The Courier 1405

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Fashion Natalie Portman’s Oscars cape: a feminist statement or media stunt?

Page 15

TV Despite Trump’s scorn, Parasite finds its new host on HBO Page 24

Monday 2 March 2020 Issue 1405 Free

Arts Does political art bring us together or tear us apart?

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The independent voice of Newcastle students

Est 1948

Diamond Strip bars threatened with closure Alex Walker Over Christmas 2017, an investigation into city centre drug dealing forced four clubs to temporarily close their doors. The police have asked the Council to review the alcohol licence of the Apartment Group once again.

Bars managed by the Apartment Group, including House of Smith, Florita’s, Madame Koo and The Empress, were shut down from late December 2017 to early January 2018 after an investigation into cocaine dealing. The investigation – Operation Doncaster – ultimately saw 20 people, including promoters, a bar manager, doormen and drug dealers, jailed for a total of more than 50 years.

During the initial closures, police seized £17,000 in cash as well as an estimated £14,000-worth of cocaine from the venues alongside an imitation pistol which was held as evidence alongside the drugs. Undercover police reports claimed that drug dealers would roam freely between the clubs and were given “celebrity status”, bypassing queues and entering VIP areas without being searched.

night-time economy in Newcastle.

“We have a duty to keep the public safe and will take this course of action if we feel it is necessary and proportionate.”

There will be a 28-day consultation period, after which a hearing will decide whether the Apartment Group will keep their licence or not. House of Smith has been reached out to

for comment.

This news comes as it has been announced that the number of people in the North East using the hard drugs, such as heroin and crack cocaine, has risen continuously over the past 15 years, with the region recording a total of 903 drug-related deaths from 2016 to 2018. This means that in 2018 the North East

saw an average of 96.3 deaths related to drug misuse for every one million residents, the highest level in the country at almost triple the rate in London.

The report found that the North West and North East now have the highest rates of illicit opiate and/or crack cocaine use in the UK, with an estimated 2174 opiate and/or crack

cocaine users in the Newcastle. A review commissioned by the Home Office attributes the increase in violent crime primarily to the drugs trade.

Police drug seizures in the North East from 2018 to 2019 included 27g of cocaine, 2kg of crack, 8kg of heroin and 999kg of herbal cannabis.

The estimated value of the cocaine

by the police during the £14k seized winter 2017/18 bar closure

They kept their licence after presenting evidence that they were working to ‘put preventative measures in place’. However, in the wake of reports of further drug use at House of Smith, the licence has been placed under review once again, and the Apartment Group bars are reportedly in danger of closure yet again. The report submitted by the police includes a staff member involved in the supply of drugs who received a caution for possession of a Class A drug, and concerns over a “lewd and sexualised” promotional sign that was used during Freshers’ Week.

The police have also voiced fears about both the use of drugs by other staff members and patrons on the premises, and the failure of staff to report it.

Northumbria Police Chief Inspector Steve Wykes argues the force was “left with little choice” but to request a review.

Wykes continued, saying: “We are very disappointed that we are in this position considering all the work that we have done to engage with licensed premises as part of Operation Doncaster. That investigation sent a strong message to businesses across the city that they needed to work with us to drive drug use and criminal activity out of the city centre.”

“But we have found evidence that suggests they have failed in this duty and we have been left with little choice but to take this course of action.”

Wykes also spoke about the goals of investigations like this: “I want to be clear that the vast majority of businesses in the city centre continue to work well with police and key partners to safeguard those who enjoy the

Northumbria Police have voiced concerns over drug consumption and sales on the premises Image: Molly Greeves

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thecourier Editor: Grace Dean

Deputy Editor: Molly Greeves The Courier, NUSU, King’s Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB Tel: 0191 239 3940 Email: editor.union@ncl.ac.uk

Current Affairs Culture News 3

courier.news@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Aimee Seddon, Carl Smith Valdez, Em Richardson, Emma McLaren & Sophie Wilson

Comment 8

courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Aastha Malik, Joe Molander & Kelly Corcoran

Life & Style

Life & Style Editor: Nimra Rafique

Lifestyle 11

Culture Editors: Charlotte Boulton & Ella Williams

Music 22

c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Dom Lee, Jagoda Waszkowiak & Joe Smith

Television 24

c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amy Brown & Sophie Hicks

Film 26

c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Elisabetta Pulcini, Gretchen, Joe Holloran, Lucy Lillystone & Steven Ross

c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Catherine Entwistle, Cecilia Adamou, Holly Margerrison & Jess Herbert

Arts 28

c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Kajal Patel, Phoebe Eyles & Shamara Mohsin

courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Alex Darbyshire, George Boatfield, James Troughton & Shawn Khoo

Fashion 14 Beauty 17

courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Ellie James & Rashida Campbell-Allen

Travel 18

c2.arts@­ncl.ac.uk Editors: Caitlin Rawlings, Charlotte Slinger & Lauren Sneath

Gaming 30

Friday used to be the best day of the week.

When I was in primary school, Friday meant the start of a weekend full of bike rides, books and Bratz. When I was in secondary school, Friday meant the start of a weekend full of meeting friends, going shopping in Leeds, and working on the tills at Tesco (which really wasn’t as bad as it sounds). When I became a student, Friday meant the start of a weekend full of nights out, coffee trips and pints with the lads.

And now I have my first full-time, real-life “adult” job, and Fridays should indicate a weekend full of freeeeeedom. Sadly, Fridays mean long nights in the Courier office nowadays - this bad boy has to get send off to print somehow. Having to do this alone would be unendurable, but my wonderful fellow editors make my very late Friday nights more than bearable. Thank you guys, I love you.

IN MEMORIAM OF

NEWFESS

This isn’t an easy thing for me to write. Newfess was a gift to us all, and though it was deeply traumatising at times, we here at the Courier will miss it every moment of every day.

From sexual oversharing, to political debates where both sides are horrifically wrong, we’ll miss being amazed at and disappointed by our student body. We’ll miss people pointing out our newspaper’s spelling mistakes and insulting our editor’s existence.

We’ll miss tagging our friends in predictable posts that clearly aren’t about them.

Rest in peace to our dearest Newfess.

NSR Show of the Week

BANGERS AND TRASH

Wed 8-9pm Don’t be fooled by the title that literally has the word “trash” in it, Molly Greeves’ Wednesday night show is the place to be. Well, it’s not a place. But you know.

From the bitch that brought you absurd ramblings about Newfess posts, Bangers and Trash is an hour of great music and absolute nonsense. Greeves talks to her dear friends about pop culture, music, university life and whatever else comes up within the hour.

Playing everything from female-driven hip-hop to sad-boy acoustic tunes, critics are calling the bangers “absolutely fire” and the trash “even better”.

From the archives

c2.science@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Eleanor Gratton, Patrick Harland & Seshadhri Subramanian

Puzzles 35

editor.union@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amanda Goh & Cayla Viner

Sport 36

Online Editor Tom Hardwick Social Media Managers Alicja Dryer, Holly Agar and Rose Hinds

Musings from the editor

Science 32

courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amy Harris, Beth Robson & Meggie Williams

Food 21

Monday 2 March 2020

editor.union@ncl.ac.uk Editor: Emma Dawson

Head of Sport: Rebecca Johnson courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Rory Ewart, Stan Gilyead, Toby Bryant & Tom Moorcroft

The Courier is printed by: Trinity Mirror Printing, Barton Road, Middlesbrough, TS2 1UT The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of the Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of the Courier, the Students’ Union or Newcastle University.

Get involved in student media

Established in 1948, the Courier is the weekly student newspaper of the Students’ Union at Newcastle University produced by students, for students.

Any Newcastle University student can write for the Courier and it’s never too late to get involved as a writer, illustrator or photographer.

We hold our drop-in writers’ meetings on Wednesdays during termtime in the Planning Room of the SU from 1:30pm to 2pm, so come along to find out a bit more about us. Our next meetings are on Wednesday 19 and 26 February. Unable to attend? All our leftover articles get posted in our Facebook groups; simply search ‘the Courier 2019/20’ and the name of the section you’re interested in.

For more information, visit thecourieronline.co.uk, or email editor.union@ncl. ac.uk or the relevant section email listed above.

Our next print edition will be available on campus on Monday 24 February.

Newcastle Student Radio (NSR) is our award-winning radio station run by students, for students. On air since 1997, NSR runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week with shows ranging from music to comedy, politics, sport and news. We have a wide range of opportunities to learn the tricks of the radio trade, from hosting your own show to event organisation and live punditry, and you don’t need any experience to get involved. For more information visit the NSR Facebook page and listen live at thisisnsr.co.uk.

NUTV is our high-action, fast-paced television branch. Founded in 2007, NUTV produces both on-demand and live broadcasts, covering current affairs, entertainment, music and sports, allowing students to experience the world of TV production. Whether you want to present on camera, direct and produce from behind the scenes, flex your editing muscles, or write and develop ideas, check out NUTV. For more information, email nutv.union@ncl.ac.uk.

Grace Dean looks through the archives to trace Newcastle’s campus history

This week in 2008, campus was plagued by the Beast from the East Image: the Courier archives

12 YEARS AGO

T-shirt crawls banned

The same week that the Courier interviewed Jacqueline Wilson, it was also reported that the Student Council made the bold move to ban t-shirted pub crawls. The motion meant that the pub crawl companies which were abundant in Newcastle would no longer be able to advertise or sell t-shirts around the building. It was worried that this ban would cost the Union approximately £20,000 a year in missing bar revenue and marketing income, but fears over student safety overruled this. Such crawl companies were argued to contravene the Union’s Sensible Drinking Policy, with the tragic case of an 18-year-old Exeter student who passed away in 2006 during a pub crawl as part of a Golf Society initiation serving as an example of the dangers of such events. Initiations have since been completely banned by NUSU. Adele’s debut 19 was slated by the Courier with the review giving it only a 3/10 rating.

The writer argued that, although Adele “can really sing”, the problem is “when she starts to write songs. Overachingly sensitive to the point of insincerity, great gluttonous globs of sound flop from the album like mockney beached whales. It’s a terrible shame that the powers that be have selected Adele for stardom, but there you have it. As she herself might say, whateva.”

29 YEARS AGO

President assaults staff

Then President of the Students’ Union Karl Holweger was suspended by the University and faced criminal charges after allegedly assaulting Scandinavian Studies lecturer Glyn Jones in the car park of Newcastle Airport.

The lecturer suffered from “a haemorrhage to his right eye, a bruised jaw, bruising around his right eye, cuts to his lips and hand and a bruised kneecap”. Because Holweger was

employed by the Union rather than the University, he was unable to attend meetings with the University but could otherwise continue as President, and the other sabbatical officers showed their support by boycotting University meetings. Holweger admitted to police that his “hatred” for Jones had “very personal overtones”, but would not elaborate further.

In April of that year, Jones failed to appear in court and all charges against Holweger were dropped. It was rumoured that the University was investigating Jones’ conduct under a “removal of academic staff” statute.

30 YEARS AGO

Pro-life meeting picketed

During a pro-choice demonstration outside Newcastle City Hall, demonstrators clashed with police resulting in the detention of one Newcastle student. A public meeting held by the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) was picketed by over 100 students from Sunderland, Newcastle, Northumbria and Durham Universities alongside local women’s groups to protest again proposed amendments by Conservative MPs Anne Widdercome and Anne Winterton to restrict infertility treatment to married women and to reduce the time limit on abortion.

At the demonstration, which took place on a Monday evening, initial police presence was minimal, but intensified when four coaches of SPUC supporters arrived to attend the meeting, which had roughly 700 attendees.

A police guard was formed to force demonstrators back and clear a bath for them into the Hall. The situation was intensified still when a SPUC supporter made a Nazi-style salute to the crowd. After the meeting started at 8pm, demonstrators attempted to enter the meeting but were forced back by a line of arm-linked police officers. It was estimated that in total nine police vans, five of which were unmarked, and three police cars were waiting in the Civic Centre Car Park, with ap-

proximately 60 policemen in attendance. A member of the University’s Socialist Worker Student Society was detained by police for obstruction.

32 YEARS AGO

Rocky road for Geology

It was announced that the University’s Geology Department would face partial closure, with Single Honours Geology ceasing to be taught after 1989 and academic staff in the department being reduced from 13 to eight.

It was declared that Geology undergraduates would be instead taught at Durham University, while the Geology remnants at Newcastle would have a “strong research role” instead. This was decided in a meeting of the University Grants Committee’s Earth Science Review, which intended to create a Northumbrian Earth Sciences faculty where the universities would “play to areas of strength”, with Geophysics at Durham corresponding being closed in favour of Newcastle’s course.

Students picketed the pro-life meeting Image: the Courier archives

news Coronavirus test developed 3

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@TheCourier_News courier.news@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/news News Editors Aimee Seddon, Carl Smith Valdez, Em Richardson, Emma McLaren & Sophie Wilson

at Northumbria University Alex Walker

Researchers at Northumbria University have made a significant breakthrough in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases, such as the coronavirus.

Breath contains biomarkers, like DNA and RNA, which have the potential to allow doctors to diagnose diseases of the lung and beyond. The technique is so revolutionary, partly due to the fact that the technique is non-invasive, but also because of the recent coronavirus outbreak.

Breath contains biomarkers which have the potential to allow doctors to diagnose diseases

Systems that diagnose from breath sampling have not proven to be reliable enough due to contamination, sample loss and variability issues in breath analysis. However, the university has said that the new device resolves those issues so that data collected through this method closely resembles results from lung samples taken surgically.

It is hoped that this technology could also be used in the diagnosis of other health issues, including lung diseases, liver problems, diabetes, cancers, brain and ageing diseases.

Dr Sterghio Moschos, Associate Professor at Northumbria University, lead the development of this new medical technology. Dr Moschos explains: “Our ambition is to reduce the need for bloodletting for diagnosis

in its broadest sense. The research evidence that shows this is possible is well established, what is missing is the standardised and reliable approach to do so outside the research lab: in pharmacies, GP surgeries or the back of an ambulance”.

It is hoped that this technology could be used in the diagnosis of other health issues

Dr Moschos also spoke about the value of the testing technology in airports: “In the case of coronavirus, temperature monitoring in airports is not sufficient. The World Health Organisation currently recommends testing nasal swabs, oral swabs and swabs from inside the lungs to avoid missing the infection. That’s why it’s vital that we develop non-invasive, quick and costeffective tests for diagnosis and screening.”

“It’s vital to develop non-invasive, quick and cost-effective tests for diagnosis”

Dr Moschos

The invention of technology which might be used at airports in this way could be used to prevent the spread of coronavirus to other countries, and is therefore of paramount importance at the current time. Eight Britons have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, as well as 73,000 worldwide.

The research was done at Northumbria University Image: @northumbriauni on Instagram

Sexual Violence and the Law talk on campus Alex Gervás On Monday the 24 February, Rianna Curran, a support group officer for It Happens Here Newcastle, gave a presentation on the law in cases of Sexual Assault and Violence.

The presentation was meant to take place during the “Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week,” in the first week of February, however it had to be postponed.

The primary purpose is to educate on and campaign against events of sexual violence while “giving victims a voice”.

The talk took place in the Hadrien Building on campus Image: @ithappensherencl on Instagram

The primary purpose is to educate on and campaign against events of sexual violence

Rianna Curran, 21, is a 2nd-year law student and a sexual violence activist. When explaining the reason for leading this talk, Rihanna said: “As a law student, I felt like it was important for me to do a talk about the

legal issues […]. And it’s an aspect of the law I’m very passionate about.”

The talk raised 3 main points: Attrition, rape myths and the reporting and legal process.

Attrition involves the loss of cases from the level of police to the level of conviction. Curran explained the effect of Attrition in Sexual Violence cases through data that illustrates the gap between the number of victims and the number of convictions. According to SARC centre: “Approximately 85,000 women experience rape, attempted rape or sexual assault by penetration every year.” However, only 5.7% of the cases reported end in a conviction of the perpetrator.

But, Curran emphasised, throughout the presentation, the impact and influence myths surrounding rape can have on juries, victims and society. According to End Violence Against Women, for instance, “24% think that sex without consent in long-term relationships is usually not rape”.

Curran explained how these myths affect the possibility that victims will report, as well as explaining some of the reasons behind the justice gap behind the convictions for sexual violence. “It’s such a low conviction rate for such a hideous crime,” said Curran. “There

is an imbalance between how the victim is treated and how often the perpetrator is let off.”

Only 5.7% of the cases reported end in a conviction of the perpetrator

When talking about the legal proceedings, Curran stopped to talk about reports and the different ways that a victim can come forward. For instance Rape Crisis Centres were highlighted. These centers can store evidence of an assault up until seven years after it has occurred so that victims can come forward anytime they choose.

For the court, it is essential to have physical evidence, whether this is pieces of clothing, medical exams or even texts. Even then, the jury will focus on whether the victim “sounds believable.”

Curran ended the presentation offering support outlets, such as It Happens Here Peer Support Group for female survivors in university, saying: “Remember you’re not alone.”

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Monday 2 March 2020

Student fundraises for MIND with hot tub hire Ruby Story Dartford

Harry Strudwick, a biomedical student at Newcastle University, has launched ‘NCL Hot Tub Hire’ on 10 February.

The launch comes after recent tabloid events alongside personal news that the father of his close friend has taken their own life. A JustGiving page dedicated to NCL Hot Tub Hire has stated: “As heart-breaking as it was, it has been a source of inspiration as I realised then and there that this business venture would be the perfect opportunity to raise some money for a good cause.”

"I realised the business is perfect to raise money for good causes"

Harry Strudwick, NCL Hot Tub Hire Founder

Out of its proceeds, 20% will be donated to

MIND, a charity supporting individuals experiencing any mental health problems.

The hot tub rental service is based in Jesmond, with prices starting at £25 per day. The services will include the hot tub being delivered straight to the customer’s door.

In an interview with the Courier, Strudwick boldly claims that he has “never been so excited about anything before” and is “thoroughly enjoying” the opportunity regardless of those who mocked his idea.

He said: “It started off as a joke and no one really believed I would do it. I was discussing it with my amazing father, and I started to realise how rentals could actually work, considering how close we all live.”

Strudwick said that he will continue to “raise as much money as [he] can”. Whilst he states that his university work takes priority, he admits that he is “enjoying the ride and seeing where it goes”.

NCL Hot Tub Hire will be running a charity raffle fundraiser on 6 March at Bar Blanc in Jesmond in collaboration with 'Fancy', a new phone app that delivers food and drinks around Newcastle for approximately 30 minutes.

Ticket buyers are given the opportunity to win one of three prizes: a three-day hot tub experience, a snacks hamper worth £100 or a two course dinner and a bottle of wine at Bar Blanc.

Whilst university takes priority, Harry is “enjoying the ride and seeing where it goes”

Tickets can be bought on UniTub.co.uk until 7pm on the day of the event. The JustGiving page is also available for further donations.

Some students have considered this as a unique way of fundraising for charities. An anonymous Masters student studying Sociology said: "Hot tub rentals for charity is a fun and interesting way of standing out to other fundraising ideas.

"New innovative ideas might be mocked at first, but they can make a real difference once it gains interest from social media and public discussions."

NCL Hot Tub Hire is based on Jesmond.

The services start from £25 per day Image: @nclhottubhire on Instagram

Strikes may leave Cardiff students unable to graduate Monika Song

A leaked email from the president of the Student Union at Cardiff University has caused major concern about the aftermath of UCU strikes on affected students.

The University College Union (UCU), which represents University staff members across the nation, has begun a 14-day period of strikes on February 20. Members across 74 UK Universities are joining in to address poor contract conditions, lack of pension schemes and a gender pay gap for both academic and non-academic staff.

While many students across the country have supported UCU members in the strikes, concerns were raised on how they may affect the academic progression of some students.

With many lecturers not attending both classes and meetings,

UCU strikes are disturbing many students' degrees Image: Flickr

as well as not responding to emails, a significant number of students will be affected.

According to a leaked email by SU president of Cardiff University, Jackie Yip, some students may not even be able to complete their degree in due time: “Confidentially, further strike action will now mean some of my students will have missed so much content that they will not be able to graduate this year, even if there are mitigating actions put in place. We have not told students this as we do not want to cause panic and, behind closed doors, I am doing everything I can to protect my students. I am sure this may be the case in some of your Unions”.

Some students have responded with a counter-campaign

Some students at Newcastle University have responded with a counter campaign to the UCU strikes. The group Students Against Strikes (SAS) have held up a poster citing the concern that some students “will not be able to graduate”, which was raised in

the leaked email.

The SU President claims that the email was blown out of proportion

However, SU President Yip has told Wales Online that the email was blown out of proportion: “The email shared was never meant for public distribution and it is unhelpful to consider in isolation of the broader and complex situation. We do not know the full impact the strikes will have on students across all programmes. Yes, the university is having to plan for all outcomes, but they have confirmed it is their priority to ensure students can graduate - so we really hope that will be the case.”

The UCU has issued a statement emphasising that the “blame for strikes lays squarely at the door of university heads”: “students were being held to ransom by vice-chancellors who were not even prepared to discuss the issues at the heart of the two disputes.”

Uni launches project to reduce language inequality in Arabic-speaking countries Grace Piercy

Newcastle University is leading a project to reduce the academic and social disadvantages caused by delayed speech among children in Arabic speaking countries. The project will identify pre-school children in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and the West Bank.

This project is being undertaken because research has shown that children (0-4 years) who have difficulties using and understanding language are more likely to have worse life chances than children whose language develops normally. Consequently, they are likely to have worse results in school, work, and in their personal well-being.

The leader of the project, Dr Khattab, a Lecturer in Phonetics and Phonology, said “the foundations for a child’s life are laid between birth and when they are four-years-old...

However, little focus on language develop-

ment in preschoolers is evident in (Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and the West Bank), leading to later detection of language delay- but this reduces the chances of success.”

Research has shown that children with learning difficulties are likely to have worse life chances

The project wants to address the lack of resources available to assess children. The team will adapt the Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) - used to assess vocabulary and language development - across Arab states and make it freely available online. The team will also be looking at the home lives of children with delayed speech, both in how they learn as well as their exposure to lan-

guage. They will also investigate the effects of multilingualism, childcare provision and life in refugee communities.

Khattab said “the aim of our project is to work with professionals from various fields of early childhood development to produce tools which will support pre-schoolers during the time period that is crucial for intervention...Long-term, this will help to address educational and social inequalities in this region”.

Newcastle will undergo this project alongside researchers from the University of Plymouth. The team will work with NonGovernmental Organisations involved in the education of refugees and with Government Ministries to inform them of the importance of language development and help shape policy towards it.

Professor Caroline Floccia, from the University of Plymouth, said: “We have been working for a number of years on tools to assess early Arabic learning...Arabic is not one

uniform language, we have tailored the CDI to work across a total of 17 different dialects...

This project will allow us to do that across national and linguistic boundaries. And by

The Newcastle project aims to improve address educational inequality Image: PXHere

putting these tools into the hands of people on the ground, we will ensure our work is making a difference.”

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news Newcastle research helps predicts Parkinson's Disease Monday 2 March 2020

Elisabetta Pulcini Film Editor

Recent research conducted by Newcastle University experts suggests that cognitive decline caused by Parkinson’s Disease might be predicted by a blood test, which could help identify early signs of dementia or motor impediments.

According to lead investigator Dr Gabriele Saretzki, Newcastle University’s lecturer in ageing research, “the development of suitable blood-based biomarkers to predict outcomes is important for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, which progress over many years”.

The study focused specifically on telomere, a compound structure at the end of a chromosome, and its length as a predictor. Telomere were shorter in patients with Parkinson’s compared to healthy patients. A difference was also identified when comparing patients with the disease who developed dementia after 36 months, and those who still had the disease, but didn’t present such symptoms at the same time.

"Parkinson's diagnoses are set to rise by nearly a fifth by 2025"

Parkinson's UK Analysis

disease that affects the brain cells responsible for the production of dopamine. According to the NHS website, this causes three main symptoms: tremors, slow movement and stiff muscles. Although treatments can vary from physiotherapy to brain surgery, a definitive cure has not yet been found.

"Blood-based biomarkers can be used as predictors for Parkinson's Disease"

Dr Gabriele Saretzki

According to Parkinson’s UK analysis, Parkinson’s Disease is an increasingly common disease.

The analysis mentioned that “Parkinson’s diagnoses are set to rise by nearly a fifth by 2025”, mainly because of the aging population.

The Co-investigator for the research, Dr Roger Baker suggests that its findings might help in the pursuit of a cure. He said: “Being able to reliably predict the clinical path a patient with newly diagnosed PD will follow would greatly help in terms of planning their treatment now and in the way we do trials of disease-modifying interventions in the future.

This study provides an example of how this could be done using a simple blood sample.”

The research suggests that progression of neurodegenerative diseases can be predicted by blood-based biomarkers Image: @drfelty on Instagram

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative

Experts consider 'contraceptive Sherry Coutu CBE named pill' for grey squirrel population David Goldman Professor Lucy Adams

Canadian Entrepreneur, philanthropist and angel investor Sherry Coutu CBE has been announced as Newcastle University’s latest David Goldman Professor, and will give a lecture on 12 March in the David Goldman Lecture Theatre. A statement released by Newcastle University reported that in this role her focus will be “to extend the connectivity and interdisciplinarity of programmes at the Business School and its commitment to pioneering innovation.”

Coutu became an angel investor in 2000, and has invested in over 50 companies

Experts are trying to control the grey squirrel population Image: needpix

Alex Walker A contraceptive pill is being researched by the UK Squirrel Accord (UKCA) as a means of controlling the grey squirrel population.

Grey squirrels are considered vermin, damaging the native red squirrel population, as well as broad leaf tree species. Researchers are working to stop them reproducing at their current level, aiming to turn an injectable formula into an oral contraceptive, which will be placed in a species-specific food dispenser and delivered to the species.

The Eastern Grey Squirrel originated in North America, but has spread all over the world. It is universally considered a highly invasive species and a serious threat to local populations, especially the red squirrel, which is considered threatened in the UK.

The red squirrel population in England is said to be as low as 15,000. Grey squirrels are also carriers of a disease called Squirrel Parapox Virus, which does not influence their health, but often kills red squirrels.

Grey squirrels damage the native red squirrel population

The threat to the red squirrel is considered so serious, that it was part of a key House of Lords debate on February 13th, which focussed on threats from tree pests and diseases and was directly highlighted by more than half of the speakers. The Earl of Kinnoull, hereditary peer and Chair of the UKSA and Red Squirrel Survival Trust, described the

goals of the research to “perfect a suitable active substance and hopper delivery method to allow fertility control to shrink grey squirrel numbers significantly, allowing forestry a chance.”

The actions of UKSA were also commended by Lord Gardiner of Kimble, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity, who also commented on the fact that the UKSA is receiving support from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The project, if successful, will also have a financial benefit. Grey squirrels are costing the English forestry in excess of £40 million per year, according to Baroness Byford. The project will last five years, and is progressing well, suggesting that there may be a humane, effective, and less labour-intensive way of controlling the population.

Coutu has earned degrees at the University of British Columbia, LSE and Harvard University, studying political science with economics, economics, and business respectively. She worked at Anderson Consulting in financial services before moving on to Coopers and Lybrand where she headed a shareholder value analysis unit in corporate

finance. Following this, she applied to Harvard Business School, “not thinking [she] would get in”, where she was president of the European Club and specialised in entrepreneurship.

Coutu became an angel investor in 2000, and has invested in over 50 companies. She promotes the unique role that angel investors play: not only do they fund start-ups, but “mentor companies and help them learn how to make their product work”.

Among other companies, Coutu is the founder of Founders4Schools and Silicon Valley Comes to the UK (SVC2UK). Founders4Schools is an outreach programme that promotes its goal to “to connect students to the people who create jobs: entrepreneurs and business leaders. And we do this because we want to make it really simple for students to understand what sort of opportunities they can pursue. At the end of the day, we want kids to follow high-impact career paths that bring them genuine enjoyment.”

SVC2UK, an event in London, provides a platform for interaction between more experienced investors, philanthropists and CEOs, and people creating their own products and businesses. Coutu highlights the value that this provides by enabling more junior founders to explore the trajectory of entrepreneur, to founder, to investor.

Sherry Coutu apoointed David Goldman Professor Image: Newcastle Uni Press Office

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news 6

Monday 2 March 2020

Grainger Market celebrated

Market voted 'Britain's favourite' Fiver Fest returned to Newcastle in February Elsa Tarring

At the Great British Market Awards in January, Grainger Market was named Britain’s Favourite Market.

After obtaining enough online votes from the public to secure its place the top ten markets in Britain, the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) has revealed that Grainger Market was subjected to “scrutiny from mystery shopper visits” in order to test the standard of its customer service. Scoring 100%, the market then won the award for Britain’s Favourite Market.

Over 12,500 public votes were cast in the whole competition, and Grainger Market was joined by Chester Market and Hull Trinity Market, among others, in the top ten.

NABMA runs the annual competition, and is an organisation which describes itself as the

‘national voice of markets since 1919’. The association represents and promotes local markets, and puts on this event to recognise their hard work.

Designed by architects John Dobson and Richard Grainger, Grainger Market opened in 1835 and is home to hundreds of local traders and businesses, selling a selection of food, clothes, and books. It was commended

by NABMA for its “strong links to its community” and the ease with which it “proudly balances its heritage [and] the needs and aspirations of a new generation of shoppers and traders.”

This year’s awards ceremony was held in the Council House in Birmingham on 30th January, with awards ranging from Best Indoor to Best Speciality Market. Swansea Market took the prize for Best Large Indoor Market, while Belfast Christmas Market was awarded the title of Best Market Attraction.

Hannah Bentley

Traders in Grainger Market celebrated National Fiver Fest from 15-29 February by charging just £5 for some of their products.

Fiver Fest is a volunteer-led movement promoting independent businesses and supporting local economies, and more than 17 retailers and cafes participated in Newcastle.

Hannah Percival, from ‘Ellen’s Cosmetics’, says Fiver Fest is about “helping people to shop locally”. Fiver Fest was created by the organisation Totally Locally, based on the idea that “niceness makes business tick”, and is so popular that 103 towns across the UK particpated in February.

