Global Trade

Surgeons help save sight of students shot in eyes

by Penelope
written by Penelope

Surgeons from a specialist London eye hospital have helped save the sight of more than 20 Bangladeshi students who were wounded in last summer's protests in the country.

Mahi Muqit and Niaz Islam, consultant ophthalmologists at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, evaluated 150 patients aged 14 and 30 during their visit to Dhaka last month.

All patients had suffered bullet injuries to the eyes after taking part in protests organised by Students Against Discrimination in July 2024, with the majority receiving initial treatment last year.

Mr Muqit, a senior vitreoretinal consultant at Moorfields, said: "It was an honour to be invited to help these people, and an intense experience for all of us."

"It's such a privilege to be able to restore sight to people who have lived with sight loss for months," he added.

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Business

Firefighters and member of public die in blaze at business park

by Andrea
written by Andrea

People, including members of South Central Ambulance, have left floral tributes to those affected by the incident at nearby Bicester Fire Station.

Jamie Jessett, from the town, said he went to school with one of the firefighters who died, but declined to name them to the BBC.

He said the fire was "devastating", but also that it was "amazing" to see the community come together to pay their respects.

"That's what we need, especially at this moment in time," he added.

Floral tributes have been left at Bicester Fire Station

Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, travelled from London to the site, where he told the BBC: "I understand from the fire service that firstly they are making sure everything is secure, and then of course in the fullness of time there will be an investigation."

He added he was "devastated" and said his thoughts were with the families and friends of those who had died, and with the two firefighters in hospital.

"It's a terrible thing to have happened, and I know it's a tight-knit community who are already showing their support for those families," he said.

The MP said he was "in awe of the bravery of those who put themselves in the front line whenever there is danger".

"It's an incredible commitment, it's an incredible path of service, and it's just so tragic that two members of that community have lost their lives," he said.

PA Media
The cause of the fire is not yet known

Leader of Oxford City Council, Councillor Susan Brown described it as a "terrible reminder for us all that firefighters, as well as the other members of the emergency services, put themselves at risk on a daily basis, to protect us all. We owe them a deep debt of gratitude".

Oxford City Council has lowered the city flag, flying over Oxford Town Hall, to half-mast in tribute.

St Laurence's Church in Banbury Road, Caversfield, close to the site, said it had opened its doors "for anyone looking for a space for private prayer or for stillness and reflection" following the "tragic news".

A book of condolence has also been opened at the church, as well as at Garth House – Bicester Town Council's headquarters.

PA Media
Ten fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze

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Industry

Two men stabbed in street disturbance

by Paisley
written by Paisley

Two men have been taken to hospital with stab wounds – one in a critical condition – after disorder broke out in a street.

Police were called to reports of people fighting with knives on Cobden Street, Salford, at about 02:45 BST, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Three men, aged 27, 31 and 33, have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and remain in custody.

The force said it was an isolated incident with no wider threat to the community. A police cordon is in place while officers conduct inquiries.

The other man who was injured sustained minor injuries, GMP said.

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Global Trade

Embezzling grandmother ordered to repay £668,000

by Ava
written by Ava

An Aberdeen grandmother who stole more than £1.5m from her employers has been ordered to repay £670,00.

Coleen Muirhead, 57, spent the money on holidays, cars, caravans and savings accounts for her family.

She was jailed for three years and four months in 2023 after she admitted embezzlement from the metal recycling firm.

Muirhead has been ordered to repay £668,726 the High Court in Glasgow under Proceeds of Crime laws.

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Innovation

Lost fishermen remembered at UK services

by Oscar
written by Oscar

Fishermen who lost their lives at sea are being remembered at special services around the UK.

National Fishing Remembrance Day was created in 2024 by maritime organisations including the Hampshire-based Fishermen's Mission.

The charity said Sunday's services – including Brixham, Kilkeel and Peterhead which have been designated as national services for England, Northern Ireland and Scotland – were a reminder that fishing remained one of the most dangerous peacetime occupations.

A total of 26 deaths involving fishing vessels were recorded in the five years from 2019 to 2023, according to the Marine Accident Investigation Board.

