The B.C. government has approved a master development plan for a new year-round ski resort in the Cariboo Mountains west of Valemount.
Valemount Glacier Destination Resort is a $175 million project led by Oberto Oberti, who designed the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort near Golden and the controversial Jumbo Glacier Resort proposal west of Invermere.
The Valemount plan includes lifts and gondolas that would carry skiers and sight-seers to the summits of Mount Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Mount Arthur Meighen. Its vertical drop of 2,050 metres would be higher than Whistler-Blackcomb and the largest in North America.
"There are very few places in the world, and none in North America, where you go and ride a lift to the very top and the glacier is below you," said Jill Bodkin, a director of the company.
Valemount is a remote community of about 1,000 residents near the Alberta border east of Prince George. The region is west of Jasper National Park, which attracts visitors from around the world.
On the project's website, Oberti says people will travel to Switzerland for this kind of mountain resort experience, so a three-hour drive from Prince George isn't an obstacle to success.
Valemount Mayor Jeanette Townsend called the master plan approval "exciting news." She said the community attracts visitors who stay there to avoid the expensive accommodation in Jasper and the resort will take it to the next level.
Chief Nathan Matthew of the Simpcw First Nation said his community has been involved since the beginning, and he sees the project as an important economic development for the northern part of Simpcw's traditional territory.

B.C. approves Valemount glacier resort plan


Designer of Kicking Horse and Jumbo resorts gets approval to proceed with $175 million project east of Prince George


Aboriginal elders brought a Coast Salish talking stick into the B.C. legislature this week, in a solemn ceremony that had little lasting effect on the heckling and interruptions of political debate in Victoria.
A replica of the totem pole on the grounds of Government House, the ornate stick represents the right to speak and receive a respectful hearing in aboriginal tradition. It was carved by Songhees artist James Delorme and presented to former Lieutenant Governor Steven Point in 2011 at a ceremony to mark the official naming of the Salish Sea.
Current Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon was on hand May 11 to present the stick to B.C. legislature Speaker Linda Reid, with a ceremonial prayer in the SENCOTEN language by elders Elmer George and Mary Anne Thomas.
"We present it to everybody this House but also to everybody that may come through these doors in the future," said Chief Ron Sam of the Songhees Nation.
Reid said in a statement the talking stick will remain in the legislature until the next election in May 2017.
After the ceremony, Reid continued her struggle to maintain order in the rancourous debate of question period, which has declined more frequently into shouting matches as the next election approaches.

Talking stick tradition comes to B.C. legislature [with video]


Totem symbolizes Coast Salish tradition of respectful listening, with little effect on ill-tempered debate in Victoria


Eileen Zheng donated a kidney to her mother Wei and is encouraging other people to register as organ donors.
When Eileen Zheng wanted to donate one of her kidneys to her mother, family members were at first concerned about the effect of the procedure on both of them.
But five weeks after the surgery, Wei Zheng was recovering from polycystic kidney disease after seven years on kidney dialysis, and Eileen was logging up to 65 km a day on her bicycle. And a year later, Eileen is preparing to ride across Canada to encourage more people to support organ transplants.
"I want to raise awareness, so more people are willing to register after seeing that I'm healthy after donating an organ," Eileen said at a ceremony at the B.C. legislature to launch the bid Monday. "We're hoping to raise at least 1,000 more organ donors compared to last year, and around $75,000 for the Canadian Transplant Association, for the life-saving work they do."
She has three and a half months to make the journey, starting with a Terry Fox-inspired dip of her bike wheel in the Pacific before heading east towards St. Johns, Newfoundland. Eileen's ride is called Gift From Within has a website where people can link to organ donor registration sites in each province, and her route stops and updates will be posted.
There are more than 45,000 people currently waiting for organ donations across Canada. B.C. residents can check their registration status or sign up to become a donor here.

Cross-Canada ride to encourage organ donation


Gift From Within aims to register 1,000 more registered donors and raise money for the Canadian Transplant Association


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


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


Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have reached tentative agreements, averting the prospect of a labour dispute that has loomed over the talks for months.
In a statement, Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk says the agreements were reached "voluntarily," but provides no other details about the deals themselves.
The issue of differences in paycheques for rural mail carriers — most of whom are women — and urban letter carriers had been at the forefront of protracted contract talks between the two sides.
The negotiations were extended twice since the weekend, when a deadline expired on a 72-hour job action notice issued last Thursday by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
The two sides were in talks nearly around the clock at the request of a special mediator appointed Friday by Mihychuk.
Canada Post described the tentative agreements as short-term. It said they are for two years and that four-year contracts were typically negotiated in the past.
"The agreements will avert a work disruption, bringing much-needed certainty in the postal system for our employees and customers," said Canada Post in a statement. "Canadians can now use the postal system with confidence."
The tentative agreements, however, still must be ratified by the members.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is Canada Post's largest union, representing more than 50,000 postal workers
The Canadian Press

Canada Post, postal union reach tentative deals


Two sides avert job action that has loomed for months


Lakecity potter Cary Burnett views the art work created by Maeghan Watkinson that is hanging at All-Ways Travel during the 2016 Art Walk and Sale.
Maeghan Watkinson is an artist who has grown up in the agriculture industry and shares her ranch-inspired art in the 2016 Williams Lake Art Walk and Sale.
Her grandparents own Foster Bar Ranch in Lillooet.
Her father worked on ranches in the Merritt, Williams Lake, Riske Creek, Meldrum Creek, McLeese Lake, and Quesnel areas where she has lived with her family.
Maeghan has been involved in 4-H for 13 years and aspires to own and operate her own ranch when she is finished her education.
As an artist, Watkinson works in multiple mediums: painting, drawing, printmaking, and serigraph.
Her favourite mediums are painting and drawing, which are traditional mediums in which to represent the ranching lifestyle.
Maeghan’s art can be viewed at All-Ways Travel during the 2016 Williams Lake Art Walk and Sale that wraps up on Sept. 10.
Art Walk and Sale booklets are available at the Tribune/Weekend Advisor on First Avenue or at any one of the participating venues. Art walkers are eligible to collect stamps at each venue for the grand prize draw which is for a beautiful Spirit Bear created by Spirit Carver Dean who was carving on site Saturday at Lake City Auto Care Mall.
Walkers qualify for entries for the grand prize draw according to the number of stamps collected: 1-16 stamps equals one entry; 17 to 32 stamps equals two entries; 32 to 48 stamps equals three entries; and 48 to 63 stamps equals four entries.
Walkers also have the opportunity to participate in The People’s Choice Awards by voting for their favourite artists and merchants.
The three most popular artists and merchants will be recognized with a people’s choice award.
The 2016 Art Walk and Sale has grown substantially this year to include 63 business and public venues hosting art exhibits, up from 54 venues and exhibitors last year.
Of the 63 artists featured, Arty the Art Walker Willie Dye says 21 are new to the art walk this year and nine are returning to the art walk after a hiatus.

Art Walk and Sale continues until Saturday, Sept. 10


Maeghan Watkinson is an artist who has grown up in the agriculture industry and shares her art in the Williams Lake Art Walk and Sale.


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


Xat’sull Heritage Village at Soda Creek will host a traditional Save-the-Salmon powwow on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9, 10, 11.
The warmup begins at 7 p.m. Friday evening. Grand entries will be Saturday at noon and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.
The feast dinner break will be on Saturday with MC Mike Retasket, arena director Jim Edgar, and host drum Taleome.
There will be camping on site. Participants bring their own chairs, plate, bowl, cup and utensils. Crafters must bring their own tables.
Events include Lahal tournament, princess and tiny tot pageants, 50/50 draws and raffles.
This is an alcohol and drug free event to honour the salmon, families and environment.
For more information contact education co-ordinator Cheryl Chapman by e-mail at education@xatsull.com or by phone at 250-989-2323 ext. 104.


