Former US President Bill Clinton released his opening statements as he testified before Congress on his alleged linked to convicted sexual offender to Jeffrey Epstein, insisting he “did nothing wrong.”He claimed that he saw no signs of wrongdoing and would cut-offif he knew.The former Democratic president opened the deposition with a statement, shared on social media, that stated, “I saw nothing and did nothing wrong.” In his statement he also said, “I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing. No matter how many photos you show me, I have two things that at the end of the day matter more than your interpretation of those 20-year-old photos. I know what I saw, and more importantly, what I didn’t see. I know what I did, and more importantly, what I didn’t do.”Further defending himself he added, “As someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing—I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not sweetheart deals.”Further clarifying his association and insisting he cut-off ties before Epstein’s record became public he said, “Even with 20/20 hindsight, I saw nothing that ever gave me pause. We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long. And by the time it came to light with his 2008 guilty plea, I had long stopped associating with him.”“You’ll often hear me say that I don’t recall. That might be unsatisfying. But I’m not going to say something I’m not sure of. This was all a long time ago. And I am bound by my oath not to speculate, or to guess. This is not merely for my benefit, but because it doesn’t help you for me to play detective 24 years later,” he added.Clinton also said democracy depends on everyone doing their part and expressed hope that his testimony could help move the country toward civil discourse, where truth and justice take priority over partisan spectacle. He also emphasised that the victims of Jeffrey Epstein deserve both justice and healing and said he was sharing what he knows to help prevent such crimes in the future.BA day before the former president’s testimony, is wife former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also testified, insisting that she had “no idea about their criminal activities” and described herself as “horrified by what we have learned about their crimes”. She acknowledged knowing Maxwell “casually, as an acquaintance”, including at events linked to the Clinton Foundation, and said Maxwell attended her daughter’s wedding as someone else’s guest.

Now, it’s a very common scene: A man driving in a car, slows the vehicle, pulls down the windows and bam, throws a handful of orange peels in the middle of the road. But what happens next is not quite common: local authorities stop the car, ask the man to step out of his vehicle, and instruct him to pick up each and every piece of peel. And the litter-maker obliged. The incident is from Sikkim, the beautiful state in the Northeastern region of India. And Sikkim also happens to be one of the cleanest cities in the country where people know the meaning of “Civic Sense”. But the recent act of discarding orange peels became a remarkable example of public introspection. It’s a short video clip which shows a tourist in Sikkim throwing orange peels out of his car window. The video just didn’t go viral, it struck a chord with millions across India. And in no time, became a topic of Civic Sense and responsible behaviour. The video has been widely circulated across social media platforms. There is a woman (apparently who made the clip), narrating the act. No chaos. No fight. Just a man correcting his mistake. It is a reminder that every individual action, however small it might be, leaves an impression on the shared spaces we inhabit.Swift actionAlso, people have widely appreciated the on-the-spot enforcement. People praised the “zero-tolerance approach” and public cleanliness. The comments also noted how refreshing it was to see people taking accountability (enforced without drama). “Please do this all over India!!” one user wrote. For Sikkim, which is a state that prides on keeping its landscape clean. It’s a collective effort where every resident plays a role. The hills of Sikkim are biodiversity rich like nowhere. The state has closely knit communities, which have clean public spaces in India. For some long-term residents and travellers, this respect for the environment is seen as part of the local ethos — one that many believe should be more widely embraced across the country.But the episode also raised deeper questions: Why such behaviour in the first place?Why the intervention needed to make someone clean up their own mess, such a basic sense? Why does such a common-sense behaviour feel out of the ordinary in many parts of India? And why, for that matter, does a place need vigilance? Why are people still so ignorant of basic civic sense?Many comments also mentioned that India has made cleanliness a national priority through campaigns like Swachh Bharat. Others also noted that citizens work daily to keep their space clean. Accountability should come from within and should not be enforced. But some people don’t understand this, and that’s why enforcement becomes the only step. Some reactions went further, questioning regional perceptions and stereotypes. In the original online posts about the video, certain users referenced the man as being from “North India,” now another topic of debate. Fair or not, such comments reveal the frustration around littering.Nestled in the eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is often cited as one of India’s cleanest and most environmentally conscious states. Cleanliness here is not treated as a campaign but as a way of life. From mountain highways and village paths to markets and monasteries, public spaces reflect a deep respect for nature and community living.Sikkim, the first fully organic state of India

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Sikkim was the first Indian state to become fully organic. It continuously works on disciplined cleanliness. Regular cleanliness drives are conducted in the state by local bodies, who focus on roadside waste and tourist spots, among others. There are strict anti-littering rules, combined with public awareness programs.The state’s civic participation is simply commendable where citizens actively cooperate with authorities. At its heart, this is more than a story about orange peels and the authorities. The story is about how a community chooses to define itself. Keeping our public spaces clean is a collective effort and doesn’t happen by chance. They are the product of discipline, awareness, and yes, when necessary, consistent some strict rules and regulations.

