Issue 1461

Riverside Ragas live at the Glasshouse

Culture | page 29

NE1 talk about Christmas in the Toon

Who are Castore? Exploring the new kit sponsors

Sport | page 39

Labour party defections cost the party its majority in Newcastle City Council

about parties and start thinking about politics as how it relates to the people’.

The Courier spoke to defected councillors about the City Council’s situation and its impact on students.

The Courier spoke to former North-East mayoral candidate Jamie Driscoll, alongside defected councillors Marion Williams and David Wood about the Newcastle City Council defections and the impacts for students. After losing control of the council for the first time since 2011, the saga represents another blow for Britain’s governing party.

“The defections leave 10 council seats occupied by independents” Life and style | page 16

Six Labour councillors have left the party, including former council leader Nick Kemp. The defections leave 10 council seats occupied by independents - the third largest bloc behind Labour (38) and the Liberal Democrats (23). When asked about the future of progressive politics in relation to the issues in the council, Jamie Driscoll said ‘we’ve got to get beyond thinking

Cllr. Marion Williams ardently stresses the importance of student involvement in local politics, for the benefit of both locals and policy makers.

“Dissatisfaction over the October budget has left Labour under attack from both sides”

Former Lord Mayor, Councillor David Wood, one of the defectors, listed Labour’s plans to raise the tuition fees cap to £9,535 as his reason for defection.

He said: ‘[Labour is] making it even more difficult for young people to attend university.’

The change to fees comes during a cost-of-living crisis and is a direct contradiction of Starmer’s Labour leadership election pledge to abolish such fees.

Changes to Winter Fuel Allowance have also been at the forefront of anger towards the government, including in the North-East.

Cllr. Wood said: ‘I thought [the 2024 manifesto] would deliver measures to assist those in need, however one of the first measures they took was to take away the winter fuel allowance’.

Dissatisfaction over the October budget has left Labour under attack from both sides of the political spectrum.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded the new government’s taxation and spending plans as ‘economically illiterate’, whereas concerns about a lack of ambition and continuation of cuts to public services were a common theme among those The Courier interviewed.

Marion Williams, a defecting councillor for Blakelaw, said: ‘[Labour is] looking like the Tory Party now. The Tory party was just voted out, so behaving like a Tory party, of course you’re going to plummet in the polls.’

Driscoll suggested that Chancellor Rachel Reeves ‘would fit perfectly in Thatcher’s cabinet’ and that ‘Labour are a centre-right party now’.

“The student voice is a powerful voice in this country”

In Cllr. Wood’s statement, he said: ‘I was not prepared to support a party who, I believe, are introducing measures which

detrimentally affect the very people who looked up to them for support’.

This arguably captures the conversations surrounding Britain’s governing party since Keir Starmer’s victory in Labour’s 2020 Leadership Election.

Cllr. Williams said that young people should be included in political discussions, especially about issues which impact them.

She said: ‘should students be engaged on [the matter of] tuition fees? Absolutely. Yeah, without a doubt. As with everything else, the student voice is a powerful voice in this country, and you should never, ever, feel like you haven’t got the right to speak.

‘[Local politics affect] bus services, trains, metros, you name it. The student population is so, so large that I want to hear the voices of students.’

She continued to say that the local services accessed by students would greatly benefit if said students were

politically engaged in their communities. Williams did not wish to comment on council resignations due to an ongoing investigation regarding a bullying complaint against former council leader Nick Kemp. Starmer and Labour have been fighting a constant retreat since landslide victory in the 2024 General Election. Already dealing with farmers protesting changes to inheritance tax across London, rebellion on the backbenches, and a mass exodus of left-wingers, losing NewcastleUpon-Tyne has no doubt put the party further on the backfoot. The council had been controlled by Labour throughout its modern history, aside from a seven-year spell between 2004-2011 where the Lib Dems held the Civic Centre. While red ties still occupy the highest number of seats, the defections now mean no party has a majority.

Image Credit: WikimediaCommons, Mike Quinn

Dylan Seymour - Sports Sub-Editor

Jamie Driscoll. Image credit: Jamie Driscoll

Have a wonderful Christmas time! Want to get involved?

The final countdown before Winter break has begun! It has been non-stop in Student Media these past two weeks and I can't believe how quickly the time has gone.

It is now December, which means that motivation across campus has begun to dwindle with Christmas looming in the background. We have decided to make this issue our last paper of the year to make sure that no one is missing out on our next issue (which has big things promised).

Over the last two weeks we have been busy livestreaming Fight Night - which was a success! We had plenty of volunteers helping: whether that

was operating the cameras, presenting, or commentating on the fights. A massive thank you to anyone who helped out!

Currently, it is feeling quite festive around town, which I worry may disappear before the main event itself.

The Courier Editorial Team have the annual winter photoshoot coming up and it's planning to be a great one. The results will be in our first paper of the new year, which will be distributed lovingly as soon as there is noise back on campus.

This issue has been lovingly made and we are already up to 40 pages! We also have our first Blind Date which is super exciting. It would be great if The Courier were the origin story of a relationship. Perhaps that is the paper's

Article Highlights: 2nd December

Current Affairs | Opinion

Undressing oppressive forces against women

Exploring Ahoo Daryaei as a symbol of resistance | Page 9

Life & Style | Fashion & Beauty

How does politics influence fashion?

One of our Fashion writers explores the influence of politics on fashion trends | Page 19

Life & Style | Travel

Alternate Christmas traditions

Shake up your Christmas time with some new traditions | Page 22

Culture | Arts

Newcastle needs Alphabetti theatre

Read over the importance of Alphabetti theatre | Page 32

Student Spotlight |

Your Education Officer has started a new scheme across the three global campuses. Have a read of the winners | Page 25

Puzzles! |

Pick your brain with our maze | Page 34

Sports |

The importance of safe spaces in sport

Speaking to the Geordie Grandslammers - an LGBTQ+ inclusive tennis group | Page 39

goal this year... NSR and NUTV have also been wonderfully busy, so things are all really coming together.

In terms of NUSU, we are busy with our ACT priorities and have been working on campaigns to improve the student experience. For any questions/ queries please get in contact with ANY of your Sabbatical Officers - that's what we are here for!

Anyway, I hope all of your modules assessments and exams go well! When in doubt, give yourself a break and a hot chocolate (whipped cream and marshmallows necessary).

Hi everyone! My name is Gabbi, and I have the absolute pleasure of being your Student media Officer and Editor-In-Chief this year. Over the summer, I’ve been working hard behind the scenes alongside the Editorial team and NUSU to bring you this Freshers’ issue. Not only will you find loads of incredible articles written by our fantastic sub-editors, you’ll also find a one-stop guide to Freshers’ week, including an introduction to the Freshers’ week assistants who have put together an amazing programme of daytime activities for you all.

Speak in the new year with our fun Photoshoot pictures!

Freshers’ week is a time to get to know more about Newcastle

Our Next SMA: 4th December 1.30pm Bambugh Room, NUSU

If you're interested in getting involved in student media, come along to our weekly Student Media Afternoons (SMAs)!

You'll be able to meet the team, hear from our SMO, attend workshops and pick up as many articles as you'd like! We alternate between article SMAs, and Workshops, where you'll have the chance to learn new skills and become an even better writer.

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

THE COURIER SECTIONS

Editor

Lucy Bower

MediaOfficer.Union@newcastle.ac.uk

Current Affairs

Senior editors: Grace Boyle

G.Boyle3@newcastle.ac.uk

Anna Nix

A.Nix2@newcastle.ac.uk

News

Marcus Williamson

Oscar Jenkins

Safia Adia

Campus

Comment

Amala Parry

Jess Mooney

Scarlet Davies

Opinion

Addie Dodson

Amelie Baker

Margaux Martinez

Science

Charlotte Atkinson

Matthew Barratt

Sport

Senior editor: Adam Tibke

A.S.Tibke2@newcastle.ac.uk

Adam Symes

Dylan Seymour

Megan Grimston

Noelia Fernandez Perez

Deputy Editor

Libby Griffiths

L.Griffiths9@newcastle.ac.uk

Social Media

Poppy Bedford

P.Bedford2@newcastle.ac.uk

Life & Style

Senior editors: Marina Snyder

M.Snyder2@newcastle.ac.uk

Charlotte Burley-Hnat

C.Burley-Hnat2@newcastle.ac.uk

Relationships

Jess Hughes

Rosie McKenna

Blind date and Agony Aunt: Abi Ogden

Lifestyle

Ruby Tiplay

Emma Hunter

Fashion &

Beauty

Agnes Karbo

Trinity Eadie

Travel

Ellen Pinch

Sophie Jarvis

Food & Drink

Barbora Pacherova

Esther Arnold

Culture

Senior editors: Sarah Tunstall

S.Tunstall2@newcastle.ac.uk

Adam Lovegrove

A.Lovegrove2@newcastle.ac.uk

Music

Bertie Kirkwood

Oli Free

TV

Cory Gourley

Kirsty Dow

Film

Alex Paine

Charlotte Thompson

Gaming

Amy Mescus

Milly Thompson

Arts

Keira Gratton

Phoebe Clark

Puzzles

Poppy Bedford

Photos by Grace Boyle

Photos by Noelia Fernandez Perez. Santa hat- clipart-xl creazillaa

In conversation with Jamie Driscoll: policy making, collaboration and students

Driscoll comments on the importance of student voting in local elections and his campaign for mayor.

Marcus Williamson

- News Sub-Editor

Local elections are often small concerns in the minds of students. Many think that because they only intend to live in their university city for the length of their degree, the concerns of local elections are not particularly of interest. The Courier spoke to Jamie Driscoll, Mayor of the North of Tyne Combined Authority for his thoughts on this, as well as his work and campaign for election as Mayor of the North East.

“If you want a better world, vote for someone that’s going to build a better world”

We asked Mr Driscoll for comment on the importance of students voting in the upcoming election. “If you want a better world, vote for someone that’s going to build a better world”. He went on to concede that some issues at the centre of local elections might not impact students directly, but others very

much do. Public transport, for instance, is a topic that affects the vast majority of students. Driscoll himself has proposed to make public transport free for under 18s and those in full-time education.

“Driscoll himself has proposed to make public transport free for... those in full-time education”

Another of his policies proposes an expansion of the Venture North Fund, which is used to invest in local industries, from £50 million to £500 million. The Courier questioned whether this would provide adequate opportunities for graduates. Driscoll responded by highlighting the expansion of Cramlington-based company Merit Holdings, where 96 graduate employment opportunities were created. According to a recent survey, Newcastle has a graduate retention rate of 36%. While this is comparatively rather high, the spectre of the old adage ‘Geordie boomerang’ does still haunt discussions about local industries. This is to say people from the North East move down south for job opportunities.

“I want to make it the other way. I want to make it so that people are thinking, actually, the North East is where I want to go because they’ve got a really vibrant cultural scene, because the house prices are affordable, because there’s actually good work there.”

According to a Government report in 2022, the North East’s employment rates

for graduates between the ages of 21 and 30 stand at 89.5%, which places it third nationally. However, regarding highskill employment the North East slips to seventh out of the nine Government Office Regions with 56.1% among 2130 year old graduates. Driscoll sees this as an issue of promoting local research institutions and other technical industries, such as biomedical sciences and the National Innovation Centre for Ageing. He also comments on a need to work with the Universities of the region to keep researchers doing groundbreaking work, in the region and not moving elsewhere to finish their work.  Driscoll has also worked closely with the protest group New Green Deal Rising. He commented repeatedly on the importance of addressing the Climate Crisis, labelling

it as one of the three main crises that the modern world faces, along with

“I want to make it so that people are thinking, actually, the North East is where I want to go”

that of democracy and economics. He described his wish to focus on green energy, on both a regional level and an individual level, with houses in new developments being largely ecofriendly.

This serves to show the important work that local mayors can do, and how important it is for students to research the various candidates and vote for one that appeals to them.

University of Northampton considering cutting courses

The University of Northampton is considering cutting courses due to financial struggles.

Sophie Jarvis -Travel Sub-Editor

Faculty at the University of Northampton (UON) are considering axeing courses to cut costs.

With the university currently facing a budget deficit by £19.3m, a letter addressed to students written by the university has proposed that a number of undergraduate courses may be either cut or merged in an effort to cut costs and “maximise the opportunity for high graduate outcomes”.

A UoN spokesperson announced: “We are currently consulting on seven undergraduate courses in regard to possible suspended entry for September 2025 and 15 undergraduate courses are under review for the possibility of merger/ consolidation next year.

“But no decision has yet been made and current students will not be

affected.”

Courses such as BA Politics and International Relations and BA Illustration are at risk of being cut, with current Illustration students even kickstarting a petition in efforts to save their course, fearing that course cuts and faculty redundancies will harm their education.

“No decision has yet been made and current students will not be affected ”

UoN’s deliberation concerning course cuts is announced amid plans of a second ‘voluntary severance’ scheme after the university received 97 applications in July following their first voluntary severance.

The decision was blamed on several factors, including frozen tuition fees and rising energy costs. According to the BBC, the University of Northampton is just one in the three quarters of universities in England facing financial hardship within the next year, despite rising tuition fees.

Local MPs have expressed alarm at the impact on both students and

the local economy. Labour Mp for Northampton South Mike Reader told LDRS: “The announcement of a second round of voluntary redundancies at the University of Northampton is a warning that our higher education sector needs urgent support.

“I have already raised my concerns with the Secretary of State, Bridget Philipson, especially around the funding of courses that are key to Northampton’s economy. The current financial crisis facing universities is a direct result of years of underfunding, exacerbated by the Conservatives VISA and Immigration policies which have created a toxic culture for overseas students.

“The decision was blamed on several factors, including frozen tuition fees and rising energy costs”

“I will continue to push for stable, long-term funding for our university sector in Parliament… The university is crucial for developing the talented workforce our town needs. It is vital to our local economy and town centre.”

Jamie Driscoll. Image credit: Jamie Driscoll

Newcastle and Northumbria agree to work together to help the city

Noelia Fernández Pérez - Sports Sub-Editor

Newcastle's two Universities pledge to improve the city.

Newcastle and Northumbria University have reaffirmed their commitment to working together to improve the city's wealth and health.

Both universities formalised this agreement in July 2021. Since then, they have worked together to support the local economy and build a sustainable and inclusive future for the city and its surroundings.

“Sector-leading example of civic engagement”

Newcastle University’s ViceChancellor, Professor Chris Day, stated that ‘both universities play important roles in our city and it’s right that we look for innovative ways to work together’.

On the other hand, Northumbria University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Long, said that ‘The Collaborative Newcastle Universities Agreement is a sector-leading example of civic engagement’.

Since launching this agreement, they have developed several joint projects to address challenges in Newcastle and the North East. One of them is the IntoNewcastle East centre, located in Walker. This centre aims to help local young people achieve their aspirations once they’ve turned 16. It provides educational support, mentoring, and work experience opportunities, and it’s now looking at opening another centre in a different location.

“We

look for innovative ways to work together”

Students from both universities enhance the city's cultural and economic aspects. The universities value this enhancement and are working closely with Newcastle City Council to develop a new student engagement forum that will improve the student experience. They're also working together to see how they can use their expertise towards the support of Net Zero in Newcastle,

making this a way to promote the city as a global to attract international students.

Chief Executive at Newcastle City Council, Pam Smith, expressed to be ‘delighted that the universities continue to work closely together, and with the City Council, through the Collaborative Newcastle Universities Agreement’.

The reaffirmation of this union between both universities followed the announcement of the launch of Universities for North East England (UNEE), a regional partnership between 5 universities in the North East.

This partnership between Sunderland, Durham, and Teesside Universities aims to make higher education more accessible for study, business, and innovation. It also wants to provide regional insight to help inform national

Poppy seller from County Durham celebrates 80 year anniversary

Phoebe Clark

- Arts Sub-Editor

Mrs Parnaby from County Durham has celebrated 8 decades of selling poppies

Awoman from County Durham celebrates 80 years of growing and selling poppies for the British Legion.

With 8 decades of experience, Vera Parnaby, from Consett in Country

Durham, is one of the UK’s longestserving poppy sellers. Through her role, she has raised more than £1M for the British Legion, the charity which runs the poppy appeal to support members and veterans of the British Armed Forces and their families.

“I would still do my bit even if I wasn’t organising”

Locally, Mrs Parnaby has earned the nickname ‘Mrs Poppy’ for her passion

for the cause. She began selling poppies to honour her father who died while serving during the Second World War. She has organised the whole appeal for her town for the last 30 years and has seen it grow bigger and change with the times. She was recognised for her service in 2020 by former Prime Minister Boris Johnston with the Points Of Light award, and again in 2021 by then Prince Charles and Camilla with a celebration at Clarence House to mark the opening of the annual poppy appeal.

After being involved for the majority of her life, she has no plans to give it up now, saying to the BBC, ‘I would still do my bit even if I wasn’t organising.’

Student accom raises £85K for charity

Grace Boyle - Head of Current Affairs Students in Plummer House have donated over 85k to British Heart Foundation this year.

Students living in Newcastle’s Plummer House accommodation have donated worth over 85K to British Hearts Foundation in one year.

4000 bags of items were donated as part of British Heart Foundation's (BHF) 'Pack for Good' campaign, designed to encourage students to donate good quality, unwanted items such as second-hand clothes, utensils, electronic equipment, and books. These items were resold in local BHF charity shops, which aided in funding heart disease research.

Donation areas were set up at the end of the academic year to allow students an alternative to throwing quality items away. The campaign helps to reduce waste, but also supports the BHF’s mission to combat heart disease and promote heart health education.

Plummer House, owned by highend accommodation company CollegiateUK, has 251 rooms with prices starting from £171 a week and the highest priced at £361 a week.  To date, Collegiate UK has contributed over 57 tonnes of donated items, raising more than £142,534 for the charity.

Amanda Purkiss, BHF Partnership Manager, said: 'We have been delighted with the response from

Collegiate UK students and their incredible support. Thanks to the generous donations from the students, we have been able to support our shops in local communities nationwide.'

Neil Burton, Managing Director of Collegiate UK, added: 'Partnering with the British Heart Foundation is a fantastic way for us to give back to the community, and for students to contribute their unwanted items to a truly meaningful cause.'

At the end of last academic year, NUSU funded free skips in Heaton and Jesmond promoted responsible waste disposal to help students clear excess household waste unsuitable for donation. The intuitive sought to foster a positive relationship between students, and local residents by avoiding littering and fly-tipping.

“Partnering with British Heart Foundation is a fantastic way for us to give back to the community”

Previously, NUSU, Northumbria’s Students union, and the city council have helped to collect over 10 tonnes of waste, both prevent fly tipping and overflow of communal bins that would put pressure on local waste management services.

Students, when having a clear-out of their accommodations, are urged to donate items they no longer use to charities to support the local community and keep Newcastle streets clean.

Image Credit: Invest Newcastle

Image Credit: Bill Hartmann, Simon Cotterill, Flickr

'Super Spoons': Hotel to be built at The Mile Castle Wetherspoons

Evie Bateson

The Mile Castle upgraded to 'Super Spoons' status

Newcastle’s largest Wetherspoons is set to become the country’s first ‘Super Spoons’ upon its unveiling of a new hotel and expansive beer garden on November 26th.

The Mile Castle, situated on Grainger Street overlooking Central Station, is Newcastle’s largest branch of the UK pub giant, JD Wetherspoon. The threefloor pub, housed in a grade II listed building originally built as Newcastle’s savings bank in 1861, opens its doors to thousands of customers every day, serving cheap and cheerful pub grub and bargains on booze. Popular with students and weekend partygoers, the pub also boasts a live DJ, club lighting and smoke machines on Friday and Saturday nights.

On November 26th, the pub will become the UK's first 'Super Spoons' - completing the second phase of its over £5 million redevelopment. This follows the pub’s 13-week closure over summer, seeing £2.8 million’s worth of refurbishments made to the interior,

including updated lighting, decor, extended bars, and even a new cellar.

“£2.8 million worth of refurbishments”

Key to the pub’s ‘Super Spoons’ transformation is a new hotel, housed in the adjoining building, featuring four floors and 26 ensuite bedrooms, four being for families, and two for guests requiring accessible facilities.

Becoming the 56th Wetherspoons hotel to open since the first, The Shrewsbury Hotel, in 1998, The Mile Castle is the company’s flagship branch in the NorthEast. A new beer garden measuring over 275 square metres, one of the largest in the country, will also open on the 26th, on the site of a former car park at the side of the building. Although it hasn’t been smooth sailing, with the hotel and beer garden opening two weeks

behind schedule, pub manager Kris Lee said: “We are looking forward to welcoming people to the hotel and believe that it will be a great asset to the pub, as well as to the city”, adding that the beer garden will be a “great new attraction” for The Mile Castle. The project will also see a further 70 new jobs created, taking the pub’s staff number to 200.

Kemi Badenoch announces her new Shadow Cabinet

Ruby Tiplady - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

The first Shadow Cabinet has been anounced under new leader Badenoch

Newly-elected Leader of the Opposition

Kemi Badenoch has officially appointed all roles in her Shadow Cabinet, with Laura Trott named as Shadow Education Secretary. Among the long list of appointments, Great Offices roles were allocated to MPs including Priti Patel (Shadow Foreign Secretary), Mel Stride (Shadow Chancellor), and Chris Philp (Shadow Home Secretary) - the latter being an avid supporter of Badenoch’s leadership campaign.

“The Shadow Cabinet doesn't represent various educational routes on offer”

The MPs chosen represent a range of political views held within today’s Conservative party, from centrists such as Victoria Atkins (Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary) to those on the right of the party such as Dominic Johnson (Co-Chair of the Party).

While many of the shadow cabinet members have had uncontentious

careers, some MPs such as Priti Patel, Gareth Bacon (Shadow Transport), and Robert Jenrick (Shadow Justice) have faced controversies in the past, ranging from bullying to conflicts of interest.

Badenoch has been at the centre of several controversies herself, including the Guardian’s accusations that she bullied officials when she worked under Sunak; backlash for her comments about civil servants; stating that she doesn’t ‘believe in cultural relativism’; and making claims that, as a teen, she experienced being working class as she worked her part time job.

“Continuing

the tradition of having little diversity”

the tradition of having little diversity in cabinet." Gillian Keegan, who was education secretary until July 2024, is from a working-class background and was an apprentice.

“It's exciting to have a young female in a profile role ”

But with the appointment of an Oxford graduate, it seems that the role of education secretary within the Conservative party is shifting back towards a traditional view of education, when education itself is diversifying; students can choose between T-Levels, A-levels,

Universities Challenged

Sophia Tarry Guidance given to students following complaints of discrimination Mandelson vsHagueOxford

Oscar Jenkins -News Sub-Editor William Hague and Peter Mandelson compete for Oxford Chancellorship

Peter Mandelson and William Hague have been listed in the front-running to become the next Chancellor of Oxford University. The incumbent Lord Robert Patten, aged 80, has announced his retirement at the end of the academic year. This triggered the current election to find a suitable replacement, the victor will serve a 10-year term in the role.

The Chancellor of Oxford University is an unpaid position that has been described as ‘the ultimate grandee role’; it has existed for 800-years since Robert Grosseteste was appointed in 1224.

Peter Mandelson’s career has been defined by his role in the New Labour government of 1997, which saw him take on a range of ministerial roles. He also served as European Commissioner and is a member of the House of Lords.

Until January 2025, he will continue in his role as Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University.

“The Chancellor of Oxford University is an unpaid position”

At Oxford he was appointed President of the Oxford Union. He served as an Member of Parliament for 26-years, holding the role of Leader of the Opposition from 1997 to 2001. Hague still occasionally returns to Oxford to teach seminars on politics and history.

When interviewed on the prospect of Chancellorship, both men had something to say.

Mandelson stated, “Given I studied at Oxford it’s an important place to me”.

Mandelson attended St Catherine’s College, Oxford from 1973 to 1976.

Hague stated, “I’ve always cared deeply about Oxford since I arrived there from a comprehensive school.”

Hague attended Magdalen College, Oxford from 1979 to 1982.

38 first-round candidates were announced by the University; however, 33 were cut from the shortlist to leave a final five to face voting. Amongst those cut were former-Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan and a Cambridge University student who promised to ‘give you anything you want.’

The five remaining candidates joining Mandelson and Hauge are: Elish Angiolini, Dominic Grieve, and Jan Royal. However, the odds lean heavily towards either Mandelson or Hauge to claim victory - continuing the unbroken trend of a white male being elected to the position.

When asked their thoughts about the future Chancellor, an Oxford student responded, “I haven’t got the time for this sort of thing”, “It doesn’t really affect you whoever is Chancellor”.

‘Don’t be a snob’ Says Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh has released guidance aimed at eliminating discrimination against state-educated and working class students.

The advice was issued following complaints from the recentlyestablished Scottish Social Mobility Society (SMSS) that lecturers and students frequently made fun of and imitated people from less-privileged backgrounds.

40% of the students at Edinburgh come from private schools, despite these establishments only being attended by 7% of the UK population.

“40% of the students at Edinburgh come from private schools”

The University acknowledged that discrimination is ‘common’ and continues to be a ‘big problem’.

The guidelines discourage students from privileged backgrounds from acting like ‘snobs’ and instead, advises individuals on how to create a more inclusive setting.

One directive encourages students that “when you meet new people be curious about their interests and aspirations, rather than their background”.

Another guideline states: “Try to undo some of the unhelpful mythology about the relationship of wealth to intelligence or hard work”.

Some ways individuals can be discriminated against within an ‘atmosphere of elitism’ relates to characteristics such as regional accents, lack of knowledge, and clothing.

“When you meet new people be curious about their interests and aspirations, rather than their background”

Above all, accent bias is one of the biggest issues concerning discrimination at universities.

One current University of Edinburgh medical student said: “Being from ‘up North’ is a rarity and another Northern student told me that hearing my Yorkshire accent was refreshing”.

The University provides a ‘report and support’ platform on their website that allows students to report any forms of bullying, harassment, or discrimination on campus, in order to combat this issue.

Image Credit: AP Pic, FMT

Image Credit: @artwork_j.w, Jess Waterworth

Sub-Editors: Scarlet Davies, Jess Mooney, and Amala Parry

Campus Comment

Which party supports university students: Will Tory or Labour leadership get our

Joseph Morris

Has the new Labour government improved student life?

"new

rights for tenants provide students with greater benefits when dealing with unfair treatment."

Whilst both Labour and the Tories have increased tuition fees for students, the new deal for working people and the new rights for tenants provide students with significantly greater benefits when dealing with unfair treatment. Financial support and Tuition fees are the most important factor for students.

