Continental Breakfast — February 01, 2026
Continental Breakfast
What Europe is reading this morning
Sunday, February 01, 2026
Story 1
Epstein Files Put Prince Andrew Back in the Spotlight
Millions of newly released documents from the Epstein case mention Trump, Andrew, and LA Olympics chief Casey Wasserman. UK PM Starmer is calling for Andrew to testify.
| 🇬🇧 |
UK · The Guardian Starmer calls on Andrew to testify in US over Epstein links → PM breaks with royal deference |
| 🇬🇧 |
UK · BBC News Second Epstein victim claims she was sent to UK for sex with Andrew → Focus on new allegations |
| 🇩🇪 |
Germany · Der Spiegel New Epstein documents implicate Trump associates → Emphasizes US political connections |
| 🇫🇷 |
France · Le Monde L'affaire Epstein: des millions de documents révèlent de nouveaux noms L'affaire Epstein: des millions de documents révèlent de nouveaux noms → Frames as systemic elite scandal |
Story 2
Iran Protests Continue as Trump Hints at Talks
Protests sparked by economic crisis have killed thousands. Trump says Iran is 'in serious discussions' with the US while military threat looms over Strait of Hormuz.
| 🇩🇪 |
Germany · DW Iran protests: Calls grow for independent inquiry into death toll → Humanitarian focus, death toll |
| 🇬🇧 |
UK · BBC News Iran in 'serious discussions' with US, Trump says, as military threat looms → Diplomatic framing, security angle |
| 🇫🇷 |
France · Le Figaro L'Iran face à une pression américaine maximale L'Iran face à une pression américaine maximale → Skeptical of US pressure tactics |
Story 3
Trump's Immigration Crackdown Sparks Protests
ICE raids across the US have intensified. A 5-year-old detained in Minneapolis became a flashpoint. Protests continue in freezing weather.
| 🇩🇪 |
Germany · Der Spiegel A Lone Louisiana Lawyer's Fight against Trump's Deportations → Human interest, resistance narrative |
| 🇬🇧 |
UK · BBC News How ICE raids changed a once bustling Chicago neighbourhood → Community impact story |
| 🇳🇱 |
Netherlands · NOS Judge orders release of 5-year-old detained by ICE → Child detention as outrage |
Story 4
'Keep On Dreaming': Can Europe Really Defend Itself Without the US?
As Trump questions NATO commitments and pushes Ukraine toward concessions, Europeans are debating whether continental self-defense is fantasy or necessity.
| 🇬🇧 |
UK · The Guardian 'Keep on dreaming': could Europe really defend itself without the US? → Skeptical, quotes defense experts |
| 🇩🇪 |
Germany · Der Spiegel John Bolton: 'We Have Passed Peak Trump' → Bolton warns Ukraine on concessions |
| 🇵🇱 |
Poland · Gazeta Wyborcza Europa musi sama zadbać o bezpieczeństwo Europa musi sama zadbać o bezpieczeństwo → Urgent tone, Eastern flank concern |
Also Noted
• 200+ killed in DRC coltan mine collapse — the mineral is used in smartphones worldwide
• Syria's government reaches agreement with Kurds, ending three weeks of fighting
• UK's Starmer visiting China, lifting sanctions on MPs — Trump calls it 'very dangerous'
• Australia swelters through fourth-hottest January on record
• Myanmar military proxy wins 'sham' election amid civil war
Continental Breakfast · Dispatches from Europe
Headlines translated where necessary. Coverage angles reflect editorial interpretation.