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President Trump has become entangled in a very public row with Pope Leo XIV, who has been critical of the US war with Iran. The US president has slammed the pope for being “weak” on crime and “terrible” at foreign policy, whilst also posting a picture of himself as Jesus (this post has been taken down from social media since we recorded the episode). Sarah, Anthony and Marianna join Matt Chorley to discuss the Pope’s response, and where this leaves the US president and those who voted for him. Also, how will Trump’s criticism of the pontiff affect his standing with the wider American public?
We also answer your questions on Melania Trip’s surprise statement about the disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, why the Trump administration will be disappointed by the ousting of Viktor Orban in Hungary’s elections, the legality of a US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump’s huge rant against some of America’s biggest MAGA influencers.

HOSTS:
• Sarah Smith, North America Editor
• Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent
• Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent
• Matt Chorley, 5 Live Presenter

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• Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Alix Pickles and Purvee Pattni. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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The Knavesmire Coffee Shop, on the corner of the Clock Tower Enclosure, has been renovated to include indoor seating space and service area for visitors to enjoy year-round.

It comes after two bespoke shipping containers were converted and installed at the site by Coopers Marquees on behalf of The Little Yorkshire Coffee Company – a joint investor of the shop with York Racecourse.

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Speaking about this, director of The Little Yorkshire Coffee Company (Event Mobiles Ltd), Jason Greenwood, said: “What started as a simple solution during a challenging time quickly became something much more meaningful.

“This renovation allows us to build on that foundation, improving the experience, expanding our menu and continuing to serve the community that has supported us from day one.”

Located on the corner of the Clock Tower Enclosure, the coffee shop hopes to attract regular visitors (Image: The Knavesmire Coffee Shop)

Knavesmire Coffee Shop was first established during Covid-19 and quickly became a hub for outdoor socialising and connection.

Facilities manager at York Racecourse, Gavin Pattison, described it as a “special place” for both visitors and the local community.

He added: “We’re delighted to support its development and ensure it remains a welcoming space for people to enjoy throughout the year.”

Visitors old and new, including dogs, are welcome (Image: The Knavesmire Coffee Shop)

Aside from coffee, the business is serving an expanded menu, featuring pizzas, paninis, breakfast rolls, ice cream and tray bakes.

Customers old and new have welcomed its re-opening, and it has already proved a hit with park runners and local dog walkers.

A representative for the company said: “With its improved facilities and continued focus on quality and community, it is set to remain a cherished destination on the Knavesmire for years to come.”

The coffee shop is open from Monday to Friday from 9am till 4pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9am till 5pm.

With its sweeping views, hardy sheep farming and dramatic weather, the farm has become a destination many fans would love to see for themselves. But can you actually visit Ravenseat?

Is Ravenseat Open to the Public?

The short answer is no, Ravenseat is not currently open to visitors.

For several years, the farm welcomed members of the public.

Visitors could stop by for cream teas, homemade refreshments and even pre-booked stays, giving fans a rare opportunity to experience life in the Yorkshire Dales first-hand.

Amanda, Clive and Kids altogether outside Anty John’s (Image: MORE 4)

However, in 2022, Ravenseat closed its doors to public access.

It has since operated solely as a private, working family farm and is no longer open for drop-in visits or tourism.

There is no visitor centre, café or official tour experience currently running at the site.

Can You Walk Near the Farm?

While the farmhouse and its immediate grounds are private, the wider landscape around Ravenseat sits within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is criss-crossed by public footpaths.

Ravenseat lies along the Pennine Way and is close to Alfred Wainwright’s famous Coast-to-Coast Walk.

Walkers passing through Upper Swaledale may find themselves in the surrounding area, enjoying the same dramatic views seen on television.

However, it is important to respect that Ravenseat itself is private property.

Visitors should stick strictly to designated public rights of way, follow countryside guidance and avoid trespassing.

Where Is Ravenseat?

Ravenseat is located at the head of Whitsun Dale in Upper Swaledale, North Yorkshire, around three and a half miles west of the small village of Keld.

The area is known for its remoteness, with narrow roads, limited facilities and challenging weather conditions, particularly in winter.