Tuition fees can lead to significant student debt which affects the financial stability of students throughout their life. Although it was Labour under Tony Blair, that first introduced tuition fees, the Tories increased tuition fees to £9,250 per year. This decision placed an extremely significant financial burden on students. Additionally, in 2016 the conservatives scrapped maintenance grants, disproportionately affecting the least advantaged students.

"Tory policy disproportionately affected the poorest students" Labour have recently announced a further rise in tuition fees for students in 2025/26 to £9,500, further increasing debt students will

face. This decision was taken to ease the budget pressures UK universities are facing due to a fall in international student visa applications, this is partly due to Rishi Sunak’s government placing heavy restrictions on international students to reduce immigration.

"the [tories] attempted to cut down "low value" degrees, limiting student choices and reducing graduate opportunities."

The decision for Labour to increase tuition fees directly contradicts Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership pledge to abolish tuition fees. According to YouGov, around 70% of graduates think that paying over £9,250 a year is bad value for money. The increase to £9,500 by Labour risks further alienating young voters. Career services and job opportunities are crucial for students; from 2010 to 2024, the conservatives attempted to cut “low value” degrees, limiting student choices and reducing graduate opportunities particularly for humanities students. Additionally, the tory austerity measures significantly reduced public sector hiring and funding, further affecting non-STEM students. Despite increasing tuition fees,

vote?

Labour policies will significantly improve student experience. Through the New Deal for Working People, Labour will abolish exploitative zero-hour contracts and remove age bands on minimum wage, ensuring all workers have the same guaranteed minimum wage. These policies will greatly help students, allowing for student control over working hours to fit with their study needs and also increasing the wallet of students by increasing the minimum wage of 16–21-year-olds. Additionally, Labour’s decision to scrap no fault evictions through section 21 and back-door evictions for tenants is a significant step in improving student tenancy rights against exploitative landlords. Labour have also committed to aligning university research with industry needs, greater expanding job opportunities for university graduates, particularly in green investment, engineering public sector roles such as teachers. University can be a daunting time and without the correct support it may be extremely difficult for students. Labour have committed to ensuring mental health support through open-access mental health hubs across local communities through the “Young Futures” program.

X-mas on campus

Amala Parry - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

EVENTS ON CAMPUS (SU):

Christmas

Bauble Making: 11:30 am on 4th

Create your own decorations, (£1 per person, confirm place on

Christmas Cookie Decorating: 3 pm on 9th December @ SU

Join Give It a Go in the Martin Luther King Room in the Student Union for some festive cookie decorating! (£1 per person, confirm place on the NUSU

Christmas Crafts for Charity: 12- 2 pm on 10th December @ SU.

Another Christmas social, but this time it's for charity. Hosted in the History Room between 12-2 pm to help write elf mail for a children's hospital. (No sign-up for this event, anyone is welcome).

3) Chilled Crafts- Christmas Card Making: 3 pm on 12th December @ Student Union Come along to this creative event in the Martin Luther King Room, Student Union on NUSU website).

Renter's Rights: A guide for student renters

Make sure you don't run into altercations with your Landlord by following this student guide...

Tenant rights are crucial as they ensure safety, fairness and protection for

right to challenge excessively high charges, to know the identity of your landlord, to be protected from unfair eviction. Furthermore, your landlord is unable to access the property without having given 24 hours' notice.

"Knowing what rights you have as a Tenant is crucial to stop exploitation by your Landlord."

Additionally, landlords must provide adequate means of fire escape in the property, provide at least one smoke alarm on every floor of the property, and provide a carbon monoxide detector in all rooms with a fireplace or stove. your property is an HMO (House of multiple occupation) where common areas exist for multiple sets of tenants, the landlord must provide a fire extinguisher. Repairs to the property often lead to

disagreements with landlords. Landlords are responsible for most major repairs to the property, including the structure of the property, the sinks, baths and toilets, heating and hot water and the safety of gas and electrical appliances. The tenant is responsible for taking care of the property and

by lack of ventilation or condensation due to the tenants, that is their responsibility to fix, however, if the problem is structural, due to lack of insulation, broken heating, or issues with pipes, this is the Landlords responsibility

"Landlords are responsible for most major repairs to the property."

Damp and mould are an issue that often affects students, the national student accommodation survey found that around 40% of students live in properties with dampness and mould. If the growth of mould or dampness is caused

The Renters Rights Bill 2024, introduced by Angela Rayner, once enacted, will provide greater rights to tenants, including abolishing unfair section 21 evictions and providing protections against backdoor evictions.

The Bill will also allow for strengthened rights to request a pet on the property. Landlords and letting agencies often take advantage of a lack of knowledge and leave students stranded without support. If you need help understanding your tenancy rights or if you require guidance regarding concerns, please contact the Student Advice Centre.

EVENTS AROUND CAMPUS:

Great North Nights, Winter Wonder (Land): 6-8 pm on 6th December @ The Great North Museum

Enjoy a cosy and cultural evening at themuseum , with festive activities, live music, talks, drinks and pizza (between £8-£10 for adults).

A Christmas Carol: 30th November- 4th Janurary @ The Northern Stage Bah Humbug- The classic Dicken's novel is coming to Newcastle this Christmas time! Adapted by Karen Louise Abden, at The Northern Stage., tickets are on sale now, from just £12.

Knaresborough Christmas Market Trip- 9:15 am- 5:30 pm on 7th December with Give It a Go Give It a Go is offering the opportunity to visit the historic medieval town of Knaresborough in North Yorkshire to explore its Christmas market. This is a great opportunity for just £20 each.

Alnwick Garden Light Trail (all-day event)- 10 am- 8:45 pm on 7th December with Give It a Go & Lungren Tours Join Give It a Go and Lungren Tours for a special day out in Alnwick. The full-day itinerary will start with a coastal walk in Alnmouth and then take you to the gorgeous town of Alnwick, where you can visit Barter Books and see the Alnwick Garden Christmas Light Show. For more info read this article on the Courier Online!

Joseph Morris

Image Credit: Picepidia

Image Credit: Creazilla. Jess Bailey, Unsplash

Jess Mooney - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

Sub-Editors:

Poly vs. Posh Hunting for a Graduate Job: Where Should you be looking?

Is the NewcastleNorthumbria Rivalry just banter or systematic?

On paper, whilst the iconic bar crawl provided a way for students to interact with friends from opposing universities and exaggerate the 'fun' and 'harmless' rivalry between the two universities, it is crucial that we understand that this rivalry has deeper, more unpleasant roots.

Beyond sport results, entry requirements and location, it is ultimately about which student cohort belongs to a higher class. At Northumbria, 30% of students come from a household where the main breadwinner is of a workingclass, manual occupation. At Newcastle, this figure drops to 20%.

Along with most Russell Group universities, Newcastle has faced criticism for admitting very few working-class students in favour of those privately educated. While many students like myself worked hard to achieve the requirement grades, having never stepped foot into a private school, the overwhelming majority of Newcastle students satisfy the snobbish, rah

stereotype described by Northumbria. For them, Poly VS. Posh became an excuse to depict us as painfully out of touch and privileged, despite the variations among us. Newcastle does tend to be proactive in providing financial support to those in need. Through bursaries and opportunity scholarships, they attempt to bridge the gap between students, not aided by the overly flawed student finance system. Despite this, there are still limited places to turn for non-money related support.

Adelaide Dodson - Opinion Sub-Editor

Struggling to find graduate job opportunities? Check these out

As a third year who has recently started to search for graduate jobs I know it can seem impossible. There are so many websites, some better made than others, and navigating the internet looking for something you’re interested in, can do, and pays enough money for you to live on can feel impossible.

"Navigating the internet can feel impossible."

Everyone will start looking for a graduate job at different times, and that’s fine. There are new ones coming out regularly and many applications will likely stay open for a while. There’s no rush. I only just started an initial sweep, finding websites I

Antisocial Behaviour: Uni's response to noise complaints

Scarlet Davies - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

Is anti-social behaviour acceptable on and around campus?

During the week of Halloween, Angela McNeill (Director of Student Progress Service) sent an email on behalf of Newcastle University titled ‘Expectations on Living in the Community’. It stated that “the University has received a number of complaints from local residents of noise and antisocial behaviour in the community” and warned students to “bear in mind noise levels from your property and be particularly mindful of those living nearby when outside your property”. But to what extent are emails the best way to communicate this, and how far should Newcastle University be actively associated with student life?

It is well known that Newcastle has a reputation for being a party city. Therefore, it makes sense that Halloween would be widely celebrated by students, many of which chose Newcastle University for its great nightlife and cheap alcohol. In fact, students from Newcastle and Northumbria make up ⅔ of Newcastle’s population.

However, the elderly and young families also live near the university, particularly around second and thirdyear housing. Understandably, too much noise would disturb those with small children, or early shifts; it’s important that while we live in a student city, we remain mindful of our student footprint. So, as students, it is definitely our responsibility to be respectful of those around us, and the email serves as a reminder of that.

ImageCredit:clipartvectors

"The uni has received a number of complaints."

"The unfortunate truth is that universities will always have antisocial behaviour, particularly around big holidays such as Halloween..."

"Universities will always have antisocial behaviour during big holidays like Halloween"

But should universities be doing more to help the noise complaints? Many students disregard emails and delete them without fully reading them, despite it being our main communication with the university. The unfortunate truth is that universities are stereotypically always going to have antisocial

can look at and seeing how much my English Literature Degree is going to fail me when every other job is for a STEM graduate.

"

They're competitive, so it's time to beef up your CV and maybe think about applying, just to get the ball rolling.."

Of course, even those STEM jobs are hard to get, they’re competitive, just like any graduate job so it’s time to beef up your CV and maybe think about applying to a few jobs, just to get the ball rolling. To help I thought I’d compile a starter pack of websites and routes you can take to get you on your way:

1) Newcastle University's Explore Occupations website is a good place to start. Even if there aren’t always loads of options, there’s still enough to get started. Plus, the careers service has loads of other features and helpful bits that will probably help you

behaviour, particularly around big Halloween, where students are allowed free reign away from own families. the email was suggest- whether

get that all-important grad job.

2) Contacting employers directly.

If you have your heart set on a company or role that isn’t actively being advertised, it never hurts to find their website and contact them directly. This is especially true for smaller companies whose job listings might get buried under the likes of

3) Rate My Placement is a personal favourite of mine but many others work similarly such as Indeed, Prospects, GradSmart and many

4) LinkedIn is also a brilliant way to find jobs, even if you’re not finding specific positions it’s a good tool to have to find out about employers and

All I can say is best of luck finding a job for next year and don’t worry if it’s a slow process, it’ll happen eventually

Navigating nepotism at University...

Are family connections the route to success, internships and friendships at uni?

The rate of young people progressing to university in the UK has increased significantly over the past few decades, reaching 50.2% in 2018. Compared with previous generations, this high participation in higher education has helped to reduce its prior exclusivity. Rather, it is within these institutions that inequalities now manifest, the expanded student population encounter peers from vastly different social backgrounds and

The university experience remains a privileged one, with a minority of the student populace advantaged by nepotism. Defined as the practice of “using power or influence to get… unfair advantages” for your family and friends, its privileges are associated with entering the job market. Students all aspire to secure a good graduate job, but these opportunities are far more

accessible to those who have family members with connections in their desired industry.

Furthermore, for as many internships and other opportunities that universities provide or advertise, these experiences tend to be highly competitive and designed to enrich the hardest-working students. In direct contrast to this is the experience of the “nepo baby”, who is handed these opportunities courtesy of the connections of their family. Not only does this mean they are not subject to the same competitive barriers as their peers, but they take the places of those who may be more deserving of the opportunity.

A classic example of the nepo baby at Newcastle University is Princess Eugenie, a member of the British Royal Family who was allegedly rejected by the university after failing to meet its application standards. Princess Eugenie was later accepted after the university authorities recognised her royal background, and she was granted an opportunity that thousands of fellow rejectees were not.

Whilst this example is unique, students will regularly overhear their peers bragging of their summer banking internships and workplace futures and are left to wonder – what was their route to achieving

Logan Best

Image Credit: rawpixel

Image Credit: VectorImage

Opinion- US Election Edition

Saving the economy?

Abigail Charnley

For many US voters, the economy was the driving force behind how they cast their vote on 5 November. Despite inflation and unemployment rates falling under Joe Biden’s presidency, millions of Americans feel that the Democrats have shown they can not be trusted with economic growth as the cost of living continues to remain significantly higher than it was pre-pandemic. Many Americans feel Donald Trump’s proposed economic plans are the only way to make living manageable again, but

cutting these taxes means Trump will need to find another source of income to make up for the loss tax cuts will create, especially since the US’s debt already already makes up 122.3% of the nation’s GDP.

Trump’s solution for this loss is to replace the money gained from tax with money gained from tariffs on foreign imports, as part of his ‘America First’ plan, which encourages US companies to make their products stateside.

Criminal in command

Amelia Hunter

The US presidential election was held on November 5th 2024, and after over 140 million Americans cast their votes, it was announced that former president Donald Trump would be returning to the White House for his second term as US president. Inevitably, Trump’s return to the Oval Office has sparked controversy as this means one of the world’s most influential nations will be led by a convicted felon.

noted down as legal fees in his financial records. The 34 falsified documents were successfully charged as felonies on the basis that they aimed to cover up a scheme to corrupt the 2016 election.

Trump was also indicted for instigating the storming of the Capitol after the results of the 2020 election revealed that he would have to hand over to democratic candidate Joe Biden. It was argued that Trump fuelled the raid in an attempt to retain power and interrupt democratic processes.

Ali Choudhary

Bye Bye Biden

JLily Stokes

In a similar fashion to his 2016 Presidency, Trump’s economic campaign focused largely on cutting taxes for both businesses and individuals. On the surface, this sounds like a great proposal for those who are currently struggling to keep up with rising grocery costs. However,

Trump has suggested that under his leadership, all foreign goods will face a levy of 20%, with goods from China facing a potential levy of 60%. However despite Trump’s bold claims that China and other nations will pay for these tariffs, the introduction of these tariffs will only further harm Americans daily lives as the companies that import these foreign made goods will likely pass the additional price onto consumers.

This boldfaced lie by Trump about who will really have to pay for the tariffs along with his plan to use these tariffs to justify cutting taxes means that those Americans who voted for Trump to improve their daily economic life may be in for a shock. Given that over 20 American recipients of the Nobel prize for economics endorsed Kamala Harris’ economic plan over Trumps, it seems as though more voters should have listened to the experts. Whilst the current economic situation is undeniably difficult for many Americans, Trump is not the economic saviour he has painted himself to be.

As of June this year, Trump had been charged with 88 felony counts and found guilty of 34 of them. Lawsuits against him revolve around the obstruction of justice. In June 2023, Trump was found to have 15 boxes of classified documents in his home that should have been returned at the end of his presidency. Recordings and communications between the then former president and one of his attorneys show Trump bragging about his possession of these documents and his efforts to conceal them from the FBI after he had been subpoenaed. This indictment made him the first US president ever to answer to criminal charges.

Trump has attempted to rig democratic systems in his favour to ensure his success. In 2016, leading up to the election, Trump’s attorney paid an adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 in hush money to stop her from coming forward about her affair with Trump. The payments were

Convicted criminals in all but two US states lose their right to vote upon conviction. The gap in the logic of retracting someone’s right to vote upon conviction but voting for a convicted felon to act as president is truly astounding. The double standard continues with talk of putting all of his pendinWg convictions and investigations on hold whilst he fulfils his second term as US president. This has left millions of Americans fearing the extension of his time in the White House via similar illegitimate means to those he employed over the course

2024 Presidential Election: What happened on

Writer Lily Stokes' recount of election night, step by step, which led to a second Trump victory.

12:30 am

As most election coverages do, the night starts off slow. Insignificant statistics and facts are passed around by presenters to analyse, as if they provide the key information to what could unfold in the coming hours. We know it has been a tight race, both Trump and Harris felt as though they could win; there is tension but excitement, concern but hope.

1:15 am

Flashy graphs, and swish maps show that Harris is already falling behind in lots of small ways. Republicans are looking good in Georgia and North Carolina, and Harris is down compared to Biden in parts of Florida. Harris’ final days on the stump were filled with positive phrasing, proclamations that their ‘ground game’ was better and optimism. So, I tell myself that these are insignificant and that we still have a long way to go – the night is still young.

I look at the infamous New York Times needle, which is leaning just to the right, softly predicting Trump to win the Electoral College but for Harris to win the popular vote. Despite the disappointment, I remind myself that it is not over. False hope is still hope?

2:00 am

Currently, watching ITV and doubt starts to go across Tom Bradby’s face. It feels as if hope for Harris is waning, and Trump could be doing quite well. The NYT Needle had moved even further in Trump’s favour, and as it inches towards the darker red, I become increasingly nervous. Could he really do it again? Since early September, I had felt uneasy about a Harris win, that Trump might just swing it. But the reality that America is choosing Trump once again is looming large and confronting this thought much scarier than I thought.

3:40 am

I must have fallen asleep, and I wake to Jeremy Vine stood in front of an electoral college map which is much more red than it was an hour ago. Hope and attention for North Carolina and Georgia has been replaced by the importance of other swing states – Michigan, Wisconsin and, of course, Pennsylvania - Harris’ only route to victory. The trickle of bad results and data has turned into a down poor and suddenly there is a deluge of results suggesting a Trump victory.

4:52am

Elon Musk tweets “game, set and match”. Dystopian, to say the least. Trump is heading for victory and there is no way to stop the train which is speeding up along the tracks.

the night?

And then, suddenly, it is 6:30am.

Along with the rest of the country, my parents are waking up, my sister making her breakfast, and a new day has begun. For many, it is a day like any other. Though, as I open the curtains to an appropriately grey, misty morning, everything feels very different. The lack of sleep and copious amounts of coffee are certainly not to help. Yet, I can’t help but feel sadness, frustration and disappointment. Throughout the campaign, both candidates presented the election and its

existential. And this morning feels just so. That we are waking up to a very different compared to yesterday morning, as another Trump presidency is impending.

oe Biden and Kamala Harris entered the White House in the climax of civil unrest. Days earlier, Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the election provoked an attack on the Capitol.

In the early days of his administration, Biden signed several executive orders that aimed to dismantle decisions made during Trump’s presidency, including ceasing funding for the border wall and abrogating the permit for the KeystoneXL pipeline.

One of the key issues that fell onto Biden and Harris was to manage the Coronavirus crisis. During the transition period, Biden developed mitigation plans for schools with the Rockefeller Foundation though this was never implemented. They did create key infrastructure and investments to manage the virus having executed the largest vaccine programme in US history and creating the first inter-agency National Research Action Plan on Long COVID. That said, Biden assumed office in January stating “there’s nothing we can do to change the trajectory of the pandemic in the next several months” despite having his transition team distance themselves from a scientific adviser who warned the country should go into lockdown for four-to-six weeks in a New York Times op-ed.

Though inflation has affected millions of Americans, Biden’s efforts have returned them to pre-pandemic levels and the Build Back Better plan in 2022 addressed investments in social and environmental programmes. Another success, following the devastating overturn of Roe v. Wade, included allowing sales of birth control pills in stores over the counter.

Palestine and the Gaza conflict proved to be a vital issue in the last year of the administration; Biden and Harris failed to criticise Israel directly for the vastly growing death list in Gaza, as well as initiate a permanent ceasefire—something Democrat voters have been critical of.

As the Biden-Harris administration enters its last days, it departs with a legacy that many will feel conflicted about and leave some in apprehension of Trump’s forthcoming second presidential term.

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Image: Wikimedia Commons, Gage Skidmore, Creazilla

Image Credits: Wikimediacommons, Marcn, Lonnie Tague, Wannapik

Image Credit: Flickr, Gage Skidmore

Undressing oppressive forces against women: Ahoo Daryaei as a symbol of resistance

Nelefi Photiou 'Woman, Life, Freedom', two years later women are still not free in Iran

Ahoo Daryaei, a university student at Tehran’s Islamic Azad University was harassed by members of the Basij paramilitary force for not wearing a hijab.

According to Iran’s dress code policy, women must wear a headscarf and loose clothing in public. Instead of succumbing to the laws, Daryaei took off her clothes and threw them at the officers as a striking act of defiance. She continued to march through campus in her underwear, unruffled and stolid. Daryaei was then shown to be forced into a car by men in plainclothes.

Her courageous stance constitutes a powerful symbol of the resilience of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement (Zan, Zendegi, Azadi in Persian) initiated in September 2022 in Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the morality police for not wearing her hijab properly. This movement demands the dismantling of systemic oppression against women that has persisted since the establishment of

the theocratic Islamic Republic in 1979 led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

“Women living under oppressive regimes have no choice but to stand tall and resist.”

ideological and moral discipline, that became a key instrument in policing women’s dress and behavior. In this context, Daryaei was characterised as “the bravest girl in Iran” for demonstrating opposition to such a strict authoritarian system that subjugates female rights. However, some contrasting views were also voiced, such as of government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani who denoted that “Instead of viewing this issue under a security lens, we are rather looking at it with a social lens and seek to solve the problems of this student as a troubled individual". A university representative, Amir Mahjob, also stated that Daryaei was found to be "under severe mental pressure

Kemi Badenoch: Who is she?

Lottie Browning

The new leader of the Conservatives and her history of scandals.

Raised in Nigeria and the United States, Kemi Badenoch moved to the UK at sixteen, working at McDonald’s during her A-Levels before completing an initial degree in computer engineering at the University of Sussex. Joining the Tory party in 2005, Badenoch also went on to gain a second degree in law at Birkbeck, University of London.

Seemingly at the forefront of people’s minds, though, is Badenoch’s position as a black woman in Parliament. Whether recognised as a point of commendation or prejudiced disaproval, Badenoch’s contributions – as the Tory party’s first black leader, and thus black female leader too – have been viewed with an overt acknowledgement of race and gender. Most nonsensical and notable of her critics during the grapple for Tory leadership was veteran Conservative MP Christopher Chope, who opined that Badenoch, as a mother of three, would be too ‘preoccupied with her own children’ to adequately perform her role as leader of HM Official Opposition, and would instead support of her rival, Robert Jenrick –father of three.

The process of Islamisation consolidated Islamic power over almost every sphere of life and entailed methodical institutional, legal, and cultural reforms. For the Islamic endeavour to be effective, individual bodies had to be continuously monitored and subjected to many forms discipline. Thus, the Basij, a paramilitary force was established, functioning as morality police, aiming towards in 2022, Badenoch was appointed as International Trade Secretary by Truss as well as Minister for Women and Equality shortly after by Truss’s successor Sunak. Most recently Badenoch was made Secretary of State for Business and Trade. After such a demonstration of capability shown by undertaking these three posts simultaneously, one questions how she could be accused of being too ‘preoccupied’ by her position as a mother. Ultimately, however, Badenoch’s fractious and somewhat divisive approach to politics became her advantage in earning the votes of her party despite the discriminatory undertones embodied by her competition – but that is not to say she did so unscathed by controversy. As a self-titled gender-critical feminist, Badenoch believes sex to be biological and immutable. This seems to be the apparent reason she so vehemently opposed the proposal of gender selfidentification, a system which removes

After landing fourth in the race to replace Johnson

diagnosis of gender dysphoria for legal gender recognition. Badenoch, along with many other feminists, regarded this proposal as a risk to the safety of women.

Focusing on the ‘numbers’ of immigration, Badenoch places an emphasis on differentiating between those who come to the UK to ‘contribute’ and those who may bring ‘foreign conflicts’. She therefore believes there is a ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ type of culture, that there are those whose attitudes align with British values and there are those who would hinder the economic growth, political advancement, and social progression of the UK. Making her stance on foreign issues clear, she delineates her support for Israel as an ally and expresses her distaste for the ‘oppressor versus the oppressed’ narrative in regard to the conflict and its repercussions for Palestinians.

Badenoch also stresses the importance of an amicable relationship with the US, especially after its election saw Trump advance to presidency once again.

Perhaps a cheap shot at Starmer, she demanded the Prime Minister apologise for British liberal rhetoric against Trump so that the UK’s precarious relationship with the new president may be somewhat

As Badenoch's new career as the leader of the opposition progresses, we shall see whether her reign will bring a new start for the Conservatives or whether she too will fall into scandal

and had a mental disorder." Following her arrest, authorities transferred her to a psychiatric facility- an act the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) condemned as “kidnapping”. Notably, the practice of accusing women of mental problems in order to silence or invalidate them is deeply rooted in systemic and historical gender oppression. This phenomenon has both historical precedents, as well as modern manifestations, which impedes women's autonomy and self-expression. Weaponising narratives of mental health in an effort to quiet women’s dissent accentuates the power of phallocratic social structures and state forces. The picture of Ahoo Daryaei standing boldly in her underwear has become a symbol of women’s

resistance against oppression. Women living under oppressive regimes have no choice but to stand tall and resist. And we, who are fortunate enough to live in Western societies, have a moral duty to stand beside them, supporting their fight for freedom.

“History has proven that women’s solidarity and steadfast belief in their cause give rise to substantial change.”

The remnants of a fossilised system based on outdated moral frameworks of Islam affect not only the women of these countries, but also undermine global progress, eroding the foundations of hope for comprehensive justice and equality in the women’s combat for autonomy. The blood still spilled on the altar of female subjugation will not be in vain. History has proven that women’s solidarity and steadfast belief in their cause give rise to substantial change. The hope for a future of women’s freedom and justice remains alive, as long as there are courageous women like Ahoo, who march forward, with fearlessness against the forces that seek to render them invisible.

Do you get déjà vu?

Noelia Fernández Pérez Sports Sub-Editor

Olivia Rodrigo removes song from TikTok to stop Trump from using it.

Everyone and their mother knows about the US election because of the amount of TikToks we got in our 'For You Page' when they were promoting both campaigns, but what we didn't expect was for America's sweetheart, Donald Trump, to use one of Olivia Rodrigo's songs to catch the eye of the artists' fans.

Olivia Rodrigo endorsed Kamala Harris for the whole campaign, so when Trump used her sound on his 'victory video' the singer took down the sound from TikTok, stating: "Ew don't ever use my sound again ty." This comment has been deleted, but the video still has no sound, per the singer's request.

To be honest, I don't know what the marketing team from Trump's office was thinking when they did this. Rodrigo has publicly supported the Democrats since Joe Biden was elected president. She was one of the public figures who encouraged young people to get vaccinated back in 2021.

If they wanted to catch the eye of her fans, I think they

picked the wrong singer, as most of her fans are either gay or strong feminists. If they wanted to catch the eye of the media, they have, as everyone is now talking about this.

