Dublin Zoo, a non-profit organisation, has published a brand new illustrated children’s book entitled Dublin Zoo Elephants. Written by Catherine de Courcy and illustrated by Cathy Callan, Dublin Zoo Elephants introduces readers to the magnificent herd of elephants at Dublin Zoo. In this beautifully illustrated book, children will learn about the elephants, how they live [...]Dublin Zoo Publishes Children’s Book is a post from: Ireland in One



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With more people now receiving antiretroviral treatment, the North West Department of Health has trained more nurses to get HIV positive patients...

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Athletics South Africa has taken note of the attempt by Boland Athletics to usurp the role of the national federation and call a general meeting of ASA. Their attempt is a blatant attempt to undermine the Constitution of ASA, especially since an official annual general meeting of ASA is due to be held the next [...]Suspension of 5 Boards of ASA is a post from: Time-to-Run South Africa



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South Africa is one of 18 countries that complies with global standards on the transparency and exchange on request of information on individual and corporate taxpayers.

This is according to the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum), which recently held its sixth meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“South Africa’s ranking as one of the 18 countries that comply with the implementation of internationally agreed standards of transparency and exchange of information on individual and corporate taxpayers is further testimony to the excellence of some of the institutions of our democracy,” said Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on Wednesday.

“The exchange of information will contribute to the reduction of opportunities for tax evasion and therefore contribute to the creation of an international tax system that is more effective, efficient and fair.”

Exchange of tax information on request refers to a situation where one tax authority seeks from its counterpart information about the financial and tax affairs of a taxpayer. Such information includes the owners or beneficiaries of legal entities and arrangements (companies, trusts, etc), as well as financial accounts (profit and loss, assets and liabilities) of those entities.

The ranking was the culmination of three years’ worth of reviews of 50 countries that had completed phase 1 and 2 of reviews. Phase 1 involves the review of a country’s legal and regulatory framework for transparency and the exchange of tax information.

Phase 2 surveys the implementation of the standards. An on-site visit by an assessment team is part of the review. Both phases involve peer reviews of a country’s compliance by members of the Global Forum, including answering a detailed questionnaire about their experience of dealing with the country which is being reviewed.

South Africa also agreed with the United Kingdom in October this year to join a pilot scheme for the automatic exchange of tax information, which was launched by the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Of the 50 countries that were rated, the 18 compliant ones are Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, India, Ireland, Isle of Man, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden.

The 26 largely compliant countries are Argentina, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bermuda, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Macao, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, the Netherlands, Philippines, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Turks and Caicos, United Kingdom, United States.

Partially compliant countries are Austria and Turkey, while the non-compliant countries are the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Luxembourg and the Seychelles.

Full compliance with the standards of transparency and exchange of tax-related information means that a country has the relevant information, that such information is accessible, and that the information can be exchanged.

The Global Forum is chaired by the chief officer of legal and policy at the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Kosie Louw.

Louw was elected chair for a two-year period at the forum’s meeting held in Cape Town in October 2012. – SAnews.gov.za

According to recent research by website A Passion for Homes, it seems that the most off-putting thing for a potential buyer on a house viewing is not what they see, but what they smell! An online survey by the interior design, dream homes and products website found that 32% of respondents said the worst thing [...]Odours Stop House Sale is a post from: Home n Spire





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An agreement between the South African Government and People’s Republic of China in committing to fight the illegal exploitation of wildlife crime has yielded positive results, with the return of poached rhino horn and elephant ivory back to South Africa. A consignment of 33 rhino horns and a large number of elephant ivory products seized [...]Poached rhino horns returned is a post from: EconSpire



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The simplest way to invest is a Browne Plan. It promises steady capital growth with minimal downside risk, requires no management beyond an annual portfolio review, and frees you from having to make any decisions about what’s happening in the markets. It’s ideally suited to those who don’t have the skills or the time to [...]Plan for Low-Risk Investing is a post from: TheBizSense Views & Forecasting



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NEW YORK – New York Road Runners (NYRR) will become the title sponsor of the 2014 Millrose Games, the most prestigious indoor track & field event in the United States, it was announced by Dr. Norbert Sander, President of the Armory Foundation and Mary Wittenberg, CEO of the NYRR. The 2014 NYRR Millrose Games will [...]NYRR Millrose Games sponsors is a post from: Time-to-Run USA



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A third medical male circumcision clinic will be opened in the North West as part of a provincial campaign to reduce the risk of HIV infection...

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The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, has given the Elandsfontein Colliery a week to stop polluting water and...

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