Ford recalls Navigators and Expeditions

Ford is recalling nearly 274,000 of its Expedition and Lincoln-branded Navigator SUVs across the U.S. due to an issue that may cause a loss of brake function while driving, increasing crash risks.

According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the front brake lines in these now-recalled cars “may be in contact” with their engine air cleaner outlet pipe due to a potential installation defect. That can result in a brake fluid leak and/or a loss of brake function.

The recall covers 223,315 Expeditions and 50,474 Navigators between model years 2022 and 2024. Ford expects that just 1% of these vehicles have the defect, per a recall report dated Friday.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this recall — but the Michigan-based auto giant had received 45 warranty reports of front brake line leaks as of April 17, NHSTA documents note.

Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the front brake line of impacted vehicles and replace it or the air cleaner outlet pipe if necessary, free of charge. Dealer notifications were planned to begin Wednesday, the recall report notes, with owner letters set to be mailed out between May 26 and May 30.

Drivers also can confirm if their vehicle is included by using the number 25S47 at nhtsa.gov/search-safety-issues#recall.

Starbucks baristas strike over dress code

More than 1,000 Starbucks baristas at 75 U.S. stores have gone on strike since Sunday to protest a new company dress code, a union representing the coffee giant’s workers said Wednesday.

Starbucks put new limits starting Monday on what its baristas can wear under their green aprons. The dress code requires employees at company-operated and licensed stores in the U.S. and Canada to wear a solid black shirt and khaki, black or blue denim bottoms.

Under the previous dress code, baristas could wear a broader range of dark colors and patterned shirts. Starbucks said the new rules would make its green aprons stand out and create a sense of familiarity for customers as it tries to establish a warmer, more welcoming feeling in its stores.

But Starbucks Workers United, the union that represents workers at 570 of Starbucks’ 10,000 company-owned U.S. stores, said the dress code should be subject to collective bargaining.

“Starbucks has lost its way. Instead of listening to baristas who make the Starbucks experience what it is, they are focused on all the wrong things, like implementing a restrictive new dress code,” said Paige Summers, a Starbucks shift supervisor from Hanover, Maryland. “Customers don’t care what color our clothes are when they’re waiting 30 minutes for a latte.”

Aramco signs $90B pacts with U.S. companies

Oil giant Saudi Aramco signed agreements with major U.S. companies potentially totaling about $90 billion.

The company signed 34 memorandums of understanding and pacts through its Aramco Group Co., covering collaborations and partnerships on liquefied natural gas, fuels, chemicals, emission-reduction technologies and artificial intelligence, among other fields, Aramco said in a statement.

MoUs were signed with Exxon Mobil Corp. to evaluate an upgrade to the SAMREF refinery, with Amazon on digital transformation and lower-carbon initiatives and Nvidia Corp. on artificial intelligence infrastructure, Aramco said.

Aramco this week said it planned to spend $3.4 billion on its Motiva refinery in Texas, the largest fuelmaking plant in the U.S.

Compiled from Associated Press and Bloomberg reports.