gair rhydd Monday November 21 2011 | freeword – Est. 1972 | Issue 964
...Third time lucky?
First...
...Second... Poor packaging
Hannah Pendleton News Editor
gair rhydd can exclusively reveal that the annual Summer Ball will now take place at the end of the summer term following the examination period. The decision to alter the date of the event comes after negative student feedback and the huge losses incurred from 2011’s May Ball. An online poll in August invited students to specify which time of year would be best for the event in the future. 98% of students chose June and consequently the Ball will now be held over a month later than last year’s May Ball. The contested choice of date for the May Ball resulted in losses of £30,000 for the Student Union. The lack of success for the event was widely considered a direct consequence of the date that stood in the start of the end of year examination period. At this time most of Cardiff University’s student
population were busy preparing for their final exams. The £30,000 loss the May Ball suffered ensued the previous year’s Cooper’s Field Summer Ball that suffered a record loss of £58,775.80. This figure prompted the Student Union’s Board of Trustees to make the decision to cancel future Cooper’s Field Summer Balls to make way for the new end of year celebrations, eventually announced as the May Ball. This revamp was established to avoid further losses of such magnitude which the Student Union’s budget could not afford. However, it only proceeded to sustain another huge consumption of this budget; the total income stood at just £12,000 alongside a total expenditure of £42,000. Harry Newman, Societies Officer who campaigned to bring back the Summer Ball commented, “I’m very pleased that we’re in a position to offer a quality high-class event at the end of exams. The dates work out really well this year.
“It’s very important we don’t get ourselves in the same position as recent years.” Now this year’s event will take place on Saturday June 16 2012; a date that may prove a more convenient time for students to celebrate the end of the academic year. In December, around 3,200 tickets will go on sale for just one day. Beachbreak Live have even gone to lengths to change their dates to avoid a clash. Harry Newman added: “Beachbreak Live have cooperated to settle on the best date possible. This will set a precedent for coming years.” Although the Cooper’s Field Ball has not returned, this year’s Summer Ball will be an expansion of the May Ball format. It is expected to begin in the grounds of the Main Building, finishing over in the Students’ Union during the evening. The celebration will host fairground rides, multiple bars and live music. Live entertainment in the past has ranged from the local
to the global, including Calvin Harris, Feeder, Scouting for Girls, The Automatic, Girls Aloud, Zane Lowe and Pendulum. Harry Newman told gair rhydd that the event will be either maximised further or reduced based on the demand for tickets: “The event will be shaped around demand. Depending on how many tickets we sell, we can make a better event.” Possible ideas for expansion include utilising the grass area outside of the Students’ Union, spilling out onto the back of the Main Building and closing the road on Park Place. Tickets at £20 each will go on sale for one day only on Friday December 16 2011; they will no longer be available after this date. Through the introduction of a new deposit scheme, tickets can be secured on this day for £5 with the remaining £15 payable in February. Tickets can be purchased from the Students’ Union Box Office or online at: www. cardiffboxoffice.com.
Laura Evans News Editor
Concerns have been raised by students regarding the lack of ingredients information on food packaging in the Union. Students have noticed that products such as sandwiches sold in the Kitchen, Taf and the Union shop, do not contain information about ingredients or allergy advice. This could be a serious problem for people who suffer from severe allergies and have to be careful about what food they consume. According to the Food Standards Agency, it is not a legal requirement for businesses like the Union, who prepack their products in-house to indicate whether the food contains ingredients that people may be allergic to such as nuts, wheat or eggs. However, students have raised concerns that the union may not be fulfilling their moral requirement to ‘put students first’.
The Legends Issue
Continued on page 4...
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gr EDITOR Oliver Smith CO-ORDINATOR Elaine Morgan SUB-EDITORS Yas Langley James Dunn Chris Williams NEWS Sheri Hall Henry McMorrow Hannah Pendleton Matt Jones Laura Evans
OPINION Izzy Voss Libby van den Bosch COLUMNIST Daisy Esther Payne POLITICS Luke Slade Sophie Gidley FEATURES Ellen Atkinson Ali Ishaq SCIENCE Jenny Lambourne SOCIETIES Isabelle Roberts
SPORT Jamie Evans Zac Cole Jonathan Frank CONTRIBUTORS Sophie Chamberlain Helena Graham Anna Hickman Helen Cameron Lucy Barclay Callum McLagan Rebecca Wilson Athelstan Holt Thom Hollick Matt Bradley Agnieszka Miszczuk Josh Fortey Amber Bell Charlotte Wace Alice Collins Sarah Uhl Tom Clarke Alexey Underwood Mia Holt Caleb McKay Cerith Rhys Jones Garmon Rhys Si么n Llywelyn Jones Chris Duncan Dale Jones Matt Gray Rhys Clayton George Dugdale Amy Hill
pg. 6
News follow the lengths some students have gone to in the name of RAG
pg. 11
gairrhydd
A day in the life of an 'Occupy Cardiff' protestor in Opinion
Get involved. - Monday - 5.00pm Nelson Mandela Room (21st Nov) Cardiff Students' Union
pg. 18
Features looks at the problem of peer pressure at University
- Monday - 5.30pm Nelson Mandela Room (21st Nov) Cardiff Students' Union
Sudoku
EASY
Taf-Od Caio Iwan Osian Gruffydd
Monday November 21 2011
sport. taf-od. societies. science. features. politics. opinion. news.
02
the latest on NASA's pg. 23 Science finds outproject cancellations
pg. 39
Sport offers their say on the magic of the FA Cup
For the answer and more puzzles, head over to page 30
News 1-7
Monday November 21 2011
Opinion Politics Features Science Societies Listings 28 - 29 22 - 23 26 - 27 9 - 12 14 - 16 18 - 21
Sport 37 - 40
03
gairrhydd
World News
A Rainbow Revival? Sophie Chamberlain News Reporter Did you ever wonder what happened to Zippy and the gang from the television series Rainbow? Well a man from Kent has discovered a tree trunk bearing incredible likeness to the Rainbow character, George. The tree was spotted in Bedgebury Pinetum in Goudhurst, Kent by a man called Tony Doust. The arboreal doppelganger is the spitting image of the pink hippo called George who appeared in the children’s television programme Rainbow which was aired for twenty years between 1972 and 1992. Doust has also claimed to have seen Road Runner in a petrified tree situated in a lake at Scotney Castle, also in Kent. The 63 year old who discovered these novelty shaped trees said ‘My wife and I were out walking on both occasions and these things just hit us’. The Daily Mail also features pictures of other misshapen tree trunks with the resemblance of Bert from Sesame Street and one with an uncanny likeness to one of the gremlins from the 1980’s movie.
Online Update
First off, thanks to everyone who's taken a look at the gair rhydd website, it was a long time in the making and it definitely got more hits than we expected.
Whilst doing some fairly basic maintenance on the site and changing a few things around we managed to crash the site completely beyond repair.
@GairRhyddNews
We took the decision to begin making and maintaining our own website and have, for the past few weeks, been developing the site to get it into a workable position and online again. At the moment, though, we have an interim site which merely displays past articles. It's really basic and, if I'm honest, isn't worth looking at.
@GairRhyddOp
Apologies to all of those contributors who've written in the past few weeks and been unable to see their work, it was my understanding that we'd be able to put work up at the same time as the paper was printed but we're in no position to do this at the moment.
@GairRhyddPol @GairRhyddFeat
The good news is a site has been created and are just waiting on the Students Union to provide us with the means to put your hard work online!
@GairRhyddSci
The even better news is that we've managed to get an 'issuu' for both gair rhydd and Quench which will show the issues in .pdf format and can be found on the Cardiff Student Media Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/CardiffStudentMedia). They're really worth looking at and it's the first time Quench will be properly displayed online.
@GairRhyddSoc
So that's the position we're in at the moment. I hope that it can all be resolved properly as we've had some great work being done across all of student media, including the newly formed Online team, and it'd be a shame for it not to be shown.
@GairRhyddList @Taf_Od @GairRhyddSport
This week twitter went wild for #welshfilms
Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Aberyst- Treforest gump wyth #welshfilms #welshfilms
#welshfilms Sheepless in Seattle
#welshfilms Dude, Where's My Cardiff ?
#welshfilms What Lies In Neath
04News
Monday November 21 2011
gairrhydd
free EDITORIAL
...continued from front page
Second year student, Sam Anderson, spoke to gair rhydd and said: “I'm allergic to gluten, wheat and dairy. I've actually noticed this in the Union, and obviously it's really frustrating, because if you have allergies you just can't eat something that doesn't say what's in it. 'Really I think allergy advice labelling should be required by law too, because there are certain ingredients that sometimes include allergens and sometimes don't, so it's a really grey area and you can only ever really trust labels that explicitly tell you either way.” gair rhydd received information on the matter from Mark Cheeseman, Food and Beverages Manager at the Union and Nick Matthew, Finance and Commercial Officer. Mark and Nick responded to the recent complaints and suggested that he would not wish to train any staff to the point where the staff member felt obliged to offer advice, as to whether a product was suitable for a lactose intolerant person, or a person who could not have gluten. They said: "the reason being, is that by offering such advice, the individual staff member assumes a duty of care towards that customer. If the staff member gave incorrect information to the student or customer, that customer would have
every right to take legal action against that member of staff, if they subsequently became ill from consuming the product." They added, that they are in the process of making a product portfolio available in the Taf, the Kitchen and the Shop. This will be a portfolio that contains all ingredient information of products made in-house, so that when asked the member of staff will be able to refer to it, informing the student of the product’s ingredients. Nick Matthew outlined that the issue, of which they have to deal with, is whether or not the students know exactly what ingredients are within the products. He said, that if they know this, then students can determine whether or not they can consume the product.
product portfolio. Henry McMorrow, 3rd year Politics student also commented on the matter: “It’s not until you suffer from an allergy that you truly understand how frustrating it can be. Labeled food packaging, with the product’s ingredients listed, prove to be invaluable. "Without this resource it can prove extremely tricky to choose food. It is a shame that the union, with its commitment to ‘putting students first’ feel that they do not owe an equal duty of care to allergy sufferers.”
Oliver Smith
,,
Laura Evans News Editor
est.1972
The news that Cardiff Students’ Union hasn’t been printing allergy information on the packaging of its newly developed in-house made sandwiches is worrying to someone with a serious allergy. The response, that it isn’t a legal requirement, gets those in charge off the legal responsibility, but not the moral one. Surely they owe it to their students, (their members) to go above and beyond the basic requirements of food safety. A friend of mine with a serious allergy told me “It seems insulting that the labels on the packaging leaves an unfilled space for ‘Allergens’, when this is such a worrying part of my life.” Furthermore, the news that, for the last month, ingredients haven’t been printed on the packaging or even available for students to reference is even more worrying. This is clearly breaking food safety laws and puts students with nut, gluten or dairy allergies at risk, as they can’t even find out the ingredients in the food they are eating. Considering the Union’s slogan has been, until recently, ‘Students First’, I find it surprising that putting the ingredients in a portfolio at some unspecified point in the future is the best that can be done. Having a booklet of ingredients is a step forward, but surely having printed labels on the sandwiches with ingredients, allergens and even, (gasp!) nutritional information, is what we should be aiming for. If McDonalds can do it, surely the Students’ Union can do it!
It is a shame that the Union, with its commitment to ‘putting students first’ feel that they do not owe an equal duty of care to allergy sufferers.
Emphasis has been placed on the fact that staff at the Union are not expected to give definite answers to questions of whether certain foods are nut or gluten free, but are able to give advice on what ingredients the products contain by using the
Sheri Hall News Editor
South Wales police have issued a statement to gair rhydd reassuring students about their safety on the streets of Cardiff, after two highprofile assaults that have taken place in the space of two weeks. One of the incidents involved a stabbing at a kebab house in Grand Avenue, Cardiff, and the other was an assault of a young ballet dancer in Cardiff Bay whilst he was visiting his student brother. Aware of concerns that such incidents can raise, South Wales Police have issued a statement assuring Cardiff University students: “South Wales is a great place to study, and the safety of student is paramount to us. "In September, to coincide with the start of the new academic year, South Wales Police launched a policing operation in the student areas of Cardiff to prevent and detect crime. "Since then, there have not been no reported incident of violent
out. These are available from the Cardiff University Security Office on Park Place for around £2. on the phone or listening to an mp3 can distract you from what’s going on around you. Avoid risky shortcuts through alleys and deserted areas. crime including assaults and robberies in Cathays.” Operation Saturn, was implemented at the beginning of term as a move to lower the crime rate in Cathays. The operation involves targeted patrols and a minibus driven by university volunteers and police staff, who identify vulnerable people walking at night. South Wales police have also made a number of recommendations to students of how they can
keep safe on the streets. Since the high-profile assaults, the ballet dancer, Jack Widdowson, has been taken off the critical list as he suffered a broken neck during the attack, and a man has been charged with wounding two men in the Ely Kebab House stabbing. A spokesperson for South Wales police said: “We encourage students to report any incidents to the police, because this could stop it happening to others.”
time. Always try to keep one hand free. ting there and who you are meeting. Always plan your return journey, and inform friends of your whereabouts. know well-no matter how tired, wet or late you are. them secure and out of sight.
News 1-7
Monday November 21 2011
Opinion Politics Feature Science Societies Listings 28 - 29 9 - 12 14 - 16 18 - 21 22 - 23 26 - 27
Sport 37 - 40
News05
gairrhydd
Henry McMorrow News Editor A Cardiff student has been raising money for Christian Aid this month. Simon Dalton, third year Reli-
Sophie Chamberlain News Reporter Last Monday, a number of Cardiff University’s dance societies helped raise awareness and money for RAG week by starting a flash mob in Cardiff Central train station. Dance groups, including the Breakdance society, Funky Arse Dance and Slash Hip Hop society, met at Cardiff Central station on the evening of Monday November 14, to participate in a collaborative dance routine. Earlier in the day, a final rehearsal took place in the Union before all societies involved journeyed down to the station. Prior to the event, the presidents of the societies were contacted by RAG with the idea of a flash mob, which involves a group of people assembling in a public place to perform an act, which is unknown to the public. They can be organised by telecommunications, viral emails or social media such as Facebook or Twitter. The president of the Breakdance Society, Kenneth Goh Wei Min, told
gious and Theological Studies student, decided in October to ditch his shoes and walk barefoot, hoping toraise over £1000 for the charity. Christian Aid’s guiding statement is, 'we believe in life before death'. It is the official relief and
development agency of 40 British and Irish churches and has been in operation for 65 years. It works to improve the lives of those in developing countries. Through alleviating poverty, supporting civil society and providing disaster relief, Christian Aid seeks to change the orders and systems in developing countries that continue to enforce third world iniquities that keep the poor, poor. Their focus on governmental and intergovernmental practice, such as trade and tax justice and third world debt, has enabled them to support ordinary people in South America, the Middle East and Asia, among others. The task hasn’t proved as easy as Simon had first imagined. He said, “It was a warm day in October and I took a pair of flip-flops to the beach but they broke and I had to spend the rest of the day without shoes. I thought it was actually quite easy, so I decided to do it for a whole month. “The problem is, I often cut my feet. I was in Lidl the other day and I looked behind me to see a trail of blood. I had nothing to wipe it up with except my bag. “I’ve had shoe lust! I’ve thought about putting them on for a couple of minutes without telling anyone, but I’ve managed to resist temptation - however nice they look.” Simon has raised over £700 to date, but hopes that he will be able to exceed his target amount and raise well over the £1000 target. To donate to the cause login to www.justgiving.com/noshoesnovember. You can also follow Simon on twitter: @simonddalton.
gair rhydd: "All the dancers milled around inconspicuously until we hit the music. Nicky, from Slash Hip Hop society and I started whilst the other dancers pointed and gaped at us, attracting the attention of passers-by, and then suddenly jumped in too. "The term flash mob is defined as an ‘unusual and pointless act’. Unusual maybe, but this method of raising money is anything but pointless." Also present were CUTV who captured the event, which was then repeated at Queen Street station.
Harry Newman, Societies Officer, commented on the event: “When RAG breaks away from the norm and does something extraordinary, that's when they start raising real money. This week, they have done themselves and the Union proud with their creativity, coming up with some unusual ideas and professionalism in organising what has come to be a complicated and busy week. I love to see student groups working in partnership and the flashmobs have demonstrated what can be achieved when our dance groups team up with RAG.”
Above: Contestants and spectators enjoy RAG's 'Take Me Out'
Below: Volunteers touching the iPod.
Below: £5 for a leg waxing
06News
Monday November 21 2011
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The grand opening of the new £18 million development up at the Heath Campus was officially opened today by the Vice-Chancellor Dr.David Grant. In a ceremony that revisited the life and research of Archie Cochrane, a Scottish doctor who pioneered scientific methods in medicine, a commemorative plaque was unvailed to mark the opening. The Cochrane building looks set to offer new opportunities for Healthcare students and puts Cardiff once again at the forefront of medical training.
