Issue 746 - 14 June 2023

exeposé

Students voice concerns on the Renter’s Reform Bill

sector. In order to ensure that properties are not vacant outside of term times, landlords that rent to students often give a 12-month fixed-term lease. However, rolling tenancies, in which rent is paid weekly or monthly with no set end date, will replace fixed-term tenancies under the Renters Reform Bill, which was put forward to Parliament at the end of May.

Given these measures, the NRLA warned that there might be “chaos” if there was any doubt about whether properties will be accessible at the start of the academic year. However, the National Union of Students warned that if reforms were not implemented, students would fall into an “underclass.”

STUDENTS have voiced concerns surrounding the new Renter’s Reform Bill, with worries that “this will likely make the Exeter property market even more competitive than it currently is and may push prices higher

at a faster rate”. This is alongside worries that introducing “tenancies with no fixed end date will exploit more students financially and leave them with even less of their maintenance loan.”

Landlords have warned that the Renters Reform Bill’s planned proposals to end fixed-term tenancies in England could “decimate” the student housing

As a result of the revisions, tenants will only need to give two months’ notice before vacating a property. As part of the measure, which only applies to England, so-called “no-fault evictions” are abolished. Instead, landlords would only be permitted to evict renters under specific conditions, such as when they want to sell the house or when they or a close relative wants to move in. The only student housing that will be immune from these changes is purpose-built accommodation, which was constructed with students in mind.

According to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), landlords would be dependent on sitting tenants giving notice to vacate a property in plenty of time for new students to move in under the current rules.

Lily Margaroli, Guild President, stated that the aims of this bill will include “increasing the standards of rental properties”. She further suggested that the Guild have however had “some concerns about the removal of fixed-term tenancy agreements and the detrimental impact this could have on the ability of students to have flexible accommodation options”.

The Students’ Guild have highlighted that they are working with the University to offer advice through the Move Smart campaign. The Guild are also working with the University on their plans to create additional student housing on campus to ease the pressure. Margaroli emphasised that the Guild will “continue to monitor the impact of this reform” as well as “engage with key stakeholders to mitigate any potential negative impacts”.

Continued on page 4

New immigration policy announced for post graduate students

Harry Craig and Oliver Lamb Deputy Editor and News Editor

CONCERNS have been raised that new immigration rules for postgraduate students could have severe consequences for British universities, including Exeter. Last month, Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced a controversial package of measures aimed at international students, including the removal of the right for international students to bring dependants with them to the UK.

Under current rules, postgraduate students coming to study in the UK are entitled to apply for visas for their partner or children under 18. However, this right will be removed for students not on research programmes, as the government attempts to reduce migration figures.

This followed the announcement by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that net migration was at 606,000, the highest figure ever recorded, despite government targets to

reduce migration to the “tens of thousands.” Students were a considerable contributor, with 485,758 student visas granted in 2022, alongside 135,788 visas issued to dependants of postgraduate students. The latter figure marked a 750 per cent increase since 2019.

The highest number of visas issued to dependants in 2022 were to Nigerian nationals, with 60,923, followed by 38,990 to Indian nationals. Labour has pledged not to oppose these new measures on the grounds that “proper enforcement [is] long overdue.” However, Exeter’s Labour MP Ben Bradshaw was critical of the plans in Parliament, expressing his concern that this policy would discriminate against students from Nigeria and South Asia, whilst making British universities more dependent on Chinese students.

Other measures targeted at international postgraduate students to reduce net migration include a ban on students switching into work before their studies have been completed, and a review on the funds students must have to demonstrate they can look after themselves in the UK.

The University of Exeter itself is home to 7,400 international students as of the 2022-23 academic year, a 62 per cent rise since 2018-19. Many of these students fear they will be affected by the new laws, although the government has been keen to emphasise that these new laws would not

be applied retrospectively. An international postgraduate student told Exeposé that their master’s programme “has multiple students with spouses and families, including myself” and that “if my wife wasn’t allowed to live here with me, I would choose a school in a different country, as would many others”

Continued on page 5

Image: Harry Craig

Anabel Costa-Ferreira and Livvy Mason-Myhill Editors-in-Chief

Image: Jaggery, Geograph

Editors

Print: Anabel Costa-Ferreira & Livvy Mason-Myhill

Online: Jamie Speka & Amelie Thompson

Print Deputies: Harry Craig, Charlie Gershinson and Joshua Smith

Online Deputies: Ewan Edwards & Megan Haynes editors@exepose.com

Executives

Finance: Willow Cracknell

Social Media: Charlotte Randall

News Editors

Print: Rosie Batsford & Oliver Lamb

Online: Shagnick Bhattacharya & Anna Kane news@exepose.com

Features Editors

Print: Henry Parker & Benedict Thompson

Online: Callum Martin features@exepose.com

International Editors

Print: Josie Sharp

Online: Agata Koralewska

Comment Editors

Print: Lisette Reed & Charlotte Zeyssolff

Online: Amy Rushton comment@exepose.com

Satire Editor

Print: Charlie Gershinson

Lifestyle Editors

Print: Lucy Rawlings

Online: Zoe Sperry lifestyle@exepose.com

Arts + Lit Editors

Print: Maddie Conlan & Lauren Walsh

Online: Gracie Moore artsandlit@exepose.com

Music Editors

Print: Jake Avery & Scarlett Cracknell music@exepose.com

Screen Editors

Print: Annabelle Law & Madison Sohngen screen@exepose.com

Tech Editor Print: Ewan Edwards

Science Editors

Print: Eloise Shewring sciandtech@exepose.com

Sport Editors Print: Joseph Terry

Online: Ceri Vaughan-Jones sport@exepose.com

@exepose

@exepose facebook.com/exepose

issuu.com/exeposeexeter

IT’S the last issue for this academic year and the time has come to welcome in a new committee. We would like to thank all the editors, executives, contributors and proofers that have helped us out throughout the year . We would also like to give a very special thanks to Megan and Josh for all their support with this handover and it will feel strange not seeing you both in the office. Although the prospect of starting a new academic year is exciting, we are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Exeposé office. Yet, it's not all sad news for us as we are relocating offices in September.

The 2023-24 committee has a few familiar faces and some new as well. Be sure to watch out for the new committee and also take a look at the farewell pages (pages 7, 11 & 26) where members of the outgoing committee have shared their experiences of Exeposé.

In News this week, we focus on the Renters Reform Bill, looking at the reaction of both students and estate agents .

We also look at the upcoming refurbishment of Devonshire House and student feelings in response to this.

In Features, writers discuss UK student loan reforms alongside a review of the Turkish election (page 9).

In Comment, there’s an assessment of Schofield’s resignation (page 12) as well as a debate on 'hot girl summer' (page 13) whilst

Satire ranges from moving graduation ceremonies to TP to saying goodbye to our beloved campus cat for summer (page 14).

Lifestyle looks at the best summer activities (page 16) and discusses how to host the student way (page 17) Arts + Lit recommend books on female rage (page 18), and review the joys of jukebox musicals (page 19). Exhibit features a live review from Cavern in Music (page 21) and Screen looks at the upcoming Barbie movie (page 23). Tech analyses the existence of paid propaganda (page 24) and Science provides an astronomy round-up (page 28) and also explores the benefits of a vegan diet (page 29). Sport covers the best Parkrun routes in Exeter (page 30) as well as a year of success for women’s rugby (page 32). We would like to thank everyone involved in putting together this edition whether this was in person or through the struggles of remote desktop (also a special mention to the free pepsi-max from the Guild and the Ram for their curly fries keeping us fuelled through our stress). From achieving best publication in the South-West to the entirety of the UK there is so much to be proud of, and we cannot wait to see what the future of Exeposé holds next year. We hope you enjoy reading this handover edition and have a fantastic summer!

and Anabel

FEATURES

Ukraine-Russia Spring Offensive

PAGE 8

MUSIC

Live Review: Yur Mum at Cavern

PAGE 21

SCIENCE

Astronomy end of term round-up

PAGE 28

SPORT

PAGE 32

University news home and abroad

university allegedly fires employees

emails

HOUGHTON University allegedly terminated two residencehall directors for placing pronouns in their email signatures. Shua Wilmot and Raegan Zelaya claim university administration told them to remove the pronouns “he/him” and “she/her” respectively from their email signatures, due to pronouns being in violation of new school policy. The refusal to remove the pronouns resulted in both employees’ firings prior to the culmination of semester.

This new policy is perceived as an attempt by Houghton to become increasingly religious-conservative, aligning them with better-established Christian colleges such as Hillsdale College, Michigan and Liberty University, Virginia. This is an apparent attempt to target Republican-leaning students, some supporting anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

Houghton University has addressed the allegations, with a spokesperson declaring that the University “has never terminated an employment relationship based solely on the use of pronouns in staff email signatures.” Zelaya and Wilmot rebuke this, with an online petition signed by 600 demanding their reinstatement.

UK students seek compensation for COVID disruption

FOLLOWING disruption from COVID-19 and strikes, the Office for the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIAHE), the body to which students unsatisfied with their teaching can complain to, received a record number of complaints in 2022. More than £1 million in compensation has been awarded.

Students who deem that the cost of their university degree does not reflect the quality of the teaching received, during the pandemic and 20182022 lecturer strikes, are now also joining group legal cases via StudentGroupClaim.co.uk to seek compensation of up to £5,000; this figure could be higher for international students.

The first case to reach the courts is against University College London, who held that they would prefer students went through their internal complaints system and the OIAHE; students’ lawyers have argued that students are entitled to exercise their article six right to a fair trial like any other consumer. This is a precedent-setting moment as if this claim is successful, similar ones will be brought against other universities.

Falling student numbers threaten South Korean universities

THE latest projections from the Korean Council for University Education predicts a 39.1 per cent decrease in the number of students entering universities from 460,000 in 2020 to 280,000 by 2040. This has been followed by an increased urgency to restructure South Korea’s university sector, with experts examining ways to shut off institu tions that are not viable, par ticularly by paying private organisations to encourage them to close their loss-making institutions.

According to statistics released earlier this year, 58 of the 187 regular four-year degree universities had more than one per cent of their stu dent quota left unfilled owing to a failure to recruit enough students. This has led to the existence of many “zombie universities” which are heavily dependent on government funding for staying open. These universities cannot be easily closed and mergers are only possible in urban areas where institutions are close to each other, further complicating the problem.

Exeter University pledges support for female entrepreneurs

THE University of Exeter has signed the Investing in Women Code, pledging to support female entrepreneurs and business leaders, through providing access to tools, resources and funding. The University has become the 200th organisation and first UK organisation to sign this pledge, and will also be obligated to regularly monitor and report on their progress towards these goals.

The Investing in Women Code was created by the Department for Business and Trade and the British Business Bank in 2019, following research from the Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship that found that more than £200 billion of new economic value would be added to the British economy if women founded and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men.

Livvy

NY

for using pronouns in

Proofers: Lauren Walsh, Harry Craig, Rosie Batsford, Charlie Gershinson, Oliver Lamb, Anabel Costa-Ferreira, Livvy Mason-Myhill, Willow Cracknell, Joshua Hughes and Megan Ballantyne.

Image: Wikimedia Commons, LocalHero224

Devonshire House to undergo major summer renovation

THE Students' Guild facility Devonshire House is undergoing an exciting renovation this summer to greatly improve the building. The Guild announced that “over the summer, your Students' Guild space (Devonshire House) is having an exciting refurbishment to significantly improve the building.” One of the Guild’s strategic goals is to make sure that their spaces are easily accessible, adaptable, and reflect the needs of students. The refurbishment occur at the same time as the Guild's newly announced rebranding, which will take place this summer.

The refurbishments will include the social study spaces being improved. As well as this, for events and activities, societies and student groups will be able to book a new flexible space. The Guild also plan to establish a central location for Guild services for all students, the Students’ Guild Advice Team, which is currently housed at the Forum, will relocate inside the building.

Charlie Gershinson Deputy Editor

From the 12th June through mid-September, the Guild have announced that Devonshire House will be temporarily closed. Whilst Devonshire House is closed, the Guild have highlighted that there are also nearby options for alternative communal study spaces, including Peter Chalk, the Sanctuary, Queens Café, and Forum Library.

In response to these upcoming changes, we asked students questions surrounding both their awareness of the refurbishment alongside their attitudes towards it. An overwhelming 65.2 per cent claimed they were unaware of the current refurbishment of Devonshire House. The majority of students responded they were unsure of what the changes entailed, and one student, in particular, noted that their understanding came solely from “word of mouth or rumours, I have heard nothing from the guild.” Similarly, another response revealed that they only knew of these changes “now because of this journo request” and had then “found it tucked away near the bottom of a Student Comms email, which isn’t ideal.” When asking

students if they were personally impacted by these changes many were either unsure or noted their media society was being moved to a different location. While the responses indicated societies were mainly impacted, some students also commented on how study spaces will be affected. When asked whether they believed these changes were needed many were unsure due to not knowing what exactly these changes entailed. One response stated that while it makes sense for the Guild and Activities team to be closer in proximity, time will tell if it benefits students.

Guild announces major changes to Fresher’s Fair

Charlie Gershinson Deputy Editor

THE Students’ Guild has announced major changes to how the Fresher’s Fair and other fresher’s events will operate at the start of the 2023/24 academic year.

In an email sent by the Guild Activities Team on the 9th June, the Guild announced that Fresher’s Fair will be renamed to “Welcome Week” to “ensure that the language we use is relevant and inclusive to all students and they feel they can be involved no matter what year of study or when they arrive.”

A spokesperson for the University commented that they are “happy to support the Guild by undertaking the refurbishments to Devonshire House over the summer.” They further added that these modifications to Devonshire House will help to “ensure the space is improved and modernised to meet the needs of our students and the Guild.”

Just Stop Oil protestor under legal threat

felt that all these people had spent money on a ticket, on their hotels, on their travel, maybe babysitting, whatever.

CHAIRMAN of the snooker championships and founder and President of Matchroom Sport — Barry Hearn OBE – has said that he will “ruin the life” of University of Exeter student Eddie Whittingham by “taking him to small claims court as many times as possible” in response to his April protest with climate change advocacy group Just Stop Oil at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Appearing on Talk TV’s Piers Morgan Uncensored in a broadcast in May, Mr Hearn announced that he was supporting at least 64 legal claims in small claims court out of the 410 spectators of the match between Joe Perry and Rob Milkins (all of whom had subsequently been contacted by Hearn).

Speaking to Piers Morgan, Hearn said: “I’m trying to think about how I can be constructive and how we can deal with it. And we came up with an idea of the small claims court. We

“So I wrote to the 410 people who witnessed that and lost the table they were supposed to be watching and said, ‘look, I believe you’ve got a claim, we will help you. We’ll help you formulate [the claim], and we’ll take this attention-seeking little boy, let’s ruin his life. Let’s take him to the small claims court as many times as possible’.”

disrupted others […] I don’t really care about the money; I want to give him some inconvenience”. When Exeposé reached out to Eddie, he replied: “No comment!”. Exeposé has also reached out to Matchroom Sport and the WPBSA for comment.

In related news, climate advocacy Extinction Rebellion Exeter has announced an appearance at the Respect Festival. In a press release by the group, they have announced an appearance at the event at

Belmont Park, Exeter. In a press release, the group said: “The climate and ecological crisis, and our government’s response to it, is hitting poorest communities first and hardest, which is why Extinction Rebellion Exeter is calling for climate justice in the form of a halt to all new oil and gas licences, and a citizen’s assembly on climate and ecological justice so that everyday people can investigate, discuss and decide how to respond to the climate emergency.”

In a video message, VP Opportunities — Izzie Dyer — announced that the traditional Fresher’s Fair will be extended to a week-long event after feedback from students concerning last year’s Fresher’s Fair showed it was “too overwhelming”; “too hard to engage with societies due to volume of people, noise and space”, and “that many missed the opportunity to attend as they hadn’t yet arrived.”

Instead, there will be seven themed days spread over six days from September 18th to 22nd including: Monday — Appreciation, Gaming, Politics and Volunteering; Tuesday — Academic and Employability; Wednesday — Cultural and Faith; Thursday — St. Luke’s in addition to Active, Wellbeing and Causes and Friday — Arts, Creative and Music before finishing with the AU Sports Expo on the Saturday.

Another change will be an elongation of the Welcome period to weeks one to six of the Autumn semester in order to provide “opportunities for societies to reach out to new stu-

Morgan replied with: “I like this. It will really get to the hearts of those people, if they actually have to make such a sacrifice. They might think about the way they protest. I’ve got no problem with people doing normal, peaceful protest, but when they deliberately wreck things, when they stop people going to work…”.

Hearn concluded by saying that: “in a small way let’s just disrupt his life as much as he’s

We’ll take this attentionseeking little boy, let’s ruin his life

Anabel Costa-Ferreira and Livvy Mason-Myhill Editors-in-Chief

Understanding came solely from ‘word of mouth or rumours’

Images: University of Exeter Students’ Guild

Image: Just Stop Oil

‘A statutory duty of care for higher education students’ debated in Westminster Hall

FOLLOWING

several petitions, including Harry’s Law, parliament debated an e-petition relating to a statutory duty of care for higher education students.

On the 5th June, the Westminster Hall debate responded to concerns of 128,292 petitioners in addressing statistics and current concerns, alongside heart-wrenching personal experiences.

In the opening of the debate, Nick Fletcher made reference to those he had spoken to or those who had given evidence, including Harry’s mother, Alice Armstrong. He shared with the House that statistics "between 2017 and 2020 academic years, 202 male

students died by suicide, as did 117 female students — 319 lives that could have been saved." The debate crucially noted that covid has revealed a lot about the mental health struggles of students. According to an online survey conducted by the Petitions committee, with more than 1500 responses, "around half felt that their university was very unsupportive." Similarly, parents shared concerns about support available, as the survey found 79 per cent of parents disagreed that "mental health support for universities is adequate."

As the debate continued, it was brought to the attention of the House that if a student attempts suicide whilst at university, it is not a requirement for their parents to be informed. Upon hearing this, Hilary Benn immediately responded that it is "inexplicable that this is currently not the case." Fletcher went on to explain that "some universities cite GDPR as an issue" and due to the the child being a legal

adult, it is their decision whether their parents be informed. In agreement with Hilary Benn, Fletcher firmly stated that "safeguarding always overrides GDPR, so that is definitely something we need to look at." As the support varies greatly across institutions, introducing a statutory measure of care would seek to rectify this.

As the debate continued, members of the House began to consider the work that "needs to be done to see how we can better prepare all our young people before they go to university." It is currently estimated that there are around 70,000 in higher education who suffer with a mental health condition. MP Paul Blomfield drew a comparison between the existence of teaching excellence frameworks, questioning ‘‘why do we not have a student support excellence framework."

Introducing a framework like this would enable students to consider mental health support available when choosing their university,

similar to how factors of course and accommodation impact a student’s decision.

While the debate did not end in a statutory duty being put in place, all universities have been written to, asking them to "sign up to the mental health charter by 2024" and "if we do not see any improvement in the way that young people in our universities are treated, we can come back to the Minister and ask for the issue to be looked at again." Though no concrete changes were made at this time, it remains crucial to raise these discussions at a time when mental health is often stigmatised.

