Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and the American Diabetes Association today issued a new challenge to the millions of Americans affected by type 2 diabetes as part of the program America’s Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your Goals. In 2015, award-winning artist Tim McGraw, celebrated actress S. Epatha Merkerson and chef Leticia Moreinos Schwartz each shared their personal connection to type 2 diabetes. This year, they’re calling on people to share their stories.
Living with diabetes isn’t easy, and that’s why America’s Diabetes Challenge encourages people with type 2 diabetes to work with their doctor to set and reach their A1C goal. The program will aim to identify the most common challenges patients submit and will offer tips to help address them. The program is also designed to help people learn if they’re at risk of low blood glucose, known as hypoglycemia, and how to help reduce that risk.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7785551-merck-americas-diabetes-challenge/
In honor of Smokey Bear’s 72nd birthday, the Ad Council, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) launched a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) that aim to help prevent wildfires nationwide by increasing awareness about less commonly known ways that wildfires can start. The new “Rise from the Ashes” campaign uses wildfire ashes as an artistic medium to illustrate the devastation caused by wildfires and highlight less obvious wildfire causes.
“Education is a critical part of reducing the number of unwanted, human-caused wildfires we experience every year,” said U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Jim Hubbard. “We believe that this new iteration of Smokey Bear’s long-running PSA campaign will demonstrate campfires are not the only way to start a wildfire and that Smokey Bear is counting on them to take action to prevent accidental fire starts.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7896651-ad-council-smokey-bear-wildfire-psa/
Johnnie Walker The Journey, since its inception, has always told stories of progress. Through Storyline, Johnnie Walker The Journey aims to inspire people by highlighting incredible, real stories that have made a positive difference in the world. Bringing to life its mantra of #KeepWalking, Johnnie Walker The Journey introduces ‘Ode to Lesvos’, the first among a series of short films that aim to inspire people to embrace positivity and bring them together to build a better tomorrow for the world.
Can you really ignore what’s in front of your eyes? Because tomorrow it could be me. I could be on a boat with my family and I would like to be helped,” says fisherman Stratis Valamios in Ode to Lesvos.
This time, 12 months ago, Stratis’ life changed beyond recognition as he spent months on end rescuing men, women and children from the waters around his home. His village, with a population of around 150, became the front line of the refugee crisis as hundreds of thousands of people came ashore, fleeing war and seeking a better future.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7932651-ode-to-lesvos-refugee-crisis/
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
Using an entrepreneurial distribution model, the Natural Light project will now donate a second instalment of 20,000 solar lamps. These will be sold by new sales agents in off-grid communities in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and, for the first time, in Malawi.
The aim of this project, besides bringing a sustainable light source to off-grid communities, was to create a business model for local sales agents to make a living. This has been a great success. Today more than 50 sales agents in three African nations – Zimbabwe, Zambia and Sierra Leone – have their own businesses selling Natural Light solar lamps.
The Natural Light project, in collaboration with social business Little Sun, and NGO Plan International, was created to celebrate the VELUX Group’s 75th anniversary. Following an international design competition last year, which received 172 submissions from all over the world, the winning design was chosen and 14,500 units of the solar lamp were distributed in Africa – one for each employee of the VELUX Group and its sister companies.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8006751-velux-more-natural-light-shine-in-africa/
Pro-audio brand RØDE Microphones is excited to announce the ‘My RØDE Reel’ international short film competition, conceived to nurture emerging, independent filmmakers and give them the opportunity to share in more than US$70,000 in prizes.
Running from March until June, the aim of the ‘My RØDE Reel’ contest is to encourage filmmakers from all walks of life to get out in the field, creating films and continually improve their craft.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/66061-rode-reel-international-short-film-contest
Volvo delivers a unique combination of performance and efficiency with the High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept - a triple boost 2-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine with no less than 450 hp.
Following the successful introduction of Volvo’s Drive-E Powertrain range in 2013, Volvo’s powertrain team once again demonstrates its technological leadership in emission-reducing turbo technology.
“When we launched the Drive-E powertrain family, our aim was to deliver the most advanced 4-cylinder engines in the industry based on emissions and fuel consumption relative to performance and drivability. We knew that 320 hp in our petrol configuration was just a starting point. The 450 hp High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept, demonstrates this ambition and the versatility of the Drive-E Powertrains,” says Dr. Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President for Research and Development at Volvo Car Group.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762550-volvo-reveal-drive-e-450hp-engine/
Today, the award-winning Adoption from Foster Care campaign from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AdoptUSKids and the Ad Council unveiled a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) that aim to encourage the adoption of older youth from foster care.
