Issue 1449 by The Courier Online

Issue 1449 Monday 6th November 2023

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Est. 1948 thecourieronline.co.uk

Climate Change claims it’s latest victim: Your pint

Find out how longer, hotter summers will lead to lower-quality bevs...

Science | page 10

Get ready for Movember! Why Movember is about more than growing an impressive ‘tache. Relationships | page 13

The perfect bonfire playlist Your soundtrack to the colder months. Music | page 21

Newcastle University drops 16 places on sustainability ranking Anna Nix - Food and Drink sub-editor

The Courier examines Newcastle University’s decline in Times sustainability rankings, reviewing any points for concern.

n 2022, Newcastle University placed 8th in the Times Higher Education (THE) sustainability ranking with an overall score of 96.5. This year, the score has dropped to 93.5 and the University placed 24th. THE is the only sustainability ranking for universities worldwide that assess them against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There are 17 SDGs, and the universities must submit data on SDG 17 - Partnerships for the goals, as well as at least three others of their choosing if they wish to be evaluated. The score of their best three SDGs along with SDG 17 is then calculated which equates to the overall score based on which they are placed in the THE sustainability ranking. The areas on which universities are scored are research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. Last year, the University’s best three SDGs, with their scores, were Industry innovation and infrastructure, SDG 9 (96.9); Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 11 (91.5); Responsible consumption and production, SDG 12 (90.6) and SDG 17 (96.1). This year the top three SDGs were SDG 11 (84.7); SDG 12 (88.1); Climate action, SDG 13 (79.5) and SDG 17 (91.5) which placed Newcastle University on a joint 24th place with National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan. When asked about the University’s placement, Professor Richard Davies, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Global and Sustainability, said, “Sustainability is an

important issue we have addressed for some time at Newcastle and to see other universities around the world joining us on this mission is to the benefit of everyone, everywhere. “A record 1,700 universities submitted data for the latest rankings, and we are delighted that we are leading the way in driving forward this urgent agenda, embedding inclusive and equitable social and environmental justice through our research, teaching and engagement.” The University contributes towards the SDGs through their research as well as their individual partnerships. The University also supports its graduates through Founderships. A recent startup the University supported was Solidarity Farm Community Interest Company (CIC), founded by John Harrison. Its purpose is to reconnect young people with education and social interactions through agriculture and other activities surrounded by nature. Newcastle University is also trying to support the various SDGs through SDG 4: quality education through student participation. The University pledged to “strive to embed awareness and understanding of the SDGs in the student experience by developing a curricular and extracurricular offer that addresses the SDGs” as stated in their Newcastle University Sustainable Development Committee. Students can take part in the Student Environment and Sustainability Committee (SESC) which is chaired by The Ethics and Environment Officer. The SESC also gives feedback to the Environment and Sustainability Committee. Newcastle University’s students can also annually be seen participating in the Global Pop-Up Newsroom. Students are joined by universities worldwide and take part in a global conversation about important topics that are also covered by the United Nation’s SDGs. The year of 2022 was focused on stories surrounding the climate change. Whereas this year, students will be reporting on stories around human rights and the live stream will take

place around 10 December, Human Rights Day. Each year in March, students are also reporting on stories for International Women’s Day. Students of Newcastle University were instrumental in protesting the Rosebank Oil Field on Saturday 7 October. The protest was organized by the Extinction Rebellion Society (XR) in collaboration with Amnesty International Society amongst other community groups. The Courier contacted XR regarding their sustainability policy, to which the society are encouraging change. The society shared their support in offering plant-based options that are cheaper than meat as well as reviewing their offer of £1 meals which are ‘not suitable for religious groups or vegans and are polluting products.’ Ella Spray, Vice-President of Extinction Rebellion Society continued, “The university needs to divest from fossil fuel and other polluting industries. Giving fossil fuel companies a new stream of graduates to be the next generation of climate criminals does not fit with ‘sustainable’ goals.” XR continues to urge the University to stop advertising new jobs in oil and gas companies to students. The University is working on the Fossil Free Careers campaign, which would exclude oil, gas or mining companies from recruiting Newcastle students on campus or online. Last year, a petition from both staff and students was published for those who supported this change in policy. The Newcastle University Students’ Union (NUSU) has been striving to improve their approach to sustainability after students criticized their policy in February this year. NUSU invited controversial brand SHEIN to one of their Discover Newcastle fairs. Students were able to win a rack of clothes as well as a £200 voucher. For sustainability, SHEIN is known to be one of the worst brands in the fast fashion industry, regularly accused of being unethical and as well as using hazardous chemicals to produce their clothing. Shortly after the fair NUSU released a statement saying they “have decided to

amend [their] approach to promoting fast fashion brands within the Student Union building”. Since then, NUSU shared a Fast Fashion Pledge on their website saying they will not promote five popular brands that produce fast fashion in the academic year 2023/24. The brands are Primark, H&M, Oh Polly, SHEIN and Boohoo. The pledge is to be reviewed annually in April/May after which actions for the following academic year will be decided. NUSU’s fast fashion policy is not the only sustainability-related sphere to have undergone changes in the past year. The waste management in the Students’ Union was altered after a partnership with Wetherspoons, which opened its services in Luther’s bar. Graham Hattam, Commercial Director at the SU, shared that their policy had to change completely as this was the first time Luther’s served food. He explained that their EPOS systems help analyse their sales which then helps to manage and prepare only the food required for the day’s trade. He continued to say, “We are also proud to highlight that

over 98% of our annual waste, which includes food, is either recycled or diverted from landfill.” A Newcastle University student who works for the Wetherspoons in NUSU, who has chosen to remain anonymous, informed The Courier about their training. They stated: “A lot of the drinks that we learned how to make, particularly the ones on tap, were thrown away after training. Which is understandable due to health and safety policies, however, it is a shame that so many drinks had gone to waste.” They shared that some beer, water and mixers like juice had gone to waste during their training. Graham explained that due to legal and ethical requirements to train new employees in food hygiene regulations the training “can only be done […] in a real-world environment, which unavoidably does result in some waste”. Overall, we can see the University is striving to reach more sustainable solutions, but there is still a way to go.

Image Credit: Simon Cotterill on Flickr

A note from your Editor...

nd just like that... two more weeks have passed by! It's safe to say a lot has happened since I last wrote my Editor's note. Hopefully, everyone will tuly be in the swing of the new academic year, even if the weather has left you wanting to curl up in bed with Netflix instead of venturing onto campus. Our editorial team, however, has been braving the adverse weather conditions to come in and create yet another fantastic print issue for you all to enjoy. I'd like to shout out Jess McKeown, Laura Kasongo, Imogen Smillie and Lucy Bower for hosting a great workshop on writing reviews for the

culture section. I've had the pleasure of watching them all develop into the amazing culture editors they are, and it was so nice to see them sharing what they've learned with some of our budding writers! This past Thursday, I also had the pleasure to attend StuBrew's Halloween bash, and see NSR's Daisy and George blasting tunes for attendees to enjoy with their pint. It was my first time attending one of these events, and for sure not my last! This was followed by venturing to the Poetry in the North event at the Hatton Gallery (which you can read all about in our Arts section). I thoroughly enjoyed listening to all the poems, and found the range of personal and multilingual poems really enjoyable to listen

Inside 6th November 2023 Current Affairs | Campus Comment The return of the £1 Meals The discounted meals have made a return to campus, with free breakfasts such as a porridge pot and other nutritous options | Page 7

Life & Style | Relationships Get ready for Movember! An annual event raising awareness about the mental health of men, a much needed and overlooked conversation | Page 13

Life & Style | Food & Drink Pizza Punks: Anarchy in the Oven One of our sub-editors took a delightful trip to the Toon-based Pizza place, check out what was in store | Page 18

Memory Card: Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions With a new game out centred around the wallcrawler, this article takes a throwback to one of the webhead's earlier games | Page 27

Gabbi

KSI vs Tommy Fury: Is YouTube boxing's success good for the sport? Celebrity boxing has become a big cash cow but how do Boxing fans feel? | Page 31

OUR NEXT ARTICLE SMA Wednesday 15th November 1:30pm The History Room, NUSU

Image Credit: Instagram - @thecourieronline

Editor

Gabbi de Boer mediaofficer.union@newcastle.ac.uk

Deputy Editors

Rachael McCreanor and Ross Bennett R.Mccreanor2@ncl.ac.uk / R.Bennett3@ncl.ac.uk

Social Media

Heads of Social Media: Paige Rutter and Jess Bradbury P.E.Rutter1@ncl.ac.uk / J.L.Bradbury2@ncl.ac.uk

Current Affairs Senior editor: Sam Norman S.Norman3@ncl.ac.uk

News

Amana Khan Izabela Kirschnerova Tommy Atkinson

Campus Comment

Libby Griffiths Grace Boyle Mia Dale

Adelaide Dodson Rosie Brennan Margaux Martinez

Science

Elisabeth Gores Matthew Barratt

Senior editor: Arthur Ferridge A.Ferridge2@ncl.ac.uk Mitchell Hall Castor Chan Raff Tindale Dan Balliston

Website

Heads of Online: Anthony Welsh A.J.Welsh2@ncl.ac.uk

Life & Style

Senior editors: Daisy Harrison D.M.Harrison3@ncl.ac.uk Samantha Seidu B.S.Seidu2@ncl.ac.uk

Relationships

Rebecca Wright Adriana Newbury

Blind date and Agony Aunt: Charlotte Lee

Lifestyle

Zahra Hanif Jay Barber Marina Snyder

Fashion & Beauty Lana Free Ivy French

Travel

Charlie Reid Ollie Withers

Food & Drink

Roseanna Leconte Anna Nix

the first floor of the Students' Union, right outside the Activities corridor, Festive Food Drive On is located a basked designated as Festive Food Drive - a multi-university Go Volunteer, Floor 1 of the NUSU Building

and become an even better writer. Our SMAs are open to all, regardless of previous experience, and we would love to have you. If you can't make the SMAs, left over articles will be posted to the sections' facebook groups, so keep an eye out!

THE COURIER SECTIONS

Sport

Sports| Features

f you're interested in getting involved in student media, come along to our weekly Student Media Afternoons (SMAs)! You'll be able to meet the team, hear from our SMO, attend workshops and pick up as many articles as you'd like! We alternate between article SMAs, and Workshops, where you'll have the chance to learn new skills

Hi everyone! My name is Gabbi, to. keepspleasure going from andI hope I havethis theevent absolute of strength to strength look forward being your Studentand media Officer to seeEditor-In-Chief what the future holds for it. Over and this year. Hopefully, will keep on the summer,campus I’ve been working thriving, and I'llthe be able to attend even hard behind scenes alongside more events. Forteam now and though, grab to a the Editorial NUSU cuppa, comfy enjoy this week's bring get you thisandFreshers’ issue. issue. Not only will you find loads of incredible articles written by our Keep it lemon, fantastic sub-editors, you’ll also find a one-stop guide to Freshers’ week, including an introduction to the Freshers’ week assistants who have put together an amazing

Opinion

Culture | Gaming

Want to get involved?

endeavour intended to collect donations which will split between the student pantry and feeding families.

Culture

Senior editors: Imogen Smillie I.C.Smillie1@ncl.ac.uk Lucy Bower L.A.Bower2@ncl.ac.uk

Music

Poppy Bedford Madeha Ali

Ella Townson Jenica Davis

Film

Jess McKeown Olivia Carter Ned Carter-Owen

Gaming

Adam Lovegrove James Kellett

Arts

Sarah Tunstall Laura Kasongo

Puzzles

Katie Siddall K.E.Siddall1@ncl.ac.uk

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Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-editors: Amana Khan , Izabela Kirschnerova and Tommy Atkinson

News

Study shows North East children among the 'most destitute' Sophie Psaila

Children in North East are being highlighted for their struggle.

ambridge professor, Arif Ahmed, the Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom at the Office for Students (OfS) gave his first major address this month, following his appointment to the role in June of this year. In his speech, Ahmed asserted that the culture of suppressing free speech at English universities is a “serious cause for concern” and pledged to protect all views. Under his responsibility for academic freedom, he reaffirmed his

commitment to this cause, citing the UK’s recent decline in international rankings on the Academic Freedom Index. Ahmed reinforced the necessity of freedom of speech in higher education providers as it empowers students to consider different points of view, a fundamental factor to many degree programs. This comes in the wake of the controversy of the Prime Minister’s statement at the Conservative party conference regarding transgender people: “a man is a man and a woman is a woman.” In a culture of growing transphobia, it came into question whether views such as this should be expressed on university campuses, to which Ahmed responded that “as long as a view can be legally expressed,” it is acceptable.In an interview with the BBC, Arif established that the OfS is “completely politically neutral” and wished to emphasise that these

complaints come from “all sides of the political spectrum.”New legislation passed in May of this year states that universities now have a duty to not only ‘secure’ freedom of speech, but also ‘promote its importance’, and in order to ensure this, a new complaints scheme is being put into place, that could see universities facing sanctions, such as fines if they are deemed to be breaching their free speech obligations. This scheme is set to be implemented by August 2024. This legislation was seemingly in response to the Oxford Union protests against gender-critical academic, Kathleen Stock, earlier this year. The Union’s LGBTQ+ Society argued that the professor’s views were transphobic and objected to her invitation to debate this. Rishi Sunak said that the talk should be allowed to go ahead, stating “students should be allowed to hear and debate her views.”Arif Ahmed concluded his

speech by affirming his commitment to protecting students’ rights to express their opinions on topics such as Brexit, statues, pronouns, colonialism, abortion

or animal rights whilst clarifying that harassment or incitement of violence is not protected by freedom of speech.

Image Credit: Dan Brady on Flickr

The campaign to fund An important note Newcastle play area repairs on this week's issue Matthew Baratt - Science Sub-Editor

Leazes Park is looking to get an upgrade following a new campaign!

campaign to raise funds for necessary repairs to the Leazes Park children’s play area is set to commence on December 23rd with Northern Lights Newcastle providing much needed support. This comes after Urban Green Newcastle, an independent charity, was handed control of the city’s parks by Newcastle City Council in 2019 and deemed multiple pieces of the park’s play equipment to be

unsafe for use, cordoning off the play area in response. Since its formation, the charity has raised more than £800,000 for investments in Newcastle’s parks and play areas. A short-term target of £20,000 will need to be made to undertake essential repairs to the play area however it is estimated that upwards of £40,000 is required to properly remove, dispose of and replace the park’s entire climbing frame equipment. Leazes Park officially opened in 1873 with a lake initially intended for ice-skating. Now, it is stocked with fish provided by the Leazes Park Angling Association. The park’s balustraded promenade was recently restored to its original design in 2017. Chief Executive of Urban Green Newcastle, Carol Pyrah celebrates: “What better way to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of Leazes Park than gifting this historic city centre green space with

an improved play area, in keeping with the original spirit of Newcastle’s ‘People’s Park’”. Northern Lights Newcastle is set to host its Christmas Lights Trail at the park between November 23rd – January 1st and has already pledged a substantial donation to the cause, promising to match its donations with purchases of tickets for its event for up to £10,000. Those who buy tickets for the event will also be able to forward donation to Urban Green Newcastle if they wish to partake in the fundraiser. Roxy Robinson, Northern Lights Events Director, has expressed her active support, stating that the organization is “committed to doing our bit to help improve facilities at the park in collaboration with the park owners”. The event is set to attract an excess of 130,000 visitors during its run at Leazes Park.

n light of the unfolding events in Israel and Palestine, we at The Courier recognise how important it is to ensure we shed light on the situation in any way we can. We have provided a platform for those to express their views, as well as report on unfolding events, protests and vigils held within the city and on campus.

The articles in this issue have been written over the past two weeks, and we are aware that the situation is continuously changing day to day. We will keep updating our website, www.thecourieronline.co.uk, as and when we have more information. Pieces written by contributors express a range of opinions from students and we aim to keep these as timely as possible. We understand that this can be a distressing time for many in our community with family, friends and close ties to the region and would like to remind those who have experienced racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, abuse, incitement or harassment that both Newcastle University and the Students’ Union are here to support you and you are not alone. Please reach out if you need support, which can be accessed through: University Support University Student Health and Wellbeing Services offer support to all students who may find it helpful. 24/7 support is available using the Talk Campus app. Please contact 0191 208 3333 or email wellbeingconsultancy@newcastle.ac.uk if you would like to speak with one of their welfare team about any concerns. If your studies are being affected, you can submit a Personal Extenuating Circumstances form (PEC). You can also contact your school for further guidance. They also provide the University Survivor Support Service, for students who have experienced any form of hate crime, hate incident and/or sexual violence since coming to the university. Students' Union Support The Welfare and Support Centre is located adjacent to the NUSU reception. Please pop in, call on 0191 2393909 or email wsc.union@ncl.ac.uk for an informal chat and for information on support services. You may find comfort in speaking to other students during distressing times. Student Societies are one way to find support within communities of students who may also be feeling affected by events nationally and internationally. On the NUSU website, you can find a full A-Z list of societies or alternatively contact the Activities Officer at activites.union@ncl.ac.uk. The Student Advice Centre can help with practical guidance on a range of issues such as finance and academic. Please contact 0191 2393979 or email StudentAdvice-Centre@ncl.ac.uk if you would like to book an appointment.

Image Credit: David Dixon, Geograph

Sub-Editors: Amana Khan , Izabela Kirschnerova and Tommy Atkinson

News

Several northern universities band together to aid the economy.

our North East universities have joined together to launch a new innovation partnership, aiming to deliver two business support programmes to strengthen the region's economy. The Innovating Together – Universities in the North East (InTUNE) partnership brings together Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria and Sunderland Universities to drive forward the 'Levelling Up' agenda and strengthen the North East’s business economy. The consortium received £4.75m from Durham County Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) - part of the UK government’s Levelling Up programme – with the goal of targeting one of the Fund’s

key objectives, aiming to boost jobs, productivity and living standards by developing the private sector.

In-TUNE is also set to support the Northern Accelerator programme In-TUNE marks the expansion of Newcastle University’s flagship business support programme, Arrow, which successfully facilitated innovation in regional SMEs, providing them with expertise from Newcastle University and strengthening the local economy as a result. The new partnership will enable the expansion of Arrow across the North East, allowing organisations in County Durham and North of Tyne Combined Authority areas to access innovation support from all four universities. In-TUNE is also set to support the Northern Accelerator programme, led by Durham University in collaboration with Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, Teesside and York universities to commercialise research and create real-world impact.

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North East universities launch new business support programme Rachael McCreanor - Deputy Editor

Monday 6th November 2023

Northern Accelerator has, to date, enabled the creation of 47 spinout buisness through the programme’s support model, many of which are now based in innovation clusters at Newcastle’s Helix and County Durham’s North East Technology Park (NETPark). According to Newcastle University, ‘an external evaluation has forecasted that Northern Accelerator will have added an additional £140m to the value of the North East economy by 2030, measured in GVA. That contribution to the region’s economy is well underway, with spinouts from the partner universities raising over £100m investment in the last five years and currently employing over 650 people.’ Dr Tim Hammond, programme lead for Northern Accelerator, said: “This new funding from UKSPF is a huge boost to the partnership, allowing us to further develop the flagship elements of our programme that have embedded our bestpractice support across our partner universities, ensuring the pipeline of high-tech businesses continues to accelerate, and strengthening the North East’s innovation ecosystem.”

Calls for school budget inquiry

Grace Correia De Campos he Labour Party have called for an independent inquiry into the Department of Education’s miscalculation of school funding for the 2024/25 academic year. In a letter to the cabinet last week, shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson requested the National Audit Office investigate the mishandling of the education budget, which is set to leave schools in England at a £370 million loss. In early October, the Department for Education announced it had over projected the budget for schools ahead of the 2024/25 academic year. Ministers underestimated the number of pupils in primary and secondary education, and schools will now receive an average of £50 less funding per student than initially proposed. The Schools Minister Nick Gibb was quick to rationalise the impacts of the error, emphasising that headteachers have not yet received this funding and will therefore not be required to make repayments. The mistake is still set to put pressure on headteachers across the country however, who will be required to redraw

budgeting plans. The average secondary school is now expected to find itself at a £57,000 loss in funding. The error, first identified in September, was not announced by the DfE until after the Conservative Party conference earlier this month. In her letter to the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, Phillipson proposed that the investigation should assess whether the information was purposefully withheld in order to delay accusations of incompetence in government. Speaking in the House of Commons earlier this week, Phillipson attacked the government in its handling of the error, stating that “it is shambolic, it is chaotic, and our children deserve a lot better.” This budget blunder is the latest of a series issues putting pressure on the DfE and the government. It follows trouble in September, when hundreds of schools were told they would not be able to open after they were identified as having RAAC concrete in their structures. It is within this context that Phillipson referred to the budget bungle as “another hammer blow to the relationship of trust between schools, families and government.”

Ministers urge universities to act swiftly on Anti-Semitism Izabela Marie Kirschnerová - News Sub-Editor

Institutions are highlighting a growing concern of AntiSemitism in the UK.

ducation ministers Gillian Keegan and Robert Halfon wrote a letter to English university vicechancellors concerning the safety of Jewish students. In reaction to reports of some student societies supporting Hamas, the ministers have urged universities to "act swiftly and decisively against any threats" to students' welfare.

