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Business

Thursday

When China Spurns GMO Corn Imports, American Farmers Lose Billions

A corn purchaser writes on his account in northwest China in 2012. In November 2013, officials began rejecting imports of U.S. corn when they detected traces of a new gene not yet approved in China. Peng Zhaozhi/Xinhua/Landov hide caption

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Peng Zhaozhi/Xinhua/Landov

The Salt

When China Spurns GMO Corn Imports, American Farmers Lose Billions

China has been a big and growing market for U.S. corn. But then farmers started planting a kind of genetically engineered corn that's not yet approved in China, and the Chinese government struck back.

Amid Smoking Decline, Look Who's Still Lighting Up

Tobacco giant Reynolds American is buying Lorillard and acquiring Newport, a popular menthol cigarette. In a shrinking market, Newport is one of the few U.S. brands gaining market share. It is particularly popular among African-American smokers. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Amid Smoking Decline, Look Who's Still Lighting Up

Analysts say the merger of Reynolds American and Lorillard is driven by the changing demographics of smoking. But the lower smoking rate masks a more complex and varied pattern of cigarette usage.

Amid Smoking Decline, Look Who's Still Lighting Up

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Food

Red Robin's 'Monster' Burger Wins Xtreme Eating Awards

The Center for Science in the Public Interest says, at more than 3,500 calories, it's the "single unhealthiest" meal among 200 chain restaurants.

Red Robin's 'Monster' Burger Wins Xtreme Eating Awards

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On The Eve Of A Possible Lockout, Met Opera Talks Remain Contentious

A worker unveils posters Tuesday for the coming season of New York's Metropolitan Opera. The Met's fall schedule could be in jeopardy if failed labor negotiations result in a lockout Friday. John Moore/Getty Images hide caption

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John Moore/Getty Images

Deceptive Cadence

On The Eve Of A Possible Lockout, Met Opera Talks Remain Contentious

Labor disputes are nothing new to the Met Opera, but never have they been so public. With a deadline looming, both sides signal that negotiations are going nowhere.

On The Eve Of A Possible Lockout, Met Opera Talks Remain Contentious

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Sports

A Prospective Pro Athletes' Backup Plan? Pit Crewing For NASCAR

WFAE

Some college athletes who dreamed of going into pro sports are instead finding full-time work on NASCAR pit crews. NASCAR is recruiting athletes, not mechanics, and has a special training center.

A Prospective Pro Athletes' Backup Plan? Pit Crewing For NASCAR

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Senate Antitrust Panel Eyes Contact Lens Pricing Policies

Under "UPP," or universal pricing policies, manufacturers like Johnson & Johnson tell retailers they can't sell their contact lens below a certain price. And if they do, their supply will be cut off.

Senate Antitrust Panel Eyes Contact Lens Pricing Policies

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Send Your Dearly Departed Dog Into Space

Houston-based Celestis is offering to ship your pet's remains to rest among the stars for as little as $995. The remains are sent up on vehicles already carrying scientific and commercial payloads.

Send Your Dearly Departed Dog Into Space

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Latin America

Argentina Is In Default. What Does That Actually Mean?

Talks between Argentina and holdout bondholders collapsed Wednesday. With no additional talks scheduled, it appears Argentina has defaulted for the second time in about 12 years.

Argentina Is In Default. What Does That Actually Mean?

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Wednesday

Bankrupt California City May Turn To Taxing Pot

Robert Calkin, the president of the Cannabis Career Institute, spoke at an exhibition called Hempcon held in San Bernardino, Calif., last year Courtesy of Robert Calkin/AP hide caption

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Courtesy of Robert Calkin/AP

The Two-Way

Bankrupt California City May Turn To Taxing Pot

San Bernardino, which filed for bankruptcy two years ago, is wasting money fighting marijuana sales, says the city attorney. Better to regulate pot, end the black market — and collect taxes.

Why Your 'Small-Batch' Whiskey Might Taste A Lot Like The Others

Bulleit is one of 50 different brands a food blogger says is using whiskey from an Indiana factory. Mike McCune/Flickr hide caption

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Mike McCune/Flickr

The Salt

Why Your 'Small-Batch' Whiskey Might Taste A Lot Like The Others

A food blogger says dozens of distilleries are buying rye whiskey from a factory in Indiana and using it in bottles labeled "artisan."

Why Your 'Small-Batch' Whiskey Might Taste A Lot Like The Others

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Job Worries Linger, But The Economy Is Looking Good

Assembly-line workers at the Chrysler plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. The economy is getting good marks in the latest data, but some worries about the job market continue. Paul Sancya/AP hide caption

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Paul Sancya/AP

Economy

Job Worries Linger, But The Economy Is Looking Good

Both the Commerce Department and the Federal Reserve gave the economy good marks after years of slack performance. The Fed still frets about jobs but generally is upbeat, predicting "moderate" growth.

Why Are Theater Tickets Cheaper On The West End Than On Broadway?

Matilda is currently being performed on both Broadway in New York, pictured here, and the West End in London. In New York, according to the Broadway League, the average ticket price for all shows just crossed $100 for the first time. Joan Marcus/AP/Boneau/Bryan-Brown hide caption

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Joan Marcus/AP/Boneau/Bryan-Brown

Theater

Why Are Theater Tickets Cheaper On The West End Than On Broadway?

In London, a matinee ticket for Matilda costs about $60; in New York, it's $137. What's going on? The West End has weaker unions and subsidized theater, while Broadway has amenities.

Why Are Theater Tickets Cheaper On The West End Than On Broadway?

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Grocery Chain Workers Want Their CEO Back

Rank-and-file Market Basket employees show support for ousted CEO Arthur T. Demoulas. Curt Nickisch/WBUR hide caption

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Curt Nickisch/WBUR

National

Grocery Chain Workers Want Their CEO Back

WBUR

Arthur T. Demoulas, chief executive of the New England grocery chain Market Basket, was pushed out by his cousin in a boardroom struggle. Protesting employees have brought business to a standstill.

Grocery Chain Workers Want Their CEO Back

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