TopNews - New York

US couple’s live `lip-dub` wedding proposal video goes viral

Jamie Williamson — Mon, 28 May 2012 15:22:23 +0000

New York, May 28 : A Portland actor showed his extraordinary romantic side when he got together 60 of his friends to propose to his girlfriend through a live lip-synced version of the Bruno Mars song `Marry Me'.

A YouTube video of the proposal, which took place on Wednesday, has already become an online hit with more than 300,000 views, the Daily Mail reported.

Isaac Lamb popped the question to his girlfriend Amy Frankel in what he has billed as the "first live lip dub proposal" - an elaborate, choreographed dance routine that has already been viewed over 1.5 million times on YouTube.

HRW calls on Pak govt. to prosecute Ahmadi massacre suspects

Jamie Williamson — Mon, 28 May 2012 11:13:58 +0000

New York, May 28 : The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said Pakistan''s federal and provincial governments should bring to justice those responsible for the May 2010 attacks on Ahmadiyya mosques.

On May 28, 2010, Islamist militants attacked two Ahmadiyya mosques in the city of Lahore with guns, grenades, and suicide bombs, killing 94 people and wounding well over 100.

The Punjabi Taliban had claimed responsibility for the attack. Two men were captured during the attack, but the government has failed to make progress on their trial.

Uggs launches Swarovski crystal-covered wedding boots for brides

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 26 May 2012 09:22:55 +0000

New York, May 26 : Popular Australian footwear company Uggs has unveiled a new line of wedding boots for brides.

The cozy "I Do" collection includes two ankle boot styles: glitter fabric or Swarovski crystal-covered. There's also fluffy flip-flops.

However, Brides-to-be prepping for their big day said Thursday the new creations were just plain "Ugg-ly".

"I would judge anyone who would wear them," the New York Daily News wuoted one Amy Longpre from Ontario, Canada, who was picking up her gown at David's Bridal on Sixth Ave, as saying.

"They're not girlie enough," she said.

Michelle Obama wishes she was Beyonce

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 26 May 2012 08:58:56 +0000

New York, May 26 - US First Lady Michelle Obama harbours musical dreams. She says she would have loved if she had the gift of a melodious voice and she could sing like Beyonce Knowles.

"Gosh, if I had some gift, I'd be Beyonce. I'd be some great singer," people. com quoted Obama as saying.

"The power of music, being able to play an instrument... It looks like musicians just have the most fun," she added. (IANS)

Did Rajat Gupta spill the beans about Project Moon?

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 26 May 2012 05:02:12 +0000

New York, May 26 - A prosecution witness revealed a jam company's secret plan code-named Project Moon as government sought to prove that as a director for Goldman Sachs and Procter & Gamble Rajat Gupta was spilling the beans about both.

Prosecution has alleged that Indian-American Gupta told convicted hedge fund billionaire Raj Rajaratnam about Procter & Gamble selling its Folgers Coffee brand to Ohio-based The JM Smucker's Co., before the deal went public in June 2008.

Morgan Stanley to compensate retail investors following Facebook IPO fiasco

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:45:30 +0000

New York, May 23 : Morgan Stanley, the lead investment bank in Facebook''s troubled initial public offering, has confirmed to compensate retail investors, who overpaid when they bought stock in the social network site''s flotation.

According to the Daily Star, a source with the firm said the financial company was reviewing the orders, its retail clients placed for Facebook stock and would make price adjustments if the clients paid too much. However, the person did not say what amount constituted overpaying.

Brokerage sues Nasdaq for $36m losses due to glitch during Facebook flotation

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:06:33 +0000

New York, May 26 : A broker in New York has asked Nasdaq to compensate it for up to 35 million dollars ($A36.01 million) in losses on the Facebook initial public offering (IPO), due to the market''s computer problems on the first day of trade.

In a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday, Knight Capital said that it had submitted a claim to Nasdaq for losses related to Friday''s computer problems, which disrupted buy and sell orders during the launch of the US 16 ($A16.46) billion dollars IPO and thereby causing chaos at many brokerages.

