DealZone

Blackstone Group (BX.N) talks to lenders about cutting up to $5 billion of debt held by its Hilton Hotels chain; National Express (NEX.L) ends talks over a possible merger with rival British bus and rail group Stagecoach (SGC.L); and the U.S. IT services sector occupies a sweet spot for M&A. Plus, will Obama’s upcoming trip to China be marked by a deal between Disney and Shanghai?

For more on these stories, and all the rest of the latest deal-related news from Reuters, click here.

And here’s some picks from the papers (some external links may require subscriptions):

Global miner Rio Tinto (RIO.AX) is looking to mend relations with Chinese metals firm Chinalco by making a joint investment in Mongolia’s Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine project, the Sydney Morning Herald says.

UK law firm Lovells is discussing a potential tie-up with Washington-based Hogan & Hartson, several newspapers report. WSJ story here.

Private equity group MGPA is in the final round of talks to acquire Land Improvement Holdings for 90 million pounds, the Financial Times says.

The London Stock Exchange (LSE.L) and shareholders in trading platform Turquoise are expected to reach a deal within two weeks which will result in a new joint venture, the Financial Times says.