China

China, Brazil to sign swap

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Friday that the People's Bank of China and Brazil's Central Bank are expected to sign a currency swap accord soon, worth about 190 billion yuan ($30.5 billion). He said the establishment of a China-Brazil currency swap mechanism will enhance bilateral financial cooperation, facilitate trade and safeguard financial stability.

Australia

Three ministers quit cabinet

Three Australian cabinet ministers resigned on Friday after an aborted challenge on the ruling party's leadership the day before, which saw Prime Minister Julia Gillard prevailing over her predecessor Kevin Rudd. Minister for Tertiary Education Chris Bowen, Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism Martin Ferguson, and Minister for Human Services Kim Carr announced their resignations, all three long-time supporters of Rudd.

Syria

Mosque blast kills 42

An explosion at a mosque in the Syrian capital on Thursday killed at least 42 people, including a senior pro-government Muslim cleric, and wounded 84, the Syrian health ministry said. State television and anti-government activists earlier had reported 15 dead. Reports said a terrorist suicide blast had hit the Iman Mosque in central Damascus, and that Mohammed al-Buti, imam of the ancient Ummayyad Mosque, was among the dead

Xinhua-Reuters

(China Daily 03/23/2013 page7)