The standoff between the Pentagon and AI company Anthropic has now has a new party – the US Congress. Senators from both sides of the aisle are reportedly calling on the Department of War to withdraw its Friday 5pm ultimatum against Anthropic, arguing that the decision of this magnitude cannot be made without legislative oversight, and that the Congress must be included in the debate over military use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

What lawmakers are saying on the Pentagon vs Anthropic issue

According to a report by Axios, Democratic and Republican senators have made two demands: First is to stay the Friday ultimatum and, second, that Congress Congress must be brought into the process of establishing clear rules governing the use of AI in military operations.“Why in the hell are we having this discussion in public?. Why isn’t this occurring in a boardroom or in the secretary’s office? I mean, this is sophomoric. It’s fair to say that Congress needs to weigh in if they have a tool that could actually result in mass surveillance,” (Rep.) Senator Thom Tillis, a member of the Armed Services Committee, was quoted as saying.“The deadline is incredibly tight. That should not be the case if you’re dealing with mass surveillance of civilians. You’re also dealing with the potential use of lethal force without a human in the loop. There’s a contract in place that was signed with the administration, and now they’re trying to break it,” added Senator Gary Peters.According to Senator Elissa Slotkin, this is a “fundamental issue of our time”, and “This is happening because Congress has not put clear limits — left or right — on the use of AI in lethal weapon systems.”Senator Mark Kelly was more direct. “DOD is trying to strong-arm Anthropic into providing every tool they have to surveil US citizens. I have serious concerns about that. That’s unconstitutional. That’s not the role of the Department of Defense.”

Where things stand between the Pentagon and Anthropic

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said that there has been “virtually no progress” in negotiations with the Pentagon. Anthropic has refused to accept Pentagon and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s contract terms that would allow its Al to be used without limits on domestic surveillance and autonomous lethal weapons. The refusal came hours before the Friday deadline of 5:01pm. If Anthropic refuses, Hegseth reportedly warned he will either declare the company a “supply chain risk” or invoke the Defence Production Act, which would compel Anthropic to modify Claude to meet the military’s requirements.On Wednesday, a report said that the Pentagon began contacting major defence contractors to assess how dependent they are on Claude.

A 28-year-old man has been charged with 14 offences after police allege he kidnapped three women in separate incidents across Metro Vancouver, Canada over just four days.Indian-origin man Amritpal Singh faces multiple serious charges following incidents reported in Pitt Meadows, Surrey and West Vancouver in January. Police said he faces three charges of kidnapping, three charges related to misusing computer, text and phone data, two charges of making threats, and two charges of using a fake gun while committing a crime.He is also charged with assault, assault with a weapon, sexual assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.Police said the charges are linked to three incidents that happened between January 15 and January 18. Singh was arrested after the last alleged kidnapping on January 18.At around 12.40 am that day, Ridge Meadows RCMP “received a report that a woman was allegedly being held against her will in a car,” according to the police press release. Officers were told the suspect was armed and “exhibiting threatening behaviour.”“Police immediately pursued various investigational avenues and subsequently located the woman and male suspect in north Pitt Meadows,” the release reads. It adds: “Upon police arrival, the suspect was safely taken into custody.”Police later connected the Pitt Meadows case to two similar incidents in Surrey and West Vancouver on January 15 and 16. Officers then approved the 14 charges.Police have shared limited details about the relationship between Singh and the alleged victims. They said investigators believe the women were lured “through an online platform and allegedly used it to solicit or offer employment opportunities.” When asked whether Singh knew the women beforehand, police reiterated that they were “targeted through employment opportunities” online.In a statement, the BC Prosecution Service confirmed that Singh has been “detained by the court” and is scheduled to appear in Port Coquitlam on March 9. “Absent a successful bail review, Mr. Singh will remain in custody until the matter has concluded,” the BCPS said.

