Bill Gates says he ‘regrets’ knowing Epstein as ex-wife alludes to ‘muck’ in marriage 04. February 2026 (17:37) Melinda French Gates insists Microsoft founder has questions to answer over his relationship with EpsteinBill Gates has said he “regrets” ever knowing Jeffrey Epstein, as his former wife Melinda French Gates alluded to “muck” in their marriage, and insisted the Microsoft founder has questions to answer over his relationship with the deceased child sex offender.Allegations that Gates hid a sexually transmitted disease from his wife after contact with “Russian girls” surfaced in the latest release of the Epstein files, which have provided remarkable insight into the disgraced financier’s multiple celebrity connections and activities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fulton county commission chair says he was warned of arrest before FBI election office raid 04. February 2026 (17:26) Robb Pitts said call came days before federal agents seized 2020 election documents in GeorgiaUS politics live – latest updatesThe Fulton county commission chair, Robb Pitts, said at a press conference this morning that he received a phone call last Monday – two days before the FBI served a criminal warrant to seize 2020 election documents – to warn that he, Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger, former Raffensperger deputy Gabriel Sterling and others in the state were at risk of imminent arrest by federal agents.“That did not happen on Monday,” Pitts said. “It didn’t happen on Tuesday, but lo and behold on Wednesday, the FBI shows up.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Researcher paid people for testimony about Daily Mail, high court told 04. February 2026 (17:05) Former phone hacker Graham Johnson denies claims, saying payments were part of effort to draw attention to unlawful behaviour by mediaA researcher investigating lawbreaking by the media paid private investigators and ex-journalists for their testimony about alleged unlawful activity at the publisher of the Daily Mail, the high court has heard.Graham Johnson, a former phone hacker who later turned to researching unlawful activity in the press, confirmed he had made payments to six people who all feature in the case Prince Harry and others have brought against Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It’s an absolute bloodbath’: Washington Post lays off hundreds of workers 04. February 2026 (16:39) Former Post executive editor blasts owner Jeff Bezos’s ‘sickening efforts to curry favor’ with TrumpThe Washington Post laid off hundreds of employees on Wednesday, which its former executive editor said “ranks among the darkest days” in the newspaper’s history. Approximately one-third of employees were affected.Staffers at the Post have been on edge for weeks about the rumored cuts, which the publication would not confirm or deny. “It’s an absolute bloodbath,” said one employee, not authorized to speak publicly. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nigel Farage made ‘non-apology’, says school contemporary who accused him of racism 04. February 2026 (16:34) Film-maker Peter Ettedgui responded to BBC interview in which Reform leader apologised for any hurt causedNigel Farage has been accused of making a “non-apology” by a school contemporary who accused him of racist and antisemitic behaviour, after saying he was “sorry” if he had “genuinely” hurt anyone.For the first time since the row broke after a Guardian investigation, the Reform UK party leader appeared to indicate some remorse for the impact of his alleged behaviour while at Dulwich college, a private school in south London. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
White House border czar says 700 federal agents will leave Minnesota 04. February 2026 (16:28) Departure marks large drop in agents on the ground but still leaves about 2,000 there, far above typical levels for stateUS politics live – latest updatesTom Homan, the White House border czar, said about 700 federal agents would leave Minnesota, a large drop in agents on the ground but still leaving about 2,000 agents there, far above typical levels for the state.Homan said the reduction came as county jails were negotiating over increased coordination with federal officials, though it’s not clear which counties have agreed to coordinate with immigration enforcement officials. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chinese carmaker Chery to launch fourth brand in UK 04. February 2026 (16:04) State-owned company will sell under the Lepas brand, continuing its rapid expansion in the British marketBusiness live – latest updatesThe Chinese carmaker Chery is launching a fourth brand in the UK, continuing a push into the British market where it has rapidly become a major player.The state-owned company said on Wednesday it would sell cars under the Lepas brand, which is developing battery and hybrid SUVs aimed at younger families, mainly in the European market. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘When did empathy become exceptional?’: what’s behind Sánchez’s plan to ‘regularise’ 500,000 undocumented migrants in Spain 04. February 2026 (15:33) As anti-migration policies sweep the continent, the Spanish PM is going against the tide by announcing plans to legalise the status of undocumented migrants• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereYou don’t need a degree in political science to understand why so many supposedly centrist European leaders have begun talking about immigration in terms that would have been unthinkable even a few years ago.Far-right parties across the continent have fuelled their rise by seizing on the issue as a political cosh with which to beat their more mainstream and established rivals, whom they accuse of complacency, inaction and a failure to defend borders. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Revealed: Israel bulldozed part of Gaza war cemetery containing allied graves 04. February 2026 (15:17) Satellite images and witness testimony show destruction as IDF claims it was forced to take defensive measuresIsraeli forces have bulldozed part of a Gaza cemetery containing the war graves of dozens of British, Australian and other allied soldiers killed in the first and second world wars, satellite imagery and witness testimony reveal.Satellite imagery of the Gaza war cemetery in al-Tuffah, a district of Gaza City, shows extensive earthworks in the southernmost corner of the graveyard. Bomb craters can be seen around the cemetery, but in this area the destruction appears to have been more systematic. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ADF veterans warn selloff of 60 historic defence properties will take a decade and cost billions 04. February 2026 (15:00) RSL, federal opposition and local MPs cast doubt on the plan, which Labor says will result in about $3bn for defenceGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVeterans say the government’s planned sell off of more than 60 defence properties will take at least a decade and cost billions, urging Labor not to repeat the mistakes of previous divestment drives.The RSL, the federal opposition and local MPs expressed doubts about the plan announced on Wednesday, set to see as much as $1.8bn raised from the sale of properties including training sites, bases, warehouse and disused land, all deemed to offer no strategic value. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