Grainger Market is central to Newcastle’s long tradition of strong support for independent businesses. Danielle Steadman, of ‘Pumphrey’s Coffee’, believes Fiver Fest

“brings people into the market”, and as a business that has “been here [Grainger Market] a long time” it would be “rude not to get involved”.

Tian Allsop, of ‘Having a Party’, echoes this sentiment, saying that, normally, “students don’t like to go to the market”. Allsop thinks Fiver Fest shows students that while “in a chain shop with £5 you can’t buy much”, the market has “good value and good quality”.

However, the traders participating in Fiver Fest were a minority of those in Grainger Market. Time will tell if this is thought to have limited the overall success of the event.

In December, a poll from the National Federation of Small Businesses showed confidence in the domestic economy has fallen to its lowest in eight years. Posters throughout Grainger Market claim that if every adult in Newcastle spent £5 more each week in independent businesses, over £58 million

extra each year would circulate in the local economy. February was the third time Fiver Fest has run in Grainger Market, and Leslie Armstrong, of ‘Scented Melts’, says Fiver Fest has been “really successful”.

Despite this praise, few people said Fiver Fest drew them to the market, when asked if they knew about the event. Local shopper Mark Cooper claimed: “I hadn’t really noticed the event was happening”.

Asked why it's important to support local businesses, Economics Student Joe Molander said "If we don't support local businesses, funds are drained from the local area, and go to either other countries, or areas of the country that don't actually need the funds, like London. Given the regional inequality that exists already, the local area can't afford to be drained of more money. We should all make more of an effort to contribute to our local economy".

Grainger Market, voted Britain's favourite, recently hosted Fiver Fest Image: Flickr----

BioDynaMo: Uni develops program for simulating brain tumour growth

Jude Mockridge

A multinational effort, made by Newcastle University in collaboration with University College London, The University of Cyprus and CERN saw the monumental creation of a freely available program for assessing the development of brain tumours.

Where previously, such simulations were limited to the confines of research laboratories, needing advanced computers, PHD student Jean de Montigny points out “The advantage for scientists and medics is that BioDynaMo can be used on standard laptops or desktop computers and provides a software platform which can be used to easily create, run and visualise 3D agent-based bio-

logical simulations.”

In this respect, Newcastle and researchers abroad have not only succeeded in creating an accessible and potentially indispensable tool in the assessment of cancerous tumours, but have made a huge stride in mechanobiology.

Researchers have made a huge stride in mechano-biology

Mechano-biology is an interdisciplinary and still emerging field, sitting at the interface of biology, engineering and physics, and focuses on how physical forces and changes in

the cellular mechanical properties contribute to development, physiology and disease. This recent program is an example of the vaulting speed mechano-biology and related fields have taken in the previous decades.

One of the first tumour simulations, created in 2006 by a team led by Dr Vito Quaranta of Vanderbilt University, sought to determine the invasive potential of a cancerous growth, likening the mathematical principles surrounding the estimations to a weather forecast. Based on the assumption that the macroenvironments surrounding cells are the principal force determining their fatality, Quaranta describes the process of estimation as “if the experimental data don’t fit the predictions from the model, either the experiments or the model need to be corrected, you

go back and forth, and every time you get a new result, you correct the model, and you’re a little bit closer to reality.”

The programme targets glioma, which accounts for 80% of malignant tumours

This guiding principle has powered BioDynaMo. Where the former program took 8 hours to predict 4 months of tumour growth (on the most advanced computers), the new program moves at a rate far quicker. BioDynaMo ambitiously targets glioma, accounting for 80% of malignant brain tumours.

After creating a 3D model of the tumour, it “encompasses the role of cell migration and adhesion, the influence of the extracellular matrix, and the effects of oxygen and nutrient availability”.

Whilst the primary development of this program was undertaken by Newcastle University, CERN lent their immense knowledge large scale computing, with Cyprus and UCL assisting with expertise in multiscale modelling.

Asked about the significance of this new development, Science Editor Patrick Harland said "Our uni continues to be ast the forefront of the fight against cancer, following up its recent development of drugs to combat breast cancer, with this exciting method to combat brain tumours".

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the courier

campus comment

Monday 2 March 2020

Molly Greeves and Joe Molander @courier_latest courier.news@ncl.ac.uk courier.comment@ncl.ac.uik

Letting loose on landlords Sophie Wilson rants about the treatment of students by letting agencies

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andlords: you’re paying them for a roof over your head, they’re receiving money. This simple transaction should surely not cause too many grievances.

Introduce students into this equation, however, and the relationship becomes corrupted.

The portrayal of student culture in the media is such that people of everyday society believe all that we do is go out partying, buy three trebles for five pounds and then sit at home all day watching endless Netflix. Whilst there may be some days where this is true, the media fail to recognise that we work bloody hard.

The NUS reported that 27% of people challenged deposit deductions

Recently on BBC news, studies have found that unfortunately students have been neglected by their landlords. It has been reported by the NUS that deposit deductions at the end of student tenancies have been unfairly taken. For some people, this has meant that hundreds of pounds have been taken out of their accounts. The Victoria Derbyshire programme stated that it had heard from dozens of students who had been penalised beyond the legitimate reasons that deposits should be deducted for. In 2019, the NUS’s 2019 Homes Fit for Study report revealed that 27% of people asked said that they had formally challenged deductions, and 24% who had not formally challenged them disagreed with them.

Money is evidently a huge part of students’ lives. We hear of people eating beans on toast for days on end, so that they can afford a night out at the weekend. We hear of the heating only being turned on for an hour a day so that students can afford their rent with their student loan. We have no income besides this loan, and so deducting deposits unfairly is evidently going to hit the wrong chord with students. But is money the only problem that

students have with their landlords, or does our ‘inferior’ status in society make it easier for us to be forgotten about or conned by the system?

Upon conducting research, it has been found that many students have problems with their landlords. One issue that seems to arise is the issue of privacy. An anonymous source from the University of Cumbria claims that her landlords “just turn up, let themselves in, and walk around the house unannounced”. Is this something that a tenant who was not a student would accept? There is a basic privacy right here, surely, that is being breached. If a student is told that no one will be in their house without notice, then why is this happening?

Privacy is not the only issue, however, as the state of the house, both at the start of the tenancy and during it, also appears to be an issue. Another anonymous student has told that upon moving into their house, they had to spend twelve hours cleaning. There was mould to remove from their walls, they had to throw out old shoes and cutlery, and they even “found pubes in drawers”. If this was not enough, there was a bath in the allocated parking spot!

It appears that students are not good enough to deserve landlord's respect

Two students here at Newcastle have experienced similar issues. The first source tells that a toilet from a flat above them flooded, and that they “had poo from the flat upstairs literally raining from our ceiling once”. This problem then became even more of an issue when the landlord “said ‘I’ll bring some cleaning products over’. He didn’t”. A similar issue arose in another student house here, when their landlord “just came one day and dug up the back yard and opened up the sewage system”. They then proceeded to leave it open right next to the book door. When the system then froze over, the “sewage started rising so that there was literal poo floating in our

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back yard”. It seems that the cleanliness of student houses is also overlooked, yet I’m sure money would quickly be deducted from students if they were to leave the house in the same manner.

It appears that students are just not good enough customers for landlords to deserve their with respect. It is only our future doctors, engineers, lawyers, MPs and journalists that are being treated like this, and so surely it does not matter that much? I mean, who needs a clean house to watch Come Dine with Me anyways…

UK universities spent £1.3 million on gagging orders Emily Hawksley discusses universities' silencing of victims

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t has been reported that UK universities have spent £1.3 million on “gagging” clauses to stop students from going public with complaints of sexual assault. This involves students being pressured to sign non-disclosure agreements and some even being threatened with expulsion if they go public about their assault. Nearly a third of universities have used NDAs for student grievances since 2016 and Universities UK has said that they should not be used to silence students.

Nearly a third of universities have used NDAs for student grievances

Images: Joe Molander

It is shocking that there is such a lack of support for students going through such a traumatic experience, especially since universities are supposed to have a duty of care for its students. One victim even said that the way she was treated afterwards was much worse than the actual assault which further exemplifies the failure of universities to offer kind and considerate support for their students and how the wellbeing

Group work?

of students is at the bottom when it comes to the priorities of universities. Members of staff have also discouraged the classmates of some of the victims from contacting them, and thus isolating them in a time where they would desperately be in need of support from friends and members of staff rather than be bullied into silence.

Nearly a third of universities have used NDAs for student grievances

Data says that 45 of the 134 universities which responded to Freedom of Information requests sent by the BBC, said that they used NDAs. It has also been revealed that 300 students have signed NDAs after complaints since 2016. The number of times the use of NDAs has been abused by universities is unacceptable, particularly in the age of the #MeToo movement where more people are coming forward about incidents of sexual assault and harassment. However, universities are effectively silencing the voices of these students instead of empowering them to speak out if they ever have any concerns, and so emphasises the hypocrisy of some universities especially if they pride themselves in giving students the power and freedom to express their views.

Joseph Caddick

roup Work. Those two words are dreaded by any student in any university across the country. It's scary enough doing essays for yourself, but when other people are relying on you it's a completely different type of nightmare.

One reason there’s so much trouble with group work is that people have different approaches to working. Some people like having work done ASAP, others prefer tackling the stress closer to the deadline so it’s one quick burst. Similarly, some people aim for 100 on every assignment, some will settle for 65 on tougher ones, and others just want to pass. These differences in mentality inevitably result in tension, it’s happened countless times before and it’ll happen countless times again.

Advocates of group work will say it helps you “get to know people on your course better”, and here’s my response to that; if you're constantly clashing with someone over your different approaches, how are you supposed to “get to know” anyone? It’s not a social exercise, and shouldn’t count towards our grades if it’s meant to be. Maybe (and only maybe) it's okay in first year when you just need 40 to pass and you can meet new people, but anywhere after that it's the blemish on many students’ academic records. If you think icebreakers are awkward and unbearable, group work makes them look like a 5-star holiday in the Bahamas.

Another concern is the randomness of the groups. If you get five people who you work well with and/or can choose your group, you're far more likely to get a high grade than with two people you work well with and two you don't. From my experience though, you have to work with people inside your seminar group, so there’s an immediate limitation on who you’re able to work with. Likewise, some modules have students from different points in their academic journeys, be they third years or postgrads on a second-year module. That’s another immediate problem, as they’re perhaps more familiar with certain software that is necessary, for example. What group you end up in is ultimately up to chance, and that limits the usefulness of group work as a form of assessment. When we're paying £9250 a year in tuition fees, we shouldn't be getting a lucky dip of people to work with like we’ve bought a pack of Pokémon cards, we should be getting an education experience that doesn't make us want to rip our hair out.

Students on my course have even discussed avoiding modules that use group work for assessments. In a survey I sent out, over 90% of students said they would want to avoid group work in the future. It's an anchor that's weighed us down this semester, in both marks and morale. It's an ancient relic of a format that brings nothing but misery to the hard-working people on our course, and undoubtedly many others.

For the sake of student wellbeing, I’d say we need a serious reworking of how group work is handled by universities. It's cumbersome, stressful, and often results in marks that cause further stress and upset. There’s no real advantages to group work when compared to any other type of assessment.

If it's not abolished, it needs modernising, and fast, before any other students have to endure the pain of group work.

comment

the courier

Monday 2 March 2020

@courier_latest courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/comment Comment Editors Aastha Malik, Joe Molander & Kelly Corcoran

INSIDE DOWNING STREET

Picking up the pieces after the reshuffle Lilla Marshall considers what the cabinet reshuffle teaches us about Boris Johnson's attitude

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ominic Cummings - er I mean, Boris Johnson - has reshuffled his cabinet. In doing so, he has highlighted a structural flaw within the parliamentary system.

The UK does not have a presidential system, although Boris Johnson seems pretty determined to change that. An important difference between the two systems is scrutiny. When we cast a vote in the general election, the public did not vote for the country to be led by Boris Johnson, we voted for it to be led by the Conservative Party. In this cabinet reshuffle, Johnson hasn’t done a good job at reflecting that.

Was

The day started off with the dismissal of Julian Smith, the previous Northern Ireland Secretary, presumably after Johnson and him clashed over Brexit negotiations.

Smith had been credited with helping to get Stormont (the Northern Irish parliament) back up and running, after years of deadlock. The sacking therefore sent a clear message: Johnson does not care about your talents, he cares that you know how to say “yes”.

This was shown yet again with the treatment of Sajid Javid, the ex-Chancellor, who was asked to either replace his advisers with those selected by Johnson and Cummings, or leave. Looking at the historic role the Chancellor has in keeping the government in check, it is quite horrifying to see Javid – who did often stand up and openly disagree with the PM – replaced by the more loyal Rishi Sunak.

Who is meant to keep a Prime Minister with an eighty-strong majority in line? Who is going to

tell him when he makes a mistake if he’s so willing to replace anybody who doesn’t tell him exactly what he wants to hear? This all feels like it could develop into something very dangerous, or at least profoundly stupid. Reshuffles should help promote new talent within a party, not help the Prime Minister gain more power over that party.

While Johnson is far from the first to abuse the system like this, he definitely highlights its flaws.

r o f e l f f u h s e r the

ent m a i l r (the in Pa ideal scenart x e n the moment, the hat's two sides ofio).theAt negotiating w s r table e d n o are quite far apart, but there is most definitely p d n room for malleability, especially with key sources of cabiide, a s t net in-fighting vanquished. h g i r b different perspec-

n the tive, it starts to make a little o s k more sense. an loo The cabinet i reshuffle is being talked about as a n a am form of centralisation – a way of making 10 Downing r b u S Street the most powerful it has ever been in recent times Sesha here has been a lot – and this view is not without merit. But when looked

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of talk about how the new cabinet reshuffle is a power grab by 10 Downing Street. The feeling was compounded by the resignation of Sajid Javid as Chancellor, and his replacement by Rishi Sunak, widely seen as a yes-man for the Prime Minister. But once these changes are looked at through a

In ligh t of hi s hirin g of a

? t s e b e h t

Image: Wikimedia Commons

at through the eyes of Brexit (among other things), the changes make more sense. Brexit may have been downplayed in the recent news cycle, but it remains the key issue this year for the United Kingdom. In 10 months, Prime Minister Johnson’s promise of leaving the EU with or without trade deals will come to fruition. This means that the government has 10 months in which to sort out as much as it can, and get the UK out as unscathed as possible. The last thing Number 10 needs now is a stubborn, disagreeable cabinet that’ll hold Johnson back.

When the transition period comes to an end, Britain has acknowledged that there will be friction at the borders when the first lorries roll off in Calais and Dover. And that is even if it secures a Canada-style trade deal

Cabinet will become more useful in matters relating to Northern Ireland

Another key aspect of the negotiations with the EU is Northern Ireland. Both the government and EU have differing views on what checks mean when it comes to the border there. Having an Attorney General like Suella Braverman will be more beneficial to the government when it comes to advising them on their legal obligations under Northern Irish protocol. Brandon Lewis as Northern Ireland Secretary will also create a more cohesive cabinet, capable of leaning towards the position that 10 Downing takes.

For the first time in years, every great office of state is now held by someone who campaigned to get out of the EU in 2016. The point of Brexit was to leave EU: any difference of opinion in cabinet – while good for discussion and debate – will only slow down the time-bound and crucial process.

Is Cum staffer who w ming as pro-eugeni cs, Fa s ' s i n E fluen ye Navesey asks ce ou the question t of h : and?

v e r y Prime Minister has advisers, but few have been quite as reminiscent of Malcolm Tucker as Dominic Cummings. This power he has over the Prime Minister sets a dangerous precedent, and it is unwise for us to allow a person like him to have such influence over our politics.

This week Cummings came under fire for hiring Andrew Sabisky, who made derogatory remarks about ‘enforced contraception’ and suggested black people have lower IQs. Whilst these views did not come from Cummings, it does call into question the process he is using to recruit staff. His desire to hire “Misfits and Weirdos” in Number 10 has apparently trans-

Images: Wikimedia Commons (Javid) and Business Insider (Leadsom)

lated into eugenicists. This controversy shows that the current government is being influenced by hateful ideas and that Cummings’ influence is completely out of hand.

Another issue is that Cummings is unelected and unaccountable. Johnson was elected, which regrettably means he has the right to propose any policy he sees fit. But what he does not have the right to do is hand power to someone who people did not vote for and has never held elected office. To make things worse, when journalists try to hold Johnson to account, he refuses to answer with any degree of seriousness and seems to speak only in riddles. Whilst he may think that responding to a question on HS2 using the theme tune from the show PJ Masks portrays him as a new, unorthodox kind of political figure, it just shows the contempt with which he holds criticism, and how desperate he is to escape political scrutiny.

Cummings’s influence on politics is nothing but destructive. He has now made it so that the things you would expect to hear from a crazed conspiracy theorist are now coming directly from Downing Street. He must be held to account or he risks creating a long-lasting destructive influence on the polity.

Images: The Telegraph on YouTube (Cummings) and BBC Newsnight on YouTube (Sabisky)

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comment

Monday 2 March 2020

Politicial tensions in Venezuela: one year on Tom Leach looks at what has changed since the 2019 uprising

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ince the invasion and conquest by the Spanish in the 16th century, led by Hernan Cortez and his conquistadors, the political situation in Latin America has never been particularly stable.

The current favourite example is arguably that of Venezuela; the location of a failed coup against the government of famously anti-neoliberal and anti-imperialist (in the image of his predecessor Hugo Chavez) President, Nicolas Maduro, in February of last year. In a rather ironic move, opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself (unelected) President of Venezuela over concerns regarding the legitimacy of Maduro’s re-election. Guaidó received the backing of many definitely-not-biased world governments which definitely had no ulterior motives related to Venezuela’s large and nationalised oil fields. Regardless, concerns were raised about the efficacy of many of Maduro’s economic policies.

From the get-go, the attempt at regime change in Venezuela against Chavismo politics was never going to be easy

However, one year on, has anything changed?

From the get-go, the attempt at regime change in Venezuela against Chavismo politics was never going to be easy. Maduro maintains the support of the armed forces, a key facet in any political revolution. Also, importantly, Maduro still reigns supreme in the eyes of the poor and rural classes to whom Chavismo was engineered to ap-

peal to. Guaidó is the candidate of the white urban middle classes, who, despite the common perception online (these are the people with access to the internet and twitter etc.), do not accurately represent the wants of Venezuela as a whole. If anything, Chavismo is resilient, and regardless of their complaints about Maduro, Venezuelans know that the US-backed opposition does not have their best interests in mind.

The only real threat is the all-too-common US-imposed economic sanctions

The only real threat currently is the all-too-common US-imposed economic sanctions. Guaidó has struggled to make any real moves as a result of this; the popular support for his National Assembly is a media exaggeration at best. The only real threat currently is the all-too-common US-imposed economic sanctions, though these are just threats at the moment.

If Maduro is to be toppled, they must provide a better alternative to the rural and working classes.

Instead of arguing about her death, the issue we should be discussing is the media and their toxic hounding of celebrities in the media, vis a vis Princess Diana and her tragic death. Flack’s death could have been avoided if the media did not hound her with the vigour at which they did. Despite what she may or may not have done, no one deserves the treatment she endured under the media’s gaze.

No one deserves the treatment she endured under the media's gaze

Whether or not she was guilty of abuse we may never know, but what we can take from this tragic event is that the media’s dogmatic hounding of Flack and other celebrities of interest is toxic and ultimately benefits no one but themselves. Is a sensationalised story really worth someone's life? I highly doubt that anyone would answer in the affirmative. So why does the mass media seem to be invulnerable to valid criticism, that they themselves seem to peddle on a daily basis? As consumers of mass media it is up to us to change the way in which mass media writes about celebrities.

Em Richardson

Image: Wikipedia

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Quite rightly, the nation has been saddened by Caroline Flack’s death. It’s horrendous to think that anyone ever feels the need to end their own life.

In Flack’s case, it’s also devastating to think that the intensive media scrutiny she faced contributed to her suicide, as many people have stated.

Yet, in the wake of her death, I do think that people seem to have forgotten why the media started to criticise Flack in the first place. At the end of the day,

Alex Walker

efore we start ranting, let me state a fact.

Your tuition fees are invested in corporate finance, about 80p per seminar goes to your teachers, and much less for lectures. You are NOT entitled refunds over missed lectures, at best about £4, about a pint. A pint…while your lecturers lose thousands from their pensions.

Secondly, if your biggest concern over your education is money, rather than gaining a meaningful education, then what’s the point? Your lecturers have devoted themselves to the pursuit of higher knowledge, the betterment and advancement of mankind.

They deserve the money more than any useless lazy student.

Thirdly, it’s not their fault. Blame Chris Day, blame the consumer culture and casualisation of education.

Blame the Tories, or your own stinking culture and its broken, rotten, attitude. Blame yourself. Or, moan, because you’ve lost a pint. There’s a word for what you are, but Grace won’t let me publish it…

CHICKPEAS

Image: President of Russia

Our writers discuss Caroline Flack and whether negative past should be ignored post death

We can all agree that the death of Caroline Flack was a tragedy that could have been avoided. Yet in the aftermath of her death, we must ask ourselves if the way we mourn celebrities is sufficient.

Twitter has been filled with outpourings of love and compassion towards Flack and those close to her, but as is usual with twitter, there are a few who wish to erase all the negatives in Flack’s life, including the allegations of abuse towards her partner.

However, many people, myself included, have decided that all people must be held accountable for their wrongful actions.

STRIKE COMPENSATION

TOAST OF THE WEEK

Celebrity death: mourning and ignoring?

Patrick Young

SOAPBOX

she was arrested for allegedly hitting her sleeping boyfriend over the head with a lamp.

Domestic abuse should not be trivialised

Since her passing, this act has been dismissed as ‘an argument that got out of hand’, with her supporters protesting that ‘arguments happen in every relationship’. Personally, I think this is massively insulting to survivors of domestic violence, who shouldn’t have to have their experiences trivialised.

Spreading the idea that such behaviour is ever ‘normal’ is toxic and, in the worst-case scenario, may even discourage some victims of such behaviour from seeking help. Whilst it’s true that the media provided excessive, and often scathing, coverage of Flack’s fall from grace, we shouldn’t use this as an excuse to claim that media criticism is the sole ‘reason’ for her suicide. After all, she had been accused of a serious crime, and her actions were scrutinised as a result.

Though the media covered Flack's fall from grace, they were not the sole reason for her suicide

Of course, Caroline Flack is just the latest in a long line of celebrities to receive such treatment, with any negative behaviour forgotten after their deaths. Moving forward, I think we need to remember that it’s perfectly acceptable to be sad that someone has died, without acting as though their actions are suddenly above all criticism, simply because they have passed away.

If you have been affected by any of the issues that were brought up in this article, please contact: Samaritans: 116 123 National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

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Isabel Ellis

he family favourite legume that seemingly creeps its way into my life every week. A chickpea in my opinion is one of the most versatile food options the world has ever seen; who knew about the capabilities this little bean had? Having previously been a vegetarian, me and chickpeas began our love affair in attempts to create a super tasty meal on a super tasty budget.

Aldi’s finest, for only 30p a tin, makes it affordable on all levels and surely a staple in everyone’s cupboards. Be it a curry, a salad or even a cake, chickpeas are truly just the gift that keeps on giving. Packed with vitamins, fibre and minerals and of course being the most essential ingredient in hummus (pardon the rah-ness of that sentence) there is no way any other legume can compare. If you do not share the same sentiments, I would urge you to think again, as the world would truly be a very different place without our saviour the chickpea

ROAST OF THE WEEK

THE PACER

Y

Rae Farren

ou’re at the station. You’re heading home for the holidays, or perhaps on your way to visit a friend at another uni. You’re armed with a good book, a contented heart and a scenic train ride ahead of you. A time of blissfully gazing at the countryside and…

NOT TODAY say the train gods. You catch the first glimpse of your steed – a glorified bus hastily plonked on rails, decrepit, abominable, exhausted as it limps along the platform. On board you are cramped next to a sweaty man whose body takes up half of your tiny seat. The window is too high up, the noise of the diesel engine is deafening, and you can count yourself lucky if the toilet works. More seriously, a wheelchair user is left behind disappointed because these bastards are not wheelchair accessible.

It’s time to put these relics of the 1980s where they belong: on the eternal scrapheap of hell.

life&style

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Monday 2 March 2020

c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk @Courier_Life thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle Life & Style Editor Nimra Rafique Lifestyle Editors Catherine Entwistle, Cecilia Adamou, Holly Margerrison & Jess Herbert Blind Date Editor Holly Mawdsley

Blind Date Kindly Sponsored by The Hancock

meets Toby Edkins

Third Year Genetics

Jamie Lambert

First Year Chemistry

Tell me about yourself.

I’m a really fun, open minded and light hearted person.

Why did you sign up for blind date?

To hopefully find someone to spend time with on an intimate level.

What was Jamie like?

Jamie was really friendly and confident which I liked a lot, it meant conversation flowed very naturally and easily. He was also very straight-forward and to the point, which I enjoyed as I am too. I got the impression that he was really work orientated and liked the finer things in life and as conversation progressed found that we don’t have too much in common.

Tell us about yourself.

I’m fun, bubbly and fierce. I have a big personality and need someone to match that.

What did you guys talk about on the date?

We talked about a lot from star signs to accents but the majority of the conversation was mainly based around uni life and our friends and families Although he didn’t ask very much about me at all.

If Jamie was a drink what drink would he be?

He is a boujie flavoured gin and lemonade.

What went badly was the amount that we disagreed on quite big topics What went well and what went badly on your date?

The Hancock was a really nice setting , the food and the staff were very nice.

What went badly was the amount that we disagreed on quite big topics but mainly for me that he didn’t really ask much about me and talked a lot about himself. He also mentioned a few things that weren’t necessary like money and how much people in his family earned. Also when I told him I was vegetarian for the environment he said how he didn’t care about the environment and didn’t think eating meat made much of a difference, which I found small minded.

What was Jamie’s best feature? Both looks and personality?

I really liked his hair, it was very curly which I love. Personality wise I’d say definitely how up front and self-confident he was.

What is the most interesting thing you learnt about Jamie?

That his sister is an actress on the west end and has been in loads of mint shows.

What did you think Jamie thought about you?

He probably thought that I was a bit airy fairy. I think he was practical minded so wasn’t as into/didn’t really get when I was talking about star signs stuff.

Will you see each other again?

I doubt it as I don’t think there was anything romantic there.

What is your usual type?

I don’t really have a usual type, I like someone who is able to challenge me and make me work.

What were your first impressions of Toby?

I thought he was a genuinely nice person.

What did you make of The Hancock for your date location?

Good relaxing location, and the food and drinks were great.

I know you had pizza on the date, if Toby was a pizza which pizza would he be?

Margahrita, he’s nice but you would only eat it if you didn’t like any of the other pizzas, you’d have it if you got offered it.

Did you guys have a lot in common?

We talked a fair amount about general life but not much we had in common.

Did you find out anything interesting about Toby?

He told me about his genetics course and having to leture six groups of 20 people in second year and that he was wanting to do midwifery. I found it interesting, as I would find that quite intimidating.

He’s got a heart of gold and deserves someone lovely Toby said you disagreed on some topics, how did that go?

Probably about food we eat, like about eating meat maybe. We both have different opinions on it which is fine.

What is Toby’s best feature?

He’s got a heart of gold and deserves someone lovely unfortunatley we are just very different people. I do wish him the best because he’s honestly so lovely.

Will you meet Toby again for a second date?

Probably not, we are both very different people and at different stages in our life.

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the courier

life & style lifestyle

Monday 2 March 2020

What’s the future of feminism?

Emma McCartney evaluates whether International Women’s Day is a celebration or realisation of what’s left to achieve

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n the 8 March every year, International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide. This United Nations observance, which dates all the way back to 1909 (though recognised globally since 1975), celebrates the women who have fought for gender equality, and reminds us of how far we have come since the suffrage movement at the beginning of the twentieth century.

However, to me, International Women’s Day is all about highlighting the struggles women and girls continue to endure today. It is a reminder that we are yet to obtain total equality. Needless to say, we have come far in the last century, but there is still a long road ahead.

As many people will be aware, gender-inequality is one of the primary reasons for the ongoing UCU strikes, as here at Newcastle University there is a pay gap between approximately 18-20% between male and female members of staff. This is the case in countless places of work across the country and I, like so many others, am furious that this kind of injustice and discrimination is still occurring today.

However, it is International Women’s Day that is approaching. We must address and take action against the gender inequality that is occurring across the globe, and not just on our doorsteps.

Gender inequality is one of the primary reasons for the ongoing strikes

It is important to remember the advances women have made across the world in recent years, however these achievements also remind us that gender-discrimination is not a thing of the distant past. Women in Saudi Arabia were only granted the right to vote in 2015. And abortion was only legalised in Northern Ireland a mere few months ago, in October 2019, along with same-sex marriage.

Of course, these are wonderful achievements of recent years, and a cause for celebration, but it is a terrifying thought that these human rights were still in dispute and not simply a given. And these matters are still not fully resolved globally.

about recognising the work that is yet to be done to achieve gender equality and making plans to tackle the continued suffering of women across the globe.

If you can read the above statistics and still believe that gender-inequality is a non-issue in the twenty-first century, then you need to wake up. Please, celebrate the progress we have made over the past century. But do not forget the discrimination and abuse women across the globe suffer every single day. We are still a long way off gender equality. The fight continues.

In a great many countries, abortion is still illegal and child marriage is is legal

In many countries, abortion is still illegal, and worryingly, child marriage is legal in many countries, with the legal marital age for girls in Sudan, for example, being just ten years old (compared to fifteen for boys). Millions of girls worldwide are forced to marry before the age of eighteen, and often to much older men, who they have not previously met. These are issues that we are yet to tackle and must remember this International Women’s Day. Sexual violence is also a major issue for women across the globe. A staggering 15 million girls aged 15 to 19 worldwide have experienced forced sexual activity, of which only 1% sought professional help. And at least 200 million women and girls between the ages 15 and 49 have undergone genital mutilation, often before the age of five.

