Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to appear before the U.S. House Oversight Committee in its probe into Jeffrey Epstein's shadowy network, marking a dramatic shift after initially refusing subpoenas. The decision, announced February 2, averts potential contempt charges and reignites scrutiny over the couple's past associations with the late financier and convicted sex offender.
The saga began in late 2025 when Republican Chairman James Comer subpoenaed the Clintons, demanding details on their Epstein connections amid fresh document releases. In a January 13 letter, they dismissed the summons as "partisan harassment," accusing the committee of shielding President Trump's own Epstein ties while targeting Democrats; they offered affidavits instead.
Tensions peaked with contempt votes, but negotiations prevailed. Clinton spokesman Angel Ureña confirmed their "good faith" agreement to depositions on dates to be finalized. Comer celebrated the move, insisting accountability applies to all, though he holds off on dropping enforcement threats.
The latest batch of over a million Justice Department pages—notes, flight logs, and photos—rehashes Epstein's elite rolodex without major new allegations against the Clintons. Bill appears frequently in social and travel contexts, like "Lolita Express" trips, but lacks evidence of misconduct. Hillary's mentions are indirect, linked via Bill's circle and Epstein's policy influence claims during the Clinton presidency.
These files mirror 2024 unseals, naming figures like Trump, Bill Gates, and others in Epstein's orbit. No fresh co-conspirators emerged, tempering expectations for the hearings. It's a reminder of how proximity to power doesn't equal guilt—prosecutors need hard proof, much like in past high-profile cases.
Under President Trump's January 2025 return, the probe doubles as political theater, with Speaker Mike Johnson praising the testimony as progress. Democrats decry it as distraction from GOP priorities. Outcomes could reshape narratives on Epstein's enduring legacy, especially if logs or donor details surface new angles. Depositions loom as the next flashpoint in this long-running controversy. More updates expected as schedules firm up.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
A Himachal Roadways bus was involved in an accident on Tuesday in a remote stretch of the Kwanu-Meenus Road in Kalsi, located in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district, when it fell into a deep gorge, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) reported. Preliminary information suggests that more than 30 passengers were on board at the time of the mishap.
Following the incident, SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi ordered immediate deployment of rescue teams from Dakpathar, Chakrata, Mori, and Tyuni to the accident site. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also spoke with the District Magistrate, issuing urgent instructions to ensure swift relief and rescue operations. In a statement on X, CM Dhami confirmed that all nearby medical facilities had been placed on high alert, and seriously injured passengers, if any, would be airlifted to advanced medical centres. He also prayed for the safety and well-being of all passengers. Authorities continue to assess the situation, and further details regarding the number of casualties or the condition of the passengers are yet to be confirmed.
In a separate incident over the weekend, a van carrying devotees returning from the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple in Tamil Nadu’s Ariyalur district overturned near Poiyyur village on the Tiruchy-Chidambaram National Highway. Keezhapazhuvur police quickly reached the site, registered a case, and launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Both incidents highlight the ongoing risks on hilly and rural roads, prompting authorities to emphasize caution and readiness for rapid emergency response in such areas.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Uttarakhand SDRF.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday called for a parliamentary debate on India’s trade deals with the US and the EU, criticizing the Centre over Washington’s claim that the India-US deal will allow the US to export more agricultural products to India. The agreement lowers US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent.
Ramesh, in an X post, labeled Prime Minister Modi’s diplomacy as “huglomacy” and accused him of “complete surrender,” referencing Trump’s earlier claim of halting the India-Pakistan conflict during Operation Sindoor. He demanded that the texts of both the India-US deal and the EU Free Trade Agreement be presented to Parliament for discussion.
