Following are some of the main world news events expected in the next week (all times GMT). Asterisks denote new listings. - - - - TUESDAY, JANUARY 8 ** BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (1030). DAVOS - Launch of World Economic Forum's Global Risks 2013. BRUSSELS - EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy meets with Slovenia's President Borut Pahor (0800).

* MSCI Asia ex-Japan steadies, Nikkei opens down 0.5 pct * Dollar falls vs yen after sharp and rapid rise * Alcoa kicks off U.S. earnings later on Tuesday By Chikako Mogi TOKYO, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Asian shares steadied on Tuesday but prices were capped by investor caution ahead of corporate earnings season for the last quarter of 2012 and the European Central Bank's policy meeting later in the week.

By Dasha Afanasieva LONDON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - British firms grew more confident in the last three months of 2012, suggesting the economy avoided contraction and is set for modest growth in the early part of this year, Britain's largest business survey showed on Tuesday. The survey of more than 7,000 firms by the British Chambers of Commerce contrasts sharply with the downbeat message last week from a set of closely watched polls of purchasing managers. They suggested Britain is slipping back into recession.

* Wall Street shares dial back from 5-year high * Euro rises on bets ECB might leave rates alone * Oil prices slip with stocks, growth view caps losses * Dollar pulls back from 2-1/2-year high versus yen By Richard Leong NEW YORK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Wall Street stock prices retreated from five-year highs on Monday, while the euro rose against the dollar on bets the European Central Bank might refrain from signaling more interest rate cuts on Thursday.