Latest: Petition urges Jill Biden to undo Melania Trump's changes to the White House Rose Garden
As the first lady, Melania Trump, prepares to leave the White House, she has defended the renovations she has made on the "People's House" in an 850-word message posted to the White House website.
During her four years as the first lady, Melania has taken on a number of renovation projects. Most notably, she has redesigned the White House's bowling alley, tennis pavilion and Rose Garden, and faced criticism for each.
"The projects that I have overseen during the last four years are ones which I believe will not only preserve the house’s heritage but enhance the experience of its beauty and solemnity for generations to come," she wrote.
"Through a team of dedicated advisers whose passion rose above mere cosmetic alterations, my attention was brought to areas of the house which were in great need of structural restoration and preservation."
Hinting that incoming first lady Jill Biden may not complete the work she has started, Melania wrote: "The restoration and conservation of the priceless Zuber wallpaper in the Family Dining Room, perhaps the most ambitious project of the administration, remains to be completed, and will be, I hope, admired by all who see its beauty."
Melania leaves the White House with lower approval rating than a number of her predecessors. She currently has a 47 per cent approval rating, compared with Michelle Obama's 69 per cent, Laura Bush's 67 per cent and Hillary Clinton's 56 per cent, according to a CNN poll.
Her approval rating is, however, higher than that of her husband, departing resident Donald Trump, who rings in with 33 per cent.
Scroll through the gallery below to see images of the White House Rose Garden:
This is not the first time Melania has defended her work at the White House. In March, she retweeted images of the tennis pavilion, with the message: "I encourage everyone who chooses to be negative and question my work at the White House to take time and contribute something good and productive in their own communities. #BeBest".
"Be Best" is a reference to the public awareness campaign promoted by the first lady, focusing on well-being for youth and cracking down on cyberbullying.
The essay was released on the same day as a video message from the first lady.
"I ask all Americans to use caution and common sense to protect the vulnerable, as millions of vaccines are now being delivered," Melania said. "In the midst of hardship, we have seen the best of America shine through."
She also touched on the recent violence in Washington and the Capitol riots, without directly referencing them, by saying: "Violence is never the answer and will never be justified."
Watch First Lady Melania Trump's farewell video message here:
The video, encouraging people to "be best" and to "choose love", comes after the first lady was criticised for refusing to give Dr Biden a tour of the White House, failing to take part in a tradition that has run for more than 100 years.
According to Biden staff, the incoming first family will be greeted at the White House by an usher.
Track Melania Trump's style evolution here:
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
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Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
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Day 3 stumps
New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)
Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
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