Renowned professor at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, Daniel Serwer, has reacted sharply to the statements of the Serbian Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government, Snezhana Paunović, who stated in a television appearance that, if she had been in the position of Serbian wartime leader Slobodan Milošević, she would have "ethnically cleansed Kosovo" in 1998.

In an interview with N1 television, Serwer described the minister's statement as extremely serious and unacceptable, emphasizing that a serious institutional reaction from the Serbian leadership should be immediate.

"If Vucic had even a single part of himself that disagreed with this, he would immediately dismiss him. It is such a reprehensible statement that it is difficult to describe," Serwer declared.

According to the American professor, Paunović's failure to resign from his ministerial post shows that the issue is not just related to a personal statement, but raises questions about the broader political stance of Serbian institutions towards rhetoric related to ethnic cleansing.

The Serbian minister's statement, made during an interview on July 11 on Kurir TV, caused strong reactions in Kosovo and in the international arena.

Shtohet presioni gjerman pas deklaratës skandaloze për Kosovën të ministres serbe

Paunovic, who is part of the Socialist Party of Serbia once led by the former butcher of the Balkans, Slobodan Milosevic, was criticized for normalizing an idea related to crimes and mass deportations during the war in Kosovo.

Kosovo institutions have declared her persona non grata, while the Ministry of Justice has announced that it has taken legal steps against her. Criticism of her statements has also come from representatives of the European Union and the US State Department. /Telegraph/

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly detained a ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Iranian Tasnim news agency, citing an informed source, Iranian forces have intercepted a Thai-flagged ship after it allegedly ignored warnings and attempted to pass through the waterway without authorization.

Meanwhile, other reports indicate that Iran has carried out attacks on ammunition depots and military bases in northern Iraq.

Images posted on social media show explosions and fires in the affected areas.

So far there are no full details on the damage or the exact targets of the attacks, writes skynews.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategic maritime transport points in the world, as a significant portion of global oil supplies passes through it.

Any military incident in this area raises concerns about the security of energy markets and international navigation.

The latest developments come at a time of high tensions between Iran and its regional and international adversaries, with the international community closely monitoring the situation. /Telegraph/

The American cities of Detroit, Chicago and Washington now have some of the worst air quality levels in the world, while New York ranks fourth for air pollution. Citizens wear masks as they do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to data from the air quality monitoring platform IQAir, the pollution index has reached alarming levels: in Detroit, the level was recorded at 435, in Chicago 330, and in Washington 242, which are considered very dangerous levels for health.

Zjarri i madh në Kanada rrethon trenin, drejtuesi filmon kalimin mes flakëve

In comparison, cities known for air pollution such as Jakarta, New Delhi and Beijing have now had better air quality.

A thick layer of gray smoke has blanketed many cities in the northeastern United States, significantly reducing visibility.

From Arlington in Virginia, where the panorama of Washington is usually clearly visible, today monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument are barely distinguishable.

Residents have also reported an unusual smell in the air, while authorities have activated the purple alert, which indicates air that is very harmful to health.

Similar situations have been reported in New York, Boston and Chicago. Residents have reported smelling and tasting smoke, while authorities have advised against outdoor activities due to hazardous particles in the air.

The source of the smoke is the large forest fires that are engulfing the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, as well as the American state of Minnesota.

Experts warn that climate change has contributed to the expansion of areas affected by fires. Drought has made the soil and vegetation burn more easily, causing more frequent and larger fires. /Telegraph/

Russian-occupied Crimea is facing serious energy and fuel supply problems, with local authorities admitting that the situation is worsening.

The Russian-installed leader of Crimea, Sergei Aksionov, stated that residents cannot have a guarantee that gasoline will be available every day at gas stations.

"At the moment, daily fuel supplies cannot be guaranteed," Aksionov said, adding that authorities are trying to manage the situation.

Major problems have also been reported with the electricity supply. According to him, it is currently impossible to draw up a schedule that would enable an equal distribution of energy throughout the territory of Crimea.