After the victory of the so-called 'American Boris Johnson', many famous singers, such as Billie Eilish, were disappointed. After the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, everyone expected America to make better choices. Still, after this election, we understand why they're one of the countries where education is not taken seriously.

People who voted for Trump because they thought it was the 'better option' out of the two, let me give you a reality check: I bet your ego is as big as his lies, but that's a topic for another time.

If I were a famous singer and a convicted felon against women's rights and used my song to promote his campaign, I would also take my sound of TikTok.

Creazilla

Image: Wikimedia Commons, Ben Shread, Simon Dawson, Prime Minister's Office, Chris McAndrew,

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Taymaz Valley; Ilias Bartolini

New DNA testing of Pompeii bodies

Amelia Hunter

Recent DNA testing should remind researchers and historians that not all initial findings can be taken at face value

Twith the town preserved beneath the ashes at the core of history lessons taught across the centuries. However, these historical teachings aren’t all they once thought about and are now being rewritten thanks to new DNA testing results.

Pompeii was discovered untouched, buried beneath several feet of hardened ash, lava, and rock in 1592 by Domenico Fontana, a Roman architect. However, the decay of the bodies over the previous 1500 years produced cavities

filled with plaster to make life-like casts of the Roman people.

This plaster cast method was

developed almost three hundred years after Pompeii’s discovery in 1863. Since then, over 100 casts have been produced to preserve the shape and remaining bones of the people of Pompeii.

“Certain people, presumed to be family members, were biologically unrelated”

unrelated.

One couple, who died in each other’s arms, were assumed to be sisters or mother and daughter but were found to be irrelevant and of opposite sexes.

The analysis also uncovered the diverse backgrounds of the people of Pompeii,

Will 1.5C limit be breached in 2024?

Anna Nix - Head of Current Affairs Our Head of Current Affairs looks at

A cancer drug could be the new lupus cure

New information about this disease has come to light...

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease effecting approximately 69,000 people in the UK. For an unknown reason, it causes the body's immune system to attack itself which causes inflammation and therefore damage the body. This disease normally means a life of taking medication but a ground breaking drug may change this.

Symptoms including fatigue, fevers, weight changes, joint pain and more are caused by Lupus, but it also has some more severe symptoms that can threaten life such as heart, lung, kidney and blood clotting problems. These symptoms can be managed by lots of medication, but there is currently no cure so people with lupus need to take medication for their entire life in order to manage these symptoms.

“The results of this clinical trial showed that all the participants went into remission”

CAR T-cell therapy is normally a cancer immunotherapy treatment that genetically modifies a patients T-cells so that they attack the cancer cells. A doctor will take a blood sample and then extract the patients T-cells and add a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene. In a lab, these cells will then be replicated to increase the cell count.

Finally, these cells are infused back into the patients blood stream where the T-cells can bind to and kill specific cells.

In 2022, a small clinical trial used this same form of treatment to help lupus patients. The results of this clinical trial showed that all the participants went into remission from their lupus and were able to stop taking their medication for between three to seventeen months.

“One of the participants reported that after the treatment she has 'more energy'”

In the UK, another clinical trial has recently taken place at University College Hospital in London where participants with more severe lupus have received CAR T-cell therapy. One of the participants reported that after the treatment she has "more energy" and is experiencing less swelling within her joints. Researchers also believe that CAR T-cell therapy can be used to treat even more diseases.

The treatment is still not perfect as after receiving it the patients immune system becomes vulnerable, risking them catching an infection for several weeks after the treatment. Despite this, those with more severe lupus think it is worth the risk as severe lupus can lead to kidney failure alongside life long pain and a life of medication. This offers a life-changing, hopeful outlook for those with lupus. With additional trials and continued development, this therapy could eventually lead to the cure that many with lupus have been hoping for.

some concerning statistics...

Year 2024 is set to breach the 1.5C limit due to global warming. Before this year ends, it is predicted to become the hottest year on record.

This limit refers to the average temperature around the globewhich is set to be 1.5C higher than in pre-industrial age. This change in temperature is owed to human-made climate change, however smaller natural factors such as the El Niño weather pattern contributed to the change this year.

The 1.5C limit was agreed as a warning amongst world leaders during the Paris agreement in 2015, however whether this year does in fact reach the 1.5C limit does not mean that the agreement has been broken.

The Paris agreement refers to average temperatures over longer periods of time, such as 20 years - unfortunately, any one calendar year breaking this record negatively contributes to this agreement.

This prediction came right before the COP29 started in Azerbaijan this year

and scientists hoped that it would come as a warning to governments attending the climate change conference.

“This year also saw many natural disasters”

This year also saw many natural disasters, which were caused by the global warming. Hurricanes in the US, including Helene and Milton becoming more stronger due to climate changeevents like Hurricane Helene have now become 2.5 times more likely to appear in Florida.

Wildfires in the Amazon became 40% more damaging and four to five times more likely to occur. Wildfires burned 32 million acres in the Brazilian rainforest and Pantanal wetlands, releasing 150 million tons of carbon dioxide - more than some developed country’s emissions a year.

The most intense rainfalls were recorded in central Europe in September, with some areas in Spain witnessing a year’s worth of rain in just eight hours in October.

Many scientists are now hoping that next year’s temperatures might drop due to the natural weather pattern La Niña. However, greenhouse gas emissions are still rising quickly, and heatwaves, wildfires, rainfalls are becoming more common - so it is only a matter of time, scientists warn, before new records are set.

Five positive things happening in the science world right now

Jess Mooney - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

1. The prescription is nature.

Numerous studies over the years have shown that immersing ourselves in the natural world may have significant health benefits, but could we ever bring this practice into a clinical setting?

Kathy Wills, in her new book, "Good Nature," argues yes and suggests there is "a direct relationship between your sense of sight and recovery rate". She draws on extensive available evidence to show the health benefits of being surrounded by nature and applies quantitative data that shows how doctors could prescribe time in the nature to accompany their patient’s treatment plans.

2. Giant rats could soon help sniff out illegally smuggled goods.

A new kind of border patrol agent may soon begin work in African ports.

Rodents have been trained to detect elephant ivory and other items from at-risk species and could soon play a significant role in deterring the international wildlife trade.

green hydrogen and offshore wind.

4. Improve your health in just a few steps.

Whilst introducing fitness practices is something many of us

three hundred years later. Before this, they

3. UK and Australia to collobarate on climate and energy. Australia and the UK have struck a new deal agreeing to collaborate on climate change and energy initiatives.

Announced in late October, the deal focuses accelerating the development of renewable energy sources through cooperation on technologies including

reintroduce up to 15 Bos Taurus, a breed of huge, wild cattle, to the Scottish Highlands by 2026, with benefits for the climate and biodiversity and enhanced eco-tourism.

The project aims to replicate the ecological role of their ancestors, the aurochs, a species that disappeared from Europe around 400 years ago due to habitat loss and pressures from hunting before disappearing globally

Charlotte Chantler

Image Credit: WikimediaCommons: Diego Delso

PJanuary 20th - February 18th

aired with Venus entering your home sign, you will be feeling extra confident and flirty...better start getting the mistletoe out!

GGemini

emini, it's likely this season you will have been playing it more naughty, than nice. With Jupiter retrogade being in Gemini, you may face some inner turmoil with your love life finding itself on thin ice...

PAquarius Aries Taurus

isces, the new moon in Sagittarius highlights a fresh burst of creativity. Your christmas tree will likely be the envy of all your friends and you may spend a bit TOO long trying to make some paper snowflake decorations.

Pisces Cancer

C

ancer, this season you'll be feeling a bit more playful. Where you may have been feeling like you have low energy, you'll start to feel eager for some snowball fights and getting prosecco drunk...enjoy!

The new moon on December 1st highlights your 9th house of travel, meaning you'll be feeling restless and eager to move. If you're thinking 'travel' means an Uber to your situationships house...maybe just wait till you can go home for christmas instead.

Amajor shift arrives on December 6, as motivating planet Mars stations retrograde in your sign. The rest of the month you will need to try act less on impulse and more on drive(ing home for christmas.)

The excitement of Sagittarius season can feel a little overwhelming for you. You may be feeling a little suffocated by housemates or friends. It's okay to need some space, but don't let it get you down. Just remember to remain civil, or christmas dinner could be an awkward one...

Your month may have started as snow, but it's slowly turning into sludge as Mercury goes into retrogade. Have no fear, you just need some Bailey's Hot chocolate and overpriced christmas market food to solve all your problems.

November 22nd - December 21st

ong hours at work may have you feeling fatigued...Just remember, even Santa's elfs took days off so don't be overworking yourself this holiday season...

December 22nd - January 19th

Y

ou will have been feeling overwhelmed with deadline season. But Merry Christmas (War is Over) for you now as you'll gain more energy. You may have also been having fun this winter (hoe hoe hoe) but prepare yourself for cuffing season now...

Image Credits: Pixabay, Canva, and DanXaw, Creazilla (Santa hats)

Rate the Date

Rate the Date

What were your first impressions of Shirin? Shirin is nice, sweet and very humble.

What sort of things did you talk about?

As we already know each other, we just talked about our recent assignments, painting and some old incidents.

Did you like The Bridge Tavern? It is a very chatty place, I really like the vibes over there. Perfect place I would like to go there on weekends.

If Shirin was a drink what would she be? Sweet lemonade.

Do you think you will see each other again? Yes definetly we meet very often in restlife too.

What were your first impressions of Abhilash? I already knew him as most Indians in the uni knoww each other. W

What sort of things did you talk about?

As we already know each other, we just talked about our recent assignments, painting and some old incidents.

Did you like The Bridge Tavern? It is a very chatty place, I really like the vibes over there. Perfect place I would like to go there on weekends.

If Shirin was a drink what would she be? Sweet lemonade.

Do you think you will see each other again? Yes definetly we meet very often in restlife too.

Abhilash, 25, International Buisness Management

Your dilemma of the week

Whether you're stressed about assignments or not getting along with your flatmates, Agony Aunt is here to help!

This week, one of our readers is questioning whether she's made the right decision for her relationship.

Dear Agony Aunt, I broke up with my ex but I think I made a mistake, how do I get him back?

From: A Reader

Dear Reader, Firstly, it's important to make sure this is definitely what you want. Breakups are very tough emotionally, so you need to be certain on this decision before you approach your ex about it. Your relationship ended for a reason so keep this in mind. Reflect on these reasons and consider whether anything would change if you re-established the relationship, and whether you can see it working out this time. Breakups make you feel lonely and vulnerable, and it's easy to miss the comfort of having a partner, but this isn't the right reason to get someone back. Take some time to heal and re-build yourself and consider whether this is a decision you're making out of loneliness or love. Use the time you're spending single to focus on yourself and your personal growth. If there's things you personally need to work on before returning to the relationship to help it thrive take the opportunity to do that. If you're definitely sure you've made a mistake , approach the situation respectfully. Your part-

ner will likely be hurt from the breakup so give them time and space until they're ready for this conversation. The 'I miss you' text can be over whelming for some so make sure you handle this in a way that doesn't put pressure on your partner. Perhaps suggest grabbing a coffee or going for a walk when they're ready so you can have a hon est conversation about how you're feeling. When you have this discussion, don't push your past rela tionship to the backs of your minds . It is impor tant to consider what went wrong and the reasons for this, and the steps you both need to take to make the rela tionship progress successfully. Ultimately , you need to re spect their decision whatever it may be. Trust is broken down dur ing a breakup, and this can be hard for some people to regain. Yet, if you're sure you are making the right decision, go for it!

From: Your Agony Aunt

Abi Ogden - Blind Date and Agony Aunt Co-ordinator

Shirin, 26, Global HRM

Hosted by The Bridge Tavern

Jess Hughes and Rosie McKenna

Relationships

What we love most about Christmas - Relationships edition

Rosie McKenna and Jess Hughes - Relationships Sub-Editors

The winter season has rolled around again, and as we enter our Christmas era, the sub-editor of Relationships would like to thank you for your support so far this year. We have loved meeting eager writers, reading and publishing your work. We cannot wait to see where our section goes in the New Year - stay tuned!

In this article we wanted to explore what we love most about Christmas, but instead of focusing on the materialistic aspect, we invited our writers to reminisce on their favoutie memories and interactions for this time of year!

Rosie McKenna:

What I love most about Christmas is being around those who matter most. The majority of my family live in Ireland, and although I see them at various points in the year, Christmas feels most special. The festive atmosphere makes me feel like I'm making memories that I can cherish for lifetime, especially with my favourite person - my Grandad (or Gdad as I like to call him!)

Jess Hughes:

I love spending time with my sister during Christmas. Although our relationship can often be rowdy, at best. During Christmas, our constant bickering quietens down and the love we have for each other becomes apparent. Our tradition of Christmas Eve sleepovers and snowman making is always something I look forward to and truly love.

Emma Hunter (Lifestyle Sub-Editor):

My favourite part of Christmas is the family Christmas Day walk. I grew up in a family that loved going for walks; every morning, rain or (sleet or hail or ice) or shine, my mum, dad and sister and I would do the ritual loop around the block.

"I only see my family a few times a year: Christmas day [...] is a rare and sacred time with my family."

Though as a child I whined about it, as I got older I grudgingly accepted it, and even started to like it. Of course, we also did it on Christmas day, except that because we walked so much, it never felt like anything special. But fast-forward to my adult life now, where I only see my family a few times a year: the Christmas day walk is a rare and sacred time

Navigating my relationship with food this winter

Find out how to manage your difficult relationship with food this season...

It can no longer be denied – autumn has passed, and winter is here. This season is a dreaded time for many, and it’s easy to see why. Skin becomes dry, lips are chapped, joints ache and spirits are low; just some of the unpleasant factors that accompany the “most wonderful time of the year”. But how does one tackle a difficult relationship with food, in a time when there is the greatest focus on it?

“The best part about Christmas is the food”; something that we hear over and over again. “I’m not looking forward to the Christmas weight gain”; something else we hear time and time again. Things I remember hearing from a very young age. When these two statements are being bandied around with such carelessness, how is it possible to see the wood from the trees?

Finding my place between these two sentiments is a struggle I have grappled with for years. As someone who has had a difficult relationship with food, I used to hate Christmas. It felt impossible to enjoy the season when all I could think about was the food, and how to avoid it. My

first semester at university was a tough one – it was a particularly cold winter, my heating wasn’t working, and I’d been ill for months. Instead of taking the necessary steps to heal myself, I shut myself down, which only succeeded in making me more ill.

"It felt impossible to enjoy the season when all I could think about was food, and how to avoid it."

In the time since, I have paid special attention to healing my relationship with food, particularly in the winter months. It’s during this period that eating well is crucial, both for mental and physical health. When I was younger, people told me how important it was to eat – how much it affected every bodily function - and I believed I was the exception. I later realised I was not, and that when I ate I was actually able to focus, and my body was able to heal itself when I was sick. Winter can be a tough time when you have a bad relationship with food – I can admit I was somewhat dreading this winter. However, I have found it to be a good time to heal, as well as a time to begin to move forward. Taking every day step by step. Thinking about my own enjoyment and my own needs. This winter, the best part is selfcontentment.

with my family. It allows us to talk properly and reminds us of all we have done together. On the Christmas day walk, I know that I love my family.

Sasha Cowie:

In my family, Christmas comes with an odd, unspoken tradition: someone always ends up throwing up. Maybe it's from too much food, too many drinks, or just pure holiday excitement, but it happens every single year without fail.

"It all started when I was a kid - I was so excited that Santa had arrived that I threw up right into my sack."

It all started with me as a kid - I was so excited that Santa had arrived that I threw up right into my sack. Since then, it has become a bizarre rite of passage, with everyone from my parents to my siblings, to even my nephews and nieces taking their turn. For better or worse, it is just not Christmas until someone is holding back laughter whilst cleaning up the mess (most likely my Mum).

Adelaide Dobson (Opinion Sub-Editor): My favourite thing about Christmas, has to be Christmas morning. You wake up too early (even

though everyone in the house is an adult) and you're bleary eyed and desperate for coffee, but first you have to make sure everyone else in the house is just as awake as you. We all run round like headless chickens (or turkey's I suppose) and the dogs love it, because the house is full of random Christmas ornaments they want to chew, and you're distracted enough not to stop them. The thing I really love about Christmas is the chaos of it all, and the fun you have along the way!

How to find your independence when in a relationship

Put yourself first for a change, starting with reading this article!

Being independent in a relationship may sound like a contradiction but it is actually vital to the foundations of a healthy, functioning relationship. The right relationship should see you thrive not lose who you were before that person. So, how do you find your independence without breaking up with your partner? The key is to prioritise yourself. You must live your life according to your own desires, not your partners. Go on a walk, take yourself shopping or see your friends! Do the things that make you happy, even if it is just listening to music. It is not selfish to act independently and if anything, it provides more topics for you and your partner to talk about besides the boring “how was your day?” chat!

"Your hobbies do not fade away when you meet a partner, so it is important to make sure you still prioritise yourself..."

Independence does not have to mean separation. Your hobbies do not fade away when you meet a partner, so it is important to make sure you still prioritise yourself and never stop doing the things you love, whatever that may be. Finding your

independence is a mark of a healthy relationship when you know you and your partner can spend time apart or be miles away from one another and not have to doubt the stability of your relationship. You find your independence through self-reflection and putting yourself first.

"A relationship should enhance your life..."

At the end of the day a relationship should enhance your life and you and your partner should be happy alone in order to be happy together. So, as Ru Paul once said, ‘If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?’

Elena Moorhouse

Image credit: Vector Image, Google.

Charlotte Atkinson - Science Sub-Editor

Image credit: DanXaw, Creazilla

Not your fantasy: the festishisation of Lesbian and Bisexual women

Charley Dobson

The fetishisation of queer woman in our society is problematic and needs to be talked about...

Women have been sexualised since the dawn of time, does our orientation make any difference? Unfortunately, in this day and age, even despite efforts to remove the stigma surrounding sexuality over recent years, it would be difficult to find a queer woman who has not been singled out for their orientation. The fetishisation of sapphic individuals seems so embedded into society that such hapless experiences are to be expected. There seems to be an almost universal phenomenon in which lesbian and bisexual women are viewed as a challenge, particularly by males. Whether it be within real social settings or during online discourse, it would seem that our unavailability acts as an invitation to that overused and dreaded statement: “I bet I could swing her.”

"The

fetishisation of sapphic individuals seems so embedded

into society that such hapless experiences are to be expected."

Though it isn't always just the boys who push this fetishised agenda onto the queer community, presumably caused by a longing for male validation, it can often be straight women who, accidental or not, lend a hand in sexualising sapphic individuals. It's unfortunately and potentially increasingly common that some straight women will use their queer friends

to “impress” a boy. Especially within the nightlife scene, why do a few cocktails make my straight friends entitled to kiss me so that they can bag another free drink from their male audience? Now, this is not to say that these women don't have a right to explore their own sexuality, but these circumstances and settings are not an appropriate way to do so. Even beyond explicit fetishisation, the public generally seems to share a fascination with gay women. I had never felt pressured to assign myself a label before university, but society's curiosity is unforgiving. Even though sexuality can be a sensitive and very personal topic for some, it does often feel like some individuals feel entitled to know how you would define yourself- and if you won't, chances are they will slap a label on you instead.

"It seems impossible to escape the sexualisation and expectations of being a woman within the queer community..."

What are your red flags in a relationship?

Too picky or not picky enough? Explore specific red flags below...

One of my biggest red flags, and unfortunately a hard one to spot, is when a partner actually detracts from your life instead of adding to it.

Whilst this might sound a bit obvious, it’s something that is easily forgotten once love gets involved and starts telling you that everything should be sacrificed for this person. That is not true, especially at this age. If your partner is stressing you out, or stopping you from chasing up opportunities, or worrying you, you need to take a step back and evaluate whether you really bring out the best in each other. A good partner should add experiences to your life, provide a safe place, and, above all, support you in all of your endeavours, even if it means the relationship will have to go long-distance for a bit.

Of course all relationships need work and have their rough patches, but if you consistently feel like you can’t do things because of your partner, or you feel exhausted after being around them, maybe it's just not the right fit. And everyone deserves the perfect fit, no matter what.

Idon’t know about everyone else, but I feel I’m constantly on guard, looking for the worst red flags out there, of which there are many. The one red flag I’m constantly watching for though? Bad friends.

Not bad in the sense that they’re not a good friend to the person you’re dating, bad in the sense that they just don’t seem like a very nice person.

If you’ve got to the point of a relationship where you’re meeting the friend group things are probably going relatively well, they’re still new, but there’s good potential, you’re happy. Maybe even on cloud nine. The last thing you want to encounter is a rude or disrespectful friend.

Awkward family encounters are bound to happen, no one has control over who they’re related to, but bad encounters with a prominent member in their friend group? Red flags suddenly start waving before my eyes.

When getting close to someone, I like to pay attention to the way they treat the people around them. Whether that is a friend or a simple stranger, I will make quick judgements on their behaviour. And I'm not really sorry about it.

After all, if your partner is friends with this person, it might make you wonder how they talk and act behind your back. I’m not saying they’re talking about you specifically in a horrible way. All I’m saying is - as a woman who has met her fair share of men who don’t respect other women - if you’re boyfriend has a friend who is openly disrespectful, rude, or even just a bit icky and he’s not checking his friend’s behaviour it sends up some red flags.

Imagine if one of your friends was to blow you off repeatedly to hang out with their partner. That wouldn't be a very good friend would it? Now, if your partner is willing to blow off their friends to hang out with you, although you might feel very special, it is nasty behaviour. And it speaks a lot to their character.

Not treating your friends right means you are unable to treat me right. It means that the person latches on to whoever they like the most at the time, or whoever is willing to give them more of their time and will drop when a more interesting person to their eyes comes along. Honestly, they're probably not even worth all of that trouble.

Also, only wearing white or black socks. Absolutely criminal red flag when fun socks exist.

It seems impossible to escape the sexualisation and expectations of being a woman within the queer community, so it's important to remember that it's not for anybody else but ourselves. In short, not everyone will ever be pleased, and some individuals will always find a way to push their two cents -no matter how you present yourself or how many girls you fancy.

Being single at Christmas

Noelia

Christmas is the time of year when all the couples decide to hard launch their relationships and make us, single and lonely people, regret opening social media every time we do it.

After being single for a long time now, seeing couples having their romantic moment under the Christmas lights or holding hands while they’re walking through the market makes me wonder if I’ll ever find my ‘other half’.  Or even when my grandma asks if I’ve got ‘a special friend’, that’s the funniest bit about going home. When I go back home, I’m always the single person in my friend group, and they’re always making plans of their own, so I usually spend the majority of my time stuck at home reading or gossiping with my mum.

Don’t get me wrong, I love doing that, but it can get really lonely sometimes. Social media doesn’t help with this feeling either. I hate opening TikTok because I know I’m going to see happy couples posting their Christmas adventures together.

Once you start getting older, Christmas starts to become more focused on spending time with your partner instead of with your family, and it makes the Christmas spark lose some of its light.

What I love most about being single during the holidays is spending quality time with my family, making it one of my favourite holidays. So, if you’re single, don’t worry about spending time alone with yourself. It is also a time to reconnect with your mental and physical health space because, after some stressful months full of deadlines and exams, we all need that sometimes.

Being single during the holidays is not as bad as people make you believe. Cheers to all of the single people out there—we rock!

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons, Sasky

Image credit: Pixabay, Bucarama-TLM

Image credit: Pixabay, Bucarama-TLM

Image credit: Pixabay, Openclipartvectors

Fernández Pérez -Sports Sub-Editor

Image credit: Pixabay @ Nopixelzone @Violkaart

Multiple Writers - Opinion Sub-Editors

Amelie Baker

Adelaide Dodson

Margaux Martinez

Image credit: Pixabay, Janeb13

Lifestyle

RE: email etiquette

Maddy Kendall

Email formality can be a nightmare for students. This article will help you get the message...

The uncomfortable experience of sending a formal email feels impossible to conquer. Either you feel too informal creating a weird and slightly too chummy vibe to a professor, or it’s much too formal and feels rigid and lacking personality. Writing emails is a vital part of being a student so it’s important we have an idea on how to start to strike the balance between formality and friendliness.

You want to start your email with a clear subject line, which is a quick summary of what the email is about and helps to give an idea on the urgency of the email. Then move to the greeting; I find that “Good morning/ afternoon/ evening” is a good balance between formal and friendly. You don’t want your email to be too long though - keep it short and snappy, no one wants to have to sift through paragraphs just for the overall message to be “can you mark this?”

An obvious one is to use polite language, no abbreviations or swear words and avoid using emojis. If you’re worried it comes across as too

harsh there’s no shame in stepping away for a minute and coming back to it after an hour or just getting a friend or flatmate to read over it. The closing statement is nearly just as important as the opening one; a versatile and handy one is “thank you” but I find that it runs a bit short and robotic. Instead I go with something along the lines of: “Thank you for your time/ consideration”.

“There’s no shame in stepping away for a minute and coming back to it after an hour”

Emails are a learning curve at university but

Lifestyle’s day at the opening of Newcastle’s Christmas Markets

Emma Hunter & Ruby Tiplady

- Lifestyle Sub-Editors

NE1's Christmas Markets are not to be missed...

The afternoons may be dark and the chill may be biting, but with the opening of the Christmas markets in the heart of the city, midwinter in Newcastle is anything but bleak.

The festivities were launched with pomp and circumstance at 10am on Saturday 16th, in the shadow of the great Grey’s Monument. When leader of Newcastle City Council cllr Karen Kilgour cut the ribbon and declared the Christmas markets officially open, cheers sounded, pictures were posed for, and a tour of the attractions commenced. The Courier was invited along to be among the first to see everything the markets had to offer, from old favourites to new experiences. Here, we’ll give you a rundown of what you can find.

The main stage this year is Grey’s Monument, where a raised platform houses rentable igloos. We climbed the steps to the raised platform, which looks out over the Grey and Grainger Street market stalls. If you rent an igloo, you could spend a beautiful evening enjoying drinks in the luxurious, cosy booths (we’d certainly love to), but they are also beautiful to look up on from below, as they call attention to and light up the Monument itself.

But it wouldn’t be a Christmas market without stalls – we explored the classic wooden huts, each with an authentic vendor, selling everything from street food to luxury goods. The stalls extend down Grey Street and Grainger Street, the prior

Spending

a day in

Ouseburn

centring on Moosenwirt, the Alpine Bar back thanks to popular demand. In our interview with Ben from NE1, we found out that there’s been a stall reshuffle this year, to highlight newcomers and freshen up the markets, as firm favourites will have a queue no matter what. Don’t ignore the markets because you think you saw it all last yearyou’d be missing out.

