Dow Chemical, DuPont Announce 'Merger Of Equals'
The two chemical giants will temporarily form a $130 billion firm (called DowDuPont) before splitting into three separate companies: agriculture, materials and specialty products.
Business
Antibiotic Use On Farms Is Up, Despite Promises To Kick The Drugs
Producers of poultry, cattle and pigs continue to use more antibiotics, according to the latest government data. That's despite more pledges from food companies to sell meat raised without the drugs.
Hoverboards Put On No-Fly List, As Airlines Cite Fire Concerns
The bans come as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says it's looking into at least 10 reports of the self-balancing electric scooters bursting in flames.
DuPont And Dow Agree On Terms For Huge Merger
After the merger, the resulting behemoth would be split into what Dow's chairman and CEO, Andrew Liveris, calls "three powerful new companies." That is, if regulators sign off on the deal.
Wal-Mart To Launch New Mobile Pay System In 2016
There's already Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay. Prepare for Wal-Mart Pay: a feature in Wal-Mart's app that will allow shoppers to check out with their smartphones.
Small Violations Of Medical Privacy Can Hurt Patients And Erode Trust
Breaches that expose the health details of just a patient or two are proliferating nationwide. Regulators focus on larger privacy breaches and rarely take action on small ones, despite their harm.
Volkswagen Promises To Compensate Diesel Car Owners For Lost Resale Value
Volkswagen's top two executives faced reporters Thursday and explained what they had learned about the emissions scandal that looms over the company. They said the investigation revealed that no member of VW's two boards were involved, and that misconduct was limited to a small number of employees.
Leaked Budget Document Provides Glimpse Into How ISIS Makes Money
NPR explores how ISIS gets its money and why that makes it so hard to turn off the money spigot. We examine how ISIS makes up its budget and manages it through its tax system, fees and the antiquities smuggling strategies.
Pew Research Report Finds Most Americans Are No Longer Middle Class
According to a Pew Research Center report released Wednesday, the middle class is losing ground. The report finds the middle class has shifted into lower and upper-income households. NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Rakesh Kochhar, the lead author of the report and associate director of research at the Pew Research Center, about what it now means to be part of the middle class. Then, Audie Cornish turns to NPR's Mara Liasson about what a shrinking middle class means for the presidential race.
Fiat Chrysler Fined $70 Million For Failing To Report Safety Data
Automakers are required by law to turn over data about accidents, warranties and safety issues.