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.

___

Samuel Petrequin reported from London.

___

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

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona is expected to have at least two competitive U.S. House races in November while Democrats will be defending their seats for governor, attorney general and secretary of state.

Yet so far, it’s been the office running elections in the state’s most populous county that has commanded much of the spotlight.

Republican Justin Heap is an election skeptic who will be overseeing his first statewide election in Maricopa County. He has been engaged in a bitter legal feud with the county board of supervisors over election procedures, has put in place a controversial system for checking signatures on mail ballots and has run voter records through a federal system to check for noncitizens despite questions about its accuracy. Heap also has made overtures to the Trump administration in its quest for voter and election records.

His actions have drawn heated comments from members of that board, which splits election oversight with Heap’s office, and rebukes from the attorney general and secretary of state. A ruling this week in the legal case will give Heap more authority over election operations.

The turmoil has created an air of uncertainty about how the midterm elections will go in a county that has been a regular target of election conspiracy theorists and is pivotal for deciding statewide races in one of the nation’s most important political battlegrounds.

State Sen. Lauren Kuby, a Democrat who sits on a legislative elections committee and represents part of Phoenix, said the discord between the recorder and county board is sowing confusion and distrust.

“We’re one of the biggest counties in the country, and we have all of our election administrators fighting right now,” she said. “So I imagine if you’re a voter, you’re pretty confused and worried.”

The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, which Heap runs, did not provide a response to questions despite multiple requests for comment. Heap did issue a statement in response to the court ruling, saying it “restores both the authority and the resources necessary for my office to do its job.”

A power struggle and heated accusations

Heap took office after defeating the incumbent in the 2024 Republican primary. He quickly began challenging the board of supervisors, which is majority Republican.

He sued them in June 2025 with the backing of America First Legal, a conservative group founded by Stephen Miller, now a deputy chief of staff in the White House. The lawsuit accused the board of negotiating an agreement with Heap’s predecessor to transfer money, information technology staff and certain election functions away from his office, including management of ballot drop boxes, processing of early arriving ballots and placement of sites used for early voting.

Voting by people who are not U.S. citizens is rare, and the SAVE system has been criticized by some election officials and experts who say it frequently identifies eligible voters as noncitizens. Arizona’s secretary of state, Democrat Adrian Fontes, said in an interview that the program is unreliable.

“The SAVE system is notoriously inaccurate,” he said. “You can’t depend on that to take somebody off the voter rolls or to start the removal proceeding.”

The recorder’s office announced its use of the SAVE system the same day Heap attended a news conference outside Phoenix, where then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was promoting a congressional bill that would require documented proof of citizenship to register and vote.

Fontes said his office has not received any additional information from the recorder about the alleged noncitizen voters and that the timing of the announcement makes it seem like “more of a headline grab than anything without more information.”

Fears of undermining confidence in elections

Heap’s presence at Noem’s February news conference was not the only instance when the recorder has appeared close with the Trump administration.

Correspondence obtained from the recorder’s office through a public records request shows a willingness to defer to the U.S. Department of Justice. This year the department seized ballots and other records related to the 2020 election from Georgia’s Fulton County, which includes Atlanta.

Meanwhile, the FBI subpoenaed similar Maricopa County records from the state Senate president.

Harmeet Dhillon, who oversees the department’s Civil Rights Division, wrote to Fontes, Heap and county officials in September seeking preservation of county election records. Heap replied the next day, stressing in his letter that his office is “committed to full cooperation with the Department of Justice as it conducts its investigation,” before adding: “We share your goal of safeguarding election integrity.”

As it has done in other states, the department sued Arizona months later for failing to comply with its request for detailed voter information.

The state’s attorney general, Democrat Kris Mayes, told a local media outlet that Heap is “trying to undermine Arizonans’ trust in our election system” and warned him not to provide voter lists to the federal government.

With the state’s July primary approaching, some observers are concerned that Heap’s feuding with the board and other actions could undermine public confidence in elections.

“The voters need to have a sense that this county is well-run, that the recorder and the board of supervisors have the best interest of every voter,” said Pinny Sheoran, state advocacy chair with the League of Women Voters of Arizona. “And that is frayed with this discord.”

