gair rhydd - Issue 998

2 / Editor’s Note

gr News 4–8 Opinion 9–12 Politics 14–16

Pope Benedict XVI announced this week that he was resigning his post, becoming the first Pope in 600 years to do so. The Pontiff said that his age left him with too little strength to continue doing the job.

Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, Benedict's papacy began in 2005.

Science 18–19 Societies 22–23 Taf-Od 26–27 Puzzles 28 Listings 29 Sport 32–36

EDITOR Chris Williams $0 03%*/"503 Elaine Morgan CREATIVE DIRECTOR Luke Slade 46# &%*503 5PN 1BSSZ +POFT NEWS Kendal Archer Tom Eden Anna Hickman #FUIBO +POFT OPINION Alice Briggs Nick Evans Alex Greig COLUMNIST Katie Bennett POLITICS Thom Hollick Rachel Lewis SCIENCE Rhiannon Davies Alexey Underwood SOCIETIES Vanessa Platt LISTINGS Beth Gregory 5"' 0% Tomos Lewis SPORT Ross Martinovic +BNFT 4IBQMBOE GAIR RHYDD AND QUENCH MAGAZINE ARE PUBLISHED BY UNIVERSITY UNION $"3%*'' 1"3, 1-"$& $"3%*'' $' 2/ t REGISTERED AS A NEWSPAPER AT THE POST 0''*$& t ("*3 3):%% 3&4&37&4 5)& 3*()5 50 &%*5 "-- $0/53*#65*0/4 t 5)& 7*&84 EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE 0' 5)& 16#-*4)&34 t ("*3 3):%% *4 83*5 TEN, DESIGNED, TYPESET AND OUTPUT BY STUDENTS OF CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

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A note from the editor...

uch like New Years Eve, Lent is one of those awful times where those with no self control in their life decide to HJWF TPNFUIJOH VQ JO B WBJO BU UFNQU BU AMPTJOH UIPTF GFX FYUSB QPVOET AKVTU HFUUJOH IFBMUIJFS and more generally reminding us all that we are not as restrained as UIFZ BSF o TJODF UIFZ SF HPJOH UP take on the challenge of not doing something for forty days.

The question gets tiresome and CPSJOH o * WF IBE UXP EBZT PG QFP QMF EJTDVTTJOH XIBU UIFZ SF HJW

gair rhydd would like to thank the following for their articles and help in making this issue: Contributors Chris Browning, Greg Langdon Matt Harding, Jade Atwood Michael O'Connell Davidson Edward Searle, Megan Heffey Jamie Paddock, Charlie Mock Shruti Kedia, Lauren Boyd Chris McSweeney, Alice Tobin David Mason, Peter Marshall Max Eshraghi, David Hodson Sarah Hay, Lucy Parkinson Angharad Hywel, Josie Copson Arthur Russell, Emma Fox Proof Readers Helen Louise Cox Anne Porter Emilia Ignaciuk Jacob Dirnhuber Michael O'Connell-Davidson

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Equally, you must not have any self restraint or even understand UIBU ZPV IBWF UIFTF GMBXT JG ZPV SF refusing to sort them out at the QSFTDSJCFE UJNF JO UIF $ISJTUJBO calendar�.

Thanks.

My vitriolic view of Lent will mean that the next sentence is no

TVSQSJTF * N OPU HJWJOH VQ BOZ thing for the next 40 or so days o * N IBQQZ MFBWJOH NZ GMBXT UP fester for the next 40 days and 40 OJHIUT TP MFU T KVTU CF EPOF XJUI UIF XIPMF JTTVF BMSJHIU Worse still this week has the madness of Valentines Day. A day JO XIJDI DPVQMFT XIP EPOhU QBS ticularly like each other buy over QSJDFE QSFTFOUT GPS POF BOPUIFS JO B QPPS BUUFNQU BU LFFQJOH UIFJS TPSSZ SFMBUJPOTIJQ UPHFUIFS *U TIPDLT QFPQMF XIFO * UBML like this about Valentines Day – BOE UIF GBDU UIBU *hN JO B SFMBUJPO TIJQ NBLFT JU BMM FWFO XPSTF 'PS TPNF SFBTPO JUhT CFMJFWFE UIBU CF

DBVTF *hN OPU EPJOH BOZUIJOH GPS Valentines Day, I must be the one JO B MPWFMFTT SFMBUJPOTIJQ BOE BT B CMPLF * NVTU CF B IPSSJCMF QFSTPO :PVS QPPS HJSMGSJFOE *hWF IFBSE too many times this week.

8FMM IPXhT UIJT GPS B SFTQPOTF *hN OJDF UP NZ HJSMGSJFOE XIFO JU JTOhU FOGPSDFE CZ DBSE DPNQBOJFT * LOPX JUhT DSB[Z SJEJDVMPVT JO GBDU CVU *hWF GPVOE B XBZ PG BWPJE JOH b CPVRVFUT PG SPTFT BOE UFS SJCMF SPNBOUJD TFOUJNFOUT CZ KVTU being nice on a regular basis. /P JUhT OPU OPSNBM CVU JUhT KVTU how I like to do things.

Anyway, excuse my ranting, UIFSFhT B QBQFS UP CF SFBE

Want to help make the paper?

Date of next meetings: .POEBZ 'FCSVBSZ UI gair rhydd PGGJDF QN (4th floor of the SU) .POEBZ 'FCSVBSZ UI "OFVSZO #FWBO SPPN QN (4th floor of the SU)

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3

Monday February 18th 2012 | @mediacsu

News in brief

Words by .JDIBFM 0h$POOFMM %BWJETPO BOE +BDPC Dirnhuber

Germany: Horsemeat has been discovered in GSP[FO MBTBHOB DVSSFOUMZ PO TBMF JO Germany. This has been linked by BVUIPSJUJFT UP UIF EJTBQQFBSBODF of 100,000 horses in Sweden since 2000, following suggestions that meat from these horses has been TPME JO UIF &VSPQFBO 6OJPO

Australia:

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Russia: 5IF 3VTTJBO PQQPTJUJPO MFBEFS 4FS HFJ 6EBMUTPW IBT CFFO QVU VOEFS house arrest by a Moscow court GPS BMMFHFEMZ QMPUUJOH NBTT EJTPS EFS EVSJOH QSPUFTUT BHBJOTU 7MBEJ NJS 1VUJOhT UIJSE JOBVHVSBUJPO 5IF Federal Investigative Committee, which answers only to Mr Putin, QBTTFE UIF TFOUFODF MBTU XFFL

France:

Police in Marseille have narrowed down the search for a serial SBQJTU UP UXP TVTQFDUT "MUIPVHI UIFZ EP IBWF B TVCTUBOUJBM BNPVOU UIF SBQJTUhT %/" UIF JTTVF JT DPNQMJDBUFE CZ UIF GBDU UIBU UIF TVTQFDUT BSF JEFOUJDBM UXJOT #PUI NFO BSF EFOZJOH UIF DIBSHF

Koreas: *O SFTQPOTF UP UIF SFDFOU OVDMFBS test initiated by North Korea, South Korea have unveiled a TVQFSJPS DSVJTF NJTTJMF TZTUFN 5IPVHI SFGVTJOH UP DMBSJGZ UIF FY act range of the missile system, SouthKoreanofficialshavestated that they would be able to strike anywhere in the North.

In this week’s issue...

Opinion ask whether Amazon is killing for the high street

Cancer Research UK grant bolsters Cardiff Research

p11

p19

News investigates the fallout following the Union's Annual General Meeting

Politics look into the effects of the conflict in Kashmir

p8

p14

Eos a'r BBC o'r diwedd yn DOB i gytundeb dros dro p34

4 / News / Front Page

Is Cathays safe for students?

Chris Browning News Writer South Wales Police has assured students that Cardiff is safe, after a number of high-profile crimes in the city.

Last week Jason Richards and Ben Hope were sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of aspiring Cardiff University student Aamir Siddiqi, and the attempted murder of his parents at their home in Roath. In January, William Jones received a 22 year sentence for the murder of pensioner Peter Lewis, which also took place in Roath.

In an interview with Xpress Radio’s The Cardiff Gazette, South Wales Police’s Student Liaison Officer PC Tim Davies described Cardiff as a ‘fairly safe’ place to live. “I enjoy being a police officer here,” he told the programme’s Lucy Barclay.

“There are probably other

parts of the country I wouldn’t want to police so much.

“An awful lot of students after they’ve finished studying end up living or wanting to work here, which I think is a good benchmark for what they think of Cardiff,” he added.

Many of the results that were discovered from the survey were encouraging An investigation by The Cardiff Gazette found that 130 crimes were committed in the city’s student areas of Cathays and Roath in December 2012.

Anti-social behaviour was the most common, with 29 cases recorded, followed by burglary, criminal damage and arson.

10 crimes were committed

close to the Students’ Union on Park Place, including one instance of public disorder and weapons, along with four drugrelated offences.

There were other hotspots on streets leading off Cathays Terrace, including Catherine Street, which saw anti-social and drugrelated crime. Salisbury Road, home to popular post-night out takeaways, witnessed violent crime and one case of burglary that landed the offender in prison. PC Davies said that officers were working to prevent crime in the student areas of the city.

“Before students even arrive back in the city we have plainclothes officers out in those areas and throughout the year,” he said.

“When the students come back, we have a lot of officers wearing high-vis jackets trying to prevent crime.

“We know who our prolific of-

Hazardous housing in Cathays causes concern Greg Langdon News Writer Last week, a report discovered that “hundreds of homes across Cardiff” were deemed hazardous by safety inspectors, with Cathays being the area of greatest concern.

With many of the University’s students currently living in or around Cathays, this is clearly an important issue around campus.

The report stated that the main hazards included fire safety, damp and mould, electrical faults, carbon monoxide, and burglary concerns. Yet, of the students who spoke to the gair rhydd, none knew of fire safety or gas issues with their houses.

One house that certainly has experienced other ‘hazards’ though, is that of third year Zoology student, Marcos Garcia. Last year, his house of four battled mould, electric problems, a mice infestation, and even an attempted burglary. Despite this, he and his flatmates remained there this year, and he generally spoke positively both about the house and living in Cathays. The problems that could not be solved within the house were solved reasonably quickly by the letting agents, and when asked if he felt safe in Cathays, he simply responded

“Yes,” and noted the Police's good handling of the incident.

Similarly, in another house, third years Josh Reid, Sarah Rowlands and Mike Knight all had few worries with both their house and area, despite “mould”, “power cuts”, and “a house across the street being burgled.”

It is common knowledge that student accomodation is no paradise This may seem strange, but one must take students’ expectations into account. The safety inspectors who engineered the report clearly have a very different view of acceptable living conditions to those of many students.

While the reported hazards are all valid and should be dealt with, it is common knowledge that student accommodation is no paradise, and that its tenants are often more interested in the price than health and safety. One must also remember that Cardiff housing prices are extremely cheap compared to many major UK cities.

Bristol for example, is less than 50 miles away, yet the average house price is 19% higher than in

Cardiff.

That being said, both the mentioned houses were happy with their landlords and agencies, a luxury not experienced by all those who spoke to the gair rhydd. It appears that the University itself is trying to aid this problem, as the Union’s Community and Welfare Officer, Megan David, was quoted in the WalesOnline report saying that she “constantly” hears concerns from students about landlords and housing standards. She added that the Union is trying “to focus and target the landlords who are not ensuring their houses are of a decent standard, and lobby them to do more.”

Second year Economics student Chris Beynon summed up the pros and cons well when asked about living in Cathays.

He said, “you’re as safe as you would be in any big city. Student houses here aren’t brilliant but they’re acceptable. It’s what you expect from a student house. Landlords only do enough to rent their properties but there is enough choice that the really bad ones don’t get rented.”

fenders are and we actively target them. We don’t just wait for things to happen.”

Police data shows that 18 burglaries were carried out in Cathays and Roath during December last year. PC Davies said student houses were more at risk of theft than other properties in the city. “If you target a student house there are five or six laptops or iPads. That’s why these houses get targeted,” he said. “This year we’ve targeted five areas of Cathays and we’re doing a lot of work with the council, visiting those houses and making sure security is as it should be.

“So if a student goes out and doesn’t lock the door, we want to make sure that when that door shuts it locks anyway.

“We’re taking away the factor that people can just walk in off the

9

street, which used to be [the cause of] the majority of our burglaries.

He called on students to help prevent crime by contacting police.

“If any students have got concerns about the security in their properties they can get hold of me, and we’ll visit the property, see if it’s up to standard and if it’s not the council will take enforcement action against the landlord.” PC Davies can be contacted via email at tim.davies@ south-wales.pnn.police.uk, or by phone on 07976277161.

Listen to The Cardiff Gazette Mondays from 1pm on Xpress Radio. You can hear the full interview with PC Davies at facebook.com/cardiffgazette.

burglaries in 7 days

130

crimes committed in Roath and Cathays during December 2012

News 4–8

Monday February 18th 2013 | @gairrhyddnews

5

Nine burglaries in seven days Kendal Archer News Editor Over the course of a week, there have been nine recorded burglaries in the student housing area of Cathays.

According to Student Liason Officer, PC Tim Davis, nine break-ins occurred between 3rd February 2010 and 9th February 2013. The burglaries took place on Cogan Terrace, Hirwain Street, Llanbleddian Gardens, Letty Street, Monthermer Road and Sengehennydd Court. Stolen items include laptops, cameras and games consoles.

The police are currently investigating the burglaries. PC Tim Davis has said, “we are reminding students who live in and around these areas to report any suspicious activity they see no matter how insignificant they think it

29 10

might be. We would rather receive a call from students reporting someone acting suspiciously and find it was made with good intentions than not have something reported and then have to investigate the burglary which can be very upsetting for the victims involved.”

It appears that, for the most part, entry has been gained to the properties by forcing doors and windows.

Third year James Rollinson, who had his house broken into last year, told the gair rhydd about the intrusion into his house. The property was located on the corner of Rhymney and Fitzroy Street. The police think the house must have been watched, as the burglary occurred in a short half hour period between 11.30pm and midnight, t h e

counts of anti-social behaviour in December 2012

crimes committed on Park Place

only time when the house was not occupied. The burlgars gained access through a window on the second floor, which had been left slightly ajar. They then made their way to Rollinson’s ground floor room, which cannot be locked as it contains gas and electricity metres. They stole a recently purchased iPad, a laptop, headphones and iPod that had consciously been kept out of sight, indicating that the burglars must have thoroughly searched the room. They then took a PlayStation from the living room.

“It makes you wonder whether it will be your house next” The intrusive nature of these crimes is particularly shocking.

However, Rollinson received a

phone call from Cathays police last week, telling him that someone had been convicted for the crime.

Second year Helen Cox, told us “a few houses on our street were burgled in Fresher’s Week.

It makes you wonder whether it will be your house next. It is a worry.”

Recently, there have also been incidents of car break ins. On Tuesday 5th February, the same week during which the burglaries took place, third year Law student Charlotte Pettman, had the back window of her car smashed.

She said, “nothing was taken, so it seems really pointless. I don’t understand the recent increase in crime. There seems to be no motive and it is going to cost me a lot to get the window replaced.”

Whilst nothing was taken, the incident is still an example the sudden outbreak of crime in Ca-

thays.

Following the current burglaries, Tim Davis assured students that “police have increased patrols in these areas but are urging anyone with information on the burglaries to come forward and report it on the 101 telephone number.”

