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    Polls open in Chilean presidential election

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    26 dead from landslides after Philippine storm: officials

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    At least five killed in suicide attack on Pakistan church: officials

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    Two rookie astronauts, cosmonaut blast off to ISS 

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    Two Danish nationals wounded in Gabon knife attack: minister

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    UN council weighs measure rejecting US Jerusalem decision

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    Austrian far-right get interior, defence, foreign ministries

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    New Austrian government rules out referendum on EU membership

  • Johannesburg (AFP) - 12/16/2017 - 16:21

    Zuma admits S.Africans 'not happy' with ruling ANC party

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    India's Rahul Gandhi takes over as president of Congress party

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    Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as US tax cut plan advances

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    Austrian conservatives, far-right announce coalition deal

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    6.5 quake rocks southern Indonesia: USGS

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    Unilever selling magarines for 6.8 bn euros to US giant KKR

  • Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 17:41

    Palestinian dies of wounds after attacking Israelis: health ministry

  • Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 17:22

    Third Palestinian shot dead in clashes northeast of Jerusalem: health ministry

  • The Hague (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 17:19

    Dutch police open fire on man with knife at Schiphol airport

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 16:58

    Tillerson says US will keep channels open with N.Korea

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 16:40

    Flights between Russia and Egypt to resume in February: Moscow 

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 16:29

    Second Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: health ministry

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 15:59

    Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: health ministry

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 15:35

    Belgian trial delayed for Paris attacks suspect Abdeslam: court

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    Dutch-Ethiopian man gets life for 'Red Terror' war crimes

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    France, Germany want joint eurozone reform plan by March: Merkel

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    EU to start 'exploratory contacts' with UK on post-Brexit ties: Tusk

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    Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to marry on May 19: palace

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    Crisis boosted confidence in Lebanese economy: central bank

  • London (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 13:23

    May hails 'important step' after EU leaders unlock Brexit talks

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 12:37

    EU leaders approve start of next phase of Brexit talks: Tusk

  • Rome (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 12:36

    Ryanair pilots suspend strike in Italy: union

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    Russia ex-economy minister gets 8 years in penal colony over bribe

  • The Hague (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 11:34

    Child soldiers awarded $10 mn damages from Congolese warlord

  • Luxembourg (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 11:11

    Luxembourg appeals EU order to recoup 250 mn euro Amazon tax bill

  • Millas (France) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 10:53

    French school bus crash toll rises to 6: police source

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 09:54

    Russian ex-economy minister guilty of taking bribe: court

  • London (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 09:24

    Ryanair says may recognise unions amid strike threat

  • Tokyo (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 00:56

    Japanese business confidence hits 11-year high: survey

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 23:54

    Putin, Trump discussed North Korea in phone call: Kremlin

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 21:58

    EU leaders say position on Jerusalem 'unchanged': Tusk

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 21:02

    Polish PM expects EU to impose rare punishment over rule of law

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 20:27

    EU leaders agree to roll over Russia sanctions: Tusk

  • Geneva (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 19:39

    'Golden opportunity missed' at Syria peace talks: UN mediator

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    US regulator orders rollback of 'net neutrality' rules

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:40

    Iran says US evidence on Yemen missiles is 'fabricated'

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:21

    Huthi missile fired at Saudi was 'made in Iran': Haley

  • Geneva (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:13

    UN mediator on Syria 'undermined' by his Putin appeal: Damascus

  • Perpignan (France) (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:02

    Three dead as school bus, train collide in France: police source

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  • Santiago (AFP) - 12/17/2017 - 12:17