An independent investigation found the National Union of Students has failed to challenge anti-Semitism The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) has welcomed the letter and mentioned that their hotline had received more than 100 calls in a week about concerns from students who do not feel comfortable expressing Judaism on campus.

"We have received reports of Jewish students who have been harassed, intimidated and abused," UJS said. In January, an independent investigation found that the National Union of Students (NUS) had failed to challenge antisemitism and hostility towards Jewish students, as they faced harassment and “have not felt welcome or included in NUS spaces” for at least the last decade.

Universities UK, is urging any student facing discrimination to inform their university The letter from Keegan and Halfon does not mention any form of protection of Palestinian students. In a BBC article, Adam Habib, the Director of SOAS University of London, said that concerns for Jewish students are "entirely legitimate", but he also called the letter "unhelpful" as universities already have measures for discriminatory behaviour. Habib also added that being asked to police or sanction students for waving Palestinian flags is "not a reasonable request” as universities are "safe spaces" for a critical debate. Universities UK, which represents 140 institutions, is urging any students facing antisemitism, Islamophobia, or discrimination of any form to inform their university. However, hateful behaviour does not

occur solely on campuses. According to The Guardian, both Islamophobic and antisemitic behaviour has increased since the beginning of October. As shown by figures provided by the Metropolitan Police, from 1 October to 18 October, 218 antisemitic offences were committed in London, compared with 15 in the same period last year. Over the same period, Islamophobic offences had increased from 42 to 101.

Image credit: British Parliament on WikiCommons

Image credit: Tim Pierce

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Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-Editors: Amana Khan , Izabela Kirschnerova and Tommy Atkinson

5 News The Newcastle Climate Round-up: this fortnight’s local news on the climate crisis Annie-Rose Edwards

Hear all the latest news on Newcastle's battle for the envioroment.

rom protests to film, find out the latest news, initiatives and events taking place in Newcastle to educate communities, challenge government decisions and mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis on the North East. Newcastle fights against Rosebank Saturday 7th October saw over a hundred people from a variety of local climate action groups in Newcastle, Durham and Tyneside come together in protest against the UK government’s recent decision to develop the Rosebank oil field. Protestors in Newcastle marched from the city’s Civic Centre, down Northumberland Street to Eldon Square in defiance of plans to develop the oil field, before various group leaders and activists delivered speeches to protestors and passers-by.

Located off the west of the Scottish Shetland Islands, Rosebank is the UK’s biggest untapped oil field, estimated to contain around 300 million barrels of oil. The controversial site was given the go-ahead by regulators at the end of September, with development rights granted to Norwegian oil giant Equinor, a decision which has sparked widespread backlash across the country. October has seen large protests in many major cities from London to Edinburgh, with climate activists outraged and fearful that the plans will jeopardise the UK’s net zero targets and encourage long-term economic reliance on fossil fuel extraction. The government has defended their decision to give drilling in the North Sea the go ahead, arguing that it will give the UK greater energy independence. Rishi Sunak described the approval of the offshore development as “the right long-term decision for the UK’s energy security”, yet opponents have scrutinised the claims, asserting that oil and gas produced by Rosebank will be sold at world market prices, and therefore neither improve energy affordability for UK consumers nor contribute to domestic energy security. With labour leader Kier Starmer confirming the party will not revoke

the approval of Rosebank if they are successful in next year’s elections, climate activists in Newcastle and across the country aim to organise numerous further protests in objection to the plans, with the hope of ultimately pushing the government to reverse its decision. Government-funded boost bike usage

initiative

Local Byker business “Recyke y’bike” has received government funding to introduce a brand-new bike repair project to Newcastle. Recyke y’bike will be teaming up with local foodplaces to provide free repair cafes in an initiative that hopes to promote cycling as a safe and accessible alternative transport option for all residents in the city and to push for decarbonisation of transport across the North East. Bike repair cafes will be held on the first Tuesday morning of every month staring on 7th November at Heaton Perk Coffee Shop in Heaton and are open to any cyclists in the city in need of basic repairs, including student bikers. The climate crisis through film This autumn, the North East Climate

Coalition has organised a number of varying perspectives and experiences free film screenings across the city, in an from those working in offshore oil and attempt to engage and educate people gas as well as renewable energy in the in Newcastle on the climate crisis and UK together with the challenges and encourage discussions and solution- opportunities created by the coming energy transition for workers and making on a community level. The independent films and coastal communities around the North documentaries focus on breaking Sea. The documentary will be screened down the global impacts of fossil fuel extraction and are being shown at on Friday 17th November at Earthlings Café at 7:30pm. various local venues across the city, including community-run cinema Star and Shadow. Films have included Everything Must Change, a film by Reel News which investigates the deeply interconnected nature of multiple modern-day crises, from the cost of living crisis or the housing crisis to the climate crisis, and looks at the work and ideas of various social movements across the globe to achieve effective, interlinked solutions to the issues. The next screening hosted by the North East Climate Coalition, Offshore, is an independent documentary that will consider Image credit: Wikimedia commons - Triton

Hundreds join the march for Palestine in Newcastle City Centre Oran Kirby

Prostesters show up with passion and in big numbers for Palestine in the City Centre of Newcastle.

undreds of people gathered in Newcastle City Centre on 22 October to show their support for the Palestinian people and to mourn the 4,400 Palestinians killed since the outbreak of conflict two weeks ago. The protest was organised by the Newcastle Palestine Solidarity Campaign (NPSC) and featured speeches from local activists, student groups and members of the public, many of whom have family living in Gaza.

Protestors handed in letters if complaint and a petition concerning bias in the BBC's reporting of the conflict People spoke of missing loved ones, and of frustration at news coverage of the conflict and subsequent proPalestinian demonstrations, which

they labelled as Islamophobic. The protest at Monument on 14 October was followed by a march to the BBC’s regional headquarters on Saturday, where protesters handed in letters of complaint and a petition concerning bias in the BBC’s reporting of the conflict.

One speaker called out the lack of 'condemnation when Palestinian children are slaughtered One speaker called out the lack of ‘condemnation when Palestinian children are slaughtered’, asking ‘why is it that nobody cares when Palestinians are the victims?’. Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian territories began in June 1967, after a six-day war between it and neighbouring states. The peace process has been ongoing ever since, involving dozens of peace treaties, negotiations, and nonaggression agreements. Palestine is split into two isolated portions of land: the densely populated Gaza Strip, and the much larger West Bank. The West Bank is mostly under the control of the Israeli Government, with the remainder being administered by the Palestinian National Authority. The Gaza Strip is under the exclusive control of Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation by the UK Government. Despite this, Amnesty International

still describes Israel’s administration of Palestine as a ‘system of apartheid’ due to its ‘policies of land confiscation, illegal settlement’ and ‘rampant discrimination’. Over the course of the conflict, media coverage has become more critical of the actions of the Israeli military (IDF), including suggestions that they were the source of a missile that killed 500 civilians at the Al-Ahli Hospital on Tuesday.

International outcry over the bombing has led leaders of some countries to cancel diplomatic visits International outcry over the bombing has led leaders of some countries to cancel diplomatic visits to the region. The American President Joe Biden has remained resolute in his support of Israel and is against a proposed ceasefire, telling a press conference that ‘terrorists will not win. Freedom will win’. In the UK, a recent YouGov poll found that 58% of respondents believed that ‘there definitely should’ be ‘an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine’. Protests will be taking place on Saturdays on a weekly basis until a ceasefire is called. Image credit: newcastlepsc on Instagram

Sub-Editors: Grace Boyle, Libby Griffiths and Mia Dale

Campus Comment

Monday 6th November 2023

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Is a degree a good investment? Benjamin Moore

As legendary investor Warren Buffett once said, ‘The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.’

n a world where higher education is more expensive than ever and gaining a graduate roll is fiercely competitive, can we really say that a degree is a good financial decision? The cost-of-living crisis has hit students hard, with 1 in 7 in full-time work and 1 in 10 reported to be using food banks. The average combined cost of tuition fees and accommodation in England is nearly £50,000 (with most of this being funded by debt, part time work or parental contributions). This makes the question of the value

The top 20% of earners at aged 30, 68% of them are graduates of a degree more pressing than ever. Thankfully, there is still a significant

studying creative arts have negative financial returns, while men studying medicine or economics have average returns of more than half a million pounds.

Men studying creative arts have negative financial returns, while those studying medicine have average

The study found significant discrepancies in wages still exist

‘Graduate Premium’- with employers willing to pay substantially more for people with a degree. For example, if you look at the top 20% of earners at aged 30, 68% of them are graduates. However, grouping people into averages is often misleading as the economic benefits of a degree are entirely up to the individuals’ circumstances. One of the major factors that affects your future earning power is what course you choose. In research conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), they found that net discounted lifetime earnings for women are close to zero on average for creative arts and languages graduates, but more than £250k for law, economics, or medicine. Men

The study also found that significant discrepancies in wages still exist between men and women, with male graduate salaries increasing by £15k from ages 30 to 40 and just £5k for women. Overall, the study concluded that for at least 75% of people, a degree will produce positive financial returns. The stats are clear, university is the best financial decision most students ever make. That does not mean university is for everyone or that it is a

guarantee of a higher salary. Part of the reason for the discrepancy between graduate and non-graduate earnings is the amount of opportunities university offers you. Things like being active in a society, volunteering on campus or gaining an internship are just some of the opportunities that allow students to improve their CV, and, hence maximise their opportunities.

Who could put a price on the friendships made at university, the experiences, and thrill of a new city The fascination with monetary returns is not helpful either. Oscar Wilde said the definition of a cynic was, ‘a man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing,’ and he was right. Who could put a price on the friendships made at university, the experiences, or the thrill of living in a new city? University has never been a financial weighing scale for future riches, it is the opportunity to become educated, skilled, and a better version of yourself. So, my advice is to do everything you can to maximise the student experience (you may as well get your money’s worth).

Home vs Halls: How the cost- The return of £1 of-living crisis affects students meals on campus Sarah Daly

The relationship between the cost-ofliving crisis and uni climate.

eading to university is typically a rite of passage, marked by newfound independence, freedom and the prospect of unforgettable experiences. However, this year, statistics have shown that one in three students opt to remain at home over the campus lifestyle. Sutton Trust and UCL's Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities study reveals the hidden truth behind this statistic. Financial constraints were the key driver for the 11,000 A-level students surveyed in England. The allure of university life comes with a vast price, which students can not afford. Students from disadvantaged b a c k g rou n d s are even more pronounced, causing them to stay home and hindering their university experience. The survey shows that

20% of university applicants choose to stay home during the term, with an additional 14% considering moving. These limits are far-reaching, as they may limit personal growth and academic exploration that traditionally come with university life. Despite the Department for Education emphasising that their student income system prioritises support for students from low-income families, student loans need to catch up with inflation. This lack of financial support needs comprehensive reform more than ever.

Undeniably, the cost-of-living crisis is at the forefront of students' choices regarding their education, potentially depriving them of the quintessential university experience they've been dreaming of. Higher education institutions and policymakers need to address this issue to ensure that every student can pursue their academic aspirations without the burden of financial strain.

Jessica Mckeown - Film Sub-Editor

Newcastle University bring back cheap meals during cost-of-living crisis

re your Co-op meal deals putting a strain on your bank account? Do you want a hot meal as Newcastle gets colder? Good news for you, the £1 breakfast and lunch deals on campus have returned! There are three meal deals on offer: A porridge pot with a filter coffee or tea; A three item breakfast bun (except eggs) with a filter coffee or tea); or, a soup and a bun. The porridge offer

Image Credit: WesHicks Unsplash

is available from Bites, the Robinson library, NUBS, and the Walton Library. The three item breakfast bun offer is available only at Courtyard and the soup and bun offer is available at Courtyard, Bites, the Robinson library and NUBS.

There are limited numbers available each day so be sure to get there early To claim the offer, you will need to present your student card and the offers are only available Mondays to Fridays. The opening times of each venue are available on the Catering page on the University's website. In September 2022, a 'Cost of Living Task' and 'Finish Group' was established by Lucy Backhurst, Academic Registrar, to develop and launch a range of schemes based off student's concerns and suggestions. In June 2023, a report was released, revealing that over the 20 weeks the offers were available, 11,920 units were sold. The success of the offers has allowed it's return this year.

Image Credit: @nusu_education on Instagram

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Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-Editors: Grace Boyle, Libby Griffiths and Mia Dale

Campus Comment

Advice for completing your first deadlines of the year Dan Finch

A student shares advice on what they wish they knew in first year when preparing for deadlines.

y the title, you are likely assuming that it's writer possesses a knack for organisation and selfmotivation. However, I can assure you I am far from a master of meeting deadlines myself. I certainly made my fair share of mistakes throughout my first year at university. At least now, you might not have to. Initial deadlines can be particularly challenging due to several factors. The greater independence offered by university and its self-directed approach to learning is undoubtedly daunting. On top of that, as a fresher, there is the need to balance newfound social freedoms with academic responsibilities. Just

as you begin adjusting to your new environment, you are met with a barrage of due assignments. Suddenly, the realisation dawns upon you, your degree may be the reason you moved here, not the blue trebs.

There is the need to balance social freedoms with academic responsibilities

I would still stress the importance of planning. Of course, this guidance is by no means ground-breaking. Yet, I know I have been tempted to jump the gun myself and immediately begin writing in those dreaded final days. I can thus confirm wholeheartedly actually organising your thoughts and materials will always make for a more

efficient writing process. Of course, last-minute submissions can become an unfortunate reality for any student. The important part is learning from these mistakes and working to avoid them in the future. It is possible to sacrifice the odd nonessential activity, people. I promise your TikTok ‘for you’ page is not going

Nonetheless, remembering that your peers are all in the same position is always reassuring. My first piece of advice would be to take advantage of this: prompt conversations about essay ideas or note-taking strategies. However, when it comes down to it working collaboratively is not always practical. Whilst mutual support is beneficial, constant distractions in shared study spaces of the library are not. Regardless of a diminishing timeframe, always try avoiding panic mode. Even in cases of working down to the wire,

anywhere. As I mentioned originally, I am no prodigy. In truth, there is no onesize-fits-all method to approaching deadlines. Above all, taking time to look after yourself during stressful periods will ultimately benefit any work which you produce. Best of luck!

Image Credit: Unspalsh, Agebarros and Sigmunnd

The boycott is over: Top study spots for the where are our marks? pending exam season Anna Nix - Food and drink Sub-Editor

The frustration of new assignments without last year's marks.

oming to university as an international student with the mindset of ‘British universities are better than the ones back home’ I was quite shocked at how disorganized the education system can get.

The marking boycott that started on 20th April has finally come to an end onn 30th September Strikes, that were once foreign nature to me are now a part of my everyday live. Last year was a mix of constant confusion,

Image Credit: Alan Levine on Wiki Commons

frustration and demotivation when it came to handing in my assessments, knowing full well I won’t receive a grade back for months. Yet as I am writing these words, many students, including myself, have still not received their grades back. At this point I am waiting for grades on essays I do not remember writing, essays whose themes I can only barely recall. This uncertainty about my grades from last year unfortunately comes in with having to prepare for new assessments. I have started working on deadlines for this year without knowing how well I did on my assignments last year. For many students who are in the same waters as me, it feel pointless. It feels like students are putting their hundred percent effort in but not receiving the same effort back. Additionally, what makes this even worse, is the fact that we are paying thousands of pounds for a flawed system that does not seem to be working as it should. Students are wondering where all their money goes. For international students who came here because the education was supposedly better, they are paying over £21000, and the university boycott behaviour seems more unjustifiable. To not end on such a serious note, we also need to keep the students who need academic validation in mind because what are they supposed to do now, without their grades?

James Kellett - Gaming Sub-Editor

Newcastle University bring back cheap meals during cost-of-living crisis.

hilst studying the atmosphere and place you work in is crucial, many of us like to study in a variety of ways so here is a list of some places where you could work best.

A Common Room Working in a common room can provide you with a mixture of study methods. The rooms can be used as a space for quiet study, but they can simultaneously function as an opportunity for collaborative work. One major benefit of using your subject common room is the ability to work with friends and peers on your course, there have been countless of times I have come across problems in my study’s and many of my peers have provided me with unique solutions. The best ones ones on campus can be found in the student lounge of Armstrong building, the old library and The Percy.

Wetherspoons Typically, somewhere we would associate fun nights with our friends, Newcastle plays host to a variety of

Wetherspoons, with one conveniently being located right on our campus. One handy tip is to make the most of the hot drink refills, having the ability to fuel yourself with tea or coffee on tap can certainly aid productivity. Moreover, once you’ve completed your study session, you can treat yourself to some grub and perhaps a pint!

The Lit and Phil Library If quiet study is your preferred method, but you’re still looking for a change of scenery, the Lit and Phil Library may be just what you’re looking for. Located on Westgate Road, the library is free to enter and open six days a week.

The Marj, third floor Recently renovated, the third floor of the Majorie Robinson library looks stunning with new comfy chairs, little house study spaces and private cubbys perfect for online lectures. 'Designed with you in mind' the university has now transformed the floor into a studying playground with colourful furniture to stop your brains from turning into complete mush.

NUSU top-floor Many a late night has been spent here grinding out essays until the early hours of the morning. Boasting a mixture of individual and collab study spaces, the NUSU top-floor ensures maximum productivity for all of your studying needs. With co-op and Luthers just below you. the location means you can pretty much spend hours slugging out those deadlines. P.S they have free pens In addition to housing a vast number of books, the building itself is a grand one and is steeped in history. Founded in 1793, the library has housed many students over the centuries and an institution such as this continues to enrich the minds of our student population.

'The Dayshment' Tucked away in the bowels of Henry Daysh, you will find a plethora of collaborative study spaces perfect for group project work and good wi-fi. Situated on the floor just above, is a convenient cafe filled with all the necessities required for a serious study sesh. Handy tip! If you head to the café before 10am you can make the most of a tasty student discount!

Image Credit: @libraryncl Instagram

Sub-Editors: Adelaide Dodson, Rosie Brennan and Margaux Martinez

Opinion

Monday 6th November 2023

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The 'girlbossification' of right-wing women Samantha Seidu - Head of Life and Style

A view on the way conservative women are presented through the media.

t is very interesting how in the history of Great Britain, there have only been three female Prime Ministers. It is even more interesting, how all three female Prime Ministers have come from the Conservative Party. Some may say it is a win for feminism, but I beg to differ. As a matter of fact, the diversity within the Conservative Party is one that has to be studied, since the policies they have been putting in place since they came to power are not reflecting this diversity. But that is a whole separate conversation. For now, the focus will be on female MPs of the Conservatives.

three female Prime Ministers have been Conservative?”. Her question was obviously a dig at the Labour Party who are ‘supposed’ to be the more progressive political party in the UK but have not had a single female PM. Regardless, it made me think about how we’ve put female Tory MPs on a pedestal for championing gender equality in the House of Commons, or, their 'girlbossification'.

When we say ‘girlboss’ we often think of women who are empowered, motivated, successful, ambitious, etc. Naturally, you would attribute all of these traits to any woman in a position of power. The same can be said for a lot of the high profile female Conservative MPs, all three PMs Margret Thatcher, Theresa May and Liz Truss, the likes of people such as Priti Patel and Suella Braverman being the representation for

women of colour. This would be a good thing if it weren’t for the fact that Margret Thatcher decided to close all the mines, Theresa May didn’t find an adequate Brexit deal, Liz Truss almost collapsed the British economy and Suella Braverman and Priti Patel are pushing borderline fascist ideas around immigration despite being from immigrant families. Now, this is absolutely not to say that

Theresa May asked: 'why do you think all three female PMs have been Conservative?' I remember watching the session in the House of Commons after Liz Truss became PM, Theresa May (former PM) asked her “Why do you think that all

Image Credit: Made by Ross Bennet: FlagTheDailyDotPritiPatelEveningStandardTheresaMayCNBCSuellaBravermanshropshirestarMaggieThatcherChroncom

The Israel-Palestine conflict and it's effect on Anti-Semitism Felix Harvey

Taking a look at the spread of anti-Semitism impacted by the Israel and Palestine conflicts.

he media has remained focussed on the recent Hamas action on Israel after they crossed the country’s border and fired upon civilians, resulting in the loss of 1,400 Israelis. Headlines remain divisive, though anti-Semitism has taken a worryingly sharp increase in cases throughout the Western world. Worryingly, the behaviour has been happening within our own country. From the 30th of September to the 13th of October the Metropolitan Police reported 105 incidents and 75 offences relating to antisemitism.

the 21st of October a pro-Palestine rally took place in London. Among many incidents of antisemitic behaviour reported most notable were some of the slogans used by the protesters. “Zionism is the new Nazism” was heard chanted at the protest and “Nazi Israel” graffitied on the side of a building in Piccadilly. The singular fact that antisemitism is increasing in regards to the IsraelHamas war highlights our ignorance towards

The singular fact that Anti-Semitism is increasing highlights our ignorance towards understanding Compared to the numbers of the same period the previous year which were 14 incidents and 12 offences, we can see a unsettling increase. In response the police said they were intending to visit every synagogue in London to discuss security of the people and that they would also deploy an extra 1,000 officers in more vulnerable areas. On Saturday

they are all pretty awful because of their gender (in fact, their gender has nothing to do with why they are questionable characters). It has everything to do with the fact that being in positions of power automatically gives them the ‘girlboss’ label that the Conservatives have taken and ran with. When I want to think of the amazing contributions women have made to politics and legislation, none of the aforementioned are people that I would ever consider mentioning. Of course, they may have done some good things for the country (personally I beg to differ), but I think that this has brought up a very necessary conversation about who we put on the pedestal for promoting feminism, gender equality and women's rights. Yes, all three female PM’s have come from the Conservative Party, but can we really call them feminist icons when they have done absolutely nothing to show that they are remotely interested in equality for all women (women of colour, working-class women, disabled women, Trans and gender nonconforming etc)? Yes, they may have worked their way up into a very maledominated field, but can we really give them flowers for being positive role models for all young girls? For me, the answer to all of the above is no, but regardless of what I think, we should all seriously consider who we girlbossify in this political climate.