A spokesperson from the University has stated that “student health and wellbeing is always the University of Exeter’s priority, and we are acutely aware of the current mental health challenges for young people and the difficulties facing external services.” They added that in recent years, they guarantee that students not only have access to the “broad range

of services” but also that anyone needing assistance from their well-being staff, is seen as soon as possible to receive initial, confidential assistance or be referred to more specialist support if required. The University added that more recently, they have “undertaken a detailed review of the many ways in which we support student mental health and well-being, and we have introduced further enhancements across our University community”.

The University explained that they have embraced and backed the most recent Universities UK suicide prevention guidance, and had already implemented a substantial portion of the recommendations before the results of the inquest into Harry’s death. They then indicated that the University will “continue to engage with best practice in student mental health and wellbeing and will work with sector bodies and external partners to ensure our support is continually enhanced.”

Cardens comment on concerns on Renter’s Reform Bill

WHEN reaching out to estate agency

Cardens, who manage a range of residential and student properties, they were pleased to comment on the issue of the Bill and gave the following advice. While the concern of this Bill rises, a business manager for Cardens noted that "there has been much lobbying" with these proposed plans and "it is expected to be around nine months

Hospital must improve, says watchdog

THE Care Quality Commission have found that Devon NHS Trust medical care and services, including at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, are in need of improvement.

The Trust reported 16 ‘never events’ between March 2021 and November 2022.

According to NHS England ‘never events’ are “Serious Incidents that are entirely preventable because guidance or safety recommendations… are available at a national level”.

The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital moved from a ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’ rating for medical care.

Cath Campbell, CQC Deputy Director of Operations in the south, stated: “Although we understand the pressures that healthcare providers have faced, and continue to face, never events are precisely that — they should never occur.

“If they do, it’s important they are thoroughly investigated to ensure they don’t happen again.”

“Once an investigation has taken place learning should be shared with all staff and that wasn’t always happening.”

She added: “Inspectors found staff knew how to safeguard people. They also treated people with kindness and compassion, considering their individual needs and preferences.”

Oliver Lamb News Editor

Speakeasy Society, a new casual debating society, discussed Just Stop Oil and the monarchy at its first event at the Turks Head on the 30th May.

Eddie Whittingham, who made national

before this Bill is finalised and we would encourage student tenants to register their concerns with their local MP." In response to student concerns, it is key to highlight that this Bill will "allow an exemption for PBSA (purpose-built student accommodation) but this has not been extended to include the PRS (private rental sector)." This leads to potential issues for students looking to move to private accommodation

following their first year.

Potential issues for

students looking to move to private accomodations

Due to the two-month notice period this would enable, marketing private houses "is likely to be May/ June the following year" as opposed to the typical first-term housing rush.

In their response, Cardens also outlined how they have exchanged letters

with the Department of Levelling up Communities (those managing the Bill) as they feel the new plans are "unfair and anticompetitive." Turning to the responses of students, 70 per cent claimed they were unaware of the plans to move to rolling contracts and when asked if they would personally be impacted, one student simply stated that "I’m not sure but if I was it would be incredibly stressful". On a more personal note,

Casual debating society launches

headlines for his Just Stop Oil-affiliated protest at the World Snooker Championship in April, kicked off proceedings by speaking in favour of the activist group.

The debate was chaired by Speakeasy’s president, Jack Barwell, who narrowly lost out on the Debate Society

presidency last term. Speakers were able to volunteer, and members of the audience could ask questions. Polls were taken before and after each debate. The votes split 19-12 against the motion “The actions of Just Stop Oil are justified” and 24-13 against the motion “The monarchy

should be abolished.”

Speakeasy Society said their society “was created with the purpose of bringing people across the political spectrum together for ambitious and exciting debates on relevant political and social issues. Speakeasy Society has dedicated weekly events focusing on

another student explained how "financial instability is something I already struggle with" and that if the security "is taken away with unfixed termination of a contract I wouldn’t know when or how much money I can spend." Similar concerns were stressed by other students who felt the University should provide more support for students, whether this is via emails, through communication with landlords or even guides on how to budget.

casual debating featuring lively conversation on topics real students want to hear but don’t have a platform to take part in. We were incredibly proud of our first event with varying opinions in the room, yet it remained upbeat and exciting for our members with a big turn out and great debate.”

Chris Tidman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the trust, stated: “We are of course disappointed by the results in our medical and surgical services, however we feel it is a fair reflection of the challenges the trust and our teams were under at the time of the inspection.

“We are a learning organisation and we welcome feedback from the CQC and their response to our never events, which will help us to continuously improve our services for our patients and communities.”

“We are reassured that the majority of the areas for improvement were already known to us, and work is underway to raise standards and performance.”

However, he said the inspections findings has some “really positive reflections” and that “patients being treated with compassion and kindness, examples of positive teamworking, staff feeling empowered to raise concerns and treating patients according to their individual needs.”

Elen Johnston

Image: Wikimedia Commons, Lewis Clarke

Anabel Costa-Ferreira and Livvy Mason-Myhill Editors-in-Chief

ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT RELATING TO SUICIDE WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING

Rosie Batsford News Editor

AFTER Exeter’s annual Pride parade was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers, the Students’ Guild launched their own Pride week with a series of events, which were supported by societies across campus.

Many students were disappointed by the news that Exeter Pride had been cancelled this year; however, the Guild decided to put together a range of their own events to celebrate LGBTQ+ lives in the University throughout Pride Month.

A spokesperson for the Students’ Guild told Exeposé : “When we heard the news that Exeter Pride had been cancelled this year, we wanted to create

Student’s Guild celebrates Pride week

our own on-campus version so that we can come together and celebrate all our LGBTQ+ students, staff and friends.”

The Guild went on to say: “We worked closely with many societies to provide students with a variety of events and activities, including: Pride march on Streatham campus; drag night & make-up masterclass and pronoun badge making as well as talks and discussions from local charities/ organisations and alumni.”

The University library compiled a playlist of LGBTQ+ resources, films, and TV shows, all accessible via their website. Societies involved included Exeter LGBTQ+ Society, who put together a range of events, including picnics with an after-event at The Monkey Suit, and a trip to Dawlish Warren, and will be attending Exmouth Pride on the 17th June.

The Fashion Society held a punch-needling creative workshop at The Sunset Society, bringing together creatives from across the University and the city. Beyond the University, venues across Exeter have hosted their pride events; IntercomTrust has worked with the Phoenix to put together a Rainbow Fayre, with representatives from local LGBTQ+ organisations and charities, street food, music, performances, and creative workshops. Furthermore, LGBTQ+ expression events have been incorporated into the Exeter Respect Festival — which took place on the 10th and 11th June — with the aim of bringing communities together from across the local area. These events have proven incredibly popular and have marked the importance of LGBTQ+ expression.

‘A step backward from fostering an inclusive, productive economy’

IN condemning the new policy as “xenophobic, discriminatory, and morally reprehensible.”

They also noted the potential mental impact, stating that “the mental health of students is already strained” and that “to remove their support system is cruel and thoughtless,” finally adding that “I hold Exeter University to a high standard and expect a statement condemning the policy.”

With this policy change in mind, the Students' Guild commented that "the changes to Government policy on international students coming to the UK with dependents will greatly impact our ability to welcome a diverse intake of international students. This is negative for students wishing to come here, and

also for students already here who will not be able to benefit from the enriching experience of being part of a diverse community." The Guild added that they are "working to fully understand the implications this policy may have and how we can best support students. We want to reassure currently enrolled students that these policy changes will not impact their right to remain studying at the University, and we welcome students to utilise our Advice team if they have any concerns or queries."

In response to request for comment on this policy change, the University of Exeter deferred to the recent comment given by Universities UK (UUK), an advocacy group comprised

of 140 UK universities and colleges, including Exeter. UUK International Director Jamie Arrowsmith said: “International students make an invaluable contribution to our universities and to the UK’s economy” in stating that a single cohort of international students deliver a total benefit of £41.9 billion. Although Arrowsmith emphasised that “the vast majority of students will be unaffected by proposals”, and that “more information is needed on the programmes […] before a proper assessment of the impact can be made,” there was also a reminder that “any changes are likely to have a disproportionate impact on women and students from certain

countries.” UUK have urged the government to “work with the sector to limit and monitor the impact on particular groups of students — and on universities.”

UUK’s statement concluded by stating that, “our collective aim must be to ensure that international students who choose the UK can be confident that they are welcome here, that their contribution is valued, and that the terms on which they have made decisions remain stable.”

Similar criticism has come from other, non-international students, with one stating that the changes would “discourage international students from studying in the UK and also make them feel less welcome and comfortable to be here.” University of Exeter’s

Multicultural Society were also vocal in their condemnation. Publicity Officer Ratan Kachwalla told Exeposé that their society view this decision as “a step backwards from fostering an inclusive, productive economy, which would ultimately benefit from immigrants’ diverse perspective and valuable skills.” Kachwalla noted that “international students in the UK face significant challenges pertaining to racial discrimination, financial constraints and social mobility,” and that these new laws will “exacerbate these issues, and amplify the current economic and social disparities that ironically the levelling-up government policy aims to mitigate against.”

Public advised not to swim after sewage leak at Devon beach

Livvy Mason-Myhill Editor-in-Chief

FOLLOWING a sewage leak, the general public is being advised not to swim at one of Devon's busiest beaches. Due to a leaking sewage line, the Environment Agency (EA) has advised against swimming at Bigbury-on-Sea, which is rated ‘excellent’. At 6:30 p.m. on the 23rd May, a pollution event began, and on the 24th May, placards were posted along the beach at Bigbury-on-Sea.

While South West Water "fixes the problem" and "tankers away" the sewage, the incident is still occurring. Additionally, the EA

has warned people not to swim in other bathing areas such as Bigbury North, Bigbury South, Bantham, and Challaborough since "they are linked."

A spokeswoman for South West Water stated that the company is "aware of a leak" and that its staff is "working hard" to "stop the flows and carry out a repair".

Following an EA investigation that revealed South West Water had illegally deposited sewage into rivers and the sea in Devon and Cornwall, the company was recently fined £2.15 million.

The inquiry discovered a number of frequent mistakes in the management systems' deployment, and alarms alerting to spills at treatment facilities at two sites

went unattended for several hours.

The volume of sewage that has been dumped into UK rivers and beaches in recent weeks has drawn criticism from the public, as has the water corporations' "pathetic" response to the problem.

Industry group Water UK announced plans to invest £10 billion for the largest sewer modernisation "since the Victorian era," acknowledging that the public was "right to be upset" and that "more should have been done."

Later, it was disclosed that the general public would be required to pay for the improvement of storm overflows by having their monthly bills raised for years.

NationalWorld was told by antisewage activists that the apology was "absolutely pathetic" and that they were "outraged" that water

companies "should take £60 billion in profits then ask for £10 billion from the public purse".

The Guild decided to put together a range of their own events to celebrate LGBTQ+ lives

Images: Anabel Costa-Ferreira

Features

FEATURES EDITORS:

Benedict Arthur Thompson and Henry Parker

UK Government makes student loan reforms

Niamh Cherrett looks at the new plans for student loans in the UK

THE government’s recent student loan reforms have come to spread panic throughout student communities. From recent conversations I’ve had, however, the change seems to have been enveloped in confusion. The tangible impacts have been lost to public opinion, yet despite this, the discontent they have produced is evident.

To understand this radical change it is crucial to identify its key components. First, it will lower the earnings threshold for loan repayments to £25,000 — a decrease from the standing £27,660. There will also be an extension of the repayment period, meaning that one will now have to repay for 40 years instead of 30. And finally, there will be a change in the future earnings threshold from the rate of average earnings growth to match the rate of RPI (retail price

index) inflation. All of this basically means that the graduate will be paying more, for longer, and from an earlier point. This change will take effect from the 2023 academic year, so will impact anyone beginning their degree from September.

The government claims that through this change they will save the taxpayer billions, as well as allowing more students to pay off their student loans. Currently, the notion of paying off all of my loan seems absurd.

Martin Lewis acknowledged that only 17 per cent of graduates currently achieve this, with the remaining 83 per cent stripped of their debt after

30 years. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has reported that under the new system “more than 70 per cent of graduates can expect to repay in full and will receive no taxpayerfinanced write-off of their loans.” This seems positive, and thus begs the question of why it is still being so badly received. The gov ernment claims that it is simply a matter of mediaspread misinformation. But they also fail to see how their reform will actually land with the average person.

It is indisputable that the taxpayer will be saved money. Yet this simply distracts from the disproportionate impact the reform will have on low to middle earners. For the people who can afford to, the new repayment period will allow them to pay off their loan and escape the exponential interest rates.

However, the average earner cannot achieve this.

The Observer stated, “The government’s own figures reveal that lowerpaid earners will see total repayments

increase by up to 174 per cent” from the current system, as those interest rates will be detrimental to the earner that has to wait to pay off their loan.

The government has again disputed this claim. In their response to media contention, they claimed that, “we are still protecting the lowest earners. Anyone earning under £25,000 won’t repay anything”. But do they forget that you can earn more than £25,000 and still be a relatively low earner? Or that the notion of the low earners repaying more than the wealthiest is fundamentally unequal? Given the recent, and ongoing, strike action, it seems ludicrous that the government have issued something which actively damages those discontented. Teachers and nurses are among those already unhappy, and are careers that the government are having to promote in the face of such a bureaucratic system.

Ron DeSantis launches 2024 Presidential campaign

THE presidential candidacy of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been perhaps the most widely discussed among Washington political operatives over the past two years. DeSantis’ penchant for passing conservative and so-called “anti-woke” legislation within the heavily Republican state government

concerning anti-abortion and antiLGBT measures. These cumulatively led to the conventional wisdom that DeSantis offered a form of “respectable” Trumpism which could realise the conservative crusade across the US without the more questionable aspects of former President Trump’s personality. These high aspirations have

examines

been met with a hard slap by reality. The latest polling aggregates have DeSantis only on around 20 per cent of the national Republican primary vote, while Trump has over 50 per cent of the vote. The most significant moment of DeSantis’ nascent political campaign is its disastrous launch on a Twitter Space hosted by Twitter CEO Elon Musk, a questionable venue for a campaign which requires broad support across the country anyway.

Trump has over 50 per cent of the [Reupublican] vote

The constantly crashing audio livestream led to mass confusion and ridicule, including a parody from Trump which included former Vice President Dick Cheney persistently coughing, the Devil and Adolf Hitler. Perhaps even more concerning for DeSantis, his on-air interviews include unfortunate images of DeSantis’ face with his mouth agape, eyes crinkled, and chin high in the air. Much like how the unfortunate “Dean Scream” of 2004 Democratic presidential candidate and former Vermont Governor Howard Dean ended his hopeful candidacy, a perception among the American people that DeSantis is simply too weird and unlikeable could be terminal for his campaign. As well

launch

as Dean, another apt comparison may be the failed 2016 campaign of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, scion of the Bush political dynasty, who was seen as the favourite to win the Republican primary until floundering after scrutiny and ridicule from other candidates, most notably Trump.

The key question for the 2024 Republican primary field is not the viability of DeSantis taking the stage at the Republican convention in Milwaukee, but if it is even possible for that person to be anyone except Donald Trump, if the current polling numbers do not change dramatically over the next year. Although this may seem like a very big caveat, it is worth considering the grip that Trump has over the Republican voter base (even if it is weaker than under his presidency). A poll released in January 2023 revealed that 65 per cent of Republicans believe that loyalty to Trump is important, while only 35 per cent do not. With Trump’s current vice grip on 50 per cent of primary voters, the antiTrump wing of the party must rely on one unifying figure who could make the contest somewhat competitive.

Looking forward from DeSantis, the currently announced alternative candidates in the primary have so far had even less impact. Two candidates from South Carolina may present the greatest threat to President Joe Biden

in the general election: Senator Tim Scott and former Governor Nikki Haley. Both being from an ethnic minority with establishment and relatively moderate views, they would be the furthest away from the appearance of the radical MAGA candidate which Biden and the Democrats present the modern Republican party as being. However, Scott and Haley are currently polling at 2 per cent and 4.5 per cent respectively, with other candidates like former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson are polling similarly poorly.

The currently announced alternative candidates in the primary has so far had even less impact

Repeating the refrain that the first results from the Iowa Caucus are not until early 2024 and eight months is a lifetime in American politics, the stability of Trump’s polling position compared to the collapse of DeSantis’ and everyone else’s continued languishing may mean that the 2024 Republican primary may — atypically for American politics — be the most boring in a generation.

Paying more, for longer, and from an earlier point

Image: Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons

Image: Rawpixel

Charlie Gershinson, Deputy Editor,

DeSantis’ campaign

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wins third consecutive election

Oliver Lamb, News Editor, examines the consequences of the 2023 Turkish Election

IN the end, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was reelected as president of Turkey with 52 per cent of the vote, but for the first time in years, the outcome had been in doubt. Erdoğan in 2014 and 2018 secured an outright majority in the first round, without the need for a runoff between the two most popular candidates. This time, he faced a head-to-head contest with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of a six-party opposition alliance.

ropean Union. Originally a champion of those devout Muslims left behind by Turkey’s secular laws — for example, a ban on women wearing headscarves in public-sector jobs — he spent four months of 1999 in prison for inciting religious hatred, and emerged with a new vision for Turkey.

His party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which he cofounded in 2001, stood for a kind of modern Islamism: a country in which religion and liberalism could coexist.

made his position more secure. But living standards are falling. Erdoğan’s insistence that lowering interest rates will reduce inflation (the orthodoxy is to raise rates to encourage people to save) has resulted in a current annual inflation rate of 44 per cent. Meanwhile, the president’s purges have robbed Turkey’s institutions of expertise — as exposed, critics argue, by the inadequate response to the February earthquake that killed over 50,000.

of Ukraine but has not sanctioned Russia. So long as Erdoğan is in charge, that ambiguity will continue.

For Turkey, for now, the election result means five more years of the AKP’s creaking brand of authoritarian

conservatism. But if things continue as they are it is hard to see how, come the next election, Erdoğan will be able to survive the pressure for reform — by anything resembling legitimate means at least. Something has to give.

“The entire nation of 85 million won,” Erdoğan told his supporters. Kılıçdaroğlu claimed it had been “the most unfair election in recent years” and independent media outlets were fined for anti-government coverage (though there has been no suggestion that the election itself was illegitimate).

T hat such a broad coalition was required just to run Erdoğan close shows how large his personality looms in Turkish politics. By 2014, when he became the country’s first elected president, he had been prime minister for 11 years. In that time he oversaw a period of economic growth and made serious efforts to join the Eu-

But the AKP has been criticised, at home and abroad, for chipping away at secularism and for creeping authoritarianism, including restrictions on free speech. Things escalated when, in 2016, an army coup was put down and the government arrested, fired and blacklisted tens of thousands of people, many of whom had no connection to the insurrection. Taking advantage of a post-coup rally-round-the-flag effect, Erdoğan also held a referendum that changed the country’s parliamentary system to a presidential one.

Competence is an important source of legitimacy for any authoritarian leader. A continuation of his performance as prime minister — and as mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998, when he confounded his secular critics by restoring the city’s infrastructure — would certainly have

Langley

Purges have robbed Turkey’’s institutions of expertise

Kılıçdaroğlu promised a return to a parliamentary system and conventional economic policies. Attempting to court nationalists, he also said he would expel the 3.6 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey. Erdoğan trumpeted family values and emphasised his tough line on Kurdish militants, drawing a contrast with his rival on both counts.