    Polls open in Chilean presidential election

  • Manila (AFP) - 12/17/2017 - 10:42

    26 dead from landslides after Philippine storm: officials

  • Quetta (Pakistan) (AFP) - 12/17/2017 - 09:23

    At least five killed in suicide attack on Pakistan church: officials

  • Baikonur (Kazakhstan) (AFP) - 12/17/2017 - 08:28

    Two rookie astronauts, cosmonaut blast off to ISS 

  • Libreville (AFP) - 12/16/2017 - 21:29

    Two Danish nationals wounded in Gabon knife attack: minister

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/16/2017 - 20:47

    UN council weighs measure rejecting US Jerusalem decision

  • Vienna (Austria) (AFP) - 12/16/2017 - 16:53

    Austrian far-right get interior, defence, foreign ministries

  • Vienna (AFP) - 12/16/2017 - 16:48

    New Austrian government rules out referendum on EU membership

  • Johannesburg (AFP) - 12/16/2017 - 16:21

    Zuma admits S.Africans 'not happy' with ruling ANC party

  • New Delhi (AFP) - 12/16/2017 - 06:47

    India's Rahul Gandhi takes over as president of Congress party

  • New York (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 22:07

    Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as US tax cut plan advances

  • Vienna (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 21:20

    Austrian conservatives, far-right announce coalition deal

  • Jakarta (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 18:38

    6.5 quake rocks southern Indonesia: USGS

  • The Hague (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 18:00

    Unilever selling magarines for 6.8 bn euros to US giant KKR

  • Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 17:41

    Palestinian dies of wounds after attacking Israelis: health ministry

  • Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 17:22

    Third Palestinian shot dead in clashes northeast of Jerusalem: health ministry

  • The Hague (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 17:19

    Dutch police open fire on man with knife at Schiphol airport

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 16:58

    Tillerson says US will keep channels open with N.Korea

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 16:40

    Flights between Russia and Egypt to resume in February: Moscow 

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 16:29

    Second Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: health ministry

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 15:59

    Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: health ministry

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 15:35

    Belgian trial delayed for Paris attacks suspect Abdeslam: court

  • The Hague (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 15:29

    Dutch-Ethiopian man gets life for 'Red Terror' war crimes

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 14:49

    France, Germany want joint eurozone reform plan by March: Merkel

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 14:31

    EU to start 'exploratory contacts' with UK on post-Brexit ties: Tusk

  • London (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 14:13

    Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to marry on May 19: palace

  • Beirut (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 13:51

    Crisis boosted confidence in Lebanese economy: central bank

  • London (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 13:23

    May hails 'important step' after EU leaders unlock Brexit talks

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 12:37

    EU leaders approve start of next phase of Brexit talks: Tusk

  • Rome (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 12:36

    Ryanair pilots suspend strike in Italy: union

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 12:05

    Russia ex-economy minister gets 8 years in penal colony over bribe

  • The Hague (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 11:34

    Child soldiers awarded $10 mn damages from Congolese warlord

  • Luxembourg (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 11:11

    Luxembourg appeals EU order to recoup 250 mn euro Amazon tax bill

  • Millas (France) (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 10:53

    French school bus crash toll rises to 6: police source

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 09:54

    Russian ex-economy minister guilty of taking bribe: court

  • London (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 09:24

    Ryanair says may recognise unions amid strike threat

  • Tokyo (AFP) - 12/15/2017 - 00:56

    Japanese business confidence hits 11-year high: survey

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 23:54

    Putin, Trump discussed North Korea in phone call: Kremlin

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 21:58

    EU leaders say position on Jerusalem 'unchanged': Tusk

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 21:02

    Polish PM expects EU to impose rare punishment over rule of law

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 20:27

    EU leaders agree to roll over Russia sanctions: Tusk

  • Geneva (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 19:39

    'Golden opportunity missed' at Syria peace talks: UN mediator

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 19:21

    US regulator orders rollback of 'net neutrality' rules

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:40

    Iran says US evidence on Yemen missiles is 'fabricated'

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:21

    Huthi missile fired at Saudi was 'made in Iran': Haley

  • Geneva (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:13

    UN mediator on Syria 'undermined' by his Putin appeal: Damascus

  • Perpignan (France) (AFP) - 12/14/2017 - 18:02

    Three dead as school bus, train collide in France: police source

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News

S.Africa's ANC party wrestles over choice of new leader

AFP / WIKUS DE WET There are more than 4,700 delegates at the ANC conference which is being held just outside Johannesburg

Thousands of delegates from South Africa's ruling ANC party prepared Sunday to elect their next leader in a vote widely seen as a decisive moment in the country's post-apartheid history.

