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 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".
"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.
"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.
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 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".