Aristotle

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question:By . Jason Groves and Peter Campbell . PUBLISHED: . 19:30 EST, 3 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 02:34 EST, 4 December 2012 . Outcry: Starbucks is set to pay more tax in the UK after it was accused of acting 'immorally' after it emerged that it has paid no corporation tax in 14 of the past 15 years . Starbucks is set to pay more tax in the UK following public outcry at its convoluted financial dealings. The US-owned coffee chain was accused by MPs of acting ‘immorally’ after it emerged that it has paid no corporation tax in this country for 14 of the past 15 years. The company, which enjoys a market share of 31 per cent, had a turnover of almost £400million in Britain last year – but recorded no taxable profits. The Commons Public Accounts Committee said it found the figures ‘difficult to believe’. The chain is facing a boycott, which was backed yesterday by the Treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander. He and the Chancellor have now announced plans for a £10billion crackdown on tax-dodging by corporations and wealthy individuals. On Sunday Starbucks confirmed it had opened talks with HM Revenue and Customs on its tax affairs, saying it ‘needed to do more’ on tax in the UK. Yesterday it emerged that the company is preparing to change a controversial arrangement under which it sends 4.7 per cent of its turnover to the Netherlands, where it enjoys a special low tax rate. The move is expected to result in the firm recording taxable profits in this country. Starbucks declined to comment last night, but it is expected to make a detailed statement on the changes later this week. The news emerged as the Public Accounts . Committee released a devastating report on HMRC’s handling of the tax . affairs of major corporations. 'Name and shame': The Public Accounts Committee chairman Margaret Hodge called on ministers to reveal firms that were not paying their fair share and suggested that the Government should back boycotts . MPs said Starbucks and fellow major . multinationals Amazon and Google have contributed to a £32billion tax . gap between the amount HMRC is due and the amount it receives, thanks to . legal ruses that slash their tax liability in this country. The committee’s Labour chairman . Margaret Hodge called on ministers to ‘name and shame’ firms that are . not paying their fair share, and suggested that the Government should . back boycotts. Crackdown plans: Treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander is backing a boycott . Warning that . corporation tax was in danger of ‘becoming voluntary’, she said: ‘At . the moment it’s a bit like David and Goliath, with the companies being . supported by very experienced, highly-paid accountants and lawyers. 'We . want to up the game from HMRC. I think they can take more cases to . court.’ She added: ‘We can say we won’t buy from companies. I think it’s good citizenship.’ Mr . Alexander dismissed the idea of naming and shaming tax dodgers, saying . confidentiality remained ‘a very important part of our tax system’. In a . joint announcement, he and Chancellor George Osborne said HMRC will . receive an extra £154million over the next two years to clamp down on . tax dodging by major corporations and the super-rich. The Treasury . forecasts the money will claw back £10billion over the next five years. The . resources will be used to target so-called transfer pricing . arrangements, which critics say allow firms to shift profits to tax . havens abroad. HMRC’s ‘affluence unit’ will also recruit 100 more . investigators.

answer:Starbucks, a U.S.-owned coffee chain, is facing significant public and political pressure over its tax practices in the UK. The company has paid no corporation tax in 14 of the past 15 years, despite a turnover of nearly £400 million in Britain last year. This revelation has sparked outrage, with MPs accusing the company of acting immorally. The Commons Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Labour MP Margaret Hodge, has called for the government to name and shame companies that avoid paying their fair share of taxes and even suggested backing boycotts. In response to the backlash, Starbucks has confirmed it is in talks with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to address its tax affairs and is expected to change a controversial arrangement that sends 4.7% of its turnover to the Netherlands, where it benefits from a lower tax rate. This move is anticipated to result in the company recording taxable profits in the UK. The government is also taking action, with Treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander and Chancellor George Osborne announcing a £10 billion crackdown on tax avoidance by corporations and wealthy individuals. HMRC will receive an additional £154 million over the next two years to enhance its efforts, including targeting transfer pricing arrangements that allow firms to

question:Hey Jordan, These are great ideas! I love the progression from exploration to application. For the final project, a simple motor would be really cool, but might be a bit ambitious for your age group? Maybe something like a magnetic car or a magnetic maze where they have to guide a magnetic ball through the maze using another magnet on the outside? Another idea - we did an activity last year where the kids made compasses using just a needle, a magnet, and a bowl of water. It was a big hit and really helped drive home the concept of magnetic fields. That could be a good one to add to your line-up. Keep me posted on how it goes! And let me know if you want me to send over the compass activity details. Alex

answer:Alex appreciates the ideas for the magnetism unit and suggests a magnetic car or maze as a final project, noting a simple motor might be too ambitious. Alex also recommends a compass-making activity that was successful last year and offers to share the details.

question:Your response should contain at least 3 sentences. Include keywords [research, development, innovation] in the response. In your response, the word [research] should appear at least 2 times. What are the key components of a successful research and development project?

answer:A successful research and development project hinges on several key components. First, thorough research is essential to understand the current landscape and identify gaps that need to be addressed. Effective collaboration and innovation are also crucial, as they drive the development of new ideas and solutions that can lead to breakthroughs in the project. Additionally, clear goals and a well-defined timeline help ensure that the research efforts stay on track and yield tangible results.

question:I would like to write a mystery story and am looking for a unique plot. What would be an unusual and intriguing premise for a mystery story?

answer:An unusual and intriguing premise for a mystery story could be centered around a mysterious affliction that causes its victims to experience memories that aren't their own. These memories are vivid, detailed, and feel utterly real, but they belong to someone else entirely. Imagine a small, isolated town where residents begin to report strange occurrences of borrowed memories. At first, it starts with small things: a woman remembers a childhood birthday party she never attended, a man recalls a wedding he never went to. But as time passes, the memories become more disturbing and more frequent. The main character, a psychologist or a detective with a keen interest in the human mind, arrives in the town to investigate the strange phenomenon. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they begin to experience the borrowed memories themselves, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. The investigation could lead to a variety of potential plot twists: Are the memories a result of some sort of psychic phenomenon, or is there a more sinister explanation, such as a mind control experiment gone wrong? Are the memories connected to a traumatic event in the town's past, or are they a warning of something yet to come? This premise offers a unique blend of psychological suspense, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural, allowing you to explore themes of identity, memory, and the human psyche. The borrowed memories could also serve as a metaphor for the way memories shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. As you build your story, you could weave in elements of mystery, thriller, and sci-fi genres, keeping the reader guessing and invested in uncovering the truth behind the strange occurrences in the town.