Nearly all the papers feature the grainy photograph of two of the 7th July bombers meeting some of the men who were found guilty at the Old Bailey yesterday.
The Mail asks
WHY DIDN'T MI5 STOP JULY 7TH
Astonishing details of how MI5 let two of the July 7 London suicide bombers slip through their fingers can be revealed for the first time.
Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer were photographed four times meeting members of an Al Qaeda cell who were plotting to use a huge fertiliser bomb in what would have been the UK's largest mass murder.
Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer were photographed four times meeting members of an Al Qaeda cell who were plotting to use a huge fertiliser bomb in what would have been the UK's largest mass murder.
BOMBERS IN ARMS says the Sun
TERROR plot leader Omar Khyam meets two 7/7 suicide bombers — 17 MONTHS before the London atrocity.
Khyam, seen with Mohammed Siddique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, was jailed for life with four other fanatics yesterday over a plan to blitz the UK with fertiliser bombs.
MI5, who shot the secret surveillance video at Toddington M1 services, Beds, on February 2, 2004, denied claims that they blew chances to nick Khan and Tanweer.
Khyam, seen with Mohammed Siddique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, was jailed for life with four other fanatics yesterday over a plan to blitz the UK with fertiliser bombs.
MI5, who shot the secret surveillance video at Toddington M1 services, Beds, on February 2, 2004, denied claims that they blew chances to nick Khan and Tanweer.
British bombers and the lost links to 7/7 headlines the Times
Mohammad Sidique Khan’s name featured twice in MI5 anti-terrorist operations more than a year before he went on to lead the 7/7 suicide attacks on London.
The revelations can be reported for the first time after yesterday’s conviction of Omar Khyam, a close associate of Khan, for plotting to build a 1,300lb bomb to blow up a crowded nightclub or shopping centre.
Far from being a “clean skin” Khan had been photographed, followed and bugged by intelligence officers more than a year before the July 2005 bombings that killed 52 innocent people and ranked as Britain’s worst act of mass murder.
Security sources told The Times that they had identified a “Sidique Khan” in 2004 as the owner of a mobile phone called by an alleged al-Qaeda financier and of a Honda car which was tailed from the SouthEast to Yorkshire by investigators. Despite those leads, which placed Khan firmly in the company of high priority terrorist suspects, he was not investigated further.
The revelations can be reported for the first time after yesterday’s conviction of Omar Khyam, a close associate of Khan, for plotting to build a 1,300lb bomb to blow up a crowded nightclub or shopping centre.
Far from being a “clean skin” Khan had been photographed, followed and bugged by intelligence officers more than a year before the July 2005 bombings that killed 52 innocent people and ranked as Britain’s worst act of mass murder.
Security sources told The Times that they had identified a “Sidique Khan” in 2004 as the owner of a mobile phone called by an alleged al-Qaeda financier and of a Honda car which was tailed from the SouthEast to Yorkshire by investigators. Despite those leads, which placed Khan firmly in the company of high priority terrorist suspects, he was not investigated further.
Echoed in the Guardian
How MI5 missed the links to the July 7 suicide bombers
Two of the suicide bombers, Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, were under surveillance by the security service, MI5, almost 18 months before the four simultaneous attacks that claimed 52 lives.
MI5 officers followed the pair as they drove hundreds of miles around the UK, photographed them and recorded their voices. They followed Sidique Khan to his mother-in-law's home, made inquiries about his telephone, and listened to bugged conversations in which he talked about waging jihad.
Yet they failed to identify either man, and cut short their investigations into the pair after deciding that they did not pose as high a risk to the country as other suspects under investigation.
MI5 officers followed the pair as they drove hundreds of miles around the UK, photographed them and recorded their voices. They followed Sidique Khan to his mother-in-law's home, made inquiries about his telephone, and listened to bugged conversations in which he talked about waging jihad.
Yet they failed to identify either man, and cut short their investigations into the pair after deciding that they did not pose as high a risk to the country as other suspects under investigation.
7/7 MEETS BLUEWATER headlines the Mirror
BLUEWATER bomb plotter Omar Khyam chats to 7/7 leader Sidique Khan and his right-hand man at a meeting that has appalled terror survivors.
The three men were filmed by MI5 16 months before the London bombers struck, killing 52 people.
But Khan, 30, and sidekick Shehzad Tanweer, 22, were not considered a threat and slipped through the net.
The chilling surveillance picture was released as Khyam's al-Qaeda gang was jailed for life yesterday
The three men were filmed by MI5 16 months before the London bombers struck, killing 52 people.