Further frightening statistics are that 20% of women in the UK have experienced sexual assault since the age of 16, and 31% of women currently aged between 16 and 24 are reported to have suffered sexual abuse in childhood.

The theme of International Women’s Day 2020 is “I am generation equality: Realising Women’s Rights”. It is all

The theme of International Women’s Day is “I am generation equality: Realising Women’s Rights.”

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com

Image: Instagram: Natalia.Oskiera

Overspent and overwhelmed? Don’t be Images: Instagram: @Fempirefinance

Amanda Goh teaches us how to reign in the overspending and budget like a boss

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udgeting as a student is essential for university.

A 2016 study found that 43% of students don’t budget their spendings, thus it is no surprise that 7 out of 10 students are stressed about their finances.

Managing your money may seem like the last thing on your mind, on top of deadlines, reading and lectures, but developing good budgeting habits will help you throughout your student life and even in the long run.

According to financial behaviourist Syble Solomon, students are more likely to struggle with budgeting when they make decisions based on their emotions. She states that “students need to think through the ‘what if’ questions and be prepared for situations when they will spend money without thinking.” This way, you account for sudden events and you will be less likely to throw your budget out of order.

The first thing to do to improve budgeting is keep it simple. Consider how much money you would typically receive during a semester and divide the amount to see how much money you can spend a month. When I get that figure, I would split it up even more and put 10% into savings. This way, you are able to have some extra money for emergencies.

Apps such as Monefy and Monzo will help you track your spending every month

Next use an app to manage your budget. Apps such as Monefy and Monzo will help you track your spending every month. You are able to enter how much money you

have spend on specific activities such as eating out and utilities. This way, you are able to be more aware of what you are spending your money on. And if you are aiming to save, you will be able to see what activities you need to spend less on. Setting parameters of your spendings will enable you to be more aware of how much money you have and where your money is going.

As a student, save some extra cash by taking advantage of student discounts. Apps like Unidays will allow you to search for discount codes for various shops. Hundreds of companies offer discounts for students from gyms to clothing brands. Take advantage of these discounts, you won’t be a student forever!

While going out for a bite always seems tempting, you should also learn to cook your own meals to save you some cash. Packing your own lunch the night before will definitely save you some money which you can spend on your next night out! You can also be more strategic at the grocery store. Try to avoid going to the supermarket hungry as this will result in you throwing random things in your cart. During these times, your eyes are definitely bigger than your stomach!

In addition to shopping at the reduced section, try to buy more store-brand items are they may be significantly cheaper at the same quality. Also, shop at markets such as Grainger Market where they have cheap vegetables, fruits and even meat!

Following some of these tips will definitely help you with budgeting in the upcoming months! Try to avoid unnecessary expenses and keep them for a rainy day!

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lifestyle life & style

Monday 2 March 2020

Who should we celebrate on IWD? Yasmine Bridge documents some amazing and unknown women we should be remembering on Women’s Day

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ith International Women’s Day fast approaching, it’s important to know why we celebrate, and indeed who we should be celebrating. You may also be wondering how best to spend the day.

From the Suffragettes to Malala Yousafzai, there are so many women, throughout history and currently who deserve to be publicly celebrated for their work in women’s rights. And, with so many fantastic women who go unnoticed, we should also give some attention to those lesser known names this year.

grading treatment that often came associated with low paid jobs. Although the strikers were ultimately defeated, Desai was unwavering in her position, highlighting the message that women should not and do not have to accept such conditions and treatment.

Carmen Barroso has dedicated most of her life to fighting for women’s rights regarding access to healthcare

For instance, we must thank Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) for her contributions to politics and education, resulting in increased gender and race equality. By opening the “Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls” she paved the way to increased education and knowledge, particularly for girls, following a period which denied black people the right to education during the slave trade. Politically, she risked her own safety

Image: Instagram: @haifamagazine

lar-

Image: Instagram: @ellecreate_

(particu-

ly sexual and reproductive). A feminist from an early childhood in Brazil, Barroso went on to become a director at the MacArthur Foundation. It was here she helped voice the stories of women from developing countries experiences with healthcare, bringing it to attention at the International Conference on Population and Development. The conference saw the recognition of sexual and reproductive health as an essential right. She also went on to become a director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

These are just some of the women we ought to thank (all year round) and celebrate on the 8th March. So how can you spend International Women’s day this year, ensuring you demonstrate gratitude and awareness? Most major cities around the UK have events planned to mark the day, such as Newcastle’s UV themed walk or run. Whether celebrating on the streets or striking the #EachforEqual pose, we should recognise how lucky many of us are, without denying the fact that there is still a long way to go. From an international perspective, women across the globe are still struggling with inequality and endure mistreatment. So, amidst the celebrations, it’s crucial to stay aware of this, and do everything we can to help change the situation for t h e s e women.

How to celebrate IWD2020 Lucy Adams discusses why it’s essential for women to empower women, not just on International Women’s Day

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efore you ask: International Men’s Day is November 8th. That’s the end of that conversation.

As we anticipate International Womens’ Day, and as we begin Women’s History Month, the themes of personal identity and action collide with that looming Western legacy within everyone who identifies as a woman: a mixture of pride and anger, looking back on millenia of achievement and disenfranchisement.

This year, the UK public elected more women in parliament, writing and scrutinising our laws and budgets, than we ever have; 34% of all MPs who legislate for our 50% female population. Representation within entrepreneurship and investment is alarming, revealing that the visibility of movements for social equality does not equate to actual systematic change – financially, women remain marginalised – and there are many who argue that in a capitalist society, money is power.

The visibility of movements for social equality does not equate to actual systematic change

13% of senior members of UK investment teams are women, and only one in five startups who receive funding are founded by women. Diverse business environments have been proven more profitable time and again, yet this is often ignored in favour of cognitive bias and discrimination.

Within the film industry, women made up 35% of

speaking characters in the 100 highest-grossing films of 2019. Whilst many film festivals such as Cannes, Toronto and Venice have newly committed to a “5050×2020” pledge, agreeing to total transparency with regards to representation on executive boards and within their film selections, it is clear that our stories and our voices are still far too scarce.

The Academy Awards’ refusal to nominate a single woman for the Best Director award emphasises that the “glass ceiling” problem that permeates discussions of gender is one we carry into 2020 – the endless cycle of sameness within power structures, within storytelling, that a lack of representation dictates.

How should we celebrate? We must always empower the youth, and each other (of all genders) by amplifying the diverse achievements of women, by donating time or money to organisations who fight to teach and protect young women, we must recognise the worth of women’s contributions and pay them their due. Vitally, we must all listen more to the different stories and perspectives all around us – because each is different – and continue to forward making more informed movements.

Whilst researching for this article, every time I began typing “women representation” into search, Google autocomplete supplied “women reproductive system” first. Representation wasn’t even on the list of popular or trending searches.

If there are girls growing up now and in the future who feel trapped and frustrated by the capabilities of their gender, then we as a society have failed. We must teach them, above all, that this world is theirs to mould, and give them the tools and the opportunities to take action.

Image: Instagram: @ebrulilustrates

Image: Public Domain Picture: Dawn Hudson

Every effort to change conditions for women deserves to be recognised

to encourage female voting and registration, and became the founding president of the National Council of Negro Women. Encouraging black women’s participation in economic, political, and educational activities and institutions, the NCNW still runs to this day.

Every effort to change conditions for women, whether successful or small scale, deserves to be recognised. Jayaben Desai (1933-2010) should be celebrated for her contribution to raising awareness of the need for equal working rights, as a leader of the Grunwick workers strike in 1976. Over 20,000 joined the protest against poor working conditions at the Grunwick film processing factory in London, made up of majority South Asian Female workers. They were not willing to accept the de-

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life & style fashion

c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Fashion Editors Kajal Patel, Phoebe Eyles & Shamara Mohsin

the courier

Monday 2 March 2020

Lewis Hamilton and H.E.R. collab with TH Dominic Lee reviews the new Tommy Hilfiger collection featuring inclusions from H.E.R. and racing legend Lewis Hamilton

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ot all celebrities are fashion designers, lets get that straight from the off. The Spring/Summer 2020 TOMMYNOW show was met with another installment of the Tommy Hilfiger X Lewis Hamilton collaboration. However, this time musician H.E.R. got in on the action for a surprise twist at the London show. As ever with Tommy shows the backdrop was captivating and the setting of the Tate Modern was perfect for a runway show.

Yet, despite this I’m coming away from this collection with a bitter taste in my mouth. Tommy Hilfiger is

Instagram: @LewisHamilton

undoubtedly my favourite brand and if people know me then they know there is often a Hilfiger flag adorning my pieces. The brand offers a perfect marrying between preppy Americana inspired pieces with a contemporary twist for streetwear enthusiasts- especially with its Tommy Jeans label which can be dressed up or down.

However, the Lewis Hamilton collaboration is always one I’ve avoided and that’s not likely to change now for a number of reasons.

Addressing the designs themselves, Lewis is given a lot of creative freedom around this collection which in some ways is positive for the brand’s image- appealing to a mass market through a celebrity. However, as Hamilton is primarily a Formula 1 driver and not a designer, his collections are often a copy and paste of other street-wear labels. We can see this in items like the harness and waist bags which look like they were lifted straight from Matthew Williams’ 1017 Alyx 9SM label. The collection was also quite tame in terms of its colour pallet, with pieces either revolving around neon or earth tones both of which have been seen countless times on runways in arguably more daring cuts.

Nonetheless, there are still positives to

be taken from this collection. The draped flags which featured in both the collaboration and the Hilfiger Collection were also a big highlight and a throwback to the brand’s preppy origin. This collection is also very easy to style and will fit in well with other streetwear essentials, as there is a huge assortment of tees and hoodies along with tracksuits. The show was also very diverse in its models which was great to see. Additionally, the women’s pieces were far more exciting than the men’s and look to be the main appeal of the collaboration. Oversized cuts were more dramatic, layering was more carefully executed with accessories and the jumpsuits- something H.E.R. was very keen on including- were a definite highlight.

H.E.R’s inclusion in the project was undoubtedly a strong choice as her rising star power will draw a lot of new faces to the brand similar to the way Aaliyah did in the 90’s.

Additionally, the Hilfiger Collection which tailed the collaboration was fantastic and arguably offered the best adoption of classic preppy style on a runway so far this year- the perfect way to celebrate the brand turning 35 years old.

Returning to the men’s part of this collection, we have another problem- in my eyes anyway. Star power is huge in street wear, especially in collaborations when you’re competing with names like Travis Scott who’s shoes with Nike have become sought after and I needn’t mention Kanye. Then you have the celebrity designers such as Virgil Abloh and Kim Jones who’s names also command a great deal of respect in fashion circles. There lies the problem, whether Lewis’ collection is good or not he may not be a big enough name to appeal to certain buyers. Fans of Formula 1 may flock to his collection but it may not turn heads for people who are looking for the next “big thing”.

However, we’re now in a new decade so the potential is there for a seismic shift in the way fashion is both designed and consumed. This might be just what is needed for the future of the collaboration.

Brand we're loving: Burberry Bossin' Shamara Mohsin discusses about why luxury brand Burberry continues to dominate fashion

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ften our brand of the week is chosen because they’re attempting to combat climate change, showcase diversity in clothing ranges and model representation, or just selling clothing our writers think you should know about. But one thing they all have in common is their student-friendly price tags, so today we’re talking high-end, trendsetting, and controversial brand Burberry and how they’re changes for the better deserve some attention.

Arguably one of the worlds best-known luxury brands, Burberry has been influencing fashion trends since 1856 and is best known for its classic colour palette and pattern.

The British born brand has experienced its fair share of criticism; most recently for its methods of keeping its consumers interested.

Instagram: @billieeilish

In 2018 it was discovered unsold pieces from past collections were burned in a bid to keep exclusivity. The brand is one of many high-end especially companies that believe in a no sale policy and assures its customers unless your paying full price your probably getting a fake.

While the intentions are logical the execution left more waste than want to perfectly good, high-quality clothing, and the recent turn in the last decade or so has seen much of the public settling for lookalikes to cut costs rather than dropping hundreds. While Burberry agreed to stop the burning of millions of product many people still refuse to buy originals and still choose cheaper copies instead

Burberry is striving for change

It’s a wonder then how Burberry is still considered such a pivotal player in fashion, and yet, somehow litters the wardrobes of teens, adults and the elderly. What may be Burberry’s greatest power is its notability in the forms of specific items that have stood the test of time and are as popular today as they were upon release. The iconic trench coat, now available in ranging length, styles and colours is still available in its classic form, and more recently in the Burberry cashmere scarf; these two items, in particular, are so notable they have lookalikes to both within high street stores and market stalls.

Despite its high’s and lows, Burberry remains a formidable brand that managed to amass over £2.7 billion in 2018 in revenue and continues to flourish. While it won’t be your go-to student store- it is for a fair few-some students have ditched the regular purchases and are scrounging for the big brands. While this both reduces waste and often results in smarter purchases it also spurs the Instagram envy from fellow followers that may have created that persons initial purchase.

While customers are the main culprits of Burberrys continued success it should also be noted that a big part of their continued sales are the companies own top tier marketing. Just a few years ago Burberry rolled out an ad featuring model turned actress Cara Delevigne, who at the time was arguably one of the most famous faces on the planet. The ad, which featured on TV and transportation across the UK, amassed huge success. Nowadays, Billie Eilish, the worlds-current-most notable pop star

rocks more Burberry than we can fathom to most red carpets. Burberry is aware of their audience and thrives on it- just last week they’re Autumn/ Winter Fashion Show went carbon neutral. This showcases an awareness of the changing interest in fashion and a willingness to bend to secure customers.

While I could have discussed any number of luxury brands for our brand of the week I chose Burberry because it’s often the forgotten figure. Despite its unprecedented presence amongst celebrities on red carpets, and the general publics wardrobes it’s somehow is still often overlooked.

Burberry is striving for change to ensure it continues to be relevant within the fashion empire, and at this moment, whether you love them or hate them, they are not going anywhere.

Instagram: @tommyhilfiger

Fashion we Extinction

Katie Partridge discusses the grou

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xtinction Rebellion protesters targeted London Fashion Week last week, in a bid to discourage fast fashion in favour of more ethical brands.

The demonstration took place on the second day of fashion week, during which royally honoured designer Richard Quinn’s work was showcased.

The protestors took to the pavements outside of Somerset House, the home of fashion week, armed with banners adorned with slogans including “No more false fashion” and “No fashion on a dead planet”.

The commotion continued as the activists moved onto the street, obstructing any traffic from moving along the busy thoroughfare of the Strand, outside Somerset House where the event takes place, aiming to cause maximum disruption.

One of the leaders of the protest, Sara Arnold, said: “London is home to the cutting edge of sustainable and ethical design and yet London fashion week lags behind.”

"Culture is complicit in our destruction"

Instagram: @burberry

In a more extreme protest, four campaigners even wore barbed wire dresses and attached themselves to the ground to show their discontent towards the fashion industry which, according to the UN, uses more energy than both the aviation and shipping industry combined. Arnold went on to add “Culture is complicit in our destruction, when it should be taking responsibility for people getting their heads around this existential problem."

Today’s fashion industry is becoming dominated by fast, throwaway fashion with companies such as Pretty Little Thing, Missguided and ASOS, leading the market.

Offering cheap prices, quick delivery and a wide selec-

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life & style

Monday 2 March 2020

Heroes don't always wear capes Jennifer Mills shares her thoughts on the use of politics within fashion following Natalie Portman's bold Oscars outfit choice

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ow we dress is inherently political. must see herself as a better judge than the prestigious When we get up, we make choices Academy, which has had over 90 years of experience that reflect our values, ethics and in film criticism and awards. personality in order to decide what we wear that day. We see this on an everyday Her outfit has only level, especially on our university campus – political groups dress differently to each been considered other. Whether it’s ripped jeans and Doc 'brave' because it fits Martens, suits and ties, XR t-shirts or trench coats, you will always make a narrative that the an assumption of someone’s political beliefs based on the outfit media celebrates they have deliberately decided to wear.

So, why is it that when Natalie The Academy Awards did not feaPortman decided to express her ture any female directors in its nomiopinions through her clothing at nations, and I fail to see how this is a the Oscars in February she was political decision rather than a tespraised as a hero? Surely, her tament to the exceptional material choice is no more brave than produced by male directors over the the one everyone makes every last year. Perhaps, instead of critiday? cising the Academy for snubbing Portman’s Dior dress for the women, Portman could further her Oscars was beautiful – the colown directing career and produce ours were modest but flattersomething better than the likes of ing, making the 38-year-old Scorsese or Tarantino? Maybe then shimmer on the red carpet. she could personally increase the It’s a shame that the matchfemale representation within this ing cape came with such category? a shallow and predictable Whether you agree with Portmessage. On the collar was man’s outrage at the lack of female written the names of the six nominees in this category of the female directors that Portawards or not, it is important to man deemed to have been acknowledge that this is a political snubbed by the Academy statement. So is fashion an effecwhen nominations were tive form of activism? Yes and no; Instagram: @NataliePortman decided. I suppose Portman it is a necessary form of activism,

but it is also one that every single person participates in, knowingly or not, and by merit, one that has lost its potency. Anyone can wear clothes. It’s simply absurd to praise it as brave or inspirational.

It’s absurd to the point that actual activists find this brand of protest offensive. Real activist Rose McGowan posted on Facebook that Portman was “an actress acting the part of someone who cares”. I am inclined to agree. Portman has taken an issue she claims to be important and combatted it in the easiest way possible – putting on an outfit. I might be more impressed if Portman had stitched on the names on the collar herself.

It is important to acknowledge that this is a political statement

There is nothing wrong with Portman’s choice to protest the lack of women nominated for this particular award, but rather the media’s attempt to use this as a way to bring the issue of women’s representation back into the centre frame. In truth, her outfit has only been considered ‘brave’ because it fits a narrative that the media celebrates. Would the same be said about someone wearing a MAGA hat? Would Portman wear a similar cape with all the male directors had the award only received female nominees?

Fashion being used for political statements is a fabulous every-day way to express yourself and your opinions, but celebrating Natalie Portman for doing this as something inspirational is exceedingly shallow. Portman is not brave, but a cliché. Her cape, a flimsy soapbox – a reminder of a brand of activism that has all but frayed away.

Instagram: @NataliePortman

eek storm: Face masks as fashion statements n Rebellion T Carl Smith Valdez discusses the controversial cultural influence of face masks in recent fashion

up of protesters who targeted LFW

tion of styles; it would seem that these websites are a no brainer for convenient clothing. But this comes at a price.

The environmental impacts that these companies have is something that Extinction Rebellion protestors want to change.

he British Fashion Council has anticipated designer face masks as the next trend feature amidst concerns over coronavirus. Attendees of the British Fashion Council Show Space has accessorised their masks with their outfits. For instance, one attendee has decorated ordinary face masks with arrows.

In the past, face masks have commonly been associated with medical practices. Doctors, nurses and patients use them to prevent acquiring infection from each other.

However, face masks have extended into public spaces with the SARS epidemic of 2002 in China. Since then, they have been allied as a filter against airborne diseases and heavy air pollution. It is, therefore, no surprise that suppliers of masks have risen in relation to panic with the coronavirus outbreak.

However, experts have reported that there is insufficient evidence that suggests masks can protect the general public from unregulated viral illnesses. Masks do not prevent one from inhaling some small particles and leaves the eyes exposed. It is stressed that the basic measure of washing hands properly is still the best way to protect oneself from the epidemic. The ineffectiveness of masks is easily ingrained into fashion brands. Blended with rhinestones, or majorly made of mesh, fashion show masks are now designed as social statements instead of health-related reasons.

By tailoring masks into an outfit, fashion and political messages coincide

Instagram: @ExtinctionRebellion

Face masks as a fashion statement are nothing new. In 2014, Masha Maand Yin Peng, a Chinese designer sent models down the aisle with Haute face masks. More recently, Billy Eilish has worn a Gucci face mask at the Grammy Awards. This blended perfectly with her green manicure and her black pyjama embroidered with green Gucci logos. By tailoring masks into an outfit, fashion and political messages coincide. It commodifies epidemic diseases through branding. Nowadays, corporate brands do not simply sell products; they can equally serve as a symbol for solidarity to those affected by the virus. Masks have extended from protection to becoming a commentary to

contemporary issues.

Masks are no longer only intended for protection but have become a platform for conversation

On the surface, it is totally unimaginable how accessories can make a solid statement. Yet, the mask’s aesthetics and uniqueness leave spectators to contemplate for themselves. In this way, masks become political with one’s personal thoughts and collective discussions surrounding the new trend.

In an era where attention is scarce, celebrities and fashion can become a strong pathway to bringing light into issues that permeates over coronavirus. For instance, verified social media influencers such as @Ronnaldong on Instagram took photos of themselves with masks as creative expression for various racism faced by the Asian community. If used sensibly, masks can be a tool for understanding, inclusivity and societal progress. They can challenge preconceived notions to minorities, eradicating ignorance and misinformation.

Face masks have undoubtedly become a part of the fashion industry worldwide. Masks are no longer only intended for protection but have become a platform for conversation. As they continuously pervade everyday life, they simultaneously reveal aspects of our culture as much as they conceal faces.

Instagram: @ronnaldong

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life & style The YouTube channel you should be tune into Margarita Isanova recommends a hair and make-up channel worth your subscription O Monday 2 March 2020 courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Beauty Editors Rashida Campbell-Allen & Ellie James

Image:favpng.com

boredom and despair. If you’re anything like me, (that is, if you have short hair, and you refuse to have it in a half-up-half-down style for the millionth time), you’ve probably searched up ‘cute hairstyles for short hair’ on YouTube, and got an overwhelmingly large amount of results showing different people doing the same two or three hairstyles. Another day, another half-up-half-down it is, then.

Luckily, I did eventually stumble across Milabu – a channel dedicated (but not limited!) to stunning short hair hairstyles. Unlike the majority of the YouTube channels for short hair, Milabu actually introduces a variety of creative hairstyles to suit every person, every mood, and every occasion. The world is your oyster, as far as Milana – the face of Milabu – is concerned.

Milana’s bubbly personality, and the informative way in which she guides her viewers through each hairstyle makes the videos not only entertaining, but also easy to follow – though I’ll admit, the hairstyles themselves are not always as easy to recreate.

My personal favourite, the retro faux

hawk, is a hairstyle that I’m still trying to perfect. Even Milana needs help sometimes, inviting her husband, Andrey, who often sits behind the scenes, to make a quick appearance to assist her. So, it might be wise to have a friend on hand for those hairstyles that you think might be a bit more challenging to create on your own. And, while it may seem like a ton of work, I promise that Milana’s hairstyles are totally worth the extra minutes (or hours, who am I kidding?) that you spend on them. You’ll never want to go back to the mundane and much dreaded half-up-half-down again – unless it’s raining, or really windy, in which case I’ll be right there with you.

As I’ve mentioned before, if you browse through Milana’s channel, you will find that she is not just a short hair hairstyle guru, but a makeup expert and fashion enthusiast. She also tests out many beauty items, such as curlers and hair dryers, so that we don’t have to – unless they’re good enough to buy. Oh, and she vlogs too! As you can see, Milabu is very much an all-in-one kind of channel, and may possibly be the only channel you’ll ever need, whether you have short hair or not. So, this should go without saying: Milabu is subscription-worthy.

Instagram: @lauracallaghanillustration

nce upon a time, I cut my hair short, and nothing has been the same ever since. I waved goodbye to the ‘just-rolled-out-of-bed-butstill-presentable’ look, made my farewell to the quick high ponytail hairstyle (always perfect for those days when you’re running late, but still want to look like you’ve made an effort), and said hello to high maintenance and daily styling. I left the carefree days of long hair behind me.

But let’s get one thing straight: I love my short hair, and I don’t regret cutting it. And let’s face it, cutting your hair short (or, at least, shorter), is an incredibly liberating experience. The only problem with short hair is that, as the euphoria wears off, you realise that you have absolutely no idea how to style it. Thank god for YouTube, right?

There are only so many times that a person can wear the same short hair hairstyle before falling into a pit of

Celebrate International Women's Day this Sunday 8 March!

Youtube: Milabu

Body decor: a tat-too much?

J Sleeping Beauty: the benefits of ditching T oe Smith gets opinionated on the topic of tattoos and their benefits

attoos.

A without tattoos. It is merely a group of people who share the permanent same passion. addition to Now on to the cons. The first thing that everyone says when your body. Something that discussing body art is that it will limit the jobs available to you can only be removed via the and that employers will not take you seriously. Although this will painful process of it being most likely be the case of those with face tattoos or others that can literally burnt off your skin, not be easily covered up, tattoos that can be easily hidden under but they’re also quite cool, clothing should not act as a hindrance towards employability. aren’t they?

The stigma surrounding tattoos is one that is slowly fading but dryness and wrinkles. Not only does sleep rebalance your As someone who has tattoos is not yet completely gone. hydration, sleep also helps with weight management. myself, I can be said to pose a bias There is always the risk that your tattoo won’t look how you However, Colette Haydon, founder and formulator of towards getting a permanent piece expected it to, whether this is because of the way you look after Lixirskin noted that we should not pile on loads of products of art on your body. However, I’m no it in the aftercare process or a mistake on the tattoo artist’s part. and just hope for the best before bed. Our cells have a stranger to the issues or worries that The latter is a risk many are willing to take. Putting your body’s limited amount of energy. This means that using too come with getting a tattoo. appearance in the hands of a stranger is quite a surreal thing to many products will not do your skin good and may Let’s start with the positives. Tattoos do and can be seen as one of the most off-putting things about cause it to be irritated and clogged. “It is much better are a way of expression, a way to show getting a tattoo. The aftercare process is in the hands of the to ask the skin to do one job at a time and do it well,” off your interests and style. They can individual who gets a tattoo. The tattoo must be looked after Haydon states. help people understand who you are for weeks after you initially get it. This involves keeping So, what should you do about your sleep situation? without you actually having to say it clean and moisturised as to avoid First and foremost, get more sleep and a good a word yourself. They can hold a any infection. If a tattoo does get night routine! Beata Aleksandrowicz, co-founder deep meaning to the individual who infected, there isn’t much of Pure Massage Spa Training Method suggests possesses them and represent something that can be done to save that we should slow down in the evening. Try that they hold dear to their heart. it and its appearance will to avoid blue light from digital devices for at Or they could show that the become forever altered. least an our before bed. Darkness helps our Getting a tattoo body to produce enough melatonin to individual just really likes cats, or in my case, plant pots. requires a lot of thought, promote a deep sleep.

Getting a tattoo can also open the but more often than not Since lack of sleep makes the skin look they become something tired, use serums that contain hyaluronic doors to fantastic communities, people people learn to love. A acid to give your skin a quick boost. who live for sharing the art on their bodies piece of art unique to Hyaluronic acid helps deeply hydrate and giving others advice on to go about it them that will remain on tired skin. Switching up your skincare the in right way. The tattooing community is their bodies forever. routine is also good as it keeps your a welcoming one that is open to those with and skin stimulated and it avoids the plateau effect where your skin becomes unreactive to certain products that you constantly use.

So the next time you’re must admit that it’s taken a great deal of thought Tilbury is my one exception; I can always rely on her to release thinking of pulling an to decide on my ‘beauty icon’. For a long time, I makeup that the average person can wear. It’s because of this all nighter, think again! clung onto trends as my inspiration, but as I’ve that she’s such an icon to me; as many brands forget the average Not only will sleep help gotten older, I’ve adopted the ‘less-is-more’ approach. makeup wearer, Tilbury forgoes the ‘trends’ and sticks to your skin, it will also Like an epiphany from above, it dawned on me. Whose making makeup that accentuates natural beauty. boost your mood counter do I gravitate towards when I’m shopping? Whose Her line aside, Tilbury is an incredible makeup artist. and strengthen your videos do I watch religiously? Whose “darling” did I at first Having worked with every major magazine and celebrity immunity. You will ironically adopt, but has now become a standard feature of my in the fashion and beauty world, and received an MBE for wake up feeling lexicon? No other than the fabulous Charlotte Tilbury. her contribution to makeup, she’s garnered herself a refreshed!

If you don’t see me wandering around without makeup on bit of a reputation of being a go-to artist. But her skills Amanda Goh looking dead to the world because of deadlines, you’ll likely see me in makeup and business aren’t her only admirable sporting a hybrid of the soft glam and soft girl makeup look. But achievements. Throughout her career, she and her it’s the peachy pinks and soft orange tones that have me flocking to brand have supported many charitable causes that Boots with every new launch as I buy my ten millionth nude lipstick. empower women around the world. In 2019, Tilbury’s I’m somewhat of a magpie when it comes to makeup: is it glittery? brand donated £1m Women for Women, one of the Pink? If yes, I’ll probably want it; I’m a shameless advertiser’s dream. largest corporate donations to the charity. Tilbury’s But humour aside, it’s Charlotte Tilbury who revolutionised that ‘look’. message has always been about putting women at the With her emphasis on natural and soft makeup, rather than heavy and forefront of movements and change, and weaponizing caked, her signature looks are timeless and can be worn by anyone regardless makeup as a tool for empowerment for women in a of skin-tone or face shape. I struggle to get excited by launches these days but world where it’s seen as fickle and vain.

the late nights and getting more sleep

restructuring the skin. “It is the foundation on which to build and maintain health, wellbeing and age related diseases,” sites co-founder of Cult Beauty, Alexia Inge. When you sleep, the cell rejuvenation process takes place in your body.

Cell rejuvenation is a process whereby new skin cells are produced from the deepest layers of your skin to the outermost layer. Dead cells are replaced by healthier ones overnight.

Sleeping more will result in more firm and plump skin, helping to prevent premature ageing such as wrinkles. Ample rest can result in keeping your skin youthful, who doesn’t want that right?

When you sleep, your body’s hydration rebalances. Your skin is able to rest and recover its moisture, while excess water is removed. This would result in less puffy eyes as well as less

Image: shutterstock.com

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Icon of the Week: Charlotte Tilbury

Instagram: @emmylupinstudio

Good sleep is essential for repairing, regenerating and restructuring...