The front-runners in the tight race are Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a wealthy businessman, and former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who is President Jacob Zuma's ex-wife.

With public support for the ANC falling sharply, the party which has ruled since 1994 when Nelson Mandela won the first multi-racial vote, could struggle to retain its grip on power in the 2019 general elections.

"We hope to start voting at some point this afternoon and the results will be out possibly tomorrow morning," ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte told reporters.

Ramaphosa received a significant boost late Saturday when he was publicly endorsed by influential ANC chairwoman Baleka Mbete.

There are more than 4,700 delegates attending the conference just outside Johannesburg which got off to a late start due to disputes over which delegates are qualified to vote, and further challenges may be lodged.

Zuma, whose reign has been marred by graft scandals, will step down as ANC chief at the meeting but will remain as head of state ahead of the 2019 vote.

- Party split? -

AFP / WIKUS DE WET A banner supporting Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa's bid to become the next head of the ANC

In an address on Saturday, Zuma appealed for unity in a party riven by bitter factions, and blamed the decline in the ANC's popularity on "perceptions in society that we are soft on corruption, self-serving and arrogant".

"Petty squabbling... needs to take a back seat," he said.

"Our people are frustrated when we spend more time fighting among ourselves instead of solving the daily challenges they experience."

But his speech drew only weak applause in sharp contrast with the raucous dancing and singing in support of those seeking to replace him.

Zuma is seen as supporting Dlamini-Zuma, who may protect him from prosecution over graft charges.

Some analysts say the contentious leadership battle could end up splitting the party.

The ANC is still South Africa's biggest party by far, but the 54 percent it won in local elections last year was its worst poll result since 1994.

In opposition, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters are hoping to exploit the ANC's woes in the 2019 election, with one possible outcome being a coalition government.

- 'Opportunity for change' -

AFP / MUJAHID SAFODIEN One of the main candidates is Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (left), the ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma who is seen here greeting Winnie Mandela, former wife of the late Nelson Mandela

Soaring unemployment and state corruption have fuelled frustration at the ANC among millions of poor black South Africans who face dire housing, inadequate education and continuing racial inequality.

Dlamini-Zuma, 68, headed the African Union commission until earlier this year and is a former interior, foreign affairs and health minister.

Her critics have warned she will pursue Zuma's failing economic and political policies.

The couple had four children together before divorcing in 1998.

Ramaphosa, 65, a former trade union leader, led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career that made him one of the country's wealthiest men.

He is often accused of failing to confront Zuma while serving as his deputy since 2014.

Mbete said she endorsed Ramaphosa to boost "unity in the organisation" before the 2019 election.

Ben Payton, an analyst at the global risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, said Ramaphosa was well-positioned for victory but Dlamini-Zuma "remains within touching distance of an upset win".

"The conference provides an opportunity for the party to change direction after eight years in which the economy has flatlined, increasingly extreme rhetoric has scared off investors, and corruption has overwhelmed public finances," he said.

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S.Africa's ANC party wrestles over choice of new leader

AFP / WIKUS DE WET There are more than 4,700 delegates at the ANC conference which is being held just outside Johannesburg

Thousands of delegates from South Africa's ruling ANC party prepared Sunday to elect their next leader in a vote widely seen as a decisive moment in the country's post-apartheid history.

The front-runners in the tight race are Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a wealthy businessman, and former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who is President Jacob Zuma's ex-wife.

With public support for the ANC falling sharply, the party which has ruled since 1994 when Nelson Mandela won the first multi-racial vote, could struggle to retain its grip on power in the 2019 general elections.

