boatpile
  • Home
  • Resources
  • Frontend
  • Guide
  • Backend
Economy

Brent Council defends decision to twin with Nablus

by Isabella April 17, 2025
written by Isabella

A council has defended its decision to twin with an occupied city in the West Bank.

In a full council meeting held in May, Brent Council in north-west London voted to twin with Nablus to promote "cultural, social, economic, and educational exchanges".

Since then, a petition has been set up against the move, saying the twinning did not give due regard to the effects this decision would have on all of its residents.

But Labour council leader Muhammed Butt said it "was not taken lightly" and that it "followed a period of public engagement, including a petition signed by more than 2,000 residents".

In an email response to residents, Butt said he wanted to "acknowledge the pain and trauma that continue to affect Jewish communities both here in Brent and around the world following the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas on October 7th".

He said the decision to twin did not represent "support for any political group or administration in Nablus".

"Rather, it reflects Brent's humanitarian values and a desire to connect with ordinary people in another part of the world who, like us, strive for peace, education, dignity, and progress for the next generation," he said.

Nablus sits in the West Bank, a landlocked territory illegally occupied by Israel in a war in 1967, along with the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has controlled Gaza, while Fatah administers areas in the West Bank.

The two groups are rivals; the Hamas movement was founded to challenge the Fatah-led Palestinian Liberation Organisation and took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.

Fatah has recognised Israel, said it renounced terrorism in 1988 and seeks a two-state solution for a Palestinian homeland; Hamas is committed to the destruction of Israel and killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in a cross-border attack on 7 October 2023.

Since then, more than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

April 17, 2025 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Tech

The Canadians and Danes boycotting American products

by Caleb April 16, 2025
written by Caleb

Todd Brayman is no longer buying his favourite red wine, which is from California.

A veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, he is one of a growing number of people in Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world, who are avoiding buying US products due to President Trump's tariffs and treatment of US allies.

"I have in my life served alongside American forces. It is just profoundly upsetting and disappointing to see where we are given the historical ties that our two countries have," says Mr Brayman, who lives in Nova Scotia.

"But I think right now it's time to stand up and be counted, and in my mind, that means buying local and supporting Canadian business."

Together with his wife, Mr Brayman has replaced all the American products he used to buy, including his previous wine of choice, with Canadian alternatives.

"Luckett Phone Box Red wine, which is from right here in Nova Scotia, is great," he says.

April 16, 2025 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Economy

Coop chief calls for governments to work together

by Joseph April 15, 2025
written by Joseph

The chief of the Channel Islands Co-operative has called for the Jersey and Guernsey governments to work together.

Mark Cox said the governments choosing two different ferry providers had "added complexity and costs" within the freight and supply chain.

His comments followed the CI Coop's annual general meeting on Wednesday at which a 2% dividend rate for members was confirmed.

Mr Cox said the business had returned to profitability in 2024 after a £1.8m loss in 2023 but that "if we want to be serious about reducing costs then the islands have to work together".

'Immediate benefits'

He attributed the return to profitability to CI Coop's new member pricing initiative and investment into seven pharmacies.

Mr Cox told BBC Radio Guernsey members had been concerned about the pharmacies at a time when dividends had been reduced but their performance had been "exceptional".

Mr Cox said the new in-store savings scheme for members had been "a real success" and had delivered more than £1m savings to them since it was introduced in October.

He said members had to wait a year for dividends and they had told CI Coop they wanted "something a bit more immediate" so the member pricing scheme had been launched.

"Of course we'd love to get back to a 4% dividend rate but I think that balance between delivery of a share of profit and giving immediate benefits is really important," he added.

Mark Cox said the past few weeks had been "nothing short of horrific"

Dividends were available to be collected at CI Coop member services desks but there could be delays over the next few days, he advised.

Mr Cox said the past few weeks had been "nothing short of horrific" after the recent cyber attack and resulting goods shortages.

Hackers infiltrated the Co-op UK group's IT networks and claimed to have stolen the customer and employee data of more than 20m people.

He said: "We've not been at our best over the past couple of weeks as a result of that cyber attack but day by day now we are seeing more products come in.

"We will recover, we'll bounce back and we will look at opportunities to reward members for their patience in this difficult time."

April 15, 2025 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Industry

Man who killed estranged wife jailed for 27 years

by Caroline April 15, 2025
written by Caroline

A man has been jailed for a minimum of 27 years for the murder​ of his estranged wife.

Paul Butler, 53, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, previously pleaded guilty to stabbing to death 48-year-old university lecturer Claire Chick.

Ms Chick was found seriously injured in West Hoe Road on the evening of 22 January and died later in hospital.

Judge Robert Linford at Plymouth Crown Court told Butler it was "nothing less than sheer murderous brutality".

Members of Ms Chick's family, including her then-partner Paul Maxwell, watched as CCTV showed Butler's movements in the hours before the attack, including the footage which showed her being stabbed by him at least 23 times.