Instagram: @ctilburymakeup

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eauty sleep, believe it or not, does affect your skin and wellbeing. A good night’s sleep can result in good skin health. This is because when you are sleep deprived, your body makes more stress hormones, cortisol.

An increase of cortisol results in stress and inflammation in your body, resulting in worse skin quality.

Cortisol plays a role in sleep and skin appearance. Studies by the US National Library of Medicine stated that when you are sleep deprived, your skin gets inflamed, resulting in acne. And an increase in inflammatory cells will lead to an increase in breakdown of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which gives your skin its glow and bounce. Not only that, high cortisol levels trigger produces more sebum (oil) resulting in clogged pores.

With increased inflammation in your body, it throws off your body’s ability to regulate your immune system. This would result in constantly falling ill.

The concept of beauty sleep is not a myth. Science has told us that a good sleep is essential for repairing, regenerating and

18

life & style travel

courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Travel Editors: Amy Harris, Meggie Williams and Beth Robson

Prague by day...

Image: MurderousPass from Pixabay

the courier

Monday 2 March 2020

Charlotte Booy Howlett shares her go-to insiders guide to visiting the Czech Republic's beautiful 'Golden City'; Prague

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ollowing the January exam period, my boyfriend booked us a trip to Prague for a well-deserved holiday. Famous for its autumnal-coloured gothic buildings and beer brewing heritage, a quick city break to Prague is definitely one for the bucket list.

Easily completable in a day or two, here is my insider guide to The Golden City’s daytime and night-time to-do’s…

Navigating Prague

Prague is an extremely walkable city and many of its major attractions are within comfortable walking distance from each other (10-15 minutes max). Walking is definitely the best way to discover the city’s many famous and hidden gems! However, if you are like me and have accommodation located outside of town, Prague’s public transport is amazing; reliable, clean and cheap! By purchasing one ticket, whether it be valid for 90 minutes, 24 hours or 3 days, your ticket gives you access to all of the trams, buses and metros throughout the city. Tickets can be purchased from the automatic machines at the entrance of all metro stations, at some tram or bus stops, and at tabáks (tobacconists). Always remember to validate your ticket at the start of your journey in one of the validation machines because checks are carried out regularly by ticket inspectors. Top tip: I do not recommend using the taxis available in Prague, as many tourists are victim to scams and highly inflated taxi prices.

Prague Castle

Charles Bridge connects the Old Town to Prague Castle. No city break to Prague would be complete without a trip to the castle. Built in the 9th Century, covering an area of 70,000 square metres, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. Open daily from 6:00 – 22:00, entrance to the castle is free! However, many of its attractions keep different hours and charge an entrance fee. If you are a fellow student on a tight budget like myself, I would recommend seeing St. Vitus Cathedral first. Located inside the castle walls, the Cathedral’s architecture is a blend of Gothic, Neo-Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Meanwhile, Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička) is another charming part of the Castle complex. This small lane is lined with tiny, colourfully painted historic houses that are built directly into the castle walls. The scenery looks like something out of a medieval fairy tale!

Charles Bridge

The best way to kickstart your day is waking up early and heading to one of the most iconic bridges in the world: Charles Bridge. Built over 600 years ago, the beautiful gothic bridge is home to many statues of saints and religious scenes. Midway across the bridge is the brass Lorraine Cross, of which is said that if you make a wish at the cross, your wish will come true within the following year!

However, since sauntering across Charles Bridge is everyone’s favourite activity, the bridge is usually flooded with buskers, hawkers, and tourists. Therefore, I recommend going to the bridge at dawn for the perfect Insta shot!

John Lennon Wall

Before climbing up to the castle, take a detour to the famous rebellion John Lennon wall. Lennon was a powerful symbol of non-conformity for young people throughout communist-ruled Czechoslovakia. As a result of his assassination in 1980, his fans were inspired to scrawl portraits and messages across the wall near Maltese Garden to air their grievances. Despite being repeatedly painted over by the communist police, messages, poems, song lyrics, flowers and portraits quickly reappeared as fans repainted over the wall. Even to this day, the John Lennon wall continuously undergoes changes! The original portrait of Lennon is long lost under the layers of graffiti artwork; however, the John Lennon wall is the one thing to see every time you visit Prague due to its continuously changing narrative.

Old Jewish Cemetery

Once you’ve crossed back over the bridge, make your way over to the Jewish Quarter of Prague. Historically, Prague had a somewhat large Jewish population and presence in the city, leaving their indelible mark on the city’s history. However, the Jewish were confined to a small part of Prague town and therefore had minimal space for a cemetery. According to Jewish traditions, remains could not be moved so due to the restricted land available to them, they moved the headstones up and buried more people on top. The result is thousands of tombstones crammed into a small area in the centre of Prague’s Jewish Quarter.

Astronomical Clock

If you have completed your excursion and are on your way to Old Town for a spot of lunch, visit the world’s oldest operating astronomical clock. Every hour, 12 apostles pass through the window above the astronomical dial. However, make sure to get there at least 5-10 minutes before this happens if you want to get a good spot for photos as the square becomes very crowded, very quickly!

Afterwards, I recommend popping into one of the many outside restaurants located on the square for some Goulash and dumplings, all washed down with a classic Prague Pilsner!

... and then by night

The classic Prague pub crawl

Renowned for their consumption of beer, Czechs know how to host a pub crawl. Voted best crawl in the city for over 10 years, the Drunken Monkey Pub Crawl is one of the most popular pub crawls in Prague. Running every night of the year, the Drunken Monkey Pub Crawl features a 2-hour open bar session, drinking games such as ‘flip cup’ and giant jenga, and offers free t-shirts and headbands with your entry free. This recommendation is for lads/ladette holidays! Although you may feel comfortable in the hands of your host and accompanied by a large group of likeminded strangers, be aware of your alcohol consumption whilst partying in Prague and stick with your mates.

Welcome back to medieval times!

Alternatively, we spent an evening in Prague indulging in a five-course medieval banquet! Such a feast was accompanied by entertainment, including a historical concert, sword fights, belly dancers, snakes and a fire show.

Meanwhile, we ‘sipped’ on an unlimited supply of beer and red wine! The banquet was located in a basement cellar, with vaulted ceilings, ropes hanging from thick wooden beams, iron chandeliers and beer barrels strategically placed around the room for decoration. Seated at a sturdy wooden table and bench, the room lit solely by candlelight, we were encapsulated by the most perfect romantic atmosphere. Although there are other medieval experiences available in Prague, I highly recommend the tavern ‘U Pavouka’, who truly transported our senses back to the Middle Ages.

Wine and dine on the Vltava

See Prague from a different perspective and embark on a river cruise along the Vltava, the longest river in the Czech Republic. There are various tour options available, catering for a variety of different travellers budgets.

They often are 2-3 hours, with a hot and cold buffet, whilst some include live entertainment on board. Take in the floodlit beauty of Prague’s skyline by meandering alongside Prague’s famous Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Vyšehrad, and the Rudolfinum. However, this is definitely a summer vacation recommendation!

stairs. Now we realised whywe made a reservation! Crowded with customers, chatting over quirky jazz music, we were shown to our seats. Our suited-and-booted waiter handed us the menu that consisted of about 10 inkblot paintings. The aim is to pick the inkblot that most relates to you and as a consequence you will receive a drink based on your ‘personality’. Although I was initially skeptical, the drink I received nailed my character to a T. Although the Anonymous bars are quite expensive in comparison to the remainder of Prague’s nightlife, I have never have experiences like these before.

The Anonymous bars

The authentic Czech experience

There are two anonymous bars located in Prague.

However, unless you know they are there, they are easily missed. Inspired by V for Vendetta, the original Anonymous Bar is housed in a converted stable house in Prague’s historic Old Town. All of the bartenders wear Guy Fawkes masks, whilst the drinks menu can only be revealed to its customers under a blacklight. All of the cocktails come with a theatrical presentation, however if you order the ‘Hot Fawkes’, prepare yourself for a personal fire show before your cocktail is served. Alternatively, if you choose to visit Anonymous Shrinks Office, prepare to be confused!

We entered the bar, welcomed by only one other customer and a barmaid. Wondering why we bothered to make a reservation in the first place, the barmaid gave us the instructions to press a red button located 2 metres down the hallway. This is when a secret door revealed itself, opened and we anxiously walked in and down the

Czechs are famous for their beer production and consumption so, obviously, we visited the Prague Beer Museum. The Prague Beer Museum offers two locations; one in Vinohrady and the other in Old Town. We visited the museum in Old Town, where the museum walls are plastered with photographs and memorabilia of the Czech Republic’s beer culture! Whilst traditional Czech pubs feature a menu with only a few regional beers, the Prague Beer Museum was the first pub to offer 30 beers on tap from microbreweries all around the country.

Luckily, once you’ve completed your tour of the museum, you get to sample four of these beers in exchange for your purchased ticket. We were given a pale ale, pilsner, a ruby red ale and a dark stout. We continued our beer extravaganza onwards to Old Town Square where we sat outside with blankets under heated lamps, drinking our fifth and final beer of the day. Our authentic Czech experience was complete!

If you’re planning on visiting Prague yourself, hopefully this itinerary will keep you busy for your trip.

the courier

19

travel life & style

Monday 2 March 2020

Trekking in the Indian Himalayas

From midnight mountain climbs to tigers and temples, Meggie Williams shares a tale through an excerpt of her travel journal

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he seven-hour Land Rover journey was where it all began. The small group, made up of four other travellers quickly bonded over very cramped conditions, carsickness and Talli- Chai stops.

We wandered through rhododendron woods and luscious paddocks, and picnicked under packs of monkeys

In true Indian style the road was incredible but terrifying; we wound our way further into the mountains on the side of a steep valley which led down to the sparkling, blue Ganges. There was no barrier, lots of sharp braking and a fair few dodgy overtakes. The villages we drove through were all built into the steep hillside with lots of terraces and painted in faded blues, pinks and yellows. En route we stopped at the confluence of two rivers which is considered to be the beginning of the Ganges River thus making it an important destination for pilgrims. We often passed Babas on the road, usually walking barefoot with a small sack slung over their shoulders and wearing only their robes despite the cool temperature.

Our first evening was spent huddled in a little stone hut eating a delicious fire-cooked meal of chai, chapattis, noodle soup and curry. Afterwards, the guide, a young Indian guy who grew up in Chopta, asked us all to sing a song from our country. Somewhat nervously we all sang and translated our songs. Katelyn and I were extremely relieved to be able to sing Loch Lomond together. After the singing some old speakers were plugged in and we all danced away to Indian music, our awkwardness gradually subsiding as we laughed at the strange situation. Even the

driver and the old man who lived there joined in, bidis in hand. Our tents, which were carried up the steep hillside by mules, were pitched next to a lake with the backdrop of superb snow capped mountains. We were all in awe of the mountains and watched the evening sunset shine upon them from a rickety look out. The evenings were colder than we ever imagined and we soon regretted taking the tour guides warning of it being freezingly cold so lightly.

Rather niavely we both wore sports leggings, anoraks and a token jumper brought the day before.

In the morning we woke early and warmed ourselves up with steaming chai and banana porridge. Today’s walk was 17km; we rested often and found irony in the fact that the ‘breather breaks’ were mostly for bidis. Us girls found the walk reasonably challenging and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at our guide, Karly, who scaled the hills without even braking into a sweat or catching his breath, all the while rocking a leather jacket, jeans and trainers, cigarette usually in hand. The landscape was carved out

by deep valleys into which the villagers had built terraces and little homes; we wandered through rhododendron woods, small luscious paddocks, picnicked under packs of monkeys eagerly spying on our food and numbed our aching feet in rivers of ice cold, translucent water.

Both silent contemplation and conversations meant the time pasted quickly. That night we arrived at our second campsite situated in a small hamlet which would soon be deserted by the villages who moved down to the larger town during the winter to avoid being snowed in for months on end. Here, the mountains towered over us. We collected wood so that the hours of darkness could be passed around a roaring fire, it was, as you can imagine in the baltic temperature, a saving grace.

The gentle ache in our limbs and depleted wood

supply meant we settled into our sleeping bags early; we knew we had to try and get some sleep before the 2:00 am start the next morning.

Under a blanket of stars we climbed the mountain Chandrashila and moved quickly in order to not get cold.

However, by 4.30am we were ahead of time and to avoid waiting in the bitterly cold wind at the top for sunrise we climbed into an old ruin and lit a fire to try and keep warm, whilst passing round the much needed biscuits.

We arrived at the top in darkness and sheltered by the small temple, huddled under a couple of blankets whist we waited for the sunrise. We were the only people there and watched the first light appear in total tranquility, flooding our view with warm, golden sunlight from 4090 meters up. In the space of a couple of minutes the night sky disappeared. It was so breathtaking none of us spoke and looking back it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. All I could think was that this is one of those numinous moments.

After spending around two hours on the top of Chandrashila, all

slightly overwhelmed by the beauty, we tucked into a hearty, well-deserved breakfast on the peak before ambling back down. On the way down we stopped at the beautiful Shiva temple that has perched precariously on the edge of the mountains for over 1000 years. The stone temple had a small courtyard, full of bells, which faced over the huge valley, there were also fountains and lions carved out of huge slabs of stone. On arrival back to our campsite, we were sad to discover that one of the two puppies we had been cuddling the day before had been taken by a tiger the night before, its remains 10 meters from our campsite, a slightly disconcerting thought when we were trying to get to sleep that night. After expressing our angsts to Karly, half joking, he attempted to reassure us with “well it’s unlikely to eat you but I don’t want to say there is no chance it couldn’t happen”.

Us three girls squished in one tent that night.

Much to our sadness we headed back to Rishikesh the next day, not only did it feel strange to back in a throng of people and the busy Indian lifestylebut Trump had won the election and India’s crackdown on black money meant the notes I had extracted from the ATM before I left were no longer valid. How we wished we could have stayed in that world where being oblivious really is bliss.

All images: Meggie Williams

Time to start looking for your education elsewhere?

Industrial action left you at a loose end? We demanded cheap, educational weekends away and Anna Goclawska delivered S emester two has just started however, already we all have our heads in the clouds, dreaming of escaping our university responsibilities just for a couple of days… Considering the industrial action, we might actually have a chance for that!

But isn’t it too much for a student’s budget to take an impromptu trip without any occasion? Apparently, for some destinations not at all! Ryanair offers tons of cheap direct return flights; some of them just under £20 from Newcastle! So pack your backpack, grab your friends and have the time of your life in these beautiful cities for next to nothing!

Dublin, Ireland: return from £8.40 Dublin for sure has it all; good food, music, architecture and of course Guinness (because you can’t be Ireland without going to actual Irish pub!). So you know what to do during your nights away, but what else can you see in the Irish capital, filled with history and culture? As a student you should start with the stunning Trinity College (founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I) and it’s magnificent library with over 200,000 books. If you enjoy history, I advise you go to The Irish Emigration Museum where you can find out about the peak of Irish emigration to The New World during the Irish famine in mid-19th century. After that you can take a stroll along the river Liffey which runs right through the city centre and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Then start your night with live music

and pints of Guinness in the Temple Bar district which is a little bit more expensive but will make your Irish experience complete!

Palma, Spain: return

If you feel like swapping the gloomy English weather for sunshine and Spanish sangria, the best place to visit is the lively Palma; on one of the most

known party islands Mallorca. This destination is for those who prefer laying on the beach, dancing to southern rhythms and savouring the little moments. When you arrive at the airport start your trip with a sugar hangover and head to a local cafeteria and order ensaïmada; a sweet bread dusted with powdered sugar or filled with custard. Then take a stroll along the marina lined with stunning sail boats and yachts to Parc de la Mar and see the mural of Joan Miró Catalan painter, sculptor and ceramicist. If you want to dip your toes in the sand head further to the Ca’n Pere Antoni beach with it’s long promenade, ideal for the evening stroll. To compensate for the long walking and your aching feet, go the

Image: CollegeDegrees360 from Flickr

Santa Catalina; an artsy neighbourhood where you can enjoy tapas and fancy Mediterranean dishes.

Wroclaw, Poland: return from £32

Wroclaw was announced as a European Capital of Culture in 2018 which gives me the right to say that it’s one of the best options for art and history enthusiasts, as well as for those who like to sip a coffee in the city centre and observe the life of the locals. Many coffee shops along with the traditional restaurants, are located in the Market Square near the City Hall. Since Wroclaw has one of the oldest and biggest old towns among the Polish cities, taking a full day to appreciate its beauty (despite the turbulent past) is definitely a good option. While taking a stroll you cannot pass up on visiting the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist; the Neo-gothic miracle rebuilt after WWII. To roll back in time to the 20th century even more you may wish to visit the Old Jewish Cemetery; one of the most well-preserved Jewish Cemeteries in Europe. Alternatively there is also Hala Stulecia – the modernist architecture structure. Make sure to end your trip to Poland with enjoying traditional dumplings (pierogies in Polish!) in Pierogarnia Stary Mlyn, located in the Old Town!

Hopefully you will consider taking a couple of days off to see these amazing places. Remember: “every trip educates” (you can use that argument against confused parents asking about what you do with your students loan!)

the courier

21

food life & style

Monday 2 March 2020

Food Editors: Cayla Viner & Amanda Goh

The importance of eating healthy

Meg Blount looks at the effect of a healthy diet on a student's lifestyle, mentally and physically

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s students we have all been branded with the stereotypical reputation of eating unfathomable amounts of baked beans, pasta and pot noodles or ordering endless takeaways to fulfil our hunger cravings and to maintain the classic cycle of our lazy, ignorant student lifestyles.

Albeit, I am aware that these traits are in fact reality for many people reading this article; however, we need to realise that following a healthy diet has unbelievable positive benefits on both our mental health and our academic performance, highlighting the importance to adapt our eating habits for the better.

The healthier our diets are the more likely we are to lose weight, gaining both increased body confidence and a stronger desire to do more exercise.

Many studies have proven that a healthy diet alongside regular exercise increases energy levels, allowing optimal attentiveness levels to be reached, an increase in focus and an overall improvement to academic performance. Furthermore, students become more productive and may even experience improvements in their memory – undoubtedly useful when revising for exams. Healthy

eating can also improve sleep patterns, increasing the amount we sleep and therefore amplifying the overall effects of improved diet. Moreover, having regular sleep routines and sleeping for the optimal number of hours, between 7-9 hours, also improve mental health as the body is functioning in a consistent schedule, eliminating irregularity and thus resulting in better moods.

Eating healthy has also been proven to minimise mental health problems, which are especially common within the student population. In one study, Professor Almudena Sanchez-Villegas claimed that trans-fat (a type of

tudent cooking has to be better than beans on toasts nowadays. In a world where there are so many flavours, spices and ingredients to indulge in, the beans on toast just does not make the cut anymore.

But as a student, it is important not to cook a meal that will dissolve your limited weekly budget. Meals need to be delicious, granted, but they need to have relatively few ingredients and be cost-effective.

when you are beginning to experiment with food. But what if you want to expand your repertoire and experiment a bit more? Well, N.O.S.H is now Not the Only Student Handbook for cooking.

solution. But why not try the newer vegetarian version. I mean, doesn’t baked sun dried tomatoes and mozzarella rice sound yummy…

LEAN IN 15

But, do good recipes only come from cookbooks? Definitely not! My ultimate favourite source of recipes is BBC Good Food. Healthy recipes, vegetarian recipes, gluten free recipes…everything that you want comes from here!

With the advantage that you do not have to physically buy a book, then what is stopping you from reaching your chef potential? Have a quick perusal of the website… p.s. the gnocchi and tomato bake is a cheap, quick and all round comforting meal!

Image: freesvg.org

unsaturated fat that is considered the worst type of fat to consume) caused inflammation of neurotransmitters that are essential for mood regulation, resulting in fluctuation of moods and an increase in negative emotions. Therefore, by reducing or cutting out the amount of processed food within their diet, students have the power to reduce their risk of depression and maintain a healthier life.

Additionally, experiencing better moods contributes to better academic performances as students have higher levels of motivation and are more determined to meet deadlines and succeed at university.

In essence, eating healthily as a student possesses a plethora of health benefits, both mentally and physically; as a result everyone should consider adapting their current diet, as even just small changes, such as eating less pasta and more vegetables or buying fruit instead of crisps, can have positive effects academically and in terms of general health in both the short and long term. However, it is best not to ban items of food from your diet completely as temptation increases when you are forbidden to eat something and so you may find yourself eating more of what you shouldn’t.

Also, treating yourself to some chocolate or similar treats can temporarily boost your mood and reduce the likelihood of depression, showing that small amounts of unhealthier foods can be beneficial in a well-balanced diet.

Oh My Gosh, there's more than NOSH Sophie Wilson explores some of her favourite cookbooks for spicing up your everyday meals S NOSH

So, what is the first cookbook that comes to mind when you think of students? NOSH by far wins this race! It is a good book for when you first come to university, and

Image:Roman Kraft on Unsplash

Joe Wicks is another well-known name in the student cooking industry. His book, Lean in 15 has attracted many students, with his idea that cooking will take less than fifteen minutes. This is perfect after a hard day at university, your stomach is rumbling and all you want to do is reach into the snack cupboard and satisfy that hunger. But what about eating healthy, the voice in your head shouts? QUICK! Reach for Joe Wicks, the perfect

BBC GOOD FOOD

Meal prep ideas

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any students who face a busy university schedule discover they lack the time to dedicate to preparing, cooking, and then consuming your meal. This can all result in students making pot noodles, toast, or grabbing something while they’re out, which is not benefitting your bank account or your health in any way.

Meal prepping allows you to control how much food you’re taking in, you will also end up having more time in the long run to do other things that you need to get done. The main benefit, of course, is that you will have food to come home to after your busy day and there will be no wastage. Below, I have compiled a range of breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas that are easy to prep at the start of the week.

Breakfast: overnight oats One of my go-to breakfast meals is overnight oats as there are a variety of ingredients that you can add to make them taste amazing, yet still full of nutrition to fuel you for your day ahead.

Ingredients: Toppings: (One serving) A sprinkle of cinnamon 1/2 cup of oats Vanilla extract 1/2 cup of milk of choice Peanut butter 1 tablespoon sweetener of Pecans choice – honey or maple Chocolate chips syrup (optional) Fruits Method: Place base ingredients along with other ingredients of your choice in a bowl and mix until combined.

Pour ingredients into a container and place in the fridge overnight.

You can add toppings before or after placing in the fridge Enjoy the next day, and add some water or milk if too thick.

Lunch: grilled chicken hummus wrap Ingredients: (One serving) Chicken Olive oil Salt and pepper 4 tortillas wraps 3 cups hummus

3 cups romaine lettuce 2 medium tomatoes, chopped 1 medium cucumber, chopped 1/2 feta cheese

Method: Cook chicken in a pan, with oil and salt and pepper, until cooked through To make the wrap, spread hummus over each tortilla, top with chicken, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and feta Wrap the tortillas and enjoy!

Dinner: two-cheese broccoli bake Ingredients: (4 Servings) 250g penne pasta 350g broccoli florets cooking oil 1 red onion, diced 400g tin chopped tomatoes

Herbs 2 tablespoons tomato purée 200g drained roasted pepper in water, chopped 100g of feta, crumbled 50g grated edam

Method: Heat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius Cook the pasta in a pan, then add the broccoli to the pan for the final 3 minutes of the cooking time Drain the pasta and broccoli and then chop the broccoli in smaller pieces Oil another pan, and stir fry the red onions for 5 minutes and then add the tinned tomatoes and the tomato purée and cook for another 5 minutes Combine the peppers, pasta and broccoli into the tomato mixture, and then pour everything into a large ovenproof dish.

Sprinkle feta and edam over the top Bake for 15 minutes or

Image:Ella Olsson Unsplash

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culture music

Our writers celebrate some of their favourite female artists for International Women's Week Tash Sultana:

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Instagram (@annaofthenorth)

Monday 2 March 2020

c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Music Editors Dom Lee, Jagoda Waszkowiak & Joe Smith

Who runs the world? GIRLS! ustralian born and bred, the 24-year old started by playing in the streets of Melbourne before her single ‘Jungle’ went viral on Facebook in 2016. Difficult to classify, her musical style falls somewhere between psychedelic rock, indie pop, and reggae; and her personal style is hard to forget: dreadlocks, tattoos, laid-back style, caps, she has an impressive collection of guitars and she performs barefoot. In short, she is cool.

However, what makes Tash Sultana stand out is her ridiculous talent. She is a multi instrumentalist that not only plays 20 instruments including guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, flute, and saxophone, and piano, but she also has a heartfelt voice and outstanding beat-boxing skills. The fluidity and passion with which she plays each instrument is impressive, especially her guitars, managing to combine all sounds at once with the use of loop and distortion pedals.

Her debut, Flow State, was released in 2018 and it showcases her unique musical aura and skills, as well as taking the listener on a deeply personal emotional journey. Her 2016 EP Notion is worth mentioning as well, as it includes some of her best works yet, such as ‘Jungle’ and ‘Notion’.

I would highly recommend watching her NPR Tiny Desk concert, were she performed a brutal extended version of her song ‘Blackbird’ from Flow State, which she wrote when she got stuck in a cave in New Zealand (crazy, I know) with ‘just’ her voice and a 12-string acoustic guitar. She has released collaborations with Milky Chance and Matt Corby, and she is currently working on her new album. Tash definitely should not be missed: she is not only the embodiment of her own flow state, but of music as a whole.

Elena Corcobado

Chrissy Costanza:

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he Most Inspirational Women in Music, what a big and scary label that people could argue over forever. But that’s the good thing about music though, isn’t it? We are all human beings with the same general ways of hearing and interpreting sounds; however, not one of us will hear a song the same way or interpret the lyrics in the same capacity. Maybe we should simplify “The Most Inspirational Women in Music” to just the female performer who has been the most inspirational to me personally, that way you don’t have to agree with me.

The person who has had the most influence on me is an American singer and songwriter by the name of Chrissy Costanza. She is most known as the lead vocalist for the pop- punk band Against the Current. True to the name of her band, this 24 year old loves to go against the norm of today’s culture and to stand out.

I have been following Chrissy and Against the Current for almost the entirety of their time as a band, and I cannot begin to articulate how much their music means to me. Being the primary songwriter for the band, a lot of the songs that I was connecting with were based on the thoughts and feelings of Chrissy herself. And I had never related with music before as much as I had with Chrissy.

That is why I truly believe she is deserving of the singer who had the most impact of my life and I am sure plenty of others, because though she is a complete stranger to me, she, in my eyes at least, reached back and told me that no matter what I was going through, I wouldn’t have to go through it alone.

Grace Lazzaro

Björk:

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he iconic Icelandic artist launched all the way back in the year 1982, as a 16-year-old. Those last four decades, Björk has defied gender stereotypes and repeatedly transformed herself. Despite that, she rejected the women’s. She just have fully embrace it at 48, in her most recent album – Utopia.

No one, even the artist herself, can deny that her music have always been feminist. The themes of liberation and feminity are apparent. Moreover, she has always talked about her lifelong love of female artists and her desire to stand up for them. Björk’s insistent avoidance of the ‘f’ word, most probably stems from her Icelandic upbringing: “I was lucky enough to grow up in a society that is not so racist or sexist or all these things”.

Both the art and the story of Björk are deeply inspirational. Throughout her career, the fans have observed her continuous transformation and growth. We have seen her broken and rise from extreme pain while celebrating vulnerability and kindness. In the end, she embraced her power as a woman, a producer, and an artist.

Jagoda Waszkowiak

Siouxsie Sioux:

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ou only need to watch Bill Grundy’s December 1976 interview of the Sex Pistols to see the boozy, drunken, aggressive and masculine world of punk rock in fully swing. The presenter leers at a young woman, almost as drunk as the guests, and Steve Jones’ tirade of mad swearing in response to his horrible sleazy flirting, are moments which reveal the soul of punk rock, more than any other. The "Bromley Contingent" the Pistols entourage, stand, and there at the centre is Siouxsie Sioux. From this clip, you’d never know she was so important.

Siouxsie’s story is atypical of many of the punk rockers, torn between deeply sad and sordid. Sexually assaulted at nine and ignored by the police and her family, orphaned at 14, she ended up dotting around the gay scene in bondage attire, and became involved with the Pistols. The late-1970s world of punk rock was nasty, especially for women. Not Siouxsie. She went on to continue leading her post-punk outfit, Siouxsie and the Banshees. While the Banshees might not be a household name, the they had a massive impact on post-punk, influencing bands like Radiohead, the Cure, the Smiths, and the Joy Division. Siouxsie has been described as “one of the most influential British singers of the rock era”, being covered by Jeff Buckley.

That’s not why I love Siouxsie though. It’s not because I love 'Hong Kong Gardens' or 'Spellbound' either, although I do. Punk rockers tend to meet bad ends, either going out in a blaze of depressing glory, like Sid and Nancy, or drifting off into strange, pathetic, reputation obsessed madness, like Rotten. I love Siouxsie kept her mind on the music, not the commercially constructed image, the aesthetics, and she was amazing. She is the true revolutionary of punk music, carrying the whole genre on her leather-bound backanother, making this comeback feel half-baked.

Alex Walker

Taylor Swift:

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he’s been running as fast as she can, but could she have got there quicker if she was a man? Taylor Swift has been grafting since her first album was released in 2006, despite much resistance.

Listen, I know it’s cool to hate Taylor Swift. Her music appeals to young girls and women and society tends to treat those things as a bit of a joke, but her success is impossible to ignore. The AMAs artist of the decade has earned six Billboard Number Ones and a cheeky UK number one, on top of that. The country-turned-pop star has faced some high-profile challenges along the road, though.

In 2009, she had the notorious clash with Kanye West, in which she (a 19 year old) was upstaged in her greatest hour, and humiliated in front of the entire world. In 2019, she faced issues when her old record label, who had the rights to all of her earlier music, was bought by a man who she had previously accused of bullying her, meaning he was now profiting from her success. This almost led to her being refused permission to perform her old tracks at the AMAs in 2019, when she was awarded Artist of the Decade.

