Ghislaine Maxwell seeks clemency for testimony

Ghislaine Maxwell declined to answer questions from the House Oversight Committee on Monday, but her lawyer said she would be prepared to testify that President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton “are innocent of any wrongdoing” if she were granted clemency.Maxwell, 64, is serving a 20-year sentence at a federal prison camp in Texas after being convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking for recruiting and grooming underage girls for the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. She was subpoenaed to give evidence by video deposition as lawmakers intensify scrutiny over Epstein’s network and the recent release of millions of Justice Department documents.

Instead of responding to questions, Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. In a statement shared on X, her attorney David Oscar Markus wrote: “Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Constitutional right to silence this morning before @RepJamesComer and the House Oversight Committee.” He told the committee: “On my advice, Ghislaine Maxwell will respectfully invoke her Fifth Amendment right to silence and decline to answer questions today even though she would very much like to answer your questions.”Markus said Maxwell must remain silent because she has a habeas petition pending, arguing that her conviction “rests on a fundamentally unfair trial”. He claimed jurors “lied during voir dire to secure seats on the jury” and that “the government promised immunity and then broke that promise”, adding that newly disclosed documents prove this.He added: “If this Committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth about what happened, there is a straightforward path. Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump.” He continued: “For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing. Ms. Maxwell alone can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation.”Committee chairman James Comer said Maxwell’s refusal was “obviously very disappointing”, adding that lawmakers had questions about “the crimes she and Epstein committed as well as questions about potential co-conspirators”.Democrats criticised the clemency appeal. Representative Melanie Stansbury said, “It’s very clear she’s campaigning for clemency,” while Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna wrote: “NO CLEMENCY. You comply or face punishment.”Maxwell is the only person convicted in connection with Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr (Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr has come under fresh scrutiny after the Saudi Pro League (SPL) issued a firm statement stressing that “no player is bigger than the club or the league,” adding drama ahead of a crucial Asian Champions League Two clash.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Al-Nassr face Turkmenistan’s Arkadag on Wednesday with a quarterfinal berth on the line, but the focus has shifted to Ronaldo’s absence and reported frustration with the club’s direction. The 41-year-old Portuguese star has missed the team’s last two Saudi Pro League matches amid claims he is unhappy with the way the club is being funded — especially after rival Al-Hilal strengthened their squad by signing Karim Benzema in the latest transfer window.All four major Saudi clubs — Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli — are majority owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and comparisons between their spending strategies have intensified scrutiny around Ronaldo’s situation.In a strongly worded statement, the SPL emphasised its stance on governance and player influence. “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,” the league said. “Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. But no individual — however significant — determines decisions beyond their own club.”Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Al-Nassr secured an impressive 2-0 victory over reigning champion Al-Ittihad last week, showing resilience ahead of their continental fixture.Elsewhere in Asian competition, Al-Hilal continue to dominate the western zone with a perfect six-match record, while Al-Ahli have already sealed a knockout berth. In the eastern zone, Vissel Kobe remained the only confirmed qualifier so far, as Chinese clubs struggled at the bottom of the standings.

NEW DELHI: A pilot air taxi corridor linking Gurugram, Connaught Place and Jewar International Airport could sharply reduce travel time in the National Capital Region, according to a new report by the Confederation of Indian Industry. The study says Advanced Air Mobility solutions, including Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft, could help India ease infrastructure bottlenecks by shifting a share of urban travel to low-altitude airspace.The report proposes that air taxis initially operate from rooftops of hospitals and commercial buildings and be deployed for time-sensitive missions such as medical logistics and organ transport. Strategic co-location with hospitals, metro stations and business districts would allow integration with existing transport networks, it said.Citing severe pressure on surface transport, the report argues that Advanced Air Mobility is the logical next step for Indian cities. It suggests setting up a new regulatory body within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to oversee the rollout of these services. Released by Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the report outlines a phased plan to safely integrate next-generation air mobility into the aviation ecosystem and address urban congestion.Senior officials including DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and Airports Authority of India chairman Vipin Kumar were present at the launch, along with industry leaders.

