New York, NY, United States (AHN) – A recent study on Americans and their spending found that many are holding back on nonessential spending, such as vacations or dining out, since the beginning of 2011 as a result of the rise in gasoline prices.

“The sensitivity to gasoline prices voiced by Americans cuts both ways. Any sustained pullback in prices would be a boost to the economy, but a renewed increase in gas prices would be a further drag on growth,” said Greg McBride, a senior financial analyst for Bankrate.com.

A new USA Today/Gallup Poll finds that 54 percent of Americans think high gas prices are here to stay.

Across the country regular gasoline averaged $3.91 a gallon Friday, 7 cents less than the 2011 high of $3.98 a week earlier. Nationally gas is up 37 percent from May 2010.

Consumers already are making lifestyle changes. More than 50 percent say they’ve changed their daily habits to compensate for the spike in prices. Nearly 20 percent say they would consider adopting changes if prices remain high.

In addition to spending less, nearly 30 percent have changed their driving habits. They say they’re driving less and consolidating trips. Eleven percent more saying they will do so if prices don’t drop, with 15 percent saying they’ve switched to cars that are more fuel-efficient.

According to the Bankrate.com study on financial security:

• 35 percent of Americans are less comfortable with their savings now compared to 12 months ago, down from 42 percent in April. One in six, or 16 percent, are more comfortable, up from 14 percent in April.

• Americans are split on their overall financial security. Some 27 percent reported better overall financial security compared to 12 months ago, while 28 percent said they are worse off. Those reporting better overall financial security are higher-income earners ($75,000 and up), college graduates and those under age 50. Those reporting worse overall financial security are those with household incomes under $50,000, the unemployed and retirees.

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Ashburn, VA, United States (AHN) – The United States may experience a brain drain as thousands of Indian IT professionals contemplate returning to their homeland, according to a survey conducted by Corp-Corp.com, a U.S.-based technology job portal.

Nearly half of the more than 1,000 survey respondents comprised of IT professionals of Indian origin are planning to return to India.

About 50 percent of the respondents even have plans to return soon while 6.4 percent of them have already returned to their homeland. Survey participants included permanent residents, citizens and visa holders.

Fifty-one percent said their decision was based on wanting to rejoin their family members and 26 percent said that better opportunities waited for them in their home country.

Around 10 percent are planning their return as they believe their kids will get a better education in India.

“The results are very important for American businesses because they may face challenges in filling the gap of these resources,” said Prabakaran Murugaiah, CEO of Corp-Corp.com.

“Businesses cannot replace an experienced workforce overnight.”

“Many of the returning Indians have aged parents back home to take care of. Also, recent economic growth in India has fueled many opportunities, which has led many to think about heading back. In addition to that, many U.S. companies are opening their offices in India and hiring more to target the growing market in Asia,” says Murugaiah.

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New York, NY, United States (AHN) – With personal debt continuing to rise Americans are finding it increasingly difficult to cover expenses. A new study released by Bankrate, Inc. shows that that 19% of Americans close to 1 in 5 have admitted to tapping into retirement funds over the past 12 months to cover emergencies.

The poll, conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International also found that one in three Americans say their overall financial situation is worse than it was a year ago.

Additionally feelings of financial security among Americans, as measured by the Financial Security Index, dropped to a new low of 93.5, down from 97.0 in March and falls from December’s low of 94.6.

The poll also found that seven percent of Americans don’t have any retirement savings.

“Raiding the retirement account prematurely depletes the nest egg, subjects the individual to taxes and penalties, and deals a permanent setback to retirement security because you can never go back and make up for those early withdrawals,” said Greg McBride, CFA, senior financial analyst for Bankrate.com.

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Knowlton Township, NJ, United States (AHN) – A 22-year-old man from New Jersey is suing the makers of Four Loko claiming the beverage caused permanent heart damage.

He’s claiming that he drank 2-and-a-half cans of the rink made up of alcohol and caffeine which led to the condition.