He said, “students need to ensure all doors and windows are locked properly, keep valuable items such as laptops out of sight and if the house is unoccupied close curtains and blinds and leave lights on so it appears someone is at home.

South Wales Police will come and security mark all valuable items for free and if any student has concerns about the security on their house or wants items marked then they should contact PC Tim Davies who is the Student Liaison Officer for the city.

6 / News

The £100 million question Bethan Jones News Editor Students at Cardiff University have been given the chance to say where they would like to spend £100 million across the campus.

The participating students took part in a survey conducted

by Red Brick Research. Whilst the survey discovered overall student satisfaction at Cardiff, students were asked specifically what they would do to improve the University with £100 million.

Many of the results discovered from the survey were encouraging. For instance, a total of 73 per cent of students said they were satisfied with the facilities at Cardiff University. Only 16 per cent disagreed. Across individual schools, however, there was a marked exception: only 44 per cent of students in the Architecture School were satisfied with the facilities at Cardiff University.

This is reflected in the comments made by Architecture students.

One student said “my main complaint is a severe lack of modern facilities in my school, as well as a general lack of funding.” Another student’s complaint was as simple as “not enough desk space for the type of activities required for the course.”

Many of the results that were discovered from the survey were encouraging Also, whilst overall satisfaction with academic facilities on campus was encouraging, there were concerning results for specific facilities. For instance, only 35 per cent of students were happy with prayer and worship facilities across the campus. The results for satisfaction with sports facilities were also much lower than average. Only 51 per cent of students were happy with the sports facilities at the University, and only 52 per cent with their societies performance and practice space.

The most interesting results

came from the proposed question of how and where students would spend £100 million across the University. Across the whole survey, 63 per cent of students said they would like to see new sports facilities. For instance, one student said “the Talybont astroturf has excessively deteriorated and is no longer up to standard.

It is perhaps the worst pitch I have ever played on in all BUCS competitions.” In total, students agreed that 17 per cent of the money should be spent towards improving sports facilities and 9 per cent towards improving societies performance and practice space. The Students’ Union President, Harry Newman, has said, “We’ve long known that Cardiff’s sports facilities badly let our University down but what the survey showed the University’s senior staff was that students really care about them and would attribute 17 per cent of capital investment to sport.”

Interestingly, aesthetic changes to the University was an area of concern for 42 per cent of students, who would like to see changes made to Halls of Residences and University Accommodation. As a result, students agreed 16 per cent of the £100 million should be spent on improving this area of the University. However the highest percentage of money, 35 per cent, would go towards improving academic facilities.

In terms of specific improvements around the University, it appears that lecture theatres are high concerns for students, totalling 42 per cent of the result.

One student from JOMEC said, “Many of the lecture theatres do not have tables and therefore students have to write on their laps.

This is uncomfortable.” There was also a wide population of students who expressed dissatisfaction with not having lectures in their specific school building, but being spread out across the campus, as a result of not enough lecture theatres. Students from the ENCAP school expressed dissatisfaction with the Humanities building, with one student calling it “grim inside.”

Another student expressed

concern over the crossroads at Park Place, noting how busy the area can get at certain times of the day. Other areas commonly ranked as needing improvements were provisions of books and journals, 43 per cent, and computer rooms, 40 per cent. A Dentistry student responded, “During exam time, the quiet study area can be busy. I think more places like Cochrane building on the Heath Park campus and Julian Hodge should exist. One more building like this would make a huge difference during exam time.” Unsurprisingly, students from the BIOSCI school ranked ‘labs’ as a priority, with 89 per cent of students from the school wanting to see changes implemented to their working lab areas.

One of the questions posed to students involved the relationship between University buildings and the Students’ Union. 58 per cent of students who took part in the questionnaire stated that they did not care whether University and Union building were separate or not as long as there is easy access to all buildings, however 22 per cent stressed that they would like to see separation in some instances. The Students’ Union President, Harry Newman spoke on the matter: “We need to protect our independence in a few areas and separate buildings may go some way to achieving that. It is crucial that we are forever

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able to represent students and it is crucial that students remain able to run their own sports clubs and societies. For the most part, as long as the service a student receives is first class, it doesn't matter who or in which building it is delivered.”

The most interesting results came from the proposed question of how and where students would spend £100 million Many students expressed the need to improve the aesthetics of the Students’ Union. One student said, “The Law school and Students’ Union are two of the major buildings you see when arriving on Open Days, so making them look more appealing on the outside would be a huge boost.” Harry Newman agreed, saying “A new exterior to our building would boost satisfaction amongst current students, a metric which really matters to Universities now.” This is reflected in the percentage of money stu-

dents agreed they would spend on ‘social and common room style areas’ and ‘student support and careers buildings’, which totalled to 21 per cent.

Students were also asked to reflect on their time deciding which university to go to, and what affected their decisions.

Unsurprisingly, academic facilities were ranked most commonly, with 96 per cent of students vote, followed by accommodation, 69 per cent, and social and common room areas, 40 per cent. For part time students, interestingly student support services were highly ranked, totalling 73 per cent of students vote, as opposed to fulltime students 33 per cent.

Whilst the ideas surrounding the £100 million is mostly hypothetical, the survey will give the University the opportunity to hear from students directly about what improvements they want to see. The Students’ Union President, Harry Newman has concluded, “One of the most important things which we can do in light of the recent changes in the University is to demonstrate students’ priorities for the spend.

This is where this research project comes in and this is why I am so grateful to those who filled in the recent survey.”

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7

News 4–8

Monday February 18th 2013 | @gairrhyddnews

Campaigns during reading week Matt Harding News Writer Cardiff University has made the controversial decision to hold the election week for full time sabbatical officers during reading week, likely ensuring a low voter turnout. With the ballot open from Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th March, the event which determines who will be running the Students Union for the following year will coincide with a period where many students have returned home.

With the campaigners being unable to announce themselves in many of the lectures in election week and with considerably less foot flow on Cathays Crossroads (a campaigning hotspot in the past few years), there will undoubtedly be effects felt in the voter numbers. When asking one Psychology student what she thought of the proposed scheduling, her response confirmed many of the fears already suggested by stating that “if most of the campaigning is being done in reading week, hardly anyone is going to vote, I don’t have a reading week so I will be here, but I know my flat mate has one and intends to go home for it, so is going to miss most of the election build up.”

President of the Students’ Union, Harry Newman, said that “The officer team made the decision to have elections as early and as short as possible this year (within our constitution's rules).

This is to reduce the need for candidates to miss lectures and campaign near large course work and dissertation deadlines. Reading week therefore further works in some candidates’ favour.

It may also inspire more candidates to run. The only variable which any research has proven correlates to voter turnout is the number of candidates running.”

It may also inspire more candidates to run With last year’s voting turnout of approximately just under 5000 students of a possible 28,000 there is a strong possibility that this year’s scheduling will result in many of the officers being undemocratically elected due to the small number of voters available in this period. This low number at the last election equates to around 18% of the University’s students taking to the ballot box. When compared with the percentage of voters in the 18-24 years old category at the last General Election with a 44% turnout, we see a slump in the interest in student democracy. This slump shows the University is already in need of reaffirming its democratic commitments without the damaging scheduling of Election Week this year.

Election Week decides who will fill each Sabbatical Officer role in the Student Union for the following year. These positions are paid and ultimately, including additional costs, require the University to spend £20,000 on each officer per year. With eight positions available, the Sabbatical roles account for £160,000 of the University’s annual budget.

It is for this reason these roles

are acquired democratically, as it the filling of each position will affect each student in some way, and is likely to impact on student lives. With this potential drop in the number of students available to vote during this week the students elected in could potentially not be representative of the student body.

The President of the Students Union has also responded to the decision, saying: “It will be great. It may change the tactics of the elections but that's a good thing. Standing on

the cross roads shouting at people is a rubbish plan; it doesn't win votes. All it does is annoy people. If there are fewer people crossing the crossroads it will force candidates to be more creative in their campaigning and that can only be positive! Online videos will be huge this year and if students have left Cardiff, the best candidates will react accordingly with an exceptional online presence.”

The scheduling of election week for the Sabbatical Officers of 2013/14 will continue to cause

controversy until the results. The reduction in footfall in ‘hotspot’ areas and the inability to hear policies from campaigners in lectures will surely drive down the number of voters from an already low per cent of the student body.

However with the date now being confirmed across the University, including on the Student Union website, Election Week and Reading Week crossing appears to be an obstacle those campaigning will have to deal with in order to secure their potential positions.

Fourth floor redevelopment Jade Atwood News Writer After the revelation that the University is investing over £100 million in improving the Campus, the popular bid to re-develop the fourth floor has been accepted.

Mediated by the University Executive Board, ideas proposed by students in surveys circulated throughout December, and were shortlisted and developed by the Universities’ Elected Officers. The funding is to be spent in many different sectors of the University. A lot of students' focus, however, seemed to be on the Union, as it is arguably the most collectively used place by all students of the University.

Harry Newman, President of the Students√ Union, along with Kieran Ghandi, Union Development Officer, and Ben Eagle, Facilities

Manager, recognised the consistent call for the re-development of the fourth floor from numerous groups of students across the University. Consultations with permanent Elected Officers took place, ensuring the bid was agreed with by all.

The funding is to be spent in many different sectors of the University Harry Newman picked up on the Universities’ societies for such facilities: “Societies are crying out for more meeting rooms in the Union and this development will deliver for them.” At

present, rooms can be difficult to book and do not necessarily facilitate the need of the society.

With such a variety of groups, from dance societies to debating societies, updated rooms seemed to be a high priority. These improvements will ensure that all societies will have free use of a variety of rooms throughout term time.

The changes are also set to benefit Cardiff’s student media.

Plans have been made to provide two new purpose built studios for the Universities’ radio station Xpress. Furthermore, calls from the media department for a new office have been acknowledged with the addition of a modernised central media hub, which will house all of its sections. The Universities already thriving media sector will no doubt benefit from these new developments,

allowing access to more up-todate technology and a streamlined set up.

The changes are also set to benefit Cardiff’s Student Media Finally, the re-development will most importantly seek to provide a source of income for the Union during periods where it is not used. In the eight months of term time, the Union is used consistently by students. However during four months of the year the huge building is arguably left empty. The bid proposed to utilize this space throughout the four months in which it is left unused. The new rooms on the

fourth floor will be available for private hire, at a cost to companies in Cardiff. What’s more it has been suggested that it will also become host to corporate conferences during the summer, which Harry claims will be “low cost, high income”. This revelation will aid funding of the Union and possibly contribute towards further developments.

The re-development of the fourth floor is due to take place over the coming months. Plans have estimated the work to be done by Easter at the earliest, but with the full transformation to take place for the new academic year. This means that by next academic term, the Union will look decidedly different and will allow greater student participation in student media and societies throughout the University.

8 / News

NUS referendum to go ahead Chris Williams Editor A referendum on NUS membership will happen, after a unanimous vote at the Ministry of Change.

Cardiff University could be set to end its affiliation with the NUS after a motion was unanimously passed at Ministry of Change last week.

The motion called for students to have the opportunity to vote on whether we should continue to spend so much on being part of the NUS and suggested that the money that we save could give each sports club around £1,000 extra every year.

Costing £50,000, NUS membership is something which the Full-time Elected Officer Team have already debated – questioning the NUS Wales and NUS UK President on the merits of membership earlier this year.

One of the key arguments for remaining in the NUS has been

that NUSSL (the consortium from which all alcohol and food products sold within the Union is bought) offers the Union a good price for their products. Yet there are other options for the Union to consider, should the referendum pass.

The NUS also exist as a campaigning body on behalf of students to the government, and was particularly vocal in the fight against tuition fee increases. Yet more recently, the NUS has come under fire for not preventing the increase in tuition fees and a supposed inability to challenge government. A total of 95% of Students’ Unions across the UK are members of NUS. Steph Lloyd, current President of NUS Wales said, “I’m excited for the chance to talk to students directly about NUS and how we can continue to work together.

“We want to see Cardiff Students’ Union continue to play a leading role in the campaign for better students’ rights.”

For the NUS, the signs of dissatisfaction among students continue as an inanimate carbon rod is running for the next NUS President and has garnered over 1700 likes on Facebook. The manifesto for Sam Gaus – the Nominated Rod bearer – claims, “[the Inanimate Carbon Rod] has already done more than the National President in the last three years to tackle the agenda of the government.”

Whilst apparent dissatisfaction has taken over part of the student movement, Education Officer, Beth Button, is running for Vice President of NUS Wales. This odd turn of events could cause Button to be VP elect of NUS Wales, whilst her own institution leaves the NUS. On the issue she said, “I do believe it is in the best interest of students to be part of it, but it is always beneficial for students’ unions to consult students on big decisions like this, which is why a referendum will offer students

the platform to have their say.

“I hope students are able to see the benefits that the NUS brings for their representation, but a referendum will open this dialogue for them to make up their own minds.”

SU President, Harry Newman, discussed NUS, "I've gone from outrage at the £55,000 ish which we pay to be members; to believing that we are getting genuine value for money. Sometimes it changes daily! I'd say that I see much more of the good work that they do in this job as president than I ever saw as Societies Officer."

His uncertainty continued when discussing whether the Full Time Elected Officer Team would remain united on the issue, " The team is unified in its ambition to allow students to have their say on any large expenditure. It is likely that different officers will have different views of NUS, due to the ways in which their roles lend themselves to interacting

with the organisation. That's fine and what referenda are for."

When questioned on where the £50,000 would go if the Union left NUS, Newman said, "It's very difficult to put a figure on what, if any saving there would really be. NUS' buying consortium currently provides all of our stock, including all alcohol. If it came to it, we would have to find alternative suppliers and reallocate funds accordingly. Savings, if any would go to fund officer's projects and student activity."

This will be one of the most prominent motions that will go to referendum this year – other motions submitted to the Ministry of Change which will also go to a referendum, include a motion to put a Welsh flag on the top of the Union and a motion asking for a pyjama party in the Union to help raise funds to give orphans pyjamas.

Fallout from Students' Union's AGM Tom Eden News Editor Cardiff University Students’ Union’s AGM was a passionate evening, with strong debate and ramifications that are still being discussed throughout the Union.

Five motions were debated, with one further proposal – another offer of a restructured Sabbatical officer team– being brought before a hall packed with Cardiff University students.

Whilst the details of each motion were covered in last week’s gair rhydd (Issue 997), many of the ramifications of the debate and decisions taken are still reverberating around the student body. The two topics at the AGM that emerged as the most controversial, were motions proposed

for a Sabbatical Officer reshuffle and one which tried to align the Union with Palestinian Right to Education Campaign. Both motions were rejected by the students who were present, but the former proposal was hastily redesigned and voted upon again, and was carried for implementation. Finding an acceptable solution was, according to President Harry Newman, a necessity because of the decision made by the Union’s Board of Trustees to cut the number of full time elected officers from eight to seven, in the hope of saving around £30,000.

During the debate on the reshuffle, the current Education Officer, Beth Button, stood up to argue against the motion, as she disagreed with the idea that there should be three separate education officers for different groups of University departments.

Whilst the other members of the Sabbatical team knew her opinion on the subject – that more staff support for the role was the solution, not tripling the job - it had previously agreed that they would remain united at the AGM, due to the perceived importance to get the motion carried. Consequently, this came as a shock to the other officers, but President Newman conceded that “she spoke well and believed in what she was saying.

We are a coalition of eight so it is inevitable that there will be disagreements from time to time.”

