South African president marries fourth wife

CNN) -- South African President Jacob Zuma married his longtime fiancee in a private ceremony at his rural home, making her one of his four current wives.

Zuma, 70, tied the knot with Bongi Ngema in a traditional ceremony Friday in the town of Nkandla.

It is the sixth marriage overall for the polygamous president - - one of his wives died while another one divorced him.

The president practices the Zulu tradition, which allows polygamy. While legal in South Africa, polygamy is losing popularity with the younger generation in the continent, where it is still practiced in some cultures.

Zuma -- who has 21 children -- embraces his culture, said Mac Maharaj, a government spokesman.

"One of the challenges we have in this world ... is that some communities are looked down as inferior and there's a major struggle to assert our culture," Maharaj said. "You don't have to be ashamed of your culture provided you don't intrude on other people's fundamental rights."

The bridal party took part in a celebratory dance after the traditional Zulu wedding that included the president's three other wives.

The government did not pay for the wedding festivities nor does it pay for the four spouses' expenses unless related to state duties, the spokesman said.

South Africa has no official position of first lady, and the wives maintain private homes, he said. Their benefits include a personal secretary, and they accompany the president during travel on a rotating basis.

"The new Mrs. Zuma had already been part of the spousal office machinery in terms of administrative support so there will be no changes due to the wedding," Maharaj said.

Ngema, an activist, dated the president for years and they have a 7-year-old son together.

Zuma became president in 2009. He is also married to Sizakele Zuma, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma and Tobeka Madiba-Zuma.

China, Russia start joint naval exercises in Yellow Sea

(CNN) -- Chinese and Russian warships began six-day joint naval exercises Sunday in the Yellow Sea, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

"The exercises will involve several simulated missions, including the rescue of a hijacked ship, the escort of a commercial vessel and the defense (of) a convoy from air and sea attacks," a Russian defense ministry spokesman said Friday, according to Russia's RIA Novosti news agency.

The war game will include 16 Chinese vessels and two submarines, as well as 13 aircraft and five shipboard helicopters, Xinhua said. The agency said four Russian warships and three Russian supply ships arrived Saturday.

More than 4,000 Chinese service members will attend the exercises, Xinhua said, citing navy sources.

'American Idol': A second straight shocker

For two straight weeks now, American Idol viewers have delivered shocking voting results. Last week, they'd have sent Jessica Sanchez home if the judges hadn't used their save. This week, there was no save remaining for Colton Dixon. The Tennessee singer's first trip to the Bottom Three resulted in his elimination.

"You know, I need to apologize," Colton told Ryan Seacrest and the judges after he heard the news. "I wasn't myself last night, and I get it. I appreciate what you told me last night. I'll take that when I'm making a record."

"You have a huge career ahead of you, man," Randy Jackson told him.

So Hollie Cavanagh and Elise Testone, who have "vacation homes in the Bottom Three," as Jimmy Iovine might say, outlasted a possible favorite.