today a nationwide collaboration, Science Matters, which will address the need for an enhanced STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) workforce by planting a love of scientific exploration in thousands of youth in urban and rural areas across the country.
Science Matters will leverage Bayer’s more than 150 years of scientific breakthroughs and 4-H’s century of hands-on learning to equip more than 25,000 youth with tools and support they need to deepen their understanding of science.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/77126512-bayer-4-h-launch-science-matters/
This Memorial Day weekend, PBS brings viewers an inspiring night of remembrance dedicated to our men and women in uniform, their families at home and all those who have given their lives for our country. The multi award-winning NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT returns live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol co-hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise. The broadcast marks the tenth anniversary that the acclaimed actors, who have dedicated themselves to veterans’ causes and supporting our troops in active service, co-host the event. The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will showcase our courageous American heroes who have been disabled for life; shine a spotlight on Gold Star Children who have lost a parent to war; and commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7124753-capital-concerts-memorial-day-2015/
MINI TAKES THE STATES 2016 (MTTS), the eagerly anticipated two-week cross-country rally for MINI owners and enthusiasts, kicked off this weekend in Atlanta, GA. The bi-annual trek will travel track-to-track through America's open roads, stopping in 14 cities over 15 days with thousands of MINIs. Along the way, the group will rally to #DefyHunger with charity partner Feeding America.
“Big things happen when the MINI community comes together, and this year is no different,” said Tom Noble, Department Head, MINI Brand Communications. “MINI TAKES THE STATES is the ultimate road trip and we're as excited for the adventure as we are for our cause. The fight against hunger has many faces, it's not always a lack of food but rather a lack of the right resources to avoid waste, maximize efficiencies and get the food where it's needed most. Through our Feeding America partnership, we hope to raise money and awareness as we motor with purpose across America.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7861251-mini-takes-the-states/
Bayer is proud to announce that over one million meals have been donated to hungry families across America. Earlier this year, Bayer, a global leader in innovation and agriculture, and country music superstar, Luke Bryan, launched the Here’s To The Farmer campaign, asking Luke’s fans across the country to give thanks to American farmers while also helping hungry Americans by sharing #HeresToTheFarmer. For each hashtag Bayer donated one meal* through Feeding America®. The campaign, coinciding with the 2017 Bayer Presents Luke Bryan Farm Tour, set a target of 1 million meals donated before the end of the year. With the help of fans, farmers and communities across the country, the Here’s To The Farmer campaign reached and surpassed this goal in less than four months.
“We want to give a huge ‘thank you’ to Luke, his fans, state officials, and of course, America’s farmers, for making Here’s To The Farmer an overwhelming success,” said Ray Kerins, SVP for Bayer. “Farming communities across this great nation deserve our thanks and support. Here’s To The Farmer is one way Bayer was able to help hungry American families and we are incredibly proud of this campaign.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/77126514-bayer-luke-bryan-heres-to-the-farmer-success/
“A broad river is in waves, the rice flowers are sweet smelling over the banks…” On August 1, Chinese Army Day, an eye-catching ‘Flash Mob’ took place at Ginza Square, Tokyo, three Chinese young men, with deep affection, performing a ‘Red Song’ My Motherland, one of the classic songs written in praise of the Communist Party of China.
As they said, to fulfill their shared promise made five years ago, these three youngsters travelled a long distance from Nanchang, ‘the City of Heroes’ of China, gathering in Japan to express their patriotism and affection for their home country in the form of singing red song chorus. Accompanying their singing was an official promo of Nanchang displayed on the huge screen at the back of them. As images of Nanchang’s unique landmarks like the Monument of Nanchang Uprising, Tengwang Pavilion and the Twin Tower flittered one by one, their melody brought passersby, especially overseas Chinese back to that heroic city which, 90 years ago, once gave birth to the first authentic people’ army led by the Communist Party of China.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8155151-nanchang-tourism-chinese-army-day/
