'I'm not Epstein's victim' and 'We see you, Vlad'

4 hours ago

US First Lady Melania Trump is splashed across several of the papers, after she made a surprise White House address on Thursday evening. According to the Times, she condemned the "lies" linking her to convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, insisting she "was not one of his victims and had no knowledge of his crimes". The paper says she also called on Congress to allow victims of Epstein to testify under oath to help "uncover the truth" about the late disgraced financier and his associates.

The headline on the front page of the Times reads: “US prepares to punish Nato states for Iran rift”. The headline on the front page of the Mirror reads: “We see you, Vlad”. — US First Lady Melania Trump is splashed across several of the papers, after she made a surprise White House address on Thursday evening. According to the Times, she condemned the "lies" linking her to convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, insisting she "was not one of his victims and had no knowledge of his crimes". The paper says she also called on Congress to allow victims of Epstein to testify under oath to help "uncover the truth" about the late disgraced financier and his associates.

In addition to Melania Trump, the front page of the Telegraph considers Russian ships in the Channel, indicating that the Royal Navy has been "barred" from seizing sanctioned tankers amid fears it would breach international law. A Russian warship and two sanctioned vessels were "allowed" to pass through the channel despite a pledge from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to "go after" sanctioned ships, the paper initially reported on Thursday. It says that since then, three more Russian ships have passed through the Channel, and Defence Secretary John Healey says Russia ran a "secret submarine operation" in British waters. This is also the focus of the paper's cartoon, which jokes: "There are Russian submarines in UK waters. We had hoped the sewage would keep them away."

The headline on the front page of the Telegraph reads: “I have no relationship with Epstein”. — In addition to Melania Trump, the front page of the Telegraph considers Russian ships in the Channel, indicating that the Royal Navy has been "barred" from seizing sanctioned tankers amid fears it would breach international law. A Russian warship and two sanctioned vessels were "allowed" to pass through the channel despite a pledge from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to "go after" sanctioned ships, the paper initially reported on Thursday. It says that since then, three more Russian ships have passed through the Channel, and Defence Secretary John Healey says Russia ran a "secret submarine operation" in British waters. This is also the focus of the paper's cartoon, which jokes: "There are Russian submarines in UK waters. We had hoped the sewage would keep them away."

The i Paper says a "blacklisted" ship carrying fuel, food and spare parts for the Russian military is believed to have travelled through the Channel, suggesting the "distraction" of the war in Iran has emboldened the Kremlin. On the submarine operation reported by the defence secretary, the paper says the submarines were trying to spy on underwater data cables in UK waters. No damage was done, according to Healey, but he warned that Moscow posed a "primary threat to UK security". The Russian embassy in London denied Healey's allegations.

The headline on the front page of the i Paper reads: “Russia used the Channel to move 'war supplies' - as threat to UK from Putin escalates”. — The i Paper says a "blacklisted" ship carrying fuel, food and spare parts for the Russian military is believed to have travelled through the Channel, suggesting the "distraction" of the war in Iran has emboldened the Kremlin. On the submarine operation reported by the defence secretary, the paper says the submarines were trying to spy on underwater data cables in UK waters. No damage was done, according to Healey, but he warned that Moscow posed a "primary threat to UK security". The Russian embassy in London denied Healey's allegations.

Similarly, the Independent leads with Healey's announcement on Thursday, and says the Russian vessels tracked in the secret submarine operation included an Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, and two vessels for Russia's deep-sea research programme. According to the paper, Healey's address was "aimed directly at Putin", warning him that any attempt to damage the UK's cables and pipelines would have "serious consequences".

The headline on the front page of the Independent reads: “We see you: Putin warned over spy subs in UK waters”. — Similarly, the Independent leads with Healey's announcement on Thursday, and says the Russian vessels tracked in the secret submarine operation included an Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, and two vessels for Russia's deep-sea research programme. According to the paper, Healey's address was "aimed directly at Putin", warning him that any attempt to damage the UK's cables and pipelines would have "serious consequences".

"We see you, Vlad" says the Daily Mirror, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It declares the "Russian sabotage threat" was "foiled" by the Royal Navy.

The headline on the front page of the Mirror reads: “We see you, Vlad”. — "We see you, Vlad" says the Daily Mirror, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It declares the "Russian sabotage threat" was "foiled" by the Royal Navy.

More than 300 people have died in Lebanon in the 24 hours following the announcement of a ceasefire in the Iran war, the Guardian reports. It says that the "ferocious attack" by Israel threatened to derail hopes of a negotiated end to the war in Iran, amid "worldwide condemnation" of Israel's "intense bombardment" of Beirut and other Lebanese cities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for peace negotiations with Lebanon, but has not indicated that the bombardment will stop in the interim. The paper says the Lebanese government is requesting a ceasefire before talks can begin.

The headline on the front page of the Guardian reads: “Netanyahu calls for Lebanon talks after Israeli airstrikes condemned”. — More than 300 people have died in Lebanon in the 24 hours following the announcement of a ceasefire in the Iran war, the Guardian reports. It says that the "ferocious attack" by Israel threatened to derail hopes of a negotiated end to the war in Iran, amid "worldwide condemnation" of Israel's "intense bombardment" of Beirut and other Lebanese cities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for peace negotiations with Lebanon, but has not indicated that the bombardment will stop in the interim. The paper says the Lebanese government is requesting a ceasefire before talks can begin.

