Issue 995

gair rhydd and Quench

Monday January 28th 2013 | freeword – Est. 1972 | Issue 995

Sabbatical Reshuffle Gambling with the Union’s future?

Spotted: Gone

p5>>

Union ask Cardiff ‘Spotted:’ Facebook pages to close

p4>> On the other hand... discusses the implications of an EU referendum p12

Politics reports on the Liberal Democrat review of Trident replacements

p15

Brwydr rhwng Eos a’r BBC yn parhau p24

2 / Editor’s Note

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This year’s Media Awards Host Cardiff Student Media announced over the holidays the host for the Media Awards 2013... It's Rick Edwards, by the way - in case you didn't know.

News 4–7 Opinion 9–12 Politics 14–15 Science 18–19 Societies 20–21 Taf-Od 24–25 Puzzles 28 Listings 29 Sport 30–31

EDITOR Chris Williams CO-ORDINATOR Elaine Morgan CREATIVE DIRECTOR Luke Slade SUB-EDITOR Tom Parry-Jones NEWS Kendal Archer Tom Eden Anna Hickman Bethan Jones OPINION Alice Briggs Nick Evans Alex Greig

Buy your tickets now

from tinyurl.com/CSMAwards13

COLUMNIST Liam McNeilly POLITICS Thom Hollick Rachel Lewis SCIENCE Rhiannon Davies Alexey Underwood SOCIETIES Vanessa Platt LISTINGS Lowri Martinson TAF-OD Tomos Lewis SPORT Ross Martinovic James Shapland Viktor Tsvetanov GAIR RHYDD AND QUENCH MAGAZINE ARE PUBLISHED BY UNIVERSITY UNION $"3%*'' 1"3, 1-"$& $"3%*'' $' 2/ t REGISTERED AS A NEWSPAPER AT THE POST 0''*$& t ("*3 3):%% 3&4&37&4 5)& 3*()5 50 &%*5 "-- $0/53*#65*0/4 t 5)& 7*&84 EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE 0' 5)& 16#-*4)&34 t ("*3 3):%% *4 83*5TEN, DESIGNED, TYPESET AND OUTPUT BY STUDENTS OF CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

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A note from the editor... gair rhydd would like to thank the following for their articles and help in making this issue: Contributors Michael O'Connell Davidson Katharina Reikenann Max Eshraghi Chris Durston Ellie Woodruff Jack Parker Alex Greig Chris McSweeney Alice Tobin Ruth Munday Dewi Preece Emma Hughes Proof Readers Sum Sze Tam Ed Lecorgne Michael O’Connell-Davidson

he break over Christmas and New Years is always nice...

Until, on around January 3rd you realise that you’ve got an exam, an essay that’s due in the next few days and no time to do anything but rush back to Uni to get it all done.

In spite of having no january exams, I had exactly the same feeling.

With Media Awards to be planned and the gair rhydd’s 1000th issue to get off the ground; over dinner one day in early January I had that sinking sensation that I should rush back to Cardiff and get back to work.

But without a paper to be getting on with straight away and in an empty office, I was sort of... lost. It turns out, my job actually involves working very closely

with a lot of students on a daily basis - take them away and there’s an odd sensation of not knowing what to do.

That said, a host of papers lay on my desk and my e-mails were well into the hundreds: work was back, with a vengeance.

Being overflowed with work and burying myself in my job for a few days was fine... Until it snowed.

Snow does a strange thing to this country. Much like a tense moment in a horror film, you can tell something’s brewing... The papers begin reporting of potential ‘blizzards’ of getting ‘snowed under’ and of the UK ‘grinding to a halt’.

Then, it comes.

And when it comes, we act as if no-one had ever told us that snow was coming. As if it was a massive surprise that someone hid from us.

After the deluge of snow

comes the incredible comments on tabloids websites. Fiercely and vehemently tapping at their keyboards, two camps emerge.

The first, is the ‘how on earth has this passed for news camp?!’ filled with the type of reader who believes their IQ to be at least 20 or 30 points higher than it actually is.

The second is the camp that disregards the question of whether it’s news in favour of having a go at an ‘unprepared government’ who ‘should have gritted the roads sooner’ as if we should constantly be prepared for a freak snowstorm.

As funny as it can be (and as typecast as tabloid readers are) I’m glad it’s over.

I’m also glad that the exam period’s ended as well - my office is filling up and gair rhydd and Quench are looking just as good as they ever have done. Here’s to an awesome and hectic term!

3

Monday January 28th 2012 | @mediacsu

News in brief Criminal Cat in Brazil A Cat has been arrested for smuggling a mobile phone, saw, drills and other items into a Brazilian jail. Prison guards caught the cat, who had the items taped to its back and stomach. All 263 detainess in the prison of Arapiraca, in north-east Brazil, are

considered suspects in the plot, which is under investigation by the local police. "It's tough to find out who's responsible for the action as the cat doesn't speak," a prison official told local paper Estado de Sao Paulo.

AH

Words by Anna Hickman & Michael O'ConnellDavidson

Vicar Catwalk

Vicars recently partook in their own catwalk event in which they exhibited new outfit designs. The intent was to showcase outfits that will help the church shed its austere image, and appeal to better appeal to the growing female clergy.

MOCD

Irish Accent Popular A poll has named the Essex accent the least attractive in the English language, whilst the Irish accent has come out on top with 28 per cent of the vote. A spokesperson for the poll, which asked 1000 people, said, ‘It’s also no shock that the Irish accent came top, it’s melodic, out of the ordinary and has something of the loveable rogue quality to it.’ The Brummie accent came second to last. AH

Soldiers growing breasts

German soldiers have been ‘growing breasts’ as an unintentional side effect as a result of slapping their rifles too hard on their chest during drills. More than 75 per cent of the Wachbataillon guard battalion have been affected by the condition known as one-sided gynecomastia, which has stimulated growth in the solders’ glands. An army spokesman commented that those effected are being offered medical treatment. AH

In this week’s issue...

Societies attends Cardiff University’s Capoeira society p17

Opinion asks whether Piers Morgan should be deported from the USA. p7

News reports on the mass closure of Cardiff University’s infamous ‘spotted:’ pages.

Politics asks whether Britain is ‘sleepwalking’ out of Europe.

Taf-od sy’n trafod gobeithion y tîmau ym Mhencampwriaeth y Chwe Gwlad p25

p12

p4

Get involved this semester AGM

Elections Elections are massive in Cardiff.

We need a team of keen reporters / radio presenters / Camera operators / editors / writers / people to help sort out the coverage for elections.

Interested? E mail: editor@gairrhydd.com with ELECTIONS in the subject line.

The AGM (annual general meeting) is taking place this semester. Any student can attend, and any student can submit a motion for discussion. We will be live streaming the event, as well as providing full coverage in gair rhydd.

Awards

Varsity This is the main sporting event of the year in Cardiff. It’s an event which is covered by all parts of student media and will be just as manic as elections, but based around sport! If you’d like to be involved in the Varsity team – for whatever section of Student Media – then email: editor@gairrhydd.com with VARSITY in the subject line.

Tickets are on sale now for our annual student media awards, which are this year going to be hosted by Rick Edwards! They can be bought online or in person from the box office. The event includes a four-course meal at the Hilton and the opportunity for you to win awards for your hard work over the course of the year.

E mail: Editor@gairrhydd.com

4 / News

Spotted: no more Bethan Jones

“Comments that pick up on people’s appearance, stature, and clothing, are highly personal and have resulted in students reporting feelings of self-consciousness and reluctance to use the libraries as they are uncomfortable. As the Students’ Union, we have a duty of care to our students and need to ensure their safety when using University facilities.”

But the Union was not able to take any serious action until official complaints were made. After receiving two complaints from students, the Students’ Union decided that the pages should be removed. Because of the nature of the Facebook page, the Union is not able to close it itself, so is

sending an email to each page, requesting for it to be deleted.

Although the majority of the pages for Cardiff University are based around the libraries, some have also emerged for student halls; for instance, ‘Spotted: Talybont’, among others. Although the concept is the same, some of the comments posted have raised concerns, as they refer to what students can see looking into other students’ windows, clearly raising questions regarding the privacy of the students at Cardiff.

However, compared to some of the ‘Spotted…’ pages of other universities, it would appear that Cardiff’s are fairly tame. Southampton and Swansea Universities' pages have both been noted as posting a lot of offensive content, particularly because they have been featuring photos. Cardiff’s Students’ Union was aware of other universities' content, and were monitoring if offensive photos appeared on any of Cardiff’s pages.

Cardiff’s Education and University Affairs Officer, Beth Button, who is dealing with the complaints on behalf of the students, has said, “Whilst we appreciate that no harm may have been intended by the creation of these 'Spotted…’ pages, clearly they have been causing upset amongst students; complaints have been received with students reporting feeling unsafe and uncomfortable about using our library facilities and this is not acceptable.”

She added, “As well as the University raising concerns about the pages, as the Students’ Union, we must take into consideration the welfare of our students, especially during an important assessment period, and so we have requested the removal of the groups.

While originally intended for fun, it is unfortunate that some students felt targeted and uncomfortable. Because of the public and subjective nature of the pages, it is hard to monitor and censor what is acceptable material to post and what is not. As a result,

it is a shame that a few overtly cruel comments can put a stop to the pages. After all, the general aim of the page was originally to “Take a break from revision and let that person you've been giving the eyes to all day know how you really feel...” Personally,

I think it is the responsibility of the creator to keep the tone of the page funny and light-hearted to avoid unnecessary discomfort for students, and the consequent removal of such pages.

Kendal Archer

News Editor Following a recent surge in the ‘Spotted…’ pages of libraries on campus, Cardiff University Students’ Union is taking action against the Facebook pages after receiving complaints from students.

The Facebook pages have become increasingly popular recently at universities across the country, with nearly every library at Cardiff University having its own dedicated page. However, there have been growing concerns over the offensiveness of some of the comments posted on the page. Although it is not the majority, some of the comments featuring on the various Facebook pages are very derogatory and insulting, making direct comments about people personally.

The Students’ Union was made aware that students – as well as staff – were feeling uncomfortable about going to the library for fear of a comment being made about them on the Facebook page. The Union advised staff to monitor the pages for offensive content.

Some of the comments are very derogatory and insulting

We must take into consideration the welfare of our students, especially during assessment period Welfare and Community Officer Megan David has also commented on the matter: “It is disappointing to see that a Facebook page set up in jest has perhaps got out of hand and made some students feel uncomfortable studying in the libraries. I would like to think that the students who set up or are running the pages did not think they would offend anyone, and damage the safe space that libraries and computer rooms are supposed to be. If any students do feel like they have been affected by the comments made on these pages, please do not hesitate to contact me or speak to ARC or student support who can help.”

While what is actually posted on the pages is at the discretion of the creator, it is clear that some students have not been taking into account the effect the comments could have on the person targeted.

Editor’s comment

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News 4–7

Monday January 28th 2013 | @gairrhyddnews

5

Change for Elected Officers Chris Williams

Editor In drastic new measures within the Union, gair rhydd can exclusively reveal a proposal the current full-time officer team will be bringing to AGM in February.

The reduction of elected officers was caused by a need for the Union to save money. A paper was then passed at the Board of Trustees meeting towards the end of last year that asked the current team of eight officers to approve a shift to just six full-time elected officers, after which a review was undertaken externally.

A post on the Cardiff University Students’ Union Facebook

President of the SU

Athletic Union President

Head of Student Media

Societies Officer

Welfare & Community Officer Education & University Affairs Officer

Heath Park Campus Officer

Union Development & Internal Affairs Officer

page claimed that, “The main reason for this change is to reduce costs due to cuts to our funding from the University. It is also considered that a smaller officer team will facilitate more speedy decision making.”

The change to seven officers will mean that the makeup of the team would be as follows: President, Societies and Campaigns Officer, Sports Officer (AU President) and Student Media and Marketing Officer.

There would then be three Education and Welfare Officers representing the three different colleges: the College of Physical Sciences, the College of Arts,

HUMS & Social Sciences, and the College of Biomed and Life Sciences.

This move would coincide with the University’s new college structure, which has been introduced this year.

While the Board of Trustees has asked for a reduction in the number of officers, a motion containing this will have to be brought to and voted on in AGM before a concrete decision can be made on the shape of the new officer team.

