Former President Donald Trump took aim at Pope Leo XIV and Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson during their recent meeting in Rome, labeling Johnson “useless” and suggesting the Vatican should have avoided the encounter.

“Someone should explain to the Pope that the Mayor of Chicago is useless, and that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon!” Trump declared on his Truth Social platform.

Trump’s post included screenshots from Johnson’s social media, depicting the mayor’s visit with the pope. The images from the Vatican show Johnson gifting Pope Leo a miniature Chicago flag and the two of them smiling with a Chicago Cubs hat, an ironic gesture since the pope is a known White Sox supporter. Notably, Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope and has roots in Chicago.

This interaction seems to have rekindled Trump’s ongoing feud with Pope Leo. Trump has previously criticized the pope for his stance on the Iran conflict and accused him of being “weak” on crime, particularly suggesting that the pope is indifferent to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Trump’s comments appear to have reignited his publicized feud with the pope. The president previously slammed Leo over his criticism of the Iran war and for being “weak” on crime, insisting the pope was okay with Iran having a nuclear weapon.

“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela,” he wrote, adding, “I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected.”

Trump has also accused Leo of “endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” by allegedly condoning Iran’s development of nuclear weaponry.

The pope has previously responded to the president’s critiques, saying he is “not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.”

A large-scale, coordinated search effort is taking place in Virginia for a suspect considered “armed and extremely dangerous,” who is said to have ambushed two deputies during a welfare check on Friday night. This attack resulted in the death of a military veteran and left another officer injured.

Logan Utt, a 31-year-old deputy from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, tragically lost his life in the incident, as confirmed by Carroll County Sheriff Kevin Kemp.

The U.S. Marshals Service has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect, Michael Puckett.

Michael Puckett stands accused of shooting two deputies in Virginia, resulting in the death of one. (Image courtesy: Carroll County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook)

THE FAMILY OF THE FALLEN VIRGINIA POLICE OFFICER REMEMBERS THE EXPECTANT FATHER, 25, WHO ‘NEVER HESITATED’ TO HELP OTHERS IN NEED

The deadly encounter unfolded just before 9:30 p.m. local time, when the two Carroll County deputies were dispatched to a home after a family member requested a welfare check. 

When the deputies met with Puckett, he allegedly opened fire, killing Utt and wounding the second officer — whose life was saved by his ballistic vest, according to authorities. 

The deputies returned fire, but Puckett fled the scene and remains at large.

Virginia State Police are searching for Michael Puckett, who is wanted for allegedly shooting two deputies, killing one, in Carroll County, Va. (Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images, File)

SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY GUNS DOWN DEPUTY IN AMBUSH DURING ROUTINE CALL THAT ROCKED QUIET TOWN, POLICE SAY

The sheriff’s office warned the public not to approach him and call 911 immediately if he is spotted. 

Utt joined the force in 2023 after serving the nation as a military veteran.

“Becoming a deputy sheriff was a lifelong dream, and he worked every day to make Carroll County a safer place,” Kemp wrote in a statement Saturday. “Today, Carroll County has lost a hero, and a family has suffered an unimaginable loss.”

The Virginia State Police is leading the investigation. (Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images, File)

TWO VIRGINIA BEACH POLICE OFFICERS SHOT DEAD WHILE ‘DEFENSELESS’ DURING LATE-NIGHT TRAFFIC STOP

Utt leaves behind a wife and children. The wounded deputy is recovering in stable condition.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger confirmed her office is closely monitoring the situation, urging anyone with information on Puckett’s whereabouts to come forward.

“Deputy Logan Utt’s sacrifice is a testament to his bravery and dedication to his community,” Spanberger wrote in a statement on X. “Adam and I are praying for Deputy Utt’s family, the injured officer during his recovery, and for the safety of all of our courageous men and women in law enforcement.”

Virginia State Police is leading the investigation.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

A meteor burst into the skies above New England on Saturday afternoon, generating a dazzling daytime fireball and a powerful “double boom” that reverberated through nearby residences.

