Issue 1458

My Journey with Should Celebs Act as Political Figures?

Opinion | page 7

Herpes

In conversation with Pixie Lott

University Faces £35M Deficit From Decline In International Students: Chris Day Responds

Grace Boyle - Head of Current Affairs

Loss in ‘around 1000 students’ will result in budget cuts to fill ‘black hole’.

In an exclusive interview with The Courier, Vice Chancellor and Chair of Russell Group, Chris Day and Chief Financial Officer Nick Collins what the deficit will mean for students and staff. With lower international enrolment, Newcastle University has £35M less in the annual budget for this academic year than forecasted. However, the message to the students is ‘we want to protect the student experience and then work out what we can limit spending on for this year’.

"We want to protect the student experience and then work out what we can limit spending on”

In an interview with The Courier, Chris Day clarified ‘35 million is roughly around 5% of our turnover’. He explained that even though it is a significant number, ‘but relative to our overall income and expenditure, it is relatively small’.

In communication between the Executive Board and academic staff which was leaked to ITV, the University are aiming to make ‘reductions in our controllable expenditure’ by putting in a recruitment freeze for both staff and students, and limit travel expenses to ‘business critical’ journeys.

As defined by Nick Collins, ‘we haven’t got a perfect definition of it […] so there is a bit of judgement that needs to be applied at a local level’ but the main message shared by him and the VC is they are looking where to make expenditure cuts whilst ‘protecting the student experience, because that’s our jobs, isn’t it’.

Academic staff have voiced frustrations over the ambiguous definition of ‘business critical’, one lecturer saying, ‘how can we deem something ‘business critical, if we still haven’t been allocated a budget?’

The Executive Board have made clear that there will be changes within each faculty and discipline. For Humanities and Social Sciences, is has been confirmed there will be a reduction in

external speakers, travel and expenses to support teaching, student recruitment and research’.

One issue raised in discussions amongst staff and students is ‘if £35M is a significantly small number, why are there so many changes on local levels?’

"Why are there so many changes on local levels?”

The response from the executive board is that the University are ‘trying to make cuts effectively quickly’.

A question raised by a spokesperson of the UCU Newcastle University branch is ‘the university have not shared what cuts or delays there are in big project funding and plans. That makes us [the staff] feel like we are being targeted specifically to make all these big changes and sacrifices.’

Newcastle is not the only university in the UK to see a reduction in international students. According to the Home Office, there was a fall in 17% of study visa applications this year’.

"According to the Home Office, there was a fall in 17% of study visa applications this year”

still be plenty of opportunities albeit they may not be the full range of opportunities that have been in the past’. Students are upset about their being less internal opportunities. One international student said ‘my degree is so expensive that I need to find internships that give me experience, that are considerate of my Uni timetable and money to cover living expenses. The less opportunities the uni provide the more competitive internships will be, especially when nowhere in Newcastle is hiring students for part-time work’. Lifestyle | page 15

One home student said ‘The more expensive university becomes; the less accessible education is becoming. For both home and international students this is going to make qualifications more competitive and make higher profile jobs go to those of elite classes.’

Another home student said ‘with financial pressure on universities, they are having to behave more like a business in where we are the clients paying for services- not prioritising education’.

Vice Chancellor Chris Day explained reasons why international student enrolment decreased at Newcastle. He said, ‘obviously the riots didn’t help across the country […] we had students ringing us up and asking is it safe to come back to the UK’ and ‘and are we going to get attacked?’

Nick Collins explained on a national level, ‘the change in our QS world ranking which for Chinese students in particular is a key driver of their decision-making.’

International financial crises is another possible contributor with Nick Collins adding ‘cost of living crisis [for example] in some countries like Nigeria where we know that the currency was devalued and therefore our standard fee became much more relatively expensive to them.’

A UCU representative said ‘I think for a big part it, is also the way they’ve responded to things like the encampment, to things like the way the university positions itself in relation to international crises and events is not going to be attractive to many students’.

On a similar topic, a lecturer said ‘if we are selling and buying degrees, then I don’t know what I’m doing then? Why am I marking stuff?’

From minutes at a UCU meeting on

"The University have also reduced internal paid opportunities for students”

October 3, union members expressed concerns that ‘cuts here damage the most poorly paid, and equality

impacts are directly visible. […]

Like the events around the student encampment, this whole situation speaks to the need for greater staff input into university governance’.

The argument made was that lecturers, seminar leaders and academics have more contact and involvement with students and that they would express important viewpoints that should be considered in Executive Board decisions.

The University have also reduced internal paid opportunities for students including; internships, placements that offer students flexible paid work and experience. ‘We hope there will

Image Credit: Noelia Fernandez Perez

Welcome back to The Courier! Want to get involved?

Hello hello to whoever has picked up our beautiful newspaper. This is our first newspaper entirely edited by this year's brand new editorial team, and it looks amazing. The speed at which the team picked up all of our software was baffling, and I am so excited for the rest of this year, even when Photoshop is being evil. It has also been lovely to have company in The Courier office again. The conversations with the team have covered every single topic under the sun, but somehow we have also managed to get the work done!

NSR is also back and thriving!

Our radio station has finally been set back up and we are now streaming 24/7. Our wonderful Station Manager Erin Reid has done an incredible job at giving tech training, and so far we have a staggering 55 shows each week! The enthusiasm is absolutely wonderful and really shows how much passion there is in student media.

In terms of NUTV, station manager has also been busy preparing a new executive team and getting ready for livestreams. It is really exciting seeing the progress and we have just filmed our first Student Council. Anyway, find out more about NUTV and NSR on Page 20!

The return of Student Media Afternoon's has created the buzz that we were hoping for, and they have

Article Highlights:

Current Affairs | Science

Toadpocalypse!

Exploring Hamburg's exploading toads... | Page 8

Life

& Style | Fashion & Beauty

Offensive or Sensitive this Halloween Where should we get our inspiration from at Halloween? | Page 17

Life & Style | Food & Drink

How To Amp Up Your Student Dinner Faves

It is time to leave the pesto and get creative! | Page 18

Culture | Film

In loving memory of Dame Maggie Smith

A tribute to the career of a much loved actress | Page 22

Sports |

Newcastle Eagles Basketball

The new season has begun! | Page 30

NSR & NSR

Meet your Station Managers for the year

| Page 20

been ridiculously busy. I guess that just shows how many talented writers we need to show off in these sexy pages. I want to finally give a massive thank you to the Senior Team, who have gone above and beyond in assisting the production of this paper. You are all wonderful <3

Anyway, I shall stop blabbering on and let you get to the main event... there is certainly something for everyone across the 32 pages of this first copy, and I really think it shows off the hardwork that the fantastic team have contributed. See you in two weeks!

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.

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

Our Next Article SMA: 23rd October 1.30pm Bambugh Room, NUSU

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

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

Image Credit: Grace Boyle, Anna Nix

Image Credit: Grace Boyle

Rachel Reeves BackTracks on Non-Dom Tax

Amy Jones

The Government is reconsidering tax for UK residents on foreign income

Labour is reconsidering its plans regarding nondomicile tax status, that was outlined in the party's manifesto.

The Government back-tracking on newly announced policies is not a brand-new phenomenon. The reconsideration by the Chancellor of the Ex-Chequer, Rachel Reeves, is significant because of the policy’s potential repercussions it could have on the UK economy. The Treasurer has previously called the current system “outdated” and said that it should be replaced.

In the Labour Manifesto for the General Election of 2024, which was held earlier this year, the party promised the nation ‘sustained economic growth’. On July 29th, following the election, the Labour Government published their first policy paper, which spoke with regards to non-domicile tax changes. The paper brought to light a £22 billion “hole” in the United Kingdom’s public finances.

Currently, non-doms are only obliged to pay tax on capital gains that are made in the UK. Any income gained outside of the UK remains outside of the Inheritance Tax bracket. After fifteen years, the global income made by a non-dom, falls under the UK’s typical income tax and personal tax regime. However, there are ways to get ‘protected settlement’ trust allowing capital gains of the wealthy to remain outside of tax charges.

The new Government announced the introduction of the ‘non-domicile tax’. This tax is expected to bring in lots of funds into the UK's economy. It is these funds that Labour would use to pay for investment into schools, roads and the NHS.

Originally, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicted that Labour’s plans would raise about £3.2 billion per year, which would majorly help towards the “black

hole” in the UK’s public finances.

However, OBR has speculated that these plans may not raise more money at all and has the potential to discourage the wealthy from residing in the UK. The ‘protected settlement’ trust allows capital gains of the wealthy to remain outside of tax charges. This could lead to even less money being brought into the economy than under the previous government. Reeves has recently spoke on plans to reverse this. It is for this reason that the Rachel Reeves is reconsidering plans moving forward, as it uncertain the true damages it will cause for the economy.

Keir Starmer's Glasses : A new lens on the expenses scandal

Emily Naismith Reminiscent of 2009, an expenses scandal in number 10

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under fire for his acceptance of donations, from the Evening Standard, totaling £74,905.80 worth of gifts declared since October 2023.

The largest controversy has been surrounding the £32,200 of clothes, £2,485 of glasses and £20,437.28 of accommodation gifted to Keir Starmer by Labour peer Waheed Alli.

Keir Starmer has defended several donations for security reasons, pledged not to accept further clothing gifts, and has also repaid around £6000 since the scandal. Starmer has also insisted that he has followed the rules. Despite this, he faces allegations from The Times to having not declared clothing donations from Waheed Alli to his wife.

"Prime Minister's version of the MP's expenses scandal".

“Prime Minister's version of the MP's expenses scandal”

Many have criticised Starmer and MPs for their willingness to accept gifts, with some contrasting the luxuries given to MPs to the lack of support for

those struggling during the cost-ofliving crisis. For example, the recent Winter Fuel Payment cuts. Westminster correspondent Paris Gourtsoyannis pointed out this disparity in an interview with Starmer; asking the Prime Minister why pensioners should not get help with their heating when he is receiving help with his wardrobe on a salary of £167,000 a year.

But perhaps the real question is not whether the Prime Minister and MPs are entitled to gifts, or even whether they have broken rules on declaring them. Maybe the direction of inquiry needs to be flipped; who are the donors?

"What do these wealthy donors expect in return?"

Genevieve Sandle, writing for the Electoral Reform Society, indicates it may be naïve to believe organisations and individuals are giving them out of the “goodness of their heart”. Sandle poses an interesting question “what do these wealthy donors

declared by MPs can be found via the Register of Members' Financial Interests or through Sky News’ Westminster Accounts project, an easy-to-use online tool. The total amount donated by specific corporations or individuals is harder to see; Heathrow Airport, the Premier League and the Betting and Gaming Council as three of the biggest gift-givers since 2015.

“The total gifts declared by MP's can be found Via the register of members”

Alistair Graham, former Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, told The Guardian that the “scale of the freebie” needs to be taken into consideration, and suggested that donors may be benefitting from giving large gifts. For example, the Premier League have provided £68,000 worth of giveaways so far this year, whilst simultaneously lobbying to reduce the powers of a new football watchdog.

The Scottish National Party has called for an investigation into what they claim is the "Prime Minister's version of the MP’s expenses scandal”, which revealed an epidemic of MPs "dishonestly claiming" expenses in 2009. The Director of Public Prosecutions at the time of the 2009 scandal - Keir Starmer

Warning: Peanut contaminated mustard

Oscar Jenkins - News Sub-Editor

The FSA issue allergy warning for mustard products.....

Individuals with peanut allergies must avoid any foods containing mustard, mustard seeds, mustard powder, or mustard flour due to a manufacturer peanut-contamination, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warns.

The FSA first issued an urgent allergy advisory statement on September 20, with FSA Director of Food Policy, Rebecca Sudworth saying: “Those with a peanut allergy should avoid consuming products containing mustard as an ingredient”.

Contamination in UK foods has been linked back to three suppliers in India, including GT Agro Industries, specifically affecting mustard-related products.

On October 1, UK company FGS Ingredients Ltd recalled 66 products containing mustard powder because of undeclared peanuts. This is set to be only the beginning for businesses, with ongoing recalls expected.

The FSA has launched an

investigation to determine the variety and volume of mustard products on UK shelves that now contain peanuts. This process is likely to be long and complex due to the current lack of certainty over exactly which products have been contaminated.

CEO of Allergy UK, Simon Miles also released a statement saying: “We strongly advise anyone with a peanut allergy to follow the FSA’s advice”.

“Anyone with a peanut allergy to follow the FSA's advice”

Advice for students should be to avoid consumption of any food products that contain mustard until further notice.

Newcastle rises ranks in 2025 Best University Guides

Newcastle University in Top 30 voted by The Times

With the start of the new academic year in full force, so are the 2025 University Rankings. League tables including The Guardian, and The Times have had their say on universities across the United Kingdom.

Becoming a Top 30 university in the Times has been a cause for celebration for Newcastle University this year. Newcastle has been ranked equal with the University of Nottingham in The Times and a 0.2 difference with Nottingham in The Guardian, illustrating a similar guide point within the two tables.

“Newcastle has been ranked equal with the Uni of Nottingham”

However, it is key to note that the placing of universities isn’t replicating of its credibility and value. For example, the University of Dundee and Royal Holloway are joint 52nd in The Guardian league table, 10 places above Newcastle, but only scored 2.6 points highershowing disparities in the two tables Despite Newcastle

not placing in the Top 10 of the league tables, the numbers fail to take into account factors such as community and nightlife - two reasons why universities such as Newcastle are chosen by thousands of students year on year. UCAS, states the main differences between the two is that the Times has a more narrow focus and The Guardian has more of an evaluation on the experience of teaching and post-graduate job opportunities. However, the league tables are not worlds apart in difference, with the top four in both rankings (in differing orders) being London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Oxford, Cambridge, and St Andrews. The Times ranks LSE in first place, up three places from 2024 and overtaking Oxbridge. Whereas in The Guardian, LSE ranks number four with Oxford rising to top place after previously being overtaken by St Andrews in 2023. Durham, being the highest ranked University in the North East, closely follows behind - taking 5th place in

Zoe Maddalena

Image Source: Lucy Bower

Image Source: Flickr, Sandra Blaser

Image Source: Flickr, Dan4th nicholas

Uni Faces £35M Deficit from International Students : Continued

Grace

- Head of Current Affairs

According to the 2024 Student Money Survey, 58% of students have a part time job to get by at University and 8% are self-employed. Both of these figures have risen since the 2023 survey.

Chris Day said ‘in our new education strategy and some of the meetings I'm having nationally, we are very aware of this issue and are trying to plan things like timetables and support much more flexibly.

When questioned about talking to students about their opinions on the decline in international pupils, Chris Day explained ‘we tend to go through the Sabbatical Officers and Societies when we want the student view’.

An employee of the Student’s Union said the Sabbatical Officers are critical in communicating student views, ‘there are many groups they can speak to like academics who have direct communication with students, degree reps, peer mentors, The Courier who are ‘The Voice of Newcastle Students’,

and all the feedback data degree programmes collect and share. The execs should utilise these tools more.’

Newcastle University is not alone in struggling with financial pressure and budget cuts. At Sunderland University it has been reported that they are cutting 10% of academic staff.

The University of East Anglia are cutting a further 3% from

City Council Welcome Freshers to Toon

Sofia Tarry

“We tend to go through the Sabbatical Officers and Societies when we want the student view"

its budget and ‘cannot rule out compulsory redundancies’.

In his role as Chair of Russell group, Chris Day said ‘we've been lobbying the

government to look at the support, particularly that we get for home students. It’s most striking how little the government actually give us in terms of teaching grants for students.’

When asked for a message to give to the students, VC Day said:

‘This university has good cash reserves to fall back on and compared to many in the sector we have very little debt.

So as a student at Newcastle you're in a university that's as well set up as most to be able to deal with this bump. We've got time to take the right decisions for how we manage this great university going forward to protect the student experience to protect the research that we want to do.’

E-Visa Enforcement: UK residents fear being locked out of the country

Amy Jones

Home Office

warned over arising E-Visa scandal.

Anew immigration scandal is feared to emerge following the announcement of the e-Visa roll out by the end of the year. The Home Office has been accused of ignoring the issue, despite the potential damage it could cause.

An e-Visa is a digital record of an individual’s status of immigration and can be viewed by people (for example airlines) who need look over someone’s status. The EU Settlement Scheme 2018 meant that many EU citizens living in the UK, already have an e-Visa.

The Programme Manager for migrant digital justice at Open Rights Group, Sara Alsherif expresses his concern in a statement: “Yet again, migrants are living in fear that they won’t be able to prove their right to be in the UK because of a flawed Home Office programme.”

Fears of becoming stranded overseas, not being able to properly access healthcare and losing the ability to work and rent property are becoming more severe. The Legal Director of Immigration Law Practitioner’s Association, Zoe Bantleman, has stated that it is likely many will not be aware of the new requirements until the deadline has passed and

they attempt to rent property, start a new job, or re-enter the nation. Elderly people are another group that may struggle to use the new system, or even be aware of the new system itself.

“"Migrants

are living in fear [...] because of a flawed Home Office programme"

The Home Office has said that it is sending out emails, regarding the need to set up the new system, to who need them. It has been reported

Thanks to the efforts of authorities and businesses during Freshers Week, Newcastle City Council triumphs thousands of students who have enjoyed a safe and warm welcome to Newcastle.

Freshers week is the welcome period for new university students, and the toon is renowned for its bustling nightlife and friendly atmosphere.

Council officers have especially assisted students and businesses as thousands arrive to begin their studies.

New figures show Newcastle City Council’s community safety team helped more than 630 people on some of the busiest nights of the period -lasting a fortnight.

The Gate, the Bigg Market, Collingwood Street, Monument, Northumberland Street, and Haymarket were among the areas patrolled by night marshals from the council's community safety team. Their purpose was to provide a reassuring and conspicuous presence while also deterring

anti-social behaviour, street drinking, crime, disorder, and vandalism.

Cllr Irim Ali, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for a Resilient City, said: “Newcastle is renowned for its hospitality industry and of course students of our two great universities make a massive contribution to the vibrancy of the city”.

Licensing manager Jonathan Bryce said that the effect of the proactive work by the council, licensees, door staff, promoters and partners ahead of Freshers Week was clear to see.

“Thousands of people turned out to enjoy Newcastle’s night time economy during Freshers Week and I’m delighted to say that, thanks to the pre-planning and advance engagement between the council, hospitality businesses and partners, licenced premises operated well,” he said. The success and hardwork of Newcastle City Council clearly paid off, and its indispensable role in ensuring the safety of thousands of new students shows just how well the toon lives up to its vibrant and welcoming reputation.

20% VAT added to private school fees

that many of these emails are not being sent to the correct people and are only standardised. On March 19th, the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association sent a letter to the Future Border and Immigration System Programme highlighting fears of solicitors being “flooded” with emails, which made it “impossible to identify which client this notice is intended to reach.”

Digital immigration systems have been majorly flawed in recent times, which heightens concerns over the new e-visa system. Earlier, this year over 76,000 people were listed with incorrect photographs, names or immigration status, due to the Home Office’s immigration database

Labour government makes changes to private school's VAT.