We wandered over to the Christmas village in Old Eldon Square. This was developed with families in mind, with an Elf Workshop, Santa storytime sessions, and a performance stage where Christmas films and specials will also be screened. New this year is a vintage-style carousel. If you think this is just for kids, think again! We had a great time whizzing around, and Old Eldon Square really calls on the Christmas magic you felt as a child. We were like big kids!

“Don't ignore the markets because you think you saw it all last yearyou'll miss out!”

Ben also spoke to us about NE1’s 24 Doors of Christmas, running again this year. They represent an amazing opportunity to have a free day out with your friends, exploring more of the city, and there really is something for everyone. The range of venues is vast, and there is a guided tour and activity running every single day of advent. Whether you go for the festivities, to learn more about your favourite places, or just take the opportunity to see a venue you’d not normally visit, it’ll be a great day. View the full list of events and reserve your free space online.

There is plenty to do in Newcastle this Christmas, between the 24 Doors and stunning, refreshed markets. So, don't feel like you need to go to another city to chase the festive feeling  – this year we’ll be shopping, eating, drinking and carouselling in our very own Winter Wonderland.

Logan Best

Looking to explore Ouseburn? Maximise your day trip with these recommendations...

Often touted as Newcastle’s coolest neighbourhood, Ouseburn’s offbeat appeal is concentrated in its lively bars and breweries, quaint cafes and independent shopping. Embracing its industrial and agricultural heritage equally, Ouseburn stands out from its post-industrial peers (like the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool or Digbeth in Birmingham), boasting its own farm, stables, and substantial greenery within a relatively small area of the city. We begin our day in Ouseburn with a fresh pastry from Northern Rye, a small bakery opposite the colourful Toffee Factory. I’d recommend the cinnamon bun, but you can’t go wrong with their selection – they even have merch! Don’t miss the Liddle-Henzell Glassworks memorial on your way up the river, the flue-arches tucked away amongst trendy new developments as a proud reminder of Ouseburn’s industrial legacy, with glassworks in the valley dating as early as the 18th century. Following the river, you’ll soon reach Ouseburn Farm – this (free!) outing is particularly great if you have kids with you, or if you feel the urge to walk a goat. However, if you’re like me and prefer your nature in the form of greenery, I’d recommend exploring the network of footpaths spanning outwards from this point, where a pleasant autumnal walk will show off a quieter side to the neighbourhood.

If, at this point, you’re feeling peckish (or in my case, thirsty) then head up to Ernest café and bar, an excellent brunch and beer spot. Alternatively, Ouseburn has various pubs and two great pizza kitchens, and the Biscuit Factory even has its own café. This former warehouse building is now an arts and crafts gallery that spotlights local artists and holds workshops and events, and I would definite recommend checking out its cool interior even if art isn’t your thing. If it is, you should also pop into Northern Print or explore some vintage clothing and furniture under Byker Bridge before grabbing a drink and soaking up some live rock ‘n’ roll at Billy Bootleggers, a curiously styled Berlin borrowing as much from the American Midwest as it does from 80s Berlin.

Next, grab an early dinner at Brinkburn St. Brewery, and don’t skip on their selections of pies, sliders, and beers – if you combine it with a tour, you could even be privy to the brewery’s secret tunnel, a highlight of my first time there. If you feel like your daytrip has consisted of a little too much food and beer then head to The Cluny, one of Newcastle’s best pubs and music venues. If you catch a gig there, you’ll be sure to burn some calories, though you’ll find me completing the pub crawl daytrip with a final pint. Cheers to Ouseburn!

How I budget for uni life: the detailed breakdown

Delving into my budget and how I avoid overspending...

Uni is a huge learning curve, and for many students, it's the first time you're in charge of your own finances beyond online shopping, the pub, and going out for food with friends. Whether you feel secure in your budget or have no idea where to start, it's always beneficial to read about how other people manage their money, and see if they do anything that would help you. With that in mind, here's a breakdown of how I budget for uni life.

The first thing I would always budget for is rent because there is (unfortunately) no saving on that. Most people’s rent is between £6000£8500 over the year, and therefore it makes up the most of their expenses. This is unavoidable, and so I always make sure to budget for it using my student loan, as I know for sure how much is coming in from that. However, the loan may not cover some students' rent, and so you need to make sure you have extra, reliable income, such as a part time job, in order to pay this.

as and when they run out without panicking about overspending. It also depends on where you shop, as places like Aldi and Lidl are obviously much cheaper, but as we live in the city, getting there can be more of a hassle than getting a food delivery from a more expensive store.

“I find that having separate bank accounts can really help"

“The first thing I budget for is rent, because (unfortunately) there's no saving on that”

The next major item to budget for is food shopping. I tend to budget £60 for a 2 week shop. I don’t often max this out, but it allows me to replenish staples in my cupboard (such as spices)

Once these have been budgeted for, I like to plan for fun activities such as meals out, pub trips, and nights out. These are things which are more flexible, because you can always buy more or less depending on your budget. Personally, I like to plan for £40 a month for pub trips (as I don't spend lots on alcohol). I then budget around £30 for takeout or meals out, as this doesn’t happen too often but I like to be able to do it when the opportunity arises. Something I find really helpful is to budget for Uber (or taxis) so that I know I can always afford a safe way to get home after a night out – it takes the stress of the money away.

Of course this strict budget can be quite difficult to stick to throughout the year, but I find that having separate bank accounts can really help. I have a Monzo account which I deposit a bit of money into before a night out and only take that card with me so I’m not tempted to spend more than I budgeted. This also means that I don’t take large amounts of money out with me.

Of course a budget will look different for everyone depending if you decide to get a job throughout uni, rely on loans, are supported by your parents, or work over the summer and save up for the year. It is equally important for everyone to budget, and try not to compare yours to anyone else’s, as you can always participate in the same activities just by adjusting how much you’re spending.

Lucy Langdon

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Image Credit: Emma Hunter

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Image Credit: Pexels, Frank Schrader

Lifestyle

The best student discounts

Sofiia Korol

These student discount tips are not to be missed...

Leaving home for university can be an expensive business. But there are many deals and discounts which can reduce the cost. Lots of big companies – from Apple to Microsoft and Hello Fresh to Deliveroo –offer great deals when you’re studying.

The best advice is to always carry your student card with you – most places accept a UNiDAYS ID, Student Beans ID or Totum card, or sometimes even an email providing proof that you are a student. And when it is not clear whether a place offers a student discount or not, don’t be afraid to ask.

“When it's not clear whether a place offers a student discount, don't be afraid to ask ”

Some major retailers’ discounts include:

Ryanair: save 10% on your flights with Ryanair and get a free 20kg checked-in bag when booking four one-way or two return flights.

Omio: enjoy a 5% discount by claiming a voucher and entering your discount coupon when making a purchase.

FlixBus and FlixTrain: offers students a 15% discount on its services.

Amazon Prime Student Membership: students can keep their Prime membership at a 50% discount, costing £4.49 per month.

Morrisons More for Students: providing discounts, special student-only offers, and helpful tips to navigate each term.

Spotify: one month Spotify Premium free, with a subscription cost of £5.99 a month after that.

Apple: deals on laptops and iPads which can include gift cards when you buy. Also 20% off AppleCare.

Microsoft: 10% off laptops, Microsoft 365, and the latest version of Windows.

Boots: with an Advantage Card, you can get a 10% discount on thousands of products.

The Gym Group: 30% off 12-month memberships.

Hello Fresh: 60% off the first box, 25% off the first two months, and free desserts.

Deliveroo Students: free delivery with Deliveroo Plus Silver, until September 2027 subject to minimum spends and having a verified .ac.uk email address.

M&S: 25% off its “food on the move” range, handy for a library packed lunch.

Duolingo: a two-month free trial for those looking to supplement their degree with another language.

Not on the High Street: 10% discount to help with decorating your dingy halls room.

Hobby Hub: Volleyball

Noelia Fernández Pérez - Sport Sub-Editor

For one of our sub-eds, volleyball was a gamechanger...

Ihave always liked volleyball. It is a sport that brings me joy (except when I play it; that’s when things start to get tense in this relationship), and it was also a great way to make friends during my first year.

When I tell my friends I play volleyball in my free time, they always say that I’m insane. I will not blame them for this because every time I play, I tell them I’ve managed to add three more bruises to the many more I have accumulated.

On a personal note, being active and playing sports has helped me deal with some challenging and dark times in my lifetime, so joining the volleyball club has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Whenever I start a conversation, I must mention how extraordinary NUVC is and why people should join. The people in this club are so welcoming, and even if you’re new to the sport, you learn quickly as there are plenty of sessions throughout the week. Many people think that sports clubs are only worth it because of Wednesday night, but in reality, they’re not.

Joining the volleyball club has been one of the best decisions I've ever made

Although I’ve had great nights out (thanks to our incredible social secs), the community we’ve managed to build through the years is pretty well known within the university. We

A Winter Wonderland in Tyne and Wear

Erin Matthews

The weather might be

miserable, but the Toon is a sight to see...

The festive season has officially hit the Toon! Explore Newcastle and enjoy the magical build-up to Christmas this year. While dark nights have set in, and Newcastle is even colder than usual, there’s so much to look forward to this festive period in Tyne and Wear.

The magical feeling of Christmas is certainly back in Newcastle, as the city and surrounding areas have been transformed into a winter wonderland. Whether you’ve experienced a the holiday season in Newcastle before or not, there are a range of places you need to make sure you visit this Christmas!

Newcastle City Centre out now in twinkling lights and festive signs. The switch on of the lights, decoration of Eldon Square, and opening of Fenwick’s window the start of the Christmas build up in Newcastle; running errands around town feels that bit more fun now! It isn’t just the lights that make the town centre look so pretty though… the annual Christmas markets running from 16th November right up until the 22nd December this year, so make sure to get your fix of festivity by making an evening trip to Grab a hot chocolate from one of the markets’ independent sellers and take a wander down to the Quayside Millennium Bridge fairy lights along the pathway.

This year, we can also enjoy the ‘light up Jesmond’ initiative again.

This sees local business don sparkling Christmas trees on their storefront walls, and more trees dotted around the area. The sense of community always makes winter more enjoyable, and wherever you live, pretty lights and decorations will surely get you in the festive spirit. Newcastle Racecourse’s Winter Wonderland is another great spot if you’re looking for festivity. Bright fairground rides, cute stalls, and Christmas music make this a gorgeous day out!

“Running errands around town feels that bit more fun now!"

Alternatively, Tyne and Wear also boasts a great range of parks. These are pretty all year round, but nothing beats a winter walk, as long as you’re wrapped up warm! Jesmond Dene and Heaton Park are both great places for a frosty walk this Leazes Park should definitely be top on your list. The ‘Northern Lights’ will be displayed here again this year, throughout December. This is a ticketed event, as the park also hosts the ‘Christmas village’ with local food and drinks vendors. This magical walk features a range of pretty light displays not to be missed!

Another local and naturally pretty Tynemouth town and beach. While you may associate this with the summertime, Tynemouth in the winter is just as enjoyable! The high street offers a variety of cosy pubs and cafes, and the metro station markets on the weekend will be selling Christmas crafts- perfect if you’re looking for stocking-filler gifts. Just like the rest of Newcastle, Tynemouth will be even prettier than usual, with festive decorations and twinkling lights to make your December magical.

NE1 talk on Christmas in the Toon

Emma Hunter & Ruby Tiplady - Lifestyle Sub-Editors

The Courier talked markets, traditions, and life as a student in Newcastle to NE1's Creative Director...

Alot of hard work has gone into making this year’s Christmas markets bigger and better than ever. This was neither down to elves nor magic, but rather NE1, an organisational body committed to improving Newcastle city centre. The Courier had the chance to speak to their creative director, Ben Whitfield, about this endeavour. After the ribbon-cutting, we headed up to the igloos for an interview with a view.

THE COURIER: So, to start us off: is there a section at the market, or a particular stall, that you think will appeal to students?

BW: I mean, the street food stuff will always, I think, be popular. They're still here, all the iconic local stands that you know and love. But there's some new ones at the Monument, too - there's lots of nice retail stores, mainly on Granger Street.

We just wanted to ask about your time at Newcastle University? We understand you were a student?

Yeah, and I wrote for the Courier occasionally, back in the day. I studied English Lit. What was your favourite part of Christmas in the city when you were a student?

You know, it's funny because it sounds like a totally different experience. Especially now, working for NE1 and being in the city day in, day out. The main tradition that I did start when I was a student was It's a Wonderful Life at the Tyneside [Cinema]. I started going to see that every year from my first year of university and I think I've missed two [in] 15 years. It’s pretty iconic.

That’s so lovely! Can we just ask you finally just about the 24 Doors of Christmas? Is there one particular event that you'd recommend for students?

I mean Newcastle United probably - James's Park. I think if you want something that's quite iconic, quite unique, that might be the one for students. But then the other one that always appeals to me is the Lit & Phil. A lot of students don’t know it’s here, even people who live in Newcastle don’t know it’s here. The sort of subject matter they deal in, it might appeal to some students more than others, but the Lit and Phil … I remember the first time I saw a photograph of it online, and I was like “that cannot be in Newcastle!” They are pretty much our first email every year, and I think they have done it every year. it's almost really popular - so I’m going to say the Lit & Phil. Academic! We were just wondering - we saw on the website, 12 venues were confirmed online last week. Can you give us a hint about the next 12?

I mean - we do have one that we might end up doing as the 25th Door. One that's never taken part. It's very, very famous, very old, on the Quayside.

Is it the Cooperage?

It's not the Cooperage. But if you were at the Cooperage, you wouldn't be a million miles away from it. This one was too unique not to do. Shall we head to the market?

The Courier team are scratching their heads – what could the mystery venue be? Let us know what you think and read more of our conversation with Ben and about the 24 Doors of Christmas Programme online.

Image Credit: Rum Bucolic Ape, Flickr

Image credit: The Bag N Box Man, Flickr

Image credit: The Jewish News of Northern California, Pixy.org

Fashion & Beauty

All I want for Christmas is… the same as everyone else

Here is a guide with all you need to know this gifting season...

This Christmas, the gifting game is all about curated classics with a modern twist. From cult beauty products to retro fashion comebacks, the wish lists of Gen Z are buzzing with a mix of practicality and indulgence. But let’s be honest—everybody’s lists are starting to look eerily similar. Whether it’s Adidas Sambas or Rare Beauty’s latest lip product, the same coveted items are cropping up over and over again. Here’s what I think will be trending under the tree this year (spoiler: you’ve definitely seen these before).

Adidas Sambas and Gazelles are having their moment—again. These icons of sporty chic are as versatile as they are timeless, pairing effortlessly with tailored trousers or oversized jeans. For fans of cosy footwear, Uggs are making another strong appearance, proving their staying power as the quintessential winter staple.

Functional yet fabulous, Longchamp’s Le Pliage remains a firm favourite, balancing style and utility in equal measure. Zadig & Voltaire

bags are taking over Instagram feeds with edgy designs and premium quality for those seeking something bolder. Yes, Stanley Cups are the hydration accessory everyone didn’t know they needed. Sleek, reusable, and boasting severe “It” status, they’re eco-friendly and effortlessly chic.

“This

year, it’s clear: Gen Z knows what they want”

Perfume is always a winner, and this year it’s all about luxe and cozy vibes. Billie Eilish’s vanilla warmth wraps you up like a festive blanket, while Burberry Her and Good Girl exude luxury and confidence. Let’s not forget Ariana Grande’s signature scents—they’ve officially graduated from fandom must-haves to universally loved staples. From Rare Beauty’s sleek Phone Case and lip products to Charlotte Tilbury's foundation, makeup is on everyone’s radar. Add Dior’s iconic lip oils and Summer Fridays skin-perfecting products, and you have the ultimate beauty wish list. Haircare enthusiasts are equally spoiled by Dyson’s high-tech tools and Olaplex staples. Outerwear this season is a statement in itself. Red leather jackets and fur coats are perfect for embracing bold, vintage-inspired looks. And let’s

not forget leopard print, the pattern taking over wardrobes with unapologetic flair. Expect it on coats, scarves, and even handbags—the wild card we all love.

Comfort meets sophistication with Skims loungewear and Lululemon leggings that go beyond the gym. Meanwhile, Birkenstocks and Crocs continue to dominate, offering the ultimate mix of practicality and cool-girl energy. Individual dressing gowns are also back, bringing a touch of at-home luxury to the festive season.

Fashion’s love affair with the past isn’t fading anytime soon. Adidas track pants, Juicy Couture pieces bring Y2K nostalgia to the forefront. For the individual stylists (sarcasm), Stussy, Carhartt, and vintage Nike remain go-to brands for a laid-back, retro edge.

It’s all about the details. Acne Studios scarves and quirky Jellycats are already a hit, but chunky jewelry is stealing the show this year. Oversized rings, bold chains, and statement earrings are the perfect finishing touches. And partners, take note: this year, we’re hoping for something more unique than the usual Pandora pick.

This year, it’s clear: Gen Z knows what they want—and apparently, it’s exactly what everyone else wants, too. If you're not careful, your gift might look like it came straight off a "most wanted".

Carabiners & Community: the evolution of queer flagging in fashion

Megan Grimston - Sports Sub-Editor

Queer flagging is forever changing...

Colour coding, statement pieces, and accessories have long been a tool of self-expression; artistic tools hand crafting a detailed code of communication. Perhaps some of the most well practiced artists in self-expression are those that partake in flagging. Known as the signalling of sexuality or sexual availability through ones dress and style.

Where flagging began is a tricky investigation in history, with a handful of theories leading the way to the truth. From hanky flagging to carabiners, to jewellery, keys and nail designs the code of flagging is popularly believed to have been 'launched; in the 1970s by Alan Selby. Coming from an overorder of bandanas, hanky flagging is one of the pedestals of gay flagging with pocket and colour creating a plethora of codes both relating to sexuality and sexual availability (often being used more popularly by the kink community in modern history). From then onwards, the hanky code has become only the beginning of a dictionary of new codes helping millions of people flag every day.

“Hanky code and 'femme-icure' are two titans of the flagging world.”

In the 1980s, an iconic lesbian magazine On Our Backs adapted the hanky code for the lesbian lifestyle with a sale of handkerchiefs alongside the edition. Since then, the hanky code in its

original form has greater evolved into new forms amongst the women loving women community; taking form in nail designs. Being coined the "femme-icure" this universal flag is inseparable from the sapphic community, featuring long nails on every finger except the middle and pointer. Some examples of the colour-coded femme-icure can look like a sparkling (often silver) ring finger meaning femme-for-femme, however, more often the colours reflect that of the hanky code.

“Flagging

is back and this time it seems here to stay - it can only further evolve from here.”

While the hanky code and "femmeicure" are two titans of the flagging world, they are not the only universally understood forms of communication in fashion. To indicate sexual preferences women loving women have often worn keys or carabiners attached to their trousers. Often, people who have recently discovered their sapphic identity and are searching for ways to express it will learn that the carabiner is a universal symbol for to women loving women. Flagging extends beyond the kink, gay, lesbian and bisexual community however, also applying to the asexual community. Traditionally, the asexual community flags through jewellery, most popular being the "ace ring". This is a plain black ring, usually worn on either the right hand, specifically the middle finger. The hanky code or flagging process once went out of fashion, however, in recent history; likely because of the influx of social media, it has

Pyjamas outside: yay or nay?

Peak comfort, but is wearing your PJ's outside peak style?

With the days getting colder, afternoons getting darker, and the holidays getting closer, there’s nothing we all want more than to stay wrapped up in bed in our cosiest pyjamas, next to the radiator with a giant mug of hot chocolate. All you want to do is roll out of bed and head to your lecture in your dressing gown or sit in the (freezing!) library in that onesie you’ve had since 2013 - so we’re asking: can we start wearing our pyjamas outside?

Recently, brands such as Brandy Melville and Tom’s Trunks have made ‘pyjama style’ trousers popular, so if you don’t want to be spending the money on those, why not just grab a pair of pyjamas from Primark or Sainsbury’s – think plaid or blue and white stripes, and you can get a similar look for half the price. A quick search on Pinterest will give you tons of inspiration on how to achieve the comfiest look. We also recommend hunting around in your local charity shops! If you can take the time to search, you can always find a hidden gem, and you’d be surprised at how current they keep their stock rotating to showcase the trends that have filtered down. If you’re not someone to spend on changing trends, why not think sustainably, and invest in a quality pair of woollen pyjamas? I promise you, they will be the cosiest thing you’ve ever worn, and you can get them in a range of colours, such as neutral browns, black, or even white (if you’re careful with that hot chocolate!). It’s a great gift to ask for if you’re celebrating Christmas that will keep you warm every year and remind you of whoever bought them for you – or even treat yourself! Pair with a hoodie and a throw-on overcoat, and no one will even notice they’re pyjamas – and you’ll be the comfiest person

Sasha Cowie

Hannah Sexton

Image credit: Pixabay, b0red

Image credit: Pixabay, ArtsyBee

Image credit: Pixabay, Hans

How does politics influence fashion?

Amala Parry - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

From the controversy surrounding Rishi Sunak's Adidas Sambas, to Bernie Sanders' iconic mittens, to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's powerful statement at the Met Gala, politics has often been intertwined with fashion. As a result, fashion can be an influential medium, impacting people’s perceptions of politics and society.

This is the perfect example of a political event shifting the discourse of a fashionable item. Sunak’s decision to wear his Sambas that day may have irrevocably changed the popularity of a wellloved shoe. This, of course, had nothing to do with his shoes and everything to do with his politics.

On the opposite end of the scale,

When Rishi Sunak donned the oncefashionable Adidas Sambas, known for their iconic three stripes, during an interview at Downing Street, the fashion world shook. The Sambas, once a statement on the streets, became a political symbol no one wanted to be associated

A New Year's Eve style guide

Mia Wijayatilleke

The only guide you'll need this New Year's Eve...

Before we know it, Christmas will be over and we will be approaching the partywear highlight of the year - New Year's Eve. Whatever your plans are, here's how to enter 2025 in style.

Sparkles are a staple of New Year's. Highstreet clothing stores are full of sequined dresses and glittery tops at this time of year, so sparkles won’t be difficult to get your hands on. Charity shops are usually a great place to find sequins too - I have noticed this in Newcastle charity shops in particular and have found some really pretty pieces for a great price!

“You can never go wrong with jeans and a nice top.”

If you want to go all out, a sparkly dress or skirt is a great place to start. Glitter looks great when paired with black accessories like shoes, tights, or a bag, which will really make the sparkle stand out. Match the tones of the sequins with some metallic jewellery and sparkly eyeshadow for extra shine.For a more laid-back look, you can never go wrong with jeans and a nice top. This is easy to make as glamorous or subtle as you like, just add or remove accessories! If I receive any clothes or jewellery as Christmas presents, I love using New Year's as a chance to wear them. This also applies to any makeup or beauty products you may be gifted - why not spend the afternoon on self-care before getting glammed up?

If glitter’s not your thing, opt for stand-out fabrics to level up your look. From a velvet top and jeans to a satin slip dress and heels, pretty fabrics are perfect for a party. Jewel tones also have a festive feel to them that would work perfectly for New Year's Eve.

To continue reading this article, head to www.thecourieronline.co.uk

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) at the 2021 MET Gala was just one instance of many in which a fashion event constructed political discourse. The politician wore a white Brother Vellies gown with a striking red message across the back: "Tax the Rich." It was clear where AOC stood politically, turning up to an elite, A-lister event and making a statement on elitism and class inequalities.

Though impactful, this political statement was drenched in controversy, and some people believed it damaged AOC’s brand as a ‘politician of the people.’

and subtle nods to sustainable fashion.

“It has never been more clear that fashion can be used as a political weapon.”

With many taking to Twitter to criticise the fashion statement, political commentator Ana Navarro-Cárdenas wrote "Not an @aoc hater. But come on, going to an event for the super-rich with ‘tax the rich’ written on your ass, won’t change a thing. It’s a stunt to justify her presence at a fancy shin-dig that doesn’t match her political persona."

More recently, with the 2024 presidential election, there has been further evidence of fashion intertwining with politics. Trump supporters wore their bright-red MAGA caps like pins of pride, while Kamala Harris was viewed as a style icon for professional women because of her unique suits

It seems that in contemporary society, fashion and politics are more closely interlinked than ever before. Style choices are increasingly alluding to political stances, while politicians are playing a significant role in driving the political narratives around certain fashion items. It has never been more clear that fashion can be used as a political weapon. Clothes can tell stories and make powerful statements on certain sociopolitical issues; it's time we recognise this potential and stop glossing over the impact of fashion on politics.

Sabrina Carpenter's tour outfits are nothing short of sweet

Ali Choudhary

From custom corsets to crystal-encrusted boots, the singer's stage wardrobe is undoubtedly stealing the show...

Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh album, Short N’ Sweet, was met with critical acclaim, with Pitchfork naming it a “refreshing glass of escapism." And it’s true - her songs are memorable for their sexy allure and incisor-sharp wit.

In between country ballads and pop synths, Carpenter demonstrates murderously seductive, romantic, and emotionally vulnerable energies which permeate through her lyrics, and her music videos too. Now, the 5ft blonde bombshell has embarked on her sold-out US tour accompanied by special guests Amaarae, Declan McKenna, and Griff, and delivered the hot girl energy America very desperately needs. Embodying a fun feminine persona, dazzling in sparkles and lace, stylist Jared Ellner— whose clients include Lili Reinhart and Emma Chamberlain— has clearly shown how to achieve the brief.

Opening

the set with hit third single from the album, ‘Taste,’ Carpenter has just done her makeup so nice and dresses in a custom Victoria’s Secret lingerie-inspired corset, shortly followed by a baby doll dress for her ‘Bed Chem’ inspired set, all in enticing pastel shades. This is accompanied by custom skin-coloured garter tights by Phantasy that are embellished with clever details hinting towards the rest of her discography.

“Carpenter knows how to serve on stage.”

Transitioning into ‘feather’, Carpenter is definitely working late in a black lace capri body suit from Patou, adorned fittingly with feathers, and later adds on a robe to match. Finishing the show with flirty glitz, she’s worn various custom miniskirts embellished with crystals which are matched with custom Naked Wolfe boots detailed with cutout hearts.

