businesshelps
  • Home
  • UI/UX
  • Web Design
  • App Design
Category:

Tech

Tech

Hearing set for man accused of murdering girl

by Emily May 4, 2025
written by Emily

A man will appear in court in July charged with the murder of a nine-year-old girl in Lincolnshire.

Lilia Valutyte died after being stabbed as she played with a hula hoop in the street outside her mother's shop in Boston town centre on 28 July 2022.

On Thursday, a hearing was held at Lincoln Crown Court.

Deividas Skebas, 25, formerly of Thorold Street, Boston, is due at the same court on 28 July – the third anniversary of the stabbing.

Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds latest episode of Look North here.

Tech

'Why I chose to donate my breast milk'

by Jacob April 25, 2025
written by Jacob

Soon after Jess gave birth to her first baby, she ran out of freezer space.

"I was producing so much breast milk my husband couldn't fit the food in the freezer," said Jess, a 30-year-old mother from South Derbyshire.

It was then that she found out about the option of donating surplus breast milk to a local milk bank.

"I knew that poorly and premature babies in the neonatal unit were fed with donated milk. So I thought why not give them some of mine?"

ALEJANDRO PRIETO/EPA
Feeding babies breast milk "increases chances of survival" according to the NHS milk bank in Birmingham

Jess said donating her milk was easy, adding: "I phoned Birmingham milk bank and they sent me a blood test in the post."

She added that other than dropping off the blood test at the hospital, she did not have to leave the house to donate.

"They sent me all the bottles and equipment," she added. "It was all free."

She said her first donation was 10 litres (two gallons) of breast milk.

Jess described her 13-week-old baby Lucas as a "big chunky baby" weighing nearly a stone.

She added: "I thought he's got loads of my milk, so I'm going to help make chunky babies all over the nation!"

DERBYSHIRE BLOOD BIKES
Volunteers from Derbyshire Blood Bikes transport blood, breast milk, and medication to and from NHS facilities

Jess's milk was transported from her house to the human milk bank Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital by Derbyshire Blood Bikes – a charity which provides a medical courier service for NHS hospitals across the county.

"The Blood Bikes were so good," says Jess. "They came right to the door and gave me the cooler bags they transport the milk in.

"I literally just had to take it out the freezer and give it to them."

"It created space for more food, actually. My husband was happy!"

A spokesperson from the Birmingham Women's Hospital milk bank team said: "We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of the generous women who donate their breast milk to help protect tiny babies.

"Donations are crucial, they play a huge part in providing the necessary care for our unwell babies in our neonatal unit, as breast milk is vital at protecting extremely sick babies.

"We know that many hospitals are in need of human milk for their neonatal services which is why we supply milk to surrounding hospitals throughout the UK."

How does it work?

On its NHS trust website, the milk bank at Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital said it was providing donor breast milk to its own neonatal babies as well as to other hospitals across the region and beyond.

Donor breast milk, it says, can be offered to support mothers while they are establishing their own milk supply, or if they are unable to provide their own milk due to geographical separation or maternal illness.

Eligible donors would have established breastfeeding with their own baby and find they have surplus milk to their baby's requirements.

Blood tests are done before donations to ensure infections will not be passed on via the milk, and certain reasons will exclude people from becoming donors such as smoking or taking certain prescribed medicine.

DERBYSHIRE BLOOD BIKES
Volunteer blood biker Adam transported the first batch of breast milk to be given to babies by nurses at Royal Derby Hospital

Last month, Royal Derby Hospital used donor breast milk to feed babies on their neonatal unit for the first time.

The first batch of donor milk came from the human milk bank in Birmingham, which was delivered by a Derbyshire Blood Bikes volunteer.

Mark Vallis, Operations Manager at Derbyshire Blood Bikes, said: "It means mothers at the hospital can rest assured that the neonatal unit will be able to get milk to them. In all instances that will be milk from the Birmingham bank, delivered to Derby free of charge by Blood Bikes."

Jess said the move was "amazing", adding: "I see on Facebook groups mums asking for spare milk, and that's obviously not right. So it's really important they can get it from a safe source."

A spokesperson for the University Hospitals Trust of Derby and Burton said: "We offer expert advice and breastfeeding support to women, however, where expressing milk is not an option, donated breastmilk is a more suitable way to support pre-term baby's development.

"We are pleased to be working with Birmingham Milk Bank so that some of our families, with neonatal babies, can access donor breastmilk."

Tech

Firefighters to hold training drills at hospital

by Logan April 12, 2025
written by Logan

Fire crews will take part in a training exercise at Lincoln County Hospital to help prepare them for high-rise emergency situations.

The sessions will be carried out in an area currently under refurbishment and synthetic smoke will be used to emulate real-life scenarios.

Fifty firefighters and six fire engines will be involved later and on Thursday, and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue has urged people not to be alarmed.

