Business news in brief

By The Associated Press

Honda recalls nearly 1.7 million vehicles

Honda Motor Co. is recalling close to 1.7 million vehicles due to a manufacturing issue that could make it difficult to steer the vehicles and lead to crashes.

Honda reported the recall last week to government regulators, who issued the recall order on Tuesday. The safety recall order from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that the steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, potentially causing “excessive internal friction” that could make the vehicle difficult to steer and increase the likelihood of a crash.

The vehicles were from model years 2022 to 2025 and include certain Acura Integras, Honda Civics, Honda CR-Vs and Honda HR-Vs.

Germany economy on track to shrink

BERLIN | Germany’s government says its economy is on track to shrink for a second consecutive year. The German economy is Europe’s biggest. The outlook underlines the unpopular administration’s troubles as it heads into a difficult election year.

The new forecast Wednesday that gross domestic product will shrink by 0.2% this year compares with the government’s prediction in April of 0.3% growth and brings it into line with economists who also have forecast a slight contraction. The government forecast growth of 1.1% next year and 1.6% in 2026. The economy shrank by 0.3% in 2023.

X back in Brazil after suspension

RIO DE JANEIRO | The social media platform X is returning to Brazil after remaining inaccessible for more than a month following a clash between its owner, Elon Musk, and a justice on the country’s highest court.

Internet service providers began restoring access to the platform on Wednesday after Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorized lifting X’s suspension the previous day. De Moraes ordered the shutdown of X on Aug. 30 after a monthslong dispute with Musk over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation.

Musk had disparaged de Moraes, calling him an authoritarian and a censor, although his rulings, including X’s nationwide suspension, were repeatedly upheld by his peers.

—From AP reports