Sabrina Carpenter knows how to serve on stage. She echoes Madonna and Zsa Zsa Gabor, offers a performance reminiscent of a slumber party with your girlfriends, and in between retro style interludes, pays homage to the vintage dreamy zeitgeist of the 60s and 70s. It’s nothing short and sweet of tasty perfection.

Mixing metals: chic or messy?

Emily Hawtin

Bold and unconventional, mixed metals are reshaping accessory trends...

Whichever way you choose to accessorise yourself is a beautiful reflection of your own creativity and personality and should be celebrated in its individuality. The beauty of fashion is that there should be no rules! But, that being said...

Where pairing a gold bangle with a silver ring might once have been regarded as a major fashion faux pas, trends change like the seasons, and right now, the talk of mixed metals is on the lips of all fashionistas. Breaking this outdated fashion rule with a collection of mixed metals adds depth and interest to a simple look, grounding all the elements of an ensemble.

“Mixing metals achieves a glamorous elevation without overstimulating the outfit.”

Balance is key in mixing metals to maintain a chic, classy look and avoid ‘messy’ allegations. Rather than pairing five silver bangles with a singular gold ring, mixing metals throughout a look achieves a glamourous elevation without overstimulating the outfit. However, favouring one metal as the dominant colour is an excellent way of accenting it within an outfit. Instead of dividing jewellery tones rigidly across a look, integration compliments the individual pieces, pulling an outfit together. With this, a more deliberate and thoughtful choice may be required when dedicating yourself to wearing mixed metals, but I’d argue that it is completely worth it. Transitional pieces are a mixed metal wearer's best friend. Pieces with both gold and silver elements can provide a stylish bridge between individual gold and silver pieces; therefore, layering is the perfect way to incorporate mixed metals into your look elegantly and cohesively.

For decades, designers have engaged in a perpetual discussion about which metal suits whom. Perhaps the choice might depend on an outfit, certain elements of a look—like the bag or shoes—or even skin undertones. Here lies another reason why mixed metals are so versatile:

you choose a colour of metal to wear and invest only in that colour. This choice becomes a part of you, sticking with you like a religion. Trends of mixing metals have removed this retrospectively rigid pressure of colour choice in accessories, breaking the

Image credit: YouTube, Anne S

Image credit: Flickr, Hayley Gagnon, Blundstoneboy / Wikimedia Commons

Coffee and Cramming: How to become an academic weapon through cafes

Why not explore one of these coffee spots to release your full academic potential...

With exam season swiftly approaching, I'll be sharing my top picks for the best cafes in Newcastle to settle in for a study sesh!

Personally, I’d choose a cosy cafe over the library any day. There’s nothing like a warm drink and a sweet treat to keep me motivated!

First up is a campus classic- The Grand. Notable for its convenience and student discounts, and my favourite thing of all, the vegan sausage roll. This snack holds a special place in my heart since they sold the same ones at my sixth form, so every bite helps me channel my studious year 13 self.

as it is to the palate. I don’t even need headphones here, since it always feels like they’re playing my Spotify playlist, with all the best tunes from Amy Winehouse to Fleetwood Mac! But be warned, the irresistible scent of their delicious menu might tempt you to overspend your weekly budget.

''There’s

nothing like a warm drink and a sweet treat to keep me

Nestled in the heart of the city centre is The Coffee Trader, with an extensive menu of specialty seasonal drinks and hearty breakfast plates. Who wouldn’t want an English breakfast while desperately trying to cram in everything you’ve learnt over the past few months?

Foody Focus: Soju & Gogi

Dhwani

Masand and Taylor Roth

Olive and Bean is the place to go if you're searching for a cafe that is as pleasing to the eye

Next up is centre. This charming cafe takes pleasure in offering fresh, homemade meals that are crafted every day by their talented kitchen team. Blakes is ideal for fueling your brain with a snack or a hot beverage while you work. To unwind from the stress, I’d recommend popping into It's the perfect retreat for all the cat lovers out there. While you might not get much work done with the furry friends jumping into your lap and stealing your straw, you’ll certainly feel a sense of calm before the chaos begins.

Argie Bhaji review

-

Looking for some tasty Indian dishes?

Whether you are looking to try some spicy Indian dishes, or if you're just looking to explore new and inventive food fusions, I would definitely recommend Argie Bhaji

This Indian street food battle takes place in Wylam Brewery without any entry fee and is definitely one of the more fun ways to stay warm during the chilly month of November

we settled for butter chicken – something I have wanted to try for ages but never had the opportunity to – and masala mac and cheese, which seemed like bit of an interesting combination until we gave it a try.

"As someone who has never tried Indian food before, I went to this event with a lot of excitement"

How to show your friends some love, on a budget...

CSome of the well-known names participating this year were SnackWallah, Redhead’s Mac ’n’ podium Express Tray winner, Argie Bhaji status – My

As someone who has never tried Indian food before, I went to this event with a lot of excitement, and just a little bit of anxiety, worried about my non-existent spice tolerance, but everything turned out to be just fine and even better. The food was delicious, the music fun and upbeat and despite the cool weather just a few bites managed to keep us warm. If you missed this year’s Argie , don’t fret – there’s always next time! However, if you can’t wait that long, keep a look out for all the other of the ‘Food Battles’ Battle of the Burger, Lord of the Wings.

Fancy a KBBQ experience fit for royalty? Read this week's Foody Focus to find out more...

ooking to try Korean BBQ?

Soju & Gogi is the best place to try it! Located on Dean Street, amidst several cafes, bars, and restaurants, sits a cosy eatery to satisfy your savoury desires. Its unassuming but welcoming exterior doesn’t do justice to the quality of food, ambiance, and service waiting inside.

Upon entering the establishment, we were greeted by their helpful staff who led us to an intimate table for two. After being seated, we perused the extensive menu of starters, sides, accompaniments, stews, and traditional barbecue options, including meats, seafood, and vegetables. Furthermore, the drinks menu included a selection of house cocktails, wines, spirits, hot and cold beverages, and their titular specialty, soju. We opted for a little bit of everything, resulting in a feast more than enough for two. We started our meal toasting with 'Plum Soju', eager to dive in. I, Taylor, am usually a little afraid of soju, but this one was the right balance between astringent, sweet, and acidic, refreshing the palate and washing away my worries. The 'Meat Feast Platter' and its accompaniments came out first and our waitress was helpful and thorough in the instructions for cooking the meat and describing all of the components. I, Dhwani, am a KBBQ novice, and the staff ensured that I was comfortable and made the seemingly intimidating experience very relaxing and fun. All of the meat was seasoned well and we both preferred the ‘spicy’ meats with the house sauce. For anyone afraid of spice, these meats were not crazy spicy, simply delicious and flavourful. The lettuce and spicy pickled cucumber sides paired well with the meats, providing a refreshing quality. Another great component on the grill was the 'Cheesy Sweet Baby Corn' we ordered. The corn comes in a container filled to the brim with cheese and becomes super gooey sitting on the grill, creating those beloved cheese pulls. Overall, Soju & Gogi is fantastic. KBBQ is never just a meal but an experience and this was one we loved, highly recommend, and look forward to returning to with our partners and friends. Our 'Kimchi Jeon Pan-Fried Pancake' starter was the crispiness you dream of, but it could have had a bit more kimchi-flavour to allow some more sour and spice to cut through

and while the magical markets tempt with their trinkets, it can be difficult to stay on a student budget and still show your appreciation for friends. What better way to show you care than making home-made gifts for your loved ones? Here are five easy and affordable sweet treats for this festive season. Chocolate bark is a super speedy and customisable gift that’s guaranteed not to break the bank. Simply melt your chocolate of choice, spread a thick layer on some baking paper, and adorn with whatever your heart desires! Swirl different chocolates together for a classy marbled effect, sprinkle with edible glitter for some seasonal sparkle, or add toppings like mini marshmallows, candy canes, and dried fruits. You can always choose vegan chocolate for your plant-based friends, and design your friend’s names on their bark for that personal touch. Envelop bark in festive tissue paper and box up for next cosy coffee meet. For a more interactive why not make hot chocolate kits for your loved ones to warm their soul on a frosty morning? Throw their favourite hot chocolate mix and marshmallows into a cute jar and adorn it with festive decorations...

Barbora Pacherova

Food and Drink Sub-Editor

Image credit: abcxx_ck, Pixabay

Image credit: Barbora Pacherova

Image credit: Christopj, Pixabay; zuzufiane, Pixabay; Myriam-Fotos; Pixabay

Skipping the capitals...

Adelaide Dodson

- Opinion Sub-Editor

Should you explore lesser-known destinations when choosing a holiday?

Choosing a holiday can be overwhelming: do I go to my dream destination? Do I take the cheapest flight on Skyscanner and see where I end up? Or do I evaluate many places and see which one has all the things I’m looking for? And then the question we’re asking today: are small cities better than big ones?

Don’t get me wrong, capital cities are cool; they’re stuffed full of arts, culture, interesting people, and amazing food. But sometimes, smaller cities lose out on tourism because they don’t have the same level of recognition that a bigger city does, and so we end up missing out on unique gems. Here are a few of the reasons why you should consider a lesserknown destination the next time you're scrolling through Skyscanner...

For a start, lesser-known cities provide a more unique travel experience. When I travelled to Naples this summer, all I knew about it was that it was near enough to Pompeii, and that in the past it was associated with organised crime. However, exploring a city that I didn’t already know so much about, like Rome, was a revelation. Not to mention it was much easier to find less touristy, cheaper areas to enjoy.

Which brings me on to my next point, capital cities are expensive.

We can see this even in England, purely through observing how once you're in spitting distance of London, the price of a pint doubles. But it’s not just alcohol that’s cheaper outside of bigger cities, it can be transport, accommodation, and food.

As well as this, smaller cities mean less crowds of tourists and more interaction with locals. So many larger cities are full of tourists, and I know I’ve felt, at times, that the only people I’ve heard anything from are fellow Brits on their holidays. Whilst adventuring tourist hotspots is certainly fun and worthwhile, smaller cities make it much easier to escape the crush of tourism and relish a quieter holiday. You might even want to flex your Duolingo skills by interacting with locals.

If this isn’t enough to convince you to the charm of a smaller city, there are a few more points I can make: it’s easier to take time and see the littler things. If you’re not rushing from one statue to the next it’s much easier to just sit, have a coffee and enjoy the city moving around you. It’s easier to familiarise yourself with your surroundings so as to feel safer, and smaller cities often have lower crime rates which are imperative to research if you’re travelling alone and want to feel secure. Also, learning to navigate a smaller public transport system is always nice. I would never tell people not to go to capital cities- but if you’re feeling like something a little different, something less mapped out and hopefully a little cheaper, try a smaller city. Perhaps Porto over Lisbon, Bruges over Brussels, or Oaxaca over Mexico City. Wherever you go, just be sure to have a great time.

Newcastle Airport wins 'Star of UK' Alternate Christmas traditions

Scarlett Palmer

Newcastle International Airport has been crowned 'Star UK Airport' for the third consecutive year!

Awarded by the Travel Bulletin Star Awards and nominated by travel industry professionals and global airlines, Newcastle International Airport is the first to achieve three consecutive wins.

The award was based upon travel industry professionals, and the support that travel agents were given. Infamous for its friendly staff and service, the airport plays in important part in many people's everyday lives across the North East.

The airport was shortlisted amongst London City, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool John Lennon, and Manchester.

Richard Knight, the Chief Operating Officer at Newcastle Airport, commented: “We are incredibly proud to be named ‘Star UK Airport’ at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards for the third consecutive year.

many people's everyday lives across the North East, especially for students at both Newcastle University and Northumbria. The accolade is amongst a season of recordbreaking awards for Newcastle Airport- in early October, Newcastle made history by becoming the first UK Airport to be crowned 'Best in the World' at the Routes World Conference in Bahrain, as well as winning 'Best Airport' in the 0-5 million passengers' category for the second year running. And in September, the 2024 Travel Industry Awards awarded Newcastle the UK and Ireland Airport of the Year at the 2024 Travel Industry Awards. The awards have undoubtedly made the people of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and staff at the airport extremely proud. The award is an honest reflection of all of the hard work upheld by every member of staff at the airport.

Why not try a few different traditions to celebrate Christmas magic this year?

With Christmas just around the corner, most of us are excited to dive into our usual festive traditions- and while a few of us may be jetting off for a Christmas adventure, others will be wrapping up at home... so why not bring some international magic into your house? A few global traditions might just make this Christmas your most memorable yet.

Nikolaustag

"This award not only recognises the hard work and dedication of everyone at the Airport, but also reflects the strong, trusted relationships we have built with travel agents and the wider travel industry."

This comment in itself, truly reflects the extent of the achievement, that will boost morale and support for the airport’s community. Infamous for its friendly staff and service, the airport plays in important part in

Five off-season cities to see this winter

Rachel Hood

Looking to jet-away this winter? Look no further!

The winter months can be a challenging time to find both quiet and exciting places to visit. However, there are countless d estinations that can be incredible during this time of year, and many are not too far away! These five cities experience their off-season during winter and are amazing places to see, and all just a direct flight away from Newcastle Airport...

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Visit the striking city of Amsterdam and experience the annual winter festival which starts on 16th November 2024 and lasts until 2nd March 2025. Enjoy activities such as ice skating, the Light Festival, and the Christmas market, before grabbing a drink at the one-of-a-kind ice bar, giving you an insight into the arctic circle. Sing along to Christmas Carols at the spectacular Royal Concertgebouw to give your trip a truly quintessential winter feel.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is a must-see city this winter. St. Stephen’s Basilica is an exquisite place to visit ordinarily but, in the lead up to Christmas, it is transformed into a magical market with a magnificent light show every night. Ride the Christmas light tram before

popping into the many exciting ruin bars for a drink. Explore the traditional Hungarian food such as goulash, chicken paprikash, rice pilaf and many traditional soups and stews to ensure your visit is worthwhile.

Dublin, Ireland

Another beautiful city to visit this winter is Dublin, the capital of Ireland. Take a tour around the Guinness Museum for a pint and visit one of the hundreds of Irish bars for a dance to some traditional Irish music. The Dublin Zoo is a brilliant place for a family day out to see the animals and the annual Wild Lights, with this year’s theme being A Journey Through Time. Don’t forget to take a trip to Dublin castle to explore all the history it has to offer.

Paris, France

Paris, during winter, can be a magical place, despite the lack of snow! It will be very chilly so wrap up warmly and visit one of the many of fabulous bakeries, before taking a boat trip along the River Seine at night to see the beautifully illuminated city. If the weather gets too cold or the rain begins to pour, as can often happen in Paris at this time of year, have a pop into one of the phenomenal museums of art, history, and culture, before visiting a traditional French restaurant for some exquisite cuisine.

Barcelona, Spain

The usually mild weather in Barcelona makes it a great place to visit! December especially holds many Christmas traditions that are not to be missed. Ice-skating, taking a tour of the gorgeous Christmas lights, and a stroll through the Christmas markets are all fabulous winter getaway activities with a plus side of warm temperatures!

Growing up in Germany, I have fond memories of St. Nicholas Day, or as we call it ‘Nikolaustag’. On the morning of December 6th, children find their boots filled with all kinds of goodiestraditionally this would be walnuts, tangerines, and sweets. The evening before, my mother would always make me and my siblings clean our boots thoroughly and leave them out overnight. Sometimes, we would also display our finest homemade gingerbread for St. Nicholas. At primary school, St. Nicholas himself would sometimes visit to ask if we’d been good children and hand out presents. Traditionally, if you have been naughty, his ominous counterpart Knecht Ruprecht would threaten you with a ‘Rute’ (a rod). Luckily, I was always one of the good ones! You may add an extra festive day to the month and give this tradition a little twist- try surprising your flatmates in the morning by leaving some goodies (or a rod, if you will) in their boots!

Robak Zalac

Now, I will let you in on a favourite family tradition of mine, which is the Polish/Silesian ‘robak zalac’... grab your family or friends and your best bottle of vodka (or whatever else you fancy), and walk over to your mates’ or extended families’ houses to have a shot. The word ‘robak’ translates to ‘worm’, as this tradition is intended for you to ‘drown the worm’, meaning drowning all of the year’s sorrows with alcohol! Suspiciously enough, I couldn't find anything online about this tradition, making me question whether generations of my family have simply made up an excuse for day-drinking. Nevertheless, take my word for it: it’s a very fun tradition.

Jólabókaflóð

Lastly, if you’re looking for something very wholesome, try the Icelandic Christmas book flood ‘Jólabókaflóð’. To me, books are some of the best gifts to give or receive, so this is perfect for all my fellow bibliophiles. On Christmas Eve, you exchange books with your loved ones and then cosy up by the fire, or with some hot cocoa, to read together. This tradition’s simplicity takes away the pressure of finding the perfect gifts. It dates back to the Second World War, when Iceland had strict restrictions on imports, rendering books treasured gifts. Back in the day, people in Iceland would even receive a catalogue with newly published titles to find something suitable for everyone. However, even today, this tradition is a wonderful way to share stories while also supporting local bookshops and writers.

Christine Soloch

Image credits: Pixabay

Image credits: Pixabay

Image credits: Pixabay

Image credits: YouTube- TUI UK and Pixabay

The Pearl of Africa: Uganda reveals new tourism app

Charlotte Atkinson - Science Sub-Editor

The new app is designed to solve issues in sharing travel information with tourists...

Uganda has revealed their method of boosting their tourism sector in the form of a new mobile app, in an effort to increase global visibility. This new app, named Explore Uganda, is part of Uganda’s efforts to place tourism as one of their four main economic pillars, along with manufacturing, agro-processing, and ICT.

Created by the Uganda Tourism Board, this new app is part of a plan to solve long-term issues surrounding the relay of information to tourists. Explore Uganda will act as a live information platform, updating tourists in real time about security and weather conditions, as

accommodation, attractions and events. The app has integrated Google Maps, meaning visitors can navigate the country with ease, no matter where they are. The Explore feature has recommendations on key tourist spots, while the Marketplace feature allows users to find local businesses and services. In addition to this, tourists will be able to locate safe and secure places in case of an emergency, as the app is linked to Uganda’s police, so help is never too far away.

Lilly Ajarova, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board, said: “With this app, we are bringing Uganda closer to travellers, whether they are planning their first visit or rediscovering the Pearl of Africa. Through use of technology the application will be able to provide reliable information to the tourists coming to visit Uganda and anyone interested about destination Uganda”. Despite taking a blow during the COVID-19 pandemic, Uganda’s tourism sector has been making a huge comeback, with the number of visitors expecting to hit 1.5 million by the end of this year, according to the 2023/2024 annual

Icreated this playlist when I went to Tenerife, in desperate need of some rest and relaxation. Here is what each song means to me.

Bumper, Cults Waking up early in the morning, watching the sunrise in the car on the way to the airport. This song captures the feeling of adventure and excitement - I first heard it in an episode of Everything I Know About Love, and I just know the main character felt the same way as I do when I listen to it.

Sea of Love, Cat Power All in the title. Surrounded by family, and the sea. Listening to the lull of the waves, postswim and caesar salad, ready to either get lost in the pages of my book or fall asleep. Nothing could make it better, really.

I read an entire book in one day, and had this song on repeat while I did. I only put it down three times; once to swim, once to eat, and once to nap. The holy trio of holidaying. Bunny, Tourist On the flight home, soaking it in. Going back reality, but

Libby Griffiths - Deputy editor

Starry Night, Peggy Gou

That unbeatable feeling of a fresh shower, looking at tan lines in the mirror, and begging my sister to borrow her dress for our meal tonight. Shouting to Dad across the balcony to pass the prosecco bottle. Drunk off happiness and bubbles before we even get to the restaurant. Silver Soul, Beach House

Blue Sky and Yellow SuPlease, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want, The Dream Academy

The perfect song to play in your earphones as you're gallivanting around a city or a new place. Channel your inner Ferris Bueller. Blue Sky And Yellow Sunflower, Susumu Yokota

The most underrated take-off song for your flight. The whimsical sonics pair well with being above the clouds- it feels like a fairytale.

Which festive getaway is perfect for you?

The holiday season is approaching, and for many, it's the ideal time to plan a memorable getaway. Whether you’re looking for a snowy escape, a warm retreat, or a bustling city adventure, finding the perfect holiday destination can be a challenge. Take our personality quiz to discover which festive getaway matches your vibe, and make this season one to remember!

First up! What’s your ideal festive atmosphere?

Dive into your dreams... What’s on your festive bucket list?

A. Building a snowman – Winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snowball fights sound like a dream come true.

B. Snorkeling with festive fish – You’d rather dive into clear, warm waters than into a snowbank.

C. Shopping at iconic markets – Unique holiday gifts and trendy fashion finds are right up your alley.

D. Reading by the fireplace – A peaceful break with a good book and scenic views is all you need.

A. Cozy fires and snowy landscapes – You love the traditional holiday season with snow-capped mountains, hot cocoa, and quiet nights by the fire.

B. Sand and sunshine – You prefer to escape the cold and spend your time on a beach, soaking up the sun with festive lights twinkling in the warm night.

C. Bright lights and busy streets – The energy of city life is what you crave! You’re all about experiencing local holiday markets, skyscraper views, and festive celebrations.

D. Peaceful countryside – A quiet, rustic escape away from the crowds sounds perfect, where you can unwind and recharge.

And most importantly... which festive treat makes you happiest?

A. Hot chocolate with marshmallows –Nothing says “holiday” quite like a warm mug of cocoa by the fireplace.

B. Tropical fruit smoothies – Even during the holidays, you’re all about those fresh, sunny flavours.

C. Mulled wine and gingerbread – You’re here for the full experience: rich holiday flavours that remind you of bustling holiday events.

D. Warm herbal tea – Simple and comforting is your style, especially in a peaceful setting.

Happy holidays from your favourite travel sub-editors of The Courier! How is it the end of 2024 already?! We have both absolutely loved editing your newspaper travel spread and reading all of your fabulous articles, and cannot wait to see what we all get up to in the New Year. Whether you're jetting off for December or staying here in the Toon, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season filled with yummy food, warmth, and lots of love, however you choose to celebrate! Thank you so much for being a part of our travel community, Here’s to new destinations, fresh perspectives, and more excuses to use "adventure" as a reason for interesting decisions and those cheap RyanAir seats - yes we see them in your basket! Wishing you all lots of festive cheer... we shall see you in 2025 at the next SMA ;)! Or not, it depends what the January Skyscanner deals are looking like. Loads of love from Eldog and Jophie xxx

Sofiia Korol

Image credits: Libby Griffiths

Image credit: Pixabay

Image credits: Pixabay

Introducing: The Student Spotlight

Your Education Officer recognises the great work from students across all three campuses...

The Student Spotlight is a new monthly celebration of the everyday achievements of our students across all three Newcastle campuses. Every success, big or small, is worth celebrating, so let’s put a spotlight on those who bring positivity, hard work, and creativity to our student community.

NUiS Singapore: Syaeerhan Ramadhan Bin Mohamed Fareez

Syaeerhan has overcome a string of struggles in his university journey and has gone on to achieve two consecutive years on the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) Provost’s List Honours, consistently demonstrating resilience. He also leads on events for SIT Project YOUth which provides support for at-risk youth. Syaeerhan has truly inspired his peers with his growth mindset and determination. Well done!

Newcastle campus: Eloise Crowder

Through founding The Sticky Note NCL blog, Eloise has grown a supportive community of student writers, providing them a platform to gain hands-on writing experience and produce impactful articles. Her work also amplifies student voices by raising awareness of initiatives like Marrow Society. Ultimately, she has made a positive impact on those around her by fostering an inclusive space where other students feel empowered to create, express themselves, and grow. Thank you, Eloise!

JNUMed Malaysia: Juhi

uhi has embraced personal growth

and resilience, such as excelling in a demanding academic competition, she has embarked on a mission of constantly evolving into better versions of herself. Amazing work, Juhi!

Fight Night success from NSR X NUTV

This past week has been a huge success for all at NSR and NUTV. On Tuesday and Thursday we worked together to film the Student Fight Night in the students' union. We had a number of student volunteers filming, presenting and commentating. We are very grateful and proud of everyone involved! We also held our first social as a group and made some tote bags together for our shows. It was so lovely to see some of the faces behind the shows. As the first semester comes to a close we are pushing for those last few weeks before Christmas. During the Christmas break show applications will reopen and a new schedule will be released in the new year. We are also very excited, as we are going to be working with some new tech in the new year, and we can't wait to see what exciting opportunities this brings for NSR. Make sure to follow the instagram @thisisnsr for updates and we can't wait to see you in the new year!

Hello!! Fight Night this week brought us immense stress and joy. Thank you to everyone who’s volunteered this week, your help has been amazing! I’m so proud of us all!! It was a great night that went very successfully. If you want to check out the hard work from our volunteers look at Newcastle University TV on YouTube...

Erin Reid

- NSR Station Manager

Alicia McEvoy - NUTV Station Manager

credit: Erin Reid

Gladiator II: legacy sequel rings hollow despite warrior-class cast

Ryan Walsh

What does this writer think about a sequel nearly 25 years in the making?..

In lieu of Ridley Scott's mixed bag career in his twilight years, expectations are cautiously high as Gladiator II storms into cinemas. The all-time cast featuring the likes of Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Connie Nielsen is unfortunately squandered in a greedy attempt to simply ride out the first film’s legacy, rather than build upon it.

The film begins with an animated retelling of the events of the original Gladiator, which heralds one of its most glaring errors: its inability to escape the shadow of Maximus. We follow Paul Mescal’s ‘Hanno’, which anyone who has seen the trailers knows is Lucius, the son of Lucilla and the grandson of Marcus Aurelius, the boy who idolises Maximus in the first film.

"The plot of Gladiator II borders on self-plagiarism, uninspiringly drawing on nearly all the same story beats as the first"

Although Mescal has become one of my favourite actors of his generation, he struggles to capture the charisma and quiet stoicism of 2000s era Russel Crowe, instead coming across as placid

and dull by comparison, which is all too easy due to the incessant use of flashbacks whenever the name of Maximus is invoked. Although Ridley Scott is commonly associated with intentionally egregious historical inaccuracies these days, I found the sharks in the colosseum and the reading of newspapers a millennia before the invention of the printing press an excusable way of heightening the tension and progressing the plot respectively, a small price to pay considering the creative liberties taken in the first film by nature of being alternate history. Predictably, the plot of Gladiator II borders on self-plagiarism, uninspiringly drawing on nearly all the same story beats as the first, with some key scenes and character deaths noticeably being mangled and cut short in the edit, I would assume to sell an extended edition somewhere down the line.

