Security researchers claim to have uncovered a vulnerability in the locking systems of Volkswagen cars that could leave up to 100 million vehicles exposed to break-ins.
The computer scientists from the University of Birmingham say that a flaw in the German firm’s remote locking systems allows hackers to wirelessly unlock the doors and could affect practically every VW sold since 1995.
According to Wired Flavio Garcia and his team will, along with engineering firm Kasper & Oswald, reveal two vulnerabilities in remote locking systems to the Usenix security conference. They will show how the VW flaw affects up to 100m vehicles and how a second hack could leave millions of cars from other manufacturers, including Ford, Fiat, Nissan and Vauxhall, also open to attack.
The VW flaw stems from an internal encryption which uses a handful of key values across almost all vehicles. Using a cheap radio transmitter/receiver hackers could intercept the unique code sent by the target vehicle when it is locked and, using a computer, combine this with the common code to allow them to clone the car’s remote key fob.
The weakness affects cars from across the VW Group, which includes Skoda, Seat and Audi. And while they won’t reveal their exact methods the scientists have warned that four shared keys cover nearly 100m vehicles, meaning a hacker who managed to root out even one of the codes could leave millions of vehicles vulnerable.
The team previously exposed a weakness that allowed them to bypass the immobiliser feature of millions of vehicles from various manufacturers, including VW, and start them without a key. Combined, the two flaws would leave vehicles not only exposed to break-ins but to being driven away as well.

Wireless hack ‘can unlock 100m Volkswagens’


Security researchers claim to have uncovered a vulnerability in the locking systems of Volkswagen cars that could leave up to 100 million vehicles exposed to break-ins.


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Police name woman who died in B1101 collision


Police have named a woman who died in a collision on the B1101, March Road, at Friday Bridge on Saturday (August 20).


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Gales don’t faze Leverington-based Three Counties Running Club


Gale force winds along the seafront at Worthing Parkrun didn’t dampen Leverington-based Three Counties Running Club’s Colin Simpson and Sue George’s enthusiasm, whilst Colin and Joely Apps took to Yeovil Montacute Parkrun in Somerset.


Consumer experts are warning of a new series of online scams offering seemingly well-priced drones for sale.
However, the fashionable items being advertised on online shopping sites at lower than the recommended price often do not exist, according to Action Fraud.
After victims agree to purchase a drone, the fraudsters request payment to be paid via bank transfer, saying that it will quicken the delivery process.
After transferring the money the buyers never receive the drone and the fraudster blocks the victim to prevent further conversation.
Action Fraud has offered the following advice which applies to all online transactions:
Check the validity of the post.
Avoid paying by bank transfer and instead use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you.
Check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller. Feedback will give you useful information about recent transactions other buyers have made.
If the item is below market value consider whether this is an opportunity too good to be true.


Consumer experts are warning of a new series of online scams offering seemingly well-priced drones for sale.


Marshland St James Bowls Club are holding a Charity Open Bowls Drive on Sunday at 2pm, all welcome.


Ambulance staff and volunteers have been thanked for their hard work during another busy bank holiday weekend.
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) received more than 9,100 emergency calls during the long weekend (27th – 29th August) – 9% more than the 2015 August bank holiday weekend.
The busiest day of the weekend was Saturday with 3,299 calls across the East. The Trust received 2,776 calls on bank holiday Monday.
Community first responders attended almost 300 medical emergencies over the weekend.
Sandy Brown, Director of Nursing and Clinical Quality, said: “Whilst most people were enjoying a long weekend in the sun, our staff and volunteers were working hard to help patients across the East of England.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their efforts over the weekend.
“We continue to experience an increase in demand, but we coped well to provide the best possible care to patients over the bank holiday.”
County breakdown of number of calls over the bank holiday weekend compared with 2015:
Bedfordshire – 873 (849)
Cambridgeshire – 1,123 (1,095)
Essex – 2,992 (2,626)
Hertfordshire – 1,463 (1,491)
Norfolk – 1,444 (1,301)
Suffolk – 1,276 (1,019)

More than 9,100 calls to ambulance service over Bank Holiday weekend


Ambulance staff and volunteers have been thanked for their hard work during another busy bank holiday weekend.


Friday Bridge crash victim named as 18-year-old Olivia Carter


Police have named a teenage girl who died in a collision in Friday Bridge on Saturday (August 20).


Gorefield, March, Wisbech, Marshland North Cambs bowlers off to national finals


North Cambs EBF & EWBF members will be competing in the National Outdoor Finals at Skegness between Tuesday, August 23, and Saturday, August 27, in the first and second round games.


Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will be attending this Sunday’s Burston Strike School Rally, it has been confirmed.
Mr Corbyn, MP for Islington North, will replace Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, who was due to appear at the annual event, which commemorates the longest-running strike in history.
Jeremy Corbyn is a lifelong supporter of the Burston Strike School, and his presence at the rally last year gave the attendance a significant boost
A regular in recent years, his increased profile last year while competing to become Labour leader saw the rally’s attendance in 2015 swell to 3,000, and is a late addition to this year’s event.
A spokesperson for the rally said: “The organisers of the Strike School Rally unfortunately have to report that the shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP will no longer be one of the speakers at the event this year.
“John is a hugely popular figure and many people will be greatly disappointed to hear that he will not be in attendance.
“Jeremy Corbyn is a lifelong supporter of the Burston Strike School, and his presence at the rally last year gave the attendance a significant boost.”
The day’s proceedings will kick off 10.45am, with a number of bands, poets, and speakers set to attend.
Musical entertainment on the day will be provided by Steve White and the Protest Family, Red Flags, the NASUWT Brass Band, and the Banner Theatre 1st May Band, while performance poet Attilla the Stockbroker is due to perform, as well as renowned poet, humourist and musician John Hegley.
Suffolk Punches will also lead the march around the ‘candlestick’, which follows the route of the children’s original demonstration.
For more information visit www.burstonstrikeschool.co.uk

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn set to attend Burston Strike School Rally


Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will be attending this Sunday’s Burston Strike School Rally, it has been confirmed.


Dubai-based Emirates Islamic Bank has priced a $250 million tap of an existing Islamic bond issued in May, the lender said on Tuesday.
The tap was priced at 170 basis points over midswaps, the bank said in a statement, adding the funds were raised from investors in the Gulf, Asia and Europe. The order book was worth $706 million.
Under a tap transaction, a ‘new’ deal is issued which is, in effect, a copy of an existing bond with the same terms and conditions. However, the pricing is usually adjusted to reflect current market conditions.
Emirates Islamic’s tap came off a $750 million five-year sukuk issued on May 23. That deal was priced at 220 bps over midswaps and carried a coupon of 3.542 percent.
The bank’s Chief Executive Jamal bin Ghalaita said the tap allowed the lender to benefit from cheaper funds available in the current market conditions, adding the cash would support its long-term growth and development plans.
The sharia-compliant bank, owned by Dubai’s largest lender Emirates NBD, said Bank ABC, Dubai Islamic Bank, EMCAP and Standard Chartered arranged the new offering.

Dubai's Emirates Islamic Bank prices $250m sukuk tap


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Dubai-based Emirates Islamic Bank has priced a $250 million tap of an existing Islamic bond issued in May ...


Tom Davies savoured his Pompey league debut and reflected: I seized my chance.
Davies is hopeful he’s given Paul Cook no choice but to leave him in the side after an impressive showing in the 1-0 success at Exeter.
The defender put in a powerful performance at St James Park as the Blues picked up their third shutout in four outings.
Victory was also Pompey’s first maximum on the road this season as they chalked up back-to-back successes.
Davies feels he’s had to show patience following his summer arrival from Accrington Stanley.
But he’s now confident he’s laid down a marker and seized his opportunity.
Davies said: ‘It was nice to finally start in the league for my new team.
‘It’s been a while coming and I’ve had to be patient. The lads who’ve come in have done really well.
‘So I knew when I had the chance I had to grasp it. Hopefully I’ve given the gaffer a problem when it comes to picking the team.
‘There’s a lot of good players there, although Jack (Whatmough) has had the injury and it’s been tough for him.
‘So I’ve had to bide my time but hopefully I’ve given the gaffer no option but to leave me in.
‘I came here to play. I’ve not come to Pompey to get away from home or move to the seaside.
‘So I’ve hopefully shown the gaffer what I can do and he’ll leave me in.’
Davies formed a sound partnership with Christian Burgess at the back as they repelled Exeter.
That was after he came in at the expense of Adam Barton in one of two changes from the win over Colchester.
Davies feels the players have the right attributes to form a strong link-up in the middle of Pompey’s back four.
He said: ‘Burge is a great player.
‘I’ve watched him from the sidelines for the last few weeks.
‘I know what he can and can’t do and hopefully I complemented him.
‘I don’t mind who I play with really, but being selfish I want to be on the pitch myself.
‘Hopefully me and Burge can start something good, though, and we can keep more clean sheets now. I think we blend together quite well.
‘He’s been good so far this season.
‘I’m a bit more aggressive and put my head on things and go out and put in tackles.
‘He keeps me in check, though, because I have a tendency to be a bit too aggressive at times.
‘All of the experience across that back five helps.’
Gary Roberts’ 85th-minute penalty was the difference between the two sides on Saturday.
But that paved the way for late Exeter pressure as the home side pushed for an equaliser.
There were also a number of blocks from Pompey in the second half which were important to the success.
Davies said: ‘It felt solid and to keep a clean sheet is important.
‘Teams aren’t going to come up against us and just give us the win.
‘You could see how desperate they were for the result and how much they stepped up their game because they were playing us.
‘They threw everything at us after Robbo scored the pen.
‘But, by hook or by crook, we stopped them.’