Rather contentiously, this new team does not have a separate role for the Heath Park campus – yet the current Heath Park Campus

President of the SU

Sports Officer

Student Media & Marketing Officer

Officer, Hannah Pask, is unfazed by this new development, saying, “I think this new officer team is a really exciting step.

“The changes may be radical, but they ensure every student is represented in a much more comprehensive way than before” “For Heath students, this is really positive, and the focus on the college ensures that their differing needs from the rest of the student body will still be considered, and increases the legitimacy of the role. Plus, adopting officers for each of the University Colleges brings Education and Welfare to the forefront – the two key features that impact on student experience.

“The changes may be radical, but they ensure every student is represented in a much more comprehensive way than ever before!”

The change would also mean that each of the elected positions have the suffix of ‘Officer’.

Current Welfare Officer Megan David also saw the good side of this change, saying, "I am hopeful that the new college structure of the new officer team will demonstrate to the university that the Students' Union sees representing students on Education and Welfare issues as our priority.”

One of the roles that has disap-

Societies & Campaign Officer

College of Physical Sciences Officer College of Arts, HUMS & Social Sciences Officer

College of Biomed & Life Sciences Officer

peared completely is the Union Development and Internal Affairs role. The role was previously Finance and Commercial Officer, before it was changed last year. Kieran Gandhi said of this change, “I'm not disappointed to see my role of Union Development and Internal Affairs Officer dissolved into the new officer roles, as the work I currently undertake will continue, just under different titles.

“The innovative thinking to follow the university's new college system will make for better student engagement and representation, ensuring more students have their say and get involved with their union.”

Rather contentiously, this new team does not have a separate role for the Heath Park campus – yet the current Heath Park Campus Officer, Hannah Pask, is unfazed Much to the disdain of previous AU Presidents, the AU President will become the Sports Officer (AU President). Both titles will be used for them, but the hope is that ‘Sports Officer’ will help to clarify the role of Sport and not just athletics within the Union – yet the tradition of having an AU President could make this a contentious topic when it comes to AGM. “I’m disappointed the decision on the AU President title did not go my way, the AU’s identity must remain strong regardless”, said current AU President Cari Davies when asked about the changes, adding: “I think the college structure is a fantastic opportunity to engage a wide range of students, making the student voice even more prominent.”

The current President, Harry Newman, gave a typical ‘presidential response’ when talking of the changes: “We are at our best when we are at our boldest. We must approve the team at AGM to achieve the step change this organisation needs.

“The success of the new structure depends on the candidates who are inspired to run for election.”

The part-time officer team was not under review and the motion taken to AGM will not include suggestions for what the part-time officer team should look like next year.

6 / News

Multi-faith prayer room opens in Union Anna Hickman News Editor

A new prayer room has opened to be used by the students of Cardiff University in the Lounge of the Union. It is situated on the third floor and will be available to use whenever the building is open.

This is an example of where the Union provides for the diverse needs of our diverse population Students' Union President Harry Newman said having such a space has been an ambition of various faith groups for some time now. He has been lobbying the University for better prayer facilities across the campus and said, "it made sense for us to lead by example.

"I am very keen that it remains a multi-faith space, but all credit

to Danyal Faraz Alauddin of the Islamic Society for encouraging us to prioritise it."

He said the main role would be to provide a space for any Cardiff student who wants a quiet space in the centre of the campus to come and pray.

When asked whether there might be any controversy surrounding the space, Harry said, "I hope not. This is an example of where the Union provides for the diverse needs of our diverse population. It is nothing but positive and is already improving many students’ experiences here.

Having such a space has been an ambition of various faith groups for some time now "I am very pleased that the gair rhydd has told our students about it."

3G pitch closure Anna Hickman News Editor

An electrical failure at the Talybont residence site caused a loss of power to the entire complex for several hours before Christmas and has resulted in longterm lighting issues at the 3G sports field.

The failure, described as ‘significant’ by a University spokesperson, prompted a two-day cancellation of activity between the incident, and the delivery and installation of a new generator to power the floodlights necessary for evening practices.

Although power has been restored to the Talybont site, it is running at ‘high risk’, as only one electrical switchgear unit is being used as opposed to three, as is the usual procedure.

Due to the risk, the University

hired and operated, at significant cost, a generator to offset the power requirements, which enabled the use of the floodlights prior to the Christmas break.

The generator has been used from January 14th, at significant cost Emma Fox, a fourth-year psychology student and ladies' rugby player, said, "we were lucky that our biggest match was cancelled due to the snow, otherwise we would have been completely unprepared without those last few vital training sessions".

However, Cari Davies, the Athletic Union President said that, although the failure had impacted training and subsequent-

ly performance, "I am sure our sports teams will be fine. They will display their usual talent in overcoming adversities".

The Athletic Union has been involved throughout the entire process and agreed to the hours that the generator would be operated to power the floodlights.

According to a University spokesperson, "there is a risk that operating the floodlights would overload the one electrical switchgear. This would cause a power loss to the whole of the Talybont site at a time when exams are taking place in the sports hall and students will be revising, etc."

Although the power has been restored to the Talybont site, it is running at 'high risk' The generator has again been used to operate the floodlights from January 14th, again at significant cost. The Athletic Union has been involved in this decision.

It is hoped that the switchgear can be repaired by the end of January, although it is expected to cost £50,000. The University Estates team, along with Western Power, are scheduling the significant work and are awaiting parts.

Cardiff student sets up forum Kendal Archer News Editor

A Cardiff student, Max Eshraghi, has set up a student forum called Student Core. The site will enable students to discuss their modules and various aspects of their courses.

A service for discussing modules is already provided by the University; discussion boards can be accessed for individual modules via Learning Central.

Lecturers are also able to access these, so they too can answer any questions students might have about various aspects of any given module.

Education and University Affairs Officer Beth Button said, "Admittedly, some modules, students and members of staff use the discussion board more than others, but the service is there, and students are encouraged to access it as it allows staff to answer their questions, as well as students to share ideas and discuss any questions they may have about the module."

She added, "The discussion board on Learning Central can be made anonymous. As I understand it, the module convenor who administrates the discussion board can choose whether the board is anonymous, and as far as I am aware, they are usually happy to do so."

On the Student Core forum, in contrast to the University’s dis-

cussion boards, the advice of lecturers will not be available. This could be seen either as a disadvantage because students will lose out on valuable information, or an advantage to students who are shy about questioning lecturers.

Hence, Button has encouraged use of the University’s services, saying, "When training the student academic representatives, we encourage them to utilise the discussion boards to elicit feedback from their fellow students; it allows them greater access to all the students they are representing than just Facebook or meeting to speak in cafes, etc.

"Admittedly, some report greater usage of the discussion boards in their courses than others, but I feel it is an effective tool for communicating with other students and the staff members, overcoming difficulties, and gathering student feedback specific to that cohort."

Eshraghi, and other students who have helped to set up the forum, have approached Beth Button in order to ask for the Union’s endorsement and for help funding advertising for the forum.

Button met with the Head of IT last Thursday to discuss whether they would endorse the project, or whether they thought it would be detrimental to the University and Union.

News 4–7

Monday January 28th 2012 | @gairrhyddnews

7

Exeter University sex tape scandal Michael O'ConnellDavidson News Writer

Two students were caught engaging in oral sex at Exeter University’s recent ‘Safe Sex Ball’.

The incident was captured on CCTV, and later filmed on a mobile phone by a member of staff and subsequently leaked.

The video has been in circulation since the start of the year, shared via the internet and WhatsApp. The ball was held in December at the University’s ‘Ram bar’, in an effort to raise awareness of sexual health issues.

Attendees are encouraged to wear revealing outfits and are provided with free contraception The Exeter University Students’ Guild has launched an official investigation into the video leak, and has offered support to the students affected. Though local police have not received a report regarding the incident, they have commented that the couple filmed and the individual who leaked the footage have likely committed criminal offences.

The University itself has not offered any comment on the event.

The Ball itself has come under

fire. Attendees are encouraged to wear revealing outfits and are provided with free contraception, with students commenting that the event’s message is lost as a result. One student was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying the event was “disgusting”, adding that, “they pretend it’s about safe sex and AIDS to give them an excuse to wear nothing and get off with each other”. The charity ball was also the subject of controversy last year for the event’s “tribal” theme, which was deemed racist by university staff and students.

However, the ball is very popular, drawing over 2,000 attendees and raising thousands of pounds for AIDS charities.

Groups such as the Campaign for Real Education have weighed in on the ball; Group chairman Chris McGovern commented that it was “regrettable [that the] university [had] to go along this particular path in the name of promoting safer sex”.

Students have been critical of the staff member who leaked the video. An editor of the university’s student newspaper, Exeposé, Tom Payne, wrote in The Guardian that this was the “real story, and the real problem”, with the Daily Mail accusing university staff of voyeurism.

Speaking to Exeposé, the Guild said that they had identified the individuals involved as part of the ongoing investigation and disciplinary procedures.

Payne noted that a “rift” had formed between the Guild (which functions in a similar manner

to Cardiff University’s Students’ Union) and the university itself subsequent to the incident. The latter party has refused to offer comment on the event, but the editors of Exeposé have been threatened with disciplinary action should they publish material encroaching on the Guild’s investigation.

The video has been in circulation since the start of the year, shared via the internet and WhatsApp He also commented on the gathering media storm surrounding the event, with the Daily Mail’s coverage in particular coming under fire. The university has been the subject of national coverage, with outlets such as The Huffington Post and MSN UK running stories on the incident.

The Exeter Tab student newspaper had said that they were at one point considering sharing the video with readers, and conducted a poll in which 83% of respondents encouraged them to do so. However, they decided not to after being threatened with legal action from the Students’ Guild.

Exeter University has become notoriously protective of its image, with Payne noting that this

unwelcome news follows the closure of “Spotted in the Library” and “Confessions of a Uni Student” Facebook pages.

He attributed this to the fact that the university was recently offered a place in the prestigious Russell Group of research universities (whose numbers include Cardiff University, as well as Oxford and Cambridge) last year.

The editors of Exeposé have been threatened with disciplinary action should they publish the material Speaking to gair rhydd, Megan David, Cardiff Students' Union's Welfare and Community Officer, said that she thought the principle of the event was brilliant, but was sad that people weren’t taking the event’s message seriously.

Sympathising with the students affected, she agreed with commentators that they shouldn’t have taken part in the act concerned. However, she believed that the students had been unfairly victimised and were to be likely embarrassed by what had

become a national scandal, asking, “who are we to judge [...] as long as it was safe and consenting? Sex shouldn’t be such a taboo subject – we should be open to discussing it.”

Students have been critical of the staff member who leaked the Megan lamented the fact that the Sexual Health Awareness Group (SHAG) folded last year due to its faltering membership.

In December, she and those who remained in the society held a quiz in the Vulcan Lounge to improve awareness of World AIDS Day, raising £200 and giving out free condoms. She plans to continue efforts to increase sexual awareness, expanding on campaigns around the University and the Union, including the installation of a map of Cathays with directions to the Royal Infirmary on the first floor of the Union.

Those wishing to get involved are encouraged to email Megan at WelfareOfficer@cardiff.ac.uk.

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9

Opinion 9-12

Monday January 28th 2013| @gairrhyddop

For & Against

Should Piers Morgan have been deported from America?

After Morgan spoke out over gun usage in the states, writers Katharina Reikemann and Max Eshraghi question if he was right to speak out, and whether his failed deoportation should have gone ahead

T

For

he recent massacre at Sandy Hook has prompted questions about gun usage in the U.S.A. and many prominent names have spoken out against poor gun control.

One of the most controversial is Piers Morgan. While, I understand his stance on gun control and see how a petition for his deportation from the U.S.A. started

by Alex Jones might seem like an overreaction, (as is Ulrika Jonsson’s point in demanding the Americans keep him as Britain doesn’t want him back) it’s still not Morgan’s place to speak out as he has.

The citizens of America have been able to keep and bear arms since the Second Amendment was adopted in 1791; therefore it is understandable that any attempt to restrict their right to protect themselves, by taking away the source of protection they have relied upon for so long, would provoke anger and fear.

What other reaction could we have expected when Americans have depended upon their guns to alleviate their fears of being shot by burglars or other criminals? Gun control would force citizens to give up their firearms and the security that they have relied upon for so long, whereas for criminals it will make it only slightly more difficult to acquire weapons.

