Lawyers to investigate claims of GB power grid cover-up over blackout risk
Posted on Monday July 13, 2026

Operator brings in independent legal firm to look into whistleblower allegations relating to June heatwave

Great Britain’s grid operator has brought in independent investigators to look into accusations that its staff were involved in a cover-up over the power system being at a greater risk of blackouts during the heatwave.

The government-owned energy system operator will face the scrutiny of an external legal firm after a whistleblower claimed that control room staff were warned against leaving a paper trail relating to efforts to stabilise the power system during record high temperatures in late June.

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Britons to use e-gates in Switzerland as Starmer seals £5.2bn trade deal
Posted on Monday July 13, 2026

Roaming charges also scrapped and trading terms continue for medicines, cars, art, jewellery and other goods

British nationals can expect shorter passport queues at Swiss airports and border crossings after a £5.2bn trade deal was sealed by Keir Starmer, likely his last big international agreement as prime minister.

As part of the deal they will be able to use e-gates from later this year, starting with exit checks at Zurich airport and with Basel and Geneva, a leading airport for business and winter sports travel, to follow next year.

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VW chief confirms plan to cut 50,000 jobs as board rejects plant closures
Posted on Monday July 13, 2026

Oliver Blume tells staff restructuring proposal includes ‘controversial decisions’ but he has broad support

The chief executive of Volkswagen has confirmed plans to cut 50,000 more jobs despite the carmaker’s supervisory board rejecting his plan to shut four factories in Germany.

Oliver Blume told staff on Monday that proposals for a sprawling restructuring was “the most comprehensive realignment in the company’s history” and revolved around “12 initiatives, approximately 150 pages and 45 individual resolutions” for change.

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Lancashire chemicals factory facing potential legal claim announces closure
Posted on Monday July 13, 2026

More than 90 residents have expressed interest in contamination claim against AGC Chemicals Europe

A Pfas factory in Lancashire has announced plans to close down, just days after the Guardian revealed that more than 90 residents had signed up to be involved in a potential legal claim over contamination of the local area.

AGC Chemicals Europe is consulting with employees and their union representatives about plans to cease operations at its manufacturing plant in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire. The consultation is expected to last for at least 45 days.

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The New York nurses replaced by AI: ‘It should concern every patient who cares about quality of care’
Posted on Monday July 13, 2026

The union for 12 nurses laid off by Montefiore hospital say company broke contract they recently won through a strike

Marilyn Shuler has worked as a utilization review nurse for 39 years at Montefiore hospital in the Bronx in New York City, helping to read patient charts and communicate with insurance companies over coverage.

After nearly four decades in her job, Shuler is one of 12 nurses who were laid off Sunday after being replaced with AI-powered software, according to the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), which represents nurses at the hospital.

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Young men report more ‘sextortion’ than any other age group, Australia’s online safety watchdog says
Posted on Monday July 13, 2026

In six months last year, more than 2,000 such complaints were made to eSafety

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A new report by Australia’s online safety regulator has found “significant gaps” in how major tech platforms tackle online sexual extortion and child sexual exploitation, as “reports of this abuse continue to rise”.

The findings come from eSafety’s latest transparency report, examining how tech companies – including Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Snap, Discord and WhatsApp – are addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse.

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Declan Rice winning fitness battle to start for England against Argentina
Posted on Monday July 13, 2026

• Rice expected to overcome illness for semi-final

• Jordan Pickford: ‘We can’t focus solely on Messi’

Declan Rice is set to overcome illness and retain his place for England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday.

The Arsenal midfielder was substituted at half-time of England’s win over Norway in the quarter-final, with Thomas Tuchel revealing that he had spent most of the previous three days in bed due to illness. But it is understood that Rice has been feeling much better after England returned to their base in Kansas City for the final time before departing for Atlanta on Tuesday and the 27-year-old is expected to start alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield against the reigning world champions.

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‘I need to prove I belong here’: Andoni Iraola stays humble in new Liverpool era
Posted on Monday July 13, 2026

Head coach has no illusions as to the scale of the task and wants to start by reconnecting the team and supporters

It was Andoni Iraola’s humility that made the biggest impression at his unveiling as Liverpool’s new head coach on Monday. Without fanfare or bombast the 44-year-old promised not to change as a result of landing the biggest job of his coaching career and also to connect with club and city alike. “The magic of being the Liverpool manager,” as he nicely described the opportunity. And without being asked directly, it was Iraola who insisted he must prove himself at Anfield.

For all the magic he produced during three years at Bournemouth, ending with European qualification for the first time in the club’s history and approaches from Crystal Palace and Milan, the Basque coach knows the move to Liverpool represents a considerable leap. It is a leap he feels ready to take.

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