Files cast light on Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to cryptocurrency 09. February 2026 (15:00) Newly released documents detail convicted sex offender’s early backing of bitcoin and Coinbase Millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein have brought to light his ties to the highest echelons of the cryptocurrency industry.Documents published last week by the US Department of Justice reveal Epstein bankrolled the “principal home and funding source” for bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, during its nascent stages; he also invested $3m in Coinbase in 2014, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the US, and cut a check that same year to Blockstream, a prominent bitcoin-focused technology firm. Both crypto startups accepted Epstein’s investments in 2014 – six years after his 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian ministers met Japanese gas companies 20 times amid fossil fuel lobbying push 09. February 2026 (15:00) Thinktank analysis suggests Japan campaigns to prolong the carbon industry in Australia and hinder move to clean energyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian government ministers met Japanese gas company executives more than 20 times in the last term of parliament as Labor encouraged investment in the fossil fuel industry.The list of meetings is detailed in a report by the thinktank InfluenceMap that argues Japanese liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies have worked with Australian gas interests to lobby for favourable local government policy to prolong the life of the industry and slow a shift to clean energy in Asia Pacific. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Whistle becomes key tool in protests against Trump’s ICE crackdown 09. February 2026 (15:00) Protesters have been blowing whistles to alert people to agents’ presence – and that has upset figures on the rightWhen Justin Vernon of Bon Iver appeared on the red carpet at the Grammy awards he was wearing an accessory that has become a must-carry for activists in neighborhoods targeted by ICE: a whistle.The whistle has become a key part in the defense against Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, used to alert people to the presence of agents. But it has also become a target for the right, who have branded whistles “hearing-loss-causing machines” and said the act of blowing a whistle may constitute “assault”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
A tale of two Scott Farquhars: how one small change set back political transparency in Australia 09. February 2026 (15:00) Australia needs a balance between protecting the privacy of donors and preserving the transparency of how political parties are fundedWant to get more charts in your inbox every fortnight? Sign up for The Crunch hereIn the latest round of political donation disclosures there was a curious detail. It appeared as if Scott Farquhar, the billionaire co-founder of Atlassian, had donated $22,250 to the Queensland Greens in addition to giving $1.5m to support Climate 200.Had the tech guru fallen prey to the Greens’ legendary email marketing apparatus?It is very uncommon for two donors in a single disclosure period to have the same name. In that very unusual occurrence, the unique client identifier is a method to distinguish them as separate individuals. The AEC is further considering such matters for the implementation of other Electoral reform amendments due to commence 1 July 2026. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Queensland government to introduce new gun control laws advocates criticise as ‘weakest in Australia’ 09. February 2026 (15:00) Under proposed changes in response to Bondi terror attack only Australian citizens will be able to obtain a gun licence, with no cap on number of weaponsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastQueensland will be left with “the weakest guns laws in Australia”, according to gun control advocates, after the premier rejected increased limits on the number or type of firearms that people can own.On Monday, David Crisafulli and the police minister, Dan Purdie, announced what they called the second part of a three-part policy response to the Bondi shootings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar expected to call for Keir Starmer’s resignation – UK politics live 09. February 2026 (14:57) Sarwar is expected to call for Starmer’s resignation at his press conference at 2.30pmTim Allan said he was standing down to allow Keir Starmer the opportunity to build a new team.In a statement, he said:I have decided to stand down to allow a new No 10 team to be built.I wish the PM and his team every success. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ebo Taylor, Ghanaian highlife pioneer and guitarist, dies age 90 09. February 2026 (14:44) Taylor, who did for Ghanaian music what his friend Fela Kuti did for Nigeria, has been called the greatest rhythm guitarist in historyGhanaian musician Ebo Taylor, a definitive force behind the highlife genre, has died age 90.His son Kweku Taylor announced the news on Sunday: “The world has lost a giant. A colossus of African music. Ebo Taylor passed away yesterday; a day after the launch of Ebo Taylor music festival and exactly a month after his 90th birthday, leaving behind an unmatched artistry legacy. Dad, your light will never fade.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
A new town for the 21st century? Seven-village build to begin after 20-year journey 09. February 2026 (14:40) Gilston in Hertfordshire aims to be rebuke to cookie-cutter estates with network of 10,000 new homes within country parks and woodlandAfter two decades of legal wrangling and planning bottlenecks, the first bricks will finally be laid on a project being hailed by developers as the blueprint for the future of community building in Britain.Gilston in east Hertfordshire will be transformed into a network of seven interconnected villages, comprising 10,000 new homes nestled within a sprawling 660-hectare (1,630-acre) landscape of country parks and woodland. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to call on Keir Starmer to stand down 09. February 2026 (14:36) Sarwar said to be furious Starmer’s repeated mistakes have heavily damaged Scottish support before May electionsUK politics live – latest updatesAnas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, is to call on Keir Starmer to stand down as prime minister and Labour leader at a hastily arranged press conference in Glasgow.Sarwar is said to be furious that the prime minister’s repeated mistakes have heavily damaged support for Scottish Labour in the run-up to crucial Scottish parliament elections in May. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK borrowing costs rise after departure of two key Keir Starmer aides 09. February 2026 (14:29) Yield on government debt up as investors weigh up prime minister’s survival chances Business live – latest updatesUK politics live – latest updatesUK borrowing costs rose on Monday as investors watched for signs of jitters in the markets over Keir Starmer’s future.The yield, or interest rate, on UK benchmark bonds increased as traders reacted to Sunday’s resignation of the prime minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, over the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