On infrastructure, the report makes a strong case for rooftop vertiports in major metros. “As India prepares Advanced Air Mobility, rooftop vertiports offer an efficient, scalable, and cost-effective solution, especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru,” it said. With land acquisition for ground-based vertiports proving expensive and slow, rooftops of commercial hubs, hospitals, tech parks and residential towers are seen as a practical alternative using under-utilised real estate.However, regulatory hurdles remain. “Under the current DGCA regulations, routine commercial vertical take-offs and landings from rooftops are not yet permitted, and any future enablement would be subject to the evolution of applicable regulatory frameworks and safety assessments,” the report noted. It proposes a sequenced rollout starting with drone deliveries, followed by medical logistics and organ transport, and later air ambulance services.On funding, the report calls on public financial institutions, including SIDBI, banks and government grant agencies, to create dedicated financing instruments for Advanced Air Mobility. These could include sector-specific infrastructure funds, venture leasing models or credit enhancement facilities to lower investment risk and support long-term capital flows.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

NEW DELHI: Women MPs from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging him to take strict action against opposition MPs for allegedly committing “heinous acts” inside the House during last week’s proceedings.In their letter, the MPs praised the Speaker for maintaining order and decorum during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address on February 4, but accused opposition of creating chaos.“We wish to express our profound gratitude and admiration for the exemplary manner in which you upheld and protected the dignity, decorum, and sanctity of the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Honourable President’s Address on February 4, 2026. On that day, the entire House, and indeed the entire nation, witnessed one of the most unfortunate and regrettable incidents inside the Lok Sabha chamber,” the letter stated.Detailing the alleged misconduct, the BJP MPs claimed that opposition MPs disrupted proceedings in an unprecedented manner.“We saw members of the opposition party not only entering the well of the House but also climbing onto the Speaker’s table, tearing up papers, and throwing them towards the Speaker. Furthermore, sadly, some Honourable women members, behaving aggressively and carrying banners and placards, crossed over to the other side. They not only surrounded the Prime Minister’s seat but also entered the Treasury benches where senior ministers sit,” the letter said.“Therefore, we urge you to take the strictest possible action, under the rules, against those opposition MPs who have committed such heinous acts within the House premises and brought disrepute to our democratic institution,” it added.The BJP MPs’ letter comes a day after women MPs from the Congress wrote to Birla accusing him of acting under pressure from the ruling party to justify Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from the House.The controversy stems from Birla’s statement in the Lok Sabha last week that he had received “concrete information” suggesting that several Congress members might approach the Prime Minister’s seat and carry out an “unexpected act.” The Speaker said he had, therefore, requested the Prime Minister not to attend the House to deliver his reply to the Motion of Thanks.In their letter, Congress women MPs strongly objected to the Speaker’s remarks and accused him of making baseless allegations.“Clearly pressured by the ruling party to defend the non-appearance of the Prime Minister, the Speaker issued a statement making grave allegations against the women MPs of the party,” the Congress MPs said.“We are being targeted simply because we have consistently fought against Prime Minister Narender Modi’s anti-people government and demanded accountability from him. His absence from the House was not due to any threat from us, it was an act of fear,” the letter added.The Congress MPs further rejected any suggestion that they had planned to disrupt proceedings.“He (PM) did not have the courage to face the Opposition. We are Members of Parliament from the Indian National Congress, a party that stands for love, peace, constitutional values, and human dignity. We do not believe in violence and intimidation. We are brave women elected representatives who will not be silenced by intimidation,” the letter, signed by MPs including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jyothimani, R Sudha, Varsha Gaikwad and Jyotsna Mahant, stated.“We believe that transparency is the only way to restore the dignity of the Speaker’s office and the credibility of this House,” it said.The Congress MPs also alleged bias in disciplinary action, pointing out that eight INDIA bloc MPs were suspended at the “behest of the ruling party,” while a BJP MP was allowed to speak in a “vulgar and obscene manner” about former prime ministers.