Frankly, her music isn’t what many make it out to be. If you define Taylor Swift by the 'Shake It Offs' and the 'Bad Bloods', you’re missing a lot. 'All Too Well' is one of the most critically acclaimed deep cuts of any album ever, her albums 'Red' and '1989' appeared on many best of the decade lists To keep going under all this pressure and scrutiny, while constantly in the public eye – is inspirational Lilia Marshall

Anna of the North:

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pbeat, synth, indie-pop is how I’d describe Norwegian singer Anna Lotterud’s music. Her debut album, Dream Girl, was released only in October. One of the reasons I love Anna so much is her social media presence, she is completely herself on all platforms and really interacts with her fans, despite growing in fame.

Anna has been discovered through ‘Lovers’ being featured on To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before soundtrack, which also features on Tyler, the creator’s ‘Boredom’.

My favourite song by Anna is ‘The Dreamer’ from 2016 which I first discovered on the playlist my old workplace used to put on. Her vocals in this song are beautiful and the layering on tone and beat is something special. This song is also a very empowering post-breakup song about finding your own feet and creativity.

Anna is inspirational because her music is not only unique but extremely personal and relatable, and in her upcoming rise I think she will be very popular in the coming years as she gets more exposure and releases more Hope Lynes music.

the courier

Justin Bieber Changes

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rowing up in the spotlight isn’t easy, but it seems like Justin Bieber has come out of the pop machine mostly unscathed. We’ve seen him quite literally go from a boy to a man, from maligned teen pop sensation to universal praise – critical and commercial – with 2015’s Purpose.

A few years away from solo music seems to have done him good; he’s settled down, gotten married, and (in his words) dealt with some “deep-rooted issues”. Changes marks his grand return to the industry, but it turns out that a more subdued lifestyle has left him without a lot to say.

Ostensibly, Changes is a love letter to Justin’s wife, Hailey Baldwin, and it’s certainly at its strongest in its more tender moments; 'Habitual', about the comfort they both find in their relationship, stands out.

Those moments are, however, few and far between, with the majority of the record being comprised of trapinfused sexual slow-jams, navigated with all the sensuality of a teenage boy’s Instagram DMs. Said trap beats come courtesy of Poo Bear, a long-time collaborator who also had a hand in Purpose. Changes sees much fewer hands in the pot, giving the record a more stripped-down feel than its predecessor, but without the help of Skrillex, Diplo and Benny Blanco, there’s a real sense that this album lacks its own identity, meandering from one generic R&B tune to the next without offering anything unique or substantial to digest on the way.

Changes isn’t a bad album per se – it’s just a dull one.

Everything on the record is so inoffensive and indistinct that every track blends into one another, making this comeback feel half-baked.

Sam Nichol

Tame Impala The Slow Rush

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he pursuit of perfection is something that most musicians can relate to. The endless work that goes into just a single song can consume artists whole and spit them out, leaving them with nothing left to give. Tame Impala- the one man machine commanded by musician and producer Kevin Parker- are a band that have achieved these heights before. 2015’s Currents changed Parker from celebrated psych-star into a world-wide superstar, becoming the darling of the industry. Now he’s back with The Slow Rush.

This focus on the minutiae is what sets Parker apart from other self-produced musicians. This is most evident on ‘Borderline’ which made a huge splash as the first single from the record, being praised as one of the best songs of 2019. Of course, that wasn’t enough for Parker who felt that the song was still lacking something, leading him to revise the song for the album. 30 seconds were shaved off and the bassline was made far more prominent. What would be considered a bold move for artists turned out to be a success, as the adjustment to the bass cascades nicely over the synths.

Where Currents won hearts thanks to Parker’s ability to infuse his signature psychedelic sound with a constant dance groove, The Slow Rush takes its influence from more old school dance-hall music- primarily disco. Cuts like ‘Breathe Deeper’ makes use of afrobeat style drums alongside a beautifully retro sounding synth, fading into a dancey outro. Additionally, ‘On Track’ makes use of some fantastic vocal production as Kevin’s vocals harmonize pefectly with each other throughout the track. The production here is tighter than ever with each track seemingly being put under a microscope before ever getting near the album. This is Parker at his unbelievable best, making the case for him being the best self-produced artist on the planet.

Thematically too we’re in new territory for a Tame Impala record. Innerspeaker and Lonerism focused more on feelings of isolation, which was developed on Currents which is inspired by love and loss. The Slow Rush in comparison is time-centric both retrospective and prospective at the same time. Tracks like ‘Lost in Yesterday’ and ‘Posthumous Forgiveness revolve around Kevin’s past sorrows, with the latter addressed to his deceased father and the grievances his loss has caused. Yet, Parker is still thinking about the future and his place in it. The album is bookended by ‘One More Year’ and ‘One More Hour’ which showcase a hopeful side of Kevin, proud of what he has achieved and prepared for what is to come.

The follow up to Currents was always going to be difficult. Most artists can never escape their best album. Tame Impala though are not most artists, and The Slow Rush certainly isn’t living in shadow of what came before.

Dominic Lee

the courier

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Monday 2 March 2020

Hayley Williams Petals for Armour

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ollowing the release of 2017’s After Laughter, Paramore’s turbulent past looked to be mirrored by an equally uncertain future.

From the less-than-amicable departure of long-term bassist Jeremy Davis, to Williams’ separation from New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert (poignantly referred to as “that fucker of a man” in her first musical offering), any thoughts of Paramore’s 6th album seemed well and truly shelved. Thankfully, instead of sinking into a period of musical hiatus, Williams was able to alchemise these painful life experiences into her refreshingly transparent debut solo effort; Petals For Armor.

While the Paramore name may have been temporarily benched, Williams’ debut solo effort is very much a collaborative affair. The conception, production and songwriting sees Williams joined by Paramore lead-guitarist Taylor York and touring-bassist Joey Howard.

Williams recently cited a vast array of musical influences; each essential in the sculpting of the album’s sonic direction. Nowhere is this clearer in Petals For Armor I than the notedly understated 'Leave It Alone'; a percussion and bass-led ensemble who’s muted guitar riffs and haunting string interjections call upon Radiohead’s 'Paranoid Android' in the best possible way, while lead single 'Simmer' sets the scene with a brooding bop that threatens to boil over at any moment. The EP’s closing track 'Sudden Desire' showcases Williams’ impeccable ability to use her powerful vocals sparingly and for effect.

For a body of work that centres around themes of loneliness, separation and betrayal, Williams has seemingly never been more confident in the message she’s delivering. The five-track EP is fizzing with a visceral sense of anger and resentment. With Paramore’s future cemented in a recent interview and two more EPs yet to release, one thing remains clear - Hayley Williams isn’t lonely babe, she’s free.

Lex Firth

@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/music

music culture

Rage against the touts

Joe Holloran on the band's stance against ticket touts and their commitment to charity

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his is a bizarre political time we live in, no doubt about it. Trump, a tanned reject from The Planet of the Apes sits in the Oval Office, while closer to home Boris Johnson was re-elected and dragged the UK out of the EU. However, action has a reaction and now the legendary Rage Against The Machine have returned.

The funk metal outfit are known for their vitriolic, passionate and angry left-wing lyrics and

uncompromising commitment to their ideals. So, it should come as little surprise that as they prepare to play their first live shows in nine-years that the group have announced on Instagram new measures aimed at combating the scalpers. So, how are the band to tackle this problem?

Rage are holding 10% of tickets for every show in reserve to undercut the scalpers

In recent years it has become increasingly difficult for fans to get their hands on tickets for anticipated gigs. This is not because other eager fans got their first, but rather organized groups purchase as many tickets as they can as soon as they become available, then re-sell them closer

to the date at a ridiculously inflated price to the real fans. It is this financial exploitation of their fans that the band is seeking to defeat.

According to the band more than 50% of tickets for their live shows being sold online are from scalpers. To combat this Rage are holding 10% of tickets for every show in reserve to undercut the scalpers. These tickets are sold at slightly above base value direct to fans. 100% of the extra money they make from these sales will be donated to local charities in every city they play. In addi-

Image: Instagram (@tommorello)

tion to this long-term commitment to tackle scalpers, the band have also pledged to give all the profits from their first three tour shows to immigration charities.

So far, the plans seem to be working with the group announcing that $3 million has been raised for charity through the reserving of tickets to be sold direct to fans for a slightly higher price. Guitarist Tom Morello announced that “85% of Rage scalpers have been stopped” but that more work is needed to combat the rest.

Tom Morello- "85% of Rage scalpers have been stopped"

The first US shows of the tour will take place in towns and cities along the US-Mexico border, in between headlining sets at the Coachella festival in the Californian desert. the UK the band will headline the legendary Reading & Leeds festivals in August, despite the protestations of some festival goers who claim the band are not “Big enough” to headline.

In recent years it has become increasingly difficult for fans to get their hands on tickets

For those of you who do appreciate the band, be sure to buy your tickets from trusted, official sources and get your self down to the show and show your support. Rage haven’t released an album of new material since 1999, yet despite this, their music remains, and will continue to be, vital as long as our political leaders are the worst of us.

Slowthai: there's nothing great about misogyny Finlay Holden gives his views on the controversy surrounding the British rap-star's actions at this February's NME Awards

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he annual NME awards show is known for being, as they put it, “The music industry’s most raucous night”, but this year it may have gone a bit too far.

Northampton-based rapper Tyron Frampton, who goes by Slowthai, was nominated for 9 awards, and ultimately ended up walking away with two; Best Collaboration for ‘Deal Wiv It’ alongside Mura Masa, and the highly coveted Hero of the Year award, previously granted to the likes of Liam Gallagher, Alex Turner, and even Beyonce.

It is clear that he thrives on controversy

It was after winning the latter trophy that things started going downhill, with Slowthai making misogynistic comments towards comedian-turned-host Katherine Ryan, such as “she wants me to tend to her flowers,” and “baby girl … if you want to do something, see me later.” This awkward and inappropriate exchange left the crowd justifiably outraged, and some chose to throw their drinks on stage alongside some choice insults. After one man declared the artist in question as a “wasteman”, the seemingly intoxicated musician lobbed his own glass back and tried to jump onto the audience member before being held back.

This whole exchange is extremely embarrassing for Slowthai, who has seen success after success up until this incident, and also for NME who have said very little since the night. Most of all, you might expect Katherine Ryan to be somewhat startled, as she appears uncomfortable on stage and tried to mask this with inappropriate sexual sarcasm that hugely misses the mark, but she has in fact declared her support on Twitter, saying “[Slowthai] didn’t make me uncomfortable… What a sweet boy. I defused it.”

This is extremely confusing, as Slowthai himself has accepted full responsibility via Twitter: “i want to unreservedly apologise, there is no excuse and I am sorry. i am not a hero”. I would argue that this apology is not enough, but either way he has behaved wildly inappropriately and it is

laughable that Katherine argues that he didn’t.

Based on previous award ceremony antics, it is clear that the 25-year old artist thrives on controversy, especially with his Mercury Prize 2019 stunt where he held up a dummy of Boris Johnson’s decapitated head. The album for which he was nominated, Nothing Great About Britain, also deliberately gives an angry voice to those who aren’t happy with the world, and this attitude can be seen during his chaotic live performances. Safe to say, it’s almost inevitable that at some point he would do something to upset the modern political correctness we now hold dear.

In the new age of woke culture, there has been a rise of the infamous ‘cancel culture’, which dismisses someone and their entire body of work should they choose to voice an opinion or perform an action that upsets current society; loud misogynism would be near the top of that list. It is hard to gauge the current reaction to this incident; fans are extremely mixed, and NME has made little comment other than to redistribute the Hero of the Year trophy to Katherine at Slowthai’s request, but some artists in attendance have tweeted their disgust.

While his actions are incondonable, they aren’t massively out of place for this particular ceremony.

Some have questioned whether the same reaction would have arisen had it been a Gallagher in his place. I would argue that back in the 90s, no one would even bat an eye, but times have changed and this story needs to be considered with scrutiny in the context of 2020 culture. It will certainly be interesting to see what reactions Slowthai’s next performances and release receive after this.

Image: YouTube (NME)

Image: Instagram (@kathbum)

24

culture TV

the courier

c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk TV Editors Amy Brown, Sophie Hicks and Kate Dunkerton

Lucifer to return for fifth season

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etflix may have cancelled Santa Clarita Diet, Daredevil and a slew of other brilliant shows (which yes, I’m still salty about), but they are bringing Lucifer fans another outing.

If you aren’t aware, Lucifer is a fantasy comedy about the devil himself becoming a consultant for the LAPD. In the last season, Lucifer returned to hell after being chased by demons, conflicted by what he should do and be. He wants to be a good angel and the devil, but has to say goodbye to Chloe. We thought this would be the last season, but we were wrong after fans demanded a new season, and Netflix has delivered.

There’s a lot of speculation as to just why Netflix wants to bring the show back, and one major theory that some fans want to see unfold on the silver screen is a crossover between Sandman and Lucifer. For the uninitiated, Sandman is a DC comic run from I-swear-he-writes-forevery-major-brand-from-Doctor-Who-to-Marvel, Neil Gaiman, and it is being adapted by Netflix.

Sandman is said to be set before the events of Lucifer’s first season, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t see Tom Ellis reprise his role as the titular character to show just what shenanigans our favourite fallen angel

Image: IMDb

from the pits of Hell was up to prior to our jumping on as observers to his journey.

A complaint some fans have, however, is that if the Sandman show is a prequel, this could allow for some creative differences. Lucifer is so distinctly different from the comics, with an emphasis on romance and teen drama, that it may not mesh well with Sandman. The next season of Lucifer could have a brief Sandman cameo to tease the show, even if it is just a future version of the character.

There's little more than rumour and speculation at the moment

Not much has been announced about the new series, but some fans do speculate that it will jump back in time, rather than moving forward, as the fifth season seems to be tying the knot, or at least that’s what the writers appear to have been attempting. This is probably unlikely, as it’s more plausible that they’ll simply pull a Supernatural and keep things open enough to continue past the originally intended end date. Lucifer may even open up to more crossovers given that it is now in The CW’s Arrowverse – could we finally see Constantine appear in the show, after their meeting in Crisis on Infinite Earths? Fans can only hope.

Either way, Netflix has listened to the fans, and hopefully, the quality will remain at a good standard, as there’s nothing worse than brilliant shows being milked dry, leaving audiences wishing that it had simply ended when it was meant to, rather than being dragged out and beaten like a dead horse.

Casting information has yet to be announced and there’s little more than rumour and speculation at the moment, but news should come out in the following year as Netflix gear up for the sixth series for Heaven’s infamous bad boy (no, I’m not talking about Napoleon).

James Troughton

Parasite's new host: HBO confirms deal Ruby Osborne talks us through the controversial adaptation

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n January, it was announced that the Oscar winner Kim household. Furthermore, Tilda Swinton, who has for Best Picture, Parasite, directed by Bong Joon- worked with Bong previously on Snowpiercer and Okja Ho, was going to be turned into a six part series. will potentially play Park Chung-Sook, Kim’s wife. These Here’s what we know so far: Parasite was released in the UK on 7 February 2020, Parasite has been after originally being released in Cannes in May 2019. praised for its critique It follows the impoverished Kim family as they gradually infiltrate the wealthy Park family, posing as more of westernisation skilled versions of themselves. The film was a universal success, being nominated for the most are just rumours, but the idea Academy Awards ever and being the first that white actors could replace non-English speaking film to win Best original Korean ones leaves a Picture. Then in February, talks started strange taste in my mouth. about producing a TV series based on The need to cater to a western the film. audience is understandable After a competitive bidding war when looking from a business against Netflix, HBO secured the perspective, but Parasite has rights to produce the series. Adam been praised for its critique of Mckay (Succession) is working with colonisation and westernisaBong to produce the series. Despite tion, as well as doing things Parasite being nominated for six Osfor profit. Looking at this cars, Bong still felt he had more to optimistically, could this be tell than the two hour limit would a further commentary by allow him. However, the series Bong? According to uncithas been capped at six epied sources, Bong wanted sodes, thankfully meaning Ruffalo specifically to act that Parasite won’t outstay in the series. However, we its global welcome and be do not even know which in danger of ruining the character Bong had in film. Bong said he wants mind for Ruffalo, let to focus on what hapalone whether he is even pens in between scenes of in the series. the movie, and delve into As of now, the series has characters even more. I’m no release date. Meanwhile, personally looking forward if you want to get a taste for to seeing more of Kim Kihow Bong’s films translate Jung’s thoughts and emotions, onto the small screen, a especially towards the end of television adaptation the film. of Snowpiercer It has been rumoured as (2013) is set for of late that Mark Ruffalo is release on May speculated to play Kim Ki31 2020 on TNT. Taek, the father of the poor Image: IMDb

Monday 2 March 2020

Hunters: when does shock

George Bell tells us about the new Amazon original series about

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hat do Percy Jackson, Scarface, and Ted Mosby have in common? Hunting Nazis in the new TV show, Hunters, that’s what. The Amazon Prime original, set in the late 1970s, follows a group of skilled individuals who hunt and bring Nazis to justice for their crimes during the war. But is the show accurate and respectful of its time period and the Holocaust?

Get Out’s Jordan Peele acts as executive producer on the show while relative newcomer David Weil is the shows creator. Weil came onto Amazon and Peele’s radar thanks to an 80-page series ‘bible’ describing his first season of the show who was inspired by his own grandmother, a holocaust survivor. Jordan Peele’s previous work on things like Get Out and Us shows that he isn’t afraid to address serious issues within his work like class and racism. But has Hunters accomplished the same effectiveness or instead just insensitive? Personally, I think the latter.

lains. And for the most part, it seems like a majority of the Nazis in the show aren’t based on real people. So rather than addressing horrifying things that actually happened, Hunters thought it was better to make their own up in order to try and make the show more entertaining. These fictional crimes like human chess are disgusting and shouldn’t have been included in the show, as it

Primarily for entertainment rather than education

While parts of the show are based on truth, like how some Nazis did flee to America, a great deal of the show is fictional. I feel the show spends too much time highlighting some truly awful acts committed during the Holocaust only for the purpose of creating one-episode vil-

Images: Twitter @huntersonprime

Don't you forget about the ei TV Editor and 80s fanatic Amy Brown talks us through why how i O ur generation has a strange relationship with nostalgia. We’re living in a fast paced, ever growing society here in 2020. Things are changing every day. We’re always moving on to the next thing. So why, collectively, do we always look to the past for our entertainment?

In terms of culture, our world works in cycles, as explored in the social cycle theory. It links to the phenomenon called the ‘thirty year cycle’, in which trends of pop culture circle round and we see a resurgence of things from thirty or more years ago. These cycles become prominent when those who were consumers of such culture are then old enough to become creators of the culture. So basically, our parent’s generations consumed TV in the 70s/80s and went on to create now, using nostalgia as a way of connecting with their past. According to the thirty year cycle, the popularity of shows and films set in the 80s/into the 90s is more or less right on time.

We have shows like Stranger Things (more on this later), Pose, Glow and even the most recent season of American Horror Story paying homage to the 80s in all of its garish glory. Then of course we have a bout of the 90s too, with shows such as Derry Girls, along with an ever present love for shows like Friends, Freaks and Geeks and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Images: IMDb

So we have these shows, and hey, they’re all mostly brilliant to watch. The feeling of nostalgia is a calming one, whether we experienced the time or not. Psychologically, it is claimed that the feeling of nostalgia even helps with anxiety, particularly with watching shows you enjoyed as a child. If you revisit something, it can show you how you’ve evolved as a person since last watching it. For anyone who has experienced trauma to any degree, this check on identity can be very helpful.

In modern shows, representation of the 80s is often skewed

So we can say that there is a safety in looking back at a time that has passed. It is escapism from the chaos we’re faced with everyday. That being said, the representation of the 80s (in shows produced now) is often a little skewed. It can capture the essence of nostalgia, but glaze over the bad parts. Casual racism, sexism and homophobia was much more prominent, compared to some of the progress we’ve made since

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Monday 2 March 2020

k value become gratuitous?

t Nazi hunters starring Al Pacino, Logan Lerman and Josh Radnor

there is some historical accuracy that lends to the shows benefit.

The star-studded cast is remarkable with the likes of Al Pacino, fresh off an Academy Award nomination for The Irishman, Logan Lerman and Josh Radnor. The team of hunters is extremely diverse with loads of chemistry between them making for a fun scene whenever they are together and you will be sure to find a favourite amongst them. All performances are solid and while I’m yet to finish the show I already want to learn everything I can about these characters.

lessens the impact of things that actually occurred.

While it is important to highlight what happened I feel using it in this way, primarily for entertainment rather than education, is in very poor taste.

While the show may be fundamentally flawed in its use of inspiration, it’s hard to argue at the quality of production. The 1970s vibe of the show comes in full force thanks to the clothing, set pieces, and vehicles which definitely helps with the whole experience of watching the show. On the other hand, the scenes taking place in the past, specifically involving the camps of the Holocaust, are difficult to watch and come across as quite real thanks to details given to Weil from his grandmother. So at least in this regard,

The truth might eventually get lost amongst the lies

As complicated as it is to say, Hunters is a great show which shouldn’t exist. In a time where racial injustice and white supremacy are still massive issues, a show that almost glorifies and makes the actions of the Nazis feel like make-belief was a poor choice. The Holocaust was a truly horrific time and caused the death of over 6 million, lacing such an event with fiction only for entertainment might lead to the truth eventually getting lost amongst all the lies with some people even saying it never actually happened. Hunters did try to stick to the facts where possible with some of the events actually happening but unfortunately took it too far.

@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/TV

TV culture

Review: Narcos Mexico season 2

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etflix’s legendary saga of Narcos started in 2015 with the gritty stories of the Colombian cocaine trade in the 1980s, following the entangled mess of a drug war between law enforcement agencies and mighty drug lords such as Pablo Escobar.

If you put daring, driven and mastermind together, you get Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo – the Mexican drug lord, or rather, legend who united the scattered drug cartels of Mexico into one federation and switched from marijuana to the cocaine trade. The fourth season records his transformative rise from an ex-cop to a drug giant. Although “Eye of the Tiger” introduces the mighty legend of Miguel Angel, “Guts and Glory” is what defines him. The throne is merely a starting point for Miguel and as for the viewers, there are a lot of frustrating build-ups before the end is realized. Given the crude and crucial detailing of the show, multiple events happen simultaneously, and the audience must be warned in advance in order to keep up with the pace.

Felix is losing his friends and allies left and right this season

The fifth instalment follows the fall of Miguel Angel, who is frustrated by the growing animosity Sinaloan-Tijuana Cartels, Acosta’s abandonment of Juarez due to personal discords, the duplicity and difficulties with Guerra of Gulf Cartel and Isabella’s persistent efforts to earn a seat at the table. But then again, Felix has had enough money problems with the bully Cali Cartel and is ready to sweep them off the scene with the help of Mexican political party called PRI to make space for his business. If that isn’t

enough already, after the murder of Agent Camerana, the DEA is seriously annoyed, especially Agent Breslin who finally reveals his face and lands in Mexico with Operation Leyenda determined to take down Felix. Felix is losing his friends and allies left and right.

It highlights the sooty crooks and corners of a Mexican drug empire

One would get overwhelmed just reading the plot, but it isn’t nearly enough to break down Miguel Felix, who might be “skinny” but puts the ‘dare’ in daredevil. Much of the thrill in this crime-thriller is watching Diego Luna (Star Wars: Rogue One, Y Tu Mama Tambien) embody Felix’s ingenius who even Breslin admits is undefeatable because he “built this machine”. The bloody and begrimed reality which Hollywood glamourised in Bad Boys for Life and The Godfather is slowly broken down in this 10-episode series to highlight the sooty crooks and corners of a Mexican drug empire. Scoot McNairy (Monsters, Argo) is resolute as Agent Breslin but lacks the desperation of Camerana, reminding the viewers of a void left by his loss.

The nostalgia is compensated by the sweet romance of Mimi and Acosta, a melting centre of this dark series.

The fifth season slows down the heat and adrenaline of its predecessor and gives a measured account of Felix’s fall, with his spirit nowhere near brokenness in sight. In his own words, the end promises that the dedicated audience are sure to “miss” Felix, with his captivating allure forever remnant in their hearts.

Arnojya Shree

ighties: our love of nostalgia Pretty Little lying about their age in a fast-paced modern world, we love to find escapism in the past Tilly Williams discusses the sexualisation of minors on TV A then in Western society. These shows aren’t deconstructing and criticising the 80s.

This brings us onto Stranger Things. The ever popular sci-fi horror show idolises the decade, the episodes overflowing with iconography and classic eighties aesthetics. Even down to the posters and the soundtrack/score, Stranger Things is perfect 80s bait. There is something to be said of Netflix here, too. They saw the success of nostalgia and knew they had to get involved, and boy did they go for it. The show pays homage to classic 80s movies such as Stand By Me, E.T and Poltergeist just to name a few. However, it is an idealised view of the decade. It’s how we want the 80s to have been. It is, though, the perfect kind of nostalgia that distracts us from what we face in the modern day. Stranger Things is less deconstructionist and more paying tribute to a time that still lingers today in 2020.

An example of a show that arguably does deconstruct is Pose. It thrives with the 80s aesthetics but still highlights the problems that faced LGBTQ+ people, specifically those of colour. It tackles familial rejection and the AIDs crisis, while also delving into the community’s culture

post-Stonewall riots. This show holds the utmost importance when it comes to learning how society worked in the 80s.

A weird example of a show that also plays on nostalgia is Sex Education, a show that isn’t really set in any particular decade. It has the weird and wonderful aesthetics of the 80s (and even 70s) but still employs the latest technologies and the social/political climate. Sex Education has the aspects of the 80s that we love, without the casual discrimination. It would lead us to believe that the aesthetic choices are the main reason for our love of nostalgia; but it goes further than this. Anything reminiscent of the past tends to appeal to viewers, whether they lived through it or not. Sex Education becomes a celebration of what came before, mashed up together with what is great about the modern day.

Nostalgia is something that just works, and it will continue to work. One day, we’ll be remembering the new shows that we’re watching now as young adults and the cycle will start again. It’s hard to imagine how the 2020s will look on television 30 years from now, but I’m sure we’ll all be watching intently to recapture our youth, that’s if climate change hasn’t got us by then.

Until then, let’s just continue to live in the past.

That’s what I’m going to do.

cross numerous popular TV shows, adult actors are used to portray high school students.

Initially, this does make sense as adult actors can work far more hours and have more experience, but this also opens them up to being sexualised in the media.

The fact that the actors aren’t actually minors means that directors have more creative freedom in some senses as they can be put into more risqué situations, which wouldn’t be accepted were they the age they’re portraying.

For example, in shows such as Riverdale and Pretty Little Liars, student-teacher relationships are romanticised. It isn't shown as shocking or wrong, as we are seeing two adults together, which could lead to the normalization of these age gaps. These relationships should be warned against, not glorified. In Pretty Little Liars, the age gap between the actors is only 3 years. For the viewers, this relationship appears normal and less problematic than if the viewers saw a 16-year-old and a 33-year-old together.

Young viewers could idealise these relationships and fail to see the problematic nature.

There is also the issue that the actors playing high school students are adults with hair and make-up teams behind them, normalising an unrealistic level of beauty. Teenagers see this and question why they don’t look like that. This could lead to serious image issues as it sets the bar for beauty standards to be far too high and impossible for the youth to obtain. In a way, it forces teenagers to feel as if they must grow up faster and or mature quicker, so they can be like characters they’ve idolised on TV. Issues also arise when these shows display adult themes such as heavy drinking, drug misuse, sex or violence. It further normalises these as standard behaviours for teenagers to take part in. It appears less shocking when it's 30-year-old actors but it is disturbing to watch if it was someone under

the age of 18. It tricks adolescence to normalise adult behaviour and feel a desperate urge to fit in, feeling this is appropriate for their age group.

It is very damaging to impressionable young and naive viewers

It also encourages the sexualisation of minors, as adult women playing teenagers are subject to the male gaze, in tight-fitting clothes. The men are shown shirtless in locker rooms and the audience is supposed to enjoy the exposed actors despite the fact this would be massively inappropriate if the actors were the age they’re portraying. And once normalised in the minds of viewers, it becomes less of a stretch to start to sexualise minors in real life, since we’re already being encouraged to do so on TV. To conclude, the rapidly increasing use of adult actors portraying high school students in the media is widely problematic and it needs to be re-evaluated.

While it initially makes sense due to the fact child actors will not have the experience or the same available hours as adult actors, it’s becoming manipulated and incredibly damaging to impressionable and naive viewers.

Image: IMDb

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culture film

c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Film Editors: Elisabetta Pulcini, Joe Holloran, Lucy Lillystone & Steven Ross

Four reasons to overcome the one-inch barrier

Arifah Badlishah explains why viewers should always choose subtitles over bad dubbing

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irector Bong Joon Ho made a profound statement while accepting the first-ever Best Foreign Language Picture Golden Globe for a South Korean film: "Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films”. Is the Parasite director right?

The black comedy thriller continued to carve history when one month later, it won four awards at the Oscars including Best Picture Award. As the film began gaining significant attention from Western media, it rekindled a long-running debate: are subs or dubs the best way to watch films that are not spoken in one’s mother tongue?

When I started studying media in the UK, I was absolutely shocked to find out that some people actively avoid watching non-English films that are not dubbed. In my home country, Malaysia, I have never heard of subtitles being a huge nuisance for anybody since we have been raised since childhood to watch films and television shows of various languages, produced in several different countries including our own.

In the span of one year, it is uncommon for a Malaysian to enjoy films in multiple languages such as Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Japanese and Thai - and we usually only understand only one or two of those languages. Reading subtitles is something that comes so naturally to us, we don’t even notice it. I remember a Malaysian friend studying in the UK who joined the Anime Society at her university but was severely disappointed to find out that the other members watched dubbed anime.

Yet, I understand that it would be difficult to get used to reading subtitles if you have been watching dubbed foreign films your whole life. Pro-subbers argue that instead of distracting the viewer from the film, subtitles are able to enrich the cinematic experience. Here are some reasons to watch subbed foreign films instead of dubbed ones.

