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Obama adds former rival Richardson to team

CHICAGO, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama Wednesday tapped New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for Commerce secretary, saying his background is suited for the job.

"I know that Bill will be an unyielding advocate for American business and American jobs, at home and around the world," Obama said during a news conference in Chicago. "And I look forward to working with him in the years ahead."

Besides being New Mexico's chief executive for two terms, Richardson also represented the state in Washington, and was a U.N. ambassador and an Energy secretary under former President Bill Clinton.

"During his time in state government and Congress, and in two tours of duty in the cabinet, Bill has seen from just about every angle what makes our economy work and what keeps it from working better," Obama said.

Richardson begged to differ with media outlets labeling Obama's Cabinet a "team of rivals."

"(In) the worlds of diplomacy and commerce, you open markets and minds not with rivalry but instead with partnership and innovation and hard work," he said.

The Commerce Department will play a vital role in the nation's economic recovery, Richardson said.

"The official role of the department is job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and improving living standards -- the same goals of your economic plan, Mr. President-elect," he said. "The catch phrases of your economic plan -- investment, public-private partnerships, green jobs, technology, broadband, climate change and research -- that is the Department of Commerce."

Jeb Bush considers Senate run

WASHINGBTON, D.C., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the younger brother of President George W. Bush, says he may seek the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Mel Martinez.

Martinez announced Tuesday that he won't not seek re-election in 2010. Bush told Politico by e-mail Tuesday night: "I am considering it."

A source close to Jeb Bush said the former governor would decide whether the Senate is the best forum from which to continue his advocacy for issues such as education, immigration and GOP solutions to healthcare reform.

In an interview with Politico, Bush cited four primary steps for Republicans to regain favor with voters: show no tolerance for corruption, practice what it preaches about limiting the scope of government, stand for working families and small business and embrace reform.

Pakistani forces control 2nd Bajaur town

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Pakistani forces report taking control of a second town in the Bajaur tribal region Wednesday, as a military airstrike was carried out in a nearby region.

Officials and local residents said the security troops, supported by tanks and armored personnel carriers, secured Nawagai town, Dawn reported. Wednesday.

Residents said militants offered no resistance and had begun vacating their positions. The town is adjacent to Afghanistan's Kunar province, the Pakistani newspaper said.

After Lowi Sam, Nawagai is the second major town in the region to be secured, officials said.

Meanwhile jet fighters and helicopters hit suspected militant positions in the Mohmand tribal region Wednesday, reportedly killing nearly two dozen people, officials said.

The airstrikes were carried out in four areas. Unconfirmed reports indicated 14 militants and seven civilians were killed, but the casualties couldn't be confirmed independently, Dawn said.

Locals said they saw four helicopter gunships targeting suspected positions and that heavy bombing also damaged telecommunication facilities.

Bomb disarmed at Mumbai train station

MUMBAI, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A large bomb was disarmed Wednesday at a busy rail station in Mumbai, Indian officials announced.

CNN said authorities told reporters the device was made of RDX, the same type of explosive used in the bloody terrorist assault in the city that killed more than 170 people last week.

The bomb was found at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Station, where four RDX bombs were disarmed last week. Investigators say it is possible that other devices still could be found.

Meanwhile, the Indian government continued weighing its response to the terror attacks, which have ratcheted up tensions with longtime rival Pakistan. Investigators believe the attackers trained in Pakistan.

Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the local NDTV channel Tuesday his government would take "appropriate action."

India has already lodged a formal protest with the Pakistani ambassador and demanded Pakistan hand over fugitives members of the Lashkar-e-Toiba group, which has reputed links to al-Qaida.

Aunt arrested in NorCal shackling mystery

TRACY, Calif., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Police in California Wednesday announced the arrest of a third suspect in the apparent shackling of a teenager who escaped after nearly a year in captivity.

Tracy police said Caren Ramirez, the aunt of the alleged victim, was picked up in Berkeley Tuesday night, a day after her 17-year-old nephew stumbled into a health club and claimed he had been kept prisoner at a nearby home for several months.

The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee said one official called Ramirez, 43, the "key to the whole thing." She was tracked down with the assistance of an unspecified tip.

Police Tuesday arrested the couple that lived in the home where the boy said he was held. Their relationship with Ramirez was not entirely clear; however, neighbors have said that she was a frequent visitor to the residence.

Meanwhile, the boy, whose name was not released, remained under police guard at a hospital recovering from injuries and making use of a new Nintendo set officers chipped in to buy.