Image Credit: Ted Eytan

understanding and educating ourselves on the fundamental truths of conflicts such as this. On both sides there have been serious civilian casualties. These civilians aren’t soldiers or killers. These civilians are families, innocents and people simply wishing to live. The Tribe of Nova music festival massacre and the al-Ahli Gaza hospital missile strike are evidence of the unprecedented loss of innocents for Israel and Palestine. Sparking no need, as there never is, for antisemitic behaviour to be perpetrated by the misinformed and ignorant.

All trains lead to London

Marcus Williamson

ow that HS2's connection to Manchester has been cancelled, it leaves many blankly staring at the stark differences between public transport in the North compared to that in the South. South Yorkshire, for example, recently saw many of its bus routes axed following the Pandemic and an increasing number of timetabled buses failing to arrive at stops. In isolation this is understandable. We all know COVID wasn’t cheap but when London gets the Elizabeth line for £4 billion over its budget and South Yorkshire has to campaign to have its circular bus routes back, it doesn’t really seem fair. Maybe I’m just bitter. According to a study by the Centre for Cities, Newcastle has a larger public transport network than many of

their much-prized continental counterparts. But at the same time Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds are named as having much smaller areas served by public transport when compared to the continent. The study also found a direct correlation between the productivity of a city and its public transport links. London being prioritised is understandable, it has the largest population, biggest industry and is the centre of the country’s political system. But if it’s being supported to the detriment of areas like Manchester, does that show a divide between the north and the south? It certainly feels that way at times, especially when headlines include figures such as London getting £419 more per head on public transport than the north of England, from the Guardian in 2018. Hopefully, schemes like the proposed Washington Metro loop will help to soften this divide, but for now it seems to be a very real issue.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Sub-Editors: Adelaide Dodson, Rosie Brennan and Margaux Martinez

Monday 6th November 2023

Opinion

Will Sunak's cigarette Islamophobia in ban go up in smoke? French Politics Joe Burman

Anticipating the fallout of Sunak's new policy.

ongst a slew of policies, including cancelling the northern leg of HS2 and scrapping A-levels, Sunak has proposed an incremental ban on buying cigarettes. This would mean the legal age to buy cigarettes would increase year on year so they can never be sold to those born on or after 1 January 2009.

According to a 2020 study, 55% of smokers in the UK wanted to quit The policy is being touted as the "biggest public health intervention in a generation” by Sunak himself. However, is prohibition the best solution; shouldn’t the 6.4 million who currently smoke in the UK be first on the Government’s public health agenda? According to a 2020 study, 55% of smokers in the UK wanted to quit. But the Task Force for Lung Health, a UK group aimed at preventing lung cancer, said they need advice, support and treatment to do this. Under the Conservatives, budget cuts to local councils has resulted in funding to ‘stop smoking’ services falling by 45%. Is this

a government that sounds serious about public health?

I’m just struggling to understand what the aim of this policy is There’s also the burning question of how effective banning tobacco would be in reducing the already plummeting number of youth smokers. The number of 20-25 year olds that smoke has already halved in the last 20 years, already at an all time low. Smoking is falling out of fashion, with vaping taking its place. Vaping is just as addictive but has much less stigma attached to it, making it a much more attractive option. Banning young people from buying tobacco whilst vapes are readily on sale will have negligible impact on addiction. A ban would also inevitably create a black market as what is stopping those born in or before 2008 from buying their post 2009 friends cigarettes? Any ban would require a huge amount of enforcement and will only be a minor inconvenience to any young person who wants to buy cigarettes. I’m just struggling to understand what the aim of this policy is. It doesn’t have an effect on the public's health now, it will

create a huge black market and it won’t stop young people from becoming addicted to nicotine. It just seems to be meaningless and simply a headline. A ban like this, to be effective, needs to be accompanied by other policies such as reducing nicotine content in cigarettes, an investment into stop smoking services and a public health campaign aimed at young people to reduce the use of vapes. Whilst the rest of the western world is moving towards an increasingly liberal position on drugs, where proper education and investments into public health services has been shown to reduce addiction and limit harm, the Government seems to be taking a step backwards.enforcement and will only be a minor inconvenience to any young person who wants to buy cigarettes. Whilst the rest of the western world is moving towards an increasingly liberal position on drugs, where proper education and investments into public health services has been shown to reduce addiction and limit harm, the Government seems to be taking a step backwards.

Image Credit: Pixaby

Lois Armugam

Discriminatory policies in France are leading to a rise in Islamophobia.

new policy enforcing a dress code that bans Islamic abayas has sparked questions on the presence of Islamophobia in French politics. The abaya is a long, loose garment worn by some Muslim women that covers the whole body. The ban reflects the French commitment to the principle of Laïcité (secularism), the cornerstone of republican values that originated during the 19th century due to the influence of the Church within state-run establishments. The decision follows the 2004 law banning ‘conspicuous religious symbols’ in educational settings. The French Education Minister Gabriel Attal recently announced the ban on abayas and khamis at a news conference, stating that the policy would come into force on the first day of the new school year, less than a week after the ban was announced. This was met with opposition by muslim school girls across France, with almost 300 defying the ban and the 67 who refused to change were sent home.The Actions for

the Rights of Muslims (ADM) association has filed an urgent motion with the state council on the basis that it is discriminatory and could incite ethnic profiling and hatred towards Muslims.

The French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has rejcted claims that the new policy is xenophobic The state council rejected the arguments as the abaya is seen to “follow the logic of religious affirmation” and the ban is based on the 2004 law.President Macron has strongly supported the ban with the reasoning that there is a minority in France who Hijack a religion and challenge the republic which leads to consequences such as the murder of Samuel Paty. In a radio interview with RTL, The French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne has rejected claims that the new policy is xenophobic. Borne claimed that such accusations are being manipulated by the left in an attempt at provocation, specifically by the left-wing political party La France Insournise (LFI). Macron has since been criticised for conflating a long dress with terrorism.

"Men are men, women are women", and Rishi Sunak is getting completely desperate Charlotte Stobart

Discussions on Rishi Sunak's latest conference where he expressed extreme views on transgender people.

n October 4th 2023, at a Conservative party conference, Rishi Sunak said that it is common sense that ‘a man is a man, and a woman is a woman’, and was greeted with rapturous applause. Trans people in the UK have felt unsafe long before Sunak; he is just another step in bringing damaging and divisive speech and ideas into the mainstream. Of the between 200,000 and 500,000 transgender people in the UK, 41% have experienced a hate crime and 25% have experienced homelessness. Sunak did not cause this, but he is perpetuating it.

Women’s safety only seems to become a priority when it comes to trans issues Trans people tend to be easy targets of discrimination. You only have to look at

the Daily Mail homepage, where every other article is disinformation about trans issues, intending to deliberately stir up hate and outrage. The right wing is obsessed. And this obsession breeds danger for trans people. Outrage sells newspapers. Outrage wins elections. This is Sunak’s campaign platform, his anti-woke ideation, the newest warrior in the culture war. 73% of the UK public think that there are more important things to worry about. Sunak, our second unelected Prime minister in as many years, doesn’t care.

unsafe, as increasingly marginal and hateful views, which undermine and demonise their existence, come to fore, and are increasingly mainstreamed. We cannot blame all of that on Sunak.

The rot of transphobia pervades far deeper in our society, and cutting off one man would in no way solve the issue. Sunak is comfortable and confident in saying these things because

society and, more importantly to him, a section of his voter base is accepting of them-- eager to hear them. Sunak is a symptom of the issue, not the cause.

Sunak argued the issue of biological sex is fundamentally important to women’s rights and women’s spaces Sunak also argued that the issue of biological sex is fundamentally important to women’s rights and women’s spaces. I find it interesting how women’s safety only seems to become a priority when it comes to trans issues. From October 2022 to March 2023, more than 1500 police officers were accused of violence against women and girls, and less than 1% of them were fired. Where is the Tory outrage over the institutionalised violence of the police? But no. It’s transgender people who are the danger. Trans people in the UK feel more

Image Credit: Rawpixel

Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-Editors: Matthew Barratt and Elisabeth Gores

Science

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This November: Sputnik II and Laika the Dog, 65 years later

Joe Keeble

Laika the Dog was on the Sputnik II rocket, becoming the first ainaml in space, over six decades ago!

he Sputnik programme was a Space technology program designed by the U.S.S.R (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, now Russia) with the intention of sending people into space. This was symptomatic of the space race more generally, a metaphorical race between the U.S.S.R and the U.S.A to determine who had the most advanced space technology, culminating in the Apollo program and the manned Lunar missions. This was symbolic of a deeper

ideological contest between the powers, with the “winner” being seen as technologically superior, but it was also indicative of the emphasis that those states and their societies at large placed on technology and its value in conflict. It needs to be kept in mind that the backdrop of the Sputnik missions was The Cold War, where until the U.S.S.R’s collapse, there was the ever-present and persistent threat of Global Thermonuclear War. This race had many milestones along the way to a complete manned programme, including the ‘Laika’ launch, or the launch of Sputnik II. “Laika”, or “barker” when translated from Russian, also known as Kudryavka (Little Curly), was a part-Samoyed terrier selected for Space travel. Laika was not the first animal in space – that honour belongs to a set of fruit flies in 1947 that the USA sent into sub orbit - but she certainly is the most famous. Before the USSR risked sending people

into orbit, they wanted to test on living creatures first.

After Laika's death in orbit, conditions improved for animals sent who were sent to space thereafter Scientists wanted to see what effects being in orbit could have on a living creature, such as what would happen in launch and the effects of microgravity on biological matter. They also wanted to perform scientific measurements in space, including measurements of cosmic rays. The animal needed to be large and colourful enough to be observed on camera, and easily obtained. Therefore, stray dogs fit the criteria well, as they were readily available and female dogs were preferred since they were easier to rig up. A selection process

then ensued, with dogs who were most tolerant of loud noises, most obedient and adaptable to air pressure changes being selected for progression. Shortly thereafter, Laika was selected as the primary candidate and was launched with the Sputnik II module on 3rd November 1957. Unfortunately for Laika, she was not destined to survive. Although she had food and water, she died of overheating inside the cabin. Accounts vary as to when she died, but since the Sputnik II module was in orbit for 162 days, it is difficult to speculate upon the facts of her demise. Important data was derived from this mission, as cosmic ray data gathered initially mapped the Van Allen radiation system, although this discovery went to the eponymous scientist, whilst also measuring the first effects of space travel on biological matter.

After Laika’s death in orbit, conditions improved for animals who were sent into space thereafter – the Sputnik V Launch carried many animals including two dogs (Belka and Strelka) into space , returning them alive. One of Strelka’s pups (post-Sputnik) called Pushinka was gifted to Caroline Kennedy in 1961 by U.S.S.R premier Nikita Khrushchev, with descendants known to be surviving today.

Image Credit: Wikamedia Commons, PostofAlbania

Our beloved pint is 'Dale The Whale': Fantastic under climate attack Dalton Park's new flying feces sustainabilty mascot Ross Bennett - Deputy Editor

They came for our trees, they melted our ice caps... and now our pints!

limate change has led to longer and drier summers which has caused a 20% reduction in the output of European Hops – a crucial ingredient in the production of beer. Usually added before the boiling process to add bitterness, this article is sure to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of readers as you discover that climate change could result in poorer pint. Oh, the humanity! Not even Greta Thunberg could make a more startling cry for the need to stop global warming. Someone call Greenpeace! Close down the petrol stations! I’m making my cardboard sign to march down

Northumberland Street as we speak. We talk about the dangers of Climate Change, of dooming future generations to unbreathable air and a lack of agricultural produce, but this – this is a horrifying prospect. As long as my heart still beats in my chest, I will do everything in my power to make sure my children and my children’s children and my children’s children’s children are not left with absolute trailer piss to drink. Imagine, dear lord, imagine. With greenhouse gas emissions increasing temperatures, it is likely world temperatures will rise past the crucial 1.5 Celsius barrier by 2027. Only a few short years anyway. I wonder, with us Brits known for our pub-going and beer-swigging ways, will this be the proverbial straw on the camel’s back? Will this lead to a change in the governments and corporations of the world, to go greener, more sustainable? How will the rich fat cuts of the world celebrate the destruction of our environment if they can’t even make a toast? Only time will tell, but before then…I’m off to the pub!

Image Credit:Pixabay, DigiPD

Arthur Ferridge - Head of Sport

Dalton Park, the largest outlet mall in the North-East, unveils their new sustainability mascot!

he County Durham outlet mall has recently unveiled its new sustainability mascot, a colourful sculpture made up of 745 recycled plastic water bottles. Dale the Whale will serve as a reminder for the shoppers of the North-East to keep an eye on their plastic usage and raise awareness of recycling and Dalton Park's other green initiatives. Dale the Whale was created in collaboration with The Great British Beach Clean Project, an annual weeklong event promoting litter collection and cleanup efforts on beaches around the UK. Organized by the Marine Conservation Society, 2022’s effort saw the collection of 4,000kg of litter by 5,261 volunteers. A statement from Dalton Park accompanying the unveiling of Dale wrote that “Dale embodies the beauty of recycling and showcases how we can transform waste into something extraordinary.” Dale himself is nothing short of extraordinary. Standing several feet tall, the brightly

coloured and cuddly-looking whale also serves as a bottle deposit. Dale the Whale’s arrival was also accompanied by a variety of recycling points across Dalton Park, the contents of which will be used to create more “dazzling decorations” to join Dale in embellishing the mall’s pavements.

Dalton Park, based in the outskirts of the village of Murton, is the largest outlet mall in the NorthEast This is not the first sustainability project that Dalton Park has bought into, with the mall reportedly investing in solar panels, a “Pollinator Park,” composting, and water saving measures. The mall also features a range of EV charging points and operates sponsored litter collections. Dalton Park, based in the outskirts of the village of Murton, is the largest outlet mall in North-East England, playing host to 75 shops and restaurants.

Image Credit : Dalton Park

Matthew Barratt - Science Sub-Editor he Wallace’s Flying Frog (Rhacophorus Nigropalmatus) resides in South-East Asian rainforests. Emerald coloured once fully developed but in their juvenile stage, the tiny froglet of this species are reddish brown with notable white spots, taking on a peculiar resemblance to bird feces at first glance. Upon adulthood, the frogs develop their recognizable emerald sheen as a means of merging within the green foliage around them. Scientists hypothesized that these unappetizing froglets may have adapted this complexion to protect themselves from predators in their early stages of development. Published in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology (September, 2023), researchers put this disgusting disguise to the test with frog models that mimicked both the green adult frog and the excrement-esque froglet. Placing the faux-frogs within their natural habitats amongst avian predators, they observed their 'hit rate' towards the models; or, the number of times they attacked the models, perceiving them as prey. Researchers found that the predators avoided the masquerading amphibian and preferred the emerald, green model as a desirable meal, attacking it more frequently, thus proving that the fecal-frog acted as a viable deterrant. The findings are considered the first of its kind to investigate a vertebrate species developing this method of disguise as a means of protection.

Monday 6th November 2023

Blind Date Co-Ordinator: Charlotte Lee

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Hosted by Pizza Punks

Rate the Date What were your first impressions of Oli? I fancied doing something a bit different and had always wanted to give a blind date a go. My friend sent it to me on Instagram and I thought it would be fun. What sort of topics did guys talk about? And what did you have in common? He was very friendly, chatty and polite and easy to have a conversation with. Food, our courses, societies we are part of, where we are from and our families. What pizza did you have? Chicken, pepper, mushroom, sweetcorn, tomato, aubergine and pineapple.

Brenna, 18 Dietetics

Describe your date as one pizza topping and why? All of them, because the place we went to had unlimited toppings. Do you think you will see each other again? Probably not romantically, but he was lovely so I would be happy to be friends.

Rate the Date What were your first impressions of Brenna? Brenna was pretty, energetic, and interesting to speak with. What did you talk about? And what did you have in common? We talked about our courses, how nice the location was, what we thought about Newcastle, our families back home and how our lives compare at home in comparison to at University. We had a fair bit in common, from liking to explore and go on walks to being spontaneous and up for doing random things (like the blind date). What pizza did you have? I had the cheese burger pizza, a very nice (and extremely large) pizza which, unsurprisingly, tasted just like a cheese burger! Describe your date a one pizza topping and why? The date was like a pineapple, unexpectedly really fun and not as nerve racking as I anticipated, with a surprising sweetness that made the whole ordeal fun and fruitful. Do you think you will see each other again? As fun as the date was we didn’t have that much time to connect. Brenna seems lovely and whilst I would be down to see her again I don’t think we had the proper time to make that connection.

O Computlei, 19 r Scienc e

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Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-Editors: Rebecca Wright and Adriana Newbury

Relationships

ready for Rediscovering girlhood Get Movember! with the Barbie Movie... Cara Claire

Barbora Pacherova

Post-Barbie film, this summer sparked a wave of reconnecting with your girlhood.

here is a certain shame pushed on girls since birth for simply being born the way they were. Pink was always the worst colour, hobbies girls had were never real or never good enough, and there was always at least one person with a misogynistic joke that you had to laugh at, because why wouldn’t you? Girls were stupid, after all. In the lead up to the Barbie movie, the world began to open up to femininity and have some fun with it. There were the poster remakes, the memes, the plans for dressing up in all pink for the theatre. It felt like a dream. It was a celebration of what had always been ridiculed – a celebration of girlhood. The Barbie movie, no matter your opinion

of its quality, opened up a world where women could rediscover their connection to their girlhood. Women had the opportunity to fall in love with their identity all over again, or perhaps even for the first time. Now, everybody defines what means to be a woman differently. Is it actively pushing back against sexism? The feeling of solidarity and community with the women we know and the ones we have not yet met – the inside jokes and common experiences shared with girls and women all around the world? Or is it simply existing? We stay true to our own identities as women, and our girlhoods are as different and diverse as our individual lives. Barbie contributed to the shift in the perception of womanhood and created an opportunity to connect with it more. It allowed us to rediscover girlhood through newer and fresher perspectives, to reconnect with what we loved as little girls and be unapologetically girly, feminine and happy. Whether it’s gaining your love for the colour pink back, starting to get comfortable wearing skirts, dresses or heels, or even just

rediscovering that one girlish hobby you dropped wasn't actually silly at all... It’s time to reconnect with the girl you used to be, to be happy about the little things that bring a smile to your face without care.

Image: Source (unsplash)@sandragabriel

The key to building a healthy relationship Sophie Storey

A healthy relationship isn't always as black and white as it seems...

riting an article such as this is somewhat problematic, as it suggests that there is a perfect recipe for a healthy relationship; ‘just do what I say, and you’ll have the best relationship in no time!’ I prefer not to ascribe myself towards notions like this because one set of rules may be successful for one couple, and unsuccessful for another. Furthermore, the definition of a ‘healthy relationship’ is a tricky one. There is

no singular explanation of such a phrase purely because it depends on what someone interprets as ‘healthy’ in a relationship. I guess that’s my first point. The sooner you realise that everybody is different and therefore investigate such differences within your partner, the better your understanding of each other’s versions of ‘healthy relationship’ will be. The aim should be to learn as much as you can about your partner. I’m not talking about what colour eyes they have, or when their birthday is (although you may benefit from not screwing that date up). I’m talking about learning what their inner child yearns for; learning how they argue and more importantly, how they heal from an argument. I think this is the reason as to why so many relationships fail. People are uncapable of accepting the

beauty of difference and refuse to ask those challenging questions about someone’s soul. Resign yourself to the fact that a relationship is hard work and only enter into one when you have the time to invest in it. The best relationships accept that it requires work. Furthermore, they understand that, as with most things in life, there are highs and lows. You have to commit to choose each other even when you’re experiencing the lows – I’m explaining the classic 'I don’t like you right now, but I will always love you' type of mindset. This is my final point; always choose each other and you’ll be ok.