Anyone planning to explore the area should prepare carefully, as petrol stations, shops and mobile signal can be limited in the upper dales.

While you can no longer visit Ravenseat itself, fans can still experience the spectacular landscapes that made Our Yorkshire Farm such a hit.

The rolling hills, stone barns and winding valleys of Swaledale remain open to walkers and visitors, just not the farmhouse at the heart of the show.

For now, the best way to step inside Ravenseat is still through the screen it seems.

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Today, an inquiry has found the Southport murders “could have been prevented” if the killer’s parents and authorities had done more in the years leading up to the attack.

The inquiry’s report lists factors such as a “misunderstanding of autism” and “failure in information sharing” as examples of the “systematic failures”. Adam is joined by Judith Moritz, special correspondent and Daniel Sandford home Affairs correspondent who have been covering the story.

Adam also catches up with Americast host and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher after President Trump announcing a blockade of Iranian ports after the talks in Pakistan didn’t end up in a deal. This comes as President Trump has been publicly arguing with an unusual opponent… the Pope.

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Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Gareth Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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President Donald Trump took in-person delivery of his McDonald’s lunch order at the White House Monday — and that odd moment marked the most normal thing in Trumpworld the last 72 hours.

While holding his bags of cheeseburgers, fries and whatever else, Trump kept the delivery driver at his side while she weighed in on his no-tax-on-tips measure and he addressed reporters on a wide range of issues including the Iran war. The truly bizarre stunt played out as the U.S. began a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the president was embroiled in a simmering controversy over his posting an AI image of himself as Jesus Christ on Truth Social.

The publicly unscheduled but clearly staged press event played out just after noon as the press pool was ushered to the front door of the Oval Office to watch the president of the United States grin and receive two large bags of McDonalds from a delivery driver who then turned to reporters and praised the GOP’s move to end taxes on tipped wages in 2025.

“McDonalds!” the red-clad woman said in a tone clearly only audible to reporters outside the Oval as she rapped quickly on the door. Trump, a second later, opens the door: “Oh, nice to see you!”

“Nice to meet you,” the woman replied. The two began a banter about how the “No Tax On Tips” policy Trump championed during the 2024 election was now helping her as part of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” passed into law last year.

In a moment of self awareness, Trump quipped to Simmons sarcastically: “This doesn’t look staged.”

Trump then addressed reporters and began a full press conference, the president standing side-by-side with the delivery woman in her red DoorDash polo shirt, and issued his newest threats against Iran and even spoke about his conflict with the Pope. His first question came from a reporter who asked about an AI-generated image the president posted and then deleted which depicted him as Jesus Christ.

“I thought it was me as a doctor,” Trump claimed of the image that portrayed him robed, holding his hand to a man’s forehead and healing him with a glowing white light. “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better.” The president did not explain why he deleted the image, which drew criticism from some conservatives and Christians.

He also responded to a question about the current state of U.S.-Iran negotiations, and confirmed once again that the “sticking point” in the talks centered around Iran’s future nuclear ambitions. Trump had previously insisted that Iran had agreed to give up plans of developing nuclear weapons in the future as he insisted that his war with the country was already won, but over the weekend changed his story to admit that Tehran’s refusal to agree to U.S. demands regarding its nuclear program was the reason for the conflict continuing.

“[The sticking point] was over nuclear, yeah […] Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters. “And we agreed to a lot of things but they didn’t agree to that. And I think they will agree to it, I’m almost sure of it. In fact I am sure of it, if they don’t agree there’s no deal, there will never be a deal. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. And we’ll get the dust back. We’ll get it back either way; we’ll get it back from them, or we’ll take it.”

Trump’s reference to “the dust” refers to Iran’s remaining supply of enriched uranium, much or all of which is believed to be buried under rock and earth as a result of damaging U.S. strikes at Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow, three sites tied to the Iranian nuclear program hit by U.S. strikes last summer. Among the U.S.’s demands include the transfer of any remaining material to American hands.

In one more embarrassing moment, as the woman identified as “Sharon” stood beside him, Trump turned from attacking Democrats to the camera and posed a question to the DoorDash driver who was still awkwardly standing there regarding her views on “men in women’s sports”, the president and Republicans’ shorthand for the right of transgender girls and women to participate in sporting leagues corresponding to their preferred gender.