Jailed hedge-fund manager Rajaratnam’s VIP list included ex-Goldman Sachs director Gupta’s name

Jamie Williamson — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:26:58 +0000

New York, May 23 : A former assistant of jailed hedge-fund manager Raj Rajaratnam has said in his testimony against ex-Goldman Sachs Director Rajat Gupta, that Rajaratnam had kept a VIP list of people, which included the name of the Indian American businessman, who has been put to trial by a Manhattan court.

The assistant, Carlyn Eisenberg, told a Manhattan federal court jury that Gupta, was among the few names on the list.

Gupta, 63, has been accused of insider-trading charges that helped Rajaratnam, who was his friend.

Rajat Gupta was on Rajaratnam's 'Important People' list: Witness

Jamie Williamson — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:04:53 +0000

New York, May 23 - Former Indian-American director of Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta was once on convicted hedge fund billionaire Raj Rajaratnam's "important people" list, according to a prosecution witness.

On the second day of the insider-trading trial of Gupta in Manhattan federal court, Rajaratnam's executive assistant Caryn Eisenberg said that her former boss was very particular about not being disturbed at the beginning and end of the trading day. But he made an exception for those listed as "important people" in Eisenberg's notebook. Among them were Gupta and three other Indian Americans.

Wine in tulip-shaped glass `tastes better`

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:21:46 +0000

New York, May 22 : A French glassmaker has launched a new design of glass that they claim improves the taste of wine by maintaining balance between the alcohol and the aroma.

The tulip-shaped glass, with a wide flat base and a vertical "chimney", will prevent the alcohol from overpowering the aroma of wine when the glass is swirled, according to Baccarat, a maker of luxury crystal glassware.

The design prevents the usual large-scale swirling movement, which oxidises the wine and burns off the delicate aromas, and retains the subtlety in the vintages, the firm said.

Selena Gomez Facebook hacker sentenced to one year in jail

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:20:10 +0000

New York, May 22 : The British fan who hacked Selena Gomez's Facebook, Twitter and four personal email accounts, has been sentenced to one year in jail.

British fast-food worker Gareth Crosskey infiltrated into the 19-year-old singer's social media accounts last January, reportedly to make a point about Facebook's lack of security after his own account was hacked.

In return, Crosskey, 21, was slapped with a 12-month jail sentence for two charges under London's Computer Misuse Act, Britain's Sun newspaper reported.

`Man chips` to satisfy red-blooded appetite of stereotypical male

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:20:09 +0000

New York, May 22 : In the wake of the increasingly growing trend in which manufacturers are coming out with gender-specific products, a popular snack food brand Ruffles has unveiled new chips dubbed `Ultimate Chips `n' Dips', targeted specifically for male consumers.

The chips are being pitched as `man chips', made to satisfy the red blooded appetite of a stereotypical male, the New York Daily News reported.

Ridges are twice the size and depth of ridges in the original Ruffles potato chips and come in various flavors such as `Sweet `n' Smoking` BBQ and Kicking Jalapeno Ranch

Man jumps over Niagara Falls and survives

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:36:57 +0000

New York, May 22 : A man, believed to be in his early 40s, survived a plunge after he jumped 180 feet over Niagara Falls without any safety device.

Emergency officials rescued the man who survived the apparent suicide attempt plunge, Monday, May 21. The man is only the third person known to have gone over without a safety device and live, the New York Daily News reported.

Rajat Gupta threw away his duties: Prosecution

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:07:17 +0000

New York, May 22 - Prosecutors accused Indian American Rajat Gupta with throwing away his duties as the high-profile trial of the former director at Goldman Sachs on insider trading charges began here.

"Gupta threw away his duties, he threw away his responsibilities, and he broke the law at the time the company was in crisis," Assistant US Attorney Reed Brodsky Monday told the Manhattan federal court in his opening statement.

