Economy

Every time Pope Francis came back to Rome after a trip abroad, he made sure to pay a visit to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

It was a fitting choice: Francis was particularly devoted to the Virgin Mary, and Santa Maria Maggiore was the first church to be dedicated to her when it was built in the 4th Century.

It is one of Rome's four major basilicas and one of the oldest in the city.

On Saturday, it will also become Francis's final resting place.

It is a short walk from some of Rome's most recognisable landmarks like the Colosseum, and a stone's throw from the city's endlessly bustling and chaotic central Termini station. The diverse Esquilino neighbourhood is close by.

Santa Maria Maggiore feels steeped in the "real" Rome – despite technically being a part of the Vatican state.

The square it stands on – lined with bus stops, cafes and shops – certainly seems a world away from the awe-inspiring St Peter's Square and its imposing basilica, under which Popes are usually buried in centuries-old crypts.

And yet the chapels, mosaics and gilded wood of Santa Maria Maggiore remain stunning. Seven other popes are buried here.

The basilica also hosts what is said to be a relic of Jesus's crib and an icon of Mary, to whom Pope Francis would pray asking for protection before a journey.

Santa Maria Maggiore's senior priest, the Lithuanian Rolandas Makrickas, gave Italian newspaper Il Messaggero his account of how the Pope's decision to be laid to rest there came about.

He said: "In May 2022… I asked him if he wasn't by any chance thinking about being buried in [the basilica], given how often he came."

Francis smiled and said that Popes are buried in St Peter's – "and that was that", Makrickas thought.

The priest continued: "A week later he called me and said, 'the Virgin Mary has told me to prepare my tomb'.

"Then he simply told me, 'find a place for it, because I want to be buried in this basilica and you've been a bit of a prophet'."

The place Mackrickas found is next to the icon of Mary that the Pope so loved. It is now cordoned off and obscured by plywood.

A security guard who wished to remain anonymous told BBC News stories of Pope Francis visiting the church on many occasions.

"Yes, we used to see him all the time when he came here," he said, interrupting himself to sternly invite tourists to put their phones away or cover their shoulders.

"After a few times of seeing him, one time he looked at me and asked me, 'why are you always here?'

"And I said, 'Holy Father, I'm working just as you are'."

As the security guard spoke, people continued to stream in from the blazing sunshine into the quiet shade of the basilica.

Several queued outside wooden booths, each topped with a sign indicating in which languages the priests inside could hear confessions.

Every few minutes, the chatter would be momentarily quietened by a voice hissing over the loudspeaker: "Silenzio."

Outside, a woman called Pat from Manchester was squinting at the sun and gathering her thoughts.

"I came here because this is where the Pope used to come before any journey," she told the BBC, raising her voice over the sound of the midday bells tolling.

"That's why I've always wanted to come and it hasn't disappointed."

After a pause, she said: "Beautiful isn't the word. It's just vast, it's enormous."

Apologising for not being able to put her emotions into words, she said she was "particularly impressed" that many of the six chapels hold different masses at different times, "so if you're late for one, you can go into another".

Pat heard the news about the Pope's death when her plane from the UK landed in Rome on Monday morning.

It did not scupper her visit. As a devout Catholic, she said Santa Maria Maggiore "was always the place I wanted to come" because Francis loved it so.

"I came without any sort of preconceived idea and I made a point of not reading up about it, I just wanted to take the atmosphere in, and feel it."

"And I did," she said, looking up at the basilica. "I am full of the spirit."

On Saturday afternoon, after the world has had a chance to bid farewell to him, Pope Francis will make his final journey from the Vatican to Santa Maria Maggiore, as he did so often in life.

The church will be shut for a few hours, then the stream of visitors will resume.

Some, like Pat, will continue to come to the basilica and try to put something intangible into words. Others will simply admire the mosaics.

And on the left hand side, by an icon of the Virgin Mary, Santa Maria Maggiore's newest resident will begin his rest.

