Melania Trump has strongly denied allegations linking her to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the claims “false, defamatory, and deeply damaging.” The First Lady addressed the controversy head-on, stating she never had any relationship or association with Epstein or his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Her statement comes at a time when renewed attention around Epstein-related disclosures has reignited scrutiny across political circles. Notably, early reports suggest that President Donald Trump was not briefed in advance about Melania’s decision to release the statement, raising further questions about internal coordination. WATCH

An early morning fire broke out at the iconic Rio Olympic Velodrome, sending flames racing across the arena’s fabric roof and triggering a massive emergency response. Fire crews rushed to the scene at approximately 4:17 AM, deploying over 80 firefighters and multiple vehicles to contain the blaze before it could spread further. The fire, which originated within the roof structure, was swiftly brought under control by the Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Department, preventing what could have escalated into a major disaster. WATCH