Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked a backlash in London after describing the UK as the "first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons" during an appearance on an Israeli military radio podcast.
Netanyahu made the statement after being asked whether he thought Europe was heading in the same direction. He said that "someone" had described Britain as the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons.
The statement was immediately opposed by the British government, writes timesofisrael .
"These comments are completely unacceptable and we have conveyed this position to the Israeli government," authorities in London stated.
Meanwhile, Israeli government spokesman David Menzer attempted to clarify the prime minister's statement, saying that Netanyahu had quoted a comment made earlier by US Vice President JD Vance.
According to Mencer, Netanyahu did not present this assessment as his own statement, but quoted Vance's words.
However, the Israeli prime minister's statement has caused strong reactions in Britain, at a time when relations between London and Netanyahu's government are under strain due to the war in Gaza. /Telegraph
Trump's VP pick JD Vance says UK could become first 'Islamist country' to get nuclear weapon www.youtube.com
A prolonged fuel crisis in southern Russia has caused major tensions at gas stations, with drivers even involved in clashes to secure supplies.
The shortages have been recurring since Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries, which have damaged processing capacity and made fuel supplies difficult in some areas.
Due to shortages, some gas stations have imposed limits on the amount each customer can purchase. Meanwhile, vehicle lines have stretched for kilometers, causing chaos and long waits.
The situation has become particularly difficult for drivers, some of whom have spent the night in their vehicles to wait their turn and secure fuel.
Footage from gas stations shows rising tension, as clashes between drivers have become another consequence of the supply crisis.
The crisis is creating concerns for transport and economic activity in southern Russia, while attacks on energy infrastructure continue to affect fuel supplies. /Telegraph/
A massive fire in a 21-story building in Berlin's Friedrichshain district caused moments of panic on Friday as residents tried to escape the flames.
The fire broke out around 6:30 a.m. in an apartment on the 11th floor and then spread to the apartment above it.
The situation became particularly dramatic for a woman on the 11th floor. The fire department's revolving ladder could not reach that height, so she was forced to jump into the rescue basket at the top of the ladder. The operation was described by firefighters as "dramatic," writes welt.
Footage shows the dangerous moment as rescue teams try to position the basket so the resident can escape the burning building.
According to initial reports, several other residents in the building were also considering jumping out of windows to escape the flames and smoke. All residents of the building were evacuated.
Initial reports indicate several people were injured. The Associated Press reported about five injured, while other local reports have given higher figures, so the final number is not yet clear.
Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control in less than three hours. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and authorities have launched an investigation to clarify it. /Telegraph/
US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have restored relations after their public clash in 2025, and now communicate regularly.
Musk was one of Trump's most important allies during the early months of his term, when he headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, their relationship deteriorated after political disagreements and clashes over the administration's policies.
The clash reached its peak when Musk publicly accused Trump of obstructing the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, while Trump threatened to cancel government contracts for the billionaire's companies.
According to the Wall Street Journal , US Vice President JD Vance and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles played a role in the efforts to repair relations. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk also worked to bring the two figures closer together before his assassination in September 2025.
A key moment in their reconciliation was their meeting at Kirk's memorial service, where Trump and Musk were seen chatting and shaking hands. This was their first significant public contact since the fallout.
Musk has also dropped the idea of creating a new political party and has pledged to invest at least $100 million to support Republican efforts in the November elections.
Although relations have improved, Trump, according to his advisers, believes his relationship with Musk will no longer be as close as it once was. The two are said to speak about once a month, mainly about artificial intelligence, China and world developments. /Telegraph
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that Ukraine has carried out new long-range strikes on several strategic targets on Russian territory, saying the operations aim to reduce Moscow's combat potential.
According to him, the Progress Center, a major Roscosmos enterprise that, among other things, is involved in the production of electronic equipment, was hit in the Samara region.
He said that Flamingo missiles were used in the attack and that the target was located about 900 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
The Ukrainian leader also said that Ukrainian targets had reached the Savsleyka air base, about 700 kilometers from Ukraine. The base is home to aircraft used by Russia to launch missiles at Ukrainian cities and villages.
Zelensky said Kiev had also received confirmation of damage to an oil industry facility in Ust-Luga, more than 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
"Our plan for long-range strikes on Russia for this war is being implemented and it is important that Russia's potential to wage war is reduced," he said.
The Ukrainian president thanked the Ukrainian units that participated in the operations and praised the accuracy of the attacks.
Otherwise, military pressure on Russian strategic targets is part of Ukraine's efforts to force Moscow towards peace. /Telegraph/
Five years after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban are calling on Washington to return to the country, this time not with military troops, but with diplomacy and investment.