Oil rebounds ahead of Iran talks

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:35:34 +0000

New York, May 22 - US crude prices rebounded Monday after six straight days of declines ahead of another round of Iran nuclear talks May 23.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency pressed Iran over inspections during a visit to Tehran Monday. But there was no signs of breakthrough deal. Speculations of more sanctions against Iran pushed the prices up, Xinhua reported.

The US senate Monday approved new sanctions against Iran's energy sector in an effort to further pressure Tehran on its disputed nuclear programme.

US stocks rebound to start week

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 22 May 2012 02:58:39 +0000

New York, May 22 - US stocks rebounded Monday after major indexes suffered their worst weekly losses in the previous week.

Investors were wary after leaders of eight industrial countries concluded their meeting over the weekend and only gave verbal backing for Greece to stay in the eurozone, reports Xinhua.

However, there were rumors that European policy makers would boost a pan-European bank deposit program, which was considered as a positive sign to protect depositors' interests.

Mick Jagger pokes fun at US presidential candidates on SNL

Jamie Williamson — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:15:43 +0000

New York, May 21 : Mick Jagger made fun of the candidates who are running for the US president on Saturday Night Live.

The Rolling Stones lead singer crooned a blues song mocking the presidential race.

"You're going to have to raise about 100 million dollars or you'll end down deep in the s-" the New York Post quoted Jagger as singing.

The singer then took a poke at the Republican front-runner.

"Mr. Romney, you know he's a `mitch,'" sang the rock legend, who was backed up by guitarist Jeff Beck.

Indian American Ex-Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta’s trial begins today in New York

Jamie Williamson — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:41:22 +0000

New York, May 21 : The trial of former Indian American Goldman Sachs director Rajat Sharma is set to begin on Monday here.

According to news. com. au, Gupta, 63, had previously pleaded not guilty against charges of sharing secret board tips with a billionaire hedge fund founder who was his friend.

A former Procter and Gamble board member, Gupta now faces conspiracy and securities fraud charges that carry a sentence of over 100 years in prison.

Obama remembers Donna Summer

Jamie Williamson — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:11:47 +0000

New York, May 20 - US president Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama offered condolences to late singer Donna Summer.

"Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Donna Summer. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Donna truly was the Queen of Disco. Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon," Obama in a statement, reports femalefirst. co. uk.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna's family and her dedicated fans," he added.

The singer passed away Thursday following a secret battle with lung cancer, which she was reportedly diagnosed in 2011.

New $ 35k power shower `controls whims, moods and needs`

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 19 May 2012 15:27:05 +0000

New York, May 19 : A German manufacturer has come up with the world's first digital horizontal shower for home use - priced at whopping 35,000 dollars.

The power shower made by Dornbracht, the German manufacturer of high-end faucets and fixtures, is on display on screen Friday through Tuesday at the Jacob Javits Center, New York.

It features six waterbars and Ambiance Tuning Technology (ATT), a digital system that offers pre-set water temperatures, speeds and quantities.

Female bus driver claims boss licked her face

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 19 May 2012 15:11:56 +0000

New York, May 19 : A Bronx MTA female bus driver has alleged sexual harassment by her supervisor.

Nancy Jenkins claims that her supervisor actually licked her.

The 42-year-old said that her male supervisor surprised and disgusted her by running his tongue up her face in the Kingsbridge Depot in the Bronx.

"He stuck out his tongue and licked me from under my chin all the way up to my eyebrow," the New York Daily quoted Jenkins as saying on Friday.

"It was just so nasty," she said.

Sarah Jessica Parker to help raise funds for Obama campaign

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:33:16 +0000

New York, May 19 : `Sex and the City' star Sarah Jessica Parker will host a fundraiser event at her New York City home to raise additional money for President Obama's re-election campaign.

A new fundraising solicitation from the campaign invites supporters to donate and be entered into a raffle to win an evening with the president, First Lady Michelle Obama and Parker.

"I'm thrilled about this: Pretty soon, I'll be hosting the President and First Lady of the United States at my home in New York," New York Post quoted Parker as writing in the email.