PornHub. This has seen individuals with no prior background in sex work at all, such as influencers, or even those with any amount of social media following, take to the platform as a source of extra income. This is a testament to how 'empowering' the platform is perceived to be, that sex work has become a side hustle or even an aspiration, in comparison to it historically being a last resort for those struggling to make ends meet. Flashy headlines such as "Couple quit NHS jobs to start OnlyFans page and now make quadruple their pay" (Daily Record) or "TikTok Star Tara Lynn Makes $350,000 a Month on OnlyFans" (Entrepreneur) heavily contribute to this glamourised view of a previously stigmatised role. But how empowering is this, really?

commodification of the, usually feminine, body present, and in turn, dehumanisation from consumers who see profiles not as the people behind them, but as virtual objects for their sexual pleasure. This has real life implications, as there are multiple studies that prove pornography consumption links to harmful attitudes towards women that can manifest in an array of physical forms from dismissal (i.e. objectification in real life sexual scenarios) to real life violence. There are multiple accounts of exOnlyFans creators saying that they faced vile, degrading comments on a regular basis, from subscribers who felt a sense of entitlement towards them, which can take an enormous, lasting mental toll on an individual level. Your job is essentially to consistently interact with strangers who see you solely as a source of sexual gratification - this would undoubtedly be a draining task, day in, day out, that is likely to warp your self esteem and sense of identity over time and impact your real life relationships, in turn. The aforementioned sense of ‘control’ is also questionable, as it is hard for a creator to have true control when working against demand, particularly in such a saturated industry, if they want to keep subscribers paying then this can very well mean being edged out of their comfort zone towards more extreme content until they are essentially a puppet for

Image: Source (pixabay)@autumngoddess0

Movember is more than a chance to show off that impressive moustache...

Content warning: mentions of suicide

t’s hard not to notice when Movember comes around. Whether you can grow a full handlebar or just a bit of peach fuzz, here’s why you should get involved in raising money and awareness for men’s health this year. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK, 1 in 8 men will develop it at some point in their lives and it's likely we all know someone who has experienced it. But when caught early it is entirely treatable, this is partly thanks to money raised by causes like Movember. Prostate Cancer UK is one of the Movember campaigns leading beneficiaries, and thousands of pounds every November is raised to help fund research and treatment. However, the crisis in men’s health goes further than physical illness. Three times as many men as women die by suicide. The male mental health crisis is something everyone is becoming aware of, but how do we stop it? Stigma and shame are the reasons many men suffer in silence with their physical and mental health. An open conversation about mental wellbeing is not one that is present in a lot of male circles, particularly in the older generations. Movember supports hundreds of male mental health charities globally, aiming to give men support that they often struggle to reach out for. Growing out your stubble this year is a good way to start conversations, let people know that you’re willing to talk and to listen, and if you can raise some money for a good cause alongside, why not?

Image: Source (pixabay)@pixloger

OnlyFans: Empowering or degrading? Zahra Hanif - Lifestyle Sub-Editor Content warning: discussions of misogyny, sex work

A look into the misogynistic attitudes within the sex-work website.

ince its launch in 2016, OnlyFans has amassed over 200 million users, including 2 million+ creators, but these statistics are on the rise daily. The site's popularity is credited to it offering a safer alternative space, in comparison to physical sites of sex work or largely unregulated online spaces, where sex workers can earn money, as they are able to sell explicit - or even just exclusive - pictures and videos of themselves. The lack of physical contact, the creator ultimately controlling what media they put out, and being able to keep the profit for themselves, are further bonuses from a creator’s point of view. In its 7 years, OnlyFans has managed to somewhat ‘normalise’ the selling and consuming of pornography, so much so that the site has levelled with the likes of Instagram and Twitter as a regular social media platform, and is much less of a taboo topic than its closer counterparts such as

Despite OnlyFans’ attempts to repackage sex work into an empowering and regulated profession, this is far from the reality of the job Despite certain risks associated with traditional sex work being diminished, OnlyFans is still sex work. And there are some risks associated with this that unfortunately, can't be defeated. There is the

their highest payers. So, despite OnlyFans’ attempts to repackage sex work into an empowering and regulated profession, this is far from the reality of the job. If anything, this is more damaging, as it compels young people to ‘try out’ a profession they would’ve never dreamed of before, under the illusion of power and control that is quickly lost to the highest bidder. Disclaimer: This is not to blame sex workers, but harmful misogynistic attitudes ingrained within society. This is also not to say that this is an issue which only affects those who are feminine-presenting - most of these issues are also applicable to masculine-presenting creators too, but statistics show that over 70% of creators are women and audiences are primarily men, so I chose to focus on them for the sake of this article.

Image: Source (pixabay)@bellezza87

Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-Editors: Zahra Hanif, Jay Barber and Marina Snyder

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Lifestyle

The countdown to Christmas: do we start celebrating too early?

Adam Lovegrove - Gaming Sub-Editor

Yes - we need to slow down in order to appreciate the day fully.

or many of us, the holiday season carries some of our fondest memories, and time spent dearly with friends and family. I’m reminded of my mum’s delicious roast dinners, watching the Home Alone films on the sofa, and playing with whatever new toys Santa decided to bring me that December 25th. There are so many things that make Christmas such a joy for us all, and one of those things is the 11 month build-up to it. It’s a time to be adored, and I’m all for getting into the spirit of it a bit early, but when I’m finding advent calendars being sold at Tesco’s before we’re even through with October, it all starts to feel a bit ridiculous. The trouble with these premature celebrations is that by the time Christmas day rocks around, a lot of us have used up all our festive spirit for the year. We’ve stared at our holiday decorations for far too long, eaten enough chocolates and cookies to feed us the whole year, and listened to Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé more times than we can count. What ends up happening is that the hype leading

up to Christmas becomes more enjoyable than the day itself, because we set our expectations so high with our overcompensating festive cheer that the climax can be nothing but underwhelming in the end. It also results in a trivialisation of other holidays contained within the months leading up to Christmas, particularly Halloween, an increasingly popular holiday especially amongst students. Dressing up in costumes and decorating our houses for the spooky season is such a fun time, but the shadow that Christmas casts over it can dampen our excitement for October 31st, making us treat it as a holiday within a holiday rather than it’s own unique thing. If we’re going to start the festive season so early, at least let Halloween have it’s time before we bring out the mince pies and mulled wine. I get why we all want to celebrate so early. Christmas is a time of universal joy, and such a wonderful holiday to end each year on. It brings people together, gives us food and drink to share, casts light on the gloomy season of winter, and reawakens that childlike joy in all of us that we sometimes forget to stay in touch with. There’s a reason it’s the world’s most popular holiday, adapted and shared across cultures all around the world, and it is absolutely a time to be cherished. But if we could just hold off a bit longer before kicking into that festive spirit, I think we’d find those memories we make would be ones we hold dearer than ever.

Daisy Harrison - Head of Life & Style

It's never too early, grab the tinsel!

he nights are starting to get longer, the air has a chill about it, and the shops are starting to stock Christmas items. This may fill some people with utter frustration – why are we already seeing baubles and tinsel? It’s only October! I am not one of these people… I love Christmas. As we’re all aware, the months leading up to Christmas are a time of deadlines, exams, and reminiscing over laying on the beach during the summer. Therefore, indulging in festive activities can be a great distraction from the reality of an otherwise pretty bleak few months – especially when you leave your 4pm seminar to find it’s already dark outside. But fear not, soon the Toon will be lit up by lights, the Fenwick window will be revealed, and you can judge people’s Christmas trees on your walk home from

VS.

uni. Personally, I enjoy having things to look forward to – whether that’s a concert, holiday, or something as simple as brunch with a friend. Luckily, the Christmas period provides lots to look forward to, s u c h as cosy film nights, decoration shopping sprees (the more tinsel the better!), and a trip to the markets. This is all accompanied by so much good food – my housemates and I will be going to town with the Xmas picky bits this year. I also want to add that the phrase “it’s too early” means nothing to me – after all, people plan their birthday celebrations months in advance. And if pre-booking a Christmas activity in August is going to make me happy, then what’s the harm? Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, the holiday period is a chance to get cosy and spend time with your friends and family, whilst also acting as a procrastination method - perfect! Image credit: Pixabay @TheoCrazzolara

A 'Mastermind': into My transition from "not like the Taylor takeover other girls" to a "girls' girl" her perform on screen, with the film containing footage from her shows and including songs from all of ten of her albums.

Anna Nix - Food and drink Sub-Editor

It's Taylor's world and we're just living in it.

eing a Swiftie in this day and age is nothing unique. I am proud to be one and I can point out many who would join me in sharing this beloved label. But Taylor Swift is no longer just taking over the music industry by gaining new fans; she is now breaking records in cinema, constantly mentioned in the news and now, even taking over the world of American football. Ever since she released her 10th album Midnights she has been breaking records; my personal favourite being the award of the first artist in history to occupy the whole top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. And that's not all; she also managed to become the most streamed artist on Spotify in a single day and has multiple more achievements. It would only be fair to admit she has been breaking records left and right, and not just with her music. Most recently, Swift released a concert movie from her tour. On its first opening weekend it became the highest-grossing concert film ever. Fans, who weren’t lucky enough to get her tickets, flocked to see

Breaking records left and right Taylor isn’t just supporting her music career when she is on tour, local businesses also feel a boost. Everywhere she goes, everywhere her shows take place, her fans are spending money on hotels, restaurants, and beforehand, on costumes as well. The phenomenon has been dubbed ‘Swiftonomics’. One thing that perhaps many people didn’t see coming, or at least I didn’t, is Taylor taking over the sports world. Since her new relationship with Travis Kelce, an American football player, Taylor has attended football matches and has subsequently become a staple of the match broadcasting. Her fans are learning football lingo just so they can watch the matches, spot Taylor, and understand all that's occurring. I dare say, football fans must be pretty mad right about now. Lastly, Taylor Swift is now constantly trending, whether that being on social media platforms or in news headlines – she is everywhere. Fans talk about her music, her breaking records, and her relationship; they are making friendship bracelets and costumes for her concerts. Taylor Swift is fully taking over the world and turning it into her very own (Taylor’s Version).

Image credit: Twitter @Taylorswift13

Barbora Pacherova

How society alters and internalizes our meaning of what it is to be 'feminine'.

n inevitable part of growing up is looking back at your child and teenage self, recoiling in horror once you see everything that you used to do. Most times it’s just silly, but sometimes it makes you angry and hateful, disgusted by the false image the world has created for us. As a little girl, I didn’t want to be one. I wasn’t a mindless doll with no aspirations, who cared for nothing but her appearance, because that’s what girls were. The world made me believe being a woman meant I was stupid, shallow and annoying, and that femininity was something to be ashamed of, but I had hobbies, passions and other priorities than being pretty. I was not like other girls.

The world made me believe being a woman meant I was stupid, shallow and annoying Society taught me how to hate women before I even knew what it meant, and I hated the woman in me before she had the opportunity to grow. It made me think that I was better, and I grew hateful and jealous of all those who didn’t fall victim to such ideas. It all changed gradually – slowly I got to see girls for who they truly are and not as what they were painted out to be. I believed they were all the same, without originality – one just like the other. The truth was, that women are like snowflakes – all of

them unique and beautiful in their own way and together, they can create something amazing. I fell in love with womanhood, with what it means to be a girl, with borrowing each other’s make-up, with enjoying romantic movies and gossiping, and finding beauty in the little things. I fell in love with being a woman, with the unspoken solidarity with others I can always rely on, the heart-to-heart conversations in women’s restrooms that make you feel like you truly belong, even among strangers.

Women are like snowflakes, all of them unique and beautiful in their own way The younger me would hate the current me, she would think I became the very thing we hated although we had no reason to. But to me, she would be just a little girl, whom the world persuaded into thinking she would be less of a person for being a woman; when the exact opposite is true.

Image credit: Pixabay@BhaktiCreative

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Sub-Editors: Zahra Hanif, Jay Barber and Marina Snyder

Monday 6th November 2023

Lifestyle

The problem with TikTok's 'what about me?' mentality

Rebecca Wright - Relationships Sub-Editor

It might be called the 'For You Page', but why do some people on TikTok think everything has to apply to them?

here is no time like the present. By that, I mean there has never been a time in history where people have been so intricately involved with other people’s lives. We’re a generation of internet stalkers soaking up the highs and lows (but mostly highs) of strangers day-to-day. And, worst of all, we take every bit of it personally. This can be bigger things like human rights issues thinly veiled as ‘political’ views, which are bound to cause offence. Our ‘what-about-ism’ would be a useful skill if it simply stopped there. Unfortunately, it does not. Picture this - someone is making a delicious seasonal tomato soup on their TikTok. Pretty uncontroversial, right? Wrong. I can almost guarantee that the comments would

be full of “what about if I don’t like tomato soup” and “vegetable soup is better”, which are all valid points, sure - but in your own head. It’s as though we’ve forgotten how to process our emotions, and we make any negative feeling someone else’s problem, even about something as mundane as tomato soup.

This 'what-about-ism' seems to be a symptom of disconnect in a world that has become too connected.

We are constantly looking for justifications that we’re right about everything, and we seem to see ourselves reflected through our surroundings. Other people have never been so relatable, and at the same time, they’ve never been so veiled from us either. This

‘what-about-ism’ seems to be a symptom of disconnect in a world that has become too connected. Essentially, the problem may not be the kind of soup you’re making, but the audience you’re making it for. I’m not sure this is entirely our fault, though, as we were never meant to be this constantly aware of other people’s lives. There is so much unnecessary stimuli that we feel the need to respond to, and not all of it is relevant for us. We expect a degree of control over what we let ourselves see, but when the world is at our fingertips, how can we resist?

Image credit: Pixabay @lu94007

Society Spotlight: making Is social media ruining a scene with FilmSoc! our attention spans? Zahra Hanif - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

Film fanatics, this one's for you!

nterested in film? Do we have the society for you! Newcastle University's Film Society offers not only regular screenings of films, but workshops relating to film production, as well as regular socials and even their own Radio Show for those interested in chatting about all things film. Last year, I joined the society myself, as someone with an awful concentation span (the average film might take me three breaks to get through if I'm watching it at home) but loves films, but with a somewhat limited taste. Attending FilmSoc meant I got to expand on this, as the screenings were selected by the committee, with genres I'd never dreamed of reaching for before. It's a great environment, with regular pub trips following the screenings for some socialising and the opportunity to meet those with share interests. What I didn't necessarily expect was the production side of the society - I only signed up for a few movies and drinks! But as someone who'd tried out screenwriting very casually and infrequently before, attending their workshops was a great opportunity to build my confidence in my screenwriting, take it up more consistently, even working up to a full script, and even try my hand at production, something I'd never dreamed I'd get to do. I would wholeheartedly recommend if you're interested in filmmaking, even casually - it's great experience to have behind you, or even just as a hobby, it's gratifying to see your writing come to life and something not easily accessible elsewhere.

I didn't necessarily expect... the production side of the society. I got the chance to speak to a member of the committee, Head of Radio, Jess McKeown, about the society. Here's what she told me: "At Film-Soc

we host movie screenings every Monday from a variety of genres, followed by a trip to the pub to chat. For those more interested in making films, there are production and writing workshops run by our Heads of Production, as well as a radio show every Sunday. Film-Soc is such a great society to join if you enjoy watching films and meeting like-minded people and everyone is really welcoming.".

"A great society to join if you enjoy watching films and meeting like-minded people and everyone is really welcoming." Check out Film Soc on Instagram @nclfilmsoc, and if you're interested in joining, a membership is only £5 from NUSU for the entire academic year!

Key information Membership price: £5

Socials: Every Week, Monday Screenings Instagram: @nclfilmsoc

Image credit: Pixabay @joseph_alban

Mia Dale

One of our writers discusses how social media has affected our concentration.

e’re all guilty of endlessly scrolling through TikTok and Instagram reels, wasting hours of our lives being consumed by mindless content. But I don’t think we realise the effect this is having on our concentration… The rise of TikTok happened very quickly, and immediately had us captivated. With everyone’s ‘for you page’ consisting of videos tailored to their own interests, our generation has been hooked, and its effects are quite daunting. This app is shaping how young people see the world, constantly overloading their minds with information and moulding their perceptions and opinions.

that we can’t even concentrate for this long is quite concerning. I’m not criticising people here though - I hate to admit it, but I genuinely can’t watch a TikTok video longer than 15 seconds as I simply don’t have the patience. I will rapidly scroll through video after video, sometimes only watching 3 seconds of each. I’m aware that this is an unhealthy habit that is inevitably going to impact our work ethic, but it is so additive, which is why it’s so dangerous.

We are victims of the chaotic modern world. It's not our fault that we are growing up in a progressive, media-driven society – we are victims of the chaotic modern world, and this is ultimately impacting our minds. However, we do still have agency over ourselves, so maybe we need to start recognising the impact of the media, particularly TikTok, and hold on to the attention we have left.

With this load of constant information, our attention spans are weakening. With this load of constant information, our attention spans are weakening, as we are consuming an increased amount of media in such short, contained videos. This is having a direct impact on students’ ability to concentrate in day-to-day life, particularly when studying or reading. With its new ‘speed up’ feature, which allows you to watch videos in 2x speed, our attention spans are only getting worse. TikTok videos average at around 32 seconds anyway, so the fact

Image credit: Pixabay @Firmbee

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Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-Editors: Lana Free and Ivy French

Fashion & Beauty

Cowboy Crocs: Yay or Nay? Zahra Hanif - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

The latest in the line of questionable Croc adaptations are the ‘Cowboy boot Crocs’.

rocs: the surprisingly controversial piece of footwear. Crocs have been on our feet for years, but much more recently, their popularity has skyrocketed as they’ve managed to cement their place as a fashion statement, rather than just being a practical piece you’d wear to take the bins out. Now, you’ll see them being rocked in public: funky colours, charms and all. In turn, to match the increase in demand, Crocs have released several variants of the once-simplistic clogs. We’ve seen platform Crocs, Lightning McQueen Crocs, heeled Crocs, even Shrek Crocs. The latest in the line of questionable adaptations are the ‘Cowboy boot Crocs’.

With these new variants, it seems that Crocs are hopping on the microtrends themselves These were released on the 23rd October, with “crocskin” texture, metallic embroidery, a removable spur, and of course, the classic Croc vent holes to allow both for breathability and space for your Jibbitz (Croc charms, for those not familiar

with the croc-lore/ croc-lingo). Coming in at £98, they’re not a light investment. So are they worth it?

They're a cute concept, but before you put your card down, you'll need to decide if you'll realistically reach for them more than twice a year Before I delve into my critique, let me put it out there that I absolutely adore my Crocs. I’ve essentially worn them straight for this past year, due to medical reasons, through all seasons and climates - from torrential rain to slippery ice. And they’ve served me well through all of this (though I wouldn’t recommend wearing them in near-flood weather, unless you absolutely have to). They are the comfiest shoes I own, and despite not *needing* to wear them anymore, I still reach for them for lectures from time to time. But I just don’t think the Cowboy boot Crocs are worth it. More than anything, they seem like a novelty item. Less so than the Lightning McQueen and Shrek Crocs, but they still feel unlikely to stand the test of time or maturity. Crocs rose to fame for their practicality above all else, and this is what continues to secure their success in a world caught up in microtrends - but with these new variants, it seems that Crocs are hopping on the microtrends themselves.

Microtrends are a massive contributor to ‘fast fashion’, which has a massively detrimental impact on the environment. This is because fast fashion ultimately causes overconsumption as customers are urged to keep up with trend cycles by buying mass produced, low quality goods, which will end up going to waste after a few seasons. So when thinking about conscious consumption and sustainability, these don’t seem like a sound choice. They’re a cute concept, but before you put your card down, you need to decide if you’ll realistically reach for them more than twice a year. Maybe opt for the regular crocs instead - you can rotate your Jibbitz (you know that one from earlier) and it’ll feel like you have a brand new pair each time you wear, without splurging on a novelty creation that’ll end up buried in the back of your wardrobe after a couple wears and a couple laughs.

Image credit: Instagram, @_alexkessler

No more bad hair days Grace Boyle - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

Winter doesn't have to be a season of bad hair days!

ere is a curated list of the best weatherproof and winter appropriate styles to keep you looking a little less frizzy and a little more fabulous on campus. Winter months are fast approaching, and the wind and rain is beginning to make the tangles and knots more unbearable. The thought of waking up and putting in the effort to make your hair look good only for it to be ruined whilst commuting to university seems just too daunting. With the chilly weather, maintaining a sleek hair look seems near impossible. But winter doesn’t have to be a season of bad hair days especially when you have this list of five weatherproof hairstyles at your disposal. The Claw Clip The claw clip is most versatile and convenient hair accessory you could own. They come in various sizes and styles so you can dress it up and down with full hair up or half down or somewhere in the middle. You can go for the clip up ponytail or the complete twist bun: the options are endless. It's perfect for a quick and easy last-minute hairstyle before running out the door for a lecture and the best accessory for avoiding breakage. The French Plait The timeless choice that will keep your hair secure and out of your face. Perfect for early morning classes and looking like you put that little extra effort in. If your hair is dry or damp pulling it into a French or even a Dutch (if you are feeling fancy) just looks super cuter and effortless. Very useful for preventing the windswept frizz and also an added bonus is the waves you will have for the next day. Two in one hairstyles right there.

The Sleek Low Ponytail Still a trend after several months and no doubt why because it is super practical. Whether with a little bit of mousse or gel, slicking those sides and gluing them down means those pesky short baby hairs will not budge! Long-lasting and can be dressed up or down with professional or casual outfits is once again a versatile and minimummaintenance style. If you choose to wear a scarf you can tuck your hair underneath to further weatherproof it for your commutes. The Thick Hairband We are talking a five second hair style transformation here and that is what we need when we need to be out the door in ten minutes. Making sure all those baby hairs are swept off your face and tucked in under a chunky band is great for on-the-go. It can be re-adjusted throughout the day and means you have the options to keep your hair down or tied up. Finally, if you are not feeling up for any of these styles, put on a beanie or a cap and call it a day. In the winter, hair accessories are your

Image credit: Instagram, @millane

best friend. Rotating these styles with a little bit of creativity means you can keep those knots and tangles at bay and look a little more put together for a day on campus.

