U.S. Clamps Down on Corporate Tax Inversions

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/07/business/dealbook/pfizer-allergan-merger.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/05/business/dealbook/us-acts-to-end-use-of-foreign-acquisitions-to-dodge-taxes.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-touts-new-federal-rules-that-target-corporate-tax-inversions/

http://blogs.wsj.com/briefly/2016/04/05/treasurys-new-inversion-rules-at-a-glance/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aparnamathur/2016/04/06/note-to-treasury-the-problem-is-the-corporate-tax-rate-not-inversions/#300868415808

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/health-pharma/explained-the-upside-down-world-of-corporate-tax-inversions-1.2440947

Qs

1. What impact do you think the new rules will have on corporate tax inversions, such as Pfizer's proposed merger with Allergan?
2. Do you think increasing regulations is the best method to stop corporate tax inversions, or is decreasing the corporate tax rate itself a better solution?
3. How can corporate income taxes be reformed so companies can locate where they want and still pay their fair share of taxes?

FaceBook programs computers to Describe photos for the blind

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/business/2016-04-06/facebook-programs-computers-to-describe-photos-for-the-blind/1776425161264.html

1. Does being able to hear a description of a photo of one your friends post appeal to you?Why or why not?
2. Are there groups other than blind people who might use this service?
3. How could the automatic alternative text feature become more dynamic in the future?

Forget delivery drones, meet your new delivery robot

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/02/forget-delivery-drones-meet-your-new-delivery-robot.html

Discussion Qustions

1. What do you like about the idea of robot delivery of packages? What do you see as the potential concerns?
2. Are drones or robots the better solution for automated package delivery? Why?
3. Would robots increase profits for Fedex and UPS? Why or why not?

Russia claims its deadly T-14 Armata tank is in full production

http://www.businessinsider.com/russia-claims-t14-armata-tank-is-in-production-2016-3

• What concerns do you have about the current trends in the arms industry? Why?
• Why do you think modern armaments are so expensive?
• Should there be an internationally standardized method to accurately measure armaments data? Why? Is it feasible?
• How do you think military's can decrease armament spending? What are the costs and benefits? Are they worth it?

CrowdSignals Aims to Create a Marketplace for Smartphone Sensor Data
Christian Reyes

• In your opinion, will this project be successful in raising money?
• If so, what has caused it to successfully raise money?
• If not, what caused it to be unsuccessful? What may the project need to include for attracting attention and gathering donations?
• Would you (or other companies) be interested in investing in the project?
• Other than getting donations, how else could the company raise money besides crowdfunding?
• Would the findings open up new opportunities for different fields?

Why Obama’s visit to Cuba is groundbreaking

http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2016/03/economist-explains-13

1. Would you visit Cuba once travel there is easier?
2. Do you think Cuba will benefit from trading with the US and allowing tourists from the US as well? Why?
3. Why do you think the relationship between the US and Cuba changed?

USC’s Tuition Will Top $50,000 for the First Time

Discussion Questions:

1. Is attending a private school of global renown like USC worth paying over $50,000 annually? Would the tuition hike change your mind?
2. Do you believe that the USC student government was right in demanding transparency on the allocation of tuition funds? Was their tuition freeze request reasonable?
3. How much will cost, college reputation, or program quality factor into your decision of where to attend college? What other crucial factors have influenced your preference of where you study?