Some of the key diversions from the first film’s plot come from the machinations of Denzel Washington’s Macrinus, who although fulfilling the Oliver Reed role of being the buyer and seller of gladiators in Rome, outshines the rest of the cast and is absolutely electric to watch, chewing scenery in good fashion and keeping the plot fresh by vying for power in skin-crawling and eccentric ways. This in my opinion starkly contrasts with performances such

as Pedro Pascal’s, who although delivering big on physicality in battle scenes and the much awaited showdown with Paul Mescal, delivers his lines in such a flat and uninspired manner that I found myself wondering if his time cashing in as the voice of The Mandalorian has diminished the presence and charisma he had in the days of Narcos and Game of Thrones.

"Yet another legacy sequel that's main motive is churning out cash"

One of the main disappointments I felt was the total lack of memorable quotes, instead choosing to parrot those from the first such as ‘strength and honour’ and ‘what we do in life echoes in eternity’ throughout. Any original quotes were so unrousing that it felt surprising the gladiators didn’t choose to stay in their cells when given the choice of freedom.

We wish you a merry letterboxd Christmas

Dylan Seymour - Sports Sub-Editor

Our Sports subed recommends some alternative darker picks to watch in the festive season.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for global capitalism anyway. The relentless pursuit of profit will one day kill us all! Stick that in your Nan’s Christmas card, she didn’t give you a £20 note last year anyway, why should you care? Bah humbug! I’m, of course, joking – I love Christmas and my Nan, in case she’s reading. However, I can find the yearly release of festive films very tiring. There’s only so many times you can watch a plucky underdog save Christmas and get exactly what they wanted from Santa before you start contemplating the point of it all. As such, welcome to The Courier’s official 2024 guide to winter films that aren’t absolute slop!

Joyeux Noel (2005): Starting off on the lovely festive note of one of the biggest conflicts in the history of mankind, we have 2005’s Joyeux Noel – a heartwarming depiction of 1914’s ‘Christmas Truce’. Featuring Daniel Brühl, who Hollywood appear to just wheel out whenever they need to cast a German character, the film may not feature Santa Claus or Michael Bublé paying the trenches a visit for the festive season, yet is a brilliant portrayal of the human spirit. Few films deliver a better anti-war message than thousands of supposed-

enemies singing Stille Nacht together as one. Even more powerful is the fact that the unofficial armistice of December 1914 really happened, and although many of the men who took part were dead by the war’s end, for one night they had peace.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year - for global capitalism anyway

Die Hard (1988):

Yes, it’s a Christmas film, put the gun down. I’m far from the first person to recommend Die Hard in the winter, but sometimes all you need is a classic run-and-gun movie in your life. Action was a category very much overdone by the late 80’s, but Die Hard’s refusal to depict Bruce Willis as a shirtless, screaming man brandishing a tank, three nuclear bombs and a Sports Illustrated bikini model re-vitalised the genre. Set on Christmas Eve, it’s the perfect movie to get your adrenaline rushing this holiday season.

The Thing (1982):

Unlike Die Hard and Joyeux Noel, John Carpenter’s masterpiece has very little to do with Christmas – unless your crimbo schedule involves grotesque alien parasites, of course. However, it does snow during the film, so there! Set on an arctic research base as it’s crew are, one-by- one,

Although the dialogue leaves much to desired, Ridley Scott absolutely delivers on the big-screen spectacle, the sheer scale of the warfare I feel has been unseen in any blockbuster in recent memory. The final battle in particular is perhaps what this film will be best remembered for, although it is soon squandered by an ending that is so out of place, sterile, and unimaginative it borders on simply being upsetting as a moviegoer. All in all, Gladiator II is yet another legacy sequel that’s main motive is churning out cash for the Hollywood machine, and will not find itself living in eternity any time soon.

What are we watching?

This week's recommendations from our sub-editors...

Let battle commence between two of the nation's favourites...

Alex:

Scrooged (1988)

Now that Christmas time is well and truly here, celebrate with this modern snarky take on the classic Christmas Carol story, fronted by Bill Murray at his absolute best. It's got a dark sense of humor and some genuinely weird elements, but it still gets you in the feels right at the end!

Charlotte:

Spencer (2021)

Kristen Stewart delivers an amazing performance as Princess Diana in this wintery retelling of Diana's last Christmas holiday spent with the royal family in their estate in Norfolk, where she decides to leave her marriage to Charles. The film is 'A Christmas Carol'-esque portrait of an isolated woman who is haunted by her past, present and future.

Hugh Grant or Colin Firth?

Mia Wijayatilleke

Let battle commence between two of the nation's favourites...

For romantic-comedy lovers, Christmas time means only one thing: the annual rewatch of Love Actually. Hugh Grant and Colin Firth both star in Love Actually and the Bridget Jones films, charming viewers with their loveable roles and familiar faces. But which of the two have the better characters in the films they star in together?

Colin Firth’s Love Actually character, Jamie, arguably has the most heart-warming plot in the film. After his girlfriend cheats on him with his brother, Jamie moves to France and begins a holiday romance. Jamie’s romantic proposal at the end is an adorable, feel-good gesture of a love that transcends language, which is just what you want from a cheesy Christmas romance.

Grant plays the recentlyelected Prime Minister, David. Before Love Actually, director Richard Curtis had already worked with Grant on the Bridget Jones films, Notting Hill, and Four Weddings and a Funeral, so it‘s no surprise that Grant’s character shines in this Christmas favourite. His storyline may not be as overtly romantic as Firth’s, but PM

"Which of the two have the better characters in the films they star in together?"

David is one of the most memorable characters in the film thanks to his iconic dance through 10 Downing Street. It does come down to personal preference but for many, Grant’s Prime Minister is the clear favourite in Love Actually. Grant and Firth are directly pitted against each other in Bridget Jones’s Diary, competing as the love interest for Bridget (Renee Zellweger). Audiences and Bridget alike are initially smitten with Daniel Cleaver (Grant), with Grant a firmlyestablished heart-throb for viewers at this point in his career. Mark Darcy (Firth) is a grumpy human rights lawyer, reminiscent of his namesake Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice - also played by Firth in the 1995 BBC series. Despite a rocky start, it is Firth’s character that proves the most swoonworthy and wins Bridget’s heart. In fact, Firths’ character also wins the physical fight with Grant’s in Bridget Jones’s Diary, Daniel Cleaver losing the fight as well as Bridget’s respect. But it appears to be a closer fight in their re-match in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. With the return of Grant and the writingout of Firth in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (coming out in February 2025), will Grant end up on top after all?

Image credit: IMDb and Pixabay

Image credit: IMDb and Wikimedia Commons

Image credit: IMDb and Sarah Tunstall

Grammy Awards 2025: Beyoncé leads with 11 nominations

Eve Rowley

Charli xcx, Clario and Fontaines D.C. are also amongst the nominees.

The world's most anticipated music awards have released their nominations, and to nobody’s surprise the genre blending sensation Beyoncé takes the lead with an incredible 11 nominations. Whilst the spotlight is firmly on Beyoncé, the nominations offer an array of interest for multiple areas of the music industry.

Some might say that 'Cowboy Carter' was a risky project for Beyoncé, as country music is a rarely explored genre for her, and many other typically pop musicians. However, with the album taking one of the favourite spots for ‘Album of the Year’, it is evident to see that Beyoncé’s status as a generational talent should not be questioned.

Appearing in almost every category she was eligible for, tracks such as 'Texas Hold ‘Em' and '16 Carriages' also gained her nominations in the categories for ‘Record of the Year’ and ‘Best Country Solo Performance’. To list every nomination would be long and repetitive, nonetheless the celebration of such a genre change can only be seen as a positive step for the music industry: embracing change,

and rejecting the repetitive, formulaic approach many pop musicians are currently taking.

In a year of change for popular music, the 67th Grammy nominations also saw artists such as Charli xcx and Chappell Roan take multiple nominations. Charli’s cultural phenomenon of 'BRAT' received the chance to win ‘Album of the Year’, as well as positions in categories such as ‘Record of the Year’, and ‘Best Dance Pop Performance’.

Within the lesser focused categories, it is exciting to see the likes of Clairo receive her first ever Grammy nomination for her third album 'Charm'. Similarly, Fontaines D.C. receive two nominations to build upon their 2021 nomination, following a monumental year for the band.

As the Grammy Awards highlight the best of new and current music, the nominations received by none other than The Beatles for 'Now and Then' cement the significance of these awards, and demonstrates their long standing impact on the music world.

With the 67th Grammy Awards kicking off in February 2025 we are bound to see a plethora of both predictable and surprising winners, many of which I imagine will fall into the hands of Beyoncé. From first being nominated in 2001 to receiving 11 this time round, the Grammy’s serve to decorate the most popular and most culturally significant artists of our time.

The winners of the 2025 Grammy Awards will be announced on 2 Feburary 2025.

Who are the main nominees?

Song of the Year:

• 'A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

• 'BIRDS OF A FEATHER' by Billie Eilish

• 'Die With a Smile' by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

• 'Fortnight' by Taylor Swift

• 'Good Luck, Babe!' by Chappell Roan

• 'Not Like Us' by Kendrick Lamar

• 'Please Please Please' by Sabrina Carpenter

• 'TEXAS HOLD 'EM' by Beyoncé Album of the Year:

• 'New Blue Sun' by André 3000

• 'COWBOY CARTER' by Beyoncé

• 'Short n' Sweet' by Sabrina Carpenter

• 'BRAT' by Charli xcx

• 'Djesse Vol. 4' by Jacob Collier

• 'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT' by Billie Eilish

• 'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess' by Chappell Roan

• 'THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT' by Taylor Swift

Roan and the Red States: what 'The Giver' tells us about Chappell Roan's next album

Xanthippe McGarry

The Midwest Princess' turn towards delightfully queer country music comes at the perfect time for America.

In the run up to her highly anticipated sophomore album, Chappell Roan offers us a taster by which we might predict what’s coming next: her SNL performance of brand new song 'The Giver'.

From curls stiff with hairspray and denimtasseled everything to the barrels and beavers behind her, it seems queering rural America continues to be key to Roan’s art. Only now she seems to be tackling the South. Her recent performance on SNL took the famously fierce southern belle - think Dolly Parton, Britney Spears, Daisy Duke - and reclaimed her as lesbian iconography.

"Roan's recent performance took the fierce southern belle and reclaimed her as lesbian iconography"

As Roan says herself in between lyrics, “All you country boys saying you know how to treat a woman right / Well, only a woman knows how to treat a woman right / She gets the job done”. This representation of Southern femininity has never been diminutive, in fact it seems at home in queer culture, perhaps because it is only an

exaggeration of the pre-existing, campy ‘bigger is better’ attitude. Either way, this performance leads me to some guesses on aesthetics of the album.

"The

continued queering of America is not only an exciting concept but a hopeful one"

Moving away from Midwest Princess, we might be venturing further south. I expect the self-possessed farm girl gone gay story will carry on: maybe we’ll see Chappell Roan as a quarter back, scoring the touch down, or in pink cowboy boots with a lasso, bringing home the runaway stallion. Either way, it seems her fun in the red states isn’t over yet and we should be glad of that.

In the light of Trump’s recent election, we can only feel grateful that someone is keeping queer identities seen, particularly in states where the culture excludes them. For an artist like Roan to exist as openly and proudly as she does whilst coming from a state like Missouri, which elected Trump by an 18.4% margin early November, is no small matter. With all this in mind, the continued queering of America is not only an exciting concept but a hopeful one. Queerness exists everywhere but it takes artists like Chappell Roan to put it in the mainstream.

The Libertines live at NX review : rock veterans keep getting better

Marcus Williamson - News Sub-Editor

The Libertines romped back into Newcastle for a euphoric show earlier this month.

The promotional material for the tour told punters that the Libertines were ‘here to save humanity from holograms, virtual reality and AI autotuned bullshit’, and promised ‘raw analogue euphoria’. They certainly delivered. Set against their hotel backdrop, the group walked out to the Lindisfarne anthem, 'Fog on the Tyne'. They then kicked off the night with 'The Delaney' and followed it up with fan favourites 'Likely Lads' and 'Up the Bracket'.

In sheer crowd noise, however, 'What Katie Did' might have just outdone the band, as it brought what felt like the entire audience into voice.

The London-based quartet played songs from each of their four studio albums. Of course, plenty of tracks from their latest album 'All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade' featured, including 'Run Run Run', 'Merry Old England', and 'Shiver'.

"The sheer crowd noise might have just outdone the band"

Before walking off ahead of the encore, the group gave the rabid crowd a rendition of 'Can’t Stand Me Now'.

The Rise and Rise: a look back on Roan's extraordinary 2024

22 September 2023 - Roan releases her debut album 'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess', which wouldn't reach the UK charts for another seven months. Roan performs on Tiny in drag, in a performance NPR said "forever alter[ed] the Tiny Desk".

- Roan's breakout moment comes release of 'Good Luck, Babe', a No. 1 hit in four countries, peaking at No.

12 April - Roan perfoms at Coachella, and the livestream footage promptly goes viral.

10 June - Roan performs at New York's Govenor's Ball, turning heads with a fully committed Lady Liberty look.

20 June - Jimmy Fallon invites Roan to his talk show When Fallon mentions Googling her name, she snaps back: "Did you not know who I was before?"

1 August - Roan's performance at Chicago's Lollapalooza is estimated to bring one of the festival's largest ever crowds - 110,000 people all dancing away to 'Hot to Go'.

15 August - Roan completes her meteoric rise when her album reaches No 1 in the UK

The encore itself answered their promise of ‘raw analogue euphoria’ resoundingly. The group moved to the right-hand side of the stage where they turned their microphones to face each other. It was in this formation that they delivered 'Man With the Melody' with each member of the group singing a different verse. It was reminiscent of a practice room run through.

"It's safe to say that the Libertines are refining with age"

The two front men, Carl Barât and Pete Doherty, talked of their early practice sessions in the prelude to the song, describing bassist John Hassall’s bedroom, adorned with posters of the Spice Girls and former Newcastle United striker, Peter Beardsley.

The inevitable conclusion came around not long after, as 'Don’t Look Back into the Sun' closed out the gig in a cacophony of Geordie singing.

It’s safe to say that the Libertines are refining with age. The group used pre-recorded ad-libs to fill gaps in between songs, making the performance seem polished without losing any of its ‘analogue’ selling point.

Image credit: Marcus Williamson

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

AI and Music: the new remix?

Amelie Baker - Opinion Sub-Editor

Is the rise of AI taking over the music industry?

AI is on the rise in all walks of life, but is music going to be its next victim? Or is AI just another instrument that artists can add to their collection?

The start of AI usage in any industry is a scary one, raising questions like what will it mean for the human workers? Will we be replaced by robots? Is Arnold Swarzenegger about to come from the future to kill us all? All valid questions of course, but it's easy to forget that we have something that AI doesn’t: creativity.

"Our ingenuity and the rate of our creative change means that AI will always be a step behind"

Whilst we are still learning about what AI can do and the implications of that in our society, AI will never be able to replace humans, especially not in creative sectors. Our ingenuity and the rate of our creative change (especially with social media) means that AI will always be a step behind because it relies on us to teach it all our new inventions, linguistically and scientifically. AI should not be feared - it’s just another instrument to learn how to play.

Caribou has been one artist who has ventured into this unexplored territory, partnering with AI to produce his new album, Honey. Using AI to modify his voice, Dan Snaith weaved his manipulated vocals into his songs in the same way that artists might normally use samples. Indeed, this use of AI does seem like another instrument in an artist's hands, much like autotune, but is this going to replace collaborations with other artists? Especially as Snaith turned his own voice into a female one in a vaguely creepy way on tracks like 'Broke My Heart'.

"AI is raising its head in the music industry, and it's up to artists to make what they will of it"

However, as the album only received two stars from the Guardian, maybe Caribou’s album isn’t the best example of an AI collaboration, and maybe he would’ve actually been better off collaborating with other artists on these tracks. But that is not to say that AI has no future in music.

The Serpentine North Gallery, for example, are hosting a choral AI show, The Call, composed by Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst, which could be more promising.  Regardless, AI is raising its head in the music industry, and it's up to the artists to make what they will of it.

Riverside Ragas live at the Glasshouse: Poetry in Motion

The Indian classical trio mesmerised the Glasshouse with a serene performance.

On 15 November, a delightful cold Friday evening, GemArts and the Glasshouse featured what may have been one of the greatest Indian classical trios in a new addition to the Riverside Ragas concert series.

On the tastefully lit and cosy Sage 2 stage, I had the privilege of witnessing Ustad Dharambir Singh (a sitar maestro), his son Kaviraj Singh (a wizard with the santoor) and Pandit Sanju Sahai (a master of tabla) for a two-hour performance that left me speechless. From the beginning, a feeling of intimacy and familiarity prevailed, whether from the host or the famous trio, who seemed perfectly at home on the stage and with each other.

The show was performed in a khayal style, meaning there were various on-the-spot variations of famous ragas that were performed. This was the Indian classical version of a jam session between seasoned artists who truly understand the nuances of their craft. The event started with raag Bhageshwari, which is performed to honour the goddess of Indian classical music. Ustad Dharambir kept a steady and humorous commentary between sets, explaining to the audience what each piece signified, as well as the technical elements like the beats, which was a helpful addition to novices like myself.

The romantic and serene raga Gawati was also performed in honour of Ustad Dharambir’s guru, Ustad Vilayat Khan. After the audience fell in love with the melodious strains of raga Gawati, the Ustad introduced a new medley of his own, combining the beauty of yearning from raga Shivranjani and the feeling of hope and divine connection portrayed by raga Assa, a prominent devotional composition in Sikh culture. Raga Aasranjani talked about never-ending hope and the beauty of waiting for it. But not a single word was spoken for the tunes were like poetry themselves.

Pandit Sanju Sahai didn’t need any cues for new

improvisations, as the maestro played his tabla with genuine finesse, elevating these melodies by adding a joyful earthiness. Pandit Ji and Ustad Ji had impeccable stage chemistry, and they reminded me of seasoned rock stars. The crowd was spellbound, with each set being delicate as well as intricate.

The performance ended with a rendition of raga Pilu and a Bengali folk melody known as Bhatiyali. It was followed by hoots, loud whistles, and a well-deserved standing ovation. The entire display flowed perfectly, much like how dew drops join a stream, to end in a brilliant crescendo, much like a stream becoming one with a river. The entire set transported me back home to India and immersed me in tranquillity. If you ever have the chance to hear these rock stars in person, I’d suggest you take it because it’s an unmissable opportunity to experience music in its purest form.

On Repeat: Best Boiler Room sets of 2024

Annalise Tittensor

From Charli xcx to Floating Points, the series of filmed club nights have plenty of fantastic sets to immerse yourself in.

Back in 2010, Boiler Room founder

Blaise Belville kick-started a revolution in sharing and recording live dance music for the world to enjoy, in a major contrast to mainstream music platforms. I myself only discovered the world of Boiler Room last February when it visited Newcastle's NX and hence discovered a newfound love for dance music in such an electric environment. This year has been incredible for dance music in the mainstream media as well as underground. However, there are a few Boiler Room sets that really bring the special boogie energy to the dancefloor and stand out from the crowd.

Sammy Virji has taken the dance world by storm recently, dominating the good vibe energy and UK garage scene and has even visited Newcastle in his UK tours this year. His set, back in September in Denver,

had a high-energy bass and a garage focus and got the crowd moving and grooving to his remixes including his own work 'Shella Verse' from 2023.

"Charli XCX, alongside A.G. Cook, Julia Fox, George Daniel and Finn Keane provided a high energy 'Brat-themed' experience"

If you are a fan of Brat summer, the set 'Boiler Room & Charli xcx Presents PARTYGIRL', performed in New York back in February, will change your world. Charli xcx, alongside A. G. Cook, Julia Fox, George Daniel and Finn Keane provided a high-energy 'Brat-themed' experience with a catalogue of the artist's trending and past work. With a bouncy bass and sexy 'cool girl' ambience to the set, this is one not to miss. Floating Points performed a 5-hour set of bliss and dance heaven, covering a spectrum of different genres including house, disco, soul and dubstep. What some may describe as a musical experience, the British DJ with a PhD in Neuroscience, performed in New York back in July from mostly his own vinyl collection. If you would like an education in dance music from the doctor himself, check out this Boiler Room set. Curating a mix of reggaeton and guaracha, Rosa Pistola's Boiler Room set in London, last July, is a hip-moving creation to get the party started. The Colombian-born DJ and label owner played some hits as well as new bangers at the 'Champion: London' event to celebrate marginal genres. The energy and rhythm in this set is unmatchable,

and can only be found in Latin-American beats. Boiler Room's collection of live DJ performances is immense and caters to all genres, spanning over a decade. Check out the sets above or find your own favourites for your next high-energy study session or house party.

"A 5-hour set of bliss and dance heaven, covering a spectrum of genres including house, disco, soul and dubstep"

Dhwani Masand

Image credit: Olivia Fee

Image credit: Flickr, Merlijn Hoek

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

What to Expect... Squid Game Series 2

Charlotte Chantler

One of our writers gives us their thoughts.

The second season of the South Korean drama Squid Game is releasing on the 26th of December this year and the doors have finally been opened into what it will encompass as the trailer has just been released.

Within this trailer we can see a similarly eery concept as millions witnessed in the first seasoncontestants playing games that could result in their death to win a substantial amount of money that could change their life.

“There are too many streaming series, more than any consumer can keep up with.”

The trailer begins with the players being welcomed in the same way as previously seen, with their photos being taken, being given a number and their iconic green tracksuits. Here, we see the return of the main character from Season 1Seong Gi-hun, better known as Player 456. The contestants are then present in the huge sleeping quarters which many will still remember from the first season.

We are then bought back to the first game of the show that frightened viewers in Season 1: Red Light, Green Light. When a contestant moves, they

are shot dead. In this red light green light scene, Player 456 is seen to be directing people on how to play the game. Despite this, people failed to stay still therefore causing the first swarm of gruesome deaths.

After this first game, contestants were given the choice to leave the game or continue to try and win even more money. During this stage of voting, Player 456 warned the contestants to vote to leave as he had played and experienced it all before, but the other contestants are unsure as they

also see two more familiar faces: Hwang In-ho (the Front Man) and Hwang Jun-ho. In season 1 we discovered that these were two siblings, with Jun-ho being a police detective who was trying to find his brother, who he suspected to have competed in the Squid Games, and discovered that In-ho was now the Front Man after winning the games previously.

With the return of these intriguing characters and their storylines, along with the same mindbending games, this trailer promises even more drama, gore, and chaos than the first season.

Festive Recs

Dow & Cory Gourley - TV Sub-Editors

We give you our Christmas reccomendations for the festive season.

Outnumbered Christmas Special (This Decemeber @BBCOne)

(Episodes 1 & 2 airing on BBC on 7th December)

Gone far too soon: The rise of TV cancellations

From budget constraints and low viewership shows are cancelled for a number of reasons.

Whilst, as viewers, we have become accustomed to the cancellation of new Netflix series, between the 2023 - 2024 TV season, major streaming platforms Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+ and Apple TV+ joined them in cancelling over TV shows, with more than 20 of them having had just one season. This phenomenon is certainly not new, but it seems to be occurring more and more frequently in the streaming era.

A key issue is that streaming platforms are increasingly concerned with performancebased and statistical success which allows them to roll out highly paid advertisement schemes rather than caring about the writing, production, and casting process, sacrificing the curation of an authentic, slow-profit fanbase for convenient money grabs.

Most importantly, producers are failing to give shows the time and chance to find their audience. As reported by GLAAD, "Over a quarter of viewers wait for the finale before

watching a series and will not watch if there is an unresolved ending." This means a vast majority of streaming TV viewers may not watch a show's debut episode or season, but, given time for the show to develop its plot and characters, they may later discover and fall in love

Another cause is that there are too many streaming series, more than any consumer can keep up with. This, in turn, means there are increasingly limited opportunities for comparative success. If a streaming show fails to immediately capture widespread attention, it gets cancelled. This is because ratings of a show in the first week after it drops crucial for a series' renewal chances, though there is still lots unknown about Netflix's viewing metrics and what makes a show worthy of renewal. For example, after the release of Season 2, Shadow and Bone was

watched for over 1.14 billion viewing minutes in the first four days and yet the show was never renewed for season three despite fan protests across social media.

“There are too many streaming series, more than any consumer can keep up with.”

This is perhaps the most confusing reality of streaming TV. Four years post the cancellation of 'The Society' Netflix's twisted modern take on "Lord of the Flies", social media continues to be flooded with articles, tweets, TikTok's and petitions, from both fans and actors, to see a season two that resolves the cliff-hanger ending. From the outside, this seems like the exact money grab Netflix would lean towards and yet there still seems to be little chance that these requests will become a reality. In a similar vein, Fincher's 'Mind Hunters', the criminal thriller which gave an insight into the minds of villains, and perhaps the most controversial axe in recent television history, a topic still too sore for its 30 million viewers to discuss. Fans continue to protest these seemingly unfair cancellations to no avail.

The TV graveyard seems to be growing endlessly long, from Jessica

Jones, 1899, Forever, Anne with an E, Limitless, and endless more, leading to an overall decreasing number of TV streaming viewers. This ultimately leads to a sad cycle in which viewers are reluctant to start news for fear of them getting cancelled, which ultimately leads to their cancellation due to low viewership. There does however seem to be a positive sign of change. There seems to be a growing understanding of the need to move away from quantity over quality and more attention being focused on a thorough writing and production process over advertising

Jessica Mooney - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

Gavin & Stacey: The Finale (Christmas Day @ BBCOne

The Royle Family: The Queen of Sheba (BBC IPlayer)

Dr Who: A Christmas Carol (BBC Iplayer)

All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas special 2020 (My5)

Ghosts: The Ghost of christmas S2.E3 (BBC Iplayer)

The Box of Delights: TV Series

Kirsty

Image credit: [IMDb]

Image credit: [IMDb]

Death of music telly

Not quite in at Number 1...

On New Year’s Day, 1964, viewers from across the country tuned in to watch the first episode of Top of the Pops, a programme that for the next 42 years counted down the weekly singles charts, interspersed by both live and mimed performances by some of the biggest names in music.

It provided some of the most iconic moments in British pop culture over the next few decades, be it David Bowie appearing as Ziggy Stardust in a multi-coloured jumpsuit, or Morrissey twirling a bouquet of gladioli, the programme came to define the nation’s music scene.

would be discontinued.

Accompanying this announcement was a claim that the broadcaster had expanded ‘the breadth and diversity of music programming’.

