Merkel vows ‘serious’ coalition talks with SPD

Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday that her party was ready to hold serious talks with the Social Democrats to form a government, warning that time is pressing as Europe faces a slew of challenges.

"Not only do we have diverse problems in Germany, but there are also great expectations in Europe for answers to pressing questions," Merkel told reporters after huddling with leaders of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Berlin.

The German leader has been struggling to form a coalition after elections in September left her without a majority, reports AFP.As the SPD refused initially to renew an alliance with Merkel's conservatives, the veteran chancellor had sought to partner up with the pro-business FDP and the ecologist Greens. However, those talks collapsed, lurching Germany into a political crisis and raising the spectre of snap elections. With the SPD now relenting, Merkel said there is "now an offer to talk, we mean it seriously". Stressing the importance for Germany to have a stable government, Merkel said European partners like France were impatiently waiting for Berlin to "take a stance" on reform proposals for the bloc.

"Also given the conflicts in the Middle East, the situation with Russia, the situation in the United States, I think it would be good if Germany is capable of taking action," she said. LAS VEGAS: India's Shraddha Shashidhar lost out on the Miss Universe 2017 title, failing to make it even to the top 16, while South Africa's Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters walked away with the crown. A total of 92 women from around the world competed at the pageant, hosted by comedian and TV host Steve Harvey in the US state of Nevada on Sunday night. -Agencies