WASHINGTON As if there wasnt already enough to fight about in Congress, the departure of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is setting up a big nomination fight in the Senate. Whoever is named to replace Hagel will have to make it through a Republican-controlled Senate, where leaders have pushed for a more aggressive fight against the Islamic Stategroup.

The situation in Washington is becoming so toxic that virtually anything requiring congressional approval in the next two years will be a wearying process. The fight to get a new defense secretary approved could take months.

President Barack Obama is "going to have a hard time getting any nominee through," Rep. Buck McKeon, the outgoing chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told CNN.

And while the House wont have any say in the process -- only the Senate weighs in on nominations -- the anger from conservatives in the chamber who dont want to cooperate with the president is sure to be felt across the capitol. McKeon cited the failing relationship between the president and the White House, saying since the midterm election when the GOP won control of Congress, Obama has made no effort to improve the relationship. Instead, hes only made it worse -- as with the executive orders on immigration announced last week.

Sen. John McCain, who is expected to be the chairman of the Armed Services Committee when Republicans take over in January, said in a radio interview Monday morning confirming a replacement for Hagel will be the top priority for the new Congress. That is the earliest a nomination process could begin since Congress has only 10 working days left in December.

McCain, a military hawk, will be the key figure in moving the nomination. As the head of the committee that will hold nomination hearings, he will set the times for all hearings, dictate the rules of debate and control when the nominee could move to a full Senate vote. But a vote likely wouldnt come until McCain has had a chance, along with the other members of the Armed Services Committee, to grill the nominee on what happens next with ISIS and in Syria.

There is a lot of speculation the departure of Hagel will come with a shifting strategy in Syria. Republicans have called for combat troops to be sent, instead of the current situation involving U.S. airstrikes, plus troops training Syrian and Iraqi fighters.

"It is imperative that the next secretary of defense possess a sharp grasp of strategy, a demonstrated ability to think creatively and the willingness and ability to work with Congress," Senate Majority Leader-elect Mitch McConnell said.

Obama will need at least four Republicans to approve whomever he nominates -- maybe 14 if Republicans change the rules back. Frustrated by the number of nominees blocked in the last Congress, Sen. Harry Reid changed the needed votes from 60 to 50. Republicans, when they take control, will have to decide how many votes will be needed going forward.

Hagel is currently the only Republican in Obama's cabinet. But Senate Republicans weren't very keen on him from the beginning and enthusiasm hasn't grown.

Read more:
Hagel Replacement: Senate Fight Likely Over Obama Nominee For Defense

Australian cricketer George Bailey with Sport and Recreation minister Terry Waldron at the new Perth Stadium site. Picture: Dione Davidson/The West Australian

Sports Minister Terry Waldron is expected to announce today that he will retire and move to the backbench.

Mr Waldron, also the Racing and Gaming Minister, is holding a press conference this morning.

The 63-year-old is expected to move to the backbench but remain the member for Wagin.

Mr Waldron was elected to that role in 2001, the same year he was appointed deputy leader of the WA National Party.

Premier Colin Barnett recently told frontbenchers that they would have to take a back seat up to a year prior to the 2017 state election if they don't plan to run.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Kim Hames has already announced he will retire from politics at the next election.

While there's speculation Police Minister Liza Harvey will become second-in-charge, Mr Barnett said on the weekend that Cabinet would discuss who would take on the position, and that he didn't have a preference for Dr Hames' replacement.

Mr Barnett plans to contest the 2017 election.

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See the article here:
Waldron expected to retire from WA Cabinet

Australian cricketer George Bailey with Sport and Recreation minister Terry Waldron at the new Perth Stadium site. Picture: Dione Davidson/The West Australian

Sports Minister Terry Waldron is expected to announce today that he will retire and move to the backbench.

Mr Waldron, also the Racing and Gaming Minister, is holding a press conference this morning.

The 63-year-old is expected to move to the backbench but remain the member for Wagin.

Mr Waldron was elected to that role in 2001, the same year he was appointed deputy leader of the WA National Party.

Premier Colin Barnett recently told frontbenchers that they would have to take a back seat up to a year prior to the 2017 state election if they don't plan to run.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Kim Hames has already announced he will retire from politics at the next election.

While there's speculation Police Minister Liza Harvey will become second-in-charge, Mr Barnett said on the weekend that Cabinet would discuss who would take on the position, and that he didn't have a preference for Dr Hames' replacement.

Mr Barnett plans to contest the 2017 election.

View post:
Waldron tipped to retire from Cabinet

Outgoing US defence secretary Chuck Hagel: reported to have resigned under pressure from a White House eager to project more assertive responses. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Chuck Hagel, president Barack Obamas defence secretary, has stood down after less than two years in the job in a sign of increased unease at the White House on tackling growing international crises.

