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ASIA Japan deadlock over US warships
Japan's government has extended the parliamentary session into the new year for the first time in 14 years, in an effort to pass a controversial bill. Opposition MPs, who control the upper house, are blocking the bill, which would allow Japan to refuel US warships involved in conflict in Afghanistan. But Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is determined to secure a renewal for the mandate of the refuelling mission. Analysts say the stand-off may damage Japan's security alliance with the US. Japanese vessels that had been supporting US-led coalition warships in the Indian Ocean returned home at the end of October, when the mandate for their mission expired. The opposition's continued refusal to approve the bill is causing Mr Fukuda severe problems, says the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS STORIES BY COUNTRY AFRICA DR Congo rebels 'fighting for family' The town of Mushake in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is once more in the hand of rebel forces, only a week after they were driven out by the army
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EUROPE Belarus backs Russia on missiles
Belarus says it is ready to "play its role" as a Russian ally if the US overrides Moscow's objections and creates new missile bases in Europe. Russia has warned it may place missiles in Belarus to counter US plans for bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko praised ties with Russia as he hosted President Vladimir Putin in Minsk. But he dismissed speculation that his country, a former Soviet state, might enter a formal union with Russia.
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