International

Luis Arce claims exit to the sea for Bolivia

Photo: APG

March 23 |

The Bolivian president, Luis Arce, recalled on Thursday the 144 years of the historic defense of the territory of Calama in 1879 and claimed the right to a sovereign outlet to the sea for his country.

In a publication on Twitter, the Bolivian president said that “Today we remember 144 years of the historic defense of Calama by Bolivian heroes who gave their lives to preserve the integrity of the homeland”.

Likewise, Arce, who is in the United States at the World Water Forum, pointed out that “for truth, justice, history and reason, today and always sea for Bolivia”.

The day before, the Government of Bolivia reiterated on the occasion of the Day of the Sea, that it will maintain its claim for a sovereign maritime access and that it will insist on the dialogue with Chile to solve what it considers is still a regional “wound”.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

This was expressed by the Minister of the Presidency, María Nela Prada in the preamble of the commemoration, which began with the transfer of the remains of the hero Eduardo Abaroa from the basilica of San Francisco, in the center of the city of La Paz, to the square that bears his name.

Prada pointed out that the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2018 has not put an end to the Bolivian claim and urges Bolivia and Chile to dialogue, and that is what the country is now seeking.

The ICJ ruled that Chile does not have an obligation to negotiate in favor of Bolivia an outlet to the sea for a claim that country filed in 2013.

For this Thursday, President Arce is scheduled to participate in the official acts for the Day of the Sea and address a message to the country.

Bolivia commemorates the Day of the Sea every March 23 because on that date, in 1879, the first resistance of the country to the invasion by Chilean troops, which began on February 14 of that year.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

International

Bill Gates Admits “Serious Mistake” Over Epstein Ties

Bill Gates acknowledged he made a “serious mistake” by associating with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, telling employees at his philanthropic organization that he regretted the relationship and its impact on the foundation’s work. He also admitted to having had affairs with two Russian women but denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.

The Microsoft co-founder is among several high-profile figures mentioned in documents from the so-called Epstein files released by the U.S. Department of Justice. The records reference personal associations, financial dealings and private communications involving Epstein’s network.

During a staff-wide meeting at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Tuesday, a recording of which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Gates said he regretted spending time with Epstein and arranging meetings between foundation executives and the financier.

“It was a big mistake to spend time with Epstein,” Gates told employees, adding that the association had harmed the foundation’s reputation.

In a draft email released by the Justice Department, Epstein claimed that Gates had engaged in extramarital relationships. The message alleged that their interactions ranged from assisting Gates in obtaining drugs to cope with personal matters to facilitating meetings with married women.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

Gates, 70, acknowledged during the internal meeting that he had two affairs but firmly denied any connection to Epstein’s crimes.

The revelations come amid renewed scrutiny over Epstein’s network of prominent contacts following the public release of investigative files.

International

Stephen Hawking Photo Appears in Newly Released Epstein Documents

A previously unseen image of renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has surfaced among documents recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of its investigation into financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The photograph shows the British scientist, who died in 2018 at age 76, smiling while seated between two women wearing swimsuits in what appears to be a beach setting. In the image, Hawking appears to be holding a drink while reclining on a sun lounger.

The exact context of the photo — including the date and location — has not been officially confirmed. However, it is known that Hawking attended a scientific conference funded by Epstein in March 2006 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where several academics participated in events and activities organized by the financier prior to his criminal charges.

No Allegations Against Hawking

Hawking’s appearance in the files does not imply involvement in illegal or inappropriate conduct, and there are no formal charges linking him to any criminal activity in connection with the Epstein case.

The physicist is mentioned in numerous documents, primarily in relation to his participation in academic events associated with Epstein’s efforts to build connections with prominent figures in the scientific community.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

The release of the files has prompted renewed public interest in the scope of Epstein’s network, though inclusion in the documents alone does not indicate wrongdoing.

International

Larry Summers Steps Down from Harvard Role Amid Epstein Controversy

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has resigned from his academic post at Harvard University due to his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the university said Wednesday.

Summers, who led the U.S. Treasury Department under former President Bill Clinton and later served as president of Harvard in the early 2000s, appeared in Justice Department files related to Epstein as having maintained extensive exchanges with the late financier.

According to a university statement, “Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein has accepted the resignation of Professor Lawrence H. Summers from his role as co-director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government,” noting that the decision was connected to the Epstein case.

Meanwhile, Clinton is scheduled to testify Friday before a congressional committee regarding the Epstein matter. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to appear before the panel on Thursday.

The development marks another high-profile repercussion stemming from renewed scrutiny surrounding Epstein’s network of associations.