Page 741 – THE LOCAL REPORT ARTICLES

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta slams Kejriwal after discharge of GST case, calls ‘kattar imandaar’ claim "drama"

INDIA

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February 28, 2026

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta slams Kejriwal after discharge of GST case, calls ‘kattar imandaar’ claim "drama"

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday launched a scathing attack on AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal Earlier, a special court challenged former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s “kattar imandaar” (brutal honesty) claim and freed him and 22 others in the Delhi excise policy case.Reacting to the court order, Gupta said: “This could be a lower court decision. We all know how evidence was tampered with when this happened. Around 150 mobile phones were destroyed and data deleted. If you (Arvind Kejriwal) are right, why was the liquor policy withdrawn at the outset of the investigation?”

‘If BJP wins more than 10 seats…’: Kejriwal files open challenge after court relief

Gupta accused Kejriwal of presiding over irregularities in the now-defunct Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, claiming traders’ commission was increased from 5% to 12% and the industry was being pushed towards privatization.“Can you say it is right that Delhi is giving away a bottle of liquor and a bottle of liquor for free? The High Court and the Supreme Court have also expressed concern. Evidence of money laundering has been found. And today you are bragging about honesty?” she said.She further targeted Kejriwal for other alleged irregularities, including the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ controversy and alleged school infrastructure issues, claiming that several projects remained incomplete despite rising costs.“Didn’t you deceive the people of Delhi in the Shish Mahal case? Didn’t you deceive the people of Delhi in the school scam?… You committed a scam worth crores of rupees in Delhi. You used toilets as classrooms. Projects that cost double are still pending. Before you Of so many schemes, scams are emerging every day till today, you sanctioned Rs 10 crore and spent Rs 150 crore… The people of Delhi have delivered their money and there will be justice for the money of the people of Delhi that you have embezzled,” Gupta added.When Kejriwal said that he and AAP were “Kattar imandaar”, Gupta said, “Even today, you are doing drama. You are the one who wears a size 44 shirt when size 42 is suitable to show how ordinary I am… You don’t talk about anything less than a private jet, you say I am an ordinary person and I am an honest person.”This comes after the special court released all 23 accused, including Kejriwal and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, in the CBI case related to Delhi’s excise policy 2021-22. Special Judge (PC Act) Jitender Singh of Rouse Avenue Court held that the prosecution had failed to establish even a prima facie case and said the charges were “legally untenable, unsustainable and unfit to be pursued further”. The court criticized the investigative approach taken by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying the agency’s theory was based on speculation rather than admissible evidence. It also warned against using approver statements to fill gaps in the prosecution case and recommended a departmental inquiry against certain CBI officials.However, the CBI has challenged the case in the Delhi High Court and sought to stay it, maintaining the legal battle.Meanwhile, Kejriwal hailed the trial court’s verdict as proving his and the integrity of the Aam Aadmi Party. He claimed at a press conference that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah “had hatched a conspiracy against him” as they could not defeat AAP politically.“The court’s 600-page order said there is not a shred of evidence that the matter can be filed. Kejriwal and AAP are ‘kattar imandaar’,” he said, even challenging the Center to hold fresh Delhi Assembly elections.The case stems from corruption allegations in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The CBI alleged that the policy was intended to benefit certain private liquor license holders by reducing license fees and fixing profit margins, thereby causing kickbacks and financial losses to the Delhi government.An FIR was registered with the CBI in August 2022 following a complaint by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. According to the agency, a criminal conspiracy was allegedly hatched during the policy formulation stage and loopholes were deliberately introduced to benefit the selected entities after the tender process.The trial court stage of the case has come to an end temporarily as the special court ordered the release of all the accused. The Delhi High Court will review the legality of the order following a challenge by the CBI.

Ice: ‘You can’t attack a house of worship’: Justice Department indicts 30 more over anti-ICE church protests in Minnesota

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February 28, 2026

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Ice: ‘You can’t attack a house of worship’: Justice Department indicts 30 more over anti-ICE church protests in Minnesota

'You can't attack a house of worship': Justice Department indicts 30 more over anti-ICE church protests in Minnesota

The Trump administration announced Friday new federal charges against 30 more people suspected of involvement in the Jan. 18 attack on a city church in St. Paul, Minnesota, during anti-ICE protests. Attorney General Pam Bondi said 25 of those charged have been arrested and more are expected to be detained.In a social media post, Bundy called interference with worship services an “attack on a house of worship” and warned “we will find you, arrest you and prosecute you.” She added that the Justice Department “represents Christians and all Americans of faith.”The expanded indictment brings the total number of people charged in the case to 39, all charged with conspiring to violate religious freedom and interfere with the right to worship under federal law.Among those charged were several high-profile figures, including independent journalists and activists such as Don Lemon, Georgia Fort and Nekima Levy Armstrong. All have pleaded not guilty to civil rights-related charges.