Defender hopeful he made his point to Cook


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There aren’t many hotels that boast a two-Michelin star restaurant, but this delightful haven in Devon has just that.
Set on the doorstep of Dartmoor National Park, near Chagford, stunning Gidleigh Park ticks all the boxes for a five-star weekend of food heaven.
Standing proudly on a bank within more than 100 acres of private woodlands, its location is wild and dramatic, with the immaculate gardens a vision of beauty.
Refined, traditional and classic are just three words to describe the stunning Tudor building, which also boasts an immensely stylish interior.
Before check-in, ensure to stretch your legs with a stroll around the beautiful estate, which is a lovely way of soaking up the fantastic green surroundings.
A circular route takes you past the picturesque water gardens, tennis courts, croquet lawn and Bluebell Copse wood.
Also make time for a spot of golf on the large lush putting green, with 18 testing holes featuring various water hazards and narrow slopes.
Inside is everything you’d expect from a country house hotel – antique furniture, stone fireplaces and elegant bouquets of flowers – all very sophisticated and ideally suited to the quiet atmosphere.
Our beautifully-decorated room, one of the hotel’s luxury suites, included a roll-top bath, his and hers sinks and the biggest walk-in shower you may ever see.
If you book the Manaton room, you’ll get a private rooftop hot tub where you can bask under the stars and top-of-the-range Dartmeet houses a marble bath, sauna and steam room.
Sipping drinks on the terrace is a great way to admire the stunning panoramic views and the lounge is an area where you can make yourself feel at home.
There’s also a well-stocked bar, conservatory and self-service pantry stocked with teas, coffee and biscuits.
Dinner is a gastronomic experience of a lifetime, with chef Michael Wignall a food genius who will take you on a food journey you will never forget.
His exquisite seven-course tasting menu was a culinary carnival which was simply the best meal I have ever had the pleasure of eating.
From the elegant dainty canapes through to the rich malt and yeast frozen cream dessert, the flavours in each dish complemented each other perfectly, leaving your palette purring.
Torched eel, loin of rabbit, baked smoked carrots and St Austell bay mussels were just a few of the delights on offer.
There’s an informative aspect to the meal as well, with restaurant staff explaining in detail the flavours of each dish and how they were prepared.
For breakfast, there’s the more traditional menu, featuring full English, Eggs Benedict, kippers and porridge.
No words will do this place justice unless you go and experience it for yourself, for this was an experience that has left memories we will treasure forever.
Hotel facts:
Overnight stays at Gidleigh Park start from £250 for a double room, or £125pp, on a bed and breakfast basis.
Lunch is £40 for three courses Monday to Thursday, or £50 Friday – Sunday.
A seven-course tasting menu, available at lunch or dinner, costs £110, while a ten-course tasting menu, available for dinner only, is £130.
Afternoon tea is served every day between 3.30 and 5pm and costs £37.50 per person, or £50 including a glass of champagne.
For further information or to book visit www.gidleigh.co.uk or call 01647 432367.
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Popular destinations include London, Mallorca, Alicante, Dublin, Malaga and Edinburgh.

Gastronomy at its finest - Daniel Bailey enjoys a star-studded stay at a Devon country house hotel


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MORE than 700 suspected illegal immigrants have been arrested in Hampshire over the past three years.
The figure emerged in a Freedom of Information Act request that showed 27,800 people suspected of illegally entering the country have been appreneded since 2013.
Figures obtained by the BBC showed arrests of those illegally entering the UK have steadily increased, rising from 7,700 in 2013 to 9,600 in 2015 as the European refugee crisis deepens.
The total number of 27,800, which includes the first quarter of this year, comes from responses to a request under the Freedom of Information Act by 39 police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It does not include those detained at ports or airports, or those arrested after outstaying what their visa allowed, the BBC said.
Many of those held were picked up at places such as truck stops and motorway service stations after entering the UK hidden in lorries.
Hampshire Police said that 731 suspected illegal immigrants had been arrested during the three-year period, with the 12-month figure showing a rise each year.
In June 2013 - May 2014 it was 149, in June 2014 - May 2015 it was 212 and in June 2015 - May 2016 it was 370.
Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said the figures were at odds with the Government’s claim that it had “water-tight security at our borders”, and instead showed they are not secure.
He told the BBC: “If 27,000 people have been arrested for entering the country illegally by our police forces, then it shows that this problem is even worse than we had anticipated and we expect urgent action to be taken.”
The Home Office said it would take action to remove someone who is found to have no right to remain in the UK.
A spokesman said: “As part of the ongoing action we are taking to secure our borders, we have invested tens of millions of pounds to bolster security at ports in northern France.
“We are also committed to finding long-term solutions to the problem of illegal migration, which is why we created the Organised Immigration Crime Taskforce last year to work with law enforcement and international partners to target the organised crime gangs behind people smuggling.”
A Downing Street spokesman said: “Obviously border security remains a major priority for the Government. Our borders are strong and we will continue to work to make sure they are strong.
“We are working across Europe to make sure that the gangs that facilitate the movement of these people across Europe and into the UK are tackled.”
He added: “I think the arrangements we have in place are proving to be effective, but we are not complacent about border security or border control and that is why we are constantly reviewing the procedures we have in place and seeking to improve them where they need improving, and that work will continue in the future.”

More than 730 suspected illegal immigrants arrested in Hampshire in past three years


Visit now for the latest crime news - direct from Portsmouth News and updated throughout the day.


Paul Cook admitted Pompey are a long way short of firing on all cylinders.
The Blues boss feels there is a lot of progress which needs making in terms of the quality of his team’s performances.
Cook’s side go to Yeovil tonight in the Checkatrade Trophy looking for their third win on the bounce.
They did that on four occasions last season – but it took them until March to string three league successes together.
Cook is taking solace from the fact Pompey have put back-to-back victories together.
But he can see his team are not producing the kind of quality he demands.
Cook said: ‘The balance of the first team is not right at minute. It’s not right. I don’t care what anyone says.
‘I don’t watch us and think wow we look good. There were times last season when I did.
‘I haven’t done that yet but if we win on Saturday we’ll be right up there.
‘We’ll be in a good position with a win over Crawley but we haven’t fired this year yet.
‘I don’t like the way we’re playing.
‘I don’t like us at the minute. I look at us and think no.’
Pompey are four points off leaders Morecambe after five league games.
They can narrow that gap with victory over Crawley at Fratton Park on Saturday.
Cook noted that would ensure a very different mood will surround the club from a couple of weeks ago.
He said: ‘Our campaign is weird. If we get two results now it would probably be our best start in years.
‘That’s off the back at that disappointment at Morecambe.
‘It’s a huge game Saturday because we can get that buffer on our side.
‘That can give us the confidence of having three league wins on the bounce.
‘We nearly contrived to get beat on Saturday.
‘But I thought our performance against Carlisle was excellent.
‘Then we went and drew at Crewe and there was so much doom and gloom about.
‘We know we have to put teams under more pressure.
‘The amount of negative passes we have can allow teams to get comfortable.’
Cook believes a look back to last season shows what is needed for Pompey to build on their recent successes.
He feels striking early in matches was the recurring theme to the Blues’ best home results.
Cook said: ‘There are key points in games when you have to score.
‘We had some great wins at home last season and they all came off the back of us scoring early in the game.
‘When we don’t score early in the game the games quickly become hard work.
‘We can be sloppy and can refuse to be positive.
‘I don’t know if there is a Portsmouth negativity.
‘We have to be better as a club.
‘We are a big challenge for sides.
‘Our lads don’t get that bit of breathing space.’
– JORDAN CROSS


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Visit now for the latest music news, reviews and features - direct from Portsmouth News and updated throughout the day.


Enda Stevens saluted Pompey’s new-found resilience after their latest clean sheet.
The Blues chalked up their third shutout in four games with their 1-0 success at Exeter.
Paul Cook’s side withstood a late charge from the Grecians after Gary Roberts put them in front with five minutes remaining.
But they put their bodies on the line to see out the game for the three points.
Stevens took satisfaction from his side’s resilience.
He said: ‘We’re away from home so we have to be careful at times.
‘We went to Morecambe and we found ourselves 2-0 down and chasing the game.
‘So, my view, was we needed to keep a clean sheet and let the attackers do the attacking.
‘It was a bit scrappy at times but we got the play in the second half and that clean sheet counted.
‘They were going to come to us and throw bodies at us after we scored. It was up to us to throw bodies on the line and defend properly.
‘There were last-ditch tackles but we deserved the clean sheet.’
Stevens felt keeper David Forde was an important cog in the defensive unit which repelled Exeter.
He said: ‘Clean sheets are what we hope for.
‘That’s our aim as a back four with Fordey behind us.
‘I thought he was excellent. He’s really come in and helped us massively.
‘He’s commanding and helped in the dressing room.
‘He comes for everything and give us confidence.
Stevens also drew confidence from Pompey putting two successes together on the bounce.
He said: ‘Back-to-back wins are important and winning away for the first time is important after a bit of a sluggish start.
‘It’s momentum and we have to take this forward into the two home games we have coming up in the league.
‘We have to keep up the level of performance and put the points on the board.’
– JORDAN CROSS

Can this be Enda of Pompey shipping late goals?