Britain has never had that type of reliance on firearms; of course they are used by criminals, and

it’s true that since Britain hasn’t had that dependence there are fewer gun massacres. The U.S.A. however is a vast country. It is inevitable that there will be a greater number of gun deaths as a result of the increased population.

It’s not only the size of the country, but its history, with its sense of frontier mentality that is so different to that of Britain.

I don’t believe it is right that a British citizen who hasn’t lived his life in America should volunteer his opinions in such a forceful and aggressive manner as if he has a stake in the country; after all, he used his chat show to attack the deeply held convictions of the majority of the citizens of his host country.

Maybe, if an American national spoke out as strongly against the questionable gun laws, it would have held more worth, as U.S. citizens would see one of their own reacting against this horrible school massacre as well as the others .

To reiterate, despite Morgan’s surprisingly valid points on gun law, I don’t believe he is the right person to be arguing against the rights of American citizens to bear arms. Even though he would not be welcomed with open arms (as a result of the recent Leveson inquiry and his response to the official findings) I believe the Americans have the right to deport him back to Britain. KR

P

“

Piers has the right to Freedom of Speech. Since when did the Land of Opportunity deport people for speaking their mind?

Against

iers Morgan is certainly rooted firmly amongst the celebrity personalities we love to hate. He has a habit of being outspoken and over-opinionated and no more so than with his latest comments criticising the American attitude towards gun ownership. But the fact remains that, correct or incorrect, he has the right to make these comments.

Such is the furore surrounding his calls for more extreme gun control laws that his detractors have sought to remove him from America entirely. But these gun-lovers have failed to realise that their crusade to protect the Second Amendment has them violating the First. Piers has the right to Freedom of Speech. Since when did the Land of Opportunity deport people for speaking their mind?

This is not to say that the First Amendment protects Morgan’s presence in the USA. It doesn’t.

The government have deported foreign journalists before like Marxist Kleindienst. However, this particular petition represents something disturbing about a portion of American society. In the wake of the Aurora and Sandy Hook massacres, his calls for tighter gun-control laws are not that controversial or threatening.

The argument he makes has seen increased support from many Americans, following a decade of a record 12 mass shootings. I assume that for holding the same opinion, these Americans should

be silenced or deported as well.

What this petition reeks of is xenophobia and ignorance. Does Morgan’s reasonable criticism of the incredible American appetite for guns really threaten these gun-toters that much? Do they see him as some sort of 21st Century redcoat? The White House last week was right not buckle to the demands those who saw fit to remove Morgan from the equation rather than engage him in reasoned debate. And by ‘reasoned debate’ I don’t mean the mad, foaming-at-the-lips ravings of Alex Jones.

After channelling Peter Finch from Network on Morgan’s show, the talk show radio host spearheaded this ludicrous campaign to have Morgan shipped back to England. Thankfully, the American government’s reasonable response stated that "the Constitution not only guarantees an individual right to bear arms, but also enshrines the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press."

Gun-politics aside, the ridiculous petition doesn’t recognise practicalities. With offices internationally, deporting Morgan would not remove him from the CNN network, effectively rendering the whole exercise pointless.

Whilst I highlight the 'Keep Piers Morgan in the USA...because no one in the UK wants him back' petition, if Morgan is deported he’ll end up back on British screens, and if that isn’t reason enough to oppose this petition I don’t know what is. ME

10 / Opinion

Millions of choices

One hundred million pounds has been found to spend on the development of the University, so Chris Durston discusses what he would do with it, if given a free rein

A

hundred million pounds is a lot of money. It’s enough money to buy almost a hundred private islands in the Bahamas, if you opt for the cheaper ones, and probably leave you with enough left over to fill the whole place with beach balls and lilos and all the things that only a tourist would ever need. Alternatively, if you were feeling generous, you could get yourself and a hundred or so of your nearest and dearest a Ferrari Enzo each, although the insurance on those might well

leave you in more debt than a student (ha). If you were feeling peckish, perhaps you could be tempted with a billion penny sweets – assuming such a thing at such a price even still exists.

For a university, it’s a lot of money that has to be applied responsibly, with thought and for the greater good of all. I doubt an island in the Bahamas or a hundred Ferrari Enzos would do the uni as a whole much good, although I’d love to see the headlines if that happened. A more appropriate use would of course be improvements to the facilities: more computer suites to avoid

the inevitable rush for printers immediately pre-deadline, maybe even adding some funds to the bursaries and taking the sting off of the raised fees for a few people, perhaps a bit of funky wallpaper in the lecture theatres.

I doubt Ferrari Enzos would do the uni as a whole much good, although I’d love to see the headlines if that happened.

I’m sure a few of my fellow first-years would like to see improvements to their lodgings as well – except the ones in Talybont Court, who as far as I can tell have no legitimate reason to complain about anything. For myself, as a resident of the university halls descriptively and unambiguously titled University Hall (if you haven’t been there, you’ve probably heard of it as ‘the one really far away’) I’d like a few more facilities here: maybe a shop, or a social centre, or a bobsled run made out of diamond.

In relative seriousness, a hundred million pounds is the kind of money that can make a massive difference. I’d probably squander it on food and video games in a few days, but the university’s already brilliant research can always use some more funding, as can societies, the student union and support, even the cafes that we all sit and muse about life and work in, and without which life here would, I think, be surprisingly different.

I’m not an expert on the university’s needs, but for a hundred million pounds I’m pretty sure I could at least hire someone who is.

With great dollar, to entirely misquote Spider-Man, comes great responsibility, which means that any bad decisions in how to spend it are going to be mercilessly mocked for a long, long time.

Perhaps a new bar, then? With that amount of money, I’d want

one with w a l l s i z e d TVs, minor celebrities forced to dance in cages for my entertainment and rollercoasters to the moon, although that last one might not be the best idea in a place specifically designed for getting nauseous. All things considered, it might not be such a bad tactic to get everyone so latrine-huggingly drunk that they completely forgot about the gross misuse of such a phenomenal sum for a few hours. Even once the effects of alcohol had worn off, the hangover would prevent any sort of cogent protest about wishing they’d had a better bursary instead of that nineteenth Jagerbomb.

Innocent until proven guilty? The Jimmy Savile effect

Opinion Writer Ellie Woodruff examines how the public create criminals before a verdict is passed, and the effect that the Jimmy Savile case has had upon this

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ostprophets fans everywhere were left stunned in December as it came to light that the band's lead singer, Ian Watkins, 35, had been arrested on suspicion of six child sex offences.

The crimes brought against Pontypridd-born Watkins, who was raised just 12miles north of Cardiff, include possession, making and distributing indecent images of children, and most disturbingly, conspiring with a female fan to rape a one-year-old girl. Watkins is a former ex-boyfriend of TV presenter Fearne Cotton and is currently being remanded in custody in Park Prison in Bridgend after being refused bail on two occasions.

Although the Welsh rocker has not admitted to any of the accusations and is still awaiting trial, he has been predictably slandered in the media. Funeral For A Friend singer Matt Davies, friend of Watkins, commented "It goes to show that you can never tell...You spend that kind of time together, but you never really know anybody." He admitted that although he wished to believe in Watkins' innocence, "there are so many things that have come out

that it is hard to ignore."

The case has also sparked a frenzy of comments on social networking sites, with Ian Watkins trending fourth worldwide on Twitter at its most talked about. The singer's Facebook page has been victim to a string of hate messages ; one user commenting "Even if this terrible musician does get represented by an expensive lawyer that manipulates the truth to grant his innocence, who is gunna listen to his voice knowing he was arrested for distributing animal and child porn?...sicko." So many Facebook and Twitter users appear certain of Watkins' guilt, but in a legal system which views defendants as 'innocent until proven guilty', why is this so?

Many Facebook and Twitter users appear certain of Watkins' guilt Two words: Jimmy Savile. The late Top of the Pops presenter was able to abuse more than 450 people over a 54 year period, but avoided any charges in his lifetime despite being investigated by police on five separate occasions.

ing as her and "looking creepy."

He has since received apologies and damages from eight different newspapers who published inaccuracies about him and attacked his character following his wrongful arrest.

Everyone has the right to a fair trial, and until Ian Watkins has his, we cannot be sure of his guilt or innocence

The enormity of scale and atrocity of Savile's crimes beggars belief and has naturally caused the public to question their trust in the police. It is believed that the BBC star's celebrity status was a contributing factor in the failure to prosecute him, and the public can't be blamed for not wanting to make the same mistake in dealing with the case of Ian Watkins.

However, for every Jimmy Savile there is an example of a wrongly-accused who turns out to be completely innocent, but

whose name has been tarnished forever by ignorant people who cannot see past the idea of 'no smoke without fire.' Sports fans will remember the case of exCardiff City manager Dave Jones, who was falsely accused of paedophilia, and lost his job and a year of his life before he was cleared of all charges. More recently, Christopher Jefferies, the landlord of Joanna Yates, was deemed guilty of her murder by the media as soon as he was arrested. His only crime? Living in the same build-

Everyone has the right to a fair trial, and until Ian Watkins has his, we cannot be sure of his guilt or innocence. Assuming he is guilty before his conviction is dangerous, as fuelling a hateful media frenzy against an innocent man makes us the criminals. Until the jury reaches a verdict on Watkins, we must sit tight and wait; lips sealed and keyboards to ourselves.

Everyone has an opinion. Email us your ideas at opinion@ gairrhydd.com

Opinion 9-12

Monday January 28th 2013 | @gairrhyddop

11

Clegg vows to run again in next general election Jack Parker OpinionWriter In April 2010, a new fascinating character rocked our television screens, stating bold opinions on education and nuclear missiles.

In the first ever televised debate between the leaders of the main political parties, Nick Clegg came striding to victory. Yes, it was victory against a posh Tory snob and a mumbling man with ‘smiling problems’, but still, a hard fought victory nonetheless.

By November he was u-turning on tuition fees, his popularity had collapsed and the once over-excited party faithful were throwing their ‘I agree with Nick’ bumper stickers and coffee mugs into the bonfire. Since then he’s been keeping busy privatising the NHS, kick-starting the third recession in as many years and launching a short-lived musical career. Recently, Nick was in the news again, as he confidently announced his nomination for the 2015 general election in his Sheffield Hallam constituency.

Sheffield Hallam is a serene, well educated part of the world, populated heavily by students and middle class professionals.

Labour has never won there and the Tories have been a distant second since the Lib Dems swung into the seat back in 1997. With

an 8,500 majority, it would seem Nick Clegg may well succeed in re-election, although it will be tough. Labour has gained considerably on Sheffield City Council since 2010 and is looking likely to

week media blitz. Nick Clegg’s apology will be excreted and regurgitated throughout Britain’s hospitals, privatised academies and the handful of remaining British factories. It’ll be the best

them. His personal ratings are drastically and consistently lower than those of his party. These figures pretty much settle it.

Between now and May 2015, the Liberal Democrats urgently need

unleash an armada of pain come 2015.

But that’s enough about Sheffield. Perhaps most agonising, is the news that Nick also intends to stay on as party leader. This means his involvement in another round of debates and another six

free advertising the Labour party will ever get.

Even Liberal Democrats aren’t fond of him; a recent poll showed only 19% of those who voted Lib Dem in 2010 consider Nick a ‘natural leader’. Only five percent of the voting public agree with

to find a new leader. Vince Cable may have been plotting a comeback and has refused to rule out a leadership contest. This may have not been such bad news for the party, were it not for the fact that his demotion was caused by him offending the most powerful

More money but still more cuts Alex Greig Opinion Editor Over the Christmas holidays, our Students Union announced plans to cut the full time sabbatical team from eight people down to seven, stating: "The main reason for this change is to reduce costs due to cuts to our funding from the University."

Call me a cynic, but considering there is an article on the opposite page right now, stating that the university has recently come into £100,000,000, I find this news baffling. It is difficult to believe that seven people will be able to do the work of eight people to the same standard, and as (from my experience as a student at least) there is nothing drastically wrong with any aspect of university life, I am struggling to comprehend how the cuts will make things any better. After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The union feels that "It is also considered that a smaller officer team will facilitate more speedy decision making," but who wants speedy decisions? I'm more interested in good decisions being made. I'm sure the majority of students will agree that it is better to wait a little while longer to gain something that is truly beneficial, rather than receive a rushed, botch job of a decision.

The University have one hundred million pounds which is enough, we have calculated, to employ the eight sabbatical officers on their £20,000(ish) a year for 625 years. (Though granted there are other things to spend on). Moreover, considering the recent tripling of fees, it seems mad that cuts are going ahead.

