ARM Chip Promises Cheaper Smartphones

UK chip designer ARM has unveiled a new processor, which should allow manufacturers to make cheaper smartphones.

The company hopes the Cortex A7 will enable a mobile computing revolution in developing countries where current technologies are often unaffordable.

Muammar Gaddafi killed in Libya

Libya's ex-leader Col Muammar Gaddafi has been killed after an assault on his birthplace of Sirte, officials say.Acting Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril announced the death, and later said the colonel had been killed in a crossfire between Gaddafi loyalists and fighters from the transitional authorities.

Skin Cells 'Turned Into Neurons' by US Scientists

A Californian team say they have managed to convert human skin cells directly into functioning brain cells. 

The scientists manipulated the process by which DNA is transcribed within foetal skin cells to create cells which behaved like neurons.

The technique had previously been demonstrated in mice, says the report in Nature.

It could be used for neurological research, and might conceivably be used to create brain cells for transplant.

How Your Mind Can be Read

Scientists have discovered a way to watch words form in the human brain in a breakthrough that could one day allow those with severe disabilities to 'speak'.

The researchers have found a way to peer into the deepest recesses of the brain in order to watch words forming. Using electrodes they found the area of the brain that is involved in creating the 40 or so sounds that form the English language.

They then discovered that each of these sounds has its own signal which they believe could eventually allow a computer programme to read what people want to say by the power of their thoughts.

7.7 Million Foreign Tourists Targeted to Visit Indonesia This Year

The Culture and Tourism Ministry has set itself the target of 7.7 million foreign tourist arrivals this year, a tourism official said.

"We are optimistic that the target will be achieved," Rita Sofia, promotion section chief of the Marketing Directorate for Java of the Tourism Ministry, said here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion of the opening of an exhibition on Central Java tourism , Rita said that the target this year was higher than that of last year which was only seven million.

She said that the number of domestic tourists this year was also expected to increase to 237 million from 234 million in 2010. The tourism official said that actually the desire of the people to conduct touristic trips abroad could be directed to tourism sites at home.

"It’s just the right of people to go abroad but various kinds of local tourism promotions could at least attract them," she said.

Therefore, she said, her side was holding the exhibition in an effort to introduce local tourism sites through 14 stands from various travel bureaus which would offer domestic travel packages. 

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Best Tours in Asia

Sri Lanka: Ceylon Rising

New this year

Peace has finally come to Sri Lanka after a quarter century of intermittent civil war, making the island’s pristine nature reserves and trove of cultural marvels more accessible than ever. A fourth-generation Tamil guide shows you what you’ve been missing: The ancient city of Polonnaruwa with the massive carved Buddha images at Gal Vihara; the tropical modernist architecture of native son Geoffrey Bawa; and the former rebel stronghold of Trincomalee, prized for its strategic harbor and stunning beaches. Remote Lands: “Sri Lanka Reborn in Peace,” 7 days; $3,600.

Lake Sentani Festival to be Held to Preserve Papua's Culture

Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua will this year again organize a Lake Sentani Festival (FDS) in a bid to preserve its unique and traditional arts.

The land of "Cendrawasih" (Bird of Paradise) is really blessed with an abundance of natural resources and unparalleled culture and traditional arts that have to be maintained.