Mr Hagel was reported to have resigned under pressure from an administration eager to project more assertive responses. He is the first member of Mr Obamas cabinet team to stand aside since the heavy midterm election losses for the Democratic Party.

Announcing his resignation, Mr Obama described Mr Hagel, the only Republican in his cabinet, as an exemplary defence secretary who had overseen major changes in the American defence forces.

The display of mutual praise from Mr Obama and Mr Hagel at the public announcement of his unexpected resignation stands in contrast to the behind-the-scenes tensions and the presidents public differences with a defence secretary who was often criticised for being too indecisive.

The laid-back former Republican senator from Nebraska was seen as being ill-equipped to tackle the militant Muslim group Islamic State, given his opposition to the Iraq war and his stewardship of the withdrawal of US troops in Afghanistan and the sharp reduction in defence spending.

Mr Obama and Mr Hagel appeared divided on the threat posed by IS. Months after the president dismissed the radical fighters as jayvees or junior varsity players against US professionals, the defence secretary said that IS had grown into something more than just a terrorist group.

White House officials were said to have been angered by a recent letter that Mr Hagel sent national security adviser Susan Rice, in which he said that Mr Obama needed to articulate a clearer view on the administrations approach to dealing with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

While Mr Obama ruled out sending ground combat troops to fight IS in his September 2014 strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy the group, Mr Hagel said this month that combat troop deployments may have to be considered if recommended by US military chiefs.

Mr Hagel struggled to secure support in Congress for Mr Obamas policies, and the president was hurt by the message in the November 4th elections that he was failing to cope with immigrants at the Mexican border, the spread of Ebola and IS, and tensions with Russia.

Read the rest here:
Obamas defence secretary pushed out

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - ??

Here is a list of road projects around the Heartland scheduled for Monday, November 24.

Butler County, MO

Route 72 in Bollinger County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform shoulders repairs. This section of roadway is located from Old Route 72 to Route B.

Existing lanes of Route 67 from CR 323 to Route 160/158 will be signed as Route C. The north end of Route C (existing Route 67) will remain closed for about two months as work is completed at the intersection of Route 67, Route C, and CR 323.

Cape Girardeau County, MO

Property owners adjacent to the bridge will have access to their properties. A marked detour is proposed here:

From the north: Route 61 south to Route KK, west on KK to I-55, south on I-55 to Route E, then east on Route E to Route 61. From the south: Route 61 north to Route E, east on Route E to I-55, north on I-55 to Route KK, then east on KK to Route 61. Maps are available at MoDOT's Sikeston Office on N. Main St. Property owners can request a hearing in writing if affected.

Pemiscot County, MO

Route J in Pemiscot County will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a pipe under the roadway.This section of roadway is located between Reed Street and Cleveland Street.Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, Nov. 25 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

View post:
Heartland road projects for 11/24

Written by: Dr Anantha Krishnan M

Updated: Friday, November 21, 2014, 21:49 [IST]

Bengaluru, Nov. 13: All eyes are on India's new Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is set to chair his first Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting in New Delhi on November 22.

Among the crucial decisions to be taken by Parrikar, the 13,000-crore private sector only' Avro replacement project initiated by the UPA-2 regime would be the most-awaited one.

Aimed at encouraging the private sector to take major lead in India's aerospace and defence programmes, the project envisages the delivery of 56 medium transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), under the Buy and Make' category.

First-time experiment runs into rough weather

The decision to keep PSUs like aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) at bay from the tendering process has already ran into trouble. The tender was issued during A K Antony's regime in May 2013 and was strongly opposed by some of his Cabinet colleagues as well.

The tender had sought foreign OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to identify an Indian partner other than HAL, to supply 16 aircraft from their original facilities and provide ToT (Transfer of Technology) for manufacturing the remaining 40 aircraft by the Indian partner.

As per the tender, foreign OEM would remain as the main contractor and the Indian partner would only remain as a vendor. The contract, when finalised, will be signed between the OEM and the IAF. The tender has so far been extended several times with the foreign OEMs failing to identify a capable Indian partner.

Finally, the Tata-Airbus consortium (Airbus Defence & Space and Tata Advanced Systems) now remain as the single vendor, offering the Airbus C295 as a replacement to the Avros.

Go here to see the original:
Will Parrikar clear single-tender Avro replacement bid?

JOSEPH JOHNSON

FRONTING UP: Roger Sutton at the press conference announcing his resignation on Monday.

The Government has appointed an acting chief executive who will head up the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority for more than two months before Roger Sutton officially leaves.

Sutton is currently on leave after announcing his resignation on Monday after aseven-week investigation into harassment allegations

An independent report did not recommend he be dismissed, but State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie said the case amounted to "serious misconduct".

Sutton was expected to continue in his role until January 31, receiving his salary, but today Rennie announced that John Ombler would become acting chief executive as of December 1.