Michael Mustica filed the lawsuit last week against Phusion Projects and that after he drank the beverage in October he began to suffer heart arrhythmia.

After having trouble breathing his friends called an ambulance. Doctors said his symptoms were “a direct result of consuming Original Four Loko,” according to the complaint.

“He was a victim of people who tried to make money off a product without worrying about the health consequences,” his attorney told the Newark Star-Ledger.

The lawsuit says Phusion “deceitfully packaged,” the highly popular and now banned drink in order to lure in young buyers. Last fall the Food and Drug Administration pulled te product from shelves.

A company spokesman however has said Phusion “still believes mixing alcohol and caffeine is safe.”

Phusion contends consumers have been mixing alcohol and caffeine for years in such drinks as Red Bull and vodka and rum and cola for years.

One can of Four Loko contains 12 percent alcohol- the equivalent of three beers.

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London, United Kingdom (AHN) – A commemorative mug made to celebrate the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton has a major slight flaw – it features the wrong prince.

Alongside Kate Middleton, is her future brother-in-law Prince Harry.

On the back, an inscription reads: “The fairytale romantic union of all the centuries. 29th April 2011.”

It remains unknown if it is a mistake, a deliberate spoof or a marketing person’s clever way to stand out from the pack of wedding knickknacks.

The mug, was reportedly designed by Chinese firm Guandong Enterprises. “Crafted in the finest bone china, it features an exquisite design of the happy couple with ornate gold detailing to honor this great moment in history,” the company says on its website.

“Please be our guests to own this esteemed, limited edition heirloom to celebrate with your work associates, friends, family and loved ones on 29th April 2011.”

It further states in small print states the firm’s products “are not supplied to, or approved by, Prince William of Wales, Catherine Middleton or any member of the Royal Family.”

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New York, NY, United States (AHN) – Rising gas prices have already caused one in three U.S. consumers to significantly alter and reduce discretionary spending.

According to the monthly RBC Consumer Outlook Index, with the national average price at approximately $3.20 per gallon, 18 percent of respondents said they would reduce spending if gas prices climb to $3.75 per gallon. Some 41 percent placed their affordability threshold at $4 per gallon or more.

The survey was conducted in late February.

March also saw consumer confidence drop for a third straight month. Political issues in Washington and Middle East unrest combined with uncertainties in the region have seen markets responding with rising prices, particularly for oil and food.

“What really stands out to us is worry about the future,” said Tom Porcelli, chief U.S. economist for RBC Capital Markets. “The geopolitical issues of recent weeks are seeping into expectations about markets and respondents’ financial position. The number of people who expect the value of their investments to ‘get worse’ rose to the highest level in four months. The erosion in personal finances has translated into people thinking they will have less to spend on discretionary items, and that number rose to the highest level in at least a year.”

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Palo Alto, CA, United States (AHN) – Facebook has added “Civil Unions” and “Domestic Partnerships” to its relationship status options. The move on Thursday gives gay and lesbian couples the option to declare themselves “in a civil union” or “domestic partnership,” and is viewed as a victory for same-sex couples.

According to Facebook, “this has been a highly requested feature from users. We want to provide options for people to genuinely and authentically reflect their relationships on Facebook.”

Effective immediately, Facebook users in the U.S. can choose relationship options of single “In a relationship,” engaged, married, “It’s complicated,” “In an open relationship,” widowed, separated and divorced.

“Today, Facebook sent a clear message in support of gay and lesbian and couples to users across the globe,” said Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation. “As public support for marriage equality continues to grow, we will continue to work for the day when all couples have the opportunity to marry and have their relationship recognized by their community, both online and off.”

According to Barrios, GLAAD was involved in the efforts to add the status option.

The rollout of the new options is slated to next be unveiled in Canada, United Kingdom, France and Australia followed by countries where same sex marriages are legal and recognized.

Facebook has over 600 million users.

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Moscow, Russian Federation (AHN) – A suicide bomber attacked Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, the busiest in the Russian capital, reportedly killing at least 35 people. More than 100 more are thought to have been injured in the Monday blast.

