Issue 1180 - Monday, 21st February by Cardiff Student Media

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21 chwefror 2022 21 february 2022

gair rhydd Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972

Inside: Gair Rhydd looks ahead to everything we can expect to see over the next few months (Page 3)

Homophobic abuse reportedly rising in UK schools and universities

George Symonds News Editor

omophobic abuse has always been prevalent for LGBT+ students within Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom, however we would hope that reports of said abuse would be diminishing not increasing as we continue into the 2020’s. According to a study published by the Law Enforment Services ( or ‘LES’) last year, the frequency of homophobic abuse and attacks had significantly increased. Throughout 2022, the report found that 11,481 hate crime offences were reported and in 2021 over 14,670 were reported - This rise in reports of homophobia was also mirrored within primary and secondary schools. Additionally, as recently outlined by Wales Online, LGBTQ+ students have become more subject to abuse than in previous years. This was echoed by statistics collated by Stonewall, the UK’s largest LGBT+ rights charity, which had found that “The vast majority of teachers – nine in ten in secondary schools (89 per cent) and seven in ten in primary schools (70 per cent) – hear pupils use homophobic and discriminatory expressions like ‘that’s so gay’ or ‘you’re so gay’.” This statistic was from Stonewall’s findings in 2012 however in 2022 eight in ten teachers explained that they felt they hadn’t received “any specific training on how to tackle homophobic bullying within the last decade.” This therefore raises questions about whether training or other measures are needed to improve the current situation. A representative for Cardiff University told BBC News that their research had found that homophobia in primary schools, specifically in Wales, was not uncommon or "unusual" and they went as far to say that anti-gay comments are "normalised" within primary schools. The representative questioned whether the pandemic had prevent-

ed young pupils from being able to socially mature and be taught the consequences of using homophobic phrases. The representative then went on to say that not only is homophobia rising but also transphobia- they detailed some horrific case studies with Welsh queer and gender nonconforming students and the abuse they had been subjected to at primary and secondary school. Perhaps most interestingly, the representative drew on a recent case study into some homophobic abuse reported by a student who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The student argues that the remarks their had received as a queer pupil was out of “genuine naivety” rather than a deliberate homophobic attack on their sexuality. They continued to say that it would be easier to educate their peers rather than go to teaching staff to help - A key finding in Stonewall’s study into the lack of training around homophobic bullying. The use of unintentional or intentional homophobia is no surprise within a school setting, but a new curriculum is being introduced into some, not all, Welsh primary and secondary schools from September 2022. Supposedly the curriculum “would be inclusive of everyone and included a mandatory relationships and sexuality education (RSE) code.” This may be a step in a positive direction for pupils, nevertheless there seems to be no attempt from the Welsh Government to react and respond to the lack of education and training for Welsh teachers. With this issue continuing to gain attention across parts of the UK, it is likely that politicians will choose to debate this topic over the next few weeks and, no doubt, into the future as it continues. Until queer pupils feel safe enough to talk to their teachers about their problems the teaching system doesn’t quite feel complete. To read George's article looking at the recent rise of reports of homophobic abuse in UK schools, turn to page 5. 5

NHS Vaccine Mandate: The new decision has been made due to fears that the current policy is leading to crucial shortage of NHS staff across the UK. Source: Number 10 (via Flickr)

NHS set to scrap COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Darcy Arnold Politics Editor

Mis hanes LHDTC+ (LGBTQ+ History) Nansi Eccott

Golygydd Taf-od

ters at Westminster to enforce a vaccine mandate on NHS staff was always going to be a controversial one, despite its initial intention of protecting employees and patients alike. The retraction of this policy, however, will not come at a loss to many; the making of COVID vaccination mandatory for both NHS staff and care home workers has been heavily dissented from the outset, with a variety of concerns over staffing issues voiced by

'War' by Bob Marley and the Wailers Caz Love

Review Editor

ob Marley lived from 1945 to 1981, dying at the age of thirtysix. Despite his short life, the impact he had on the world was extraordinary. He was, and continues to be, the most influential reggae musician in the world. His life was spent creating music that simultaneously protested against political and social injustice and advocated peace and love. His songs often reflect the hardships of growing up in the largest shantytown in Jamaica. To read Caz's full review of 'War' by Bob Marley and the Wailers, turn to page 16 16

leaders within the organisation. Another reason for the scrapping of the vaccination mandate was the fact that the hospitalisation rates for the Omicron variant were around half of that of Delta, making it less deadly and having the potential for placing less of an intense strain on NHS services. To read more about the impact removing the vaccine mandate is expected to have on the NHS, 9 turn to page 9

Teen skater competes after failing drug test Annabelle Martin Contributor

he 15-year-old figure skater, Kamila Valieva, accused of doping has been cleared to compete in figure skating at the Beijing Winter Olympics. On Wednesday 9 th February 2022, two days after the Russian Olympic Committee’s figure skating team won gold in the team event competition, Valieva’s performance was brought under the microscope. A sample from the 15-year-old was taken on Christmas Day and tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine. To read Annabell's article on the recent controversy at the Olympics, turn to page 24 24

EDITORIAL Gair Rhydd 2021/22 Coordinator Elaine Morgan

Editor-in-Chief Jack Robert Stacey

Deputy Editors Anurag Hegde Vicky Witts Zoe Kramer

News

Zoe Kramer Alex Hughes Beth Williams George Symonds Shivika Singh

Features

A note from the Editor Nodyn gan y Golygydd ‘The Conversation’: The stigma of mental health

‘Y Sgwrs’: Y stigma ynghylch iechyd meddwl

‘The Conversation’: The stigma around mental health can lead people to avoid seeking support. Source: joshuaclifford123 (via Pixabay)

‘Y Sgwrs’: Gall y stigma ynghylch iechyd meddwl arwain pobl i osgoi ceisio cymorth. Tarddiad: joshuaclifford123 (via Pixabay)

Eva Rodericks Jasmine Edge Sophie Revell

Taf-od

Nel Richards Alexa Price Gracie Richards Nansi Eccott

Politics

Luthien Evans Darcy Arnold Ella Lloyd Katherine Seymour Manal Ahmed

Comment

Vicky Witts Catarina Pinto Vicente Eirian Jones Katherine Wheeler

Advice

Harriet Lowbridge Megan Shinner Ruth Hoey

Review

Iris Knapman Atreya Mukerjee Caz Love

Science and Technology Mia Becker-Hansen Anna Thomas Elie Gould Jemma Powell Theodore Tadros

Sport

Anurag Hegde Adam Brown Joe Edgar-Smith Tom Hawkins Sam Joseph

Head of Digital Media Sophia Grace

Social Media Manager Ella Lloyd

Digital Media Editors Cinzia Appetecchia Emily Smith Joseph Liu

Copy Editors

Beca Fflur Williams Bonnie Wileman Emily Bryant Jess Henderson Libby Griffiths Lois Campbell Maisie Granger Sam Joseph

Write to the editor 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.

Jack Robert Stacey Editor-in-Chief

ver the last twelve months, the topic of mental health has remained at the forefront of many discussions in and around the UK. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these discussions often centre on the stigma surrounding mental health alongside the personal challenges that people face when attempting to obtain support for problems like depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (or ‘OCD’). As numerous mental health experts have recognised, people are commonly uncomfortable with sharing their experiences with doctors and engaging in the dialogue or socalled ‘conversation’ around mental health in an open and honest way. For some, even talking to loved ones about mental health can be fraught with a deep sense of difficulty due to fears of suffering discrimination and potential backlash as a result. This has been reflected in research published by MHFA England which asserts that, although 792 million people are thought to be affected by mental-health-related problems around the world, only one in eight are currently receiving treatment. More than this, however, events like Valentine’s Day and the upcoming summer holidays can be a particularly

challenging time for people with preexisting mental health problems. With all of this in mind, it remains critical for us to consider how these barriers can be brokendown to promote the importance of ‘the conversation’ (or better yet conversations) on mental health. For many, this simply involves removing the stigma associated with discussions on mental health and, instead, encouraging people to speak about their personal difficulties in a more openness and transparency. Alongside this openness, experts maintain that support networks continue to be key in ensuring that people, especially those who are already suffering from mental health problems, feel comfortable seeking out support. In many ways, life during the pandemic has acted as a firm reminder of the ever-present impact that mental health has around the world alongside the importance of cultivating a more healthy, open dialogue. As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease with the promise of a ‘normal’ summer, therefore, it is important for us to recognise that mental health will is still a key issue on all levels of society. Although the stigma around ‘the conversation’ remains, recent events have shown that there is room for more progress and understanding in this critical area of day-to-day life.

Jack Robert Stacey Prif Olygydd

ros y deuddeg mis diwethaf, mae’r pwnc iechyd meddwl wedi aros ar flaen y gad o lawer o drafodaethau yn y DU ac o’i chwmpas. Efallai nad yw’n syndod, mae’r trafodaethau hyn yn aml yn canolbwyntio ar y stigma ynghylch iechyd meddwl ochr yn ochr â’r heriau personol y mae pobl yn eu hwynebu wrth geisio cael cymorth i broblemau fel iselder, pryder, ac anhwylder cymhellol obsesiynol (neu ‘OCD’). Gan fod nifer o arbenigwyr iechyd meddwl wedi cydnabod, mae pobl yn gyffredin yn anghyfforddus gyda rhannu eu profiadau gyda meddygon ac yn cymryd rhan yn y ddeialog neu ‘sgwrs’ o gwmpas iechyd meddwl mewn ffordd agored a gonest. I rai, gall hyd yn oed siarad â anwyliaid am iechyd meddwl fod yn drafferthus o anhawster dwfn oherwydd ofnau dioddefaint dioddefaint a photensial adlach o ganlyniad. Adlewyrchwyd hyn yn ymchwil a gyhoeddwyd gan MHFA England sy’n honni, er y credir bod 792 miliwn o bobl yn cael eu heffeithio gan broblemau sy’n gysylltiedig ag iechyd meddwl ledled y byd, dim ond un o bob wyth yn derbyn triniaeth ar hyn o bryd.

Yn fwy na hyn, fodd bynnag, gall digwyddiadau fel Dydd San Ffolant a gwyliau’r haf sydd i ddod fod yn amser arbennig o heriol i bobl sydd â phroblemau iechyd meddwl sydd eisoes yn bodoli. Gyda hyn i gyd mewn golwg, mae’n parhau i fod yn hanfodol i ni ystyried sut y gall y rhwystrau hyn gael eu torri i lawr i hyrwyddo pwysigrwydd y ‘sgwrs’ (neu well ond sgyrsiau) ar iechyd meddwl. I lawer, mae hyn yn syml yn golygu cael gwared ar y stigma sy’n gysylltiedig â thrafodaethau ar iechyd meddwl ac, yn lle hynny, annog pobl i siarad am eu hanawsterau personol mewn mwy agored a thryloywder. Ochr yn ochr â’r didwylledd, arbenigwyr yn cynnal bod rhwydweithiau cefnogi yn parhau i fod yn allweddol i sicrhau bod pobl, yn enwedig y rhai sydd eisoes yn dioddef o broblemau iechyd meddwl, yn teimlo’n gyfforddus yn chwilio am gefnogaeth. Wrth i gyfyngiadau COVID-19 barhau i leddfu gyda’r addewid o haf ‘normal’, felly, mae’n bwysig inni gydnabod y bydd iechyd meddwl yn dal i fod yn fater allweddol ar bob lefel o gymdeithas. Er bod y stigma ynghylch ‘y sgwrs’ yn parhau, mae digwyddiadau diweddar wedi dangos bod lle i fwy o gynnydd a dealltwriaeth yn y maes hollbwysig hwn o fywyd o ddydd i ddydd.

NODEWEDDION

FEATURES

Feature: What can we expect to see from 2022? Eva Rodericks looks ahead to everything we can expect to see from the new year in the worlds of film, technology, politics, sport and much more. Eva Rodericks

Head of Features

oving on from the events of 2021, the new year represents a lot of different things for people around the world. For a number of scientists, 2022 is expected to be the year that COVID-19 might lose its devastating grip on several countries as a sense of ‘normality’ begins to return. With this expected return to ‘normality’, many people seem to have ushered in the new year with the hope that the next few months will be a considerably more positive and optimistic time than 2021. 2022 is expected to be the year that COVID-19 might lose its devastating grip on several countries.”

If the last two years have taught us anything, however, it is that the future will be far from predictable and, as with COVID-19, things can become uprooted merely in a matter of weeks or even days. Even if we set aside the pandemic aside, the numerous controversial and world-shaking events that we saw in 2021 offer us a reflection back on all the ways that society as we know it continues to be undergoing rapid changes. 2022, therefore, represents a variety of different possibilites, both positive and negative alongside everything inbetween. With this in mind, Gair Rhydd took a look ahead and broke down all of the most significant events that we can expect to see from the new year in the worlds of film, technology, politics, sport and much more:

Politics and democracy in the UK

or many, one of the key questions for 2022 is whether Boris Johnson will retain his position as Prime Minister. After news of parties in Downing Street emerged at the beginning of the year, Johnson’s popularity has fallen amongst the public and is being told to resign by Labour and Conservative politicians alike. If Johnson fails to survive the so-called “partygate”, he may be replaced by Liz Truss or the chancellor, Rishi Sunak. Last year there was much talk of “levelling up”, but what does this mean for Wales in 2022? Cash injections into ten Welsh projects have been approved, including £13.3 million for creating more tourism in the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage site, just south of Wrexham, and £10.3 million to revamp

Aberystwyth’s old college, harbour and promenade. However, Welsh Labour, Welsh Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru have their issues with the levelling up scheme. Ultimately, Wales will now miss out on their EU money, amounting to around £375 million a year, which was directed straight into the poorest communities. The U.K government plans to replace this money with £2.6 billion through the shared prosperity fund. The Welsh government says that even with this money, Wales will still be one billion pounds poorer by 2024. Welsh Labour Ministers are critical of spending decisions for Wales being made in Westminster, without properly consulting the Welsh government.

What blockbuster and arthouse films are releasing in 2022?

ith the delays caused as the result of the pandemic, 2022 is expected to be a year where studios are eager to get people back to the cinema. James Cameron’s ‘Avatar 2’ For fans of the original Avatar film, saying that the upcoming sequel is ‘long anticipated’ would be an understatement. The film was initially due for release in 2014 but writer and director James Cameron’s notorious perfectionism (and the COVID-19 pandemic) has caused several delays. The Guardian’s film critic, Mike McCahill, says he’s ‘in that minority who are still curious to see what “Avatar 2” will bring’. The release is now set for December 2022. The highly acclaimed original Avatar follows Jake Sully, a paraplegic marine, who takes on the mission of infiltrating the magical world of Pandora. This idyllic place is inhabited by Na’vis, humanoid aliens, who the military are trying to

displace in order to access precious minerals. Jake embodies a Na’vi and finds himself in a predicament - who should he serve? Touching on environmental disaster and western greed, accompanied by groundbreaking CGI and incredible visuals, there are high hopes for the sequel of Avatar. Terminator star, Sam Worthington, will be returning as Jake Sully. ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Marvel is returning to the world of Wakanda once again but sadly without the late Chadwick Boseman, who played T’challa. The actor and director tragically lost his battle with cancer in 2020 aged 43. It has been confirmed that T’challa will not be recast for the sequel. Plot details are still hazy but expect to see breathtaking scenes as the film explores another secret civilisation, the underwater world of Atlantis. Just like Wakanda, Atlantis is also technologically advanced - maybe, we will see a battle

Technology and the second ‘space race’

he space race is taking on a whole new meaning in 2022; Musk, Bezos and Branson are now fighting to expand their world-dominating empires by selling joy rides to space,

potentially one day to the moon. As India tries to establish itself as a strong world power, they plan to send the Chandrayaan-3 Lander, a robotic rover, to the moon in 2022.

The changing world of work and business

tudents who enrolled at university before 2020 never dreamt of taking on a virtual internship or graduate role but now it’s looking pretty likely. According to Deloitte, 42% of people are hoping to work from home at least twice a week, however, younger people are less keen and many are suffering from “zoom fatigue”. The pandemic forced millions to work online yet many have warmed to the idea. Some reported benefits include a better work-life balance, less time and money spent on commuting

and, from a business perspective, less money spent on renting workspaces. But what are the downsides? Some find working from home lonely and tedious, and others say working as a team is easier in person. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Zuckerberg’s Metaverse has hopped on the trend by creating Horizon Workrooms, VR breakout spaces where users can share their screen, send messages, lead meetings and much more. This platform is expected to expand considerably in 2022 according to industry experts.

between the two? After lead actress Letitia Wright was injured on set, the release date has been pushed back to November 2022. ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ Finally, the tragic life of iconic singer Whitney Houston is being made into a film for the big screen. Taking on the mammoth lead role is award-winning actress Naomi Ackie, best known for playing Bonnie in End of the F***ing World. Houston wrote some of the biggest hits of the 80s and 90s including “I Will Always Love You”, “How Will I know” and, of course, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”. Whitney’s life seemed glamorous on the surface but, behind closed doors, she struggled with drugs and depression. Bohemian Rhapsody was arguably the most successful biopic of the last century, winning numerous awards and capturing the hearts of the nation.

The man behind the script, Anthony McCarten, will also be writing I wanna Dance With Somebody, so it’s safe to say expectations are high. I Wanna Dance With Somebody is due for release in December 2022. ‘The Worst Person in the World’ Mike McCahill, a seasoned film critic, says there are many niche film productions to be excited about this year. He recommends The Worst Person in the World, “a really smart, involving and moving portrait of a confused woman in her twenties” which is coming out in March. ‘Playground’ McCahill also suggests Playground, “a Belgian drama that sticks the camera on the shoulder of a young girl entering primary school for the first time and watches as her classmates declare the pre-teen equivalent of open warfare on one another, and her”. This gripping production will be available from April.

