Manchester City and Arsenal are battling for the Premier League title and go head-to-head at the Etihad this afternoon.

Manchester City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad today in a huge game at the top of the Premier League table.

City begin the day six points adrift of the Gunners but with a game in hand on the leaders. Should Pep Guardiola’s side prevail and then win at Burnley on Wednesday night, they will be top of the Premier League table.

That will be a tough task against an Arsenal side who may have lost their last Premier League match against Bournemouth but have been difficult to beat this season. But beat them City did in the Carabao Cup final last month and the Blues will hope for a repeat this afternoon to pile the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side down the stretch.

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Guardiola could do something he rarely does, and name an unchanged team for this one. City seem to have found their groove in recent weeks and with Ruben Dias a confirmed absentee, changes from the win at Chelsea last time out would be a surprise. Guardiola doesn’t often retain the same XI but familiarity feels right for this one.

Gianluigi Donnarumma will continue in goal, with James Trafford in line to play in the FA Cup semi-final against Championship side Southampton next weekend. Nico O’Reilly has been passed fit to feature despite coming off with an apparent hamstring issue at Stamford Bridge and he can continue at left back.

In the absence of Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov has impressed and can once again partner Marc Guehi with Matheus Nunes at right back.

Bernardo Silva confirmed he will be leaving City this summer and the skipper can start alongside Rodri in midfield with Rayan Cherki playing in the attacking role.

Antoine Semenyo has proved he has big-game goals in him since joining from Bournemouth in January, while Jeremy Doku always carries a threat. Erling Haaland might not be in the goalscoring form in the top flight that he would wish for but the Norwegian scored at the Emirates in the reverse fixture and will give Gabriel and William Saliba in the Arsenal backline a physical test.

City predicted XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo, Cherki; Semenyo, Doku, Haaland

The French actress’ family confirmed that she died at her home in Paris on Friday (April 17).

Nathalie starred in the 2022 film Downton Abbey: A New Era alongside the likes of Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery and Elizabeth McGovern who all reprised their roles.

Baye joined the cast with actors Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock and Dominic West.

Nous aimions tant Nathalie Baye. Elle a accompagné par sa voix, ses sourires et sa pudeur ces dernières décennies du cinéma français, de Francois Truffaut à Tonie Marshall. Une comédienne avec qui nous avons aimé, rêvé, grandi. Nous pensons à sa famille et à ses proches. pic.twitter.com/7A3mug2aGP

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 18, 2026

Nathalie Baye dies ages 77 after battle with dementia

In a career that spanned 50 years, Baye starred in more than 80 films, The Sun reports.

During her career, she was nominated 10 times for the Best Actress award at the Cesar Awards, known as the French equivalent to the Oscars.

She won four of the awards.

The actress was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia last year.

Lewy body dementia is “one of the most common types of dementia”, according to the NHS.

It causes hallucinations, confusion or sleepiness and fainting spells, alongside other symptoms.

President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, was among those paying tribute to Nathalie.

He posted on X, which translated his message, saying: “We loved Nathalie Baye so much.

“She accompanied, through her voice, her smiles, and her reserve, these last decades of French cinema, from François Truffaut to Tonie Marshall.

“An actress with whom we loved, dreamed, and grew up.

“We think of her family and her loved ones.”

Nathalie also starred in Call My Agent!, The Spin, The Guardians and more.

This affects pensioners, Universal Credit recipients, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Child Benefit, and other regular payments.

May 4 is the May Day Bank Holiday for 2026, while May 25 is Spring Bank Holiday.

Government departments are reminding claimants to check their payment dates so they’re not caught off guard by early deposits over long weekends.

“We always move payments forward when a bank holiday falls on the usual day, so people get their money in time,” a DWP spokesperson said.

May Bank Holiday payments moved forward

For many households, the two May bank holidays will bring an early arrival of money.

Payments due on Monday May 4 2026 (including pensions, Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit, and other DWP support) will instead arrive on Friday May 1 2026.

Payments due on Monday May 25 are scheduled to arrive on Friday May 22.