what happened to city church

Protesters entered a city church during Sunday services, chanting slogans against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanding accountability for federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota. The demonstrations were reportedly sparked after activists learned that one of the church’s pastors also served as a local ICE officer.According to the indictment, the group conducted “coordinated takeover-style attacks,” hindering worshipers and intimidating congregants, including children.The case has attracted widespread political attention, with conservative leaders and Justice Department officials condemning the protests, while supporters of the demonstrators have raised questions about free speech and press freedom.The development comes amid broader tensions in Minnesota over federal immigration enforcement operations and protests sparked by the deaths of civilians in ICE operations earlier this year.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami attends Maa Shri Purnagiri expo

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February 28, 2026

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北阿坎德邦 CM Pushkar Singh Dhami 参加 Maa Shri Purnagiri 博览会

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

New Delhi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister of State (MoS) Ajay Tamta formally inaugurated the Maa Purnagiri Fair in Thuligad on Friday.Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami prayed at Maa Purnagiri Dham and sought the goddess’ blessing for peace and prosperity in the country.Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that Maa Purnagiri Fair is a grand celebration of faith, tradition and culture. He reiterated the government’s commitment to preserving Sanatan culture and local traditions.The chief minister added that the government is continuously working on the restoration of temples and development of pilgrimage sites in Kodakhand and Manaskhand. He also said that ensuring safety and convenience of devotees traveling to Purnagiri Dham remains the top priority of the government.Earlier in the day, Dami attended the lavish event Holi The Milan ceremony was held on Friday at the Sanatan Dharamshala Ramlila Maidan in Katima. He extended his heartfelt Holi greetings to everyone.On the occasion, he added traditional Kumauni Holi, classical Holi and Tharu Holi songs to share the joy of the festival with the community.Addressing the event, the Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand’s folk culture, traditions and festivals form the strong foundation of the state’s cultural identity. He pointed out that Holi is not only a festival of colors, but also a symbol of social unity, harmony, tolerance and brotherhood.He said in a touching message: “Katima is my home and the people of Katima are my family. Being with my family brings me great happiness.”He further said that Kartima symbolizes communal harmony and has the unique identity of “Little India”. People from different religions, communities and organizations live here with love, unity and mutual respect and celebrate all festivals together. He said that maintaining traditional culture in a modern environment is highly commendable.During the program, the Chief Minister celebrated Holi with residents, deepened the festive atmosphere and expressed his wishes for a Holi filled with happiness, peace and prosperity to all citizens of the state.

Midland Mall: Shooting on N Midkiff Rd, TX sparks panic; first details

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February 28, 2026

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Midland Mall: Shooting on N Midkiff Rd, TX sparks panic; first details

Reports of a shooting at the Midland Mall at 4511 N. Midkiff Road in Midland, Texas, on Friday raised concerns.

Reports of a possible shooting at a mall in Midland, Texas, have sparked concern. (Facebook/Midland Police Department)

one person shared “Beware, there’s a shooter on the loose at Midland Mall,” on Facebook. Many people claiming to be eyewitnesses commented on the post. “We accomplished the task just as it happened!” one netizen wrote.

Midland Street News, a social media portal dedicated to community news in the Midlands, release “Apparently there was a shooting at Midland Park Mall and the mall has been put on lockdown!”.

“She said there was a group of about 20 to 30 boys and they all looked like gang members. Apparently there was a shooting in the parking lot. Someone was shot because there was blood and one of them was still in the mall. So that’s why they were cordoned off,” they added in their comments, citing a person inside the mall.

Several others raised the alarm about an active shooter. “Active shooter at Midland Park Mall,” one person release. other wrote “Apparently Midland Park Mall is on lockdown! Active shooter!”.

Midland Police have not yet commented on the matter. Details on possible suspects and victims are pending.

Midland Mall’s first visuals

One person shared video from inside the mall where there were reports of shots fired. “There may be a shooter at Midland Park Mall. Dillards should be on lockdown now,” the person wrote. In one of the images, a security officer appears to be visible in the direction the frame is coming from. Another image appeared to show a bar collapsing in front of a shop, suggesting the store had been cordoned off.

In 2014, Midland Park Mall banned people from bringing guns into the mall. Signs were reportedly posted to let customers know about the current policy.