The court heard victim impact statements from Ms Chick's daughters Bethany Hancock-Baxter and Lydia Peers.

Bethany described Butler as an "evil man" and told him jealousy had got the better of him.

She said: "Let's be honest, you must have thought if you can't have her then no-one can.

'Dark cloud'

"I live every day not as Bethany, I'm now the girl whose mother was killed by her husband."

Lydia, Ms Chick's youngest daughter, told the court Butler "didn't love" her mum.

"Stabbing my mum 23 times is not love, that is murder," she said.

"This was no accident, this was no mistake, you made sure she was gone and was never coming back."

Lydia added: "At night I still have this dark cloud over me. I can't be happy about things because my mum can't be here to enjoy it too.

"This is a life sentence for myself."

Mr Maxwell said: "I loved Claire, she was beautiful, funny and kind and made the world smile whenever she was around.

"She cared about everyone and was so proud of her family."

He said he now lived in "constant fear" and felt "on edge" when he was alone or when it was night.

Devon and Cornwall Police
Butler previously pleaded guilty to murdering the university lecturer

Plymouth Crown Court heard Butler and Ms Chick became neighbours in 2021, before they married in June 2024.

Joanna Martin KC, prosecuting, said: "Prior to the wedding she expressed some doubts, and the honeymoon was the end of the relationship."

The court heard the murder followed months of harassment, stalking and violence from Butler.

Ms Martin said Ms Chick made six statements to the police about the defendant's conduct and he had been arrested three times for assault, harassment and stalking.

She said Butler continued to stalk Ms Chick, despite being on bail and banned from going near her, and even put a tracking device on her car.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said Devon and Cornwall Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to its previous contact with Ms Chick.

'Frenzied attack'

"We are committed to fully co-operating with an ongoing independent investigation by the IOPC," he added.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said the brutal murder of Ms Chick was a "tragedy".

"The statistics on violence against women and girls are truly shocking," Ms Hernandez said.

"One-in-five women will be stalked in her lifetime, and one-in-four will experience domestic abuse. These are our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends."

Judge Linford told Butler it was a "frenzied attack" which involved "sustained and excessive violence towards the victim".

April 15, 2025 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Tech

Fire breaks out at city's historic May Fair

by Mia April 13, 2025
written by Mia

A fire broke out in Hereford city centre during its annual historic May Fair.

About 20 firefighters were sent to the scene in Commercial Street, where a mobile tea and coffee stall had caught fire and was completely destroyed.

Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the blaze, which was reported to emergency crews at about 11:00 BST, said Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

A traditional ceremony was held on Tuesday to officially open the fair, which has taken place in the town for more than 900 years.

The event is the oldest surviving charter fair in Britain, according to the local council, and sees rides and food stalls set up for visitors.

Fire service group commander Dave Swallow said the fire started in one of the catering units which was part of the fair, destroying it along with causing some cosmetic damage to adjacent buildings.

No-one was inside the unit at the time.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said a passing paramedic came across the fire and an ambulance was sent to the scene.

The fire started in a tea and coffee unit at the end of the street, the fire service said

"A man from the truck was assessed and had sustained injuries not believed to be serious," a ambulance service spokesperson said.

"He received treatment from ambulance staff at the scene and declined further treatment. He received self care advice before being discharged at the scene."

Mr Swallow said the fire service worked closely with the Showmen's Guild (a professional organization for fairground operators) when the fair was on and carried out daily checks to ensure fire safety rules were met, with enough space between units, stalls and rides.

"By maintaining that space, we limit the possibility of damage from fire spread reaching the adjacent buildings," he said.

"Crews were able to tackle the fire very quickly and bring it under control.

"The fire happened in the morning so the city centre wasn't too busy.

"Thankfully, there were not large numbers of the public knocking about and that allowed us to get access to the fire quite quickly, but it's quite a devastating fire for the stall holder," he added.

April 13, 2025 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Industry

Two men appear in court over robbery at jewellers

by Lucas April 12, 2025
written by Lucas

Two men have appeared in court following a robbery at a jewellery shop in Lincolnshire on Friday.

Ints Dombrovskis, 45, of Colley Avenue, Kendray, Barnsley, and Hudo Ignats, 42, of Wilkinson Street, Barnsley, were each charged with an offence of robbery at PJ Jewellery and Collectables, West End, Holbeach.

Both were remanded in custody following a hearing at Lincoln Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Mr Dombrovskis and Mr Ignats are next due to appear at the city's crown court on 30 June.

Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds latest episode of Look North here.

April 12, 2025 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Global Trade

Sex worker 'terrified' by plans for new prostitution law

by Eleanor April 11, 2025
written by Eleanor

At 17 years old, Alice was sacked from her job in a call centre.

Her home environment was difficult. She had no CV and few employment options.