The American Meteor Society noted that the celestial object pierced the atmosphere around 2:30 p.m. and subsequently broke apart over the ocean, just off the coast of eastern Massachusetts.

One Boston resident expressed, “I have never encountered such a deafening explosion.”

Another individual shared, “My sister called from Lexington… she heard the boom and then the windows shook,” highlighting that the impact was strong enough to jolt a newly constructed house.

Specialists have indicated that the fireball created by this meteor was exceptionally large.

“It was definitely bigger than a normal fireball, about a yard wide,” said Robert Lunsford of the Fireball Program Monitor at the American Meteor Society. 

He added that it was unlikely the meteor hit the ground.

“We would need more information about the trajectory, the speed and other aspects to know for sure if it hit the ground, but if it didn’t burn up, then it would have landed in the ocean,” he continued. 

“Most of them do burn up before they hit the ground.”

Several people filed reports with the U.S. Geological Survey registered the shaking with the National Earthquake Information Center, according to an agency spokesperson.

No geological event was recorded on the agency’s seismographs, meaning the shaking was not due to an earthquake.

The phenomenon was observed from Delaware to Montreal.

With Post Wires

The charter bus driver from Staten Island, involved in the tragic accident on I-95 in Virginia, has been formally charged following a devastating crash that claimed five lives. The incident occurred on Friday, leaving a family en route to a wedding among the victims.

Virginia State Police have charged 48-year-old Jing S. Dong with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Authorities suggest more charges could follow as the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, there is uncertainty regarding Dong’s current custody status or whether he has legal representation.

Further compounding the situation, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted that Dong does not speak English. This revelation has prompted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to initiate an investigation into Dong’s language proficiency, raising questions about communication barriers in the transport sector.

As federal investigators delve deeper, they have disclosed that the E&P Travel Inc. motorcoach was traveling at a considerable speed with little to no braking before it collided with a work-zone traffic backup near Quantico. This detail paints a grim picture of the chaotic moments leading up to the crash.

The development comes as federal investigators reveal the E&P Travel Inc. motorcoach was moving at a high rate of speed with little to no braking before slamming into a work-zone traffic backup near Quantico.

“It seems fairly clear that if there was any braking there wasn’t much, because of the speed and severity of the collision,” said Tom Chapman, an NTSB board member.

The victims have been identified as Priscilla Mafalda, 25, and a Massachusetts family of four — Dimitri and Ecaterina Doncev and their two children, Emily and Mark — who were traveling to a family wedding.

The bus was traveling from New York to Charlotte, North Carolina.

In recent times, Dubai has established itself as the quintessential luxury getaway for British travelers seeking sun-soaked retreats.

Every year, approximately 1.3 million visitors from the UK journey to this vibrant city, drawn by its opulent five-star accommodations, lively beach clubs, and the promise of perpetual warm weather, which is a welcome change for those in need of sunshine and a vitamin D boost.

Last year, I was among the 19.5 million tourists who ventured to the bustling metropolis of the United Arab Emirates, navigating its crowded beaches and soaring prices, all in pursuit of a luxurious experience.

However, the recent conflict in the Middle East has prompted the Foreign Office (FCDO) to advise against all but essential travel to the UAE. This advisory has led to a notable decline in passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport.

As a result, many British travelers are now on the hunt for alternatives to Dubai. They seek destinations that offer the same allure of luxury, towering skyscrapers, and expansive sand dunes, but without the geopolitical tensions currently overshadowing the region.

And I think I may have found it, just three hours from London: El Jadida, the Moroccan UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique mix of Renaissance military architecture and Moroccan culture.

It’s not just the sunshine that Dubai and Morocco have in common – although El Jadida does get 300 days of sun a year. 

Similarly to Dubai, in El Jadida, past meets present. Within metres of each other, a mosque, a synagogue, and a Catholic church showcase the North African country’s rich, diverse culture and history inside the citadel walls.

