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Continental Breakfast

What Europe is reading this morning
Thursday, February 05, 2026
Good morning from London. We wake to a grimmer world: the last US-Russia nuclear arms treaty expired at midnight, leaving both superpowers untethered for the first time in half a century. The Epstein files, meanwhile, continue to detonate across Westminster. A Maxwell email has confirmed that infamous photo of Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre is real, while Keir Starmer now admits Mandelson "lied repeatedly" about his Epstein ties. In Abu Dhabi, peace talks limp on.
Story 1

NEW START Expires: Nuclear Arms Control Enters the Void

For the first time since 1972, no binding limits on US-Russian nuclear arsenals. UN chief Guterres calls it 'a grave moment'; Pope Leo XIV urges both sides to avert an arms race.

🇬🇧
UK · The Guardian
'Grave moment': end of US-Russia nuclear pact comes at worst possible time, UN chief warns
→ Stark warning; Medvedev says expiry should 'alarm everyone'
🇫🇷
France · Le Monde
The end of US-Russia nuclear treaty is a dangerous signal for deterrence
La fin du traité nucléaire russo-américain est un signal dangereux pour la dissuasion
→ Grim; could spark proliferation to more states
🇪🇺
EU · Politico EU
The last US nuclear weapons treaty with Russia is dying
→ Trump administration 'has not formally responded' to Russian overtures
🇪🇺
EU · Reuters
Explainer: What is New START and why does its expiry matter?
→ Wire service Q&A; void with no successor talks
Story 2

Abu Dhabi Talks Day 2: Productive Words, Deadly Strikes

US-brokered trilateral talks called 'substantive and productive,' but Russia's attacks continue unabated. Zelensky reveals 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed; prisoner exchange expected.

🇬🇧
UK · The Guardian
Ukraine and Russia hold 'productive' first day of US-led peace talks in Abu Dhabi
→ Cautiously optimistic; major obstacles remain
🇪🇸
Spain · El Mundo
Los ataques rusos eclipsan las conversaciones de paz con Kiev en Abu Dhabi
Los ataques rusos eclipsan las conversaciones de paz con Kiev en Abu Dhabi
→ Russian attacks eclipse talks; Witkoff 'productive and constructive'
🇪🇺
EU · Euronews
Ukraine to change negotiating stance after Russia's massive strike
→ Record missiles, Kyiv adjusting approach
Story 3

Mandelson Scandal Threatens Labour Government

Met Police investigation widens as Maxwell email confirms Andrew photo is real. Starmer admits Mandelson 'lied repeatedly'; MPs force release of vetting files. Transparency International EU demands probe into Mandelson's time as Commissioner.

🇬🇧
UK · The Guardian
Email appears to confirm photo of Andrew and Virginia Giuffre is real
→ Maxwell confirms photo taken at her home; Andrew's alibi demolished
🇩🇪
Germany · Der Spiegel
Jeffrey Epstein: Peter-Mandelson-Affäre erschüttert Großbritanniens Regierung
Jeffrey Epstein: Peter-Mandelson-Affäre erschüttert Großbritanniens Regierung
→ 'Explosive reach into Starmer's inner circle'
🇫🇷
France · Le Monde
Au Royaume-Uni, Keir Starmer fragilisé par de nouvelles révélations sur les liens entre Jeffrey Epstein et Peter Mandelson
Au Royaume-Uni, Keir Starmer fragilisé par de nouvelles révélations sur les liens entre Jeffrey Epstein et Peter Mandelson
→ Starmer accused of poor judgment; shockwave from Epstein files
🇬🇧
UK · BBC News
MPs back plan to release Mandelson files after Labour anger
→ Parliament approves document release amid police probe
Story 4

France Raids X, Summons Musk

Paris prosecutors raid X offices; investigation covers Grok deepfakes, Holocaust denial, child abuse images. Spain announces under-16 social media ban; Musk calls Sánchez a 'tyrant.'

🇫🇷
France · Le Monde
Paris prosecutors raid French offices of Elon Musk's X
Perquisition au siège français de X, le réseau social d'Elon Musk
→ 'Political attack,' Musk says; Grok probe widens
🇬🇧
UK · The Guardian
French HQ of Elon Musk's X raided by Paris cybercrime unit
→ Sánchez pledges to protect children from 'digital wild west'
🇪🇺
EU · Reuters
Paris prosecutors cybercrime unit searches French office of Musk's X
→ Musk and Yaccarino summoned for questioning

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