New York polytechnic honours Sam Pitroda

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 19 May 2012 04:09:41 +0000

New York, May 19 : Polytechnic Institute of New York University, America's second-oldest private engineering school, has conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering on Sam Pitroda, adviser to Indian Prime Minster Manmohan Singh.

Delivering the keynote address at the school's 157th Commencement here Friday, Pitroda urged the class of 2012 to recognize technology as the key to social change and inclusive growth, not only economic prosperity.

US stocks mixed amid euro concerns

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 19 May 2012 03:31:17 +0000

New York, May 19 : US stocks traded mixed Friday amid euro concerns, with all eyes on Facebook Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Investors speculated that the Spanish government will boost short-sell ban, reports Xinhua. The country's bond yield rose sharply recently, suggesting a global concerns over the region.

Facebook, the world's largest online social network started trading at the Nasdaq Stock Market Friday at the price of $42.05 a share, up 10.6 percent from its IPO price of $38.

The company's market value will hit $104 billion, making the company the biggest-ever valuation by a US company at the time of its IPO.

Russian spy Anna Chapman’s gizmos to go on display in NY exhibit

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:59:22 +0000

New York, May 18 : Anna Chapman's bag, which is still in FBI custody, and a bevy of other goodies are going on display as part of an exhibition about spies and their gizmos at Discovery Times Square that opens on Friday.

The hot-bodied Russian spy babe was outfitted with a 2,300-dollar Chanel bag featuring a hidden, high-powered Wi-Fi device so she could secretly communicate with her Moscow-led overseers.

US woman arrested for strolling nude through NYC stores

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:02:32 +0000

New York, May 18 : A woman was arrested in Ballston, New York, on Tuesday after she walked through a lumber store and a convenience shop naked.

According to police, Barbara LaFleur, 49, was strolled through the stores as if she didn't have a care in the world, the New York Daily News reported.

Employees at Curtis Lumber in Ballston told the Albany Times Union that LaFleur casually chatted up employees and asked what time it was before sauntering out Tuesday.

"Have a good day," LaFleur breezily told lumber yard workers, according to the newspaper.

India can grow 8-9 percent for 20 years: Montek Ahluwalia

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:53:33 +0000

New York, May 18 - India can grow at between 8 or 9 percent for the next 20 years with a supportive global environment, its Planning Commission's Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said.

"In the five years prior to the crisis, the Indian economy grew at an average rate of 9 percent. Following the crisis, it slowed down to an average of just over percent," Ahluwalia said Thursday during a UN General Assembly debate on "State of the World Economy and Finance in 2012".

"We believe India has the potential to grow at rates between 8 or 9 percent for the next twenty years and to do so in an inclusive manner."

'Rajat Gupta cannot take a Mother Teresa defence'

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:00:28 +0000

New York, May 18 - Rajat Gupta has been forewarned that he cannot beat insider trading charges by trumpeting his philanthropy history any more than Mother Teresa could use her missionary work to fend off bank robbery charges.

"If Mother Teresa were charged with bank robbery, the jury would still have to determine whether or not she committed a bank robbery," US District Judge Jed Rakoff told the lawyers of former Goldman Sachs' Indian American director ahead of his May 21 trial.

Wall Street extends loss

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:13:13 +0000

New York, May 18 - Wall Street extended losses Thursday, with the Dow Jones industrial average suffering its 11th loss in last 12 trading sessions, amid intensified fears about European banking systems.

When the market closed, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 156.06 points, or 1.24 percent, to 12,442.49. The Standard & Poor's 500 was down 19.44 points, or 1.51 percent, to 1,304.86. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 60.35 points, or 2.10 percent, to 2,813.69, Xinhua reported.

Facebook sets IPO price at $38

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:59:04 +0000

New York, May 18 - Facebook Thursday set the price for its initial public offering (IPO) at $38 per share.

The price came one day before Facebook begins to trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange Friday under the symbol "FB".

At $38 dollars a share, the world's No. 1 social network company will sell 421 million shares, raising about $16 billion, the largest ever among all internet companies.

