World News: Americans reach debt deal to keep default fear at bay

REPUBLICANS and Democrats in Congress reached an agreement with President Barack Obama to raise the limit on US borrowing and forestall an unprecedented American default.

Tomorrow is the deadline to avoid a US default on payments to investors in Treasury bonds, recipients of Social Security pension cheques, those relying on military veterans benefits and businesses that do work for the government.

If approved, the compromise would presumably preserve America's sterling credit rating, reassure investors in financial markets across the globe and possibly reverse the losses that spread across Wall Street in recent days.

No votes were expected in either house of Congress until later today, to give politicians a chance to review the package.

Shortly after Senate majority leader Harry Reid and his Republican counterpart, minority leader Mitchell McConnell, endorsed the plan on the Senate floor, Mr Obama went to the White House press room to add his support.

Mubarak to be hauled into court

EGYPT'S prosecutor general has formally summoned Hosni Mubarak to appear at his trial, giving the clearest indication that the ousted president will be brought to the Cairo courtroom this week. Activists believe Mubarak's health is being used to postpone proceedings.

Dozens killed over dissent

SYRIAN security forces backed by tanks and snipers launched a ferocious assault on defiant cities and towns, killing at least 70 people and possibly many more as the regime raced to crush dissent ahead of Ramadan.

Corpses littered the streets after a surge in violence that drew widespread condemnation. Estimates of yesterday's death toll, which were impossible to verify, ranged from around 75 people to nearly 140. The worst carnage was in Hama.

Troops face year Afghan stints

SOME British soldiers could be posted on year-long tours of Afghanistan to maintain continuity during the crucial withdrawal period, according to the commander of Task Force Helmand.

Brigadier Ed Davis said the "spine" of brigades sent in the future may be deployed for longer than six months.

Muslims get attack blame

CHINA today blamed Muslim extremists trained in Pakistan for an attack that killed six civilians in one of the most troubled ethnic regions where police later fatally shot five suspects.

Yesterday's attack raised the death toll from weekend violence in the city of Kashgar to 18.

Rebel forces clash with infiltrators

Libya: Rebel leaders said their forces hunted down and clashed with supporters of Muammar Gaddafi who had been posing as rebel fighters to infiltrate the opposition's eastern stronghold. The overnight battle killed four from each side.

Mexico: Jose Antonio Acosta Hernandez - a former police officer who allegedly admits ordering 1500 killings during a campaign of terror as a drug gang chieftain - has been captured.