Eva Rodericks

Jasmine Edge

Sophie Revell features@gairrhydd.com

‘Knives Out 2’

Rian Johnson’s sequel to the 2019 murder mystery film

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Tom Cruise will reprise his role in the upcoming Top Gun sequel

‘Nope’

Jordan Peele’s third feature film will follow ‘Get Out’ and ‘Us’

What sporting events will we see in 2022?

hroughout 2022, there are also a number of sporting events scheduled to illuminate the achievements of some of the finest sporting talent from around the world The 2022 Qatar World Cup Despite years of corruption allegations, the 2022 World Cup will be taking place in Qatar. Sweltering temperatures of over 40 degrees celsius in the summer means the sporting event will start in the winter, with the final to take place on the 18th of December. Wales will have to beat Austria in March to reach the play-off final, where they will take on either Scotland or Ukraine. England has already qualified after winning their group. Will football finally come home for England? It’s hard to say. France and Brazil are the favourites, with England following close behind. After coming so close to silverware in the last two major tournaments, manager Gareth Southgate will be desperate to lead his team to become world champions.

The Six Nations Last year Wales narrowly missed out on victory when they were beaten by France 32-30 in the final. Once again, France are the favourites - but that is not to say Wales and England aren’t looking strong. Be ready for crowds in Cardiff Central on the 5th February when the dragons take on Ireland at the Principality Stadium and later in the month when they face Scotland. Beijing 2022 Olympic Games After various accusations of human rights abuses levelled at the Chinese government, the UK, US, Australia, Lithuania and Kosovo have announced they will be diplomatically boycotting the games. China will be the first country to have held both the summer and winter Olympics. Norway, Germany and Canada look set to top the medal board, closely followed by the US and Olympic Athletes from Russia. Jamaica will be taking part in the bob-

sleigh competition for the first time since 1998. The Jamaican bobsleigh team trained at the University of Bath and have even been seen pushing a mini cooper around Peterborough when their training facilities were closed. The Premier League Sports analyst, James Geaves, predicts Manchester City will win the league, Liverpool will come second, followed by Chelsea then West Ham. If West Ham can secure a top-four position, they will be in the champions league for the first time. Geaves also suggests that this is looking to be a good year for women’s sports, with more money and sponsorships to be injected into the female space than usual. China will be the first country to have held both the summer and winter Olympics.”

NEWS

NEWS COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease

nightclubs, cinemas and theatres, and the face mask mask guidance for certain public spaces will be lifted on the 28th. First Minister Drakeford, who has tested positive for the virus and is in self-isolation, said: “With increasing numbers of people vaccinated and boosted, and thanks to the hard work and efforts of everyone across Wales, we are confident that coronavirus rates are falling and we can look forward to brighter times

ahead. “We can start to gradually and carefully remove some of the remaining protections we have in place. But we are not removing all the measures at once because the pandemic is not over yet. “To keep Wales safe we need to remain cautious and do everything we can to reassure those who feel most at risk. We will keep some important protections in place, including face

coverings in health and social care settings, on public transport and in all shops. We will also keep self-isolation rules in place.” This news follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that all COVID-19 restrictions in England are likely to be lifted in late February. Economy Minister Vaughan Gething says this decision is not based on scientific advice. Mr. Gething has raised concerns regarding a new version of the Omicron variant, called BA.2, which has contributed to cases in Wales and Northern Ireland. However, depending on case numbers, remaining restrictions could be lifted in Wales at the end of March. “At that point we may move to selfisolation being guidance rather than mandatory but at this point we think it is still important to have that as a protective measure in law,” Mr. Gething said. A further review into COVID-19 will be conducted by March 3.

agreement with Plaid Cymru. Those who wish to learn Welsh from ages 18-25 shall not be expected to pay when registering and shall also be able to access courses suitable to their personal level of Welsh. This could range from a beginner to an advanced speaker. The usual fee of £90 to enroll on a year long course will now be covered by the Welsh Government. For 16-18 year olds a brand new e-learning resource will be conducted. This is so those who attend school, college or those who partake in apprenticeship schemes can also have the opportunity to learn the Welsh language and improve their skills. This resource shall be imparted by Say Something in Welsh and also the National Centre for Learning Welsh. This resource plans to gain a

wider audience by also being available to those who are not in education. Importantly, all teachers, head teachers and teaching assistants will have access to free Welsh lessons from September onwards. This is due to the Welsh Government requiring efforts to strengthen teaching in Welsh for the new curriculum and increase the number of educational practitioners that would be able to effectively teach in Welsh. During February 2020, the National Centre for Learning Welsh released a successful taster course for teachers and leaders. This course acquired around 2,800 registrations. The Sabbatical scheme will also be provided for school practitioners. These courses will be available through a brand new digital portal that will go live

during the summer just in time for school to start and for these skills to be out to use in September 2022. According to Jeremy Miles, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language; the Welsh Government has set a goal to increase the number of Welsh speakers to 1 million by 2050. In January 2022 the Welsh Government released data from the Annual Population Survey, with 883,000 people claiming that they were able to speak Welsh. If the Government’s plan on increasing Welsh speakers succeeds, we will observe an increase in over 100,000 Welsh speakers over the years. These steps are carried out with the intention to lead to more Welsh medium education and growth in educators eager to learn the Welsh language.

Zoe Kramer

Head of News

I Zoe Kramer

Alex Hughes

nfection rates from COVID-19 have been decreasing this month, from initial figures of 379 cases per 100,000 people to 339.1 as of February 9 as recorded from PCR tests. Positivity from lateral flow tests has decreased from 11.87% to 10.24%. There are 15 individuals in ventilated intensive care beds from COVID-19, down from 16 on February 10 and 39 on January 5. There have been 10 further deaths, with the overall number of people who have died from COVID-19 standing at 6,923. Cases reached peak numbers around the holiday period from the Omicron variant, and have been showing steady decreases since. Reports show that 2,377,764 individuals have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and 1,863,556 have received a booster dose. From February 18, COVID passes will no longer be required to enter

COVID-19: Most restrictions are set to be lifted over the next few weeks. Source: Surprising_Shots (via Pixabay)

Free Welsh lessons made available to teaching staff Angharad Roberts Contributor

Beth Williams

George Symonds

n the 10th of February 2022 the Welsh Government released an announcement that free Welsh lessons will become available to anyone between 16 to 25 years old and all education practitioners from September onwards. These courses will be run by the National Centre for Learning Welsh with most classes being virtual on Zoom or Team; meaning these lessons are extremely accessible to all for anywhere. In person courses are also available. These free Welsh classes for people ages 16-25 are offered as part of the Labour administration’s co-operation

Dame Cressida Dick, Chief of Met, steps down Beth Williams News Editor

Shivika Singh

ELSEWHERE IN NEWS Millions told to ‘stay home’ amid Storm Warnings The MET Office has issued a rare ‘Red’ warning over storms in the UK

news@gairrhydd.com

ollowing pressure from The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the Head of the Metropolitan Police Force, Dame Cressida Dick, has resigned. The first female chief commissioner said she “was left with no choice” by Mayor Sadiq Khan than to step aside from the role after a report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct found instances of racism, misogyny and discrimination throughout the ranks of the Met. Earlier that same day, Cressida Dick told BBC Radio London that she had “no intention” of stepping down from her position. In a statement, Commissioner Dick said that Sadiq Khan “no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership”. She went on to say; “Undertaking this role as a servant of the people of London and the UK has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life. Throughout my career I have sought to protect the people of this wonderful thriving and

diverse city… There is much to do – and I know that the Met has turned its full attention to rebuilding public trust and confidence. For that reason I am very optimistic about the future for the Met and for London” London Mayor Sadiq Khan had given the chief “days and weeks” to prove capable of performing her role. Speaking on radio, Mayor Khan said; “If it is the case that I no longer have trust and confidence in anybody who works for me, I’ll make that quite clear and take action.” Shortly before her resignation, it is understood that Dame Cressida Dick declined to meet with Sadiq Khan in order to discuss her course of action and how she intended to win back public trust. The discovery of exchanges of misogynistic messages between serving officers at the Charing Cross Police Station is understood to have been the final straw for the mayor. In recent months, several controversies have tarnished the Met’s reputation. Questions were raised surrounding the culture within the Met police force after Sarah Everard was

Cressida Dick: The former Chief of the Metropolitan police. Source: Katie Chan (via Wikimedia Commons)

murdered by serving officer Wayne Couzens, who had sexual misconduct allegations against him at the time. The chief commissioner faced further scrutiny in the following weeks due to the officer’s use of force in attempting to disperse crowds at vigils organised by women’s rights campaigners. Most recently, the MET, who are also in charge of national counterterror policing, have been slammed over their lack-of action following a string of accusations of parties being held at Downing Street throughout the pandemic and various lockdowns. The police refused to inves-

tigate the initial reports as they had taken place over a year prior. The Met are now investigating 12 of the alleged incidents. Despite the resignation, Dame Cressida Dick has vowed to stay in the position for a short period of time in order to ensure the stability of the met. Martin Hewitt, Neil Basu and Sir Steve House are among some of the names being considered to take over the role. Of the appointment, Home Secretary Priti Patel wrote “it is clear that strong and decisive new leadership will be required to restore public confidence in our largest police force”.

NEWYDDION

Homophobic abuse on the rise in UK schools George Symonds News Editor

have become more subject to abuse than in previous years. This was echoed by statistics collated by Stonewall, the UK’s largest LGBT+ rights charity, which had found that “The vast majority of teachers – nine in ten in secondary schools (89 per cent) and seven in ten in primary schools (70 per cent) – hear pupils use expressions like ‘that’s so gay’ or ‘you’re so gay’.” This statistic was from Stonewall’s findings in 2012 however in 2022 eight in ten teachers explained that they felt they hadn’t received “any specific training on how to tackle homophobic bullying within the last decade.” This therefore raises questions about whether training or other measures are needed to improve the current situation. A representative for Cardiff University told BBC News that their research had found that homophobia in primary schools, specifically in Wales, was not uncommon or “unu-

sual” and they went as far to say that anti-gay comments are “normalised” within primary schools. The representative questioned whether the pandemic had prevented young pupils from being able to socially mature and be taught the consequences of using homophobic phrases. The representative then went on to say that not only is homophobia rising but also transphobia- they detailed some horrific case studies with Welsh queer and gender non-conforming students and the abuse they had been subjected to at primary and secondary school. Perhaps most interestingly, the representative drew on a recent case study into some homophobic abuse reported by a student who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The student argues that the remarks their had received as a queer pupil was out of “genuine naivety” rather than a deliberate homophobic attack on their sexuality. They con-

tinued to say that it would be easier to educate their peers rather than go to teaching staff to help - A key finding in Stonewall’s study into the lack of training around homophobic bullying. The use of unintentional or intentional homophobia is no surprise within a school setting, but a new curriculum is being introduced into some, not all, Welsh primary and secondary schools from September 2022. Supposedly the curriculum “would be inclusive of everyone and included a mandatory relationships and sexuality education (RSE) code.” This may be a step in a positive direction for pupils, nevertheless there seems to be no attempt from the Welsh Government to react and respond to the lack of education and training for Welsh teachers. Until queer pupils feel safe enough to talk to their teachers about their problems the teaching system doesn’t quite feel complete.

Statue of Welsh writer Elaine Morgan to be unveiled Lowri Davies Contributor

laine Morgan will become the second statue of a named, nonfictional Welsh woman unveiled in Wales. The statue will be uncovered in Mountain Ash on March 18th. Elaine Morgan, a coal miner’s daughter, was a Welsh writer for television and the author of several books. She is seen as one of Wales’ brilliant intellects. Elaine Morgan was born and brought up in Hopkinstown, near Pontypridd. She studied at Oxford University, where she graduated in English. Her writing career began in the 1950s when she joined the BBC. Her career in television propelled her to become one of the industry’s leading drama writers. In the 1970’s, Elaine Morgan challenged the scientific establishment with a new theory of evolution which highlighted women’s role in the evolutionary process. Her book The De-

Welsh icon: Elaine Morgan has has a significant contribution to Welsh culture. Source: Hyparxis (via Wikimedia Commons) scent of Woman became an international bestseller translated into ten languages, turning her into a feminist hero in the US touring three times. She also scripted some of the bestloved dramas in television history – Including How Green was My Valley and The Life and Times of Lloyd Gorge.

Elaine Morgan had a huge impact on individuals worldwide. Journalist Carolyn Hitt said, “she had a huge impact on me as a valleys girl and proved that it didn’t matter where you came from, you could aim high. “I really hope her spirit will live on in this statue, and young girls will walk past her in Mountain Ash for

generations and they’ll be inspired by her too.” The first statue of a Welsh woman, Betty Campbell, was unveiled in the Central Square of Cardiff, in September of last year. Emma Rodgers, whose notable work include Liverpool’s statue of Cilla Black, is casting the monument at her Castle Fine Art Foundry in Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochant, Powys. The statue is due to be unveiled on the 18th of March outside Ty Calon Lan Medical Centre in Mountain Ash. Rodgers says “I feel very privileged to be creating one of the first female sculptures in Wales and incredibly pleased that it is of such an inspirational woman. Elaine Morgan not only had an incredible mind but also a real warmth and nurturing spirit”. She had a huge impact on me as a valleys girl and proved that it didn’t matter where you came from, you could aim high.

Experts predict low birth rate in Wales will have consequences Zoe Kramer

Head of News

he birth rate in Wales has reached a 100 year low due to a variety of factors. Experts warn that this population shift will have significant consequences.

The Welsh birth rate currently stands below the European average, and is the third lowest in the UK. It has consistently fallen every year since 2010. The fertility rate – the average number of children born to a woman – has reached an all time low of 1.47 in Wales.

Birth rate: The current rates could have significant demographic impact.. Source: Simon Thomas (via Flickr)

The consequences of falling birth rates are manifold. In the future, a significantly smaller number of pupils may result in the closure of some schools. Effects could compound if the rates continue to decrease. Childcare services are likely to increase in price. With fewer children being born, Wales’ population may have a disproportionate amount of aging individuals compared to carers. In 2011, 18.5% of the population was 65 or older. Now, roughly 26.5% of the population is 65 or older. This may cause increased demand on the NHS. There are several reasons why individuals are less likely to have children in today’s climate. Even if they want to have children, women are taking on more responsibility in the workplace than previous generations, meaning they may not have enough time to devote to caring for

children at home. Costs of living are also on the rise, making it less financially viable to support a child. Increasing numbers have no desire to have children to begin with. The childfree movement, which has gained traction on the Internet, is a community of people who do not want children. The reasons for this vary, but can include uncertainty about the future, especially in the face of the climate crisis. The Welsh government says tackling Wales’s “demographic challenge” is a “major priority”. “On current trends, there is a risk that the working age adults could make up just 58% of the population by 2043. “In response, we have set out a clear vision about what makes Wales an attractive place to live, study, work and invest, including the quality of life in an inclusive, open and green nation.”

Care workers across Wales to receive £1000 bonus Ryan Harris-Jewell Contributor

are workers across Wales are set to gain an extra £1,000 bonus as part of a series of investments into the industry from the Welsh government. Up to 53,000 staff working across the care sector are eligible for the scheme, with the payments available from April. Back in December, a £43.2 million investment saw the introduction of a living wage for care staff in Wales. And this latest cash bonus is part of a further £96 million investment announced by deputy minister for social services, Julie Morgan MS. The investments come as part of a national recruitment campaign to encourage people to work in the care sector whilst simultaneously improving the potential for current care workers to further progress their careers. Morgan, who herself worked in the care sector before taking political office, explained how the scheme comes at the right time for many people working in the care services. With the payments showing the government’s “commitment to supporting people and encouraging more people to consider a rewarding job in care”. Mark Turner of Unison Cymru Wales care, a union representing public service workers, welcomed the extra payments as a “boost for care workers” but highlighted the need for more involvement from the Welsh Government to help fix the long term problems plaguing care services across Wales. “It [the living wage] is a start but the Welsh Government has to address the poor terms and conditions of those in the care sector industry”. The care sector has gone through a difficult period as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic. With staff shortages caused by staff isolating and others leaving the sector altogether. Last month, a care forum Wales report revealed that around 75% of staff were forced to isolate last month during the Omicron variant wave that hit Wales back in January. Whilst it is estimated that over 40,000 social care staff have left the sector since April last year. Concerns have also been raised over those working in the care sector not eligible for the scheme, missing out. With the chair of Care Forum Wales, Mario Kreft MBE, suggesting that ancillary staff such as cooks, care support workers and cleaners could miss out on the payments. “There is a question mark about those people who have slogged their guts out during the Covid nightmare through all the challenges, who might not be eligible.” The scheme is currently only mainly available to staff working as adult home care workers, domiciliary care workers and residential care workers. Staff eligible for the scheme have the option of a single payment or a series of monthly instalments, with the payments expected to arrive between April and June.

