United States military commanders are planning to pull back their troops from Iraq’s towns and cities and redeploy them in four giant bases in a strategy they say is a prelude to eventual withdrawal. The plan, details of which emerged at the weekend, also foresees a transfer to Iraqi command of more than 100 bases.
Comedian Chris Tucker and United States talk-show host Jay Leno are scheduled to take the stand for Michael Jackson this week as the defence wraps up its case in the entertainer’s child-sex trial. The two are expected to be among the last witnesses to appear for the prosecution, which appears set to conclude its case by mid-week.
A senior Iranian official said on Monday that this week’s crisis talks with Britain, France and Germany are likely to be the last chance for the two sides to reach a deal on the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme. ”Nothing special would happen” if the talks fail, national security official Ali Agha Mohammadi said.
Nineteen miners were injured, three seriously, in rockfalls at Carletonville’s East Driefontein mine on Monday morning, Gold Fields said. This follows seismic activity measuring about 3,5 on the Richter scale at 8.10am. ”There are injuries, but no fatalities. It looks like everyone is accounted for,” spokesperson Willie Jacobsz said.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Monday pressed Iran to stick by commitments to freeze its nuclear activities, ahead of what he said will be ”tough” talks with the European Union this week. Arriving for regular ministerial talks in Brussels, he confirmed that the talks with Iran will take place in Geneva on Wednesday.
The design of the proposed basic income grant is ”fundamentally flawed”, Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel said on Monday. Speaking at the launch in Cape Town of the 2005/6 tax-filing season, he said there is no country in the world that has been able to implement it. The grant will cost South Africa about R89-billion.
An alleged syndicate member linked to the e-mail scam attack against South African banks last week is being questioned by the Scorpions following an intensive investigation by Standard Bank. A ”runner” had been recruited to launder money from customers’ accounts to an Eastern European fraud syndicate.
The search for the Mpumalanga pupil feared drowned in the sea at Richards Bay resumed early on Monday morning, KwaZulu-Natal police said. Seven other pupils drowned after the group decided to go for an early-morning swim at Richards Bay on Sunday. All were between 16 and 17 years old and in grades 10, 11 and 12.
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) launched its annual tax-filing season on Monday in a bid to encourage the country’s 4,5-million taxpayers to get their returns in by July 8. Speaking at the launch in Cape Town, Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel said this figure includes 2,4-million individual taxpayers.
Rampant Kaizer Chiefs successfully defended their Premier Soccer League (PSL) title after beating Bloemfontein Celtic 2-0 at the Free State Stadium on Sunday. Meanwhile, Moroka Swallows came from behind to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw against Black Leopards at the Rand Stadium on Sunday afternoon.