Whilst he felt that they missed an “enormous opportunity” in not approving the new college structure of next year’s officer team, he is “proud that we have

saved some tens of thousands of pounds which can be better spent elsewhere in the Union."

The restructured proposal for the roles was passed, but as it was the final vote of the evening, technically being classed as ‘Other Business’ rather that a scheduled motion, questions were raised over both the technical specifications of the roles and its democratic legitimacy. In what could be seen as a victory for Button, there will still be just the one Education Officer, but Robert Thomas, a student present at the AGM, spoke to gair rhydd to say that he felt that “towards the end, people voted through motions so that they could leave, not on the merit of the motions themselves.”

The exact specifics of each Sabbatical role have now been announced, and can be seen on http://www.cardiffstudents.com/ elections. People who wish to run for election have two weeks from the end of the AGM to nominate themselves, meaning that nominations will close on February 19th at 4:00pm. If you are considering running, then it is advised that you speak to any member of the current Sabbatical team, who are all very willing to speak to potential candidates.

The other issue that garnered high levels of debate after the AGM had finished, was the motion for the ‘Palestinian Right to Education’. This proposal wanted to support the Right to Education Campaign, the International Week of Action associated with the campaign, and a closer relationship between Cardiff University Students’ Union and po-

tential equivalents in Palestine.

Whilst the sentiment behind this proposal was not called into question, Societies Officer, Adam Curtis, passionately spoke to the room to implore students to vote against the motion. He suggested that the Students’ Union should not be aligned with specific political campaigns, especially one in an area with such polarised and emotional views. In what

was evidence of these highly charged opinions, Curtis’ Societies Officer Facebook page was quickly filled with highly critical comments of his decision to not support the motion. Curtis did not take this decision lightly, but still decided that it was right to apologise to any students who he may have offended. The letter, in full and unedited, has been published here.

Dear Cardiff University Students On the 7th February 2013 Cardiff University Students’ Union held its Annual General Meeting. A motion was submitted that the Students’ Union should support Palestinian students’ rights for education. I decided to stand against this motion because I believe that Cardiff University Students’ Union should remain neutral on such a complex, divisive and sensitive topic as the current conflict in Palestine and Israel. My motivation to stand against this motion was ensure Cardiff University’s students remained united, open minded and in some respects neutral when dealing with this particular conflict. I have recently witnessed many other Universities across the UK become divided over this conflict, as a result different student groups and societies defending different sides of the conflict. This is something I did not want to see replicated at Cardiff University.

However, in making this stand and trying to protect one minority group I have failed to represent our Palestinian student’s, and for this I humbly ask for your forgiveness. By standing against this motion, even though my intentions may have been to instill neutrality amongst the student’s I represent; I have fundamentally stood against the Palestinian people’s rights for education. I whole heartedly believe in the rights for education of all students who are facing persecution for simply studying. For this reason I will be proposing a motion at the Ministry of Change (Cardiff Students’ Union ‘Student Council’), stating that Cardiff University Students’ Union should support all students’ right for education.

Once again, I am sorry if I have caused any offence when standing against the motion to support Palestinian students’ rights for education. I urge all Cardiff students to join me in supporting students on a global scale who struggle to receive the education they deserve.

Adam Curtis

Societies Officer Swyddog Cymdeithasau

9

Opinion 9-12

Monday February 18th 2013 | @gairrhyddop

For & Against

Is the AGM voting system outdated?

Opinion writers Michael O'Connell Davidson and Small Piece of Orange Paper question whether the system of voting with slips of paper at the AGM is in need of being changed

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For

o many, the Union’s Annual General Meeting is a necessary evil. It’s an event so dull that most in attendance are forced into going. Societies who do not send a delegation face dissolution, and inadequately represented sports teams are threatened with disaffiliation. Indeed, after attending last Thursday, I didn’t find anybody who had anything positive to say about the three-hour fixture.

But despite its flaws, it’s a fundamental part of the union’s democratic system, and is impossible to argue against its existence. It allows students to have a voice.

That doesn’t mean that it can’t be improved. Common complaints largely focus on how much time the event takes, with many attendees vowing to never return, owing to drawn out process of coming to a consensus.

One of the (many) ways the union could expedite the process would be to find a workable alternative to the current ‘orange card’ voting system.

Voters currently show their support for motions by raising a piece of orange paper in the air, which is extraordinarily inefficient. Staff are then tasked to count raised hands. This process is a large part of the reason the AGM runs far longer than expected.

Even ignoring the obvious benefits replacing the system

would confer in terms of time, many alternatives would also serve to be far more democratic.

The current arrangement makes it very difficult to get a precise vote count, whereas an electronic alternative would produce workable data which could be disseminated after the event.

It seems unusual that the union employs this system as part of one of the most important fixtures on its calendar. The sabbatical officer elections rely on an online voting system, and for good reason: it would be absolutely absurd to cram voters into a room and ask them to raise their hands in support of candidates.

Whilst the orange card system presumably made sense at one point in time, I would argue that it is now outdated. Indeed, this inefficiency debases the importance of the event by turning it into a tiring mess for everybody involved, and does little to reinforce the meeting’s democratic importance.

What prevents the union from devising some sort of electronic alternative? Even giving attendees a questionnaire on the door as they check in and asking them to return it on the way out would spped up the process. It seems absurd that an event so critical to the democratic function to the Students’ Union is so consistently reviled; the Union should listen to the consensus and work on making the AGM less of a trial for those it’s supposed to serve. MOCD

F

“

I am a small slip of orange paper, my father was a small slip of orange paper and his father the same

Against

our score and seven years ago, Cardiff University decided that it would manifest its AGM voting system through the use of small slips of orange paper. I am a small slip of orange paper, my father was a small slip of orange paper and his father the same, dating all the way back to when the ability to dye papyrus was practically considered witchcraft.

Anyone who has ever attended one of Cardiff University’s Student Union Annual General Meetings will attest to the flawless accuracy of the orange-paper system as well as the feeling of collective unity one attains from raising one’s arm, orange paper in hand, to vote on key issues such as whether the Taf should serve real ales or not. Gripping, gripping stuff.

Us slips of orange paper have been there for it all, from the controversial spontaneous AGM orgy of ’88 to the banning of double denim on any University property which prevented The Vaccines from ever being allowed to perform within the S.U. again.

It has come to my attention lately, however, that the orange-slip voting system is being spurned from all sides. Outdated, they say; inconvenient, they say. I have even heard rumours of ousting our time-honoured tradition for the use of, dare I say it, an electronic voting system.

Some of the more apathetic students have complained that the orange-slip system needlessly

added an extra twenty minutes to an ‘already overlong’ meeting. As far as I’m concerned, every minute you wreckless sinners spend not drinking and fornicating is time well spent. What’s that? Your arm hurts from holding it in the air for so long? Then get to the gym, maggot.

To readdress the claim that the orange slip voting system is outdated, I would point to the story of the Tower of Babel. Mere mortals attempted to build too high and were smote for their insubordination. Let this fable act as a warning to those in favour of advancements: you meddle in affairs you cannot control. If you do away with the time-tested reliability of the orange slip then who knows what could happen?

The very foundations of our S.U. would crumble and inevitably, fascism and autocracy would hold full dominion.

Need I remind those in favour of doing away with the orange-slip system, the enormous benefits of paper voting systems? It was a paper voting system that saw George W. Bush elected as U.S. President in 2000. Paper voting was also absolutely crucial in the contested state of Florida but eventually those democrat heathens saw their betters ascend to glory. So there we have it, if it weren’t for paper voting, we wouldn’t have had George W. Bush. Are you still opposed to paper voting? SPOOP

10 / Opinion

Twitter Hacking: A cautionary tale Opinion writer Edward Searle looks at the recent Twitter hack and questions many internet users' naivety towards protecting themselves on the internet

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bout two weeks ago my Sri-Lankan flatmate asked me if it would be safe to buy something over the internet from Amazon. It struck me how completely wary she was of online shopping when, as a whole, our generation is relatively nonchalant about the notion. But perhaps she was right to worry about the internet, as recently, the social networking site Twitter was hacked, leaving roughly 250,000 users with their accounts compromised.

The attack was aimed at stealing passwords, usernames, emails and other data, and follows similar attacks to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Arguably, as only 250,000 people out of a possible 200 million users were affected, the attack was relatively low scale and unimportant. Yet when you consider that among those that may have been affected were President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, or that they could have accessed personal information about you that nobody else knows, you begin to worry. The information security director for Twitter, Bob Lord, stated that the “attack was not the work of amateurs” and instead was the work of “highly sophisticated attackers”.

letter lowercase password takes around ten minutes to crack.

Mine are at least relatively complex, involving a combination of letters, numbers and symbols, but from what I’ve experienced I’m very much in the minority.

The attack was aimed at stealing passwords, usernames, emails and other data

In 2011, the Sony PlayStation Network, which stores a mass of personal information and credit card, was hacked and resulted in the system being unavailable for numerous days. It seems the days of bogus websites and simple viruses are behind us. This system works by presuming that the passwords we use on sites such as Twitter will be the same as the ones that we use for our banking. Social networking sites have a large user membership

and seem easier to hack than a bank directly; making them what seems to be a perfect victim.

Then, to increase the risk, fake emails or direct messages will be sent to user accounts asking them to follow dangerous links in order to rectify the problem.

This spam requires utmost caution, and works in similar ways to the emails we’ve all received with the subject line reading ‘Viagra’ or ‘Penis Enlargement’. The scary ease of such a hack raises

Beards at the BAFTAs Megan Heffey

Opinion Writer The British Academy of Film and Television Arts award ceremony has once again graced London with its presence. Beautiful stars of television and film donned their glad rags in order to celebrate the film industry at the esteemed event. Whilst the fashions paraded at this year’s BAFTA Awards have been a hot topic of debate, it has been facial hair that has been this years’ focus, simultaneously scruffy and stylish. This year’s ceremony saw several American films honoured with BAFTA awards. Firstly, Ben Affleck’s Argo ran away with a plethora of awards at the ceremony. The film was honoured with the highly prestigious Best Picture title, and also secured Ben Affleck and his beard the accolade of Best Director.

Unsurprisingly, Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables also picked up a whole host of accolades including Best Production Design, Best Make Up and Hair, and Best Sound. Anne Hathaway was accredited for her role in the film

with the award for Best Supporting Actress, and what a travesty it would have been had another run away with the award considering the effort put into the role.

Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables also picked up a whole host of accolades including Best Production Design, Best Make Up and Hair Hathaway’s amazing performance left an impression because of the authenticity of the emotion. It was simply mesmerising and the accolade was undoubtedly deserved. Quentin Tarantino’s newest masterpiece Django Unchained was honoured at the ceremony, taking away the award for Best Original Screenplay, and Christoph Waltz was recognised for his role in the film with the Best Supporting Actor award.

The British film industry wasn’t snubbed in favour of its American counterpart, a popular

opinion in the wake of the ceremony. The award for Outstanding British Film went to the newest instalment of the James Bond series Skyfall, and Best Animation went to the heart-warming film Brave, a must see if you haven’t already.

Although the richness of British films wasn’t totally ignored, it was only the home grown actor Daniel Day Lewis who was honoured with one of the big six awards. Taking away the Best Actor title for his incredible portrayal of the 16th President of the USA in Lincoln, Lewis’ preparation for the role through method acting obviously paid off. It would have been encouraging for the industry to have seen a higher number of British films walking away with awards.

However, it cannot be denied that each winner deserved their respective award. A great film is a great film, and the focus should be on its merit rather than whether it is of British or American origin in analysing the justification of the award.

the debate about whether we should keep the same passwords and usernames across the different websites we use. Are we putting ourselves at an unnecessary risk? It seems to be something that is so obvious, yet something that we all probably have slipped up on. This naivety is worrying as we could all lose so much, so quickly.

Why is it that we make the hacker’s life so much easier? It has been said that the average six

Most of us use our names, or birthdays. Many of us write our passwords down, which is fair enough, but then leave them in the most obvious place. The diary, the notice board, in a computer file labelled ‘passwords’.

One of my flatmates has all of his listed on a whiteboard above his desk, the same desk where his laptop can usually be found unattended. Signing him up for online dating or spamming his Facebook is amusing, yet it illuminates how easy it is to access something which is not your own. In a world of hacking and fraud, which can strike so easily and at any given time, it’s bewildering that we don’t do more to guard against such risks.

Opinion 9-12

Monday February 18th 2013 | @gairrhyddop

11

Is Amazon really the Retail Reaper?

Before our very eyes, the British High Street is decaying. Is Digital dithering to blame or is it the digital revolution? Jamie Paddock investigates

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any companies have fallen in the recent months with 140 more retailers in critical condition. Comet, Jessops, and JJB have already gone, with Blockbusters and HMV on a knife edge. Even Amazon's tax avoidance does not explain why retailers failed in their dominant industries. HMV had 35% share of the physical media sector. It begs the question: were others doing it better? Big high street names such as Vodafone and Starbucks were also avoiding tax to increase profit margins.

Apple, Tesco, 7-digital and even Spotify have changed what goes down our earbuds. HMV simply could not compete.

HMV are well known to have overcharged for multimedia against online competitors. Their two for £10 deal was no match for Amazon's bargain rates of £4 a CD. Shopping in HMV has also become redundant as well archaic. Long are the days when chart CDs mattered. Hilco may be set to turn HMV around. However, it won’t be long until HMV will be brought to its knees once again.

It was the same with Comet and Blockbusters.Their business

was inefficient even when they brought relatively low prices.

On the other hand, they were also outmatched by digital and supermarket giants who offered far more in terms of price, internet intellect and convenience. In times of austerity, who wouldn't go online when the price overall is right.

Why even go shopping when you can't even afford to go there regularly? Local councils and parking companies have seemingly forced many away from high streets due to high parking costs.

In Cardiff alone, NCP charge £3 an hour in one area of the city centre. In such a congested and confined space it is somewhat justifiable to charge extortionate prices. However, how can we be expected to keep wanting to go into the City Centre if there is less and less to spend? In areas which rely on car use, due to locality issues and smaller populations, it just doesn’t cut it. Christopher Hope of The Telegraph summarised the main finding of the ‘Rethink! Parking on the British High Street’ by stating: “smaller town centres were charging more to park than larger retail locations where more people visited”. It is simply a no brainer: if you overcharge do not expect

“

Retailers are their own reapers when they did not see the digital revolution right in front of them.

custom. Nevertheless, very few retailers have given us any incentives to bring our custom back to their stores.

Online companies clearly have the edge in reducing the costs of time and money to browse, buy and consume when many high street chains lack the adaptations to compete. HMV, Jessops and even Comet had online services. They all fell, in part, due to change in markets: HMV to digital downloads and Jessops to smartphones. Other competitors have still survived due to their adaptability. John Lewis and Argos have long championed online to store collection services by merging the best of both worlds.

Both saw moderate growth in their retail sectors thanks to their ‘click to collect’ services. This model means that companies can survive on the high street when consumers rip it apart by spending more online. The British Retail Consortium found in December 2012 that online sales accounted for much of retail growth with 17.8%.

However, online sales still only account for 12% of overall retail sales. Even if retail saw a delayed discount rush by shoppers after Christmas, it was because many waited until the prices really be-

gan to come down. The late rush showed that people were in flux and ready to change but also did not want to give up their traditional post-Christmas rush. High street retail has a choice to turn the course of transition back to them before online shopping dominates.

