Category: Politics

President Donald Trump has reignited a political and diplomatic dispute over Iran after reacting sharply to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.

Johnson said his May 28 audience with the Chicago-born pontiff included conversations about United States immigration policy and the conflict involving Iran.

Trump responded two days later with a Truth Social post that mixed criticism of the mayor with a warning that Tehran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Truth Social Post Targets Johnson and the Pope

In his May 30 post, Trump said someone should explain the Iran issue to the pope while also attacking Johnson’s leadership in Chicago.

He included screenshots from the mayor’s own posts showing Johnson and Pope Leo exchanging gifts and praying during the Vatican visit.

The remarks added a new layer to Trump’s continuing argument that the pope has misunderstood, or is being wrongly briefed on, the administration’s position toward Iran.

Leo XIV Has Repeatedly Rejected Nuclear Weapons

Pope Leo XIV has publicly rejected claims that he supports any path toward nuclear armament.

Speaking earlier in May at Castel Gandolfo, he said the Church has long opposed nuclear weapons and has consistently called for disarmament.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin later reinforced that message, saying the Holy See has worked for nuclear disarmament in the past and intends to continue doing so.

White House and Chicago Officials Stay Silent

The White House and the Chicago mayor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment after Trump’s latest statement.

The silence left the president’s social media remarks as the clearest public signal of how the administration views Johnson’s Vatican visit and the pope’s criticism of the conflict.

Older Tensions Resurface Between Trump and Leo

The exchange follows earlier criticism from Trump, who in April described Pope Leo XIV as weak on crime and poor on foreign policy while saying he was not a fan of the pontiff.

Trump has also objected to Leo’s public calls for peace during the U.S.-led war involving Iran.

The pope, however, has continued to speak against the violence and has said he is not afraid of the Trump administration or of proclaiming the message of the Gospel.

South Africa’s national roads agency is expected to receive almost R31 billion this year as government moves to repair, upgrade, expand, and protect key parts of the country’s road infrastructure.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced the allocation while presenting the Department of Transport’s R102 billion Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday.

Major Road Projects Targeted for Funding

Creecy said the SANRAL allocation will support capital spending on the non-toll road network, operations linked to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, and continued construction on the N2 Wild Coast route.

The funding will also go toward major bridge construction, new national highway sections, and the development of the Moloto Road corridor.

According to the minister, these projects are expected to improve safety, reduce travel distances, and support economic activity.

Government Links Infrastructure Spending to Jobs

Creecy said road infrastructure investment remains a major driver of employment and development.

The department expects the funded projects to create more than 35,000 job opportunities and support over 2,000 small businesses.

She said public infrastructure spending plays an important role in stimulating economic growth while improving transport access for commuters, freight operators, and export industries.

Provincial Road Transfers Raise Sustainability Concerns

The minister warned that road maintenance problems at provincial and municipal levels remain a serious concern.

Since 2013, provincial governments have transferred about 13,000km of provincial roads to SANRAL for management and maintenance.

Creecy said this approach cannot continue indefinitely because it may weaken SANRAL’s ability to maintain the national road network without relying more heavily on tolling.

Government Seeks New Road Maintenance Funding Options

To address the pressure on provinces, government plans to convene a joint meeting between National Treasury and the Department of Transport through the MINMEC forum.

The goal is to explore ways to frontload the Provincial Road Maintenance Grant so provinces can upgrade priority roads earlier instead of delaying critical work.

Passenger Rail Recovery Shows Strong Growth

Creecy also highlighted major progress in restoring South Africa’s commuter rail system.

By the end of March 2026, annual passenger journeys had passed 100 million, representing a sixfold increase over four years.

The minister said the improvement follows sustained investment in rail infrastructure, rolling stock, security, and institutional reform.

Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape See Rail Improvements

The department is increasing train frequencies in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.

Creecy said government is also working to improve security, reduce vandalism, and reconnect communities that were previously excluded from reliable public transport.

At the end of 2025, government launched a Request for Information process to test investor interest in rapid regional rail, depot upgrades, rolling stock leasing, automated fare systems, and fibre installation.

Road Accident Fund System Under Review

The department is also reviewing the proposed Road Accident Fund Bill.

Creecy said the reforms are aimed at reducing the state’s financial exposure by introducing a no-fault system and a standardised injury compensation framework.

The RAF, which compensates people injured in road crashes, continues to face severe pressure from claim backlogs, litigation, and financial constraints.

Road Safety Described as a National Crisis

Creecy warned that South Africa’s road death rate remains among the worst in the world.

She said more than 11,418 people died on the country’s roads last year, describing road safety as a national crisis.

Government is also considering a hybrid funding model for the RAF that would combine public and private contributions to reduce pressure on state finances.

Impact and Consequences

The R31 billion allocation could improve road conditions, support construction jobs, and help small businesses benefit from public infrastructure projects.

However, the continued transfer of provincial roads to SANRAL raises long-term funding concerns. If provinces remain unable to maintain their own roads, SANRAL may face growing pressure that could affect the wider national network.

The RAF review could also reshape how accident victims are compensated, especially if government moves ahead with a no-fault and standardised compensation model.

What’s Next?

Government will engage National Treasury on ways to accelerate road maintenance funding for provinces.

