Business

Workers spread "red vanilla" (vanilla that has been treated by special cooking) in the sun to be dried near Sambava, Madagascar, in May 2016. Madagascar, producer of 80 percent of the world's vanilla, has seen huge jumps in the price. It's one of the most

Our Love Of 'All Natural' Is Causing A Vanilla Shortage

12:58pm June 16, 2017

by Dan Charles

There's a global shortage of vanilla beans because big food companies now want natural vanilla, rather than the synthetic kind. Prices have soared, squeezing bakers and ice cream makers alike.

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Pictures of Kapor Klein's SMASH scholars and which college they will attend are on display in the office.

National

The Investor Who Took On Uber, And Silicon Valley

11:40am June 16, 2017

by Aarti Shahani

In Silicon Valley, you're supposed to build businesses unapologetically. You're not supposed to speak out against injustice. Freada Kapor Klein breaks those rules.

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Amazon Says It Will Buy Whole Foods In $13.7 Billion Deal

10:46am June 16, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Whole Foods, which opened its first store in Austin, Texas, back in 1980, now has 465 markets in North America and the U.K.

WATCH: What Makes Japan No. 1 In Toilet Technology

8:28am June 16, 2017

by Elise Hu

In NPR's Elise Tries series, correspondent Elise Hu tries out new experiences in East Asia. In this episode, Japanese toilets: so automated and comfortable, you might never want to leave the bathroom.

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The site of the One Journal Square luxury apartment project stands vacant in Jersey City, N.J. Kushner Companies is giving up on a request for a tax break but says its $821 million, two-tower project is still viable.

Kushner Firm Gives Up On Getting Tax Break For Jersey City Development

4:22pm June 15, 2017

by Joel Rose

Kushner Companies tried to win a 30-year tax break for the project in New Jersey. But that effort generated opposition, and now the firm run by the family of Jared Kushner is abandoning its request.

Native Americans and their supporters protest in March outside of the White House against the construction of the disputed Dakota Access oil pipeline.

Judge Delivers Blow To Trump Administration In Dakota Access Fight

1:21pm June 15, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

The federal judge found the Trump administration failed to follow environmental procedures. While the ruling doesn't order a halt to pipeline operations, it does open the door to that possibility.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson testifies on Capitol Hill on Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Senate Votes To Limit Trump's Power To Lift Russia Sanctions

9:28am June 15, 2017

by Michele Kelemen

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson wants flexibility as he tries to improve ties with Russia. The Senate wants to make sure the Trump administration doesn't change course without congressional buy-in.

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Polgreen Aims To Transform The Perception Of 'HuffPost'

8:14am June 15, 2017

by David Folkenflik

Huffington Post founder and editor Arianna Huffington has left the company after a corporate restructuring. Lydia Polgreen, the editor of the rebranded HuffPost, talks about her plans for the site.

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A new book examines how federal government policies made it easier for minorities to open fast-food franchises than grocery stores. Today the landscape of urban America reflects this history.

'Supersizing Urban America': How U.S. Policies Encouraged Fast Food To Spread

8:00am June 15, 2017

by Tove Danovich

A new book examines how federal government policies made it easier for minorities to open fast-food franchises than grocery stores. Today the landscape of urban America reflects this history.

World News

Chinese Businessman Disappears

6:28am June 15, 2017

by Rob Schmitz

The disappearance of one of China's most well-known tycoons is the least of his company's problems. Anbang, the insurance company he has headed, has made very risky investments.

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