Sure, I don't understand the economy particularly well, and nor will I ever, but the notion that such a positive figure results in cuts must be confusing to even those that do.

The union has announced the alterations t0 roles. However, one of these seems somewhat confused: the suggestion is that the roles of Welfare Officer and Education Officer are transformed. Instead of these two positions, the idea is that there will be three Welfare and Education officers, one each to represent 'The College of Physical Scienc-

es', 'The College of Arts, HUMS and Social Sciences', and 'the College of Biomed and Life Sciences'. It is perplexing to have an officer for each college, not least because few are aware of the college system (I for one, only heard of it ten minutes ago) but also because this could risk a bigger divide between university degrees.

Moreover, why exactly are three of these officers necessary?

This cut is going to be an unpopular decision. When this issue is raised at the AGM, I will not be surprised if the motion, in it's entirety, is opposed. I feel the University needs to use it's money more wisely - we should be questioning why more cash isn't filtering down into our Union, the part of the University which acts to represent the students, and therefore perhaps the most central aspect of university life that there is.

man in British media. Oops. Personally I’d like to see Lembit Opik rise to the challenge. If we’re going to laugh at the Lib Dems, we may as well do it properly.

Regardless of who leads them, the party is facing a nightmare in 2015. Not only have they done a u-turn on voters, but they’ve abandoned the heart of their own membership. That’s what I really hate about Nick Clegg and his cronies. It’s pretty bad to join a coalition and vote for cuts in order to honour your own voters and supporters, but the Lib Dems have gone a step further. Throughout, it’s been clear that their priority hasn’t been to lower tuition fees or cancel trident or any of the things that they campaigned on.

Instead they have concentrated on the Alternative Vote referendum and House of Lords reform, both of which have failed and both of which were aimed almost solely at changing the system to benefit their own electoral math.

They gambled their first step into power on an all-or-nothing referendum and lost.

That’s why, whoever leads the Lib Dems beyond 2015, it will be from their single row of the back benches, lonely and abandoned.

But, unlike Nick, I’m not even sorry.

12 / Columnist

by Liam McNeilly

D

avid Cameron declared “The choice will not be for British Politicians, it will be for the British people” as he announced one of the biggest moments in recent history concerning the UK’s relationship with the European Union. Should the Prime Minister’s party achieve a majority at the 2015 General Election, Cameron promises to hold a simple, in or out referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU. It’s a move that has been vociferously opposed by Ed Miliband, although not all within the Labour Party, and is likely to please the majority of Tory MPs. Perhaps more significantly though, it’s a small win for UKIP, a party that doesn’t even boast a member of the current Westminster Parliament but whose influence is undoubtedly growing. This has led to questions of the Cameron’s motives. Is this just a ploy to smooth over the cracks and disgruntlement amongst Conservatives, or a sign that he is bowing to the pressure of UKIP? Regardless of the motivations behind this decision, the timing of the announcement suggests a hint of hypocrisy on the part of the Prime Minister. Just two days earlier, Cameron had called for greater international co-operation to combat the continuous threat of global terrorism. Hours later, his speech suggested that the UK could cut its ties with Europe, and it would be the public that makes the decision.

Despite not answering Ed Mil-

iband when he asked the Prime Minister how he would vote in such a referendum, it would seem that Cameron would like the UK to remain part of the EU. The key to this, and perhaps why he would not be drawn on Miliband’s question, is that he would like to oversee Britain forging a new relationship with Europe, a reformed one, before any potential referendum takes place. Nevertheless, as it stands, it’s difficult to envisage Cameron leading a campaign to leave.

As such, this announcement is unlikely to dissuade many disgruntled anti-EU traditional Tory voters from casting their ballot in favour of UKIP at the next election, but perhaps gives him more chance keeping them on side than he had before.

It is however his promise of allowing the people to decide that worries me most about this announcement.

I believe that politicians are paid to make big political decisions that are going to impact on the lives of those they represent.

Once elected, we expect them to be accountable for their actions and decisions. We also expect their actions to be based on an informed understanding of issues that the general public might not all grasp; a general public, some of which will have had their opin-

ions shaped by newspaper scare stories, from the numerous influential newspapers with staunch anti-EU bias.

The conditions just aren’t right for a referendum on Europe.

There is not enough transparency where Europe is concerned, nor is the public educated enough about the complexities and multifaceted nature

of the EU to dictate its relationship with the UK. It’s a shame that it is the case, but I just don’t trust the general public with such an important decision.

Take the recent Abu Hamza case, where the radical preacher’s extradition from the United Kingdom has been put to numerous appeals, and blocked due to rulings by the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).

Stories like this invoke anger amongst readers, as it would appear that the presence of Eu-

Extract of Cameron's EU Speech: "It will be an in-out referendum.

Legislation will be drafted before the next election. And if a Conservative government is elected we will introduce the enabling legislation immediately and pass it by the end of that year. And we will complete this negotiation and hold this referendum within the first half of the next parliament.

It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time to settle this European question in British politics.

I say to the British people: this will be your decision.

And when that choice comes, you will have an important choice to make about our country's destiny."

rope (I say Europe as a general term, as many don’t understand the differences and intricacies of the different European bodies, and understandably so) is infringing on British sovereignty and pride.

Stories like this simply don’t give the

reader a balanced or rounded view of the nature of the UK’s relationship with Europe.

It’s worth considering, for those who do cite scenarios such as this as a reason to abandon the EU, that without European police co-operation, with initiatives such as the EU arrest warrant, experts think that situations like that could actually become more common.

Writing in the Independent, Director of the Police Foundation John Graham said that opting out of the EU could have drastic consequences for UK law and order. “By opting out the UK will find it significantly more difficult to identify and extradite serious criminals and could potentially become a safe haven for fugitives from justice and members of cross-border organised crime networks.”

Labour MEP Michael Cashman recently spoke at a convention in Brussels at the launch of an EU funded initiative called the Rainbow Project, which aims to challenge homophobia and transphobia throughout EU member states; in regions where LGBT rights are restricted and LGBT persons prosecuted. He spoke of the importance of Europe being united in a set of shared val-

ues, and showing solidarity with those who are victims of intolerance and persecution.

But whilst show-

casing the positive work of the European Union, he was all too aware that initiatives like this aren’t likely to be the ones which influence the British publics opinion on Europe. He said, “The European Union isn’t going through a very good time at the moment. It’s easily, certainly in the United Kingdom, one of the most misrepresented ideas, and institutions imaginable.”

With the White House entering the debate, saying “the United States values a strong UK in a strong European Union, which makes critical contributions to peace, prosperity, and security in Europe and around the world” it highlights the complex nature and multiple roles of the European Union.

That is why I find it so bizarre that a decision that will impact economic issues, global security issues, diplomatic relations and so much more, could be left in the hands of people whose understanding of the situation is nowhere near as thorough as those who have elected and paid to make such decisions.

14 / Politics

UK sleepwalking out of the EU Is David Cameron risking our future prosperity by planning a renegotiation of our membership of the EU? Politics editor Thom Hollick adds his warning.

I

“

Will David Cameron be able to pull this off ?

Certainly he is starting from one of the weakest positions imaginable

t was set to be one of the biggest speeches in British politics for many years; after talking about it for many months, David Cameron was finally set to deliver his big speech and describe his vision for a fundamental repositioning of Britain in Europe.

The speech has been muchdiscussed because the issue of Europe is one of those big problems that has been around for decades and doesn’t ever seem to go away, particularly for the Conservative party. It is a major source of division, ever since the pro-European wing forced Margaret Thatcher from office because of her hardening views, and then struggled to maintain control of an increasingly Eurosceptic party in the early '90s. It is arguably one of the main reasons the party failed to overturn the Labour government for the 13 years prior to 2010, and even then not convincingly.

The divisions within the party are growing ever more apparent, although now the two main groups are the Eurosceptic who want to renegotiate our relationship with Europe (including Cameron and most of his key government ministers) and those who simply want to leave. This shift may have been affected by rising fortunes of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) who are gaining ground on the Tories at every election. Ignoring the issue is no longer an option for the Prime Minister.

The date for the speech was eventually set for January 18th in Amsterdam, but because of the sudden development of the hostage crisis in Algeria the Prime Minister was forced to call it off so he could chair a meeting of COBRA, the Cabinet's emergency response committee. It is set to be rescheduled, but at time of writing the new date is not clear.

Nonetheless, this speech has been peculiar in that enough of its contents have been leaked to stimulate widespread discussion across the media.

We know he is planning on setting out a plan to renegotiate the UK’s membership of the EU, to return to a more basic economic partnership similar to what was agreed in the 1975 referendum, when the body was the European Community. This will mean demanding opt-outs of various pieces of social legislation, such as the Working Time Directive, and perhaps other measures on policing and criminal justice co-operation between the member-states.

The presumption is that Mr Cameron will enter negotiations to secure the repatriation of these powers, and will then draw up a referendum asking the people of Britain whether they prefer these new terms, or if they would rather just leave the EU all together, and go it alone in a similar way to Switzerland or Norway. The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that there will be no option to vote for the current system; for Britain to retain both its economic and social position within Europe. It would seem, according to Cameron and his supporters, that the status quo is not an acceptable choice.

This is all a very big 'if', as any referendum would probably take place in about 2017, well after the next general election, which could well see David Cameron turfed from power. Also, we don’t even know if the negotiations will take place, let alone be as successful as the Prime Minister hopes. It is possible that other EU leade r s w i l l simply refuse to meet our del-

egation to discuss their demands.

They have, after all, got more pressing issues concerning them.

If his negotiations are unsuccessful, and David Cameron fails to win back the powers that he says he will, would he be willing to take the bold step and leave the Union? This seems unlikely given everything he has said to date on wanting to remain in the single market, but unless he is able to make that very real and credible threat, then both his European counterparts and his own party will ignore him. Cameron really needs to be successful here, as if he plays it slightly wrong, it could spell the end of his political career as Conservative leader.

He is, of course, under pressure from two sides: as well as the emergent threat of UKIP and his own back-benchers, he has come under fire from those who are much more eager to see Britain remain in the EU. Ed Miliband and the Labour Party have, of course, criticised his playing with fire over the European issue, but so too have his coalition partners Nick Clegg and Vince Cable, who have called this the worst possible time to be triggering such uncertainty.

As if to vindicate their concerns, warnings have also come from British business leaders, as well as the rest of the world. Ten big figures in British business – including Sir Richard Branson of Virgin and Sir Michael Rake of BT – wrote an open letter in the Financial Times, expressing concerns about Cameron’s tactics potentially leading us out of Europe, which could have disastrous consequences for businesses investing in Britain. They claim that “wholesale revision could mean damaging uncertainty”, especially if there is to be a question mark over Britain’s place in European markets until a 2017 referendum.

Concerns have also been raised by those abroad, with politicians in Germany and even the USA warning David Cameron to be careful he doesn’t

force Britain out of the EU by accident. The warning from Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon, the most senior member of the Obama administration for European affairs, should come as a particular concern, as it highlights just what is at stake if we are to exit the EU. We are a more important ally to the USA, and thus punch above our weight in the global economic system, so long as we are a member of the EU. Outside, we are isolated.

So, will David Cameron be able to pull this off? He is certainly starting from one of the weakest positions imaginable, responsible as he is for holding together a coalition of diametrically opposing views on Europe. Unless he is truly willing to threaten a UK departure, he may be completely ignored by European leaders; on the other hand, if he is the Prime Minister who leads the withdrawal from the decadesspanning process of European integration, he will have ignored the warnings of Labour, the Liberal Democrats, business leaders, European politicians and American diplomats, and could trigger a period of permanent decline.

Either way, it is possible that either outcome could mean the end of his political career. It is not surprising he has tried to put it off as long as he has.

15

Politics 14-15

Monday January 28th 2013 | @gairrhyddpol

The cost of Trident: 5,300 redundancies Chris McSweeney reports on the Liberal Democrat review of Trident replacements

O

n Tuesday of last week, the Liberal Democrats made good on a campaign promise, as Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander announced the launch of a “Trident Alternatives Review” to replace the UK's notoriously expensive nuclear deterrent, Trident. In an interview with The Guardian, Alexander stated that while he was not in favour of the abolition of the nuclear deterrent, he stressed the need for cheaper alternatives to be considered.

The cost of an individual nuclear missile is £16.8 million The opening of this inquiry came just hours after the MoD announced the impending redundancies of 5,300 soldiers in the wake of cost-cutting measures.