US Vice-President JD Vance said there was a "good chance" a trade deal could be reached with the UK, as the dust continues to settle from America's global trade shakeup.

"We're certainly working very hard with Keir Starmer's government," Vance said in an interview on Monday with the UnHerd website.

The global stock market has been rocked by turbulence since 2 April, after President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on nearly every country.

The unprecedented US trade policy manoeuvre included a 10% "baseline" tariff on all imports from the UK, France and other long-standing trade partners.

For the past 16 years, Hoover, which is now owned by the Chinese multinational Haier, has used the factory as a distribution base but announced last year it was closing down, with the loss of the remaining 45 jobs.

The new deal will result in the demolition of what is one of the last remaining post-war legacy factories left in the south Wales valleys.

The civil engineering company Walters Group has agreed to buy the factory subject to the approval of planning permission later this year, which is expected as the site has already been earmarked for housing.

It plans to start demolition next year with the aim of selling the site on for the construction of more than 400 homes by the end of 2026.

A man who choked his teenage girlfriend until she was unconscious and burned her hair during a "nasty" campaign of domestic abuse has been jailed for more than four years.

Ryan Black, 40, subjected his 18-year-old partner to regular attacks and controlled her bank card, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The woman said she was having to find herself again after Black "stripped" everything away.

Black, of Farne Terrace in Walker, Newcastle, had denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty of coercive control and intentional strangulation.

Black and the young woman began a relationship in August 2022 which started well but deteriorated whenever he drank alcohol, prosecutor Sam Faulks said.

He regularly physically and verbally attacked her and when she tried to leave he took her phone and bank card from her, the court heard.

Examples of the "common" violence included him picking her up and slamming her to the ground at a bus stop on one occasion and biting her face on another.

He also regularly used her bank card, the court was told.

'Anxious and frightened'

In January 2023 he strangled her until she passed out, Mr Faulks said.

When she woke she found him crying and saying he could have killed her so she had to comfort him, the court heard, which was a regular occurrence after his attacks.

He strangled her again in July 2024 when she had the "temerity to bring up his behaviour towards her", Mr Faulks said.

The relationship finally ended when he singed her hair while trying to set it alight with a cigarette lighter, but even then, when she was on a bus fleeing from him, he threatened to kill her family and burn her house down.

In a statement, the woman said she had been severely impacted by the abuse and was still seeking medical help and counselling.

She said she had lived on "eggshells" around Black and was always "anxious and frightened" of what he might do.

The woman said she was "finding it hard to find" herself again having been "stripped away" by Black.

Judge Robert Spragg said Black was "nasty" towards the significantly younger woman and posed a high risk to future partners.

He was jailed for four years for his abuse and a further four months for breaching a suspended prison sentence imposed for other offending.

A restraining order banning him from contacting her was also made to last indefinitely.

A week after two women were injured in a crossbow attack on the route of the Otley Run pub crawl in Leeds, people have been returning to the bars in force.

The emergency vehicles are gone, the police tape has been taken down and students could be seen wearing fancy dress and in high spirits on Saturday.

But while the area is returning to normal, there are mixed feelings among residents and revellers alike, with some expressing fears about a rise in misogyny and violence against women.

A 19-year-old woman underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries following the attack on 26 April, while a 31-year-old woman was also taken to hospital. Both have been discharged.

Owen Lawrence – the 38-year-old man later named as the key suspect in the attack – had posted a hate-filled online manifesto describing the planned violence as "misogynistic rage".

He was arrested at the scene and later died in hospital from self-inflicted injuries.

Some bar-goers who spoke to the BBC earlier said they had been "apprehensive" about returning to the pub crawl, but felt safe thanks to a show of strength by the police.

Sophie Barraclough, an 18-year-old student at the University of Leeds, said a friend had been in a pub not far from the place of the attack in Otley Road.

