Dufry AG to buy WDF

Dufry AG provided details about its plans for its takeover of World Duty Free SpA (WDF). The company stated it has planned to consolidate its position as the biggest player in the sector. On Monday, Switzerland headquartered company announced that it has expected to raise about 2.1 billion euros through a rights issue of new stock. The company also said that it expects to raise about 1.5 billion euros through long-term debt instruments.

According to reports, the combined companies will have market share of about 25% and the projected annual sales about $9 billion. WDF has more than 490 stores in about 98 airports, including London's Heathrow and Gatwick.

Middle school student honored as finalist for his project in Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair

Project of Matthew Maciejewski, J.F.K Middle School student was awarded first place in the Sustainable Resources and Practices category at the 67th annual Science and Engineering Fair at Quinnipiac University in Hamden.

Matthew was honored as the finalist for his project, ‘Pore’ My Way to Cleaner Water and received $500 and a trophy for his achievement in the category.

The Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair involved forty-six middle and high schools from several counties in the region. The local middle schools included St. Theresa, Good Shepherd, Eagle View, Greenwood, Bermudian Springs, Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg, along with St. Joseph School, of Mechanicsburg.

NASA to test rocket-powered saucer-shaped test vehicle later this year

The US space agency NASA has announced that it will test a flying saucer spacecraft later this year. In June 2015, NASA’s Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project will fly its rocket-powered, saucer-shaped test vehicle into near-space from the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii.

The public is invited to tune in to an hour-long live, interactive video broadcast at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where this near-space experimental test vehicle is being prepared for shipment to Hawaii.

United States could soon announce its Post-2020 Emissions Targets

A United Nations climate conference is scheduled at Paris in December with an aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The conference is intended to result in a post-2020 global agreement on reducing greenhouse gas releases.

It is expected that the United States will make announcement about its post-2020 emissions targets Tuesday. The US had already told about its aims in announcing a climate deal with China last November.

Meanwhile, the United States and Mexico decided to have a joint task force on climate policy co-operation on Friday when Mexico made announcements that its emissions will peak by 2026 and drop 22% below 'business as usual' levels by the year 2030.

President Obama Praises CFPB for Proposing New Rules for Payday Loan Industry

Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has proposed new rules for payday loan companies.

President Obama has praised the CFPB for this step, which is aimed to keep a control on payday loan companies. President Obama shared that payday lenders are generally present in low income areas. They offer cash advances for a short term at a price.

He visited Alabama and found that payday loan stores were four times more than McDonald's food outlets. Experts affirmed that though payday loans are considered as easy money, a person gets trapped in a debt circle.

US Sen. Charles E. Schumer urges Congress to Pass Paycheck Fairness Act

US Sen. Charles E. Schumer on Sunday urged Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act that would ensure that equal wages are paid for equal work, regardless of gender.

Schumer said the data which showcased that women earn nearly $5,100 less a year in nursing as compared to men highlights the need for the Paycheck Fairness Act.

In his view, men and women who perform the same job should also get equal wages. And if women are discriminated even in nursing field then they're not protected anywhere, he said.

As per sources familiar with the issue, the bill would ban employers from retaliating against workers for sharing salary information and increase the compensation for women who bring job discrimination complaints.

Pages

News in Focus

Tata Steel Share Price Could Reach Rs 230: ICICI Securities

ICICI Securities has retained its BUY call on Tata Steel with a revised sum-of-the-parts target of Rs 230, implying 24% upside from Rs 185 over 12 months.

Pricol Share Price Target at Rs 935: Axis Securities

Axis Securities has kept its BUY call on Pricol Ltd with an unchanged target price of Rs 935, about 28% above the Nov. 5 closing price of Rs 728.

Mahindra & Mahindra Share Price Target at Rs 4,387: BOB Capital Markets

BOB Capital Markets has retained its BUY rating on Mahindra & Mahindra but trimmed its target price to Rs 4,387 from Rs 4,530, still implying about 40% upside from the Rs 3,128 market price.

ICICI Securities has maintained its BUY rating on Swiggy but cut its target price to Rs 400 from Rs 520, still implying about 90% upside from the Rs 211 market price.

Stylam Industries Share Price Target at Rs 3,750: ICICI Direct

ICICI Direct, the retail research arm of ICICI Securities, has maintained its BUY call on Stylam Industries with a revised 12-month target price of Rs 3,750, about 21% above the current market pric

Saregama Share Price Target at Rs 740: ICICI Direct

ICICI Direct, the retail research arm of ICICI Securities, has reiterated its BUY call on Saregama India with a 12-month target price of Rs 740, about 16% above the Rs 638 market price, after the R