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Japan hopes to give Obama it US base relocation proposal next week to end rift

Japan to give US base relocation plan next week

Gates: US-Japanese agreement expected to remain unchanged on fate of Okinawa Marine base

TOKYO — U.S. leaders expect Japan’s new government to stick with existing agreements between the two nations, America’s top defense official said Tuesday amid debate over whether to shutter a U.S. military air field on Okinawa. Japanese officials, however, signaled that they expect flexibility from the U.S.

Pentagon chief says no changes expected to US-Japanese agreement on fate of Okinawa base

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY JET — The top American defense official says he expects a U.S. Marine base to remain on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa despite political pressure among Tokyo’s new leaders to shut it down.

Pentagon chief says no changes expected to US-Japanese agreement on fate of Okinawa air base

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY JET — The top American defense official says he expects a U.S. airfield to remain on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa despite political pressure among Tokyo’s new leaders to shut it down.

Investors plan new casinos for when US Marines arrive in Pacific islands

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands — Casino investors are buying up hotel properties on Rota, the second-largest island of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, in hopes of attracting military gamblers once the U.S. increases its presence in nearby Guam.

Lawmakers reject higher wages, limit on foreign workers for Guam Marine base buildup

WASHINGTON — Two proposals that would have increased the cost of the U.S. military’s expansion in Guam by $10.2 billion were rejected Thursday as part of a compromise defense bill passed by the House.

Typhoon Melor slowly churns away from Northern Marianas in Pacific as residents hunker down

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands — A typhoon churning across the western Pacific moved away from the Northern Mariana Islands on Sunday as residents began cleaning up after gusting winds and minor flooding.

Flights canceled, residents stock up as Typhoon Melor heads toward Northern Marianas, Guam

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands — Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands and neighboring Guam braced themselves Saturday as Typhoon Melor churned across the Western Pacific.

Airlines cancel flights, residents stock up as Typhoon Melor heads toward Northern Marianas

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands — Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands are bracing themselves as Typhoon Melor churned across the Western Pacific.

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Hawaii lawmaker has unusual, expensive jobs plan 3,800 miles away

WASHINGTON — A veteran House member from Hawaii has found a way to help his state’s struggling construction industry — and boost his campaign for governor. The catch? It would cost taxpayers an extra $10 billion.

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Hawaii lawmaker with long reach tries to shape a project 3,800 miles away

WASHINGTON — Thousands of miles from his Hawaii congressional district, Democratic Rep. Neil Abercrombie has discovered a lifeline for his state’s struggling construction industry — and a potential boost in his campaign for governor.

Japan’s new leader to create Cabinet post for economic recovery, turn quickly to diplomacy

TOKYO — Japan’s likely next prime minister will create a new Cabinet post to oversee national strategy and the economy and quickly turn his attentions to proving himself on the diplomatic front — an area in which he is virtually untested, officials said Tuesday.

Japan’s new leader to create Cabinet post for economic recovery and national strategy

TOKYO — Japan’s likely next prime minister met with senior party leaders Tuesday to discuss a new Cabinet, expected to include a new post to oversee strategy to bring the country out of its worst economic downturn since World War II.

Magnitude-5.1 quake shakes off waters of Guam; no damages or injuries reported

HAGATNA, Guam — A moderate earthquake has struck in waters off the island of Guam, but there are no reports of any damage or injury.

Jetstar plane makes emergency landing in Guam after fire breaks out in cockpit; no injuries

SYDNEY — An Airbus 330 carrying 203 people made an emergency landing in Guam on Thursday after an electrical problem sparked a small fire in the cockpit, airline officials said. It’s the same type of plane that crashed last week in the Atlantic.

US official warns of missile test amid reports NKorea’s Kim has chosen son as successor

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea was preparing to launch a medium- and a long-range missile, following up on its nuclear test last week, amid moves by Kim Jong Il to anoint his third son as heir to the world’s first communist dynasty, reports and experts said Tuesday.

A look at world’s deadliest air disasters

A look at some of the world’s deadliest air disasters: