Cecilia Lei

It's Monday, February 9th, and this is Apple News Today.

The latest Jeffrey Epstein files are exposing just how deep the convicted sex offenders network was among the rich and powerful.

So far, they've had limited impact on the political careers in the U.S., but in other countries, the revelations have been explosive.

It's put a spotlight on senior political figures in Europe and could even bring down the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.

Veterans of Starmer's party there, speaking to the BBC.

This all centers on Peter Mandelson, Starmer's controversial pick for U.S.

ambassador.

The documents revealed that Mandelson maintained a close friendship with Epstein long after the financier's conviction.

And they show that while he was in government, Mandelson appeared to pass on market-sensitive and confidential information to Epstein.

He's now being investigated by the police.

For his part, Mandelson denies acting for financial gain and has apologized for keeping in touch with Epstein.

Mandelson was fired as ambassador last September, but there's still big questions over the decision to appoint him.

And yesterday, Starmer's chief of staff resigned over the scandal.

But that's unlikely to be the end of the matter.

Starmer's polling is now among the worst of any modern British leader, and this has only weakened him further.

Sky News questioned Starmer about his future as he apologized to Epstein's victims last week.

Starmer isn't the only European politician damaged by the latest files.

Norwegian police are investigating its former prime minister and chair of the Nobel Committee.

Meanwhile, the CEO of the World Economic Forum, which organizes the exclusive Davos gathering, is now the subject of an internal investigation.

And a former French culture minister is also being investigated.