In July of this year Labour fulfilled their promise to add 20% VAT (Value Added Tax) to private school fees. The policy will take effect on January 1st 2025, the middle of the school year, displacing around 45,000 pupils back into the state sector.

As reported by The Daily Mail, the estimated £1.5 billion raised by this tax increase is expected to fund 6,500 more teachers, new breakfast clubs, 3,000 new nurseries and more across the state sector for education.

Many are celebrating this funding, and Labour's quick follow through on promises to their voter base. Additionally, praise has come for the newly-elected government for diverting funding towards state schools - something many thought previous governments lacked.

Critical eyes have pointed out that this tax will disproportionally target middle-class earners already

struggling to give their children better opportunities. NHS workers, teachers and military personnel are among this group. There are fears that children will be removed from independent school, and the social mobility between the lower and upper classes will worsen. By contrast, it has also been said that the upper echelon of rich families won’t feel this tax, and will continue to put their children through private education, potentially widening the wealth gap between upper class families and the rest of England. This tax will also disproportionally affect families of colour and immigrants, much more likely to have new, tethered money than older British wealth. Whilst these households can reach into the reserves of land, property, and longstanding businesses, POC families with less expendable income will have to take their kids out of private education. Not only has Labour incidentally made upper-class education more exclusive again, but significantly whiter. Labour has specified a tax exemption to independent schools catered towards special needs and learning support, so as to not punish these families. As well as quickly implemented policies like these, many hope that Labour will turn its eye towards closing non-domestic tax loopholes as outlined in their campaign. Increased funding for HMRC officers would directly target the uber-rich utilising tax havens and tighten gaps exploited by international companies like Microsoft and Meta. These changes would be less punchy as headlines, but finally target tax dodgers weakening the country over our workers.

Image Source: WikimediaCommons

Image Source: wikimediacommons, Chris Morgan

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Keira Gratton - Arts Sub-Editor

Boyle

Image Source: Mike Quinn

Campus Comment

Student Perspective: Newcastle University vs. Apartheid off Campus

Emily Naismith

One of our writers talks about the impact of Apartheid off Campus and the University's stance

The train I take from Newcastle to home is always delayed, and I now have a nice routine of cursing under my breath, texting anyone who will listen, and wishing I’d walked the 300 miles instead. I’m annoyed, I’m inconvenienced, and I’m having to think about how this will affect the rest of my day. It is in this way that I can relate to Newcastle University’s feelings of inconvenience towards the presence of ‘Apartheid off Campus’, who have for the past year dealt with noise, vigils and the occupation of buildings. Most importantly, their grass has been ruined. Very occasionally though, I find out that my train has been delayed because someone has died. My mentality switches and I compare the feeling of arriving home late to the feeling of a family finding out that someone’s never coming home.

It is in this way I struggle to empathise with a university that seemingly lacks this perspective: at the time of writing this piece almost 42,000 Palestinian people have been murdered in Gaza since the 7th of October 2023, in addition to the ongoing occupation and killing of Palestinians since the 1948 Nakba. Israel is now also targeting Lebanon, with civilian lives there being treated with the same indifference.

"I struggle to empathise with a university that seemingly lacks perspective"

The student protesters have several aims, but their key goal is for the university to divest from companies that are funding the genocide (details available at @newcastleaoc on Instagram). I do not make any claims at all that I am an expert on Middle East affairs, but a small amount of research has quickly led to a deep discomfort with my university fees being invested in a way that supports Israel’s murder of civilians. The University recently updated its charter with a ban on forms of protesting that are disruptive, whilst claiming to “protect

the rights of [its] students to free speech and peaceful protest”.

"The university recently updated the student charter with ban on disruptive protesting"

This clause is oxymoronic and deliberately vague, and I challenge readers to think of successful protests from the past that have not been disruptive. There is no requirement to agree with all the tactics of a group protesting; despite my support even I don’t agree with all the work of Apartheid off Campus. But perspective is vital and, like many protests over time, they are the ones on the right side of history. The University is a business, and it has choices in what its money supports. Their response to being told that there is blood on their hands should not be ‘stop shouting’.

"Their response to being told there is blood on their hands should not be 'stop shouting'"

New Academic Year: Our Team's Resolutions

Jess Mooney (Campus Comment Sub-Editor)

I, like many people, sometimes feel like I wasted my first year because I didn't join or get involved with any societies. Wrapped up in all the chaos of being a fresher it completely slipped my mind and left me feeling like I had missed out on a major aspect of university life, but I have since realised that this is not the case. During my second round of freshers, I pushed myself to attend as many taster events as possible and have now joined two new societies. If like me, you feel like it’s too late to join a new society once you’re no longer a fresher this is your sign to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and explore some new activities!

New year’s resolution is to find more time for my hobbies. Last year whenever I got to a stressful part of the term, I’d down tools on everything else. The thing is this just makes the work harder. Giving yourself breaks to do the things you enjoy means you can work with more focus and attention, while also reducing your stress levels. The sad thing is though, that I’ve tried to make this new year’s resolution before. At the start of every exam period, I promise myself that I won’t get too single minded, but I always end up falling into the same traps. But hey ho, fifth time lucky?

Anna Nix (Head of Current Affairs)

Setting myself certain resolutions for this final year seemed like an ideal solution to the overwhelming mess of finishing university. Whilst writing a great dissertation is definitely on the list of my resolutions, so is writing for my own pleasure. And finding a grad job is contrasted with enjoying the last few months of being a student. In short, the resolutions this academic year are heavily focused on ‘business’, The focus this year is on balanced lifestyle, where work and grind is incredibly important, but peace and rest is still included.

Spilling the Sobrie-Tea: The Reality of Being Sober at University

Cerys Millard

Taking on the Toon T-Total? One writer disects the stigma of not participating in drinking culture

With one of the biggest weeks in the academic year having just passed, an influx of new first years hit the Toon for Fresher’s Week. This week is often categorised by heavy drinking, hangovers and aggressive clubbing; but what is this week like if you don’t enjoy those things? Firstly, it will probably be a tough time, as choosing to not drink normally gets met with quite a lot of judgement, with many societies and course-based activities being held around the premise that everyone enjoys drinking alcohol.

With Newcastle’s notorious nightlife, it can often be harder to find likeminded people amongst the crowd, new flatmates asking, “Where are we going out tonight?” can often spark fear of being typecast as ‘boring’ or ‘unsociable’ when the

inevitable reply of “Oh I don’t really drink” meets the room.

Drinking is arguably engrained into the DNA of university so breaking the stereotype can seem hard especially when you’re met with intense peer pressure. Whether you choose not to drink due to health or simply because you don’t personally enjoy it, it can be hard to validate those reasons to people without facing critique.

However, that’s not to say there aren’t other students who share the desire for a cosy movie evening in over a crazy night out. There are lots of positives to taking on university sober, you

don’t have the crippling feeling of hangxiety, or a banging headache at your 9 am’s; and you generally, get to know people better as your social activities involve a lot more conversation compared to being in a packed-out club.

"Choosing not to drink won't make your University experience any less enjoyable!"

Choosing not to drink doesn’t have to make your university experience any less enjoyable! Newcastle has multiple different societies that have alcohol-free socials, the 'Sober Socials Society' on campus can be a great way to meet like-minded people; in addition to this, one of the university's most up-and-coming societies - Cold Water Swimming also only hosts sober socials. Whether you’ve found your crowd or not these can be a great way to meet people.

The idea of taking on the Toon T-total can seem like a daunting task, but with it being ‘Sober October’ now could be the perfect time to explore the other side of the drinking culture, encouraging people to open their minds to the reality of being alcohol-free at Uni.

Day in the Uni Life: Journalism Student

Emma Stephenson

Read about a typical day for a Journalism student

I’m in Stage 2 of Journalism, Media and Culture at Newcastle and this is what I would consider a productive day for my degree.

I slowly started the day at 7:30am with a cup of coffee and some cereal and then got the bus into campus for my 9am lecture as I simply do not have the strength for a 40 minute walk into campus that early.

The lecture was for Media Law and Ethics where we delved into ethical issues on reporting crime and death.

After the lecture, I had a two-hour gap and decided to be productive by staying on campus. I grabbed some lunch from the Co-op and headed to the Henry Daysh, my favourite building on campus, to catch up on some reading.

Later, I went to Luther’s for a committee meeting with the media and

journalism society to discuss and organise future socials and workshops.

Then, I had a two hour seminar based on that mornings lecture which was very engaging and interactive. After that, I went home to come up with ideas and draft this article. Whilst I hoped to continue my productivity, the 3pm tiredness eventually won and I had a nap – we can’t always be academic weapons. Then, I had a two hour seminar based on that mornings lecture which was very engaging and interactive. After that, I went home to come up with ideas and draft this article. Whilst I hoped to continue my productivity, the 3pm tiredness eventually won and I had a nap – we can’t always be academic weapons.

In the evening, I got ready for the media society bar crawl which was themed dress as your favourite piece of media – I chose to dress as a minion. For one of the first socials of the year it was exciting to meet so many people and see everyone’s costumes. We started at Luther’s, made our way to The Dog and Parrot, we ended at The Cut and then I headed home to sleep.

Marcus Williamson (News Sub-editor)

Image Source: WikiMedia Commons

Who will honour Democracy, and who will honour Trump?

Freddie

Pollock

Freddie Pollock discusses the vice presidential debate and the presidential race

Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, two men relatively unknown before they’re hoist to political stardom, met for the first time on Tuesday night.

The debate comes at a time of mounting momentum for the Harris/Walz campaign, now leading in 4/7 of the battleground states in the polls. Chosen at a time of high-flying Trumpist fever, following an attempted assassination in July, Senator Vance was under pressure to deliver.

Surprisingly, both men accredited themselves with a certain sense of vice presidentialism, offering a far superior standard of deliberation

compared to September’s presidential debate. On reflection, despite Sen. Vance possessing the refined and slick skills of an impressive public orator, Gov. Walz’s policy positions merited that of his opponent. Much of the Ohio Senator’s rhetoric on the Biden administration was reliant on ‘false’ or ‘misleading’ assertions, such as the horror of ‘320,000 missing children’, or ‘barbaric’ abortion law in Gov Walz’s home state of Minnesota. Whilst not as experienced as Sen. Vance in debate, Gov. Walz was able to corner his opponent, boasting Biden administration’s impressive record of falling opioid deaths and immigration border crossings. Alongside the inclusion of touching personal experiences of

his own IVF treatment, in tangent with issues over reproductive rights, Walz came across as unapologetically likeable and moreover honest.

The same cannot be said for Sen. Vance, and his assertion that Trump ‘peacefully’

handed over power on January 20th, or his refusal to acknowledge the exPresident’s defeat at the 2020 election.

Indeed Gov. Walz, ‘that is a damning non-answer’.

Digging up discourses on the Jan6th insurrection in this manor, is a depressing and stark reminder

presidential election, not to mention mammoth social divides on immigration and abortion law. Will the Harris/Walz campaign carry through this momentum until November? – only time will tell.

Is an equal minimum wage on the horizon?

Christopher Jenkins

Christopher Jenkins looks at how having capped minimum wages affects young people

The UK is one of few countries on earth that changes the minimum wage depending on what age the recipient is, with the minimum for 18-20-yearolds being just £7.49, compared to £10.18 for those 21–22 and £10.42 for those 23 and above.

With a new Labour government that claims to want economic growth and better opportunities for young people in the UK, now is the perfect time to change the system so young

This is even worse for 16–17-yearolds, where the rate is just 56% of what the national living wage is. These discrepancies, according to the TUC, mean that around 700,000 18–20-year-olds are missing out on around £2,400 every year.

“...this pay rise would have very little impact other than being a big help for young people who need the money”

For young people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and those who may not have strong support networks around them, this money would be a huge help in making sure they can survive on the minimum wage. Many young people, especially those escaping abusive families, rely on it as their sole source of income,

Sudan: Ignorance in Western Media & the Global Struggle for Liberation

Ashley Kwan

In the global struggle for liberation, the media fails to report on Sudan appropriately.

Over the last year of war in Sudan, an estimated 20,000 people have been killed, with over 10 million being internally displaced, making this the largest displacement crisis in the world. With worsening hunger and poverty compounded by challenges faced by much-needed aid trying to reach its destination, over 18 million suffer from extreme food insecurity. Ethnic cleansing via mass killings, looting and conflict in agricultural regions worsening food shortages, and an overwhelmed healthcare system are all exacerbating the devastating impact of this conflict.

“Colourism

in western mainstream media is more than capable of ignoring the suffering of millions”

Despite the atrocities that have been occurring we rarely see attention paid to Sudan by mainstream media. Unfortunately, colourism in western mainstream media is more than capable

of ignoring the suffering of millions, especially if western countries have less of a stake in this war than others.

Racial empathy bias stemming from colourism continues as a remnant of western colonialism that upholds ideas of white supremacy, perceiving people of colour as less worthy of empathy, and therefore are afforded less attention and global outrage.

“With less attention and anger, it is usually more difficult for any movement to become sufficiently influential"

Such bias plays a huge role in the challenges faced in advocating for an end to the conflict or assisting those affected, as with less attention and anger, it is usually more difficult for any movement to become sufficiently influential to create substantial change, especially with the ignorance of those in positions of power.

The same ideologies of colonialism and normalisation of violence in the global south actively contribute to many crises around the world. Even feeling as though being in the UK putting considerable geographical distance between us and Sudan, Palestine, Congo, or Haiti exempts us from caring is a key element in the genocidal

machinery enabling the continuation of silence in the face of suffering around the world.

While every genocide, every conflict, every crisis deserves all the attention, anger and compassion the world can muster, we cannot ignore the interconnectedness of these struggles and the systems built to maintain oppression and violence around the world.

Therefore, we must acknowledge the struggle for justice and liberation extends beyond each crisis as an independent cause, and we cannot fight for the freedom of some without caring for freedom of others. No one is free until all are free.

Image Source: Pixabay, David_Peterson

Image Source: Pixabay, StockSnap Image: Pixabay, kschneider2991

Image Source: Flickr, Gage Skidmore

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons, RobertHorning

Image Source: Flickr, Gage Skidmore

Should celebrities act as political figures?

Two writers discuss their stances on celebrities having political opinions...

Multiple Writers Ellie Urry

Whilst never tranquil nor peaceful, the current political world is tumultuous and full of conflict. This has never been truer than with the current United States presidential election: Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris.

Having been coined the ‘closest presidential race of the century’, it is no surprise that celebrities are weighing in with their political beliefs. But, is this the way to go? Or are their opinions being forced upon us, the general public, despite no desire to hear them?

Chappell Roan (singer/songwriter) believes that, yes, celebrities’ political opinions should indeed remain private. She encouraged her fan base to “use [their] critical thinking skills, use [their] vote.” Despite clarifying that she would not be voting for Donald Trump, her statement furthered the idea that

celebrities should not feel pressure to endorse political figures, and that members of the public should make their own voting choices, rather than listening to their favourite singers and actors.

Modern fandoms demand political action from their favourite stars; however, this is not Chappell’s responsibility, and she should not be forced to endorse a candidate.

Ultimately, celebrities are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. It is impossible to

please everyone, and this is just a clear example of that.

elections, the BJP's win in the Mandi constituency is due to its recruitment of the actress Kangana Ranaut. Therefore, this brings us to a significant question: should celebrities be political figures? I believe celebrities should not be political figures and associate themselves with political parties, considering their tendency to influence public opinion through their brand value. Celebrities, due to their busy schedules and lack of understanding of political issues and policies, could barely contribute to the important issues in the Parliament. For example, Sachin Tendulkar, a famous cricketer, was criticized by the public for his lack of participation throughout his term in Rajya Sabha. However, celebrities have powerful voices, which can actually create an impact. But they can use their influence even without being associated with a political party. For instance, during the general elections, celebrities used their influence to encourage citizens to vote by posting pictures with the election ink on social media.

Sri Lanka elects Non-Establishment

Leader in historic presidential

Omar Khan

Omar Khan discusses whether or not Sri Lanka's new president will mark a turning point for the country.

Anura Kumara

Dissanayake, the leftist who won the presidential election on 22 September, has stressed the need for a “clean political culture” after campaigning on a tough anticorruption platform. These were the first elections since protests ousted ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022 as the island suffered a devastating economic crisis.

Dissanayake is the first president

extraordinarily, no winner emerged after the first round of counting.

Outsider Dissanayake won 42% of the vote whilst opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa, received 33%. Incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe, appointed after Rajapaksa fled, was eliminated. After the second round, Dissanayake was declared the victor. His election represents a rejection of the establishment and reflects nationwide anger at the corruption and political failures being blamed for the economic disaster.

"These were the first elections since protests ousted ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022"

Dissanayake, leader of the left-wing National People’s Party alliance, which includes the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi

economy, stabilised somewhat by an IMF lifeline accompanied by tough austerity measures. He must balance these against his ambitions to tackle poverty, cut taxes, promote growth, and unite a population scarred by civil war.

The 2022 uprising, the Aragalaya, started after the country’s foreign currency reserves were depleted and it defaulted on its debt. Rajapaksa and his older brother, then-PM and expresident Mahinda, had collectively ruled Sri Lanka for a decade. Weak exports and Covid put the economy at risk - catastrophic errors by the Rajapaksas like slashing taxes and banning chemical fertiliser imports strangled the import of essentials and wrecked the agricultural sector. Inflation hit 70% rendering food, cooking gas and medicine unaffordable. Power cuts drove people out onto the streets and after months of protests against their corrupt rule, the Rajapaksas fled. September’s election nevertheless featured Mahinda’s son as a candidate. People associated

Courier Column

Lily Stokes

Son of ToolMaker: Who is Keir Starmer? And why do we still not know?

During the run up to the election,

Keir Starmer’s repeated claim of his father being a toolmaker became an inside joke within the political class. By July 4th, it had become synonymous with his negative attributes; lacking compelling ideas, static, and boring. Does this fact and its persistent use highlight a deeper issue for the PM and his government?

election

Wickremesinghe with the Rajapaksas and Premadasa, viewing him as an elite, whilst he failed to capitalise on public anger. Dissanayake, for years a propoor outsider, became a frontrunner despite the JVP’s bloody past. The Marxist group infamously attempted two insurrections – their 1987-1989 campaign saw tens of thousands killed. Dissanayake, JVP leader since 2008, has

"Dissanayake is the first president not to hail from Sri Lanka's traditional ruling elite."

Dissanayake appointed Harini Amarasuriya as PM, the third woman to hold the office. November’s general election will affect how he might achieve his myriad ambitions. Sri Lanka’s people have high expectations for Dissanayake and they have proven capable of acting when politicians fail to deliver. November’s general election will determine how he might achieve his myriad ambitions.

Since July, Starmer has been plagued by misconduct and mismanagement of political gaffes. Focus on the salary of Sue Gray and resignation of Rosie Duffield has suffocated conversation about policy. And there is almost a parental disappointment around Starmer’s acceptance of football boxes, luxury clothing, and Taylor Swift tickets. Arguably this disillusionment is of Starmer’s own making. Having put values at the heart of his political identity, he created an unachievable standard, which has caught him out on some insignificant blunders. The chaos of scandal which has engulfed Starmer is a far cry from a government of service and morality. Setting out such righteous values for government, and failing to uphold them, sheds a light on Starmer’s naivety as a politician.

