Bloomberg Takata Corp.’s agreement to pay $1 billion to settle a criminal investigation removes a hurdle to the air-bag maker’s sale, which the company needs to continue operations and complete the biggest product recall in automotive history. The Tokyo-based company admitted to hiding the deadly risks of its air bags for about 15 years and agreed to plead guilty …

  Bloomberg Italian Transport Minister Graziano Delrio dismissed Germany’s demands to recall Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV cars for alleged pollution violations as “completely unacceptable,” refusing to give in after months of pressure over emissions standards. “Our tests demonstrate that there are no illegal devices or abnormal procedures” involving Fiat Chrysler vehicles, Delrio told Italy’s RAI3 state television channel on Sunday …

  Bloomberg Acacia Mining Plc jumped in London trading after the gold miner confirmed it is in early-stage talks with rival Africa-focused producer Endeavour Mining Corp. about a possible merger of the two companies which have a combined value of about $4 billion. Acacia, which mines the precious metal in Tanzania, jumped as much as 7.7 percent to the highest …