If a small proportion of retail went online and not into the high street stores; were the likes of Amazon, Play.com and Tesco ever really to blame? Did our lust for dvd’s fall when Lovefilm and Netflix gave us more for our money and our space back? It is the same for digital cameras and computers. We simply want them to last or lost interest altogether for a better product. Retailers are their own reapers when they did not see the digital revolution right in front of them. Online shopping clearly cannot recreate the social thrills which comes with street shopping. However, if stores continue to be out of step and out of touch with the demands of the consumer then it would be no surprise if high streets are dramatically different in the future. Charity, coffee and clothes maybe the future of the high street. With every click, tap and type another retailer will fall on its own sword.

The great 9:00 lecture debate the use of this spare time if you’re still recovering from getting out of bed before the sun has come up, to trek to university unnourished and exhausted. All i want to do is crawl straight back into bed.

Charlie Mock Opinion Writer

It’s 7:30am and there is there’s a horrendous noise blaring from your phone, which is far too far away to reach from your bed, but there is little over an hour before you have to leave the confines of your cozy bedroom and venture into the bitter Cardiff winds, to get to a lecture that may or may not aid you in getting a decent degree.

You’re tired, probably hungover, and can think of a hundred things that are more appealing than being talked at, by someone who just doesn’t seem to understand that people under the age of 70 do not function before 10am at the earliest.

Why do 9am lectures even exist? Supposedly, getting up early to learn ‘prepares you for the working world’. I don’t know about you but, I plan on being in a job where getting up at 9am holds some kind of incentive such as enjoyment or fulfilment neither of which are often associated with lectures that include

If you are anything like me then your concentration levels are at their lowest before 11am

opening your eyes whilst it’s still dark outside.

Of course, having a lecture at

such an ungodly hour does provide us students with a longer, more productive day. But what’s

If you are anything like me then you’re concentration levels are at their lowest before 11am and after 4pm. So, you would think that this makes doing anything important at times that don’t comply with your attention span entirely pointless, especially things that are supposed to be counting towards your education.

Why university organisers haven’t caught onto this I’m not sure. Surely the less than brilliant attendance at lectures in the first

timetabled slot of the day would give them the hint that it might be a good idea to scrap the painfully early learning?

I believe that if our lectures started later, our attendance would increase and our learning maximize. This should result in higher examination results which and make our university look better in the long run, surely this is a good enough reason. It’s apparent that our mental ability to cope on less than enough sleep does not trouble those implementing our 9am starts one bit. Considering the likeliness of consigning those lectures to the scrap heap is looking slim, it seems that something else needs to be done to make 9am more bearable… and no, going to bed earlier is not an option.

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

12 / Columnist

by Katie Bennett-Davies

A week without internet

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ear readers, hope you've had a great fortnight, I certainly did. I spent one of the last two weeks offline. For most of us, the only time we’re without internet is when our network providers are being reliably unreliable. I, however, deprived myself voluntarily.

My husband and I (saying that never gets old) decided to fast the internet for a week as part of a fast that my church was doing.

It also proved to be an interesting social experiment.

I expected that breaking this addiction would be difficult. Yes, we can actually call it an addiction now. There are even support groups to help deal with Internet Addiction Disorder. I didn’t expect, however, to get so much out of it.

I thought that going offline would make me fall out of the loop. I actually found that I was better at keeping in touch with family and friends. I am notoriously bad at answering texts and calls (Ask anyone). I seem to be much more likely to respond to a tweet than a text. Without Twitter to distract me, every two minutes, I actually replied to people in those spare moments which usually would have been devoted to projecting my marvellous thoughts onto an eager world.

Car journeys and in between lectures were my most productive texting sessions. I even started conversations! Without social media I wasn't a social pariah but I actually kept in great contact for the first time since I came to Uni. Suddenly my unlimited texts and calls contract didn’t seem so pointless.

There's something I probably should have told you before, a bit of background into. I don't have a television. The ariel on my house is broken and I don’t want to call in our maintenance team and risk them finding out about my cat (Shhhhh). So, the internet is the only way to watch television. This didn't seem like much of a problem since I'd planned to go out to watch the rugby, but then I got sick... I wasn't able to get out of bed so I had to miss

Wales's first rugby game, and depended solely on text updates. As it turned out I didn't really didn’t miss much of anything.

The other problem with the no TV-thing was that I was too sick to do anything other than sleep or watch TV. Or so I told myself in my moments of desperate, first-world, self pity. Eventually the lack of Twitter and Netflix frustrated me enough that I tried reading. I love reading, I read every day, except when I'm sick, then I usually don't feel like I can summon the concentration.

With few options left, I promise I was that sick, I tried reading something fairly easy. Turns out I could concentrate more than I thought. I got through a whole book in two days. I can't help but think I'd be a lot more knowl-

edgeable if my parents hadn't let me have a TV in my room growing up...

I also had a lot more time to think, even if Twitter has limited me to thinking in 140 characters or less. The other half and I both found that we had more creative ideas and even found it easier to sleep. Every night before bed, I never mean to but, I always end up on my phone, and before I know it I can't fall asleep and it's the wee hours of the morning. My week without internet showed me not only how much time I waste online but also that it keeps me up at night.

One of the restrictions no WIFI week placed on me was that, and my husband particularly enjoyed this one, l wasn't able to shop as much. Because of the

chronic illness I have I find shopping exhausting so I do most of it online. With that option removed, I wasn't able to do any shopping. I am a little worried that he might 'accidently' break the internet when he wants to save some cash.

My favourite unintended outcome was that my husband finally realised what I have been telling him for years - he spends too much time on Twitter and the BBC Sport Website. He is far worse than me for picking up his iphone at every available moment. Seriously, BBC Sport is the bane of my life. He finally admitting that was more than worth a week without internet.

Despite the benefits I gained from fasting the internet, I would never completely give it up. I love

reading and writing blogs and there’s no realistic way of being s student without it. Oh and Lolcats of course, I could never give up Lolcats. Realising how much time I waste online, however, time that could be spent reading, or formulating that award winning novel idea, made me reconsider my internet usage habits. I think I'd prefer to sleep better than late night Twitter browsing, praying for that occasional retweet, or new follower. Of course, I know myself well enough to know that it’ll only be a matter of days until the old habit creep back in. But, maybe, the realisation of what can be achieved offline will hold back the full blown addiction of the past.

14 / Politics

Politics special report: disp “A visitor in my homeland”

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egha Jalali was very young when she lost her ancestral family home, along with her father’s joyous and carefree nature. Her father was a doctor who used to offer free medication to the poor and elderly, irrespective of caste or religion.

“My father still can’t sleep at night. Kashmir stole a part of him forever from us. All he does is work, work and some more work.

I saw him last smiling in Kashmir.

Now he is a machine, who lives only to provide for his family”, she said.

Nothing’s worse than being treated as a migrant in one's own land. The Kashmiri Pandits are a Hindu community belonging to the Kashmir valley of India, and are referred to and treated as migrants within their own country.

Homelessness, the fight for survival, the denial of the freedom of speech and expression.

For the past two decades, these terms generally associated with migrants have been part of every-day reality for the Kashmiri Pandits.

January the 19th, 1990 saw the displacement of three hundred thousand Kashmiri Pandits who were inhabitants of the land for almost three hundred generations. They were forced to leave their homeland due to ethnic and communal violence from the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation

Front (JKLF). JKLF is a Kashmiri nationalist organization, whose aim is to have an independent Kashmir, free from Indian and Pakistani control.

This exodus was the largest displacement the country had seen since the partition of India in 1947.

Amit Raina was a part of this migration. “When I was nine years old, my father woke me up at 2 am one morning and told me that we are leaving”, says Amit as he recalls his last night in Kashmir. “In the haze of sleep and confusion, I picked up my geometry box and left my city, my Kashmir, my home forever”.

Megha’s family left overnight after repeated threats, leaving behind their 15 bedroom house to live in a single bedroom apartment in Delhi along with her cousins.

“The displacement took everything from my family. My father, who treated patients free of charge, was told that he should leave immediately lest they get murdered by the JKLF forces”, she said.

They suffered communal violence for claiming Indian identity, yet it was India which disowned Kashmiri Pandits. “Kashmir was divided since the very beginning.

Kashmiri Muslims wanted to be a part of Pakistan and we, Pandits wanted to remain a part of India”, says Amit. “We fought against all odds to remain a state, to remain a citizen here. And our country, our government rewarded us

with a migrant certificate in our own home,” he said.

Kashmiri refugees are the only community in India referred to as migrants. “The tag of being a ‘Kashmiri Migrant’, itself makes us feel alienated. We don’t have a place to call ‘home’ as wherever we go we are considered outsiders within our own country. We are treated as ‘the other’”, says Megha.

In 1990, most Pandits left to Jammu, where most of the relief camps were set up haphazardly by the government. Ankit Bhatt,

Shruti Kedia tells the sto displaced from the regio

another Kashmiri, whose family lived in Kashmir for over hundred years, travelled to Jammu overnight in an Ambassador car, when his brother was shot dead in a target killing.

“My family thought that we would be safe in Jammu as we were going to be with our own people. However, Jammu treated us like foreigners. They used to stare at us on the streets. They thought we were in Jammu to steal their jobs and money. They hiked up the ration and property prices. When we shifted to Jammu, my family of eight members lived in a barn and we had to pay a ridiculously high price to the landlord”, says Ankit.

Rahul Pandita, who lived in relief camps at Jammu for six months recalls his experience in his newly published book, Our Moon Has Blood Clots. At the age of fourteen, he did not understand the meaning of displacement and recalls the incident when government-supplied rations would be distributed to the camp site. “Every member present at the relief camp would line up just to get a few tomatoes. When my turn came, I was given half a tomato. In Kashmir, we used to have a kitchen garden.

In disgust, I threw away that half slice of tomato”, recalls Rahul.

Vithal Chowdhary, another Kashmiri migrant, recalls the events he witnessed in Kashmir at fourteen. He says that slogans were heard everywhere, every hour from a loudspeaker inside the mosque. The slogans said:

‘What will work here? The rule of Islam, no eastern, no western, only Islamic. The mujahids (fighters) have arrived to claim their land’.

Vithal’s family left Kashmir in 1990 after the JKLF issued a deadly statement. “First we were stopped from following our daily rituals, like visiting the temple.

Then slowly, we were prohibited to go to work and there would be days of indefinite curfew. We thought that this was temporary until one day our family received a notice. I still remember my father’s fearful look when he saw the note which read, ‘We want only Kashmiri Pandit women to stay in Kashmir, without Kashmiri Pandit men’”.

There has always been a tension within the region. However, until 1990, both the communities tolerated each other and lived in the same society. By 1989, Kashmir started witnessing stray ethnic violence, and slowly by December that year slogans were raised everywhere against the presence of Kashmiri Pandits.

Since the partition of India, Kashmir often has witnessed curfews, and terror always loomed in the background. A friend of Megha’s family suffered a terrible fate at the hands of the JKLF. She recalls, “My aunt, who was a professor, left home to collect her salary from the university, but she never came back. An emergency curfew was declared suddenly, in which she was killed. Her body was found hanging on a tree with brutal marks everywhere and

15

Politics 14-16

Monday February 18th 2013 | @gairrhyddpol

placement

ories of some of the three hundred thousand Kashmiri Pandits who have been on due to ongoing disputes between India, Pakistan, and Kashmiri nationalists with private parts sliced”.

Kashmiri Pandits continued to work within the society, for the prosperity of every community.

Whoever tried to stand up for their rights were terrorized by the JKLF. Though many Muslim communities in Kashmir were against the exodus and flight of Kashmiri Pandits, they failed to provide relief or refuge to them.

The JKLF has issued a statement saying that whoever would support the Pandits would meet the same fate as them.

Despite being a peace loving community centred around education, they are still fighting today. It has been 23 years and they still haven’t returned to their homeland, lovingly referred to as ‘the paradise on earth’. Since the exodus, the main priority of the Kashmiri Pandit community has been that of survival. They refused to break the law and start a violent movement to regain their homeland. They chose the legal route, and are still fighting various human rights violation cases in the Supreme Court.

Megha says, “Every year, my mother needs to renew her contract as a university teacher at Delhi, as she is referred to as a Kashmiri migrant by the government. The government provides a yearly contract for every migrant, but fails to employ them on a permanent basis”.

Megha’s mother has been fighting a case in the Supreme Court for fifteen years on behalf of the entire Kashmiri Pandit community. She has appealed to the

court to drop the yearly contract and paperwork which every refugee is bound to undergo every year in order to continue working in India. A permanent status as a working individual, and the status of a citizen rather than a migrant in their own country is her demand.

Onir, an international film director who made the film ‘I Am’ about this sensitive topic, believes that the government of India failed to respond to the plea of Kashmiri Pandits. “The exodus didn’t take place suddenly”, he says. “Tension in the region started early, but the government of India didn’t take any step to control this growing animosity.

No attention was given to the situation, and worse, after the terrifying night of the 19th January, 1990, government did not have enough resources to provide relief to the Kashmiri Pandits”.

Vithal’s father was the principal of an Arya Samaj university, a Hindu educational institute. His college was burned down overnight. Even after appealing to the government and filing a complaint with the police, no action took place. During those horrific nights prior to 19th January, his brother suffered with a mental condition due to the terror prevailing in Kashmir. He kept hearing the noise which was played outside the mosque: ‘We will mince you if you do not leave Kashmir’” it said.

Kashmiri Pandits continue to fight in silence for their right to return to their homeland, fight

to attain their rights as Indians, and a guarantee of the right of any citizen of India to travel and reside in any part of the country.

Today, many Kashmiri Pandits have their own businesses, or are making a living as doctors, engineers, lawyers and teachers. They have achieved their laurels based on their own hard work, without much help from the government or relief organisations.

Sumit Agarwal, a political analyst in India, says, “One of the main reasons why the government ignored the plight of

Kashmiri Pandits is because their struggle does not affect their electoral support. In India, every issue gets politicised and a blame game begins. A political party takes up a cause and moulds it into a religious issue to suit their own political agenda. It is always either Indian propaganda, or mulla; Pakistani propaganda. The need of the hour is to look at the situation from a human rights violation point of view, and not as a right-wing political issue”.

Awareness and a nationwide movement against the atroci-

ties faced by the Kashmiris have to start, to wake and shake the government of India, says Onir.

Kashmiri Pandits need the support of all the citizens of India to appeal the government to take steps towards the betterment of the community.

Onir believes the only solution to this problem of displacement is to find a dialogue, a space for effective communication between these two communities without the intrusion of any religious or political affiliations. Only then might the Pandits find justice.

16 / Politics

New social care bill to benefit poorest pensioners Lauren Boyd explores new proposals to cap social care costs for the elderly

T

he announcement of a new social care bill by Jeremy Hunt last week has raised hopes that the elderly will not have to sell their homes to pay for social care.

Currently, many elderly people are faced with no choice but to sell all of their last assets in order to pay the high costs of care. This often means they cannot leave inheritance to their family, and the number of years they may spend in care is obviously unpredictable.

The new care bill will mainly benefit poorer pensioners because only those with assets of more than £123,000 will have to pay for their care. It will also eliminate the postcode lottery whereby the care that a person is entitled to is based on where they live.

The disadvantages of the bill are that people will still have to pay the ‘hotel costs’ of residential care: food and accommodation.

This move also does nothing to improve the quality of care.

Those who cannot afford expensive care homes often receive very poor care. For example, some elderly people have to go to bed at 6pm when most of the care workers go home.