"Oil prices spike above $100 a barrel as shut strait strains fragile ceasefire" warns the Financial Times, which says "only a handful" of ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the announcement of a ceasefire on Wednesday. The paper says the continued closure of the waterway "remains one of the thorniest issues for both sides to resolve", with a former energy adviser telling the publication: "This is not just about high prices. This is about an actual physical shortage which is playing out."

The headline on the front page of the Financial Times reads: “Oil prices spike above $100 a barrel as shut strait strains fragile ceasefire”. — "Oil prices spike above $100 a barrel as shut strait strains fragile ceasefire" warns the Financial Times, which says "only a handful" of ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the announcement of a ceasefire on Wednesday. The paper says the continued closure of the waterway "remains one of the thorniest issues for both sides to resolve", with a former energy adviser telling the publication: "This is not just about high prices. This is about an actual physical shortage which is playing out."

Fuel is also the main story for the Express, which says British tourists have been left "stranded" in Corsica as fishermen block ports to protest the "soaring" cost of diesel.

The headline on the front page of the Express reads: “Blockaded by French fuel protest”. — Fuel is also the main story for the Express, which says British tourists have been left "stranded" in Corsica as fishermen block ports to protest the "soaring" cost of diesel.

OpenAI has announced a pause in its Stargate UK project, which the Daily Mail alleges is due to soaring energy prices. It says the decision has left the prime minister's ambition to turn the UK into an AI superpower "in tatters", adding that critics are pointing the finger at Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as a result of his "mad dash" to Net Zero.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Mail reads: “Now Red Ed's green idiocy halts AI deal worth billions”. — OpenAI has announced a pause in its Stargate UK project, which the Daily Mail alleges is due to soaring energy prices. It says the decision has left the prime minister's ambition to turn the UK into an AI superpower "in tatters", adding that critics are pointing the finger at Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as a result of his "mad dash" to Net Zero.

Writing ahead of the Grand National, the Sun says Green Party Leader Zack Polanski wants to ban horse racing. The story appears to be based on a 2024 post on X where Polanski said: "Let's go further and remove all animals involved in sport."

The headline on the front page of the Sun reads: “And he's off... his head”. — Writing ahead of the Grand National, the Sun says Green Party Leader Zack Polanski wants to ban horse racing. The story appears to be based on a 2024 post on X where Polanski said: "Let's go further and remove all animals involved in sport."

The Metro says a "bag swiper" in London sparked a £2m egg hunt, as the stolen handbag contained an emerald-encrusted Fabergé egg. The paper says the egg has never been found.

The headline on the front page of the Metro reads: “Bag swiper sparks £2m egg hunt”. — The Metro says a "bag swiper" in London sparked a £2m egg hunt, as the stolen handbag contained an emerald-encrusted Fabergé egg. The paper says the egg has never been found.

"Driving license to kill" reads the main headline on the Star, alleging a legal loophole that "permits foreign drivers to remain on Britain's roads without L-plates". The story refers to the death of Susan Whittles, 70, in East Yorkshire in 2023. Nigerian citizen Timothy Kusemi was jailed over her death. The front page also makes a nod to the alleged Russian operations in UK waters, with the headline "From Russia with subs".

The headline on the front page of the Daily Star reads: “Driving license to kill”. — "Driving license to kill" reads the main headline on the Star, alleging a legal loophole that "permits foreign drivers to remain on Britain's roads without L-plates". The story refers to the death of Susan Whittles, 70, in East Yorkshire in 2023. Nigerian citizen Timothy Kusemi was jailed over her death. The front page also makes a nod to the alleged Russian operations in UK waters, with the headline "From Russia with subs".

The Times says the UK could face a "reckoning" from the US, and that Britain has been told its contribution to the Iran war effort will be "audited" by the White House, alongside that of other Nato members. Donald Trump has reportedly threatened to punish allies he believes failed to take part. Downing Street has said it "doesn't recognise" the account. The Times also highlights comments by Sir Keir Starmer which it calls his strongest criticism yet of the US president, when he said people were "fed up" of the way US actions were pushing up household bills.

The Financial Times focuses on the impact on oil prices of the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz - saying some benchmarks reached more than $100 a barrel yesterday. The paper quotes a former energy adviser to US President Joe Biden as saying if the situation continues "for a few more days", markets could decide the Strait is "closed indefinitely". The Guardian has spoken to an oil tanker worker stranded in the strait. They say 90% of the crew on their vessel do not want to traverse the Strait for safety reasons.

The Daily Telegraph leads on Melania Trump's surprise speech, in which she denied being a victim of Jeffrey Epstein or ever having a relationship with him. According to the paper, the first lady's intervention "seemingly came out of the blue with little explanation or context from the White House".

"We see you, Vlad" is the front page headline in the Daily Mirror, which says the Royal Navy "foiled three Russian submarines spying on Britain's vital undersea cables". The i Paper has a similar lead, saying the Iran war has "emboldened" Moscow. It quotes the Defence Secretary, John Healey, as saying Russia is using the Middle East conflict as a "distraction".

The Daily Mirror blames what it calls "Red Ed's Green Idiocy" for the maker of ChatGPT pausing a multi-billion pound investment in Britain. The paper says OpenAI was put off by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's net-zero policies. The Sun has a similar take on the story. "How much more damage to our economy can one man do?" it asks. A government spokesperson says they are "continuing to work with OpenAI to strengthen the UK's computing capacity".