International

NATO accuses Russia and North Korea of “dangerously expanding” the war in Ukraine

NATO, along with Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Ukraine, “strongly” condemned this Friday the decision of Russia and North Korea to “dangerously expand” the war against Ukraine by involving “thousands of troops” North Koreans in the war.

That decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong Un, is a “dangerous expansion” of North Korea’s “already substantial support” for Russia’s war effort with “the supply of millions of ammunition and ballistic missiles” in its war against Ukraine, the Atlantic Council said in a statement, joined by Canberra, Tokyo, Wellington, Seoul and Kiev.

And it is that the deepening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea “deeply” affects Euro-Atlantic security, but with implications also for the Indo-Pacific region, said the North Atlantic Council, NATO’s highest decision-making body.

Military cooperation between Russians and North Koreans

In addition, the increase in military cooperation between Russians and North Koreans constitutes “a violation of multiple resolutions” of the United Nations Security Council, including 2270 (2016), 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009), which is “especially scandalous if one takes into account Russia’s status as a permanent member” of it, they stressed.

For that reason, they urged Russia to comply again with those resolutions and to abide by its international obligations.

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They also pointed out that Russia’s statement of September 26 in which it stated that the denuclearization of North Korea “is not on the table” is “unacceptable.”

That position, they noted, “undermines the global non-proliferation regime, directly contradicts the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and further exacerbates regional tensions.”

Russian declaration

For the North Atlantic Council, the Russian declaration is part of its broader effort to undermine the global non-proliferation regime and dismantle United Nations sanctions.

Therefore, NATO and the five signatories urged all other countries not to provide any kind of help to Russia’s aggression and condemned “all those who facilitate and, therefore, prolong Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.”

In this context, NATO said it will continue to work with its partners, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, to promote peace and stability and prevent Russia and those who facilitate its war effort from undermining regional and global stability.

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While stressing that the allies remain “as determined as ever” to support Ukraine “for as long as necessary.”

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.

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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.

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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.