HMRC and DWP explain that bank holidays mean banks are closed, so payments are brought forward to ensure claimants still have access to funds.

Why do we have a May Day Bank Holiday?

The Early May Bank Holiday is linked to International Workers’ Day, celebrating workers’ rights, fair pay and the labour movement.

First formalised in 1978, its roots stretch back to ancient spring festivals and trade union campaigning.

Today it symbolises both social progress and the arrival of spring.

Why do we have the Spring Bank Holiday?

The Spring Bank Holiday, also known as the Late May Bank Holiday, is the UK’s final May public holiday.

It was originally tied to Whit Sunday (Pentecost), a Christian festival marking the descent of the Holy Spirit and traditionally celebrated seven weeks after Easter.

The holiday was once known as Whitsun Bank Holiday and moved each year with Easter.

In 1971, it was fixed to the last Monday in May, removing its direct religious link but keeping its timing as a key early summer long weekend.

Summer and autumn changes

Later in 2026, further adjustments apply depending on location:

• 3 August → 4 August (Scotland only)
• 4 August → 5 August (Scotland only)
• 31 August → 28 August (all UK)
• 28 December → 24 December
• 29 December → 30 December (Northern Ireland only)

Regional public holidays in Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee) and Northern Ireland can also affect payment timing.

How to check your payment

• Look at your bank statement – payments normally appear with references like “DWP Pension” or “HMRC Child Benefit”
• For those on Universal Credit, check the online account for exact payment dates
• If a payment seems late, check with your bank first, then contact the DWP or HMRC if necessary

“Knowing when payments will arrive helps households manage their budgets, especially around busy bank holiday weekends,” a DWP spokesperson said.

Christopher Fairbank, who played the evil Eddie Knight, and last appeared in the BBC soap in 2024, will make a return this year.

Eddie was convicted of murder after killing George Knight’s biological father in a racially motivated attack.

It took decades for Eddie to be convicted and he went to prison in 2024, reports The Sun.

Christopher Fairbank will return to EastEnders this spring (Image: EastEnders/YouTube)

The newspaper said a source had confirmed the return would see Eddie “part of a new storyline that will see George Knight at the heart of the drama.”

The source added: “Whilst it’s only a short stint, his return kicks off a bigger storyline that will spark troubling times for George and the wider Knight family.”

An EastEnders spokesperson told Newsquest that Fairbank would be returning to the soap.

They said: “We can confirm Christopher Fairbank will be returning to EastEnders for a short stint later this spring.”

The Sun says Fairbank has started filming his scenes ahead of his return.

Who is Christopher Fairbank?

Christopher has appeared in many films and TV shows over the years.

These include Guardians of the Galaxy, Batman, Orthodox, Pirates of the Caribbean and more.

He also starred in rival soap Coronation Street.

EastEnders praised by Samaritans for upcoming storyline

Earlier this month, the charity Samaritans praised an upcoming EastEnders storyline that hopes to “help tackle stigma” around people suffering with their mental health.

On the hit BBC soap, Ravi Gulati, played by Aaron Thiara, is currently considering suicide.

The story is set to climax later this month when he reaches a crisis point.

Lorna Fraser, head of the Media Advisory Service at Samaritans, said she hoped the episodes would help viewers experiencing similar issues to seek support.

She said: “Storylines responsibly reflecting experiences of mental health and suicide can help tackle stigma and encourage viewers who might be struggling to talk about how they are feeling.

The top 5 EastEnders villains

“We’re proud to have supported EastEnders with covering Ravi’s self-harm and mental health crisis sensitively and grateful for their efforts in making this as safe as possible.”

Executive producer, Ben Wadey, said: “EastEnders always takes great care when researching storylines such as Ravi’s and we’re grateful to Samaritans for the advice they have given us, helping us ensure Ravi’s story is told with the care and sensitivity it deserves.”

Which EastEnders actor would you like to see return? Let us know in the comments.

ANOTHER ordinary cold wet weekday evening in the late 80s, and once again I found myself behind my mixing desk at the Spotted Cow in Barbican Rd, ready to engineer the sound for another boring University band.