For anyone who has found the whole process of internet shopping too much like hard work Amazon has come up with a solution.
The online retailer today revealed that it is introducing its Amazon Dash Buttons to the UK.
The dinky little gadgets are a one-touch way to order a host of popular products without all that complicated rigmarole of actually logging onto your Amazon account and searching for them.
The Dash Buttons are literally that, small plastic boxes housing a button, which when pressed will connect via wi-fi to your Amazon account and using one-click buying order your selected products.
Each button is linked to a particular item and there are 40 brands available from launch so you can get everything from cat food to condoms and nappies to NERF ammunition delivered to your door.
Daniel Rausch, director of Amazon Dash, explained the thinking behind the devices: “We’ve all experienced the frustration of running out of something we need - Dash Button and Dash Replenishment Service are designed to make that moment a thing of the past.
“Dash Buttons offer the convenience of one-click shopping from anywhere in the home - they can be placed near those frequently used items you don’t want to run out of, and when you see supplies running low, the Dash Button makes it easier than ever to order more. Just press the button and your item is on its way.”
The £4.99 devices are only available to Amazon Prime customers, which means you’ll have to sign up to the £79-a-year service to enjoy the Dash Button’s convenience. The good news is that you’ll get £4.99 back off your first order of each product.
Alongside the buttons, Amazon also announced the UK rollout of its Dash Replenishment Service.
Like the button this links to your Amazon account but rather than having to do the ordering yourself it allows connected smart devices to order supplies themselves.
This means the likes of washing machines, dishwashers and printers from big-name brands including Bosch, Samsung, Whirlpool and Siemens can monitor your consumables usage and order more before you run out.
If they could just design a button that remotely loads the dishwasher too, they could be onto a winner.

Amazon Dash lets you order your loo roll at the touch of a button


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Person suffers minor injuries after Southsea car crash


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Victoria went on to rule for 63 years, and was our longest serving monarch until she was overtaken by Elizabeth II on tith September 2015.
BAFTA-nominated actor Rufus Sewell is cast alongside Jenna starring as Lord Melbourne, Victoria’s ﬁrst prime minister. The two immediately connected and their intimate friendship became a popular source of gossip that threatened to destabilise the Government – angering both Tory and Whigs alike.
Tom Hughes stars as Prince Albert. Appearing in the drama from episode 3, Albert immediately makes an impression on the young queen, his ﬁrst cousin. Although Victoria resisted attempts to rush her into marriage initially, her partnership with Albert was a success and they would ultimately produce nine children.
We caught up with former Doctor Who companian Jenna to find out about the drama. . .
Jenna explains one of the most useful aids to understanding Victoria was her sketchbook...
“I read her diaries but although those have her words they’re more about the rhythm of her writing and her emphasis and consciousness in a way. She’s very emphatic in her writing.
What she likes is in capital letters and underlined and it was very thorough and passionate but I think for me, the most interesting thing was her sketchbook because that is the one thing that has been untouched of her vision and what interests her and how she saw the world. I never knew Victoria was such a good artist but most of what she draws is very human and is not about grandeur or jewels or aﬀairs of state in a way it is much more about nature, horses and people, drama and opera and when she was younger the heights of passion and emotion. She drew Lord Melbourne a lot at one stage and then obviously Albert as well as a lot of landscapes. It is interesting to see the world through her eye which you feel more from her when looking through her sketches.”
What helped your transformation into Queen Victoria?
“We went through a lengthy process with the contact lenses trying to ﬁnd the right ones that would look natural and work on camera. There were a couple that made me look like a white walker from Game of Thrones but I would rehearse in the lenses and I kept them in all of the time because once you have them in, to look at yourself in the mirror and see yourself completely diﬀerently is fantastic. It was the make-up designer Nic Collins idea to go with the lenses because in all of the portraits the one thing that really sticks out are her eyes; they are so big and such a known feature about her.”
But ultimately Jenna explains it was ﬁnding the voice of Victoria that was the biggest challenge...
“As well as the relationship between crown and girl it was her voice that was most interesting because for me I start at a place of voice and can hear the voice very clearly before I play a person or character so I think ﬁnding a regal voice that was of the time, accessible but not inhibiting in a way was a challenge. I listened a lot to Emily Blunt in Young Victoria and Judy Dench in Mrs Brown and bridging that age gap.
“For speeches you had to up it a certain notch and then when behind closed doors with Albert, ﬁnding the more human elements to her because I think one of the biggest fears in period drama is being so stiﬀ that you become talking heads and you have to be mindful of the etiquette and as a girl, she is impulsive. Also taking her through an age. Beginning at 18 and growing her up and yet doing that quite quickly and in less of a marked way, going from someone who is vulnerable and actually insecure and inexperienced yet someone who has a big sense of will and who is incredibly stubborn and ﬂawed yet trying to get across her likeability through that. Trying to get her lust for life through all of that.”
Jenna tells us what it has been like to undertake such an incredible role and what she was keen to portray to an audience.
“Something we spoke about a lot was this idea of playing between state and private, between Victoria’s public face, her private face and going between those two worlds. When she is in her quarters she is undone and private. It’s about ﬁnding the human within the role of Queen and discovering the girl taking on this incredible responsibility.’
“With so much access to her diaries you know a liEle bit about what her daily life was like. On the day of her coronation, for example, she woke up at 4am and could hear the crowds outside and the cannons being ﬁred. It is so fascinating to think of her experience inside the palace and outside those four walls and what her relationship was to the public.
“So it’s about fulﬁlling that on screen, seeing her the way we see her, as queen Victoria in this role that she plays but also seeing her as the girl that she was, behind the scenes and playing between the private and public worlds.”
Queen Victoria had a vast number of hidden talents, which meant that Jenna had to learn a whole new set of skills for this role.
“It was very interesting because once I got the job it was a matter of three weeks before I had to be on horseback riding on camera, ballroom dancing and playing the piano. I managed to get some Beethoven down. I have a piano in my house and I have wanted to learn for ages so it was the perfect opportunity. Tom (Hughes) is an amazing musician, he actually really could do it all and I could do one small section and then completely fudge the rest by methods which were rather ludicrous. Apparently she sings opera but I’m not so sure I would get those skills up to par but we will see!”
Victoria start on Sunday at 9pm on ITV with a 90-minute special and continues on Monday.


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Minding your manners, avoiding emotional Facebook rants and knowing what cutlery to use are the modern day signs of class, according to new research.
A study of 2,000 Britons for fashion brand Peter Hahn identified the markers that separate the classy from the hoi polloi and they also include not showing too much cleavage, holding the door for others and speaking more than one language.
So how classy are you? Take our quiz to find out.


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It’s a moment which has been eight years in the making.
Tonight at Yeovil Town, Liam O’Brien will pull on the goalkeeper’s jersey for Pompey.
Liam O'Brien during a friendly outing against the Hawks in his first stint at Pompey. Picture: Steve Reid
His senior competitive bow is something the 24-year-old has been dreaming of since signing for the Blues in 2008.
O’Brien departed Fratton Park in 2011 but has seen his career come full circle with a return earlier this month.
Now he will get his chance at Huish Park in the Checkatrade Trophy southern group A fixture.
It may be a much-maligned competition which has created headlines for the wrong reasons but try telling O’Brien the game doesn’t have its merits.
The former Pompey Academy talent is excited about the prospect of going between the sticks with the star and crescent on his chest.
O’Brien said: ‘I never had the chance to stay before. I would have if it was my choice.
‘But I’m grateful to be back now. I just want to show everyone what I can do.
‘It’ll be brilliant to play. I’ve never had the chance to play a first-team game for Portsmouth before. It’s going to be a proud moment.
‘It’s a professional game of football. I am going to have my name on the back of the shirt and a Portsmouth badge on the front.
‘I don’t care what is being said about this competition.
‘It’s 90 minutes of football and I’m here to play games. It’s something I’m really looking forward to.
‘I know now you want to get as many games as you can because you never know when your last one is going to arrive.’
O’Brien completed his Pompey comeback on a short-term deal, signing for an initial month with Amine Linganzi.
The London-born talent is keen to remain when that agreement comes to a close and is hopeful he can provide back-up to David Forde for the remainder of the campaign.
He said: ‘What happens happens but I hope I’ve done enough to stay.
‘We’ll wait and see but I know I’ve given everything while I’m here.’
O’Brien’s two stints at Pompey have been punctuated by stays with Barnet, Brentford and Dagenham & Redbridge.
He found himself looking for a new club, however, in the summer with the likes of Leyton Orient, Eastleigh and Nuneaton Borough keen on securing his services.
O’Brien decided to remain patient, however, and that was a policy which paid off.
He said: ‘I was trialling at clubs and offered a few contracts.
‘But sometimes you get offered something and it just doesn’t feel right.
‘So I said to my agent I wanted to hold out for a little bit longer and see what comes.
‘That’s when Portsmouth got in touch with me. I could’ve easily gone somewhere else.
‘I went to Orient and they said they liked me and I went to Eastleigh.
‘I also played for Nuneaton who offered me a contract.
‘I wanted to stay in the league so it feels like fate Portsmouth came in for me.’