The Foreign Minister of the Taliban administration, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said that the US could reopen the embassy in Kabul and invest in the Afghan economy.
According to Muttaqi, American investments could include the mining sector, dam construction and road construction, writesthe New York Times .
He has made it clear that the return of US troops is not part of the proposal, stressing that Afghans would not accept a foreign military presence.
The call comes at a time when the Taliban are trying to expand diplomatic and economic ties with other countries. Russia has become the first country to officially recognize the Taliban government, while China, Iran, India and other countries have increased contacts with Kabul.
However, the Taliban regime remains largely isolated internationally. Only Russia officially recognizes it, while restrictions on women and girls, including a ban on education and restrictions on employment, remain among the main issues hindering normalization of relations with the West.
The demand for American investment is also linked to Afghanistan's mineral wealth, which could be attractive to the administration of President Donald Trump. However, previous American efforts to develop the Afghan mining sector have not yielded the expected results.
Essentially, Kabul is seeking to bring its former enemy back with capital and diplomatic relations, while the Taliban tries to emerge from international isolation and secure foreign investment for the country's economy. /Telegraph
A large fire that broke out yesterday on Dugi Otok, Croatia, spread rapidly due to strong winds and engulfed difficult-to-reach terrain covered in dense vegetation.
In some areas, the flames even approached the road, while dramatic footage was filmed by firefighters and citizens, writes index.hr.
Firefighters battled the flames throughout the night and focused on protecting homes and villas scattered across the bays.
A video filmed by a fire truck shows the extent of the fire, which at times appeared to have engulfed the entire street.
After a tiring night, some firefighters awaited breakfast lying next to their vehicles.
Despite the difficult conditions, they managed to protect all the endangered houses and villas.
During the night, reinforcements from the mainland arrived on Dugi Otok. Around 50 firefighters with 17 vehicles were transported by ferry, bringing the number of firefighters on the ground to around 100.
In the morning, two more Canadair aircraft joined the extinguishing operation. The fire has not yet been fully brought under control, while the steep and difficult terrain, together with dense vegetation, are further complicating the intervention. /Telegraph/
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck the province of Granada in Spain in the early hours of Saturday, causing material damage and panic among residents.
The earthquake was recorded at 01:04, with its epicenter near Alhendín, in the metropolitan area of Granada.
The tremors were felt in large parts of Andalusia, including the provinces of Granada, Málaga, Almería, Jaen, Cordoba and Seville. Emergency services received more than 200 calls regarding the earthquake and the damage caused.
Cracks in facades, falling parts of balconies and roof frames, and damage to vehicles were reported in some areas. A residential building in Las Gabias was evacuated as a precautionary measure due to damage caused by the tremors.
The regional government of Andalusia activated the emergency level of its seismic risk plan, while emergency teams, firefighters and specialists are assessing the damage to the affected buildings.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and avoid unnecessary entry or exit from damaged buildings. Citizens have also been warned to stay away from facades, balconies, walls and other structures that could collapse.
Several aftershocks were recorded after the main earthquake, with magnitudes ranging from 2.2 to 3.7. So far, no casualties have been reported, while authorities continue to monitor the situation and inspect damaged buildings. /Telegraph/
Jason Arday, a former professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge, has been found dead at an address in Battersea, south London.
Emergency services said a man was found "unresponsive" on Friday afternoon. Police have described the death as sudden, but do not believe it is suspicious.
Arday, 41, resigned from his post at Cambridge last week following allegations of plagiarism and questions over some of his academic achievements. He denied the allegations, while admitting that some of his earlier work contained errors.
His family said they were "shocked" by his loss and described Arday as a "wonderful father, partner, brother, uncle and son."
According to the family, "the misinformation campaign was too much for Jason," whom they describe as a gentle man who always sought to see the good in others.
The controversy erupted after academic Nathan Cofnas, who had previously been dismissed from Cambridge, claimed to have discovered numerous instances of plagiarism in Arday's work, the BBC writes.
Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded Arday his doctorate in 2015, investigated the allegations and concluded that he had not committed plagiarism.
Arday had said that some of the errors in his early works were related to his autism and the way he processed information.
"I have not killed anyone. The cruelty I have experienced and the way I have been portrayed as a liar and a fantasist is completely unacceptable," he told the Times.
In announcing his resignation, Arday said the personal cost of public scrutiny had become "too great."
"The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have caused deep damage to me and the people I love," he wrote, stressing that resigning did not mean accepting the charges.
Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice said the university was “extremely saddened” by the news and expressed its condolences to his family. Cambridge had also launched an independent investigation into how Arday was appointed to the professorship.
His friend and professor Kehinde Andrews said that Arday was "very depressed" after the resignation, that he no longer left the house and had lost a lot of weight.
Arday became the youngest black professor in Cambridge's history in 2023, at the age of 37. He began his career as a physical education teacher and later became a professor at Durham, Glasgow and Cambridge. /Telegraph/
A swimmer off the northern coast of Sinop, Turkey, has pulled a suspicious object from the sea that initially appeared to be part of a missile or projectile.
The object was spotted in the water by a swimmer, who then pulled it ashore, media reports.
His appearance attracted the attention of citizens in the area and raised doubts about his origin.
After initial verifications, it was determined that it was the remains of a Russian missile. However, further details are expected to emerge after a technical examination of the object.
Authorities will determine through expertise what type of ammunition the object belongs to and how it ended up in the waters off the Turkish coast.
This is not the first such case in Sinop province. A similar piece of ammunition was previously found at sea and washed ashore in Ayancık, another coastal area of the province. /Telegraph/
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the United States to sell Ukraine 5 percent of the US stockpile of Patriot missile systems, saying the amount would be crucial for the country's survival during the winter.
According to him, if the US were to provide 10 percent of the reserves, Ukraine would be able to stop all Russian ballistic missiles.
In an interview with CNN, Zelensky said that Ukraine this year has 2.5 times fewer interceptors than it had in 2025, while Russia, according to him, is launching twice as many ballistic missiles each month than before.
The first reaction from the White House has also arrived, where Caroline Leawitt, during a conversation with reporters, spoke about sending weapons abroad and said that US President Donald Trump has been clear on this issue.
"The President has been very clear about our position on ammunition. Unfortunately, tragically, President Joe Biden gave a lot of ammunition to Ukraine and other countries around the world. The President, from day one, has been focused on rebuilding our arsenal. Furthermore, contrary to most media reports, the United States has more than enough ammunition stored here at home and around the world to accomplish any mission the commander in chief approves," Leavitt stated.
She also reiterated that Trump is doing a much better job than Biden in this regard.
"It's clear that this president has been much more prudent than his predecessor in terms of sending our munitions overseas, to other countries. He wants to rebuild our base here in the country, and the military is working on that. I know Secretary Hegseth has made that a big priority," Leavitt said. /Telegraph/
The race has begun in Washington to replace Caroline Leavitt, who is expected to step down as White House Press Secretary at the end of the month.
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Leavitt wants to devote more time to her young family.
Her departure comes less than three months before the midterm elections and could bring changes to how the Trump administration will communicate with the public and the media.
Leavitt had become one of the president's most important communications officials, maintaining a very active profile with reporters and earning Trump's trust. White House communications director Steven Cheung has described her as irreplaceable, the media wrote.
However, there is still no clear favorite for the job. Several administration sources say Trump may wait until after the midterm elections to make a decision, while the possibility of leaving the position temporarily vacant has also been discussed.
In the Republican camp, however, there are rumors that the position should be filled as soon as possible, due to its importance on the eve of the elections.
Who are the names being mentioned?
Scott Jennings
About a dozen names have begun circulating in Trump's communications and advisory circles. The White House has described these reports as speculation and has not confirmed whether any of them are actually under consideration.
One of the names is Scott Jennings, a former George W. Bush administration official and current CNN commentator. He was previously backed by Donald Trump Jr. for a top communications role, but Jennings himself has not publicly expressed interest in the job. Instead, he has praised Leavitt as one of the best White House press secretaries in decades.
Also on the list is Alina Habba, a former Trump lawyer and advisor who briefly served as an interim federal attorney in New Jersey. She is considered one of the president's trusted confidants.
Another possible candidate is Anna Kelly, the principal deputy press secretary and Leavitt's number two. Kelly is already among the officials who represent the White House to the media.
Anna Kelly
Tricia McLaughlin, known for her role as spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security and for publicly defending Trump's border policies, is also mentioned as a possibility.
Among the other names is Elizabeth Pipko, a former model and Republican National Committee spokeswoman with close ties to the Trump family. According to a source close to the president, she was considered for the position even before Leavitt took office.
Elizabeth Pipko
Monica Crowley, a former Fox News analyst and current US chief of protocol, is also among the names being discussed. She often accompanies the president on trips and hosts foreign leaders in Washington.
Another name mentioned is Roma Daravi, who worked in Trump's press office during his first term and currently directs communications at the Kennedy Center.
Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and former chairwoman of the Republican National Committee during the 2024 campaign, has also been mentioned in the race. She currently hosts a weekly show on Fox News.
Lara Trump
Other names being discussed include Jason Miller, one of Trump's early communicators, former deputy press secretary Harrison Fields, and former ESPN anchor Sage Steele, who has become close to the MAGA movement.
Even the prediction markets have started to make their assessments. Kalshi Politics has listed Alina Habba, Anna Kelly, Jason Miller and Roma Daravi among the leading candidates.
However, the challenge for Leavitt's successor will not be ordinary. Trump is not a president who relies solely on his press secretary to communicate with the media. He often answers reporters himself, speaks directly to them, and maintains contact through phone calls and text messages.
This means that the person who will take over from Leavitt will have a special task: to manage the communications of a president who is often his own most powerful spokesman. /Telegraph/
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck the area off the coast of the Indonesian island of Flores early Saturday, collapsing buildings and homes and killing at least five people.
Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami warning after the earthquake and urged residents of coastal areas to move to higher ground. The warning was later lifted after monitoring showed no significant sea level changes that would endanger coastal communities.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was 68 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Ende, in East Nusa Tenggara province, at a depth of 10 kilometers. The earthquake was recorded at 05:58 local time, and several aftershocks were recorded after it.
East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Rudi Darmoko said preliminary reports indicated two fatalities in the Sikka region and three in the Manggarai region, while material damage was extensive and several buildings had collapsed, Reuters reported.
"We are continuing to collect data on damage and casualties, but there are communication disruptions," Darmoko said.
Power outages in cities and villages have further slowed the flow of information and made search and rescue operations difficult.
Local television stations broadcast footage of the evacuation of patients from several hospitals, as medical personnel took out beds, IV drips and oxygen tanks, setting up temporary treatment points in open spaces.
The earthquake was felt across most of Flores, with initial reports of severe damage.
Sikka region resident Yohanna Embu said the powerful tremors damaged several buildings and caused panic among people, who fled to higher ground.
In Flores, the roof of the St. Peter Major Seminary also collapsed during morning mass. At least one priest broke his leg after jumping from the second floor.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is frequently hit by earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire. /Telegraph/
A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet has been involved in a spectacular pursuit of a Russian Shahed jet-powered drone, following it at extremely low altitude along the coast of the Odessa region.
Footage published online shows the Ukrainian plane closely following the Russian drone, as both fly at a very low altitude over the coastal area.
The maneuver demonstrates the difficulty of interception operations, especially when the target flies near the surface.
During the pursuit, the MiG-29 approaches the drone significantly before a powerful explosion appears in the air. After the explosion, the drone loses control and crashes, being neutralized before reaching its target.
The Shahed family of drones has been widely used by Russia in air strikes against Ukraine. Due to their large numbers and low-altitude flight, they pose a challenge to Ukrainian air defenses.
Police in Ecuador have seized around 453 kilograms of cocaine during a search of a truck near the border with Colombia.
What caught the attention of the authorities was that the drug packaging had the face of Norwegian football star Erling Haaland printed on it.
According to authorities, the seized cargo had an estimated value of more than $11 million on the American market, while in Europe its value could reach nearly $20 million, media reports.
Organized crime experts explain that the use of images of celebrities, politicians or various symbols on drug packaging is not uncommon.
According to them, cartels use these marks to identify shipments, to distinguish different groups or loads and, in some cases, to signal product quality.
Ecuadorian police are continuing investigations to determine the origin of the cocaine and its destination, as well as to identify the people behind this shipment. /Telegraph/
Record rainfall in Chiba prefecture, near Tokyo, has caused widespread flooding, paralyzing traffic and leaving thousands of travelers stranded at Narita International Airport. At least four people have died and one is missing.
Some areas in Chiba received more than 360 millimeters of rain in 24 hours, flooding roads, homes and railway lines. The downpour hit Japan during one of the country's busiest travel periods.
The situation has caused major transport chaos. About 7,000 people were stranded at Narita Airport, as rail and road links were cut off. Many passengers spent the night in the terminals, where airport staff distributed blankets, water and food, Reuters reports.
Although some rail lines remained suspended, some services between Narita and Tokyo resumed on Friday, easing some of the traffic. Flights at the airport were expected to operate as scheduled, although Japan Airlines warned of possible delays.
The floods have also caused power outages. More than 22,000 families were left without power on Friday morning, while hundreds of people took shelter in temporary evacuation centers set up in public buildings.
Authorities have also deployed the armed forces to help with rescue operations and dealing with the aftermath of the disaster. More than 200,000 residents in the affected areas have been advised to seek shelter in safe places.
Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as "completely unusual," saying that despite his experience in dealing with many disasters, he had never experienced such a situation before.
Authorities warn that the danger is not completely over, as more rainfall is expected throughout the day and waterlogged soils could increase the risk of flooding and landslides. /Telegraph/
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reacted sharply to any possibility of Serbia being involved in financing Ukraine, describing such a step as unacceptable for Moscow.
"It would be unacceptable if our Serbian brothers were to participate in financing Ukraine," Lavrov said, referring to reports of Belgrade's cooperation with Ukraine and the European Union.
Lavrov also commented on the relations between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to him, Vučić agreed to meet Zelensky only to mitigate what he described as "shameless pressure" from the European Union.
The head of Russian diplomacy has further hardened his rhetoric towards Brussels, declaring that "the EU has already turned into the Fourth Reich."
Lavrov's statements come at a time when Serbia is trying to maintain its traditional relations with Russia, while at the same time continuing its path towards membership in the European Union.
Otherwise, Vucic said on Saturday that Belgrade will support Ukraine's independence and aims to improve economic cooperation between the two countries, but made no commitment to impose sanctions on Russia, Serbia's longtime ally. We recall that the Ukrainian leader paid a two-day visit to Belgrade last week. /Telegraph/
US President Donald Trump has signed a national security memorandum calling for the abandonment of the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and a return to steam catapults on US aircraft carriers.
The decision also affects the fourth aircraft carrier of the Gerald R. Ford class, Doris Miller, writes Reuters.
The change is expected to cost American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, while it could cause problems with integration and construction schedules, as production of the EMALS system is already almost 50 percent complete.
According to Pentagon documents, by March 2026, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford had conducted 36,863 launches with the EMALS system.
Trump has criticized EMALS as an overly complex and expensive system. Meanwhile, its manufacturer, General Atomics, has called for the decision to change the system to be reconsidered.
Trump's memorandum also envisions the possibility for the US Navy to temporarily build up to two ships outside the US, in case foreign builders have significant investments in the country.
It also orders the creation of a fifth US naval shipyard to increase the maintenance capacity of submarines and aircraft carriers. /Telegraph/
Russia has placed Conor Kennedy, the 32-year-old son of US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on an international wanted list, accusing him of fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
According to international media reports, a Moscow court has authorized Kennedy's arrest in absentia. Russian authorities accuse him of mercenarism and have described him as a "foreign mercenary."
Kennedy joined the Ukrainian International Legion in 2022, participating in combat in the Kharkiv region during the first months of the full Russian occupation.
He later revealed that he had served in Ukraine and had returned to the United States in October 2022, media reports said.
At the time, Kennedy had declared that he was willing to die for Ukraine and expressed support for its fight against Russian occupation. He also called for support for Ukraine and the involvement of foreign volunteers in the war.
According to Russian authorities, if Kennedy is arrested and convicted, he could face seven to 10 years in prison. The warrant was issued in absentia, as Kennedy is outside Russia.
The case has received particular attention because of Kennedy's family ties to the U.S. administration. His father, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Moscow's decision comes four years after Kennedy took part in the fighting in Ukraine and made public his involvement in the International Legion. /Telegraph
Controversial Islamic preacher Elvedin Pezic was arrested yesterday in Kosovo, along with Mithad Çeman, with whom he had planned to hold a lecture and book promotion in the Peja region.
The police asked him for permission from the Islamic Community of Kosovo to carry out this activity.
Çemani was immediately released, while Pezić was held at the police station to examine the circumstances of his arrival in Kosovo, writes klix.ba.
As Rexho Kojic from the Kosovar non-governmental organization "Mladi volonteri", which organized the activity that Pezic was supposed to attend last night, told Radio Free Europe, the order to detain him had come from Pristina.
The organizer stressed that the police had asked Peziq for permission from the Islamic Community of Kosovo to participate in the book promotion. However, Kojic believes that Peziq did not need such permission.
"He is not an imam in any mosque and did not need such permission. It was about promoting a book," Kojic said.
According to information from Klix.ba, Pezić was arrested after a denunciation for spreading Wahhabi ideology in the village of Vllikomirica, for which he has become a person of security interest for the Kosovo authorities.
Meanwhile, Elvedin Pezić has been active in the online space for years as a Salafist religious interpreter, while his positions have repeatedly caused strong reactions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.
Recently, the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina has also made a statement regarding him, assessing that his positions that society collapsed "when women were thrown out of the house" are not in line with Islamic teachings on the rights and obligations of Muslim women. /Telegraph/
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