He wrote that Modi’s visit to the White House a year ago, marked by his signature “huglomacy,” had initially boosted India-US relations and led to trade negotiations. However, after Trump’s announcement regarding Op Sindoor on May 10, 2025, relations began to decline, culminating in Trump embracing Pakistan and Field Marshal Asim Munir. Ramesh added that Trump’s late-night announcement of the trade deal indicated Modi had “completely surrendered,” appeasing Trump and diminishing India’s standing. The US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, stated the deal would allow the US to export more farm products to India, benefiting rural America.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat criticized the Centre for letting Trump announce the deal before Indian representatives, calling it “not our victory.” Similarly, Udit Raj accused the government of allowing US influence over India’s decisions, saying the announcements appeared one-sided and undermined India’s pride. Trump announced the deal on Monday, reducing the reciprocal tariff from 25% to 18%, claiming it was done “out of friendship and respect” for PM Modi, and asserting that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil while increasing purchases from the US.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Be with someone who would cross mountains and oceans for you—or even slide across the floor to apologize. That’s exactly what Japanese volleyball star Yuji Nishida demonstrated. The 1.87m opposite hitter went viral on social media for showing what a “sweeping” apology really looks like. During the Japanese SV League All-Star Game on February 1, Nishida accidentally hit a courtside staff member while participating in a skills challenge.
Immediately realizing his mistake, Nishida sprang into action—literally. He slid across the court on his stomach while bowing deeply in apology. He then knelt and continued bowing, with the staff member responding good-naturedly, pretending to be injured and laughing as Nishida returned to the game.
The 26-year-old’s comical yet earnest apology quickly went viral, amassing over 8.5 million views in less than 24 hours on X, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. One user called it “peak anime energy,” while another remarked: “The sincerity of the apology is so real yet so absurdly hilarious—it’s peak comedy.”
X user @oikakee wrote: “Get you a man who will slide across the court and put his whole body on the ground to apologize (unfortunately, there’s only one Yuji Nishida, and he’s already taken).” Nishida is married to fellow Japanese volleyball player Sarina Koga. On December 8, 2025, he announced on Instagram—where he has 1.8 million followers—that the couple had welcomed their first child.
Another fan, Gelson Luz, commented: “Yuji Nishida sets a high bar for apologies. The world could use more people with his spirit, though my floors are grateful there’s only one.” Despite the slip-up, Nishida shone on court and was later named Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Game at Kobe’s Gion Arena. He is set to return to club action on February 7 with Osaka Bluteon, which he captains and which currently sits second in the 10-team SV League.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@oikakee.
A Kashmiri family peers through a window draped with a plastic sheet for warmth in the small hamlet of Faqir Gujri, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, highlighting the harsh winter conditions and the locals’ resourcefulness in staying protected from the cold.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly making inroads into healthcare, offering tools that can answer medical queries, forecast risks, and support personalized health choices. But a new Singapore-based startup is challenging the notion that a single global AI model can safely cater to everyone. With structured screenings and national healthcare systems already in place, is there room for another AI health platform in Singapore? Hairianto Diman and Susan Ng explore this question with Hari V Krishnan, Co-founder and CEO of Genie Health.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
US President Donald Trump announced that he is nominating Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve. Warsh would succeed current chair Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May, pending Senate approval. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the nomination with Jason Ware, Chief Investment Officer, Head of Research, and Chief Economist at Albion Financial Group, to gain further insight.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA
After weeks of intense federal enforcement in Minnesota, local resistance pushed back strongly, and it appears that Donald Trump has grown skeptical about the leadership of his ICE operation in the state. This raises questions about the future of Trump’s “ICE patriots,” how the Republican Party can find unity on immigration policies that have resulted in the deaths of Americans, and what role far‑right figures in Trump’s circle might play going forward. Jonathan Freedland talks with George Conway — a founding member of the Lincoln Project who is now running for Congress — about what might happen next in this unfolding situation.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the AI-driven economy. According to Saxo Bank’s latest analysis, the upcoming IPO pipeline is dominated by tech giants poised to move from private backing to public scrutiny. While OpenAI and Anthropic represent high-risk, high-reward bets on generative AI, companies like Canva and Stripe showcase more established models in SaaS and Fintech at scale. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng highlight the key factors investors should monitor — including governance, computing costs, and revenue sustainability — as these “private unicorns” prepare for their public market debut, with insights from Chan Yew Kiang, ASEAN IPO Leader at EY.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
