Gair Rhydd 1178 - 6 Dec 2021 by Cardiff Student Media

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Rhydd asks if the prices of rail tickets are fair for students living on a budget (Page 12)

The Student Union's AGM 2021: Everything you need to know

Beth Williams News Editor

On November 25th, over 750 Cardiff University students gathered in the Student Union’s Great Hall to participate at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Annual General Meeting is an opportunity for students to propose changes they would like to see within the student union or university. Those present will listen to arguments for and against the measure’s resolves before voting with a show of hands. The event coincided with Speak Week, where students are encouraged to voice their opinion on what they would keep and change about the university.

To begin the annual meeting, SU President Hannah Doe read out the annual report for the 2020/21 academic year. She said: “It is a different annual report compared to previous years as many of our traditional activities weren’t able to run. So instead, we focused on our adaptability throughout the pandemic and how we shifted to support students in a predominantly digital manner”. Doe went on to discuss the SU’s focus on student wellbeing services as well as reintroducing in-person events. The union’s CEO, Daniel Palmer then discussed the financial report. Despite a deficit of £547,022 because of the Covid pandemic, he said that the student’s union was financially stable and had sufficient reserves to secure its future.

Before moving on to the motions, students had the opportunity to address questions to the SU’s board of trustees. Discussion points included the university’s mask policy, expenditure on Welsh language services, overcrowding in the SU’s nightclub and preventing sexual assaults and spiking. To the question of whether spending £45,000 on Amazon vouchers, equating to £5 per person, as voting incentives was a good use of money, Hannah Doe answered: “It may seem like a lot of money but that £5 went into your pocket where in a pandemic, with many people financially struggling, you got to spend money on what you needed”

The first proposed motion was to appoint a full time Welsh Language of-

ficer as part of the SU’s board of Trustees. The motion was proposed by Annell Dyfri, the current Welsh language officer. The role is only voluntary and part-time at the movement. In order to make it financially possible, it was suggested that the role of Heath and postgraduate officers would be combined. In her speech, Annell Dyfri said in Welsh: “The aim is to secure a specific role for the Welsh language. It is an essential role in ensuring that Welsh and non-welsh speaking students are treated equally, something that isn’t happening at the moment”. Despite opposition from the SU’s president herself, the motion was passed by an overwhelming majority.

The second motion was to change the name of the Vice President Welfare and Campaigns Role to the Vice President Welfare. This was proposed by the SU President Hannah Doe. As an amendment, the role of the campaign officer would be given to the SU President or a nominated sabbatical officer by the President. The proposed motion was seconded by the current Vice President Welfare and Campaigns, Charlotte Towlson. The motion was passed.

Next, Nimrod Shefi proposed that the union should adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism in full, as the definition of antisemitism. Taking to the stage, Nimrod Shefi discussed how “it is quite common for Jews in the UK to be exposed to hate crimes regularly”. He discussed his personal experiences of practising terror attack drills in his school due to a constant threat to his faith. As the 3rd most harassed religion, Shefi wanted the measure to lead to the SU’s further protection of students from all form of attacks and for Jewish students to have the right to define their own oppression. Following rounds of debate, the measure was passed.

To read Beth's full breakdown of the 2021 Student AGM meeting and the discussions that took place, turn to page 5.

Migrant Crisis: 27 drown in Channel Crossing

Eirian Jones Contributor

The drowning of 27 people in the English Channel on November 25 has been declared as the “worst disaster on record” according to the UN Migration Agency since recording began in 2014.

At least one pregnant woman and three children were among the 27 migrants fleeing from Iraq or Iran, who drowned in the waters off the coast of

Cymru yn nodi Diwrnod y Rhuban Gwyn

Gracie Richards Golygydd Taf-od

Ar y 25ain o Dachwedd nodwyd Dydd y Rhuban Gwyn sef Diwrnod Rhyngwladol Diddymu Trais yn erbyn Menywod. Caiff y diwrnod hwn ei gynnal yn flynyddol gan y Cenhedloedd Unedig a mae’n dechrau cyfnod 16 diwrnod o hyd o weithredu i ddiddymu trais yn erbyn menywod.

Cynhaliwyd gwylnos ‘Nid yn fy enw I” ar risiau’r Senedd ar nos Lun yr 22ain o Dachwedd gan Senedd Cymru er mwyn nodi pwysigrwydd y diwrnod.

I ddarllen erthygl lawn Gracie ar 'White Ribbon Day', trowch i dudalen 6.

France after an inflatable boat capsized whilst attempting to reach Britain.

The bodies were brought into the port of Calais by boat and helicopter throughout the evening, where volunteers with local migrant aid associations lit candles and held aloft placards reading “How many more?”

Two men were rescued but were hospitalized immediately with severe hypothermia.

French media believe the boat tohave set off from Loon-Plage near

'Christmas Unwrapped': The festive season

Megan Shinner Advice Editor

December often happens in one big festive sweep that we often forget to appreciate and reflect on all the little things happening around us.

To read Megan's full column on celebrating the festive season, turn to page 15.

Dunkirk and were most likely camping near Grande-Synthe, where there are several migrant camps. The largest, home to about 1,500 people, was dismantled last week. More than 24,000 people have made the perilous crossing from France to the UK by boat this year; a sharp rise from 8,404 in 2020.

To read Eirian's article detailing the ongoing migrant crisis and these recent events, turn to page 8.

A look at early access for 'Unreal Engine 5'

Elie Gould Technology Editor

Epic Games has just launched the ‘Unreal Engine 5’ in early access, making waves across the internet. The new engine has been praised for its visuals and the accessibility of the product. Whether it be the integration of Bridge into UE5 or the stunning light effects of Lumen, there’s a lot to look forward to.

Targeting next-gen hardware specifications, the significance of this engine raises new possibilities for the future of game development and world-building. To read Elie's full article on Epic Games' recent demonstration of EU5, turn to page 19.

6 rhagfyr 2021 6 december 2021 rhifyn 1178 issue 1178

Check out Gair Rhydd online The Channel: 27 people were reported to have drowned in an attempted crossing of the English Channel on November 25. Source: DayTM (via Flickr)

6 15 19 8 5

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A note from the Editor Nodyn gan y Golygydd ‘Merry Consumerism’: Christmas’ Identity Crisis

‘Merry

Consumerism’: Argyfwng Hunaniaeth

Identity crisis: Our spending habits are becoming an increasing part of Christmas. Source: JillWellington (via Pixabay).

Jack Robert Stacey Editor-in-Chief

Now that the nights are growing colder and streets are lined with festive-themed decorations, it seems that the Christmas period has, whether we are prepared for it or not, arrived once again.

Over the last few weeks, however, the holiday season has been ushered in an entirely different way.

Argyfwng hunaniaeth: Mae ein harferion gwario yn dod yn rhan gynyddol o’r Nadolig. Tarrddiad: JillWellington (via Pixabay).

At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our responsibility to maintain the highest possible standards. We may occasionally make mistakes, however if you believe we have fallen below the standards we seek to uphold, please email editor@gairrhydd.com. You can view our Ethical Policy Statement and Complaints Procedure at cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/complaints.

Opinions expressed in editorials and opinion pieces are not reflective of Cardiff Student Media, who act as the publisher of Gair Rhydd in legal terms, and should not be considered official communications or the organisation’s stance. Gair Rhydd is a Post Office registered newspaper.

This so-called ‘Christmas of Consumption’ has officially begun to seep into television advertisements and shop window displays across the UK. Despite still stressing the importance of traditional values like goodwill and celebrating together, many critics have suggested that modern Christmas culture has now become more focused on gift giving and spending over the festive period than ever before.

According to research published by the Bank of England, the spending habits of people in the UK increases by approximately 29% in December on average (an increase of £740 from previous months).

Additionally, as warned by a number of financial commentators, this annual increase in spending is particularly impactful for economically-challenged households; a number of which are already struggling with mounting debt.

This increase in spending does not only apply to customers, but also to ad-

vertisers and retailers who often make efforts to produce high-quality, cinematic annual advertisements. Recent financial forecasts have reflected this trend with UK companies forecast to devote almost £8 billion to advertising during the three months surrounding Christmas day – A key advertising period for retailers known as the ‘golden quarter.’

Whilst the idea behind Christmas has continued to change and evolve over time, these findings highlight a growing trend in the way that people are choosing to celebrate over the festive period.

To many, therefore, this focus on spending raises a number of interesting questions around the impact that this ‘Christmas of Consumption’ is having on our understanding of the holiday, namely: ‘Have we forgotten the true meaning of Christmas?’

With all of this in mind, it’s important to recognise that there is much more to Christmas than our increasingly contrived and spending-focused relationship with it. Although people celebrate the festive season in a variety of different ways, this is fundamentally a time to come together with friends and family to reflect on the events of the past year.

This is perhaps best summarised in the words of Henry David Thoreau, a nineteenth-century philosopher and essayist who wrote that: “The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.”

Jack Robert Stacey Prif Olygydd

Gan fod y nosweithiau bellach yn tyfu’n oerach a bod strydoedd wedi’u leinio ag addurniadau ar thema’r Nadolig, mae’n ymddangos bod cyfnod y Nadolig, p’un a ydym yn barod ar ei gyfer ai peidio, wedi cyrraedd unwaith eto.

Dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, fodd bynnag, mae tymor y gwyliau wedi’i dywys mewn ffordd gwbl wahanol.

Mae’r ‘Nadolig Bwyta’ fel y’i gelwir wedi dechrau’n swyddogol i hysbysebion teledu ac arddangosfeydd ffenestri siopau ledled y DU.Er ei fod yn dal i bwysleisio pwysigrwydd gwerthoedd traddodiadol fel ewyllys da a dathlu gyda’i gilydd, mae llawer o feirniaid wedi awgrymu bod diwylliant modern y Nadolig bellach wedi canolbwyntio mwy ar roi anrhegion a gwario dros gyfnod yr ŵyl nag erioed o’r blaen.

Yn ôl ymchwil a gyhoeddwyd gan Fanc Lloegr, mae arferion gwario pobl yn y DU yn cynyddu tua 29% ym mis Rhagfyr ar gyfartaledd (cynnydd o £740 o’r misoedd blaenorol).

Yn ogystal, fel y rhybuddiodd nifer o sylwebyddion ariannol, mae’r cynnydd blynyddol hwn mewn gwariant yn arbennig o effeithiol ar gyfer aelwydydd sy’n cael eu herio’n economaidd; mae nifer ohonynt eisoes yn cael trafferth gyda dyledion cynyddol.

Mae’r cynnydd hwn mewn gwariant

nid yn unig yn berthnasol i gwsmeriaid, ond hefyd i hysbysebwyr a manwerthwyr sy’n aml yn ymdrechu i gynhyrchu hysbysebion blynyddol sinematig o ansawdd uchel.Mae rhagolygon ariannol diweddar wedi adlewyrchu’r duedd hon gyda rhagolygon cwmnïau’r DU yn neilltuo bron i £8 biliwn i hysbysebu yn ystod y tri mis o amgylch dydd Nadolig – Cyfnod hysbysebu allweddol i fanwerthwyr a elwir yn ‘chwarter euraidd’. Er bod y syniad y tu ôl i’r Nadolig wedi parhau i newid ac esblygu dros amser, mae’r canfyddiadau hyn yn amlygu tuedd gynyddol yn y ffordd y mae pobl yn dewis dathlu dros gyfnod yr ŵyl. I lawer, felly, mae’r ffocws hwn ar wariant yn codi nifer o gwestiynau diddorol ynghylch yr effaith y mae’r ‘Nadolig Bwyta’ hwn yn ei chael ar ein dealltwriaeth o’r gwyliau, sef: ‘A ydym wedi anghofio gwir ystyr y Nadolig?’

Gyda hyn i gyd mewn golwg, mae’n bwysig cydnabod bod llawer mwy i’r Nadolig na’n perthynas gynyddol gyffiniol a phellach sy’n canolbwyntio ar wariant ag ef.Er bod pobl yn dathlu tymor yr ŵyl mewn amrywiaeth o wahanol ffyrdd, mae hwn yn amser yn y bôn i ddod ynghyd â ffrindiau a theulu i fyfyrio ar ddigwyddiadau’r flwyddyn ddiwethaf. Efallai mai’r ffordd orau o grynhoi hyn yng ngeiriau Henry David Thoreau, athronydd a thraethawdwr o’r bedwaredd ganrif ar bymtheg a ysgrifennodd: “Mae’r ffordd rydych chi’n treulio’r Nadolig yn llawer pwysicach na faint.”

2 EDITORIAL

A wonderous way to make new friends this winter

Walkabout Thursday 9th December 17:00-21:00

Winter Wonderland

How will the UK respond to the ‘Omnicron’ varient?

Contributor

On 26th November, the World Health Organization (WHO) was first informed by scientists in South Africa about a new coronavirus variant ‘of concern’ – the Omicron.

Since then, it has been found in over 30 countries, and set in motion a global research effort to study the virus and possible ways to avoid danger to life and property.

Adrian Puren, acting executive of South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) told Reuters, “What will outcompete Delta? That has always been the question, in terms of transmissibility at least… perhaps this particular variant is the variant.” The Omicron variant has more than 30 mutations, twice as many as the Delta variant – easily making it more transmissible. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) also suggested deep concerns, particularly about the transmissibility of the new variant.

Under the light of such discoveries, Boris Johnson announced Plan A and Plan B of the government’s ‘autumn and winter plan’ in anticipation of rising Covid cases in the coming months, alongside a toolkit of restrictions that could be introduced in England if the NHS comes under subsequent pressure.

Plan A consists of an enhanced vaccination program, offered to 12- to 15-year-olds, and a booster program offered to those over 50s; testing and isolation for those infected and free rapid lateral flow tests for the public; travel restrictions at the border, increased investment on NHS resources and selfprotection that revolves around handwashing and mask-wearing in risky or busy spaces.

Health secretary, Sajid Javid said “we must act with caution”, and ruled out measures including triggering winter plan B – which would involve working from home, mask-wearing and Covid passports.

The head of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Dr Jenny Har-

ries, said: “We have started to see cases where there are no links to travel, suggesting that we have a small amount of community transmission”.

Professor Mark Woolhouse, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M) which advises the Government said, “If Omicron is here in the UK, and it certainly is, if there’s community transmission in the UK, and it certainly looks that way, then it’s that community transmission that will drive a next wave.”

Even as Boris Johnson said that Christmas celebrations should go ahead as “normally as possible”. The government has been urged by few of its own scientific advisers to tell people to work from home until Christmas if they can.

Adam Finn, a professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol and a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), urged people to work from home until more was known about the virus. Lockdowns could therefore be necessary for areas in which the variant is found.

With restrictions set in place at the border rather than domestic changes that include the reimposition of working from home, it is evident that government seeks to buy more time to discover more about the new variant. However, the UK already has 160 confirmed cases of Omicron virus.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control believes the variant could become dominant in the continent within months.

As previously discovered, it takes around 6 to 8 months to administer a new vaccine against new variants which makes it unlikely for the UK to be able to rely solely on new jabs to tackle the variant in the short term at least.

A scientific advisor said that the Downing Street was “putting all its eggs in one basket” by focusing its efforts on the booster vaccine drive and suggested that people take necessary steps to minimise social contacts days before the holiday season sets in.”

Calls for alcohol ban cause backlash in Welsh Rugby

Jasmine Jones Contributor

Calls for alcohol ban as WRU faces backlash after anti-social fan behaviour during Autumn Nation Series

Welsh rugby is facing a complete alcohol ban after several incidents of anti-social and unsavoury behaviour during the Autumn internationals, including a six-year-old boy being vomited on by a drunk ‘foul-mouthed’ fan.

Headlines were made for all the wrong reasons during the Fiji and Australia game in particular and calls for the WRU to get a grip of the outof-control drinking problems that are engulfing the Principality stadium are growing.

From pitch invaders to drunken

brawls, many parents are uneasy at the thought of taking their children to watch Wales play. Six-year-old Joey from Chepstow, Monmouthshire experienced this revolting behaviour first hand when he was left “in floods of tears” after being vomited on by a man who was too drunk to realise what had just happened. Joey’s mother Sophie has made calls to the Welsh Rugby Union to answer and deal with these inconsiderate fans and tackle the drinking culture connected to national rugby games.

The WRU in response has said they are “sorry to hear of the family’s experience”.

“In excess of 275,000 fans have attended the autumn nations series games and the vast majority of fans enjoy themselves in a responsible and

considerate way” a spokesperson from the Principality has claimed. They went on to say that all staff at the Principality are trained in reporting and removing fans that are visibly too intoxicated, and under no circumstances are they to sell alcohol to these people.

The principality’s central location bears no help either, with fans out drinking in the early hours in the city centre, only a short stagger away from the stadium, and once the final whistle has blown, back down to the pub. Whilst activity outside of the stadium cannot be controlled, questions are being asked on whether the sale of alcohol should be prohibited for the duration of the rugby game to slow down peoples excessive all-day drinking.

Many fans, board members, and exnational players who attended at least

Spread of the Omicron variant sparks

The emergence of a new variant of concern, dubbed ‘Omicron’, has raised fears over the sustainability of normal Christmas socialising. So far, 32 cases of the new variant – which some experts in South Africa believe emerged in an immune-suppressed host, possibly a HIV patient – have been confirmed in the UK.

