Human Waste Used As Renewable Energy

Human Waste Used as Renewable Energy

Research 5

Starbucks 'paid just £8.6m UK tax in 14 years'

16 October 2012

US coffee giant Starbucks reportedly paid just £8.6m in corporation tax in the UK over 14 years. 

The four-month investigation by news agency Reuters also found the firm had paid nothing in the last three years.

Starbucks UK reported losses so did not have to pay corporation tax, but told investors that it was "profitable".

"We have paid and will continue to pay our fair share of taxes in full compliance with all UK tax laws, as we always have," Starbucks said.

definitions

facts- A thing that is indisputably the case.

opinions- A view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

theory- A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.

research- The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

prediction- A thing predicted; a forecast.

argument- An exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated or angry one: "I've had an argument with my father".

analogy- A comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

reduction- The action or fact of making a specified thing smaller or less in amount, degree, or size: "a reduction in the number of casualties".

reflection- The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.

principle of simplicity- Occam's razor (or Ockham's razor) is often expressed in Latin as the lex parsimoniae (translating to the law of parsimony, law of economy or law of succinctness). The principle is popularly interpreted as "the simplest explanation is usually the correct one".

principle of causality- Causality is the relationship between an event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the second event is a consequence of the first.

principle of reliability- An accounting rule that helps make sure that accounting records and statements use the most accurate information available.

principle of utility- If an act or rule is right, it will produce the greatest happiness or the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

secular society- A secular society is a society that runs on a non-religious basis. In other words, legislators and government officials are generally barred from imposing laws or policies with the intent of furthering a particular religious agenda.

human rights- A right that is believed to belong justifiably to every person.

parole- The release of a prisoner temporarily (for a special purpose) or permanently before the completion of a sentence, on the promise of good behaviour.

Is nuclear power good or bad?

I believe that nuclear power is good and bad. I think it is bad as it causes radio active pollution in the atmosphere which can cause people to get cancer, it also can destroy a lot of people.
However I believe that it is also good as it helps produce a lot of energy and electricity for the world. it also gives some countries a sense of defence as they might have nuclear bombs which is a very big bomb.

Advantages of nuclear energy

• Almost zero emissions (very low greenhouse gas emissions).
• They can be sited almost anywhere unlike oil which is mostly imported.
• The plants almost never experience problems if not from human error, which almost never happens anyway because the plant only needs a small group to operate it.
• A small amount of matter creates a large amount of energy.
• A lot of energy is generated from a single power plant.

Disadvantages of nuclear energy

Nuclear plants are more expensive to build and maintain.

•  Proliferation concerns - breeder reactors yield products that could potentially be stolen and turned into an atomic weapon.
• Early nuclear research and experimentation has created massive contamination problems that are still uncontained.
• A lot of waste from early reactors was stored in containers meant for only a few decades, but is well past expiration resulting in leaks are furthering contamination.
• Nuclear power plants can be dangerous to its surroundings and employees. It would cost a lot to clean in case of spillages.

Research 4

April Jones: Suspect Mark Bridger weeps as he appears in court charged with her murder

- Angry mob gathers outside

- Bridger remanded in custody

The former lifeguard accused of the abduction and murder of five-year-old April Jones wept as he appeared in court today.

Mark Bridger cried to himself as he confirmed his name, age and address, and that he understood the charges.

Bridger is accused of abducting and murdering April, and of unlawfully disposing of and concealing of her body with intent to pervert the course of justice.

There were angry scenes outside Aberystwyth Magistrates' Court as the police van Bridger was in was punched and kicked while members of the crowd shouted "Scum" and "F****** kill him".

During the four-minute hearing Bridger, who wore a blue jumper, was remanded in custody to appear at Caernarfon Crown Court on Wednesday.

The unshaven 46-year-old did not make eye contact with anyone, but answered "yes" when asked if he had understood each charge.

He also confirmed his date of birth as November 6, 1965, and his Mount Pleasant farmhouse address in the village Ceinws.

Neither district crown prosecutor Iwan Jenkins, or John Hedgecoe, defending Bridger, were called on to speak during the brief hearing.

April was last seen near her home on the Bryn-y-Gog estate in the mid-Wales town of Machynlleth last Monday evening. Bridger was arrested the following day, but the search for April's body goes on.

The five-year-old was last seen getting into what is believed to have been a Land Rover Discovery last Monday evening.

Her parents Coral Jones, 40, and husband Paul, 44, had allowed her to play out late as a treat after she received a glowing school report that day at a parents' evening which Bridger also attended.

Bridger, who owns a Discovery, was arrested last Tuesday afternoon and was charged on Saturday.

The case sparked an outpouring of support for April's parents, with hundreds of people joining in the search and offering their assistance.

Tonight April's family will release a Chinese lantern from their garden in Machynlleth, and have asked friends, neighbours, and anyone else across the country to light a small candle at the same time to remember her.

Yesterday more than 700 people packed into Machynlleth's St Peter's Church to attend an emotional service.