A moment years in the making for Pompey keeper


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Tom Davies is hungry for a Yeovil run out.
The Pompey defender wants to build on the momentum created by his first league start tonight in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Paul Cook is expected to ring the changes at Huish Park for the southern group stage fixture.
The competition rules state a club must pick six of 11 players who started the side’s previous or ensuing fixture.
Alternatively, a manager can select six of his top 11 appearance makers from domestic league and cup competitions.
The competition is clearly low on Pompey’s priorities – but it’s a clash Davies, 24, is keen to feature in.
He said: ‘There’s a game against Yeovil now and it would be nice to keep the momentum going.
‘We all know the main focus is the league.
‘We’ve got a couple of home games coming up now.
‘We need to keep the wins coming and keep the clean sheets coming.
‘Every player likes to play and, of course I want to.
‘It would be nice to keep the momentum going from a personal point of view, too.
‘But that’s not my decision to make and that’s why the gaffer and coaching staff are paid to do their jobs.
‘If I get the call I’ll play and I’ll be to keen to play.
‘That should be the case for any of the lads.’
The appearance at Exeter was Davies’ second in Pompey colours following his summer arrival from Accrington Stanley.
A back injury slowed his progress but he is confident that issue is now behind him.
He said: ‘It was tough for me in pre-season getting the back injury.
‘Hopefully now I’ve got my feet under the table a bit more.
‘I feel a bit more relaxed in the company of the players on the pitch.
‘It maybe was a bit too much running during pre-season which I wasn’t used to.
‘I worked with the physios to keep it at bay. It’s behind me now, though.
‘Now I’m champing at the bit to play. It’s out of my mind and I want to kick on and stay in the team.’
– JORDAN CROSS


Deus Ex has you spoilt for choice.
Mankind Divided and so am I when it comes to reviewing the latest Deus Ex game after its launch last week.
There is so much to rave about in DEMD and I’m still enjoying it now over a week into the game.
But there are a number of elements which do not quite sit right with me.
Let’s start with the positives, though, and there are plenty of them.
There is layer upon layer in this game all expertly crafted together and beautifully designed.
The gameplay stands up to the high standards set by previous Deus Ex games and goes beyond them in many respects.
This is a game that will suit all types of gamers too.
Looking for a quick blast for an hour, you can jump on and get enough done to enjoy the experience, looking for longer, more involved sessions on your console then the gameplay rewards your patience, curiosity and creativity.
You play augmented human Jensen who is essentially the most deadly Power Ranger on the planet. I mean this guy has everything and would even give Superman a run for his money.
There are so many options to negotiate each scenario
And this is where my first problem lies with DEMD.
Sometimes, dare I say it, there are so many options available to you, so many ways to deal with scenarios and enemies and so much in your arsenal, it actually feels a bit ... easy.
‘Ramp up the difficulty setting!’ I hear you cry.
Well yes there’s that but my point is no matter what level you are playing at, Jensen just has too much at his disposal for his enemies to trouble him.
Sometimes, dare I say it, there are so many options available to you, so many ways to deal with scenarios and enemies and so much in your arsenal, it actually feels a bit ... easy. Damien Lucas, gaming columnist
But don’t get me wrong it’s still great fun entering a room littered with foes and walking out past a pile of them without breaking a sweat.
Another thing that doesn’t quite land for me is the Apartheid type references between the humans (naturals) and the augmented race. It is a poor attempt to give the storyline resonance with real life - for example there are posters dotted around saying things like ‘Augmented Lives Matter’ and it just feels a little frivolous.
I’m being hyper critical, though, and Deus Ex will go down as one of the games of the year of that there is no doubt.
Rating: 8.5/10

Console Corner: Deus Ex Mankind Divided review


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A parenting advice website has listed the most popular baby names so far in 2016 and revealed previous favourites such as Sophia, Mia, Daniel and Harrison are on the decline.
Bounty Baby Club, a popular parenting advice site, has scaled its 100,000 visitors a month, to uncover the most popular baby names of the first half of 2016 and there are a few surprises.
A few favourites of recent years are still holding their popularity but the results reveal some new up and coming themes and trends.
The favourites
Holding onto their 2015 top spots, Alfie and Isla remain the most popular names for boys and girls. Out of the top 100 most popular names, the biggest winners have been Caleb, jumping up nine positions to 19, Jenson, rising up five places to 26 and Ellie, rising up nine positions to nine.
The biggest climber so far this year has been Arlo, previously was outside of the top 50, now cementing a top 10 position at number six. Other names you may start to hear more include Freddie, Aaron, Phoebe, Ellis and Millie.
So what names are falling out of favour this year?
Results show that for girls, Sienna, Mia, Sophia, Mila and Scarlett are on the decline in 2016. Yesterday’s news for boys’ names include Dylan, Sebastian, Daniel and Harrison which are proving less popular than they have in recent years.
There is a new trend of baby names emerging from Bounty’s findings, vowel heavy names, particularly for girls. Male names ending in a softer letter are also becoming more popular, for example names such as Alfie, Arlo, Archie and Harry.
Take a look at the top 10 for boys and girls for the first half of the year below:
Top 10 most popular baby boy names of 2016 so far:
Alfie
Oscar
Teddy
Harry
Jack
Arlo
Noah
Charlie
Jacob
Archie
Top 10 most popular baby girl names of 2016 so far:
Isla
Amelia
Ava
Freya
Evie
Olivia
Esme
Elsie
Mia
Ellie

Revealed: the most popular baby names so far in 2016


“We cook on so many levels, not just to feed ourselves,” says Georgie Hayden, taking a sip of tea.
As part of Jamie Oliver’s ‘Food Team’, the bubbly brown-eyed Londoner cooks for a living, dreaming up and styling recipes for Oliver’s books, magazine and TV shows. But she also cooked her way through a traumatic maternity leave, after her son Archie died just before birth two years ago.
“I can’t remember what happened for the first few months. I think we must have lived off food from nice people. I don’t think I cooked for a while. I really scared myself. I thought, ‘I just don’t care, I actually don’t care about food or anything’,” she recalls. “You feel really vulnerable and I didn’t want to go out... Then it sort of went full circle.”
Fearing she’d lost her love of food, Hayden gathered all her cookbooks together - including Honey & Co’s book, the Middle Eastern cafe where we meet today - and started thinking about food for her and husband Pete.
“After a few months of calming down, I thought, ‘Let’s start again... You’re going to sit down and start making a weekly meal plan’. Then I would drive myself to the supermarket and do the shop, and that’s actually what got me out again - having a purpose got me back into doing something and being a bit more confident.”
The familiarity and routine of cooking was like therapy and slowly eased Hayden, 34, through her bereavement.
What started out as a simple project has been gently nurtured into Hayden’s first cookbook, Stirring Slowly: Recipes To Restore + Revive. With chapter titles such as ‘A Sunny Start To
The Day’, ‘Bowl Food’, and ‘Bake Yourself Better’, it’s a book to turn to when you’ve had a long, tough day - full of warming, comforting and revitalising recipes.
In his foreword, Jamie Oliver says he loves Hayden ‘like a sister’, and she is equally full of praise for her mentor, with whom she’s travelled the world for work.
“After my maternity leave, I went back part-time, because I needed to sort my life out a bit. He said, ‘Whatever you need to do, we’ll make it work’. He’s phenomenal and he really cares.
It sounds cheesy, but the Food Team is family and it’s the most inspiring place to be.”
Hayden’s real family has had a huge impact on her love of food, too. Born to Greek Cypriot parents, her childhood memories are of Saturday pilgrimages from their home above her grandparents’ Greek restaurant to the ‘smelly shop’ - an Italian deli packed with hanging salami - around the corner.
Her dad worked in the family restaurant while her mum stayed home, teaching Hayden and her sister to bake. It sparked a lifelong passion - and she remembers shadowing both her grannies, determined to learn all the traditional Cypriot family recipes before they were lost.
“I still cook with my granny,” she says. “She’s amazing. She’s had such an influence on me.”
Hayden’s already planning her next cookbook - full of Cypriot food - but for now, she’s pleased to have created a legacy for Archie with her first one.

Recipe for a calmer life - Georgie Hayden tells Kate Whiting about the emotional journey behind her new recipe book


Video game escapism in its purest form.
No Man’s Sky in undeniably a work of art, but have you got time to look around the whole gallery?
No Man’s Sky launched last week after much hype and billed as quite literally the biggest video game ever made.
The self-perpetuating game, which promises to be potentially endless, was four years in the making by a tiny team in game production terms. And you can tell as it will instantly take your breath away.
Make no mistake there has never been anything like this before. As you fly ever deeper into the universe, new planets and solar systems roll silently into view – some will have been seen before, others discovered for the very first time. And you have 18 quintillion of them to choose from...
Each has its own set of flora, fauna and inhabitants. By exploring, players gain information about the planets that they can submit to The Atlas, a universal database that can be shared with other players of the game and for which they are rewarded in currency each time.
Each planet is a work of art you could spend hours studying, analysing and dissecting. These works of art are housed in an endless gallery and for art connoisseurs it will be Manna from heaven.
However, most people’s playing time will be finite.... unless you’re at university and can afford to miss the odd class here and there to squeeze in just one more exploration of a peculiar alien planet.
And that is where one of the game’s key sticking points comes in. As much as No Man’s Sky takes us to Infinity and leaves us wondering what waits beyond, there is also an almost irresistible itch which you can’t scratch because you can never truly “complete” this game in the traditional sense.
But that is very much a personal take on NMS, many people might enjoy jumping on for a couple of hours here and there, discovering lots of different things and logging it to the Atlas, if anything it could be cathartic but many people like a beginning, a middle and an end to their games.
No Mans Sky is undeniably a work of art
The care, thought, time and brilliance that has gone into this utterly original video game is mindblowing and deserves to be experienced by PlayStation gamers.
It is the purest form of video game escapism we have ever seen and should be celebrated as such.
But it will more likely go down as a cult classic than the blockbuster success it’s craft deserves.


