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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton began her closed-door deposition Thursday before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee as part of a congressional investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking a high-profile moment in the ongoing probe into his network of influence and alleged crimes.

The testimony, held at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center near the Clintons’ home in this quiet New York suburb, started around 11 a.m. EST. Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to follow with his own deposition Friday at the same location. The back-to-back sessions come after months of negotiations and legal wrangling, with the couple agreeing to testify to avoid potential contempt-of-Congress charges following subpoenas from committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky.

Hillary Clinton shared an opening statement on X shortly before the session began, emphasizing her commitment to transparency while decrying the probe as politically motivated. “I have always cooperated with legitimate inquiries, and I will do so today,” she wrote. “But let’s be clear: This is a partisan exercise designed to distract from real issues facing Americans.”

The depositions represent a rare instance of a former president and first lady being compelled to testify under oath before Congress, with Bill Clinton’s appearance noted as the first time a former commander in chief has faced such scrutiny in this manner. The committee’s investigation, launched in early 2025 under the new Republican majority, focuses on the federal government’s handling of Epstein’s cases, potential ethics violations by public officials, and the roles of high-profile figures connected to the disgraced billionaire.

Epstein, who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, had extensive ties to powerful individuals across politics, business and entertainment. Court documents unsealed in recent years, including flight logs from his private jet dubbed the “Lolita Express,” revealed Bill Clinton traveled on the plane multiple times between 2002 and 2003. The former president has acknowledged the flights but denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities, stating they were for philanthropic work related to his foundation.

Hillary Clinton’s connections to Epstein appear more tangential, primarily through her husband’s associations and shared social circles. She has repeatedly distanced herself, noting in past statements that she never met Epstein personally. However, Republicans on the committee have pointed to emails and other records suggesting indirect links, including discussions about potential donations or events involving Epstein’s associates like Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice who is serving a 20-year sentence.

Committee spokesperson Charlotte McCullough said the depositions aim to “uncover the full extent of Epstein’s enablers and any failures in accountability.” Democrats, including ranking member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., have dismissed the probe as a “witch hunt” revived under the Trump administration to target political opponents. President Donald Trump’s recent comments on Truth Social amplified the partisan divide, calling the Clintons’ testimony “long overdue justice for Epstein’s victims.”

As Hillary Clinton’s session got underway Thursday, sources familiar with the proceedings, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deposition is closed to the public, indicated questions would likely center on her time as secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. Investigators may probe whether any State Department resources or decisions intersected with Epstein’s activities, including visa issues for his associates or intelligence reports on his operations. Ethics concerns could extend to post-administration dealings through the Clinton Foundation, which received donations from Epstein-linked entities in the early 2000s.

Experts anticipate a combative atmosphere, with Hillary Clinton’s legal team, including prominent attorney David Kendall, prepared to object to questions deemed irrelevant or privileged. “She’s a seasoned witness from Benghazi hearings and email probes,” said legal analyst Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney. “Expect her to be direct but cautious, sticking to facts while challenging the premise of many questions.”

Bill Clinton’s Friday deposition is expected to delve deeper into his personal interactions with Epstein. Flight records show at least 26 trips, including to Africa, Europe and Asia for foundation work. In a 2019 statement, Clinton said he cut ties with Epstein after his 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor. However, newly released documents from Maxwell’s trial and Epstein’s estate have raised questions about continued contacts, including a 2011 dinner in New York.

What to expect from Bill Clinton’s testimony? Analysts predict intense scrutiny on specifics: Did he witness any illegal activity? Were there discussions about Epstein’s plea deal or leniency? Republicans may press on alleged “pay-to-play” schemes, while Democrats argue the focus distracts from broader systemic failures in prosecuting Epstein.

The probe has already featured depositions from other figures, including former Epstein employees and associates like Maxwell’s siblings. In January, the committee released interim findings criticizing the Justice Department’s 2008 non-prosecution agreement with Epstein as overly lenient, potentially influenced by his connections. Comer has vowed to pursue “all avenues,” including possible referrals for perjury if testimony contradicts records.

Public reaction has been polarized. Epstein victim advocates, such as attorney Lisa Bloom, welcomed the Clintons’ appearances. “Anyone with information should come forward,” Bloom said. “This isn’t about politics; it’s about justice for survivors.” Conversely, Clinton allies like former adviser Philippe Reines blasted the sessions as “theatrics,” noting the Clintons have cooperated with prior investigations, including the FBI’s Epstein probe.

The timing aligns with broader political dynamics under the second Trump administration. With Trump back in the White House since January 2025, his Justice Department has reopened aspects of the Epstein case, including reviews of sealed grand jury materials. Trump’s attorney general has prioritized “draining the swamp,” a phrase echoing his 2016 campaign rhetoric against the Clintons.

Security around Chappaqua was heightened Thursday, with local police and Secret Service agents cordoning off the arts center. A small group of protesters gathered outside, some holding signs reading “Lock Them Up” — a chant from Trump’s 2016 rallies — while others supported the Clintons with messages like “End the Witch Hunt.”

Transcripts of the depositions are expected to be released in redacted form within weeks, potentially fueling further congressional hearings or media scrutiny. If inconsistencies emerge, they could lead to additional subpoenas or even criminal referrals, though legal experts doubt prosecution given the statute of limitations on many Epstein-related matters.

For the Clintons, now in their late 70s, the depositions cap a decade of legal battles, from Hillary’s 2016 email server investigation to Bill’s impeachment-era scandals. Both have largely retreated from public life, focusing on philanthropy and family, but this probe pulls them back into the spotlight.