How to: Walk in heels Libby Griffiths - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

The ultimate guide to walking in heels.

omething I often think belongs on my CV is that I know how to walk in heels. And not just the standard not-breaking-anankle walk, but an actual walk like a normal person. It's honestly my superpower. You see all these supermodels plastered all over social media, walking like they're not in agonising pain when we all know the real truth. It hurts, like hell. Sometimes they're stood for hours at a time, at fashion week or runway shows. So, how do they do it?

It's quite literally as simple as - walk how you normally would: heel to toe. That's all you really need to know, just have confidence in yourself A combination of top-tips and perfecting the ultimate walk of sophistication and sassiness. Firstly, the walk. It's quite literally as simple as - walk how you normally would: heel to toe. That's all you really need to know, just have confidence in yourself and you'll make it look flawless. We all know walking in heels hurts, perfecting your walk isn't going to help with the pain. However, you can use certain techniques and strategies to present yourself like other models you see online at least a little bit. If you're going to a social event, take a bag and pack what I like to call: 'an emergency heels kit'. You'll need: a tennis ball and plasters. While the plasters may seem obvious, the tennis ball seems a little obscure. But, you can use it to massage your feet to help alleviate cramps, tension, and stiffness. Trust me, this works miracles! But my most useful top-tip has got to be using hairspray. Before putting heels on, spray the shoe and your foot and wait a few seconds, then slip your foot in. The spray will act as a form of glue to help your feet from slipping around in your shoes. U l t i m a t e l y, leaving you with the perfect pain-free walk! Trust me, even Bella Hadid will be asking you - "how'd you learn to walk like Image credit: that?"

James Devaney. Vogue

Sub-Editors: Roseanna Leconte and Anna Nix

Monday 6th November 2023

Food & Drink

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Shrinkflation and it's impact on consumers Emma Hunter

As prices go up, product size goes down...

nother year, another portmanteau… and all of us should be aware of this latest one. The new blended word is ‘shrinkflation’, which means what it says on the (smaller) tin: grocery packages shrinking in size whilst their prices increase or remain the same. It’s becoming a widespread practice by manufacturers and supermarkets in the UK, so if you feel like you’re going through your weekly shop more quickly, you probably are. Examples include Lurpak butter going from blocks of 250g to 200g, Yeo Valley 1kg yoghurts whittled down to 950g, and even the hole in New York Bagel Co. bagels getting bigger. In fact, 2,259 products have been reduced in size since 2012. All this whilst the cost of the average grocery shop is going up and up – by 14.6% in the last year, to be precise. Companies justify shrinkflation by saying it is relatively painless and imperceptible for the consumer at a time when inflation is making it necessary to cut costs. And indeed, production,

energy and labour costs for manufacturers have gone up, thanks to a perfect storm of Brexit, international war and government economic mismanagement. It’s true that supermarket profits have recently declined. It’s not really a new technique; crisp companies have been filling their packets with air to make them look bigger for decades. Margaret Thatcher is famous for unscrupulously injecting more air into ice cream – and of course, using cheaper ingredients in products is also a sneaky form of shrinkflation. But now more than ever, amid a full throttle cost of living crisis, it’s hard not to feel angry at these underhand tactics. At a time when families are being forced to choose between eating or heating, when more people than ever are going to be relying on winter food banks, when so many are struggling to make ends meet, can these devious changes be justified? And actually, despite raised production costs, supermarket bosses have taken home millions of pounds in salaries and bonuses, according to recent figures. Millions of pounds. Whilst their companies record losses. Whilst some customers can barely afford to eat. The rage I feel is indescribable. Perhaps we should be talking about greedflation instead. So for starters, shrinkflation is unnecessary; if the shops themselves saw more of the profits

World Vegan Day: Best Vegan Food in Newcastle Daisy Slater - NSR Station Manager

With World Vegan Day falling on 1 November, find out the best vegan places to eat in Newcastle.

orld Vegan Day falls annually on the 1st of November. It’s a day to celebrate veganism and the benefits it brings to the world, whilst recognising the growing population of vegans as it becomes more and more accessible in a changing world. It was established in 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary since The Vegan Society was founded. It’s difficult to know exactly how many vegans there are in the UK, but the charity Viva reports that there are around two million people, or 3% of the population. As one of the 1% of 18-24 year-olds in the UK 4 who identifies as vegan, after living in Newcastle for 2 years I have experienced a lot of different vegan foods! So, for the 29th World Vegan Day, I present to you the best vegan options in the Toon... Super Natural Café: Perfect for just going for coffee, for a full breakfast (the banana smoothies are insane), or for an evening out. Its got pretty much everything including more fairy lights than you can shake a stick at, and even non-vegan milks, so you can bring your friends who refuse to try oat milk.The only downsides I can see is the drinks are slightly more expensive than the average student would go for, so it’s definitely more for special occasions than the

odd evening. The Ship Ouseburn: An all-vegan pub with a crazy wide selection of food, just a 15 minute walk from the city centre! It’s one of the oldest pubs in the area with indoor and outdoor seating, and some of the best chips ever created by humans. Try the nachos too, they’re very creative and don’t contain vegan cheese. It’s ideal for a Sunday roast too, or a warm soup in the winter. Greggs: The best (and worst) vegan Greggs pastries ranked, from someone who has eaten a lot of Greggs. Vegan Festive Bake: It’s only available in the depth of winter and for a good reason. Only the most confused and cold people would ever choose this. The quorn pieces are okay but the sage and onion stuffing and non-bacon bacon are very disconcerting. It is however very good night-out food for when you stumble past the 24 hour Greggs. Vegan Sausage, Bean and Cheeze Melt: It’s a pretty accurate replication of the non-vegan version and if it’s warm it’s game changing. For some reason it reminds me of primary school when they’d just put sausages in some beans and call it a meal. The best comfort food Greggs has to offer. Vegan Sausage Roll: You knew it was coming. At£1.10 it’s the same price as its meaty neighbour, but somehow tastes more like actual food. Even my flatmates agree it’s sometimes better. It’s enjoyable hot and cold, and you feel like you’ve had the full Greggs experience without having to deal with chicken-free chicken. The greatest of all. It's great that vegans don't have to miss out on such an important part of our culture.

they’re making they might not need cost-cutting measures. But even if it was necessary, the practice is manipulative and hence immoral. They may not be actively lying (this would be illegal), but they’re deliberately withholding information that impacts customer choices, since people tend to look out for price, not quantity. Consequently, it’s much harder for the customer to navigate the maze towards the best purchase, setting us on the dangerous path of individualism when we should really be cooperating during these difficult times. It’s only “imperceptible” at the time of purchase because it’s misleading, and it’s definitely not “painless” at all, because people have less to eat, they just don’t realise it. Let’s also note that shrinkflation is bad for the environment; the same packaging for less actual product is pretty wasteful. O verall,

Image: Source: @lurpakuk on Instagram

shrinkflation seems to me like another method for big companies to profiteer off the public, albeit more surreptitiously than before. Some food for thought, right?

Image: Source: @yeovalley on Instagram

Review: Pizza Punks, Anarchy in the oven Anna Nix - Food & Drink Sub-Editor

The Food & Drink SubEditors went to Pizza Punks to check out the scene.

izza Punks, a pizzeria on Grey Street, is offering 25% discount for students on all of their items - that includes alcoholic drinks for all the party-goers that want to save some

money. When you walk in you are automatically hit with dim lights and bright neon signs, which creates a fun youthful atmosphere that resembles the all-favourite student clubs. The ceiling is covered with metal plates which adds to the punk-rock vibe that is further supported through the music repertoire. The pizzeria is a very open space and feels incredibly friendly, as you can see your food being cooked right in front of you. The oven is positioned to the side in the middle of the restaurant and if you are paying enough attention you can spot the cooks flipping the dough right in front of your eyes. The menu is extensive and there is truly something for everyone, especially since you can create your own pizza for £12.95 and have unlimited toppings. And the creative choices don't just stop with toppings, as you can also choose your sauce - either opt for the classic red sauce with tomatoes, or choose from more original options, either a white sauce - Crème Fraîche and double cream - or a BBQ sauce - BBQ and San Marzano tomato. If, however, you are not feeling overly creative, you can always stick with the

classics - like Margherita pizza for £9, Pepperoni for £12 or the Hawaiian for £12 amongst others. Our sub-editors both created their own pizzas and were happy with how their pizzas turned out - one with mushrooms and anchovies and the other goat cheese, red onions and sweet corn. The menu does not stop with pizzas alone, as you can also order a starter - either a garlic bread, mac n' cheese or some chicken wings or if after your pizza you are craving something sweet, you can even get some dessert. They offer some chocolate, vanilla and caramel Biscoff variations of sweet choices. And with the student discount, you can get your dinner for much cheaper. It is 25% off and applies to all the items on the menu, whether you order a regular pizza or decide to make your own. However, the discount does not work on Fridays or Saturday so keep that in mind when you are planning your next visit!

Image: Source: Anna Nix

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Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-Editors: Charlie Reid and Ollie Withers

Miles Routledge in Afghanistan: The rise of danger tourism Emma Hunter

Our writer comments on the face of a growing new trend.

hen travelling, we all want to go beyond the crowded tourist hotspots and discover the ‘real’ side of the destination. But what happens when the desire for the off the beaten track goes too far? We can arguably see this firsthand with Miles Routledge, a so-called ‘danger tourist’. Routledge, or ‘Lord Miles’ to his fans and followers, was recently released from captivity by the Taliban along with three other Brits, having been presumed dead since his arrest in Afghanistan in March 2023. An experience never to be repeated, you’d think – but no. This was his second encounter with the brutal military rule, Image: Flickr the other being in

2021 when he was arrested on the eve of the fall of Kabul. He’s also done some jolly sightseeing in the frontlines of Ukraine, South Sudan and the USMexico border. You know, places where people are violently murdered every day.

It also normalises war and legitamises murderous political regimes This is part of the wider trend of danger tourism, where tourists travel to geopolitical areas with active military conflicts for pleasure. It’s not to be confused with humanitarian visits to war zones, where travellers seek to assist the victims or work towards peace in some way. Don’t mistake it with dark tourism either, which is travelling to places historically associated with death and suffering, like Chernobyl or concentration camps, but with no active risk to life. As the name suggests, danger tourism puts you in danger. And this danger is popular; more and more danger tourists like Routledge are jetting off to Syria, Palestine, Nagorny-Karabach and others. An American travel agency even offers war zone tours. Why on earth? In Routledge’s case, pure and simple entertainment: he wants to visit “fun countries” that “aren’t boring”. There’s also a strong financial and narcissistic element in it for him; he’s a youtuber and X user who shares his risky globetrotting on social media in return for likes, shares, concern and attention, as well as funding

Wowcher to Wroclaw Marina Snyder - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

Ever wondered what its like to have your holiday book & organised for you? Our writer gives you the low-down.

ix months ago my boyfriend and I were lying in bed dreaming about going on a holiday abroad somewhere. After looking at package deals and flights, the fantasy of going abroad just didn’t seem to line up with the sums in our bank accounts; after all, having a passion for travel as a student is not always the most affordable hobby to invest in. A couple of nights later, after giving up on the idea altogether, the combination of his ADHD and us being slightly intoxicated led to a dive search for mystery holidays at 2 a.m. Next thing I know we are both on the Wowcher website page, getting our debit cards out giddily and buying a mystery holiday for 89 pounds (flights and accommodation included). As you can imagine, we woke up the next morning, in slight disbelief of what we had just done, but unregretful, nonetheless. Two weeks passed by, and we got a call from a woman to book our flights. Now the thing to bear in mind when booking a Wowcher holiday is that they will do anything in their power to make you pay more, and so they tried. The phone call was back and forth, the woman trying to make us pay as many ad-ons as she could sell “You could go for five days for an additional fifty pounds” “Go to a luxury holiday for a bit extra”. As tempting as it is, if you’re looking for a cheap holiday then you have to stand your ground. After refusing to pay even a pound extra, almost wanting to give up on the idea altogether, she finally announced our destination…Poland! Having never been to Poland, let alone Eastern Europe, I was thrilled to be given the chance to go somewhere new and spontaneous;

for we were set to go to Wroclaw – a city I would have never even thought of visiting before. If you search “Wroclaw” on Google it’ll present what it’s mainly known for: the 600 statues of dwarves scattered around the city. Once we got there, everything fit so well into place. The food: was cheap but incredibly delicious, the weather: was only blue skies and sun, even the three-star hotel that Wowcher had upgraded for us for free was beautiful, and because we went in September, the city was not overcrowded with tourists - instead, peaceful and serene. We were only there for two days and had not planned anything to do so we spent the time exploring the city, walking around, and eating lots (and lots) of low-priced food. One night we stumbled into a random bar and the bartender proceeded to make custom cocktails after I simply said the word “sweet”. To this day I don’t know what was in that cocktail, only it was the best thing I’ve ever tasted, and that it was only three pounds.

Two weeks passed by, and we got a call from a woman to book our flights I would say the only downside of the experience was the travel. Having such cheap flights meant they were early in the morning AND we had to leave from Luton; this meant a 9-hour coach ride to the airport from Newcastle (trains were extortionate) and then a 5-hour wait at the airport. We most likely spent as much time traveling as we did in Poland, but hey, that’s the reality of spontaneously booking an 89-pound holiday as a student at 2 a.m. So overall, my mystery holiday experience didn’t come without its challenges, yet I would classify it as an overall success. It was one of my favourite holidays and I didn’t have to break the bank for it, so if you’re looking for a cheap holiday to somewhere you most likely would not even think to visit, and are okay with being spontaneous, then I’d highly recommend it as a great adventure.

on Patreon. He says he’s looking to sell his story to a journalist for “no less than £5k”. Others partake in danger tourism to “find themselves” and “feel alive”, for the adrenaline rush, or to sensitise each other to the effects of war (such as the father who took his son to Gaza to discourage him from playing Call of Duty). The shock value of their escapades and the sensationalist headlines they generate are enticing; people worry for their safety and want to know how the story ends. As a social media user put it, Routledge has achieved “internet immortality” – and I bet he’s pleased about it. It may just seem like a mildly diverting conversation topic, but danger tourism entails some serious issues. Principally, it’s incredibly selfish. Home secretary Suella Braverman had spent months negotiating with the Taliban to get Routledge released, wasting precious governmental time and resources (funded by us as taxpayers) on a completely unavoidable situation. It also normalises war and legitimatises murderous political regimes – Routledge is doing wonders for the Taliban’s PR, posting on X that he made friends with Taliban members, sunbathed, played video games and ate chocolate in incarceration. Perhaps most outrageous though is its insensitivity and exploitativeness. These conflicts are literally destroying people’s lives and you treat them as a leisure activity. It’s a privilege to be able to risk your life when for others this is the daily reality. Aren’t there better uses for this privilege? It’s dark tourism - already voyeuristic and inappropriate on steroids. So let’s go for less “feel alive” and more ‘stay alive’ on your next trip.

Cheap Flights from Newcastle Poppy Wreford-Brown - Music Sub-Editor

Where to go on a student budget from Newcastle International airport.

ith looming deadlines and limited budgets, for many overrun students, escaping Britain just isn’t an option. However, for those of us studying in Newcastle, a weekend away really doesn’t have to break the bank. Just a short metro from the city’s centre, Newcastle’s International Airport provides an accessible gateway to a wide range of appealing and often exotic destinations. Whether you’re looking for a European city break, a coastal retreat or more of a culture shock, you can start your journey here in Newcastle. Popular airlines, such as easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair offer numerous budget-friendly flight options – all ideal for students seeking a retreat from arduous assignments and demanding dissertations. We recommend booking in advance, being flexible with travel dates and avoiding the peak holiday seasons (typically July, August, December). This way, for even the most budgetconscious students, dreams of travelling the world can become a reality. With just £28 return flights to Milan this November and £40 return to Barcelona – get booking! If you’re not seeking to leave Britain but are in search of a change of scenery or simply want to reconnect with friends from home, Newcastle Airport also has you covered. There are daily flights to nearby domestic destinations, such as London, Bristol, Southampton, as well as overseas to Belfast, Dublin and many more. So, ensure your textbooks are packed, assignments submitted and treat yourself to a little, low-cost getaway.

Travel

Heatwave Horror Jasmin Mallory-Shaw

Our writer gives her take on heatwave horror that gripped the Med in 2023.

he Mediterranean has long been a holiday hotspot for Western Europeans, with sunny beach trips being advertised to Brits from as early as the 1950s. The holiday industry has developed the Mediterranean coast into what it is today, and it has undeniably become an icon of British summer, but with news of record high temperatures, wildfires and disappearing beaches, it increasingly seems that the Mediterranean is not only falling out of trend, it’s becoming outright dangerous. Summer 2023 saw extreme weather events around the world, and record temperatures were reported from France to China. It’s clear that the unnatural temperatures predicted by climate scientists for decades are now well underway, but as climate change ramps up around the globe, things are particularly concerning in the Med. The Mediterranean is perfectly situated in a global warming hotspot and has seen temperatures rise by 1.5 degrees since the 1970s, while the world average has been an increase of 1.1. In addition, while climate scientists predict that in most parts of the world, humidity is set to increase, southern parts of Western Europe are likely to endure a decrease in rainfall of between 10 to 60 percent. From as early as April of this year, parts of the region broke records with temperatures rising up to 20 higher than seasonal averages, while in summer sea surface temperatures hit 30°C. And things are only going to get worse, as rising sea levels threaten the area’s famous picturesque beaches. In the Mediterranean, scientists are clear that in the coming decades, tourists and locals alike will endure unbearable heat at best, and life-threatening natural disasters at worst. Tourism sector experts are in consensus that climate change is set to transform the industry in the coming years. It seems that the death of the Mediterranean holiday certainly hasn’t arrived just yet, with tourism sector bosses reporting an increasing preference for off-peak holidays, but it is predicted that numbers will certainly dwindle in the coming decades, if not years. And with high-profile examples of the dangers of a classic sunny, sandy holiday in what appears to be the start of an era of natural disasters – as wildfires in Greece and Spain remain fresh in people’s minds – it’s not difficult to understand why.

Image: Pixabay

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Bonfire Playlist Sarah Tunstall - Arts Sub-Editor t, admittedly, took me a while to compose only five songs together for this playlist. However, I wanted to ensure there were some songs on here that resonated with different music preferences as well as dedicating my own for it.

1. Norwegian Wood - The Beatles (Rubber Soul, 1965) Lyrics such as "So I lit the fire, isn't it good, Norwegian Wood" to me just scream Bonfire vibes. I've also always related listening to the Image credit: Instagram@thebeatles Rubber Soul album to this time of year. I feel as if it's one of those songs where the lyrics resonate with the eery but charming feelings of autumn and earlier nights. It's chilling yet comforting. 2. Certainty - Big Thief (Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, 2022) Second, on the list is a more modern song (one of my favourites), 'Certainty' by Big Thief. I'm one who focuses a lot on lyrics Image credit: Instagram@bigthiefmusic but the composition of this song with lyrics like "wild" and "gnawing" matches together feelings of Bonfire nights, cosy evenings, and that still-lasting feeling of Halloween. 3. Duvet - bôa (Twilight, 2010) The witchy song of TikTok as of late, and I will admit I got into this through that. It fully encapsulates that witchy, timeless feeling of Bonfire night. It also gives me the Image credit: Instagram@boa_uk_official vibe of something ritualistic around a Bonfire so use it as you will. 4. Sisters of the Moon - Fleetwood Mac (Tusk, 1979) Speaking of dancing around a Bonfire during a ritual: Stevie Nicks. Released two years before her solo album, Image credit: Instagram@fleetwoodmacnews Stevie was up and coming in her witchy element. I think Stevie's spiritually feminine sound alongside Christine McVie's vocals gives a perfect reason to put this on as you stand (or dance around) a Bonfire. 5. In a Week - Hozier (Hozier, 2014) Finally, from another album I associate heavily with the autumn months, 'In a Week' from Hozier's first album. One of the more romantic songs on this list but keeping in our eery vibe, this song is the perfect pre Bonfire Image credit: Instagram@hozier night song. It's foggy, it's that grey colour just before the sun sets, and the leaves are turning. Romanticising this song alongside Bonfire Night is a perfect combination.

Image credit:flickr@TimMartin

Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-Editors: Poppy Bedford and Madeha Ali

Music Live review: Maisie Peters performs at NX Olivia Fee

aisie Peters returned to Newcastle for another headline show this year, as she embarks upon ‘The Good Witch Tour’. Going from a small gig at the Newcastle University SU to headlining NX is a huge step up for the young artist. The venue, which boasts a capacity of 2000, showcases how she is beginning to dominate the best music venues in the city. Gretta Ray, with her delightful presence and charming Aussie accent, opened up the show. She played a variety of upbeat songs, slow and dreamy ballads and everything in between. Closing her half-an-hour set with some exceptional vocals and an endearing smile, she left the stage with hundreds of new fans after wowing Maisie’s crowd with her short but sweet set.

