Technology Slice Blog

Julian Assange Biography Optioned for Movie - An upcoming biography of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange isn't even in stores yet, and it's already been optioned into a feature film. Plans are under way for Andrew Fowler's book, "The Most Dangerous Man in the World," to be turned into a movie. The Australian reporter first interviewed Assange last May, and his investigative biography is due out later this year. Josephson Entertainment and Michelle Krumm Productions jointly optioned the movie rights. Assange, 39, is the founder of WikiLeaks, a whistle-blowing website that revealed classified information. He's in London, where he's battling extradition to Sweden over sex-crime allegations. Julian Assange Biography Optioned for Movie

Harry Potter Actress Brother Sentenced Honor Beating - The brother of the Muslim actress Afshan Azad, who played Padma Patil in the “Harry Potter” films, was sentenced to six months in prison Thursday for beating his sister after he heard her talking to her Hindu boyfriend. Ashraf Azad, 28, called his sister a “prostitute” and screamed ''Marry a Muslim or you die!'' during a three-hour beating, during which, the actress said in a Manchester, England court, she feared for her life. Harry Potter Actress Brother Sentenced Honor Beating

Michelle Obama to Tape Oprah - First Lady Michelle Obama will return to her hometown of Chicago today to tape an interview with Oprah during the last season of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Mrs. Obama is expected to speak about military families, one of the issues she’s focused on since the campaign, during the taping of the segment which will air next week. “Mrs. Obama will discuss her plans to launch a comprehensive national campaign in the coming months to recognize, honor and provide ways for everyone to step up and answer the call,” The First Lady’s office said in a statement. On Thursday of next week Mrs. Obama will travel to Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C where she will speak about military families and also her campaign to combat obesity. Mrs. Obama will participate in a briefing led by Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, U.S. Army, Deputy Commanding General for Initial Military Training, “about the consequences of childhood obesity, poor childhood nutrition and lack of physical exerci...

Keith Olbermann Fired from MSNBC - After eight years together, MSNBC and Keith Olbermann are parting ways. A statement from NBC Universal revealed the move late Friday. "MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract," it read. "The last broadcast of 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' will be this evening. MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC's success and we wish him well in his future endeavors." At the end of his show Friday night, Olbermann announced his departure in typical deadpan style, evoking scenes from the film "Network" and thanking viewers for keeping him on the air for eight years. "In the mundane world of television goodbyes, reality is laughably uncooperative," Olbermann said before launching into a story about his exit from ESPN 13 years ago. "As God as my witness, in the commercial break just before the emotional moment, the producer got into my earpiece and he said, 'um, can you c...

NFL Cheerleader Laura Vikmanis - Laura Vikmanis, 42, is the NFL’s oldest cheerleader. The Springboro, Ohio mother of two – daughters, Lila, 14, and Alexa, 12 – says she sees herself as a role model. “I look at myself as a role model for my children to show them no matter what age or dream you have, you can work really hard and achieve it,” Vikmanis says Laura earned her Bachelors in Dietetics and Food Administration from Cal State, Long Beach and works full-time as a dietician and personal trainer. She lives just blocks away from the Coffman YMCA in Springboro, where the state-of-the-art health and wellness center, two full size gymnasiums, and 75’ indoor pool offers plenty of support for staying in top shape. NFL Cheerleader Laura Vikmanis

Jogging Strollers with Faulty Hinge Recalled - Thousands of phil&teds jogging strollers are being recalled in the United States and Canada after reports of users getting fingers caught in a hinge mechanism. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the recall is being conducted in cooperation with the producer, phil&teds USA Inc., of Fort Collins, Colo. It affects about 22,000 strollers in the United States and 7,200 in Canada. There have been three reports of injuries to adults whose fingers became caught in the hinge mechanism, including a fingertip amputation. The recall involves sport v2 and classic v1 model single-seat jogging strollers sold at specialty juvenile stores from May 2008 through July 2010. Jogging Strollers with Faulty Hinge Recalled

Tiffany Outs Jonathan Knight as Gay - Rumors have surfaced in the past regarding New Kids on the Block member Jonathan Knight's sexuality, but never has the pop performer admitted to being a gay man. However, '80s teen queen Tiffany told millions of TV viewers that he indeed is on Thursday (Jan. 20). The red-haired 'I Think We're Alone Now' entertainer appeared on Bravo's 'Watch What Happens: Live,' alongside Debbie Gibson, to discuss the singers' role in the upcoming Syfy original movie, 'Mega Python vs. Gatoroid,' premiering Jan. 29. During their sitdown, host Andy Cohen asked Tiffany if she had cozied up with any of the NKOTB boys back in her days as a touring mall songstress. Her response: Jonathan Knight. "The quiet one, the shy one," Tiffany admitted. "[Jonathan Knight] became gay later. I didn't do it. I had issues with that. I was thinking maybe I did. Now looking back when we were dating he was so much fun. We...