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/
Ahead of World Mental Health Day, today sees the publication of the Mental Health Integration Index, a new research initiative commissioned by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and undertaken by the Economist Intelligence Unit.1 The research explores the challenges of integrating Europeans with mental illness into society and employment, within the European Union’s 28 Member States, plus Norway and Switzerland. Countries have been ranked according to their degree of commitment to support those living with mental illness; the findings demonstrate that while there are many examples of good practice across Europe, the whole region has a long way to go before people with mental illness are adequately supported and truly integrated into their communities.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762557-janssen-europe-mental-health-index/
Seeking to support men and their loved ones facing the challenges that come with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, USA Rugby, the Australian Rugby Union and Astellas Pharma have partnered to launch the #pass4prostate challenge, a social media campaign designed to generate awareness of prostate cancer and support a donation of up to $125,000 from Astellas to four research and advocacy organizations: Prostate Cancer Foundation, Australia Prostate Cancer Research, Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia and Prostate Cancer Canada.
From August 5 through the end of September – Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – social media users are encouraged to record a video of themselves catching an inanimate object, mentioning why prostate cancer awareness is important to them, and then passing that object, rugby-style, symbolically to a friend or family member. Astellas will donate $5 to prostate cancer advocacy organizations for every qualifying submission with the #pass4prostate hashtag posted to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, up to a maximum contribution of $125,000.
To view the multimedia release visit:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7579051-pass4prostate-challenge-rugby-astellas/
A new, multi-patented beauty product engineered to help prevent and reduce wrinkles caused by recurring facial compression during sleep is now available. JuveRest: The Sleep Wrinkle Pillow features a unique contoured shape specifically designed to minimize facial contact with the pillow, a common cause of facial wrinkles. JuveRest provides proper head and neck support in both the back and side sleeping positions for a comfortable and restful night’s sleep. Revolutionary in design, JuveRest was invented by Goesel Anson, MD, FACS, nationally recognized, board certified plastic surgeon and a managing member of JuveRest LLC. JuveRest will debut on QVC, one of the world’s largest multimedia retailers, on August 15 via a simultaneous national broadcast at 4 p.m. EDT.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62283-juverest-the-sleep-wrinkle-pillow
The 6th Beijing Biennale under the theme of “Memory and Dream”, co-sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality and the China Artists Association is expected to be exhibited in the National Art Museum of China from Sep.24 to Oct.15, 2015. The exhibition attracted 685 pieces of artwork from 96 countries which registered half of the member countries of the United Nations, covering contemporary paintings, sculptures, installations, videos and mixed media (with 188 pieces of artwork from China and 497 pieces of artwork from foreign countries).
Artists from all over the world were encouraged to create paintings and sculptures related to the theme “Memory and Dream”. The International Art Gala with unprecedented size of participating countries provides a high standard visual feast for all art lovers from all over the world. Beijing Biennale serves as a platform to demonstrate historical and cultural memories of different countries and express humankind’s expectation and aspiration for the future by means of art. Following the opening ceremony, the Beijing Biennale has become the focus of audiences and media with the daily volume registered at 7000. It is expected that during the Golden Week of the National Holiday, the audiences per day will amount to more than 10,000.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7644351-beijing-biennale-memory-and-dream/
AARP is announcing the winners of a unique contest that encourages filmmakers to tell the story of family caregiving through short films. The competition was launched as part of Ad Council and AARP’s National Caregiver Awareness Campaign to help reveal the hard work and dedication of the nation’s 40 million family caregivers. These stories focus on three family caregiving themes: The Changing Face of Caregiving, Roles Change, and Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers. The winners share a $25,000 prize and the opportunity for their work to be featured on AARP and Ad Council web and social platforms.
“These three minute or shorter films really open up the world of family caregiving helping people to better understand the intense challenges as well as the deep personal rewards of caring for a loved one,” said Amy Goyer, AARP family and caregiving expert and author of the new award-winning book Juggling Life, Work, and Caregiving. “But more importantly, the stories show how much love is present in family caregiving, whether it comes from a family member, friend or even a stranger.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7607231-aarp-caregivers/
Employee benefit plan regulations pose unique, high risk questions for Plan Sponsors and effect the future well-being of all plan participants. EisnerAmper meets the demands of Plan Sponsors by providing audit, tax and advisory services to assist them with their fiduciary responsibilities in this often complex and technical area.
Why EisnerAmper?
• Partners and Directors who devote 100% of their time to employee benefit plans
• AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center member firm
• Experience with over 400 annual benefit plan audits
• 2 reviews by the Department of Labor with no comments!
• Industry dedication and passion
While we know how essential it is for our professionals to be knowledgeable in the benefit plan industry, we believe it's also as important to share that information with our clients. Below are links to two of EisnerAmper’s benefit plan libraries.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7461932-eisneramper-employee-benefits/
Clayton, one of the largest home builders in America, has launched a social media and video campaign that highlights the importance of giving back to those in need.
The “Season of Giving” campaign shares stories from the experiences of Clayton team members giving back to their communities and fellow team members in need. Clayton’s 40 home building facilities and nearly 350 home centers across the nation are encouraged to share how they are giving back through their social media channels in hopes to inspire others. The campaign will run during the globally recognized, Giving Tuesday, which takes place the Tuesday after Black Friday on Nov. 28.
The storytelling campaign includes personal experiences from team members such as building a ramp for a team member’s wife, volunteering with a local school for autistic children and supporting a special needs football team.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8011658-clayton-season-of-giving/
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
A recent survey conducted by DSM Nutritional Products found that 83 percent of adults in the U.S. believe worsening eye health is inevitable with age. What many people don’t realize is that there’s a connection between healthy eyes and proper nutrition, and it goes beyond eating carrots.
According to Dr. Kimberly Reed, optometrist and Ocular Nutrition Society board member, “Incorporating certain nutrients into the diet can support a lifetime of healthy vision and help protect against serious conditions, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The latter affects more than 2 million Americans and can lead to severe visual impairment.”
To view Multmedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7129751-dsm-nutritional-products-eye-health-survey/
Room KeySM announces access to Loyalty Member Rates from more than 60 of the world’s largest and most well-known hotel brands, including Hilton®, Hyatt®, Marriott®, Holiday Inn®, Comfort Inn® and Wyndham®. Hotels’ member rates are typically lower than other published rates and available only to members of the hotels’ loyalty programs who book directly with the hotel, primarily through their own websites. Now Room Key can access these rates and is the only travel site where customers can shop and compare Loyalty Member Rates from so many different hotel chains in one place.
“There’s a lot of confusion out there about how and where to find the best hotel rates,” says Steve Sickel, CEO, Room Key. “A relatively unknown ‘travel secret’ is that many hotels offer lower rates to members of their loyalty program on their own websites,” Steve adds. “Room Key can now display these lower ‘Loyalty Member Rates’ for thousands of U.S. hotels across more than 60 hotel chains all on one site, making shopping the best rate a lot easier,” he says. “No other travel site can access as many loyalty rates across as many hotel chains as Room Key.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7850951-room-key-lower-rates/
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.