Peppered with anecdotal stories and comical interactions with the crowd - she even asked people to confess their “worst red flag story”. The crowd was enamoured by an uplifting and entertaining show all night. Finishing the set with ‘Cate’s Brother’, the energy was ramped right up – we didn’t think it could be after such a passionate show . Everyone’s enthusiasm was evident as no one could keep still during this lively number. After a whirlwind of a gig, the lyrical genius left the stage with fans wanting more. The crowd chanted her name, unable to leave just yet. Finally, Maisie gave in and returned with her band, giving the crowd the encore they wanted. She eventually finished the set – for good this time – with arguably one of her best tracks on the album ‘Lost the Breakup’, leaving fans with the greatest show they’ve ever seen.

Everyone in the venue went wild, jumping up and down and singing their hearts out After a brief wait, Maisie ran onto the stage captivating the crowd immediately. She started her set with a bang, playing the title track of her new album ‘The Good Witch’. Her contagious energy spread throughout her fans at once. Everyone in the venue went wild, jumping up and down and singing their hearts out (including the band!). Maisie’s impressive stamina proved itself, as she danced all night long on the stage, rocking out to her band’s incredible performance and singing a great setlist. Some highlights of the show included a heartfelt medley of fan favourites, ‘Two Weeks Ago’, ‘Worst of You’ and a superior rendition of One Direction’s hit song ‘Night Changes’. Maisie also

Image credit:flickr@ClarenceLee

o ng

f t h e iss u e:

Firework by Katy Perry

Concert Etiquette Image credit:instagram@nxnewcastle

Zahra Hanif - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

One of our writers delves into the changing landscape of concert etiquette...

n recent years, it seems that live audiences have become much more unruly, and that bad ‘concert etiquette’ has become much more normalised at gigs. There are a few things that can explain this, such as younger crowds who may not have experienced live music at all pre-pandemic, so were not familiarised with the unspoken rules of making up an audience, or the ever-increasing use of social media meaning that people act out in hope of views online. Either way, it makes for a frustrating experience for genuine fans, and the severity of incidents occurring at events is escalating - this year we’ve seen a string of incidents in which fans have resorted to throwing things on stage, and while this is not a completely new phenomenon (see, David Bowie 2004), it seems that it’s become much more frequent and calculated from fans who claim they mean no harm - but cause it anyway. Recently, Death Grips made headlines for walking off stage early due to objects repeatedly being thrown at them, from phones to glowsticks.

Album Review: Falling or Flying by Jorja Smith Bertie Kirkwood

orja Smith is simply operating in a league of her own when it comes to British RnB music. Such is her chart ubiquity it’s hard to believe that falling or flying is only her second album following her 2018 debut, but one whose finest moments are sure to linger in the charts for many weeks to come.

Smith is a quietly confident presence throughout

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Bebe Rexha had to be treated in hospital after being hit in the eye with a flying phone. Steve Lacy, Harry Styles, Drake, Cardi B are just a few more victims to this dangerous trend of objects being thrown at artists. The logic behind this, supposedly, is that artists will see a phone or camera thrown at them and take a picture with it as a keepsake for the concertgoer. But this seems like gross objectification - there is no regard for their personal space or safety, only that you can prove a celebrity has touched your phone. The artist has put together a performance that you and the crowd around you have paid for, and then waited months for, and you’re willing to disrupt the entire thing for the sake of a selfie - it just seems entirely selfish. There is no clear explanation as to why other items end up being thrown on stage - some scientists suggest that it is pent up excitement that spurs fans to pelt objects at the performers in front of them. Again, this can be put down to fans who’ve grown up in a digital world emerging in physical crowds and not knowing how to act, not having their actions be this consequential before, but it’s still not right. Buying a ticket does not entitle you to disrespect all the time, energy and heart that has been put into the show in front of you. These are real human beings in front of you, not performing objects made solely for your listening pleasure and/or clout acquisition.

There’s little in the 44-minute runtime to suggest anything like a sophomore slump, either: Smith is a quietly confident presence throughout, preferring to let her brooding vocals speak for themselves rather than go for the sort of extravagant vocal acrobatics that lesser artists might rely on. In fact, this album is a masterclass in restraint, full of strikingly minimalist ideas pulled together by the simplest of monochrome-hued brushstrokes. Take evocative opener Try Me for example, which sees Smith lament that “nothing is ever enough” over earthy drums and an ominous triangle that evokes a countdown to some terrible, preordained event. The musical ingredients are few, but every element contributes to an inescapable sense of unease, right down to the sound of a gun cocking moments before the chorus. Even more impressive is Little Things, a deserved hit that will achieve the feat of igniting nightclub dancefloors up and down the country with little more than a hooky bassline and a couple of jagged, jazzy piano chords. The title track is the pick of the bunch, though, its wash of 80s-tinged synths finding a perfect marriage with Smith’s dovetailing harmonies. Only the J Hus collaboration 'Feelings' stands out as an unusually bland and superficial lusty love song. Nonetheless, the rest of this moody, subtle record has plenty of depth to be mined on repeat listens. Let’s just hope Smith won’t keep us waiting another six years until the next one.

Image credit:instagram@jorjasmith_

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Sub-Editors: Ella Townson and Jenica Davis

Monday 6th November 2023

Has TV's Black Mirror Three classic 'Who' stories to watch on iPlayer gone too American? Alex Paine

Jenica Davis - TV Sub-editor

lack Mirror: a beloved British TV series that has fallen victim to a big Hollywood budget. When Black Mirror first aired in 2011, there really was no other show like it. It was filled with unforgettable episodes, such as Shut up and Dance and White Bear, that shocked the audience to the point where we felt betrayed by the reveals. The intrigue that surrounded the dystopian drama was that each episode portrayed our apprehensive speculations of the near future, each a possibility that could be on our very doorstep. A part of the Black Mirror charm wasn’t just the threat of technology that it explored, but each episode was a moral and social commentary against a futuristic backdrop – it is this chilling, yet captivating combination that sparked thought-provoking conversations and held our attention for as long as it did. At the heart of the show’s downfall is its Americanisation, which began when Netflix bought the streaming rights in 2014. Instead of rising British stars in eerie English landscapes, we found ourselves watching Miley Cyrus in a horror spin-off of Hannah Montana and Salma Hayek in a meta, legal battle regarding the CGI-generated version of herself. Although

there are Americentric episodes like Nosedive and USS Callister that I have enjoyed, it is clear that the more recent seasons of the show have prioritised the cast over the plot. The last season of Black Mirror released this summer did have some promising concepts, such as Beyond the Sea, where two men have clones of themselves live their lives on earth whilst they complete their mission in space. However, ultimately the storyline fell flat with its predictable and unnecessarily gory ending. Mazey Day would be an episode I wish I could unwatch purely because of how disappointed I felt afterwards. What led me to believe I was about to watch a dark, moral critique of the public’s disregard for privacy turned out to be a story about a werewolf. To sum up the latest seasons of Black Mirror, it feels as though we have been given A-List celebrity names in exchange for cheap plot twists. Each new episode is striving for a dramatic flair rather than a sinister undertone that gave the show its distinctive quality in the first place. Black Mirror will always be an original presence within TV culture, but I think it’s time to accept that the show has lost its allure and its concepts have become exhausted. In true Black Mirror fashion, perhaps we should consult AI for some new ideas?

Image credit: Unsplash

Loki season 2 midway review Ivy French - Fashion & Beauty Sub-editor

eason 1 of Loki introduced viewers to the TVA (Time Variance Authority), He Who Remains and the Temporal device. There was the start of a romantic storyline between Loki and Sylvie, who is a Loki from a different time stream, that ended in her betraying him. Spoilers ahead! The blossoming friendship between Mobius and Loki also quickly became a fan favourite. After Sylvie murdered He Who Remains at the End of Time, who is also a variant of Kang the Conqueror and is well known amongst Marvel fans at the end of season 1, viewers were left wondering what would happen to the TVA. Season 2 of Loki started with Loki time jumping between the past and present and showed the reality of He Who Remains’ power. With the TVA no longer dealing with “time variants” (individuals who leave their set timeline via time travel or some other means and change the order of time), new branches in the time stream began to appear quickly. With the temporal loom starting to crack under the pressure of all these new timelines, Loki and

Mobius began to go through time to find all of the strings that season 1 scattered around and piece together a way to save all of time. With the backdrop of Mobius’ identity crisis set up by the revelation that the workers of the TVA were also themselves at some point “time variants”, Loki and Mobius travel to 1893 and find Renslayer, who is manipulating the natural order of Victor’s life – another variant of He Who Remains. They are then found by Sylvie, and conflict arises. There are some issues here- they commit so many time violations (Loki using magic in 1893?) and don't seem to acknowledge the massive problem with this. Behind the sexual tension between Sylvie and Loki, the familiarity of Mobius and Renslayer, is a more sinister storyline: that of Miss Minutes. We know that Miss Minutes was created by He Who Remains at the end of time and in episode 3, in a strange turn of events, we learn that she is actually in love with him. She also desires a body – something that he was able to give her but didn’t. But whose side is she actually on? With short alliances formed between characters that are quickly replaced by others, this season is going to be full of treachery and betrayal – which is everything a Loki is about.

Image: @officialloki-Instagram

BBC iPlayer are bringing back past episodes of Doctor Who. Not sure where to start? Then this guide is for you.

n November 1st, the BBC added every single Doctor Who story onto iPlayer (with one exception) from 1963 to now, as part of the show’s 60th anniversary celebrations. Chances are you’ll have seen at least some of the more recent episodes, but to those wanting to explore the back catalogue, I’ve got five stories from the show’s original 19631989 run that can help you get started. The Time Meddler William Hartnell’s First Doctor often had stories that were either full science-fiction plots or pure historicals, in which the Doctors and companions would land in a famous historical setting and try to survive. The Time Meddler is the first story to combine both of these genres, which proved vital in ensuring the show’s success since many episodes of the current show are set in the past while featuring aliens or other science-fiction elements. This is quite a slow-paced story, which is a common complaint of Classic Who, but the plot here is really engaging, with a fantastic villain in the Meddling Monk. Plus, the usually grumpy and irritable First Doctor is a bit warmer and friendlier in this, making him a much more likeable and comforting protagonist. If you’re

a history buff (like me) and you want to see a mad villain try to change major events, then I couldn’t recommend The Time Meddler enough. Spearhead From Space If you’ve seen Rose Tyler’s first episode, then Spearhead From Space’s plot may be somewhat familiar to you. It features shop dummies and other plastic things coming to life and turning deadly. In fact, if you like the modern era of the show then I think you’ll realy enjoy this one. The first story for Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor, he spent most of his time on Earth assisting an organisation called UNIT to combat alien threats. The Earth-based setting and a heavier focus on action should instantly be a good sign for you. Pertwee is also much more suave and heroic than his comparatively bumbling predecessors and so his version of the Doctor should be a lot more appealing, reminding you of recent Doctors such as David Tennant and Peter Capaldi. So long as you can get past the very dodgy 1970s effects, this one is a hell of a good time. Genesis Of The Daleks It’s nigh-on impossible to choose just one essential story from the Tom Baker era since he’s the longest-running Doctor, but going for a basic answer is often the best. Commonly viewed as one of the show’s best ever stories, Genesis Of The Daleks gives us the origin story of the show’s most famous villains. While they may be a running joke sometimes, they are really menacing in this, especially when we meet their terrifying leader Davros. Once again, this is classic Who here so the effects are a bit ropey at times, but the plot at the core of this story is magnificent. Plus, for those of us who have immense nostalgia for The Sarah Jane Adventures, it’s a chance to see the late great Elisabeth Sladen in her original run as a companion on the show. So, that’s a beginner’s guide to what classic Who you should start with. Enjoy the binge watch! Image: @bbcdoctorwho-Instagram

Our Flag Means Death Season 2

Barbora Pacherova

fter the success of last year’s first season of Our Flag Means Death, the beloved queer pirate crew has set sails to season 2. Season one introduced a very unconventional pirate – Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), a wealthy man who decided to abandon his tedious everyday life for the exciting life of piracy and adventure. Along the way, he catches the attention of the legendary Blackbeard (Taika Waititi) who grew tired of the routine of pirate life and longs to find excitement in the ordinary things. For a show that labels itself as light-hearted queer comedy, the first three episodes of the second season deals with topics like abuse, depression and suicide, as Ed (Blackbeard) deals with his broken heart and trust at the expense of his crew. Meanwhile, Stede who faked his death and returned to the sea dreams about his reunion with Blackbeard, and with the remaining members of his crew, tries to save up enough money to buy a ship. The main characters undergo significant change at the expense of most of the other fan-

favourites, who have been pushed to the side as the story takes more of a relationship-focused approach. Stede is now a famous and competent pirate like anyone else, meanwhile, Ed starts to resent piracy and the life that comes with it. The highlight and the best part of the season, however, remains the show-stealing performance of Con O’Neill as Blackbeard’s former first mate Izzy Hands, who after protecting the crew from Blackbeard’s rage undergoes a great change – both physically and mentally, and quickly becomes one of the, if not the best character of the entire show. They definitely kept the silliness that was the core of the story, but season 2 is distinctively darker, and many of the characters struggle with different issues. And although all the constant breaking-up gets tiring after a while and starts to feel like forced conflict, and many of the interesting newly-introduced characters stay underdeveloped, the show does still remain perfectly feel-good and delightfully queer for anyone who is looking for short entertainment. However, it’s definitely not for those who love historical accuracy.

Sub-editors: Jessica McKeown, Olivia Carter and Ned Carter-Owen

Monday 6th November 2023

Film

Letterboxd: do you rate it or hate it?

Josh Hague ince I first found out about the app back in 2021, Letterboxd has quickly become one of my favourite apps to use, and my screentime stats can prove that. Letterboxd is an app dedicated to films, allowing users to display their four favourites on their profile, log and rate recently watched films, and interact with other users through commenting on their reviews. It’s the perfect app for anyone who enjoys movies, and more specifically, loves talking about and rating anything they have recently watched. However, what Letterboxd also does, much like any social media site, is draw in a variety of users all dedicated to using the app just slightly differently than others. From what I’ve witnessed through my time using Letterboxd, is that there are two distinct ways in which people interact with the app. The first, is the longform film reviewer, those who take the app extremely serious in how they rate films and how they write about it in their reviews. These usually will write paragraphs upon paragraphs of detailed analysis of the films they have seen, and this Letterboxd user is almost the antithesis of the other. The other user being: ‘the comedian.’ These users often choose to take the route of sharing comedic one liners about different films, for example, user Ethan Colburn’s review of the cult classic The Godfather that simply reads “leave the gun, take the cannoli.”

These different types of review can both be entertaining to read in their own right, and their differences don’t necessarily suggest these groups of users won’t enjoy each other’s contributions. That’s the beauty of Letterboxd, its accumulation of different viewers and perspectives, all with their own opinions about a variety of films. Seeing what other people thought about your favourite film is all part of the fun. The problem that can arise however, is when some people don’t like what they read. When comedic one liners are taken out of context, and fans start attacking in the comments. These interactions, I have seen, can even spread away from Letterboxd onto different social media platforms like Twitter. Screenshots are taken of specific “outrageous” Letterboxd reviews and are then posted onto Twitter for people to share their, usually negative, opinions on said review. This is a practice out of the control of Letterboxd, however it is a major drawback of the app, with some claiming to have been harassed in the comments of certain reviews and on places such as Twitter, due to people simply disagreeing with their opinion, or deeming a comedic review “unfunny.” What I would say, is the app could be taken a lot less seriously by some. People should find enjoyment in however way they wish to share their thoughts and opinions on the app and leave others to do the same. I personally enjoy doing both, there are some movies that I feel the need to write about in-depth, sharing every thought and opinion I had about the film, but there are others that simply deserve my attempt at some quick wit.

COURIER

Netflix’s Marvellous Medicine for Wes Anderson fatigue Nathan Dove

We take a look at Anderson's new collection of shorts in Netflix's ode to Roald Dahl's Short Story Collection.

here has never been a better pairing of director and source material than that of Wes Anderson adapting the works of Roald Dahl. This was my immediate thought after watching the four new Wes Anderson short films released by Netflix this September. This collection of adapted Dahl short stories sees the esteemed director of The Grand Budapest Hotel delve back into the vibrant world of the famed children’s author, whose stories act as the perfect foundation for Anderson’s wonderfully unique brand of filmmaking.

Anderson is stripping back the frill and excess of his previous pictures, accentuating his signature style Since his feature debut with 1996’s Bottle Rocket, Wes Anderson has been considered one the most distinctive and vivacious cinematic voices of his generation. In the last decade, the American director has seen ascendancy to almost saintly appreciation by cinephiles, not least after the release of 2014’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, which saw an outstanding nine Academy Award nominations. Anderson most recent live-action films (The French Dispatch and Asteroid City) attempted to recapture the

Image credit : Facebook @Letterboxd

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magic of the Budapest Hotel but faced criticism for being too egregious, and in the words of film critic Bob Grimm, were ‘a self-parody of [Anderson’s] more successful films’. Anderson's latest offerings, via way of streaming titan Netflix, seemingly combat this criticism by stripping back the frill and excess of his previous pictures and producing four short, sweet, succinct pictures which accentuate the director’s signature style. The crown jewel of this cinematic cavalcade is The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, a sprawling, layered epic which snugly fits into a 40-minute runtime. The ‘wonderful story’ in question is a globe-trotting epic in which a wealthy bachelor gains clairvoyance and uses this gift to cheat at gambling. Over the course of this tale, the audience is taken from London to Calcutta to Las Vegas, however, the film’s unique use of a limited stage set, complete with the occasional appearance of stagehands, imbues the movie with the feel of an arthouse theatrical performance. This method is utilised in all these shorts, and though limiting the characteristic worldbuilding of his motion pictures, this constraint allows Anderson to get the very best out of his impressive troupe of actors. The performances from acting heavyweights Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel and Sir Ben Kingsley highlight exactly why they all currently reside in the pantheon of great British actors, however for me, the show is somewhat stolen by comedian (and acclaimed film director) Richard Ayoade, whose distinctive brand of comedic timing is a match made in heaven with Anderson’s already established style. Ayoade’s hilarious delivery of lines again features in The Ratcatcher, a 15-minute tale about a specialist called in to deal with a rodent infestation. Whilst Ayoade shines, the real tour-de-force acting comes from Wes Anderson regular, Ralph Fiennes, who unnervingly morphs into the off-putting eponymous character of this tale (presenting a stark contrast in his performance to his cameo role as Roald Dahl in the other three shorts). The Ratcatcher is perhaps the most experimental of the short films with Anderson returning to stop-

motion, a medium in which he had previously collaborated with Dahl to great acclaim with 2009’s Fantastic Mr Fox. For me, Poison is the most disappointing film of the collection. Whilst boasting the stellar trio of Cumberbatch, Patel and Kingsley, this short falls short mainly due to the lacklustre source material it was adapted from. The same cannot be said for The Swan, which in my opinion, was the highlight of the sub-twenty-minute trilogy, not only because of its superior story, but primarily due to a phenomenal performance from Rupert Friend. Whilst present in The Ratcatcher, Friend takes centre stage (literally, due to the theatrical set) as the sole character in this engaging tale, and whose performance can be described as the most intense oneman show ever committed to celluloid. Returning back to Ben Grimm’s ‘selfparody’ critique of Anderson’s previous pictures, I too agree that due to his rich narrative and visual style, his films can stray into the realm of being overblown and overbaked. However, with the restrictions that Anderson set himself for this Roald Dahl Story Collection, I truly believe that these short film adaptations of one of the world’s most beloved storytellers are the perfect medium to experience one of the greatest directors of our time.

Image credit : IMDB

Poor Things preview: a bizzare gothic adventure preview Jess Bradbury - Co-Head of social media

Here's a look at Poor Things, starring Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe.

mma Stone is a woman reborn in Yorgos Lanthimos’ creepy gothic Poor Things. Inspired by Alasdair Grey’s 1992 novel of the same name, Poor Things has been adapted by Tony McNamara, who has previously collaborated with Lanthimos on The Favourite. Described as a Victorian tale of discovery, scientific daring and love, Poor Things is set to satirically jab at archaic gender roles and social norms, interrogating these notions throughout the film. This is particularly emphasised via the official synopsis of the film, which tells how “Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.” Bella Baxter, the central character played by Emma Stone, is a dead woman reanimated by an unorthodox scientist named Dr Godwin Baxter, played by Willem Dafoe. Dafoe is said to have prepared for the film by going to an actual mortician school, carrying on the wonderful trend of him playing weird characters! With additional characters played by Mark Ruffalo,

Margaret Qualley, Jerrod Carmichael and others, Poor Things is set to be a whimsical self-discovery of what it means to be a woman. Auteur Yorgos Lanthimos is known for making his audiences uncomfortable, whether that be through his horror-thriller The Killing of a Sacred Deer or weird dramaromance The Lobster. Poor Things promises this same whacky experience found in Lanthimos’ other films. A plethora of human pleasures are depicted in the trailer, from Bella’s discovery of sex

to her more unconventional and visceral desire to punch a screaming baby - all of these moments underpinned with a bitingly dry humour. The trailer also also shows the film's intensely vibrant sci-fi world, showing how, just like Bella, the audience is supposed to discover the odd world for themselves. Poor Things is already receiving critical acclaim after its rounds at various festivals, and from the trailer, it seems that this is deservedly so for what promises to be a fantastical film.