NEW DELHI: Maruti Suzuki India dispatched over 5.85 lakh vehicles by the railway network in 2025, a record number for the company in a single year. This marked an 18% growth over 2024 and the share of rail now accounts for about 26% of its outbound vehicle movement, up sharply from 5.1% in 2016.The shift towards rail-based logistics has led to an estimated avoidance of nearly 87,904 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and fuel savings of more than 687 lakh litres during the year, the company said.Rail dispatch volumes for Maruti have grown more than seven-and-a-half times over the past decade, from about 77,000 vehicles in 2016 to over 5.85 lakh units in 2025. The move has also helped reduce road congestion and dependence on fossil fuel imports, it said.

Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, said 2025 marked a milestone for the company’s logistics operations. “The year 2025 marks our highest-ever rail dispatch… During the year, we strengthened our green logistic efforts through two landmark events – inauguration of India’s largest automobile in-plant railway siding at our Manesar facility, and second was we dispatched vehicles by rail to Kashmir valley through the world’s highest railway arch bridge over Chenab river, a first by any automobile manufacturer.”Takeuchi said the company’s mid-term goal is to increase rail-based vehicle dispatches to 35% by FY2030-31 as it works towards aiding India’s net-zero ambition by 2070. “Maruti has adopted a comprehensive ‘Circular Mobility’ approach to sustainability, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint across the entire vehicle lifecycle—from design and production to logistics and end-of-life vehicle (ELV) management”Maruti was the first automobile company to obtain an AFTO (Automobile-Freight-Train-Operator) license, back in 2013. Since FY 2014-15, it has transported over 28 lakh vehicles from 22 destinations servicing over 600 cities pan India through a hub and spoke model.Currently, the company uses over 45 flexi deck rakes, each with a capacity of carrying around 260 vehicles per trip.In CY 2025, rail dispatches from Maruti Suzuki’s in-plant railway siding at Gujarat and Manesar facility accounted for 53% of the Company’s total rail dispatches.

NEW DELHI: The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Monday that all-rounder Muhammad Zohaib has been sent back from the squad due to disciplinary issues but did not share more details on the matter. “Muhammad Zohaib has been sent back due to disciplinary issues. More details will be provided in due course. ECB will at this stage not make any further comment on the matter,” the board said in a statement.

Meanwhile, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem made it clear that tensions around India-Pakistan matches do not affect his team ahead of their opening game in the T20 World Cup against New Zealand on Tuesday. He stressed that the UAE squad is united regardless of nationality. “No, to be honest, there is no India-Pakistan. We are playing for the UAE and we are always treating ourselves like a family,” Waseem said. He added, “We are living like a family, friends. We are spending time together, eating together. There is no Indian-Pakistani in the UAE team to be honest.”Waseem also praised Indian head coach Lalchand Rajput, who joined the team in 2024. He said Rajput’s experience has helped the players understand conditions better. “He has so much experience about India. He is working with the boys; he is telling everything about the pitches and the other things. So it helped us a lot and we are working on that and inshallah you will see tomorrow the same things he told to boys,” he added.Looking ahead to their match against New Zealand, Waseem said UAE would take confidence from their historic win over the Black Caps in 2023. “Our strategy is very simple. We beat them before in UAE but this time it’s a different venue, different tournament, different ground, and different game also,” he said. “So we came with the other plan right now… we prepared ourselves like a champion team. So inshallah, we will try to play a good cricket against them tomorrow.”He also said the team is well prepared, adding, “Yeah, preparation is going very good to be honest… we came here with a different mindset and mentality. So you will see tomorrow the way boys will play.”

The 10th Match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features a high-stakes Group A clash between two of the most consistent Associate nations: the Netherlands and Namibia. Both teams see this fixture as their best opportunity to secure two vital points in a group that includes heavyweights like India and Pakistan.