Abroad, Erdoğan has made Turkey more assertive. As a power in its own right — certainly in the Middle East, where so much geopolitics takes place — the country’s relationships with the West and Russia are complex. It condemned the invasion

Ukraine-Russia spring offensive

whether now is the ideal time for the spring offensive to take place in Ukraine

to seriously prepare for a counter-offensive when there may have been opportunity beforehand to capitalise on Russia’s low morale and compliance at its worst. Others would view the waiting to be beneficial, as it means Western powers have had time to come to terms with Zelenskyy’s calls for support, and subsequently work with him. Similarly, there has been a large rise of media coverage relating to the preparations being made, and has allowed morale in the Ukrainian army to increase to the extent it is in a confident state to tackle Russia’s defences.

ing the right calls. There is of course no question to the commitment of Ukrainians — they are devotedly protecting the freedom of their country — but at the same time will be motivated by the feeling there is progress being made. Waiting for a longer time to start has meant any immediate enthusiasm will have been lost, whilst Russia has had the advantage of physically and mentally preparing for what is set to come.

WITH Ukraine launching a counter-offensive against Russia this week, morale amongst Ukrainians and its allies has been strong. Media reporting on the case has created an effective storm of great resources and attention towards this offensive being the one that contributes towards the end of the ongoing conflict. It is worth remembering that in the build-up to this offensive there has been much support from other countries as well. Whilst Ben Wallace, the UK’s Defence Secretary, did not

commit last month to providing fighter jets to Ukraine, he did promise “training and support within limits.” Links with the UK have also strengthened on a personal level between President Zelenskyy and Rishi Sunak, including regular discussions between the pair about support that can be provided to Ukraine.

A key debate to be held around the counter-offensive taking place now is how effective the timing is. A current weakness to Russian forces is their reported low morale and compliance with regime, however initial reporting on this was underway in December last year. Furthermore, talks surrounding a Ukrainian offensive have been ongoing — for such a time that Russia has had ample opportunity to expect an attack. Targeting an army when they are at their worst is always a good strategy, but some will be questioning the wait

Whilst prolonging the start to the war can help build up enthusiasm, it is worth noting that whilst there is very little coverage in our media on the number of deaths and other drawbacks to the Ukrainian army, it is those on the frontline who are fighting that feel the impact of rising death tolls. There of course will always be pushback — it would have been illogical for Zelenskyy to suggest without careful consideration to undertake a counter-offensive.

Ukrainians will be aware of this, but equally will only continue to fight for as long as they feel their president is mak-

When considering the overall impact that a delayed start of a counter-offensive will have to Ukraine, whilst it would have been wise to build up resources and support, having such a delayed start will disadvantage their efforts in other ways. This is mainly through a morale that peaked previously and is now depleting, and Russian military leaders taking the time to improve their frontline performance. Zelenskyy has achieved a well-trained army group, with Western backing, to attack Russia — but it has cost him in other ways

Kılıçdaroğlu - The most unfair election in recent years

Tom

assesses

They are devotedly protecting the freedom of their country

In the build up to this offensive there has been much support from other countries

Image: Flrn at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons

Image: Russian Presidential Executive Office, Wikimedia Commons

International

Australia’s new vape ban

Anabel Costa-Ferreira, Editor-In-Chief, gives her

AS the popularity of vaping appears to increase, so does the knowledge surrounding its dangers and potential long-term health implications. Following announcements made on 1st May, imminent plans seek to “restrict all products used for vaping including devices, eliquids, and pods” with the exception of prescription products. While smoking cigarettes remains more harmful than vapes, the youthful association of vaping has instilled concern among ministers who fear under-18s are given troublingly easy access to vapes.

As discussed in a recent Guardian article, while the customer is not blameless, the laws focused

thoughts on this new policy and its international potential

mainly on the faults of the vendors. Therefore, the current crisis in deterring under-18s needs to become more closely monitored.

mainly on the faults of the vendors

With the aesthetic aspects of vapes, they continue to attract an increasingly younger audience, as their brightly coloured packaging and candy-like flavours make them seem like they were designed more for a tween than an adult. As the transition period begins, Australians will soon see

vapes “require pharmaceutical-like packaging” as to deter their appeal. Similarly, in recent UK news, steps are being considered, as according to recent YouGov survey data — shockingly — 18 per cent of 18-year-olds are vapers. Though statistically the change is needed, both in Australia and the UK concerns grow around the possibility “reforms amount to prohibition” and the indulgence of smoking habits that could emerge because of this. Much like taking a toy away from a child, taking a vape away from a teenager is a challenging task. Will the British government follow in their stead in the near future with a similar ban?

Misinformation in Mozambique

Shagnick Bhattacharya, Online News Editor, discusses the murky truth

VIOLENT protests have allegedly broken out in Mozambique over the circulation of false information regarding cholera outbreaks in the North. Misinformation around the disease — spreading largely through word-of-mouth — has not helped, leading to people resisting help from, and in turn undermining the efforts of, the public health services. There have been social media posts which were falsely claiming that the measures implemented by local health officials, such as adding chlorine to water supplies and the use of purifiers, are in fact spreading the disease.

The situation has not only undermined trust in health authorities, hampering public health responses and ultimately prolonging the outbreak, but also resulted in violent protests and more deaths. In one of the cases of such protests highlighted by the BBC, four people were killed whilst the police

battled a group attacking homes and property belonging to local officials in the Nampula province. In at least one incident involving mob violence, a man was also beaten to death in the town of Gurue in Zambezia province by people who falsely accused him of spreading cholera; a video of which has since been circulating on social messaging apps. Since September last year, Mozambique has been dealing with a cholera outbreak, which worsened earlier this year in February when the country was hit by Cyclone Freddy. Additionally, a combination of flooding in many areas during the rainy season and inadequate access to sources of safe drinking water for the general public, has also made the situation challenging to resolve. As of now, approximately 31,000 people have been diagnosed with cholera out of which there have been 135 deaths according to official records.

Summer on a budget

Megan Ballantyne, Former Editor-in-Chief, talks about how to enjoy post-exams holidays abroad

IT’S coming up to that time when exams are all done, the sun is shining, and we all can breathe a collective sigh of relief and begin to enjoy ourselves a little more — and what better way to celebrate the end of exam season than a spontaneous summer holiday? As someone who planned many trips with detailed itineraries as a way of procrastinating my dissertation, I like to think I know a thing or two about how to book a budget holiday.

My first piece of advice if you want a cheap holiday abroad is to be as flexible as you can be with dates and locations. If I’m super flexible, I like to select a month in Skyscanner, choose my departure airport, and put ‘Everywhere’ as my destination. You can then scroll through all the cheapest flight prices within a set month and get a good feel for where and when is affordable for you. If your base is Exeter, Bristol Airport is likely your best shout for flying abroad. A return train to Bristol with a railcard is just over £20, and only takes an hour. There is an airport bus which goes from the main station, so

...like taking a toy away from a child , taking a vape away from a teenager is a challenging task

Indeed, some Brits believe that it is time politicians recognise the long-term health issues younger populations will face due to the dangers of vaping. However, it is not only health reasons that have begun to worry certain people. Many vapes sold in corner shops and supermarkets are single use, which, of course, have a grave enivornmental effect, whether they end up in landfills, the ocean or discarded on the streets.

Wrestlers fight in #MeToo protest

Rosie Batsford, News Editor, explains the Indian wrestlers’ support

AGROUP including some of India’s top female wrestlers was temporarily detained on the 28th May by police, whilst marching into a parliament building. They were demanding the resignation and subsequent arrest of Indian wrestling chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, following sexual allegations against female athletes.

These protests against the national wrestling federation have been ongoing since February. Two-time World Championship winner Vinesh Phogat, amongst others, have taken to living on the streets of Delhi near government buildings, abandoning training regimes and missing major competitions as part of their protests. Concerns are spreading across the country that this protest action may impact

the odds of bringing medals home at the 2024 Olympics. However, Bajrang Punia, in an interview with the BBC, is confident in her decision to prioritise women’s safety in wrestling:

“The entire country has pinned its hopes on us to get another medal — and we really want to — but here we are, sitting for 30 days with no resolution […] People say we are protesting for personal gains. But not getting to compete is the worst thing that could happen to a player.”

International support for the team has been strong, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) condemning the arrests and also the wrestling federation’s gross abuse of female athletes, which remains a large issue within women in sport who now feel safe enough to speak out against past abuse.

Interrailing craze

Josie Sharp, International Editor, gives tips on how to do interrailing right this summer

this also makes for an easy, affordable commute to the airport. This is definitely something to consider, as trains from Exeter to London, for instance, can easily end up double as expensive as your flights. If you’ve budgeted in advance for a trip, you shouldn’t be stressing about every coffee you buy or pastry you eat — after exam season you probably deserve a break, so enjoy it!

INTERRAILING holidays are fast becoming the student holiday to go on due to the affordability and flexibility of hopping on trains to different countries. In Europe, it is possible to visit up to 33 countries through various train routes all of which offer something different, depending on what type of holiday you and your friends are looking for! However, hundreds of young people interrail every summer so the trains are busy, and the prices of

hotels can be sky high, so here are some tips.

Reserve your Seating on Trains: No one wants to sit in the corridor of a crammed train for five hours whilst crossing borders in the scorching summer heat, so this is very important for comfort. Your interrailing pass does not cover seat reservations so make sure to organise this on their site before rushing on the platform.

Where to Stay: Depending on your budget your group (or yourself if you are solo travelling) will be willing to either splurge or draw the money strings on your accommodation. Hostels are almost always a safe bet, especially in the summertime where it will be full of young people to meet, but always check the reviews before putting down deposits. Interrailing is a great holiday idea for yourself and your friends to make lifelong memories. So, make sure you follow these tips to enjoy it to the fullest!

While the customer is not blameless, the law is focused

Image: Tumisu, Pixabay

Image: Kirsty Robinson,Wikimedia Commons

Image: David McKelvey, Pixabay

Comment

The Schofield secret — a scandal in the workplace?

Livvy Mason-Myhill, Editor-in-Chief, assesses whether Phillip Schofield’s resignation was justified

PHILLIP Schofield has acknowledged having had an affair with a co-worker, who was purportedly eighteen at the time, during his previous marriage. Even though this younger ITV employee was of consenting age, Schofield’s admission of repeated lying to deny the affair casts suspicion on his character as an influential ITV TV presenter. Schofield chose not to mention the identity of the person in question. ITV executives and the staff of the show are allegedly outraged by the news and shocked by Schofield’s behaviour and his dishonesty throughout the process. Since then, Schofield has resigned from his position as co-host of This Morning. Schofield’s hosting responsibilities for the upcoming British Soap Awards have also been cancelled, as a result of his departure from his position at ITV. Subsequently, Schofield has additionally been dropped by his agency YMU and has fallen out

with his co-host, Holly Willoughby.

his admission of repeated lying... casts suspicion on his character as an influential ITV TV presenter

The findings, according to some former ITV daytime stars, prompted concerns about how much the network’s administrators knew. A representative for ITV stated: “Further to our statement last night, ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020, ITV investigated.”

In light of this, members of the public are questioning whether Schofield’s resignation, after 21 years working on This Morning, is deserved. Since his affair was revealed, Schofield has been the subject of dozens of national tabloid news stories. Some members of the public may criticise

the media’s treatment of Schofield, as he himself compared his treatment to how Caroline Flack felt, suggesting: “How much do you want a man to take — and are you truly only happy when he’s dead? This is how Caroline Flack felt and it didn’t stop.” Yet, many will agree that his resignation was a justified action, especially within the context of the rumoured grooming of the ITV showrunner with whom he allegedly had the affair. Online rumours have also circulated that the runner and Schofield had been friends since

the former was 11 years old, when he was a member of a community theatre group that Phillip supported. The fact that neither party has validated this information should be noted, however. This inappropriate relationship has disgusted and shocked many audience members, who are consequently questioning whether there was an abuse of power within the affair and why it was kept a secret. Most of the public will be glad to hear that following this scandal that has tarnished the once clean-cut image of This Morning, the broadcaster

is currently undergoing an outside assessment of how it handled the situation, after facing questions over whether a 2020 inquiry into the affair went far enough. Ultimately, with a public service broadcasting mandate in mind, what has come to light about Schofield raises questions about the accountability of ITV executives. Moreover, many organisations have failed in their duty of care by turning a blind eye to inappropriate relationships involving vulnerable young people.

On an overheating planet, must we sacrifice flying?

Amy Rushton, Online Comment Editor, considers the ethical dilemma posed by summer holidays

WITH summer around the corner, many Britons are preparing for the prospect of holidays abroad to uncover different cultures, explore new environments, and embrace sunnier weather. However, while they tan, their predominant form of transport — flying — wreaks havoc on the environment.

In 2018, commercial flights contributed 2.4 per cent of global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels, an increase of 32 per cent from 2013. Whilst flight numbers took a dip in the pandemic, they have since climbed back to previous levels, with the Department of Transport finding around half of Brits fly each year. Under the constant threat of climate catastrophe, this means flying has become unsustainable and, by extension, so has the traditional holiday abroad.

In recent years many have sacrificed their trip abroad for a more sustainable ‘staycation’, opting to travel in the UK or else

forgo a trip entirely and enjoy time spent at home. Certainly, this has clear benefits for the environment.

Environmental catastrophe inevitably causes disproportionate harm to the poor, with the impact of climate change more keenly felt in developing countries. This makes

holidaying an activity performed by the rich, at the expense of the majority of the world’s population. Instead, domestic travel ensures more environmentally conscious means of transport, such as train or bus, can be used. As flying contributes more to global

warming than any other form of transport, a dramatic reduction in long-haul flights would help cut global emissions. Given the ever-looming threat posed to the planet, such sacrifices are becoming increasingly necessary.

Whilst ‘staycations’ rarely offer the same excitement as trips abroad, staying at home doesn’t have to mean giving up fun. The advantages of domestic travel allow for exploring new parts of the country and boosting local tourism industries. The case for giving up flying is clear; it contributes more to individual carbon footprints than almost anything else.

However, ‘staycations’ are not enough to truly tackle the damage done by flying. The harm caused per person by flying commercial airlines is immense, but pales in comparison to that caused by private jets and frequent flyers. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift contribute more to global emissions through their private jet

usage than the average person on a summer holiday ever could. This is even more pertinent for billionaires and mass corporations. Ordinary people can try to be as ethical as they can but ultimately, sacrificing a summer holiday cannot counteract the damage done by the super-rich.

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift contribute more to global emissions through their private jet usage

Whilst this seems pessimistic, it doesn’t make individual action worthless. Giving up flying is an important step which has a genuine impact, but pushing for climate action requires bigger sacrifices than a staycation. Ultimately, we should focus less on critiquing ordinary people and instead fight for the policies and institutional reform which could drive real change.

Image: Truelies12221, Wikimedia Commons

Image: Pxhere

Hot girl summer: anti-feminist or not?

Comment writers debate the nature of a hot girl summer

Hot girl summer — breaking free from the patriarchy?

OVER the past few years, the term ‘hot girl summer’ (HGS) has grown in momentum after it was coined by pop singer Megan Thee Stallion and, as expected, Instagram has taken the lead in promoting this new lifestyle. Whilst the social pressures of HGS have been rightly criticised, I believe the idea as a mindset, rather than an image, empowers women to break free from society’s restrictive and prescriptive expectations.

The HGS movement offers an empowerment of freedom that allows women to unapologetically be themselves and explore their sexuality without the judgement and shaming that has become so normalised in our society. The patriarchy thrives off confining women to stereotypes and outdated ideals on how they should behave, dress, or what their freedoms should be. The movement unlocks the potential for these restrictions to be subverted in a welcoming, inclusive, and fun community where individualism and the freedom to be oneself is celebrated. Some comment that the promoted aesthetic of HGS is only applicable if you are single and that it is a “girls only club.” However, this concept is luckily evolving to become inclusive of anyone hoping to become more confident and in-tune with themselves. The idea need not be limited to hook-up culture as it also promotes having unashamed fun with

friends and feeling your best!

Hot girl summer — a subversion to the patriarchy?

Regardless of what social media may portray in terms of appearance, HGS is not about conforming to a particular aesthetic; in fact, in its roots it is the complete opposite. It aims to create a space where women lift each other up and celebrate each other for who they are in all their unique and beautiful glory! HGS only becomes an anti-feminist concept when it is limited and defined by the very patriarchal requirements it aims to transgress.

Jasmine Aldridge

ARGUABLY, the coining of the term “Hot Girl Summer” is where the problem lies with the concept. The idea that women have to become “hot” in order to enjoy the summer season to the fullest is reductive and appears to cater to the male gaze too much.

Much like the female sports societies at Exeter opting to “dress for the boys” at socials, it warrants the wrong kind of attention. There is nothing wrong with acting or dressing a certain way to nab the man, but putting so much pressure on girls to conform to an idea of a transformation period is insanity.

Before TikTok properly caught on to the idea, it suggested changing one’s appearance (typically losing weight or appearing “prettier”) as well as adopting unhealthy habits so as to look better, all to feel attractive in a bikini around the pool. This version of Hot Girl Summer is dangerous for young girls, who are still physically and emotionally developing and are easily swayed by public opinion.

Exeter Pride cancelled

However, as of recently, new variations of this trend, such as Happy Girl Summer, are a much more sustainable way to enjoy the season. It involves maintaining selfconfidence, a carefree attitude, and following intuition, whether that be with sexual experiences or even eating habits. This is the trend I can happily get behind, as opposed to the pressures placed on girls to become slimmer and aim to seduce every man in sight (both of which are wonderful but the pedestal these are placed upon needs to go).

Women are inherently hot. There is no need to change the way you look or force yourself into summer flings if that’s just not your vibe. The changes to the definition of Hot Girl Summer are promising, I just hope that they convince young girls that you can be happy without being a size six with a boyfriend.

Gracie Moore, Online Arts and Lit Editor

Harry Craig, Deputy Editor, discusses its impact on the queer community in Exeter and the south-west

IN late March, Exeter’s LGBTQ+ community received the disappointing news that, in spite of its much-celebrated return following a three-year COVID-induced hiatus last year, Exeter Pride would be cancelled in 2023. The organisers justified the decision in light of a lack of volunteer stewards and insufficient funds.

Although this reasoning was justified in practical terms by the cost-ofliving crisis, the decision remains devastating for Pride not just in Exeter, but across the south-west. Whilst major cosmopolitan cities like London, Liverpool, and Manchester have had thriving Pride events for decades that have

supported acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in these cities, there remains far too much room in provincial towns and cities, like Exeter, for homophobia to thrive. Pride is not just a one-day rainbow-themed party — it sends a poignant message of inclusivity and freedom, irrespective of sexuality and gender. There have been some belated attempts to replace the cancelled Exeter Pride with alternative celebrations, in-

cluding the Rainbow Fayre at Exeter Phoenix last month and a series of events on campus to mark Pride Month last week. Although these were a huge success, they simply cannot achieve the same reach as Pride, with the latter confined to university students.