As in the early stage of the UK’s initial Covid epidemic, the actual figure is likely to be far higher. Italy’s first patient is believed to have been infected more than two weeks ago, casting doubt on the efficacy of Europe’s new travel restrictions from southern Africa. Meanwhile, the booster jab rollout is being stepped up, as the potential threat from the highly mutated Omicron strain adds another level of urgency.

Restaurants have seen a lot of large corporate clients cancel their bookings in the wake of news about the new variant. Indeed, with Omicron likely spreading rapidly over the

Christmas period, attention will be focussed on the findings of major health policy institutions currently assessing the new variant’s characteristics.

one of the Autumn series games complained that not enough is being done by the Principality and WRU to tackle this issue, stating that the customer experience is not worth the £80 average ticket price.

Previous incidents have included verbal and physical altercations amongst young adults inside the then named Millennium, leading to the crime prevention programme backed by South Wales Police in 2007, and a disabled fan being subjected to abuse during the Wales vs New Zealand game back in 2017. This led to an immediate change within the stadium, with a 4,200 seat alcohol-free zone established.

This long history of alcohol abuse in Cardiff on match days poses the question; what measures will the WRU take to curb this?

cautionary measures

Violent clashes between police and anti-lockdown protesters have flared up, as a rapid rise in Covid cases is prompting governments to reimpose restrictions, some of which specifically target those who have not received a Covid vaccine.

ly Covid fatalities in the UK are half of the EU’s average. With some luck, the acute phase of Britain’s epidemic is now firmly in the rear-view mirror.

There was brief panic in financial markets last week, as news broke of the variant’s global spread, but most indices quickly recovered. At this early stage, Omicron appears to be

significantly more transmissible than the globally-dominant Delta variant, but no deaths have yet been linked to it, and there is no evidence yet that it’s able to lead to more severe illness. A senior government advisor in South Africa has said that symptoms so far have been ‘mild to moderate.’

This will come as an enormous relief to politicians on the continent.

In the Netherlands, two football games were cancelled when protesters stormed into the stadiums, which are currently banned from hosting fans. Police fired live ammunition at protesters in Rotterdam, injuring three. Large protests were also seen in Vienna, as Austria’s government announced a twenty-day nationwide lockdown, in an effort to curb Europe’s most intense epidemic. By contrast, the UK’s return to near-normality is moving forward. That’s thanks to the broad and early booster-jab rollout, and to the higher degree of acquired immunity, owing to the fact that compared to many other European governments, Downing Street chose to allow a large wave of cases to sustain through the summer, spreading out an otherwise intense spike. The payoff for that strategy is now clear: dai -

“How worried should we be? We need to be prepared and cautious, not panic, because we’re in a different situation to a year ago,” WHO scientist Soumya Swaminathan told the BBC.

The Health Secretary Sajid Javid has clarified that the government has no plans to impose restrictions on gatherings over the Christmas period. While NHS staff in some areas have been asked to avoid large gatherings altogether, the advice continues to be to consider wearing facemasks indoors, and to make use of lateral flow tests where necessary.

news@gairrhydd.com aaaaaaaSSouma Swaminathan, WHO scientist How worried should we be? We need to be prepared and cautious, not panic, because we’re in a different situation to a year ago.

4 NEWS NEWS

Zoe Kramer Alex Hughes Beth Williams Shivika Singh Alex Hughes News Editor Omicron: The variant is highly infectious but has not caused any deaths. Source: HFCM Communicatie (via Wikimedia Commons) Niladri Singh Beth Williams News Editor

On November 25th, over 750 Cardiff University students gathered in the Student Union’s Great Hall to participate at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

AGM 2021: Everything you need to know Hull factory fire causes evacuations, leaves workers jobless

To begin the annual meeting, SU President Hannah Doe read out the annual report for the 2020/21 academic year. She said: “It is a different annual report compared to previous years as many of our traditional activities weren’t able to run. So instead, we focused on our adaptability throughout the pandemic and how we shifted to support students in a predominantly digital manner”. Doe went on to discuss the SU’s focus on student wellbeing services as well as re-introducing in-person events. The union’s CEO, Daniel Palmer then discussed the financial report. Despite a deficit of £547,022 because of the Covid pandemic, he said that the student’s union was financially stable and had sufficient reserves to secure its future.

many people financially struggling, you got to spend money on what you needed”

The first proposed motion was to appoint a full time Welsh Language officer as part of the SU’s board of Trustees. The motion was proposed by Annell Dyfri, the current Welsh language officer. The role is only voluntary and part-time at the movement. In order to make it financially possible, it was suggested that the role of Heath and post-graduate officers would be combined. In her speech, Annell Dyfri said in Welsh: “The aim is to secure a specific role for the Welsh language. It is an essential role in ensuring that Welsh and non-welsh speaking students are treated equally, something that isn’t happening at the moment”. Despite opposition from the SU’s president herself, the motion was passed by an overwhelming majority.

The fourth submitted motion was for the protection of transgender students. In order to do this, the proposer, Orla Tarn wanted to implement annual training to inform others on trans issues as well as adopting the TransActual definition of Transphobia among other resolutions. Without any opposition argument, the motion for the protection of Trans youth was passed. Orla Tarn said: “Trans people are tired of awareness campaigns that do little more than share pretty, romanticised graphics on Instagram stories and glorifying individuals for doing the bare minimum” and proactive action needed to be taken. Without any opposing argument, the motion was passed.

A motion proposed by Rachel Beaney wanted to mandate the Sabbatical Officer Team to stand in solidarity with the University and Colleges Union when protesting against industrial action. This would be done by publishing a public statement of support for any 2020/21 industrial action within five days of it being formally announced. Industrial action is taken by the UCU in order to oppose poor working conditions of the university’s staff. Students voted in favour of the motion.

The penultimate motion was concerning hybrid events, seminar, meetings and guest policy. The

proposer, Joseph Liu, called for all seminars and meetings to be broadcasted live when possible as well as more availability of high-quality tech equipment for student use.

Students present voted for the motion the 5 resolves to be voted on in parts. Part 1, for all lectures, seminars and meetings to be broadcast live when possible, was passed. All other resolutions fell.

The last submitted motion was for “Refugees Welcome -University of Sanctuary Campaign”. The motion called for the university to take proactive steps in removing barriers to higher education for asylumseekers and refugees through getting involved in the University for Sanctuary Campaign. The proposer, Albert Davies-Smith discussed the under-representation of migrants within higher education. “If asylum seekers apply for university, they are barred from accessing student finance”. The seventh and final motion of the night was passed.

All passed motions will be discussed by the SU’s board of trustees who have the final say over the implementation of any policy.

The meeting is available to watch in full on the Student Union’s Facebook page. Next year’s Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place on the 24th of November, 2022.

Welsh school term dates undergo ‘radical shift’

Shivika Singh News Editor

First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced a change in term dates is under government review and by the Welsh Government. Mark Drakeford has described this step as a radical shift towards modernisation of schooling structure.

In a conversation with BBC Wales, The First Minister stated, “It means moving the pattern of education from the 19th Century when Wales was primarily an agricultural nation to the 21st Century,”.

In terms of the expected changeschanges to the school year dates and possible shorter summer holidays are under the plans by the Welsh Government. “ The way we live our lives now, the way people are employed and the way parents have to manage the competing demands of

life, means we need to revisit that fundamental thing about how the school year and the school day is organised in Wales”, the First Minister stated.

This decision of changing term dates has come put as a joint threeyear co-operation deal in the Senedd between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru that commits to exploring options to reform the ‘rhythm of the school day’ to create space for more wide-ranging, culturally accessible activities and opportunities

As part of its deal, in co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Government has also promised free school meals for all primary school pupils, free childcare for all two-year-olds.

This announcement has received mixed reactions from experts and teaching unions. It has been suggested that shorter summer holidays could help pupils from disadvan-

A new approach: Mr. Drakeford says the shift will tranform the education system from the 19th century agrarian lifestyle to a more modern system. Source: Catholic Church England (via Flickr)

taged backgrounds. Previous research has also suggested that children forget what they have learned over the six-week summer break and get out of the habit of learning. On the other hand, teaching unions NAHT Cymru has expressed its concern about altering the daily school routine.

“In terms of school day reform, which is arguably much more complex than changing the terms, pay and conditions, wrap around services like after school clubs, school transport, catering etc would all be thrown into the mix but crucially there needs to be some evidence to go down this route and as yet we’ve

Zoe Kramer Head of News

Acatastrophic fire in the Bridgewood Factory in Hull has consumed 300 tonnes of plastic, and caused the eviction of 70 local residents from their homes as well as multiple roads to be closed. No one was injured in the disaster.

The blaze began in the mid-afternoon of November 24th, prompting 127 999 calls to be made regarding the incident. Clouds of thick black smoke could be seen from the south side of the River Humber.

The emergency response to the fire was massive, with fourteen fire engines being present at the scene at the fire’s peak. Over 150 firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, a process which was still ongoing 24 hours after the fire began. Residents of the area were initially told to keep their doors and windows closed, but this precaution has since been lifted.

The factory manufactured plastics and components for the production of products such as dashboards and car mats. When burned, plastics are known to release toxic gases such as Dioxins, Furans, Mercury and Polychlorinated Biphenyls.

Jason Kirby of the fire service told the BBC, “We are really confident the risk is incredibly low from those products’ combustion now, because we’ve knocked the fire down so significantly.

“Any dangerous products in there, because of the high temperatures, will have burned off and shouldn’t impact any of the community.”

The cause of the fire is as yet unknown, with reports of leaflets being put under local residents’ doors asking if they had seen any suspicious activity. However, despite rumours of arson, the cause is most likely accidental. A full report on the incident won’t be completed for some time.

A spokeswoman for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are underway with our fire investigation at the Bridgewood site in Hessle but it will take several weeks.

“We are working closely with business owners and key partners to carry out a thorough investigation.

“Due to the size of the site, damage from part of the roof collapsing and cleaning up the foam will all add time to the process and at this time we are unable to confirm any more details.”

The approximately 120 factory workers have had a devastating impact from the fire, and are out of work. The Hessle company has offered up 10 roles in its Saxon Foods, Scunthorpe location. The local community has also rallied around fundraising efforts to support the workers through the holiday season.

NEWYDDION 5

Students’ Union: The annual AGM at the SU saw several motions passed. Credit: Jack Robert Stacey

TAF-OD

Steffan Alun Leonard taf-od@gairrhydd.com

Myfyrwyr o blaid Swyddog y Gymraeg llawn amseri Brifysgol Caerdydd

Nel Richards Pennaeth Tafod

Nos Iau, 25 Tachwedd, cynhaliwyd Cyfarfod Blynyddol

Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd, gyda thua 800 o bobl yn bresennol. Ymhlith yr holl drafodaethau, derbyniwyd cynnig ger bron y gynhadledd gan Annell Dyfri, Swyddog rhan amser y Gymraeg i sefydlu swyddog llawn amser dros y Gymraeg.

Y Gorffennol

Dyma’r eildro mewn tair mlynedd i’r fyfyrwyr dweud eu dweud ar y fater gan bleidleisio o blaid y swydd. Yn 2018, pasiwyd y cynnig ond yna roedd rhaid galw ar Fwrdd yr Ymddiriedolwyr i gymryd y swydd i mewn i ystyriaeth. Ond, penderfynwyd nad oedd hi’n ddigon ymarferol creu wythfed swyddog fel ychwanegiad. Ym mis Tachwedd 2019, cafwyd hyn ei wrthod ac roedd disgwyl i’r Undeb gynnal adolygiad o’r sefyllfa. Mae Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd wedi datgan fod y pandemig wedi’u rhwystro rhag cadw at eu hamserlen wrth ddadansoddi’r adolygiad, ond fe fydd yn cael eu trafod ar gyfer Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol Tachwedd 2022.

Y Cyfarfod

Ar hyn o bryd, Swyddog y Gymraeg rhan amser yw Annell Dyfri, yn gweithio’n ddi-dâl, ochr yn ochr â’i hastudiaethau ac yn ei haraith, dywedodd fod y “rôl yn hanfodol i sicrhau bod ein llais ni, y myfyrwyr Cymraeg a’r di-Gymraeg fel ei gilydd yn derbyn yr un tegwch a chefnogaeth o fewn yr undeb – rhywbeth sydd ddim yn digwydd ar hyn o bryd.”

Dyma “gam hanfodol” sy’n “effeithio ar bob myfyriwr.”

Ychwanegodd Annell; “mae’r Gymraeg yn perthyn i bawb, i’r di-Gymraeg

a’r Gymraeg fel ei gilydd. Mae’n rhan annotod o hunaniaeth yr undeb a’r brifysgol” ac “mae’n fater o gynhwysiant a chydraddoldeb”.

Yn gwrthwynebu’r cynnig oedd llywydd yr Undeb, sef Hannah Doe – dywedodd nad oedd creu wythfed swyddog yn bosibl oherwydd pwysau systematig.

“Ni yw un o’r fyrddau ymddiriedolwyr mwyaf yn y DU yn baord, ac fe fydd hwn yn newid effeithlonrwydd ein bwrdd.”

Mynegodd Hannah; “Mae’r iaith Gymraeg yn rhan enfawr o bwy ydym ni fel prifysgol ac undeb ac mae wastad lle i wella”

Yn ychwanegol i’r drafodaeth, camwyd myfyriwr arall, Kieran Caper Williams i’r llwyfan i hawlio ei farn;

“Mae’n bwysig iawn bod gennym ni Swyddog llawn amser i’r Gymraeg, hyd yn oed os yw bwrdd yr ymddiriedolwyr yn dweud na chan gwaith, byddwn ni’n dweud ie fil gwaith yn fwy”

“Peidiwch â meddwl am yr un hen ddadleuon o sinigiaeth ac anobaith ynghylch cyfyngiadau ariannol a pha mor anodd yw mynd heibio’r bwrdd ymddiriedolwyr hwn, rwyf am ichi feddwl am yr hyn sydd yn eich calon”

Ond y myfyrwyr oedd yn bwrw eu pleidlais ac yn lleisio’u barn y noson hon.

Doedd neb wedi gwrthwnebu, a bron i bawb oedd yn bresennol wedi pleidleisio o blaid sefydlu Swyddog Llawn Amser dros y Gymraeg. Wrth feddwl ymlaen, fe fydd Bwrdd yr Ymddiriedolwyr yn trafod y cynnig i weld os allent sicrhau tegwch i’r Gymraeg. Deio Owen yn eilio’r cynnig.

Wrth wirfoddoli fel Cadeirydd

Cymdeithas Iolo, mae Deio Owen hefyd yn drysorydd Y Gym Gym (Y Gymdeithas Gymraeg), sy’n trefnu digwyddiadau i fyfyrwyr Cymraeg y

brifysgol.

“Rydyn ni’n bedwar myfyriwr ail flwyddyn sy’n gorfod trefnu digwyddiadau i bobol, ac mae’n lot o waith heb fod angen,” meddai Deio Owen.

Ym ei farn ef, dydy hi “ddim yn deg” bod yna gyfrifoldeb ar fyfyrwyr i drefnu digwyddiadau, a chynrychioli myfyrwyr Cymraeg yn ddi-dâl, pan mae’r gwaith yn cael ei dalu’n llawn amser mewn tair prifysgol arall yng Nghymru.

“Dydyn ni ddim yn teimlo bod yna gynrychiolaeth Gymraeg o gwbl [o fewn yr Undeb Myfyrwyr].

“Maen nhw’n dweud bod yna ddim pres, neu does yna ddim digon o alw amdano fo, fysa’r person yma ddim efo job i’w wneud.

“Mae’n rhwystredig, â bod yn onest.”

Mae’r myfyrwyr wedi sefydlu deiseb yn galw am Swyddog Cymraeg Llawn Amser hefyd, ac yn gofyn i bobol ei harwyddo er mwyn cefnogi’r ymgyrch. Erbyn hyn, mae bron i 300 wedi arwyddo’r ddeiseb.

Dywedodd Annell Dyfri:

“Dwi i’n credu bod yna ymdeimlad cryf ymysg Myfyrwyr Cymraeg a di-Gymraeg o’r angen am newid”, ac ychwanegodd, “rhaid parhau i frwydro nes ry’n ni’n cael be’ ry’n ni eisie.”

“Mae’n fater o gydraddoldeb yn fwy na dim a dwi’n credu ei bod hi’n hollbwysig bod yna rhywun o fewn yr Undeb sy’n cefnogi llais myfyrwyr Cymraeg, y dysgwyr ac ati, a hefyd yn rhywun sydd yn ein deall ac yn gallu ein cefnogi” meddai Annell.

Maent yn galw am lais ac am gynrychiolaeth i weithio dros eu hawliau. Yng ngeiriau Swyydog y Gymraeg rhan amser;

‘‘Os all prifysgolion Bangor, Aberystwyth ac Abertawe gael swyddog llawn amser i weithredu dros y Gymraeg, pam na all ein prifysgol ni wneud yr un peth?”