Dubbing removes an essential element of a film: the original dialogue, and substitutes it with something else. This can make a huge difference when it comes to things like emotion, intonation,

timing, and pauses - which can directly affect how you perceive certain characters or scenes. This is the number one reason that pro-subbers think that dubbing is an abomination. The worst part is, you could be watching a film that has been terribly dubbed but not notice it at all.

Not every production can afford dubbing, but subtitles are available for almost every film or television show. As Bong Joon Ho said, when you read subtitles, you are doing yourself a favour by opening the doors to several different kinds of wonderful movies and television shows to enjoy.

Once you get used to reading subtitles, it might be as effortless as breathing. Getting used to reading subtitles is often a lot easier than you’d expect! You will also benefit from enhanced literacy skills and a higher reading speed. In fact, some people even turn on subtitles for films in their native language because they want to thoroughly understand what is being spoken.

Of course, you might not immediately become fluent in Spanish or Arabic if you watch films with subtitles, but you’ll definitely pick up on certain common words or phrases.

It could help if you’re taking a foreign language class, or to engage with people from different ethnicities and nationalities. Let’s get #cultured!

In the end, the matter of subs versus dubs is a matter of one’s personal preference and many valid factors can contribute to one’s decision to watch dubbed films, including dyslexia, visual impairments and sensory overload. However, if subtitles are not too much of a bother for you, it’s worth giving it a shot for the benefits mentioned above. Baby steps are key, for example, maybe start by

trying to watch a subtitled film at least once a month? It will certainly be an enlightening experience to challenge yourself to overcome the oneinch tall barrier of subtitles!

the courier

Monday 2 March 2020

The female v

Peter Lennon discusses some of th

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f somebody were to ask me to write this article two years ago, I really would’ve struggled to think of any five female directors, let alone the ones that are shaping our generation’s voices. I don’t believe that I’m alone in this confession, but it does my heart well knowing that this isn’t the truth now. Whether the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences want to acknowledge it or not, women are slowly being hired for wider releases and responsible for some of the most engaging pieces of cinema seen in recent years.

Kathryn Bigelow For a while, Kathryn Bigelow was the female director of Hollywood (or at least the only one that received any merit). From her Horror Western debut, Near Dark (1987), to her Academy Award winning thriller, The Hurt Locker (2008), Bigelow has proven to be a master of all trades (or at least genres). In many ways, Bigelow has been a pioneer for women behind the camera, leading the path to the light at the end of the tunnel.

To this day, Bigelow remains the only woman to win an Academy Award for Directing – a record that I’m sure Bigelow would be more than happy to give up in the near future.

Patty Jenkins

Image:IMDB

From a similar generation as Bigelow, Jenkins made a splash on the independent film scene, with her hard-hitting biopic Monster (2003), starring an unrecognisable Charlize Theron. The drama received acclaim for it’s unflinching female gaze, with Theron even winning the Academy Award for

Image:IMD

The most satisfying deaths in H

Gore and slasher aficionado James Troughton highlights his favourite gruesome and

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ratuitous violence is part and parcel of film, even if over-the-top gore has its fair share of critics. Tarantino is popular for a reason, as there’s just something primal that gets tickled by on-screen carnage.

There’s a lot of great moments in violent cinema, from the Goldberg traps laid by Death themselves in Final Destination (2000) to the zombie-killing extravaganza that is Overlord (2018), and picking just five great kills is an arduous task. Nonetheless, here is an attempt at listing the top five on-screen deaths in film.

5. Inglorious Basterds (2009)

Seeing Nazis bite the bullet will never not be fun to watch, which is likely due to how horrific they were historically – video-games have taken full advantage of this brilliance, with Nazi Zombies in 'Call of Duty'and popping Hitler’s singular testicle in Sniper Elite, but film and TV aren’t too different in sharing this joyous violence.

Tarantino’s very own Inglorious Basterds tells an alternate history, one in which Hitler gets killed during a cinema screening, with the burning flames engulfing the cinema as gunmen storm the lookout to mow down the head honcho of the Nazi party. It’s not as extravagant as some of the deaths in Saw, but something about seeing the toothbrushmoustached man getting his just-deserves is unbelievably satisfying.

4. Slaughter High (1986) Sadly, I wasn’t allowed to fill this list with slashers, and picking just one death from the entirety of the slasher genre was a big ask, but Slaughter High takes the cake with its ridiculous, campy and self-aware kills that embrace the silly side of 80s horror. There’s a lot to pick from, but one of the best is a scene in which a woman’s skin melts off her body in an acid bath tub, leaving nothing but a skeleton.

It’s so unrealistic that the gory horror is outweighed by the oddly-satisfying and oh-so hilarious demise.

Image: IMDB

3. Birds of Prey (2020)

Birds of Prey is one of the best comic-book movies in recent years, acting as DC’s very own Deadpool, whilst also spectacularly giving women the team-up film they’ve long deserved, with a woman at the helm. It’s brilliant and the violence is no exception.

The final moment in which Harley and Cassandra overcome Ewan McGregor’s Black Mask, blowing him into pieces, is a moment of exclamation as the audience are overwhelmed with a feeling of “fuck yes!” as the scumbag’s arms and legs shoot off in opposite directions.

2. Shaun of the Dead (2004) David’s death is particularly horrifying, if not overly gory, which may strike it from some people’s lists of satisfying deaths, but the character was nothing but an annoyance and a plague, acting as a major pain in the various character’s backsides.

Him going was an inevitability, and how he goes is perfectly v i o l e nt .

Cutting him

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@Courier_Film thecourieronline.co.uk/film

voices of our generation

The Call of the Wild (PG)

filmculture Brahms: The Boy II (15)

he current most influential female voices in Hollywood film directing

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Best Actress. Then Jenkins disappeared, only direction sporadic episodes in television, before being attached to direct Thor: The Dark World (2012) and subsequently leaving the project over creative differences. Then Wonder Woman (2017) happened. Jenkin’s success led to her becoming one of the highest paid directors, and the hiring of other female directors for blockbuster films, such as Cathy Yan and Chloe Zhao.

Greta Gerwig

Simply put, Gerwig is to independent films what Jenkins is for blockbusters. Primarily an actor and occasional writer during the dawn of her career, Gerwig broke out as the director and writer of the coming-of-age drama-comedy Lady Bird (2017). For the film, Gerwig received Academy nominations for both Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Henceforth, Gerwig would write-direct last year’s critically and commercially successful Little Women (2019) and acutely represent the voice of our generation. Even actress Olivia Wilde has been following in her footsteps with the criminally underrated Booksmart (2019).

tion at the 2020 Academy Awards (though Awkwafina did win Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical at the Golden Globes). Nevertheless, it’s the hearts of our generation that choose who gets to speak for us and The Farewell is in no shortage of fans. Wang has proven herself to be a masterful filmmaker, accurately representing the cultures around her while telling a story with universal themes.

Ava DuVernay

In 2014, DuVernay became the first black female director to have her film nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Selma (2014) took an unflinching look at Martin Luther King’s 1965 voting-rights march against racial injustice, reminding its audience of the importance of the civil right work that has been done, as well as how far it still needs to go. With this, DuVernay herself has become a trailblazer for women of colour in the cinematic arts. After writing and directing the critically acclaimed miniseries When They See Us (2019), DuVernay has already begun placing her energies towards a New Gods (TBD) film for the DCEU, certifying her own titan-hood in the cinematic field.

Lulu Wang While currently not as well known as the aforementioned directors, Wang is beginning to make a name for herself with last years comedy drama The Farewell (2019).

Despite the film being a critical darling, it infamously received no recogni-

Hollywood

d grizzly deaths scenes on screen

from the action in such a gruesome way is earned, as he is built up in a way as the antagonist to Simon Peg’s character, which is why seeing David getting ripped apart by zombies with horrifying practical effects is a moment of wonder in film’s history.

1. John Wick Chapter 2 (2017)

The ‘John Wick’ franchise is famous for its stellar choreography, which is mostly down to Chad Stahleskis’ previous experience as a stunt double, meaning that the action feels unbelievably tangible, from the way that it is shot to the way that it is rehearsed and performed.

One of the best moments, something that became iconic for its hilarity, was a scene in which Keanu Reeves’ John Wick takes a pencil and uses it to kill an attacker. It’s an odd choice of weapon, but it works, and it makes for a great moment in a high-octane, thrilling scene.

Image: Mohamed Hassan from Pxhere

Image:IMDB

The new adaptation of Jack London’s 1903 is sentimental, but misses its mark in convincing the audience of its cinematic world. Chris Sanders's live-action debut plays safe and softens the brute reality of the novel.

The film portrays a St. Bernard and Scottish Shepherd mix who is abducted from his lavish domestic life, to be taken North where sledge dogs are needed to help during the Klondike Gold Rush. A random meeting in Alaska connects Buck and Thornton but sends them on their separate ways. In this taxing adaptation process, Buck is purchased as a sledge dog by several masters, suffering abuse from some. But Fate brings salvation to Buck in the form of an unexpected adventure, setting him on course for a whole new world which awaits him beyond civilization.

Technology can create an unbelievably believable world with its advancements, which can be a gift (for instance, Avatar) or a curse (for instance, Lion King). Sander’s Buck immediately garners the viewer’s camaraderie with his puppy eyes and spirited charm. The CGI turns Buck into a Seer with an ability to sense Thornton’s grief and drinking habit or halt at his plea, much to the dismissal of his master which distracts the flow of the film.

The screenplay turns the narrative into a rocky road, as it stumbles from one emotion to another in a matter of minutes. The visuals of a wild Alaska are mesmerizing and transport the viewers with its transcendent quality.

Ford is the poignant core of the film, with an omnipotent quality exceeding the mortal abilities in order to burn the bridge of master-owner relationship between humans and animals. Overall, the film in its light-heartedness appears as a good effort but makes no promise of sticking with you till the end.

Arnojya Shree

Image:IMDB

For every great horror movie like Hereditary, there are 10 not so great horror films. Brahms: The Boy II is, unfortunately, one of those ten.

The film follows a family who moves to the countryside after a traumatic event, where their son discovers an antique doll. As with any horror, things start to go wrong.

This is a horror movie without any real horror. For the majority of the movie, I found myself not on the edge of my seat but instead halfway down it, almost asleep.

The few jump scares that did come from the film were predictable and felt like a cheap attempt at a scare. The movie also used textbook jump scare noises but without any actual visual scares which felt more confusing than anything as well as pointless.

I will admit the few times the movie engaged with some psychological horror it was quite effective. The doll acts almost like a weeping angel from Doctor Who, making you fear for taking your eyes off it for even a second.

But it’s used too little too late to make the film anything more than a boring drag.

I also felt that the parents in this film, played by Katie Holmes and Owain Yeoman, were believable and made smart decisions regarding their son, Jude (Christopher Convery), and his relationship with the doll. Yes, the doll is creepy and they don’t like it, but from their perspective, the doll also seems to be helping their son deal with his trauma. This makes the build-up of the film and the doll gaining control over the family at least a bit more believable.

Watching this film felt like I was back in January with all the other generic horror movies thrown out to de at the box movie. While the film had some good aspects to overall it’s just a forgettable and boring attempt at a cash grab.

George Bell

The swankiest soundtracks of cinema Harriet Metcalfe sings her praises of the best movie soundtracks from Beale Street to Bond T his isn’t an ode to Toss a Coin to your Witcher or the bathroom dance from Joker... Sorry.

With Billie Eilish now the youngest artist to release the title track for a James Bond film; No Time To Die, it’s about time we look back to some of the best soundtracks in cinema. There’s a bit of everything here, but before anyone starts with the ‘well where’s John Williams or Hans Zimmer?!’ – I’ve left them out purposely.

Yes, they’ve made some of the best soundtracks, but I thought now might be a good time to shed some light on a couple of others…

2017’s Call Me By Your Name soundtrack is up there with some of the best. It’s got everything you could ever want: French 1980s pop? They’ve got Bandolero’s Paris Latino. Seven minutes of piano that makes me want to go finish Grade 4? They’ve got John Adam’s Hallelujah Junction. Well, the first movement of it anyway. Love songs to make you cry? Sufjan Stevens Mystery of Love. It’s a beautiful film by itself anyway, but the soundtracks pushes the emotions even more.

Perhaps slightly off the beaten-cinema-track, but last years’ Benjamin, scored

by James Righton, has to be one of the simplest but heart-warming/breaking soundtracks you’ll ever hear.

Turn off the shuffle play, and you’ll hear audio clips from the film that make the impact of the next piece all the more powerful: I was just wondering if you might still be in the business of being interested in me?

I think I might have put you off by being a lunatic. I strongly recommend Edith Bowman’s podcast ‘Soundtracking’,

and her interview with Simon Amstell and James Righton on the music of Benjamin (episode 133)… and every other interview as well.

Barry Jenkins got plenty of deserved attention for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), but Nicholas Britells’ score isn’t talked about enough. Whilst the music itself is stunning, I’m obsessed with the level of detail in the actual names of each piece – four of which derive from Ancient Greek words for different kinds of love. The 3rd track, Agape, symbolises unconditional love often associated with religion. Eros (the 5th track) symbolises romantic love, Storge (13th track) for love of a family, and Philia (17th track) for self-love. Personally I think it’s genius.

I don’t think I can write this without mention the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtracks. Controversially, I actually prefer the second soundtrack to the first one – you can’t tell me baby Groot dancing around to Electric Light Orchestra’s Mr. Blue Sky in the middle of a space battle isn’t one of the most adorable things you’ve ever seen. They work so well here, and not so well in D.C’s Suicide Squad, because these songs have meaning to the characters. The whole concept of Peter Quills’ mother leaving him these mixtapes after she passed away is enough to tug at my heartstrings – even if she didn’t put David Bowie’s Heroes on there.

One of my favourite films, and my favourite soundtrack is Richard Cutis’ 2013 film About Time, about a timetravelling

Domhnall Gleeson who keeps going back to get the girl and do things right. It’s got a fair bit of range; The Cure’s Friday I’m In Love feels more than fitting, and although Jimmy Fontana’s Il Mondo (which Bill Nighy’s character calls the: “greatest record ever recorded by an Italian who looks like he’s got a dead badger on his head”) might feel out of place sandwiched in-between Nick Cave’s Into My Arms and an instrumental piece – it’s a small but brilliant point, brought up repeatedly in the film. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t listen to this at least once a week – and make others listen to it as well.

Whilst No Time To Die is certainly better than previous releases for Bond films, it remains to be seen whether the film will break the run of 'average' Bond films we've seen recently (Rotten Tomatoes gave 2015's Spectre 63%). In the meantime, there's a fair few other soundtracks deserving of your attention.

Images: IMDB

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culture arts

c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Arts Editors Caitlin Rawlings, Charlotte Slinger & Lauren Sneath

the courier

Monday 2 March 2020

Fringe favourite Ladybones at Alphabetti Theatre

Sophia Kypriotis reviews the one-woman, one-hour play exploring everything from femininity, mental health, to archaeology

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he 21st Febuary was Ladybones’ 14th show and mon myths about OCD-it’s often trivialised and misun- ness, I expected to be part of a fairly young crowd, but the its final performance in Newcastle's Alphabet derstood when it’s a terribly debilitating condition.” audience were older than I anticipated. It was pleasantly Theatre. First running at the Edinburgh Fringe For a play that addresses OCD, sexuality and loneli- surprising to know that they too were interested in such in 2019, it has since been recorded as an audio drama topics, as it is often easy to assume that it is only millenfor Audible’s ‘Theatre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe nials and Gen Z's that are concerned with exploring and 2019’. The one-hour, one-woman play is proudly partexpressing such subjects. Audience participation was Nuala felt like an nered with OCD UK, working to dismantle some of voluntary, but most people were up for it; the chances for authentic and tangible the audience to get involved to help Nuala on her journey the myths and misconceptions surrounding the disorder. means each performance may be entirely different to the young woman trying Written and performed by Sorcha McCaffrey, the proone before. A particular audience member, an upper end duction demonstrates that someone is more than just of middle aged man called Dave, provided an amusing to navigate womantheir condition: they can be funny and silly and still exand uncanny portrayal of Nuala’s Scottish therapist Julia. hood perience significant suffering. The play follows a young McCaffrey should consider taking him on tour with her woman, Nuala, working on an archaenext time! ological dig who discovers the bones Nuala reminded me of many of my friends of a girl buried hundreds of years ago; in her wit and intelligence; comments like: a girl buried face down with a mouth“virginity is a patriarchal, social contrast” and ful of mud, who was likely accused “I want to look inside Hot Henry’s pores” are of, and murdered for, being a witch. soundbites that could easily come out of my Nuala constructs the girl’s life from friend’s mouths. Nuala’s red dungarees and her own experience of feeling 'other', well-loved, scuffed Doc. Martens shouted that like a “weirdo”, something which in she was an “independent woman who doesn’t past centuries may have seen her tried conform to societal standards” but admittedly and killed for being a witch. As such, “does wear sexy underwear”, another astute using humour and observations of reality of how many young women today feel. her world and the people in it, Nuala I often catch myself explicitly pushing against shines a light on the comparisons of patriarchal standards through my clothing or past and present and understandings behaviour, while simultaneously desiring male of what it is to be ‘other’, blurring the approval, and as such, Nuala felt like an authenlines between Nuala and the girl. tic and tangible young woman trying to naviMcCaffrey used her own personal gate womanhood. Despite only encountering experience of growing up with OCD the character of Hot Henry through Nuala, to create the play and demonstrates a boy who “tastes like he reads the Guardian while mental health is a struggle, there and had a gap yah”, I knew exactly the type of is always hope for recovery. McCafentitled, narrow minded and ultimately boring frey says she “wrote Ladybones to uni boy she was referencing, their attractiveness show that people are more than just frustratingly blinding you to their lack of subImage: Alex Brenner @ Pleasance via alphabettitheatre.co.uk stance or integrity. their condition and to dispel the com-

The set was minimal, with chapters of the play projected onto a screen and the only props being three white cubes, a skull and a can of coke. In the particular performance I saw, an audience member decided that Thea was the name of the girl whose skull it was, a name choice I supported. I too was invited to get involved and was entrusted with embodying Thea through reading out some information about her in the first person. I speculate I was selected as I was the person in the audience who most closely resembled a fourteen-year-old girl.

While a fair number of audience members nervously laughed at Nuala’s anxiety attack, I assume due to awkwardness, I was moved and struck by the pain and panic McCaffrey so poignantly conveyed within a performance that, for the most part, was extremely humorous. McCaffrey’s talent for both writing and performing was expressed within this moment, as we had become so used to Nuala as a jovial and comedic character, that when we gained insight into her mental struggles it was all the more powerful. Comedy was skilfully woven with moments of deep pain, demonstrating the turbulence that mental illness entails. McCaffrey commented that she 'want[ed] people to leave with a bit more hope than when they arrived' and indeed this was upheld; just as Thea ends up in the light, so does Nuala.

Catch Ladybones on tour in the North of England or listen to the audio drama on Audible.

o you remember the first time you went to the cinema last year? Or the first time you travelled by train the year before that?

Trinkets and Treasures is an exhibition that focuses on why people make collections, creating a vintage atmosphere. Visiting this exhibition is like travelling back in time and taking a peek into someone else’s belongings which seemingly hold no value – but, in reality, the story behind them is extraordinary.

The exhibition has been curated by students from the MA Heritage Studies programme who were given some

recollect long-forgotten memories.

Items such as birthday cards, metro tickets and more showcase the small, everyday occurrences that due to the quick pace of life we tend to leave behind or bury in our minds. It is a great reminder to seize the moment and appreciate the small things in our lives. It can, in some ways, inspire us to keep our own box of memories of objects that bring back those precious moments.

Additionally, Cabinet is an exhibition programme located in the same building as Trinkets and Treasures, which offers the opportunity to gain experience in the exhibitions department. From the cabinet of curiosity to the exploration of identity, the aim of this programme is to provide the resources and the facilitation to empower students to propose and mount their own exhibitions. Cabinet selects three exhibitions from students to participate in the programme, no matter their stage, and provides a budget of up to £200 to create an exhibition.

Trinkets and Treasures: exhibiting memory Katerina Vasilaki reviews an MA exhibition created to discover, commemorate and 'treasure' our memories D boxes full of items but weren’t aware of the fact that they were donated, and had a story behind them. The students decided to tell the story of those objects, working for months to recreate the nostalgic and voyeuristic feelings evoked by these trinkets and treasures, in order that each visitor to the exhibition is emotionally involved just as they were themselves.

This exhibition invites viewers into a stranger’s mind, showing items that have different connotations for each visitor. Trying to connect the dots between the items is stimulating; it allows the mind to wander and maybe

This exhibition invites us into a stranger’s mind and reminds us to appreciate the small things in life

Trinkets and Treasures can be found in ARMB 3.16.

Image: Katerina Vasilaki

Interested applicants for Cabinet should email a 300-word statement to cabinet@newcastle. ac.uk.

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Monday 2 March 2020

@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/arts

Review: The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson

arts culture

Our contentious Prime Minister has been parodied on stage: Dominic Lee reviews the spectacle

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olitical satire The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson made its way to the Northern Stage last weekend after a number of hit shows around the country.

The play revolves around Boris' journey through Brexit, from his battle between leave and remain all the way through to a predicted view of 2029 where, shock of the century, Brexit has gone terribly wrong.

The play, written by Jonathan Maitland is full of political humour and each political figure that Johnson is visited by is written with incredible detail. Throughout the night, Johnson is visited by visions of Winston Churchill, Maggie Thatcher and Tony Blair who all try to convince him of their views around Europe and Britain's future in it. In the present day, Johnson is competing with Michael Gove back and forth as the two stab each other in the back over and over again.

There are enough gags about both sides to make us forget about our problems

The pacing of the play is steady but never feels like it is dragging at any point, as there is a constant stream of gags to keep the audience drawn in. The use of previous political figures in the play also guarantees laughs, as audience members seemed to enjoy mocking their past and present leaders over the course of the show. The set was also used cleverly as the same basic props were used for each scene.

All the performances throughout the show are simultaneously very convincing and hilarious. Particular attention was given to the accents of each character, with some so convincing that if you closed your eyes you could almost hear Churchill giving his famous speech.

Writing a comedy about politics in today's times is a

bold move, as the country has never been more divided than it is at the moment. However, I really do believe that The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson did a good job of uniting Leavers and Remainers together under a common banner of comedy. There are enough gags about both sides to make us forget about our problems and the danger of our future.

However, the show also provides a useful social commentary about the times we live in. Whilst, the performances of our powerful politicians are hilarious they are also scarily accurate.

The moment you realise that what you're laughing about is actually funny because it's true is a scary one.

It tells us that there's something wrong.

However, at the end of the day this play serves its purpose.

If we weren't laughing, we'd be crying.

Image: Northern Stage

Image: Pamela Raith

Political art: bringing us together or tearing us apart?

Winifred Hewitt-Wright and Rashida Campbell-Allen debate artwork's political potential

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, like many of us, laughed with triumph at What explains this well is an extract from Adam Banksy’s art stunt in October of last year, Curtis’ documentary, HyperNormalisation: ‘“I could a piece of art, which after selling for £1.04 not identify with the political movements any longer. million, shredded itself for the whole auction All the manic activity in the streets. In trying to join house to see. However, as admirable as this them, I felt overwhelmed by yet another form of anti-capitalist statement was, this statement bureaucracy.” – Patti Smith, 1970s, New York. What and his other protest graffiti around Europe, she was describing was the rise of a new, powerful remain just that, statements. Temporary. individualism that could not fit with the idea of colEmblems. A moment in history for the future lective political action. Instead, Patti Smith and many generations to not think so badly of us. others became a new kind of individual radical, who Because of this, political art can only divide us. watched the decaying city with a cool detachment.

It is created and received within a historical nar- Instead, radicals across America turned to art and rative. We see art in rooms of high-ceilings with music as a means of expressing their criticism of soornate furnishings, or flashy modern open spaces ciety. They believed that instead of trying to change with glass windows, and while this is the very the world outside the new radicalism should try and pretentiousness Banksy made a statement against, change what was inside people’s heads, and the way it is still received in a time where art can only en- to do this was through self-expression, not collective courage thinking, never action. Since the birth of action. neoliberal ideals, political art has become not a Winifred Hewitt-Wright protest at all, but something to make us contemplate, wonder and question. Political he influence of art in sociart now invites the slowness that only the ety today is undeniable. From privileged can access. There is no desposters and images used by peration in it. In fact, if an emotional political organisations such as the reaction in a gallery was not wholly Black Arts Movement in the late disguised, it would be perceived as 1960s, to the postmodern feminist embarrassing. If a pin dropped in work of the Guerilla Girls, to viral that room, it would be perceived photographs such as that of Alan as embarrassing. And thus, our Kurdi in 2015, art has provoked thoughts and feelings remain in conversations around internaour heads, we note them down tional political injustice. into our phones, or write them Art acts as a vehicle for social change down in a tweet if we find them esbecause it is a projection of current pecially emotion-inducing, and, perpolitical and cultural climates. As a haps we speak about how ‘inspiring’ universal language of commuthat exhibition was for a while, nication, art can reach and but it did not change us, it influence an immeasurdid not change anything. It able amount of demowas a statement. A moment graphics. Meanings in history for the future and symbolisms generations to not think embedded in so badly of us: for creatartworks are ing it, for seeing it, for indefinite and thinking about it at all. open-ended, Because we pat ouroften left to selves on the back for the audience’s. being ‘cultural today’.

Art opens Individualism is the the platform death of collectivism for interpreand community, and tation and thus, political art and often paves protest.

Individualism the way for stunts the urgency and ima more demmediacy of anger and injustice. ocratic space Individualism can only encourage with great conImage: Flickr.com a process of depersonalisation. versation both in

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private and public spaces.

Of course the very nature of art is subjective and personal – what is art to one person is meaningless to another. The arts can be described as an imaginative reworking of the world and a product of collective action, therefore art is often used with the intention to enlighten and provoke social change and in this context, the arts can be used to exploit and push boundaries politically.

Art alone may not change the world but it does change people’s conversations

As American sociologist Howard Becker noted ‘all art is a collective identity that shares characteristics with social movements’ hence why social movements have an interesting dynamic with art worlds. Artists often have a social responsibility, to create art on behalf of social and political purpose due to modern mass circulation. It is common for many pieces now to have a canon of change and revelation, thus turning the personal aesthetic and impression of art into a political and social affair. Such art often challenges and illuminates the overlooked, so new and fresh outlooks and perspectives can be shared.

Though some may say that art is not enough to cause political change, as it is often does not reach the levels where change and reformation is put into real action. Given today’s social media saturated society, people are taking change and activism into their own hands. Therefore, as long as art can trigger and gain a reaction from a majority, they can pressure political powers to respond and act appropriately, thus art can indeed provoke political change from the bottom up.

The intersection of art and activism is clear but it is important to remember that yes, art can create social political change, but only on a micro level, directly affecting local communities or spaces. Along with critical engagement with politics, change requires the direction and collaboration with politicians in order to take place. Art alone may not change the world but it does change people’s conversations, perspectives and behaviour – which is a political triumph in itself.

Rashida Campbell-Allen

@Culture_Courier @thecourieronline

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culture gaming

Monday 2 March 2020

courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Gaming Editors Alex Darbyshire, George Boatfield, James Troughton & Shawn Khoo

The pitfalls of video game hype Following the Stardew Valley developer's tease, Muslim Taseer reflects on this often overblown facet of game release culture

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oncernedApe, developer of highly successful farming sim Stardew Valley teased on Twitter that he was working on two new projects. This unsurprisingly generated a huge buzz among fans, to which ConcernedApe followed up with tweets telling everyone to calm down. They have not. This begs the question, why bother teasing projects like this at all if this can be the expected reaction? Is hype a boon, or a bane?

Hype is a doubleedged sword. It is natural for people to get excited about games that they think will be particularly good or sequels that they have been waiting a long time for. This hype helps spread word of a

game and is essentially free advertising. However, the release of Hello Games’ No Man’s Sky has shown that the gaming industry has many lessons to learn regarding the dangers of hype.

No Man’s Sky was so hyped up - it had people going wild. The developers even kept stoking the fire by confirming little bits and pieces about the game that only made people more excited. The developers did not stop to consider even once that they might not be able to meet these lofty expectations. When the game finally came out and it turned out to be repetitive and buggy, the developers were accused of lying about the inclusion of all the missing features. Overall, the game was nothing more than mediocre at best.

The fans were out for blood, at one point sending death threats to Hello Games staff - a trend across social media that’s been on a worrying increase. I believe this was the developer’s fault for lying about the game having features it didn’t, but a more important lesson to be learnt from this story is about taming the beast of the hype train.

Hype is a powerful tool for developers, but it's always a balancing act

Another game that fell victim to this phenomenon was Watch Dogs, which is a personal favorite of mine. A lot of Image: Fandom Wiki

gamers I’ve personally talked to recall being disappointed

by Watch Dogs and always speak of it with a sour tone.

I think this is because of how much it was hyped up. It was advertised as revolutionary and game changing which raised expectations, leading some to be disappointed. Not to mention that the graphics of the game seemed to downgrade when it was released from when it was shown at expos.

I played the game years after release, oblivious to all the hype before it was released and enjoyed it a lot more.

Sometimes though, you have games like Red Dead Redemption II, or really any Rockstar Game. Ludicrous amounts of hype, preorders reaching record numbers, and fans combing through every frame of teasers to glean as much info out as possible before release date; these are all hallmarks of a Rockstar release. But the difference is that Rockstar very rarely disappoints. This is because they never promise anything that isn’t in the game. They know how to tame the beast that is the hype train.

Hype is a powerful tool that developers and publishers must know how to use to their advantage. It’s a balancing act. It can help a game shoot to the top but it can also tank reception if you let it. ConcernedApe has been smart with managing hype by telling people to calm down, because at this point we’ve all seen how over hyping can go badly wrong.

Images: IMGB

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bout six months ago, Nintendo ipedia e: Wik said that there would Imag be further updates and information about New Horizons, so the Animal Crossing fanbase patiently waited, and waited, until finally, a month before it’s release, we’ve got what we were after. The months of silence were worth it, because the game is now shaping up to be so much more than what we could have ever dreamed of.

