Honda, Mazda, Nissan issue recalls over airbags

TOKYO — Honda, Mazda and Nissan are recalling millions of vehicles globally for defective airbags manufactured by supplier Takata Corp. that could possibly explode.

No accidents have been reported related to Monday's recalls.

Honda Motor Co. recalled 2.03 million vehicles for the airbag problem, including 1.02 million in North America and nearly 669,000 in Japan. It said they were manufactured between 2000 and 2005.

That came on top of a million vehicles Honda recalled last year for similar Takata airbag problems.

Nissan Motor Co. recalled 755,000 vehicles globally manufactured from 2001 through 2003, while Mazda Motor Corp. recalled nearly 160,000 vehicles manufactured from 2002 through 2004.

Like Honda, both companies announced recalls last year, but in smaller numbers.

Takata recently realized that the earlier recall had not included all of the problem airbags, the automakers said.

Toyota Motor Corp. announced an airbag recall earlier this month for 2.27 million vehicles, including some that were recalled last year. One fire was reported related to the defect, but no one was injured in that incident, Toyota said.

Toyota, the world's No. 1 automaker, was also investigating a crash in Puerto Rico in which the driver suffered a minor cut on the forehead which may have been caused by an abnormal passenger-side airbag deployment.

Toyota's affected models include the Corolla, Matrix, Tundra, Yaris and Camry. The models recalled at Honda include the Fit, Element and CR-V, while those at Nissan are the Cube, X-Trail and some Infiniti models. Recalled at Mazda were the Atenza and RX-8.

Tokyo-based Takata is a major manufacturer of airbags, seat belts, steering wheels and other auto parts.

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Follow Yuri Kageyama on Twitter at twitter.com/yurikageyama

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Aereo’s fate in court’s hands

The Supreme Court is set to rule on a case that has the potential either to shut down a Boston startup or dramatically change the media landscape.

"We're as prepared as we can be. There is no plan B," said Virginia Lam of Aereo, which is headquartered in New York City but has 80 of its 115 employees in Boston.

The nation's highest court could rule today on the legality of Aereo, which charges users $8 per month for retransmitting free broadcast channels to their mobile devices. Broadcast companies say Aereo is violating copyright law, while Aereo says its service is no different than old-fashioned rabbit ears.

One of the key legal issues in the case is the distinction between public performance, which is subject to copyright law, and private performance, which isn't. Supporters of Aereo have said a ruling against the company could have detrimental effects to the entire cloud computing industry, one of the hottest sectors in recent years.

"It's likely we'll see an opinion weighing these two constituencies and see if they can craft a rule that deals with both," said Matthew Schruers, VP of Law and Policy with the Computer & Communications Industry Association, which filed a brief in support of Aereo.

A win for Aereo could bring in many similar companies, threatening entrenched cable companies, Schruers said.

"We may see a lot of companies trying to get into this market," he said. "There will certainly be changes."

Dennis Wharton of the National Association of Broadcasters said an Aereo win would set a dangerous precedent.

"It would empower companies who want to build their businesses on pirated content to go forward with impunity," he said.

If Aereo prevails, some broadcasters have said they will pull their content from the airwaves and put it on cable, where Aereo can't touch it.

A loss for Aereo could mean many different things depending on how narrow or broad the ruling is. The justices could say that everything Aereo does is copyright infringement, a ruling that would effectively shut down the company. The court could also say the technology is legal but the way it is implemented is not.

If the ruling does go against Aereo, the company will evaluate its options after the decision has been made, Lam said.

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New Pebble: Time for a sharper look

Pebble Steel ($229, Best Buy)

Usually big upgrades contain big changes. But the latest iteration of Pebble's smart watch for iOS and Android is entirely the same on the inside. It's the outside that's changed.

The good: Finally, a smart watch that looks grown up. With two options for the watchband — matte black leather or stainless steel — this sharp smart watch resembles something you'd find in a glass case at a department store. Unlike its bulky, rubbery predecessor, it's a fine choice for an elegant dinner or business meeting.

The bad: Much like its predecessor, the Pebble Steel doesn't do a whole lot. It'll let you know when calls, emails or texts are coming in. It makes it easier to keep your smartphone on silent and in your pocket. But this is hardly a deep-functioning device.

