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K is built by the Japanese computer firm Fujitsu, based in Kobe’s Riken Advanced Institute for Computational Science. It is capable of making 8.2 quadrillion (a quadrillion is 1 followed by 15 zeroes) calculations per second – or, in computer jargon, 8.2 petaflops.

The previous fastest machine was the Chinese computer Tianhe-1A, which was clocked at 2.507 petaflops.

The rankings for the world’s fastest computers are kept by a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, one Jack Dongarra. He releases a six-monthly list detailing the top 500 machines, as determined by a their ability to run a standard mathematical equation. The new list is released today.

So where does the U.S. rank?

The USA holds a further four of the top 10 slots, although four of the top five are Chinese or Japanese.

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James Richard Verone woke up June 9 with a sense of anticipation.

He took a shower.

Ironed his shirt.

Hailed a cab.

Then robbed a bank.

He wasn’t especially nervous. If anything, Verone said he was excited to finally execute his plan to gain access to free medical care.

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