The price will also give the eight-year-old startup a valuation of $104 billion, the biggest of all time, Xinhua reported.

Obama’s appearance on ‘The View’ draws max viewership since Feb 2011

Jamie Williamson — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:47:21 +0000

New York, May 17 : Barack Obama's appearance on `The View' on Tuesday drew 4.7 million total viewers, it has been revealed.

According to an ABC release Wednesday, that was the highest viewership for the show since February 2011.

However, it was down from his July 2010 appearance, the New York Daily News reported.

For that show, which marked the first time a sitting President appeared on the program, 6.6 million viewers tuned in.

`The View' is doing a "Red, White and View" theme this year, hoping to talk with political candidates and figures across the spectrum. (ANI)

8 Indian-Americans get medal for community service

Jamie Williamson — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:50:58 +0000

New York, May 17 - Eight Indian-Americans are among the recipients of this year's Ellis Island Medal of Honour presented to more than 100 immigrants for their community service.

The eight, Peter Bheddah, Ravishankar Bhooplapur, Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, Dr. Leena N. Doshi, Dr. Surendra V. Jain, Hasu P. Shah, Rajendra Singh and Dr. John P. Thomas were presented the medal at a ceremony on the island in New York.

Instituted in 1986 by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations to recognize the contributions made by immigrants, the medals are named after Ellis Island, the gateway through which more than 12 million early immigrants passed.

Jay-Z voices support for Obama’s stance on gay marriage

Jamie Williamson — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:05:58 +0000

New York, May 16 : Jay-Z has seconded Obama's support of gay marriage, saying that not allowing same-sex couples to wed is "no different than discriminating against blacks."

The rapper, whose actual name is Shawn Carter, said that he is proud that Obama became the first sitting president to endorse gay marriage last week.

"I've always thought it was something that was still holding the country back," the New York Post quoted him as telling CNN.

"What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. That's their business.

What turns you on for sex depends on your age

Jamie Williamson — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:57:59 +0000

New York, May 16 : Sexy text messages or phone calls can get young people in the mood for sex while dinner and wine are real turn-ons for the elderly, a new survey has revealed.

In the survey by Fitness magazine and Yahoo! Shine, some 22 percent of men and women between the ages of 18 and 34 admitted their biggest turn-on is a naughty message or call.

But only 12 percent of men and women ages 35 to 64 agree to this.

Among that crowd, about 25 percent said dinner and wine makes for the perfect aphrodisiac, the New York Daily News reported.

Strauss-Kahn files countercharge against hotel maid

Jamie Williamson — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:20:08 +0000

New York, May 16 - Former International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Dominique Strauss-Kahn is filing a civil lawsuit against the former hotel maid who accused him of sexually assaulting her in a hotel in New York City, seeking at least $1 million in damage.

In the lawsuit filed Monday in New York State Supreme Court in Bronx, Strauss-Kahn, 63, denied all wrongdoing and accused Guinean-born Nafissatou Diallo of "knowingly and intentionally making a false report to law enforcement authorities".

New York unveils digital map to help job seekers

Jamie Williamson — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:17:09 +0000

New York, May 16 - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has unveiled an online map aimed at helping job applicants find employment in local technical and digital media businesses.

The Made in New York Digital Map is a modified Google map that shows the location of tech companies in the city and whether they are hiring. Among the 500 companies listed on the map, over 325 show that they are hiring, reported Xinhua.

The digital map also facilitates companies to register and get their locations plotted on the map. Currently, over 1,000 job opportunities for a variety of skills are shown available throughout New York City.

Will Smith calls Obama’s support of gay marriage `brave` in election year

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:34:00 +0000

New York, May 15 : Will Smith has voiced his support for President Obama for his stance on gay marriage.

He said that the question of whether gay people should be allowed to legally marry is "about semantics."

"If anybody can find someone to love them and to help them through this difficult thing that we call life, I support that in any shape or form," the New York Daily News quoted the 43-year-old rapper turned actor as telling reporters in Berlin on Monday.