SANRAL is expected to continue work on major road projects, including the N2 Wild Coast route, Moloto Road corridor, and national highway upgrades.

The Department of Transport will also continue discussions on passenger rail investment and RAF reform as it tries to stabilise key parts of the transport system.

Summary

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has announced that SANRAL is expected to receive nearly R31 billion this year for road maintenance, upgrades, rehabilitation, and expansion.

The funding forms part of the Department of Transport’s R102 billion Budget Vote and is intended to improve roads, support jobs, strengthen public transport, and address long-running challenges in road safety and accident compensation.

Bulleted Takeaways

• SANRAL is expected to receive almost R31 billion this year.
• The money will fund road maintenance, rehabilitation, upgrades, and expansion.
• Projects include the N2 Wild Coast route, Moloto Road corridor, and national highway sections.
• Government says the work could create more than 35,000 jobs.
• Over 2,000 small enterprises are expected to benefit.
• Provincial governments have transferred 13,000km of roads to SANRAL since 2013.
• Creecy warned this is not sustainable in the long term.
• Passenger rail journeys exceeded 100 million by March 2026.
• Government is reviewing the Road Accident Fund system.
• South Africa recorded more than 11,418 road deaths last year.

Andy Burnham was seen arriving at London Euston station on Wednesday morning as pressure continued to build around Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership.

The Greater Manchester mayor travelled from the North West to the capital at a politically sensitive moment for Labour, with Downing Street declining to rule out whether he was due to meet Sir Keir.

Burnham Allies Claim a Commons Return Plan Is Taking Shape

The sighting comes amid claims from Burnham’s supporters that he already has a parliamentary seat lined up as part of a possible route back to Westminster.

Burnham, often called the “King of the North,” left the House of Commons in 2017 to become mayor of Greater Manchester. Before that, he twice ran unsuccessfully for the Labour leadership, first in 2010 and again in 2015.

His allies now believe he may be preparing for another attempt, but his path remains complicated.

A Return to Parliament Would Require Several Political Steps

For Burnham to become Labour leader, he would first need to re-enter Parliament.

That would require a Labour MP to resign, a by-election to be triggered, the party’s National Executive Committee to approve him as a candidate, a local party to select him, and then voters to elect him.

Only after that could he formally stand in a Labour leadership contest.

Greater Manchester Seat Reportedly Being Considered

One Burnham ally claimed he has a seat in Greater Manchester ready, though the exact constituency remains undisclosed.

The source argued that Burnham’s popularity in the region could give him an advantage, saying his appeal goes beyond traditional Labour voters.

Blackley and Middleton MP Graham Stringer has been mentioned as a possible figure who could step aside, though he has rejected that idea. Jim McMahon’s Oldham West and Royton seat has also been discussed by some Labour figures.

Starmer’s Role Could Be Crucial

Burnham’s path depends heavily on timing.

If Starmer resigns quickly, other Labour figures such as Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, or Ed Miliband could move before Burnham has a chance to return to the Commons.

But if Starmer remains in office until September, Burnham may have more time to engineer a route back into Parliament.

Angela Rayner Backs Burnham’s Right to Stand

Burnham’s potential comeback has gained open support from Angela Rayner, who has said any future Labour leadership contest should allow him to participate.

However, his last attempt to return to Parliament was blocked by Labour’s National Executive Committee, which at the time was chaired by Starmer.

Some party insiders now believe the NEC may be less likely to stop him if a vacancy emerges.

Burnham Expected to Set Out Political Vision

Burnham’s next major public intervention is expected on May 30, when he is due to speak at an event hosted by Compass, a centre-left political group.

One source claimed the speech could begin to outline elements of a wider political programme, potentially giving supporters a clearer sense of what a Burnham leadership bid would look like.

Impact and Consequences

Burnham’s renewed prominence could deepen instability inside Labour at a moment when Starmer is already under pressure.

His possible return to Westminster may also complicate any leadership transition, particularly if another senior Labour figure takes over before he can secure a Commons seat.

For Labour MPs, the situation creates a difficult strategic question: whether Burnham represents the party’s best chance of revival or a destabilising force waiting outside Parliament.

What’s Next?

Attention will now turn to whether a Labour MP steps aside to create a by-election opportunity for Burnham.

The NEC’s response would also be critical, as party approval would be required before he could run as a Labour candidate.

If no route opens quickly, Burnham may continue building pressure from outside Westminster while other leadership contenders prepare their own campaigns.

Summary

Andy Burnham’s arrival in London has fueled speculation that he is preparing a return to national politics as Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure.

Although allies claim a Greater Manchester seat may be available, Burnham still faces major procedural and political obstacles before he could challenge for the Labour leadership.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Andy Burnham was seen arriving at London Euston from the North West.
• Downing Street did not deny he may meet Keir Starmer.
• Allies claim Burnham has a Greater Manchester seat lined up.
• He would need to return to Parliament before standing for Labour leader.
• A by-election and NEC approval would be required.
• Angela Rayner has backed his right to stand in a leadership contest.
• Graham Stringer and Jim McMahon’s seats have been mentioned in speculation.
• Wes Streeting could benefit if Starmer resigns before Burnham returns.
• Burnham is due to give a major speech at a Compass event on May 30.
• Labour insiders remain divided over whether his comeback would help or destabilise the party.