This care reform is based on proposals by the economist Andrew Dilnot, after the govern-

Jeremy Hunt has announced a £75,000 cap on social care for the elderly ment ignored his more costly recommendations to lower the cost from £2.2bn to £1bn. Dilnot had recommended a much lower cap on costs at £35,000. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt says this was impossible as austerity demands certain compromises.

Jeremy Hunt hopes that people will take out insurance to cover the £75,000 of care costs so nobody should have to sell their

homes to pay for their care. Since nobody knows whether they will be one of the 20 per cent of people that have to pay crippling care costs. Dilnot says this risk should be pooled by taking out insurance.

The extra £1bn needed to fund this cap is being raised by freezing the current inheritance tax threshold at £325,000. Many people have complained that Cam-

eron has gone back on his pledge to increase the inheritance tax threshold to £1m and that this is penalising the middle classes.

However raising the inheritance tax threshold would only have affected 6 per cent of the population, who are comparatively wealthy.

Although this will undoubtedly help many people, Dot Gibson, head of the National Pensioners

Commission, has accused the government of “tinkering around the edges”. The NPC would prefer a national care service similar to the NHS. It is telling that Hunt has said that the reform will “protect people’s inheritance”.

Shouldn’t social care reform set out to protect pensioners rather than their children’s inheritance?

Battling the legal costs of Scottish independence Chris McSweeney Politics Writer

Public support for the Scottish National Party's “Yes” campaign was dealt a significant blow last week, as the UK Government released a report entitled “Scotland Analysis: Devolution and the implication of Scottish Independence”. The report outlined the numerous setbacks which may face an emerging Scottish state in the event of a yes vote in the coming referendum in the Autumn 2014.

The report published on February 11th explained several potential setbacks of an independent Scottish state, all based on consultations with independent legal and economic experts. First of all, the report claims that the implications of Scottish independence would mean that the new state would have to re-apply to NATO, the UN, the IMF, the G20 and most significantly, the EU. An independent Scotland would also have none of the veto powers or special exclusions its British neighbours currently enjoy. The process of an independent Scotland joining the international community could

potentially be a bureaucratic nightmare, and the repercussions could choke the fledgling nation for years.

Interestingly, some commentators have speculated that if the UK agreed to form a new state of its own, in the same way that Czechoslovakia separated to become the Czech Republic and

Slovakia in 1993, then many of these legal issues could be averted.

Aside from this, economic experts have suggested that while it may be in Scotland's interests to stay in the Pound, they may be forced into adopting the Euro as a potential requirement for joining the European Union. Potentially

exacerbating the new nation's financial problems even further, Scotland would have to regulate its finances independently under EU law, a service which the SNP has already stated it would be heavily reliant on London for.

There are also concerns from economic experts that an independent Scotland would be heav-

Only 23% of Scottish support complete secession from UK

ily reliant on North Sea oil for its economic survival in the immediate future, in spite of the fact that the longevity of its oil reserves can only be speculated about.

This report may prove to be decisive in Alex Salmond's struggle to achieve Scottish Independence, as survey results acquired prior to the publication of the report reveal that support for an independent Scotland is at its lowest among the Scottish people since 1999, with only 23 per cent supporting complete secession from the United Kingdom.

Cabinet Minister for Scottish Affairs, Michael Moore MP said; “We are a strong and proud nation within a modern, devolved country. However, we often take our membership of the United Kingdom for granted”.

In response to the report, however, SNP ministers claimed that Westminster politicians would be “exceptionally arrogant” in assuming that Scotland could not prosper independently.

While the referendum is too early to call, it seems clear that the SNP will have to do something quite spectacular to pull the Scottish bid for independence out of the fire.

18 / Science

Caribbean coral reefs in crisis as temperatures rise Alice Tobin Science Writer

Coral reefs in the Caribbean have stopped growing and started to deteriorate, raising fears for their future.

A mass of vibrant colours and exotic marine life, coral reefs attract masses of tourists every year. But, with rising sea temperatures, the growth of some coral reefs is grinding to a halt.

Research by an internation team of scientists, led by Professor Chris Perry, from the University of Exeter, describes an ‘extremely alarming’ sixteen month low in calcium carbonate in nineteen Caribbean coral reefs. The research was published in the journal, Nature Communications.

Calcium carbonate gives corals their solid structure, and hence the capactiy to grow vertically and to maintain their structure.

Once less than a tenth of is made of living coral, the entire reef will start to erode away.

Reef growth was up to 40% slower than normal The University of Queensland, who were also participating in research, has found that the amount of new carbonate being

Saba Bank reef empty of live coral

Healthy Carribean coral reef

added by Caribbean coral reefs is at significantly lower rates now than at any other recent geological timescale. In some habitats the growth rate was down by as much as seventy per cent.

This research builds on similar findings made by a team of eight scientists in the Saba Bank Expedition in 2010.

The loss of these reefs isn’t just one less tourist attraction. Millions of people, including divers and fishermen, would lose their livelihoods. Many species of fish and plant are unique to the reefs.

Professor Perry explained that "At the moment there is limited evidence of large-scale erosion

or loss of actual reef structure, but clearly if these trends continue, reef erosion looks far more likely." This threat is excerbated by the fact that sea levels are rising, meaning that in order to surive coral reefs must not only maintain their rate of growth but increase it.

Professor Perry is calling for urgent action to save the reefs, saying that in order to reduce further deterioation of the reef habitat, action to manage the reefs and limit gloal temperature rises is required.

If nothing is done, our coral reefs, and the life they house, might be lost forever.

US law threatens security of cloud storage systems David Mason Science Writer

Experts in digital privacy have issued recent warnings that European and other international users of US-based cloud storage services could have the privacy of their data unknowingly compromised - by US authorities.

Caspar Bowden, in a newly published report, suggests that a clause in the 'Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendment Act', passed in 2008, allows the US government to access information stored on US based cloud storage servers, regardless of where in the world related users are. Popular cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive and Apple iCloud, all US based, are potentially included in this clause. Whilst this theoretically puts European data at risk, the 2008 amendment has

rarely, if ever, been called upon in tempts to rectify this apparently legal cases. problematic lack of regulation, "What's amazing is that no- including proposed laws such body really spotted it for four as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) and years," stated Bowden, adding the notorious, and heavily conthat this extends US abilities to tested, Stop Online Piracy Act spy on foreign data as it is "wired (SOPA). While the considerably into the infrastructure".

Kim Dotcom As a generation, we have been fortunate enough to witness the founding of the web, a vast, new network holding unlimited and unreg ulated possibilities. In recent years however, there have been a number of at-

less memorable 'FISAAA' is not on par with online regulations considered in SOPA and PIPA, it is an uncomfortable reminder of surveillance throughout all aspects of society.

Attempts have been made to strike back against overbearing surveillance, particularly with the recent launch of the cloud storage site 'MEGA'.

The owner, outspoken online privacy activist, Kim Dotcom, is currently fighting extradition to the US on charges for crimes

related to online piracy, including racketeering, conspiring to commit copyright infringement, and conspiring to commit money laundering. The cause of these charges is the pirated content of his previous site, Megaupload.

'MEGA,' which aims to provide securely encrypted cloud storage for free and, perhaps most importantly when considering 'FISAAA', from outside the reach of US authorities, in New Zealand.

As cloud storage grows in popularity, it too has become a hot topic with regards to surveillance and privacy online. That this clause has taken over four years to come to light is a worrying thought for many involved.

"What this legislation means", Bowden went on to say, "is that the US has been able to mine any foreign data in US clouds since 2008, and nobody noticed."

Science 18-19

Monday February 18th 2013 | @gairrhyddsci

InSight

19

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

Keeping an eye on your city’s latest science news

Wildlife preservation centre receives financial boost Peter Marshall Science Writer

The Sime Darby Foundation has awarded Cardiff University's Danau Girang Field Centre vital funding amounting to more than £300,000. In collaboration with partners including WildCRU (Oxford University), the University of British Colombia, Universiti Sabah, and with regular cooperation from the Sabah Wildlife Department, the centre, based in Borneo, studies and protects

The funding will be directed at the conservation of Sunda clouded leopards

Malaysia's endangered species – from the Bornean elephant to the long-tailed macaque.

The funding will be directed at the conservation of Sunda clouded leopards and other carnivores living within the Sabah area.

The funding is in accord with the Sime Darby Foundation's Big9 programme, an initiative aimed at conserving and protecting nine endangered and vulnerable animals indigenous to Malaysia. As with similar efforts aimed at other Big9 species, which include the Sun Bear, the Sumatran Rhino and the Proboscis Monkey, the goal is to prevent the leopard's extinction by protecting its natural habitat and

ecosystem – a process involving the conservation of forests, animals and biodiversity.

A similar grant, worth £210, 000, was jointly awarded to the Danau Girang Field Centre and the Sabah Wildlife Department in October 2012 to help with the conservation of bantengs – an endangered species of wild cattle already extinct in Brunei and another of the big nine. The money was spent on increasing knowledge and awareness of the species whose endangered classification is largely the result of

It is hoped that the projects will raise the awareness among the public

human activities such as hunting and deforestation.

Speaking on the centre's objectives, Dr Benoit Goossens, Director of Danau Girang Field Centre, said: "Our research activities will increase our knowledge on the effects of forest fragmentation, habitat degradation and poaching on the survival of these species, and will highlight the importance of wildlife corridors in fragmented landscape.”

It is hoped that the knowledge gathered and management implications created as a result of these projects will also serve to raise the awareness among the public on wildlife conservation and protection.

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

Cancer Research UK grant bolsters Cardiff research David Hodson Science Writer

A sum of £2.45 million has been granted to Cardiff University's European Cancer Stem Cell Institute (ESCRI) to accelerate its world class research into the molecular origin of cancer stem cells and the development of alternative cancer therapies.

Cancer stem cells arise when our naturally occurring stem cells, which normally replenish the linings of cells found, for example, in our intestines, un-

dergo a series of mutations in a subset of their genes known as 'housekeeping genes.' Housekeeping genes are the genes that fine-tune our cells rate of growth and division. When these genes within our stems cells mutate and subsequently lose functionality, we start to see the abnor-

By finding methods to target cancer stem cells, potent antitumour therapies will arise

mal growths known as tumour tissue.

The Head of Research at Cardiff’s School of Biosciences, Professor Alan Clarke, who is one of the recipients of the grant, spoke of the grant’s importance to his research: "The funding received will help us to continue on our research journey to better understand the function and application of our research findings, testing novel therapies based on nanoparticle technology to develop novel anti-tumour strate-

gies". He clarified the purpose of his team’s research by adding: "our work is aimed at understanding the fundamental properties of this important cell type and has the potential to transform the way we tackle cancer.”

The debate as to whether or not cancer stem cells are the direct cause of tumour progression is still ongoing. However, it is clear that by finding methods to target cancer stem cells specifically, more direct and potent anti-tumour therapies will arise.

Proton Size Revised Max Eshraghi Science Writer

A study published in the Jan 25th issue of Science has found that protons may be about 4% smaller than previously thought.

Although a 4% change represents but a mere few quintillionths of a metre, scientists remain cautiously optimistic that the discrepancy may lead to the discovery of new particles or forces.

In the past, physicists had determined proton size by fired electron beams at them or by studying electron behaviour in hydrogen atoms. However, measurements from such tests were thrown into doubt in 2010 when Aldo Antognini of ETH Zurich and his team carried out a muon-hydrogen experiment, the key finding of which was that their proton measurements were 0.84 femtometres, indicating a 4% change.

Antognini’s follow-up 2012 experiment yielded identical findings which he claims "shows that our experiment is consistent and that there were no mistakes”. Despite his claims, researchers are, naturally, investigating whether human error is responsible for new figures.

Carl Carlson, a theoretical physicist at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, who was not involved in the study, agrees that probing the findings further “can be a way of unraveling a much bigger piece of physics”.

Carlson and other theorists are exploring the possibility that there is a yet-undiscovered particle that interacts only with muons, opening the door to exciting new physics.

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22 / Societies What Societies are up to this week....

Monday 18th February12pm SRSH charity clothes swap -pop along to the union and exchange your old clothes for vouchers that can be reedemed on Tuesday for new clothes!

8pm Go Global International Food Fest- experience food from an array of cultures at CF10.

Tuesday 19thGo Global Art Exhibition, 10am -4pm Celebration of world creativity, with free entry.

Jewellery Making Workshop7pm - 9pm Held in the Nelson Mandela room, with all materials provided allowing you to make yourr own personalised jewellery.

Wednesday 20thGo Global Lash Free entry before 11pm with guest DJ in the form of Radio 1's Aled Haydn Jones.

Breakdance Society Workshop 7pm - 9pm All are welcome to attend this two hour workshop held in the Aneurin Bevan room.

Thursday 21stReal Ale and Cider Festival From 2pm onwards head to the union to sample a range of quality beverages!

8pm- Rhythym Refugees Pop along to Cf10 for an evening of live music accompanied by international dishes.

Friday 22ndReal Ale and Cider Festival From 2pm onwards head to the union to sample a range of quality beverages!

Saturday 23rdCalcutta comes to Cardiff Performed at the national museum of Wales, the Asian Society present a performance consisting of fusion acts ranging from Bollywood to Hip-Hop. Sunday 24thGo Global: The Show Starting at 7pm, the Go Global Show is famous for it's evocation of international cultures and is in an event that is popular every year.

Iechyd Da! Bethan Lyons Societies Editor

The annual Real Ale and Cider Festival takes place next Thursday and Friday at the Great Hall in the Student Union.

This event doesn't really need an introduction - it's the biggest student run event in Cardiff.

However for those of you who have been living under a rock or for any freshers out there it basi-

cally involves an impressive array of alcohol; there is no excuse not to attend.

From 2 o’clock onwards on the 21st and 22nd February head to the student union and exchange your money for as much alcohol as you wish to consume. There will be a huge variety of ales, ciders, wines, meads, lagers and even some soft drinks if that’s what takes your fancy.

You are guaranteed to see

drinks you've never tried before, with more variety than anywhere else in Cardiff. There is also the opportunity to win alcohol each day at 6pm through the pub quizzes, with prizes also being given to the team with the best name.

Each evening there will be live music from 7pm onwards, along with a choice of snacks provided

by Martin’s Jerked Meats.

Entrance is £3 and includes a commemorative pint glass. Re-

use your glass on the Friday and receive a reduced entry price of £2. Drinks are bought on a token system, with tokens exchanged for alcohol at the bars; I have been assured that this is simpler than it sounds. There are also discount token deals available throughout the days.

The real ale festival is an event that is well worth popping to between lectures; you might even discover a new favourite tipple…

Festival of Diversity X: The Tale of Maharajalela Bethan Lyons Societies Editor

Last Saturday was the date of the Malaysian Societies annual Festival of Diversity, which is currently in it’s tenth year. It is one of the biggest student- run events and attracted over 850 people this year. The Malaysian society is regarded as one of the most impressive societies and it has been recognized as Society of the Year for four consecutive years.It is also one of the largest societies at Cardiff University, with over 500 members coming from a variety of ethnic background and countries.

The story of Maharajalela revolves around the title character and his battle to protect his people, his family and his love interest. The story develops alongside a remarkable display of Malaysian culture, with the spectacular music and dance elements adding to the drama of the tale. There are plenty of light hearted moments , such as a parody of ‘This is Sparta!’ and a homage to Psy’s Gangnam Style, which seems to be present

There are plenty of light hearted moments, such as a parody of 'This is Sparta!' within every aspect of global culture currently.

