Odaily Planet Daily News: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo attempted to distance herself from Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday, claiming she had “almost no connection” with the convicted sex offender. Previously, new disclosures about their relationship sparked calls for her resignation. In January of this year, the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of new documents related to Epstein, including emails showing Raimondo had apparently visited Epstein’s private island for lunch after claiming to have severed ties with him several years earlier. Raimondo rebutted during a Senate hearing, stating that the two exchanged only about 10 emails over 14 years, and that her lunch with Epstein was simply because her boat was near Epstein’s island at the time, adding that her family was also present. “I have no relationship with him. I have had almost no contact with that person,” she told the Senate committee when questioned by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen. (Jin10)