Xat’sull Heritage Village at Soda Creek will host a traditional Save-the-Salmon powwow on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9, 10, 11.


The Williams Lake U13 Storm girls soccer team wrapped up their season with a second-place finish during the weekend at a tournament in Chilliwack.
The Williams Lake U13 Storm girls soccer team finished a successful year on the pitch with a second place finish in Chilliwack during the weekend.
The Storm got off to a blazing start with a 4-0 win over Squamish with Brityn Hinsche and Dylan Passeri each tallied once, while Brooke Levens scored twice in the victory. Tayla Pitt earned the shutout in goal and Pyper Alexander was named the game’s most valuable player.
Next, the Storm beat the host team, Chilliwack, 2-0, with Hinsche and Passeri again finding the twine. Pitt once again earned the shutout and Passeri was awarded game MVP.
In its third game Williams Lake lost 3-0 to a strong Coquitlam squad with Levens earning the game MVP honours.
Based on total points the Storm finished second overall and qualified for the final where they got another shot at Coquitlam.
There, despite having a short bench and battling multiple bruises and injuries, the Storm fought to a 0-0 draw after regulation before losing in overtime.
Brette Kerley was strong in the midfield during the final earning her the game MVP.


The Williams Lake U13 Storm girls soccer team finished a successful year on the pitch with a second place finish.


We wish to apologise to Mr. Louis Bacon for certain statements contained in two (2) adverts published in our newspaper on the 29th January, 2016 and 22nd February, 2016.
The adverts in question were paid for by Nygard International Partnership and contained in “wrap arounds”. Both of the adverts could have been understood as suggesting that Mr. Bacon had spread a false story to Lyford Cay Residents that Mr. Peter Nygard was planning to build a Stem Cell Clinic at Nygard Cay in order to mislead the Court into granting injunctions against Mr. Nygard. The truth is we were not provided with any evidence to substantiate such claims against Mr. Bacon, nor are we aware of any, and it was certainly not our intention to give any such impression.
We therefore apologise to Mr. Bacon and his family for publishing the aforementioned adverts as worded. We shall exercise more care in the future.


Shadow Minister of State for Finance Peter Turnquest said the multiplier effect of each lost job on the business environment, and as a result on government revenue production, is a significant mid- to long-term effect. Given that effect, in the wake of 600 people losing their jobs at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort, Turnquest said the picture for short-term economic recovery is not pretty.
In addition to the Sandals matter, Turnquest was speaking to an economic impact report published recently which revealed that over 9,000 jobs were lost over the 18-month period following the closure of the stalled Baha Mar project.
The report asserted that almost $2 billion was not realized in value added to the gross domestic product (GDP) over the 18-month period.
“The reality is over the past 18 months, and even before that, we understood that Baha Mar had the potential to be a significant contributor to the GDP. It is why both governments have facilitated the development of the project to the extent of extending themselves to grant concessions that they would not ordinarily provide,” said Turnquest.
The shadow minister told Guardian Business it is unfortunate that the government did not carry though to the end to ensure that the Baha Mar development was facilitated and was wrapped up in a timely fashion.
He noted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has indicated that The Bahamas needs greater than five percent GDP growth to sustain its current level of employment, and seven percent to absorb those entering the labor force.
“Additionally, we are under review and waiting with bated breath for the findings of the ratings agencies, which have indicated Baha Mar forms a large part of their considerations,“ he said.
Turnquest explained the effects of unemployment as a result of Sandals and Baha Mar on the country’s economic growth.
“Adding Sandals now to that mix, we have real concerns about not GDP growth but actual contraction of growth as we have seen over the last two years in real terms.
“Not only is this very real potential significant for us to consider today, but what it means to the multiple persons affected by the lost job opportunities and the actual losses in jobs and revenue earnings real and potential. Don't forget businesses have lost real dollars in this debacle and employees, real jobs,” said Turnquest.
He added: “I think there are a lot of questions to be asked to understand what has happened, to what extent incentives given were abused, to what extent government actions contributed to the situation and how the development model is relevant to today, if at all, or whether we should be shifting focus from an incentives-based foreign direct investment (FDI) model to one based upon sound business practices leveraging our natural resources, talents, sustainable marketing practices and empowerment of our people up and down stream from such projects.”


Elmer J. Johnson
ROGERSVILLE - Elmer J. Johnson, 68, of Rogersville, passed away Monday, August 29, 2016. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 31, 2016, at Christian-Sells Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 pm with Rev. Bryan Thurman and Rev. Rickey Parker officiating. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Johnson Family Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.christiansells.com.


ROGERSVILLE - Elmer J. Johnson, 68, of Rogersville, passed away Monday, August 29, 2016. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 31, 2016, at Christian-


Anderson Jess Osborne
JONESVILLE, VA - Anderson Jess Osborne, 91, passed from his earthly life into his eternal home in Heaven on August 25, 2016. He was born in Blackwater, VA on April 14, 1925 to Jess and Louisa (Smith) Osborne. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at Robinette Funeral Home in Jonesville, VA. The funeral service will follow with Rev. Fred Cagle and Rev. Daniel Hurd officiating. Interment will be held after the funeral service at the Huff Cemetery in Woodway, VA. Online condolences may be viewed or sent by visiting www.RobinetteFuneralHomes.com. Robinette Funeral Home is serving the Osborne family.


JONESVILLE, VA - Anderson Jess Osborne, 91, passed from his earthly life into his eternal home in Heaven on August 25, 2016. He was born in Blackwater, VA on April 14, 1925 to Jess and


George B. Smith
KINGSPORT - George B. Smith 84, of Kingsport went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Holston Valley Medical Center. The family will receive friends from 5PM to 7PM on Saturday, August 28, 2016 at Scott-County Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Bryan Moore and Pastor Justin Smith officiating. A graveside service will be conducted at 2PM on Sunday, August 29, 2016 at Holston View Cemetery. Rusty Smith, Jimmy Dale Hite, Keegan Norris, Randy Jennings, Brandon Smith, and Donnie Littleton will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Fordtown Men's Bible Class. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home by 1:30PM to go in procession to the cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the people that helped take care of their dad Edith Maden, Margaret Gilreath, Bea Maness, and Jimmy Dale Hite. They would also like to thank Meals on Wheels, and the staff at Wellmont 5th floor nursing staff and hospice care. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Fordtown Baptist Church Cemetery Fund at, 444 Old Fordtown Rd. Kingsport, TN 37663. To send a condolence to the family please visit our website at www.scottcountyfuneralhome.com. Carter-Trent/Scott County Funeral Home is serving the Smith family.


KINGSPORT - George B. Smith 84, of Kingsport went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Holston Valley Medical Center. The family will receive friends from 5PM to 7PM on


Charles D. White
BRISTOL, VA - Charles D. White, 62, of Bristol, VA passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Blevins Funeral & Cremation Services, 417 Lee St., Bristol, VA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas TX 75265-0309. Condolences for the family may be sent and viewed by visiting www.BlevinsCares.com. Mr. White and his family are in the care of Blevins Funeral & Cremation Services. (276) 669-6141.


BRISTOL, VA - Charles D. White, 62, of Bristol, VA passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on


Dana Geneva Roberts
GATE CITY, VA - Dana Geneva (Kindle) Roberts, 61, Gate City, VA passed away, Monday, August 22, 2016 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center of an apparent heart attack. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - & 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 25, 2016 at the Gate City Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Jeff DeBoard officiating. David and Debbie Easterling will provide the music. Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 26, 2016 at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, VA. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m., Thursday to go in procession to the graveside service. An online guest register is available for the Roberts family at www.gatecityfunerals.com. Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Dana Geneva Roberts.