The struggle the local people

faced is portrayed through their domestic situations. The damsel in distress, Petronella, was a favourite with the audience with her character proving that women can fight. The male contingent of the audience burst into laughter at the mention that

The most remarkable aspect of the Festival of Diversity is the fact that the entire show was written, directed and implemented by members of the Malaysian Society Maharajalela’s younger brother was happy, that is until he got married.

The story concludes with a Disney-esque happy ending, families are reunited and Maharajalela and Petronella finally get together. The moral of the story resonates, with the notion that love is about not having to say you’re sorry, ending the tale on a sentimental tone.

After the spectacle of the Maharajalela, the audience were then treated to a performance of the Dikir Barat, a traditional Malay form of music. All present in St. David’s Hall were entertained by the synchronised piece, and the performers were rewarded with a standing ovation.

The most remarkable aspect of the Festival of Diversity is the fact that the entire show was written,

directed and implemented by members of the Malaysian Society. The standard of the show reflects the Malaysian Society’s dominance within the Society

awards and the fact that the Dikir Bharat closes ‘Go Global’ every year.

Societies 22–23

Monday February 18th 2012 | @gairrhyddsoc

23

‘Around the world in 48 hours: with no money, how far can they get?’

Many of this year’s volunteers plan to get further than Geneva and to raise more than last year’s £5,513.

After speaking to Holly Mennell, who will be taking part this year with Jacob Deacon and Mia Tennant, she revealed they initially planned to leave as 80’s rockstars – but realised this may scare off potential liftgivers rather than encouraging them! Holly, Jacob and Mia intend to get to Berlin or perhaps Amsterdam but admit they will be impressed if they manage to leave the United Kingdom. Although they don’t have any clear strategy at the moment, I’m sure this year’s volunteers will be haggling, nagging and bragging when they return to Cardiff with more sponsorship than last year.

Whatever the case, and wherever this year’s volunteers end up – it seems the Jailbreak experience is one that will not erase itself too quickly; one volunteer from 2012 even had a tattoo on the trip! This year’s volunteers will be departing the Student Union on Friday the 15th of February at 2pm, and scheduled to return on Sunday the 17th hopefully with more money raised than in 2012. All being well, the volunteers will have had a good send off on Friday and many of you not-so-skint students will have contributed to

Sarah Hay

Societies Writer Trying to get around the world in forty-eight hours without a penny does sound like Mission Impossible, but last year volunteers managed to raise £5,513 in lieu with the RAG Jailbreak event.

The money raised in 2012 was used to develop new Student Volunteering Cardiff projects to support disadvantaged children and adults in the local community. This money has now enabled the establishment of projects including Make and Bake, Fab 5 Party, Planners, Laugh out Loud Fridays and Confident Futures in the 2012-13 academic year.

With volunteers leaving the Student Union in arctic March conditions dressed as various superheroes, bananas, monkeys and three blind mice – it was no surprise that such an amount was raised. It is clear from the photos of last year’s adventure that it was a great laugh for a brilliant cause – and no harm was done.

The victors from last year managed to arrive in Geneva, Switzerland obviously with a lot of haggling and negotiating. Many other groups only managed to get to France and London, some not even leaving the 20.779km entireties of Wales. As if getting to Geneva in forty eight hours isn't enough of a challenge, last year’s winning group had just 48 hours to get back to Cardiff Student Union.

Refugee Rhythms - Go Global week Lucy Parkinson Societies Writer

A brilliant night of live music and international food in aid of STAR – Student Action for Refugees.

Refugee Rhythms is the annual event hosted by Star in CF10 at the union, on the 21 st of February, with doors opening at 8pm.

Each year we are lucky to host some impressive local bands, including The Mankala Band, who recently had a sell-out gig at Gwdihw. There will be an eclectic array of music ranging fromFolk to Afrobeat, guaranteed to get you dancing and adding towards the setting for an amazing atmosphere. There will also be delicious food from all over the world, including Palestinian, Iraqi and Zimbabwean cuisine

amongst others. In addition there will be the opportunity to get a henna tattoo or purchase a variety of handmade jewellery that will be on sale, with all profits going to STAR. STAR is a worthwhile cause,

STAR is a worthwhile cause, promoting the improved treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees promoting the improved treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees. Each week we run English conversation classes on a one to one basis, teaching Asylum seekers and Refugees at Trinity Church on City Road from 6pm until 7.30pm every Wednesday. It

is a fantastic way to meet people get invaluable experience teaching English and improve your CV. We are also involved in national campaigns , we are currently collaborating with Detention Action to try to end the Fast Track Detention system and increase awareness of the treatment of Asylum seekers.

If this sounds like your sort of jam or marmalade, whatever you prefer really, come along to CF10 next Thursday and experience a unique mixture of international music, dancing and food. Tickets cost a mere £4 when bought in advance, or if you decide to pop along at the last minute you can pay £5 on the door.

Get Involved! If you're in a society and want to shout about what you've got going on, then tell us!

E-mail societies@gairrhydd.com

26 / Taf-Od

Wyth enwebiad i gynnyrch S4C yng Ngwyl Cyfryngau Celtaidd 2013 Tomos Lewis Golygydd Taf-od

O taf D

Mae nifer iawn o raglenni Cymraeg wedi eu henwebu ar gyfer gŵyl cyfryngau Celtaidd.

Ymhlith y rhaglenni sydd gyda siawns o ennill gwobr, mae rhaglen rygbi, 'Jonathan', y ddrama 'Gwaith Cartref' ac 'Abadas'.

Bydd yr ŵyl yn cael ei chynnal ddiwedd Ebrill yn Abertawe ble fydd rhaglenni o'r Alban, Cernyw, Llydaw, Ynys Manaw, Iwerddon a Chymru yn cystadlu am wobrwyau. Bydd panel rhyngwladol yn barnu nifer fawr o raglenni o'r gwledydd hyn sydd yn cynnwys wyth enwebiad Cymraeg.

Dywedodd Cyfarwyddwr Cynnwys S4C, Dafydd Rhys, ei bod hi'n "Braf iawn i weld cynnwys S4C mor amlwg yn y rhestr fer ryngwladol yma" "Mae'r gydnabyddiaeth yn y categorïau digidol yn adlewyrchu'r pwyslais mae S4C nawr yn rhoi ar sicrhau bod cynnwys S4C ar gael yn y ffyrdd mwyaf cyfoes, ar gymaint â phosib o blatfformau i sicrhau bod y gynulleidfa yn gallu ei mwynhau ble bynnag maen nhw'n dymuno."

Ymysg yr enwebiadau o Gymru, mae app Y Tywydd a gwasanaeth ail sgrin Y Lifft, oedd yn geisiadau ar gyfer gwobrwyau digidol yr ŵyl. Mae'r cyfryngau Cymraeg wedi bod yn gryn lwyddiannus yn y gorffennol yn yr ŵyl, gyda Rapsgaliwn yn ennill gwobr blwyddyn diwethaf yn Londonderry a 'Ras yn erbyn amser' ac 'Only Men Aloud - O Dredegar Newydd i Efrog Newydd' yn cael eu gwobrwyo yn 2011. Mae'n debyg bydd llawer o gefnogaeth i un o'r enwebiadau gan cwmni Rondo

Media, 'Gwlad yr Astra Gwyn' a oedd yn hynod boblogaidd ar S4C diwedd blwyddyn diwethaf.

Bydd yr wyl yn digwydd rhwng y 24ain a'r 26ain o Ebrill blwyddyn yma yn Abertawe.

Rhestr o'r enwebiadau o stabal S4C: Calon Cartŵn (Cynhyrchiad Griffilms) Afal Drwg Adda (Cynhyrchiad Cwmni Da) Abadas (Cynhyrchiad Dinamo) Y Byd ar Bedwar (Cynhyrchiad ITV Cymru) Gwaith Cartref (Cynhyrchiad Fiction Factory) Jonathan (Cynhyrchiad Avanti) Tai Bach y Byd (Cynhyrchiad Cwmni Da) Gwlad yr Astra Gwyn (Cynhyrchiad Rondo Media) Y Lifft–Gwasanaeth Ail Sgrin(Cynhyrchiad Boom Pictures) Y Tywydd – App (Cynhyrchiad Tinopolis)

Straeon OD o bob rhan o’r byd... Wythnos yma, mochyn gyda cadair olwyn...

W

ythnos diwethaf, c a f o d d mochyn bach newyddion da iawn wrth iddo dderbyn pâr o olwynion newydd. Mae'r mochyn, o'r enw Chris P. Bacon (dim celwydda), wedi dod yn seren ar y rhyngrwyd ers i luniau ohono ddod yn boblogaidd. Bu P. Bacon ei eni heb ddefnydd o'i goesau ôl ond mae nawr yn gallu symud o gwmpas gyda'i gadair olwyn wedi ei wneud yn wreiddiol o K'nex ond nawr wedi ei wneud o ddefnydd mwy stabl wedi iddo

dyfu allan o'r gadair wreiddiol.

Mae fideo o Chris P. Bacon wedi cael ei weld ar y rhyngrwyd dros 500,000 o weithiau yn barod ac wrth weld lluniau ohono, mae'n amlwg pam!

Yn y cyfamser, mae rhywun ar safle eBay wedi ceisio gwerthu 'lasagne' gan gwmni 'Findus' am £70. Mae'r cwmni mewn trafferthion ar y funud yn dilyn honiadau eu bod yn defnyddio cig ceffyl yn eu bwyd. Roedd y person yn ceisio gwerthu'r bwyd am bris uchel gan honni fod lasagne yn werthfawr gan ei fod yn 'limited edition'. Yn nisgrifiad y cynnyrch, fe rybuddiodd y gwerthwr y bydd

y lasagne yn cael ei yrru wedi ei rewi ond mae'n bosib y bydd yn cyrraedd wedi dadmer. Roedd

hefyd yn rhybuddio bod siawns y bydd y cynnyrch yn cynnwys cig ceffyl.

Taf-Od 26-27

Dydd Llun Chwefror 18fed 2013 | @taf_od

27

Eos a'r BBC o'r diwedd yn dod i gytundeb dros dro Yn dilyn brwydr a barhaodd fisoedd, bydd Radio Cymru yn cael darlledu caneon canoedd o artisitiaid. Angharad Hywel sy'n adrodd

D

ros y misoedd diwethaf mae Taf-od wedi bod yn dilyn hynt a helynt EOS, asiantaeth breindaliadau (‘royalaties’) newydd sydd yn cynrychioli artistiaid Cymraeg, yn y ddadl rhyngddynt â’r BBC a S4C. Cynhaliwyd cyfarfodydd drwy fis Ionawr wrth i’r tair ochr geisio dod i gytundeb a fyddai o fydd i bawb. Daeth S4C i gytundeb ag Eos o dan delerau’r asiantaeth ym mis Ionawr. Ond nid tan wythnos ddiwethaf, daeth EOS a’r BBC i gytundeb dros dro a fyddai’n caniatáu i gerddoriaeth dros 300 o gerddorion Cymraeg gael ei chwarae ar yr orsaf radio unwaith eto.

Os nad ydych yn gyfarwydd â’r hyn ddigwyddodd, yn syml, ar Ionawr 1af 2013 collodd Radio Cymru a S4C yr hawl i chwarae dros 30,000 o ganeuon gan dros 300 o artistiaid Cymraeg. Penderfynodd artistiaid Cymraeg megis Dafydd Iwan, Bryn Fôn a Huw Chiswell, dynnu hawliau darlledu eu cerddoriaeth gan PRS a symud i asiantaeth newydd EOS. (PRS yw’r brif asiantaeth ym Mhrydain sydd yn talu breindaliadau i gerddorion am berfformiadau

cyhoeddus megis ar y radio neu’r teledu). O ganlyniad, nid oedd gan y BBC a S4C hawl darlledu cerddoriaeth aelodau’r asiantaeth newydd o hynny allan. Prif nod EOS ydy rhoi cynrychiolaeth well o fuddiannau’r cerddorion, ynghyd â chynyddu swm y breindaliadau maent yn ei dderbyn gan y BBC a S4C.

Mae Radio Cymru yn hollol ddibynnol ar gerddoriaeth yr artistiaid hyn Er yr holl smonach achoswyd gan yr anghydfod hwn, mae’n bwysig nodi nad ffrae uniongyrchol rhwng y cerddorion a Radio Cymru sydd yma. Mae Radio Cymru yn hollol ddibynnol ar gerddoriaeth yr artistiaid hyn; mae tua 36% o holl gynnwys y stesion yn gerddoriaeth Gymraeg. Anghytundeb breindaliadau rhwng EOS a chorffolaeth y BBC sydd wrth wraidd y ddadl.

Dros y 6 wythnos ddiwethaf, mae Radio Cymru wedi’i chael hi’n anodd iawn. Bu newidiadau mawr i amserlen y stesion, wrth

iddynt gael ei gorfodi i gwtogi ar oriau darlledu. Dyma pam daeth y BBC i’r penderfyniad o fynd a chorff EOS i dribiwnlys er mwyn dod i gytundeb pendant â’r asiantaeth. Dywed y BBC, gan nad ydynt wedi llwyddo dod i gadoediad, “byddai gwrandawiad tribiwnlys yn sicrhau y byddai’r dadleuon i gyd yn cael eu clywed ac y byddai modd cael penderfyniad teg a thryloyw”. Wrth fynd a’r mater i dribiwnlys bydd yn tynnu’r holl drafodaeth allan o ddwylo’r BBC ac EOS. Byddai nifer yn cytuno mai dyma’r unig opsiwn sydd ar ôl yn y drafodaeth flêr dros freindaliadau.

Ond dywedodd Dafydd Roberts o EOS, ar y Post Cyntaf, ei fod yntau a’r asiantaeth yn “siomedig iawn” i fynd i dribiwnlys, gan eu bod “wedi cynnig trwydded dros dro gan ein bod ni yn bryderus am sefyllfa Radio Cymru”.

Ni ddaeth penderfyniad EOS am gytundeb dros dro gyda chorffolaeth y BBC i’r amlwg tan wythnos ddiwethaf, wythnos ar ôl cyhoeddiad y BBC i fynd a'r ddadl i dribiwnlys. Ond fel pwysleiswyd gan y BBC, cytundeb dros dro mae EOS wedi cynnig ar hyn o bryd. Byddai tribiwnlys yn dod i benderfyniad pendant am

ddyfodol perthynas EOS â’r BBC, ynghyd a dyfodol yr SRG ar Radio Cymru.

Nid cerddoriaeth yn unig sydd wedi bod ar goll ar donfedd Radio Cymru yn ddiweddar; mae beirdd y Talwrn wedi ymuno â’r ddadl, gan wrthod cymryd rhan yn recordio cyfres newydd Talwrn y Beirdd.

O ganlyniad cytundeb dros dro EOS â’r BBC, yn gynnar ddydd Mercher diwethaf, cysylltodd y Prifardd Myrddin ap Dafydd gyda chynhyrchydd cyfres y Talwrn yn nodi parodrwydd yr holl feirdd i recordio’r gyfres newydd. Erbyn canol bora, daeth wrthwynebiad nifer o feirdd blaenllaw Cymru i’r amlwg. Karen Owen, capten tîm Y Rhelyw Cyntaf, oedd y cyntaf i ymateb, gan ddweud “os oedden ni’n streicio oherwydd ein bod ni’n cefnogi egwyddor y cerddorion a’n bod ni’n gwneud safiad ar ran Radio Cymru yn wyneb bygythiad o Lundain, onid ydi’r pethau hynny’n dal i sefyll?”.