lyssa Healy of Australia bats during game two of the Women’s One Day International series between Australia and India at Bellerive Oval on February 27, 2026 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo/Getty Images)

Georgia Voll scored 101 and Phoebe Litchfield made 80 as Australia Women defeated India Women by five wickets to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series on Friday.After India posted 251/9, Australia chased down the target with 13.5 overs remaining. With one ODI and a one-off Test left, Australia now lead the all-format series 6-4.India’s total was built around half-centuries from Pratika Rawal (52) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (54). Rawal faced 81 balls and hit six fours, adding 78 runs for the opening wicket with Smriti Mandhana (31). Mandhana was bowled by Ashleigh Gardner (2/39) after missing a paddle sweep. She had earlier survived two chances.Jemimah Rodrigues (11) was caught behind off Annabel Sutherland (2/37), while Deepti Sharma (1) was caught at deep mid-wicket off Alana King (2/41). King also dismissed Richa Ghosh leg-before for 22.Harmanpreet anchored the innings with a 70-ball 54. She added 55 runs for the seventh wicket with Kashvee Gautam (25), taking India past 200. India finished on 251/9.In reply, Australia lost Alyssa Healy (6) early, bowled by an inswinger from Gautam. Voll and Litchfield then added 119 runs for the second wicket to set up the chase.Voll was given three chances. On 19, she was dropped by Kranti Gaud at long-on off Deepti Sharma. Later, Smriti Mandhana dropped her at deep mid-wicket off Gautam. She reached her hundred after Richa Ghosh missed a catch down the leg side, allowing a single. Voll scored 101 off 82 balls, with 13 fours and a six.Litchfield struck 11 fours and a six in her 62-ball 80. She was bowled by Gaud while attempting a ramp shot, with the ball hitting the top of middle stump.India picked up two late wickets but Australia completed the chase comfortably. The third ODI will be played on Sunday at the same venue.

Harvard University has found itself at the centre of a growing online storm after an artwork featured on its Department of South Asian Studies website drew sharp criticism and allegations of bias. The Coalition of Hindus of North America ignited the debate after calling out the university for what it described as “blatant Hinduphobia” in the visual used to represent its Elementary Sanskrit course.Taking to X, the coalition accused the university of bigotry for adding an image that feels “straight out of a horror movie,” starring a dark Hindu figure with a tilak, dangling “some sort of ghostly figurine in his hands.”The art was allocated for its course on Elementary Sanskrit, and the organisation blamed the university for introducing Sanskrit, “Hinduism’s sacred language,” in a “dark, manipulative and oppressive manner” to students, much like it introduces the religion itself.”“This is how students are introduced to Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages that has given birth to classic literature, arts, music, and so much more. The mother of many languages around the world,” the post added.In a follow-up post, the coalition also referenced a 2020 incident when Harvard University Press had featured “another Hinduphobic cartoon” to promote a book by university professor Ajantha Subramanian on caste. It claimed Hinduphobia had a “long shelf life” at the university.The post sparked an intense debate online, with numerous users accusing the university of being biased against Hindus.“@Harvard how much do you get paid for anti-Hindu attitude? What’s the price you need paid to treat Hindus and Hinduism at par with other faiths?” asked one user.“Obviously intended to cast Sanskrit in a darksome, suspicious & sinister way. The art itself is not the issue. It’s the blatantly Hindu-hating framing of it here by an institution of learning,” added another, while many called for the university to apologise.However, as the conversation evolved, new context began to emerge. Interestingly, one of the comments under the post claimed that the art was made by Indian artist Anirudh Sainath, who created his artwork under the brand name Molee Art. Titled Master of Puppets, it depicted the Indian epic Mahabharata as Krishna’s Ras Leela, a story orchestrated by the Hindu god. Moreover, the artist, who according to a user was their friend and is no more, was known for creating devotional pieces of art on Hindu gods.“I know Harvard’s biased against Hindus—I’m not sure this image is an example,” added one user.The second artwork referenced in the post is titled ‘Millstone of the Caste System’ and was created by late Indian artist and caricaturist Gaganendranath Tagore around 1917. A satirical lithograph, it was aimed at social hypocrisy and perceived oppression within the Brahminical hierarchy. It depicted a grotesque scene where priests were grinding and crushing ordinary people under a massive millstone.

NEW DELHI: A Rouse Avenue Court on Friday discharged former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and 21 others in the Delhi excise policy case, refusing to take cognisance of the CBI’s chargesheet.The order was delivered by Special Judge (PC Act) Jitender Singh of the Rouse Avenue Court.

