Toyota recalling about 30,000 Sienna Minivans

Toyota is recalling about 30,000 Sienna Minivans worldwide, saying the 2015 models’ overhead assist grips can detach when an air bag deploys.

The automaker says that the grips, which are mounted to the minivans’ roof rails, could detach from the mounting bracket under some conditions, potentially injuring passengers.

Toyota says it’s not aware of any injuries or fatalities caused by the problem.

Dealers will modify the headliner under the second row overhead assist grips at no cost to owners.

Separately, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas is recalling some of its Open Country Tuff Duty and Nitto Dura Grappler tires due to potential tread separation.

Toyo knows of two crashes involving the malfunction.

The free recall involves about 175,310 SUV and van tires.

WTO agreement could boost global commerce

After many years of talking, the World Trade Organization pulled off a major deal Thursday that the body said could boost global commerce by $1 trillion annually.

Diplomats said the deal is the first multilateral trade agreement in the organization’s 20-year history. Agreement has been difficult to reach because WTO deals require the unanimous backing of its 160 member countries.

“Once in force, it will help developing countries better integrate into the global economy, intensify regional integration and lift millions out of poverty,” said European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo said the deal is now operational but will come into force once two-thirds of the members have officially accepted it.

Greece’s creditors press for austerity measures

A Greek official says the country is under pressure from rescue creditors to impose new austerity measures to resolve an ongoing budget disagreement worth a reported $2.5 billion.

Negotiator Christos Protopapas, a former union leader and Socialist labor minister, said Thursday that international lenders remained at odds with Athens over deficit projections in the 2015 budget.

Protopapas attended two-day talks in Paris this week with representatives from the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund. The talks, however, failed to resolve the impasse.

“What they’re saying is that they don’t believe the budget will work and that we should follow the well-trodden road of cutting pensions and higher taxes,” he told private Skai television.

– From news service reports

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