Iraq’s politics, as opposed to Iraq’s grim daily ground-floor reality, increasingly resembles a game of illusions which those involved conspire to maintain or prolong. It is an Alice in Wonderland world — except there are no white rabbits disappearing down holes, let alone being pulled from hats.
When exercisers complain they are not losing any weight, fitness instructors and medical professionals usually conclude that they are either lazy or kidding themselves about how much consistent effort they are putting in. But a growing body of research is suggesting that we don’t all respond to exercise in the same way.
The African National Congress (ANC) on Monday condemned what it said was ”abusive ranting” by union leader Zwelinzima Vavi on Cabinet ministers. Vavi, who is the general secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, said at the weekend that some ministers were ”deadwoods who remain untouchable”, and that some were ”dying on duty”.
United States troops in Iraq launched a major assault against al-Qaeda-linked militants and alleged Iranian-aided extremist groups on Monday as a Sunni leader accused Iran of plotting genocide against his people. Operation Phantom Strike, the military announced, was being waged nationwide to disrupt Shi’ite extremist networks and insurgents affiliated to al-Qaeda.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Monday demanded action against Limpopo farmers who arrest Zimbabwean border-crossers, but the farmers said they were merely protecting private property. The rounding up of Zimbabwean migrants by farm patrols was reminiscent of apartheid-era white farm commandos, Cosatu said.
Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is demanding the Sunday Times retract ”malicious, untrue and injurious statements” made about her. This follows a weekend front-page report, under the headline ”Manto’s Hospital Booze Binge”, in which it is alleged the minister consumed excessive amounts of alcohol while in hospital.
Authorities seized cocaine worth more than -million on Monday in Mauritania’s capital — the country’s largest haul ever, officials said. Security agents arrested five people — two Moroccans, a Senegalese and two Mauritanians with 830kg of cocaine, said state prosecutor Ben Amar Ould Veten.
Gauteng’s public works department denied a Democratic Alliance (DA) claim that hospital generators were no longer being tested weekly after maintenance contracts had been cancelled in June. Spokesperson Alfred Nhlapo said the system that had replaced the contracts, involving a pool of contractors, was better than what had been available under the previous system.
The Presidency has dismissed newspaper allegations concerning Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, saying they do not warrant President Thabo Mbeki taking action against her. Earlier, it was reported Tshabalala-Msimang was to seek legal advice about a Sunday Times report alleging she went on a ”hospital booze binge”.
About 3 500 mine workers will continue their strike over low salaries on Tuesday, trade union Solidarity said. Spokesperson Reint Dykema said Solidarity members started striking at coal mines around the country on Monday over an inadequate pay offer, particularly for artisans.