International

Royal quinoa, the superfood that grows in front of the largest salt flat in the world in Bolivia

Royal quinoa, a fundamental superfood for feeding Aymara and Quechua communities in Bolivia, grows on the banks of the Uyuni salt flat, the largest in the world with more than 10,000 square kilometers and where its producers ensure that the unique conditions of the place strengthen the grain.

At 3,600 meters above sea level, in front of a desert of salt, in an arid and cold climate and with great temperature changes between day and night, the royal quinoa grows with a grain larger than other varieties and is called a superfood for its high nutritional content, rich in proteins and minerals and with a less bitter flavor than others due to its lower sapon content, which is a natural substance that covers the grain.

Guadalupe Ramos, 79 years old and who has an experience of 50 in the planting and harvesting of royal quinoa in the community of Jirira in the department of Oruro, assured EFE that “on the edge of the salt flat is the best quinoa.”

The farmer cooks with the grain: “soups, cakes, Galicians, bread and even soft drinks,” and indicated that thanks to this food she can work with energy at almost 80 years old and the royal quinoa was the basis of the diet of her “six children, fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren”.

Eddy, a young farmer from Jirira, told EFE that most of the grain that his family harvests is sold so that other producers can sow the royal quinoa in other parts of the highlands.

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For tourists visiting the Uyuni salt flat, the image of the red fields of the royal quinoa plant is an impressive view, since it contrasts with the dry grass and little vegetation and in rainy season the red grains and stems are reflected in the mirror of water that is created in the salt desert.

The grain is usually ivory white but there are also red and black colors, without the flavor or essential characteristics changing.

Bolivia obtained in 2014 the designation of origin by the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), made up of Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, of the ‘Royal Quinoa of the Southern Altiplano of Bolivia’ that guarantees that it is an exclusive Bolivian product to protect its authenticity.

The Andean country is also the world’s leading producer of royal quinoa, with 55 percent of global production.

Recently Guadalupe showed the royal quinoa harvest to a group of chefs from the ‘Project of Indigenous and Native Cuisines’ of the United States Embassy fund and the Gustu restaurant, in order for the grain to be used not only in local cuisine, but also in haute cuisine.

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In the group was the famous chef Sean Sherman of the Sioux nation in the United States, who cooked the harvested quinoa with Guadalupe. Sherman was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023 for his work to vindicate indigenous native cuisines, and shared his knowledge with Bolivian chefs and cooks.

International

Epstein Denies Being ‘the Devil’ in Newly Released Video Interview

Jeffrey Epstein claims he was the least dangerous type of sex offender and denied being “the devil” in a video interview included in the latest batch of documents released over the weekend by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The roughly two-hour interview was conducted by Steve Bannon, a former adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, and appears to have been recorded at the late financier’s New York residence on an unknown date.

Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while in jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors. Since December, the U.S. government has released millions of documents related to the case under transparency laws.

“Do you think you’re the devil incarnate?” Bannon asks Epstein in the video interview revealed in the latest release.

“No, but I do have a good mirror,” Epstein replies with a smile, wearing a black shirt and glasses. When pressed again, he adds, “I don’t know. Why would you say that?”

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Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution, also appears to downplay the seriousness of his conviction.

He objects when Bannon refers to him as a “Level Three sexual predator,” a classification in the United States indicating a very serious threat to public safety.

“No, I’m the lowest,” Epstein says.

“But still an offender,” Bannon responds.

“Yes,” Epstein replies.

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The exchange comes after Bannon asks Epstein whether he considers his wealth to be “dirty,” suggesting it was earned by advising “the worst people in the world.”

Epstein insists that he made his money legally, while acknowledging that “ethics is always a complicated issue.”

He claims he donated money to help eradicate polio in Pakistan and India, apparently in an attempt to justify the origins of his fortune.

The documents also show that Bannon maintained regular correspondence with Epstein, who offered to help the far-right political figure spread his conservative ideology in Europe.

Since Trump took office in January 2025, U.S. authorities have released millions of pages related to Epstein, along with photos and videos.

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These materials have shed new light on Epstein’s ties to high-profile business executives such as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, celebrities including filmmaker Woody Allen, and academics and political figures, among them Trump and former President Bill Clinton.

International

Hypothermia Linked to Most Deaths During New York’s Recent Cold Spell

Hypothermia “played a role” in 13 of the 16 deaths recorded in New York City during the recent period of extreme cold, Mayor Mandami said at a press conference. Three of the deaths were classified as drug overdoses.

None of the individuals were sleeping on the streets at the time of their deaths, the mayor added, noting that some had previously been in contact with emergency shelter services.

Mandami said the city has activated emergency warming centers and deployed a fleet of 20 vehicles staffed with medical personnel to respond to the cold weather crisis.

“As of this morning, we have made more than 930 referrals to shelters and safe facilities. We have also involuntarily transported 18 New Yorkers who were deemed a danger to themselves or others,” he said.

According to official statistics, New York City recorded between nine and 27 cold-related deaths per year from 2005 to 2021. That number rose to 34 in 2021 and climbed further to 54 in 2022.

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City Comptroller Mark Levine estimated that there are “tens of thousands” of homeless New Yorkers, “most of them families with children.”

He said that “nearly 95%” of the city’s homeless population lives in municipal shelters.

In August 2021, those shelters housed 44,586 people, the “lowest daily population in nearly a decade,” according to official data.

However, the shelter population increased from 22,955 to 62,679 people between January 2000 and January 2020, highlighting the long-term growth of homelessness in the city.

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International

NFL Investigating Emails Linking Giants Executive to Jeffrey Epstein

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Monday that the league will “examine all the facts” regarding contacts between New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and Jeffrey Epstein, revealed in documents recently released about the late convicted sex offender.

The batch of files, made public on Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice, includes emails suggesting that Epstein introduced several women to Tisch.

Tisch, a film producer who has never been charged in connection with Epstein, issued a statement last week denying any wrongdoing.

“I had a brief relationship in which we exchanged emails about adult women, and we also discussed film, philanthropy, and investments,” Tisch said of his correspondence with Epstein, which dates back to 2013.

“I did not accept any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all now know, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret having associated with,” he added.

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Speaking at a press conference in San Jose, California, on Monday, Goodell said the NFL would carefully review the details of the ties between Tisch and Epstein.

“We’re going to examine all the facts,” the commissioner said. “We’re going to look at the context of those exchanges, try to understand them, and see how that fits within the league’s policies.”

Tisch, 76, could face disciplinary action under the NFL’s strict personal conduct policy, even if he is not found guilty of a crime.

“We’re going to take this step by step. First, let’s gather all the facts,” Goodell said at the press conference, which was part of the events leading up to Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.