Matt King, head of response at the fire service, said: "It's a brilliant opportunity for us to test our plans and preparedness."

He added: "It's really about making sure that we are well prepared for real-life emergencies.

"We really want to reassure people that there will be a lot of activity going on, there will be a lot of fire appliances, but there is nothing to be worried about.

"There is no fire involved, and it is just us in a training environment."

Firefighters will be on site from 19:00 to 21:00 BST, and on Thursday from 13:30 to 15:30 and 19:00 to 21:00.

Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds latest episode of Look North here.

Tech

Voting for new Pope set to begin with cardinals entering secret conclave

by Jason April 10, 2025
written by Jason

On Wednesday evening, under the domed ceiling of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, 133 cardinals will vote to elect the Catholic Church's 267th pope.

The day will begin at 10:00 (09:00 BST) with a mass in St Peter's Basilica. The service, which will be televised, will be presided over by Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old Cardinal Dean who was also the celebrant of Pope Francis' funeral.

In the early afternoon, mobile signal within the territory of the Vatican will be deactivated to prevent anyone taking part in the conclave from contacting the outside world.

Around 16:15 (15:15 BST), the 133 cardinal electors will gather in the Pauline Chapel and form a procession to the Sistine Chapel.

All the while they will be singing a litany and the hymn Veni Creator – an invocation to the Holy Spirit, which is seen as the guiding hand that will help cardinals choose the new Pope.

Once in the Sistine Chapel, one hand resting on a copy of the Gospel, the cardinals will pronounce the prescribed oath of secrecy which precludes them from ever sharing details about how the new Pope was elected.

  • Follow the latest updates
  • How the Vatican keeps its pap vote secret

When the last of the electors has taken the oath, a meditation will be held. Then, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations Diego Ravelli will announce "extra omnes" ("everybody out").

He is one of three ecclesiastical staff allowed to stay in the Sistine Chapel despite not being a cardinal elector, even though they will have to leave the premises during the counting of the votes.

The moment "extra omnes" is pronounced marks the start of the cardinals' isolation – and the start of the conclave.

The word, which comes from the Latin for "cum clave", or "locked with key" is slightly misleading, as the cardinals are no longer locked inside; rather, on Tuesday Vatican officials closed the entrances to the Apostolic Palace – which includes the Sistine Chapel- with lead seals which will remain until the end of the proceedings. Swiss guards will also flank all the entrances to the chapel.

Getty Images
Cardinals gathered during the funeral of Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican in April

Diego Ravelli will distribute ballot papers, and the cardinals will proceed to the first vote soon after.

While nothing forbids the Pope from being elected with the first vote, it has not happened in centuries. Still, that first ballot is very important, says Austen Ivereigh, a Catholic writer and commentator.

"The cardinals who have more than 20 votes will be taken into consideration. In the first ballot the votes will be very scattered and the electors know they have to concentrate on the ones that have numbers," says Ivereigh.

He adds that every other ballot thereafter will indicate which of the cardinals have the momentum. "It's almost like a political campaign… but it's not really a competition; it's an effort by the body to find consensus."

If the vote doesn't yield the two-third majority needed to elect the new pope, the cardinals go back to guesthouse Casa Santa Marta for dinner. It is then, on the sidelines of the voting process, that important conversations among the cardinals take place and consensus begins to coalesce around different names.

According to Italian media, the menu options consist of light dishes which are usually served to guests of the residence, and includes wine – but no spirits. The waiters and kitchen staff are also sworn to secrecy and cannot leave the grounds for the duration of the conclave.

Getty Images
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday 2025

From Thursday morning, cardinals will be taking breakfast between 06:30 (05:30 BST) and 07:30 (06:30 BST) ahead of mass at 08:15 (07:15 BST). Two votes then take place in the morning, followed by lunch and rest. In his memoirs, Pope Francis said that was when he began to receive signals from the other cardinals that serious consensus was beginning to form around him; he was elected during the first afternoon vote. The last two conclaves have all concluded by the end of the second day.

There is no way of knowing at this stage whether this will be a long or a short conclave – but cardinals are aware that dragging the proceedings on could be interpreted as a sign of gaping disagreements.

As they discuss, pray and vote, outside the boarded-up windows of the Sistine Chapel thousands of faithful will be looking up to the chimney to the right of St Peter's Basilica, waiting for the white plume of smoke to signal that the next pope has been elected.

Tech

Nature therapy centre targeted again by vandals

by Natalie April 8, 2025
written by Natalie

Vandals have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage at a nature therapy centre.

A group broke into a polytunnel filled with seedlings at The Flower Patch in Middlesbrough and caused "as much destruction as possible".

Founder Nicky Morgan, 57, said the "mindless" attacks had been happening since February and it was the same group of youths every time.

The crime has been reported to police and CCTV footage has been handed over. Cleveland Police has been contacted for comment.

