Tokyo - A paralysed man using only his brain waves has been able to manipulate a virtual Internet character, Japanese researchers said on Monday, calling it a world first.

The 41-year-old patient used his imagination to make his character take a walk and chat to another virtual person on the popular Second Life website.

The patient, who has suffered paralysis for more than 30 years, can barely bend his fingers due to a progressive muscle disease so cannot use a mouse or keyboard in the traditional way.

The Future of Religions/Religions of the Future is a two-day conference examining how two of the 21st Century's driving forces, religion and technology, will continue to re-shape each other and, in the process, re-cast our understanding of "humanity" in the Third Millennium. Centered on, but not limited to, virtual worlds and social networking technologies, speakers and panelists will also examine changes precipitated by the biotechnology revolution, cognitive science, information technologies and robotics.

Travis Ristow to Close NDX Secondary

www.slcapex.com

By SL Hak

With the Innovative Index Fund (NDX) secondary still struggling on Capex, CEO Travis Ristow has announced that the offer will be closing on the 3^rd of June. With in excess of 900k shares still available at L$4.99 it is anticipated that most will remain on the shelf. Travis Ristow however claims that he has a single private investor lined up to purchase the remaining unsold shares. The question is who is this investor, who will no doubt be picking up the shares at a heavily discounted price..