TAF-OD

Dathly Dydd Miwsig Cymru ar draws y wlad

Mae’r diwrnod hwn yn dathlu hanes a dylanwad cerddoriaeth Gymraeg drwy gydol hanes Nansi Eccott

Golygydd Taf-od

A Nel Richards

Alexa Price

r y bedwaredd o Chwefror, dathlwyd cerddoriaeth Cymru ar draws y wlad. Roedd y diwrnod yn ffocysu ar gerddoriaeth o bob math; pop, electronig, gwerin, indi a mwy. Cyfle i artistiaid, gwrandawyr a chynhyrchwyr ddod ynghyd i ymfalchïo yn eu hunaniaeth, creadigrwydd a’u dawn. Roedd gan y Llywodraeth rhestr chwarae ar Spotify ‘Goreuon Cymru’, ‘Seren a Sbarc’, a ‘Gweithio o adre’. Roeddent yn cynnwys cerddoriaeth ddwyieithog gan Bandicoot, Super Furry Animals a Cate Le Bon. O blant mewn disco yn yr ysgol i ddawnsio gyda mamgu neu dad-cu, mae gan gerddoriaeth Cymraeg rhywbeth i bawb. Mae Annell Dyfri, Swyddog y Gymraeg Undeb Prifysgol Caerdydd yn datgelu pwysigrwydd y dydd yma i’r brifysgol, a dyled ei ddathlu drwy’r flwyddyn; “I ddathlu’r diwrnod eleni gwnaeth yr undeb chwarae cerddoriaeth Cymraeg drwy’r dydd mewn partneriaeth gydag Xpress radio, yn ogystal â chreu rhestr chwarae sydd ar gael ar blatfformau cyfarwydd. Fel rhan o’r dathliad,

I ddathlu’r diwrnod eleni gwnaeth yr undeb chwarae cerddoriaeth Cymraeg drwy’r dydd mewn partneriaeth gydag Xpress radio.” Annel Dyfri, Swyddog y Gymraeg fe wnaethom gyhoeddi ‘giveaway’ ar ein Instagram wrth ymgysylltu gyda’r myfyrwyr. Roedd yn braf gallu cefnogi cerddoriaeth Cymraeg ar y dydd ond mae’n bwysig gwneud hyn drwy gydol y flwyddyn.” Yn ôl WorkingWord.com mae Dydd Miwsig Cymru yn cefnogi strategaeth y Llywodraeth o gael 1 miliwn o siaradwyr Cymraeg erbyn 2050. Mewn holiadur, roedd 74% o’r ymatebwyr wedi dweud mor y dydd yma wedi gwneud iddynt ddysgu Cymraeg. Roedd platfformau cyfryngol cenedlaethol wedi creu 88 darn ar y dydd, gan gynnwys 6 Music, NME a BBC Breakfast. Roedd 318 ysgol a 183 busnes wedi cymryd rhan gan gynyddu’r nifer sy’n ymwybodol â cherddoriaeth Gymraeg yn sylweddol. Roedd ysgolion ledled y wlad wedi cymryd rhan yn y digwyddiad drwy gynnal gweithgareddau gwahanol. Aeth

Gracie Richards

Nansi Eccott

taf-od@gairrhydd.com

Cerddoriaeth yng Nghaerdydd: Mae prifddinas Cymru yn ganolbwynt i gerddoriaeth Gymraeg. Source: Skitterphoto (via Pixabay)

Dydd Miwsig Cymru: Mae gan Gymru hanes cerddorol cyfoethogh. Tarddiad: stevepb (via Pixabay) y plant i’r ysgol yn gwisgo dillad parti a chael disgo ar fuarth yr ysgol mewn sawl adran ar draws y wlad. Cymerodd ysgolion Cymraeg a Saesneg eu hiaith rhan yn y digwyddiadau gan ledu’r negeso fod y ‘Gymraeg yn perthyn i bawb’. Huw Stephens, DJ BBC Radio 1 a oedd wedi curadu’r dydd yma i hyrwyddo cerddoriaeth Gymraeg. Mae digwyddiadau yn cael eu cynnal ar draws Cymru, yn ogystal â Llundain, Brooklyn a Budapest yn y gorffennol. Busnesau mawr megis EE sy’n rhoi cymorth ariannol i’r dydd yma lwyddiannus, a chafwyd perfformiad arbennig gan eu staff ym Merthyr Tudful drwy ganu Yma o Hyd. Dyma’r seithfed achlysur i ddathlu’r dydd yma. Lluniwyd cystadleuaeth greadigol o blant ifanc ysgolion Cymru i ysgrifennu a pherfformio cân bop, gyda’r gobaith i ymarfer adref gan annog eu rhieni i ddysgu bach o’r gerddoriaeth Gymraeg hefyd. EÄDYTH oedd wedi lansio’r prosiect

‘Ysgol Pop’, a hi hefyd bydd yn beirniadu. Fe fydd y gân fuddugol yn ennill £250 ar gyfer eu hysgol ac yn cael ei harddangos ar raglen Stwnsh Sadwrn yn ogystal. Mae Sali Wheway yn y flwyddyn olaf yn y brifysgol ac yn dysgu Cymraeg i fyfyrwyr di-gymraeg prifysgol Caerdydd drwy Cymraeg i bawb. Fe ddywedodd hi; “Pan rwyf yn dysgu sesiynau i ddysgwyr Cymraeg, rwy’n chwarae caneuon Cymraeg yn y cefndir. Mae hyn yn annog dysgwyr i wrando ar ganeuon Cymraeg ac yn ehangu eu geirfa, eu dealltwriaeth o’r iaith a’r diwylliant”. Mae hyn yn annog dysgwyr i wrando ar ganeuon Cymraeg ac yn ehangu eu geirfa, eu dealltwriaeth o’r iaith a’r diwylliant.” Saku Wheway, Myfyriwr Prifysgol Caerdydd

Gwaith celf yn y brifddinas i ddathathlu’r gymyned LHDTC+

Bydd gwaith celf newydd yn cael sylw ledled Caerdydd i hyrwyddo amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant Nansi Eccott

Golygydd Taf-od

ae mis Chwefror yn fis i ddathlu’r gymuned LHDTC+ a’r thema eleni yw celf. Mae gwaith celf newydd wedi cael ei ddadorchuddio ar Stryd y Castell er mwyn dathlu a chodi proffil Mis Hanes LHDTC+ sydd yn digwydd yn flynyddol ym mis Chwefror. Mae eleni yn flwyddyn arbennig gan ei bod yn nodi hanner canrif ers gorymdaith Pride cyntaf y Deyrnas Unedig a ddigwyddodd yn Llundain ar y 1af o Orffennaf 1972. Cychwynnwyd Mis Hanes LHDTC+ yn y DU gan Sue Saunders, Paul Patrick a mudiad Schools Out UK ac fe’i lansiwyd am y tro cyntaf ym mis Chwefror 2005. Mae Mis Hanes LHDTC+ yn gyfle pwysig i ddangos cefnogaeth i’r gymuned a dathlu poblogaeth LHDTC+ ein gwlad gan sicrhau tegwch a llais iddynt yn y gymuned ehangach. Eleni, y thema yw celf a’r slogan ‘The

Arc is Long’ gydag ysbrydoliaeth o ddywediad gan Dr Martin Luther King Jr. sef “The Art of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” Defnyddiwyd dywediad gan Keith Haring sef “Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further” fel sail briodol i’r thema yma gan fod celf yn weithgarwch sy’n hybu creadigrwydd ac unigoliaeth. Defnyddiwyd y thema i archwilio’r syniadaeth o sut y mae mynegiad creadigol yn bwydo cynnydd gwleidyddol. Peintiwyd pedair baner ‘Progress Pride’ o flaen castell y brifddinas i ddathlu’r gymuned LHDTC+. Maent yn faneri cyfoes sydd wedi ychwanegu at y faner chwe lliw traddodiadol i gynnwys y lliwiau pinc, gwyn a glas i gynrychioli’r gymuned drawsrywiol a’r lliwiau du a brown i gynrychioli’r cymunedau du a lleiafrifoedd ethnig. Yn ôl gwefan ‘LGBT Plus History Month,’ mae’r faner lliw enfys yn cael ei defnyddio yn draddodiadol fel “arwydd o oes newydd, gobaith neu newid cymdeithasol.” Pethau y mae Cyngor

Celf gynhwysol: Bwriad yr artistiaid yw meithrin awyrgylch gadarnhaol. Source: garageband (via Pixabay)

Caerdydd eisiau cyfleu, yn ogystal â chefnogaeth, i’r gymuned. Mae’r castell hefyd wedi’i oleuo gyda lliwiau’r enfys yn ddyddiol ers Chwefror 1af fel rhan o’r dathliadau. Cyhoeddodd Pride Cymru ar Twitter eu bod yn hynod o falch “i weld Cyngor Caerdydd yn ymuno â dinasoedd eraill

ledled y DU i ddathlu amrywiaeth ein cymunedau a chydnabod pa mor bwysig yw gwelededd ein cymuned LGBTQ+ wrth herio casineb a gwahaniaethu.” Dywedodd Chris Weaver, Cynghorydd ac Aelod Cabinet dros Gyllid, Moderneiddio a Pherfformiad, wrth

Newyddion S4C y “bydd y Cyngor yn parhau i weithio gyda’r gymuned ac eraill i wneud Caerdydd mor ddiogel a chynhwysol â phosibl.” “Oherwydd taw celf yw’r thema, roeddwn am sicrhau bod y dyluniadau ‘Pride’ blaengar mor weladwy â phosibl i’r cyhoedd, felly dyma pam y peintiwyd nhw ar Stryd y Castell, y brif ffordd sy’n pasio trwy ganol y ddinas.” “Waeth beth fo’ch hil, credoau crefyddol, anabledd, rhyw, cyfeiriadedd rhywiol, neu rywedd, mae ein gwasanaethau a’n cefnogaeth ar agor i bawb ac fel cymdeithas mae’n rhaid i ni gofleidio gwahaniaeth a phwysleisio pwysigrwydd cydraddoldeb a chynhwysiant i bawb.” bydd y Cyngor yn parhau i weithio gyda’r gymuned ac eraill i wneud Caerdydd mor ddiogel a chynhwysol â phosibl.” Chris Weaver, Cynghorydd ac Aelod Cabinet

CHWARAEON

Adlach erthygl Jonathan Meade

Pam ydym ni’n dathlu’r digwyddiad cenedlaethol hwn yn Cymru? Alexa Price

Golygydd Taf-od

r taw iaith ein Cymru fach ni yw hi, a bod cannoedd ar filoedd ohonom ni yn ein siarad hi pob dydd, mae’r Gymraeg yn wynebu beirniadaeth yn amlach na beth yr hoffwn. Rydym ni gyd erbyn hyn yn gyfarwydd efo’r hen ddadl ddryslyd, sydd yn digwydd gyda’r un fath o bobl, felly pam y rydym ni dal yn brwydro yn eu herbyn? Pam dydyn ni ddim yn rhoi’r gorau i siarad Cymraeg yn gyfan gwbl? Rydym ni gyd erbyn hyn yn gyfarwydd efo’r hen ddadl ddryslyd, sydd yn digwydd gyda’r un fath o bobl, felly pam y rydym ni dal yn brwydro yn eu herbyn?

Oes ‘na wir reswm i ni gadw ati i amddiffyn ein mamiaith? Pam ydy’r Cymry a’u Llywodraeth dal i geisio ehangu’r niferoedd o siaradwyr Cymraeg? Yn syml, fy ateb i yw ein hiaith ni yw hi, felly does dim rheswm gan neb arall i feirniadu ni, sydd yn ei defnyddio o ddydd i ddydd. Pam felly oes rhaid i ni ddod yn ôl i’r un ddadl anwybodus? Does dim gwir reswm neu esgus gan unrhywun i feirniadu’r iaith, ac erbyn heddiw rwy’n gwybod taw dim ond bod yn anwybodus ydyn nhw. Er hyn, rydw i dal yn teimlo’r un mor rhwystredig pob tro. Yn yr wythnosau diwethaf, cyhoeddwyd erthygl yn y cylchgrawn The Critic gan Jonathan Meades, ble fynegodd ei farn yn gryf yn erbyn yr iaith Gymraeg. Galwyd yr ymdrech gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gynyddu’r niferoedd sydd yn gallu siarad yn y Gymraeg yn ‘dotalitaraidd’, ac yn

galw’r iaith yn moribund. Daw hyn o ddyn sydd yn byw yn Ffrainc, sydd yn amgylchynu ei hun gydag ieithoedd eraill. Efallai taw uchelgais mawr yw hi i gael miliwn o siaradwyr y Gymraeg erbyn 2025, ond oes yna wir reswm i Jonathan Meades, i gredu mai’n mynd i fethu? Onid yw’r prosiect yn rhywbeth gobeithiol a phositif i ni fel y Cymry? Mae Jonathan wedyn yn mynd ati i ddisgrifio’r iaith fel ei bod hi’n salwch, sydd yn awgrymu ein bod ni yn broblem. Dydy iaith y Gymraeg ddim byd o’r fath. Does ‘na ddim problem gan yr unigolyn sydd yn dewis i siarad yn y Gymraeg. Disgrifiodd Meade fod siarad yn y Gymraeg fel ei bod hi’n ddifrifol iawn i’r unigolyn a phawb o’u cwmpas, sef yn gwneud i mi ofyn: pam y dylen ni gyfyngu ein gallu i siarad trwy gyfrwng y Saesneg yn unig? Pam ydy’r syniad yn apelio ato gymaint?

Er yr holl ymatebion negyddol o siaradwyr Cymraeg, o wleidyddion, neu o gydymdeimlwyr, mae’r cylchgrawn The Critic wedi ymateb ers hyn gan ddefnyddio Trydar i rannu datganiadau beirniadol: ‘Another politician. This time wondering why in this century people are still allowed to write what they want’. Mae hi’n ddigon clir erbyn hyn bod diffyg gobaith ceisio newid y ffordd mae pobl yn meddwl, ond mae neilltuo a beirniadu’r Cymry a’u gallu i siarad yn ddwyieithog yn ddiangen. Er hyn, mae’r ymateb gan y Cymry wedi cadarnhau nerth a chariad mawr at y wlad - braf yw byw mewn cymuned gref Gymreig. Does ‘na ddim problem gan yr unigolyn sydd yn dewis i siarad yn y Gymraeg.”

Pryd o Daf-od Annell Dyfri : Wordle Annell Dyfri Cyfrannydd

fallai bod ‘Wordle’ yn air cyfarwydd i chi erbyn hyn. Gêm eiriol, syml ei wedd, sydd wedi gwneud ei stamp yn ddigidol yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf. Rhinweddau digon syml sydd i’r gêm; rhyddhawyd gair newydd yn ddyddiol, ac yn syml, yr her yw dyfalu beth yw’r gair a hynny mewn chwe ymgais yn unig. Wrth ichi geisio dyfalu’r gair, mae gwahanol liwiau yn dynodi gwahanol lwyddiant e.e. os yw llythyren yn newid i felyn wedi ichi ei anfon, mae’n golygu bod y llythyren honno yn y gair ond mewn rhyddhawyd gair newydd yn ddyddiol, ac yn syml, yr her yw dyfalu beth yw’r gair a hynny mewn chwe ymgais yn unig”

man anghywir, ond os yw’r llythyren yn troi’n wyrdd, mae’n golygu fod y llythyren yn gywir ac yn y man cywir. Rheolau syml, delwedd syml, ond mae cyrraedd y gair mewn chwe chynnig yn gallu bod yn heriol. Beth yw gwraidd poblogrwydd y gêm? Gellir dadlau mai symlrwydd y gêm yw gwraidd llwyddiant Wordle a’r ffaith ei fod yn rhad ac am ddim i unrhyw un. Er mae’n bur bosib i un ddatrys y gair ymhen ychydig o funudau, dim ond un gair caiff ei rhyddhau yn ddyddiol ac felly rhaid aros i’r diwrnod canlynol i gael gair a sialens newydd. Mae’r sialens bellach yn ddefod ddyddiol i nifer ohonom gan gynnwys Gwyndaf Lewis sydd bellach yn byw yng Nghaerfyrddin. Nododd fod y gêm yn ‘rhwystredig ond hefyd yn eithaf addicted’ wrth ychwanegu ‘dim ond yn cael

un gêm y dydd, unwaith ti’n neud e ti moen chware to!’ a hynny yn cadarnhau’r modd y mae’r gêm yn llwyddo i ddenu’r gynulleidfa yn ôl yn ddyddiol. Unigolyn arall sy’n hoff o chwarae’r gêm eiriol yw Bo Leung o Fangor. Nododd bod Wordle wedi ‘cysylltu fy nheulu o sillafwyr gwael i feddwl am air pum llythyren bob dydd.’ Mae bellach yn dueddiad i rannu eich sgôr ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol sydd hefyd yn cryfhau elfen gystadleuol y gêm. Nododd Bo ‘Rydym yn cystadlu i weld pwy sy’n cael y sgôr orau yn ddyddiol, ond yn sicr mae’r gem wedi fy helpu i gadw fy meddwl yn effro wrth feddwl am eiriau newydd’. Bellach mae’r gem wedi esblygu i sawl iaith wahanol gan gynnwys y Gymraeg. Mae hyn yn rhoi’r cyfle i bobl chwarae’r gêm yn eu mamiaith yma yng Nghymru ac mae poblogr-

wydd y gem yn amlwg ar draws y cyfryngau cymdeithasol Cymraeg. Nododd Bo ‘Rydym hefyd wedi chwarae’r fersiwn Gymraeg sef ‘Gairglo’, ond yn ffeindio hwn tipyn yn anoddach’. Wedi dweud hynny, barn Gwyndaf Lewis yw bod ‘Well gyda fi Cymraeg na’r Saesneg achos mae’r geire yn wahanol’. Cyswllt Cymreig Y dewin tu ôl i’r gêm boblogaidd yw Josh Wardle, ac er ei fod bellach yn byw yn ardal Brooklyn yn Efrog Newydd cafodd ei eni yma yng Nghymru. Gyda’r gêm yn ffynnu, fe werthwyd y cwmni am swm enfawr i’r New York Times. Yn syml felly, ewch ati i weld os allwch chi ddyfalu gair y dydd heddiw drwy ddilyn y ddolen isod. Yn syml felly, ewch ati i weld os allwch chi ddyfalu gair y dydd heddiw drwy ddilyn y ddolen isod.”

Trafod gyda’r Taf-od Marged Jones 1. P wy wyt ti a beth wyt ti’n astudio? Marged Jones ac yn astudio Bydwreigiaeth.

6. Beth yw dy hoff brofiad? Unrhywbeth ddigwyddodd yn haf 2021.

2. Beth yw dy hoff albwm? ‘An evening with silk sonic’ gan Bruno Mars.

8. Beth sy’n cadw ti’n effro gyda’r nos? Yr holl bethau ‘stupid’ dwi wedi gwario arian arno.

4. Oes hoff ddiod feddwol gyda ti? Vodka Redbull!

9. Disgrifia dy hun mewn 3 gair. Sili, Sarcastig, Brwdfrydig

5. Pwy yw dy arwr? Mary Berry

10. Pam dewis Caerdydd? Bywyd nos gwyllt a mae fy ngh-

wrs yn rhif 1 yn y Deyrnas Unedig yma. 11. Prosecco neu Champagne? Proescco - Champagne llawer rhy posh. 12. Celebrity crush? Chuck Bass o Gossip Girl. 13. Beth fyddet ti’n gwneud yn ystod dy noson ddelfrydol? Dechre yfed yng nghegin F6 ac yna gorffen yn Family Fish bar cyn mynd noli gegin F6 i siarad

tan oriau man y bore. 14. Hoff glwb nos? Ma’ rhaid dweud Clwb Ifor Bach. 15. Pwy fydd yn trafod gyda’r tafod wythnos nesa’? Nanw Elis.

