
Trump mocking Pope Francis' death? POTUS posts AI image in papal attire
President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal attire. While some social media users found the post humorous, others criticized it as insensitive, accusing Trump of mocking Pope Francis' death.
'This is disrespectful to the church and God himself… he's literally the antichrist,' one person commented.
Another wrote, 'This is disgusting and entirely offensive.'
A third person wrote, 'This is extremely disrespectful and narcissistic. republicans really voted for that.'
Another person commented, 'How disrespectful to Catholics. That is what Trump and his maggots are all about, disrespect and meanness and stupidity. How dare you mock the process we Catholics go through to pick a new pope.'
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Walmart heiress sparks firestorm with No Kings ad - MAGA calls for nationwide boycott
Christy Walton , who is part of the Walmart family, paid for a big ad in The New York Times. She asked people to attend town hall meetings and talk about the country's future. The ad was for " No Kings Day ," which is on June 14, the same day as Trump's birthday, Flag Day, and the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army. The ad didn't name Trump directly, but said, 'We honor our commitments and stand by our allies.' 'We defend against aggression by dictators.' 'We respect our neighbors and trading partners.' 'The honor, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale', as mentioned in the ad by The New York Times and reported by Newsweek. Many people, especially Trump supporters, saw this as a direct criticism of Trump's 'America First' policies and foreign policy ideas. This led to backlash online, with MAGA supporters calling for a boycott of Walmart. Kari Lake, who supports Trump, posted a photo of the ad on X and asked her followers, 'Do you shop at Walmart?' Tariffs and Boycotts A Walmart spokesperson said the company has nothing to do with the ad. Christy doesn't work for Walmart, is not on the board, and doesn't help make decisions. Christy Walton is worth $19.3 billion and became part of the Walmart family after marrying John Walton, son of founder Sam Walton, who died in 2005, as mentioned by Newsweek. Some Republicans, like Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, reacted by saying the Walmart family is angry about China tariffs. The boycott trend isn't new, Walmart has already been targeted this year along with Amazon, Nestlé, and General Mills, as part of 'economic blackouts.' Live Events Trump himself slammed Walmart earlier for saying that his tariffs on China would make their products more expensive. He posted on Truth Social that Walmart should 'eat the tariffs' instead of passing the cost to customers, as stated by Newsweek. Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group, said people are upset because the ad doesn't match their political views, but it's still freedom of speech. Experts say the boycott may not last long, as Walmart remains the most affordable option for many. FAQs Q1. Why are Trump supporters angry with Walmart? They believe a Walmart heiress 's ad was against Trump, so they're calling for a boycott. Q2. Did Walmart support the No Kings ad? No, Walmart said it had nothing to do with the ad and the heiress doesn't work for them.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Trump administration's visa delays drive surge in UAE university applications
The US government's recent visa restrictions and delays are prompting a sharp rise in international student applications to universities across the United Arab Emirates, according to officials at major higher education institutions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi , and Ajman. Following a proclamation by former President Donald Trump to restrict visas for international students at institutions like Harvard University-now temporarily blocked by a federal judge, students are increasingly turning to UAE universities for stability and access. The policy shift in the US has led to the suspension of student visa interviews, creating uncertainty and travel disruption for aspiring students worldwide. According to Gulf News, Heriot-Watt University Dubai reported a 53.5% increase in applications for its September 2025 intake compared to the same period last year. Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal, said to Gulf News, the rise is driven by 'growing global restrictions on international student visas,' positioning Dubai as an 'attractive study destination.' 'Our campus recorded a 4.5 per cent year-on-year increase in enrolments for 2024/25,' she added. 'Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi rank among the world's safest, offering families peace of mind alongside academic excellence.' (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Ajman-based Gulf Medical University is also seeing expanded demand. Acting Chancellor Professor Manda Venkatramana noted that applications have increased significantly year-on-year, with interest growing from Asia, Africa, and the MENA region. Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ UK job market slowdown raises concerns for international students Indian students made up one in four international students in US in 2024: ICE report Harvard university scores legal win against Trump's international student ban « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT 'We've observed a significant spike in enquiries and interest from both students and parents across several countries – particularly those who had initially planned to pursue higher education in the US,' he said. 'Families are beginning to view the UAE as a primary choice.' Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi confirmed that international student interest has nearly doubled from the previous year. Camille Assouline, Head of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs, told Gulf News, 'The recent visa disruptions in the US may be contributing to this shift, as more students look toward stable, globally connected alternatives.' The Gulf News Edufair events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi also reflected this trend, with universities showcasing opportunities in medical, technology, and global mobility pathways. UAE institutions cite their streamlined visa systems, strong infrastructure, and part-time work options as key attractions.