The vandals ruined 40% of the seedlings that were growing in the polytunnel, Ms Morgan said, and hundreds of hours of volunteer time has been wasted.

She explained: "When we looked at the CCTV coverage it looks like they came with one aim, to cause as much destruction as possible.

"They had everything covered. They had gloves on, you couldn't see their faces, we watched the whole thing play out on video.

"What you've got to appreciate is that it has taken us five years to get to where we are now.

"In terms of volunteer time since February we are talking hundreds of hours.

"It is completely mindless. There is no rhyme or reason for it."

Tech

New oxygen system a 'game changer' for battlefield

by Owen March 27, 2025
written by Owen

A new portable oxygen delivery system has been developed to improve casualty survival rates for soldiers and civilians.

The system, which was developed by the Wiltshire-based Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and the Defence Medical Service (DMS), weighs just 5kg (11lb) and is able to offer sustained oxygen supply in a safer and easier form than conventional gas cylinders.

"The ability to deliver oxygen at the point of injury represents a game-changing advance in battlefield medicine," said Major Andrew Maggs, DSTL military advisor.

The system works by taking air from the environment and removing nitrogen to leave a breathable oxygen-rich gas that can be delivered to patients.

'Every second counts'

Oxygen therapy is critical for trauma patients suffering from blood loss, head injuries and lung trauma.

By getting oxygen delivery directly to the point of injury, the system can dramatically improve the likelihood of survival and recovery.

"By reducing logistical burden and improving safety, the system will provide critical care in situations where every second counts," Major Maggs explained.

Dr Paul Hollinshead, DSTL chief executive, added: "In operational terms, this system will reduce the logistical strain on supply chains while improving battlefield care.

"The ability to also reuse the system with external power or replaceable batteries means it offers unparalleled flexibility."

It is not yet known when the system will be first used, but 15 prototypes will soon be ready to deploy.

DSTL is also working on a mass-producible version that can withstand rigorous military use.

The system currently costs £15,000 per unit but it is hoped a more cost effective version can be designed.

Tech

County's 'worst road' resurfaced after complaints

by Stephanie March 27, 2025
written by Stephanie

A road dubbed the "worst in Oxfordshire" has been resurfaced, after users called on the authorities to make it safer.

Work to resurface the A417 between Faringdon and Wantage was carried out by Oxfordshire County Council last week.

The council said recent dry weather meant it was able to bring forward the programme of work, which had originally been planned for late June.

Locals had previously told the BBC that the road was decaying and prone to flooding, with vehicles often having to drive through deep potholes.

In a statement, the council said: "Persistent flooding in the area had made it difficult to carry out these much-needed repairs, which needed to be completed in dry conditions."

It added that further work to clean drainage systems was planned "for the coming months".

The A417 was decaying and prone to flooding, locals previously told the BBC

Talking before the resurfacing work, Steve Henry, who runs an MOT workshop at Mellor's Garage, said the state of the road was "shocking" and "disgusting".

Mr Henry, who used to own the garage he operates from, told the BBC: "It's cost me my business. I had to sell it last year. It was closed for a period of time, flooded.

"If you're on a motorbike or pushbike it's dangerous. Someone will lose their life," he warned.

Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber also raised concerns about the route, asking on his Facebook page: "Is this the worst road in Oxfordshire?"

"It's bad enough on four wheels, but imagine riding this stretch of road on a bicycle or motorbike," the post added.

Tech

World Marble Championships take place

by Parker March 20, 2025
written by Parker

The World Marble Championship is taking place in Tinsley Green in West Sussex on Friday.

The championship, which has been held at the Greyhound pub since 1932, has been staged annually since 1588, except for when Covid-19 forced the postponement of the competition.

Organiser of the championship, Julia McCarthy-Fox, told BBC Breakfast that she has travelled over from New Zealand for the tournament, which she has been helping to run for 35 years.

She said: "I like it, as a tournament we have built it up to what it is today and it is an old tradition we want to keep going."

Fiona Landam/BBC
Sand is placed on the rinks ahead of the match

The village of Tinsley Green, less than five miles from Gatwick Airport, is known worldwide as being the home of British marbles.

It attracts visitors from all over the world, with some wishing to take part and some just there to watch the games.

The competition will be made up of 15 or 16 teams, with six players per team – although some people just turn up on the day, Ms McCarthy-Fox said.

Other competitors come from Germany, France and the USA.

Chris Pampel, one player who is from Germany, said sometimes "you only need a little bit of luck" in the match.

Fiona Landam/BBC
Alison Reimer (with her son Louie – left) and Chris Pampel (middle and right) have won multiple world titles in the women's and men's categories respectively

Alison Reimer, the ladies world marble champion, could win her 13th title in the competition, which would make her the most successful ever competitor.