Barn y Bobl: Oedd modd paratoi ar gyfer Storm Eunice? Lydia John

Cyfrannydd AIl flwyddyn Cwrs: Seicoleg ydw i erioed wedi gorfod paratoi ar gyfer rhybudd coch o wynt o’r blaen, felly rhyfedd oedd meddwl bydd rhaid i ni gyd aros yn ein tai am rhywbeth syml fel...gwynt! Roeddwn i’n gobeithio bod adref ar gyfer y penwythnos ond wrth gwrs dy’w e’ ddim yn ddigon ddiogel i yrru na chwaith i fynd ar dren. Gan fod y rhybudd wedi dod yn eithaf cyflym, anodd oedd paratoi yn hir dymor ond doedd y storm heb bara am hir felly, lwcus mae’n rhaid dweud. Doeddwn i ddim wir yn gwybod beth i wneud yn y sefyllfa yma - a oedd yn saff i mi fynd i’r gym? I fynd allan i’r ardd? I hyd yn oed rhoi’r bins allan? Doedd neb yn gwybod. Doeddwn i ddim wir yn gwybod beth i wneud yn y sefyllfa yma - a oedd yn saff i mi fynd i’r gym?”

Nel Richards

Pennaeth Taf-d Y drydedd flwyddyn Cwrs: Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth rs i ni weld effaith stormydd eithafol ar gynnydd ar draws y byd, diddorol oedd gweld sut ymatebai’r wlad yma i rywbeth o’r fath. Wrth i ysgolion gau, darlithoedd prifysgol fynd ar lein, ac i ni dderbyn y gorchymyn i aros yn ein tai, daeth i’r amlwg fod y storm yma yn un cryf, ac yn un a all beryglu bywyd. Roedd yn teimlo fel lockdown unwaith eto. Peidio mynd i’r siop nac y chwaith mynd am dro hir. Roedd y ffaith ein bod yn gorfod aros yn ein tai er ein budd ni, ac eraill yn peri ofn. Yn ôl BBC, mae stormydd tebyg yn dod i’r amlwg pob 5-10 mlynedd, felly teg dweud ei fod yn eithaf unigryw, yn enwedig i fyfyriwr prifysgol sydd yn byw oddi-cartref. Dywedodd y BBC wrthym i glymu deunydd fel y trampolîn ac offer garddio, i barcio ceir mewn garej, i ffwrdd o goed, ac i wneud yn siŵr bod digon o fwyd a batris ar gyfer torch rhag ofn fyddai argyfwng. Yn yr un modd, yn ystod y storm, roedd yn rhaid i ni aros y tu fewn, ac hefyd i osgoi gyrru o un ardal i ardal arall. Roedd dilyn y canllawiau yma wrth gwrs yn lleihau ein risg ni o broblemau ac hefyd risg unigolion eraill. Felly, i fi, nid oedd yn boen i aros, i warchod ac i bwyllo rhag mentro tu allan.

Yn ôl BBC, mae stormydd tebyg yn dod i’r amlwg pob 5-10 mlynedd, felly teg dweud ei fod yn eithaf unigryw, yn enwedig i fyfyriwr prifysgol sydd yn byw oddi-cartref.”

POLITICS

The representation of women in modern politics

Recent events have prompted discussions on the way that women are portrayed in politics Katherine Seymour Politics Editor

C Luthien Evans

Darcy Arnold

arrie Johnson has seemingly been a part of a Markle-esque media crusade over recent months following the publication of extracts from a new book by the Conservative peer Michael Ashcroft which suggested her “behaviour is preventing [Boris Johnson] from leading Britain as effectively as the voters deserve”. Women in the spotlight have faced press criticism historically but is this the scrutiny which those in charge need? Women with a voice have been historically villianised in the press, often with inferences as being bad for their husbands. In the case of Carrie Johnson, some of the press blame her for preventing her husband from running the country. Her spokesperson said in response to those allegations: she “plays no role in government” and had been targeted by enemies of the prime minister in a “brutal briefing campaign”. This was also the case with Meghan Markle. Senior politicians across the political spectrum including Sajid Javid and Keir Starmer have spoken out against this media portrayal, with Javid, who she worked for in the past as an advisor, branding them sexist and misogynistic. Meanwhile, Jonathan Ashworth, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said: “I don’t think it’s fair or right at all, and I’ll tell you why. I just think as I just think as a general rule, a politician’s partner – any politician, any party – should be off limits.”

Ella Lloyd

Jonathan Ashworth, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary

Women in Politics: Female political figures are often subject to increased scrutiny. Source: Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy (via Flickr) a general rule, a politician’s partner – has so often been the subservient and any politician, any party – should be off supportive woman who builds her huslimits’ ‘ saying that the politician is the band up rather than building herself. one who has chosen to enter public life It has been said that Camilla had to not their partner”. Clearly, despite difbe this archetype to gain the Queen’s ferences across the political spectrum acceptance for her to become Queen this has come to be an issue with comConsort when Prince Charles becomes mon views. king. In some ways it can be said that the There is an argument to be made use of women obscures the fact that it that the press is there to provide peris the man, who in Johnson’s case made spectives on current affairs hence why an oath to the country or in other cases the UK has such a free and varied press. (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) has However, much of the press tends to their own free will. put the blame onto specific players As previously acknowledged, this within the events rather than providing has also been the case for women maran objective account of various views. rying into royalty in the UK. In parFurthermore, there is a case that ticular, Meghan Markle and Camilla those around the Prime Minister and Parker Bowles. For example, in terms powerful figures more generally should of speaking out, Markle was blamed for be criticised as there is a case to be Prince Harry leaving his role as a senior made that their actions can be said royal with the move being described as to define the morals of the people in ‘Megxit’ by much of the tabloid press. power. For example, the allegations of The image of what a wife should be expenses scandals surrounding Car-

rie Johnson are important to consider because matters of integrity within the Conservative party can be said to be within the party leader’s jurisdiction. Clearly, it is important to consider the impact of her, or anyone within the party’s wrongdoings while at work. However, that being quantified as an action of Johnson’s partner at the time is unimportant because no matter who Director of Communications for the party was at the time, an abuse of expenses is something which should be looked at by the press and the party itself. Women as a side character is something which has been peddled for years and the new media environment under which they are seen as to blame for their husband’s failure is nothing new. The dialogue that they are somehow to blame for the failure of their husbands rather than treating them as their own people is characteristic of a sexist viewpoint which paints women with a voice as a problem for their husbands. It is also the case for women with voices to be picked apart by journalists. For example, Carrie Johnson’s passions in policy areas have been taken as something that is impacting the way Mr Johnson governs. Though in some ways people’s partners can influence the way they think, people have their own ability to think and discuss these policy issues. In the case of Johnson’s views, she has been seen as too “woke” in her own views on policy and has been accused of pulling Boris Johnson in different directions. Despite this, it is still important to look at the partners of powerful people with a critical eye because their behaviour is still important and should be critiqued. Objectively, scrutiny of anyone in the public eye is important. However, treating them as their own person rather than a wife or a partner is centrally important.

Canadian truckers protest against vaccine mandates Katherine Seymour

Truckers have blocked roads across the country promoting a state of national emergency Aidan McNamee Contributor

C Manal Ahmed

ELSEWHERE IN POLITICS Scotland set to see sweeping gender reforms New legislation will ease the process for people to legally change gender

politics@gairrhydd.com

anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has declared a national state of emergency in response to the ongoing nationwide trucker protest calling themselves the ‘Freedom Convoy’. This follows a similar decision by the provincial government in Ontario as the protest enters its third week. Protests began with truckers blockading the Canadian capital and calling for an end to COVID-19 restrictions on truck drivers such as vaccine mandates, a ban on unvaccinated foreign drivers, and a mandatory two week quarantine for unvaccinated Canadian drivers. This has left Ottawa’s streets gridlocked for weeks, mass vandalism, damage and the desecration of the Tomb of the Unknown soldier resulting in the resignation of Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly over a failure to act. This marks the first time that powers outlined in the Emergency Act 1988 have been used by the Canadian government. With this, the government will potentially be able to implement travel bans, force protesters to disa great number of these protestors have no connection to the trucking industry and have a separate agenda.” Spokesperson, Canadian Trucking Alliance

perse, and potentially conscript private tow trucks to forcibly move obstructing vehicles. The law allows for a state of emergency in many cases, including public disorder, however critics claim that the threshold has not been met for such powers to be invoked. Trudeau initially claimed that protesters were a “small fringe minority”, however the protests have spiralled into a national crisis since then. Similar protests have arisen in Calgary, Toronto, Quebec and on the Ambassador’s Bridge, a vital link between Canada and the US. This widespread action has managed to serve as inspiration for anti-restriction protesters across the globe, with the mob that harassed Keir Starmer earlier this month citing their support for the protest and brandishing a Canadian flag. As these protests have continued, they have quickly moved beyond their trucker roots to become protests against overall COVID-19 restrictions and Trudeau’s Liberal government, which currently has a minority in the Canadian parliament. Despite now calling for protests to end, Trudeau’s Conservative opponents initially made statements supporting the convoy and have strongly opposed restrictions. Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen called protestors ‘passionate, patriotic and peaceful’ and promised to fight for their cause in the house of commons. Industry consensus does not support the protests. Teamsters Canada, a trade union that represents 15,000 long haul Truck drivers, condemned the protests as “a despicable display

Canada Protests: Most major cities in Canada are facing protests against COVID-19 vaccines. Source: ottawagraphics (via Pixabay) of hate led by the political right” and utilised, it seems likely that the Freedom Convoy has passed its peak. Howclaimed that the Freedom Convoy does ever, action to remove the remaining not represent the majority of Canadian protestors holds the potential to incite truckers. more contentious confrontations, and The Canadian Trucking Alliance the lasting impacts of such disruption was one of many trucking groups to will undoubtedly ripple through Canaecho this sentiment, adding “a great dian politics for the foreseeable future. number of these protestors have no connection to the trucking industry the lasting impacts of such disand have a separate agenda beyond a ruption will undoubtedly ripdisagreement over cross border vacple through Canadian politics cine requirements.” for the foreseeable future.” With most offshoot protests having been dispersed, and new powers being

GWLEIDYDDIAETH 9 Has what’s to happen actually all happened before? NHS set to scrap In spite of the current rhetoric around politics, are recent events really ‘unprecedented’? Ella Lloyd

Politics Editor

or the last 2 years, we’ve become used to hearing that the times we live in are ‘unprecedented’. However, is that the whole truth? Perhaps the current political situation in the UK isn’t all that unprecedented. In the autumn of 2021, there was significant political speculation that the UK was heading towards another winter of discontent, reminiscent of 1978-79. The winter of ‘78- ‘79 saw James Callaghan’s Labour government defeated after a vote of no confidence led to a general election, ushering in the premiership of Margaret Thatcher. Indeed, for those who can remember the 1970s, many of the problems faced today serve as a reminder of those times. In December, inflation reached a 30-year high, the cost of living is rising, and a global energy crisis looms. The possibility of postbrexit shortages and scenes of cars queuing for petrol have all been signaled by political commentators, as similar conditions to the 1970s, with suggestions that they could lead to the downfall of Johnson’s government as they did Callaghan’s. However, Callaghan’s government of 1978 was not popular to begin with. They had been elected under the leadership of Harold Wilson in 1974, winning by 3 seats in the second general election of the year, after the first had produced a hung parliament and the UK’s first minority government. In marked Indeed, for those who can remember the 1970s, many of the problems faced today serve as a reminder of those times.”

contrast, Johnson won an 80 seat majority in 2019, which now stands at 77, after by elections and a crossing of the floor. After the Conservatives capitalized on the government’s lack of control in the winter of discontent, they remained in power until 1997, when John Major was defeated in a landslide win for Tony Blair. Major’s government may also be comparable to Johnson’s current situation. Major won in 1992, with a record 14 million votes, but his premiership was marred by allegations of sleaze and scandal. His Culture Minister David Mellor had an affair go public in the press, as this government has also seen with Matt Hancock. The cash-for-questions scandal led Major to set up the Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life, an action he has pointed to when some accused him of hypocrisy for his criticisms of Johnson’s sleaze allegations. Scandals over covid contracts and parties at Number 10 are perhaps reminiscent of the 90s. Similar political problems then, have seen previous governments suffer historic defeats, the question is whether the same will happen to Johnson? In the wake of Sue Gray’s redacted report being published, Johnson apologized to the commons and said ‘I get it and I will fix it’, promising to change the culture at Downing Street and to deliver on the promises he was elected on in 2019. Some MPs have suggested that if there is evidence of reform at Number 10, Johnson may hang onto power. One significant Conservative donor has described Johnson’s leadership as ‘past the point of no return’. For a no confidence vote to be held, as it was in 1979, 54 Conservative MPs have to submit

Darcy Arnold Politics Editor

‘Unprecedented events?’: When looking back through history, we can identifiy echoes of recent events. Source: ReadyElements (via Pixabay) a letter to the 1922 committee. It’s currently received 15. If a no confidence vote is held, and Johnson survives, another cannot be held for a year. Therefore, many MPs who have lost confidence in Johnson may be waiting for the time it will have maximum impact. The current political forecast is that this may be after the Met Police’s investigation into lockdown parties is finished, and council elections in May. If the Met’s findings are damning, and council elections indicate a lack of public support for Johnson, more MPs may submit letters. If a no confidence vote is lost a leadership election will begin and perhaps a general election. Then the questions will turn to Keir Starmer, and whether he

Similar political problems then, have seen previous governments suffer historic defeats, the question is whether the same will happen to Johnson?” can capitalize on his opponent’s problems as previous leaders of the opposition have? A recent poll suggests that the British Public believe the Labour leader would make a better Prime Minister than Johnson. Only time will tell what the future holds for Johnson, the Conservative Party, and British politics, but what is observable, is that history often repeats itself, and what’s to happen, may have all happened before.

Belarus holds military drills as Ukraine tensions heat up The continued presence of Russian forces on the Ukranian border has led to growing fears Ryan Harris-Jewell Contributor

elarus has announced ten days of joint military drills with Russia as concerns over a potential invasion of Ukraine mount up, with Kiev preparing for the worse. Joint military drills between both the Belarusian and Russian military are currently taking place near the Ukrainian border, wiith the exercises expected to take place over a ten day period. Up to 30,000 Russian troops and the vast majority of the 48,000 strong Belarusian Armed forces are taking part in the drills, alongside two battalions of S-400 surface to air missile systems and numerous Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets. The joint drills highlight the firm link between both the Kremlin and Alexander Lukashenko’s regime which has strengthened over the past few months following the 2020-21 protests in Belarus. These were over claims that the 2020 Belarusian president election was impacted by widespread corruption, ultimately leading to Lukashenko declaring victory with 80% of the vote and thereby further extending his nearly 30 year rule. During the protests, Russia supported Lukashenko against the backdrop of almost universal international condemnation of both his regime and its treatment of those protesting.

COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all staff

Belarus: Tensions in Eastern Europe continue to increase as Russian troops remain on the border. Source: Homoatrox (via Wikimedia Commons) The two neighbouring nations reinvasion of Ukraine. cently agreed upon an international Speaking on Thursday, the Ukrainpartnership described as a “union ian president Volodymyr Zelensky destate”. That is both economical and scribed the drills as a form of “psychomilitaristic in nature, with the integralogical pressure from our neighbours”. tion of economic and defence policies The Kremlin has said that the troops between the two nations being a key will return home after the drills, folaspect. lowing a recent meeting in Moscow Concerns have been raised from between Russian president Vladimir those in the West over the destination Putin and French president Emanuel of these forces following the conclusion Macron. of these exercises. With many Western However, the exercises along the powers warning of a potential Russian Belarus-Ukraine border also coincide

with Russian missile testing in the Black Sea. Several Russian naval vessels took part in an exercise which, according to Kiev, is an attempt at blockading the Eastern European nation. Speaking to the media during the week, White House principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre warned of the potential for a Russianled invasion of Ukraine. Being quoted as saying that “we are now in the window when an invasion could begin at any time”. In direct response to Russia, Ukraine has held its own drills near the border. With over 10,000 troops taking part in exercises in the Kherson region, only 18 miles away from Russian-occupied Crimea. On Thursday, talks were held between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. But after 9 hours of deliberation, the leaders of the four nations failed to reach any form of resolution. The situation remains grim for Ukraine, with Russian forces now surrounding the Eastern European nation on three fronts. With over 150,000 Russian troops located near the border in nearby Russia and now a further 30,000 located in Belarus, alongside an unknown amount of Russian troops located in nearby Moldova, specifically in the Transnistria region east of Ukraine.

n Monday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced the decision to scrap the policy over major under-staffing fears. This comes after the new knowledge of the decreased severity of the Omicron variant and an estimated loss of 73,000 members of staff. The initial decision made by ministers at Westminster to enforce a vaccine mandate on NHS staff was always going to be a controversial one, despite its initial intention of protecting employees and patients alike. The retraction of this policy, however, will not come at a loss to many; the making of COVID vaccination mandatory for both NHS staff and care home workers has been heavily dissented from the outset, with a variety of concerns over staffing issues voiced by leaders within the organisation. Another reason for the scrapping of the vaccination mandate was the fact that the hospitalisation rates for the Omicron variant were around half of that of Delta, making it less deadly and having the potential for placing less of an intense strain on NHS services. Polls done amongst NHS leaders revealed that 32% of hospital managers did not support the vaccine compulsion, and a further 94% agreed that it would only further emphasise the staffing crisis already being faced by the NHS. An estimated 73,000 staff were predicted, by a government impact assessment, to refuse the vaccine for various personal reasons, with a further 40,000 care home staff already leaving their positions, a display of the consequences mass firings may entail. This decision will be to the benefit of a larger amount of staff being able to stay within the NHS in order to care for patients, however, a balance must be struck between attempting to retain staff, even without vaccinations and having non-vaccinated personnel caring for the elderly and sick. Tipping this scale too far in one direction could be the cause of a major crisis. A further potential unintended consequence of enforcing the vaccine could have been English NHS workers crossing the border into Wales in an attempt to find work, as the Senedd has not yet enforced vaccine compulsion upon it’s NHS staff. Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford states that he would ‘not rule out’ recruiting staff who had left their jobs over the English vaccine mandate and that he has no plans currently to make COVID vaccination mandatory within the organisation. Despite all of this, the Health Secretary stipulates that the mandate may be reinforced if the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly changes, through a new variant or rising numbers, for example. The mandate may be reinforced if the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly changes, through a new variant or rising numbers, for example.”