"We hope to start voting at some point this afternoon and the results will be out possibly tomorrow morning," ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte told reporters.

Ramaphosa received a significant boost late Saturday when he was publicly endorsed by influential ANC chairwoman Baleka Mbete.

There are more than 4,700 delegates attending the conference just outside Johannesburg which got off to a late start due to disputes over which delegates are qualified to vote, and further challenges may be lodged.

Zuma, whose reign has been marred by graft scandals, will step down as ANC chief at the meeting but will remain as head of state ahead of the 2019 vote.

- Party split? -

AFP / WIKUS DE WET A banner supporting Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa's bid to become the next head of the ANC

In an address on Saturday, Zuma appealed for unity in a party riven by bitter factions, and blamed the decline in the ANC's popularity on "perceptions in society that we are soft on corruption, self-serving and arrogant".

"Petty squabbling... needs to take a back seat," he said.

"Our people are frustrated when we spend more time fighting among ourselves instead of solving the daily challenges they experience."

But his speech drew only weak applause in sharp contrast with the raucous dancing and singing in support of those seeking to replace him.

Zuma is seen as supporting Dlamini-Zuma, who may protect him from prosecution over graft charges.

Some analysts say the contentious leadership battle could end up splitting the party.

The ANC is still South Africa's biggest party by far, but the 54 percent it won in local elections last year was its worst poll result since 1994.

In opposition, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters are hoping to exploit the ANC's woes in the 2019 election, with one possible outcome being a coalition government.

- 'Opportunity for change' -

AFP / MUJAHID SAFODIEN One of the main candidates is Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (left), the ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma who is seen here greeting Winnie Mandela, former wife of the late Nelson Mandela

Soaring unemployment and state corruption have fuelled frustration at the ANC among millions of poor black South Africans who face dire housing, inadequate education and continuing racial inequality.

Dlamini-Zuma, 68, headed the African Union commission until earlier this year and is a former interior, foreign affairs and health minister.

Her critics have warned she will pursue Zuma's failing economic and political policies.

The couple had four children together before divorcing in 1998.

Ramaphosa, 65, a former trade union leader, led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career that made him one of the country's wealthiest men.

He is often accused of failing to confront Zuma while serving as his deputy since 2014.

Mbete said she endorsed Ramaphosa to boost "unity in the organisation" before the 2019 election.

Ben Payton, an analyst at the global risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, said Ramaphosa was well-positioned for victory but Dlamini-Zuma "remains within touching distance of an upset win".

"The conference provides an opportunity for the party to change direction after eight years in which the economy has flatlined, increasingly extreme rhetoric has scared off investors, and corruption has overwhelmed public finances," he said.

AFP / WIKUS DE WET There are more than 4,700 delegates at the ANC conference which is being held just outside Johannesburg

Thousands of delegates from South Africa's ruling ANC party prepared Sunday to elect their next leader in a vote widely seen as a decisive moment in the country's post-apartheid history.

The front-runners in the tight race are Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a wealthy businessman, and former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who is President Jacob Zuma's ex-wife.

AFP / WIKUS DE WET A banner supporting Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa's bid to become the next head of the ANC

In an address on Saturday, Zuma appealed for unity in a party riven by bitter factions, and blamed the decline in the ANC's popularity on "perceptions in society that we are soft on corruption, self-serving and arrogant".

"Petty squabbling... needs to take a back seat," he said.

AFP / MUJAHID SAFODIEN One of the main candidates is Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (left), the ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma who is seen here greeting Winnie Mandela, former wife of the late Nelson Mandela

Soaring unemployment and state corruption have fuelled frustration at the ANC among millions of poor black South Africans who face dire housing, inadequate education and continuing racial inequality.

Dlamini-Zuma, 68, headed the African Union commission until earlier this year and is a former interior, foreign affairs and health minister.

17 Dec 2017

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