18 years later, this does not seem to be the case. With the exception of hastily compiled ‘Live at the BBC’ programmes, the odd festival, and, ironically, re-runs of old Top of the Pops episodes, there seems to be almost no new music shows on the BBC, and even less on other broadcasters.

That is, of course, until 2006, when the BBC’s Press Office issued a statement that ‘in a rapidly changing musical landscape Top of the Pops no longer occupies the central role it once did’, and that, against a background of falling ratings, it

Even those programmes that remain, most notably BBC2’s ‘Later… with Jools Holland’, are shunted into late-night slots. The fact of the matter is, the number of TV shows providing

content are dwindling.

The BBC’s original statement provides the most likely explanation for this - TV is unable to compete with digital media when it comes to music consumption.

It is now very easy for someone to search for an entire concert performance by their favourite artist online, as opposed to waiting for a Thursday evening to catch 3 minutes of them miming to their latest single. This, coupled with young people’s reduced television viewing, the increased individualism of music consumption, and the farreduced role the pop charts now plays in British life, has delivered a death blow to music on television.

It's safe to say that it’s not looking likely that the BBC will be fulfilling its pledge to expand musical programming anytime soon.

Love Laid Bare

Our Campus Comment Sub-Editor takes a deep dive into the rise in Naked Dating Shows.

In my first year of university, we decided to initiate our two Australian flatmates by introducing them to the pinnacle of British television: Naked Attraction. Needless to say, they were in both parts horrified and intrigued, and asked how it had even got the green light to be aired. We binged several episodes and stayed up until 2am watching it.

But how have naked dating shows become so popular?

Traditionally, it’s not what you would expect to emerge from British telly. We’re well known for being extremely awkward and euphemistic when it comes to nakedness and sex on screen, especially compared to our American counterparts.

And yet Channel 4's Naked Attraction has almost doubled slot average as it grew its audience with 1.7m viewers.

The Tube

Cory Gourley - TV Sub-Editor

Remembering the Geordie Top of the Pops...

The Tube was a welcomed antidote to BBC1’s flagship music show, Top of the Pops, which was swamped with Cheesy DJ’s and dullard one hit wonders. The Tube had anarchy, edge, and old school cool.

It kicked off on Bonfire night, live broadcast from Studio 5 at Tyne Tees Television Studios with a theme tune by legendary guitarist Jeff Beck. Critics thought it would never work up in Newcastle. How wrong were they! The City’s vibrancy and character enhanced the show. The hosts of the show gave it that anarchy we are always talking about. The late, great Paula Yates was an esteemed Rock and Pop Journalist, aged just 21 she was writing 11 Music Columns a week fand Jools Holland had a strong musical ear and natural on-screen charisma.

Although the show was shambolic, wild, and comedic, it made for great TV. Yates delivered the final line on the final ever broadcast saying, ‘You’ll miss us when we’re gone.’ I think she was right!

Image credit: [iMDb]

Parrot Analytics found that the audience demand for Dating Naked (UK) was 5.1 times the demand of the average TV series in the United Kingdom. Whatever is drawing viewers to this new genre of British television, it’s clearly working.

A large part of it is the thrill of the taboo, of course. There’s something absurdly interesting about watching contestants strip or compete

whilst naked, even if it equally disgusts us to watch. It’s like watching 50 Shades of Gray or 365 Days; there’s awful innuendos and awkward scripting, but the embarrassment and ridiculosity is enough for us to keep watching. The novelty of watching something that you shouldn’t be is thrilling and can become a guilty pleasure. Knowing that some people’s love lives are going so badly that they sign up to these shows doesn’t hurt either. But perhaps there’s also something empowering about watching normal people bare their bodies on screen. Watching people with different body types, genders, skin colours and sexualities can feel validating, especially as naked dating shows address many topics that would feel embarrassing to discuss in public. Instead of the perfect, airbrushed actors we see in mainstream media, these shows show us the imperfect, flawed, normal bodies that we are used to seeing in the mirror. Although the shows are primarily screened for amusement and intrigue, there’s something reassuring about seeing normalcy on screen for once. So is it daring or degrading for naked dating shows to rise in popularity? That’s up for debate, but as long as viewers keep tuning in, it doesn’t seem like there’ll be any stopping this series of new sexually-explicit shows. Just maybe wait until your parents have gone to bed before watching it.

Actor Spotlight

We shine the spotlight on a star from Oz

With her Aussie humour, Adelaide Kane is one of the most renowned Australian actresses. Gaining a leading role in Grey’s Anatomy, let’s look back at some of her most iconic roles.

Teen Wolf (2013)

Teen Wolf is a show known to many teenagers, and it’s where I first saw Kane’s acting skills. She played Cora Hale, sister of Derek Hale, who ran away when she was only 11, thinking that she was an orphan when, in reality, she was lied to. The rage and power she transmitted playing this character drew me to watch more of her shows. Even though she was a recurring character, she was one of the best characters ever to step foot in Beacon Hills.

Reign (2013-2017)

In my personal favourite role, she played the iconic Mary, Queen of Scots. Even though this show has received lots of critiques because its storyline is not really accurate, it has slowly crawled up the rankings of

one of my favourite shows of all time. Ever since the start of the show, she has won everyone’s hearts as she portrays Mary’s emotions to perfection.

My favourite part of the show is definitely seeing how Adelaide’s character develops through the season. At the start, she has childish behaviour that builds up until the last season, when you see a mature Mary who doesn’t care about what others think about her. Honestly, I could probably write an entire essay on why this is her best show.

Grey’s Anatomy (2022-Onwards)

Ever since the writers decided to unalive some of the show's best characters, Grey’s Anatomy has not been the same. In fairness, I stopped watching after season 15. But when I saw that Adelaide was one of the main characters for the newest season, I decided to pick it up again. She plays a surgical intern at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Even though it’s not a huge role, she always stands out in the scenes she’s in. If it wasn’t for her, there was no way I would to watch Grey’s Anatomy again. But as an OG fan of the series, I’m happy she’s getting the recognition she deserves.

Charlie Coggin-Perris

Scarlet Davies - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

Noelia Fernandez Perez - Sports Sub-Editor

Image credit: [iMDb and DevianrArt]

Image credit: [IMDb]

Newcastle needs Alphabetti Theatre

Cory Gourley - TV Sub-Editor

The award-winning, artist-led performance space, located on St James’ Boulevard Newcastle, is a necessity and this is why!  Alphabetti Theatre was formed by Ali Pritchard back in 2012, originally starting up in a space above the Dog & Parrot before moving to its present home, where it seats up to 80 people.  Since the Theatre’s inception they have driven the ethos that the arts and theatre should be for everyone, not just those who can afford it, along with it’s eclectic and individual programming style and it’s focus on developing new talent in the North East, this is a theatre that we must treasure and appreciate- whilst we still can.  43% of their performances run on a ‘pay what you feel’ policy in a bid to remove any financial barriers. You can either pop some cash over the counter a or pre-pay what you feel by card. It’s entirely up to you what you pay.

The Theatre also produces over 300 new shows every year. Thus offering a whole host of opportunities in writing and directing for up and coming artists in the North East. This also makes it a hub for local artists and encourages them to write, direct and produce work. Rising stars such as Rebecca Glendenning, Tamsin Rees and Olivia Hannah have all broken boundaries and began their careers at the performance space.

Furthermore, the theatre supports the Fringe Scene here in the north east. This ensures that the ecology of the performing arts grows, thrives and prospers in our region that is so often overlooked and not invested in.

Rising stars such as Rebecca Glendenning, Tamsin Rees and Olivia Hannah have all broken boundaries and began their careers at the performance space.

Alphabetti also goes beyond the basics when it comes to programming. They offer an eclectic, unique and bohemian range, from KaraokeDisco nights to new plays, stand-up comedy shows and monthly writing groups. Either way you will find something thought-provoking and immensely fascinating at the theatre that is just for you.

The intimacy of Alphabetti also makes it an accommodating and unique theatre viewing experience. You feel so close to the action unfolding on stage, you see every facial expression, body movement, every nuance of the performance you get to see without straining your eyes- something not common at many larger venues.

So there we have it, a summary from me of why we need Alphabetti Theatre. It’s eclectic programming, focus on honing local talent and the fringe scene here in Newcastle, intimacy and its determination to remove all financial barriers from the theatre to make it accessible for all, make this place an absolute necessity in the North East.  Don’t just take my word for it, visit the wonderful place for yourself.

Is book buying a real hobby?

Malinder

Reading and book collecting are different hobbies, OK?!

Atrip to Waterstones is a day out in itself: browsing the shelves, looking at the stationary, seeing the latest jelly cat collection… What’s not to love?

But let’s ask ourselves why we enjoy book buying so much? Are we doing it for the joy of reading a new novel? Or have the festive windows and pretty classic covers tricked readers into falling for this consumerist ploy?

Book buying has become a popular hobby amongst younger readers since the rise of ‘Booktok’. If you've found yourself down this rabbit hole, you will have seen videos of people sharing their favourite editions, recommending new novels and giving their viewers up-to date book hauls! If you are into book buying, this can be great for finding your next read.

Even bookshops have made the most of this craze, often adding a ‘Booktok’ section to their stores. Whilst it's great to see new novels finding their

place on the shelves, it makes you wonder whether companies are using trends like these to push consumerism on those who simply enjoy the thrill of buying a new book. With these book tables often being accompanied by deals such as ‘buy two get the third free!’, it begs the question of whether companies are taking advantage of keen readers.  So how can we continue to enjoy book buying without falling into the consumerist trap? Independent bookstores are the best place to shop if you are interested in supporting authors, without carrying the guilt of funding larger lessethical corporations. 1B Books in Heaton is one to add to your list if you are into book collecting. Its classic book shop aesthetic will warm you up this winter, making it the perfect place to spend your afternoon foraging through the new and second-hand literature they have to offer.  Save yourself some pennies and sign yourself up to the local library. Borrowing books allows you to continue to support your favourite authors, as they will earn revenue from those copies, as well as reaching a wider audience. Lending copies to your friends is another great way to discover new genres. This is the perfect way to continue to enjoy your hobby without the expense of doing it. So, why not switch it up occasionally and do a book swap instead of shop?

Why Yorkshire is the creative powerhouse of The North

Jess Mooney - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

With eyes on Manchester and Liverpool, Yorkshire is the next one to watch!

Growing alongside the production ecosystem of Manchester's MediaCity and the BBC’s relocation to Salford, Yorkshire’s rapidly growing independent creative sector is transforming into the next creative Northern powerhouse.  With the recent emergence of major acts like Nia Archives, Yard Act, and Corinne Bailey-Rae, all born and bred in Yorkshire, the Northern region is beginning to be recognised as an authentic place where modern talent can originate and develop.

“A mission to make sure that West Yorkshire's world-class culture offer is accessible"

Much of this development can be traced back to the current Mayor, Tracy Brabin, who has pledged £2.3 million to her ‘You Can Make It Here’ program, which aims to support and grow the region's creative sector through a range of training and investment opportunities. She has made it clear that she is “on a mission to make sure that West Yorkshire’s world-class culture offer is accessible to all”. The initial scheme began in February, leading masterclasses for creative freelancers and microbusinesses across Yorkshire, in the hopes of aiding them to “unleash their full potential”. This

reflects her dedication to creatives, specifically freelancers, who were disproportionally impacted and forgotten by previous government grants (particularly in light of COVID). Many more initiatives are set to be launched over the coming months, including business and skills training.

“There is so much talent and ambition in our region”

Most recently, in collaboration with Leeds Conservatoire, Come Play With Me, and Create Britain, she has introduced a brand-new regional network, aimed at connecting creative musical and backstage talent, as well as largescale projects and opportunities across the region. It aims to act as a central hub for industry professionals to share knowledge and insight, and create collaborative opportunities. Significantly, the scheme is open to creatives at any career stage, encouraging inclusivity across Yorkshire’s music sector; they have a specific focus on underrepresented groups and those facing barriers to opportunities. She understands “there is so much talent and ambition in our region, and this network will help to drive opportunities, growth, and inward investment”.

“A national success story”

Yorkshire’s dedication to the development of its creative sectors is not going without reward. Currently sporting the fastest growing creative sector beyond London, West Yorkshire’s dynamic success has been a national and international success story. Creative industries contribute £2 billion to the region’s economy, supporting 48,000 jobs across almost 9,000 businesses. This creative success is currently cumulating in the Leeds Creative Skills Festival, returning to the Royal Armouries for the third year this November.

This is a place for creatives to find out about careers and skills in marketing, design, film, TV, VFX, visual arts, music, publishing, and many more. Alongside this, all creative industries are welcomed as an exhibitor to promote their organisation and industry. With repeated success and positive reviews, it’s an amazing way for new creatives to find a space for themselves within the industry they desire.  Yorkshire acts as a global example of the importance of investing in the creative industry, and the rewards that can be reaped from it. With investments from national establishments and council funding only increasing, it is quickly taking over both the Northern and national creative industries, and doesn’t seem to be slowing its trajectory anytime soon.

Molly

Image credit: PublicDomainVectors, Creazilla, Openclipart-Vectors, Pixabay

Through the lens of resistance: Frankie Raffles' photography and the fight for women's rights

Marina Snyder

-

Head of Life and Style

No less impactful than when they were shot, Marina Snyder discusses Frankie Raffles' photos at the Baltic...

Over the weekend, I visited an exhibition at the Baltic Art Gallery that is running from May until March 2025. The exhibition showcases the work of photographer Frankie Raffles, delving into her images as a form of activism and campaign work. One of the displays included her ground-breaking campaign ‘Zero Tolerance’.

In the late 1980s, Frankie Raffles joined with Evelyn Gillian and a group of women to establish a charity known as ‘Zero Tolerance’ through which they began a critical social

campaign to convey messages about women and violence.

Frankie Raffles was known for her photography, particularly its use for social documentaries and its strong feminist ethic. Her work included capturing the lives of women in the Soviet Union, China, Zimbabwe, Israel, and Palestine; blending art and activism to represent untold stories of women’s lives, and embracing themes such as inequality, disability, sisterhood, and migration.

"The messages of the posters have never been more current and relevant than today"

In 1992, the Zero Tolerance campaign received support from the Edinburgh District Women’s Committee and thus was launched in Edinburgh. The campaign involved five main posters- largescale black and white images captured by Frankie of women and girls in ordinary, often domestic settings. Underneath the images were short captions in bold, used to juxtapose the images by summarising evidence of domestic violence against women.

In one poster, the image involved two small girls playing with toys in a large, lavish room. The caption read “By the time they reach 18, one of them will have been subjected to sexual abuse”.

Another poster featured an elderly lady reading a book to a young girl. The caption was “From three to ninety-three - women are raped” thus resisting

the convention that only young girls are subject to sexual assault.

"A slogan that is so short and simple, and yet profoundly impactful"

However it is the final poster of the campaign, the one that aimed to link all of them to the issues they addressed, that gave a powerful message; one that

Gwyneth goes skiing review: camp and chaotic

Charlotte Burley Hnat - Head of Life and Style

A musical comedy based upon a tragically funny event...

Charlotte Reviews Gweneth Goes Skiing

Following the success of their 2022 show Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story and two sold-out runs in London, Awkward Productions returned this autumn with a UK and Ireland tour of Gwyneth Goes Skiing.

The musical comedy follows the viral and scandalous Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial after her collision with Terry Sanderson on the Deer Valley Utah slopes in 2016. From audience participation, songs sung by Broadway star and Glee cast member Darren Criss, video cameos from drag queen Trixie Mattel, voting between two alternative endings, and even puppetry – Gwyneth Goes Skiing offers you a camp and chaotic 80 minutes of entertainment.

This November, The Courier was offered the exciting opportunity to review their final show in Newcastle at the Live Theatre.

Gwyneth Goes Skiing not only stars but was created by Linus Karp (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Joseph Martin (Terry Sanderson), with almost the entire supporting cast consisting of audience members reading

lines from a screen, unbeknownst to them, in a truly unique feature. But whilst the unpredictability of who would be on stage next added comedic charm to the show, the lines often lacked punch, and at times I found myself more focused on whether I was supposed to be laughing than the actual show.

The show seemed torn between appealing to different audiences. Some jokes – referencing Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand Goop and poking fun at wellness trends – landed with the predominantly older audience, while others catered to a Gen-Z crowd, with a montage of recent pop culture highlights and references to a “Brad” summer (think Brat). This inconsistency left the production feeling unfocused and unsure of its demographic - and trying to please everyone at once meant that many often overlooked jokes, depending on your level of pop culture knowledge.

has never been more current and relevant than today. The final poster had simply one unifying slogan: “No Man Has the Right”.   Reading that caption made me stand still in my tracks. I had to read it over and over again. “No man has the right”. It’s a slogan that is so short and simple, and yet profoundly impactful in its meaning.   I forget to fight for our rights, not just as women but as human beings.

Though Frankie Raffles passed away at just 39 during childbirth, her legacy remains as relevant and powerful as ever.

Health is wealth: the enriching benefits of art

Amala Parry

Art is not just about creating something meaningful or beautiful. It can also be a deeply cathartic and therapeutic practice which benefits both the body and the mind. But how exactly is art good for your health, and what evidence is there to prove this?

of mental benefits. Given that practising art is a very personal and cathartic thing, it’s easy to understand why it can have such a massive impact on your mental health and well-being. Research has shown that the arts can act as a “social glue," improving interpersonal relationships and generating a wider sense of community, whether through clubs, groups, or online forums.

One of the most disappointing aspects was the musical element, with the songs being sparse, lipsynced, and ultimately lacking the humour and energy one might expect. The first act dragged considerably, and by the end, I, unfortunately, left the theatre thinking that the infamous 2023 court trial might not have been as humorous as the internet made it seem. While the play’s concept was undoubtedly unique, it didn’t fully justify being stretched into a full-length production. Perhaps with a few more glasses of wine, I’d have found Gwyneth Goes Skiing more entertaining. Despite its clever premise and moments of wit, the production fell short of being the comedy hit it aspired to be, or at least for me.

Ultimately, Gwyneth Goes Skiing offers a fun night out, as proven by the groups I overheard raving about the show on their way out, but for a truly engaging satire, it misses the mark.

Gwyneth Goes Skiing continues its tour in Bristol, Belfast and Dublin until December 7th.

The Physical Benefits of Art: Art can benefit your physical health in many ways, from improving skill, dexterity, and concentration, to increasing blood flow and the release of endorphins. Whether it be through drawing, painting, dancing, singing, or writing, you're likely improving your health through art without even realizing it.

Perhaps you turn to drawing, painting, or sculpture to unwind after a stressful day, or find solace in turning your negative thoughts into poetic prose or expressive choreography. Whatever your method, artistic expression is proven to reduce stress and aid physical well-being. A 2021 study by Daisy Fancourt on the benefits of participating in the arts on human health discovered “more than 600 mechanisms- from improving respiratory and physical function to enhancing immune function.”

In terms of the development of young children, art can be incredibly pervasive and significant. In early life, art has been proven to help with cognitive development, while also promoting “visual, motor and social development” skills. Through music and dance, children can learn to express themselves physically. Through crafting, drawing, or writing they can learn the art of emotional expression.

The Mental Benefits of Art: Unsurprisingly, art can contribute an array

Furthermore, creating visual art can ease anxiety and depression and “create a distraction from pain”. Art is often used in therapeutic practices, with creative art therapy being used to ease both mental and physical symptoms; it can boost serotonin and self-esteem, enhance focus, aid in the processing of complicated emotions. It can also help motivate individuals to foster more positive changes in their lives, which will improve overall wellbeing in the long-term.

Overall, it’s hard to deny that art is good for your health. However you choose to implement it in your life, whether through practising it yourself or enjoying other people’s art through museums or trips to the theatre, now you know the benefits on your mind and body!

Image credits: Marina Snyder

Gaming

Do Video Games Teach Us Real Life Lessons?

Jess Mooney - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

Video games serve many different purposes in our life. They can entertain us, help us relax, develop and strengthen friendships and, most importantly, teach us valuable life lessons. While most of the time, these virtual worlds are dismissed as a mere pastime for the young or immature, the lessons they teach us can mark the lives of those who play them.

1. Perseverance.

Once you get past the initial frustration of new challenges, games are essential in teaching the necessity of persistence and patience. As you progress, you begin to understand that losing is part of the experience and that you can only really lose by giving up, the game will continue to be there offering you a chance to try again and do better. And as you continue to return to it with a fresh mind, you slowly improve, handling increasingly difficult tasks and challenges with increasing ease. This is also true in life and highlights how important it is to just keep pushing. Whether it’s your education, job, fitness, or mental health, if you slowly take the time to improve, your life will too.

2. Teamwork.

When playing alongside someone else, strategy is essential as the tasks tend to be more complex and don’t always have a clear path immediately. Just like in life and work, you have to survey your surroundings and try multiple options, many of which will fail, before you can properly progress.

More often than not, multiplayer games also test your relationship with the partner you play with, for better or for worse, and teach you (painstaking) patience.

3. Financial Management.

More games than not have some type of economic system. This means that a key part of your gameplay involves accumulating money or rewards in order to exchange them for objects in market, increase skills or unlock rewards. This is a critical skill in the real world and, if you refrain from using cheats, teaches you to not exceed your expenses, how to manage resources and how to find a multitude of innovative and creative ways to earn more. It is undoubtable that this lesson applies to the real world and, if learnt correctly, aka without cheating, can help you employ financial strategies in your real life to ensure a more stable financial future.

The truth is, there are endless life lessons to be found in games. Whilst you can read hundreds of articles like this one, the most important lessons are the ones you find yourself or perhaps even the ones which find you.

Get on my level: Super Smash Bros

Keyon Snoek

Why is Super Smash Bros untouchable when it comes to other platform fighting games trying to enter the ring?

Super Smash Brothers was originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999 and pathed the way both for four more sequels to the game, and a handful of other platform fighters.

At the time fighting games were dominated by the classic 2D side scroll style fighting games such as Mortal Combat with gore and blood being a selling point. However, Smash Brothers changed the game (literally) since it involved less gruesome turns in a situation most kids had came up with before: putting their favourite Nintendo characters against each other.

The concept of all these characters crossing over was uncommon at the time of release, people never expected Pikachu to fight Donkey Kong or Luigi going toe to toe with Zelda. In recent years the roster and crossovers have become more and more exciting even to the point where a Smash Brother’s character reveal was almost like an event online. The best examples of this are for the third game Super Smash Brothers: Brawl introduced Solid Snake and Sonic the Hedgehog, which allowed for any character to be pitched for Smash as these two were the first non-Nintendo characters in the

series. The reason why other platformers such as Brawlhalla or Multiversus Smash Bros’ active players or popularity comes down to a few reasons.

“Nintendo have had decades to get the flow of the game to near perfection.”

Reason one is gameplay; Nintendo have had decades to get the flow of the game to near perfection, whilst also building a huge roster of characters overtime allowing for very diverse and fun gameplay.

Reason two is competitions; huge competitive gaming scene with different tournaments for each instalment in the series which other platform fighters just simply do not have.

And reason three is recognisability; Bros is a known game and has gaming characters that every person recognises, games like Brawlhalla and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale fell short on this as their characters were either made for their games or not as recognisable enough to carry a game.

In summary, due to Smash Brothers coining this genre of platform

Cosy Games for the Winter Season (2024 Releases Edition)

Lauren Wilkinson

Escape from the cold with the year's most heartwarming games...

With the dark nights closing in many students are searching for the slow and cosy living that winter brings. Escape from the cold with the year's most heartwarming games. Whether you're tending gardens, building communities, or unravelling mysteries, these cosy titles will keep the chill at bay.

Cozynauts: Release Date: November 1, 2024

Embark on a whimsical journey through a peaceful galaxy in Cozynauts. With soothing visuals, meditative exploration, and a low-stress gameplay loop, this PC-exclusive invites players to traverse serene star systems, gather resources, and craft charming habitats on alien worlds. Perfect for fans of space exploration with a tranquil twist.

Platforms: PC

Uncle Chop's Rocket Shop: Release Date: December 5

2024

Ever wanted to run your own interstellar repair shop?

Enter Uncle Chop's Rocket Shop, where you’ll fix quirky spaceships while unravelling the mysteries of the cosmos. This game blends delightful storytelling with handson mechanics, offering a perfect blend of problemsolving and cosy

vibes for players on every major platform.

Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox

Garden Life: A Cosy Simulator: Date: February 22, 2024

Immerse yourself in your own verdant paradise. Garden Life bustling communities for a serene focus on creating your dream garden. From sculpting elegant landscapes to nurturing plants, this first-person simulation captures the magic of nature with stunning visuals and a relaxing soundtrack.

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Minami Lane: Release Date: February 28, 2024

Dream of crafting your own Japanese-inspired street? Minami Lane offers a charming escape, where you manage shops, pet stray cats, and design the perfect neighbourhood. Watch as your into a lively

community—a small-scale city-builder brimming

Platforms: PC

Fields of Mistria: Release Date: TBA (in early access on Steam on August 5, 2024) This magical farming sim is equal parts nostalgic and exciting. Inspired by ‘90s anime and classic games like Link to the Past, Fields of Mistria lets you farm, fish, mine, and embark on romantic adventures in a vibrant, possibilityfilled world. With its retro charm and modern features, it’s set to be a genre standout.

Platforms: PC

Everholm: Release Date: November 11 2024

If mystery intrigues you, Everholm delivers. Follow Lilly, a young girl with amnesia, as she settles on a strange island. Combining farming and relationship-building with a compelling narrative, this game invites you to uncover its secrets while forming bonds with the quirky Everfolks.

Platforms: PC

Magical Delicacy: Release Date: July 16, 2024. Step into the shoes of Flora, a young witch, in Magical Delicacy. Set in the harbour town of Grat, you’ll run a magical apothecary, explore the town’s platforms, and craft potions to win over rival covens. With its gorgeous pixel art and innovative gameplay, it’s a feast for the eyes and soul.

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Image credit: YouTube (XBox), IMDb, Pixabay (BiancaVanDijk, Bytrangle)

Image credit: YouTube (ZackScottGames), Wikimedia Commons Pixabay (deeznutz1)

In conversation with G.URL

Amy Mescus - Gaming Sub-Editor

One of our sub-editors had the opportunity to speak to a feminist, gaming magazine...

In a day and age where sexism is still rife within the gaming community, it is incredibly important to provide a space for women to use their voices. Here's what Jenny had to say about her magazine, G.URL.

For those who are unfamiliar, how would you explain what G.URL is?