The Netherlands come into this match battle-hardened after a spirited performance against Pakistan. Although they fell short, their bowling unit, led by Logan van Beek and the veteran Roelof van der Merwe, proved they could squeeze world-class batters. Scott Edwards will look to anchor the middle order, but the Dutch will need more explosive starts from Max O’Dowd and Michael Levitt to post a challenging total.

Namibia, on the other hand, are beginning their campaign with the tactical advantage of having legendary coach Gary Kirsten in their corner as a consultant. Under the seasoned leadership of Gerhard Erasmus, the “Eagles” boast a versatile squad. Watch out for Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who holds the record for the fastest T20I century, and the left-arm threat of Ruben Trumpelmann with the new ball.

NED vs NAM, T20 World Cup 2026: Match details

• Date and Time: February 10; 11:00 am IST / 5:30 am GMT
• Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

NED vs NAM, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

Matches played: 04 | Netherlands won: 03 | Namibia won: 01 | Win/Tied: 0

Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report

The Arun Jaitley Stadium is traditionally known for its low and slow nature, but recent T20 matches have seen a shift toward more batter-friendly surfaces with shorter square boundaries. Since this is an 11:00 AM start, the dew factor will be non-existent. This is a massive boost for the spinners, who will find plenty of grip and turn in the second innings as the sun dries out the surface. With the match starting in the relatively cool Delhi morning (approx. 18-22°C), there might be some moisture trapped under the surface, offering early swing for the likes of Trumpelmann and Paul van Meekeren. As the match progresses, expect Aryan Dutt and Bernard Scholtz to be the most influential bowlers. The pitch tends to hold, making stroke-playing difficult against slower deliveries. A total in the range of 160–170 is expected to be highly competitive here.

Squads:

Namibia: Malan Kruger, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Louren Steenkamp, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Ruben Trumpelmann, Zane Green (wk), Jan Balt, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Dylan Leicher, Jack Brassell, Willem Myburgh, Max Heingo

Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (c and wk), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Roelof van der Merwe, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren, Timm van der Gugten, Saqib Zulfiqar, Fred Klaassen, Noah Croes

Also READ: Michael Leask’s all-round show powers Scotland to emphatic win over Italy in T20 World Cup 2026

NED vs NAM, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Netherlands wins the toss and bowls first
• Namibia’s powerplay score: 30-40
• Namibia’s total score: 140-150

Case 2:

• Namibia wins the toss and bowls first
• Netherlands’ powerplay score: 40-50
• Netherlands’ total score: 155-165

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Nepal pacer Nandan Yadav left speechless by Dale Steyn’s heartwarming message after England thriller

Sachin Tendulkar abd Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Image credit: Agencies)

India’s Under-19 World Cup triumph in 2026 had many heroes, but one name towered above the rest — Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. In the final against England in Harare, the 14-year-old prodigy delivered a breathtaking performance that left the cricketing world stunned. Smashing 175 off just 80 balls, Sooryavanshi powered India to their sixth U19 World Cup title and rewrote record books in the process, including registering the highest individual score in a U19 World Cup final.The sheer audacity of his strokeplay, combined with a growing list of centuries at age-group level, has triggered a familiar debate in Indian cricket circles: should generational talents be fast-tracked?

