London, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – A report released Thursday by the Department for Work and Pensions found that about 1.5 million Britons abused the country’s welfare system the past decade by claiming welfare payments, but refusing work.

According to the report, about 750,000 of them were given sanctions and had their benefits cuts because they refused to follow regulations that would help them get jobs. Another 177,000 got Jobseeker’s Allowance and turned down offers, 444,000 more quit their work voluntarily and filed for Jobseeker’s Allowance and 123,000 were sanctioned because they claimed allowance after they were fired because of misconduct.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said because of these abuses of Britain’s welfare system, the coalition government will impose tougher rules. Among the regulations the government is considering is to introduce fixed-term cuts in benefits beginning at three months and going up to three years for Britons who repeatedly refuse to obey regulations.

Another investigation the DWP initiated is on Britons receiving welfare, but who have moved overseas to warmer countries such as Spain and Thailand, or other western nations such as the U.S. and Sweden.

The department is also running after relatives who claim benefits of dead welfare recipients, those who have unreported assets such as property, savings or even yachts and those with exaggerated disability.

Minister for Welfare Reform Lord Freud estimated the cost to taxpayers for welfare payments to Britons living overseas at $99 million (GBP 66 million) in 2009.

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Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – Fifty Pakistani students are due to arrive in the United States in the first week of 2011 under an exchange program.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs Alina Romanowski announced their arrival during a conference call on Thursday. She said a special effort was made to select students who have never before traveled to the U.S.

The students are part of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan (Global UGRAD-Pakistan). Global UGRAD-Pakistan students engage in one semester of non-degree study and are placed at more than 35 accredited two- and four-year higher education institutions in more than 25 states.

Romanowski noted that at least one course on American History, also termed an “American Studies Course,” must be pursued by the visiting students.

The students were not screened for any “terrorist mentality,” nor for “religious backgrounds,” Romanowski told journalists. All, however, had to go through the regular visa application screening process.

She said all of the students would return home at the end of the course.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in coordination with partner organization IREX, will host an orientation in Washington for the students Jan. 3-6, according to a State Department communique.

Launched in fall 2010, Global UGRAD-Pakistan is design to provide a “substantive exchange experience” at a U.S. college or university to emerging student leaders from underrepresented sectors in Pakistan, according to the communique. The goal of the program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Pakistan.

Due to the security situation in Pakistan, the exchange program is limited to a “welcome program” for the Pakistani students as no American students are going to terror-infested Pakistan.

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Rome, Italy (AHN) – Italy has decided to impose a complete ban on all plastic shopping bags beginning Jan. 1. The move will make Italy the first European Union nation to outlaw use of plastic bags.

Italian Environment Minister Stefania Prestigiacomo described the ban as a significant step against pollution. Shops and markets have been told to switch to biodegradable, paper or cloth bags immediately, a move seen as encouraging recycling.

Environmental groups hailed the government’s decision. However, not everyone was happy with the ban, as shoppers and retailers did not see paper bags as safe because they break when they get wet.

To cope with the ban, some Italian manufacturers have started producing fashionable biodegradable shopping bags for trendy Italians.

Prestigiacomo also said the government would launch a public awareness campaign to promote the use of recycled bags “that don’t just have to be practicable and good for the environment but also fashionable.”

The government’s announcement came just hours after French and Belgian marine biologists warned about the possibility of a biological hazard that could be caused by the presence of some 250 billion microscopic pieces of plastic bags in the Mediterranean.

Italians are the top plastic bag users in the 27-nation bloc as an average person there uses more than 300 bags annually.

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An associate degree is, generally, a two year degree. It’s a nice stepping stone for some toward pursuing a bachelors, masters, or even higher college degrees. For others, it is a means to a particular job like hotel management, where an associates can get you a great job. Obtaining an on the internet school degree offers lots of advantages for anyone which fall into both groups.

The first way which a 2 year degree online can help is by being flexible. For many, the pursuit of a 2 year degree online is a means to a career change. Those in that situation can’t afford to stop his or her careers, live off loans and campus work opportunities, and pursue an 2 year degree online full time. Rather, they must be in a position to work and earn a full time income while attending institution.

In addition, lots of of the courses are self-paced so that you can get through them as quick as you like or take your time depending on your work schedule. So if you are going after a degree to be a criminologist, or even a corrections officer, it can be done while working your current job and going after your associate degree on line.

The additional method that an learning on-line degree can be helpful is which it is less expensive than going to a conventional junior college or community institution. Numerous associate degree programs are through colleges that operate exclusively on the net.

A 2 year degree can offer a great deal to people who need it. Whether your associate degree is just a beginning or even the way to your new job, you should consider pursuing it online.

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Peter G. Peterson has been selected to receive the Museum of American Finance’s 2011 John C. Whitehead Award for Distinguished Public Service and Financial Leadership. The award is presented annually to a person who has demonstrated a high order of achievement and leadership in the field of finance, and also served with notable distinction in the public sector. It is named after John C. Whitehead, former Deputy Secretary of State and Co-Chair of Goldman Sachs who has h

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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (AHN) – Many Canadian workers would begin 2011 paying higher personal income and payroll taxes, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation warned Tuesday.

For personal income taxes, the federation said all the 16 income and family groups in each Canadian province would pay 2 percent higher taxes.

For business payroll taxes, because of hikes in payroll tax thresholds, workers earning more than $44,200 a year would shell out $76 more, while their employers would have to pay $110 more.

The federation blamed the increase to the federal government’s hike in the Canadian Pension Plan premiums and the creation of new, non-insurance based programs funded by Employment Insurance premiums, which caused the program to create a deficit to be covered by higher rates.