The “ Cow” as it was called, wasn’t exactly York’s premier music venue, with its dated 70s curtains, tired seating, and a carpet that you stuck to as you tried to cross it through years of spilt beer impregnating the fibres, but it was where countless local bands had cut their teeth before moving on to bigger things.

And it had “atmosphere” – the stage so close to the audience that you could almost touch the bands, so heavy with smoke that you didn’t need a fog machine to augment the light show, and so small you had to dance where you stood when it was full.

Always the poor relation to The Winning Post, The Arts Centre, The Oval Ball and Fibbers, the Spotted Cow was nevertheless the York equivalent of Liverpool’s Cavern and it promoted every type and style of band from folk duos to six-piece thrash metal .

Spotted Cow in Barbican Road in 1982. Press photo

But – back to that cold wet evening. I’d been providing sound and lighting for local bands for about a year, with a small PA set-up and a home-made lighting rig using domestic light switches which would have horrified any Health & Safety inspector!

But I was cheap, usually working two or three weeknights and the occasional weekends. Bigger bands in bigger venues tended to use JSS PA Hire, and we had an easy relationship – top quality bands used their pro equipment and engineers and I took small jobs at the Cow which on weeknights usually consisted of University bands trying to be REM or “experimental“ in a local venue.

Rob Wilson performing at The Spotted Cow in York. Photo supplied

All the groups tended to be the same, now and again there were some good bands and although I always gave them the best sound I could, each one blurred into another with monotonous regularity.

Except tonight. I’d set up the band in the usual way and it was an easy mix, just a standard line-up of drums, bass, guitar and vocal. Strangely they didn’t want to soundcheck, their only request being that all the lights were off when they came onstage apart from my spotlights picking out the singer. I settled in for another tedious evening as the Cow began to fill up.

The new cabaret room in the Spotted Cow in Barbican Road in 1982.Press photo

At 9pm I doused all the lights and waited. There was the usual expectant hush. Then the band appeared on stage, all dressed head to toe in full surgeon’s gowns, with caps and masks, all bloodstained. The lead singer was carrying what appeared to be a severed head!

It was dripping with fake blood, and as he arrived at the drum kit he jammed the head onto an empty tom-tom spike causing the rest of the blood to cascade down over the kit. I flooded the stage with light as they launched into their set, loud powerful fast rock very much in the style of Green Day, and having got over their shock, the packed audience were immediately on their feet dancing and applauding. The name of the band escapes me, but it was one of the best gigs at the Cow I’d ever done.

York in 1997 – The Royal Dragon Cantonese Restaurant, Barbican Road, York. (former Spotted Cow).

Although small, the Spotted Cow gained a well-deserved reputation as one of the best York venues to see bands and, for a 30-year heyday beginning in the 1970s, hosted amazing and sometimes controversial live music with the best bands in the city performing.

And many people and musicians have fond (and not so fond ) memories of their gigs there even in the early days. Here are some recollections, staring with Paul Acton, as quoted in Something In The Air by Van Wilson…

Paul Acton: “ My father was a jazz musician. At the Spotted Cow it was fantastic. You could never get the band started, but you could never get them off once throwing-out time would come along. There’d be people sat in the other bar waiting for the music room to open so that they could get a seat and by half time you couldn’t find a square foot of floor space. It was absolutely packed out and they stood in the corridor, up on the stairs, shouting and screaming. I’ve never known anything like it.”

Tony and Carol Stilgoe in The Spotted Cow in Barbican Road in 1982. Press photo

He added. “ One night I had my amplifier catch fire in the Spotted Cow and the band carried on playing in the best Titanic tradition. There was smoke coming off it! The band carried on for a bit but you could tell there was something missing…”

Paul Butler remembers: “One time, my band (Rugged Aardvarks – a jolly busking band) had been booked to play the Spotted Cow by the manager of another band. He had never heard us play and for some reason thought we were a death metal band (like the headliners).

