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JLR at risk of battery supply delays after Somerset factory turmoil

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) faces potential delays in electric car battery supply from a £5.2 billion factory in Somerset after Agratas sacked its main contractor due to budget issues. Agratas's new contractor, Tonroe Group Ltd, must quickly adapt to the project's demanding requirements amid rising costs and internal turmoil, jeopardizing JLR's electric vehicle production schedule.

The Guardian Australia – Business · 1 hour ago

London nightlife suffers under strict licensing rules, Mayor Khan responds

London's strict licensing rules are stifling its nightlife, with the earliest council-mandated closing time set at 11pm on weeknights. In contrast, cities like Birmingham and Manchester enjoy booming after-hours scenes with more relaxed regulations. Mayor Sadiq Khan recently addressed concerns as a residents' group opposes new late-night venues.

The Guardian Australia – Business · 3 hours ago

European Commission revises water law to boost critical minerals mining

The European Commission plans to revise its water protection law to expedite critical minerals mining in drought-affected regions, despite concerns from environmentalists. Over half of the 33 designated strategic projects are in water-stressed areas, including six in drought-stricken Spain. This move aims to increase the EU's mineral supply amid rising global demand.

The Guardian Australia – Business · 4 hours ago

Beetlejuice the Musical's Australian run ends early

Beetlejuice the Musical will end its Australian tour early, cancelling performances in Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide. The last show will take place at QPAC in Brisbane on July 5, with producers citing rising costs and logistical challenges as reasons for the decision.

ABC News – Business · 4 hours ago

Heathrow third runway GDP yield may be 90% less than original estimate

Heathrow Airport's proposed third runway may boost GDP by only 0.05%, a staggering 90% less than earlier estimates, according to the Department for Transport. The negative economic impact could reach £62.5 billion, prompting skepticism about the expansion's viability. Critics argue the findings undermine government claims of economic benefits from the project.

The Guardian Australia – Business · 18 hours ago

Kidney cancer rates near Lancashire PFAS factory raise significant health concerns

Kidney cancer rates near a PFAS factory in Lancashire have raised concerns, according to experts reviewing a government study. The study noted higher-than-expected kidney cancer cases in two areas close to the AGC Chemicals Europe plant, which emitted PFOA from the 1950s to 2012. Critics argue the findings require further investigation despite the report suggesting no significant cancer cluster exists.

The Guardian Australia – Business · 19 hours ago

Datacenters driving US clean energy growth while still threatening climate

Datacenters are driving unprecedented growth in the U.S. clean energy sector, particularly amid rising demand from artificial intelligence. However, their energy consumption is prompting new fossil fuel plant construction, complicating transitions to renewable sources. Experts highlight this paradox, noting the booming clean energy market has benefited some firms like Nextpower and Google, yet many other segments remain unhelped.

The Guardian Australia – Business · 23 hours ago

Hot weather behind rise in UK retail sales in May

Retail sales in Great Britain rose 1.2% in May, driven by demand for fans and paddling pools amid record hot weather. The Office for National Statistics reported this as the strongest growth since January, reversing a 1% decline in April. Analysts caution that consumer confidence remains low despite the rebound in sales.