Ministers warned not to copy Wes Streeting’s release of messages with Peter Mandelson 10. February 2026 (20:47) Cabinet Office, PM and Met urge caution amid police investigation linked to release of Epstein documentsMinisters have been warned not to publish their messages with Peter Mandelson after Wes Streeting released his private WhatsApp exchanges with the disgraced former ambassador.In a message to officials, the Cabinet Office is understood to have said members of government should not share material that could be covered by a Commons motion forcing the release of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
FBI releases door-camera images of ‘armed individual’ in Nancy Guthrie case 10. February 2026 (20:34) Agency says person ‘appears to have tampered’ with Nest camera as hunt for Savannah Guthrie’s mother continuesThe FBI on Tuesday released new photos and video footage of someone the agency’s director described as “an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance”.Broadcast journalist Savannah Guthrie, host of NBC’s Today and Nancy’s daughter, wrote on social media: “We believe she is still alive. Bring her home.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran tells US not to let Netanyahu thwart nuclear talks before Trump meeting 10. February 2026 (20:34) Tehran’s intervention comes as the Israeli prime minister heads to a hastily arranged White House encounterTehran has told the US not to allow Israel to destroy the chance of reaching an agreement over Iran’s nuclear programme amid speculation that Benjamin Netanyahu intends to use a hastily arranged White House meeting with Donald Trump on Wednesday to divert negotiations.Iran’s intervention came as the Israeli prime minister flew to Washington to plead with Trump not to negotiate a deal with Tehran if it excludes limiting the country’s ballistic missile programme, dropping its support for proxy forces in the region and curtailing human rights abuses at home. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police arrest boy, 13, after two pupils stabbed at north London school 10. February 2026 (20:33) Boy held on suspicion of attempted murder after two pupils, aged 12 and 13, were stabbed at Kingsbury high schoolPolice have arrested a 13-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder after two boys, aged 12 and 13, were stabbed at a school in north-west London .The Metropolitan police were called to the scene at Kingsbury high school in Bacon Lane, Brent, at 12.40pm on Tuesday to reports that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed. When they arrived at the scene, officers found a 12-year-old boy who had also been stabbed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ireland’s basic income for the arts scheme becomes permanent 10. February 2026 (20:21) When piloted, initiative that provided €325 a week to eligible artists recouped more than its net cost, study shows Ireland is creating a scheme that will give artists a weekly income in the hope of reducing their need for alternative work and boosting their creativity.The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) initiative will provide €325 (£283) a week to 2,000 eligible artists based in the Republic of Ireland in three-year cycles. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK signed deals with US firms that were clients of Mandelson lobbying company 10. February 2026 (20:14) Clients of Global Counsel, co-founded by Mandelson, included OpenAI and Palantir, which have both signed deals with governmentA lobbying firm co-owned by Peter Mandelson worked for OpenAI before the US tech company signed a wide-ranging agreement with the UK government to explore deploying AI in Britain’s justice, security and education systems.In 2024, the $500bn-valued maker of ChatGPT was a client of Global Counsel, which Mandelson co-founded and part-owned. Keir Starmer subsequently appointed Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Norway defence chief says Russia could invade to protect nuclear assets 10. February 2026 (20:07) Exclusive: Eirik Kristoffersen, who served in Afghanistan, rejects Trump’s claim that Nato troops stayed off frontlinesNorway’s army chief has said Oslo cannot exclude the possibility of a future Russian invasion of the country, suggesting Moscow could move on Norway to protect its nuclear assets stationed in the far north.“We don’t exclude a land grab from Russia as part of their plan to protect their own nuclear capabilities, which is the only thing they have left that actually threatens the United States,” said Gen Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway’s chief of defence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Wake-up call’ for Greece as air force officer accused of spying for China 10. February 2026 (20:04) Christos Flessas detained in case seen as exposing Beijing’s strategy of infiltrating western military and security servicesA Greek air force officer arrested on suspicion of spying for China has been detained pending trial after appearing before a military judge in a case that is seen as exposing Beijing’s determination to infiltrate Europe’s security and intelligence services.Surrounded by armed escorts, a squadron leader identified as Col Christos Flessas emerged from the court late on Tuesday after giving testimony for more than eight hours. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Who could fill key No 10 vacancies – and win the battle for Starmer’s ear? 10. February 2026 (20:01) Everyone around PM agrees ‘chaos’ at No 10 has to be sorted, but there are competing factions trying to gain upper handWith three vacancies opening up at the very top of Keir Starmer’s operation, there is already a battle over who will win the war for his ear – and the direction of the government.The departure of Starmer’s most important political advisers – his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who was focused on the fight against Reform in Labour’s working-class heartlands; and Tim Allan, the director of communication, considered a Blairite – has immediately raised hopes on Labour’s soft left of a shift in their favour. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Drive the ‘ice road’, Estonians told – just don’t fasten your seatbelt 10. February 2026 (19:54) Cold spell means cars can cross 20km stretch of frozen sea but drivers must be able to exit quickly in case of a problemTemperatures in northern Europe have been so low that citizens of Estonia can now drive across a 20km stretch of frozen sea linking the country’s two main islands.The so-called “ice road” connecting the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, located in western Estonia between the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, was officially opened on Sunday with a line of cars waiting to use it that afternoon. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
