Dow Jones hits 50,000 milestone amid tech gains and hopes of lower interest rates 06. February 2026 (22:31) Although tech stocks and cryptocurrencies suffered recent falls, investors largely shrugged off geopolitical tensions The Dow Jones industrial average crossed 50,000 for the first time, as ballooning tech valuations, robust corporate earnings and hopes of lower interest rates drive it to new highs.Leading stock markets on Wall Street came under pressure earlier this week as technology stocks fell amid scrutiny of extraordinary levels of investment into artificial intelligence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform faces police investigation after distributing letters from ‘concerned neighbour’ in byelection campaign 06. February 2026 (20:34) Material did not have legally obligatory imprint clarifying that it was funded and distributed by political partyReform UK will face a police investigation in Gorton and Denton after admitting it sent out letters from a “concerned neighbour” which did not state they had been funded and distributed by the party.Greater Manchester police confirmed it had received a report about the breach of electoral law and said it would investigate. The Electoral Commission said the omission was a matter for the police, stressing that failing “to include an imprint in candidate election material is an offence”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Jersey Democratic primary contest for House seat on knife-edge as votes trickle in 06. February 2026 (20:09) Progressive Analilia Mejia maintains slim lead after votes seemed to be swinging for Tom MalinowskiUS politics live – latest updatesThe outcome of a special Democratic primary to fill a US House of Representatives seat representing northern New Jersey was on a knife-edge on Friday, after a progressive challenger took a surprise lead over a former Democratic congressman who initially appeared to have won the nomination.The election held on Thursday in New Jersey’s 11th congressional district was prompted by Democrat Mikie Sherrill’s resignation last year after she was elected governor. Eleven Democrats vied to replace her, and on Thursday evening, Tom Malinowski, who represented a neighboring district in the House from 2019 through 2022, took an early lead. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mandelson lobbying firm sought work with Russia and China state companies, Epstein emails show 06. February 2026 (20:06) Former minister and Benjamin Wegg-Prosser met disgraced financier before formal foundation of Global CounselBoss of lobbying firm founded with Peter Mandelson quitsPeter Mandelson’s former lobbying firm sought work with companies controlled by the governments of Russia and China shortly after he left ministerial office, according to emails the disgraced former minister forwarded to the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The emails show how Mandelson and Benjamin Wegg-Prosser scrambled to drum up high-paying foreign business after co-founding Global Counsel even as Mandelson remained a member of the House of Lords. Potential clients included the Russian state investment firm Rusnano and the state-owned China International Capital Corporation, the emails suggest. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Court battle over Picasso art exposes offshore finances of Farage’s billionaire Davos sponsor 06. February 2026 (19:18) Exclusive: Sasan Ghandehari reluctant to share details of $10bn trust in row with Christie’s auction houseA high court battle over a Picasso painting has shone a light on the offshore financial structures of an Iranian-born businessman who paid for Nigel Farage’s £50,000 trip to Davos.The details about Sasan Ghandehari, who funded Farage’s tickets to the summit, emerged in court papers about a £4m claim brought by a British Virgin Islands firm, which has accused Christie’s auction house of misrepresentation when it sold the art to it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour minister was provided with intelligence files on journalists 06. February 2026 (19:18) Exclusive: Material gathered was personally given to Josh Simons when chair of pro-Starmer thinktank, say sourcesA Labour minister was provided with intelligence files gathered on journalists investigating the thinktank that helped propel Keir Starmer to power, the Guardian has learned.The documents were personally given to Josh Simons, now a minister in the Cabinet Office, when he was chair of Labour Together, according to sources. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Queen’s image on Australian commemorative coins likened to Shrek 06. February 2026 (19:01) Two coins celebrating Queen Elizabeth II criticised for failing to resemble late monarchTwo Australian coins commemorating Queen Elizabeth II have been criticised for failing to resemble the late monarch.The $5 (£2.56) and 50c (26p) silver coins, created by Royal Australian Mint to commemorate the centenary of the queen’s birth, were released in an online ballot that closed on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pam Bondi announces arrest of ‘key participant’ in 2012 Benghazi attack 06. February 2026 (18:15) Zubayar al-Bakoush is suspected in Libya attack resulting in deaths of US ambassador and three other AmericansThe US attorney general, Pam Bondi, announced on Friday the arrest of a “key participant” in the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attack that killed four US government officials, including the US ambassador to Libya, J Christopher Stevens.Bondi said the suspect, Zubayar al-Bakoush, was taken into US custody at 3am ET on Friday. “We will prosecute this alleged terrorist to the fullest extent of the law. He’ll face charges related to murder, terrorism, arson, among others,” Bondi told reporters at a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington DC. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Pestering for a role’: how Mandelson talked his way back into the Labour fold 06. February 2026 (17:52) Officials, MPs and other insiders recall a need for clarity and Blair-era frisson before election – even if Sue Gray was waryUK politics live – latest updates A general election was on the horizon and Peter Mandelson was everywhere. “He didn’t have a desk but he would dip in and out on big issues; he was always there for advice,” recalled a former Labour official of the party’s run-up to the campaign in 2024.“He would be in and out of the Loto [leader of the opposition] office in Westminster, picking people off individually, ‘We need to chat and do this’, sort of thing.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police search two homes connected to Peter Mandelson over Epstein scandal 06. February 2026 (17:50) Properties in London and Wiltshire targeted by officers investigating alleged leaks to late child sex offenderPolice are searching two properties connected to Peter Mandelson, as part of an investigation into claims that he passed market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein.A Metropolitan police statement, which did not name Mandelson, said searches were taking place in north London and Wiltshire. Mandelson has been living in a rented property in Wiltshire since being sacked as ambassador to the US over his links to the late convicted child sex offender. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
