‘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)
Trump says he’ll free infrastructure funds for New York if Penn Station is renamed after him 06. February 2026 (17:10) Trump also demanded Dulles airport be given his name in exchange for funding NY-NJ tunnel and subway extensionDonald Trump has told the Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, that he will unfreeze funds for major infrastructure projects in New York City if he supports renaming Dulles international airport and Penn Station after him.The demand, which was first reported on Thursday by Punchbowl News, comes after the president in October halted $18bn in funding for a major subway line expansion in New York City as well as a new rail tunnel connecting the city to New Jersey. The funding freeze was announced on the first day of a 43-day government shutdown in which Schumer, who represents New York, played a major role. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK ‘could lose generation of scientists’ with cuts to projects and research facilities 06. February 2026 (16:25) UK’s research funding body says best scientists are taking posts overseas due to lack of job stability at homeHundreds of early career researchers have warned the UK will lose a generation of scientists after the announcement of significant cuts to physics projects and research facilities.Scientists working in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics have been told their grants will be cut by nearly a third, with project leaders asked to report back on how their research would fare with cuts up to 60%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Levi’s sales grow in UK as celebrities drive denim revival 06. February 2026 (16:21) Noel Gallagher and Harry Styles lead way, and sales of jeans in general rise faster than wider fashion marketThe UK was one of Levi’s fastest-growing markets last year as British trend leaders from Harry Styles to Noel Gallagher and Grime Gran were spotted in the brand’s kit.Lucia Marcuzzo, the managing director of the European operations at the US company famous for its denim jeans, said the revival of 1990s trends had boosted sales of its classic 501s. New trends such as baggy jeans and cinch styles, which can be adjusted around the waist, had also helped, as denim has found its way back into wardrobes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How anti-ICE pin badges became the essential red carpet accessory 06. February 2026 (16:00) Billie Eilish and Biebers wore ‘ICE out’ pins at the Grammys, as more and more celebrities find their political voicesThe red carpet is being used increasingly as a platform for protest – and one accessory in particular has become key: the pin badge.At Sunday night’s Grammy awards, stars including Hailey and Justin Bieber and Billie Eilish wore black and white pins that read “ICE out”, a condemnation of the recent actions of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Filled with good intention: could the new It bag be an antidote to the tote? 06. February 2026 (15:48) From a £149 John Lewis version to LA’s gorpcore take, the ‘good intention’ bag is intended to look good but hold moreIt’s not a multi-thousand pound handbag from Hermès that best captures the new era of It bags, but a £149 tote from John Lewis.Launched this season, it’s deeper (45cm) and taller (33cm) than your average handbag, and comes loaded with good intentions. It’s able to hold your packed lunch, flask and book, as well – at a push – as your gym kit. The high street retailer is calling it the Intentional tote bag. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sheriff says he believes Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother is still alive 06. February 2026 (15:44) Disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her home in Arizona is being investigated as kidnappingThe search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie entered its sixth day on Friday in Arizona, as authorities said they believe that she is still alive.“She’s out there, we’re gonna find her, we have to,” said Chris Nanos, Arizona’s Pima county sheriff, in an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America show on Friday morning. “Pray – just pray,” he said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump shares video with racist imagery of Barack and Michelle Obama in late-night posting spree 06. February 2026 (15:29) In clip amplifying false claim that Trump won 2020 election, the Obamas’ faces are superimposed on bodies of apesUS politics live – latest updatesFury erupted early on Friday after Donald Trump posted a racist video that depicts Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.The clip appeared during one of the 79-year-old US president’s increasingly frequent late-night posting sprees to his Truth Social account, and shows the laughing faces of the former president and first lady superimposed on the bodies of primates in a jungle setting, bobbing to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Legal groups push for Australian federal police to arrest retired general travelling with Israeli president 06. February 2026 (15:00) Doron Almog has previously faced arrest warrants over allegations he committed war crimes in Gaza in 2002, which he deniesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAs opposition to the arrival of Israeli president Isaac Herzog in Australia intensifies – with mass protests planned and some Labor MPs condemning his invitation – a coalition of Australian and Palestinian legal groups has asked the Australian federal police to investigate and arrest one of his travelling party over historical war crimes allegations.Doron Almog, a retired Israel Defense Forces major general who is expected to travel with the president in his capacity as chair of the Jewish Agency for Israel, has formerly faced arrest warrants over allegations he committed war crimes in Gaza in 2002. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
