President Jacob Zuma leaves Tuynhuys, the office of the Presidency at parliament after the announcement that his State of the Nation address had been postponed in Cape Town, South Africa, February 6, 2018. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham
Reuters: End game looms for South Africa's Zuma
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - African National Congress (ANC) leader Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday he is holding direct talks with Jacob Zuma over a transition of power, in the strongest indication to date the South African president will step down after years of scandal.
Zuma, in power since 2009 and beset by corruption allegations, has been in a weakened position since Deputy President Ramaphosa replaced him as ANC leader in December. Ramaphosa has talked of a transition of power since he took over as leader of the ANC.
The 75-year-old Zuma has been South Africa’s most controversial president since the end of white-minority rule in 1994, overseeing a tumultuous nine years marked by economic decline and numerous allegations of corruption.
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MIDDLE EAST
More than 136 people killed in Syria's Eastern Ghouta. Death toll soars as Syria regime pounds rebel enclave.
Turkey-Kurdish tensions escalate over Syria operation.
Iraqi army moves to secure planned oil route to Iran.
US forces on guard in Iraq, even as troop levels are expected to decline.
DoD: US-backed force heading to defend Syrian city could be cut from anti-ISIS coalition.
US forces on guard in Iraq, even as troop levels are expected to decline.
Iraqi army moves to secure planned oil route to Iran.
Israel warplanes target Syria military position: Syrian state TV.
Palestinian killed after wounding Israeli guard at West Bank settlement: military.
Abbas' government sued over alleged CIA-backed wiretapping of top Palestinian officials.
ASIA
US bombing expands to Afghan province near Chinese border. Afghanistan: US-led coalition expands bombing campaign.
Kashmir villages 'destroyed' by Pakistan army shelling.
Sister of North Korea's Kim Jong Un to attend Olympics, says Seoul. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong to visit South Korea for Winter Olympics.
North stole cryptocurrency from South Korea worth billions of won last year: NIS.
Pence says U.S. to announce new, tough sanctions on North Korea.
US could unfreeze $900M security aid if Pakistan targets terror.
Maldives president back in control as court reverses ruling.
At least 6 dead, more than 50 missing after major Taiwan quake.
Japan's Princess Mako postpones wedding to commoner Kei Komuro.
AFRICA
ICC-wanted Libya commander 'hands himself in' to strongman's forces.
'Risk of violence spiraling' in Cameroon after attack on police.
Guinea appeals for calm after 7 killed in post-electoral violence.
Deported Kenyan opposition figure rails against 'despotic regime'.
Egypt curbs opponents of presidential election.
South Africa: ANC holds 'fruitful' talks with President Zuma.
Nigeria grapples with mob justice in farmer-herder clashes.
EUROPE
Germany's CDU and SPD parties reach coalition deal. Germany's Angela Merkel finally reaches coalition deal with SPD.
EU revises up 2018 growth forecast for eurozone.
Amnesty calls for immediate release of jailed Catalan leader.
Pyeongchang Games set to open with Russians still in doubt.
Russia registers 8 to run in presidential election.
Poland Holocaust law: France criticises 'ill advised' text.
Ally or rival? Macron to visit Trump on US visit late April.
Retired cardinal hits back at Vatican over deal with China.
AMERICAS
House and Senate pursue spending deals as shutdown looms.
FBI lovers' latest text messages: Obama 'wants to know everything'.
Trump tells Pentagon 'to top' France military parade.
Venezuela talks hang by thread as presidential vote looms.
Venezuela's capital Caracas hit by power cut during rush hour.
Venezuela's Maduro to pitch oil-backed cryptocurrency petro to OPEC.
Puerto Ricans grab machetes, shovels to help restore power.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US conducts 10 counterterrorism strikes in Yemen.
Iraqi forces attack IS remnants in desert region.
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ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Calm returns to global markets but Wall Street set to drop.
Disney banks on Star Wars for growth.
EHang 184 passenger drone makes first public flight in China.
EU Parliament bans geoblocking, exempts Netflix and other streaming services.