Ers i’r cynnig gael ei gymaredwyo gan y myfyrwyr, bydd yn rhaid i fwrdd yr ymddiriedolwyr drafod y pwnc i weld os allent alluogi i Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd gael Swyddog y Gymraeg llawn amser.

Cymru yn nodi Diwrnod y Rhuban Gwyn

Nansi Eccott

Golygydd Taf-od

Yn ôl y Cenhedloedd Unedig mae 1 o bob 3 merch yn profi trais a cham-drin gan gynnwys cam-drin domestig, treisio a thrais rhywiol, anffurfio organau cenhedlu benywod, priodas dan orfod, cam-fanteisio rhywiol, aflonyddu, stelcio, a thrais yn seiliedig ar ‘anrhydedd.’

Mae elusen Rhuban Gwyn y DU yn annog dynion i wneud “addewid y Rhuban Gwyn” sef i beidio â chyflawni, esgusodi neu aros yn dawel

Yn ôl y Cenhedloedd

Unedig mae 1 o bob 3 merch yn profi trais a cham-drin.’’

am drais yn erbyn menywod. Cynhaliwyd gwylnos ‘Nid yn fy enw I” ar risiau’r Senedd ar nos Lun yr 22ain o Dachwedd gan Senedd Cymru er mwyn nodi pwysigrwydd y diwrnod. Mae’n gyfnod i ni allu addysgu ein gilydd a chodi ymwybyddiaeth ar y materion sy’n effeithio ar nifer fawr o fenywod ledled y wlad yn ddyddiol; yn ogystal â chynnig cymorth a chefnogaeth i oroeswyr camdriniaeth a thrais.

Y Llywodraeth yn gweithredu

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyhoeddi adroddiad sy’n gwerthuso’i gwaith wrth geisio atal trais yn erbyn menywod, gan gynnwys trais domestig a thrais rhywiol. Er mwyn cynyddu ar a gwella’r gwaith hanfodol yma, fe fydd y Llywodraeth hefyd yn cynnal ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus o’r 7fed o Ragfyr.

Canolbwyntia’r ymgynghoriad ar y modd y gall Cymru gryfhau ei gweithredoedd i derfynu trais yn erbyn menywod, Cam-drin a Thrais

Domestig yn enwedig dros y pum mlynedd nesaf. Fe fydd ffocws y strategaeth ar drais yn erbyn menywod a merched ar strydoedd Cymru, mewn gweithleoedd ac yn y cartref.

Mewn datganiad fideo ar Twitter, dywedodd y Prif Weinidog, Mark Drakeford, mai “problem gymdeithasol sy’n gofyn am ateb cymdeithasol” yw trais yn erbyn menywod a merched y wlad.

“Rydyn ni’n cryfhau ein strategaeth trais yn erbyn menywod, camdrin domestig, a thrais rhywiol er mwyn gwneud mwy i fynd i’r afael â thrais gan ddynion a’r cynnydd parhaus mewn aflonyddu ar fenywod a merched yn eu cartrefi ac ein

problem gymdeithasol sy’n gofyn am ateb cymdeithasol” yw trais yn erbyn menywod a merched y wlad.’’

strydoedd” meddai Drakeford. “Rwyf yn annog pob dyn i wrando ar fenywod a dysgu eu cefnogi, fel y gallwn roi terfyn ar drais yn erbyn nywod, byth ei esgusodi, nac aros yn dawel amdano.”

Dywedodd Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymru, Jane Hutt wrth y BBC bod “trais gan ddynion ac anghydraddoldeb rhwng y rhywiau wedi effeithio ar fywydau menywod mewn modd cyson ac eang ers rhy hir o lawer.”

“Mae angen gweithredu ar y ddwy ochr er mwyn mynd i’r afael â thrais gan ddynion, anghydraddoldeb rhwng y rhywiau a chasineb at fenywod; rhaid i ni gefnogi goroeswyr a dwyn cyflawnwyr i gyfrif, ond rhaid i ni hefyd sicrhau newid gwirioneddol mewn ymddygiad” ategodd y Gweinidog.

6 TAF-OD

Rhuban: Gweithredu yn erbyn trais. T arddiad: Smuconlaw (via Wikimedia Commons) Y myfyrwyr yn pleidleisio : pawb yn pleidleisio o blaid. T arddiad: via Nel Richards Nel Richards Gracie Richards Nansi Eccott

Dyfodol y Radio yn y Byd Digidol

Gyda’r chwyldro digidol yn codi momentwm, beth yw effaith hyn ar y radio?

Nel Richards Pennaeth Taf-od

Gyda fwyfwy o bobl yn defnyddio seinydd clyfar yn eu tai, pa effaith mae hyn yn cael ar orsafoedd radio?

Yn ôl Statisca, yng nghwarter cyntaf 2021, gwrandawodd 88% o boblogaeth Prydain ar y radio. Mae cynnydd sylweddol wedi bod dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf wrth i fwy o bobl defnyddio eu seinydd clyfar, fel yr Alexa, Sonos neu Google Nest i chwarae’r radio.

Roedd adroddiad Ofcom 2017 yn datgan fod 63% o bobl (ym Mhry -

yng nghwarter cyntaf 2021, gwrandawodd 88% o boblogaeth Prydain ar y radio.”

Sara Jones Cyfrannydd

Ma’r Nadolig yn ddrud mae’n drafferth.

Os nag y’ch chi’n gyfarwydd â chân Delwyn Siôn ‘Un Seren’, ma’r lyric penodol yma yn rhyw fath o slogan/catchphrase/ motto fi’n byw wrtho bob tro ma’r cyfnod yma’n bwrw ni ar ddiwedd bob blwyddyn.

Dim y ffaith bo fi’n sgint yw e, a dim rhoi bai ar brisiau nwyddau amser Nadolig dwi’n neud yn y rant yma (er bo bod yn fyfyriwr sy’n edrych ar fy nghyfri banc bob bore Sul a meddwl ‘Pam nes ti neud hyna neithwr?’ ddim yn helpu’r achos). Yn syml y broblem sydd gyda fi yw’r cyfnod sy’n arwain lan i’r un diwrnod ‘na, y 25ain o Ragfyr.

Dychmygwch bo’ chi’n cael y’ch penblwydd ar ddiwedd mis. Falle bo rhai o chi sy’n darllen hwn, yn cael eich penbwlydd ar ddiwdd bob mis, felly rhowch y dychmygu i un ochr

1. Pwy wyt ti a beth wyt ti’n astudio?

Alys-Mai Walters, a dwi’n astudio Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth.

2. Beth yw dy hoff ddiddordeb? Cerddoriaeth.

3. Beth yw dy hoff albwm? Adele 30.

dain) yn gwrando ar orsafoedd radio sy’n canolbwyntio ar gerddoriaeth, tra bod 38% yn gwrando ar orsafoedd sy’n rhoi blaenoriaeth i sgwrsio a siarad. Mae Myfyrwyr yn pleidleisio o blaid Swyddog y Gymraeg i Brifysgol Caerdyddtri o bob deg yn dweud eu bod yn defnyddio gwasanaeth cerddoriaeth ar-lein, tra bod 16% wedi gwrando ar bodlediadau. Felly, er bod canran sylweddol yn defnyddio gwasanaeth digidol, gorsafoedd radio sydd ar flaen y gad, o hyd. Er gwaethaf yr amrywiaeth o ffyrdd y gellir defnyddio cynnwys sain bellach, mae cyrhaeddiad radio byw yn parhau i fod yn uchel iawn. Mae naw o bob deg o bobl (89.6%) yn y DU yn gwrando ar y radio o leiaf unwaith yr wythnos. Alexa’n rhan o’r teulu Mae 28% o bobl rhwng yr oedran 25 a 54 yn berchen ar seinydd clyfar, yn ol Statisca. Mae cynorthw -

yydd llais sydd ar y teclyn bellach yn rhan amlwg o’n bywydau, ac yma i aros. Gallwch diwnio i fwy na 50,000 o orsafoedd o 200 rhanbarth ledled y byd. Mae “Siri’ yn ffrind ac “Alexa”’n cadw llygaid ar bob dim. Mae dros chwarter cartrefi’r DU yn berchen ar un, ac mae gan Google Assistant hanner biliwn o ddefnyddwyr misol, ac mae cynnydd yn y nifer sy’n ei ddefnyddio. Mae cynulleidfaoedd iau yn hollol gyfarwydd â siarad â theclyn ar fwrdd y gegin. Mae llawer ohonynt wedi tyfu i fyny gydag Alexa neu Google Assistant ac yn sgwrsio â nhw sawl gwaith y dydd yn eu cartrefi, a hynny’n amlach na’u rhieni !

Dywedodd James Purnell, cyfarwyddwr BBC Radio ac Addysg wrth Radio Today; “A gyda mwy na chwarter y boblogaeth bellach yn gwrando ar radio byw ar-lein bob wythnos, mae’n dangos pa rôl

Pryd o Daf-od Gwion Ifan

am eiliad. Meddyliwch os ydych chi’n treulio’r mis cyfan hwnnw yn dathlu’ch penblwydd. Chi ddim. Ma ‘na un diwrnod ar ddiwedd y mis ble chi’n dathlu a dyna ni, ma popeth drosodd. Wedi mynd. Aros am flwyddyn arall i wneud yn union yr un peth flwyddyn nesaf. Felly pam bod na rhyw obsesiwn wedi mynd gyda’r cyfnod yma, i fynd ati i yrru cardiau mor gynted a phosib. Fi ddim yn gweud bod rhai mor wael a Pam o ‘Gavin & Stacey’ yn danfon ar y 1af o Dachwedd ond ma’r 1af o Ragfyr ddigon gwael fel mae. Pam bod e’n dderbyniol i chwrae cerddoriaeth mor gynnar â ddiwedd Tachwedd? Pam bo fi ddim yn gallu cerdded rownd unrhyw archfarchnad neu siop unrhywle heb gael Wham neu Mariah Carey wedi gwasgu lawr fy nghlustie.

Ma’ gormod o olau i gael rownd y lle ma hefyd. Mae’n ormod. Erbyn hyn am ryw reswm ma’ fel ‘se dyletswydd arnoch i roi goleuade ac addurniade lan jyst i beidio edrych yn wahanol i bob un arall sy’n ‘i

4. Hoff gaffi yng Nghaerdydd? Social Eats, yn agos i Senghennydd.

5. Beth yw dy hoff brofiad? Teithio o amgylch Groeg.

6. Prosecco neu champagne? Prosecco.

Mae cynulleidfaoedd iau yn hollol gyfarwydd â siarad â theclyn ar fwrdd y gegin.”

bwysig y mae BBC Sounds yn ei chwarae i’n gorsafoedd ac i’n cynulleidfaoedd ” Mae radio yn ein cysylltu â’r byd - y newyddion a’r clecs diweddaraf, cerddoriaeth newydd a sgyrsiau diddorol. Yr hyn sy’n gwneud gwasanaethau sain ar alw yn wahanol yw’r potensial i wrando - mewn theori o leiaf - ar unrhyw beth, ac mae gwrando’n bwysig.

Mae radio yn ein cysylltu â’r byd - y newyddion a’r clecs diweddaraf, cerddoriaeth newydd a sgyrsiau diddorol.”

neud e. A peidiwch a dechre ar ffilms, dwi ddim yn ffan. Ma’ nhw’n rhy... credu mae ‘heart-warming’ yw’r gair Saesneg. Nes i wylio ‘Love Actually’ am y tro cyntaf neithiwr, ac odd e’n teimlo fel bo fi ‘di cyflawni trosedd gan bo fi di aros mor hir i wneud hynny. Er, cafodd y ffilm ei ddisgrifio i fi’n diweddar, nid fel ‘ffilm Nadolig’, ond ‘ffilm o gwmpas cyfnod Nadolig’... iep. Ond eto, yn yr un gân, Delwyn Siôn sgwennodd ‘Mae’r Nadolig yn em, mae’n brydferth’. Er bod e’n edrych fel bo’ fi ‘di dod ar draws fel rhyw Grinch bach anhapus yn y rhan cyntaf, mae lle i gyfaddef, ac ma lle gan unrhyw Grinch amser Nadolig i gyfaddef, nad yw’r cyfnod gor-liwgar, gor-lachar, gor-drafferthus yma yn wael i gyd. Dim bod fi’n ceisio dod ar draws fel cymeriad Martin Freeman o’r ffilm ‘Nativity!’ yn y rhan olaf ‘ma ond ma ‘na le i ffeindio’r prydferddwch ymysg yr holl brysurdeb yma.

Esgus yw Nadolig yn y bôn. Pa gyfnod arall ynystod yr holl flwyddyn

sydd am ryw reswm yn ei wneud e’n dderbyniol i fyta ac yfed a gwario unrhyw beth chi ishe a’i frwsho i un ochr achos ‘oooo weel mae’n Nadolig’. Ma’r pŵer gyda’r gair ‘ma ‘Nadolig’ i wneud pobl yn hapusach na beth ma nhw di bod drwy gydol y flwyddyn yn flaenorol. Ma treulio amser gyda’r teulu heb feddwl am unrhyw waith, be bynnag y’ch oedran yn wych.

Mae’n gyfnod lle allwch chi gwmpo mas gyda’ch teulu oll, ond bod yn hapus am y peth achos bo’ chi’n gwbod bod pawb ar hyd a lled y wlad yn gwneud yn union yr un peth. Ma’ gallu rhoi rhyw anrheg neu rodd i rywun sy’n meddwl llawer ichi yn rhywbeth sy’n gallu codi calon, nid yn unig iddyn nhw ond i chi hefyd gan bo chi’n teimlo fel bo chi’n berson da. Mae’n wych. Felly, os i chi, yn bwriadu mynd mewn i’r Nadolig leni eto fel fi yn meddwl, ‘O na, co ni off ‘to’, cofiwch am y pethe bach yna sydd yn gwneud y Nadolig yn gyfnod hudolus, mae e werth e yn y pendraw.

7. Disgrifia dy hun mewn 3 gair. Caredig, bywiog a brwdfrydig

8. Pam dewis Caerdydd? Bywyd y ddinas, a digon o gymdeithasu.

9. Beth fyddet ti’n gwneud yn ystod dy noson ddelfrydol? Takeaway a Netflix.

Barn y Bobl: Hoff gaffi yng Nghaerdydd?

Alexa Price Cyfrannydd

Ail flwyddyn Cwrs: Saesneg Llen

Oes na unrhywbeth yn well na coffi poeth ar ôl mynd am dro o flaen y môr? Wedi ei leoli lawr ym Mae Caerdydd, jyst tu ôl i Mermaid Quay, mae’r caffi Quantum Coffee Roasters yn berffaith ym mhob ffordd. Dros y tymor yma, rydw i wedi gwario sawl prynhawn yn astudio ymhlith goleuadau bach pert Quantum Coffee. Nid yn unig ydy blas y coffi yn anhygoel, mae o hefyd yn fforddiadwy, a mae’r staff i gyd yn gyfeillgar tu hwnt!

Er bod y Bae yn taith tua 40 munud o Cathays, does dim byd yn bod gyda bach o ymarfer corff ac awyr iach.

Nid yn unig ydy blas y coffi yn anhygoel, mae o hefyd yn fforddiadwy, a mae’r staff i gyd yn gyfeillgar tu hwnt!’’

Y drydedd flwyddyn

Cwrs: Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth

Mae caffi yn le i ymlacio, cael sgwrs gyda ffrind neu i wneud bach o waith, ac mae digonedd o gyfleoedd i wneud hyn yng Ngaherdydd.

Rhwng darlithoedd rydw i’n mwynhau mynd i Coffee Barker yn yr arcêds yn dre. Mae’n gyfforddus, yn gynnes ac yn darparu coffi da! Ceir gyfle i fwyta brecwast, cinio neu byrbryd cyflym yno ac mae’r prydau i gyd yn arbennig.

Mae’r cerddoriaeth yn ymlaciedig ac yn ychwanegu at y naws sydd yno - un clyd. Ewch i gael saib!

Mae’r cerddoriaeth yn ymlaciedig ac yn ychwanegu at y naws sydd yno - un clyd. Ewch i gael saib!”

Y flwyddyn gyntaf

Cwrs: Cymraeg a Ffrangeg

Dyma’r tri chaffi neisiaf yng Nghaerdydd (yn fy marn i) i fynd i sgwrsio gyda ffrindiau, yfed y coffi gorau neu i ymlacio ar ôl darlith ddwys:

10. Hoff glwb nos? Clwb Ifor Bach.

11. Hoff lyfr? Martha, Jac a Sianco gan Caryl Lewis.

12. Y wlad neu’r ddinas? Y wlad

13. Pwy fydd yn trafod gyda’r tafod wythnos nesa’? Efa Ceiri

1. Social eats, Heol Salisbury - Os ydych chi’n chwilio am rywle i instagramo’ch coffi, dyma’r lle i fynd. (Mae’r bwyd yn anhygoel hefyd).

2. Coffee Barker, Arcêd y Castell - Y lleoliad mwya’ lyfli ar gyfer brecwast, cinio neu goffi.

3. Hoffi Coffi, Heol Colum - rownd y gornel o adeilad John Percival felly’n berffaith ar brynhawn ddydd Gwener ar ôl darlith Gymraeg!