GATE CITY, VA - Dana Geneva (Kindle) Roberts, 61, Gate City, VA passed away, Monday, August 22, 2016 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center of an apparent heart attack. The family will


Donald Franklin Lane
JOHNSON CITY - Donald Franklin Lane, 47, Johnson City, TN was called home on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in Johnson City, TN. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the Gate City Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 p. m., Sunday, August 28, 2016 at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, VA. Pastor Greg DePriest will be officiating. Jason Boyd & Rob Price will provide the music. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 1:15 p.m., Sunday to go in procession to the graveside service. An online guest register is available for the Lane family at www.gatecityfunerals.com. Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Donald Franklin Lane.


JOHNSON CITY - Donald Franklin Lane, 47, Johnson City, TN was called home on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in Johnson City, TN. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Saturday,


Zackary Vance Livesay
SURGOINSVILLE - Zackary Vance Livesay, age 22, of Surgoinsville, passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center surrounded by family and close friends. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Saturday (8/27/16) at Christian-Sells Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 pm. Graveside services will be 11:00 am Sunday (8/28/16) at Hawkins County Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.christiansells.com.


SURGOINSVILLE - Zackary Vance Livesay, age 22, of Surgoinsville, passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center surrounded by family and close friends. The


SURGOINSVILLE - Zackary Vance Livesay, age 22, of Surgoinsville, passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center surrounded by family and close


Robert Eugene Lloyd
CHURCH HILL - Robert Eugene Lloyd, age 77, of Church Hill, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at his home following an extended illness. Calling hours are from 6 to 7 pm Saturday at the Johnson - Arrowood Funeral Home and anytime at the residence. Memorial service will be conducted 7 pm in the funeral home chapel with Chaplain Tom Edwards officiating. To leave an online message for the Lloyd family please contact us @www.jfhonline.com Johnson - Arrowood Funeral Home of Church Hill is honored to serve the Lloyd family.


CHURCH HILL - Robert Eugene Lloyd, age 77, of Church Hill, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at his home following an extended illness. Calling hours are from 6 to 7 pm Saturday at the


Velda E. Russell
SURGOINSVILLE - Velda E. Russell, age 90, of Surgoinsville, formerly of St. Clair, went to be with the Lord peacefully, Saturday, August 27, 2016, at Indian Path Hospital. The family will receive friends anytime at the home of Clifford Russell 198 Dickerson Lane, Surgoinsville, and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Christian-Sells Funeral Home in Rogersville. Funeral services will be at 6:00 p.m. with Rev. Greg Fletcher and Rev. Andy Sensabaugh officiating. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Burial will follow in the Russell-Johnson Cemetery. Condolences may be sent at www.christiansells.com.


SURGOINSVILLE - Velda E. Russell, age 90, of Surgoinsville, formerly of St. Clair, went to be with the Lord peacefully, Saturday, August 27, 2016, at Indian Path Hospital. The family will


Edith “Edie” King
BLOUNTVILLE - Edith “Edie” King, 72, of Blountville, was born July 16, 1944 and passed away on Friday, August 26, 2016 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She has now won her battle with cancer. The family will receive friends from 5 pm to 7 pm on Monday, August 29, 2016 at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga Street, Kingsport or anytime at the home of Mr. King. A funeral service will follow at 7 pm in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jimmy Gross, officiating. An entombment will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Oak Hill Mausoleum, Kingsport. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family for medical expenses. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the King family.


BLOUNTVILLE - Edith “Edie” King, 72, of Blountville, was born July 16, 1944 and passed away on Friday, August 26, 2016 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She has now won


Edith "Edie" King
BLOUNTVILLE - Edith “Edie” King, 72, of Blountville, was born July 16, 1944 and passed away on Friday, August 26, 2016 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She has now won her battle with cancer. The family will receive friends from 5 pm to 7 pm on Monday, August 29, 2016 at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga Street, Kingsport or anytime at the home of Mr. King. A funeral service will follow at 7 pm in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jimmy Gross, officiating. An entombment will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Oak Hill Mausoleum, Kingsport. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family for medical expenses. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the King family.


John A. Catlett, Jr.
John Adam Catlett Jr. went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Holston Valley Medical Center. You may view arrangements and leave online condolences for the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Church Hill is serving the Catlett family.


John Adam Catlett Jr. went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Holston Valley Medical Center. You may view arrangements and leave online condolences for the family


The Vikings (1-1) led wire to wire, but after the Rebels scratched back within 24-21 early in the fourth period on a Lucas Strickler 7-yard touchdown run, the home team scored three touchdowns in the final 6:40 to wrap up the win.
Vikings quarterback Courtland Carter ran for three touchdowns and threw for another, finishing with 217 total yards of offense — 144 rushing and 73 passing. Austin Henson was the recipient of Carter’s lone touchdown pass, which came with just 7.7 seconds remaining in the half and staked the Vikings to a 17-7 advantage at the break. Henson also snared two interceptions and made a pivotal pass breakup on fourth down in the fourth quarter.
South suffered from three interceptions and had the aforementioned turnover on downs. Those mistakes, combined with seven penalties for 50 yards, drew the ire of Rebels coach Sam Haynie.
“I ought to be fired for the way we act out there with penalties and turnovers,” Haynie said. “We can’t get moving. We’re too young to overcome that. Some of the kids we’re asking to play, they’re playing hard. We’ve got to start playing smart.
“We’re a long way off from playing winning football.”
Rebels quarterback Ethan Ward ran for 166 yards and a touchdown, also throwing a TD to Ahmad Lovell on a 37-yard catch-and-run play. South had 338 yards of offense, 248 of them coming after halftime.

Carter's big night propels Vikings past Rebels


BRISTOL, Tenn. — Tennessee High started strong and finished strong, posting a 48-21 victory over Sullivan South on Friday night at the Stone Castle.
The Vikings


Eric Wayne Page
KINGSPORT - Eric Wayne Page, 47, of Kingsport, went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by family, friends and pastor, on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at his residence following injuries sustained in an automobile accident 6 years ago. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5-7:00 pm at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm with Pastor Wayne Baker officiating. A graveside service will be held on Thursday at 1:00 pm at Emory United Methodist Church Cemetery. Those attending committal services are asked to assemble at Hamlett-Dobson at 12:00 pm Thursday and then proceed to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dave Kilgore, Alvin Hunt, Alan Ward, Billy Dingus, J.R. Piercy and Jonathan Page. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to the United Spinal Association, http://www.spinalcord.org. Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an on-line condolence for the family. Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport is serving the family of Eric Wayne Page.


KINGSPORT - Eric Wayne Page, 47, of Kingsport, went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by family, friends and pastor, on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at his residence following injuries


John Blanton
WEBER CITY, VA - John Paul Blanton, 83 of Weber City, went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 26, 2016 at Bristol Hospice House following a brief illness. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, August 28, 2016 at Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City. A funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Rev. Paul Blessing officiating. Burial will follow in Holston View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brent Meyers, Freddie Barnett, Ronnie Tipton, Harold Blanton, John Thomas Blanton and Bryson Gillenwater. Honorary pallbearers will be Burl Jennings, Howard Tipton, Paul Roark, Jordan Graham, Larry Thompson and Mike Grizzle. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Wellmont Foundation (Bristol Hospice House), PO 1069, Kingsport, TN 37662-9968. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.scottcountyfuneralhome.com. Carter-Trent/Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City is serving the Blanton family.


WEBER CITY, VA - John Paul Blanton, 83 of Weber City, went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 26, 2016 at Bristol Hospice House following a brief illness. The family will receive friends


Eddie Wilson
ROGERSVILLE - Eddie Wilson, age 55, of Rogersville, went to be with the Lord, Monday (8/22/16). The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday (8/24/16) at Christian-Sells Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 8:00 pm with Rev. George (Fuzz) Bradley, Jr. and Rev. Jonathan Carver officiating. Graveside services will be 11:00 am Thursday (8/25/16) at Dodson Creek Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.christiansells.com.


