Cook said last year Apple paid $US6 billion to the US coffers, a tax rate of about 30 percent.

The high level US Senate committee investigating corporate offshore tax avoidance has accused Apple of shifting billions of dollars in profits to avoid paying US taxes on a massive scale. It found Apple avoided paying $9 billion in tax in 2012. Earlier, Panel chairman Senator Carl Levin accused Apple of “exploiting an absurdity” in its tax payments.

Mr Cook told the hearing that Apple lives up to its tax obligations and more, but some lawmakers expressed outrage over findings of the panel’s probe that the tech-behemoth avoided taxes by using a web of foreign subsidiaries, some without any tax jurisdiction :: Read the full article »»»»

Copper Beech Farm – named for the Copper Beech trees, not a US misspell - is set on 20 hectares/50 acres of manicured (subdividable) lushness, it boasts 12 bedrooms – excluding separate staff quarters – 9 bathrooms, standout views across Long Island Sound, two islands, private beach, grassed tennis court, 25-metre swimming pool, a proper geenhouse, gatehouse and stone carriage house.

…it’s not he Neo-French Renaissance style that’s got the asking price so high, nor is it’s history, Copper Beech Farm is a breezy 45 minute drive – as if you’d drive – to New York City. What’s that sound real-estate agents keep making? “Location, location, location.” :: Read the full article »»»»

Because of a ‘faulty’ gene, doctors had informed Ms Jolie she had an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer and a 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer. Since having the operation, Ms Jolie, 37, says she has reduced her risk of developing breast cancer to less than 5 per cent.

In a New York Times opinion piece, the superstar, partner to Brad Pitt and mother of six, says she quietly finished three months of medical procedures on April 27. In light of Ms Jolie’s brave actions doctors are predicting an increase in the number of Australian women getting tests for breast cancer gene mutations ::::

In the NYT piece – My Medical Choice – Ms Jolie says her mother died at the age of 56 from cancer.

Because of a “faulty” gene, doctors had advised Ms Jolie that she had an extremely increased – 87 per cent risk of suffering breast cancer and a 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer – she was advised that her best chance of survival was to be proactive, to minimize the risk as much she could. Since having the operation, Jolie, 37, says she has reduced her risk of developing breast cancer to less than 5 per cent.

“Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy,” Ms Jolie wrote in NYT. ”I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex. I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made … I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer.”

The final stage of Ms Jolie’s double mastectomy involved reconstruction of the breasts with implants.

Dr Allan Spigelman, clinical director at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Sydney, expects the superstar’s comments to spark interest in cancer gene testing in Australia.

“I fully anticipate there will be very significantly renewed interest in breast cancer gene testing across the world as a result of this high-profile person very sadly carrying the gene change but very bravely going ahead to have preventative surgery,” he said.

Both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can greatly increase a woman’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes

• BRCA1and BRCA2 are genes linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
• They help repair breaks in DNA, so faulty genes mean DNA repair is not optimal
• The risk of a woman with the gene developing breast cancer is between 40 and 65 per cent
• Tests for genes are done through a blood sample
• In Australia the gene tests cost $2000 – $2500

Tests can be cheaper – even free – if genes are detected in family members About 5 per cent of breast cancers are hereditary and may involve the genes

Dr Spiegelman says there are a number of factors that can put a woman in the high risk category.

“The age of onset of these cancers, the number of people in their family with these cancers and also to a degree what some of the cancers look like under the microscope,” Dr Spiegelman said. “When you compute all of that you can come out with a probability of carrying a gene change.”

“I feel empowered”

Ms Jolie says she does not feel any less of a woman. ”I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity,” she wrote. ”For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options. I want to encourage every woman, especially if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, to seek out the information and medical experts who can help you through this aspect of your life, and to make your own informed choices.”

Ms Jolie’s long-time partner, and überspunk, Brad Pitt quickly praised his partner for her bold move.

“Having witnessed this decision firsthand, I find Angie’s choice, as well as so many others like her, absolutely heroic,” Mr Pitt told London’s Evening Standard newspaper. ”All I want for is for her to have a long and healthy life, with myself and our children. This is a happy day for our family.”

Outstanding Role Model

The Breast Cancer Network Australia – BCNA – has praised Ms Jolie for speaking out. BCNA says most breast cancers are not hereditary. But it notes 5 to 10 per cent of breast cancers occur in women whose families carry the Breast Cancer Type 1 or 2 Susceptibility Proteins – BRCA1 or BRCA2 – a gene/protien mutation, which is passed down through the family.

Dr Gillian Mitchell, the director of Familial Cancer at the Peter Mac cancer centre in Melbourne, says it was a courageous decision for Jolie to make.

“I congratulate Angelina Jolie for going public. I think she will give a lot of confidence and support to women who are trying to make the same decisions themselves,” Dr Mitchell said.”

Dr Mitchell says women in Australia can access the same surgery that Jolie had.

“If a woman is considered a risk then she is able to access the type of surgery that Angelina Jolie had, the only thing is she might have to wait on a waiting list to get that surgery,” she said. ”But certainly the best techniques are available in Australia… the option is always there.”

Emboldened by Her Own Bravery

Ms Jolie’s doctor, meanwhile, has hailed her “bold” and positive attitude as she underwent three operations to remove tissue and reconstruct her breasts in February and April.

“To a large extent, I believe recovery reflects expectation. Angelina expected to feel well, to be active,” Dr Kristi Funk wrote in a blog posted by the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Beverly Hills.