CHWARAEON 7

Trafod gyda’r Taf-od Alys-Mai Walters

Anest Williams Cyfrannydd Alexa Price Cyfrannydd

THE TAF THE TAF

XMAS MENU XMAS MENU

- £13.50 for 3 courses -

(V) Vegetarian | (VG) Vegan | (GF) Gluten Free (GFO) Gluten Free Option Available

Complimentary VK on arrival!

STARTERS

Pate with toasted sourdough bread

Spiced root vegetable soup (VG) (GF)

Creamy garlic mushrooms served on toasted ciabatta (V)

MAINS

Served with all the festive trimmings, pigs in blankets, carrots, peas, brussel sprouts, roast potatoes and luxury stuffing balls & gravy:

Pembrokeshire Turkey (GFO)

Honey glazed Gammon (GFO)

Vegan sausages (VG)

DESSERTS

Christmas Pudding (V)

With juicy vine fruits, brandy, sherry and glace cherries. Served with a brandy sauce

Profiteroles (V)

Mango sorbet (VG) (GF)

Deposits are required within 48 hours of booking. If you have a food intolerance or allergy please let our staff know.

Looking for casual work?

IT Technical Assistant

Pay: £8.91 p/hr

Days/ hours of post: 15 – 25 hours’ p/wk

Details & main duties: IT Technical assistant required to help with the setting up and maintenance of computer equipment throughout the year. Applicants will need excellent IT skills, including use of Windows environment, Microsoft Office and troubleshooting.

CLIMB Covid HelpDesk Advisor

Pay: £11.50 p/hr

Days/ hours of post: Approx. 22 hours’ p/wk

Details & main duties: The role holder will be required to cover a helpdesk provision outside of normal working hours. 5pm-9pm, Monday-Friday and 9am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday.

Principality Stadium (Bar & Retail)

Pay: £8.36 p/hr (U23) / £8.91 p/hr (23+)

Days/ hours of post: 17th & 18th December

Details & main duties: We are currently looking for staff to work at the Principality Stadium for two concerts in December. You will be working on the bar and food units. Bar experience is not essential but you must have excellent communication and customer service skills.

3rd floor, Students’ Union 029 2078 1535 Jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk Scan the QR code to see these vacancies (and many more) online. Just register an account and then you can apply for any of the roles that you’re interested in!

Here’s just a selection of opportunities currently available through Jobshop! Scan the QR code to see these vacancies!

UK advises citizens to leave Ethiopia immediately as crisis in Tigray worsens

British nationals currently in Ethiopia have been warned to leave the country immediately as the conflict with Tigray worsens.

The UK’s Africa Minister Vicky Ford said the conflict in Ethiopia is ‘deteriorating quickly’ and should the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) reach Addis Ababa, travel opportunities to leave the country could be ‘severely’ limited. She said she urged Britons to leave ‘whatever their circumstance’ while Addis Ababa Bole International Airport remains open. Interest free loans will be made available to allow Britons to return to the UK where they otherwise could not afford the journey.

Germany, France, and the USA have also advised their citizens to leave.

As the TPLF advance towards the capital of Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has encouraged former soldiers to rejoin the army while he himself goes to the front line to fight the rebels.

Former US Assistant Secretary of State to Africa, Tibor Nagy, has warned that the battle for Addis Ababa could be ‘horrendously bloody’.

The TPLF has said that it’s actual intention in threatening the capital is to force the Prime Minister to lift a blockade on aid entering the Tigray region, although they also wish for Abiy to step down, saying he has lost the right to govern by imposing the blockade and waging brutal conflict in Tigray.

The African Union has attempted to negotiate an end to violence, however neither the TPLF or Ethiopian government have agreed to talks. US Special Envoy Jeffrey Feltman has said that both sides seem to believe they are on the cusp of military victory.

Ethiopia’s UN ambassador has responded to calls for a political solution, saying he respected calls for dialogue, but labelled the TPLF a ‘criminal group’.

TPLF spokesperson Getachew Reda has criticized peace initiatives via Twitter for being “about saving Abiy, not about addressing the most critical political challenges in the country”.

The current conflict has lasted a year already, and led to a humanitarian crisis, but it’s origins can be traced further back.

Ethiopia is the second most populous African country and is home to a number of different ethnic groups including the Tigrayans. The TPLF ruled the country from 1991, in a coalition which amounted to a oneparty state. The TPLF leadership was accused of rigging elections, jailing opponents, and favouring the Tigrayan people (although poverty was still widespread in the Tigray region).

When the TPLF were forced to hand over power to Abiy Ahmed in 2018, Abiy spoke of peace and liberalizing. He removed corrupt TPLF officials from power and created a new coalition, which the TPLF declined to join. However soon he was facing the same accusations of corruption as those before him. When Abiy postponed elections because of COVID-19, the TPLF defied him by holding their own elections in Tigray, accusing Abiy of using the pandemic as an excuse. This led to the Ethiopian government mobilizing its military, claiming TPLF had attacked a military base and they were therefore obligated to respond, and so the current conflict began.

many as 16,000 to 50,000 people may have died, and over 60,000 Tigrayans have fled the fighting across the border to Sudan, with many more internally displaced. There have been reports from refugees of massacres of civilians and pervasive sexual violence. Journalist’s access to the region has been restricted and internet access has been cut off at times.

The Ethiopian government has been accused of cutting off aid to TPLF controlled regions, using starvation as a weapon of war, which they deny. The UN estimates that more than 400,000 Ethiopians are in famine.

Eirian Jones Contributor politics@gairrhydd.com

The ethnic diversity of Addis Ababa has added to the tensions, as there are accusations that police are targeting Tigrayan civilians, including the alleged arrest of two Tigrayan law professors. Officials deny this, saying those arrested were done so in line with the state of emergency and not on the basis of their ethnicity.

In the last year of conflict, as

The conflict in Ethiopia is important to western international ob-

jectives; the country is considered a key western ally in an unstable region. If Tigray were to become independent, it could lead to increased conflict as other regions break away as well. If more were to flee this heightened conflict, there are fears Ethiopia’s neighbouring countries, themselves experiencing conflict and one military coup, would not be able to cope. Ethiopia has a strong relationship with the US and was an ally to them during the ‘War on Terror’. Ethiopian troops are a part of the joint UN-African Union mission to fight Islamic extremist militants in Somalia - troops which could be withdrawn if they are needed in the conflict with Tigray.

Migrant crisis: 27 drown in Channel crossing

The drowning of 27 people in the English Channel on November 25 has been declared as the “worst disaster on record” according to the UN Migration Agency since recording began in 2014. At least one pregnant woman and three children were among the 27 migrants fleeing from Iraq or Iran, who drowned in the waters off the coast of France after an inflatable boat capsized whilst attempting to reach Britain.

French media believe the boat to have set off from Loon-Plage near Dunkirk and were most likely camping near Grande-Synthe, where there are several migrant camps.

The largest, home to about 1,500 people, was dismantled last week.

More than 24,000 people have made the perilous crossing from France to the UK by boat this year; a sharp rise from 8,404 in 2020. There is no official record of how many

lives have been lost attempting to make the crossing, however, an estimated 166 people have been recorded missing or dead in the Channel and over 22,930 in the Mediterranean Sea since 2014.

The reasons for attempting this

journey vary from person to person. Many Syrians have been fleeing their war-torn country since the civil war began in 2011, resulting in the 2015 European migrant crisis.

Amongst adults, Iran was the top nationality claiming asylum in the UK this year as Iran’s hardline Islamic state and their interpretation of Sharia law causes Iranian Kurds and Christians to flee due to their fear of persecution.

Similarly, women and non-Muslims face particular suppression under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Many flee from Yemen as a result of the civil war and air strikes between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebel forces where, it’s estimated, over 233,000 deaths have been caused, including over 10,000 children.

Many more migrants flee from Iraq, Eritrea, Sudan and Vietnam, amongst other countries.

The UK Government has said that refugees should take refuge in the first safe country they reach, and can make claims elsewhere if this does not happen.

In 2020 Germany received the highest number of asylum applications, followed by France, with 122,015 and 93,475 applications respectively. During that period, the UK received a smaller number of refugees (36,040).

Priti Patel has since stated that there is “no quick fix” to this crisis and was due to meet with the French Home Secretary over the weekend, though the meeting was called off as a response to a public letter released by Boris Johnson. This letter consisted of a five-step plan that the Prime Minister believed both sides of the channel should adopt in order to tackle the ongoing situation.

Pierre Henry, the former director of France Terre D’Asile, a migrants’ rights group, has stated that “this situation is the result of Britain’s shameful policy”.

France’s interior minister Gerald Darmanin has also declared that they are now ready for a serious discussion with Britain on the migrant crisis. He added that France had been handling the issue for 25 years and it was now time that London “woke up to the situation”.

10 POLITICS

The ‘worst disaster on record’: A total of 27 people drowned in the deadly channel crossing attempt on November 25 Source: Lewis Clarke (via. Geograph) Ella Lloyd Politics Editor Advised to leave: A number of world governments have advised their citizens to get out of Ethiopia immediately in response to a worsening of the civil conflict between Tigray’s TPLF and the Ethiopian army. Source: Rod Waddington (via. Wikimedia Commons)

POLITICS

Tom Kingsbury Ella Lloyd Luthien Evans Manal Ahmed

Australia introduces legislation protecting the right to religious discrimination

Tom Kingsbury Head of Politics

The Religious Discrimination Bill, a law which is designed to protect religious people and organisations that discriminate because of their religious beliefs, has been introduced by the Australian Prime Minister, and will be reviewed by the Australian Senate before a vote next year.

If passed it would allow Catholic schools to fire teachers or expel LGBT+ students as a result of the school’s ‘religious ethos’. The bill would also protect those who express derogatory or harmful comments in a workplace, school, or health setting, according to Australia’s Human Rights Law Center.

Under the law schools would be allowed to discriminate on religious grounds in their hiring practices, as long as they explain their ‘religious ethos’ in a public policy statement.

Equality Australia, an LGBT+ rights advocacy group, claims that if “a nurse says to a patient with HIV that their HIV is a punishment from God, for example, [...that] could constitute a statement of belief, [and] would probably be protected under that law under this bill.”

Religious discrimination has been a contentious topic for a number of years in Australia, following the 2017 passing of same-sex marriage legislation.

Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has begun regularly dismissing discrimination concerns as little more than ‘cancel culture’.

After the announcement of the bill he told Australia’s Parliament that people are ‘rightly protected from discrimination’ based on certain attributes, but that “As human beings, we are also soul and spirit. We are also, importantly, what we believe. For many, this can inform who they are more than anything else. The protections of what we choose to be-

lieve is essential to our freedom in a liberal democracy.”

“Australians shouldn’t have to worry about looking over their shoulder, fearful of offending an anonymous person on Twitter, cowardly sitting there abusing and harassing them for their faith, or transgressing against political or social zeitgeists.”

Morrison assured critics that “nothing in this bill allows for any form of discrimination against a student on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity”, although attorney general Michaelie Cash has requested that the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) analyses Australian law and this bill to see whether there are any aspects permitting children to be discriminated against in religious schools.

Cash has given the ALRC a 12-month window to work in, leading some Australian MPs to press the government on why protection from discrimination may wait a year longer than protection for it.

‘Harper’s Law’ to introduce mandatory life sentences to killers of emergency workers

After a two-year campaign, the government has announced that they intend to change the law so that offenders whose crimes lead to the death of an emergency worker on duty will receive a mandatory life sentence.

‘Harper’s Law’ is named after PC Andrew Harper, who was killed on duty in 2019 after responding to a burglary call.

Lissie Harper, his widow, has worked to cause the change after being outraged by the sentences the perpetrators of her husband’s death received. Three men aged 18, 17, and 17, at the time of the incident were convicted of his manslaughter with one given a 16 year sentence, the others 13 year sentences.

The law is expected to be added as an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, meaning it will likely become law early next year.

The Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has confirmed that the bill will not be retrospective, meaning Harper’s killers, nor anybody currently convicted

killed in 2019 when he responded to a burglary call.

Source: fungaifoto (via. Pixabay)

for the death of an emergency service worker, will not have their sentences extended.

Whilst many feel the details of An-

drew Harper’s death were horrifying, there are still some significant criticisms of ‘Harper’s Law’.

Under British law, murder and man-

slaughter are treated fundamentally differently.

Manslaughter is a homicide considered less culpable than murder because of the absence of intent to kill.

The murder of any individual, including emergency workers, already carries a life sentence and as such Harper’s law will only affect cases of manslaughter, blurring the lines between the two crimes, and diminishing the role of judges in discerning the distrinction.

Richard Atkinson, former chairman of the Law Sociey’s Criminal Law Committee contested that under ‘Harper’s Law’ an individual that shoves a police officer in an altercation, causing them to fall, hit their head and die, would face a mandatory life sentence, however someone who stabs a police officer but fails to kill them would not face a mandatory life sentence- the sentence would still be left to the judge’s discretion.

Atkinson added that the legislation was a ‘knee jerk’ reaction to a ‘particularly nasty’ incident where ‘few would have sympathy’ for its perpetrators, however that did not mean it had ‘gen-

eral applicability’. Matthew Scott, a criminal barrister and blogger added ‘I think the maxim that hard cases make bad laws applys here’.

Other criticisms include that because manslaughter does not include crimes where there is intent to kill, the introduction of this law cannot work as a deterrent to crime. The deaths of emergency workers might not be prevented, but perpetrators may receive harsher punishment.

Lissie Harper argues that emergency service workers like her husband require extra protection which this law provides, as they are ‘put at risk and into the depths of danger’ everyday on ‘behalf of society’.

However others have criticised this for breaching the idea of equality for all under the law, asking why an emergency service worker’s life matters more than that of any civilian.

As of yet the law change still has to pass the House of Lords, meaning there is a chance that it could yet be altered and redrafted, potentially making Harper’s Law more suitable for the British judicial system.

UK Parliament reconsiders baby ban after MP Stella Creasy brings infant to debate

Annabelle Martin Contributor

Some British politicians are demanding a change in parliamentary rules after an MP was told she could not bring her 3-month-old baby into the House of Commons. Several MPs demanded a change in parliamentary rules on Wednesday November 24 when a lawmaker, Stella Creasy, received a letter from the House of Commons’ authorities after she took her son to a debate in the House of Commons. Creasy said that she had previ -

ously taken both her two children to Parliament without problems, but this had changed in September. MPs are now advised that they “should not take your seat in the chamber when accompanied by your child.”

However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that Parliament should be “more family friendly”, signalling his support for Creasy after she was told that her decision to attend a debate in Westminster Hall was against the rules. Johnson’s official spokesman said: “We completely understand the difficulties faced by MPs who are new mothers, new fathers or adopted parents and

Parliament has made some positive changes to becoming more family friends in recent years, including on proxy voting.”

A proxy vote is a term referring to the ability of an MP to request a colleague to vote on their behalf when they are unable to attend a vote.

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has said he has “a lot of sympathy” for Creasy, but said the decision is for the House authorities to make. Creasy asserted that “we do need to make sure our profession is brought into the modern world, the 21st Century, and can allow parents to juggle the jobs they do with the

family time that they need.”

Britain’s Parliament, once perceived by many as having a macho culture and late-night hours, has changed in recent years. A bar in Parliament was converted into a nursery for children of politicians and their staff, for example. According to Creasy, though, the rule is a step backwards and hurts the efforts to make politics more familyfriendly. “There are barriers to getting mums involved in politics, and I think that damages our political debate,” she told the BBC.

House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said he has asked

Parliament’s rule makers to reconsider the ban, stating: “Rules have to be seen in context and they change with the times, it is extremely important that parents of babies and young children are able to participate fully in the work of this House”.

There are barriers to getting mums involved in politics, and I think that damages our political debate”

Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow

GWLEIDYDDIAETH 11

‘Soul and spirit’: In justifying the move, Morrison argued that people are what they believe, and that what they believe must be protected. Source: Eesan1969 (via. Wikimedia Commons) Holly Mulholland Contributor ‘Harper’s Law’: The law was named after PC Andrew Harper, a police officer

A number of Republican statesnamely Iowa, Tennessee, Kansas, and Florida - in the US have expanded unemployment benefits for former employees who have lost their jobs over vaccine mandates by employers or chosen to terminate their employment. Critics of the change say this pays people for not getting vaccinated, and that other states such as Missouri may follow suit. The new changes to legislation come as the new Omicron variant has surfaced and may already have spread to the United States.

Sweden has sworn in their first female Prime Minister this past week. Magdalena Andersson had a tumultuous start to her tenure, resigning within the first seven hours of her premiership after Sweden’s Parliament did not support her budget plan. Sweden’s coalition government broke down and Andersson’s party, the Social Democrat Party, will now rule as a single party government for the first time in fifteen years.

Wales’ Health Minister Eluned Morgan has urged people to remain cautious when socialising indoors over the holiday period, as concerns grow over the Omicron variant of COVID-19. She added that it is too early to indicate whether there will be restrictions over the holiday period. There have been no cases of Omicron identified in Wales yet, with 14 found in the rest of the UK. The Welsh Government is expanding booster vaccinations to all adults in response to the variant.