ROGERSVILLE - Eddie Wilson, age 55, of Rogersville, went to be with the Lord, Monday (8/22/16). The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday (8/24/16) at Christian-Sells


Eva Virginia Booher Reed
BRISTOL, VA - Eva Virginia Booher Reed, age 90, of Bristol, Va., went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. The funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 25, 2016 in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Austin Cook officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. prior to the service. The interment will be held 11 a.m. on Friday at Gardner’s Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Grandsons. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been made with Weaver Funeral Home and Cremation Services.


BRISTOL, VA - Eva Virginia Booher Reed, age 90, of Bristol, Va., went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. The funeral service will be held at 7


Eddie D. “Ed” Robinson
KINGSPORT - Eddie D. “Ed” Robinson, 45, Kingsport, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 27, 2016, at his residence, following a courageous battle with cancer. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 12-2:00 pm at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport and at other hours at the residence. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm in the chapel. Burial will follow in New Canton Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeff Dotson, Joey Doston, T.J. Crawford, Jamie East, Chris Boehn and Scotty Jeffers. Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an on-line condolence for the family. Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport is serving the family of Eddie D. “Ed” Robinson.


KINGSPORT - Eddie D. “Ed” Robinson, 45, Kingsport, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 27, 2016, at his residence, following a courageous battle with cancer.


Elsie Kate Stapleton
CHURCH HILL - Elsie Kate Stapleton, age 85, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away Friday, August 26, 2016 at the Church Hill Health Care & Rehab following an extended illness. Calling hours are from 4 to 6 pm Sunday at the Johnson – Arrowood Funeral Home and anytime at the residence. Funeral services will be conducted 6 pm in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Chris Crabtree officiating. Graveside services will be conducted 11 am Monday at the Church Hill Memory Gardens with Josh Rutledge, Jonathan Jennings, Jonathan Tilley, Tim Belbey, Gale Rutledge and Jimmy Baumgardner serving as pallbearers. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home by 10 am Monday morning to leave in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38101-9908. To leave an online message for the Stapleton family, please contact us @www.jfhonline.com Johnson – Arrowood Funeral Home of Church Hill is honored to serve the Stapleton family.


CHURCH HILL - Elsie Kate Stapleton, age 85, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away Friday, August 26, 2016 at the Church Hill Health Care & Rehab following an


It could cost airline passengers £25 for making a complaint, following the introduction of new aviation rules.
Passengers traveling with British Airways, easyJet and Thomas Cook will be charged £25 if any claim they make is unsuccessful, as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will no longer mediate between customers and airlines.
Previously, the CAA would act as the ‘middleman’ in negotiations between customer and airlines in disputes regarding flight delays and cancellations or missing or damaged luggage.
British Airways, along with easyJet and Thomas Cook, have signed up to the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), which charges customers a £25 fee for unsuccessful claims for compensation.
However, passengers with other airlines, including Flybe and Ryanair will be able to pursue complaints without fear of financial loss as these airlines have signed up with the Retail Ombudsman which does not charge customers to use the service.
Also, Eurowings and Lufthansa will use German company Söp, which similarly does not charge a fee.

BA and easyJet passengers could pay £25 charge for flight delay complaints


It could cost airline passengers £25 for making a complaint, following the introduction of new aviation rules.


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QUIZ: How well do you know your retro games?


Can you get 10/10 in our retro games quiz?


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’


The Cola-Cola glass bottle has been voted as the most iconic packaging on the UK’s shelves.


A recruitment firm has been named the best company in the UK for work-life balance.
Financial recruiter Goodman Masson took first place in the list by jobs site Glassdoor, based on reviews submitted to its website by current and former staff.
The company, which is based in London and also has offices in Dusseldorf, was praised by staff for its “huge investment” in staff benefits and “great” parties twice a year.
“The attention paid to the wellbeing of staff is at a level rarely matched elsewhere,” said an anonymous employee working in the London office.
In second place was technology firm Cisco Systems, and in third place was insurer HomeServe.
West Midlands-based HomeServe, which employs 1,200 people at its headquarters in Walsall and has 2.1 million customers in the UK, was commended for its attitude towards the treatment of its staff.
“The salary is very competitive and you are rewarded very generously for your hard work and just for carrying out your role. The company has a great framework for career progression and is always looking to promote people internally for job roles,” said a water supply engineer working at the firm.
Greg Reed, chief marketing officer at HomeServe, said: “We believe if you take care of your people, they will take care of your customers. This means creating a culture where people genuinely enjoy coming to work every day because they feel what they do really makes a difference in our customers’ lives.”
Temping firm LOLA and Screwfix completed the top five. Other companies in the top 20 included Apple, American Express Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever and John Lewis.
Google is known for its plush offices, but doesn’t make the top 20 companies for work-life balance. Its new London office has sleep pods so workers can take a nap, although perhaps this is an indication of long hours.
For a company to have been considered, at least 50 work-life balance ratings must have been submitted by UK-based employees in the past year.
The top 20 companies for work-life balance:
1. Goodman Masson
2. Cisco Systems
3. HomeServe UK
4. LOLA Staffing
5. Screwfix
6. American Express
7. BP
8. Peninsula Business Services
9. ARM Holdings
10. Unilever
11.Thomson Reuters
12. Kantar Worldpanel
13. Atkins
14. Téléfonica
15. Credit Suisse
16. Rolls-Royce
17. John Lewis
18. Waitrose
19. Lloyds Banking Group
20. Apple

Revealed: The top UK companies for work-life balance


A recruitment firm has been named the best company in the UK for work-life balance.


More than half of the UK’s grandparents are planning to look after their grandchildren over the next few weeks, according to a recent survey.
A poll of more than 8,000 over-50s shows that one in eight grandparents will look after grandchildren once a week over the school summer holidays, with a further one in eight will be on childminding duties twice per week.
However, one in twenty grandparents say they will be hosting their grandchildren three days a week while school is out for the summer, according to the research by Saga Car Insurance.
And it’s not just their time that will be donated - one in five say they will spend well over £200 keeping the children occupied. Days out to the beach (77 per cent) and on shopping trips (35 per cent) are the most popular distractions, although some grandparents are even taking their grandchildren on a holiday either in the UK (14 per cent) or abroad (5 per cent).
Grandparents in the North East are the most likely to babysit grandchildren over the school summer holidays, while those in the East Midlands are least likely to.
The Scots are most likely to spend big on their grandkids, with one in four expecting to spend more than £200 during the school holiday period.
Sue Green, Head of Saga Car Insurance, commented: “It looks as though children are in for an action-packed summer which is full of adventure if nan and granddad are in charge over the next couple of weeks. Grandparents really are generous giving up their time and money to help with childcare over the summer holidays and I’m sure they are really looking forward to spending some quality time with their grandchildren.”

Grandparents to the rescue over school summer holidays


More than half of the UK’s grandparents are planning to look after their grandchildren over the next few weeks, according to a recent survey.


A study has found that half of parents with children under the age of 14 allow them to drink alcohol at home.
And, perhaps more worryingly, one in 10 respondents to the Churchill Home Insurance survey allow children between the ages of five and seven to drink alcohol.
While it is not illegal for a child between the age of five and 16 to drink alcohol on private premises, it flies in the face of advice from the Chief Medical Officer whose official advice warns: “Children and their parents or carers are advised that an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option. However, if children drink alcohol underage, it should not be until at least the age of 15 years.
“Parents and young people should be aware that drinking, even at age 15 or older, can be hazardous to health and that not drinking is the healthiest option for young people.”

Do you think it’s okay to allow children to drink some alcohol at home?


