New York - Whirlpool, the world's largest maker of household appliances, barely stayed in the black in the first quarter, according to the report issued Monday by the Benton Harbor, Michigan- based company. But despite the earnings drop of 28 per cent to 68 million dollars, the company defied analysts' expectations it would go into the red. Revenues fell 23 per cent to 3.6 billion dollars compared to the same period of 2008 for the US firm now owned by Germany's Bauknecht.

The rival Swedish firm Electrolux reported three-times the losses it reported in the same period last year.

New York, April 27: Madonna’s high-powered connections in the fashion industry are lending a helping hand to her alleged toyboy lover Jesus Luz, according to reports.

Sources have claimed that pals of the 50-year-old singer were playing a key role in boosting her 22-year-old Brazilian boyfriend’s career.

Marc Jacobs, the Creative Director of the prestigious Louis Vuitton label, was alleged to have penned “a letter of support for Jesus'' work permit” to let him to stay in the country.

New York, Apr 27: It seems bad luck has hit Jessica Biel’s Hollywood career.

The 27-year-old’s new film ‘Powder’ will not be released in theatres, instead it is heading straight to DVD.

The film, in which Biel plays the role of a stripper, also stars Ray Liotta, Kris Kristofferson, Forest Whitaker and Lisa Kudrow, reports the New York Post.

Another film ‘Easy Virtue’, based on the Noel Coward play, will also get a limited release by Sony on May 22.

New York, Apr 27: American actress Jamie Lynn Spears’ baby’s father, Casey Aldridge, has been hospitalised for a fractured skull after his pickup veered off the road and flipped.

The incident happened during a Louisiana bachelor-party outing, and Aldridge, 19, has been charged with careless driving after the crash near Lake Bruin in Tensas Parish, La.

New York, Apr 27: Robert De Niro and Graydon Carter’s Tribeca Film Festival opening night party last week at the state criminal courthouse inspired celebrity guests to suggest the possible prosecution of US politician Dick Cheney.

Cheney, 68, who served as Vice President during George W. Bush’s presidency, has been accusing President Obama of risking national security by releasing CIA documents about waterboarding and other torture used against terror suspects.

New York, Apr 27: At 33 years of age, Kate Winslet is not only the quintessential beauty for men all over the world, but even high school boys seem to have hots for the British actress.

Recently, the ‘Titanic’ star was spotted being followed by two high-school guys.

According to a source, the Oscar winning actress was walking down Sixth Avenue at 26th Street the other day with a male friend, "wearing working-out gear” as two boys tried hitting on her.