German parties aim to present coalition deal next week

By Michael Nienaber BERLIN (Reuters) -The three parties trying to form Germany’s next government have made progress in negotiations and aim to present a coalition agreement next week, senior party officials said on Tuesday. The centre-left Social Democrats...

Ban UK lawmakers from paid lobbying, PM Johnson says after sleaze row

By Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) -British lawmakers should be banned from acting as paid consultants or lobbyists, Prime Minister Boris Johnson proposed on Tuesday, in the wake of a row over second jobs posing conflicts of interest. Johnson has come under pressure...

Swedish finance minister given more time to try to form new government

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Swedish Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson has been given more time to try to form a new government, and is hopeful of striking a deal with the Left Party to become the country’s first female prime minister. Andersson is negotiating with...

Japan prepares beds, booster shots in COVID-19 lull before winter

By Rocky Swift TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida outlined on Friday an urgent plan to increase hospital beds and medical resources in preparation for a possible resurgence of COVID-19 infections this winter. After a deadly fifth wave of...

New Delhi to shut schools, construction sites as pollution worsens

By Suchitra Mohanty and Swati Bhat NEW DELHI/MUMBAI (Reuters) -Schools in New Delhi will be closed for a week and construction sites for four days, the Indian capital’s chief minister said on Saturday, as the city tries to protect people in a worsening air...