A new physiotherapy service is now up and running in the Student’s Union, after help from the Athletic Union. The service is run and managed by David Saunders, aged 29, who after completing a degree in physiotherapy at Birmingham University has worked as a physiotherapist since 2004, gaining experience through work with teams such as the National Welsh Netball Team and the Glamorgan, Cardiff and UWIC joint Cricket Club, Cardiff/ Glamorgan MCCU. As a postgraduate student at Cardiff University studying in his 4th
part time year, David used savings to set up the business through the University. With help from the Athletic Union, who have provided funding for the project and subsidies to enable David to offer reduced prices to AU members, the service is now up and running and is already extremely popular. This is to such an extent that the opening hours of the service have already been extended. When interviewed David told Gair Rhydd, “Olly Devon and the staff of the AU were absolutely instrumental in getting the service set up”. For a first 40 minute session prices range from £10 for AU members
and £15 for other students, to £20 for staff. After the initial examination, sessions reduce to roughly 20 minutes depending on the type of injury. When compared to the average £30 per session for physiotherapy outside of University, the service clearly represents a significant saving. Opening hours are 9am-5pm Mondays, 9am-7pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesday and Friday mornings. Bookings are taken through the reception at the SU. For further information visit www. agiletherapy.com or email david@ agiletherapy.com
A new gym complex has opened in the conversion of the Squash Courts, meaning the University now boasts three gym sites including the current provision at Park Place and Talybont. The Park Place gym has now been reclassified as a ‘strength and power’ suite, while the new gym, located at the back of the Union, is devoted to fitness. The strength and power gym features four brand new Olympic lifting platforms, a large free weights section and an array of new equipment including a resistance running track. The new Fitness Suite, situated to the right of Magic Wrap, consists of two floors of equipment, including free weights, and benefits from an improved space, which allows for more cardio machines and
a greater range of fitness apparatus. The change has faced opposition by users of the squash courts, who have seen their facility being halved from six courts to three. However, a greater range and number of students use the gym and the loss was seen as necessary to improve the University’s fitness capability. The facility was meant to be completed and open to use before students returned for the start of term, but it suffered delays due to problems with the external contractor. It officially opened on the Monday November 14 and has already seen a good attendance.
News 1-7
Opinion Politics Feature Science Societies Listings 9 - 12 14 - 16 18 - 21 22 - 23 26 - 27 28 - 29
Sport 37 - 40
News07
Monday November 21 2011
Helen Cameron News Reporter The Lounge has been officially opened in Cardiff students union, providing a non-alcoholic environment where students can socialise and meet to do group projects. The new area was officially opened by Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Grant, on Monday November 14 in a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony in
keeping with the high-tech nature of its facilities. The £300,000 area, which was originally home to a games room, was developed out of the need raised by international students, as well as the Sports and Societies, for a dedicated space where students could socialise and participate in group work. Rhian Owen, 2nd year, medical student, thought the development
was a great idea: “The Lounge is a perfect area for both studying and meeting. “Not only is it accommodating to those wanting to catch up on work, it is a comfortable and quiet place to meet, have lunch, and often catch up on news.” The social aspect of The Lounge is reflected through its many contemporary features which students will utilise on a daily basis, includ-
ing Skype pods, multi-screen meeting rooms, a surface that charges your phone and a kitchen with an interactive worktop. Thanks to sponsoring by The Print Centre, Cardiff Printing Company and Cardiff Design Company, Cardiff students union now has an excellent space for the diverse population at the university and has truly come into the 21st Century and beyond.
Anna Hickman News Reporter
Cardiff University’s drama group, Act One, is preparing for a piece of endurance theatre, to raise money for charity. 'Hardcore 24' is due to take place from November 26-27 in CF10, and will involve a cast and crew of 24 people devising, writing, rehearsing and performing a play in 24 hours on a budget of just 24 pounds. This is not the first time Act One have experimented with ‘Hardcore 24’ as they took to the challenge two years ago. Current director, Ryan Atkinson, described the previous production as a great artistic success and hopes to raise publicity for this years' production. The play, which has not yet been conceived, will be documented and broadcast on a live webcam, available to watch at www.hardcore24. cjb.net. The final performance will be held in CF10 at 6.30pm on Sunday November 27. Tickets, are expected to sell out and will cost four pounds with a student card and can only be purchased at the door. All proceeds will be split between the Katie Piper Foundation and Movember.
News Politics Feature Science Societies Listings 1 - 7 Opinion 14 - 16 18 - 21 22 - 23 26 - 27 28 - 29 9 - 12
Monday November 21 2011
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Sport 37 - 40
Opinion09
Is it time for the UK to get court on camera?
Opinion considers the UK legislation that bans cameras from courtrooms in light of the emotive response to Conrad Murray's 'guilty' verdict in the USA.
Lucy Barclay Opinion Writer We live in a world where media coverage is ubiquitous and we take it for granted that we are able to receive news footage of events occurring worldwide. So why is it that one of our most important British institutions, our legal system, is kept firmly behind closed doors? After all, should the courtroom not reside in the public sphere? Intriguingly, legal matters receive extensive coverage outside of the courtroom. The public will hear reports of lawyers discussing the case on the law court steps and read statements from judges once the case is closed. Why then are we not allowed to observe the proceedings within the court? It is nothing more than a constitutional imbalance. It is fair to say that the public is often dissatisfied with the judicial processes. From our perspective, it is a covert process that unfolds behind locked doors. How are we to know something is not awry? Could it not be said that greater transparency could be achieved with the correct use of technology? A high profile case such as the MPs’ expenses scandal is the perfect example of a case that by all accounts, should have been broadcast. People felt strongly but could not judge for themselves as the evidence was examined out of the public eye. The use of cameras could compensate the public, especially in those cases that incite a strong public interest. Concerns have been raised suggesting that
officials would ‘act up’ for the camera. However, this concern is flawed. As pillars of the British legal system, it is patronising to suggest that judges would ‘show off ’ to a public audience. Likewise, it would be obtuse to suggest that a lawyer would jeopardise the outcome of their case for the sake of bolstering public opinion.
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On a more practical level, there have been concerns raised regarding disturbances the cameras may cause. However a critical point to raise here is that judges can take action to address any form of disruption and by all accounts, often do. With this in mind, there are no grounds for concerns over disturbance. It is merely a defence for the opposite argument, and a weak one at that. Televised cases would not damage our legal system. In fact, they would serve only to strengthen it. Cameras would afford us, the public, the opportunity to further consolidate our participation in British democracy by improving the transparency of what has previously been an unfairly cloistered establishment.
Callum McLagan Opinion Writer People in favour of allowing cameras into the courts often claim that it would be in the ‘public interest’ as it would serve to educate the public about the legal system. However, we already receive reports from courts, as journalists are able to go in and document the proceedings for us. There is nothing to stop us even going and watching trials. Why then, do we need cameras? We don’t. Sky News wants them. But television cameras in courts would not educate people at all. For us to try and understand the case, we would need to watch it carefully in full, but few would see the whole case; most would see it edited in news bulletins. Edited highlights are highly misleading. Anyone who believes the media are able to balance the complexities of legal proceedings into a two minute video report is deluded. In 1992, Rodney King was shown to be being beaten by Los Angeles policemen in seven minute footage which was played extensively on the American news media. However, this was spliced together from footage of the entire arrest which lasted 55 minutes and was far from representative. Editing focuses on the sensational elements, those with a ‘news hook’. The images stuck, not the court’s decision to acquit the accused of excessive violence. If court cases were reported in the same way then people would be mislead rather than educated. The cases shown would be one of two
things: high profile or celebrity orientated. Celebrity cases are of interest to the public, but not in the ‘public interest’. The world isn’t E! News. We don’t need to watch D-list celebs every waking moment. If you care that much, read the journalist’s report. High profile cases present a much bigger issue. In this country, we have two basic principles of law: ‘innocent until proven guilty’ and ‘everyone has the right to a fair trial’. How can people have a fair trial when the public are making their minds up based on heavily edited footage? Members of the jury and the judge would also need to be kept off screen in case they pass an unpopular decision. Imagine the reaction if Michael Jackson’s doctor had been found innocent. It’s doubtful that the baying mob who turned up before proceedings started with Big Brother style placards reading ‘Guilty’ would’ve accepted that graciously. Where was 'innocent until proven guilty' then? Judge and jury alike could face persecution and public pressure like never before. We must ensure that these principles are not further corrupted by media intrusion into legal proceedings; even in Britain where cameras are not permitted in court, the trial of Ian Huntley had to be postponed because of the intrusive nature of the press reporting. Allowing cameras into the courtroom is being argued purely for commercial reasons, but the risk it poses to key principles of law means it’s something we can’t afford to allow to happen.
Opinion
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Monday November 21 2011
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World wins no prizes amongst feminists Frankie's Miss gair rhydd columnist Daisy Payne looks at the Miss World competition, which took place at Earls Court earlier this month and considers whether the pageant is deserving of the feminist backlash it has received... got the exit Factor Rebecca Wilson Opinion Writer
No matter which paper or magazine you pick up this week there will no doubt be pages devoted to Frankie Cocozza’s dramatic dismissal from X Factor. With the surprise departure of the hopeful last week, the UK has gone crazy over the effects that the show has on its younger contestants and, whether you love him or hate him, you will undoubtedly have an opinion on him and his premature exit. Since he scandalously revealed his tattooed bum in his first audition, Frankie Cocozza has been the apple of the media’s eye, grabbing headlines with his lack of talent, debauched behaviour and ridiculously unkempt hair. His ability to cause an outrage appeared to put a strain on the show, and veteran judge Louis Walsh is now claiming that the teen’s antics were due to the pressure put on him by his mentor Gary Barlow to act up to the ‘rockstar’ image. He spoke to the Sunday Mirror saying that "Gary told him not to behave from day one and gave him free license to act up from the start." However, it is easy to be sceptical about these claims, which hint that there will be plenty more bickering and backstage attacks amongst the panel, elements of the show which now seem vital if X Factor is to stay afloat. In an interview with the X-tra Factor, Cocozza hit back saying, "there is a lot of people trying to give me a hard time, but no matter how they try they’re not going to be able to give me a harder time than I am giving myself." However, despite what anyone says, it must be remembered that Cocozza is an 18-year-old boy, who from the beginning was totally open about going on the show ‘to get girls’. Therefore, we must ask: when he was duly thrust into the limelight and surrounded by ‘fans’ who wanted to join him for his 15 minutes of fame, can he really be blamed for his actions? Perhaps he could have acted more maturely, but it would have been difficult for him not to get carried away as a result of being constantly at the centre of the media’s attention. After all these shenanigans there is no wonder that audiences are turning to BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and with celebrities like Harry Judd and Holly Valance that hold appeal for a much wider audience. It would seem that X Factor has lost its crown.
I
’m a woman, albeit a young and perhaps naive one, and what’s more, I’m all for world peace. However, if I was asked to enter the Miss World competition, I really don’t think I would. Why? I am not glamorous enough for a start,but then surely it’s what's underneath that counts? That’s what I’ve always been told anyway. Life isn’t all about appearance, although being clean is always a bonus. Advocates for the Miss World competition might argue that their contest does indeed represent the depth and the inner beauty of a woman as well as what women as a social group can do for the world. They might claim that the competition is to do with promoting the rights of women, showing how strong they can be, together. But it is easier to see it as simply an exhibition of the female body, promoting nothing more than the shallow act of judging people on their appearance. This year’s competition took place in Earls Court earlier this month and saw Miss Venezuela win the prize of ‘Miss World 2011’. Miss Venezuela beat competitors
from 113 countries for the coveted title after impressing the judges in the categories of beach beauty, top model, talent, sports, and the confusingly named ‘beauty with a purpose’, where the contestants must demonstrate their involvement in a charity project. Is it all a farce? I mean, what does ‘Miss World’ even do anyway? It seems this is just another way we have constructed in order to demonstrate to younger generations that this is how you should look, this is the ‘right’ way to be. The Miss World competition seems to encourage the pursuit of perfection, the unattainable pursuit of being the modern day Mary Poppins. Surely no one is practically perfect in every way - or are they? Perhaps I am just being a pessimist but alarm bells start to ring with the discovery that the majority of women who all take part in the Miss World competition are ‘glamour models’. I would resist the temptation to say that they are stupid, I’m sure they’re not. Perhaps they might be incredibly intelligent young women. Why then, have they entered into this nonsensical competition? It seems that if they had
any intelligence at all they would steer clear of the whole thing. Surely, we should encourage young women to strive for meaningful careers, or for something real, something that doesn’t require them to possess perfectly toned abs and look great in a bikini to be successful. Perhaps all this Miss World malarkey is just tied up with the pursuit of fame and stardom. Yawn. All that stuff simply bores me now. I’m tired of it. We don’t need any more famous people; we have enough now. No more room at the inn. The competition caused quite a stir with feminist groups across London, and quite rightly. A statement on the London Feminist Network website rallied women to join a protest they held at Earls Court while the competition was taking place. A statement on their website said: 'Let the organisers and all those profiting from the event know that we are all angry that such an event is once again being held here in London. Bring placards, banners and raise your voice against this appalling offence against women's equality. Let them know loud and clear that this event has no place in
London in 2011.' But Miss England director, Angie Beasley said "Yes they have to look great to win, but it's so much more than a beauty contest. These people should give it a chance instead of thinking it's just a bikini parade." In my opinion, Ms. Beasley contradicts herself in what she has said: :Yes they have to look great to win... people should give it a chance instead of thinking it’s just a bikini parade." You said it yourself darling, it is about how you look and it is that which makes it wrong. Maybe I am just young and naive, but I really don’t care who this year’s ‘Miss World’ is. Nor do I care who last year’s was, or who next year’s will be. It doesn’t matter to me. What I do know is that whoever she may be, I’m sure she won’t change the world single-handed and I’m sure it’s more than likely that she will be found in many a lads magazine over the next year or so, hoping for the approval of a bunch of slavering men. So long as you look great in that bikini though, right?
News Politics Feature Science Societies Listings 1 - 7 Opinion 14 - 16 18 - 21 22 - 23 26 - 27 28 - 29 9 - 12
Monday November 21 2011
Sport 37 - 40
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Opinion11
Life can be dangerous for those who choose to 'Occupy' Opinion takes a look at a day in the life of an 'Occupy Cardiff' protestor. Our source has chosen to remain anonymous.* Our sandwiches and thermoses are packed and me and my Occupy comrades meet by the Aneurin Bevan statue in central Cardiff. I give a rousing speech and people start to gather. When it’s established that I’m not the man giving out free Kit-Kats, the numbers do admittedly dwindle. Off to buy tents for what looks to be a long struggle ahead. Turns out Millets have some great deals on camping gear...capitalist bastards. It’s still raining, but our spirits remain undampened. Unfortunately our leaflets don’t and now resemble papier maché. It’s still early in the day and we’re already causing a stir. We spoke to a homeless gentleman and asked if he felt that bankers and big businesses were to blame
for his present situation. He demonstrated his anger at the financial collapse by calling us ‘wankers’ and attempted to urinate on our tent. All the good sandwiches are gone. Only egg mayo left now. Great choice of location for our protest. Admittedly passers-by have been thin on the ground but the castle giftshop sells an excellent range of mugs, stationery and medievalthemed confectionery. Several people have left. Turns out they thought it was a PETA protest. Slightly disappointed that the numbers have halved, but in hindsight at least it explains the pig blood. Even the egg mayo sandwiches have been eaten, the tea in my thermos is cold and tastes like plastic. Not quite
sure but think this might be some kind of metaphor for the pit-falls of capitalism? Transferred our protest to Starbucks to try and reach out to the consumer drones on their own turf. Drinking a caramel macchiato so I don’t look too suspicious. Tempted to spit in it to show my contempt for the destructive corporate giant, but I’m concerned that the old lady opposite is a spy for our fascist government. Besides, it cost me £3.25 and tastes much nicer than the tepid contents of my thermos. Asked to leave Starbucks. Refuse. Anarchy is victorious! Manager arrives. Leave. Wander down Queen Street disgusted by the amount
of consumerism in evidence. Turns out the rumour about the man handing out free KitKats is true and I manage to get two. Wonder how long I need to keep doing this before Nestlé topples. After bagging myself four more the Kit-Kat man says that he knows it’s me and my biro moustache isn’t convincing anyone. He does, however, tell me I can keep the chocolate bar I just snuck down my trousers. Pleased with this success, but concerned I may have to think of another strategy for taking down Nestlé. Return to base to discover that my sleeping bag is missing. I don’t like to point fingers but the tent does now smell suspiciously of Special Brew. Feeling really nauseous. It’s mainly because of the
sickening apathy of our politicians but it’s also possible that it’s due to the six Kit-Kats I’ve eaten. A group of Christmas shoppers have just walked by but concerned that the fact our placards aren’t visible in the dark might slightly reduce their impact. A man trips over one of my guy ropes and lands on the tent. He’s torn the canvas and I ask him to give me a tenner for repairs. His response is abusive, but possibly legitimate given the fact he now has a broken leg. Return home. This decision had nothing to do with the sound of nearing police sirens, my leaking tent OR an eagerness to get back in time for X Factor. * but it's Opinion editor Libby van den Bosch
Masking the real motives behind the Occupy protests Athelstan Holt Opinion Writer At the moment the international ‘Occupy’ movement is showing itself to have some longevity. In the UK various protests have been occurring in London, in particular the headline-grabbing protest at St. Paul’s Cathedral, as well as in other cities nationwide. Cardiff saw its own movement on November 11, with around 30 protesters gathering to show their support. One of the most striking symbols of the recent movement has been the Guy Fawkes style mask, taken from the 2006 film V for Vendetta, which is seen as perhaps the most potent protest film of recent years. V for Vendetta sees the protagonist ‘V’, a solitary activist, fight against a fictitious British fascist party. In
the film, the mask is not just worn by ‘V’, but is also used by members of the public when they protest against the government. It is a film that undoubtedly strikes a chord in the hearts of many, especially those who see the current economic, and political system as something that needs to be fought against and changed. The end of the film, which sees a mass protest on the Houses of Parliament by people all wearing the ‘V’ mask, is a powerful image of popular resistance. At a gig on Monday 7 November, the Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, came onstage wearing the mask to show his support for the ‘Occupy’ movement. The mask is also visible in the BBC footage of the Cardiff protest. It is understandable why the mask is
attractive to the protesters, transforming the identity of the wearer from an individual to a symbol of mass discontent. However, this image, in the UK at least, is not a wholly appropriate one. In wearing ‘V’ masks, protesters are alienating themselves from the public when they should be representing them. The political and social climate which we live in does not parallel with the society in the film, which sees an Orwellian level of repression of independent thought where any resistance or even individuality is punished. Whether or not the protester who wears the ‘V’ mask feels the repression in our society is comparable to this, the parallel will not make sense to the majority of the public. Our society is by no means
perfect, and the distribution of wealth is not fair, but we do live in a liberal, free world, and we have a lot to be thankful for. Furthermore, wearing the ‘V’ mask gives the protesters a fictionalised appearance and detracts from the cause for which they stand. The mask either makes the wearer appear comical, or even threatening, making the protester look like an anarchist. Either way, neither perception of the protester will gain the movement popular support. Also problematic is the way in which the mask hides the identity of the wearer, also creating confusion. After all, protest is legal and so remaining anonymous makes the protester look more like a criminal than someone who is supporting a worthy cause.
