AFP The German pharmaceutical and chemicals group Bayer said it would sweeten its offer for US rival Monsanto. In a statement, Bayer said it would raise its offer for the US seed giant to $127.50 per share from $125. That would bring the deal’s total value to almost $66 billion including debt. Monsanto confirmed Bayer’s improved bid for a …

  AFP Swedish automaker Volvo Cars will form a joint venture with car safety world leader Autoliv to develop software for driverless vehicles, the two companies said on Tuesday. Volvo Cars said in a statement it was forming the joint venture with Autoliv, a Swedish pioneer of the safety belt in the 1950s, to “develop next generation autonomous driving software.” …

  AP Germany’s finance minister says the country will keep its budget balanced despite increasing spending on research, training and infrastructure, as well as dealing with the huge influx of migrants last year. Germany’s budget has been balanced since 2014 and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told Parliament on Tuesday his plans through 2020 foresee it remaining that way. His budget …