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Decoded: How Iran and Israel's decades-old conflict could explode into war
The Islamic Republic of Iran on Thursday (June 12) posted a chilling two-word message on social media platform X: 'We are ready,' amid reports that Israel is preparing to launch a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. The United States has responded by warning that Iran may retaliate against American targets in neighbouring Iraq and has advised some US citizens to leave the region as a precaution. Tensions have surged since the breakdown of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran. US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his hardline stance, declaring that Iran would not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. 'Very simple. They can't have a nuclear weapon. We're not going to allow that,' he said, adding that US troops are being repositioned away from parts of the Middle East 'because it could be a dangerous place.' Iran's enriched uranium stockpile nears weapons-grade threshold The trigger behind this rising tension lies in Iran's growing nuclear stockpile. According to a recent estimate by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran now holds over 408 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity, dangerously close to the 90 per cent threshold required for a nuclear weapon. That's a nearly 50 per cent increase from earlier this year. The time it would take Iran to 'break out' and build a bomb is shrinking rapidly. Tracing the historical roots of Iran-Israel hostility Iran and Israel weren't always enemies. In fact, prior to 1979, the two countries maintained close ties. Iran was one of the first Muslim-majority nations to recognise Israel after its founding in 1948. Under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran and Israel enjoyed diplomatic, economic, and military ties. Both nations viewed Arab nationalism as a mutual threat, and Israel considered Iran a key strategic ally on the periphery of the Arab world. But this cooperation snapped after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The new regime in Tehran cut all ties with Israel, transferred the Israeli embassy to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), and declared Israel an enemy of Islam. Ayatollah Khomeini's regime began openly supporting anti-Israel militant groups, shifting the nature of the conflict from political rivalry to ideological confrontation. Iran's proxy network intensifies regional warfare against Israel Since then, Iran has supported and armed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Islamic Jihad Movement in the Palestinian territories. This network of proxies has conducted many wars against Israel, including those in Lebanon and several Gaza conflicts from 2008 to 2024. Iran has also provided support to groups in Syria and Yemen over the years, designed to counter Israel and attack its interests. How close is Iran to developing a nuclear weapon? Iran's nuclear programme has always been at the heart of Israeli fears. Israel has long considered Iran's nuclear ambition an existential threat. Over the years, it has launched covert operations to sabotage Iran's programme, including the infamous Stuxnet cyberattack and the assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists. These efforts have slowed but not stopped Iran's progress. Once Iran crosses the 90 per cent enrichment mark, experts warn it could produce a nuclear weapon within weeks—a scenario Israel says it will not allow. Where are the modern flashpoints in the Iran-Israel conflict? The conflict has played out across multiple theatres in West Asia. Lebanon remains a critical front. Iran's most powerful proxy, Hezbollah, is based there and has fought major wars with Israel, including the 2006 conflict. Hezbollah is believed to possess over 100,000 rockets aimed at Israeli cities. In Gaza, Iran funds and supports both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement. Despite the Shia-Sunni divide, their shared hostility towards Israel unites them. Syria is another major flashpoint. Iran maintains a strong military presence there and uses the territory to transfer weapons to Hezbollah. Israel frequently launches airstrikes on Iranian assets and supply routes in Syria. Recently, Iraq has emerged as a new front. Iranian-backed militias there have carried out drone attacks on Israeli targets. In 2024, after Israel bombed an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Iran and its proxies launched a large-scale drone and missile barrage. Though most were intercepted with US and European assistance, Israel responded with strikes inside Iran and Syria. Both sides then pulled back to avoid a wider regional war. Who supports Iran and Israel in this regional power struggle? Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' includes state and non-state actors such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its elite Quds Force, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Islamic Jihad Movement, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and various Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria. Iran also supports smaller militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Israel, meanwhile, is firmly backed by the United States. Washington provides billions in military aid, advanced defence systems like Iron Dome, and intelligence support. US forces also target Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Iraq. Western allies, including the UK, Germany, and Italy, assist diplomatically and through missile defence cooperation. While not formal military allies, several Sunni Arab states share Israel's concerns. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt have deepened ties with Israel since the 2020 Abraham Accords. The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank remains ideologically opposed to Israel but occasionally coordinates security efforts against Hamas. Why is Iraq becoming a critical theatre in this confrontation? Iraq now serves as a launchpad for Iranian-aligned militias and a proxy battleground. Groups like Kata'ib Hezbollah under the 'Islamic Resistance in Iraq' banner have claimed attacks on Israeli military assets. These militias allow Iran to strike Israel indirectly while avoiding direct confrontation. Geographically, Iraq's proximity to Israel makes it strategically significant for weapons transfers and strikes. However, the Iraqi government under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani is under pressure to control these groups, fearing that Israeli retaliation could further destabilise the country. The US military presence in Iraq—currently around 2,500 troops—acts as a deterrent. But Washington's plan to withdraw by 2026 could reduce Iraq's resistance to Iranian pressure and shift the balance of power further. Are the conditions now set for full-scale regional war? With nuclear breakout potential, active proxy networks, and direct military exchanges, the Iran-Israel conflict is dangerously close to escalation. Iraq's emergence as a proxy front, growing Hezbollah stockpiles, increased Western involvement, and failed diplomacy are all converging. Whether this leads to an all-out war or a prolonged cycle of strikes and retaliation depends on the decisions made in the coming weeks—both in Jerusalem and Tehran, and in capitals far beyond.