After protests against increasing Islamist violence in Burkina Faso, riot police were deployed, and tear gas fired at protesters. A young child and two journalists have reportedly been injured. Violence has been increasing in west Africa for a number of years now, with over two million Burkinabé displaced in just the last two years. On November 14, insurgents killed 53 paramilitary officers and four civilians in a raid in northern Burkina Faso.

Windrush repayment scheme slammed

Manal Ahmed Politics Editor

Areport from cross-party MPs

has revealed that the UK Government compensation scheme organised for victims of the Windrush scandal has seen just 5%

of the applicants receive any payment due to a “litany of flaws” that were identified in the programme.

The scheme was launched on April 3 2019 to compensate thousands of individuals who had been wrongly classified as illegal immigrants and were denied legal immigration status by the UK Government after arriving from Caribbean

nations between 1948 and 1971. The Home Office’s effort to crackdown on illegal immigration led to legal residents losing their jobs, homes, their access to medical care and many were wrongfully detained or deported to the Caribbean.

The report found that of the 15,000 eligible applicants, only 3,022 had applied, with just 864 receiving a pay-out. It also reported that 23 applicants had passed away before receiving payment, and for many of the applicants the process had caused further trauma.

The Commons Home Affairs Committee identified a number of issues in the structure of the scheme, including a “daunting application process”, “unreasonable requests for evidence”, and applicants being “left in limbo” by the Home Office “in the midst of inordinate delays” in processing applications and making payments.

The committee’s chair, Yvette Cooper, stated: “It is staggering, given the failures of the Windrush scandal, that the Home Office has allowed some of the same problems to affect the Windrush Compensation scheme too”.

The committee’s report called for the scheme to be removed from under the control of the Home Office, currently run by Priti Patel, and transferred to an independent organisation to “rebuild trust” and encourage applications.

In their own research, the Home Office identified a lack of trust between themselves and members of the public as 12% of respondents in a survey believed the Windrush compensation scheme to be a set up to “send people who are in the UK

illegally back to their country of origin”.

The report went on to say: “No amount of compensation could ever repay the fear, humiliation, hurt and hardship that was caused to individuals who were affected.” It added that the “design and operation of this scheme contained the same bureaucratic insensitivities that led to the Windrush scandal in the first place” and the report suggested that the “culture change it [Home Office] promised in the wake of the scandal has not yet occurred.”

Many charities and think tanks have slammed the continuous poor treatment of immigrants by the UK Government. Alba Kapoor, a senior policy officer at the race equality think tank Runnymede Trust, expressed deep concern for how victims of the scandal had been treated by the government, stating: “How many more deaths will there be before the horrors of the Windrush scandal are addressed in a competent, compassionate and supportive manner?”

While the report acknowledged the overhaul promised in December 2020 to ensure payment to victims were sped up and that a preliminary £10,000 payment plan would be added, it expressed that such changes were not enough. Further funding for legal aid would help in encouraging applicants for compensation, it claims.

A spokesperson for the Home Office criticised the suggestion to transfer the responsibility and operations of the scheme out of the department, indicating concerns that it would “risk significantly delaying vital payments to those affected.”

Prosecutions urged by Gambian truth commission for abuses under ex-President

Katherine Seymour Contributor

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) in Gambia has completed a three-year public inquiry into former president Yahya Jammeh’s 22 years in power by recommending prosecutions for killings, torture and other abuses committed during his tenure.

It has been estimated that 240250 people died at the hands of the state or its agents under the former president, and the report recommends that the “persons who bear the greatest responsibility for abuses” be prosecuted, although it did not name anyone in particular.

The document, around 14,000 words, is based on information provided by almost 400 witnesses regarding evidence around statesanctioned torture, death squads, rape and “witch hunts”, often at the hands of the “Junglers”, as Jammeh’s death squads were known.

Such examples were reported by Malick Jatta, an army lieutenant close to Jammeh, who said that the former president paid more than $1,000 each to members of his security service who killed newspaper editor Deyda Hydara in 2004, according to the Reuters news agency.

The exiled former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has recom-

mended his remaining supporters vote for an opposition coalition to current president Adama Barrow just nine days before the election. This has been taken very seriously as Jammeh still has wide spheres of influence in Gambia with many supporters pushing for his return from exile.

Barrow sought an alliance with Jammeh’s APRC party in September, a move viewed by some as an electoral ploy. Rights groups denounced the alliance, citing fears that it could lead to Jammeh’s return. Jammeh subsequently disavowed the electoral pact, which he said was made without his knowledge, and his supporters have formed a rival party.

The former president, who fled to Equatorial Guinea after refusing to accept defeat to Barrow in a 2016 election, has previously denied allegations of wrongdoing. Despite his denial, the report will further push back his hope to re-enter the country and unite opposition against Barrow.

Human rights lawyers have called for Jammeh to face prosecution for his actions, since although he is in exile, he is still free and able to have influence over his remaining supporters.

Barrow has now reassured the public that firm action will be taken, stating: “I assure [the victims and their families] that my government will ensure that justice is done […] but I urge them to be patient and

allow the legal process to take its course.”

Barrow (or his successor, following the election) will have six months to decide how to respond to the report. It could form the ba-

sis for criminal proceedings against Jammeh and others. However, in order to begin legal action against a previous head of state, the Gambian Parliament must support this measure by at least a two-thirds majority.

12 POLITICS

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IN OTHER NEWS

The ‘Windrush Generation’: The name refers to those Britons who moved to the country from the West Indies around the period that the HMS Empire Windrush made a well-docunented voyage to the UK in 1948. Source: Duncan c (via. Flickr) Holding onto power: Despite being in exile, Jammeh may influence the Gambian election, having urged supporters to vote against the current President of Gambia. Source: United Nations (via. Flickr)

shop.cardiffstudents.com gift on Grab your perfect Christmas gifts in-store and online Get your Find us on the Ground floor of the SU

14 COMMENT COMMENT

comment@gairrhydd.com

Do train prices actually accommodate for the student budget?

Inever thought I’d become a sightseer at Uni. In fact, I was so in love with my Uni city that I didn’t consider travel outside of Cardiff until just last month. With borders open again after COVID, I often found myself scrolling through ticket prices looking for nice days out. The only problem was, I barely had enough money to go home. One weekend at home cost my entire weekly spend and a quarter of my food budget, even with a Railcard. For many students the financial hit is a lot worse, those with homes in the furthest North of England, Scotland or even Northern Ireland are paying their whole budget and more. What does this look like though?

UCAS’ budget calculator calculates that students spend, on average, £91 per week excluding accommodation costs and holidays. Whilst budgets like that are feasible for some students, they will seem impossible for others. For a student buying a return ticket to Brighton, for example, the cheapest available train (with a Railcard applied) is £54.95. Take off the average weekly food shop at £23.50 and you’re left with £12.55- and that’s in an ideal world.

When the advice given to stressed students is often ‘go home’, how is this manageable? Do students really need to make the decision between food and getting to see their families?

UCAS’ budget calculator calculates that students spend, on average, £91 per week excluding accommodation”

‘There are lots of cheap tickets available,’ said a spokesman for Network Rail in 2019, ‘our range of railcards offer a third off most fares’. Whilst this is true in most cases, prices are still a major barrier to most and travelling home every weekend is simply not feasible.

One hope for students in England is HS2, the government’s controversial plan for a high speed rail network connecting the North of England to the South. The project’s initial aims were to reduce travel times between destinations and to reduce rail cost. It is yet to be seen whether the project will deliver but reports estimate the network will come at billions

overbudget. With no HS2 equivalent in Wales and only £345m allocated to rail enhancement projects, it looks as if the state of rail fares will remain the same for years to come. It’s also a given that prices will rise with inflation.

Without trains, students are left with very few options to travel home. For a long haul journey, it would be impossible to walk, cycle or take local bus services. Students with a car still face the expenses of petrol, insurance and general upkeep, not to mention the trouble of parking on residential streets. Another option might be to take a coach. A return ticket with the National Express

Science versus Arts

IWithout trains, students are left with very few options to travel home for a long haul journey.”

comes in at around £15. The time it takes to get to where you want to go, however, is a huge drawback. Coach journeys to Nottingham come in at just under a staggering nine hours. As bleak as it is to say, it looks like solutions for students just aren’t being offered. The poorest students are choosing between food and travel with no subsidy and a Railcard that saves not enough.

Are BA arts degrees less valuable to undergraduate students than BSc science degrees?

n a society that’s increasingly reliant on science and technology, it’s very common to undermine the importance of arts degrees. While credit is massively due to those who are able to get their heads around such complex subjects, science is certainly not for everyone.

Subjects like literature, modern foreign languages, music, and religion (and more!) require a very specific set of skills and can be just as time-consuming as that of lab work. Studying the humanities in an ever-changing society is a priviledge, and one that ought not to be taken so lightly.

One must ask themselves, in a world emerging from a global pandemic, aren’t we all just as unemploy-

in a world emergng from a global pandemic, aren’t we all just as unemployable as each other?”

able as each other? While the importance of STEM is still inevitably growing, our time as undergraduates is short and sweet, which is why we should all study what we love instead of what might guarantee us a postgraduate job, right?

Studying the arts and humanities requires patience. They remind us that the world as we see it isn’t always black and white, making us students perceptive and hugely observant.

We’re not just looking at old testaments, books, paintings, and songs; we’re studying the history of mankind. We’re questioning the importance of said artifacts, and we’re curious with regards to why they have passed the test of time.

These subjects require deep thought, research, and understanding. The arts and humanities provide us with an appreciation of different cultures and traditions, and with the ability to empathise with and reflect on those around us.

Students of arts degrees are also able to think critically and creatively.

The rise of STEM: Science degrees are increasing in popularity, leaving BA degrees to seem less worthwhile. Source: Hmerellop (via Pixabay)

Having that potential to step back and solve problems from multiple perspectives is a hugely valuable skill when it comes to both independent and team work.

We are not limited to facts, indicating that arts students tend to have broadened knowledge and are able

develop solutions successfully and efficiently.

University life certainly teaches us universal skills such as the importance of great time management skills, perseverance, and confidence. If we’re all subject to these skills, why should we be any less employable than one an-

Studying the arts and humanities requires patience. They remind us that the world we see isn’t black and white. ”

other? Arts and humanities graduates might find themselves searching for jobs in publishing, marketing, translation, teaching, or even freelance work. The skills and the mindset we’ve acquired as undergraduates will be malleable and relevant regardless of profession. The opportunities are endless, and there will always be something for everyone.

During such unprecedented times, your priority should be to study a subject that you’re passionate about. Regardless of whether you have a BA or a BSc, post-grad job hunting can be competitive and difficult. While it’s easy to see through the importance of the arts and humanities today, I would argue that they are just as valuable as STEM degrees and ensure diversity within our society.

Vicky Witts Catarina Pinto Vicente Katherine Wheeler Megan Evans Katherine Wheeler Comment Editor Alexa Price Contributor Trapped by transport: Expensive ticket prices mean that many students are struggling to find ways to return home that are affordable for the student budget. Source: West Midlands Police (via Flickr)

The rise in more unusual university sports

Are universities and the UK bias towards the ‘traditional’ sport disciplines?

Being a student is an exciting opportunity for new experiences, knowledge, and friendships, but perhaps more significantly for many people, it is also an opportunity to partake in new and old sporting passions. Through secondary school education, there appears to be a tendency to prioritise more traditionally British sports, such as hockey, netball, football, and rugby, which means that there is very little chance to try out new or unusual sports. According to a study of the Times list of ‘Best secondary schools in London 2018’, the most common sports in state schools included netball, football, cross country/athletics, and rugby, all of which seem unsurprising, and almost infamous with the school PE experience.

However, whilst university does allow passions in these sports to be pushed further, there are also a host of more uncommon activities to participate in.

Cardiff University Students’ Union offers a range from aerial fitness to Aikido, giving students the opportunity to try sports that they may never have even heard of.

there is still seemingly a bias towards more ‘traditional’ sports on

a university and national level.”

The National Governing Body of university sport in the UK (BUCS), allows students across the UK to compete in a range of sports, many of which are less familiar than the usual rugby or football, such as clay pigeon shooting, and wheelchair basketball. Tournaments such as BUCS are bringing recognition to sports that aren’t shown as commonly on British television, which may be positive steps towards inclusivity, as sports from different countries, and those which accommodate individuals with disabilities are becoming more popular.

The ongoing bias

Despite the apparent increase in the number of different sports offered by

student’s unions and within BUCS, there is still seemingly a bias towards more ‘traditional’ sports on a university and national level.

As a member of Cardiff University’s Korfball club, I have an understanding of what it means to be part of an underrepresented club. The Dutch netballbasketball hybrid, which I found during a university freshers’ fair, competes within BUCS, within which Cardiff saw success during the recent preliminary stages.

Understandably, Korfball and similar international sports do not have as large-scale followings in the UK as the likes of cricket or football, and so, they

generally have less of a presence in British culture.

However, within the university setting, it seems as if there are constant advertisements for rugby games, and social media posts which detail the results of netball, cricket, and hockey games, regardless of wins or losses, whilst lesserknown sports are mentioned less often.

Cardiff University Athletics Union does publicise the results of a whole range of sporting competitions online, and varsity is a good way of showcasing talents within most of the university’s sporting teams, but more needs to be done to celebrate the successes of less popular sports and encourage spectators to go and show support.

Universities should all attempt to promote a wider range of the sports which they offer and encourage students to try some lesser-known sports. Not only will this give these clubs more recognition, but on a more national level this may be the first step in increasing school PE lessons and tv channels which recognise international and uncommon sports.

Throughout the UK, there needs to be more done to publicise British sporting successes that are not within some of the more well-known sports competitions. The Tokyo Olympics this year was a great way of showcasing talents across the UK in a whole range of different disciplines, encouraging young people to try out a whole range of new and exciting sports. However, until more is done to recognise these successes, many sports will remain under-represented.

The meaning of Christmas to other faiths and cultures

Is the Christmas tradition isolating for people of celebrating differently this year?

As Christmas is quickly approaching, it can be easy to be swept into the festive images of decorations, Christmas shopping, and turkey dinners. However, within the UK there is often the assumption by retailers and consumers alike, that Christmas traditions commonly associated with Britain are celebrated by everyone living here, which simply isn’t the case. Whilst Christmas is traditionally a Christian holiday, a YouGov survey found that only 4% of British people celebrate Christmas as an entirely religious holiday. To those celebrating Christmas without the religious traditions associated with it, it can be easy to forget that a large number of people do not celebrate the holiday, whether for religious reasons or not.

By solely focusing on Christmas during the winter months, we are at risk of alienating other cultures, and

a YouGov survey found that only 4% of British people celebrate Christmas as an entirely religious holiday.”

ignoring other traditions that are important to those who celebrate them. Hanukkah, which runs for 8 days starting on November 28th this year, is a Jewish festival consisting of the lighting of 8 candles among other significant actions, is just one of many cultural events which occurs throughout December, which tends to be overshadowed by images of Christmas.

This is not to say that Christmas celebrations should be reduced, but rather that we should give different cultures equal opportunity to celebrate, and not act under the assumption that everyone shares the same beliefs as us. This assumption, and the inherent bias that the Government has towards Christian traditions above all others was made clear during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people observed that the Prime Minister repeatedly reinforced the idea that ‘Saving Christmas’ was of national importance, whilst also having no hesitation to cancel the Muslim and Hindu festivals of Eid and Diwali earlier in the year. With Christmas as a time associated with family and togetherness, isolating people throughout December by making assumptions on their beliefs seems counterintuitive and against

the tradition as a whole. Songs, schools, and television programmes throughout December usually preach stories of Jesus, and God, without considering the implications of this to people who do not celebrate the holiday. Children in schools should be exposed to more cultural holidays than simply just Christmas, in order to promote inclusivity, and bring more of an awareness to the

fact that around 62% of the people in the UK do not identify themselves as a member of the Christian faith As the religious connotations of Christmas seem to be getting lost in the commercial world of Black Friday, Christmas TV adverts, and secret santa, now seems like the perfect time to embrace December as a celebration of different cultures and traditions.

The term celebrity has been around for as long as there have been media icons and mass media. Yet it has commonly been known as a symbol of broad public recognition and wealth. As the line between media personalities and exclusive fame is diminishing, so is the challenge of becoming a celebrity. This is evident in many reality TV shows such as ‘I’m a Celebrity’ which illustrates this progressive definition.

Upon watching the show every year, I realise how unfamiliar I am with celebrities and that I cannot recognise many names in the cast line-up. Perhaps this is due to my lack of watching television as these names may be renowned to the audiences of ‘I’m a Celebrity’ who are more familiar with these celebrities. Even so, should I be able to recognise their names even if I haven’t a clue what they have starred in? To what extent should celebrities be known in one’s general knowledge? Should they be as iconic as Kim Kardashian or Samuel L Jackson?

Nevertheless, I’ve tested my knowledge by accessing the lineup for this year’s return of ‘I’m a Celebrity’ to fully gage the spectrum of personalities and whether their careers in the media spotlight are distinctive enough that a young adult, like myself, without prior knowledge, would have notably heard of them at some point. Consequently, I have gone through the line-up and noted who I recognise and who I don’t.