Simultaneously, Starmer has also failed to present a bold, overarching vision of what Britain is and where he is taking us. Constant focus on the failings of the previous government, without creating his own political narrative is forcing us to ask ourselves; who is Keir Starmer and what does his government stand for?

Starmer is wading through the weeds of politics. He is stumbling on both the minute details of political life, whilst also lacking big picture ideas. Therefore, his first few months in office haven’t given us a clear indication as to who he is and what he stands for. If Starmer really wants to be seen as more than a son of a toolmaker, he needs to make

Image Source: ChappelRoan_wikimediaco-

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Sam Dawson) and Rawpixel

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons, An- tanO, and Kasun Kavinda Gunasekara

Sub-Editors: Charlotte Atkinson and Matthew Barratt

Alfred Nobel: noble or not?

Margaux Martinez - Opinion Sub-Editor

One of our writers looks back on the life of Alfred Nobel on his birthday

Alfred Nobel was born 191 years ago on 21 October 1833 in Stockholm. Inventor of the dynamite and posthumous creator of the Nobel Prize, he was brought into science from a very early age.

His father Immanuel Nobel was a renowned engineer and inventor himself, mainly experimenting with techniques to blast rocks. In 1842, the Nobel family moved to Russia, where Alfred and his brothers received a first class education with a focus on sciences.

Moving back to Stockholm as an adult, he pursued an interest in the highly explosive and unstable liquid 'nitroglycerin'. This was fostered by his father’s work and a meeting with Ascanio Sombrero, the inventor of the substance. His curiosity continued to grow after one of his brothers was killed in a nitroglycerine explosion.

In 1867, he invented dynamite - a paste made up of nitroglycerine and kieselguhr - which made controlled

explosions possible and safe. It was revolutionary for reducing the time and cost of construction works, and mining, allowing for the efficient and swift functioning of industrial practice. However, dynamite also became a focal development in the munitions sector.

“His creation of dynamite has prompted lengthy ethical discussions about his character.”

At the time of his death in 1896, he owned 355 patents including gelignite (blasting gelatin) and ballistite (explosive, smokeless gunpowder), showcasing how his creation had aided in the progress of weapons manufacturing and pioneering new methods of warfare,

His most famous work, however, remains the Nobel Prize. In his will, he explained his wish for his fortune to be used to award prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace and Economics (since 1968) to “those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit to

humankind”. The first Nobel prizes were awarded in 1901.

Once called “the merchant of death”, Alfred Nobel was a controversial figure. His creation of dynamite, a catalyst for weapons and explosive manufacturing despite its initial use in construction and industrial work practice, has prompted lengthy ethical discussions about his character that are not limited to the irony of his 'Peace Prize'. Was he trying to build himself a better legacy and obtain forgiveness? Did he even need forgiveness? Opinions diverge, but Alfred Nobel and his contributions to the scientific field will remain a permanent fixture in the history of modernised warfare and the debate over the functions of prize culture.

Toadpocalyp se!

Charlotte Chantler

The strange science of Hamburg's exploding toads

Citizens of Hamburg were bewildered to see the death of over 1000 toads at their local park in the Spring of 2005. The corpses of toads were scattered across a pond within a park in the Altona district of Hamburg.

Labelled “the pond of death” by local residents, testing showed that the body of water shared a similar purity to other ponds across the city. So what was happening to the toads? Frank Mutschmann, a veterinarian in Berlin, investigated this bizarre event and created a hypothesis: it was happening because of crows.

“Mimicry enabled the crows to continue their massacre, resulting in over 1,000 toads succumbing to this demise”

Toads excrete a toxic steroid called bufagin onto the skin as a defence mechanism. This can hurt predators however, crows smartly figured out a way around this. Mutschmann analysed that crows would peck into the toad's back between its chest and abdominal

cavity, allowing it to extract the liver. The swift precision of the crow's attack prevented it from being exposed to the toad's secretion.

“Outside of Hamburg cases have been documented in Denmark and US”

It is only after losing its liver that the toad registers the attack and subsequent removal of its liver. Their response is to inflate as a secondary line of defence. A toad has no diaphragm or ribcage and without its liver, the internal organs can expand freely. Because of the hole left in its back by the crow, the toad's lungs are expelled through the gap along with its other internal organs. Following this, the blood vessels of the toad would burst, explaining the explosive bloodshed noted by witnesses.

Mimicry enabled the crows to continue the massacre, resulting in over 1,000 toads succumbing to this peculiar demise. Something initially reminiscent of body horror from the minds of Carpenter or Cronenberg can be easily explained with some straightforward flaws evolutionary biology. Cases of exploding toads are not isolated, with some of the first observations recorded in 1968. Outside of Hamburg, cases have been documented in Denmark and the US but the Toadpocalypse of Hamburg remains the bloodiest and most unusual.

Mini T-Rex species found in Mexico

Amelie Baker - Opinion Sub-Editor

Scientists uncovered a partial skeleton in Coahuila, Mexico recently, and, as their new paper sets out in Fossil Studies, it was predicted to have been around during the Campanian age of the Cretaceous period, around 72.2 million years ago. They have named it Labocania Aguillonae, and they have connected it as a relative of Labocania anomala, Bistahieversor sealeyi, and Teratophoneus curriei.

Although small in Tyrannosaurus terms, coming in at around 6.3 metres in length, the Labocania Aguillonae would still be pretty terrifying if it roamed the earth today. As Dr. Héctor RiveraSylva of the Museo del Desierto and Dr. Nicholas Longrich from the University of Bath explains, the Tyrannosaurus was the apex predator during their time, holding dominion over the ecosystem of the time, and it is no different for these slightly

smaller versions (if 6.3 metres can truly be considered small!).

They also went on to highlight how, although during the Cenomanian and Turonian ages (100 to 89 million years ago) tyrannosaurs were relatively small and unspecialized, by the Campanian age (83 million years ago), they had started to diversify into larger and more varied forms.

These changes could be due to competition to other species or changes in habitat - but what is interesting is that tyrannosaurids exhibit very high endemism, suggesting a hitherto underestimated diversity amongst carnivorous dinosaurs. It is particularly remarkable when put in comparison with modern apex predators that cover larger geographic ranges and show lower endemism than the tyrannosaurids.

A key discovery that proves that endemicity existed within tyrannosaurs in the Late Campanian period, the study points towards more future discoveries of tyrannosaurus species if the limitations of geographic sampling can be

World's oldest cheese found next to

mummified

remains

Addie Dodson - Opinion Sub-Editor

The study of this cheese has allowed scientists to hypothesise about migration

Chinese scientists have extracted DNA from samples of Bronze Age fermented cheese found in a 3600 year old Bronze Age coffin alongside mummified remains at Xiaohe cemetery in Xinjiang, China.

The samples are all kefir cheese, made from kefir milk, a traditional beverage produced by fermenting milk using kefir grains. Fermentation is an ancient practice involving the chemical breakdown of substances by bacteria, yeast, or other microorganisms.

The lifestyle of the Xiaohe population can be researched more accurately when DNA information is recovered from these ancient, fermented dairy remains, and scientists can explore the co-evolution between the fermented bacteria and their hosts.

grains.

“The

samples have also suggested the mingling of ancient peoples”

Kefir begins its life with a culture that is then made into more kefir so as the cheese spread from place to place so did the cultures used to make it.

To retrace the probiotic microbe’s journey, the researchers compared the DNA of the L. kefiranofaciens found in the mummies’ cheese with that of others in the family tree finding two separate branches. The cemetery kefir strains have been related to those from Tibet and East Asia. This shows people from this region may have been migrating to Tibet, a migration route that had previously not been considered. They found varying levels of bacterial

because we would anticipate finding a variety of contaminant bacteria in these ancient samples because of thousands of years of exposure to the environment. They have also found that making kefir cheese not only extended the shelf life of raw milk but reduced the level of lactose in dairy products. This made dairy more palatable because many people from this region had an intolerance to lactose.

“The

cemetary kefir strains have been relayed to those from Tibet and East Asia”

DNA was captured from the fermented cheese samples to reconstruct the genome of Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens – a fermentative bacterium identified exclusively from kefir cheese and

species in the three different samples. The species found in these samples are found in present-day kefir grains, fermented food, dairy contamination, and the environment. This is unexpected

The samples have also suggested the mingling of ancient peoples as DNA from cows and goats have been found in different cheeses. The goat DNA is like that of other ancient Central Asian samples, suggesting it may have been part of a group of domesticated goats that became widely distributed, Fu says. The study of this cheese, published in the journal Cell has allowed scientist to hypothesise about migration, mingling of different ancient communities and why and how the ancient fermentation process was undertaken.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons, Deutsche Post AG, 1995

Image Source: Cell, LiuWW, Yichen et al, 2024

Image Source: WikimediaCommons, H. E. Rivera-Sylva & N. R. Longrich

Lily Smart, LGBTQ+ Officer

Hi! I’m Lily, a stage 2 biomedical sciences student and the 2024/25 LGBTQ+ liberation officer at NUSU.

I'll be the representative for the whole LGBTQ+ community across campus and work alongside the sabbatical officers to be a strong voice for the community, planning events and creating and supporting motions at student council.

Outside of academia, I do figure skating, climbing and teach paddlesports. I’m a massive fan of Charli xcx, Lorde and Chappell Roan, my favourite film is The Substance, and I love baking, days at the beach and cinema trips!

If you have any suggestions, questions or complaints please reach out! You can contact me through the NUSU EDI team at edi. union@newcastle.ac.uk, through the LGBTQ+ Society or directly at l.smart2@newcastle.ac.uk, alternatively, you can chat with me in person at student council.

Email: l.smart2@newcastle.ac.uk

Quinn Elson Disability Officer

I’m an advocate/ ambassador for the disabled community within the student union and student council, I’m here to improve the accessibility and understanding of the university for students with disabilities.

Email:

r.elson2@newcastle.ac.uk

Paolo Grisanti, Marginalised Genders Officer

I'm currently a Stage 4 Japanese Studies BA student. I also play for our men's lacrosse and ice hockey teams.

I'm your Marginalised Genders Officer this year, which means I'm here to represent trans, non-binary, and genderqueer students. Feel free to reach out to me at any point, or you can often find me in the Old Library Building!"

Email: p.grisanti@newcastle.ac.uk

do we do?

Liberation Officers are a group of students who volunteer their time to represent a liberation group. They are elected by the student body to represent and advocate for various marginalised communities.

Liberation communities are communities that are defined as students who self-identify as one

of the following communities:

• being LGBTQ+

• being of a marginalised gender

• having a faith and/or belief

• having a disability

• having caring, parental or guardianship responsibilities

• being an international student

• being Black, Asian or another minority ethnicity (BAME) . Some students may self-identify

as more than one of these communities, and therefore it is important that the Liberation Officers work together and consider how these communities intersect.

The officers also work closely with our Sabbatical Officers, especially our Welbeing and Equality Officer Hisham Salamathullah.

Charlie Ditchburn, Working Class Students Officer

Hi! My name is CharlieAnne. My pronouns are she/her, and I’m a third-year psychology student.

Growing up in a working-class area in the North East, I often worried about fitting in at Newcastle University and faced the fear of being judged for my background. This experience has shaped my perspective and fuelled my passion for advocacy.

this is essential; it allows me to represent voices that often go unheard. I’m incredibly honoured to be NUSU’s first working-class officer, and I’m committed to making our university more inclusive for everyone. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with all of you to create positive change and foster a sense of belonging within our community.

Email: c.ditchburn1@newcastle.ac.uk

Jadenn Sivakumar, Ethnic Diversity Officer

Iam Jadenn, a second mechanical engineering student from Malaysia. I've been around most of my life studying in the Philippines, Malaysia, London and Singapore.

In my free time I like to watch football, you'll never walk alone, play video games that I can run on my laptop and for the school year get to meet all of you. I also happen to like a fruit called Durian that I like to eat on a regular basis or when I can find any. But we can talk all about that when we meet.

Starting soon or depending on our scheduling already started, you will be able to find me and other liberation officers under the Gazebo outside the co-op. Please feel free to approach us with any ideas you have for the SU or the university or just drop by to have a chat.

Email: j.sivakumar3@newcastle.ac.uk

Image Source: Naim Zuki

Image Source: Naim Zuki

Image Source: Naim Zuki

Image Source: Naim Zuki

Image Source: NUSU

Feature: Max O'Connell Prize 11

Being Foreign for the First Time

Lara Kelland

The winner of the 2024 Max O'Connell essay competition recounts her experience in China for the first time.....

This year, I’m living in a place that’s not my home. On a sprawling campus in a country far from my own, I am patently foreign. My t-shirts and shorts are conspicuous (the locals all in puffer jackets) and my disorganised groceries amusing to the store clerk. My body is stockier and paler than most of the other young women in the swimming pool changing rooms, and I think it’s odd that people wear jeans more often than leggings to the gym. There is a lot I don’t understand. And for the first time, I’m seeing how confusing it is to exist within a culture distinct from your own.

The differences are big and small. Of course, I still eat three meals a day, but the supermarket and school canteens stock none of my usual breakfast foods. There’s no cereal, no eggs on toast, only grey, gloopy noodle soup and youtiao, which are light sticks of fried dough. I’ve learnt that yogurt here is runny, drunk through a thin straw, and that a glass of lukewarm soy milk is commonplace at the breakfast table. At home, only children drink warm milk. I like youtiao, but I want an English breakfast, and I miss Lidl bakery. So, I had to learn to cook Chinese

food. My regular student dinner is now a bowl of sloshy noodles, bathed in steaming hot soup and mounds of tofu, crunchy bok choy, and skinny enochi mushrooms. Amazingly, it works out cheaper than a bowl of pasta – my cheap UK staple. My flatmate was shocked when she found I’d cooked something edible for the first time, seven months in at the start of semester two. Previously, I’d felt overwhelmed and confused by the supermarket, bemused by the array of unfamiliar items. There’s no spinach, no potatoes, no courgettes, no carrots or onions. The fish and shrimp are all live, displayed in cramped tanks so that you can select which you’d like to have for dinner whilst they’re still swimming. There’s no jars of instant coffee, nor loaves of bread. For a long time, I didn’t know what to do. I had no idea how to cook with these new ingredients. I couldn’t even read the labels.

"And for the first time, I'm seeing how confusing it is to exist within a culture distinct from your own"

In the school canteen, I’m still adjusting to the lack of queues. At lunchtimes, small crowds form around each counter, each person pushing ahead to yell their order at the tireless cooks, who acknowledge each new order with a curt nod, smashing numbers into the till and dropping beef slices into boiling hot pot at the same time. It isn’t rude to push; that’s just how it is. Getting on the bus or metro is the same, jostling scrums forming

as the doors slide open and everyone tries to cram themselves in at once. Yet conversely, the wait for the bullet train is very orderly. Passengers wait in straight, neat lines at the spot on the platform where their carriage is due to stop. In the UK it’s the other way round – people queuing habitually to order food but spread out haphazardly along the train station platform.

Distinctions like this are small on paper but feel much more significant in real life. Obviously, I knew that daily life here would be different, but it’s impossible to foresee where these differences might occur. How was I to know that peanut noodles are actually a side dish, so that I might have avoided confusing the waitress when I didn’t order anything to accompany them? How was I to know that the metro has airport-style security (complete with x-ray machines and bomb-disposal bins), and so I shouldn’t feel scared of the guards in their smart uniforms, batons dangling from their waists? The problem is that I can’t anticipate what I won’t know. And sometimes that’s exciting and I end up learning something new. But sometimes it’s intimidating and makes me afraid to do things I’m not yet used to doing. It's important to be kind to newcomers to your culture. I remember a friend of mine telling me about a flatmate she had in our first year of university who was an international student from China. He was an illusive creature. There were six of them in that flat, but they never saw him, save for when he emerged from his room each evening to fill a pot noodle with hot water. As she was telling me this, we both agreed it was strange. Why

wouldn’t he cook himself a meal like the rest of them? Living off of only pot noodles couldn’t be very fulfilling. In my first few weeks here, I ate the same few meals religiously, sticking to the canteen where I knew how to order. I also often ate pot noodles alone in my room on days when I was feeling overwhelmed, either by the strain of speaking a foreign language or the thought of again not knowing what to ask for. I was the only person in the room who ever looked confused.

"Being foreign for the first time has shown me the importance of being welcoming and understanding"

Moving abroad is an adventure, but it’s also exhausting. Each day presents more unknowns, and though that’s exciting for someone like me who moved specifically to study a language and culture, it can be unnerving for people simply trying to exist in their chosen country. What if I had come here as a mother, and had to guide my children through a chaos I myself didn’t understand, juggling complicated visas and schooling and work all in my second language? Being a foreigner here has opened my eyes to something that had previously never crossed my mind – that my United Kingdom, homely and familiar as it appears to me, might appear very different from someone else’s perspective. I will come home with even more respect than I had before for our

immigrant communities, as well as international students, those working abroad, and anyone who gets singled out for looking ‘foreign’ though they might be just as British as me. There are many factors to being foreign that can make life more difficult. I’ve felt conspicuous speaking my native language, making me shy to speak even in English. I’ve felt hurt when people have loudly assumed I can’t understand the national tongue, and when they’ve been impatient those times I couldn’t. I’m stared at because I look different. People tell me that they think I’m beautiful, that they think foreigners are beautiful, but it doesn’t feel like a complement. A promoter I know gets paid extra to bring foreigners to his club. A friend of mine sends me travel videos of Germany and says ‘I want to go to England!’ I have told her on a few occasions that they are not the same country. Becoming foreign for the first time has shown me the importance of being welcoming and understanding towards others. It’s shown me that life exists outside of my narrow world view, that entire cultures and peoples and beliefs prosper independently from what I know. But above all, it’s shown me the value of feeling at home, of having an inherent understanding of and connection to the world around you, without effort and without work. I will never take that sense of belonging for granted again.

Photography Competition

Winner: Ava Stacey

This photo was taken in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica, where an abandoned ship mysteriously appeared overnight. It became the talk of the town, sparking curiosity and excitement. During my six weeks at a language school there, I loved visiting it at different times of the day, watching the tides change, and seeing others climb aboard. In a world where information is always at our fingertips, it was refreshing to encounter something unexplained!

AAquarius Aries Taurus

January 20th - February 18th

s the sun and Venus enter Scorpio, attention will be brought to your career and reputation. It's therefore best if you learn to stop stalking people on Instagram and start moving on to LinkedIn.

Gemini

As the sun moves into Scorpio, Gemini will be ready to party! This is in perfect time for Halloween night, but be warned: horrors may await you if you drink too many trebs...

Pisces, as Venus rams into Sagittarius on the 28th of October, you may be recieving a "no" when you're hoping for a "yes". This could be problematic if you're waiting on a job application but on the bright side...it may be the time to do that STD test you've been putting off.

October for Aries is set to be a time for immense creativity and transformation. It's the perfect time to go on Pinterest and find the Halloween costume that will set you apart from the rest (good luck).