But Khan, 30, and sidekick Shehzad Tanweer, 22, were not considered a threat and slipped through the net.
The chilling surveillance picture was released as Khyam's al-Qaeda gang was jailed for life yesterday
Which reports the comments of the judge at the end of the trial
YOU HAVE BETRAYED YOUR OWN COUNTRY
Judge tells al-Qaeda Brits they could die in jail
Judge tells al-Qaeda Brits they could die in jail
THE five British al-Qaeda terrorists were branded "cruel and ruthless misfits" who had betrayed their country by the judge who jailed them yesterday.
The fanatical gang stored 1,300lbs of ammonium nitrate fertiliser as an ingredient to make devastating bombs to be used in outrages that would have killed hundreds of people.
Their targets included a British Airways plane, a packed London nightclub and the huge Bluewater shopping centre in Kent.
They even talked of blowing up Tony Blair and bragged of trying to buy a nuclear device from the Russian Mafia that would cause devastation "bigger than 9/11".
Yesterday at the end of a year-long, £50million trial they were told by Old Bailey judge Sir Michael Astill they may die behind bars.
The fanatical gang stored 1,300lbs of ammonium nitrate fertiliser as an ingredient to make devastating bombs to be used in outrages that would have killed hundreds of people.
Their targets included a British Airways plane, a packed London nightclub and the huge Bluewater shopping centre in Kent.
They even talked of blowing up Tony Blair and bragged of trying to buy a nuclear device from the Russian Mafia that would cause devastation "bigger than 9/11".
Yesterday at the end of a year-long, £50million trial they were told by Old Bailey judge Sir Michael Astill they may die behind bars.
The Guardian tells us that
Khyam and Garcia were also convicted of possessing 600kg of fertiliser for the purposes of terrorism, and Khyam was found guilty of possessing aluminium powder for purposes connected with terrorism.
The judge, Sir Michael Astill, said Khyam, Garcia and Mahmood should not be considered for parole for at least 20 years, and Akbar and Amin should not be considered for parole for 17 and a half years.
"All of you were determined to cause indiscriminate death, injury and suffering to unsuspecting and innocent members of the community into which you were born," he said.
"You have received and taken full advantage of the benefits that this free society has provided for you, yet you sought to destroy it by depriving its members of the freedoms you have experienced. You have betrayed the country which has given you every advantage in life."
The judge, Sir Michael Astill, said Khyam, Garcia and Mahmood should not be considered for parole for at least 20 years, and Akbar and Amin should not be considered for parole for 17 and a half years.
"All of you were determined to cause indiscriminate death, injury and suffering to unsuspecting and innocent members of the community into which you were born," he said.
"You have received and taken full advantage of the benefits that this free society has provided for you, yet you sought to destroy it by depriving its members of the freedoms you have experienced. You have betrayed the country which has given you every advantage in life."
Evil plotter who chose terror says the Sun
BOMB plot leader Omar Khyam dreamed of playing cricket for England — but ended up choosing life as a terrorist.
The middle class lad who loved Manchester United and fish and chips was the grandson of a British Army colonel.
He appeared to have the world at his feet — until he was brainwashed into fanaticism. He secretly started attending radical meetings and ran away to join a terrorist training camp in Pakistan when he was just 17.
The middle class lad who loved Manchester United and fish and chips was the grandson of a British Army colonel.
He appeared to have the world at his feet — until he was brainwashed into fanaticism. He secretly started attending radical meetings and ran away to join a terrorist training camp in Pakistan when he was just 17.
In Pakistan, British nationals met to rehearse the bombing of Britain reports the Mail
The blast set off by the bombmaking instructor caused a 20ft fountain in the icy waters of the stream feeding the Swat river.
Tiny fish floated to the surface before being carried away by the fast-flowing waters in the foothills of the Hindu Kush mountains which form the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.The group of British-born Pakistanis standing nearby were excited and impressed.
They had watched fascinated as chemicals they had helped buy in the bazaars were mixed together to make a series of bombs.
For two of them observing the bombmaker during the summer of 2003 there was a special significance.
Both would go on to lead Al Qaeda-linked terror cells tasked with bringing slaughter to Britain's streets.
One was Mohammad Sidique Khan, the Yorkshire teacher and leader of the four July 7 suicide bombers who claimed 52 innocent lives on the London transport system.
The other was Omar Khyam, the key member of the terror cell convicted at the Old Bailey.