"What happened is really tragic and really sad, but if everyone keeps a watch out – and it's good to see all the police around – it makes me feel safer," she said.

"The Otley Run is a lot of fun. It's a classic thing to do when you're in Leeds and all my friends from Newcastle have come."

Max Hut, a 19-year-old student who was taking part in the pub crawl for the first time, said he thought this week "would be the safest it's ever going to be" because of the police presence.

But for art student Jess Anderson, 20, the incident had "brought it close to home that there is actually a rise in violence against women".

She said she enjoyed dressing up for the pub crawl and being with the people she loved, but was "concerned there might be copycat people".

Her views were shared by student Christi King, 21, who lives in Headingley and said the attack had made her "even more aware" of her surroundings.

"We did not really believe what was happening at first," Ms King said. "It is sad that girls cannot just go out and feel safe."

"Violence against women is rising and people need to wake up to that."

She would like to see further education for young men on the issue.

"We are seeing a rise [in misogyny] on social media specifically targeting younger boys," she said.

"They are getting roped into these ideas about women which are completely false, so what is being done to make sure women are safe?"

Kate Morris, 23, had been planning to take part in the Otley Run when the attack happened.

"I think we will try our best to not let it affect us," Ms Morris said.

"As much as this is horrifying, when we go out we always have to think about threats.

"We still have to think about walking home – these people do exist."

Following the attack, Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin moved to reassure women and girls and called their safety "a top priority".

Iwan Grant, a graduate of Leeds Conservatoire who has lived in Headingley for three years, said the event was "an attack on the way of life" in the suburb.

"I literally live on the road where it happened, that does not happen here," the 24-year-old said.

Despite the attack, which saw "armies of police" patrolling the streets, he said his social circle felt safe.

"That is not something that is going to change," he said.

An increased police presence in Headingley has been in place in an attempt to reassure those living, working, studying or visiting the area.

Ch Supt Steve Dodds, Leeds District Commander, said this would continue over the coming days "both on the streets and around key events in the community".

West Yorkshire Police was "absolutely committed to making sure that people feel safe to go about their daily lives in the area", he added.

Another resident, 25-year-old Tim Brown, said life was going on, but "we are all thinking of the women hurt".

"There are plenty of big community events and people have not seemed too fussed, but there is the wider issue of femicide that needs tackling," he added.

The nearby St Michael and All Angels' Church has opened its doors to provide comfort for anyone feeling concerned.

James Eames, who was working at a hair salon on Otley Road at the time of the attack, said: "Social media forces people to live in bubbles, people fall down a pit and it is hard to get out of."

The 25-year-old raised concerns about online echo chambers reinforcing extreme views.

"On your phone you could see another bloke that backs a theory about women, but it comes from this idea of women that is not the real world," he said. "Technology has to be able to tackle that."

People had been "shaken up" by the incident, but it would not stop them from "living their lives", he added.

West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

The number of empty shops in County Durham is at its highest rate ever, a report has found.

Peterlee, Bishop Auckland, and Newton Aycliffe are the worst hit, while Ferryhill, Shildon, Consett, and Barnard Castle have also suffered heavily in the past year.

Overall, vacancy rates recently increased to 18.3%, compared with the national average of 14.4%.

However, one local retail consultant said work was being done to tackle the issue, adding "despite all the challenges, we continue to see good-quality independent and national businesses opening and seeking space in the region's town and city centres".

High streets across County Durham have continued to suffer when high-profile retailers leave prominent sites, with closures fuelled by changing shopping habits and rising rent.

The number of pharmacies, banks, and supermarkets have also decreased, but there were about 33% more takeaway outlets in 2024 compared with 2014.

'Work together'

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the report, Ghost Towns: The Decline of the High Street and Health Inequalities, argued for more "people-friendly" spaces, with seating, public toilets and pedestrianised areas to increase footfall.

Graham Soult, a North East-based retail consultant, warned that the declining state of local high streets should not be sensationalised.

