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China’s Tianhe-1A supercomputer has been confirmed as the most powerful in the world. Confirmation came with the publication of the latest list of the Top 500 supercomputers on the planet. Tianhe-1A has a peak speed of 2.57 petaflops, far higher than the US XT5 Jaguar that can manage 1.76 petaflops. The list also reveals... 

Facebook has ramped up competition with AOL, Yahoo, Microsoft and Google with a product to rival their e-mail services. Facebook Messages aims to tie users more closely to the social networking site at a time when everyone is battling for their attention. The product will merge texts, online chats, and e-mails into one central... 

Recently-bereaved people have heart rhythm changes which may make some of them more vulnerable to health problems, say researchers. The University of Sydney study, released at a US heart conference, monitored the hearts of 78 bereaved spouses and parents. They beat faster on average than unaffected volunteers, with more common... 

People who are exposed to the second-hand smoke from others’ cigarettes are at increased risk of hearing loss, experts believe. Doctors already know that people who smoke can damage their hearing. The latest study in the journal Tobacco Control, involving more than 3,000 US adults, suggests the same is true of passive... 

Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (Comac) has taken its first orders for the C919 passenger planes from three domestic airlines and General Electric’s leasing arm. The orders are being seen as a vote of confidence in state-owned Comac. The move may also mark a challenge to the dominance of Boeing and Airbus who have virtual... 

The luxury goods group beat forecasts with a 49% rise in first half pre-tax profits to £129m ($206m). “The Burberry team delivered a strong first half,” said chief executive Angela Ahrendts. Much of the growth came from emerging markets where sales grew by 46%. China, in particular, has been a strong market for... 

The world’s biggest retailer, Wal-Mart, has reported a 9% rise in profits thanks to strong sales overseas. Profit in the third quarter rose to $3.44bn (£2.15bn) compared with $3.15bn for the same period last year. Sales in the US fell for the sixth month in a row as American shoppers continued to feel under pressure. However,... 

Japanese scientists have confirmed that particles found inside the Hayabusa probe after its seven-year space trip are from the asteroid Itokawa. A statement from the country’s space agency said microscopic analysis of 1,500 grains retrieved from the craft’s sample canister proved they were of extraterrestrial origin. The... 

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has demanded justice for the “extraordinary torture” of an Indonesian maid in Saudi Arabia. Sumiati Binti Salan Mustapa, 23, is in a stable condition in hospital. Her injuries include gashes to her face and cuts to her lips, allegedly inflicted by her employers using... 

Supporters of the defeated candidate in Guinea’s presidential election, Cellou Dalein Diallo, have been protesting in the streets about the poll results. The security forces have been firing tear gas in the capital and violence has been reported in some other areas. Mr Diallo appealed for calm and said he would challenge...