Reports of today’s shooting sparked an uproar online.

Reaction to reports of shooting at Midland Mall

One person commented: “I read they’ve got the kids and everything is back to normal.” Many other comments blamed “the kids” and said they were “out of control.”

Someone commented: “This is so scary! I’m scared of public places now.” One netizen wrote, “The mall is not locked, it’s just Dillard’s store, and the security guard said it was some kids fighting until the police showed up. That’s what you tell the store vendors.”

Another netizen emphasized that this situation is common at Midland Mall, saying: “The mall breaks out into fights and people start claiming shootings, which is very common. I think this has happened three times while I have been in the mall.”

Pakistan-Afghanistan war: Trump praises Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and General Asim Munir, says ‘getting along great’ with Islamabad

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February 28, 2026

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Pakistan-Afghanistan war: Trump praises Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and General Asim Munir, says ‘getting along great’ with Islamabad

President of the United States Donald Trump He appears to have made his stance on the conflicts in Pakistan and Afghanistan clear, with clues lying in his past speeches. Turning to tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Trump said he was “getting along great” with Pakistan and praised the prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. Asim Munir ——Many people think this is a clear diplomatic tendency.“Well, I do, but as you know, I get along very well with Pakistan. Very, very good. You’ve got a great prime minister. You’ve got a great general there. You’ve got a great leader. Two people who I think I respect very much, and I think Pakistan is doing a very good job, you know,” Trump said in response to reporters. This is not the first time Trump has praised Pakistan. He earlier called the prime minister and army chief “great” and “incredible”. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated dramatically, with the two armies now directly involved and launching attacks against each other.Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated into open conflict on February 26 after cross-border fighting broke out in several border provinces. according to Taliban Officials said the offensive began around 8 p.m. local time across Afghanistan’s eastern provinces bordering Pakistan, including Nangarhar, Kunar and Khost provinces. Islamabad accused the Afghan Taliban of launching “unprovoked firing” into its northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said Taliban forces responded immediately. Within hours, Pakistan launched airstrikes and artillery strikes across Afghanistan, including in Kabul and border areas. The Taliban claimed they retaliated with drone attacks on Pakistani military bases. Both sides have released widely different casualty figures and have accused the other of attacking military posts and injuring civilians. While many of the battlefield claims remain unconfirmed, the rapid escalation from border exchanges to airstrikes and drone strikes marks an unprecedented and dangerous deterioration in relations between the two neighbors.

Husband or parents’ income used for OBC cream layer? SC domination

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February 28, 2026

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Husband or parents’ income used for OBC cream layer? SC domination

SC has asked Karnataka government to respond to appeal within two weeks (AI Photo)

NEW DELHI: To determine whether an OBC woman candidate is among those not entitled to retain a government job, what factors should be considered – her husband’s income or her parents’ income? Supreme Court Agreed to study this issue.The woman, who aspires to become a judicial officer in Karnataka, belongs to the Hindu Namadhari community, which falls under reserved category II-A. In April 2018, she got married to a man belonging to reserved category III-B and has been separated from her parents since then. She applied for the civil judge post and 6 out of 57 posts are reserved for category II-A candidates.After selection, she asked for verification of her caste certificate and issuance of a ‘Sindhutva’ certificate based on her husband’s income. The District Caste and Income Verification Committee rejected her application saying she belonged to the creamier class due to the larger amount of her parents’ income.Her mother retired as a district judge in the Karnataka judicial department and her father retired as an assistant forest conservator. She argued before the Karnataka High Court that the eligibility of a married woman should be decided on the basis of her husband’s income and not that of her parents. She said her husband’s annual income kept her out of the creamy layer’s disqualification range.The state government is of the view that parents’ pensions should also be considered for this purpose. The HC rejected her claim and ruled that her parents’ pension would also be considered as family income.Senior advocate Sanjay M Nuli on Wednesday told a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi Justice Pancholi, who appealed against the HC’s decision, said the appeal raised a question of law – whether the income of the husband or the income of the parents should be considered while determining the creamy layer of a married woman candidate, and if the income of the parents is to be considered, should the pension of the parents be considered as income?The bench issued notice to the Karnataka government asking it to respond to the appeal within two weeks. It allowed the appellant within a week to file his reply and referred the matter to April 6 for a further hearing.

Thomas Simpkins: How did Santa Clara man die after Super Bowl? New details emerge

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February 28, 2026

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Thomas Simpkins: How did Santa Clara man die after Super Bowl? New details emerge

The mysterious death of Thomas Simpkins, 44 st clairHis family and local authorities are searching for answers after his body was found in San Tomas Aquino Creek near Levi’s Stadium.

