Brussels / AFP Apple on Monday launched a legal challenge against a landmark EU decision that the tech giant pay billions in back-taxes to Ireland, claiming the EU has ignored the law. The European Commission, the EU executive arm, in August ordered iPhone maker Apple to reimburse a record 13 billion euros ($14 billion) in unpaid taxes in Ireland. …

  Frankfurt am Main / AFP German industrial gases maker Linde and US competitor Praxair are set to announce a $65-billion merger to create a global leader in the sector in the coming days, the Financial Times reported on Monday. Linde and Praxair’s previous attempt at a tie-up failed in September, but they are now expected to reveal preliminary merger terms …

  Bloomberg Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. agreed to buy insurer Allied World Assurance Co. for $4.9 billion in cash and stock in Chief Executive Officer Prem Watsa’s largest purchase. Fairfax will pay $54 per share, which is 18 percent higher than Allied World’s closing price on Friday. For every share, Allied investors will receive about $10 in cash — half …