“Consequently we ended up playing our light-hearted skiffle set to a room full of death metal fans. No one clapped, cheered or even booed between songs. They just stared, quietly and angrily throughout the whole experience. I’ve never wanted to get off a stage more than I did that night at the Spotted Cow. “

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Paul Duckett recalled: “I was at a couple of gigs where we were told to leave by the owner and a 70s lewd comic. One punk gig was cut short after the singer did something rather naughty and the manager got on stage and said right, that’s enough!

“The Village Idiots (band) got kicked out at an early gig after someone phoned the fire brigade, and we got barred for various other nefarious practices and had to perform under a fake name to get booked again.”

And this from Christopher Dale: “Ruby Tuesday’s first gig was there in September 1985, and we played there a lot over the following three years. The funniest memory was probably due to the fact that the Spotted Cow was next to a taxi rank back then and when the guitarist Chris Styles went to play a solo his wireless receiver picked up the taxi rank and broadcast that instead of his solo..!”

Rugged Aardvarks performing at The Spotted Cow in York. Photo supplied

There’s a distinct lack of these types of small, intimate, venues now, although I am aware that there is a fund-raising campaign to try to restart them.

The Spotted Cow was special though – each night it played host to a who’s who of York musicians both onstage and in the audience, and great music was guaranteed for all.

It is now a Chinese restaurant, but you can go for a meal, sit at a table, shut your eyes and relieve those heady days.

The beer was cheap, the smoke was thick, your ears rang from the deafening PA, and your shoes stuck to the carpet, but when you came out you knew you’d had another good night at “ The Cow”.

More York nostalgia

If you love delving into York’s past and seeing photos and reading stories from yesteryear then make sure you check The Press every day for its regular nostalgia stories. And don’t miss our eight-page nostalgia supplement every Wednesday in the paper.

We also have more than 10,000 members in our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York – Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia/.

It would be great to see your old photos of York – and they don’t have to be from centuries ago. We all love seeing old photos from our recent past, and some of our more popular stories with readers date from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

If you have a nostalgia story for us, please email maxine.gordon@thepress.co.uk.

Words and photos by DAVE LAWRENCE

YUNGBLUD’S hugely anticipated Idols World Tour visited Leeds last night (Friday) where the Yorkshire-born artist delivered a mesmerising show fusing emotion and energy into a stunning performance.

While the headliner himself was on terrific form, both the supporting bands – The Molotovs and The Warning – played scintillating sets that contributed to an unforgettable evening.

Doncaster born Yungblud – real name Dominic Harrison – strutted on stage to join his band, wearing low slung, gravity-defying leather trousers, waistcoat and dark shades and launched into the anthemic Hello Heaven, Hello, sweeping the audience along on a wave of athleticism, pulsating beats and impassioned vocals.

Yungblud performing at Leeds Arena on 17 April 2026.

During the song several cannons detonated covering the audience in white confetti as Yungblud, with arms outstretched in a Christ-like pose, welcomed his followers into his world.

His acrobatic leaps excited the crowd and in mid-song the waistcoat and shades were discarded before he climbed on to the drum riser, drenching himself with a bottle of water and faced the backscreen where the cameras showed an ecstatic audience gazing at him.

The singer continued to command the stage during The Funeral with rock-star flair turned up to the max. Sadly, the third number, Idols Pt.1 , was halted in mid-flow with Yungblud taking the band off stage while staff dealt with a medical emergency in the crowd.

The band returned 20 minutes later continuing the show with Lovesick Lullaby.

Yungblud performing at Leeds Arena on 17 April 2026.

The sheer physicality of Yungblud’s stage presence – a fusion of prime era Jagger and Iggy Pop (primarily the latter) – was, at times, exhausting to watch and he probably needed the occasional short interludes to thank the audience and express his love for them to catch his breath.

The writing collaboration with Aerosmith, My Only Angel, featured the deployment of flame throwers warming the broiling audience even further. As is now the norm, during fleabag, an audience member – Charlie from Hartlepool – was invited up on stage to play guitar during the number.

