Germany's conservatives and Social Democrats (SPD) on Tuesday held talks on forming a coalition as hopes for buoying Europe's largest economy rose on the prospect of a nearly trillion euro borrowing boom to fund military and infrastructure spending.

Leaders of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) will not appear at traditional events to mark Ash Wednesday as they focus on negotiations to form a government in Berlin. The SPD is "prepared to negotiate and talk all week,

Leaders of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) have said they will not appear at traditional Ash Wednesday events as they focus on negotiations to form a government in Berlin. The SPD is "prepared to negotiate and talk all week,