G.URL is a magazine dedicated to all things feminine in gaming and online culture. It’s inspired by my love for chibi, pink, and cutesy styles from when I was little—but with a twist. Growing up, I loved those kinds of designs but always felt like something was missing. I wanted to see that same playful aesthetic blended with more mature topics and real-life issues, things that felt relatable to me as an adult.

So, G.URL was born from that desire—to be a space that celebrates the fun, feminine side of gaming while also diving into deeper, more complex conversations. I release issues bi-annually. What inspired you to make G.URL?

respect and inclusivity. I also wanted to create a safe space for my non-binary and trans friends, who often didn’t feel “feminine enough” to belong in women’s gaming spaces.

Gaming has so many layers, yet so often the way women are portrayed just feels one-dimensional. I wanted G.URL to be different—a magazine that shows femininity in gaming as something fun, diverse, and unapologetically expressive, without the need to fit into rigid roles. It’s a platform where femininity doesn’t have to be defined by anyone else’s standards but our own.

How do you ensure that women's voices are heard through your magazine?

Honestly, it was the lack of feminine representation in gaming media that wasn’t either overly sexualised or stereotypical. I realised there were hardly any magazines out there where femininity was front and centre, but done with

For me, it’s about featuring anyone who contributes meaningfully to feminine spaces in gaming. We’re not exclusively focused on women; G.URL is open to anyone who respects and uplifts feminine perspectives. For example, Chrissy Costanza of Against the Current was our Issue 04 cover star. She’s a rock musician who’s also had a huge impact on League of Legends and the streaming world, showing that gaming overlaps with so many different areas and doesn’t look the same for everyone. We’ve also spoken with creators like Greg Kythreotis (who co-created Sable), a game that features a strong, androgynous female lead. Greg brought a different kind of representation to the table, breaking away from traditional female character design and showing that gaming can represent women in so many more ways than we’re used to seeing. We’re all about showcasing stories like these, from women and allies alike, to make sure G.URL truly reflects the diversity within the gaming community.

How do you address stereotypical portrayals of women in gaming culture?

At G.URL, we try to show femininity from a fresh angle—one that’s authentic and free from stereotypes. We’re not against showing a bit of skin if it’s fun and empowering. In our first issue, for instance, we did a bikini shoot, but it was all about capturing women through a female lens, just enjoying themselves and feeling good in their skin. We’ve also featured men in ways that defy gender norms, like in Issue 02, where we did a G.URL nail art shoot with male models. We want to show people as they are—embracing all kinds of beauty and self-expression without forcing them into boxes. By offering a mix of playfulness and authenticity, we aim to create a space where femininity is celebrated in all its forms. What challenges does the magazine face in building a space for women in a traditionally male-dominated field?

One of the biggest challenges has been getting people to see why a feminine-focused gaming magazine like G.URL is needed. Some people in the industry just don’t get it. I even got an email from a well-known editor once saying, “gaming is mainstream now, and girls are gamers too,” as if that means the topic is no longer relevant. This attitude really shows that some people still see women’s presence in gaming as just a passing trend. It’s frustrating, but it’s also exactly why G.URL exists. There’s still a long way to go before gaming feels like a genuine home for women and nonbinary people—where their representation isn’t treated as something “extra” or temporary. Building a space like this takes patience, dedication, and a strong commitment to making inclusivity the norm in an industry that’s still catching up.

Why do developers keep releasing unfinished games?

Morgan O'Hara

Let's investigate how modern games are developed differently to the past and the expectations of new gamers.

With the increasing number of ways to release games in the videogame industry, publishers may be investing in unique ways to promote and release their videogames, even at the cost of release quality.

First, we should compare the current state of games with the past. In the 2000s we see discbased games as the mainstream way to play, especially on PC and consoles PlayStation and Xbox. Game developers’ creating this form of multimedia lets you use the physical disc to download and play the game. This may have inherently constructed an industry devoted to releasing games that should be fully functional on launch day, be these classic singleplayer stories or online multiplayer games. Even now, video game development will have bugs that even weeks of testing solve, therefore minor updates and bug fixes to video games were more common than large updates.

This paired with Downloadable Content (DLC) may have provided enough enjoyment to keep gamers hooked on the games they love to play. One of my most vivid memories of these as a player is Star Wars Battlefront (2015) developed by DICE and publisher, EA. A game which was released with an environment for players to opt into relaxing PvE on demand or into online multiplayer with battles between players on iconic planets in the Star Wars galaxy. With new planets and game modes released in the form of a physical disc or redeemable code of the ‘Seasonal Pass’ DLC released throughout the year of 2016. Whilst this could be received

critically as unfinished content released later, it could be perceived as keeping players engaged through new content drops, which hasn’t been forced to recorrect errors of releasing unfinished games that are almost entirely online based nowadays.

Are modern ‘early access’ games causing concern as ‘unfinished’ games? Are the problems overly ambitious, incomplete game releases from established publishers?

"The developers faced over 30,000 refund requests early on due to lack of customer satisfaction..."

Facepunch’s Rust, Epic Games’ Fortnite, Larian Studio’s Baldur’s Gate III are some of the most popular examples from a long list of early access games that have reached incredible success during their developmental phase and after full release. However, a great example of unexpected success is Satisfactory in early Epic Store. copies in early access, it looked

to reignite with its full release on September 10th, peaking at an all-time high of 185,957 concurrent players just days into the 1.0 release on Steam, not accounting for those playing through the Epic Games Launcher.

CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 experienced many years of development leading to a rocky release period in 2020, riddled with bugs. The developers faced over 30,000 refund requests early on due to lack of customer satisfaction, but through the determination of the developers managed to recover from critique and be the story it was meant out to be.

On the other hand, one of the most recent ‘flops’, City Skylines 2, failed to meet the great expectations of a community of fans from original game, resulting in Paradox Interactive facing retaliation for their shortcomings, Game Rant’s Max Borman stated that it suffered “numerous performance and technical issues” and misses “fan-favourite features” from the loved original. Reflecting on the widespread dissatisfaction in the community. The deputy chief executive officer, Mattias Lilja, states that gamers are “less accepting that you will fix things over time” and have ‘higher expectations’ because of fans with a “squeezed budget for games”.

What goals do you have for the future of G.URL? Looking ahead, I want G.URL to be even more inclusive and diverse in terms of the people we represent. I’d love to feature more plus-size gamer models, for instance, to show that gamers come in all shapes and sizes and that everyone deserves to feel seen and celebrated. I also want to keep expanding the types of stories we cover, including more voices from different backgrounds and experiences. G.URL is about breaking down boundaries and making gaming culture a place where everyone feels they belong. By telling a wider range of stories, we can push for a gaming community that feels richer and more inclusive for everyone.

How can anyone interested get involved? Check us out at www.gurlworld.com. We're also on TikTok as @gurlworld and Instagram as @g.urlworld. We’re always looking for new voices and ideas, so if you’re passionate about online culture from a feminine perspective, reach out! Whether it’s contributing an article, sharing your experiences, or just being part of the community, there’s a place for everyone at G.URL. Our email is submissions@gurlworld.co.uk.

The Grammy Awards, one of the most prominent honours in entertainment and first held in 1959, seeks to recognise outstanding achievements in the music industry. 2025 marks the third-year the Recording Academy have recognised video game soundtracks. On November 10, the nominees for the Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media have been announced: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Pinar Toprak, composer God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla – Bear McCreary, composer Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – John Paesano, composer Star Wars Outlaws – Wilbert Roget, II, composer Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

"Are publishers not weighing up the consequences of releasing incomplete videogames?"

Does this mean that gamers have higher standards for games released into the industry today? Are publishers not weighing up the consequences of releasing incomplete videogames? Will we see the full release of more unfinished games or is it time for early access titles to become a new tradition?

– Winifred Phillips, composer Notably, Ragnarok composer Bear McCreary is now a threetime nominee, previously for of Duty: Vanguard and Ragnarok, a testament to his stellar soundtracks, though he is yet to win an award. Another surprise is Winifred Phillips’ soundtrack formally acknowledged too; the remake of the classic 1981 computer RPG was recreated in a 3D format by developer Digital Eclipse and released earlier in May. Last year, Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab swooped the trophy for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and now the anticipation begins for which of the five shortlisted video games will be awarded on the third-year anniversary. The award ceremony is to be held in on February 2, 2025.

Image credit: IMDb

Image credit: Flickr (Robert Chiarelli)

Image credit: G.URL, Pixabay (flutie8211)

PICTURE SUDOKU PUZZLES RUNDOWN

Ritorno Alla Gloria!: is Serie A back to its best?

Kole Cornish

From Cagliari to Como, is the Italian first-tier the most competitive in Europe?

Despite being ranked 2nd only behind the Premier League in UEFA’s league coefficient, years of Juventus domination and failed transfer exports have tarnished the competitive legacy of what was once seen as the greatest football league on the planet. As the 24/25 season gets off to a flying start, is Italian football world-beating again?

In the 1990’s, English football fans were graced with the likes of Paolo Maldini, Zinedine Zidane and Marco Van Basten, and not because they were playing for British sides. Instead, the Italian top-flight was filled with so much talent that it warranted a prime place on British TV, with ‘Gazzetta Football Italia’ highlighting that the absolute best football in Europe was played in Italy. The growing success of English

football and waning financial power for Serie A has certainly pushed the once esteemed league from its pedestal over the last 30 years. Spain’s La Liga, and at times Germany’s Bundesliga have similarly displaced Italian dominance on the continent. However, it appears as though the 2024/25 season is signalling a return to glory for the Italy's top-flight, or at least a return to being far more competitive and intriguing than the 1-horserace it has often been over the past 20 years. As of writing, 5 of the top 6 all sit on 25 points, with Antonio Conte’s SSC Napoli just edging the top spot on 26. As well as the minimal point difference, the nature of the teams

at the top shows just how much the wider league has grown. Whilst

always been there or there abouts, 5th place S.S. Lazio and 3rd place ACF Fiorentina seem to finally be challenging as they were in the league’s prime years.

Lookman's hat-trick earnt him a place in Ballon D'or rankings.

Spurs charged for homophobic chants

Alicia McEvoy - NUTV Station Manager

The FA responds to bigotry in North London...

Admittedly, I’ve never been a fan of football.

I’ve never understood what the appeal is.

I’ve only recently started paying any attention to the sport, and that’s thanks to my flatmate. However, when I first heard about the homophobic comments present at the Spurs Vs Man United match, I was appalled, angry and simply disappointed. It is said that the chanting took place in the 49th and 79th minutes of the Premier League fixture.

Spurs won 3-0 at Old Trafford on the 29th of September, but there was a “clear breach” of the Football Association’s (FA) rule, E21, about crowd control and the misconduct surrounding the control.

After the match had finished, Spurs were quick to condemn the “abhorrent” chanting, and that the club would be taking the “strongest” actions against the fans who were involved with this.

Before a later match against West Ham, Spurs’ season ticket holders

informing supporters that there would be a “zero-tolerance approach” towards all discrimination, with stewards wearing body cameras in order to spot which ‘fans’ were involved in this disgusting behaviour. Not only does it reflect poorly on the club, but on the sport itself. If something can progress so far, with more and more players coming out in today’s society, how can fans think that these words are kind or helpful?

"Not only does it reflect poorly on the club, but the sport itself"

Kick It Out is a group with the goal of fighting and eliminating all forms of discrimination from football. Initiated in 1993 to fight racism in the sport, they eventually grew to tackle all discrimination. They help to give representation to more people in the sport, and confront any issues that come from this. With regards to the Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United match, the group have, once again, called for the sport to take stronger action to combat the homophobia and abuse that was present in the match.

Image credit: Hzh, Wikimedia Commons, and 23-03, GoodFon

“ACF Fiorentina seem to finally be challenging”

2nd place Atalanta BC continue to defy all logic as a team that have never won the Scudetto, after already achieving the unthinkable by winning the UEFA Europe League last season. Their triumphant 3-0 win against an exceptional Leverkusen side saw manager Gian Piero Gasperini take his first major trophy as a coach, while former Charlton Athletic man Ademola

The competition isn’t just tight at the top of the table, with a mere 5 points separating bottom placed Venezia, and Serie A giants AS Roma in 12th place. The concept of relegation for Roma was an unthinkable one in the previously less competitive nature of the league, but now looms over the Giallorossi's season. It appears as if a lot of the teams in the bottom half of the table, from 90’s staples like Parma to relative minnows Como 1907, are all at a competitive level, further increasing the jeopardy and intrigue at the relegation battle.

“A mere 5 points seperating bottom-placed Venezia and Serie A giants AS Roma”

Whilst the days of ‘Gazzetta Football Italia’ have long passed, Serie A is certainly one to keep an eye on for all football fans this season.

Image credit: FeaturedPics, and

Sir Mark Cavendish confirms retirement

Noelia Fernandez Perez - Sports Sub-Editor

The cycling legend's race finally reaches its end...

After almost 20 years cycling professionally and more than 160 races won, Sir Mark Cavendish officially announced his retirement.

He competed in his last professional race on November 10, winning said race. He shared the podium with Jasper Philipsen and Arnaud de Lie, who are said to be his successors in the racing world.

The ‘Manx Missile’ kicked off his career in 2005, although he started to gain people’s curiosity in 2007 after he got called up for his first Tour de France. Ever since then, he became the rider to beat in flat stages.

"Ever since then, he became the rider to beat in flat stages"

In 2009, he reached the ChampsElysees, having tasted victory ten times, arguably reaching the peak of his career. In 2011, he crowned himself World Champion in Copenhagen, making him the first British rider to wear the rainbow jersey since 1965.

After signing for Team Sky in 2012, he was called to race at the

Olympics hosted in London alongside some big names like Chris Froome and Ian Stannard. Even though they didn’t end up high in the classification, this was a great inflexion point in his career. Over the next couple of years, he went on to win different Giro D’Italia and Tour de France stages before he was called up to the Olympics squad to race in Rio in 2016.

"His career has not been easy: from broken bones to harsh critiques"

His career has not been easy: from broken bones to harsh critiques that made him want to quit more than once, he is the meaning of redemption.

After having a rough season in 2020, he signed for Deceuninck–Quick-Step and finally managed to win the green jersey

his 35th stage victory in the Tour de France, following a messy sprint. After he crossed the finish line, he knew he had become the most successful sprinter in cycling history.

"He knew he had become the most successful sprinter in cycling history"

As a cycling fan myself, being able to witness one of the best sprinters that have ever raced has been a privilege.

He has been one of my role models because no matter how many times the public told him that it was time to retire, he came back stronger and shut down the critiques.

When he broke down Eddy Merckx's record, I knew his career was over, but I still wouldn't

Thank you for giving us great performances

With his recognisable humour, he has become a cycling icon and a referent to many, like me. The cycling world will miss you, thank

Rounding up the NASCAR Cup: Logano wins in Arizona

Yet another controversial Cup Series for NASCAR comes to a dramatic close... “Logano has once more become a 'Mickey Mouse Champion'”

Penske racer Joey Logano took home his third NASCAR Cup Series title following a hard-fought victory over 312 laps at Phoenix Raceway, narrowly beating his teammate and the 2023 champion, Ryan Blaney. Logano’s championship victory has caused quite a controversy among fans, and has reignited the debate surrounding NASCAR’s flawed playoff system in which four drivers compete for the championship over one race at the end of the year. Logano is undoubtedly talented, with Phoenix being his 36th Cup Series victory, but has seen criticism by many fans and pundits due to his overall performance levels across 2024, in which he racked up only one win in the regular season. His average finish in this year's Cup Series was 17.6, making

him the worst performing champion in history, or as some fans would say, Logano has once more become a “Mickey Mouse Champion”. Penske teammate, Ryan Blaney, was looking to become the first back-to-back Cup Series champion since NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson in 2010. Blaney ran Logano close at the finish, missing out by just 0.330 seconds. With such a narrow margin between victory and defeat, Blaney's duel with Kyle Larson earlier in the race may well

William Byron came home in third place as the only Hendrick Motorsports driver in the final four. Whilst this year’s Daytona 500 Chevrolet Camaro showed decent pace, Byron was unable to stay with the Penske duo of Blaney and Logano, who were in a class of their own in the Arizona desert.

23XI racing fans, such as myself, left Phoenix disappointed as Tyler Reddick finished eighth. The California native was well off the pace set by the other three title contenders. NASCAR will have breathed a sigh of relief seeing Reddick drowning in the desert, with the organisation currently engaged in a lawsuit with 23XI racing over it's alleged monopolistic practices

The race itself was relatively entertaining despite Phoenix

The importance of inclusive safe spaces in sport

Megan Grimston - Sports Sub-Editor

The Geordie Grand Slammers discuss the necessity of inclusive safe spaces in sport.

The Geordie Grand Slammers are an LGBTQ+ inclusivity based tennis group in the North East.

They have two aims: breakdown barriers and spread love for tennis. Recently, I interviewed them about the importance of inclusive and queer safe spaces in sport.

Established in 2022, the Geordie Grand Slammers are the only inclusivity based tennis group in the North East. Inspired by the ‘Pride in Tennis’ movement, the Geordie Grand Slammers strive to overcome and break down barriers that diverse individuals live with everyday in the hopes of spreading self-love and love for tennis. With similar groups in areas such as Cardiff, London, and Brighton - the chair of the Grand Slammers Dan saw an opportunity to grow inclusivity within the sporting community and now the tennis group repeatedly sell-out sessions. When sitting down with members Dan and Bas, it was clear that the existence of the Geordie Grand Slammers was based purely on passion, one thing they both had no trouble providing.

“They brought back my enjoyment for tennis” said Dan, explaining that while he had played since the age of 3 the struggles of inclusivity

in sport wore out his relationship with it. When reflecting on the motivations to join an inclusive based sports team rather than a ‘mainstream’ team both members concluded that the equalmindedness of the group was part of the enjoyment. Bas explained that there is “no hypersexual nature” within the group, linking this to an overwhelming sense of safety and confidence within himself.

“Diversity

within a diverse group”

With an inclusive based approach aiming for self-love, it was no surprise to learn of the impacts that the Geordie Grand Slammers have on identity expression. Confidence aside, being able to experience “diversity within a diverse group” as Dan expressed it, has helped both members in improving their inclusion. As Dan has grown to be more comfortable with calling other people out on their mistakes in relation to diversity, Bas explained that the Geordie Grand Slammers have “helped me improve my own ignorance”. While nobody is perfect, the group works hard to promote equity within the sporting world, helping people to grow more appreciative of new or otherwise overlooked experiences. Promoting equity as their approach over equality, everyday the group recognizes that each person has different circumstances and continues to provide the appropriate opportunities and support in aid of inclusivity.

“Why don’t they [people from diverse cultures] just join a normal team?” mimicked Dan, as he discussed the

stereotypes inclusive teams face within the greater sporting world. Simply, “If they felt safe enough, they would” was his response. Sport is already struggling, and while it may seem challenging; there are things ‘mainstream’ sports teams can do to push for equity and inclusivity. “It is so much more than putting up a flag” they both claimed, however, sometimes it is as simple as speaking to people. Diverse athletes and sports club boards share one common denominator: fear. Fear of stepping out of line and fear of the unknown. However, having those conversations in order to break down barriers reduces a lot of fear. As such, the Grand Slammer's have taken part in Hexham's first silent neurodivergent friendly pride event. Like all athletes, sport has a lifelong

“It's about looking forward to appreciating people's minds”

impact on a person’s life external to clubs and teams. Bas joked that “it has made me nicer”, but there is sincerity to that; working with all disabilities and cultures provides a new sense of patience which has become vital to his role as a lecturer. The importance of inclusive safe spaces in sport can be summarised down into one final quote from Dan “It’s about looking forward to playing tennis and looking forward to appreciating people’s minds”. Ultimately, inclusivity is about everybody and teams like the Geordie Grand Slammers are here to teach people how to promote equity both in and out of sport.

Raceway often being criticised for producing dull contests. Blaney’s charge through the top ten in pursuit of teammate Logano made for tense viewing as the laps wound down, whereas Ty Gibbs decided he had had enough after just half a lap, smashing his car into the wall for a lap one caution. Zane Smith was the only other crash of the day, so long as you don't count the safety car; however, his spin was far less violent than Gibbs’s wreck.

“Ty Gibbs decided he had had enough after just half a lap, smashing his car into a wall"

Logano’s controversial title win has once again raised the question of whether or not NASCAR will ever be able to present itself as a real sport, or whether it will remain as ‘WWE on wheels’ as one fan put it. Bring on the 2025 season I suppose...

Merry Xmas!

From Your Sports Editorial Team

And that’s a wrap! This week’s issue is the fa-la-la-la-last of the 2024 calen-deer, and it’s safe to say that we’ve sleighed this year 'Fir' sure.

We wanted to thank everyone who has contributed to our section this semester. Forty-three students have written for us since September - many for the first time. We've covered every corner of the sporting world, from Formula One to pole dancing, and couldn't have done it without you!

Our articles have been read across Newcastle, the UK, and even one reader in the North Pole (snow joke!).

So, from Adam T., Adam S., Dylan, Megan and Noe, have a lovely Christmas, enjoy your time at home and hope for a wonderful New Year, We can't wait to read, edit and publish all of your articles in 2025.

Aidan Butler

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Who are Castore? Exploring the university’s new kit sponsors

Aarya Shenoy

Castore are breaking into the higher education sector, providing Newcastle University’s clubs and students with new sports kit and accessories.

The company was founded in 2015, by Thomas and Philip Beahon, both exprofessional sportsmen. Now providing sportswear worldwide, the company is valued at over £1 billion and supplies a vast range of sports teams including Red Bull Racing, England National Cricket, and a plethora of international football teams.

In 2019, Castore became the official kit partner to Sir Andy Murray, the Scottish tennis champion, who also became a shareholder early within that year. This led to the company becoming the official apparel partner of the Lawn Tennis Association.

In 2021, McLaren Formula One team announced a multiyear deal with Castore

to supply their team kit. In the same year, Castore signed another multi-year deal with the Wolverhampton Wanderers to become their new on-field partner.

“This led to the company becoming the official apparel partner of the Lawn Tennis Association”

Co-founder Philip Beahon is a proud alumnus of the university, his brother saying, “it felt like the perfect fit for us to reinforce our support for the grassroots sporting community and the talent pipeline of professional players.” This contract with Newcastle University shows Castore’s dedication to supporting preprofessional players through working with one of the Top 10 Universities for student sport in the UK. Furthermore, in 2016, Castore received

support through Newcastle University’s START UP Foundership programme, which supports early-stage businesses and helps them to grow.

“It felt like the perfect fit for us to reinforce our support for the grassroots sporting community”

Director of Sport stated that ”we are extremely proud of our students achievements in sport and potential for further growth and success - and we feel Castore match this performance direction with their internationally recognised kit and strong brand identity.”

“We are extremely proud of our students achievements in sport”

Although there has recently been some criticism regarding Castore’s sports kit at Aston Villa, we hope the partnership with the university provides new pathways and connections for Newcastle’s students.

HAthletics during Apartheid: Sports and Resistance in occupied Palestine

Sport, solidarity and struggle during genocide...

Since the October 7 attacks, in which Hamas killed at least 1,139 people, Israel’s genocidal war in Palestine has killed up to 186,000 people. Yet despite the horrifying scenes witnessed, and the mass displacement of entire communities, the people of Palestine have found strength in the universal language of sport. Sport is often used as a metaphor for conflict; Two opposing sides doing their utmost to gain the upper hand, to outwit their opposite number, to force their opponents into submission. But sport also offers the chance for humanity to shine through in the darkest moments of war.

In the ongoing genocide in Palestine, sport acts as a bridge for international support to reach the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where at least 784 people (including at least 167 children) have been killed in Israeli assaults since October.

In the city of Ramallah, Palestine’s de facto administrative capital, children have been enjoying the traditional Irish sports of Gaelic football (GAA) and hurling for the first time, in sessions hosted by Irish Sport for Palestine.

The sporting group state that their aim is to provide a safe space for children to “enjoy these sports and thrive amongst the turmoil of conflict”, adding that these sports can give the children “hope, confidence and connection.” The sessions are

INSIDE SPORT THIS WEEK

Ritorno Alla Gloria!: is Serie A back to it’s best?

delivered in Ramallah’s Am’ari Camp. Home to between 3,000 and 4,000 children, it is one of the most densely populated refugee camps in the region. Stephen Redmond, who launched the fundraising campaign to set up GAA Palestine, described what it means to the youngsters in an interview with The Irish World: “They were just so excited to have some hurley sticks [...]. We’re helping people focus on something different the conflict, and bringing a bit of happiness.”

With a team already set up in Hebron, and another potentially being set up in Bethlehem, there are hopes that games can soon be held between the three West Bank sides, though Israeli-imposed

Sir Mark Cavendish confirms retirement

The cycling legend’s race finally reaches its end...

restrictions make travel between the cities difficult.

“This is not just about sports for Palestine, this is more than just a sport,” he continues. “They are so grateful and thanking Ireland so much and the Irish people for this. They know that we love them [...]. They’ve got a friend there.”

Stephen hopes to one day bring children from Palestine to play GAA in Ireland, perhaps even Croke Park (the home of the GAA). Such a prospect seems a long way off at the time of writing.

Another example, again with Gaelic ties, comes from what some would consider an unlikely source: football ultras. Celtic Football Club’s Green Brigade, who have a history of Palestinian solidarity, have forged a strong relationship with Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem.

i everyone, what a fantastic few weeks it’s been— despite the chilly weather! This week’s column is a little different as I share my recent experience with the Clay Pigeon Shooting Club. A few weeks ago, I was invited, along with Chris, our Activities Manager, to visit Bywell Shooting Ground for a session with the club. It was a great opportunity to try something new, meet the team, and explore their wonderful facilities.

The setup at Bywell is topnotch, and the club has excellent connections with the team there. A big shout-out to the Men’s Captain and Club President, who did an amazing job coaching me through the basics of clay shooting. I was thrilled to hit my first two clays (even if I missed the next six!), while Chris showcased some impressive shooting skills!

A huge thank you to Ben, the Club President, and the entire team for hosting us. It was a fantastic way to get a glimpse of their weekly activities and to dive into a sport I wouldn’t normally have the chance to try. Who knows—you might see me back for another shoot soon! I’m looking forward to visiting more clubs like this in the weeks and months to come. View

Rounding up the NASCAR Cup: Logano wins in Arizona

Alex Duggan - Athletic Union Officer

Katy Storie, Newcastle University’s

Image credit: wikimedia commons

Ebony Maude and Tom Wood

Image credit: FMT Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

A few words from our AU Officer...

Image credit: Newcastle University, Mattythewhite, Wikimedia Commons

Image credit: Chris Bishop (picturesbybish)