NatWest's chairman publicly thanked British taxpayers after the UK government offloaded its last shares in the bank nearly 17 years after a massive 2008 bailout. The state intervention, though costly, is credited with preventing a wider crisis. The bank now promises firmer ethics and customer care.
Netflix has raised subscription rates in Nigeria for the third time in twelve months, blaming inflation and currency woes. The increases—up to 21%—hit all plans, even as wages and data costs squeeze consumers. The move matches Netflix's regional strategy but puts pressure on budget-minded Nigerians.
Parkview Group, under financial pressure, landed a HK$300 million private loan from PAG after banks backed away. The short-term financing comes as the developer faces tough refinancing on a $940 million Beijing complex debt and seeks billions more in funding. Hong Kong property prices have dived 28% since 2021.
Thames Water has abandoned plans to give £1m bonuses to senior bosses after sharp criticism from government officials who said the payouts wouldn’t be justified. The rewards, tied to a £3bn emergency loan, drew public anger for benefiting executives during ongoing financial and environmental struggles. The company is now awaiting further advice from the industry regulator.
DoorDash is making waves with plans to buy Deliveroo for $3.86 billion and SevenRooms for $1.2 billion, expanding into nine new European countries and boosting its tech for restaurants. With these moves, DoorDash aims to serve 50 million users across 40 countries and strengthen its position against rivals like Uber Eats.
China has declared it will respond firmly against Trump's plan to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods, escalating the trade conflict between the two nations. This move, coupled with previous tariffs, could result in a cumulative 104% duty on imports from China. Beijing labels these actions as U.S. bullying, pledging to defend its interests. The tension has led to volatility in global markets, stirring fears of inflation and recession.
Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Brewery in Dunblane is gearing up to open its taproom on Duckburn Industrial Estate by December 21, 2024. Owner Matty Dixon seeks to host themed events and live sports screenings, serving session-strength and alcohol-free beers. He plans to hire neurodivergent staff and introduce Social Sundays to tackle loneliness, with brewing operations starting in early 2025.
