FAULTY AIR-BAG UNIT FORCES FORD RECALL

new york Ford is recalling about 850,000 cars and SUVs because of a problem that could stop the air bags from working in a crash.

The recalled models include the 2013-14 Ford C-Max compact, Fusion midsize, Escape SUV and the Lincoln MKZ luxury car, all sold in North America.

Ford says the restraints control module in the car could short-circuit, causing the air-bag warning indicator to light up.

If the short circuit occurs, restraint devices— including the air bags, pretensioners and side curtains— might not work in a crash.

GMO wheat found in Montana

washington » Unregulated genetically modified wheat has popped up in a second location in the United States, this time inMontana, the Agriculture Department said Friday.

No genetically engineered wheat has been approved for U.S. farming, and the discovery of unapproved varieties can pose a potential threat to U.S. trade with countries that have concerns about genetically modified foods.

Airline cancels Boeing plane order

berlin » Germany’s second-biggest airline, Air Berlin, says it has canceled an order for 33 new Boeing jets with a list price of $5 billion.

Air Berlin said Friday that an agreement to terminate orders for 18 Boeing 737 aircraft and 15 Boeing 787 aircraft doesn’t involve any compensation to the American plane maker.

Air Berlin is engaged in a long-term effort to cut costs.

Prosecutors demand ride-share changes

san francisco » Ridesharing companies Uber, Lyft and Sidecar are being threatened with legal action in San Francisco and Los Angeles over how they screen drivers and charge passengers, along with other business practices.

The cities’ district attorneys sent letters to the three companies, warning they could face legal action if they fail to change the practices.

The company Sidecar publicly released a copy of the letter it received Thursday from San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon.

PeoplExpress suspends flights.

Startup airline PeoplExpress says it is suspending flights because of problems including a shortage of crews and only one plane, but it hopes to resume flying next month.

The airline, based in Newport News, Va., said Friday that it was processing refunds for passengers holding tickets through Oct. 15. The company said travelers booked on later flights will get an e-mail once plans for resuming service on or about Oct. 16 are complete.

Intel invests $1.5 billion in chipmaker

santa clara, calif. » Intel will pay up to $1.5 billion for a 20 percent stake in a Chinese venture that will design and make Intelbranded chips for mobile phones and other electronics.

The Chinese chipmakers Spreadtrum Communications and RDAMicroelectronics are controlled by Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd., a stateowned company funded by Tsinghua University in Beijing.

BlackBerry sells 200,000 Passports in first week.

BlackBerry chief executive John Chen said the company has received 200,000 orders for the new Passport smartphone that launched this week.

The device sold out in six hours on the BlackBerry store and 10 hours at Amazon.com, Chen said.