In New Zealand, On August 14, 2024, it was revealed that the Auckland City Mission had unknowingly distributed candies containing lethal doses of methamphetamine. These candies were part of food parcels given to those in need. The candies were donated by an unknown individual and were part of the charity’s regular distribution efforts.
Ford and Mazda have taken a step in ensuring the safety of their customers by issuing a Do Not Drive advisory for over 457,000 vehicles in the United States. The warning is a result of the issues related to Takata airbags, which have been linked to numerous fatalities and injuries over the years.
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office for violating ethical standards. The court ruled 5:4 against Srettha citing his appointment of a controversial Cabinet member, Pichit Chuenban, who was previously imprisoned for attempting to bribe a court official.
Starbucks announcement on August 13, 2024 to replace CEO Laxman Narasimhan was unexpected. Laxman Narasimhan, who had only been in the role since March 2023 faced immediate termination. Narasimhan’s tenure at Starbucks was by challenges in driving sales growth in the US and China, Starbucks’ two largest markets. During his time the company reported a 3% decline in same-store sales.
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced his decision to step down as the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in September. This decision was by a mix of political scandal, rising living costs and internal and external pressures.