TThis Scorpio season you’re feeling optimistic and inspired! You've taken over decorating the living room for Halloween and are actually attending your lectures (for once). This is a good time for you to take some chances; feel free to ask your crush to take part in a cheesy and cringe couple costume.

This October, the Sun in Libra slams into Pluto in Capricorn, meaning that your past may come back to haunt you. Whether it's running into an old fling on Northumberland street or literal ghouls haunting your creaky, slightly dodgy student house...only time will tell.

It's Scorpio Season! This will most likely be a busy time for you, and you may be feeling overworked and overwhelmed. Remember to take some time to relax; and watching true crime documentaries and horror films at night do not

he Full Moon in Aries on October 17th helps you close out a cycle. As this chapter ends for you, it's time to look for a new bike on Facebook market place (either metaphorically, or literally, if you can handle the chilly morning bike rides to uni).

This October horoscope predicts good well-being for Leos. You're looking after yourself a lot more these days and will actually be going out on some nice autumnal walks. Real walks... not just the hangover "reconnecting with nature" ones you're used to.

Virgo, this Scorpio season challenges you to listen to your intuition more. Last Halloween your costume may have closer resembled a skeleton - because you didn't have the gut to take chances. But times are changing for you.

For Sagittarius, you may experience more tricks than treats this season. As Venus in Sagittarius rams into Saturn, you may be let down by someone or may experience feelings of betrayal. Don't worry, you can always buy yourself some Halloween candy to make up for it.

Due to tthe Full Moon in Aries, Capricorns will most likely be having vivid dreams that try to obscure your clarity and make way for some bad choices (likely to manifest in the form of buying a few too many Halloween drinks). Whether or not you're sober when you have these dreams is another question...

Calling all single Newcastle students!

Tired of dating apps? Looking for something fun to do? Apply for The Courier's Blind Date!

Agony

Aunt returns to

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

Send in your anonymous dilemmas using the QR code.

My journey with herpes: why it’s not as bad as it seems

One of our writers shares the stigmas of living with an STD...

When I first found out I had herpes type 2 (HSV-2) I was shocked and overwhelmed.

I contracted it unexpectedly from a partner who, instead of taking responsibility, implied that I had brought the infection into the relationship. The blame and confusion weighed heavily on me.

At first, I thought herpes was the worst thing that could happen, but now, after educating myself and learning how to manage it, I’ve come to realise it’s not the lifealtering issue I once feared.

Discovering I had HSV-2 was emotionally tough. Like many, I had preconceived notions that herpes was uncommon, serious, and a sign of irresponsibility. I was consumed by the stigma and the fear of how it would affect my future relationships. My partner at the time made the situation worse by blaming me, which added to my anxiety.

But once I did some research, I realised I wasn’t alone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 13% of the global population between ages 15 and 49 have HSV-2. That’s nearly 500 million people globally, making it a far more common condition than most people realise.

"But, once I did some research, I realised I wasn't alone."

After learning more, I began to see that herpes isn’t as dramatic as it’s often made out to be. Yes, it’s a lifelong condition, but it’s manageable. The outbreaks, while sometimes uncomfortable, tend to become less severe and less frequent over time. Antiviral medications help reduce the symptoms and lower the risk of transmission to others.

My September challenge: a review of Women's Aid's ‘Step Forward for Survivor’s’

Rosie McKenna

- Relationships Sub-Editor

Our Relationships SubEditor discusses their experience raising money for Women's Aid...

At the beginning of September, I signed up to the annual Women’s Aid ‘Step Forward for Survivor’s Challenge’. This campaign encourages the public to raise money and awareness whilst walking 60 miles (or more) throughout the month. Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Britain has been declared a national emergency, but female citizens have been aware of this reality for some time. Charities like Women’s Aid are essential in helping women and children escape dangerous, life-threatening situations.

After increasingly worrying events over summer, I thought it would be best to channel my frustration and upset into something positive. After some research, I came across the work Women's Aid engage in, and knew this challenge was something I could invest my time and money in. Overall, I found the challenge to be really rewarding. I planned walks around Crag Lough, explored Hadrian’s Wall and walked regularly along Tynemouth beach. By the end of the month I walked 76 miles, which is something I am proud of. It provided me with motivation to

get out of the house, speak with my peers to raise awareness about the cause and reflect on the realities that one in four women will experience at some point in their life. We must remember that behind these facts and figures there are names and human experiences too. Now the challenge has ended, I cannot wait to continue deditcating my time to causes that help women leave abusive relationships! Across the country there will hundreds of people taking part, which enhanced the community feel of the challenge.

"We must remember that behind these facts and figures there are names and human experiences too."

Women’s Aid makes this an annual challenge, so if you are interested in taking part in 2025, you can fill in their 'Expression of Interest' form at www.womensaid.org.uk/get-involved/ fundraise/stepforwardchallenge/

Herpes is spread through skin-to-skin contact, and while condoms reduce the risk, they don’t eliminate it entirely. I’ve learned that avoiding sexual activity during outbreaks is key to reducing transmission and that with proper management, herpes doesn’t have to affect my quality of life. I was initially terrified of telling a new partner about my diagnosis. However, once I had a conver sation with them, I realised that the right person would understand. I’m now in a different rela tionship, and after explaining my situation, my partner was completely supportive. They understood that herpes is manageable, and it hasn’t been an issue in our relation ship. That experience has been incredibly empowering and has helped me feel more confident in myself and my sexual health.

"One of the biggest challenges with herpes is the stigma, not the virus itself."

One of the biggest challenges with herpes is the stigma, not the virus itself. The me dia often portrays herpes as a shameful or life-ruining condition, but that’s far from the truth. Millions of people live with herpes, and for most, it’s just an occasional inconvenience.

"Having herpes doesn't define who I am, and I've learnt that it's just one part of my life."

At Newcastle University, we’re fortunate to have access to free sexual health services. Regular STI testing, open conversations with partners, and taking steps to manage any condition are all part of being responsible for sexual health.

The more we talk about herpes openly, the less stigma there will be, and the easier it will be for others to manage their diagnosis.

Having herpes doesn’t define who I am, and I’ve learnt that it’s just one part of my life. With knowledge, support, and the right mindset, it’s entirely possible to live a healthy, happy life—and to find partners who will support you along the way.

Left in the dark: turning ghosting into growth

Jess Hughes - Relationships Sub-Editor

Amid a culture of disposability and dating apps, ghosting may have some surprising benefits...

So you’re talking to someone, and it feels like everything is going well. You both share common interests, the conversations flow easily, and there’s an undeniable spark. Perhaps you’ve even been on a few dates and they seemingly went great but suddenly one day they go quiet. You receive no explanation and no closure.  I’m afraid you have been ghosted. With the rise of dating apps comes this culture of disposability. Suddenly there are hundreds of people at your fingertips, all one swipe away. The 2D person on your screen no longer becomes a person, rather they’re a simple swipe to the left or right. This culture of disposability and superficiality that is deeply ingrained with dating apps enables ghosting.

"Healthy

relationships are

built on open communication, trust, and mutual respect. "

As much as it feels like it, ghosting is never about you. It’s not a reflection of you or your value as a person. Rather, it is a reflection of the other person’s inability or perhaps fear of communication. For many, it’s easier to fade away than to be upfront and direct, but this avoidance is a sign of emotional immaturity. Which is why

ghosting is in fact a blessing in disguise, it may have saved you more heartbreak further down the line.

"That person's silence speaks volumes about their character and values."

Healthy relationships are built on open communication, trust, and mutual respect. If someone is unable to offer you that from the start, it’s a clear sign that they may not be capable of contributing to a meaningful and lasting connection. That person's silence speaks volumes about their character and values. Their silence is all the closure you need.

If you have been ghosted, realise you’re too nice to be left in the dark and you deserve better. Trust that there are people out there who are willing to communicate openly, show up consistently, and value you for who you truly are.

Image Source: Pixabay, Alex Secret

Image Source: Pixabay, Wixin_56K

Image Source: Pixabay, Made by Tin

Image credit: Unsplash, Quino Al

Image Source: Fred Murphy, Google

This writer wishes to remain anonymous

Fauxductivity: the law of laziness unravelled

Joseph Daniell

Laziness is a full-time job...

As an idiot who worked in a London Nightclub for a year, I know firsthand that ‘fauxductivity’ is one of many young workers' fortes. Aside from being a slightly corny Gen-Z term, ‘fauxductivity’ essentially means choosing tasks that may look important but actually require minimal physical or mental effort instead of more demanding and important work.

Examples of this might be polishing a wine glass instead of changing a beer keg, typing random letters on the keyboard at work, or perhaps even writing an article for the university newspaper instead of doing your seminar reading due yesterday.

The real question is how to pull this off in the working and student world with supreme elegance. To achieve this, you will in fact have to do the opposite of what you think. Start with asking esteemed coworkers, bosses, and assignment partners if they require help with tasks that clearly and evidently do not require a helping hand. Simply a "can I help with anything?" when the person you are fooling is doing completely nothing will do the trick. Thus, making them think you’re an ‘on the ball’

worker, while simultaneously and beneficially for you, making them think you might be a little bit stupid. You see, their misconception of your mental acuity will only benefit your capacity to be a professional piece of garbage.

“The question of how to be effectively lazy is simple”

The second part to mastering the doctrine of ‘fauxductivity’, is the practicality of it. The question of how to be effectively lazy is simple but can be difficult in practice in the working world. The key lies in switching between your pointless tasks. Some of these tasks include: engagement in unessential activities, filling your schedule with meetings to seem busy and the fan favourite, checking emails. The following recommendations all require minimal effort allowing you to do what really matters, such as regretting your embarrassing behaviour last night, listening to a podcast of two idiots conversing absolute nonsense or perhaps imagining a life with that special someone who probably has no idea who you are. Ladies and gentlemen, that is what’s really important, right? Overall, ‘fauxductivity’ - or whatever you want to call it - is an essential attribute of the working person. If you’re going to be lazy, do it right.

The dark truth behind the new Duolingo icon

them into a potential customer again. All this to grab people’s attention and increase app engagement.

Hobby Hub: Ultimate Frisbee

Benjamin Sayer

Why not launch yourself into a new hobby this year?

When I first arrived in Newcastle and saw that the student union were holding a ‘freshers fair’ where I could explore different societies, my plan was to go and look for the swim team. I had hobbies back home, and I intended on continuing the same interests. However, when I started to explore the other societies, my plans changed. Of the many different clubs and societies I saw, the one that caught my eye was the ultimate frisbee club, Newcastle Pies. After one taster session I knew that I would spend my time at university playing frisbee. Ultimate isn’t the most glamorous sport, and can draw a laugh when I mention it's I’m waking up at 6am to train for, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Having this hobby has brought me some of my favourite memories during my time at university, and I would encourage everyone to give it a try. Having something to commit to

outside of my degree has helped to overcome my worries that my studies would take over my life. It has also allowed me to meet some of the nicest people I know and will never forget.

"It

has brought me some of my favourite memories at uni"

I’m writing this article whilst wearing a Pies t-shirt, specifically the tour tee; it was made for the team to wear when we went on holiday to Portugal to spend 4 days playing beach frisbee under the sun. This trip brought me closer to everyone in the club, whilst also allowing me to meet people from other universities who share my passion for frisbee. This tour has since become constitutional; the club now plans to go every year, and I am counting down the days. This new hobby of mine is one I hadn’t even considered before I walked into the freshers fair, and it ended up taking me to a new country.

I would (and do) encourage everyone to pick up frisbee as a hobby, and join our community. I didn’t travel to Newcastle with any intent of spending my evenings and early mornings playing frisbee, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Duolingo is speaking the language of ugly advertising...

Anyone going to do their daily Duolingo lessons recently might have got a shock. Duo, the normally sweet, chirpylooking owl on the app’s icon looks horrifyingly sick. Its face is warped and grotesque, its features contorted. With red eyes and dropping with sweat and snot, it seems to be in pain.

According to the company behind the popular language-learning app, this is simply a way of encouraging people to keep up their lessons, because it is possible for users with a streak to choose another icon. The idea is that users will start a streak to get rid of the ugly icon. But if shocking people into learning a new language is seemingly benign, this tactic is more nefarious than it might seem. It's all a marketing technique; when Duo gets ill, people will talk about it. When the icon first changed in August, there were many surprised and concerned posts about it on X – which gives Duolingo airtime. Even by writing about it right now I am helping them out. But it also entices people who may not have used it in a while to open the app, out of horror or curiosity, turning

“it is another example of the way big companies are subtly influencing our everyday decisions"

It’s not the first time Duolingo has tried this; in October 2023 it was melting, whilst in April this year his face was dry and shrivelled. In fact, the company has put effort and money into a successful ad campaign revolving entirely around the green owl; the internet is filled with jokes and memes, some from the company but many from the public, about the comically threatening and absurd bird. It has formed a whole personality based on guilt-tripping its users. This is problematic because it is another example of the way big companies are subtly influencing our everyday decisions and behaviours, on how we spend our time and eventually our money. It keeps us on our phones when we otherwise wouldn’t be. Granted, there are worse apps and companies to do this before Duolingo, which seems reasonably practical and ethical. But if Duo can do it, others can, for example Facebook’s icon also went from blue to black around a month ago. Apps are increasingly using sneaky tricks to keep us coming back – now try saying that in Spanish.

'Big Back': the Decline of Body Positivity on

Social Media

*Content warning; this article includes discussions of eating disorders and mental health*

Ruby Tiplady - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

The encouraging outlook of the body positivity and neutrality movements have fallen out of favour online...

There was a fleeting moment where, online, there was the progressive movement of body positivity. We have seen discourses surrounding body neutrality, and finally, being thin was not seen as the be all and end all. Nutritionists championed balanced diets and intuitive eating rather than restriction and calorie counting, the runway got more diverse, and influencers came in all sizes. This, though, was the eye of the storm. It seems to have passed.

Now, whenever you open TikTok, you’re met with videos of thin girls calling each other "fatty" after a trip to the drive-thru, comments saying that people "looked at themselves and sighed", or eating a full packet of something being dubbed ‘big back behaviour’.

“Fat shaming and perpetuating the idea that eating is gluttonous quickly snowballs into the culture of the 90s or 2014 Tumblr”

But these jokes, especially in such concentration, have tangible consequences - fat shaming and perpetuating the idea that eating is gluttonous quickly snowballs into the culture of the 90s, or 2014 Tumblr. There are videos that explicitly validate this; people complaining that they’re ‘skinny fat' or trying to bring back Kate Moss’ infamous quote. I’ve seen one truly despicable video, which stated that if "you can be anything in life, don’t be fat".

Hospitalisation of people suffering eating

disorders has increased immensely and this represents a troubling trend - that illnesses with extremely high mortality rates are becoming more common, and social media arguably exacerbates this.

It seems that when low rise came back, it dragged ‘heroin chic’ with it. Language that, a few short years ago, would have been shocking to use has become commonplace, with strangers openly judging people’s appearances and weight in Instagram comments sections. The rise of misogyny online is non-negligible here - while men can suffer with their self esteem, too, there is a clear connection between the rise in sexualising and misogynistic comments, and women’s declining self-esteem. But all hope is not lost. The ‘waist’ trend is almost a satirical response to the moment of body negativity, taking the obsession with thinness to an extreme and making it ridiculously hyperbolic. There are also some critical thinkpieces responding to negative videos and trends, and the comments on these are generally positive. The only issue with these subversive reactions is making them visible to people who are struggling to break out of the cycle.

Emma Hunter

- Lifestyle Sub-Editor

Image Source: Jennifer Burk,Unsplash

Image Source: Ajay Suresh, Flickr

Image Source: Freerange Stock

Image Source: Vitaly Gariev, Unsplash

Image Source: OpenMoji

Offensive or sensitive: is Halloween really an excuse for controversial costumes?

Ruby Tiplady - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

As Halloween gets closer, the search for a costume beginsbut some things just shouldn’t be a source of inspiration...

Celebrity teams seem to have a handle on it now, but Halloween has always been known as one of the worst times to be a PR manager - even as recently as the 2010s.

The most famous example of an unacceptable costume is likely to be Prince Harry’s Nazi costume, which sparked public outrage and was thought to make light of a tragedy. Chris Brown’s ‘Taliban’ costume for Halloween 2012 was similarly met with rightful criticism. On the other hand, some pop-up Halloween shops might have some costumes in stock that might make you do a double take - like the ‘Anna-Rexia’ costume that went viral and sold out, trivialising eating disorders. Costumes like these are offensive and rightly cause backlash, but today, they are seen less oftenhowever, that’s not to say that controversial costumes have disappeared entirely.

While the concept of cultural appropriation has come into focus over the past few years, it’s still pretty

common to go out around Halloween and see costumes that belittle others’ cultures. Whether intentionally or not, costumes that imitate traditional dress or practices, especially without an understanding of those traditions, are insensitive. There is another question here: does this really stem from a lack of understanding, or is Halloween seen as a 'get out of jail free' card?

“It's

not always malicious - but it is hurtful.”

Halloween really is a silly holiday - especially for adults. Not in a bad way! It’s so much fun to dress up and be someone else for a night. But this exact logic is likely what leads people to dress up inappropriately. "It’s just a bit of fun!" shouts the girl who’s ordered a polyester lei online and has apparently dressed up as a "sexy hula dancer" - but she doesn’t know that hula was suppressed by law, or the environmental issues Hawaiians face today. The issue lies in a lack of research and a dismissal that these clothes or customs make up others’ way of life. And it’s not always malicious - but it is hurtful. So, please, research your costume choices, and if in doubt, choose something else. Dress up with consideration, and have fun!

Fangs and fashion: the lasting style legacy of The

Vampire Diaries and Twilight

Mia Wijayatilleke

Are these iconic vampire favourites still influencing fashion today?

If you’ve adopted Converse, bootcut jeans or Henley tops into your wardrobe in recent years, you can most likely thank vampire it-girls Bella Swan and Elena Gilbert. The resurgence of Y2K fashion into trend cycles has brought with it the romanticisation of everyday outfits from the worlds of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries (TVD).

“Their looks have become autumn staples”

Both protagonists fashion sleek silhouettes, lots of layering, and cool or earthy tones, and their looks have become autumn staples for many vampire fans. Layer a long-sleeved top over a lace-trim camisole and pair it with slim-fitting jeans, canvas shoes and a bag (crossbody for Elena, Jansport backpack for Bella), and you’ve got yourself a totally Twilight core outfit. It’s

Fashion & Beauty 17

Paris Fashion Week highlights

Hannah Sexton

From Greek sandals to runaway brides, here are this season's best looks...

Another six months have passed, and the latest instalment of the glittering fabrics, beautiful sets and high-profile models of Paris Fashion Week has drawn to a close again – and here’s your recap of its ‘haute’ highlights.

This was the Spring/Summer 2025 lookbook from the biggest names in fashion, and the brands that showcased their work had a lot to offer. Early in the week, Christian Dior’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, drew our attention back to the summer of sport at the Paris Olympics, with several looks paying homage to the history of the Games – think Greek sandals, elevated athleisure, and the show closing with famous archer, Sagg Napoli, marching down the runway with bow and arrow in tow.

