Bloomberg German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she’ll begin exploratory coalition talks next week with the Greens and the pro-market Free Democrats, the first step toward a possible new government for Europe’s biggest economy. Just over two weeks after winning a fourth term, Merkel plans to start on October 18 with what’s likely to be a complex negotiation with two smaller …

Bloomberg Spain warned Catalonia it risks economic chaos should the rebel region continue with its pursuit of independence, with the government in Madrid saying it stood ready to intervene and reassert control. As the standoff heads into a critical few days, Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaría said ministers were ready to stop Catalan President Carles Puigdemont. Spanish Energy …

Bloomberg Oil producers are succeeding in re-balancing an oversupplied market, though they may need to take further steps to sustain the recovery into 2018, OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said. Saudi Arabia and Russia are currently leading consultations between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other major suppliers about the future of their agreement to cut oil output, Barkindo …