The latest tranche of redundancies comes as a result of the Coalition’s Strategic Defence and Security Review of 2010, which aims to reduce the number of personnel in the armed forces by a further 6,000 before 2016.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "The Army is actively managing recruitment to reach the target numbers, but unfortunately redundancies are unavoidable due to the size of the defence deficit that this government inherited and the consequent scale of downsizing required in the Army”.

While the MoD insists that personnel made redundant have a 91 per cent rate of find-

5,300 British soliders could lose their jobs this year ing “some form of employment” within six months, Catherine Spencer of the Army Families Federation has raised concerns that the working lives of some veteran troops, particularly those living in service accommodation, could be thrown into turmoil, as entire families could be uprooted following the job cuts. Speaking to ITN last week she claimed that families could face “a huge range of difficulties to overcome”.

Aside from this, in spite of the Defence Secretary’s remarks, recruitment centres could be more likely to turn away applicants in a bid to meet personnel reduc-

tion targets, which is bad news for the 2 per cent of students who attempt to enlist in the Armed Forces within six months of graduation.

The Trident nuclear defence system costs £3.7 billion per annum Post-graduate enlistment notwithstanding, army recruitment continues to rise every year due to thousands of young people leaving various levels of education, many facing joblessness in a time of severe economic re-

cession. With the continuation of austerity measures in a bid to lower the national debt, even the armed forces; historically a safe career path for those struggling to find work elsewhere, could heavily clamp down on recruitment over the next few years.

Meanwhile, early estimates of the cost of replacing the Trident Nuclear Deterrent stand at an initial £25-£30 billion, with £3 billion a year running costs over the nuclear submarines’ 30 to 40year lifespan. At present, Trident accounts for around 5 per cent of the MoD’s annual budget, and has repeatedly been the topic of

debate between MPs - as many believe that a nuclear deterrent is an unnecessary measure in the 21st century.

Danny Alexander’s report is expected to conclude in June of this year, however thus far there are no plans on releasing the report to the public once it’s finished. In response to this, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has started a letter-writing campaign to MPs, demanding the most complete publication of the report be made available.

The week in WAG

Class B drug mephedrone will be the focus of a new awareness campaign next month. An estimated 3–5 % of 16–24-yearolds have tried the drug

Lesley Griffiths has announced changes to the cervical screening programme, extending first screenings from age 20 to 25

Wales is set to introduce a mandatory scheme requiring all food businesses to openly display their hygiene rating

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18 / Science

InSight

In collaboration with Crunch on Xpress Radio. Listen live to Insight's companion segment on Wednesdays 12-1pm.

Keeping an eye on your city’s latest science news

Cardiff Academic Dissects In Vitro Burgers The first burger to be made in a laboratory may soon be ready to eat. Researcher Dr Neil Stephens, from the Cardiff School of Social Sciences, is trying to understand what this new meat will mean to us. Science writer Alice Tobin asks if you’d try a taste.

In the future, our meat may come from a laboratory rather than a farm. The first lab-grown beef burger is being developed from muscle stem cells at Maastrict University in the Netherlands by a team of scientists led by Dr Mark Post.

This burger was due to be served up in October 2012 by Heston Blumenthal, but is not yet ready, as the scientists are still working on how to achieve the right texture. Even so, it shows that the technology is on its way.

The question is, are we ready for it?

For those who hate intensive farming, lab-grown meat may be the solution It is this question that Dr Neil Stephens, Research Associate at CESAGen, is trying to answer.

He is looking at the issue from a sociological perspective, and has interviewed almost all of the scientists who are trying to

grow meat in the lab. “This is fundamentally unusual,” he says, “fundamentally ambiguous, and we don’t really have a category, a way of understanding what this tissue is.”

Real meat could become a luxury that only the richest can afford For those who hate the cruelty caused by intensive farming, but can’t face going veggie, labgrown meat may be the solution.

While some animals still need to be slaughtered to extract the muscle stem cells, the method used by Post could produce up to a million times more beef from each cow.

With the world’s population expected to hit 9 billion by 2050, and increased wealth in China and India, demand for meat is on the rise. Real meat could become a luxury that only the richest can afford, but lab-grown meat may provide a cheaper alternative.

Lab-grown meat is also considerably more environmentally friendly. Cows produce large amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas 20x more potent than carbon dioxide. In fact, the overall greenhouse gas emissions produced by livestock are estimated to contribute more than the entire transport system. Lab meat could cut these emissions by up to 95%.

Lab-grown meat is also considerably more environmentally friendly So meat from the lab has great promise, but this counts for nothing unless we actually choose to eat it. With the organic food movement promoting natural produce, some people may find the idea of lab-grown meat just too strange to stomach.

"Would you eat meat grown in a lab?"

Depends on the situation really; if there wasn’t any natural meat left, then maybe. Emma Jones, BSc Business Management Yes. It’s just meat isn’t it?

What goes into burgers and stuff, it’s no different.

Kay Chan, English Literature

Dr Neil Stephens discusses in vitro meat online.

Watch at http://vimeo.com/53836844#at=0

No. I don’t know why. Taboo, I guess. Sheily Morjaria, Biology

It’s not going to be any different from normal home-grown meat. It would solve the food crisis around the world and food prices would come down quite significantly. Anonymous, Medicine

I’d be a little suspicious of it. Possibly, if you tried it and it tasted like real meat, you probably wouldn’t know the difference. Julia Fault, English Literature and History

Consumers go Cookoo for Pebble smartwatch Michael O'Connell Amazon Kindle, has an eink screen, and lasts seven Davidson Science Writer

The Pebble, a watch possessing many of the capabilities of a mobile phone, has begun shipping to consumers.

The device’s production was funded via Kickstarter, a crowdfunding website which allows users to invest in products directly. Raising over ten million dollars from nearly seventy thousand backers, the Pebble is the most successful Kickstarter to date.

The watch, like the

days on a single charge. Its smart capabilities allow users to download different faces for the watch, as well as a number of third party applications.

The Pebble is one of many Kickstarter success stories The watch is also bluetooth enabled, and is capable of interfacing with Android and iOS smartphones. Users will be able to answer calls,

read emails, and receive notifications from social networking sites directly from the device.

Shipping began on the 23rd of January, missing its initial release window of Autumn 2012. The device will be produced in batches of 15,000. These will initially go directly to project backers, but will be available to the general market in “about 6-8 weeks,” according to project founder Eric Migicovsky.

A competitor, the Cookoo, is already available. It uses a newer version of Bluetooth, allowing it to

operate for a year on a single watch battery.

The service is not without its horror stories Unlike the Pebble, the Cookoo uses analog hands to show the time; however, the face of the watch possesses a number of digital indicators, allowing it to communicate data to users. The device will vibrate upon the user receiving a call, and will also prompt its wearer upon receipt of emails.

The Pebble is one of many Kickstarter success

stories, with 2012 seeing a number of high-profile projects. Webcomic author Andrew Hussie raised $2.4mil to fund a videogame adaptation of his webcomic “Homestuck,” which amounted to 355% of his initial target.

However, the service is not without its horror stories; though project creators are legally obligated to deliver a product related to their fundraiser, a number of projects have been cancelled for appearing fraudulent or making unrealistic promises.

The latest smartwatches: the Pebble (left) and the Cookoo (right)

InSight: Keeping an eye on your city’s latest science news

Cardiff Scientists Solve Breast Cancer Genetics Mystery Max Eshraghi Science Writer

Researchers at Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences have made a significant discovery that could prevent the spread of cancerous tissue. The research team, led by Dr Richard Clarkson, have identified an unexpected role for the gene Bcl3.

Studies had previously suggested that Bcl3 regulated tumour growth, but the Cardiff team discovered that it actually promotes the spread of tumours to other organs, known as metastasis.

Bcl3 is a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer

19

Science 18-19

Monday January 28th 2013 | @gairrhyddsci

This revelation was the result of a study into the effect of suppressing the gene’s activity in living mammary tumour tissues inside the body.

It is now hoped that this treatment could be applied to human breast cancer patients The study was carried out on mice models of breast cancer – in other words, mice which had mammary tumours. In test subjects which had the Bcl3 gene deleted, a 75% reduction in metastatic tumour spreading in the lungs was observed. Suppression of the Bcl3 gene had no significant effect on the growth of the

primary mammary tumour, demonstrating that Bcl3 affects metastatic disease spreading rather than primary tumour growth, as previously thought.

Dr Clarkson emphasised that if his team had mimicked previous studies which used tumour cells grown in laboratory conditions, or in vitro, this discovery may not have been made. Dr Clarkson explained, “This approach has also revealed that suppressing this gene is not harmful to normal tissues, which makes Bcl3 a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer”. It is now hoped that this treatment could, eventually, be applied to human breast cancer patients.

Leading cancer journal Cancer Research has reported the results, which are now prompting re-

Significant steps could be made to prevent tumour spread searchers worldwide to consider developing novel pharmacological inhibitors of Bcl3. The Cardiff research team are currently carrying out pre-clinical tests in order to establish whether such a treatment has potential as an anti-cancer agent. If these tests are successful, then significant steps could be made to prevent tumour spread, which is the major cause of death in breast cancer patients.

Depression gene remains undiscovered Alexey Underwood Science Editor

An international team of 86 scientists have tried to understand more about the genetic mechanisms that underlie a predisposition to depression.

In contrast to stories usually reported in Science, this particular study found absolutely nothing.

Despite the scientists’ valiant efforts, which included recruiting an additional 15,000 volunteers on top of their commendable initial total of 34,549 participants, the genetics of depression and why it appears to run in families remain mysterious.

Henning Tiemeier of Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, coauthor of the study, was laconic in his description of the study, simply saying “I’m disappointed”. However, refusing to lose hope, he then fi some of the genes involved.”

The team of scientists, which published their work online in the journal Biological Psychiatry on January 3rd, utilised a novel approach to try to cover the elusive ‘depression gene’.

?

Instead of focusing on whether the volunteers had been previously diagnosed with depression, they used their own scale of depressive symptoms and tried to correlate the severity of particular depressive symptoms with the results of the genetic testing. This choice of methodology was controversial and came fi at the time, but with previous studies having failed despite using the orthodox methodology, something new had to be tried. With the new method, the researchers were able to quantify the extent of the depression fi fi Unfortunately, no such correlation could be found, and this study can be added to a list of previous research projects which have also tried, and failed, to crack this genetic puzzle.

20 / Societies

ReligSoc run the Santa Dash Ruth Munday

Foundation ‘Santa Dash’ in De- quite a stir jogging past the resSocieties Writer cember. The Dash was held on taurants of Mermaid Quay in the ReligSoc is a relatively small, the evening of the 7th, with par- midst of office parties celebrating course-based society for those ticipants being required to run the upcoming holidays. 'Howwho study Religious and Theo- five miles around Cardiff Bay in ever, we were pleased to find the logical Studies at Cardiff or are at order to earn their sponsorship. public were very supportive – all interested in the subject. They 'After arriving and registering once they realised we were runaim to provide students with a on the night we received our cos- ning for charity and not for our chance to get to know each other tumes from the event organis- own Santa-themed pleasure! As by having fun at a variety of sothe race was entirely for fun, and cials, and to explore Religion and our focus was on the good work Theology more closely through done by the Joshua Foundation, educational trips and events. http://tinyurl.com/a24mxar people ran or walked the course This year, they are trying to depending on their own preferreach out to their members like ence.' Two members of the Renever before, with a variety of ligSoc committee, Bethany Major events and opportunities to cater and Ruth Munday, managed to to all tastes, and new benefits for run the entire five miles - 'a real their members through support baptism of fire due to the minifrom local businesses. As a socimal training we’d had time for beety, ReligSoc also wanted to give fore the event! We were encoursomething back to the communiaged along the way by marshals ty of Cardiff by supporting a local ers stationed at the Norwegian who braved the cold to point us charity: The Joshua Foundation. Church', explained one partici- in the right direction, and were The foundation helps children pant. 'Suiting up in a lovely felt all rewarded with mulled wine and their families after a termi- Santa outfit (complete with mous- and mince pies upon complenal cancer diagnosis by offer- tachioed beard) certainly made tion of our third lap.' When the ing them day trips to escape the us feel the part, and we were very running pair were reunited with overwhelming and intimidating Amy Morgan, Mollie Russel and experience of hospitals and helpDani Walters at the finish line, ing them to realise their goals in they could truly sympathise with the precious time they have.