The keyboard-driven Black Sabbath ballad Changes, which Yungblud memorably covered at the final Sabbath concert at Villa Park last July offered everyone some relief from the foot-to-the-floor tempo with its sombre, reflective lyrics.

Ghosts had the singer channelling Roger Daltrey with his mic-swinging as he stampeded around the stage before Zombie and Suburban Requiem.

Yungblud performing at Leeds Arena on 17 April 2026.

Earlier in the evening Monterrey’s The Warning delivered a hard-rocking performance that set the audience up nicely for the main act. The band, comprised of sisters Daniela, Paulina and Alejandra Villarreal Vélez were, frankly, terrific with Ritual, Kerosene and Disciple being stand-out songs. They will be headlining venues of this size themselves before too long.

The Molotovs, fresh from an energetic set at Stockton Calling earlier this month opened proceedings. Teenage siblings Matt and Issey Cartlidge on guitar and bass – with drums from Noah Riley – offered an exciting mix of mod and punk. They have great stage presence; tons of attitude; and a bunch of memorable tunes on their debut album, Wasted On Youth. Catch them if you get the chance.

Whether you prefer beef, pork or a veggie option with all the trimmings, these top-rated spots – based on TripAdvisor reviews and customer feedback – never disappoint.

The Three Horseshoes Inn

Running Waters

Just a few miles from Durham city centre, The Three Horseshoes Inn is a firm favourite with roast lovers thanks to its countryside charm and traditional menu.

Regulars praise the quality ingredients, generous portions and friendly service that make it stand out. One diner wrote: “Relaxed atmosphere, excellent food – the roast was cooked perfectly and there was plenty of it.”

The Green Tree 1727

Tudhoe Village, Spennymoor

Steeped in character and history, The Green Tree 1727 offers hearty roast dinners in a traditional setting that’s full of warmth. It earns consistently high TripAdvisor ratings, with diners praising the tender meats, crispy roasties and homemade feel.

As one reviewer summed up: “Fantastic Sunday lunch… beautifully cooked beef, crispy potatoes and loads of flavour.”

The Rose Tree Inn

Low Road, Shincliffe

If riverside dining sounds appealing, The Rose Tree Inn in Shincliffe delivers both beautiful views and a Sunday roast worth travelling for.

Set beside the River Wear, it’s known for its fresh, hot and flavour-packed dishes, served in a welcoming atmosphere. One reviewer wrote: “A lovely riverside pub with delicious, freshly cooked roast dinners.”

The Duke of Wellington

Darlington Road, Durham

A well-loved local spot just outside the city, The Duke of Wellington is a go-to for families looking for a classic pub roast that gets it right every time.

It’s known for reliable pub classics, generous gravy servings and hearty flavours. As one happy customer put it: “The roast here hits the spot every time – flavoursome meat, crisp roasties and plenty of gravy.”

The Ginger Dog

Coxhoe

For a twist on the traditional, The Ginger Dog in Coxhoe adds a modern touch to the classic Sunday roast. Though smaller than some of the county’s larger pubs, it’s big on presentation and flavour.

One diner said: “One of the best roasts we’ve had in a long time. Great flavours, beautifully presented and excellent service.”

From riverside pubs to countryside inns, County Durham is packed with places serving top-tier roasts all year round.

Have we missed your favourite? Let us know where you think does the best Sunday lunch!

A mum has shared her favourite European city break for families, praising world-class museums, exceptional playgrounds and child-friendly food

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A mum has revealed the ‘best’ European city break she’s ever experienced with her child, and it’s not the destination you might anticipate. When parents plan holidays with their children, there are numerous factors to consider before making a booking.

From deciding how the family will reach the destination, to ensuring children remain engaged during travel and whether attractions will hold their interest sufficiently, there’s plenty to weigh up. However, one woman who shares content on social media has highlighted the “best’ destination she has visited with her child, which kept her occupied every day.

Claire and Laura are identical twin mum’s who post UK based travel content on social media under the username @twinperspectives.

The family explained how they went to Stockholm in Sweden and were surprised at home good it was for children.