Why Delhi court discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia?

The Delhi court held that there was “no cogent” evidence against Kejriwal and “no prima facie” case against Sisodia or the other accused. The court pulled up the CBI by saying “there was no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent in the excise policy,” PTI reported quoting the judge as saying.It observed that the “voluminous” chargesheet filed by the agency contained several lacunae and was not corroborated by evidence or witness testimony.“… The chargesheet suffers from internal contradictions, striking at the root of conspiracy theory,” PTI reported quoting the judge.The court noted that in the absence of evidence, the allegations against Kejriwal could not be sustained and that the former chief minister had been implicated without any cogent material.The order stated that the allegations “failed judicial scrutiny” and found “no criminal intent” on the part of Manish Sisodia. It added that the conspiracy theory “cannot survive against one constitutional authority.”The court also strongly criticised the investigative approach adopted by the CBI, particularly its reliance on approver statements. It observed that granting pardon to an accused, turning him into an approver, and then using his statements to fill gaps in the investigation or rope in additional accused persons was improper.Also read: ‘I am kattar imaandaar’: Arvind Kejriwal breaks down after clean chit in Delhi excise policy case“If such conduct is allowed, it would be a grave violation of the Constitutional principles. The conduct where an accused is granted pardon and then made an approver, his statements used to fill the gaps in the investigation/narrative and make additional people accused is wrong,” the court said.According to the court, the prosecution’s theory was based on “conjecture rather than concrete evidence” and failed to withstand judicial scrutiny. The judge concluded that no prima facie case was made out against any of the 23 accused and ordered their discharge.The court also said it would recommend a departmental inquiry against CBI officials for making public servant Kuldeep Singh the accused number one in the case. “No material found against you. I am surprised why you are implicated,” ANI quoted the judge as saying.Advocate Vivek Jain, counsel for AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, said the court had carefully examined the record.“The court has said that it meticulously went through all evidence produced by CBI and not a shred of allegation can be said to cross the threshold of charge. The court has discharged them, saying that there is no allegation which can be held to be true in this matter. The court has also said that the framing of the excise policy was done through institutional safeguards, and there cannot be any doubt on the mannerism and the way the policy has been framed,” he told ANI.According to the court, the prosecution’s theory was based on “conjecture” rather than “concrete evidence” and failed to withstand judicial scrutiny. The judge concluded that no prima facie case was made out against any of the 23 accused and ordered their discharge.However, sources in the probe agency told ANI that the CBI will approach the Delhi High Court to challenge the Rouse Avenue Court’s judgment discharging Kejriwal and Sisodia.Reacting to the verdict outside the court, Kejriwal said, ” Today, the court has discharged all accused in this case. We always said that the truth emerges victorious. We have full faith in the Indian legal system. Amit Shah and Modi ji together hatched the biggest political conspiracy to finish AAP and 5 big leaders of the party were put in jail.”“The sitting CM was dragged out of his house and put in jail. Kejriwal is not corrupt. I have only earned honesty in my life. Today, the court has said that Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and AAP are honest,” he added.Also read: Delhi excise policy case: Ex-Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, former dy CM Manish Sisodia acquitted

What is the case about?

The case stemmed from alleged corruption in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22 introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and later scrapped.The CBI registered an FIR in August 2022 following a complaint by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena. The agency alleged that irregularities were committed in the formulation and implementation of the excise policy.According to the CBI, the policy was designed to favour select private liquor entities by reducing licence fees and fixing profit margins, leading to kickbacks and financial losses to the Delhi government. The agency further claimed that alleged loopholes were intentionally created after the tender process to extend undue advantage to specific licensees.It claimed that a criminal conspiracy was hatched during the policy’s formulation and that Rs 100 crore was paid by a “south lobby” to influence the policy.In total, chargesheet was filed against 23 people in the case, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, K Kavitha, Kuldeep Singh, Narender Singh, Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpally, Arun Ramchandra Pillai, Mootha Goutam, Sameer Mahendru, Amandeep Singh Dhall, Arjun Pandey, Butchibabu Gornatla, Rakesh Joshi, Damodar Prasad Sharma, Prince Kumar, Chanpreet Singh Rayat, Arvind Kumar Singh, Durgesh Pathak, Amit Arora, Vinod Chauhan, Ashish Mathur, and P Sarath Chadra Reddy.