She sheepishly replied: “I really don’t have an opinion on that. No, no, I’m here on no tax on tips,” as the president pressed her.

The Independent reached out to the White House for more details about the event and the president’s order.

White House spokesman Steven Cheung later posted a photo of a half-eaten burger he declared he’d “had to dig in” to.

Simmons is no stranger to Washington and previously testified before the House Ways and Means Committee for a hearing aimed at touting the “No Tax On Tips” legislation included as part of the GOP’s budget reconciliation package last year. The populist provision was part of a reconciliation package that included a massive surge of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and also extended the 2017 Republican tax cuts passed under the president’s first term.

“This moment represents something bigger than a single delivery. It’s about the millions of Dashers across the country who are now able to keep more of what they earn when filing their taxes this year. With No Tax on Tips, Dashers across the U.S. saved hundreds of millions of dollars last year. DoorDash is proud to advocate on behalf of Dashers like Sharon and push for policies like No Tax on Tips because they deliver real impact to so many hardworking people and their families,” DoorDash said in a statement regarding Monday’s event.

According to information provided to USA Today by DoorDash, Simmons has completed nearly 12,000 deliveries on the DoorDash platform, according to her congressional testimony in July of last year.

“In early 2025, my husband was diagnosed with cancer and the toll that radiation & chemotherapy took on him forced him to reduce his hours at his job. Because DoorDash provides me with a truly flexible work schedule, I was able to drive him to and from his treatments. During that time, every extra dollar I earned mattered more than ever,” she told Congress last year.

A teenager has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse over the killing of his stepsister, found hidden under a bed on a family cruise.

Anna Kepner, 18, had been travelling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family.

Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found stuffed under a bed in a room she was sharing with two other teens, including the younger stepbrother.

Timothy Hudson, 16, was initially charged as a juvenile but the case was sealed until US District Judge Beth Bloom said that he would be prosecuted as an adult.

Chris Kepner, Anna Kepner’s father and Hudson’s stepfather, told NBC News that ‘justice needs to be served.’

‘That is where the family stands,’ he continued, noting that Hudson should be in custody.

He previously said that the loss of his daughter is ‘a pain that will never fully heal’ and that his family believes in ‘accountability and in the importance of justice being carried out.’

‘Our daughter’s life matters, and we will continue to speak out to honour her, to seek accountability, and to ensure that her case is not forgotten,’ Mr Kepner said, adding that he was advised ‘to remain quiet’ about the case.

The cause of Kepner’s November 6 death was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, which is when an object or physical force stops someone from breathing.

Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, some 40 miles east of Orlando.

Hudson was seen at the Miami courthouse in February, wearing a ball cap and a hoodie pulled tightly around his face.

But his status at that time was not fully known because his age barred public disclosures by his lawyers, the government or the court.

Hudson was ordered to wear an electronic tether while living with an uncle.

The order was later changed to allow him to temporarily work with his father at a landscaping business, court records show.

Experts believe the case is in federal court, and not a state court where teens are commonly prosecuted, because Kepner died in international waters.

In an obituary, Anna was remembered as a ‘bubbly high’ school senior who dreamed of continuing cheerleading at the University of Georgia.

Tributes said Ms Kepner was an outgoing and reliable teenager who ‘loved her siblings deeply.’

At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged people to wear bright colours instead of the traditional black ‘in honour of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul.’

MORE: Oasis phoney who sold fake VIP tickets to Wembley reunion sees her Masterplan unravel

MORE: Ex Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey pleads not guilty to fresh rape allegations

MORE: ‘Dog poisoner’ targets London parks with contaminated chicken

Reports of planned protests on roads across Northern Ireland have been circulating on social media