A study has found that half of parents with children under the age of 14 allow them to drink alcohol at home.


Motorists now change their car more often than they switch their mattress or even their mobile phone, suggests new research.
The length of time motorists keep a car has plummeted from around five years to two years or less, reveal latest figures.
The data produced by automotive experts, cap hpi, shows that some car makers now see average returns of vehicles in 24 months, and there is evidence of a growing number of 18-month leases in the market.
Mattresses should be changed every seven or eight years to ensure a good and healthy night’s sleep, according to chiropractors, while mobile phone contracts are on average between 18 and 24 months.
Expert say car manufacturers are managing volumes in the used market by varying contract lengths by model and remarketing channels.
Philip Nothard, retail and consumer specialist at cap hpi, said: “What we are seeing is the ‘iphonification’ of the car industry as consumers increasingly pay to drive rather than pay to own their vehicles.
“It’s the same model as the mobile phone industry where people are comfortable paying a monthly fee - only they are now doing this with their vehicles as well as their mobiles.”
He said the growth of personal contract purchase (PCP) and other finance options is having a “profound” effect on the car industry.
Personal Contract Hire (PCH) is also increasing, as motorists increasingly look towards usership rather than ownership.
Around four out five new car sales (80 per cent) are now on finance, according to estimates by cap hpi.
Mr Nothard added: “Not so long ago it was fairly common for motorists to have their cars for a minimum of five years or longer, but that has now changed dramatically and dropped to just two years for millions of motorists.
“After buying a house, the car was usually the biggest outlay for most consumers but now they are far more likely to change their car more often than their mattress.
“Consumer demand remains strong in the used car market and there are lots of used bargains waiting to be snapped up.
“As PCP becomes more popular and accessible in the used market, motor dealers expect its use to double in the future so we’re going to see people changing their cars with increasing regularity.”

Motorists change their car more often than their mobile phone


Motorists now change their car more often than they switch their mattress or even their mobile phone, suggests new research.


Being stuck in a dead end job by your early 40s is bad for your health.
Having an unrewarding job as you start out on the career ladder makes you more depressed, worried and had more trouble sleeping.
And if you stay stuck in positions with low levels of job satisfaction it affects you not just you mentally but physically too, including catching more colds, having a bad back and poor heart health.
But if you are happy in your job or finally get your dream job as your career progresses your overall health gets a boost.
The study by Ohio State University sociologists found job satisfaction in your late 20s and 30s has a link to overall health in your early 40s.
While it impacts on physical health, its effect was particularly strong for mental health.
Lead author and doctoral student Jonathan Dirlam said: “We found that there is a cumulative effect of job satisfaction on health that appears as early as your 40s.”
The study highlighted the importance that early jobs have on people’s lives.
Associate professor of sociology Dr Hui Zheng said: “You don’t have to be near the end of your career to see the health impact of job satisfaction, particularly on your mental health.
“The higher levels of mental health problems for those with low job satisfaction may be a precursor to future physical problems.
“Increased anxiety and depression could lead to cardiovascular or other health problems that won’t show up until they are older.”
He added the study was carried out before the credit crunch and said: “The recession almost certainly increased job insecurity and dissatisfaction, and that could have resulted in more negative health effects.”
The study used data from 6,432 Americans followed from the ages of 14 to 22 as part of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979.
Researchers examined job satisfaction trajectories for people from age 25 to 39 and their health on turning 40.
Participants rated how much they liked their jobs from 1 - dislike very much - to 4 -like very much.
They were then divided into four groups: consistently low and consistently high job satisfaction, those whose satisfaction started high but was trending down and those who started low but were trending higher.
About 45 per cent of participants had consistently low job satisfaction, while another 23 per cent had levels that were trending downward through their early career.
About 15 per cent of people were consistently happy at their jobs and about 17 per cent were trending upward.
Mental health was most affected by people’s feelings about their jobs with those in the low job satisfaction group throughout their early careers scored worse on all five of the mental health measures studied.
They reported higher levels of depression, sleep problems and excessive worry and were more likely to have been diagnosed with emotional problems and scored lower on a test of overall mental health.
Those whose job satisfaction decreased were more likely than those with consistently high satisfaction to have frequent trouble sleeping and excessive worry, and had lower scores for overall mental health.
But they didn’t see an impact on depression scores or their probability of being diagnosed with emotional problems.
Those whose scores went up through the early career years did not see any comparative health problems.
Those in the low satisfaction group and those who were trending downwards reported poorer overall health and more problems like back pain and frequent colds compared to the high satisfaction group.
But they weren’t different in physical functioning and in doctor-diagnosed health problems such as diabetes and cancer.
As with mental health, no effects were seen on physical health for those trending upward.
The findings was presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Seattle.


Being stuck in a dead end job by your early 40s is bad for your health.


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.


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


Next month sees the release of a new Beatles documentary, directed by Oscar winner Ron Howard.
The Apollo 13, Da Vinci Code and Rush director has been given the blessing of the surviving band members - Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr - and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison to produce the film looking at the band’s early years.
As well as archive footage from “the touring years” from 1960-66, The Beatles: Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years will feature fresh contributions from McCartney and Starr and never-before-seen clips shot by fans.
To get yourself warmed up for the film’s release test your knowledge of the band’s hits with our fiendishly tricky lyrics quiz.

QUIZ: How well do you know your Beatles lyrics?


Next month sees the release of a new Beatles documentary, directed by Oscar winner Ron Howard.


Pokemon GO players who are found to be cheating will have a permanent ban slapped on them, it has been announced.
The game’s developer, Niantic, has altered the terms and conditions to include the condition that a life ban will ensue for anyone caught using trickery to bag Pokemon.
The new clause prohibits: “Falsifying your location, using emulators, modified or unofficial software and/or accessing Pokemon GO clients or backends in an unauthorized manner including through the use of third party software.”
It has been reported that some users have managed to fool the app into thinking they were at a different location. Some Pokemon are region-specific, although taken to extremes, a player could play the game without leaving their home.
“Our goal is to provide a fair, fun and legitimate game experience for everyone,” Niantic said:
“We will continue to work with all of you to improve the quality of the gameplay, including ongoing optimization and fine tuning of our anti-cheat system.”
Anyone believing that have been unfairly banned can access an appeals system.


Pokemon GO players who are found to be cheating will have a permanent ban slapped on them, it has been announced.


A fresh warning has been issued by Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting body, over iTunes gift card scams.
The iTunes scams first came to light in May this year and, to date, victims have reported almost £520,000 lost to fraudsters.
Apple’s iTunes store sells music, movies and other media via digital download and the vouchers, which can be bought online and are widely available in supermarkets and high street stores across the UK, serve as a popular gift in an era where CDs and DVDs have been surpassed by digital download as the format of choice for many.
Fraudsters have sought to confuse people unfamiliar with Apple’s contactless payment system Apple Pay and trick them into using iTunes gift cards to pay for goods or services over the phone or online.
The criminals don’t need the physical card to redeem the value, and they trick victims into reading out the code over the phone or sending via email. Once they have the code, fraudsters can steal the balance of the card.
Action Fraud has received multiple reports of this approach being used across a variety of scams including loan scams, fake mis-sold PPI scams and schemes urging victims to take action against banking errors.
One victim reported losing £46,000 to scammers via iTunes cards.
A spokesperson for Apple said: “iTunes Gift Cards are solely for the purchase of goods and services on the iTunes Store and App Store. Should you receive a request for payment using iTunes Gift Cards outside of iTunes and the App Store please report it to Action Fraud”.
If you have been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud using their online fraud reporting tool.

Fresh warning over iTunes gift card scam


A fresh warning has been issued by Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting body, over iTunes gift card scams.