When the mercury soars, some gardeners enjoy the peace and calm of a cool, shady haven.
Yes, we can all crouch under the sun umbrella, but it’s just not very pretty, is it? And I’m afraid I don’t go for canvas gazebos either, even if they are practical, what with all those metal poles and coach bolts.
So how else can you create shade in a sunny spot?
Awnings are another option and can add a splash of colour if you need it. But they have to be situated in the right spot, can be expensive and if your patio is windy, they may be vulnerable.
One idea which can be effective is to train leafy climbers over an arch to create a retreat.
If you have a wooden bench, you could place some sort of arch over it and grow climbers in pots or in the earth on either side, to train up it and provide colour as well as some shade.
A light-roofed structure, such as a pergola, can also provide relief from the sun, as you can train climbers over the crossbeams, providing more hours of shade.
Pergolas are usually made from timber or metal, with a horizontal trellis laid on top.
They are usually built out from the house or a wall, often positioned directly above a patio and, as well as providing shade, they also put paid to nosey neighbours who may want to know what you’re up to. Ideal trailers to use on pergolas include sweet-smelling roses, honeysuckle or clematis.
You can buy kits from DIY stores and big garden centres consisting of timber uprights and cross pieces to put together yourself, or alternatively have a local builder do it.
If plants aren’t creating your shade, you can add colour and texture to a shady spot with hostas and ferns, heucheras and hydrangeas, adding further splashes of colour with shade-tolerant Busy Lizzies, stocks, violas and nicotiana.
Climbers which grow over a freestanding structure in the sun often do better than when planted against a wall or fence because there is no restriction of light.
If the structure - arch or pergola - is big enough, virtually any climber will be suitable, but if the gap is only small, avoid roses with sharp thorns or other bushy plants.
And remember that a combination of climbers which flower at different times will provide colour to your patio for longer and create an attractive mix. For big structures, you could train wisteria, laburnum and a late-flowering clematis.
Trellis is another useful commodity to help create shade in a sunny spot. Panels with curved tops are available to make useful screens to shelter the patio.
Arbours are another option for shade. They are open-sided structures, usually set over a sitting area in an informal part of the garden, and while they may not suit the patio area, you could always move down the garden to sit in an arbour smothered with fragrant climbers.
Remember before you start, though, to experiment with temporary shade before investing in time and money to create permanent shade.
If you have that old sun umbrella, move it around the patio to find out where it is most effective.


The Cola-Cola glass bottle has been voted as the most iconic packaging on the UK’s shelves.
A study of 1,500 Brits exploring the influence of packaging and branding on shopping habits found that one in six people thought the Coca-Cola bottle was the most identifiable in terms of packaging.
Indeed, it was deemed to be just as recognisable without its logo or the product itself.
The research, commissioned by Easyfairs, organisers of Packing Innovations and Luxury Packaging London, found the Toblerone triangular chocolate bar finished as a close runner up, with Marmite’s glass jar rated as third-best-loved product packaging.
Beauty brands, such as the Tiffany Box and the Chanel No.5 Bottle just missed out on the top ten.
Coke’s success has been attributed to its targeting younger audience, with one in five Millennials selecting the bottle as the most recognisable pack product.Pringles’ iconic cylinder tube, fourth on the overall list, was the Millennial’s second favourite.
The study also revealed barcodes as the greatest packaging invention, ahead of more traditional items such as the cardboard box (21 per cent) - although the younger generation, 18-34 years, voted for 3D printing and re-sealable zips as its top two.
Gerry Sherwood, Event Director for the Easyfairs’ Packaging Portfolio, who commissioned the survey, said: “Millennials have officially passed Baby Boomers as the largest generation in history, and are more personally connected to their favourite brands than ever before. It is therefore not surprising to see 3D printing come out top in our poll for this age group.”
Top Ten Most Recognisable Brand’s Packaging
1. Coca-Cola Bottle
2. Toblerone Triangle
3. Marmite Jar
4. Pringles Tube
5. KFC Bucket
6. Heinz Ketchup Bottle
7. Fairy Liquid Bottle
8. Apple’s iPhone Box
9. Walkers Crisp Packet
10. Amazon Box

Coca-Cola bottle ‘most iconic packaging’


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Women finally got a piece of the action in 1920. Passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution provided American women with full voting rights fifty years after all American men were enabled to vote. Sixteen other nations had already guaranteed women this right.
August 26th is designated as Women's Equality Day to commemorate this event. Women’s Equality Day is officially proclaimed in some locales. It was instituted by Congressional Representative Bella Abzug (1920-1998) when she was 60 years old. Women and girls have come a long way but there is still much work to be done to achieve true equity. Women’s Equality Day is not on the calendars of the Berkeley public library, the City of Berkeley, nor Berkeley senior centers.
What does this have to do with senior power, with old Americans? One might also ask whether old women vote. Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election. Just who is or is not eligible to vote varies by country. Some nations discriminate based on sex, race, and/or religion; age and citizenship are usually among the criteria. Low senior voter turnout has been attributed to a variety of factors, and it may be due to disenchantment, indifference, or contentment.
In 1995, then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (1947- ) made international news in her speech at the Fourth World Conference on Women. She declared, "It’s time for us to say here in Beijing, for the world to hear, that it is no longer acceptable to discuss women's rights as separate from human rights."
Quingrong Ma (1943- ), Chinese women’s rights advocate and Nobel Peace Prize recipient believes that “The only way to solve the problem of women’s subordination is to change people’s mindset and to plant the new idea of gender equality into every mind.”
Mahnaz Afkhami (1941- ), Executive Director of the Foundation for Iranian Studies, and former Minister of State for Women's Affairs in Iran, sees “The connection between women’s human rights, gender equality, socioeconomic development and peace … increasingly apparent.”
The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly, has not been ratified by the U.S. A coalition of 100+ organizations signed a letter urging the U.S. Senate to ratify this treaty. President Obama endorses ratification, and has identified the Convention as a multilateral treaty priority. Opponents claim that the Civil rights Act of 1964 protects women from discrimination. It has been downgraded in a sense to a Committee.
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“Housing is a human right,” declared labor and senior-rights advocate Helen Corbin Lima (1917-2005). She was a resident of Strawberry Creek Lodge (SCL) senior housing. Strawberry Creek Lodge -- referred to locally as The Lodge or Strawberry -- was built in 1962 in Berkeley, California. Its purpose was affordable rental housing for lower to middle income senior citizens. Three adjoining buildings in a park-like setting provided 150 units—most were studios, some one-bedroom apartments, each with a bathroom and kitchenette. An elective, not-free evening meal was introduced when there no longer was a supermarket within walking distance.
Housing problems especially for low-income and disabled seniors in Berkeley were and are in the news. At SCL (1320 Addison) and Redwood Gardens (2951 Derby), for example. (December 19, 2014 Planet “Troubles in Berkeley's Redwood Gardens.”)
In 1991, when Lima moved into a tiny SCL studio, her only income was Social Security. She applied for Section 8 housing, and a whole new realm of political activity opened up for her. From then until her death, she was active in the fight for so-called affordable housing (which differs from low-income housing) and to save Section 8, which was threatened. Until her deteriorating health made it no longer possible, she was also actively involved in a SCL Tenants Association.
Section 8 refers to Section 8 of the Housing Act as repeatedly amended. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) manages Section 8 programs. It authorizes the payment of rental housing assistance to private landlords on behalf of millions of low-income households in the United States. The largest part of the Section is the Housing Choice Voucher program which pays a large portion of the rents and utilities of households.
Section 8 also authorizes a variety of "project-based" rental assistance programs, under which the owner reserves some or all of the units in a building for low-income tenants, in return for a federal government guarantee to make up the difference between the tenant's contribution and the rent in the owner's contract with the government.
In 1997 Lima founded Save Section 8, a nonprofit self-help, grass-roots effort in behalf of American seniors who need rent-subsidized apartments. No admission or membership fees were charged to attend meetings. Activities included picketing, petitions, meetings, newspaper publicity, publications, presence at California’s annual senior rally, counseling individuals and providing speakers. Income came from voluntary contributions.
Rent was and is charged for non-senior related events held in Berkeley senior centers rooms. Save Section 8 meetings in the large meeting room of the North Berkeley Senior Center were not always viewed by the City fathers as senior events. I corresponded with the City Manager’s office about this perception and Save Section 8 was finally able to hold monthly meetings without paying rent. Collecting contributions within the senior center towards Save Section 8 expenses was prohibited. Center Rules prohibit soliciting. Some gutsy seniors resorted to standing outside on the corner with tin cans, but this was discouraged.
Lima was responsible for the production of a video, Housing is a Human Right: Seniors and Section 8 (22 minutes, closed captioned). The Santa Clara City Library had it in its collection; the Berkeley Public Library did not. (It appears no longer to be in libraries, possibly attributable to public libraries discarding VHS’s in favor of DVD’s. I have a copy, and film director Anahita Forati may have copies.)
It was generally agreed that SCL buildings were in poor shape when, in August 2009, it received a 66.69 inspection score, which was 23.2% worse than the average HUD inspection score (100=best) for all Section 8.
By 2012, the Lodge was a not-for-profit complex governed by a Board of Trustees whose meetings were attended by a Tenants Association representative. SCL was managed by Church Homes of Northern California (CCH). Income was derived from residents’ rents and HUD subsidies under Section 8.
Most recently, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates – SAHA – “acquired SCL and is partnering with Strawberry Creek Lodge Foundation to refinance and remodel the Lodge including seismic and building upgrades. SAHA … also provides property management services, as well as … on-site service coordination.” [Internet]
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BOOK REVIEW: "Living past 100 will force us to rethink retirement," a review of The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity , by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott, reviewed by Justin Fox (Bloomberg News via Chicago [Illinois] Tribune, August 23, 2016).
TV REVIEW: “ Better Late Than Never sends (William) Shatner, (Henry) Winkler, (Terry) Bradshaw and (George) Foreman on adventure through Asia and tired old tropes," by Robert Lloyd (Los Angeles Times, August 23, 2016). NBC 10 PM Tuesday.


