NEWS

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US President Donald Trump has strongly criticized Pope Leo XIV for his stance on the Iran war, describing him as “WEAK” on crime and “terrible” on foreign policy, in a late-night post which also saw him uploading an A.I.-generated image of himself dressed as Jesus.

This comes days after Pope Leo said Trump’s warning that an “entire civilisation will die tonight,” in reference to Iran, was “unacceptable.” The pope has also suggested that a “delusion of omnipotence” is fuelling the war between the United States and Iran.

In his lengthy Truth Social post, the president said he does not “want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States”. He claimed that the Catholic Church’s leadership had been “arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else” in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested that he preferred the pope’s brother.

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The United States is preparing for a potential naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, after high-stakes negotiations with Iran ended without agreement in Islamabad.

President Donald Trump said the US Navy could block all maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, a move that could disrupt global energy supplies and escalate regional tensions.

In remarks following the talks, Trump said Washington had secured progress on several issues but claimed Tehran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions, a central demand of the US delegation.

Iranian officials, however, accused the US of failing to build trust during more than twenty hours of discussions, insisting their position on nuclear development remains non-negotiable.

Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned that any foreign military presence near the strait would be treated as a violation of the current ceasefire, signalling the risk of direct confrontation at sea.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical shipping routes, carrying a significant share of global oil exports, making any disruption a concern for international markets.

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Rex Heuermann has admitted to killing eight women, bringing an end to a decades-long investigation that had left victims’ families without answers for over 30 years.

The 62-year-old architect appeared at Suffolk County Court in New York, where he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of murder, including first-degree and intentional

murder. He also confessed to the killing of Karen Vergata in 1996, despite not previously being charged in that case.

Prosecutors said Heuermann strangled his victims, dismembered some of them, and disposed of their remains in remote locations, including Gilgo Beach on Long Island. Many of the victims were s3x workers, and several bodies were discovered across different locations over the years.

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Donald Trump is proposing a controversial renovation plan involving the exterior of a historic building near the White House, despite concerns raised by preservation experts.

According to reports, Trump wants to apply what he describes as "magic paint with silicate" to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a landmark structure located next to the West Wing that houses many White House staff offices. The building, completed in 1888 during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

The proposal is part of a broader effort by Trump to reshape the White House complex during his second term. His vision includes transforming the building's gray granite exterior into a bright white finish. He has previously shared the idea publicly, including during a television appearance in late 2025, where he said he was still considering whether to proceed.

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A top doctor has been found guilty of attempted manslaughter after he tried to push his wife off a cliff in Hawaii while attacking her with a rock.

Anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig, 47, was convicted Wednesday, April 8, of trying to kill his nuclear engineer wife, Arielle Konig, 37, on March 24, 2025, while on a cliffside hike in Oahu.

As the verdict was read at Oahu First Circuit Court, Gerhardt was visibly distressed while members of the jury confirmed the finding 

Gerhardt slowly bowed his head as his guilty verdict was delivered, appearing to take in the conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The jury convicted him of a lesser charge based on mental or emotional disturbance after two days of deliberation. 

Gerhardt previously pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murde£r charges, claiming he acted in self-defense.

During the three-week trial, prosecutors claimed that Gerhardt pushed Arielle near the edge of the Pali Puka Trail and beat her multiple times with a rock on her birthday. 

Gerhardt's lawyers claimed that Arielle attacked her husband first. They said the incident was a case of 'he said, she said.'

Arielle said she had been trying to repair the couple's marriage after Gerhardt found 'flirty messages' between her and a coworker.

She described the relationship as a three-month-long 'emotional affair' with her coworker.

'I was apologetic,' she testified. 'He was obviously hurt. I was committed to my marriage, to rebuild. It felt like an affair to him. It was an emotional affair to him.' 

Arielle claimed that after her husband wrestled her to the ground, he pulled out a vial and a syringe before attacking her with the rock.

The defense noted that police never found a syringe at the scene or evidence that he tried to inject his wife with any substance.

She told the court that she screamed, 'Please help, he's trying to kill me' as her husband attacked her. 

The attack only ended when two female hikers heard her pleas for help and called 911, the prosecution argued. 

Gerhardt had fled the scene when the two hikers arrived, and allegedly called his son, confessing to attacking his wife and saying he was going to take his own life. 

Arielle testified that she was treated for 'severe scalp lacerations' following the incident and showed picture evidence of her injuries during the trial. 

A physician from Queen's Medical Center, though, claimed she had suffered crushed tissue down to the skull.

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Christina Koch has shared her first public reflections following the successful completion of the Artemis II mission.

Just hours after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, Koch spoke about the deeply personal moments that defined the historic journey. She returned to Earth alongside fellow astronauts Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen.

Speaking at an event in Houston on April 11, Koch reflected on how the mission began and ended with simple, human interactions. She recalled being awakened for launch by her mission manager, who quietly confirmed they were ready to proceed. At the other end of the journey, she described a tender moment when a nurse asked her for a hug after her return, highlighting how even the most extraordinary experiences are grounded in human connection.

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Eligible American men will soon be automatically entered into the nation's military draft database, marking a significant change in how the government prepares for potential national emergencies.

The new policy affects men between the ages of 18 and 26, who previously were required to register themselves with the Selective Service System. Under the updated approach, federal agencies will instead gather existing data to ensure enrollment happens automatically.

The shift stems from provisions included in the latest National Defense Authorization Act, which directed officials to streamline the process. Supporters say the change will improve efficiency, reduce administrative costs and increase compliance rates, which have slightly declined in recent years.

Officials noted that millions of eligible individuals already interact with federal systems, making automatic registration a logical next step. Rather than relying on individuals to meet legal requirements, the responsibility will now rest with the government.