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COMMENT

Is there too much focus put on cycling helmets? COMMENT Are there any other ways that we can help to improve the safety of cyclists in the UK? Eirian Jones

Comment Editor

W Vicky Witts

Catarina Pinto Vicente

Eirian Jones

ithin the last three weeks, at least two of my friends have been knocked over by car whilst riding a bike. Luckily, they were not injured. It was even more shocking to me once I found out that neither of them wore a helmet whilst cycling and rarely ever do. I was always taught as a child to wear a helmet and my father would never let me leave the house on a bicycle without one (even if I was really embarrassed to wear my bright pink helmet around my friends)… After a quick google search, I discovered that this is an extremely controversial topic within the cycling community. Although the Highway Code suggests that cyclists should wear a helmet, along with most cycling facilities and organised events, it is not a legal requirement to wear a cycling helmet. Many cyclists, including leading cycle safety campaigners, believe that the focus that is given to helmets should shift towards promoting segregated cycle lanes as these would have a much larger impact on overall safety. Olympic cycling champion Chris Boardman has addressed this topic after being filmed cycling down a road wearing no helmet. He stated that he “want(s) to focus the debate on the cause, and campaign for things that will really make cycling safe. That is why I won’t promote I won’t let the debate be drawn on to a topic that isn’t even in the top 10 things that will really keep people who want to cycle safe.”

Katherine Wheeler

Chris Boardman, Olympic cycling champion

comment@gairrhydd.com

Cycling Safety: Although guidance remains firmly in support of cycling helmets, there are a number of other factors that can help improve the safety of cyclists around the UK. Source: sabinevanerp (via Pixabay) high-vis and helmets – I won’t let the by 51%, serious head injury by 69%, debate be drawn on to a topic that face injury by 33% and fatal head inFor this reason alone; there isn’t even in the top 10 things that juries by 65%. can never be enough focus will really keep people who want to Another study by NHS England on the importance of cycling cycle safe.” Trauma Audit found that 47.6% of helmets.” Similarly, Nick Hussey, the founder patients who were not wearing a of Vulpine a cycle clothing company, helmet sustained a severe traumatic mets or not, accidents are still hapwho frequently uses models with no brain injury in comparison to 19.1% pening. Cars are still crashing into helmets to promote his clothes, com- who were wearing one. cyclists. Children and people will pares the helmet debate to marchAs their argument goes, cyclists always be falling off bikes. Of course, ing into a bar and snatching a third will ultimately have to share the road helmets will not eradicate the need or fourth pint of beer from a ran- with motorists as the UK doesn’t for increased cycling safety. It is also dom drinker’s lips and yelling, “Stop have a comprehensive network of not the final answer to solving the far drinking or you will die!”. separate cycle lanes. It is also well- bigger issues within the UK concernAlthough these people have a known that many cyclists are injured ing bicycle safety. However, one micompletely fair argument in that pro- as a result of careless driving. nor hit on the fragile skull can cause moting segregated cycling lanes and If the campaigns are successful and life altering damage or even death. other safety improving methods is the government does decide to creFor this reason alone; there can much better for the overall cycling ate a new network of cycling lanes – never be enough focus on the imporcommunity, I cannot completely this won’t come into effect for years. tance of cycling helmets. agree that wearing and promoting Wearing a helmet is a quicker way of We put our phones in cases to prothe use of helmets is necessarily a increasing your personal safety in the tect them if they are dropped and negative thing. A major study of bike meantime. It’s so bizarre to me that damaged - why are people so content helmet use around the world, with these people are refusing to promote in protecting their phones but not more than 64,000 cyclists taking something so simple alongside the their own brains? Helmets are small, part, uncovered that wearing a hel- cycle lanes. light and comfortable to wear; why met reduced the risk of head injury Whether people are wearing hel- would you not wear one?

Valentine’s Day 2022: Celebrating amdist the pandemic

How has COVID-19 affected Valentine’s celebrations over the last two years now that restrictions are easing? Lucy Matthews Contributor

ove season. It’s that sickly time of year where the colour red cannot be avoided and you are fronted with hearts and declarations of affection in any shop you dare to venture into. In a normal year, couples would celebrate their unique bonds by booking out restaurants weeks in advance and rushing to florists to get their significant others their favourite bouquet of flowers. Last year, however, Valentine’s day took a slightly less romantic turn when COVID-19 decided it wanted to join in the loving celebrations, blessing couples and families with work-athome regulations and what felt like Last year, however, Valentine’s day took a slightly less romantic turn when COVID-19 decided it wanted to join in the loving celebrations.”

a never-ending national lockdown. Unavailable to get teddies, boxes of chocolate and all the usual paraphernalia that comes with February 14th, those who celebrate the festival had to revert to new means of showing affection towards their lover. Some embraced the challenge of COVID third wheeling their Valentine celebrations by going on sociallydistanced walks, and having picnics in the crisp February sun. Others appreciated love amongst the whole family after going through the trials of 2020, putting children in charge of the Valentine’s day activities and celebrating family love. Last year, the day of love proved to be particularly challenging for those who lost their loved ones throughout the pandemic, and due to the strict social distancing measures. Social media was a saving outlet for millions of couples and families throughout the pandemic, and Valentine’s day proved to be no different. Zoom dates which saw couples getting dressed up to sit in front of their

Some embraced the challenge of COVID third wheeling their Valentine celebrations by going on socially-distanced walks.”

Valentine’s Day 2022: The easing of restrictions has brought many things back to a sense of ‘normality’. Source: Peggychoucair (via Pixabay) partner on camera for meals made in England in the next few weeks, digitally, and creative messages and February 14th this year will see coudisplays of love online, made the ro- ples venture back into steak houses, mantic holiday more bearable. and enter jewellers to get that neckAfter 111 million booster vaccina- lace their partner has been reminding tions issued in the UK and the com- them of sneakily for the past months. plete easing of lockdown restrictions Actively showing your affection and

dedication is securely and safely back on the cards and we can finally say goodbye to zoom calls with loved ones across the country and socially distanced valentine’s day walks. Whilst 2022 renders love back on the table, there is a newfound appreciation for those we surround ourselves with after the year where COVID made it harder than ever before to be with those we love. Despite being a single day of the year to show that special someone how much they mean to you, the pandemic has made us grateful for every day we get to spend with our loved ones. Therefore, despite being the worst third wheel there ever could be, February 2021 was perhaps the most loving Valentine’s day of them all.

SYLWADAU

The legacy of COP26 and the ongoing climate crisis What impact has the recent climate conference in Glasgow had on the world at large? Katherine Wheeler Comment Editor

he COP26 march took place last November, not only Cardiff but cities, towns and villages across the UK. Climate action groups joined together alongside ordinary people to draw attention to their cause and to demand justice on an overheating climate and government promises. Now, in February, there are few echoes remaining of the COP26 conference. Climate justice is taking a backseat in news coverage; instead, there are headlines on Downing Street investigations and rising military tensions in Europe. Some people are frustrated that Partygate has supposedly stopped the government in its tracks. To say politics is polarising in 2022 is to make a comical understatement. In the United States, China, Europe, India, Japan, clean energy stocks are plummeting. Gas prices are hitting record highs and price hikesIt’s Saturday. I am walking towards town. There are a few things I have to pick up for some craft project or another I’m trying to make. It shouldn’t take more than an hour. I stroll along the edge of campus, through the underpass and out into murky grey skies and a heaving stream of people. There are people twirling, marching, holding sculptures, holding signs, people being wheeled in chairs, toddlers scurrying along beside the crowds of people. Above the noise of marching feet and curious chatter, I can hear a choir and a lone conductor shouting numbers and cues. It should be a horrible day, grey and tepid, but to spite the rain, thousands of protestors have come to raise their voices: to be heard all the way in Glasgow by world leaders at the COP26 conference. in the UK threaten to topple the security of low income families. The hikes in gas price are so extreme that Westminster now intends to introduce compulsory loans to cover the cost the public have no choice but to pay back. COP26s momentum- if it even had such a thing to begin with- seems to have been lost amongst the general public. Or perhaps this is the wrong way

to frame it? It is the case that issues are hitting home more than ever during the pandemic, but these problems aren’t being framed as climate change related. I surveyed fifty people*, forty-four of them students, about their thoughts on COP26’s lasting legacy. Whilst participants were divided on whether protest marches made an impact on the government and whether they, as individuals, had any power of the prevention of climate change, they had one clear consensus. Forty-nine of the fifty participants believed that the government would not stick to its climate goals. Ninety eight percent. Although 78% cared strongly about the negative impacts of climate change and most paid at least a little bit of attention to coverage of the conference, they were unanimous in their mistrust of government promises. It seems that amongst a group of mainly students there is cautious optimism about making an individual difference but that trust in the government to deliver climate change promises is nearly nonexistent. COP26’s promises were criticised heavily by European countries for their compromise. Greta Thunberg even called the conference ‘a failure’ and an exercise in international governments’ ability to ‘create loopholes to benefit themselves’. It’s true that heavy compromises were made. The drastic action Thunberg has repeatedly demanded from leaders has been lost in changes in wording- the phrase “phasing out” coal turning to “phasing down” in the face of pressure. Where there is mention of “phasing out” in terms of fossil fuel subsidies, no dates were put in place. On other promises, the biggest emitters were notably absent. Where more than 100 countries agreed to cut 30% of methane emissions by 2030, Russia, India and China abstained. The agreements made by countries during the conference are legally binding. It has to be said that, despite compromises, any progress should mean a step in the direction of a safer climate, even if right now it only exists in document form. Alok Sharma, President of COP26, said after the conference

Contributor

C COP26 March in Cardiff: People took to the streets of Wales’ capital to protest against ‘ineffective’ climate action. Credit: Katherine Wheeler that ‘the commitments […] secured at COP26 were historic. Yet at the moment they are just words on a page.’ The COP26 marches were a moment for hundreds of thousands of people across the UK to be heard, in the hope that they could make a difference to the planet but overwhelmingly so they could make a difference to their local community. In Cardiff, the Save the Northern Meadows (@CardiffSave) group were some of those shouting the loudest. The protest group aims to protect Northern Cardiff’s green space and the ecosystems that accompany it from the building of a hospital site that its members say would be inaccessible and unsuitable for the meadow area. They sang chants at the protest march in November and carried banners alongside, they’ve even appeared on stalls at markets, but it seems as if the destruction of the meadows has begun. On the 14th February, trailers full of tree trunks were seen leaving the area and out through metal construction barriers. By 2030, more than 100 countries pledged to stop deforestation, perhaps even reverse it. Four months on from the promise with the meadows being deforested, when will these words take effect? Another group present at the march was Cardiff’s branch of Extinction Rebellion (XR). XR’s targets are many and

ambitious though its primary aim is clear: the UK must become a net zero country by 2025. However, the COP26 agreement the UK signed committed it to net zero by the middle of the century2050. The dates are decades apart. On November 13th, an XR truck with the words ‘COP Has Failed’ adorning the back drove through the Lord Mayor’s show in the centre of London. So, what does COP26 leave behind? Maybe, above all else, a sense of unease, mistrust and fear for the world’s climate future. Perhaps in another sense, it is a good thing governments are pledging anything at all. In Cardiff, protest groups such as Save the Northern Meadows will continue to fight for tangible action. For them, words on a page mean nothing for ecosystems unless action is taken. Until COP27, it seems the media will be dominated by other issues where the effect of climate change is left implicit. It may be up to those concerned to read between the lines. the commitments […] secured at COP26 were historic. Yet at the moment they are just words on a page.” Alok Sharma, President of COP26

The popular word-based puzzle app has faced criticism for its financial strategy

ordle is a name most of us have likely heard with increasing consistency over the last few months, whether sparking excitement, stress, or just complete confusion about what a ‘Wordle’ is. The online, word-based puzzle game, created by American software engineer Josh Wardle, has amassed a huge online following, with a predicted 2 million players taking part in the game each day by the end of January 2022. [Wordle] has amassed a huge online following, with a predicted 2 million players taking part in the game each day by the end of January 2022.”

This rising notoriety also caught the attention of a number of different companies, including the New York Times, who brought the game from Wardle for an undisclosed seven-figure sum at the end of January. This has led to concerns from many players that the New York Times will implement a paywall, so that the game is no longer free, as it initially was. In a statement from the New York Times, the group announced that the game would “initially” be free to all users, which, while encouraging players for the time being, has led to fears about if and when a paywall will be implemented. Wordle is not the first independent game or concept to have been brought for huge sums by large companies, and the rise of paywalls online is potentially hugely problematic. According to Sky News, a paywall is “a popular method of ensuring sub-

Perpetrators of ‘Cyberflashing’ may now face prison time Libbi Mullin

Wordle and the problem with ‘paywall’ content Vicky Witts Head of Comment

scriptions within the news industry”, by restricting access to content until a one-off fee or subscription has been paid. What is the problem with the paywall? Aside from just the annoyance that many people fail when they simply want to read the news, and are greeted with a request for payment to access the information, paywall content may be extremely isolating for those who cannot afford to access the content. On a smaller scale, as in the case of Wordle, not being able to get past a paywall would simply mean missing out on the game, which, whilst likely annoying for many, is not hugely problematic. The problem lies with when a paywall restricts people from accessing the same information as everyone else, simply because they cannot afford to. Subscriptions fund news groups,

and of course without funding the media would likely struggle to exist. However, when people with low income are forced to miss out on important online news stories simply because they cannot afford to pay their way through the paywall, it is clear how unfair the paywall scheme as a whole can be. Admittedly, many news outlets which use a paywall system, do give access to some articles free of charge, whether by giving all users a certain amount of free articles a day, or by not requiring payments for stories deemed the most pressing or important generally. The problem lies with when a paywall restricts people from accessing the same information as everyone else, simply because they cannot afford to.”

yber flashing underlines the use of peer-to-peer Wi-Fi networks such as Airdrop to enable perpetrators to send inappropriate images of themselves or others to strangers. It has been seen that cyber flashing often occurs on public transport, against the will of the receiver. In 2015, Lorraine Crighton-Smith fell victim to cyber flashing after receiving unsolicited images of a stranger’s penis whilst on a train in London. This offence has been brought to light in recent times with its occurrence becoming more regular, resulting in the government deciding to use the Sexual Offences Act to make the offence illegal. Once the legislation has passed, perpetrators can be seen to face up to two years behind bars serving prison time. Upskirting, a similar crime, also faces the same punishment. Justice minister, Victoria Atkins, “absolutely supports” cyber flashing being made a crime in the UK, stating, ”we very much understand the need for speed and, indeed, the wish of women and girls around the country for the issue to be dealt with quickly and effectively.” It was found in a survey held by the UN Women UK 2021 YouGov, that “14% of women in the UK experienced the sharing of suggestive, indecent, or unsolicited content online or in person.” Despite there being no existing law in England and Wales to deal with cyber flashing at the moment, it has been illegal in Scotland since 2010, with both Wales and England looking to follow suit. The Law Society report has described cyber flashing as a ’form of sexual harassment, involving coercive sexual intrusion by men into women’s everyday lives.’ With cyber flashing becoming a regular occurrence on public transport, it remains difficult to identify the offender in such a crowded space, if the receiver’s Airdrop settings are set to ’everyone’ this allows for offenders outside of the victims contact list to anonymously send indecent images. Therefore, it is possible to avoid falling victim to such atrocities by limiting those who have access to your Airdrop via Bluetooth. Despite there being ways to avoid receiving unsolicited images, one cannot deny that the offender looking to cyber flash is the one at blame. Although we cannot guarantee a complete end to cyber flashing, the legislation being put in place by the UK government looking to criminalise the offence shows great progression in terms of online restrictions being put in place. If you do receive an unwanted sexual image, it is of benefit to know that you can screenshot the image and contact British Transport Police on 101, or via text on 61016.

ADVICE

Overcoming burnout and overwhelming stress

All the ways you can help to minimise stress and stay on top of your studies this year Harriet Lowbridge Head of Advice

U Harriet Lowbridge

Megan Shinner

Ruth Hoey

niversity is one of the most stressful times of many people’s lives. It is not going to be something that everyone can breeze through without any hardships. Many of us will experience times of poor mental health, and that is not something any of us should feel bad about. As of June 2021, UCAS announced that in the past decade there has been an increase of 450% more students applying that have declared a mental health condition. The key thing that university students can take from this is that you are not alone. Burnout can occur when we take too much onto our plates and cannot manage the number of tasks we have, in a healthy manner. Sometimes it can happen when you have too much information to process at once. The pressure of exams, coursework, financial struggles, working while you are studying, family or relationship problems, and many other factors can all contribute to burnout. Burnout and overwhelming stress are, however, not permanent despite how uncontrollable and overbearing they may feel. The first step in approaching the matter is to recognise the factors affecting your life. Have your daily routines become more of a chore Burnout can occur when we take too much onto our plates and cannot manage the number of tasks we have, in a healthy manner."

advice@gairrhydd.com

University Stress: Whilst at university, work and stress can quickly becoming overwhelming for many people. Source: geralt (via Pixabay). to accomplish? Such as brushing your look to identify what has caused this teeth and hair, or showering? Have your effect in your life. Are you taking on housework chores become more un- too many tasks at once, such as socimanageable? Are you struggling to keep ety commitments or too many hours at on top of your dirty dishes or washing? your job, or are you in need of time off Are you missing lectures or skipping from your degree? If the option is availout on study periods? Do you feel a lit- able to you, are you able to lessen the tle bit sick at the thought of leaving your load that you carry? Could you reduce house? your hours, or quit your job for the time Whilst this is not an exhaustive list of being? Could you step down from sofactors, they are common physical indi- cieties? cations that something might be changThough, understandably these oping in your mental health. It is vital to tions are not available for everyone. become aware of your mental state to Once you are aware of where your burn ensure that you stay healthy. You could out is coming from, however, you can keep a private tracker of how often you begin to lighten your load or at the very are accomplishing your daily tasks and least understand where you need to chores. You can ask friends, family, or readjust things to support your mental flatmates to gently remind you if you health. are getting behind on anything. The next step depends on you, if you Once you are aware that you are think your burn out is something you burnt out or overwhelmed, you should can tackle on your own through minor

adjustments in your life then you can begin to reorganise your life around. For some people, your next step might be to seek out professional care, therapy, or other medical support. For some people, setting timers between tasks can present as a helpful way to transition between lying in bed and getting in the shower, or between study periods. For others, exercise can help boost your motivation to push through. Some people need time off to recover, some people need to reorganise their schedules to fit downtime into their lives. It might not be an instant fix and it might take some trial and error of different methods to find what helps you through your burn out. But keep in mind that we all experience this, that is not to say that your struggles are any lessened because of this, just remember that you are not alone. Reaching out to talk to someone trusted can sometimes be just as helpful as removing areas of stress from your life. This information is provided as a useful guide to understanding burnout and is not a replacement for any professional help you may need. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with your mental health then you should seek out professional help, whether that is through the NHS, through Cardiff University’s services, or through private services if you are able to utilise them. Reaching out to talk to someone trusted can sometimes be just as helpful as removing areas of stress from your life."