Tiny fish floated to the surface before being carried away by the fast-flowing waters in the foothills of the Hindu Kush mountains which form the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.The group of British-born Pakistanis standing nearby were excited and impressed.
They had watched fascinated as chemicals they had helped buy in the bazaars were mixed together to make a series of bombs.
For two of them observing the bombmaker during the summer of 2003 there was a special significance.
Both would go on to lead Al Qaeda-linked terror cells tasked with bringing slaughter to Britain's streets.
One was Mohammad Sidique Khan, the Yorkshire teacher and leader of the four July 7 suicide bombers who claimed 52 innocent lives on the London transport system.
The other was Omar Khyam, the key member of the terror cell convicted at the Old Bailey.
The Telegraph describes how
How MI5 got lucky with hotline call
All intelligence operations need a stroke of luck. MI5's came with a call to their anti-terrorist hotline in February 2004.
Emma Wallis, who worked at Access Self-Storage in Hanwell, west London, had a story to tell. Three young Muslim men had rented a locker and placed a big bag of fertiliser there.They said it was for an allotment but there was enough - about 600kg - to cover four or five football pitches.Miss Wallis told her boyfriend who advised her to contact MI5 and the police. It was to prove a crucial call.
Over at Thames House, the HQ of MI5 in London, the names of two of the men were of instant interest.
Over at Thames House, the HQ of MI5 in London, the names of two of the men were of instant interest.
Of the main papers only the Independent and the Express lead with different stories,the Indy reporting on
Blair's bloody legacy: Iraq
Seven out of 10 people believe that Iraq will prove to be Tony Blair's most enduring legacy, according to an opinion poll for The Independent to mark the 10th anniversary today of the election victory that brought him to power.
As the Prime Minister prepares to announce his resignation next week, the survey by CommunicateResearch reveals that 69 per cent of the British public believe he will be remembered most for the Iraq war. Remarkably, his next highest "legacy rating" - just 9 per cent - is for his relationship with the American President, George Bush.
Four years after the US-led invasion, Iraq still dwarfs all other issues. Only 6 per cent of voters believe Mr Blair will be remembered most for the Northern Ireland peace process, which he will hail as an important part of his legacy when self-government is restored in the province a week today.
As the Prime Minister prepares to announce his resignation next week, the survey by CommunicateResearch reveals that 69 per cent of the British public believe he will be remembered most for the Iraq war. Remarkably, his next highest "legacy rating" - just 9 per cent - is for his relationship with the American President, George Bush.
Four years after the US-led invasion, Iraq still dwarfs all other issues. Only 6 per cent of voters believe Mr Blair will be remembered most for the Northern Ireland peace process, which he will hail as an important part of his legacy when self-government is restored in the province a week today.
The ending of the trial pushed the surge by Nato forces in Afghanistan off the main agenda.
136 Taliban dead, says US, as Afghan clashes intensify reports the Guardian
British troops swept into a Taliban stronghold lush with opium poppy fields yesterday, launching a Nato operation in southern Afghanistan just as US-led forces reported killing 136 militants in the west.
British soldiers quickly came under fire as they patrolled among the high-walled compounds and deep irrigation ditches of the militant-held Sangin valley in Helmand province. Troops responded with gunfire and artillery. There were no immediate reports of casualties in Operation Silicon, the latest stage in Nato's biggest offensive against the resurgent Taliban militia in the volatile south.
However, in the western province of Herat, the US-led coalition reported the bloodiest fighting in Afghanistan since January, during three days of clashes in the Zerkoh valley. Acting on intelligence, coalition and Afghan forces attacked insurgents and called in an airstrike, destroying seven Taliban positions and killing 87 fighters in a 14-hour engagement on Sunday, a coalition statement said. Forty-nine Taliban were killed two days earlier by gunfire and an airstrike, it said. One US soldier was killed. The casualty figures could not be independently confirmed, but police said "a large number of people" had died in the fighting.
British soldiers quickly came under fire as they patrolled among the high-walled compounds and deep irrigation ditches of the militant-held Sangin valley in Helmand province. Troops responded with gunfire and artillery. There were no immediate reports of casualties in Operation Silicon, the latest stage in Nato's biggest offensive against the resurgent Taliban militia in the volatile south.
However, in the western province of Herat, the US-led coalition reported the bloodiest fighting in Afghanistan since January, during three days of clashes in the Zerkoh valley. Acting on intelligence, coalition and Afghan forces attacked insurgents and called in an airstrike, destroying seven Taliban positions and killing 87 fighters in a 14-hour engagement on Sunday, a coalition statement said. Forty-nine Taliban were killed two days earlier by gunfire and an airstrike, it said. One US soldier was killed. The casualty figures could not be independently confirmed, but police said "a large number of people" had died in the fighting.