The feeling amongst much of the public is that they appreciate the concerns of the protesters and support what they are standing for. In this sense then it might be argued that the protesters, like ‘V’, are representing public discontent. Personally though, I cannot relate to a protest movement which hides its face; it makes protesters easier to walk past and ignore. It also makes it easier for those who oppose the movements to dismiss them as an extreme and criminal. The protesters should take off their masks. Their personal identity and their personal grievances are far more powerful an image, in the context of our own society, than that of a fictional character.
Columnist
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t’s all going wrong. From the highs of September and October, come the lows of November. It all seems to be going a bit wrong, doesn’t it? The temperature has dropped. Our coats are out. The winter boots are on. Goodbye sunshine, good bye vitamin D, good bye happiness. This term all started so well, things were looking really great. We were all so fresh faced, excited and felt ready to start something new. Now, after a month or so of intense drinking and doing anything but work, we’re tired, groggy and suffering with yet another cold, or a ‘head cold’ – a concept of which I’ve been acquainted with this week. Not a great illness... I can’t seem to shift it from my sinuses. I’m all blocked up. Pass me the Sudafed. First of all there was poor old Frankie Cocozza. We all saw him on our television screens, and he seemed like great fun; a barrel of laughs. He was just so cheeky! All those tattoos! Oh Frankie! Now, we find that he’s a coke taking alcoholic who has sex with all females. Great, just great. I’m not angry Frankie, I’m just disappointed. You’ve let yourself down, your fans down, but most of all – you let GARY BARLOW down. How could he? The man’s a lyrical genius. Poor Gary. Don’t worry Gary; you’re better off without him. He’s not worth your tears.
Then there was Adele, Adele and her beautiful voice. She's sold a gazzilion, trillion manillion records this year so far, and then she’s hit with laryngitis and has had to have a big operation on her throat! It’s just not fair. Talk about a fall from grace! It was a national emergency. Poor Adele! She’ll have to eat hospital food for a while now, like an actual diet. Sorry, that was a cheap joke. One in which I would like to take back. Adele is a real talent. I’m only jealous of her voice, and her perfect eyeliner every time. These two events alone put a downer on my life. I was feeling down and low, some may have even described my state as ‘depressed’... I then found out (whilst reading
“ gair rhydd, oh so informative) that Oceana has gone into administration. Oceana is the place where drunken dreams come true. Many a time have I been found asleep in the disco room, or lost, totally lost in the ice room. How could it go bust? How could they do this to us all? Could it be the end of Oceana? Really? Things really are turning from bad to worse. One less club for us to grace, I am absolutely
Monday November 21 2011
gutted. The depression, at this point, had really kicked in. Oh, and it’s all gone horribly wrong for Mike Tindell hasn’t it?
“ First he married Zara Phillips – a great shout, royalty! Go Mike, what a dream. Then he was papped having a drunken fumble with some leggy blonde in a club in New Zealand whilst out there for the rugby world cup...Tut tut. And now he’s been dropped from that very team. He’s gone from flying high, to having his feet placed very firmly on the ground. No more England for you Mr Tindell, and I hope he’s apologised sincerely to his wife. I hope he’s apologised every day since he has been back. She deserved more from you Mike! She’s royalty for goodness sake – although it did make me feel better, knowing that just because you’re royalty doesn’t mean everything’s perfect,
they have problems too. Oh men! Then, one of the biggest shocks was that Kim Kardashian’s marriage has come to an abrupt finish! (I hope you can sense my ironic tone. I, in actual fact, am in no way shocked, not in the slightest). They have separated after how many days? 72? That is utterly ridiculous. Oh dear, oh dear. It seems we’ve all reached that point where we’re exhausted haven’t we? The laziness has reached new heights. We barely leave our beds, only in desperation for the toilet or if we really need to eat some food or, if we are beginning to smell from lack of showering for days on end. (Or is this just me? Ah.) What’s happened? Things were going so well. I think I might blame the weather. It’s so grey all the time and so very damp. There’s that rain that
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literally gets you soaked and yet you didn’t even realise it was raining, that one really annoys me. It always seems to be on the mornings when I’ve actually brushed my hair. Are we all at that point too, where our student houses are falling apart? The washing machine has flooded out your kitchen, there is a leak in the plumbing, the toilet’s blocked, or there’s mould growing somewhere dodgy. Oh geeez. It all seemed so great back in the warmer days of September. Where did it all go wrong? Personal lives have become complicated too. Everything’s getting a bit too complicated, or hard, or you’re bored, or you’ve made too many mistakes. Surely things can only get better? Does the thought of Christmas a month away bring joy to your cold heart, or does it merely bring more sadness? I would like to bring hope to us all. Some may say I am a saviour… I wouldn’t disagree. I mean, Christmas is on the way. Father Christmas could bring you everything you could possibly want, so you had better get your list in the post early in order for you to be in with the best chance of getting what you want. Let’s all pull ourselves together. Yes, it’s November, and yes, it’s really bloody cold, but it’s not all bad. It’s not too late to change things. It’s not too late to do that little bit of work which will mean you’re slightly less
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behind than you were. Seize the day! In order to enjoy the highs, there has to be a few lows and dips here and there, “this above all: to thine own self be true”, ah you see? Shakespeare knew it himself. I’m off to be myself; I’m off to bring hope to my lucky housemates. I’m going to sing ‘Fix you’ to cheer them all up. Little do they know I’m tone deaf, but maybe it’s the thought that counts.
coincidentally... folk has sold some of his paintings for a whopping £106,260. Apparently, buyers from around the world queued to be first in line to buy Kieron Richardson's watercolours, pastels and oils. I am so, very impressed. It turns out that there is some great talent in this country and the 'youth of today' aren't all a bunch of binge drinking, drug taking drop outs. literally just go away. Mariah Yeater. who even are you? Leave Justin Bieber alone, poor little lad. She has been claiming for weeks that Beiber is the father of her four month old baby and after receiving vast amounts of publicity and magazine interviews she has now decided to drop the paternity suit against him. It's all so very predictable, it is all so very common these days, isn't it? I'm fed up of it. Magazines will you please stop publishing such god awful stories, so that I don't have to see it because I really don't care. I'm a celebrity get me out of here' started last week. Woop woop I exclaimed when it came on the television, albeit just because Dougie Poynter of Mcfly is in it this year, and he really is dreamy. Aside from that though is it great entertainment to watch 'celebrities' do the most awful things I've ever seen? Are these people really celebrities? I mean, in many cases this is the first time I've seen some of these people. All I know is Ant and Dec are really great entertainers, and without them the show would be nothing.
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Politics
Thom Hollick Politics Reporter The latest controversy to hit the coalition government has this time fallen on the shoulders of Theresa May and the Home Office. It emerged recently that a slackening of procedure around UK border controls and passport checks had been approved. Over the summer, the UK Borders Agency have been trialling a new system, whereby individual border officials were able to exercise more discretion over which travellers they wished to examine more thoroughly, and those they didn’t believe posed a considerable threat to national security. The Home Secretary has explained that this was chiefly aimed at reducing the time spent examining the documents of children travelling with parents or with school groups, who do not pose a ‘credible’ threat. This policy was only supposed to apply to citizens from within the European Economic Area, as travellers from outside of Europe tend to require visas to enter the UK, and thus much closer checks anyway. The controversy is around allegations that this ministerial directive was not followed as closely as the Home Secretary would have liked. Various reports and rumours have been flying around the newspaper headlines, that this policy of relaxed border controls may have been extended much further, to include many more ports and airports than the trial had prescribed, and to the relaxing of checks for
Monday November 21 2011
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HaveIGotNewsFor You Theresa May has come under huge pressure after the UK Border Agency - and we're not making this up - relaxed airport immigration control
KevinMaguire Theresa May says she regrets Yvette Cooper's Commons response to border fiasco. Bet she does. Cooper wiped the floor with May
non-EEA citizens. There have even been reports that at some airports, whole planes-worth of passengers were waved straight through border control at busy times of the day, without any officials looking at passports. This has led to criticisms of the policy from across the political spectrum, and demands for Mrs May to release figures of exactly how many travellers might have entered into the UK without being subjected to proper checks.
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The policy has been far from transparent since its inception
So far, she has refused to release even an estimate, which suggests she has no idea. The policy has been far from transparent since its inception, as it was never debated or voted on in parliament; rather it was formulated exclusively within the Home Office as a simple aspect of procedure. It is only now that possibilities of misinterpretation or misuse are being discussed, that light is being shone on the original policy sanctioned by the Home Office. Policies around immigration and borders are always highly contentious politically, but this one sticks out as it advocates a weaker line, at a time when the Conservative Party (and to some extent the Labour party) is pushing for tighter controls on immigration, and a high priority on national security, particularly in
the months leading up to the 2012 London Olympics. Just last month, David Cameron made a speech re-enforcing the parties stance: to aim to reduce immigration from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands within this parliament, and also to tighten rules allowing the families of economic migrants to move to the UK with them. This all seems a little bit hollow now that we know the Home Secretary has been directly contradicting these aims in directives given to the Border agency. The UK Border agency is at the nub of this whole story. Disregarding the actual orders she did give to the UKBA, Mrs May has placed all the blame for the shocking rumours on senior figures within the agency itself. She claims that somewhere along the chain of command, her orders were misunderstood and taken too far, and as a result, the head of the UK Border Force, Brodie Clark, and two other members of staff have been suspended pending investigation. Clark denies that he was involved in any trial policy other than that which had been set out by the Home Office, and as a result is planning on suing the Home Secretary for ‘constructive dismissal’. This whole issue has become quite problematic for Theresa May, as her opponents claim that whatever happened beneath her, she is ultimately responsible, and claiming ignorance isn’t really a defence. Labour believes the root of the problem is cuts in the budget for
the UKBA, leading to about a fifth of officers losing their jobs. The trial was a test to see how the agency would cope with less resources, and bigger challenges. Either way, over the coming months, the investigations into the fiasco will make it clear just how much she knew, and exactly what it was that she sanctioned, but until then, she has made quite clear that she will not be resigning over the issue. It is interesting to note, that Prime Minister David Cameron has said that May has "his full support", which funnily enough is exactly what he said about former Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, shortly before his resignation last month, and also his head of communications, Andy Coulson, who resigned over the NotW hacking scandal in the summer.
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Thereasa May has made quite clear that she will not be resigning
Is having David Cameron’s "full support" the kiss of death for a minister’s political career? Perhaps not, as he is also on record saying the same about William Hague, and Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley over his struggling NHS reform package. Theresa May can breathe a sigh of relief then. But only until the results of the inquiries and Brodie Clark’s lawsuit are known, at which point she may find herself back in the firing line.
Tony Gallagher It just keeps getting worse for Theresa May: Border Chief quits and accuses her of leading the public in
GarethHughs Which is more secure our borders or her job?
Feature Science Societies Listings News Opinion 22 - 23 26 - 27 1-7 9 - 12 Politics 18 - 21 28 - 29 14 - 16
Monday November 21 2011
Sport 37 - 40
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Matt Bradley Politics Reporter After his speech at this year’s Labour conference drew criticism for its perceived anti-business content, Labour leader Ed Miliband has continued his critique on the current state of British capitalism. In an interview with The Independent, Miliband launched a scathing attack on David Cameron’s ability to represent the interests of all but a tiny minority of the British public. Accusing the PM of being chronically out of touch, and pandering to the richest members of society, Miliband said: "David Cameron really is doing a terrific job of looking after the vested interests, the privileged, the powerful and the wealthiest one
per cent. It's the other 99 per cent who feel desperately let down." The continued presence of the Occupy London camp outside St Pauls Cathedral is a testament to the fact that this view certainly has its supporters amongst the British public. In fact, the Labour leader sees the Occupy movement as indicative of "a big, healthy change in the public mood", and the St. Pauls encampment as a reflection of “the feelings of millions of people that the economy and the country are not working for them.” However, in a move that has garnered him much criticism and accusations that Labour is resorting to old notions of “class war”, he went on to add: "David Cameron doesn't get it. It is not in his DNA. It is n o t
what drives him in his politics. Working for a more responsible, fairer capitalism is not what gets him up in the morning. Even he would be hard pressed to claim it was his raison d'etre." The statement appears to be a personal attack on Cameron’s privileged upbringing, and if this is the case, Miliband has chosen an easy target. Son of a London stockbroker, educated at Eton and a member of the notoriously debauched Bullingdon club while at Oxford University, as well as owning property valued at around £2.5 million, the PM has been plagued by accusations of elitism since before his election, which he has tried desperately to mitigate. In contrast, Miliband, son of a Marxist historian and educated in a state school, has had none of these worries. This is by no means the first time in recent years that a Labour leader has been accused of waging a class war against the Conservatives. In December 2009, then PM Gordon Brown lambasted Conservative policy on inheritance tax, because it “seems to have been dreamed up on the playing fields of Eton.” Nonetheless, the “class war” allegations have been denied by Miliband’s aides, who insisted that the criticisms related to Cameron’s actions as PM – his refusal to break up the energy companies and the Murdoch empire or ensure transparency in the pay of high earners.
This is perhaps due to the fact that class warfare is not exactly popular with many voters, and especially not with middle England, a fact which Labour party hacks will be well aware of. It is not only the PM that Ed Miliband has in his sights. He also criticised the broader problem of what he called the "short-term, take-what-you-can, in-it-for-yourself" temper of contemporary British capitalism. But, while he has some sympathy for the St. Pauls protesters, Miliband has shown himself to be cautious in aligning himself with them. For the Labour leader, the current “crisis” in capitalism is not an indication that that the whole system needs to be abolished, as some of those camped outside St. Pauls would argue, but that it needs to be injected with a new set of values. As he argued in an article for The Observer last week: “Many of those w h o ear n t h e most, exercise great p ow -
Politics15
er, enjoy enormous privilege – in the City and elsewhere – do so with values that are out of kilter with almost everyone else.” So what has Mr. Miliband got in mind to tackle the moral bankruptcy at the heart of the current crisis? In contrast to what he perceives as David Cameron’s relative inaction on the problem of inequality, Labour plan to force companies to publicize the difference between the pay of their highest and average earners in the hope of curbing the current concentration of wealth. They have no plans, however, to impose a limit on wage levels or to raise taxes beyond the top rate of 50p.
As previous demands for an end to the violence fail, Politics Reporter Agnieszka Miszczuk addresses the latest proposition posed by external powers to President Bashar al-Assad
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he Arab League has finally presented an ultimatum to Syria, voting to suspend their membership in the League and threatening to impose sanctions if the Syrian President, Bashar alAssad, does not put an end to the violence in his country. Mr Assad demands talks before the application of sanctions on Syria but his position now is quite weak. The Arab League demands not only a declaration on stopping the violence whilst starting talks with the opposition but has called for real action. Mr Assad’s call for negotiations is also weakened by the fact that, after the announcement of the Arab League resolution, the embassies of other Arab countries in Syria were demolished. Most of the countries involved demand compensation. Economic and political sanctions on Syria have already been imposed by the EU but they did not have a strong effect on Syrian dictator. Furthermore, the UN have been unable to impose sanctions due to
Russia and China voting against the UN resolution which proposed to condemn Syria’s government in the Security Council. What are the forecasts for Syria now? Economic sanctions and political isolation in the region may bring positive results and make Mr Assad step down and stop the violence. As neighbouring Jordan’s king, King Abdullah said, the Arab League will not be satisfied without real change of the person in power in Syria. It is suggested that other Arab countries no longer formally perceive Mr Assad as the president. Mr Assad realises that he can lose everything and probably knows that peaceful transition of power is the only solution. Otherwise he might be removed from the office in a military intervention. But military intervention, similar to Libyan war, is far from real. NATO forces are already stretched after their intervention in Libya, whilst Russia and China also prevent action as they do not want to lose their influence in the region. Additionally, the United States are not happy about potential interven-
tion because of the threat of destabilisation - the whole region has been unstable since the beginning of the Arab Spring. An even more important factor is the fact that the US President, Barack Obama, cannot risk a military operation in the Middle East before the Presidential Election in the USA, as potential intervention will impose additional tax burden on US taxpayers already burdened with the current economic crisis and can affect Israel as Syria’s neighbour. The military intervention of the Arab League is also far from real. Most of the Arab states are ruled by dictators so they cannot risk their own fall. The real problem about the Arab League’s proposed suspension and sanctions is that it will break the rule of Arab states’ unity. The Arab League resolution on Syria has proved that the balance of power in the Middle East has changed dramatically since the Arab spring and collapse of the regimes in Tunisia and Egypt. Peaceful solution of the Arab Spring in Syria has never been so close as today.