Ol’ St Nick on Boxing Day – abIn October, ReligSoc hosted a solutely knackered after a whole Krispy Kreme sale to kick-start night of doing good deeds! the fundraising year, raising 'We had set a sponsorship tararound £100 through the help of get of £250, aiming to raise £50 hungry humanities students who each. But due to fantastic supfrequent the café in the John Perport from ReligSoc members, cival Building and, of course, the course mates, housemates, familovely people at Krispy Kreme. lies, friends from home, and even But they were not content with complete strangers on Twitter, simply selling some doughnuts, excited to begin the 3 laps of the we were pleased to have absoso 5 of the committee members Bay, although slightly sceptical lutely smashed our target – which decided to put their good inten- about our unfit selves actually re- currently stands at £353.85 on our tions to further practical use and http://tinyurl.com/a24mxar turning!' Setting off with around justgiving.com page (including participate in the annual Joshua 15 other participants, they caused gift aid). Those of us who took

Spanish & Italian Society Photo Competition winner announced

ReligSoc want to give back to the community by supporting a local charity, The Joshua Foundation

Congratulations to second-year student Amy Hallett for her winning image Il Lago di Orta ( featured above) on the theme 'An

Italian Adventure'. Her image can also be seen on the 'Spanish and Italian Society' Facebook page as their cover photo.

part in the Dash would like to thank everyone who kindly sponsored us and helped us to publicise the event. The Dash allowed us to meet other supporters of The Joshua Foundation, and we realised that such a small charity really appreciated our efforts,

and that our money could make a real difference to some children who, tragically, may be celebrating their last Christmas this year after a devastating diagnosis.'

Chaos Society Chaos is the society for the staff and students of the School of Physics and Astronomy at Cardiff University, and all those with an interest in Physics.

Previous years' highlights include 'University Challenge'- Maths Soc vs. Chaos, Joint Religion and Theology Society with Chaos Society "Role Reversal" fancy dress pub crawl, the spectacular Physics Ball held at the Parc Hotel, and a trip to CERN!

21

Societies 20-21

Monday January 28th 2013 | @gairrhyddsoc

An evening with Capoeira

T

he role of Societies Editor provides you with the opportunity to do things you would, perhaps, not otherwise be able to do. That, at least, is what I’ve found, and this idea was in my mind when I got an email from the Capoeira Society (I must here confess to having misspelled that once in a past edition of the paper, to my

embarrassment).

You may have seen their impressive performance at Global Village last year like I did, or have seen evidence of their Winter Festival around Cardiff in November. So I was excited when they invited me to come along to one of their sessions, held at the NoFitState dance studio in town on Wednesday evenings and at Talybont Sports Centre on Fridays.

And so it was on a Friday evening that I went up to Taly and joined the group for what was a really memorable experience.

Capoeira is like no other ‘sport’

you will come across, and part of its uniqueness, I soon found, was the idea that it is not so much a ‘sport’, but a skilled game of ‘play’ in which you essentially aim to use the space around you to the greatest advantage with strength and control, while remaining

aware of your partner, anticipating their moves and showing off your own in a game of wits. You can grasp an idea of this from the photos. There seemed to be little bodily contact during training, so in that sense it felt very different to training in the most common martial arts.

It sounds unusual and it has, after all, evolved in an unusual and fascinating way from an unlikely historical source – the Af-

rican slave trade of the Brazilian colonies. Descendants of these slaves developed a martial art form combining music and dance with native Brazilian influence.

It still uses the Portuguese language today, and I managed to get my tongue round a few of the key ones, like mandinga, translatable as ‘magic’ or ‘spell’ and used to refer to the strategy of tricking your opponent; and malandragem, the ability to quickly understand your opponent’s intentions so you can trick them.

Picking up a bit of the language is a great bonus of going regularly, as part of the rhythm used in the

game is created by a call and response pattern between the tutor (or mestre) and the group. Those who take it up can also, as in other martial arts, work towards attaining belts signifying different levels, beginning with blue. It’s probably also worth mentioning

that the group often makes trips to Brazil during the year. Just another tiny sneaky incentive to get interested.

The Cardiff group mestre, Claudio Campos, explained the capoeirista as someone who has "elements of the acrobat, the dancer, the fighter and the musician" – the best being adaptable to what is going on at the time. It really offers a clean page to those who try it out, as nearly everyone has interests in one of these skills, and no previous experience of any of them is required to start learning.

And for any gents out there with their modern man-scepticism of dancing, it’s worth mentioning that male capoeiristas were blokes that you didn’t mess with – they were the bouncers, body-guards and hitmen of their age, and were deemed so dangerous that capoeira was prohibited.

In recent years, it has become the national dance of Brazil, symbolising the struggle of the slaves to maintain some freedom in cultural identity under their oppressors. It is something reflected in the way they play: the group form a ring or roda around two opponents, (one of these normally the mestre), clapping in time with the music. Most took turns being in the centre and also took turns on the traditional instruments (which you could also pick up how to play). These beat out a rhythm that gets faster and faster, until you are almost lost in the beat.

In recent years, it has become the national dance of Brazil, symbolising the struggle of the slaves When you are a part of it, it’s easy to see how capoeira could have been used to stir up a rebellion and why slave owners feared it. The game’s inclusive character almost comes to have a life of its own as everyone becomes part of the quick musical rhythm, and you can’t help but be mesmerised by it.

Capoeira is an amazing art form to have come out of one of the greatest oppressions in human history, remarkably having been prohibited in Brazil until 1937 – but that perhaps explains its particularly freeing character. This difficult history is never far from the art today – I found that the sticks rhythmically hit together in a dance style called Maculelê are an alternative to machetes, used by slaves in the plantation. Each group member traditionally will also have a nick-

name or apelido, something used for protection during the prohibition of capoeira so no member could give away his fellows to the brutal Brazilian police. I came across ‘Popeye’, ‘Ant’ and ‘Little Carrot’ while I was there, as well as a rather tall chap who was aptly named ‘Legs of a Cricket’!

It’s done with a good sense of

balance, perhaps! Well, I would).

It was good to see a few new people trying it out and enjoying it. One shared with me afterwards: "It’s relaxing, but with energy – I really enjoyed it!’ Having experienced capoeira with this great group, I do certainly agree.

In the hope that others will go along and try it on the strength of what I can say, I am proud to introduce the fantastic society of Capoeira afresh in the New Year as they enter the second semester of their second year as a society at Cardiff, and I urge you to give it a go. Another New Year’s resolution, perhaps? You won’t be disappointed.

For training session times and dates, please visit http://groups. cardiffstudents.com/capoeira/ about/ President: Esther Warnert - WarnertEA@cardiff.ac.uk

humour and, as long-standing member Sian put it, "there are plenty of reasons to smile doing this – after all, you can only laugh about something like being headbutted on the bum!" (and giving the offending partner a nudge off

If you would like gair rhydd to come along and get excited about your society, then just email societies@gairrhydd.com!

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24 / Taf-Od

Brwydr rhwng Eos a’r BBC yn parhau

Er i S4C ac Eos ddod i gytundeb yngl n â thalu cerddorion am yr hawl i chwarae eu cerddoriaeth, mae’r BBC dal i frwydro, Taf-od sy'n adrodd

M

ewn erthygl Taf-od dros i fis yn ôl, adroddwyd fod Eos, cwmni newydd sy’n cynrychioli artistiaid Cymraeg, mewn dadl gyda S4C a BBC Cymru yngl n â’r arian mae cerddorion yn ei dderbyn am gael eu caneuon wedi ei darlledu. Ers hynny, mae S4C wedi dod i gytundeb - ond nid y BBC. Cyhoeddwyd wythnos diwethaf y bydd Eos a’r BBC yn cynnal cyfarfodydd ym mis Chwefror i drafod y sefyllfa. Mae’n debyg fod y ddwy ochr yn gweld angen ar ganolwr annibynnol i helpu gyda ffurfio cytundeb. Tra bod yr

anghydfod yn parhau, nid oes gan Radio Cymru hawl i ddarlledu miloedd o ganeuon Cymraeg, gan gynnwys traciau Bryn Fôn, Dafydd Iwan ac Elin Fflur, ymysg eraill. Bu Bryn Fôn yn y senedd yn ddiweddar yn trafod y sefyllfa, lle ddatgelodd y bod siawns y bydd yr anghytuno yn parhau am bron i chwe wythnos arall. Fe gyhuddwyd y BBC gan y canwr o fod yn fargeinwyr gwael ac o fod yn styfnig ac hawliodd eu bod weid cael llawer o gefnogaeth yn eu achos.

Ar y llaw arall, mae S4C wedi dod i gytundeb y bydd yn caniatáu’r sianel i chwarae cerddoriaeth gan artistiaid wedi eu cynrychioli gan Eos. Dywedodd

Cadeirydd Eos, Gwilym Morus ei fod yn ddiolchgar i benaethiaid S4C “am gynnal y trafodaethau hyn mewn ysbryd o gydweithio er mwyn cyrraedd cytundeb”.

Yn sicr, mae penderfyniad S4C i ddod i gytundeb gyda thelerau Eos yn symudiad da yn nhermau delwedd y sianel, yn enwedig mewn gwrthgyferbyniad gyda BBC Cymru, sydd i lawer yn ymddangos i fod yn amharod i helpu rhoi mwy o arian i’r sîn roc Gymraeg. Er mai hyn efallai yw’r ddelwedd i lawer o’r cyhoedd, rhaid cysidro'r hyn mae Eos yn ei ofyn gan BBC Radio Cymru, sydd, i gymharu gyda gorsafoedd radio eraill, gyda chyllideb hynod o fach, ac mae’n debyg iawn fod yr

hyn mae Eos yn ei ofyn ohonynt yn swm na allai Radio Cymru fforddio.

Mewn rhai ffyrdd, gallai’r hyn mae Eos yn ei ofyn i weld yn annheg iawn, yn enwedig yn dilyn yr holl waith mae Radio Cymru wedi ei wneud i gynnal a hybu’r SRG. Yn wir, heb yr orsaf, ni fuasai’r mwyafrif o’r cerddorion yn gallu byw fel cerddorion, yw

hi’n bosib fod elfen farus i’r hyn mae Eos yn ei wneud, heb gysidro gwaith amhrisiadwy mae’r orsaf a’i DJs wedi ei wneud? Beth bynnag yw barn y genedl, mae’n debyg iawn y bydd y dadlau’n parhau, yn enwedig wedi i Brif Weinidog Cymru Carwyn Jones gyhoeddi na fydd e’n ymyrryd yn y sefyllfa, er iddo ddweud ei fod yn “gobeithio y byddwn ni mewn sefyllfa, gydag amser, lle y bydd pawb yn fodlon gyda’r setliad”.

Er mwyn lles pawb, y SRG ac yn enwedig gwrandawyr Radio Cymru, mae gobaith y bydd cytuno rhwng y ddau barti yn fuan.

Race Horses yn cyhoeddi eu gig olaf Tomos Lewis Golygydd Taf-od

O taf D

Dechrau mis Ionawr fe gyhoeddwyd ar safle Facebook y band Race Horses y byddent yn gwahanu oherwydd eu bod yn “mynd i gyfeiriadau gwahanol yn greadigol”. Roedd y band, a ddechreuwyd yn wreiddiol o dan yr enw ‘Radio Luxembourg’ ar fin mynd ar daith ar hyd Prydain gyda’r Kaiser Chiefs, ag o farn lawer iawn yn y diwydiant, gyda’r potensial i fod yn hynod lwyddiannus. Yn sicr, nid oedd eu dilynwyr yn disgwyl y cyhoeddiad, gyda bron i 150 o sylwadau ar eu tudalen Facebook yn cwestiynu eu pend-

erfyniad Cafodd albwm newydd y band, ‘Furniture’, gryn sylw yn ddiweddar gyda’r Sunday Times a’r Guardian yn rhoi clod i'w cerddoriaeth. Yn eu cyhoeddiad ar Facebook, fe ddywedodd y band eu bod yn “falch” o beth y maent wedi ei wneud efo’i gilydd a'u bod yn ddiolchgar iawn am y gefnogaeth maent wedi ei gael dros y blynyddoedd.