Nodding off in the middle of the day may be down to pollution generated by traffic, suggests new research.
The study shows exposure to traffic pollution is a trigger for daytime sleepiness - and may also trigger SNORING.
More than 12,000 adults were included in the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) study.
The findings show that people exposed to high levels of pollution had a 65 per cent greater chance of suffering from daytime sleepiness, compared to those who had no exposure.
Traffic noise in the bedroom was also a trigger - with people 46 per cent more likely to feel sleepy in the day if exposed.
And the research also suggests that people are also 29 per cent more likely to be a habitual snorer if they are exposed to traffic noise while they sleep.
Daytime sleepiness affected one in five people involved in the study, while one in four reported habitual snoring.
Ane Johannessen, an epidemiologist at Bergen University in Norway, wrote the study together with Professor Thorarinn Gislason and other Northern European researchers.
She said: “Exposure to traffic should be taken into account when planning treatment for patients with sleep disturbances, because reducing noise and pollution exposure in the bedroom may have a beneficial effect.
“Reducing exposure through relocating the bedroom away from pollution sources or making the bedroom more soundproof to protect against traffic noise, as well as mapping alternative and less polluted outdoor everyday routes may help patients with their sleep disorders.”
The study also showed that men, older subjects, smokers and those with lower education were more likely to report habitual snoring.
They were usually less physically active, with a higher BMI, and more likely to have a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Women, older people, smokers, and those with lower education were more likely to report daytime sleepiness.
The new research is due to be presented at the European Respiratory Society’s International Congress in London next month.
Professor Jorgen Vestbo, President of ERS and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester, said: “The question of who snores may be a running joke in some households but for many snoring is a serious issue, with direct links to physical and mental well being and the same is true for daytime sleepiness.
“We want people to think more about the environment around them and the impact it can have - from the way they sleep to the air they breathe.”
To coincide with Congress, the ERS will be holding some free public lung function testing, starting in Trafalgar Square on September 2 and 3.

Sleepiness linked to traffic noise and pollution


Nodding off in the middle of the day may be down to pollution generated by traffic, suggests new research.


British Transport Police have issued a warning after a gang placed wooden planks across a railway line and watched a train smash into them.
The gang are currently being hunted by police after the incident in Buckinghamshire on August 11, where a group were caught on camera putting large wooden planks across railway tracks.
A member of the public called 999 but before anything could be done, a train crashed into the planks.
The train was badly damaged but not derailed and there were no injuries. However, passengers said they felt the carriage ‘jump in the air’.
Investigating officer PC Jay Townsend used the incident as an opportunity to fire out a nationwide warning.
“This was an incredibly stupid thing to do and it beggars belief that someone would think this was a funny thing to do,” he said.
“Not only is trespassing on the railway extremely dangerous – with trains travelling well in excess of 100mph – but this could have caused the train to derail, and who knows what might have happened.
“We were lucky this time but acts like this can easily have fatal consequences.”
PC Townsend is now hoping to catch the culprits and bring them to justice.
“Although these images are grainy, we are releasing them in the hope that someone comes forward with information,” he added.
“Do you know who might have done this? Have you seen someone bragging about this on social media, or maybe uploading a video of themselves on the tracks?
“If you have any information, please get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016, quoting 505 of 11/8.

British Transport Police issue warning after train ‘jumps in the air’


British Transport Police have issued a warning after a gang placed wooden planks across a railway line and watched a train smash into them.


Matt Adcock reviews Pete’s Dragon, starring Robert Redford
Prepare to believe in dragons once more as the powers that be re-image Disney’s original boy-and-dragon story Pete’s Dragon.
Step this way or an adventure which sees unfortunate orphan Pete (Oakes Fegley) surviving in the wild thanks to his unusual best friend Elliot (a kind hearted furry green beastie).
Pete and Elliot’s worlds are shaken up when Pete runs into Forest Ranger Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard) who has somehow managed not to notice the wild boy and his giant green pal living on her patch of forest for several years. He’s whisked off to civilization and introduced to Natalie (Oona Laurence), an 11-year-old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber mill.
Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs, and the truth about his dragon – while the townsfolk decide to catch Elliot to make money out of him. Can the two mismatched kids and kindly dragon believing old timer Mr Meacham (Robert Redford) - who tells the local children tales of a dragon residing deep in the woods-– find a way to triumph?
Well, without wanting to spoil it, this is a Disney children’s fantasy but it does at least throw in some mild scares, a spot of tension and an impressive fire-breathing finale. This new take on Pete’s Dragon updates the 1977 live-action animation mixture removes lots of the cheese and adds some nice thought -provoking themes. Director David Lowery does a decent job in making the whole tale bounce along with a bittersweet grounding that should appeal to both kids and those who can still find their inner sense of childlike wonder.
Everyone goes about the fantasy fun and occasional peril with good spirit, Redford is the best I’ve seen him in years and the two young leads are very watchable. Howard has strong recent form with giant lizards after Jurassic World, plus there’s Karl ‘Star Trek’ Urban and Wes ‘American Beauty’ Bentley to round out a great cast.
Pete’s Dragon is a family pleaser which stands above the cash in summer kids efforts and is certainly worth a look.

Pete’s Dragon review: Family fun in tale of a fiery friendship


Matt Adcock reviews Pete’s Dragon, starring Robert Redford


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Are you a drill sergeant, a worshipper, a skipper or a teammate? Experts have identified four types of parent when it comes to teaching their children how to DRIVE.


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.


Minding your manners, avoiding emotional Facebook rants and knowing what cutlery to use are the modern day signs of class, according to new research.


Bryony Page may have wowed crowds by becoming the first Brit to win an Olympic medal on a trampoline.
But new research suggests injuries sustained from indoor trampoline parks are an “emerging health concern”.
The warning comes after a study recorded 40 children needed medical treatment at one hospital in the space of just six months after trampoline accidents at an indoor park.
Last week 25-year-old Bryony won a silver medal in Rio, performing twists and turns at a staggering 30ft.
But while many youngsters may wish to emulate her, researchers stress the danger of using indoor trampoline parks, where many kids bounce simultaneously, on beds placed in close proximity to each other.
Researchers reviewed the medical records of Australian children under 17, who sought medical treatment at a children’s emergency care department between July 2014 and January 2015.
The team focussed solely on injuries sustained whilst at a trampoline park.
During a six month period, the team recorded 40 child patients, 55 per cent of which were girls, requiring treatment for their injuries.
The average age of each child patient was 10, but the youngest was just a year old.
Most of the injuries, a third, occurred while the child was on the trampoline.
And a fifth - 18 per cent - of the injuries were caused by a failed landing.
But in eight cases, the injury was the result of several different children of different sizes using the trampoline at the same time.
The research, published in the journal Injury Prevention, revealed over half of the children (52.5%) injured were simply jumping and not attempting any flips or somersaults at the time.
Six children injured themselves by landing awkwardly on something on the trampoline, such as protective padding designed to prevent falls.
Bruising and sprained ankles were the most common injuries, with 55% of the children’s medical records detailing these.
A third fractured elbow and ankle bones.
But for five children, their injuries were more serious and required surgery and a hospital admission.
Author Dr Christopher Mulligan, from The University of New South Wales said: “Most children were injured while involved in simple jumping activities (52.5%).
“However, five children (12.5%) were injured while attempting somersaults or flips.
“Six children were injured when they came into contact with something while on the trampoline.
“This included two children who landed on balls, and four children who landed on, or caught their feet in, the less elastic padding surrounding them or the hard surface floor.
“In terms of the injuries observed, the majority of patients presented with a soft tissue injury or sprain ( 55%) or fractured bone(s) (37.5%).
“One child sustained a lip laceration. One child presented with concussion, and one with chest pain.
“The lower extremity was the most frequent site of injury (67.5%), followed by the upper extremity (15%).
“The most common sprains were of the ankle. The most common fractures were supracondylar fractures of the elbow and fractures of the ankle.
“There was one fracture/dislocation of a cervical vertebra. No patients sustained a loss of consciousness.”
He added children using trampolines at home are more at risk of falling off it as they are raised above the ground or falling through the padding.
But at centres “double bouncing, or multiple users on a single trampoline, carried a significant risk for injury.
“This occurred particularly when small children were jumping with larger peers
or other adults.”
The study was published in the BMJ’ s Injury Prevention.


