Norwegian politicians hope Epstein files inquiry will restore faith in democracy

Disgraced financier’s links to politicians and civil servants as far back as 30 years ago to be examined

The Epstein files have shaken Norway’s faith in democracy, the head of the Norwegian parliament’s oversight committee has said, as a sprawling investigation into the connections between its foreign office and the late sex offender gets under way.

An independent commission to look into information brought to light by the Jeffrey Epstein documents released by the US Department of Justice was launched on Wednesday after the Norwegian parliament voted unanimously last month for it to be set up.

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It Takes 2 Minutes to Hack the EU’s New Age-Verification App – WIRED

  1. It Takes 2 Minutes to Hack the EU’s New Age-Verification App  WIRED
  2. Brussels launched an age checking app. Hackers say it takes 2 minutes to break it.  politico.eu
  3. Europe rolls out online age verification app to protect young people  CNN
  4. EU age verification app announced to protect children online  dw.com
  5. Statement by President von der Leyen with Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on the digital age verification app  European Commission
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Japan seals largest-ever defense contract with frigate sale to Australia – The Japan Times

  1. Japan seals largest-ever defense contract with frigate sale to Australia  The Japan Times
  2. Australia, Japan sign contracts to start $7 billion warship deal  Reuters
  3. Australia Signs Contract With Japan For Three Upgraded Mogami  navalnews.com
  4. Japan, Australia sign deal for production of first three frigates  Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  5. Australia and Japan seal $6.5B warship deal with 3 Mogami frigates ordered first  AP News
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Born in south Lebanon, displaced to Beirut, two grandmothers reflect on Israeli invasions – NPR

  1. Born in south Lebanon, displaced to Beirut, two grandmothers reflect on Israeli invasions  NPR
  2. ‘Collateral damage’: Exiled Lebanese tells 'Post' refugees back Israel’s fight against Hezbollah  The Jerusalem Post
  3. Palestinian camps: Paradoxical refuge for displaced Lebanese  L'Orient Today
  4. Beirut, Lebanon: War and Displacement Through Generations  Magnum Photos
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As Meloni’s hold over Italy weakens, a progressive challenger gathers momentum

Silvia Salis, the leftwing mayor of Genoa and former Olympian, is described as ‘a breath of fresh air’ and potential unifier

It has been a turbulent month in Italian politics.

A failed referendum on a judicial overhaul pierced prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s aura of invincibility, triggering government resignations and leaving her scrambling to restore credibility. At the same time, her once special relationship with Donald Trump has frayed after the US president publicly scolded her this week for criticising his broadside against Pope Leo and for not supporting the US-Israeli war on Iran.

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Iraq says oil exports to resume from all fields within days, state news agency – Reuters

  1. Iraq says oil exports to resume from all fields within days, state news agency  Reuters
  2. Iraq turns to Syria for oil exports after Hormuz disruptions from US blockade  The Jerusalem Post
  3. Iraq resumes oil loading at Basra  شفق نيوز
  4. Iraq’s southern exports begin gradual restart  Iraq Oil Report
  5. An oil tanker that reportedly sailed through the Strait of Hormuz arrives off Basra, Iraq, on Friday.  Yahoo News Canada
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Greek, Indian Tankers U-Turn Before Hormuz Amid Reopening Doubt – Bloomberg.com

  1. Greek, Indian Tankers U-Turn Before Hormuz Amid Reopening Doubt  Bloomberg.com
  2. Reopening Strait of Hormuz Would Ease Oil Crisis but Only So Much  The New York Times
  3. The Bigger Energy Lesson Behind Iran’s Control Over the Strait of Hormuz  Time Magazine
  4. Breakingviews - Hormuz pipeline workaround looks worth the cost  Reuters
  5. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz sparks 'tremendous interest' in alternative routes  CBC
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Somalia threatens Bab el-Mandeb action after Israel appoints envoy to Somaliland – Somali Guardian

  1. Somalia threatens Bab el-Mandeb action after Israel appoints envoy to Somaliland  Somali Guardian
  2. Israel’s envoy to Somaliland condemned by Arab, Muslim nations  The Jerusalem Post
  3. 12 countries, including Pakistan, condemn Israel’s move to appoint envoy to Somaliland  - DAWN.COM
  4. Yemen’s Houthis call Israeli presence in Somaliland a red line  hiiraan.com
  5. Statement by the African Union Commission on Israel’s Reported Decision Regarding “Somaliland”  African Union
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Pope Francis on then-Cardinal Prevost: ‘He’s a saint,’ journalist recalls in memoir book on the late pope – OSV News

  1. Pope Francis on then-Cardinal Prevost: ‘He’s a saint,’ journalist recalls in memoir book on the late pope  OSV News
  2. Pope Francis was the third leaf in a papal triptych  The Catholic Weekly
  3. “Father”, intimate portrait of Pope Francis one year after his death  MVNU
  4. A Year After Pope Francis: Remembering His Legacy  Indian Catholic Matters
  5. Rome remembers Pope Francis one year later. A new film about his death chronicles his life  exaudi.org
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