New York, January 22: Michelle Obama may have added to the "my wedding ring doesn''t match my outfit" theory after she was spotted without her band at President-hubby Barack's inaugural ball.

The first African-American First Lady of the United States had sported her gold band earlier at the Inauguration Ceremony on January 20, when she headed to church grasping her better half's hand.

But the mum-of-two was later spotted minus the ring at the inauguration night, reports the New York Daily News.

New York, Jan 22 : While many are hailing Michelle Obama as a style icon, her hair stylist, Johnny Wright, has signed a huge deal to star in a reality show.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Wright has inked a deal with 44 Blue - producer of Split Ends - to make a reality show.

Reports have revealed that Wright had styled Mrs. Obama''s locks for the Democratic National Convention and her upcoming Vogue cover shoot as well.

New York, Jan 22 : Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony have silenced reports of an looming split by performing a romantic duet at Barack Obama's inauguration ball.

What's more, the `Maid in Manhattan' actress and husband marked the duet's end with a kiss further dismissing marriage on rocks claims.

After Anthony hit the stage at the Inauguration''s Western Ball at the Walter E. Convention Center, he invited Lopez onstage and addressed her as "my wife".

New York, Jan. 22 : Former US President John F. Kennedy's daughter, Caroline Kennedy, has withdrawn her name from the race for choosing a replacement for Hillary Clinton in the U. S. Senate after learning that State Governor David Paterson wasn''t going to choose her.

According to the New York Post, Kennedy''s decision removes the highest-profile name in the ring to step into Clinton''s now-vacant seat, as she departs after being confirmed as President Obama''s Secretary of State.

New York  - Japan's Toyota Motor raced past General Motors to become the world's largest car manufacturer, a position that the US car giant has held for 77 years.

GM said Wednesday its sales in 2008 fell 11 per cent, with fourth- quarter sales plunging 26 per cent, as the company lost its world top ranking to competitor Toyota.

Detroit, Michigan-based GM said it sold 8.35 million vehicles last year, of which fourth-quarter sales were 1.7 million.

New York  - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday expressed confidence and optimism about the new US President Barack Obama, citing his commitment to addressing the "multiple crises of food, energy and human development."

"It is with great optimism that I congratulate Barack Obama on his inauguration as the 44th President of the United States," Ban said in a statement.