Orios Capital, an emerging patient capital firm established to co invest into scalable and impact based startups in Africa, has announced plans to raise more than one million dollars.
The move is in line with the company's vision to become the name behind a global business giant from Africa. It also forms part of its strategy to engineer funding to Startups, helping bridge the funding gap to Startups in Ghana and Africa.Orios is expecting to raise its Seed Capital from Limited Partners, Donors and Private Equity firms.
According to a report entitled 'Accelerating Entrepreneurship in Africa', compiled in 2013 by the Omidyar Network , the philanthropic foundation established by Pierre Omidyar — the founder of e-Bay, in partnership with global strategy consulting film, Monitor Group; " venture capital in Africa is still an emergent phenomenon. This is because Entrepreneurs are forced to pursue bank loans which simply are not tailored for startups. Banks see startup investments as high risk, low reward and like to quote statistics that show 9 out of ten startups fail within the first five years of operation".
Three years on, the situation remains the same and Orios Capital is prepared to change this trend through its innovative business model, underpinned by the goal of social change and job creation as solutions to reducing Global Poverty.
In a statement, the Board Chairman of Orios Capital and past Chief Executive of Ghana's Volta River Authority, Mr. Kweku Awotwi, said “Our work is pivotal in redefining solutions to poverty reduction in Africa. We want to be the Fund that provides the Patient Capital needed to transform such businesses to achieve that mandate. We strongly believe that our strong Governance Structure and cumulative experience will serve as a differentiating factor in disrupting the private equity market for Startups'.
Some of the key sectors that Orios is investing in includes Healthcare, Technology, Services, Agribusiness, Clean Water, Formal Housing and Quality Education. Orios Capital is set to formally launch its operations later this year as it continues its own fundraising to seed Ghanaian Startups when it announces its first call for Proposals.
About Orios Capital
Established in 2012 as the Ghana Centre for Entrepreneurship, Employment and Innovation (GCEEI), providing training and support services for SME's in Ghana with an enviable track record of engagement within the SME Sector, Orios Capital has metamorphosed into one of Africa's emerging venture capital fund for start ups. The company has over the past four years trained over 5000 SME's and been the brain behind some of the most successful startups from Ghana including Wear Purple, Oasis Websoft, CellAfrique.net, UTAMA Africa Ltd, Chaste clothing, and BKC Consulting, AgroSoft Ghana Ltd. And pioneered key policies to help shape Ghana’s Startup Ecosystem. Currently the company operates from its Head office in Accra with intention to extend its services into other African countries within the next 3 years. For more information about Orios visit www.oriosgroup.com
Media Contact: John Armah, +233 541 888 877 , email:[email protected] .
Story by Myjoyonline

Orios Capital announces plans for a $1 million fund for startups


Orios Capital, an emerging patient capital firm established to co invest into scalable and impact based startups in Africa, has announced plans to raise more th


Patrons of the Voice Factory grand finale did not just come to cheer their favourite contestants but came along with their dancing shoes.
Ohemaa Mercy
The rains have threatened to mar the event but the patrons are not even perturbed, making use of every inch of space to ‘boogie’ down.
The contestants have been exceptional on the night, giving the patrons all the reasons to continue dancing the night away.
The grand finale of Citi FM's music talent hunt reality show, Voice factory: Gospel Edition is being held at the forecourt of Citi FM in Adabraka.
The four contestants in the race are competing for the ultimate prize of GHc 5,000.
The show started in June 2016 with auditions that featured 36 talented singers who all came to minister in the studios of Citi 97.3 FM.
–
Photos by Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonilne.com/Ghana


Patrons of the Voice Factory grand finale did not just come to cheer their favourite contestants but came along with their dancing shoes. http://cdn.m


The Ghana National Gas Company Limited is to undergo a planned maintenance of its Atuabo Gas Processing Plant at Atuabo in the Ellembelle district of the Western Region.
In a statement signed by the Corporate Communication’s Manager of the company Alfred Ogbamey said “the plant has been in operation for more than 12,000 hours since pre-comissioning and commissioning activities started in 2014.
This mandatory outage is required by original equipment manufacturers and vendors for maintenance of certain critical components of the gas processing plant on periodic basis and to facilitate warranty assurance on the installed equipment.
The shutdown according to Ghana Gas will last for 10 calendar days starting Wednesday 31st August.
Mr. Ogbamey also indicated that the Volta River Authority VRA and other customers of Ghana Gas as well as Tullow Oil have been informed of this planned maintenance.
This shutdown comes three days after workers of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited protested at Atuabo over poor working conditions.
Their demonstration was subsequently described by the company as illegal.
The workers are due to meet management of their issues.
It is however not clear how the VRA intends to mitigate the effect the planned maintenance will have on power supply.
–
By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Atuabo Gas plant to shut down for maintenance


The Ghana National Gas Company Limited is to undergo a planned maintenance of its Atuabo Gas Processing Plant at Atuabo in the Ellembelle district of the Wester


Dan Quaye, who currently plays for his boyhood club Accra Great Olympics in the GN Bank National Division One League has stated that Avram Grant has invited a host of players who have limited playing time in their respective European clubs into Black Stars
The Black Stars coach has named a 23-man squad for his team's final group African Cup of Nation Qualifying game against Rwanda on 3rd September 2016.
There are only two local based players in the team against calls by many Ghanaians for Avram Grant to pay particular attention to players plying their trade in the country to sustain their desire to stay
And Dan Quaye, who was part of the Black Stars team that participated in Ghana's maiden FIFA World Cup in Germany has indicated that few of the players called into the Black Stars command regular play at the club level.
'I have not changed you can ask some of your colleague journalists that watch our matches, they will testify everything to you,' Quaye told Takoradi based Radio Aseda FM
'John Boye and those at Europe, they don't play regular football, if anyone tells you they do it is not true'.
'Ghanaian players who play regularly for for their teams in Europe is not even up to ten players or they think we don't know. I have been there for so many years and I have the self-confidence to play in Black Stars."
For more sports news visit allSports.com.gh


Dan Quaye, who currently plays for his boyhood club Accra Great Olympics in the GN Bank National Division One League has stated that Avram Grant has invited a h


Football transfer is almost always the last hurdle for players who are seeking to move from one club to another. Most of the time, these players pass and make it seem like a routine formality they have to go through.
But there's been circumstances where deals have actually broke down because players failed their medical.
Ghana international Asamoah Gyan is the latest victim of the no so common medical failures in football. But he's not alone. Other world stars have also failed their medical.
Here are top football stars whose transfer deals fell through because they failed their medical: Asamoah Gyan
play
Asamoah Gyan has failed his medical at English Championship club Reading FC.
For more sports news visit allSports.com.gh

Oops! Asamoah Gyan and other football stars who failed their medical


Football transfer is almost always the last hurdle for players who are seeking to move from one club to another. Most of the time, these players pass and make i


The Trinity Alps pack string was used to help fight fires in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
The Trinity Alps pack string was used to help fight fires in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
California always seems to suffer from wildfires this time of year. It is an expensive business, but the state has somewhat of a little-known secret weapon when it comes to fighting fires.
It’s the pack mule.
The US Forest Service has used them for decades to haul equipment and vital supplies in remote mountainous areas. The mules cost significantly less than mechanical equipment, including helicopters, which are often used to do the same job. Plus, the animals can get to parts of the wilderness that would be otherwise impossible to access.
The US Forest Service has reported that mules can be a real asset for firefighters. On the Pine Fire this year, officials chose not to use bulldozers in the wilderness area, instead building the line by hand. They used mules and horses to bring in supplies because they could travel on the existing trail system.
It’s kind of “a new, old resource,” said Los Padres’ Corey Finneman, who coordinated the pack stock on the Pine Fire. Personnel, mules and horses from Los Padres, Inyo and Sierra forests worked together.
Related Info Equestrian Calendar Sept. 3-4 – 3rd Annual Caliente Ranch Rodeo, Burrell Reed Memorial Arena, Caliente, Luree Peet, 661-867-2459. Sept. 11 – TMRA Junior Rodeo, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, tehachapiprorodeo.com. Sept. 17 – EXCA event, Sweetwater Movie Ranch, Agua Dulce, 323-252-9768, movielandranch.com. Sept. 17-18 – 3B Events Ranch Sorting & Penning, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, 661-821-5555. Oct. 15-16 – 3B Events Ranch Sorting & Penning, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, 661-821-5555. Nov. 12-13 – 3B Events Ranch Sorting & Penning, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, 661-821-5555.
For a fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in 2014, firefighters used a four-legged solution in the wilds of Trinity County.
They used teams of mules to move supplies to firefighters on the Coffee Fire. The Trinity Alps Pack mules are divided into strings, or teams of five, and haul everything from food to fire hoses. Each animal carries about 160 pounds of gear.
The mules are normally used to carry supplies to California Conservation Corps crews on trails, so they were suited to the rugged terrain. Officials said the mules can travel up to 30 miles in one delivery, and each string can save a helicopter up to 12 supply trips.
So let’s give a cheer to those hard-working mules for their service to fire departments.
Upcoming Events
The 3rd Annual Caliente Ranch Rodeo is this weekend, Sept. 3 and 4, at the Burrell Reed Memorial Arena in Caliente. The events include Junior and Open Barrel races, Team Penning, Team Branding, and Junior and Open Team Sorting.
The cost is $25 per person if pre-registered by Aug. 31, and $30 after. After payouts, all proceeds will benefit the Caliente Education Foundation for the Caliente Union School District.
For more information, call Luree Peet at 661-867-2459, or riders can sign up at calfoundation.com.
The last of the Junior Rodeo events is Sept. 11 at the Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds. The divisions include Pee Wee (6 and under), Buckaroos (7-11), Juniors (12-15) and Seniors (16 to 20) divisions. For more information, go to tehachapiprorodeo.com.
Jill Barnes Nelson is a reporter for Tehachapi News and a horse lover. Send information on the horse community such as upcoming events, clinics, etc., or if you’ve won an award, contact her: jbnelson@tehachapinews.com or call 661-823-6374.