DEFRA
Former Fisheries Minister Sir Mark Spencer laid a wreath in Grimsby on the inaugural remembrance day in 2024

At Portsmouth, a service is being held at The Camber Docks next to a memorial for six crewmen who died on the Wilhelmina J in 1991.

The beam trawler sank when it collided with a cargo ship in thick fog. Four of the bodies – all men aged in their 20s – have never been found.

Hayley Hamlett from the charity said relatives and friends of the six fishermen attended last year's inaugural event.

MAIB
The beam trawler Wilhelmina J sank in 1991 with the loss of six lives

She said: "It's a chance to remember the people who have dedicated their lives for the fishing industry and in some cases the ones who've lost their lives while getting the seafood for our plate.

"Every day particularly along the south we've still got fishermen going out risking their lives, nearly always on their own on the boats."

Fishermen and their families from across the south of England also attended a service in Poole, Dorset, with sea shanties, poetry and readings.

Groups involved in National Fishing Remembrance Day also include The Seafarers' Charity, Stella Maris, Seafish and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

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Business

Ferryman promises to keep Exe crossing in family

by Zachary
written by Zachary

When it comes to keeping it in the family, the Rackleys have got it well and truly sussed, with a watertight business.

In 1985, brothers Beverly, Jerry and Nigel Rackley bought the Starcross to Exmouth ferry.

Back then, Margaret Thatcher was prime minister, Queen and David Bowie rocked Wembley Stadium for LiveAid, and 13 million people tuned in to watch the first episode of Eastenders on BBC One.

The popular soap is still going strong and if Cody Rackley, Beverly's grandson, has anything to do with it – the family business will be ferrying passengers for the next for 40 years, with the 26-year-old now at the helm.

'Best office in world'

Mr Rackley said: "It's nice to keep it in the family."

He crews the vessel that crosses the estuary up to 14 times a day, with dad Jonathan in the wheelhouse, keeping a careful eye out as he picks his way through pleasure cruisers, moored yachts and rubber dinghies.

The Orcombe is a 90-seater boat painted in blue and white and could best be described as no-frills. There is no cafe, no shop and no bar.

"No that's it – you've just got to take in the breathtaking views and wildlife in the estuary, and it's lovely," said Mr Rackley.

"It's the best office in the world."

Bad weather does sometimes mean the 20-minute journey has to be cancelled, possibly one of the reasons Cody doesn't think there are many commuters.

Mr Rackley said: "To drive from Starcross to Exmouth can take between 45 minutes to over an hour sometimes, as the traffic can be an absolute nightmare so this is an nice way to get people across the estuary."

Andrea Spain from Teignmouth is a regular on the ferry

There are regulars such as Andrea Spain from Teignmouth.

She takes the ferry at least once a month and one of the reasons is for a well-known supermarket near Exmouth Railway Station.

"It's the best food hall in the area so makes for a great day out," she said.

The ferry is a cash only service costing £6 for an adult single and £4 for a child.

"I was surprised at just how cheap it is," said Natalie Gray from Exmouth, who was taking the ferry for the first time.

"I didn't even know it existed and I've lived in Exmouth for five years, but it's lovely."

She was travelling with dog Roo – it costs £1 to take a dog on the ferry.

Mr Rackley said: "We've had trips where we've had so many dogs that we couldn't take people, so it just makes up for it when there's lots of dogs on board."

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Market

Two people injured in Lochaber road crash

by Owen
written by Owen

A 39-year-old man and 34-year-old woman have been injured following a one-vehicle crash in Lochaber.

The Toyota Rav4 Excel landed in a ditch near to the Locheilside train junction on the A830 Fort William to Glenfinnan road at about 13:30 on Wednesday.

The male driver was taken to Belford Hospital in Fort William while the female passenger was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow by air ambulance.

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Market

Viral magnetic toy trend leads to doctors' warning

by Chloe
written by Chloe

About 300 children a year are admitted to A&E in the UK after swallowing magnets, a new study has found.

The University of Southampton research revealed that one in 10 children required life saving operations after consuming the items, which are commonly used in toys.