Er y newyddion drwg i ddilynwyr y band, mae’n si r y bydd prosiectau newydd cyffroes ar y

gweill gan y cerddorion talentog. Bydd Race Horses yn chwarae un gig olaf cyn gwahanu’n swyddogol, yng Nghlwb Ifor Bach ar ddydd Sadwrn, y 9fed o Chwefror - mae ticedi, os oes rhai ar ôl, ar gael ar y rhyngrwyd.

Straeon OD o bob rhan o’r byd... Wythnos yma, asyn wedi' ladd gan Google?!

Fe gafodd ddynes o Hawaii sioc wythnos diwethaf, wedi i’w gwr, oedd wedi bod ar goll ers dros i 3 mis ddychwelyd adref yn ddryslyd a methu esbonio lle yr oedd wedi bod yr holl amser.

Wedi i Russell Matthews ddiflannu ym mis Hydref blwyddyn ddiwethaf, bu’r heddlu yn chwilio amdano ar hyd dros 10,000 o filltiroedd sgwâr a methu ei ddarganfod. Roedd yr ymdrech i ddod o hyd i Mr Matthews wedi dod i ben ers mis pan ddychwelodd adref i’w gartref heb syniad lle yr oedd wedi bod. Dywedodd heddlu Hawaii na fyddent yn

ymchwilio’n bellach i’r digwydd oherwydd ‘nid oes dim yn anghyfreithlon am fod ar goll’ a bod yr achos nawr wedi cau.

Yn ddiweddar, bu Google mewn trafferth wrth iddynt orfod ceisio gwadu honiadau eu bod wedi lladd asyn ym Motswana. Roedd lluniau Google ‘Street view’ i weld yn ymddangos asyn yn sefyll wrth ochr ffordd wrth i gar Google agosáu ac yna, yn y llyn nesaf, mae’r asyn i’w weld yng nghanol y ffordd, ar ei gefn.

Cafodd y lluniau gryn sylw ar y rhyngrwyd, ac fe orfodwyd i bennaeth Google maps esbonio be

ddigwyddodd, mewn blog gyda'r teitl “Never Ass-ume”. Yn blog, esboniodd Mr Kei Kawai mai rowlio yn y baw llychlyd oedd yr asyn, ac nad oedd wedi brifo o gwbl - a chadarnhawyd hyn gyda set o luniau eraill oedd yn dan-

gos yr asyn yn holliach ar ymyl y ffordd.

Mae’n debyg fod miloedd ar y rhyngrwyd wedi cael cryn ryddhad wedi clywed am iechyd yr asyn. Mae’n fwy na tebyg fod miliynau o bobl eraill yn poeni dim.

Taf-Od 24–25

Dydd Llun Ionawr 28ain 2013 | @taf_od

25

Pencampwriaeth y Chwe Gwlad

Gyda'r twrnament yn cychwyn penwythnos hyn, Dewi Preece sy'n dadansoddi'r tîmau

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ae’r cyfnod wedi dod unwaith eto i groesawu pencampwriaeth y Chwe Gwlad yn ôl i’n bywydau am yr wythnosau nesaf. Cyfnod ble ca’ penawdau’r papurau eu dominyddu gan y chwaraeon.

Eleni, fe fydd Cymru yn amddiffyn camp lawn llynnedd; ond y maent yn gwynebu mynydd o her eleni, fel y gwelwn wrth ddadansoddi’r tîmau.

Lloegr Amhosib yw gwadu’r ffaith mai Lloegr fydd wedi cymryd y mwyaf allan o gyfres yr Hydref, gyda’u buddugoliaeth arwrol, hanesyddol yn erbyn crysau duon Seland Newydd. Mae’r garfan wedi gwedd-newid yn fawr dros y misoedd diwethaf, ac mae chwaraewyr ifanc, cyffrous wedi eu hychwanegu i’r garfan. Mae capteiniaeth Chris Robshaw, er wedi codi eiliau rhai sylwebwyr, yn fy marn i wedi codi ysbryd y tîm. Ar y cae, ef yw un o’r blaenasgellwyr mwyaf deinamig yn y gêm, ac fe fydd gweddill y tîm yn bwydo oddi ar ei berfformiadau a’i ysbrydoliaeth. Mae cydbwysedd dda i’w weld yn eu carfan, gyda sgarmes a llinell sydd yn edrych yn gadarn, a gydag enwau megis Manu Tuilagi, Chris Ashton, David Strettle a Danny Care yn y cefnwyr, mae mwy na digon o greadigrwydd ar gael os oes eu hangen. Y peryg mwyaf i’r tîm, ydy digwydd bod un o’u cryfderau; maent yn dîm ifanc, cymharol amhrofiadol, sydd yn fwy na parod i gymryd risg yng nghanol cae. Os ydy’r risg yn talu ffordd, a’r blaenwyr yn cydweithio â’r cefnwyr, anodd fydd eu curo. Mae llawer o bwysau ar ysgwyddau Owen Farell, y canolwr ifanc. Gyda’i record a’i ffurf diweddar yn y Gynghrair Aviva, mae’n bosib y fydd Farell yn gystadleuydd am chwaraewr y bencampwriaeth, os yw’n cael yr amser ar y cae.

Iwerddon

Ffrainc

Yr Eidal

Cymru

Gêm cyntaf Cymru, ac yn sicr o fod yn un anodd. Cafodd Iwerddon gyfres yr Hydref gymharol lwyddianus, yn curo’r Ariannin a Fiji, ac felly yn gallu cymryd digon o hyder i mewn i’r gêm gyntaf. Mae apwyntiad diweddar Jamie Heaslip yn gapten yn mynd i gael cryn effaith ar bencampwriaeth y tîm. Heb os, y mae ef, fel Robshaw yn mynd i geisio arwain trwy esiampl, ag os yw’r rheng-ôl yn gweithio’n effeithiol, mae blaenwyr Iwerddon yn anodd iawn i'w trechu, ac yn ennill cryn dipyn o frwydrau i’r Gwyddelod. Unwaith eto eleni, mae un o’u harfau mwyaf yn nghanol y cae, yn Brian O’Driscoll.

Ar ei ddiwrnod, does dim gwell chwaraewr yn y byd, ac os ydyw yn chwarae yn un o’i bencampwriaethau olaf, fe fydd yn sicr o eisiau ysbrydoli aelodau newydd, ifanc y garfan. Mae gan Iwerddon dalentau ifanc yn ymddangos yn y gynghrair Rabo, ac awyddus fydd llawer i weld Simon Zebo (Munster) a Craig Gilroy (Ulster) yn cael amser ar y cae; dau asgellwr llawn cyflymder a photensial. Os yw Jonny Sexton yn canfod ei rygbi gorau, cyffrous, yna fe fydd Iwerddon yn sicr yn medru cystadlu am y gamp lawn.

Yr hên ben-tost o geisio rhagfynegi sut y mae Ffrainc yn mynd i berfformio! Heb os, un o garfanau mwyaf cyffrous llwyfan rygbi’r byd dros y degawd diwethaf, ond eto yn llwyddo i dan-gyflawni llawer rhy aml. Un o gryfderau mwya’r tîm yw’r gallu i addasu eu cynlluniau o un gêm i’r llall, ac wedi buddugoliaeth gyfforddus dros Awstralia yn yr Hydref, yn ogystal â’r Arianin a Samoa, mae ganddynt ddigon o hyder yn eu gallu. O dan amodau rygbi agored, anodd fydd hi i gystadlu yn erbyn cefnwyr Ffrainc eleni; Mermoz, Fofana, Clerc, y tarw yn nghanol y cae, Bastareaud, a Morgan Parra, un o fewnwyr gorau’r byd wrth y llyw. Gyda’i giciau campus, o law ac oddi ar y ddaear, fe fydd e’n sicr o fod yn un o chwaraewyr y bencampwriaeth, os y gallai aros yn iach.

Cadw’r gêm yn dynn fydd gobaith gorau gweddill y carfannau, gan geisio creu rhwystredigaeth o fewn rhengoedd Ffrainc – os y medrwch fynd oddi tan groen y Ffrancwyr, fe wnewn nhw wasgu’r botwm 'self-destruct' eu hunain. Fe fydd Dusautoir eto yn siwr o gyfiawnhau ei enw fel un o flaen-asgellwyr gorau’r byd, mewn carfan o flaenwyr dan arweiniad y cawr Pascal Pape, meistr y linell. Dwi’n rhagweld y bencampwriaeth yn hongian ar frwydr Ffrainc â Lloegr. Os fydd yr asbri yng ngharfan y Ffrancwyr eleni, fe fydd y Marseillaise i’w glywed yn glir o Twickenham, a phwy a wyr, efallai fydd y gamp lawn yn croesi’r sianel eleni.

Mae’r Eidal wedi ei weld fel brawd bach y bencampwriaeth am sawl blynnedd bellach, ond heb os nac oni bai, mae’r tîm wedi dod at ei gilydd. Dydw i ddim yn rhagweld sioc enfawr ym mhencampwriaeth eleni, ond os fydd yna, yr Eidal fyddi. O dan arweiniaeth yr wythwr hynod dalentog, Sergio Parisse, mae’r tîm yn mynd o nerth i nerth. Maent wedi dod yn agos i guro pob carfan arall yn y bencampwriaeth yn y ddwy flynedd diwethaf, gan faeddu’r Alban a chael sgôr gyfartal â Ffrainc llynedd. Eu problem ydy cadw safon eu chwarae i fynd am yr 80 munud, fel y dangoswyd yn eu perfformiadau calonnog yn yr Hydref, yn erbyn Awstralia a Seland Newydd. Mae gan yr Eidal sgarmes gadarn, tu ôl i Castrogiovanni, gyda’r blaen-asgellwr talentog Alessandro Zanni yn enw i gadw golwg arno. Fe fydd lleoliad yr Eidal yn y tabl eleni yn dibynnu ar sut fydd y cefnwyr yn cydweithio’n greadigol. Maent wedi bod angen maswr sefydlog am amser, ac felly diddorol fydd gweld pa gyfuniadau fydd tu ôl i’r sgarmes, ond yn sicr fe allwn ddisgwyl gweld Gonzalo Canale ag Andrea Masi yn arwain y ffordd i’r cefnwyr. Heblaw y rygbi, yr Eidal fydd yn dal i honi anthem fwya’ lliwgar y bencampwriaeth. Silver lining…

Pencampwyr presennol, ag ennillwyr y gamp lawn llynedd. Ond mae’r her i gadw’r dlws yn un enfawr eleni. Cafodd Cymru gyfres yr Hydref siomedig tu hwnt, ac y maent wedi colli eu 7 gêm diwethaf. Mae anafiadau yn y garfan, i Priestland, Lydiate, Alun Wyn a Bradley Davies, i enwi rhai, yn rhoi cyfle i chwaraewyr ifanc gael blas ar lwyfan ryngwladol. Un o’r enwau mwyaf cyffrous i edrych arno yw Justin Tipuric, y blaenasgellwr, a diddorol y bydd gweld a fydd Warburton, y capten profiadol, yn symud i’r ochr dywyll i ganiatau lle i Tipuric.

Mae gan Gymru dalent enbyd yn y cefnwyr, a potential enfawr yn yr asgellwr newydd, Eli Walker o'r Gweilch. Ag wrth gwrs, mae North a Cuthbert yn barod wedi dangos eu gallu ar y cae. Gyda chwaraewyr profiadol megis Jamie Roberts a Jonathan Davies canol cae, gobeithio y gallent osod sylfaen gadarn i’r cefnwyr ifanc ddangos eu doniau.

Ond unwaith eto, mae’r sylw ar grys y maswr. Gydag anaf Priestland, roedd yna amheuaeth i bwy fydd yn ei gipio, gyda seren ifanc y gleision, Rhys Patchell yn cael ei enwebu gan lawer. Ond penderfynnodd Howley gefnogi’r profiadol Hook a Biggar yn lle, a diddorol bydd gweld pwy geith y crys am y gêm allweddol gyntaf yn erbyn y Gwyddelod. Dyma fydd y gêm i benderfynnu pa hanner o’r tabl fydd Cymru yn pennu’r bencampwriaeth yn fy marn i. Heb os nac oni bai, mae’r talent gan chwaraewyr ifanc Cymru, ond mae yna fynydd i’w oresgyn yn ffurf carfannau Ffrainc a Lloegr, gyda carfan sydd yn is na’i chryfder llawn.