"I have had discussions with Mr Sutton today and he was concerned that his departure might slow the momentum of Cera's work programme in Christchurch," Rennie said in a statement this afternoon.

"We agreed that Mr Ombler's early appointment would be in the best interests of Cera staff and the Christchurch rebuild, and would allow Mr Sutton and Mr Ombler to work together on an orderly transition " Rennie said.

Sutton remained employed but would not be based in Cera's offices during the "transitional phase".

Ombler would be the acting chief executive when Cera merges with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet on 1 February 2015.

Read more:
Sutton replacement appointed early

WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger is fighting for his political life as he enters a new legislature session Thursday with an open revolt in his NDP caucus, near-record low polling numbers and untested cabinet ministers.

Even to get through the two-week fall sitting, Selinger will be relying on support in the chamber from five former cabinet ministers who recently resigned after questioning his leadership. They remain in caucus but are no longer allowed to attend caucus meetings or have any input.

There appears to have been very little communication between Selinger's team and the rebels, who will still be expected to sit in the chamber at their assigned times and vote with the NDP majority. They were moved out of the NDP's section on the second floor of the legislature this week and are now in offices in the southeast corner of the building.

"There has been contact, I think it was indicated last week by our caucus chair (Matt Wiebe)," government house leader Steve Ashton said earlier this week.

"The key person that has the direct contact on a daily basis with a (legislature member) is obviously the whip and we will have a new whip in place prior to the sitting on Thursday."

Until recently, the NDP whip was long-time backbencher Greg Dewar. But he was named finance minister earlier this month in a shuffle prompted by the rebels' resignations.

Selinger has been under fire for weeks, after the five said he should consider resigning in light of low opinion polls and continuing public anger over last year's increase in the provincial sales tax. The group included some of the government's top ministers Jennifer Howard in finance, Andrew Swan in justice and Erin Selby in health who have been replaced by less-experienced politicians.

Selinger has said he plans to stay on as premier and lead the party into the April 2016 election. He has also challenged his critics to run against him at the NDP's annual convention in March under a little-used clause in the party's constitution. The executive is trying to hammer out ground rules for the contest.

Selinger appears to be "in survival mode," said Paul Thomas, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Manitoba.

Link:
Greg Selinger's Manitoba's NDP Government Returns, Divided, To Chamber

JOSEPH JOHNSON

FRONTING UP: Roger Sutton at the press conference announcing his resignation on Monday.

The Government has appointed an acting chief executive who will head up the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority for more than two months before Roger Sutton officially leaves.

Sutton is currently on leave after announcing his resignation on Monday after aseven-week investigation into harrassment allegations

An independent report did not recommend he be dismissed, but State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie said the case amounted to "serious misconduct".

Sutton was expected to continue in his role until January 31, receiving his salary, but today Rennie announced that John Ombler would become acting chief executive as of December 1.

"I have had discussions with Mr Sutton today and he was concerned that his departure might slow the momentum of Cera's work programme in Christchurch," Rennie said in a statement this afternoon.

"We agreed that Mr Ombler's early appointment would be in the best interests of Cera staff and the Christchurch rebuild, and would allow Mr Sutton and Mr Ombler to work together on an orderly transition " Rennie said.

Sutton remained employed but would not be based in Cera's offices during the "transitional phase".

Ombler would be the acting chief executive when Cera merges with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet on 1 February 2015.

Continued here:
Sutton replacement comes early

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - ??Here is a list of road projects around the Heartland scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Butler County, MO

Route 72 in Bollinger County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform shoulders repairs. This section of roadway is located from Old Route 72 to Route B.

Existing lanes of Route 67 from CR 323 to Route 160/158 will be signed as Route C. The north end of Route C (existing Route 67) will remain closed for about two months as work is completed at the intersection of Route 67, Route C, and CR 323.

Cape Girardeau County, MO

Northbound Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau County will be reduced with a width restriction of 16 feet as contractor crews perform pavement repairs.This section of roadway is located from MM 91 to MM 93.Weather permitting, work will take place Tuesday, Nov. 18 through Thursday, Nov. 20 from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.

Property owners adjacent to the bridge will have access to their properties. A marked detour is proposed here:

From the north: Route 61 south to Route KK, west on KK to I-55, south on I-55 to Route E, then east on Route E to Route 61. From the south: Route 61 north to Route E, east on Route E to I-55, north on I-55 to Route KK, then east on KK to Route 61. Maps are available at MoDOT's Sikeston Office on N. Main St. Property owners can request a hearing in writing if affected.

Reynolds County, MO

As a both a safety measure and to prepare for the winter snow season, the Missouri Department of Transportation will begin tree trimming will begin Monday, Dec. 15 through Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 on Route 106 in Reynolds and Shannon Counties. Once work begins, tree trimming will take place during the hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday on Route 106 from Route 19 in Eminence to Route 21 in Ellington.

Read more here:
Heartland road projects for 11/19