Newscan

A view from space

The gaping hole left by the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center buildings and the damage to the Pentagon have been seen from space. A series of images sent by the Ikonos satellite, in orbit 680 km high, last week shows how complete was the destruction of the two towers.

Astronauts aboard the international space station also watched in horror as lower Manhattan burned. U.S. commander Frank Culbertson told NASA's mission control in Houston, Texas, "We could see New York City and the smoke from the fires. But first our prayers and condolences to all lost."

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Films held up

Studios in Hollywood have delayed the release of two major films featuring bombs or terrorists. They are "Big Trouble" and "Collateral Damage" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. All major television networks have also started reviewing content that might seem insensitive in light of the events in the U.S.

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A boost for radio

Satellite radio is to start broadcasting in the U.S. soon.

A Washington-based service, XM Satellite Radio, funded by a leading car manufacturer, will be the first in the country.

It promises 100 channels of digital radio, ranging from jazz to comedy to 24-hour news, for a monthly subscription fee.

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Fossil find

South African scientists have said they have discovered the oldest known hominid fossils yet found in southern Africa, dating back 3.5 million years. The bones were uncovered last week at the Sterkfontein caves, north of Johannesburg by a team from the University of Witwatersrand. Sterkfontein is the richest site in the world for remains of early members of the family of humanity (hominids). The team hopes the find will shed more light on our origins.

Compiled by MURALI N. KRISHNASWAMY

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Section  : Features
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