Hook News Brief | 06.08.25
Clintons subpoenaed to testify in congressional Epstein investigation
Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary are among high-profile figures to be sent legal summons from a congressional committee investigating the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The subpoenas have been issued by Republican James Comer, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee. The committee is seeking info about Epstein after President Trump’s administration decided against releasing more federal files on the deceased convict.
The panel has also subpoenaed the Justice Department itself for records related to Epstein. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted Epstein associate, has had her scheduled Aug 11 deposition postponed indefinitely.
White House to target banks as Trump claims discrimination
Trump on Tuesday said he believes that banks, including JPMorgan and Bank of America, discriminate against him and his supporters. He made the comments when asked about a report by the Wall Street Journal that said he planned to punish banks that discriminated against conservatives.
The executive order instructs regulators to review banks for “politicised or unlawful debanking” practices, according to a draft reviewed by Reuters.
Israeli cabinet meeting postponed as tensions rise over Netanyahu’s occupation plan
Shifting focus to the Middle East - an Israeli Security Cabinet meeting, which had been expected to discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu’s call for the “full occupation” of Gaza, has been postponed.
This after senior Israeli military officers and former senior commanders warned the plan would endanger the lives of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Moreover the plan risks further international isolation of Israel and requires Israeli soldiers to administer a population in which Hamas fighters were still present.
Zelenskyy has “productive” call with Trump ahead of ceasefire deadline
With Trump’s Aug 8 deadline for Putin to finalise a ceasefire deal with Ukraine fast approaching, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that he had had a “productive” conversation with Trump. Zelenskyy and Trump spoke about the intensifying drone and missile attacks, sanctions on Russia and the finalisation of a US-Ukraine drone deal.
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