Moving on, halfway through the week, social media became obsessed with the quirky sight of Gigi Hadid walking the Vetements runway in a dress made of DHL packing tape. I don’t know about you, but after I receive my parcels, I do not rush to clad myself in the sticky mess of tape bundled around them.

a look so iconic that you could throw on this fairly mundane outfit, add a little fake blood, and instantly have a recognisable Halloween costume.

These outfits may sound pretty average to a non-Twilight/TVD fan; in fact, both wardrobes are typical of casual 2000s attire. But are we obsessing over the equivalent of Primark joggers and a Shein vest? Bella and Elena’s aesthetics have thrived throughout trends due to their effective simplicity. Most of their pieces are timeless; whilst skinny jeans have been on a rollercoaster from ‘it’ to ‘ick’, bootcut silhouettes and simple shirts have withstood changing trends. Slim-fit, longline tops seemed to vanish during the crop top epidemic of the 2010s (why was it so difficult to find anything cute and full-length?), but appear to be making a long-awaited comeback. The yearly surge of autumn content on TikTok brings an influx of Twilight nostalgia and TVD edits, which

However, DHL and Vetements have a longstanding partnership, with other looks in their shows across the years incorporating the DHL logo and its iconic red and yellow tape –said by DHL’s head of marketing, Arjan Sissing, to be a nod to the reliability of DHL in (literally) delivering fashion to the global consumer. So, it might be time to start saving your parcel wrapping in the future (or maybe you’ll just use it as your next ‘Anything But Clothes’ university social costume). Finally, I couldn’t mention the highlights of the week without revisiting the dramatic moment when supermodel Anok Yai picked up the full skirt of her wedding dress look and dashed, rather gracefully, back down the runway to close the same Vetements show. Owing the moment to a wardrobe malfunction in which her heels were not high enough to stop her from tripping on the gown, Yai took the initiative to become ‘the runaway bride’, arguably doing the dress far more justice as we saw it billow out behind her – and perhaps cementing her as the daring, creative and stunning frontrunner for Model of the Year.

“Anok Yai picked up the full skirt of her wedding dress look and dashed”

Predictions for 2024 autumn style trends

Jess Hughes - Relationships Sub-Editor

As the season changes, naturally so does our styleone of our writers discusses their style trend predictions...

As the leaves turn orange and the phrase ‘pumpkin spiced latte’ becomes part of everyday lingo, it is clear the season is changing and naturally so is fashion. Cosy layers, rich textures, and deeper hues take centre stage as we replace our lighter summer wardrobes with something a bit warmer and more seasonal.

To accommodate the cold chill that often comes with autumn, warm and cosy knits make a return. Oversized and colourful are the epitome of autumnal knits, blending practicality with style. Perhaps try pairing your favourite jumper with a skirt and fun patterned tights, creating a look that is both cute and warm. If you want to take your knitwear to the next level, crocheting your

“There seems to be a universal consensus that the colour of the season is a deep wine burgundy”

knit is the epitome of style.

Homemade knitwear combines creativity with sustainability, embracing the shift towards sustainability and slow fashion in the fashion world. Wandering what colour your next knit should be? There seems to be a universal consensus that the colour of the season is a deep wine burgundy, a colour that perfectly complements the golden tones of autumn. This colour helps bridge the transition from summer to autumn, it incorporates the playful

energy of summer with the more cosy and refined nature of autumn making it a wardrobe staple. Whether it's a burgundy jumper, bag, or a pair of statement boots, a pop of this colour is the perfect addition to your autumnal outfit.

If the change in seasons has inspired an urge for a more serious transformation, a short bob and fringe is the haircut everyone is sporting. It’s timeless, paying homage to the chic bob of the 1920s while still feeling fresh and modern. The combination of a bob and fringe is the perfect pair, both balance each other out making this the haircut of the season.

As the seasons change so does the endless trend cycle, and amidst all of this change it's important to note that nothing will ever look as good as embracing your own personal style. You when you're how you want according to

Image Source: Pixabay @ Saydung89

Image Source: Pixabay @ ZAIDoopro

Image Source: Pixabay @ Clker-Free-Vector-Images

Image Source: YouTube @ VETEMENTS OFFICIAL

Sub-Editors: Barbora Pacherova and Esther Arnold

Phoebe's quintessential guide to tea-drinking

Pheobe Clark - Arts Sub-Editor

Let's get to grips with the world of tea drinking as the cold days draw in...

The benefits of tea have been part of many cultures for millennia, and history has been backed up by 21st century scientific studies. These cheap and natural remedies can help with so many things; such as getting over a cold, reducing anxiety, and aiding digestion. When it comes to tea, you can spend as much or as little as you’d like from loose-leaf tea to simply growing a mint plant in a pot and using the leaves, creating an individual tea ritual. As each tea has different benefits, it can be hard to know where to start because there are so many on the market with fancy packaging and appealing names such as ‘glow’ or ‘detox’.

As an avid tea drinker, I’m going to give you the rundown on all the teas you need to know and where to go for the best tea in the city.

Boost your immune system: Green tea, ginger, turmeric, peppermint and chamomile, echinacea, and dandelion tea (drink these when Freshers' Flu hits you hard, as well as the correct medicines).

To de-stress and help sleep: Chamomile, peppermint, lavender, and passionflower (bulk buy in time for exam season, or just when life feels a bit much).

Aids digestion: Peppermint, ginger, fennel (great for when you’ve just eaten your whole week's meal prep because it just looked so good). Reduce blood pressure and Hibiscus, green tea, rooibos (a mini detox for the morning after those cheesy chips from Munchies).

Most supermarkets have a wide selection of herbal teas to choose from but for the more niche teas like elderberry (lowers blood pressure) or rose hip (great for period pains), Holland and Barrett, Grapetree or Whittards have a fantastic selection. Alternatively, if you want to treat yourself out and about, Claremont Teahouse right by campus is a great place to start. LemonGrass in West Jesmond has an incredible selection of loose-leaf teas (and the best cake) as well as the Estate Tea Co. in Heaton.

Pumpkin spice: is it really an overrated treat?

A discussion on this season's most popular flavour...

Now into the second ‘-ber’ month of the year, autumn is in full swing. The leaves are turning, the air is chillier, and the nights are drawing in, which means only one thing; pumpkin spice is IN! But is it worth the hype?

Short answer, yes, I think it deserves to be hyped, but it is overhyped to the point some people physically won’t drink anything else when the leaves turn brown (don’t come for me, PSL lovers!). There’s lots of underrated autumnal drinks and flavours which match the vibe and make those cold days just that extra bit warmer.

“ The nights are drawing in, which means only one thing; pumpkin spice is IN!"

Pumpkin spice flavour is everywhere, be it in latte form, in cookies, cakes and now even in matcha. Ingrained into our culture as ‘the’ autumn flavour, consumers are kept in a chokehold at this time every year, particularly the coffee lovers. Starbucks’ famed Pumpkin Spice Latte often sells out in stores each autumn season and is so popular that the coffee chain launched the beverage early this year – in August.

Originally from the American pumpkin

How to amp up your student dinner faves

Dhwani Masand

Time to leave the pesto pasta alone...

It's been a long day of classes, and you’re hungry, tired and exhausted. The idea of making dinner may seem too cumbersome, and trust me, I get it. I am a professional chef (literally) and I still cannot bring myself to make a meal on most days. As tempting as it is to make a batch of instant ramen or order in, my tummy and bank account will disagree. Making sure we eat well is a part of adulting, and it has too many benefits to count. You feel better, sleep better, and most of all, you’re able to tackle all your activities with actual energy rather than just adrenaline and caffeine, as the best of us are guilty of doing.

“Make sure you always add some source of protein to your meals to help you feel fuller”

So, as a fellow student, I've listed a few tried and tested ideas you can use to amp up your dinner faves, to make them healthier and more filling Hide veggies in your pasta sauces: If you have time over the weekend to meal

prep, I’d recommend adding veggies to your pasta sauces and storing them for some healthy, instant dinner fixes. An example can be blending roasted peppers into your marinara sauce, or adding blended spinach to your pesto. This additional veggie boost can make your sauces more nutritious, and save you the trouble of chopping vegetables every time you cook.

Include as much protein as you can: Whether it’s whipping up a simple beef mince, making some quick roast chicken in the oven, or simply adding eggs on top of your ramen or in your sandwich, make sure you always add some source of protein to your meals to help you feel fuller and more energetic the next day. Include fruit and dairy in every meal: Try to add cheese, cottage cheese or milk to your meals, or try having a glass of milk with your lunch or dinner. Furthermore, try to have some fruit as dessert after your meal, to make sure you get your vitamin and mineral intake for the day.

pie, pumpkin spice features a blend of different spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, paired with pumpkin undertones. It is easy to see why these warming flavours are so popular; evoking the seasonal imagery of cosy sweaters, chunky scarves and brazen bonfires, pumpkin spice becomes another combatant against the cold and dreary months that bring the year to a close.

Deservingly settled in popular culture, pumpkin spice isn’t the only drink out there to bring

of crumble and toffee-coated bonfire treats, are also on the rise, for example Black Sheep Coffee’s popular apple crumble matcha from this year’s autumn

Whether pumpkin spice is your holy grail, you aren’t a fan, or just want to try something new, there are plenty of other autumnal flavours in food and drink out there to help you get in the seasonal spirit and brush off those post-summer blues.

Battling Fresher's Flu

A rundown of how to survive stuffy nose season this autumn...

Freshers’ Flu is pretty awful, especially in first year when you’re trying to make new friends, get the hang of being a university student and deal with bouts of homesickness. It’s just a bit humbling when you get it as a second or third year.

in these kinds of situations. And trust me, your flatmates will not be judging, especially since they’ll probably be suffering alongside you. When it comes to drinks that chase off the dreaded Fresher's Flu, tea is always a good shout But Berocca or Lemsip (with a little honey so it’s palatable) are also pretty good choices. Also - at the risk of sounding like my mother - drink water

Seriously flush that cold out of you!

Everyone deals with colds in different ways, so here are a few things you might want to use to make it through.

I’ll kick start this with a classic: eat some soup. Honestly nothing is more healing. I’m partial to Heinz tomato soup myself. Pick your favourite tinned soup (or if you’re feeling fancy, you could make some from scratch) get a loaf of bread, butter up a few slices and once you’ve polished it off, I promise you’ll feel at least a little better.

“Flush that cold out of you!”

If soup isn’t your thing, then let yourself be a little lazy and some student classics a pizza, some fajitas. I find copious amounts of carbs make me feel better

Apart from food, I’ve got to recommend buying one of those massive tubs of multivitamins from Boots - they’ll get you through Freshers' Flu. If you’re struggling to get in your five a day, take one of these and your body will hate you a little less. Get yourself a box of tissues, some Strepsils and some cold and flu tablets and you’ll be right as rain before you know

Evie Bateson

Image Source: pixabay @DesignByDessie

Image Source:

Adelaide Dodson - Opinion Sub-Editor

Image Source: pixabay @Papus

"Tourists Go Home!" How mass tourism affected Europe's cities this summer

Emily Naismith

Water gun protests and 'turismofobia'; are tourists welcome in Barcelona?

Everyone loves a holiday, and whether you choose to relax on a beach, get away to a city or explore nature, you know you’re going to leave feeling refreshed.

But if you were a tourist in Barcelona this year, you might have left a little more refreshed than you bargained for, with several tourists being made victim to ‘water gun’ protests. Barcelona is far from the only European city showing their dislike to visitors, but Spain has been at the forefront of antitourist movements over the summer. The main concerns, as highlighted by The Guardian, are around the quantity of visitors, antisocial behaviour, and rising housing prices caused by short-term rentals. Protest techniques have included demonstrations, stickers, switching signs and graffiti, with slogans including “Pickpockets

welcome” and “We spit in your beer. Cheers!”

Many travellers have pushed back against the protest movements, with some claiming their contribution to Spain’s economy should be more valued. But some cities have reached their threshold, with one resident saying that her city Palma, Majorca, has been “invaded”.

Pere Joan Femenia, a member of the “Menys Turisme, Més Vida” (“Less Tourism, More Life”) movement, claimed it is a myth that tourism is needed and fears tourists are outcompeting locals for housing and increasing pressure on public services.

Cultural erosion is also a key cause of 'turismofobia', a Spanish term given to growing fear and resentment towards tourists. Cities previously "Locals feel online worlds are being priorotised over their real one..."

steeped in culture are now required to give tourists the experience they expect, whether this is accurate or not. Tourist shops are one clear example of this, with massproduced synthetic flamenco dresses now lining the streets of many cities.

Many global corporations are also keen to cash in on tourist hotspots regardless of their cultural significance, with American chain Taco Bell now being placed next to the Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona. A particularly interesting cause of resentment, coined by spokesperson for UNESCO Peter DeBrine, is “selfiemotivated tourism”, in which large groups of tourists appear to visit locations solely for a photo.

Locals feel online worlds are being prioritised over their real one, with one TikTok trend of a Metro-station escalator which emerged onto the Basílica de la Sagrada Família leading to posters and security guards being necessary. Maybe water guns aren’t the answer, but it is clear that something needs to change. As DeBrine went on to say, “better places to live are better places to visit.”

Get-Howay! Best day Trips in Northumberland from Newcastle

Ruby Tiplady

- Lifestyle Sub-Editor

Experience the beauty of the North-East, regardless of if you drive...

Being in a city with great public transport links isn’t just convenient, it’s an amazing way to see more of the country and region without a car. There’s more to the North East than

wander around the backstreets and markets.

Alnwick: Take either the National Express 591 (towards Glasgow) from their bus station (taking around 1h) or the X15 MAX from Haymarket (2h) to the Alnwick Retail Park. Alnwick Gardens are beautiful year-round, and have themed events for Halloween and Christmas. There is also a stunning castle open for the rest of October.

Craster: Take the X15 MAX from Haymarket to Playhouse, and change onto the X18 to Heugh (approx. 2h). Or, visit after a day in Alnwick, which takes just half an hour by bus. Craster is a small fishing village famous for kippers, with amazing sea views and great pubs, like the Jolly Fisherman. To see more of the views, follow one of the walking

unmissable. With excellent restaurants and cafes, and the Grace Darling museum, this village steeped in history is a perfect day trip.

By car

You can, of course, get further faster by carif you’re able to drive, these places don’t have great transport links with Newcastle but are well worth a visit if you’re able to get there.

Beadnell: Beadnell Bay is a horseshoeshaped beach perfect for watersports as the waters are protected. It might be one to bear in mind for summer, but it can be enjoyed year-round as a beautiful backdrop for coldwater swimming, kite surfing, and more. It is truly beautiful, and only an hour’s drive!

Accessibility on airlines; is it improving?

Lauren Wilkinson

Accessible travel is improving, but it still has a long way to go...

Real-time assistance apps. But, service can still be hit-or-miss for a lot of travellers.

In 2006, the EU Regulation mandated that passengers with reduced mobility receive assistance. Since then, airlines have taken on more nuanced and flexible approaches for a variety of accessibility needs. Passengers have used booking assistance to inform airlines about their specific needs; airports should be equipped with accessible toilets, ramps, and designated seating areas. Equally, planes should have accessible lavatories and the availability of specific seating arrangements. However, 'should' is the operative word, as we all know promised facilities are often broken or non-existent. Mobile apps have been created to help passengers with disabilities navigate airports and receive real-time assistance, but this doesn’t always work as intended.

In 2024, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) updated guidelines to enforce stricter accessibility standards for passengers with disabilities, prompting many airlines to revamp their booking systems for easier specification of accessibility needs. This includes clearer options for requesting assistance and improved communication about available services, alongside enhanced staff training focusing on disability awareness and sensitivity. UK airports are also modernising, with investments in accessible restrooms, designated waiting areas, and sensory rooms for passengers with autism or anxiety. Major airports, such as Heathrow and Gatwick, have expanded facilities and personalised assistance services, aiming to provide a smoother, more inclusive travel experience. Additionally, airlines like EasyJet have introduced app features to pre-book assistance and track requests in real-time, while Ryanair now allows priority boarding for passengers requiring help.

“Usually when I travel, I always make sure to note on the airline’s booking system that I’m deaf and wear cochlear implants. But, to be honest, they almost never assist me in any way. The only exception was once when I flew Virgin to New York. The flight attendants actually came around, asked if I was okay, and made sure I understood the health and safety briefing, which was a refreshing change. That’s been the only time an airline has truly followed through on offering assistance.” - Ellie, Newcastle University student

Despite the strides being made in airline and airport accessibility, Ellie’s experience reflects the ongoing inconsistency that many passengers with accessibility needs still face. While improvements like real-time assistance apps, specialised staff training, and enhanced facilities are promising steps forward, the reality is that service can vary greatly between airlines and flights. It’s clear that while progress is being made, there’s still work to be done to ensure that all travellers, regardless needs, receive the consistent and reliable support they deserve across the entire journey.

Image Source: Pixabay

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Image Source: CBS News, YouTube

Edited by: Libby Griffiths and Adam Lovegrove

Hi I'm Erin and I am the current Newcastle Student Radio Station Manager. It's been so exciting getting everything set up to start another year of amazing shows. Everyone has already shown amazing ideas and it's so incredible all the enthusiasm we've seen so far.

If you want to get involved, show applications have closed for now. However follow the instagram to recieve live updates and at the end of the term show applications will reopen! You can also get involved with socials and workshops even if you don't have your own show!

We have so many exciting ideas for the year. Including our upcoming cohost and producer/presenter social where you can find like minded people to collaborate with (Date to be confirmed). We also hope to host many workshops to help everyone develop their skills as presenters and producers over the year which everyone is welcome to join.

Lights, Camera, Action! :

Hi everyone, Alicia (station manager for NUTV) here. I hope you’ve all had a safe return back to campus. NUTV have been doing a lot of planning on what we want to achieve this year, so it’s a lot of behind the scenes work currently. The main goal is to make sure we can have the best possible year, by making sure we have a

discuss how to make your goals work! If you want to get involved this year, send us a message on instagram @ newcastleunitv and we’ll explain everything we have - it’s where you’ll hear about any event you can find us at too :)

ImageSource: Pixabay, @Beebop

Sub-Editors: Alex Paine and Charlotte Thompson

Review: Joker: Folie à Deux

Meridith Thomas

Todd Phillips may have made a mistake making Joker: Folie a Deux a musical...

Just like the original film, the overall cinematic aesthetics of Joker: Folie a Deux were extremely impressive and thrilling to watch- especially for an audience who admired Joker (2019) so much. Its cinematography captures the unsettling environment in the film creating a chilling atmosphere for the audience as they follow Arthur Fleck through his time at Arkham Asylum.

“The inclusion of so many musical numbers feels unnecessary"

Composer Hildur Guðnadóttir returns to create yet again a spectacular score, potentially worthy of a second Academy Award as it beautifully correlates with the emotions and performance of lead actor Joaquin Phoenix. The deep, moody ambience of violins amplifies the eerie tone produced by Phoenix’s acting which alone increases the overall enjoyment when watching. While jolting back and forth between Arthur Fleck’s split personality of the Joker, the narrative is simplistic and easy to follow allowing the viewer to focus on the acting. However, many people who have had the opportunity to see the film may suggest that this

could’ve been done just as successfully without the inclusion of musical numbers. The first instance of this happens instantly during the opening scene with a subtle use of whistling, indicating that this theme will be continuous throughout the film- but was that such a good idea?