President Dmitry Medvedev said in a televised briefing, “From the preliminary information we have, it was a terror attack.” He vowed to find those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.

Security services were reportedly warned in advance about a possible terrorist act and personnel are searching for three suspects who managed to gain entry onto the airport property without incident, watch the explosion carried out by their accomplice in the arrival hall and leave the airport.

Some 22.3 million passengers moved through Domodedovo airport last year, making it the busiest air hub in eastern Europe. About 75 airlines operate from the facility and 600 flights a day are processed there.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle sent condolences to the victims and said, “I condemn this dreadful and bloody attack in the strongest possible terms. Nothing can justify this barbaric act.”

Since the explosion, Moscow police have been placed on high alert and are looking for suspicious items on the transport system.

In March 2010, two female Chechen suicide bombers in an attack on the metro system blew themselves up in an event that killed 40 people.

In 2004 two suicide bombers boarded separate planes at the same airport and blew themselves up in midair, killing all 90 people aboard the flights.

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Orlando, FL, United States (AHN) – Two Hard Rock employees who worked in the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal Studios in Orlando have filed a class action lawsuit for the company’s alleged failure to pay minimum wages that were required under Florida law.

The Orlando Hard Rock Cafe is the largest Hard Rock Cafe in the world.

The complaint alleges that Hard Rock’s servers and bartenders were paid less than minimum wage during the period Jan. 14, 2006, until approximately July 2009. The complaint charges that Hard Rock attempted to pay the servers and bartenders less than minimum wages while taking a tip credit that is allowable under Florida and federal law only when the servers and bartenders are allowed to retain all of their tips or where a legal tip pooling arrangement is instituted among employees “who customarily and regularly receive tips.”

The complaint alleges that servers and bartenders improperly shared their tips with individuals who were employed as expediters. Expediters at the Orlando Hard Rock Cafe are not customarily and regularly tipped employees; instead, they are kitchen employees who are responsible for ensuring food is prepared and garnished properly.

According to lawyers for the employees, Hard Rock was not entitled to the tip credit because servers and bartenders did not retain all their tips and paid a portion of their tips to expediters.

Hillary Schwab, Lichten & Liss-Riordan, P.C., Boston, Massachusetts, the firm handling the suit, said, “In this economy, servers and bartenders need all the tips they can get. Hard Rock should have known that a tip sharing arrangement that included kitchen staff violated Florida and federal law.”

The Florida Constitution states “[a]ll working Floridians are entitled to be paid a minimum wage that is sufficient to provide a decent and healthy life for them and their families.”

Florida’s minimum wage provision has garnered headlines recently because the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation was sued for allegedly improperly calculating the minimum wage under Florida law.

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Armonk, NY, United States (AHN) – The U.S. online retail sector produced double-digit growth in December compared to the same period in 2009. Online retail sales were up 12 percent over the previous year, according to Coremetrics Benchmark, which gathered data directly from the web sites of more than 500 leading U.S. retailers.

The findings expand on the previous reports of strong growth between both Black Friday 2010 and Cyber Monday 2010.

Coremetrics also found that consumers’ average orders rose over 11 percent from $171.06 to $190.42.

“Retailers did a tremendous job of enticing consumers to shop online with a variety of special promotions, guaranteed delivery dates, free or deeply discounted shipping, and up-to-date inventory information,” said John Squire, chief strategy officer, IBM Coremetrics.

Department stores and health and beauty retailers continued to show growth in online sales that far outpaced the online retail sector overall. Both reported sales increases of approximately 23 percent.

In a sign of what Coremetrics considered to be the economy making the first vestiges of improvement, jewelry retailers reported a jump of 18.5 percent in sales.

In December, 5.6 percent of all site visits were initiated from a mobile device, a 19 percent increase over the previous month.

Additionally, analysts said 5.5 percent of all online retail sales came from mobile devices, marking a 7 percent increase over November.

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