Issue 1452 Monday 19th February 2024
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Using IVF to save Africa’s White Rhino
Sustainability week: Guide to minimising food waste
The Muse: More than a myth
Food and Drink | page 16
Arts | page 28
Science | page 10
Students rally on campus against Leonardo Grace Boyle - Campus Comment Sub-Editor t 1pm on the 7 February, a s protest surrounded The Arches on campus calling for Newcastle University to end connections with Leonardo S.p.A. Newcastle University. The University website gives information on their current partnerships, though there is little public information. Leonardo S.p.A is an Italian defence contractor that develops targeting and radar systems currently being used in the ongoing war in Gaza. The company and its subsidiaries are one of the largest of its kind, developing military technology and naval artillery known to have been used by the Israeli government. Leonardo recently opened a ‘hightechnology science and engineering facility’ back in October last year within the Newcastle
Helix, the innovation cluster created in partnership with Newcastle City Council, Legal & General, and Newcastle University. The University website gives information on their past partnerships, though some students wish for full transparency on Newcastle University’s current stakeholder position. Since then, some students believe the university’s approach has been insufficient, both with regard to the ongoing conflict and the association with the company. This lack of transparency has raised concerns that tuition fees could be going towards facilitating potentially harmful research. One student at the protest said the ‘lack of transparency and support for Palestinian students is making us angry’. Hundreds of students chant ‘Leonardo’s got to go’ as they left lectures to join the demonstration that took place on the University’s Post-Graduate Open Day. Signs, banners and flags were held high
historically underfunded region to transform its economy and quality of life. Alongside the funding, the election of a new mayor will allow the North East to hold more power over major decisions that were previously in the hands of Westminster. For example, the North East mayor will have extended powers over the region’s transport systems, such as the Tyne and Wear metro as well as the power to make bus services public. There are six candidates running for North East mayor: Jamie Driscoll, Kim McGuinness, Guy Renner-Thompson, Andrew Gray, Paul Donaghy, and Dr Aidan King. Jamie Driscoll, the current North of Tyne mayor, will be running as an independent candidate after leaving the Labour party last year. In his manifesto, Driscoll’s three main focuses are employment opportunities, which
comprises of an effort to tackle child poverty, a green new deal, including a retrofit housing scheme, and a total transport network. Driscoll is the co-founder of Net Zero North East England. Kim McGuinness, the only female candidate, will be running on behalf of the Labour Party. McGuiness has been the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria Police since 2019. McGuinness’ manifesto is made up of 12 pledges, including to end child poverty, improve the metro, introduce a mayor’s childcare grant, and to go beyond net zero. She states that “ending child poverty will be the thread that runs through every decision I make as mayor.” Northumberland county councillor Guy Renner-Thompson was selected as the candidate for the Conservative Party.
A Image Credit: Emily Maines
whilst protestors powerfully spoke out about the conflict. Lewi El Hawary, President of NUSU’s Amnesty Society, said ‘100 000 Palestinians are injured, missing or dead. Don’t become numb, visualise the numbers. Imagine St. James’ stadium full to capacity…that times two.’. Police, stewards and members of the public watched as a sea of students walked down to Kings Gate to hand over the open letter signed by students, alumni, societies, local charities and campaigns urging the executive board to reconsider the implications of Leonardo being close to campus. Palestine support and action is spreading in Newcastle with protests occurring outside the Civic Centre, Northumbria University’s campus, Monument, Northumberland street, the Rafael Factory on Scotswood road Continued on Page 4
Using your vote in the North East Mayoral elections Roseanna Leconte - Food and Drink Sub-Editor
T
he first ever North East mayor to oversee the entire region will be elected on May 2 to form the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA). The new position follows a historic devolution deal with the central government, which will see increased funding and political powers for the North East. NEMCA brings together all seven local authorities of the region: Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, and County Durham. The former three had previously formed the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA), electing Jamie Driscoll as the
first and only North of Tyne mayor in May 2019. NEMCA will therefore replace NTCA, meaning the new mayor will subsequently replace the North of Tyne mayor.
“The devolution deal comes after years of negotiations between local leaders and the central government.” The devolution deal, which was agreed in December 2022, comes after years of negotiations between local leaders and the central government. The deal consists of at least £4.2 billion of investment into the North East over a 30-year period commencing when the new mayor is elected, rendering it a monumental opportunity for the
In his manifesto, R en nerThompson pledges to generate more industrial jobs, introduce a Image Credit: Scott small business Cawley on Flickr, and grant scheme, PXHere and level up schools and colleges. Continued on Page 4
Interested in Creative Careers? Take a look at pages 17-20!