Reuters: Top Global and Breaking News

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leaders of a presidential commission proposed raising taxes and the retirement age among bold ideas on Wednesday for slashing the U.S. budget deficit, but faced a difficult task in winning the support of Congress.

Deficit panel targets Social Security and taxes

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SEOUL (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday demanded North Korea cease provocations on the divided peninsula, but held out the prospect of economic aid and respect if it abandons its nuclear arms program.

Obama tells North Korea to end "belligerence"

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SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States and South Korea failed to revive a stalled free trade agreement on Thursday, dealing a blow to both countries' leaders and putting a brake on bilateral trade.

South Korea, U.S. fail to resolve trade deal row

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of U.S. homes taken over by banks fell 9 percent in October as foreclosure processing was stalled by questionable paperwork, real estate data company RealtyTrac said on Thursday.

October foreclosures fall as processing stalls

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SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - The cruise ship stranded off Mexico this week by an engine fire limped back into port under tow on Thursday with 3,300 passengers bedraggled by three days at sea without hot water, air conditioning or cooked meals.

Bedraggled cruise passengers return to port

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BERLIN (Reuters) - German conservative party headquarters is rocking. To the heavy thud of AC/DC, hundreds of young party members throng the foyer of Konrad Adenauer House in Berlin waving posters and talking over the music.

Special Report: The two lives of Angela Merkel

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PARIS (Reuters) - An engine problem forced a Boeing 767 operated by the Australian airline Qantas to turn back to Perth on Friday, Australia's AAP news agency reported.

Qantas plane turns back after engine problem: report

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An independent task force cautioned President Barack Obama on Friday about the high cost of the Afghanistan war and said he should consider a narrow military mission if his December review finds the current strategy is not working.

Report cautions Obama on high cost of Afghan war

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Supreme Court on Friday denied a request to lift the Pentagon's ban that prevents openly gay men and women from serving in the U.S. military, a decision that turns the focus on the issue to Congress when lawmakers return to work next week.

Supreme Court declines to lift military ban on gays

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SEOUL (Reuters) - G20 leaders closed ranks on Friday and agreed to a watered-down commitment to watch out for dangerous imbalances, yet offered investors little proof the world was any safer from economic catastrophe.

G20 closes ranks but skims over toughest tasks