As the nation watches, the sessions underscore enduring questions about power, privilege and accountability in Epstein’s web. Whether they yield new revelations or reinforce partisan divides remains to be seen, but they signal the investigation is far from over.

Updates as of 11:30 a.m. EST: Sources indicate Hillary Clinton’s deposition is proceeding without major interruptions, with questions focusing initially on foundation finances. Bill Clinton’s team has not commented on preparations for Friday.

The House Oversight Committee plans a press briefing post-depositions, where Comer is expected to outline next steps. In the meantime, Epstein survivors continue advocating for a federal compensation fund, separate from the congressional probe.

This story will be updated as more details emerge.

Certain cottage cheese products are being recalled at Walmart stores in 24 states over the possibility of liquid dairy ingredients not being fully pasteurized up to regulatory standards.

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. discovered the issue during a “pasteurizer troubleshooting exercise” conducted with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Wednesday.

The recall affects Great Value-branded cottage cheese sold in white tubs with white lids.

The products were distributed between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20 to Walmart stores and distribution centers in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

LIFE-THREATENING LISTERIA RISK PROMPTS MASSIVE FROZEN BLUEBERRY RECALL ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. produced cottage cheese is being recalled over potential health risks regarding pasteurization. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Although no illnesses have been reported, improperly pasteurized dairy can pose serious health risks, particularly for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, the FDA said.

The recalled items were distributed between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20 to Walmart stores and distribution centers. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

MORE THAN 191,000 AROEVE AIR PURIFIERS RECALLED OVER OVERHEATING, FIRE RISK

The affected pasteurizer has since been repaired, verified and sealed by California food safety officials. No other products from the facility were impacted.

The products were recalled from Walmart stores and distribution centers in 24 states, the FDA said. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images, File / Getty Images)

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Consumers who purchased the recalled items are advised not to consume them.

OpenAI is to expand its London research centre to become its largest hub outside the United States, setting the stage for an intensified battle with Google DeepMind for top artificial intelligence talent in the UK capital.

The developer of ChatGPT said it would significantly increase the size of its London operation, which currently employs around 30 researchers, although it stopped short of disclosing specific headcount targets or investment figures. The move represents a strategic deepening of its UK presence at a time when competition for elite AI engineers has become one of the fiercest recruitment wars in global technology.

OpenAI, whose European headquarters remain in Dublin, said London offered a “unique concentration of world-class talent across machine learning and the sciences” alongside a strong culture of interdisciplinary collaboration.

The expansion is widely seen as a direct challenge to DeepMind, which employs about 2,000 staff in the UK and has long dominated Britain’s AI research ecosystem.

Mark Chen, OpenAI’s chief research officer, acknowledged that the company had already recruited staff from DeepMind and expected to continue doing so. He said OpenAI’s appeal lay partly in its culture.

“We are famously a bottom-up lab,” Chen said. “We let researchers pursue their lines of research and turn those into company-level bets.” By contrast, he suggested, Google’s approach could be “slightly more top-down”.

The contest for AI talent has driven compensation to extraordinary levels. Senior engineers at major AI labs can command packages worth well over £1m, often made up of salary, bonuses and equity. In the United States, reports have emerged of multi-million-dollar offers as firms scramble to secure leading researchers.

As a private company, OpenAI can offer equity stakes that may rise significantly in value if the firm eventually lists publicly. It has also facilitated secondary share sales, allowing employees to monetise part of their holdings — creating a powerful recruitment incentive.

Chen said compensation would remain “very competitive”, adding: “AI talent is very valuable and we need to be competitive everywhere.”

The expansion was welcomed by UK political leaders eager to position Britain as a global AI powerhouse.

Technology secretary Liz Kendall described the move as “a huge vote of confidence in the UK’s world-leading position at the cutting edge of AI research”.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “delighted that OpenAI is anchoring its major new research hub here”, arguing that the capital’s academic institutions and tech ecosystem made it a natural home for the next wave of AI innovation.

The announcement comes as the UK government seeks to attract high-growth technology firms as part of its broader economic strategy, positioning AI as a central driver of productivity and competitiveness.

OpenAI’s expansion follows internal warnings from its chief executive, Sam Altman, that the company faced mounting competition from rivals including Google and Anthropic. Altman has previously described the race in advanced AI development as a “code red” moment for the firm.

Chen said recent advances in so-called AI agents — autonomous software capable of executing tasks with limited supervision — marked a significant inflection point for the industry.

“Something is happening in AI that feels like a step change,” he said. “We’ve reached a level where we can rely on agents and use them in real-world workflows.”

He described how researchers can now delegate experiment execution to AI systems, returning to interpret results and refine hypotheses. This, he suggested, would increasingly reshape not only research roles but also broader “analyst-style” professions.

However, Chen cautioned that such systems remain dependent on human oversight and design. “Agents cannot ideate and come up with the experimental design itself,” he said.

As AI capabilities accelerate, public anxiety about job displacement and social impact has grown. Recent essays questioning the pace and implications of AI development have circulated widely, contributing to volatility in technology markets.

Chen acknowledged that “external perception of AI has shifted in a more negative direction” but argued that many practical applications — particularly in productivity and research — remain underappreciated.

“There are many positive uses of agents,” he said. “That’s something we as an industry need to underscore.”

With OpenAI committing to scale up in London, the capital is poised to become an even more intense battleground in the global race to dominate advanced AI — with research talent, equity incentives and cultural positioning now as important as computing power itself.