Overwhelmingly, it became evident that I have yet to consume any media that exhibits most of these celebrities., bringing doubt to their ‘celebrity status’. However, after learning of their professions, it is clear that they are in mostly mass media covered professions. Linking this to the traditional definition of celebrity, in the eyes of the ITV, this highlights that perhaps the term celebrity still entails a sense of exclusivity and wealth as all the contestants on the show ‘I’m a Celebrity’ are successful and are eminently talented.

Moreover, perhaps it can be said that to be classed as a ‘celebrity’, you need to have a certain level of skill and experience in your portfolio – which, typically, would be unattainable from the general public. Therefore, whilst many of us may be unfamiliar with the stars of this years show, ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity’ appears to mostly reinforce the traditional perception of what a celebrity entails.

perhaps the term celebrity still entails a sense of exclusivity and wealth, as all the contestants on the show are particularly talented.”

SYLWADAU 15

Does I’m A Celeb stretch the definition of ‘celebrity’?

Vicky Witts Head of Comment Robyn Pierce Contributor Vicky Witts Head of Comment Christmas and culture: There is an assumption across the UK that everyone celebrates Christmas, which isn’t the case. Source: Number 10 (via Flickr) Under-representation: Many British sporting successes seem to be overshadowed by more traditional sporting events. Source: KBaucherel (via Pixabay)

advice@gairrhydd.com

How to enjoy the festive season while in Cardiff

All of the activities and holiday-themed opportunities avaliable in Cardiff this month

Ruth Hoey Advice Editor

With the days getting shorter, the nights getting longer and the temperatures getting colder it can only mean one thing: Christmas is right around the corner. With only a few weeks left until the end of term, now is the perfect time to enjoy everything that Cardiff has to offer in this festive season.

There is so much that Cardiff has to offer as the capital of Wales. From Christmas markets, to shows and concerts there’s something for every student to enjoy. Here’s some inspiration to get you started in your festive adventures:

Christmas Markets

A perfect way to get in some Christmas shopping or just immerse yourself in the festive spirit is the Christmas Markets. Under the stunning array of Christmas lights and decorations, the small huts add a magical feel to the centre of Cardiff.

The stalls offer a huge variety of gifts and attractions. Huts with handcrafted gifts are a brilliant way to both finish up your Christmas shopping and support local makers. Interspersed throughout are the food and drink stalls which

From Christmas markets, to shows and concerts there’s something for every student to enjoy.”

transform the Christmas market experience into a festive day out.

From hot chocolates to Bratwurst and roasted nuts, there’s everything you could possibly want!

'Winter Wonderland'

Winter Wonderland is just another great way to get into the festive spirit in Cardiff this year. It’s back this year both in City Hall Lawn and the Castle with lots of festive attractions. In the Castle boasts the popular Ice Rink. This year it includes an extended Ice Walk through the Castle grounds for an added magical touch.

City Hall Lawn also offers a great festive experience. Bring along your friends, flatmates and course -

mates. (Or it’s even a great place for a date!)

Christmas Shows

Another great way to enjoy the festive season in Cardiff is a visit to one of the many shows or pantomimes it has to offer.

The Millennium Centre is offering a magical production of Beauty and the Beast which is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Another option is the pantomime production of Aladdin in NewTheatre in the city centre. Pantomimes are the epitome of winter festivities and a sure way to brighten up your day, especially as they get colder and darker as winter approaches.

Cardiff's Parks

Is there any better way to get into the festive spirit this year than exploring Cardiff’s amazing parks?”

Is there any better way to get into the festive spirit this year than exploring Cardiff’s amazing parks? Get yourself bundled up in in a hat and scarf and head out to Roath or Bute Park.

This year Bute is offering a festive light trail which is sure to be an incredible festive visual spectacle.

Take a winter stroll around either of these parks and indulge in a luxury hot chocolate. There are so many independent coffee shops nearby both parks to choose from.

Christmas Carol Concerts

There are also many churches and societies in Cardiff this winter offering free, festive carol services. With traditional Christmas carols, tea and warm mince pies they create a real festive experience.

One example is Highfields church in Cathays. This church is student friendly and offering a range of carols services before the end of term.

From traditional carols to a unique Jazz carols concert adding a twist to the traditional tunes, there are loads of options.

The Cardiff Uni’s Christian Union is also offering a carol service specifically for students. This carol service put together by students is a great way for you to enjoy the festive season in Cardiff this year!

Celebrating the festive season in a productive and positive way

The festive season is nearly upon us! It is time to once again celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, amongst many other December celebrations. This is a time of family, joy, fun, rest, and goodwill towards others. Unfortunately, it has also become equated with stress, overspending, over indulgence and drama.

With a little advanced planning in advance, however, we can avoid a large portion of all this unnecessary stress. Keeping your finances in order Budget at the start of the month. Make sure that you have all of your outgoings calculated so that you know what money you will have left over to enjoy. Do not forget to factor in food, decorations, gift wrapping expenses, travel costs. It is often the little things that add up and catch us off guard when it comes to our budgets.

Pay your bills. Ensure that all of your regular expenses are paid or put money aside for them before you start your festive spending spree. You want to ensure that you have working electricity and heating before you invite all of your friends and family over to eat a big feast together. Do not be afraid to keep things simple. Our festive holidays are not about who can spend the most money on one and other. We can simplify things and appreciate what we have already. Communicate with the people in your life and if a large spending spree is out of

With a little advanced planning in advance, however, we can avoid a large portion of all this unnecessary stress."

your budget this year, then maybe it is for your friends and family too. Token gifts that have meaning to them can be worth just as much, if not more than large collections of presents. Be careful relying on credit cards and overdrafts. Your loved ones would not want you to go into debt over a seasonal holiday. No matter how important the event might be to them. Try to keep to your budget where possible and do not be afraid to return some items if you have over spent. If you do need to rely on an overdraft, discuss one with your bank first. Most banks will have a preapproved amount that you can apply for, up to £250, to help you cover your

costs. Unarranged overdrafts, however, can be far more costly or even affect your credit score. Discuss what options are available to you that will not drag you into debt. Pay off your debts early. If you have ventured into credit cards and overdrafts, or even personal loans from friends and family, ensure you pay them back promptly. No one wants debts hanging over them in the new year. The sooner you get your debts paid back, the easier your life will be. Shop around for presents. Holiday presents tend to get cheaper the further into December we get. Though most places will still try to maximise

their profits from you. You can always take a second to check online if you see something in a shop that you like. Often stores will have exclusive online deals. You might also find other retailers that offer the same product but cheaper.

Your mental health

Manage your expectations. No festive season is going to be perfect. Life always finds ways to throw a bump in the road. Whether that is a burnt dinner, an unexpected illness, or family drama. Mentally preparing yourself for some of these eventualities will have a big impact on your mental health. Then if everything does proceed smoothly and as planned, then you have even more to enjoy at the time.

Do not feel obligated to provide for toxic people in your life. Not everyone has a perfect family. Do not allow people to pressure you into using your time on the people in your life that have hurt you. Taking the holiday season for yourself is not a crime. This is a season for joy and peace. If that means spending it with the one or two people that matter to you most, then you enjoy that time. You deserve your own happiness too.

Delegate. Many people feel pressured to provide a perfect holiday for everyone they know. If you have friends and family over you could get them to help out. Spend some time together in the kitchen if you have a meal to prepare. Go gift shopping with others when you can. Let others help you decorate and clean your home. A lot of people will be willing and happy to help you out. Plus, this allows you to spend extra time with the loved ones in your life. You will overwhelm yourself if you try to provide everything for everyone.

Avoid being alone. Where possible try to spend your time with people.

Spending a festive holiday alone can get very depressing, especially with the knowledge that others will be spending

it with loved ones. If you do not have friends or family about, there are multiple organisations for lonely people to enjoy together. Alternatively, you could spend your time volunteering and helping others with your time, rather than festering on your loneliness.

Your physical health

Avoid overindulgence. The festive season is a time for us to enjoy ourselves, but moderation is the key. Abusing alcohol or overindulging on food will not make you feel good in the long run. They can also land you in hospital if you are not too careful.

Allow yourself some treats but remember that they will still be there the next day. Your health is not worth abusing for the sake of a holiday. Keep yourself hydrated. Most of us will be running around to buy gifts, cook dinners, or decorating and cleaning. Keeping yourself hydrated will help you keep motivated and healthy while doing so. It will also help your liver recover if you have overindulged on the alcohol.

Keep active. Once your festive holiday celebrations are over, give yourself time to move about. Try to avoid spending the day on the sofa or in bed. You will feel better for shaking off the celebrations and motivating yourself into the new year.

Another helpful tip is to analyse previous festive seasons and see what affected you the most.

This year you could try to overcome the challenges of past Decembers. If time was an issue, create a planner this year to schedule your time better. If family drama ruined your celebrations, see what you could do to prevent it from recurring. December should be a time of peace and joy.

Try not to let the pressures of creating it prevent you from actually enjoying your holiday.

16 ADVICE ADVICE

Harriet Lowbridge Megan Shinner Ruth Hoey Harriet Lowbridge Head of Advice Christmas in Cardiff: There is a huge variety of things to experience in Cardiff this wintertime. Source: Michel Curi (via Flickr) The festive period: Christmas can be a stressful time, so it's important to keep on top of your mental and physical health. Source: KlausHausmann (via Pixabay)

Musings with Megan Advice Column

'Christmas Unwrapped':

The festive season

The importance of remembering what the festive period is really all about

We are well into the winter season and Christmas has infected Cardiff once again. You’ve hopefully made use of those Black Friday deals and got a good head start on your Christmas shopping. December has welcomed us sooner than anticipated and I can’t quite believe where the time has gone. There is already another year to say goodbye to and another one to warmly welcome. Although it's easy to get (quite literally!) wrapped up in all the Christmas hustleand-bustle and become overwhelmed with exam season approaching; it is important to remember what this time of year really means.

December often happens in one big festive sweep that we often forget to appreciate and reflect on all the little things happening around us. We forget to just stop and appreciate the moment we are in as normally when the year comes to an end; society is always hyper-focused on what is yet to come. However, the festive season is such a beautiful time with natural generosity and lively spirit being much more common. I want to unwrap this period and explain what Christmas really means and what we should value more significantly, and to also touch upon why New Year’s resolutions really aren’t that important and why we shouldn’t feel guilty for not making any. ety is always hyper-focused on what is yet to come. However, the festive season is such a beautiful time with natural

We forget to just stop and appreciate the moment we are in as normally when the year comes to an end.”

generosity and lively spirit being much more common. I want to unwrap this period and explain what Christmas really means and what we should value more significantly, and to also touch upon why New Year’s resolutions really aren’t that important and why we shouldn’t feel guilty for not making any.

Finding out what's important this Christmas

Christmas can feel like one big, capitalised advertisement sometimes. It’s before I can even think of returning to Uni and I’ve already got several advent calendars staring me in the face in the seasonal aisles of supermarkets. The festive period becomes very materialised from the get-go and when it really boils down to what’s most important our view is often tainted by TV ads and shopping deals. The kind of turkey we buy is made out to be the make-orbreak of the day, or if you buy the wrong gift you’ve single-handedly ruined the whole day. However, this isn’t true in the slightest.

One of the biggest things we celebrate or reflect on is time – the increased time we have or the sheer lack of it. Spending time with and appreciating time with the ones around us is one of the most important things for me during the festive season. Especially considering the chaotic state of the pandemic last year – restrictions can be flipped, and hundreds of plans can be ruined in a matter of hours. Christmas always has some sort of philosophical aura around it, and I think this is very important to ground us and allow us to carefully evaluate what and who we want to dedicate our time to.

You may have lost touch with an old friend and want to reconnect or have a friendship that ended on a bad note and a want to reconcile. There is never a good or bad time to do these things,

but Christmas is more the time than ever, especially in the current climate. Life is too short to hold grudges and if someone holds significance in your life and has a positive impact, the last thing you want to do is shut it out. Dedicating some time to make some peace with your conscience or the past is never a bad thing and I’m sure your company will be valued heavily by the other party. Christmas is not the time to be weighed down by the past or to stress about the future – it’s the time to enjoy the now.

Most importantly, we need to stop stressing over the materialistic side of things. Rather than stressing over the gifts you need to get or the money you don’t have; just go and spend time with your loved ones. It really is the little things that count, and even more so at Christmas.

The stigma of 'New Year's Resolutions'

New year’s resolutions are obsessed over each year and are often regurgitated failures from the year before. We somehow feel obliged to make a big difference in our lives – like a social pressure to just be different for difference’s sake. It’s always the same kind of thing; “I’ll go to the gym twice a week” or “I’ll quit smoking”. These are examples of huge commitments you may sometimes feel you have to make just because your friends are. This simply isn’t true. There is, however, nothing wrong with making a resolution, and if you want to make a change to your lifestyle and you feel the 1st January is your time, then go for it! Just make sure we are making changes for the right reasons. If you’re happy with all your current daily activities and are happy with the flow of your life –don’t change it or feel like you must! The only thing wrong with resolutions is the pressure to make them. It’s seeming to be a concept of taking a socially nega-

Projecting your image with the freedom of University

Francesca Ionescu Contributor

It feels so tempting, when coming to university, to just pick a new personality and make it fit you, to become more relaxed and outgoing and charismatic and whatever else the people desire, right?

The problem with trying on a new personality around people is that at some point it will stop fitting you, it will become too tight and uncomfortable, and you will wish to have never worn it at all.

So how do you keep true to yourself around the hundreds of people you’ll be meeting?

Social Media

It’s hard not to compare your experience with everyone else’s, especially when it feels like you’ve got a camera in everyone’s flat kitchen and clubs and libraries, no matter how far they are. But everyone’s social media presence is curated, it shows you the good parts that you get jealous of, and deep down your experience is probably much more similar than you think.

“Don’t knock it ‘till you try it” Everyone of my closest friends now, I once thought I would not see after the first year.

Materialistic things are not memorable; however, your words and your kindnesses are.”

tive habit and getting rid of it with the turn of the clock. However, why don’t we change the criteria? How about adding something good instead of trying to change something perceived as bad? Set a goal to go and explore that place you’ve promised yourself you’d visit or try and read a book a month if you want to get back into reading. It could even be as simple as being kinder to yourself.

In fact, you may not want to make any at all. Change should only come in when you are ready to introduce it and only you can measure your level of readiness. If the 1st January just isn’t the day for you – then don’t worry. If you suddenly get an overwhelming surge of motivation to start baking in mid-March – then go for it! Trying to force something will not automatically make it successful and just because it’s a new year, it doesn’t mean this is the time it has to happen. Measure your activities at your own pace and know your personal limits.

The key things to remember during this period is that your presence is always more important than your presents. The kind words you share or stories you tell will always be warmer and more well-remembered than any food you can make or clothes you can wear. Materialistic things are not memorable; however, your words and your kindnesses are. Make sure you truly are living for the conversation and the memory-making. Never put pressure on yourself to change as change will settle when it, and you, are ready. Going with the flow, appreciating and memory-making is enough to ensure a successful new year.

First impressions are not always accurate, and even if someone does not seem like your “type” of person at first there is so much more to someone that one conversation can let on. Let yourself be complex, don’t try and fit one box, and look at others the same. At the same time, remember not everyone will like you, the same way you won’t like everyone. People are complex, therefore flawed and bound to clash, so don’t let that discourage you from interacting with all sorts of people.

Work on yourself.

The hardest part of keeping true to yourself is all the time you have to spend by, and on yourself.

Making friends surprisingly involves a lot of alone time, introspective and self-care, because before worrying if others like you, you need to like yourself. Taking care of your body, whether that’s sleeping more, working out, eating better, goes hand in hand with taking care of your mind, taking days off, spending quiet days, getting fresh air, catching up with your family. Be kind to yourself and others will follow suit.

University might be the first place where you and others experience the full freedom of adulthood, and that is bound to bring some changes. Keeping true to yourself does not mean you’re not allowed to grow and change your behaviour and opinions.

Your friendships will change, your attitudes will change and you, in your essence will change the same as everyone else will. Focus on your own growth, on how your feelings fluctuate, on who you truly want in your life.

You can’t affect other people’s perception of you, but you can affect who has access to you, and whether their perception matters that much at the end of the day.

Focus on your own growth, on how your feelings fluctuate, on who you truly want in your life.”

CYNGOR 17

Megan Shinner Advice Editor 'Christmas Unwrapped': This festive season, it's important to make sure that you're not too focused on the material-side of Christmas and, instead, you leave some time aside to enjoy the holidays with friends and family. Source: KlausHausmann (via Pixabay).

BBC National Orchestra of Wales - “spirited and soothing”

Jack Robert Stacey recounts a recent evening of performances at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff

Jack Robert Stacey Editor-in-Chief

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales has been performing for over 90 years and, now that COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to ease across parts of the UK, the orchestra are resuming their live musical performances with audiences coming back in full force. Classical music, specifically, is also seeing a resurgence with an increasing number of performances scheduled to take place over the next few months.

With this in mind, I recently attended one such performance at St. David’s Hall in Cardiff.