She said: "My great-grandfather used to play and my father and brother also won titles.

"I've got my son (Louie) involved now too, so it is quite the family tradition."

Some first-time competitors, who have travelled from Germany to participate in the world championships, said: "We came for some fun and to see how good we are."

Tech

Headlines: 'Pier boycott' and 'nightclub closure'

by Jayden March 9, 2025
written by Jayden

Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.

Our pick of local website stories

There are calls to boycott Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier after it was announced that right-wing commentator Katie Hopkins will be performing there as part of a stand-up comedy tour.

A newly-qualified teenage driver was sentenced to two years' detention after killing three friends and seriously injuring two children and an adult in a "catastrophic" head on crash.

Finally, there was some good news for Swindon's conservationists after Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and a group of councillors discovered a population of rare Great Crested Newts in the town.

Our top three from yesterday

Tech

Future of handmade lace 'hanging by a thread'

by Evan March 8, 2025
written by Evan

One of Nottinghamshire's most distinctive crafts is at risk of dying out if new people are not trained, enthusiasts say.

Bobbin lace-making is a centuries-old hand technique that evolved into machine lace-making and made Nottingham world famous.

But fans of the traditional bobbin lace-making say it is a skill in danger of being lost as few new people are discovering it.

Heather Harris, 80, said: "It used to be taught in colleges and schools, but now people just don't seem to know about it."

Getty Images
Bobbin lace-making was for years seen as a useful craft for women to learn

The craft began in Italy in the 15th Century but spread across Europe due to its relative simplicity.

A pattern is laid on a pillow, then pinned out, and threads, each held on a weighted bobbin, intricately wound round the pins.

In Nottingham this developed into a literal cottage industry where families would have frames in their homes.

But the arrival of the machine-driven Industrial Revolution turned this into a global trade which dominated part of the city, which is still known as the Lace Market.

Ms Harris took up bobbin lace-making 45 years ago when her then six-year-old daughter struggled to learn it at school.

Ms Harris said: "She brought it home but couldn't work it out.

"It seemed clear to me, and when I spoke to the lady who was teaching the children, she said I should go to night classes."

Getty Images
The craft requires patience, planning and concentration

Despite its seeming complexity, Ms Harris insists it is relatively easy to start.

"It is basically two stitches," she said. "You can learn those in 10 minutes, but it's how you put them together, that's the secret.

"I find it very calming. You sit with the pillow, and you can have the tele or radio on, and you lose yourself in it.

"If you are feeling down or worried or whatever, you sit at your lace pillow and you make your lace, and you enjoy what you are doing.

"And when you finish, you have such a lovely piece – I make wedding hankies or wedding garters for all my family."

Heather Harris
Two of the three teachers in the society are aged 80

Ms Harris feels the craft has been squeezed out of the public's consciousness.

She said: "There used to be clubs in schools and evening classes run by colleges, but these seem to have gone.

"We demonstrate at the industrial museum and Brewhouse Yard every month, and we have tried and tried to put it out there, but it is hard.

"We need someone who can learn and then teach it because it feels like its future is hanging by a thread.

"Two of us are 80, and the other teacher is a bit younger, but we need someone to come along and build experience.

"It seems like I've got to keep strong and go on for a few years more."

Christopher Lillimen, a trustee at the Nottingham Industrial Museum, said: "The lace industry is a major part of the area's history, and bobbin lace is a major part of that story.

"Having the bobbin lace makers here really shows the impact of mechanisation – hand lace uses a few dozen bobbins, while one of our machines here has 4,500.

"And visitors can have a go at bobbin lace-making – which they can't do with the big machines!"

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Recent Posts

  • How to Purchase Fractional Shares with Tiger Trade
  • uarding Your Precision Assets: Stencil Storage That Performs
  • Trends in the Industrial Lift Truck Market: A Look at HELI Forklift
  •  Discovering Performance: Brushless DC Motor from Power Motor
  •  Enhance Your Leica M System with Thypoch M Mount Lenses

Rencent Comments

No comments to show.

About Me

About Me

Designer

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus sit voluptatem accusantium dolor emque.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Behance Youtube

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Guide to the Onboarding Process in Mobile Apps

  • 2

    Mega Navigation Menu Design Trends in Modern Websites

  • 3

    The New Rules for Scrolling in Web Design

  • 4

    Hot User Input Design Patterns for Mobile

  • 5

    UX Design Tips For Dropdown Navigation Menus

  • 6

    What in the World Are Microinteractions?

Categories

  • App Design (6)
  • Business (65)
  • Economy (25)
  • Global Trade (30)
  • Industry (62)
  • Innovation (27)
  • Market (29)
  • Tech (29)
  • UI/UX (7)
  • Web Design (7)
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Behance
  • Youtube
  • Bloglovin
businesshelps
  • Home
  • UI/UX
  • Web Design
  • App Design