"Local place leaders on the ground, in this region and beyond, are already working hard to tackle those issues and help facilitate the very change that the report's authors advocate", he said.

Residents in Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor have been invited to take part in decision-making and new powers such as High Street Rental Auctions, to help redevelop derelict properties, are set to be introduced in Darlington.

Mr Soult, who previously worked on the government's High Streets Task Force, said: "It is particularly disappointing that the report does not provide a platform to celebrate case studies of the good practice it is pushing for.

"The question we need to be asking is how we can all work together to make even more of that good stuff happen."

Voters in Burundi are heading to the polls amid a backdrop of surging inflation, fuel shortages and complaints of political repression.

Seats in the National Assembly and local councils are up for grabs but Évariste Ndayishimiye is safe in his role as president as he is serving a seven-year term that ends in 2027.

The elections will test the popularity of the governing CNDD-FDD party, a former rebel group which has been in power for the past 20 years.

The East African nation was already one of the world's poorest countries, but residents there have been put under further pressure by a recent spike in the price of goods such as food.

Opposition parties have complained that their supporters have been harassed and intimidated by members of the CNDD-FDD's youth league, the Imbonerakure.

Gabriel Banzawitonde, leader of the APDR party, said: ''People are so intimidated that they tell you they cannot wear any party colours other than the ruling ones'.

But he said they were not giving in and "once in the voting booth, they promise to vote for you".

Several political analysts approached by the BBC declined to talk about the elections for fear of repercussions. One expert, who did not want to be named, said: "To avoid unnecessary trouble, you keep quiet."

''We pointed out from the start that everything was being tailor-made [to fit the ruling party]," they said, suggesting that a CNDD-FDD win was a done deal.

Recently, some party officials have even been suggesting that a one-party system may be beneficial for Burundi.

Chronic shortages of foreign currency, which is needed for imports such as medicine and fuel, have led to a decline in Burundi's economic activity.

Analysts say that Burundi now runs on less than one month's-worth of foreign currency reserves for imports, while the regional standard is to have at least four months.

Queues of cars stretching from service stations for around 100m (330ft) have become a common sight. They often last for days or weeks as motorists wait for fuel, which is being rationed by the authorities.

According to the World Bank, the annual domestic income of an average Burundian in 2023 was $193 (£142), the lowest within the East African Community trade bloc.

Faustin Ndikumana, an economist and anti-corruption activist, believes Burundi's situation will not improve any time soon.

''Good governance has to be established. We're not there yet,'' he told the BBC.

But the governing party and its leader hold an opposing view.

President Ndayishimiye has said residents of Bujumbura, Burundi's largest city, "looked bad in 2005" but now "had money to buy shoes, new clothes and to build a house''.

And the CNDD-FDD often responds to criticism by reminding Burundians that the party fought for the Hutu ethnic group – who make up the majority of the population – to access power, after four decades of what they considered as oppression by the minority Tutsis.

More BBC stories on Burundi:

• Rwanda planning to attack Burundi, president tells BBC
• 'Mpox made my throat so painful I couldn't sleep'
• Burundi leader to get $530,000 and luxury villa

A former nurse, who was working with Thames Valley Police, has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a man in custody.

It follows an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into the death of William Cameron, 38, after he was taken into custody at Loddon Valley Police Station, near Reading, in 2020.

Sean Cregg, 35, who worked for Mountain Healthcare – a procured service provider for the force – has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and a further charge under section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 1 July.

Mr Cameron had been arrested and taken into custody on 8 January 2020 and died later that day in hospital.

The IOPC investigation began the same day and concluded in March 2021.

That month, it said it sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider potential criminal charges.

"Following the referral, we received requests from the CPS for further material to assist with its decision-making," it said.

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS special crime division, said: "It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

A police sergeant, who was also referred to the CPS, will not face charges, the IOPC said.