The Telegraph reports
Come home to Labour, Chancellor urges
The choice of words was seen as an admission that many of the party's grass roots voters are switching to the Scottish National Party.On a visit to his hometown of Kirkcaldy, the Chancellor repeated the words "I am asking Labour voters to come home to Labour" on four separate occasions.
He issued the plea to alienated Labour voters - echoing the "ET come home" catchphrase - in a speech at the Adam Smith College, across the road from the church where his father preached.
"I'm asking voters to come home to Labour because with a Labour-led Scottish Parliament and a UK Labour Government we can focus on the number one priority for the people of this country, not constitutional conflict, but building a world class education system," said Mr Brown.
He issued the plea to alienated Labour voters - echoing the "ET come home" catchphrase - in a speech at the Adam Smith College, across the road from the church where his father preached.
"I'm asking voters to come home to Labour because with a Labour-led Scottish Parliament and a UK Labour Government we can focus on the number one priority for the people of this country, not constitutional conflict, but building a world class education system," said Mr Brown.
Brown casts doubt on whether he could work with Salmond says the Guardian
Gordon Brown last night warned Scottish voters that he will find it "impossible" to work as prime minister with a Scottish National party-led government in Edinburgh if its leader, Alex Salmond, refuses to abandon his "dangerous and disastrous" plans for independence.
With Labour facing the prospect of losing an election in Scotland for the first time since 1955 to a hostile coalition in his home base, Mr Brown made an impassioned plea to wavering supporters to "come home to Labour" and head off the separatist threat of a "day one conflict strategy" if the SNP wins on Thursday.
With Labour facing the prospect of losing an election in Scotland for the first time since 1955 to a hostile coalition in his home base, Mr Brown made an impassioned plea to wavering supporters to "come home to Labour" and head off the separatist threat of a "day one conflict strategy" if the SNP wins on Thursday.
Meanwhile the Mirror reports
BLAIR: I'VE SAVED NHS
TONY Blair claimed yesterday to have achieved lasting reform of the NHS - 10 years after saying there were only 24 hours left to save it.
The Prime Minister admitted the changes have been "really tough" but said waiting list cuts, new hospitals and more staff were signs of success.
And he said the direction of reforms will not be reversed when he leaves No10. He added: "Ten years ago the question was: does the health service as an institution have a future? Today the question is: how do we improve the quality of that future?"
But opponents hit back, saying the last 10 years had been "wasted".
His speech came three days after junior doctors called for Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to resign over "shambolic" handling of botched training reforms.
The Prime Minister admitted the changes have been "really tough" but said waiting list cuts, new hospitals and more staff were signs of success.
And he said the direction of reforms will not be reversed when he leaves No10. He added: "Ten years ago the question was: does the health service as an institution have a future? Today the question is: how do we improve the quality of that future?"
But opponents hit back, saying the last 10 years had been "wasted".
His speech came three days after junior doctors called for Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to resign over "shambolic" handling of botched training reforms.
According to the Telegraph another Blair legacy has resulted in
Children 'damaged by exam factories'
Schools under Labour have been turned into "factories" that churn out exam results but fail to educate children properly, according to a leading Government adviser.
In a damning indictment of Tony Blair's school reforms, Alan Smithers, the professor of education at Buckingham University, says the Government has "done quite a lot of harm" to children by subjecting them to repeated tests.
Addressing a conference today, he will say that the Prime Minister has produced a generation of children regarded as the most unhappy in the western world.
In a damning indictment of Tony Blair's school reforms, Alan Smithers, the professor of education at Buckingham University, says the Government has "done quite a lot of harm" to children by subjecting them to repeated tests.
Addressing a conference today, he will say that the Prime Minister has produced a generation of children regarded as the most unhappy in the western world.
The Times reports that
Prince Harry ‘will deploy’ with his unit in Iraq, confirms Army head
The announcement came as the Army named the latest soldier to be killed in the country as Rifleman Paul Donnachie, 18, of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles. He was killed by small-arms fire during a patrol in Basra on Sunday.
After speculation that the rise in attacks against British troops in Iraq this month could force a rethink about the deploying of the Prince, General Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, said: “He will deploy.”