It also found 6% of swallowing cases were linked to a viral social media trend, where the children – mostly girls – were trying to imitate tongue piercings by placing small magnets in their mouths.

Lead author and professor of paediatric surgery Nigel Hall, who works at the University and Southampton Children's Hospital, said retailers must do more to increase warnings on magnetic toy labels.

University of Southampton
Professor of Paediatric Surgery Nigel Hall led the study

"Having an unplanned emergency operation is a traumatic experience for any child and their family," he said.

Mr Hall added that some of the young people ended up "with serious problems, like needing part of their bowel removed or requiring a stoma".

The data was provided by 66 UK hospitals between May 2022 and April 2023.

Mr Hall stressed that children should be taken to emergency departments early if they swallow a magnet.

"Most children who have swallowed a magnet do not show any symptoms, so it is really important that all cases have an x-ray to find out for certain," he said.

University of Southampton
Around 300 children a year are admitted to A&E in the UK after swallowing magnets

The research has been welcomed by the Child Accident Prevention Trust which focuses on preventing death and serious injury to young people from avoidable accidents.

Its chief executive Katrina Phillips said: "These super strong magnets can rip through a child's guts and leave them with life-changing injuries. One boy has died.

"Take a moment to check who you're buying from. Don't assume that, just because you can buy something, it must be safe."

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Tech

N Korea confirms it sent troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine war

by Gavin
written by Gavin

North Korea has for the first time confirmed that it sent troops to fight for Russia against Ukraine.

In a report on state news agency KCNA, Pyongyang's military claimed its soldiers helped Russian forces "completely liberate" the Kursk border region, according to an order given by leader Kim Jong Un.

Pyongyang's announcement comes just days after Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov praised the "heroism" of North Korean troops, the first time Moscow has publicly acknowledged their involvement.

Western officials had earlier told the BBC they believed at least 1,000 of the 11,000 troops sent from North Korea had been killed over three months.

Gerasimov also claims Moscow regained full control of the country's western Kursk region – a claim denied by Ukraine.

Responding to the statement, the US said North Korea must now bear responsibility for perpetuating the war.

South Korean and Western intelligence have long reported that Pyongyang dispatched thousands of troops to Kursk last year.

The decision to deploy troops was in accordance with a mutual defense treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow, KCNA said.

"They who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the honour of the motherland," Kim said according to KCNA.

North Korea and Russia demonstrated their "alliance and brotherhood" in Kursk, adding that a "friendship proven by blood" will greatly contribute to expanding the relationship "in every way".

It added that North Korea would support the Russian army again.

KCNA did not say what would happen to the North Korean troops after their mission in Kursk ended and whether they would be able to return home.

Reports that North Korean soldiers had been deployed to fight for Russia first emerged in October, following the deepening of bilateral ties between Kim and Putin.

This included the signing of an accord where both Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Kim agreed to support each other if either country was dealing with "aggression".

Military experts have said that the North Korean troops, reportedly from an "elite" unit called the Storm Corps, are unprepared for the realities of modern warfare.

"These are barely trained troops led by Russian officers who they don't understand," former British Army tank commander, Col Hamish de Bretton-Gordon had said earlier this year.

Despite this, Ukraine's top military commander Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi had earlier also warned that North Korean soldiers were posing a significant problem for Ukrainian fighters on the front line.

"They are numerous. An additional 11,000-12,000 highly motivated and well-prepared soldiers who are conducting offensive actions. They operate based on Soviet tactics. They rely on their numbers," the general told Ukraine's TSN Tyzhden news programme.

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Industry

Union boss urges Labour MPs to vote against benefit cuts

by Mila
written by Mila

The leader of the Fire Brigades Union is calling on Labour MPs to vote against the government's proposed cuts to benefits.

Steve Wright has become the first general secretary of a trade union affiliated to the Labour Party to explicitly tell Sir Keir Starmer's MPs to rebel against his plans.

Wright told the BBC: "The most vulnerable and poorest in society are being asked to pay for a crisis they didn't cause. I don't believe that is why people are involved in the Labour movement."

He added that he believed the move would lead to "the normalisation of the cost of living crisis" for many, and should be rejected.

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