Technology Slice Blog

Ohio Unemployment takes a Dive - Ohio's manufacturing sector led the way in hiring in December, with the state's unemployment rate in December to 9.6 percent from 9.8 percent a month earlier. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio fell to 567,000 in December from 580,000 in November, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported on Friday. The state's nonfarm wage and salary employment fell 9,100 to 5,002,900 in December from 5,012,000 in November. For all of 2010, manufacturing job growth led the way, by adding 13,000 from November to December. Overall, unemployment fell to 567,000 from 580,000. For last year, job losses in financial activities fell by 10,000 During the same period a year earlier, Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.8 percent. Ohio Unemployment takes a Dive

Hyperbaric Chamber Explosion - "A South Florida clinic where a hyperbaric chamber explosion killed a woman and her grandson has reopened. ... Vincenza Pesce and 4-year-old Francesco Martinisi were inside a pressurized oxygen chamber when it exploded. The boy was undergoing therapy for cerebral palsy and traveled from Italy for the treatment. Their family has sued the facility. A staff doctor says the clinic has implemented new safety rules, including prohibiting companions inside a chamber. It also aims to be more vigilant about scanning patients for anything that could cause a spark." Hyperbaric Chamber Explosion

Ann Pettway Turned Herself In - A woman suspected of snatching an infant from a New York hospital in 1987 was in custody Sunday after surrendering to authorities in Connecticut, the FBI said. Ann Pettway turned herself in to the FBI office in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Sunday morning, FBI spokesman William Reiner said. A law enforcement source previously told CNN Pettway contacted a Bridgeport police officer via Facebook from Stratford, Connecticut. Reiner and Bridgeport police spokesman Detective Keith Bryant would not comment on that report. Reiner also would not comment on Pettway's whereabouts following her arrest or whether she was cooperating with police. Earlier, Bryant told reporters that Pettway was spotted at a pawnshop in Bridgeport on Saturday She was seen at Joe David Pawnbroker at about noon Saturday, he said, and asked about pawning jewelry. She wasn't happy with the amount the pawnshop offered for the jewelry and left, spending about two minutes in the st...

Natalie Portman Taking a Break - Natalie Portman has put her acting career on hold as she gears up for motherhood. The actress has dropped out of the film adaptation of novel "Cloud Atlas". "Natalie has made eight films in three years and will take a well-earned rest after her baby is born in the summer," dailymail quoted a source as saying. "She is looking forward to taking a break from the spotlight and concentrating on her family." Portman stunned Hollywood last month when she announced that she was engaged to "Black Swan" choreographer Benjamin Millepied and was carrying his baby. Natalie Portman Taking a Break

WWE Sid Vicious Arrested Drug Charges - Wrestler "Sycho Sid" Eudy is free on bail after being arrested in Memphis on a marijuana possession charge. Police say they pulled the 50-year-old Eudy over Friday for not wearing a seatbelt. WMC-TV in Memphis reports an officer saw a bag containing 18 grams of marijuana on an arm rest in the car. Eudy also faces charges of driving without a license. He was released on $1,000 bond. Eudy, of Marion, Ark., was known as Sid Vicious in World Championship Wrestling, and as Sid Justice and Sycho Sid in the World Wrestling Federation. A message left Sunday for Memphis police was not immediately returned. A call to a listing for Sidney Eudy in Marion, Ark., was not answered. WWE Sid Vicious Arrested Drug Charges

Regis Philbin Fires Agent - The Regis Philbin plot is thickening. On Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported that Philbin has fired his agent, Jim Griffin. "I don't understand what this is all about," Griffin told the Times, saying he was taken aback by Philbin's abrupt departure. "When I first met Regis, he hadn't worked in a year and a half and here we are," Griffin said, adding, "we've had a great run." Asked what Philbin might have been unhappy about, Griffin said he did not know. "It's obviously very sad," he sighed. Meanwhile, TMZ is reporting that Philbin announced he's quitting his Live with Regis and Kelly show because execs told Griffin that his client would have to take a paycut in a new contract. According to the Times, the show is still successful, although its ratings are on the decline and the median viewer age is about 60. TMZ says Philbin was making $18 million to $20 million a year, and was ange...

Heidi Klum to Launch Own Perfume - Every celebrity seems to do a fragrance and Heidi Klum is a celebrity who seems to do everything, so news that she'd jump on the celebrity scent bandwagon seems like a given. Indeed, Klum will launch her very own perfume, called "Shine," this September, according to WWD. The German supermodel, mother of four, TV host, and businesswoman adds the scent to her growing repertoire, while Coty plans to capitalize on the megabrand she's created for herself. Reps for the company pointed to Klum as the whole package -- "she's an entrepreneur; she's a showgirl" -- as well as supermodel and down-to-earth wife and mother all in one. She's even got experience in the beauty industry, sharing with WWD that for her mandatory internship in Germany (at the tender age of 13!), she worked for the cosmetics company 4711, where her father was the marketing director. Heidi Klum to Launch Own Perfume

Bath Salts Growing Drug Problem - Authorities in several states say they're seeing a new street drug with terrifying effects. Sold as bath salts under such names as Ivory Wave, Red Dove, Bliss, White Lightning and Hurricane Charlie, authorities say they contain chemicals that can cause hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates and suicidal thoughts. The chemicals are found in bath salts and even plant foods that are sold legally at convenience stores and on the Internet. Some say the effects of the chemicals are as powerful as abusing methamphetamine. Increasingly, law enforcement agents and poison control centers say the bath salts with their complex chemical names are an emerging menace, and officials in some states, including Mississippi and Kentucky, are talking about banning their sale. Bath Salts Growing Drug Problem

Bronx Raid Drug Suspect's Dad Shot - New York City police said an officer taking part in a drug raid Saturday accidentally shot and wounded a suspect's elderly father. A law enforcement official said it appeared that Officer Andrew McCormack fired inadvertently as the raid unfolded in the Bronx. McCormack's dad was shot dead by a mentally disturbed man who had barricaded himself in a Bronx home in 1983. Police said the wounded man was expected to survive. Bronx Raid Drug Suspect's Dad Shot

Hotel Made of Garbage - A brand new hotel called the "Beach Garbage Hotel" has just opened in Madrid. What's different about this hotel is that it is made entirely from debris found on beaches, landfills and flea markets. The walls are decorated with plastic drums, wooden frames, musical instruments, striped socks, tyres and children's books. The hotel is the creation of German artist Ha Schult, who said he created the hotel because "the oceans of our planet are the biggest garbage dump." Schult says the goal of his installation is to raise awareness of the pollution found on some of the world's beaches. Hotel Made of Garbage