Reverend Kathleen Rogers, who led the moving sermon, said prayers for April's parents and paid tribute to the community who had pulled together to help in the search.

She read a touching poem on behalf of April's mother called "Mum" as the Bishop of Bangor, Reverend Andy John, said the tight-knit community had "touched the heart of people around the world".

He revealed that emails had been received from as far afield as South Africa and New Zealand - with a church in Texas even making a donation.

Mountain rescue teams were stood down last night as the search operation switched emphasis.

But the hunt continued today, with investigating officers revealing police numbers on the ground were doubled this morning.

Night-time search efforts have been suspended, with the shift in manpower being described as a change of "resources rather intensity".

Superintendent Ian John, who was in court for Bridger's hearing this morning, paid tribute to mountain rescue volunteers "who have worked themselves to a standstill in the search for April".

Mr John, who has led the search for the missing schoolgirl, said: "We are upping our numbers to 18 teams which will be over 100 officers."

Welsh Secretary David Jones also hailed the "tremendous community spirit" of the people of Machynlleth.

Addressing the Conservative Party conference, he asked activists in Birmingham to "spare a few thoughts today for April Jones, her family and the officers of Dyfed-Powys Police and the search and rescue services".

"Most particularly, could I ask you to think about the people of Machynlleth who, over the last seven really harrowing days, have displayed such tremendous community spirit," he said.

Research 3

Usain Bolt plans to defend Olympic sprint titles in Rio

Usain Bolt says he intends to defend his Olympic100m and 200m sprint titles at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

The Jamaican, who retained both titles as well as the 4x100m in London, said he has decided against switching to either the 400m or long jump.

"To do the three [sprints], that is the focus. I don't want to try any different events at Rio," he said.

"I will just defend my titles to show the world there's a possibility I can do it again."

The 26-year-old insisted he has no intention of easing off in his training.

Bolt, who also holds the 100m and 200m world records, said he aimed to run even faster next year, during which the World Championships will be held in Moscow.

He added: "It's all about hard work. When I was doing great when I was young, people used to say I was fast for my age, but I have put a lot of work into it since I was a senior athlete.

"I continue to work hard, continue staying focused and pushing myself.

"So for me that's the focus right now - to see how fast I can go and I definitely try to go faster each year."

Bolt became the first man to retain both Olympic sprint titles when he led home a Jamaica clean sweep in a time of 19.32 seconds in the 200m in London in August, with Yohan Blake in silver and Warren Weir in bronze.

It came after he had seen off Blake's challenge to win the 100m in 9.63 seconds, just 0.05 seconds slower than his own staggering world record, in what was a new Olympic best.

Speaking after he had completed his second Olympic sprint treble, Bolt had cast doubt on his participation in the events in Rio when he said: "My coach wants me to do 400m, I want to try long jump. It's just about making different goals, there's a lot of things I can do in the sport."

Nuclear Fusion

A nuclear reaction in which two light nuclei (such as hydrogen) combine to form a heavier nuclei (such as helium).

Nuclear Fission

A nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus (such as uranium) splits into two lighter nuclei (and possible some other radioactive particles as well).

Genetic Modification

The manipulation of the genetic material of an organism to produce desired traits, such as nutritional quality, photosynthetic efficiency and herbicide resistance.

presentation

General Studies Powerpoint

Research 2

Increase in the number of unemployed graduates

An increasing number of university graduates are failing to find work, with almost half still unemployed after three months, according to new research from council leaders.

Research by the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals the number of graduates in full-time work has fallen to 51%, compared with 57% in 2003. The number of graduates going into part-time work is also increasing, going from 7% to 11% in the same time period.

The figures also show that there is huge variation between regions due to variable job opportunities. Out of the 20 areas with the lowest proportion of graduates in full-time employment, 17 are in London. The capital has more highly skilled jobs so attracts a higher number of university leavers looking for work.

The LGA is calling on Government to give councils and employers greater powers so they can match skills training with the jobs available in local labour markets.

Peter Box, chairman of the LGA’s Economy and Transport Board, said: ‘Councils and employers best understand their local labour markets, and we want to work with universities to ensure graduates are not only equipped to take local jobs but that we are able harness their talent to drive growth in our economies. We need to ensure that the skills people have make a better match with the jobs that are being created in a local area.

‘Failure to get this right is not only disastrous for young people, but for taxpayers too. Young people who are trying to get on the career ladder are instead finding themselves without a job and potentially falling into long-term unemployment. This can have scarring effects that last a lifetime and have a huge cost to the taxpayer in welfare and benefits.’

authorities

The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience: "he had absolute authority over his subordinates".

scientific revolution

The scientific revolution refers to the rapid advances in European scientific, mathematical, and political thought, based on a new philosophy of empiricism and a faith in progress that defined Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. 

occams razor

Suggests that you should take the simplest possible explanation.

deduction

This is where a conclusion is drawn from pieces on information that are true.