Starmer’s position ‘untenable’ if chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is not fired over Mandelson scandal - UK politics live 06. February 2026 (11:57) Pressure continues to build on Keir Starmer to remove his chief of staff Morgan McSweeneyHome Office minister Mike Tapp has blamed the vetting process for the reason Peter Mandelson was able to be appointed US ambassador.Defending the prime minister, Tapp told Sky News that Keir Starmer “wasn’t the vetting officer” and said that he had acted quickly.He wasn’t the vetting officer here. We do know that there were lies told during that vetting procedure. Now that’s not me saying putting any blame on anybody else.The government ultimately oversees this and makes the decision. And that’s why the apology is really important.I think there will be a lot of soul-searching over the weekend.The prime minister clearly is distressed by the events and he is pointing fingers at Peter Mandelson, but there are questions for everyone at the top of government. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oman mediates in high-stakes US-Iran talks over nuclear programme 06. February 2026 (11:54) Two countries separately meet negotiators in what is thought to be a last-ditch chance to avert US attack Iran and US nuclear talks – live updatescOman has mediated high-stakes, indirect talks between Iran and the US over Tehran’s nuclear programme, seen as one of the last chances to prevent a new US attack.Convoys for the two countries arrived for separate meetings with the sultanate’s top diplomat, Badr al-Busaidi. The negotiations are the first since the US struck Iranian nuclear targets in June, joining in the final stages of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Putin being briefed after top Russian general shot in Moscow, Kremlin says – Europe live 06. February 2026 (11:51) Vladimir Alekseyev in critical condition after being shot several times by an unidentified assailantHundreds of protesters gathered in Milan on Friday to oppose the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and the closure of schools and streets in the city ahead of the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Winter Games.Reuters reported that protesters – mostly students with signs reading “ICE out” – assembled in Piazzale Leonardo da Vinci, in front of a building of the Politecnico University in the eastern part of the city. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Only seven new petrol-powered cars sold in Norway in January 06. February 2026 (11:20) Data shows 29 hybrid and 98 diesel cars also sold, while the figure for battery electric vehicles was more than 2,000Just seven new petrol cars were sold in Norway last month, data shows.The country, which is the frontrunner in the uptake of electric vehicles, shifted a record low number of new fossil-fuel cars in January, information from the Norwegian Road Traffic Information Council (OFV) reveals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour thinktank close to Morgan McSweeney ‘paid firm to investigate journalists’ 06. February 2026 (11:06) Labour Together allegedly hired company to look at Sunday Times and Guardian reporters after article about donationsUK politics live – latest updatesA thinktank previously run by a Labour minister and the prime minister’s chief of staff is alleged to have paid a PR firm to investigate journalists who were looking into its funding.Labour Together, once run by Morgan McSweeney and then by Josh Simons, now a Cabinet Office minister, hired APCO Worldwide to investigate journalists from the Guardian, the Sunday Times and other outlets and to identify their sources, according to claims in the Substack publication Democracy for Sale. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It’s gonna be a huge party’: Bad Bunny set for Super Bowl stage as Trump skips event 06. February 2026 (11:04) Puerto Rican rapper to follow Grammy victory and anti-ICE speech with show on most-watched US TV event of the yearJust a week after receiving the Grammy award for Album of the Year, the Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny will take on the US’s most watched concert of the year when he performs at the Super Bowl this Sunday.The artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio took home the music academy’s top honor for 2025’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos, a politically minded record infused with Puerto Rican music and culture. The album became the first Spanish-language work to take home the prize, beating out competition from Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay’: new story to be released in September 06. February 2026 (11:00) Macmillan announces new instalment of popular Julia Donaldson tale featuring illustrations by Axel SchefflerThe Gruffalo family is to expand after the publisher of the popular children’s stories announced a long-awaited third book about the beloved monster.The new tale, Gruffalo Granny, will be published on 10 September, Macmillan announced. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russian general Vladimir Alekseyev in critical condition after Moscow shooting 06. February 2026 (10:47) Deputy director of Russia’s military intelligence agency shot several times in the stairwell of his apartmentA top Russian military official has been taken to hospital after being shot in Moscow, state media reported.Lt Gen Vladimir Alekseyev was shot several times on the stairwell of his apartment on Friday by an unknown gunman in the north-west of the city and remains in critical condition, according to early reports. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Stellantis takes €22bn hit after ‘overestimating’ pace of shift to EVs 06. February 2026 (10:23) Carmaker, which owns marques including Peugeot and Jeep, will also sell stake in battery joint ventureBusiness live – latest updatesThe carmaker Stellantis has said it will take a €22bn (£19.1bn) charge and sell a stake in its battery joint venture after admitting that it “overestimated” the pace of the shift to electric vehicles.The European-based carmaker, which owns marques including Peugeot, Fiat, Jeep and Citroën, said that the move was part of a reset of its business as it also admitted “poor operational execution”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer faces renewed calls to sack chief of staff over Mandelson scandal 06. February 2026 (10:20) Another Labour MP says Morgan McSweeney should go as Harriet Harman says PM left looking ‘weak, naive and gullible’UK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer was facing renewed calls to sack his most senior adviser on Friday as Downing Street braced itself for another round of leadership speculation when the files relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador are published.The Labour MP for Stroud, Simon Opher, added his voice to those calling for the departure of Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who was instrumental in the decision to appoint Mandelson despite concerns about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
