Essilor, Luxottica to Create $49 Billion Eyewear Giant 
 

Luxottica, maker of Ray-Ban, has agreed to a merger with French optical-lens maker Essilor, placing its Italian founder at the helm of a globe-spanning colossus with brands gracing European catwalks and California beaches.

 
Australia Utility Duet Accepts Takeover Worth Nearly $5.5 Billion 
 

Australian utility Duet Group has agreed to a takeover bid worth nearly $5.5 billion from Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Infrastructure.

 
Donald Trump Tells Auto Makers They 'Have to Start Making Things Here Again' 
 

President-elect Trump told companies they will have to shift manufacturing to the U.S. in order to do business here, in a series of comments indicating a tough posture toward U.S. trade partners.

 
SpaceX Launches Rocket With 10 Iridium Satellites 
 

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket, rebounding from a catastrophic accident in September.

 
South Korean Prosecutors Seek to Arrest Samsung Heir 
 

South Korean prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong on allegations including bribery and embezzlement, ensnaring him in a scandal that has already led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

 
To Win Back Customers, Fashion House Fendi Thinks Small 
 

The Rome-based house has regained its buzz with new products such as straps, pompoms and bag charms geared toward shoppers tired of cookie-cutter accessories.

 
China Kia Dealers Seek Auto Maker's Help as Inventories Grow 
 

More than 100 Kia Motors dealers in China are seeking $343 million in compensation from the auto maker and a slowdown in shipments as they grapple with high inventories.

 
Wanda Group, Owned by China's Richest Man, Suffers Rare Off Year 
 

Billionaire Wang Jianlin's property-to-entertainment conglomerate reported its first revenue decline in at least six years, citing a softening commercial-property market.

 
Trial Reveals Pitfalls of Whistleblower Claims From In-House Lawyers 
 

Sanford Wadler, the former general counsel of Bio-Rad Laboratories, will be using sensitive material from the life sciences research company to support his case in a wrongful-termination lawsuit.

 
NASA's Advisers Heighten Warnings About Manned SpaceX Flights 
 

Fueling rockets with astronauts already strapped into capsules on top entails major explosion risks and other uncertainties that need to be assessed, the aerospace safety advisory committee said in its annual report.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 16, 2017 17:00 ET (22:00 GMT)

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