These statements have raised concerns about a wider humanitarian crisis on the peninsula, where fuel shortages and power outages could affect food supplies and basic services.

The situation in Crimea has also been affected by developments in the war in Ukraine, including attacks on Russian-controlled energy and logistics infrastructure. Local authorities have not given a deadline for when supplies are expected to stabilize. /Telegraph/

A powerful earthquake has struck off the coast of the Mexican state of Chiapas, prompting a tsunami warning. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake had a magnitude of 7.3.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said "hazardous tsunami waves" could occur along coasts within a radius of 300 kilometers from the epicenter of the earthquake. The warning applies to parts of the Pacific Ocean closest to the shaking zone.

The epicenter of the earthquake was recorded near Puerto Madero, a major Pacific port and fishing town located about 13 kilometers from the border with Guatemala. The USGS initially reported a magnitude of 7.4, but later revised the estimate to 7.3. The earthquake occurred at a depth of just 10 kilometers.

Shallow earthquakes usually cause stronger ground shaking and can cause more damage. Shaking of this strength is often accompanied by other destructive consequences, such as landslides.

The governor of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, Salomón Jara, announced that the moderate-intensity earthquake was also felt in the state capital. According to initial information, there are no reports of injuries or major material damage, he said on social media.

The earthquake shook buildings in Guatemala's capital, Guatemala City, as some residents took to the streets in fear, Reuters reported.

The tremors were also felt in the neighboring country of El Salvador. /Telegraph/

US President Donald Trump has refused to schedule a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following the Israeli leader's public criticism of Washington's plan to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.

According to US media, Netanyahu's statements caused anger in the White House. One US official said Trump was "very irritated", while another stated that the president believed Netanyahu "had no right" to interfere in US defense strategy.

The clash caused a potential meeting in the Oval Office to fall through. US officials said the meeting was not authorized and was not on the presidential agenda, despite the Israeli side having begun preparations for the trip to Washington, Axios reports.

Kongresi amerikan lufton për të lejuar Turqinë të kthehet në programin F-35

Tensions between the two allies have been rising ahead of Trump's trip to the NATO summit in Ankara. An Israeli intelligence claim of a possible Iranian threat to the US president was dismissed by US officials as speculative rather than a concrete plan.

The disagreements come at a time when support for Netanyahu in Washington is weakening. Senior American officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have criticized some members of the Israeli government for their stances on US policy on Iran.

Meanwhile, voices against military aid to Israel are also growing in the US Congress. More than 100 Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to cut $3 billion in military aid, in a sign of growing divisions over US policy toward the Netanyahu government. /Telegraph/

Drone footage released by Madrid firefighters on Friday shows the aftermath of a forest fire that forced the evacuation and isolation of residents north of the Spanish capital.

A man was arrested on Thursday (July 16) on suspicion of deliberately setting the fire that broke out in the municipality of Lozoyuela, the government representative in Madrid told Cadena SER radio.

As of Friday, the fire remained out of control, while authorities were carefully monitoring weather conditions, which are considered a key factor in efforts to bring the flames under control.

The forest fire has engulfed around 700 hectares of land in the Lozoyuelas area.

The Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) warned that temperatures will start to rise again from Saturday, with some inland parts of Andalusia expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius. /Telegraph

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The Netherlands is officially facing a water shortage, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management announced.

The National Committee for the Coordination of Water Distribution (LCW) has recommended that the situation be raised to the second level of alert for real water shortages.

Authorities and water supply companies are considering new measures for distributing available reserves, although it has not yet been decided which concrete measures will be implemented.

The Dutch government emphasizes that drinking water continues to be available, but citizens are urged to use it carefully and avoid wasting it, media reports.

The water shortage is expected to initially affect river shipping, industry and agriculture. Low water levels make it difficult for ships to navigate, forcing them to carry less cargo to avoid getting stuck at the bottom of rivers. Factories may also face restrictions on discharging water for cooling, as shallower rivers heat up more quickly.