I’ll admit that, going into the performance with my limited background in classical music, I was slightly apprehensive over how I would find the evening overall. For me, classical music has always been tied to the assumption that, in order to fully connect with a piece, I would need to have a pre-established knowledge of different composers and the significance behind their work – an aspect that I realise is a ‘catch-22’ in itself.

I can firmly say that, despite my initial doubts about classical music, I genuinely enjoyed the overall experience.”

I saw it, this complemented the overall piece well, highlighting the sweeping and ornate themes of Mozart’s piece. In this piece specifically, each section of the orchestra almost seemed to interact with each other; calling and responding in a range of different melodies – This aspect also came across for me in the next performance of Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 97, ‘Rhenish’.

Robyn Pierce Contributor Coffi Clwb,

Cardiff

- “delightfully astonishing”

Iwas simply scrolling through TikTok one morning, when a video about a day in the life in Cardiff popped up on my feed. The video exhibited a creator visiting a coffee shop that looked so unique and intriguing that I had to bring my best friend along to check it out. It’s delightfully astonishing how just a room with quirky décor can make me feel safe and so welcome. The second I stepped into Coffi Clwb, I knew I’d enjoy spending time there and making adequate use of my free time as well as study time. The aura that immediately surrounds you is relaxed. The vibrant red of the sofas as well as the artsy hanging signs and placement of diverse art along the walls evokes a sense of creativity and motivation. I believe there is a perfect balance of colour as well as the palatable black and white so it’s easy on the eyes.

Moreover, the calming, trendy soundtrack in the background consisting of a variety of chilled songs really contributes to the atmosphere of the coffee shop.

Nevertheless, perhaps I should talk about what’s really the best element of the coffee shop – the coffee!

As my best friend Safiah puts it: “Out of all of the coffee shops I have been to in Cardiff, Coffi Clwb has the strongest coffee – especially the latte, with which I was offered a double shot of coffee instead of the standard single one they hand out.”

I was not only impressed by the quality of the hot drinks available, but with the pleasant selection of food as well. I keep going back for the chicken and bacon wrap that one of the lovely staff said he made every morning. Really, really tasty. There is also chocolate chip shortbread too!

Coffi Clwb is slightly tucked away just around the corner of Cardiff Central train station and is perfectly accessible for anyone who enjoys a reasonable walk.

Overall, I would highly recommend that you take the adventure and visit it for yourself.

After I took my seat in the expansive auditorium, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the spirited and soothing atmosphere. This was reflected in the first performance of the evening, Barnes’ Tragic Overture, Op. 81.

I was pleasantly surprised by the spirited and soothing atmosphere.”

As a piece recognised for its sense of scale, this opening performance set out the tone for the rest of the evening. Written in the summer of 1880, this dark and foreboding overture provided the string-based performers with the opportunity to shine. This piece was definitely carried by its sense of scale with both sets of violinists drawing the piece towards a tense and dramatic conclusion.

It was immediately apparent why Ryan Bancroft (the Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales) had recently been awarded The Royal Philharmonic Society’s

Conductor Award. Even as he entered into the auditorium and took position amongst the orchestra, Bancroft held a commanding presence over the crowd. He conducted the orchestra with what I can only be described as an enthusiastic, but controlled fervour for his craft.

The next performance saw Johnathan Biss take to the piano as part of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21.

A clearly experienced pianist and the first American to become a BBC Radio 3 ‘New Generation Artist’, the introduction of Biss’ piano added another key element to the orchestra. As

Following on from the short interval, the evening concluded with this longer, more intricate piece where Biss’ piano became the centre of attention yet again. For me, a key feature of this piece were the imposing sounds created by the single Timpani (a large set of drums) which added an underlying presence to the piece and rounded off the evening well.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales’ performances. Moreover, I can firmly say that, despite my initial doubts about classical music, I genuinely enjoyed the overall experience. There was something profoundly calming about sitting in the expansive auditorium and simply listening to the orchestra play, each section intently following the movements of Ryan Bancroft – one of the stand-out aspects of the evening for me personally.

‘Will and the People’ - “extraordinary energy”

Caz Love takes a look a recent performance by ‘Will and the People’ at Clwb Ifor Bach

On the 27th of November, Clwb Ifor Bach hosted the energetic four-piece, Will and the People, on their 2022 Past the Point of No Return tour.

Will and the people are originally from Brighton, and for the past ten years they have been living in a house together in Berkshire where they create most of their music.

The band consists of four friends whose talents massively compliment one another’s. Their genre would be best described as indie rock with elements of reggae and ska, yet their style has varied over the years. Regardless, their eclectic sound is always recognisable due to the lead singer’s distinctive vocals.

‘Past the Point of No Return’ is unique in comparison to their other albums, it has a stronger sense of alternative rock, with both the sound produced and the content covered.

This album felt like a heartfelt social commentary on many different areas of contemporary life. In their song, ‘Money’, Will sings; ‘don’t let your money get you down’, ‘I found the root of all evil’, blatantly expressing the destructive properties that money can have on both an individual and society at large. They also respond to the recent lockdown with the song ‘Lights Out’, in which Will speaks in a relatively gentle

voice; ‘I miss the cities, before they got too dark… I miss sweating in the system… I miss meeting new people and shaking their hands’, ‘Lights out, in our towns, no more life’.

The stark contrast of life before and during the lockdown is one we are all familiar with, hence these words held a great deal of power.

The way it was performed created a sense of eeriness, however hope was returned as he began to sing ‘The lights will come back on’.

Their genre would be best described as indie rock with elements of reggae and ska, yet their style has varied over the years.”

Their songs often advocate the ideas of loving one another and loving the world, particularly through the ideals of family and community at large, which is likely why they have such a devoted fan base.

This November and December they have been touring the UK, vis -

iting twenty-eight cities, and taking each one by storm. During their gig in Cardiff, they grabbed the audience’s attention from the get-go, and the enthusiasm continued to build throughout the versatile performance.

It varied between a chilled tempo, during which the crowd would listen and sway, and an eruption of heavy guitar riffs, which would result in a collective chaotic dance. This band belongs on stage, their passion and enjoyment for performance is made abundantly clear from their extraordinary, wild energy. You can feel the connection and friendship amongst them which is what makes them such a pleasure to watch. Their engagement with the audi-

You can feel the connection and friendship amongst them which is what makes them such a pleasure to watch.”

ence is second to none both on and off the stage. After every gig they personally sell and sign their merchandise, designed by their very own guitarist Jamie. Their down to earth nature is evident as they hang around after their gigs to talk to their fans, emphasising the fact that they are everyday people who remain humble and human above all else.

Keep an eye out for their next gig, it’s certainly not one to miss.

18 REVIEW

REVIEW

Clifford-Jones review@gairrhydd.com

Iris Knapman

Jess

Will and the People: The band features an unusual genre which has elements of indie rock with some reggae and ska. Source: Merlijn Hoek (via Flickr) BBC National Orchestra of Wales: The orchestra preformed in St. David’s Hall, Cardiff. Source: Jklo286 (via Wikimedia Commons) Caz Love Contributor

LISTINGS FOR ALL UPCOMING SHOWS IN Y PLAS & GREAT HALL

December/Rhagfyr

The Libertines

09/12/2021

SOLD OUT / WEDI

GWERTHU ALLAN

The Xmas Xtravaganze: 'Shantay you sleigh'

10/12/2021 Tickets starting from:

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20 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Nudibranchs: a remarkable and little-known species SCIENCE

Theodore Tadros science@gairrhydd.com

Scientists have begun researching into the unique abilities of these small invertebrates

Jemma Powell Science Editor

Nudibranchs (noo-dee-branks) are small, carnivorous invertebrates that live on the sea bed in shallow tropical waters. Generally oblong in shape and often only 2cm long, these creatures sound completely uninspiring. That’s where you’d be mistaken. These tiny little molluscs are arguably some of most bizarre creatures on planet earth you’ve never heard of, and deserve more of a reputation.

If you’ve ever seen a nudibranch, the first thing you’ll notice is the extraordinary colours and designs on their skin. There are more than 2000 known species of nudibranch and each of these has a unique combination of some of the most vibrant colours seen in mother nature.

From the pure white with fluffy black ‘ears’ (commonly known as sea bunnies), to the Chromodoris magnifica with its neon blue and purple stripes, bright orange and white ‘wings’, and deep red ‘horns’. There seems to be no colour and appendage combination too bizarre.

Nudibranchs owe their vivid colours to the food they eat. Feeding on a wide variety of organisms such as coral, anemones, and even jellyfish, the sea slugs harvest their victim’s pigment and put it to their own use. Across the genus, colour is used either as a deterrent, a pseudo-deterrent, and even just as camouflage for the colourful world they live in. With no natural sharp claws or tough shells of their own, some species of nudibranchs protect themselves by stealing other organisms’ weapons.

The main form of defence for aeolid nudribranchs is to approach a cnidaria- a group of organisms whose

characteristic feature are venomfilled harpoons such as jellyfish. They then eat the cnidaria, neutralise the venomous spikes and repurpose them for their own use. Some species of aeolids simply store the venom itself as a defensive mechanism if ingested, whereas others put the cnidarias stingers in finger-like structures protruding from their backs, essentially creating their own mini harpoons. There are multiple examples in the natural world of animals being able to survive without certain parts of their body. Some even do this on purpose as an escape mechanism, such as lizards who can shed their tails under attack (caudal autotomy). The lizard can escape the grasp of a predator and regrow its tail to a similar standard.

Across the genus, colour is used either as a deterrent, a pseudo-deterrent, and even just as camouflage.”

Nudibranchs take this concept a step further. If under threat and the venomous spikes, stored poison, and camouflage isn’t working, nudibranchs can jettison their entire body, leaving behind its major organs and

even its beating heart.

Some studies have found nudibranchs can and do abandon up to 85% of their entire body mass in selfdecapitation.

As a genus, they have surprisingly few natural predators (mainly due to their stolen venom and lack of nutritional benefits), so performing autotomy in the face of imminent danger is uncommon.

Incredibly, this process was hypothesised to be a defence against parasites and viruses. They can leave their own infected organs behind if they start to fail. Even more remarkably, not only do they survive this but they have regrown all that body left behind in just two weeks.

The potential for applying this process to human medicine is very exciting, and currently being researched in multiple institutions worldwide.

One particular genus of nudibranch (Phyllodesmium) is also capable of photosynthesis.

as with many creatures around the world, their survival is under threat from pollution, habitat degradation and climate change.”

This genus feeds primarily on coral, and can eat the photosynthetic algae on them without damaging their capacity to convert sunlight to energy.

In a similar way to the repurposing of venomous spikes, the nudibranchs can then move these algae to certain parts of their body surface (cerata). Once there, the algae continue to photosynthesis providing up to a quarter of the slug’s energy requirements. Sadly, as with many creatures around the world, their survival is under threat from pollution, habitat degradation and climate change. But, this species is not gone yet, and while they’re still here they can be saved.

The Ozone Layer: Have we forgotten about CFCs?

What has happened to discussions about the ongoing impact humans are having on the Ozone Layer?

Mia Becker-Hansen Head of Science and Technology

In 1985, scientists discovered a hole the size of North America in the ozone layer above Antarctica caused by humanity, and it was on track to be completely destroyed by 2050. Comments about the destruction of the ozone layer even appeared in now famous sitcoms and films at the time and thereafter. So, what has happened to the ozone layer since then? Did we cure it? The ozone layer is a ‘belt’ around the Earth made up of gaseous molecules, above the Troposphere but below the Stratosphere. It protects all living things of Earth by absorbing two types of Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, UV-B and UV-C. Without it, ecosystems would collapse, skin cancer rates would skyrocket, and life on Earth would be very different.

emissions of certain substances can significantly deplete and otherwise modify the ozone layer.”

Scientists travelled to Antarctica to study the cause of this 40% depletion in the ozone layer which was getting worse every year. They found that the problem was being caused by chorine from a man-made compound called Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs are not harmful on the ground, but once they float up to the Stratosphere the Sun breaks them down into chlorine. They bind with ozone to make oxygen and chlorine monoxide. Then, the loose oxygen atoms bump the chlorine atom out, freeing it to destroy more chlorine molecules, which causes a chain reaction. Chlorofluorocarbons have a long lifespan of around 50 to 150 years in our atmosphere, the build-up of this loss of ozone in the ozone layer increases exponentially.

At this time, humanity used a great deal of CFCs. They were used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants. The US at this time had already moved away from CFCs in aerosol cans, but most of the world had not.

This growing threat led to some of the fastest collective action on climate the world has ever seen.

It was easy to find substitutes to CFCs

and implement the switch. Scientists engaged with the public about the devastating issue, which in turn put pressure on leaders around the world to act. This resulted in the creation of the Montreal Protocol. It recognised that “world-wide emissions of certain substances can significantly deplete and otherwise modify the ozone layer in a manner that is likely

to result in adverse effects on human health and the environment”.

It listed control measures to reduce ozone depleting substances in a series of steps. This included help for developing countries who need alternative technology and substituting products. Every singly country signed the protocol. This makes it the only universal treaty to ever

be ratified. It is still the most successful environmental agreement in human history.

Soon after the signing of the Montreal protocol in 1989, the world’s largest CFC producer, Du Pont, began to phase them out. The consumption of ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs, plummeted. Today, more than thirty years after the Montreal protocol was signed, the ozone hole has stopped growing and is now shrinking. By 2065 it is expected to have recovered completely. However, after the CFC ban, we began using Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These don’t deplete the ozone layer, but they are a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, the fastest growing one. In 2016, the Montreal Protocol was amended to include HFCs, so they are now being phased out too. Nevertheless, they are only one part of a larger issue.

Our most challenging environmental problem, climate change, is still in need of big solutions. The almost destruction of our ozone layer proved that we are capable of coming together to help our planet.

Let us hope that this can happen once more to save our world from its biggest threat yet.

Mia Becker-Hansen Elie Gould Jemma Powell Nudibranchs: This unique and remarkable species of sea slug is currently being researched for it ability to regenerate and regrow its entire body. Source: Jerry Kirkhart (via Flickr) The Ozone Layer: CFCs have been found to reduce the concentration of ozone in the atmosphere. Source: Stuart Rankin (via Flickr)

The Montreal

Protocol

GWYDDONIAETH A THECHNOLEG

UK classes Squid and Octopus as

‘sentient’

species

New legislation in the UK has been described as a ‘turning point’ for animal welfare

Anna Thomas Contributor

Recognition of invertebrates such as crabs, lobsters, and octopuses as sentient creatures marks a ‘turning point’ for animal welfare in UK legislation.

The UK have amended their Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill to include cephalopods and crustaceans following a report published by the London School of Economics earlier in November. The publication, which reviewed over 300 studies, concluded that animals such as lobsters and octopuses should be

The UK have amended their Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill to include cephalopods and crustaceans.”

regarded as sentient and thus protected under the bill.

Sentience, as it was described in the paper is “the capacity to have feelings, such as… pain, pleasure, hunger, thirst, warmth, joy, comfort and excitement.” When establishing whether cephalopods and crustaceans come under this heading, LSE’s research focused primarily on whether they can experience pain.

These creatures have a complex central nervous system, notably octopuses, who have ‘mini brains’ located in each of their arms. However, despite their neuronal system being vastly different to those seen in vertebrates, cephalopods and crustaceans have demonstrated the presence of opioid receptors meaning they respond similarly to painkillers. Furthermore, when exposed to painful stimuli such as boiling water, these animals have been witnessed to elicit attempts at escape,

further illustrating their faculty for suffering.

Cephalopods such as octopuses, which have the largest brain to body ratio of any invertebrate, have long been revered for their intelligence. Whilst stories such as those of Paul the psychic octopus, who predicted the outcomes of numerous world cup matches in 2010 have gained much traction in the press, there is a plethora of more substantiated evidence reflecting cephalopod’s advanced cognition. Markedly, one paper which tested cuttlefish’s ability to exert self-control found that these sea creatures successfully completed a task originally designed for testing human children, demonstrating they have cognition comparable to large-brained vertebrates such as chimpanzees.

Unfortunately, whilst recognition of sentience is pertinent in the future of animal welfare, as it will

Cephalopods such as octopuses, which have the largest brain to body ratio of any invertebrate, have long been revered for their intelligence.”

prevent future implementation of unethical laws, the bill will have no effect on previously invoked practices. As such, contentious methods such as transporting animals in ice cold water or boiling them whilst still alive will continue unencumbered.

When this bill comes into effect, the actions of the government with regards to cephalopod and crustacean welfare will be overseen by a committee of marine experts. Animal activists hope that this will mitigate the risk of new legislation harming such creatures in the future.

A look at early access for ‘Unreal Engine 5’

A breakdown of the new possibilites presented by Epic Games’ latest technical demonstration

‘The Valley of the Ancient’, a practical sample released by Epic Games, demonstrates all the latest tools and workflows used to build it.

Targeting next-gen hardware specifications, the significance of this engine raises new possibilities for the future of game development and world-building.

The UE5 User-interface

Several of the features from UE4 are present and working here. However, there are a number of new systems present as well.

One example of this is that the content browser can be accessed as a draw using hotkeys. Providing all the content game developers need as well as a clean workspace while being able to restore editor tabs from the sidebar.

