Melania Trump: ‘I never had a relationship with Epstein’
Melania Trump: ‘I never had a relationship with Epstein’
First Lady Melania Trump has refuted links to Jeffrey Epstein, stating that claims connecting the two “need to end today” during a press briefing at the White House. In an unexpected move, she urged congressional investigations into the cases of Epstein’s alleged sexual exploitation victims. Read more here.
Jeremy Hansen, Canada’s first astronaut to venture beyond Earth’s orbit, will join the Artemis II mission. The BBC’s Science Editor Rebecca Morelle conducted interviews with the crew prior to their anticipated splashdown on Saturday. The four crew members aboard the Orion spacecraft have set a new record for distance from our planet.
Astronauts on the Artemis II mission are entering the third day of their lunar orbit journey. Via video call, the crew shared messages for loved ones and recounted their experiences during the mission. The United States aims to achieve its first manned Moon landing since 1972 by 2028, but what does this mission accomplish?
Artemis II Crew and Mission Highlights
Science editor Rebecca Morelle observed the launch from three miles away as the most powerful rocket ever constructed ignited from Florida. After overcoming delays and technical hurdles, the first crewed Moon mission in five decades has successfully reached orbit. The crew, having completed spacesuit fittings and final communication checks, are now preparing for their 10-day journey.
“I never had a relationship with Epstein,” said Melania Trump, addressing reporters at the White House.
The Artemis II spacesuits are engineered to safeguard astronauts during launch, landing, and unforeseen emergencies. NASA has introduced a new “universal waste management system” for the mission, dubbed the space loo. Training for the crew occurred at the Johnson Space Center in Texas, commencing shortly after their selection in 2023.
Other Developments
The average gas price in the U.S. has surpassed $4 for the first time since 2022, driven by ongoing tensions with Iran. The BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue spoke with a farmer in Alabama who remains a staunch supporter of President Trump despite financial strain. Meanwhile, large demonstrations against the Trump administration erupted across multiple cities, coinciding with the third No Kings rally.
At the Supreme Court, the BBC’s Ione Wells engaged with attendees and demonstrators during a hearing on President Trump’s executive order. The National Mall now hosts an installation titled “A Throne Fit for a King,” symbolizing a critique of the White House’s recent renovations. As the TSA faces extended delays due to a partial government shutdown, conservatives at the annual CPAC conference in Texas expressed divided opinions on the current economic climate.
