Melania Trump: ‘I never had a relationship with Epstein’
Melania Trump: “I Never Had a Relationship with Epstein”
First Lady Melania Trump has refuted claims of ties with Jeffrey Epstein, stating at a White House press briefing that such allegations “need to end today.” Her remarks came during a surprise address, where she emphasized the importance of congressional hearings to investigate Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking network. Read more here.
“I never had a relationship with Epstein,” Trump asserted, signaling a shift in her public stance on the matter.
Artemis II: A New Era of Lunar Exploration
Breakthrough in Space Travel
The Artemis II mission has set a new benchmark for human spaceflight, with astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft logging the farthest distance from Earth in over five decades. This marks the third day of their journey around the Moon’s far side, where they shared video messages with loved ones and recounted their experiences. The crew, including Canada’s first astronaut to venture into deep space, Jeremy Hansen, is expected to return to Earth after a 10-day mission.
Preparation and Innovation
Before launch, the team underwent rigorous training at the Johnson Space Center in Texas. NASA engineers also introduced a novel “universal waste management system” to support the mission. The astronauts’ spacesuits, designed for protection during launch, landing, and emergency situations, were a key focus of their final checks. The rocket’s successful liftoff from Florida, watched by the BBC’s Science Editor Rebecca Morelle, capped a mission delayed by technical hurdles and setbacks.
Other Stories in the News
Americans face rising fuel costs as the average price at the pump surpassed $4 for the first time since 2022, driven by ongoing tensions with Iran. Meanwhile, the National Mall hosted a controversial installation titled “A Throne Fit for a King,” critiquing the Trump administration’s recent White House renovations.
Protests against the Trump administration continued across the U.S., with the third wave of “No Kings” rallies drawing large crowds. At the same time, the country’s airports grappled with record delays due to a partial government shutdown, affecting TSA operations. In Alabama, a farmer expressed unwavering support for President Trump despite financial strain.
The BBC’s Ione Wells interviewed attendees at a Supreme Court hearing, while Leyla Khodabakhshi covered reactions in Florida ahead of the mission’s launch. As the U.S. aims to return humans to the Moon by 2028, these developments highlight the diverse narratives shaping the nation’s political and scientific landscape.