Among those voicing strong support for the idea is Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who drew a direct parallel between Suryavanshi and one of the game’s greatest icons — Sachin Tendulkar.“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi deserves to be fast-tracked into higher honours. The last time we had a 14-year-old genius at the crease, his name was Sachin Tendulkar. And we didn’t keep him waiting long,” Tharoor wrote on X (formerly Twitter).The comparison is not without historical weight. Tendulkar, after piling up runs in school and domestic cricket, was ushered into the Indian team in 1989 at just 16 years of age, making his international debut against Pakistan. His rapid ascent went on to redefine Indian cricket for over two decades.Yet, unlike Tendulkar’s era, Sooryavanshi faces a non-negotiable roadblock. Despite the clamour around him, the Bihar-born left-hander cannot represent India at senior international level until March 2026. The obstacle lies in the ICC’s Minimum Age Policy, introduced in 2020 to protect young cricketers’ physical and mental well-being. Under the regulation, a player must be at least 15 years old to feature in international cricket.Born on 27 March 2011, Sooryavanshi was still technically 14 at the time of India’s World Cup triumph in February 2026. As a result, regardless of how many blistering 36-ball centuries he piles up for Bihar or how many established IPL bowlers he dismantles for the Rajasthan Royals, the national selectors have no choice but to wait.For now, even with influential voices like Tharoor echoing the Sachin precedent, Sooryavanshi’s India dream remains on pause — at least until the calendar turns to 27 March 2026.

Mumbai woke up on Sunday to a sight rarely witnessed in a modern metropolis: 64 mumukshus stepping away from worldly attachments and into the austere discipline of Jain diksha. The occasion — Sanyamrang Utsav at Chikuwadi Ground, Borivali West marked one of the most significant collective renunciation ceremonies the city has seen in recent years. What unfolded was not merely a ritual, but a powerful public affirmation of faith, restraint and spiritual courage.

Before dawn, a city gathers

Devotees arrive at 4am as Borivali prepares for history Long before sunrise, streams of devotees began converging on Chikuwadi. By 4am, families, elders, youth groups and community leaders had taken their places, determined not to miss a moment. Within hours, the vast ground was filled beyond capacity, with estimates placing attendance at over 50,000 people. The atmosphere was reverent yet electric — quiet anticipation layered with emotion, devotion and collective pride.

Under the gaze of the acharyas

A rare congregation of spiritual authority The ceremony unfolded under the guidance and blessings of some of Jainism’s most revered spiritual leaders, including Gachchhadhipati Acharya Som Sundar Suriji, Acharya Yogtilak Suriji, Acharya Kushalchandra Suriji and Acharya Punyasundar Suriji. They were joined by a large congregation of sadhus and sadhvis, lending the event unmistakable gravity. As the diksharthis accepted the vows of restraint, discipline and renunciation, the silence of the gathering spoke louder than words.

A chorus of conviction

‘Jainam Jayati Shasanam’ echoes across Chikuwadi At around 9.30am, the ritual offering of the rajoharan transformed the ground into a single, resonant voice. The chant — “Jainam Jayati Shasanam” — rose from thousands of throats, creating a moment many described as overwhelming. For families, it was a delicate mix of pride and parting. Tears flowed freely, yet faith remained steady. The pain of separation was tempered by the belief that their loved ones had chosen the highest spiritual calling.

Youthful renunciation, shared resolve

A young couple’s decision stands out Among the 64, one decision drew particular attention. Rishabhbhai, a young social worker associated with Adhyatma Parivar, and his wife Sonalben chose renunciation together. Embracing lifelong celibacy at a young age, their shared resolve became a powerful symbol of commitment in an age often defined by material aspiration. Their choice drew prolonged applause — and deep reflection.

Public life meets spiritual life

Political leaders acknowledge the moment Maharashtra cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha attended the ceremony, paying homage to the courage of the diksharthis and the emotional strength of their families. Several senior figures from the Jain community, trustees and representatives of religious organisations were also present, underscoring the wider social resonance of the event.

Sacred ground, renewed legacy

Chikuwadi’s growing spiritual history Chikuwadi Ground already holds a special place in Jain collective memory. Nearly seven years ago, it hosted 44 dikshas. With Sunday’s ceremony, the number of initiations conducted on the same ground has risen to 108, giving the space near-mythic status within the community.

Faith with responsibility

An environmentally conscious celebration Even at this scale, the organisers remained attentive to environmental concerns. Plastic and disposable items were avoided during food distribution, while volunteers ensured cleanliness throughout the day — demonstrating that spiritual discipline can extend beyond ritual into everyday responsibility.