The mum said: “The best city break in the world for kids, hands down, is Stockholm. It’s pure wholesome loveliness and there is so much to do.

“Let’s start off with the Open Air Museum of Skansen, which is basically Sweden hundreds of years ago, but it is also so good for kids.

“There is a zoo. We were at the park 10 till 4pm so there is so much to do. It is so incredibly wholesome and of course plenty of sweets.

“Next up is the Vasa Museum, home to the world’s only preserved 17th century ship. There’s a great children’s trail to keep them entertained.

“This is a pretty mind-blowing museum and you have to go .Next up is the Unibacken Museum, tis is a world of immersive stories dedicated to Astrid Lindgren who wrote Pippi Longstocking.

“Make sure you take the train through the story lands, it is so detailed, my daughter loved this”

The mum then explained that families should keep an eye out for the different metro stations in Stockholm, with the city being known for its art in the metros.

The mum added that there were plenty of free things to do in the city, alongside paid for attractions.

She said: “Aside from paid activities, Stockholm’s playgrounds are another level compared to the UK. Vasa Park is the largest in the city, even comes with bikes and play accessories as well.

“Activities aside, the food is great for kids in Sweden. Obviously there’s meatballs and mashed potato and the famous fika.

“Getting around the city is super easy. All in all one of the easiest yet most exciting city breaks you can do with kids. Obviously it’s not budget friendly but I’d say the activities that are there are well worth the price tag.”

Other parents commented on the video to agree with the twins, with many sharing their own experiences of visiting Sweden.

One person said: “We have family in Sweden but I didn’t even think about revisiting Stockholm with our little ones! I know they’d love the Vasa museum and these are some great other suggestions too.”

A second said: “Ahhh, yes totally agree. The nature and play parks and museums make Sweden a great place for children and families. I’m often asked to put together itineraries for families visiting.”

James Badger was with his wife Philippa in Robins Hood Bay on the North Yorkshire coast when she said her legs were feeling a bit tired. Two days later she was dead.

“We did not think too much of it, but that evening she felt a bit worse so she rang our GP,” he said.

“She had blood tests and was told she had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). After receiving a blood transfusion, she was transferred to a hospital in Leeds but died shortly afterwards.

“It was such a sudden shock for my family, for us all.

“Going from being a normal healthy person and a normal family to dealing with this in less than two days.

“The hardest thing I ever had to do was tell my three children that Mummy had died.”

Now starting on Tuesday, the Morrisons director will complete the National Three Peaks challenge, cycle from Snowdon to London and run the London Marathon, all in five days, to fund vital research into the blood cancer that killed his wife. He will start on Tuesday and hopes to finish outside Bukcingh

“Philippa was an incredible person and an amazing mum to our three children,” he said. “After losing her so suddenly, I wanted to do something positive in her memory and help fund the research that could stop other families going through the same heartbreak.”

Since Philippa’s death on the holiday in 2022, James has cycled 1,600km from Land’s End to John O’Groats in eight days, completed an “Everest” cycling challenge in the Yorkshire Dales by riding up the same hill 90 times, passing the churchyard where Philippa is buried on every climb, with friends supporting him along the way as well as cycling from Harrogate to London in three days on a vintage tandem, a distance of 500km before running in his first London marathon.

He has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Blood Cancer UK to support research into AML.

 Matthew White, Director of Fundraising at Blood Cancer UK, said:  “ What James is doing in Philippa’s memory is incredible.

“Acute myeloid leukaemia is one of the toughest blood cancers to treat. Just one in three people with the hardest to treat blood cancers survive five years after diagnosis, and for many patients, treatment options are still very limited.

“The research James is helping to fund could lead to the next generation of treatments for AML and that’s why challenges like this matter so much.”

BEIRUT (AP) — A U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon came under attack with small arms fire Saturday morning, leaving one French peacekeeper dead and three others wounded, two of them seriously, France’s president and the force known as UNIFIL said.

Both President Emmanuel Macron and the UNIFIL force blamed Hezbollah, but the Lebanese militant group denied involvement.