Every June, people inevitably question the purpose of Pride. The general perception is that, with the advent of gay marriage in 2013 and the general liberation of societal attitudes, LGBTQ+ people enjoy greater equality than ever, and Pride is relegated to nothing more than a party. Unfortunately, that could not be further from the truth. Anti-LGBTQ+ hate

crimes are rising at a record rate in the UK, and in March The Guardian reported that the Metropolitan Police was found to be institutionally homophobic. Trans people have become the main target in right-wing culture wars, cheered on by the media, and consequently, transphobic hate crimes increased 240 per cent from 2016 to 2022, most notably with the horrific killing of Brianna Ghey in February.

These are the reasons why Pride is still needed for LGBTQ+ communities across the world, including in Exeter, and why the cancellation of Exeter Pride last month was so devastating. Pride places ideals of freedom, acceptance, and inclusivity at the heart of the community,

which is more important than ever in places like Exeter amidst rising homophobia and transphobia. Although we may have to wait longer than expected, the return of Exeter Pride in 2024 will be eagerly anticipated — and necessary.

The movement unlocks the potential for these restrictions

This version of Hot Girl Summer is dangerous

Image: HOTSPOTATL, Wikimedia Commons

Inclusivity and freedom, irrespective of sexuality and gender

Satire

Graduating to TP I

N the latest twist of the graduation debacle this year, the University has announced that ceremonies will now be held on the main dance floor of TP in between DJ sets. Moreover, grades will now be awarded based on dance moves, balcony appearances and the number of times you say “£5 is ridiculous but just can’t hack it downstairs.” ‘Bonus firsts’ will be given to the first ten people to get a selfie with every bouncer and hit the griddy with Lisa Roberts in upstairs Old Timers.

In a move blindsiding the Chapel Choir, ceremonies will instead be hosted by Mckkoi who, despite losing his voice after EGB, has promised that each certificate presented will be accompanied by a beat drop and his signature “oggy oggy oggy oy oy oy” chant. Alongside Mckkoi, the ceremonies will also include music from the Piano Man with son Toby accompanying him on the drums. Commenting on the move, the Piano Man underlined his discomfort about having to relocate from his natural reside of upstairs Old Timers stating, “I just hope there’s a plug socket up there.”

The announcement has received a mixed response from parents with some strongly in favour of the prospect of being allowed to club with their children. However, others are vehemently opposed with some even establishing the group: ‘Parents’ Irritation Surrounding Suspension of Exeter Day’ or PISSED for short. Karen Karenson, the leader of the group, suggested that “students should be less concerned with attending ‘Time Piece’ and be more focused on taking the time to have some peace.”

Joshua Hughes, Former Editor-in-Chief

Life’s a beach

PUBLIC health officials are growing increasingly concerned about the potential emergence of a new pandemic caused by the convergence of Exeter students’ pilgrimage to Exmouth Beach, and the pollution of Devon’s seas and waterways.

Although Exeter students are more familiar with TP referring to ‘Timepiece’, the university has warned of a different type of TP — toilet paper — making up the holy trinity of toilet paper, tampons and turds polluting Britain’s otherwise pristine coastlines. These are threatening to ruin not just post-exam beach trips, but perhaps the entirety of term 3, as pollution could create a new super-virus that could see Exeter returning to lockdown.

In response to accusations that they were responsible for the potentially pandemic-inducing contamination of Devon’s seas, South West Water said there simply “wasn’t enough spare money” from their £127.7 million of annual profits to invest in adequate waste management, with a spokesperson stating: “our shareholders are simply more important than public health.”

The potential new virus emerging in Exmouth has already been coined “Poovid-19”, although public health officials, including Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, were keen to downplay the severity of the threat. Whitty stated that although we must “stay alert” when swimming, it was not yet time to “stay home” from the beach, whilst disgraced ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson was seen confidently shaking hands with swimmers at Exmouth Beach last week.

Harry Craig, Deputy Editor

Charlie Gershinson

Napoleon’s summer holiday

Shagnick Bhattacharya and Megan Ballantyne Online News Editor and Former Editor-in-Chief

WITH another academic year coming to a close, we all have to say goodbye to our favourite orange cat for a few months — or forever for those of us graduating. He’s been Forum Hill’s resident celebrity for what feels like years. But without adoring students offering him ceaseless attention, many have wondered what Napoleon gets up to in the long summer months. Exeposé tried to reach out to Napoleon for interview, but unfortunately his reps stated that he was no longer speaking to press following his intense recent Guild Election campaign.

Napoleon has, however, appeared to miss the attention he always receives from students during term time, and has reportedly sought out students to fuel his ceaseless need for adoration.

In a recent incident which eyewitnesses described as “so bizarre” students in Old Lafrowda were hosting their final flat party of the year when they heard a loud knock at the door, and opened it to find Napoleon strawpedoing a bottle of wine. They welcomed him in

and described him as “the life of the party” and that they found his karaoke rendition of ‘Moonlight’ from Cats especially impressive.

When campus security finally found Napoleon, they were shocked at the ‘catnip’ students pointed out in the Lafrowda bathroom. Security expressed concern that, following drug testing, this was not catnip but weed and appeared to have been in the bathroom long prior to Napoleon’s visit to the flat. The residents stated that they “would have to agree to disagree.”

Following this incident, Napoleon appears to be enjoying taking personal space away from student attention, which he has previously described as ‘stifling.’ He has even enrolled in a solitary summer wellness retreat to recover from the demands of his celebrity status — he has been meditating and taking yoga classes in the sun to reconnect with his spirituality, and his reps say he is now “living his best life.”

Succession: an Exeposé handover story

Charlie Gershinson Deputy Editor

AS Succession comes to its end and the start of each week gets a little bleaker, this writer’s lonely eyes turn from the child’s play of the melodramatic handover plans of Waystar Royco — the fictional media conglomerate — to the much more serious and pressing issue of handover week at the University of Exeter’s more successful equivalent, Exeposé The most significant of these challenges comes from how to follow up on the highly esteemed example of our own Logans Roy: Megan Ballantyne and Joshua Hughes.

Compared to their studious predecessors the incoming editorial team have taken a more creative approach to their new jobs. Instead of pulling all-nighters over the weekend to get the next issue fully proofed, the incoming editors and deputies, while also committed to their editorial craft, have a more hedonistic lifestyle consisting of playing constant netball games, vandalising Devon’s silky beaches and giving negronifuelled speeches at formal events. The stressful reality of their editorial roles nonetheless still hasn’t been lost on our new editors as they embark on a caffeineaddled haze to finish the issue you are reading right now. Our departing editors are also struggling to come to terms with leav-

ing the Exeposé office in DH2 for the final time and entering the real world, calling numerous section editors their “number one boy” or the “eldest boy”, regardless of their gender, and more harshly referring to others as “eggs.”

Only time will tell how the new editorial team fare in managing the vast Exeposé newspaper empire. From this aspiring deputy, all there is left to say is: “I had an interest in politics from a very young age.”

When asked for comment on how handover week is proceeding, newly installed Editors-in-Chief Livvy Mason-Myhill and Anabel Costa-Ferreira said: “You’re supposed to be a deputy editor. Can you please stop pretending Succession is real life and do your job.”

Thought-provoking stuff there.

SATIRE EDITOR:

[Departing editors] more harshly referr[ed] to others as “eggs”

[They] welcomed him in and described him as “the life of the party”

Image: Geoff Peters, Wikimedia Commons

Image: Anabel Costa-Ferreira

Social summer activities lifestyle

Livvy Mason-Myhill, Editor-in-Chief, discusses the best social activities for both aesthetic and fun

WE have an excellent opportunity to spend time with friends and enjoy the sun now that summer is right around the corner. Since most University students have finished their exams and have more time to enjoy the nice weather, summer pushes us to participate in more social events.

A social activity that is both enjoyable and rather aesthetic would have to be going pottery painting with friends. From painting mugs or plants to miscellaneous sculptures of random animals or characters, pottery painting gives you the chance to test out your artistic abilities. Going pottery painting is not only a great way to catch up with friends whilst you paint, it also is a therapeutic activity, allowing you to relax and improve your well-being. Being able to paint anything you want at a pottery painting place may be daunting for friends who are extremely indecisive, especially when thinking of ideas on what to paint, but it allows you to use

your creativity and imagination on something you can put your own spin on. One of my favourite parts about going pottery painting is that you can make whatever you choose to paint as aesthetic as you like, even copy ing something that you might have seen on Pinterest. Plus, one of the main benefits of going with friends is that it is great for a good photo opportunity.

Another of my personal favour ite summer activities is of course to take a trip to the beach. Whether you prefer Exmouth, Dawlish, or any of the other beaches in Devon, going to the beach is a fun

Sunshine style

Lucy Rawlings, Lifestyle Editor, shares her insight into the upcoming fashion trends for this summer

SUMMER is the season when fashion awakens into an entirely new genre of bright colours, fresh aesthetics and Pinterest-worthy outfit creations. So, what is in store for our wardrobes for 2023? The comeback of the 90s maxi skirt is set to be a significant trend, and its rise to popularity was inspired through Sofia Richie’s flawless new look which reflects a classic yet sophisticated style, as her focus on neutral tones embodies the elegance which comes with 90s minimalism.

Yet, with a growing generational fear that skinny jeans may be returning to the forefront of fashion this year, the summer of 2023 appears safe for now, with white cargo bottoms remaining at the pinnacle of the trouser hierarchy through their versatility and guarantee to complement any top of choice. As you can see, there is a large stylistic focus on drawing out simplistic and neutral colours to create the trending summer outfit. But, what about the comeback of the crocs? One could certainly argue that crocs are an ideal summer-travelling shoe for both practicality and comfort, but how does this marry with the sophistication of 90s minimalism? Should we as a generation return back to our former security in white trainers?

Ultimately, trends are all about dying out and reviving into something completely dif -

ferent, and sometimes, trends can be completely out the blue. Whether it is following the growth of 90s minimalism through being inspired by Sofia Richie, wanting to stick to a relaxed fit through Adam Sandler’s surprising trend-set of the oversized t-shirt and basketball shorts, or desiring to reflect the vibrancy of colours which summer brings, this season is preparing for a diverse range of styles which offer both elegance and comfort.

place to socialise with people whilst also being able to bask in the sun for several hours.

You can choose to either sit and sunbathe enjoying the company of friends or you can be a bit more adventurous by going for a dip in the sea, which I personally wouldn’t recommend given how cold the water usually is. If you plan to play volleyball, ultimate frisbee, or even make up your own games, packing a tennis ball, beach ball, or frisbee can help make a trip to the beach more enjoyable. These games can help people show their more competitive

sides or simply help you make memories that you can laugh about in the future.

The final social activity that I recommend is the classic uni student activity of having drinks. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have alcohol but either going to the pub or even having cocktails in the garden is a chill way of being able to chat to friends. You can get more creative with what drinks you make if you decide on doing a cocktail night by making your favourite cocktails or mocktails. Additionally, getting together with friends over some drinks is a social activity that stands the test of time in the UK, usually being a pretty budget-friendly activity, especially at places that offer student discounts. The great part about it is that you can make it as formal or casual an activity as you like.

Summer smoothie recipe

Eloise Grainger offers a smoothie recipe to help stay refreshed this season

FORGET the typical tropical smoothie.

Ditch the complex, hard to find ingredients and go back to basics with your smoothie making. The classic summer berry smoothie is simple, yet flavourful, which is guaranteed to provide you with the satisfying taste, texture and cooldown that you desperately need on these hot summer days that we are having in Exeter.

Popular fruits that are needed for this smoothie are often ransacked on the store shelves, particularly strawberries, as everyone is desperate to nibble on sweet fruits on the beaches nearby. However, this smoothie is made with frozen fruits, meaning you can stock up on these summery essentials in your freezer without battling it out with the rest of the city-goers in the supermarket for fresh ones. It also adds to the cooling factor of the drink as its ice-cold ingredients are ideal for an ice-cold refresher!

What makes this classic smoothie so perfect is the deep purple and pink tones it creates; the truly eye-popping colours make it the quintessential summer beverage. The texture is thick and luscious. Almond butter takes all the credit for this, thickening out the liquid

and giving it a nutty element. What’s more, is all these ingredients are plant-based! Rather than tanginess from a citrus or pineappleflavoured drink, this berry smoothie is sweet and delicate. All you need is 1 ripe banana , 70 grams of raspberries, 70 grams of strawberries, 70 grams of blueberries, 3 tablespoons coconut milk, and 1 teaspoon almond butter.

After peeling the banana, place it in a blender along with all the berries, coconut milk, and almond butter. Blend until the consistency is smooth and creamy. Take a big glass (or cleaned out jam jar, depending on your aesthetic appeal), and fill it up to the top with the thick berry smoothie. For that extra summery flare, why not slurp from a colourful straw?

GOING POTTERY PAINTING IS NOT ONLY A GREAT WAY TO CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS, IT IS ALSO A THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY

Image: Christian Kortum, Flickr

Image: Silvia Rita, PixaBay

Image: Raw Pixel

All set for a summer holiday?

Harry Craig, Deputy Editor, explores how to stay organised for the approaching holiday season

HOW can one expect to truly enjoy a summer holiday without meticulously planning it for months beforehand? If you’re like me, a precise itinerary will have been prepared and distributed to all holiday-goers weeks in advance — when you only get a handful of weeks of holidaying a year, you have to make the most of it!

However, before you even think of what you are going to get up to whilst on holiday, you have to pack. Like many people, packing for a summer holiday is the bane of my life (and even at 20, I’m still perfectly happy to let my mum do it all). This is where one of my most important pieces of travel advice comes in handy: unless you’re travelling for over a week, just take hand luggage! Overpacking is very easy when you have a 20kg luggage allowance, but will result in you inevitably coming home with half of your clothes unworn. Hand luggage will always suffice for a European getaway — particularly in summer, when all you will need are swimming shorts or bikinis anyway!

This, however, raises another important question: do you still need to fly? I’m sure I’m not alone in believing that airports are the worst places in the world — getting scanned at security, waiting at passport control, and, worst of all, your ears popping when you do eventually take off — and in

these environmentally-conscious times, flying is one of the worst contributors to the climate crisis. Although long-haul flights are still a necessity, travelling to Europe by train has never been easier, particularly with so many new sleeper services popping up around the continent. You can reach Paris in just over two hours from London by train, and from there almost the whole of Europe is accessible in a climate-friendly and relaxing way.

Once you arrive at your destination, you want to make the most of your time, particularly if, like me, you get sick of sun-bathing after a day. I like to plan my itinerary with a site called Wanderlog, which allows me to record the attractions I want to visit, restaurants to eat at, and costs. There is, of course, always room for flexibility and spontaneity, but having a rough idea planned out is always a lifesaver to stave off boredom.

Whether you’re heading off on a city break, a relaxing beach holiday, the interrailing trip of a lifetime or a long-haul adventure, hopefully these words of travel wisdom can ensure the smoothest holiday possible! Bon voyage.

Howto host: the student way

Georgia Balmer discusses the student-friendly ways to host a summer celebration

AFTER what has felt like years of late night library sessions in harsh fluorescent lighting, the freedom of summer is finally here and with it, BBQ season. The smell of burning burgers can be found pumping out of concrete gardens across the city, leaving much to be desired about our fellow students' ability to throw a good barbie. Hoping to avoid complaints of dry burgers and an un-Instagrammable ‘tablescape’ at your next gath ering, all whilst keeping to a student budget? Read on for some simple tips for hosting success this summer.

Clean-Up Mode: The stolen road sign and traffic cones might have seemed like an ingenious decor addition when you ‘borrowed’ them after one too many Venoms in the depths of winter, but no student garden has ever looked better because it resembles a building site. Other than the hardy smokers, few of us ever venture out to our student gardens before May and that lack of love is clearly reflected in seas of weeds. Spending ten minutes cleaning up and hiding the aforementioned urban ‘decor’ will make all the difference in creating a worthy BBQ space.

Channel Ottolenghi: Whilst few of us have the budg et or spice collection to cook Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipes, bulking up your BBQ with beautiful salads and vegetarian dishes is a budget-friendly way of making your spread look far more impressive than it actually is. Take a leaf out of Ottolenghi’s book and make vegetables the star of the show; it might be the most nutritious meal some of your guests have had in months. Think grilled auber -

gines, mounds of Greek salad, and elevated griddled corn on the cob slathered in chilli butter. Even dry burgers and cheap baps from Morrisons will look Instagrammable paired with pretty salads littered with jewels of pomegranate seeds and smatterings of crumbled feta. Setting the Scene: Now that you’ve lost your main garden decor of rusty stolen road signs, replacements are needed. Brighten up the festivities with strings of fairy lights, some cheap and cheerful flowers (even Waitrose do a bunch of tulips for only £3), and take inspiration from the Old Firehouse by repurposing your old wine bottles into candlesticks.

Aim to Impress: Unfortunately, few student budgets stretch to slow cooked lamb on the grill, but that doesn’t mean that your BBQ can’t be any less of an impressive feast. Wow your barbie guests and keep them from complaining of hunger as the BBQ inevitably takes longer to heat than expected, with homemade flatbread, equal parts self-raising flour to yogurt with a teaspoon of baking powder, and tzatziki. Elevate grilled halloumi with drizzles of chilli oil and end the evening with a budget-friendly and always-impressive pudding, like a summer fruits pavlova. Most students have spent the last few months living off caffeine, dwindling motivation and cheesy chips; using the above tips, you’ll receive more praise than you really deserve and throw a BBQ to remember.

Image: Vlada Karpovich, Pexels

Image: Wikimedia Commons

arts + lit

LGBTQ+ Pride in the arts

With Pride Month now in full swing, Rosie Batsford, News Editor, discusses LGBTQ+ representation in arts and lit

LGBTQ+ individuals and relationships have a longstanding place within arts and literature but, up until recent decades, these voices have been heavily censored and regarded with suspicion. The Well of Loneliness (1928) by Radclyffe Hall was initially incredibly controversial due to its depiction of a lesbian relationship. Due to concerns that it may influence women to become lesbians, it was banned in England under the Obscene Publications Act of 1857 and remained banned until 1959. However, in 2023, literature depicting LGBTQ+ lives is (generally) less taboo.

Many contemporary authors are building representations of LGBTQ+ lives into their works. Felix Ever After (2020) by Kacen Callender is a young adult novel narrated from the perspective of a black trans teenager as he

seeks to understand his identity on a path of self-discovery and relationships. What Belongs to You (2016) by Garth Greenwell features a gay relationship and explores how your past and not being accepted for who you are influences the way you love. Call Me by Your Name (2007) by André Aciman follows Elio, a young man who engages in a gay relationship with his father’s assistant. Although their relationship is temporary, it helps Elio uncover and understand his sexual identity. The novel was adapted into a film in 2017 and has become one of the most popular titles on Netflix.

HE SEEKS TO UNDERSTAND HIS IDENTITY ON A PATH OF SELF-DISOVERY AND RELATIONSHIPS

The same deconstructing of censorship has taken place in art. Based in London, the Vagina Museum dedicates itself to “vulvas, vaginas, and gynae anatomy”, offering exhibitions of artworks and sculptures. Many of these works capture LGBTQ+ encounters, including “Siesta” (1928-1932) by Otto Schoff, “La Femme Damnée” (1859) by Nicolas Francois Octave Tassaert, and “Les Deux Amies” (1739-1821) by Jean-Jacques Lagrenée. Similar artworks are found in other museums, too, such as the engraving of “Three Women Bathing” (1548) by Sebald Beham, currently held in the National Gallery of Art.

