Jul 10 (Reuters) -
TOP STORIES
-----------
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will seek ?the biggest deal possible" in talks on Sunday aimed at averting a debt default after Republicans shied away from a ${esc.dollar}4 trillion deficit-reduction deal because it would raise taxes.
- - - -
BRUSSELS - European Council President Herman Van Rompuy has called an emergency meeting of top officials dealing with the euro zone debt crisis for Monday morning, reflecting concern that the crisis could spread to Italy, the region's third largest economy.
- - - -
LONDON - Media baron Rupert Murdoch flew into London on Sunday to tackle a telephone-hacking scandal that has sent tremors through the British political establishment and may cost him a multi-billion dollar broadcasting deal.
- - - -
AL-QAWALISH, Libya - Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi let loose a heavy artillery bombardment on Sunday to try to push back rebel fighters who had taken a village about 100 km (60 miles) south of Tripoli.
- - - -
CAIRO - Egyptian activists vowed on Sunday to stay camped in Cairo's Tahrir Square, accusing the army rulers of failing to sweep out corruption, end the use of military courts and swiftly try those who killed protesters.
- - - -
BEIRUT - Syria's main opposition groups boycotted talks on national dialogue on Sunday but Vice President Farouq al-Shara said the country, which is facing months of unrest, has no alternative to dialogue.
- - - -
BEIJING - The United States is committed to maintaining its military presence in Asia, its top military official said in China on Sunday, adding that Washington was worried disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea could lead to serious conflict.
- - - -
WASHINGTON - The United States will withhold some ${esc.dollar}800 million in military assistance to Pakistan, the White House said on Sunday.
- - - -
BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkel signalled for the first time her intention to seek a third term in 2013, although a poll on Sunday showed Peer Steinbrueck of the main opposition party gaining more support from voters.
- - - -
MINSK - Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994 and once referred to by Washington as ?Europe's last dictator," must find ${esc.dollar}3 billion by year's end to prop up his heavily indebted economy.
- - - -
BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao congratulated South Sudan on its independence, promising strong ties between the two countries as China seeks to retain its access to Sudanese oil supplies.
- - - -
CANBERRA - Australia unveiled its most sweeping economic reform in decades on Sunday with a plan to tax carbon emissions from the nation's worst polluters, reviving hopes of stronger global climate action with the largest emissions trade scheme outside Europe.
- - - -
BUENOS AIRES - Residents of Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, went to the polls on Sunday to choose their next mayor in a closely watched race that could sway voters' mood four months before a presidential election.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