He said that the president's support for gay marriage was a "brave" move in an election year.

Moody's cuts 26 Italian banks' ratings

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:32:34 +0000

New York, May 15 - Moody's Investors Service cut the long-time credit ratings of 26 Italian banks Monday, underlining the banking woes in both the country and the euro zone.

The move was a part of a wider review of European bank ratings, according to the agency, and came at a critical moment when the single currency union was struggling to maintain its integrity, reported Xinhua.

UN chief suffers fracture playing soccer

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:37:54 +0000

New York, May 15 - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon suffered a fracture in his left hand while playing in the UN diplomats' spring soccer tournament and now has his arm in a sling, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

The 67-year-old Ban "has to wear a cast for the next six weeks", Xinhua quoted Nesirky as saying at a daily news briefing.

"He's otherwise absolutely fine and in great spirits," the spokesman said.

The secretary-general fell to the ground Saturday in the tournament at the Bel Aire Farm estate in New York. He was back in office at the UN Headquarters Monday.

Daughters Malia, Sasha may be Obama’s most important political advisers

Jamie Williamson — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:06:26 +0000

New York, May 14 : President Barack Obama has revealed that his daughters Sasha and Malia have influenced his decisions on social issues.

Obama had last week disclosed that his historic change of heart to support same-sex marriage was in part inspired by talking with his daughters - ranging from availability of birth control to the importance of killing Osama Bin Laden.

According to the political pundits the frequent references to his family also connect with voters.

"Voters like a family man in a President," the New York Daily quoted Prof. Monika McDermott, Fordham University, as saying.

Ann Romney dubs Michelle Obama `lovely`

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 12 May 2012 13:19:53 +0000

New York, May 12 : Ann Romney, the wife of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, praised Michelle Obama and called her "lovely," on Friday.

She insisted that the First Lady does a good job handling the intense pressure that comes with having a husband in the White House.

"I think she's lovely ... Everyone can appreciate it is a very difficult position to be in, where your husband's under enormous scrutiny all the time and attacks from one side or the other," the New York Daily News quoted her as telling Fox News.

She further said that she respected Michelle's "composure" and ability to keep calm.

Fitch downgrades JPMorgan Chase after huge loss

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 12 May 2012 09:52:43 +0000

New York, May 12 : Fitch Ratings downgraded JPMorgan Chase''s long term debt rating to A+ from AA- on Friday after the bank reveals a stunning trading loss, citing reputational risk and risk governance deficiencies.

Meanwhile, the rating firm also placed the bank''s all parent and subsidiary long-term ratings on negative watch.

The rating actions came one day after JPM''s disclosure of a 2- billion-dollar trading loss on its synthetic credit positions in its Chief Investment Office.

Fitch downgrades JPMorgan Chase after huge loss

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 12 May 2012 09:19:53 +0000

New York, May 12 - Fitch Ratings downgraded JPMorgan Chase's long term debt rating to A+ from AA- after the bank revealed a stunning trading loss.

The rating firm also placed the bank's all parent and subsidiary long-term ratings on negative watch.

The rating actions came Friday after JPMorgan Chase's disclosure of a $2 billion trading loss on its synthetic credit positions in its Chief Investment Office.

Fitch viewed the size of loss as manageable but believed the potential reputational risk and risk governance issues raised at JPMorgan Chase are no longer consistent with an AA- rating.

New `e-bra` to track health stats and send them directly to your smartphone

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:48:24 +0000

New York, May 12 : A team of researchers, including one of Indian-origin, has upgraded the trend of wearable sensors embedded into textiles by developing a new health-monitoring system, dubbed "e-bra", which is designed to be built into a sports bra.

Announced on Saturday from the University of Arkansas, the system features tiny wireless nanostructured, textile sensors - ideal for a sportsbra or a vest for men, which collects heart rate and health stats and sends them directly to your smartphone for data-crunching.

JP Morgan announces trading losses

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:13:15 +0000

New York, May 11 - JP Morgan Chase, the largest bank in the US, acknowledged Thursday trading losses of $2 billion for the past six weeks.

