Morning Briefing: Feb. 1, 2026

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including Iran’s top security official signaling progress in efforts to de-escalate tensions with the US; new Epstein files include images, emails linked to former Prince Andrew; and the SDF terror group targets civilians in northern Syria, violating a ceasefire agreement with the government.

TOP STORIES

• Iran says framework for negotiations ‘taking shape and moving forward’

Iran’s top security official has signaled progress in efforts to de-escalate tensions with the US following days of heightened strain.

In a post on social media, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said a “structured framework” for negotiations is “taking shape and moving forward.”

He brushed aside “manufactured hype of the media’s war narrative.”

Larijani’s remarks come amid intense diplomatic activity led by several regional countries, most notably Türkiye, aimed at mediating between arch foes Tehran and Washington and easing tensions.

• New Epstein files include images, emails linked to former Prince Andrew

Photographs released as part of newly unsealed US Justice Department files linked to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, known as Prince Andrew, kneeling on all fours above a woman, according to BBC News.

The images, included in the latest batch of documents made public by US authorities, show Mountbatten-Windsor in close physical proximity to an unidentified, fully clothed woman lying on the ground.

In two of the photographs, he is seen touching her stomach, while another image shows him looking directly at the camera. No information has been provided about when or where the photographs were taken.

BBC News reported that it has approached Mountbatten-Windsor for comment. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

• SDF targets civilians in northern Syria, violating ceasefire agreement with government

The YPG/SDF terror organization violated a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian government by targeting civilians attempting to flee besieged areas in northern Aleppo province.

Alikhbariah TV said SDF fighters opened fire on civilians as they tried to leave the villages of al-Qubba and al-Jaada, which have been under siege for days by the group, heading toward the Qara Qozak bridge south of Ain al-Arab (Kobani) in the eastern Aleppo countryside.

The reports did not specify the nature of the attack or whether there were casualties.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, known as Prince Andrew, should be prepared to testify before the American Congress about his past dealings with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• US judge rejected a bid by Minnesota state and local officials to halt a surge of federal immigration enforcement operations.
• A document dated Oct. 5, 2015, shows that Jeffrey Epstein, through his company Southern Trust Company Inc., signed a $25 million agreement with the Rothschild Group to provide risk analysis and algorithm-related services.
• Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in Tehran to discuss regional developments and de-escalation efforts.
• Email correspondence has emerged showing that a member of the Board of Trustees of Robert College sought donations and fundraising advice from the late disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein.
• The government in Malawi has declared an outbreak of the poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) following a detection in environmental samples, Health Ministry officials said.
• Bahrain announced the launch of a trial phase for a unified electronic emergency alert system for citizens and residents, amid heightened regional tensions.
• Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accepted the resignation of his national security adviser Miroslav Lajcak, following the publication of documents referencing past communication with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• Malaysia said two oil tankers were detained on suspicion of transferring nearly $130 million worth of crude oil from one ship to another off the coast of Penang state.
• Nearly 200 homes were damaged when a mini tornado struck the town of Mios in southwestern France.
• US and Russian representatives held talks in Florida as part of Washington’s mediation push toward a peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said.
• Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her British counterpart, Keir Starmer, agreed on “the urgent need for their countries and like-minded partners to cooperate” in critical mineral supply chains, as Takaichi hosted Starmer for talks in Tokyo.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Russia condemns Trump's Cuba oil tariff order, defines measure as ‘illegitimate’

Russia condemned US President Donald Trump's latest executive order declaring a national emergency and establishing a process to impose tariffs on goods from countries that sell or otherwise provide oil to Cuba.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reaffirmed that Russia opposes unilateral sanctions against sovereign independent states, defining such measures as “categorically unacceptable.”

“We strongly condemn the illegitimate prohibitive measures against Havana and the pressure on the Cuban leadership and citizens,” Zakharova said, adding Russia is confident that Cuba will continue to maintain effective foreign economic ties “despite the external obstacles to its development.”

• US government temporarily shuts down

The US government entered a temporary shutdown after no funding law was enacted.

Despite the Senate passing a funding package ahead of a midnight deadline, it needed the approval of the House of Representatives, which is not expected to return to Washington until Monday.

Senators voted 71-29 on the package, which includes five long-term appropriations bills, while extending funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for two weeks to allow negotiations on immigration enforcement.