Earlier, on July 1, the Netherlands was placed on the first level of warning for possible water shortages. Now the country has moved to level two, while level three would mean a full-blown water crisis.

River levels have continued to fall due to drought and high temperatures. In some areas, canals and streams have dried up, while authorities are preparing measures such as the use of dams and additional pumps to maintain fresh water supplies. /Telegraph/

Former director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), retired General David Petraeus, has stated that Ukraine's capabilities in the use and production of drones have reached extraordinary levels, leaving even the United States behind in this field.

"Ukraine is now using 10,000 or more drones a day. That's just amazing," Petraeus said.

According to him, last year alone, Ukraine produced about 3.5 million drones, while the United States produced approximately 300,000.

"We don't have anything similar to what they have," the former CIA chief stressed, underlining the great importance that drones have taken on in modern warfare.

Petraeus said the conflict in Ukraine has changed the way military operations are conducted, turning unmanned technology into a key factor on the battlefield.

The massive increase in Ukrainian drone production has been driven by the need to confront the Russian military, while Kiev has invested heavily in developing the domestic unmanned vehicle industry. /Telegraph/

Despite the escalation of the conflict between the United States and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, maritime traffic in this vital route remains very limited.

According to data from maritime intelligence analysts at Kpler, only 13 merchant ships were recorded passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. Eight of them left the Persian Gulf, while five entered it.

Only one ship - a cargo ship entering the Persian Gulf - reportedly used the southern route near the coast of Oman, which has been promoted by the US military as a safer passage, CNN writes.

Irani synon bazat ushtarake ndërsa SHBA-të nisin një valë sulmesh

According to Kpler, most of the ships that passed through on Wednesday used the route near the Iranian coast. On Thursday, the MarineTraffic platform showed that two oil tankers left the Gulf near Iran, while another was sailing near the coast of Oman.

The volume of maritime traffic is about a tenth of the pre-war average, although some ships are sailing without turning on the transmitters that indicate their location.

Iran has repeatedly warned that all ships must obtain its permission to use the waterway. An Iranian military spokesman said on Thursday that implementing the rules set by Iran is the only way to reopen the strait, which Tehran declared closed after the latest wave of US attacks began.

Following drone attacks on several ships near the strait over the past week, US forces announced on Thursday that they had again struck Iran's missile and drone capabilities, as well as coastal surveillance facilities, "to further weaken Iran's ability to threaten innocent sailors serving on merchant ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz." /Telegraph

Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati has unveiled the first artificial intelligence model from her new company Thinking Machines Lab.

The model, called Inkling, aims to offer a more flexible alternative to large systems controlled by major AI companies.

Inkling is an open-weight model, meaning that developers can download, adapt, and customize it for their needs, unlike the closed models of some large companies.

The company says the model is designed to work with different types of data, including text, audio and video, focusing on a balance between cost and performance, media reports.

However, Murati has admitted that Inkling is not the most powerful artificial intelligence model on the market, but aims to differentiate itself through flexibility and the possibility of customization.

Thinking Machines Lab was founded by Mira Murati and other former OpenAI employees. The company has attracted significant investment and previously reached a valuation of around $12 billion after a $2 billion funding round.

With Inkling, Murati aims to create a more decentralized approach to artificial intelligence, where businesses and developers have more control over how AI models are used and adapted. /Telegraph/

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces have launched a fifth consecutive night of attacks on Iran, confirming the development through a post on social media.

According to the CENTCOM statement, the military operations are aimed at weakening Iran's military capabilities, while no further details were provided on the targets hit or the damage caused.

The escalation of attacks comes at a time of high tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Shtëpia e Bardhë: Vazhdojnë bisedimet Uashington-Teheran

In the past, American attacks have often been followed by Iranian retaliation, which has struck American targets and military bases in the Persian Gulf region.