Bryony Page may have wowed crowds by becoming the first Brit to win an Olympic medal on a trampoline.


The internet is 25 years old today and we take a look at 25 things the world wide web changed forever.
Happy 25th birthday to the internet! In August 1991, British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee published the first web page.
And on August 23, 1991, he gave the public access to it.
Handily, the page told readers how they could set up their own website, whatever the heck a website was.
You can view a version of that original web page here. Compared to what we have now obviously it is very basic but will go down in history as one of the most important developments of all time.

The World Wide Web is 25 today: Here’s 25 things the internet changed forever


The internet is 25 years old today and we take a look at 25 things the world wide web changed forever.


Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can
House plants can suck dangerous toxic chemicals out of the air - leaving it cleaner to breathe, according to new research.
The study shows certain species act like natural air fresheners - removing harmful chemicals from the air we breathe.
House plants can suck dangerous toxic chemicals out of the air - leaving it cleaner to breathe, according to new research
Research has shown the air in offices and family homes often contains pollutants leading to ‘sick building syndrome’ where people suffer a range of symptoms including headaches, fatigue, difficulties in concentrating and respiratory problems.
It has been estimated to blight the lives of up to three in 10 office workers. A study earlier this year estimates that annually nearly 100,000 people die from the effects of indoor air pollution.
Now new research has found the Scarlet Star (Guzmania lingulata), from South America and a member of the bromeliad family of plants, got rid of more than 80 percent of illness causing compounds.
That performed the best out of five plants tested, although the Dracaena Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana) soaked up virtually all of a particularly pungent chemical common in nail salons.
House plants can suck dangerous toxic chemicals out of the air - leaving it cleaner to breathe, according to new research
Native throughout tropical Africa, it is grown in many homes and offices within the UK, US and Europe.
Scientists say their findings show picking the right houseplant can clear the air of dangerous pollutants in homes and offices.
Printers and cleaning products give off potentially harmful chemicals known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
Dr Vadoud Niri, of the State University of New York, said: “Buildings, whether new or old, can have high levels of VOCs in them, sometimes so high you can smell them.”
House plants can suck dangerous toxic chemicals out of the air - leaving it cleaner to breathe, according to new research
VOCs are compounds like acetone, benzene and formaldehyde that are emitted as gases and can cause short and long term health effects when inhaled. They can come from paints, furniture, copiers and printers, cleaning supplies and even dry cleaned clothes.
Explained Dr Niri: “Inhaling large amounts of VOCs can lead some people to develop sick building syndrome, which reduces productivity and can even cause dizziness, asthma or allergies. We must do something about VOCs in indoor air.”
The most common solution is to install ventilation systems that cycle in air from outside or methods using adsorption, condensation and chemical reactions.
But using plants to remove chemicals from indoor air, known as biofiltration or phytoremediation, is much simpler - and cheaper.
House plants can suck dangerous toxic chemicals out of the air - leaving it cleaner to breathe, according to new research
In addition to carbon dioxide plants can take up gases such as benzene, toluene and other VOCs.
NASA began studying this option in 1984 and found that plants could absorb these airborne compounds via their leaves and roots.
Since then, other studies have looked at how plants phytoremediate specific compounds, such as the cancer causing chemical formaldehyde, in a closed space.
Most of these studies focused on the removal of single VOCs by individual plants from the ambient air.
But Dr Niri wanted to compare the efficiency and the rate of simultaneous removal of several VOCs by various plants.
So his researchers built a sealed chamber containing specific concentrations of several VOCs and monitored the VOC concentrations over several hours with and without a different type of plant in the chamber.
For each plant type, they noted which VOCs the plants took up, how quickly they removed them from the air, and how much was ultimately removed by the end of the experiment.
The researchers tested five common house plants and eight common VOCs, and they found that certain plants were better at absorbing specific compounds.
For example, all five could remove acetone, the pungent chemical abundant at nail salons, but the dracaena plant took up the most, around 94 percent of the chemical.
Dr Niri said: “Based on our results, we can recommend what plants are good for certain types of VOCs and for specific locations.
“To illustrate, the bromeliad plant was very good at removing six out of eight studied VOCs - it was able to take up more than 80 percent of each of those compounds - over the twelve hour sampling period. So it could be a good plant to have sitting around in the household or workplace.”
Dr Niri says the next step in the research is to test these plants’ abilities in a real room, not just a sealed chamber.
He would eventually like to put plants in a nail salon over the course of several months to see whether they can reduce the levels of acetone that workers are exposed to.
The other three plants studied were Jade plant (Crassula argentea), the Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) and the Caribbean Tree Cactus (Consolea falcata.)

VIDEO: House plants can suck dangerous toxic chemicals out of the air


House plants can suck dangerous toxic chemicals out of the air - leaving it cleaner to breathe, according to new research.


A TV company is on the hunt for separated families and parents across the UK, to take part in a new Channel 5 series.
The show, with the working title of The Modern Family, wants to talk to people who would like help resolving any issues they feel are getting in the way of co-parenting, or getting on with an ex-partner for the sake of their children.
Separation affects around a quarter of children in the UK, with the common belief being that being brought up by both parents after separation, where safe and possible, is in the best interests of a child.
“Breaking up with a spouse or partner is one of life’s biggest upheavals,” said a spokesperson for producers Pulse Films. “The difficult part is getting to the stage where separated parents are still able to do things for the sake of the child, like arrange a joint birthday party, or attend a parents’ evening together.”
So the team at Pulse want to film with separated mums and dads who may have moved on to other relationships, and are keen to sort out the issues with their ex for the sake of the children.
Francine Kaye, relationship expert, family mediator and author of Divorce Doctor said: “Kids don’t divorce, parents do. Paradoxically couples need to understand each other more during and after separation, than they did when they were together - in order to parent effectively.”
Working under the guidance of a trained therapist, anyone who has children with an ex and has difficulty with the complicated relationships this has created, can get more information by texting ‘FAMILY’ or call: 07983 640463 / 07555 242 993, by emailing: modernfamily@pulsefilms.co.uk, or by calling Janette Hodds or Lyttanya Shannon on 0207 426 5700.


A TV company is on the hunt for separated families and parents across the UK, to take part in a new Channel 5 series.


