Son Murdered Father Over $200 Allowance

The 30-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed his hedge fund manager father Sunday afternoon reportedly did so after an argument over a small cut in his monthly allowance. TheNew York Post reports that Thomas Gilbert Jr. murdered his father Thomas Gillbert Sr. after learning that his allowance had been reduced by $200; the New York Daily News puts the number at $300.

From the New York Post:

"[Gilbert Sr.] was cutting his allowance. He had been giving him $2,400 a month for rent and $600 for spending money, and he was cutting that to $400 a month for spending money," a source said about Thomas Gilbert Sr., founder of the Wainscott Capital hedge fund.

"They had argued about it before."

Two police officers shot and wounded in the Bronx while responding to robbery

New York City Mayor Billl de Blasio, second left, stands by as Police Commissioner William Bratton, second right, speaks at a news conference at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx section

Tom McElroy, The Associated Press | The Canadian Press

 Two New York City police officers responding to a robbery in the Bronx were shot and wounded Monday night, and a manhunt was still underway hours later for a pair of suspects, authorities said.

The shooting happened just after 10:30 p.m. on East 184th Street in the borough's Tremont section. It was a jarring reminder of the double shooting that claimed the lives of two NYPD officers about two weeks ago in Brooklyn and came the same day the mayor and police commissioner touted the city's record low crime levels.

The officers were near the end of their shift when they and three others responded to a report of a robbery at a small market. A 30-year-old officer was shot in his left arm and lower back and a 38-year-old was hit in his left arm and chest. They were not identified.

Police Officers Protest Mayor At Slain Cop's Funeral in NewYork

New York Police Department (NYPD) officers carry the casket of their fellow officer Wenjian Liu during a funeral in New York's borough of Brooklyn on January 4, 2015.

Andy Campbell | Huff
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called slain NYPD officer Wenjian Liu a courageous family man who followed "a path of kindness" as he addressed a crowded funeral home in Brooklyn Sunday.

While many officers listened respectfully, some still turned their backs in protest, as they had done previously, at Liu's partner's funeral a week ago.

Earlier in the day, thousands of NYPD officers and mourners crowded a funeral home, joined by law enforcement official from throughout the country.

Buddhist monks led a Chinese ceremony for the 32-year-old officer, followed by a police ceremony and eulogies led by a chaplain. Officers lined up for blocks outside the Aievoli Funeral Home in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn to pay their respects.

British Couple stranded in NewYork after son was born prematurely

A British couple have been left stranded in New York with a £130,000 medical bill after their baby son was born 11 weeks prematurely while they were on a four-day visit.

Katie Amos, 30, and fiancé, Lee Johnston, 29, welcomed son Dax unexpectedly after she went into labour while sightseeing in the Big Apple.

The pair, whose son weighed just 3lbs after being born 11 weeks before his due date, has been told by doctors the newborn will not be able to fly back to the family home in the United Kingdom until March.

They say they are yet to find out if the huge bill for their treatment will be covered by their travel insurance policy.

NewYork Jets Sacks Head Coach

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan listens to a questions during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Jets won 37-24. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Dennis Waszak Jr. The Associated PressWoody Johnson was tired of all the losing, the four straight seasons without going to the playoffs.

So, the New York Jets owner decided to completely clean house.

Johnson fired coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik on Monday, one day after completing one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.

“We’re in the win business, and we’re not winning,” Johnson said at a jam-packed news conference at the team’s facility. “So, I thought this was something I had to do.”

New Year's Update: Time Square Million Celebration

A million people crammed into New York’s Times Square welcomed the new year with kisses, hugs and cheers after the giant, Waterford crystal ball dropped at midnight and a ton of confetti rained down.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, flanked by his wife and two children, pushed the ceremonial button that set the 11,875-pound glittering ball in motion. Revelers from around the world waving pink balloons and wearing pink foam hats exchanged good wishes and danced as Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blared on loudspeakers.

Agustina Bernacchia, a tourist from Argentina, had arrived early to secure her spot. She said she wanted to experience the New Year’s Eve party she’d always seen on TV.

“It was a dream for us,” Bernacchia said.

NYC to ban fracking to salvage the environment

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo talks during a cabinet meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, in Albany, N.Y. Cuomo's administration will move to prohibit fracking in the state, citing unresolved health issues and dubious economic benefits of the widely used gas-drilling technique. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Handing environmentalists a breakthrough victory, New York plans to prohibit fracking for natural gas because of what regulators say are its unexplored health risks and dubious economic benefits.

New York, which overlies part of the gas-rich Marcellus Shale formation that has led to a drilling boom in Pennsylvania and other nearby states, has banned shale gas development since 2008, when the state began an environmental review of the drilling technique also known as hydraulic fracturing.

Wednesday’s announcement, though not final, means a ban is all but etched in stone.

“Never before has a state with proven gas reserves banned fracking,” said Deborah Goldberg, an attorney with Earthjustice, adding that the decision “will give courage to elected leaders throughout the country and world: Fracking is too dangerous and must not continue.”

Industry and its supporters expressed outrage at the decision.

About time! NewYork ban cosmetic pet tattoo, piercings

 Michael Virtanen | The Associated Press
 Body art is not for animals, at least not in New York.

It will soon be a crime to pierce or tattoo your companion animal anywhere in the state.

“It’s simply cruel,” said Assembly member Linda Rosenthal. The Manhattan Democrat sponsored the legislation. While people can choose the pain of tattoos or piercings to satisfy their own “esthetic predilections,” companion animals don’t have that luxury, she said.

The law signed Monday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo takes effect in 120 days.

There’s an exception for markings done under a veterinarian’s supervision for a medical reason or identification.

Rosenthal said that’s intended, for example, for pets like her cat, which was spayed by a vet and given a little green mark to indicate that.

When done specifically for identification, the law says tattoos should include only numbers and letters allotted for a tattoo identification registry.

Royal Prince William & Kate Middleton begins NewYork Tour

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who is about five months pregnant with her 2nd child, arrived New York last night December 7th to begin their 3-day tour. It's their first time in New York and they are said to be staying at the luxury Carlyle Hotel, where a suite can cost $14,000-a-night. Americans came out in their hundreds to catch a glimpse of the royal couple. 

See more photos after the cut...

Excerpts From Chris Rock Cover Of NewYork Magazine December Issue

Chris Rock covers the latest issue of New York where he dishes on his newest film Top Five and the Bill Cosby-scandal.

The 49-year-old actor and comedian also talks about the Ferguson saga, income inequality and much more.

Read excerpts from his interview below.

On Bill Cosby: “I don’t know what to say. What do you say? I hope it’s not true. That’s all you can say. I really do. I grew up on Cosby. I love Cosby, and I just hope it’s not true. It’s a weird year for comedy. We lost Robin, we lost Joan, and we kind of lost Cosby.”

On Barack Obama: “Kind of cool. I always say, cooler than most politicians, not as cool as actual cool people. He’s not cool like Jay Z’s cool. He’s not Eddie Murphy. But in a world of politicians …”

On income inequality: “If poor people knew how rich rich people are, there would be riots in the streets. If the average person could see the Virgin Airlines first-class lounge, they’d go, “What? What? This is food, and it’s free, and they … what? Massage? Are you kidding me?”

On being black and rich: “I don’t think I’ve had any meetings with black film execs. Maybe one. It is what it is. As I told Bill Murray, Lost in Translation is a black movie: That’s what it feels like to be black and rich.”