Recent developments have increased concerns about a further escalation of the conflict and the impact it could have on regional security.

Otherwise, the White House has announced that peace negotiations between the two countries are continuing. /Telegraph/

Talks between the United States and Iran are continuing, with Washington claiming that Tehran is facing severe consequences as a result of the latest escalation.

White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said Iran is continuing dialogue with the US and is interested in reaching an agreement, due to the "devastating blows" it has suffered, according to her.

"The reason for the recent attacks is that Iran has violated the Memorandum of Understanding that we had reached with them," Leavitt said, referring to US military actions, writes skynews .

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It also claimed that Iran has attacked merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important sea routes for global energy transport.

However, the spokeswoman stressed that the US administration remains ready for diplomatic solutions.

"The president is always open to diplomacy," Leavitt said, without providing further details about the current state of negotiations or the possibility of a new agreement between the two countries. /Telegraph/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Mykhailo Fedorov (now former Minister of Defense) will continue to be part of his team, but the new tasks he will take on will be announced at a later stage.

Zelensky's statement came after a meeting of the "Servant of the People" parliamentary faction, where MPs approved most of the appointments to the new government cabinet, with the exception of the ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs.

"During wartime, the president should not be the one making decisions in such a situation. I would very much like to see unity. The parties have not managed to find it, and the problem is not only with the parties, but also with me," the Ukrainian leader said.

Ukraina me kryeministër të ri

He added that he takes responsibility for the political situation and is not trying to avoid it.

"I am not abdicating responsibility. Fedorov will remain in my team, but the exact role he will have will be announced later," the Ukrainian president said.

The changes in the Ukrainian government come at a time when the country continues its war with Russia and faces major challenges in the fields of defense, economy and management of international aid. /Telegraph

Montenegro has decided to end the visa-free travel regime for Russian citizens, meaning that from October 1, Russian citizens will need a visa to enter the country.

According to the Montenegrin media outlet DAN , in addition to Russia, the decision also affects citizens of Belarus and Peru, who will also no longer be able to travel to Montenegro without visas.

This decision ends a nearly 18-year period of visa-free travel between Russia and Montenegro, a regime that has significantly facilitated the arrival of Russian tourists and has made Montenegro one of the most frequented destinations by visitors from Russia in the Balkans.

The change comes as part of Montenegro's efforts to harmonize its visa policy with European Union standards, as part of the country's European integration process.

For years, Russian tourists have made up an important part of the Montenegrin tourism sector, especially during the summer season. The lifting of the visa-free regime is expected to affect the way Russian citizens travel, who will now have to complete additional procedures to obtain visas.

The decision also marks the closure of one of the easiest entry channels for Russian tourists into Europe, as Montenegro has long been one of the destinations where they could travel with fewer restrictions. /Telegraph/

A wide-ranging international investigation, coordinated by the Europol task force, has led to the dismantling of an organised criminal network involved in migrant smuggling along the Balkan route.

Serbian authorities, in cooperation with Bulgarian law enforcement agencies, arrested five suspects, including the group's leader and two active police officers.

The network, based in Pirot, Serbia, is suspected of smuggling at least 201 migrants, mainly Afghan nationals, from Turkey through Bulgaria and Serbia to Western European countries between January and July 2026.

During the operation, three vehicles used to transport migrants, firearms, ammunition, radios, mobile phones, as well as around 5,700 euros and 40,000 Serbian dinars were seized.

According to the investigation, the network had been operating since 2025. Migrants were transported from Turkey to Bulgaria, then illegally crossed the border into Serbia following pre-determined GPS coordinates, where members of the criminal group would wait for them. They would provide them with temporary shelter and onward transportation.

The price for transportation from the Bulgarian border to Belgrade was 1,000 euros per person, with another 300 euros paid for the journey to the Hungarian border. Payments were made mainly through the informal Hawala money transfer system.