Image credit : X @DiscussingFilm

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COURIER

Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-editors: Jessica McKeown, Olivia Carter and Ned Carter-Owen

Film

Killers of the Flower Moon: All of Us Scorsese's most important film Strangers Matthew Barratt - Science Sub-Editor

irector Martin Scorsese’s new historical epic skilfully unearths the injustices at the heart of American history, giving a voice to a group long forgotten despite its disjointed management of genre and structure. Based on the book of the same name by American journalist David Grann, Killers of the Flower Moon is arguably one of, if not, the most important story of Scorsese’s filmography, shedding light and paying respects to those afflicted by one of America’s darkest open secrets with his reputable directorial expertise. KotFM explores the life of Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) who returns from the Great War into the care of his Uncle William ‘King’ Hale (Robert DeNiro), a businessman and renowned ally of the Osage Nation, a tribe of Native Americans who ascended to meteoric wealth after oil reserves were discovered on their land. Despite his outwardly benevolent demeanor, Hale recruits his nephew into joining him on his plan to exploit the Osage after Ernest marries Mollie, a wealthy member of the tribe. From this, grand machinations ensue in which powerful members of the local community, led by Hale, conspire to obtain the land rights of The Osage through systematic murder. Dozens, maybe even hundreds, of the Osage Nation, were gradually dispatched of, masqueraded as ‘accidents’ or ‘suicides’ rather than the reality of systemic displacement and mass murder. It's an incredibly distressing narrative that spans a hefty 206-minute runtime, a grisly extract of America’s postcolonial history, most concerningly forgotten to time as the decades passed on. Scorsese’s recent efforts have been evidently personal, showcasing his attitudes towards life as he navigates into the late stages of his life. The Irishman in particular, a film about ageing and mortality, Scorsese capped off his penchant for mobster-based narratives

with a touching self-referential nod to his own popularity and the existential dread of loneliness or being forgotten once he and his collaborators eventually pass on. KotFM is no exception to his more personal pictures and may be a natural extension of Scorsese’s intent to address his own inner anxieties through the medium of cinema. There is a tightrope that Scorsese’s film balances on; the desire to provide an engaging crime epic akin to those of his previous filmography whilst still crafting an educational piece that pays cinematic homage to what can be argued as one of America’s most underrepresented groups. An ambitious presence to be sure, and one that Scorsese evidently grapples with over the film’s colossal runtime. The thematic pendulum swings in favor of a meditative reflection on Native American culture and their continuous disenfranchisement decades following the colonial process in the first two acts only to violently swing the other way towards a classic Scorsese outing halfway through. This could be viewed as a point of contention as Scorsese’s behemoth struggles to establish a middle ground between these two genres, unable to intersperse and weave them consistently. This dissonance is noticeable, as while Scorsese wishes to hold both cards at once, he gives way to the crime-related overtures of his plot, echoing his previous classics and goes against his initial intent to validate those most afflicted by the evil

he depicts. Structure aside, however, the sheer prowess which Scorsese exercises in directing this mammoth of cinema is truly impressive, as the content of KotFM is arguably some of his most polished, well written and perfectly executed with regards to the performances of its ensemble. One thing for certain that was gathered from KotFM is that authenticity is king. As a storyteller of great influence in his field, Scorsese seemingly hinges on the complicated relationship between the responsibility to help showcase the underrepresented in his films whilst also acknowledging his potential complicity in suppressing others. Perhaps this is the root cause of Scorsese’s gravitation towards the Osage murders themselves, a literal reign of terror inflicted onto some of the wealthiest people in America over greed and the furtherment of white progress only to be mostly forgotten for decades afterwards, reduced to a mere myth or story told on radio broadcasts as opposed to a dark mark on America’s already blackened history. There is a dedication within KotFM to pay homage to The Osage and validate the horror they endured. Scorsese makes an admirable albeit shaky effort to implement this within the wider American crime epic format. However, he does so with the deepest respect and the purest intent. Notwithstanding this, KotFM is still some of Scorsese’s greatest directing to showcase what could be his most important film, remaining everconsistent after six decades.

aylor Swift, an unstoppable force in the music industry, has had an extraordinary year. In March, Swift unveiled her monumental ‘Eras Tour’ concert. Boasting a setlist of forty-four songs spanning her entire career and a runtime of almost three-and-a-half hours, it quickly became the ‘must-see’ event of the year. Swift’s phenomenal success can be attributed to her evocative songwriting, PR and business acumen, and her close relationship with fans. Always at the forefront of music innovation, she is making waves in the film industry too. Her latest venture is the release of her Eras Tour movie in worldwide cinemas. Like countless Swifties across the globe, I attended the opening night of Taylor Swift: the Eras Tour on the 13th of October at my local cinema. The nearly three-hour spectacle is slick, beautifully produced, and stylishly edited. With everyone in the cinema singing along and dancing, it really is a joyous experience. Some may argue that ticket and merchandise prices brand the Eras Tour film a ‘cash-grab’. An adult ticket will cost you a very specific £19.89 - a nod to Swift’s birth year and the next instalment in her re-recording endeavour. Yet, compared to Odeon Cinema's standard £12.50 ticket (plus booking fees) it’s not a huge leap in price, especially

One of our writers got an early look at All of Us Strangers at the BFI festival in London.

ll of Us Strangers is Andrew Haigh’s latest hazy fantasy romance with one of 2023’s most stacked casts. It’s as beautiful as it is haunting, telling the tale of a young man, Adam (Andrew Scott), his budding romance with his mysterious neighbour, Harry (Paul Mescal), and his muddled life, as he weaves in and out of his troubled past, this plotline being accompanied by surreal, stunning visuals. The blossoming love story with an overarching darkness stemming from Adam’s traumatic past is an intricate juxtaposition that is cleverly written, as a loose adaptation of Taichi Yamada’s 1987 novel Strangers. The cinematography is also worth noting - the dreamscape set up contributes to the sense of delirium that carries through the screen to the audience as days and tenses blend seamlessly into one another, warping our perceptions as much as Adam’s and creating a flawlessly captivating, immersive cinematic experience.

Positive queer representation, and powerhouse performances from a loaded cast

Image credit: IMDB

The good, the bad, and the Swiftie Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour in cinemas Sophie Austen

Zahra Hanif - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

considering the lengthy runtime and unique experience it offers. It is essential to see Swift’s approach here as more than a repackaging of her tour for financial gain. Rather, it is a thoughtful and meticulous attempt to capture the essence of the Eras Tour for fans to experience no matter where they are. And it is important to note that this is something the fans have been pleading for since the tour debuted. The film has dominated the global box office, making over $123 million on its opening; it has already become the highest-grossing concert film in history. Legendary director Christopher Nolen has praised Swift for providing a much-needed boost to a struggling industry. Nolan states “Taylor Swift is about to show the studios, because her concert film is not being distributed by the studios, it’s being distributed by a theatre owner, AMC, and it’s going to make an enormous amount of money,” (via Variety). Swift also ensured she met all requirements of the SAG-AFTRA union and was thus granted their permission before filming. It seems other celebrities have noticed Swift’s phenomenal success this year. Beyoncé is following her lead with the US release of her Renaissance concert film in December. All in all, the Eras Tour film is not just a cash-grab for monetary profit, which it is undoubtedly going to make a lot of; it’s about bringing the concert experience to fan’s doorsteps. It’s a chance for those who couldn’t attend the live tour to experience it

for a fraction of the price and for the curious to see what all the excitement is about. After all, Taylor Swift is the Music Industry.

Image credit : X , @tswifterastour

We see Adam attempt to grasp at the shards of his past through his screenwriting efforts, in which he revisits his family home, an idyllic countryside dream, particularly when contrasted to the bustle of London, where he lives now. His parents - or their ghostly forms - and him partake in intricately scripted exchanges, discussing Adam’s sexuality, primarily - while this is poignant and sensitive, Haigh allows for some comedic relief in lines read by Adam’s mum (Claire Foy) - but I won’t spoil. These interactions are impressive, not only on Haigh’s part, but on Adam’s, for these characters merely being projections of his 12-year old imagination. It is refreshing to see how emboldened he is, as a queer man, confronting his parents now despite them very literally being stuck in the 80s. The conversations between Adam and Harry also bring to light important discussions about queerness, as their relationship develops, albeit tentatively, given Adam’s trauma and incessant nostalgia seeping into all elements of his life. It is also refreshing to see how - despite Adam’s personal issues - their relationship remains promising and hopeful to the end. With delicate and insightful writing, gorgeously dreamy visuals, positive queer representation, and powerhouse performances from a loaded cast, All of Us Strangers is an exceptional film. See it in UK cinemas from the 26th January 2024.

Image credit: IMDB

Sub-Editors: James Kellett and Adam Lovegrove

Gaming

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Monday 6th November 2023

COURIER

Memory Card: Spider-Man Pete Hines Shattered Dimensions (2010) bids farewell Ross Bennett Deputy Editor

Web-slinging dimensions collide.

ivin’ on the edge, fighting crime, slinging webs...but wait…now there’s four of them? Right before Superheroes took over the media landscape with the Avengers and back when Tobey was the only actor to don the red and blue spandex, a Beenox-Activision-and-Marvel co-production delved into the storied history of comic’s most iconic character; with a twist. This of course, is Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions. Spider-Man games had been done before, most notably with Spider-man 2 on the Playstation, but this was different – this was set apart from the rest of the cluttered web-slinging landscape. In a controversial choice, the developers chose to forgo the usual setting of an explorable New York sandbox. Heresy! Swinging around New York had been every childhood spidey-fan’s dream. But the idea to make this game a level based linear gameplay offered the player a diverse selection of level design, enemies and play options. However, that wasn’t the main selling point of Shattered Dimensions. The whole schtick of Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions wasn’t just to play as Spider-man. But to play as four different Spider-Men. Before comic book cinema hopped on the multiverse train, the games beat them to it. You had your regular ‘Amazing Spider-Man’, your

classic Peter Parker in his red and blues and with all the usual powers and quips. A winning formula for over 60 years, it’s a wonder why you’d change it up…but Marvel did just that. The next Spidey on our list is a familiar face to spiderverse fans, the Spider-man of 2099 AKA Miguel O’Hara. Able to slow down time with his razorquick attacks, Miguel’s levels have the fun traversal element of being forced to freefall through futuristic tunnels; dodging flying cars and trying not splatter yourself against winged supervillains. Next we have…Peter Parker, okay yes I know, not much difference between the ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ and the ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ but this Peter Parker has the benefit of being connected to the stylishly black Venom symbiotes. And last but not least, this writer’s personal favourite Spidey, ‘Spider-Man Noir’. Set in a Noir-ish and gritty New York of the 1920s, this SpiderMan is dripping in grit and old timey slang. Ready to beat some thugs and save some dames, this Spider’s level design revolves almost entirely around stealth. Clinging to walls and hiding in shadows, dodging tommy gun blasts and dealing out rough justice to any two-bit mook who lands in his web. But four Spider-Men are nothing without some bad guys, at this game has a plethora of villains to pick from the Wall-Crawler’s iconic rogues gallery. With the fish-bowl-headed master of misdirection,

Mysterio as the primary antagonist – on his hunt to collect all the fragments of the game’s macguffin (the Tablet of Order and Chaos) – the game takes classic Spidey baddies and switches them up for this new playstyle. A genetically mutated Scorpion who lays eggs that explode with twisted enemies to fight? Check. A cannibal Vulture who loves skulking in the shadows and is responsible for the death of his universe’s Uncle Ben? Yep. A rampaging Juggernaut that requires an entire building to be dropped on him in an epic boss fight, and then still comes up for more? Right here. A Deadpool who’s a sadistic reality tv host and runs an oil rig out in the middle of the ocean? Don’t know why you’d want that, but the game’s got it. But you don’t need me to dissect every piece of the varied and diverse gameplay, the fun and creative level design with a different art style for each universe or the star voice-casting as the four Spider-men (“How I Met Your Mother’s” own Neil Patrick Harris in an amazing turn). What you do need…is to play it for yourself.

Image Source: X, @DiscussingFilm

Charles Martinet replaced as Mario George Brownless

A change in voice for everyone's favourite plumber... and it's Kevin Afghani!

harles Martinet has been the man behind Mario since Super Mario B...os (Pinball) in 1992, with 1996’s Super Mario 64 being the first of the mainline games he had involvement with. He has continued to be the voice of not only Mario, but also Luigi, Wario and Waluigi among others. With the release of Super Smash Bros Ultimate in 2018, Martinet racked up 100 video game appearances for Mario, giving him the world record for portrayals as the same character.

It seemed fitting for those like myself that have grown up with Martinet's voice, that his final role was as Mario's Father After owning the synonymous Mario voice for so long, it was no surprise that when Super Mario Bros Wonder was revealed back in June, fans immediately picked up the lack of Martinet’s voice. Suspicions were confirmed in August, as both Nintendo and Martinet announced that he would be moving into the new role as Mario Ambassador, and stepping down from voicing him in new projects. It seemed fitting for those like myself that have grown up with Martinet’s voice; that his final role was as Mario’s Father in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. However, the question remained, who was the new Mario? Our answer arrived a week prior to Wonder’s release, when Kevin Afghani announced he would be playing the voice of both Mario

and Luigi in Super Mario Bros Wonder. Prior to this, Afghani had been involved in a few anime’s, including Dragon Ball R+R, and voiced Arnold in Genshin Impact. Mario and Luigi will be long term roles for Afghani, and it is good to hear a different take on the classic characters. On the basis of trailers we’ve seen and heard so far, Kevin’s interpretation is certainly different, but it still feels like Mario. It remains to be seen if he will also be voicing Wario, among other characters, though we should get an answer to that soon once “Wario Ware: Move It!” is released in November. Regardless, Mario’s voice appears to be in safe hands, the transition from one actor to another can be difficult particularly as for some 'Afghani's Mario' won’t feel like 'their Mario', but if his first performance is anything to go by, I am very much looking forward to the years ahead.

to Bethesda

James Kellett Gaming Sub-Editor

ormer Bethesda Softworks Head of Publishing, Pete Hines, has decided to bring his 24-year stint at Bethesda to a close. Hines made his announcement via X stating: “After 24 years, I have decided my time at Bethesda Softworks has come to an end.” “I am retiring and will begin an exciting new chapter of my life exploring interests and passions, donating my time where I can, and taking more time to enjoy life.” Hines began his career at Bethesda way back in 1999, working in the marketing department. As the Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications, from 20192022, Hines had the immense responsibility of disseminating information about Bethesda games and affairs to the public, it was only 2022 that Hines was appointed as the Head of Publishing. In addition to this Hines also maintained the responsibility of demonstrating the progress Bethesda had made with the development of future games.

I am retiring and will begin an exciting new chapter of my life The years of dedicated service by Hines has meant he has been influential in the rise of Bethesda over the past 20+ years. Once being made the Vice President of PR and Marketing; he impressed his superiors with the release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. His success cemented his position in this role, and he would continue to dazzle with the releases of iconic games such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout 4 and Doom. Although his time as Senior VP and Head Publishing was brief, he would finish his Bethesda career with the notable release of their entirely new Franchise, Starfield. After all the foundations that Pete Hines has helped Bethesda to lay down, it is intriguing to see where the future lies with their marketing and communications. His name has become synonymous with Bethesda, and it seems right and fitting to simply thank him for his service in the creation of some of the most diverse and awe inspiring gaming universes the world has seen.

Image Source: X, @NintendoUK

Image Source: X, @Fallout

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Rose Schierig

Bonfire Night Unfurling geode. Night's hard shell cracks open. Luminescent guts. Neon stitches on sky.

Pomegranate's cheek Unlatches in nail crescents. Molten mouth spitting Burnt kernels of white star.

This night echoes with colour. This sky burns with song.

More online...

Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-Editors: Sarah Tunstall and Laura Kasongo

Arts

A Modern Morden: Poetry in the North Laura Kasongo - Arts Sub-Editor n a mid-October evening, I found myself stood in the corner of Hatton Art Gallery café, feeling a warmth both from the amount of people in such close-proximity and in my soul. It was opening night for the latest poetry event in town, but there was something different about this one. Not claiming to be anything innovative, Poetry in the North embraces literary tradition in a way which makes you feel as comfortable in a space as if it were your own living room.

right in front of the tower, their first intoxicated inspiration was to buy it and in-truth, they had no concrete plan on what they were going to do. What they did have was “a craving for poetry,” as Katherine puts it, and bundles of creative expression waiting to be shared.They call Poetry in the North “a meet up and that’s what it is. People have the opportunity to get poems out into the world.” At the heart of the evening lies the trio’s core value for community, encouraging us to listen to one another in a relaxed environment. Oscar aptly describes the meet-up as a ‘breakdown in the hierarchy of poetry’ and you could see/hear that from the wide variety in spoken word performed.

Space is exactly what inspired students Will Kerr, Katherine Hunter and Oscar Harethwaites Space is exactly what inspired students Will Kerr, Katherine Hunter and Oscar Harethwaites to start the night. When speaking to the trio, Will brought up his obsession with Morden Tower, particularly in shock of how such rich poetic history is on our door step and is often unknown by the public today. Taking this knowledge to Katherine and Oscar, sat in a pub situated

Image credit: David Hall Photography, @nostalgia_kid

At the heart of the evening lies the trio's core value for community Currently, Poetry in the North is a bi-weekly meet-up but it may become monthly. There may also be a possible change in venue, as they didn’t expect it to be as busy as it was on opening night. They only thought around 10 people would attend, but since exceeded that turn-out and I can’t wait to see how far it goes. Photographer and documenter David Hall, @nostalgia_kid on Instagram, is a great support to the trio, calling the night “good vibes and love and scribes”. Poetry in the North is a platform for archival material too, from their digital archive on Instagram, to possible printing and binding an anthology made up of writing performed at the meet-ups. Poetry in the North weaves an atmosphere the Beatniks would’ve basked in and reminds me why I love it; why we write in the first place. “The night wasn’t about us,” says Will and whilst that may be true, I think it wouldn’t be the same without them. Just as the Modern Tower readings wouldn’t have been without the Prickards in 1964.

Creativity made stress-free Is film #notdead?

Jodie Steer inding time to relax and unwind after a stressful week of uni, work and menial day-to-day tasks can be hard. Finding time away from your phone and technology can be even harder. Sometimes it feels like even trying to chill out is stressful, forcing yourself to meditate or reading the same page of a book ten times before giving up in favour of scrolling on social media. Blank Canvas Society provides the perfect activities to give yourself a proper break, offering a range of events that cater to all of your creative inclinations.

Kirstie Dow

Socialise away from the drinking culture that can often feel like a given when at uni Image credit: Laura Kasongo

What's on... November! Born Lippy anniversary special

all across the uni. The events always take place on different days of the week, which is great for people who work and might not be able to commit to a society that always meets on the same weekday. Their upcoming Halloween events are spooky cookie decorating with Marrow (a charity supporting those with blood cancer and blood disorders) followed by pumpkin carving a few days later. If you’re creatively inclined, looking for a new outlet, or just wanting to meet people then Blank Canvas is definitely the society for you. The £5 membership covers your costs for the whole year too! There’s no pressure, no stress, just a few hours of fun that might even culminate in a creative masterpiece. Image credit: Laura Kasongo

Most recently, Blank Canvas has teamed up with Cre-Soc and Nutritank for notebook/bookmark decorating and wine glass painting. Both of these

9-10 Driftwood @ Northern Stage 11

7-25 Angela @ Alphabetti Theatre 8

collaborations were fast sell outs – and for good reason! You just have to bring yourself and your ideas; everything else is provided for you. The evenings are set up to give a laid back, welcoming vibe for you to meet new people and come away feeling good about what you’ve made. Crafts as a hobby are great for you to make new friends and spend time with your existing mates, without the pressure of having to organise plans or find something to do. It also gives you the chance to socialise away from the drinking culture that can often feel like a given when at uni and save yourself some money on bevs! Societies are a great way to meet people that share your interests other than your course mates, and Blank Canvas’ collabs with other societies even more so, as there are always new faces from

Jewellery Workshop @ Cobalt Studios

Open Decks @ Cobalt Studios

Yellow Lines Poetry

An evening with Mary Beard @Northern Stage

@Star & Shadow Cinema

18-25 Books on Tyne 2023

'Being Human' Festival @Lit & Phil Library

Dialogue Depot

@Lit & Phil Library

Freshly Squeezed Open Mic

THE

Monday 6th November 2023

Puzzles Master: Katie Siddall

Puzzles

Crossword

COURIER

Down 1. What does the “P” stand for in HP Sauce (10) 2. Another term for “stroll” (4) 3. The past tense of “eat” (3) 4. A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment (9) 5. H20 (5) 7. A verbal conflict between people (8) 10. The first name of the character Luke Wilson plays in Legally Blonde (6) 11. Abbreviation of Avogadro's number, celebrated on 23rd October (3) 13. The first Pixar animated film (4) 16. The term used when a Rugby team scores five points (3) 17. A type of pie (5) 19. Complete the Shakespeare quote from Henry V: “Once more ___ the breach, dear friends” (4) 20. What type of creature is Shrek (4) 22. The term for when a batman, in Cricket, is dismissed (3) 23. The singular noun for a dice (3)

Across 2. Someone who serves food at a restaurant (6) 6. The spoken word for this symbol: @ (2) 8. Alton Towers has a lot of these (13) 9. The solid version of water (3) 12. The brand of tyres Lightning McQueen

uses: Light____ (4) 14. A platypus is a type of what (6) 15. The dot above an “i” and “j” (6) 16. Complete the sentence: A Netball ___ has seven players (4) 17. Not a dog, but a what (3) 18. Someone who offers extra educational support (5)

QR Code

Scan the QR code below to submit your very own creation. Also, scan the QR code for more info.