She says Brad Pitt, with whom Jolie has six children, attended for all three operations, starting on February 2 with a procedure which lessens the risk of losing the nipples.

“Her partner was on hand to greet her as soon as she came around from the anaesthetic, as he was during each of the operations,” Dr Funk said.

The main surgery was on Saturday, February 16, and “went smoothly,” she wrote. Two days later, there was good news.

“The pathology returned and I called Angelina to confirm our biggest hope: all of the breast tissue was benign,” Dr Funk wrote. ”On day four after her mastectomies, I was pleased to find her not only in good spirits with bountiful energy, but with two walls in her house covered with freshly assembled storyboards for the next project she is directing. All the while she spoke, six (surgical) drains dangled from her chest, three on each side, fastened to an elastic belt around her waist.”

Dr Funk says the final operation was carried out on April 27, ten weeks after the mastectomies, reconstructing the breasts with implants, “which went extremely well, bringing an end to her surgical journey”.

The process of having a mastectomy is relatively simple. It’s not painful, the surgery is relatively fast, it’s the chemotherapy, the process of your mind getting used to what’s happening, the affect on your entire life, the life of your loved ones, that’s really difficult. The benefits of reconstructive surgery far outweighs the pain of losing a breast.

The Faulty Gene Effects 5 Percent

Dr Spigelman says out of every 100 women with breast cancer, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations affect about five of them. Still, he says only a minority of women in Australia found to be carrying the gene mutations choose to have a double mastectomy.

He says it can be hard for women to access plastic surgeons for reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy.

“Where we’re limited is with access often to public plastic surgeons for the reconstruction component,” he said. ”However, the system that’s established in much of Australia, when women are tested involves attending a hereditary cancer clinic. Those clinics by and large have good relations with local breast surgeons and plastic surgeons so if a woman is unable to afford the procedures or is not covered by her private insurance, then we can help that woman navigate the health system so they can have the treatment of their choice.”

Our thoughts – and huge respect – go out to Ms Jolie and her family, MUCH PEACE!

If your worried about your breasts, checkout bcna.org.au it’s a pretty rich resource…

source: nyt
source: pinklotus
source: wikipedia
source: bcna

 The list of 77 names reveals one child was set to be called “Anal” before the Department of Internal Affairs vetoed the proposal, while another child narrowly avoided being dubbed “.” or full stop.

Other names on the list included “4Real”, “Lucifer”, and “/”. In some cases, parents appeared to have lost any inspiration for coming up with a moniker for their offspring, wanting to call the latest addition to the family simply “2nd”, “3rd” or “5th”.

The inhabitants of the small southern nation are apparently a proud bunch, the registrar’s rules forbid a name that might imply a child holds an official rank or title, so “King”, “Duke” and “Princess” were among those that had been turned down, we love a good over-reach!

“Justice” was the most popular, having been rejected 62 times, although “Justus” and “Juztice” also failed to gain official approval. Surprisingly there where very few applications for offensive – possibly an oxymoron – hobbit names submitted ::::

However, Wellington, the tiny nations capital renamed itself The Middle of Middle-earth. But the badtaste idea only lasted for a short while leading up to the release of the “The Hobbit” film, the three-part sequel to the “Lord of The Rings” trilogy, and the renaming was considered unofficial.

In 2008, New Zealand’s family court ordered that a nine-year-old girl whose parents had called her “Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii” should have her name changed because it was embarrassing and “makes a fool of the child”. At the time, judge Rob Murfitt criticised parents who gave their children bizarre names, citing examples such as “Number 16 Bus Shelter”, “Midnight Chardonnay” and twins called “Benson” and “Hedges”. The most common names however were just a little ambitious, “King”, “Princess”, Prince”, “Duke” and “Royal”.

The Names: Justice was attempted 62 times, King 31, Princess 28, Prince 27. Royal 25, Duke 10, Bishop 9, Majesty 7. Out of the blue, as if the Kiwi’s are psychically stupid the letter “J” racked up 6 applications, along with “Lucifer”. Other single letters included T, I, E and V (oddly all with 2 applications)

Grammatical errors also caught the registrars eyre, a dozen rejections occurred for trying to implant either brackets or backslashes into names, as well as a single rejection for Roman Numerals. Clearly this phenomenon isn’t xxx, the Kiwis seem to manage just the right amount of hick: Knight 4, Lady 3 Judge 3, Royale 2, Messiah 2, Queen 2, Sir 2, Jr 2, Justus 2 and Master 2.

Original uses (single applications) included: Constable, Queen Victoria, Regal, Emperor, Christ, Juztice, 3rd, C J, General, Saint, Lord, . (full stop), 89, Eminence, Mafia No Fear, 2nd, Majesti, Rogue, 4real, * (star symbol), 5th, Sargent, Honour, Minister, MJ, Chief, Mr, V8, President, MC, Anal, A J, Baron and Queen V.

source: afp

During the crackdown, police discovered one suspect, surnamed Wei, had used additives to spice up and sell rat, fox and mink meat at markets in Shanghai and Jiangsu province. Despite persistent efforts by police, “food safety crimes are still prominent, and new situations are emerging with new characteristics”.

Food safety and environmental pollution are chronic problems in China and public anxiety over cases of fake or toxic food often spreads quickly. In April, many consumers lost their appetite for poultry as an outbreak of the H7N9 bird flu virus spread in China :: Read the full article »»»»