内容摘要："We'd appeal to anyone who has first-hand information about this incident to get in touch."

"We'd appeal to anyone who has first-hand information about this incident to get in touch."

"We just open every day and see what comes," Sam said, describing business as "totally unpredictable".Having survived the pandemic, Sam says they are now experiencing "worse" cost of living pressures.

Until last year, Matt Simms was able to rely on small business rate relief for the Unique Boxing & Kickboxing Gym, which has been on the high street for 15 years.up to a maximum of £110,000.Matt's £957 charge in 2024 rose to £2,794 this year.

A government spokesperson said: "We have protected the smallest businesses from the employer National Insurance rise and late payments, protecting 250,000 retail, hospitality and leisure business properties from paying full business rates and capping corporation tax."The spokesperson added: "We are a pro-business government, and we know the vital importance of small businesses to our economy."

Matt says he is "having to try to evaluate different ways of how to absorb those costs".

He admits it's "tough" to operate in this part of the high street but feels his gym offers people a sense of belonging.Hymns played out on giant speakers, occasionally drowned out by the sound of helicopters flying overhead, as drones and seagulls crisscrossed over Michelangelo's dome.

Yet the voice of 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re rang loud and clear as he presided over the mass.The service's structure was very similar to that of any Catholic funeral mass, although the readings were done in many different languages and all hymns were sung in Latin.

Outside St Peter's, a crowd the Vatican later said numbered 200,000 applauded as large screens showed Zelensky take his seat. There was also applause when the Pope's simple wooden coffin was brought out.The crowd's applause marked some other salient moments - such as when Cardinal Re, as part of his homily, remembered the Pope's commitment to migrants and peace.