Washington, Jan 17 : A team of scientists has presented the largest-to-date genetic snapshot of Iceland as it was about 1000 years ago.

The scientists, from deCODE genetics, completed the largest study of ancient DNA from a single population ever undertaken.

Analyzing mitochondrial DNA, which is passed from mother to offspring, from 68 skeletal remains, the study provides a detailed look at how a contemporary population differs from that of its ancestors.

Washington, Jan 17 : Scientists are using a NASA radar flying aboard India's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft to get their first look inside the moon's coldest and darkest craters.

The Mini-SAR instrument, a lightweight, synthetic aperture radar, has passed its initial in-flight tests and sent back its first data.

The images show the floors of permanently-shadowed polar craters on the moon that aren't visible from Earth.

Washington, January 17: Barack Obama's Presidential Inaugural Committee has revealed that his supporters amongst the public will be allowed in the White House on Wednesday, the day after he is sworn in, on a first-come, first-served basis.

An email sent out by the committee reveals the unusual offer, and tells that all that the people are required to do is to sign up on their Web site.

"If you are among the first to sign up today, you and a friend could be there," the Washington Post quoted the e-mail as saying.

On Thursday, Kevin Martin, a Republican who chaired the U. S. Federal Communications Commission for four years informed that when the new administration would take over, he would leave the agency.

Following this, Martin will become a fellow at the Aspen Institute in Washington, a conservative think tank. Tuesday, the day when U. S. President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in is when Martin will bid adieu to the agency.

Los Angeles  - Nintendo, the world's largest maker of game consoles, continued to dominate the US video game market in 2008, according to figures released Friday.

The top seller was Nintendo's Wii console which sold 10,224,000 units in the US last year. This was followed by the Nintendo DS portable gaming unit, which sold 9,951,000 units, according to figures released by researcher NPD Group.

Third place was taken by Microsoft's Xbox 360 and the next three spots were taken by Sony machines for the Playstation Portable, Playstation 3 and Playstation 2.

After bankruptcy of leading financial institutions of United States, its now turn of Nortel Networks Corp. to file bankruptcy following the adverse impact of global financial crisis on its business.

Nortel Networks Corp is a leading telephone equipment manufacturer in US, which is facing tough liquidity conditions under the impact of global financial crisis.