The chance to stay in one of the country’s biggest castles with the promise of Knight School, Horrible Histories and huge looming turrets to explore was like music to my eight-year-old audience’s ears.
“So we get to play all day, then have a knights’ sleepover as well?” Even with mum and dad in tow he knew he was in for something special. And I wasn’t unexcited myself.
At over 1,100 years old Warwick Castle offers its 21st century visitors free reign to explore magnificent stately rooms, dungeons and impressive grounds.
And its owners, Merlin Entertainments have brought history to life with a flaming fireball launch from the trebuchet (the largest in the world ), breath taking displays from enormous birds of prey, blood and guts from the Horrible Histories, spooks and ghouls undergrounds, jousting, archery, knights and endlessly more.
But the best part? Now, you don’t even have to go home. When the castle closes its gates the fun is only just beginning as another exciting adventure awaits – the promise of a sleepover in the shadows of kings.
The castle has been home - and imprisonment - to kings and earls, hosted royal banquets and parties and even has links to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. So the latest addition of year-round camping lodges at Knight’s Village really does mean a sleepover steeped in history.
No time to make it round the maze or see the joust? We can come back tomorrow morning after breakfast. The words are like magic to my little knight-in-training. And even mum and dad are tingling to wake up in such magnificent grounds after enjoying an evening by the river and some of the best views you could ever wish for.
An afternoon arrival showed us that a day at the castle just isn’t enough. But once evening arrived there really was a whole new adventure waiting.
Families can banquet in the great food hall where majestic thrones, flags and plates of armour take you right back hundreds of years. But what really grabbed our attention was the entertainment and chance for children to go wild.
The castle’s brilliant staff pulled everything out of the bag for the youngsters. Circus skills, archery, more knight and sword training – it was a summer Kids Club, but one where the grown-ups are elbowing to get involved as well. Though the less interested still get to enjoy a superb evening relaxing on the porch, watching the fun and basking in the last of the sunshine.
But of course, the centrepiece of Knight’s Village - the lodges. They’re great. With everything from mod-cons (plugs, and WiFi) to replica weaponry and armour, there’s something to keep all ages happy.
Unless you go for the premium, they’re on the cosy side. But with hundreds of years of history on your doorstep, there’s certainly no reason to want to cram inside and watch television.
And of course if it’s sunny and you have a taste for something a bit more medieval, you can get yourself booked up for Glamping and take on a huge cloth tent, complete with four-poster beds and a pair of thrones to watch over the evening entertainment as the sun sets.
It was as peaceful and entertaining a night as you could hope for, with happy children and happy mum and dad all looking forward to a return to the banquet for a hearty breakfast and another go at flag spotting.
The best bit about sleeping among the trees where inspiring history once unfolded? Waking up to stunning views in complete tranquillity. Looking out over the new camping village (which prides itself on not harming the historic grounds in any way and that not one tree was felled in its construction), you really can imagine yourself hundreds of years back in time.
And being able to head back through the gates to do it all again for a second day of exploring.
Warwick Castle’s Knight’s Village is as magical as you could expect from a stay in a truly historic location, and with activities continuing well into the night, acres of grounds to explore, and a historic town just metres outside, there’s no reason not to be excited.
Earning an excited thumbs up from mesmerised children, the stay really delivered as the perfect place to enjoy history on your doorstep this summer.
Warwick Castle’s Knight’s Village offers seasonal stays in Glamping tents or year-round accommodation in its wooden lodges. Prices start from £41.30 per person.
Visit www.Warwick-castle.com to book or more information.

TRAVEL REVIEW: Exclusive sleepover at one of the country’s biggest historical castles


The chance to stay in one of the country’s biggest castles with the promise of Knight School, Horrible Histories and huge looming turrets to explore was like music to my eight-year-old audience’s ears.


The choice of leaf-based beverages on offer has mushroomed in recent years, from builder’s tea or nothing, to every flavour from peppermint to rhubarb & ginger.
Now, a third generation of teas is brewing. This will concentrate less on exotic new flavours and more on health benefits as producers look to capitalise on a market that remains huge – with 165 million cups of tea consumed in Britain every day – but faces growing competition from coffee.
Tetley has looked into the tea leaves and predicts we are in for a range of “remedy” teas – enriched with medicines, from painkillers to antibiotics – some of which may even be offered as cures for hangovers and remedies for tiredness, the report suggested.
We can also expect tea to be consumed through an array of alternative “delivery mechanisms” such as tablets, jellies, sprays and sorbets, according to a new report Tetley has done with so-called futurologist consultancy Future Foundation.
“Britain’s love affair with tea is enduring. The way we consume tea has gradually evolved since the 17th century, but now we are entering a period of rapid change,” said Laurent Sagarra, head of product innovation at Tetley.
“The way we consume tea has gradually evolved since the 17th Century, but we are now entering a period of rapid change,” she said.
“We’re constantly innovating, grading, blending and tasting and now’s the time to see what’s next for the iconic British cuppa,” she added.
The proliferation of teas will give High street coffee shops a run for their month, the report suggests, with “tea-total” outlets offering a range of exotic tastes and flavours.
Nick Chiarelli, director of the Future Foundation, said: “Our report predicts that exciting and satisfying new tea formats will develop, and that tea will evolve to deliver personalised health benefits.”

New generation of teas could cure hangovers, report suggests


The choice of leaf-based beverages on offer has mushroomed in recent years, from builder’s tea or nothing, to every flavour from peppermint to rhubarb & ginger.


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


For anyone who has found the whole process of internet shopping too much like hard work Amazon has come up with a solution.


The most popular pet name in the UK is Charlie, according to new research into the names we choose for our animals by Pets at Home.
Pets at Home surveyed more than 800,000 pet owners through its My VIP club and has found the top 50 most popular names for each pet type. Whether the pet is a bird, cat, dog, fish, horse, reptile or small animal, Charlie was the clear winner with almost 34,000 of British pet owners choosing this name for their animal friend, topping the list of most common names for birds, cats and horses.
Poppy also proved to be a popular choice for many pets, particularly canines and felines, ranking at number one for dogs and number two for cats. Other common selections include Alfie, Bella, Billy and Molly.
George also ranked highly across all species with almost 10,000 of those taking part choosing this name within the top 50, again regardless of pet type, suggesting the young Prince’s influence may not end with toddler fashion and toys.
The world of entertainment, particularly children’s cartoons, appear to have had an effect on the names owners select. Bird based film Rio saw the film’s title rank in 10th place for birds, while classic cartoon character name Tweety came in at number 32.
Bestselling book A Cat Called Alfie may have inspired cat owners, with Alfie being the eighth most popular name for cats. Winnie the Pooh fans are meanwhile drawn to Tigger, which ranked at 11 in cat names. Demonstrating that classic films can still influence our decisions, Thumper, who appeared in the 1942 film Bambi, is still the seventh most chosen name for rabbits. Nemo, is the second most popular name for the nation’s fish following Goldie in first.
Gavin Hawthorn, Group CRM Director, said: “It’s interesting to see that just as popular culture and famous faces influence what we name our children, likewise, these trends can help the nation’s pet owners select a name for their animals. It seems likely that children being allowed to name their first animal friend forms a big part of the naming process, particularly among the film and TV inspired monikers.
“However, it also seems that books and even the Royal family are also helping Brits to decide on what to call their pet. Meanwhile Charlie and Poppy scored highly across species, suggesting that cute, traditional names will always appeal when it comes to naming our pets.”
Top 10 names for British pets by species
Top 10 names for dogs
1. Poppy
2. Alfie
3. Bella
4. Charlie
5. Molly
6. Max
7. Daisy
8. Bailey
9. Ruby
10. Lola
Top 10 names for cats
1. Charlie
2. Poppy
3. Molly
4. Bella
5. Oscar
6. Daisy
7. Tilly
8. Alfie
9. Millie
10. Smudge
Top 10 names for small animals
1. Daisy
2. Fudge
3. Nibbles
4. Poppy
5. Rosie
6. Charlie
7. Thumper
8. Fluffy
9. George
10. Harry
Top 10 names for reptiles
1. Spike
2. George
3. Rex
4. Charlie
5. Sid
6. Monty
7. Bob
8. Leo
9. Rango
10. Sheldon
Top 10 names for fish
1. Goldie
2. Nemo
3. Bob
4. Bubbles
5. Fishy
6. George
7. Fred
8. Jaws
9. Dave
10. Tom
Top 10 names for horses
1. Charlie
2. Jack
3. Rosie
4. Molly
5. Harry
6. Alfie
7. Billy
8. Poppy
9. Murphy
10. Lady
Top 10 names for birds
1. Charlie
2. Joey
3. Billy
4. Bobby
5. George
6. Blue
7. Alfie
8. Rosie
9. Sky
10. Rio


The most popular pet name in the UK is Charlie, according to new research into the names we choose for our animals by Pets at Home.