How to use 'Mental Health Exercising' to keep your brain healthy

With the focus on improving our physical bodies, we can sometimes forget the importance of mental exercise Ruth Hoey

compulsive exercise also causes higher levels of psychological distress, including depression and anxiety.”

Adivce Editor

ental Health friendly exercising. Sounds simple right? It’s common knowledge that most forms of exercising are beneficial for your mental health. So why is it that this often gets lost in the reality of exercising? Well, there are a number of different reasons. However, the reality is that our culture still places huge importance on having a specific body image. It’s even more apparent at the beginning of the year. All of a sudden, we are bombarded with a plethora of online ads advocating exercise and eating plans to lose weight fast. In essence, this is diet culture. According to Hackam, “Diet culture can be defined as a system of beliefs that elevates appearing thin over one’s mental and physical wellbeing”. This culture promotes obsessive exercising to reach extreme weight loss goals and reach them fast. Why is this a problem? This idea that intense exercise will bring about results is highly misleading. Personal Trainer Antonio states that ‘quickfix’ exercise programs are doomed to fail from the beginning. He claims that it is only It’s common knowledge that most forms of exercising are beneficial for your mental health. So why is it that this often gets lost in the reality of exercising?"

Dr Phillipa Hay, Head Psychiatrist

Mental Health Exercising: Whilst it is important to keep our bodies in check with regular exercise, it is also equally important to keep our brains stimulated. Source: mohamed_hassan (via Pixabay). through consistency that you can expect to see long-term weight loss results. Furthermore, psychiatrist Dr Phillipa Hay argues that intense and obsessive exercising can result in the exact opposite in mental health friendly exercising. She claims that, “compulsive exercise also causes higher levels of psychological distress, including depression and anxiety.” So we’ve now seen the problems of excessive exercise. But these do not negate the overwhelming positives which exercise can bring to your life.

The benefits of regular 'mental health exercising' Fights anxiety Recent studies have suggested that mild anxiety and depression can be treated and helped by regular exercise or activity. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that "running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26%”. Getting active allows your brain to release endorphins which make you feel good. Aids sleep Regular and daily activity can help your body regulate its sleep

cycles. Furthermore, gentle exercise at night such as yoga can help your brain and body to calm and encourage sleep. Regulates stress Exercise can help you build up mental resilience to the stresses of life. Whilst these can sometimes be overwhelming, exercise is a proven way to let off some steam and distract yourself all that’s going on. Energizing Probably one of the most obvious benefits is the energy which exercise provides. Exercising in the morning before you start your day can leave you feeling physically and mentally

ready to face the day ahead by providing you with the energy you need. So what is the key to mental health friendly exercising? Do things you enjoy Get creative with the ways in which you get active. This could be swimming, cycling, taking your dog for a walk or even playing JustDance on your Wii! Doing things which you enjoy will only add to the mental health benefits which come from physical activity. It doesn’t have to be intense Whilst some people enjoy long runs or HIIT workouts, they’re not for everyone. Exercising can be as simple as going for a 10/15-minute walk every day. If your looking to get into a sport such as running, it would be a good idea to start small. Going for a 5 minute run around the block could be a good starting point to build from rather than attempting a marathon and then leaving yourself feeling demoralised! running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26%” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

CYNGOR

The importance of following 'forward thinking' fashion

Musings with Megan Advice Column

Georgia King Contributor

Finding confidence: During your time at university, the sudden sense of independence can sometimes feel like both a blessing and a curse for many people, but your your studies can be one of the best chances for you to increase your self-confidence. Source: josealbafotos (via Pixabay).

Finding confidence in your independence The importance of trying to 'find yourself' during your time at university

Megan Shinner Advice Editor

niversity is a huge milestone that many chose to embark on. When this is a time usually signified as “finding yourself ”, we also have to do the whole “rediscovering” thing in order to reach that stage. With the exposure to new opportunities, we find different things we like and learn things about ourselves that we didn’t know before. Although, sometimes we have no idea what we are doing with ourselves, what we like doing, whether we like our course or extra-curricular activities. University is one big pre-life experiment, a try-before-you-buy if you will! However, you mustn’t completely lose track of your individuality during this time. Peer pressure and feeling the need to fit in a group can still be an issue at University. Even though it can be exciting, it can also get quite lonely at times. Some people settle in straight away, yet some don’t get off to the flying start that they expected to. Regardless of where you stand with meeting others, nothing is stopping you from claiming the university experience you envisioned. Here are some tips on how to embrace individuality and how when we stop comparing ourselves to others, we can find our own happiness and identify what being successful means to us as an individual. Practice gratitude With all the overwhelming options that surround society these days regarding education, skills, hobbies, and socialising, it ironically makes us feel like we don’t have any choice in what we do. We feel like we must do this, or we must have achieved this by

a certain age. However, none of this is true. Just because someone else is good at something, it doesn’t mean you have to be amazing at it too. We all have different strengths and weaknesses and all pursue different interests. That’s what makes everyone so interesting! It would be boring if everyone was the same, wouldn’t it? This is why it is important to focus on what we DO have rather than what we DON’T have going on in our lives. This could be anything from being grateful for our ability to read, to embracing a current hobby that we enjoy and want to develop our skills in that area further. When we sit down and evaluate our world, and not everyone else’s, it really puts into perspective what we have going on. However, if you find you don’t have much going on, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your options. There are so many societies, clubs, and volunteering opportunities within Cardiff that again – there are so many options, we don’t know what to do with ourselves! Focusing on finding something that makes you happy to dedicate your time to rather than fixating on what everyone around you is enjoying and filling their time with is a step in the right direction to finding your individuality. Step outside of your comfort zone One of the many great things about Cardiff is that there is a wealth of opportunity within and out of the university and students union. Cardiff is a large city university so there are loads of societies and activities running. Maybe it's time to try something new? It’s never too late to join a society, sport, or volunteering association as “give it a go” sessions are always being run. Outside of university, you could try

volunteering with a local charity or theatre. Many volunteering programs are student-friendly with flexible hours to organise a balance between study and social life. Not only will volunteering help you build your confidence in the immediate sense, but you will develop a unique set of skills that will set you apart from the crowd when applying for a career in the future. You get to make new friends and learn new skills that you would never get to explore in an academic environment. This may even be the place where you find your people! A good piece of advice is to always try and regret having a go rather than dwelling on the what-ifs! If you don’t like something, you don’t have to do it again but it’s better knowing you tried than always wondering what could be different if you had just pushed yourself a little bit. Don’t be afraid. It’s never too late to take a chance! You don’t have to follow the crowd or do a task just because the rest of the people in your class are. Fill your time that aids your own happiness. Compete with yourself A little bit of healthy competition is good – even if it is with yourself! One significant way to find a sense of achievement in your life and to source motivation is to set deadlines and goals outside of academia. For example, you could give yourself the task of reading one book a month. By the end of the year, you would have read at least twelve books. Normally, when we set these goals – we then naturally try to beat them. This method may then encourage you to meet your goal earlier and may lead you to read three books in two months. You will soon realise how much you underestimate yourself and will get a

real sense of what you can achieve when you focus on what you want to get out of your time. It’s your life at the end of the day and it is what you make it. Cooperate with yourself on your boundaries to reach your potential and sustain your happiness in the long run. Put everything into perspective Most of the time, life never goes the way we expect it to go. Sometimes in good ways, and sometimes in bad ways. However, when we reflect on 5 years ago or so, are you exactly where you thought you’d be now? Personally, 5 years ago I was completing my GCSEs. I had no idea I would be where I am now, participating in the societies that I do, meeting half of the people I have already met and living in a new city. So, it’s important that we apply this analogy to the next 5 years of our lives. If the 2017 version of me couldn’t predict what is happening now, then how can current me predict what will happen in 2027? The only right answer is that I can’t. However, what I am certain of is that every time I reflect on the previous years of my life, I always regret not starting something sooner, not giving an activity a go, or quite simply just worrying too much about circumstances I cannot control. The lesson here is to remain in the present and to take everything one day at a time because who knows what’s going to happen along the line! We can’t obsess over worries that may or may not happen or stress about circumstances that could change with a blink of an eye. However, what we can control is what is going to happen to us right now, at this very moment in time.

uilding an ecologically friendly wardrobe has never felt more important. According to the world economic forum, the fast fashion industry produces 10% of all carbon emissions. And on top of this, it is the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply. Yet, despite the stats, we are still drawn to fast fashion because of its affordability. This is why sometimes it may seem like taking ecologically friendly steps will harm our wallets. But that does not have to be the case. Here are 5 tips for cultivating a positive wardrobe that is financially and environmentally friendly. Shop 'second-hand' Shopping second hand is the best way to grab some bargains while utilising what has already been created. Alternatives like charity or consignment shops are a great way to shop environmentally friendly on a low budget. Shopping this way will help keep clothing out of landfills and reduce emissions and pollution from the overproduction of new clothes. Repair, revive and upcycle Instead of discarding broken items, which will wind up in landfills, learn to mend them by watching how-to videos. If that isn’t your thing, then take it to a local tailor or seamstress so they can fix it for you. Paying somebody to patch a hole up or fix a zipper is a lot cheaper than buying a new item to replace it! You can also upcycle clothes by transforming something old into a new product… like turning some holey jeans into a new pair of shorts. Support local businesses Perhaps unsurprisingly, a lot of large companies are causing damage to the environment. Fear not, though. There are still plenty of independent companies to choose from that are both financially and ecologically friendly. Whilst there are many affordable places to start, it is vital to research to find the ones you like. Shopping this way will help take business from polluting companies and instead support environmentally conscious ones. Think organic and natural clothing Source your clothes made from organic fabric when possible. Besides helping to reduce greenhouse gases, it also improves the soil quality by minimising pesticide use, and it uses significantly less water than non-organic clothing. Secondly, look out for clothing made with natural fabric fibres to avoid synthetic fabrics. When you wash synthetic fibres, it releases microplastics during washes, so using natural clothing will play a role in reducing the microplastics in our oceans. Many affordable and sustainable brands produce their clothing with organic and natural fibres – so keep your eyes peeled! Shop local Shopping locally is a great way to save some emissions while being budget-friendly. Not only will delivery costs be cut, but the emissions and pollution it takes for those clothes to get to your doorstep will also be reduced by shopping this way.

REVIEW

‘War’ by Bob Marley and the Wailers - “powerful words” Caz Love reflects on the life and music of ‘Bob Marley and the Wailers’ with this 1976 hit

Caz Love

Review Editor

B Iris Knapman

Atreya Mukerjee

ob Marley lived from 1945 to 1981, dying at the age of thirtysix. Despite his short life, the impact he had on the world was extraordinary. He was, and continues to be, the most influential reggae musician in the world. His life was spent creating music that simultaneously protested against political and social injustice and advocated peace and love. His songs often reflect the hardships of growing up in the largest shantytown in Jamaica, Trench Town. The violence and injustice experienced by Marley led him to search for a way out for him and his people. This led him to embrace the Rastafarian faith, the faith he now embodies for the rest of the world.

G Most of all, ‘Lady Bird’ touches, remains and resonates with me long after viewing, because everyone at some point can identify with Christine”.

The members of the Wailers have fluctuated over the years, yet in the original version of ‘War’ we have Aston “Family Man” Barrett on Fender Jazz bass and his brother Carlton “Carly” Barrett on drums, Earl “Chinna” Smith on guitar, Alvin “Seeco” Patterson on percussion and Tyrone Downie on keyboards. The I-Threes consisted of Bob Marley’s wife, Rita Marley, as well as Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt. The Wailers have continued Marley’s legacy since his death in 1981. They perform his greatest hits and most famous albums as well as some of their own songs. The original Wailers bassist, Aston “Family Man” Barrett, fronted the band for many years, and the legacy has now been passed onto his son, Aston Barrett Junior. They set to being touring the UK in the coming weeks, including Cardiff in the beginning of March.

Magdalena Pietrzykowska takes a look at Greta Gerwig’s recent directorial debut Contributor

review@gairrhydd.com

global scale. They used their platform to distribute the message of Jah, the message of equality and loving one another. Their touring managed to awaken the Western world to an entirely new culture to which it was previously isolated from. And they achieved this through the creation of legendary reggae music. ‘War’ may be derived from Selassie’s speech; however, it remains distinctly Marley’s. His iconic voice shines through the steady reggae beat of the Wailers and is supported by the sweet harmony of the female trio, the I-Threes. The song builds in tension through the extended rhetoric, with the only release coming from the refrain of “war”. This is uncharacteristic of roots reggae, which traditionally has short, punchy refrains. The contrast of style draws attention to the words as a whole and entices the listener to really hear.

‘Lady Bird’ - “an artistic adventure of discovering yourself” Magdalena Pietrzykowska

Caz Love

Rastafarianism centres around the belief that Haile Selassie, previously known as Ras Tafari, was the reincarnation of Christ, or Jah. Selassie was the Emperor of Ethiopia, and his aim was to bring unity to Africa and the world. For Rastafarians, Ethiopia is seen as the Promise Land, as a place of freedom. The song, ‘War’, appearing on the 1976 album, Rastaman Vibration, directly translates Haile Selassie’s speech to the United Nations in 1963; he says “that until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned; that until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes; that until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race;” there will be war. These powerful words were shared by Bob Marley and the Wailers on a

reta Gerwig in her directorial debut made a movie about… nothing? Well, you might get such an impression because of, it would seem, ‘cliché’ threads. Primarily, it is a story of a girl trying to fit into a world that does not belong to. It is about the need for independence and freedom, so strong that running away from a highly conservative school, depressing city and authoritative mother seems to be an option. Finally, it is a personal reflection of the struggles of a mother (Laurie Metcalf) who cannot support her daughter and chills her every action has a nontrivial impact on the girl’s behaviour and decisions. Saoirse Ronan is Christine ‘Lady Bird’, seventeen-year-old living in Sacramento, dreaming about moving to

the East Side. She is ashamed of her background so much that does not own what part of the city she lives in. She differs from peers, wearing pink hair and telling people to call her ‘Lady Bird’ instead of her real name. She attends Catholic College, even though her family struggles to afford it. She has only one friend, Julianne ‘Julie’ (Beanie Feldstein) – shy, ambitious and extremely strong in maths. Both attend drama classes where Lady Bird meets Daniel ‘Danny’ (Lucas Hedges). A student of boys’ school that comes from a good American family, and most importantly ‘living at the right side of the tracks’ of Sacramento. While working Christine meets Kyle (Timothée Chalamet) , a handsome outsider who is against the system and shows that by not buying commercial cigarettes and not using mobile phones. Despite low grades and the financial struggles of family, she silently dreams about the best and expen-

sive universities in the country, i.e. in New York. Along with decisions about the future, she discovers numerous feelings such as love, disappointment and a sense of unfitting to the world she lives in. All these might seem to be ‘known’, however Gerwig designed her characters in a hugely natural and subjective manner, based on her personal past experiences. It all made that the movie has a certain dose of neutrality, subtlety and simplicity, that turns apparently casual teen film into an artistical adventure of discovering yourself in every inch: psychological, social and sexual. Watching how the main character evolves, a viewer has the distinct impression that partially it is a story about everyone of use. That is a great credit of Ronan that is absolutely truly in every emotion, showing both delicacy, anger and disappointment of the little girl. All supporting characters, especially

Chalamet known from ‘Call Me By Your Name’ who plays a confident egoist incapable of expressing a bit of respect towards his girl. Also, we confront a pessimistic mother that cannot or does not want to understand own daughter, constantly calling her ungrateful. On the other hand, a mother that is tired of working double shifts, and of being the only source of income in the family. The way she created her relationship with daughter is unbelievably complex and symbiotic. ‘Lady Bird’ is a movie about stepping into adulthood, finding acceptance for the best version of yourself. It is a great study about sensitivity of young adults, need of love and finally, about appreciation, that is often heavily spy, when you refer to unrealistic ideals. Most of all, the ‘Lady Bird’ touches, remains and resonates with me long after viewing, because everyone at some point can identify with Christine.

The Inheritance Games - “a narrative hotbed of gasp-worthy plot twists” Iris Knapman explores the first installation of J.L Barnes’ thrilling ‘Knives Out’-esque YA mystery series

Iris Knapman

Head of Review

he Inheritance Games is the YA mystery novel that since 2020 has garnered a five-star reputation for its motion-sickness inducing twists and turns. J.L. Barnes dangles an intriguing plot thread before her readers; a girl – borderline destitute – inexplicably inherits the eleven-figure fortune of a deceased philanthropist under the exception she must inhabit his “if a labyrinth had a baby with where’s waldo” mansion in rural Texas. She must uncover why this billionaire, who she has never met in her life, would bequeath the vast majority of his wealth and estate to her and not his surviving relatives, whose Machiavellian machinations may send her to an early grave. Unfortunately, this book disappoints… is what I would say if I had stopped reading before Chapter Eight. The Inheritance Games is a narrative hotbed of gasp-worthy plot twists that had me slapping The aspect of mystery, the drama, the stakes: all of it culminates into a thrilling battle of wits for Hawthorne’s legacy.”