“Apologies, Joker: Folie a Deux but Grease was a much better musical"

The inclusion of so many musical numbers feels unnecessary and time-consuming. It is already known that Joaquin Phoenix can pull off a snazzy dance routine exemplified in Joker’ (2019) during the infamous staircase scene and many others in that film. So why the need to transform him into the next Frank Sinatra? Although he did pull off a magnificent rendition of ‘When You're Smiling’, the question is does it add anything to the film? Well, on one hand, yes it does. It allows the spectator to see the difference between Arthur and Joker and the impacts of his mental illness, which Phillips does well. The songs are nostalgic and relevant to the time in which the film is set, allowing breathers between the different emotions required by the audience.

So why is it that the idea of this film being a musical is so off-putting? Time Magazine’s Stephanie Zacharek described that it

Image: Source (username of site) in size 8pt, 8pt spacing, white text with a 1pt

In loving memory of Dame Maggie Smith

Katy Woods

One of our writers pays tribute to the career of much loved actress, Maggie Smith...

With a career spanning seven decades, Maggie Smith first stepped onto the stage and into our hearts in 1956, making her Broadway debut in the musical New Faces

She branched into film acting not long after in the late 1950s, her breakthrough role being in Othello in 1965. Just four years later she had won her first Academy Award for her role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and continued to entertain for nearly sixty more years until her final appearance in The Miracle Club in 2023.

Not many actors can say that their career has impacted upon multiple generations. Her role in productions such as Death on the Nile or Downton Abbey may interest a grandmother while her roles in the Nanny McPhee or Gnomeo and Juliet may interest their grandchild. Even classics such as Hook, Sister Act or Harry Potter, which have the power to connect families across the ages, feature in her repertoire, cementing her as an icon for many generations.

“Possibly as real a star as one could be and an icon for many”

It is no surprise that an actress of Smith’s calibre always knew that she wanted to be an actress. She summarised her life in four steps: “One went to school, one wanted to act, one started to act and one’s still acting”. She set out to achieve her goals by enrolling in the Oxford

feels like 'a movie for no one' which is very much an accurate representation of how most of the internet is currently feeling. The inclusion of so many musical numbers feels unnecessary and time-consuming during scenes that were nearly not long and fulfilling enough, disrupting the narrative multiple times. It makes it difficult to watch and you may find yourself wanting to check the time on your phone or wondering what else you could be doing - or even desperately trying to seek salvation in the cinema’s bathroom. As key as she was to the plot, you may find yourself staring at the screen trying to forget that Lady Gaga is in fact Lady Gaga with the lack of any interesting attributes in her role as Harley Quinn. Credit can be given to her acting skills in both this role and others she has done previously, but Phillips truly showed a lack of creativity towards this portrayal of Harley. Please do not get your hopes up to see her classic two-toned hair because you will be severely disappointed.

The running time claims to be 138 minutes and I can confidently say that about 120 of those minutes felt like I was trying to enjoy Joaquin Phoenix singing instead of actually acting as the Joker. As impressive as the majority of the film was, it felt unfulfilling, which was disappointing as a lover of the original film. It begs the question as to whether it was even necessary to make, or if Phillips should’ve just enjoyed the awards from the first film and called it a day. Apologies ‘Joker: Folie a Deux’ but Grease was a much better musical, please do NOT try again next time.

Playhouse School in 1951, being taught by Frank Shelley. She had moved to Oxford as a young child at the start of the Second World War due to her father’s, a public health pathologist, employment at Oxford University. Though she did not attend university herself, the university did still benefit her due to her involvement in its dramatic society.

A flurry of tributes highlighting her oftendescribed humour and acting ability have been made since her death by many of her ex-co-stars and fans. The King himself described her as a “national treasure” while her Harry Potter costars honoured her for being “real, honest funny” (Emma Watson) and for being “as everyone will tell you, extremely funny.” (Daniel Radcliffe). Those close to her in her personal life also agreed with these descriptions; in a 2011 tribute written by her now late friend Illtyd Harrington draws upon this wit, recalling a gathering at Smith’s house with her guests shouting “More soup! More wine Mag!” to which she replied, “I’m a bloody star you lot.”

Possibly as real a star as one could be, and an icon for many, Maggie Smith died on the 27th of September in London with her family by her side, leaving behind an incredible legacy and over sixty films for us to remember her by.

What are we watching?

This week's film suggestions from our sub-editors...

Alex:

The Substance (2024)

If you've only got the time and money to see one film this week, make it Coralie Fargeat's 'The Substance'. A superb and insane mix of satire and body horror, this will leave you absolutely gobsmacked by the end and features two fantastic performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. It's weird and long, but you won't forget it, that's for sure!

Charlotte:

The Outrun (2024)

Based on Amy Liptrot’s memoir, ‘The Outrun’ is strikingly real and full of hope. With powerful scenes of crashing waves, high-speed winds and the gigantic cliff faces of Scotland’s Orkney Islands, director Nora Fingschedit tells a moving story about battling addiction and the possibility of change. If you want to shed a few tears this week, go see this beautiful film!

Fans upset with 'Wuthering Heights ' film cast choices

Hollywood stars Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie cast as Cathy and Heathcliff...

Emerald Fennell’s directing career has been founded on obscure, strange and slightly questionable choicesbut ultimately her strangeness has become an endearing quality for her films. Her Wuthering Heights adaptation might take the biscuit for the most questionable choice, knocking naked Barry Keoghan right off his perch.

“The film has a reputation to uphold, controversial casting to overcome and a vast array of competition”

To begin, 34-year-old Margot Robbie plays 18-year-old Catherine Earnshaw - bringing to the table the question of playing age. Can beautiful, recognisable Robbie embody a sickly Yorkshire teenager? Despite her unbelievable talent, the question of realism hangs in the air. Jacob Elordi, 27, plays 37-year-old Heathcliff. Whilst more realistic than Robbie's discrepancies, fans question the casting of "iPhone face" Elordi. They argue that Elordi's face looks too much like he has seen a phone before, making him unfit to play reclusive 1800s antagonist Heathcliff. How to cast a period film in an age when most Westerners have known nothing but the digital age - that is the question. Is it possible to find an actor who looks like they

have never seen an iPhone without conducting an isolating social experiment?

“The public have criticised the casting choice for its ignrorance to Heathcliff's racial identity"

Do we trust a costume and makeup department to transform Elordi into an unrecognisable character, like we do most production teams? Or is the iPhone face unbeatable? Our faith must lie in Fennell’s directing choices until the film is released. More pressing than Elordi's facial structure, the public have criticised the casting choice for its ignorance to Heathcliff's racial identity. The topic of the antagonist’s ethnicity has always been controversial, with readers arguing both that he was depicted as a person of colour and that his ethnicity was irrelevant to his character. To quote chapter one of the novel, Heathcliff is described as, ‘a dark-skinned gypsy in aspect.’ Is it in bad faith to remove this aspect from his character, and to destroy any analysis of the novel from an intersectional (racial and class) perspective? Fennell could surprise audiences with a groundbreaking new perspective on the classic story, and her casting choices may later be understood by the audience. Her selection of Elordi and Robbie could rely on their current popularity following Saltburn and Barbie, but maybe these two actors will portray an incredibly devastating take on Catherine and Heathcliff’s love story. The film has a reputation to uphold, controversial casting to overcome and a vast array of competition - will audiences move past Elordi’s "iPhone face" long enough to discover how enjoyable this film actually is? Wuthering Heights by Emerald Fennell is due for a 2025 shot, so the answer is in our sight!

stroke

Erin Robinson

Source: IMDB

Smitten by Pale Waves album review: pales in comparison to predecessors

Kole Cornish

The new record from the Manchester rock band is pretty but the lyrics are vague and songwriting uninspiring.

Manchester band Pale Waves’ fourth studio album is called Smitten, and lead singer Heather BarronGracie claimed they used all of their "attention and energy" to produce their "best album yet". Unfortunately, the album falls short of producing anything that goes beyond the pretty-sounding dedication to lost love affairs that we have heard plenty times before, and better.

From the very first guitar riff on the album’s opening track ‘Glasgow’, the album continuously uses instrumentation that echoes that of indie pop and rock staples like The Cure’s ‘Wish’ or ‘Disintegration’. Whilst these guitar riffs and various synth elements are unquestionably pretty on the ears - notably the blissful opening section of the album’s first released single, ‘Perfume’ - many

of the songs fail to offer much of a new or inventive take on this style. Parallels also became apparent between the sound of this album's instrumentation and that of fellow outfits signed with Dirty Hit Records such as The 1975. This is most evident in the almost uncanny resemblance between the instrumentals of ‘Hate to Hurt You’ and The 1975’s smash hit ‘It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)’. However, where this album falls shorter than the impact of other albums in the genre is that, for most of the songs, the songwriting is relatively safe and uninspiring. Lustful love songs such as ‘Kiss Me Again’ are not bad in principle, but the lyrics play out with only a vague sense of longing.

“Unfortunately, the album falls short of producing anything that goes beyond the pretty-sounding dedication to lost love affairs”

Writing such as this is not the case for all of the album though. The album’s third song, ‘Gravity’, offers a much more personal portrayal of an LGBTQ+ relationship being prevented because of the love interest’s religion. Whilst this could arguably be explored in more detail, the depiction of the love interest "Talking too much to Mary" and therefore "now she wants the ordinary" is

certainly a striking exploration of the topic. Throughout the album, Heather Barron-Gracie's vocal performances are enjoyable, and it must be said that the melodies on most notably the songs ‘Miss America’ and ‘Gravity’ are infectious and incredibly catchy when combined with the generally smooth pop-rock production. Overall, whilst Smitten is by no means unlistenable or even a bad album, it suffers rather heavily from a sense of being just another generic, albeit catchy and at times satisfying indie pop-rock record.

"Everything I needed was already there": in conversation with Pixie

Sarah Tunstall - Head of Culture

Following the release of Pixie Lott's new album, Sarah Tunstall sat down with the English singer for a deep dive into her creative process.

Since selling 1.6 million copies of her debut album Turn It Up in 2009, Pixie Lott has since separated herself from pop dance hits. The new Pixie has since been working privately for the last five years on her personal project,  Encino. This album is a new era for Pixie, showing astounding proof of her personal, message within her music career. I had the chance to interview Pixie about her new album.

I wanted to know what was it like and hearing it all come together with a live band and audience in comparison to working in the studio?

Because I’ve been working on it for the last five years, I’ve still been doing shows but not been able to perform any of the new songs. So it’s been a real fun week doing in-stores and meeting people who have supported the album.

The track 'Coco' from Encino explores artistic alienation. What was it like to slow down with this new album? Did it allow you to bring more personal integrity to your music?

“I have travelled the world, tried to find everything outside of myself...”

Yeah definitely. With this style of music we were making for this album, it didn’t have to have a time constraint on it. With this style I wanted to make it be able to come out at any time and hopefully it would live on.

Encino opens with the timeless track, 'Show You Love'. What was your process with this song? Did you know this would be the opening song going into it?

I didn’t know it was going to be the opening song when we were writing it but then after we were all done it seemed like the perfect one to open the album!

Regarding the rest of 'Encino', I wondered, is there a process in mind that you go into an album with to arrange the track list? Is it thematically, musically, narratively?

It’s definitely a jigsaw puzzle! The songs kept moving around. Once we decided the songs we kept going back and back to them and rearranging them into a different order. We really did live and breathe them for a long while.

Sounds of the North East: Big Beat Manifesto showcase their new exhibition

Annabel Schofield

One of our writers visits Newcastle's newest music exhibition to review Big Beat Manifesto's representation of the North East's creative scene.

In showcasing a snippet of the incredible talent that the North East has to offer, Big Beat Manifesto has made its transient return for the second time to the NCA. From the 26th September to the 4th October, the collective provided an insight into the photography and videography scene here in Newcastle in their compelling exhibition: Sounds of the North East.

The final song of this album Comes Back Around is quintessentially a finale song and it’s so beautiful in its acoustic composition. In your words I’d love to know what your connection to this feeling and the idea behind it was completing an album. Was it was pure coincidence or intentional?

I have travelled the world, tried to find everything outside of myself, fit into different moulds and find all these different sounds. And then finally going back to the start and seeing it for the first time, and it was there all along. I realised that is all I needed.

Blockbuster Video sees you reminiscing on your past and childhood. I wondered if you had any names that stood out to you as a child?

When I was younger, how I learnt to sing was from all the big singers – Whitney, Mariah, and Celine – so I would listen to those when I was learning to sing. My mum likes a lot of Motown, so there was always Stevie Wonder and soul singers. With this album I have really looked into the crafting of songs and storytelling.

You can read more of Pixie Lott's conversation with Sarah on our website, www.thecourieronline.co.uk.

This week, the stark yet impressive fourth floor of the NCA gallery was transformed into an energetic space, brimming with the vibrant spirit of Newcastle’s creative culture through the profound lens of nightlife photography. The exhibition shifted its focus to the economic and political struggles that creatives must overcome in the industry, having been increasingly ignored by government funding in recent years. Grassroots venues like Cobalt and World Headquarters are at the forefront of this, expressing their difficulty in surviving on ticket sales alone. Despite these struggles, the creators highlight the power of collaboration and community in these tough times, a concept reiterated in its neighbouring exhibition of Susie Davies’ exploration of the 90s rave scene in our beloved Ouseburn Valley.

"The gallery was transformed into a nightclub venue, demonstrating a microcosm of the unique energy of the North East..."

While a far cry from the gritty scene in the 90s, the organisers demonstrated this musical talent by collaborating with some of the toon’s biggest DJ collectives, sharing a club-level sound system. Shy Bairns, Profound Sound and Granville Collective, among many others, delivered these beats at the exhibition’s closing party on the 4th October. The gallery was transformed into a nightclubstyle venue, demonstrating a microcosm of the unique energy of the North East, which can often be overshadowed by the rave scene in other cities such as Manchester and Bristol.

Big Beat Manifesto has successfully reiterated the importance of our grassroots music community and local talent, championing the rights of those who have dedicated much of their lives to feed Newcastle's esteemed creative scene.

Image Sources: Big Beat Manifesto

Image Source: Flickr; James Headley

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Sub-Editors:

Keira Gratton and Phoebe Clark

Homegrown poetry talent takes on of the UK's most prestigious poetry awards

Nasim Rebecca Asl, an acclaimed Glasgow-based Geordie-Persian poet and journalist, has earned a coveted spot as a finalist for the 2024 Forward Prize for Poetry. Asl is known for her innovative performances and bold reimagining of traditional forms. Her work blends lyrical intensity with deep emotional resonance and has established her as a distinctive voice in contemporary UK poetry. Asl’s work spans a wide range of mediums, from print to performance and digital platforms, showcasing her versatility as a poet. Her poetry has appeared in esteemed literary journals such as Poetry Wales, Gutter Magazine, and Modern Poetry in Translation. She was honoured with the prestigious Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award for Poetry in 2021 and has since performed at major cultural events such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Rugby League World Cup Festival.

In her latest achievement, Asl has been shortlisted for the 2024 Forward Prize in the category “Best Single Poem – Performed.” Her entry, described as a “Ghazal that clearly didn’t want to be a Ghazal,” brilliantly pushes the boundaries of traditional form. A Ghazal is a poetic form with Arabic origins. It traditionally expresses themes of love, longing, and separation, but Asl subverts the form to explore emotions that lie outside those familiar bounds. Her use of fragmented couplets mirrors

the sense of disjointedness that often accompanies loss, while the poem’s refusal to conform to the traditional structure symbolises resistance to easy categorisation or resolution. As the poem unfolds, the audience is taken through a series of emotional landscapes—grief, confusion, defiance—that speak to broader, universal struggles with power and vulnerability.

Nasim Rebecca Asl’s journey from regional talent to national recognition reflects her dedication, creativity, and skill. The Forward Prize for Poetry is one of the most significant events on the UK poetry calendar, and will take place on October 10th at the Gala Durham, in partnership with the Durham Book Festival. Hosted by award-winning poet Joelle Taylor, the ceremony will also feature BBC Radio 6 Music’s Craig Charles and renowned poet Kayo Chingonyi. Whether in person or via live stream, be sure to catch the 2024 Forward Prize ceremony and witness a momentous night for poetry lovers everywhere.

Miriam Ansell

One of our writers discusses the factors that beauty depends on and how the artist Cornelia Parker tackles these questions...

Perceived value, its story, the eye of the beholder, imperfections?

The concept of what makes an object beautiful plagues modern art. Making people feel like outsiders to what they perceive to be stylised canvases and something ‘that I could make.’ But how does the concept of beauty apply to artwork as objects? Perceived beauty relies on so many categories namely those listed above. Beauty is not essential for artistic creation - though when appealing to the wider masses it tends to.

"When an object has meaning and intention... we feel more connected to it"

Beauty is subjective although thought, intention, attention to detail and design play a part. I think it’s fair to say that much like modern art (for the most part) when an object has visceral meaning and intention behind its making and what it stands for, we feel a stronger pull/ connection to it.

Cornelia Parker's artwork ‘30 Pieces of Silver’, explores themes of objecthood, value, and Past lives. In the late 80’s Parker laid out 30 silver objects which she then flattened, culminating in an installation.  Where does the inherent

Celebrating Claymation: LAIKA's BFI Frame x Frame Exhibition

Libby Adams

Over a decade of haunting stop-motion...

-

It’s hard to believe it has been 15 years since LAIKA released their first ever claymation masterpiece and changed the stop-motion game forever.

The pioneering Portland-based studio raised the bar for animated films with their unique approach to character design and distinct whimsical, stylised approach to storytelling.

Nasim Rebecca Asl in running for 2024 Forward Prize What makes an object beautiful ?

value lie? Is it with the individual pieces or with the piece as a whole?  Many consider this sacrilege, but isn't it always best to reuse? The presentation of this work in the gallery setting allows us to refer to the payment Judas received for betraying Jesus, as well as the past lives of the people who owned the objects.  Is it rejuvenation or destruction?

"As the viewer, you will find beauty in it despite its aesthetic appeal "

When art has meaning and intention behind it, you explore something inspiring, harrowing, interesting, and important. As the viewer, you will find beauty in it despite its aesthetic appeal.

With each of their films receiving Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Visual Effects, it’s not surprising that the studio has been showcasing their artistic brilliance at the British Film Institute Southbank Gallery for the past two months. Their work was displayed from 12th August until October 1st so, in case you missed it, here is what it entailed:

The exhibit was easily accessible and open to the public, featuring interactive displays and behind-the-scenes videos. Audiences of all ages were able to experience animation in a whole new context. All five of their award-winning films were displayed as a homage to LAIKA’s consistent ability to cultivate uniquely captivating works of art. With costume and prop displays, original

"No one does nightmarish and beautiful like Laika"

sketches and notes, one particular feature stood out from the rest. From the wonderfully haunting Coraline, we were presented with the transition of the ‘other mother’. The original puppets were lined up next to each other showing the gradual transformation from mother to monster, and let me tell you, standing there in front of those button eyes was nothing short of terrifying. The out-ofthis-world detail and meticulously crafted facial features had me feeling a nostalgic sense of childlike wonder and fright! Truly, no one does nightmarish and beautiful like LAIKA, which is why I strongly suggest you look out for their next feature film, due to be released in 2025! Wildwood is the studios very first fantasy adventure, set in the studio’s hometown Portland, Oregon.