The losses came from derivatives bets which have gone wrong in the bank's Chief Investment Office, a unit that manages risk for the New York-based bank, reported Xinhua.

After factoring in other securities gains, JP Morgan raised its estimates for Chief Investment Office's net losses to $800 million in the second quarter. The unit was previously expected to gain $200 million.

Indian peacekeepers honoured in Haiti

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:50:36 +0000

New York, May 11 - As many as 158 Indian peacekeepers have been honoured for their service in Haiti where they conducted regular patrols, secured election materials and helped with Haitian-led efforts to crackdown on kidnapping by criminal gangs.

The 158 officers of a Formed Police Unit (FPU) from India were honoured for their service with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) at a ceremony in the capital Port-au-Prince on May 3, a communique said.

President Obama advised to stop eating junk food in public

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:14:37 +0000

New York, May 11: A group of doctors, researchers and dieticians, led by an Indian origin doctor, is urging President Barack Obama to keep his fast-food indulgence private.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a non-profit advocacy group, has asked the White House to stop staging photo opportunities that shows the President consuming burgers, hot dogs and other junk food that the group contends cause cancer, obesity and other ailments.

Prosecution seeks jail for Indian American Dharun Ravi

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:27:04 +0000

New York, May 11 - US prosecutors have asked a New Jersey court to sentence convicted Indian American student Dharun Ravi to prison for bias intimidation in a webcam spying case, but not the maximum of ten years.

Former New Jersey state Rutgers University student Ravi's March convictions for live-streaming his gay college roommate Tyler Clementi kissing a man and hindering the criminal investigation warrant jail time, prosecutors argued Thursday.

Days after the incident Clementi jumped to his death off the George Washington Bridge on Sep 22, 2010.

Hillary cites Mamata meeting among 'remarkable experiences' in India

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:22:27 +0000

New York, May 11 - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recalled two "remarkable experiences" in India, including a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Benerjee to focus on efforts for the upliftment and empowerment of women.

"I try, whenever possible, to find time to meet with women who are trying to do, often under very difficult circumstances, what we celebrate here today," she said Thursday as she received the Century Award at the New York Women's Foundation breakfast in New York City.

39-pound fat cat ‘Meow’ dies of respiratory distress

Jamie Williamson — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:28:20 +0000

New York, May 8 : An obese New Mexico cat that won America over last month with his quest to lose weight died on Saturday due to pulmonary failure.

Meow, a 2-year-old tabby, came to a Santa Fe shelter after his his 87-year-old owner could no longer care for the feline.

Santa Fe Animal Shelter executive director Mary Martin announced the demise of the celebrity cat in a Facebook post on Monday.

"I am devastated to share with you that the respiratory distress that Meow was experiencing last week ... took his life at 4:30 p. m. on Saturday," the New York Daily News quoted Martin's Facebook post as reading.

How ‘The Scream’ escaped Nazi invasion of Norway

Jamie Williamson — Mon, 07 May 2012 09:14:29 +0000

New York, May 7 : "The Scream," one of the most recognizable paintings in the world, which sold this week at Sotheby's for 120 million dollars, could have been destroyed by the Nazis had it not been hidden in a Norwegian barn when they invaded in 1940, it has been revealed.

New York fine-art dealer Edward Tyler Nahem, a close friend of the work's now-ex-owner, Norwegian businessman Petter Olsen, has revealed that Olsen's father hid "The Scream" in a barn on his farm just before the German invasion in 1940.

New York Times cuts nearly 50 non-newsroom jobs

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 05 May 2012 09:51:39 +0000

New York, May 5 : American daily newspaper the New York Times has confirmed shedding about 50 jobs this week from human resources, legal, finance and other non-newsroom departments.

According to the company spokesman, Robert Christie, the layoffs did not affect any positions in the newsroom.

Christie, however, declined to specify how many people were let go in the latest round of cuts, which took place on Wednesday.

He said that this step was taken to address the challenges the company and industry face due to the volatility in the economy.