Yr Alban Er iddyn nhw ddangos cyfnodau byr o chwarae a chymeriad gwych yn nghyfres yr Hydref, rhagolygaf mai'r Alban gaiff y lwy bren eleni yn anffodus. Mae’r garfan o dan arweiniad newydd am y bencampwriaeth, y cyfarwydd Scott Johnson i’r Cymry, a diddorol fydd gweld pa effaith y gaiff ar y garfan. Mae Johnson wedi enwi 10 chwaraewr di-brofiad yn y garfan ymarfer, ac mae anafiadau yn bygwth cadw rhai o’u sêr profiadol ar y fainc, megis David Denton a Johnnie Beattie, dau reng-ôl sydd wedi creu cryn argraff yn barod ar lefel ryngwladol.

Mae ganddynt ddigon o brofiad yn y tîm, gydag enwau cyfarwydd Euan Murray, Ross Ford, a Sean Lamont yn holliach, ond y mae’r cyffro mwyaf yn fy marn i yn y ddau asgellwr – Sean Maitland a Tim Visser (Caeredin). Mae Visser yn barod wedi dangos ei allu i sgorio ar y lefel ucha’, ac y mae Maitland yn cael ei glodfori yn nhîm y Crusaders yn Seland Newydd. Ond fe fydd angen llawer o ddewrder, a chalon Braveheart i’w rhwystro rhag curo’r Eidalwyr i’r lwy bren eleni.

28 / Puzzles

Sudoku INTERMEDIATE

Kakuro Fill in the grid so that each run of squares adds up to the total in the box above or to the left. Use only numbers 1â&#x20AC;&#x201C;9 and never use a number more than once per run (a number may recur in the same row, in a separate run).

CHALLENGING

Rhysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Riddles Steve loves chicken nuggets. His local fast food restaurant, 'McWiffies', sells nuggets in boxes of 6, 9 and 20.

What is the largest number of nuggets that Steve is unable to buy using whole boxes?

Last week's riddle answer:

29

Monday January 28th 2012 | @mediacsu

Listings Jan 28th – Feb 3rd

Cinema Django Unchained Django is out to save his wife from a brutal plantation owner in the latest genre mash-up from director Quentin Tarantino. Rescued from his violent owners, the Speck Brothers, by bounty hunter Dr King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), Django is made an offer. Schultz agrees to help Django free his wife from the Candyland plantation if he will lead Schultz to a ruthless gang of killers known as the Brittle Brothers.

Theatre The Circus of Horrors This new sensation, which stormed into the finals of Britain's Got Talent, is packed with new shocks to take you on a whirlwind journey like a bat out of hell into 1927 Berlin.

Stalls from £14.50 £3.50 off for students

Clubs Solus Comeplay, every Saturday £4 advance tickets

Music Cardiff Students' Union The Joy Formidable January 28th, 7pm – 11:30pm £12.50

30 / Sport

Round-up Team Talk: Roath Park Rangers Sport editor Ross Martinovic speaks to Roath Park Rangers captain, Chris Pool.

R

players from what was an average Real Ale Madrid team last season, along with several high profile transfers from last year’s Premiership teams. We are also affiliated with the University’s History Society and were lucky enough to attract the vast major-

oath Park Rangers have taken IMG Football by storm this season. After forming over the summer, Rangers sit proudly at the top of Group C with six wins and two draws from their eight games, and with one match remaining of the qualification phase, they have all but sealed their place in the Premiership.

Their attack, spearheaded by talented striker Callum Vincent, have proved a handful, producing an impressive 24 goals overall and netting three or more on six occasions.

Roath Park’s success is testament to the organisational skills of Chris Pool and his senior players and demonstrates the potential of new sides to make an impact in the competition.

How do you think the season is going so far?

The season is progressing well.

We made a solid start against the likes of OPSOC, EarthSoc and Psycho (Athletico) back at the start and have been unbeaten since our formation. We can’t complain with being top of the league in what is a challenging Group C, with at least four Premquality teams fighting it out for three places. We were confident of finishing in the top three after the initial draw, but have had a few disappointing draws and a couple of very below-par performances, squeaking past teams.

Striker Callum Vincent took a while to get into his stride but hit form before the Christmas period. The boys can’t wait to get underway in Phase 2.

ity of this year’s History fresher intake to our trial back in September.

You're sitting pretty at the top of the league in your first season. What is the secret to your success?

Squad depth and versatility. I manage the team along with the assistance of five of my flatmates, and we knew early on that we’d need quite a few recruits for healthy competition and to deal with the inevitable injuries that the IMG is famed for. I think there is a belief within the team we can win every game we go into and

You're a new squad to IMG this year. Who is your squad made up of and how have you found the experience?

The squad is made up of several

we will always close out games as our defence is a tight unit.

Any potential stars in your team? Who have been your standouts?

We have a couple of decent players, our striker Callum Vincent

will chase defenders all day long and will give them a torrid time at the back. Both centre-backs, Adam Dyer and Richard Edwards, have barely made a mistake between them all year. In midfield, we discovered Haydn Morgan, a feisty little lad who’s not afraid of a tackle, as well as Will Brown at left-back who’s put in solid performances week after week. We’re hoping for a few representatives in the IMG Varsity as a minimum.

How would you describe the Roath Park style of play?

A little bit like Tottenham, we

will create chances all day long, we like to play a passing game and entertain, but need to be more clinical in Phase 2! We decided that we loved holding on to one-goal leads in the qualifying phase just to keep things interesting! Happened far too often.

Who have been your toughest opponents this year? Who do you think will go on and be in contention for the Premiership this year?

The game against C-PLAN was a tough one. We drew 4–4 with them back in November in what was a very tense game. We were 2–0 down then 4–2 up before throwing it away! Disappointing day at Pontcanna.

called Alex Fugard who is the social scene. He loves the sauce.

The guy has got a shocking haircut – I don’t know how he can look himself in the mirror. In all seriousness, though, the social scene is wicked; a few eventful socials last term resulted in a few shocking stories. Captain Adam Dyer, who is the spitting image of Thomas Vermaelen, is an incredible bloke when he’s had a few beers. Callum patented the ‘Zlatan’ as a dance move in the middle of Glam, to the disgust of a few of the bouncers. Genuinely attempting overheads of the sofas ended up with a lonely walk home and horribly bruised hips.

He’s a specimen. Lewis Smith, our number nine, is a shocking human being after he’s had a couple of pints. Pub golf coming up is bound to be eventful.

What do you think of the organisation of IMG this year?

Anything that could be improved?

I’ve been impressed with the amount of attention the IMG has received this year. It seems like it is being taken far more seriously by the AU compared to the last two years in which I’ve competed in it. The refereeing system is a wise addition as long as teams stick to it as there is always controversy with decisions so it does make sense! One complaint is just some of the warning we were given last year for fixtures, sometimes just the evening before etc.

But I do appreciate the improvements that have been made as you can tell more is being done to make the league a success.

What's the social scene like?

Anyone who is always likely to be taken home early?

We have a little fresher

Follow Roath Park Rangers and other teams' progress in Sport.

Group C Group A

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

1

0

23

22

1 2

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

1

Roath Park Rangers

8

6

2

0

11

20

Pharm A.C.

8

7

0

1

19

21

2

Psycho Athletico

8

4

2

2

11

14

CARBS FC

8

6

2

0

26

20

3

Cardiff Uni IMG 1st

8

4

1

3

20

13

EarthSoc

6

4

0

2

16

12

Group B

1

FC Euros

8

7

2

Momed AFC

7

5

1

1

15

16

3

SOCSI

7

5

0

2

33

15

3

Law A

8

4

1

3

10

13

4

4

AFC Dentistry

6

4

0

2

14

12

4

Cardiff Mets

8

3

1

4

8

10

5

CHAOS FC

6

3

2

1

-1

11

5

1st XI

7

4

0

3

8

12

5

Inter Menan

7

3

1

3

6

10

6

Engin Loco FC

5

3

1

1

8

10

6

Law B

6

1

2

3

-6

5

6

JOMEC FC

8

3

1

4

-17

10

7

C-PLAN AFC

7

2

2

3

4

8

7

Chemistry FC

6

1

1

4

-6

4

7

History AFC

7

3

0

4

-3

9

8

Computer Science FC

8

1

1

6

-24

4

8

Cardiff Uni IMG 2nd

7

1

1

5

-28

4

8

Gym Gym

8

1

2

5

-28

5

9

OPSOC

7

1

1

5

-35

4

9

Too Big To Fail

8

0

0

8

-53

0

9

Time Team

8

1

0

7

-21

3

10

Engin Automotive FC

7

0

2

5

-10

2

Sport 30-31

Monday January 28th 2013 | @gairrhyddsport

31

Blues hope for luck of the Irish

Tom James becomes a Chief

Tom Parry-Jones

Sub-Editor After an unceremonious end to their Heineken Cup campaign, the Cardiff Blues return to the Arms Park on Friday, February 1st, for their final LV Cup group match against Aviva Premiership strugglers London Irish.

The Blues sat in third place in their pool after two matches with a home win over London Wasps and an away defeat to the Scarlets, but due to the structure of the competition, each team in the pool still stands just as much chance of reaching the semi-finals as any other.

However, due to the structure of the competition, the teams have no control over the results of the other teams in their pool, so the Blues will need to win both of their last two games to give themselves the best possible chance, starting away to Saracens on Sunday, January 27th.

This will be no easy task, as Saracens sit in second place in the Aviva Premiership, and with the Blues missing nine players to the Wales squad for the RBS Six Nations, it becomes even more of a challenge.

The London Irish game will pose less of a challenge, with the Blues having won four of the five meetings between the sides. Plus, with Irish just five points off the bottom of the Premiership with three wins in 13, the Blues will fancy their chances.

Tom Parry-Jones

Sub-Editor After the announcement that Jamie Roberts will be leaving the region at the end of the season, winger Tom James has become the latest player to join the exodus out of the Cardiff Blues. The 25-year-old has signed a two-year pre-contract with the Exeter Chiefs, ending a seven-year spell in the capital.

On the way into the Blues, however, is Welsh international hooker Matthew Rees, who will join from the Scarlets on a twoyear contract at the end of the season.

The LV Cup represents Cardiff’s last realistic hope of silverware this season, having finished third in their Heineken Cup pool and currently sitting seventh in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Student tickets for the London Irish game are available for just £5 from cardiffblues.com. A £30 bundle is also available, including tickets for the matches against London Irish, Leinster and Connacht.

Past meetings t London Irish 27–23 Cardiff Blues Dec 4th 2005, Anglo-Welsh Cup t Cardiff Blues 31–7 London Irish Dec 1st 2006, Anglo-Welsh Cup t Cardiff Blues 11–12 London Irish Nov 15th 2009, Anglo-Welsh Cup t Cardiff Blues 24–18 London Irish Nov 18th 2011, Heineken Cup t London Irish 15–22 Cardiff Blues, Jan 14th 2012, Heineken Cup t Wins: 4; Draws: 0; Defeats: 1

Cardiff rowers impress at GB camp Emma Hughes Sport Writer

Two members of Cardiff University Rowing Club, Joshua Bugajski and Robbie Massey, have just returned from Sierra Nevada, Spain after completing a gruelling 10 day altitude development training camp for GB Rowing.

Training at altitude develops the athlete’s aerobic systems in order to make them as efficient as possible, and due to the lack of oxygen at the 2882m training facility, the body adapts by producing more red blood cells thus increasing haemoglobin levels.

Josh and Robbie trained four times a day with each session lasting roughly 1.5–2 hours Both men had to adapt quickly to the change in conditions, as even climbing the stairs caused a shortness of breath due to the thin, dry air.

Josh and Robbie trained four times a day with each session lasting roughly 1.5–2 hours with an endurance erg and weight ses-

sion to start the day. Afternoon activities consisted of further erg sessions, weights circuits, football, hiking, benchball, basketball etc.

In order to ensure the athletes did not overtrain, blood samples were taken regularly from the earlobes in order to measure the level of lactate in the blood.

However, despite close monitoring and attention, the change of climate had taken its toll on the majority of the athletes who had to take at least one or two days off the camp to allow their bodies to recover.

Now they are back at sea level, both Josh and Robbie are taking advantage of their newly raised haemoglobin levels to push themselves while training in Cardiff in order to increase their fitness for the summer months.

The GB Senior Squad joined the development camp for the last seven days and, according to Josh: “It was good to see that we (the development squad) are beginning to threaten their positions within the senior squad”.

No doubt this will enhance their motivation ever further!