My final recommendation is the artist Dora Carrington. Born in 1893, Carrington was often known for her ‘boyish’ looks and was known to push against typical feminine archetypes. She was primarily a painter but

Female rage

also created decorative pottery, book designs, and quilts, among other mediums. Her career began at the Slade School of Art in 1910, through which she met the founder of The Bloomsbury Group, the openly gay Lytton Strachey, with whom Carrington formed an intimate relationship. Carrington has previously been in a relationship with Henrietta Bingham, the muse for many of her artworks.

Arts and Lit writers recommend books that fuel their rage against the patriarchy

READING about a powerful woman letting out her feminine rage can help release some of my own, without having to do any of the screaming myself. As an avid fantasy reader, I am drawn to female rage projected through magic, and this is found in its extremity in R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy War

The protagonist, Rin, is the embodiment of female rage. The story begins with her family trying to pawn her off to a man, and that is where Rin’s fury begins to brew. She will do anything to escape this fate: joining a military academy to become a soldier instead of a wife. However, Rin cannot escape prejudice. Amongst prestigious nobles, she must ward off attacks on her gender, class and her darker skin, until she finds a way to hone her anger into a weapon.

Rin can access the power of the phoenix. Yes, her fire within becomes actual fire that she can use to slay her enemies. Her rage is her greatest weapon, and it is intriguing to read how she changes with such power. This story explores how formidable our emotions really are. Although you will be rooting for her from the start, throughout the course of the book trilogy, you may start questioning whether there is a point when one’s rage can be taken too far. This is even when her rage is fully justified, and perhaps essential for a woman to survive in her world.

Rin must strive for justice, consumed by her rage, leaving only ashes in her wake.

Emma Kennedy

SYLVIA Plath’s The Bell Jar is a prime example of feminine rage that is ignored and suppressed to the point where it is put in a bell jar and labelled as something entirely different: teenage confusion and depression. It’s easy to see why this happens.

Plath wrote The Bell Jar in the 1960s, at a time where women’s mental health was always glossed over or simply someone else’s problem. Throughout the story, the deeper subtext shows us that rather than just being stuck in a rut with her academic and personal life, Esther struggles a lot with finding her place in the world because she is constantly reminded that what she brings to the world is replaceable and therefore finds it difficult to find her place. The novel can feel familiar as students with high academic ability who can sometimes feel like their efforts will never be enough.

The rage isn’t particularly evident throughout but underneath the surface, it

Romance author spotlight

becomes apparent that Esther craves a change in her life and takes drastic measures to demonstrate this to people, the signs of which are often ignored or treated like a trivial issue. With this, her rage is transferred to readers too who may be able to understand what it’s like being a woman lost in the system of mental health support. Esther also discloses to her doctor that she envies the freedom men have, making it even more relatable for female readers as it can feel like our feelings are silenced in preference of men’s opinions.

SHE ENVIES THE FREEDOM MEN HAVE

So, as much as this novel is subtle with it, the feminine rage is a motif that is still very much apparent in literature and life nowadays. Gracie Moore, Online Arts and Lit Editor

Charlotte Randall, Social Media Executive, talks about Sally Rooney’s cult classic Normal People

DESPITE having acquired a copy of Normal People by Sally Rooney at the start of the academic year, my scepticism of overly popular books, since reading Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo earlier this year and finding my feet on my course, had kept me from reading it. However, when I finished my last exam and was looking for my first summer read I knew it had to be Normal People ; I was eager to understand if Rooney’s books, which have been endorsed by celebrities and have been the centre of articles naming Rooney

“the first great millennial novelist”, were truly worth the media attention and general rave they generated.

With every page I turned, I grew increasingly captivated by Rooney’s writing and entangled narratives. Unlike other romance authors I have encountered, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Rooney goes above and beyond the

predictability of cliché romance by navigating complex, unlikely, and realistic love entanglements.

The intricate balancing act of incorporating highly intellectual characters, who undertake truly stimulating parallel conversation topics, with fearlessly exploring the inevitable heartache and heartbreak associated with deep love is what sets Rooney apart — she does it all and does it well.

Rooney proudly differs from other

romance authors and this is what I love about her. Her choice of collegiate settings is the icing on the cake as it brings the narrative into a familiar context which makes for a truly relatable, and thereby moving, read.

If you have yet to read one of her books, don’t waste as much time as I did — get your hands on a copy, settle down in the sun, and prepare yourself for one of the rawest and most heart-wrenching love stories you’ll ever read. I cannot wait to get my hands on more of her books!

Image: Pxfuel

Image: from Vishnukalathil, Wikimedia Commons

JUKEBOX musicals are the marmite of the theatre world. You either love them, or hate them. As a hardcore musicals fan, I love a jukebox musical, as long as it’s done well.

I’ve seen countless jukebox musicals, and even performed in a few, but there is a common problem with these types of musicals; because the songs are usually adapted from songs from a specific band, the book that fits around the songs can be hit or miss.

THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TYPES OF MUSICALS

Take Our House for example, which uses

The joys of jukebox musicals

the music of British pop band Madness. To impress his girlfriend, Joe breaks into a building site after attending a party. When the police arrive, Joe convinces Sarah to run away and is left with the decision of whether to run away or give himself up. The story splits into two paths revealed by the ghost of Joe’s dead criminal dad: the right path where Joe gives himself up, and the wrong path where he runs away.

For me, the songs don’t lend themselves to musical theatre well; it feels clunky and wrong when

the Madness discography is accompanied by choreography, and the story is weak and confusing with the story splitting into the two possible outcomes of Joe’s life.

Our House was one of the many jukebox musicals produced after the phenomenal success of Mamma Mia . In the successful film, which is accompanied by the West End production that has been running for over 24 years, it uses the music of Swedish pop band ABBA to tell a story of love in the sun-drenched Greek islands. I love Mamma Mia , and so does every person I know: the characters are wellrounded, the songs fit seamlessly to the story; what sounds better than a massive party on stage or screen to forget

Art, summer and returning

the usually gloomy English weather?

I saw the theatre production in the summer, and as well as being feel-good and upbeat, it was technically impressive too: the dancing in the group numbers was incredible, and the set really emulated Greece and the summer. I also saw Bat Out of Hell in the summer, with songs from the Bat Out of Hell album by Meat Loaf and this was another jukebox musical that managed to fit already formulated songs around a well-written book. My advice — don’t disregard a jukebox musical. It will either be the best thing you’ve ever seen, or the worst, and either way you will have to stay for the bows.

home

Emily Sara Rizzo talks about the portrayal of summer in art

AS the summer holidays approach and the memory-making begins, you may wonder how best to capture the essence of the salt spray and sunset moments that you’ve been waiting for all year. Maybe you’ll find that an Instagram photo dump, a polaroid picture or even a film camera can’t quite cut it anymore.

CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF THE SALT SPRAY AND SUNSET MOMENTS

Let me turn your mind to paintings; though not the most conventional choice, perhaps they’re able to subtly portray the joys of

summer in a way photography never can, and nobody, in my opinion, captures the English seaside in quite as accurate and whimsical a way as Samuel Thomas. I have to admit to some level of bias on this, seeing as the Norfolkborn artist finds his inspiration in the very same coastline that has been the staple of my summer holidays ever since I can remember.

ART IS ABLE TO SUBTLY POTRAY THE JOYS OF SUMMER

With a bold selection of vibrant colours and stark, sharp lines, the effect of Thomas’ artwork speaks to the bursting brightness and

happiness of a beach break on the East Anglian coast. From silhouettes of the Cromer pier at dusk, to the rippling light of the oncoming waves, his recognisable style of acrylic on large canvas has been termed “The Art of Optimism.” As he often states, painting these stylised renditions of the world is all about “finding pleasure in escape,” a sentiment which seems fitting in describing both his art and the summer holiday feeling it encapsulates.

So, if you’re looking for a souvenir of the summer months that isn’t the sand you always find at the bottom of your bag, Samuel Thomas’ art makes the English coast a fantastical horizon of colour where the sun is always shining and the surf is gently lapping against the sand.

Upcoming summer book releases

FEEL GOOD AND UPBEAT, IT WAS TECHNICALLY IMPRESSIVE TOO

Emily Roughton, Online Lifestyle Editor, reccomends anticipated summer reads

OOKS from all genres can be found in the long list of highly anticipated 2023 summer releases; however, two novels in particular have really caught my eye. Historical fiction novel Lady Tan’s Circle

of Women by Lisa See, which is available to pre-order, presents a fascinating reimagining of a female physician’s true-life story of breaking tradition under the Ming dynasty.

At the other end of the literary spectrum is

best-selling author JP Delaney’s latest thriller, The New Wife. Having read all his other psychological mysteries, including the award-winning The Girl Before, I am sure that this upcoming book will be just as tense and spine-chilling.

Ella Minty reviews the good, the bad and the ugly of jukebox musicals

Image: Linnaea Mallette, Publicdomainpictures

Image: Meetmeatthemuny

Image: Wallpaper Flare

Image: Adam Fagen, Flickr

MUSIC

What happened to good music taste?

Sarah Gould considers whether 'good taste' actually exists or is just a phrase used by those with superiority issues

THE age old question: does anyone really have a ‘bad’ taste in music? As individuals, we compare and contrast our music tastes to others, whether that be friends, family or even a particular bar’s radio choice. But how do we even acquire our tastes in music in the first place? Some of us are adventurous, seeking new artists to listen to through platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music. Others are influenced by friends, sharing and copying playlists when introduced to a song that fits our personal styles. There is also a generational influence, being brought up by 80s classics blasted in the car by our parents. This is also why old legends such as The Beatles and ABBA still thrive today, as their impact has been shared through generations and young people can still appreciate their music. After all, it would be a rarity to find someone of any generation who did not know ‘Hey Jude’.

But what about older generations' reactions to the popular genres of today? Not many grandparents are familiar with the works of rappers such as Kanye West or Kendrick Lamar. Even if they were, it is usually to complain about the heavy beats and fast, swear-filled lyrics. Older generations

tend to believe that there is ‘bad’ taste in music nowadays. This is usually directed at rap and hip-hop artists, with the argument that ‘anyone can make music now’. Even though this may be true, it has also allowed for a greater variety in genres and artists to listen to. Therefore, music taste has not necessarily become ‘bad’, but has rather grown and evolved to accommodate new kinds of music. And, as stated before, the music from older generations has not been lost. Music from the 60s, 70s and 80s are still popular, but this doesn’t mean that younger people ignore the talents from their own generation.

stigma surrounding them. Country music, for example, is a genre deemed ‘cringy’ and many people tend to turn their nose up at it. On the other hand, many people who like country music most of the time can be seen to make it their entire personality. Despite these distastes however, our guilty pleasures sometimes stem from musical genres that we would not usually choose to listen to. Where country music is involved, Dolly Parton’s iconic ‘Jolene’ is a hit that haters of this genre can appreciate. Additionally, where rap is concerned, even middle-aged people find themselves bopping their heads along to Dizzy Rascal’s ‘Bonkers’.

Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’ is a typical club tune that die-hard ‘pop genre’ haters know the words to. So, can we really claim that people have a ‘bad taste’ in music, when our own guilty pleasures tend to be from genres we usually don’t associate with?

Ultimately, there will always be claims that people have a ‘bad taste’ in music. However the music industry is so broad that our favourite artists and songs often overlap into different genres and so we should not judge one another for personal tastes. After all, how can ‘bad taste’ exist if our guilty pleasures are usually corny tunes that everyone enjoys?

Moreover, distaste in genres is not solely generational. Even amongst younger listeners, there are divides between genres such as indie and rap. Granted, many people like both styles, but if asked "who do you prefer: the Arctic Monkeys or Dave?", there will more likely than not be a preference. Even some genres in general have a bad

Let's go to the beach-each...

Scarlett Cracknell, Music Editor, shares the tunes she blasts at Exmouth and Dawlish

FOR all readers who have the pressure, or pleasure, of being the friend designated with controlling the music and setting the mood when they go to the beach, I hope that these suggestions may ease any pain when trying to please a crowd.

'Brazil' — Declan McKenna

Having seen this performed live at Boardmasters 2022, I can't help but associate this tune with the beach.

'Sunshine' — Steve Lacy (ft. Fousheé)

The best collaboration of 2022 without a shadow of a doubt. No more needs to be said. Just play it.

'Jamming' — Bob Marley & The Wailers

You can't really go wrong with a bit of Bob Marley when the sun's out and drinks are flowing. 'Jamming' is my personal favourite, but any song of his will do.

'She's Not Yours' — Foxtide

A small band with just over 50,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, their inspiration is that of The Strokes, King Krule and Ringo Star. This is their most listened to song for a reason; good chill vibes.

'Use Somebody' — Kings of Leon A cult classic, will get everyone humming along. Probably best to play nearer the middle-end to pick everyone's energy back up after basking in the sun and drinking all day.

'Thinking of You' — Sister Sledge

The disco influence of Sister Sledge on this more chill song from their album We Are Family is perfect for a sunny seaside sunset.

'That's Entertainment' — The Jam

This song with its incredibly bass intro makes you feel like the main character at the end of an indie movie. If that's not persuasion enough to add to your playlist I don't know what is.

'A Leo Underwater' — Daffodils

A smaller band with just over 30,000 monthly Spotify listeners is Daffodils: an indie group from New Zealand that me and my home friends discovered. With a very distinct vibe, they modernise 80s sounds and are a perfect band to play at a beach BBQ.

'This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)' — Talking Heads

A song about enjoying life and taking it easy, this tune and its distinctly David Byrne sound goes well with Daffodils and is the perfect vibe for summer.

'Grease' — Frankie Valli

This tune is for any readers who have musical theatre friends, or for anyone who knows of Sandy and Danny's epic summer romance. The beach scene at the start of the film is a testament as to why this is here.

'Everybody Loves the Sunshine' — Roy Ayers Ubiquity

Perfection in a song. You may not recognise it by its title but I can guarantee this has been the background to your life at somepoint.

'Sunny Day' — Beabadoobee

From her most recent album Beatopia, this song and its title prove worthy of being on this playlist. Though her music is often classified within Bedroom Pop, this song can be transported from the bedroom to the beach.

MUSIC TASTE HAS NOT NECESSARILY BECOME 'BAD', BUT HAS RATHER GROWN AND EVOLVED TO ACCOMMODATE NEW KINDS OF MUSIC

EDITORS: Jake Avery and Scarlett Cracknell

Live review: Yur Mum at Cavern

Jake Avery, Music Editor, explores the Brazilian duo's tropical rock showcase

grasp over the leading vocal melodies throughout each track. Couto also exhibited exceptional control over the drums; despite having to initially grapple with a malfunctioning drum-pedal, his fluency and mastery of the Brazilian funk beats only sharpened as the set progressed, with his pugnacious barrage of drumming keeping Kunz’s bass motifs locked in whilst also being ear-candy within its own right. Yur Mum utilised the gig as an opportunity to preview some new tracks from their latest writing sessions.

BRINGING a raucous stampede of Carioca funk-inspired beats to Cavern was Brazlilian rock duo Yur Mum. Couple

Anelise Kunz (lead vocals and bass) and Fabio Couto (backing vocals and drums) displayed a set packed with weighty, boisterous bass riffs and elaborate drum fills; there was no question of the duo’s ability to fill the stage with excellent groove-driven rock without the need of any extra members. Sonically, the set was tight, with both instruments fortifying each other.

Most impressive amidst the delicious onslaught of distortion was Kunz’s terrific vocal ability to match the chaos without ever getting lost — her bellows soared above the bass and maintained an iron

Upcoming single 'Say Say' presented the duo’s fantastic melding of manic rhythms with an infectious choral chant. 'Immigrant' also embodied these aspects, but with more of an emphasis on close vocal harmonies, a facet that once again portrayed the multi-instrumental abilities of both. Concurrent throughout all tracks was the fact that Yur Mum not only have an irrepressible rock ‘n’ roll stage presence, but that they most importantly possess an indomitable passion for the music that they make. The duo were gleaming throughout the entirety of the set, and Kunz capped off a radiant night of tropical rock by parading into the crowd and hammering the last few bass notes in an inspired frenzy on the floor.

The multicultural influences and diverse themes tackled by Yur Mum’s lyrics naturally made for an especially riveting show. Exhibited with fury were a variety of historical themes — the dictatorial oppression and censorship faced throughout Brazil in the 1960s and 70s were explored throughout the relentlessly funky 'Banana Republic', whereas opener 'Crazy' dealt with the stigma that derives from straying away from the well-trodden path in life and following your own creative light. The dynamic nature of the duo’s lyrical interests worked astonishingly well, with each theme being supported by supercharged tempos and ferocity in their delivery. The stride and stomp of tracks such as closer ' Je Ne Sais Pas' created a thrilling groove that was impossible to avoid swaying to. Renowned track 'Sweat Shop ' also served as an epitomisation of Yur Mum's ability to fuse criticism and rock hooks; ubiquitous consumerism was attacked through a both catchy and venomous chorus.

It’s testament to the upbeat and zestful essence that Yur Mum possess that the heavy personal and societal subjects that they engaged with didn’t swamp the charisma of their performance. Kunz and Couto navigated Brazilian rock anthems with high levels of dexterity and stamina, all whilst projecting the force of a battering ram with their untamable hard-rock edge. Darker tracks such as 'Black Rainbow ' , a moodier and more sludge-driven venture into losing a conflict

From the screen to the score

in life instead of becoming the victor, encapsulated the fact that Yur Mum have more facets to their skillset than just their fierce and rapid hard-rock thrust; their ability to experiment with darker tones and calmer tempos ensnared the crowd’s attention well.

The might of Yur Mum’s superb showcase of punk, thrash and funk inspired Brazilian rock was exhibited with all of the fury and vitality that the set demanded. Kunz and Couto brought an excellent tropical punch to Cavern — one that rock and punk enthusiasts won’t want to miss out on in the future.

Henry Parker, Features Editor, reviews the transformative bond between film and its music

THEY say that film is a visual medium, but that hardly paints the full picture. Right from the beginning of film, and particularly in the earliest commercial cinema, the sound behind the screen was just as important. Perhaps it should really be called the sound before the screen, as in the beginning it was standard practice for a musician to play live music on a piano to accompany the film, mak ing the original version of a movie soundtrack, or score. The two are so intertwined that one of the oldest still-running film magazines is the BFI’s Sight and Sound , which attests to the essential nature of the soundtrack to film as a whole.

It is an audio-visual medium.

This special relationship between music and film is pos sibly most distilled in si lent films, where the tools the filmmakers have at their disposal are far more restricted,

and yet the potential for artistic expression is still just as broad. Rather than looking back to a time when this was done out of necessity due to limited technology, in more modern films like the majestic The Red Turtle , there has been an active choice to make it wordless and effectively put the music in the foreground. In Laurent Perez Del Mar’s beautiful soundtrack, the emotions of the silent central character are told to us. It is often said that the emotional centres in our brains are unlocked by sound more than sight. You hear a piece of music and are immediately transported back to a different place in your life. Maybe it was a happier place, maybe a sadder one. The music preserves the emotion and that memory like a little snapshot, or like a frame in a film reel, played back through your mind. This miracle of connection between film, memory and

emotion is made possible through the music. If music gives so much to film, then it can also be said that film gives so much back to music in return. Think for a second, who are the great composers of the last 50 years? It isn’t writ ers of operas or concer tos, but writers of film music: John Williams, Hans Zimmer and James Horner — these are the new household names of composition.

