More popular than Jesus expressed regret on behalf of the group that "people with certain religious beliefs should have been offended in any way". Epstein's efforts had little effect, as the controversy quickly spread beyond the borders of the US. In Mexico City there were demonstrations against the group, and a number of countries, including South Africa and Spain, made the decision to ban the Beatles' music on national radio stations. The Vatican issued a public denouncement of Lennon's comments. The Beatles left for their US tour on 11 August 1966. According to Lennon's wife, Cynthia, he was nervous and upset that he had
London Daily News "Evening News" at 5p. Maxwell was dismissive when he heard about the cut-price "Evening News". He told the BBC: "The "Evening Standard" and Lord Rothermere are so worried about their monopoly - which the "London Daily News" is finally breaking - and so scared about the huge demand for our paper, that they've brought out a cheapo "Evening News", which is really a joke." After the "London Daily News" collapsed, The "Evening Standard" 's publishers, Associated Newspapers, continued the "Evening News" for some months as a separate brand, aiming for a more downmarket readership than the "Evening Standard" before re-absorbing