The success of the operation was contributed by the close cooperation between the regional police forces. Four Bulgarian investigators were sent to Serbia to support the operation, while Europol deployed a specialized expert on the day of the operation. /Telegraph/

Magnitude 5.9 earthquake strikes New Zealand, authorities lift tsunami warning.

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake has struck the town of Te Anau on New Zealand's South Island, causing buildings to shake and prompting authorities to briefly issue a tsunami warning.

According to New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the epicenter of the earthquake was about 40 kilometers north of Te Anau, near the entrance to the popular Fiordland tourist region.

So far there are no immediate reports of injuries or material damage, Reuters writes.

The earthquake struck at 9:14 p.m. local time. Authorities initially estimated its magnitude at 6.3, while NEMA issued a tsunami warning and urged residents in coastal areas to evacuate to safer places.

After reviewing the data and lowering the magnitude to 5.9, the tsunami warning was softened, while authorities only asked citizens to be careful. Later, the tsunami warning was canceled completely. /Telegraph/

The Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) has confirmed the appointment of Serhii Koretskyi as the country's new prime minister. 289 deputies voted for his election.

Koretskyi comes to the head of the government from the position of executive director of the state energy company Naftogaz, while previously he also headed Ukrnafta, the largest oil producer in Ukraine.

He has not built a political career, but has more than two decades of experience in the private sector, the media write.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that the priorities of the new government will be preparing for the upcoming winter, protecting energy infrastructure, stabilizing the economy, and more efficient management of international aid.

Speaking to deputies, Koretskyi said the government will focus on fully supplying the armed forces, strengthening the military industry, supporting citizens and the social system, especially for residents near the front line.

He emphasized that preparing for the heating season and maintaining economic stability will be among the main tasks, along with deepening cooperation with international partners and implementing housing programs.

At the end of 2022, he took over the leadership of Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta, turning the companies from multi-year losses into record profits, with increased production and modernization of assets.

In 2025 he was appointed head of Naftogaz, where he increased gas reserves to over 13 billion cubic meters and secured billions of euros in financing from international financial institutions, although plans to increase production were thwarted by Russian attacks.

Now, the biggest challenge for the new prime minister will be to prove that he can apply his managerial experience in leading Ukraine during wartime, while simultaneously securing political support and cooperation with international partners. /Telegraph/

The European Union will provide Ukraine with another 1 billion euros for the supply of drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her visit to Kiev.

Von der Leyen stated that this funding is only the first step in new European support for Ukraine's military capabilities.

According to her, the EU has also approved a program worth 10 billion euros, which aims to finance the production of drones, missiles and fighter jets.

Von der Leyen dhe Zelensky nënshkruajnë marrëveshjen BE-Ukrainë për dronë

"This is just the beginning," von der Leyen said, emphasizing that Europe aims to increase its defense production capabilities and strengthen support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia.

The new funding comes at a time when drones have become a key tool of modern warfare on the Ukrainian front, with both sides using thousands of unmanned vehicles for attacks and reconnaissance.

Recall that so far, several EU countries have signed individual agreements with Ukraine to exploit its technological prowess.

The agreement approved on Wednesday adds a broader dimension by making the partnership available to all 27 member states. /Telegraph/

US President Donald Trump has stated that it would be good for Israel to withdraw from parts of Lebanon and southern Syria.

He has announced that he is considering the possibility of giving the "green light" to Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa for an operation against Hezbollah.

"It would be good for Israel to pull out of parts of Lebanon and southern Syria," Trump said, adding that Ahmed al-Sharaa wants to enter these areas and eliminate Hezbollah.

"I'm thinking of giving it the green light," the US president said, without providing further details on what form such an action would take and whether it would involve direct American support.

Trump's statement comes at a time of ongoing tensions in the Middle East, where Israel has conducted military operations in Lebanon and Syria, while Hezbollah remains one of the main armed actors in the region.

The issue of Israeli presence in the border areas of Lebanon and Syria has been a controversial point internationally, while any new escalation could affect the stability of the region. /Telegraph/