Where to begin? There were so many announcements

Nintendo Direct shows plenty on t

it was actually pretty overwhelming - every two seconds I was screaming in joy at the screen (and maybe even a little teary-eyed, but don’t tell). I think the newest information that we were all the most excited about was the addition of terraforming: we can now basically customise our island into whatever we want! Fancy a smaller river? Sure!

Want a cliff? Go for it! The choice is now in your hands, which works out as a promotion from small-time mayor to a god-like creator of worlds.

Honestly, this is all super exciting because it feels like Nintendo are finally listening to the fans; previously, custom design slots were often reserved to

Struggling to contain her excitement, TV Editor Sophie Hicks provide create the illusion of paths and water, but now we can finally have the real thing and keep our custom designs for, well, actual designs (which they seem to have added more spaces for, by the way!). Speaking of design slots, it also seems like you can customise items way more in New Horizons, as the Direct showed custom pillows and mugs.

Nintendo will also be launching a New Horizons app which seems to have a sharing platform for QR codes of designs, which we can scan into our game worlds. This is really exciting because it makes it feel more like a community,

rather than having to frantically search on Pinterest and elsewhere to find dress QR codes.

However, terraforming won’t come until after you have progressed in the game, but the Direct did show that you can pick a basic layout for your island initially, so at least you have some sort of say at first.

You can also finally build houses exactly where you want them, instead of villagers destroying perfect arrangements of paths and buildings - once again Nintendo, THANK YOU! Oh, and if you’re super lazy, it seems that there will be a rescue service to fast travel across your island. This seems quite unnecessary and yet I am very excited to see this in action because

BEA interview Newcastle GameSoc president Starbreeze inside

Kaitlyn Maracle provides local insight into the British Esports Association's feminist campaign After a big PayDay, Alex Gervás take

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Image: YouTube (National Student Esports)

s part of the British Esports Association’s ‘Women in Esports’ campaign, the president of Newcastle University’s Gaming Society, Angela Lukić, was interviewed.

In the interview, she discussed her role as president of the society and what that entails, as well as some of the achievements of various Esports teams that are under the umbrella of the society.

The interview was focused on women and non-binary people in Esports, which the society has a good track record for including. In the interview, Angela recalled being told by a National Student Esports (NSE) admin that the “society has the highest number of female players registered and actively playing on teams” out of all university Esports teams, which is an amazing achievement, and a win for inclusivity within the university system.

Sadly, Angela encountered pushback against the idea of a woman, and the only woman at that, being in the driver’s seat when she was elected to the

role in her first term. This initially made it very difficult for Angela - “I didn’t like it, so I put a lot of effort into changing it when I became an executive”. On the other hand, though, it makes her run as president all the more important due to the improvements and progress that’s been made regarding the inclusion of women within the society.

Angela encountered pushback against the idea of a woman being in the driver's seat

It is still clear that despite this achievement, it’s not as easy for women, both cis and trans, to enter the Esports or gaming space. Comments are thrown about both ingame and in real life, and while neither are okay, Angela notes that people are afraid to call those comments and jokes out for what they are – (usually) sexist: "I can only hope that those who do give us a look can quickly see what our values are and what we stand for and know that we will actively protect women within our spaces".

The interview provides an in-depth look at how the society works, how grassroots Esports is the way to go and how a thick skin can prove to be beneficial in the gaming community.

The interview is available to read in full on the British Esports Association’s website.

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he former CFO of Starbreeze, Sebastian Ahlskog, was convicted of insider trading on 11 February.

Ahlskog is facing a fine of $4,142 for buying and selling the company’s classified information and stock.

This amount is just an addition to the previous fine of $72,494 imposed after the first raid. Ahlskog then had a week to appeal the fine, but there have not been any announcements that would indicate that an appeal will take place.

Starbreeze, the Swedish developer of games such as PayDay and The Chronicles of Riddick, has been under investigation since December 2018. Two months before, Ahlskog stepped down as the Chief Financial Officer, just before the inside trading allegedly began in November.

The then-CEO, Bo Andersson Klint, stepped down following the involvement of the Swedish Economic Crime Authority (ECA). Nevertheless, Klint was cleared of all charges.

Measures to reduce losses included laying off staff, and selling off publishing licenses

Ahlskog’s conviction has come at the end of a period of reconstruction for Starbreeze. The company had been given twelve months to recover from their financial losses.

The business’s last report indicated a $12 million loss and, despite being less than the 2018 financial report, the company is still in the process of economic recovery.

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Monday 2 March 2020

@Courier_Gaming thecourieronline.co.uk/gaming

gaming culture

Final Fantasy VII showcases cinematic

Following this introductory cinematic, Alex Gervas anticipates this remade JRPG in light of its striking, high-quality visuals

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quare Enix released a new introductory movie for the Final Fantasy VII remake.

After the demo got leaked to YouTube at the end of last year, the official extended version of the theme song came out on 14 February.

The opening follows a similar narrative to the original version from 1997 for the first PlayStation. Besides the technical differences, the extended version explores the hustle and bustle of life in Midgar, from kids playing in parks to close-ups of dead plants to the introduction of the recurrent characters of Aerith and Cloud Strife.

1997

Images: YouTube (Square Enix) & YouTube (FINAL FANTASY)

The year the original Final Fantasy VII was released for the Sony PlayStation

Square Enix first announced Final Fantasy VII remake during E3 2015, but development did not actually begin until 3 years later in 2018.

Whilst the initial release date was 3 March 2020, the game has been delayed as it will now be coming out a month later on 10 April.

The game will be exclusive to PlayStation 4 for a year, until April 2021.

After

that, the game is expected to be ported for the Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch.

The game has been delayed and will now be arriving on 10 April

The remake of the original 1997 version will be the beginning of a new saga of Final Fantasy. Noruma and producer Yoshinori Kitase announced the new multi-part series intends to “get fans of the original version excited.”

The new game will more deeply explore themes and concepts from the original story

Developers announced that these chapters are meant to be full-sized games in their own right, rather than episodic installments like with Life is Strange or The Walking Dead. Final Fantasy VII sets the stage for new characters and events, even set in flashbacks since the trailer has revealed inconsistencies in the supposed timeline. With this, the new Final Fantasy will further explore themes and

the horizon for Animal Crossing

es a detailed account of Nintendo's most recent set of announcements Resetti’s music was eerily playing, so perhaps the mole man has gone to the sky this time.

Another fun addition seems to be a Nook Mileage Programme where you can earn miles to get credit for exclusive rewards. It looked kinda like the Island medal quests on New Leaf, so I can’t wait to see how they’ve altered it for New Horizons! It also looks like you can buy something called Nook Mile Tickets, where you can visit mystery islands and harvest their resources (I have already seen plenty of jokes about New Horizons colonialism because of this, and frankly, I can’t help but have a good chuckle about it). I can’t wait to take

er trading scandal

es note of their current financial state Starbreeze has applied measures to solve the company’s financial situation after being declared to be on the brink of financial insolvency. Some of these included laying off staff, selling off publishing licences, and restarting paid content production for PayDay 2.

At the same time, Digital Bros has obtained all of Starbreeze’s assets from Smilegate for $21.2 million, and now holds 30.18% stake and 40.83% of the company’s voting rights.

Desite Starbreeze's economic struggles, it assures PayDay 3 will still arrive in 2023

Despite the economic struggles of the company, Starbreeze has reassured users PayDay 3 will come in 2023, stating that production has been underway since 2017.

@culture_courier @thecourieronline

out my anger on random islands where I can cut down all their trees and take every inch of resource possible - just the way Nintendo intended.

It’s a shame that a lot of old characters don’t seem to be returning this time around. For instance, it seems like Joan might have retired/died because there’s Daisy Mae but her adorable design just means that I’m not even sad. It looks like they’re still going to use some things from New Leaf such as the campsite, so not everything will be new. I do love that they’re incorporating other aspects of older games that worked because, they had a tendency to scrap these elements (anyone else miss the Acorn Festival?).

concepts from the original storyline that players did not have access to originally.

A downside is that you can only have one island per Nintendo Switch, which seems really odd. I really wish that Nintendo made the option for different save accounts because a lot of people I know have multiple cartridges of New Leaf so they could have two different towns - this feels like a step in the completely wrong direction. Cloud saving also isn’t supported currently, but perhaps these features will make their way over in future.

If you get the game near release, then there will be an immediate update for the season so you can start to celebrate Bunny Day in time for Easter! I

Image: YouTube (Fareydj)

love the idea that they’re going to update the game for every holiday because hopefully it’ll be more personalised, rather than having the same rewards every single year. And with Pocket Camp compatibility, who knows what else will be available?

Either way, Tom Nook will be very excited about the money that I have already spent on his services and the many, many hours I will spend enjoying the game.

Images: Fandom Wiki

Roger Clark wrangles your imagination Red Dead Redemption II's voice actor enraptures Carl Smith Valdez with his new audiobook R oger Clark, the voice actor for Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption II has released a new audiobook of Max Brand’s western novel, Way of the Lawless, which became available on 9 February.

The audiobook is available on Payhip for $19.95. It is not available on Audible, so listeners must use an alternative player.

Way of the Lawless is Clark’s first ‘unbridled’ audio, a self-directed audiobook project. He has previously released over sixty audiobook titles from varying genres such as fantasy, fiction and self-help. Clark has said in a promotional post that he aims to “introduce a series of western novels put into audiobook form as only he could.”

21K

Number of views on Roger Clark's audiobook preview on YouTube

A preview of the audiobook is available on YouTube from Clark’s official channel. As of 22 February, the video has received over 21,000 views and has had 31,000 likes and five dislikes.

The preview has garnered positive responses from Red Dead Redemption fans

The preview has garnered positive responses from Red

Dead Redemption II fans. The top comment on Clark’s YouTube video has associated his voice to his character, Arthur Morgan “reading to Jack at camp”, receiving 965 likes.

Clark has been a professional voice actor since 2000

The positive reactions were echoed on Clark’s official Twitter account. He has pinned a promotional post from 11 February, which has reached 1,100 likes and 149 retweets since 22 February.

Many sent gifs and imagery from Red Dead Redemption II, showing their continuous support to his new audiobook.

Written in 1921, Way of the Lawless focuses on Andrew Lanning, an outlaw attempting to escape from his strong minded and ruthless pursuer, Hal Dozier.

The novel consists of cowboys riding horses and chasing each other. It brings to question whether Lanning is guilty of his actions or not.

Roger Clark has been a professional actor since 2000 predominantly working in voiceover capture, theatre and film. He has performed theatrically in more than 40 countries and has won Best Performance for Arthur Morgan at The Game Awards in 2018.

Image: Twitter (@rclark98, photo by @chris_comfort)

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culture science

c2.science@ncl.ac.uk Science Editors Eleanor Gratton, Patrick Harland & Seshadhri Subramanian

the courier

Monday 2 March 2020

Ah choo! The real sting of jellyfish mucus Lily Holbrook reports on one of the more unique mechanisms found naturally among jellyfish to kill its prey in the oceans

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illed with a multitude of weird and wonderful creatures, the sea is a mysterious place. While a fear of Jaws-like sharks and sinister jellyfish tentacles may be enough to put you off taking a dip, exciting new research published in Communications Biology suggests that one particular jellyfish may have another trick up its sleeve…an elusive stinging mucus that you can’t even see.

Unlike the classic tentacled jellyfish that Dory painfully dodges her way through in Finding Nemo, the upsidedown jellyfish Cassiopeia xamachana, so-called because of the way they hang upside-down on coastal seabeds, has a very different approach to prey capture. Armed with a mucus fringed with tiny explosive barbs known as nematocysts, the jellyfish releases its stinging cell structures, referred to scientifically as cassiosomes, into the water column.

As cool as this may sound, there are many questions surrounding the evolutionary drivers of such a strange adaptation. Why would jellies release their killing mechanism so the prey is caught out of reach of the adult animal?

Lead author of the research, Dr Cheryl Ames, suggests that the mucus may be used by jellyfish to draw in planktonic prey after they are

stunned and killed. With the potential to limit damage to the tentacles which are more energetically expensive to regenerate, the mucus could be the answer to targeting prey in large quantities. It may even be possible that the mucus could act as a floating food source trapping the prey within, with the stinging nature of the mucus acting to deter other predators, reserving the prey for Cassiopeia.

With no shortage of his own ideas, one of Newcastle’s very own marine scientists, Dr Gary Caldwell, is excited by the recent developments.

He suggests that the chance of one jelly recapturing prey from the mucus it released itself is very small…so why do it?

The answer may lie with kin selection, where such altruistic behaviour favours relatives where many are present in an area. This may benefit the population as a whole by extending their scope to capture prey, with the sticky mucus carpet acting like a huge underwater spider web.

While the recent study mainly focuses on prey capture, this may not be the only role for the intriguing sticky mucus.

Largely neglected in the recent research is the potential for zooxanthellae exchange. Zo-

oxanthellae are the symbiotic algae housed within Cassiopeia’s mucus jelly, with exchange between individuals enhancing the jellyfish’s ability to derive energy via photosynthesis in shallow coastal waters.

It is possible that the stinging cells released with mucus may also act as a defence mechanism, similar to the ink

The cells released may act as a defence mechanism

ejected by cephalopods when they feel threatened.

While the jelly is often lethal to its prey, effects on human swimmers are considered much less severe. Other than a tingling sensation and irritating rash, the risk of serious injury or death following a single sting is unreported…at least not for this jellyfish.

With many more questions to be answered, research in this area is far from complete. With a brand new narrative to enhance our understanding of jellyfish, who knows where the next chapter will lead?

Images: Pngimg, Wikimedia Commons

Brexit to hit science funding We were holding back the flood

Jude Mockridge on how the move might impact UK research Lilla Marshall on what can lessen the damage from flooding

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uropean science has experienced somewhat of a renaissance since the millenia, with increasingly ambitious directives, both in funding and scope, enriching research and scientific disciplines.

The UK is a powerhouse in research, by virtue of its long scientific history and excellent universities (Cambridge, for example, developed Humira which is used to treat arthritis and recently became one of the best selling drugs ever). With the threats posed to British research, which receives huge funding from EU projects, Brexit has thrust debates about science into the limelight. With many of the pertinently problematic issues of today requiring scientific solutions, the need for clarity surrounding Britain’s future in science is evident.

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the billions of pounds projected to have been brought in by Horizon 2020

The UK is certain to lose out on one major research fund, falling under the funding pool of Horizon 2020: The European Research Council, which by granting funds based on excellence as opposed to thematic priorities or geographical quotas, allowing for inconceivable diversity in research. Using funding from this program, Oxford researcher Sir Peter Ratcliffe won a Nobel prize for an interdisciplinary study on cellular reactions to oxygen, already proving invaluable in cancer research. In truth,

Horizon 2020 (and it’s even bigger successor, Horizon Europe), which from 2014-2020 has pooled in a projected £80.3 billion, and the source of 45% of the £5 billion received by British organisations, will be not affect Britain’s practical ability to conduct groundbreaking research. The real issue lies in co-operation, which the removal of freedom of movement and stricter trade tariffs will undoubtedly compromise. Plant scientist Professor Alison Smith of Cambridge University, involved in many EU funding projects, has said that her field of algae biotech is likely to suffer. She writes “In my field you have to be able to know about engineering, regulation, and how to scale up. It’s not possible to do with just one lab”. Various others have complained that negotiations have already slowed down cooperation, and Professor Smith fears that in growing areas the UK has contributed to, we are less likely to be leaders.

However, ethically contentious scientific fields such as stem cell research, which by virtue of our relaxed laws the UK already leads on, may grow even more now free of bureaucracy. If we are to look at Israel, one of the countries receiving EU funding as an “associated member”, they have shared £1.7 billion of European cash between 3000 successful grants.

This may seem like a rosy view of our scientific future but yet one must ask, with the maximum potential for post-Brexit success being level with what we were achieving anyway, who knows where British science would have gone if red passports were perpetual?

Image: Flickr

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s storms Ciara & Dennis ripped apart the country and caused horrendous flooding, particularly in the North – the city of Carlisle stayed dry. That wasn’t left to chance.

Carlisle is just one of many cities which have been dealing with flooding for the last couple of decades. In January 2005, the city was underwater and later in December 2015, Storm Desmond led to a repeat. The Carlisle Flood Action Group believe that if it wasn’t for the flood protections put in place after these disasters, Ciara would’ve once again led to flooding.

The defences have been praised as the “best outside of London” and cost upwards of £25m and involves the raising of flood walls, land levels and increasing the speed of river flow.

Flood walls are large concrete barriers built to, literally, prevent the river from flowing above it. They’re ideal where space is scarce, such as when a river runs through an urban area. Often, cheaper temporary barriers made of metal or glass are used instead of concrete.

Natural methods of preventing flooding are, also, used.

These consist of methods such as diverting rivers in to large, open fields which are designed to flood – lowering

the force of floodwater. In 2016, the government considered a plan to pay farmers to allow their fields to be flooded. Trees can also prevent flooding, as they reduce the amount of rainfall hitting the ground.

Built-up urban areas are particularly at risk of flooding, due to impermeable ground terrain leading to the drainage systems becoming overwhelmed. Replacing these impermeable surfaces (e.g. concrete) with permeable surfaces that allow water to seep through would increase the amount of water needed to overwhelm drainage systems.

One lady on BBC Question Time blamed the European Union for the flooding caused by Storm Ciara & Dennis, claiming that they “they stopped dredging all the rivers across the country”. Dredging is a particularly controversial method of preventing floods, as the impact it has isn’t fully known and it can be detrimental to habitats, as well as costly. It involves removing silt from the riverbed by vacuum pumps to allow for the river to hold more water. It’s worth noting that the dredging of rivers is the responsibility of the UK Environment Agency, not the European Union.

Image: Geograph.co.uk

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Monday 2 March 2020

@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/science

Electricity from thin air?

Carter Levy reports on a novel method of power generation

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ures domain pict Image:Public

ew research into energy generation has revealed a novel way to generate electricity from the moisture found in the air. Atmospheric moisture is almost everywhere, giving the moisture generator an advantage over other power generation methods which require specific environmental conditions such as “mechanical generators” and solar power.

The device is detailed in an article published in Nature.

Many of the moisture generators can be stacked on top of each other and may end up “outperforming solar cells” in power production per cubed metre.

The device consists of a biofilm layer, proteins taken from G. sulfurreducens, that form nanowires. The top and bottom of the device are connected to electrodes; the top is open to air whilst the bottom is not. The moisture generator has been shown t o generate a current for 20 hours before self-recharging for 5 hours. If many of these devices were connected some could be given time to recover whilst others generated electricity, giving a constant energy production.

The theory on how the device generates power is still slightly vague in places.

The current theory is that the biofilm’s porous nature causes more moisture to accumulate near the top of the biofilm than the base. In broad strokes, the water reacts and charged atoms are created which move from the exposed top to the unexposed base which attracts electrons which move through the circuit as the path of least resistance.

While the moisture generator was

shown to yield the highest voltage at “a relative humidity of some 40–50%” it still generated a substantial voltage at a relative humidity as low as 20% “(comparable to a desert environment)” and 100%. This ability is promising for the

20

the number of hours the generator can make a current for

future applications of the device meaning that it can be used in a range of environments, even if it might be more efficient in some than others.

For large scale power generation many of the devices, which in this study had a surface area of about 25mm2, could be connected in series or parallel to increase the voltage or current respectively. Seventeen of the devices were connected in series to give a voltage of 10V. The device was shown to be still able to function after 2 months.

However, creating the biofilm from proteins generated by whole cells on a large scale will have a large energy cost with current technology and the lifespan of the device over a longer period is not known.

This new development is an improvement on devices that used atmospheric moisture in the past and is an interesting area for research in the future. With the worlds power needs growing and the increasing unattractiveness of fossil fuels new developments such as this may become more and more important.

science culture

Small organism, big answers?

Louise Elliott on efforts to study the origins of living things

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research group from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology in Yokosuka, led by Hiroyuki Imachi, have grown a new lineage of archaea that could provide insight into how eukaryotic cells evolved.

Archaea are single cellular organisms that are similar to bacteria in size and shape but are evolutionarily distinct.

Initially they were thought to be a form of bacteria, but isolation of their genes and investigation of their metabolic pathways showed that they were more closely related to eukaryotes. A 2015 study by Spang et al., discovered an Asgard archaea: Lokiarchaeota. Their research found that genetically, the Asgard phylum are the closest prokaryotes (lacking a distinct nucleus) to eukaryotes.

A leading model of how eukaryotes developed from prokaryotes is the symbiogenic model. Simply, it is when two prokaryotic cells merge and work together. The idea that this is how eukaryotes began to evolve is supported by the fact that mitochondria and chloroplasts have no distinct nuclei but have their own form of genetic systems and DNA; suggesting they may have once been prokaryotic. Imachi et al. wanted to learn more about the evolution of eukaryotes by cultivating an Asgard archaea specimen that could be studied.

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environments, are very high maintenance in the lab; to successfully culture these archaea the team had to recreate these environments. Initially they used a bioreactor continually pumping methane, followed by a culture with a wide range of peptides, amino acids and other nutrients including baby milk powder! They also had to administer antibiotics to the samples to stop any contamination from bacteria. Eventually, after an enormous amount of trial and error, they had successfully cultured Prometheoarchaeum syntrophicum. Sequencing the DNA and high-resolution imaging provided not only huge insight into the functions and evolutionary relationships of this archaea, but also supported the findings of Spang et al from 2015. Although this research has been revolutionary for the study and culturing of ancient archaea, caution should still be had concerning what it can teach us about

the number of meters the research group dived to find this

After 12 years of work, the research group of Imachi et al have successfully grown a new lineage of the Asgard phylum; which they have named Prometheoarchaeum syntrophicum. This process was long and extremely complex. The first major challenge was collecting a sample that would contain these ancient eukaryotic ancestors. These microorganisms thrive in cold, oxygen-poor extreme environments, such as those found in the deep-sea mud. The group dove 2,500 meters under the pacific in a small submarine to the bottom of Japan’s Nankai Trough to collect a sample of mud. But this was just the beginning.

These microbes, because they live in such extreme

Image: Wikimedia

Cretaceous Park: seventy nine million years in the making

James Troughton discusses the discovery of a new member of the Tyrannosaurus Rex family by a PhD student in Calgary

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anadian scientists have discovered a new dinosaur that is linked to the Tyrannosaurus Rex of North America, dubbed the Thanatotheristes Degrootorum, or, in Greek, the Reaper of Death.

The new dinosaur was named after the Greek god of death, Thanatos, and theristes, which translates to ‘one who reaps or harvests’, hence the English translation, Reaper of Death.

Calgary PhD student Jared Voris discovered the new species, whilst the bones were found by John and Sandra De Groot in 2010 near the town of Hays. Voris was researching a different species when he realised that no tyrannosaurs had come from the area in which the bones were found. Following this, he also noticed key differences between the bones and other known T-Rex species.

The apex predator was found in Alberta

This apex predator was found in Alberta, but at the time of its survival (the Cretaceous period), the Reaper of Death would have been roaming a swampy region of the Western Interior Seaway that divided the Arctic and Gulf of Mexico.

Darla Zelenitsky, assis-

tant professor of dinosaur palaeobiology at the University of Calgary, said, “There are very few species of tyrannosaurids, relatively speaking. Because of the nature of the food chain, these large apex predators were rare compared to herbivorous or plant-eating dinosaurs” and so the find is beyond belief.

The scientists at the University of Calgary believe this to be the oldest member of the T-Rex family that has been discovered thus far, and it is said to have been able to grow to a staggering

length of 26ft or 8m.

"We chose a name that embodies what this tyrannosaur was as the only known large apex predator of its time in Canada, the Reaper of Death. The nickname has come to be Thanatos." Darla said.

The T-Rex was known to be active around 66 million years ago, whilst the Reaper of Death dates back even further at 79 million years. Thanatos was also found to have a longer and deeper snout, which is comparable to the more primitive tyrannosaurs that lived in the south of what is now the USA. They knew that this was a different species as it had ridges along the upper jaw which distinguished the fossil from other

Researchers believe that a difference in diets may have caused the species to evolve differently

known dinosaurs. Researchers believe that the two species may have had different skulls due to their differing diets, such as the prey that they may have hunted at the time. Different environments would naturally cause the two variants of T-Rex to evolve differently.

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the millions of years the Reaper of Death is thought to date back to

"With this new species, we now know that tyrannosaurs were present in Alberta prior to 77 million years ago, the age of the next-oldest tyrannosaur."

François Therrien, the co-author, explained, “This discovery is significant because it fills in a gap in our understanding of tyrannosaur evolution.”

Image: Flickr

the courier

puzzles

Sorry Joey, due to popular demand (aka Grace Dean being rather obsessed with me) I’m the new puzzles deputy. Go back to Fleetwood you daftie.

Monday 2 March 2020 Puzzles Editor Emma Dawson Puzzles Deputy James Blunt Solutions will be revealed in next week’s issue, available on campus from 9 March

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1. Nickname of Chelsea FC (5) 2. - Crossing, Nintendo video game series (6) 3. Comedy spy film series (8) 4. Winnie the Pooh character (3) 5. Yellow part of an egg (4) 6. Go Set a -, 2015 Harper Lee novel (8) 9. Informal name for an expert or enthusiast (4) 11. Third largest city in France (4) 13. - Bad, American crime drama series (8) 14. Popular internet slang term (1,1,1) 16. Windows operating system, released in 2001 (1,1) 20. Most populous country after China (5) 21. Liquid derived from petroleum , used as fuel (3) 22. Animal said to be cunning or sly (3) 23. Landlocked republic in West Africa (4) 24. Ray or shaft of light (4) 25. One of Ned Stark’s sons in Game of Thrones (4) 26. Amphibian similar to a frog (4)

The first person to find Editor-in-Chief Grace Dean with a completed copy of the crossword wins a mysterious prize from our puzzles drawer

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sport

Monday 2 March 2020

BBC women’s footballer of the year- who’s leading

Sport Editors and writers take a look at which five stars of the world of women’s football who have managed to make the nomination the team of tournament.

Phil Neville is one of Bronze’s biggest fans.

In fact, he is so confident in her talents that he often plays her in the centre of midfield rather than in her usual right back position, in the hope that she will be able to have a greater impact on the game. Whilst it caused some controversy amongst fans as she wasn’t immediately comfortable playing in the new role, his reasoning was understandable. You want your best player on the ball as much as possible.

And for Phil, and many others, Lucy is “the best player in the world”, not just in England.

Image: Instagram @lucybronze

Lucy Bronze Elana Shaprio Around three years ago, shortly after Lucy Bronze’s transfer to Olympique Lyonnais, I was being given a tour of the City Football Academy. Bronze spent three years at Manchester City under Nick Cushing, winning a league title, a league cup and an FA cup, before leaving for the European Champions. Midway through the tour, our guide, stopped in front of a picture of Bronze before stating “And this is the best female player in the world. She’s better than most male fullbacks”. Given her remarkable ability, it is no surprise that she has once again been nominated for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

This award is one that Bronze is familiar with, having already won it in 2018, however this is only one amongst many personal accolades that include two PFA Player of the Years, two England Footballer of the Years, a FAWSL Player of the Year and a UEFA Player of the Year Award. Her trophy cabinet is fairly full and was only increased last year, following a relatively successful World Cup. She was awarded the Silver Ball and made

peted in three World Cups and two Olympic games, taking home Gold from London 2012.

She currently plays for Reign F.C., one of nine teams in the US National Women’s Soccer League.

51

The number of goals scored by Rapinoe for the USWNT

Rapinoe is one of the leading figures in the fight for equality in sport and a fearless critic of President Trump, who made headlines during the World Cup for exclaiming “I’m not going to the f*cking White House.” The midfielder has kneeled for the US National Anthem since 2016, in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick and in protest of racism in sport.

Alongside her team and co-captain, Alex Morgan, Rapinoe has raised the public’s awareness of the gender pay-gap in football and called for the US Women’s Team to be paid the same as their, less successful, male counterparts. Rapinoe and her girlfriend, star basketball-player Sue Bird, were the first openly gay couple to pose on the cover of the ESPN Body Issue.

With the US Women’s team successfully qualifying for the Olympics earlier this month and the upcoming SheBelieves Cup

Image: Instagram @ mrapinoe

Megan Rapinoe Holly Reynolds A force to be reckoned with, both on and off the pitch, Megan Rapinoe had a sensational 2019. The 34-year-old midfielder co-captained the US Women’s National Team to FIFA World Cup glory, scoring six times and going on to win the 2019 Ballon d’Or. Having made her international debut in 2009, Rapinoe has scored 51 goals for the US team. She has com-

Image: Instagram @ samanthakerr30

in March, Rapinoe shows no signs of taking it easy in 2020.

Sam Kerr Rory Ewart

Having played Aussie rules football up until the age of 12 with her father, who happened to play professionally, it’s fair to say that Sam Kerr began football at a slightly later stage compared to many, but arrived with plenty of sporting pedigree.

Now 26, Kerr had what many would deem as the perfect 2019. Assigned to both Perth Glory in Australia and Chicago Red Stars in the US, Kerr managed to record the extremely rare feat of becoming top scorer in both the top professional leagues in Australia and America, notching up 18 goals and five assists in the hotly contested National Women’s Soccer League (NSWL) in the process.

Kerr had what many would deem as the perfect 2019

Being a native to Australia, Kerr has so far managed to total 83 appearances for her country, scoring 38 times in the process since her debut over a decade ago in 2009.

Sam Kerr was subsequently named as captain of the national team for the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup in France. Kerr managed to score on two occasions at the finals, firstly against Italy in their group opener, to which she celebrated by mimicking the famous Australian footballer Tim Cahill’s ‘corner flag punch’.

Kerr then went on to create history as the first Australian player (male or female) to score a hat-trick at a World Cup finals, scoring four times in in the nations 4-1 victory over Jamaica, leading to Kerr finishing as the fourth highest goal scorer at the tournament.

Kerr’s year ended with the high profile move to European football. After admitting she’d received offers from several clubs, Kerr decided to join Chelsea on a two and a half

Who will win the 2020 BBC women’s footballer of the year?

