BRUSSELS – EU finance ministers backed plans yesterday by  countries in the euro area to help debt-stricken Greece  financially if it becomes the first state in 11 years of  monetary union to seek such aid.

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WASHINGTON – Members of the U.S. Congress yesterday  threatened Beijing with duties on some of its exports if it  fails to revalue its currency, pressuring the Obama  administration to label China a currency manipulator.

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WASHINGTON – The new financial reform bill introduced in the  U.S. Senate will likely be approved at the committee level next  week, but its shape could change substantially once it comes  before the full Senate and winning Republican support comes into  play, analysts said yesterday.

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BEIJING – China has become more concerned about  international tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, but  remains doubtful sanctions can resolve the stand-off, the  Chinese foreign minister said yesterday.

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JERUSALEM – Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces in  Jerusalem yesterday as the United States, which has slammed  Israeli settlement plans as undermining peace efforts, played  down strains in its alliance with the Jewish state.

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BANGKOK – Anti-government protesters poured bottles of their  own blood outside the Thai prime minister’s office yesterday, a  “sacrifice for democracy” after demands for elections were  rejected.

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JOHANNESBURG – South Africa President Jacob Zuma has  suggested he would not turn down a nomination to lead the ruling  ANC for a second term.