Thomas Simpkins, 44, was found dead in San Tomas Aquino Creek after going missing on Super Bowl day, prompting police to launch an investigation into a possible homicide. (go support me)

Simpkins went to the BBQ on February 8th, and on February 9th, super bowl He was reported missing that day. His sister, Brandi Stroud, claimed he returned home from an Uber around 9 p.m.

Simpkins was found in the San Tomas Aquino Creek adjacent to 49ers Stadium on the afternoon of Feb. 14, according to Stroud, Santa Clara police and the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office.

How did Thomas Simpkins die?

According to an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Simpkins’ cell phone and wallet were missing when his body was found.

The Santa Clara Police Department said the cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the case is being reviewed as a possible homicide and further investigation is underway.

Simpkins’ family said he took an Uber ride home from a friend’s barbecue in South San Jose the night he disappeared.

According to Stroud, she learned of her brother’s death on Feb. 14 when a woman called her and shared a video of a scanner exchange that showed officials finding a body in a creek below Levi’s Stadium, home of the Super Bowl, six days earlier.

When she called the medical examiner’s office, Stroud recognized the man as her brother because he had a tattoo on his left shoulder blade that read “Simpkins.”

He did not attend the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium and was reported missing when he failed to show up for work the next day and could not be reached.

Thomas Simpkins is missing

Simpkins’ 19-year-old son discovered that his father hadn’t called or arrived when he visited the fancy restaurant. Palo Altowhere Simpkins works.

After traveling to the Bay Area from Oregon, Stroud and her spouse began a desperate search, posting flyers and using social media.

She said she hiked in Santa Clara and San Jose in an effort to find him before he disappeared.

Simpkins’ sister expressed frustration with law enforcement’s slow response and the confusion over jurisdiction between Santa Clara and San Jose police. “It took a long time. They didn’t take my brother’s case seriously at all,” she said.

Santa Clara police countered: “This case was not delayed and was investigated in accordance with established protocols and investigative steps.”

Stroud said her brother was well-liked and devoted to his family, especially his 19-year-old son, with whom he often played basketball. She described him as a “hard-working dad” who was an important part of his children’s lives.

‘Only 70’: Who pays $100,000 to hire H-1B workers? Trump administration notifies court

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February 28, 2026

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‘Only 70’: Who pays $100,000 to hire H-1B workers? Trump administration notifies court

In a lawsuit challenging the Donald Trump administration’s imposition of a $100,000 fee for hiring foreign skilled workers, the government told the court that since the fee was imposed in September, only 70 employees have so far paid the fee. Justice Department lawyer Tiberius Davis told the court hearing that the number is not large and is actually quite low, which is why it cannot be considered a government revenue-generating measure and therefore does not require congressional authorization.The lawsuit focuses on whether the visa program fees are legal. Plaintiffs including nurse recruiting company Global Nurse Force filed the lawsuit claiming the fee makes it difficult for small employers to recruit workers through the professional occupation visa program. They called the fee arbitrary and capricious and argued in the lawsuit that Congress only allowed the immigration fee to cover the cost of administering the program. They said that should have followed a notice-and-comment process, but government lawyers said the fee was notified through a presidential proclamation rather than an executive order, so a comment period was not required. The lawsuit in Oakland is separate from one filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where a federal judge had already dismissed the injunction. Attorneys for the Oakland case and the Appellate Division of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit said challenges to H-1B fees have been heightened by the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling striking down President Donald Trump’s global tariff regime. The justices found that the framers of the Constitution gave Congress, not the executive branch, the power to impose taxes, Bloomberg reported. Visa fees have become a contentious issue as Silicon Valley companies rely largely on the H-1B visa program to recruit workers from abroad. The move is intended to reduce that dependence and provide jobs for Americans.

Congress to suffer: CPM’s Ma Baby as grand old party decides to contest Bengal polls alone

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February 28, 2026

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Congress to suffer: CPM’s Ma Baby as grand old party decides to contest Bengal polls alone

