Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga made a long awaited visit to Okinawa and met Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga face to face for the first time since Onaga was elected the governor. Suga, who officially came to the prefecture to attend the ceremony of the return of the former Futenma Housing area, Saturday, in Ginowan, had a face to face meeting with the governor at the Harborview Hotel in Naha on Sunday. Prior to his trip to Okinawa, Suga told reporters in Tokyo that he wanted to explain the governments stance and reasoning for the need to construct a replacement facility for the MCAS Futenma on Camp Schwab in Henoko. I want to have an honest exchange of opinions with Governor Onaga over ways of easing the burden of Okinawa in hosting the U.S. bases, as well as promoting its economic development, Suga said. On his part, Governor Onaga said that he would try to make Suga understand what really is the Okinawan public opinion in regards of the relocation, and why its impossible to build the new facility in Henoko. However, after the meeting, the first 30 minutes of which was open to the media, it seems that the parties are as far apart as ever. The only thing that the sides agreed on was that they would continue the dialogue. Suga insisted that Henoko is the only option. The relocation to Henoko is necessary to maintain the deterrence of the Japan-U.S. alliance, Suga told Onaga at the meeting. He also stressed that its important to move the MCAS Futenma away from the densely populated area in Ginowan for public safety. Abandoning the relocation plan would mean that the Futenma base will stay where it is, Suga insisted. Onaga also stuck to his guns. It will be impossible to build the new facility in Henoko, the solution to this has to be found somewhere else, Onaga reiterated. Onaga also pointed out to the election wins that the opponents of Henoko plan, including himself, had in last years elections. The election results show that Okinawan residents are overwhelmingly opposing the plan, Onaga stated. Speaking to the media afterwards, Suga called the meeting the first step in talks between the central and prefectural governments. He added that, The central government remains committed to the current relocation plan. Onaga said that although he welcomes the continuing dialogue, there will be no change in his opposition to building the Futenma replacement facility in Henoko or any other location in Okinawa.

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First Suga-Onaga meeting fails to bring sides closer

NAHA, OKINAWA PREF. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga failed to bridge their differences over the relocation plan for a contentious U.S. air base Sunday in Naha as the standoff between the central and Okinawa governments continued to roil the prefecture.

The talks are the first between Suga, Prime Minister Shinzo Abes right-hand man, and Onaga since he became governor in December with a pledge to block the plan to build a replacement facility for the base in a coastal area of Nago. The base is currently in the city of Ginowan.

At the meeting, which was partly open to reporters, Suga repeated the central governments position that the relocation plan is the only solution when considering several factors, including Japans defense alliance with the United States and the need to alleviate the risk of accidents posed by the existing base.

But Onaga stuck to his guns, saying he was convinced that the new base in Henoko can never be built.

You say we should shoulder (the burden of the base ) because (Futenma) is the most dangerous (one) in the world and its risks need to be removed, all the while causing the people of this prefecture great pain. Just saying that itself shows the decadence of politics in Japan.

Suga, who doubles as minister in charge of base burden issues in Okinawa, which hosts the bulk of U.S. forces in Japan, said he hopes to regain the trust of the Okinawa residents by working with the prefectural government, while reducing their hosting duties one step at a time.

In the meantime, Onaga again requested a meeting with Abe, who has snubbed the governor during his many visits to Tokyo since taking the post.

After the roughly one-hour meeting at a hotel in the prefectural capital, Suga tried to cast it in a positive light, telling reporters the occasion marked the first step in advancing consultations between the central and prefectural governments.

He also indicated his willingness to consider arranging a meeting between Abe and Onaga, saying he would proceed with the idea while listening to Okinawas views.

Onaga told reporters he will not backtrack on the base issue and will continue to engaging the central government on the issue.

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Suga, Onaga hold talks over relocation of U.S. Futenma base in Okinawa

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - ?Here is a list of some road projects from around the Heartland.

Bollinger County, MO

Route N in Bollinger County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform edge rut repairs. This section of roadway is located between Route F to Route 51. Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Butler County, MO

Route 53 in Butler County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform drainage repairs. This section of roadway is located from County Road 616 to County Road 617. Weather permitting, work will performed Monday, April 6 through Thursday, April 9 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

MoDOT is currently planning to improve three Butler Co. bridges. Two of the bridges are located on Route 142 over Hart Ditch and Long Slough Ditch. The third bridge is on Route 158 over the drainage ditch located about 0.7 miles west of Route BB. The project will involve replacing the existing bridges over Hart Ditch and the drainage ditch.

The bridge over Long Slough Ditch will be replaced with a culvert; grading and paving will also be completed. Acquisition of the right-of-way will be minimal and will only be required for the Hart Ditch bridge project. Existing utility lines will be affected on this project. Construction of the new bridge is expected to begin in summer 2015.

