Google throws its weight behind LibreOffice

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21 June 2011
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LibreOffice gained a fresh burst of momentum last week as the makers of productivity software not only released a new, stable update but also announced the participation of Google and other big-name sponsors in its brand-new advisory board.

Google, SUSE, Red Hat, Freies Office Deutschland e.V., Software in the Public Interest and the Free Software Foundation will all serve for an initial term of one year on the board to provide advice, guidance and proposals regarding the free and open source software. In that role, each sponsor has the right to one representative — via redwolf.newsvine.com

uBeam developing Wi-Fi for energy to enable wireless charging

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21 June 2011
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The day when we don’t have to plug in our consumer electronics is getting closer, thanks to a new startup named uBeam that has developed a safe way of beaming power to your devices.

Rather than using inductive charging, which has a very short effective range and usually requires that the charger and device be in close proximity to each other, uBeam uses an ultrasonic transducer to convert power from your wall socket into inaudible sound energy. On the device side, there’s a battery adapter that converts the sound energy back into power to charge your batteries. The ultrasonic frequency used is well above the range that can be heard by humans or dogs — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Knit or Crochet a Dodecahedron / Berroco

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21 June 2011
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If you knit, here’s a stuffed, dodecahedral thing — I don’t know quite what to call it — a toy, a pillow, a mathematical model? The shape is based on twelve 5-sided units like a dodecahedron. But they bump out, so the form is more like a small stellated dodecahedron. This was designed by Norah Gaughan, who provides instructions in this Berroco pattern.

If you prefer to crochet, here’s another variation by Betsy Myles, also for Berroco — via MAKE

Suffocated, raped and set alight: church leader blames sexual demons

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20 June 2011
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A Melbourne church youth leader claimed his rape of an unconscious 14-year-old girl, who he later tried to kill, was prompted by his sexual demons.

The Supreme Court was today told that Michael Tuano Hermogenes, 25, suffocated the girl at her home in Caroline Springs in May last year with her stockings after plying her with alcohol — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Cystic Fibrosis drug offers fresh hope to sufferers

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20 June 2011
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An international team co-led by scientists at Queen’s University, Belfast, has developed a new drug for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers.

The drug specifically targets the so-called Celtic gene which is common in Ireland.

But the researchers believe the breakthrough will have significant implications for all CF sufferers.

The drug should be available to patients next year. Patients take two tablets a day — via redwolf.newsvine.com

British Library makes Google search deal

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20 June 2011
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In Technology, World
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One of the world’s biggest collections of historic books, pamphlets and periodicals is to be made available on the internet for the first ailable on the internet for the first time.

The British Library has reached a deal with search engine Google about texts dating back to the 18th Century.

It will allow readers to view, search and copy the out-of-copyright works at no charge. Google will also make the books available on its site — via redwolf.newsvine.com

African jitters over blogs and social media

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20 June 2011
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In Politics, Rights, Technology, World
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African governments are turning to more sophisticated techniques to block internet sites and bloggers who they perceive to be a threat.

That is the conclusion of The Committee for the Protection of Journalists, who together with the internet giant Google SA, have gathered African journalists together in Johannesburg’s financial hub Sandton to take stock in the wake of the North African uprising — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Soviet army monument in Sofia gets touch of colour

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20 June 2011
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The monument to the Soviet army in central Sofia is no stranger to graffiti, which pops right back up as soon as the monument is washed every spring.

But on the morning of 18 June 2011, passers-by were treated to more than just the usual graffiti tags and anti-communist slogans. The sculpture composition at the base of the monument was painted overnight to turn the metal soldiers into well-known pop culture icons; the inscription below the composition proclaimed it to be in step with the times.

Comic book characters led the way, with The Mask, Batman’s nemesis the Joker, Wolverine of X-Men fame, Superman and Captain America all featured, joined by Santa Claus and Ronald McDonald, among others. The flag held by the soldiers was painted in the stars and stripes of the US flag; — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Ducati TT2 / Joan Antoni Fontquerni

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20 June 2011
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In 1981, Ducati unveiled a gorgeous racing twin based on the successful Pantah. The TT2 used a Verlicchi-designed frame with a steel cantilever swing-arm, Marzocchi 35 mm forks and 18” magnesium wheels. The machine we’ve got here is even better: a thorough upgrade built for Spaniard Joan Antoni Fontquerni. He’s transformed his ’82 model into a lean, sinewy racer with heart-stopping looks — via Bike EXIF

Strike action may close Australia’s borders

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20 June 2011
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In Rights, World
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Proposed industrial action by staff at several Federal Government departments could shut down airports and seaports, and leave Australia’s borders unsecured.

The work agreements of about 150,000 Commonwealth public servants are due to expire on 30 June, but no replacement has been agreed on.

Enterprise bargaining negotiations with the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) have stalled, and staff at several agencies are a step closer to taking industrial action.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) will today apply to allow Immigration and Customs staff to take protected industrial action from 1 July — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Bullying claim at Woolworths

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20 June 2011
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In Business, Rights
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Allegations of bullying and intimidation by a senior executive at Woolworths have rocked its national headquarters, sparking an external investigation.

It is understood staff members have complained about the behaviour of the manager, prompting Woolworths to call in an external company, Deloittes, to examine the claims — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Homophobic Men Most Aroused by Gay Male Porn

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20 June 2011
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In Health, Science
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One study asked heterosexual men how comfortable and anxious they are around gay men. Based on these scores, they then divided these men into two groups: men that are homophobic, and men who are not. These men were then shown three, four-minute videos. One video depicted straight sex, one depicted lesbian sex and one depicted gay male sex. While this was happening, a device was attached to each participant’s penis. This device has been found to be triggered by sexual arousal, but not other types of arousal (such as nervousness, or fear – arousal often has a very different meaning in psychology than in popular usage) — via redwolf.newsvine.com

SP-26 Sportster / Hide Motorcycles

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19 June 2011
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Japan holds Harley’s Sportster range in higher regard than probably any other country in the world. The Sportster custom subculture is huge, and somewhere near the top of this very large tree is Hide Motorcycles (aka HIDEMO). This is the SP-26, the latest custom to roll out of the Kawasaki City workshop. And despite the completely new bodywork, it’s a relatively subtle update — via Bike EXIF

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