It's 15: 00 Universal Time and here is the news from the Voice of America. From the VOA News Center in Washington, I’m Frances Alonzo. Japan’s likely next prime minister has begun talks to form a new government after his Democratic Party of Japan (crushed) the ruling party in parliamentary elections. Opposition leader Yukio Hatoyama held meetings on possible Cabinet ministers Monday after his party won 308 of the 480 seats in the powerful Lower House of Parliament which selects the prime minister. The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan has completed his (long-awaited) strategy review and has delivered his (assessment) to U.S. and NATO officials. U.S. army General Stanley McChrystal says the situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable as strategic changes must be made. Further details were not (immediately) available. The Dalai Lama praised Taiwan’s democracy Monday, despite a (pledge) to keep clear of politics during a five-day trip intended to bring comfort to the victims of Typhoon Morakot. On the first full day of his visit to the island, Tibet's (exiled) spiritual leader said that while Taiwan should build close relations with mainland China, it should also enjoy democracy. Gabon’s (interim) leader is calling for calm as three leading candidates from Sunday’s presidential vote are all claiming victory. VOA’s West Africa (correspondent) Scott Stearns has this story. Interim President Rose Francine Rogombe says there will be only one winner in Gabon’s presidential election. As voters wait for official results, she is calling on everyone to show (maturity). Rogombe says Gabon is a country of peace and people should refuse to be (manipulated) by losing candidates into demonstrating against the winner. She says violence is not the Gabonese way unless they are provoked. Rogombe says any candidate who calls for violence in the street is neither responsible nor a (democrat). In a democracy, she says, people have to accept both winning and losing. Three candidates from Sunday’s vote are already declaring victory. Former Defense Minister Ali Ben Bongo led a crowded field to replace his father, Omar Bongo, who died in June after 42 years in power. The late president’s son had both the (best-financed) campaign and the electoral (infrastructure) of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party. Scott Stearns, VOA News, Dakar. Burma’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi plans to (renovate) her crumbling lakeside home to keep out trespassers. The Nobel peace (laureate) had had her house arrest extended by 18 months early this month for violating her detention rules after an American man swam uninvited to her Rangoon residence in May. Refugees that (fled) to China to escape fighting in Burma are beginning to head home after Burmese authorities said the situation has returned to normal. Daniel Schearf reports from VOA Southeast Asian bureau. Hundreds of refugees left China’s Yunnan Province Monday for home in Kokang, the mainly (ethnic) Chinese region of Burma's northeastern Shan state. More than 30, 000 people from Kokang had fled across the border to China to escape weeks of fighting between Burma’s government forces and a local (militia) that controls the region. Burma's state media reported more than 30 people were killed in the clashes but that fighting in Kokang which broke the region’s 20-year ceasefire had stopped. In June, Burmese forces attacked Karen rebels, who control (territory) on Burma's border with Thailand, forcing thousands of villagers to flee into Thailand. Daniel Schearf, VOA News, Bangkok. African leaders have gathered in Libya for the third African Union summit of the year. AU Peace and Security chief says leaders attending the special (session) which began on Monday in the capital of Tripoli will focus on all conflict situations. A hurricane watch is in effect for Mexico’s southern Baja California (peninsula) as powerful hurricane Jimena approaches in the Pacific Ocean. Forecasters say Jimena is an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm as the second most dangerous level on the hurricane (intensity) scale. Astronauts aboard the U.S. space (shuttle) Discovery have a busy week ahead of them. Now they have docked with the International Space Station. The U.S. space agency NASA says the two space crafts will remain together for more than a week. During that time, the astronauts plan three space walks to carry out (maintenance) on the station. NASA says the first space walk will take place on Tuesday. More details on these and more at voanews.com. I'm Frances Alonzo, VOA News.