The bottom line: If the fashion factor was the only thing stopping you from buying a Pebble, this is your best bet. But if you don't find yourself yearning for this fledgling piece of technology, wait until something more sophisticated and comprehensive comes out. It's bound to happen.

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Bay State to push biotech corridor at major confab

Massachusetts hopes to make a splash at this week's BIO International Convention in San Diego with a new program fostering international collaboration in the life sciences and the introduction of the Life Sciences Corridor to the biotechnology industry's largest global gathering.

Gov. Deval Patrick tomorrow will announce a new Massachusetts Life Sciences Center program creating new avenues for international organizations to collaborate on research and development with Massachusetts companies.

"It's pretty novel," said Susan Windham-Bannister, CEO of the quasi-public center, which administers the state's 10-year, $1 billion life sciences initiative. "Some countries have been trying to put similar programs in place, but the advantage that Massachusetts has is, a lot of other countries around the world want to partner with us."

Representatives from Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom and Dubai — Patrick's trade mission destinations — are slated to participate.

Massachusetts is one of 20 states with pavilions at the four-day event. It will host three panel discussions and a networking reception, and officials have at least 15 business-development sessions scheduled with companies and will meet with at least 10 international delegations.

The Life Sciences Corridor unveiled by Boston, Cambridge, Quincy, Somerville and Braintree in May as a regional economic development approach also will make its global debut. "It's a wonderful branding opportunity," Windham-Bannister said. "California can always talk about Silicon Valley and now in Massachusetts, we can talk about the Massachusetts Life Sciences Corridor."

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Apple eyes details in coming upgrade

Apple's next mobile operating system — slated for release in the fall — contains a slew of small, new conveniences that should make for a solid upgrade to iPhones and iPads.

I've been testing the beta version of iOS 8, loading it onto an old iPhone that I don't regularly use because prerelease operating systems are, by definition, still full of software bugs that can do permanent damage. But this system is already pretty seamless, indicating a much smoother launch for this system than its predecessor, a hiccup-ridden version of iOS 7 that was released to the public last fall.

This upgrade doesn't contain much in the way of visual design changes. It's the small things — like a new feature that lets users scan in their credit cards rather than having to manually enter them for online purchases — that make iOS 8 a crowd-pleaser.

It's like Apple took a step back and thought about what its users need and want. For instance, a new feature for flaky phone users: The phone automatically beams out its last known location just as the battery is about to die. So when you realize your phone is gone and you can't follow the sound of the ring because it's dead, your iCloud account points you in the right direction.

Another feature for iPhone users who like to live on the edge: You can now hide videos and photos that you've taken from sticky-fingered friends and family who swipe through your phone without asking.

For the trigger-happy among us, there is a photo recovery function, allowing users to undo accidental deletions for the first time.

Photo-editing tools giving the user more control over focus and exposure in iOS 8. Apple has finally caught on to the lure of so many photography apps that are sold in its App Store. It's making many of the features contained within them native to the system, in addition to adding a time-lapse video feature that is perfect for all those wannabe videographers egged on by Vine and Instagram.

The next iPhone is rumored to be scheduled for release around the time that iOS 8 is pushed out. Recent reports indicate that the iPhone 6 could resemble a phablet — a smartphone/tablet hybrid that has, until now, been the province of Windows and Android phones. All signs point to iOS 8 providing a solid software platform for the upcoming debut of whatever hardware Apple has in store for consumers.

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Oracle buying Micros Systems for about $5.3B

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. — Software maker Oracle is buying Micros Systems Inc., which provides software and hardware to the hospitality and retail industries, for about $5.3 billion.

Oracle Corp. said Monday that it will pay $68 per Micros share, a 3 percent premium to the company's $65.77 Friday closing price.

Shares of Micros gained $1.43, or 2.2 percent, to $67.20 in premarket trading Monday.

Oracle said the acquisition will extend its offerings by combining Micros' industry-specific applications with its business applications, technologies and cloud portfolio.

Oracle expects the deal to immediately add to its adjusted earnings. Its stock climbed 18 cents to $41 before the market opened.

Micros' board unanimously approved the transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of the year.