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Politics
Monday November 21 2011
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Politics reporter Josh Fortey explores the issues surrounding the length of the alledged nuclear program in Iran and the western responses which have arisen from this
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he IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), the United Nations nuclear watchdog, has this week released a report which confirms Iran has successfully overcome critical steps in the process of obtaining a nuclear weapon. The report, issued on the November 8, claimed that since 2002 there had been considerable concern regarding “the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear-related activities involving military-related organisations…related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile.” The report suggested that Iran had been working on research to enable its long-range missiles to be armed with nuclear warheads. The report also went on to condemn the role of a former Soviet scientist, who it was alleged tutored Iranian scientists on the process of building high precision detonators used to trigger a nuclear reaction. Furthermore, the report found that critical technology in the development of nuclear weapons was found to be traced back to Pakistan and North Korea.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran
David Albright, former U.N. weapons inspector
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The report found that critical technology in the development of nuclear weapons was found to be traced back to Pakistan and North Korea
Former U.N. weapons inspector, David Albright, commented that despite a brief pause in the program in 2003 as a result of increasing international pressures ‘the program never really stopped’. Mr Albright went on to concur that Iranian scientists had worked ‘concurrently across multiple disciples’ to obtain the necessary skills to test a nuclear weapon capable of being delivered in its long-range missiles. In addition, it was argued by the former weapons inspector, funding for the nuclear program post-2003 was disguised in civilian institutions. There has been a fierce and mixed global reaction to the IAEA report. British Foreign secretary William Hague, in a statement to the House of Commons, claimed that the report ‘discredited’ the constant reassertions by leaders in Tehran that their nuclear program was for peaceful purposes. Hague went on to assert that unless Iran entered into serious negotiations, then the UK and its partners would need to “increase the pressure” on Iran as well as consider “addition measures to that effect”. In an extreme response by the Israeli government following the
A satellite image of a suspected Uranium enrichment facility near the town of Qom
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Iran will strongly respond to any invasion or attack in a way that aggressors will be smashed from the inside
issuing of the report, it was widely reported that the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was rallying his cabinet to back a pre-emptive attack on the Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities. The Israeli government have long maintained that Iran obtaining nuclear weapons would destabilise the whole region. Regional security experts were quick to reply to the reported Israeli propositions regarding a pre-emptive strike on Iranian nuclear sites. It is believed that a pre-emptive attack would have an adverse effect and lead to an increased pursuit by Iran on obtaining nuclear capability. As the report also suggests, it is evident that Iran have various nuclear sites, many built underground, which would be difficult to locate and eliminate. Other security experts have also raised fears over possible escalation between
Iran and Israel and have reiterated that this would provoke a military response, not only from Tehran but also from its militant allies in the Gaza strip and Southern Lebanon. Iran has reacted sternly to the IAEA report, with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, asking “why are you ruining the prestige of the agency for absurd US claims?” Supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, confirmed the President’s criticism of the latest report, by maintaining Iran’s peaceful position with regards to nuclear weapons. It was reported by Mr Khomeini that any pre-emptive strike on Iran would be met with a “strong slap and an iron fist.” The Ayatollah, who has been the supreme leader of Iran since 1989, continued by asserting that Iran’s enemies should know that it is not in his country’s intentions to invade or attack any other state, but
also insisted that “Iran will strongly respond to any invasion or attack with such power and in a way that that aggressors and invaders will be smashed from the inside.” In his global security blog, Julian Borger, of The Guardian, claimed that there appeared to be something ‘phoney’ about the global outrage and condemnation following the report. Borger commented that ‘there is nothing in the report that was not previously known by the major powers. The West and Israel supplied most of the original tip-offs for the annex on weapons development’. It is, in Borger’s opinion, as well as my own, that the possible weaponisation of the Iranian nuclear program was not what sparked this global reaction but the speed in which they are enriching large stocks of Uranium. The IAEA reported that Iran now has approximately five metric tonnes of low enriched Uranium, which if subject to further enrichment processes may be enough to pursue four nuclear weapons. It is clear that Iran has obtained an ability to pursue a small nuclear arsenal if it was to break away (leaving the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty and throwing out the IAEA monitors). However such a policy would quite clearly result in an attack on its facilities by Israel, if not the U.S. What Borger identifies as a more worrying scenario, is the possibility of more covert hidden projects that the IAEA are unaware of which have obtained higher levels of 20% enriched Uranium. It is evident from Iran’s past history on covert atomic projects that it is not afraid to pursue hidden facilities for Uranium enrichment. Despite global uncertainty re-
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Is not afraid to pursue hidden facilities for Uranium enrichment
garding both Israel and Iran’s position, at the moment, it is clear that the U.S. would be content to avoid any confrontation with Iran. The U.S. administration is similarly reported to favour a peaceful resolution, as it does not have the funding or the current military stretch to sustain another conflict in the Middle-East. The Obama administration therefore welcomed recommendations from the UN Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon, that a peaceful negotiation would be welcomed over a military solution. As Mr Ban reiterated, it is therefore vital that in order for a peaceful negotiation to be achieved, Iran must stick to their word and show that they indeed have peaceful intentions.
18Features
Monday November 21 2011
gair
The charms of peer pressure Features writer Amber Bell takes a close look at peer pressure and discusses how we might still cave into its charms
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hen we think of the term “Peer pressure”, it's probable we won't immediately think of ourselves giving in to its demands. More likely, we'll imagine situations such as children in a playground, pressuring each other to try a cigarette. Or young teenagers, drinking alcohol or stealing from shops just to fit in with the “cool crowd”. In a nutshell, things we'd have been told time and time again to avoid as we've gone through life. Things we've potentially all experienced, and probably given in to at one time or another: an inevitable part of growing up. But is it still relevant? Are there still peer pressures in our society for people once they leave the under 16 age bracket: students like us? Arguably one of the major pressures put on students, falls around exam time. Living in shared accommodation, particularly halls of residents, you're going to be constantly around people with different timetables, different commitments and different work loads to you. So, just because you've got an intense body of work or revision to knuckle down to, it does not mean everyone else does. Or even if they do, they're that keen to do it. In comes the pressure to be pulled away from that intimidating pile of work you have to do, and sack it off and go out, and let’s face it, have a far more fun time than you'd have had whilst you sat in your room alone, with only your textbooks to keep you company. And even if you resist the urge, the moment you hear everyone getting ready to go out, music blaring, laughter like nails on a chalkboard, the temptation can become too much. And imagine... what if
one of your friends called you the B word... “boring”? That one word is my absolute nemesis: many a time it's been the deciding factor for me to drop what I should be doing, to go out instead. It's one of the biggest insults a student could be given. Ridiculous, I know, but it really is a deal breaker. But the thing is, as trivial as it may seem, this is going to have an effect on how well you do grade-wise. Without sounding like a moaning parent, that grade you walk away from University with, is going to stick with you your whole life. By all means, part of student life is going out and enjoying freedom, but the effects of peer pressure are all too prevalent when it comes to the choice between work and social life. A huge aspect of Peer pressure which affects not only us as students, but also most people in general, is the pressure to have the newest gadgets, the best clothes, the most expensive appliances... the list goes on and on. We're living in an age where new products are whipped out faster than I change my socks. And it's all about owning the newest of everything and anything. Take Apple. Every time they bring out a new iPhone, the flock of people desperate to buy it, or upgrade to it, is phenomenal. People tend to want the best there is out there. It's a symbol of status: if you've got the best, then you can't do any better... you are the best. Personally, this is a logic that baffles me, but I know a vast amount of people who this would apply to. It's a subconscious thing, the constant want to match or, even better, surpass what other people have. But it doesn't just apply to the latest gadgets. The pressure to look good is a salient one in our society. Not only do we fall victim to the pres-
sure to look (or attempt to look) like celebrities, to fit the stereotypical perception of what “beautiful” is, but we also get it from our own peer group. From personal experience, many of my friends always wear the most stunning dresses, and just generally look amazing, when they go out. Out comes the green eyed monster. I suddenly feel the need to go out and spend silly amounts of money on dresses, new extensions, new eyelashes, the whole shebang, so I don't look like the little ugly duckling next to them. I believe this is the case for many people. It is plainly clear when Freshers come to University: within the first few weeks, many will change their dress style, even if only slightly, so the friendship group they are in will all look pretty similar fashion wise. It's the pressure to look good, arguably one of the biggest pressures currently in our society. Peer pressure can also have more serious repercussions. With the unbelievable influence and world-wide obsession we now find with Facebook, everyone knows everyone's business. A massive issue therefore, is the need people feel to impress other people with their behaviour. Forget academic achievements, success in your career, and the long list of good deeds you've done. No, it’s more about how funny you are, and how shocking you can be. I've seen countless status' from people about how “paralytic” they're going to get on a night out, how “messy” their night is going to be. It's become a bit of a game. The more inebriated and the less in control of yourself, the funnier you are. It's a constant competition, who has had the crazier night, who has done the most ridiculous things. But let's not naively think this always ends cheerfully. Numerous people get
omitted every night to hospitals for being “annihilated”. Then they'll be allowed home later that night, not a single regret, and do it all over again the next day. Not only is this clearly a massive waste of hospitals time, which obviously would be better spent using their energy to help dying people, but it's absolutely wrecking people's bodies. Yet many times, situations like these would be applauded by peers, making it seem perfectly acceptable. And of course, it makes for a great Facebook status the next morning. However, peer pressure doesn't necessarily have to be all doom and gloom: it can be a good thing to. Gym buddies, study partners... these are all examples of peer pressure. You enlist the help of a friend to work with you, to join you at exercising, with the hope that if you feel less than willing to take part
in an activity, they will be there to encourage you to do it. If I find that a friend has completed more on a piece of work than I have, then I'll work my hardest to match their amount. Guilt plays a massive part in it. If someone else has done something, then why haven't you? Consequently, whilst peer pressure is often a hindrance, it can also play a big role in helping you complete and stick to activities you may be influenced to avoid. Evidently, I do believe peer pressure is still alive and well, regardless of age. It evolves as we do, becoming less obvious and more like an underlying pressure built into society, catching people without them even being aware. Even the strongest people can crumble to its charm.
News Opinion Politics Science Societies Listings 28 - 29 1-7 9 - 12 14 - 16 Feature 22 - 23 26 - 27 18 - 21
Monday November 21 2011
gair
Sport 37 - 40
Features19
Charlotte Wace explores the deplorable state of student dependence on alcohol and how it becomes an outlet for many of us
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or many students, Cardiff and elsewhere, it will be hard to remember a night out that did not involve some sort of alcohol. Particularly for the freshers amongst us, alcohol takes off awkward edges, enables hilarious games and fills potential silences after small talk has been exhausted. There’s nothing like holding back someone’s hair as they throw up, drunkenly ‘fessing up during ‘never have I ever’ and some cringing grinding on the dance floor to create the ultimate bonding experience. People become known for ‘legendary’ drunken incidents, which simply could not have happened sober. Tales of inebriation roll off our tongues just as easily as chat about X Factor or the new meal deal at the Taf. The most famous in my flat for example, was a smurfthemed night, which involved large quantities of blue paint and even larger amounts of drink. Had my flat-mate remained sober, his night may have ended in a more civilized fashion. However, after numerous beers, half a bottle of whisky and the filthiest of dirty pints, he woke up in hospital at four in the morn-
ing, a drip in his arm, an ungainly lump on his head, wearing just his boxers, a bandage – and skin still brightly blue. He then discharged himself, and was found wandering the streets as the sun started to rise, trailing a hospital blanket, and looking like a real-life Mr. Bump. Although this story gave my flat mate an ultimate status, no one really thought of the more serious potential consequences of his colourful night out – which he was lucky to avoid.
We read stories in the paper describing horrific consequences of student drinking, yet we all think: “That won’t happen to me” and promptly ask the barman for another Sambuca, please. In this year alone, a student in Plymouth
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tripped drunkenly over a wall, hit his head and died; a 'level- headed' Warwick student took a £40 bet to drink one shot every 45 seconds and died from alcohol poisoning as a result; and a young man at Kingston University drowned attempting to swim across the Thames after a drinking spree. Yet these tragedies have done little to dampen our drinking spirit(s). Even if we’re mindful of tragic accidents like these, many of us are unaware of, or indeed, choose to ignore, what alcohol really does to us. About one in three men and one in six women will develop a health condition caused by alcohol. Drink-related illnesses include gastritis – an inflamed and swollen stomach – and, over time, liver disease and an increased risk of some kinds of cancer. It also affects longterm memory, can cause depression and even lead to brain damage, not to mention the devastating social and family fall-out created by alcoholism. In a study by the Institute of Alcohol, almost two thirds of participants aged between 16 and 25 had kissed someone whilst drunk and regretted it, and a quarter had had sex – and thought better of it when
they’d sobered up. 74% had had an argument with someone whilst under the influence. So why do we carry on drinking? Reasons that students drink may run far deeper than simply having a good night. Thoughtless words can be dismissed with the claim: “I don’t remember”, sexual misdemeanors can be justified: “it's not my fault, I was drunk”. Whether or not it was to blame, alcohol can serve as a convenient shield. It’s also often used as a stress valve: problems diminish when you’re drunk; that essay deadline, an argument, family worries – are drowned with a few pints. The Institute of Alcohol study shows nearly half of us who drink do it to cheer ourselves up and that most of us drink to be sociable and relax. And that’s fine. A glass of wine, a couple of halves…where’s the harm? But we’re incapable of leaving it at that. Binge drinking is on the increase, excessive alcohol is becoming the norm, and everyone competes to down the greatest quantities. But if we don’t sober up a bit, our generation is heading for a massive hangover. And it’ll take more than a bacon sandwich to get over it.
Features
20
Monday November 21 2011
gairrhydd
Studying abroad: my year in Valencia
In Features this week, we look at students' experiences of studying abroad. Alice Collins' tells us about spending a year in Valencia with the Erasmus programme.
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ack in Cardiff, trudging to university in the rain with all the responsibilities of paying bills and completing coursework on my mind I feel a million miles away from Valencia, Spain, where I spent my Erasmus year. Valencia was ten times bigger than Cardiff, with a beach, an old town, a large university area and the city of arts and sciences, a huge space of futuristic architecture that held an aquarium, a science museum and a music venue. Through the city wound a sunken park that was built in to the old river bed. The town centre was made up of the busy shopping streets, the market area and the Barrio del Carmen; the old town which was full of bars, restaurants and clubs. During the weekend this area would be a cacophony of sound as people filled the small streets until the early hours of the morning –a bit like St Mary’s street, but more chic. Although Valencia is up and coming as a modern and fashionable city, the third biggest in Spain, it was an amazing place to be a student; everything was so cheap! I lived in a spacious (albeit noisy) flat, only ten minutes from the university, and I was paying €180 a month for a double room. Although we had no oven, no heating whatsoever and and we could hear the woman on the sixth floor singing opera all day, it seemed worth the price. Our gas was delivered in large orange canisters which cost €3.50 a time, a massive difference from my cringingly high winter bills in Cardiff. Food too was so cheap; a trip to my local vegetable shop would hardly ever see me spending more than one or two euros and the alcohol prices don’t bear thinking about when standing in front of the Tesco’s wine selection. Being a student in Valencia seems like a completely different experience to being a student in Cardiff. Most of the people I knew lived at home with their parents, either in
the city or in neighbouring towns and travelled in to university. University was more like an extension of high school so most of the Spanish students seemed to study a lot harder than here. This meant that there wasn’t much of a student lifestyle so all club and bar nights revolved around the Erasmus students. There were two ex-
nothing stressed me out in the same way it does here. My days seemed to consist of waking up at 11 and taking the metro to the beach then spending all day sunbathing with the hot sun sparkling above and the soft lulling crash of the waves. To get home from the beach we would race through the thin, winding streets of the gypsy area on the Va-
in Valencia didn’t start until gone midnight and ended around six in the morning, and always involved ridiculously large measures of alcohol and plenty of dancing. I’d love to say that I had a truly cultural experience; I learnt so much about Valencia and the area and improved my language, but really my Erasmus year, like most people’s, was just a lot of fun. I did learn a lot about Valencia; we all took part in Fallas, one of Spain’s
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After a quick siesta we would meet in the local bars to quaff €1.50 glasses of wine and feast on tapas.
cellent Erasmus organisations that gave free entry to the big clubs on a Friday night as well as running bar nights with free paella and organising trips to other parts of the country. Our lives there moved at a different pace; everything felt more relaxed, I was far more easy-going and
lencian bike system, Valenbisi, towards the wide spacious boulevard lined with trees and shops that everyone lived off. After a quick siesta we would meet in the local bars to quaff €1.50 glasses of wine and feast on tapas; fresh bread with ice cold crushed tomato and rich thin strips of jamon serrano. The nights out
biggest festivals where fireworks went off constantly throughout the night and the day. At the end of the week they burn giant ninots or models in a huge firey ceremony. The whole city buzzed with people; at times it was impossible to get across to the other side because the crowds were so dense, and I think everyone was drunk for the whole week. I definitely improved my knowledge of Spanish and Valencian food, finding a deep love of paella and all the other rice dishes that are the speciality of the region. I also improved my language, I now know how to order any drink I like in Spanish. Lessons were a bit of a write off, most of the time we had no idea what we were supposed to be doing and the modules were hit and miss; some were impossibly hard, like grammar, and some had exams that were four minutes long where everyone got a first. However, since I’ve returned to Cardiff I’ve realised that I did actually learn things in University and that my Spanish has improved, at least a little bit. I definitely value the way Cardiff University does so much to help
students, signing up for classes and enrolling will never seem difficult or stressful again after matriculating at the University of Valencia. When I think back I have such an idealised image of the year, especially when it’s raining and I’m craving tapas, but in Valencia I missed a hundred things about home. I missed having proper cups of tea with fresh milk, I missed Cadburys chocolate, curry, roast dinners and I missed my family and my friends back in Cardiff far more than I thought I would. Of course now I’m back it’s the other way around, there are so many things I would love to go back to Spain for. When I first arrived I missed Tesco and Sainsburys and the availability of all sorts of foods and hundreds of different brands. But when I returned to Cardiff I found food shopping overwhelming. There was too much choice; so many different types of mozzarella or salt that I would dither for hours! Also, sometimes things run out, in Spain there might only have been one option in Mercadona but at least it was always there! I’m so lucky that I had a brilliant year and had so much fun, and I feel so privileged to have had the experience of living in a foreign country. However I am also just as happy to be back in Cardiff where I can have roast dinners every Sunday and go home from nights out at 2am. When I think back to how stressful it was moving out there and all the difficulties that came with starting a life I am grateful that I ended up settling down so well. I know some people who didn’t enjoy their Erasmus and it must have been very hard, especially when everyone else is raving about it. I would recommend taking an Erasmus year to anyone though because you learn so much and you will definitely never forget it. I think coming home is always hard after an adventure, especially if it has been so great, but luckily for us Cardiff is such a great place to come home to.
