Business

Hoverboard Fires Linked To New Manufacturing Process In China

4:42pm December 23, 2015

by Audrey Quinn

The hot gift this Christmas season is a hoverboard — those two wheeled electronic scooters. But they have been catching fire. The boards and the danger result from a new kind of manufacturing process on the rise in China.

National

From Anheuser-Busch InBev To Dow Chemical: A Look At The Year In Mergers

4:29pm December 23, 2015

by Yuki Noguchi

2015 was a year of mega-mergers — deals made because of falling commodity prices, and deals that came with big tax advantages. NPR looks back at the year in mergers.

Despite Energy Savings, Consumers In Vermont Remain Cautious

4:07pm December 23, 2015

by Nina Keck

Average gasoline prices fell below $2 a gallon this week. That means U.S. consumers saved more than $100 billion this year at the gas pump, or about $550 per licensed driver. At the same time, falling natural gas prices — combined with warm temperatures in much of the country — will mean big savings on heating bills. But consumers don't seem to be spending more yet. Why? In Vermont, at least, people are worried about warm days hurting tourism.

The two sides of a new 100-ruble banknote depict a memorial to sunken ships in the port of Sevastopol, the site of Russia's naval base, and the Swallow's Nest, a mock castle on a clifftop near Yalta.

Russia Marks Crimea Annexation With A Banknote Rapidly Losing Value

4:03pm December 23, 2015

by Corey Flintoff

The 100-ruble note is worth about half of what it was worth in February 2014, just before Russia seized the Black Sea peninsula. The ruble could depreciate even more in the coming year.

National

Newspaper Editor Steps Down After Publication's Billionaire Buyer Unmasked

1:47pm December 23, 2015

by Camila Domonoske

After the Las Vegas Review-Journal was purchased by a mysterious buyer, Editor Mike Hengel oversaw reporting that revealed it was the Adelson family. Then he stunned his newsroom by taking a buyout.

A critic says filing for FDA approval to exclusively sell a drug that's been available for years is "akin to trying to patent a ladder." It also may push the price of the drug beyond the reach of many patients.

FDA Approval Could Turn A Free Drug For A Rare Disease Pricey

10:26am December 23, 2015

by Alison Kodjak

Jacobus Pharmaceutical freely gives its experimental drug to patients with a rare disease. Now a rival wants FDA approval to sell its own version — and expects to charge at least $37,500 per year.

Queue Listen Now

Homeless veterans face an uphill climb — and not simply because of the tight housing markets in cities. Even if they've found open properties, and have the rental checks to pay for them, some landlords are still reluctant to accept them.

Homeless Veterans Face Challenges Beyond The Rental Check

9:50am December 23, 2015

by Pam Fessler

Thousands of homeless military vets have government vouchers for rent. But landlords aren't always willing to accept them, partly because of tight housing markets and stereotypes about the tenants.

Queue Listen Now

U.S. Tries To Exploit Islamic State's Financial Weak Spot

6:16am December 23, 2015

Renee Montagne talks to Adam Szubin, acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury Department, about efforts to financially isolate and cripple ISIS.

SpaceX Successfully Lands Rocket After Launching It Into Space

7:03pm December 22, 2015

by Geoff Brumfiel

SpaceX, the commercial aerospace company, pulled off a major feat Monday night. After pushing satellites towards orbit, the rocket's booster separated, and safely landed back on earth.

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FIFA Bans Soccer President Sepp Blatter For 8 Years

2:53pm December 22, 2015

by Tom Goldman

In a statement, FIFA said Blatter's ban was tied to a $2 million payment he made to FIFA Vice President Michel Platini. FIFA says that Blatter was not able to provide a "legal basis" for that payment.

Queue Listen Now