Work is expected to be finished in about four months, weather permitting. As construction is underway, Rte. 142 and Rte. 158 will be closed to through traffic in the vicinity of the bridges for the duration of the work. Property owners within the project limits will have access into their properties during this time.

Ripley/Butler Counties, MO

Route 160 in Ripley and Butler Counties will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction as contractor crews replace culverts. This section of road is located between Route JJ and Route 67. Weather permitting, crews will be working on Tuesday, Feb. 10 through Friday, April 17 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

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Heartland road projects for 4/6

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - ?Here is a list of some road projects from around the Heartland.

Bollinger County, MO

Route N in Bollinger County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform edge rut repairs. This section of roadway is located between Route F to Route 51. Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Butler County, MO

Route 53 in Butler County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform drainage repairs. This section of roadway is located from County Road 616 to County Road 617. Weather permitting, work will performed Monday, April 6 through Thursday, April 9 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

MoDOT is currently planning to improve three Butler Co. bridges. Two of the bridges are located on Route 142 over Hart Ditch and Long Slough Ditch. The third bridge is on Route 158 over the drainage ditch located about 0.7 miles west of Route BB. The project will involve replacing the existing bridges over Hart Ditch and the drainage ditch.

The bridge over Long Slough Ditch will be replaced with a culvert; grading and paving will also be completed. Acquisition of the right-of-way will be minimal and will only be required for the Hart Ditch bridge project. Existing utility lines will be affected on this project. Construction of the new bridge is expected to begin in summer 2015.

Work is expected to be finished in about four months, weather permitting. As construction is underway, Rte. 142 and Rte. 158 will be closed to through traffic in the vicinity of the bridges for the duration of the work. Property owners within the project limits will have access into their properties during this time.

Ripley/Butler Counties, MO

Route 160 in Ripley and Butler Counties will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction as contractor crews replace culverts. This section of road is located between Route JJ and Route 67. Weather permitting, crews will be working on Tuesday, Feb. 10 through Friday, April 17 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

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Heartland road projects for 4/5

Fournis par AFP Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga (L) meets with Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga (R) in Naha, Okinawa prefecture on April 5, 2015

Shinzo Abe's right-hand man on Sunday urged the governor of Okinawa to concede in a lingering row over the construction of a US air base ahead of the Japanese prime minister's visit to Washington later this month.

The base's construction, first mooted in 1996, has been stymied by local opposition from islanders who say they bear a disproportionate burden in hosting more than half of the 47,000 US service personnel stationed in Japan.

In the latest twist in the two-decade row, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told Governor Takeshi Onaga: "We hope to get your understanding on the plan... for maintaining the deterrent power of the Japan-US alliance."

However, the Okinawan governor countered that while he understood the importance of the alliance with the US, any national security plan must have the Japanese people's support.

"Okinawa never voluntarily offered (land) for bases. I'm convinced that it is impossible to construct a new base," Onaga said, referring to a plan to replace the urban Futenma Air Base with one on a rural coastline at Nago.

After the meeting, he told reporters: "I will never step back on the base issue," criticising the government's top-down approach.

Hundreds of anti-base protesters rallied outside the hotel in Okinawa's capital Naha where the talks took place, holding banners that read "rescind the relocation plan!"

The anti-base camp -- who want the base off Okinawa -- struck a blow late last month when Onaga said coral just outside the permitted zone at the site on the island's northeast coast had been damaged and demanded a halt to the work.

Fournis par AFP Servicemen of US Marine Corps salute while Japanese (R) and US flags are lowered at the evening colors ceremony at the Camp Foster near Futenma Base in Ginowan, Okinawa prefecture, on November 14, 2014

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Tokyo urges Okinawa governor to back down in US base row

Two more cabinet ministers in the Harper government have signalled theyre heading for the exits as the clock ticks down to the next federal election.

Heritage Minister Shelly Glover and International Development Minister Christian Paradis both chose the Good Friday holiday to announce theyre preparing to leave politics.

The timing meant they didnt have to run a gauntlet of media and explain why they are bowing out when theres a little more than six months left before an expected federal ballot.

They both cited personal reasons.

Ms. Glover and Mr. Paradis will remain in cabinet until the election but will not seek another term in office.

There has now been three retirement announcements in the Harper cabinet in 60 days.

A Conservative source wouldnt rule out the possibility of more departures, pointing to the crop of MPs elected in 1997 or 2000 as those most likely to consider calling it quits.

Former foreign affairs minister John Baird left cabinet rather abruptly in February to pursue a private career and hes since been hired by Hong Kong billionaire Richard Li as an adviser.

The late departure notices from Ms. Glover and Mr. Paradis leave replacement candidates less time to build their profiles.

While they were by no means household names, Mr. Paradis was an incumbent MP in Quebec, a province where the Conservatives have been repeatedly frustrated in their attempts to gain ground.

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Two federal cabinet ministers announce departure from politics

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - ?Here is a list of some road projects from around the Heartland.