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Leo XIV said Saturday that it was “not in my interest at all” to debate U.S. President Donald Trump about the Iran war, but that he would continue preaching the Gospel message of peace.

Leo spoke to reporters aboard the papal plane flying from Cameroon to Angola as part of his 11-day tour of Africa.

He addressed the spiraling back-and-forth saga of Trump’s critiques of his peace message, which have dominated news headlines this week. But the American pope also sought to set the record straight, insisting that his preaching isn’t directed at Trump, but reflects the broader Gospel message of peace.

“There’s been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when, on the first day of the trip, the president of the United States made some comments about myself,” he said.

“Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said.”

Trump launched the criticism on his social media platform Truth Social on the night of April 12, when he criticized Leo’s preaching about peace as the war, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 and was followed by Iran’s retaliation, raged on. Trump accused Leo of being soft on crime, cozy with the left and said that the first American pontiff owed his election to Trump.

Leo has issued consistent calls for peace and dialogue, and has denounced the use of religious justification for war. Specifically, he called Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization “truly unacceptable.”

The Vatican has stressed that when Leo preaches about peace, he is referring to all wars ravaging the planet, not just the Iran conflict. The Russian Orthodox Church, for example, has justified Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine as a “holy war.”

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Leo referred specifically to his remarks earlier this week to a peace meeting in Bamenda, Cameroon. The city is the epicenter of a separatist conflict that has been raging in the western, Anglophone region of the country for nearly a decade.

Leo said that his remarks, in which he blasted the “handful of tyrants” who were ravaging Earth with war and exploitation, were written two weeks ago, long before Trump’s criticisms began.

“And yet as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not in my interest at all,” he said.

Looking ahead, however, he said that he would continue preaching the Gospel.

“I primarily come to Africa as a pastor, as the head of the Catholic Church to be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany all the Catholics throughout Africa,” he said.

He drew attention to some upcoming liturgical readings about what it means to be Christian and to follow Christ, promote fraternity and brotherhood, “but also looking for ways to promote justice in our world, promote peace in our world,” he said.

Leo arrived later Saturday in Angola, the third stop on his four-nation tour. A message of peace would be especially relevant for the southern African country, which was ravaged by a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002 but has left deep scars.

Leo will meet with Angolan President Joao Lourenco and deliver his first speech before government authorities, when he hopes to bring joy and encouragement to Angola’s long-suffering people.

Fans have been left unhappy with the club’s direction in recent seasons but the mood has been particularly low during a run of five defeats from six games, which has included their bruising exit from the Champions League last 16, which came by an 8-2 aggregate scoreline at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

Anthony Thompson, from Deane, died at 64 after “finding himself in difficulty” while diving off the coast of the island, reports MaltaToday.

They said the incident happened at around 3.30pm on Friday and despite being rushed to hospital, doctors were unable to save him.

Anthony’s younger brother, Geoff Thompson, said it was “shocking” to learn of the dad-of-four’s death and he “will be sorely missed”.

Geoff (left) and Anthony Thompson (right) (Image: Geoff Thompson)

Geoff, 62, said: “He died doing what he loved and that’s what I take solace in – everybody is shocked, it’s terrible.

“He’s just going to be sorely missed – he was a well-known character in Bolton.”

Anthony, who worked as a truck driver, was living in Wales and had taken up diving a few years ago.

He had also served in the Royal Navy during the Falklands War.

Geoff said they didn’t know Anthony was in Malta until the police knocked on his brother’s door on Saturday morning to tell the family of his death.

Anthony Thompson (Image: Geoff Thompson)

Geoff said: “He was my big brother and he’s from a big family – there’s seven of us, five boys and two girls.

“If you just look at my Facebook post you can see from the comments how many people are devastated by it.”

MaltaToday reported that police investigations are ongoing and a magisterial inquiry has been opened by magistrate Philip Galea Farrugia.

It stated that 64-year-old man lost his life after finding himself in difficulty while diving at Wied iż-Żurrieq.

The area is said to be very popular with visitors for the Blue Grotto caves, and with scuba divers for Um El Faround wreck, a 110m Um El Faroud wreck, a 110-metres long Libyan tanker.