Defence sources said that Harry, 22, who is known as Cornet Wales, would also be carrying out his normal duties as a reconnaissance troop leader with A Squadron of The Blues and Royals, part of the Household Cavalry. They said this meant that he would fulfil all the responsibilities of commanding a troop of 11 soldiers, equipped with four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles.
After speculation that the rise in attacks against British troops in Iraq this month could force a rethink about the deploying of the Prince, General Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, said: “He will deploy.”
Defence sources said that Harry, 22, who is known as Cornet Wales, would also be carrying out his normal duties as a reconnaissance troop leader with A Squadron of The Blues and Royals, part of the Household Cavalry. They said this meant that he would fulfil all the responsibilities of commanding a troop of 11 soldiers, equipped with four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles.
The Times reports from France,on
The demonisation of Sarkozy
Ségolène Royal intensified a desperate final effort yesterday to tar Nicolas Sarkozy, her presidential opponent, as a dangerous tyrant whose election would threaten the peace of France.
Ms Royal, the left-wing candidate who is about four points behind the conservative Mr Sarkozy in polls, denounced her opponent for the “great violence” and “brutality” of a campaign that she maintained was frightening away voters.
She will use a critical television debate with her opponent tomorrow to contrast her “France at peace with itself” with Mr Sarkozy’s “France of the hard Right”.
Ms Royal’s line of attack, five days before the country goes to the polls, was amplified yesterday by aides and supporters. In the latest torrent of anti-Sarko vitriol, 100 stars of the arts and sciences declared that “Sarkozy embodies a hard radicalised Right . . . with all its fears and hates. Entrusting the presidency to a demagogue like this means real danger.”
Ms Royal, the left-wing candidate who is about four points behind the conservative Mr Sarkozy in polls, denounced her opponent for the “great violence” and “brutality” of a campaign that she maintained was frightening away voters.
She will use a critical television debate with her opponent tomorrow to contrast her “France at peace with itself” with Mr Sarkozy’s “France of the hard Right”.
Ms Royal’s line of attack, five days before the country goes to the polls, was amplified yesterday by aides and supporters. In the latest torrent of anti-Sarko vitriol, 100 stars of the arts and sciences declared that “Sarkozy embodies a hard radicalised Right . . . with all its fears and hates. Entrusting the presidency to a demagogue like this means real danger.”
The Independent reports on the
Top of the shops: Moss mania comes to Oxford Street store
It was probably the briefest but most dramatic modelling assignment in Kate Moss's career.
Emerging from behind red velvet curtains in the display window of a West End store, she glared at an audience of thousands on the street outside, before tossing her hair and sauntering out of sight.
She came and went in less than a minute but her appearance last night at Topshop's flagship store was truly a traffic-stopping moment.
Buses and cars lurched to a halt and thousands of onlookers craned for a glimpse of the super-model, some climbing telephone boxes for a better view. This was "preview night" of her eagerly awaited 50-piece collection. And what better marketing strategy than to have one of the most iconic faces in British fashion to showcase her own wares, dressed in a sensational floor-length red chiffon dress.
Emerging from behind red velvet curtains in the display window of a West End store, she glared at an audience of thousands on the street outside, before tossing her hair and sauntering out of sight.
She came and went in less than a minute but her appearance last night at Topshop's flagship store was truly a traffic-stopping moment.
Buses and cars lurched to a halt and thousands of onlookers craned for a glimpse of the super-model, some climbing telephone boxes for a better view. This was "preview night" of her eagerly awaited 50-piece collection. And what better marketing strategy than to have one of the most iconic faces in British fashion to showcase her own wares, dressed in a sensational floor-length red chiffon dress.
Thousands join queue to dress like Kate says the Telegraph
Claire Reback, 22, a Birmingham University student, who joined the queue at 3pm, said: "I'm here because I love Kate Moss. I love her sense of style. I'll probably spend £100 and the one thing I want is the chiffon dress."
By 8pm, when the world's most famous model arrived at the Oxford Street store, the scenes were more reminiscent of the premiere of a West End movie than the debut of an affordable clothes range.
By 8pm, when the world's most famous model arrived at the Oxford Street store, the scenes were more reminiscent of the premiere of a West End movie than the debut of an affordable clothes range.
A bad day for Manchester
FEARS FOR VAGRANTS IN BLAZE reports the Express
FIREMEN were last night waiting to enter a burning office block amid fears that vagrants had been killed inside.
The inferno brought Manchester city centre to a standstill as 100 officers tackled the flames.Neighbours said the homeless had been sleeping rough inside but rescue teams were ordered to stay out as the blaze left the five-storey building on the verge of collapse.Twenty fire engines were called when smoke billowed from windows at 5.55am.The fire spread to a neighbouring office block which was not occupied at the time.