Yr un oedd ymateb nifer o feirdd eraill megis Ifor ap Glyn, Mei Mac a Geraint Lovgreen, sydd hefyd yn aelod o EOS. Ni fydd oleiaf hanner dwsin o dimau amlwg y Talwrn yn cymryd rhan yn y gyfres hyd nes bydd cytundeb

pendant rhwng EOS a’r BBC. Mae’r mis diwethaf wedi bod yn gythryblus iawn i Radio Cymru, wrth i’r BBC ac EOS fethu dod i gytundeb. Yn dilyn y cytundeb dros dro, mae Radio Cymru am ddychwelyd i’r hen drên am nawr. Mae’r BBC yn pwysleisio mai cytundeb dros dro yn unig yw hwn; ond fel dywed Rhodri Talfan Davies, cyfarwyddwr BBC Radio Cymru, mae’n ‘ddatblygiad pwysig’ yn y ddadl rhwng y BBC ac EOS.

Yn wir, mae’n debyg fod pawb - cerddorion, beirdd a’r cyhoedd, yn gobeithio am ddatrysiad pendant i’r anghytuno. Er mwyn dyfodol yr SRG, sydd yn fregus iawn yn barod, a Radio Cymru bydd rhaid dod i gytundeb parhaol yn fuan.

Rhai o'r artistiaid yng nghanol y ddadl

Rhaglen Gymraeg gyntaf i Radio Cardiff

Yn ystod wythnos hanesyddol i ddarlledu yn y Gymraeg, Taf-od sy'n adrodd ar raglen newydd ar yr orsaf radio leol

W

ythnos diwethaf fe ddarlledwyd rhaglen Gymraeg ar orsaf radio Radio Cardiff am y tro cyntaf, wedi ei gyflwyno gan Gwenno Saunders, cantores o Gaerdydd.

Darlledwyd y rhaglen o'r enw 'Cam o'r tywyllwch' rhwng 8 a 10 dydd Iau diwethaf ar yr orsaf gy-

munedol sydd yn lleol i'r brifddinas. Mae'r rhaglen wythnosol yn chwarae cerddoriaeth arbrofol o bob cyfnod ac yn eiriau'r gyflwynwraig Saunders, "does dim ffiniau". Mae gobaith i'r rhaglen dyfu wrth i'r wythnosau ddod yn ei blaen gyda'r posibilrwydd o gael gwesteion ar y rhaglen yn y dyfodol.

Fe ddarlledwyd y rhaglen yn ystod wythnos hanesyddol iawn i

ddarlledu Cymraeg, 90 mlynedd ers i'r iaith Gymraeg gael ei ddarlledu am y tro cyntaf erioed ar y radio yn 1923. Mewn cyferbyniad i'r hyn sy'n ddisgwyliedig o'r rhaglen newydd ar Radio Cardiff, y gan gyntaf i'w glywed yn y Gymraeg oedd cân werin 'Dafydd y Garreg Wen' a gafodd ei ganu gan y Bariton, Mostyn Thomas.

Daeth y darllediad o stiwdio fach wedi ei leoli ar ben siop gerddor-

iaeth yng Nghaerdydd gan ddefnyddio technoleg hynod gyntefig, sy'n siŵr o fod yn hollol wahanol i'r hyn mae Radio Cardiff yn ei ddefnyddio.

Mae'n bosib gwrando ar sioe newydd Gwenno Saunders ar Radio Cardiff pob nos Iau rhwng 8 a 10, ar 98.7FM. Gwenno Saunders

28 / Puzzles

Sudoku Sudoku #1

kakuro

Intermediate Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Book 3

Kakuro #1 10x10 Kakuro Puzzles by KrazyDad, Book 18 Fill in the grid so that each run of squares adds up to the total in the box above or to the left. Use only numbers 1–9 and never use a number more than once per run (a number may recur in the same row, in a separate run).

Easy

2

5

8

9

6 4 2

1 4

9

2

9 5 7 4 4

6

5

11

12

4 10

16

16 14

23

15

16 9 8

16 10

6 17

16 11

11

10

17 26

24 24

5

8

Intermediate

6

If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.

4

15

9

4

Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle.

Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck.

15

31 31

17

Sudoku #1

27

12 8

7

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.

19

45

8

© 2012 KrazyDad.com Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Volume 5, Book 17

4

45

12 They who provide much wealth for their children, but neglect to improve them in virtue, do like those who feed their horses high, but never train them to the manage.

-- Socrates

7 2 8 6 9 5 3 7 8 4 4 3 7 2 9 8 7 2 5 8 1 4 9 2 7 1 9 5 2 7 5 8 4

20

8 © 2012 KrazyDad.com

Rhys’ Riddles

Steve has been assigned a task. He must arrange the numbers 1 to 8 in the grid below so that consecutive numbers are not in adjacent boxes (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally). Steve also has no opposable thumbs; can you write in Need some help? visit krazydad.com/kakuro the numbers for him?

Kakuro puzzles are like a cross between a crossword and a Sudoku puzzle.

Instead of letters, each block contains the digits 1 through 9. The same digit will never repeat within a word. If you add the digits in a word, the sum will be the number shown in the clue. Clues are shown on the left and right sides of “across” words, and on the top and bottom sides of “down” words.

© 2012 KrazyDad.com

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.

If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.

Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle.

Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck.

Liberty don't work as good in practice as it does in speeches.

-- Will Rogers

3 7

6

"Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in and out of favor."

-- Robert Frost

6 5 3

AEFH I K L M N T BCDG J O P Q R S Last week's solution:

Listings 29

Monday February 18th 2012 | @mediacsu

MUSIC Elliot Blood Tuesday 19th February at Buffalo. 8pm. Tickets £8.

Little Mix Tuesday 19th February at the Motorpoint Arena. 7.30 pm. Tickets £33.50 City Reign Wednesday 20th February at Buffalo. 8pm. Tickets £4 Reel Big Fish Thursday 21st February at Solus. 7.30pm. Tickets £15.50 Continents Thursday 21st February at Clwb Ifor Bach. 7.30pm. Tickets £5.

DJ Deep Friday 22nd February at Clwb Ifor Bach. 10pm. Tickets £10.

Australian Pink Floyd Saturday 23rd February at the Motorpoint Arena. 7.30pm. Tickets £33.50

THEATRE

A Streetcar Named Desire Tuesday 19th – Saturday 23rd February. at YMCA. Price Range: £6-7 Birdsong Tuesday 19th – Saturday 23rd February at the New Theatre. Price Range: £8 - 104 Madam Butterfly Friday 22nd February at the Welsh Millenium Centre. Price Range: £5-40.

Lulu - Saturday 23rd February at the Wlesh Millenium Centre. Price Range: £5-40

CLUBS

The Lash Wednesday 20th February at Solus. 10pm - 3am. £3 in advance, £4 on the door CYNT Relauch Thursday 21st February at Clwb Ifor Bach. 10.30pm - 3am Comeplay Saturday 23rd February at Solus 10pm - 2am. £4 in advance £5 on the door £5 - £7.

SOCIETIES

ART & CULTURE 'After The Fall' by Hin Chua from

Go Global Festival of Culture and Di-

2nd February to 7th March at the Third Floor

versity at Cardiff Student Union. Monday

Gallery

18th - Sunday 24th February.

Life Drawing Classes Every Tuesday at 10 Feet Tall. 6pm. £5.

32 / Sport

Cheerleaders charm their way to success Josie Copson Sport Writer

When people think of cheerleaders, their first thought is usually girls dressed in short skirts armed with pom poms, standing on the side of a sports pitch encouraging their team to win a match.

Admittedly, before becoming a member of the Cardiff Snakecharmers, this is to some extent what I thought our primary purpose would be, supporting our male counterparts. I thought that we would be the extra entertainment rather than the centre of attention. I was so wrong. There is a whole world of cheer out there. The sport is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing female sports.

The Snakecharmers train three times a week in order to reach competition standard. Training sessions are tough, tiring and extremely intense but most definitely rewarding and good fun. The sport rivals many others in its level of physical exertion. Cheerleaders need to be as strong as rugby players, as flexible as gymnasts and as graceful and energetic as dancers (in my very biased opinion).

Cardiff Snakecharmers consists of three teams: Venom (who compete at Level 5), Poison (who compete at Level 2) and the Performance squad who don't compete but often perform around Cardiff. They recently took part in a fundraiser at Varsity in order to raise money for the teams.

All three squads also performed to a packed out venue

during the Superbowl in Walkabout. Nerves were jangling that night as it was the first showcase of our brand new routines made by a professional choreographer.

Also, the floor was concrete rather than our usual safe, spongy floor. Cheerleaders, unlike most other sports, do not wear protective gear. We only have a short skirt and pair of spanx to protect us. In fact, cheerleading proves to be the most dangerous women's sport with large numbers of injuries and emergency room visits being five times more than any other sport. However, the flyers were able to place complete trust in the bases, backs and fronts to esnure that there were no accidents.

The cheer squad are considered a successful society at Cardiff University. Looking at last year's results, it is clear why.

At the BCA Western Classicals, Poison came 3rd and Venom triumphed, winning gold. At the ICC Nationals, Venom took 4th place and Poison 5th. Venom went alone to the ICC University Nationals and earned the incredible title of being the second best university cheer squad in the UK. This success wouldn't be possible without the commitment of each member, and especially the committee's efforts. The captain of the Cardiff Snakecharmers, Katy Stewart, said “Being captain is a challenging but very rewarding role. It takes dedication and a lot of my spare time but the teams are so supportive and hard-working that I think we will put for-

ward a fantastic performance at competitions this year.”

Being part of the cheer squad is almost like being in a family, as the girls spend a lot of time together both in and out of training sessions. For example, on the infamous socials organised

by Abby Carlisle, the social secretary, nights out often get a bit wild.

It is a mystery to me why cheerleading is not a sport, when it clearly conforms to the definition provided by the Oxford English Dictionary. It is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.”

As cheerleading is not yet recognised as being a sport, the venues used to train are often unsuitable for the activity. This is definitely the case for Cardiff's cheerleaders who train in the Talybont Dojo, where flyers hitting the ceiling during stunts is not a rarity.

Competitions this year will be taking place at both the end of February and end of March.

It is what everyone has on their minds on, with the girls putting a huge amount of pressure on themselves to perform well. Not only will we be performing at these competitions, but on April 24th, the squad will be present at the infamous Varsity day, where crowds will pack in to the Millennium stadium and be treated to not only an amazing rugby match but also a look at what the Cardiff Snakecharmers are really about.

Windsurfers traverse the Irish Sea in search of waves Cardiff University Windsurf Club's president Jony Price tells Sport why you should consider joining the club this year

I

n the midst of the recent storms, which battered the country, members of Cardiff University Windsurf Club made a last minute call to travel across the snowcovered UK to the West Coast of Ireland in pursuit of nuclear winds and world-class waves.

The University Windsurf Club is like no other AU club. We tend not to focus on competition results, but rather the enjoyment of our members, regardless of windsurfing ability, both on and off the water. We regularly travel the country for social weekends and SWA (Student Windsurfing Association) competitions and events.

The club welcomes newcomers to the sport at any stage during the academic the year. Many of our current members are qualified instructors, providing beginner and intermediate level tuition on our weekly lake trips. Our more advanced members compete

regularly at National level, but their priority is travelling the country in search of perfect waves and wind. Windsurfing is all about the enjoyment you get from the sport and chasing down the ultimate conditions becomes a passion, some might say obsession.

If you think you'd like to give Windsurfing a go, please get in touch with our club via the AU or our Facebook page (Cardiff Uni Windsurf Club 2012).

On February 22nd-24th, Cardiff University Windsurf Club will host a wave-sailing competition on the beaches of South Wales, powered by industry leader Puravida. It's shaping up to be a spectacular event, attracting students from universities across the UK. As well as witnessing some professional standard windsurfing, the Friday and Saturday night parties are guaranteed to be on a level you don't want to miss! Get in touch with the club now if you want to get involved!

Sport 32-36

Monday February 18th 2013 | @gairrhyddsport

33

BUCS Review Men’s first XV second best in mud bath derby defeat Arthur Russell Sport Writer

Cardiff University men's rugby first XV found themselves comprehensively beaten 32-0 by a well-drilled Cardiff Met outfit.

The miserable conditions at Llanrumney Playing Fields, meant that the majority of the game was restricted to the forwards. The University’s director of rugby, Martyn Fowler, saw his side "out-muscled, out-played and out-thought," with the sheer physicality and intelligent game management from local rivals Met proving the decisive factor.

Cardiff were punished ruthlessly by the visitors, who mastered the basics in the testing conditions.

Cardiff made a solid start but squandered the chance to take an early lead from a penalty as the conditions made kicking, let alone free-flowing rugby, a nightmare.

Despite Cardiff being solid in defence, Met's sustained heavy pressure eventually told. 20 minutes into proceedings, two quick tries from the visitors gave them a healthy 15-0 lead.

A rolling maul led to a score from Met second row Miles Normandale. The league runners-up continued to mount pressure onto the hosts, keeping them pinned back in their own 22 with

intelligent kicking from outside half, Mark Cook.

Cardiff Met's lead was extended after choosing to kick for the corner from one of the 22 penalties conceded by Cardiff. The resulting lineout led to the opposition flanker capitalising on the gaping hole in the Cardiff defence to easily touch down. Half time saw Cardiff trailing by 20 points.

Met had enjoyed the lion’s

share of possession and continued to bully the home side, stretching their lead early on in the second half from a well-executed back row scrum move to score their fourth try.

Midway through the second half, a second rolling maul epitomised the visitors' dominance, as the title contenders steamrolled their way over in the corner. The conversion was confidently converted by Cook, making the score

32-0.

With the home side always on the back foot the result was never in doubt; however, credit must go to Cardiff for the sheer endeavour they showed throughout. The youthful side showed glimpses of the potential it has when in possession. The support from the substitutes' bench ensured fresh legs limited the scoreline for the rest of the game, but this was not enough to stop Cardiff Met

recording their tenth win in the BUCS Premier League this season and sealing second place behind the University of Exeter.

Fowler was full of praise for the back row, suggesting that without their efforts, Cardiff's points difference could have been severely worse off. He singled out flankers Rhys Luckwell and James Sawyer, as the stand-out performers.

Bryn Phillips orchestrated the pack well, before being replaced

by Ludo Thomas, who continued his good work in providing fine service to the backs, only to be constrained by the appalling conditions.

Fowler pointed to the opposition’s ability to utilise the conditions to their own benefit, as Met's physical pack were involved in all five tries. He was dismayed to see his men continuously taking on the stronger opposition up front and not making use of their own talented backline.

Fowler was, however, pragmatic in defeat. He called for an immediate reaction from his players, believing that they can use the game as a learning curve and motivation as they prepare for the eagerly anticipated Varsity match against bitter rivals Swansea.

Varsity tickets are now on sale at the Union Box Office.

Cardiff Ladies dig deep to restrict Exeter Emma Fox Sport Writer

Cardiff Ladies' first XV's league season ended with a creditable 10-0 defeat to high-flying Exeter at Llanrumney.

After achieving a much needed win against Chichester last week, the team were on a high and determined to put in a good performance against a strong Exeter side. In wet, cold conditions and a very muddy pitch, it was set to be a forwards-heavy game.

Tash Doyle stepped up to captaincy and at number eight, bossed the scrums. Cardiff kicked off to Exeter and the first 15 minutes saw both teams battling it out and finding the wet conditions difficult to manage.