Away from the orchestral scene, some of the great songs of our time were only written because of a certain film. Without Romeo + Juliet there would be no ‘Exit Music (For A Film)’ Radiohead, and we wouldn’t have Bob Dylan’s iconic and forever covered ‘Knockin’ on Heav en’s Door’ without the 1973 western Pat Garret And Billy The Kid . The film industry has gifted us with so much amazing music, and it can bring new things to music that we already love. I could tell you about how The Shawshank Redemption uses Mozart’s

‘The Marriage of Figaro’ to show how a single piece of music can bring forth new hope, in even the darkest of places. Or how Kubrick brilliantly twists the hopeful longing of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ into a scene of ironic melancholy at the end of Doctor Strangelove in a way that is equal parts hilarious, absurd and tragic. ‘California Dreamin’’ in Chungking Express , ‘Tiny Dancer’ in Almost Famous , or, a new favourite of mine, Mads Mikkelsen dancing to ‘What A Life’ at the end of Another Round. There are too many examples to list them all, but even doing that wouldn’t serve justice to the relationship between film and music. After all, that is the whole point; the magic of music in film is hearing it and feeling it.

AN IRREPRESIBLE ROCK 'N' ROLL STAGE PRESENCE

Image: EBU/Corinne Cumming

Images: Jake Avery Images: Alterna2, James Vuaghan, Flickr

screen

Your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man!

Lisette Reed, Comment Editor, expresses her hopes for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

RELEASED on 1st June, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will follow Miles Morales as he’s launched across the multiverse on a mission to protect the Spider-Man name itself. He will encounter an abundance of Spider-Man variants, featured across the Marvel Comic franchise, including Spider-Punk, SpiderWoman, and reunite with Peter B. Parker, just to name a few featured in the trailer. However, with these new characters being introduced, it has brought out a feeling of anticipation amongst avid fans of the Spider-Man franchise, and original comics.

Whilst the film is set to feature characters like Spider-Men, Miles Morales and Peter Parker, from Sony’s PlayStation 4 games, it will also explore an extensive collection of iconic Spider-People. Known for its intricately detailed character design, the first 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse made character creation the forefront of its film, with strong incorporations into the animation style. The character of Miles Morales, with his constant energetic mindset, as well as his anxieties, were depicted perfectly in the animation style of the film. In scenes where Miles is still coming to terms with being the new Spider-Man, he moves at 12 frames per second, which gives Miles more frantic, untrusting movements. However, once he accepts his new title and pow-

ers, he returns to moving at 24 frames per second, like the other Spider-People. Furthermore, the combination of portraying Peter Parker as a worn-down, heart-broken hero and voiced by Jake Johnson, an actor most well-known for his character, the slovenly hopeless romantic Nick on New Girl emphasised his constant feelings of amotivation. With both of these aspects of character design in mind, it leaves fans questioning whether the second film will continue to maintain the complexity of the first film.

A newly introduced character, who I hope will maintain these standards, is Spider-Punk. Voiced by British actor Daniel Kaluuya, Spider-Punk is an anti-establishment activist, musician and artist, who by far has the best character design, as seen in trailers. Though Daniel Kaluuya is most known for his on-screen work, including Get Out and Nope , his voice acting is due to be captivating. Moreover, most of Kaluuya’s most famous works feature him with an American accent and therefore, a project in his own British accent will be refreshing. The actor has said himself that he has incor-

porated aspects of both the cockney accent and a typical London “road” accent into the character of Spider-Punk. Casting an actor from Camden, the birthplace of Punk, as the anti-establishment Spider-Punk is another reason why the casting directors for the Spider-Verse film series go above and beyond to create the most authentic, captivating characters. Whilst the casting of Spider-Punk is iconic, his animation style is too. Unlike other Spider-People, Spider-Punk will use other items for his powers, including his electric guitar, another aspect of Punk added to the character. It seems that his animation style

may be similar to aspects of The Mitchells vs. The Machines , a film which came out after Into the Spider-Verse , with strong similarities and inspirations drawing from the first film. With Spider-Punk being another new, strong addition to the franchise, many fan favourites are due to return, including Spider-Gwen. In the last film, she became a love interest for Miles, whilst maintaining her powerful and strong-minded self; unlike some other versions of Spider-Man’s love interests (I’m looking at you Mary Jane in Spiderman (2002)), Gwen isn’t solely dependent on Spider-Man — she defines herself.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3

Emily Sara Rizzo discusses the new Guardians film in Marvel’s phase five

IN a world where the name of Marvel creates a wince on the face of many a faithful cinema-goer, it seems strange to remember when this universe (or rather, multiverse) of heroes ruled the global stage. After the questionable reception of the studio’s recent films, it would seem that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 might just allow for redemption.

I’m sure I speak for most Marvel fans when I say that new releases are not greeted with anticipation anymore, but rather a sense of dread and almost embarrassment at

the mindless churning out of mediocre films that have been hitting the cinemas recently. But, as I’ve said, James Gunn’s new Guardians film seems to break the rut of bad luck, leaving audiences pleasantly surprised and hopeful for a return to Marvel’s golden days. Perhaps the key to turning around the studio’s luck was going back to the basics with a simple story that wasn’t trying too hard, unlike the number of films and TV series which appeared after Avengers: Endgame , and which seemed to suffer from a kind of

multiverse-mania. Gunn’s film is more than an awkwardly placed puzzle-piece in the hypernarrative of the MCU, opting rather for a good-old-fashioned story where the good guys get together to defeat the bad guy and save the world, whilst making a handful of friends along the way. With its playful atmosphere, the Guardians trilogy seems the best place for Marvel to go back to its roots and rely on witty characters going on epic adventures, backed in this case by a nostalgic soundtrack that has been drawing fans in ever since the first Guardians of the Galaxy Of course, following the same formula that has propelled many superhero films to success can also mean falling into the same patterns and clichés that haunt the genre, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is not safe from some soppy tropes. While delving into Rocket’s past was a welcome bit of character development, it’s hard to not cringe at the excessive attempts at tugging on our heartstrings, and some scenes almost seemed out of place in the dry humour of the Guardians ’ heroes — or maybe age has made this particular reviewer more cynical. Nevertheless, the final instalment in this particular trilogy managed to balance the softer moments with more hardcore sections, not hesitating to decorate the narrative with a sprinkle of intense violence and

...WITH A SPRINKLE OF INTENSE VIOLENCE AND A DOLLOP OF REVISITED TRAUMA

a dollop of revisited trauma. In addition to this, we were given a villain of almost biblical grandeur, a bad guy who really lived up to the role, deserving of all the hatred the audience directed at him after seeing the part he played in Rocket’s storyline. It’s not all sob-stories and fight scenes, though, and the third element which boosted the film’s appreciation was the light-hearted humour that countered any overly serious scenes; after all, what the MCU does best is funny adventures with a side of fighting evil, and no on-screen entourage benefits from as many laughs as the Guardians. This time round, they were helped by Will Poulter’s newly-introduced character, who’d been a popular meme well before the film’s release, and served almost purely as comic relief.

This successful finale to the Guardians series has, then, rightfully relit a global hope in Marvel and has reminded us all of the reason we held it so dear in the first place. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s worth watching if only as a nostalgia trip to the golden age of the MCU, or, if nothing else, to enjoy the catchy soundtrack.

...WHETHER THE SECOND FILM WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE COMPLEXITY...

Image: Cristian Bortes, Wikimedia Commons

Image: BagoGames, Flickr

EDITORS: Annabelle Law and Madison Sohngen

You want thingamabobs? I got twenty!

Anna Kane, Online News Editor, reviews the new live-action The Little Mermaid

IMAY not be a disciple of Disney, but the live action film The Little Mermaid made me nostalgic of the childish wonder that cinema can provide. I can confirm that the remake is undeserving of its controversial reviews, for it manages to both honour and provide modern freshness to the 1989 original animation.

One loses sight of the fact that the story comes from a 19th-century fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson. The live-action acknowledges this straightaway, opening with a shot of the sea foregrounded by a quote from the fairy tale: ‘But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more’. This opening creates a beautiful full-circle moment where we see Ariel in human form at the film’s end, finally shedding a tear as she leaves her home with Prince Eric.

Following the opening, we are taken underwater where the fantastic animation steals the show. The attention to detail from the coral reefs to the iridescence of the mermaids’ tails was astounding and revealed the extensive capacities of modern animation and CGI. The performance of the song ‘Under the Sea’ succeeded in this area especially, for, as fans of the original will know, it involves a dance sequence made up of sea creatures. The combination of upbeat music and almost overwhelming flashes of colour epitomised Disney’s ambition to awe-inspire. It is important to remember

Image: Giuseppe Milo Flickr

the target audience for this film is children, who tend to be more impressed by visuals rather than plot. The underwater musical performances were an aesthetic delight.

Halle Bailey’s vo cal performance as Ariel did not disappoint — her version of ‘Part of Your World’ was particularly moving. It is a shame that racism has permeated the remake’s reviews, with the hashtag #NotMyAriel trending on Twit ter. Bailey has all the ethereality, vocal prowess, and curiosity of the original character, and to have a black princess dominate the screen promotes diversity of mind and provides young black girls with a role model. Another well-cast character was the sea-witch Ursula, played by Melissa McCarthy. She counterpoises melodrama and wit in the role, succeeding in achieving the Disney villain arche -

type. It is a shame that her eye makeup was done so lazily, for it resembled a cheap and uncreative copy of the 1989 animated Ursula. This simply did not work for this re-boot, where her makeup had to compete with the hyper-realism of her CGI tentacles. What would Ariel be without her trusty sidekicks, Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle? Still a mermaid apparently, for these three characters served as the driving forces of the plot once Ariel had sealed her deal with Ursula and made her way onto land. Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina) and Sebastian (voiced by Daveed Diggs), reveal Prince Eric’s proposed marriage to Ursula’s human alter-ego in a newly added song: ‘The Scuttlebutt’. The rap style of this song has opinions divided, but it was refreshing to see this genre of music make its way into a Disney film. Another divergence from the 1989 animation was the re-make’s setting, the Caribbean. The exploration of Carib -

bean culture was a nice touch, marking another way in which the film promotes variety. I enjoyed the scene in which Ariel and Eric explore the marketplace. The dance sequence that followed imbued the scene with a sense of joy in community, as well as the blossoming romance between Ariel and Prince Eric.

The first thing I did when I left the theatre was to call up my nine-yearold sister, instructing her to watch the film immediately. I then went home and told my housemates in their early twenties to do the same. The film was a triumph of music, colour, and happiness that anyone can appreciate.

THE FILM WAS A TRIUMPH OF MUSIC, COLOUR, AND HAPPINESS THAT ANYONE CAN APPRECIATE

C’mon Barbie, let’s go party!

Screen writers investigate the hype around the upcoming Barbie film

GRETA Gerwig’s upcoming film Barbie is already taking the internet by storm, despite not being released until the end of July. From the ‘Barbiecore’ fashion trend consisting of bright pink clothing seen in 2022 following the drop of the first photos of Margot Robbie (Barbie) and Ryan Gosling (Ken) in costume, to the more recent memes inspired by the colourful character posters (“She’s everything. He’s just Ken.”) it is clear that public expectations and hype surrounding this movie are very high.

The film follows Barbie as she lives in ‘Barbieland’, a seven-year-old girl’s fever dream complete with pink everything who, in a Truman-Show-esque turn of events, has an existential crisis and must go to the Real World to find out “the truth about the universe.” Barbie looks to be fun-loving, colourful and unapologetically girly, in a way not many major movies are, and with beach scenes, dance sequences and a star-studded cast and soundtrack, it is set to be a movie that screams ‘summer’.

Coincidentally, Christopher Nolan’s also star-studded and highly-anticipated film Oppenheimer (a biopic about ‘the father of the atomic bomb’) will come out on the same day as Barbie, the 21st July, and a fierce box-office battle between the two

is expected. The stark contrasts between the films are obvious: happy, almost cartoonish Barbie versus dark and brooding Oppenheimer. With such different films debuting on the same day, it will certainly be interesting to see which comes out on top.

For me personally, a film doesn’t have to be deep, dark and depressing to be enjoyable, so I am very excited for Barbie and the return of fun-filled cinema that it will hopefully kick off. If successful, Barbie will show that these kinds of stereotypically ‘girly’ films don’t have to just be for children or teenage girls, and that femininity is something that should be celebrated, not scorned. In short, we can all be Barbie girls living in a Barbie world.

Lauren Walsh, Arts & Lit Editor

NOT only have we been given three trailers for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie — including a scene-for-scene parody of the iconic opening of 2001: A Space Odyssey — but a near-complete setlist of ‘Barbie The Album’ was also revealed on the 25th May. Expectations of the film being the hypercamp summer blockbuster we all needed were already high, and now a dream lineup of artists, including Charli XCX, Lizzo, and Nicki Minaj, solidifies the film’s already iconic standing. The album will also include a single from Ryan Gosling himself, called ‘I’m Just Ken’, which can only be described as high camp. While some grew up playing with the Mattel doll and watching the 2000s animated Barbie films, this film will be a liberating experience for many as the doll is brought into the modern mainstream whilst featuring a plethora of queer, POC, and plus-size actors and artists, including (but not limited to) Hari Nef, Ice Spice, Ncuti Gatwa, Lizzo, and Sharon Rooney.

Details of the film’s plot have been very limited until recently, as the nearly threeminute trailer showed more of Barbie’s existential crisis and journey to the ‘real world’, where she finds that living among humans is not an easy task. The message of ‘humans can be problematic’ may become labour-

some and patronising, so I hope what we’ve seen in the trailers only represents a small part of the themes in the film. Despite this, taking a more existential slant is an exciting premise, especially as Barbie herself (as realised by Margot Robbie) is found in a Truman Show-esque situation as she and Ken venture outside the comfort of the wall-less dreamhouse. Questions of self and the nature of humanity are nothing new to Gerwig, with films like Lady Bird and Little Women as bold stories that ask these questions, so other than nailing that aspect, I’m sure we can expect nostalgia, dance sequences, and pink!

Jess Cadogan

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Image: Chris Alcoran, Flickr

Image: Pandittaz4, Wikimedia Commons

Image: Wallpaper Flare

TECH

Paid propaganda

Harry Craig, Deputy Editor, looks at the Venzuelan government's controlling of public opinion

IN early 2019, Venezuela hit the headlines amidst a major political crisis, in which the National Assembly refused to recognise the inauguration of President Nicolás Maduro, instead installing Juan Guaidó as interim President. This fuelled a geopolitical crisis, as western powers, including the United States and European Union, recognised Guaidó’s presidency, whilst Venezuela’s allies including Russia and China continued to recognise Maduro.

The crisis cooled after Guaidó failed in his attempt to overthrow Maduro. However, Venezuela has remained a socialist pariah state for the west. Consequently, Maduro’s government has been engaged in a propaganda war for decades, spanning both traditional and social media. The latter has become increasingly important, and last month BBC Trending revealed that the Venezuelan state was paying social media users to post pro-Maduro propaganda.

On the face of it, this propa ganda is nothing new — Venezue la has consistently produced propaganda espousing the left-wing ideology of former President Hugo Chávez and maintaining the narrative of a continuous fight against west-

ern capitalism and imperialism. However, this new, social media-focused style of propaganda exemplifies how sites like Twitter and Facebook have become new ideological battlegrounds.

VENEZUELA HAS CONSISTENTLY PRODUCED PROPAGANDA ESPOUSING LEFT WING IDEOLOGY

According to BBC Trending, multiple private groups on Facebook and Telegram, some with thousands of users, encourage users to share propaganda. This is most commonly done through the sharing of a “hashtag of the day,” formulated by Venezuela’s Ministry of Communications, and so-called “digital troops” are paid to share this hundreds of times a day. This manipulates the trending algorithms of Twitter and other sites to promote pro-Maduro propaganda.

For example, in the wake of accusations against Venezuela’s government that they were using artificial intelligence to spread misinformation, users were encouraged to spread the hashtag #SomosIn-

teligenciaSocial (“We Are Social Intelligence”)

to counter the fake news allegations. This was highly effective, with the hashtag used more than 360,000 times in 24 hours and trending on Twitter in Venezuela. 90 per cent of interactions with the hashtag were either bot accounts or paid “digital troops”.

In a country where shortages of food, medicine and other essentials are rife, the financial benefit of spreading paid propaganda can be huge for ordinary Venezuelans. One user who spoke to BBC Trend ing earned an extra US$10 a month from tweeting, topping up the US$80 he earns from his job as a security guard and allowing him to purchase small amounts of food or airtime for his mobile phone.

The majority of these propagandists are solely interested in financial gain, and often do not support the government’s actions. The aforementioned user even told the BBC that he does not support the propaganda he tweets, speaking out against Maduro’s government and Venezuela’s low wages.

Of course, propaganda is by no means a new phenomenon. The concern, however, is that the Venezuelan example is part of a

The end of humanity?

growing trend of states and political movements using social media for disinformation.

It has also been seen in China, where there has been a wave of state-sponsored internet propaganda in response to human rights violations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and in Turkey, where Erdoğan’s government paid 6,000 accounts to attack their opponents on social media.

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens up even more opportunities for statesponsored disinformation on social media, as in Venezuela, where the government has been accused of using deepfake technology as part of propaganda.

For many, the concept of propaganda still conjures up thoughts of U.S. Army “I Want You” posters or Stalinist socialist realist artwork from the early twentieth century. This era, however, is long gone. Social media is the new battlefield for an increasingly sophisticated form of propaganda and disinformation, equipped with AI, deepfakes and an army of paid users. The question now is whether there is any hope of regulating it — a duty which will inevitably fall to the likes of Twitter’s Elon Musk and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg.

Henry Parker, Features Editor, reviews experts warning of AI extinction

FOR most people AI has only ever been a staple of science-fiction, an unlikely pipedream or problem for future generations to grapple with. But in only a year, with the rapid development of software like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion, it has suddenly become an immediate challenge of the present day, and something that the wider public has become increasingly concerned about.

But it isn’t just general users that are raising concerns about the potential uses and misuses of AI, as experts in the field have been voicing concerns of their own. A statement has been released from the Center for AI Safety (CAIS) that aims to “open up discussion” about “some of AI’s most severe risks."

The full statement read: “Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.”

What is significant about the request of the signatories, is just how simple and specific of an ask it is, just how many signatories there are, and how high their profiles are in the industry. Stand out names include Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI which is the publisher of ChatGPT; Bill Gates, known mostly as cofounder of Microsoft, as well as some of the so-called ‘godfathers of AI’, Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio. The lan guage of “extinction” is rather apocalyptic, with Bengio likening himself to one of the creators of the atomic bomb, having ushered in a new technology that can, and will, do some destruction to the people and the planet.

