Continental Breakfast — February 01, 2026
Continental Breakfast
What Europe is reading this morning
Sunday, February 01, 2026
Story 1
Epstein Files: Mandelson Dragged In as Slovakia's Security Chief Quits
The latest Epstein document dump implicates a Labour grandee, topples a European security adviser, and embarrasses the LA Olympics chief. UK ministers now demand Andrew testify.
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UK · BBC News Epstein sent $75,000 to accounts linked to Mandelson, files suggest → Labour grandee in the crosshairs |
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UK · BBC News Slovakia PM's national security adviser resigns over Epstein links → First European scalp claimed |
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UK · BBC News LA 2028 Olympics chief 'deeply regrets' flirty emails with Ghislaine Maxwell → Olympic PR nightmare brewing |
Story 2
Iran's Supreme Leader Warns of Regional War as Tehran Labels EU Armies 'Terrorists'
With American warships gathering, Iran designates European militaries as terrorist groups. Germany calls the move 'propagandistic' as tensions spike.
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UK · BBC News Iran's supreme leader warns of regional war if US attacks → Defiant, daring Trump to blink |
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Germany · DW Germany FM labels Iran's designation of EU armies as terrorists 'propagandistic' → Berlin unimpressed, standing firm |
Story 3
Capgemini Dumps US Arm Over ICE Links as Protests Grip Minneapolis
French IT giant bows to pressure and sells its American subsidiary. Thousands brave freezing temperatures to protest Trump's immigration crackdown.
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France · Le Monde French IT giant Capgemini to sell US subsidiary after row over ICE links → Corporate France retreats, embarrassed |
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Germany · Der Spiegel A Lone Louisiana Lawyer's Fight against Trump's Deportations → Sympathetic, David vs Goliath |
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UK · BBC News How ICE raids changed a once bustling Chicago neighbourhood → Elegiac, a community hollowed out |
Story 4
Cuba on the Brink: 'There Is Going to Be a Real Blockade'
Trump threatens tariffs on any country selling oil to Cuba. With only three weeks of fuel left, Havana accuses Washington of trying to 'suffocate' the island.
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UK · The Guardian Cuba on the brink as Trump turns up the pressure → Grim, humanitarian crisis looming |
Story 5
Sebastian Kurz: Is Austria's Disgraced Ex-Chancellor Planning a Comeback?
The former Austrian chancellor, now a tech multimillionaire, keeps close to power from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi. Spiegel asks: is he eyeing a return?
| 🇩🇪 |
Germany · Der Spiegel An Alliance of the Illiberal Right with Tech? → Wary, watching him closely |
Story 6
John Bolton: 'We Have Passed Peak Trump'
Trump's hawkish former security adviser warns Ukraine against concessions and says Putin is manipulating the president.
| 🇩🇪 |
Germany · Der Spiegel Former U.S. Security Adviser: 'We Have Passed Peak Trump' → Hawkish, alarmed about Ukraine sell-out |
Also Noted
• 12 killed by Russian strike near bus stop in Ukraine
• 200+ killed in DRC coltan mine collapse
• Swiss bar fire death toll rises to 41
• Israel bans MSF from Gaza after staff list standoff
• 48 killed in coordinated attacks across Pakistan's Balochistan
Continental Breakfast · Dispatches from Europe
Headlines translated where necessary. Coverage angles reflect editorial interpretation.