Filling a void: bedroom artwork

PHomesick? Your room not feeling very cosy? Bored by plain white walls? Put art on the walls! What's the Craic?

ov: you’ve just moved into your uni room, unpacked all your things, settled in... but it still doesn’t feel like home. If the blank wall staring back at you drives you as crazy as it does me, then artwork may be the answer to turn blank space into your personal space.  Whether you’ve just settled in as a fresher, or are a returning student in a house or flat, blank walls can be a bit of a mood dampener. Some people prefer minimalism, but for me, the blankness just feels off - especially as my ceilings are so high! Even having one piece of artwork up can change your whole mood on those days you just feel bleh, or be a great talking point when you have visitors. Think of the blank wall as your canvas – it is yours to paint (not literally!), and to make your own, within the guidelines of your rent, of course.   When I say artwork, I don’t necessarily mean actual art, i.e. a print of a painting by Monet, Van Gogh and the like. Though stunning and monumental artworks that evoke thought and emotion, certainly deserving a place on your wall if they are special to you, I know not everyone reading this will be drawn to this kind of art. Don’t just put something up for the sake of it, if it isn’t going to influence your mood.

Artwork covers a broad scope of creative visuals and popular culture; for me, the artwork I have up is largely music-based. Album covers, promotional tour posters, even just fan-made digital compositions – they are all creative outputs.

Music-based wall art is a great example of how to make your room more homely, through surrounding yourself with your own interests.

By having a room that feels less ‘alien’, you are more likely to feel comfortable and content in your personal space, making those tough times at uni we all experience just that little bit easier. So go ahead, get decorating!

Image Source: Pixabay and IMDB

Image Source: Wikicommons

Evie Bateson

Image Source:Evie Bateson

Image Source: Anna Shvets, Pexels and Pixabay

Heartstopper Season 3: The show equivalent of a long hug Spooky Specials

Charlotte Burley-Hnat

-

Head of Life & Style

Joe Locke and Kit Connor

deliver their best work yet in the third season of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper

This review contains spoilers, as well as discussions of mental health, self-harm and eating disorders.

From the very beginning of the season, Heartstopper captures moments of deep connection between its characters. Episode one sets the tone as Nick and Charlie exchange their longawaited "I love yous," with the scene perfectly recreating the graphic novel and serving as a poignant milestone in their relationship as they later navigate physical intimacy in their relationship.

One of the season's greatest strengths lies in its gentle yet impactful exploration of identity. Isaac grapples with feeling left out and confused about his place within the friend group, as he tries to understand his aromantic and asexual identities better and reexamines his future. Darcy’s nonbinary identity is also explored in a refreshingly effortless depiction throughout the season.

The show also delves into Elle’s experiences as a trans woman, particularly the emotional toll of gender dysphoria and navigating public scrutiny. In episode six, when Elle is invited to speak on the radio about her artwork, the conversation quickly shifts to trans rights, forcing her to essentially debate her own identity - a harsh reminder of

how trans people are often forced to defend their existence. The show powerfully encapsulates Elle’s frustration, “Trans people aren’t a debate, we’re

a loved one battle mental health strugglesespecially a younger sibling - this season of Heartstopper promises to be a poignant yet “Heartstopper transitions into more mature territory this season."

human beings.”

In season three’s most prominent storyline, Charlie’s ongoing battle with OCD and anorexia comes to a head in episode four, widely acknowledged as the standout episode of the season (and of the whole show, in my opinion). Charlie's choice to seek help and pursue treatment is depicted through the lens of both his and Nick's journal entries. Discussions between Charlie and his therapist throughout the season regarding relapsing also serve as an important reminder that recovery is never linear. This approach provides a sensitive glimpse into a deeply personal struggle. Heartstopper effectively delves into the impact of Charlie’s struggles on those around him. Nick's anxieties about potentially moving far away for university will become a prominent storyline in future seasons. Additionally, Charlie’s sister, Tori, takes on a more significant role this season and is among the first to express her concerns about Charlie’s mental health. For anyone who has witnessed

Strictly: Has the show had its last waltz?

Amala Parry

- Campus Comment Sub-Editor

One of our writers discusses if the show has lost it's sparkle.

Strictly Come Dancing has sashayed back onto our screens for its 20th year, but recent controversies cast a shadow over its iconic sparkle. As familiar faces like Nick Knowles, Pete Wicks, and Sarah Hadland take to the dancefloor, could it be time to hang up the ballroom shoes for good?

Don't get me wrong, I love Strictly. I love everything about it. The atrocious amounts of glitter and tan, the brilliant (and sometimes quite terrible) dancing, the amazing outfits, Claudia Winkleman, Craig's new beard, what's not to love?

Since I was a little girl, watching Strictly has been an annual ritual. I remember watching it with my family every Saturday night and dancing around the house pretending I was on the ballroom stage. It brought a sprinkle of excitement and joy into my week and continues to do so even at the ripe old age of twenty.

Strictly has always been a symbol of fun and fabulousness, but even the glisten of the mirrorball trophy can't distract from the recent controversy surrounding the show...

To every fan's shock and dismay, it was announced over the summer that two wellloved professionals Graziano and Giovanni would not be returning for the new season

due to allegations made by their previous celebrity partners.

Graziano Di Prima was accused of "physical and verbal misconduct" towards his ex-Strictly partner Zara McDermott. Similar accusations were also made about Giovanni Pernice, by his previous dance partner Amanda Abbington. Both professionals were then axed from the show by the BBC.

Di Prima was quick to acknowledge the claims made against him, leaving the show on his own accord. Pernice was more outspoken about his allegations, resulting in a longwinded legal process which has recently concluded, acknowledging some complaints while dismissing some more serious ones.

Strictly has had its fair share of off-

glitter to reveal the slightly darker core beneath. Yet, despite the allegations, the show goes on.

Although I'm delighted that these claims haven't brought the show to a halt, it seems as though the recent controversies have divided some Strictly fans, causing some to believe that this year could be the show's final waltz.

These recent accusations have tested the integrity of some of the professional dancers, and even the show's longstanding reputation, which has always been synonymous with fun and entertainment. Can Strictly ever truly return to its glittering glory, or will it be forever tainted?

As a Strictly fan and an avid watcher of the show, I hope I'll be able to watch it for many more years to come, and I still hold out hope that I could one day be a contestant myself. However, I don't think that allegations of verbal or physical, no matter how exaggerated they turn out to be, should be taken lightly or brushed under a highly-bedazzled carpet. After all, it's the joy and authenticity of Strictly that keeps the show alive. Let’s hope they can keep dancing, without tripping over their own feet.

Taylor Roth

It’s Halloween! A time for tricks, treats, and scares, and sometimes you need a show to get you into that spooky mindset...

TV shows have been producing Halloween specials for ages, putting your favourite characters in quirky costumes and throwing in jump scares in hopes of a few extra laughs and popcorn tosses. If you would like to participate in this time-honoured tradition, grab your witch blanket, a handful of candy, and a mug of hot apple cider, and sit on the couch to enjoy some of the best TV Halloween Specials!

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: “The Ghost of Suite 613” (S1E19), Stream on Disney+

Feeling nostalgic? This one’s for you. When the twins find out about a haunted room, they make a bet to see who can stay the night in the sinister suite and maybe come face to face with a lurking, longing, lover. The episode is filled with the usual Disney humor, brotherly quarrels, ominous foreshadowing, and just a small scare for anyone not a fan of frights.

The Simpsons: “Treehouse of Horror” (S2E2), Stream on Disney+

There are several Simpsons Halloween episodes, but I have to recommend the first one for its great mix of styles and stories. The episode is broken into three separate short tales (Bad Dream House, Hungry are the Damned, and The Raven), each earning some laughs in their own way. There are some classic horror elements, clever wordplay, and a great ode to literary lovers.

Abbott Elementary: “Candy Zombies” (S2E6), Stream on Disney+

We’ve covered some old comedy, so now let’s cover some new comedy. This episode brings you back to being a candy goblin as a kid on Halloween and maybe realizing what a menace you were. Either way, this episode has some amazing costumes - I fear you ate, Ava - and some good pop-culture references. Nothing scary to worry about, but keep an eye on your candy!

How I Met Your Mother: “Slutty Pumpkin” (S1E6), Stream on Disney+

Here’s the one for our hopeless romantics. Per usual Ted is fawning after a girl, in this case, a girl in a promiscuous vegetable costume. Ted continues to wait every year for this girl and Barney simultaneously tries to yank him away. Another special with some great costumes (I am not focusing on the titular one, don’t judge) and plenty of giggles from Barney’s ridiculous tactics.

Image Source: PRINTERVAL and IMDb

Sub-Editors: Amy Mescus and Milly Thompson

Autumnal Games

Rhys Barnfather

A run-down on the best games for the transition into the colder seasons...

As the cold begins to settle in, cosying up with a hot-drink and blanket combo becomes increasingly alluring for those not built for the cold, and what better this autumn than a corresponding videogame as we wait for time to pass.

Of course, established games like Minecraft and Stardew Valley are popular options, with both games providing cute, pixelated worlds to do literally whatever you want. With Minecraft’s developer Mojang announcing a more consistent update schedule, now is a perfect time to get into these big hitters.

“You'll come out of it with a Mae shaped space in your heart”

Outside of these two, previous titles like Night in the Woods (2017) and Unpacking (2021) provide two different vibes for those looking to get comfortable with a game this autumn. Night in the Woods is an endearing adventure videogame about a college dropout called Mae

Borowski, who embarks on a ‘sad and serious tale of generational anxieties’. Interwoven with simplistic yet gorgeous visuals and clever humour, the game has multiple endings, but whichever you end up with (or follow the online guides to get) you’ll come out of it with a Mae shaped space in your heart. Oh and did I mention the characters are all human shaped animals?

Unpacking, however, is a much more relaxed, low-stakes game, as you gain brief glimpses into the crucial years of a young person as they navigate the hardships of growing up. What really makes this game shine is its core mechanic. You, the player, must unpack P(protagonist)’s belongings as they move from place to place, skipping a few years each time you complete a level. The whole story wraps itself up by the end and leaves you with a feel-good experience and a touch of replay-ability, with subtle tid-bits and easter eggs you can easily miss on your first playthrough. I’d definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a light, slice-of-life game that doesn’t take up too much time.

Now it’s time for a recent release! Love, Ghostie (2024) is a cutesy match making game where –as a ghost – you manage a manor and set up its residents. Folks who grew up enjoying a similar function in Miitopia will love this mechanic! And finally, looking forward to next year, Tales of the Shire is set to release next March for those looking to continue the cosy vibes. TOTS looks to be a Lord of the Rings adventure/life-sim game in a suitable hobbity environment.

FC 25 Ultimate Team: A 10 Hour Review

Oliver Parrish

One of our writers gives their opinion on the new FC25 game...

The artist formerly known as FIFA returns for its annual facelift. To find out if it’s worth the £70 price tag I played the 10-hour free trial kindly provided by EA play - here’s what I made of it.

This year, the gameplay feels genuinely different, but does that mean it’s good? Short answer – no. A much slower approach to gameplay gave the potential of genuinely satisfying build-up play, but, in true EA fashion, this was but a pipe dream for the player. It just doesn’t feel good, attacking is annoyingly inconsistent, and defending is potentially the most frustrating it has ever been, especially with an all time high of animation issues and glitches. These gameplay struggles (especially defensively) are largely down to the introduction of a complete overhaul of EA’s tactics system, which, conceptually, is brave and refreshing to see. Unfortunately, however, this change is executed poorly in practice. This year, default tactics leave you exposed in a way that makes you question if your fullbacks possess defensive capabilities at all, or if your midfielders are prevented from defending your third by some sort of Yaya-Toure-esque curse.

To enjoy gameplay in the slightest, you are virtually forced to enter this brave new world of tactics – and it is far from pretty. To harness these correctly requires more mental effort than I’d like to put into this game. Its hostility to the casual only serves to compound the issues of it’s sluggish gameplay; you just can’t avoid it.

“Would I buy this game? Not for £70. Never.”

“Despite my slandering, I want to keep playing”

The positives this year come mainly from the general principle of ultimate team (as well as yet another killer soundtrack). It is entertainingly addictive; assembling a team of personal club legends has a unique sentimental enjoyment to it that just keeps me coming back. The idea of ultimate team alone is almost enough to stand against all the negatives – despite my slandering, I want to keep playing. Aside from that, general mediocrity continues for yet another year. Would I buy this game? Not for £70. Never. I think I’ll just pick it up for £30 or so over the Christmas sale. In the meantime, I’d recommend you spend your money on a nice pair of shoes or a good night out.

Memory Card: A Way Out

Maddy Kendall

One of our writers tells us about the game that got her into gaming...

It’s 2018 and I remember moping in my bedroom mindlessly clicking through content on YouTube looking for something to do. My brother then barges into my room and after a few verses of verbal abuse he parades me downstairs to play, A Way Out. After reluctantly sitting next to him, thinking about how much of a waste of time this was, I got an hour through and fell in love.

A Way Out is an artistic take on the classic split screen co-op game, it utilises the mechanic of forcing the players to pick one character and allows the screen to show their story without ignoring the other character. You can choose either the more rough Leo, or the scheming Vincent. Although it’s easy enough to project your own personality onto the character, the characters themselves definitely do not play into the “everyman” trope. You follow the men as they go from prison life, to escaping, to witnessing their friendship and hardship outside of prison, to then a dramatic and heartbreaking ending. Without spoiling the end, the game's revengefuelled plot takes on the structure of an action movie, moving through flashbacks

and slowly showing the story of Leo and Vincent until it catches up to them, then back to the title screen for the heartbreaking ending. You will spend most of the time with the controller down watching cutscenes, but you’re often free to walk around in those moments. It still manages to include big Uncharted-like action set pieces. Whether you like big actionheavy shootouts, driving sequences, or even more simple fist fights- there’s something for all gamers.

“I look back on how we managed to drag a 7 hour game on for weeks”

It’s a game that is bittersweetly short and only leaves you craving more. Normally when my brother and I played games it’d end in arguments, tears, screaming; not this game. I’m more surprised as to how quiet we were. We sat and took in the art and drama of the game and when it finished we even looked up the alternative endings and just sat and talked we liked and didn’t like. It’s a fond memory of us as I reminisce on times where we weren’t fighting in the garden or arguing over the TV; instead I look back on how we managed to drag a 7 hour game for weeks. Even now it slips into conversation as we think about the best game we’ve ever played.

Everything we know about Ghost of Yōtei So Far

Daniel Atkinson

An insight into the details surrounding the new Ghost of Yōtei...

Ghost of Yōtei is the surprise sequel to 2020's critically acclaimed and audience revered action-adventure RPG Ghost of Tsushima; here's what we know so far.

A surprise but a welcome one at that, fans who tuned into Sony's State of Play event were treated to a cinematic reveal trailer for the sequel from Sucker Punch Productions, revealing a new setting, a new protagonist, and a new story, being more of a thematic sequel than a direct one. The new female protagonist is named Atsu, a wandering ronin who serves no lord. However, much of her story is yet to be revealed.

It is assumed that the "Ghost" moniker is similar to that of Jin Sakai from the first game, who is trapped in a hostile environment and must abandon his strict code of honour in order to survive against the threat of Mongol forces. A detail revealed in the trailer: Atsu has targets that she appears to be hunting, suggesting the plot may revolve around revenge and retribution against her enemies.

setting, Tsushima, which is located between the southwest coast of Japan and South Korea. Hokkaido is known for heavy geothermal activity, where daunting volcanoes and relaxing hot-springs are prevalent; along with stunning natural scenery and national parks, which are crowned by Mount Yōtei, a Mount Fuji lookalike. This means fans can expect another visually stunning map following on from Ghost of Tsushima's immense graphical splendour with a rich, detailed environment.

“Fans can expect another visually stunning map”

The geographical setting of Ghost of Yōtei is Hokkaido, the northern most island belonging to Japan. This is quite a shift from the first game's

The appearance of firearms in the trailer confirms that there is a significant time gap of 329 years between the games, with Atsu seen wielding a flintlock musket, which was yet to be invented during the events of the first game. This again reinforces the thematic link between the games rather than a narrative one. However, keen eyed fans will be looking out for easter eggs and call backs to the original game integrated into the story and open world setting. The trailer focuses on a wolf and its connection to Atsu; the wolf appears aggressive but calms at the sight of the protagonist, therefore fans can hope for updated mechanics like a new companion system involving animals. Jin's allies in the first game were mostly human, but there is a narrative point involving the bond he has with his horse.

One detail that can be confirmed by the time gap is a change in antagonist, with the first game's Mongol empire no longer existing in the period of the sequel if the game is to be historically accurate. It is left to be seen who will be hunted by Atsu in the new game, but the trailer hints that she may be an outlaw herself, battling the corrupt lords of feudal Japan during that era. This is exciting news for fans of the series and history buffs alike. Ghost of Yōtei is set to release for the PlayStation 5 in 2025.

Image Source: IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

Word Search

Words

Madonna

Marina

Adele

Chappell Roan

Taylor Swift

Pixie Lott

Renee Rapp

Nieve Ella

LADDER

Woman

Crossword

Across

1) Famous Suffragette, Emmeline --------- (9)

3) Latin Word for Goddess (5)

4) One of the first two women on earth(3)

5) Being a women is part of your -------- (7)

6) Emily Armstrong is the new singer for this band (10)

12) Shorthand for the job Kate Warne did while uncovering plots to kill President Lincoln (3)

13) Deepest Trench in the Ocean named after a Spanish Queen (7)

14) Pop icon Lady ---- (4)

Down

2) Current presidential candidate (12)

3)First name of the writer of the birds, ------ du maurier (6)

7) This town in massachussets are famous for their witch trials in the 1690s (5)

8) Jeanne Calment was the oldest woman at one hundred and twenty --- years old (3)

9) Claudia Winkleman is famous for loving her very orange ---, as well as her fringe (3)

10) Famous amateur detective ----- Drew (5)

11) The first female pilot to navigate the globe, Amelia Earheart, flew in the ------- of the plane (7)

15) Informal word for Grandmother (4)

Sub-Editors:

Ultras groups fight back against fascism in football

Dylan Seymour - Sports Sub-Editor

High-profile displays by Celtic’s ‘Green Brigade’ ultras group over the last month have reinvigorated the debate over sport and politics. The Glasgow group have been vocal in their support for the people of Palestine, a united Ireland, and anti-fascist politics, most recently away at Dortmund in the Champions League. While the bold tactics of the ‘GB’ grab all the headlines, many clubs have similar groups among their supporters. From grassroots to giants, organised antifascist action on the terraces of Europe and beyond has seen significant growth in recent years, so who are the ultras groups driving this growth?