New decision:congress “The people of India will suffer,” Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary MA Baby warned on the party’s decision not to fight the West Bengal assembly elections with the Left alliance. He said the Congress leadership should explore possibilities with the Left to intensify the fight to exclude the BJP-RSS. The Congress Party and the Left Front had contested elections together in 2021. CPMThe Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), which has witnessed its decline in the state, is optimistic about improving its position as the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation has joined the polls with the Left Front this time and some smaller left groups are also expected to join. The general secretary of the Communist Party of Malaya believes that if they unite, they will be able to fight a good war.“The CPM Politburo appeals to the people of West Bengal to defeat the authoritarian, anti-women and anti-poor rule of the TMC and the communal rule.” bjp By voting for the Left Front,” the party said in a statement.Babi also rejected claims by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that the state of Kerala has been renamed as Kerala due to the growing alliance between the BJP and the CPM. “From today, the alliance is no longer unwritten,” Banerjee said after the federal cabinet agreed to the name change.Babi said the CPM and other Left parties are fighting hard in Kerala to stop the entry of the BJP. He went on to remind that Banerjee joined the New Democratic Alliance government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1999 and served as Railway Minister.He made the remarks at a briefing after the CPM politburo meeting, which addressed numerous issues, including the need to explore the possibility of an alliance with members of the Indian bloc to defeat the BJP. The leadership also reviewed the states of Kerala, West Bengal, tamil naduAssam and Puducherry.Babi said that Kerala has a CPM-led government and the party’s poll campaign will be led by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The party also plans to take a decision on finalizing the list of candidates by the end of the first week of March. “In Kerala, despite constant efforts by the BJP-led alliance government to stifle the LDF government, it has performed best by focusing on eradicating extreme poverty, being the first state in the country to do so, improving public health and education, ensuring protection of workers’ rights, and regular supply of essential commodities through the public development system,” the CPM said in a statement. The Left Party claimed that the Democratic Alliance led by the Congress Party was mobilizing huge amounts of money and gathering support from various sectarian forces. “It is playing a destructive role in and outside the Assembly by coordinating with the BJP. The BJP is also trying to expand in the state by driving communal divisions. Both these forces must be defeated,” it said. “We appeal to the people to re-elect the DMK alliance to thwart communal conspiracy and strengthen the secular tradition of the country,” the party said.In the Assam polls, the CPM alleged that the BJP was running a fervent communal and divisive campaign and hoped to benefit from it. “Considering the larger interests of the people of Assam, it is the Congress’s responsibility as the largest opposition party to ensure that anti-BJP votes are not split and the BJP is not defeated,” the Left Party stressed.

‘I didn’t see anything, I didn’t do anything wrong’: Bill Clinton testifies over Jeffrey Epstein links

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February 28, 2026

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‘I didn’t see anything, I didn’t do anything wrong’: Bill Clinton testifies over Jeffrey Epstein links

former president of the united states bill clinton He told lawmakers on Friday that he “did nothing wrong” in his relationship with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lawmakers questioned him for hours about his ties to the disgraced financier more than two decades ago, and he said he saw no signs of sexual abuse by Epstein.

The testimony in Chappaqua, New York, was the first time a former president has been asked to testify before Congress (Reuters/File Photo)

“I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong,” the former president said in opening statements posted on social media at the start of his testimony.

ALSO READ | Hillary Clinton Epstein Testimony: Transcript Leaked, Latest Developments in Bill Clinton Inquiry

Bill Clinton testifies in Epstein investigation

The testimony in Chappaqua, New York, was the first time a former president has been asked to testify before Congress. A day earlier, Clinton’s wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, testified before lawmakers.

In a prepared statement, Clinton told the House Oversight Committee that he would never have flown on the late financier’s plane if he had known about the alleged trafficking of underage girls, and said he would have reported him if he had known.

“The reason we are here is because he hid it from everyone for so long,” Clinton said.

Clinton said he had “no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes” and called their relationship a “brief acquaintance” that ended years before Epstein’s conduct became public.

James Cuomo, the Republican chairman of the House panel investigating Epstein, said before Clinton’s testimony that he was eager to “ask a lot of questions.” Meanwhile, Democrats on the committee reiterated their call for U.S. President Donald Trump to also be questioned.

Clinton did not mention Trump by name but said “no one is above the law, not even the president, especially the president.”

ALSO READ | New Epstein Clicker game arrives after Five Nights at Epstein; ‘It’s terrifying’

Hillary Clinton’s testimony targets Trump

Clinton’s appearance before Congress followed testimony from his wife, Hillary Clinton, who said she knew nothing about the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell.

“I had no knowledge of their criminal activities. I do not recall ever meeting Mr. Epstein,” she said in opening remarks posted on social media. The private testimony ended Thursday after more than six hours, during which she reportedly answered all questions.

She also accused the Republican-led panel of trying to divert attention from Trump’s ties to Epstein.

“This systemic failure was designed to protect a political party and a public official rather than seek truth and justice for the victims and survivors and the public who also want to get to the bottom of this. My heart breaks for the survivors. I am angry for them,” she said.

According to the opinion of the institution