Aso takes over as prime minister
A quick-smiling former Olympic skeet-shooter with a penchant for tailored suits and manga comic books took power as Japan’s third prime minister in two years Wednesday, vowing to boost a languishing economy.
Lawmakers elected Taro Aso, a 68-year-old conservative popular with the young and known for his straight talk, after quelling an attempt by the upper house to install a rival as premier.
In his first news conference as premier, he also vowed to rescue the ruling party from disaster in parliamentary elections. He stacked his Cabinet with fellow right-leaning veterans and pledged to go head-to-head with the resurgent opposition.
The former foreign minister replaced the morose Yasuo Fukuda, who struggled during his year in office with a politically divided parliament and chronically low public support ratings.
Caracas, Venezuela
Two arrested in Chavez plot
Venezuelan authorities have arrested two people suspected of plotting to kill Hugo Chavez by blowing up the president’s plane with an anti-tank weapon, the country’s top security official said Wednesday.
Justice Minister Tarek El Aissami said the suspects were apprehended Tuesday during a raid on a house in western Zulia state, where authorities found a recoilless anti-tank weapon and four grenades. He said the names of the suspects would not be revealed for “strategic reasons.”
El Aissami did not explain when and where the alleged conspirators planned to target Chavez’s plane.
At least six people, including retired and active military officers, have been detained so far for alleged links to the plot. None of the suspects has been formally charged.
Villahermosa, Mexico
Radio host slain hanging banners
A Mexican radio host was gunned down while hanging banners to protest a wave of kidnappings across the country.
Co-worker Angel Morales says he was helping EXA radio host Alejandro Fonseca put up the signs in the southeastern city of Villahermosa on Tuesday night when unknown assailants demanded they stop. Morales says they shot Fonseca and fled after he refused.
The 33-year-old hosted “Godfather Fonseca” on EXA for 10 years. He had announced plans to put up banners reading “no to kidnapping” and “kidnapping thrives as long as citizens let it.”