Now, a loo with a view that stares 15-storeys down elevator shaft

Jamie Williamson — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:49:35 +0000

New York, May 3 : Mexico is now home to a state-of-the-art penthouse that has a glass-floored washroom looking down on an empty 15-story high elevator shaft.

Hernandez Silva Architects are the masterminds behind the vertigo-inducing home which is sure to make brushing your teeth before bed an exhilarating experience.

The design team came up with the idea after plans for a second elevator shaft in the luxury apartment were scrapped, the New York Daily News reported.

US mom charged with incest after filming sex tape with teenage son

Jamie Williamson — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:59:45 +0000

New York, May 3 : A northern California mother has been accused of having sex with her estranged 16-year-old son after contacting him on Facebook.

According to a law enforcement source, Mistie Atkinson had been estranged from the boy almost his entire life when she hunted him down on Facebook last year.

"It appears she hadn't had any contact with the son for 15 years, and now he's 16," the New York Daily News quoted a source as telling the Napa Valley Register.

"She contacted him late last year via Facebook and was sending him messages inappropriately," the source said.

Dharun Ravi seeks webcam spy case dismissal

Jamie Williamson — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:10:51 +0000

New York, May 2 -) Lawyers for an Indian American student found guilty of bias crimes for spying with a webcam on his roommate having an intimate encounter with another man have sought dismissal of his conviction and a new trial.

In 32-page motion filed Tuesday before a New Jersey state Superior Court, lawyers for Dharun Ravi, 20, a former Rutgers state university student, asked that the invasion of privacy counts should be overturned.

Among the reasons were that the state failed to show Ravi knew he wasn't permitted to view his webcam when he did - a key element of the count, attorneys Steven Altman and Philip Nettl argued.

Man unravels his past after finding own pic on missing persons site

Jamie Williamson — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:55:28 +0000

New York, Apr 28 : A man in US found out that he was kidnapped by his own mother after he found his picture on a missing persons website.

Steve Carter from Philadelphia is now unravelling the details of his childhood abduction, more than a year after finding his own face on the website.

Carter, 35, knew he had been adopted from a Hawaiian orphanage as a child, but never knew anything about his biological family. He had always been puzzled about a couple things, like his birth certificate, which wasn't created until almost a year after his birth, and listed him as a half-native Hawaiian.

Dating site that pairs attractive women with generous jetsetters slammed

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:17:06 +0000

New York, April 27 : Critics say a new dating site that promises to link high-rolling globetrotters with pretty women who want to travel the world for free is no more than a front for prostitution.

But the sites founder vehemently denies the charge.

Miss Travel pairs attractive women with generous jetsetters who hate to go on trips alone and are willing to foot the bill for a companion, the New York Daily News reported.

Gawker calls it the #1 prosti-travel website, and while reactions on Twitter were mixed, user @Kgigr asked, I really want to know how miss travel isn't selling yourself for an all-paid trip?

S&P cuts Spain rating

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:23:00 +0000

New York, April 27 - Standard & Poor's Thursday reduced its long-term sovereign credit rating on Spain by two notches to BBB+ from A, expressing concern about the country's large volume of debt and shrinking economy.

"(W)e think risks are rising to fiscal performance and flexibility, and to the sovereign debt burden, particularly in light of the increased contingent liabilities that could materialize on the government's balance sheet," the rating agency said in a statement.

Memo documents Obama's order to get Osama

Jamie Williamson — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:09:04 +0000

New York, April 27 - Time magazine Thursday published the memorandum written in April 2011 by then-CIA Director Leon Panetta after receiving the green light from President Barack Obama to launch a secret military operation that ended with the killing of Osama bin Laden.

"Received phone call from (National Security Adviser) Tom Donilon who stated that the president made a decision with regard to AC1 (Abbottabad Compound 1). The decision is to proceed with the assault," reads Panetta's handwritten memo of April 29, 2011.

"The direction is to go in and get bin Laden and if he is not there, to get out," the note says.

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