Most experts seem to agree there should be caution and regulation when developing new AI technologies, but there isn’t a consensus on the existential threat that is suggested by the statement. For example, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of

Bath Nello Cristianini praised its “well-intentioned” nature, but criticised the “vague statement” on how it failed to describe the nature of this extinction event. It is worth noting that although the comparison to pandemics or nuclear wars are meant to show the severity of the issue at hand, there are now 8 billion humans on Earth, and we have yet to be wiped out, even from the most devastating events of our history.

Although more and more world leaders are echoing the concerns raised by the statement, President Biden’s administration has launched new investments of US$140 million into the new National AI Research Institutes, and the UK Government is looking to spend up to £3.5 billion over the coming decade to become an AI superpower by 2030. In both cases the need for safety as a first priority is emphasised but there is still a competitive instinct behind the government action and the business of innovation.

THE UK GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING TO SPEND UP TO £3.5 BILION [...] TO BECOME AN AI SUPERPOWER

Investments in, and valuations of, companies in the AI field are growing year-onyear and showing no signs of stopping at the same time as calls for stricter and more thoughtful regulations are piling up. As of today, there is no intergovernmental organisation, like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which monitors global use of nuclear energy in conjunction with the United Nations and has the authority to ensure that AI is not used for malicious ends, something that would address some of the fear laid out by the statement.

Whilst the people heavily involved in bringing this new technology into greater public use may have hopes that it can be used as a tool for unlocking greater human potential, until the global community cooperates and has safeguards in place for a terrible event, then for now all they can do is use their large voices to outline all the potential risks.

FOR MOST PEOPLE AI HAS ONLY EVER BEEN A STAPLE OF SCIENCE-FICTION [...] IT HAS SUDDENLY BECOME AN IMMEDIATE CHALLENGE

Image: Wilsom Dias/Agência Brasil, Wikimedia Commons

Image: Today Testing , Wikimedia Commons

Image: Boris Dayma, Wikimedia Commons

Netflix: it's time to start paying

Anabel Costa-Ferreira, Editor-in-Chief, reviews the imminent crackdown on password sharing

THE mantra 'love is sharing a Netflix password’ will soon no longer be the case, as an imminent crackdown on password sharing will ensure that subscriptions are contained to one household. New changes to be introduced in both the US and UK will confirm that accounts are (as Netflix defines) only for ‘you and the people you live with’, by which they mean users must live at the same address. Though it is important to note that it has been assured these changes will not impact a user's ability to download and watch offline, or even to stream abroad once connected to Wi-Fi.

However, for those who travel frequently, it may be likely that Netflix will incorrectly identify accounts as being used outside their household. In order to identify these accounts, Netflix will be able to check both IP address es and device IDs. Using these, they will be able to identify an account's primary user and subsequently notice any irregular account activity. While the ethics surrounding password sharing works both ways, ac cording to an article from

The Independent , Netflix’s crackdown will look more at the fault of the borrower as opposed to the lender. And, if an account is found to be sharing a password and breaking this rule, they will be either kicked out of their account or possibly directed on how to purchase their own or added account instead. At the time of writing, family accounts enable a user to buy an extra member for a cost of around £4.99 a month, with similar pricing across Europe e.g., €3.99 in Portugal and €5.99 in Spain. When looking at their website, users are assured that when creating this new account, they will be able to transfer their current profiles, meaning they can keep both their watch history and their recom mended viewing. Looking more longterm at the situation, it seems impossible to not consider the risk Netflix are taking that subscribers won’t delete or end subscriptions as a result of frustration or finance.

Perhaps even more of a risk today when Netflix (despite likely be ing the most known) is one of a collective of streaming services, that is matched closely by several other competitors. Though these changes will subsequently impact millions of current users, a large group affected by this will be students. As most students who move out for univer sity continue to use a family account, for both practicality and money. While we currently await any proposal to address this specific situation, users can create an account for an upward cost of £4.99 a month. Interestingly, there are no current options to create a student account or exclusive offers for those in education. Therefore, this is perhaps something for Netflix to consider at a later date. As while many may feel inclined to purchase a new account due to the changes, many students will be unable to keep up with the costs and

may simply drop Netflix altogether. From their tweet five years ago to now, Netflix have truly changed their outlook, as articles from The Guardian back in January note that the company was predicted to ‘lose a further 200,000’ subscribers. In a bid to gain subscribers, could forcing users to buy new accounts backfire? While Netflix have an estimated 232 million subscribers globally, it is thought that around ‘100 million households had supplied login credentials to friends and family outside their homes.’ These shocking statistics lead us to question where the future of Netflix stands, as the company can only hope these new rules result in a drastic rise of subscribers as opposed to a rapid loss.

End of the road for illegal streaming?

Agata Koralewska, Online International Editor, discusses the future of illegal streaming

FOLLOWING the recent prosecution of a group responsible for illegal streaming of the Premier League football games on the internet, the unlawful methods of accessing content on the internet are now a subject of a heated debate. The increasing illegal consumption of media in the UK is worrying many TV providers, as a survey revealed that the percentage of illegal content users amongst respondents has increased to 32 per cent in 2022. Following the arrest and sentencing of the Flawless TV illegal streaming gang, is it possible that the attitude to the practice will shift? Will it in any way impact the popularity of illegal streaming and make it impossible to find by an average internet user?

as a UEFA rule to not transmit matches between 14:45 and 17:15 on Saturdays, in order to encourage fans to see the game in person. Flawless TV broke that rule as they offered the ‘3pm kick-off’ transmisions of the Premier League, stealing them from broadcasts that happened abroad. It was stated in court that those streamings brought in 80 per cent of the subscribers, amongst which some bars and pubs that wanted to screen otherwise unavailable matches.

There are varied public attitudes regarding the issue. Some argue that the costs of subscription to the most popular services are not afford-

able to many and sport should be not exclusionary. "The Premier League is on our doorstep and yet we have the least amount of access to that football," commented Daniel Bradley, a YouTuber, highlighting how the hungry-for-money streaming companies restrict an average football fan from supporting their favourite team. However, another question to consider is the possible consequences and impacts of being a regular user of dodgy streaming services. At first, it can be seen as not dangerous at all, as for a cheap price you get to enjoy a game of football and the mere activity doesn’t harm anyone directly. However,

when subscribing to the service, companies such as Flawless TV can get access to your personal data that can be later on sold to other companies.

For only £10 a month, Flawless TV, a service led by a group of five men, broadcasted football matches from linked set-top boxes in a flat in Greenwich, in the south of London. Because of the competitive price they offered to the viewers, compared with the £80 a month to watch matches on BT Sport or Amazon Prime, the website quickly reached 50,000 subscribers. Between 2016 and 2021, the group managed to get a £7.2 million profit, with the leader of the gang Mark Gould (sentenced to 11 years in prison) making more than £1.7 million for himself. The organisation has also profited off streaming matches that happened during the ‘blackout’ that is set

Websites of this type can also have overlaps with other forms of crime. One of the men complicit in maintaining the Flawless TV services, called Felvus, has also been put under another investigation due to the possession of inapropriate photos of children. He tried unsuccessfully to flee the country. It has been brought to light that piracy can have an even darker side to it, leading to wider range of criminal offences. That is why the critics of supporting illegal streaming warn against putting money into such an activity, even if it means you have limited opportunities to watch football matches or TV shows.

It is difficult to determine if illegal streaming services are here to stay. There have been various examples of uncovering such fraud in the past, for example when Steven King and Paul Rolston were punished for illegal streaming through DreamBox company in 2019. Since then, the activity has not declined as many people do not know about the various implications of using such websites to watch football or other forms of media. However, bringing attention to cases such as Flawless TV can help the public make more informed decisions about streaming online and slightly reduce its popularity.

IN A BID TO GAIN SUBSCRIBERS, COULD FORCING USERS TO BUY NEW ACCOUNTS BACKFIRE

THE COSTS OF SUBSCRIPTION [...] ARE NOT AFFORDABLE TO MANY AND SPORT SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUSIONARY

FOLLOWING THE ARREST AND SENTENCING OF THE FLAWLESS TV ILLEGAL STREAMING GANG

Images: Marco Verch, ccnull.de

Images: pixabay.com

Images: pxfuel.com

STUDY BREAK

Across

7 Light wind (6)

8 Astonished (6)

9 Harbour (4)

10 Friend — mate — chum (3)

11 Entrance (to a room, say) (4)

12 Basement (6)

14 Liquid part of blood (6)

16 Disagreeing (with) (2,4)

19 Satisfy (6)

21 Ring — chime (4)

23 Permit (3)

24 Sit — chair (4)

25 Paradise (6)

26 Chewy sweet (6)

ANSWERS

1 Rut (6)

2 (Nautical) platform (4)

3 Mood (6)

4 Summon (to military service) (4,2)

5 Pass - worker (4)

6 Improve — change (6)

13 Cap (3)

15 Winning serve (tennis) (3)

17 Totter (6)

18 Goodbye! (2,4)

19 Delicate (6)

20 Afraid (6)

22 Term of endearment — vole?

(anagram) (4)

24 Secure (4)

TRIVIA CORNER

1. What’s the primary ingredient in hummus?

2. How many times does the heart beat per day?

3. Which of the Seven Wonders is located in Egypt?

4. Which religion dominated the Middle Ages?

5. Which genre of music did Taylor Swift start in?

6. Romulus and Remus were raised by what animal?

Science

SCIENCE EDITORS:

Eloise Shewring

Livvy Mason-Myhill

Hubble's hunt for an intermediate-mass black hole

Livvy Mason-Myhill, Editor-in-Chief, tells us about evidence of an intermidiate-mass black hole, through researchers' use of the Hubble Space Telescope

IN Messier 4, the nearest globular cluster to Earth, researchers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered evidence for an intermediate-mass black hole. The closest globular star cluster to Earth, Messier 4, is located anywhere between 6,000 and 7,200 light-years away. Astronomers have discovered strong evidence for the existence of a unique type of intermediate-mass black holes that may be hiding there.

sun. Meanwhile, the entire cosmos is flooded with supermassive black holes. These enormous objects, which reside at the galactic centres, are millions or billions of times heavier than our sun.

The intermediate-mass black hole, however, has long been a sought-after missing piece by scientists. The mass of these black holes would range from 100 to 100,000 solar masses.

the velocity of stars that are drawn into its gravitational field, similar to bees swarming around a hive, the scientists can determine its mass. It takes time and great care to precisely measure their motion. This is where Hubble excels over all other modern telescopes. Hubble M4 observations spanning 12 years were analysed by astronomers to resolve pinpoint stars.

Black holes resemble powerful gravitational gouges in space, and they all appear to come in two sizes: small and enormous. Our galaxy is thought to contain 100 million tiny black holes, according to scientists. These tiny black holes, formed when stars erupted, are several times as massive as the

Hubble has now been utilised by scientists to focus on the centre of the globular star cluster Messier 4 (M4). With more accuracy than was previously conceivable, they are searching for black holes. The principal author of a study that will appear in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society is Eduardo Vitral of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.

A potential black hole with an intermediate mass of about 800 solar masses has been found by Vitral's team. There is no sign of the alleged object. However, by observing

This is where Hubble excels over all other modern telescopes

According to the team, the M4 black hole might have an estimated mass of up to 800 times that of the sun. Hubble's results tend to disprove competing hypotheses about this item. According to some of these hypotheses, the universe may consist of a compact centre cluster of neutron stars or smaller black holes whirling around one another as unresolved stellar remains.

Astronomy end of term round-up

Almudena Visser

explores the latest news updates on astrophysics

HERE are some exciting updates you may have missed.

Saturn’s rings discovered to be remarkably young:

While Saturn itself is thought to be around four billion years old, its famous rings are only a fraction of this age, having appeared only 400 million years ago, according to research published in the journal Science Advances by astronomers from the University of Colorado Boulder.

development, it was discovered last month from Hubble Telescope observations that icy particles from the rings are slowly raining down on Saturn’s atmosphere, meaning they could disappear altogether in another 100 million years, their lifetime a mere blink of an eye in cosmic terms. First observed by the astronomer Galileo Galilei in the 1600s, the origin of Saturn’s rings is not yet known, and remains the next puzzle for planetary astronomers.

Fine rocky grains travel through our solar system constantly, settling as dust on planets and rings alike: Researchers studying data from the Cosmic Dust Analyser and Cassini space missions noted that while Saturn is coated in such dust, its rings are surprisingly clean and formed of 98 per cent pure water in ice form. From the lack of dust present in the rings, it was deduced that they must be much younger than the planet, having formed more recently. In another

Massive galaxies perplex astronomers: Zooming out somewhat to a larger scale, recent observations by the internationally funded James Webb Space Telescope have found unexpectedly massive galaxies that may have thrown a spanner in the works for current galactic formation models. The unrivalled sensitivity of this recently launched telescope has allowed astronomers to peer at a handful of galaxies so distant their light has been travelling for 13 billion years. This is almost as long as the Universe is thought to have been around (13.8 billion years), meaning these were some of the first ever sources of light.

Galaxies take considerable time to grow, which increases with size. Given their enormous luminosities and masses, it is unclear how these early universe galaxies, made up of millions of stars, managed to reach their huge sizes in a mere 800 million years, a short time in astronomical terms. According to current models, which predict slow galactic growth, young galaxies of this age should be 10 to 100 times smaller, yet somehow these ones are not. A flurry of theories have been proposed by astronomers, including that illusive ‘dark matter’, an as yet undetected and hypothetical type of matter that doesn’t interact with light, may be responsible for this conundrum. Broadly speaking, dark matter has been proposed as a type of matter formed of unknown particles that interact solely by gravity, rendering it invisible, providing extra mass to galaxies to stop them flinging themselves apart with their rapid rotations. It is thought to account for 85 per cent of the niverse’s mass. With increasingly sophisticated instruments being used to push the frontiers of astrophysics, it is the goal of many within the astrophysics community to solve this long standing mystery.

A handful of galaxies so distant their light has been travelling for 13 billion years

While Saturn itself is thought to be around four billion year old, its famous rings are only a fraction of this age

Image: NASA's Marshall Space Flight Centre, Flickr

Velez

...The existence

of

a unique

type of intermediate-mass black hole

Image: Lucas Pezeta, Pexels

Musk’s Neuralink brain chip approved for trials on humans

Charlotte Zeyssolff, Comment Editor, explains how Elon Musk’s brain implant firm has received regulatory clearance to conduct its first human trials in the US

HUMANS’ ability to control their own biological characteristics has never been more salient. With the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) having granted approval for Elon Musk’s brain implant company, Neuralink, to commence testing on humans, previously unimaginable limits of human biological engineering now appear transgressible in the not-so-distant future. These implants, made up of electrodeladen computer chips, are imbedded into the brain by a surgical robot and transmit electronic signals from neurones to an external computer.

FDA approval marks an important step in the recognition of the company’s credibility among the scientific community, which was previously damaged in early 2022 when its application

was rejected based on concerns of possible displacement of the implant’s wires within the brain, and its ability to leave the brain tissue intact. Allegations of unethical animal testing were raised by Reuters who reported that over 1,500 animals had been used for experimentation since 2018. Further defiling Neuralink’s integrity, six of its eight founding members have left the company, many over doubts about the reliability of its data collection.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk has great plans for his brainchild, predicting that Neuralink will cure the severest of conditions such as paralysis, Alz-

heimers and depression. Eventually he sees the device becoming a consumer product available to the general public, allowing them to transcend the limits of human strength and intellect. Describing the chip as “a backup drive for your non-physical being” he suggests that it could prevent our thoughts from sinking into the abyss of human amnesia. However, his intentions have raised ethical concerns, not to mention threats to privacy rights, which Neuralink would infringe upon if it had access to users’ brain data. Although Musk argues that these implants could liberate human intellect from natural cognitive restrictions that prevent us from competing with AI, the idea that humans might attain complete control over their own intelligence and strength is, for many, unpalatable and unnatural.

Vegan diets best for good heart health, according to new study

Rosie Batsford, News Editor, assesses how a plant-based diet could lower cholesterol and prevent arteries being blocked

AMAJOR study conducted by researchers at Københavns Universitet in Denmark has found that vegan and vegetarian diets are associated with better cardiac health than their meat-eating counterparts due to decreased levels of lipoproteins in the blood. Excessive lipoprotein levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, which kills approximately 18 million people annually, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Researchers looked at 30 studies conducted between 1982 and 2022, considering the diets and cardiac health of 2,372 patients overall — the most extensive study of its kind. It was concluded that plant-based diets allevi-

ated significant heart disease risk blood markers, reducing overall cholesterol levels by 7 per cent, LVL (‘bad’) cholesterol by 10 per cent, and levels of Apolipoprotein B — a protein associated with LDL cholesterol uptake — by 14 per cent. This was broadly found to be the case across a range of participants of different ages, BMIs, states of health, and continents. Leader of the study, Professor Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, stressed the importance of this in an interview with BBC News, saying that the findings “correspond to a third of the effect of taking cholesterol-lowering medication such as statins.” She also stresses the importance of maintaining this lifestyle: “If someone were to main-

tain a plant-based diet for five years, this would result in a seven percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease.” She estimates that if someone were to maintain a plant-based diet for 15 years, their risk of developing cardiac disease could reduce by 20 per cent. While statin treatment is certainly more effective than adopting a plant-based diet, the findings of this study remain significant. FrikkeSchmidt suggests that “combining statins with plant-based diets is likely to have a synergistic effect resulting in an even larger benefit;” patients at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases should not substitute their medications for plant-based diets.

Ovarian

Daisy Scott discusses the causes of ovarian cancer and a tool that can help diagnose the early stages of the disease

ATOOL based on seven chemicals found in uterine fluids has been shown to outperform the leading tool for diagnosing earlystage ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is a disease which is usually spotted later on and is frequently deadly.

Ovarian cancer causes high mortality in women because of ineffective biomarkers for early diagnosis with over 300,000 new cases every year in the world. As the most common type of the cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer accounts for 90 per cent of ovarian cancers. However, most patients with epithelial ovarian cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in less than 30 per cent survival rate five-years after diagnosis. The delayed diagnosis of ovarian cancer is usually attributed to the oculate initiation of tumour formation and the absence of effective early-detection methods.

Therefore, advancing early detection of ovarian cancer is no doubt valuable for improving patient’s prognosis and expanding their lifetime.

The current test to diagnose ovarian cancer is a blood test for a protein called CA125 but this doesn’t detect the disease reliably. A population screening programme trialled in more than 200,000 women in the UK failed to significantly reduce the number of deaths from ovarian cancer. It has severe limitations in both sensitivity and specificity.

Pan Wang at Peking University in China and his colleagues aimed to develop a better test by collecting

uterine fluid from 219 women with cancer. The uterine fluid contains cells and metabolic products that come from the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Using mass spectrometers, the researchers examined the fluid of 96 women to look for metabolites whose levels were markedly distinct for those with early-stage ovarian cancer. From this, they identified a group of seven metabolites, including amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine which could be used for diagnosis.

After this, they tested the fluids from the remaining 123 women for these seven metabolites and carried out the CA125 test on them. The new test performed significantly better than the CA125 test in diagnosing ovarian cancer at the earlier stage. There is increasing evidence that most ovarian cancers have originated from the fallopian tubes, having an

anatomical connection with the uterine cavity, uterine fluid would be a better option to detect any abnormal changes during ovarian cancer initiation. Therefore, the work from this paper not only characterises metabolic profiles of uterine fluid in different patients but also provides an accurate and sensitive strategy for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

it is still at an early stage. I would like to see this profile validated in a larger prospective data set, but this initial report shows much promise.”