The inferno brought Manchester city centre to a standstill as 100 officers tackled the flames.Neighbours said the homeless had been sleeping rough inside but rescue teams were ordered to stay out as the blaze left the five-storey building on the verge of collapse.Twenty fire engines were called when smoke billowed from windows at 5.55am.The fire spread to a neighbouring office block which was not occupied at the time.
GIRL, 12 GUNNED DOWN AT HOME reports the Mirror
A GIRL of 12 was fighting for life last night after she was shot in the head at a house.
She was found with gunshot wounds just after 7.30pm last in the Gorton area of Manchester. The girl was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary where she was described as "critical".
A 17-year-old boy was arrested at the scene and is to be interviewed on suspicion of attempted murder.
It is thought he will be questioned about the shooting this morning.
Detectives do not believe the shooting is gang-related. Police and ambulance crews were called to an address in Wembley Road after a 999 call.
She was found with gunshot wounds just after 7.30pm last in the Gorton area of Manchester. The girl was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary where she was described as "critical".
A 17-year-old boy was arrested at the scene and is to be interviewed on suspicion of attempted murder.
It is thought he will be questioned about the shooting this morning.
Detectives do not believe the shooting is gang-related. Police and ambulance crews were called to an address in Wembley Road after a 999 call.
Russia sees moon plot in Nasa plans according to the Telegraph
Mankind's second race for the moon took on a distinctly Cold War feel yesterday when the Russian space agency accused its old rival Nasa of rejecting a proposal for joint lunar exploration.
The claim comes amid suspicion in Moscow that the United States is seeking to deny Russia access to an isotope in abundance under the moon's surface that many believe could replace fossil fuels and even end the threat of global warming.
The claim comes amid suspicion in Moscow that the United States is seeking to deny Russia access to an isotope in abundance under the moon's surface that many believe could replace fossil fuels and even end the threat of global warming.
And staying with Space,the Times reveals
In space, no one can hear a moving Mecca’s call to prayer
How do you pray facing Mecca five times a day when you are circling the Earth 16 times every 24 hours? This is one of the problems facing Malaysian authorities as they prepare to send their first man into space.
There are others: how to hold the prayer position in zero gravity, ensure that only halal freeze-dried food makes it into your space cupboard and perform your ritual ablutions before worship? They have all been answered by a team of Islamic scholars and scientists that has spent more than a year working on guidelines for the astronaut.
He will travel to the International Space Station in October on the invitation of Russia for a Malaysian to join its mission, in exchange for a lucrative arms deal.
The Government hailed the mission as an important milestone but religious scholars questioned how a practising Muslim could accommodate worship with the demands of space travel.
There are others: how to hold the prayer position in zero gravity, ensure that only halal freeze-dried food makes it into your space cupboard and perform your ritual ablutions before worship? They have all been answered by a team of Islamic scholars and scientists that has spent more than a year working on guidelines for the astronaut.
He will travel to the International Space Station in October on the invitation of Russia for a Malaysian to join its mission, in exchange for a lucrative arms deal.
The Government hailed the mission as an important milestone but religious scholars questioned how a practising Muslim could accommodate worship with the demands of space travel.
Finally the same paper reports that
Chimps’ gestures linked to early sign language
Hand and foot gestures used by bonobos and chimpanzees have provided new evidence that the first humans communicated by sign language.
Observations of the primates revealed that they have at least 31 gestures, close to double the number of facial and vocal expressions. The manual gestures are far more deliberate and open to modification than facial expressions, suggesting that they formed the basis of language among man’s ancestors before speech developed.
Primitive humans would, the researchers suggest, have developed speech only once the usefulness of communication through a range of hand gestures had been recognised. In bonobos, which are as closely related to modern humans as are chimpanzees, the gestures are so diverse that they make up different languages, or at least gestural dialects, distinct from one group to another.
Observations of the primates revealed that they have at least 31 gestures, close to double the number of facial and vocal expressions. The manual gestures are far more deliberate and open to modification than facial expressions, suggesting that they formed the basis of language among man’s ancestors before speech developed.
Primitive humans would, the researchers suggest, have developed speech only once the usefulness of communication through a range of hand gestures had been recognised. In bonobos, which are as closely related to modern humans as are chimpanzees, the gestures are so diverse that they make up different languages, or at least gestural dialects, distinct from one group to another.
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