The Inheritance Games: “a girl - borderline destitute - inherits the elevenfigure fortune of a deceased philanthropist.” Source: Maklay62 (via Pixabay). tables and jumping out of my seat. tery, the drama, the stakes: all of it The slow and painful start to this culminates into a thrilling battle of book nearly prevented me from wits for Hawthorne’s legacy. experiencing what is rightfully a Admittedly, the protagonist was five-star novel. I sat there thinking, somewhat of a let-down because she “Perhaps this is a sign I have long is exactly like every other generic feoutgrown the YA market?” While male protagonist; and despite being the riddles and puzzles could be described as atrociously bland inside better explained, the aspect of mys- and out, she is nonetheless caught

in the romantic crosshairs of two impossibly hunky hunks and their states of emotional unavailability. Avery is, presumably, the blank slate upon which the reader can project. Her early characterisation evinced nothing except “smart” – and even then this was demonstrated poorly. Worse still, the majority of her dialogue consists simply of the utterance “What?” because she offers very little in terms of personality or emotional states beyond constant confusion. But – and this is an important but – every other character in this novel is written flawlessly. Yes, they play on the presiding tropes of the filthy rich, dysfunctional families fighting tooth and nail over the fortune of a now-dead eccentric patriarch. You see it in Knives Out, The Colonel’s Bequest, and certainly in the works of Agatha Christie. Nevertheless, the Inheritance Games does an excellent job meeting the expectations of the microgenre while maintaining an identity separate from its peers. One of my favourite characters among the family is the youngest son, Xander Hawthorne, a “young Mary Tyler Moore incarnate in the body of a multiracial James Dean.” His dialogue is kooky, funny; I could produce a shopping list of positive adjectives to describe him and the emotions his presence in a scene

They play on the presiding tropes of the filthy rich, dysfunctional families fighting tooth and nail over the fortune of a now-dead evokes. In fact I’m massively disappointed he’s not the primary love interest(s) of this book despite oozing thrice the charm of each vertex in the love triangle. But the comedy (and genius) of his character is testament to the abilities of Bates, to whom I respectfully nod for making me read and laugh at the sentence “purported past as a toddler nudist.” This is as much as I’ll comment on the book, in case my review has persuaded you to pick up a copy for yourself. If you self-proclaim to be a fan of mystery and intrigue, you’ll find yourself hard-sold on not only this prefactory novel in the series, but also the ones that follow. As of now, there are currently three books in the Inheritance Games universe. However, it is likely a fourth will be on the way sometime in the near future. For now, I’m scrambling to get my hands on this book’s successor, The Hawthorne Legacy, in which this blood-soaked mystery will grow deeper still.

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’: Can hearts really break?

SCIENCE

Cardiologist around the world have recently reported a rise in so-called ‘broken heart syndrome’ Anna Thomas Science Editor

H Mia Becker-Hansen

Anna Thomas

Elie Gould

earts can break. Yes, hearts can break. Sometimes I think it would be better if we died when they did, but we don’t.” With this reflection, Stephen King joins the myriad poets, authors, artists and musicians in describing the universally acknowledged and unfortunate consequence of love: heartbreak. Whether following a messy breakup, losing a loved one or the estrangement of a favourite friend, heartbreak is an experience known to be painful in its many forms. However, just a small step away from King’s imagined world of love, loss and dying of a broken heart, there lies a very real medical condition colloquially known as Broken Heart Syndrome. So, what is this mystery ailment, and can heartache really kill us? Broken Heart Syndrome is a presspopularised name for Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, a condition first recognised in Japan in the 1990s. The condition is characterised by a ballooning of the left ventricle of the heart, giving it a ‘jug-like’ appearance like that of a Takotsubo, a Japanese pot used to trap octopus. Although the exact aetiology of Broken Heart Syndrome remains a subject of contention, it is widely observed that onset often follows exposure of the patient to great emotional stress. Bereavement and grief, such as that experienced following loss is classically used as an example. However, there are various other notable triggers from financial stress or problems at work to it’s not a heart attack [...] It’s totally biological. I mean, it’s stress hormones. It is inflamation caused by those emotions in our brains” Dr. April Stempien-Otero, Cardiologist and Professor

Jemma Powell

‘Broken Heart Syndrome’: Cardiologists have reporting a recent rise in cases of this very rare cardiac issue, particularly amongst those hit hardest by the pandemic. Source: Engin_Akyurt (via Pixabay)

extremes such as being involved in an accident or natural disaster. Experts hypothesise the occurrence of a disturbing event floods the heart with stress hormones which triggers changes in blood flow to the heart thus the characteristic ballooning described and the onset of associated pain symptoms. Therefore, is the palpable ache experienced following a brutal break up your heart physically responding? In short: no. Broken Heart Syndrome is considered an extreme consequence of stress with initial presentations sharing striking similarities with a heart attack. In both cases, sufferers describe intense chest pain and difficulty breathing as the primary symptoms. Obviously, whilst few are fortunate enough to get through life without experiencing a major upset in some form or other, we do not all find ourselves hospitalised

with heart complaints. Only an estimated 2% of those presenting to the hospital with suspected acute coronary syndrome have Broken Heart Syndrome. In fact, whilst the British Heart Foundation reports 7.6 million people in the UK live with a heart or circulatory disease, according to Cardiomyopathy UK, Broken Heart Syndrome is thought to affect only 2500 people each year. Characterised as a reversible condition, with the majority of patients recovering their cardiac function within a few weeks, a broken heart is a far cry from the death knell the poets would have you believe. One study investigating in-hospital mortality rates of some 21,994 Broken Heart Syndrome Patients between 2008 and 2009, found a mortality rate of only 4.2%, the majority of whom also had additional underlying critical illness. Evidently whilst Broken Heart

Syndrome is a very real condition of increasing interest to those in the field, the likelihood that you will experience such an eventuality is slim and, even for those that do, the dangerous consequences remain limited. Thus, following your next catastrophic breakup, you can rest easy in the knowledge that, Stephen King was right, it won’t kill you. For now, the doctor’s prescription remains a tub of Ben and Jerry’s and your favourite Netflix show rather than open heart surgery. it reminds us we really have to take care of ourselves. So many people have become stagnant. They’re not taking their motor out for a spin to test their heart health” Dr. Mark Ricciardi, Clinical Professor of Medicine

Physicists confirm the Quantum ‘Boomerang’ theory

A recent experiment has observed effects of this unique, once theorietical atomic phenomenon Theodore Tadros

“[If the particle tries to move away from an electron] it will not only turn around and come back to me, it’ll come right back to me and stop”

Science Editor

Theo Tadros

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esearchers from the University of California have managed to prove a hypothesis called the Quantum Boomerang effect in recent days. The theory, first proposed in 2019 by physicist Dominique Delande of CNRS (center national de le recherche) and Kastler Brossel of Paris, states that certain subatomic particles, including electrons, are able to return to their initial position in certain materials, under certain conditions; something that previously was thought not to be the case. The theory was in fact based on a 1958 experiment by Philip Anderson, who realized that with enough disorder, electrons in a material can become localized and stuck in place; turning them into an effective insulator and restricting them from conducting electricity, a necessary condition for the boomerang effect to occur. The theory was in fact based on a 1958 experiment by Philip Anderson”.

David Weld, Associate Professor of Physics

Quantum ‘Boomerang’: This unique theory was first proposed by Philip Anderson back in 1958. Source: geralt (via Pixabay)

To picture the boomerang in action, physicist David Weld of the University of California, Santa Barbara imagines shrinking himself down and slipping inside a disordered material. If he tries to fling away an electron, he says, “it will not only turn around and come straight back to me, it’ll come right back to me and stop.” (Actually, he says, in

this sense the electron is “more like a dog than a boomerang.” The boomerang will keep going past you if you don’t catch it, but a well-trained dog will sit by your side.) The researchers also showed what’s needed to break the boomerang effect. To work, the boomerang effect requires time reversal symmetry, meaning that the particles

should behave the same when time runs forward as they would on rewind. By changing the timing from the lasers so that the kicking pattern was off piste, the researchers broke time-reversal symmetry, and the boomerang effect disappeared, as predicted. It has been said that this effect is one that has almost no similarities to classical physics, something that is rarely seen, even in quantum mechanics; which is why it has taken nearly 60 years to prove this effect even existed. The effect has many real world applications in things such as quantum computers, which have the potential to be several thousands times faster than any computers in use today. This breakthrough marks an important step in making these devices available to the public.

GWYDDONIAETH A THECHNOLEG

Climate Change: The future of the Winter Olympics

How could climate change threaten the future viability of the Winter Olympic Games? Anna Thomas Science Editor

he 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are well and truly underway, but climate change has cast aspersions on the future of the Games. Since its conception in 1926, there have been 24 Winter Olympic Games held by 21 different cities. However, research has emerged from the US indicating that, given the trajectory of climate change, only one of these previous hosts will be able to reliably hold the Games by the end of the century. given the trajectory of climate change, only one of these previous hosts will be able to reliably hold the Games by the end of the century”.

The conditions required for the Winter Olympics are highly specific and extremes in temperature, precipitation or snow coverage could all compromise the safety of the athletes. Notably, rising temperatures can adversely impact the snow quality so courses become slushy and thus athletes struggle to slow their run or land safely. Moreover, the fluctuations in temperature can alter the composition of snow over the course of the day meaning different competitors in the same category will have very different experiences of the course. Retired Olympian Simi Hamilton, reported that at previous Games, the snow could be “rock hard and fast in the morning, and then gradually it just became so slow throughout the day”. He went on to explain how these variable conditions could oftentimes make races unfair as athletes

would produce different times based on conditions rather than skill. Since the 1980s, host cities have relied on fake snow to supplement natural snow fall. Reliance on artificial snow has risen since its debut in Lake Placid but the Beijing Games are the first to rely 100% on artificial snow. It has been estimated that in order to produce the correct conditions for the Games, Beijing’s snow machines will cost them upward of $60 million to run and will consume around 49 million gallons of water. Whilst the production of artificial snow works as a short-term remedy for reduced reliability in snow conditions, it is far from a perfect solution. The catastrophic environmental implications of this much water consumption makes its practice morally questionable. Moreover, even man-made snow

[The snow could be] rock hard and fast in the morning, and then gradually it just became so slow throughout the day”. Simi Hamilton, Retired Olympian requires suitably low temperatures to stay frozen and these conditions are under threat as climate change advances. Although at first glance the outlook appears bleak, hope is not lost entirely. Should countries control their emissions within the parameters set out in the Paris Climate Agreement, then there would be eight reliable hosts by the turn of the century instead of one. Currently, we are at a turning point, not only for the future of the Winter Olympics, but for our planet as a whole and it is up to us to deter-

The mystery into Neanderthal extinction deepens

New research suggests that Neanderthal extinction may not been caused by modern humans Mia Becker-Hansen

Head of Science and Technology

eanderthals are an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans, who lived in Eurasia until about 40,000 years ago. Compared with that of modern humans, Neanderthals had a more robust build, with strong, muscular bodies, as well as wide hips and shoulders alongside their shorter limbs. Their most recognisable feature is a very prominent brow ridge. They stood at around 1.5m-1.75m tall, weighing from 64kg to 82kg. These adaptations, researchers believe, are to conserve heat in cold climate, or for sprinting in the warmer, forested landscapes that they often inhabited. Researchers know more about Neanderthals than any other extinct humans, with many thousands of fossils and artefacts found, including several nearly complete skeletons. Together with an ancient Asian people known as Denisovans, Neanderthals are our closest ancient human ancestor. Despite their reputation as ‘caveman’, they were are actually very intelligent and accomplished humans, being skilled tool-makers and proficient hunters. Majority of Neanderthal evidence is from around 130,000 to 40,000 years ago. After this time period, all [The snow could be] rock hard and fast in the morning, and then gradually it just became so slow throughout the day”. Professor Ludovic Slimak, Leader of Research Team

Neanderthals: Researchers know more about the Neanderthals than any other extinct human race. Source: Michael Brace (via Flickr)

physical evidence of their existence vanishes. The cause of their extinction is greatly debated among researchers. Common beliefs include the introduction of parasites, interbreeding, failure to adapt to climate change, and most frequently thought, competition and violence with early ‘modern’ humans, the first Homo Sapiens. Neanderthals have previously been discovered to had lived alongside early modern humans for a part of their existence, and had even interbred. Even now, some people have inherited around 2% of Neanderthal DNA. This time period was believed to be short-lived in the time frame of the Neanderthals existence.

However, the discovery of a child’s tooth and stone tools in a cave in southern France suggests that Homo Sapiens was in Western Europe 54,000 years ago, 12,000 year earlier than previously thought. The two species therefore coexisted for more than 10,000 years. The finds were discovered in a cave known as Grotte Mandrin in the Rhone Valley, by a team led by Prof Ludovic Slimak of the University of Toulouse. “We are now able to demonstrate that Homo Sapiens arrived 12,000 years before we expected,” he said, “and this population was then replaced after that by other Neanderthal populations. And this literally rewrites all our books of history.”

This completely challenges the current view that our species quickly overwhelmed the Neanderthals. Prof Chris Stringer, of the Natural History Museum in London, said: “it wasn’t an overnight takeover by modern humans, sometimes Neanderthals had the advantage, sometimes modern humans had the advantage, so it was more finely balanced.”. On the site, across several layers fossil evidence can be found from different time periods depending on depth. The human child’s tooth, and stone tools made in a way not associated with Neanderthals, were dated back 54,000 years. The evidence suggests that this early group of humans lived at the site for a relatively brief period, of perhaps about 2,000 years after which the site was unoccupied. The Neanderthals then return, occupying the site for several more thousand years, until modern humans come back about 44,000 years ago. What was it that eventually gave our species the advantage? Many ideas have been presented, focusing largely on our ability for complex language and the possession of a bigger brain. “We don’t know the full story yet.” continues Prof Stringer, “But with more data and with more DNA, more discoveries, we will get closer to the truth about what really happened at the end of the Neanderthal era.” We don’t know the full story yet [...] But with more data and with more DNA, more discoveries, we will get closer to the truth”. Professor Chris Stringer, Natural History Museum

Word of the week: ‘Quantum Mechanics’ • •

‘Quantum Mechanics’ is a fundmental theory in physics that deals with the mathematical description of the motion and interaction of subatomic particles. The theory gradually arose in the early 1900s to describe observations which could not be reconciled with classical physics, such as Einstein’s anaylsis of the photoelectric effect in his 1905 paper.

New report: Sleeping longer cna help cut calorie intake Aditi Girish Kallanagoudar Contributor

ecent research has found that people who typically sleep for less than 6.5 hours a night can shed an average of 270 calories with just an extra 1.2 hours of sleep per night. This was discovered through a small clinical trial carried out among overweight adults in the US. To put into perspective, this seemingly small calorie burn can lead people to lose up to 12 kg (26lbs) without changing their diet during the day, if the regime is maintained for about three years. Some participants in the study even began to consume fewer calories a day after improving their sleep, cutting their intake by nearly 500 calories. “If healthy sleep habits are maintained over longer duration, this would lead to clinically important weight loss over time,” saya Dr Esra Tasali, a scientist at the sleep center of the University of Chicago. The study, which wasn’t carried out with the intention of observing weight loss, showed a surprising fall in calories within two weeks of the patients changing their sleep schedules. This unexpected result could be life changing for many people who work hard to find ways to decrease their caloric intake to lose weight. The trial, which was carried out among 80 overweight adults aged between 21 to 40 with a body mass index between 25 and 29.9, did not require the volunteers to restrict their diet or change their exercise routines in any form. They were simply told to sleep in their own beds, wear devices that help track sleep duration and asked to extend the amount of time they slept each night. While previous studies have shown that getting too little sleep can lead people to put on weight by increasing their food intake, since you have more conscious hours, this study doesn’t touch upon food intake at all and only manipulates the hours of sleep the patients get. “Most other studies on this topic in labs are short-lived, for a couple of days, and food intake is measured by how much participants consume from an offered diet but in our study we only manipulated sleep and had the participants eat whatever they wanted, with no food logging or anything else to track their nutrition by themselves”, says Tasali. Another surprising revelation from the study is that a single sleep counseling session changed people’s bedtime habits and improved the amount of sleep they got. By simply coaching each individual on good sleep hygiene and providing tailored advice based on an individual’s personal sleep environment, the scientists were able to drastically improve the sleep patterns of the patients. If healthy sleep habits are maintained over longer duration, this would lead to clinically important weight loss over time” Dr Esra Tasali, Scientist at Sleep Centre of University of Chicago

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Paralysed man Sony strikes back: PlayStation purchases Bungie to walk again thanks to new spine implants Aditi Girish Kallanagoudar Contributor

n 2017, a man named Michel Roccati lost all feeling and movement in his legs after a motorcycle crash that severed his spinal cord. However, scientists have managed to reactivate his muscles by implanting electrodes in his spine and he can now stand and walk with electrical stimulation that is controlled wirelessly from a tablet. Roccati, along with two other men, all within the age range of 29 to 41 have been assisted by this implant and have managed several physical tasks like standing, walking, riding a bike and even kicking their legs in a swimming pool. This small, implantable device could do wonders for paralyzed people and grant them an extent of freedom previously thought impossible. “Now it’s a part of my daily life,” says Rocatti, who uses the device to strengthen his muscles in his routine training and to assist his rehabilitation by keeping him fit. The device was developed by a neuroscientist Prof Grégoire Courtine from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, and a neurosurgeon from the Lausanne university hospital, Prof Jocelyne Bloch. It uses a soft, flexible electrode which is laid on top of the spinal cord nerves and underneath the vertebrae. It is operated with the aid of software on a tablet that issues instructions for a certain action, such as standing, walking, cycling, or kicking the legs for swimming. Once these instructions are issued by the tablet, the device delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord nerves that control different muscles in the torso and legs, thus enabling the paralyzed individual to carry out the action commanded. The patients responded to the device almost immediately and were able to stand up within hours of the implantation. After following a training programme that has let them rebuild lost muscle and move around more independently for about four months, their performance improved drastically, even allowing them to stand and drink in a bar. “It was not perfect at the beginning, but they could train very early to have a more fluid gait,” said Bloch, who also expects to see similar results in women. “By controlling these implants, we can activate the spinal cord like the brain would do naturally to have the patient stand, walk, swim or ride a bike.” says Courtine. To perform any particular movement, all a person has to do is select the appropriate option from their tablet which then contacts a pacemakeresque device in their abdomen, which then sends signals to the implanted electrode. The electrode stimulates the coordination of the appropriate sets of muscles, helping the patient to push up into a standing position or swing their legs to walk. “By controlling these implants, we can activate the spinal cord like the brain would do naturally to have the patient stand, walk, swim or ride a bike.” Professor Jocelyne Bloch, Neurosurgeon