Eric Eisenhauer at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has said:

“The results are promising, but the tests need to be validated in a larger group of people. Most currently available tests for early detection have difficulty identifying ovarian cancer while

However, there are some limitations associated with this study. Mainly, the study did not include healthy women in the control group due to challenges in obtaining uterine fluid. To alleviate this limitation, they harvest samples from women with benign gynaecological conditions as the comparison group. Sujata Rawat from the Adesh Hospital in Bathinda in India points out that the study didn’t include people without cancer as a comparison, and there may be other conditions that change the profile of metabolites in similar ways. More studies and research on a bigger group needs to be carried out before the findings of this study can be further confirmed.

Epithelial ovarian cancer accounts for 90 per cent of overian cancers

Most ovarian cancers have originated from the fallopian tubes

cancer test could detect disease earlier than current methods

Allegations of unethical animal testing were raised

Image: Marco Verch Professional Photograph’er’s photoscream, Flickr

Image: Daniel Oberhaus, Wikimedia Commons

Final thoughts before France

Joseph Terry, Sports Editor, looks ahead to a finely-balanced Rugby World Cup in France in September

THE Rugby World Cup will already be in full swing or nearly winding down by the time Exeposé returns to publication next year. Let’s give a final preview to the tournament, where even the frontrunners are on the backfoot.

Going the extra mile in Devon

Almudena Visser Velez gives Parkrun newcomers a guide to the best routes in Devon

SINCE September, I have found a new weekend activity at Exeter: running! Specifically, Parkrun, a weekly 5km event held each Saturday. Everyone is welcome, the mix of speedy runners, gentle joggers and even leisurely walkers makes for a friendly environment! I’ve tried several Parkruns in Devon so far:

Firstly, we’ll start with favourites Ireland. The late injury to Johnny Sexton in the Six Nations that ruled the Leinster player out of two finals could still prevail until France — although reports are just speculation, with little news to confirm or deny, and the star man for the Irish could be at home during the World Cup. Ireland are still one of the favourites to win the title, or at least Northern Hemisphere favourites as Six Nations Grand Slam winners de feating France; however, key players may be missing. Not as if they don’t have the quality to go all the way without Sexton, but the talisman could be dearly missed — Sexton has history with late match-winning drop goals at the Stade de France after all.

Another Northern Hemisphere side, Wales, also face a World Cup without veterans. In a shock set of announcements perhaps triggered by each other, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric both retired from interna-

tional rugby after having been selected for the World Cup training camp. Exeter's eyes will be looking to the chance for Dafydd Jenkins to cement a starting place, the 20-yearold EURFC and Chiefs player impressing in the Six Nations.

Wyn Jones’ exit from the international stage, and potentially from club rugby as he exits the Ospreys, presents the problems lying ahead for the WRU.

Another interesting dynamic that we must consider coming into the World Cup is whether Southern Hemisphere teams may benefit from the scheduling of The Rugby Championship tournament. A shortened format of one round-robin restricting

the tournament to a 21-day duration evens the playing field for preparation compared to the Home Nations (such as England holding three or four friendly matches in August). However, will playing in a prestigious tournament aid New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina to mentally ready themselves for the World Cup?

Exeter Riverside: This is popular with university students since it is so close to town. The route begins by the river near the quay, and loops around two different fields and through some woods. The rest of the path is on concrete. If you’re not keen on mud, this may be one to avoid in winter — it can get a bit wet!

Exmouth: Hands down my favourite so far, this route along the promenade parallel to the beautiful beach. I have done this simple route multiple times and even took my dog once! A highlight has been jumping in the sea afterwards and getting a lovely English breakfast with friends in a local pub. It’s easy to get to Exmouth, twenty minutes by train, or an hour bike ride along the estuary taking in beautiful scenery. This one is highly popular for runners pushing buggies, and you may even spot some four-legged friends!

These are the storylines that will continue to develop and dominate in the run-up to the spectacle itself, that sadly we won’t be able to cover on the print editions of Exeposé However, the twists and turns of the build-up make for a close affair in Paris for the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Teignmouth: Another seafront parkrun, this time on the other side of the estuary and easy to travel to by a 20-minute train from Exeter St David’s. Featuring three loops, it is usually less busy than Exmouth, meaning once the start line chaos has settled you’ll have plenty of space to run in peace. A concrete surface makes this suitable year around, although the coastline means it can quickly get misty.

Killerton House: If you fancy visiting a National Trust property this is great, accessible by a 20-minute number 1 bus. The route comprises of parkland, woods and farmland on grassy and stony trails. This beautiful estate featured on George Clarke’s show National Trust Unlocked where he took advantage of the lockdowns to take viewers behind the scenes at historic properties!

Sharpham Estate: A half hour train journey takes you to the lovely town of Totnes! This route is pretty new, taking you through some forests. Afterwards, you can treat yourself to some snacks. I’d particularly recommend the local ice cream! Stretch your legs with a stroll around Dartington Hall and catch a glimpse of some deer, even enjoy some scones — cream on first, we’re in Devon!

Even the frontrunners are on the backfoot

Image: jeanfrancois beausejour, Wikimedia Commons

Image: Diego Sideburns, Flickr

Image: Harry Craig

Image: InspiredImages, Pixabay

Image: Barrie Cann, Geograph

Image: Simon Palmer, Geograph

Image: StockSnap, Pixabay

Southern Hemisphere teams may benefit from the scheduling

Image: WallpaperFlare

Date of destiny in Istanbul

Mikhail Shklover previews the biggest match in club football, and what could be a historic evening

BY the time this article goes into print, this season of club football would already be concluded and placed into the history books. After three years of delay and wait, Istanbul finally receives its moment in the sun, and hosts the biggest game of the season. Inter Milan take on Manchester City in what will be the second Champions League Final for both sides in this century. As we prepare for Saturday night, this is how the state of affairs looks for the ultimate game of club football.

Inter's presence in the final may seem surprising, but fully deserved. The revival of calcio has been vividly portrayed with an Italian team present in each of the three European finals this year and Inter Milan themselves are back as well. After hiring Antonio Conte in 2019, the Nerazzurri laid the foundations for the trajectory of their return to the top tier of European football. A Europa League Final in Conte’s first season appeared to be a positive intermediate result — while a Scudetto title at the end of the next campaign ended Inter’s 11-year wait for a trophy.

Although Conte’s sudden departure offered no optimism in the summer of 2021, especially with limited funding and the exodus of several key players, Simone Inzaghi kept the standards high. Two Coppa Italia trophies coupled with two victories in the Supercup extended Inter’s recent trophy collection. More importantly, Inzaghi managed to improve Inter’s Champions League performances, allowing them to finally progress beyond the dreaded group stage. Knocked out by future finalists Liverpool last year, Inzaghi’s men strived to raise the bar higher ahead of this season.

Out-qualifying Barcelona in the group and receiving a place in the easier side of the draw, Inter made their fans believe that this could be their season. And here we are… the Neraz-

zurri find themselves in the biggest game of all.

However, this Champions League Final has only one favourite — that team is Sky Blue. 10th June 2023 is Manchester City’s day of destiny. With the derby win in the FA Cup Final at Wembley, Guardiola’s team brought themselves one step closer to greatness, and a victory in Istanbul will secure the historic treble. Manchester City’s wait for the UCL title has been long enough, but they’ve had an alternative journey to Istanbul. Establishing their dominance in domestic competitions in the early 2010s under Mancini and Pellegrini, the Sky Blues finally appeared in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2016. Guardiola’s arrival the same year developed an expectation of imminent success. Little did fans know that the enhanced superiority in the Premier League would not be complemented by success in Europe.

Five years later, Manchester City finally made it all the way. Fuelled by heavy investments and successful transfers, Pep created a team that deserved European glory. Despite the loss in the final to Tuchel’s Chelsea, Man City made it clear that their presence in the decisive stage of the tournament was the first of many appearances. Knocked out in the most dramatic fashion by Real Madrid last year, Guardiola’s team have finally got it right in 2023.

Comfortably winning the group, Manchester City appeared to be unstoppable in the playoffs, despite being in the difficult side of the draw. DFB Pokal Winners Leipzig, an exciting Bayern Munich side, and even the holders and 14-time winners Real Madrid were not just beaten, but humiliated at the Etihad as Manchester City’s march to Istanbul was completed. Guardiola’s surprising decisions and tactical overthinking became vestiges of the past, as his team strives to lay their claim on the sterling silver trophy.

Despite being the underdogs, the Nerazzuri certainly have aces up their sleeve. Coming out from the blocks early and surprising the opponent with an aggressive start (like they did in the semi-final) could be a potential tactic for Simone Inzaghi's side. Inter’s midfield led by Barella, Dumfries and Di Marco in the wingback roles may provide threat throughout the 90 minutes. Further up the pitch, Lukaku and Martinez deserve attention, having rediscovered form at the right time. Martinez even managed a brace in the Coppa Italia final, and a goal against AC Milan in the UCL semi-final. Furthermore, we must not forget Andre Onana, the Cameroonian international conceding in only one playoff game this season. Inter certainly won’t be a walk in the park, but do they have enough to withstand City? It looks unlikely. Manchester City look stronger in every line. The midfield controlled by Rodri and De Bruyne will strive to maintain the possession. Dias, Walker, Ake, and Stones

The Ashes aflame once again

provide stability at the back. Silva and Grealish have excelled in spring, and will look to bring that into the final, while Erling Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan are expected to make the headlines. The Norwegian is on track to fight for the Ballon D’Or, and a Champions League Final may do the job, while Gundogan potentially looks to be City’s X Factor in Istanbul. Guardiola has learnt his lesson too. City’s coach terminated all experiments, sticking with his fixed XI in the UCL this season. There is no stopping the Sky Blues in my eyes. Inter have the pressure lifted off their shoulders, while City could crumble under overwhelming expectation. Istanbul is ready to uncover all the answers. Will Simone Inzaghi and his men provide one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history or will Pep finally break his 12-year drought, simultaneously bringing the European crown to the Sky Blue side of Manchester. Let’s give this detailed preview of the match a simple conclusion — my money is on Man City.

Billy Densham collects his thoughts ahead of the most exciting Ashes series since 2005

IS this the last ever Ashes preview? It could well be, but these are the talking points ahead of a defining series.

When England lost to Australia on home soil in 1882, The Sporting Times printed a mock obituary of English cricket: "The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia". In the 141 years since then, The Ashes has become steeped in rivalry, tradition and drama.

This time round it’s not just English cricket on the chopping block, but Test cricket itself. With the balance of power shifting towards shorter formats of the game, the five-day format faces being drowned out by the franchises of the IPL. Some are fearing that this may be the last ever Ashes. It may be too dramatic to proclaim the 2023 Ashes as Test cricket’s last hope of revival, but if it was ever needed, this series is set up perfectly. A showcase of the very best players in the world may show why Test cricket is still the pinnacle.

The Australians will be desperate to prove that Bazball, England’s new ultra-attacking style of play, doesn’t work against them. Ben Stokes’ team will have their work cut out to swat away

the world-class bowling attack and starstudded Aussie batting line up, in the same way they have with almost all the teams they have played in this new era.

The major news dominating the headlines since England’s comfortable victory over Ireland is the injury to spinner Jack Leach, ruling him out of the Ashes, putting the squad into tailspin. Aside from his heroic one not out at Headingley in the 2019 Ashes, Leach has developed a great connection with Ben Stokes, playing in every game during Stokes’ captaincy.

While there were worries that Leach would be under pressure from the elite Australian batting lineup, he could prove to be a huge loss. Moeen Ali has come out of retirement to join the squad and is expected to play. Ali hasn’t played Test cricket for two years, and will come into the series undercooked.

The England batting lineup picks itself, the only controversy the exclusion of wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, and it is difficult to argue with his replacement Jonny Bairstow, who averaged 76 with the bat in 2022. The makeup

Archer and Ollie Stone. The selection dilemmas will cause debate, but with 5 tests in 6 weeks, all bowlers are likely to feature at some point in the series.

of the bowling attack is far less certain. All-time greats Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad are joined in the swing bowling ranks by Ollie Robinson, who is likely to shine in this Ashes. Mark Wood offers express pace, an area in which England are struggling, following injuries to Jofra

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne exhibit similarly bizarre mannerisms, their other similarity their ability to pile runs on the scoreboard. Jofra Archer and Steve Smith faced off in 2019 in one of the most exciting passages of test cricket ever, culminating in Smith having to leave the field with concussion. Without Archer, England may struggle to remove veteran Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who has burst onto the scene since the last Australian tour of England. Both Labuschagne and Smith arrived early in England to play in the County Championship, and there have been murmurs that county sides should not have offered an overseas place to Australians,

giving them a chance to adjust to English conditions. If the English bowlers do manage to remove Smith and Labuschagne cheaply, there is plenty more talent in the Australian line-up to cause problems. The England bowlers will need to be on top of their game and Ben Stokes will need to show more of his exceptional captaincy in the field. The England batters, with their new-found freedom, can score 600 in a day, but Australia can score 650 in a day and a half. Last summer the Duke’s ball did nothing after the first dozen overs, it looked the same way against Ireland, and we could have days of watching Steve Smith fidgeting. We will also have days of Brook and Bairstow crashing the ball to the boundary. England need some magic from Jimmy Anderson, pace from Mark Wood, key wickets from Robinson and of course, one of those iconic leg pumping spells from Stuart Broad. It will come down to the team that can get wickets out of nowhere at crucial times. The brain of Stokes against the brawn of the Aussie quicks. My money's on Bazball to be too much to handle for the Aussies, but only just; England to win 3-2 at the Oval!

Image: Tim Felce, Wikimedia Commons

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Sport

SPORT EDITORS:

Breaking the Mold: Chiefs Women and EUWRFC

EXETER has been become the epicentre for one of the best, if not the best, hub of women’s rugby this year. Growing attendances, national callups and a BUCS final this year prove that a wave of support and positivity is behind EUWRFC and Chiefs Women. As the Chiefs roll into the playoffs with a chance of winning the double, and EUWRFC head into the preseason looking for a third national title, there is reason for hope across Devon.

Starting off with the Chiefs, who sit two matches away from the double (potentially one match away as of publication), where continuous growth is visibly apparent. Finalists last season, defeated by Saracens at Sixways Stadium, the squad led by head coach Susie Appleby and assistant Steve Salvin is the class of the field alongside title rivals Gloucester-Hartpury. Chiefs enter the run-in with an 80 per cent win rate, collecting bonus points from every regular season match — only 1 point away from first seeding. The Chiefs’ 16game winning streak speaks volumes to the consistency of performances.

A moment to remember this year for this squad and for fans is undoubtedly the sight of the clash against Harlequins at Twickenham, as part of a

double-header with the Men’s teams. A golden 54-25 win will live long in the memory of Katie Zachary and Claudia Macdonald, who each scored two tries on the day. A televised match, covered by national media at Rugby HQ — wow.

Furthermore, the squad has flourished under the management of Appleby, a ubiquitous attacking style leading to an average of 45 points scored per game. Katie Zachary, the ultimate utility player in the back row, sits at the top of the try scorer table in the league, whilst EUWRFC’s Maisy Allen’s 19 tries over the season and 15 in the Premier 15s places her tied third. Hope Rogers sitting tied third alongside Allen at Loosehead presents how attacking threat has been prioritised. Mind you, this attacking style hasn’t seen strong defensive strategy sacrificed — the Devon-based pack weight dominant this season in the scrum, and only facing strong opposition in the set piece by squads that do not possess the same all-round strength, such as Durham Sharks’ dominance in the scrum, but weakness in attack. Allround strength and consistency add another facet to the strength of the squad.

With 17 players selected for the 2021 Rugby World Cup, namely Captain America Katie Zachary and England’s Claudia MacDonald, the Rugby World Cup emphasised the Premier15s as the elite professional

women’s Rugby Union league in Europe, perhaps even worldwide, bar the Super W tournament in Australia.

This season, the Chiefs are chasing a second title of the season having already defended the Allianz Cup. Changed squads pushed past challenges from Harlequins and Gloucester-Hartpury in the pool stages, later defeating Bristol Bears away in the Semi-Finals to ensure a home final against Saracens. Two tries from Cliodhna Moloney in a 29-19 victory led to jubilation at Sandy Park as the ever-cool and level-headed skipper Poppy Leitch lifted the cup.

Speaking of Poppy Leitch, coach of the EUWRFC squad, it would be remiss to not mention the important role played by EUWRFC in the great success of the Chiefs project. The close relationship between Chiefs and the University of Exeter is as strong on the women’s side as it is on the men’s side, and has produced some of the star players of the team and the league. Flo Robinson at Scrum-Half has been consistently strong in the break down this season as well as a reliable second choice kicker; Katie Buchanan has earned regular starts and scored eight tries this season, whilst Niamh Orchard and Millie Whitehouse have also picked up appearances this season. Nancy McGillvray has impressed to score four tries, impressive enough to earn a national

call-up. Maisy Allen, arguably one of the best players in the league, also undeservedly missed out on a Red Roses call up for the Six Nations, whilst her head coach at EUWRFC and Chiefs skipper Leitch earned a call-up herself. A long line of future prospects and Chiefs is being produced in the Sports Park.

The talent factory of EUWRFC should continue to be as successful as ever if this season is anything to go by. Throughout the regular season, the squad picked up the wins against the lower rung teams, sometimes gritty, sometimes at ease. A solid third place finish in the league set up a crunch fixture up in Edinburgh — Exeter putting aside two losses in the regular season to clinch a place in the final by two points. Tries from Maddy Boocock (leading try scorer and point scorer), Alessia Skeates (second-highest try scorer), Abby Woolett and Hariette Bond took EUWRFC to the StoneX. A BUCS title wasn’t to be, however keep an eye on the squad roster because you may be watching a future Chief. The EUWRFC success stories are listed in this article, and that’s just the players that have made appearances. Also keep an eye on EUWRFC as contenders next year chasing a third title — a final clash against Gloucester-Hartpury tells a story that Exeter are at the forefront of women’s university rugby.

This year my eyes have been opened

to the wealth of enthusiasm and talent hidden in women’s rugby. Beginning coverage of the Chiefs Women side for our XMedia partner XpressionFM revealed a treasure chest of loyal supporters, who see heroes in their Chiefs. It also revealed an atmosphere of making sure you play rugby with a smile on your face. From the players open to an interview after the final whistle, to the media team that back this squad from Darlington to Devon — there’s never a sense of cynicism or professionalism trumping happiness.

However, it has also illuminated one more thing, something I aim to highlight in this column and solve over this year as Sport Editor. To think that I am often the only person doing media coverage outside of the in-house social media team is eye-opening, given that this team includes international players and features in the best professional league worldwide. Professional sport is professional sport, no matter the gender of the players on the pitch. We’ve got to give the chances to let Women’s Rugby grow, and Exeposé will champion EUWRFC and the Chiefs.

Let’s give EUWRFC the chance to play on the Sandy Park turf for Varsity. Let’s give Chiefs Women a fair shake in media coverage. It’s her game too, and as I view it, you could never argue against that off the back of this season.

Joseph Terry Harry Craig

Joseph Terry Sport Editor

Image: Kieran Moore