Oracle is based in Redwood Shores, California. Micros Systems is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland.

Last week Oracle reported fourth-quarter results that missed Wall Street's expectations, hurt in part by the devaluation of Venezuela's currency.

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Three ways to deal with stuck throttle emergencies

I read a recent article discussing GM's problems with their faulty ignition switch. You have given the advice in the past to turn off the ignition if the throttle sticks. This was mentioned several times when "unintended acceleration" was a common topic in the news. Does the information in this article change that advice?

Very timely and important question. In past columns I have written about how to deal with unintended acceleration/stuck throttle situations. In short, a driver has three tools to mitigate the threat of crashing: Push the brake pedal as hard as humanly possible, shift the transmission into neutral or turn off the ignition.

With the recent news regarding unintended "ignition off" scenarios in certain GM vehicles, it's well worth revisiting this issue.

First off, even if the engine is not running and the ignition switch is in the off position, the brakes and steering remain functional. Without power assist provided by engine operation, considerably more physical effort will be required to brake and steer the vehicle, but it will still stop and turn.

Shifting the transmission into neutral in response to the threat from a stuck throttle or unintended acceleration will disconnect the engine from the drivetrain while maintaining power assist to the steering and brakes. While it may seem potentially destructive to the engine, most modern engine management systems have limiters to prevent the engine from over-revving in neutral by cutting spark and/or fuel to limit engine speed.

Obviously, switching the ignition off will stop any type of unintended acceleration or stuck throttle. And doing so will not lock the steering. The ignition switch cannot be turned to the locked position unless the transmission has been shifted into park.

To address your specific question as to turning off the ignition in response to unintended acceleration or a stuck throttle, keep in mind that the air bags and supplemental restraint systems are not instantaneously disabled if the ignition is switched off. These systems have some type of backup power supplies in case the battery is disconnected or destroyed in the first instant of a crash. These systems, often based on a capacitor storing enough electrical charge to deploy the airbags, can keep the airbags operational for several seconds after loss of battery power — but just as obviously, not long enough to completely deal with an unintended acceleration or stuck throttle scenario.

With today's motor vehicles, the best response to unintended acceleration or some type of stuck throttle is to simply shift the transmission into neutral, deal with the situation by steering and braking to a safe stop and then turning off the key. Every motorist should mentally anticipate this scenario and understand the steps necessary to safely deal with it.

A: little forethought and practice can prevent unintended acceleration or a stuck throttle from ending in tragedy.

I have a 1994 Honda Accord with less than 48,000 original miles. For the past five years it has been suggested to have the timing belt replaced because of the age of the car. I just hate to touch something that isn't broken. I do understand if it does fail, I will be in bad shape. Are there any signs that I could look for to let me know it needs replacement?

A: Yes, the engine suddenly stops running! And since this is a so-called interference engine, expensive valve-to-piston contact and damage can occur.

It is possible to inspect the timing belt by removing the top engine cover, turning the crankshaft with a ratchet and visually examining the belt for wear, damage or contamination from oil or coolant.

But since Honda's recommendation is timing belt replacement every 72 months, it's long overdue. I'd suggest having the timing belt and water pump replaced as preventive maintenance. But it's your call.

Paul Brand, author of "How to Repair Your Car," is an automotive troubleshooter, driving instructor and former race-car driver. Readers may write to him at: Star Tribune, 425 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn., 55488 or via email at paulbrand@startribune.com. Please explain the problem in detail and include a daytime phone number.

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Cambridge nonprofit trains immigrants to be medical interpreters

When Claudette Aspilaire fled Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, she left the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, where she had lived a relatively comfortable life as a teacher, to come to the wealthiest country, and find herself suddenly plunged into poverty.

In the United States, she couldn't find work but she had one crucial advantage: She spoke French, Haitian Creole and English.

"There comes a point where you realize this is an asset not everyone has," said Maria Vertkin, a Russian immigrant who runs the Cambridge-based nonprofit Found in Translation. "There's a shortage of bilingual talent, but there are so many bilingual people like Claudette who are overlooked."

Aspilaire enrolled in the 
medical-interpreter training program and today earns $20 an hour as an interpreter at Sharewood Project, a free-health care organization run by Tufts Medical School students and faculty in Malden.