Padraig Prendergast found a Dubai alternative in El Jadida, Morocco – with the same blend of opulence, skyscrapers and sand dunes, but without the tension hanging over the region

He stayed just 15 minutes away at Atlantis Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort – where rooms are about half the price of its famous sister hotel Atlantis The Palm in Dubai

Padraig’s bath looked out on to the uncrowded beach

And I’m staying just 15 minutes away at Atlantis Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort – where rooms are about half the price of its famous sister hotel Atlantis The Palm in Dubai.

When I visited Dubai last year, the beaches felt packed. Attractions, such as water parks, thronged, and moments designed to feel lavish and special felt increasingly stressful – not the ideal vibe for your well-earned holiday.

But, while Mazagan has all the opulence of Dubai’s famous resort, it has none of the crowds – even though I’m told ‘occupancy is at 100 per cent’, when I check in.  

After being chauffeured to my room, I step onto the balcony and hear Atlantic waves crashing against the shore.

No traffic. No construction. Just endless open space.

Spread across 250 acres, Mazagan opened in 2009 and boasts 500 rooms and suites built at a cost of more than £275 million. Yet thanks to its seven kilometres of coastline, it somehow still feels almost private.

Every morning, I swing open the balcony doors just to hear the ocean roar again.

It’s no wonder celebs have become fans. Paloma Faith was a recent guest, and Lindsay Lohan and Naomi Campbell attended the opening. 

Padraig went quad biking (right) and barely saw a soul on the beach

Paudie enjoyed dinner at one of Mazagan’s 15 restaurants, Sel de Mer

While Mazagan has all the opulence of Dubai’s famous resort, it has none of the crowds – even though Padraig is told ‘occupancy is at 100 per cent’, when he checks in

I opt to quad bike over the dunes up the coast and, yet again, only see a handful of people. 

Similarly, when I get on horseback (after my mum tells me ‘don’t fall off and break your neck’), it’s heavenly trotting along on my white horse, Caesar, as the sun disappears into the horizon with no one else around.

Where is everyone?

Like Dubai, this Morocco resort delivers grandeur extremely well.   

There are 15 restaurants and bars here. I highly recommend dinner at seafood restaurant Sel de Mer. Head chef Farès Berriah has been there since day one, and his 17-year tenure speaks for itself.

It’s the jewel in the crown as he now heads up all the à la carte menus across the resort – and it’s easy to see why. His fresh shellfish cream soup (better known as crème de crustacés façon) has my tastebuds exploding, keen for a second helping.

With breakfast included and a whopping 10 stations to choose from, Mazagan also offers more inclusive options such as half-board or all-Inclusive packages, making daily food budgets easier to predict.

Inspired by the glamour of 1942 film Casablanca, aptly named ‘Studio 42’, their signature bar channels the elegance and allure of the 1940s – and as an Irish man, I naturally sample a cocktail or two.

Padraig says: ‘It’s heavenly trotting along the beach on my white horse, Caesar, as the sun disappears into the horizon with no one else around’

All the glitz and glamour of Dubai with none of the crowds? What more could you want?

For the night owls, Mazagan is home to North Africa’s largest 24-hour casino, offering 36 live tables including roulette, blackjack and ultimate Texas hold ’em. I don’t attempt to have a flutter this time after losing some modest dollars in Vegas last year.

There are also two pools – the kids’ pool has a slide adults can use too!

Golf enthusiasts are covered too – with the resort’s 18-hole course designed by Gary Player, the legendary South African golfer and three-time Masters champion. 

There’s even a recently renovated spa and gym where I have an aromatherapy massage. 

After nodding off, I’m awoken to a unique and breathtaking blue ocean and sky view.

Palm trees frame giant riad pools. Peacocks wander around the grounds. Families spread out across enormous spaces without fighting for loungers or breakfast tables.

All the glitz and glamour of Dubai with none of the crowds? What more could you want?