Talks for Italian coalition near conclusion

ROME— Negotiations on forming a coalition government between Italy’s far-right League and the antiestablishment 5-Star Movement could be wrapped up soon, the two parties said in a joint statement on Thursday. “Steps forward have been made on the composition of the government and on the (nomination) of a prime minister,” the statement said following a meeting between League leader Matteo Salvini and 5-Star chief Luigi Di Maio. The talks, which kicked off on Wednesday, look set to end nine weeks of political deadlock.—