Crossword

Do you want to create your own puzzle?

21. Where a Pokémon Trainer goes to earn badges (3) 22. A Pixar film starring Tom Holland and Chris Pratt (6) 24. An act of moving (8) 25. All Terrain Tactical Enforcer (1,1,1,1)

8 6

I E

W 11

H 9

E B

A 5

L 3

A 8

T 13

R 16

v T

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Puzzles Master: Katie Siddall

Monday 6th November 2023

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Puzzles

Nonogram 16 13 11 7 4 20 20 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 20 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 20 2 8 2 8 20 20

5 1 1 16 17 2

6 1 1 2

4 2 1 1 2

4 2 5 2

3 2 1 1 2

3 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 5 9 5 5

1 2 1 5

STUDENT MADE: Crossword

1 2 1 1 1 5 15 15

This particular crossword, created by Matthew Griffiths, does not come with crossword clues in print! This particular crossword comes with crossword clues every Monday at 8pm on NSR. If you wish to partake in this crossword puzzle, you need to listen to the Time Waste Game Show each Monday on NSR. At the end of the academic year, the crossword answers will be revealed. Essentially: Cut this out and keep it to one side as you complete it throughout the academic year. 3

11 12

Colour in the cells in the grid according to the numbers on the sides of the grid to reveal a picture. The individual numbers in each row/ column are separated by spaces of 1 or more squares.

15 10

Instructions

18 8

20 9

Notes

Image credit: Rawpixel

1 5 7 8

3 7 1 11 1 1 5 5 5 5 7 7 8 8 9 1 7 4 5 6 1 7 9 8 12 4

6 3 2 5 8 12 14 15 15 7 4 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 4 4 4 6 5 4 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 4 5 5 4 4 2

Word Ladder

Nonogram

Issue 1448 Answers

Sub-Editors: Mitchell Hall, Castor Chan, Dan Balliston and Raff Tindale

Monday 6th November 2023

Sport

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Does size really matter? How stadium rebuilds sacrifice the fan experience Arthur Ferridge - Head of Sport

Many clubs have replaced their history laced fortresses with swanky new-builds, but is it worth it?

ootball as a sport is perpetually growing. With more competitions, more fans, and more money orbiting the game than ever, the executives in all the top club’s boardrooms are always looking to add bigger green numbers to their spreadsheets. One column always seems to present itself as an easy opportunity for improvement: ticket sales. It’s a fairly simple equation: sell more tickets, make more money. All you need to do is find a bigger stadium. And if you can't find one preexisting, why not build your own?

This step has been taken by a handful of Premier League clubs in recent years, most notably Tottenham Hotspur, who knocked down the legendary White Hart Lane in 2017, redeveloping the property with a brand new, state of the art stadium, making space for an extra 26,566 supporters at the eye-watering cost of £1 billion. With the average Tottenham ticket reportedly costing £52, the club stands to bring improve its matchday ticket sales by over £1,000,000 per home game. Multiply that by a minimum of 19 home games per season, and you have clear proof of concept. At face value it’s a no-brainer investment. Spend the money on a new stadium, revolutionize your ticket sales, and recoup the costs over the next few seasons. You just have to make sure that you don’t get relegated in the process, a risk which will be making Everton fans sweat as they face a third consecutive relegation battle after having broken ground on a brand new £500 million stadium in 2021. While the stadium upgrade appears to be a financial no-brainer for most big clubs, there

is another crucial factor to consider: the fan experience. Football supporters as a demographic are sentimental to the point of obsession, and will not be easily torn from their beloved stadiums, which become temples to the teams and players that inhabit them.

Chelsea all but confirmed it's intent to demolish it's historic West London home in favour of a more modern stadium With the recent purchase of a large plot of land next to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea all but confirmed it's intent to demolish its historic West London home in favour of a bigger, more modern and, knowing the Boehly ownership, incredibly expensive new stadium. Like many British clubs, Chelsea have occupied their home

ground for over 100 years. Stamford Bridge has played host not only to some of Chelsea’s most iconic moments but also to some downright legendary footballing moments. Its pitch has been graced by some of the greatest players to ever touch the game, from superstars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to club legends like Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard. With so many decades of football heritage baked into the turf, fans are less than eager to level their beloved Bridge in favour of a sterile new build, which will prioritize function and capacity over heritage and atmosphere. West Ham are a perfect case study for the risks at play. Their 2016 move from the beloved Boleyn Ground to the massive but characterless London Stadium increased matchday capacity by over 30,000, though it came with a sharp decline in fan experience. The London Stadium’s bowl

Image credit: Twitter @EvertonStadium

architecture and presence of a running track mean that a great deal of fans find themselves sat uncomfortably far from the pitch, dampening the viewer experience and, in turn, the matchday atmosphere. A rumoured stadium change never fails to raise spirited debate, particularly now that both Newcastle and Manchester United are considering major renovations to their home grounds. In an age of inflated transfer prices and astronomic player salaries, it is difficult to argue against the financial incentives of an expanded stadium, but from the fan perspective, leaving behind the sentimentality of a historic home ground in favour of a brand new stadium isn’t easy. As with all things in football and in life, money as a motivator will almost always win out, though this is a sad indicator of football’s progression out of the hands of the fans and into those of the businessmen in charge.

Image credit: Flickr, diamond geezer

Sandro Tonali gambles with his career It seems that Tonali and Zaniolo will have similar fates to Fagioli. As the Premier League have already shown that they don’t take gambling lightly which was shown with the 8 month ban that Ivan Toney was given in May 2023. Tonali’s start to life at Newcastle United after his £55 million move from AC Milan was seeming to have an upwards trajectory, having had a rocky start but gradually attaining better results such as the euphoric 4-1 win over

Adam Symes

The Newcastle midfielder is under fire following involvement in a betting scandal with Italy teammates.

ewcastle United player Sandro Tonali has recently been pulled out of the Italian national team training, after rumours of the midfielder c om m itti ng gambling offences began circulating. Tonali left Italian team training alongside Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, after he was also accused of illegally gambling on football. To add further fuel to the fire, Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was also investigated over betting offences and was recently banned for 7 months from playing football, whilst also being fined 12,500 euros.

PSG on the 4th October. But it looks as though his time will be halted for a significant amount of time with the Magpies, as the Guardian have reported that he will be Image credit: Twitter @eurofootcom, @ESPNUK, @Sport_Witness

banned from football for at least a year. The aspiring midfielder admitted to betting on AC Milan to win back when he played for the club, which is the offence that he is currently being investigated for. Similarly to Ivan Toney’s case, these bets were not against Tonali’s team instead they were bets on his team to do well. Which begs the question, should footballers be prosecuted for gambling if they aren’t trying to negatively affect the outcome of their team’s result?

Should footballers be prosecuted for gambling if they arent trying to affect the outcome of their teams' results? Fans have pointed out that it seems hypocritical of the FA and other football governing bodies to endorse betting with sponsors and adverts, but also condemn any players who bet on football. Toney and Tonali have also both claimed to have gambling addictions which raises another debate on whether these players should be getting punished or receiving help with addiction issues.

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Monday 6th November 2023

Sub-Editors: Mitchell Hall, Castor Chan, Dan Balliston and Raff Tindale

Sport 31 KSI vs Tommy Fury: Is YouTube BUCS boxing's success good for the sport? RESULTS Adam Ingoe

What does the future look like for boxing as YouTube events continue to draw large audiences?

Boxers and content creators have different motives for winning In comparison to pro boxers, YouTubers are video entertainment producers and have been a recent addition to the sport as a result of user demand. There remain questions about their motives, which may be to use the sport purely to increase publicity of their channels, views on their videos, etc. Their presence in boxing is orchestrated by viewer demand, mainly the youth which makes up a large portion of viewers of the sport, thus their presence in the sport is appealing to a huge audience. But is that enough to secure a future for YouTube boxing in the long term? Such questions arise that we need to ask: Would this be the motive of a professional boxer? To cater to their channels and views? Or would a pro boxer’s motive be to strive to become the best at the sport, winning a huge

number of awards, etc, and going down in history as one of the world's greats? It’s a dream for any professional boxer. When we contrast this motive with that of content creators, we can see an inherent clash. Opinions of pundits and the media about the fight between KSI and T. Fury were generally negative, with some implying it was a mockery of the sport. Alan Tyres, a journalist for the Telegraph stated how: “KSI and Tommy Fury are kidding themselves if they think that was real boxing”,

insisting on the fact that the nature of the fight was amateurish, with Tyres describing KSI’s game plan as "stay as far away as possible, jump around a bit, leap in with a jab and then grab onto his opponent." As Tyres tries to show, no sort of game plan is in play, and in his eyes, it's just a pure mockery of the sport. The same could be said about Danis vs Logan Paul, where Danis’s antics and cowardice made Logan Paul look like a born fighter when in actuality both fought rather amateurishly. The question that remains is whether this is an insult

to the game. Many seem to think so, the press and professionals certainly do. YouTube boxing to many is looked upon as amateur boxing, made for fundraisers, and charity matches, and seen as nothing truly professional. YouTubers thus do not have a future in the long term, as most fights are seen as rubbish and amateurish by professionals and the media. Content creators have other motives for these fights, as discussed above, which play a role in performance and respect for the sport, and the outlook of it as anything serious. Therefore, putting to rest slowly but surely, the future of YouTube boxing in the long term.

the Haka have a place in modern rugby? It has been claimed that the Haka gives certain teams an unfair advantage, why can't it be countered?

representative of not only group unity, but connection to cultural ancestry. At the game, Ireland fans countered this, loudly singing ‘The Fields of Athenry’ by Pete St. John – a song which also holds cultural and historical importance in referring to the Famine. Both the Kiwis and the Irish highly value vocality as a form of expression, so naturally when paired together there was bound to be some tension.

Watching and listening to the video myself, I could feel the passion and heat in the moment from each side. Initially, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it and reading the comment section certainly didn’t help. Whilst I am neither Irish nor Kiwi, there does seem to be an element of false ‘wokeness’, with people being quick to judge the singing during the Haka. There is a fear in silencing, or in this case overriding, previously

n 14th October, Ireland faced New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final. I only knew about this for two reasons: the pub I live near was packed, and Tik Tok. I’m not an avid sport-enjoyer but my algorithm knows I can appreciate Paul Mescal, Taika Waititi and some social controversy. In particular, it was the reaction to the New Zealand team’s Haka which flooded a lot of phone screens.

Originating in 1888, before every match, the All Blacks perform the Haka – a ceremonial Māori war dance

oppressed voices and it is so prevalent that we ignore how the war cry is actually a challenge to the opposition that welcomes reaction.

Teams have come up with unique ways of countering the challenge, but France and England have faced fines for their efforts For years, teams have come up with unique ways of combatting the challenge. However, when France (2011) and England (2019) faced the Haka in V-formations, they were fined £2500 for crossing the halfway line which meant breaking ‘cultural ritual protocol’. Teams are instructed to respect the cultural practice and arguably Ireland themselves did so at this quarterfinal. Simply standing in a line with their arms interlocked, they expressed team unity courteously towards the All Blacks’ Haka. Yet, people are in two minds over their fans’ reaction. It is almost impossible to control the thousands in stalls and even if it wasn’t just any random song, cultural respect is a wider social conversation that sport often holds great influence over.

Ireland fans countered, loudly singing 'The Fields of Athenry', a culturally important song Image credit: Twitter @pelicalalu

O1 V Loughborough 1 (A) 46-11

BADMINTON

M1 V Leeds 1 (A) W1 V York 1 (A) M2 V York 1 (A) W2 V York 2 (A)

4-4 7-1 6-2 2-6

BASKETBALL

M1 V Northumbria 1 (H) 92-72 W1 V Nottingham 1 (H) 72-62 M2 V Manc. Met 1 (A) 93-76 W2 V Sheff. Hallam (H) 89-12 M3 V Durham 3 (H) 83-52

DODGEBALL

M1 V Sheff. Hall. 1 (A) W1 V Sheffield 1 (H) M2 V Sheff. Hall. 2 (A) W2 V Manchester 1 (A) M1 V Leeds 1 (A) W1 V Notts. 1 (H)

Crossing cultural boundaries: Does

Laura Kasongo - Arts Sub-editor

American Football

FENCING Image credit: Twitter @sportbible

t was a night to remember: pro boxers vs YouTubers battled it out to settle their personal disputes after numerous interviews full of threats and pledges of utter destruction towards each other, almost resulting in physical altercations. The most notable moments of the night were Dillon Danis vs. Logan Paul, ultimately leading to Logan Paul winning all 6 rounds after an almost one-sided match. The fight served as a prematch warm-up for viewers and fans to get into the spirit for the real fight of the night, the muchanticipated match; KSI vs. Tommy Fury. Tommy Fury, the ex-Love Island star turned professional boxer with a renowned family name, was about to face the world-famous YouTuber, KSI. Fury aimed to solidify his name following his brother Tyson Fury’s immensely successful boxing career, while KSI aimed to defeat a longawaited rival to establish his place in the boxing world and open up new opportunities for content creators in professional boxing. Although

the match ended in Fury’s victory, one question remains: Is YouTube boxing beneficial for the sport in the long run? It’s important to look at the one thing that makes sports, sports. The willingness to be top dog, the effort, training, and devotion which is driven by motive. Boxers and content creators have far different motives for winning. Which is, in retrospect, the decider for whether or not YouTube boxing has a future in the sport.

19-7 5-15 19-5 24-2

133-88 105-126

FOOTBALL

M1 v Nottingham 1 (H) W1 V Leeds 1 (H) M2 V Sheffield 1 (H) W2 V Northumbria 3 (A) M3 V York St. John 5 (A)

5-1 1-1 4-3 1-2 0-5

FUTSAL

M1 V Loughborough 1 (H) 3-6 W1 V Northumbria 1 (A) 3-3

HOCKEY

M1 V Loughborough 2 (A) W1 V Exeter 1 (H) M2 V York 1 (A) W2 V Durham 3 (A) M3 V Hull 1 (H) W3 V Sheff. Hall 1 (A)

LACROSSE

2-3 0-5 1-0 2-0 2-4 5-5

M1 V Nottingham 1 (H) W1 V Manchester 1 (A) W3 V Durham 5 (H)

2-16 8-13 7-12

1 V Bangor 1 (A) 2 V Leeds Beckett 3 (H) 3 V Durham 5 (A) 4 V York St. John 1 (A) 5 V Leeds Trinity 2 (A)

15-74 38-17 30-44 23-47 2-92

W2 V Durham 2 (H) M5 V Leeds Beck 5 (A)

27-12 7-48

NETBALL

RUGBY UNION SQUASH

M1 V Northumbria 1 (H) M2 V Lancaster 1 (H) W2 V Northumbria 1 (H) M3 V Sheffield 1 (A) M4 V Leeds 2 (A) M5 V York 3 (A)

TABLE TENNIS

W1 V Newcastle 2 (H) M2 V Liverpool 1 (A) M3 V Manchester 1 (H) M4 V York 2 (H)

TENNIS

M1 V Stirling 2 (A) W1 V Liverpool JM 1 (H) W2 V Leeds 1 (A) W3 V Sheff. Hallam 1 (A)

VOLLEYBALL

M1 V Liverpool 1 (H) W1 V Nottingham 1 (H)

WATER POLO

M1 V Nottingham 1 (H)

5-1 4-1 2-2 3-2 3-0 2-1 5-0 10-7 17-0 2-15 4-2 5-1 0-6 4-2 3-0 2-3 9-18

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Monday 6th November 2023

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Sub-Editors: Mitchell Hall, Castor Chan, Dan Balliston and Raff Tindale

Sport

NURFC winger Obi Ene signs contract with Sale Sharks Ollie Withers - Travel sub-editor

The Newcastle student has signed a three year full term deal after a successful trial period during pre-season

he England U20s and Newcastle University RFC 1’s player talks signing a professional contract, how he manages university alongside his career, and beetroot juice. Fresh off the back of an away win against Strathclyde University, playing on the wing of Newcastle University’s Rugby Union first team, it would be easy to dismiss Obi Ene as a flash-in-thepan university player. Yet his story so far shows that you write him off at your own peril. From being introduced to local Leeds amateur team Leodiensian RUFC by friends from his school, Richmond House, to a discipline switch when Rugby League club Leeds Rhinos came knocking, to receiving his offer of a trial at Sale via his England U20s coach. Injured at the time, he didn’t let that hinder him, joining up with Sale for their preseason this summer, which led to the subsequent contract offer: “Yeah, the offer is still surreal, it hasn’t quite sunk in yet that it’s real and that it’s happened to me.”

The offer is still surreal, it hasn’t quite sunk in yet that it’s real and that it’s happened to me With such a meteoric rise, it would be easy for him to let success get to his head. But he credits his mum for passing down her work ethic to him, as well as the strong core of Yorkshire boys in the Newcastle first team who keep him grounded. “Alfie Weston who plays firsts, I’ve known him since Year 7, and he keeps me humble.” As a formative figure, he pays tribute to former Saracens player and England international, Dan Scarborough for fostering in him not only a winning mindset but also ensuring complacency didn’t set in, instilling in Obi the drive that he clearly shows today. When I asked him how he motivates

himself to train every day, especially on the cold winter mornings, he answered in typical fashion, “If you’re going to commit to something, you might as well put 100% in. There’s no point in putting half in.” He counts his coachability and willingness to take advice from any and all camps as some of his key assets, which coupled with his persistent nature, makes him quite the tour de force. “And yeah, I’m pretty quick,” he adds. To anyone who has played with, against, or watched him, they’ll know ‘pretty quick’ doesn’t quite do him justice.

He credits his mum for passing down her work ethic, as well as the boys in the Newcastle team who keep him grounded With so many games, and at such a competitive level, Obi quells the prematch nerves with the combination of his signature lucky ponytail, and beetroot juice. “Yeah, the beetroot juice came about by a sponsorship before a game a few years ago, and everyone was given a bottle. We won and now before every game, my go-to is a bottle of it.” An unusual habit to be sure, but given the luck it has brought him, it makes you wonder if it’s not worth nipping to the shop to buy a bottle - just in case. When he’s not playing rugby, he makes sure to switch off, whether it’s by watching his beloved Arsenal or streaming Game of Thrones. When asked what character he sees himself as, it is Jon Snow because he “makes mistakes which I do as well.” (modest as ever) And of course, when it comes to a night out, he is nothing if not a classic Newcastle student, paying tribute to Market Shaker, Sinners, and Soho as some of his favourite spots for a night out - although he made sure to point out that he’s cut back on the trebs since being formally signed! Playing rugby at the top level whilst studying at university is no mean feat, but one Obi manages to organise. “You’ve always got time if you make time, and when you love something, you’ll make time for it, so I just see it as a balancing act.” Taking direct inspiration

from his sporting role models, amongst whom he counts legendary sprinter Usain Bolt and Arsenal starboy Bukayo Saka, he pulls off being a full-time student alongside having a jam-packed schedule with rugby admirably.

You’ve always got time if you make time, and when you love something, you’ll make time for it, so I just see it as a balancing act

into their starting Premiership lineup, he has made the tough decision to go fully online with university for next year and go full time with Sale. He’s set himself the lofty target of making the Six Nations squad for England by 2027, but given the way he applies himself, and how those at the club talk about him, you can tell it’s more than a pipe dream.

“I definitely look up to Bukayo, because he’s just good at everything he does, alongside being a decent person.” In terms of rugby stars, Obi looks up to All Blacks and Toulon winger Leicester Fainga’anuku, who scored a hattrick against Italy for New Zealand a few weeks ago in the World Cup. “Yeah, stylistically we play quite a similar game, and he has the same ponytail as me which helps,” he laughs. But as he looks to break into the Sale team, and ultimately force his way

View from the AU Kimiko Cheng - Athletic Union Officer

o you love rugby? Do you wish you could watch rugby for the first time again? Last Wednesday I had my first rugby match experience.

Do you wish you could watch rugby for the first time again? Last week I got to do exactly that I ventured out to Cochrane Park (using the free bus scheme, of course) for the women’s 1XV game against the newly promoted Leeds Beckett side. I immersed myself in the culture and spirit of the game by enjoying a crisp pint for £3.25. It was an exciting game as the teams were evenly matched, each time the Lionesses threatened to breach the try-line the opposition pushed back hard, but we slipped through and scored the first try and converted it too. Look at that technical talk I’m basically an expert in rugby now; I learned what a scrum was as you’ll see on the Students’ Union Instagram and got roasted by a child in the process. Beckett fought back hard, making our defence do a lot more work than they probably wanted to. Leeds Beckett scored a try in the dying moments which was heartbreaking, but Newcastle came back with a try and conversion of their own on last play, which gave me an incredible adrenaline rush. What else did I get up to this week? On Wednesday, I went out to watch the Netball 2s, and I was very happy to see them win with a 38-17 win over Leeds Beckett 2s. From there, I moved on to watching women’s 2s basketball, facing off against Sheffield Hallam 1s. This one was less entertaining, mainly because we won by such a brutal margin, coming away with an 89-12 victory. It was a great watch, always nice to see a properly dominant win for Newcastle!

Image credit: Instagram @salesharks

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