News Opinion Politics Science Societies Listings 1-7 9 - 12 14 - 16 Feature 22 - 23 26 - 27 28 - 29 18 - 21
Monday November 21 2011
Sport 37 - 40
gairrhydd
Features21
Sarah Uhl shares her experiences of spending a year abroad in Paris and choosing Cardiff as the destination for her Masters.
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h, studying abroad. It's one of the hardest things I've done in my life, but in the end I loved it so much I decided to go abroad to get my MA as well. I went to the University of Illinois (UIUC) for my undergraduate degree. I majored in French and also took Japanese language classes. When the time came to pick a study abroad destination, which is usually done in Junior (or third) year, I initially wanted to spend one semester in Japan and the other in France. My advisor (similar to a personal tutor) told me that I would get more out of the experience if I picked one place to study for the entire year. Partially because I was majoring in French, but mostly because I'd dreamed of going to France since I started studying the language at age 14, I chose Paris as my destination for the 2007-2008 academic year. I'm glad I listened to my advisor. I doubt I would have got very much out of studying in a foreign country for a single semester. It would have felt a lot like being on vacation, with no need to settle down and make friends.
The nice thing about going to Paris through my home university was that I had a lot of built in support. I didn't have to worry about financial aid because I was still technically enrolled at UIUC. That meant that all of my classes were guaranteed to transfer easily, and there were a lot of familiar faces from my previous French classes. Most of my classes at IPP were at the Institut Catholique de Par-
teacher, and I learned a lot. Sometimes I like to think that I learned more in Paris than in my previous 6 years of French classes combined. There's a lot of everyday vocabulary that never comes up in a classroom setting. Words like ‘emergency exit’ or ‘till’ never came up in any of my classes, nor did more polite ways of saying 'excuse me' or 'you're welcome'. Not to mention slang and, of course, curse words.
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I changed a lot over the course of my year abroad. I became less shy and more confident in myself.
I enrolled in the Illinois Program in Paris (IPP), a one-year program run by UIUC's French department. The best part was that everybody who participated automatically got a partial scholarship, which definitely helped to defray the cost. Going to France was still more expensive than staying at UIUC, but I've never felt like the experience wasn't worth the money.
is, which has a lot of ‘French as a foreign language’ classes in addition to regular degrees taught in French. In my second semester, I got to take a class in French with regular French students. It was about international relations, and was pretty interesting, however the class didn't transfer back to UIUC for credit. This did mean that I didn't have to take any of the exams, so it was an immersion in French without any stress. The professors were all very cool and clearly loved their jobs. It's easy to learn when you have an enthusiastic
Even my awful American accent in French had vastly improved by the time I left. Despite the stereotype, most of the French people I met that were in their 20's or so and were very nice to me. I did notice that older French people would sometimes give me nasty looks, but that was almost always in tourist areas of the city. Having had a few run-ins with American tourists myself, I can't say that I blame them. I once even pretended not to speak English to avoid dealing with a group of particularly rowdy tourists on the
train! Speaking of the train, or ‘metro’ in France, the main problem I had in Paris was that a lot of men seem to think the metro is a singles club. At least every other day there was someone on the train trying to
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I was once stopped by a man on the street who asked me to go back to his apartment with him for couscous. I declined.
chat me up. I was once stopped by a man in the street who asked me to go back to his apartment with him for couscous. I declined. Most of them seemed to understand that no means no and to not push the issue if you flat out shut them down. I've never had a problem with anyone trying to touch me inappropriately either. After a while I got used to it and was pretty good at making it clear I wasn't interested really quickly. Honestly, the good really outshines the bad. One thing I would recommend is to make sure you explore the area you're in. When you live right by the Eiffel Tower, it's really easy not to go and visit it. In fact, I didn't make it there until about a month before I left. Take advantage of your surroundings. That being said, make sure you see other parts of the country too. A lot of countries have a good rail or bus system that will get you from one place to the other for a reason-able price. If you're in a bigger country, flying might be the cheapest option. Depending on the country and your confidence, you may even be able to rent a car. I've personally never done this, but I do know people that have. Make sure you double-check the rules of the road and that your driver's license is valid first.
After the programme ended, I spent an extra month in Paris and then went to London on a month long summer programme in creative writing. This was a really fun break for me. I got to spend a month doing what I love in an English speaking country and meeting a lot of cool people. The professor for the module really took advantage of us being in London and we went to a lot of different places, such as the rose garden or the National Museum to write. I see London as the perfect end to my year abroad. I did have a bit of reverse culture shock when I got back home and it took time for me to settle back into life at UIUC. In Paris, each of my classes met once a week, for 3 hours. It took some getting used to going to a class 2-4 times a week for an hour each time. I also had class pretty much every weekday, whereas in Paris I would have class only 2-3 days a week. Going on a programme sponsored by UIUC helped a lot here too. I saw most of the people I went to Paris with in my modules, and it was good to have people to reminisce with. Within a month I was settled back in just like I'd never left. I changed a lot over the course of my year abroad. I became less shy and more confident in myself. I knew for sure that I wanted to do translation professionally, and I knew what steps to take to get a job as a translator. One of those steps was to get an MA in translation. For my MA, I chose Cardiff University, my second year abroad. It was a difficult decision to make, but I'm glad I did. I feel that I'm getting the education I need to meet my goals, and I'm getting to explore a part of the world I may not have seen otherwise. Mostly, though, it's the people I like. I've met a lot of really great friends in Cardiff, and that's what makes or breaks a study abroad experience. To those of you taking the plunge and studying abroad soon, bon voyage! You're going to love it.
22Science
Monday November 21 2011
Tom Clarke Science Writer On the face of it America’s space programme is firmly stuck in the doldrums. The financial situation is bleak and a hostile Republican Congress is attacking its marquee projects, such as Hubble’s successor the James Webb space telescope, for budget overshoots. The Shuttle is a museum piece, retired after being found out as a dangerous compromise between spacecraft and aeroplane. Construction on the International Space Station (ISS) is basically finished and being serviced quite happily by a combination of workmanlike Russian Soyuz and Progress space-craft and the advanced European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). This is not forgetting the rise of China as a space player with lofty ambitions. All the while, NASA is attempting to get to grips with years of policy flip-flopping over its post shuttle future. The grand Bush era Constellation plan to permanently return to the moon is on the scrap heap and it appears that its only survivor is the Orion programme. Originally planned as a moon return vehicle, you’d be forgiven if you thought Orion looked familiar. It’s a redesign of the Apollo era space capsules, a blunt lozenge
of the earth’s Larange points. For the moment, though, engineers concentrating on using full-size models of both Orion and the Station to practice manoeuvres. Orion is a throwback to a simpler age, where goals were set in stone and barriers were there to be broken through. At $15 billion (so far), this throwback hasn’t been cheap and despite using antiquated design thinking, it is full of cutting edge technologies. The automated docking systems used in the European ATV will be incorporated alongside technologies developed for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
“ designed with safety as its driving focus. NASA is still traumatised from the loss of Challenger in ’86 and Colombia in ’03. This has driven the return towards older, more primitive but safer technology. It also has an escape system; a highly powerful rocket motor will blast the crew to safety in the event of a launch rocket malfunction. The capsule’s role will be as a
multipurpose exploration vehicle. Orbital testing has been scheduled for 2014. Initially it’s likely that it will service the ISS if the commercial spaceflight operators that the Obama plan envisages fail to materialise. It will eventually convey crews to the Moon, near earth asteroids and ultimately Mars. Such lofty goals will probably be preceded by a (relatively) straightforward trip to one
Jenny Lambourne Science Editor
Sarah C. Uhl Science Writer
The vaccine used for smallpox appears to double the survival time for those suffering from liver cancer. In a trial of 30 people with hepatocellular carcinoma, those given the higher dose lived for twice as long as those who didn't. There are hopes to test the vaccine on colorectal cancer, which is similarly resistant to treatment.
The American people have spoken, and they want answers. The U.S government has been forced to release a statement denying any contact with alien life after an online petition gained over 12,000 signatures. In response to two petitions posted on a government run website, the White House formally denied any knowledge of, or contact with, life on other planets. Phil Larson, from the White House's Office of Science & Technology Policy stated, “The U.S. government has no evidence that any life exists outside our planet, or that an extraterrestrial presence has contacted or engaged any member of the human race.” We The People, hosted by the White House, is a site where anyone over the age of 13 can create a petition asking the Obama administration to respond to an issue or question facing the United States. At the time of Larson's statement, a petition required 5000 signatures within a 30 day period to be addressed by the administration. That threshold has now been raised to 25,000 signatures within the same amount of time. One petition asked the government to "formally acknowledge an extraterrestrial presence engaging
A report has been released suggesting that hydrualic fracturing was the cause of two minor earthquakes which occured in the UK earlier this year. The process, known as fracking, is used in the extraction of natural gas. The British Geological Survey report suggested the incidents were a result of fracking at Preese Hall (right) where Cuadrilla Resources extract the gas.
gair
In a recent survey, the majority of conservationists asked said conservation triage may be an option to allow the preservation of certain species while allowing others to die out.Of the 583 that were questioned, 60% said that criteria should be used to determine which species should have resources focused upon them. In this system, the tiger and the panda may be too expensive to save.
ORION FACTFILE Full name:
Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV)
Purpose:
- Exploration and carrier vehicle to transport crew - Provide emergency support
The Shuttle is a museum piece, retired - Return crews to Earth after being found safely out as a dangerous compromise be- Capabilities: tween spacecraft - Primary vehicle for trips beyond low Earth and aeroplane orbit
It’s also much heavier than previous capsules of this type and a new rocket is being designed to cope with the increased weight with plans for deep space exploration. It will probably be based on Space shuttle components to cut cost and can be expected around 2016, in preparation for manned flights.
- ISS backup in emergency - Vehicle procedures including docking
just yet the human race" and, at the time of writing, had 12,078 signatures. While the U.S. may not have any evidence of life on other planets yet, it has not denied the possibility of the existence of extra terrestrial life. The government currently has several projects that are searching for life in outer space, such as the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) programme and NASA launched its Kepler space telescope in 2009, with the express purpose of searching for intelligent life. Despite the official statement, UFO enthusiasts remain adamant
in their beliefs. The Paradigm Research Group, dedicated to disclosure of extraterrestrial information held by the US government, spearheaded the petition that led to the White House's statement. The group responded to the statement in an official press release, stating that it was false and urged the media to “give the evidentiary matrix behind the extraterrestrial reality a modest examination and consider challenging the Obama administration's position on what is easily the most important issue in the world today.”
Societies Listings News Opinion Politics Feature 1-7 9 - 12 14 - 16 18 - 21 Science 26 - 27 28 - 29 22 - 23
Monday November 21 2011
Sport 37 - 40
gair
Science23
C
hina has taken significant first steps towards becoming a pre-eminent cosmic superpower after successfully docking two orbiting space vehicles for the first time, making it only the third country in history to master the technique. Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8, both launched in late September, docked 210 miles above China at 1729 GMT on November 2, under the watchful eyes of the Beijing Aerospace Flight controllers. Tiangong-1, or "Heavenly Palace 1", is China's first space laboratory and was placed into orbit by a Long March 2F carrier rocket. The Shenzhou-8 craft was the active participant in the docking procedure, managing to complete the seal in under 10 minutes. If everything goes to plan, the conjoined vessels will orbit for 12 days before separating and attempting a redocking. Assuming the venture is successful, manned missions will follow. Both the Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8 modules are unmanned, but that is not to say that there are no living organisms on-board the complex. Situated aboard Shenzhou-8 is the SIMBOX, a highly sophisticated capsule containing an assortment of plant and animal cells. The SIMBOX is the result of a scientific collaboration between the China Manned Space Engineering Office and the German Aerospace Centre, which aims to investigate the effects of gravity (and the lack thereof) on biological preparations and living cells. Despite the undeniably good intentions driving the collaborative research project, it is clear that China's ambitions lie beyond what could be seen as the simple expoure of a handful of cancer cells to zero g.
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It is a step towards making the People's Republic the rule of the thermosphere
The formation of the bi-modular space complex is a statement of intent on the part of the Chinese, as they vie for a place amongst the ranks of space-faring powerhouses – namely Russia and the USA. Tiangong-1 is a space laboratory, a prototype of the larger and yet-to-be-completed Tiangong-2 and Tiangong-3 modules – which once complete will form the foundations of a modular space station much like the International Space Station (ISS). Some sources suggest the ISS
stands to be de-orbited in 2016 and fully decommissioned in 2020 – which is approximately when the Tiangong space station is estimated to enter orbit. Placing a modular space station into peerless orbit with the statuesque ISS nowhere in sight would definitely be a step towards making the People's Republic the ruler of the thermosphere. The irony of such a situation would undoubtedly not be lost on Beijing, nor indeed Washington – for it was they who vetoed China's participation in the ISS program. Had America not made such a move, the Chinese might not have been independently building a space station in the first place. The trouncing of the American space program by the Chinese may indeed be more imminent than it may at first seem. Recent efforts by the Obama administration have definitively neutered the Americans space program, and NASA's public and financial support is at an alltime low. The much criticised cancellations of the Constellation project to return man to the Moon and further space shuttle programs, spearheaded by none other than Barack Obama himself, have irreversibly placed the USA on a slippery slope towards becoming a second-rate space-going nation. Indeed, Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, has publically spoken out against the cancellation of the space shuttle program and told the US Senate Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
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For better or for worse, these economic conditions, coupled with the relatively rude health of the Chinese economy, may have lead to the downfall of the USA as a major cosmic superpower
that NASA is now an embarrassment to the country. One could argue, perhaps rightly so, that what with the sheer magnitude of the financial crisis being faced by America (and much of the Western world for that matter), there was no choice for the Obama Administration other than to put space exploration on the back burner. For better or for worse, these economic conditions, coupled with the relatively rude health of the Chinese economy, may have led to the downfall of the USA as a major cosmic superpower. Overtaking Russia, on the other hand, is somewhat more of a tall order - although merely catching up to it may be possible. Despite initial failure at the launch of their probe to one of Mars' moons, the Russian Federal Space Agency shows little, if any, signs of letting up in its relentless quest for cosmic knowledge. Within the upcoming months and years, Russia also intends to add a multitude of scientific exploration programs to their roster of ongoing space missions most importantly, perhaps, the initiation of the GLOSNASS program (a rival to America's GPS system), the construction of the Angara family of rockets, and the launch of the Venera-D mission (an unmanned research mission to Venus). It is also important to bear in mind that much of the Chinese aerospace technology is derived from a trickle-down of Russian and
even Soviet technology, and China is unlikely to overtake the nation on which it depends so heavily anytime soon. This is no doubt a fact that the Chinese government will be keen to sweep under the carpet for the time being, lest it tarnishes their somewhat ostentatious international appraisal of the nation's most recent achievement with Tiangong-1. The Xinhua network, a state media outlet, hails the space mission as a "quest for perfection" and reports that the docking procedure was "near perfect". What it fails to mention is that the docking technology utilised, although indeed Chinese-built, is still based on a Russian design similar to that used in the Mir space station (de-orbited in 2001). With China's publically declared annual expenditure of £1.5 billion per year on the development of the national space program, it seems unlikely it will overtake the Russians anytime soon in the race for celestial superiority. However, this figure may well be significantly more and would only follow China’s previous under-declaration of their annual military budget, which international experts have estimated to be higher than the publicised figure. If this is truly the case, then the real potential of China's aerospace industry cannot be definitively gauged – and only time will tell whether or not this particular cosmic student can overpower its American and Russian masters.
Societies
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Monday November 21 2011
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Societies Writer Mia Holt takes an in-depth look at FashSoc
Unlike many other societies, the Fashion Society is fairly young, only consisting of two previous years of existence. It was set up because a few girls felt there was a need for a fashion appreciation group to experience some of what the Cardiff fashion scene had to offer. Being students, we all love a bargain, so one of the key aspects of the FashSoc, is to provide students with knowledge on the best and most treasured places to shop in town. This has led us to the world of vintage and most of our events are around this theme. We work closely with the vintage boutiques, and we also work closely with local salons to ensure our members get the best deals possible. In our Fresher’s Fayre goody bags, we had everything from free tanning sessions and 40% off haircuts, to vintage vouchers and website discounts. We even managed to nab a free gift from StolenThunderBoutique!
