Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has apologized for her past ties to Jeffrey Epstein, while France became the first European Union country to open a consulate in Greenland, and Iran and the United States agreed to continue nuclear talks, according to reports on Friday. These events occurred amidst ongoing tensions, including protests in Romania over austerity measures and concerns about Islamist recruitment in Germany.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit expressed her regret to Norway's King and Queen for her friendship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, whose ties to sex trafficking have come under scrutiny. She stated that she "must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein's background more thoroughly, and for not realising sooner what kind of person he was," according to Sky News.
Meanwhile, France inaugurated a consulate in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, on Friday, making it the first EU member to do so. This move strengthens France's diplomatic presence in the Arctic region, fulfilling a promise made by President Emmanuel Macron during his visit last June, Euronews reported.
In Oman, Iran and the United States held indirect talks regarding Tehran's nuclear program, agreeing to continue negotiations despite existing tensions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff led their respective delegations in Muscat, with Oman acting as a mediator. The talks occurred "in a very positive atmosphere," according to Euronews.
Elsewhere, thousands of Romanian teachers and education staff protested in Bucharest against the government's planned austerity measures, which include a 10% cut in education spending. Teachers threatened to strike if the measures are implemented, Euronews reported.
In Germany, an expert warned of evolving Islamist recruitment tactics targeting young people. Kaan Mustafa Orhon, an Islamic studies scholar at the German advisory centre Grüner Vogel, said that recruiters are increasingly using social media influencers and commercial tactics to attract vulnerable young people with limited opportunities, framing conflict zones as opportunities for rapid social advancement, according to Euronews.
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