Image: Instagram @ahegerberg,

City suffer severe European ban after FFP breach Phil Etchells looks at the impacts of Manchester City’s ban which could see them without European action for two seasons

Manchester City have been banned from the Champions League for the next two seasons and fined £25 million for “serious breaches” of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

City are accused of overstating revenue and breakeven figures during the 2012-2016 seasons. Among other breaches, it is understood that the annual £67.5 million Etihad sponsorship deal was being largely funded by the club’s owner. Crown Prince Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan is a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and Etihad is the state airline.

will be whether the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva will see out their contracts beyond 2022.

Manchester City have not finished lower

than fourth in any of the past nine seasons. If they are not in the Champions League for the following two seasons, their current UEFA ranking (6th) may drop, meaning they will

from Champions £150m gained League participation The potential revenue

There have been rumours that Pep may walk out at the end of the season Twitter @mrpepguardiola

The repercussions of the ban for the club could be huge. Financially, it may have a significant impact on their revenue over the coming seasons. Kieran Maguire, a football financial expert and lecturer at the University of Liverpool said: “Champions League participation can be worth up to £150m for a club. For a club the size of City, that can be a quarter to a third of their income.”

There have been rumours that if the ban is upheld, Pep Guardiola may walk at the end of the season. However, after the win against West Ham United, the manager said: “I will be here, no matter what happens.”.

A number of big players at the club may leave, not wanting to miss out on the chance to play in Europe’s biggest competition. Among others, the contracts of Sergio Agüero, Leroy Sané and John Stones all expire in 2021, along with Guardiola’s. The worry for many fans

face more difficult opposition in the group stages of the competition.

If Manchester City’s appeal fails, the Premier League may also bring a case against the club, which could result in a points deduction for breaching their FFP rules.

Discussing the potential effects of the ban, PhD student, Rod Howlett said: “I think it might have the paradoxical effect that leads to City being very strong in the league because they won’t have a massive fixture build up, like when Leicester won the league. I think the biggest impact would be Pep leaving because it is the first time City have had a manager in the long term that the fans are happy with and who is seen as a cult figure. Replacing him would be huge.”

6th

Big victories like the Thursday’s heroics against Real Madrid may cease for two years.

Image: Twitter @DeBruyneKev

City’s current UEFA ranking, which could drop due to their ban

However, City remain convinced that the charges will be dropped because they have a case of “irrefutable evidence” to overturn the decision. Ferran Soriano claimed that the investigation was in fact, “less about justice and more about politics”. In an interview last week, the club’s CEO asserted that “the allegations are simply not true” and hopes that the appeal, filed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, will be over by the summer.

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sport

Monday 2 March 2020

g the race to the coveted prize? Du Plessis resigns from captaincy

n list for the highly regarded BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award for 2020

Image: Instagram @julieertz Image: Instagram @ viviannemiedema

year deal. Her move joins her up with fellow international players such as Ji So-yun and Fran Kirby.

Vivianne Miedema Toby Bryant Arsenal’s leading lady, Vivianne Miedema, is staking a claim for BBC’s Women’s Football of the Year 2020.

A WSL title winning campaign with the Gunners also saw Miedema finish as the side’s top scorer and pick up the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in the process. On an international level, the forward has moved to become the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer with a tally of 69 goals – ahead of the men’s leading scorer Robin van Persie too.

A year of success included a six goal and four assist haul against Bristol City in the WSL’s largest ever victory, a four goal tall against Slavia Praha in the Women’s Champions League and being shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or Féminin.

Speaking to the BBC, Miedema picked her own highlight from 2019: “Probably a couple – winning the league at Brighton with Arsenal. I felt like this was a very special day as the club really needed it and we worked really hard for it. Then going to the World Cup and playing a final that noone expected, I think is something amazing that you probably only experience once in

your life.”

Julie Ertz Stanley Gilyead Julie Ertz is the second player from the World Cup winning American side to make the shortlist, and as the 2019 US national team’s player of the year she should stand a good chance of winning the BBC award. Ertz was named in the 2019 FIFA Fifpro women’s team of the year in her favoured defensive midfield position, having been shifted there from her original position of central defence in 2017.

She played a leading role in the USA’s World Cup campaign, playing in six of their seven games and scoring one goal as her team won the tournament. She also had a successful season with her club, Chicago Red Stars, as they reached the play-off final in the NWSL where they lost 4-0 to North Carolina Courage. Kerr played 16 games for the club on their way to the final and won the league’s inaugural player of the season award.

Last summer’s World Cup in France was Kerr’s second, she has won both competitions in which she has competed and played every game of the 2015 tournament. Whilst not the most glamorous player, Ertz’s game relies on interceptions, tackles and building the play from deep rather than scoring and creating goals, Ertz had a hugely impressive 2019 as an integral part of both her club and national sides and should be considered a serious contender for the player of the year award.

Rowing for mental health Staff and students from Newcastle University are gearing up to row the distance from the North East to Canada to support mental health.

The University community has pledged its support for Row Britannia, a fundraising campaign encouraging university teams across the UK to row 2020 miles to raise awareness of mental health issues for students and young people.

Universities have pledged its support for Row Britannia, a fundraising campaign for mental health awareness

Newcastle University staff and students will join the rowing challenge between 2 and 13 March. Rowing machines placed across the campus and student accommodation will encourage staff, students and visitors to row for a mile and make a small donation to support the charity Sport Relief.

The University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Chris Day and Katie Smyth, President of Newcastle University Student’s Union will join the challenge on 4 March – a day before University Mental Health Day.

Phil Packer, Founder and Non-Paid Chief Executive of the British Inspiration Trust launched Row Britannia, met students, Newcastle University Students’ Union sabbatical officers and staff from the Sports Centre to challenge the University to collectively row 2020 miles.

He said: “One of the Row Britannia challenges is the student and staff rowing challenge; an invitation for every university and college in the UK to enter a team (as many students and staff as possible) to reduce isolation, raise positive awareness and row 2020 miles and raise £3,000 for Sport Relief.

If every university and college enters a team

The Newcastle team on the Tyne Image: Instagram @newcastlerowing

and raises £3,000, collectively they could raise £1.5million for Sport Relief.

“The support from students and staff throughout the UK so far has been extraordinary and I am delighted that Newcastle University are embracing both challenges.

“There is huge potential for something very special to be achieved throughout the UK and I am delighted that both challenges are gaining momentum.”

Donations can be made at the rowing ergo stations or via the Just Giving page: justgiving. com/fundraising/newcastle-university-sport.

To find out more about Row Britannia, please visit rowbritannia.org.uk/

Sesha Subramanian reports on Faf du Plessis’ resignation from the South African cricket captaincy after some months of poor form After captaining the South African cricket team in 112 matches across all formats, Faf Du Plessis announced that he was resigning from the role with immediate effect.

Speaking to the media to explain his decision, he said.

“The last few weeks of rest away from the game have given me a lot of perspective on the great privilege and honour I have had in representing and leading my country in the three formats of this wonderful game.”

“It has been a rewarding, sometimes tough and other times a lonely road, but I would not replace the experience for anything, because it has made me the man that I am proud to be today.”

“As the team heads into a new direction, with new leaders and a young crop of players, I feel it will be in the best interests of South African cricket to relinquish the captaincy in all formats.”

When Du Plessis was rested for the T20 series against England, Quinton De Kock replaced him as captain and may well be in line to now lead the side in all formats of the game – having been appointed one day captain earlier this year. During his time as captain, Du Plessis hit 11 centuries – although he hasn’t recorded one in the last year.

“I feel it will be in the best interests of South African cricket to relinquish the captaincy”

Du Plessis will remain an integral part of the team and will continue to play for South Africa in what he envisages to be an important role. While there were rumours he may retire, he said that the potential retirement period would be after the T20 World Cup later this year. He is one of the country’s better T20 players – being just one of four South African cricketers to have hit a century in the format.

He first captained South Africa in a T20 series against New Zealand in 2012. Following this, Du Plessis was named permanent T20 skipper in 2013. Four years later, he assumed full-time captaincy of all three formats, replacing AB de Villiers.

South African cricket has been in a downward spiral, highlighted by their poor World Cup

South African cricket has been in somewhat of a downward slope in recent years with the under-performance at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England being one of the low points for the team. The change in captaincy is perhaps part of a wider plan for South African cricket to try to revamp itself and bring back the glory days. Furthermore, going by his statement regarding a “perfect world” in which he would like to lead the team in Tests for the rest of the season and also to the T20 World Cup, it feels like the decision to resign was not entirely of his own volition.

Further doubt was cast over Faf’s future

39.8

Faf du Plessis’ test batting average

last week when he was left out of South Africa’s squad for their ODI tour of Australia. The three match tour started over the weekend and whilst South African head coach Mark Boucher stated that Faf “remains very much in our one-day plans”, claiming that he has been rested rather than dropped, the decision will come as a blow to du Plessis, who clearly wants to con-

tinue playing for his coun-

try.

Faf du Plessis was caught in the middle of racially motivated storm when he suggested that the cricket team “does not see colour” when it came to dropping players (the team had dropped Temba Bavuma from the test side). Although well meaning, it caused problems in a country where it is still a sensitive subject. By the looks of things Du Plessis’ repeated run-ins with the board and his appeals to them to sort South African cricket out fell on deaf ears when it came to solutions but on perfect ears when it came to reasons why he shouldn’t be a captain anymore.

Faf du Plessis waves goodbye to the South African captaincy Image: Instagram @fafdup

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FIGHT NIGHT 2020: the roaring 20s

The Courier Sport team Rory Ewart and Rebecca Johnson give the low-down on everything you need to know about the first Newcast Rory Ewart Sport Editor

The first Fight Night of 2020 and the new decade brought 16-action packed fights, including knockdowns, TKO’s and bloodshed throughout.

Under the flashing lights of NUSU’s venue, half past seven sharp brought the first fight of the evening. Middleweight’s Harry Holder and Fin Farrier entered the ring to rapturous cheers from a crowd hungry for the action to begin.

The evening’s curtain raiser didn’t disappoint either, with Fin successfully controlling the middle of the ring in the first round, with a larger reach and predominantly used left arm paying off dividends.

Fin’s early domination was quickly scuppered soon into round 2 as a classic case of ‘blow-out’ caused him to preserve as much energy as possible. This subsequently led to Harry dominating large parts of the round, despite struggling to find any real damage with his shots.

The final round was arguably the best contested of the fight. A resurgent Farrier employed a closer style of body shots onto the torso of Holder, before clinging on to him in attempt any chance of harry being able to make any meaningful response.

As the final bell sounded the contest winner was difficult to predict. Thankfully, a new feature for the night was the introduction of scorecards being announced by ringside announcers Chris Wilkinson and Louis Grantham. After a split of a round each to both fighters, it was declared that Harry Holder had won via split decision. One down, 15 to go.

16

The night played host to 16 rounds consisting of three rounds

The second fight brought the first female fight of the evening; with the controversial decision being made that the entire female fights would feature head guards, whereas the male fights would not.

Despite this, featherweight’s Eleanor Hore and Georgia McMillan contested a scrappy, albeit evenly matched bout. The first round did feature both fighters ending up on the floor with no official knockdown being awarded to either.

A glove switch from McMillan didn’t seem to come to fruit in the second as Eleanor took real control of the round, with a late combination startling McMillan towards the end of the round.

McMillan was able to find success with some wisely timed jabs in the third round, which brought the fight back full circle to an even contest once more. A draw was the decision announced, a result that on the night appeared a fair outcome, with perhaps Eleanor being the slightly more frustrated out of the pair with the result.

Hector ‘the ghost’ Teasdale and Sam Dilley appeared for the third fight of the evening.

Dilley came out all guns blazing from the off, with a lot of missed shots eventually connecting around 30 seconds into the round. Hector attempted to respond throughout the rest of the opener to little avail, with ‘the ghost’ exerting crucial energy levels with the full rotation of swings that failed to connect.

Round 2 brought further Dilley-dallying as beginning to enjoy landing several shots

Round 2 brought further Dilley-dallying as Sam was beginning to enjoy several landed shots to the face of Teasdale, with huge credit having to go to the latter for managing to stay upright for the barrage of Dilley combinations.

Any chances of a gas-out from Sam were quickly evaporated, as persistency was the order of the day from man fighting from the red corner. The subsequent unanimous decision surprised no one in the crowd, with plenty of credit being given to Teasdale for managing to fight for the entirety of the bout against one of the star performers of the evening.

Katherine Edwards and Meg Ellison were next to appear, weighing in both as lightweight fighters. Ellison began by edging the first round ever so slightly, with Meg managing to landing on more occasions. Edwards began to come to fruition towards the end of the round, sending Meg to the ropes.

The second round brought a similar levelpegging vibe, with Ellison beginning to really exert herself through heavier swings. That momentum continued into the last as Katherine began to struggle with the consistency of Ellison’s punches.

Edwards provided an excellent right hook towards the end of the round. However, Meg Ellison was able to respond well to the shot with a combination of final jabs to end Edwards’s hopes of victory.

The fifth fight brought the first stoppage of the evening, coming in the first round. The early confidence of Archie Kirk, walking out

wearing sunglasses, didn’t age particularly well.

His opponent, Zack Woolgar provided arguably one of the biggest first punches you’ll ever see, completely catching Kirk off guard. Shortly after Archie had to be counted down by Andy, referee for the evening, with Archie having no choice but to wirthdraw shortly after.

From the little we saw of the fight, Zack was certainly impressive. A fight between him and perhaps a slightly heavier Sam Dilley being a great potential future fight should both wan it.

The next fight brought the interesting antic of having one fighter being of substantial heavier weight, Louwen Labonete, and the other being 10 centimetres taller in Alex Tait.

The fight began with both fighters providing lovely nimble feet, with good movement around the ring. Tait sent the first suckerpunch towards Labonete with a well-executed jab to set the record straight early in the fight.

Labonete’s night didn’t get much better in the second round, with the man representing the blue corner being forced to the corner for a count. The first count was shortly followed by a second after a scarily good combination forcing him back to Andy to judge his state. The bell came at the right time for Labonete.

The last round saw Tait becoming victim to counter punches from Labonete trying to find body punches underneath. Tait responded with yet another good combination. The fight was Tait’s but once more another good showing from Louwen Labonete, who miraculously managed to hang on to finish the fight after a Tait teardown.

Fincham immediately charged towards his opponent Finley Mcinerney

The seventh bout began with Dan Fincham immediately charging towards his opponent, Finley McInerney, and managed to land two left hooks onto Finley’s face. Both fighters ended the round in multiple grapple holds, leaving fans frustrated and thirsty for more action.

Fincham began the second similarly to the first, attempting to bully McInerney into the ropes. However, the giant McInerney responded well with large arms that occasionally found Fincham with devastating effect.

The end of the fight looked like a late night

This was the first Fight Night of 2020 Image: Grace Dean

bar fight than an actual boxing bout, as both men were clearly exhausted. From that however, the judges managed to adjourn that Finley had managed to recover enough from Fincham’s early heroics to take the victory on this occasion.

The last fight before the interval saw the introduction of two Northumbria fighters, the first of the evening with both fighters

representing Newcastle’s alternative further education establishment.

Both competitors exchanged early jabs to one and other, with Jess appearing a little more nimble on her feet and seeing a few shots land for her. Tori meanwhile was aiming for more shots to the body with some success also. After the second round the fight was finely in the balance.

NCL Netball firsts miss out on qualifier

Head of Sport Rebecca Johnson reports on Newcastle Firsts’ performance against Leeds Firsts in last week’s title decider clash NETBALL

Newcastle 1s 53 Leeds 1s 58

Rebecca Johnson at Newcastle Sport Centre

Last Wednesday saw Newcastle 1s take on Leeds 1s in the Northern Tier 1 Netball League. Before the game began, the stakes were high for both sides, Leeds were ahead with 21 points as Newcastle sat behind in second place with 18 points.

Both sides were vying to win the league, which would see them qualify for a playoff spot to compete in the national Premier League. Newcastle needed a win in order to win the league on goal difference.

At the start of the game, Leeds were facing the intimidating presence of the viewing platform, which was packed to the rafters with supporters of Newcastle Netball Club cheering on their firsts team. Newcastle kicked off proceedings, drawing the first blood. The hosts were off to a good start with Leeds fumbling the ball and looking as if they hadn’t quite woken up from their 97mile journey to the north. Newcastle were looking sharp, with quick passing at the top of the court ensuring that goal-shooter Beth Marron and goal-attack Jaz Langley had plenty of opportunity to score. The home side were taking advantage of Leeds’ shaky defence with some overhead passing, enabling plenty of goals, with goal-attack, goal-shooter and wing-attack working well together. At the back of the court, goalkeeper, Lora Hunt, was doing well to counter

Leeds attack. The quarter finished 19-13 to Newcastle, and they were looking incredibly dominant.

Newcastle were looking sharp with quick passing at the top of the court

Leeds still hadn’t quite woken up and were dropping passes all over the court, allowing Newcastle to capitalise and create goal-scoring opportunities. Hunt again proved herself invaluable in this quarter, blocking balls left, right and centre, leaving Leeds confused and out of ideas a lot of the time. Newcastle again finished the quarter incredibly strong, leading 32-24.

The visitors initially seemed to be making the same mistakes as seen in previous quarters, dropping and fluffing balls. However, after a couple of minutes they suddenly woke up and started attacking with far more aggression. Newcastle were initially able to contain this, with their centre making excellent blocks. However, this didn’t faze Leeds in the slightest, and they grew stronger as the quarter ploughed on, finishing 39-45 to the visitors.

A massive quarter was needed from the hosts in order to have a shot at the qualifiers for the Premier League. Newcastle made a substitution, with Jess Merrin coming into wing-attack. They looked incredibly lively and hungry, launching into a flurry of goals.

Newcastle’s goal-attack, centre and goalshooter worked well together, making smart passes and finding good pockets of space.

Leeds weren’t giving up easily, and they kept up a steady goal-scoring pace. As the clock wore down, the home team tried to deploy the longball tactic, which had mixed success rates. Eventually, with limited time left to play, Leeds figured the game was sealed and started passing the ball around the park in a timewasting exercise similar to Joey Barton’s Fleetwood side against Sunderland last Tuesday. Despite Newcastle’s frustrations, they couldn’t find the goals. Leeds took the game 53-58.

Although Newcastle didn’t win the game, they can be incredibly proud of their determination and resilience shown throughout the match. The firsts finish the Northern Tier 1 League in second, with six wins and four losses throughout the entire season.

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Monday 2 March 2020

begin with spectacular night

tle Fight Night of 2020 as they report on every jab, hook and splatter of blood that was seen last Thursday well against her opponent. The fight eventually fell to Meg in the blue corner.

Spurred on by chants of “YORKSHIRE!” Fran looked to be the slightly better boxer and went on to win

As the second series of fights progressed, a fight that Andy had tipped as “Fight of the Night” was next on the cards. This was between Bader and Nathan Marshall, a bout that seemed quite mismatched initially, with Bader coming in at 68kg and 5ft 8in, and Nathan being the bigger fighter by quite a distance at 86kg and 6ft. Straightaway, Bader used up all the energy he had to try and land a few body shots. However, Nathan’s height and weight advantage definitely came into play and he was able to land so many more punches. Bader’s energy started to fade towards the end, yet he was still incredibly resilient right until the final round. Despite his best efforts though, he was no match for the more dominant Nathan, and he walked away victorious this fight.

A Yorkshire v Ireland bout was next on the card between Fran “hold my beer” Bridge and Ella “tiny but mighty” Morrison. Fran came in the taller and heavier whereas Ella was the smaller and lighter. Ella came into the ring looking visibly more nervous than her opponent, who seemed rather calm before the fight. Fran seemed to be trying to fight more technically, whereas Ella’s nerves initially got the better of her, and she frantically started trying to hit Fran with no technique whatsoever. As the fight progressed, Ella settled into it a little bit more, but the technicality still wasn’t quite there with the fight looking more like a wrestling match than a boxing match at times. Spurred on by chants of “YORKSHIRE!” Fran looked the slightly better boxer, and went on to win the fight.

The fighters appeared physically exhausted as Andy, the referee, was made to urge both fighters to come together for most of the final round. The judges had the difficulty decision of working out a winner of a largely cagey affair. However, on the night it was Jess Fleet of the blue corner who took the spoils as the night entered the scheduled interval.

Rebecca Johnson Head of Sport After a very short interval, the second series of fights took place, starting off with Dominic Morgan and Asad Iqbal. Both were matched equally in height, although Asad came in the slightly heavier of the two, at 68kg compared to Dominic’s 73kg.

The fight opened with an exchange of fast punches, with both fighters looking fairly evenly matched in technique and energy in the opening round. Dominic looked to be the slightly stronger fighter as the rounds progressed, dominating the ring and maintaining his energy better than Asad, which earned him the win.

Rumbling on into our second fight of the second interval was Madalin and Harry “the Balding” Mann. Madalin raised a few eyebrows, swaggering into the ring with a pair of tights on underneath his shorts. Harry came in the slightly taller by one inch, but the heavier by about 5kg. The Balding Mann launched straight into the fight, swiping Madalin with a big left hook in the first few seconds. Madalin looked rattled by Harry’s big left hand, and a big hit knocked him on the floor, leaving Harry to win by a technical

knockout in the first round.

The next fight saw a massive crowd of Scottish support for Andreas “the Highlander” Campbell against Liam “the Lion” Ryan.

Campbell came in the taller at 6ft 3in compared to Liam’s 6ft with both evenly matched in weight. The first round saw a fairly evenly matched flurry of punches exchanged between both sides. However, Andreas displayed the best technique throughout the fight and was able to use his longer reach to his advantage, compared to Liam who, despite swinging his fists furiously, was unable to land punches effectively. The Lion saw his nose completely popped in the second round, with blood streaming like a waterfall down his face, resulting in referee Andy calling the fight to a halt. The Highlander left the ring with a win and to the soundtrack of cheers from his Scottish corner.

The blood streaming from Harry’s face splattered along the commentary desk

hooks to Henry’s head. Henry’s hair got the better of him, as well as Louis’ technique, and Louis was victor in the penultimate fight.

Harry “Sucker-punch” Sowerby and Hugh “Hard as Nails” Hollins closed the evening’s proceedings in the final fight of Fight Night.

Both were matched in weight at 76kg, with Hollins coming in an inch taller at 6ft 3. Both fighters bounced into the bout throwing a load of frantic punches and using up a load of energy. Initially, Harry looked to be the more dominant force in the fight, but Hugh settled himself down and looked to be controlling the fight. Hugh landed a lot of good jabs to Harry’s face, startling him a little bit and causing his nose to bleed. The blood streaming from Harry’s face splattered along the NSR commentary desk (hey, at least it wasn’t sick this time!) after a massive blow from Hugh. Hugh “Hard as Nails” Hollins was victorious this final fight.

That concluded the first Fight Night of 2020, and it was a scorcher. This is one of the technically best Fight Nights seen in Venue since its start. A massive shout-out has to go to the organisers, the fighters and everyone at Newcastle’s student media for producing a great evening of boxing.

BADMINTON

M1 v Sheffield 1sts M2 v York 1sts M3 v York 3rds

BASKETBALL

M1 v Essex 1sts W2 v Sunderland 1sts

FENCING

W1 v Lancaster 1sts

FOOTBALL

4-4 1-7 4-4 83-78 49-73 131-122

M1 v Liverpool John Moore 1sts 8-1

HOCKEY

M1 v Durham 3rds W2 v Northumbria 1sts

LACROSSE

M1 v Durham 2nds W1 v Durham 1sts W2 v Sheffield 1sts

NETBALL

3-1 2-0 23-0 8-14 11-7

1sts v Leeds 1sts

53-58

M1 v Bath 1sts M2 v Liverpool 1sts M3 v Hull 1sts M4 v Leeds Beckett 4ths M5 v Sunderland 1sts

46-14 22-16 41-0 33-19 29-0

RUGBY

RUGBY LEAGUE

1sts v Gloucestershire 1sts 52-14 2nds v Sheffield Hallam 1sts 48-24

SQUASH

M2 v Leeds Beckett 1sts W1 v Nottingham 1sts

TABLE TENNIS

2-3 0-5

M2 v York 2nds M2 v York 1sts M2 v York 1sts

14-2 2-10 2-10

M1 v Nottingham 2nds M2 v York 1sts

0-6 2-10

TENNIS

VOLLEYBALL

M1 v Durham 1sts W1 v Durham 2nds

WATERPOLO

M1 v Leeds 1sts W1 v St Andrews 1sts W2 v York 1sts

0-3 3-0 5-8 2-26 4-16

SURF FORECAST Tynemouth Longsands Do you wanna hit the beach? Sounds like a plan, doesn’t it? Until you realise that you’re in Newcastle, and the beach is almost definetely a bunch of wet sludge and a wind so cold you can’t think straight. You can surf straight, however, as those waves aren’t gonna ride themselves! And if it gets too much, there’s always a hot chocolate and a pasty waiting along Tynemouth pier. It is Newcastle though, so you should be able to take the cold!

Blood streamed down the Lion’s face like a waterfall, resulting in the fight being called to a halt

Up next was Meg “make ‘em beg” Spurin and Lauren “the Leprechaun” O’Shaughnessy. The former came in the lighter and taller at 50kg and 162cm, with the Leprechaun standing at 157cm and 60kg. Lauren opened quite well, throwing a flurry of punches at Meg, who responded well and performed some excellent dodging.

Meg responded well with some incredibly quick punching, using her overhand very

Up came another mismatch in weights and heights with the fight between “Hairy Henry” Gill and Louis Desment. Hairy Henry was the taller and lighter fighter, weighing 75kg and standing at 6ft 3in. Louis was smaller at 5ft 11, but heavier, weighing 88kg.

Louis looked stronger throughout, landing more solid punches packed with power.

Hairy Henry had a slight error with his tactics, the fact that his hair wasn’t tied up properly, resulting in him fighting the majority of the time with his view obstructed by his hair, allowing Louis to land some lovely jabs and

BUCS RESULTS

ROY KEANE’S QUOTE CORNER

This year saw three technical knockouts Image: Grace Dean

Well, Manchester United didn’t do too bad the other day, beating Club Brugge 5-0. I nearly headbutted the TV I was so excited.

Here’s my quote this week: “I know I’m getting better at golf. I’m hitting fewer spectators!”- President Gerald R. Ford

sport the courier

Monday 2 March 2020 Issue 1405 Free

@Courier_Sport courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/sport Head of Sport Rebecca Johnson Sport Editors Rory Ewart, Stan Gilyead, Toby Bryant & Tom Moorcroft

NUBC take on a tricky Tyne Image: David Stephenson (NUBC)

NCL’s blustery BUCS no match for blitzing Blue Star

Sports Editor Toby Bryant reports on Newcastle University Boat Club’s showing at the pinnacle of rowing head season The North-East’s resident storm blew hard across the River Tyne late last month – but not quite hard enough to stop the great majority of BUCS 4s & 8s Head taking place in Newcastle.

NUBC triumphed to take hom both the Men’s and Women’s Victor Ludorum cups

Co-hosted by Team Newcastle’s Blue Star, high wind speeds did lead to novice crews being pulled from the event but on the Sunday the UK’s top rowing squads hit the water to battle both the elements and one another. The pinnacle of the long, head season, the time-trial style race is what the country’s crews had been working towards since the academic year’s start.

Inside Sport today >>>

Fight Night

The Courier brings you the punches from everyone’s favourite night Page 38-39

Feeling at home on The Tyne, it was Newcastle University Boat Club (NUBC) who triumphed to take home both the coveted Men’s and Women’s Victor Ludorum cups for overall performances.

Division 1 kicked off with the Women’s Championship 8+, stroked by Hannah Cowie and coxed by Tash Banks. Newcastle claimed top spot with a four-second lead over second-place Edinburgh and a comfortable 48 seconds ahead of Imperial in third.

Next up, the Women’s Intermediate 8+ and another victory for Newcastle ahead of second-placed Exeter in a strong category of 22 crews.

The first men’s representatives from NUBC came in the Men’s Championship 4+ category, unfortunately just missing out on the top three by little more than 20 seconds. It was Imperial who took home that title. Back among the medals for the Men’s

Intermediate 4+, a third-place finish for Newcastle out of 18 crews was credit to a solid row.

48 secs

The Woman’s Champ 8+’s comfortable lead in 1st place

Next in were the Men’s Championship 4in fourth before the Men’s Lightweight 4- A, stroked by Stan Cannons, rowed to another first-place finish. The Blue Star’s B crew came in fourth, only 0.6 seconds behind Bath University in third.

As the water started churning up, a marshalling decision saw the afternoon’s second division shifted upstream to keep matters under control. Nothing to phase NUBC, however, with another second-place medal in the afternoon’s first Men’s Championship 8+ category, finishing behind a strong Im-

Women’s FOTY

perial squad.

Another silver behind Imperial followed in the Men’s Intermediate 8+, as well as the Women’s Intermediate 4x and the Women’s Championship 4+.

The 24 strong category of Women’s Intermediate 4+ boats were up next, and Newcastle’s ladies were up for the battle, coming home in 17:52 to cruise to first place, 13 seconds ahead of Exeter in second. A fourthplace finish in the Women’s Championship 4- rounded off a day’s racing for the Blue Star.

Speaking on the day’s racing, NUBC President Kat Bulmer reflected: “It was a massive privilege to have BUCS Head back on the Tyne and the results from the club definitely made it even more special. The hard work we’ve put in throughout the winter clearly paid off and has set us up nicely for the rest of the season.”

“The event couldn’t have happened with-

Meet the nominees for the BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the year Page 36

out the help of Tyne Amateur Rowing Club and Tyne United Rowing Club, and all the volunteers who braved the elements to ensure everything went smoothly. Special thanks has to go to the NUBC athletes who really did the club proud both on and off the water.”

“NUBC athletes really did the club proud on and off the water”

“It was my first year racing BUCS Head on home water and I hope it is here to stay for many more years!”

After another successful BUCS Head outing, eyes now turn towards the summer’s shorter regatta season of BUCS Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta for a NUBC squad firing on all cylinders.

Netball woes

Rebecca Johnson reports on a tough night for the side Page 39