The attack near the southern Lebanese village of Ghandouriyeh came after a 10-day ceasefire went into effect at midnight Thursday between Israel and Hezbollah.

The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2 when the Iran-backed group launched rockets into Israel after the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran, killing top officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The war, in which Israel invaded parts of Lebanon, left nearly 2,300 people dead in Lebanon, more than 1 million people displaced and caused widespread destruction.

“Everything suggests that responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah,” Macron wrote on social media. “France demands that the Lebanese authorities immediately arrest those responsible and assume their responsibilities alongside UNIFIL,” the U.N. mission in southern Lebanon.

Investigation launched

In Beirut, three judicial officials said that Lebanon’s Military Tribunal opened an investigation over the attack and is in contact with the army’s intelligence department to work on identifying the perpetrators. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Hezbollah denied links to the attack, calling in a statement for caution in assigning blame and judgment until the Lebanese army completes its investigation to determine the full circumstances. Hezbollah said that peacekeepers should coordinate with the Lebanese army in their operations.

Hezbollah expressed surprise in the statement at the hasty accusations leveled against it, especially given the silence of these same parties “when the Israeli enemy attacks UNIFIL forces.”

Macron identified the dead soldier as Staff Sgt. Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment from Montauban. He said that three of Montorio’s “comrades in arms were injured and evacuated.”

“The nation bows in respect and extends its support to the families of our soldiers and to all our military personnel engaged for peace in Lebanon,” he said.

His death came nearly a month after a drone attack on March 12 targeted a Kurdish military base in Iraq’s Erbil region, killing French Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion and wounding six others.

French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said Saturday that the soldier was killed during an ambush. She said he was on a mission to open a route toward a UNIFIL post that had been isolated for several days, because of fighting in the area between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

The ceasefire took effect in Lebanon on Friday, but it wasn’t clear to what extent Hezbollah would abide by a truce that it didn’t play a role in negotiating.

“He was caught in an ambush by an armed group at very close range,” she said on X. “Immediately hit by a direct shot from a light weapon, he was pulled back under fire by his comrades, who were unable to resuscitate him.”

UNIFIL said that a patrol that was clearing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghandouriyeh on Saturday to reestablish links with isolated UNIFIL positions came under small arms fire from non-state actors. UNIFIL said that one peacekeeper succumbed to his wounds and three others were wounded, two of them seriously.

Macron demands clarification

Macron spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam following the attack “in order to call on the Lebanese authorities to shed full light on this incident, to identify and prosecute those responsible without delay, and to do everything possible to ensure the safety of UNIFIL soldiers, who must under no circumstances be targeted,” Macron’s office said.

Salam posted on X that he ordered an investigation into the attack and to bring the perpetrators to justice. Aoun and Lebanon’s parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri condemned the attack.

The Lebanese army condemned the attack in a statement adding that it will continue its “close coordination” with UNIFIL. The army said that it’s working to detain the perpetrators.

Macron also reiterated “the importance of full respect for the ceasefire by all parties and reaffirmed France’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, for the benefit of all Lebanese people and regional stability.

Israel strikes on Lebanon

Earlier Saturday, the Israeli military said it had conducted aerial and ground strikes in southern Lebanon after it identified several incidents in which militants “violated the ceasefire understanding” by approaching areas close to where Israeli troops are located.

The military mentioned for the first time what it called a “Yellow Line,” saying militants tried to approach it from the north.

There is no mention of a “Yellow Line” in the ceasefire agreement, which was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The U.S. State Department said Thursday that according to the ceasefire agreement, Israel reserves the right to defend itself “at any time, against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks.”

Senior Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qammati told Lebanon’s Al-Jadeed TV on Saturday that the group won’t tolerate any Israeli strikes like those which happened after the November 2024 truce, when Israel continued to carry out almost daily airstrikes.

“This time we will not practice the strategic patience policy,” Qammati said.

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Samuel Petrequin reported from London.

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This story has been corrected to show that the French president’s first name is Emmanuel, not Emmanual.