• Motorists are being warned of the possibility of widespread disruption on Northern Irish roads on Tuesday due to “planned fuel protests”.
• Some city centre offices are asking staff to work from home today
• Reports of the protests have been circulating on social media and have been calling on members of the farming community and HGV drivers to block certain roads in NI due to rising costs.
• The protests are reported to start at 2pm on Tuesday, April 14.
• They will reportedly take place on Westlink, Belfast, M1 at Sprucefield, Nutts Corner, Sandyknowes Roundabout, Larne Harbour, Ballygawley Roundabout, Toome Bridge and Omagh town centre.
• The alleged aim of the protests is to highlight concerns regarding rising costs in certain sectors, particularly around fuel and fertisiler.
• The police have said they are aware of the reports of the protests with a spokesperson saying: “Police are maintaining an ongoing assessment in relation to social media posts calling for planned protests across Northern Ireland. “A policing response has been prepared, if needed, to ensure public safety and to help minimise any potential disruption to the wider community.”
• Health trusts have warned patients to give themselves additional time to travel to appointments incase there are delays on the roads.
• The Ulster Farmers’ Union has said it has had no involvement in the organisation of the protests and its chair has called on members not to support them.
• The reports of protests come in the wake of protests in the Republic of Ireland which saw roads and motorways blocked.
• The Department of Health has said it would ask protestors to be mindful of health sites and vehicles and that health and social care services will run as normal until circumstances dictate otherwise when a revision of planning will take place by providers.
• Charles Hurst has told customers Service departments will open at 7am and showrooms remain open. Service collections and deliveries will run as normal in the morning, with any afternoon appointments being rearranged directly with customers.
• Fonacab issued a statement on Monday evening urging people to be aware of potential disruption to traffic, to leave more time for travel, to book in advance with prebooked journeys getting priority.
• Several schools have indicated they may close on Tuesday or close earlier if protests cause widespread traffic issues. Schools closing so far are St Ciaran’s College in Ballycawley Co Tyrone and St Gerard’s Special School in Belfast which will close early.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The end of the two child benefit cap has officially come into force, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer declaring it proof his Government is “on the side of the British people”.

The policy, first introduced in 2017, had limited support through universal credit and child tax credit to the first two children in most households. Now, that restriction has been lifted, triggering the first wave of payments to families who were previously excluded.

Ministers say the change could lift around 450,000 children out of poverty, with many households already beginning to feel the impact.

Starmer said: “No matter the global uncertainty, my Government will always be on the side of the British people in bearing down on the cost of living.”

He added: “I will never lose sight of how restless people are for change, and I am proud that today we are lifting nearly half a million children out of poverty, boosting support for pensioners, and delivering the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.”

The move was confirmed earlier this year by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, following months of pressure to scrap the cap.

As the first payments begin to reach bank accounts, the Prime Minister also pointed to wider pressures facing households, including global instability.

“I know families across the country are concerned about the conflict in Iran and what it means for the cost of living,” he said.

“We are working closely with international partners to push for a de-escalation in the Middle East and the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“This is the most effective way to ease the pressure on the cost of living.”

He added: “I am clear that our response to the current global situation will define us for a generation, which is why we are taking the right long-term decisions now to ensure we emerge from this as a stronger, more secure nation.”

But not everyone is convinced the changes go far enough.

Amnesty International said more sweeping reforms are needed to tackle poverty, warning many families will still struggle.

Jen Clark, from the organisation, said: “However welcome the lifting of the two-child limit is, it fails to go far enough to help the vast majority of children living in poverty in the UK.”

“The Government urgently needs to make changes to the social security system to make it fairer, particularly given the growing cost-of-living crisis.”

She added: “For decades, these policies have kept those most in need in poverty, forcing parents to choose between putting food on the table and turning the heating on.”

Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the move, arguing it shifts the balance too far.

She said: “While working people struggle with rising fuel costs and food prices, Keir Starmer is giving another handout to those on benefits.”

“The Conservatives believe in fairness and that those on welfare should have to make the same choices about their family as those who aren’t.”

Alongside the change, a raft of new measures has also come into force, including improved workers’ rights, updates to sick pay, and a rise in the state pension.

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Writing about the changes, Starmer described the moment as “one of the proudest” for his Government.

“Because it will lift nearly half a million children out of poverty,” he said. “It means fuller cupboards, less anxiety at the end of the month, and a fairer start in life for children who had no say in the circumstances they were born into.

“And it tells you something fundamental about this Government – when faced with a choice, we act.”