MOSCOW: A number of mice and eight gerbils sent into space in a Russian capsule destined to find out how well organisms can withstand extended flights perished during their journey, scientists said yesterday as the month-long mission touched back down on Earth.
Most of the 45 mice sent into orbit — along with the gerbils and 15 newts — died on the mission, which nevertheless returned with data that scientists hope will pave the way for a manned flight to Mars.
The animals on board the Bion-M craft died because of equipment failure or due to the stresses of space, scientists said. The craft itself landed softly early yesterday with the help of a special parachute system in the Orenburg region about 1,200km southeast of Moscow.
Zuma name dragged into jet scandal
PRETORIA: South African officials used President Jacob Zuma’s name to secure landing rights at a military air base to fly in guests for a lavish wedding hosted by a well-connected Indian family, a probe found yesterday.
The name-dropping was “very bad” and government officials should not have allowed themselves to be “intimidated” into accommodating the Gupta family, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said as he presented the preliminary findings from an investigation into last month’s incident.
The report found that the family had been denied permission to land their chartered jet at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg because the elaborate reception they planned for their nearly 200 guests would have disrupted normal operations..
Key Nigerian city under lockdown
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria: A key city in northeast Nigeria was on lockdown yesterday as the military enforced a 24-hour curfew and blocked supply routes in its sweeping campaign against Islamist insurgents.
The operation against Boko Haram, the group that wants an Islamic state in northern Nigeria, is aimed at retaking territory seized by the militants and ridding the country of “terrorist activities,” the military has said.
The offensive has included air strikes on Boko Haram strongholds in remote parts of northeastern Borno state, and has spread to the state capital Maiduguri, the insurgents’ traditional home base — which residents said yesterday was under a blockade.
Agencies