"It's interesting helping others like me," said Aspilaire, a 60-year-old mother of three. "It's a stable job to help my family."

Vertkin started Found in Translation in 2011 with a $40,000 grant after graduating from Regis College with a degree in social work. She wanted to help women find work as a way out of poverty, but she knew that minimum-wage jobs weren't enough.

She discovered that the need for medical interpreters was expected to grow by 42 percent over the next decade, with a median annual wage of $45,430.

"I thought: This is a perfect fit," she said.

In January 2012, Found in Translation began offering a 12-week medical interpreter certificate course that, unlike other programs, was free to income-eligible women.

The first year, Vertkin had 164 applicants for 21 openings. The second year, she had 195 applicants for 31 openings. And this year, she had 235 applicants for 32.

"They act not only as interpreters, but also as liaisons to the communities we serve," said Elena Hill, the sexual- and reproductive-health director at Sharewood Project. "They show compassion and help us understand our patients better. So it's mutually beneficial to us, to the patients and to the interpreters."

Recently, the program was one of 128 startups the MassChallenge accelerator selected to receive free office space, mentoring and a chance at a share of $1.75 million in cash prizes — money that could help Found in Translation become self–sustaining and eventually branch out into training women to become interpreters in other fields, such as the law, Vertkin said.

"The program is innovative and empowers women economically," said Imina Nosa, one of Found in Translation's language coaches. "I see them growing from being powerless immigrants to people who bring value by applying what they have to help others and earn a livelihood. It's gratifying to see that transformation."

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Asian markets higher on China factory growth

HONG KONG — Australian shares led Asian stock markets modestly higher on Monday after a report showed Chinese manufacturing expanded for the first time this year, signaling that the No. 2 economy's growth slowdown has bottomed out.

Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.8 percent to 5,450.80 and the country's currency strengthened after HSBC's preliminary purchasing managers' index showed that activity in China's huge manufacturing sector rose to the highest level since December.

The bank said the reading shows that that the effects of recent mini-stimulus measures unleashed by Beijing to boost growth were filtering through to the economy. Beijing is targeting full-year economic growth of 7.5 percent and last week Premier Li Keqiang vowed that the country would avoid a so-called "hard landing."

A Chinese rebound would benefit big mining companies in Australia, where the resource-driven economy has become highly dependent on China's demand for commodities such as iron ore.

"Signs of improvement amid policy support ought to allay overdone fears of a hard landing in China," Mizuho Bank said in a report. "And this ought to inspire some optimism in broader Asia."

Gains in other Asian markets were more restrained. Japan's Nikkei 225 edged 0.1 percent higher to 15,369.54 while South Korea's Kospi rose 0.4 percent to 1,976.34. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.3 percent to 23,262.39 while the Shanghai Composite Index in mainland China was flat at 2,027.35.

In energy trading, the price of U.S. benchmark crude for August delivery rose 33 cents to $107.16 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 78 cents to settle at $106.83 per barrel on Friday.

In currencies, the dollar slipped to 101.92 Japanese yen from 102.08 in late trading Friday. The euro rose to $1.3607 from 1.3599.

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News Corp selling Community Newspaper business

NEW YORK — News Corp. said Monday it will sell its Community Newspaper Group, which is based in New York City and publishes 11 community newspapers and websites, as well as several magazines.

Former News Corp. executive Les Goodstein and his wife Jennifer are buying the business. Les Goodstein ran Community Newspaper Group from 2006 to 2013.

The two sides did not disclose terms.

The Goodsteins also own NYC CommunityMedia, which publishes several newspapers, including The Villager, Downtown Express, and Gay City News

CNG, headquartered in Brooklyn, distributes 235,000 newspapers each week. Its publications include Caribbean Life, The Brooklyn Paper, The Bronx Times Reporter, Bay News and Bay Ridge Courier, and Bayside Times and TimesLedger. It also puts out magazines including Family, Wedding Guide, and Sweet Sixteen.

A year ago News Corp. split into two publicly traded companies: 21st Century Fox is a film- and TV-focused entertainment company, and News Corp. is largely a publishing company that includes the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post in its portfolio.

News Corp. shares fell 26 cents to $16.85 in midday trading.

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