From a scrum, Exeter's backs swung blind, creating an overlap to run in a try from 20 metres out.

It was not long until the visitors looked dangerous again and their captain and monster of a number eight slipped through several tackles to dive over the line. With

both tries going unconverted the score was 10-0 at half time.

In the second half, Cardiff retained possession for quite some time and a frustrated Exeter conceded many penalties for ill-discipline around the rucks. The likes of Alice Stean and Karen Davies, made metres with kicks to touch, but Cardiff’s lineout was not at its best in the tough conditions and the hosts could not capitalise on the metres made.

Great breaks from both Catlin Davis at fullback and Elisa Crombie on the wing saw Cardiff look dangerous, but unfortunately the whitewash was always a few metres out of reach. In the last quarter-of-an-hour, Alice Stean made a great tactical kick into space in Exeter's 22, but was pulled back on her chase and Cardiff gained the penalty from where the ball landed.

With this being perhaps Cardiff's last chance to score some points, the penalty was taken on

by Anna White who made good ground towards the line.

go close, but a great cover tackle out wide from Maria Waghorn shoved the player into touch. Cardiff came away with a 10-0 loss, but in comparison to the heavy defeat in the teams' last meeting, the margin was a respectable one and showed how far the team have come in a season.

It remains to be seen whether Cardiff will stay in the BUCS Premier League this season with the standings coming down to points, but the girls are now looking ahead to National Cup games and the Varsity match.

After several big carries, it was on for Cardiff to score, but unfortunately the conditions wreaked havoc once more and the ball slid out of the base of a ruck for an alert Exeter defender to dive on it, and Cardiff were suddenly defending.

Exeter were looking for a third try and worked their way down the pitch, but Cardiff remained strong in defence and, although conceding a couple of penalties in their own 22, the girls worked hard to deny Exeter. A final effort from the Devon side, saw them

CARDIFF: Catlin Davies; Bridget Taylor, Ellie Davies, Holly Hearle, Elisa Crombie; Alice Stean, Emma Fox; Maria Waghorn, Anna White, Beth Stafford; Awen Prysor, Karen Davies; Hannah Campbell, Harriet Cox, Tash Doyle.

Bench: Helen Chamberlain, Lauren Cooper, Georgia Hanson, Rachel Kidner, Anna Hickman, Blanche Lumb.

34 / Sport

Round-up

Team Talk: Engin Loco Engin Locomotive skipper Ollie Baily describes the season so far to Ross Martinovic

O

ne of IMG Football's traditional powerhouses, Engin Loco are an outfit that most sides would be pleased to avoid.

Blessed with their association with the sizeable School of Engineering, Loco, or Engin Locomotive to give them their full title, are joined in IMG by a 'B' squad in Engin Automotive.

The ability to field two sides is a rare advantage in the competition and ensures that Engin are able to maintain their considerable standards.

In contrast to previous years, though, Engin Loco are not involved in Phase 2's Premiership after finishing fifth in a testing Group C in Phase 1.

A slow start to the season eventually proved costly, but captain Ollie Baily is satisfied with the way that his squad have upped their game in recent weeks.

sirable climates. Fortunately, our recruitment staff are excellent and the freshers we managed to bring in, went a long way to-

How do you think the season is going so far?

It’s going OK! It’s always tricky to get settled when players are moving in and out of the squad at the start of the year, and we began with a shaky 4-1 loss, but since then results have improved and we’ve had some convincing victories. The weather and pitch cancellations have taken their toll on consistency a little, but everyone is in the same boat.

wards plugging the gaps. Also, crucially, we had players coming back from their year in industry, bringing quality and experience back to the IMG. What effect does this transition have on momentum from the team that performed so well in the Premiership last season?

Well, last year was a mixed bag.

We qualified strongly and I think we were unbeaten, but then finished mid-table in the Premiership and had some poor results.

Players coming in and out has an

Has there been much of an upheaval in your squad this year?

Yes, we lost several key players last year. Some moved on with their careers outside the domain of football, others we received irrefutable offers for and have taken their football to more de-

effect but it’s the same each year, which is why the IMG format works so well. As teams change so much year-on-year, it is vital

the format remains so that the ranking in the new season does not depend on the previous year’s performance.

How helpful is it having two sides in terms of keeping standards high?

Yes, we are fortunate to have such a large department to pick from. It is great to have competition between squads and we regularly have players interchanging depending on form.

Any particular boys catching the eye with their perfor-

mances this year?

The freshers who have come in have been excellent. It is important to have a good keeper, and Sam Crosswell has come in this year and been excellent. We lost our tenacious centre midfielder John Pope to injury, who was Player of the Season last year, but Nick Madani, coming back in from his year in industry, has been fantastic. Rob Spillane has made the jump between the two Engin teams and impressed in an attacking wide role this year.

The whole team has been fantastic this year, and made my job as captain pleasant and easy.

How would you describe the Engin Loco style of play?

Like a cross between Real Madrid and Accrington Stanley! We love to get the ball down and play, but often the bobbly pitches and Welsh weather force us into Plan B and our game plan begins to resemble Stoke. We always pack the midfield and get three up top, with freedom to roam and play football. We did once play a sophisticated brand of football, but after we gave up training towards the end of last season the complex tactics of yesteryear have all but vanished.

Which team has presented you with the biggest challenge this year?

Psycho Athletico were strong against us, although it was the first game of the season and we weren’t quite ready as a team.

Engin Auto two weeks ago was a tough game as everyone was up for it with pride on the line. The game was close and our 3-1 win was flattering. A special mention for Harry Foreman’s contender for goal of the season, albeit a consolation at 3-0 down.

What does a typical night out involve for the Engin Loco boys?

Well, in the past we’ve put on some great events including a beer pong tournament, pool nights and joint socials with the netballers, but on a typical night we’ll meet at the Taf for cheap pints and, hopefully, the Champions League will be on the telly.

We’ll then go to The Lash normally as it’s just next door and we are very lazy. We’re always sure to meet for breakfast at Ramon’s on Salisbury Road the next morning for a debrief of the night’s events.

Big up Ramon’s.

What have you thought of the new structure of the IMG this year and its organisation?

Yeah, it’s good. I think it’s a good thing that the league is run by the AU rather than just a participant in the league like it used to be.

They do a great job of running it and the only difficulties seem to come from pitch cancellations, which is the council’s domain.

We’ll cross our fingers that the league can be wrapped up by Easter.

Have there been any particular issues for you?

No, the only incident of note was the ‘Busgate’ scandal in which buses to Trelai left without certain teams. I wouldn’t point any fingers - I think the issue comes down to people’s ability to get onto buses if nothing else. To be fair the steps are quite high and sometimes there are two separate entrances onto the bus. A few years ago we played at Trelai every week and the league didn’t need to lay on buses, we got public buses or people drove, and no one complained!

Group C Group A

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

1

0

23

22

1 2

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

1

Roath Park Rangers

9

7

2

0

12

23

Pharm A.C.

8

7

0

1

19

21

2

EarthSoc

9

7

0

2

24

21

CARBS FC

8

6

2

0

26

20

3

Psycho Athletico

9

5

2

2

12

17

CHAOS FC

9

4

3

2

2

15

Group B

1

FC Euros

8

7

2

Momed AFC

8

6

1

1

16

19

3

SOCSI

8

6

0

2

35

18

3

Law A

8

4

1

3

10

13

4

4

AFC Dentistry

8

5

1

2

15

16

4

History AFC

8

4

0

4

-1

12

5

Engin Loco FC

9

4

2

3

7

14

5

1st XI

8

4

0

4

6

12

5

Cardiff Mets

8

3

1

4

8

10

6

Cardiff Uni IMG 1st

9

4

1

4

17

13

6

Cardiff Uni IMG 2nd

8

2

1

5

-25

7

6

Inter Menan

8

3

1

4

4

10

7

C-PLAN AFC

9

3

2

4

3

11

7

Law B

8

1

3

4

-7

6

7

JOMEC FC

8

3

1

4

-17

10

8

Computer Science FC

9

2

1

6

-22

7

8

Chemistry FC

8

1

1

6

-10

4

8

Gym Gym

8

1

2

5

-28

5

9

OPSOC

9

1

1

7

-41

4

9

Too Big To Fail

8

0

0

8

-53

0

9

Time Team

8

1

0

7

-21

3

10

Engin Automotive FC

9

0

2

7

-14

2

35

Sport 32–36

Monday February 18th 2013 | @gairrhyddsport

The Tip-Off: EUROS In this week's Tip-Off, Ross Martinovic speaks to EUROS Netball captain Lucy Wigmore

T

he dawn of the spring semester has brought fresh hope and optimism for EUROS Netball.

Before Christmas, the EUROS girls were placed into a tough Phase 1 group with the likes of ENCAP 'A' and Psychology 'A' and ended up being placed in the fourth division for Phase 2.

2013, however, has started very positively for the EUROS girls, members of the School of European Languages, Translation and Politics.

Lucy Wigmore's side sit third in a league containing several departments much larger than themselves after two games, giving EUROS plenty of renewed ambition for the season ahead.

well. I wouldn't be surprised to see either of them at the top of the league. We had a tough first semester because it was a brand new team that needed to get used to playing together but over time we have bonded really well and we have high hopes for this semester.

How different is your squad to last year? Have you taken on many new players?

Last year, the squad was fairly small and made up of about nine players. Out of those nine, there are only five left and so we had to go on a big recruitment drive this year. The squad has gone up to 16 players - it's been strange adapting to a much bigger team but it is a good thing because it means we have a variety of players for each position and its normally fairly easy to get a team together.

So far, you've had a win and a loss in Phase 2. Are you pleased with that return?

We were really happy with the win over Gym Gym [in our first match]. It was a tight game but we managed to edge it at the end thanks to our brilliant shooters.

We lost our last match against Bioscience 5-4 but it was a very close game and they edged ahead in the last minute, so although we would have preferred the win, we aren’t too disappointed with the result. If we continue to play like this then I'm sure we can win the league.

Who would you say have been your star performers this year?

I think everyone has been stars, a lot of people joined the team with very little recent experience playing netball (myself included) but each person has worked really hard to learn their position and play to the best of their ability. Laura Byrne has been a high goal scorer as have Zoe Ferris, Eve McFadzean and Maxine Silver. Paula Brotherton has the perfect amount of aggression for a strong defender and Bea Gundry and Natasha Spraggs have been fantastic goalkeepers.

Who have been your toughest opponents this year? Who can you see challenging at the top of IMG? ENCAP were a particularly tough opponent in Phase 1, they were just a much faster team which is a great advantage in netball. CARBS are also really good, they train hard and play

Where would you say the strength of your side lies?

I know it's cheesy but, honestly, I couldn't ask for a better team. I think our strength lies in the fact that everybody is flexible and prepared to play whatever posi-

Division One

P

W

D

L

Pts

1

Cardiff Uni A

2

2

0

0

6

2

CARBS A

1

1

0

0

tion they are needed for that day.

Our attack is great at getting the ball into the 'D' and the shooters have a pretty high success rate of getting the ball in the net. Whilst we don't always win our matches, we always have a high number on the scoreline. The defence is equally as good, our motto is to be as bolshy as possible without the umpire blowing the whistle!

We've heard of some fairly impressive social scenes from ENCAP and Psychology so far.

How does EUROS compare on the social front?

Wednesday nights for EUROS are always fairly lively. We have joint socials with FC EUROS, which involve the boys dressing up as netballers and the girls as footballers. This is always a great

Division Two

P

W

D

L

Pts

1

SOCSI A

2

2

0

0

6

3

2

Pharmacy A

2

1

1

0

night and everybody gets fairly rowdy! Our initiation involved the girls dressing up as pirates and running around Cathays on a treasure hunt - we ended up with Vicky Ferris pictured on top of a phone box and doing vodka shots off a bin. Punishments involved eating gherkins and taking the plank position on my kitchen floor whilst strawpedoing a pint of vodka/mixer.

How did you get into playing IMG Netball? What do you enjoy the most about it?

I found out about IMG Netball because a few of my friends played in first year and I saw notices on Blackboard. I love IMG because we don't have to take ourselves too seriously, obviously winning is great but you can get away

Division Three

P

W

D

L

Pts

1

Chemistry

2

1

1

0

4

4

2

SOCSI B

1

1

0

0

with collapsing with laughter when a girl gets smacked in the face with a ball. Falling over is a frequent component of the game and it's a victory if we've all managed to stay on our feet at the end of a match.

IMG and the AU have been praised for their progress this year with the competition. Is there anything that you would like to see improved in terms of its organisation?

IMG organisation has been better this year. We do feel more involved with AU, but there is definitely still a divide, which I think is a shame. I'd like to improve this gap and make IMG a much bigger part of the AU as I think it would help in terms of support and funding.

Division Four

P

W

D

L

Pts

1

Cardiff Dental

1

1

0

0

3

3

2

Pharmacy B

2

1

0

1

3

3

ENCAP A

1

1

0

0

3

3

Cardiff Uni B

2

1

0

1

3

3

CARBS B

2

1

0

1

3

3

EUROS

2

1

0

1

3

4

Law A

2

1

0

1

3

4

Engin Auto

2

1

0

1

3

4

JOMEC

2

1

0

1

3

4

Cardiff Medics B

2

1

0

1

3

5

Psychology A

1

0

0

1

0

5

EarthSoc

2

0

1

1

1

5

OPSOC

2

1

0

1

3

5

History Soc

2

1

0

1

3

6

Law B

1

0

0

1

0

6

Cardiff Medics A

1

0

0

1

0

6

URNU

2

0

1

1

1

6

Bioscience

2

1

0

1

3

7

Engin Loco

2

0

0

2

0

7

ENCAP B

1

0

0

1

0

7

Psychology B

1

0

0

1

0

7

Gym Gym

1

0

0

1

0

Women's XV compete in tough home fixture against Exeter << page 33

cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk /gairrhydd

Sport Monday February 18th 2013 | Issue 998

Surf ’s up for Cardiff

Sport editor James Shapland reviews a successful week of BUCS action for Team Cardiff

I

n a relatively quiet week in terms of BUCS fixtures, Team Cardiff lodged some important victories. None more so than the men’s fencing team, whose seven hour trip to East Anglia proved worthwhile.

Their comprehensive 114-97 victory sees the boys progressing to the semi-finals of the BUCS National Trophy.

The week also saw teams staking claims for top-of-the-table positions. The netball ladies secured a vital 42-38 home victory over Bristol. As a result, Cardiff leap-frog Bristol and sit three points behind leaders UWE in second place. Their basketball counterparts enjoyed a narrow 57-56 victory over Bath, cementing their title-chasing position.

Things are looking good for the

Men’s XV toil against Cardiff Met << page 33

Men's fencing progressed into the semi-final of the BUCS National Trophy thanks to a 114-97 victory girls as they sit three points behind leaders Bristol with two games in hand.

The title hopes of the men’s squash team are not looking so good as they slipped up to local rivals, Swansea in a closely fought 3-2 defeat. As well as giving them a psychological boost ahead of Varsity, the result places Swansea three points behind Cardiff with a game in hand.

Sitting further down their respective league table, the women’s badminton team continue to

struggle as they suffered a heavy 8-0 defeat at home to Northumbria. They are currently hovering above bottom spot, but with Southampton six points behind, Cardiff should avoid relegation from the Premier South division.

Meanwhile, both the men's and women's rugby teams endured tough tests and suffered defeats this week (full reports on page 33).

The Tip-Off: EUROS Netball << page 35