Autopilot

Tesla plans for update

Tesla Motors is planning improvements to its semi-autonomous Autopilot system after a fatal crash earlier this summer.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote in a tweet Wednesday that a software update will be released in a few weeks. Musk says a software update will make "major improvements" to Autopilot, including more advanced processing of radar signals. Software updates are delivered over the air to Tesla owners.

Tesla's Autopilot system can maintain a set speed, keep the car within its lane and brake automatically. Radar helps the car see things that may be blocked to cameras in bright sunlight or bad weather.

Also Wednesday, Tesla disclosed in a securities filing that it has to pay $422 million to its bondholders in the third quarter and that it will raise additional money by year-end. The purpose of the additional capital, among other things, is to support its proposed merger with home-solar company SolarCity Corp.

delivery

Amazon Prime Now adds service from restaurants

Amazon Prime Now customers in Houston can now order from restaurants and receive one-hour delivery, the company said Wednesday.

The service allows customers to view online menus and track their orders.

So far, more than 90 restaurants are taking part, according to the company. A list of participating restaurants is available through the Prime Now app and website.

Amazon's service joins a host of other app-based meal delivery services in Houston, including DoorDash, UberEats and GrubHub.

real estate

Bankrate gives Houston homes a low ranking

Houston may have a reputation for its relatively affordable homes, but high maintenance and insurance costs help rank it among the worst metro areas to own a home.

Bankrate measured factors such as property taxes, affordability, property insurance costs, foreclosure rates, maintenance costs, energy costs, appreciation rates and rent appreciation to determine the ranking of 50 cities.

The Houston area ranked No. 45, just ahead of Buffalo, N.Y., Los Angeles, Providence, R.I., New York and Hartford, Conn.

Portland, Ore., was the best place to be a homeowner, according to Bankrate, because of its low insurance costs, few foreclosures and low energy costs. Phoenix, Atlanta and Las Vegas also ranked high.

Chemicals

Westlake closes on its acquisition of Axiall Corp.

Westlake Chemical Corp. of Houston said Wednesday that it closed on its $3.8 billion acquisition of Axiall Corp., concluding a four-year pursuit of the Atlanta petrochemical maker.

The combined company becomes North America's second-largest producer of polyvinyl chloride, the plastic known as PVC.

fast food

McDonald's says leader of U.S. unit retiring

McDonald's says the president of its U.S. business is retiring, marking the latest executive change as the fast-food giant tries to reinvent itself.

Mike Andres, 58, who stepped into his role in October 2014, will retire at year's end. He will be replaced by Chris Kempczinski, the executive vice president of strategy, business development and innovation.

africa

Nigeria reports its economy

is in recession

LAGOS, Nigeria - Africa's biggest economy is officially in recession.

Nigeria released data on Wednesday showing its gross domestic product declined by 2.06 percent in the second quarter of the year. The oil- and import-dependent economy also declined by 0.36 percent in the first quarter.

Nigeria has been slammed by low petroleum prices, attacks by oil militants and foreign currency shortages.

retail

American Girl dolls will soon be sold at Toys R Us

NEW YORK - Mattel's American Girl dolls will soon be sold at Toys R Us stores.

The dolls are now sold at American Girl's 20 stores and on its website. Making the dolls available in more places could help Mattel reverse the brand's declining sales.

taxes

Competition adds to loss for H&R Block

Tax preparer H&R Block posted a bigger first-quarter loss and less revenue than analysts expected.

The Kansas City, Mo.-based company, which reported weak results from tax season this spring, said it is facing more competition in the tax prep industry as well as a growing number of independent tax preparers.

From staff and wire reports