A friend had been involved in sex work and had made "a lot of money". Alice decided to go down a similar road.

Now in her 30s, she's still involved in sex work, though she balances it with other job opportunities.

But Alice (not her real name) believes a potential change in the law in Scotland will make her "terrifyingly" unsafe.

Alba MSP Ash Regan is introducing a bill that would make it an offence to pay for sexual services. It's an approach often referred to as the "Nordic Model".

The former SNP leadership candidate argues that challenging men's demand for prostitution will help to protect women.

April 11, 2025 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Tech

Calls for speed limit at 'terrifying' junction

by Aria April 9, 2025
written by Aria

"Terrifying" videos showing people driving past a motorway junction's new stop signs have prompted calls to lower the speed limit.

A number of serious crashes at junction 37 on the M6, which carries the A684 over the motorway near Kendal, Cumbria, led to safety works which were completed last year.

These included stop signs at the exit slip roads and road markings on the A684.

MP Tim Farron and Liberal Democrat councillors Hazel Hodgson and Ian Mitchell now want a 40mph speed limit introduced. Westmorland and Furness Council has been contacted for comment.

National Highways said drivers failing to stop at junction 37 was a concern.

A spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, we aren't able to determine whether they are consciously ignoring the requirement to stop, or if some aren't noticing the very clear signage."

It said that if extra measures to improve safety were identified it would "aim to bring works forward to deliver them", but the decision to limit speed was for the Lib Dem-led council to consider.

In a letter, the Lib Dem MP and councillors called for the introduction of a 40mph speed limit on the stretch of the A684 at Junction 37, with a speed camera to enforce it.

"The recent video evidence gathered by National Highways which shows that many drivers are ignoring the new stop signs and are dangerously flying over the junction is as terrifying as it is sadly unsurprising," the letter read.

They said a speed limit would mean road users travelling past the junction would be in a better position to react to vehicles pulling out from the junction in front of them.

The politicians said they were grateful for the safety work so far but that it was "painfully clear that more needs to be done".

April 9, 2025 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • 1
  • …
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • …
  • 34

Recent Posts

  • Elevating Visual Experiences with Ledman’s Fine Pitch LED Displays
  •  How a Chinese Shopping Agent Like Sugargoo Simplifies Global Buying
  • Essential Features of the Atess Battery Cabinet
  • Exploring Fractional Shares and Investing with Tiger Brokers
  • Reducing Handling Errors with Intelligent Mobile Rack Systems

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

About Me

About Me

Freelance Developer

My name is Brian, freelance developer based in London, UK. Welcome to my internet journal where I started my learning journey.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube Github

Resources

  • Elevating Visual Experiences with Ledman’s Fine Pitch LED Displays

    September 3, 2025
  •  How a Chinese Shopping Agent Like Sugargoo Simplifies Global Buying

    September 3, 2025
  • Essential Features of the Atess Battery Cabinet

    September 2, 2025

Recent Posts

  • Elevating Visual Experiences with Ledman’s Fine Pitch LED Displays

    September 3, 2025
  •  How a Chinese Shopping Agent Like Sugargoo Simplifies Global Buying

    September 3, 2025
  • Essential Features of the Atess Battery Cabinet

    September 2, 2025
  • Exploring Fractional Shares and Investing with Tiger Brokers

    August 28, 2025
  • Reducing Handling Errors with Intelligent Mobile Rack Systems

    August 27, 2025

Categories

  • Business (80)
  • Coding (18)
    • Backend (6)
    • Frontend (6)
    • Guide (6)
  • Economy (30)
  • Global Trade (31)
  • Industry (77)
  • Innovation (22)
  • Market (22)
  • Resources (6)
  • Tech (36)

Backend

  • Elevating Visual Experiences with Ledman’s Fine Pitch LED Displays

    September 3, 2025
  •  How a Chinese Shopping Agent Like Sugargoo Simplifies Global Buying

    September 3, 2025
  • Essential Features of the Atess Battery Cabinet

    September 2, 2025
  • Exploring Fractional Shares and Investing with Tiger Brokers

    August 28, 2025

Frontend

  • Elevating Visual Experiences with Ledman’s Fine Pitch LED Displays

    September 3, 2025
  •  How a Chinese Shopping Agent Like Sugargoo Simplifies Global Buying

    September 3, 2025
  • Essential Features of the Atess Battery Cabinet

    September 2, 2025
  • Exploring Fractional Shares and Investing with Tiger Brokers

    August 28, 2025

Guide

  • Getting Started with Backend Development 101

    January 25, 2019
  • The Skills You Need to Be a Back-End Developer

    January 25, 2019
  • Modern Backend Developer in 2019

    January 25, 2019
  • Integrating with an API Backend

    January 25, 2019
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Email
  • Github
  • Stack-overflow

All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by boatpile.

boatpile
  • Home
  • Resources
  • Frontend
  • Guide
  • Backend