Ride the Winds: Mules help assist firefighters


California always seems to suffer from wildfires this time of year. It is an expensive business, but the state has somewhat of a little-known secret weapon when it comes to fighting fires. It’s the pack mule.


Almost a year after B.C. farm weddings were banned due to a crackdown on agricultural land use rules, the B.C. government has clarified what commercial activities are allowed on farmland.
Farmers can host up to 10 commercial weddings, concerts or non-agricultural events per year without a permit from the Agricultural Land Commission. Farmers can take payment to host a wedding or other event as long as no more than 150 guests attend and a list of conditions are met, according to regulations that took effect Tuesday.
To qualify, event hosts must provide all parking on the farm rather than along roads, with no permanent parking lots or structures, and the event must end in less than 24 hours. For more than 10 events a year or exceeding 150 guests, properties with farm tax status must apply to the ALC for a permit.
The new regulation also clarifies ALC policies to allow, with no permit, farm tours and demonstrations, hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin patch tours, harvest and Christmas fairs and special occasion events to promote farm products.
Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick said the regulation requiring farms to generate at least 50 per cent of its revenue from farm products is also scrapped, after consultation in the past year suggested the new rules instead.
The crackdown on farm weddings came last fall, when the ALC issued stop-work orders to B.C. farms including the Fraser Valley, Kelowna and Vancouver Island.
The restriction came after the province expanded farm uses to allow breweries and distilleries to operate on protected farmland with the same rules used to permit wineries. The rules allowed for processing of farm crops into products such as juice or jam for commercial sale.


No permit required for weddings, festivals on farms if fewer than 150 people attend, says Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick


Unionized workers at the Empress Hotel gave 72-hour notice of job action on Tuesday morning, right before the Labour Day long weekend.
The earliest a strike could begin is Thursday morning if a deal cannot be reached.
“The ‘new’ Empress has a dirty secret: the renovations have led to harm and stress on the people who work there,” Stu Shields with Unifor said in a statement.
He said staff are being forced to work overtime because they aren’t enough people on shift. Some have worked 60 days straight.
The hotel announced its renovation plans earlier this year, including in the popular Bengal Lounge.
“The renovations are incomplete if the staffing levels remain stuck in the past,” Shields said.
Uniform Local 4276 represents nearly 500 workers at the Empress, including those in housekeeping, groundskeeping, serving, engineering and guest relations.
More to come.

Empress Hotel workers give 72-hour strike notice


Workers could take job action as early as Thursday -- right before the Labour Day long weekend.


The union representing most workers at Canada Post has issued a 72-hour notice of job action as it tries to bargain a collective agreement with the Crown corporation.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says the notice spells out what actions it is planning, but stops short of a full-blown walkout.
CUPW national president Mike Palecek says Canada Post forced the labour disruption by refusing to accept a request from the federal labour minister to continue negotiations with the help of a special mediator.
But a spokesman for the agency says that's not the case.
The union's strike mandate was set to expire at midnight.
The two sides have been in negotiations for more than nine months but are far apart on key issues including pay equity for rural carriers and proposed changes to the Canada Post pension plan.
The Canadian Press

Postal union issues strike notice after it says Canada Post refused special mediator


Notice means delivery could be cancelled as early as Monday


B.C. Day, on Monday, Aug. 1, is an opportunity to celebrate this spectacular province. See how well you know British Columbia.

B.C. DAY TRIVIA QUIZ: How much do you know about British Columbia?


The B.C. government's plan B for income assistance cheques and other time-sensitive documents could be re-activated as the long-running Canada Post labour dispute reaches another deadline.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is in a legal position to strike as of Monday, but postponed threatened rotating strike action after weekend talks with a federal mediator. Its initial action would be an overtime ban rather than a full-scale walkout that would disrupt mail delivery.
Canada Post served lockout notice in July, with the two sides far apart on issues including pension changes for future employees and pay for rural carriers.
Income assistance, rent subsidy and other B.C. government payments are not affected if they are direct deposit. For mailed cheques and information, updates on possible postal strike effects to the Ministry of Social Development will be available as necessary at this website or at 1-866-866-0800.
Phone and online contacts are set up for questions about affected provincial departments:
• Ministry of Advanced Education and StudentAidBC online here.
• Ministry of Children and Family Development 1-877-387-7027
• Medical Services Plan payments online here or 1-877-405-4909
• ICBC inquiries 1-800-663-3051
• Family Maintenance and Enforcement program 604-660-2528
• Public Guardian and Trustee online here or 604-660-4444
• Vital Statistics 1-888-876-1633
• WorkSafe BC online here or 1-888-967-5377

B.C. prepares for possible postal disruption


Province has alternatives if Canada Post employees begin strike action


Students return to public school next week, with changes to curriculum and some provincial exams.
Students are returning to class next week in most of B.C.'s public schools, with enrolment expected to be up province-wide for the second year running.
Education Minister Mike Bernier says early forecasts show about 529,000 students, an increase of 2,900 from last year. But that increase is centred on fast-growing school districts, while many rural areas continue to struggle with declining student numbers.
Among changes that parents and students will see this year is a new curriculum in place up to Grade 9, with a test year for changes in the senior grades. Bernier said the new emphasis on collaboration and communication skills does not mean a watering down of the basic skills, and is designed to improve students' ability to work at modern jobs.
Report cards are to continue this school year, but the ministry is reviewing its system with an eye to providing more frequent updates. Parents are being consulted on the changes, Bernier said.
Foundation Skills Assessment tests in grades four and seven are also continuing after years of protests from teacher unions, but that program is also being examined for possible changes. FSA tests will be "enhanced" but not eliminated, Bernier said.
Provincial exams continue for graduates in math and English, but science and social studies will now be assessed at a classroom level rather than school-wide tests, Bernier said.
The ministry provided a series of top-ups to education funding this year, for bus service and to keep selected rural schools from closing. Applications are still being taken for a transportation fund until Sept. 30, requiring districts to drop across-the-board school bus fees to qualify.
Districts may still charge transportation fees for international students or those from outside a school catchment area.
NDP leader John Horgan highlighted the crowding in Surrey school district, where 7,000 students remain in portables despite an expansion program. The NDP says the B.C. government's claim of record per-student funding ignores a reduction of education funding as a share of the provincial economy.
"Since 2001, the B.C. Liberals have dragged public education funding in this province from the second best in Canada to the second worst," Horgan said.

B.C. school enrolment up for second year


Some urban districts struggle with overcrowding, special funds for declining rural schools, bus service to take effect


B.C. has 300 seniors' care facilities, and residents and their loved ones are to be surveyed on conditions.
More than 250 volunteers have signed up to compile a survey of seniors in residential care, and B.C.'s Seniors Advocate is looking for more.
The 27,000 seniors living in 300 residential care facilities around the province are being asked about their experience with care home staff, the quality of food, privacy, medications and other conditions.
It's the first comprehensive survey done in B.C., to measure resident satisfaction and provide a "roadmap" for improvements, said Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie.
Interviews will be conducted in person by trained volunteers, and a matching mail-out survey will be sent to each resident's most frequent visitor.
The project is seeking volunteers with a range of professional backgrounds, ages and ethnicities. To apply as a volunteer, visit www.surveybcseniors.org or call the Office of the Seniors Advocate at 1-877-952-3181.


Volunteers to ask seniors about staff, food, privacy, medications and other conditions in residential care


Solitude in the wilderness is still available in B.C., between holiday weekends when demand peaks at B.C.'s most popular parks.
Foreign visitors and those on package tours are a small fraction of the demand for B.C. Parks campgrounds around the province, but B.C. resident campers are still using a few tricks to get spaces for high-demand parks.
Some have protested the use of online reservations by motorhome tour operators who sell them as part of a package for tourists.
"Our provincial campsites are not products to be sold, they belong to the people of B.C.," Green Party leader Andrew Weaver said this week.
Environment Minister Mary Polak told Black Press numbers are being tracked for the current year, and the proportions haven't changed much. In 2015, fewer than one per cent of reservable B.C. Parks spaces were booked by tour operators, who also use private camping facilities.
Three quarters of reservations are from within B.C. The second highest share is from Alberta at 14 per cent, the U.S. accounts for 3.6 per cent, the rest of Canada 2.8 per cent, and all European countries combined are 6.6 per cent of the total.
The BC Parks system has 10,700 camping spaces in total, and 5,600 are reservable, to manage demand for the most popular spots.
First-come, first-served sites are kept out of the reservation system in some popular locations to accommodate travellers who drop in along the road. For high-demand periods like the recent Canada Day weekend, savvy campers work the reservation system.
At Golden Ears Provincial Park, one group booked for two weeks as soon as the 90-day eligibility window opened, then dropped the first week, giving them the coveted Canada Day weekend dates before they were generally available.
"Every year we look to change things to keep people from cheating, and every year they find new ways," Polak said. "Really the only answer is going to be finding a way to expand the number of sites that we have available."
It's shaping up as a record year for the Discover Camping reservation service, with 92,000 bookings so far this year.
B.C. Parks has added four new sites for this summer. Reservations can be made for Garibaldi Provincial Park in the Whistler area, Ruckle Provincial Park on Saltspring Island, Okanagan Falls Provincial Park, Inland Lake Provincial Park near Powell River and Dry Gulch Provincial Park near Radium Hot Springs.