Last year, we did everything from knitting workshops to catwalks and even had the opportunity to be on Gok Wan’s Fashion Roadshow! This year, we want to be bigger and better and have planned so much for our members to enjoy. So far, we have had shopping trips in town, socials and industry talks. Our first industry talk was from the amazing Naomi Thomspon who is the UK’s only Vintage Personal Shopper. She has appeared in countless UK magazines such as Vogue and has appeared on many different television programmes such as the BBC’s The One Show. She showed our girls how to make the best choices when it comes to buying vintage clothes and saving money doing it! We held our event at the gorgeous Gwdihw bar which was perfect! We also tend to make a lot of use out of the equally lovely Milgis on City Road. As well as the talks, we have also set up a fashion blog which our members contribute to. We know that a lot of our members are budding journalists and writers and as a few of us have experience within the industry, we thought we’d help them out by sharing our tips and tricks.
In November, we have our amazing Vintage Charity Catwalk which is hopefully going to be a great success. We decided on a vintage glamour theme and will be
Tue 22 November Jazz Society Social
7.00pm - 11.00pm Cafe Jazz
transforming Solus into a fashion hub! With a separate room for hair and makeup, which will be styled by makeup artist and hairdressers, and an area for professional photos to be taken, we are really pushing the boat out!
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Last year we [...] even had the opportunity to be on Gok Wan's Fashion Roadshow
We have joined teams with the photography society to make sure that everyone feels like a star on the night and will be displaying some of the best vintage boutiques that Cardiff has to offer. Obviously you can’t have vintage without cakes, so we will also have a little fairy cake section to keep people satisfied on the night. As well as the main catwalk event, we also are very lucky to have the amazing Chloe Swaby singing on the night! All the money raised on the door will go to two charities: Haiti Hospital Appeal and Noah’s Ark Appeal. Both of these are incredibly important to us, so we really want to raise a good amount! Next on our busy agenda is a Christmas Shopping trip to the adorable city of Bath. They have fabulous Christmas Markets there, so we are putting on a day trip which comes with a bus quiz and some cakes, in proper oldie style. As well as make up classes, fancy dress socials and more industry talks, next semester is going to be incredibly busy with a planned high street catwalk and a trip to Paris! The High Street Catwalk will be held at Grovenor’s Casino and will consist of clothes from all across the high street in Cardiff. Last year we managed to raise over £800 for charity! As always, we will be asking our lovely members to be our models. And what can be said about Paris?! It’s hopefully going to be an amazing few days which will be filled with fashion fun (excuse the clichéd alliteration). We hope to take some tours of the local fashion houses and maybe divulge in the fashion scene in Paris from fashion themed bus tours to trips to the vintage markets and fairs. Overall, a pretty busy year for the little fashion society. We may be a light hearted society but we sure do have a lot going on and we always make sure our girls and guys enjoy every event we put on!
Tue 22 November Art Society Glass Painting Session
7.00pm - 9.00pm Rhona Griffiths, SU
Fri 25 November Broadway Dance Society's Show
8.00pm - 10.00pm The Gate, Keppoch Street, Roath
Fri 25 November
Duke of Edinburgh Society
5.00pm (meet at back of the Union) trip to Pen Y Fan
Sat 26 November
Cooking Society BBC Good Food Show 8.00am - 6.00pm in Birmingham
Sat 26 November
Brass Band Concert
7.00pm University Concert Hall
Sat & Sun 26 & 27 November Slash Hip-Hop Dance
Various times at Vitality Gym
Sun 27 November
Act One's "Hardcore 24" hour play
24 hours in CF10
Follow @GairRhyddSoc for the latest news and info on future articles.
Listings News Opinion Politics Feature Science 22 - 23 Societies 28 - 29 1-7 9 - 12 14 - 16 18 - 21 26 - 27
Monday November 21 2011
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Sport 37 - 40
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Isabelle Roberts Societies Editor Isabelle Roberts Societies Editor The Capoeira Society will be taking part in the Nucleo de Capoeira gem winter festival from November 23 – November 27. The festival is organised by the Capoeira Society’s teacher, Claudio Campos, and is held in Cardiff on Wednesday and Friday and in Bristol on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. This event will feature workshops on capoeira movements and music, led by masters who are visiting from Brazil, Poland, France and other UK cities. There will be a grading on Saturday when people can receive their capoeira belts after being tested by a master. There will also be, according to Capoeira Society President, Sian Robson, “great parties on the Friday and Saturday nights after the workshops! On Friday, we'll go to our sponsors, Gwidhw, for a live reggae band and Brazilian music. This event will be a great opportunity for people from several different capoeira groups to meet and learn together from the fantastic teachers who will be there.” On Wednesday November 23, from 8pm to 10pm, there will be workshops at Canton Community Centre, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8HP. On Friday November 25, from 7pm to 10pm, there will be workshops at Talybont Sports Centre, followed by reggae band and Brazilian DJ from 10pm at Gwdihw. For more information, just email capoeirasociety@cardiff.ac.uk
The Cardiff University Brass Band are hosting conductor Richard Evans later this month, as he will be holding workshops. Richard, one of the most flamboyant characters on the world brass band scene today, will also conduct the band in a public concert in the University Concert Hall on November 26 at 7pm. The Brass Band’s members are drawn from a range of disciplines across the University, including the School of Music. This year has already been a successful year for the Band, as they have competed in the first ever National University Brass Band Championships of Great Britain and performed to 15,000 people in the Wales Millennium Stadium at the annual Varsity rugby match. The Band came third place in the Championships.
Christian Union asks "are you convinced?"
Caleb McKay Societies Writer Isabelle Roberts Societies Editor Act One are staging an event called 'Hardcore 24' in a move reminiscent of the Bristol Old Vic's 24-hour-plays. It will take place at 6.30 pm in CF10 and is being called an 'endurance theatre event" by director Ryan Atkinson. The play takes place on November 27 and the basic idea is to devise, rehearse and perform a play in 24 hours, with a cast and crew of 24 people, and a budget of £24 pounds. Tickets are £4 with NUS and the proceeds will go to charity. The whole 24 hours will be broadcast through a live blog and webcam of the rehearsals and the final production, which anyone can watch. So who, and why, would anyone put themselves through such a scary production? Ryan said he liked the idea of "being involved in something exciting and unknown, putting my devising skills to the test and making a theatrical extravaganza!"
Discussing the performance, Richard Evans, the contest’s adjudicator said: “what was most enjoyable for me here was your spirit and clear enjoyment of what you were all doing.” Since meeting the Band at the Championships, Richard has agreed to work with the band on workshops on November 25 and the concert on November 26. Holly Clacey, President of the Society, said: “Richard Evans’ visit will be an invaluable opportunity for all members of the band to experience working with an expert in the field of brass banding, and put on an entertaining concert programme that we hope will reach a wide audience.” Tickets for the concert are priced at £5, or £3.50 for students/concessions. To reserve tickets, contact Mary Light at cardiffunibrassband@hotmail.co.uk
The Christian Union brings a series of events to Cardiff to explore and investigate this winter. It is time we logged out of Facebook for a second, gave tweeting a little break, unplugged our ears and gave a thought to something even more stimulating and challenging than last week’s episode of Made in Chelsea. Let’s look at a man more exciting than Christmas Eve, more rebellious than student protestors and more captivating than David Attenborough’s voice. This man will continually blow your mind, open your eyes and change your heart. This guy is definitely worth checking out, and that’s why we want to spend a week seeing what he has to say and if we really are convinced. After all, this man did claim to be the Son of God. During the week November 28 – December 2, all the Christian Union’s across Cardiff are joining together to put on events exploring the claims of the Bible and Jesus and testing whether they really are convincing. Kicking the week off, there will be a massive ‘Sports Quiz’ open to all. The Christian Union are hiring out the whole of Walkabout on Sunday November 27 and expecting 1000 people to pack the place out for the quiz with the house DJ closing the evening. Then throughout the week, there will be a series of lunchtime talks examining issues surrounding Christianity and Jesus and covering such topics as suffering and Jesus’ death, as well as looking into the claims of his resurrection. The evenings will be packed with huge meetings in the museum on hot topics, questioning whether we can be con-
vinced that Jesus really was who he said he was. The main speaker in the evenings will be Michael Green who is a well know theologian and an author of over 50 books! Speakers will be travelling to Cardiff to tackle these issues and will try and handle our deep questioning. Don’t miss out on a massive opportunity to kick back, listen to what has to be said and find out if you really are convinced. On November 29, for example, there is a lunchtime talk at 1pm, asking if anyone is convinced that suffering has disproved God. At 7pm (in the museum) we ask if we are convinced Jesus had it coming. These events are open to everyone and the Christian Union want all students in Cardiff to get involved in this massive week! All the universities in Cardiff are involved, so it is one week of events that can’t be missed. It’s time to face up to the question: Are you convinced? All details can be found on the website - convincedcardiff.com
Are you: Putting on a play? Playing in a concert? Hosting an event? Doing a workshop? Raising money for charity? Going on a trip? Then write about it! Email: societies@gairrhydd.com If you would like to join a society, or see a full list of opportunities, visit: http://groups.cardiffstudents.com/societies/home
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Listings
Monday November 21 2011
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23rd Club Exchange
After only two weeks, FunFactory's promising replacement Club Exchange has been cancelled, following dwindling numbers on Monday nights at the Union. Despite the rather enticing offer of £1 drinks and other bargains, Club Exchange suffered from competition from other venues, such as tiger tiger, alongside what can only be described as lacklustre promotion. Whether we will be seeing another union night on a Monday remains to be seen, but considering the struggling nature of this year's efforts, it seems unlikely.
One of Scotland's most promising young talents visits Cardiff's Glee club on his tour, rather aptly titled , 'The Joker'. Having performed on Mock the Week, 8 out of 10 Cats, The Paul O' Grady Show and Micheal McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Daniel has racked up more prime time experience than most comics twice his age. Described as charming, self-deprecating and hormoned fuelled to the point of hilarity, Sloss has the perfect combination of humour to leave you in stitches. Supported by Kai Humphries.
A brilliant new comedy by award winning writer, Nick Fisher, begins in the New Theatre this Monday. The plot focuses on Dependable Miranda and her ex-husband Guy, who is smoothly charming yet wholly unreliable. The two are t. thrown together in distressing circumstances when their faithful old family pet takes a turn for the worse. Reunited over the dog basket, Guy and Miranda find they haven't 'moved on' quite as they'd imagined. Described as unique, innovative and hilarious, it may just take you by suprise.
Every week the listings page will be doing a 'Top Five' feature compiling a selection of the best of everything in and around Cardiff. If you agree/disagree with any of the choices for the 'Top Five' or have any ideas for a 'Top Five' feature, then email: listings@gairrhydd.com Or Contact us on the Twitter/Facebook info below to share your suggestions. Listings editor: Gareth Johnston
Plus One Mondays There little point in denying that this is the place to be on a Monday night. Jaegerbombs £1.50, cocktails buckets at £5. Get there early if you want to avoid long queues, which in the winter usually involves getting cold and probably wet.
This week The Lash is heading to Gotham City, Metropolis and all things super, in a comical night of heroic madness. With blow up pop art, affordable drinks and the main attraction; The Lash Bouncy Jousting Arena. It promises to be a night of ridiculous costumes, cheesy chat up lines and the perefect excuse to act half your age. If all of that still doesn't get your batmobile engine revving, then there's always the Singstar room to warm up for your 2012 X Factor audition.
Motorpoint Arena, 7:00pm, £28.00
Florida's finest are back on our shores with their blend of melody shredding riffs and soaring vocals. Re-known in the rock world for their live shows, this is a rare chance to see them in a larger venue. The band beat Avenged Sevenfold and Linkin Park to win in FuseTV's fans poll earlier this year. A must see for those who prefer the thrill of the mosh-pit to the clubs.
Those of you who are experienced on the Cardiff club scene will need no telling where the best night for students in the city centre is on a Tuesday night. Arguably one of Cardiff's hottest night clubs in recent years, Revolution pumps out R+B, House and electro tunes accompanied with an unparralelled selection of vodka shots and flavours. If you want to guarantee a smooth entry then arrive before 10pm, to avoid long queues, always packed.
The Cardiff Devils take on the eigth placed Hull Stingrays at the Planet Ice arena as the Devils aim to push for a place at the top end of the table. Always jam packed, with plenty of noise and commotion to keep a bouyant and action fuelled atmosphere going, there really is no other sport that delivers the same entertainment as ice hockey. So sit back, wave your over-sized foam finger in the air and watch some grown men slide around, fighting over the puck for your viewing pleasure.
News Opinion Politics Feature Science Societies Listings 9 - 12 1-7 15 - 17 18 - 21 23 - 25 26 - 27 30 - 31
Monday November 21 2011
Sport 37 - 40
Listings 31
gairrhydd
What better way to spend a Thursday evening than watching the Blues play in front of thousands of passionate fans. Following a fortnight of European action, attention turns to domestic matters, with the Blues looking to do the double over the Italians, following the hard fought 26-37 victory in the away leg in October. A win would cement their place in the top four after a strong start, anything less means they face a mid field scrap.
Killer Tom returns for another Friday to remember at the Union, and yes, the glowsticks are still there too. Still going strong after many a year of service to Cardiff students, Boombox has cheap drinks, great music and whilst not as busy as Comeplay, it guarantees to be buzzing with activity. Late night food available in The Taf, including free bottled water throughout.
Free
It's that time of the student calendar when you realise you still need to party but you've already pissed away most of your student loan! So there is at least a temporary solution with a 100% free party smack in the middle of studentville at Koko's, with the cheapest drinks in Cathays....probably.
The Bronx is an American hardcore punk band from Los Angeles formed in 2002. The band’s current lineup consists of vocalist Matt Caughthran, guitarists Joby J. Ford and Ken Horne, bass guitarist Brad Magers, and drummer Jorma Vik. They have released three eponymous rock albums, and two additional albums of mariachi music under the alter ego Mariachi El Bronx. Take some earplugs if you plan on attending as they are loud!
9:30pm-2:00am, £4.00
Fuzzy Logic presents artist, producer and all round DJ God, Calvin Harris, who saw his collaborations with Dizzie Rascal and Rihanna reach number 1 in the UK charts, will be performing a live set at Oceana. Tickets will sell out, so get online to Oceana's webpage now to avoid disappointment! £10 to see one of the world's most loved DJ's is price worth paying, so get yourself down to the hottest night in Cardiff and 'Bounce' the night away!
Just your standard Comeplay, i.e the best alternative to the rather unsavoury character's one might Flashy, classy, polished, expensive and busy are just some of the words used to describe Soda Bar, but there is no denying that it fast becoming one of Cardiff's hottest venues and on Fridays it hosts the event previously held at Glam"Smack". Soda Bar, boasts a large and diverse area. Including a Clubroom, basement, lounge and roof terrace, though be warned that it does get very busy so arrive before 10pm for best results.
urday night. Guaranteed to be packed and blaring out music so loud that you can't hear yourself scream, there's enough to justify the ridiculously long queues on the steps of the union. Ensure you have your ID ready and waiting, to make the mundane process of entry that much quicker. If you do have that little too much to drink then there are water bottles provided upon exit, and food in The Taf.
Millenium Stadium Tickets: 08442 777 888 Millenium Centre: 029 2063 6464 New Theatre: 029 2087 8889 St David's Hall box office: 029 2087 8444 Motorpoint Arena: 029 2022 4488 Swalec Cricket Stadium: 029 2041 9315
If you have taken part in Movember this month, then go and reward yourself by having a few drinks at Ten Feet Tall in celebration of your ability to grow a convincing handlebar in a matter of weeks.
Winter Wonderland: 029 2087 2965 Revolution: 02920 236689 Live Lounge: 029 2132 8159 Walkabout: 029 20 727 930 Metros: 029 2039 9939 Cardiff Blues Tickets 0845 345 1400
answers.
EASY
INTERMEDIATE
CHALLENGING
Riddle answer. You can work the riddle out algebraically or logically. The algebra is too complicated to detail here, (Google it!) but logically: We know (thanks to condition 1) that when the man has travelled 1/4 of the tunnel length the train is at the start of the tunnel. So if the man continues through the tunnel instead of going back he'll be half way through when the train enters the tunnel. This means that he travels half the length of the tunnel in the time it takes the train to travel the whole length. So the train is twice as fast!
Rhys's riddles. You are given two hourglasses. One measures 4 minutes and one measures 7 minutes. How would you measure exactly 9 minutes?
S C
I T O
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How many words of three or more letters, each including the letter at the centre of the wheel, can you make from this diagram? We've found 20, including a nine-letter word. Can you do better?
word wheel.
sudoku.