'Safety is priority'

A spokesperson for Mountain Healthcare sent its "deepest condolences" to Mr Cameron's family.

It added: "We cannot comment on the case given the ongoing legal proceedings.

"However, we can confirm that Mr Cregg has not worked in any of our services since the time of the incident in 2020 and is not employed by us in any capacity.

"Our priority continues to be the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the people our highly specialist teams support in custody, and this is underpinned by regular independent assessments confirming the excellence of our safety and training processes."

Thames Valley Police said: "It would be inappropriate to comment whilst there is ongoing legal proceedings, our thoughts remain with Mr Cameron's family and loved ones."

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Swathes of Southport have turned yellow in support of a new service for grieving children set up in memory of Bebe King, one of three girls killed in the knife attack in the Merseyside town.

Bebe, 6, Alice Aguiar, 9, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, all died in the murders at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop last July.

Called Bebe's Hive, the group was launched by Bebe's parents to provide creative sessions using art, music and storytelling to help bereaved children. The yellow colour was also chosen to coincide with World Bee Day.

"Bees always had such a special meaning to Bebe, so we just had to do something," Bebe's aunt Lydia Wainwright said.

"What started as just a gentle invitation on Instagram to wear yellow or add something yellow to your school or business has just exploded into something much bigger than we could have ever imagined."

In a post on the Bebe's Hive fundraising page, her family said the service would be "a space full of care and hope".

"After losing her, we saw how deeply grief affects children," they said.

"We also saw what was missing: a safe, child-led space for healing. So we're creating one – rooted in love, creativity, and connection.

"At its heart, Bebe's Hive reflects who Bebe was: warm, inclusive, curious, and endlessly creative. Every part of what we're building carries her kindness and her spark."

Churchtown village was decorated with yellow ribbons and people across the area wore yellow.

Workers at United Legal Assistance and Birkdale Insurance in Southport also shared photographs of staff wearing yellow for the day and the Southport Strollers running club wore yellow as they ran on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, The Atkinson arts centre, Southport Town Hall and Bootle Town Hall were all lit yellow on Tuesday evening.

Bebe's Hive is supported by Elsie's Story Charitable Trust which was set up by Elsie Dot Stancombe's parents.

"You're not welcome here!" one man with a Los Angeles Angels ball cap shouted to the soldiers as another protester uncapped spray paint and wrote an obscenity directed at US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

DHS told the BBC that the guarded area is home to one of their offices and authorities were using it "as a staging area and rioters found it".

The agency told the BBC they have arrested 118 illegal immigrants in the Los Angeles area this week, including five they say are gang members.

The agency said some of these migrants had previous criminal histories that included drug trafficking, assault and robbery.

As he prepared to board Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey, on Sunday, Trump told reporters there were "violent people" in Los Angeles "and they're not gonna get away with it".

Dora Sanchez was still in disbelief from the shocking images that transformed her city the night before.

She gathered on Sunday with others in the community at the Chapel of Change church, less than a block from the centre of protests the day before.

She and others at the church talked about how this Hispanic community was revitalised over the years and became a close-knit community where neighbours know and watch out for one another.

The protests felt like a "breaking point" for the immigrant community, she noted.

Los Angeles is one of the biggest minority-majority cities in the US.

Hispanics not only make up a larger share of the population than any other ethnic background, but immigrants, specifically those from just south in Mexico, are a core part of the history and culture here.

The city boasts its status as a sanctuary city, which means it does not co-operate with federal immigration enforcement.

Some here said they felt a bubbling tension that seemed to erupt when the Republican president's administration targeted LA's undocumented immigrants.

"It was time to stand up," said Maria Gutierrez, who protested in Paramount. "These are my people."

She said she was born in Mexico, but has lived here since she was a girl.

She – like many here – say they have family members who are in the US illegally.

"This is LA," she said. "It touches us all.

"Everyone has family or knows someone who doesn't have papers."