RUSSIAN OIL SLICK THREATENS JAPANESE FISHING VILLAGES.

Stormy weather has thwarted efforts by Japanese emergency vessels to contain oil spilled last week by the wrecked Russian tanker "Nakhodka," leaving fishermen and local authorities on Japan’s northwestern coast fearful that the area’s rich marine life will be devastated. (Kyodo, AP, January 7) The loss of the ship has also contributed to a severe energy shortage on Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula, which was the vessel’s destination. (NTV, January 6)

Russia’s Aging Air Force.