INTERMEDIATE
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30Puzzles
Monday November 21 2011
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32Taf-od Cerith Rhys Jones Taf-od
Fis diwethaf, lansiwyd Comisiwn gan yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Gymru, Cheryl Gillan AS, fydd â chyfrifoldeb dros adolygu trefniadau ariannol a chyfansoddiadol yng Nghymru, ac ar Dachwedd y 4edd yn Stadiwm y Mileniwm, cyfarfu’r Comisiwn (a elwir yn Gomisiwn Silk) am y tro cyntaf i ddechrau ar eu gwaith. Dau brif bwrpas y Comisiwn yn ôl y Swyddfa Gymreig yw i edrych a yw’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol yn ddigon atebol i bobl Cymru o ran yr arian y mae’n ei wario, ac i adolygu’r pwerau sydd yn ei feddi-
Garmon Rhys Taf-od Dwi’n cofio fy mlwyddyn gyntaf fel petai hi’n ddoe. Dwi’n cofio’r cyffro o symud mewn i Senghennydd, y wen ar fy ngwyneb wrth sylweddoli nad oeddwn i’n byw hefo Mam a Dad mwyach, a’r teimlad fy mod i’n gwneud gradd mewn partio, nid Mathemateg. Mae yna ambell i atgof bythgofiadwy yn fy mhen o’r partion gwyllt gawsom ni mewn amryw i fflat dros Senghennydd y flwyddyn honno, a ‘Fel Hyn am Byth’ gan Yr Ods yn taranu yn y cefndir bob nos yn ddi-ffael. Ers eu gweld nhw’n gwirioni’r dorf yng Nglwb Ifor Bach yn fy wythnos gyntaf yng Nghaerdydd, ‘Troi a Throsi’ gan Yr Ods ydi’r albym mae pawb wedi bod yn aros amdani yn eiddgar. A braf yw cael dweud nad yw’n siomi. O gwbl. Yn syth o’r nodyn cyntaf, mae’n amlwg fod y band wedi mynd ati i gyfleu yr hyn mae’n nhw yn neud orau, sef chwarae’n fyw. Yn wahanol iawn i’r EP a ryddawyd nôl ym mis Hydref llynedd, mae yna lai o bwyslais ar swn synth y tro hwn. Mae’n swnio fel petai’r gitârs wedi cael lle i anadlu, gan roi cydbwysedd perffaith rhwng y ddau sain gwahanol; cydbwysedd sy’n gwneud
Monday November 21 2011
ant. Cadeirydd y Comisiwn fydd Paul Silk a oedd gynt yn glerc i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol ac yn Nhy’r Cyffredin, ac y mae i’r Comisiwn chwe aelod arall – un cynrychiolydd o’r bedair brif blaid wleidyddol yng Nghymru, a dau gynrychiolydd a enwebwyd yn annibynnol. Bydd y Comisiwn yn edrych ar atebolrwydd ariannol y Cynulliad rhwng nawr a Hydref 2012, ac ar bwerau’r Cynulliad o hynny hyd ddiwedd 2013. Gyda Llafur mewn grym ym Mae Caerdydd, byddai’n rhesymol disgwyl i Peter Hain, Ysgrifennydd yr
Wrthblaid dros Gymru yn Llundain a’r Aelod Seneddol dros Gastell Nedd, fod yn hapus i glywed Paul Silk a Cheryl Gillan yn myfyrio am waith y Comisiwn o ran edrych ar drosglwyddo pwerau trethi i Fae Caerdydd. Ond na, ddiwrnod cyn i’r Comisiwn gyfarfod, roedd Mr Hain wrthi’n rhybuddio mai “dinistrio’r genedl” fyddai rhoi pwerau deddfu i’r Cynulliad yn ei wneud. Fe ddywedodd yn ystod dadl ar y Comisiwn ar Dachwedd y 3ydd mai cyfanswm cyllid trethi blynyddol Cymru yw £17.1 biliwn tra bod cyfanswm gwariant cyhoeddus Cymru bron i ddwbl hynny: £33.5 biliwn. Ei honiad ef oedd mai agenda’r Glymblaid yn San Steffan yw haneru’r maint o arian a roddid i’r Cynulliad, ond roedd Ms Gillan yn gyflym i wadu hyn gan ddweud fod Mr Hain yn ceisio “codi ofn diangen ymhlith pobl Cymru. Gall unrhyw ffwl wario arian, beth sy’n rhaid i ni gael yw atebolrwydd,” meddai. Yn ystod y ddadl, roedd llefarydd Plaid Cymru ar yr economi yn Nhy’r Cyffredin, a’r Aelod Seneddol dros Ddwyrain Caerfyrddin a Dinefwr, Jonathan Edwards yn hapus – am unwaith – i gefnogi’r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol. Meddai ef: “Mae fy mhlaid i’n llwyr gytuno â’r sylwadau a wnaethpwyd gan yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol … ynghylch atebolrwydd. Cyn imi ddod i [Dy’r Cyffredin], roeddwn i’n gynghorydd
cyfiawnder i’w sioeau byw. Er bod oes Brit-Pop wedi hen ddiflannu, mae’r gân ‘Paid  Gwrando Ar Y Gân’ fel taith nôl i ganol y 90au, gydag awgrymiadau hiraethus o Oasis a Blur yn creu agoriad cryf i’r albwm. Mae hyn yn arwain at ‘Dadansoddi’, sydd ar y cychwyn yn swnio fel cyfuniad rhyfedd o Pink Floyd a’r Vengaboys, cyn cyrraedd cytgan y byddai unrhyw fand Pop/ Roc yn genfigennus ohono. Mae’n amlwg fod aros pum mlynedd cyn rhyddhau eu albwm cyntaf (ffurfiwyd y band fel myfyrwyr Prifysgol Aberystwyth nôl yn 2006) wedi galluogi i’r band gasglu amryw o ddylanwadau eang i greu campwaith o ganeuon sydd ddim yn ailadrodd yr un waith. Digon hawdd yw dychmygu clywed ‘Cariad (Dwi Mor Anhapus)’ mewn caffi Americanaidd yn y 50au. Er mor dor-calonnus ydy’r geiriau am rhywun mewn perthynas o drybini, amhosib ydi peidio gwenu neu ddawnsio iddi. Mi fyddai’n gamp i unrhywun ffeindio cân bop well eleni. Ar y llaw arall mae’r gân derfynol, ‘Cau Dy Lygaid’. Fy ffefryn personol, mae hon yn bendant wedi cael ei hysgrifennu ar gyfer arenas (mae’n anffodus nad oes yna lawer o arenas yma yng Nghymru!) Ond er yr holl enwi ar fandiau a
chyfnodau eraill, mae stamp pendant Yr Ods ar bob un o’u caneuon. Nid oes ar unrhyw adeg o ‘Troi a Throsi’ deimlad bod y band yn efelychu rhywun, na’n ceisio bod yn rhywbeth nad ydyn nhw. Mae Yr Ods wedi mynd ati i sgwennu albym o ganeuon Pop/Roc syml ond effeithiol, rhai i dorri a chodi calonnau, casgliad o ganeuon sy’n bortread llachar o fod yn ifanc heddiw. Gyda’r band eisioes wedi chwarae yng ngwyl Glastonbury ddwywaith yn barod, ac erbyn hyn yn cael eu hystyried fel un o brif fandiau Cymru wedi iddynt hedleinio nos Iau Maes B Wrecsam eleni, dim ond un cwestiwn sy’n dod i’r meddwl ... beth nesaf ? Digon hawdd fyddai chwarae’n sâff a pheidio mentro’n uwch. Wedi iddynt orffen eu taith o Gymru yn hyrwyddo ‘Troi a Throsi’, mae’r her yno i’r hogia o’r gogledd fynd ati i wynebu’r ‘difficult second album’ hefo hyder. Os fydd hi cystal â hon, dwi’n fodlon aros yn hir unwaith eto.
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tref. Roeddem yn gyfrifol am faterion lleol yn unig ond roedd gennym bwerau trethi. Nid allaf ddeall pam y buasai unrhyw un yn gwrthwynebu rhoi pwerau tebyg i Lywodraeth Cymru gan y byddai hyn yn canolbwyntio meddyliau ACau ar greu cyfoeth, sy’n dra phwysig. Os ydym o ddifrif am greu cymdeithas fwy llewyrchus, mae’n rhaid inni ganolbwyntio ar ddatblygu cyfoeth, ac y mae’n rhaid i Lywodraeth Cymru wneud hefyd.” Ymddengys fod Mr Hain yn canolbwyntio ar un o agweddau eraill y ddadl. Ar ddiwrnod y ddadl yn Nhy’r Cyffredin, cyhoeddwyd erthygl ganddo ef ar wefan WalesHome.org, yn nodi ei farn mai “Gweledigaeth y Blaid Lafur yw o Brydain lle mae’r rhannau cryfach a chyfoethocach yn cefnogi’r rhannau gwanach, tlotach. Ail-ddosberthir rhai adnoddau o Dde Dwyran Lloegr i Gymru a dylai hynny barhau, er mwyn sicrhau bod pob man ym Mhrydain yn ariannol-gynaliadwyol.” Mae Prif Weinidog Cymru, Carwyn Jones AC, wedi crybwyll trosglwyddo cyfrifoldeb dros Dreth Stamp (Stamp Duty) a rhai trethi eraill i’r Cynulliad. Tra bod Ms Gillan yn ymddangos yn gefnogol i drosglwyddo’r fath bwerau i Fae Caerdydd, nid yw ei chydweithiwr hi yn y Blaid Geidwadol, Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Dethol ar Faterion Cym-
tafod@gairrhydd.com
reig a’r Aelod Seneddol dros Fynwy, David Davies AS, yn gytun. “Ni fyddaf yn cynnig croeso, pwyllog neu fel arall, i Gomisiwn Silk. Ar ei ddiwedd, byddan nhw’n dweud fod y mwyafrif helaeth o bobl wnaeth ymateb o blaid rhoi mwy o bwerau i’r Cynulliad, ac yn hynny o beth, fe geiff y Cynulliad fwy o bwerau. Mae’n debyg ein bod wedi cloi i mewn i ryw ‘Groundhog Day’ cyfansoddiadol.” Mae’n amlwg nad yw’r Blaid Dorïaidd (na chwaith y Blaid Lafur, efallai) yn siarad ag un llais ar y mater hwn felly, ond does dim sioc yn yr hyn y mae gan Mr Davies i’w ddweud. Fe bleidleisiodd ‘Na’ yn y refferendwm ar bwerau’r Cynulliad fis Mawrth eleni, ac yn ddiweddar, roedd e’n un o’r ASau Torïaidd a wrthryfelodd yn erbyn David Cameron yn y ddadl diweddar ar gynnal refferendwm ar aelodaeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd – mae ganddo enw am fynd yn erbyn Chwip ei blaid! P’run bynnag, boed efo cefnogaeth Mr Davies a Mr Hain, neu hebddo, mae gwaith y Comisiwn yn dechrau, ac am y ddwy flynedd nesaf, mae digon o’u blaenau; a chyda chefnogaeth y ddwy lywodraeth ar naill ochr yr M4, dydw i ddim yn credu y caiff dadleuon Mr Hain na Mr Davies fawr o effaith ar y comisiynwyr.
Dyma lle bydd Yr Ods yn gorffen ei taith o amgylch Cymru... 26/11 - Whitehall, Pwllheli 10/12 - Clwb Ifor Bach, CAERDYDD 21/12 - Base, Bangor
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Siôn Llywelyn Jones Taf-od Yn ôl yng nghanol yr 80au, cyflwynwyd cerddoriaeth rap i’r iaith Gymraeg gan John Griffiths a Kevs Ford, o dan yr enw Llwybr Llaethog. Dros chwarter canrif yn ddiweddarach, mae’r ‘cyn-deidiau dub’ yn dal i wthio ffiniau cerddorol yr iaith Gymraeg drwy greu cerddoriaeth amgen sy’n defnyddio arddulliau amrywiol o gerddoriaeth – o hip-hop i pync roc. Ar ôl un o brydau blasus Kevs, cefais sgwrs â’r ddau am fywyd y band a’u halbwm newydd – Curiad Cariad. Yn gyntaf, ychydig o hanes y band. Felly, sut wnaethon nhw ddechrau? ‘Da ni erioed wedi dechrau, ‘da ni wedi bodoli trwy’r adag. Nath Duw creu ni ar y trydydd dydd,’ yw honiad Kevs. Y gwir hanes yw fod y band wedi cychwyn ym 1985, pan ddarganfyddodd John hip-hop ar ôl trip i America. Gyda help Kevs, sefydlwyd Llwybr Llaethog. Eu bwriad oedd i ledaenu cerddoriaeth rap i Gymru. Mae’r ddau wedi bod yn chwarae mewn bandiau gyda’i gilydd ers eu harddegau. Beth ydi’r gyfrinach tu ôl i berthynas hir y ddau? Yn ôl Kevs, ‘Da ni byth yn stopio rhyddhau recordiau. Hefyd, da ni heb gael digon o’n gilydd eto’. Ceir y teimlad nad yw’n bosib gwahanu’r ddau; mae’n debyg na fyddai’r un o’r ddau yr un fath heb y llall.
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Ar y pumed o Ragfyr, rhyddheir eu deuddegfed albwm, Curiad Cariad. Beth sydd i’w ddisgwyl o’r albwm newydd? ‘Disgwyliwch mics gwallgo a rhyfeddol o electronic, reggae, easy listening, smooth grooves a punk rock,’ meddai Kevs. ‘Da ni di cydweithio gyda nifer o dalentau cerddorol Cymru. Nathon ni gysylltu â David R. Edwards [o Datblygu], a gofyn iddo os fyddai’n hoffi ymddangos ar drac. Ddiwrnod ar ôl clywed y gerddoriaeth, nath o sgwennu’r geiriau. Recordiwyd y trac dros y ffôn. Nathon ni orffen y trac ar ôl y 2nd take. Enw’r gan ydi Bodlondeb Ty Cnau ac mae’n sôn am ei gyfnod yn yr ysbyty meddwl. Mae Steffan Cravos, Catrin Dafydd, Aneirin 9 Tonne a Mark Cyrff yn ymddangos ar yr albwm. Hefyd, mae gennym drac cyffrous gyda’r old school reggae master Geraint Jarman. Da ni hefyd yn gobeithio cyfansoddi trac gyda’r bardd Ifor ap Glyn. Mae ffrind Siapaneaidd Kevs yn gwneud ymddangosiad ar yr albwm hefyd,’ ychwanegodd John. Gyda nifer o enwogion y Sîn Roc Gymraeg yn ymddangos ar yr albwm , a nifer wedi cydweithio gyda’r ddau dros y blynyddoedd, oes yna unrhyw storiau diddorol i’w hadrodd? ‘Dwi’n cofio yn 1991 pan oedda ni yn recordio y record ‘LL-LL vs T.G’ ac oedd gennym ni un trac arall i’w orffen,’ adroddodd John. ‘Nathon ni ofyn i David R. Edwards os fyddai’n
hoffi recordio cân. Yn syth, gyrrodd o dy ei dad a’i fam a cyrhaeddodd gan ddisgyn o’r car gyda botal o rum a llwyth o lyrics. Gofynnodd ‘reit, lle mae’r meic?’ a recordiwyd y gân yn syth. ’ Beth yw eu barn ynghylch y Sin Roc Gymraeg heddiw? ‘Yn gyffredinol, weddol diflas,’ yw barn Kevs. ‘Mae’r bandiau dyddiau yma yn chwarae yr un fath o miwsig oedd bandiau yn chwarae pedwar deg mlynedd yn ôl.’ Yn ôl John, ‘It’s like punk rock
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never happened’ . Ateb Kevs yw ‘llai o gitar acwstig a mwy o ddychymyg’, tra bo John yn meddwl y dylai bandiau Cymraeg ddechrau defnyddio y dub production technique yn eu gwaith. Ac wrth edrych i’r dyfodol, beth sydd ar y gweill i’r band? Cynlluniau John yw ‘concro’r byd’ tra bo Kevs yn gweld y band yn parhau i ryddhau recordiau a gigio. ‘Da ni byth am ymddeol,’ meddai. ‘’Da’ni heb osod cynllun pensiwn,
felly mae rhaid i ni ddal i chwarae i neud pres.’ Caiff Curiad Cariad ei ryddhau ar y 5ed o Ragfyr, a bydd ar gael i’w lawrlwytho ar eu tudalen grwp ar Facebook. Bydd recordiau eraill a rhyddhawyd gan label y band – ‘Neud Nid Deud’ – ar gael ar yr un dudalen. Mae’r band hefyd yn gobeithio gwerthu nwyddau megis crysau-T, cwpannau a ffotograffau wedi eu harwyddo, felly gwyliwch allan!
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IMG ROUNDUP Football Results Psycho Athletico v. AFC Cathays..............................................3-6 Fenerbahçe Cardiff S.K. v. KLAW FC...................................................3-9 Chemistry FC v. Engin Auotomotive.................................................1-1 Inter Menan v. AFC Dent-History....................................................2-1 MOMED AFC v. Your Mum's Athletic....................................................4-0 SOCSI v. Cardiff University 6th team...............................................1-1 Economics v. Port Fail.................6-4 JOMEC v. Opus 11........................6-0 FC EUROS v. Time Team.............4-3 Law B v. Dynamo Cathays............4-4 Engin Locomotive v. Real Ale Madrid................................................5-1
Johnson quits Dale Jones Sports Writer Martin Johnson’s reign as England Rugby’s head coach has come to an all-to-sudden end after weeks of speculation following a disappointing World Cup campaign. After three and a half years in the role, Johnson has decided to step down after a succession of off-field controversies and on-field failures in New Zealand. The RFU will now be seeking to appoint Johnson’s successor before the 2012 Six Nations, with World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry, and Northampton’s Jim Mallinder, the apparent front runners for the position after Nick Mallet seeimingly ruled himself out of the role. Johnson’s playing background is second to none however this role was his first ever as a coach and ultimately proved to be a step too far, too soon. England legends Jeremy Guscott and Will Carling feel that Johnson’s made the right decision by stepping down, whilst stressing that he shouldn’t be singled out for England’s recent failures. Although England managed a Six Nations Championship win under Johnson, his time in charge will ultimately be looked back on as unsuccessful. It appears that his words in the dressing room and on the training field as a coach, were far less effective, than his actions on it as a player and a captain.
Port Fail succumb to high scoring Economics Chris Duncan Sports Writer
Economics..................................6 Port Fail.....................................4 Economics and Port Fail slugged out a ten goal thriller in another instalment of IMG magic on Wednesday. Port Fail enjoyed the opening exchanges, yet they saw themselves go 1-0 down early on after a long ball was met by an Economics head. The opening goal was followed by Economics second; Chris Duncan this time being guilty of holding the ball when a long clearance would have sufficed. Once the second goal was scored, Economics began to dominate possession as Port Fail became frustrated with the run around. Unfortunately for the Fail, things were about to get worse; after making some space on the edge of the area, the Economics striker curled a pot shot which was heading for Williams' arms, only for him to let it pass into his net. At this point, Port Fail were managing to forge some spells of dominance, that improve-
ment finally paid off when James Carter was played through to give the Fail a glimmer of hope.
