Mandelson files will be published even if embarrassing to No 10, says ISC chair 05. February 2026 (10:58) Documents relating to US ambassador appointment being assessed for release by intelligence and security committeeUK politics live – latest updatesA parliamentary committee looking into the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador and the depth of his relationship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will not be afraid to publish material that is embarrassing to the government, its chair has said.Lord Beamish, who leads parliament’s intelligence and security committee (ISC), said there had to be “maximum transparency” about the vetting process Mandelson went through before he was appointed ambassador to the US in December 2024 and what the government knew about his friendship with Epstein. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bristol church repair opens up possibility of Edward Colston exhumation 05. February 2026 (10:51) Diocese holds consultation on future of long-closed city centre site thought to be enslaver’s burial placeWork is about to begin repairing an unused city centre church in Bristol that is believed to be the burial place of the enslaver Edward Colston.After the work on the roof of All Saints is completed, the building may be deconsecrated, turned into a community resource and the remains of Colston could be removed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fumes, rats and maggots: peer urges Environment Agency to clear illegal dump in Wigan 05. February 2026 (10:13) Shas Sheehan challenges refusal to remove 25,000 tonnes of waste causing ‘grave environmental hazard’ near schoolA 25,000-tonne illegal waste dump next to a primary school in Wigan presents “a grave environmental hazard” and should be cleared, the chair of the Lords environment committee has told the government.Shas Sheehan challenged the refusal of the Environment Agency to clean up an illegal waste dump in Bolton House Road in the Greater Manchester town, given the agency was spending millions clearing up illegal waste deposited in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
WA work safety watchdog makes ‘initial enquiries’ after family who hired kayak and paddleboards washed out to sea 05. February 2026 (09:11) Resort where family was staying conducting a safety review after mother and two children found drifting in oceanGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWorkSafe WA is making ‘initial enquiries’ into the hotel that hired out a kayak and inflatable paddleboards to a family who was washed out to sea and later rescued.The Appelbee family was on holiday in Quindalup, 200km (125 miles) south of Perth, when strong winds pushed their vessels offshore from Geographe Bay on Friday afternoon. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Capital gains tax discount to cost Australia $250bn over next decade with retirees and high-income earners to benefit most 05. February 2026 (08:00) Parliamentary Budget Office figures show top 1% of taxpayers will receive nearly 60% of the benefit this financial yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s capital gains tax discount will cost nearly $250bn over the next decade, more than twice as much as the concession has cost in its entire 25-year history.As the federal government considers scaling back the 50% discount to help first home buyers, new figures from the Parliamentary Budget Office show the discount has cost the budget $205bn in lost revenue since its introduction in 1999. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Be ‘prudent’ about supplying arms to Taiwan, Xi tells Trump in call 05. February 2026 (07:31) Taiwanese president says ties with Washington ‘rock solid’, hours after leaders of US and China share first call since NovemberIn their first call since November, Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned US president Donald Trump to be “prudent” about supplying arms to Taiwan, according to a readout of their call provided by China’s foreign ministry.“President Xi emphasised that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations,” the readout said. “China must safeguard its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will never allow Taiwan to be separated. The US must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
South Australian anti-abortion activist posts image of aborted foetus she claims was taken at Townsville hospital 05. February 2026 (07:12) Joanna Howe says a ‘whistleblower’ sent her the image, which she says was taken inside the hospital’s room for grieving parentsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTownsville hospital is investigating an alleged privacy breach after anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe said a “whistleblower” had sent her an image containing distressing and sensitive abortion content.Howe posted a video on social media that included a picture of a 16-week-old foetus that she said was taken inside the hospital’s Butterfly Room, a place for grieving parents, saying “Samuel” was “born alive” after an abortion. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sanctions having ‘significant impact’ on Russian economy, says EU special envoy 05. February 2026 (06:00) Exclusive: David O’Sullivan says war-based economy may be nearing point of becoming ‘unsustainable’Western sanctions are having a “significant impact” on the Russian economy, the EU’s sanctions envoy has said, ahead of the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.David O’Sullivan, a veteran Irish official, said sanctions were “not a silver bullet” and would always face circumvention, but insisted that after four years he was confident they were having an effect. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Queensland man charged with 596 child abuse offences allegedly groomed children online, police say 05. February 2026 (05:59) The 27-year-old man from Maryborough is alleged to have had 23,000 photographs and videos stored on a hard driveFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice say a Queensland man charged with 596 child abuse offences used false identities online to groom and coerce children – mostly aged seven to 15 – in Australia and overseas.The 27-year-old man from Maryborough – due to appear in a Brisbane court today – was arrested in February 2025 and refused bail.In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. International helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org. The Stop It Now! helpline is 1800 011 800. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Savannah Guthrie releases video appealing for proof her missing mother is alive 05. February 2026 (04:30) Today show host acknowledges reports of alleged ransom letter and calls for safe return of 84-year-old mother onlineToday show host Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings Annie and Cameron, has published a video statement calling for the safe return of their 84-year-old mother Nancy Guthrie, who was reported missing on Sunday.In a video posted to Instagram on Wednesday, the siblings said that their mother is in poor health and is without her medication. Savannah Guthrie also acknowledged reports about a reported ransom letter from alleged kidnappers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
