Today's other stories in brief
Pelosi loses first battle in House
WASHINGTON - Democrats in the House of Representatives defied newly elected speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi yesterday by ignoring her recommendation and selecting Steny Hoyer as Ms Pelosi's top lieutenant.
Ms Pelosi had supported John Murtha, whose demand last year that US troops be removed from Iraq had set in motion the Democratic sweep of Congress in this month's elections.
Mr Hoyer and Ms Pelosi are long-time rivals. Mr Hoyer won the secret-ballot election by a 149-86 vote. - (AP)
US, Japan agree on missile system
TOKYO - The United States and Japan have agreed to speed up deployment of a missile defence system in Japan amid growing concerns about the nuclear weapons and missile technologies of North Korea, Kyodo News agency has reported. - (AP)
Tonga agrees to political reform
NUKU'ALOFA - Tonga's government has bowed to a wave of violent pro- democracy protests and has agreed to far-reaching political reforms in the South Pacific island kingdom, local media have reported.
The apparent breakthrough yesterday came after a day of tension in the capital, Nuku'alofa, where rioting crowds overturned cars, looted and set fire to shops and offices and stoned government buildings. - (Reuters)
Charged over Bin Laden disguise
NEW YORK - A Democratic activist in the US is facing criminal charges after dressing up as Osama bin Laden, complete with toy assault rifle, for Halloween.
Tom Connolly, a lawyer, is accused of terrorising, reckless conduct and criminal threatening. - (PA)
Nato 'No' to three Balkan countries
BRUSSELS - Nato is set to disappoint three western Balkan countries that were hoping to take the first step towards membership of the 26-nation US-led defence alliance at a summit this month, diplomats say.
There will be no invitation to Serbia, Bosnia or Montenegro to join Nato's Partnership for Peace (PfP) at the November 28th- 29th summit in Riga, because of concerns about war crimes and timing issues related to Serbia's future, they say. - (Reuters)
Outcry over 'black footballers' remark
PARIS - A French socialist official sparked an outcry yesterday with reported comments that he felt ashamed that most of France's national soccer players were black.
Georges Freche, president of the southern Languedoc- Roussillon region, known for his outspoken remarks, was quoted as saying he was sorry nine out of 11 players on France's national team were black. - (Reuters)
Singer €1m behind on mortgage
NEW YORK - Pop icon Whitney Houston reportedly faces having to give up part of her New Jersey estate because she is more than a million dollars behind on the mortgage.
The singer, who recently filed for divorce from husband Bobby Brown, has until January 4th to either sell the house or pay $1,043,106 (€550,000), according to the Morris County Daily Record. - (PA)