Japan bank chief

AMTOKYO, Japan: Japanese lawmakers endorsed Masaaki Shirakawa, the acting Bank of Japan chief, as its governor yesterday, ending a power vacuum at the central bank’s helm by approving the government’s third candidate for the job.

Nepal protest

KATMANDU, Nepal: Police opened fire on protesters in western Nepal yesterday, killing at least seven, a day ahead of a landmark election to chart the country’s political future.

7 killed in blast

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Seven people died in Baghdad as clashes between security forces and Shiite militiamen continued in the capital yesterday, the fifth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad.

Zimbabwe vote

HARARE, Zimbabwe: International calls for Zimbabwe to release long-delayed results from a presidential vote mounted yesterday as the opposition accused the government of waging a campaign of violence.