Handanova takes on Andanova

Ananova is being fisted by a 28-year-old prehensile manipulator that reckons when it comes to reading the news, the cyberanchorwoman is all fingers and thumbs. Handanova - described as the world's first "digital" newscaster - used to work as a model on The Shopping Channel. This is his first hand job in journalism. "Although I don't have much hands-on experience of being an international newscaster," said Handanova, "I believe I have a firm grasp of the issues at hand." "My uncle played 'Fingermouse' in the hit children's television series and my mother posed for the front cover of the Yellow Pages," he said. Elsewhere, the media moguls at News1st claim its virtual characters have been broadcasting daily since 18 February, although viewers need MS Agent and other files to see these news critters. ® Related Stories Ananova speaks... cyberrubbish News Avatar speaks! (But what will be Ananova's first words?)