Bollinger County, MO

Route N in Bollinger County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform edge rut repairs. This section of roadway is located between Route F to Route 51. Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Butler County, MO

Route 53 in Butler County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform drainage repairs. This section of roadway is located from County Road 616 to County Road 617. Weather permitting, work will performed Monday, April 6 through Thursday, April 9 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

MoDOT is currently planning to improve three Butler Co. bridges. Two of the bridges are located on Route 142 over Hart Ditch and Long Slough Ditch. The third bridge is on Route 158 over the drainage ditch located about 0.7 miles west of Route BB. The project will involve replacing the existing bridges over Hart Ditch and the drainage ditch.

The bridge over Long Slough Ditch will be replaced with a culvert; grading and paving will also be completed. Acquisition of the right-of-way will be minimal and will only be required for the Hart Ditch bridge project. Existing utility lines will be affected on this project. Construction of the new bridge is expected to begin in summer 2015.

Work is expected to be finished in about four months, weather permitting. As construction is underway, Rte. 142 and Rte. 158 will be closed to through traffic in the vicinity of the bridges for the duration of the work. Property owners within the project limits will have access into their properties during this time.

Ripley/Butler Counties, MO

Route 160 in Ripley and Butler Counties will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction as contractor crews replace culverts. This section of road is located between Route JJ and Route 67. Weather permitting, crews will be working on Tuesday, Feb. 10 through Friday, April 17 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

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Heartland road projects for 4/4

Ajit Doval to travel to Thailand Vietnam this week

Times of India - Friday 3rd April, 2015

Vietnam this week to connect with top political leaders there, in what is seen as a quiet mission to boost defence and security cooperation with an eye on upgrading India's presence in ...

Times of India - Thursday 2nd April, 2015

Thailand's prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, center, arrives at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 2, 2015. Thailand's junta lifted martial law, which was imposed in ...

West Australian - Thursday 2nd April, 2015

Bangkok (AFP) - The Thai junta's decision to lift martial law was denounced by critics Thursday as cosmetic, with Washington and the United Nations warning that replacement security measures ...

Travel Daily Media - Thursday 2nd April, 2015

Singapores Amara Group debuts in Thailand Singapore's upscale hotel brand, Amara, has launched its first ever property in Thailand. The new ...

China Daily - Thursday 2nd April, 2015

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Cabinet approves debt restructuring plan

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - ?Here is a list of some road projects from around the Heartland.

Bollinger County, MO

Route N in Bollinger County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform edge rut repairs. This section of roadway is located between Route F to Route 51. Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Butler County, MO

Route 53 in Butler County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform drainage repairs. This section of roadway is located from County Road 616 to County Road 617. Weather permitting, work will performed Monday, April 6 through Thursday, April 9 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

MoDOT is currently planning to improve three Butler Co. bridges. Two of the bridges are located on Route 142 over Hart Ditch and Long Slough Ditch. The third bridge is on Route 158 over the drainage ditch located about 0.7 miles west of Route BB. The project will involve replacing the existing bridges over Hart Ditch and the drainage ditch.

The bridge over Long Slough Ditch will be replaced with a culvert; grading and paving will also be completed. Acquisition of the right-of-way will be minimal and will only be required for the Hart Ditch bridge project. Existing utility lines will be affected on this project. Construction of the new bridge is expected to begin in summer 2015.

Work is expected to be finished in about four months, weather permitting. As construction is underway, Rte. 142 and Rte. 158 will be closed to through traffic in the vicinity of the bridges for the duration of the work. Property owners within the project limits will have access into their properties during this time.

Ripley/Butler Counties, MO

Route 160 in Ripley and Butler Counties will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction as contractor crews replace culverts. This section of road is located between Route JJ and Route 67. Weather permitting, crews will be working on Tuesday, Feb. 10 through Friday, April 17 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

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Heartland road projects for 4/3

MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III confirmed Wednesday that there will be a minor Cabinet revamp in his administration.

Aquino, in an interview at JAM Liner Bus Terminal in Quezon City, said that he was considering Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. to head the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

He said that he was still completing the process since he wants to make sure that if he would move one Cabinet official to another post, there should already be a replacement.

"Kung may aalis sa isang puwesto kailangan yung papalit sa puwesto niyo maitu-turnover na niya para minsanan yung paglipat," he said.

If appointed, Coloma would succeed former chairman Francisco Duque III whose term ended in February.

A CSC chair has a seven-year term.

Asked if Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director General Joel Villanueva would replace Coloma, the President said, "Hintayin na natin kaya 'yon para makumpleto 'yung buong proseso."

As to the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief head, Aquino said there are other candidates aside from PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo.

He also said that he was still waiting for the legal opinion from the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Justice if he could appoint a permanent PNP chief even if Purisima remains the four-star general.

Purisima resigned as PNP chief after the tragic Mamasapano incident on January 25 that left 44 police commandos dead.

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Aquino confirms Cabinet revamp