Provincial campsite rush mostly B.C. residents


Few BC Parks bookings going to commercial operators, solution is more campsite spaces, Environment Minister Mary Polak says


Two men and a mining company in receivership have been charged with 18 pollution infractions related to their shut-down gold mine on an island near Prince Rupert.
Benjamin Mossman and Dirk Meckert are scheduled to appear in Prince Rupert provincial court Sept. 7. Also charged is Banks Island Gold Ltd., which went into receivership after being shut down last year for provincial permit violations.
The Yellow Giant mine was ordered shut down by the Ministry of Environment in July 2015 after a tailings spill was reported on a tip. There is one charge of failing to report a spill of a polluting substance, and the other 17 charges are for failing to comply with permits.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice raised the issue in the legislature this spring, after receiving a letter from the Gitxaala First Nation referring to two separate tailings spills. Rice said the ministry did not inspect the operation for 15 months, until receiving a complaint.
NDP mining critic Norm Macdonald told the legislature a worker at the mine "became fed up, put his job on the line, sent the ministry and me a tip and pictures that documented what was going on there."
Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett said the mine was shut down when the situation was brought to its attention. The mine's 90 employees lost their jobs.
The province has a $420,000 security bond from the mining company, to provide ongoing monitoring. In March the mines ministry and Banks Island Gold removed explosives from the mine site and in May ministry technical staff assessed the hazardous materials on site.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service, which recommended the charges, would not comment on the current condition of the Banks Island site, because it is evidence for the prosecution.

Banks Island miners face 18 pollution charges


Gold mine near Prince Rupert shut down last summer for permit violations, owners charged for failing to report spill


A totally spontaneous expression of gratitude breaks out for Premier Christy Clark and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes at the Quesnel rodeo after a rural school fund was announced in June.
Comedian Steve Smith, better known as Red Green, is touring B.C. in September, reprising his popular TV series in which he fixes every conceivable problem with duct tape.
Green’s “I’m Not Old I’m Ripe” tour hits Chilliwack, Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Surrey, Vernon, Kelowna and Prince George.
His formula for deploying the handyman’s secret weapon has proven so popular that Premier Christy Clark may have been inspired. She’s had quite a flurry of hasty repairs in the last few months. Here’s a recap.
The B.C. minimum wage was starting to lag behind other provinces, even after the overhaul it received in 2015, where annual increases are tied to inflation.
Like Red’s truck tires, there has been a lack of inflation, and a surge of government spending back east leaving B.C. in the dust. B.C.’s wage rose 20 cents last year and was set to go up by another whole dime this fall.
There was that familiar ripping sound in May as Clark and Jobs Minister Shirley Bond announced the September increase will be patched up to 40 cents, with another 40-cent increase next fall. Two wraps should hold it until after the election.
Remember the episode where Red taped two old Hyundai Ponies side by side to make a handyman’s Hummer? The school system has seen that kind of work in recent months.
The first roll was applied by Education Minister Mike Bernier when he announced in March that the ministry’s “fix-it fund” was going from $35 million to $40 million. Then in mid-May, he announced 80 successful projects. The “fix-it fund” had fattened to $45 million, and Bernier was just getting his sleeves rolled up.
Hey school districts, remember the $25 million in “administrative savings” the ministry demanded for the second year in a row? Now that you’ve squeezed that from your budgets, Bernier’s good news at the end of May was that the government’s giving it back to use for “front line services for students.”
One of those services could be “maintaining schools despite falling enrolment in certain regions,” Bernier announced May 31, foreshadowing the next layer of repairs.
Sure enough, a “rural schools fund” was rolled out on June 15. Clark and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes made the announcement in Quesnel, where Kersley and Parkland elementary schools were going to close.
Also eligible for a special fund was Okanagan-Similkameen, where Osoyoos high school students were going to be bused a half hour to Oliver. This is hardly unusual in rural schooling around B.C., but these are swing ridings, you see.
Kootenay Lake district declined the opportunity to keep Yahk elementary open, with an anticipated fall enrolment of zero students. This all comes during the annual ritual combat between the ministry and Vancouver school board over keeping half-empty schools open.
Bernier had one more roll in his overalls. School bus service, one of those things jettisoned or saddled with hundreds of dollars in fees per student as districts scraped up those “administrative savings,” was selectively saved with another $15 million fund announced last week.
There have been a few other country fixes. They’re not going to ban weddings on farms any more, for instance.
That old jalopy in the back yard you’ve been trying to soup up and get back on the road? Soon you can get a collector plate for that thing, which is perfect if you can only get it running once or twice a year.
To paraphrase Red, if the voters don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca Twitter: @tomfletcherbc

BC VIEWS: Premier Red Green’s fast fixes


Premier Christy Clark has pulled out the duct tape to fix up rural schools, school buses and the minimum wage


Revelstoke dam on the Columbia River is due to have a sixth water turbine added, but Site C is BC Hydro's priority today.
BC Hydro is going ahead with its planned four per cent rate increase this year and deferring more debt to future years as it revises its electricity demand forecast downward.
The provincially-owned utility has not asked for an increase in its government-imposed rate plan despite a revised demand forecast with $3.5 billion less revenue over the next 10 years. BC Hydro has filed a three-year plan with the B.C. Utilities Commission that would increase rates four, 3.5 and three per cent in the next three years. The four per cent increase is already showing up on customer bills as an interim increase.
With the Site C dam on the Peace River and other upgrades amounting to $2 billion a year, the plan includes additional deferred debt until 2023, when Site C is due to be completed. BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald said the long-term nature of capital projects means its capital cost savings don't start until the next decade.
BC Hydro has also cut some of its familiar Power Smart activities, such as the fridge buy-back plan and incentives for energy efficient light bulbs.
McDonald said BC Hydro is seeing lower revenues due to two warm winters and downturns in mining and forest products. It still projects growing overall demand as population and economic growth continue.
NDP energy critic Adrian Dix said the new deferred debt represents roughly $500 for each of BC Hydro's two million customers, and it is a political move to get the B.C. Liberal government past next year's election.
The 10-year rates plan imposed by Energy Minister Bill Bennett in 2013 overstated demand to justify the construction of Site C, and translates to a 28 per cent rate increase. It allows the utilities commission to regain control over approving customer rates by 2020, after five years of political direction.
Dix said with the new demand forecast and commodity prices expected to remain low, BC Hydro should have added a sixth turbine to its Revelstoke dam for $450 million before embarking on the $9 billion Site C project.


Four per cent rate hike already in effect, more to come as BC Hydro looks for savings to offset slow industrial demand


Jordan Bateman, Canadian Taxpayers' Federation
The B.C. government is hearing objections from businesses and individuals faced with increasing Canada Pension Plan contributions in the coming years, and is the last province needed to ratify the increase.
Instead of joining other provinces in meeting the federal government's July deadline to adopt the change, the B.C. government launched a consultation phase expected to run through August. And they are getting push-back on a plan that would increase payroll deductions and employer contributions starting in 2019.
Jordan Bateman, B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation, said he's receiving hundreds of responses to his call to supporters to make their views known to the B.C. government. Most concerned are employers who would pay higher contributions for each of their employees.
Employer and employee contributions are to go up from the current 4.95 per cent of earnings to 5.95 per cent by 2023. For each employee earning $54,900, the employer contribution goes up $7 to $8 per month in each of the first five years of the phase-in.
"Obviously, lots of people are concerned about having to pay more," Bateman said. "But the interesting ones are the small business owners who talk about just how close to the edge they are financially."
B.C. Finance Minister Mike de Jong joined other provinces in agreeing in principle to the expansion in June. Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau said he is concerned about the decline in workplace pension plans and wants the CPP to move from replacing one quarter of employment income to one third by 2025.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business surveyed its members nation-wide when the CPP plan was announced, and more than 80 per cent wanted consultation and a delay of implementation. Morneau has indicated he plans to table legislation this fall.
B.C.'s refusal to sign on could derail the federal plan, but it shows little intention of doing so.
"British Columbia is committed to engaging with stakeholders in advance of ratifying the agreement in principle," said the statement from de Jong's office announcing the consultation.
The province's consultation website and feedback address can be found here.


B.C. stands in the way of Justin Trudeau government's plan to hike Canada Pension Plan contributions, but likely not for long


Cameras were the focus as 70 photographers from across B.C., including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Kelowna and Nelson, competed in the fourth annual Next Generation BC Amateur Photographer of the Year Contest at the recent Abbotsford International Airshow.
Sponsored by London Drugs and Black Press Media, the contest took place Aug. 12-14, as participants captured their best air, crowd, static, and wildcard shots.
Photographers experienced close-up action at the airshow including Friday's twilight show, and earned the "hot-side" tour at the airshow where they shot exclusive aircraft including the F-35, CF-18, FA-18, Breitling Jet Team, the Snowbirds and more for a chance to win the title of B.C.'s next Amateur Photographer title.
Awarding categories also include The Best in-air photograph ($750 grand prize), The Best ground/static scene photograph ($500 prize),The Best crowd scene photograph ($250 prize ), The Best video submission ($500 prize) all courtesy of London Drugs and honorary acknowledgement for Best Wildcard entry.
For the People's Choice Award Winner, the time has arrived for the public to vote on their favourite photo and be entered for a chance to win BC Lions game tickets.
For voting and contest information, click here.

Voting open for People's Choice Amateur Photography Competition


Photographers from across the province competed in amateur competition