Mondale is ambassador

The former vice-president Walter Mondale is to become ambassador to Japan, AP reports from Washington.

Boston's Mayor Raymond Flynn accepted the job of ambassador to the Vatican after the White House said he could use the post to promote 'social and economic justice' around the world.

The New York Times said other likely ambassadorial appointments included Richard Holbrooke, a former State Department official, to Germany; the Republican Steven Solarz to India; Reginald Bartholomew, a career foreign service officer, to Italy; and Richard Gardner, a university professor, to Spain.