Of the 415,000 children in the U.S. foster care system, 108,000 children under the age of 18 are currently waiting for adoptive families, according to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). Since the AdoptUSKids project began in 2002, 25,000 children who were once photo listed on adoptuskids.org are now with their adoptive families and nearly 38,000 families have registered to adopt through AdoptUSKids. 41 percent of the approximately 5,360 youth listed on the website are aged between 15 and 18 years old.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7673451-ad-council-national-adoption-campaign/
The conference programme will cover the key issues that are of importance to today’s busy IRO, through a range of topical and engaging sessions that will make sure you are right up to date with all the latest thinking. Each session will deliver practical takeaways and there will be a particular emphasis on careers and professional development in IR throughout the conference. With a range of highly engaging breakout sessions to choose from, unparalleled networking opportunities and a showcase of the latest IR services, the 2016 conference promises to be the best yet, an event not to be missed by anyone working in IR.
John Gollifer, General Manager of the IR Society said, “Our annual conference, now in its 30th year, offers a timely opportunity to hear from leading IR practitioners and commentators. We aim to cover the crucial IR issues of the day, as well as offer a great opportunity to meet and share ideas with your peers. We are delighted once again to welcome Evan Davis back as conference host, and where better to be two days before the EU referendum?”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7858751-ir-society-30th-annual-conference-London/
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) reported that its 2017 Meetings and Events program has led to significant growth in the industry sector, showing a 6.7% increase from January to October, when compared to the same period in 2016. Mexico has taken a leadership position as a destination for meetings and events with the relaunch of its strategic partnership program with meetings industry organizations and initiatives that aim to elevate its ICCA ranking, as well as to increase the economic impact of the meetings and conventions industry in the Mexican economy, which currently accounts for US$25 billion. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranks Mexico as 3rd in Latin America, 5th in the Americas, and 21st globally for meeting and incentive travel.
“The meetings and convention industry is a crucial part of our growth plan focused on elevating the average expenditure of travelers,” said Hector Flores, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board. “We are continuing to invest in building Mexico’s profile for business events and are working closely with industry leaders around the world to bring more corporate and association events to Mexico while introducing them to destinations beyond our traditional sun and beach offerings.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8242051-mexico-tourism-meetings-events/
Leading smartphone brand Vivo officially announced the launch of its V3 and V3Max smartphones at a product release conference in Mumbai, India on April 5.
• Faster Operation with 4GB RAM
• Fast charging of five minutes for two-hour music playback
• Refine metallic body with 7.55 to 7.58mm slim design
• Faster fingerprint unlocking
• Hi-Fi quality sound
• Super-fast Shots
Part of Vivo’s 2016 V Series, the V3 and V3Max have a stylish, all-metal case design that not only guarantees durability, but also makes the phones much slimmer -- only 7.55 to 7.58mm in thickness.
In addition to a stylish exterior the new smartphones aim to provide a more efficient, fluent and enjoyable video and audio experience with modern phone users around the world in mind.
The V3Max combines 4GB RAM with a Snapdragon Octa-Core CPU to boost stability and speed with performance 100% better than is predecessor. The camera takes a mere 0.7 seconds to start up and features PDAF technology to focus project in 0.1 seconds. Combining with the extra-large 5.5-inch screen the camera offers the best photo and video viewing experience.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7800151-vivo-v3max-smartphone/
Leveraging 130 years of knowledge and expertise across the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices (JJMD) is proud to launch a new approach to help drive value-based healthcare in hospitals across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) – CareAdvantage. This is a data-driven, holistic approach in which JJMD partners with hospitals and other healthcare providers to provide a range of benefits, tailored to the customer’s specific needs and priorities.
The healthcare marketplace is changing, with intensifying pressure to meet the ‘triple aim’ of improving outcomes, increasing patient satisfaction and reducing costs. As the focus shifts from volume to value, there is a growing need for new delivery models, resulting in rapid transformation for hospital systems, clinicians and their patients.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8119051-johnson-medical-devices-careadvantage/
