Good morning — here are the top stories.
Clinton deposition
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spent more than six hours yesterday in a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee. The Republican-led panel subpoenaed both Hillary and former President Bill Clinton as part of its probe into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Hillary Clinton repeated her public denial of knowing Epstein in the closed session. The Clintons initially resisted the subpoenas but agreed to testify after the committee threatened contempt of Congress. Bill Clinton, whose name appears multiple times in Epstein-related records, is scheduled to be questioned today.
Key takeaways from Hillary Clinton’s testimony:
– She denied any knowledge of Epstein and reiterated that denial during the deposition.
– She reportedly tried to answer most questions but often deferred specific queries about Bill Clinton to him.
– Committee Chairman James Comer said Bill Clinton’s appearance is expected to run longer and cover additional ground.
– Hillary said the hearing should have been public and described the questioning as repetitive.
– NPR reported that Bill Clinton is likely to explain how his relationship with Epstein ended well before Epstein’s criminal conduct became public.
Paramount outbids Netflix for Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery’s board announced that a higher bid from Paramount was judged “superior” to Netflix’s $83 billion offer. Netflix had proposed buying the company’s streaming business, studios and intellectual property but chose not to top Paramount’s roughly $111 billion proposal.
What this would mean:
– Paramount’s bid would bring together major brands — including CBS, CBS News, CNN, Comedy Central and TBS — under one corporate umbrella, creating a very large media company.
– The combined company would be positioned to compete more directly with streaming giants such as Netflix, Apple and Amazon.
– The proposed deal would still face antitrust review and regulatory scrutiny.
– Paramount CEO David Ellison and his family are reported to have close ties to President Trump; some media owners, including the Ellisons, have taken positions critics view as attempts to placate the president and his allies, especially around concerns about CNN.
U.S.-Iran tensions
President Trump has not ruled out military strikes on Iran but so far has not publicly defined clear objectives, sought congressional authorization or provided a full public explanation for any use of force. Diplomacy continues: U.S. and Iranian officials are set to resume talks next week over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Options reportedly under consideration include:
– Limited strikes targeting Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, nuclear-related facilities or specific leadership elements.
– A broader campaign intended to destabilize the government or pursue regime-change goals.
Negotiations remain stalled on missiles: Iran has repeatedly refused to negotiate on its ballistic missile program, a central sticking point for U.S. officials.
Other notable headlines
– A federal judge allowed President Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom project to proceed for now, denying the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s request to pause construction. The judge left room for a revised challenge; the preservation group alleges Trump bypassed required procedures when altering parts of the East Wing and soliciting private donations. The president celebrated the ruling on social media.
Life advice: handling prior authorizations
When insurers require prior authorization for costly medications or tests, doctors submit documentation explaining medical necessity and the insurer decides whether to approve coverage. Tips to reduce delays:
– Call your insurer or pharmacy benefit manager to learn how long an approved authorization lasts.
– Tell your clinician how much medication you have left and whether symptoms are worsening; ask the office to request an expedited review if needed.
– Ask your doctor about alternative treatments on your plan’s formulary that might be covered immediately.
Weekend picks
– Movies: The President’s Cake, director Hasan Hadi’s debut about a nine-year-old forced to bake a cake for Saddam Hussein, explores the damage dictatorships do to childhood.
– TV: The Traitors — a reality-competition favorite that blends alliances, betrayal and strategy.
– Books: This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman, a novel centered on complex family relationships.
– Music: NPR Music’s weekly picks include new tracks from Lana Del Rey and U2.
– Quiz: Try this week’s newsletter quiz to test how closely you followed the stories.
Three things to know before you go
1. New York Councilmember Zohran Mamdani presented President Trump with a mock newspaper headlined “Trump to City: Let’s Build” during a meeting on housing.
2. U.S. mortgage rates have dipped below 6% for the first time since September 2022.
3. A human-interest piece about a coworker named Bob who attended a Father’s Day softball game in place of a child’s ill father highlights a small but meaningful act of kindness.
This edition was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.