Following Microsoft’s recent studio acquisitions, Sony has made a purchase of its own Elie Gould

Technology Editor

ot even a week after Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard Sony brought us news of its decision to buy Bungie. Despite being a fraction of Microsoft’s transaction, Sony’s purchase of $3.6 billion, is still a blockbuster buy. With this, they will acquire the developers of Destiny and Halo into their developer fold. However, much like Microsoft’s initial comments Jim Ryan, SIE’s President and CEO, confirmed his wishes to keep the studio independent. “I want to be very clear to the community that Bungie will remain an independent and multi-platform studio and publisher” he said. Rather than copyright Bungie’s creative visions it seems as if Playstation wants something else. As Ryan and SIE look to the future they see a world in which exclusives come second to accessibility. This means that access to the gaming market regardless of platform or console will be what separates Playstation from the rest of the fold. Ryans noted in an open letter to the community that “Bungie’s world-class expertise in multi-platform development and live game services will help us deliver on our

Competitive Acquisitions: PlayStation hit back after Microsoft’s recent ‘gamebuying spree.’ Source: Sergey Galyonkin (via Wikimedia Commons). vision of expanding PlayStation to hundreds of millions of gamers”. This need to retain the talent held at Bungie was yet again emphasised a few days after the initial purchase. Sony announced their retention incentive put forward to Bungie employees. This incentive includes a $1.2 billion acquisition fund. Not only will this incentivise shareholders and foster talent initiatives within the company, but it also means developers can get up to $1.33 million each for staying with Sony. A pretty good

deal if you ask me. Now after all this money spent some people may think that it’s a bit much. Why would you want to pay so much money for a studio that has only really produced one successful game over the last ten years? With this, I put forward Sony’s intentions to expand into multimedia platforms. Bungie is not only known for its incredible storyboarding but also its soundtrack. This is what Sony wants. They have already begun their Netflix adaptation of The Last of Us, and now

they are looking for new games. Rumour has it Sony not only wants to adapt the Destiny franchise into TV/ movies but they also want their soundtrack. The experience held at Bungie is also invaluable. Over the years Sony has shown that despite making some incredible exclusives they are not great at audience retention. Learning how to do live-service games takes time, money, and mistakes. There are all things that Sony would rather do without. Jim Ryans stressed this in his statement when he noted how “I would back us to do [live-service games] ourselves, but when you have the potential to have a partner like Bungie who has been there…” it just seems like the better option. So despite first opinions, this transaction between Sony and Bungie may prove to rival Microsoft’s last financial endeavour, even while spending a fraction of the price. Making for an exciting next instalment of the content wars. Bungie’s world-class expertise in multi-platform development and live game services will help us deliver on our vision of expanding PlayStation.” Jim Ryan, President and CEO of SIE

DICE faces backlash over new plans for Battlefield 2042

The most recent title in the ‘Battlefield’ series has recieved a mixed response from players Alireza Yaraee Contributor

or members of the Battlefield community, the recent release of Battlefield 2042 proved to be a divisive event, with some praising the title’s new direction whilst others criticized DICE for releasing what many considered to be an ‘unfinished’ game. Prior to release, the studio released a number of promising reveal trailers that boasted a new level of “destruction” and unique specialist loadouts that would bring Battlefield into a new, futuristic era. Since the official launch of Battlefield 2042, however, many players have voiced concerns about a lack of significant updates or content to keep the community from ‘jumping ship’ to other similar FPS titles. According to a post published by EA, the next major update will be in March, with major features such as a “refreshed in-round Scoreboard” - a proposed update that has sparked anger from some who assert that this will have an insufficient impact on standard gameplay. Although EA have not responded to these criticisms directly, a recent tweet by Andy Mcnamara, Global Director of Integrated Communications, expressed that the expectations of fans were “brutal” and unrealistic for the studio to follow up on. Prior to release, the studio released a number of promising reveal trailers that boasted a new level of “destruction” and unique specialist loadouts.”

Battlefield 2042: DICE have faced backlash from members of the playerbase following what many saw as a disapointing release of the most recent title in the well-known ‘Battlefield’ series. Source: steamxo (via Flickr). The game does, in many areas, crucial to the company’s success”, lar optimisation issues on launch stick closely to the previously suc- suggesting that the company may and represented a disappointment cessful ‘Battlefield formula’ by im- be losing faith in the future viabil- for many who had been expecting mersing players in a gritty, realistic ity of the series. big things from the 2020 release. first-person shooter with a focus This, perhaps unsurprisingly, The next few months will remain on cooperation and large-scale en- represents a disappointing no- to be a critical time for EA as the gagements. tion for members of the Battlefield studio makes a decision for how it In spite of this, some members of community, especially those who intends to progress with the Battlethe community have criticized the have been involved since the early field series as a whole. new class-based system which they days of the series. For now, however, the current isfeel places “restrictions” and “limDuring the quarterly investors sues and backlash from the player its” on the freedom players have call at EA, Electronic Arts also ad- base is set to keep Battlefield 2042 in-game. mitted that Battlefield 2042 sales in an uncertain position for the In addition to this, Battlefield were “Disappointing”, and they also foreseeable future. 2042 is widely regarded for having conveyed that “Battlefield 2042 poor optimisation on both consoles did not meet expectations” for The next few months will and PCs with players voicing their the company both financially and remain to be a critical time struggles to run a constant 60fps in the eyes of the playbase themfor EA as the studio makes a even on high-end gaming rigs. selves. decision for how it intends to Tom Henderson, an insider In this way, the recent launch of progress with the Battlefield game journalist has reported that Battlefield 2042 has been compared series.” through a source, he was told that to that of CD Projekt RED’s ‘Cyber“EA doesn’t look at Battlefield as punk 2077’, a game that faced simi-

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CHWARAEON 23 Christian Eriksen makes his return to the premier league The footballer made a sensational return following a cardiac arrest during the Euros in 2020

Sam Joseph Sport Editor

ne of football’s most loved stars made his fairy-tale return to the sport during the January transfer window. After suffering a cardiac arrest whilst playing for Denmark at Euro 2020, Premier League club Brentford have announced the signing of Eriksen on a deal until the end of the season, after initial suggestion that he may never play football again. The 30-year-old collapsed during the first half of Denmark’s group stage match against Finland last summer, with Eriksen having to be resuscitated. After receiving a lengthy amount of medical attention, which included defibrillation, he was stretchered off the pitch and rushed to hospital as everyone in the stadium, as well as countless fans worldwide, watched on, anxiously waiting for an update. After an incredibly tense hour during which the match was controversially restarted, Eriksen was thankfully reported as stable, as supporters worldwide expressed their immense relief. Eriksen’s collapse was reminiscent of the events that saw Fabrice Muamba retire from the sport and left Abdelhak Nouri with permanent brain damage, ending his football career before it really even began. I had to take it step by step. First in the warm-up, then at the national anthems it all shook me a little bit on a personal level.” Simon Kjaer, Danish Football Captain

Despite Eriksen’s recovery, the incident had a traumatic effect on many, including Danish captain Simon Kjaer, who ordered his teammates to form a protective circle around Eriksen while he was receiving treatment on the pitch, before going over to check on and reassure Eriksen’s wife. “There was one day, maybe two, where I didn’t think about it but not now. It has become part of us,” said Kjaer, speaking to German newspaper Bild, “When we played Scotland in the World Cup qualifiers it was normal when we arrived at the Parkenstadion, but then the bad memories came flooding back. “I had to take it step by step. First in the warm-up, then at the national anthems it all shook me a little bit on a personal level.” In order to ensure his safety, Eriksen was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) device. However, the Dane was not permitted to return to action with his then-club Inter Milan, as the Italian Football Federation prohibits the use of ICDs. As a result, Eriksen agreed to a mutual termination of his contract with Inter in December last year. Speculation surrounding the midfielder’s future in the game persisted, but we were eventually provided with an answer when he signed for Brentford on January’s transfer Deadline Day, marking a spectacular return to the Premier League after spending six and a half seasons with Tottenham Hotspur. Brentford manager, Thomas Frank, was particularly excited about his compatriot’s arrival. “We have taken an unbelievable opportunity to bring a World Class player to Brentford,” said Frank, “he hasn’t trained with a team for seven months but has done a lot

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Anurag Hegde

Adam Brown 2022 Olympic Games: The IOC has ruled that the 15-year-old will be able to compete. Source: Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons) of work on his own. He is fit but we will need to get him match fit and I am looking forward to seeing him work with the players and staff to get back towards his highest level.” Eriksen himself also assured fans that he could return to the level that saw him regarded as one of the most talented midfielders in the world. “If you don’t touch the ball for five months, you are a bit rusty and you have to get the rhythm back. In football terms, you never lose that.” Eriksen took part in his first match since his cardiac arrest on Valentine’s Day, playing 60 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly for Brentford against

Southend, his first taste of elevena-side action in seven months, while simultaneously celebrating his 30th birthday. While the footballing world is still awaiting his return to competitive football, which could potentially come this month, Christian Eriksen’s story is an inspiring one and another stark reminder that footballers are human too.

Joe Edgar-Smith

I am looking forward to seeing him work with the players and staff to get back towards his highest level.” Thomas Frank, Brentford Manager

Tom Hawkins

England’s white-ball stars earn big at IPL Auction 2022 The recent auction saw a fierce bidding war over a number of key players and rising stars

Anurag Hegde Head of sport

total of 11 English players found takers at the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega-auction that took place across two days, February 12 and 13, in Bengaluru. The most notable signing was of Lancashire and England star Liam Livingstone, who after securing a £1.1 million contract, became the fourth-highest paid English player at the IPL. After a fierce bidding war, Livingstone was bought by the Punjab Kings, one of the 10 franchises that will lock horns in the upcoming edition of the IPL. The most notable signing was of Lancashire and England star Liam Livingstone, who after securing a £1.1 million contract, became the fourth-highest paid English player at the IPL.”

IPL Auction: There auction broek out into a fierce bidding war over some key cricket players. Source: Daniel_B_photos (via Pixabay) A breakthrough season in 2021 The Mumbai Indians also bought meant that Livingstone’s IPL fees left-arm pacer Tymal Mills for his grew more than ten-folds from just base price of £147,000. £74,000 last year to over £1.1 million Mills will return to the IPL after a this time around. 5-year absence and for a much smallJofra Archer was bought by the er fee compared to the £1.4 million he Mumbai Indians for roughly £783,000 earned during his previous stint. despite not being available for the upOther England players that found coming season. The Mumbai-based success at the auction were Mark franchise stated that they see Archer, Wood (£734,000 to Lucknow Super who is currently injured, as a long- Giants), Jonny Bairstow (£660,000 term investment. to Punjab Kings) and Jason Roy

(£197,000 to Gujurat Titans). Alex Hales, who fell out of favour with England’s national setup due to “trust issues”, also found a bidder as he was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for £147,000. The other English player who isn’t currently a part of the national team that also found a buyer was Benny Howell, who was bought by the Punjab Kings for £39,000. Sam Billings, David Willey and Chris Jordans were the other English players who found buyers at the auction. India’s Ishan Kishan, Deepak Chahar and Shreyas Iyer were the three costliest purchases at the auction earning £1.4 million, 1.35 million and £1.1 million respectively. England’s white-ball captain Eoin Morgan and reputed batter Dawid Malan were two high-profile English players who failed to find any takers. Earlier, several English players, including Test captain Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Sam Curran among others, had opted not to enter the auction.

Sam Joseph

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sport@gairrhydd.com

CHWARAEON 32 Beijing Winter Olympics: Teen skater competes after failing drugs test 15-year-old Kamila Valieva has recently been cleared to compete in figure skating in the Beijing Olympics

Annabelle Martin

Athletes have the right to know they are competing on a level playing field [...] Unfortunately, today that right is being denied.”

Contributor

n Wednesday 9th February 2022, two days after the Russian Olympic committee’s figure skating team won gold in the team event competition, Valieva’s performance was brought under the microscope. A sample from the 15-year-old was taken on Christmas Day, but on the 8th February, it returned positive for the banned substance trimetazidine, a metabolic agent and a heart medication that helps prevent angina attacks. Within sports, it is a banned substance as it could potentially help an athlete perform at a higher heart rate for a longer period of time. Russian journalist Vasily Konov, the deputy general producer at Russian sports channel Match-TV asserted that “the drug trimetazidine does not help an athlete in any way’” However, it has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances since 2014. The decision made on Tuesday 15th February was limited to determining whether Valieva should the drug trimetazidine does not help an athlete in any way.” Vasily Konov, Russian Journalist

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee

2022 Olympic Games: The IOC has ruled that the 15-year-old will be able to compete in the figure skating event as part of the Winter Olympics. Source: Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons) be provisionally suspended, not whether she violated anti-doping rules, which will be considered in a further investigation. The medal ceremony for the event, which was set to be held on Tuesday 15th February has been delayed due to what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has described as “legal issues.” However, Valieva, who became the first woman in Olympic history to land a quad jump during the event, helped to win Russia the Gold Medal on Monday, which

sparked enough attention to bring the failed test to light. The International Olympic Committee said it will not hold a medal ceremony for the team skating event or for the singles competition if Valieva is in the top three until the matter is resolved. The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee said it is “disappointed” by the message the ruling sends. “Athletes have the right to know they are competing on a level playing field” said chief executive

Sarah Hirshland. “Unfortunately, today that right is being denied,” she asserted. WADA blamed the Russian agency for the six-week delay in release of the test results, saying it failed to tell the processing laboratory in Sweden that it needed to be fast-tracked. IOC official Denis Oswald said earlier in the day that the Russian had argued her positive drugs test was because of contamination by her Grandad’s medicine. However, the chair of the US

Olympic and Paralympic Committee board of directors, Susanne Lyons, has warned the IOC that the future of the Games depends on them upholding the integrity of sport. “Clearly what’s on my mind today is it is so important to the athletes of the world that the values of this movement be upheld, and one of the most important values is integrity of sport,” she said. Russia was banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang after an investigation ruled there had been state-sponsored doping on a huge scale when it hosted the 2014 games in Sochi. It was, however, allowed by the IOC to send a 168-strong team under the name Russian Olympic Committee - a move which proved controversial to many. it is so important to the athletes of the world that the values of this movement be upheld.” Susanne Lyons, Chair of the US OPC Board

England announces new 15-member squad for Women’s Cricket World Cup The new England Women’s squad is set to compete at the upcoming tournament in New Zealand this March

Anurag Hegde

The well-being of our players and staff is our number one priority and we support Sarah in this decision.”

Head of sport

he England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming edition of the Women’s Cricket World Cup. The competition, which begins on March 4, will take place in New Zealand. England, having won the previous edition of the World Cup on home soil back in 2017, enter the upcoming competition as defending champions and Heather Knight, who led the team to victory, remains as the captain of the team. Emma Lamb, despite having just one International game under her belt having made her debut in the recently concluded Ashes series against Australia, has been included in the squad. Charlie Dean, another relatively inexperienced player who made her debut just last year, has also made the cut. Emma Lamb, a consistent performer across domestic cricket, comes into the squad after making her international debut last summer.” Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women’s Cricket

The England Cricket Board

2022 Olympic Games: The IOC has ruled that the 15-year-old will be able to compete. Source: Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons) “Emma Lamb, a consistent per- Ashes series. former across domestic cricket, While Bouchier has effectively comes into the squad after making been dropped, Glenn opted out of her international debut last sum- the tournament owing to bubble mer and offers multiple options fatigue. with the bat and as an all-rounder A statement from the ECB read; with her off-spin bowling,” said “All players and staff were asked to Jonathan Finch, Director of Eng- opt in to the tournament having land Women’s Cricket. fully considered the quarantine peNotable omissions include Sa- riod and living protocols in place rah Glenn and Maia Bouchier who after quarantine. The well-being of were both a part of the England our players and staff is our number squad that lost 12-4 against Aus- one priority and we support Sarah tralia in the recently concluded in this decision.”

England have also named two traveling reserves - the young fast bowler Lauren Bell and spin bowling-allrounder Mady Villiers. The relatively stable batting department will be led by experienced players like Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Winfield-Hill and skipper Heather Knight while Kate Cross, Katherine Brunt, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole and Freya Davies make up the pace-bowling quartet. Emma Ecclestone will reprise her role as the team’s lead spinner while being backed up by Charlie Davies. The ICC Women’s World Cup is a special event in the international women’s cricket calendar and we are excited by the squad we have selected. “The chance to refocus our intentions immediately after the disappointment of the Ashes is exciting and provides an opportunity to embrace the challenge of a global event.” “The England Women’s A series that ran alongside the Ashes ena-

bled a wider group of players to compete for a place in the squad which has made for some tough calls on selection. “Success at World Cups is often the pinnacle of a player’s career and we wish all those selected all the best in their quest to win on the world stage,” concluded Finch. With the tournament set to begin later on in March, the new team will be hoping to secure their place in cricket history alongside some of the former greats of Women’s cricket, including Australia’s Meg Lanning and Barbados’ Deandra Dottin - two female cricketers who have been widely recognised for their consistent batting style. England will begin their World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Australia on March 5. This upcoming match is expected to give the England team a chance to bond as they face against some of Australia’s most successful female cricketers. “Success at World Cups is often the pinnacle of a player’s career and we wish all those selected all the best in their quest to win on the world stage.” Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women’s Cricket