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At half time, the game was all but
for a longer period. Carter scored Port Fails third from a long free kick and Chris Duncan put away a late penalty after Liam Doyle was fouled in the area. Unfortunately, the flurry of goals was too little too late as Economics held on for the win.
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England will be focused on carrying this momentum into the final
The strongmen trio of James Graham, Jamie Peacock and James Roby have given England the much needed go-ahead that has been lacking in recent years and has laid the platform for the victories over Wales and New Zealand. However, McNamara stressed that what was most impressive in England’s victory was the “controlled, measured, efficient, effective” way in which the team operated, with special reference to the maturity shown by the usually flamboyant Rangi Chase,
Law A vs Fenerbahçe Cardiff S.K. Gym Gym vs Law B
Psycho Athletico vs KLAW F.C. Dynamo Cathays vs Engin Locomotive FC EUROS vs Engin Automotive Real Ale Madrid vs CARBS FC
Dale Jones reviews England's form and looks towards the final as his deftness of touch and calmness under pressure gives him the ability to unlock any defence in an instant. Especially when supported by Ryan Hall, who finds it effortless to touch down at any given opportunity.
Upcoming Fixtures
COMSC FC vs AFC Time Team
Once again though, a good break from the Economics attack and some exemplary IMG defending led to the revival of the three goal lead. At half time, the game was all but over. Economics then picked up where they left off by converting a penalty following an attack which has left a Port Fail defender with a broken hand. Economics took advantage of a stunned Port Fail and scored their sixth on the break, leaving the defence in their wake. Port Fail’s second goal from a corner was met with little enthusiasm from either team, yet it kicked off a mini-revival and a spell of dominance that would have ensured a closer game had it been sustained
England roar into Four Nations final ngland’s Rugby League team have flown into the final of this year’s Four Nations Championship by demolishing World Champion’s New Zealand 28-6. The men in white followed up their narrow defeat at the hands of Australia, in the previous round of the competition by producing their best performance under head coach Steve McNamara. McNamara vowing to let his side celebrate their dominant display before setting their sights on winning the tournament. Rejuvenated in his new role at half-back, England skipper Kevin Sinfield’s man-of-the-match performance saw him convert all six of his kicks at goal whilst his positional kicking performance was immaculate. Wigan’s Sam Tomkins again showed the world his natural talent with ball in hand as he caused havoc for the Kiwi defence. If England are going to cause an upset in the final they will need Tomkins at his best
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who gave his most effective performance in English white. Wales have been far less successful than their buoyant neighbours, suffering massive defeats at the hands of all opposition. They have conceded 134 points and scored just 18 in their three matches. Rugby Union convert Gareth Thomas retired from the sport prior to the tournament whilst captain and talisman Lee Briers has since announced his retirement from international duty. Wales will now look to the future as their ongoing plans to become an international force take yet another backward step. England will be focused on carrying this momentum into the final as they seek revenge against the Kangeroos who executed a 36-20 victory over them in the second round. If they can do this, and reach their full potential once they cross the white line, they are more than capable of lifting the Four Nations Trophy at Elland Road.
Chemistry Fc vs EARTH SOC
Pharm AC vs Port Fail Economics FC vs Myg Myg AFC History vs Your Mums Athletic FC MOMED AFC vs JOMEC Opus 11 vs Inter Me-nan AFC Dent-History vs SOCSI Cardiff University 6th Team vs AFC Cathays
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England scrape wins over Spain and Sweden whilst Wales turn on the style in an emphatic victory over Norway. Matt Gray Sports Writer A second-half header from Frank Lampard and an own-goal from Daniel Majstorovic were just enough for a humble England side to hold on for 1-0 victories over Spain and Sweden. Meanwhile the upstart Welsh squad romped to a 4-1 thumping of Norway at Cardiff City Stadium. In a match that was dominated by the World and European champions, England did well to limit their Spanish opponents to only a few chances despite being starved of possession. An unfulfilling first half of football sparked into life four minutes after the break, when a Darren Bent header hit the post and bounced across goal, leaving Lampard with a gift to put England in front. The Three Lions held off the late onslaught from Spain's finest, with a gutsy and at times desperate final stand that saw them run ragged by the final whistle. Scott Parker was justly crowned man of the match following his stout performance, but was not the only English player to impress on the night, with Joleon Lescott making a statement for why he deserves
a spot in Fabio Capello's squad. The victory may not have proved that England are ready to compete with the worlds' elite teams, but it will give them confidence going into next year's European Championships. However England's win was outdone by a Welsh revival here in Cardiff that saw Gary Speed's side take a big step forward on the international stage. The match saw Wales came storming out of the gate, with Gareth Bale putting the home side up by a goal in the eleventh minute. The spurs winger ran onto Steve Morison's lofted pass over the Norway defence before volleying home the opening goal at the near post. Craig Bellamy doubled the lead five minutes later in emphatic fashion. Galloping left back Adam Matthews was a clever decoy on the left wing, allowing Bellamy to cut inside and curl the ball into the far corner. Defensive errors saw Norway claw one back in the second half, but it was the dragons third goal of the evening that marked their emergence on the world stage. Bellamy and Bale put together a stunning
display of counter attacking football that saw the Norweigan defenders helpless to stop substitute striker SamVokes from slotting home a Gareth Bale cross. Tuesday night saw England take to the field for a far from classic encounter with Sweden They dragged out another 1-0 victory that ensured Capello's side remained unbeaten in 2011. The game's only goal came in the twenty-second minute via a Gareth Barry header that deflected off Majstorovic to seal not only a victory for England but also their 2,000th goal. John Terry received a smattering of boos as he returned to captain England for the first time since being accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. An issue that was quickly forgotten by the record low 48,876 fans that turned out at Wembley Stadium. Despite a lack of action on the pitch, England's youngsters gave a lasting impression with Jack Rodwell and man of the match Kyle Walker performing well in their first starts at senior level.
gair rhydd sport look at the defence coaches decision to extend his Welsh contract Rhys Clayton Sports Writer After an inspirational World Cup, supporters will be delighted that the Warren Gatland’s coaching axis will remain. The WRU took a gamble in securing Head Coach Gatland's future pre-tournament, but 45 year-old OBE Edwards was a free man. Fears of losing him escalated when Gatland commented, “Shaun Edwards must do what is best for Shaun Edwards”. It is little wonder that Edwards was a man in demand. His national CV reads 2008 Grand Slam winners (where they conceded only two tries. At club level, during his highly successful 10-year involvement with the London Wasps, which ended this month, he helped them win two Heineken Cups, and four English Premierships titles In his column in The Guardian, Edwards spoke frankly about possible future England ambitions. "It is something I would enjoy because, after all, I'm English and representing your country is what you aspire
to. However, at the moment I don't want to talk about England.” The Rugby League great has likened Wales to his home of Wigan, with passionate, but demanding sport fans. Nevertheless, he is English, and was surely one of the front-runners for the England Head Coach position. So why did he not join England? "Well, the simple answer is that they didn't ask", which is the type of quote you have come to expect from the no nonsense defence guru. The new contract allows Edwards to continue part time work with an English Club team, and he has been strongly linked to the defensive coach's position at Leicester Tigers. They have publicly highlighted their defensive frailties as something that needs particular attention. Despite Leicester and Wasp’s great rivalry, Edwards at the Tigers would not be a shock. Linking international and club roles are not the norm in rugby, but for Edwards, a work-a-holic with rugby in the blood, the international scene doesn't offer the "addictive regular buzz of club weekends". His
contract also leaves the door open for a potential link with the 2013 Lions tour to Australia, mirroring his 2009 South Africa Lions Tour involvement. It would appear that both the WRU and Edwards are perfectly content with the new deal. Edwards has been linked to a part time role at the Cardiff Blues, but with this arrangement surely blurring the boundaries between club and country work, an Aviva Premiership role is the more likely. Additionally, Edwards will now be a WRU employee, working part time for a club, rather than the previous deal, that saw him working for Wales under the sufferance of Wasps. Edwards will also be part of the WRU national academy system, including work with Welsh Premiership clubs, the u-20s, 18s and 16s. Welsh fans can look forward to the next four years with fervour and great hope that World Cup glory is a realistic ambition.
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Your Pitch: Matt Gray
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on what's needed in international friendlies to steal the limelight from England in what has been a great few months for Welsh sport. England's approach to the friendlies has continued to be focused on auditioning young talent. This was evident from Capello's eight changes to the squad that toppled Spain on Saturday night.
nternational friendlies continue to be as polarizing to football fans as The X-Factor. England's 1-0 win over Sweden pulled in a record low of 48,876 fans to the new Wembley stadium, the question of the relevance of international friendlies rears its head yet again. The attendance figures suggest that most of us are more concerned about the possibility of losing valuable club players to injury than about the actual result. However this past week's games gave a glimpse of what could be a surprisingly bright future for the home nations.
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The reality is fans want to see the team's stars
We know what Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard are capable of, so why the need to see what they can do? It seems England fans are seriously questioning why they are being asked to pay to watch the men who will keep England's bench warm in Poland and the Ukraine. While fostering the wealth of young talent available to the National side is integral to producing success down the road, the reality is fans want to see the team's stars. Not only that but with the limited time that these youngsters have had to make an impact, it raises the question; is Capello's 'experiment' just a way of covering up the
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England's 1-0 over Sweden pulled in a record low of 48,876 fans
For sides like Wales, who are out of contention for Euro 2012, Saturday's game provided a snapshot of their potential as Gary Speed's side set their sights on the 2014 World Cup qualifying stages. With Wales' biggest stars on display we were greeted to some exciting football. The 4-1 win was more than enough
difficulty he has had in getting big players to take part in trivial games such as these? How can Capello expect his team of young players to produce great football if they're not playing alongside the countries best players? How much can you garner from a cobbled together team, that see debuting youngsters teaming up with bargain bin strikers like Bobby Zamora? More to the point, why should we care as fans? While Welsh and Scottish football reveled in rare moments in the sun this week, expectations have grown so large for established footballing nations such as Spain and England that the fans no longer see the value in winning a friendly. As a result the team continues to be as interested in playing them as we are in watching them.
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Lower league sides encapsulate the joy of the cup while some struggle to fill stadiums
George Dugdale Sports Writer As the eyes of most football fans were looking towards England's friendly with Spain on Saturday evening, around the country the FA Cup first round was in full swing. After four qualifying rounds, League One and Two clubs enter the world's oldest football competition at this stage, each wary of a potential upset. With the Premier League's largest teams exhibiting an increasingly relaxed attitude in the competition, the FA Cup is firmly a tournament for the underdog. This was well reflected at Bramall Lane, where only 7,991 fans
turned out to see Sheffield United record a comfortable 3-0 victory over Oxford United. With over 2000 of these fans in the away end, the competition is far more adept at capturing the imagination of the lower league side. This attendance was comfortably the highest this weekend, reflecting the difficulty the FA face in maintaining the reputation of the famous cup. In 2008, Liverpool's home third round tie against the plucky Havant and Waterlooville attracted a crowd only 1000 below their season average. The Bramall Lane attendance was over 11,000 beneath the average for the campaign thus
far. Whilst the competition is in the early stages, there is a clear gulf of interest. At this point, however, the aim of every club is to reach the third round draw, where the Premier League giants enter the pot. For the first round's stand-out team, this is a real possibility. AFC Totton recorded an impressive 8-1 victory over Bradford Park Avenue thanks to a Stefan Brown hat-trick. Their path to a potentially lucrative third round fixture is now blocked only by a home tie against a Bristol Rovers side who made hard work of their 3-1 home victory over Corby. The minnows are set to receive
£72,000 from this fixture alone, with ITV selecting the game for their Sunday lunchtime slot. Two other sides benefiting financially from their cup exploits are Oxford City and Redbridge, the cup's lowest ranked remaining club. Despite an unattractive fixture at Crawley Town awaiting the winners of the replay after a goalless draw in Essex, the victorious club will take their cup earnings to a significant £42,000. For this reason alone, the FA Cup still works for lower league clubs. Elsewhere, Evostik Premier Division side Stourbridge will lock horns with Plymouth Argyle once
more, having been denied victory by Onismor Bhasera's late equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Home Park. There were notable League One scalps at The County Ground, where Paolo Di Canio's Swindon Town crushed Huddersfield Town 4-1; and at Fleetwood Town, where Jamie Vardy and Andy Mangan goals saw the 10-man Blue Square Bet Premier team to a win over Wycombe Wanderers. As the second round fixtures are played on the 3rd and 4th of December, the eyes of every club will be on one thing – a glamour tie in the third round.
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Is the FA cup losing it's magic? << Inside
Cardiff Ladies edge out Glamorgan Glamorgan University Firsts..............2 Cardiff University Firsts.................3
Amy Hill evaluates Cardiff University Rowing Club's recent CURC victories
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Sophie Gidley Political Editor With a strong start to their season, achieving three wins from three games and securing an impressive goal difference of 31 already, Cardiff Ladies Football 1st knew that they were in for a far tougher game this week. Travelling away to Glamorgan University, the girls were up against a very physical side, but proved their worth in a match which saw them secure top spot in the Western 2B League. Despite the weather, pitch conditions at Glamorgan were perfect which favoured Cardiff ’s linking play. With both teams trying to assert their dominance in the opening ten minutes, solid tackles were being put in by both sides. However, Cardiff held the edge as they maintained possession in the Glamorgan half. Quick passing down the wing between Caitlin Tew and Emily Davies allowed several perfect crosses to be played into the box which Car-
diff were unfortunate not to capitalise on. It was in the twentieth minute that the away side were finally rewarded for their efforts. From a throw in, captain Sophie Gidley shouldered off the defender and struck a low left-footed shot on the turn which striker Bryony Baker then tucked into the bottom righthand corner. Glamorgan responded with a quick attack, and continued to drive Cardiff back into their own half. The away team struggled with the pace of two of their forwards but centre backs Hannah Mills and Frances Dalton defended well and finally got the ball out wide for a counter attack. As the physical strength of Glamorgan got the better of them, a rough tackle saw centre-midfielder Susie Davis being brought down ten yards outside the box. Mills stepped up for the free kick and struck a perfect shot that dipped and lobbed the keeper, putting them two-nil up
at half time. In the second half Glamorgan came back fighting and the strength and pace of their midfield troubled Cardiff. Strong runs by the home side down the right wing panicked Cardiff who struggled to get the ball out of their own half. Glamorgan soon made the most of their efforts and a bouncing shot from just inside the box was fumbled into the back of the net. This seemed to give Glamorgan greater strength, and they ferociously pressurised Cardiff, with swift switching play and decent through balls which troubled the back four. A sloppy free kick was given away just on the edge of the Cardiff box and they were lucky that Glamorgan’s main striker was not quite on form as she aimed high over the crossbar and later struck a shot wide of the post. However Cardiff did not sit back and a swift counter attack saw Davis dribble the ball past several players in the middle of the field, then play
a firm pass out to Gidley. Who then broke down the left wing and just on the edge of the box thumped a ball at goal from a tight angle which ricocheted off the keeper. Davies was quick to follow this in and secured a well deserved goal for her well timed run. In the last fifteen, Cardiff defended wholeheartedly as Glamorgan continued to press play and the away side could hardly get a hold on the ball. However, Cardiff ’s defence remained solid and keeper Fliss Carroll made some sweeping saves to keep the away side ahead. It was unfortunate that a last minute goal was so easily given away, as a miscommunication saw the Glamorgan striker simply control the ball unpressurised in the box and placed a sweet ball in the bottom left. Yet, as the final whistle blew Cardiff ’s defensive efforts had paid off and with a 3-2 win the girls were happy to have secured their fourth consecutive win of the season.
TEAM OF THE WEEK: Cardiff University Men's Badminton Congratulations to the first team who beat Plymouth firsts 6-2
aturday November 12th saw Cardiff University Rowing Club athletes dominating on their home patch. With Cardiff City Rowing Club hosting Cardiff Small Boats head, crews raced from the red footbridge in Bute Park to the bay, a distance of approx. 3.5km downstream. It was a long day with most racing twice but, fast times were the order of the day with crews setting down markers for the rest of the season, and achieving some great results. An excellent performance from Josh Bugajski saw him win the IM1 sculls category and be the fastest scull of the day. He was closely followed by teammates Jack Thomas who came second, and Robbie Massey who won the Elite Sculls category. All of the above then teamed up with Nick Moelesy in a quad, where they not only won their race, but also achieved the fastest 4x and fastest boat of the day, which was a fantastic achievement. Cardiff women put in a strong performance winning a total of six events. Helen Roberts shone with coming second in WIM3 singles, with this being only her 2nd race in a single scull. CURC Women dominated the women’s coxed fours events, winning the Novice, Senior, IM3, and IM1 categories, with the 4+ of Helen Iliff (cox), Sarah Goodison, Cari Davies, Beccy Girling and Kiah Basset achieving the fastest W4+ of the day. The women continued this trend with their two quads winning their respective categories and the 4x of Cat Battson, Emma Wirt, Kat Heine and Rosie Owens being the fastest women’s 4x of the day. This followed Cat Battson and Rosie Owens teaming in what was the fastest women’s pair earlier in the day. Overall it was a very successful day for CURC athletes. Hopefully, this success can be carried on into the winter season and next year. Well done to all our athletes!
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