The federation pointed out that income tax and payroll tax increases in previous years evened out because some groups enjoyed cuts, while others had to pay more. In 2011, all income levels, family scenarios and geographical location would be affected negatively.

Worst hit will be residents of Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia because inflation rates in these provinces are higher than national average. As a consequence, Ontario residents would be hit with a 4.3 percent increase, BC residents 2.9 percent and Nova Scotians 2.8 percent.

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Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines (AHN) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino III signed Monday the $36.4 billion (PHP 1.6 trillion) national budget for 2011. The biggest allocation went to education, followed by national defense and public works and highways.

It was the first time since 1999 that the Philippine budget was signed into law on the same year it was submitted, indicating improved relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government. It used a zero-based budgeting approach in which allocations were justified before they were approved, unlike the previous budgets in which the existing allocations were merely added or reduced.

With the highest allocation to education, Aquino said the budget would permit the building of new classrooms and employment of new teachers.

The president also vetoed 13 items in the budget, which is 6.8 percent higher compared to the current budget. Aside from placing top priority on education, the budget also focuses on social programs by including a $478.3 million (PHP 21 billion) allocation for a cash handout program to poor Filipino families.

Aquino gets in the budget a $27.3 million (PHP 1.2 billion) confidential and intelligence fund that does not have to go through the Commission on Audit.

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Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – A salmonella outbreak has hit the District of Colombia and 16 states in the U.S., according to a report released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most of the victims ate alfalfa sprouts purchased from Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches stores. The food outlet bought the sprouts from Tiny Greens Organic Farm.

Tiny Greens distributes alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts in 4-ounce and 5-pound containers to farmers’ markets, groceries and dining establishments. The spicy sprouts include alfalfa, radish and clover sprouts.

Because of the salmonella outbreak, Jimmy John’s founder Jimmy John Liautaud advised franchisees to withdraw the sprouts from their outlets across Illinois. About 50 percent of those who became sick since Nov. 1 after eating the sprouts were from Illinois.

Tiny Greens also sells the vegetable in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and other Midwestern states. The Food and Drug Administration cautioned those residents not to eat food with sprouts on them and ordered dining establishments to throw out their stock of alfalfa sprouts.

According to the CDC, salmonella is one of the seven pathogens that are the top causes of ailments, hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. The six others are: norovirus, Campylobacter, Toxoplasma, E.coli 0157, Listeria and Clostridium perfringens. Salmonella, transmitted through food, caused 28 percent of deaths and 35 percent of hospitalizations.

Foodborne diseases cause 48 million Americans to become sick, 128,000 to be hospitalized and 3,000 deaths yearly.

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An online MBA program is perfect for working professionals who are looking at building their career opportunities. A good online MBA program will include a comprehensive learning module and a flexible study ambience where you can develop your skills and potentials. Getting an executive MBA online is a great way to move ahead in your professional career and learn the vital leadership skills that are so essential for professional success. The MBA degree represents a leading management qualification that creates highly competent professional managers. The MBA degree can help increase an individual’s salary. After obtaining the MBA degree, many graduates either gained a promotion with an increase in salary or found better paid jobs. Ultimately, many of them went on to climb impressive career ladder. They enjoyed success in both rank and salary. Apart from two year regular MBA course, students also have option of going for part time MBA degree program. Normally, this is of three year duration which also provides student with option of earn while learn. Students have other options as well to earn MBA degree. Besides, regular and part time courses, candidates can opt for distance learning and online MBA programs as well which are relatively cheaper and more flexible.

An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a graduate degree obtained at a university or college that offers both theoretical and practical training to provide graduates general knowledge about general business management functions. The MBS degree may have a specific focus as: accounting, marketing or finance. The MBA degree courses offer students knowledge on economics, organizational behavior, marketing, international business, finance, government policy, accounting and information technology management. There are several ways of attending MBA courses. Nowadays MBA degrees can be accessed through online, distance learning or e-learning as the program offered by the Open University Business School. Due to the large variety of MBA degrees offered worldwide, the elite business schools are being accredited by independent bodies as the Association of MBAs. This association acts as a global network for the MBA community: MBA students, MBA graduates, schools, businesses and employers.

Many young professionals who have started their career with their undergraduate degree tend to shun pursuing a graduate degree or higher education beyond a bachelor degree. They think they have spent 4 to 5 years at college, and it’s time to earn their way through their career, and going back to study for a graduate degree is a waste of time and money. Although it’s true that a strong education background is only one of many contributing factors in a success career, it may become your key determination factor to successfully secure a career opportunity that you meet along your career path. Owning an MBA degree would prove to be an advantage especially if you are vying for high level position. One of the main reasons to opt for an MBA degree is to increase your salary earning potential and advance your career. When applying for certain jobs, you will soon realize that an MBA is a necessity. Some employers might not even consider you eligible without one. An MBA degree helps you acquire a range of management and people skills and prepares you for positions of leadership. By virtue of the curriculum, training and research involved in an MBA program, your educational horizons expand and your overall vision remains longsighted. This is exactly what employers are looking for when they choose an MBA graduate over another applicant.

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The McCarton Foundation Rings The Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on December 27, 2010 in New York City. Please visit http://www.youtube.com/user/nysetv1 for a brief video of The McCarton Foundation’s visit to The NYSE. About the McCarton Foundation The McCarton Foundation is dedicated to increasing the educational opportunities for children with autism and making a better life for them and their families. The McCarton Foundation was founded in 2002 by Cece

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