Left-wing politics in football is certainly nothing new, whether it be fierce support for striking miners from the likes of Liverpool, SheffieldUnited, and Barnsley, or the overt socialist beliefs of Brazil’s 1982 World Cup-winning captain, Socrates. However, the recent growth and success of far-right groups in Europe has pushed many supporters to resist, and do so through increasingly organised means. The ‘Bukaneros’ ultras of Madrid’s often-forgotten third club, Rayo Vallecano show enormous pride in their politics, with frequent displays protesting both the commercialisation of Spanish football and the links between local titans Real Madrid and the fascist Franco regime. The highprofile racial abuse of Bilbao winger Nico Williams in April by sections of Atletico Madrid supporters prompted the Bukaneros to stand in solidarity with their Basque counterparts, proudly displaying a banner reading “football against racism”. It is no surprise

therefore that fans of Athletic Club de Bilbao are similarly radical, combining their Basque nationalism with vibrant displays against fascism.

“The recent growth and success of far-right groups in Europe has pushed many supporters to resist”

While the most famous groups belong to the elite clubs of Europe and South America, organised antifascism in football has stretched even to the tenth tier of English football, with Clapton CFC. Any trip to the Old Spotted Dog Ground in East London will show that supporters of the community-owned club are proud of their values. The Spanish Civil War slogan "¡No pasarán!" is a frequent sight on ‘Brigada Ultra Clapton’ banners and placards, celebrating the success of Jewish Londoners and anti-fascists in driving Oswald Mosely out of East London at the Battle of Cable Street. In the spirit of those who fought Mosely’s blackshirts in 1936, Clapton CFC fans continue to oppose racism today, uniting community members against this Summer’s far-right protests.

Grassroots antifascism is not limited to England either, with French fourth-tier side SR Colmar and Spanish fifth-tier side Centre d’Esports Manresa, among others, having sizeable anti-fascist presence amongst their fanbase.

Anti-fascist action in football operates even where it is against the norm, and the former champions of East Germany, Dynamo Dresden, are a fascinating example. Dresden has been described as a “bastion’ of the far-right” by the BBC, with the recent electoral success of the hard-right Alternative für Deutschland in Saxony doing

nothing to help its reputation. Displays of Nazi iconography by supporters and even staff of the club have not deterred resistance by opposing groups however. Left-leaning fans of Dynamo have sought to combat the racism of their peers through graffiti and other covert action, forming a “Love Dynamo, Hate Racism” campaign. Such anti-racist action is common in German football, with Dynamo Berlin and Hamburg outfit St. Pauli having sections that pride themselves on their anti-racism. While German left-wing ultras, especially those of St Pauli, have become isolated from other European groups due to tensions over the war in Palestine, Germany remains a hotbed of anti-fascism in football.

Palestine has become a rallying point for fanbases across the world to unite around. The ongoing bombardment of Gaza by the IDF, which has killed up to 180,000 Palestinians according to The Lancet, has been loudly opposed on terraces from Celtic Park to CR Flamengo’s Maracanã stadium. Support for Palestinian liberation in football goes beyond just flags and banners, however. Celtic’s Green Brigade, for example, fund and manage Lajee Celtic, a football academy located in the West Bank’s Aida Refugee Camp. Meanwhile, Chilean side CD Palestino, the winners of the 2018 Copa Chile, were founded in 1920 by Palestinian migrants and continue to advocate for the rights of people in the region.

“Keep football and politics separate” is a common phrase heard on social media whenever schemes such as Rainbow

“When facism rears its ugly head, it does so whilst trying to feign relatability”

When fascism rears its ugly head, it does so whilst trying to feign relatability. As evidenced by this summer’s riots, the far-right aim to recruit in football circles, and the counter-narrative

Why are players injured more often?

Noelia Fernández Pérez - Sports Sub-Editor

Over the last few months, players have been complaining about the significant number of matches and the little rest they have between them.How well does FIFA implement the new format? Is it worth it?

Newcastle Eagles Basketball: the new season has begun

How are the Britain's most successful basketball team getting along?

It’s officially showtime. The new basketball season has begun and Newcastle Eagles’ team is ready to take on an ambitious challenge: to win back the SLB championship. In fact the Eagles, despite being the most successful British basketball team of all time, lifted the trophy for the last time at the end of 2019/2020 season. Each extenuating now has to be put aside and concentrate all the energies in order to bring back Newcastle where it deserves to be, at the top.

The first game of the season: victory against Sheffield Sharks

The first two matches of this season are a good omen for the upcoming games. The first appearance was the home game won against Sheffield Sharks and the performance was extremely

convincing: 78-73 for Newcastle. The Eagles played a tough match always staying focussed on what the coach was asking them; the result is just the reflection of the efforts lavished for all 40 minutes. A high-quality game that lead, as a consequence, to the next one.

away game against Manchester. If possible, it was even better than the one against Sheffield. Not only for the final score, which was anyway an emblematic 63-80, but above all for the approach and dedication shown by the twelve Newcastle players. Everyone was completely into the game, bringing his own contribution to the final victory which in the end, was undoubtedly deserved.

Okauru and Defoe: two cornerstones of this season’s roster

Moreover, a happy note is Mike Okauru’s comeback. The US guard is totally recovered after the injury that occurred last season, as demonstrated by his 21 points scored against Sheffield. This is a clear sign that he will be one of the players who has to take the responsibility of all the team, in order to be competitive until the end of the season.

Burdens and honours derived from his role, as well as the role of Darius Defoe. The 39 year old power forward is a legend of SLB championship and, since his long experience on British basketball courts, he is a veteran and he will be a

cornerstone for the Eagles this season.

Third victory against Caledonian Gladiators: the ride towards SLB trophy has begun

In actual fact, the Eagles have all the prerequisites to compete seriously for the national trophy. The next few matches, even if not crucial since the championship has just started, are suggestive of what the concrete potentialities of Newcastle’s team could be.

“The next few matches are suggestive of what Newcastle's team could be”

Needless to say, the success of this team also depends on the supporters; if they create a wonderful and warm atmosphere during each home game, Vertus Motor Arena will become surely a factor for all the season. Proof of this is the most recent match against Caledonian Gladiators, which ended with a thrilling result of 93-88 in favour of the Eagles. So, everything is ready, let the championship begin.

After Rodri’s ACL injury, fans and players have debated this new format that has shaped football differently these past two years. With more matches and less time to rest, the football world has seen players getting more severe injuries like ACL tears, Achilles Tendon ruptures and hamstring strains.

Last year, the Premier League saw an 11% rise in injuries, taking the total number of players side-lined by injury to 655. Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle were the most affected by this new format, but when is football too much football?

If we compare how much game time Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney had as a youngster and contrast it to Jude Bellingham’s game time, the Real Madrid player has over 3,000 minutes more than Rooney. This new calendar that FIFA has implemented is getting more unsustainable over time, as players don’t have sufficient time to rest and are more prone to long-lasting injuries.

The main issue that concerns team managers is the number of days lost because of injury. Last season, Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings' injury was the longestlasting, seeing him miss over a year.

With European Competitions changing their format as well, players are expected to play at least two matches per week. That doesn’t include international breaks, which tend to happen every two months. Some experts have even compared the NFL format to the FIFA one and have suggested adapting it to the 17game regular season, but that is unlikely.

Football is slowly becoming a money sport where players’ health is not valued anymore.

Laces or Kick It Out are mentioned, but the anti-fascist ultras groups of global football expose the flaws in this idea.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Image credit: Rolandinho1,

Ismaele Gasparri

Image credit: Josh Eson, Wikimedia Commons

Sub-Editors: Adam Symes, Dylan Seymour, Megan Grimston, and

F1 Academy: racing's newest series

Alina Hillicks

What is the all female successor of Formula one?

Formula One is often described as the pinnacle of Motorsport, the best engineers designing the best racing cars for the best drivers to go head-to-head 24 times across the season. But before finding success, every driver dedicated themselves to hours of training, development and competition of varying feeder series. The most recent addition being Formula One Academy which aims to bridge the gender disparity across such a male dominated sport, providing a new pathway for young women to hopefully one day compete at the highest level.

What is F1 Academy?

Founded by Formula One in 2022, it is a pathway series exclusive for female drivers competing at the equivalent of Formula 4 level. As the first female-only, international, single-seater category it has already found plenty of success financing nine female drivers through the Discover Your Drive programme. It aims to promote female representation in motorsport, recognising the challenges women face throughout a consistently male industry. Though still

in its infancy, F1 Academy manages to take a global stage sometimes acting as a pre-race event for official F1 weekends, racing across three different continents and showcasing the skill of these rising talents, Abbi Pulling, Doraine Pin and Maya Weug currently leading the championship standings.

What are the key differences to F1?

Whilst both being a part of the larger global motorsport circuit, there are many differences across the championships. Firstly, being a feeder series means F1 Academy has a smaller budget and simpler technology, F1 teams can decide their chassis and engines based on cost and performance however across the grid at F1 Academy drivers all use a chassis designed by Tatuus Automobili and a 1.4L Autotecnica engine. There are fewer engineering variables, excluding set-up changes, making F1 Academy a much more level playing field, primarily based on driving skills to climb the rankings compared to the versatility of F1 which is as much about the engineering of the car as the driver’s talent.

“Although women have previously competed in F1, many factors limit their ability to compete”

Although women have previously competed in F1, the last being Giovanna

principle differentiating factor of F1 Academy is its exclusivity for women and minimising these factors to support the advancement of their careers and hopefully brining wider representation into the sport. One example is the championship being financially supported by Formula One, each team subsidising costs of one car who carries their livery and the remaining five are supported by the series partners, this means the significant factor of costs and funding, that is commonly a dealbreaker for drivers, is covered encouraging further participation in the sport.

“The last important difference is the layout of race weekends”

The last important difference between Formula One and Formula One Academy is the layout of race weekends. The main series, ignoring sprint weekends, start on Thursdays with media duties, free practice (FP) one and two on a Friday, the last FP on a Saturday morning before Qualifying in the afternoon and the main race on Sundays. Whereas Formula One Academy features five sessions on the track, two FP before Qualifying later that day, where the drivers fastest lap will set the grid for Race one, and their second fastest lap setting the grid for Race two. Both Races are 30 minutes and happen the day after

will set the grid for Race one, and their second fastest lap setting the grid for Race two. Both Races are 30 minutes and happen the day after Qualifying, two points are awarded for pole position, but the race point scores are the same as Formula One for both races (25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1).

“Formula One Academy is becoming an essential pathway for women”

As motor racing continues to grow in popularity Formula One Academy is becoming an essential pathway for women to enter high levels of the sport gaining indispensable time on track and support both physically and mentally in order to achieve results and career.

Ricciardo's last lap: what his departure means for the future of F1

As the Australian leaves the sport, who is set to be the next F1 star?

After a seemingly underwhelming season, Daniel Ricciardo's final race at the Marina Bay circuit marks the end of an illustrious Formula One career.

With 22-year-old reserve driver Liam Lawson set to replace him for the remaining six races of the 2024 campaign, a new era prioritising youth over experience is emerging in the sport.

Just days after the Singapore race weekend, the Red Bull family confirmed Ricciardo’s departure from the team, bringing weeks of speculation to a close. The announcement indicated an immediate exit, suggesting that the decision was beyond the driver’s control, following a season where Ricciardo struggled to find his form. The Australian managed to secure only 12 points across 18 races, a disappointing outcome for a driver of his calibre.

Ricciardo’s unexpected return to Red Bull mid-2023 saw him step in to replace Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri after a hiatus from the sport, following his departure

from McLaren at the end of 2022.

This opportunity was considered as a potential stepping stone toward a coveted position alongside Max Verstappen in a championship-winning Red Bull Racing car.

" However, disaster struck when Ricciardo sustained an injury during practice"

However, disaster struck when Ricciardo sustained an injury during practice for the Dutch Grand Prix.

This paved the way for Lawson's impressive Formula One debut in the

discussions about the sport's shift toward younger, emerging talents over seasoned veterans. Despite this, Ricciardo's contract was renewed for the 2024 season, while Lawson was set to continue as the team’s reserve driver—until the recent announcement altered the course once again.

"He is renowned for his skilled overtaking and audacious late braking."

With the second seat at Visa Cash App RB still vacant, Red Bull has dipped into its younger talent pool ahead of

evaluate Lawson's performance alongside Yuki Tsunoda, as a potential candidate for the unfilled seat. This trend is also mirrored in other teams, with Kimi Antonelli joining Mercedes and Jack Doohan preparing to replace Ocon for Alpine in 2025. This seems to a mark a generational change, as Formula One seeks its future stars in rookie drivers.

" The Red Bull family confirmed Ricciardo’s departure."

As Ricciardo steps away from the grid, his legacy remains intact. The "Honey Badger" has enjoyed a wildly successful career for over a decade, securing 8 wins and 32 podium finishes. He is renowned for his skilled overtaking and audacious late braking. In a post-race interview in Singapore, current reigning world champion and former teammate Verstappen remarked, “He will surely be remembered as a very fast driver.” Red Bull has already expressed interest in retaining Ricciardo in an ambassadorial role, a testament to his value within the team. The history of Formula One is filled with drivers returning from "retirement," so Ricciardo may still be considered if both Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson fail to perform in the upcoming season.

BUCS RESULTS

Ebony Maude

Image credit: Morio, Wikimedia Commons

Defending the Castle: Newcastle Knights defeat Malory Eagles

Noelia Fernández Pérez - Sports Sub-Editor

NCL Knights kick off the volleyball season with a win against London’s Eagles...

The newly rebranded Newcastle Knights kicked off the season on October 12 in the National Volleyball Centre, located in Kettering. What was set to be an easy match turned into a breath-taking 5-set game that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

During the NVL Opening Weekend, we saw great volleyball. Freshly promoted London Giants took on last year’s champions, Durham Palatinates, and even though they took the first set home, they got beaten 3-1 by Durham University’s team. Chey Coop, a player for the Palatinates, stated that this team can win the Super League again.

“the stakes are high for both North Eastern teams.”

Palatinates have previously won the NVL Super League twice - so it’s no wonder they believe they can do it again. However, Newcastle University Volleyball Club beat Durham University 3-0 the other day. So, the stakes are high for both North Eastern teams. The Newcastle Knights were impatiently waiting for their debut while this match was finishing. They took the court feeling confident in their team. After their last season, all returning players were looking forward to competing for the title again, and what better way to showcase your new team than to play one of the oldest volleyball clubs in the country?

neither the players nor the public knew what they were expecting.

“neither

the players or the public knew what they were expecting.”

When the starting six was announced, it was no surprise that Team England players like James Ledbury or Kelechi Bell were in the line-up. Alongside them, we saw new international recruits like Canadian star player Matthew Milne or Boston’s setter Neil Rea making their NVL debut.

During the first set, the scoreboard went through highs and lows, with the Knights coming back into the match after a timeout called by the head coach, Sam Shenton. Even though the Knights dominated during the whole set, serve errors from both teams played an important role, as more than 10 points alone were lost on both sides.

Both teams called various timeouts, which were used to discuss strategies and correct mistakes. The atmosphere during the last points of the first set was tense as the Knights were catching up on the Eagles. After a perfect pass from Ollie Tuck and an even more perfect set from Rea, Kelechi Bell scored the last point with a great swing.

The expectation was high, as it was the last match of the evening, but

When the second set started, the Knights took the lead until Newcastle alumni and Malory Eagles player Nathan Fullerton began to do what he

knows best: be one of the best volleyball players in the country. The Eagles started to build a gap in points, but after some breath-taking rallies and some deserved celebrations, the Knights took the second set after a fantastic block by Boston’s duo, Neil Rea and Ryan Peace.

After receiving some tips from the head coach, the Knights went into the third set, thinking that it would be easy. But what they didn’t expect was for the Malory Eagles to fight back, making this set a tight one. The Eagles didn’t make any visible mistakes, their team communication was outstanding, and the way the players moved on the court is what makes them famous.

“the

Knights showed a masterclass of both

offence and defence, overall making them the bettter team.”

Even though the Eagles won this third set, the Knights’ way of playing volleyball is eye-catching. And, in order to win this match, they had to show it. The Knights showed incredible defensive skills during the fourth set, but it wasn’t enough to finish the match. The Malory Eagles dominated this whole set, from blocking great swings to perfectly receiving all the Knights’ attacks. Nathan Fullerton, alongside Joshua Fundafunda, carried the team into winning this fourth set and taking the match into a tiebreak.

After the end of this set, the atmosphere at the National Volleyball Centre started to get tense. Both teams had

a goal on their minds: winning the match. The Knights began to lead this tiebreak with clear dominance, creating a difference of more than four points ahead of the Eagles.

“it was nice to see what we’d been working on in practice come together.”

Even though the Eagles were slowly decreasing that difference, the Knights showed a masterclass of both offence and defence, overall making them the better team. After a tight set (15-12) and an exhilarating match, the Newcastle Knights took home their first victory of the season.

Following the celebrations, James Ledbury was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy for his efforts in the match. He shared that: “the game went really well for us overall.” While starting the game a bit slower, the pace was picked up - and it shows with the successful win. He continued to say: “As our first game together with a nearly completely new starting team, it was nice to see what we’d been working on in practice come together.”

Ledbury thanked the Head Coach, Sam Shenton, and Assistant Coach, Dan Livingstone, who played essential roles for training up the team in order for this win. While it was a fantastic start for Ledbury as an individual being named MVP, “it could’ve gone to any of the team on the day.” Everybody loves a humble winner! Hopefully their success will continue for their next match against London Giants on November 3 for a home match. Up the Knights!

After this win, the Knights, who started as the underdogs, are one of the favourites to win the league.

Will they be able to defeat the Durham Palatinates, the reigning champions, and crown themselves as the best team in the country?

A few words from our Athletic Union Officer, Alex Duggan...

The start of the academic year has been packed with exciting events and milestones for the Athletic Union. On September 11th we kicked things off with Principal Committee Training for Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, and Welfare Officers within Sports Clubs.

The day ran smoothly with a great turnout overall and strong student engagement.

The same day saw the Athletic Union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), where we were thrilled to have 20 students put themselves forward to join the AU Executive Committee. After a competitive process, nine members were elected to represent the student voice and we’re very excited to welcome them all to the team.

Just a week later, on September 17th-18th, the Clubs and Societies Fair took place across two sports halls providing freshers with the chance to explore all the amazing opportunities on offer, . I was on hand to assist with queries, film content, and meet our new students.

Also, we had two fantastic Varsity matches - Men’s Rugby Union and Basketball - both teams performed excellently, showing we are well on our way to a winning season.

With such a strong start to the year I’m looking forward to what’s to come and seeing our students continue to thrive. Stay tuned for more updates! AU over and out.

Ricciardo’s last lap What does his departure mean for the future of Formula 1?

Football ultras fight back against fascism

Alex Duggan - Athletic Union Officer

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

credit: Morio, Wikimedia Commons

Image credit: Matt Moloney, Negative Space

Image Source: Noelia Fernández Pérez

Image Source: Chris Bishop, (picturesbybish)