Nanite

A virtualised micro-polygon geometry system that allows the creator to make as much geometric reality as the eye can see. Developers will be able to see virtualised geometry champions orders of magnitude without compromising speed. Furthermore, it can handle all transitions without any additional set-up.

With the help of virtualised geometry, developers can now place detailed assets throughout the landscape, making massive maps for players to explore. Additionally, each instance contains 1-2 million triangles, which means that creators can freely pan throughout the digital landscape.

Temporal Super Resolution

This can keep up with the geometry, creating sharp, high-resolution images. Achieving true 4K with the cost of 1080p. Lumen

Many critics have suggested that high quality and life-like images can only take a player so far when it comes to immersive gaming experiences. What really opens the map for dynamic gameplay is changing and reflective light. Lumen is a fully dynamic real-time global illumination solution that can immediately react to changing light or scenes. While the GI can also hook into the game’s time schedules, allowing for realistic day to night setups.

Sky atmosphere system

As a result of the new sky and automated light system, developers can now make instant changes to sun position, atmosphere, and fog.

World Partition

Changing the way developers look at levels World Partition is a significant addition to the Unreal Engine 5.

This is essentially possible by thinking of maps as part of one big world that will later be broken down into smaller streamable cells on a grid. Helpfully, artists can load up the sections they need individually in an effort to make it more manageable.

World Partition also loads the cells in the user-defined radius in run time, helping all developers stay within per-

Word of the week: The Ozone Layer

Outbreak of ‘Avian Flu’ confirmed in parts of the UK

Lily O’Brien Contributor

Multiple outbreaks of bird flu have been discovered across the UK, government officials confirm.

The latest outbreak of bird flu, otherwise known as avian flu, has arisen in Thirsk, New Yorkshire just days after cases were reported in Essex, Anglesey and Wrexham county.

Cases of bird flu have also been reported around the world including in France and Japan.

The H5N1 strain, responsible for the UK outbreaks, is highly contagious and can wipe out poultry flocks.

Temporary control zones are being placed around the affected sites to minimise the spread of the virus. These zones consist of a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone.

the significance of this engine raises new possibilities for the future of game development and world-building.”

formance budgets.

Data Layers

Through this feature, developers can now categories map assets and organise them as they see fit. This also means that they can make multiple layers of the content over each world, providing various layers for players to experience.

Animation Motion Warping Warping allows developers to alter route motion animations adapting play style to the world around players. This essentially means they can use the same action data, say vaulting over a small pillar, to react to different situations, like vaulting over a larger obstacle.

Control Rig

This is a linear cinematic animation tool, transforming the cut scenes before boss fights into a real-life nightmare. The tool helps keep the artist close to their work without constantly bouncing back and forth from multiple software and tools.

Now enemies can react to the distance and whereabouts of players while in the final battles - this will make it harder to dodge and predict the movements of enemies in games.

Forward Compatability

As part of the Unreal Engine 5’s ‘forward compatibility’, developers will also be able to edit past projects made using the Unreal Engine 4.

The early access UE5 is currently free to use on the Epic Games Store for developers and players alike.

developers will also beable to edit past projects made using the Unreal Engine 4.

• ‘The Ozone Layer’ refers to the high concentration of atmospheric ozone found 15-30km above the Earth’s surface.

• This layer essentially acts as a shield, absorbing potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

• Since the late 1970s, scientists have highlighted that the concentration of ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere is being depleted by damaging CFCs, resulting in a sizeable ‘ozone hole’ forming above Antarctica.

Bird flu is a type of infectious influenza that can spread between birds. The centre for disease control and prevention (CDC) classifies the virus into two categories: the low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) and the high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), whereby pathogenicity refers to disease severity. Among wild birds, bird flu circulates naturally and the natural migration of these birds from mainland Europe to the UK can cause the virus to spread to captive birds.

Bird flu is of particular concern for the poultry industry, after millions of birds had to be culled in previous outbreaks to halt the spread of the disease. Epidemiologists are also concerned the virus could mutate to a more contagious form and acquire the ability to spread from birds to humans.

The infamous 1918 influenza outbreak, which killed millions of people, had genes of avian origin, according to the CDC. Effort to reduce transmission of the virus, reduces the chances of the virus mutating and spreading to humans. This could also aid in the eradication of the virus.

The virus is spread by close contact with an infected bird, whether alive or dead, but according to the NHS, cases of bird flu in humans are considerably rare.

Although the chances of contracting the virus are slim, health officials are still urging everyone to stay clear of any sick or dead birds, whilst bird keepers are being asked to be vigilant for any signs of bird flu within their animals. If keepers are concerned, they are being strongly encouraged to seek veterinary advice.

Signs of bird flu can include ruffled feathers and a significant drop in egg production, according to the CDC. New housing measures came into effect on Monday, the 29th of November, in an attempt to protect poultry and captive birds. These new measures mean bird keepers have a duty to keep their birds indoors, as well as follow strict biosecurity measures. These combined efforts should significantly limit the spread of the virus.

The Foods Standard Agency has confirmed that these outbreaks do not pose a food safety risk to UK consumers.

Bird flu is of particular concern for the poultry industry, after millions of birds had to be culled in previous outbreaks to halt the spread of the disease.”

Elie Gould Technology Editor Unreal Engine 5: Epic Games is expected to impliment this new game engine in its most popular title, Fortnite. Credit: Epic Games

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Is African Football taken seriously enough?

Sam Joseph Sport Editor

Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp recently came under fire after referring to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a “little tournament”.

During a press conference after Liverpool’s 4-0 win against Arsenal, Klopp was asked if he was “relieved” that the Premier League schedule would not be interrupted by an international break until March, with the German manager replying: “I’ve heard that so often that there’s no international break until March. In January, there’s a little tournament in Africa, I just want to say, and I think Asia is playing games, too - South America as well, great, can’t wait.”

Klopp’s comments sparked anger online amongst many African social media users, who felt that he disrespected not only the competition but the continent as a whole.

5 days later, facing the media once again after the Reds defeated Porto 2-0 in the Champions League, Klopp was questioned about his remarks by Nigerian journalist Ojora Babatunde of OBJ Sport, in a heated exchange, in which Babatunde asserted that the Liverpool coach had “insulted” the continent’s fans and players.

Klopp sought to clarify that his comments were “ironic” and that he meant no disrespect, however Babatunde stood by his accusa -

Liverpool’s manager Jürgen Klopp has come under firing for implying that African football tournaments are ‘little.’”

Liverpool FC’s manager Jürgen Klopp . Source: Mehdi Bolourian (via Wikimedia Commons)

tions, arguing that Klopp would never say “a little tournament in Europe”.

Klopp is known to be a frequent user of sarcasm and stated himself in his defence that he is not a native English speaker, so it has been argued that he was genuinely misconstrued.

Or perhaps he was simply expressing, through a somewhat careless choice of words, frustration that he will likely be losing three key players in Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mané and Naby Keïta to their respective nations when the tournament comes around in January.

However, Babatunde was simply echoing the beliefs of many Africans, including others involved in the African media, and he is certainly not the first to ar-

gue that African football is not taken seriously enough.

Retired footballer Yaya Touré, formerly of teams such as Barcelona and Manchester City and receiver of 101 caps for the Ivory Coast national team, is often regarded as one of the greatest players the continent has ever produced and stated in 2014 that he thought that African players did not get the acknowledgement he believed they deserved.

Touré argued that “proper recognition has only come from the fans”, going on to say: “when you come to Europe and say ‘Yaya Touré’ people will say, ‘who is that?’ Some will say they know my name, but not my face” and asserting his desire to “show to the world that African players can be as good as the Europeans

Proper recognition has only come from the fans. when you come to Europe and say ‘Yaya Touré’ people will say, ‘who is that?’ .”

Yaya Touré , Ivorian Football Coach

and South Americans”.

While Africa has supplied the world with footballers who are regarded as all-time greats, such as Roger Milla, George Weah, Didier Drogba and Touré himself, as well as several current players who are considered world-class, media perception of African football often does not reflect the talent that is produced.

This could be down to the relative lack of intercontinental attention and investment that African domestic competitions receive, which has meant that the path to stardom for players is not only different from that of European footballers, but also more challenging. Touré did not own a pair of football boots until he was 10.

Furthermore, the looser nature of African football, as opposed to the heavily scrutinised and tactical European game, has often caused African football to be met with ridicule, and has led to articles such as African football’s craziest stories of the last 12 months.

While the words of Jürgen Klopp may have been intended to carry zero offence, the fact remains that many saw his throwaway statement as derogatory, and perhaps it reflects a need to fully evaluate whether a section of the sport that produces so much talent and genuine fandom is actually taken seriously enough.

England await on enfeebled Australia’s shores

England are all set to take on a wounded Australian team, a team that lost their captain just weeks earlier, in the all-important Ashes series down under. The Australian team suffered a massive jolt when Testcaptain and wicket-keeper Tim Paine announced that he would be stepping down as captain and be taking an indefinite break from the game. With just weeks to go for the coveted tournament, a tearful Tim Paine announced that he would be stepping down as Australian captain after he learned that sexually explicit texts he sent to a female co-worker at Cricket Tasmania in 2017 were going to be made public.

Paine was subject to a misconduct investigation after the co-worker in question raised allegations against him in 2018 but he had since been cleared by Cricket Australia. However, with the texts set to be revealed publicly, Paine said that he would be stepping down from captaincy as his actions did not

meet the “standards of an Australian cricket captain”.

“Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time and still do today. I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support.

On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian

cricket captain, or the wider community.”

Cricket Australia (CA) accepted Paine’s resignation and have since appointed Pat Cummins as his successor with former captain Steve Smith as his deputy. Wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey is set to don the gloves as the first Test looms in the not-so-distant future.

England, on the contrary, are a lot more settled. Captain Joe Root will look to carry his fantabulous form with the bat as his team, buoyed by the return of talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes, look to reclaim the urn on foreign shores.

Speaking to the BBC ahead of the tour, Root said “I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved as a team under my leadership, but nothing would compare to winning in Australia. It would be the shepherd’s pie. The best of the best.”

A full-strength England line-up will face a shaken Australian team at the Gabba in Brisbane starting December 8.

England men’s squad for Ashes tour: Joe Root (C), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood Australia Playing XI (1st Test): David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Raducanu becomes ‘Sportswoman of the Year’

Emma Raducanu was voted Sunday Times Sportswoman of the year

CHWARAEON 23

Anurag Hegde Head of Sport Cricket: England will face Australia in a 5-match Test series starting December 8. Source: Stuart Hamilton (via Flickr)

sport@gairrhydd.com

Football:

SPORT

Adam Brown Joe Edgar-Smith Tom Hawkins Anurag Hegde

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

Sam Joseph

Fury v Paul: Highlights from the press conference

Joe Edgar-Smith Sport Editor

After months of back and forth on social media,

Tommy Fury is the next candidate to attempt to end Jake Paul’s unbeaten boxing run. The 22 year old younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, currently holds an unbeaten record in his professional bouts consisting of seven wins - with four of those coming by way of knockout. Paul, who began his boxing career with a TKO victory over British YouTuber Deji Olatunji in an amateur bout in August 2018, currently also holds an unbeaten professional record of four wins with three resulting in stoppages. However, the 24 year old internet star is yet to fight a true boxer, with Tommy Fury being far and away his toughest challenge to date. As of yet, Paul has fought fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, NBA player Nate Robinson and has recorded victories over mixed martial artists Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. The latter being a former UFC champion.

Whether boxing fans like it or not, this will be one of the biggest fights of the year, with both fighters having a combined social media following of over 30 million. While Fury is

Whether boxing fans like it or not, this will be one of the biggest fights of the year.”

the slight favourite, it can be argued that so far he has faced very limited opposition in his career. Despite not having fought an out and out boxer, a win over a former UFC champion under his belt will give Paul immense confidence going into the fight.

On 24th November the press conference to promote the fight was

streamed live with the three Furies Tyson, Tommy and their father John met virtually by Paul. As could have been predicted, it was not without controversy. After taunts from Paul were directed at Tommy, things quickly got out of hand as Big John Fury made crude comments about his girlfriend, to which Paul responded

by telling him to “shut his b**ch*ss up”. This didn’t stop John from squaring up to the television as though the American were about to receive a right hook. He then went on to tell the American that he’d put him over his knee and “slap you like a five year old”.

Tommy, seemingly unfazed by the altercation between his father and his opponent, told his rival “Thank God you’ve taken the fight mate, thank you for giving me the lottery, I’m going to rob the bank and I’m not going to jail for it”.

BT sport have since released an apology for the comments made in the press conference, stating that the live event “included a number of offensive and unacceptable comments, some of which has led to further online abuse”

“This goes against all the values that BT sport wants to uphold”

“We would like to apologise for any offence or upset this has caused”

Matchroom Sport chairman and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn blasted the incident as “disgusting” and “tasteless”, stating that it was a “bad look for boxing”

Tommy Fury and Jake Paul will meet in the ring on Saturday 18th December 2021 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The two fighters are scheduled for eight rounds of boxing in the professionally sanctioned bout that is expected to begin at 3:30-4:00am UK time with the undercard beginning at midnight.

The fight will be available to watch live on pay-per-view on BT Sport Box Office.

Either Italy or Portugal to Miss Out On 2022 Qatar World Cup

Tom Hawkins Sport Editor

The qualifiers for the 2022 Qatar World Cup have been played during the most recent international break. The qualifiers saw the higher teams in the FIFA world rankings make it into next year’s tournament as expected with Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium and England all topping their groups. However, perhaps the biggest shock of the qualifiers has been the fact that one of Italy or Portugal will not feature in it.

The World Cup playoff qualifier draw has been released with Italy and Portugal being placed in the same group in the twelve team bracket. This means that one of the world’s eight best teams and the winners of the past two European Championships will be absent. Twelve teams were drawn into three groups, or paths of four, with the winner of each path consisting of single elimination leg matches which will be played in March.

The last time Italy lost its qualifier was four years ago and has never missed consecutive World Cups. Before 2018, the only other time Italy failed to qualify was as far back as 1958. Similarly, Portugal hasn’t missed a World Cup since 1998. Fortunately for Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo has won three out of the last three World Cup qualifying play offs.

The Portuguese will need to look to their talisman for inspiration if they are to make it through.

Portugal finished second in their group after they were beaten 2 – 1 by Serbia at home in their final game of the group stage. A last minute goal from Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic saw their European competitors miss out on top spot. Italy dropped points against lesser teams with a 1 – 1 draw against Bulgaria, 0 – 0 against Switzerland and 0 – 0 against Northern Ireland.

The Azzuri will be disappointed with not topping the group considering their superb form over the Euro 2020 competition and the unbeaten run they have been on.

Italy will welcome North Macedonia to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in March in the semi – final and the winner will travel to play the winner of the semi – final of the other bracket which will be between Portugal and Turkey. They will be playing for one of the three last remaining places in international

Manchester United make Ralf Ragnick interim manager

Adam Brown Sport Editor

Earlier this week, Manchester United appointed Ralf Rangnick as interim manager for the remainder of the season, with a further two years as an advisor for the club.

For people with a good amount of footballing knowledge, they’ll know that the German is well respected in the world of football after building teams with Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig to where they could compete at a high and competitive level across Europe.

Manchester United have been struggling for results this season, which ultimately led to the sacking of club legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjær. It was evident that the Manchester side needed a manager that could make good out of a bad situation. As previously mentioned, Rangnick found success with clubs in Germany.

He also provided guidance to arguably two of the best managers in world football right now, Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel. He took Tuchel under his wing at German side SSV Ulm 1846 Fußball. Tuchel’s career ended prematurely due to knee injury and went to work at a bar in his local hometown, then one day received a call from Rangnick asking if he wanted to train the academy side.

Rangnick, 63, is known for utilising the “high press” tactic in football and it has been seen how effective it can be, with top English sides such as Chelsea and Liverpool striving in their league and domestic cup battles who use the mentioned tactic.

When the German was questioned on his choice to take the job offer in a recent interview, he responded “We are talking about six and a half months, so we only have had one third of all the games played, and we have agreed on a two-year advisory role after those six and a half months. If a club like Manchester United contacts you for such a role, you cannot possibly turn it down”.

Manchester United fans are excited about the arrival of Ralf Rangnick, and they hope he can bring his previous experience to the club and get Manchester United back to winning ways.

football’s biggest competitions. Italy Coach Roberto Mancini said “It could have been better for sure, talking to Italian broadcaster RAI2 when the draw was released. “As we would have gladly avoided them, probably they too would have avoided us”.

In the other brackets Scotland will play Ukraine, with the winner going on to play either Wales or Austria. Russia will also host Poland for the winner of the bout between Czech Republic and Sweden.

His main priorities right now are to improve United’s defensive record and close the gap on the dominating English forces of Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City.

If a club like Manchester United contacts you for such a role, you cannot possibly turn it down. ”

Ralf Rangnick , Interim Manager

Boxing: Jake Paul will take on Tommy Fury. Source: KSIvsLogan (viaWikimedia Commons) Football: Either of Italy or Portugal will miss out on a spot at the World Cup. Source: jorono (via Pixabay)

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