Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions from the US House Oversight Committee on Monday, invoking her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent during a closed-door deposition. This occurred as former President Donald Trump threatened to block a new bridge connecting the US and Canada and the United Nations sought clarity from the United States regarding unpaid budget dues.
Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, appeared virtually from a Texas prison. Republican House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer expressed disappointment, stating, "as expected", Maxwell pleaded the Fifth Amendment, according to BBC World. The committee had many questions about the crimes she and Epstein committed.
In other news, former President Donald Trump threatened to block the Gordie Howe Bridge, a planned infrastructure project connecting the US and Canada, in a social media post, The Guardian reported. Trump's comments came as Democrats prepared to vote on his tariffs on Canada. He also made a false claim about a potential ban on Canadians playing ice hockey due to increased trade between Canada and China.
Meanwhile, the United Nations is seeking clarification from the United States regarding unpaid budget dues, according to Al Jazeera. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that while US ambassador Mike Waltz indicated payments would begin within weeks, no further details had been provided. This comes as declining US engagement puts the international organization under growing strain.
In other developments, a White House official stated that President Trump opposes Israel's annexation of the occupied West Bank, according to Al Jazeera. The official said a stable West Bank is in line with the administration's goal to achieve peace in the region.
Finally, a landmark trial began in California examining the mental health effects of Instagram and YouTube. Lawyers for the plaintiffs accused the social media companies of creating "addiction machines" designed to addict children, according to BBC Business.
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